Apis mellifica; or, The poison of the honey-bee, considered as a therapeutic agent

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THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE.,

Apis Mellifter;

(Se 1

OR,

Considered as a Cherapentic Agent.

BY Cc. W. WOLF, M.D.,

Ex-District Physician in Berlin,

PHILADELPHIA:

PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY

WILLIAM RADDE, 635 ARCH STREET,

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APIS MELLIFICA;

oR,

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE,

Considered as a Therapeutic Agent,

BY C. WwW. WoOLF,M.D.,

Ex-District Physician in Berlin.

PUBLISHED AND FOR SALE BY
WILLIAM RADDE, 635 ARCH STREET.

1858.
pw

PREFACE.

Every physician who has spent years of an
active life in prescribing for large numbers of
patients, is morally bound to publish his ex-
perience to the world, provided he is satisfied,
in his interior conscience, that such a publi-
cation might be useful to the general interests
of humanity.

In offering the following essay to my readers,
I simply desire to fulfil an obligation recog-
nised as valid by the inner sense. This essay
contains every thing that an experience
of forty years in the conscientious and
philanthropic exercise of my profession has
sanctioned and confirmed as truth. Nor have
I adopted a single fact, suggested by my own
observation, as correct, without contrasting it
with the most approved records of medicine.
To every true friend of man, and more
particularly to every physician who considers
the business of healing disease as the highest

4 PREFACE.

office of medical art, I offer this essay for
further trial and examination. May the
statements expressed in it either be con-
firmed or else corrected and improved by
those who excel in more thorough knowledge
and ability.
Tue AvTuor.
Berlin, Oct., 1857.

APIS MELLIFICA.

«¢ The bee helps to heal all thy internal and external maladies,
and is the best little friend whom man possesses in this world.” —
More in Cotton’s Book of the Bee, p. 188.

—_—_~>—__—_

SmuvcE Hahnemann’s successful attempt to deve-
lop the medicinal nature of Aconite, no other
discovery has been made in the domain of practical
medicine, as comprehensive and universally useful
as the discovery of the medicinal virtues of the
poison of the bee. It is of the utmost importance
to the interests of humanity to become as intimately
acquainted with the efficacy of this poison as possi-
ble. It is the object of these papers to contribute
my mite to this work.

As soon as Dr. Hering had published the provings
of the bee poison, in his ‘ American Provings,” I
at once submitted them to the test of experience in
an extensive practice. I prepared the drug which
I used for this purpose, by pouring half an ounce
of alcohol on five living bees, and shaking them
during the space of eight days, three times a-day,
with one hundred vigorous strokes of the arm.
From this preparation, which I used as the mother-
tincture, I obtained attenuations up to the thirties
centesimal scale. So far, the effects which I have

6 APIS MELLIFICA ; OR,

obtained with this preparation, have been uniformly
satisfactory. It has seemed to me that the lower
potencies lose in power as they are kept for a
longer period; hence, I consider it safer to prepare
them fresh every year. As a general rule, I have
found either the third or the thirtieth potency,
sufficient.

Day after day I have obtained more satisfactory
results, and now I look upon Apis mellifica as the
greatest polychrest, next to Aconite, which we
possess.

The introduction of this poison to the medical
profession, will be looked upon as the most bril-
liant merit of one of the most deserving apostles of
homceopathy, and will secure immortality to the
honored name of Constantine Hering. The follow-
ing statements will show how far this faith of a
grateful heart is founded upon facts:

Apis mellifiea is the most satisfactory remedy for
acute hydrocephalus of children.

The more acute and dangerous the attack, the
more readily will it yield to the action of Apis.
Sudden convulsions, followed by general fever, loss
of consciousness, delirium, sopor while the child is
lying in bed, interrupted more or less by sudden
cries; boring of the head into the pillow, with
copious sweat about the head, having the odor of
musk; inability to hold the head erect; squinting
of one or both eyes; dilatation of the pupils; grit-
ting of the teeth ; protrusion of the tongue; desire
to vomit; nausea, retching and vomiting; collapse
of the abdominal walls: scanty urine, which is

‘THE POISON OF THE HONKY-BEE. 7

sometimes milky; costiveness; trembling of the
limbs; occasional twitching of the limbs on one
side of the body, and apparent paralysis of those
of the other side; painful turning inwards of the
big toes, extorting cries from the patient; accele-
rated pulse, which soon becomes slower, irregular,
intermittent and rather hard; these symptoms in-
form us that life is in danger, the more so the
more numerous they are grouped together.

In comparing with these symptoms the following
symptoms from Hering’s American Provings, Part L,
3d Num, p. 294: “40, 41, muttering during sleep;
muttering and delirium during sleep; 88, 84, he
had lost all consciousness of the things around him;
he sank into a state of insensibility ; 140, 144, sense
of weight and fulness in the fore part of the head;
heaviness and fulness in the vertex; dull pain in
the occiput, aggravated by shaking the head; pres-
sure, fulness and heaviness in the occiput; 170, her
whole brain feels tired, as if gone to sleep; ting-
ling; she experiences the same sensation in both
arms, especially in the left, and from the left knee
down to the foot; 175, 176, sensation as if the head
were too large; swelling of the head; 391, when
biting the teeth together, swallowing; after gaping
or at other times, a sort of gritting the teeth; only
a single, involuntary jerk frequently repeated; 501,
nausea and vomiting ; 506, nausea, as if one would

‘vomit, with fainting; 512, vomiting of the ingesta;
619, retention of stool; 640, retention of urine;
665, scanty and dark-colored urine; 980, 984, 985,
trembling, convulsions, starting during sleep as if

8 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

in affright; 1020, sudden weakness, compelling him
to lie down; he lost all recollection; 1032, great
desire for sleep, he felt extremely drowsy.” If we
compare these effects of Apis to the above-men-
tioned symptoms of hydrocephalus, we shall find
the homeeopathicity of Apis to this disease more
than superficially indicated. If we consider, more-
over, that the known effects of Apis show that it
possesses the power of exciting inflammatory irrita-
tion and cedematous swellings, we are justified, by
our law of similarity, in expecting curative results
from the use of Apis in all such diseases.

The experiments which I have instituted for the
last four years, have convinced me of the correct-
ness of this observation. Whenever I had an
opportunity of giving Apis at the commencement
of the diseases, it would produce within twelve to
twenty-four hours quiet sleep; general perspiration,
affording relief; the feverish and nervous symptoms,
together with the delirium, would disappear from
hour to hour, and on waking, the little patient’s
consciousness was lucid, the appetite good and re-
covery fully established. This is a triumph of art
which inspires us with admiration for our science.
Less surprising, but equally certain, is the relief, if
Apis is given after the disease has lasted for some
time. In such a case, the medicine first excites a
combat between the morbific force and the conser-
vative reaction. The greater the hostile force, the
longer the struggle between momentary improve-
ment and aggravation of the symptoms; it may
sometimes continue for one, two, or three days. It

THK POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 9

is not until now, that a progressive and permanent
improvement sets in. The desire to vomit is gone;
the twitching, trembling, and the struggle, generally
diminish from hour to hour; consciousness returns ;
the squinting and the dilatation of the pupils abate ;
gritting of the teeth and protrusion of the tongue
cease; the position and movements of the head and
limbs become more natural ; the pulse becomes more
regular; its slowness yields to a more normal fre-
quency ; the feverish heat terminates in sweat which
affords great relief, and the retention of stool and
urine is succeeded by a more copious action of both
the bowelsand bladder. The natural appetite returns;
the reproductive processis restored ; sleep is quiet and
refreshing, and recovery is perfectly established in an
incredibly short period. A cure of this kind generally
requires five, seven, eleven, and fourteen days. This
result is so favorable, that those who have not wit-
nessed it, or who are too ignorant and egotistical to
investigate the facts, may reject it as incredible.
Such brilliant results are obtained by means of
a single drop of Apis, third attenuation. I mix a
drop with seven tablespoonfuls of water, and give a
dessertspoonful every hour, or every two or three
hours; the more acute the attack, the more fre-
quently the dose is repeated; this method generally
suffices to effect a cure more or less rapidly. <As
long as the improvement progresses satisfactorily,
all we have to do is to let the medicine act without
interfering. If the improvement is arrested, or the
patient gets worse, which sometimes happens in the
more intense grades of this malady, the best course

10 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

is to give a globule of Apis 30, and to watch the
result for some twenty-four hours. After the lapse
of this period the improvement will either have
resumed its course, or else it will continue unsatis-
factory. In the latter case we should give another
dose of the above-mentioned solution of Apis 38.
Not unfrequently I have met with patients upon
whom Apis acts too powerfully, causing pains in
the bowels, interminable diarrhoea, of a dysenteric
character, extreme prostration and a sense of faint-
ing. In such cases the tumultuous action of Apis
is mitigated, and the continued use of this drug,
rendered possible by giving Apis in alternation
with Aconite in water, every hour or two hours.

Except such cases, I have never been obliged to
resort to other accessory means.

Apis is no less efficacious against the higher grades
of ophthalmia,

It is particularly rheumatic, catarrhal, erysipela-
tous, and cedematous ophthalmia, which is most
rapidly, easily, and safely cured by Apis, no matter
what part of the eye may be the seat of the disease.

The symptoms 188-307 distinctly point to the
curative virtues of Apis in ophthalmia: “Sensitive-
ness to light, with headache, redness of the eyes; he
keeps his eyes closed, light is intolerable, the eyes
are painful and feel sore and irritated if he uses
them; weakness of sight, with feeling of fullness
in the eyes; twitching of the left eyeball; feeling
of heaviness in the eyelids and eyes; aching, sore-
pressing, tensive, shooting, boring, stinging, burning
pains in and around the eyes, and above the eyes in

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 11

the forehead; redness of the eyes and lids; secretion
of mucus and agglutination of the lids; the lids are
swollen, dark-red, everted; the conjunctiva is red-
dened, full of dark blood-vessels which gradually
lose themselves in the cornea; the cornea is ob-
scured, smoky, showing a few little ulcers here and
there; profuse lachrymation; stinging itching in
the left eye, in the lids and around the eye; sensa-
tion of a quantity of mucus in the left eye; sensa-
tion of a foreign little body in the eye; soreness of
the canthi; styes; oedema of the lids; erysipela-
tous inflammation of the lids.”

I have found the correctness of these observa-
tions uniformly confirmed by the most satisfactory
cures of such affections. I use the medicine in the
same manner as for acute hydrocephalus. In some
cases I found the eye so sensitive to the action of
Apis, that an exceedingly violent aggravation of
the inflammatory symptoms ensued, which might
have proved dangerous to the preservation of such
a delicate organ as the eye. Inasmuch as it is im-
possible to determine beforehand the degree of sen-
sitiveness, I obviate all danger by exhibiting Apis
in alternation with Aconite in the manner indicated
for hydrocephalus. By means of this alternate ex-
hibition of two drugs, we not only prevent every
aggravating primary effect, but we at the same
time act in accordance with the important law,
that, in order to secure the effective and undis-
turbed repetition of a drug, we have first to inter-
rupt its action by some appropriate intermediate
remedy. All repetitions should cease as soon as a

12 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

general improvement sets in; if the medicine is
continued beyond the point where the organism is
saturated with the drug, it acts as a hostile agent,
not as a curative remedy. This important point is
known by the fact, that the improvement which
had already commenced, seems to remain station-
ary; the patient experiences a distressing urging to
stool, a burning diarrhoea sets in, and a dispropor-
tionate feeling of malaise develops itself. Under
these circumstances, a globule of Apis 30 will quiet
the patient, and the action of the drug will achieve
the cure without any further difficulty, and without
much loss of time, unless psora, sycosis, syphilis, or
vaccine-virus prevail in the organism, or sulphur,
iodine or mercury had been previously given in
large doses. In the presence of such complica.
tions Apis will prove ineffectual until they have
been removed by some specific antidote. After
having made a most careful diagnosis, a single dose
of the highest potency of the specific remedy be
given, and be allowed to act as long as a trace of
improvement is still perceptible. As soon as the
improvement ceases, or an aggravation of the symp-
toms sets in, Apis is in its place and will act most
satisfactorily. We then give Apis 3 in water,
as mentioned above, with the most satisfactory
success.

Apis is the most appropriate remedy for inflamma-
tion of the tongue, mouth and throat.

