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T H E
Homeopathic Physician.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
4 IF OUR SCHOOL EVER GIVE UP THE STRICT INDUCTIVE METHOD OF HAHNE-
MANN, WE ARE LOST, AND DESERVE TO BE MENTIONED ONLY AS A CARI-
CATURE IN the history OF medicine." — Constaniine Bering.
EDITED BY
EDMUND J. LEE, M. D.,
and
WALTER M. JAMES, M. D.
PHILADELPHIA :
1123 SPRUCE STREET.
18S6.
MAR 2 i 1904
INDEX
TO THK
HOMCEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN.
PAGE 1
Abrot., 188 :
Absinthe M i
Abuse of Sulphur/' " The. C. C. How-
ard, M. D 175 j
Acetic acid 423, 426
Acid nitr 299, 373 ;
Acou., . . . 103, 112, 120. 181, 153, 154.
209. 245. 247. 259. 294, 297, 340, 369!
394, 395, 396. 424, 432, 4:38, 411
Action of Cocoaine on the Cerebral
Centres of Co-ordination, On the. Dr.
Feinberg, 60 i
Actea racemosa, 403
Acute Polyuria in a Child in Conse-
quence of a Sting of Ixodes Ricinus.
S. L 137 ;
Address of the President of the Ameri-
can Institute of Horaceopathv at its
Session of 1886, The. P. P.'Wells.
If. D .284
Adulterations of Foods 76 ;
Aethusa 332 '
Agar Ill, 112
'• Agnosticism and Investigation." W.. 141
Ailanthus 113
Alcohol 64, 65 . 327
Aldehyde 64
Allen, John V.. M. D.
Ceses from Practice 306
Married 378 1
Alumina. ... 44 . 82, 108. 116. 175, 201, i
305. 341 . 860, 400
Aluminium 267
Ambra, 77. 298
American Medicinal Plants, C. F.
Millspaugh, M. D., Review of, . 122. 278
American Homceopathic Pharuia-
copia. Dr. J. T. O'Connor. Review
of, 1%
Ammonia 65 I
Ammonium carbonicum. . 177. 396, 400. 431
Ammon. mur., 182. 177
Anacard 177
Anresthetica 65 j
Anantherum muricatum 261
• Aneurisms Cured by Medicine,'- . . 119 .
Angustura • 293 I
Annual Report of the Homceopathic
Hospital, Melbourne. Notice of. . . 412
PAGE
Another Hahnemaunian Society Or-
ganized, 121
Answers to Queries 190
Answers to "What are the Reme-
dies?" 190, 208
Antimon-crud 102
Antimou. tart., 238
Anthemis nobilis, 335, 336
Apis, Verification of and a Remark-
able Fact. Alfred Heath 143
Apis, . . 6S, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73. 74. 95, 124,
127, 137, 138, 213, 214, 250. 288, 316, 333,
334. 407. 431
Apium Graveolens, 269
Apium virus. Professor J. T. Kent, . 67
Apium virus, Ill
Apomorphine, 64
Appeal for Proper Instruction for
Medical Students, An, 176
Aqua Laurocerasi. 64, 65
Aralia racemosa 335, 336
Aranea scinencia, 335, 33H
Are Houatt's Proving Reliable? E.
W. Berridge, M. D 260
Argentum Metallicum in Torpor, . . 228
Argent, metal., 177, 228, 299
Argent, nitric, Ill, 112, 224, 341
Arnica, ... 13, 111, 123, 130, 177, 226,
280, 281, 294. 298, 300, 307, 371, 396, 397.
400. 482
Arsenicum, ... 14. 112, 120, 125, 128.
142, 162, 163, 177, 213, 224, 226, 250, 251.
278, 279, 293, 813, 314. 329, 330, 331, 332,
333, 341, 356. 360, 423. 426. 432, 443, 414
Arsenic, iod 132, 133
Arsenicum met., 283
Aram tri., .... 62. 137, 226, 2ol, 401, 431
Asafoetida. . . . 137. 172, 212. 213, 294,
299. 319, 341
Asar, 177
Atropine 80, 367
Aurum. met., . . 78, 120. 132, 172, 225,
227, 228, 299
Aurum muriaticum 62
Arena 257
Bad Effects of Vaccination. Thos.
Skinner, M. D 198
Badiaga 207
Ballard, E. A.., M.D., Notes and Notice*, 30S
iii
64631
IV
INDEX.
PAGE
Baptisia • • l27- 446
Basis of Treatment, The. Carroll Dun-
ham, M. D., L'JLll 21
Belladonna and Its Allies in the Treat-
ment of Children's Diseases. Edward
Cranch, M. D., HI
Bellad 26, 32, 70, 81, 111, 112, 113,
120, 124, 142. 172. 174, 205, 209, 216, 220,
'224, 251, '2-52, 261, 262, 277. 294, 298, 331,
334, 377, 403, 424, 429, 430, 43L, 443
Berberis 120, 121, 177, 127
Berridge, E. W., M. D. :
Are Houatt's Provings Reliable ? . 260
Boycotting bv the Mongrels, . . . 392
Caricature of Drug Pathogenesy,
167, 385
Correspondence, . . 256
Clinical Cases 207, 307
Dr. Langhammer and Dr. Dud-
geon, 273
Dvsmennorrhcea, Case of, ... . HI
Explanation Wanted, 256
Explanation Wanted, but not
Given 415
Fragmentary Proying of Lac cani-
num, 24
Gravel, Case of, 78
Important Omission 303
Is There Anything in Sulphur DM? 134
Lac felinum 376
Nemesis 253
New Symptom of Manganuai, . . 391
Notes Clinical and Pathogenetic, . 43
Opacity of Cornea 80
Peculiar Symptoms, 305
Provings 77
Sulphur in Whitlow, 136, 171
These be Your Gods, O Israel ! . . 342
Ulcers on Cornea, Extracted from
Various Sources 341
Biegler, J. A., M. D. Sulphur: Cure
of a Case of Rhus Tox. Poisoning-
Ready Conception of the Dynamic
Power of Remedies by a Lavman, . 106
Bimetallism * . . . . 110
Bio-chemical Treatment of Disease,
Dr. Med. Schussler, Translated bv J.
T. O'Connor. M. D., Review of The, 45
Bisrnuthum Sub-nitricum (Magiste-
rium Bismuthi). S. L 401
Bismuth 177, 402
Boenninghauseu, Dr. V. On the Ho-
moeopathic Treatment of the Tooth-
ache 367
Book Notices and Reviews. . . .44,83,
122, 158, 196, 235, 273, 378, 411, 452
Borax as a Cholera Preventive 59
Borax 112. 212, 213, 293, 400
Bovista 71, 119, 131, 177, 293
Boycotting ! S. Lilienthal 300
Boycotting bv the Mongrels. E. W.
Berridge, M. D., 392
Breast and its Surgical Diseases, Trea-
tise on. Review of, 46
Brief Study of Xanthoxylum, A. C.
Carleton Smith, M. D., 204
Bromine 293, 375, 432
Bruno, Dr. F. Notes and Notices. . . 308
Bryonia. . . 111,112,113,121,127,130,
132, 142, 191, 224, 230, 231, 278, 279, 293,
294, 298, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 369,400,
„ a * 403, 405, 426
Baft) 262, 297, 428
Burns and Scaldb : What is the Most
Truly Homoeopathic Remedy for, A.
UK* 442
PAN
Cactus • • • • • 121
Cadmium Sulphate, Notes from a Lec-
ture Upon. Professor J. T. Kent,
M. D. 829
Cadmium sulph 330, 331. 334, MB
Cajuputum, *4*
Calad., I77
Calc. carb 15. 48. 54 , 82, 94. 113,
115, 116, 121, 130, 132, 133, 137. 172. 193,
144 •'•>:> -'27,292. 293. 299, 305, H07. 322,
' " ' 337, 341, 400, 401, 425, 431
Calc. phos., 212, 213
Calcium Sulphide Bw
Camphora, .... 65, 294, 355, 357, 396, 426
Cannabis 177. 403
Cantharis, . . 63,65, 73. 77 . 341, 400. 401,443
Capsicum, W?i 230
Carbolic acid 168, 272, 407
Carbo-an., . . . . 17.".. 177. 212, 213. 214. 333
Carbo veg., . . 94. 120, 183, 177, 279,293.
294. 299, 885, 857, 426. 443, 444
Caricature of Drug Pathogenesy, The.
E. W. Berridge, M. D 335
Carr, A. B. Proceedings of the Meet-
ing of the Central Ne w York Homce-
pathic Society, 248
Cases of -Caries of tiie Spine Cured
with Syphilinum. L. B. Nash, M. D., la
Cases of Chronic Disease Cured.
Thomas Skinner. M. D US, 192
Case of Eczema-Mezerum. J. T. K., . 177
Case of Gravel. E. W. Berridge.
M. D a
Cases from Practice. John \ . Allen,
M. D 306
Cases from the Practice of Dr. Kunkel,
Keil, with Remarks bv S. L 222
Caulophvllum 206, 404
Causticum, . . 15, 112. 177, 193. 207, 2G«,
212, 214. 293, 319. 369. 375, 400, 443. 441
Cedron 209. 210
Central New York Homeopathic Medi-
cal Societv, Proceedings of, . 101, 248. 434
Chalk, . . * 80
Chamomilla. . .32. 80. 120, 177. 195. 224.
293, 294, 298, 299, 360. 369, 371, 432
Charcoal, 4*. 103
Chart of Fevers. J. P. Hough, Review
of, 236
Chart for Urinalysis. Duncan Bros.,
Review of, 236
Chelidon 207.293, 488
China, . . 100, 142, 188, 233, 293. 294, 29*
299, 371, 423, 426
Chloral hvdrate, 64, 65, 229
Chlorine 23. 407
Chloroform 65, 249, 394
Cholesterine, 258
Chromate of lead 102
Cicuta - 111. 112, 113
Cimicifuga. Professor J. T. Kent, A.M.,
M.D 403
Cimicifuga 341, 403
Cina, 23, 293, 422, 433
Cinchona 16, 17, 18. 81, 210
Clapp. Otis, 378
Clark, George H., M.D.:
Correspondence iy#. 266
Hordeolum or 8tve 400
Clematis 177
Clinical Bureau, • . . 78. 157, 222. 807,
377, 406, 447
Clinical Cases :
E. W. Berridge, M.D., 207, 307
W. S. Gee, M.D 44*
J D. Tyrrell, M.D. OT
INDEX.
v
PAGE
Clinical Notes, 234
And Pathogenetic Notes. E. W.
Berridge.M.D 43
Clinical Observations 2S3
Clinical Reflections. Ad. Lippe, M.D.,
152, 191, 29-1
Clincial Review, The. Review of, ... 45
Clinical Test. The. By Rollin R.
Gregg, M.D. 187
Cocaine : Action of. on the Cerebral
Centres of Coordination. Dr. Fein-
burg 60
Cocaine Addiction. J. B.Mattison,M.D.,447
' ' Cocaine Habit, The," 100
Cocaine in Hay-Fever. Seth T. Bishop.
M.D. Notice of. 412
" Coccionella in Cough," 54
Cocculus, 119
Cocc 99, 115, 120. 233, 294, 299
Codeine 64
Coffea, ..... 119, 181. 175, 195, 294 , 316
Coffea Tosta, Verification of Svniptoras
of. G. M. Pease, M.D 337
Colchicum, . 78, 233, 293, 299, 332, 403, 427
Colocynth., . . 120, 314, 315,319, 339, 400, 434
Coniurn 135, 233, 341, 400. 446
Convallaria majalis 305
Convulsive Fits. Thomas Skinner,
M.D 192
Copper, 62
Corbally, T. P. Pasteur's Hydrophobia
Prevention, 56
Correspondence :
E. W. Berridge, M.D 256
George H. Clark, M.D 190, 256
W. E. Everlv, M.D., 406
J. D. Grabill, M.D 300
Wm. Jefferson Guernsey, M.D. , . 255
E. J. Lee, M.D., 301
H. Noah Martin, M. D., 838
J. B. Mattisdn, M.D., U7
D. C. McLaren M.D., . . . . . . 338
E. B. Nash, M.D., 389
E. A. Neatby, M.D 298
R L. Thurston, M.D 338
Counselor, A New, 122
Cranch. Edward, M.D. Belladonna
and its Allies in the Treatment of
Children's Diseases, Ill
Crocus sat. 212, 213, 298, 305
Crotalus 212, 218, 834
Croton-tig, 43, 311
Cubeba 262
Cubensis 112
Culex musca 269
Cuprum 113, 293, 3f>6, 357
Cnprum acet. 43;;
Curare 262, 263
Cyclamen, 443, 444
Cyclopaedia of Drug: Pathotjenesv. A.
M. McNeil, M.D., . ... 244
Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesv. A.
Review of, * . . u
Davis, F.T., M.D. Reflections 259
Decalogue for the Nursery. By S. J.
Donaldson, M.D., Review of .' . . 378
Ditritalis h«j, 433
Dillingham, Dr. Thomas M.. 378
Dioscorea, • 223
Diphtheria. Three Cases of. JohnHali.
M.D., 400
Diphtheria, Therapeutics of. Julius
Schmitt, M.D. 250
" Doctor's Diarv, A.,-' Si
Do Potencies Higher than the Twelfth
Acf Wm. Steinrauf. M.D 340
PAC1
Dr. Hughes' Caricature of DrugPatho-
genesv. E. W. Berridge, MJ)., . . 167
Dros 209
Dulcamara, 78, 175. 177.
Dunham, Carroll, M.D. The Basis of
Treatment,
Dysmenorrhea, Case of. E. W. Ber-
ridge, M.D •
Electicism of the Institute, The, . . .
Ehrmann, Benjamin, M.D. In Mem-
orium
Elaps C 120, 299, 400,
Emetin
Empyema. Herbert C. Clapp. M.D.
Review of,
Epsom salts
Errata 160. 196. 278. 308, 341,
Erysipelas, and Other Septic Infectious
Diseases. By David Prince, M.D.
Notice of,
Erythroxylou coca,
Eupatorium, 203,
Euphorbium, 142,
Euphrasia,
j Everly, W. E. :
Correspondence
Case in November No
Explanation Wanted. E. W. Berridge,
I M.D
I Explanation Wanted. Thomas Skin-
! ner, M.D.,
| Explanation Wanted but not Given.
E. W. Berridge, M.D.,
[ Farrington, E. A. Fragmentary Prov-
ing of Lac Caiiinum,
j Fatal Errors. Ad. Lippe, M.D., . . 16,
I Feinburg, Dr., On the Action of Co-
l caine on the Cerebral Centres of < o-
1 ordination, S. L., .
• Fenugreek,
' Ferrum : Notes from a Lecture upon,
I Professor J. T. Kent,
; Ferrum, 132. '205. 29! 1 , 296,
Ferrum iodatum,
Ferr mag.,
Ferrum phos 112, 132, 133,
Fluoric acid. . . 137, 168, 172. 212. 213.
Fornias. E., M.D. Remedies which
Act on Cicatricial Tissue,
Fowler's Solution
Furfur Triticum, Proving of. s. Swan,
M.D.,
Gallic acid, 108.
Gangrene, A note on. Havtman, . .
Gee, W. S., M.D. :
Clinical Cases 229,
Paralvsis from Below I p ward, . .
Gelsemium 111. 188, 429.
Glonoinum Ill, 112. 113, 233,
Gnaphaliuui
Gold
Grabill, J.D., M.D. Correspondence. .
Graphites, . 121, 132, 177, 212, 213, 214,
225, 220, 277, 341, 400. 401,
Great Event for Homoeopathv. S. L.,
GregK. Rollin EL, M.D.. President.
President's Annual Address before
the International Hahnemannian As-
sociation, held at Syracuse, N. V.
June, 1885
(ireg*. Rollin R., M.D. The Clinical
Test, • ....
Gregg, Rollin R., M.D. In Memo-
488
•21
81
373
152
401
64
236
166
452
412
393
234
443
no
256
321
445
24
041
403
422
400
200
129
427
214
212
To
206
169
142
447
4-10
433
429
206
62
810
432
Grindelia,
<jiuaiacum.
120.
327
333
433
INDEX.
vi
PAOK I
Guernsey, Wm. Jefferwn, M.D. :
Correspondence 255
The Sanitary Woolen System . . . 399
Two Cases of Neuralgia, 172
Hahnemann's Monument 84
Hahnemanian Association, The, . . . 189
Hall. John, M l). Three Cases of
Diphtheria 406
Hamamelis, 143
Hartmann. A. Note on Gangrene, . . 142
Heath. Alfred :
"Verification of Apis and a Re-
markable Fact," 143
Verifications, 233
Hecla Lava,
Hellebore, 299, 332, 333, 334
Hepar, . . 23, 136, 137. 171. 172, 251, 317,
341. 390. 401, 438, 441
Hereditary Idiosyncrasy, A. S. L... . 289
Hering and Inoculation for Rabies,. . 58
•' High Potencies Again " E. J. L. . 141
High Potencies. Have they Efficient
Action on the Organism? P. P.
Wells, M.D. 343 |
Hippomanes, 120 I
History of the American Institute of
Homoeopath v— Its Origin. P. P.
Wells, M.D 181
Homoeopathic Medical Society of
Pennsylvania, Transactions of.
Review of, 122 )
Homoeopathic Periodicals and Medical
Advertisements. Review of, .... 452
Homoeopathic Therapeutics in Dent-
istry. W. M. J 74 !
Homoeopathic Treatment of the Tooth-
ache, On the. Dr. V. Boenning-
hausen, 369
Homoeopathy, A Great Event for, S.
L., 62 i
Homoeopathy : Its fundamental Prill- ■
ciples Outlined by Professor Kent, . 29 i
Homoeopathy, Lecture upon, bv C.
Wesselhceft, M.D. Review of, .* . . 412 I
Hordeolum or Stve. G. H. Clark, M.
D., 400
Howard. C. C, M.D. 11 The Abuse of
Sulphur," 175 '
How to Study the Repertory. Pro-
fessor J. T. Kent, M.D., 312 I
Hughes. R.,M.D. The International
Homoeopathic congress 243 ;
Hunter, T. C, M.D. 'The Modus Me-
dendi 254
Hutchinson. Dr. Jonathan. Safe Me-
thod for Removing Foreign Bodies
from the Ear 234
Hydrastis, .... • 99, 283
Hydrocyanic acid 64, 423
Hydrophobia : Preventition and Cure.
P. P. Wells, . . % 214 :
Hydrophobinum, . ' 216, 217, 229 I
Hyoscyamus, . 70, 95, 111, 112. 283, 372. 377
Hypericum 212, 213.214. 400.
tgnatia, Notes from a Lecture upon.
Professor J. T. Kent 91
[gnatla, . . 74 95, 96. 97, 98. 99. 100, mi
112.113,200.294,298 299, 103 132
rgnorance and Stupidity. B. J. L., . 181
Ignorant or Careless, 117
111. an., • . . ! 119 132
Important Omission. An :
E. W. Berridge, M.D 3U3
A. F. Randall, M.D. 339
in Memoriam:
benjamin Khrmann. M. 1) 152 1
PAGE
In Memoriam :
Professor E. A. Farrington. M. D.
E. J. L 42
Rollin R. Gregg, M.D 327
Clement Pearson. M. D. [. B. G.C. 118
Institute. The American.
A full Attendance Desired. O. S.
Runnels. President, 196
International Hahnemann ian Associa-
tion, The 20
Proceedings for 1884-85, reviewed, 273
Roll of Membership 160
And the Institute : The Difference
Explained 374
Officers and Bureaus for 1S87, . . 32S
International Homeopathic Congress,
The 84
R. Hughes, M. D 243
Involuntary Proving of Aralia. G. M.
Pease, M.' D., . . 231
Iodide of Potassium 62, 66, 167
Iodine 188, 212, 213. 214, 283, 4fl
Iowa Homoeopathic Medical School, . 157
Ipecacuanha 32, 64, 279. 318, 332
Iris, 162
Iris fcetidissima, 393
Iron 62, 114, 299. 422, 123
Is there anything in Sulphur DM. (F.
C. )? E. W. Berridge, M. D 131
Jaborandi 65
Jalap 80
James, Walter M., M. I). Homoeopathic
Therapeutics in Dentistry, 71
.latropha " 355
"Johnson's Therapeutic Key."' By J.
D. Johnson. Review, ..*...".. 122
Joke, A., 342
Kali bichromicum in Diphtheritic
Croup. Julius Schmidt. M. I).. . . 107
Kali-biehrom,44. 69, 81, 106, 108, 109, 110,
127. 208. 209. 212. 213, 214,251, 332. 341, 133
Kali brom., 133
Kali-carh, . 43. 44. 70. 77, 137, 1.54, 172.
177. 207. 222, 223, 224, 283, 293, 299. 432, 433
Kali-iodid, 120. 263
Kent, J. T., A. M., M D.:
Apium Virus 67
Cadmium Sulphate, Notes lion 1 a
Lecture upon, 329
Cimicifuga 103
Eczema, Case of 177
Ferram, Notes from a Lecture upon, 422
How to .Study the Repertory, . . 312
Homoeopathy : Its Fundamental
Principles Outlined 29
Ignaiia, Notes from an Extempo-
raneous Lecture upon 91
Natrum Sulphuricum and Svcosis, 275
Plumbum. Notes from a Lecture
upon 161
Rhus tox. Notes from a Lecture
upon 123
Sepia, Notes from a Lecture upon, 197
Staphysagria, Notes from a Lec-
ture upon 315
Veratrura album, Notes from a
Lecture upon, 365
Kimball, S. A., M.D. Lachesis in Sore
Throat, 158
Kreosote 162, 177, 318, 427. 443, 444
Lac caninum. Three Fragmentary
Provings of. O. Lippe, E. \V. Ber-
ridge. E. A. Farrington H
Lac caninum. 8. Swan, M. D n<»
Lac can., 26, 27, 252, 253, 408, 411
Lac felinum. E. W. Berridge. M. D., 376
PAGK
Lac-felin, 341
Lac Vaccinuni Defloratuin : Cases
cured by S. Swan, M. D., 408
Lachnanthes tinctoria 252
Lachesis, 23, 51, 52, 53,
77, 82, 96. 98. 104, 128, 155, 158, 164, 165,
177, 198, 205. 206, 211, 213, 2r>2, 253, 283,
293, 294, 333, 375, 408, 429, 430, 433, 443, 441
•'Lachesis in Sore Throat." S. A.
Kimball, M.D., 158
Lachesis and Lycopodium 396
Lactic acid, 134, 169, 375
Ladies' Tipple, The 326
Langhamnier, Dr., and Dr. Dudgeon.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., 273
Latest System in Medicine, The. H.
E. Beebe, M. D. Review of, .... 274
Lathyrus Sat., 446
Laurbcerasus, 224. 299
Lead, 161, 166
Ledum 120. 177
Lee, E, J., M. D.:
Correspondence, 301
High Potencies Again 138
Ignorance and Stupidity 131
In Memoriam : Professor Fairing-
ton 42
Utterly and Unconsciously Ignor-
ant, ' .... 180
What Are the Remedies? 133
Lilienthal, S., M. D.:
'•Acute Polyuria in a Child in con-
sequence of a Sting of Ixodes
Ricinus, 137
Boycotting ! 300
Bismuthum Subnitricum (Magiste-
rium Bismuthi), 401
Cases from the Practice of Dr.
Kunkel. Kiel, with Remarks by
" 3. L.," ! 222
A Great Event for Homoeopathy, . 62
A Hereditary Idiosyncrasy, . . *. . 289
On the Action of Cocaine tvpon the
Cerebral Centres of Coordination,
by Dr. Fcrnburg 60
Lilium 293
Lime, 50. 375
Lime, Chloride (Liquor Calc. Chlor.),
L88, 444
Lime-water, 444
Lithium-caib 431 , 132
Lippe. Ad., M. D.:
Clinical Reflections, . . . 152. 191 , 294
Fatal Errors, 16. 322
Materia Medica of the Future, . . 320
Peace-Offerings : An Olive Leaf. . 362
Progressively Aggressive, 389
Progressive Homoeopathy 42*
Progressive Materia Medica. . . . 361
Relative Value of Symptoms. . . 264
What is the Most Truly Homoeo-
pathic Remedv for Burns and
Scalds? 442
Lippe, C. Fragmentary Proving of
Lac caninurn 24
Lobel., 190
Lvcopodium In,
62, 73, 79, 80, 108. 110, 115, 119. 130.
130, 137, 172. 177, 252. 253, 283, 293, 299,
303, 307, 322, 339. 360, 400. 401, 406. 425. 431
Lyssin, • 216
M., (Z. T. M.), Clinical Bureau, ... 157
Magnesia acet., 121
Magnesia carb., 294
Magnesia mur., 293, 434
Magnesia phos., 294
Magnesia, sulpb 82
Manganese, 299, 422
Manganum, New Symptom of. K. W.
Berridge. M. D., 391
Materia Medica— Works on. Issued
bv Hahnemann. Their Composition
and Value bv S. Lilienthal. M. D.
Review of, 411
Materia Medica of the Future. Ad.
Lippe. M. D., 320
New Book of. by T. F. Allen, . . 158
Mattison, J. B.. M. D. Correspondence
— Cocaine Addiction 447
McKibben. Dr. Alice B., Death of, . . 160
McLaren. Rules for the Use of Pessa-
ries .234
McNeil, A. M. Cyclopedia of Drug
Pathogenesy 244
Melilotus, Notes on. C. Carleton Smith.
M. D 173
Melilotus 175
Menvanthes 132. 401
Mercurius, 44, 80, 105, 128,
135, 137, 172, 177, 186, 231, 265, 281, 283,
299. 317, 318. 319, 311, 360, 373, 387, 400, 427
Iodid, 341, 431
Solubilis, 112, 132, 252, 293
Mezereum, . . 77, 120, 137. 172, 177, 226, 299
Miscellaneous Provings. S. Swan.
M. D 257
Modus Medendi, The. T. ('. Hunter,
M. D 254
Morphia, . . 28, 64, 172, 224, 234, 325, 361
362, 367. 374, 390
Murex, 202
Muriatic acid, 177, 299
Musk, 103
Narcotina, 64
Naricinum, 64
Nash, E. B., M. D. :
Ca.se of Caries of the Spine cured
with Syphilinum, 15
Correspondence, 389
National Homoeopathic Pharmaco-
poeia, A 192
Natriun carb., 177, 249, 275, 293
Nat rum muriaticum 43. 50,
54, 62, 71, 74, 94, 103, 104. 137. 162, 172,
177, 188, 201, 203, 211, 230, 232, 24*. 275,
276, 281, 293, 294, 319, 353, 365, 400, 401, 427
Natrum Sulphurieum and Svcosis. .1.
T. Kent, A. M., M. D., 275
Natrum sulphurieum, . . 272, 275, 276,
277, 278, 279, 280, 2S1, 296
Neatbv, E. A.. M. D. Correspondence, 296
Nemesis. E. W. Berridge, M. D., . . 258
Neuralgia, Two Cases of. W. .1. Guern-
sey, M. D 172
New Dispensary in New Vork. .... 184
New Journals, 122
Nitric acid, . . 132. 169. 177, 211,225,226,
227. 238, 293, 291, 317
Nitro benzine, 64
Nitrum 177
Nocturnal Incontinence of Urine, . . 232
No Figs from Thistles Grow ! 143
Notes and Notices, . . .46. S4, 122, 160,
196, 308, 342, 378, 446
Nux j. 298
Nux-moschata, 299. 31".
Nux vomica, 23.
24, 42, 78, 95. 97. 100 101. Ill, 120.
130, 164, 167, 195, 196, 200. 209, 223, 224,
253, 293. 294, 305. 313, 341, 427, 438, 448, 449
Ocimum canum 297
Oldest and Ablest, 4*
VI 11
Opacity of Cornea. E. W. Berridge,
M. P. *0
Operations on the Drum-head for Im-
paired Hearing, with fourteen cases.
Seth S. Bishop, M. D. Notice of, . . 412
Opiates and Ulcerations, 28
Opium, . . 32, 62, 64, 65, 78. Ill, 249, 333.
361, 362, 390. 426
Organon of the Institute, The. 1'. P.
Wells, M. D • 309
Oxalic acid, UA»2H
Pamphlets Pveceived, 236
Paralysis from Below Upward. W 8.
Gee, M. D 4«
Pasteur's Hydrophobia Prevention.
T. P. Corba'Uy, 58
Peace Offerings: An Olive Leaf. Ad.
Lippe, M.D., 888
Pease, G. M., M. 1).:
Involuntary Proving of Aralia, . 231
Verification of Symptoms of Coflfea
Tosta, 337
Peculiar Svmptoms. E. W. BeiTidge.
M. D., 305
Petroleum, 177, 258, 316
Phenic acid, 57
Philosophy of Materia Medica. Its
Study and Uses, The. P. P. Wells.
M. D., 47, 85
Phosphoric acid. . . . 124, 137, 142, 177,
226, tOO
Phosphorus, 65, 73, 127. 137, 172, 177, 197,
226. 293, 294, 299. 331, 310, 400, 422, 425, 446
Physician's Chemistry, The. By Clif-
ford Mitchell, A. B., M. P. Review
of, K»
Physician's Visiting List. Review of, 452
Phytolacca 112, 113
Picric acid, 169, 100
Pilocarpinum 65
Piper nigrum, 263
Platina, . . 62. 177. 190, 225, 226, 228, 298, 316
Plumbum, Notes from a Lecture upon.
Professor J. T. Kent, 161
Plumbum, . .91. 162, 163, 164, 165. 177,
203, 299. 305, 351
Podophyllum, . . 99. 206, 209, 283, 332, 341
Points. C. Carleton Smith. M. P., . . 432
Polyuria Acute in a Child in Conse-
quence of a Sting of Ixodes Eicinus, 137
Position as Assistant W anted 84
Practical Surgery and Specific Medi-
cine. P. P. Wells, M, P., . . . .379, 115
Prescriber. A Pictionary of the New
Therapeutics. John H. Clark, M.P.,
Review of, 45
President's Annual Address before the
International Hahnemannian Asso-
ciation, held at Syracuse, N. Y.. June,
1885. Rollin R. Gregg, M. P., Presi-
dent, 14-1
Progressively Aggressive. Ad. Lippe.
M. P., . '. . 389
Progressive Homoeopath v. Ad. Lippe.
M.P 428
Progressive Materia Medica. Ad.
Lippe, M. D., 361
Prophylamin, 132
Provings. E. W. Berridge, M. P., . . 77
Psorinum 210, 307, 318, 432
Pulsatilla, . . . 12, 51.115, 120, 121, 129,
131, 177, 199, 293, 294, 299. 322, 360, 369,
371,400, 401,405, 425, 432
Purpura, Geo. Win. Winterburn, M.P.,
Review of, 274:
Pyrophosphate of Iron 135
PAGE
Quinine, . . . 41, 114, 186. 200,224,28*.
285, 266. 306. 323, 374, 387
Randall, A. K..M.I>. An Important
Omission, 33!>
Ranunculus, 43, 25::
Reflections. F. B. Davis, M. P., . . . 2*9
Relative Value of Svmptoms. The. Ad.
Lippe, M.P 984
Remedies Which Act on Cicatricial
Tissue. K. Fornias, M. D.. . . . . . 212
Repetition of the Dose. P. P. Wells,
M. D., y
Replv to the Author of Address, etc.,
A." M. o. Terry, M. d., 178
Rheum 190
Rhododendron, . . . 119.120.131,299,433
Rhubarb, 80
Rhus Toxicodendron, Notes from a
Lecture upon. Professor J. T. Kent, 123
Rhus tox., . . 69, 71, 111, 120, 121, 124,
125, 126, 128, 129,180, 142, 177, 191, 233,
258. 283, 293. 29-1, 299, 332, 341. 360, 400,
426, 443, 450
Robinia 263
Rules for I'se of Pessaries. Pr. McLa-
ren, Editor Medical Journal 234
Runnels. O. 8., President. The Insti-
tute, A Full Attendance Pesired. . . 196
Ruta, 120, 132, 299
Sated 293
Sabina, 288, 299, 372
Safe Method for Removing Foreign
Bodies from the Far. Pr. Jonathan
Hutchinson 234
Salt 50, 103
Sambueus 23, 441
Sanguinaria in Rheumatism. E. W.
Berridge. M. P 411
Sanguinaria, 137, 294. 427
Samtarv Woolen Svstem. The. Wm.
Jefferson Guernsev. M. P 399
Sap 298
Sarracenia purpura 263
Sarsaparilla 177. 288, 293
Schmxtt, Julius, M. P. :
"Kali Bichromicum in Diphthe-
ritic Croup," 107
Therapeutics of Piphtheria. ... '250
Schusslei", Pr 84
Secale 131, 142. 299. 408. 444
Selenium 293
Seneg 400
Sepia, Notes from a Lecture upon.
Professor J. T. Kent 197
Sepia, 15, 98, 108. 110.
120, 121, 127, 128, 137. 172, 177, 198, 199,
200, 201, 202, 203, 225, 226. 227, 293, 299.
332, 372, 400, 401, 405, 425, 427, 429, 431, 434
Silicea 15, 48, 49, 50, 54,
71, 77, 82, 111, 112, 113, 136, 137, 171,
172, 177,190, 201, 203, 225, 226, 227, 230,
279 , 319, 341, 359, 360, 372, 400. 425, 433, 434
Sixth Annual Session of the Inter-
national Hahnemannian Associ-
ation, The, 26**
Skinner, Thomas, M.P. :
Bad Effects of Vaccination, . . . . V9S
" Cases of Chronic Disease Cured,''
113, 192
Convulsive Fits 192
Explanation Wanted 321
Vertigo 194
Smith, C. Carleton, M.P. :
Notes on Melilotus, 178
Points 482
A Brief Study of Xanthoxylum, . 28%
INDEX.
ix
PAGE
Sodium 275
So Do We, 46
Some Clinical Cases. W. S. Gee, M.D., 229
Southern Homoeopathic Medical Asso-
ciation, . 378
Spigelia 177, 372, 434
Spongia 23, 177, 279, 438, 441
Stannum, 23, 172, 400, 434
Staphisagria, Notes of a Lecture upon.
Professor J. T. Kent, 315
Staphisagria, 162. 177, 225 , 226,
227, 293, 299. 316, 317, 318, 319, 386, 400, 401
Steinrauf, Wm., M.D. Do Potencies
Higher than the Twelfth Act ? . • . 340
St Louis College, The, 196
Stramonium, ... 64, 70, 111, 137, 172, 434
Strontium, 177
Strychnine, 95
Student's Number, The, 46
Sulphur, . . 15, 24, 80, 81, 91, 94, 99, 103,
107, 113, 115, 116. 117, 120, 128, 133, 135,
136, 1S7, 172, 177, 194, 198, 208, 253, 275,
281, 293, 294, 299, 305, 307, 308, 322, 341,
356, 357, 372, 388. 400, 401, 427,438, 445. 451
Sulphur : Cure of a Case of Rhus Tox
Poisoning— Ready Conception of the
Dynamic Power of Remedies by a
Layman. J. A. Biegler, M.D., . • . 106
Sulphur in Whitlow. E. W. Berridge,
M.D., 136, 171
Sulphuric acid, 167, 211, 213, 360
Sulphate of Iron, 306
Sulph. Soda, 275
Swan, S.j M.D. :
Proying of Furfur triticum (Wheat
Bran), 206
Lac cahinum ... 410
Cases Cured by Lac Vaccinum De-
floratiun, 408
Miscellaneous Proyings, 257
Provings of Vipera Acustica Carin-
ata, 55
Sycosis, 272
Symphytum, 382, 384, 419
Syphilinum : Case of Caries of Spine
Cured with. E. B. Nash, M.D., . . 15
Syphilinum 77, 135, 376
System of Medicine Based upon the
Law of Hom<j?opathy. By H. R.
Arndt, M.D. Review of, 236
Systematic Treatise on the Practice of
Medicine, A. By Professor A. E.
Small, M.D. Review of, 160
Tabac, 294
Tarentula 112, 316
Tartar-emet., 432
Tea, 195
Tellurium 190
Terebinth., 307, 443
Terry. M. O., M. D. A Reply to the
Author of Address, etc., 178
Terry, M. O., M. D. What Constitutes
an "Utterly and Unconsciously Ig-
norant ' ' Physician 387
Test at the Bedside, or, Homoeopathy
in the Balance, Pemberton Dudly,
M. D., Review of, 236
Thebaine, 64
PAGE
"These be Your Gods, O Israel !" E.
W. Berridge, M.D. 342
Thuja, . . . 120, 157, 162, 177, 208, 281,
305, 317, 841, 400, 446
Tongue Symptoms 283
Truth, 378
Tyrrell, J. D., M. D. Clinical Cases, . 377
Ulcers on Cornea, Extracted from Va-
rious Clinical Sources. E. W. Ber-
ridge, M. D 341
Unconscious Proving, An 188
L; Union Homceopathique, 452
Uran., 400. 401
Urtica Urens 443
Use and Abuse of Instruments in the
Male Urethra, William B. Van Len-
nep, M. D., Review of , 236
Utterly and Unconsciously Ignorant.
E. J. L. 180
Vaccination. Per Oram, 46
Valeriana, 65
Value of Vaccination, The. Geo. Wm.
Winterburn, Ph. D., M. D., Review
of 83
Veratrum alb., Notes from a Lecture
upon. Professor J. T. Kent 355
Veratrum alb., . . . 17,65,128,293,332,
357, 358, 360, 373
Veratrum viride, Ill, 112, 190, 393
Verifications. Alfred Heath, 233
Vertigo. Thos. Skinner, M. D., ... 194
Vespa 138
Vinegar, 444
Vipera Acmtica Carinata, Provings of.
S. Swan, M. D., 55
Warning to the " Revisers" of our Ma-
teria Medica, A, 256
Warning from History, A, 304
Wells, P. P., M. D :
The Address of the President of the
American Institute of Homoeop-
athy at its Session of 18S6, ... 284
High Potencies. Have they Effi-
cient Action on the Organism ? . 343
History of the American Institute
of Homoeopathy— Its Origin, . . 181
Hydrophobia : Prevention and
Cure, 214
The Organon of the Institute, . . 309
The Philosophy of Materia Medica,
its Study, and Its Uses, . . . . 47, 85
Practical Surgery and Specific
Medicine, 379, 415
Repetition of the Dose 9
What is the Best Method of Select-
ing the Remedy ? 237
What are " Demonstrable Facts " ? . . 185
What are the Remedies? . 59. 119, 133, 297
What Constitutes an ' ' Utterly and Un-
consciously Ignorant" Physician?
M. O. Terry, M. D 387
What is the Best Method of Selecting
the Remedy ? P. P. Wells, M. D., . 237
Whisky 64
Xanthbx, 205, 206
Zinc, . . . 62, 99, 177, 190, 233 293, 294,
305, 333, 334, 376
Ziz, 400
/
THE
Homeopathic Physician,
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
•'If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— CONSTANTINE hehing.
Vol. VI. JANUARY, 18S6. No. 1.
REPETITION OF THE DOSE.
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn.
There has been much said and written on this, till it may, by
some, be regarded as hackneyed ; but its important and intimate
connection with clinical successes will always make it a living
subject, worthy the careful attention and study of the healer
who has a conscientious regard for the duties of his calling, and
desire for the highest excellence and best successes in its pursuit.
It has been written upon by the best minds the practice of heal-
ing has engaged, notably by Hahnemann and Bcenninghausen,*
and the world has no greater names to give to the advocacy of
any truth. To say they have written is to say they write well.
They gave us the truth. Then why not study the lessons they
have given and let this suffice? If these writings could be faith-
fully studied and obeyed, certainly no more would be needed ;
but, unfortunately, the tendency of the time is to neglect or put
aside the teachings of the masters, who have left us so rich
legacies of instruction for our practical guidance, and go, rather,
after will o' the wisps, flying here and there, scattered by those
who are ambitious of appearing as light* in the world, who ex-
cuse their flickering falsehoods bvr a claim for them that they
have somehow a connection with the " scientific /" and the " scien-
tific" has a great charm for a certain class of superficial minds,
*Am. nam. Rev., pp. 193, 252, 293.
9
10 REPETITION OF THE DOSE. [Jan.
who persuade themselves, and would others, if possible, that in
their shallow teachings alone are found depths of wisdom.
It was reflections like these which decided the author when
requested to write on the repetition of one remedy (Sepia), to go
beyond this and develop, if he might, the underlying principles
of all repetitions, of all remedies, and in all cases.
The motive for repetition is only found in the motive for
giving the first dose of the remedy in a given case. This is
ever (we speak only of specific or homoeopathic prescribing) to
make such an impression on the sick forces before us, by the most
similar remedy, as will change these to a state of health. Ha\ ing
made this impression, we have done all which, in the nature of
the case, it is possible for medicine to do for their cure, while
the action of the given dose is continued. It will be remem-
bered that this first impress of the remedy is like that of the
sickness, in kind and direction. Hence, if this first impress is
repeated before its reaction is exhausted, it is only repeating an
impress which increases the morbid action, and can, in no way,
contribute to the cure, but only to reinforce the morbid action
which it is our object to cure, by reason of the similar action of
the repeated doses. It is the second, or reacting, effect of the
dose which cures. So, if the first impress is repeated while
this second effect is progressing, the case is set back to the start-
point of treatment, with a possible intensified action of the dis-
eased process by the similar action of the repeated dose ; and
so often as this practical error is committed, so often is this ad-
verse experience likely to be realized.
Then, it is clear, one of the most important questions that come
before the practical specific prescriber is this of repetition of the
dose. When to repeat and when abstain from this? What is
the objective of repetition? What but to renew the impress,,
reaction from which effects the cure? Then to repeat this im-
press, before there has been time for this reaction to be set up,
is, in the nature of the case, to prevent the cure. If this curing
reaction is already in progress, then to renew the impression
which has brought it into being must necessarily interrupt the
process of cure, which this reaction is, and this by reason of the
exact opposite nature of these first and second effects of drug,
doses. Hence the maxim, of fundamental importance — " Nevee
repeat the dose while improvement is progressing." This has
been said before and many times, but, notwithstanding, there
has been more mischief and mistakes from wrong repetition
than from any one cause. It is most difficult to avoid this
sometimes — first, because of partial knowledge of materia
1880.]
REPETITION OF THE DOSE.
11
medica — not quite certain the selected remedy is really the most
like, and the continued sufferings of the patient compelling the
question, May not some other remedy be more appropriate, or
may not an added dose of that given bring greater relief ? This,
with the worthy anxiety to do better for the patient, has spoiled
many a curable case of chronic disease, and thrown the treatment
of acute cases into inextricable confusion. This is well known
to those who have accepted the Organon as their guide in prac-
tical duties, and who, by continued obedience to its instructions,
have proved the truth, authority, and value of these. It is not
for such that this paper is written, but for those who, lacking
the experience of these, are troubled still with questions and
fears as to this matter of repetition, who know the rule given
above, and would willingly obey it, but have not yet the practi-
cal education which enables them readily to decide this question
of progressing improvement. This may be in a given case so
slight as to cause difficulty in deciding whether improvement is
really progressing. It is the hope of being able to help such
in this difficulty that has inspired this paper. It cannot be but
there will be questions and doubts with such, as to the advisa-
bility of repetitions, and how shall these be solved? The
first rule, and one of great value, which we would suggest for
their guidance in these cases is — u In case of doubt, don't do
it."* It is only delay and the loss of a little time, at the worst,
and this is far less a mischief than the confusions resulting from
inopportune repetition of doses.
Then there are two factors which, carefully studied, may help
greatly to reduce the difficulty of a correct decision of the ques-
tion of repetition, vh. : first, the nature of the diseased action ;
and second, that of the drug.
Sicknesses vary greatly in their rapid progress of destructive
action, as well as in the more or less gene ral extent of this ac-
tion as to partial or general invasion of organs and functions of
the body. Both these facts have an important bearing on the
repetition of doses, as well as on the selection of the specific for
the cure. Where the destructive process is rapid, as in malig-
nant cholera, some cases of croup, or of violent attacks of fibri-
nous inflammations, in their initiatory stage, the action of the
doses of the selected drug may be rapidly exhausted, and, there-
fore, as compared with other forms of diseases, may in their
treatment call for exceptionally frequent repetition of doses.
And so, where few organs or functions are Buffering, errors from
*PrcsiJent Way land.
12
KEPETITION OF THE DOSE.
[Jan.,
too frequent repetition are not followed by results so disas-
trous as where the morbid process is more generally diffused
through the organism. The morbid cause and process may per-
vade the whole organism, as in many examples of chronic dis-
ease, and, though the process be very destructive, is slow in its
progress and slow to respond to the impress of its specific cura-
tive ; and, therefore, if the dose be repeated too soon, because the
response to its curative impression is delayed, the result will be
only repeated impressions of the kind and in the direction of
the morbid action, and, therefore, an aggravated condition of
the diseased action will follow, and the more exact the spe-
cific relation of the dose is to the disease. By this error, curable
sicknesses are made inveterate, and in the incurable life is
shortened, with increase of the sufferings of the patient while it
continues. The deeper the morbid cause has pervaded the or-
ganism and the more profound are its effects on the nervous
centres and the functions of nutrition and assimilation, the more
tardy will be the apparent response of the organism to the cura-
tive impress of the specific. The impress here must be profound,
pervading, and permanent. The response to the true specific for
these deeply seated constitutional affections is never sudden, and
the only safe practice here is to wait till the remedy has had
time to deal with the morbid process according to its own nature
and that of the malady it should cure. If, perchance, there be
a seeming sudden response to the dose given in cases of deep-
seated affections, it is only an evidence that the remedy chosen
is not the specific for the case. The improvement, which, per-
haps, has been so encouraging, is always transient, and is fol-
lowed, oftener than otherwise, by increased inveteracy of the
disease and aggravated suffering and difficulty of cure. The
remedy has been either only partially applicable to the case or
superficial in its action, failing by this peculiar nature to reach
the deep seat of the malady it was intended to cure. It was an
attempt to reach and remove the profound by means which ex-
pend their force chiefly on the surface. The malady being
deep-seated, the remedy to be best adapted to its cure must be
pervading, reaching to the sources of life action, sick or in
health. The curative effects of such remedies are not likely to
be a sudden surprise. They are developed after the time re-
quired to reach these depths and master the evils they were sent
to conquer.
As with diseases, so with their curatives. These differ greatly
as to rapidity of action, power to pervade the organism gener-
ally, and in time needful for realizing their curative reactioa,
1386.]
^REPETITION OF THE DOSE.
13
la these facts are found a second beautiful adaptation of the
nature of curatives to their diseases. First, in the similarity of
action of each to the other in kind and direction of their forces;
and second, in the more or less general pervading force of the
morbid and curing agent, and in the rapid or slow action of
each. With remedies, as a rule, those of sudden and rapid ac-
tion soon exhaust their force, and are comparatively superficial
in their impressions. Arnica is an example of the class of
remedies characterized by this sudden action, "which, in some
violent attacks of disease, give great value to the drug because
of this peculiarity.
It happened in the experience of the writer in his early homoe-
opathic practice to observe the beneficent action of this drug
in a very severe case of double pleuro-pneumonia in a child five
years old. The severity of the stabbing pains in both sides of
the chest on each attempted respiration had reduced this act to
the shortest compatible with continued life. The friends of the
little one stood round her, expecting these short and rapid res-
pirations would cease at any minute. And so restricted and
painful were these that such expectation seemed to be fully
warranted. It was in this extreme of pain and apparent dan-
ger that a teaspoonful of water, in which had been dissolved a
few pellets of a potence of Arnica, was offered the child, with
the assurance it would relieve her pain. She opened her mouth
to receive the dose, but the instant the spoon touched her lips
she gave a loud shriek, and said : " It didn't — it made it worse."
There was this one severer stab, but there was never another.
The effect was literally as quick as lightning. The relief was so
sudden and so complete that some of the friends turned away,
thinking the death they had been so anxiously and painfully ex-
pecting had actually released the sufferer. They were only re-
lieved of their grief by seeing that the little one was breathing
quietly, and quietly sleeping, from which sleep she waked con-
valescent.
In the opposite extreme of the series which embraces drugs of
quick and slow reaction may be found most of those which
Hahnemann has denominated " antipsorics." They are com-
paratively slow, pervading, and persistent in their action. They
penetrate to the profoundest depths of morbidly affected life
forces, as has before the active morbid cause, following this last
to the centre of its destructive activities, and by its similar
nature neutralizes and masters these chronic diseased con-
ditions, which have in themselves no self-limiting duration and
no tendency to spontaneous healing. It is only by such pene-
14
REPETITION OF THE DOSE.
[Jan.,
trating and long acting drugs that these slowly and surely fatal
diseases are mastered, i. e., fatal if not removed by the rightly
selected and rightly managed antipsoric remedy.
There are some of the so-called antipsorics which have place
in the treatment of acute as well as chronic diseases. When
given in these their repetition is to be governed by the principle s
which apply to such diseases, and decide the repetition of doses
of medicines not antipsoric. These diseases, running their
course more rapidly, may call for doses of antipsoric remedies
more frequently than they would be given in psoric or chronic
cases. For an example, Arsenic in a dysentery, for which it is
found appropriate, may be repeated more frequently and profit-
ably than it could be in a case of phthisis accompanied by hec-
tic fever. But iu these cases the law which pertains to all cases,
both acute and chronic, should control repetitions. The law is
this: Never repeat a dose while improvement is following that
already given. And a fortiori, never change a remedy in these
circumstances because tempted to do so by a hope of doing some-
thing better. Many a case has been spoiled and many a life
lost through yielding to this temptation.
But, says the beginner, " How am I to know whether improve-
ment is progressing in a given case?" No doubt this question
has often embarrassed such, and will hereafter trouble many
more. The safe course is always insured if the short rule
already given be remembered and obeyed. The question im-
plies doubt in the mind of the prescriber. Then, by reason of
the doubt, don't repeat. The only loss from waiting for the re-
moval of the doubt is that of a little time. The loss from
wrongly timed repetition or wrong change of remedy may be a
loss of life. It is, at the best, certain to result in a confusion of
the case, and increase of suffering and danger to the patient,
and greater difficulty of cure to the prescriber.
But how as to waiting for the curative reaction which should
follow a given dose? How long shall we wait for this before
we can safely repeat the dose already given ? This question
will certainly be often asked, and to answer it satisfactorily may
often be difficult. To help out of this difficulty take into con-
sideration the nature of both the disease and the drug, espe-
cially as to the rapid or slow action of each, and if these be
slow, wait. If the selected drug be one of brief action, L e.,
not antipsoric, the case may call for more frequent repetitions
than will be judicious in cases of a different character. If the
drug selected be one of the princely antipsorics and the case be
one of the nature which calls for a member of this class, it may be
18S6.]
CASE OF CARIES OF THE SPINE.
15
Cole.,. Canst., Lye, Sep., Sil, Sulph. Be in no haste to conclude
you have made a wrong choice because you have waited days
for the expected improvement, for if the case be curable and
the remedy be rightly selected the selection will be justified by
the desired improvement, if this be waited for. And then re-
member the long-acting antipsorics seldom admit of profitable
repetitions of doses upon themselves. There may be such cases,
but these are only likely to be detected by the experienced vision
of the master. And further, long acting remedies are seldom,
if ever, repeated with benefit at short intervals, and of these
Sepia is one of the longest. After exhausting the action of the
first dose of the long-acting antipsorics, if, on review of the case,
the medicine given still appears to be the most similar remedy,
it will be best, if it be decided to give this again, to change
the potence from that given, and the record of best success in
such cases shows that a change to a higher number is oftener suc-
cessful than that to a lower.
CASE OF CARIES OF THE SPINE CURED WITH
SYPHILINUM.
E. B. Nash, M. D., Cortland, New York.
The child had been under my care for over two years, and
several physicians, including the lamented Dr. H. V. Miller,
had seen her, but could suggest nothing besides the usual
remedies, which I had already given. The caries and curvature
were in the cervical portion of the spine ; the curvature very
great, directly forward, the occiput sinking down to a level
with it. The amount of calcareous matter discharging from it
would often amount to nearly a tcaspoonful at a time, and when
the moist part of the discharge was evaporated, there would be
left a large quantity of a white dry powder, looking like phos-
phate of lime. The pain was always in the curvature, and
always worse at night. This characteristic led me to Syphilinum,
of which I gave CM (Swan) once in ten days. Three doses
cured; in one month the discharge had ceased entirely, and the
child, who before was weak, pale, and eiKa'ki'ed, gr,ew ruddy
and strong. She is still a hunchback and a dwar^, biyt ha* never
had any recurrence of the pains or ulccraticm since, now ■ four' x>r
five years ago. The-re 'was no positive- proof of heredi^-iry
syphilis. 0 t ■/
FATAL ERRORS.
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
There is before us the December number of the New York
Medical Times, and in it we find the first paper, by David A.
Gorton, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y., full of fatal errors, full of
erroneous statements, and full of illogical deductions.
The patrons of the New York Medical Times have dropped
their former title, " homoeopathic," with great propriety and
honesty, and have been thanked time and again for this action.
They became evidently either disbelievers in the efficacy of
Hahnemann's methods or were over-anxious for recognition by
the dominant school of medicine. The paper before us, by Dr.
Gorton, is an attempt to make the medical profession believe
that by the aid of such great men as Richard Hughes, Conrad
Wesselhoeft, and the like of them, Hahnemann's methods and
his healing art can be exterminated. It is a very fatal error to
build an argument and form deductions from utterly false
premises, and it is this very Dr. Gorton who attempts to do it
when he says, on page 258 :
"The study of setiology has thrown clear light on things
hitherto veiled in shadow and added certainty in medical diag-
nosis where before was vagueness or wild guessing. Take, for
example, cases of pysemia. He would be an incurable empiri-
cist who should to-day presume to treat it on general constitu-
tional principles, on the one hand, or by a comparison of its
symptomatology, on the other. The same may be said of para-
sitic affections of the skin, the infectious or contagious diseases,
the genus of which has been discovered and the means of their
destruction definitely ascertained; the marsh malarias, in the
cure of which the alkaloids of Cinchona have proved to be spe-
cific/' etc., etc. ; and he winds up by saying : " At all events,
if we remove the cause or causes of them, or assist nature to do
so, we may safely close our medicine-cases and walk away, leav-
ing nature to do the rest."
That is exactly what the common school of medicine taught
before the days of Hahnemann and teaches now, although there
are rare excep$(Mi6"tf) be* jiojted.V Xjiere are found a few progres-
sive tm£n\Havvj and a few of'tBem- h^ve always tried to bring
certainty* in to the practice of medicine. / What Dr. Gorton says
. fyoVffd' form a grand*- test for such a'.saftwst of medical men
tfe 'Moliere was. ••
Jan., 1SSG.]
FATAL ERRORS.
17
Take, for example, cases of pyaemia ! If we accept the
methods of Hahnemann, we cure all our cases, not by a spe-
cific nor by a remedy for a hypothesis as to the nature of the
disease, but by a comparison of symptomatology. There is a
true healer, a strict adherent to our blessed healing art, still dis-
pensing well-potentized drugs and curing the sick who was ill
with pyaemia in 1852 — by far the worst case that ever came
under my care and observation. He was cured by Jaenichen's
two hundreth potency of Veratrum album because of the simi-
larity of the symptoms. Veratrum may not cure another case
of pyaemia — certainly never — if the only indication for its ad-
ministration is the fact of a cure of one case of this disease. The
similarity of symptoms will remain the only guide in future, as
it has been in the past.
But when Dr. Gorton says, " TJie marsh malarias, in the cure
of which the alkaloids of Cinchona have proved to be specific,11 he
becomes intolerable. He seems to be anxious to be recognized
by a majority of ignorant medical pretenders — ignorant of the
teachings of their betters, ignorant of the origin and history of
Homoeopathy. There once lived in this city an exceptionally
intelligent and honest medical teacher, " Dr. Samuel Jackson11
who devoted one lecture every season to the abuse of Chininum
sulph. as a remedy for marsh malaria. The medical students at
the University of Pennsylvania were distinctly told that Chini-
num sulph. not only did not cure the marsh malaria, but that,
suppressing it only for a time, a new disease was inflicted on the
sick by a combination of the suppressed disease and the poison-
ous effects of the remedy, and presented itself finally as Chini-
num cachexia — a ten times worse disorder than marsh malaria.
A quarter of a century has passed since this honest instructor
passed away, and now we behold a bold man who fables
about a specific for marsh malaria, and that specific the alkaloid
of Cinchona! The study of aetiology has progressed ! Thera-
peutics have not !
Did this Dr. Gorton never hear of Cullen's Materia Jlediea,
a work which Samuel Hahnemann translated? — and when he
came to consider Dr. Cullen's question, " Under what circum-
stances does Cinchona officinalis cure the intermittent fever,
admitting its curative effects to be Limited?'1 denounced it as
" a specific,11 and then and there resolved to answer this question.
He proved Cinchona off. on himself and found that it had cured
only such cases of intermittent fever as it was capable of produc-
ing in similarity on the healthy. Hahnemann then laid the
foundation for the certain applicability of the Law of the Simi-
18
FATAL ERRORS.
