mii

A TREATISE

ON

Apis (The Bee), Tela Araneze
(Cobweb), Spongia and
Cantharis.

By Joun Uri Luorp, Phar. M.

Drug Treatise No. XXI has been delayed many months, owing to
the research necessary to the systematic presentation of the subjects em-
braced therein. This will be apparent to every studious recipient, and.
yet the bibliographical references presented’ but poorly indicate the
researches necessarily made among volumes of past literature, unnamed
in these pages.

Historical data, as well as therapeutical references, are cited in each
instance, and the author asks that full credit be given to one and all.

The Librarian of the Lloyd Library, Captain Witt1am Ho .pen,
has been of incalculable assistance, and to him our especial thanks are
due. ;

To the care of the author’s secretary, Miss MarcareT STEWART,
A. M., as well as to her translations, pages 21 and 39, is due the com-
pleteness of each subject.

The author hopes that this study of a few remedies now little known,
and their past records, which are even less familiar, will be of some in-
terest and service to both physician and pharmacist recipients.

Drug Treatise No. XXI.

Issued by Lioyp Broruers, Cincinnati, Ohio.
COPYRIGHT, 19th

CONCERNING INSECTS AND RELATED REMEDIES IN
MEDICINE.

Such remedies as are of animal or insect origin have been used
from the earliest date, in medicine. As indicated in the following
pages, which concern only a few of these, the record of their employ-
ment and introduction reaches, in all directions, back into antiquity.
The references in Mouffet’s History of Insects (1658) are particu-
larly interesting, in that nearly every authority named in that remark-
able citation of authorities of the olden time, were referred to as
enthusiastic believers in insect remedies.

In Homeopathic medication many remedies of this description
are however employed, being now favorites. In Eclectic therapy but
four are given authoritative recognition, these four being the subject
of the present treatise.

There is, however, no reason why such substances as the toxins
of insects and reptiles possessed of energetic physiological reactions
should not have therapeutic qualities, if remedies like beef gall, musk,
and castor (likewise heiricoms of the past), are given pharma-
copeial recognition. In Eclectic medicine, however, spongia, apis,
tela aranee, and cantharides are the only ones having any conspicuity.
All of these, excepting the last, are highly valued by a great number of
Eclectic physicians, and are being increasingly employed by physicians
of other schools.

—..- The history, descriptions, and therapeutic record of these four
remedies, of which one only, spongia, is not of insect origin, are
considered in more or less detail in the following pages. The follow-
ing, from the pen of Mr. John Thomas Lloyd, briefly but yet compre-
hensively introduces the subject: :

Insects have been used in Chinese medicine from time immemorial.*
The Greeks and the Romans employed insects as far back as the time of
Christ, perhaps much earlier. But it was not until the Middle Ages that
they came into universal use, being then presumed to cure almost every
ill that affects mankind. Since that time, most insects have fallen into dis-
repute as remedial agents. The number of spiders employed has gradually
diminished until, at the present time, barely a half dozen species are utilized.
“Home practice,” however, of the older generation still recommends some
almost forgotten insect remedy, as for example Lumbricus, angle worm
oil, to cure rheumatism.

A list of the insects used in medicine during the seventeenth century
wculd enumerate almost every insect then known to man. At that period,
religionists believed that every creature was made to be of some special
benefit to man. In order to apply this theory to the hordes of insects, pre-
sumably created only to serve human interests, they were identified, wher-
ever possible, as remedies for disease. A few, however, received little or no
attention in medicine, their usefulness to man being accounted for in some
other way. Thus apis, the bee (of importance in medicine at the present
day), was much overlooked, evidently because its service to man in the
making of honey was deemed reason sufficient for its creation. In the case
of one insect, Mouffett (1658) states that he has found in it no medicinal
properties, but he expresses a strong conviction that at some time the pur-
pose of its creation will be discovered—J. T. Lloyd, Cornell University.

*From the admirable paper of Professor Albert Schneider, of California, titled, Some O5-
Lectionable and Unusual Chinese Drugs ee into the United States, we reproduce the names
“only of insect and connected remedies. The uses accompanying these are to be found in the
above paper, contributed to the Pacific Pharmacist, July, 1910. |
Beetles, Carrion Beetles, Dragon Fly, Cantharides, Centipedes, Cocoons, Crickets, Earth
worms, Eggs of Silk-Worms, Black Flies, Red Flies, Parasitized Insect Larve, Insect Skins
Dried Leeches, Maggots, Scorpions, Silk-worm Pupa, Spiders, Wasps’ Nests. e

Apis. (The Bee.)

(FORMERLY SPELLED APES).

History and Uses of Bees.—Bees have been used in medicine
from the day of Galen. Pliny and other writers of the olden time
disported at some length on the therapeutic use of the bee in sub-
stance and in compounds. Mouffet, 1658, in whose day insects and
such were favorites in medicine, makes reference, as follows, to former
authorities, and to the field of therapeutic usefulness the bee was then
presumed to occupy.

The Use of Bees in Medicine.—First of all, their bodies as soon as they
are taken out of the hive, and pounded and drank with some diuretic, or
wine and milk, do strongly cure the dropsie, dissolve the stone or gravel,
open all the passages of the urine, cure the stopping of the bladder. Bees
that die in the honey cure impostumes, and help the dullness of sight or
hearing. Also, being pounded together they cure the griping or wringing
of the belly or guts, being applied to them. If poisoned honey be drank,
they themselves being drank down after it, do expell it; they soften hard
ulcers in the lips; being bound to a carbuncle or running sore, they heal it;
they cure the bloody flux. Honey being strained with them helps the crudi-
ties of the stomach, or specks or red pimples in the face, as you may see in
Hollerius, Alexander Bened, and especially in Pliny. Take bees dead in the
combs, and when they are thoroughly dry make them into powder, as Galen
in Euporist writes, mingle them with the honey in which they died, and
anoint the parts of the head that are bald and thin haired, and you shall
see them grow again. Pliny in like manner teaches to burn a great com-
pany of bees together and mingle the ashes with oil, and anoint the part,
only with this caution, that the adjacent parts be not touched therewith;
yea, honey scraped off bees that are dead, he affirms to be very sovereign in
all diseases, and very useful. Erotis in his 61 chap. de Morh. mulieb., tells
us that their ashes beaten with oil is good to make the hair white-—Mouffet,
Theater of Insects, 1658, p- 906.

From this date, until revived in Homeopathy, Apis became grad-
ually less important until (as shown later) Dr. John M. Scudder
(1874) revived interest in it as a specific remedy in his teachings.
The history of its record (after Mouffet) may be condensed, as fol-
ows:
In the chapter on Insects in Medicinal Use, The New London
Dispensatory, Salmon, 1682, devotes two pages to Apis, together with
its products, Honey and Wax, writing as follows about the insect:

‘The Bee. 1. The Whole Bee in Powder, given inwardly, provoke
Urine, opens all stoppages of the Reins, and break the stone; they are good
against Cancers, Schirrous Tumors, the King’s Evil, Dropsie, dimness of

3

APIS.

sight, for being taken a good while, they waste the Humour, and restore
health. So their ashes, both made into an Oyntment with Oyl of Roses
and Rats’ dung, cause hair to grow speedily in bald places.

Dale, 1739, restricts Apis to alopecia and as a diuretic.

Bees, dried and powdered, as an ointment in alopecia, restore the hair.
Taken internally, they increase the flow of urine.—-Dale’s Pharmacologia, 1739.

Quincy, in his Compleat English Dispensatory, London, 1749,
confines himself as follows to “prepared bees,’ ascribing no therapeutic
qualities thereto.

Apes Przparate—Prepared Bees.—“Put the Bees into a convenient
Vessel, and dry them by a very slow Fire.”

Lewis’ Materia Medica, 1768, gives Apis scant attention, but in
one particular, anticipates, roughly, its most important present use.
He also refers to the calcined bee:

Apes Pharm. Edinb.—Bees. This insect, dried and powdered, has been
given internally as a diuretic, and applied externally (ground with honey
or other like substances) for promoting the growth of hair. Some have
slightly calcined the bee, in a closed vessel, to blackness, and esteemed
it, when thus prepared, to be a medicine, in some cases, of more virtue;
a saline matter being now in good matter generated by the fire though not
as yet extricated from the other principles—-For my own part, I have had
no experience of the bee itself prepared or unprepared, nor is it used in
practice; the valuable products, which this insect affords, honey and wax,
will be treated of in their places.”

Motherby, 1775, gives even less care to Apis, passing the entire
subject as follows:

If they are dried and powdered they are somewhat diuretic; but their
chief use is for the preparing of honey and wax.—Motherby’s Medical Dic-
tionary, London, 1775.

In the foregoing articles Apis is seen to have become decreas-
ingly important as time passed, until at the beginning of the nineteenth
century the bee had practically dropped from sight as a remedy. Neg-
lected was it by Coxe’s American Dispensatory, 1831, as well as by the
first editions of the United States Dispensatory, 1833, and the Eclectic
(King and Newton) Dispensatory, 1852. The early works on Ameri-
can medicine that we have consulted, omit the bee as a remedy, the
early Eclectic authors, such as Jones, Newton, etc., do not mention
it. Even the work of the man to whom is due its resuscitation, and
to whom is due the present conspicuity of Apis, Dr. John M. Scudder,
with whom it was an increasing favorite, gives to Apis no place in
his work, The American Eclectic Materia Medica (Jones and Scud-
der), 1866. In 1874, Dr. Scudder, in Specific Medication, commends
Apis as follows:

The honey bee possesses marked medicinal properties, but from a pre-
judice against such remedies, has been but little employed.

A
‘

APIS.

I have seen a number of cases of diseases in women characterized by
nsations of heat, burning pains in the bladder and course of the urethra,
th frequent desire to micturate. These have been promptly relieved by
e use of tincture Apis, and in two cases of chronic disease of long stand-
g, a permanent cure was effected, following the relief of these unpleasant
mptoms.—Specific Diagnosis and Medication, 11th ed., p. 83.

Apis now became increasingly a favorite, and has since been
ied by thousands of physicians who consider it invaluable in the
eatment of disease when it is properly indicated. One of the most
mprehensive articles on the subject, titled “A Study of Apis,” from
e pen of Dr. Franklin Pierre Davis, appeared in the Medical Sum-
ary, 1908, from which we extract as follows:

y Franklin Pierre Davis, M. D.:

“At the present time the tincture of the honey bee is one of the lead-
g remedies of both the Homceopathic and Eclectic schools of practice.
“Wolf, writing on this remedy in 1858, said that, after aconite, apis is
e most comprehensive and universal useful remedy that we possess.
“After these centuries of use, the composition of the poison of the bee
mains unsolved. And while to-day we do not know just what the active
inciple may be, yet from my experience with the remedy, I am willing
confirm Wolfs statement; for if there is any remedy that will give
ompt and expected results when properly exhibited according to its spe-
ic indications, it is apis. ;
“Construction of the Sting.—A study of the mechanical construction and
veration of the sting of the bee is interesting, not only in showing the
anner in which the bee is enabled to force the poison into the object
ung, but it gives us a clew to the proper mode of extracting the sting.
y close examination of a sting that has been torn from a bee, we find a
indle of muscles near by and partly enveloping the poison bag. For some
ne after the sting has been detached from the body of the bee, these
uscles will work with a pump-like motion, working the sting further into
e wound. After the sting has been removed from the flesh, if it should
ick to the clothing in such a way as to again come in contact with the
‘sh, it will commence working again, pulling itself into the flesh and
nptying the poison into the wound, the same as if the living bee was
orking it.

ry * . .

“Composition of the Poison.—The elements that enter into the compo-
‘ion of the poison of the honey bee are unknown. It is probably a vege-
ble poison secreted from the honey, and pollen that constitutes their food,

it is well known that the poison is much more pungent when the bees

e working in the fields and accumulating stores largely than it is when
ey are at rest in the winter months. It is generally during the basswood
oom that we get those severe stings which draw blood and show a large
aite spot around the wound. It is also said that the poison of the black
e is more toxic than that of the other varieties.

“All authorities that I have found have been unable to give any light
ithe composition of the poison other than to say that it is generally con-
Jered that formic acid is the principal element. It is, however, difficult

find actual authority for even the presence of formic acid. Selzer has
own that the venom is not due to formic acid alone.

“From experiments made by Phisalix on sparrows, it has been proven
at there are three distinct kinds of effects from the poison; a local in-
mmation, convulsions, and somnolence or stupefaction. In these experi-
ents the poison apparatus was taken from the bees and mixed with water,

5

APIS.

this solution being injected into the birds. In all cases the results were the
same as when stung by the bees. These birds are very susceptible, showing
the effects almost immediately after receiving two or three stings, and die in
a short time. ;
“Phisalix claimed that there were three distinct active principles in the

1st. An inflammatory principle. This he finds by experiment is de-
stroyed by heating to 100 degrees C.; the poison exposed for fifteen min-
utes to the heat of boiling water no longer causes the local symptoms.

“2. A convulsive principle. This is similarly shown to be destroyed
by a continued heating at 100 degrees C.

"30 A stupefying principle. This was destroyed by a heat of 150 de-
grees C.

“Apis has a direct action on the heart, usually described as a pressure,
and heaviness, accompanied by a drawing-down pain; respiration becomes
heavy, followed by nausea, pain in the head, and fainting. Paralysis was
the first symptom noted in the experiments on sparrows. When the in-
jection was made in the foot, the member became inactive. This was fol-
lowed by convulsions; the convulsive action continued for from two to five
hours, and was followed by somnolence, stupor, and troubled’ respiration,
which were the last symptoms noted before death. In a case where a man
received about one hundred stings from black bees in a few minutes, prin-
cipally on the face, hands, and arms, the following conditions were noted:
In fifteen minutes he had violent palpitation of the heart, and buzzing in
the ears. This was followed in half an hour by a. tingling sensation in his
limbs, as if he were going to sleep, while, as he expressed it, his heart beat
so fast that his ears felt as if the drums would burst. A little later every-
thing seemed to get black at once. He felt faint, and his friends thought
he was dying. His lips and finger tips (under the nails) became purple.
An hour later his heart slowed down, and a severe chill followed. That
night he felt a peculiar sensation all through his body, which appeared in
different places, but more especially in his head, back, down his spine, in
the limbs, and then back to the head again. There was some pain in the
region of the heart for two weeks afterward.

“Therapy.—Apis has proven useful in chronic ovarian pains, and re-
lieves the stinging, burning sensation in mammary cancer. In dropsy or
enlargement of cellular tissue with fever, it is of value. In malignant scar-
latina, where the tissues are of a purplish color, it is indicated. In urti-
caria, where coldness, vomiting, and diarrhoea are present, it is our most
valuable remedy; while in diphtheria and erysipelas it is always indicated.
It will promptly relieve edema of the throat and nasal passages, and re-
tention and suppression of urine in children. In those cases of irritable
bladder, with tenesmus and frequent but scant micturition, with soreness
and burning, it may be depended upon.”

The specific use of Apis, as recorded by recent authorities on the
clinical use of the drug may be expressed by the following reproduc-
tions :*

By John M. Scudder, M.D.

“Indications for Apis are frequently found in diseases of the skin, and
also in diseases of the bladder and urethra. Women are sometimes afflicted
with sensations of heat and burning pains in the bladder and urethra, ac-
companied by an almost constant desire to urinate. In this unpleasant

* These extracts are often but fragments of detailed articles. The Te: i
be on the shelves of every physician. works mentioned should
ee

APIS.

condition apis is a most efficient remedy; in fact, in any case where there
is itching of the genitals, with heat and burning pain in the urethra, accom-
panied by 1 frequent desire to urinate, it is a most useful remedial agent.

“In amenorrhea, menorrhagia, and leucorrhea, with acute congestion
of the ovaries, apis is a potent remedy, and it also constitutes a useful medi-
cament in vesicular erysipelas. 3

“In urticaria, or ‘hives,’ when there is the usual itching or soreness,
this drug can be employed with confidence, that it will exert a decidedly
curative influence. In the treatment of diseases exhibiting a tendency to
dropsy and in rheumatism where is a blanched puffiness and severe stinging
pain, Apis renders excellent service. It is also of decided value in edem-
atous conditions of the throat.

“In suppression or retention of urine (unless there is a stricture)
Apis has no superior in our materia medica. When continued for some
time it increases the secretion of urine, and it is, therefore. a medicament
to be considered in the dropsy attendant upon structural diseases of the
heart. While it can not be expected to cure such wrongs, it will afford
a relief which will be highly appreciated. 4

“The tincture of. the honey bee is an excellent remedy if the diagnosis
is well made. Given the peculiar burning pain that one associates with
the, sting of the bee, and I should think of this remedy. Burning pain
with itching in the urethra, in the bladder, or any part of the surface
is met by apis.”—Scudder,

By Finley Ellingwood, M. D.:

Specific Symptomatology—Acute swelling-edema of the cellular tissues,
local or general swelling, with the formation of vesicles; urinary irritation
from atony; incontinence from feebleness; retention from irritation with
dark, heavy, scanty urine.

Therapy—The agent is prescribed in dropsy, which appears suddenly.
Old standing dropsies are not readily influenced by it. Edema glottidis is sub-
ject to its influence, and it quickly relieves the edema of the throat and nasal
passages which accompany diphtheria and scarlet fever. It is also curative in
the dropsy which follows these two closely related diseases, from sudden
suppression of urine. It influences the kidneys at the same time, causing an
increase of the urine; it soothes the irritability of these organs and relieves
the congestion present. When effusion from pfleuritis, peritonitis, or other
acute serous inflammation is present it is given with confidence.

In retention and suppression of urine in children, and the aged, from aton-
icity or general feebleness, it is a useful agent.

It is also useful in irritable bladder with teasing tenesmus, where the urine
is scanty and high colored, when micturition is frequent and accompanied by
much soreness and burning.

In the urinary incontinence of the aged and feeble it is prompt in its action.

In doses of two drops of the specific medicine apis four or five times
daily, many cases of passive hematuria intractable to other remedies, will
yield promptly.—Ellingwood’s Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy.

By Lyman Watkins, M. D.:

“The indications for apis—edema with itching, burning, and smarting
of the parts. While apis is now frequently prescribed by the writer, it
was not so in former years. Having somehow become imbued with the
idea that the remedy was worthless, suggestions from those who recom-
mended it were receiyed with a feeling of indulgent incredulity, and thus
stubborn skepticism deprived me of a valuable weapon against disease.
Within recent years apis has been given in edema, when accompanied with
itching, burning, and smarting, and has relieved the condition wherever
situated.