The following symptoms may be looked upon as
striking curative indications: 378-380, 383, 384,
399, 400, 405, 406, 409, 410, 413, 419, 436, 437,

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BERE. 13

439, 443, tt4, 449, 455, 458, 459, 463, 470, 471:
“Burning of the lips; the upper lip is swollen to
such a degree that the inside seems turned outside ;
swelling of the lips and tongue; swelling of the
upper lip, it becomes hot and red, almost brown ;

dark streaks along the vermilion border, partion
larly on the upper lip, rough, cracked, peeling off;
violent pains spreading through the gums, the
gums bleed readily; the tongue feels as if burnt;
tongue and palate are sore; raw feeling, burning,
blisters along the margin of the tongue, very pain-
ful, stinging; at the tip of the tongue a row of
small vesicles which cause a pain as if sore and
raw; dry tongue; the inner cheeks look red and
fiery, with painful sensitiveness; inflammation of
the tongue; inflammation and swelling of the
palate; burning, stinging sensation“in the mouth
and throat; pressure in the fauces as of a foreign
body; ptyalism; copious accumulation of a soapy
mucus in the mouth and throat; dryness and heat
in the throat; inability to swallow a drop, with
swelling of the tongue; sensation of gnawing and
contraction in the throat, increasing after four
hours so as to render deglutition difficult; sensation
of fulness, constriction and suffocation in the throat;
deglutition painful and impeded, stinging pains
during deglutition; swelling and redness of the
tonsils, impeding deglutition; angina faucium; chil-
liness followed by heat; violent pain in the tem-
ples; redness and swelling of the tonsils; uvula
and fauces, painful and impeded deglutition, and
stinging pains when attempting to swallow.”

14 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

The more frequently we make use of Apis in the
treatment of these very common forms of angina,
and of the inflammation of the salivary glands,
which are so closely connected with the other parts
of the throat, the more we become convinced by
the most striking success, that this drug is by far
the speediest, safest and easiest remedy which we
possess for the treatment of these exceedingly com-
mon and yet so very distressing affections. Not
only in common affections of this sort, but also in
the most acute and dangerous forms of angina
faucium, will Apis be found efficient; even where
these affections are hereditary, or have become ha-
bitual, and generally terminate in suppuration,
Apis will still afford help. In these affections
likewise Apis acts most promptly and efficiently,
if given in alternation with Aconite, both remedies
in the third dilution,a few drops dissolved in
twelve tablespoonfuls of water, in alternate hourly
doses. After taking a few doses, the patient begins
to feel relieved, enjoys a quiet sleep, and the re-
solution of the inflammation takes place, accom-
panied by the breaking out of a general perspira-
tion. If there should be a natural tendency to
suppuration, this treatment will hasten it from hour
to hour, and after the pus is discharged, a cure
will soon be accomplished. In the most inveterate
cases, which had been previously treated in a dif.
ferent manner, the same curative process takes
place gradually; first one outbreak of the disease
is hushed; next, if another portion of the throat
becomes inflamed, this inflammation is controlled,

THE POISON OF TIIE IONEY-BER. 15

and this proceeding is continued with an increas-
ingly rapid success and a continued abatement of
all sufferings, until, finally, a perfect recovery is
obtained, even under these disadvantageous cir-
cumstances.

Apis is not sufficient to prevent the recurrence of
such inflammatory attacks; this object has to be
accomplished by means of the appropriate antidotal
specific.

Apis becomes an exceedingly useful remedy in con-
sequence of the specific power which tt possesses over
the whole internal mucous membrane and tts ap-
pendages.

It is particularly the mucous membrane of the
alimentary canal upon which Apis has a striking
influence. It excites an inflammatory irritation,
which not only disturbs the secretion of mucus,
but also disintegrates the intestinal juices so essen-
tial to the process of sanguification, thus disqualify-
ing the blood from properly contributing to the
reproduction of the nervous tissue. By thus alter-
ing the blood and nerves, these two principal
vehicles of vitality, it develops a group of symp-
toms which is exceedingly similar to our abdo-
minal typhus that seems to have become stationary
among us for the last twenty years. This simi-
larity, in its totality, results from the following
symptoms contained in the “ American Provings.”

“398: troublesome pains in the gums. 400: the
gums bleed readily. 402: bitterish taste in the
back part of the tongue and in the throat. 405:
tongue as if burnt. 406: tongue and palate feel

16 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

sore. 411: a number of vesicles and small, sore,
somewhat red spots at the tip of the tongue and
along the left margin of the tongue. 413: dry
tongue, the inner cheeks look red, fiery, are pain-
fully sensitive. 416: burning from the tongue down
the cesophagus, as far as the stomach, eructations
every four or five minutes, with flow of tasteless
water in the mouth; eructations became worse after
drinking water, she almost felt as if choked. 420:
swelling of the tongue, the tongue is dry, shining,
yellowish. 421: tenacious saliva adhering to the
tongue. 424: tongue dry and white. 427: feeling
of dryness in the mouth and throat. 441: fetid
breath, with gastritis. 445: quantity of thick, tena-
cious mucus deep in the throat, obliging him to
hawk. 447: tenacious, frothy saliva. 450: dry-
ness in the throat, without thirst. 452: loathing,
as if out of the throat. 459: sense of fulness, con-
striction and choking in the throat. 474: loss of
taste. 475: complete loss of appetite. 488: no
thirst, with heat. 492: very thirsty when waking
at night, after diarrhcea, 495: eructations tasting
of white of eggs. 501: nausea and vomiting. 504:
fainting sort of nausea from the short ribs across
the whole abdomen. 512: vomiting of the ingesta.
5138: vomiting of bile. 516: vomiting and diar-
rhoea. 517: nausea, vomiting of the ingesta, and
diarrhoea ; repeated vomiting, first of bile, afterwards
a thin, watery fluid, having a very bitter taste, with
violent pains across the abdomen. 518 to 525:
oppression, pressing, creeping, drawing and gnaw-
ing, pricking, soreness, heat and burning in the sto-

THE POISON OF TIE II[ONEY-BEE. 17

mach. 528: painful sensitiveness in the pit of the
stomach, with burning, like heartburn, with bilious
diarrhoea, rather greenish, and almost painless. 530:
violent pain and sensitiveness in the region of the
stomach and epigastrium, with vomiting, coated
tongue, fetid breath, costiveness, and sleep disturbed
by muttering and dreams, with frequent, wiry pulse.
533: sense of numbness under the right ribs. 582:
sense of compression, squeezing, bruising, under the
ribs, worse on the left side. 535: violent burning
pains under the short ribs on both sides, worst and
most permanent on the left side, where the pain is
felt for weeks, preventing sleep. 543: rumbling in the
abdomen, with violent urging to stool. 545: nausea
in the abdomen, has to lie down. 546: weight in
the abdomen. 547: dull pain in the bowels. 552:
occasional attacks of colic, with a feverish, tremu-
lous sensation. 553: violent, cutting pains in the
abdomen. 555: slowly pulsating, boring pain above
the left crest of the ilium, relieved by eructations.
556: pain in the abdomen, from the hips to the
umbilical region. 560: soreness and pressure in the
lower abdomen. 563: feeling of soreness, burning
and numbness below and on the side of the right hip,
deep-seated. 566: the inner abdomen feels sore and
as if excoriated, painful when pressed upon. 567:
feeling as if the bowels had been squeezed, with
tenesmus during stool. 576: fulness and sense of
distension in the abdomen, as if bloated. 589: fre-
quent urging to stool, with pain in the anug on
account of the frequent pressing. 590: violent
tenesmus. 593: several thin, yellow evacuations,
2

18 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

accompanied by excessive prostration; the stools set
in at every motion of the body, as if the anus were
wide open. 598: copious discharges of dark brown,
green and whitish excrements. 599: dysenteric
stools. 608: blood and mucus with stool. 611
and 612: painful and also painless diarrhoea, espe-
cially in the morning. 617: retention of stool for
one week, 646: disagreeable sensation in the blad-
der, with pressing downwards in the region of the
sphincter, and frequent urging, so that he voids
urine frequently in the day-time, and ten or twelve
times at night; buring and cutting during uricturi-
tion, 668: the urine is dark colored. 780: hoarse-
ness and distress of breathing. 733: roughness and
sensitiveness in the larynx. 738: violent cough,
especially after lying down and sleeping. 754: hur-
ried and difficult breathing, with heat and headache.
803: sense of soreness, lameness, bruised and con-
tusive feeling in the chest. 812: trembling and
pressure in the chest, with embarrassed breathing.
818: pulse scarcely perceptible. 822: pulse accele-
rated. 883: swelling of the cervical glands on the
injured side. 968: extreme sensitiveness of the
whole body to contact, every hair is painful when
touched. 971: excessive nervousness. 979: gene-
ral lassitude, with trembling. 994: in the afternoon
he becomes extremely restless and exhausted. 1011:
paroxysms of great weakness. 1021: sudden weak-
ness, he had to lie down, and lost his senses. 1025:
complete loss of recollection, with vomiting, desire
for sleep and rest, slow beating of the heart and
scarcely perceptible pulse. 1032: excessive drowsi-

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 19

ness. 1039: starting during sleep, as if in affright,
with some cough. 1046: sleeplessness. 1047:
restless sleep, frequent waking and constant dream-
ing. 1064: chattering during sleep (in the case of
a child). 1081: chilly every afternoon at three or
four o’clock, she feels a shivering, worse during
warmth; chilly creepings across the back, the hands
feel numb; an hour after, feverish heat, with rough
cough, hot cheeks and hands, no thirst; these symp-
toms pass off gradually, but she feels heavy and
prostrated. 1089: chill after a heat of thirty-six
hours. 1090: sudden chilliness, afterwards heat
and sweat. 1124: alternate sweat and dry skin.
1198: thick urticaria, itching a great deal (very
soon). 1224: swelling and erysipelatous redness.
54: unable to concentrate his thoughts, 57: dul-
ness of the head, it feels compressed. 62: vertigo
and weakness. 79: dizziness.”

‘Whosoever compares the totality of these effects
of Apis to the symptoms of the prevailing abdomi-
nal typhus, will.admit that Apis is homceopathic to
this disease. He will even admit that this homceo-
pathicity of Apis to abdominal typhus extends to
the minute particulars of the disease in their totality.
Even the course which Apis pursues, in developing
its effects in the organism, is similar to the progres-
sive development of typhus. Any one who has
witnessed, as I have, the course which this disease
pursues, will admit that the mucous membrane of
the alimentary canal is first affected by the disease,
in the same manner as Apis affects it; that this irri-
tation of the mucous membrane is followed by

20 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

gastric catarrhal symptoms, which are speedily
succeeded by symptoms of disintegration of the
animal fluids and typhoid phenomena; that the gas-
tric irritation is generally characterized by boils,
urticaria, erysipelas of the skin, and the nervous
irritation by symptoms of abdominal typhus; that
the internal and external development of the disease
is determined by a striking sympathetic derange-
ment of the organic functions of the liver, and still
more of the spleen, and likewise by a more striking
prominence of the intermittent type of the fever;
and that all these varied disturbances finally culmi-
nate in abdominal typhus.

Owing to this remarkable similarity, Apis will
effect striking cures of all these different derange-
ments.

If, after more or less distinctly felt premonitory
symptoms—after a sudden cold, excessive exertions,
prostrating emotions or enjoyments—a more or less
violent fever is developed, accompanied by dulness
and painfulness of the head, retching and vomiting,
distention and sensitiveness of the pit of the sto-
mach, and soon after of the whole abdomen, with
urging diarrhoea, pappy and foul taste in the mouth,
loss of appetite and thirst, feeling of dryness in the
mouth and throat, tongue sore, as if burnt and
swollen, with antagonistic change of symptoms, sus-
picious and extraordinary prostration, and feeling
of fainting; a few spoonfuls of the above-mentioned
solution of Apis 8, will afford such speedy relief,
that it may seem incredible to those who have not
witnessed it. The nausea, the vomiting, the diar-

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE, 21

rhoea, and the painfulness of the abdomen, disap-
pear; quiet sleep sets in, with general perspiration,
which terminates the fever, and affords great relief;
after waking, the patient is comforted by the inter-
nal sensation of returning health; a natural appe-
tite is again felt, the strength returns, and in a few
days the healthy look of the tongue and buccal
cavity shows that the mucous membrane of the sto-
mach and bowels has recovered its normal quality.
The longer help is deferred, the longer time the
morbid process has had in making its inroads upon
the system, the more frequently will it be necessary
to repeat the medicine, until a cure is achieved.