[Jan.,
lars for the cure of the sick. It is thus that Hahnemann created
a materia medica pura which, Dr. Gorton says, is represented by
Dr. Richard Hughes to be an Augean stable to be cleaned out by
him. The Law of the Similars is as old as anything we know
about medicine. Hippocrates knew of it ; Paracelsus advocated
it. But it was left to the great philosopher, Hahnemann, to
point out clearly and distinctly how to apply that law for the
cure of the sick. He created a Materia Medica which will remain
a master-work and will be appreciated by future generations,
while such men as Richard Hughes, who have never done any-
thing to develop or augment it, will be remembered only as
attempting to bring distrust upon it; and as having failed igno-
miniously to destroy this healing art by destroying its Materia
Medica. The latter in reality is the stumbling-block which the
ordinary physician cannot conquer. As Dr. Gorton has it, this
very indispensable record of the sick-making properties of drugs,
obtained by the provings on the healthy of various degrees of
preparations, is an eyesore to the scientific medical pretender,
who still dreams of being able to find out the hypothetical causes
of disorders and diseases and the hypothetical means of
stamping them out. When Hahnemann first pointed out
with certainty under what circumstances Cinchona off. would
cure intermittent fever, he certainly did not anticipate that in
the future any one would be bold enough to ignore his progres-
sive development of the healing art — would ignore the great
intermittent fever works of Boenninghausen and Allen, which
so clearly point out the characteristic indications for the use of
the various known drugs in the treatment of this fever.
There are hardly three per cent, of intermittent fever cases
curable by Cinchona or Chininum sulphuricura, because of the
unsimilarity with their sick-making properties. Every observ-
ing medical practitioner sees every day what terrible harm is done
by the perpetual administration of Chininum sulph. for what is
termed malaria in massive doses, and it is not to be wondered
at if such bold declarations as Dr. Gorton makes are rebuked as
absurd — as contradicted by facts open to everybody's observation.
The truly homoeopathic remedy will, if administered according
to Hahnemann's methods, irrespective of the puerile babbling of
a Conrad Wesselhoeft or the still more offensive braying of a
Richard Hughes, cure every case of intermittent fever. Why
do these numerous pretenders — so eager for recognition — not
publish one single case, say, of intermittent fever, and their
— mind it — their homoeopathic treatment of it? — their failure to
cure till they resorted to their boasted specific ? — and — mind it —
1SSG.]
FATAL ERRORS.
19
the CURE thereby accomplished? The sick treated homoeopath i-
cally are really and truly cured — are much better in health after
the cure than they were before they sickened. The sick who are
not cured, but only recover apparently, come out of their sick-
room broken down and never regain any of their former health.
Dr. Gorton is one of the many whose aim in life seems to be
to draw caricatures of Homoeopathy, make it ridiculous, and
move forward with a host of allopathic discontents, forming an
unholy alliance of caricaturists, allopathists, and mongrels de-
grading the science of medicine in its true meaning to vile eclec-
ticism— a phantom ship without rudder or compass, drifting to-
ward final destruction without any guidance. The talk and the
writings of these representative men of a caricature on medical
science and art seem to aim at this same end, just as does the talk
and writings of the communists aim at the destruction of all law
and order. There they march on, declaring themselves a free
people, governed by no law, like the French army that, under
orders of the third Napoleon and under the influence of "spirit,"
marched out of their great city singing out, "a Berlin !" only
to be driven home as;ain howling. So this lawless horde
will be driven back in their silly attempt to conquer scientific
progress. The various captains of this law-defying band all
sing the same ridiculous songs. There is the microscopic orator,
who defines his own individual opinion of Homoeopathy before
the Boylston Medical Society of Howard University and neglects
to calculate that there are readers of his address who might be
tempted to put the orator and his address under the most power-
ful microscope to detect in him or in it an atom of logic, com-
mon sense, or historical knowledge, and, finding none, look for
contempt of logic and an atom of communism. There is, again,
the mighty ex-editor of the once loyal British Journal of Homo -
opathy, who abandoned said journal, preferring to let it go down
with his motto, "Similia Similibus Curantur," than to hoist
"curentur" instead, which he perceived would not be acceptable
to logical minds. There is, again, the same consistently persistent
adversary to a healing art he cannot acquire or master, who, as
a dernier resort, attempts to set aside and destroy our great
materia medica and offers to a gaping multitude clumsily, care-
lessly, and inaccurately prepared day-books of provers of medi-
cine— utterly useless trash, indeed — under the plea that he, as a
reformer, will undertake to clean out the Augean stable of
Hahnemann's unreliable Materia Medica. Like the rest of
them, this reformer deals in generalities. As liom<eopathicians,
we have for a long time accustomed ourselves to individualize.
20
FATAL ERRORS.
[Jan., 18SG.
If, now, these new reformers and scientific men would only con-
descend to individualize and let the world know in what par-
ticular case and under what particular circumstances they or
any of them have carefully and skillfully treated said case
according to the methods of Hahnemann and have failed, they
will confer a great favor on the medical profession. So far they
have all and every one of them failed to make such disclosures
as have been so frequently asked for, and why should they be
exempt from the general rules governing the testimony of a
witness, viz. : that he must not testify if his testimony should
by any possibility implicate him? and we much fear that this
privilege to keep silent extends to the witnesses we have so often
called for. We must take it for granted that their very deplor-
ably limited knowledge of the healing art — Homoeopathy — is a
bar to their ability to testify. So be it, so long as we do not
hear from these generalizers.
Furthermore, we must be allowed to express our full belief
that this host of truly eclectic physicians have dropped Hahne-
mann's Organon of the Healing Art when they contemplated
the first paragraph of this philosophical work, which reads :
" The first and sole duty of the physician is to restore health to the
sick. This is the true art of healing" What was to become of
them ? What would become of the contemplated scientific re-
search for the causes of diseases by the microscopic process of
investigation ? — what of the search for curative powers of medi-
cines by the same process? What would become of the hypo-
thetical speculations so innumerable and forever changing, like
the fashion-plates of the day? And what would become of our
beloved u regulars/' who are so progressively reducing the duties
of the physician ? — who really are quite satisfied to classify the
diseases, u There is malaria and there blood-poison, etc., etc.,"
each class of disorders to be treated under one rule, easy to learn ?
The caricaturists must be allowed to indulge in their frivolities;
their days are numbered — while
TRUTH IS MIGHTY AND MUST PREVAIL !
The I. H. A.— The next meeting of this Association will be held in June,
at Saratoga. The meeting promises to be an exceptionally good one. Come,
all who are interested in pure Homoeopathy. A resolution pass d at the la t
meeting requires applications for membership in the Association to be in
the hands of the Chairman of the Board of Censors six months before the
meeting at which they are to be considered. In accordance with this all
applications must be filed by the 20th of January.
TIi is resolution was passed in order that none but genuine homoeopaths
should gain admittance, so that an unbroken front may be presen'ed in the
fi.^ht for pure Homoeopathy, and the greatest good gained from intercourse
with the members.
THE BASIS OF TREATMENT.
By the late Carroll Dunham, M. D., of New York.
Hahnemann throughout his works takes every opportunity to
urge the insufficiency of a pathological theory of the nature of a
disease as the basis of the treatment. He everywhere urges that
the only sure indication for every case is to be found in the
totality of the symptoms which the case presents. One would
think that nothing could be more clear and convincing than' his
arguments on this subject.
His opponents declared that his method ignored medical
science, left no scope for pathology and diagnosis, and reduced
therapeutics to a degrading mechanical comparison of symptoms.
Very many homceopathists have so far deviated from Hahne-
mann's method as to endeavor to blend with the use of his doses
and remedies an application of pathology as a basis of treatment.
This endeavor can never be successful, inasmuch as the function of
pathology is to famish, not an indication for medical treatment,
but simply a means of elucidating and collating the symptoms.
TJie result has been a sad falling off from the standard of success
in practice which was established by Hahnemann and his pupils.
The points at issue are illustrated by the following case :
AVillie M., four years old, was brought to me December 3d,
1863. He had been healthy since February, 1863, when he is
reported to have had a long attack of gastric fever, from which
he finally recovered wTith the affection about to be described.
This was a dyspnoea and wheezing, distinctly perceptible at all
times when the child was awake, and which, on making any ex-
ertion, were very much aggravated and resulted in an attack of
convulsive cough with difficult inhalation, the whole paroxysm
resembling precisely what is described as Millar's asthma or
Laryngismus stridulus. It was remarked that the child seemed
to be free from dyspnoea when sleeping soundly, but at no other
time. On waking in the morning he had always a hard fit of
coughing, during which he sometimes raised a little tenacious
mucus. His appetite was good, though somewhat capricious.
He was considerably emaciated; his spirits were good, and he
often attempted to join in the sports of other children, but w as
obliged soon to desist, because of the dyspnoea and cough which
every physical exertion caused and which greatly fatigued him.
On percussion and auscultation the lungs were found resonant.
The respiratory murmur was, of course, masked by the loud
wheezing.
21
22
THE BASIS OF TREATMENT.
[Jan ,
The child had been taken in September to Professor A. Clark,
of New York, who, after careful and repeated examinations, had
given a written diagnosis — " Chronic laryngismus." He gave
a very unfavorable prognosis and the advice to avoid all medi-
cation, save only a dose of some anti-spasmodic during the vio-
lent attacks of dyspnoea. This advice had not been followed.
The child had been throughout his illness under what I regard
as very skillful homoeopathic treatment. I had once seen him
in consultation, but had not been able to suggest anything that
proved of service to him.
When now placed under my sole care I well knew that the
child had already taken, without benefit, every remedy which
has symptoms at all resembling Millar's asthma or any spas-
modic affection of the respiratory organs ; and it was also evi-
dent, on even a cursory examination, that no one of these reme-
dies was dearly indicated by the symptoms of the case.
I therefore resolved to follow as implicitly as I could the
advice given by Hahnemann for the examination of the patient
and the selection of the remedy. Dismissing from my mind,
then, every notion concerning the seat and probable pathological
nature of the disease, I examined the patient and made the fol-
lowing record of the symptoms which he presented :
1. Child emaciated; flesh soft; skin inclined to be yellow
(naturally fair — a blonde) and dry.
2. Appetite very good ; always calls for food as soon as a
couo-hin^ fit begins in the morning or forenoon.
3. The right hypochondrium hard, distended, tender to the
touch, painful on exertion and when he coughs. The right
shoulder is elevated and the spinal column laterally curved ;
dullness on percussion on the right side, extending three-fingers'
breadth below the margin of the ribs.
4. Distention of the epigastrium, which is tympanitic on per-
cussion and tender to the touch.
5. Much rumbling of flatus in the abdomen.
6. Frequent ineffectual desire for stool ; stool scanty and dry,
occurring once daily or once in two days.
7. Cough dry; sometimes in the morning a very little tena-
cious sputa; always a coughing fit in the morning on waking;
he has to sit up to cough ; cough excited by eating and drinking,
by rapid motion, by exertion, by crying or talking. The cough
hurts his right side.
8. Constant wheezing and dyspnoea aggravated by exertion
and by lying down ; relieved during sleep.
The tender age of the patient rendered it impossible to obtain
1386.]
THE BASIS OF TREATMENT.
23
many subjective symptoms — such as usually facilitate the indi-
vidualization of cases and the determination of the appropriate
remedy.
Before proceeding further in the narration of the case I desire
to say a word upon its pathology. The symptoms are before us.
Wbat shall our diagnosis be? Is the case one of spasmodic
laryngeal disease, complicated by certain gastroenteric and
hepatic affections? or is it a chronic hepatitis, complicated by
laryngismus? Which affection is primary and which secondary ?
What relation do the groups of symptoms bear to each other V
Professor Clark seems to have adopted the former view, regard-
ing the gastro-hepatic troubles as secondary — if, indeed, lie paid
any attention whatever to this complication. The homoeopathic
physicians who preceded me probably adopted the same view
and based their treatment upon it. Now, if in so doing they
had happened to take a correct pathological view, the result
might have been favorable ; or if they had adopted and acted
upon the second hypothesis and this had chanced to be the
correct view, the result might have been favorable.
But is it not obvious to every candid mind that, in either case,
success in the treatment, based upon a pathological consideration
of the case, must depend on the correctness of the pathological
hypothesis — a matter in which certainty can never be attained.
On the other hand, if we throw aside, as irrelevant, the entire
series of questions" as to which is the primary disease and which
is the secondary, which the original malady and which the com-
plication ; if we say to ourselves, " Here is a sick child ; let us
examine and record those points in which he differs from a
healthy child," we get the series of symptoms above recited,
which are fads — indisputable, unmistakable — the result of pure
observation. If, now, without hypothesis or speculation, we
seek to find and do find a remedy which presents a series of
symptoms corresponding closely to those of the patient, experi-
ence justifies us in believing that we shall have reached the ut-
most possible certainty of correctly selecting the remedy.
Comparing the symptoms with the Materia Mcdica, we per-
ceive at once that the remedies whose names are usually associ-
ated with Millar's asthma, laryngismus, etc., viz.: Sambucus,
Spongia, Cina, Lachesis, Hepar, Stann., Chlorine, etc., eta, do
not cover the case, having but little correspondence with groups
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, C.
Nux vomica, on the other hand, covers these groups very well,
a^ will be seen by comparing Materia Medica. In addition, it
has violent paroxysms of cough in the morning very carlv (676
24
PROVIXGS OF LAC CANINUM.
[Jan.,
and 677), excited by motion and exertion (670, 671, 672), pro-
ducing pain in the epigastric zone (689), and accompanied by a
desire to eat (my own observation).
It lias also a well-marked dyspncea.
The correspondence was so close that I had no hesitation in
giving Nux vomica.
December 9th four powders of the two hundredth were
given, to be taken every night, and the patient to report in ten
days.
December 21st, the report was brought to me that the child
liad no more wheezing nor dyspnoea ; had been free from cough
for five days ; can play long and vigorously without inconven-
ience; is regular in his bowels; complains no longer of pain or
tenderness in the hypochondrium — in fact, seems to be perfectly
well.
He deranged the digestion by eating candy at Christmas and
had a slight return of pain in the hypochondrium, which a dose
of Sulphur relieved. He has ever since been entirely free from
dyspnoea and laryngeal spasm and is in the enjoyment of robust
and perfect health.
If such a mode of practice as this be (as is charged) unscientific
— if it ignore the sciences of pathology and diagnosis as bases of
treatment — thus much at least may be said in its favor, that it
far surpasses every other method in the facilities it affords for
the fulfillment of one not unimportant object of the physician —
the cure of the patient
THKEE FRAGMENTARY PROVIXGS OF LAC
CANINUM. ■
Mr. N., set. twenty-two. — Three years ago contracted syphilis-
and had a hard chancre on glans penis. Was cured (?) by externa!
applications and the mercurial preparations internally. Since this
" cure/7 has suffered from excessive mental depression, and has at
no time since he had syphilis felt any of the buoyancy of youth.
There is a want of ability to concentrate his mind upon his studies.
He has an enlargement of lymphatics, principally of the neck
and submaxillary regions; these are indolent and painless, and
are sufficiently large to keep him in mind that the original dis-
ease is not yet cured. Since the proving, his mental condition
is much changed for the better and his general condition much
improved.
1886.]
PROVISOS OF LAC CANINUM.
25
Took first dose of thirty-first potency on night of November
25th, 1878, before retiring. Felt slightly better next morning
and repeated dose at 9 A. M., continuing it every four hours.
November 26th, 8 p. m. — Considerable itching and burning
near glans penis, where the chancre formerly was, lasting ten
minutes.
November 27th. — Slight throat irritation, left side ; urging
to hawk, principally in morning. In afternoon much confusion
of head, making thought irksome. No appetite for supper.
About this time feeling of uneasiness in umbilical region, an
agitation, or moving, as it were, in the colon about this part,
feleep at night full of sensuous dreams, with conscious emission.
November 28th. — Slight hoarseness, with, now and then, a
changing of voice after waking, but soon passing away. At
noon rheumatic-like pains in upper, outer part of left thigh. At
night took last dose. Sensuous dreams again, but no emission.
November 29th. — In forenoon feeling cheerful, but with
little appetite for breakfast; at noon pains in upper chest,
lasting for remainder of day ; in evening some dizziness when
walking. Appetite still growing less. At night awoke at 2 30
A. M. with intense pains in abdomen and desire for stool, which
could hardly be suppressed. The discharge (diarrhceic), after
repairing to water-closet, was voided entire at one effort and
ease immediately secured.
November 30th. — General feeling of illness all day, but with
no return of diarrhoea.
December 1st. — Complete loss of appetite, with much heavi-
ness in top of head. Feeling, now, very weak and depressed ;
sexual desire quite marked. At this time urine dark and
heavily loaded with thick reddish sediment, that adhered in
different colored circles to bottom and sides of vessel. Went to
bed at 8 P. M. from fatigue and indisposition, sleeping well till
9 A. M.
December 2d. — Felt much better. In evening remained up
till 11.30 p. M. Head much clearer.
December 3d. — Still further feeling of relief, and, in evening,
better than for some time.
December 4th. — Very cheerful ; no head symptoms; appetite
regaining. At 10 P. M. more itching and burning in former
spot, lasting, this time, much longer.
December 5th. — Slight enlargement of already enlarged
lymphatics in side of neck. Feeling very unwell. Stupid con-
dition of head. Occasional slight probing pains in lower Left
throat.
2G PROVISOS OF LAC CANINUH. [Jan.,
December 6th. — Awoke late, with tired feeling and inclined
to lie in bed longer. Better after dressing. Remainder of day
tolerably comfortable.
December 7tli. — Forenoon, return of burning and itching;
part red and feverish. Indisposed all day. Appetite poor.
December 8th. — Better; more itching and redness. Two
warts on middle finger noticed to be leaving.
December 9th. — Feeling good.
December 10th. — Right spermatic cord, low down, sore to
touch,
December 11th. — Awoke earlier than usual. Felt well till
S P. M. ; unwell rest of day. At 9 P. M. more itching, accompa-
nied with boring, throbbing pains.
December 12th. — During afternoon uneasy pains in left
groin.
December 13th. — Return of latter pains, beginning in after-
noon and lasting till 10 P. M.
C. Lippe.
A homoeopathic chemist gave Lac can., third decimal, to a
woman suffering from diphtheria. It much relieved the symp-
toms, and after the improvement had set in a new symptom
appeared, drinks returning by the nose. This symptom has
hitherto been only clinical.
(1.) Miss G. (the patient whose former experiences with this
medicine are given in The Homoeopathic Physician, Vol. IV,
page 103) wrote again August 30th, 1883 : " My throat troubles
me much if I read aloud or talk more than usual ; it seems
almost as if it were stopping up, and I get very hoarse, but
have no soreness ; there is a feeling of fullness and a sense of
choking." I sent her Lac caninummm (Fincke), a dose three
times a day for fourteen days.
On October 7th she wrote : " The medicine has nearly cured
mv throat; I can read aloud now for an hour at a time, which
was a thing impossible. The first few doses caused an oppres-
sion at the chest, almost a soreness. There was also irritation
in both ears to the throat, besides a disposition to sneeze and
other symptoms of cold in the head."
(2.) Mrs. B., August 23d, 1883.— The day after weaning baby
right breast became full and painful. She took Bellad. with
temporary relief, but now writes to say that the breast is fuller
and more painful, especially hard and painful on the inner side ;
1886.]
PROVINGS OF LAC CANINUM.
27
cannot bear her stays to press upon it. It would feel very
heavy if she had no stays on. Lac caninumcm (Fincke) every
four hours.
September 10th, reports that the medicine "acted beautifully,
could feel the improvement after every dose." She finished the
powders in twelve doses. Some hardness and pain remained on
inner side, but it has gradually got back to its normal condi-
tion. The improvement was felt immediately after second
dose.
(3.) Mr. L. S., set. twenty-two. January 18th, 1884.— Five
or six months ago had two teeth extracted at different times
under the gas, and after the second operation did not feel so
well. About twro months ago he consulted a mongrel, who gave
him some pink pills to take after dinner, and a powder twice a
day; this treatment only relieved him temporarily. For about
a month has felt very strange sensation in head (such as he felt
when going off under the influence of the gas) ; sometimes he
imagines that the heart or the breathing were going to stop or
otherwise frightens himself, and this makes the heart beat vio-
lently ; occasionally very depressed, and fancies he is going out
of his mind. Lac caninumcta (Fincke), twice a day for fourteen
days.
February 1st. — Reports no return of symptoms since com-
mencing the medicine. The cure has remained permanent.
E. W. Berridge.
I gave Lac caninmn 10 M (Swan), four doses daily for three
or four weeks, to a lady twenty-five years of age, in excellent
health, except that she had never menstruated.
October 19. — Dizzy, nausea, as after rich food; wrorse after
standing, must sit down ; feels as if she would fall if she closed
her eyes.
October 26. — The same nausea. In stomach feeling as if some-
thing were pushing up.
November 6. — Acute pain across over eyes and bridge of nose.
Cannot clear the head, nose stuffed. Soreness from nose through
into throat. Feeling of a lump in throat, which goes down
when swallowing, but returns; throat worse right side, worse on
swallowing saliva. Tired, totters when walking.
From November 8th until January 5th she suffered from the
following. They were so evident to her that she eamc into my
28
OPIATES AND ULCERATION.
[Jan., 1886.
office crying, fearing she Avas contracting consumption. I give
them in their order of appearance :
Clavicles sore to touch. Feels as if she wanted to fix shoulder
so it would not feel strained. Pain and stiffness up right sterno-
cleido-mastoideus. Throat, which had been getting well, sud-
denly one evening grew rapidly worse, but this time on left side.
Soreness from right clavicle down to third and fourth ribs, worse
on moving, less on left side. Fears consumption. Soreness
through chest to back. Cramped feeling in chest, wants to
stretch up and back. Lungs feel as if fast to chest, worse while
writing. Right clavicle feels as if out of place, worse by moving
shoulder. Pains down right arm and in fingers, which feel
cramped ; does not seem to have the same power in right hand.
Sore across mid-chest during forced expiration ; feels just as if
she had been struck. Veins in hands look bluer than usual ;
they are swollen. Every scratch gets sore. Sore spot just to
ri<rht of mid-sternum, worse from lifting or from pressure.
Right cheek burns like fire and is red after coming in from the
cold. (She remarked: "If this was the cold alone, why wasn't
my left cheek red ?")
E. A. Farrixgtox.
OPIATES AND ULCERATION.
May not the following quotation show, even to the benighted
allopath, how injurious is the use of opiates in surgical cases ?
And does it not shed some light on the case of the late President
Garfield, in whose case such extensive ulcerations occurred?
"Multiple Ulcerations of the Digestive Tract Pro-
duced by Large Doses of Morphia. — A. Sourrouille reports
the exhibition in a case of uterine carcinoma of Morphia in doses
increasing from three-fourths of a grain to four grains. The
sedative effect was prompt, but untoward effects soon appeared
— thirst, dryness of mouth and oesophagus, with dysphagia, ano-
rexia, constipation, etc. On the mucous membrane of the mouth
and pharynx, and probably also at other points in the digestive
canal, appeared a series of»sharply outlined ulcerations of vary-
ing depth which rendered alimentation impossible. The symp-
toms disappeared upon the withdrawal of the drug, to reappear
upon its renewal. Sourrouille maintains that Morphia induces
atrophy of the secretory organs and destroys the epithelium with
which it comes in contact." — Centralb. f. d. med. Wissensch.,
Nov. 7th, 1885.
HOMEOPATHY: ITS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCI-
PLES OUTLINED BY PROFESSOR KENT.
[Full text of address before the Central New York Homceopathic Medical Society,
December \~tli.~]
As we are about to enter upon a discussion that may lead
beyond the probability of ready comprehension, and as I may
encounter, even at this centre of Hahnemannism, those who have
not traveled beyond " faith " and " belief," permit me to ask my
hearers to lay aside both, and with me enter upon a line of thought
and investigation, and accept the outcome regardless of precon-
ceived opinions, belief, or faith. These have no part in a scientific
discussion. One should proceed without opinion, without faith,
without prejudice to weigh the statements found in the sixteenth
section of the fifth and last edition of the Organon of Samuel
Hahnemann.
The doctrines contained in this section are the result of many
yea*rsof thought and classified experience, and they conflict with
the statements of accepted authority. But if it be the founda-
tion of truth even in part we must explore its interior and bow
to its revelations. Though Draper and Carpenter have failed
to discover these inner precincts, they have not demonstrated
that Hahnemann's conclusions were illogical or impossible.
With cell-formation they have ended ; but life, the home of dis-
ease, is unknown to them. The opponents of this doctrine,
which the followers of Hahnemann have accepted as a gn at
truth, may search in vain and quote authority without end, and
the only result attained is : Not found ; not demonstrated ; un-
known. These authors, being ignorant of this vital dynamis,
deny its existence ; they cannot see it ; cannot manipulate it ;
and cannot demonstrate it by the common instruments in chem-
istry and physiology. Nevertheless, the time will come when
physiology must deal with this question as a factor not in dis-
pute ; then will the great void in this science be filled with that
which will make medical science to rest on firm foundations ;
while at present from old-school standpoint it has no foundation,
and with the Hahnemannian school our foundation is disputed.
As it is probable that I shall be accused of extremism, let me
say, by way of explanation, that not all so-called homoeopath isN
admit the truth of the dynamic doctrine and choose to call it
" dynamic theory." There are graded believers in Homoeopathy
as in religion. Some are born to position, others acquire it.
To be born of Christian parentage does not make one a Chris-
tian. Yet believing in Christ and His teachings, without fol-
29
30
LECTURE UPOX HOMOEOPATHY.
[Jan.,
lowing His example or obeying His commands, will distinguish
him from the Jew. In like manner believing in the Law of
Cure makes one a homoeopath ist. But, like the followers of
Christ, it is only possible to be an exemplary one by close rela-
tion at the throne of grace, or measuring every action by the
principles under the law. Therefore it will be observed that to
be an exemplary follower of the master-healer, it is necessary to
be near him, and follow after him in all his steps that the high-
est degree of wisdom may appear in our methods. Not that I
would blindly follow a leader who has been extensively courted ;
but that after discovering Hahnemann to have been the greatest
living healer it behooves that we study him in all his intricate
philosophy to ascertain, if possible, wherein rested his great pow-
ers as a physician, and then see whether as a healer he is worthy
of followers. If we have discovered that he was an original
thinker and philosopher, and his teachings are as he declared
them to be, viz. : the only true method of curing the sick, let us
follow as far as he has gone, not wavering a hair's breadth,
until we have arrived at the point where the master left us and
his great philosophy. They who practice on a part of Hahne-
mann's teachings and fill the great void with " results of expe-
rience," do so with methods that the master unequivocally con-
demned ; and while it may not be thought kindly of, the state-
ment is true ; they are not the homoeopathists who have followed
in the footsteps of the master. They have not lived closely to
the law, and are not Hahnemannians. Hahnemann said to a
friend of his in Paris, who was complimenting him on the great
number of his followers. Says Hahnemann : "Yes, there are
a great many homoeopathic doctors, but all my true followers
can be counted on the ends of my fingers."
It is as an exponent of the philosophy of Hahnemann that I
speak to you, his professed followers. It is because I have
learned that the Central New York Society desires to live close
to the master and learn of him, as far a« he had advanced, that
I traveled so far to address you on this occult subject.
While some of the enemies of Homoeopathy, and some pro-
fessed followers of the Law of Cure, have said that this great
master was visionary, and many other harsh things, it may be
well to observe that he never ceased to think with strength ; his
very last thoughts are to be fully appreciated before we attempt
to walk alone, or build a philosophy out of other material.
Before entering upon a fuller discussion of the statements
which contain the master's conclusion, let us look into the life
of this great man, and see what manner of man was he, and how
1886.]
LECTURE UPON HOMCEOPATIIY.
was he led to such a conclusion relating to the invisible vital
dynamis. We want to know whether he reasoned it out by a
pure mental effort, or arrived at it after the use of potentized
medicines — as a result of experience.
Burnett says : " Of Hahnemann's father sufficient is known
to be sure that he was no ordinary man, inasmuch as he taught
the young Samuel to think for himself — for which purpose he is
said to have shut him up alone and given him a theme to think
out."
If Ameke's history be read it will be seen at once that Hah-
nemann displayed wonderful energy in securing his primary
training, as his father was a man of limited means.
Everywhere facts confirm the historian, wherein he states
that Hahnemann never admired metaphysical speculations ; he
always concluded on facts, never on theory or speculation. I
refer you to his essay on the " Speculative System of Medicine,"
Lesser Writings, p. 567, wherein a masterly handling of the
subject was done, showing a wonderful mind and a complete
knowledge of the medicine of his time, which he manipulated
so iconoclasticallv.
In 1792 he challenged the physicians to justify themselves
for the treatment administered Emperor Leopold II. Even
thus early the master-mind saw the perniciousness of the prac-
tice in vogue. Neither was he wanting in knowledge of many
sciences.
He was the first to make the proving of drugs a system.
From 1790 he continued the proving of drugs, and throughout
his writings he recommends the use of drugs only whose effects
are accurately known, which knowledge is to be discovered only
by proving upon the healthy ; and this is in keeping with his
manners and acts — everywhere we find exactitude of thought
and method.
AVhile translating Cul Jen's Materia Medioa, in 1790, he met
the hitter's explanation of the action of Cinchona bark in curing
chills and fever. Cullen attributes the curative influence to a
" strengthening power it exerts over the stomach." Hahnemann
refuses to accept this explanation, and cites the following : " Sub-
stances, such as strong coffee, pepper, arnica, ignatia, and arsenie,
which cause a kind of fever, extinguish the periodicity of fevers."
" For the sake of experiment, I took, for several days, four
drachms of good Cinchona bark twice a day." The results are
too well known to be recalled here ; but it will be observed that
Hahnemann did not refuse to accept Cullen's explanation with-
out a reason on definite information, while Cullen's opinion was
32
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
[Jan.,
a mere speculation, such as men feel compelled to offer when
expected to say something. From facts, Hahnemann was led
to remark that Ipecac must produce certain forms of artificial
fever in order to cure intermittent fever. Gradually was he
advancing by deduction to the great discovery of the Law of
Cure. Up to this time, while he had seen the evidence, he had
not formulated the similia similibus curantcr ; in fact, nothing is
seen of it until 1796, in an essay which appeared in Huf eland's
Journal, and is a part of the Lesser Writings, p. 295 — " Essay
on a New Principle for Discovering the Curative Power of
Drugs." In this paper he advises medicines in crude, but small,
doses. "In a dose just strong enough to produce scarcely per-
ceptible indication of the expected artificial disease." At this
time he had not discovered the nature of the vital dynamis.
In 1801 he wrote a paper, "Care and Prevention of Scarlet
Fever " (Lesser Writings, p. 3G9), wherein he recommended tinct.
Opium, one part to five hundred of alcohol, and one drop of
this to be shaken with five hundred of alcohol, the patient to
take one drop of this preparation at a dose.
It was after 1801 that his centesimal scale was brought into
use. In this year he used Bell, and Cham, in about the third
or fourth dilution.
Very soon he discovered that " the diminution of the action
of the drug was not proportionate to the diminution of its quan-
tity." Also the astounding fact became evident that " medicines
could be so diluted that neither physics nor chemistry could dis-
cover any medicinal matter in them, and yet they possessed great
healing power."
Hufeland says Hahnemann was the greatest chemist of his
day, therefore was not in ignorance of the actual inability of the
science to measure the quantity of medicine in his newly dis-
covered healing agencies. His enemies have said he was highly
educated in physics, botany, chemistry, geology, astronomy,
pharmacy, etc. His greatest and last attainment was his dis-
covery of dynamism, which has distinguished him from all men
and established a Hahnemannism that will stand as long as the
world stands.
They may run away with Homoeopathy and befoul it into a
modern nastiness, a mongrelism, and by virtue of might and
numbers vote it to mean anything they choose, but they have no
power to change Hahnemannism, which stands and must forever
stand as a living truth wherever men love truth and are not
afraid to speak their true convictions. I do not favor isms;
but, Mr. President, in this case our only safety is to stand by
1SSC]
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
33
this one for the simple reason that when any other name has
become popular it will be stolen as the honored name of Homoe-
opathy has been stolen, and is no longer an expression of the
doctrines of Hahnemann and its most conspicuous representa-
tives who do not make use of his methods. If an inquiring
allopath seek information of one of these modern representa-
tives, he will learn nothing of the teachings of Hahnemann.
Why is this? Simply because the colleges have not taught the
sixteenth section of the Primer. They have not taken neophytes
up through the primary work, but have placed them at work
with the advanced course, which is never learned without the
primer. Where have we such a parallel in other sciences? One
of the conditions necessary to the successful perpetuation of this
science is a knowledge of its first principles and how to teach
them.
Let us now proceed to inspect the various editions of this
Organon, and we see what a careful man our author was. He
was not a man to adopt a theory of others before having thor-
oughly tested it and having observed the facts upon which the
theory was based. Everywhere we see originality of thought,
firmness,- great power of observation, comparison, and most won-
derful reasoning. Metaphysical speculation was repulsive to him,
which he carefully avoided in the first edition of the Organon,
which was published in 1810. He was eminently practical in
all that he said and did. Thus, you will search in vain in all
the first four editions of the Organon for the term and idea of
the vital force. He only spoke of the interior of the organism.
In the seventh section of the first edition : " There must
exist in the medicine a healing principle; the understanding has
a presentiment of it, but its essence is not recognizable by us in
any way, only its utterances and actions can be known by ex-
perience."
Twenty-three years later, when seventy-eight years old, in
the fifth edition, published in 1833, in the ninth and tenth
sections, he distinctly calls a unit of action in the whole organ-
ism the vital force. From this it is evident Hahnemann arrived
at this conclusion after a long and practical experience, inasmuch
as he was led up to it by his early perception of the similar
vital principle contained in the medicine (see first ed., fifth
section), which is only recognized by its action upon the organ-
ism. I have nowr shown you that it was not metaphysical spec-
ulation that led the master to the idea of the vital dynamis,
but a long series of practical and experimental research.
If we would think for ourselves, let us inspect some of the
34
LECTUEE UPON IIOMCEOPATIIY.
[Jan.,
facts that relate to general medicine and see if we can answer
some of the questions that are propounded, and then revert to
the vital dynamis. We read in the time-honored text-books
that there is such a condition of the human body known as a
diathesis — in fact, several of them ; again, that these diatheses
are hereditary and predispose to disease. What is this diathesis
out of which grow so many diseases? In one subject comes
cancer; in another insanity; in another tuberculosis; and in
another epilepsy, or Bright's disease, or Hodgekin's disease.
What is the stromous diathesis? What is this state of bad
feeling that precedes any fixed organic change that locates in an
organ ? Can it be that this latent wrong in the vital power is
not worthy of consideration ? Can it be that the kidney can
take on structural change and become waxy without cause?
You must say, No ! What is the cause of this lesion, and why
do not these named exciting causes always produce the same
results, and why does not every person subjected to these excit-
ing causes become afflicted with wraxy kidneys ? You answer
because there is a predisposing, determining influence at work.
Yes, the diathesis. But the diathesis has no foundation in fact,
only a thing of the imagination. A convenient explanation
of unknown things ; a figure-head in the text-books, out of
which we have had no benefit, and learned no lesson from the
old school, whose literature has so wisely furnished us with a
meaningless lot of terms.
We read of the weakness, of the dropsy, etc., etc., coming
from Bright's disease, but we do not read of the pre-historic
symptoms ; are they of no value? Are thev not present? Yes,
they are present. Then what are they ? We read of exciting
and predisposing causes, but we do not read why a similar com-
bination of exciting and predisposing causes is not always fol-
lowed by Bright's disease. We have a right to ask this of a
system of medicine that claims scientific attention and public
patronage. Another example, if you please, we read of a self-
limited disease called scarlatina (scarlet fever). Any allopathist
will warm up in opposition if you tell him that scarlet fever is
not a self-limited disease. If it be a self-limited disease it
must result in resolution or death ; the child must recover by
statute of limitation, or — die. They do not all die; some
are left even under old-school treatment to tell the tale. From
these we learn that ear-discharges are the result of scarlatina.
This ortorrhoea is not a part of scarlatina — as according to
accepted teaching — that disease is self-limited. The child was a
picture of health before the scarlatina : then, what is this new
1886.]
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
35
trouble? Specialists treat the otorrhcea as if it were a new
disease per se ; if so, whence has it come and what is the nature
of it? A novice can tell you a long name and affirm that it is
catarrhal; but that is not satisfactory. Where did it come
from ? Did it come spontaneously, or was it the result of some
latent wrong in the vital dynamis? I say in the dynamis, as
there was no tissue change before, and the scarlatina has Jong
gone. We do not know that this new trouble is essentially
chronic ; and that in scarlet fever there is no chrunic element.
Xow, has this sore ear simply developed this, a propitious time?
Has the scarlatina so weakened the mucous membrane of the
aural tubes that they became the favorite sites for the expression
of a something that the disease when badly treated has aroused
into action? I say when badly treated, because when the
disease is properly treated, otorrhoea does not follow. I no
longer see such troubles, and have not had them since I have
been able to recognize their true nature. What is this some-
thing that may exist for years in a latent state — be handed down
from generation to generation, and come to view at any time
and cause chronic troubles to follow self-limited diseases? We
have a right to a civil answer to a question of this kind. If a
vital wrong is capable of existing for years in an invisible state
outside of the tissues, there must be some invisible precinct that
stores it or it does not exist. Can it now be doubted that a
disease may exist for years with or without a morbid anatomy?
Rokitensky says scrofula has no morbid anatomy. To be
logical, according to the material school, there is no scrofula
and no stroma ; that scrofulous manifestations have no cause,
and consequently, no reality. Why do not all injuries of the
syrovial membranes of the iliofemoral articulation result in
hip-joint disease? Why do some abscesses close with the evac-
uation of pus, and others form sinuses and fistula?? Look
where you may in literature other than Hahnemannian, and
you will find mere speculation, theory, and no practical deduc-
tion.
Hahnemann describes three constitutional miasms that may
exist in latency, that develop and progress in the vital u dyna-
mis without M changing the tissues that may spring into de-
structive activity and attack organs and give shape to countless
lesions called disease; that these miasms should be recognized
as primary wrongs out of which grow incurable maladies, and
all structural changes. Shall we learn a lesson from these re-
flections, or shall we pass them as mere theories ? Hahnemann
teaches the nature of these miasms; it is not my province to
36
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
[Jan.,
discuss them, but to simply call them up as the essentials to the
complete study of the sixteenth section. The questions to be
answered from all these are :
First. Have we such a condition as an invisible immaterial
disease ?
Second. If so, are all diseases of the same nature, and
Third. Is 'it rational to attempt to nullify a disease of im-
material nature by material substances ?
Hahnemann's early deduction was that disease, being of an
immaterial nature, could develop only on a similar basis or in a
similar sphere, when in contact with a similar quality of force;
and to again reach it curatively, a force must be found equally
as immaterial.
The mystery of the vital force for all practical purposes in
the healing art has been solved by the immortal Hahnemann,
and named the vital dynamis. His deductions are summed up
in the sixteenth section. This section furnishes the keystone
to the doctrines of Hahnemannism, and without which the
great arch must flatten and collapse; without this finishing
doctrine his followers would be where all are who have rejected
it — floundering in the mire of uncertainty and floating in the
swift and muddy rivers of guesswork and disappointment.
The study of the sixteenth section clearly sums up what the
great philosopher believed disease to be. Let us enter this
wilderness and see where we are directed. If we accept the
teachings we must admit that (the results of disease) lesions,
tissue changes, cannot be considered as primary expressions of
disease, but as a consequence. The molecular vibrations or
vital activities give evidence of life either changed or in equi-
librium. It is life even in sickness, as death can only And
expression primarily in cell changes, which is no part of our
vital activities, yet a warning that a continuance of the expres-
sions of wrong life must mean progressive death. To consider
life in the sense that Hahnemann looked upon it, is normal
activities within the organism, and we must then look upon
these normal activities changed by cause to be abnormal, which
is disease. The only evidence of disease is the definite expres-
sions that deviate from the normal, which we choose to denomi-
nate the language of the vital wrong (section 7), " Hence,
the totality of these symptoms, this outwardly reflected image of
the inner nature of the disease, i. e., of the suffering vital force.
Localization is at all times a secondary state or the result of
disease, while changed feelings are the primary manifestations.
The primary or changed feelings often escape observation, as in
1886.]
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
37
a gonorrhoea ; but the disease lias been pervading the economy
for a period of eight days, and the localization finally appears
as a discharge. The same is true of all contagious diseases, and
as far as is known, of every disease. If we look upon disease
with any other view and consider it per se when it localizes
itself, and then search for a name to fit it, by virtue of its
morbid anatomy, or its location, we trace it to its observable
beginning, and as though it had no cause, and study it in re-
lation to changed cells as a something with only an ending —
but with no beginning. But when looking at all tissue changes
as the result of disease, we are in position to inquire : What is
the disease proper? This guides into the pre-historic state when
there were no tissue changes, and yet there will be found ample
expressions to convince us that all was not perfect in the invisi-
ble vital kingdom, where the microscope has given us no infor-
mation, and the scalpel has not been directed. Then it is with
this pre-historic state, these vital activities, that we have to deal.
Before the change in the tissue has occurred there must have
been a cause of morbid vibrations — a condition of morbid vital
activities, or cell-changes could not have been wrought. What
is the nature of that state or condition that existed before the
tissues and cells changed their shape? There must be two, the
right and the wrong; the former the correct life function known
by the absence of all subjective sensations — a feeling of bodily
comfort and ease; and the latter by the presence of subjective
morbid feelings. The former is known as health, and the latter
as sickness or disease. These cannot be measured as a quantitative
influence, as the cause is only qualitative in itself, and its results
are but a perversion of a proper force. It will be as difficult
to demonstrate that quantitative influence is necessary to pro-
duce vital changes as to demonstrate that there is a measurable
quantity in noxious forces so hurtful to man. Therefore, we
may conclude that causes purely qualitative act destructively.
We now have the right to assume that all vital changes pri-
marily are ouly qualitative in the sense of misapplied force,
and that these morbid vibrations are the disease, and all there
is of disease per se.
Now, we may assume that life is a dynamis capable of perpetu-
ating its own identity when the medium through which it acts
is not destroyed or impaired. Again, to act upon the dynamis
and not disturb the medium there must be a force brought in
relation with the vital force equally as qualitative and as free
from quantitative consideration. It hardly needs further demon-
stration to show that this vital perversion is possible, but we ob-
38
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
[Jan.,
serve daily the wrong feelings that have been known to exist
for years without quantitative changes or localization. Thus
have we arrived at Hahnemann's conclusion. But now we glean
that if an equally subtle dy namis is necessary to cause disease
and disturb the harmonious relations of the vital activities —
and it is admitted that the Law of Similars expresses the curative
relation and the only law of the kind known to man — must we
not conclude that this curative power or force, to be a corrective
principle, must be equally qualitative and subtle with the life-
principle, with the disease cause, with the disease itself? The
vital affinity cannot appear between forces of foreign rela-
tions ; they must be similar in quality and devoid of quantity.
Power used in the sense of overpowering an antagonist has no
place in the science of homoeopathies, but it is a consideration of
a given force deranged or perverted to be simply harmonized and
restored to equilibrium.
It will at once be observed that a surplus of force is impossible
only as a surplus in a qualitative relation which has no part in
the similitude of a purely qualitative problem. To attain the
highest degree of similitude, not the quantity of a given power,
is the aim. The similar in quality with similar expressions of
activity is the sine qua non, as we have demonstrated, that there
is no quantity necessary in the consideration. Therefore, if this
be only a spirit-like dynamis — and I believe the demonstration
is clear — all of the quantity taken or made use of must be that
much more than similar — therefore, unlike — and that much
more than the demand to restore equilibrium ; in other words,
contrary and in no relation curative. Not in any sense restora-
tive, but, on the contrary, retarding the return to normal vibra-
tion by impairing the medium through which the vital dynamis
must operate. In relation to cure, it has so often been said by
the master there was yet too much medicine to cure. The dose
is yet too large to cure. The use of the term quantity conveys
the idea of strength, which has no part in any homoeopathic
sense as related to a curative agency. To reduce remedial agents
to primitive identity of a qualitative character only that they
may act through the new medium, is the aim of the true healer.
Not until they are divested of their own media can they be
quickly corrective or be active in any sense as similar agencies.
This view may appear to oppose some statements of Hahne-
mann. In section 45, " The stronger disease will overcome the
weaker one." This is only apparent. The two diseases, being
partially similar, overcome each other only in part; but the part
of the one overcome only in part reproduces itself and runs its
1886.]
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
30
course unmolested." In section 34, " For it is by virtue of the
similitude, combined with greater intensity." This statement
may be correct ; but I believe it to be only apparent, and that
the similitude is the only necessary demand for the destruction
of both, or, rather, the correction of the wrong in the dynamis
or spirit-like vital force. There being no entity, there can be
nothing to overpower — only a perverted effort to be corrected.
Any disease will subside apparently by natural decline when met
by a noxious influence of similardynamis or sick-making possibil-
ities, regardless of intensity. This view strengthens the Law of
Similars and is in harmony with immaterial activities. It is not
adding a new force, but applying a force to correct a perverted
life-principle.
The noxious, disease-producing influences have nothing in
common with material agencies. When so crude that they can
be seen and manipulated, they are feeble sick-making agencies.
[The skeptical experimenters, in provings made with attenua-
tions, forgot that a special predisposition is frequently necessary
for contagion, and that this predisposition cannot be made to
order, but must be utilized when found, which affords a propi-
tious opportunity for the pure experiment through which we
discover the sick-making power of drugs ] (Section 31.) The
dangerous and most noxious agencies are of the unknown. The
most astute have failed to find the cholera or yellow fever causes.
The cause of small-pox is yet unknown. The subtle influence
that in one stroke swoops down upon a village is not measur-
able by our crude senses. The small-pox poison, when attenu-
ated with millions of volumes of atmospheric air, comes to the
surface through the mails and through old clothing by inhalation
and 'he slightest contact. The impression wrought upon this
spirit-like dynamis accumulates until the medium is threatened
with destruction — all from a simple perverted life-force.
In this sixteenth section : " Neither can the physician free the
vital force from any of these morbid disturbances." No, because
the life force being an immaterial force like electricity, there is
nothing to purge out, nor puke out. but a simple vital perversion
to be corrected, and as the wrong is essentially immaterial,
nothing but an immaterial something can be similar enough to
it to act upon it as a corrective. A material substance may
change the organism and thereby suppress or suspend an imma-
terial wrong, but the latter will return so soon as the former, its
medium, resumes its normal conductivity. It will be observed
at once that the essentials of cure do not exist in operations
upon the organisms, and as material substances operate largely
3
40
LKClTKK ITOX H<)M<K()I\\TIIY.
[Jan.,
through the organisms, the true disease is not reached. The
object then must be to avoid operating upon the organism and
essentially through the vital impulses by correcting the perverted
vital activities. The causes of disease existing in a highly
attenuated form are similar in equality to the vital dynamis ;
hence the affinity or susceptibility. This same affinity must be
acquired by a drug substance. The attenuation must be carried
on until a correspondence of spheres has been reached, or until
resistance is no longer possible. The point of the highest degree
of similitude in quality between two activities is variable, as it
is in a degree observable in a very wide range of attenuation, as
many quick cures are observed from low attenuations, but, more
commonly, the high and highest attenuations furnish the most
striking examples. That low potencies cure, nobody disputes ;
and this does not refute the doctrine ; but it must be admitted
that it is by virtue of the inherent dynamic principle that it is
curative, though more feebly curative in the low than when the
drug is attenuated to a quality equal to the quality of the
attenuated disease cure and the qualitative vital dynamis. The
striking changes sometimes observed from low attenuations are
the results of primary action on the organism which Hahnemann
seeks to avoid. To bring about such results medicines must be
repeated, while a single dose of the attenuated medicine would
prove curative, and not influence the organism primarily. From
a practical standpoint let us look upon the results of obeying
the instructions of the master, who was always guided in his
later years by the doctrine of the sixteenth section, and contrast
them with the results of those who disobey this teaching.
The former class has followed closely the master's teachings,
accepting the dynamic doctrine, and in this line have they made
their cures, with the same evidence claimed by the other class,
simply the patients recover. They have not felt the need of
other methods than those taught by Hahnemann. They have
not gone backwards, but, on the contrary, they have made some
progress. How have they progressed ? Let us see. If you
will consult section 41 of the Organon you will see. Here
we see that Hahnemann declares it almost impossible to
eradicate some diseases because they had been complicated with
drugs having no relation to the disease. He says that his reme-
dies were always capable of curing effectually all simple diseases.
Hahnemann then used but the thirty-sixth cent, potency when
this section was written with few exceptions. What have his
faithful followers to say as proof of the truth of the doctrine and
as proof of progress ? That many of these most complicated
1886.]
LECTURE UPON HOMOEOPATHY.
II
diseases can be wiped out. That the drug symptoms can be
subdued by very high attenuations, leaving the simple original
disease to manifest itself through the natural medium, when it
can be cured by the thirtieth potency of the master. They who
have rejected this doctrine as a dogma have never seen this work
and they never will. Yes, we shall progress if we observe facts,
and unflinchiiiglv clinjr to the doctrines of the immortal Hahne-
raann. Let us look at the contrast. What can be said of this
class? Their cures are only a deception. Had they really cured
their cases they would not need to resort to the latest whim of
an empirical profession. They have abandoned the teaching of
the sixteenth section, and what is the result? They know that
they cannot cure the sick, and they even refuse to believe that
any one else can. You never dispute a cure where it is in keep-
ing with your daily observations. They say that ague must
have Quinine, when the follower of the master cures all his cases
with the attenuated appropriate remedy. The materia medica
that has been found so satisfactory in the hands of Hahnemann
and his followers has been a failure and it needs revising.
There must be something wrong and we want no greater evi-
dence of their failure than that the chief defamer, J. P. Dake,
requires in his practice a large stock of Warner's sugar-coated
pills, composed of crude medicines. If this be true of the chief,
what in the name of heaven must the lesser lights need, who
must, of course, be less skilled ? They have declared that any
one who simply selects his remedy under the Law of Similars
is as high as he can attain in the art of healing; and he may
thereafter cover his patients with mustard, and apply all the
local measures he chooses. Even they say that the local treat-
ment is assisted by the internal remedy.
The first departure from the dynamic doctrine is dangerous
and leads toward non-success, and careless method is the out-
come. Safety comes from simply not following the law of se-
lection, but also the teaching of the sixteenth section must be
heeded. Look at the alternation departure, and see the laziness
of his thoughts. Examine the prescription file in any drug
store of a large city. What do you find ? Simply a lot of pre-
scriptions called homoeopathic whose only element of Homoeop-
athy is the signature of a long professed homoeopathic practi-
tioner.
Hahnemann regarded this vital dynamis as a unit of force
(see section 15), and the departure from health as a unit of
force. We cannot study the sixteenth section and ignore this
portion of the dynamic doctrine. How absurd must it appear
42
IN MEMORTAM.
[Jan.,
to one who has a clear comprehension of these truths to consider
for one moment the problem of alternation which the master
has so unequivocally condemned in section 272, and its note.
Take a mental state that clearly indicates Xux vomica, and asso-
ciate it with a Pulsatilla menstrual condition, with menses too
late, scanty, and pale. In the former Pulsatilla is contra-indi-
cated by the crabbed temper; in the latter Nux is contra-indi-
cated by the conditions of the menstrual flow. The two, there-
fore, are contra-indicated, neither of them corresponding to the
unit of force known by the totality of symptoms. Can it be
possible that by combining them it will make either or both
homoeopathic to the demand of this unit ? Hahnemann every-
where speaks of using only such medicines as are accurately un-
derstood by having been proved on the healthy human body.
Here we have a compound about which little is known. Can it
appear rational to suppose, or assume, that with a compound
unknown, composed of elements neither of which is homoeo-
pathic to this unit of force, that they can act uniformly cura-
tively? These departures, wherein the doctrine of the sixteenth
section is not heeded, are the foundation of all ill-success ; of
the cry for a revised materia medica, and of so-called modern
Homoeopathy. I must say again, that modern Homoeopathy is
built out of the departures from the doctrines of the immortal
Hahnemann. These men have found the materia medica so in-
adaptable to their wants, that a majority of their prescriptions
are composed of crude drugs. These departurists have so de-
parted from the methods of Hahnemann that the homoeopathic
profession as a mass is to-day but a caricature, having violated
every principle of the philosophy that has anything distinctive.
They may find momentary comfort in it, but every true man
must feel like uttering, " Father, forgive them, they know not
what they do."
IN MEMORIAM.
Professor E. A. Farringtox, M. D.
It is with great regret that we announce the death of Dr. E.
A. Farrington, which occurred during the night of Wednesday,
December 15th. Dr. Farrington had been sick for about one
year. During the last summer he went to Europe, hoping for
benefit from rest and change ; but, unfortunately, he was rather
injured than benefited by the trip. During the latter days of
1886J
NOTES CLINICAL AND PATHOGENETIC.
43
his illness Dr. Farrington was under the care of Dr. Charles G.
Raue, with Dr. Adolph Lippe as consultant ; had he fallen
earlier into such good hands something might have been done
for him. Dr. Farrington was born at Williamsburg, Long
Island, on January 1st, 1847. He was educated in Philadelphia,
and was graduated from the High School in 1866. In 1868,
after studying medicine in the Homoeopathic Medical College
and completing his course in the Hahnemann Medical College,
he was graduated. Two years later he was appointed lecturer
on Forensic Medicine in Hahnemann Medical College, and in
1873 he became Professor of General and Special Pathology
and Diagnosis in the same institution. He was elected to the
chair of Materia Medica in 1874, and achieved a high reputa-
tion as a teacher. He made frequent contributions to medical
literature, and edited a revision of Heriiu/s Condensed Materia
Medica. -At the time of his death he was one of the editors of
the Hahnemann Monthly. Dr. Farrington was a member of
the various National, State, and County Homoeopathic Medical
Societies, and was well known to the members of the fraternity
generally.
Dr. Farrington's death will be a serious loss to the " Homoeo-
pathic " Medical School of this city, for he was their ablest and
best teacher, being probably the onh/ consistent homoeopath
teaching in that institution.
To his friends, colleagues, and to the profession in general
his death will be long lamented. Our school has so few good
men teaching the great truths of Homoeopathy that it can ill
afford to lose one. E. J. L.
NOTES CLINICAL AND PATHOGENETIC1.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
(7.) Ranunc. bulb. — Mr. J. had diarrhoea for a week ; color-
less, watery, painless, a little frothy, generally coming in one gush,
about six times daily. Orotorf* had only temporarily relieved.
Ranunc. bidb.K0° (Jenichen) cured. This verifies Dr. D. Wilson's
involuntary proving recorded in N. A. J. H. new series, II,
55.
(8.) KaM-oarb. — Miss H. had for two or three days stiffness
in left nape and down left inner scapula, worse after waking up,
after lying in bed for some time, and worse by laughing. One
dose of Kali-carb.cm (F. C.) cured rapidly.
Nat. mur.cm (F. C.) three times a day removed the following
44
BOOK NOTICES.
[Jan.,
symptoms : During diarrhoea, scraping in rectum. Fissure in
external canthi, first left, then right, with dragging pains therein ;
craving for salt.
Subsequently patient had a return of fissure in left external
canthus, with pain as if it were being torn open. A repetition of
the remedy cured again, the pain being removed first. Patient,
however, improperly continued the medicine every two hours or
so for thirty- six hours. This caused a feeling of a hair on
tongue, commencing on right side of tongue about halfway
between root and tip, and extending across tongue to left side ;
then it went underneath tongue to lower gums, and under arti-
ficial place in lower jaw, all on left side ; then it crept along in-
side of lower lip to right side ; also feeling of hair entangled in
left lower teeth ; this lasted some hours, improved an hour or
two after leaving off medicine, and ceased during night. After
the hair feeling had ceased a dislike for bread came on and
lasted some days.
Kali-biehrom.cm (F. C.) three times a day cured " like magic"
a film on urine and heavy sputa.
Aluminacm (F. C), three or four doses, removed in two or
three days pains in right kidney, soreness there, and as if full
of small stones ; red sand in urine, feels as if sand was prick-
ing in urethra; numbness and tingling down right leg and up
to right scapula. Potatoes disagree.
Mercurius vivus cm (F. C.) every two hours for severe ophthal-
mia, caused terrible stinging in vagina, " making her jump
relieved by pressing legs together and sitting down hard or by
pressure with hand.
Kali-carb.cm (F. C), three doses removed " like magic " pain
right across sacrum, like labor-pains ; feeling of tightening of
skin of lower abdomen; feeling of weight in abdomen on walk-
ing, and especially on standing.
BOOK NOTICES.
A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesy. Issued under the
auspices of the British Homoeopathic Society and the American
Institute. Edited by Richard Hughes, M. D., and J. P. Dake,
M. D. Part II. London : E. Gould & Son. New York :
Boericke & Tafel. 1885.
Part I of this Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy was issued last spring. Part
II, now before us, carries the revision (!) from Agaricus to Arnica, inclusive.
Of the nature of the work we hardly know how to write ; to us it is the veri-
est trash — incomprehensible jargon ! This may be more clearly stated by
1886.]
BOOK NOTICES.
45
saying the work consists of the daybooks of the proceps with all the useful
and peculiar symptoms carefully omitted! Of what use it can be to a practic-
ing physician we are unable to guess.
In recent numbers of the Homeopathic World (London), Dr. Berridge has
been showing how in orrect and useless was Part I ; the same can be shown
of this Part II.
The work is so badly arranged that one could scarcely find valuable symp-
toms were any in it. E. J. L.