“Edema is only a symptom, the causes being varied. It may result
from cardiac, renal or hepatic affections, thrombosis, embolism, chlorosis,

7

APIS.

or anemia. Judgment and reason must be exercised in the treatment of
disease, and we should not expect to cure dropsy when caused by incurable
lesions. Yet some cases have been cured by apis and iron, in which there
was evident heart complications, as shown by cardiac irregularity, palpita-
tion, dyspnea, anemia, and great general distress, with tissues soft, pit-
ting deeply upon pressure.

“Apis will relieve edema when there is smarting, burning, and itching
in the parts. It will relieve the smarting, burning, and itching in chronic
leg ulcers, if the parts are edematous. Conjunctivitis with burning, smart-
ing, and itching in the eyelids and surrounding tissues, if accompanied by
edema, will be relieved by apis. Api will relieve like conditions in erysip-
elas. It will relieve these symptoms in the urethra when accompanied
by edema in any part of the body. It is not so effective in gonorrheal
smarting, nor in cystic irritation, nor in irritation from acrid leucorrheal
discharges, but it will sometimes afford relief.

“This remedy is recommended by many writers for various conditions,
and has been used at intervals for almost a century. I have never found
it of any special value in any condition, unless there was edema with
burning, smarting, and itching. With these indications, no matter what
the disease, it has been found effective.”—Watkins’ Compendium of the Practice
of Medicine,

By John W. Fyfe, M.D.:

“Apis is a very efficient remedy in retention of urine, and in some
cases of irritation of the urethra; also for inflammation of subcutaneous
structures, with tensive and lancinating pains, and in irritation of the skin.

“I have seen a number of cases of disease in women, characterized
by sensations of heat and burning pains in the bladder and course of the
urethra, with frequent desire to micturate. These have been promptly
relieved by the use of specific apis, and in two cases of chronic disease
of long standing a permanent cure was effected, following the relief of
these unpleasant symptoms. A peculiar, burning pain, that one associates
with the sting of the bee, is the indication. :

“Apis is particularly useful in post-scarlatinal dropsy, when there is
a blanched puffiness of the skin and the peculiar burning or stinging of
the surface. We have no better remedy for simple uncomplicated urti-
caria, with intense itching and soreness, than specific apis in fractional
doses. The direct indication for apis is constant desire, but inability to
urinate freely, the urine being deep red.”—Fyfe’s Specific Diagnosis and Specific
Medication.

By A. F. Stephens, M. D.:

“Apis, Specific Indications.—Itching, with burning of any part; hot,
dry, burning, and itching surfaces, suppression and retention of urine; con-
stant desire to urinate, with inability to do so; irritation of the urethra, with
burning, stinging pain. Indications for apis are frequently seen in diseases
of the bladder and urethra. Women are sometimes afflicted with sensations
of heat and burning pains in the bladder and urethra, accompanied by an
almost constant desire to pass the urine. In this unpleasant condition apis
is a most efficient remedy. In amenorrhea, menorrhagia, and leucorrhea,
with acute congestion of the ovaries, it is a good remedy.

“Dose.—5 to 20 minims of the Specific Medicine are added to four
ounces of water, and a teaspoonful administered every one or two hours.”
Stephens’ The Essentials of Medical Gynecology.

By H. T. Webster, M. D.:

Apis——The poison of the honey bee possesses valuable therapeutic
properties, and some of these are directed to the urinary tract, In irrita-

8

APIS.

n of the bladder and urethra with constant, teasing tenesmus, it is a
‘y positive remedy, giving speedy relief in many cases.

It is also valuable when there is suppression or retention of urine,
action extending to the kidneys and relieving irritation there. Its ac-
mn on the kidneys has been made avail of in dropsical conditions depend-
zg on disturbance of normal renal action. In most scarlatinal dropsy, due
renal engorgement, it may be especially commended. In such cases,
wever, the dose must be material, and an infusion, or full doses of the
cture, must be employed.

In vesical irritation, minute doses act best, and the 3x dilution will be
ind preferable to the crude drug. Of this, half a drachm added to half
glass of water, and a teaspoonful given every. hour or two, will afford
2 best satisfaction—Webster’s. Dynamical Therapeutics.

rH. W. Felter, M. D.:

Apis is diuretic, alterative, and diaphoretic. It specifically influences
2 urinary tract, small doses somewhat resembling cantharis in action,
removing irritation, and in larger doses, stimulating the renal organs
d other portions of the urinary passages. The small dose may be em-
syed if there be irritation, even though inflammation exists. Aconite,
vatrum, and like agents, promote the action of apis, while ammonia and
oholic liquors are antagonistic to it. It is specifically, indicated where
: have hot, burning, dry, itching surfaces; and where there is constant
sire, but inability to urinate, the urine being dark-red in color. Apis is
e of the most certain diuretics in the materia medica, and is of very
zat value in suppression and retention of urine from atony. It may be
2d even when there is active inflammation: RB Specific apis, gtt. v. aqua,
oz. iv. Mix. Teaspoonful every hour, or use an infusion of from 15 to
bees in water, 1 pint, for the usual urinary difficulties indicated above.
is a very useful remedy for urethral and cystic irritation, with burning,
nging p&in, and constant and annoying tenesmus. Chronic nephritis and
stitis are sometimes cured by it. It serves a good purpose in diseases
women characterized by heat and a sensation of burning, with pain in
> bladder and urethra, and constant desire to pass water. These condi-
ns are relieved by it, quicker than by any other agent. In menorrhagia,
1enorrhea, and leucorrhea, with acute congestion of the ovaries, or
simple ovarian congestion, the parts being tender and painful, apis often
‘es prompt relief. Genital puffiness with irritation and labial inflamma-
n of the same character are cured by it. HB. Specific apis, gtt. x; aqua,
oz. iv. Mix. Teaspoonful every four hours. Owing to its power of re-
ving renal irritation and engorgement, thereby increasing function, apis
an exceedingly useful agent in anasarca, ascites, and hydrothorax, pro-
led the kidneys. are in an active condition. For these troubles; B. Spe-
‘c apis, gtt. v.; aqua, fl. oz. iv. Mix. Teaspoonful every hour. It is
rticularly useful in post-scarlatinal dropsy. Inflammatory sore mouth
benefited and often cured by apis. Sore throats, of an edematous
uracter, having’a uniformly spread puffiness, as if the submucous tissues
re involved—the parts appearing as if stung by a bee—are relieved by
‘s. These conditions are frequently met with as a complication of ery-
elas and in the angina of scarlatina. It is often a prompt remedy for
sicular erysipelas, and for all subcutaneous inflammations, with burning.
nging, tensive, and lancinating pains, and dermal irritation. We have
better agent for the treatment of urticaria, or “hives,” with soreness and
ense itching, than apis. Puffness is a strong indication of cutaneous
eases, and in traumatic injuries of the subcutaneous areolar tissues, it
often indicated by this symptom. It is a good remedy in rubeola and
latina, the usual indications being present. That form of rheumatism
ving the peculiar symptoms otherwise indicating apis will be found to
pond oftentimes to this remedy.

Specific Indications and Uses.—Itching, with burning of the surface,

9

APIS.

especially of the genitalia or urinary passages (Scudder); hot, dry, burning
stinging, or irritation, the parts appearing as if stung; hives; vesical anc
urethral irritation, with constant desire, but inability, to urinate, the urine
being deep-red; puffiness of parts with tendency to edema.—King’s Americas
Dispensatory (Felter-Lloyd).

BEE STING IN RHEUMATISM.

It will be observed that one or two of the foregoing authoritie:
have mentioned the subject of Apis in Rheumatism. The use of the
remedy for this affection has been recently commented upon by man}
writers, some of whom could certainly not have heard of its previous
employment in that direction. In 1904, at the meeting of the Kansas
Eclectic Medical Association, a paper on this subject was read by
Dr. E. B. Packer that attracted much attention, as it embodied Dr
Packer’s experience in a case that came accidentally to his attention
This paper is thus reproduced:

My case was as follows: A Mr. Gardner, of this city, had been laic
up with articular and muscular rheumatism for four years, and had beer
unable to walk any distance, and that only slowly and with a pair oi
crutches. In August, 1903, he was hobbling around the yard on his
crutches and accidentally got his crutch caught and had a fall. In falling
he fell against a hive of bees and upset it. The bees, enraged at suck
treatment, pounced on him by the hundreds, and before he could be res-
cued by his wife was nearly stung to death. After the stinging he was
very sick from the absorption of so much of the virus from the stings
He vomited freely and often for about twenty-four hours, afterewhich he
got better, and found he had no more rheumatic pain. Nor has he hac
any rheumatism from that time to the present.

In a letter, dated January 30, 1909, Dr. Packer states:

_ i saw Mr. Gardner yesterday on the street, and he ‘says that he has
never had a rheumatic pain from that time to this, and that if he thoughi
another stinging, such as he had then, would release the ankylosis of the
knees and ankles and back that is the result of the rheumatism, he woulc
go and kick over the first hive of vicious bees he could find, notwithstanding
the fact that the former stinging nearly killed him.—E&. B. Packer, M.D.

In the Medical Arena, June, 1904, a report was published from
Dr. P. C. Gress, of Atchison, Kans., in which the sting of the bee
was utilized for the cure of a long-standing case of rheumatism. From
the good results obtained in these two cases, both Dr. Packer and
Dr. Gress were eficouraged to continue the use of this heroic method
of treatment, as evidenced by another extract from the letter of Dr.
Packer, above referred to:

Dr. Gress and myself have been treating rheumatism with bee stings
for the past five years, but of course the treatment has not been as vicious
as that reported in the case of Mr. Gardner. From 3 to § stings, at as
many sittings, will produce all the relief required. I usually extend the
sittings from five to twenty days, and I never use the second bee before
the swelling or irritation from the previous sting is gone.

10

APIS.

In December, 1908, probably without any information concerning
ve experience of Dr. Packer, Dr. E. T. Burton, of Birmingham,
mgland, reports in the British Medical Journal the beginning of
is use of the sting of the bee in several seemingly hopeless cases of
heumatism, and in March, 1909, of the same journal, records his
arther experience as follows:

'y E. T. Burton, M.D.:

Case 1. A man, aged 76, tells me he has suffered not for ten, but fif-
sen years. He is continuing the treatment at the rate of twelve stings
week, and the pain which “left his hips and went into the thighs” changed
s position to the knees on December 16th; on December 30th it returned
‘ightly to the left hip, and on January 12th moved to the calves of both
:gs. He had only had fifty bees on the last date, having been shy at the
ain in the commencement.

No. II still has some intercostal pain, but very much shorter in dura-
on. She gave up the bees, but recommenced them after ten days.

No. III is coming to Birmingham again to have more bee stings, as
e has been much freer from pain, which is much less, especially at night.

No. IV continues quite free from pain and is in excellent health.

The following cases are new:

No. V. F. C., a mechanic, aged 34, suffered from sciatica for eighteen
1onths. For four months he was under the care of a private medical man
tho ordered him to Droitwich, where he had the usual baths for fourteen
ays. He went there also for the next eight or nine week-ends, having
n each occasion four baths. He returned little improved, and attended
hospital for fourteen days as an out-patient. After that for four months
e was treated at the same institution by massage, and the galvanic bat-
ary, but without relief. On November 27th he commenced with twelve
ee stings, which were repeated every week for six weeks. In five weeks
lere was marked* improvement, and when I saw him last, on January
6th, he said he had been getting steadily better, so that he frequently did
ot know he had sciatica. He had had, up to the last date, one hundred bee
tings.

No. VI. K. H., a married woman, aged 36, had during the past three
ears suffered from rheumatism and arthritis in the jaws, hips, knees, feet,
lbows, wrists, shoulders, and hands. The bees were applied first on De-
ember Ist, and she had twelve every week till January 4th, or sixty in all.
Results: Rheumatism nearly gone from the shoulders. Right wrist a
ttle free. Right arm not quite set, but apparently released a little. Not
2 much pain generally. For the past two years there was incessant acute
ain, whether active or idle.”

No. VII. E. N., a single woman, aged 35, had suffered for three years
nd a half with rheumatoid arthritis in wrists and fingers, which are much
eformed, and also in the ankles. She had been treated as an out-patient
t a hospital and was an in-patient for ten weeks, when, she says, she “re-
zived some relief from the rest from work.” She commenced the bee
‘inging on November 21, 1908, and on January 16th had had sixty-six
‘ings. The grasp was much stronger, the wrists, fingers, and ankles more
1ovable, stronger, and quite free from pain. Her nights, which had been
‘equently very bad, are much better.

No. VIII. H. D., a mechanical engineer, aged 54, was lamed by a kick
bove the left knee when ten years old, and had some bone removed. For
ie past thirteen years he has been gradually getting worse in the other
‘g from increasing sciatica. On January 8th and each of the following
ates I applied eight bees to the region of the sciatica nerve—for I am sat-
fied that the stinging is not only antitoxic, but also counter-irritant—and
n the following day he told me that before stinging he had to hang on to
arious articles of furniture to assist him crossing the dining-room,. but
then he returned home, after being stung, he could do so without assist-

Ir

APIS.

ance. On January 11th his leg felt stronger and he could walk better.
On January 13th he said he had less pain on leaving bed, and much better
nights since January 8th, but followed by considerable pain in the day.
He was better on January isth, and his nights were still good. Walking
did not seem so firm. There was a large, circular, inflamed patch over
the trochanter. The last application .of bees was followed by severe in-
flammation along the thigh. On January 19th the leg was not so strong, and
there was increased pain. On January 22d he reported that he had more
pain in the day, but the nights were very much better. On January 25th
the pain was still severe, particularly in the femur. On January 2oth pain
followed in the right hip joint. On February 2d there was great stiffness
in the thigh and knee-joint, and he was compelled to walk more slowly.
On February sth there was no improvement; but he was no worse. This
gentleman seems to be losing heart, but, after thirteen years, cure can not
be expected under a month, and after only one hundred bees have been
used. He is continuing the treatment.—British Medical Journa’, December,
1908. :
As to my own case, up to January 22d my progress was most satis-~
factory. I continued to apply two lots of bees a week, and in all, 271 to
that date. I had slight twinges of muscular rheumatism of not more than
a few minutes’ duration, for which reason I persevered with the treatment.
But on that day I contracted a chill and suffered at night some pain in the
glutei and right sciatic nerve. I at once put on eleven bees, and slept well,
the pain next morning being much easier, and permitting me to work.
On January 23d, after a’ long harassing day, I got to bed tired at 10 P. M..
and applied fifteen bees, and on January 24th only had slight pain in the
glutei, none in the sciatic. I made a necropsy for the coroner at 6.30 P. M.,
in a fireless mortuary, with a glass roof, the temperature being below
freezing. On January 25th I attended the inquest in a court with mercury
at 70°, the external temperature being 25°. I applied twelve bees on Jan-
uary 24th, and eight on the following day. On January 26th J had great
pain in the glutei, and on January 29th this was increased on walking. I
applied fourteen bees, and was better on January 3otli, but still had some
difficulty in walking. On Sunday, January 31st, I rested in bed all day,
and applied eight bees at night. From February Ist to 7th the pain varied.
On February 3d and 4th there was much pain after walking, and I applied
in six days forty-five bees. On February 20th I was entirely free from
acute pain, but still continue the stinging. I am taking no other medicine,
and, but for occasional transient pain, feel very fit, and have, as one of my
old ladies says, a very “avaricious appetite.”—British Medical Journal, March,
1909.

Following these reports Dr. Burton adds a few words concerning
the pain incident to the treatment:

I have been asked frequently as to the pain of stinging. After the
first three stingings on myself, I find that the intensity of the pain is much
less lasting than‘at first—in fact, is over in half an hour at the most. Some
of the bees seem to cause greater pain than others, but I think this may be
explained by a Jarger cutaneous nerve being wounded by the sting I hope
that shortly your readers will have, from his own pen, the experience of

another Birmingham practitioner, who tells me he has found great relief
to old-standing sciatica from this treatment.

That the use of the sting of the bee in rheumatism is broadly
disseminated is evident, an Austrian physician, Dr. Terc, claiming to
have successfully treated seven hundred cases, as shown by the fol-
lowing extracts:

“There is a widespread popular belief in England, and, indeed, through-

out Western Europe, that stinging by bees is a cure for rheumatism and
allied ailments. Over a year ago Dr. Ainley Walker, of Oxford, asked

T2

APIS.

\

he chief medical and scientific journals for trustworthy evidence as to
success or failure of this popular treatment. The poison which the
injects is formic acid, and Dr. Walker’s attention had been drawn to
popular belief by certain observations of his own ‘which seemed to
gest a possible relationship between some of the phenomena of acute
umatism and abnormal production of formic acid in the body,’ under the
on of a micro-organism. He has now received, says ,The Manchester
irdian, an interesting body of mainly favorable testimony, much of it
n medical observers. But the most interesting evidence of all is that
in Austrian, Dr. Terc, who has been using the treatment systematically
: as he claims, successfully for years, and has dealt with seven hun-
d cases.

“Dr. Terc published an account of his method and results twenty
rs ago but his paper was generally ignored. He has found that a rheu-
‘ic subject is less susceptible to bee stings than a healthy person; the
ondary swelling, which normally lasts a few days, fails to appear. His
itment is to continue the stinging until a stage is reached when even
. rheumatic subject this swelling begins to appear. At this stage, there
2 marked improvement in the rheumatic symptoms. The stinging .is
n carried on until a further stage is reached, when the swelling again
s to appear, however many stings are applied, and this development
mmunity to stings is accompanied by a complete cure for rheumatism,
cure enduring as long as the immunity remains. Sometimes a dozen
gs complete the whole process; sometimes hundreds are necessary.—
idee Advertiser (The Pharmaceutical Era, January 14, 1909).

BEE STING FATALITIES.

_ Notwithstanding all this, the heroic method of procedure by the
act sting of the bee, will not appeal to many persons, nor, for ob-
us ‘reasons, ever be very popular. Besides, the sting of the bee is
without danger. Deaths even occur from a single sting, as is
2 reported, the following being statements of fact:

In the summer of 1866 the wife of Dr. Albert von Donhoff, of
tisville, Ky., while engaged among the flowers of her garden was
ag (in the temple I believe) by a honey-bee, and notwithstanding

prompt assistance of her husband, one of the most experienced
rsicians of the period, she died within a few hours after the acci-
t—C. Lewis Diehl.