The same good result is perceived, if the morbid
process is accompanied by furuncles, urticaria, ery-
sipelas—the latter principally on the head and in
the face, less frequently upon the extremities, and
inclining to shift from one place to another. Such
a combination of symptoms not only shows a higher
degree of intensity of the disease, but also shows
that the organism is still capable of battling against
the internal disease, by compelling it to leave the
interior tissue, and to develop itself externally. It
is the first business of the physician to support the
organism in this tendency, and to guard the brain
and bowels from every destructive relapse. Apis,
employed as above, accomplishes this result more
speedily than any other drug. Of course, a few
days are required for this purpose, although the
tules of using the drug and the course of treatment
are the same,

The same observation applies to the not unfre-

22 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

quent complication with organic disease of the
spleen and consequent dropsy. Apis, used in the
same manner, effects, in as short a period as the
intensity of the symptoms will permit, a mitigation
and gradual disappearance of the painfulness of the
spleen, restores the normal action of the spleen more
and more, and neutralises the tendency to dropsical
effusion at the same time as it expels the accumu-
lated fluid by increasing the secretions from the
bladder and bowels, and the cutaneous exhalation.
If the liver is organically diseased, Apis is no
longer sufficient. In such a case, the action of the
liver has first to be restored to its normal standard.
In dropsical diseases, I have effected this result most
frequently, for years past, by means of Carduus
mariz, less frequently by Quassia, still less fre-
quently by Nux vomica, and only in a few cases by
Chelidonium: according as one or the other of
these agents seemed indicated by the epidemic char-
acter of the disease. In all non-malignant cases,
if the medicine was permitted to act in time, the
whole disease was often cut short by the use of these
drugs, and the development of typhoid symptoms
prevented. Not, however, in all more inveterate
cases, where the prevailing character of the disease,
by its more penetrating action upon the tissues, in-
duced a slower and more threatening course of
development. As soon as the pains in the right
hypochondrium had disappeared, the bilious quality
of the feeces had been restored, and the urine had
become lighter colored, but the fever still continued,
tongue, throat, pit of the stomach and abdomen had

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE, 23

become more sensitive; the head duller and tighter,
and the prostration more overpowering. In such a
case, Apis, prepared as above, became indispensable,
in order to remove all danger to life. Its curative
action soon became manifest in two different ways.

If the reactive force of the organism was still
sufficient, the medicine succeeded very speedily in
preventing the supervention of the typhoid stage,
in changing the fever-type from a remittent or even
continuous to an intermittent type, during which
the convalescence of the patient, aided by a suita-
ble diet, was more and more firmly established and
generally completely secured after the lapse of a
week.

If the typhoid stage could not be prevented and
set in with the following symptoms: the patient
lies on his bed in a state of apathy, with loss of re-
collection, sopor, muttering delirium, hardness of
hearing, inability to protrude the tongue or to
articulate; dry, cracked, sore, blistered, ulcerated
tongue; difficult deglutition; painful distention of
the abdomen, which is sensitive to contact or pres-
sure; retention of stool, or else frequent, painful,
foul, bloody, involuntary diarrhoea; fermentous
urine, which is sometimes discharged involun-
tarily; the skin is at times and partially dry,
burning, at times and partially clammy, cool;
trembling and twitching of the limbs; white mili-
aria on the chest and abdomen; extreme debility,
with settling towards the foot-end of the bed;
changing pulse, which is at times slow, at others
accelerated, feeble, intermittent: in such a case

24 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

Apis requires more time to heal the mucous mem-
brane of the alimentary canal; to restore the nor-
mal action of the bowels; to regulate the digestive
functions; to procure quiet and refreshing sleep,
and to gradually effect a complete restoration of
health. If the mucous membrane of the respira-
tory organs was invaded by the morbid process,
the cure was nevertheless completed as soon as the
mucous lining of the intestinal canal was restored
to its natural condition.

So far, the only obstacle to a cure which I have
witnessed, has been tuberculosis of the chest or
abdominal viscera, or of both at the same time, and
still more the vaccine-virus; likewise a tendency
to paralysis in persons who were otherwise mor-
bidly affected. Tuberculosis has often been com-
bated by a single dose of a high potence of Sul-
phur between the doses of Apis, no Apis being
given after the Sulphur, as long as the course of
the typhoid symptoms would render it safe to post-
pone this medicine. I have found it much more
difficult to conquer the vaccine-poison, which I
have become satisfied by years of observation, consti-
tutes the most universal and most powerful generator of
the typhus which is prevailing in our age and which
seems unwilling to leave us. Tartar emetic proves
in this, as in other cases, its antidotal power against
the vaccine-virus; but under no circumstances is
more caution required in the use of tartar emetic
than in typhus, where the vaccine-virus seeks to
develop its characteristic pustules with a tendency
inherent in each pustule to terminate in the de-

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 25

struction of the mucous membrane. It may seem
hazardous to add to this combination of destructive
forces another similarly-acting element; but a care-
ful consideration of the circumstances of the case
will justify such a proceeding, although death may
be the inevitable result of the morbid process.
Experience has satisfied me that the alternate use
of tartar emetic and Apis, a drop of the third
potency of each, every three, six or twelve hours,
according as the symptoms are more or less vio-
lent, or, in very sensitive organisms, in tablespoon-
ful doses of a watery solution of a drop, will ac-
complish all that can be expected; for these two
drugs, thus administered, seem to compensate or
complete each other. I am unable to say how far
this proceeding requires to be modified in particular
cases; all I desire to do, is to submit this important
subject to my colleagues for further inquiry and
trial.

If a tendency to paralysis prevails, the danger is
less threatening, although equally momentous. In
such cases I use Apis and Moschus in alternation,
although I am unable to assert, on account of de-
ficient experience, that this treatment will always
prove satisfactory. Such cases hardly ever arise
under homceopathic treatment; and if they come
to us out of the hands of alloeopathic practitioners,
they generally prove incurable.

If these three obstacles to a cure appear com-
bined, I have never found it possible to effect any
thing. All that I have found it possible to do, has
been to prevent such a dreadful combination by

26 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

carefully attending to my patients in previous
diseases.

Sometimes in typhus, the affection of the spleen
shows itself again, even after recovery has fairly set
in; the intermittent type again breaks forth, and
recovery finally takes place, as the intermissions
become more and more distinct and lengthened.
As long as the intermittent type continues, Apis
has to be given; the action of the spleen becomes
more and more normal, the fever paroxysms become
shorter and less marked, and the restoration of
health is effected without any more treatment than
a single dose of Apis 30, one globule, which is per-
mitted to act until the patient is well.

Observations of this kind, which I have made
under the most diversified circumstances, have
taught me that Apis is the most sovereign remedy
for all those morbid processes which we designate as
INTERMITTENT FEVER,

The following symptoms indicate the homceo-
pathicity of Apis to intermittent fever:

“1081: every afternoon about three or four
o'clock she feels chilly, shivering, worse in warmth;
a chilly creeping along the back, the hands seem
dead; in about an hour she feels feverish and hot,
with rough cough, hot hands and cheeks, without
thirst; these symptoms pass off gradually, after
which she feels heavy and prostrate. 1088: chilli-
ness all over, recurring periodically, with an undu-
lating sensation. 1089: chill after a heat of thirty-
six hours. 1090: sudden chilliness, followed by
heat and sweat. 499: loathing, with chilliness and

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 27

coldness of the limbs. 534: pains on the left side,
below the last ribs. 585: violent burning pain be-
low the short ribs, on both sides, worst and most
permanent on the left side, where it continues for
weeks, preventing sleep. 577: enlargement of the
abdomen, with swelling of the feet, scanty urine.”

The provings of Apis show that this drug affects
every portion of the nervous system—the cerebral,
spinal and ganglionic nerves—and the process of
sanguification, in the same general and character-
istic manner as is the case in fever and ague.

In comparing the symptoms of Apis with those
of any other known drug, there is no medicine that
bears as close an affinity to fever and ague as Apis.
Howsoever useful other remedies may have proved,
in the treatment of fever and ague, they are only
homeopathic to isolated conditions, in comparison
with Apis. In practice, it was often found very
difficult, even for the most experienced physician,
to decide in which of these exceptional cases the
specifically homceopathic agent should have been
employed. Sometimes no properly homceopathic
remedy could be found, in which case the treatment
had to be conducted in a round-about way.

All these difficulties have been effectually re-
moved by Apis, and the treatment of intermittent
fever may henceforth be said to constitute one of
the most certain and positive achievements in the
homeopathic domain. For the last three years,
during which period I have experimented with
Apis, I have not come across a single case of inter-
mittent fever that did not yield satisfactorily to

28 APIS MELLIFICA ; OR,

Apis. I have treated a pretty fair share of obsti-
nate and complicated cases of this disease, and have,
therefore, had an opportunity of testing the curative
virtues of Apis in a satisfactory manner. Here are
the results of my observations:

Apis is the natural remedy for the pathological
process which is characterized by periodical parox-
ysms of chill, heat and sweat; the other morbid
symptoms being common to this process, as they
are to all other diseases.

All the symptoms which have hitherto been ob-
served in intermittent fever, will be found, with
striking similarity, among the provings of Apis.
For a confirmation of this statement, we refer to
Hering’s American Provings, and to Bcenninghau-
sen’s Hssay on Intermittent Fevers.

In making use of Apis in every form of inter-
mittent fever, we not only act in strict accordance
with the homeopathic law generally, but we fulfil
all the requirements of the individualizing method.
Apis is the universal remedy in intermittent fevers,
for which every homceopathic physician has been
longing, and which pure experiments, conducted
according to the rules of homceopathy, have revealed
to us;—another shining light on the sublime path
of the healing artist |

The beneficent action of Apis, in intermittent
fever, is still increased by the fact that it prevents
the supervention of typhus, disorganizations of the
spleen, dropsy, china-cachexia. In using Apis
from the commencement, all such consequences are
avoided, and if they should have been induced by

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 29

different treatment, Apis removes them as speedily
as possible.

In all lighter cases, it is sufficient to give a drop
of Apis 3, morning and evening, during the apy-
rexia, and to continue this treatment until the
attacks cease; very often no other paroxysm sets in
after the first dose; there are scarcely ever more
than two or three paroxysms. In a few days the
cure is accomplished, provided the action of the
medicine is not disturbed.

In more obstinate cases, which had been coming
on for a longer period, or had been caused by more
noxious influences, had lasted longer, had invaded
the organism with more intensity, or where the
paroxysms last longer and the intermissions are
shorter, or where two paroxysms occur in succes-
sion, or the life of the organism is endangered by
some cause or other,—the organism has to be satu-
rated with the medicine in the shortest possible
period, in order to ensure victory to the curative
agent. Under these circumstances, we prepare a
solution of from two to four drops of the third
potency in twelve tablespoonfuls of water, shake it
well in a closed bottle, and give a tablespoonful of
this solution every hour. If the case should be
urgent, we may give a drop of Apis 3, on sugar,
every three or six hours. This treatment is to be
continued until the patient is decidedly better ; after
which the medicine should be discontinued. If the
improvement is not quite satisfactory, the last dose
is continued several times every twelve or twenty-
four hours, after which the proper effect will have

30 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

been obtained. If the progressive improvement of
the patient should be attended with distinct morbid
symptoms, it would be injurious to continue the
repetition of the drug. Nevertheless, a globule of
Apis 80 may sometimes hasten the convalescence
of the patient, and otherwise afford relief. Signs of
reaction, even if more or less violent, should not
deceive one. If left to themselves, they are often
and speedily followed by a refreshing calm, and
cannot be interfered with, as an aggravation of the
symptoms, without damaging the case.

These are all the rules which I have so far been
able to infer from my use of Apis. Further expe-
rience will have to decide whether they apply to all
periods, or only to the prevailing type of fever.

Iam unable to say whether Apis will prove
effectual against epidemic marsh-intermittents, and
if so, how the use of it will have to be modified.
May it please those, who can shed light on this sub-
ject, to communicate their experience!

Two other exceptions to Apis, as a universal
febrifuge, have occurred to me in my practice:
The development of fever and ague in povsoned soil,
and fever and aque complicated with China-cachexia.

It is peculiar to intermittent fever to excite the
morbid germs which are slumbering in the organ-
ism. This is more particularly true in reference to
psora. In proportion to thé universality of the
psoric miasm, fever and ague will develop and
complicate itself with psoric affections; and it is
such complications that give rise to the inveterate

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 31

character of intermittents and their disorganizing
tendency.

In such cases, a cure cannot be effected without
some suitable anti-psoric. During the prevailing
fever, Natrum muriaticum has proved such an anti-
psoric, provided it was used as follows: If the signs
of psoric complication became visible at the outset,
I gave a pellet of Natrum mur. 30, and awaited
the result until after the third paroxysm. If symp-
toms of improvement had become manifest, no other
remedy was given, and the improvement was per-
mitted to progress from day to day. If the signs
of psoric complication were obscure at the begin-
ning of the attack, Apis was at once given. If no
improvement became visible after the third parox-
ysm, or if other symptoms developed themselves,
this was looked upon as a proof of the existence of
psora, and Natrum mur. 30 was given, and no other
remedy, until after the third paroxysm. Hither the
disease had ceased, or it required further treatment.
In the latter case, Apis 3 was continued in drop-
doses, morning and evening, until the patient was
decidedly convalescent. No further medicine was
given after this, and the Natrum mur. was per-
mitted to act undisturbed, without a single repeti-
tion. Every such repetition is hurtful; it disturbs
the curative process, excites an excess of reaction in
the organism, exhausts it, and develops artificial
derangements, which often mislead the judgment,
and induce an uncalled-for and improper applica-
tion of remedial means. Such repetitions are
unnecessary; any one who is acquainted with the

82 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

action of Natrum mur., will at once perceive that
the psora-destroying effect of this agent had not
been neutralized by Apis. Recovery becomes more
and more completely established, and sometimes
terminates in the breaking out of a wide-spread,
bright-looking eruption, resembling recent dry itch,
and attended with the peculiar itching which always
exists in this disease. The complete peeling off of
the epidermis shows the true cause of the disease.
In a few cases, an itch-eruption of this kind proved
contagious, and communicated itself to other per-
sons in the family.