The Clinical Review,
Of Cleveland, Ohio, is a new monthly journal devoted to homoeopathic
therapeutics. Its editor is C. L. Cleveland, M. D.
In his salutatory the editor gives his reason for starting a new journal. He
also incidentally refers to the Old School as the "suppressive school " of
medicine. The name is a good one. We wish the new journal a prosperous
career. W. M. J.
The Biochemical Treatment of Disease. By Dr. Med.
Schussler, Oldenburg, Germany. Twelfth edition. Translated,
with addition of a Repertory, by J. T. O'Connor, M. D. Pp.
94. Philadelphia : F. E. Boericke, Hahnemann Publishing
House. 1885.
Dr. Schussler's theories about curing diseases by the use of u tissue reme-
dies" are well known. These remedies are invaluable when properly indi-
cated ; never in other cases. We have provings of these remedies and daily
use them for such symptoms as their pathogeneses show them to be useful.
Why, then, resort to any theories on their use and value? Dr. Schussler is
well known in Oldenburg and has a very large practice there.
In this twelfth edition there is an appendix giving a series of clinical re-
ports showing what has been done by these remedies.
The repertorv, bv Dr. O'Connor, is also a new and a valuable feature.
E. J. L.
The Prescriber : A Dictionary of the New Thera-
peutics. By John H. Clarke, M. D. Edinburgh and Lon-
dor : Keene & Ashwell. New York : Boericke & Tafel. 1885.
This is a small pocket-book designed to assist the homoeopathic practitioner
at the bedside; it may be called a ready reference book.
The plan of arrangement is excellent for the benefit of those who have not
an extensive knowledge of the " new therapeutics." The various diseases and
ailments are placed in alphabetical order in large type and then follow a few
lines of indications for the remedies. Not only is the remedy given, but its
attenuation (generally very low — first, second, third, etc.) also, and frequency
of repetition.
We consider its therapeutics, however, objectionable. It recommends alter*
nation of remedies, which is contrary to the plainest principles of Homce-
opathy. There are no provings of alternated remedies existing: consequently
it is not possible to know when any given combination of drugs in alternation
is indicated. Those who alternate will, however, claim to have authority
from the independent provings of each remedy. This, however, is an assump-
tion, and at once relegates the homceopathist to the ranks of the old school,
where speculation and theory are rampant, and justifies the conclusion that
Homoeopathy has not advanced beyond the dominant practice. So few reme-
dies are mentioned under each disease and such meagre indications are given
46
NOTES AND NOTICES.
[Jan., 1886.
for thein that a physician not properly educated, who is striving to become a
homoeopathist and uses this book, must inevitably fall into routine practice
and routine failures. Moreover, he commits the error of supposing that it is
the correct thing to prescribe for a disease rather than for the sick individual.
Thus, we can give only a qualified indorsement of this book. If, however,
the physician using it is aware of the above-mentioned defects and guards
against them, he may consult it with advantage. W. M. J.
A Treatise on the Breast and its Surgical Dis-
eases. By H. S. Ostrom, M. D. Second edition. Pp. .
New York : A. L. Chatterton & Co. 1885.
The first edition of this valuable work was issued in 1877, and, as the
author rightly states, so much has been added to our knowledge of these
diseases since then as to make this edition practically a new book.
And beginning with descriptions of the mammary gland in health, Dr.
Ostrom gives next a description of mammary diseases, such as inflammation,
abscesses, and the various tumors.
Of the treatment advised, we may briefly epitomize it as recommending
internal treatment firs', and when that fails (as, alas ! it does too frequently)
the knife as a last resort. This, we believe, is about the present status of our
practice, though some skillful prescribes have conducted cancerous patients
even to their last days with internal medication, and their suffering has been
so slight and their end so comfortable that even opiates could never have
given greater comfort.
This book is well written, is " up to the times," and will be found of value,
as are all of Dr. Ostrom's works. E. J. L.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
The Truth in a Nutshell: Question: — Is not Sulphur a good remedy
in most diseases? — Q.
Ans. — Yes, when indicated; just as several hundred other drugs are. — Peo-
ple1 s Health Journal.
So Do We ! —A subscriber writes : " May The Homoeopathic Physician
live long and do its work. I wish some one would bequeath to it one hun-
dred thousand dollars!" So do we.
Oldest and Ablest. — Dr. Henry Detwiller, of Easton, was ninety years
old on Friday, December 18th. He is the oldest homoeopathic physician in
this c mntry in active practice and has spent his entire professional life in
Easton, Pennsylvania. He is still a leading physician in Easton, Pa.
The " students' number " of the Progres Medical, describing the status of
medical education in thirty countries containing medical schools, makes it
appear that the requirements for a medical degree are lower in the United
States than in anv of the places named, excepting China and Turkev. — N.
Y.Sun.
Vaccination: Per Oram. — A London paper says that an apothecary of
Thorndale had just received a fre*h supply of vaccine points, and some of
them happened to be exposed to view on his counter. A burly farmer from
that neighborhood was in at the time and amused himself by using one of the
points as a toothpick, pricking his gums in the operation. It "took" in the
most approved style, and the man is now in possession of a. mouth that is
crowding all the other features of his face out of shape.
Homeopathic Physician,
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constanti^e hering.
Vol. VI. FEBRUARY, 1886. No. 2.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA, ITS
STUDY AND ITS USES.*
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
The successful discharge of the duties of practical medicine
implies a knowledge of many sciences. Without a knowledge
of the anatomy of the organism, how can we come to an ac-
quaintance with the various functions of its many parts? With-
out knowledge of these, in their balanced action, which we call
health, how can we know the disturbances of this balance which
alone constitute the sicknesses with which practical medicine is to
deal ? How are we to proceed in dealing with these many dis-
turbances, to restore the lost balance without a knowledge of the
agents which by natural law are constituted the factors to be
employed in this restoration ? How select the right one if we
know not the law of relationship between the agents which
cure and the disturbances in life action which are to be cured ?
How can this relationship be discovered if we know not the
exact nature of the disturbances to which the curing agent is to
be applied in exactest similarity, if these are to be dealt with
according to law ? Thus we see the connection between the
sciences, a knowledge of which together constitutes a medical
education. First, anatomy, then physiology, then pathology
(don't be deceived by this word and suppose it means something
* An introductory lecture to the course on Materia Medica in the Woman's
Homoeopathic Medical College of New York, for the session of 1835-6.
47
48 THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA. [Feb.,
more or different from these disturbed forces of life, which we
commonly designate as the "totality of the symptoms" for this
is just what intelligent pathology is, and there is no other),
then materia medica, and then the natural law on which the
whole science of therapeutics rests. These are but parts of the
knowledge which you are supposed to be about to begin the
pursuit of, which is to end only in a mastery of it. They
are but parts, but they are essential parts, each of them, to a
successful life of practical healing. These constitute a circle,
which, either of these elements wanting, is broken, and intelli-
gent practical life as a healer is, by this defect, made impossi-
ble. It cannot be said of either of these elements that it is
more necessary to a complete medical education than are the
others. Each is indispensable — neither can be left out.
But of these, we are now only to be engaged with the science
of materia medica. What constitutes this science? How is it
made up? It is a knowledge of whatever material agent which
has in itself the powTer to make the living organism sick, i. e., to
so disturb the action of its life forces that the conservative
balance of that action is lost. Whatever form of matter has
this power may be rightfully incorporated into our materia
medica, but only after it has been proved on that organism,
and the kind of disturbances it causes of each part and function
of it has been ascertained. It is this knowledge in detail of
the sick-making powers which are locked up in the different
forms of matter which constitutes the science of materia medica.
It is not a little marvelous the great extent to which these
powers are diffused through the multitude of material forms we
meet in our study of external material nature. Many of the
most important are found where the most enlightened intelli-
gence would least have expected to meet them. The number
of these surprises has become so great that some who have been
most diligent students of this science and active in its develop-
ment have come to the conclusion that every form of matter
has its own peculiar sick-making power wTithin itself, which
may be set free and made active by the process of liberation
discovered by Hahnemann, which he first and fully described in
his Organon of Homoeopathic Medicine. We have said, and
understandingly, many of these sick-making powers are locked
up in the material forms in which it pleased the Creator to plant
them. Our meaning will be plain if we name Silicea, Calcarea,
and Charcoal as examples. These, as developed for practical
clinical use, are of the giants of our materia medica, while in
their natural state they would be the last to be suspected of
1886.] THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA. 49
sick-making powers. In the present state of our knowledge
we certainly are not in a condition to deny the truth of the sug-
gested universality of these powers.
And then how great is our admiration when we see each
form of matter carrying in itself this power, presenting it to
us in a clear and distinct individuality not to be mistaken or
confounded with that of any other, nor, in clinical uses, admit-
ting of any interchange or substitution. However great the
similarity of the action of any two agents, the differences are as
great and real, and these confine each agent to its own sphere in
specific clinical duties, where it gives place to no other, and
divides neither honors nor responsibilities with even its nearest
relative.
It can hardly fail but that the observing mind will recognize
the true nature of this sick-making and curing power (for, ap-
parently, they are one and the same) after a very slight oppor-
tunity to observe its action as found in the clinical use of such
substances as we have mentioned. A prover may swallow many
grains of Silex or Carbonate of Lime and realize nothing of the
many and most important effects of these grandest of remedies,
credited to them by those who have given us our record of their
action on living organs and functions. Or the patient, ill of
any of the varied forms of tubercular manifestation, may swal-
low as many and realize nothing of the healing which has fol-
lowed the use of those apparently inert substances after a proper
manipulation has made them meet for clinical use. This fact,
properly considered, is the first we should present to show the
true nature of the power which cures, and which, as students of
materia medica, it is of the highest importance we shall clearly
understand. The observation in relation to these two substances
is true of many others — of earths, metals, and vegetable sub-
stances— apparently mild and innocuous. They are quiet and
harmless till the giant within them is aroused, and then who
can measure their power for good or evil, according as they are
used? Is this power, so brought into sensible being, the matter
of the drug, and this difference between its crude and its man-
ipulated state, only the result of mechanical division of the
material molecules of the drug matter? This view has been
accepted as explaining this difference in former times by many
of our best observers and thinkers. But we believe we make
no mistake when we say the explanation is wholly inadequate
to dispose of the problem as presented to us in our more recent
homoeopathic experiences. Mere division of drug matter, which
in its natural state is inert, as related to living organs and
50 THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA. [Feb,
functions, would result only in multiplying the number of
inert bodies. Inert in the mass would seem to give us only
inertness in the molecule. It is not easy to see how mechanical
division can have changed their nature. But it is said division
permits contact of a greater number of molecules with living
surfaces, and, therefore, the greater effect is realized. How can
this be if the molecules are inert? Multiplication and contact
cannot change their nature. We speak, of course, of such sub-
stances as Silex and Lime. But the inadequacy of the explana-
tion is more apparent if Ave take for illustration Natrum muri-
aticum. This salt is taken by ns daily in almost every form of
food. It is very soluble, and so gives greatest facility for
separation of its molecular constitution, and yet it does not
make us sick. The fact has puzzled many ingenious minds and
made others skeptical as to its possessing sick-making power at
all. This skepticism led our worthy, honest, intelligent, and
industrious friends in Vienna to try it. This was certainly
better than the ordinary resort of skepticism — dry negation.
And the result was better. They tried the crude, soluble salt
in large doses; they took plenty of it, and yet were not made
sick. They were on the point of deciding — no sick-making
power, for they had no symptoms of sickness. They had the
wisdom or good luck, after this failure, to take the salt which had
been manipulated for homoeopathic use — these men who only be-
lieved in drug matter — and the result was they were both aston-
ished and made sick. They now had plenty of symptoms, but
no place for skepticism. Of this they were perfectly and per-
manently cured, though they said it was against their prejudices
and their will. This salt, taken in half-ounce, ounce, and two-
ounce doses, gave no symptoms. This could not be for lack of
division of its material particles, for ns ready solubility made
this fact most easy of accomplishment — if not, as used, inevit-
able— and yet, even from these inordinate doses, there were no
symptoms. These experiments of the Vienna provers go far
toward a revelation of the true nature of that in the drug which
makes sick, and to show that this is not the matter of the drug.
As we have said, a right view of the nature of the power
which cures is essential to a student of materia medica if he is
to come to an intelligent and rational understanding of the
science. We now add, it is indispensable to the practitioner of
specific medicine, if he is to realize in his practical duties the
successes in healing which this makes possible. How can he
make a right and intelligent use of the means specific medicine
places in his hands if he is in the dark as to the true nature of
1836.] THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA.
51
those means, or under the delusions of false judgment as to ibis
and the true nature of that which these means are expected to
cure? He can only realize results which are the natural fruits
of delusions, or, if he escape these, it must be as the consequence
of a fortunate blunder. Now, young ladies, as we hope for bet-
ter things of you in your future practical lives than succes-
sions of failures and blunders, to aid in the realization of this
hope we shall attempt somewhat further to elucidate this prin-
ciple of fundamental importance in your studies now and in your
practical lives hereafter. If you begin right, your studies and
your practice may be made by this fact the more in the light and
freedom of truth.
There is another way in which manipulated drugs act in a
manner wholly characteristic of them, which action confirms the
immaterial nature of the agency which acts when they make or-
gans and functions sick. This has been many times experienced
in cases of persons who are occasionally met who are subjects of
preternatural sensitiveness to the action of drugs. We are by no
means certain that this peculiar action is limited to the experi-
ence of these supersensitive persons. We have only seen it in
these. We have heard of it in connection with others who, so
far as we know, have given no other manifestation of uncommon
sensitiveness to the action of drugs. This peculiar action was
first seen by me in a patient of this unfortunate character many
years ago. She held a small, corked phial, in which were pel-
lets medicated with the thirtieth number of Pulsatilla, between
her thumb and forefinger. In about two minutes she said : u I
feel it going up my arni." I immediately took the phial from
her and returned it to my pocket-case, where it belonged. I had
hardiy replaced it when she gave a despairing shriek and de-
clared she felt as if " all her hope was going from her." Her
aspect was that of perfect despair. She wept violently, her
tears ran down copiously, and she complained bitterly while I
sat and wrote the account she gave of her sufferings till I had
covered two pages of my pocket-case book. On comparing these
notes with the record of Pulsatilla, they were found to be little
else than a good English translation of that record. My Materia
Medina was in German.
Mrs. F. B., fifty-four years of age, held in her hand a phial
containing some pellets charged with the 6M (of Fineke's fluxion
potencies) of Lack. In four minutes she had evidence of the
action of the drug, which continued six days. She had a repeti-
tion of more than forty of the symptoms of Hering's original
proving of Lochesis. If any are disposed to regard this speci-
52
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA.
[Feb.,
men of a potentized drug as extreme and extravagant and as
unworthy of confidence because of the extent to which its dyna-
mization had been carried, let him be instructed by the results
of the experience of this intelligent lady. From the standpoint
of the materialist, no doubt, this form of medicinal preparation
is an absurdity. But her experiences were facts, and, being
facts, they effectually expose the falsehood of the views and ob-
jections of the materialist as to drug nature and action. By
this experiment this lady was also cured of a chronic ailment of
many years' standing. Can skepticism in this case annihilate
this fact, and, by its negation, make her sick again?
My late friend, Dr. E. T. Richardson, made an excellent
proving of Laches is from holding a phial containing medicated
pellets of the drug. So far as I know, he had exhibited no
signs of supersensitiveness to drug action before or after this
proving.
H. H., a young physician not known to be supersensitive,
held a phial of medicated pellets till it became so painful he
could hold it no longer and had symptoms for several days. On
the second day he was attacked with the perfectly characteristic
inflammation of the throat the medicine in the phial causes. The
medicine was also Lachesis.
Now, in these cases, that which makes sick passed through
solid glass into the organism, or these four persons were falsi-
fiers, deceivers, or deceived. The person who was the subject
of my own observation was a lady of middle age, of average
intelligence, of unblemished character. She did not know the
medicine in the phial, and, if she had known its name, she
knew nothing of its nature or action. And yet she had such
an experience of that action as I will venture to say she never
forgot. The expression of the countenance and the mental
symptoms were such as others had experienced who had taken
large doses of the medicine. The language in which the effects
of these large doses were recorded was translated with exactness
in the expressions of this suffering woman. If the expression
of her countenance were a false pretense, it was the most remark-
able specimen of acting I ever saw, and I have seen much of
this, and by the very best of dramatic artists. Now, these two
pages of symptoms which I witnessed and wrote down, and this
characteristic outlook of the patient, were either the genuine
effects of the contents of the phial or of shamming, more re-
markable, if possible, than would be the passing of the medi-
cine, in the only way conceivable, through the glass of the
phial (she did not touch the cork) into her organism. The facts
1886.] THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA.
53
recorded were either genuine or a cheat, or were so many acci-
dental coincidences. Strange as they were and are, any attempt
to explain them otherwise than as legitimate results of the action
of the contents of the phial on her extremely sensitive organism
ends in absurdities than which none can be greater. Were they,
these extreme manifestations of my patient, only so many acci-
dental coincidences of the drug record? It should be remembered
these sufferings were repetitions of the record of the drug with
no mixture of other facts, and that these were but characteristic
symptoms of the drug. Can we, in view of the number and
character of these symptoms, meet the suggestion of coincidence
otherwise than by declaring it the extreme of absurdity, or the
suggestion of imposture on the part of the patient an impossi-
bility?
Mrs. F. B., the wife of an eminent physician, experi-
enced more than forty of Hering's symptoms of his original
proving of Lachesis. She knew nothing of the sick-making
power of the contents of the phial, so there could have been no
collusion on her part. If we plead chance or coincidence to
explain her very interesting experiences, if we will be at the
trouble to calculate the mathematical probabilities or possibilities
of more than forty facts, the result of the action of a given
agent, being repeated, after a lapse of half a century, in the
experience of another, who had had nothing to do with the
agent which produced the forty original facts, and we shall
probably find ourselves convicted of absurdity amounting to a
demonstrated impossibility. Then add the cure of her chronic
malady, and what has the skeptic, with his only the " eleventh
centesimal potency," to say?
And then, in the case of the two doctors, what interest could
they have in witnessing to a falsehood? They had sufficient
intelligence to understand the facts they affirmed. They knew
what they were experimenting with. They were more or less
familiar with its effects. And they say that the sufferings they
endured were caused by the contents of the phial they had held
between the thumb and finger. Were they not as much in-
terested in the truths of the matters they experienced, and as
competent witnesses to this truth, as any negator of their testi-
mony can be who has seen and knows absolutely nothing what-
ever of the matter?
Does any form of matter so act as this sick-making power in
drugs acted in the experience of these persons? There have
been many of these experiences — very many. I have seen
numbers of them myself. Has any scientist or other person
54
COCCIONELLA IN COUGH.
[Feb., 1886.
seen material molecules of drugs, or of any form of matter
psrmaating solid glass and affecting living organisms as in the
experiments we have just related? No; not for the first time.
And are we wrong if we affirm that the record of each is no less
than a demonstration of the dynamic nature of the power which
makes sick? If you begin wrong, all which follows is in dark-
ness and confusion.
We have seen in our examination of experiences in clinics and
provings of Calcarea, Silicea, and Nat rum muriaticum, evidence
that in these agents which makes sick and cures sicknesses is not
the material substance of these agents. We add, because of the
importance of the subject to those who are about to give their
lives to the service of practical healing, neither is that which
cures in any other member of the family of our materia medica
the material substance of that member. The first fact which we
shall present to prove this assertion is — the power which cures
does not obey the laws of matter. One of these laws is, where
force proceeds from matter, the sum of the force is determined
by the sum of the matter. If this were true of this curing
power, then the larger the dose the more certain should be the
cure, because of the presence of the greater power to cure in the
greater quantity of the matter of the drug present in it. Now,
the experience is abundant that as to this power which cures, just
the reverse of this is what takes place, and it has been observed in
so many instances as to amount to positive proof that this which
cures is not the matter of the drug. Many thousands of times
cures have been effected by doses in which, if regarded as matter,
there was much less of it than in the larger doses of the same
drug which had failed in the same cases, thus, if the curing
power were matter, reversing the law which proportions the
sum of the force to the sum of the matter from which it pro-
ceeds. If the power be matter, the less has cured many times,
promptly and perfectly, where the greater has failed. Such
facts, and there are very many of them, declare in plainest
terms that that which cures is not drug matter, unless it can
be shown that there is more in the less than in the greater.
[to be continued.]
COCCIONELLA IN COUGH.
The late Dr. Guernsey recommended this as a remedy for
whooping cough (or, indeed, any cough), when, at the end of a
paroxysm of coughing, there is a quantity of albuminous, ropy
expectoration, which pours forth.
PROVING OF VIPER A ACUSTICA CARINATA.
S. Swan, M. D., New York.
Mrs. M. B. P. proved the lm (Swan). Pains in two middle
fingers of left hand, but most in baek of hand ; the pain is shoot-
ing, needle-like, going up the fingers; also aching in back of
hand. Pain in sacrum in region of the dimples and down back
of left leg to popliteal space ; it then appears midway down out-
side of calf through ankle to underside of foot. Soreness all
through both feet ; a tired pain, worse on standing.
May 25th. — Rheumatism better. Yesterday troubled with
flatulence ; could not draw a long breath, it hurt so in left side
and round to back, and for two hours could not speak without
catching a stitch in this side. Feet are so lame and sore, has
trouble to walk. On walking, sharp pain from outer left mal-
leolus back into heel. Restless sleep, wakes with a start ; cramps
in limbs during sleep, worse in right, in popliteal space. Menses
due to-day; had not appeared on 30th, and no sign of them.
Bowels regular, is usually constipated. Eyes feel as if an attack
of granulated lids would come, but it does not. Thirst all the
time ; one after another goblet of cold water taken. Saliva
stringy, frothy, thick, sticky.
June 4th. — Sick and miserable all over ; awfully tired. Pains
of menses, but no flow. Legs and back ache. Hiccough. At
times feels hot, yet chills crawl over her. Restless sleep ; cramps
in left calf during sleep.
June 12th. — Headache in spells, first over left side, then stops
entirely; then returns on right side; alternates. When walk-
ing, momentary vertigo, as if she would fall backward. When
lying down, noises in head like summer insects and frogs, etc.,
such as is heard in the country when all is quiet. At night,
fever with rapid pulse; then changing to so light a pulse that it
could not be felt at all, and at these times feels very weak.
Menses appeared on 6th, twelve days too late; are now nearly
over; have been profuse and very liquid, color bright; usually
cease in four days. Head seems so heavy as to cause neck to
ache. Head aches on top. Face swollen on right side, and looks
red. Gumboil over right eye-tooth so large as to cause lip to
protrude. Dry cough while sitting; cannot reach the mucus,
which seems low down under sternum ; on lying down it becomes
loose. Feels like crying, especially when spoken to, not from
pain, but from being generallv miserable all over. Chill v onlv
55 "
5G
PASTEUR'S HYDROPHOBIA PREVENTION. [Feb.,
if uncovered. Alternate heat and crawling chills. Noise in
head on lying down.
June 15th. — Feels miserable in morning. Last night rolled
and tossed and coughed ; this forenoon was tired out ; lungs very
sore when coughing or inhaling air. Very little patience; small
matters annoy. Sensation of a hair across nose ;' felt it yesterday
across the hand, about third and fourth fingers. Feels fatigued
all the time. Dry, hard cough. Two attacks of vertigo ; with
the first, tendency to fall backward, the head was so heavy in
occiput, seeming to take her off her balance.
June 19th. — At night, hands itch as if bitten by insects; com-
mences about eight P. M. and continues till toward morning; the
itching is on the joints of fingers and wrists, and last night on
ankles. Appetite poor ; after eating a little, has suddenly a sense
of fullness, and more food nauseates. Coughs at night more than
day ; lying down seems to produce it.
June 24th. — Chronic leucorrhoea entirely ceased. Cough dry
in morning; loose after eleven A. M. ; none at night. Rim of
right ear sore, with a sore spot behind lobe.
June 25th. — Cramps in bowels, immediately after drinking
cold water. Cutting pain on dorsal surface of right index finger
to wrist. Both breasts sore ; cannot bear pressure or when lying
on them.
PASTEUR'S HYDROPHOBIA PREVENTION.*
The latest announcement of Pasteur has thrown the public
as well as the profession into a state of feverish excitement.
The number of persons who die yearly of hydrophobia is com-
paratively insignificant, and except for the terrible form of the
death would not attract much notice; but, as remarks Lucas
Championniere, the discovery of Pasteur may be considered as
the first application of the rigorously scientific methods em-
ployed in veterinary medicine to human therapeutics, and
therein lies its real importance. Without giving way, then, to
prematurely extravagant enthusiasm over the success already
accomplished, it is fairly permissible to hope that what has been
done for rabies may be done for other diseases, whereof the
prophylaxis, or the successful therapeutic treatment, would be
of the greatest importance to the human race.
As on all other occasions when the distinguished scientist has
announced any progress in his discoveries, the chorus of paltry
objections has been raised, and envious tongues have endeavored
* The Sanitarian, Jan., 1S86.
1886.] PASTEUR'S HYDROPHOBIA PREVENTION.
57
to deprive him of honors lie has never claimed, and to ignore
what he has really done. It will be remembered that Pasteur
is a chemist, and that he experiments on purely scientific ground-.
All must admit the persistence of the experimenter who, for the
last five years, has pursued his investigations with a degree of
patience unsurpassed, and a precision as unvarying as a mathe-
matical problem, until his labors have been crowned with suc-
cess. It is objected that he cannot cure hydrophobia ! He has
never claimed that it can be cured, because he has made no ex-
periments on such cases ; but from hundreds of experiments on
animals he believes that the development of the disease can be
prevented, even after the animal has been bitten by a rabid dog.
In December, 1884, a spontaneous cure took place in a dog
after the first symptoms had been developed, and this dog re-
mained protected against further inoculations. In the earlier
experiments it required several weeks after the inoculation be-
fore the disease began to manifest itself. Since the virulence of
the poison has been intensified by successive inoculations, the
operator can determine the exact number of days required.
Seven days is the shortest period yet reached, and this has been
reached by ninety successive inoculations of the medulla by
trephining the skull near its base. The virus thus obtained is
much stronger than that in the mouth of the rabid animal. The
virus when introduced into the medulla becomes equally distrib-
uted throughout the spinal marrow, so that every part of it is
equally capable of reproducing the disease. If the specimen
thus prepared be exposed to a dry air it gradually loses its
strength, until it becomes perfectly innocuous. All specimens
equally removed from the original inoculation, if of the same
size ond exposed to air equally dry, will have the same strength.
That dried for fifteen days is perfectly harmless when intro-
duced into the human system. This is the strength with which
Pasteur usually begins. The next day he uses a stronger virus,
until he introduces that exposed only one day, and which if
first used would produce the most violent form of hydrophobia
in seven days. This, when the gradation is observed, is per-
fectly harmless.
This first experiment was brought about by accident. A boy
nine years old was bitten, in Strasburg, on the 4th of July last,
at nine o'clock A. M., and fearfully mangled by a large dog.
Twelve hours later, at nine P. M., the large wounds were cauter-
ized with Phenic acid. On the 6th of July, sixty hours after
the injury, the first injection was made in the presence of Pro-
fessors Vulpian and Grancher. Thirteen injections were made
58
PASTEUR'S HYDROPHOBIA PREVENTION. [Feb., 1886.
in ten days, and although six months will have elapsed on the
7th of January, 1886, he is, on the 21st of December, 1885,
perfectly well. The inoculations of J. B. Jupille, the young
shepherd of the Jura, ended on the 1st of November, ultimo,
and he returned to his home. His room was immediately taken
by two children, Adrien Mai fait and Helen Baujois, sent to
Paris by the Mayor of the Commune to be treated by Pasteur.
Pasteur, in his communication to the Academy, advanced
three propositions: (1) The new method of employing the
virus; (2) the application of the prepared virus to men; (3)
the value of the method, and the conclusions to be drawn from
the facts advanced.
The four objections of Jules Guerin are substantially: (1)
The disease produced by the virus used is an artificial one, and
not true hydrophobia; (2) the inoculation thus performed will
preserve the system only against rabies produced by the same
means; (3) he objects that some of the wounds of the little
boy from Strasburg were cauterized twelve hours after he was
bitten; (4) the method does not pretend to cure hydrophobia.
It should be remarked that Jupille was covered with his own
blood and beslavered with the poison from the dog's mouth, and
was not treated until six days after the injury.
It is not necessary here to pursue this subject. In view of
subsequent events, it would seem that the opponents of Pasteur
have been hasty in their objections. It might be said that
vaccine is not small-pox, and still further objected that every
case vaccinated is not perfectly preserved against a mild form.
Admitting that the experiments may fail in every particular,
Pasteur has claimed nothing; he has stated facts founded on
experiment, and left the community and the profession to draw
their conclusions. Fiat justitia, ruat vcelum.
T. P. CORBALLY.
Hering and Inoculation for Kabies.
The above account gives us a clear idea of Pasteur's method —
now so much talked of. But few know that the late Dr. Hering
recommended Hydrophobinum as a preventive years ago.
Attention is called in German medical journals to the fact
that, so far back as 1849, the usefulness of inoculation with
rabies poison, as an antidote and preventive against the effects
of bites by mad dogs, was discussed in Jahr's Klinischcn An-
weisungen, in the articles on " Poisoning" and u Dog Rabies."
Constantine Hering, a physician then living in Philadelphia, is
there mentioned as having actually made use of his remedy.
9
WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES?
Chancing a few days since to "quiz" some medical friends
on the Materia Medica, I found there were many valuable
symptoms which they could not place ! (The lazy fellows !)
Hence we concluded to write out a few symptoms and ask the
readers of this journal to name the drugs, allowing them to use
any Repertory, but no 3Iateria Medlca — thus at once testing the
value of the Repertories and the knowledge of the physician.
(No Repertory was allowed the physicians mentioned above.)
Any physician who sends us the correct answer for these ten
symptoms shall receive this journal free for one year. This to
stimulate their zeal.
1. Metrarrhagia of large black lumps; worse from any mo-
tion ; with violent pain in groins and fear of death — despair;
bright red face and fever.
2. Drawing, tearing pain in periosteum ; worse at night, in
wet, stormy weather, and at rest ; better in motion.
3. Sensation as if a lump of ice lay in stomach, with pain.
4. Sensation in abdomen as if sharp stones rubbed together on
every movement.
5. Left thigh feels as if broken in the middle when sitting ;
ceases on rising.
6. Awakens at night with a violent pressing pain like a heavy
weight — coming and going at intervals ; emission of flatus
relieves,
7. Coldness in back and between shoulders ; not relieved by
covering ; followed by itching.
8. Gurgling feeling in shoulder, or sensation as of something
alive in the joint — especially about midnight.
9. Roaring in head after coitus (male).
10. Constant irresistible desire to walk in open air; it does
not fatigue.
BORAX AS A CHOLERA PREVENTIVE.
Dr. Cyon, in V Union Medicate, states that in all epidemics
of cholera, women in boracic acid factories have invariably
escaped the disease ; and, moreover, that the internal use of
boracic acid, in doses of five or six grammes daily, which may
be continued as long as necessary, is equally efficient as a
preventive.
59
OX THE ACTION OF COCAIXE OX THE CERE-
BRAL CENTRES OF CO-ORDIXATIOX.
Dr. Feinberg (Allg. Med. Centr. Zeitung, 100, 1885).
1. Bringing a five per-eent. solution of Cooainum mur. in con-
tact with an exposed nerve, its sensibility is totally and imme-
diately destroyed.
2. Subcutaneous injections of Cocaine produce general changes,
differing according to the quantity of the fluid injected.
3. An injection of half a grain produces, with its local anaes-
thesia, also anaesthesia of the bulbi, of the tongue, lips, and
cheeks; also, protrusion of the bulbi, lagophtalmos, partial or
total disappearance of the reaction of the pupils to light, whereas
the palpebral-reflex remains intact.
4. After the same injection the respiration becomes troubled,
and at the same time superficial.
5. The co-ordination of the movements begins to decrease.
G. Rotation of the head from the right to the left sets in, with
or without tremors of the bulbi.
7. Injections of the same solution of one or two grains pro-
duce, with the symptoms already mentioned, tonic contractions
of the occipital muscles and clonic ones in the extremities, some-
times also in the upper lip and tongue.
8. Consciousness is totally abolished.
9. Pupillary reaction is totally abolished.
10. But the latter reaction may be partially preserved, if the
sympathetic cervical nerve is divided before the injection.
11. After application of larger doses the symptoms of ataxy
usually last longer than after the use of smaller quantities.
If we analyze these symptoms and bring them into accord with
the anatomical experiments of Meynert and with the physio-
logical experiments of Ferrier, Lerres, Cayrod, Goltz, and
others, we arrive at the following conclusions: (1) Where the
Cocaine is absorbed by the blood, it concentrates its anaesthetic
effect upon the Thalamus opticus and corpora quadragemina, thus
producing disturbances of co-ordination ; (2) in larger doses it
acts as an excitant on the motory parts of the same regions, and
causes convulsions, similar to those which Ferrier witnessed after
irritation of the corpora quadragemina ; (3) the prevalence of
60
Feb., 18860
ON THE ACTION OF COCAINE.
61
the anaesthesia of the quintus can be explained by the fact that
one of the original nuclei is composed of nerve-cells, situated
around the aquaductns Sylvii; (4) the dilatation of the pupils,
protrusion of bulbi, the lagophtalmos, are caused by the stimu-
lating action of the Cocaine on the sympathetic nerve.
Verification of Symptoms of Coca.
Ad. 3, Allen III, 372. Symptoms 102-3. Heaviness of
eyelids; disposition on the part of the upper lids to fall, with-
out being sleepy. 105-6. Dilates the pupils, renders the eye
intolerant to light. Widens the pupils and lessens the sensi-
tiveness to light. 108. Great photophobia, with dilated
pupils.
Ad. 4, 324-28. Difficulty of breathing, with palpitation of
the heart and a not unpleasant weariness of the whole body,
continuing even in bed. Incessant dyspnoea, a pressure upon
the whole chest, with constant desire to take a deep breath, as if
thereby something could be breathed away.
Ad. 5, 397. Gait unsteady, tottering, with trembling lips,
disconnected speech, dull, apathetic mood. 405. Afraid of losing
his balance and fancies himself carried off into space.
Ad. 6, 40. Whirling vertigo. 350. When bending neck
down forward, pain at upper part of back and neck; bending
backward or forward, pain in muscles of left side of back of
neck, as if strained.
Ad. 7, 400. Sudden jerking and waking from the usual
short afternoon nap.
Ad. 8. We only find dull, apathetic conditions — (32), and 36,
confusion of the head, but nothing of unconsciousness, nor can we
find the latter in works on allopathic materia medica — in fact,
Hale (Symptomatology, 214) gives rather a kind of numbness,
with a feeling of security, with retention of clear self-conscious-
ness, and the instinctive desire to make no motion, not even to
move a single finger, and a peculiar sensation of isolation from
the outer world.
Cocaine needs a full proving in order to find out its full
sphere of action, and the differences of opinion in relation to
it oan only be settled by proving made per os and hypoder-
mically with the two-per-cent. solution, with the low potencies,
and then also with higher ones. So far no therapeutical gain has
resulted from the abuse of Vin Marian i and the other nostrums
of Coca wine. S. L.
5
A GREAT EVENT FOR HOMOEOPATHY.
Br. II. Goullon, Weimar (Allg. Horn. Zeitung 21 and 22, 1885).
[Protocoll of experiments on hysterical patients in relation to the action of
drugs at a distance. Contributed to the Medical Congress at Grenoble. Ex-
tracted verbatim from Le Temps of August 22d, 1885.]
New and extraordinary facts were shown by Drs. Bonny and
Burot, members of the ficole de Medecine Navale, at Rochefort,
to the fellows during the meeting at Grenoble. The action of
the drugs was doubted by many. But here it was shown that
they can act on the organism without touching it.
A young man suffering from epileptic spasms reacts to the
approach of metals — as zinc, copper, platina, iron, but most
strongly gold. Not only that direct contact with it produces un-
bearable burning, but the burning is perceived at a distance of
ten to fifteen centimetres, even through the clothing or through the
closed hand of the experimenter.
Involuntarily we remember Dr. Buchmann's experiments with
very high potencies made with Lycopodium and Aurum, which
the female prover held in a closed vial in her hand. Pro-
fessor Jaeger also asserts that Aurum and Natrum mur. can be
differentiated by olfaction, even in the five hundredth potency.
In one prover lachrymation followed after olfaction as the sign
of its physiological action. Jaeger's neural-analysis finds an ex-
ceeding support from these transactions at Grenoble. Gaping
and repeated sneezing followed when that young man was ap-
proached with a crystal of Iodide of Potassium, proving its well-
known physiological irritating action on the nasal mucous mem-
brane.
Most remarkable was the sleep-producing action of Opium,
" par simple voisinage."
When the mercury contained in a thermometer was held near
him without touching him, burning and convulsion followed
and an " attraction du membre." Aurum muriaticum in a closed
vial showed the same action as the Metallicum.
The experimenters could hardly believe what they witnessed,
and though the experiments were repeated over and over and
before many persons, the result was always the same.
The second person was a woman of twenty-six years suffering
from nervous affections since she was eleven years old. She was
treated for eighteen months by Charcot at the Salpetriere. When
entering the hospital at Rochefort the whole right side was anaes-
thetic, whereas the left side of her body is hvpersesthetic. She
62
Feb., 1886.] A GREAT EVENT FOR IIOMCEOPATIIY.
63
is the true typus of hysteria, out of all balance — tout a fait dese-
qxilibree.
To control the experiments, the Director de Pficole de Mede-
cine Navale, at Rochefort, was invited, with other professors
and adjuncts of the school. She was approached with a vial of
Jaborandi and immediately perspiration and salivation set in.
One of the gentlemen had in his pocket two bottles of equal size
wrapped in paper and he intended to put her under the influence
of Cantharides, but, "il voit le sujet partir comme s'il eta it in-
fluence par la Valeriane" — she acted as if she were under the
influence of Valeriana. The gentleman and all the others were
dumbfounded when they found that he had used the bottle of
Valeriana instead of the one with Cantharides. Duplong, the
Director, openly acknowledged himself convinced against his
will.
The patient was removed to La Rochelle, and Dr. Mabille, of
Lapond, repeated all three experiments before the members of
the Soeiete de Medecine and of the Soeiete des Sciences Natu-
relles, of La Rochelle, and here, also, the results were conclusive.
The experiments were now systematized. At first the sub-
stance was brought in contact with the skin ; then the drug was
put in hermetically-closed glasses (as mercury in a thermometer)
and wrapped in papers, so that neither the patient, the assistants,
nor the experimenter knew its contents.
The action of gold at a distance of five to ten centimetres,
through the clothing, allowed another series of experiments.
The report says the energetic action of some poisons, as the
alkaloids, acrid oils (les huiles essentielles), necessitated the use of
diluted solutions instead of the substances. Their too severe
poisonous actions were obviated, which might be dangerous and
which would only show rough impressions and reactions instead
of the mild {mitiges) but characteristic symptoms. The substance
seems to act on any part of the body, but the action is more rapid
and more easily provoked when it is applied on the head. The
attention of the patient ought to be led to some interesting sub-
ject at the same time that another puts the drug, in its closed
vial and wrapped in paper, into close proximity of the occiput.
After two or three minutes, sometimes earlier, the action shows
itself.
The first period is slight; sensations diminish ; they do not
move and lose consciousness. The disturbances of motility and
sensibility, from which they suffered at the time of the experi-
ment, disappear, and this is again followed by the physiological
and toxical symptoms of the substance on trial. It is often
64
A GREAT EVENT FOR HOMCEOPATIIY.
[Feb.,
most difficult to differentiate between the accidental (V accessoirc)
and the real {da principal). Thus in the prodromal stage we
may witness only mere hysterical symptoms, as increased motility
and torsions, sometimes sleep or delirium ; but all these phe-
nomena differ from those of a hysterical fit by their slowness and
by their development. These are the first reactions of the
nervous system, changing with every subject, and they must be
separated from everything which is accidental.
All Narcotica cause sleep, but the kind of sleep differs. With
Opium the sleep is heavy, and it is difficult to wake him up,
and after awaking he feels tired, with great heaviness in the
head. With Chloral the sleep is lighter and can be easily
broken. Morphium produces a sleep similar to Opium, which
is difficult of removal by Atropine. The sleep of Naricinum is
accompanied by salivation ; the awakening is sudden, as if from
a fright. The sleep of Codeine, Thebaine, and Nareotina is more
or less accompanied by convulsions.
Emetics and purgatives also show marked differences in their
effects. Apomorphine causes copious vomiting without exertion,
but followed by headache and tendency to sleep. Ipecacuanha
causes salivation, less frequent vomiting, with a specific taste in
the mouth. Emetin causes nausea and prostration. Stra-
monium produces contraction of the intestines, which the experi-
menter can perceive.
The experiments with Alcohol were beautiful. Vinous
Alcohol in its different forms always produced a jolly drunken-
ness ; Whisky (Alcool du grains), on the contrary, a frenzied
drunkenness, even to maniacal fury. A state of complete pros-
tration was immediately caused by Aldehyde, with stertorous
breathing and hippocratic features. Absinthe causes paralysis
of lower extremities.
Aqua Laurocerasi produced in the hysterical woman always
the same ecstasy — a series of visions which brought her in com-
munion with the Holy Virgin. At first this effect was ascribed
to the Hydrocyanic acid in the Aqua Laurocerasi, but though
diluted Hydrocyanic acid produced convulsions, it was clear that
the essential oil per se in Aqua Laurocerasi caused the ecstasies,
and that convulsions never were simultaneously observed.
Nitrobenzine (Essence de Mirbane) has the same odor as Aqua
Laurocerasi, but a different composition. Diluted with water,
it produces convulsive throes through the whole body ; the eyes
are half open ; a rhythmical tremor of the right arm is soon
observed ; the arm is then raised as if she were drawing ; she
raises the head lightly, and then the left arm begins to tremble.
1SSG.] A GREAT EVENT FOR HOMCEOPATHY. Go
She says she has just finished a drawing. This hallucination
(1 ilfers entirely from that of Aqua Laurocerasi, though the zeal
(Tardeur) is the same.
Valeriana is commonly considered a quieting nervine, but it
produced in both persons quite an excitement, with queer mani-
festations, as observed in a cat. They made motions as if they
were on horseback; with both hands they scratched the soil,
bored a hole, and tried to hide their faces in it. If a vial of
Valeriana is hidden away he tries to find it, snuffles all about,
and when found he wants to obtain it and scratches the soil.
Wherever hidden the same scene repeated itself over and over.
Different essences have these peculiarities : In their concen-
trated form they produce great motility, stretching, and sor-
rowful hallucinations; diluted, they produce slow and tender
motions, followed by pleasant hallucinations.
The Ansesthetica caused an excitement, reminding one of the
beginning of Chloroform intoxication in surgery, followed by
sleep.
Phosphorus produced a general trembling, with frightful
hallucinations. Cantharis excites, Camphora quiets.
Some substances cause specific symptoms. Thus, e. g., Vera-
trinum, dry coryza, stitches in the nose and visual disturbances.
Jaborandi and Pilocarpinum cause sweating and salivation, the
saliva having the property to change starch into sugar.
Experiments showed that one gramme Alcohol mixed with
one hundred grammes water had no effect, and the same hap-
pened with five grammes. How long the substance or the vial
must be applied depends on the individuality of the person.
Little time is needed when the vial is held without oscillation
on the naked part of the body, and there is no difference on what
part it is held. Some persons less sensitive were also experi-
mented upon, and showed at least some influence.
A simple hysterical woman was put to sleep by a vial of
Chloral put in her hand. Sleep came slowly but showed the
same characteristics.
At the clinic of Dumontpellier Opium caused sleep in a hys-
tero-epileptic woman. Another one in the clinic of Charcot
showed under the influence of Alcohol extreme sleepiness, heavi-
ness of the head, and oscillation ; moderate intoxication and
vomiting were removed by Ammonia. Another woman, also
hystero-epileptic, showed from Alcohol heaviness of the head,
intense oscillation, intoxication, repeatedly vomiturition. In
BrouardePs patient Alcohol acted most in the legs; he could not
stand straight. Valeriana caused heaviness of head, somnolence
GG
A GREAT EVENT FOR HOMCEOPaTIIY.
[Feb,
and a kind of intoxication. A hysterical woman under the in-
fluence of Aqua Laurocerasi showed: formication, dullness of
sensation, numb feeling, palpitation, cold extremities, trembling,
mental stupefaction (abrutissement), and sleepiness. An epileptic
child showed, for several hours, under the influence of Iodide of
Potassium, dizziness and dullness of head.
Now the experimenters try to explain facts. Though a
riddle, it has its analogies. We accept the experiments as facts,
just as we do not doubt the existence of Ether; from its presence
we make conclusions on its actions, without ever having seen it.
The theory of vibration — car tout est vibratoire — deserves con-
sideration. Every substance, just like the magnet, has its
vapory circle, and highly sensitive persons are influenced by it
at a distance.
At any rate, the action of infinitesimal doses cannot be derided
any more, and Homoeopathy is justified by its very adversaries.
During a diseased state the organismus becomes sensitive (in
the sense of Reichenbach) to the specific medicinal stimulus, or
one might say, the affected organ gets the faculty of an ex-
tremely fine reactive power, and Grauvogl calls the diseased
organism the very finest reagent.
In a postscript Dr. Lorbacher, the editor of the A. TL Z.t
adds : These experiments of well-known French allopathic physi-
cians, among them Charcot, give the coup d'etat to the purely
material standpoint in dosology. Materialists may fight and
obstruct, as they always do, but let them conscientiously repeat
these experiments and they must acknowledge the truth as it is
in these facts. Whether it will remain a possibility to deny the
action of homoeopathic infinitesimal doses is questionable. It
may be even possible that allopathic physicians may acknowledge
at last through the evidence of their own senses, especially as
these discoveries were made by authorities of their own school.
But the priority belongs to our own Buchmann, who, more than
twenty years ago, demonstrated that drugs in a closed vial held
in the hand of a nervous person produce objectively their pecu-
liar symptoms. Poor Buchmann was laughed at by members of
our own school. Now satisfaction has come, and he is more
than welcome to it.
We need not fear physicians of the old school — they never
did Homoeopathy any harm, and seeking after truth they will
finally find it in Homoeopathy, just as Hahnemann and his dis-
ciples found it. We see that they are not afraid to own up to
1886.]
APIUM VIRUS.
67
these facts, though they are unable to explain them now, and
the future is still before us.
Bat I fear the Homoeopathy of our own physicians. In Eng-
land and Germany our men try to deny the action of high
potencies ; our men deride such unscientific practice ; our men
look up to the old school in worshiping admiration, and too
often leave our societies to be graciously allowed to pick up the
crumbs from the allopathic table. Scientific therapia ! What a
misnomer ! All glory to the microscope, to all adjuvantia,
under whatever name or guise they may present themselves, but
let us yield not an iota for the mere sake of having pleased our
adversaries. They will come over to us, and shame on those
who desert us in the hour of coming victory. S. L.
APIUM VIRUS.
Notes from an Extemporaneous Lecture by Professor J. T. Kent}
St. Louis. [Frank Kraft, Stenographer.]
One of the earliest symptoms of the Apium virus that will
come from the crude poison, or from violent stinging, is some-
times nausea with deathly sickness and tightness in the chest
and sense of suffocation ; desire fur cold air, and an aversion to
heat; with considerable chilliness and desire to throw off the
bed-clothing. These are among the earliest things which you
will see. If you are ever called to attend a case of poisoning
from the sting of the honey bee — and you know that some
people are extremely susceptible to the bee poison, especially where
several thrifty bees have been tantalizing your patient — if you
are ever called to such a case you will find many, if not all, the
symptoms I have just mentioned. Even a few stings from the
honey-bee have been known to cause death. If this state of
affairs goes on there will frequently be suffocation ; after this,
unconsciousness, your patient seeming to have fallen in a fit.
The suffocation increases; the difficult breathing goes on in-
creasing until it reaches unconsciousness. This is the general
state produced by Apis.
If we now look more particularly to the symptoms which are
the effect of the poison upon certain regions of the body, we
will notice a marked influence upon the skin ; this is found to be
of a waxy, cedematous, puffy appearance, the face becoming
pallid and waxy. This state does not come on immediately, it
may be some considerable time after the patient has been pois-
oned, or after the virus has been taken for the purpose of prov-
63
APIUM VIRUS.
[Feb.
ing it. The skin of the lower extremities becomes cedematous ;
the cellular tissue becomes puffy, and there is pitting upon pres-
sure. Simultaneously with this we have almost, if not quite,
a suppression of the urine, at least the urine becomes very
scanty and appears laden with albumen and tube-casts. Hence,
its great value in a certain disease known as Bright's disease,
or albuminuria. It also corresponds very closely to the albu-
minuria following scarlatina.
Apis has an eruption upon the skin that is miliary in char-
acter. It has a rough, measly form of scarlatina, rose-colored
in appearance. There is a great amount of itching, burning,
and stinging with these skin affections. The sensations — the
feelings of the skin — are aggravated by heat of the clothing
or of flannels, also by warm things. It has amelioration from
the application of cold, like cold cotton cloths; cold washing;
cold atmosphere; even from great chilliness of the body. There
is aggravation from heat and from the covering.
Apis has an urticaria — a nettle-rash ; large, white weals,
surrounded by red spots; a reddish, rose-colored eruption; I
should have said it has not really an eruption, but it looks as if
there was to be an eruption, a nettle-rash, or hives. These
stand out very prominently — in bold relief. We most always
have a dyspnoea associated with this nettle-rash ; that is the
way it has occurred in the provings. Distress in breathing is a
very common symptom associated with the skin eruptions, and
especially with the nettle-rash.
Apis has some marked characteristic pains. They are sting-
ing and burning; violent stinging in the temples; stinging in
the joints; stinging in the glands; stinging and burning in the
ovaries ; the right side is preferred for the paralytic symptoms
which Apis produces; that is, a paralytic weakness with symp-
toms sometimes of complete paralysis. With this we have
associated, in the left side, a twitching; and there is a key-note
that expresses it something like this: Twitching in one side
with paralysis in the other.
Apis especially attacks the serous membranes, producing exu-
dation. In this it is in keeping with the general state of the
remedy, producing a dropsy throughout the body wherever it
is possible for dropsy to appear. We may have dropsy of the
abdominal cavities; of the pleural cavities; of the arachnoid
cavities ; and it has peritonitis with effusion ; inflammation of
the pericardium with effusion ; inflammation of the pleura with
effusion, and in the meninges of the brain with effusion. Apis
produces all these states, and frequently cures them.
1SS6.]
APIUM VIKUS.
09
As I have before stated, Apis carries the patient down into
unconsciousness. There is something in relation to this uncon-
sciousness that characterizes it. There is a crying out with a
shrill scream. That symptom is especially characteristic of
some form of hydrocephalus, and is a characteristic symptom of
Apis. A child while unconscious may yet carry the hand to
the ear, or to the head, and will cry out with a short, sharp,
shrill cry, denominated the Cri ceplialique. The pupils are di-
lated, and frequently almost insensible to light. Preceding this
period of unconsciousness there is great irritability with con-
stant moving about ; throwing off the clothing, with aggrava-
tion from every particle of heat. Pretty generally Apis is
thirstless ; it is one of the thirstless remedies, although at times
it has a great thirst. Its characteristic, however, is absence of
thirst, or even aversion to water. It has spasms of the muscles
of the back associated with this semi-conscious state ; spasms of
the muscles of the back, drawing the head backward, and bur-
rowing the head into the pillow. The patient, if a child, will
lie in this semi-conscious state and burrow the head into the
pillow, with rolling of the head. Animals, too, get this pecu-
liar kind of congestion to the brain — this meningitis — when
they will bump their heads against posts ; a horse, for instance,
with this meningitis will bump his head against a post and die
from the trouble very soon. Apis will correspond to that case
and will cure it.
As I have said, the right side seems preferred in the paralysis,
the right side giving us the greatest number of symptoms through-
out Apis. The right ovary is most commonly affected — associ-
ated with the peculiar burning and stinging pains. The throat
gives us the exception, the left side of the throat and chest
being particularly affected by Apis, producing therein an cedem-
atous appearance ; the mucous membrane seems to " pod " out,
looking like a bag of water. Apis has cured a great many of
such cases. In some cases the uvula hangs down like a little
bag of water; in this it is similar to Kali bichromicum ; that is
very characteristic of Kali bichromicum. Rhus tox. is some-
what similar, affecting the left side of the throat, and somewhat
like in affecting the right side of the body, but Rhus, while
appearing upon the left side of the throat, has large blisters
forming upon the surface — little vesicles filled with white or
yellowish scrum. Apis appears to extend more particularly to
the cellular tissue, and is not so likely to produce vesicles, but
the throat is puffy, cedematous, and looks as if when pricked it
would pour out water, but it doesn't.
70
APIUM VIRUS.
[Feb.,
The tongue of Apis is glossy and shiny, as if varnished;
bright red, and sometimes looking raw, its edges covered with
vesicles.
Apis has a large number of eye symptoms that are very
valuable. It has granular lids and watery accumulations, lachry-
mation, burning, chemosis. The conjunctiva looks like a piece
of raw beef, thickly studded with blood-vessels — enlarged
blood-vessels — and there are the characteristic stinging and
burning pains about the eves. The eyes are improved by cold
and by cold washing. Squinting is a very important symptom,
occurring frequently after congestion of the brain, after menin-
gitis, and after many of the brain troubles in children. Apis,
Hyoscyamus, Belladonna, and Stramonium have this squinting,
but if there be extreme aggravation from heat, and aggravation
from the covering, and great irritability, then it will be Apis ;
or if there should be any form of dropsy, or scanty urine, that
would make you think the more of Apis. It has squinting,
strabismus, rolling of the eyes, with burning and stinging —
shooting-pains. The conjunctiva is injected and filled with
dark vessels. There are many thick, dark, smoky spots upon
the cornea, and frequently these are grayish and opaque ; ulcer-
ation of the cornea ; cicatrices ; staphyloma corneae. It has a
very marked photophobia, although the patient can't bear to
have his eyes covered, because such covering produces warmth,
and this produces pain. There is great sensitiveness to the
light ; lids dark-red and everted, swollen, excoriated, granu-
lated, cedematous, with bag-like swelling under the eyes ; eyes
feel stiff; when both the lids swell up and look like bags of
water above the eye, especially in the morning, that will make
you think of Kali carbon icum, in which it is characteristic
when it occurs unassociated with general dropsy. Arsenium, in
its earlier symptoms, has a puffiness under the eyes. When a
drug, commonly given and known as Fowler's solution, pro-
duces this effect upon the patient, it is an indication that the
toxic effect is coming on and that no more must be given. The
puffiness will appear above and beneath the eye.
There are some important mental symptoms in Apis, and one
in particular is jealousy ; this is very marked in Apis. It is
only equaled by Hyoscyamus. It has manias especially pro-
ceeding from a sexual cause in women. It is especially useful
for the extreme irritability of temper in many ovarian difficul-
ties that occur in widows. A lady who has been suddenly
deprived of her husband, and compelled to be continent for a
considerable time, will develop Apis symptoms, especially in her
1886.]
APIUM VIKUS.
71
mental condition, in her general irritability. Awkwardness is
another peculiarity running through this remedy, and you will
find it spoken of under the mental state ; it is an awkwardness
due to stiffness of the fingers and of the limbs. They bend with
difficulty, and great clumsiness attends every movement. In
Apis this is sometimes due to a dropsical swelling of the fingers.
In Agaricus it is due simply to awkwardness. Bovista, Natrum
mur., and Silicea also have great awkwardness and clumsi-
ness.
In Apis we have a violence amounting to frenzy. In a clinical
symptom that you will find in your text you will get almost the
entire picture of Apis in a nutshell. I think you will find it
associated with hydrocephalus. The child lies in a torpor; de-
lirium, sudden shrieking cries, squinting, grinding of the teeth,
boring the head into the pillow ; one side twitching, the other
paralyzed; head wet from sweating; urine scanty, milky ; big
toe turned up ; nausea while lying ; breath offensive ; tongue
sore. Acute hydrocephalus, and after erysipelatous eruptions.
In speaking of the affections of the skin I neglected to tell
you that Apis has a very characteristic erysipelas, dusky, dark,
and mottled. It is not likely to be covered with large blebs,
such as we find in Rhus, but it has small vesicles forming upon
the erysipelatous surfaces. And with this there is the usual
great burning and stinging in the erysipelas of the face.
Under Desires and Aversions you will find that Apis is given
as a thirstless remedy ; with neither appetite nor desire for
food; and yet there is also an insatiable thirst, drinking often,
but little at a time. In catarrh of the chest, diarrhoea, diph-
theria, and in some of its dropsies, thirstlessness is characteris-
tic. In cerebro-spinal meningitis, ovarian dropsy, ascites, and
in some other cases where it is indicated in pregnancy, you will
find the patient thirstless; there is no thirst, though there be
heat and the mouth dry.
Another feature of this remedy, and one that is very aston-
ishing, is the great craving for milk. It was really astonishing
how many of the provers of this virus wanted milk to drink —
craved it. Now there is an evidence of how nature gives forth
a symptom that is really a demand for a cure, because milk is
an antidote to the poison of the bee. Milk is one of the best
remedies in the world after getting sick from eating honey. If
you have a patient who has overloaded his stomach with honey,
or has become sick from eating even a small quantity, give him
all the milk that he can drink, and he will soon get well.