Mr. John R. Stanbery, of Powell, Delaware Co., Ohio, (father
Vrs. Mary S. Watts, of Cincinnati), who had been previously stung
eral times by both honey bees and bumble bees, lost his life by
son of a, bee sting. The tragic event is thus described by Mrs.

tts:

“The final stinging occurred on a very hot August day, when he had
ie out to the clover-fields to watch the men cutting the clover-hay. He
ked directly into a nest of bumble-bees; half a dozen of the men saw
i, and ran immediately to his help. They fought the bees off, but it was
late. He spoke once,'saying in reply to their questions “whether he had
n stung,” “I’m very sick,” and became unconscious. He was hurriedly
an to his home, the services of a physician being at once secured. But,
tough everything possible was done, he died in twenty minutes. It was
‘covered that he had been stung six times, directly on the pulse. When
hand relaxed after death, a dead bee was found clenched tightly in it.
“Perhaps I ought to emphasize the fact that my father was a very tem-
ate man, and had been so all his life. He was in robust bodily health
he time of his death.”

13

APIS.

Apis in Rheumatism.—Dr. Felter, in the American Dispensator,
gives the following suggestions concerning the use of Specific Mec
icine Apis in the treatment of rheumatism, instead of by the dire
sting:

That form of rheumatism having the peculiar symptoms otherwis
indicating apis, will be found to respond oftemtimes to this remedy. W
have known of well authenticated cases where individuals suffering froi
rheumatism have been cured of that complaint after having been severel
stung by the hive-bee. We do not recommend this form of hypodermat
injection, but prescribe for rheumatic conditions with blanched puffine:
and the peculiar stinging pain, as follows:

BR Sp. Med. Apis, gtt,. ......-. yy,
Watetine 6 ns a et oR ee ee Biv.
M. Sig. Teaspoonful every two or three hours.
—American Dispensaiory (Felter-Lloyd), Vol. I.

Treatment of Bee Sting—Ammonia water applied to the pai
stung is useful. Bruised green stramonium leaves is a domestic ren
edy. Libradol is the best palliative known to us. Plastered over tt
stung part, it gives instant relief. Remove the sting if it is left in tt
flesh and at once cover the part with Libradol. The pain disappea:
and the swelling quickly subsides.

HONEY (MEL) AND WAX (CERA).

Both honey and wax are employed in medicine and in pharmac:
having been, in former times, very important. At present, sugar an
glycerin have largely displaced honey as a sweeteriing agent, whil
the many uses ascribed to it in ancient and mediaeval therapy ar
now forgotten and unknown. Wax has also been largely displaced b
paraffin and spermaceti, whilst petroleum greases and paraffins hav
rendered wax cerates and ointments unnecessary. There is no reaso
why honey should not be considered as possessed of as varying ene!
getic qualities as is true of its many flavors. Whoever has eaten of th
renowned honey of Athens, made from the mountain flowers of Greec:
or the fragrant white clover honey of America, and contrasts therewit
the insipidly sweet honey made by syrup-fed bees, will certify to tt
marked differences in flavor. It is well known that the flowers of th
jassamine and poppy are possessed of narcotic properties, and thes:
combined with the products of organic life processes imparted by tk
bee under peculiar conditions, are sufficient to render this a ration:
conclusion. Indeed, naturally medicated honeys are on record, c
which the following is a sample:

“Honey Mad.”—In the flowering season of the opium poppy, bee
make a honey possessed of narcotic qualities, such honey being known ¢
“Mad Honey.” Partakers of it wander aimlessly about, talk incoherentl:
and appear crazy. It is not a soporific, seemingly having quite differer
qualities from morphine. That the affection is not serious, however, -
evidenced by the fact that, in Harput, Turkey, when Mrs. Thomas H. No:
ton, wife of the American consul, inquired what possessed a man under i
influence, the reply was to the effect that he was only “Honey Mad.”—/o/
Uri Lloyd, “A Treatise on Opium,” 1908.

24

APIS.

In like manner, wax may be possessed of various qualities. In-
l, wax may, of itself, modify the action of honey. For example,
writer can eat freely of honey mixed naturally with the comb,
lout any discomfort, whilst strained honey, as a rule, produces
apings and pain.

The importance of honey and wax in the therapy of former times
town by Mouffet, whose summary carries such a fund of references
of quaint applications, as to lead us to present his article entire.
these will be perceived the origin of the Pharmacopeial prepara-
s, past and present, of both wax and honey, such as honey of roses,
ited honey, etc.

THE MEDICAL VIRTUES OF HONEY (MOUFFET).

As for the medicinal and physical virtues of honey; it causeth heat,
aseth sores and ulcers excellently, wears them away, and removes them
‘hat part of the body soever gathered: as Galen,’ Avicen, Celsus, and
y have observed. It perfectly cureth the disease which causeth the
of the head or the beard, to come off by the roots, called the Foxes
and other filthy ulcers of the head.—Pliny. To regain hair lost by
disease aforesaid, and for long (Agnes) it is very effectual, if the part
nointed with it raw as it is; or with the honey-comb newly drained or
tied—Galen. But above and beyond all, the oil of honey distilled doth
‘tit. The water that droppeth from the honey, doth excellently cleanse
skin, provoke urine, extinguish the burning heat of fevers, open “the
ructions of the bowels, quench thirst. The chalk or salt of it, as it is
ll corrosives, the least painful, so it is most energetical and operative,
therefore is very much commended by Chemics and Surgeons for to
that kernel or tumor of flesh which groweth upon the yard. But how
y, and how ample virtues that quintessence of honey (as they call it)
. attained against the strength of all diseases whatsoever, is excel-
ly described by Isaacus Belga, the predecessor of Paracelsus. Nay
tout doubt, if wild honey and raw was able to prolong the life of
iocrates, Pollio, John the Baptist, in a word, of the Pythagoreans, and
aeans (as aforementioned), how much more will it do being refined,
heightened to the highest degree of nutrition? The Epicureans who
: the best way they could to provide for their health and their pleasure,
always upon Ambrosia, as Tzetzes reports, which did consist of a
h part of honey; as if they meant by the use of it, to stave off all pains
griefs, and live free from all diseases and maladies. It doth*wonder-
‘help ‘the ulcers in the ears if it be poured warm into them, and espe-
y if an ill scent be joined with them. Moreover in their hissing, noises,
mmations, Galen commands to- instill Attick Honey, butter, oil of
as, and as much warm water Marcellus Empyricus used to infuse inte
ear that was pained. The same also very much commends honey min-
or kneaded with the ordure of a young infant, to cure the dullness
1e sight, and the white spots in the eye. Vegetius by this means cures
watery eyes or dropping of the eyes caused by rheume or distillation.
t of all, a little below the eye he draws blood and anoints them with
purest honey till it be whole. But yet care must be had (as Columella
- well hints) that as often as the eyes are anointed with honey, they
yesmeared round about with melted pitch and oil, lest the wasps and
infest and hurt them. Hear also what Marcellus saith touching the
ring up of the eyes, and he prescribes this: The honey pure and neat
rein the bees are dead, let that drop into the eyes; or honey mixed
_ the ashes of the heads of bees, makes the eyes very clear, And
n,mingle Attick honey with the first ordure the infant makes, together
the milk of the nurse; and with that anoint the eyes that are so dull
tever the cause of it be; but first of all you must bind the patient to

15

APIS...

orm or ladder; for otherwise ‘such is the strength of the medicine, that,
will not be able to endure it. Which is such a present remedy, that in
ee days it will fully restore the sight, and take away every blemish of
eye. The gall of a vulture mingled with the juice of horenound (twice
much in weight as the gall is) and two parts of honey cures the suf-
ion of the eyes. Gal. in Euporist. Otherwhere, he mingles one part
the gall of the Sea Tortoise, and four times as much honey and anoints
- eyes with it. Serenus prescribes such a receipt to cause one to be
ck sighted.

Mingle Hyblean honey with the gall 2
Of Goats, ’tis good to make one see withal.

Give infants butter and honey, for nothing is better for their breeding
th, and for sore mouths. Galen bids us rub their gums with nothing
- honey. For it wonderfully helps to their breeding of teeth, preserving,
ansing and beautifying of them. Also against the pain of the jaws. If
h Arabian honey you join field-poppy, it cures it. And sometimes pure
yey is mingled with clear water, and this, as Serenus and Pliny testify,
ch notably cure the dryness of the tongue in fevers, the quinsy, and the
eases of the uvula, throat, jaws, or the tonsils; against difficulty of
athings, and to cause one to expectorate, either by itself or mingled
h other things is highly commended by Hippocrates. And for the con-
sion of the laps of the lungs (which used to be a deadly disease), the
nking of cold water, and of that wherein a honeycomb is, steeped is very
sctual. Also, if the stomach be not hot, choleric, bitter, nauseating or
erish, it makes it strong and vigorous, and nourisheth it much, not suf-
ing milk to curdle in it: it cleanseth the reins, boiled with water and
‘ter it is good against the stone-~-Avicenna. It easeth the pain of the
een, but it must be outwardly applied with the dead bees; for taken in-
rdly it hurts both the liver and the spleen, saith Galen. When it is raw
ooseneth the belly. but boiled with the bees, or with new cheese it binds
belly so much, that Galen holds it to be a secret against the Dysentery,
1 colic passions: so does Celsus, also Pliny. Hippocrates mingled honey
h all medicaments that were to soften the belly. Honey mingled with
in, is a cure for the gold testicles, as Pliny saith, who also affirms that
ashes of ox leather mixed with honey, cures all running sores and
ches. Niter with honey and cow's milk cures ulcers of the face; and
froth of honey with oil of walnuts, amends the burning of the skin;
s excellent for old people and such as have cold stomachs; and being
led, it discusses wind, and moves urine mightily.—Galen. Hollerius
koneth honey amongst diaphoretics, because it openeth and maketh
passages clear: Galen placeth it amongst diuretics. It layeth down its
imony by being mingled with water, or being boiled; and therefore
len prescribes boiled honey, to close up ulcers that are hollow. Salt
h meat and honey takes away the pain of a joint that is dislocated,
cusses the swellings, and makes it more apt to be reduced. I might
‘e set down the plaster of Aetius and Aegineta called Diamelleum, the
psimel of Arden, and all syrups that were anciently made of honey.
whose place the Neotericks have put sugar, but I know not by what
son. For if honey of Athens, or some as good, be at hand, and doth
: want its due preparation, do not use sugar that is earthy, reedy and so
| of dregs, not comparable either for use, original, or any way whatso-
‘r with this heavenly dew honey.

Hydromel cf Galen.—Take sweet, pure clean fountain water, 8 pounds
: best honey 1 pound, boil them at a soft fire in an earthen vessel, take
the skin ofttimes, and boil it to its thickness. [f it must be drunk
‘sently, it must be made thin as water, if it just be set up to keep, boil
longer till it be thick, as a julep; if it be kept long it pierceth deeper
o the parts far off, and is sooner converted into choler. Also boiling
[uires to it many more faculties; for being little boiled, it inflates more,

16

APIS.

rges more, and nourisheth less. Longer boiled, it dissipates wind, nour-
th more and purges less. It is spiced at pleasure, with ginger, saffron,
ia Moschata, Lignum aloes. It is made also another way, of honey
yund, water 8 pounds, leaven 3 ounces; put all in a wooden vessel,
ing three or four fingers empty that it may work the better; when it
. one working stop the vessel and let it be well hooped, and after three
ths it will be fit to drink.

Hydromel of Pliny.—Take of pure rain-water that hath been kept five
s, 12 pounds, boil it two-thirds, add to it a third part of old honey,
in the dog days set it in the sun for forty days. and letting it so stand,
the tenth day stop the vessel, this is called Hydromel, that with age
taste like wine, made nowhere better than in Phrygia. It was given
ick people that desired wine, but now it hath been forbidden for many
3.

Hydremel of Aegineta—Take the juice of bruised quinces, 5 pounds,
itain water Sextarii, boil them till they grow soft, take them from
fire, let them cool, then strain them, and crush out the quinces, and
them away, add to this water half honey, boil it, scum it, till an eighth
be consumed; some make it of sweet apples or pears the same way.
Hydremel of Dioscorides is made of two parts of old rain-water, and
part of honéy mingled, and set in the sun. Some call it Hydromel, be-
.e it is wont to be made of the washing of the honeycombs with water,
it must not be made stronger, because it will hurt sick people by too
h matter proceeding from the wax. NHydromel after it has been long
:, is as strong as small wines, or Lora, being but half so old. Where-
it is preferred before them in abating inflammations. The use of old
heglm is condemned, for such as are inflamed or costive, but it is good
weak stomachs, and such as loath their’ meat, or sick people that sweat
h, or for those that are thirsty, or after a burning fever have wasted
y. Actius describes a clyster only of honey and water to move the
y, and with the same he cleanseth hollow ulcers. Galen commends
uses Melicrate (wherein some hyssop, origanum, or thyme or penny-
il hath been boiled,) to prepare and purge gross humors in an acute
ase, but he commends it not for the want of a stomach. Lately the
lish found out a new composition of Hydromel (they call it Varii)
ch serves better for ships than any wine. The preparation is this, Take
ey torrested after due steeping in water what you please. boil it long
; quarts of fountain water, till it tastes well of the malt: 1 pound of
boiled with 8 pounds of honey and 20 pounds of water, makes a drink
- tastes most sweet, and is most healthful for use. It nourishes well,
ardly corrupted, and keeps very long.

Oinomel, Spiced.—Aurelianus recommends it in the cure of sciatica.
Mulsum made of sweet new wine the Greeks call Nectar; to new
e sodden, they add a tenth part of honey; but this kind is offensive to
stomach and causes windiness; it is given to purge the belly.
use of honied wine is this: It is given in long fevers that have weak-
1 the stomach with crudities collected in it. It loosens the belly gently,
rovoketh urine, it cleanseth the stomach, it is good for disease of the
ts, faults of the rcins, a weak head, and to women that drink no wine,
it is pleasant in smell, and nourishes the body. It moveth vomit drunk
1 oil, and it is profitable given to them that have drunk poison; as also’
such as are weak, and their pulse is feeble; for such as are troubled
1 a cough, and a short breath, or imposthume in the lungs, and those
- are wasted with extreme sweating. But then it is for to mingle it
1 Hydromel. Also Galen prescribes to them Melicrate qualified with
er, that have had a shaking fit not above a week, and nature being yet
ng. Some there are that utterly condemn this in fevers; but that must
anderstood of some times in fevers. Romulus, a certain guest of Ca-
s, being asked how he had preserved the natural vigor of his body and
dso long (for he was above a hundred years old), he answered, “With-

APIS.

out with oil, within with honey and wine sodden together, as Pollio did.”
That we may the more wonder at the use of Mulsum, which the Ancients es-
teemed very much, for that they were persuaded that all acrimony of the
mind was pacified with sweet liquors, and the spirits made peaceable, the
passages made softer and freer for transpiration, and that it was also
physics for manners.—Plinius.

Also Gesner brought in an Oxymel with Hellebore, which he com-
mends not a little in his Greek Epistle to Adolphus Otto. To make thin,
thick and clammy humors, and to root them out; but especially to make
way for insensible, transpiration, that is to draw forth from the center
to the superficies of the body. But you shall find everywhere featured
in the Book of his Epistles, what force it hath against Melancholy, Cachexia,
Dropsies, Epilepsies, and fevers, where also you have the Oxymels made
with Hellebore, both great and small.

Apomeli of Philagrius in Aegineta. It cools lightly, as Galen saith,
wherefore in Phlegmone, and weariness in a fever, it is very good. It is
drunk all the summer to cool the body, at which time any man may drink
of it (especially when it grows sourish). It is also useful to expectorate
with, to move urine, to purge the belly, and to cut thin humors. Aginetas
Ruelius——Mouffet, Theater of Insects, 1658, p. 906.

MEDICINAL USES OF WAX. (MOUFFET.)

Great is the virtues of pure Propolis (Bee-glue),* upon the gross spir-
its, and it draws faulty matter out from the depths. Hallerius. It is of
the nature of wax, but it powerfully draws forth. Dioscorides. Celsus
placeth it in the number of biting remedies, saying that it digests and
moves matter in ulcers. Aetius says that it heats, discusses, ripens, cleans,
attracts. The cleansing force is not very strong, the attracting is strong
enough, it is of thin parts, it heats in the second degree complete, or in
the beginning of the third: you must first soften it with your hands before
you mingle it with other medicaments and then taking the rest from the
fire, put it in and boil it, for it will not well endure any boiling at the fire.
It draws out all thorns and all splints that are within. Aetius. Varro
saith, that for its manifold uses it was sold dearer in the market than
honey. Maybe therefore Propolis was called holy wax, because of Via
Sacra where they sold it at Rome, as Largus writes in the cure of white
swellings. They draw forth thorns and such bodies sticking in the flesh,
with runnet (especially of a hare) powder of Frankincense and Propolis.
Pliny. It helps an old cough with its smell. It cures the rose with water,
and roots out ringworms by anointing them. Dioscorides. It cures
Ozenas: Serapio, Pliny 1. II. c.f. tells more of its physical use.—Mouffet,
The Theater of Insects, 1658, p. 617.

PREPARATIONS OF APIS.

Physicians of the Homeopathic school of medicine employ a tinc-
ture of Apis, together with its dilutions and triturations, which are
fully described in their works on pharmacy and therapeutics.

SPECIFIC MEDICINE APIS.

Preparation.—The only preparation we have devised is the S pe-
cthe Medicine. It is of very complex structure, and seemingly depends
on no principle of marked chemical individuality for its therapeutic

. *The gummy substance with which bees stop up the crevices in their hives so as to make
them perfectly dark. ZL. '
18

APIS.

qualities. It is made by placing freshly caught live bees in a box
covered with a sieve, then shaking them until they are intensely ex-
cited. The bees are now quickly put into alcohol sufficient to cover
them, and digested at a warm temperature for a month. The dark
colored alcoholic liquid is then decanted, and the bees repeatedly ex-
tracted with 50 per cent alcohol, until exhausted. The liquids are all
mixed together and brought to a strength representing two ounces
of bees to a pint.