A similar course of treatment was pursued, if
some other anti-psoric had to be resorted to, accord-
ing as one or the other of the three miasms seemed
to require.

The thoroughness of this treatment of intermittent
fevers ts proved by the fact, that no relapses ever took
place, or that no secondary diseases were ever developed.

If these sequelee were the consequences of an
abuse of Cinchona, and this China-cachexia was the
source of subsequent paroxysms of fever, I have,
even in such cases, when nothing else would help,
seen Apis cure both the fever and the China-
cachexia, in most cases which came under my treat-
ment. In the most inveterate cases, which had per-
haps been mismanaged in various ways, and where
the reactive power of the organism seemed entirely
prostrated, I found it necessary to resort to the em-
ployment of a most penetrating agent, more particu-
larly the 5000th potency of Natrum muriaticum,
which I have sv far found the only sufficiently

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 83

powerful curative influence under the circumstances.
The rules of administering this potency are the
same as those for the exhibition of the 30th.

Not only does Apis afford help in the affections
which habitually and most generally occur among
us; it is likewise in curative rapport with the

TYPHOID-GASTRIC CONDITIONS WHICH DEVELOPE
THEMSELVES DURING THE COURSE OF AN ERYSIPE-
LATOUS OR EXANTHEMATOUS CUTANEOUS AFFEC-
TION, MORE PARTICULARLY SCARLATINA, RUBEOLA,
MEASLES AND URTICARIA.

The use of Apis in erysipelas is indicated by
Nos. 168, 169: great anxiety in the head, with
swelling of the face; inflammatory swelling and
twitching so violent, that an apoplectic attack is
dreaded. 175 to 178: sensation as if the head were
too large; swelling of the head; sensitiveness to
contact on the vertex, forehead; burning, stinging
about the head. 292: erysipelatous inflammation
of the eyelids. 295: after the most violent pains
of the right eye, a bluish, red, whitish swelling of
both eyes, which were closed in consequence. 297:
swelling under the eyes during erysipelas, as when
stung by a bee. 316: red swelling of both ears,
with a stinging and burning pain in the swelling,
with redness of the face every evening. 356: ery-
sipelas spreading across the face, and proceeding
from the eyes. 359: tension in the face, awakening
her about one o’clock, the nose was swollen, so were
the right eye and cheek, stinging pain when touch-
ing the part; under the right eye, and proceeding
from the nose, red streaks spread across the cheek,

3

34 APIS MELLIFICA ; OR,

until four o’clock; next day, after midnight, sudden
swelling of the upper lip, with heat and burning red-
ness, continuing until morning; on the third night,
sudden crawling over the right cheek, with stinging
near the nose, after which the cheek and upper lip
swelled. 363: face red and hot, with burning and
stinging pain, it swells so that he is no longer
recognized. 3888: pimple in the vermilion border
of the lower lip, which he scratches, after which an
erysipelatous swelling arises, spreading rapidly over
the chin and the lower jaw, and invading the ante-
rior neck and the glands, so that he is unable to
move the jaws, as during trismus, or as if the liga-
ments of the jaws were inflamed; with constant
disposition to sleep, the sleep being interrupted by
frightful dreams. 706 to 707: swelling of the right
half of the labia, with inflammation and violent
pain, rapid, hard pulse, diarrhcea consisting of yel-
low, greenish mucus, in the case of a girl of three
years old; deeply-penetrating distress, commencing
in the clitoris and spreading to the vagina; the
labia minora are swollen, they feel dry and hard,
they are covered with a crust; at the commence-
ment urination is painful. 948: burning of the
toes, and erysipelatous redness with heat at a cir-
cumscribed spot on the foot, the remainder of the
foot being cold. 1167, 1168: acute pain and ery-
sipelatous swelling, hard and white in the eentre;
bright red, elevated, hard swelling of the place
where he was stung, and round about a chilly feel-
ing. 1170-1178: red place where he was stung,
with swelling and red streaks along the fingers and

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 85

arm; red streaks along the lymphatic vessels, pro-
ceeding from the sting along the middle finger and
arm; inflammatory swelling, spreading all around.
1181: throbbing in the swelling. 1182: wide-
spread cellular inflammation, terminating in resolu-
tion. 1224, 1225: swelling and erysipelatous red-
ness; erysipelatous redness of the toes and feet.”
If we add to these remarks, that Apis corresponds
to gastric and typhoid conditions, as was shown be-
fore, with remarkable similarity of symptoms, we
find, without doubt, that all known erysipelatous
forms of inflammation are covered by the patho-
genetic effects of Apis. Hence we may with pro-
priety give Apis in these affections. Practical
experience has abundantly confirmed these conclu-
sions. For the last four years, I have cured readily,
safely and easily all forms of erysipelas which have
come under my notice—cedematous, smooth, vesi-
cular, light or dark colored, seated or wandering,
phlegmonous, recent or habitually recurring, of a
light or inveterate character, repelled, among indi-
viduals of every disposition and age. I have never
seen all kinds of pain yield more readily; I have
never seen the accompanying fever abate more
speedily; I have never arrested the further spread
of erysipelas, nor effected a resolution of the inflam-
mation of the cellular tissue, more certainly; nor,
if the termination in suppuration was no longer
avoidable, have I ever suceeded in effecting the
formation of laudable pus, the spontaneous dis-
charge of the pus, the radical healing of the sore
without any scar—how important is all this in ery-

36 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

sipelatous inflammation of the mamme—with more
certainty and thoroughness, than by means of Apis!
No remedy possesses equal powers in protecting
internal organs from the dangerous inroad of this
disease.

I effected all this without any other medicinal aid,
or without resorting to an operation. Keeping
quiet and dry, and in a uniform temperature, is all
that is required, in order to secure the full curative
action of Apis. In this disease it is used in the same
manner as we have indicated before. If the liver
should be very much involved in this disease, we
effect a cure still more rapidly, by alternating Aco-
nite with Apis, in case inflammation is present;
Carduus marie, in case of simple inflammatory irri-
tation, and Hepatin, if disorganizations have already
set in. In phlegmonous and suppurative habitual
erysipelas, a cure is generally facilitated, if a dose
of Sulphur 30 is interpolated, in the manner which
we have explained before, in order to neutralize the
psoric taint which is here generally present.

According to this experience, in conjunction with
the symptoms 706, 707, I believe that Apis will
prove a successful prophylactic and curative agent
in a disease of children, which terminates fatally in
almost every case. I mean erysipelas of new-born
infants, which commences at the genital organs,
thence spreads over the skin, and terminates in the
induration and destruction of this organ. Until
now, I have not had an opportunity of verifying
the truth of this theoretical conclusion by actual

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 37

experiments. Hence I content myself with offering
this suggestion for further practical trials.

The American Provings likewise show that Apis
may be of great use in scarlatina.

“No. 349: redness of the face, as in scarlatina.
408 to 413: tongue very painful, the burning and
raw feeling increases; vesicles spring up along the
margin of the tongue, the pains are accompanied by
stitches; at the tip of the tongue, toward the left
side, a row of small vesicles spring up, some six or
eight, which are very painful and sore; dryness of
the tongue, red and fiery appearance of the inside
of the cheeks, with painful sensitiveness. 3811:
pains in the interior of the right ear. 413 to 417:
burning at the upper portion of the left ear ; stitches
under the left ear, tension under and behind the ears;
red swelling of both ears, with a stinging and burn-
ing pain in the swelling. 462 to 463: difficulty of
swallowing, stinging pains when swallowing. 466:
burning in the fauces down to the stomach. 470:
difficulty of swallowing in consequence of redness
and swelling of the tonsils. 473: ulcers in the
throat during scarlet fever. 1236: scarlatina does
not come out, in the place of which the throat be-
comes ulcerated. 1237: retrocession of scarlatina,
violent fever, excessive heat, congestion of the head,
reddened eyes, violent delirium. 832: redness and
swelling in front of the neck, swelling of the glands.
833: swelling of the cervical glands on the injured
side. 836: tension on the right side of the nape of
the neck, below and back of the ear. 897, 898:
itching and burning of the dorsum of the hand and

38 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

of the knuckles and first phalanges; cracking of the
skin here and there; itching and chapping of the
hand and lower lip.”

If we add to these symptoms the above enume-
rated cerebral symptoms, the typhoid alteration of
the internal mucous membrane of the whole ali-
mentary canal and of the respiratory organs, the
disorganizing and paralyzing action upon the blood
and nerves, the inclination to dropsical effusion, the
affection of the cervical glands with tendency to
suppuration, the appearance of otorrhcea,—we have
a group of symptoms which resemble very accu-
rately the prevailing type of epidemic scarlatina. I
know, from abundant experience, that the homceo-
pathic law has been brilliantly confirmed in this
disease. Thanks to the curative powers of Apis,
scarlatina has ceased to be a scourge to childhood.
The dangers to which children were usually exposed
in scarlatina, have dwindled down to one, which
fortunately is a comparatively rare phenomenon. It
is only where the scarlet-fever poison acts at the
outset with so much intensity, that the brain be-
comes paralyzed at once, and the disease must neces-
sarily terminate fatally, that no remedy has as yet
been discovered. In all other cases, unless some
strange mishap should interfere, the physician, who
is familiar with Apis, need not fear any untoward
results in his treatment of scarlatina.

Tn all lighter cases, where the disease sets in less
tumultuously, and runs a mild course, it is proper,
as soon as the disease has fairly broken out, to give
a globule of Apis 30, and to watch the effects of this

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 39

dose without interference. The immediate conse-
quence of this proceeding, is to bring the eruption
out in a few hours, all over the skin, with abatement
of the fever and general perspiration, after which
the eruption runs its course in a few days, with a
progressive feeling of convalescence, the epidermis
peels off from the third to the fifth day, and, at the
latest, to the seventh day, with cessation of the fever,
so that the process of desquamation is generally ter-
minated within the next seven days, after which the
patient may be fairly said to be convalescent, and the
patient may be said to be absolutely freed from all dan-
ger of consecutive diseases.

The same result is obtained by nature in cases of
mild scarlatina, without the interference of art. But
the experience which I have had an opportunity of
making during my long official employment as
district-physician, has convinced me that Nature
accomplishes her end far more easily, more speedily
and satisfactorily, if assisted by art in accordance
with the law of homeopathy. The sequelz espe-
cially are rendered less dangerous by this means.

But if the disease sets in with a considerable
degree of intensity at the very outset, and the fever
continues without abatement, it is advisable to keep
up a medicinal impression by repeating the dose.
To this end we dissolve a globule of Apis 30, in
seven dessert-spoonfuls of water, by shaking the
solution vigorously in a corked vial, and giving a
dessert-spoonful every three, six, or twelve hours
as the case may require. In all ordinary cases a
single solution of this kind sufficed to subdue the

40 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

fever and to secure a favorable termination of the
disease.