Rhus, as I remarked a moment ago, produces very large
72
APIUM VIRUS.
[Feb.,
blisters; while Apis produces small ones, or, ratlier, small
vesicles filled with clear lymph. The vesicles of Apis occur
in clusters. Apis produces burning of the skin ; burning in
the cavities; burning in the tissues; there is burning in the
erysipelas; burning in the eruptions; burning, stinging pains
in the glands; burning in the stomach; burning in the abdo-
men. In the abdomen we have symptoms that are very import-
ant; the abdomen becomes tumid and tympanitic. We have
there a typical peritonitis — a very marked symptom. It is im-
possible for him to keep the abdomen covered or to allow any-
thing to touch it — it is so sensitive. Burning, stinging pains,
which are soon followed by effusion. In all these dropsical con-
ditions, and in most of the inflammatory conditions, you will
find the scanty urine, with the characteristic burning and sting-
ing pains while passing. The whole abdomen and pit of the
stomach are extremely sensitive to pressure or to the slightest
touch. There is also violent burning pain under the short ribs
on both sides; sensation of soreness under the ribs; and the
patient is obliged to bend forward from the painful contractive
feeling in the hypochondria?. The pain from this region ex-
tends upward.
This sensation of constriction that I have just alluded to is a
very characteristic peculiarity of Apis. It has a sensation of
constriction in the abdomen that is often brought out while at
stool; he feels that if he should strain at stool something in
the abdomen would break — something would give way. Don't
forget that, for it is wonderfully characteristic of this remedy.
The same sense of constriction attends the dypsncea and the
chest complaints. It seems to him that if he should move, or
strain at stool, or if compelled to cough, that something would
break loose somewhere. This exists both in the chest and in
the abdomen.
In the majority of cases Apis is aggravated by motion ; he
may be restless and irritable ; but the real pain and the in-
flammatory conditions are made worse by touch, by motion, and
by warmth. There is a feeling as if the intestines were pressed
down ; there is an aching, pressing in the hypogastrium — a bear-
ing down toward the uterus, with the characteristic burning and
stinging in the bowels.
The walls of the abdomen are tense ; there is sensitiveness
of the ileo-coecal region. Extreme soreness of the abdomen.
Apis has diarrhoea and a dysentery, whose characteristic fea-
ture is that it is olive green, slimy, profuse, and full of bright,
red lumps. You may sometimes find the stool of Apis — to use
1836.]
AFIUM VIRUS.
73
a common expression — looking like tomato sauce. It is full of
bright red specks; the mucus is so thickly flecked and specked
with blood that it resembles tomato sauee. Still, don't forget
that olive green is characteristic — quite so. The stool is always
slimy, and frequently bloody. It may be watery, yellow, black,
and copious. It is usually worse in the morning.
In relation to the anus we have an important symptom ; there
is a sensation as if the anus stood wide open, and with this
involuntary stool. In this it is equaled only by Phosphorus.
Phosphorus and Apis have produced this sensation upon the
healthy — as if the anus stood wide open. I have seen this in
children, with a constant oozing from the anus, with the anus
turned out, looking almost like raw beef. It has the same
appearance upon these membranes that it has upon the con-
junctiva when Apis is indicated. Don't forget what I have just
told you about this sensation of constriction, as if something
would break if effort is made. This is noticeable in the costive-
ness of Apis; there are large, hard, difficult stools, with stinging
sensations, and this peculiar feeling that something will break if
effort is made to empty the rectum. This feeling is so charac-
teristic of Apis that it will cure almost any case of constipation
when that symptom is present. The patient will say: " Doctor,
I dare not strain at stool. I feel as if something would break
loose — as if something would give way in the abdomen."
We have in Apis some marked urinary symptoms. There is
great pain in the kidneys, with stinging and burning pains in
the bladder. Stinging and burning pain in the right ureter,
running from the kidney dowrn to the bladder. Apis has been
given in renal colic. In this symptom of burning and stinging
it competes with Lycopodium, which especially affects the right
side. In Lycopodium we have amelioration from heat, while in
Apis we have aggravation. There is desire, with passage of
only a few drops of urine, and it is dark-colored. Strangury,
stricture, spasmodic stricture, retained urine, or inflamed blad-
der, after the abuse of Cantharides. Urine scanty, with sedi-
ment like coffee grounds containing uriniferous tubules and
epithelium. Dropsy of the scrotum ; hydrocele.
It is a great friend to the female, and to the world in general.
It is a very important remedy in threatened abortion in the first
three months of pregnancy. Hering says that Apis, low, is a
very dangerous medicine to give a pregnant woman, as it may
produce an abortion. I have many times checked abortion
when the hemorrhage had already gone on for a number of
hours. This remedy is especially indicated in this condition ot
74 HOMOEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS IN DENTISTRY. [Feb.,
affairs when the stinging and burning have been going on in the
region of the ovaries and the uterus, with now and then gushes
of blood, and with this there is pain in the back and in the
sacrum. There will be a feeling of weight and great heaviness
in the ovarian region, extending down the thigh ; worse on the
right side; numbness in the side and limb. Suppressed menses,
with congestion and inflamed ovaries. The Apis patient is
always an irritable, tearful patient; always weeping, and worse
in a warm room, with stinging and burning pains. And with
these stinging, burning pains in the uterus you will always find
a nervous, hysterical, tearful, irritable patient. You will also
find a sensation as if the legs were bruised or beaten. The ex-
pectoration is seldom present, and when present may be sweetish
or tasteless. The cough is croupy, ringing, rasping, gagging, and
dry. The stinging and burning in the spine is amenable to
Apis ; don't neglect to associate with this the cedematous symp-
toms of the extremities and the waxy appearance of the skin.
There will also be trembling, nervous restlessness, and great
prostration. The chill occurs at three P. M., and is worse from
warmth ; the chill runs down the back. The perspiration of
Apis smells like musk. The stinging, burning pains that occur
sometimes in cancer wouldn't be so characteristic of Apis ; but
they are temporarily relieved or controlled by Apis. Whenever
you have a child waking suddenly with a sharp, shrill scream,
you may be alarmed, for some form of brain trouble is threaten-
ing. Natrum muriaticum is the most suitable remedy to follow
Apis, but Ignatia is its twin sister.
HOMCEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS IN DENTISTRY.
A remarkable article, under the above heading, from the pen
of J. Morgan Howe, M. D., appears in The Archives of Dentistry
for December, 1885.
The author indorses the application of homoeopathic treatment
to many diseases of the teeth.
He says: " There are not a few dentists who know the effi-
cacy of Homoeopathy from their employment of physicians of
that school when in need of medical treatment for themselves or
their families."
He then offers an argument for the treatment : " Much em-
phasis has well been laid of late upon the fact that teeth are tis-
sues of the body, and although this truth is quite generally
recognized, there has been but little practical application of this
13S0.] HOMCEOPATHIC THERAPEUTICS IN DENTISTRY. 75
knowledge by dentists in the treatment of disease in the max-
illary, gingival, or dental tissues by seeking to produce such
special effects upon the system as would favor return to normal
conditions."
This is just what Homoeopathy has been teaching; that diseases
of the teeth are due to centripetal causes, and therefore should be
treated with medicines.
What homceopathist has not had his triumphs in relieving
dental sufferings? Which one of us does not know of Heriog's
excellent indications for the use of medicines in toothache?
That we should fail sometimes is not any reason for denounc-
ing and denying our system. As Dr. Howe well says:
" No claim is made by any, so far as I know, for perfection in
homoeopathic therapeutics. * * * But the claim is, that the
basis of the system is scientific, and, like other sciences, cannot
be overthrown, but will advance nearer and nearer to perfect
knowledge."
Here is a most generous and reasonable recognition of the
merits of our school. The whole article, indeed, shows so com-
prehensive a grasp of the subject that we cannot forbear quoting
a few paragraphs.
Thus, on page 530 :
A tooth with a devitalized pulp frequently remains undisturbed for years
without giving its owner the least warning symptom, until suddenly, and
without local violence, it becomes the seat of an acute pericementitis. We
say that the cause of the painful disturbance from which the sufferer seeks
relief is the presence of the sphacelate pulp, practically losing sight of the
fact that that condition has long existed without causing any apparent dis-
turbance until some change has occurred in the condition of the system. The
toothache of pregnancy is often excited by a denial lesion which would be
quite inadequate to permit painful irritation during other conditions of the
system ; the advent of pyorrhea alveolaris and of chemical erosion or abra-
sion are not concomitant with any constant local condition or habit of hygiene
or of food ; caries has its periods of rapid advance and of comparative arrest ;
teeth apparently well organized become subject to persistently recurring
decay, and teeth that we call poor in structure become perceptibly improved
in ability to maintain their integrity without recognized local causes. Notice-
able changes in the color of the teeth occur within ?o short a time as a week,
and enamel sometimes becomes so brittle that pieces are broken out with ordi-
nary use. These facts naturally direct our attention to systemic influences
affecting the dental tissues, and there lias been a recognition of them in
etiological studies, but I am aware of no suggestions for special treatment that
have met with any general acceptance, beyond the well-worn theory of lack
of lime salts in the dental tissues, and the consequent (?) need of increasing
the supply or the occasional prescription of a tonic on general principles.
In the following paragraph the writer shows that he under-
stands that a conscientious homoeopathic physician prescribes
for sick individuals and not for diseases. He is thus far ahead
76
ADULTERATIONS OF FOODS.
[Feb.,
of the eclectic pretenders in our own ranks who have not yet
learned this lesson :
The dominant school of medicine pursues therapeutics on a basis of some
etiological theory of disease, or on a diagnosis of pathological conditions,
while Homoeopathy not only avails itself of all that may be known of etiology
and pathology, but proceeds to treat and cure disease as revealed by symptoms
even when the causes and pathological conditions may be obscure or unknown.
Thus, without any more accurate knowledge of teeth or their diseases perhaps
than other physicians, homoeopaths everywhere treat odontalgia by the inter-
nal administration of drugs with such success that with some it is quite an
appreciable item in their practice. In this way, and also in the fact that all
works on materia medica and therapeutics contain detailed references to the
treatment of diseases of the teeth and gums, homoeopaths have recognized
teeth as tissues of the body, and six papers on the complications of dentition,
read before the thirty-seventh session of the American Institute of Homoe-
opathy last year, gave evidence of much interest in and acquaintance with that
subject.
Again, on page 532 :
If drugs, homoeopathically administered, accomplish their purpose in dental
disease in any fair proportion of cases in the hands of physicians who know
but little about teeth, why may not the special action of drugs — that elective
affinity by which they aflect particular organs or tissues — be made to serve the
dentist's highest hopes by reaching the dental tissues through the system,
thus accomplishing what local means have at best but partially effected ; it
only remains for the dentist to become acquainted with the action of drugs, as
he is with the diseases he has to combat.
Nothing we can say will add to the force of these remarks, but
we may be pardoned for an expression of our hope that this
paper may command the attention it so justly merits, and induce
the dentists to try the new-school methods in their every-day
practice. W. M. J.
ADULTERATIONS OF FOODS.
In the following neat little fable some of the eccentricities of
modern adulteration are delicately disclosed to the common-
wealth of consumers by a contemporary German satirist :
" There were once four flies, and, as it happened, they were
hungry one morning. The first settled upon a sausage of
singularly appetizing appearance, and made a hearty meal. But
he speedily died of intestinal inflammation, for the sausage was
adulterated with aniline. The second fly breakfasted upon
flour, and forthwith succumbed to contraction of the stomach,
owing to the inordinate quantity of alum with which the flour
had been adulterated. The third fly was slaking his thirst with
the contents of the milk jug, when violent cramps suddenly
1886.]
PROVINGS.
77
convulsed his frame, and he soon gave up the ghost, a victim to
chalk adulteration. Seeing this, the fourth fly, muttering to
himself, i The sooner it's over, the sooner to sleep/ alighted
upon a moistened sheet of paper exhibiting the counterfeit
presentment of a death's-head and the inscription ' Fly-poison.'
Fearlessly applying the tip of his proboscis to this device, the
fourth fly drank to his heart's content, growing more vigorous
and cheerful at every mouthful, although expectant of his end.
But he did not die. On the contrary, he thrived and waxed
fat. You see, even the fly-paper was adulterated."
PROVINGS.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
Miss C. G., set. thirty to forty, very sensitive to the pathoge-
netic action of potencies, noticed the following effects from medi-
cines prescribed for her :
1. Siliceacm (Fincke) daily for a week caused sensation of
dropsical swellings round eyes so real that she had to keep look-
ing into the mirror to convince herself that it was not so. Also,
during menses, on washing hands in morning, threads of blood
seemed to play over them and to shoot off at the finger ends
like threads of electricity. (Never had this before.)
2. On three occasions, at intervals of a week, took Ambra}500
(Jenichen) three times a day ; but after first or second dose it
always caused bilious diarrhoea, and made her feel altogether
low-spirited and ill.
3. One dose of Kali-c.3cm (Fincke) caused slight attacks
of diarrhoea (was constipated before).
4. One dose of Lachcsismm (Boericke) took her voice away
and caused a regular cold in the head. Is quite sure she did
not catch cold.
Mezereol
Mrs. B., set. sixty-six. Rheumatic pains in legs, like sciatica,
with jerking of right leg; pains begin about six P. M., last all
night, and are relieved at daybreak.
Lippe's Rep&'tory gives (p. 227), " Jerking of right leg,
MezereumP This medicine, in Fincke's 103m potency, greatly
relieved, but further treatment was needed to complete a cure.
The symptom " relief at daybreak" deserves attention ; it is
a characteristic of Sypkilinum, and Mczereum has an ancient
78
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[Feb,
reputation as an antisyphilitic. This condition has also been
observed under Aurum (another antisyphilitic), Colchicum and
Nux vom.
Dulcamara.
Dr. had had for three days pain in back of left olecranon,
as if bruised, worse on bending arm at elbow or on clinching fist.
One dose of Dulcamara Gcm (Fincke) removed it in about fifteen
minutes. Dulc. has produced a similar symptom, only in the
right arm. (See Encyclop(jediay 329.)
CLINICAL BUREAU.
CASE OF GKAVEL.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
1881, November 11th.— Mr. O., set. twenty-four. This is
the patient whose case is reported in The Homceopathic Phy-
sician, Vol. I, pp. 450-2. He reports now that the old symp-
toms soon ceased entirely, without further treatment, and never
returned ; has been suffering from gravel, at intervals, for
nearly two years. Four years ago had rheumatic fever badly ;
was treated allopathically, which was followed by weakness and
nervous irritability. Last year went to Hamburg and drank
the waters, since which he has been somewhat better, but the
waters weakened him. (I often meet with patients who have
been injured by taking mineral waters, sometimes prescribed by
professed homoeopaths. These mineral waters are most pow-
erful medicines, and should never be prescribed except in ac-
cordance writh their provings, and then only in the dynamized
form.) Present symptoms : At times stiffness in renal regions,
especially on right side; worried by noise or interruption in
business; brings up wind after eating, and feels mentally de-
pressed and physically weak till it comes up ; then he passes a
small quantity of very fine red sand; after this all the above
symptoms pass off. The first attack was with intense pains
beginning in right kidney, and going down ureter, relieved by
passing a piece of sharp brown gravel ; the pain was so great
that he took Opium to relieve it ; for six months afterward his
nervous system remained shaken by it. His father suffers from
stone and gravel. Bowels usually act alternate days; during
the nervous condition for the six months following the first
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
79
attack, he used to feel well the days they acted and better
when they did not act. During the attacks of gravel, feels full
even after a little food. The attacks come on usually every six
weeks in summer and every eight weeks, or longer, in winter ;
has passed a little gravel this morning.
The fullness after eating a little, the red sand, and the pains
affecting first the right side, then the left, pointed to Lycop. I
gave him a daily dose of Lycop.cm (F. C.) for seven days.
November 18th. — The stiffness in renal region has been felt
at times during past week, but no gravel ; less worried j has
felt much better during week ; very much less flatulence after
food; stools much more regular; can work harder and has
better spirits. No medicine.
November 25th. — Passed a little gravel on 20th, but none
since ; stools just as last week, very small, the size of a finger ;
otherwise much better; can go without food without feeling
faint, as formerly ; can work better and without exhaustion.
December 2d. — Has had very slight sediment in urine one
day; stools still small and on alternate days; otherwise the
improvement continues.
December 9th. — No more gravel ; stools alternate days, but
rather more free and larger ; a little stiffness in left renal re-
gion. No other symptoms.
December 16th. — Has caught a bad cold from the wet weather;
no more gravel; stools more natural and more in quantity;
sometimes bowels will not act for two consecutive days; no re-
turn of pains or stiffness in kidneys; he now tells me that he
can eat cheese with impunity; formerly it would cause fullness
of stomach, relieved by copious eructations; then troubled sleep,
and coated tongue next morning; with the fullness, a sense of
coldness. (This case, therefore, adds Lycop. to the remedies
having " aggravation from cheese.") As the chronic symptoms
were steadily lessening, I gave no medicine for the cold, as
Hahnemann directs.
December 23d. — No return of gravel; up to two days ago
bowels acted daily and freely, quite naturally; yesterday there
was a little stiffness in kidneys and bladder, none to-day; no
stools for the past two days, but natural relief to-day, though
not very copious; catarrh almost gone. He now informs me
that for the last eighteen months the bowels would sometimes
not act for two consecutive days, and on these occasions, on
the second day, the feeling of stiffness of bladder, followed next
day by a stool, after which the stiffness went off.
1882, January 10th. — Wrote to say that he had a slight re-
80
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[Feb,
turn of the old symptoms. Lycop.mm (Boericke) every other
morning for fourteen days.
October 9th writes: "My health is decidedly better. I
very seldom pass gravel, and then only in very small quantities."
OPACITY OF CORNEA.
The following case I treated entirely by correspondence, never
seeing the patient till she was cured, as she lived in Belfast,
Ireland.
1881, August 25th. — Miss Jennie B., aet. fourteen, complained
of the following symptoms : Small white spot on left cornea. Left
eye waters a little in the morning. Right eye weak. Sometimes
constipated. The left eye has been weak for more than three months ;
it commenced with redness of white of eye and small pimples
on forehead and eyelids, but no pain or loss of sight ; suddenly
it began to water, with great photophobia. She is extremely tall,
fair, and well developed. A sister has died of phthisis. Two
years ago she had slight curvature of spine, cured by change of
air and gymnastics (but they did not remove the psoric taint ;
only Homoeopathy can do that). She has been for eight weeks
under the care of the first oculist in Belfast, who prescribed
Atropine drops in eye, an ointment, glasses, and a powder of
Mercury, Chalk, Rhubarb, and Jalap at bed-time. This treatment
was persevered with for eight weeks, but without benefit, and the
oculist confessed that he was disappointed at the result of his
treatment. Sulphurdm (F. C.) every morning for fourteen days.
September 2d. — Telegraphed, yesterday right eye suddenly
felt pricking pains in it like dust ; this morning slight pain
through eye, which is much bloodshot ; cannot bear bandage off.
A letter written on the same day stated that yesterday, previously
to this attack, she could open the left eye when the right was
tied up, and that the left eye did not water. Sulphurdm (F. C.)
every six hours till better.
September 22d. — Took the medicine every four hours for two
days, then resumed the daily dose. Has had no medicine since
September 14th. Now the right eye is quite well ; it got well in
a week after the acute attack. Left eye stronger ; no watering.
Opacity very faint. Less constipated. No medicine.
October 12th. — The streak on left cornea (it is more like a
tiny gray streak than a band) continues the same. On testing
the sight, there is a mist over everything she sees with right eye
closed ; could not read a sign at a distance with left eye, though
she could see it distinctly with right eye. For three or four
1886.]
CLINICAL BUKEAU.
81
weeks the flames of the street gas-lamps at a short distance
seem to have rays from them, but with the left eye only. When
she began to improve in September, she also saw double, and the
lights appeared as arches, but only with left eye; since Septem-
ber 18th these last two symptoms have ceased. Very severe
headaches after a long walk, sometimes frontal, sometimes through-
out head. Belladonna*** (F. C.) every other day for fourteen days.
November 10th. — No difference in spot on sight of left eye.
Only one headache during past month. Constipation better dur-
ing past six weeks. Cham.cm (Swan) every other day for four-
teen days.
1882, January 3d. — Reports that on November 15th menses
appeared slightly ; for the first time slight, and lasting only one
day, but have not returned. Spot smaller and sight rather
better. Sulphurmm (F. C.) every other day for fourteen days.
January 28th. — Finished medicine on 24th ; spot remains, but
sight is better. Pimples on forehead ; slight return of menses
last week. SuIphii7Am (F. C.) every other day for fourteen days.
March 25th. — Still a very tiny speck of white on cornea.
Pimples on face and forehead, and a few on body. Kali-bichr.cm
(F. C. j every other day for fourteen days.
November 16th. — Reports perfectly well.
1883, March 14th. — Sight is good ; but on looking at left eye
in certain lights there is a slight film on cornea in two places.
Occasional headaches. Menses still scanty, and at intervals of
about two months. Sulphurdm (F. C.) every other day for four-
teen days.
1884, September. — I saw her for the first time, and found her
perfectly well.
CASE OF DYSMENORRHEA.
1873, September 1st. — Miss , set. about thirty-six, consulted
me for the following symptoms : About a week before menses
feeling of fullness in head, singing in ears, dim sight, nausea,
and increase of her chronjc water-brash of clear, tasteless water
rising from abdomen; also her chronic headaches then attain
their maximum, the pain beginning, as at other times, in
nape, and going over occiput to left temple, sometimes to right.
When the head is better the vessels of the stomach feel gorged
with blood so that she cannot get a full inspiration ; something
seems to stop it, and she feels great oppression at chest. For a
week or ten days before menses she also wakes in night with
boring pains in right abdomen, piercing through to back, last-
82
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[Feb., 1886.
ing about twenty minutes, and so severe that she frequently
breaks out into a profuse sweat with her efforts to bear it
patiently ; she generally has this pain for two consecutive
nights before menses. Slliceacm (Fincke) had failed to relieve.
Calc. carb.3cm (Swan) three times a day for two days.
October 22d, writes that menses are over, with a decided im-
provement; no boring pains; no congestive headaches; action
of heart regular, and "able to breathe all over me;" dim sight
better; no sickness or giddiness; menses came on at the right
time, and with very little pain ; water-brash less often and less
severe. She writes: "This is the only monthly period I have
ever passed through without interne suffering."
November 27th writes: "Menstrual symptoms still wonder-
futty improved" She has never since then complained of these
troubles, though I have had from time to time to prescribe for
her. The headaches commencing in nape, and the water-brash,
both of which she had also at other times, did return and needed
further treatment.
Subsequently to the cure of the dysmenorrhea she complained
of gnawing pains at the stomach pit after every meal; constant
pain in left side just over hip, and thread worms. These symp-
toms were removed by Aluminacm (Fincke) twice daily for a
week.
1877, April 6th. — After a long interval of comparative
health complained of difficult breathing. It seemed as if the
vessels of the heart were too full of blood, and would burst if
she tried to take a deep inspiration; when she exerts herself at
all can only get a breath by bending nearly double. One dose
of Lachesismm (Boericke) removed the congestive symptoms.
On January 20th, 1878, she complained of constant attacks
of bilious diarrhoea, the stools burning ; during the time great
pain and discomfort on urinating, sometimes cannot urinate ; at
other times passes a large quantity of quite white urine, which
seems to stop the diarrhoea at once. One dose of Magnesia
sidphuricam (Leipzig) removed the symptoms at once, the
bilious diarrhoea never returning. She also reported menses
still regular and without pain.
This case I treated almost entirely by correspondence, as I
do with a large number of my patients, thus obviating the
necessity of consulting a mongrel when at a distance.
The keynote for Calc. was " Tightness of the chest, as if she
were filled too full, and with blood." (See Encyclopaedia, 972.)
The abdominal pain seems not to have been yet observed under
Calcarea.
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
The Value of Vaccination. A non-partisan review of its
History and Results. By George William Winterburn, Ph.D.,
M. D. Philadelphia : F. E. Boericke, 1886.
The object of this book is stated in the Introduction to be " to investigate
fairly and dispassionately the claims of the Jennerian method, and the tenta-
tive basis upon which its theories were founded." The author thinks the
value of vaccination is still doubtful, and says: "This question, although
affecting the welfare of untold millions, is calmly asserted to have passed
beyond tbe domain of argument." He then proceeds to give arguments
against it. His array of facts is certainly staggering.
The first chapter is an inquiry into "the rise of vaccination as a medical
dogma." After giving the history of the rise and fall of the practice of
inoculation, he proceeds to describe cow-pox, and shows how Jenner first
conceived the idea that " cow-pox was a preventive against taking small-pox."
by hearing the "country-side gossip " of " milk-maids and others." This is
well known, and is acknowledged by all who favor vaccination. But he
claims that it was accepted with but " little of scientific research," and that
Jenner had so little information about it that he confused cow-pox with
swine-pox, and with the "grease" in the horse, from which it is usually
understood cow-pox originated, asserting that all three were identical with
small-pox ; that his followers have, consequently, adopted the pernicious
practice of raising crops of vaccine virus in the cow by inoculating the
animal with small-pox — variolation, as it is called.
" Thus there are a number of strains of vaccine material :
" a. Original cow-pox of Jenner ;
" b. Equine-pox stock ;
" e. Swine-pox stock ;
" d. Goat-pOx stock ;
" e. Variola cow-pox of Ceely and others ;
"/. Spontaneous cow-pox of Beaugency ;
" g. Calf-Beaugency stock ;
" h. Calf small-pox — cow-pox."
These are all claimed by Jenner and his followers as really but one thing.
Then comes a chapter on the " methods of vaccinating," which need not here
be quoted.
The next chapter shows " the extent of the protection afforded by vaccina-
tion." After quoting statistics most favorable to vaccination, there follows an
analysis of the figures, which would seem to indicate that the dealh-rate from
small-pox has really risen since the general practice of vaccination. " Thus,
as vaccination was more rigidly enforced, small-pox increased " (p. 74).
A remarkable quotation is given from Sir Henry Holland, " one of the
wisest physicians of his day:" "Throughout every part of the globe from
which we have records, we find that small-pox has been gradually increasing
again in frequency as an epidemic, affecting a larger proportion of the
vaccinated, and inflicting greater mortality in its results." Again : " It is no
longer expedient in any sense to argue for the present practice of vaccination
as a certain or permanent preventive of small-pox."
Quantities of statistics are given ; and, finally, the idea is advanced that
the only prophylactic against small-pox is cleanliness, pure water, and
wholesome air.
The evils of vaccination — the spread of syphilis and of tuberculosis — are
strongly urged, and striking illustrations given. It is shown that by the
practice of vaccination directly from the cow, bovine tuberculosis may be given
to human beings.
The book closes with a chapter upon compulsory vaccination. Page 146 :
83
84
NOTES AND NOTICES.
[Feb. 1886.
" This system of compulsory vaccination is founded upon a formulary too
preposterous for a moment's serious argument. It arose from the curious
dogma that a healthy person was a focus of disease ; and that not having been
diseased (i. e., vaccinated) he would be the propagator of disease (small-pox)
to those who had been diseased (vaccinated) " (!) Page 149 : " Vaccination
is destined, sooner or later, to take its place by the side of inoculation as an
exploded medical theory. It has been tried and found wanting, and the
frantic efforts of its devotees may postpone for a time but cannot avert the
downward plunge of the sword of Damocles." W. M. J.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
International Congress. — The next International Congress will meet
at Brussels the first week in August next. All homoeopathists who can go
should do so. They will unite recreation and profit, business and pleasure,
recruit the body and fill the mind.
Hahnemann's Monument. — The city of Leipsic erected on its Promenade
a handsome bronze statute of Samuel Hahnemann. It represents him as
seated with a book in his hand. On the pedestal is this inscription :
Dem
Griinder Der Homceopathie
Samuel Hahnemann.
Geb. zu Meissen D. 10 April, 1755.
Gest. zu Paris D. 2 Juli, 1843.
von
Seinen Dankboren Schulern und verehren.
Dr. Schussler lives at Oldenberg, a little old-fashioned German town.
He was once imprisoned for three months for prescribing for a patient out of
his window at night, it being against German law to prescribe for a patient
without seeing him. Probably had Dr. Schussler been a " regular" he would
never have been prosecuted. Prosecution is often but legal persecution !
Position as Assistant Wanted. — A physician (past thirty years of age),
a recent graduate of one of the best Medical Colleges of the country, also
having a year of hospital experience, wishes to associate himself with an
older physician. Address M. D., care of The Homoeopathic Physician.
A Doctor's Diary. — A pocket diary picked up in the streets of a neigh-
boring city would seem to indicate, from the following choice extracts, that
the owner was a medical man :
4< Kase 230. Mary An Perkins. Bisnes, washwoman. Sickness in her
head. Fisik some blue pils a soaperifik ; age 52. Ped me one dollar, 1
kuarter bogus. Mind get good kuarter and mak her tak me fisik.
" Kase 231. Tummes Krink ; Bisnis, Nirishman. Lives with Pady Molony,
who keeps a dray — Sikness digg in ribs and tow blak eys. Fisik to drink my
mixter twict a day of sasiperily beer and jellop, and fish ile, with asifedity to
make it taste fisiky. Rubed his face with kart grese liniment, aged 39 years
of age. Drinked the mixter and wuddent pay me bekase it tasted nasty, but
the mixter' 11 work his innards, I reckon.
u Kase 232. Old Misses Boggs. Aint got no bisnis, but has plenty of
money. Sikness all a humbug. Gav her sum of my celebrated ' Dipseflori-
ken,' "which she said she drank like cold tee — which it was too. Must put
sumthing in it to make her feel sik and bad. The Old Woman has got the
roks." — Sanitarian.
Homeopathic Physician,
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constantixe hering.
Vol. VI. MARCH, 1886. No. 3.
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA, ITS
STUDY AND ITS USES.*
(Continued from page 54.)
Then this curing power is found not only regardless of laws
which govern matter, but acting as no other form of matter
does, as may be seen in this : — Place a single medicated pellet,
or any small number of such, in a phial, and fill it with unmedi-
cated pellets, and these will all soon become medicated with the
same healing force as was in the original medicated ones, while
at the same time they will have received no new property of
matter nor any addition to those they possessed when they were
but blanks. Now we know of no instance, nor can we conceive
of any, where matter in form passes from one material body to
another, imparting to this new properties, and neither of them
experiencing in the process any change of loss or gain in prop-
erties or qualities belonging to them as matter. This has
been many times observed of this curing power, and each time
it has given its own nature to the new pellets it has clearly
demonstrated that nature to be non-material.
If these statements are true, and we have seen them verified
many times, then the way is open to the answer of the question,
What, then, is this power in the drug which makes sick and
cures ? For all accept and act upon the fact that drugs do cure
* An introductory lecture to the course on Materia Medica in the Woman's
Homoeopathic Medical College of New York, for the session of 1885-6.
85
86
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA. [Mar.,
sicknesses, though all do not recognize so clearly as they ought
that they make sicknesses as well, and by the same power that
cures. If this power be not the matter of the drug, then what
is it ? We answer, it is an immaterial element, which it pleased
Infinite Wisdom, Goodness, and Power to place in conjunction
with these forms of matter we call drugs (and all forms of
matter which have this power to make sick are drugs), a genuine
dynamismus or force. It is just this, and nothing more : To
each drug form was given a dynamismus, with an individuality
all its own, which differs from that of every other drug. Though,
as met in many drugs, there are many similar elements by which
drugs are related to each other, yet no one is found represented
in its characteristic individuality in the manifested action of any
other drug.
Now it is just these individualities, these similarities and dif-
ferences, which are to engage your attention as students of
materia medica. This science is made up of a record of the
action of this dynamismus, as present in the different drugs
which have been taken by men and women that they might find
out just how this power in each drug would affect and make
sick the different organs and functions of the body. You will
find the results of these experiments have been carefully gathered
and recorded, and this in the greatest detail. This record is
our science of materia medica. It is the peculiar feature and
property of the homoeopathic school of practical medicine. It
is the outcome of the sufferings and self-sacrifice of its votaries,
who had for this creation of unparalleled beauty and truth no
help from any outside their own circle of devoted men and
women. No other school of medicine has the like, and we be-
lieve we are justified when we declare Homoeopathy the only
science of therapeutics, if we add, and this record so made is the
only science of materia medica. Not only has no other school
the like of this, but no other has anything in the least like it,
except as it has borrowed from this, and this has been done by
latest old-school authors somewhat liberally, but always with
dignified and uniform silence as to the source from which they
have taken all which gives to their work the least value.
It will be your duty, and we gladly believe it will be your
pleasure, to study this dynamismus in the revelations of its actions
as thus recorded, with greatest care, going into all details of
symptoms and their modalities, counting no recorded fact as too
small for your careful consideration, none as so insignificant that
it may safely be passed by or neglected. In the facts of our
1886.] THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA. 87
science of materia medica there is no such thing as great or small.
These adjectives have no place in its vocabulary.
Almost the sole — certainly the greatest — importance of this
science is found in its relation to the science of therapeutics, and
to clinical duties in its administration. In these duties it not
unfrequently happens that symptoms are met in sicknesses which
are wholly unimportant to the diagnostician, but which are to
the practical healer the chief guides to his specific curative.
Therefore, in your study of materia medica count no symptom
or modality of a symptom small. With the specific action of
this dynamic element of drugs you are to make yourselves
familiar if you are ambitious of power and success in the work
of the calling which your appearance here as students proclaims
as that of your choice.
The view here presented of the curing element in the mem-
bers of our materia medica is not that which generally prevails
in the medical profession, and certainly it is not universally ac-
cepted in our own branch of it. But you may, I think, be safe
in receiving: it till some one can give another which will accord
more reasonably with the facts of experience and the record than
does this of the dynamismus. If the materialist rejects it, then
let him explain the paradox of the less being the greater power,
as it has many times been declared to be, by cures of cases where
the greater has failed.
The discovery of this nature dates no farther back than the
time of Hahnemann, and its history traces its discovery to the
mind of this extraordinary man. He discovered it when he was
not looking for it. You may say its discovery was an accident.
I prefer to regard it as a providence of the great and good
God. The revelation of this truth which had been hid in the
nature of things from the beginning, was thus brought to light
in the experience of this master of observers of natural phe-
nomena. He had discovered already that it was the similar
remedy which cured sicknesses, but he also saw that when this
was given to the sick, in the massive doses then common, the
sufferings of the patient were greatly increased, as was also the
danger incident to the original attack. To avoid these two
dangers he reduced his doses, and this more and more till un-
expected light came into his mind, from the fact that in reducing
the quantity of the drug he had not reduced its power to cure,
but that this had been rather increased by the means to which
he resorted for the accomplishment of this reduction. It was a
surprise to him, and, like many another surprise, was not at first
fully comprehended by him who had brought the truth to light.
88
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA. [Mar.,
He had no thought, at first, but of dealing with the matter of
the drug. He reduced this, and found if the matter were made
less the curing power was not. So clear an intelligence as
Hahnemann's could not fail to see, this being the fact, that the
curing power could not be the matter of the drug, and that this
which he found so increased by his process of reduction, could
only be a force, or dynamismus, associated with these different
forms of matter. And, more than this, he found the further
he carried this process of reduction, the more the curing power
seemed to be increased, and in this increase he saw he was deal-
ing with an immaterial principle, and not, by and by, with the
matter of the drug. It was thus the true nature of the curing
power, with the study of which you are now about to be en-
gaged, was discovered. The apparent reduction of the matter
was an actual increase of the power.
This reduction was effected by adding to a given sum of the
drug ninety-nine times its amount of a neutral vehicle, and to a
similar amount of this medicated vehicle a like sum of this
neutral again, through a series of reductions in the centesimal
ratios, till the thirtieth number of the series was reached. Here
Hahnemann stopped. The series he numbered one, two, three,
etc., to the end, and each of these he called a u dilution " or
" attenuation," the idea being that the process only diluted or
attenuated the drug, each higher number representing a weaker
dose of the drug. Unfortunately, this nomenclature, with this
idea attached, has come down to our time and to us. We say
unfortunately, as the terms express just the contrary of what
has actually happened in the process employed as to the curing
power, and it is with this we are to deal in our study of materia
medica and in our practice of specific therapeutics. The terms
" dilution w and " attenuation " should never be used to express
the degrees of dynamization to which our medicines may have
been carried, for the reason they are wholly misleading as to
what has really happened to them in the process through which
they have passed. For this reason these terms should be dis-
carded and the word " potence " be used instead, which ex-
presses the fact more exactly.
The process by which this reduction as to the drug matter,
and exaltation as to the curing power was accomplished, has
been called dynamization and potentization. The result of this
process, the liberation and development of the curing power,
and the subjection of the most deadly poisons to a state in which
they become harmless as poisons and most powerful and benefi-
cent healing agents, is the one great discovery of Hahnemann.
1886.] THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATEKIA MEDIC A. 89
In the history of medicine there has been no second of equal
importance. The law of the similars Hahnemann did not dis-
cover. It was advocated and practiced centuries before his
birth, and was then the subject of controversy, as it was when
revived by Hahnemann. It may be easily understood that the
law then fell into disuse by reason of a want of positive knowl-
edge of the action of the drugs used on the organs and func-
tions of the body, so that the prescriber was in no way able to
say of any drug it is similar in its action to the phenomena
of any sickness before him. No drugs had then been proved,
as we now have them and prove them ; the only knowledge of
them had been gained ab uso in morbis. He could only assume
the similarity before the drug had been proved — i. e., he could
only guess at it, and this allopathy can do, and does to-day,
perhaps nearly as well. We are indebted to Hahnemann for
our proved materia medica. The idea of proving drugs on
healthy men and women did not originate with him. The
necessity of this had been insisted on before his time, but he
was the first to act on it and give it the living existence we now
possess in our materia medica record. Then, it may be, another
reason why the law fell into disuetude in the old time was the
doses of drugs employed. These were great — all he can bear.
And if by chance the guessing prescriber hit on a similar remedy
it must have so added to the sufferings of the sick as to dis-
courage both the doctor and the doctor's patient. So it will be
seen a successful practice of the law of the similars was then
impossible. These two insuperable obstacles were both removed
by Hahnemann. He proved and caused to be proved many
drugs so that their actions were known, and he reduced the
dose of the similar remedy till it could be used without the
experience of the destructive effects of those of the old time,
and, in accomplishing this last, God gave him the discovery of
potentization, which made practice with the similar remedy
possible, safe, and permanent, and crowned Homoeopathy with
its brightest glory.
We have said of potentization that it was Hahnemann's one
discovery. It was all his own. To this we may add the dis-
covery of the dynamic nature of sicknesses and curing agents.
He did not discover the law of the similars, but he made its
practice possible, safe, and permanent. There were those who
claimed to share with him the credit of the origin of this theory
of the chronic miasms. But no one has called in question his
right to all the honor which should attach to this greatest dis-
covery in the science of materia medica in ancient or modern
90
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDIC A. [Mar.,
times. By it the feeble, or the apparently feeble, in nature has
been given to us with the powers of a giant, while the deadliest
poisons have been tamed and compelled to serve most benefi-
cent purposes when their use is directed by skill inspired by the
immortal master.
Now, young ladies, I wish to impress on your minds, the
deepest that is possible, the fact that when you enter on the
study of this science of materia medica, that you may be able
to administer it in its practical relations, you have entered on
a study which is never to cease but at the end of your earthly
lives. There is no end to the study — no end of the duty — if
you will be worthy representatives of the school of specific
medicine you are now about to enter. You may choose to-day
whether you will emulate this character, or drift through an idle
life, and represent rather the shams which prefer idleness to
work. Success in practical specific medicine means work —
much and hard work. It means much and hard work, which
is never to cease while you live, and never to become easy while
you work. The most you are to expect in this continued toil is
a gain in the facile use of the powers which you bring to this
work. The work itself never becomes easy. It brings you
before your materia medica record of a thousand drugs, each
more or less perfectly proved, and many of them each with
thousands of recorded symptoms, and requires of you to put
your finger on the one the record of which is most like that of
the elements of the sickness you have gathered, and which it is
now your duty to cure. It is the one of the thousand and not
two. The one is the curative and no other is, and remember,
that in its selection neither " science" nor law will permit the
least approach to guessing. Leave old school boys to do that,
and you may depend on their doing it. To you and the pre-
scribers who obey law, and rightly use our materia medica
record, it is given to be able to say, when a curative has been
selected, I know ! Begin, when you enter your practical life,
demanding for yourself this positive knowledge, and continue
ever and always demanding it, and though the work thus
imposed and pursued will never become easy, the strength for
doing it will thereby be greatly increased. Make this your life
habit, and life will be crowned by brightest successes.
But it may be you come into this College with the idea that
you are to be here so taught this science and its cognate, thera-
peutics, that you will go out fully equipped with such a knowl-
edge of each as will have emancipated you from the perpetual
toil and drudgery of dealing with details of sicknesses
1886.] THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA.
91
and drugs such as we have presented to you as your des-
tined lot and duty. "Is not this just what we are here for?"
If this is your view of the objective and outcome of college life,
duties, and privileges, your greatest good will be realized when
you shall be rid of this notion, or when, in view of the truth of
the future of a life devoted to specific prescribing, you are so
disgusted by its continued difficulties and toils that you leave
your studies and seek some life-service less burdened by these.
It is best that you now understand distinctly the true nature of
your own duties and those of your teachers, and the relations of
each to the other. Your teacher has done all of her duty, and
done it nobly, fully, perfectly, when you have been taught how
to do this work for yourselves and with your own powers.
The true teacher never undertakes to do the work of the pupil.
He has fully discharged his own duty when he has shown the
pupil how to do this for himself. This is the one great duty of
teaching — to show the pupil how to use his own powers, and
how with these he is to deal with the specialties which together
make the sum of an education, and how by his own powers the
pupil is to master each. If the teacher mistakes and proceeds to
do the work necessary for this for his pupil, in the end the latter
is found, as to all these matters which he may think he has been
taught, in the same imbecility as he was in the beginning. So
taught, he has been made a weakling and never a man. But do
you ask, "Am I not here to be taught, among other sciences, that
of materia medica?" Yes, to a certain extent and in a certain
way. But this extent and way are almost wholly limited to a
dealing with general principles. If you are expecting to gain
here a complete knowledge of materia medica details in the few
brief months of the current session, it will go far toward curing
the delusion if you look at the records of Plumbum and Sulphur,
each having more than four thousand symptoms, and at the same
time it is remembered, there are many others whose record ex-
tends into the thousands. And then, if you remember there is a
general similarity of the record of each to that of the other, which
greatly favors confusion in any attempt to memorize this vast
mass of details, and that there are something more than one
thousand individual members of our materia medica, it may be,
after this general view of the subject, you may conclude that
any attempt to memorize these details must be altogether unwise.
This is just what it would be. We think we hazard very little
if we affirm that whatever the talent for teaching may inhere in
your chair of materia medica, and whatever of aptitude to acquire
her brightest pupil may possess, if this teacher were to devote
92
THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA MEDICA. [Mar.,
herself wholly to this one pupil and the pupil give all her time
and talent to this one study, they would together be able to ac-
complish but little in that kind of knowledge of materia medica
which makes the master of specific prescribing. It is not so
much possession of a memory of these details as it is that of gen-
eral principles and a ready recognition of that which is similar,
when the factors to be compared are before one, which gives the
prescriber mastery over sicknesses. And as the objective of the
study of materia medica here and elsewhere is to gain that knowl-
edge of it which is to be brought to the bedside of the sick that
it may furnish the means of cure, the wise course here is to en-
deavor to acquire such general knowledge of characteristics of
the action of different drugs as will enable one readily to appre-
hend the true place where the prescriber is to look for the details
of this action which relate some one drug to his case as its cura-
tive. And let it be remembered that it is in these details that
this relationship of curative to sicknesses exists, and hence the
necessity of the perpetual study we have affirmed to be a neces-
sity to the specific prescriber. It is necessary because no man
(and in this we mean to include women) can carry this enormous
mass of details of facts in his head. If you find one who pre-
tends to do this and in his prescriptions has no reference to the
printed record, set him down as a sham and a false pretender
without the least hesitation. One of the greatest masters of spe-
cific prescribing I have known — and he was truly great — said to
me many times : " You don't know what you have to give your
case till you have studied it." This is true. Remember it, and
never be troubled, if seen with book in hand over your case,
with the fear that some one may think you don't know all about
it already. You don't know all about it, and no one else does or
ever did till he had studied it out. Said a doctor to me one day
when we met in the street and I was carrying my Materia
Medica to the sick-room (as I always did at that time) : " I
should be afraid to do that. I should be afraid my patients
would think I don't know." Well,' they would only have
thought the truth. He did not know, and he never did. He
never used the means which alone could enable him to know.
Never be ashamed to be seen with a book in your hand. In
this duty deal honestly and truth will justify your course.
The two greatest masters of our materia medica I have
known, each after passing his threescore and ten years, wrere
as much engaged with the printed record when selecting reme-
dies for sicknesses as they had ever been. This had been their
life habit, and this had made them great. Time, even at this
1886.] THE PHILOSOPHY OF MATERIA. MEDICA.
93
late age, had brought no emancipation from this duty. Even
though familiar with materia medica beyond all other men, they
did not know what they should give a patient until they had
studied his case. They were not afraid any man would think
they did not know because seen with a book in hand. It was
because they did know that they studied their cases. And they
knew more than any other practical prescribers because they had
for their life long studied their cases and their Materia Medica
record together. Said Bcenninghausen, when I handed him a
written history of a case for which he was to prescribe (it was
then eight o'clock a. m.), " Come to me at four this afternoon
and I will prescribe for you." I don't know how much of the
intervening eight hours he had spent over this record and his
Materia Medica. I saw on his table, in one column, probably
more than fifty names of medicines, in another perhaps forty ^
in another twenty, in another ten, in another five, in another
one. His first study gave him the greater number of names.
Many of these were eliminated by a second. And this second
list was further reduced by his third, and this by the fourth,
and so on till he had reached his one most similar remedy. If
this peerless prescriber and master of materia medica was thus
careful and laborious in his study of his cases and careless of
the time required for his search for his simillimum, shall we
who are so far his inferiors be ashamed to be seen giving time
and study to the same duty ? He knew his Materia Medica,
and therefore he studied it.
No example can be presented to those entering on a life of prac-
tical prescribing so worthy of imitation as that of these two
greatest of our predecessors. It was constant work which made
them great. Without constant work no man can be truly great
in this calling, which demands work more than any other. It
is constant work, or imbecility for lack of this, to which you
are now to devote your lives. It is with you now a matter of
choice which. Begin right, and go on right, and continue to
go right till it becomes the habit of your lives, and you will
soon be able to look backward and downward on those imbe-
ciles who at the beginning neglected to take the oil for their
lamps which only habits of industry can give, and without
which the doom is to dwell in utter darkness.
When we present to you the truths of practical Homoeopathy
we do it with fullest confidence in their value and verity. We
present in these no new thing, but that of which the world and
its practitioners have had large experience. They have been
proved in trials of keenest observation and sharpest criticism,
94
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON IGNATIA.
[Mar.,
and have come out from these in brightest and clearest demon-
stration, that they are no other than gifts from God to a suffer-
ing, sick race, for their deliverance and for His glory. An
appeal to the record made of their administration by the masters
through whom these have come down to us will prove their
origin not of this earth.
We present these truths as a whole to you now (we have only
been engaged with one branch of them) as not only worthy of
your confidence, but of the devotion of your best powers to the
work of mastering the difficulties of their intelligent applica-
tion to healing the sick. You will not do wisely if you esti-
mate this an easy task. A proper performance of it will require
all the strength and patience you can give to it. When thor-
oughly performed, the most highly endowed with natural and
acquired ability will find that he has had abundant need of all
he possessed. It is no easy duty to which you are invited by
the attractions of truth and power in the system of Hahnemann,
but to one of sturdy work, which knows no end but with the
end of life. Work — honest, faithful, and hard — is the cup of
which it invites you to drink, while in return it only offers the
rewards which come from loyalty to truth and a good con-
science. Can you drink of this cup? Are you content with
this reward ? If so, then we bid you a hearty welcome to the
companionship of those who have already consecrated them-
selves to this work, and in the course on which you are now
about to enter we bid you, in the spirit of this consecration, a
hearty God speed. P. P. Wells.
NOTES FROM AN EXTEMPORANEOUS LECTURE
ON IGNATIA BY PROF. J. T. KENT.
(Frank Kraft, Stenographer.)
This is a very frequently indicated medicine, and, in its crude
form, a very active poison ; but it acts curatively in a very wide
range of potencies. Unlike Calcarea, Nat. mur., Carbo veg.,
and remedies that do not act very well when given low, this one
acts well low. It is a short-acting medicine, and its action, as a
general thing, is quite superficial, being mostly confined to ner-
vous phenomena. It is not capable of going deep into the life
and producing structural changes in the tissues, like Sulphur
and that class of remedies; it is essentially a short-acting
remedy, and one of the apsorics in contradistinction to the anti-
1886.] NOTES FROM LECTURE ON IGNATIA.
95
psorics. As stated above, it is a very active poison ; in fact, it
contains more strychnia? than does Nux vomica, its twin-sister.
Ignatia, in a general way, is full of disappointments : it is a
disappointment to the physician as well as to the patient. The
doctor will be disappointed in the contradictory symptoms that
he finds in the patient ; and the patient has symptoms coming
on from disappointment. The complaints of Ignatia very often
arise from fear, jealousy, disappointment, unrequited love,
shock from the loss of a friend, from the death of a husband or
a child ; complaints coming on in children from punishment,
from scolding. Ignatia is chock full of silent grief and
jealousy. It is nearly as important as Hyoscyamus and Apis
in its jealousy ; and, as I have already said, its complaints are
mostly of a nervous character. The type is hysterical. Tt is
the great hysterical medicine of the homoeopath ; it has all the
fainting and all the cramping and all the opposite symptoms ;
the unexpected symptoms, such as falling in a faint — ladies
sometimes faint away — I believe men don't faint. From the
loss of a friend, or from any of these mental disturbances that
I have spoken of, she faints away. While Ignatia does not
always speedily bring her out of the faint or the unconscious-
ness, it prevents complaints from following these causes. That
is the espeqial sphere of Ignatia. We find at times in a lady
who has lost a child or lost her husband, if inappropriate
measures are resorted to, or no measures at all — we will find
that complaints come on, such as mental disturbance, wrongs
that last her a long time ; and she will say, " I have had this
nervous trouble ever since my husband died," or " ever since I
lost my child," " ever since I lost my property M — or such a
shock as that. Ignatia prevents these complaints and cures
them, even after they have lasted a long time. It has cramps
in thrt muscles; the fingers drawing in every direction ; clench-
ing of the fists, with a perfectly normal temperature ; drawing
of the spinal column backward. It has all the horrors of the
hystero-epilepsy — all of these contortions coming on in hys-
teria. There may be some of you who would be in doubt,
having seen a patient fall, whether it is hysteria or epilepsy. If
you will remember one thing it will very often guide you : the
hysterical patient, in falling, never hurts herself ; while the
epileptic patient, in falling, if a stove be near, will fall upon it.
If there be a grate with fire in the room his head will very
likely fall into that ; many an epileptic patient has burned a
finger or an arm or has been burned to death by falling into the
fire. Such a thing has never been heard of in hysteria — they
96
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON IGNATIA. [Mar.,
never lose consciousness until they are safe. Getting that as an
isolated fact, you will more readily remember it than if it was
given you among your other definitions by your professor of
neurology. I simply hint that, because Ignatia does not cor-
respond to epilepsy, but does to the hysterical part in a hystero-
epilepsy, that part may demand Ignatia.
The contortions of the muscles are peculiar in that they con-
tract in opposite directions — in every conceivable direction. If
you look through your books and the medical literature gener-
ally you will get such an impression of this peculiar hysterical
contortion that you will never forget it ; all these contortions are
found more or less in Ignatia, and it becomes the remedy par
excellence for these irregular contradictory symptoms.
Now, we have the contradiction running through Ignatia in
another way ; in the inflammatory complaints they are made
better by pressure ; where you would expect to find pain in-
oreased, it is ameliorated by pressure; we have a sore throat in
Ignatia that gives us quite a characteristic ; stitching pains, stick-
ing and tearing pains between the acts of swallowing; the act
of swallowing relieves the pain ; empty swallowing even relieves
the pain ; swallowing fluids relieves the pain ; swallowing solids
relieves the pain. You remember we have in Lachesis not so
much pain from swallowing solids as fluids. There you see
the analogy, but they are not alike. Now, when that charac-
teristic is present it is so prominent that it overshadows almost
every other symptom. While Ignatia has never produced ex-
udations such as we find in diphtheria, yet on that symptom
it has cured a great many cases of diphtheria.
In the stomach we find another contradictory state : there is
great nausea and vomiting ; sour stomach ; sour eructations ; sour
vomiting ; vomiting of sour water, and so acrid that it burns the
mouth ; and this goes on for days and days. When we find
this hysterical vomiting in women, Ignatia becomes the remedy.
You will find this vomiting going on for days and days, and
that which is singular about it is that the little dainty things
that you would suppose would be retained, like a teaspoon ful of
water, will cause nausea and vomiting, but a good, big stomach-
ful will be retained. Now, isn't that singular? We find just
such states as that in Ignatia — in its hysteria — that is to say,
vomiting of little delicacies and little things; but if she can get
a good, big stomachful of raw cabbage she will not vomit it
up at all ; she will be perfectly happy. I have known a hyster-
ical patient to eat a stomachful of cold-slaw and feel "just
elegant" after it; but when the stomach became empty, then on
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON IGNATIA.
97
would come the gnawing, the uneasiness, and the distress ; and
whenever the good old grandmother tries to palliate the distress
with a little hot tea or little delicacies of one kind or another,
the patient doesn't like it; but if she can get half a teacupful
of vinegar she will "down" it, and it will make her better.
These are contradictory things, just such things as you will find
in hysterical women.
Like Nux vomica, the menstrual flow comes too soon and is
likely to last too long and be attended with these hysterical
symptoms that I have spoken of. Amenorrhcea is found in
Ignatia in suppression of the menstrual flow — absent menstrual
flow. This may go on for months in hysterical girls and in
hysterical women, and these hysterical affections take the place
of the menstrual flow. The irritable stomach of hysterical
patients is very quickly corrected by Ignatia. A single dose is
often sufficient to cure the case or to relieve it temporarily.
Many of these hysterical cases can never be cured, they never
get well, they wouldn't get well even if they could, they don't
like to get well, they prefer to be sick. This is not always put
on; they can't help it. They appear to put on much and they
don't have much sympathy ; but I tell you when you come to
know them you will have sympathy for them. There is a hys-
terical state when it is perfectly natural for them to assume — to
pretend. Now, sometimes they will appear to be deaf, they
won't hear anything at all for weeks. I remember I had a girl
of that kind on my hands for a long time ; she was always deaf
except when her father would put her on horseback. She would
either be deaf or she would have a horseback ride. That con-
trariness is peculiar to these hysterical girls ; some of them are
as obstinate as the devil, if not more so ; and so is Ignatia. It
has every freak of the imagination and disposition, but, unlike
most other remedies, none of these symptoms remain ; they are
not permanent, they are always changing, and this is again
characteristic of the hysterical patient. When she gets tired of
one whim she tackles another and runs that awhile. This same
girl that was deaf when she couldn't go horseback riding, when
that wouldn't work any longer she changed her tune and had
aphonia — hysterical aphonia — but put her on the back of a
horse in company with a nice-looking gentleman and she could
talk as well as I can, and that, you know, is pretty good. But
as soon as her feet struck the ground she couldn't talk any more,
she had to ride in order to talk. That trouble came from un-
requited love; her beau didn't like her any longer, and married
some one else. Such a state as that we find in women. You
98
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON IGNATIA. [Mar.r
know, a gentleman, if he becomes so disappointed that he can't
endure himself any longer, goes off and kills himself. There is
nothing hysterical about that. Now I don't know whether I
have been lecturing about hysteria or about Ignatia, I have told
you some things about both. You will see that Ignatia is a
great remedy for these contrary, hysterical manifestations.
A remedy almost as good as Ignatia, if not quite, if you will
allow me to jump the track for a second, is a hot iron. You
say in the presence of some of these hysterical patients, espe-
cially when they are putting on right cleverly, that "all other
remedies having failed in this case, and being a very difficult
case — a very desperate case — I think to-morrow, if this remedy
which I have just given doesn't act, I will have to resort to
actual cautery;" and be particularly careful to explain that
cautery is a hot iron, heated to a white heat, and has to be swept
up and down the spinal column seventeen or eighteen times.
You will find your remedy acting very well before " to-morrow."
This might be considered an inter-current to the action of
Ignatia.
Ignatia has a great many headaches, but they are peculiar
only when coupled with these other symptoms. There is one
symptom in Ignatia, in the head, like that found in a few other
remedies — a sensation as if a nail were driven out through the
head ; better by lying on it. There you get the peculiarity of
the symptom — better by lying on it.
Notice the mental symptoms of the text ; they are pretty near
what we have gone over : Desire to be alone ; changeable dis-
position ; jesting and laughter change to sadness, with shedding
of tears ; taciturn. Globus hystericus : sensation as if a ball
was rising up in the throat; it sometimes begins away down and
crawls up into the throat, and stays there, and she can't get rid
of it. Lachesis has a symptom something like that ; it has a
nervous symptom, and it is allied to hysteria; the ball in the
throat in Lachesis, whenever he swallows, goes down, and then
it goes back again, and that ball is continually being swallowed.