Qualities.—This, in thin layer, has a dark straw color, but in bulk
presents a deep wine shade. It has a peculiar, wax-like odor, and a
sweetish taste. Increase of alcoholic percentage in its preparation
decreases the color, because of failure to dissolve the colored honey
products, that are soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol. The
larger share of the residue obtained by evaporation of Specific Medi-
cine Apis is a natural compound of honey or related structures ex-
tracted from the bee, and having an acid reaction. This has no estab-
lished therapeutic qualities, but may yet be valuable. Indeed (see
Honey, this treatise), it has long been highly valued, and is sometimes
very energetic. Since the natural honey has always been present in
Specific Medicine Apis, we propose that it shall remain a constituent
of this remedy. One drop of Specific Medicine Apis responds abun-
dantly to Fehling’s glucose test. If 25 Cc. of Specific Medicine Apis
be abstracted with chloroform and the chloroform solution abstracted
with dilute sulphuric acid, the resultant acid solution responds to
Mayer’s test for alkaloids.

The diluted Specific Medicine Apis, from which all the alcohol
is evaporated, when acidulated with sulphuric acid responds, although
but feebly, to Mayer’s alkaloidal test. The venom of the bee, intensi-
fied by the previous shaking excitation, is of course one of the struc-
tural constituents of the remedy.

The therapeutic action of Specific Medicine Apis depends upon
a complexity of organic unknowns. Whoever breaks these natural
structures of virus, alkaloid, glucose, etc., etc., into fragments, ex-
pecting from the use of a single fragment, the success derived from
the whole remedy, is destined to disappointment. In this connection
we call attention to the following article descriptive of an energetic
peptic enzyme derived from honey, believing that in the present
state of professional tolerance the article will merit more considera-
tion than would have been the case before the serum crusade.

New Peptic Enzyme from Honey.—A new proteolytic enzyme was ac-
cidentally discovered in honey in the following way: A solution of honey
was concerted into mead by fermentation with yeast, and some of the
mead having been kept in an imperfectly closed vessel underwent acetic
fermentation. The honey-vinegar so obtained was agreeable to taste, and
some of it was employed in pickling some herrings, but the next day it
was found that the herrings had largely disappeared; a repetition of the
trial showed that the liquid dissolved a considerable amount of the her-
rings and disintegrated the remainder. The vinegar was then examined,
to discover the cause of this action; it contained 0.033 per cent. of nitrogen;
when filtered it formed a clear liquid, which remained clear when saturated
with sodium chloride and gave no precipitate with solution of potassium

1a

APIS.

ferrocyanide or ammonium Chloride and only a slight opalescence with
three times its volume of absolute alcohol; it slowly gave a slight floccu-
lent precipitate with nine times its volume of absolute alcohol. It showed
a strong digestive action on herring and on hard-boiled white of egg when
kept in contact with them for forty-cight hours at about 20°, but had no
action if previously neutralized, showing that the enzyme, like pepsin, would
only act in acid solution. In order to see if it was identical with pepsin,
a o.5 per cent. solution of the latter in dilute acetic acid was allowed to
act on herring and white of egg; this appeared to have a weaker action
than the mead-vinegar, and was therefore allowed to act for six days;
the liquids obtained in the two cases were then compared. That from the
digestion contained both albumose and peptone, as was to be expected,
but that from the action of the mead-vinegar contained no peptone, but
only albumose. and it appears therefore that the enzyme which it contains
is not identical with pepsin. It may be the same as the blood-fibrin dis-
solving ferment which was extracted by Erlenmeyer and V. Planta from
the bodies of bees. \W. Lenz (Apoth. Zeit., September 7, 1910, 678).—
Pharmaceutical Journal and Pharmacist, November 19, I910, p. 609.

SPECIFIC USES OF APIS.

By John Fearn, M. D.:

Specific Medicine Apis Mellifica is a renal ‘eliminant, and may be used
in both retention and suppression of urine. It is one of the best remedies
for rough, red rashes on the skin, that burn and sting, and under favorable
conditions eventuate in urticaria and erysipelas, these conditions probably
owing their cause to impaired renal elimination. Apis is the remedy in’
throat troubles and diphtheria with much inflammation and edema, the soft
palate looking like a waterbag, with burning and stinging. The same is
true in diseases of women attended by burning and stinging, or in urinary
troubles, burning and stinging in bladder and urethra, strangury, a con-
stant desire to pass urine, with much pain and straining, but with only a
few drops passed at a time, tinged with blood. In dropsies, post-scarlatinal
and general, where limbs and abdomen swell and pit on pressure, Apis is
valuable. Most troubles that can be relieved by Apis, are made worse by
heat, and are relieved by cold applications.

Indications.—Itching, with burning of any part.

Use.—In diseases of the skin; when the urine is scanty; in irritation of
the bladder or urethra.

Dose.—Sp. Med. Apis, gtt. v.
Water, Riv.
Misce.
Sig.—A teaspoonful of the dilution every one to four hours.

Dose: (Felter, American Dispensatory), Sp. Med. Apis, 1-10 to
2 drops. The larger doses in dropsies; the smaller in cutaneous dis--
orders and in vesical irritation. ‘

PRICES OF SPECIFIC MEDICINE APIS.

TTD: Pa CRABB sche arstie arte chaste Rees Syne Sgt Ses ae enad Soc. each. By mail, $1.02.
IZA: PACKA GO. scpcccic adatom us oy kia dere Paes FERRO do $1.50 each. Not mailable.
Telb packages ssiusieag mugen sacar s eemmarseed eunts.< $3.00 each. Not mailable.

20

Tela Aranez.

(COBWEB.)

History.—Both cobweb and spiders have been generally usec
substance, by primitive peoples as an application to bleeding wounds
r the purpose of stopping hemorrhage, as is recorded in the earlies
orks of medicine, as well as by travelers, and as recited in most book
1 domestic medication. Their use was known to the American In
ans, as well as to aborigines generally.

Cobweb was mentioned by Dioscorides (Aldine Edition, 151
50) as a remedial agent, as shown by the following passage, trans
ted by Miss Margaret Stewart, M. A.:

“The Spider, which some call holcus or lycos, that is, robber, or wol:
fen made into a plaster and spread upon a small linen cloth and place
ion the forehead or temples, thoroughly cures tertian agues. Its we
ecks the flowing of blood, and heals the inflammation arising from ol
cers, which have attacked a large area of the skin. There is also anothe
ecies of spider which spins a white, slender, and abundant web. Thi:
Ided in a leather pouch, and suspended from the shoulder, is said to cur
tartan agues. A decoction or infusion with roses relieves pain in the ear.
Dioscorides, II: 68.

Came then the extravagances of “authoritative” Medieval medi
ne, as shown in the following:

“The fly-catching spider, wrapt in a linen cloth, and hanged on th
ft arm, is good to drove away a Quotidian, saith Trallianus (sixth cer
ry, A. D.). But better if any of them be boiled with oil of bay to th
msistence of a liniment; if you anoint the arteries of the wrists, the arm
id temples before the fit, the fever abates and seldom comes again. Ke
nides or Koranus.* A spider bruised with a plaister and spread on
oth and applied to the temples, cures a tertian. Dioscorides (first or sec
id century, A.D.)° The spider called Lycos, put in a quill, and hange
1 the breast doth the same. Pliny (first century, A. D.). That hous
der that spins a thick fine and white web, shut up in a piece of leathe
‘a nut-shell, and hanged to the arm or neck, is thought to drive away th
:s of a quartane. Dioscorides saith he proved it to be true. Three livin
iidets put into oil, let them presently boil on the fire, drop some of thz
1 warm into the ear that is in pain, and it profits much. Or press o1
e juice of spiders with juice of roses, and put it in with wool. Marcellt
mpiricus (380-408 A. D. or later). Pliny bids infuse them in vinegar c
1 of roses and stamp them and then drop some into the ear with saffro)
id it will still the pain certainly: Dioscorides affirms as much. Sofratu

saith, that Cranocolapsus (a certain spider) drowned in oil, is.
‘esent remedy against poisons, as the Scholiast of Nicander (second cet
ry, B. C.) professeth.

* A king of Persia, who wrote a work on natural history.

TELA ARANE.

Aetius (about 500 A. D.) for suffocation of the mothers, applied
rate of spiders to the navel, and said it did great good.

Also that knotty whip of God, and mock of all physicians, the Gout
lich learned men say can be cured by no remedy, finds help and cur
‘a spider laid on.

f- 5 . . . .

Antoninus Pius (86-161 A. D.) was wont to say, that the quirks o
phistry were like to Spiders’ Webs, that had a great deal of art an:
zenuity in them, but very little profit. But how often hath the bloo
n forth from the body most miserably by a fresh wound? Yet it ha
en easy to have stopt it by laying on a spider’s web.

The spider’s web is put into the unguent against Tetters, and applie
the swellings of the fundament, it consumes them without pain. Mar
lus Empiricus. Pliny saith it cures runnings of the eyes, and laid o1
th oil, it heals up wounds in the joints. Some rather use the ashes o
2 webs with Polenia and wine. Our chirurgians (surgeons) cure wart;
us: They wrap a spider’s ordinary web into the fashion of a ball, anc
ring it on the wart, they set it on fire, and so let it burn to ashes, b:
S means the wart is rooted out by the roots, and will never grow again
arcellus Empiricus was wont to use the web of spiders found in thi
‘press tree in a remedy for the Gout to ease the pains.”—Mouffet, “Th
eater of Insects,’ 1658, p. 1023.

Many of the illogical statements herein made have been brushec
ide in the journey medicine has taken since that date. Let us quoti
follows: e

“Telia Aranearum, Cobweb.—Every one knows what this is, and hov
oduced. It appears not in medicinal prescriptions, but as accident, fo:
nt of other helps, has taught its use to common people for stopping
»od in a fresh wound. And this it seems to do by its extraordinary fine
ss; which makes it adhere to, and stop up the mouths of the vessels, sc
to prevent the effusion of their contents.”—Quincy’s Compleat English Dis.
watory, 1749.

“Aranearum Tele Pharm. Edinb., Cobwebs.—These are applied by the
mmon people for stopping the bleeding of wounds; which they effect
t_by any styptic power, but by adhering to the part, and closing the
ifices of the vessels.”—Lewis’ Materia Medica, London, 1768.

That the use of both the insect and its web were authoritatively
nsidered as remedies, is evidenced in such works as The New Lon-
n Dispensatory, Salmon (first edition, 1677), from the second edi-
n of which, 1682, we quote as follows concerning the spider as <
nedial agent:

1. “The Spider being made into a Plaister and laid to the Wrists anc
mples cures Agues, chiefly Quartans. So also if they be put into a Nut
2ll, and hung about the Neck. 2. The least kind called Lycos, applyed tc
: Temples, Cures Tertians.”

Although the date of the therapeutic introduction of cobweb anc
‘der is lost in antiquity, cobweb has never been abandoned as ¢

nedy, and that, too, notwithstanding the advent of cinchona, whict
w dominates the field in which cobweb was one of the former fa

22

TELA ARANE.

=x

vorites. Let us quote from James’ New English Dispensatory, Lon-
den, 1747:

“The web astringes and conglutinates, and is, therefore, vulnerary;
restrains bleeding, and prevents inflammation. The country people have
a tradition, that a small quantity of spider’s web, given about an hour
before the fit of an ague, and repeated immediately before it, is effectual
in curing that troublesome, and sometimes obstinate distemper. This
remedy is not confined to our own country, for I am well informed that
the Indians about North Carolina have great dependence on this remedy
for agues, to which they are much subject; and I am acquainted with a
gentleman long resident in those parts, who assures me he was himself
cured by it of that distemper. And, indeed, experience confirms the effi-
cacy of this medicine in the cure of agues.”—James, New English Dispensatory,
London, 1747.

To the above we add-from Motherby’s Medical Dictionary, Lon-
don, 1775:

Aranea, called also arachne, araneus, the catcher, the wolf, and spider.

As is common to most insects, spiders abound with volatile oils, in
consequence of which they are sometimes useful in agues, if taken in-
wardly. A scruple of the spider’s web hath, in many instances, been given
with sticcess, an hour before the fit of an ague, and an hour after it. This
produces no sensible effect, and may be given when the bark is not safe.—
Motherby’s Medical Dictionary, London, 1775.

This opinion concerning the harmlessness of cobweb, and its
efficiency where cinchona is “not safe,” voiced in different ways
threads both domestic and professional publications preceding 1800.
Together, it all forms the foundation for the more rational and re-
stricted use of cobweb, or Specific Medicine Tela Arenez, which may
be traced to and into recent literature, as follows:

In 1821, N. M. Hentz published, in the Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci-
ences, pp. 53-56, an article on “The Spider whose webb is used in
medicine,” from which we quote the introductory paragraph:

“It has been found lately, that the webb of a species of spider, common
in the cellars of this country, possesses very narcotic powers, and it has
been administered apparently with success in some cases of fevers.”

In his paper, Mr. Hentz not only adds nothing to previous re-
corded uses of cobweb, but, by mistake, the wrong spider is figured
in the plate.accompanying his paper.

Close following, in 1831, John Redman Coxe, in his American
Dispensatory, gives to cobweb a full page of fine print, from which
we extract as follows:

“It would scarcely be supposed that this article would have engaged
the attention of physicians, as useful in the Materia Medica; and it may
serve to show how little capable we are of estimating the value of any-
thing in this respect, except by experience and observation. It seems to
have been long overlooked that it was formerly employed—and has lately
-been again introduced to notice. The following notices from different
works contain the principal facts I can collect relative to it:

“In the Medical and Physical Journal, vol. 21, p. 353, will be found
an interesting paper on this subject, by Dr. R. Jackson, in which he states

23

TELA ARANE.

the success of Dr. Gillespie, of Edinburgh, in curing an obstinate inter-
mittent with cobwebs, after other means had failed. He was led from this
to try it himself, and has given several instances of its perfect efficacy, even
when of long continuance; and he is led from those cases ‘to consider cob-
web as possessing the power of suspending the course of intermittent
fever with great certainty.’ And elsewhere he concludes, that it ‘possessed
an extraordinary and altogether an inexplicable power in calming irrita-
tions, and in diminishing the excess of bodily torments’—hence he was
induced to try it ‘in the deliria, pains, spasms, and subsultus, common in
fevers of the continued class.’ The effect far exceeded his expectations.
He likewise effected: perfect cures in some troublesome spasmodic affec-
tions; and gave it with the most marked benefit in dry, irritating coughs,
usually termed nervous, singly, and sometimes conjoined with opium. In
the advanced stage of phthisis, it procured a respite beyond his expecta-
tion, one particular case of which he details. He further found it useful
in restraining a troublesome hiccough. And he concludes by affirming,
‘that cobweb diminishes morbid irritability, and calms irritations of both
body and mind, in a degree far exceeding any drug or remedy within the
circle of our knowledge.’ ”—Coxe’s American’ Dispensatory, 1831.

The United States Dispensatory, first edition, 1833, gives cobweb
due remedial credit, citing several well known authorities. This view
of the remedy was continued, in substance, throughout subsequent
editions, with the added sentence that cobweb, stuffed into the cavities
from which teeth have been extracted, stops the flow of blood.

“It is affirmed that the web of the field spider is inefficacious, while
that collected in cellars of houses, etc.,.has extraordinary medical virtues.
Several authors speak in very decided terms of its powers as a febrifuge
and antispasmodic. According to Dr. Robert Jackson, it is superior even
to bark and arsenic in the cure of intermittents, and is, moreover, highly
useful in various spasmodic and nervous diseases, controlling and tran-
quilizing irregular nervous action, exhilarating the spirits, and disposing to
sleep without producing any of the narcotic effects of opium on the brain.
These praises are to a certain extent echoed by Dr. Chapman and Dr.
Eberle, in their respective works on Therapeutics and Materia Medica.
Among the complaints in which it has been found useful, besides intermit-
tent fever, are periodical headache, the hectic fever of consumption, asthma,
hysteria, and nervous irritations attended with morbid vigilance and irreg-
ular muscular action. It will be observed, that these are, for the most part,
affections over which the imagination hag much control. The dose of
spider’s web is five or six grains, to be given in the form of pill, and re-
peated every three or four hours. Dr. Jackson states that its influence is
not in proportion to the quantity administered; and that he obtained the
same effects from ten as from twenty grains. This might well be, if the
supposition be allowed, that its chief operation is through the mind of the
patient. Spider’s web has also been used externally, with asserted advan-
tage, as a styptic in wounds, and a healing application in superficial ulcers.
Spiders themselves were formerly employed in the treatment of intermit-
tent fever, and the application of the web to the cure of this disease is
not a measure of recent origin.”—United States Dispensatory, 1834.

King, in the first edition of his Eclectic Dispensatory, under the
head Tela Araneae, aims to balance the subject, as follows:

“The medicinal species of spider from which the web is obtained is the
Tegeneria medicinalis of this country, which are found in cellars, barns,
and other dark places; they are of a brown or blackish color. The web
of the field spider is said to be of no account, medicinally, while that of
the house spider is reputed to possess extraordinary virtues. There are

24

TELA ARANE.

various opinions among medical men as to the modus operandi of the
cobweb, some attributing it entirely to the control of the imagination, while '
others view it in a different light, and entertain favorable opinions of it
as a powerful therapeutic agent.

“Properties and Uses.—Febrifuge, sedative, and antispasmodic. Said
to have been found useful in the cure of intermittents when all other agents
have failed; also recommended in various nervous and spasmodic diseases,
for the purpose of controlling and tranquilizing irregular nervous action,
exhilarating the spirits, and disposing to sleep, without any narcotic action
on the brain, as in periodical headache, hysteria, asthma, chorea, hectic
fever, and nervous irritations attended with morbid vigilance and irregular
muscular action. Dose, is five or six grains, every three or four hours,
in the form of pill. Externally, it is asserted to have been advantageously
employed as a styptic in wounds, and a healing application in superficial
ulcers.

“The small silver-headed spider, given in a dough pill, is said to be a
prompt and efficacious cure for ague.”—King’s Eclectic Dispensatory, 1852.

Mr. Thomas J. Graham, London, in his Modern Domestic Medi-
cine states:

“The cobweb of cellars, barns, and stables, is a valuable remedy for
ague (see Ague); and it also allays diseased irritability, and calms irrita-
tion, both of body and mind, often in a surprising manner. If it operates
well, when the pulse is quick, frequent, irregular, and irritated, it becomes
by its influence, slow, calm, and regular. Some American physicians who
have taken it, say it produces a calm and delightful state of feeling, suc-
ceeded by a disposition to sleep. It will thus often tranquilize much better
than opium or henbane, and its soothing properties point it out as a valu-
able palliative in the advanced stage of consumption—in asthma—in chronic
hysterics, and in other spasmodic complaints.