The struggle between disease and medicine as-
sumes a far different form, if the morbific poison
has penetrated the organism more deeply; if a pro-
cess of disorganization has already developed itself
in the intestinal mucous membrane, and if the
alteration of the sanguineous fluid, which is an
inherent accompaniment of such a disorganizing
process, has depressed the nervous activity to such
a degree that typhus, or paralysis of the brain or
lungs seems unavoidable, as may be inferred from
the bright-red tongue, which is thickly studded
with eruptive vesicles, and speedily becomes excor-
iated, fissured and covered with aphthe; by a
copious discharge of thick, white, bloody and fetid
mucus from the nose; by the swelling and indura-
tion of the parotid glands, increasing difficulty of
deglutition; sensitiveness of the abdomen to pres-
sure; badly-colored, slimy, bloody diarrhcea; scanty
emissions of turbid, red, painful urine; accelerated
and labored breathing; loss of consciousness; de-
lirium ; sopor; convulsions; trembling of the limbs;
appearance as if the patient were lying in his bed
in a state of fainting; the skin is at times burning,
hot and dry; at others it feels like parchment,
cooler; at others again, hot and cool together in
spots; the fever increases with changing pulse, and
is more constant; in short, all the symptoms,
although developing themselves less rapidly, show
that a fatal termination becomes more and more
probable. In such a case it is above all things

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 41

necessary to saturate the organism with Apis. If
there is much fever, this result is best accomplished
by means of alternate doses of Aconite and Apis, a
few drops of the third potency, shaken together
with twelve tablespoonfuls of water, each drug by
itself, the dose to be repeated every hour; and if
the temperature is rather depressed, by giving Apis
without the Aconite, a tablespoonful every hour or
two hours. In favorable cases the fever becomes
more remittent within one to three days; a moderate
and pleasant perspiration breaks out all over the
skin; the sleep becomes calm and natural, and the
typhoid symptoms abate. If this change takes
place, it is proper to exhibit Apis in a more dy-
namic form, in order to assimilate it more har-
moniously to the newly awakened reactive power
of the organism. To this end we dissolve a few
globules of Apis 30 in seven dessert-spoonfuls of
water, giving a dessert-spoonful morning and even-
ing, and we continue this treatment, until the
symptoms of typhoid angina have gradually abated,
the tongue has been healed, the normal desire for
food has returned, and the digestive functions go
on regularly; after which the natural reaction of
the organism, assisted by careful diet, will be found
sufficient to complete the cure. Ifno improvement
sets in after Apis has been used for three days, we
may rest assured that a psoric miasm is in the way
of a cure, which requires to be combated with some
anti-psoric remedy. I have generally found Kali
carbonicum efficient, of which I gave one globule
thirty on the fourth day of the treatment, permit-

42 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

ting it to act uninterruptedly from one to three
days, according as the disease was more or less
acute, after which I again exhibited Apis in the
manner previously indicated. In this way I suc-
ceeded in developing the curative powers of Apis, so
that in a few days a gradual improvement, however
slight, became perceptible to the careful observer.
As soon as the improvement is well marked, all
repetition of the medicine should cease, and the
natural reaction of the organism should be per-
mitted to complete the cure. Any one who is
acquainted with the action of the Kali, must know
that it continues without being interrupted by Apis.
An invaluable blessing of Nature!

This proceeding is crowned with the desired
results; the convalescence is shorter and easier,
and there is less danger of serious sequelee, which,
according to all experience, are so common in com-
plicated cases of scarlatina, otorrhcea and suppura-
tion of the parotid glands are generally avoided
under this treatment without any other aid, or, if
it is impossible to avert such changes, they generally
come to a speedy and safe end. This treatment
likewise keeps off dropsy and its dangers.

In cases where the secretion of black urine shows
that the liver is deeply involved in the disease,
Apis is powerless. These are the only exceptions
to the curative power of this drug. Here we are
told by our law of cure, that the sphere of Lachesis
commences. We give one or two globules of La-
chesis 380 in seven dessert-spoonfuls of water, a des-

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 43

sert-spoonful every twelve hours, and in acute cases
every three hours; and the good effects of the
medicine must seem miraculous to one who is not
accustomed to this mode of treating diseases.
Already in a few hours the patient becomes tran-
quil, showing that the process of disorganization
has been arrested ; the improvement continues from
hour to hour; the sleep becomes more tranquil;
the cutaneous secretions, and those of the bowels
and kidneys, become more active; after the lapse
of one, or at most two days, the urine begins to
look clearer and lighter-colored, and in about
three days a return of the natural color of the
urine shows that the functions of the liver are
restored to their normal standard; the patient is
able to do without any further medical treatment,
and the natural reaction of the vital forces will be
found sufficient to effect a cure.

If I have not mentioned the affections of the
kidneys, which may be present in this disease, it is
because I have become satisfied by years of expe-
rience, that they constitute secondary affections in
scarlatina, and that we should commit a great error
if we would draw conclusions regarding this point
from post-mortem phenomena.

Nobody who has observed the resemblance, at
any rate, during the present epidemic, between

RUBEOLA

and scarlet-fever, will deny that the remarks which

44 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

we have offered concerning this latter disease, like-
wise apply to rubeola. In

MEASLES,

likewise, Apis will prove a curative agent.

In the American Provings, Apis is indicated in
this disease by the following symptoms: “ No. 1108,
heat all over; the f4ce is red as in scarlatina; erup-
tion like measles; cough and difficult respiration
as in croup; muttering delirium; 1211, superficial
eruptions over the whole body, resembling measles,
with great heat and a reddish-blue circumscribed
flush on the cheeks; 1218, measle-shaped eruption.

If we add to these symptoms the peculiarity
inherent in Apis, to cause catarrhal irritations of the
eyes, such as occur during measles, we have a right
to infer that Apis will prove a valuable remedial
agent in measles.

Although common mild measles do not require
any medicinal treatment, and generally get well
without any prejudice to the general health; never-
theless, cases occur where intense ophthalmi, a vio-
lent and racking cough, and the phenomena which
appertain to it; an intense irritation of the internal
mucous membrane; diarrhcea; dangerous prostra-
tion of strength; marked stupefaction and various
nervous phenomena render the interference of art
desirable. In all such cases, I have seen good
effects from the use of Apis, which differed not
only from the regular course of the disease, but
likewise from the effects which have been witnessed

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 45

under the operation of other medicines. In ordi-
nary cases, and without treatment, it takes three,
five, seven and eleven days, before the eyes get
well again; but under the use of Apis, the eyes
improve so decidedly in from one to three days,
that the eyes do not require any further treatment ;
and that even troublesome sequeles, such as photo-
phobia; styes which come and go; troublesome
lachrymation; continual redness; swelling and
blennorrheea of the lids; fistulae lachrymalis, etc.,
need not be apprehended.

If Apis has had a chance to exercise its curative
action in a case of measles, we hear nothing of the
troublesome, and often so wearing and racking
cough, which so often prevails in measles, and the
continuance of which is accompanied by an in-
creased irritation and swelling of the respiratory
mucous membrane and an increasing alteration of
its secretion, which recurs in paroxysms, assumes a
suspicious sound, shows a tendency to croup and
to the development of tuberculosis, and finally
degenerates in whooping-cough, so that epidemic
measles and whooping-cough often go hand in
hand, After Apis, the cough speedily begins to
become looser and milder, to loose its dubious cha-
racter, and to gradually disappear without leaving
a trace behind, If these results should be confirmed
by further experience, we would have attained ad-
ditional means of preventing the supervention of
whooping-cough in measles; a triumph of art and
science which should elicit our warmest gratitude.

Any one who knows, how malignant measles,

46 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

unassisted by art, are accompanied by deep-seated
irritation of the mucous membrane of the stomach
and bowels; how they lead to diarrhcea; to sopor;
how they threaten life by long-lasting and trouble-
some putrid and typhoid fevers; and how, if they
do not terminate fatally, they result in slow con-
valescence, and sometimes in chronic maladies for
life, will admit, on seeing the diarrhcea cease; on
beholding the quiet sleep which patients enjoy; the
pleasant and general perspiration; the return of
appetite; the increase of strength, and the complete
disappearance of all putrid and typhoid symptoms,
that Apis has indeed triumphed over the disease.
The following simple proceeding will secure such
results: As soon as the fever has commenced, we
prepare the above-mentioned solution of Aconite, of
which we give a small spoonful every hour. If,
after using the Aconite, the eruption breaks out
and the fever abates, no further medication is neces-
sary. If fever and eruption should require further
aid, Apis is to be given, one or two globules of
thirtieth potency in seven dessert-spoonfuls of water,
well shaken, a dessert-spoonful morning and even-
ing; or, if the disease is very acute, every three
hours, which treatment is to be continued until an
improvement sets in, after which the natural reac-
tion of the organism will terminate the cure.
Sequelz seldom take place after this kind of
treatment; this is undoubtedly an additional re-
commendation for the use of Apis. Until this day
I have never seen a secondary disease resulting
from measles. Nevertheless, such sequele will

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 47

undoubtedly occur, for it is characteristic of the
measle-miasm, to rouse latent psoric, sycosic, sy-
philitic and vaccinine taints, which afterwards
require a specific antipsoric treatment. Neverthe-
less, sequelee will certainly occur less frequently
after the use of Apis, for which we ought to be
thankful. In

URTICARIA AND PEMPHIGUS

Apis will likewise afford speedy and certain help.
Many symptoms in the American Provings con-
firm this statement. More particularly 1198 to
1210, and 1232 to 85: “very soon thick nettlerash
over the whole body, itching a good deal, passing
off after sleeping soundly; violent inflammation
and pressure over the whole body; friction brought
out small white spots resembling musquito-bites ;
suddenly an indescribable stinging sensation over
the whole body, with white and red spots in the
palms of the hands, on the arms and feet; her
whole body was covered with itching and burning
swollen streaks, after which the other troubles dis-
appeared ; swelling of the face and body; the parts
are covered with a sort of blotches somewhat paler
than the ordinary color of the skin; eruption over
the whole body resembling nettle-rash, with itching
and burning; nettle-rash in many cases; spots on
the nape of the neck and forehead, resembling net-
tle-rash under the skin; consequences of repelled
urticaria; whitish, violently itching swellings of the
skin, on the head and nape of the neck, like nettle-

48 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

rash; after the rash disappeared, the whole of the
right side was paralyzed, with violent delirium even
unto rage; after taking Apis the eruption appeared
in abundance, and the delirium abated.

These provings have been abundantly confirmed
by my own experience. The use of Apis in these
eruptions has been followed in my hands by the
most satisfactory results; and I feel justified in
recommending Apis as a most efficient remedy in
these diseases, which are still wrapt in a good deal
of obscurity. An additional source of satisfaction
to have obtained more means of relieving human
suffering. The experienced Neuman writes, in his
Special Therapeutics, 2d Hdit., Vol. I, Section 2,
p. 681, about urticaria: ‘ Howsoever unimportant
a single eruption of urticaria may be, it becomes
disagreeable and troublesome by its constant repe-
tition, which is not dangerous, but exceedingly dis-
turbing. It would be desirable to be acquainted
with a safe method of curing this eruption, but so
far, it has been sought for in vain.” The same
physician, speaking of pemphigus, writes in the
same place, that its etiology, prognosis and treat-
ment, are still very dubious; that it leads to exten-
sive chronic sufferings, and often terminates fatally ;
and that no specific remedy is known for this disease.
The more frequent opportunities we have of observ-
ing both these diseases in different individuals, the
more frequently we observe them in conjunction
with serious chronic maladies characterized by some
specific chronic miasm, or in conjunction with the
most penetrating and disturbing emotions, such as

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 49

fright and its consequences; the more frequently
we observe the sudden appearance and disappear-
ance of such pustules, alternating with corresponding
improvements or exacerbations in the internal or-
ganism, where we have to look on utterly powerless,
as it were, the more uneasy do we feel at the
mysterious nature of this malady, which, during
the period of organic vigor, seems to be a sort of
trifling derangement, somewhat like urticaria, but
which, as the vital energies become prostrated by
age, becomes more and more searching and tor-
menting, breaks forth again and again, exhausting
the vital juices and leading irresistibly to a fatal
termination; a result which is particularly apt to
take place during old age, although I have likewise
observed it, but rarely, among new-born infants.
These developments lead us to suspect that urti-
caria and pemphigus are identical in essence; this
fact is richly substantiated by the homeeopathic law
which furnishes identical means of cure for either
of these affections. In either case, if the vital forces
are prostrated, and the sensitiveness of the organic
reaction is considerable, one pellet of Apis 30, and,
if there is considerable resistance to overcome, two
pellets shaken with six dessert-spoonfuls of water, a
spoonful night and morning, is all that should be
done, after which, all further treatment should be
discontinued as long as the improvement continues
or the skin remains clear from all eruptions. If
the improvement cease or the eruption should
reappear, we have in the first place to examine
whether the improvement will not speedily resume
4

50 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

its course, or whether the eruption does not show
itself more feebly than before, or if the cure is not
evidenced by some other favorable change. In the
former case the medicine should be permitted to act
still further; in the latter case, another dose of Apis
30 should be given, after which the result has to be
carefully watched. In all benign cases, more par-
ticularly if no other means of treatment had been re-
sorted to before, this management will suffice. If this
should not be the case, if the eruption should appear
again, we may rest assured that a psoric miasm lurks
in the organism, and that an antipsoric treatment has
to be resorted to. The best antipsoric under these
circumstances, is Sulphur 30, one pellet, provided
this drug has not yet been abused; or Causticum
30, one pellet, if such an abuse has taken place.
Syphilis may likewise complicate the disease, in
which case Mercurius 80, one pellet, may be given;
or, if Mercury had been previously taken in exces-
sive doses, Mercurius 6000, one globule.

After one or the other of these remedies, the
symptoms should be carefully observed without
doing anything else, with a view of instituting
whatever treatment may afterwards be necessary,
we wind up the treatment with another dose of
Apis 380, one pellet, after which, the organic power
is permitted to complete the cure. The result is,
that the most difficult and complicated cases yield
perfectly to such treatment, which is based upon
the strivtest scientific principles.