In Ignatia we have a choking sensation from the stomach up
into the throat. Lachesis has a choking as if the clothing about
the neck were too tight. He wants always to lift up the clothing
when they are in bed. If you have a sore throat commencing
on the left side, like Lachesis, traveling to the right side, with
stitching pain between the acts of swallowing, that stitching
pain between the acts of swallowing, and relieved by swallowing
food, is so characteristic of Ignatia that it would overshadow the
direction and make it a better Ignatia case, because Ignatia
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON IGNATIA.
99
Avill have any direction that any remedy can have. In other
words, Ignatia would be indicated in that symptom regardless
of almost any kind of sore throat. A chronic sore throat, one
that has existed for months, would hardly be cured by Ignatia ;
but there is a remedy — a deep-acting one — that is capable of
curing a chronic disease effectually that has this same symptom
of Ignatia, and that remedy is ZinCum, which has pain between
the acts of swallowing.
Another contradiction of Ignatia is the hunger and vomiting
at the same time. Feeling of hunger in the evening, prevent-
ing sleep ; desires for various things, but when offered the appe-
tite fails. Appetite for sour things; bread, particularly rye
bread; aversion to tobacco, warm food, meat, and spirituous
liquors. Ignatia has a prominent symptom : an all-gone hungry
feeling — empty sensation — in the pit of the stomach. The
patient will sometimes say : " Doctor, I have such an all-gone-
ness in my stomach ; such an emptiness ; such a feeling of sink-
ing— of weakness." And still, food sometimes will not satisfy
it ; she has a ravenous appetite and a ravenous hunger. Now,
there is another symptom associated with these : she is always
sighing ; on taking a deep breath, she gives vent to a spasmodic,
jerking sound. You will sit by the side of the patient and you
will hear that sigh — it comes on so quickly that you will look
up and be surprised ; she has no grief ; she doesn't know what
makes her do it.
This all-gone, hungry feeling, you remember, belongs to quite
a number of remedies. It is a very strong symptom of Coccu-
lus ; and so it is of Sulphur, when it is relieved by eating. In
Sepia it is associated with uterine troubles. In Cocculus it is
associated with headache and vertigo — headaches that are made
worse from riding in a carriage. Hydrastis, also, has this eleven
o'clock all-gone, hungry feeling,
Ignatia has, as a grand feature, borborygmus — rumbling in
the abdomen ; it is sometimes very annoying, as it does not al-
ways select a suitable time to come on.
There is a great amount of colic, with pinching, drawing
pains in the region of the umbilicus; great constipation, with
stitching pains running up into the rectum, from without in.
Contractive, sore pain in the rectum, as from blind haemorrhoids
one or two hours after stool. Stitching from the anus upward ,
with prolapsus of the rectum from straining at stool, would call
for Podophyllum. There is a suddenness about all these affec-
tions of Ignatia ; sudden, irresistible desire to micturate ; can't
8
100
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON IGNATIA.
[Mar.,
wait ; pressure from drinking coffee ; profuse passage of pale,
colorless urine.
In regard to menstruation, it may be too soon, scanty, or pro-
fuse; too soon is the characteristic. In this it is like Nux
vomica — too soon. Here is a characteristic of the flow : men-
strual blood black ; if it is even very scanty, it is very black ;
if it is even but a stain, it is black and of a putrid odor ; and
when the flow is at all profuse, it is clotted; always black.
Cramping pains in the uterus, with lancinations ; worse from
touching the parts. It is worse from gentle touch, but hard
pressure relieves. Don't forget that violent, labor-like pain, fol-
lowed by purulent, corrosive leucorrhoea; puerperal convulsions.
In the convulsions pertaining to this marked hysterical nature
that I have been speaking of, Ignatia may be sufficient to cure
the case. In laryngysmus stridulus, where the patient sits up
in bed, and everybody around thinks she is going to die with
the croup — hoarse, barking cough ; seems as if she couldn't get
another breath ; it is a distressing symptom to look upon ; it is
frightful to everybody standing around; but Ignatia will cure
the case in about two and a-half minutes by the watch. You
will only need to remember that it is like Gelseminum. I gen-
erally use the one I get my fingers on the quickest. Of course,
if you had other symptoms you wouldn't be guided toward
either one of these remedies. It looks like a very grave dis-
ease. It is in the adult what a mucous croup or a spasmodic
croup is to the child.
The characteristic Ignatia cough is this : the longer the cough
the more the irritation to cough increases ; she will commence,
and it is a hacking cough — a dry cough; she will commence to
hack, hack, hack, and it is hackety-hack, hackety-hack, until it
runs off into a hysterical sobbing. Another Ignatia cough is
that she dares not stop when walking for fear the cough will
come on. Hollow, spasmodic cough, as from the fumes of sul-
phur. China has that also.
There are expectorations in the evening, rarely in the morn-
ing; tasting and smelling like a putrid mass or an old catarrh.
Stiffness in the nape of the neck; painless, glandular swellings
in the neck; hysterical, cramping spasms in the limbs; numb-
ness in one hand, or in one finger, or in one hand and arm ;
cramping of one side, which may extend to the whole body.
Formication is a word that you want to remember ; it is a
sensation of pins and needles, sometimes called the sensation of
ants creeping.
Ignatia has a chill, fever, and sweat, the characteristic part
1886.] CENTRAL NEW YORK HOMCEOPATHIC SOCIETY. 101
of which is that there is thirst only during the cold spell ; there
is no thirst during the heat. That, you see, is again peculiar —
that he should have thirst, and call for large quantities of cold
water when he is freezing, and when he is heated up and burn-
ing with a high fever he has no thirst. The chill is ameliorated
by heat, by warm covering, and by the heat of the stove. We
have in Ignatia both external coldness and internal burning
quite strongly marked. There is another thing in Ignatia un-
like Nux vomica in the heat : as soon as the heat commences he
must be uncovered ; that corresponds especially to fever and
ague of women and children ; sensation as if sweat would break
out, which, however, does not follow; sweat when eating; cold
at times but generally warm ; sometimes sour smelling.
Great sensitiveness of the skin to a draught of air ; pain in
small, circumscribed spots; pressing pains from within outward.
About the skull we have the sensation as of a nail pressing from
within outward. All the sore spots in Ignatia, about the skin,
are better from hard pressure, and extremely tender and sore to
gentle touch.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CENTRAL NEW YORK
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Rochester, N. Y., December 17th, 1885.
The meeting was called to order by Dr. Young at ten A. M.,
in Dr. J. A. Biegler's parlors, Rochester, N. Y.
The following members were present : Drs. Young, Biegler,
E. B. Nash, E. P. Hussey, W. A. Hawley, Charles Sumner,
R. R. Gregg, R. A. Adams, Allen B. Carr, Stephen Seward, A.
J. Brewster, L. B. Wells, C. W. Boyce, David J. Chaffee,
Julius Schmitt.
Also the following visitors : Professor J. T. Kent, from St.
Louis; Drs. J. J. Alleman, F. P. Warner, J. B. Voak, from
the Ontario County Homoeopathic Society; G. C. Pritchard,
from Canandaigua ; R. B. Johnstone, from Pittsford ; W. F.
Clapp, from Fairport ; W. H. Baker, from Medina ; S. G.
Hermance, E. J. Bissell, Grant, Lee, Hoard, Brownell, from
Rochester.
Committee on Credentials, appointed by the President, Drs.
Sumner, Hawley, Nash.
Dr. J. T. Kent read a paper on the sixteenth section from
the Organon.
Dr. Schmitt moved that the paper be accepted, with thanks
102 CENTRAL NEW YORK HOMCEOPATHIC SOCIETY. [Mi
from the Society, and be published, with the consent of the
author. Carried.
Dr. Biegler moved that a committee of three be appointed to
look after the printing and publication. Carried.
The President appointed as such committee Drs. Biegler,
Wells, and Hawley.
Dr. Gregg moved that the paper be published in the Homceo-
pathic Physician and the Medical Advance, and that the
Secretary furnish the papers. Carried.
The Committee on Credentials reported the following names:
Drs. J. B. Voak, of Canandaigua ; R. B. Johnstone, of Pitts-
ford; W. F. Clapp, of Fairport; W. H. Baker, of Medina;
S. G. Hermance and E. J. Bissel, of Rochester.
The candidates were balloted upon, and, the ballot turning
out favorable to them, they signed the roll of membership and
paid their initiation fees of one dollar each.
An assessment of one dollar from each member present was
raised to defray expenses for publishing Dr. Kent's paper.
Dr. Gregg moved that Dr. J. T. Kent be made an honorary
member of the Society. Carried.
Dr. Gregg, in eulogizing the paper by Dr. Kent, thought it
was humiliating to Homoeopathy that we had come together to
defend dynamization. Dynamis is opposed by materialistic
Homoeopathy, but by giving it up we should be lost to the truth.
Dr. Biegler read a case as bearing on the question of the
dynamic force of the sick-making power.
Dr. Hawley — The paper of Dr. Kent strikes the keynote of
medical science. He makes his students realize the fact that a true
homoeopathic physician treats the imponderable force of men,
and not the body. We have no other explanation for the
dynamic force of our remedies. Subjective symptoms are
always preferable to the objective ones. The allopathic school
has given up the fight against Homoeopathy. It is the homoeo-
pathic pretender that we have to do battle against now. The
only way to success is to stick to the truth.
Dr. Nash — People think the sickness is where the local
trouble is, and dream very little that this is only the outcry of
a generally diseased body ; therefore, they reason that a little
medicine given internally cannot reach the local trouble.
Dr. Biegler related a case of poisoning by Chromate of lead.
There was continuous vomiting and the patient recovered
quickly under a dose of Antimonium crud.mm He gave in this
case preference to the indicated dynamic force over the indicated
chemical reagents.
1886.]
CENTRAL NEW YORK HOMOEOPATHIC SOCIETY.
103
Dr. L. B. Wells said, in referring to the neglect of the study
of the Organon in our so-called homoeopathic colleges, that it
was the duty of this Society to protest openly against this neg-
ligence.
Dr. Hawley — Hahnemann says, contagion acts instantane-
ously, and incubation is that period which is taking up, before
the body feels the first sign caused by this outside dynamic force.
He also reported a case of aggravation produced by Aconite™,
one patient being able to tell the name of the drug by the vom-
iting, which it always produced. Subsequent experience showed
the patient's susceptibility to the drug in higher attenuated
form, thus proving that results could be secured from the higher
attenuations. In support of this he cited a case of swooning,
caused in a lady by holding in her hand some musk, hermeti-
cally sealed. It was afterward learned that the odor of musk
always made this lady faint.
Dr. Gregg believed in Hahnemann's statement that no action
could be got from charcoal and salts below the 3x, and spoke of
the result of Dunham's experience with Alumina, in which the
action increased as the trituration was carried up, thus showing
the development of the dynamic force.
Dr. Boyce referred to the Austrian provings of Nat.-mur., in
which no result was perceived below the 12x, a point where the
existence of the substance is supposed to cease. This, he con-
sidered, was conclusive proof of the dynamis.
Dr. Nash — In provings with crude drugs, we doubtless get
both the material and the dynamic effects, but the purer effects
are always got from attenuations. He thought it would be well
to have drugs proved in both forms.
Dr. Gregg referred to the statement in Professor Kent's paper
that the dynamic force of the remedy must correspond as nearly
as possible to the dynamic force of the disease. This he fully
believed, and wished to emphasize it.
Dr. Hawley asked if the action resulting from crude drugs
was not due to its internal force, and was it not this force, and
not the substance, that made the drug what it is.
Dr. Gregg said, in speaking of the action of the crude drugs,
that doubtless the soluble ones gave up their force quicker than
insoluble ones, which held their force tighter.
Dr. Chaffee, in proof of the susceptibility of people to the
higher potencies, cited the case of one of his patients, who could
invariably detect Sulphur55m (Finke) by the smell.
Dr. Johnstone reported having heard Dr. Hering say that the
more compact the substance in its natural condition, the higher
104 CENTRAL NEW YORK HOMOEOPATHIC SOCIETY. [Mar.,
the potency must be to get the effects, the power not being the
substance, but that which held the substance (molecules) to-
gether. And in regard to the administration of the remedy,
Guernsey recommended slowly dissolving the remedy on the
tongue, followed by a slow inspiration through the mouth and
a slow expiration through the nose, the fullest result being thus
obtained.
Dr. Pritchard, not being a member, was allowed the privilege
of the floor. He wished to emphasize the importance of single
symptoms, and in support of his statement reported the case of
a married lady who had suffered from stomach troubles for
months. A sister had died of consumption, and the rest of the
family were feeble; the patient was reduced in flesh from one
hundred and twenty to seventy-eight pounds. Having had a
craving for salt and salty food for some time, he prescribed
Nat. raur.20 The patient claimed that she felt the action of the
remedy throughout her whole body. The prescription cured the
patient.
The Doctor also spoke of the poisoning resulting from wounds
made by toy pistols. He described the cartridges used on these
pistols as being of two kinds — one a copper shell with paper
wad, which is expelled by the explosion, and the other a small
square of paper with a drop of some explosive matter in its
centre. The wounds made by the first wrere caused by the paper
wad, and in the second by the particles of the explosive sub-
stances coming in contact writh the skin at the time of the ex-
plosion. The Doctor then reported a case of poisoning pro-
duced by each kind — the first being a boy who was struck upon
the neck by the fragments of one of the cartridges described as
a small square of tissue-paper with the explosive material in its
centre. A smarting sensation was produced, which was followed
by swelling, and eventually sweat broke out. These symptoms
were accompanied by paleness of face, headache at night, and
nausea in the morning. Lachesis2c was prescribed, with im-
mediate relief.
In the second case, where the wound was made by the paper
wad, violent and continuous spasms resulted, followed by
death. The wad of the cartridge was found imbedded in the
wound.
Dr. Pritchard condemned the use of these cartridges, and
thought their sale should be prohibited by law.
Dr. Gregg asked Dr. P. if the skin was unbroken in the first
case, and if it was his opinion that the effect produced was due
to a poison in the cartridge. Dr. P. replied in the affirmative.
1886.] CENTRAL NEW YORK HOMOEOPATHIC SOCIETY. 105
Dr. Adams stated that several years ago a number of cases
similar to those reported by Dr. P. occurred in Rochester, and
he was of the opinion that a fatal result followed in each case.
He then proceeded to report one case that had occurred in his
own practice. The wound was in the palm of the left hand,
and was made by the paper wad before referred to. The case
seemed to progress favorably ; he had strong hopes for its
recovery, but violent spasms set in, and were followed by the
death of the patient. Dr. Adams was of the opinion that the
cartridge contained fulminate of Mercury.
Dr. Boyce moved that the Secretary be directed to send one
thousand copies of Professor Kent's address to the profession.
Carried.
Dr. Hawley presented a letter from Dr. Carleton, of New
York, in reference to the Board of Examiners of the State of
New York, and offered the following resolution :
Whereas, A bill to regulate medical examinations was intro-
duced into the Legislature last winter, which bill is unjust to
that part of the medical profession who practice Homoeopathy
in that it so constitutes the Board of Examiners that the old
school regularly have a majority in the Board, and it requires
students of Homoeopathy to pass examination before examiners
confessedly ignorant of Homoeopathy ; and,
Whereas, The same, or a similar bill, is likely to again be pre-
sented this winter ; therefore,
Resolved, That this Society is entirely opposed to said bill or
any modification of it which does not give the homoeopathic
students the right to be examined in materia medica, therapeu-
tics, surgery, and obstetrics by a Board composed of practitioners
of Homoeopathy.
Adopted unanimously.
Dr. Wells remarked that each member ought to see the Senator
and Assemblyman of his respective district.
Dr. Schmitt read a paper on Kali-bichromic in diphtheritic
croup, which was accepted by the Society and ordered pub-
lished.
Dr. Boyce moved that the editors of the Homoeopathic
Physician be requested to send a single copy of their paper to
each member of this Society who has not yet subscribed for it,
and that the Secretary send them a list of the membership.
Carried.
Dr. Hawley moved a vote of thanks to the Rochester physi-
cians for the reception given to the out-of-town members .
Carried.
106 SULPHUK. [Mar.,
Dr. Hawley also moved, as an amendment to the By-Laws,
that the annual meeting be held in March, at Syracuse, instead
of in June. Laid over, according to the Constitution, until
the next meeting.
Dr. Biegler moved, as a subject for the next meeting, the dis-
cussion of the sixteenth section of the Organon in connection
with the eleventh section. Carried.
Dr. Boyce moved that the Secretary be instructed to request
Dr. Adolph Lippe, of Philadelphia, to furnish the Society with
a paper on the above subject. Carried.
Dr. Hawley moved that the next meeting be held in Syracuse
on the third Thursday in March, 1886. Carried.
Adjourned at five and a half p. M.
Julius Schmitt, Secretary.
SULPHUK: CURE OF A CASE OF RHUS TOX POI-
SONING—READY CONCEPTION OF THE DY-
NAMIC POWER OF REMEDIES BY A LAYMAN.
J. A. Biegler, M. D., Rochester, N. Y.
[Jiead before the New York Central Homoeopathic Society.]
Rev.T. A. H. — Repelled eruption of Rhus poisoning. Legs,
ankles, feet, toes, enormously swollen ; skin distended as if
©edematous, and spotted as if eruption is underneath, the erup-
tion, or spots, showing through the skin. The disease is now
in the cellular tissue. There is such terrible itching, especially
at night, that he begs for anything local that may give him tem-
porary relief, notwithstanding that it has been explained to him
that his suffering is caused by that treatment. There is also a
bursting feeling in the skin of the legs Avhen standing. He has
been treated in the past three months by numbers of physicians
and druggists, from Montana to Rochester, with ointments and
lotions, and when the doctors failed the druggists were called
into service to add a new deviltry and to continue his torture.
September 9th I gave him Sulph.2c one dose, and Sacch.
lact. enough to last him a week, and he went on his way home
to Vermont.
September 1 9th he wrote me the following, giving result and
comments :
" Thanks, and thanks again, for a new pair of calves, ankles,
and feet. I took no medicine but what you so kindly and gen-
erously furnished me, and did not go to Dr. Sparhawk with
1886.]
KALI BICILROMICUM.
107
your note until I had recovered enough to leave my bed, which
was the sixth day after my very ' lame arrival ' home. Any-
way, it was the sixth morning before I could stand up without
the sharp pain caused by the descending blood, and that gave
me a bursting sensation, as though the skin of my calves and
ankles must burst and spread my blood on the carpet. This
sensation had afflicted me all the days before I saw you. As
soon as I missed that feeling I got up from my bed, and have
been about as usual for the past two days. Now the swelling
has totally gone and the sores are in a dry and healthy scab.
Your medicine kept up a wild diarrhoea for five days and
nights — the channel of exit for the poison, no doubt. After
that I called on Dr. Sparhawk and gave him your note and told
him that you said he would tell me the name of the magical
medicine. He promptly did so, and said that it was Sulphur,
the 200th potency!
" Well, I have had a hard fight with the coarse world of
mountains, oceans, and tons of weight all my life long, and, de-
based by ideas so gross as these familiarities educate one in, it is a
desperately hard thing to pursue and apprehend a physical force
and potency as ethereal as the i 200th potency ' of a chemical
affinity, and especially to actually believe that it can take captive
so gross a mass as one hundred and sixty pounds of a poisoned
quantity of vigorous, hostile flesh and blood, as was my body,
and reduce it to compliance in six short days! As I told the
Doctor : ' Such an amazing fact ought to be written over the
zenith in letters of light.' I have read pages and pages of the
claims of homceopathists for these extreme attenuations, but
thought either that they were mistaken or that what they ' doc-
tored' was not the body, but the imponderable vital principle of
life itself, inscrutable as such a mystery is. Once again, in
lively appreciation and gratitude,
" I remain, etc.,
" T. A. H."
KALI BICHROMICUM IN DIPHTHERITIC CROUP.
Julius Schmitt, M. D., Rochester, N. Y.
[Read before the Central New York Homoeopathic Medical Society.]
In the afternoon of the 12th of November, 1885, I was
called to see Fred B., a handsome boy of nine years of age,
with blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, and of a very amiable
disposition. He is subject to attacks commonly called "croup,"
which have usually yielded to home remedies, as goose-grease
108
KALI BICHROMICUM.
[Mar.,
with vinegar, etc., employed by his mother. This time, how-
ever, he is croupy since night before last, and the above reme-
dies, even (!) supported by hive-sirup, will not give him any
relief. When entering the sick-room I noticed the so charac-
teristic diphtheritic odor, and found the boy with a sharp, ring-
ing, metallic cough and hoarseness, which did not allow him to
speak above a whisper. Breathing was somewhat difficult, but
he did not complain of any pain, except in his teeth when
coughing. (Lycop., Sep.) Inspection of the throat revealed
sharply defined, fine brownish diphtheritic membranes on both
sides of pharynx below the tonsils, near the entrance to the
glottis. Healthy mucous membrane was not injected, but
looked natural. Submaxillary glands on both sides were con-
siderably swollen, but more so on right side. A small and tense
pulse of one hundred and twenty beats. Skin moderately warm
to the touch, and warm perspiration on forehead. Expectora-
tion of tough, white mucus, which draws in strings and is hard
to detach from mouth. Urine clear, but very little at a time,
with frequent urging. Desire for ale and lemonade. He
wants his mother with him all the time. The nature of the
case did not admit but a prognosis " infanstissima f in order,
however, to reach a happier result, the strictest adherence to the
rules of Hahnemann became an urgent necessity, and I resolved
to follow them most scrupulously. At first I put down in
writing all the facts I could possibly get, and selected then the
remedy which covered the symptoms most completely :
1^. Kali bichrom.cm, one dose dry on tongue, and Sacch.
lact. in water every two hours.
Diet consisted in oat-meal, rice, cornstarch, and barley in the
form of gruel. Ale and lemonade, which he craved, were also
allowed him. Fresh water ad libitum ; milk, which I proposed,
he refused to take.
November 13th, ten A. M. — He complains to-day of pain in
larynx. The mucous membrane of throat looks more inflamed,
and the diphtheritic deposits are thicker and of a gray, felt-like
appearance. Pulse one hundred and thirty-two, but softer ; he
has, however, micturated but twice, and voided each time a large
quantity of urine. At nine P. M. last night he had a violent
choking spell. He sweats profusely on the head. The sub-
maxillary glands seem to be less swollen. He has no more
desire for beer and lemonade, but is very thirsty and relishes now
milk.
Now the question arose, Shall the dose be repeated, or is the
first dose still acting? There was the pain in larynx, the
1886.]
KALI BICHROMICUM.
109
greater inflammation of the throat, and the thicker diphtheritic
membranes. These new symptoms could be interpreted as
manifestations of improvement, because the disease appeared
now in the throat, where it is less dangerous j but might not
the newly developed symptom of pain in the larynx indicate a
greater inflammation and increase of exudation in that locality?
The pulse was also higher. But there was the increase in
quantity of urine, and a very slight diminution in the size of
the submaxillary glands, both showing that the disease was
leaving the interior and localizing itself in the throat, and
should not the disturbance at nine A. M. be considered as a
medicinal aggravation ? Certainly, there was a doubt as to what
to do. I gave, however, the remedy the benefit of the doubt
and continued Sacch. lact.
Six p. m. — He was very feverish all afternoon, and had com-
plained of pains in his legs and chest until about three-quarters
of an hour ago, when he raised a great quantity of yellow mucus;
since then he has felt better and asked for his playthings.
Breathing is easier, perspiration on head is gone, cough less
metallic and looser, larynx less painful. Pulse one hundred
and fourteen. Of course, there was no trouble now in deter-
mining what to do, and Sacch. lact. was continued.
November 14th, ten a. m. — He had a pretty good night; sits
up in bed and plays. Cough is looser, but hoarseness the same.
Pulse one hundred and twenty. Blood and mucus were dis-
charged from his nose this morning. Diphtheritic membranes
the same, but surroundings paler. Still some toothache when
coughing. Submaxillary glands less swollen.
1^. Sacch. lact.
November 15th, ten A. M. — He had a choking spell between
two and three o'clock this morning. (Time of aggravation of
Kali bichromicum.) About eight A. M. he raised a large quan-
tity of dirty gray mucus and has felt better since. Pulse one
hundred and six. Bowels moved twice yesterday. Urine was
voided in sufficient quantity and looks orange-colored and soily.
Tongue a little redder than yesterday. Membranes in throat
the same. Cough since last night more metallic again. He
wants meat and potatoes, salad, which, of course, was refused,
but beef-tea was added to his menu. Continue Sacch. lact.
November 16th. — He slept all night. Tongue looks paler.
The thick, felty membranes have disappeared, and there remains
but a slight, yellowish-brown covering at their seat. One
normal stool. Urine orange-colored, soily. Pulse ninety-four.
Cough still croupy, but hoarseness less. Continue Sacch. lact.
110
KALI BICHROMICUM.
[Mar., 1886.
November 17th. — He is hungry. Pulse eighty-four, irregu-
lar, as if it would intermit at the fifth beat, Croupy cough,
but voice clearer. Diphtheritic membranes the same. Two
natural movements from the bowels since yesterday morning.
Urine still thick, but yellow. He had quite a hard coughing
spell at half-past two a. m., followed by the expectoration of a
considerable quantity of mucus ; after this, sound sleep until
morning. Continue Sacch. laot.
November 18th. — Had a very good night. There is still a
very thin, yellowish membrane on right side of pharynx ; left
side is free. Voice is much clearer, cough somewhat croupy.
Urine clear and of natural color. Pulse eighty, regular. A
fine, pimply rash has appeared on his back, which itches.
Mother said the boy had a similar rash last summer on the
same place that disappeared by itself. Sacch. lactis.
On the 20th November the patient was discharged, and has
kept well so far.
This case has been very instructive to me, and, hoping that it
might prove of some interest to others, I have given it as con-
scientiously as possible.
The following points I should like to emphasize, viz.:
1. When the boy got better, an eruption which he had had
last summer made its reappearance, thus confirming, again,
Hahnemann's theory of psora.
2. Toothache when coughing was cured by Kali bichr., a
symptom which has been, so far, only noticed under Lyco-
podium and Sepia.
3. There were four medicinal aggravations, viz. : On the 12th
inst. at nine p. m., then in the afternoon of the 13th, again at
two to three A. m. of the 15th, and at the same hour on the
17th. Now if one dose of a medicine can have such a thorough
action in a diseased body, do you think that this same body
could have withstood repeated dosing without succumbing to it?
I, for my part, do not. It is a hard thing to wait, especially in
an acute, generally fatal disease, but it has to be done in order
to achieve the highest results ; and if every good Hahnemannian
will have learned this indispensable part of the art of medicine,
and will have become a " warte doctor," as the late Dr. Hering
used to call our revered Dr. Adolph Lippe, then, and only then,
will our success become irresistible.
Bimetallist : We will receive either gold or silver certifi-
cates for the subscription you owe us !
BELLADONNA AND ITS ALLIES IN THE TREAT-
MENT OF CHILDREN'S DISEASES.*
Edward Cranch, M. D., Erie, Pa.
For children, Belladonna is of the utmost utility, as the wide
range of its action shows, viz. : On the head and all the organs
of sense, on the throat and the whole circulatory and digestive
apparatus, on the skin and all the excretory organs, and on all
nervous and muscular activities.
Being so very useful, it is very important to note the boun-
daries of its action, and the object of this paper is to show
briefly some of those boundaries as observed and verified in the
writer's practice.
Belladonna should not be given to children when the tem-
perature of the skin is normal, nor when the pulse is quiet, nor
when the sleep is normal.
In Teste's Materia Medica he quotes an observation of Hufe-
land's to show that idiots are not affected by Belladonna to any
appreciable extent. The present writer has had no opportunity
to test the action of the dynamized drug on any idiot, but will
look for the chance and report accordingly.
If the child is delirious by night and dull by day, it is
probably a Belladonna case, but if dull at night and actively
delirious by day, the case will more likely call for Hyoscyamus,
Opium, or Stramonium.
Belladonna head cases complain chiefly of the frontal region,
and are apt to keep the head in motion. Reverse conditions
call more for Agaricus, Bryonia, Silicea.
Belladonna patients like the head cool ; Silicea patients want
it wrapped up as warm as possible.
Belladonna in meningitis is to be carefully compared with
Glonoinum, Gelsemium, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Argentum nitri-
cum, Apium virus, and Nux vom.
In sunstroke our drug compares well with Glonoin. and
Verat. viride.
In the eye, the symptoms that call for it are rarely present in
childhood, except as a result of falls or blows on the head,
when it comes in well with Arnica and Cicuta.
Congestion of the ears, with earache or deafness, is well met
by Belladonna, except when suppuration has started or when
* Read before the Pennsylvania Homoeopathic Medical Society, Sept., 1885.
Ill
112
BELLADONNA AND ITS ALLIES.
[Mar.,
the pain is continuous. It acts well on the glands near the ear
and below the ears, especially with humming noises.
In all head symptoms the Belladonna type is congestion, and
its chief allies are Bryonia, Cicuta, Glonoinum, Argentum nitr.,
Borax, Silicea, Aconite, Veratrum viride, and Ferrum phos.
In the nose we have epistaxis, and acute or imaginary smells,
but slight catarrh.
In the face we have bluish-red, erysipelatous, swollen, and
rapidly changing appearances. Neuralgia is rare in children
and creates a suspicion of onanism ! The lips and mouth are
much affected, but always in the way of active congestion.
The throat is red, generally dry, always hot, and exquisitely
painful. Throat symptoms that are like those of Bell, are
found with Merc, sol., Phytolacca, Tarentula, Cubensis, Arg.
nit., etc. Belladonna throat symptoms always change rapidly
and crave cold water, yet there is an aversion to drinking.
The stomach symptoms are slight in importance, but the
bowel symptoms are marked, chiefly, howrever, in adults.
With children, we note the discharge of scentless flatus, and
occasionally fruitless tenesmus, with or without colic. The
urine is very dark if scanty, and very pale if profuse. Noc-
turnal enuresis, when the sleep is restless with sudden starts.
(Agaricus, if twitching of single muscles.) The respiration is
oppressed, quick, or unequal, often spasmodic, as in whooping-
cough.
The cough symptoms are entirely subordinate to the general
symptoms that are so well known — the fever, with very hot
skin and no desire to be uncovered, but yet with rapid change
of state and dislike to be touched.
Borax is almost identical with the fever and wakefulness, but
dreads to be laid down ; cries as soon as the nurse starts to put
it down. This has been verified over and over again, when in
every particular, except the crying on lying down or rocking,
Bella, seemed indicated.
In chorea, trismus, and tetanus, this writer has not yet used
the drug under consideration, although it is well recommended,
but it has seemed that in such diseases Arsenicum, Causticum,
Tarentula, Ignatia, and Hyoscyamus are oftener called for.
It remains to speak of two conditions in which Belladonna is
always first thought of — convulsions and scarlet fever. It
covers more cases of these than any other one remedy, besides
being a positive preventive, in most cases, of scarlet fever.
Its chief limitations in convulsions are that it is only useful
1886.]
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
113
in full-blooded subjects and acute cases. Its allies are Ignatia,
Calcarea, Nux vom., Cupr., Cicuta, Glonoinum, etc.
In scarlet fever it need not be given if the sore throat be
putrid or the eruption dusky or very pale. It is ably seconded
by Bry., Ailanthus, Phytolacca, Sulph., etc.
Teste, in his chapter on Belladonna, does not handle its rela-
tions as ably as he does those of his earlier groups, and though
he assigns it a front place with children, afterward nearly
ignores them in the further consideration of the subject.
The treatment of children without Belladonna would be un-
satisfactory work, but future study will show that it has many
allies.
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
Thomas Skinner, M. D., London.
Scrofulous Ophthalmia — Total blindness of the left eye, following
upon Ophthalmic Operative Surgery.
No case or series of cases could show more clearly the im-
mense superiority of the system of Hahnemann and the triumph
of his constitutional treatment over local measures, however
strongly indicated, than the following :
R. A., age nineteen, a servant of all-work, was recommended
to my professional care by a curate of one of the leading churches
in the West End of London on account of what I had done for
himself in curing him of a perforating ulcer of the cornea of
the right eye in two weeks by one dose of Siliceacm (F.C.),
which ulcer had rendered him Jiors de combat for six months,
and defied the first oculist in the metropolis, who had treated him
secundum art em all that time.
R. A. consulted me for the first time on the 7th of March,
1884, and the following is her statement : — "I have been suffer-
ing from severe inflammation of my left eye for one year. I
had it in both eyes when younger more than once. I have
lately been five months in Hospital, one of the first hos-
pitals in the West End of London, and under the conjoint care
of two of the ophthalmic surgeons of the institution (both
men of note). They informed me that I was suffering from
ulcer of the cornea (corneitis or keratitis). I was five times
operated upon during my stay in the hospital, all of the opera-
tions being performed under the influence of ether, so that I do
not know what was done, but I learned after one of the opera-
tions that they called it iridectomy. An incision was also made
114
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
[Mar.,
across the upper iris, and they took a piece out of the lower
eyelid in order to check or cure inversion of it — at least so they
told me. I had a succession of blisters applied to the temple to
keep down inflammation, and quinine and iron, etc., to keep up
my strength, and ice was kept on my eye for three weeks, besides
occasional leeching. I have always been weak and delicate." If
any one doubts the poor girl's statement, they have only to look
at her and they will find the marks of the ophthalmic butcher.
By way of assisting my trans-Atlantic brethren to realize the
condition of the eye when first it came under my observation, I
draw this sketch, which is a most faithful representation.
The inverted cone is the pupil, and the rounded deposit sur-
rounding the apex of the inverted cone is an effusion of lymph,
or, more likely, pus, very much resembling hypopion. I shall
only add in this place, that at the first visit there was great in-
tolerance of light and heat, and, so far as vision was concerned,
the light of day was all that she could discern, the size, form,
and color of objects being completely non est.
The hospital ophthalmic surgeons advised her to go for a
change of air, as they could do no more for her at present, and
they confessed that all they had done had ended in failure.
Instead of a change of air, which the poor girl and her friends
could not afford, she came direct to me.
March 7th, 1884. — Diagnosis. — If there ever had been an ulcer
of the cornea it had disappeared, and beyond an injected state of
the conjunctiva and sclerotic, with intense photophobia and in-
tolerance of heat, such as the direct rays of the sun and a fire,
that was all that was really the matter with the eye. Before
entering the hospital there was no actual blindness or loss of
vision ; now there was total blindness of the left eye.
Prognosis. — I was asked if I thought I should be able to
restore the sight, and my reply was that, as there was so much
damage done to the diseased eye by the series of operations, I
could not promise anything until I subdued the chronic strumous
or psoric inflammation, which, had it been done at the first, there
1886.]
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
115
would have been no loss of vision, and not the slightest necessity
for surgical interference of any kind.
As she could not go about her work without a shade, she was
directed to retain it, but to remove it as soon as she could com-
fortably do without it.
Semeiology. — M. P. has always been scanty, otherwise
normal. No whites. Appetite poor, food agrees. — Sinking,
empty feeling at epigastrium between two and three p. m., also after
breakfast (eight to nine A. M.). Feet sweaty, hot or cold, but mostly
clammy. After much walking they become very hot. Generally
easily made to perspire. Frontal headaches, hot and throbbing,
working toward the ears. Flatulence under the left ribs in front,
aggravated by worry, which excites palpitation of the heart, worse
ivhen ascending. At times the heart seems to stop. Cough hard,
dry, and irritable, like pins pricking in the larynx or trachea.
Has had the cough about three months, and it has not yielded
in the least to cough-mixtures. It wakens her about one or two
a. m., when it is then worst, and frequently commences on begin-
ning to eat, on entering cold air, and lying on the left side.
Relieved, by sitting up. Sulphurous taste in the 'mouth. TJie gen-
eral symptoms are worse in damp, cold weather, in east winds,
and the eye symptoms from bright tight or the hot rays of the sun
or a fire.
Diagnosis of the Remedy. — Here we have three of the
leading polychrest antipsorics strongly indicated, namely : Sul-
phur, Galcarea, and Lycopodium, the cough being best covered
by Pulsatilla. Inasmuch as R. A. had been pretty severely
dragged as well as operated upon, and as Pulsatilla corresponds
to aggravation from heat, to her scanty menses, and as she is mild
and gentle and easily moved to tears, on the 7th of March, 1884,
I placed Pulsatilla50111 (F. C.) there and then upon her tongue,
and globules of S. L., one to be taken night and morning.
Treatment. — As the treatment extended to about eighteen
months, and was very much the same throughout, I shall content
myself by giving the gist of it. The Sulphur symptoms ruled
throughout, and what seemed unusual was the hour of the sinking
at the epigastrium. It was never at eleven A. M., but always
from eight to nine A. M. and from one to two p. M. I have veri-
fied this periodicity of Sulphur in two other cases since, and I
now reckon it strongly indicative of Sulphur, although not so
reliable as sinking at eleven A. M. daily. The Pulsatilla™111 (F.
C.) removed the Sulphur taste from the mouth at once. Nux
and Cocc. have this symptom, and it would appear that Puis,
has it also. The Puis, did not affect the cough, but on the 14th
9
116
CASES OF CHKOMO DISEASE CURED.
[Mar.,
of March, 1884, as the Sulphur symptoms were all strongly to
the front, she got Sulphur*™ (F. C), one dose, followed by S. L.
On the 21st of March, 1884, she reported as follows : On Tues-
day, the 18th instant, the inflammation began to subside, and
yesterday morning I removed the shade for the first time these
many months. I have felt no worse since taking it off, except
from the direct rays of the sun and when walking against the
wind. I can see daylight and I can discern large objects, but I
cannot perceive what you (doctor) are like if I close my good eye.
I cannot see to read or write or sew in the smallest, and objects
seem to move in a circle from right to left. At present, the only
time I feel discomfort is when the gas is lit or when near a fire.
Nota Bene.— Until this, the 21st of March, 1884, it has
been quite impossible for me to see or examine the eye, from the
intensity of the photophobia. She could not tolerate the left
eyelids being opened for a second these many months, now
they are apart all day, and she delights in the presence of light.
It was on the 21st of March, 1884, that I made the sketch.
This marvelous change for the better could not be expected
to continue without a "backwardation." It is the rule and not
the exception for patients suffering from chronic or constitu-
tional disease to get better and worse in spite of the most judi-
cious treatment, and R. A. proved no exception to the rule.
April 10th, 1884. — Has had to replace the shade; sight more
hazy and indistinct. Eye more sensitive to the heat of the fire ;
cutting as with a knife at bach of left eyeball. Sulphurdm (F. C).
April 28th. — The cutting at the back of the left eyeball and
the objects moving in a circle have ceased since the last dose of
Sulphurdm (F. C). The symptoms from now until October 1 6th,
1885, were chiefly commanded by Sulphurcm (F. C), except on
one occasion about the end of April, 1885, when she took acute
conjunctivis of both eyes from long exposure to washing painted
walls in the sun; relieved by washing the eyes or cold applications.
It looked like Alumina, so I sent her the 50m (F. C), but it fell
like so much water ou a duck's back. She was at this time in the
country at work and miles from me, so I had to guess my wav.
I sent her Euphrasia™ (F. C.) and Calcarea200 (F. C), the first
to be dissolved in a glass of cold water, and a sip of it to be
taken every two or four hours till better. The Euphrasia acted
" like magic," two doses being all that were required, and of.
course she did not take the Calcarea.
I have said that Sulphurcm (F. C.) commanded the case from
the first to the last, but unmistakably so from the end of April,
1884, until a permanent cure seemed to be effected on October
1886.]
IGNORANT OR CARELESS?
117
16th, 1885. At least R. A. has had no pain of or loss of vision
in her left eye since October 16th, 1885, and this is January
13th, 1886. The Sulphur™ (F. C.) was given latterly every
second night at bedtime until the sinking from eight to nine A. M.
and from one to tioo P. M. disappeared for good, and her M. P.'s
became less scanty and pale. On December 7th, 1885, she
called to thank me before the year came to a close for what I
had done for her, and she was pleased to be able to state that
her vision continues good ; that she can discern the color and
forms of objects, and can read with both eyes, but the right eye
is still the best. No thanks to the iridectomy which left such a
pupil and destroyed the function of accommodation.
The menses did not begin to improve until last September,
and they have gone on improving ever since. On the 7th of
December last there is now no trace of inflammatory action
about the girl's eye, and beyond the awkward form of the pupil
the eye is all right, the effusion of lymph or pus having long
ago entirely disappeared.
Remarks. — I feel as if I had made enough or said enough
about this case, but I must make "one more remark on the
present occasion," and that is, I am afraid we of the new school
of medicine and surgery have little cause to find fault with the
old school for adopting local, mechanical, surgical, and medic-
inal measures in affections of the eye where constitutional rem-
edies taken internally are all that are necessary. This is not my
opinion only, it is my practice, and if our oculists, aurists, la-
ryngists, and gynaecologists would limit their operations to diag-
nosis and their remedial measures to constitutional treatment, as
some of us can and always do, what a blessing it would be to
humanity! There is room for improvement in this respect even
in the New York Ophthalmic Hospital.
IGNORANT OR CARELESS?
Some years ago the "Jefferson Medical College" of this city
built a handsome hospital building in a dirty, back alley where
the pure zephyrs from the sewers would be gently wafted
in at each window and every crack. Over adjacent to this so-
called hospital are the dissecting rooms, built near one another,
probably so the one could supply the other.
Trying to out-do the Jefferson College, the " Hahnemann
Medical College" build thusly (we quote from their Description
of the new college building, page 7) :
118
IN MEMORIAM.
[Mar., 1886.
" On the fourth floor will be placed the dissecting-rooms, 34x40
feet, with abundance of side and sky light, with large rooms for
practical surgery and obstetrics"
Are these death-traps due to ignorance or to carelessness ?
IN MEMORIAM.
Clement Pearson.
It is with extreme regret that we announce the death of Dr.
Clement Pearson, which occurred January 27th.
Dr. Pearson was a conscientious and successful homoeopathic
physician and prescriber. He was very bold and outspoken in
his defense of Homoeopathy ; even those whose views differed
from his must have admired and respected his manliness in
defense of his opinions and his conscientious practice, for he
practiced as he taught ! Few do as much.
The following brief notice of him has been sent us :
Clement Pearson, M. D.,died at his residence in Washington,
D. C, on the 29th of January, in the sixty-seventh year of his
age.
Dr. Pearson was born in Mercer County, Pa., December
19th, 1819, and commenced the practice of medicine at Salem,
Ohio, in 1850. In March, 1857, he graduated from the
Western Homoeopathic College at Cleveland, Ohio, and re-
moving to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, became the pioneer of Homoe-
opathy in that section of the country.
In 1874 he removed to Washington, D. C, where he soon
established a most successful practice. He was a consistent and
uncompromising homceopathist.
Believing implicitly in the teachings of the great founder of
his school as contained in the Organoh, he made his practice to
conform thereto, with a success that fully justified his faith.
The deceased was a member of the American Institute and
of the International Hahnemannian Association, of which he
was one of the founders and for two terms the President.
He was a man of strong character, of decided convictions,
and of a pure and upright life, as well as a physician of great
judgment and skill.
He died surrounded by his family and devoted friends, and
will be mourned not by them only, but also by a large circle of
those who have relied with the utmost confidence on his ability
and care in their hours of sickness.
J. B. G. C.
ANEURISMS CURED BY MEDICINE.
A carotid aneurism has been reported as cured with Lvc.12
bv Dr. Richard Hughes (vide British Journal of Homoeopathy,
70, p. 792).
Also two cases, both females, of aneurism of mesenteric
artery, have been reported as cured by Dr. T. M. Pearce (vide
Medical Investigator, 1875, Vol. I, p. 48).
If these cures be genuine, are they not a vivid demonstration
of the power of dynamized drugs ? It may be objected that
Lvc.12 is a low potency, nevertheless, as Lycopodium in its crude
state is almost inert, this action of the twelfth potency is a demon-
stration of dynamization.
In Allen's Encyclopaedia we find the best provings of Lyco-
podium are made with high potencies, ranging from the thirtieth
up to the six thousandth ! And Allen's Encyclopaedia contains
none but true pathogenetic symptoms !
Who can deny the efficacy of dynamized drugs when Allen's
ten volumes attest their powers ? Dare President Allen con-
tradict Allen, the author?
WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES?
In our last issue we gave ten symptoms, asking our subscrib-
ers to name the remedies having them. These are the symptoms
(with the remedies) :
1. Metrorrhagia of large black lumps; worse from any mo-
tion ; with violent pain in groins and fear of death — despair ;
bright red face and fever : CofFea.
2. Drawing, tearing pain in periosteum ; worse at night, in
wet, stormy weather, and at rest ; better in motion : Rhodo.
3. Sensation as if a lump of ice lay in stomach, with pain .
Bovista.
4. Sensation in abdomen as if sharp stones rubbed together
on every movement : Cocculus.
5. Left thigh feels as if broken in the middle when sitting ;
ceases on rising : 111. an.
6. Awakens at night with a violent pressing pain like a
heavy weight — coming and going at intervals ; emission of
flatus relieves: Oxal. ac.
119
i20
WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES?
[Mar.,
7. Coldness in back and between shoulders ; not relieved by
covering ; followed by itching : Amm. m.
8. Gurgling feeling in shoulder, or sensation as of something
alive in the joint, especially about midnight : Berb.
9. Roaring in head after coitus (male) : Carb. veg.
10. Constant irresistible desire to walk in open air; it does
not fatigue : Kali iod.
Below are given four answers ; none are entirely correct ! Only
Dr. H. C. Marron, Sherman, Texas, has sent correct remedies.
Dr. W. S. gives: 1st, Bell.; 2d, Rhus; 3d, Bovista; 4th,
Cocc. ; 5th, Phvt. ; 6th, Nat. nit. ; 7th, Lachn. ; 8th, Ignatia ;
9th, Carb. veg.; 10th, Kali iod. Of these, 3, 4, 9, and 10 are
correct.
Dr. W. J. H. gives: 1st, Aeon.; 2d, Rhodo.; 3d, Bovista;
4th, Cocc; 5th, Ruta; 6th, Puis.; 7th, Nux vom. ; 8th,
Thuja; 9th, Carb. veg.; 10th, Kali iod. Of these, 2, 3, 4, 9,
and 10 are correct.
Dr. E. C. gives : 1st, I thought of Aeon., but repertory points
to Puis.; 2d, Rhodo., Ars. ; 4th, Coloc. ; 5th, not found, would
think of Ledum or Sulphur or Ferr. mag. ; 6th, Nux vom. ;
7th, not found, would think of Ledum ; 8th, not found, suggest
Puis.; 9th, Sepia (humming); 10th, Puis.
Dr. S. L. sends the following :
1st. Aconite. — Active hemorrhage ; the flow is constant and
coagulates into a mass; with a state of fear that allows no
peace of mind ; fear of death ; fear of moving, of turning, or
rising, lest something may happen or the flooding may get
worse; general heat and redness of face ; fever.
2d. Mezereum. — Pain in periosteum of the long bones, espe-
cially tibia ; worse at night, in bed ; better after daybreak ;
worse in damp weather, with great tenderness of the parts
affected; feels generally better when walking in the cool, open
air.
3d. Elaps c. — Cold drinks feel like ice in the stomach ; sen-
sitiveness in pit of the stomach. Hippomanes. — Icy coldness
in stomach. Colchicum. — Stomach icy cold, with colic.
4th. Nux vom. — Rubbing as if by stones. Coloc. — Sharp
stones rubbing together. (The Coloc. symptom is a sensation as
if intestines were being squeezed between stones, while the Cocc.
symptoms is a sensation as if sharp stones rubbed together on
every movement.)
5th. Sepia and Guaiacum have similar symptoms.
6th. Cham. — Colic returns from time to time; pains are
felt worse during night; emission of flatus relieves.
1886.] ANOTHER HAHNEMANNIAN SOCIETY.
121
7th. Cactus. — Severe coldness in back and hands ; not re-
lieved by covering.
8. Clotar Miiller gives Berb., Mag. acet., and Puis, for a
similar symptom. The symptom has no value (!), as shoulder
is too large a part, and " alive " in what joint, acromion or
glenoid cavity ?
9th. Calc. — Roaring in ears ; worse after coitus. Graph. —
Roaring in ears from exertion during coitus.
10th. Sep. — The more he walks the better he feels, though
stiff at first (rather Rhus than Sepia).
S. L. adds : Is not such quizzing child's play ? Even Bon-
ninghausen wanted three symptoms for a prescription, and I
cannot see how any one dare to prescribe from a mere repertory
without consulting the Materia Medica for the totality of the
symptoms. * * * * Scratch out "the lazy fellows." I, for
one, do not wish to memorize the whole Materia Medica.
Numbers 5 and 8 are mighty queer symptoms, and it is a pity
to give your good journal away for trifles. [We don't risk much !
as only one has answered the ten questions. — Eds.]
ANOTHER HAHNEMANNIAN SOCIETY ORGAN-
IZED.
A meeting of disciples of Hahnemann was held at the office
of Dr. Biegler, Rochester, N. Y., at which a society of pure
homoeopathists was formed with the following officers :
President — Dr. J. A. Biegler.
Vice-President — Dr. R. A. Adams.
Secretary and Treasurer — Dr. R, C. Grant.
Censors — Drs. A. B. Carr, J. Schmitt, and S. G. Hermance.
The following excellent expression of the object of the Asso-
ciation was adopted.
We believe fully in the rules of practice as given in the
Organon, and the teachings of Hahnemann, which lead up to
them. That the fundamental principles as herein given, viz. :
the law of similars, the totality of symptoms, the single remedy,
and the dynamic power of the drug, are the sole foundation
upon which we act in practice. That as legitimate Hahne-
mannian homoeopathists we disavow all the innovations which
have been attempted to be foisted upon Homoeopathy by the
mongrel sect. We repudiate the mixing and alternation of
medicines, and disapprove of all local and mechanical applica-
tions for non-surgical diseases.
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
Johnson's Therapeutic Key. By J. D. Johnson. Fif-
teenth Edition. Philadelphia : F. E. Boericke, Hahnemann
Publishing House. 1886.
Little need be written in review of a book in its fifteenth edition. Its success
evinces its popularity. Of the present edition we only mention that much
has been added — such as articles on the care of the sick-room, on ventilation,
fumigation, feeding, cataplasms (should be left out), vaccination, " What to
Do in Emergencies," etc. These are useful additions.
But why should a therapeutic key contain articles on post-mortems, on
medico-legal autopsies, etc., etc.?
We should say a therapeutic key need only contain hints on the treatment of
acute diseases, such as require prompt and quick treatment. All questions
which allow time for reference and study need not be included. We would
leave out such diseases as Bright's disease, phthisis, etc, giving their space to
the fuller consideration of acute diseases.
Transactions of the Homceopathic Medical Society
of Pennsylvania. Clarence Bartlett, M. D., J. F. Cooper,
M. D., and Horace F. Ivins, M. D., Publishing Committee.
1885.
These transactions contain the proceedings and papers of the twenty-first
annual session of the Pennsylvania Homoeopathic Medical Society, held in
Philadelphia September 23d, 24th, and 25th, 1885.
The volume contains articles on Materia Medica, by Drs. Raue and Fornias ;
on Sanitary Science, by Drs. E. C. Parsons, J. B. Wood, H. J. Evans, P. Dud-
ley, and B. W. James; on Obstetrics, by Drs. H. H. Hofman and Mary Bran-
son: on Surgery, by Drs. C. M. Thomas, W. R. Childs, and L. H. Willard ;
on Gynecology, by Drs. C. H. Hofman, J. H. McClelland, B. F. Betts, and
W. A. Hassler; on Pcedology, by Drs. E. Cranch, J. F. Shannon, C. S. Middle-
ton, and C. Van Artsdalen ; on Clinical Medicine are articles by the Allegheny
County Society and by Drs. A. P. Bowie, C. C. Rinehart, J. C. Morgan, C
Bartlett, W. J. Martin, and C. Mohr. Diseases of Eye and Ear are discussed
by Drs. R. W. McClelland, H. C Houghton, W. A. Phillips, W. H. Bigler,
C. Bartlett, and H. F. Ivins.
American Medicinal Plants. By C. F. Millspaugh,
M. D. Fascile III. Boericke & Tafel, New York and Phila-
delphia.
This, the third fascile of Millspaugh's Medicinal Plants, is fully up to his
standard. Nothing could be more natural.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
New Journals. — The Medical Institute is the title of a journal commenced
by the students of the " Hahnemann Medical College" of Philadelphia. The
Homoeopathic Recorder, a bi-monthly, is the new name and style of the former
quarterly Bulletin issued by Messrs. Boericke & Tafel. Dr. J. T. O'Connor
is its editor.
A New Counselor. — The Medical Counselor comes out with its eleventh volume
in a new dress and under a new name, adding to its former name that of the
M ichigan Journal of Homeopathy.
122
THE
Homeopathic Physician.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— coxstaxtixe herixg.
Vol. VI. APRIL, 1SS6. No. 4-.
NOTES FROM AX EXTEMPORANEOUS LECTURE
OX RHUS TOXICODESDROX BY PROF J. T.
KENT, M. D.
(Frank Kraft, Stenographer.)
If one commences taking Rhus to see what it will do to him,
among the first things you will find a general sensation of stiff-
ness throughout the whole body. In the beginning there is not
much soreness and aching with this stiffness, but very soon the
restlessness begins, and, as the stiffness advances, the soreness
and the aching in the muscles and bones come on. The bones
feel as if scraped ; the aching increases to a dull, burning, tear-
ing pain. All of these are worse particularly on beginning to
move, but immediately relieved by motion; continued motion
gives relief. This aching in the body is confined to no particu-
lar part — it is everywhere. It is sometimes attended with great
soreness, as if bruised, like that which we find in Arnica. As^
this progresses and the aching increases, the tearing becomes
more prominent and makes the aching, tearing, burning,,
rending pains. As this continues swelling comes on in the
fibrous tissues and particularly in the joints. The stiffness in-
creases in proportion to the length of time the patient has kept
quiet. For example, the individual has been lying still and has
been able, after becoming very tired, to get a little sleep; he
wakes up so stiff that he can hardly move. AVe see this in
123
124
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX RHUS TOX.
[April,
rheumatism — in some rheumatic states — hence the great value of
Rhus in some of these rheumatisms.
If the patient is able to move about we have this peculiar
condition : as soon as he begins to move, ever so little, his stiff-
ness wears away, and with it the restlessness, aching, and sore-
ness. This is the condition that exists without the swelling,
and is largely neuralgic. When the swelling begins it is some-
times so severe that the patient cannot keep up the continued
motion, when he gets relief from " hitching" a little. But
before the swelling has begun, when he commences to move,
the stiffness passes away and he feels comfortable while in
motion, his myalgic and neuralgic pains pass away; but wait
awhile, and the amelioration from continued motion becomes the
exception. After he has been made better by moving awhile,
he will grow weak and feel the need of rest; while resting,
back come his pains and aches, with them the tearing and rest-
lessness— this anguish in the flesh — this innate restlessness; all
these things come back before he can become rested of his weak-
ness, of his tiredness, of his paralytic prostration ; the pains are
all back again and they compel him to move. So he gets up
and tries it again. On first moving he is stiff and lame, but on
moving a little he gets better and goes on until exhausted.
This state of restlessness is part of the picture of typhoid fever,
but the restlessness that we see in the typhoid state is not at-
tended with the rheumatic swelling ; however, we have the pain
in the periosteum — a feeling as if the bone was scraped — a
scraping sensation of the bone. This is like Phos. acid, which
is generally placed at the head of the list for scraping in the
periosteum. He goes on and on, with this aching and soreness
and restlessness, with the pains growing worse and worse until
he moves. He thinks he will be comfortable now. He gets
into a new place and his pains have* all vanished. He thinks
now he is going to have some rest, but it isn't more than three
or four seconds before the aching begins again. He doesn't
even get time to go to sleep. This is attended with great fear,
great anxiety, anxious restlessness, thirst, and prostration — such
as we have in the early stage of a typhoid fever.
Rhus produces great changes in the blood, like unto septicae-
mia; like the zymotic state; like that we have been talking
about in Bryonia. It produces a dry tongue, dry and red, with
a triangular tip, and coated in the centre. It produces eleva-
tions in the papillae, like Belladonna and like Apis, and as it
progresses it soon produces sordes on the teeth, exudations of
blood around the teeth, soft and blue gums, the gums bleed
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX RHUS TOX.
125
easily upon the slightest pressure. These states we find in
typhoid fever. The mouth feels particularly dry, and lie has
great thirst — thirst for cold water, which makes him sick at the
stomach, while hot drinks relieve him at times. Especially
does cold water cause quick, throbbing, darting pains in the
stomach, with aching and a feeling as if ice was in the stomach,
or a load in the stomach. The cold water is not digested, but
produces great pain for some time ; every new drink he takes
produces pain of a similar character.