“Cobweb is an old and popular remedy for the present fever, and it is
as efficacious as popular. Some writers speak of it as a mere dirty object
of vulgar superstition; but they are much mistaken, for ten grains of cob-
web given twice or thrice before the expected time of each paroxysm, and
continued in this way for three or four days, or longer, as circumstances
indicate, will be found a powerful means of putting an immediate and
permanent stop to the recurrence of the ague. The patient should, however,
be prepared for its use by the previous employment of emetic, and purga-
tive, as prescribed before beginning the bark. The only valuable cobweb
is that produced by the black spider, which inhabits cellars, barns, and
stables. It is sometimes very effectual in arresting the progress of the
febrile symptoms in every other kind of fever. ‘Dr. Jackson (Dr. Jackson
on Fever, p. 241), a physician of acknowledged ‘accuracy, and great expe-
rience in the treatment of fevers, observes, that it is more abrupt and effi-
cient in its operation than bark, or arsenic, or any other remedy employed
for the purpose, with which he is acquainted.”—Graham’s Modern Domestic
Medicine, 1858. ;

The foregoing summarizes the therapeutic progress of cobweb,
from the day of Dioscorides to and into the last century. The works
of a multitude of authors might have been cited, each being about
the same as the others. In it all, excepting in Homeopathic therapy
and pharmacy, which are to be credited with much literature con-
cerning spiders and their webs, as well as with explicit differentiation
as regards the species to be used, it will be observed that (even by
Dr. Jackson), the cobweb, itself, i substance, was used, in the form
of-a pill, or powder.

25

TELA ARANE.

The original article of Dr. Robert Jackson, so often referred to
in the foregoing articles, appeared in The Medical and Physical Jour-
nal, London, England, in May, 1809. In that year cobweb was revived
as a therapeutic agent, through a discussion in the British medical
journals, following the aforenamed article by Dr. Jackson, from which
we extract and condense, as follows, using, for historical purposes,
the language of the author.*

By Dr. Robert Jackson:

“The spider’s web (vulgarly cobweb) is known to many of the common
people as a cure for ague and fever; but I believe that few of the regular
practitioners have yet employed it on that, or any other account.

“In the year 1800, the late Dr. Gillespie, physician in Edinburgh, a man
of sound professional judgment, and of great candour and sincerity of char-
acter, mentioned to me, by accident, that once, when baffled by the ob-
stinacy of an intermitting fever, he had recourse to-this vulgar remedy; and
with the most perfect success. In the same year, and soon after I went
to Chatham to the army depot, I met with some intermittents. which, if
suspended for a time by bark or arsenic, were still liable to recur, and which
I did not on that account consider as effectually cured, or disposed to be

* Dr. Robert Jackson enjoyed a conspicuous reputation in clinical practice, as well as in
an official position in the English Army and Navy service. He began his professional career
in 1774, in charge of the medical department of the first battalion of the 60th regiment in the
island of Jamaica, although he had been a practitioner of medicine, in a general sense, pre-
ceding that date. In 1778 he volunteered for service in the war with America, and was at-
tached to the 71st regiment. He made a specialty of the study of, fevers, in which his service
in Jamaica and the southern portions of America gave him exceptional opportunities. In 1791
he published ‘A treatise on the Fevers of Jamaica, with Observations on the Intermitting
Fever of America,’ embodying therein the results of his studies between the years 1774 and
1782, together with his studieS thereafter to the date of publication. He next traveled over
a great portion of Europe, surveying medical and literary institutions, establishing himself
finally at Stockton-upon-Tees, in the County of Durham.

At the time of the French Revolution, in 1798 Dr. Jackson took service with an expe-
dition under the command of General Sir George Gray, accepting the Surgeoncy of the third
regiment of foot, then embarking for the West Indies, where he hoped to study troptcal
fevers, but in this he was disappointed, by the deviation of the regiment to Flanders, where
he had the opportunity of studying contagious fevers, instead. In 1795, before he had the op-
portunity of publishing his observations on contagious diseases, he was ordered to the Island
of Saint Domingo, where he studied endemic diseases, writing continuously his observations
of the history of diseases and clinical cases at the bedside. In 1798 he published the results
of his fatiguing researches, under a long title, including Fevers, Contagious and Endemic,
Yellow Fever, etc., etc.

In the year 1799 he was appointed superintendent of medical concerns of a body of
17,000 Russian troops. His success in this direction led to his appointment as head of the
Army Depot Hospital, in Chatham, from which he subsequently resigned, retiring to his former
residence at Stockton. In 1803 he published a work on the Medical Department of the British
Army and its Hospital Management, with an Appendix concerning fevers and the operation of
remedies in effecting a cure. This work was followed, in 1805, by “A System of Arrangement
and Discipline for the Medical Department of Armies.” :

In 1811, Dr. Jackson 1eturned to the army medical service, engaging therein in the
Barbadoes and other islands and colonies. In i815 he returned to England, and issued a
further study of the History and Cure of Febrile Diseases, followed, in 1820, by a two-
volume work, largely devoted to tropical and other fevers. In 1819, the yellow fever having
broken out in Cadiz, Dr. Jackson sought service in that location. Failing to secure an ap-
pointment, he traveled through the Orient, visiting such places as Constantinople, Smyrna,
and the islands of the Archipelago, studying fevers, the plague, and similar diseases. In
1825 he published an article on Epidemic Yellow Fever, as it appeared in the Southern coast
of Spain since the year 1800, thus completing almost, a lifetime in the study of febrile dis-
eases, although continually experienced in the direction of general medicine and medication.

Dr. Robert Jackson died on the 6th of April, 1827, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.

Te was exceptionally entitled to credit as an authority on fevers, for which reason
authorities in all schools of medicine gave him due recognition, even into the present day, as
is evidenced by the continual references to Dr. Jackson’s commendation of cobweb as a fever
remedy, in every phase of literature concerning that disease. This fact also renders it just
that his report on cobwebs should not be passed without due regard to his experience and bal-
anced opportunities in that direction.

Do not confuse this Dr. Robert Jackson, whose publications appeared from London, with
the Dr. Robert Jackson, also an eminent authority, whose publications appeared from Edin-
burgh; nor yet with Dr. Samuel Jackson, of Philadelphia, who, in the beginning of the
last century, formulated the compound known as “‘Jackson’s Cough Syrup,” yet lingeringly
prescribed throughout America, ‘ en

26

TELA ARANE.

effectually cured by these customary and ordinarily powerful means. But
I shall state the case briefly, that you may be enabled to judge more cor-
rectly of the result. Serjeant Anderson, a respectable soldier, has been long
harrassed by this complaint, and though he had been treated with all care
and attention, there was yet no fair prospect from all the trials that had
been made, that the disease was to be soon overcome. I was interested
for the man on his own account, and I was also disappointed at the failure
of my own endeavours; for intermitting fever was a disease of which I had
had much experience, and, in accomplishing the cure of which, I had seldom
failed. The obstinacy of the case brought to my mind the fact which had
been mentioned to me by Dr. Gillespie; and as I thought myself perfectly
safe in giving credit to Dr. Gillespie’s testimony concerning the power of the
cobweb, I desired that some of that substance should be carefully collected
from the cellars, and made into pills of five grains each. As I was desir-
ous to ascertain the eftect precisely, and from my own observation, I ad-
ministered, with my own hand, one pill about two hours before I expected
the recurrence of the paroxysm, and two more a few minutes before the
rsual time of the paroxysm’s return. The patient was ignorant of the na-
ture of the substance that was given to him, and thus could not be supposed
to be acted upon through imagination; yet the effect was perfect. The usual
periods past without return, or without the most remote feelings of it; and
though I considered the disease as cured, yet as it had been of long con-
tinuance, and had considerably enfeebled the powers of the constitution by
its continuance, I recommended a furlough on account of change of air, so
soon as I was satisfied that its course was completely arrested. Besides
Anderson there were then three others in the hospital ill of intermitting
fevers. These cases were also untractable; and as the success of the cob-
web had been so decided in the instance of Anderson, I was desirous to
_ascertain the extent of its virtues by farther experiment in theirs. I ac-
cordingly admininstered, with mine own hand, a pill to each of the persons
alluded to, about two hours before I expected the return of the paroxysm,
and two more a few minutes before the time at which it had been accus-
tomed to return, The success was perfect in all the three.

“A soldier of the Buffs, recently returned from the West Indies, was
brought to the hospital, as having had a severe paroxysm of fever the pre-
ceding day. I have no note of what was done for him on the day on which
he was received; but next day, while I was visiting the patients in the ward
in which he lay, I observed the commencement of his paroxysm, and I per-
ceived it was marked by such collapse and ghastliness, that, had, I not
known the nature of the case, I should have been apprehensive that the
man was in the act of dying. I immediately gave him a cobweb pill (for
a dispenser of medicine attended while I visited, and cobweb pills were
among the hospital formule); in less than a minute he was perfectly tran-
quil; he even expressed comfort and satisfaction in himself that appeared
unaccountable, and which I must confess surprised me, the change being
sudden and complete, as if from the effect of a charm. The pulse was now
calm and orderly; a very gentle but warm perspiration took place immedi-
ately, and health was instantly restored.

“T have thus noticed, in a cursory manner, the power of cobweb in pre-
venting the recurrence of the intermittent paroxysm, in allaying the irrita-
tions, and in suspending the course of the paroxysm when actually begun,
and in tranquilizing patients who are irritable in the extreme in other con-
ditions of fever, viz., outrageously delirious, or otherwise agitated in body
and mind. I now farther add, that the trials were extended, and that per-
fect cures were effected in some troublesome spasmodic affections; even
that respite was procured in others that were fatal in themselves, and that
seemed to stand beyond the reach of other means. I have thus given cob-
web, with the most marked benefit, in cases of dry, irritating coughs, usu-
ally termed nervous, sometimes singly, sometimes joined, and I think ad-
vantageously joined, with opium.

27

TELA ARANEZ.

“I have also given it in advanced stage of phthisis, where it_procured
a respite, of which I could scarcely have entertained expectation. I mention
a case in detail, that you may obtain a better idea of the nature of the effect.
A young man, of a consumptive family, was attacked with what was con-
sidered to be a cold, about last Easter. The complaint went on to increase,
and when I saw him, which was in the month of August, phthisis was com-
pletely confirmed; the pulse was small and frequent, rarely, if ever, under
one hundred strokes in a minute, sometimes far above that number; the
flesh wasted fast; the strength was greatly impaired; the expectoration was
in great quantity, and decidedly purulent; the cough was extremely trouble-
some; the voice hoarse, and withal, there were occasional pains, or stitches,
in the sides and breast. The hectic was perfectly established, and no
person could, in conscience, entertain any reasonable hopes of recovery.
Emetics and blisters repeated at intervals, with other means commonly
known and usually employed in similar cases, procured occasional respites,
but they made no decided impression on the course and character of the dis-
ease. About the beginning of October, the distresses were urgent: the
cough was almost incessant, so that the young man had scarcely any rest
during the night; the pulse was so frequent, and at the same time so small,
that it was scarcely possible to number it; the legs swelled as high as the
knees, and the strength declined rapidly. His friends were anxious in the
extreme for relief, and the apothecary who attended him, and who had ex-
hausted all the means from which relief is usually obtained, wrote to me,
soliciting strongly that I would think of something that might mitigate his
sufferings, for to give a favorable turn to the course of the disease was not
expected. The tranquilizing effects of cobweb occurred to me on this oc-
casion, and I suggested to the apothecary, who was a man of discretion,
to prepare some pills of five grains each, and to give one of them at bed-
time, or at any other time when cough or pain were distressing. He did
so, and in about ten days I received’a letter from him, stating that his pa-
tient was so much improved, that his friends were in great expectation of
his doing well, and requested that I would visit him (the distance was near
thirty miles), to satisfy them on that head, I went to see him, in com-
pliance with the request of the parents, and found, on inquiry, that he had
rested tranquilly the first night after he took the cobweb, and tolerably well
the mbdst of the succeeding; that the irritation and distressing cough had
abated; that the expectoration had not diminished materially in quantity,
but that it came up easily, that the strength had improved, and that the
swelling of the legs had nearly disappeared. The mitigation of the symp-
toms was obvious, but the disease still existed.

“A gentleman of my acquaintance had for several months been ex-
tremely indisposed; the complaint complicated, but the nature of it not
clearly understood. The joints, particularly the knees, were swelled, and
extremely painful; the flesh was much wasted; there were frequent chills
and occasional feverishness, especially towards evening; the pulse was
small, irritated, and frequent; the appetite was, notwithstanding, better than
might have been expected; the tongue was clean; the eye clear; the thirst
considerable; there was evident hectic, but it was difficult to say on what
it depended. There were suspicious, indeed, marks of a venereal taint, and
he was kept under the influence of mercury for six weeks or two months,
during which time the pains in the joints increased; the flesh wasted fast:
and he was reduced to a state of great weakness; distressed, at the same
time, by restlessness and want of sleep. Fidgetting, irksomeness, and de-
sire of change of posture were extremely annoying. In bed he had no rest,
it not being in his power, during the greater part of the night, to keep his
limbs in one posture for ten minutes at a time; nor was he sensible that he
had slept two hours at once for the last three months.”

In this case, which had resisted all other remedies, Dr. Jackson
prescribed cobweb, and reports as follows:

28

TELA ARANE.

“He rested calmly till morning; and, in repeating the pill afterward,
he uniformly found that, though he might not actually sleep, he was not
only enabled but disposed to lie in one position till the morning. He ob-
served to me that, when he took opium, his mind was engrossed with some
foreign object, his attention was thereby diverted from his local pains and
uneasiness, but that he was much disordered next day; that when he took
cobweb, of the nature of which he was ignorant, his mind was his own,
but the sensations of pain and uneasiness were blunted, or obliterated, in
a manner he did not understand, and that next day he felt no inconvenience
of any kind.”’—London, No. 3 Canton-Square, March 20th, 1809.

In these early observations by Dr. Jackson, we have the thera-
peutic effect of cobweb contrasted with that of opium.

Came now into the discussion Dr. James Scott, surgeon of the
English Navy. From the Medical and Physical Journal, Y,ondon,
Vol. XXII, pp. 369-370, and 371-375, we reproduce as follows:

“Andrew Yeaman, aetat, 19, trumpeter in the Staff-Corps, was em-
barked on board the ship in the late expedition against Flushing, and had
laboured under intermitting fever nearly a month, by which he was much
emaciated, and reduced to an alarming state of debility. He had been sta-
tioned at Hythe, where I understand intermittents are very prevalent (in
consequence, it is believed, of the vicinity of the Royal Military Canal),
and by his own account had taken large quantities of bark with wine and
opium. Those medicines had never, in the slightest degree, shortened
the duration, nor diminished the severity of the paroxysms, and seemed
to have produced no other effect than, probably, that of preventing the
fever from degenerating into a more continued type, or changing its period
of accession. The intermissions, in this case, were most distinct, and un-
attended with any symptoms indicating disease, except extreme weakness,
and a more ghastly paleness of the countenance than I had ever witnessed.

“As I was most anxious to give the cobweb a fair trial, I requested my
assistant (Mr. Farkey) to be particulary careful in observing the patient’s
state and the effects of the remedy, both which he watched with the utmost
assiduity; and I feel much pleasure in adding his testimony in behalf of
its utility. A quantity of cobweb, not exceeding eight or nine grains, was
gathered from the bread-room, and made into pills; one, consisting of five
grains, with sufficient mucilage of gum arabic to’ form it; and the other of
the remaining cobweb, prepared in a similar manner. The five grain pill
was given on an empty stomach, a little after eight o’clock in the morning
(being two hours previous to the expected period of accession), and the
othér at the usual hour of the paroxysm, which was not felt at all. It may
be proper to state, that no other medicine was given with the cobweb; and
it will appear, that he did not take nearly the quantity prescribed by Dr.
Jackson, as the ship was at sea, and I could not procure more than I have
mentioned. The paroxysm never returned; but a slight rigor was felt about
the second period from the exhibition of the cobweb, and easily yielded to
two grains of opium, followed by bark and sulphuric acid, which completed
the cure. As far as I could learn, arsenic had not been resorted to on this
occasion.

“Walter Sands, Esq., purser of his Majesty’s ship Camilla, has been
afflicted for many years with a very distressing asthma, which has proved
fatal to his father, and called to an early grave two beautiful and accom-
plished women, his sisters. As the complaint appears to be hereditary, and
‘in this gentleman to be aggravated by mal-formation of the thorax, no
remedies gave any permanent relief, nor did change of climate procure any
alleviation of symptoms. He has taken, at various times, under the direc-
tion of eminent physicians, the foxglove in every form, with all other medi-
cines which have been recommended; and frequently in a kind of despair,

29

TELA ARANEZ.

has resorted to almost every empirical composition from which he could
expect advantage; but in vain.

“For a considerable time back he has never been able to lie down in his
bed, on account of a sense of suffocation, which he always experiences in
a horizontal posture, but is obliged to be supported half-sitting by pillows,
and even then is tormented to such a degree by incessant cough, so violent
as often to induce vomiting, that he can seldom sleep before two or three
o’clock in the morning, and his slumbers are often interrupted. About three
weeks ago I was witness to his sufferings, which came on, on board the
ship, after he had been dining with me, and I much regretted that I had no
cobweb to administer, as I was well aware of the inefficacy of all other
medicines in his case. I however mentioned the subject to him, and the
following day he collected nearly a scruple of the spider’s web, which he
swallowed at bedtime, and to his utter astonishment, enjoyed sound and
uninterrupted sleep all night; a blessing to which he had been an entire
stranger above six years. Since he began the cobweb, he thinks his health
is improved; the cough has certainly abated; but he finds much difficulty
in procuring a sufficient quantity of the web, and whenever it is omitted
the complaint returns.”—James Scott, Surgeon, H. M. S. Euryalus, off Dungeness,
Sept. 18, 1809.