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE, 51

FURUNCLES AND CARBUNCLES

are likewise cured by Apis in the speediest and
easiest manner.

We find the following symptomatic indications in
the American Provings: 682, painful pimple, sup-
purating in the middle, with red areola; painful
like a boil, in the hairy region on the left side
above the os pubis, continuing painful for several
days; 1196, furuncles with stinging pains; 844,
845, violent, stinging, burning pain at a small spot
on the left side, in the lower region of the nape of
the neck; also on the back part of the head; swell-
ing at the nape of the neck, so that the head is
pressed forward towards the chest; 1222, dark
bluish-red painful swellings, with general malaise;
1167, acute pain and erysipelatous swelling, very
hard and pale in the centre.”

Apis has been a popular remedy for boils from
time immemorial; the people have been in the
habit of covering boils with honey, more particu-
larly honey in which a bee had perished.

Apis, homceopathically prepared, is better adapted
to such an end than honey. A few drops of Apis 8,
shaken with twelve table-spoonfuls of water, a table-
spoonful of this solution every three hours, gene-
rally relieves the pain in a short period, promotes
suppuration, effects the discharge of the decayed
cellular tissue, and a speedy cure of the furuncle.

If furuncles incline to become carbunculous, the

52 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

ichorous matter is speedily changed to good pus,
and all danger is averted.

In a case of carbuncle the gangrenous disorgani-
zation of the skin and cellular tissue becomes very
soon confined to a small spot; the dead parts are se-
parated from the living tissues; the fever is hushed ;
the disorganizations which it threatens are avert-
ed; a healthy suppuration is established through-
out the gangrenous part, detaching and removing
all decayed matter, and replacing the loss of sub-
stance by new granulations until the sore becomes
cicatrized in such a hardly perceptible manner,
that any one who is acquainted with the ravages
of this disease, and is in the habit of seeing deep
and disfiguring cicatrizes, even in the most success-
ful cases, is disposed to deny the fact that such an
intensely disorganizing process has been going on
in this instance. No other remedial means are
required, much less a surgical operation.

Inasmuch as carbuncle is generally preceded for
a longer period by a deep-seated feeling of illness
in the organism, showing that the psoric miasm
pervades the tissues, it behooves us, in order to
secure all the better a favorable result, to give a
dose of highly-potentized Sulphur at the very out-
set of the disease. After having used the first por-
tion of Apis, a globule of Sulphur 30 or 6000 may
be interposed, the former in all cases where no
Sulphur had been used, and the latter in cases
Sulphur had been used in large doses. We permit
such a dose to act for twenty-four hours, after which

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 53

Apis is resumed, and continued according to the
above stated rule.

Sulphur should likewise be given in all cases
where the furuncles reappear at different periods.
Such a reappearance of the eruption, after it had
once been cured by Apis, shows that a psoric taint
pervades the organism which it is absolutely neces-
sary to meet with specific counter-acting remedies.

The more frequently we meet such difficult com-
plications, and see with our own eyes their successful
treatment, the more we learn to appreciate the fact,
that Apis cures to a certainty the most dangerous
affections of this kind, and that the anti-psoric remedy
corrects at the same time the primary degeneration of
the tissues, without erther interfering with the operations
of the other drug, on the contrary, by assisting each
other. In

PANARITIA

Apis proves the same invaluable remédy.

Genuine panaritia only spring up in psoric
ground, and in regard to extent and intensity of
development, depend altogether upon the existing
psoric taint. Hence it is indispensable to extin-
guish this taint by appropriate remedies. This is
most effectually accomplished by at once giving
Sulphur, the most powerful of our antipsorics.
Sulphur seems to attack the evil at its very found-
ation, and we feel perfectly satisfied with its action,
except that we would like to hasten the course of
the disease still more, in order to abbreviate the

54 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

tortures inherent in this malady. This result is
most certainly accomplished by means of Apis.

If panaritia are the result of excessive doses of
Sulphur, Apis meets our case perfectly. In hun-
dreds of cases panaritia spring up and will continue
to spring up from such a source, as long as the
world continues to live in darkness, and to reject
the rays of truth which the genius of Hahnemann
has sent forth among the benighted understandings
of his fellow beings. Notwithstanding Hahne-
mann’s teachings concerning the medicinal power
of Sulphur, which the world has now been in pos-
session of for years, and which the most thoughtful
minds have accepted as a truth, the true friend of
man has still to weep over the quantities of Sulphur
which all apothecaries sell to any one at his option ;
hemorrhoidal patients continue to swallow Sulphur
from day to day; almost every body, from the child
up to the old man, who is affected with catarrh,
swallows the so-termed pulmonary powders which
contain Sulphur, and of which relief is expected;
whole legions repair every year to the Sulphur
Springs; young and old use sulphur-baths at home ;
all over the world, the itch, which is a very com-
mon disease, is removed by means of a sulphur
ointment, &c. One of the evil consequences of this
ignorance, which particularly oppresses the laboring
class, is the artificial development of panaritia; the
more frequently these occur, the more necessary it
is to employ speedy and safe means for their exter-
mination. In such a case we can no longer depend
upon Sulphur, of which we cannot possibly know

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BER. 55

how far it has already poisoned the organism, and
to what extent it may still be able to rouse a reac-
tion; in which case, even those who know, may be
led to make dangerous mistakes. In all such cases
Apis is of the best use to us; it is even sufficient to
arrest the disorganizing process, and to bring about
a satisfactorily progressing cure.

The curative indications contained in the “ Ame-
rican Provings,” have been confirmed by my own
experience. We read in Nos. 903-911, “the pha-
langeal bones are painful; burning jerking, like a
stitching, contracting sensation, in the right numb,
from without inwards; drawing pains reaching the
extremities of the fingers; distinct feeling of numb-
ness in the fingers, especially in the tips, around
the roots of the nails, with sensation as if the nails
were loose, and as if they could be shaken off;
burning in the tips of fingers, as from fire; fine
burning stinging in the tips of the fingers; burning
around a hang-nail, on the outside of the fourth
finger of the right hand, with pain internally, with-
out redness and without aggravation from pressure,
with continual burning in the tip; swelling of the
fingers, which remained painful for several days;
915, blister at the tip of the right index, discharg-
ing a bloody ichor when opened, and afterwards a
milky pus, with violent burning, throbbing, and
gnawing pains, continuing to spread for two days.”

From all this we deduce the highly important
practical rule: In a case of whitlow, first ascertain
whether and how far Sulphur has been abused by
the patient. Unfortunately the non-abuse of Sul-

56 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

phur is an exception to the rule, whereas the abuse
of Sulphur is quite common even in our age.
Would that in this respect the ancient darkness
might yield to the new light.

In case Sulphur had been abused by the patient,
we mix a few drops of Apis 3 in twelve tablespoon-
fuls of water, giving a tablespoonful every hour, or
every two or three hours, according as the pains are
more or less violent. This treatment has to be
continued until the pains cease. They cease either
because the inflammation has been dispersed, and
the morbid process is terminated, or else a healthy
suppuration has been set up, so that the swelling
will discharge of itself, and a cure will be effected
as speedily as the nature of the panaritium will
admit. In either case the medicine need not be
repeated, and the organic reaction will be sufficient
to complete a cure without the interference of sur-
gery. A simple bread and milk poultice may be
used as soothing palliative, especially if the external
skin is of a firm, hard texture. Resolution may be
depended upon in every case, where Apis has been
resorted to in time. A healthy suppuration will
always set in after the exhibition of Apis, provided
Sulphur or a psoric taint do not gain the ascend-
ancy. Ifthe Sulphur miasm gains the ascendancy,
there will be no marked improvement during the
first days of the treatment. In such a case we have
at once to resort to a very high potency of Sulphur.
A single globule of Sulphur 6000 would frequently
ameliorate the worst aspect of the case as by a
miracle, after which a few more doses of Apis 3, a

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 57

drop morning and evening, would so improve the
symptoms, as to render all further medication unne-
cessary.

If the psoric miasm should be the cause of the
retarded improvement, as may easily be determined
by the predisposing circumstances of the case, and
if no Sulphur should have been administered pre-
viously, it is expedient to discontinue the use of
Apis, and to at once exhibit a globule of Sulphur
30, which may be allowed to act for twenty-four
hours, after which Apis is to be resumed in the
same manner, until a cessation of the pain manifests
the cure of the disease.

These explanations likewise point out the true
course to be pursued, in case we should at the out-
set find that a whitlow owes its existence to the
prosic miasm.

Ever since homceopathy has enabled us to treat
this dreaded affection with positive and specific
remedies in a most satisfactory manner, the horrible
pains which characterize this trouble, and the muti-
lations to which it so frequently leads, only exist in
quarters where egotism, the love of lucre and the
absence of all conscientiousness prevents physicians
from inquiring into the merits of our superior mode
of treatment. Is not this unpardonably wicked?

SPONTANEOUS LIMPING

Is another affection which we cure with Apis.
This disease which causes so much distress in
life, is likewise, in its essential nature, an outbirth

if

58 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

of psora, and, as regards its local character and its
effects upon the constitution of the patient, it seems
to be characterized by the same inflammatory and
suppurative process as whitlow, and be endowed
with a similar tendency to organic destruction. In
the American Provings, symptom 917, “ Painful
soreness in the left hip-joint, immediately after
taking a dose of Apis 2, afterwards debility, un-
steadiness, trembling in this joint,” is the only
symptom that seems to indicate the curative power
of Apis in this distressing malady. What expe-
rienced physician has not often seen the hip show
such symptoms of disease, particularly after violent
frights and anguish? Who has not seen blows on
the back and nates, by way of punishment, attended
with such consequences? Who has not seen coxar-
throcace develope itself during the course of a
severe cerebral disease, scarlatina or typhus, where
the patient, on suddenly awakening to conscious-
ness from a state of stupor, is made sensitive of the
presence of this insidious disease, perhaps already
fully developed? Since I have used Apis, I have
never had to deplore such saddening results.
According to my observation, we may regard
Apis as a specific remedy for spontaneous limping;
every new trial confirms me in this statement.
Apis may be depended upon as a capital remedy in
every stage of this disease, as long as the psoric
miasm is kept in the background; but as soon as
the psoric taint is fully developed, a suitable anti-
psoric has to be given in alternation with Apis.
My experience has led me to prefer Kali carbo-

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE., 59

nicum to all other anti-psoric remedies in this dis-
ease. But inasmuch as the keenest observer may
overlook the right moment when the psoric poison
begins to operate, it is well to forestall the enemy
at the very commencement, which may be done
with the more propriety, the more certainly we
know that these two remedies, Apis and the anti-
psoric, not only not counteract, but mutually sup-
port each other from the beginning to the end of
the treatment. After many experiments, I have
hit upon the following course as the most proper:

If the limping, as is often the case in the severest
forms of the disease, sets in gradually, almost im-
perceptibly and without much pain, I give at once
a globule of Kali carbonicum 30. As a general
rule, this one dose is sufficient to arrest the further
development of the disease, and to award all danger
so completely, that one, who is unacquainted with
the nature of the malady, feels disposed to assert
that it never existed. But if the pains continue,
and are accompanied with fever, I resort to Apis 3,
after Kali had been allowed to act for a day or two,
mixing a drop in twelve tablespoonfuls of water,
and giving a dose every hour, or every two or three
hours, according as the pains come on more or less
frequently. This treatment is continued until the
patient is quieted, after which the two remedies are
permitted to act without any further repetition of
the medicine.

If the inflammation of the joint sets in suddenly
and with a violent fever, as is often the case after
violent commotions, castigations, etc., we prepare a

60 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

solution of Aconite in the same manner as the Apis,
and give these two medicines in alternate table.
spoonful doses every hour. After these two solu-
tions are finished, and the first assault of the disease
has been controlled, we give a globule of Kali 30,
and permit it to act for twenty-four hours. After
this period we again give Apis every hour, two or
three hours, as above, until the pains cease, after
which Kali is allowed to act until the disease is
entirely cured.

If suppuration and caries of the joint have already
set in, no matter whether the pus has found an out-
let in the region of the joint itself, or burrows down
the thigh to find an outlet somewhere else, Kali is
no longer sufficient, Silicea has to be exhibited; it
is more homceopathic to caries than other anti-pso-
rics. We give a globule of Silicea 30, and allow it
to act for two or three days, after which a drop of
Apis 8, is repeated morning and night, until the
pains—which may require a more frequent exhibi-
tion of the drug—cease, and a healthy pus is se-
creted. After this change is accomplished, Silicea
is sufficient to complete the healing of the osseous
disorganization, and should be left undisturbed to
the end of the treatment.