The next thing we will observe will be the tearing, rending,
digging pain of a neuralgic character in the scalp, with burning
along the course of the nerves. At about this time the external
coldness and shivering comes on, with an internal sensation as
if iced water or cold water was being carried through the system
in the arteries ; in other words, the arteries feel as if they were
filled with cold water. Finally, after the shivering passes awav,
we have the opposite condition, very much like Arsenicum —
wherein the patient feels as if hot water was being carried
through the blood-vessels. At this time we will have a delirium
— he imagines some one is going to poison him, he imagines he
is being pursued, he imagines he is in the field among his
sheep or with his cattle, always distressed and worried with
anxiety and fear. As he comes out of this delirium, in his
lucid moments, he has terrible fear, so much so (and this is like
Arsenicum again) that he says: "Doctor, you may as well go
home; I am going to die; it's no use trying to save me, for I am
a goner." Then he lapses into his delirium. In this state he
is in a similar condition as to anxiety; he seems to know what
people say, but doesn't understand it. When they tell him
they are going to send for the doctor, he will say : " If you get
that doctor I will drive him out of the house." Yet when the
doctor comes the patient is as gentle as a lamb. Even in his
delirium he is as gentle as a lamb. He is perfectly willing to
see the doctor, but if he says anything that is peculiar, he will
say : "Doctor, it's no use, I'm going to die."
Rhus produces a rapid emaciation ; rapid breaking down of
the tissues ; wasting.
It produces a miliary eruption upon the surface — a measly
eruption ; hence its great value for measles. It is a great
measles remedy. It also produces an eruption that is smooth,
and Rhus has, therefore, been useful in scarlatina.
Another grand feature of llhus is its conditions of inflamma-
tions of the tissues; inflammation of the cells — cellulitis. It
produces cellulitis even with sloughing. It produces an inflam-
12G
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX RHUS TOX.
[April,
mation of the skin that has the appearance of erysipelas, and
that which is peculiar about it is that it is covered with large
blebs, maybe of the size of your hand or the size of a silver dol-
lar or smaller; it produces even smaller vesicles.
The erysipelatous inflammation of the skin is purple, covered
with large blisters, and these filled with bloody serum. It pre-
fers in most instances the right side of the body, but in the ery-
sipelas it generally comes on the left side of the face and spreads
to the right. This erysipelas is especially characterized by
coming usually on the left side of the face and spreading to the
right.
It produces small vesicles upon the skin in various parts. It
likewise produces eruptions that commence in vesicles and dry
down in scale-like eczema, the vesicles disappearing so early
that they are not observed. If you take the common eruptions
that assume this form — that appear only in winter and disappear
in summer — you will find them most commonly cured by Rhus.
These large vesicles are ordinarily filled with bloody serum and
sometimes with yellow serum; the eruptions will sting and burn
violently. You will find these sensations in the erysipelatous
state.
Rhus produces a paralysis that is generally in the right side
— right arm, right leg.
This is a great medicine for infants in infantile paralysis of
one side of the body. It is not an uncommon thing for nurses
to take a little one out in the park in St. Louis — or, for that
matter, in the parks of any great city — and, if the nurse be a
heedless one, it is not at all unusual for her to place the child
on the grass — like enough on its back— and then run off after
her beau or some friend and leave the child lying on its back in
the grass. The little thing takes cold from the damp grass and
gets paralysis, commonly in the right side. In such a case
Rhus is your remedy ; for this paralytic weakness is character-
istic of this remedy. It has many forms of paralysis. It has a
paralysis in the face, coming on from taking cold. BelPs palsy
is a form of this. The paralytic affections of Rhus are periph-
eral, but in spinal affections they are central. Many of the
swellings of the joints seem to be oedematous with this paralytic
weakness. It has weakness of the lower extremities — weak
ankles. This weakness of the limbs is attended with a sort of .
oedematous condition — a puffiness — yet it is not a perfect oedema,
because there is not much pitting on pressure.
You will find associated with its rheumatism that peculiar
puffy condition that looks almost as if it was oedematous. This
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON RHUS TOX.
127
transparent, watery, baggy appearance of the skin is very char-
acteristic of this remedy, as well as of Apis. We have in the
throat little water-bags forming upon the mucous membranes.
This is something like Apis, Phosphorus, Kali biehromicum,
and Sepia. Sepia has little yellow vesicles in the throat (so has
Rhus), with itching and burning*.. In the mouth and upon the
face we have the complaints of Rhus belonging to the left side;
upon the other parts of the body we have Rhus affecting the
right side.
It has a typical, typhoid, yellow, mushy stool like Baptisia ;
a bloody, watery stool, and very frothy. It has another special
condition as to its time. The time of the Rhus diarrhoea is very
commonly four o'clock in the morning — a bloody, watery stool,
looking like bloody water, coming on at four o'clock in the
morning, and frothy.
Now, there is a tympanitic condition in this remedy such as
we find in the typhoid states, in the zymotic affections — a tym-
panitic condition of t lie abdomen ; it is bloated and hard as a
drum. Violent tearing, rending pain in the whole abdominal
viscera — in the whole abdominal cavity. You observe the
striking resemblance it bears to Bryonia; and yet, see how they
differ. In both we have zymosis; in pathology they are almost
identical, Bryonia affecting the deeper structures and Rhus the
same ; both affect the white, fibrous tissues of tendons and
joints, both producing violent neuralgias — the neuralgia of Rhus
being worse from midnight till morning, the neuralgia of Bry-
onia worse in the morning after moving. The pains and aches
and soreness of Rhus are all aggravated by keeping quiet,
while in Bryonia they are ameliorated by keeping quiet. Now,
look at the Bryonia patient lying in bed with all his aches and
pains, which are aggravated by motion, and so severe that they
compel him to move ; when he does move it seems as if he would
die, so greatly is he aggravated by that motion. In Rhus his
aches and pains are so severe that if he does not move he will
die. There you have a clear distinction between them — one must
•have motion, the other must keep still. They have the same
zymotic states; both have thirst for cold water; both have pains
in the stomach, made worse by cold water; while that is the
exception with Bryonia, it is characteristic with Rhus. Nearly
all the complaints of Rhus are made worse by cold. The Rhus
patient in general is worse in damp weather; he is worse in cold
weather; he is worse in a cold temperature, and always wants
to be in a warm room; he wants warm things, wants to be
warmly covered Bryonia, you remember, wants the open air ;
128
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX RHUS TOX.
[April,
he is worse by the stove, worse from too much clothing, and in
its cough and in many other symptoms, except in the stomach,
he is worse from warmth.
Now, you will see, on studying Arsenicum, that it has very
much in it that is like Rhus. It has the general zymotic states
— exudations around the teeth, dark, dry tongue, thirst for
water, restlessness, diarrhoea, worse after midnight; the pains in
the stomach are worse from cold water ; all these, you remem-
ber, are in Arsenicum, but he is not benefited by motion ; it is
a mental anxiousness ; he can't keep still, and he has fear of
death.
Veratrum has a rheumatism that you might mistake for a
Rhus case, because it drives him out of bed and compels him to
walk the floor in a cold room, and he gets better. Tl*e heat of
the bed drives him out, while it is the pain, the anguish, the
agony and distress in the whole body that makes the Rhus
patient move.
There is a restlessness in Mercury — one that might make you
think of Rhus. There is horrible aching in the bones, made
worse from the heat of the bed ; it is also made worse from
cold ; this will distinguish it from Rhus. In Rhus, while he
must move, if he gets into the cold it makes him shiver. He
cannot endure the cold.
The vesicular eruption of Rhus is peculiar. Rhus is asso-
ciated with hot flashes, like Sepia, and, as in Sulphur and
Lachesis, the hot flashes are at the feet ; the feet will swell up
and the hot flashes come on in the night, sometimes early in the
evening, but commonly they are worse from midnight till about
three o'clock in the morning. The feet feel to the patient as if
they were burning up yet they are ice-cold ;. these vesicular
eruptions which may occur in the soles or on the tops of the
feet burn and sting so violently that she can hardly keep still ;
there is a sense of heat to the patient, and also a sense of heat
to the doctor ; but the foot itself, u{x>n which appears this erup-
tion, is as cold as ice. Again, while the foot feels as cold as ice
to the doctor, and when it actually is cold, it will sometimes feel
to the patient as if burning. There is something more about
this eruption; while, for an instant, it feels a little relief from
the application of something cold it actually aggravates the erup-
tion and makes it spread. I have seen a patient with an ice-
cold foot covered with this vesicular eruption that was hot — I
have seen that patient with a desire to put the foot in cold
water.
A lady in this city not long ago had both feet with the veins
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON RHUS TOX.
129
standing out like great whip cords, and that very peculiar cir-
cumstance would come on exactly at six o'clock, just as regular
as the clock would strike ; all day long the feet would be as cold
as ice with this burning eruption on them ; but at six o'clock these
hot flashes would come on with a determination of blood to the
feet as if all the blood in the body was going to the feet, then
there would be burning. Once or twice she said she must put
them in cold water. AVhen I had only partly gotten hold of
the symptoms I gave Pulsatilla, but as soon as I discovered
that the rheumatic pains were made worse by the cold applica-
tion I found that it was a Rhus case. These vesicles covered
the entire anterior aspect of the sole of the foot, in between the
toes as well as between the fingers of the hand, and these vesi-
cles were filled with yellow serum all running together. Rhus
cured that case very beautifully. This is perfectly in harmony
with the poisoning of Rhus. There is that in relation to the
poisoning of Rhus that you should know — namely, that those
who have been once so poisoned are extremely susceptible to the
influence of Rhus. This poison sumach furnishes us a very
large number of symptoms, as we have been fortunate enough
to have had a number of cases of poisoning from Rhus. The
milder medicines that are not poisonous require a great deal of
labor in order to get at the symptoms. Patients will not take
medicines until they are nearly dead, or until they get erysipe-
las or rheumatism ; in such cases you only get at the shadowing
of the symptoms, while in a medicine like Rhus people uncon-
sciously run into it and get poisoned, and so we get these
marked features. If you will read over all the peculiarities of
the many cases of poisoning by Rhus, you will see lots and lots
of little things that I have not brought out ; but these that I
have mentioned are the characteristic ones ; these are the things
that occur to me ; these are the things that are usually brought
out.
There is incoherent talking and a low form of delirium, such
as we find in the low forms of typhoid fever. This remedy has
been of great service in cerebro-spinal meningitis, because it has
the tearing, rending pains in the spinal cord or in that region,
with contraction and spasms of the muscles, with drawing of the
head backward ; violent pains in the base of the brain, with the
anxiety and restlessness and relief from motion.
Rhus has cured a great many cases of granular lids when
associated with sack-like swelling of the conjunctiva and with
yellow purulent discharge; eyes red, agglutinated in the morn-
ing ; paralysis of the lids, ptosis — hanging down — drooping of
the lids.
130
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX RHUS TOX.
[April,
There is stinging and pulsating in the pit of the stomach ;
fullness and heaviness, as from a stone in it. This is like Bry-
onia and Nux vomica. It has paralysis of the sphincters, es-
pecially of the bladder; retention of urine; urine voided slowly
in spinal affections and there is a sandy sediment in the urine
like in Lyco podium ; the prepuce swells like a water-bag, be-
coming dark red, looking like erysipelas ; oedema of the scrotum ;
amenorrhea from getting the feet wet, or from getting wet, or
from getting caught in the rain, or from living in a foggy cli-
mate or in any foggy locality along the river ; cold, damp atmos-
phere brings on complaints ; on the labia majora there is an ery-
sipelas, with blisters containing bloody serum. Rhus is most
generally prescribed when the lochia is stopped and again returns,
milk-like with typhoid symptoms.
Rhus has a dry, tickling cough ; uncovering brings it on,
even from uncovering the hand. The chill of Rhus is preceded
by a cough. The key-note reads : He knows the chill is com-
ing on because he has a dry, hacking cough. In typhoid-pneu-
monia with this restlessness, anxious restlessness, better from
motion ; great dyspnoea, the dyspnoea and pains and aches com-
ing on when he is quiet, with a hemorrhage from the lungs.
When such hemorrhage comes on from straining the lungs, as in
those who blow wind-instruments, in such a case give Rhus.
In relation to strains, sprains, etc., Arnica is your best remedy
for relieving the soreness ; but the paralytic weakness and stiff-
ness belong to Rhus, and, therefore, Rhus follows Arnica. If
Rhus is insufficient to cure, then Calcarea carb. is the next
remedy.
Rhus has a peculiar pulse, the artery feeling like a strip of
thin metal twisting under the finger or like a corkscrew. That
is a clinical observation, and one that I have verified in many
instances. Associated with organic affections of the heart, it has
cured the numb sensation in the left arm, organic affections of
the heart with sticking pains and soreness and numbness and
lameness of the left arm. The general state of Rhus is aggra-
vated from stimulants.
It has a stiffness of the neck and back and stiffness of the
muscles in keeping with the stiffness of any or all the joints of
the body ; in the limbs there is, in general, a tearing and sting-
ing pain ; sciatica in the right side. You remember I told you
that Rhus prefers the right side. Here we have an evidence of
it. It is relieved by rubbing and by heat and when warm from
exercise ; numbness and formication ; cramps in the legs and
feet, with intolerable itching at night in old rash ; all the rheu-
1886.]
IGNORANCE AND STUPIDITY.
131
matoid pains are better from motion; sleeplessness from pain
before midnight ; must turn often to find any ease. This
remedy is most excellent in herpes zona or herpes zoster — com-
monly called shingles — being most likely to form on the right
side of the body, under the shoulder, and spreading clear around.
Chilblains. — In this it competes with Pulsatilla where there is
softening and burning and blueness of the skin.
IGNORANCE AXD STUPIDITY.
In the February number of this journal we published ten
symptoms, selected chiefly from Herinrfs Condensed Materia
Medico. We have published some of the replies to those ques-
tions. The one we now quote deserves a more extended notice
than any of the others, as it illustrates an important fatal error
— viz., alternation. AVe have always held the opinion that
ignorance and stupidity were the parents of alternation ; now
this writer, from whom we are about to quote, proves our previ-
ous opinion to be true. He gravely proposes to give two reme-
dies for one symptom, which is found under certainly one and
perhaps several drugs. Why give two remedies when one can
and will suffice?
The symptoms for which corresponding remedies were to be
found are these :
1. Metrorrhagia of large black lumps ; worse from any mo-
tion ; with violent pain in groins and fear of death — despair ;
bright red face and fever.
The remedy having this symptom is Coffea, and it is very
similar to Aconite, the latter having more fever, more anxiety,
restlessness, and greater fear of death, with metrorrhagia of
bright red blood. The distinguished physician whose answers
to these questions we are considering gives Secale for this symp-
tom ! Secale has a dark, clotted hemorrhage, and is worse from
motion, but has not the rest of the symptom. The next symp-
tom is :
2. Drawing, tearing pain in periosteum ; worse at night, in
wet, stormy weather and at rest ; better in motion. Rhodo.
For this symptom we are given Merc-sol., which is somewhat
similar, excepting that it is worse from motion and better from
rest. The next is :
3. Sensation as if a lump of ice lay in the stomach, with pain :
Bovista. Our friend's remark on this symptom is worthy of
careful notice. He writes: " This is a queer symptom, and I
132
IGNORANCE AND STUPIDITY.
[April,
would pay no attention to it in prescribing, but the is Calc-
es." Now, why does this doctor decline to pay any attention to
this queer symptom ? He knows the remedy, but would not
give it. The symptom is to be found in Herinr/s Condensed
Materia Medica, and hence it has either been produced upon a
well person or cured in a sick one. And it is just these queer
symptoms which Hahnemann has declared we must use in our
prescribing; symptoms common to and frequent in any disease
are not of value, but such as are "queer" and uncommon are
most useful. Do not slight a symptom because it sounds fool-
ish, for such symptoms often enable us to save a life. Let us
pass to
5. Left thigh feels as if broken in the middle when sittting;
ceases on rising : Ill-an. This is a peculiar symptom by reason
of its condition, ceasing on rising. Bry. and Ruta have a
bruised pain in leg when sitting, and Ferr. has one ameliorated
on rising ; Merryanthis has a bruised pain in thigh when sitting,
and Nitr.-acid a pain as if broken, but we know of no remedy
having this pain ceasing on rising. The physician whom we
are criticising writes of this symptom thus : " This is a symp-
tom which you will never meet with, but the 1^ is Graphites !
How does he know one will never meet with this symptom ?
Indeed, such a bone pain is very common, and hence would be
valueless but for its peculiar condition. This doctor is very
amusing ; he is so positive in his statements and so ignorant in
assertions. We will give only two more of his answers, merely
remarking that he has not found the correct remedy for one of
the ten symptoms, showing clearly how much correct prescribing
he must do.
7. Coldness in back and between shoulders ; not relieved by
covering; followed by itching: Ara.-mur. For this symptom
our learned therapeutist would prescribe "Ars.-iod. in alternation
with Ferr.-phos." Why he would do such a stupid thing he does
not inform us. Perhaps he himself does not know any reason
for so doing.
We will digress here to mention a case in which this symptom
occurred. The patient was a lady who was very much troubled
by severe itching without any eruption. This itching came on
about the seventh month of each of her three pregnancies and
lasted until delivery. She complained of this symptom, saying
just before a spell of itching came on she was cold, especially
between the shoulders. Amm.-rn. relieved for a time the itch-
ing and removed the coldness in the back, but did not cure the
general itching. Various remedies were given for this itching,
1886.]
WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES?
as the symptoms changed, but none gave more than temporary
relief. Perhaps had Ars.-iod. been given in alternation with
Ferr.-phos. the effect would have been marvelous.
9. Roaring in head after coitus : Carb-veg. For this we are
told to give " Sulphur and Calc.-os. in alternation." The why
and the wherefore for such alternation being unexplained, we
doubt its value, and the more so as we have not been able to find
any Repertory or Materia Medica which gave " roaring in head "
as a symptom of either Calc. or Sulphur. Roaring inside the
head and roaring in the ears are distinctly different symptoms.
It is sad to think that such a prescriber as this doctor must
be should be allowed to prey upon an unsuspicious community.
The city coroner must be lax in attending to his duties.
E. J. L.
WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES?
In our February issue we gave ten symptoms, and asked for
the remedies having them. Some of our subscribers request us
to give more of these symptoms. These ten are therefore
given :
1. Increased desire to urinate after a few drops have passed,
causing patient to walk about in distress, although motion in-
creases the desire.
2. Violent pressure in stomach and pain in back ; at times
better bending backward ; at others, bending forward ; better
from hard pressure.
3. Pain in sacrum, passing into right thigh and down sciatic
nerve ; worse when pressing at stool, on coughing or laughing,
also when lying on affected side.
4. Intense drawing, twisting, pains in stomach, as if it were
drawn tightly against spine, causing pain in dorsal region.
5. Colic in children, made worse at once by uncovering an
arm or leg.
6. Scrofulous children who, during dentition, continually
grasp at their gums.
7. Sudden crashing noise in head on falling asleep; awaking
with a frightened start.
8. Thinks she is left wholly to herself, and stands alone in
the world.
9. Sensation of fullness in trachea, as if arising from chest,
causing a few short coughs, followed by warmth in forehead.
10. With every uterine contraction, violent dyspnoea, which
seems to neutralize the labor pains. Rigid os uteri.
E. J. L.
IS THERE ANYTHING IN SULPHURDM (F. C.)?
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
Probably Dr. Richard Hughes and his seven co-workers
would answer this question in the negative, seeing that they
arbitrarily exclude from their Cyclopaedia of Druy Pathoyenesy
all symptoms obtained from potencies above the twelfth deci-
mal unless confirmed by low-potency provings. Indeed, to
such a length has their prejudice carried them that they have
excluded Dr. J. F. Allen's high potency provings of Lactic
acid, even though the latter declares (New York J. of Horn.,
p. 102), "The effects were so positive and uniform in different
persons, that even the most skeptical of the class were convinced
of the effect of the thirtieth." Yet this caricature of a materia
medica, this miserable abortion, has received the indorsement
and patronage of the two great professedly homoeopathic insti-
tutions of the English-speaking nations! Whether they will
continue to indorse it alter reading my analysis of this work,
now appearing in the Homoeopatluc }Vorld, remains to be seen.
Possibly they will, for Quem Dcus vult perdere, prius demcntat.
But all these theoretical objections of pseudo-philosophers and
self-glorified agnostics* are completely overthrown by a few
simple facts, and of these facts one of the most convincing is,
that patients have detected the medicine yiven them by its patho-
yenetic effects upon them. I purpose, therefore, to record a few
cases in point.
1. Mr. B., set. sixty, consulted me for chronic varicose ulcers
on legs. His medical history is peculiar and instructive. Ten
or twelve years before he saw me he consulted Dr. P., a mon-
grel, who treated him in vain for two months; this Dr. P. sent
him to Mr. Cooper Foster, a celebrated allopathic surgeon, who
deservedly snubbed the mongrel by refusing to meet him in con-
sultation. Mr. Foster lanced the leg, evacuating pus and blood.
Afterward more allopathic treatment, but without benefit.
About eight months before I saw him he consulted a " wise
woman," who professed to cure diseased legs; she applied her
ointment, which brought away pus, but he lost appetite, and has
never been so well since — a very common effect of the danger-
ous practice of external medication, which pseudo-homoeopaths,
as well as allopaths, are so fond of. Still more recently a local
■^''Agnostic" is a good word; it sounds so much better than its Latin
equivalent of " ignoramus."
134
April, 1S8G.] IS THERE ANYTHING IN SULPHUR^?
135
allopath gave him Mercury and Conium, but without benefit.
He also consulted Dr. Joseph Kidd, the chief of the pseudo-
homoeopaths in Great Britain, but Kiddopathy, this time in the
form of Pyrophosphate of Iron, did no good.
On December 19th, 1882, I gave him Sulphur*™ (F. C.), a
dose twice a day for eight days.
On December 30th he reported a general improvement, say-
ing that " this medicine had acted like magic, quite different to
former treatment." On December 19th, after the first dose,
reaching with the right hand across body to the left caused
acute pain in cardiac region for about fifteen minutes; has had
this before, but never so severely; had a similar symptom on
22d, and any sudden motion caused catching pains in loins and
stomach. On 20th, blisters broke out on upper lip, lasting
three days; says he thinks he is taking Sulphur, because he years
ago had a similar eruption when using the Mexican Hair
Restorer.
He continued to improve considerably under this medicine and
some other. Syphilinumam (F. C.) removed the symptoms.
"Cough worse when lying on right side." Unfortunately, in
% March, 1884, he caught cold and had pneumonia and jaundice.
Being then helpless, his wife, who hated Homoeopathy, sent for
an allopath, who speedily sent him into another world secundum
artem. Of course, the widow was consoled by the allopathic
assurance that "everything had been done for the dear departed.7'
2. August 29th, 1876. — I gave Mr. M , ait. seventy-five,
a dose of Sulphur0 mm (F. A.) twice a day. On September 6th
lie reported improvement, but asked if I had given him Sulphur,
because on the second day he felt an emptiness in stomach with
decreased appetite, and did not enjoy his food. He said that he
always used to have these symptoms when he took brimstone
and treacle, or milk of sulphur. This 20mm potency was made
by a continuous flow of water into the diluting vial for fourteen
da ys.
3. 1881, March 23d. — I gave one dose of Sulphurmm (F. C.)
to a lady suffering from piles and prolapsus ani. Like the for-
mer patients, she was not told what she was taking. On March
30th she reported as follows: On 24th felt a difficulty in
swallowing solids, just as she had a year ago icJiilc taking re-
peated doses of Sulphur***. The food seemed to scrape over the
throat ; she has had it more or less every day since, but it is now
decreasing. On 25th, 26th, 27th, drowsiness about eleven
A. iff. (one of the great characteristics of Sulphur), so that she
lay down and had a full sleep for an hour and a half, which
136
SULPHUR IX WHITLOW.
[April,
refreshed her. With this there was an improvement in the
piles and prolapsus.
On March 30th I gave her one dose of DM (F. C), and on
April 7th she reported that the drowsiness about eleven a. m.
had recurred for two or three days, but less; the throat symp-
toms did not return.
4. In Homceopathic Physician, IV, 290, I published an-
other involuntary proving of Sulphur*"* (Boericke), in which,
eleven lines from top, for "when I came" read "at three A. M."
If patients can detect the medicine from the effects of high
potencies thereof, what becomes of the theoretical objections of
pseudo-savants? "Your pseudo-philosopher, who will always
think he has plumbed the ocean with his silver-topped cane, is a
great bore sometimes."
SULPHUR IN WHITLOW.
1882, February 2d.— Miss M. D., set. twenty. For three
weeks she has had whitlow on left forefinger ; the whole of the
finger is inflamed, and the last phalanx contains pus along its
entire extent except at dorsum. Has poulticed it for a week
with Hepar* in ten poultices, and taken Hepar* and Silic.*
internally, but it has got worse. There is now shooting pains
in ulnar surface of last phalanx ; throbbing all along the finger;
aching extending up to axilla and scapula; also burning in the
whole finger; it is very tender; sleep disturbed by the pains
for the last week; pains relieved by cold water; relieved by
holding the arm up, worse by letting it hang down. Hot water
aggravates the aching and throbbing. A lump as large as a
marble in ulnar side of bend of elbow, with aching in it. She
often has hangnails. She has had five whitlows in the last three
years, all treated allopathically and by cutting ; they came in
quick succession in different places, three on left hand and
afterward two on right hand. The bone was removed from
two of them.
A study of Hering's Analytical Therapeutics of whitlow led
me to Sulphur, and I gave Sulphur dm (F. C.) every four hours.
No more poulticing, but bathing in tepid water.
February 6th. — The pain increased after the second dose, and
the whitlow broke at nine A. M. on February 3d. Since then has
been much easier and slept well. The skin became dark soon
after it broke, which it never did before. To-day there is no
pain except in the centre of the nail, as if it were pressed away
from the finger. The lump is only of the size of a pea, and
18SC]
ACUTE POLYURIA IN A CHILD.
137
without pain except cm touch. The three previous bad whit-
lows lasted three weeks before they broke, and took about a
month to heal. No more medicine.
February 24th. — Reports that for a week the finger has been
quite healed, and she can straighten it. It has healed up much
quicker than the former whitlows which were treated allopath-
icallv, and there is no numbness left, as used to be the case in
former attacks Usually the effect of the homoeopathic remedy
is to relieve the pain before the pus is either evacuated or,
absorbed ; and this is the test of a cure as opposed to a naturaP
recovery.
In this case the temporary aggravation of the pain of a whit-
low almost ready to break prevented the usual course of phe-
nomena. But that it was a truly homoeopathic cure is proved
by the unusually speedy convalescence.
The characteristics of Sulphur, as given by C. Hering, were
(1) " Index finger," Sulphur (to which may be added Calc,
Kali-c, Sepia.) ; (2) "Old maltreated cases," Hep., Phosph., Silie.,
Strain., Sulph. ; (3) "From hangnails," Lycop., Natr-m., Sulph.;
(4) " Very sensitive to touch," Apis., Sang., Sulph. (to which
add Hepar); (5) "After suppuration," Silie., Sulph.; (Q) "With
caries, necrosis," Asaf., Aurum., Fluor-ac, Lycop., Mercur.,
Mezer.j Phos-ac, Silic, Sulph. E. W. Berridge.
ACUTE POLYURIA I>T A CHILD IN COXSEQUEXCE
OF A STIXG OF IXODES EICIXUS.
Axel Johannessen observed the following case: A boy of
eleven years with a neuropathic constitution was stung near the
left protuberantra occiputeles externa by an Ixodes ricinus (goat-
chafer, tick, Holzbock). Trying to remove it, the head remained,
and around the part stung a painful swelling soon formed, ex-
tending to the left ear. The boy suffered from headache ; could
not think and only moved his head with difficulty. Thirteen
days afterward the doctor found the boy with a pale face and
slowly acting pupils; head flexed to the left side stiffly; left
cucullaris strongly contracted — painful; urine of a light color,
clear, acid (sp. gr., 1,008), no albumen nor sugar. During the
course of the disease, off and on, delirise; skin dry and warm;
polyuria, eight to ten liters during twenty-four hours; polydip-
sia, nine to ten liters during the day; pulse, 64; temperature,
38.5; sound of the heart intermitting. A clinical examination
of the urine revealed a specific gravity of 1,003 and reaction;
138
ACUTE POLYURIA IN A CHILD.
[April,
diminution of chlorides and phosphates; perception of sound on
the left ear diminished ; right angle of the mouth drawn to the
right side, with the same deviation of the tongue. Gradual im-
provement set in; polyuria and polydipsia decrease, but a poly-
phagia now sets in. After five weeks the boy is all well again.
In the epicrisis Johannessen leads our attention to the nervous
origin of the diabetes insipidus, confirming the views of Bernard.
As in this case, an acute polyuria existed, which rapidly passed
awav, accompanied by deafness of the left ear, pains and spasms
in the left cucullaris, which receives its nervous supply from the
accessories; irregular beat of the heart; paresis of the lower
branch of the facial nerve; dilated pupils and weakened cerebral
action. AVe may put all these symptoms to one and the same
origin — the floor of the fourth ventricle. The Ixodes ricinus is
related to the Argas persicus, whose sting produces intoxication
dangerous to life. Our literature shows cases where the sting
of bees produced polydipsia. May it not be that, either through
the lesion of the sting itself or through its specific influence, a
neuritis ariendeas of the accessories arose which passed on to its
nucleus ; hence to the nucleus of the vagus, ciustious, and to the
lower nucleus of the facialis. Between the origin of the nerous
ciustious and nerv. vagus lies Bernard's point de figure. — Arch. f.
Kindcrheilkunde, VI, 5.
Another involuntary proving, verifying the symptomsas found
under Apis, Vespa, and others : Thus, Allen gives us, under
Apis ('21): Confusion when attempting to read or to study:
unfit for mental exertion ; 50, headache with vertigo ; 124, ten-
sion from the back of the neck [no pupillary symptoms nor
deafness under Apis]; 241, paleness of the face; 369, no third,
with dryness of the mouth ; 492, frequent desire to urinate ;
600, day and night very frequent passage of colorless urine; 50(5,
copious passage of pale, straw-colored urine, with brick-dust
sediment; 616, rapid, feeble beats of the heart: action of the
heart interrupted ; 635, tension in the right side of the neck, be-
neath and back of the ear; 750, twitching of the muscles ; 755,
the whole nervous system seemed most violently affected ; 768,
general feeling of lassitude, with trembling ; 820, spreading in-
flammatory swelling.
Allen, X, 119, Vespa (the wTasp and hornet) gives us: 41,
incessant urination and urine sometimes thick and hot ; always
too frequent (after five and six years) ; 63, an extremely irritable
and rapid action of the heart ; pulse small and quick.
We have here a symptom under Ixodes ricinus (the polydip-
sia) which is not found under Apis and Vespa, nor do we read
188G.]
HIGH POTENCIES AGAIN.
139
anything of the polyphagia which came at a later period when
the boy was already entering the reconvalescent state. The
irregular, weakened action of the heart seems to belong to all
poisonous stings. How each thing in the world has its own in-
dividuality, which shows itself in its symptoms, and thus gives
its own individual space as a therapeutical measure !
<& L.
HIGH POTENCIES AGAIN,]
" ''Tis above reason/ cried the doctor on one side. "Tis
below reason/ cried the others. ' 'Tis faith/ cried one. 1 'Tis
a fiddlestick/ said the other. ' 'Tis possible/ cried one. c 'Tis
impossible/ said the other.' " — Tristam Shandy.
A long editorial on " Attenuation — Dynamization- — Potency,"
in the Periscope, closes with these words :
We are perfectly willing to recognize the probable curative power of any
state of attenuation which maintains and gives evidence of the material pres-
ence. [How kind !] This material presence must respond directly to one or
several of the five senses, with or without the aid of the microscope, epectro-
scope, or chemical reagents. Possibly we might not stop to split hairs as to
the possibility of material presence in preparations a few removals beyond
the limit named. But when asked to accept as remedie* and trust attenua-
tions at the five hundredth to the one thousandth, why, we simply "give it
up."
But, cui 6ono, what is the use of going to so much labor and trouble at the
risk of trenching upon the border land of doubt, uncertainty, and nonentity ?
We confess it looks much lite a morbid desire to revel in mvstery and uncer-
tainty, at the expense of violating all the rules of logic, analogy, and human
experience.
The high potency party have a habit of making themselves miserable over
the fear of somebody's disloyalty to the teachings and memory of Hahne-
mann. It would be an easy matter to retaliate by showing that they them-
selves have been guilty of certain innovations; as the master in his most
gauzy and speculative moods never dreamed of anything like the fluxim
frivolities of Swan, Fincke and Company. Hahnemann, in his discovery of
the therapeutic law governing the selection of the suitable remedy, together
with his subsequent teachings as to attenuation, the single remedy and the
minimum dose, achieved a wealth and weight of glory which fairly entitled
him to .a patent for a bit of folly — now and then. All greU minds have
their whims, humors, and follies. Hahnemann was no exception to the rule.
The high potency party in trying to imitate and vindicate these follies, have
done more to hinder and retard the progress of Homoeopathy than all other
causes combined. If homoeopathists would settle down to teach and practice
medicine with attenuations at somewhere from the third to the twelfth attenua-
tion, stop their clatter as to " C C," M M M," and " C M,* u Psora," disease
products as remedies and opposition to topical applications our system would
rapidly take the place of all others.* These follies have given our enemies
* This sentence is an infringement upon a patent by the great S. O. L. Potter,
who first u?cd it ! !
140
HIGH POTENCIES AGAIN.
[April, 188G.
cudgels with which tobreak our heads by the wholesale. It may take fifty to one
hundred years to undo and neutralize their consequences.
In reply to this editorial, we desire to make a few comments.
Before discussing high potencies in general, we disclaim hav-
ing any great admiration for the C M, M M, etc., preparations.
They doubtless act well, and may probably he properly and
accurately prepared, yet, nevertheless, we must confess we have
always regarded them with suspicion, and hence seldom used
them. On the other hand, we have seen remarkable effects from
them, as well as from the proper exhibition of the thirtieth, the
two hundredth, and the five hundredth, prepared by Messrs.
Boericke & Tafel. In a practice of some years wre have used
nothing lower than the thirtieth, in our own family as well as
upon patients.
Now, as to the efficacy and the value of high in general, only
a few words need be said.
Hahnemann, after discovering the law of the similars, prac-
ticed by using crude doses and large amounts. He found his
patients grievously aggravated by these doses ; he found that
while patients could take, without any aggravation, large doses
on the antipathic (allopathic) method, they could not do so when
medicines were administered upon the principle of similia ; the
remedy in the latter case, being of a similar action to the dis-
ease, found the patient very susceptible to its influence, just as
one's burnt hand is more susceptible to heat than the well one.
Thus was Hahnemann compelled by experience to decrease his
doses, and finally to decrease them by attenuating them with
some inert substance, as wTater or sugar of milk. While seek-
ing to lessen the strength of his drugs, Hahnemann discovered
that attenuation producedan increased power — -potency — in them,
and that " potentized drugs " acted better than merely diluted
drugs. He used the thirtieth, sixtieth, and one hundredth poten-
cies.
Again, as to the value of these potencies in curing the sick,
there can be no doubt. It lias been testified too often to admit
of a doubt, and no one can doubt it who carefully experiments
with them. Theorizers may doubt, but experimenters never can.
Allen's Encyclopaedia contains many invaluable symptoms pro-
duced by them ; hundreds of physicians cure daily with them.
Cui bono f asks the Periscope ; we answer, because they cure
better and quicker than the low attenuations. Omit from the
history of Homoeopathy the cures made by potencies above the
thirtieth, and that history would be robbed of its brightest,
grandest triumphs. E. J. L.
AGNOSTICISM AND INVESTIGATION.
"I am ax Agnostic." — Professor of Materia Medical
This quotation is said to have been uttered by the Professor
before his class when speaking of dynamizaiion ; L e.f he knew
noticing about it! Is it not a little surprising that this man,
whose duty it is to teach the homoeopathic materia medicn,
should stand before his class and avow his utter ignorance of an
essential and fundamental principle of that which it was his
duty, and which he pretended, to teach, and which this class
had come to him for the sole purpose of being taught ? Did
the Professor tell them fairly, before they came, that he knew
nothing of this fundamental principle ? Presumably not.
Then, was this uncalled-for declaration true at the time it was
made ? Certainly not, unless the Professor Imd forgotten an im-
portant knowledge he once possessed. The question before the
class was dynamizaiion and potencies, And this is how the Pro-
fessor declared himself on these in the American Homoeopathic
Review, Vol. V., p. 392 :
KI gave the only potence in the office then (T should have given a lower if
I had had it), the one-thousandth, prepared by Dr. Fincke, of Brooklyn, which
potency of (Jelsemium I will swear to."
So, he did know once, and he knew so confidently that he was
ready to make oath to the verities he knew of dynamization
and potencies, even of " Fluxion potencies," which he says the
American Institute has "laughed out" of itself. This readiness
to swear was in 1805. Has he been busy since in forgetting
what he then knew so confidently? and forgetting it and its
utteranoo so completely that he can stand up (and not turn
red in the face) and declare as to these subjects — "J am an
agnostic !" ' f
However this may be, the Professor seems to be dissatisfied
with his present dim position, and the same authority which
tells of his avowed darkness also reports his intended escape
from it, and the means by which this is to be accomplished. He
calls for volunteers from his class to engage in provings on
themselves of high potencies, that their power to make sick may
be made known. But how known? Why, by the testimony
of these volunteers, to be sure, that they by these potencies
have been made sick! And will not this be perfectly con-
clusive? The question is well put. And it may be answered,
perhaps, as to this Professor, if, as there is some reason to fear,
his agnosticism has not struck so deep as to make proof of any
truth to his mind impossible. We sav reason to fear, as to
141
142
A NOTE ON GANGRENE.
[April, 1886.
him, because, with the testimony of consummate masters before
him as to the truth and value of dynamization and potentiation,
he refuses to believe these, and turns to that of volunteer tyros
and neophytes as more to be regarded and trusted ! To such
straits is illogical and unreasoning agnosticism driven. Con-
firmation of these truths can only come from one's own obser-
vation and experience or from that of others. Agnosticism, at
least that of this Professor, prefers that of the tyro to that of
the expert; that of his volunteers to that of Boenninghausen,
Stapf, Gross, Haynel, Hering, of the dead, and that of a mul-
titude of the living of like spirit. So great is the unreason of
agnosticism — always unreasonable, illogical, stupid, sillv, and
foolish. W.
A NOTE ON GANGRENE.
Arsenicum, Seeale cornutum, and Euphorbium, under certain
circumstances, deserve the name of actual specifics in genuine
gangrene. If erysipelas threatens to pass over into gangrene,
we will have to use Bryon., Bellad., Rhus, Phosph. acid., etc.
If gangrene occurs as the consequence of violent inflammation,
if the previously very violent pains suddenly cease, and nervous
symptoms ensue, Bryonia is often suitable, and not unfrequently
Bellad. or Rhus. The Bryonia and Bellad. are particularly
serviceable when inflammations of internal organs pass into
gangrene ; if, however, they should not succeed, if the limbs of
the patient become cold and insensible, if symptoms of hectic
fever set in or not, and all life is on the point of being extin-
guished, we must rely upon Arsenicum.
Arsenicum is also the best remedy when ulcers become gan-
grenous, and are either extremely painful or else entirely
insensible, with elevated edges, and secrete a bad, watery, foetid
ichor ; and also when the swelling is hard, shining, and burn-
ing, with bluish-black, burning vesicles, filled with acrid ichor.
In gangrene of internal parts, Euphorbium often affords the
most excellent service, particularly when it is consequent upon
inflammation of the stomach, bowels, etc., and the temperature
of the body is continually diminishing, a great degree of torpor
being present, and the affected parts without sensation. Hence
we must, not unfrequently, use Euphorbium, when gangrene is
about to or has partially passed over into the so-called sphace-
lus ; it is also serviceable in Gangr.ena senilus (gangrene of
old age). Secale cornutum is particularly serviceable in dry
gangrene, and China in moist. Hartmann.
NO FIGS FROM THISTLES GROW!
"That students are not taught Homoeopathy in our colleges is
undeniably true, and the more shame to the colleges. Either
take down the name of Homoeopathy, or teach the teachings of
Homoeopathy. What are you doing with the name if you are
not the thing? Using it as a trademark, as a decoy, as a lie!
That is exactly, and only, what it means if you use the name
and withhold the teachings. And, gentlemen professors, you
are not to mistake ; it is not what you think Homoeopathy to be,
but what Hahnemann said Homoeopathy is, that you are to teach.
State Hahnemann's teachings fully and fairly first, then, if you
have time, ventilate your own peculiar views. But let the stu-
dent think for himself, yea, teach him to think for himself.
"In a truly homoeopathic college Hahnemann's Organon will
be lectured upon by the ablest man of its faculty. In which
college is it so lectured upon to-day t — A little louder, please, we
didn't catch the name. 'You don't exactly know the name?'
[Yes, we do; at the St. Louis school. — Hom. Phys.] Xeither do
we. Isn't it a trifle foolish to expect homoeopaths for graduates
when Homoeopathy is not taught." — Medical Advance, for Jan-
uary.
VERIFICATION OF APIS AXD A REMARKABLE
FACT.
A young married lady in the eighth month of pregnancy,
just recovering from a sharp attack of dysentery, complained of
violent pains in both ovarian regions — worse in the left — which
had troubled her very much at times since birth of last child,
two years ago. There was excessive tenderness of the parts,
aggravated by the least touch or movement of the body. Apis
mel.3 (the only preparation at hand at the moment) was given.
Dose, one drop toward evening. The pains were relieved, but
she passed a restless night, and dreamed iluit she went into a
strange drawing-room, where there was a swarm of bees, which
hummed and buzzed around her head, and one of them stung lier
on the left eyebrow. The lady had no idea whatever what medi-
cine she had taken. She lives in London and has nothing to
do with bees in any way. The following day I gave one dose of
ApU2x>. Up to t his time — three days after — she has had no
more medicine and has been free from pain ever since.
Alfred Heath.
143
PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS BEFORE THE
INTERNATIONAL H A H N E M A N NI AN ASSOCIA-
TION, HELD AT SYRACUSE, N. Y., JUNE, 1885.
Rollin R. Gregg, M. D., President.
Members of the International Haiinemannian Asso-
ciation : —
As your presiding officer for this year, it becomes my duty to
now lav Wore you the required annual address. And first of
all, in this duty allow me to congratulate you upon thus early in
our career as an association meeting here in this city, at the
home of the Central New York Homoeopathic Medical Society.
F or years, as you know, this Central New York Society was the
only homoeopathic medical body in all this wide world, whether
city, county, State, or National, that encouraged and upheld the
purer teachings of Hahnemann as he left them to us. When all
other associate action in our school was tending to false teach-
ings, and more rapidly so every year, this Central Society has
done its utmost to call men back to their allegiance to principles
and to law. For such heroic action it deserves our highest
praise and most earnest encouragement. But for its action our
own Association might have been delayed longer than it was in
its organization ; or, if not that, our way has certainly been
made smoother by what that Society has done ; and we shall, no
doubt, have in it a strong ally in all our future work. There-
fore, all honor, I say, to this Central New York Homoeopathic
Society for its loyalty to the master's truths, and to the love of
truth that gave it birth.
Next, I must congratulate you upcn the good omens of the
times. Everywhere the strong voice of the truth is beginning
to assert itself. From every quarter the mutterings of the storm
of reaction against false teachings in our school is beginning to
be heard; and when that storm comes it will sweep everything
before it, as the truth has always done when once aroused. You
have all seen in our representative journals, The Homoeopathic
Physician and Medical Advance, and elsewhere, the increasing
demands for the study of Hahnemann's On/anon; the greater
vigor with which the law of similia is defended and its highest
application demanded ; also the increasing numbers and im-
portance of clinical facts and clinical cases reported. The many
vigorous defenses of our svstem in its highest and best estate, by
144
April, 1S86.] PRESIDENT GREGG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS. 145
writers of various papers read before State and other societies
during the last year, you have also, no doubt, all seen ; so look
where we may, the signs of the times are propitious.
Personally, I have had much to encourage me during the last
year, in many letters received from physicians who are not mem-
bers of our Association, living all along the line from Maine to
Missouri, all breathing the most earnest sentiments in favor of
the pure practice of Homoeopathy and of fully carrying out our
principles. Singularly enough, several of these letters were from
middle-aged physicians who are more or less recent converts
from allopathy, and who vigorously denounce the misrep-
resentations of Hahnemann and his doctrines by so many of
his professed followers, so much of which they find in our cur-
rent literature.
Another significant fact is that the more honest of the pro-
fessed followers of Hahnemann who violate most or nearly all
his teachings are beginning to take alarm at the false position
they are in and are dropping their designation as homoeopathic
physicians. These and others are also agitating for dropping the
word Homoeopathy or homoeopathic from all societies that have
hitherto been known under either of these names. This move-
ment must ere long become general among them. Then they will
stand as open enemies, instead of enemies disguised as friends,
which is far better for any cause than disloyal men in camp.
Men cannot long hold themselves together in large bodies, under
false pretenses, if their false position is once exposed to the
world.
Last, but not least, and upon our western horizon, we have
seen a man arise out of the errors, prejudices, and false teachings
of allopathy and eclecticism to become one of the clearest and
purest *eachers of Hahnemann and his principles that we have
ever had. I allude to Professor J. T. Kent, of St. Louis. His
career and vigorous utterances in favor of the law, of the pure
practice of Homoeopathy, and of all of the master's teachings,
including the despised psoric doctrine, ought to put to shame all
those who professed to have accepted those doctrines before Pro-
fessor Kent even began the study of medicine in the old school.
And now, while he is doing valiant labor and his utmost to aid
in lifting Homoeopathy out of the mire of uncertainty into
which it has been dragged by false teachers, the latter have been
and are still doing their utmost to bury it still deeper in the
slough of allopathy and eclecticism from which he so recently
escaped, and which he evidently knows too well to be tempted
back into by whatever siren songs of apostacv. It is well that
146 PRESIDENT GREGG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS. [April,
he has pitched his tent upon the western bank of the great
father of waters, and may his influence be as wide and as far
reaching as are the tributaries of that mighty river. Let us all
do our utmost to uphold and sustain him in his important work.
One such man can do our cause more real good than thousands
of doubting, hesitating men, or of those who stand ready with
their excuses and apologies whenever their belief is assailed,
instead of vigorously defending it against all assaults.
But, notwithstanding all this, and however great the confi-
dence we may feel in our position and tenets, it is important
that we frequently review our own ground. With this idea in
view, I call your attention to some things that we must not lose
sight of, but should elaborate on all fitting occasions if we are
to make progress and would attract others to our standard. The
points I wish to elucidate are these: This world, indeed, the
whole universe, consists, 1st, of matter, aggregations of material
atoms, whether in the most rarefied form of our upper atmos-
phere or in the rocks on which we stand; and, 2d, of forces
which dominate and rule over every atom of this matter. Un-
derstand me, please, on these points, and especially upon the lat-
ter, as our position depends upon it. Matter everywhere, in
every condition, and every atom of it, is, I repeat, dominated or
ruled by force. There are no exceptions ; there can be no excep-
tions. Matter is passive, force the actor in every instance.
Raise a body of matter into the air, leave it without support,
and it falls back to the earth. What brings it back to the
earth ? The force which we call gravity. Matter does nothing
iu this instance excepting to obey the law of gravity, or yield
to the dictation of force. Let me give an illustration, by which
you will perhaps see more clearly what this means.
Make a chain of great length out of rods of the purest steel,
these rods being a foot in diameter, if you please. Then hang
that chain over a very high precipice, and what is the result?
At the required height of precipice and length of chain, the lat-
ter would be broken in an instant by its own weight, as easily
as you could break a pipestem, and it would make no difference
if the masses of steel out of which the links of the chain were
made were five or even ten feet in diameter, the result would be
the same. The matter of which the chain is made does not and
could not break itself. It is the force of gravity that does that.
It simply obeys the mandate of force, and can do nothing else.
And yet, can you see anything of this tremendous power, or know
anything whatever of its existence, excepting in its effects ? You
see the chain ; you see its great links, made of the strongest
1886.] PRESIDENT GREGG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
147
matter known ; you see its apparently enormous strength ; yet
what does all that matter and all that apparent strength amount
to in the hands of the force that snaps it asunder in the twink-
ling of an eye under the conditions named? The real thing in
this experiment is what you cannot see, feel, handle, or know
anything whatever of, I repeat, excepting in its effects. Your
eye calls the great chain the real thing; your reason, if you
reason, tells you that it is one of the flimsiest of all realities in
the hands of the real thing, or the force that breaks it so readily
and easily, and would do so to a thousand or ten thousand other
chains in succession. And bear in mind that this force is there
to act perpetually, whether the chain be there or not, and would
act upon any and all other kinds of matter, as well as upon the
chain. This illustration, as it seems to me, gives the mind the
proper idea and distinction to be made between matter and
force, and through analogy and our reason shows us that the
like distinction, and the like ruling, or absolute dominion of
force over matter, holds in every department of nature. Indeed,
we know that it does.
Take another illustration : A cyclone arises almost in a min-
ute, certainly in a very few minutes, that sweeps everything in
its path to destruction. What is the cause of this terrible de-
vastation? The immediate cause is the air in violent motion.
But what puts the air into such violent motion? There is a
force behind it that does this work. It used to be thought that
this force was heat, but it is much more probably electricity, or
sudden and violent developments of electrical action in the air
that arouses it into such fury. But in either case, whether heat
or electricity, it is a force without substance that acts upon the
matter of which the atmosphere is composed, and drives it on
with the results so well known. The air no more starts and
lashes itself into such violence than the chain breaks itself in
the other experiment, or no more moves itself than the tree in
the track of the cyclone tears itself up by the roots, or than the
house flies from its foundation into the heavens of its own ac-
cord, to shiver itself into atoms, so that a recognizable portion of
it may never be found. The air, being matter, must obey the
inexorable law of all matter, and be moved, if it moves at all,
by some force independent of itself. It can no more be the be-
ginner of its own agitations than a mass of lead can start it-
self into active motion.
This brings me to a matter, of which I speak with reluctance
as against another Society, but in defense of some points in our
own belief. As you know, the American Institute of Homce-
148 PRESIDENT GREGG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS. [April,
opathy, or many of its members, have wasted much time during
several years past in the vain effort to prove that there can be
no action whatever in our remedies for good or harm where they
cannot demonstrate drug presence. That is, they must see with
the microscope, or the spectroscope, particles of the matter of
the drug in a potency, or else in their opinion there can be no
possible effect from that drug; and the limit which they place
upon potencies showing drug presence under the microscope is
the sixth or seventh centesimal, and the thirteenth or fourteenth
decimal under the spectroscope. What do they know or
what does anybody know of the ultimate atoms of matter, or
of their presence or absence in the higher potencies ? Abso-
lutely nothing. But this is not our defense. There are present
here men who have grown gray in the service of relieving
human suffering, often transferring; scenes of the greatest danger
and alarm in the sick-room into hope, assurance, and thankful-
ness, through averting all danger by potencies five times, ten
times, an hundred times, yea, even not un frequently a thousand,
times higher than where our critics say there is a possibility of
drug presence. Is all this to go for nothing as against the
clamor of unreasoning materialists, who have never tested high
potencies, and are, therefore, utterly ignorant of the whole
subject?
But another point with reference to their claim of there being
no force where they cannot demonstrate the presence of matter
with their instruments. And here I recur to the cyclone again.
Can they demonstrate with the microscope or spectroscope the
particles of matter of which the air is composed? No, not a
solitary atom of it. Whence comes, then, the most terrible
power of which we have any knowledge, if matter must be seen
by the eye in order to have anypo\ver? Simple facts from
nature always show false reasoners in a bad light. I would
suggest as a cure for cyclones that several of these men, yes,
many of them, go West, scatter where needed, then one of them
start in ahead of each rising cyclone, point their microscope at
the air gathering its forces for its work of destruction, and say
to it : " This instrument does not show that you are composed
of matter, or that there is an atom of matter in you, so you can
just stop right where you are, and make no more fuss about it."
We all know now what the result would be, and can spare all
such men from this world.
Levity aside, however, we have in this connection a much more
pertinent argument and one more overwhelming to our critics.
They say : " No matter which they cannot see, no action."
18S6.]
PRESIDENT GREGG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
149
"Well, in this immense sea of air in which we are immersed,
they cannot see an atom of it all by whatever agency; and yet
we die in a minute if deprived of it, and nothing but it can
restore us to life if from any cause we are partially or wholly
asphixiated. Xo drug is so powerful, or so quick, to kill or to
restore us, under the requisite conditions, as this matter which
we call the air, no particle of which has ever yet been seen.
Ought not the microscopic critics to hang their heads in shame
in the presence of such facts, and do we need to produce further
argument on this point?
But here I wish to give expression to what I am sure you
will indorse, and what all should be made to understand, viz. :
that this Association was not founded, nor is it maintained, upon
the question of high potencies. On the contrary, it was founded
and is maintained upon several fundamental principles of nature,
which cannot be violated with safety in the treatment of the
sick, and to which the question of potencies is only incidental
and secondary. To illustrate, there is and can be but one law
of cure in all nature, as there is but one law in any other de-
partment of nature. A duality or plurality of laws in any one
department and for the same purposes would destroy all through
their constant conflicts. So the one law of cure, similia, we
avow and maintain is the only law or "rule" for the adminis-
tration of medicines to the sick, and assert that all procedures
in the treatment of disease not in conformity therewith are al-
ways hazardous and often fatal in their consequences.
There is also a law of metastasis, the violation of which by
the local treatment of disease would be murder, but that the
serious and often fatal results of violating it are not intended.
This Irw directs that when a skin disease is treated by local ap-
plications, and thereby removed from the skin, it is simply sup-
pressed and driven internally to seat upon some one or more of
the mucous membranes (the nearest similar internal tissue to the
skin), to there produce either immediately fatal results or chronic
disease and long suffering that often ends in death. This law
also directs that, in the local treatment of inflammatory rheuma-
tism, the inflammation is driven from the serous membranes of
the joints to the serous membrane of the heart generally, but
sometimes to that of the brain, the lungs, the liver, or other
abdominal organs, with immediate death in many cases, or in-
curable chronic disease in others. It further directs that all
other diseases treated locally and suppressed will have similarly
serious consequences ; and, moreover, that medicines adminis-
tered internally for diseases of less vital organs, and in crude
150
PRESIDENT GREGG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
[April,
closes, or in sufficiently crude form to get their stimulating drug
effects, will often drive said diseases to similar tissues of more
vital organs, and often with the most disastrous effects. For
the rest, the preamble and resolutions printed annually on our
programmes is sufficiently explicit in asserting our principles
and establishing our status in the profession and before the
world.
Recurring again to the question of force, and passing from
the physical illustrations of it given in the preceding pages, Ave
will enter our own more especial field, viz.: that of life and its
specific force, and what influences it for good or evil. And here
I come at once to the question : " Is there a special force of life,
a vital force, as we commonly express it, that we can demon-
strate as distinct in any way from matter or from the body?"
This question the materialists seem ever ready to answer posi-
tively and most emphatically in the negative; but let us inquire
into the subject a little more closely.
Your bodies are composed, as you know, of an aggregation
of many of the chemical elements of nature, these elements all
having strong forces of their own, or powerful affinities, attract-
ing each to a union with one or more of the others, if allowed,
and yet all held in complete subjection to some power superior
to them all. This power I assert to be a distinct, dominating,
ruling force, and sufficiently powerful in health to compel all to
work in harmony for our good. Do you ask for proof of this
dominant force in us, in addition to the statement of so self-
evident a fact ? If so, you know that we are composed of many
different kinds of matter, as stated, and you also know the great
power that many, if not all, these elements show in their affini-
ties for each other in the inorganic world. And, of course, they
have, or would have, and show the same force in us, if permitted
to do so. Did you then ever reflect fully upon the fact that if
all these elements of which we are composed were entirely re-
leased at once from superior control and allowed to assert their
own forces within us, they would destroy our lives in an hour,
perhaps in much less time? There is not a cell in us, especially
of the soft parts, that is not composed of several different chem-
ical elements, which, if given up to their forces alone, would
destroy that cell in a very few minutes for any purposes that
life might have for it. Is this not sufficient proof? If there
are forces to be controlled and compelled to combine and work
against their will, there must inevitably be a superior force to
control them and compel their obedience. And in that case this
1886.]
PRESIDENT GREGG'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
151
ruling force must just as inevitably exist prior to the combina-
tions that it makes. This is self-evident.
Instead, therefore, of life being the result of "the interaction
of atoms with each other and their environment through count-
less ages," as Professor Tyndall teaches, it is a very different
thing and far superior to all matter and its special or chemical
forces. Matter given up to its own forces never did and never
could produce life or a living cell, but does produce just what
we see in the inorganic world, viz.: simple chemical compounds
and nothing higher. Life, on the contrary, produces combina-
tions and a structure out of the most diverse and warring ele-
ments of nature, in violation of all chemical laws, forces, and
affinities, and holds all these in perfect subjection, in health, to
do its bidding, and allows nothing else. When life leaves us,
then all this matter is given up to its own forces, which return
it back to the inorganic world and to inorganic compounds, just
as it was before life took hold of it.
I should like to give you some new facts that have been
found, which bear directly and luminously, as I think, upon
this whole question of life. But this is hardly the proper place,
and time will not allow me to do it. Suffice it to say it is en-
tirely different from anything Professor Tyndall or other mate-
rialists ever gave us upon the subject.
Thus we see that life must be and is a superior dominating
force, and that being a force, it must be and is immaterial and
dynamic, just as Hahnemann taught nearly a century ago. And
being that, it is reached and disturbed by dvnamic forces to
create disease, and its diseased conditions must be controlled by
dynamic forces in drugs. But here I have b^en compelled to
leave the subject, and to leave you to apply Hahnemann's ex-
plicit and well-known arguments to all the practical parts of the
subject. His instructions were clear and ample, and no one
need go astray in applying them.