To the discussion Dr. Jackson contributes again as follows:

“That cobweb is capable of stopping the course of intermittents is as
well proved as any fact in physic; but it is also true that it acts power-
fully in all the other conditions noticed in my paper of May; and I may add,
in many others that I omitted to mention. I shall trouble you with only
oné testimony. In the month of last June, an army physician, who exer-
cises his profession in civil life, and to whom I was little known, accosted
me, and took the opportunity of mentioning that he had employed cobweb
in a troublesome case, in consequence of what I had said of it in the Medi-
cal Journal. The case, he observed, was one of pain, distress, and watch-
ulness, of unusual obstinacy. The cobweb was ordered faithfully prepared
and administered. The effect appeared to have surprised the patient; for
he called upon his physician next morning to say that he had not passed
a night with so much comfort in six years. The remedy was repeated, and
it always gave ease and tranquility, though the patient did not always sleep.”
—Robert Jackson, M.D., Castle Edeh, Durham, Sept. 19, 1809. From the Medical
cand Physical Journal, Vol. XXII, pp. 369-370.

Then came an interval of several decades, in which Tela Araneze
was largely neglected, this period of rest being broken, 1865, by the
following article in Jones and Scudder’s Materia Medica, soon fol-
lowed by another important contribution to the therapeutics of Tela
Aranee, by Dr. L. M. Jones, in the Lancet and Observer, Cincinnati.

In asthma it is said to allay irritation, tranquilize the system, and act
like a charm. In spasmodic complaints of females; in chronic hysteria, and
other diseases attended with morbid irritability of the nervous system, it
has been advantageously employed. Dr. Webster, of Boston, has found it
beneficial in rheumatic affections of the head, asthma, and chronic coughs.
He says it produces a pleasant delirium and exhilarating effects resembling
the nitrous oxide gas. Dr. Gillespie used it in obstinate intermittents suc-
cessfully, after other remedies had proved ineffectual. He thinks it more
effectual than bark, arsenic, or any other remedy he has employed.

Dose.—Gr. v to vj, in pill; repeat every three or four hours. Dr, Jack-
son thinks a dose of gr. v produces nearly the same effects as one of gr. xx.
—Jones and Scudder’s Materia Medica.

By L. M. Jones, M. D.:

“Having had some experience with this remedy lately in thcse trouble-
some affections, I give it for the consideration of the readers of the Lancet
and Observer.

30

TELA ARANEZ.

“T will give the history of a case of chronic intermittent that came _un-
der my care, and the treatment in the same, in order to compare Tela
Aranez with other remedies given.

“In December, 1874, I was called to see Nellie P., age 10, suffering with
tertian intermittent fever, with which trouble she had been afflicted for
over two years. She was of a bilious temperament; very much emaciated
icterus hue of skin and conjunctiva; abdomen distended, which in palpa-
tion disclosed an enlarged liver and spleen, the latter extended to the
crest of the ileum, and could be easily traced through the abdominal pari-
etes; bowels constipated and relaxed alternately, urine very highly colored,
with frequent desire to urinate, especially during the febrile stage; cough
troublesome, but on examination could not detect disease of the lungs;
heart during the paroxysm and subsequent reactionary fever exhibited
great irregularity of action; oedema about eyes and face.

“Paroxysms occurred regularly every third day; cold stage lasting from
one to two hours; fever from six to eight hours; pulse 120 per minute;
skin hot and dry; patient delirious, with nervous twitching of limbs; respira-
tion hurried; fluttering of heart; great thirst and at times sick at stomach;
during the high fever, incontinence of urine, which passed in great quan-
tity and of very offensive odor. During the intermission the patient would
be up and about the house. It was evident from the length of time that
the patient had been afflicted, the deranged condition of the system, and
the grave character of the symptoms, that I had one of those perplexing
chronic intermittents to treat, which annoy and discourage the patient from
the long delayed relief. As several reputable physicians had treated her
without success, and ague specifics had been tried in vain, I was fully aware
that I had a harassing case on hand, and withal one not devoid of interest.

“Without saying more, I will give the course of treatment that I pur-
sued. I give the prescriptions numbered in the order that they were used
in the case, with the exception that they were sometimes refilled with other
treatment to suit indications (all of which failed).

“tst. EB Liq. Potassae arsenitas, dr. iv; Fld. Ext. taraxaci, fl. oz. Iss;
Syr. simplex, oz. i. M.S. Teaspoonful after each meal and at bedtime.

“2d. KE Chinoidine, dr. ii; Nitric acid, dilute, dr. i; water, oz. i. M.S.
Take five to eight drops in water every four hours.

“3d. KE Quiniae sul., grs. xxx; Arom. sul. acid, oz. ss; Tinct. gelse-
mium, oz. i; Liq. potassae arsefitas, dr. iii; Tinct. menth. piperitis, cz. i.
Syr. simplex, oz. iii. M.S. Teaspoonful every four hours.

“ath, BE Ext. eucalyptus globulus, oz. i; Ext. glycyrrhiza, oz. i. M.S.
Teaspoonful every two hours. Of this she took two bottles in succession.

“sth. B Tinc. iodine, dr. iii; Fld. ext. taraxaci, oz. ii; Syr. lemon, dr. v;
Syr. simplex, oz. i. M.S. Teaspoonful after each meal and at bedtime. She
took two bottles of this in the course of treatment.

“T gave quinine freely for several days in succession, compound chinoi-
dine pills, composed of chinoidine, sulphate of iron, and piperine; I gave
cathartics, including calomel in full and broken doses. This treatment
was kept up for several months, alternating from one to another, when I
thought necessary to make a change. And yet, I could not break up the
paroxysms longer than one week, when they would return, and this inter-
mission would occur at long intervals.

“I then prescribed the following tonics:

“BR Qiniae sul., gr. xxx; Mur. tinct. ferri, dr. iii; Phos. acid, dil., oz. ss;
Syr. lemon, oz. iii. M.S. Teaspoonful every four hours.

“She was kept on this prescription for two or three weeks, when her
mother came to me and stated that Nellie’s chills were getting worse, and
that if I could do anything for the child, to do it. What to do next was the
question. The decision was—try cobweb.

“I carried the medicine to my patient, and left the following directions:
Begin four hours before the expected chill, and give a teaspoonful every
hour, until she had taken four doses, then a teaspoonful before each meal
and at bedtime, until all was taken. The medicine was given as directed.
The anticipated chill came, but was very light compared with the others.

gi

TELA ARANE.

This, however, was the last chill she had, which has been over four months
since.

“Her general appearance has improved, color of skin is clear, the spleen
has returned to nearly its natural size, bowels regular, appetite good, in fact
the child has so far improved that her friends call her well. 7

“The patient and relatives did not know what she was taking, and are
still ignorant on the subject, so that the mind of the patient had nothing to
do in the performance of the cure. .

“I gave her the second bottle of the medicine, to be certain that the
cure was effectual.

“I have since used the remedy in other cases, with the same success,
and would ask that the profession give the remedy a trial in the various
intermittents. I will offer no comments on the case that I have cited, or
give any theory as to the action of the remedy, but shall leave the reader
to his own views. I gave a history of the case, because I considered it an
interesting one in several particulars; also was particular in giving the
treatment, that a comparison might be made in the remedies used and the
results obtained; and that the reader might see for himself that the treat-
ment adopted by the writer was a varied one. I will add in conclusion,
that either of the prescriptions given will break up an ordinary case of in-
termittent fever, chronic or not.’—Lancet and Observer, Cincinnati, April, 1876.
Reproduced in Ecl. Med. Jour., May, 1876.

The paper of Dr. Jones was reproduced in the Eclectic Medical
Journal, May, 1876, and ied to a continued use of Tela Aranez in
Eclectic medication, as well as to a closer study of its field of action.
The many wanderings of the olden time were finally ignored, and the
use of Tela was restricted to the conditions named by the following
physicians, of extensive practice and experienced observation:

By C. Pierce, M. D.: '

“The properties given in ihe American Dispensatory are febrifuge,
sedative, and anti-spasmodic. Said to cure intermittents when all other
medicines had failed, also recommended in nervous affections, to relieve
pain, lessen spasmodic action, and cause sleep without any deleterious nar-
cotic influence.

Professor I. N. Goss says that Tela Araneze is a direct remedy in per-
iodical fever of a hectic type, persistent ague with nervousness; or hysteri-
cal complications with a full pulse; oz. ss to aqua iv. dose dr. i. Dr. Sker-
shaw, of St. Louis, who has used this remedy for some time, says that Tela
has done me excellent service in some old cases of asthma, in which other
remedies had failed to do a particle of good, some bronchial coughs too were
relieved by it, with surprising rapidity. I find it also of great benefit in
persistent sleeplessness, the patient becoming quiet in a short time, and pass-
ing into a light, natural sleep, from which he awakes invigorated and re-
freshed. The whole action of the remedy, as given by the different ob-
servers, so nearly corresponds with my own experiences as a whole, that I
am induced to give a few cases that I have recorded in my practice,

Case 1. Male, aged 2 years, with a dry, whistling cough, spasmodic in
character, resembling whooping cough, with intermittent fever, no percep-
tible chill. Relieved in one day, and cured in three days.

Case 2. Male, aged 4 years, had terrible, irritable, spasmodic cough,
parents supposed it to be whooping cough; cured with Tela in 24 hours,
also the intermittent fever in connection with it.

Mrs. B. had sudden weakness come on her, followed by cold, chilly
crampings, numbness of the extremities, when sitting still or lying down:
sexual orgasm at night; sudden weakness, and aching pains in pelvis, ex-
tending slightly over the whole body, commencing at dark and lasting until
midnight; very nervous, Tela removed the whole symptoms in 48 hours.

32

TELA ARANE.

Mrs. T., age, 43, in her climacteric period, had sudden hot flushes that
came over her several times a day, followed by cold sweat, cold extremi-
ties, and chilly sensations. Tela relieved her in two days.

Ars. W., age, 41, attacked with uterine and left ovarian pains; very se-
vere crampings, and remitting pains, with cool, clammy. perspiration, cold
extremities, previously affected with nocturnal orgasm, sudden nervous af-
fections. and frequent metrorrhagias. A few doses of Tela stopped the
pains, and the flow ceased in a week’s use of the medicine.

Mrs. D., aged 45, in her climacteric period, had sudden twitching of
facial muscles, sexual irritability, nocturnal orgasm, formication and sleep-
lessness. Prescribed Tela, which relieved her in a few days.

Miss O. had complained of headache for ten days, from occiput to tem-
ple on the right, running to forehead, worse at night. Prescribed Tela.
Headache removed within 24 hours, and no return.

James W. has for several days had hot flushes to come up suddenly,
several times a day, followed by cold sweat, cool extremities, with chilliness.
Tela relieved him in six hours,

George N. had weak spells that came on irregularly several times dur-
ing the day, and regularly at six. P. M.; also sudden aching pain in the pel-
vis, extending more or less over the body, lasting until midnight, with
great nervousness. Cured in 30 hours with Tela Aranee.

George H. had weak spells that came up ‘suddenly with air puffings in
his ears; would last half an hour, then were succeeded by cold perspira-
tion, and cold extremities. Was relieved in 24 hours of all symptoms by the
use of Tela; continued medicine for three days and no return.

Mrs. F. had typhoid fever, third week, with cold extremities, sore
aching pains in spots, worse in left foot and ankle, commencing after dark;
in an hour after, followed by a severe, increasing headache in the right
side, worse in the last half of the night. At four P. M. muscles of the neck
stiff, and severe aching pain in terigo-mastoid, and temporal regions to
occiput, cool, moist perspiration, cold extremities. Three drops of tincture
relieved her immediately.

Mrs. H. complained of palpitation of the heart, pulse unaltered, cardiac
oppression, with cool, moist skin, and cold extremities. Prescribed Tela,
with immediate relief.

Miss B., ovaritis, and slight metritis, following abortion, with’ peri-
odical pains coming on at 3 P. M.; prescribed quinine for the periodicity,
which only anticipated the time of the paroxysm that came up at one P. M.,
with aggravations; then I learned for the first time that previous to her
confinement, she had numb spells, and extreme weakness that came on her
suddenly, this being among the best symptoms that indicate the use of
Tela, which I prescribed. Relieved entirely in two days.

Chas. S., afflicted with sudden, painful palpitation of heart directly
followed by smothering, profuse perspiration, and cool extremities; had
been often troubled with numbness, removed by massage. Prescribed Tela,
with quick relief.

Mrs. J. W. was taken suddenly ill with uterine colic, like extreme abor-
tion pains, sharp and constant, with nausea and rigors like the commence-
ment of the second stage of labor, cold extremities, the os cervix tender
to the touch, hard and congested. Five drops of tincture of Tela removed
it in five minutes, while other reliable medicines failed.

John D., with pain in heart, came on suddenly with smothering res-
piration, numbness and cold extremities, pulse small and weak, followed
‘by cool perspiration, and the paroxysms were periodical. Tela relieved him
promptly. ; 5

* Miss Ida P. was troubled with cough when she was lying down, with a
tickling behind the sternum, a cold, oppressed feeling in the chest, and
numb sensations. It seemed as if much phlegm should be raised, but it
could not. Tela relieved all symptoms.

Mr. M. Em., an old toper, reforming under treatment from his last
delirium. Commences suddenly at 3 A. M. to have a cool sensation running

3 33

TELA ARANE.

from the small of the back to the end of the penis, with an irresistible
desire to pass urine, and from that time until 6 A. M. he passes from one
to one and a half gallons of clear, light, straw colored urine, composition
very slightly acid, no sugar, no albumen, and rapid decomposition. Tela
in three-drop doses every three hours relieved. the paroxysmal flow when
other medicine of good repute failed. ; ore

The specific indications for Tela are these, viz.: masked periodical
diseases in hectic, broken down patients. In all diseases that come up
suddenly with cool, clammy skin and perspiration, cool extremities; in
nocturnal orgasms in either sex. Numbness of the extremities when sitting
still or lying down. It relieves spasm of the arterioles, and stimulates cap-
illary circulation. It relieves hyperesthesia of the cerebro-spinal nerves,
and the great sympathetic, that depends on debility. It is the greatest
heart stimulant in the materia medica, and Lobelia is second only to it.—
Eclectic Medical Journal, November, 1886.

By Herbert T. Webster, M. D., Oakland, Cal.:

The experience of the writer with this remedy has been very much to
its credit. Though it has failed him occasionally—or he has failed to apply
it :properly—he is convinced that Grauvogl enunciated a lasting benefit to
the profession in his exploit with Tela. He has afforded us a central truism,
around which much substantial knowledge has been built with clinical
experience. Within the past few months, two of the most honored prac-.
titioners of our State, Drs. Fearn and Munk, upon separate occasions, have
signified their high appreciation of this remedy, in various conditions
marked by persistent chilliness.

This symptom appears to be the keynote for its use, though we should
dissociate the proposition from the idea that the prolonged chilliness must
necessarily belong to an ague, or malarial manifestation. Unless this is
done, we are liable to neglect it almost completely; for so many better and
more reliable remedies for intermittents are in vogue that we can never
expect to win renown with it in this field, though when specifically indi-
cated, it is as applicable in malarial conditions as in any other, according
to my experience. The writer, however, has obtained most satisfactory re-
sults from it, possibly because he became better acquainted with it in a
district where intermittent fever is unknown, unless imported; though it
may be mentioned, in passing, that periodicity is rather a significant indi-
cation for Tela, though not the leading one. Periodicity, it is to be remem-
bered, does not always indicate malaria. There are exceptions to all rules,
and to this rule there are a number.

Whenever a case presents, be it acute or chronic, in which the patient
finds himself prone to continual chilliness, unable to get comfortably warm
by the aid of proper clothing, apartment and fuel, Tela is the first remedy
to be thought of. The demand for it is emphasized if the skin is continually
cool and ‘clammy, and if the chilliness is quickly aggravated by dampness.
A patient in this condition presents us with what Grauvogl designated a
“hydrogenoid constitution,” or condition, and this is his specific indication
for Tela. We ought, then, to regard the phrases, “cool, clammy skin,” and
“hydrogenoid condition” as synonymous in their meaning, in this confec-
tion, both being specific indications for Tela.

As an illustration of what is meant by the application of Tela to the
“hydrogenoid condition” by Grauvogl, one of his cases may be related. A
chronic inflammation of the heel, in an old man—probably due to involment
of the petriosteum of the os calcis—resulted in abscess, and fater on in
a sloughing ulcer. The ulcer’was very painful, and arnica was given to
relieve the pains, but without much effect. The ulcer continued to deepen,
and resort was had, alternately, to silica and calcarea carb., but aggrava-
tion still persisted. The patient was constantly chilly, and the pains in-
creased and decreased periodically. Tela was administered, and improve-
ment speedily followed.

Do we understand the modus operandi by which Tela corrects this

34

TELA ARANE.

clammy chilliness, this hydrogenoid condition, with its accompanying com-
plaint? Hardly. Would it be profitable to speculate upon the matter?
Possibly. Does Tela operate through the vasomotor centers, either by re-
laxing the arterioles or by vivifying the capillaries, and thus improve con-
ditions by imparting a sensation of agreeable general warmth to the hith-
erto clammy, chilly patient? It acts gradually, so the effects are not to be
expected in a minute after administration. A few days of its use, however,
will suffice to produce results.

Eviderice exists that Tela is a marked neurotic, and that it can hardly
be directed exclusively to the vasomotor centers. It is accredited with
curing dry, spasmodic cough, stimulating pertussis, and sometimes asth-
matic cough; of relieving climacteric flushes, and hot flushes in both sexes,
followed by clammy sweat; twitching of the facial muscles, formication,
numbness of the extremities, hyperesthesia and insomnia, sexual irrita-
bility and nocturnal orgasm, cardiac palpitation with angina, and headaches,
all come under its curative influence, when accompanied by the hydrogenoid
condition of Grauvogl; especially if periodicity be manifest, and the subject
be inclined to neurasthenia.

To illustrate more forcibly the place for Tela, I will quote Dr. O. S.
Laws, of Los Angeles:

“There are many cases which need simply that and nothing more. A
case came under my care, in 1894, for sundry ailments of the sexual organs,
but the most annoying symptom of which she complained was chilliness,
and ‘cold, clammy sweat,’ as she termed it. She was constantly going about,
but could not get on wraps enough to prevent the chilliness.

“From what I had read in Dynamical Therapeutics concerning Tela,
and from my own use of it in a variety of cases, J prescribed it for her: I
put dr. 1 to oz. iv. of water, and she took one teaspoonful of the dilution
four times a day. Relief began in a few days, and before the second bottle
was gone no extra wraps were needed, and she was benefited in other ways.
She has not complained of the chilliness since.

“T use Tela—Specific Medicine, of course—in all cases where numbness
is complained of, and the results are so prompt and surprising that it seems
like fiction to speak of them.”