I have found this simple proceeding so perfectly
efficient in this dreadful malady that the fever was
speedily controlled, and rendered harmless, the in-
flammation was scattered without leaving a trace
behind, the secretion ichor was transformed into
that of healthy pus, and the disorganization of the
joint was prevented; the limb, even after it had

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 61

become elongated, again assumed its normal shape,
the carious masses were expelled, the various chan-
nels of suppuration were stopped, and the danger of
a fatal consumptive fever was averted. If our aid
is not sought until the head of the femor ts destroyed,
and the bone has completely shipt owt of cts socket, it is
impossible to prevent shortening and stiffness of the
limb. Another splendid triumph over a dreadful
source of danger and disease!

WHITE SWELLING OF THE KNEE

Is very similar to this affection of the hip-joint.
Here too we observe the same insidious inflam-
matory beginning, the same irresistible tendency to
ichorous suppuration and disorganization of the
constituent parts of the joint, the same tendency to
destroy the organism by gradual exhausting fever.
We have unmistakeable proofs of the presence of a
poisonous process pervading the whole organism.
He who has had frequent opportunities of observing
this disease, knows perfectly in what mysterious
obscurity it is still enveloped, and how specifically
different this affection of the knee sometimes ap-
pears to us from the hip disease. The homceopathic
law teaches us more positively than any thing else
could do, that every case of disease should be
viewed as something specifically distinct from other
cases, and should be treated with medicines that
are specifically adapted to it. An experience of
many years has taught me that iodine is the best

62 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

remedy to meet the symptoms which generally cha-
racterize white swelling of the knee. Hven at the
present day Iodine is one of those remedies that
require a good deal of elucidation. Hence we
should not, carried away by analogy, conclude from
those things which are not clear, concerning other
things which are no more so. Nevertheless the ob-
servations which have been made so far, have led
to some highly important, more or less positive
conclusions, and have shown us with a certain de-
gree of satisfaction and certainty, that iodine is an
inestimable gift of God, by means of which we are
enabled to free mankind from one of the most
frightful complications, the psoric, sycosic and
mercurial miasms. Ihave been induced by various
signs to believe that, in white swelling of the knee
such a complication exists.

Considering the paucity of our observations
bearing upon this important point, it seems imprac-
ticable to make any positive statements with refer-
ence to the assistance that we might possibly derive
from the use of Apis in this disease. My own
opportunities for observation having been very few,
I recommend the use of Apis in white swelling of
the knee, to my professional brethren. The follow-
ing symptoms in “ Hering’s American Provings,”
seem to indicate it; No.’s 828, 829 and 981, “vio-
lent pain in the left knee, externally, above and
below the knee, particularly above, somewhat in
front; painful cedematous swelling of the knee;
burning stinging about the knee.” In white swell-
ing of the knee, where no allceopathic treatment

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE, 638 -

has yet been pursued, I recommend Jodine 80, one
globule, in six dessert-spoonfuls of water, a dessert-
spoonful morning and evening, until the whole is
finished ; after this wait three days, and then give
Apis 3, as before mentioned, a tablespoonful every
hour or three hours, or a drop morning and even-
ing, according as the pain or danger is more or less
pressing. Apis is more especially useful in remov-
ing pain, in changing the secretion of ichor to that
of healthy pus, and in arresting the consumptive
fever. After these results have been accomplished,
we permit the previously given Iodine to achieve
the cure. If Iodine had been abused under allceo-
pathic treatment, before the homceopathic treatment
commenced, we give Iodine 5000, one globule, in
order to subdue the Iodine diathesis, and thus re-
move the most powerful obstacle to a cure. Any
one who knows more about this point, will please
mention it.

Although Apis acts well in white swelling of the
knee, which is comparatively a rare disease, yet it
is far more useful in

DYSENTERY.

Ir is undoubtedly true that Hahnemann has re-
vealed to us the means of surpassing in this disease
the allceopathic wisdom of a thousand years, by a far
more successful, safe and expeditious treatment.
Nevertheless, much remains to be desired in this
dreaded disease. Who does not know that medi-

64 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

cinal ageravations are particularly to be dreaded
in this malady? Who has not often felt embar-
rassed to select the right remedy among three or
four that seemed indicated by the symptoms, and
where it was nevertheless important, in view of the
threatening danger, to select at once the right reme-
dy? Who has not been struck by the strange irre-
gularity that in a disease which generally sets in as
an epidemic, different remedies are often indicated
by different groups of symptoms? Who has not be-
come convinced after a careful observation of the
course of the disease, that nothing is more decep-
tive than the pretended curative virtues of corrosive
sublimate in dysentery, and that it is a matter of
duty to be mindful, in this very particular, of the
warning words of the master who, having himself
been deceived at one time by the delusive palliation
of mercury, addresses to us the remarkable warning
that “mercury, so far from responding to all non-
venereal maladies, on the contrary is one of the
most deceitful palliatives the temporary action of
which is not only soon followed by a return of the
original symptoms of disease, but even by a return
of these symptoms in an aggravated form.” (See
Hahnemann’s Chronic Diseases, Vol. IT.)

This delusive palliation is more particularly one
of the effects of corrosive sublimate in Dysentery;
and is exceedingly dangerous in this disease. Hence
we warn practitioners against this danger.

We feel so much the more grateful to the princi-
ple Similia Similibus, which, even though it did
not protect its discoverer from faulty applications,

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 65

yet finally led us to the discovery of the right re-
medy for dysentery.

No.’s 590 and 599 in the American Provings,
read as follows: “Violent tenesmus; nausea, vomit-
ing and diarrhoea, first lumpy and not fetid, after-
wards watery and fetid, lastly papescent, mixed
with blood and mucus, and attended with tenesmus;
afterwards dysenteric stools, with tenesmus and
sensation as if the bowels were crushed;” combin-
ing these symptoms with the general character of
Apis, particularly the circumstance that not only
the ordinary precursors and first symptoms of
dysentery, but also its terminations and its seque-
le, and its most important complications find their
approved remedy in Apis; all this shows us that
Apis is a natural remedy for dysentery. This truth
is abundantly confirmed by experience. All my
previously obtained results in practice, testify to the
correctness of this statement.

At the very commencement of the dfsease, a
globule of Apis 3 is sufficient to cut short the. dis-
ease so that the patient feels easy, and sleeps quietly.
During this slumber, fever, pain and tenesmus dis-
appear, and the patient wakes with a feeling of
health. If this should not take place in three hours,
owing to the more advanced state of the disease,
another dose of Apis is required, after which the
patient soon feels well.

If the dysenteric disease has had a chance to
localize itself, and to assume a higher degree of in-
tensity, it becomes necessary to excite the organic
reaction all the more frequently. Under these cir-

66 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

cumstances we repeat the medicine every hour, or
every two or three hours, one globule at a time,
until all further medication has become unneces-
sary.

It is well known that epidemic diarrhcea, viz., a
diarrhcea resulting from peculiar alterations of the
normal condition of the atmosphere, earth, water,
indispensable food, or from other still unknown
elementary influences inevitably acting upon every
body, commences in the form of a simple, apparently
unimportant diarrhoea; that it gradually increases
in intensity as the processes of nutrition and san-
guification become more deeply disturbed, and that
it finally terminates in life-destroying cholera.
All these different stages of diarrhoea, whether with
or without vomiting, watery or papescent, of one
color or another, with or without pain, with or
without fever, have yielded readily, safely and tho-
roughly to Apis in my hands. I must except, how-
ever, cholera of the epidemic form, where I have
not yet been able to try Apis for want of opportu-
nity. As far as my personal observations go, I am
disposed to affirm that the best mode of effecting a
good result, is to give Apis 3 and Aconite 38, in
alternation, one drop of each preparation well
shaken in a bottle containing twelve tablespoonfuls
of water, and giving a tablespoonful every hour or
three hours, if the danger is great, and in milder
cases a full drop alternately morning and evening.
This treatment is continued until an improvement
sets in, after which the organic reaction is permitted
to develope itself, which will terminate in a few

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE, 67

hours or days, according as the disease is more or
less violent, and assistance was sought more or less
early, in the perfect recovery of the patient.

This end is not always attained with equal cer-
tainty and rapidity, if Apis is not given in alterna-
tion with Aconite. In such a case, Apis alone often
developes a powerful reaction, which is avoided by
the alternate use of Aconite. Wherever the case is
urgent, and it is important to shorten the durations
of the organic reaction, the two remedies should be
given in alternation. In most cases I have seen a
few alternate doses give rise to a pleasant perspira-
tion, speedily followed by quiet sleep and recovery
on waking. May we not expect the same result at
the commencement of Asiatic cholera, and thus
arrest the further development of the disease?

Apis is no less effectual against chronic diarrhea,
more particularly if resulting, not from any deep-
seated disorganizations, but from some permanent
inflammatory irritation of the intestinal mucous
membrane, and which causes and fosters so much
distress, by rendering all normal digestion impossi-
ble and finally bringing on its inseparable com-
panion, the last degree of hypochondria. This
misery is so much more lamentable, as it is, so to
say, forced upon mankind from the cradle to the
grave by the still prevailing and almost ineradicable
delusion of cathartic medication.

Scarcely has the little being seen the light of the
world, when the process of purgation begins. Nurse,
aunt, grandmamma, everybody, hasten to hush the
cries-which the rough contact of the outer world

68 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

extorts from the little being, by forcing down its
throat a little laxative mixture, and the family-
physician, who goes by fashion, approves of all
this. It is his habit, in after-life, to combat every
little costiveness, every digestive derangement,
every incipient disease, by means of his cathartic
mixture, and his skill is considered proportionate
to the quantity of stuff which the bowels expel
under the operation of his drugs. Laxative pills,
rhubarb, glauber-salts, bitter-waters, aloes, gin, etc.,
etc, are in every body’s hands, and become an
increasing necessity for millions. An ancient pre-
judice decrees that, to permit a single day to pass
by without stool, would be to expose one’s life to
the greatest danger. Every year we see thousands
rush to warm and cold springs that have the repu-
tation of being possessed with dissolvent and cathar-
tic properties. Those who cannot afford to go to
the springs, use artificial mineral water in order to
accomplish similar purposes. Very seldom a disease
is met with, that is permitted to run its course
without dissolvent or cathartic means. It is still a
profitable business to sell patent purgatives, such as
cider in which a little magnesia has been dissolved.

Everybody feels how offensive these things are to
nature ; how they attack the stomach and bowels:
how they derange digestion and nutrition; how
slowly patients recover from the effects of such
drugs; how chronic abdominal affections, after
having been eased for a while by such drugs, soon
return again with redoubled vigor; how the dose
has to be increased in order to obtain the same

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 69

result ; how the intervals of relief becomes shorter
and shorter, and how, in the end, the stomach is
totally ruined, and the abnormal irritation and
paralysis of this viscus, with the diarrhoea and
constipation, corresponding to these conditions,
gradually lead to the complete derangement ot
the reproductive process.

In spite of all this, long habit has secured to
these pernicious customs a sort of prescriptive
right. The distress consequent upon them, in-
creases in proportion as the reactive powers of the
organism decrease, which is more particularly the
case in the present generation. The suppression ot
these abuses has never been more necessary than
in our age. Indeed, the old proverb is again veri-
fied: “Where need is greatest, there help is
nearest.”

The world is not only indebted to Hahnemann
for a knowledge, but also for a natural corrective
of this serious abuse. His provings on healthy
persons show this beyond a doubt. Few men, if
their attention has once been directed to this abuse,
will feel disposed to deny its extent. Nor has a
favorable change in this respect been looked for in
vain, since homeopathy has now, for half a cen-
tury at least, shown the uselessness of all regular
methods of purgation, and the superiority of the
means with which this new system accomplishes
most effectually all that those pernicious methods
promised to do. It should be considered a duty
by every physician, to be acquainted with the new
means of cure. The continued use of purgatives

70 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

should be considered a crime against health. They
will soon cease to exist as regular means of treat-
ment, and their pernicious consequences will no
longer have to be relieved by remedial means.
But until their use is abolished, we shall have to
counteract them by adequate means of cure, more
particularly the abnormal irritation and the paraly-
tic debility, which are the most common conse-
quences of the abuse of cathartics.

It is a most fortunate thing that we have in Apis
one of the most reliable means of removing the
evil effects of cathartic medicines. A single glo-
bule of Apis 30 is sufficient to this end. It is best
to use it as follows: dissolve the globule in five
tablespoonfuls of water by shaking the mixture
well in a well closed vial, and let the patient take
a tablespoonful of this solution. If this dose acts
well, no repetition is necessary for the present. If
this dose should not be sufficient, we prepare a new
potence by throwing away three tablespoonfuls of
the former solution and substituting four table-
spoonfuls of fresh water, shaking the mixture well.
We give a spoonful of this second solution, twenty-
four hours after the first had been given, and, if
necessary, a third spoonful prepared in the same
way, and even a fourth and fifth, after which we
await the result, without thinking either of im-
provement or exacerbation.