It was my purpose to have followed the same line of argu-
ment with drugs and show these to be possessed of specific forces
of their own ; then show by several examples of the more power-
ful and poisonous of them in what way they arted upon life to
destroy it ; and finally to follow said specific forces diffused in
the non-medicinal media with which we attenuate them, so that
we get their curative action there. But a nearly three months1
serious, and part of the time alarming, illness has entirely pre-
vented the consummation of my purposes in this respect, so you
must take the will for the deed.
But, in conclusion, whatever may be our own failures and
152
IN MEMORIAM.
[April,
shortcomings, and however persistent and long-continued the
efforts of the materialists may be to that end, they can never —
no, never — drive Hahnemann and dynamism out of Homoeop-
athy. We are safe forever in the rich heritage the master left us,
whatever else betide.
IX MEMORIAM.
Benjamin Ehrmann, M. D.
It is with great regret that we chronicle the death of another
pioneer homoeopath, Dr. Benjamin Ehrmann, who died in Cin-
cinnati March 15th.
Dr. Ehrmann was one of the greatest homoeopathic physicians
in the West. He sprung from a family of physicians, and it
seemed as if nature had bestowed upon him as a special gift the
mastery of the study of medicine. He was the son of Dr.F red-
erick Ehrmann, a noted physician of Wurtemberg, Germany,
who was also the son of a well-known physician of Germany.
Dr.Ehrmann had four brothers — Frederick, Christian, Louis,
and Ernest — who were all practicing homoeopathic physicians,
making a complete medical family of physicians. The deceased
was born in Jaxthausen, Wurtemberg, March 3d, 1812, and
had reached the age of seventy-four years at the time of his
death. He remained in Germany, attending its colleges, until
he was twenty-one years of age, when he emigrated to America.
On reaching the United States lie went to Pennsylvania, at once
entered the Allentown Medical College, where he soon gradu-
ated. Immediately after graduating he established himself in
practice as a physician in the State of Pennsylvania. He con-
tinued his profession until 1847, when he sought the West, and
concluded to locate in Cincinnati. *•
Immediately upon his arrival in that city he formed a part-
nership with his life-long friend, Dr. J. H. Pulte. The success
of this firm during the cholera epidemic of 1849 is still remem-
bered by the older citizens of Cincinnati. In 1849 Dr. Ehrmann
took up his residence at 46 West Seventh Street, where he has
since resided, and practiced his profession with such great suc-
cess that his fame became known throughout the United States,
and he was known and recognized by the medical profession as
the Western pioneer of Homoeopathy. Dr. Ehrmann was an
active member of the International Hahnemannian Association,
the American Institute, and an honorary member of the Homoeo-
pathic Medical Society of Ohio.
1886.]
CLINICAL KEFLECTIONS.
153
Dr. Ehrmann was well known as a Christian gentleman dur-
ing his entire residence in Cincinnati of nearly forty years, and
by a consistent Christian life became one of the pillars of the
Church, and nowhere will his death be more keenly felt than in
his church. By a consistent and honorable professional life he
has earned a well-merited reputation both as a physician and a
citizen. His many generous-hearted acts were shown by his
voluntary practice among the poor, to whom he gave his services
willingly and received in return only their thanks.
Dr. Ehrmann has raised an interesting and useful family. He
had three sons — Dr. Albert H. Ehrmann, a practicing physician,
who was associated with his father; Benjamin F. Ehrmann, at-
torney-at-law and President of the Board of Elections, and Dr.
George B. Ehrmann, a member of the Faculty of Pulte College.
Mr. Ehrmann had three daughters, all of whom are living.
CLINICAL KEFLECTIONS.
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
Case No. 1. — At four p. m., the tenth day of January, 1886,
a lady requested a visit in haste. Found her much distressed
and anxious, fearing paralysis. In her usual health she had
taken a full dinner, and when reading the newspaper afterward
the letters danced before her eyes, the print became blurred,
then her face and nose became numb, then her lips and tongue
became numb, pulse small and about one hundred and twenty
in a minute. One dose of Aconitecm (Fincke) was put on her
tongue. The numbness disappeared within half an hour en-
tirely ; pulse seventy-two ; her sight was perfect when she closed
either eye, but everything looked indistinct when she kept both
eyes open; this symptom also disappeared next morning; a
slight lightness of the head remained during that day.
Case No. 2. — Mrs. B. requested a visit in haste January
12th, 10.30 p. Mm Found her in great agony; had been seized
with pains in the left side of the abdomen, but hoped to disperse
it by the application of a hot- water bag ; she was sitting on a
chair, doubled up, with her head resting on a chair before her ;
extremely restless, and, contrary to her general disposition, very
desponding and anxious, expressing a great fear that the pain
was gout in the stomach ; the pain was aggravated by trying to
straighten herself up, and she then experienced heavy stitches
in the spleen. The cause of the attack was a heavy cold. On
the 9th she was at the opera, and at the end of it she waited on
12
154
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
[April,
the stone steps of the opera-house for her carriage, the cold and
extremely unpleasant weather bringing so many carriages there
much delay and confusion followed, and, feeling cold, she and
her husband concluded to walk the three blocks home ; her feet
became colder, and she could not warm herself for some time
after returning home. She received one dose of Aconitecxn
(Fincke) on her tongue. In half an hour I left her perfectly
calm and quiet, relieved of the agonizing pain and ready to go
to bed. It was with reluctance that this lady kept her room
next day, as she declared she was perfectly able to go down-
stairs after a good night's sleep and a profuse perspiration,
which left but a little soreness in her spleen. No return of any
pain since then, now February 3d.
Comments. — Aconite is a remedy seldom called for, and yet so
universally abused by the professing homoeopaths that this rare
incident of prescribing Aconite twice in three days impels me to
make a few remarks on this remedy. Hahnemann, in his ad-
mirable preface to Aconite, points out clearly and distinctly the
characteristic mental symptoms of it; without their presence,
Aconite cannot and will not cure ; it will also, as Hahnemann says,
be very seldom necessary to repeat the doses. The unfortunates
who, by erroneous teachings, have been misled into the belief of
material causes of diseases to be cured by material doses, and
who have taken the pains to read Hahnemann's works, have
been frequently disappointed to cure when Aconite was admin-
istered merely because there was " fever " present, but not its
characteristic symptoms as Hahnemann pointed them out ; then
the still more unfortunate patient was poisoned by Aconite tinc-
ture, and our noble healing art was " disgraced." The intelligent
student of medicine who really desire& to become a homoeopathic
healer will do well to study closely Hahnemann's writings, and
he will soon become convinced that the modern teachings in
Hahnemann medical colleges and the publications now emanat-
ing from Hahnemann publishing societies and organizations, with
very rare exceptions, are only caricatures of the Homoeopathy of
Hahnemann.
Case No. 3. — Mr. W. L., aged thirty-five years, of spare
frame, had suffered for weeks from an ugly, dry cough ; harsh
and worse at three A. M. He now, February 12th, 1886, com-
plains, when he coughs, of much soreness in the right lower
lobe of the lungs; appetite poor. He received one dose of Kali
carb.cm (Fincke) about nine A. M ; went out as usual, but was
compelled to return to his room at one P. m. ; had a severe chill,
followed by fever; increasing pain in the lungs; increasing
1886.]
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
155
thirst; had a sleepless night; cough worse; he laid on his back;
urinary secretions profuse and normal; slight perspiration all
over. As there were no indications for a remedy save the de-
velopment of pneumonia, he received no medicine till the 14th ;
had a sleepless night; whenever he fell into a doze he was
roused immediately by a racking cough, causing intense stab-
bing, cutting pains in the affected portion of the lungs ; he had
to cough till he finally raised some tough, white mucus ; had
been delirious through the night; breathing, thirty-four per min-
ute; pulse, ninety-six per minute; tongue dry; much thirst,
drinks often and little; color of the face, copper-colored; lays on
his back in a half-sitting position; no appetite; he talks all the
time and cannot be kept quiet ; received one dose of Lachesis 5m
(Fincke) ; he became more calm and had less pain, but at one
A. M. of the 16th he again became worse; after having expecto-
rated great quantities of blood-streaked and rust-colored sputa, he
complained of decidedly more pain in his lungs and utter ina-
bility to go to sleep ; the loquaciousness was also worse ; the
urinary secretions were very profuse, but normal in appearance.
He received then another dose of Lachesis 5m (Fincke). He was
better on the 17th; respiration less often; pulse came down, and
on the 19th he began to sleep; no more rust-colored sputa; face
more natural ; loquacity better ; secretions of urine diminished.
On the 20th (the eighth day of his illness) he began to eat ; all
his symptoms improved. On the 26th (the fifteenth day of his
illness) he left the bed for an hour and began to eat well ; slept
well. On the 2d of February (the twenty-first day of his ill-
ness) he was able to sleep all night; resume his place at table in
the dining-room, eating enormously with great appetite. On
the 8th of February he took his first ride, as the air was clear
and dry, with benefit. He has not required any medicine since
he took that second dose of Lachesis so clearly indicated for his m
condition, and considers himself dismissed, requiring no furthur
treatment.
Comments. — This case has been written out to show the inva-
riably successful treatment of the sick when Hahnemann's
methods are strictly followed. Hahnemann, with his penetrat-
ing, philosophical mind, showed the healer of the sick how to
apply the principle of the similars for their cure ; he also
again promulgated the dynamic origin of disease, well known
to the ancients. The hospitals attached to the temples of Isis
were attended by the priests of these ancient temples; the treat-
ment was psychological, and therefore impliedly based on their
knowledge of the dynamic origin of diseases. It would be well
156
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
[April,
for the doubters of the correctness of this re-established propo-
sition to read a work lately published on The Mind Cure by
Milles.
The true homoeopathic healer, accepting Hahnemann's methods,
has carefully developed the healing art on that basis ; he has
continued to prove new drugs ; he has continued to dynamize
drugs, to find by the clinical experiment where the curative
powers of drugs ceases, and has not yet found the limits of their
curative powers, but instead of a limit he has found increasing
curative effects from continued dynamizations ; to him, the clini-
cal experiment was the only reliable test of the efficacy of the
means used for the cure of the sick.
In the November number of the Periscope, published at St.
Louis, we find an extraordinary editorial. There can be no
two parties of homoeopathists, as the editor contends, high d}T-
namizationists and low-attenuation men. Either the one or the
other are homoeopaths ; they do not agree on a single point, and
the issue is a false and fictitious one, uttered for the sake of de-
ception. The high-potency men, as the editor calls them, are
followers of Hahnemann, and as such have become advocates
of high potencies, and hold that the higher attenuations are
more efficacious than the lower, and that is all j they are homce-
opathicians. The low attenuationists have again and again de-
clared their belief in material causes of diseases, as opposed
to the ancient as well as Hahnemann's advocacy of the dynamic
origin of diseases, and therefore advocate material doses for the
cure of material diseases, and in that they are strictly logical —
they declare, wherever the microscope does not detect the ma-
terial presence of the drug, its curative actions do cease ; and in
this declaration they are very badly illogical, as it is not the
microscope which can settle the question of medicinal action on
the human organism. If the sick recover and are cured under
the influence of a dynamized drug, that drug developed its
curative action, all the denials of the illogical microscopists to
the contrary notwithstanding. These low attenuationists are,
by their own confessions, not homoeopathists, and if they claim
to have been perfectly unsuccessful Avith higher attenuation, we
can only offer them our commiserations, having tested their
efficacy for forty years, always claiming that the posological
question must be left to the individual judgment of the physi-
cian. If the learned editor of said editorial rejects utterly and
entirely what in our forty years' experience has been the out-
come, viz. : the great superiority of dynamized drugs, we must
be permitted to draw our own conclusions from his honest
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
157
" Confession." If these non-homoeopaths have better results in
curing the sick than have the strict homoeopaths, they will gain
the ascendancy ; so far we can't see it, and their works do not
prove it.
The editor of the Periscope had the deal. We play our card,
and expect the learned, doubting, failure-confessing editor to
play next and do one better.
IOWA HOMCEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCHOOL.
The ninth annual commencement of the Homoeopathic Branch
of the Iowa State University occurred March 2d.
The annual address was delivered by the Dean of the Homoe-
opathic Faculty, Dr. A. C. Cowperthwaite. It was a polished,
scholarly effort, and reflected credit upon the speaker, whose
oratory and thought were of the highest order. His advice to
the graduating class was practical and sound. The degree of
M. D. Avas conferred upon Fred J. Becker, Geo. E. Blackman,
J. L. J. Barth, Jno. E. Barrette, Wm. Brav, A. A. Cotton, R. S.
Kirkpatrick, F. D. Paul, W. S. Norcross, D. E. Stratton, F. S.
Strawbridge.
Success to all teachers of true homoeopathic principles !
CLINICAL BUREAU.
THUJA IN DIARRHCEA.
Miss C, twenty-one years, thin and fair. Diarrhoea for
several days ; pale, yellow, watery ; forcibly expelled, copious, great
gurgling in bowels. Stool oozed from anus during sleep. Great
debility after stool, with weakness by spells ; loss of appetite,
oppressed breathing. Drink rolls into stomach audibly.
Thuja60m, four powders, one to be taken in the evening,
not to be repeated if improvement set in during night. She
took one powder and was able to go to work the next morn-
ing. The day she got the powder she was not able to walk
home from her work, which she was compelled to leave. Her
mother came to the office crying, with the gravest fears for her
daughter's recovery. She must have been sick. Every
symptom of the case was pronounced and covered by the drug
save one, " Stools oozing from anus during sleep." Z. T. M.
158
BOOK NOTICES AND KEV1EWS. [April,
LACHESIS IN SORE THROAT.
May 9th, 1885. — Miss Sophy C, three years, fat, with a short,
thick neck. For several days she has had no appetite, has been
languid and not like herself, being a very active child. To-day
she was unusually weak and must be held constantly. Her
breath being quite offensive, her aunt examined her throat and
saw a "grayish white spot" on the left tonsil only. The child
by this time was so cross and fretful, screaming and crying, that
nothing could be done with her. I was called, and was greeted
with the same performance, only worse, the child screaming
and seemingly half wild with fear. On examining her throat
two and one-half hours after the first examination, there were
two pieces of membrane, one on each tonsil the right one being
smaller, and both tonsils red and angry ; breath quite putrid.
One dose Lach.cm (Swan) dry on the tongue.
May 10th. — The child was playing about the room. Came
and opened her mouth, and brought the spoon to have her
throat examined of her own accord. There was no membrane
on the right tonsil and only a thin film on the left. She began
to improve in two hours after the dose of Lach. and slept better
than for a week. All traces of ill-temper disappeared before
night yesterday, and she has been in perfect health since.
Almost as good a result as could have been accomplished with
swabs, gargles (by the way, she couldn't have gargled), poul-
tices, two tinctures in alternation every half-hour, possibly three,
and other devices only known and practiced by the so-called
pathological school of Homoeopathy.
The family, who have until recently been under allopathic
treatment, were slightly astonished. S. A. Kimball.
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
A New Book of Materia Medic a.
F. E. Boericke has lately issued a circular making a " preliminary
announcement " that the Hahnemann Publishing House will shortly issue a
Hand-book of Homoeopathic Materia Medica, edited by Dr. Timothy F. Allen.
It will contain about 1,200 pages, and the price will be about fifteen dollars.
Below will be found an extract from the specimen pages appended to the
circular.
ACETIC ACID.
For use, prepare dilutions with distilled water.
General Action. — This acid produces directly gastro-enteritis, and also (in
one case, at least) membranous laryngo-tracheitis. Its remote effects are a
profound anaemia with diarrhoea, night-sweats, feeble pulse, emaciation, and
cough.
1886.]
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
159
Generalities. — Emaciation. Attacks of faintness. General oppression and
heaviness. Weakness. General trembling. (Convulsions with insensi-
bility.)
Mind. — Irritability. Nervousness. Anxiety. Alarm. Excitement. Delirium.
Confusion. Inertia. Unconsciousness.
Head. — Vertigo. Heaviness. Dull pain in forehead and vertex. Dull
aching in right frontal eminence, then in left. In the temples distention of
bloodvessels. Shooting pain through temples.
Eyes. — Sunken, surrounded by dark circles. Pupils dilated. Lachryma-
tion.
Face. — Red, hot, and perspiring, with flushed cheeks. Pale, waxy. Ex-
pression wild.
Mouth and Stomach. — Salivation. Tongue pale and flabby ; dry and cold.
Thirst. Eructations, hot. Loss of appetite ; aversion to cold food ; to salt
food. Nausea; vomiting; vomiting after eating. In the stomach, pain,
burning, gnawing, ulcerative. Heat. Soreness. Fermentation with distress.
Cold drinks cause distress. Soreness in one spot as from an ulcer, with gnaw-
ing ; with agony and vomiting of thick, yellow matter like yeast. Epigas-
trium painful to pressure.
Abdomen. — Burning pain. Distention. Griping. Rumbling. Feeling as
if it would sink in, which caused dyspnoea. Relief by lying on abdomen.
Stools. — Watery, with colic. Bloody.
Urine increased and light-colored.
Mother's 31ilk impoverished, bluish, deficient in caseine and butter; the
child drooped, had diarrhoea, and died of marasmus ; the mother was pale,
emaciated, and had chronic hemorrhages.
Respiratory Organs. — Voice lost. Croup with hissing respiration, rattling,
formation of false membrane in windpipe. Cough dry, then moist, with fever ;
dyspnoea, emaciation, oedema, and diarrhoea. Respiration difficult, feeble,
hurried.
Chest. — Burning pain. (Chronic inflammation.)
Pulse. — Rapid, small, weak.
Extremities. — Weak. Wrist and hand feel paralyzed. Hands cold, prick-
ling, dry. (Edema of lower extremities. Diminished sensibility of feet.
Skin. — Pale and waxy. Red and burning. Desquamation.
Fever. — Temperature diminished, with cold feet. Flushes of heat with
perspiration. Hectic, emaciation, diarrhoea, night-sweats, dyspnoea, and
swelling of lower extremities. Low fever with delirium, diarrhoea, tympanitis,
constipation ; also with stupor. Sweats profuse, cold, nocturnal.
Clinical. — General antenna, with a waxy skin, anasarca, emaciation, and
sweats. Delirium in low fever, with profuse sweats and diarrhoea. Mem-
braneous croup, with bright-red face and perspiration. It should be given in
anaemia of nursing women. (See above.)
The Physician's Chemistry. By Clifford Mitchell, A. B.
(Harvard), M. D. Chicago : Gross & Debridge. 1886.
According to the first line of the preface, " the aim of this book is to give as
much information in as small space as possible." Certainly the author has
succeeded in his design. It would be hard, indeed, to compress any more infor-
mation into as small a space. It is, therefore, a most excellent ready reference
book for the practitioner who has but short time at his disposal, and must have
the information he seeks close at hand.
We doubt, however, if it will be of so much service to the beginner, as it is
too terse. Advanced students will, however, appreciate it. The "rapid
method of writing the formulae" for different chemical compounds is excellent.
160
NOTES AND NOTICES.
[April,
For the convenience of those who wish to know the plan of the book we
give the following summary :
After devoting twelve pages to the philosophy of chemistry and the formulae
fof compounds, we come to Part II, which gives short descriptions of the
elements and their inorganic compounds ; next, the organic compounds most
interesting to the physician, such as Benzol, Naphthalene, Alcohol, Fusel Oil,
Cholesterin, Glycerin, Glucose, etc. A chapter is devoted to the alkaloids —
Morphine, Strychnine, Quinine; another one to the proteids — Albumen, Globu-
lin, Fibrin, Uric Acid, Biliary and Urinary coloring matters, etc. Then follow
chapters on Animal Chemistry, and Part II ends with a valuable chapter on
Urinalysis, containing the latest information upon this subject. A note refers
to another special work on the same subject by this author, which, however,
we have not seen.
Part III contains about a hundred pages devoted to Toxicology, including
symptoms, tests, and treatment.
This book ought to be particularly acceptable to homceopathists, as the
author is himself a homoeopath, and, consequently, has added many things
which are particularly interesting to practitioners of that school, and, of course,
cannot be found in other books of the kind coming from allopathic hands.
W. M. J.
A Systematic Treatise on the Practice of Medicine.
By Professor A. E. Small, M. D. Pp. 900. Chicago : Duncan
Brothers. 1886.
Professor Small is one of the well-known and honored members of the
veterans of the homoeopathic profession. Any work coming from his pen,
giving the experience of many years of practice, must, therefore, be welcome.
The subject-matter of this volume covers the usual groups of diseases; the
articles on the various diseases are brief, and in some cases incomplete. The
discussion of treatment consists mainly in recommending drugs in fixed doses,
without giving any reasons for each prescription. Indications for remedies
are very scant ; but this is so common nowadays in works on homoeopathic
practice that the deficiency ceases to cause any surprise !
If a deteriorated literature shows the decline of a system of medicine, then
Homoeopathy must be rapidly deteriorating ! E. J. L.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
The Cocaine Habit. — It is already reported that many in our large cities
are using Cocaine, as Opium, Chloral, etc., have been used. Another of the
many blessings to be derived from allopathic palliation !
The Roll of I. H. A. Membership. — The thanks of the members of the
I. H. A. are due Dr. Clarence Willard Butler for the neat and tastefully
printed list of the members of the I. H. A. he has distributed.
Dr. Alice B. McKibben died last month at St. Louis very suddenly of
heart disease. Dr. McKibben was a recent graduate of the Homoeopathic
Medical College of Missouri and gave promise of great usefulness.
Erratum. — In our March issue, p. 119, the cure of two aneurisms was
credited to Dr. T. M. Pearce. It should have read G. M. Pease, our worthy
colleague, who is just the man to cure aneurisms or anything else!
ADVERTISING PACKS HOMOEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN.
3
A GOOD RECORD
For the year ending April 1st. Between one hundred and two
hundred surgical operations have been performed at the Free
Hospital for Women supported by theMurdock Liquid Food Co.,
Boston, without the loss of a singl epatient, and all restored to
usefulness.
LIQUID FOOD WAS GIVEN BEFORE AND AFTER THE OPERATIONS
"What other hospital that docs not use Murdock's Liquid Food
can show such a record 2
By its use we can build up any patient who is too reduced for an operation, so that not
only a .safe but successful operation
can be made, and in common cases the
patient can te made convalescent in
three-quarters of the time usually re-
quired.
With what we have boen and
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in our old home.
THE SURGICAL STAFF AT MURDOCHS FREE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN, AT 30 LEVERETT
STREET, ARE IN DAILY ATTENDANCE TO EXAMINE PATIENTS AND ASSIGN BEDS, SATUR.
DAYS EXCEPTED.
Its value in cases where limbs have been broken surprises every physician
who has ordered its use, as it restores the broken limbs to health and strength
in a few weeks.
BABIES.
Remember that with feeble infants, who do not thrive on their mother's milk or the bes
prepared foods in the market, WE REQUEST NO CHANGE OF FOOD, but add 5 or more drops
four times daily of Murdock's Liquid Food, and you will find that their lost or needed vitality
will be restc ed to them in less than thirty days.
Not a case of Cholera Infantum known where Murdock's Liquid Food
has been used, nor a death from Cholera Infantum where it has been prescribed
by a physician.
Murdock's Liquid Food will assist all classes of Chronic cases. It is the only Raw Food in
the world. It is f ee of insoluble matter, and can always be retained by the stomach, and when
given for INJECTIONS it is equally valuable and can always be retained.
Remember all acknowledge the value of Fruits for a patient. We use them in Liquid Food :
1st, For their own properties.
2d, They relieve the meats of their heating properties, making it safe and valuable in cases of
fever, as relapse never follows when used.
3d, They preserve our meats, enabling us to offer the only Raw Food known, and it will keep in
all climates when not exposed to heat, air, or sun.
TO SUSTAIN OUR CLAIM
we never wish Liquid Food used until all other treatments and foods fail, then the results are
quickly seen, generally in twenty-four hours.
From (he fact that no two beeves or sheep are alike is the reason of our different
brands being different in flavor. All brands are made by the same formula. The letter
represents the day of make, and the figure the tank. It richer, it is Stronger in Btoell
and flavor, and will bear a greater reduction.
MURDOCK LIQUID FOOD COMPANY, BOSTON.
4
ADVERTISING PAGES HOMOEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN.
FOE
Mrs. G. A. Lippe, 68 West Fiftieth Street, New York City,
has a few copies of Lippe' s Repertory, which she will sell (post-
paid) for : Cloth, §2.50, and flexible leather, §4.50.
THE ORGAN ON.
Edited by DR. SKINNER.
A few copies of all that was published of this valuable Jour-
nal of pure Homceopathy may still be had only of the editor,
post-free, for $10.50, cash. There are three volumes in cloth,
lettered. In order to prevent disappointment, send early an
International P. O. Order for the amount in favor of Thomas
Skinner, 25 Somerset Street, London, W.
SUPPLEMENTS TO THE HOMOEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN.
L HAEMORRHOIDS : THERAPEUTICS AND REPERTORY. Price,
25 cents.
II. Cough Repertory. Price, 82.00.
III. Desires and Aversions. Price, 25 cents.
IV. Characteristic Conditions of Aggravation and Ame-
lioration. Price, 50 cents.
Y. Repertory of Characteristics of Diarrhoea and Dys-
entery, with Essays on their Treatment. Price, 50
cents. •*
VI. Cholera: Joslin's Therapeutics and Repertory,
Edited by P. P. Wells, M. D. Price, 75 cents.
FRANKLIN PRINTING HOUSE,
3S1 CHESTNUT STREET,
PHILADELPHIA.
ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF FINE BOOK AND JOB PRINTING.
rJ? ZE3C 33
HOMEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constantine hering.
Vol. VI. MAY, 1886. No. 5.
NOTES FROM AN EXTEMPORANEOUS LECTURE
ON PLUMBUM BY PROF. J. T. KENT, M.D.
(Frank Kraft, Stenographer.)
Plumbum : Its diseases and how to cure them. This in-
cludes not only metallic lead, but lead substance as well. The
acetate is such an unstable salt, and so also is the carbonate,
that their effects are almost identical with the effects of lead in
general. Perhaps among the earlier effects of lead are its affec-
tions in the abdomen ; this goes on for a considerable time, pro-
ducing its effects upon the spinal cord and weakness of extensor
muscles, until, finally, we have complete loss of power in exten-
sor muscles and the consequent atrophy; then it is that we
sometimes get u wrist-drop," and in the earlier symptoms we
get in the abdomen what is commonly called lead colic. This
£ medicine is a very long-lasting and potent metallic poison,
affecting the entire economy and producing symptoms that are
prolonged and seem never to yield to any kind of treatment
except the specific treatment, which you will find to be homoeo-
pathic.
We have obtained symptoms from water having run through
lead pipes, from sleeping in newly painted rooms, from painters,
and by the use of hair dyes containing lead ; from these we
have procured symptoms that are in harmony with the pure
provings of lead, and they are sometimes referred to as corrob-
orative of the svmptoms that occur when acetate of lead is used
161
1C2
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX PLUMBUM.
[Mar,
as a hair wash, or in hair dyes — in which cases it produces so
profound an impression upon the brain that some of its earlier
symptoms are attended by delirium and great excitement, with
depression of spirits and great mental anxiety. The paralysis
runs through a large number of muscles, especially the upper
lids and extensors, the eye-balls feel too large, and there is
yellowness of the sclerotics.
In lead we have, after a long time, In lead provers, some-
times in lead painters, a waxy, pallid, greasy, shiny appear-
ance of the skin; this is as marked in Plumbum as in Thuja
or in Nat. mur.; in fact, the greasy appearance is more
marked, while the waxy appearance is less prominent; the
face is bloated and sometimes transparent, like that found in
Arsenicum ; there is swelling of both sides of the face, or puffi-
ness of one side only. The teeth become black and are covered
with a black, yellowish, slimy exudation ; they become as black
sometimes as those observed in hereditary syphilis, and Plum-
bum, Kreosote, and Staphis. have been the remedies resorted to
most when that symptom was present. The teeth become soft
and crumble and there is great offensiveness about the mouth ;
the gums swell and become lead colored, showing the lead-col-
ored line around the margin of the gums. The mouth is offen-
sive in its taste ; it has a mawkish, sweetish taste ; sweetish
saliva. Sweetishness is common with the secretions of the
mouth. Then the vomit is sweetish ; eructations spasmodic ;
eructations of a sweetish vomit in connection with a sick head-
ache. It competes with Iris versicolor in this. There is a
dirty-looking, aphthous appearance of the inside of the mouth
and upon the margins of the tongue.
Plumbum is full of hysterical symptoms ; it has hysterical
choking; it has the globus kystenncus ; it has the hysterical con-
tractures ; it has hysterical weeping and hysterical deceptions ;
in fact, it has almost the entire mental state of hysteria.
Dirty, purple-looking blotches in the mouth and on the tip of
the tongue. It has paralysis of the muscles that accelerate
swallowing, so much so, that at first fluids can be swallowed, but
solids cannot ; finally, fluids and solids go out through the nose.
Fluids can be swallowed, but solids come back through the
mouth. Burning in the oesophagus and stomach some hours
after eating ; stricture of oesophagus from spasms ; that you will
find in the text. Gulping up of sweetish water ; eructations
empty and sweetish. Vomiting of food and discolored sub-
stances, with violent colic. In connection with the colicky
state of the abdomen there is vomiting of faeces — or of a vomit
1886.] NOTES FROM LECTURE OX PLUMBUM.
1G3
that smells like faeces — so-called fecal vomiting. There are
obstructions in the abdomen — in fact, this medicine produces
such a paralytic state of the abdomen, especially in the sub-
stance of the intestines, that they cannot carry on their office.
There is an extreme dryness. A colic comes on that is both
spasmodic and enteralgic. Vomit comes on — regurgitation
of fsecal smelling vomit; that is to say, the vomit has the
odor of faeces. Now, in the stomach and abdomen, we have
most horrible torture — cutting pains, tearing pains, rending
pains ; especially is this the characteristic of this remedy when
there is a sensation of drawing, as with a string, at the navel,
which seems to draw the umbilicus back to the spinal column.
A drawing-in of the abdomen. This occurs in the colic and
occurs also in the uterine trouble. Many a time have I looked
over a case — looked over it time and again — and found no
similar remedy to meet the set of symptoms presented, being in
doubt where to look for the simillimum, and, finally, the patient
would tell me (after undergoing much torture and tossing
about) that she had a sensation as if pulled by a string at the
navel, and,.Io and behold! Plumbum, the only remedy that has
ever produced that symptom, would correspond to the whole
case and brin°; a great harmonv out of chaos. So it is when
you have a grand key-note; then you will find something that
will harmonize the whole picture frequently. Don't forget it ;
there is violent colic, abdomen is drawn in to the spine as if by
a string, with cutting, contractive pains, with restless tossing,
and better from rubbing or hard pressure. A number of the
pains of Plumbum are made better from rubbing and pressure.
The paretic conditions, when they are attended by sharp pains,
are made more life-like by rubbing. Hence it is that electricity
— the e'ectric battery — and rubbing makes the Plumbum or
lead poison paralysis feel better ; it stimulates the muscles into
activity and it feels more life-like. Contraction of the intes-
tines; navel violently retracted; large, hard swelling in the
coecal region, painful to touch and motion. Plumbum has pro-
duced a typhlitis and has many times cured it. Inflammation
and gangrene of the bowels; and the characteristic feature
would be this drawing at the navel. There is some burning,
but not so marked as in Arsenicum.
Plumbum has been a wonderful remedy in intussusception and
in hernia — strangulated hernia. Very commonly an old hernia
goes on a considerable length of time and the paretic condition
of the small intestine becomes so marked that there is a dam-
ming up of the fieces which encourages the throwing out of this
164
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX PLUMBUM.
[May,
knuckle of intestine. The relief of that constipation will very
often, in spite of the surgeon, cure that strangulated hernia.
That thing you never can believe until you see it performed.
Nux vomica has many a time cured a strangulated hernia, that
is, it has cured the patient for the time being, not sewed up the
rent — we don't mean that — not in overcoming the predisposi-
tion to that hernia, but in saving the patient's life by simply
unloading the bowels in a natural and simple way and permit-
ting the peristaltic action to resume its natural activity, and so
drawing the intestine back into the belly. When the surgeon
can't help him without this unloading you may use injections
until you are tired out and you may fail and your patient may
die, or an operation becomes necessary — which very often saves
the patient's life if skillfully performed. But which would yon
prefer? If you knew just exactly the remedy that was going
to do that work naturally by unloading the bowels — if it was
upon yourself — which would you do? You would wait three
or four hours upon the action of a remedy and postpone the use
of the knife. I think you would. I think I would rather have
Nux vomica or Plumbum than the surgeon's knife. This is not
to teach you to do away with the surgeon's aid, but to resort to
the knife only as a last resource. The obstruction, with the pains
that I have spoken of, and especially the drawing in at the
navel, with vomiting of faecal matter — or smelling like frecal
matter, with a tightness like paralysis of the small intestines
and no ability to expel the stool — -in short, a complete paresis
of the abdomen, such conditions belong to Plumbum and it
proves the great remedy. It produces a bileless stool — light-
colored stool. It produces a great amount of stasis in the por-
tal veins dammed up in the liver and spleen, engorgement and
enlargement and turgescence of blood. From these causes we
have fissure of the anus. A fissure of the anus with this draw-
ing in at the navel would be cured by Plumbum. Some say
that a fissure cannot be cured without an operation, but there
are certain definite symptoms that point to remedies that do
cure fissures of the anus. I know a case in this city of fissure
of the anus which, after going the rounds, came to me. It was
a most distressing case, and the symptom that guided me to the
remedy was this. She says: '* Doctor, I feel a constant peck-
ing, pecking — a sensation as of little hammers in the part."
" Why," said I to myself, "that is a Lachesis symptom ; yes, of
course. I will give her a dose of Lachesis." So she got a dose
of Lachesis — even after the best surgeon in the city said she
would have to undergo a surgical operation. This one dose
188C] NOTES FROM LECTURE OX PLUMBUM.
1G5
of Lacliesis cured her and she never had any use for the
knife.
The anus in Plumbum feels as if drawn upward. With
these abdominal symptoms Bright's disease has been cured ;
diabetes has been cured. The urine dribbles, and another grand
symptom is strangury — an inability to pass the urine, the
bladder is full of urine, but he cannot pass it. This occurs in
lead colic and lead-poisoning. There is atony of the bladder.
The urine is extremely fetid and high colored. These are the
most important symptoms of Plumbum. It produces some
spinal and some heart symptoms. Paralysis of the extensor
muscles — of both the lower and upper extremities, and it is
especially noticeable in the "wrist-drop." It has a fetid foot-
sweat, as much so as Silicea. Now, when we have these
symptoms: paralysis preceded by mental derangement, tremb-
ling, soreness, or shooting, tearing pains, rt wrist-drop," progres-
sive muscular atrophy, then we have conditions that have been
cured by Plumbum — not produced by it. It produces a great
deal of emaciation of the extensor muscles, and these conditions
alternate with colic and epilepsy — chronic forms.
Now, how much Plumbum is required to produce some of
these symptoms? I have asked myself that question many
times. I have had several patients the first night after sleeping
in a newly painted room come down with lead colic. Said I to
myself : " How much lead did he get with the windows open
and the doors open ? How much lead could he take during one
night with millions of volumes of atmosphere passing through
that room all night long? and yet he came down sick with
lead colic. That was too much for me; it must have been above
the eleventh centesimal potency, as particles so small that they
can float in the atmosphere cannot, I am sure, be observed by
the microscope. Why do not all who are thus exposed come
down with lead poisoning? Simply because they only who are
susceptible to this poison are taken down sick. Susceptibility
is the identical state that is present when the relation of the
homoeopathic remedy is sustained in the cure of the disease.
If this is so I must agree with Hahnemann wherein he says the
dose was yet too great to cure. We have demonstrated that it
was above the eleventh centisimal potency, and yet it proved
to be too large a dose to cure. Why? Because it made him
sick. Had it been high enough it might have cured the dia-
thesis or idiosyncrasy or susceptibility, instead of making him
sick. Now, what have we gained with this condition of the body
wherein this patient is susceptible to lead ? Simply a predispo-
1G6
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON PLUMBUM.
[May,
sition to the old disease, just exactly as the patient who takes
scarlatina is predisposed to scarlatina. Why does not every-
body get poisoned with the potato bug when they come within
reach of it? For the simple reason that they have not that
idiosyncrasy — that predisposition. If now this is vet too large
to cure, as Hahnemann says, in the name of heaven how much
do we have to change it in order that it will correspond to that
sphere of identity in animal life so that it may associate with
it; so that it may be similar; so that it may be brotight in
relation to it and obliterate that wrong dynamis, which is the
predisposing cause? Now I am ready to argue that matter with
anybody. In the face of these facts will any man stand up
and tell me that this kind of a wrong must have Epsom salts
to cure it — a something for the cure of which he is hurling
in his chemicals in doses of such magnitude that they would
make anybody sick, and thereby displace or suppress the
original lead symptoms, which is only a wrong done to dynamis ?
I have seen scores of cases where this " wrist-drop " had been
produced from simple inhalation — from the slight absorption of
the acetate of lead when used upon the hair. I have also had
several cases of lead-poisoning brought about by the use of
acetate of lead in a weak solution as a vaginal wash. Will you
tell me, in the name of common sense, how much of lead they
had absorbed ? Of course, a great deal more than these parties
who simply slept in the newly painted room, you will say.
Here, you see, is room for thought, if for nothing else. It shows
the inconsistency of attempting to treat lead disease by chemical
means. But, understand, this does not mean that when the
stomach is full of lead you must not puke it out — I do not
mean that kind of a case at all. If you can demonstrate to me
that there is any material lead in the stomach I shall tell you
to puke it out. But for lead-palsy, lead-poisoning, lead-colic,
and such complaints as painters get from a simple handling of
the lead, it is simply folly to undertake to treat that with
acids and salts and chemical means — it is the merest folly, and
no one but a greenhorn could possibly be so foolish as to con-
ceive of such a thing. It is the predisposition that you want to
treat, it is not the lead; this paralysis is not brought on by the
lead that is in the system, because there is no lead there. We
do not expect the old school to solve these dynamic problems.
They are prejudiced. They have locked up their libraries
against homoeopathic medication, and against everything on
philosophy ; therefore I say we do not expect them to know
anything — but no man who has inquired into a philosophy of
1886.]
DR. HUGHES' CARICATURE.
1G7
medicine, and one so world-wide as that taught by Samuel
Hahnemann, ought to use Iodide of Potassium to cure lead-
poisoning ; he ought not to use Sulphuric Acid in lead-poisoning.
It is cultivated intelligence I am appealing to and not to
common sense. You must treat the predisposition this individ-
ual has to lead. It is not every man who notices these things,
viz.: that there are people subject to these poisonings and that
every time they go into a newly painted room or happen to be
where they can inhale lead they get sick and get colic with these
lead symptoms, and that these are produced every time they
come near it. Of course, you can feed to a man enough of
lead in soluble form — acetate of lead, for instance — to make him
sick — enough to make a well man sick ; but this susceptibility
is a homoeopathic relation to the curative remedy that is now
aggravating him because it is inhaled in too large a dose. With
this diathesis, where he is so susceptible to lead, wouldn't
common sense teach you to try and get an attenuation so high
that it would not make him sick, if the bare inhalation of it
makes him sick ?
DR. HUGHES' CARICATURE OF DRUG
PATHOGENECY.
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
In the Homoeopathic World, 1885 (July, August, and October),
I commenced a " Critical Analysis of the Cyclopaedia of Drug
Pathogcnecy" that was published under the auspices of the
American Institute of Homoeopathy and the British " Homoeo-
pathic " Society, and edited chiefly by Dr. Hughes. This an-
alysis would have been continued all through the work had it
not been unexpectedly "boycotted" by the new editor on the
plea of want of space, though it appears that he found space to
devote sixteen pages of the January number of the present year
to a silly squabble befcveen Dr. Dudgeon and the Practitioner,
This must be my excuse to the profession for not completing
my work, and also for not giving my promised comparison be-
tween the pathogeneses of Nux vom. according to Hahnemann, on
the one hand, and Black, on the other.
As it is, however, desirable that American homoeopaths should
know somewhat of the horrible unreliability of this revised Ma-
teria Medica of Dr. Hughes, I purpose to give in the pages of
The Homoeopathic Physician a few more proofs of the truth
16S
DR. HUGHES' CARICATURE.
[May,
of my indictment. I can, however, expect but a small space in
a journal so full, even to overflowing, with good things, so will
only point out a few glaring errors and omissions, ex uno disce
omnes.
(1) Carbolic acid. — Proving of XY, given as No. 12
in the Cyc'opcedia. The omissions in this proving would be
almost incredible were they not demonstrated as facts; and they
alone, were there no others, should be sufficient to destroy for-
ever our confidence both in this work and in the rest of Dr.
Hughes' compilations. This abridgment of Dr. Hughes not
only omits all mention of the sex, age, and temperament of the
prover, but also the following important symptoms : " Pain and
dragging feeling in stomach and low down in abdomen ; com-
pressed feeling across lower end of sternum; yawned now and
then and took long inspirations ; choking feeling in throat, with
a disposition to hawk up phlegm ; appeared morose and much
less brilliant in conversation than usual." Another symptom is
absolutely falsified — "confusion and pain in head; pain located
over right eye," is perverted into " headache was felt most over
right eye."
(2) Fluoric acid. — An enormous number of symptoms are
here omitted. I will only, however, call special attention to a
remarkable feature in Dr. Hughes' version of Jeanes' provings.
In Allen's Cyclopedia we read about " Pain in right wrist and
finger-joints after one hour." In Hughes' Cyclopaedia it is
united with two other symptoms which Allen declares to have
appeared " after three hours." This, it may be said, is of no
practical importance in the selection of the remedy. Granted.
But seeing that the supposed necessity of publishing the day-
books is the very raison d'etre of the Cyclopaedia, and that the
second rule reads " Give a narrative of all provings, stating the
symptoms in the order of their occurrence," it is obvious that
either carelessness or incompetency on the part of the compiler
must be the cause of this perversion of the truth. By the way,
while the Cyclopaedia states that Jeanes proved the third dilu-
tion, Allen savs he made "provings with first to fifth dilu-
tions."
(3) Gallic acid. — Dr. Kimball's provings alone are given
by Dr. Hughes, and out of them he has omitted this symptom,
given by Allen — " Sensation of contraction of anus, requiring a
greater effort for expulsion at stool, which comes, at length, in
bulk, as if accumulated there." The remarkable effects of fifteen
to ninety grains daily in a case of aneurism, though given by
Allen, are all omitted by Hughes. Both have omitted the
1SS6.]
DR. HUGHES' CARICATURE.
169
symptom recorded by the late Dr. Bayes in the Monthly Homoeo-
pathic Review — "An oyerdose of Gallic acid giyes a sense of
great tightness in head and ringing in ears."
(4) Nitric ACID. — In the American Journal of Homoeopathic
Materia Medusa, III, 120, Dr. Hering treats Hendrick's case of
poisoning by fumes of Nitric acid. A most characteristic symp-
tom was produced — "Anguish, removed by riding in a car-
riage." Boenninghausen gives, under this remedy, "Ameliora-
tion of all the symptoms when riding in a carriage." But this
symptom, thus verified though it is, is omitted by Hughes.
(5) Lactic acid. — Dr. Hughes only gives three of Dr. Allen's
provings — namely, those made with low dilutions — and even here
we find imperfections. In the original proving of S. we find
recorded, "Rising of burning, hot gas from the stomach, causing
a profuse secretion of tenacious mucus, which must be constantly
hawked up."
The latter part of this symptom, which is certainly extremely
valuable and characteristic, is entirely omitted by Hughes. Dr.
Hughes has also entirely omitted Dr. Allen's twelve provings
with the thirtieth potency. The fourth he quotes, though im-
perfectly, having been made with the first and first decimal.
Yet, of these sixteen provings, Dr. Allen soys (New York Jour-
nal of Homoeopathy r, 1873, p. 102) : " The effects were so positive
and uniform in different persons that even the most skeptical of
the class were convinced of the effect of the thirtieth."
Fosters provings on a diabetic patient are also mutilated.
The Cyclopaedia here says : " After midnight of fifth day pains
in joints came on." Allen says : " Had a bad night from pains
in joints, which disturbed him very much and which came on
suddenly after midnight."
(6) Picric acid. — The rendering of this pathogenesis proves
that an absolute falsification of pledges has been perpetrated.
The ninth rule reads : " Include symptoms reported as coming
from attenuations above the twelfth decimal only when in accord
witli symptoms from attenuations below." This necessarily im-
plies that such symptoms will be inserted when they are in ac-
cord with those obtained from the lower attenuations ; yet, on
referring to page 65, Ave find that "the trail of the serpent is over
it all." We read, " Three persons experienced symptoms from
taking thirtieth and one from twenty-fifth." These were sub-
stantially as above — i. e., the low potency provings — save that
furuncle in nostril of No. 4 became in two provcrs of thirtieth a
crop of such on face, becoming pustular and very painful, burn-
ing and stinging when touched. Now, we would ask whether
170
DR. HUGHES' CARICATURE.
[May, 1SSG.
it i3 in accordance with what is implied in Rule 9 to thus slur
over four valuable provings in four lines simply because they
were produced by high potencies? Had they been from low po-
tencies, would they not have been quoted in full f I challenge Dr.
Hughes to answer !
In Section 128 of Hahnemann's Organon — a work in which
Dr. Hughes evidently does not believe — the founder of Homoe-
opathy advises the thirtieth potency to be used in provings in
preference to the crude drug. Yet in his revised Materia
Medica we find Dr. Hughes, whose very reputation is dependent
upon his assumption of the name of Homoeopathy, deliberately
ignoring provings with that very potency which Hahnemann,
after matured experience, found superior to the lower ones.
Comment is needless.
What now will be the verdict of the profession, and what ac-
tion will be taken at the next meeting of the American Institute
of Homoeopathy? Were this work properly edited it would be
of great value, as it would save future compilers of Materia
Medica the trouble of examining the whole of homoeopathic and
allopathic literature in order to gain a perfect knowledge of the
pathogeneses of our remedies. But as it stands at present, the
work is unreliable in the extreme, many symptoms (including,
often, the most important) being entirely omitted, and, when
given, frequently mutilated or falsified. The work is simply a
disgrace to the medical profession in general and to the com-
pilers in particular. If it is ever to be made useful it must be
all done over again, though even then, I fear, one would not re-
ceive it with confidence from the same hands. Dr. Hughes,
though he is quite au fait at discovering printers' or clerical
errors in other people's works, is not, on his own show-
ing, a fit and proper person to edit a homoeopathic Materia
Medica.
In his Manual of TJierapeutics (1878), which he has the un-
blushing audacity to style u according to the method of Hahne-
mann," whereas it is really only " according to the method of
Hughes," he declares that he looks forward to a millennium of
pathological knowledge, and that uin proportion as that end is
attained the need of any Materia Medica whatever becomes less
and less."
To intrust the compilation of a homoeopathic Materia Medica
to a physician who looks upon any Materia Medica as only a
temporarily necessary evil and a nuisance is about as rational an
act as to request Mr. Bradlaugh or Colonel Ingersoll to write a
commentary on the Bible for the use of ministers.
SULPHUR IN WHITLOW.
E. W. Bekridge, M. D., Londox.
1882, February 2d, Miss N. D., set. twenty. For three
weeks lias had whitlow on left forefinger, the whole of the
finger is inflamed, and the last phalanx contains pus along its
entire extent, except at dorsum. Has poulticed it for a week
with Hepai* in the poultices and taken Hepar* and Si lie.3
internally, but it has got worse. There is now shooting pain
i:i ulnar surface of last phalanx, throbbing all along the finger,
aching extending up to axilla and scapula, also burning in the
whole finger; it is very tender; sleep disturbed by the pain for
the last week. Pains relieved by cold water, relieved by hold-
ing the arm up, worse by letting it hang down. Hot water
aggravates the aching and throbbing. A lump as large as a
marble in ulnar, side of bend of elbow, with aching in it. She
often has hangnails. She has had five whitlows in the last nine
years, all treated allopathically and by cutting ; they came in
quick succession in different place? — three on left hand, and
afterward two on right hand. The bone was removed from two
of them.
A study of Hering's Analytical Therapeutics of whitlow- led
me to Sulphur, and I gave Sulphurdm (F. C.) every four hours.
No more poulticing, but bathing in tepid water.
February Gth. — The pain increased after the second dose, and
they broke again on February 3d. Since then has been much
easier and slept well. The skin became dark soon after it
broke, which it never did before. To-day there is no pain except
in the centre of the nail, as if it were pressed away from the
finger. The lump is only the size of a pea and without pain,
except on touch. The three previous bad whitlows lasted three
weeks before they broke and took about a month to heal. No
more medicine.
February 24th. — Reports that for a week the finger has been
quite healed and she can straighten it. It has healed up much
quicker than the former whitlows that were treated allopath-
ically, and there is no numbness left, as used to be the case in
former attacks. Usually the effect of the homoeopathic remedy
is to relieve the pain before the pus is either evacuated or
absorbed, and this is the test of a cure as opposed to a natural
recovery.
In this case the temporary aggravation of the pain of a whit-
low almost ready to break prevented the usual course of phe-
171
172
TWO CASES OF NEURALGIA.
[May,
nomena. But that it was a true homoeopathic cure is proved by
the unusually speedy convalescence.
The characteristics of Sulphur, as given by C. tiering, are :
(1) "Index finger/' Sulphur (to which may be added CcUc.,
Kali-c, Sepia.) ; (2) " old maltreated cases/' Hep., Phosph., Sitic,
Strain., Sulph.; (3) "from hangnails/' Lycop., Kat-m., Sulph. ;
(4) "very sensitive to touch/' Apis., Sang., Sulph. (to which
add He par) ; (5) "after suppuration," Sitic., Su/ph.; (6) "with
caries," Asaf., An rum, Fluoric ac, Lycop., Mercur.y Mezer.,
Phos. ac, Silic, Sulph.
TWO CASES OF NEURALGIA.
No. 1. On the 15th of last September I was sent for, with strict
injunctions to bring along my vial of Morphia and "injector."
As I am happily not possessed of those inventions of the Evil
One, I went without them, and found the patient suffering excru-
ciating pains in the face and head, which were greatly aggravated
by the least jar or movement, and which had come on "like a
flash." I was just about that long in calling for a glass and
dissolving a few pellets of Bell.cm (Skinner) and left with an
assurance of speedy relief. This man had been subject to such
attacks for many years under allopathic treatment, which usually
consisted in the hypodermic injection of Morphia and generally
with lulling of pain. But the attacks were growing much more
frequent and increasing in severity ; the old story. He told me
the next morning that nothing had ever helped him so quickly.
On November 23d he called for "some more of that medicine,"
and said that while he had not, prior to the September attack,
gone longer than two weeks without pain, he had had no indi-
cation of it since then, about ten weeks. This attack had been
quite as sudden, although less severe, than the other. A few
doses of Bell.cm again acted quickly, for I met him two hours
later going out for an evening's amusement. On the 17th of
December he had a few twinges of pain, at once helped by the
same remedy, and he has remained free from it ever since, now
three months.
No. 2. December 3d last another allopath, had suffered
since a child with violent neuralgia of face and head which
nothing had helped. In this case the pain would come stealing
on in a "slow and sure" fashion, requiring hours to reach its
maximum of intensity and then beginning its decrease, which
was quite as slow. I gave him Stannuin50 (Tafel). He has
1886.]
NOTES ON M ELI LOTUS.
173
called several times since and received a repetition of the remedy,
or Sac. lac, as I thought best, but finds the attacks farther and
farther apart and relieved at once by the remedy. He had
never been able to attend any place of amusement without de-
serting his friends to "seek the seclusion that his cabin grants,"
and to stop all business when particularly anxious to stick to it
was his regular programme. Since taking Stan, he has had
more real enjoyment than ever before in his life, and lately has
made trips to New York and Chicago in business interests and
seen any number of "white elephants" at each place.
These cases interest me much in being so similar in regard to
their chronicity, the former allopathic maltreatment, and the
quick relief from homoeopathic medicines, yet so dissimilar in
character of pain. They teach nothing new in indications for
remedies, nor are they more worthy of note than thousands of
cases which are just as quickly relieved by correctly applied
homoeopathic remedies when allopathy had failed for years,
but they do add a couple of nails to the coffin which many
mongrels are constantly dragging into light — a coffin which, for
its foulness, should have been buried ages ago.
Wm. Jefferson Guernsey, M. D.
Phila., March 16th, 1886.
NOTES ON MELILOTUS.
C. Carleton Smith, M. D., Phila.
I wish to call attention to a comparatively new drug
introduced to the profession, I believe, by Dr. Bowen, of
Port Wayne, Ind. We have had, thus far, it is true, but a
fragmentary proving of this remedy, yet enough has been gleam d
from the meagre symptoms to show beyond a doubt that it is
destined to occupy a high position in our materia medica. I
refer to " Melilotus" — the Sweet Clover.
I have been enabled to gather the following symptoms from
provings made by Dr. Bowen, and which in practice I have
thus far found reliable, having first become acquainted with its
virtues in the year 1878.
Mind. — Fairly furious; had to lock him up; loss of con-
sciousness, with gushing of blood from nose.
Head. — Terrible headache, with or without nausea; head-
14
174
NOTES ON MELILOTUS.
[May,
ache accompanied with dizziness, faintness, and nausea ; intense
throbbing headache, with feeling as if all the bloodvessels in the
brain would certainly give way and cause some lesion of that
organ. Accompanying this headache was the prominent symp-
tom of being obliged to void urine frequently. Headache so
intense as to cause a purple redness of the face and bloodshot
eyes, culminating in epistaxis, which affords relief.
Periodical headaches of a nervous character, occurring every
week, or once in four weeks. More frequent during the winter
months. Headache so severe that it almost produced delirium ;
frightful, heavy, oppressive headache, lasting three days, which
was relieved by the application of vinegar. (Belladonna has
aggravation from vinegar.)
Headache intense in left supraorbital region ; made worse
from any motion, and always aggravated by attempting to think
hard, but better from lying down. (Belladonna worse from
lying down.) Talking caused the pain to disappear from fore-
head and settle in occiput. But when ceasing to talk, pain re-
turned at once to forehead ; it could be distinctly felt migrating.
Nose. — Blood gushed .from nostrils with loss of conscious-
ness.
Face. — Very red face, highly congested, almost livid.
Stomach. — Acid eructations all day, causing burning and
smarting.
Rectum. — Felt heavy throbbing and fullness in rectum, which
proceeded from internal piles, evidently caused by the drug, as
the prover never had hemorrhoids before in his life.
Urinary Organs. — Was obliged to leave business to go and
relieve accumulation of water in the bladder, which became very
annoying.
Respiratory Orgaxs. — Horriblv distressing cough, causing
great anxiety. Became very weary and could not get air enough ;
felt as if smothering. Toward night a slight expectoration, de-
tached with much difficulty, but which brought some relief.
Had to give up business and apply hot cloths to chest; part of
the night delirious, talking wildly. Cough so heavy and op-
pressive could not finally lie on either side ; tickling in throat,
with cough and spasmodic breathing, causing extreme nervous-
ness. Cough relieved, like the head, by epistaxis.
Chest. — Great load on chest, causing difficult breathing;
feels as if he must smother, causing me to examine clothing to
see if garments were not too tight. Became very weary, " be-
cause I could not inhale air enough to do me good." Chest
very sore.
1836.]
"THE ABUSE OF SULPHUR."
175
General Symptoms. — Very nervous and easily annoyed.
Extremities cold.
Xote.- — Dr. Bowen informs me that he gives this remedy for
all cases of epilepsy or spasm of any kind, especially for those
occurring in children during dentition, with almost unvarying
success. Also finds it almost specific for all cases of epistaxis.
Melilotus may be studied with Alumina, Carboanimalis, Coffea,
and Dulcamara — all of which have epistaxis with the head-
ache.
Ant. crudum has, like Melilotus, epistaxis, but it occurs in
the evening, and after the headaches and after the rush of blood.
Both the white and yellow species were used in making the
tincture.
"THE ABUSE OF SULPHUR."
C. C. Howard, M. D., Xew York.
The prevalent idea among the majority of physicians of our
school regarding the use of Sulphur seems too absurd for serious
consideration tb any thinking mind, much less to a follower of
Hahnemann.
Although fully cognizant of the qualities of this remedy, its
slowness of action, its lasting effects, and one the choice of which
should be made only in well-marked symptoms, yet, accepting
the teachings of our average college professor, one would natu-
rally conclude this remedy to be the great " cure-all " of Hornce-
opathy.
In case of doubt as to his proper remedy or failure of prompt
action on the part of the remedy already prescribed, the student
is particularly instructed to administer Sulphur, and although
its effects may not be the ones sought after, yet if there be no
virtue in this remedy, then indeed are we encountering walls of
darkness.
If instead of this advice the young " seeker after truth " was
shown the advantage of making a careful study of his Materia
Medico, he would find use for Sulphur really confined to simi-
lar symptoms of said drug.
In my humble opinion, the pursuance of such a fallacious
theory is not alone destructive to both patient and physician, but
a blemish upon "Pure Homoeopathy."
AN APPEAL FOR PROPER INSTRUCTION FOR
MEDICAL STUDENTS.