Resumé.—Tela is specifically indicated in debilitated subjects of neu-
rotic tendency, with cool, clammy skin, protracted sensation of chilliness
with or without nervous complication, especially where periodicity is in
evidence. Given when the keynote, chilliness, long continued, is present,
it is liable to remove accompanying neurotic complications, at the Same
time that it corrects the faulty condition of the circulation.—Eeclectic Medical
Journal, Oct., 1907.

By John Fearn, M. D.:

“Dr. Webster has done the profession a service by his timely article
on this remedy in the October Eclectic Medical Journal—a servi¢e that I
ought to have rendered long ago, but have been prevented by adverse cir-
cumstances. To put the matter briefly: A few years ago my health was
very much below par, and the chief disease expression was this surface and
general coldness. As I walked on the street I saw men in their shirt sleeves,
seeming very comfortable. I was warmly dressed and had on an overcoat;
but was uncomfortably cold. I had always worn light-weight underwear,
but had to change to warmer, without much advantage. In bed the clothes
were piled on until the weight was oppressive; but it was the only way I
could be comfortable. The old adage says, ‘The man who is his own doc-
tor, has a fool for a patient.’ I have been my own doctor and family doctor
with success. But in this case J failed. I consulted Dr. Webster, and he
said, Tela Aranez is your remedy.’ I at once began its use, ten to fifteen
drops of Spec. Med. Tela Aranez in four ounces of water, teaspoonful
every thrée hours, The improvement was remarkable arid quick, and it
has been permanent.

“Now for the cause of my trouble: The previous winter had been very

35

‘TELA ARANE.

wet, and my duties in my home town were strenuous, in addition to which
1 had patients in the adjoining towns. To get there I had to cross a marsh,
where for some years scavengers had dumped city refuse. The excessive
rain seemed to cause a bad stench from this rotting mass, which the
breezes from the Pacific Ocean were powerless to neutralize while the rain
lasted; and it was this exposure, day after day, which I believe was the
cause of my trouble.

“Now, for the modus operandi of its action, let me say: The poison
affects seriously the nervous system, acting, it seems to me, on the heart
through the cardiac plexus, thus weakening the central circulatory organ,
and giving rise to a poor peripheral and capillary circulation. Hence blood
depravement; hence cold surface. Tela Araneex, by strengthening the heart,
improves the condition of the nervous system. Dr. ebster has well
pointed out the specific indications for the use of this remedy. Use Spec.
Medicine Tela Aranez under these conditions, and you will succeed.”—
Eclectic Medical Journal, Dec., 1907.

After the advent of the Eclectic school of medicine in America
(as indicated in the extract from Jones and Scudder’s Materia Medica,
and the articles by Drs. Webster, Fearn, and others, pp. 31-37), came
the restudy of cobweb, or
rather, led finally to its more
definite as well as restricted
application, as shown in its
method of employment at the
present time. Nor, as shown
by the article of Dr. Jones, from
the Lancet and Observer, (pp.
31-33), has the remedy been
altogether neglected by the
dominant school.

SPECIFIC MEDICINE
TELA ARANE.

The form of the remedial
preparation commended by phy-
sicians named in this Treatise
is the Specific Medicine, de-
scribed herein. This has ever

THERIDIUM TEPIDARIORUM. been made from the web of

(From Blackwell's British Spiders.) Theridium tepidariorum (see

fhe Spider that spins the web used in cut), which builds its web in
making Specific Medicine Tela Aranez, barns and similar locations. We

have no personal Arie

with the web of the spider inhabiting cellars, ae named " Mie te.
going pages as being employed by early investigators,

Characteristics.—Two minims of this preparation represent one
grain of cobweb. It has a rich straw color, an odor of alcohol, and
its evaporation is accompanied by vapors of an offensive, stifling’ odor.
Successive evaporations of 10 Cc. each gave an average residue of
0.058 Gm. (58-100 of one per cent), a result which varies: somewhat
in different batches. The residue is of a resinous appearance, and is
destitute of alkaloids. It is largely soluble in chloroform, less so in

36

TELA ARANE.

ammonia, and is nearly insoluble in either water or acid water. 50 Cc.
of Specific Medicine Tela Aranez, diluted with its bulk of water, and
distilled to 5 Cc., gave a transparent distillate of an organic odor,
free from alkaloids, and neutral to litmus paper. The residue in the
distilling flask had a brown-red color, and an offensive odor, reminding
one of putrid organic matter. This likewise failed to react with alka-
loidal reagents.

No more can the examination of such a substance as Tela Aranez
by ordinary chemical processes be viewed as of any great importance,
as concerns its utility in the therapeutic field, than can its hypodermic .
injection in animals in health portend or limit its therapeutic possi-
bilities in the human being in disease.

Specific Uses.—Dr. J. A. Munk, of Los Angeles, Cal., than
whom, possibly, there is no more experienced or carefully qualified
observer in therapeutical directions, made the statement in a recent
conversation, that he had long used Specific Medicine Tela Aranez
successfully in the treatment of cases where the long continued use of
cinchona, quinine, arsenic, and other like remedies had resulted in
‘failure. He stated that patients from the Eastern States sent to his
section of California, and afflicted with sleeplessness, nervousness, or
malarial attacks unreachable through the usual remedies, responded
under the use of Tela Aranez, which he considers invaluable in such
conditions. Where the indications were pronounced, he has found the
results of its administration to be surprisingly prompt.

The specific uses of Tela Aranez, as recorded by Dr. L. A. Perce,
of Long Beach, Cal., who also has had great experience in the treat-
ing of this class of patients, is condensed into a small compass, as
follows:

Uses.—Specific Medicine Tela Aranez is a sedative acting upon
the nervous system and circulation. It is said to have cured intermit-
tent fever when all other remedies had failed. It relieves spasms,
lessens pain, and promotes sleep. It has been: used in delirium and
subsultus of continued fevers, and in hiccough and dry nervous cough,
hysteria, periodic headache, asthma, restlessness, insomnia, and mus-
cular spasms. Specific indications as given by Dr. Perce are:—
“Masked periodical diseases in hectic broken-down patients; in all
diseases that come up suddenly with cool, clammy skin, and perspira-
tion, and cool extremities; in nocturnal orgasm in either sex; numb-
ness of the extremities when sitting still or lying down. It relieves
spasms of arterioles and stimulates capillary circulation. It relieves
hyperesthesia of the cerebro-spinal nerves and the great sympathetic,
that depends upon debility. It is the greatest heart stimulant in the
materia medica, and lobelia is second only to it.

Dose: Sp. Med. Tela Arenez, gtt. v to gtt. x in a little water,
three times a day. In urgent cases, every hour.

PRICES OF SPECIFIC MEDICINE TELA ARANER.

i-th packa@enr a: craeewsnns sewne pea eEL ae aees Bae 75c. each. By mail o7c.
EASTD: MACK AG Cbecacss crc guts cctesbcccenactuesginebieas detdhvlacaseh eavanene eo $1.40 each. Not mailable.
ToiD: PACkage ccc ceudites wana maadendinamaaaacienn $2.75 each. Not mailable.

Spongia.
(SPONGIA USTA).

“The sponges were formerly regarded by many naturalists as belonging
to the vegetable kingdom. ‘They are now regarded as compound animals
by all, and by many as being even higher than the Protozoa, having close
analogies with the Radiates.”—Elements of Zoology, Sanborn.

Both sponge and its ash have been valued in medicine from a
very early date, as shown by the following excerpt from Dioscorides.
Translated and condensed by Miss Margaret Stewart, A. M.

“Fresh sponges, and those most free from oils, are helpful for wounds.
and to check tumors. With water or vinegar, they bind up (literally, glue
together) fresh wounds, while, cooked with honey, they join together
old wounds. Old sponges are useless. But even these are of value in
softening up callouses and separating ulcers that are growing together, il
bound upon them, dry, with a linen cloth. Fresh sponges placed upon old
ulcers full of corruption dry them up. They also check the flow of blood.

“Burned with vinegar, they are useful in inflammation of the eye; alsc
where there is need of a detergent or astringent. But it is better to tinc-
ture the ashes with the remedies to be used for the eye. The ashes oj
sponges burned with pitch check the flowing of blood.”—Dioscorides, V: 138

History. Spongia Usta (Burnt Sponge).—This preparation
known in Dioscorides’ day, and in subsequent medical works anc
Dispensatories as Spongia Usta, was once included among the most
important of remedial agents. Not only did it occupy a prominen'
position in the works on domestic medicine, but in authoritative pro-
fessional publications generally.

The third edition of the London Pharmacopeia, 1751, gives ex
plicit directions for its preparation as follows:

Heat the sponge in a covered vessel, till it becomes black, and is easily
friable; then reduce it to powder in a glass or marble mortar.

Remark.—The heat here used must be much greater than in the forme:
process; but, however, care should be taken not to burn the sponge till it:
volatile salt be expelled, for so doing would reduce it to a mere coal; bu
the volatile salt is so much extricated from the, other principles by thi
operation, that if it be rubbed to powder in a brass or bell-metal mortar
it is very apt to acquire from the vessel a taint, that will offend the stomach
eG Dispensatory of the Royal College of Physicians, London, 1751 (3
edition).

This substance crept as a matter of reference into many modert
works, but its general use was abandoned very soon after the discover
of iodine and the compounds of iodine. ,

It will be noticed in the above formula that the sponge, afte:
being burned, is to be powdered in a mortar of stone or glass, to pro

38

SPONGIA. |

tect against taint. This feature is more fully explained in Lewis’
Materia Medica, London, 1768, wherein the foregoing formula, in
substance, is given as follows:

Burnt in a close, earthen vessel, till it becomes black and friable, it has
been given in doses of a scruple against scrophulous complaints and cu-
taneous defedations; in which it has sometimes been of service, in virtue,
probably, of its saline matter, the proportion of which, after the great re-
duction which the other matter of the sponge has suffered in the burning,
is very large. By virtue of this saline matter also, the preparation, if ground
in a brass mortar, corrodes so much of the metal, as to contract a disagree-
able taint, and sometimes an emetic quality: hence the college expressly
orders it to be powdered in a mortar of glass or marble.—Lewis’s Materia
Medica, London, 1768. :

It is evident, as experience thus taught, that an emetic compound
of copper was produced when a brass mortar was employed.

Coeval with such authorities, as well as others preceding and fol-
lowing, Burnt Sponge maintained its position as a remedial agent.
Of this, a quotation from Motherby, giving the uses of Burnt Sponge,
together with directions for preparing the drug, is sufficient as an
illustration : ;

Spongia is used in scrofulous disorders, and cutaneous foulnesses, for
which end it is reduced, by lightly burning it, to a black powder, which is
given in doses from gr. x to xx, two or three times a day; its virtues, which
render it useful in these disorders, depend on a volatile, animal, alkaline
salt (with which it abounds), and the oil of the sponge united.

When sponge is cut in small pieces, and freed from the stony matters
which are lodged in it, it is burnt in a close, earthen vessel until it is black
and friable, and when being powdered in a stone or a glass mortar, it is
kept in a close vial for use. The burning should be discontinued as soon
as the matter becomes thoroughly black; as the outside of a large quantity
will be sufficiently burnt before the middle is much affected; the best
method is, to cut it in small pieces, and keep it continually stirring in such
a machine as coffee is roasted in.—JMotherby’s Medical Dictionary, London, 1785.
(Second Edition.)

?

In 1812, M. Courtois, of Paris, in manufacturing soda, observed
that the mother liquors from kelp corroded the boilers. In experi-
menting therewith he discovered the element, iodine. Close following
came the fact that sea plants generally, as well as some of the lower
forms of animal life of the sea, contained more or less iodine. The
new element not only became a fashionable remedy for “scrophulous
diseases,” but led to the supposition that, as before stated, it alone
constituted the remedial portion of Burnt Sponge. Thus, such au-
thorities as Christison, in his Dispensatory, 1848, asserts:

Sponge contains a trace of combined iodine, and before the discovery
of this element and its compounds, was, in the charred state, a remedy in
scrofula and goitre. Its use internally, however, is now dbsolete.

Indeed, it may perhaps be accepted that the discovery of iodine,
and its occurrence in sponge, led the professions of medicine and
pharmacy, theoretically, to displace Burnt Sponge with iodine and its

39

Pa

SPONGIA.

compounds. For example, the Dictionary of Domestic Medicine,
Thompson and Smith, 1868, assumes as follows:

Burnt sponge was formerly considered the best remedy in cases
“pronchocele.” It-is now known that its power of removing that dise
depended on the presence of iodine.

Notwithstanding this and other positive assertions concerning °
iodine phase of the subject, Burnt Sponge continued, as a therapet
substance, to occupy authoritative position. For example, the Ph
_macopeia of the United States, 1830 edition, gave it a position, but 1
thereafter. The first edition of the United States Dispensatory, 18
commented on it as follows:

The sponge 1s decomposed, the volatile matters being driven off by -
heat, and a black, friable coal remaining, which consists of charcoal mi>
with phosphate and carbonate of lime, chloride of sodium, carbonate
soda, and iodine in the state of hydriodate of soda. As the remedial va
of burnt sponge depends chiefly upon the presence of iodine, it can not
esteemed good unless it afford purple fumes when acted on by sulphu
acid, assisted by heat. It is said that the preparation is most efficient
a remedy when the sponge is kept on the fire no longer than is necess:
to render it friable. The powder is then of a much lighter color. Bu
sponge has been highly commended in goitre, glandular swellings of
scrofulous character, and obstinate cutaneous eruptions. It is most ec
veniently administered mixed with syrup or honey, in the form of an el
tuary. with the addition of some aromatic, as powdered cinnamon. 7
dose is from one to three drachms.—United States Dispensatory, Wood «
Bache, 1833.

The first edition of the Eclectic Dispensatory, King and Newt
1851, gives the current uses of Burnt Sponge and its compounds, '
neglects its assay constituents. In the second edition, 1854, the ana
sis is added, as follows:

In 1,000 parts of sponge, 343.848 were dissipated by calcination; |
remainder consisted of 327.0 parts of carbon and insoluble matters, 112
of chloride of sodium, 16.43 of sulphate of lime, 21.422 of iodide of sodiu
7.57 of bromide of magnesium, 103.2 of carbonate of lime, 35.0 of phosph:
of lime, 4.73 of magnesia, and 28.72 of oxide of iron. The efficacy of bu:
sponge depends principally upon the presence of iodine, and it shor
always be used when of recent calcination, as it becomes impaired rapir
in consequence of the volatilization of the iodine —King’s American Ecle
Dispensatory, 1854.

While Professor King thus accepts the prevailing opinion tl
Burnt Sponge depends upon iodine and its compounds for its virtu
he wisely qualifies the assertion by stating that it depends “principall
upon the presence of iodine, in which direction Professor Wood,
his Dispensatory of the United States, above alluded to, 1833, sta
that the remedial value is due to the presence of iodine, and likew
qualifies his staternent by the word chiefly.

Owing to the intrusion into therapy of iodine, and to its cc
spicuity, the natural compound known as Burnt Sponge largely d
appeared from professional use, excepting in the Homeopathic and I
lectic practice of medicine, where iodine and iodine compounds ha

40

SPONGIA.

ever been viewed as things in themselves, Burnt Sponge being con-
sidered as a compound in itself. For example, Allen’s Inscripta of
Pure Materia Medica, Vol. 9, devotes eleven or more pages to its
therapeutic use, whilst other Homeopathic pharmacopeias, such as
that of the American Institute of Homeopathy, 1879, and the United
States Homeopathic Pharmacopeia, 1878, devoted due attention to the
preparation of the drug, as well as its dilutions and triturations.

In this connection, it is evident in that in former times more or
less questionings arose concerning the possibility of displacing Burnt
Sponge by mixtures of charcoal and alkaline substances then known
to be present in it. That these attempts thus to brush the remedy of
old out of existence were failures is shown by a statement of the Royal
College of Physicians, London, 1809, only two years before the dis-
covery of iodine,

“Burnt sponge appears practically to produce effects which no mixture
~of the alkali and charcoal does, especially in the removal of bronchocele;
and it is therefore retained.”

Constituents.—Burnt Sponge contains a large amount of combined
iodine, not “a trace” as Christison states. One minim of the Specific
Medicine represents one grain of sponge, and (see Characteristics,
Pp. 43) a fragment of a minim will give a deep blue color with starch
pasté. In addition bromine, phosphorus, sulphur, and other elements
in unknown combinations go to make up Burnt Sponge. Whoever
reasons concerning the action of compounds made up of such sub-
stances as unknown combinations of the elements that theoretically
may be formulated into chloride of sodium, calcium sulphate, sodium
iodide, magnesium bromide, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate,
magnesium and iron oxides, unknown sulphides, and phosphates re-
organized from organic tissue and reconstructed by heat from complex
organic bodies, presumes much in asserting that such combinations de-
pend solely for their qualities upon a single substance that may by
destructive chemical processes be isolated from the original product.
The intermolecular constitution of Burnt Sponge is to-day unknown,
and the part iodine takes in the therapy of that substance is also un-
known.

Let us repeat that in our opinion the balanced structure, a com-
plexity in itself, that results in the empirical production of the com-
pound known as Burnt Sponge, can not be molecularly established by
any theoretical computation made from a review of the isolated constitu-
ents thereof. Consequently, the uses of this preparation by physicians
who employ it in contra-distinction to iodine or its compounds, are
accepted as logically applying to a structural something, molecularly
unknown, that must be very different from iodine, or a single iodine
compound.

Pharmaceutical Preparations——The uses of Burnt Sponge are
recorded in the foregoing extracts, as well as in a multitude of like
publications. The use in Eclectic medicine has been centered mainly
on the alcoholic solution known as “Specific Medicine Spongia,” in

41

SPONGIA.

which one pound of Mediterranean natural sponge is burnt a
cording to the old Pharmacopeial directions, and this triturated wit
alcohol while still hot. ‘The mixture is allowed then to digest unt
all soluble material is extracted, when it is filtered. This preparatic
varies somewhat in composition, owing to differences in the spong
but in general qualities it acts uniformly, as a whole.