Generally, a feeling of ease is experienced shortly
after taking Apis. The painful sensitiveness of the
pit of the stomach and of the abdomen, together
with the troublesome, disagreeable and oppressive

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 71

distention and weight, soon disappear; the tongue
gradually loses its swollen and cracked appearance,
its dirty redness, its slimy coating, its sore spots,
tardy indentations along its edges, the burnt feeling
at its tip, which is dotted with very fine vesicles,
that cause a good deal of soreness; the pappy, sour,
bitter, metallic, foul taste disappears; the appetite
is again normal; both the previous aversion to
food and the excessive craving disappear; the ab-
sence of thirst, which is so common in this condi-
tion, again gives place to a natural desire for drink,
the bluish-red color and swelling of the palate and
throat, and the incessant urging to hawk, decrease
visibly: the distress after eating; the sour stomach
with or without nausea or heartburn; the excessive
rising of air; the regurgitation of the ingesta; the
eructations which taste of the food that had beer
eaten long before; the yawning; the irresistible
drowsiness when sitting; the general loss of
strength; the vacuity of mind, the aversion to
talking and to company, decrease more and more
every day; the whole abdomen feels easier and
softer: the excessive and irresistible urging to uri-
nate, especially after rising from a chair or from
bed, and accompanied by a distressing nervousness,
abates; the diarrhceic and abnormally colored
evacuations, together with the frequent and irre-
sistible urging, increased after eating, early in the
morning, and after sour and flatulent food, and
accompanied by various sore pains in the rectum,
diminish more and more, and give place to normal
evacuations, first for days, next for weeks, although

72 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

they continue to alternate more or less with consti-
pation, or painful, insufficient, hard stool, until they
terminate sooner or later, according as the disease
is more or less deep-seated, and had lasted more or
less long, in permanent restoration of the normal
secretions and excretions of the digestive organs.
At the same time the many distresses which the
abnormal condition of the bowels and stomach had
occasioned in the head and heart, disappear; the
poor patient who had been a prey to so many suf:
ferings, feels like one born again.

This is the general result, unless psoric, sycosic,
syphilitic or vaccinine complications should be pre-
sent. Unfortunately the abuse of cathartics excites
these miasms if they exist in the organism, and at
the same time prostrates the reactive powers of the
organism, and enables its enemies to rise against it.
The distress becomes more and more complicated ;
disorganizations, alterations of the fluids, distur-
bances of the assimilative sphere, nervous derange-
ments from simple illusions of the sentient sphere,
and occasional trembling and twitching, to spas-
modic and convulsive movements, and final extinc-
tion of nervous power, marasmus of the spinal
marrow, or ramollissement of the brain; these are
the consequences of such miasmatic complications.

In such a case Apisalone is not sufficient. We have
to employ such antidotes as Sulphur, our most pow-
erful anti-psoric, which, unless it had been abused
previously, never leaves us in the lurch in the pre-
sence of psora; zodime which, under similar circum-
stances, becomes indispensable wherever psora and

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 73

sycosis are combined ; bichromate of potash or fluoric
acid, if psora, syphilis and mercurial poisoning are
united; and lastly, tartar emetic, or again fluorie
acid, if the vaccine poison alone, or in combination
with the other poisons, occupies the foreground.
This is not the place to treat of these special forms
of human distress, and to individualize their treat-
ment; I shall endeavor to do this on a more suit-
able occasion. I shall have to limit myself here to
a superficial sketch of the treatment, adding merely
that a single dose of the specific antidote will act
best if given highly potentized, and that the im-
provement should afterwards be allowed to progress
as long as a trace of it remains visible. But as soon
as the improvement stops and an exacerbation sets
in, which is not speedily followed by another im-
provement, or which seems to require our aid, we
use Apis 8, one drop every day, until the improve-
ment is again perceived, after which we wait until
another exacerbation demands our interference.
One dose of Apis is often insufficient; if not, from
three to five doses will be found sufficient to miti-
gate the pains, and to advance the cure which Apis
will complete in conjunction with the high potency
that should not be repeated, and which is not inter-
fered with by the Apis. What more precious boon
for the physician and patient in these serious mo-
ments? It is only a physician who has instituted
provings upon himself, that is capable of compre-
hending this harmonious blending of the two thera-
peutic agents. He sees the well known effects of a
well known cause go and come at alternate periods.

74 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

What man of common sense would be willing to
repudiate such evidence?

But even in a case where Sulphur and Iodine
had been given to excess, and a sort of Sulphur and
Iodine diathesis had been established in conse:
quence, Apis is still the best remedy to meet this
complicated derangement.

Although we may believe that the time is at hand
when this kind of ignorance shall no longer be
tolerated, it unfortunately is still a prevailing sin
of the profession. Even if we should be unable to
effect a perfect cure, yet we may afford essential
relief to such patients; we may often arrest their
sufferings for a longer or shorter period, and shorten
the paroxysms until they become almost imper-
ceptible. Apis is particularly instrumental in
effecting this end. Diseases of the

RESPIRATORY ORGANS

Are likewise successfully combated by Apis. The
American Provings contain the following symp-
tomatic indications:

1. No’s 731, 733, 736, 742, 748, 749, 760:
“Hoarseness and difficulty of breathing, roughness
and sensitiveness in the larynx, each time after he
smells of the poison; talking is painful, sensation
as if the larynx were tired by talking; drawing
pains in the larynx; cough when starting during
sleep; rough cough during evening; heat; difficult
breathing, every drop of liquid almost suffocates
him; labored inspirations as during croup.”

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE, 75

2. 737-740: “Violent paroxysms of cough, occa-
sioned by a titillating irritation in the lower part of
the larynx near the throat-pit, with increase of
headache when coughing, on the left side, supe-
riorly; in half an hour, some phlegm is detached,
after which the coughing ceases; on the first day,
when waked from his sleep before midnight, he
had a violent cough, especially after lying down
and sleeping, with titillation at a very small spot,
deep down on the posterior wall of the thorax,
which wakes him; he feels better as soon as the
least little portion of mucus is detached; cough par-
ticularly during warmth, during rest, and rousing
him from his first slumber for several evenings.”

8. 1081, 746, 790: “Chilly every afternoon at
three or four o'clock; she shudders, especially
during warmth; chill across the back, the hands
feel as if dead; in about an hour she felt hot and
feverish, with rough cough, hot cheeks and hands,
without thirst; this passes off gradually, she feels
heavy and prostrate; cough and labored breathing
as during croup, after violent feverish heat, with dry
skin and full pulse; disturbed sleep, with muttering,
timid and incoherent talk, whitish-yellow coating
of the tongue, and painless, yellow-greenish, slimy
diarrhoea, in four days the breathing become labored,
a violent abdominal respiration, red face, increas-
ingly livid, pulse hard, cough, with barking reso:
nance—pains in the chest, with labored breathing.”

4, 754, 770, 772, 803: “Hurried, labored breath-
ing, with heat and headache; chest oppressed ; dif-
ficult, labored breathing; sense of suffocation even

76 APIS MELLIFICA; OR,

when leaning against a thing; general debility;
worse during cold weather, accompanied by asth-
matic pains; cough; sense of suffocation; pains in
the chest; coldness and deadness of the extremities,
which looked bluish; sense of soreness; lameness;
sense of bruising in the chest, as after recent con-
tusions by a blow; jamming, ete.

These observations do not indeed show with
characteristic certainty the diseases to which Apis
might correspond. But if they are contrasted with
the total character of Apis; if we consider that
Apis develops a catarrhal irritation throughout the
whole intestinal mucous membrane, affecting most
deeply the nervous system and the normal consti-
tution of the fluids, we have sufficient ground to
experiment with Apis in those respiratory diseases
which seem to be inherent in the prevailing genius
of disease, and which are characterized by the very
conditions which I have described. Who is not
struck by the fact, that the same individual morbid
process is reflected by different forms of disease,
croup, whooping-cough, influenza, acute and chronic
bronchial catarrh? The more essential the resem-
blance between these forms of disease and the
medicinal power, the more certainly may we ex-
pect a cure. The medicinal power which seems to
be most adequate to this end, is undoubtedly Apis.
My observations in this respect are not sufficiently
numerous to enable me to offer positive directions
concerning the best mode of using the medicine in
these diseases, or concerning the extent of the
curative process or the complications that may

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE, 17

exist. All I can do is to recommend Apis for
further experiments in this range, and to remind
my brethren of the insufficiency of other drugs,
which has been a source of trouble to us in the
last ten years. Hvery body who has watched the
course of these diseases during this period, must
have seen the difference existing between the pre-
sent and the past character of the symptoms. It
must, therefore, be a source of satisfaction to all of
us, to have found in Apis an agent that is capable
of filling up the gap.

My observations regarding the curative virtues
of Apis in urinary, uterine and ovarian difficulties,
and in rheumatism and gout, are not very extended.
In the American Provings, symptoms 634 to 669,
seem to point to urinary difficulties, and 685 to 695,
to ovarian troubles; symptoms 697 to 727 to uterine
derangements; and 837, 842, 867, 873, 874, 918,
919, 940, 942, 964, 969, to rheumatism and gout.

What little experience I have had in the employ-
ment of Apis in these diseases, is, however, sufficient
to induce me to recommend the use of it for further
and more enlarged knowledge.

T have had abundant opportunities of verifying
the warning expressed in No. 721, “pregnant women
should use the drug very cautiously.” I am not
acquainted with any drug which seems possessed
of such reliable virtues regarding the prevention of
miscarriage, more particularly during the first half
of pregnancy, as Apis. I have often become an
involuntary spectator of the power of Apis to effect
miscarriage; for I had given it to honest women

78 APIS MELLIFICA ; OR,

who did not know that they were pregnant, and
where the fact of pregnancy was revealed to“them
by the subsequent miscarriage, which took place
after one or two doses of Apis had been taken.
Ever since I have made it a rule not to give Apis
to females in whom the existence of pregnancy can
be suspected in the remotest degree, until the mat-
ter is reduced to a certainty, and the conduct of the
physician can be determined upon in accordance
with existing facts.

Iam unable to say how far this power inherent
in Apis, of producing miscarriage, may be service-
able to females who are prone to miscarriage.

I beg the privilege of adding a more general
warning to this particular one. The more generally
useful a thing is, the more liable is it to abuse.
The most important and useful discoveries of
homceopathy are abused in this manner by our
age given to all sorts of excesses.

Not only are the records of homceopathy ran-
sacked by speculative minds, who use her advantages
for personal gain without giving due credit to the
source whence the good things are obtained. This
species of egotism may perhaps be excused in con-
sideration of the use which this kind of plagiarism
affords, even if whole volumes should be filled with
it. But if the stolen property is paraded before the
world as something belonging to one’s self by right
divine ; if official influence is abused for the purpose
of dressing up that which rightfully belongs to our
science, as some original discovery, thus caricaturing
and disfiguring the beauty of the genuine blessing ;

THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE. 79

then good is changed to evil, and the evil is the
greater, the more comprehensive the truth that is
so shamefully abused. It is absurd and may entail
sad consequences upon the world, if the rational use
of Apis is to be converted to the irrational proceed-
ings of the so-called specific method, which is often
practised by men who, knowing better, purposely
conceal the truth from the world. For years past,
I have been called upon again and again, by patients
who had been in the hands of these men, and who
had been drenched with medicine, and had had all
sorts of disastrous complications engendered in their
poor bodies, to afford them some relief from these
tortures inflicted by physicians who do not hesitate
to assail the health of their patients by massive
doses of drugs, of which they often know nothing
but the name.

With these facts before me, nobody can find it
strange that I should feel some misgivings in laying
before the world a drug endowed with such exten-
sive virtues. Apis is one of those drugs, the abuse
of which may prove as destructive as the use of it
is a source of saving good. It is no antipsoric, nor
is it capable of antidoting the three miasms, or of
inflicting medicinal diseases for life. Nevertheless,
it is a deeply and speedily-acting drug, for it affects
the whole internal mucous membrane, the nervous
system, and the process of sanguification, thus dis-
turbing the health for a long time. Its primary
aggravating action, its deeply penetrating inter-
ference with the existing morbid process, which
may lead to errors in diagnosis, and its power to

80. THE POISON OF THE HONEY-BEE.

exhaust the reactive energies of the organism pre-
maturely, render it a very dangerous agent. These
circumstances go to show that such an agent, in the
hands of the partizans of the Specific School, may
be as dangerously and injuriously abused as other
important drugs have been. I cannot sufficiently
warn my readers against such distressing abuses.
Only he is protected from the danger of imitating
such shameful absurdities, who listens to thi words
of our master:

‘‘ Imitate this, but imitate this correctly!