Sponges are possessed of some form of mineral skeleton, calcar:
ous, siliceous, and horny. They also enclose foreign substances whic
aid in giving them stability. These latter substances may be largel
separated, mechanically, and magnesium and calcium salts may be di:
solved by dilute acids. For the making of pharmaceutical preparz
tions, the natural Mediterranean sponge, only, by this writer, is en
ployed, never sponge that has been acid-cleaned, or chlorine-bleache
Scrap sponge (soft trimmings) is also very inferior, yielding litt]
ash, and that of a poor quality. The whole sponge, carrying the ba:
attachment should be employed, the ash of several bales of suc
sponges running from 30 to 36 per cent. Such a natural (Mediterré
nean) Spongia Usta may be described as follows:

Spongia Usta varies, not only by reason of the sponge constitu
ents, but through process influences. If the sponge be burned b
allowing air to enter the vessel and thus produce a flame, or if th
temperature be at first very hot and the process soon ended at a hig
heat, so as to dissipate all possible volatile constituents, the produc
is inferior. The combustion process must be a slow, smothering me
nipulation, in which, by a gradually raised heat in a vessel provide
with a smoke exit, the product comes mainly to a gray-black or brow
color. Throughout this charred, soft, pulverulent texture are to t
found silvery specks of mineral matter, and even calcined shell, of cor
siderable size. The odor of the ash reminds one of burnt coal of
marine nature. The taste is strongly saline, accompanied by a pet
sistent, sulphide of hydrogen odor, and a sulphuret (sulphide) afte:
taste. Treated with sulphuric acid in a covered beaker glass; effet
vescence follows, and violet fumes arise that change starch paper t
a deep blue.

THE SPECIFIC MEDICINE SPONGIA.

Characteristics——This preparation has a golden yellow color, an
the odor of alcohol. Each minim represents one grain of sponge. Th
evaporation of 10 Cc. leaves about 0.58 per cent. of a crystalline res
due, yellowish, and of a saline odor and taste. When in a beake
glass (covered by a watch crystal) sulphuric acid is poured over th’
residue effervescence follows, the mass assuming a violet color, b
liberation of iodine, in places being very dark brown. The beake
becomes next filled with the characteristic violet iodine fumes whic
change starch paper to blue, or even to brown. On standing, the iodin
fumes condense on the cover glass and the cooler parts of the beake
as minute needle-like crystals. If the sulphuric acid treated mass |
exhausted by 10 Cc. chloroform and filtered, a deep violet red solt
tion results, which on spontaneous evaporation yields minute iodir

42

SPONGIA.

crystals. If upon the contrary the residue be treated with alcohol,
the solution is deep yellow, but carries the iodine. Both solutions
turn starch paper dark blue, changing to brown. If a few drops of
starch paste be spread over the bottom of a porcelain dish, one drop
of a mixture of. Sp. Med. Spongia and sulphuric acid in its center,
will develop a blue color of varying degrees of intensity in accord-
ance with the proportion of the ingredients.

Therapeutical Uses.—In consequence of its neglect by many
teachers, as well as by reason of the quickly and yet illogically ac-
cepted premise (on the discovery of iodine) that one element, and
one only, contributed to its efficacy, the use of spongia usta has been
restricted mainly to the Homeopathic and Eclectic members of the
American medical profession. These physicians also use iodine and
its compounds when they are indicated, but they do not neglect
“Spongia,’ as is shown by the confidence that experienced practi-
tioners have in its clinical use, and that, too, a hundred years after
the discovery of iodine. The Eclectic uses of Spongia, as given by
Dr. George M. Hite, who uses the preparation extensively, are tersely
expressed, as follows:

Uses.—Spongia gives better results than iodine, in the more
chronic forms of goiter. It is useful in chronic pharyngitis with thick-
ening of the mucous membrane. In acute hoarseness from colds, it
is the very best remedy of which I know, but it is chiefly as a croup
remedy that I have used it. In follicular tonsillitis, Spongia is a most
excellent remedy, and combined with other indicated remedies, as
aconite, phytolacca, and bichromate of potassium, will relieve in half the
time the same prescription would, without the Spongia. It is a fine
remedy in laryngitis, with burning, smarting, raw sensations, as it is
also in tubercular laryngitis, relieving the teasing cough, and improv-
ing the health of the mucous membrane, overcoming the hoarseness,
and improving the voice. I have used Spongia for many years, and
always with specific results.

Indications—Croup, with rough, barking, crowing, cough; stridu-
lous respiratory sound during inspiration, with dry cough; loud wheez-
ing respiration, with suffocative fits of coughing; inability to breathe
except with the head thrown backward.

Dose-—F Sp. Med Spongia......... gtt. x to xxx.
quia: Dest. jeéscsseiitssccie aipannravetiseraics 3 iv.

M. Sig.—A teaspoonful every fifteen to thirty minutes, to one to
two hours, as urgency of symptoms demands.—Geo. M. Hite, M. D.

PRICES OF SPECIFIC MEDICINE SPONGIA.

1, -tb packa peo. sopersacuesscemecvinn keene was wee Soc. each. By mail, $1.02,
Io-tb: packagéswcacseee sneer deeressue Gees Raden $1.50 each. Not mailable,
t-Ib packagéwwscieaasesdeaiiadacame isbetfacsenicsunearels $3.00 each. Not mailable,

43

Cantharis. (Cantharides)

“The beetle, Cantharis vesicatoria (Linné), De Geer. Thoroughly dried
at a temperature not exceding 40° C. (104° F.)”—U. S. P.

The name Cantharis, or Cantharides, was applied by ancient Greek
writers to many coleopterous insects, their use in medicine dating back
to a very early period. Hippocrates speaks of their internal employ-
ment in dropsy and amenorrhea, while Cantharis is also mentioned in
the writings of Dioscorides, Galen, and Pliny. According to Mother-
by’s New Medical Dictionary, 1775, the remedy was once called
“French flies,” but inasmuch as the insects were exported largely from
Spain as a commercial drug, they became (Motherby) generally known
as Spanish flies. The systematic study of the living insect is of interest
to the entomologist only, but it may be added that several species of
the beetle have vesicating qualities, in consequence of which fact they
have been known as “Blistering flies.”

As is to be expected, the early record of this remedy made of
it a favorite with those who believed that the art of curing disease
depended upon and rested in the driving out or in the drawing out
of “devilish secretions.” Consequently, the early records of American
medication teem with directions for the production of blisters by means
of this energetic product of the insect world.

Tn the days of the apprenticeship of this writer as a pharmacist, in
Cincinnati (four years, beginning 1863), the blister plaster was one
of the sheet anchors in “authoritative” medication. The art of cutting
and of spreading a Cantharides plaster for application to a designated
part of the body, as for example, behind the ears, over the chest,
along the spine, etc., was then a necessary requirement to pharma-
ceutical expertness. Whosoever has seen a patient tortured by the
excruciating process of a blister can comprehend that the barbarisms
practiced upon the American people during the supremacy of this drug
overtopped the misery endured by those who suffered in the War of
the Revolution. Happily the viciousness of this form of medication
no longer prevails in the treatment of any American physician. Ob-
solete, as is also true of the majority of its barbarous co-laborers of
the past, is Cantharides Blister, that devilish relic of Medizeval medical
“authority.” :

As an example: About the middle of the last century, in Peters-
burg, Ky., the writer’s brother, N. Ashley Lloyd, then eight years
of age, was overcome by the heat while fishing, and carried to his
home. Good old Dr. Graves (well named) was called, and as the first

44

CANTHARIS.

step to “authoritative” medication he immediately bled the boy. He
next applied a Cantharides plaster over the entire back, from the neck
down, and administered blue mass as a fortifying agent. This treat-
ment, “fortunately” (according to Dr. Graves), “acted promptly and
admirably,” the back of the child becoming, within the specified time,
a monstrous blister, the serum possessing (as is its nature) a most
virulent power of vesicating whatever flesh it touched. This was
shown, as the writer can testify, by its creeping action upon the sides
and limbs of the boy. Near to death’s door, struggling for life, the
sunstruck child hovered long on the brink of eternity, the question each
day being, whether he would be alive the day that followed. Excru-
ciating was his agony. The pain he suffered brought tears to the
eyes of all who saw him or heard his cries. The memory of that
event, vivid to-day in the mind of the writer, became one of the fac-
tors that led to a lifetime of crusading in behalf of kindness to the
sick, as opposed to medication wrongs and cruelties, whether instituted
“by authority” or otherwise. Happily between that period and the
present the old-time barbarisms, then “authoritative,” have largely dis-
appeared.

No longer does the physician, in the case of a sun-struck child, a
consumptive girl, or a fever-parched man, apply the Cantharides blis-
ter, the tartar-emetic or the Croton oil vesicant, as a “first step” in
professional treatment. .

Let the description of the foregoing case, that yet vividly ap-
peals to the writer, excuse his dislike of the very word Cantharides,
which yet brings mental torture. With these rémarks, let us pass to
the uses of Cantharides in the days of its professional glory, as recited
in Coxe’s American Dispensatory.

Medical Use.—Cantharides have a peculiar nauseous smell and an ex-
tremely acrid, burning taste. Taken internally, they often occasion a dis-
charge of bloody urine, with exquisite pain; if the dose be considerable,
they seem to inflame and ulcerate the whole intestinal canal; the stools be-
come mucous and purulent; the breath fetid and cadaverous; intense pains
are felt in the lower belly; the patient faints, grows giddy, delirious, and
dies. Applied to the skin, they first inflame, and afterwards excoriate the
part, raising a more perfect blister than any of the vegetable acrids, and
occasioning a more plentiful discharge of serum. But even the external ap-
plication of cantharides is often followed by a strangury, accompanied with
thirst and feverish heat—Coxe’s Amer. Disp., oth ed., 1831, p. 172.

Let us seek now, more directly, the Medieval uses of the Can-
tharides blister, as voiced “authoritatively” in the first edition of the
United States Dispensatory, 1833.

Blisters are calculated to answer numerous indications. Their local
effect is attended with a general excitement of the system, which renders
them valuable auxiliaries to internal stimulants in low or typhoid conditions
of disease; and they may sometimes be safely resorted to with this view
when the latter remedies are inadmissible. The powerful impression they
make on the system is sufficient in many instances to subvert morbid asso-
ciations, and thus to allow the re-establishment of healthy action. Hence
their application to the cure of remittent and intermittent fevers, in which
they often prove effectual, when so employed as to be in full operation at

45

CANTHARIS.

the period for the recurrence of the paroxysm. On the principle of revul-
sion, they prove useful in a vast variety of complaints. ‘

Perhaps the pain produced by blisters may be useful in some cases of
nervous excitement or derangement, in which it is desirable to withdraw
the attention of the patient from subjects of agitating reflection.—United
States Dispensatory, ist ed., 1833, p. 155.

In order, however, that it be not accepted that all physicians and
authorities of former times were concerned in the use of this barbarous
treatment, we refer to the caution given in Quincy’s Compleat English
Dispensatory, 1749, as follows:

It is not every one who must think himself qualified to meddle with
such remedies, which are sure to do good or hurt, according as they are
adapted. There are some ill persons who have learn’d to procure abortions

by these flies; and to play a great many other unwarrantable tricks with
them.—Compleat English Dispensatory, 12th ed., 1749, p. 155.

Connected with this is the further caution in the same work, as
follows:

The perpetual blister-plasters, which are so much advertised, are noth-
ing else but the common epispastic, drest with an unguent, in which the
cantharides are finely powdered and mixed; therefore those who value
themselves upon it as a secret, either abuse themselves or other people.—
The Compleat English Dispensatory, 12th ed., 1749, p. 211.

The fact that serious after-consequences followed the indiscreet
use of this vicious vesicant, is further illustrated in Motherby’s Nez
Medical Dictionary, 1775, as follows:

However used, they are apt to produce a strangury, and inflammatio
of the urinary passages; to prevent which, when blisters are applied, some
rub scruple i. or scruple ii. of camphor, in fine powder, on the surface of
the plaister; but this requires also the assistance of nitre, oily drinks, soap
pills, &c. Washing the blistered part when dressed, with warm milk, greatly
relieves these symptoms. ~

Sometimes blisters laid to the thighs, or calves of the legs, have pro-
duced a gangrene, because a flux of humours is very easily invited to these
parts; therefore should not be applied to them when they are cedematous
but rather to the inside of the arms, wrists, nape of the neck or head.—
Motherby, A New Medical Dictionary; or General Repository of Physic, 1775.

Such as the foregoing led to the attempted antidotal treatment
both of the ill effects of the Cantharides blister and of poisoning there-
from. Perhaps Eberle’s Therapeutics, 1847, covers this phase of the
subject as satisfactorily and as briefly as any, in the face of the fact
that there is neither a chemical antidote nor a therapeutic antagonist
that will overcome the ill effects of either an excoriating blister or
of a destructive stomach disintegration : 7

The strangury produced by cantharides is best obviated by copious

draughts of bland liquids, such as flaxseed tea, gum Arabic r
tions of barley, melon seeds, &c. Witehy SERRE:

In cases of poisoning from cantharides, it has been recom
Jn L , f men
exhibit large doses of sweet oil; but the experiments of Dr. ane oa

46

CANTHARIS.

Orfila prove that this is an exceedingly improper remedy in accidents of
this kind. According to the experiments of the latter, cantharides mac-
erated in cold oil, will, when exhibited to dogs, kill them in a few minutes.
This depends on the property which oil possesses of dissolving the active
Principle of cantharides.*—Eberle’s Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 6th ed.,

1847, DP. 523, 524.

The writer hopes that the foregoing extracts from “authority” of
former days will not serve as an inducement to a revived use of this
nearly obsolete agent, but rather as a warning, in which the profes-
sional reader may, in thankfulness, recognize that such mistaken ideas
of therapeutic torture, under the term “professional care,” are no
longer customary.

PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS

Physicians of the olden time (see preceding pages) relied largely
on the virtues of Cantharides blistering plaster in which the powdered
fly, in unctuous mixture, was used in substance. Such a medicament
has been official in the various world’s Pharmacopeias from an early
date. The tincture of Cantharides, still*official in the Pharmacopeia of
the United States, has been thus recognized, and employed both ex-
ternally and internally. Seldom, however, do we find a prescription
therefor at the present date other than in very small amount, insuffi-
cient to produce marked local irritation. About fifty years ago a
preparation known as Cantharidal Collodion became very popular as
a liquid blister. In the enthusiasm of its introduction it became
official, and is still a cumberer of the pages of the Pharmacopeia, a
lingering relic of medizval barbarism. In case there be, in the phy-
sician’s mind, an occasional necessity for a blister, especially if this be
in a part of the body where it is difficult to place cantharidal plaster,
the Cantharidal Collodion is markedly superior to cruder forms. How-
ever, the use of Cantharides in any form, either internal or external,
is now practically obsolete in the practice of most physicians.

Specific Medicine Cantharis—In days gone by, the Eclectic
school in medicine used Cantharides very conservatively for specific
purposes, and in exceedingly’ small doses, never in heroic amounts.
Specific Medicine Cantharis represents one-half grain of Cantharides
to the minim, the dose and uses being summed up as follows by Drs.
Ellingwood, Fyfe, and Watkins:

THERAPY.—In small doses this agent is in use in the treatment of
cystitis and bladder irritations, accompanied with tenesmus and constant
desire. It is serviceable in enuresis when there is relaxation of the bladder
walls, and lack of control of the sphincter, especially in that common to
relaxed plethoric women, when upon their feet, and when coughing.

It is of some benefit in the treatment of dropsies, especially of those
following scarlet fever, and diabetes in its later stages. ~

It is occasionally beneficial in eczema and acne, when accompanied
with uterine or vescical irritation, or with amenorrhea. In small doses it is
prescribed in sub-acute or chronic gonorrhea or gleet.

* Journal de Pharmacie, November, 1822.

47

CANTHARIS.

NOT E.—Powerful vesication is seldom deemed advisable by our physi-
cians as local stimulation by heat or mustard is usually found sufficient. The
formation of large blisters or blebs is deprecated, as inducing depression
and local pain and general irritation, usually out of all proportion to the
benefit derived. The abstraction of the serum from the blood, which con-
tains almost as much albumin as the blood itself, amounts to but little less
than actual blood letting. Extreme blistering, even by physicians addicted
to most heroic measures, is largely relegated to the past.

When counter irritation, derivation, or local stimulation seems to be
needed, we have recourse to local heat, dry or moist, always short of burn-
ing, mustard, capsicum, and other agents named in other chapters for their
revulsive action, as croton oil, and other oils, thapsia, chloroform, ether
and ammonia, confined, and dry cupping.—Ellingwood’s Materia Medica,
Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy:”

Cantharis in very small doses exercises a stimulating influence upon
the genito-urinary organs, and especially upon the mucous membranes of
the bladder and urethra. In these small doses it is promptly corrective
when there is burning, stinging pain, strangury or tenesmus of the bladder,
but its long-continued use, even in medium doses, may produce strangury,
albuminaria or hematuria.._ ;

The most dangerous effects of this drug have sometimes been produced
by its administration in large doges for the purpose of producing an aphro-
disiac result. No less than poisonous doses can possibly produce sexual
excitement.—Fyfe’s Specific Diagnosis and Medication.

The indications for Cantharis, as given by Fyfe and Watkins, are
as follows:

INDICATIONS.—Atony of urinary apparatus, especially the bladder;
burning, stinging pain, strangury and tenesmus of the neck of the bladder:
dysentery, when there is a discharge of mucus streaked with blood, looking
like scrapings of the intestines; intense sexual desire; gonorrhea, when the
discharge is purulent and bloody; menses too dark, too early and too pro-
fuse.—Fyfe's Specific Diagnosis and Medication. .

CANTHARIS: Vesical irritation, partial paralysis of the sphincter
vesice, teasing desire to urinate, dribbling of urine. Three to ten drops of
the specific medicine every two hours.—Watkins’ Compendium of the Practice
of Medicine. :

The Specific Medicine label carries the following directions and
uses: ;

Cantharis.—A stimulant to the urinary apparatus, especially the
bladder. Dose—Sp. Med. Cantharis, gtt. iii to x in water, as often as
required Potsonous in overdoses.

Poison. Treament—Avoid oils. Administer emetics first of all.
Freely give demulcents and stimulants. Employ artificial heat exter-
nally.

PRICES OF SPECIFIC MEDICINE CANTHARIS.

TAATD: PACAP esc, ncdtowdeeccansd gaan g vem SAGE RRS: 65c. each. By mail, 87c.
TaeID: PACKA GC saiins win Nagy d ainw an da KA eRe aeudce auae $1.25 each. Not mailable.
Te1b package sn ver kayeda ga ceiery aim Heed OMe OsCAd ace anne $2.50 each. Not mailable.

48