The various medical societies, State, national, and inter-
national, will shortly be meeting. It is then that the busy prac-
titioner has his (annual) opportunity for conversing with his
brother practitioners and exchanging views with them. It is
therefore an appropriate time for us to say a word concerning
our medical schools. The truth need not be concealed. It is
well known that the majority of these schools make little at-
tempt to teach Homoeopathy as Hahnemann (and those who be-
lieve with him) would have it taught. We are not now attempt-
ing to decide which is the better, the Homoeopathy of our (pres-
ent) colleges or that of Hahnemann — let that be for other
occasions ; we merely wish to have it clearly known that there
is a choice between these rival medical schools; that there is at
least one medical school east of " the Rockies" where the Homoe-
opathy of Hahnemann is taught. Now physicians who believe
in Hahnemann's Organon should send their pupils to the medi-
cal school where it is properly and fully taught. Do not con-
sider your duty done when you send a pupil to a homoeopathic
medical school. If you are a pure homoeopathist, and desire
your pupil or your friend to be so, see that he is properly taught.
The untrained mind will readily entertain false teaching, know-
ing nothing better, and maybe will never be able to eradicate
it. For ourself, we can honestly say that we cannot entirely
eradicate the views and theories we absorbed at the two allo-
pathic medical schools we attended, and these teachings were
little disturbed by the lectures we heard at our homoeopathic
alma mater. We hope our homoeopathic friends will not over-
look this warning. Nearly all of our medical schools have one or
more good homoeopaths among their teachers, but at the major-
ity of them the general tone and teaching is anti-Hahne-
mannian.
At the St. Louis Homoeopathic School it is otherwise. There
the teaching is strictly homoeopathic, and the tone thoroughly
Hahnemannian. The faculty of that School has lately been re-
organized to bring its faculty more in harmony with its chief
purpose, the teaching of Homoeopathy.
A physician last year came all the way from Scotland to
attend Professor Kent's lectures, and so well pleased was he
176
May, 1886.] CASE OF ECZEMA — MEZEREUM.
177
that he established a fund, the interest of which was to be used
as a prize for the best examination on the Organon. If this
gentleman found it worth his trouble to go from Scotland to St
Louis to secure the proper teaching, surely no place in America
is so remote that the distance should outweigh the advantage.
CASE OF ECZEMA — MEZEREUM.
August 24th, 1884.— Mrs. C, age forty-two.
Eczema of twenty years' standing.
Eruptions on back of hands and wrists half-way up to elbow ;
itching, aggravated by scratching; small, burning vesicles, dry-
ing down into crusts, itching and burning after scratching, and
becoming moist after scratching. Violently worse from the
application of water ; considerable burning in the vesicle.
Eruptions on back of hands, Arg.-ni., Asar., Berb., Mez.,
Phos., Plat., Plumb., Stront., Thuj., Zinc.
Particularly eczema, Mez., Phos.
Burning vesicles, Bo v., Caust., Graph., Merc, Mez., Mur.-ac,
Natr.-c, Natr.-m., Natr.-s., Nitr.-ac, Phos., Sepia, Spig., Spong.,
Staph., Sulph.
Eruptions, itching, made worse by scratching, Amm.-m.,
Anac, Arn., Ars., Bism., Bovista, Calad., Calc, Cann., Canth.,
Caps., Carbo-an., Caust., Cham., Can., Krcos., Ledum, Merc,
Mez., Mur.-ac, Natr.-c, Phos., Phos.-ac, Puls., Sepia, Silic,
Spong., Staph., Stront., Sulph.
Itching, burning after scratching, Anac, Arn., Ars., Bovista,
Calad., Canth., Caust., Can., Kreos., Ledum, Merc, Mez.,
Phos., Puis., Sep., Silic, Staph., Stront., Sulph.
Eruptions itching, becoming moist after scratching, Ars.,
Bovista, Carbo v., Caust., Kreos., Graph., Lach., Ledum,
Lyc, Merc, Mezer., Petrol,, Rhus, Sepia, Staph., Silic, Sulph.,
and many others not related to the general case.
Eruptions aggravated from washing, Amm.-c, Axt.-c, Bow,
Calc, Canth., Carbo v., Caust., Clem., Can., Dulc, Kali-c,
Lyc, Mere., Mez., Mur.-ac, Nitr., Nitr.-ac, Phos., Rhus, Sars.,
Sepia, Spig., Staph., Stront., Sulph.
Mezereum20"1 (Fincke). — One dose dry and Sac. Lac. The
burning and itching passed away in a few days. The skin be-
came soft and normal in less than four weeks, and has remained
healthy. She never had been entirely free from the suffering
caused by the eruption.
178 A REPLY TO THE AUTHOR OF ADDRESS, ETC. [May,
How much superior this expectancy is to doses so large that
you are sure to have medicine in ! Why don't they bring on
their cures ?
Perhaps it is because their agnosticism makes them doubt that
they have made any. It seems here to please some of these
doubters. I was told that anybody could report cures, that such
reports were not to be admitted as evidence. I therefore pre-
sented a paper on the sixteenth section of the Otr/anon of Samuel
Hahnemann as an argument without cures. I hear of no answer
that has offset those statements of facts ; again I am coming with
cures to corroborate the doctrine — these principles. Hence I
have so fully presented a very simple case of a most natural
chronic disease where washes and ointments and alteratives had
been used for twenty years, and in all antagonism had never
been met. The true specific for the disease was met in Mez.20™.
Cito, tuto ejocunde. J. T. K.
A REPLY TO THE AUTHOR OF ADDRESS, ETC.
M. O. Terry, M. D.
I have read that "age may become justly contemptible if the
opportunities which it brings have passed away without improve-
ment," and that a man's a "wretch, who, having seen the conse-
quences of a thousand errors, continues still to blunder."
The distinguished critic says : " Homoeopathy treats of the
true nature of human sicknesses, and also of the agents by which
it proposes and promises to cure them."
Pathology in the days of Hahnemann was not sufficiently ad-
vanced to explain the "true nature of human sicknesses" of
every sort.
Hahnemann was a scientific man, and not a pretentious quach,
as the critic would make him. He therefore did not leave us a
description of the true nature of the majority of the various dis-
eases. We do not know to-day the exact nature of most of the
diseases which we are called upon to treat.
"What are these scientific methods?"
The Doctor's elucidation of the relation of science to Homoe-
opathy in this paragraph should be a sufficient proof of his insan-
ity to entitle him to have a keeper, for a greater jumble of in-
coherency of expression never was placed on paper outside of an
asylum. After great effort I found in the paragraph two
sentences which showed a second's lucid interval, but which re-
1S36.] A REPLY TO THE AUTHOR OF ADDRESS, ETC. 179
vealed the most nauseating obstinacy, prejudice, and " igno-
rance. "
" The whole problem of sickness and cure is in the domain of
dynamics, and never at all in that of physics."
As " sickness" means any deviation from health, will the Doc-
tor denominate animal parasites and zymotic diseases as dynamic
"sicknesses"? What is thesimillimum respectively to cure "sick-
nesses" of this variety? We believe that "physics" is an import-
ant factor in the cure of the former and that improved sanita-
tion should not be omitted in the latter.
Other illustrations, as the chemical action of poisons on the
mucous surfaces, mechanical obstructions of the bowels, impacted
cerumen in the ears, etc., might be enlarged upon.
Dr. J. P. Dake, late professor of the principles and practice of
medicine in the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia,
says in his Science of Therapeutics: "What I desire is to as-
sign to every principle and every measure its own place and
share of importance in therapeutics."
I am accused of "ignorance" in two places in the same para-
graph. What shall I say of him " who is ignorant in spite of
experience"?
" How limited, by whom and by what?" This refers to my
statement in regard to the place of remedies. What shall we
think of the intelligence of a critic who in his blind, dogmatic
egotism insists that the law of therapeutics is as universal and
unvarying as the law of gravitation?
If the distinguished critic as a regular practice sits by the
bedside of his various patients, with a volume of his Infallible
Symptomatic Indications, and is able to cure all of them by this
"indication" plan, without the aid of physiology, hygiene, sanita-
tion, antidotes, or any auxiliary measures, then indeed I am
" ignorant" and incompetent, and unworthy to be registered with
the intelligent body of homoeopathic physicians in this country.
But the homoeopathic physicians who have the largest patron-
age, and who are the growing scientific men of our school in this
and in other States, do use various auxiliary measures in prac-
tice, and avail themselves of all that modern science has to offer.
In regard to the statistics which I gave, showing of the close-
ness of the expectant and homoeopathic mortalities, and which
the learned and logical Doctor objects to, I take great pleasure in
referring him to "A Lecture on Homoeopathy, " by Dr. C. Wes-
selhoeft, one of the ablest defenses ever made for our school. In
the section on mortality and that portion in which pneumonia is
spoken of this profound lecturer and honorable statistician fails
180 UTTERLY AND UNCONSCIOUSLY IGNORANT. [May,
to make the homoeopathic outlook any more favorable than I
gave it. The Doctor says : " The average annual mortality (in
the Leopoldstadt Hospital) for nine successive years, as given in
the manuscript by Dr. Eidheer, was 7.2 per cent. Another re-
port, extending over the years 1859-18G6, gives a mortality of
5.85 per cent, and 9.57 per cent, under homoeopathic treatment."
Average per cent., 7.54. The Doctor critic claims that the nearer
the treatment came to "matter" doses the poorer was the show-
ing for Homoeopathy.
I will show the working of the "matter" principle in Utica.
A physician who has enjoyed a practice unexcelled both as to
size and quality, and who treats pneumonia strictly homceopathic-
ally, but uses principally the tinctures, has lost one case of pneu-
monia in ten years — a case of pneumonia notha. The high po-
tency physician has charged to him on the city books twelve cases
of pneumonia. Each of these physicians has practiced in Utica
upward of thirty years, and each represents the extremes of the
faction to which he belongs.
Well, my dear Doctor, I will not accuse you of being "igno-
rant," but figures are very treacherous. Are they not?
More might be said in regard to this bitter, egotistic, ridicu-
ous criticism. Spare us, Doctor, from any more of its kind, as
it is too painful to witness in such a public manner your de-
mentia.
UTTERLY AND UNCONSCIOUSLY IGNORANT.
We have published the above tirade of Dr. M. O. Terry in
order to show our readers how utterly and unconsciously igno-
rant of Homoeopathy some of these professed homoeopaths are.
This letter of Dr. Terry's will do much to convince thinking
men of the existence of much blind ignorance or willful abuse of
homoeopathic principles as daily exhibited and practiced by the
majority of so-called homoeopaths!
Pathology is the forte of these physicians ; yet they know
nothing of it. Even Dr. Terry confesses: "We do not know
to-day the exact nature of most of the diseases which we are
called on to treat." How then does he treat them, seeing he
reviles Hahnemann's symptomatic method of treating diseases?
Secondly, as a "clincher," Dr. Terry adds : "As 'sickness' means
any deviation from health, will the Doctor (i. e., Dr. Wells) de-
nominate animal parasites and zymotic diseases as dynamic ' sick-
nesses ' ?" In reply, we would say we believe Dr. Wells is just
1886.] HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 181
the man to believe such a sensible thing, and that he does de-
nominate animal parasites and zymotic diseases as of dynamic
origin, and, moreover, cures them by the use of dynamic
remedies. A dynamic disturbance of the health of the patient
prepares the habitat for the production of these diseases.
Proper sanitary measures aid dynamic remedies by bringing
the patient under proper physiological conditions, but alone they
do not cure.
Dr. Terry was, we believe, once elected President of the New
York State Homoeopathic (! !) Society ; think of that, and blush,
ye followers of Hahnemann. This president of a homoeopathic
medical society writes : " What shall we think of the intelligence
of a critic who, in his blind, dogmatic egotism, insists that the lav/
of therapeutics is as universal and unvarying as the law of gravi-
tation ?"
As there could be no " laiv of therapeidics " unless it were a
universal law, we confess we don't know what to think of
Dr. Terry. If the Doctor ever thinks at all, he will assuredly
one day feel sorry for himself that he ever wrote such nonsense.
He best describes himself in saying " a man's a wretch, who,
having seen (but maybe he has not seen ?) the consequences of a
thousand errors, continues still to blunder." E. J. L.
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF
HOMCEOPATHY— ITS ORIGIN.
On page 41, Vol. XII, of the American Homosopathist is an
attempt to give this by one who seems but partially informed as
to the matter of which he writes. He gives his idea of the mo-
tive of this origin in these words :
"They [i. e, the founders of tins Institute] felt the need of some association
for mutual friendship and support Had they received any tokens of toleration,
allowing them to appear in the existing medical societies with statements of
their change of views and reports of practical success ; had the medical jour-
nals of the day been open to their contributions; had there been any proper
discussion of the merits of what they considered a great advance in therapeu-
tic methods — they would have felt no need and no desire for any other organ-
izations or any other journals."
Here are the ideas of this writer of history as to the motives
which actuated the founders of this much-destroyed Institute.
We have no hesitation in saying they do great wrong to the
motives of these founders, and that as to them the above reasons
t
182
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. May,
given for organizing this body arc false in every particular. I
say this in defense of these founders with the confidence inspired
by a memory of what actually then and there occurred, all of
which I saw and heard and part of which I was. These found-
ers made no secret of their motives. These were freely talked
over with each other as they met privately or socially, and fully
discussed in the convention which created the organization, of
which we have now remaining to us only a false pretence. No
one of the reasons here given as the motives from which the In-
stitute sprung was heard of from any member of the conven-
tion either in private or in session.*
The motives as expressed then, there, and by this noblest group
of advocates of specific medicine, had reference solely to the truth
of the law God gave to Hahnemann and Hahnemann had given
to them, and not at all to any embarrassment or annoyance per-
sonal to themselves. If they had been persecuted, they had not
met there to whimper over it. If they had been refused admit-
tance (as some of them had, the writer of this paragraph for
one) to existing medical societies, they were not there to parade
before their fellows a knowledge of the fact, or to bespeak from
them sympathy or " support." These were not spoken of; nor
was the idea, as this writer states, of " banding together for self-
defense." •
These men had no conscious need of any defense of any kind,
and they were not there met for any such purpose. They were
there only in the interests of God's truth, for the spread of a
knowledge of this, and of the extension of a knowledge of the
means this truth demands for the healing of the sick, and to
protect the public, so far as they might be able, from imposture
from those who were incompetent to administer this truth.
These were the motives and this the spirit from which the Insti-
tute came into being.
But being created, progress in some direction was a necessity
to it. For the first years this was under the governance and
in the direction of these initiating motives. It was such as
*Was it because of the disgraceful contrast the present status and action of
the Institute presents as compared with the true motive and spirit of its
founders that these imaginary and false ones are given? There was in the
true no stain or shadow of a motive personal to any member there present,
whereas in these imaginary ones there can be but little else seen. We can
see no other motive for this invention, so wholly at variance from truth ; and
we note with some kind of satisfaction, taking this view of the case, the evi-
dence it gives that there was in the origination of these false motives some
sense of shame remaining in one who has had so conspicuous a share in
bringing about the change he records.
1886.]
HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE.
183
gratified those who had the interests of this truth and those of
sick humanity most at heart. But then came new men, new
motives, new measures, and progress of a different character lias
been the experience. This began, says our historian, in a propo-
sition to enlarge the scope of the work of our " representative
body," and this enlargement has continued in the creation of many
added bureaus, the objectives of most of them having no rela-
tions, or only remote ones, to the objectives of the creators of the
Institute. This progress has so completely occupied the atten-
tion of its members and satisfied their ambition, that God's law,
its corollaries, and the means it demands and uses have so
completely passed from the work of this body that a careful ex-
amination of it will hardly discover a stain of the Homoeopathy
of divine origin which alone was the Homoeopathy of its found-
ers. This seems to have been completely washed out of the
work and minds of the present members of the body. So com-
plete is this result that no tint of color or trace of thought of
this is found in either. And is it not a little curious, if true,
as suggested by our historian, that the detergent used in this
washing out has had given to it as a name the beautiful word —
"liberality" f This is the kind of soap which men who were
ignorant, lazy, ambitious, or silly, or were more or less a com-
bination of these, have used to clean out the members of this
" representative body n from all which savors in the least of
that philosophy and practice to disseminate a knowledge of
which this Institute was created. The result seems to have
been a complete success, though it must be confessed the soap
has been of the softest and weakest known to men.
"Liberality" is a beautiful word because it expresses a beau-
tiful idea. It signifies a free, generous use for the benefit of
others of that which is one's own. There is another word for
that which makes free use of that which is not one's own, no
matter what the covering up with soft words may be, and it is
not a beautiful word. Indeed, the word is ugly, perhaps be-
cause expressive of an ugly and unlawful act. Hence it is,
perhaps, that the beautiful word has been applied to this act
which has made so free with God's law, not their own, when
they washed this from the thought and work of their body.
There is little merit in making free with the goods of one's
neighbor; there is just as little in treating God's law in like
manner. And it should not be forgotten that when this is so
treated the result is ever, and cannot be otherwise, detrimental
to the interests of all concerned in the transgression. And
more than this, it may be well to remember that the beautiful
184
NEW DISPENSARY IN NEW YORK.
[May, 1886.
word when applied to this ugly act of robbing God's law of its
authority is a covering too thin to conceal the deformity it was
intended to hide. Robbing will still be robbing. Robbing
will be a violation of law, and violation of law will be a crime,
call it as we may. Beautiful names do not alter the nature of
acts or things.
Then the historian goes on to give a history of the progress
of this body, which he understands had its origin in the exclu-
sion of Homoeopathy from societies and journals of old physic,
and it is certain that in this he has been more successful than
in his statement of the motives which gave it birth. He gives
fairly, clearly, and coolly the process by which the Homoeopathy
of its founders has been excluded from the Institute, which he
says was created to remedy its exclusion from old school bodies
and journals, and it is not a little curious to note, while doing
this, his perfect unconsciousness that in this progress of its his-
tory he is describing an apostasy from law and a shameless rep-
etition of the illiberal example of old physic, which he says in-
spired the origin of this body. And when describing the pro-
cess by which this exclusion has been effected he seems to think
this was the right thing to do, and he approves of it, though it
requires a peculiar strabismus to perceive aught of difference be-
tween this liberality and the exclusions of old physic.
P. P. Wells.
NEW DISPENSARY IX NEW YORK.
A meeting was held at the residence of Dr. Clarence C. How-
ard, 68 West 50th Street, on March loth, 1886, for the purpose
of forming an association for the maintenance of a dispensary
and a hospital, to be conducted according to the strict principles
of Homoeopathy. The following officers were duly elected :
Mr. Wm. Jones, President; Mrs. Wm. Gardner, Secretary;
Mrs. S. P. Howard, Treasurer ; Dr. C. C. Howard, Physician
in charge ; Dr. E. Carleton, Consulting Surgeon ; Dr. R. H.
Bedell, Consulting Physician.
It was decided to name the Association after Dr. Bayard, who
honored the assembly with his presence. It is sincerely hoped
that all true lovers of Homoeopathy in its pure teachings will
lend their aid.
A dispensary is already established and is rapidly growing.
WHAT ARE "DEMONSTRABLE FACTS"?
Our esteemed and honestly outspoken contemporary, the New
York Medical Times, ends an editorial, in its April issue, on
" The Ethics of the Dose," in these words :
''There is much of what is called clinical experience which is purely fic-
titious and not worthy of any credence whatever.
Scientific progress indicates beyond reasonable doubt that the selection of
the close is an important factor in the practice of medicine, and that the
agent employed must be capable of doing just what is required. It must
be neither too powerful and hence injurious, or not powerful enough, thereby
failing to produce any effect.
'•It is to ascertain this means that the conscientious physician will ever
strive, and if he avoids fiction and accepts only demonstrable facts, he is
much less likely to become entangled in toe ethics of the dose."
Now, we unenlightened, uneducated symptom coverers would
be glad to know clearly and exactly what are " demonstrable
facts "? We are told " there is much of what is called clinical
experience which is purely fictitious and not worthy of any cre-
dence whatever." This statement we do not dispute ; but
would like to know how we are to separate reliable clinical ex-
perience from the unreliable? No one has yet given any rules
for this differentiation ! Many, very many, in all schools of
medicine, are decrying clinical experience as worthless; but
none, so far as we are aware, are giving diagnostic marks for
differentiation between the two.
In the allopathic school the practice is based either on patho-
logical reasoning or upon purely empirical basis. Thus, for
instance, a drug is used by a physician (merely as an experi-
ment) in several cases of a disease ; all, or mostly all, of these
cases improve under the drug. Then shortly appears a paper
entitled " Notes on several cases of , treated by tonic doses
of ;" and next the drug becomes fashionable for use in
such cases. AVould this practice be considered based on demon-
strable facts ? We believe not, rightly so. Another method of
allopathic practice would be something like this : The patient
has a congestive headache, we will say. This may be caused by
an over-supply of blood to the brain, which might be due to a
relaxation of the cerebral vessels, or to a too violent action of
the heart. The rational treatment then would be to use a drug
which will exert an inhibitory action on the cerebral blood-
vessels in the one case, or in the other a cardiac sedative. This,
we believe, is a fair statement of allopathic reasoning in a simple
185
186
WHAT ARE "DEMONSTRABLE FACTS"?
[May,
case. If it be so, we ask, is this treatment based on "demon-
strable facts " ?
If these (supposititious) cases of allopathic methods in treating
diseases are not based upon " demonstrable facts," then we be-
lieve we may fairly say that little of allopathic practice is so
based. And we believe that even those few that are so based
depend really upon this homoeopathic principle! In support of
this assertion we mention their use of Mercury, Quinia, etc.
Now, there is another method of curing the sick, which claims
that a drug will cure such symptoms in the sick as it is capable
of producing upon a well person. To prove this it must be
shown that this rule holds true with all drugs in all cases of
sickness. This, we believe, has been shown, and hence we
claim that similia is a law of nature, not a simple rule of
man.
Again, in applying this law of similia, some assert that it
operates best when the drug used for the sick is diminished in
quantity — in. other words, is used in what are known as " high
potencies." This assertion to be proven must also be found to
be true with all drugs and in all cases of sickness. Now, how
is this to be shown ? Let us suppose a physician of average
ability and education in a practice, say of twenty-five years,
uses nothing but these " high potencies," and let us, moreover,
suppose his success to be fully equal to that of any of his con-
temporaries.
Does this success prove anything? It would be foolish to
assert that in twenty -five years' practice one does not meet with
many difficult cases, and it would likewise be silly to claim
that these serious diseases were cured by one man by placeboes
(as high potencies have been called), while another physician,
maybe, could not cure them with full doses of powerful medi-
cine. If then the exhibitor of high potencies gets through
twenty-five years of practice without losing more cases than his
allopathic or low-potency homoeopathic neighbors, how does he
do it? We can only explain his success by assuming that these
" high potencies " do exert some power. If any one else has a
better explanation, let him bring it forth.
Now this supposititious case of twenty-five years' experience
with " high potencies " has been repeated by hundreds of phy-
sicians in many countries. Is their experience based on " de-
monstrable facts " ? — if not, how does their experience differ from
that of the " low potency n practitioner ? The only difference
between the two is the amount of medicine given. Can that be
fairly considered as the diagnostic line which separates the
1886.]
THE CLINICAL TEST.
187
reliable clinical experience from the unreliable? It would
scarcely be considered a scientific differentiation.
The plain truth is that high potencies do act, but that the
wise prescriber will use any potency which his case seems to call
for", whether it be a CM. or a tincture.
A second plain fact is that each partisan considers all the
clinical experience of his friends to be wholly reliable, and that
of his opponents as u purely fictitious and wholly unworthy of
any credence whatever."
Few rise above a biased and prejudiced view of contemporary
events.
"Seek the Truth : come whence it may, cost what it mil"
THE CLINICAL TEST.
Kollin R. Gregg, M. D.
The living animal organism alone can tell the poisonous and
medicinal effects of drugs upon it. The diseased animal organ-
ism alone can tell the curative effects of drugs upon it, whether
they be in the crude form, in low potencies, or in high poten-
cies.
The annals of medicine for thousands of years, or from the
very beginning of clinical observation to the present moment, do
not furnish a single instance where the slightest knowledge has
ever been obtained of the curative power of drugs under old
school observation, except by prescribing them for the sick. And
the annals of Homoeopathy since it began alike furnish no sin-
gle instance of the smallest grain of knowledge having ever
been secured of the curative action of attenuated medicines in
whatever potencies, except by prescribing them for the sick.
What means it, then, that a lot of men who assume to know
more than Hahnemann or anybody else pretend there are other
and more reliable ways of getting this important knowledge,
and those ways through the microscope, spectroscope, and other
gross instruments, wholly devoid of the power of telling us
the first syllable of the truth upon the subject, and which are
made to lie if they are made to speak at all in this direction?
— what means all this? I repeat.
It means just this and nothing more, viz.: That these men
place no reliance upon the principles of our therapeutics, or
stand ready to sacrifice them to policy on the slightest provoca-
tion, and are withal possessed of the most illogical minds,
wholly incapable of seeing their own inconsistencies and absurd-
188
AN UNCONSCIOUS PROVING.
[May,
ities. The idea of such men assuming to know more than the
always logical, consistent, truthful, and self-sacrificing Hahne-
mann, and to have " progressed " Homoeopathy from where he
left it, would be only laughable were it not that this is a matter
involving the lives of our fellow-men, and that thousands and
tens of thousands have been sacrificed upon this altar of pre-
tence that might have been saved by a strict adherence to Hahne-
mann's clinical teachings. Away, then, with such shameful
pretence ! and let us have a return to the simple methods and
truths revealed to us by Hahnemann, which are, at the same
time, the methods and truths of God, and which are not to be
improved upon as principles underlying all of our clinical
duties, but must be obeyed if we would do the best possible
work in saving human life.
The miserably illogical and false issues raised in our own
school of late years to put down the best teachings of Hahne-
mann, and this under a pretence of its being in the interests of
science, is sufficient to disgust any man with such science (?)
who knows anything of the true logic of Homoeopathy as left
us by the master, and knows its infinitely greater reliability ,
when rightly handled, than any other system of medical treat-
ment known to man.
AN UNCONSCIOUS PROVING.
We read recently in a journal this case : " Dr. C. B. gave
details of a case of nasal diphtheria which he had under obser-
vation. The membrane lined both nasal cavities and covered
tonsils and pharynx. The glands of the neck were greatly
swollen. Iodine and Liquor Calcis Chlorinate were prescribed in
alternation. Improvement was slow but steady. At the end of
the twenty-first day, paralysis of throat appeared, when Gelse-
mium was prescribed. The boy has a good appetite, and yet he
remains weak and emaciated." (Italics ours.)
Turning to Allen's Encyclopaedia, under Iodium(p. 126) we
find u increased appetite," " remarkable and continued increase of
appetite," etc., etc. On page 134 we find " remarkable emacia-
tion," etc. ; on next page, " great debility " extreme weakness ;"
weakness, emaciation, with ravenous appetite is the peculiar
symptom of Iodine (other drugs, as Abrot., Chin., and Nat-m.
have it, but none as characteristically as Iodine).
So much for the indications for Iodine after its administra-
tion ; before it was given Iodine seems to have had only one
1886.] THE HAHNEMANNIAN ASSOCIATION. 189
symptom in this case, that of the swollen glands, which numer-
ous drugs have. However, it is not our purpose to criticise the
prescription, but merely to point out the effect it had, in spite of
the two drugs given with it. As neither the physician nor
those reported as commenting on the case seem to have noted
the good appetite and emaciation as an effect of Iodine, we call
it an unconscious proving.
Another remark may be pardoned ; in this case improvement
is reported as slow but steady, and paralysis at end of twenty-
one days, etc. Under the use of the two hundredths we have
never seen a case of paralysis; one case (a young girl) we can
recall in which the membrane appeared not only in nares,
fauces, etc., but also in vagina and vulvae, improvement was
rapid, and patient up in a week under a high potency ! Much
better than this, Dr. R. R. Gregg claims not to have lost a case
of diphtheria in fifteen years, and uses only high potencies and
single doses ! !
THE HAHNEMANNIAN ASSOCIATION.
The following circular has been sent to members of the I.
H. A.
We hope the proposed change will be made ; the proposed title
is a more appropriate name for the Association, whereas the present
one is not ; it is, in fact, a ridiculous title. The Association was
organized to perpetuate and propagate Hahnemannian Homoe-
opathy ; let its name be such as to signify its purpose. It has
never been an international association, having in six years had
only one visitor from abroad. Let any European or other
" foreign " physician join the Association as associate member,
who shall have all privileges with no dues to pay. America
supplies the Association's chief membership and can supply all
its pecuniary needs. The following is the text of the circular
note :
Dear Sir : — At the last meeting of the " International Hahnemannian
Association," notice was given that at the next meeting a resolution would be
offered to drop the word " International" from the title of the Association,
and the only reason given was, "It was such a long title." It is just six letters
longer than that of the " American Institute of Homoeopathy."
There are grave reasons why it should not be changed. It was selected
after mature thought, in order that it might be truly International, and
not merely American. If this word be dropped, foreign physicians will con-
sider they have nothing to do with it, that their membership is not wanted,
and we shall cease to receive new members from abroad and perhaps lose old
ones.
15
CORRESPONDENCE.
Messes. Editors: — For a long time as Hahnemannian
horaoeopathicians we have been looking for the day to arrive
when we should have a genuine homoeopathic hospital. At last
it is here, and I desire to call the attention of your readers to
the Women's Homoeopathic Hospital of this city. By the
generosity of a friend of the cause — Mr. Charles B. Reed — the
women (God bless 'em !) have been enabled to construct a hos-
pital which is a fitting monument to their labors, and it now
behooves us to put our shoulder to the wheel and do what we
can to assist them.
The following from the rules of the Hospital will show that
they mean to have a homoeopathic institution :
" No medicines, except strictly homoeopathic remedies, shall
be allowed for use in the dispensaries or in any department
of the Hospital.
"The use of tobacco, wine, or intoxicating liquor of any
kind is prohibited within the Hospital."
All Hahnemannians who contribute to this work may feel
assured that they are promoting the cause, and if you will
appoint yourself to receive contributions, I am sure you will
receive the thanks of the ladies in charge.
Yours for the cause,
George H. Clark.
Germantown, Phila., April 12th, 1886.
Answers to Queries: — In The Homoeopathic Physician,
April, 1886, page 133, there are ten symptoms given for which
the remedies are asked. In answer, I send the following
remedies :
No.
1. — Digitalis.
«
2. — Plumbum.
3.— Tellurium.
u
4. — Verat. vir.
a
5. — Rheum.
a
6. — Silicea.
a
7. — Zincum.
it
8.— Platina.
«
9. — Lobelia.
10. — Lobelia.
I have recently seen a singular symptom occur, for which I
wish some one would suggest a remedy. The patient was
190
May, 1886.] CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
191
constantly under the impression that whatever symptoms she
had were experienced by the nurse or some one near her. For
instance, she would describe the pains which her nurse had had
an hour ago, or how delirious her friend had been all night, or
how prostrated I was at present, etc. This symptom was per-
sistent throughout the case, and seemed to characterize it as
thoroughly as I have seen any symptom characterize any case.
Theo. J. Gramm.
Philadelphia.
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
Ad. Lippe, M. D.
The coachman of an old friend who had detected that the
healing art, as promulgated by Samuel Hahnemann, was " reli-
able " — detected it by the " clinical experiment " — reported that
one of a pair of valuable coach horses was sick. No. 1 had been
cured of incipient rheumatism by a single dose of Rhus tox.c
a month ago. The coachman says :
"I drove yesterday afternoon to the Park. After driving
about an hour the horse began to have diarrhoea, which grew
worse till we came home. He not only soiled the dasher of the
carriage, but also my livery. After coming home and putting
him into the stable the diarrhoea ceased, but the horse did not lie
down in the night. This morning he stands quiet in his stall,
his eyelids drooping, as if asleep, refuses all food, drinks, but
is disinclined to move." Prescribed one dose of Bryonia103™
(Fincke) to be given to the horse. He lay down that night and
ate his food the next morning. On the third day after taking
the Bryonia he is driven as usual — is well.
Comments: The choice of the remedy was very easy. The day
was the first hot day of April ; the diarrhoea was worse from mo-
tion, and ceased when at rest ; the discharges were watery and
offensive; the disinclination to move and the utter aversion to
food left no choice but Bryonia. The cure was perfect and
complete ; it was a homoeopathic cure, and no mistake about it.
The President of the American Institute of Homoeopathy is now
engaged in proving high potencies on the healthy, and he has a
packed jury of "experts" to do it. Would these young aspirants
to distinction be averse to proving Bryonia 103m (F.) on a pair
of full-blooded horses driven into a park on a hot April day?
And if their scientific superintendent does not find that one or
two horses so used are attacked by violent diarrhoea will he, said
192
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
[May,
scion of science, not be ready to doubt only, but strike out the
evidence here substantiated that even so large a creature as a
horse can be and has been cured by a " high potency," on the
ground that said potency has not produced similar symptoms on
the healthy horse? The secret of success is not to be attributed
to the dose alone. The first, most difficult, task is to obtain a
true characteristic picture of the case to be treated. In this case
this picture was interpreted from the coachman's report.
First, diarrhoea worse in hot weather, and, second, worse from
motion; thirdly, disinclination to move, and apparent ameliora-
tion from absolute rest. Get the truly characteristic symptoms
of a case first, and then find the similar remedy in a reliable
Materia Medica, such as that of Hahnemann.
A NATIONAL HOMCEOPATHIC PHARMACOPOEIA.
Our attention has been called to the fact that there are now
before the homoeopathic profession of America two pharma-
copoeias, differing in their manner of arranging remedies and
preparing preparations. This should not be ; either one or the
other should be the recognized authority. If neither be accu-
rate, let competent authority declare their errors, and let a cor-
rect pharmacopoeia be prepared and duly recognized as the
authority. This matter, it seems to us, comes especially under
the care of the Bureau of Pharmacy, etc., of the American In-
stitute. We hope it may receive its prompt attention, for how-
ever much we all may differ in our views of potency, etc., we
must all agree upon the necessity of proper and careful prepa-
ration of our drugs.
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
Thomas Skinner, M. D., London.
Convulsive Fits in a Child of Two and a Half Years.
A boy of two and a half years was brought to me by his
mother (a lady), who informed me that her son had been
afflicted with infantile convulsions since he was three months
old. At first he used 'to be hours in them, now they lasted as
many minutes, but they were much more frequent and they
occurred at any hour, day or night.
His teeth are mostly all of them carious ; used to perspire freely
about the head ; his head is large, fair hair, and brilliant com-
1886.]
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
193
plexion; used to be pale and pasty, hot head; the fontanclles were
long in closing, and he is pot-bellied. Lastly, he has an ever-
lasting canine appetite, and extremely irritable and self-willed; he
is liable to take cold easily, and to spasmodic croup, and his
breath has always a sour smell before a fit.
If any one had sat down to write a true photo, of Calcarea,
I should say here it is.
April 8th, 1878. — I placed upon the child's tongue Calcarea50™
(F. C.), a single dose, and I requested the mother to bring him
to me in a week.
April 17th. — The child with its mother, accompanied by a
lady friend, entered my consulting-room. The mother informed
me that the child's temper had markedly improved since a week,
but the convulsions were much the same. The child, who was
a bonnie boy and elegantly dressed, was at my request per-
mitted to run about the room, which he did, and when the
mother and I were trying between us to clear up the case for
the better diagnosing of the remedy, the little fellow' saved us
further trouble by revealing it in a most peculiarly uninteresting
wTay, and to the great distress and shame of the mother and her
lady friend. The boy when standing on his feet laid hold of a
chair and deliberately emptied the contents of his rectum on the
linoleum floor.
The state of the mother's feelings may be imagined. She
started to her feet, rebuked the child like any injured parent,
and apologized to me, explaining at the same time that this was
always the way in which the boy relieved himself. " He must
be standing in order to get his bowels relieved."
The bell being rung, my maid soon put all to right. Then
and there I placed CausticumVom on the child's tongue, and he has
never had another fit, and, what is more, his bowels are moved
in the natural way — sitting on the chamber utensil.
Bad Effects of Vaccination.
February 7th, 1878. — A child was brought to me suffer-
ing from a festering eruption on her left knee, followed
by violent ophthalmia of right eye and an eruption, similar
to that on the left knee, on cheek. This state of matters
had been going on more or less or on and off for at least
fifteen months, and as it followed close on the maturing
of the vaccine vesicle, there was good reason to suspect,
if not to believe, that vaccination was the morbific agent, di-
rectly or indirectly. The child always asked for "apiece"
194
CASES OF CHRONIC DISEASE CURED.
[May,
about eleven A. M. I gave Sulphurcm (F. C.) on February 7th,
1878, and S. L. night and morning, enough to last a week,
when they were to return.
February 14th, 1878. — Better, on the whole. The eruption
on the right cheek is nearly gone. S. L. night and morning,
enough to last for fourteen days.
February 27th, 1878. — Ophthalmia and all she complained
of are gone, but she picks her nose, scratches her seat constantly,
and says " she feels them biting." Fair hair and complexion;
is very frightened in the dark. She says that she is so and must
have a light. Calcarea™m (F. C).
March 13th, 1878. — Quite cured of everything, and remained
so while I was in Liverpool.
Vertigo, during and after Meals, of Five Years'
Standing. •
Introductory. — This case is so peculiarly interesting and
altogether so extraordinary I must give it in detail, and I shall
quote from my patient's letters verbatim: — In March, 1871, I
was recovering from an attack of influenzal catarrh, which ter-
minated in loss of sleep and utter weakness, extending over
three years, during which time, so far as practice was concerned,
I was hors de combat. In order, if possible, to recruit my lost
strength, I went to the Grand Hotel, Brighton, Sussex, my
favorite sea-watering place. A week after I went there, at the
table d' hott during dinner, there was a great commotion, and I
saw some waiters with a lady trying to assist a young, or rather
a middle-aged, gentleman out of the room. The doctor who
has " the run of the hotel " was sent for, and I saw no more of
the couple until next morning. He then told me what a sufferer
he was from giddiness during or after a meal, and, so wretched
was he from this alone, I felt no <md of compassion for him,
although all the good advice I could then offer him was to
smoke less or drop it altogether, which advice was simply dis-
regarded. He was a splendid draught and backgammon player,
and we enjoyed many a game, although he was infinitely my
superior in that line. We exchanged cards at parting, and five
years afterward I sent him a copy of my short brochure on
Gynecology and Homoeopathy, never dreaming that he could
still be a sufferer from his wretched complaint. In reply to my
brochure I received the following from his pen : "March 20th.
1876. My Dear Sir: Some one has sent me your little book,
and I have read it with great interest. I am not, of course,
1886.]
CASES OF CHKONIC DISEASE CURED.
195
able to speak ou the great question, but I do know that I have
spent, since I saw you in Brighton some years ago, more money
on doctors than I care to think of, and to very little purpose.
You will, I dare say, remember that I used to suffer from
giddiness, singing in the ears, and a sort of general nervousness.
You then said that I should give up smoking. Well, I have not
given it up ! Though smoking may have a good deal to do
with ray case (and I can assure you the suffering, though unob-
servable by others, is very real), I am inclined to think that the
liver is the real source of the disorder. Before breakfast there
is little or no giddiness, but immediately after I have either a bout
of vomiting or a great pressure on the pit of the stomach, with
belching and great acidity. Tea and coffee seem immediately to
aggravate the nervous feeling and to increase the giddiness. I
have sometimes been so bad — indeed, frequently — that I dared
not liave attempted to lift a wineglass to my mouth with my
right hand. Not that I could not do it, but simply that I dared
not try. Walking along the streets, I feel often that I must fall,
and although the feeling is, I believe, purely a nervous one, still
it is far from being a pleasant companion.
" I have just returned from a two months' sojourn in Italy, in
no way altered for the better.
" I am inclined to say, like him of old, ' if you can do any-
thing ' in my case, I can assure you, as I have already said, my
sufferings are very real. Whether the brain or the stomach is
the real seat of the disease I do not know, but when I read your
book of ' The Cloud Rolling Away/ I thought I should write
to you, and if you can even alleviate my disorder, I shall be
very grateful. Faithfully yours, A. M."
March 22d, 1876. — I sent him twTelve powders of Chamo-
milla cm (Swan), one to be taken night and morning dry on his
tongue. To write when all are taken. My patient resided at
this time four hundred miles from me.
April 16th, 1876. — I received a letter saying, that he had
observed no change of any kind from the powders. I sent him
twelve powder of Nux vomicamm (Boericke), one night and
morning, unless decidedly better or worse.
May 11th, 1876. — He reports himself "very much better than
he has been for two years. The retching (gagging) has almost
ceased, and I know that my digestion is much improved. On
the 9th instant I felt a little giddy after breakfast," I sent
him twelve more powders of Nux vomicamm (Boericke), with
particular direction that they were only to be taken in the event
196
NOTES AND NOTICES— BOOK NOTICES. [May, 1886.
of a return of the giddiness, retching, or acidity — in other
words, in the event of a " backwardation."
April Qth} 1886. — He has remained well until this day — a
term of ten years. Is this another " coincidence," or is it a
bona fide homoeopathic cure by means of the one millionth cen-
tesimal attenuation of Nux vomica t If so, then in this in-
stance, " truth is stranger than fiction."
NOTES AND NOTICES.
The Institute : A Full Attendance Desired :— Will you not through
your journal urge a general attendance upon our meeting at Saratoga this
year? I am desirous that there shall be a much larger attendance upon the
sessions of the Institute this year than in the recent past. Our cause demands
the best gifts of our best men, and I hope that every earnest disciple of our
cause will be in attendance. So only shall honest men come to understand
each other better and our glorious cause be built up.
Yours fraternally, O. S. Runnels, President
"To all those who are in arrears one year or more who will come
forward and pay up arrearage and for a year in advance we will give a first-
class obituary notice gratis in case it kills them." — Ex.
The St. Louis College.— Dr. Kent writes: "St. Louis will soon have a
grand new College building corner of Jefferson Avenue and Howard Street,
to be finished September 1st. Term opens September 14th, and continues six
months. Every advantage will be found. All the plans have been a success.
Throw up your hat. Hahnemannism will be a success in this city. Let out
the news."
BOOK NOTICES.
The American Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Third
Edition, Revised, etc., by Dr. J. T. O'Connor. Compiled and
published by Messrs. Boericke & Tafel : New York, Philadel-
phia, and Chicago. 1885.
This third edition of Messrs. Boericke & Tafel's Pharmacopoeia is simply
the second edition reprinted, with a few additions, the chief being a list of
remedies with their syllables properly accentuated to assist physicians in
properly pronouncing the names of their remedies.
We believe this pharmacopoeia to be the most accurate one for homoeopaths,
and unless serious errors can be shown to exist in it, it ought to be recognized
as the standard American pharmacopoeia. E. J. L.
Errata. — Our anatomical editor was away last month, hence these errors :
Page 137, line 15 from bottom, for protuberantra occiputeles, read, protuberantia
occipitalis.
Page 138, line 11, for accessories, read, accessorius; line 19, for neuritis
ariendeas of the accessories, read, neuritis ascendens of the accessolius ; lines 20
and 22, for ciustious, read, acusticus nervus acusticus.
Our therapeutic editor had " malaria," hence, we read, p. 132, line 17, merry-
anthis for menyanthes.
THE
Homeopathic Physician.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constantine heiuxg.
Vol. VI. JUNE, 18S6. No. 6.
NOTES FROM AN EXTEMPORANEOUS LECTURE
ON SEPIA DELIVERED BY PROF. J. T.
KENT, M. D.
(Frank Kraft, Stenographer.)
Sepia is prepared from the ink of the cuttle-fish — it is a mol-
lusk. It is a remedy that affects the system very profoundly ;
it affects the entire organism, producing deep-seated disturbances,
deep-seated symptoms ; producing a profound impression upon
the blood, upon the liver, upon the heart, upon the uterus, and
upon the cellular tissues. It produces great relaxation of the
encire body and venous engorgement of organs, especially the
pelvis and pelvic organs. It especially affects the female ; the
women-provers, who were tall and slim, were particularly in-
fluenced by Sepia. From this we have gleaned the symptom :
Tall women, Sepia; tall men, Phosphorus. It looks rather
out of place to use such expressions, but there is a reason for
such things. It is well known that tall men are likely to be
narrow-chested and predisposed to chest-troubles, and all colds
settle in the chest; while tall women are especially predisposed
to weakness in the pelvic region, in the reproductive system ;
and Sepia produces a state in the reproductive apparatus that is
marked in all its symptoms by weakness — weakness of the
attachments, of the ligaments, relaxation, breaking down, a
sensation of great weakness in the abdomen, extending clear to
the chest. This weakness is especially observed in the stomach
197
198
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON SEPIA.
[June,
— an all-goneness that extends from the uterus to the stomach,
a gnawing, hungry feeling in the stomach, a sense of emptiness
in the stomach, and great weakness in the pelvic region. The
patient, to look upon, is waxy ; has a sickly, greenish pallor,
yellow, jaundiced ; yellow eyes, pallid lips, and sickly looking:
This medicine produces an effect upon the blood very much like
our malaria by sewer gases and other gases that produce changes
upon the blood, thus producing a sickly aspect. A marked
feature in this medicine is the face — the puffiness and fullness
on each side of the nose, with a yellow line, like a saddle, over
the nose, or a yellow stripe — sometimes it amounts to a sickly
line looking like a saddle. The skin is doughy and waxy
and flabby — puffiness of the cellular tissues — and they be-
come soft, soft to the " feel n — a lack of elasticity throughout
the entire body. Profound exhaustion, trembling. The venous
system is especially disturbed. We have turgescence first in
one part of the body and then in another, with hot flashes ;
hot flashes to the head, hot flashes to the face, hot flashes every-
where ; hot flashes to the feet ; one moment the body is icy
cold, covered with an icy cold perspiration, and the next mo-
ment it is burning. Chilliness throughout the body, alternating
with flashes of heat. This has made Sepia one of the great
remedies, corresponding to that period of life when woman has
so many of these hot flashes — the climacteric. It is like La-
chesis and like Sulphur and many other remedies in these hot
flashes, these ebullitions of heat.
The mental state, as we take that up and go down through
the remedy in a more specific way, we will find weak — a weak
memory and torpid mind. The mental state is in harmony
with a general apathetic feeling with this weakness. She dreads
to be alone ; this is sometimes exaggerated into a terrible fear
of being alone. It contrasts with Sulphur, where the patient
wants to be alone, doesn't like company, is irritable; the Sepia
patient doesn't like to be alone, but wants company. She has
an aversion to her friends and to people she loves; this is not so
much an aversion or a wish to get rid of them, as it is an indif-
ference to their affairs. She is indifferent in her feelings toward
her friends and her family and her children. She takes on a
careless, I-don't-care feeling, a lack of care, lack of proper
interest in her family and in her affairs, an aversion to her work.
If it be household work, she takes an aversion to it ; things that
she once loved in the way of employment and work, she takes
an aversion to, she dreads them, she has an indifference in con-
nection with it.
1S86.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON SEPIA.
199
We have melancholy, hysteria, and mental weakness running
through this remedy in a characteristic way. There is pros-
tration of mind as well as of body. We have all sorts
of vertigos connected with cardiac weakness. We have in the
head boring headaches, we have tearing headaches, we have cut-
ting headaches, we have pulsating headaches in Sepia. The
headaches usually commence in the morning and increase till
noon, and again commonly increase until night. The headaches,
as a class, are relieved by sleep ; if he can once get to sleep any
time of day the headache will disappear. If it is in the even-
ing, if he can have one good, sound sleep, he will wake up
free from pain. The headaches are worse from lying on the
back, but ameliorated from lying on the side, and especially
upon the painful side. Sepia has pressive headaches, yet there
is some amelioration from pressure. The headaches are better
in the open air ; they are worse from motion ; but if you con-
tinue the motion, and the motion is made violent, it relieves the
pain ; yet the headache is relieved from the open air, feels better
in the open air. And, now, this kind of an amelioration, if
you watch it through and apply it to the remedy in general, you
will see that it embodies much that is characteristic, you will
see the guiding features. Many of the pains and aches of Sepia
are made worse on first beginning to move, or moving gently,
but growing better by active or violent or vigorous motion. So
with the headaches. Nevertheless, the patient becomes easily
exhausted. With these headaches, the patient is tearful, mild,
and gentle, like a Pulsatilla case. But we see this distinction
between the two remedies : In a Pulsatilla case, the patient is
ameliorated by gentle motion and aggravated by violent motion ;
while Sepia is aggravated by gentle motion and ameliorated by
violent motion. Many of the complaints of both, especially the
headaches, are made better in the open air.
Under Sepia we may have a great many visual disturbances ;
in fact, almost any kind of visual disturbance may be found
under this remedy ; it has the halo around the candle, weak-
sightedness, etc. So we find nothing very characteristic.
If, now, we take up the nose, we will then have something
that belongs especially to this remedy; the discharges are watery
and milky, and, as that passes on, they become thick, yellow, or
greenish ; thick plugs, scales, crusts come out of the nose ;
green, hard crusts, tough, elastic clinkers form high up in the
nose. Some of our most protracted catarrhs may be cured by
a careful study of Sepia.
The mouth, again, furnishes us some prominent symptoms of
200
NOTES FKOM LECTURE ON SEPIA.
[June,
this remedy. The tongue tastes badly, extremely offensive,
salty, putrid, and offensive; foul eructations tasting like rotten
eggs. The tongue is coated white, and the mouth is filled with
a milky saliva, and you will have watery mucus coming from
the throat. There will be blisters forming in the throat, or lit-
tle vesicles filling with yellow fluid. In the throat there is
always a sense of a lump — a lump in the throat. This is closely
related to Nux vomica. You take it in many of our malarial
troubles, where there is choking and a lump in the throat ;
Sepia very quickly removes this when connected with the stom-
ach symptoms. The taste is salty, putrid, and offensive. Nux
vomica has this same symptom and follows Sepia well. For a
lump in the throat, in connection with malarial disturbances,
malarial bad feelings, or in a bilious fever, or, rather, the remit-
tent fever (which is the proper name for it), where Nux vomica
has been the suitable remedy for the liver turgescence, associated
with this lump in the throat, then Sepia will follow Nux vomica
and be the finishing remedy. It is one of the most suitable
remedies for clearing up a case — next to Sulphur. For clearing
up a malarial diathesis in a person who has lived so long in a
malarial country that the malaria seems to be a part of the entire
existence, Sepia is unequaled ; they seem never to wear it out,
and especially where there has been Quinine used.
To go down to the stomach symptoms : there is always a sense
of a lump in the stomach ; complaints are aggravated after eat-
ing. Remember this one thing, which is a key-note in Sepia :
a sensation of a ball in the inner parts. You will find that
symptom cropping out in a good many parts. Sensation as of
a ball in the parts; sensation as of a ball in the abdomen ; as of
a lump in the rectum, not relieved by stool. That last is a very
peculiar symptom. Bcenninghausen gives that as a characteristic
sensation of a ball in the inner parts. Now, we have this sen-
sation of a lump in the stomach, and also the contrasting symp-
tom of a sensation of emptiness in the stomach — an all-gone,
empty feeling in the stomach. It is like that found in Ignatia ;
but it is seldom accompanied by sighing, as we have in Ignatia.
The Ignatia patient, with the all-gone, hungry feeling in the
stomach, is always sighing. The lady who suffers from prolap-
sus, with this all-gone feeling in the pelvis, as if the insides
would almost come out, a funneling, a sense of weakness, writh
this all-gone, empty feeling in the stomach, which is not relieved
by eating, presents a Sepia picture; there is, however, a sense of
great hungriness and gnawing, but eating does not relieve it ;
this is a Sepia case. It produces such a singular impression
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON SEPIA.
201
upon the abdominal tissues that it results in what is commonly
called by most ladies, especially old ladies, M pot-belliedness," a
"pot-bellied" mother being a lady who has borne many children
and has a very protuberant abdomen. That is a Sepia case.
That relaxation and weakness and fullness runs all through the
remedy, and it especially produces a prominent abdomen.
The constipation is marked; for days and days the patient
will go without even a sense of desire to go to stool ; not one
particle of urging. The stool is large and hard, and there is an
inactivity of the rectum — an inability to expel the feces; this
goes on for days, and when, finally, the stool takes place it is
brown and large — round, agglomerated masses of faeces, leaving
a sensation of weakness in the rectum or a sensation of a ball in
the rectum, or, again, as some one has described it, a feeling as
if she had not finished, as if she wanted to continue ; this sen-
sation, however, if tolerated, soon passes away, and then comes
on again that entire absence of desire to go to stool. In the
rectum there is almost an entire loss of sensation. She feels
(as this especially occurs in the female, I say " she ") — she feels
an inactivity or weakness, an all-goneness in the rectum, and a
lack of sensation there ; it is a feeling of paralysis. She will
sometimes say that she has an inability to strain at stool ; she
can't bear down ; she can't bring on the necessary contractions
to expel the freces. This is especially related to Sepia, Alumina,
Nat. mar., and Sil. ; they all produce something like it ; but it
is not characteristic of Silicea, for they can there bear down,
but no stool appears, or if a stool does appear it slips back be-
cause of its peculiar wedge-shape. Her violent straining in
Silicea doesn't seem to help matters any, for the partially ex-
pelled stool slips back again. The Sepia stool is dark-brown,
round, agglomerated, and in balls, sometimes glued together
with mucus.
In regard to the pelvic organs, the bladder is in a state of irri-
tability. There is sometimes an inability to pass urine, although
there maybe continued and repeated calls from the damming up
of the urethra with plugs of mucus — white, coagulated mucus ;
it finally passes away in gushes; after this it dams up again
with this flocculent mucus, looking very much like the caps that
form white, ulcerous exudations. There is frequent desire to
urinate; again ineffectual urging to urinate; involuntary escape
of urine ; nocturnal, involuntary urination ; escape of urine
involuntarily during first sleep. That is a characteristic symp-
tom, and is especially related to little girls.
This all-goue weakness, dragging down, bearing down, is felt
202
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX SEPIA.
[Jui:e,
in the region of the pelvis; there is a feeling as if the uterus
would escape through the vagina; a sense of falling — as it is
sometimes called. It compels her to sit down and cross the limbs
as the only means of preventing the uterus from escaping — so
she feels. This is especially common in washerwomen, women
who are standing upon their feet; in saleswomen, these sud-
denly find themselves compelled to sit down and cross their
limbs. There is also an involuntary command to place the
hand or a napkin over the vulva, or to produce pressure there
to prevent the escape of the uterus; this is the sensation — the
feeling. Sepia has many times cured the most troublesome cases
of procidentia; it takes a long time to cure those cases, but if
you follow up your remedies systematically you can cure many
of them. Some of these patients are very old ladies, and it is
impossible to do anything for them any farther than to give
them the suitable mechanical support; but in middle-aged
women you can cure all these cases. The menses are irregular.
AVThen I say that it covers the entire ground ; they are too soon
and too profuse; they are too late and too scanty. Any irregu-
larity that you might wish for in this regard you can find under
Sepia. It seems to produce a wonderfully wide range of irregu-
larities in the menstrual function, and, in fact, almost any kind
of menstrual flow. There is a leucorrhcea that is watery and
milky. Now, if you will compare the proving you will observe
that the mucous discharges are pretty generally milky, and, hence,
we get the characteristic. The leucorrhcea of Sepia is wthite.
It produces in the female an absence of the sexual instinct. It
is an exception in a Sepia case to find that instinct present ;
while its twin-sister, Murex, which is very much like Sepia,
having so many of the symptoms of Sepia, corresponding very
closely to it, in the general state produces the highest sexual
excitement in the female — even to nymphomania.
I will not leave Sepia without saying something about the male
sexual organs, because it is a wonderful remedy in weakness and
relaxation such as follow bad habits — from sexual debauch, sexual
gluttony. There is coldness, with offensive secretions, or offensive
perspiration about the scrotum, and with penis relaxed; impotency.
This gives you the characteristic features of Sepia expressed by
many svmptoms. Sepia is one of the greatest remedies in the
books for gleet and a gleety discharge. For here we have the
milky discharge — the scanty discharge gluing up the meatus
in the morning, and scarcely at any other time of the day ;
Sepia will cure this state if properly used. It also produces in
the male not only impotency, but it takes away the sexual desire ;
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX SEPIA.
203
yet there are a few symptoms in the provings where we find
exalted sexual instinct.
Among the male provers we have in Sepia pressing tearing,
rheumatic pains in the extremities. Sepia produces especially
a rheumatism of the hip composed of tearing, aching pain, with
extremely cold feet, and with cold, offensive perspiration. This
perspiration is so excoriating that it produces rawness between
the toes. In this it is somewhat like Silicea and Plumbum.
We have offensiveness running through Sepia; offensive leucor-
rhcea ; offensive foot-sweat ; offensive, exhausting sweats, about
the chest and about the face.
This remedy produces a chill, fever, and sweat. It has more
thirst during the chill than during the fever. The thirst di-
es o
minishes as the fever comes on. It has all the bone pains found
in Eupatorium. If you run across a case of chills and fever
that has been spoiled by an incompetent prescriber, or when
you have spoiled the case yourself by the use of improperly
selected remedies, or by repeating until you have so mixed up
your case that the symptoms are not in harmony with any
medicine that you know of, then, if you know how, you
can clear up that case with Sepia, and the original chill, the one
that was there in the first place, will come back and show itself.
Now, if you wait until the case resumes its natural equilibrium
and then prescribe for it cautiously, you can do as if you had
begun anew. That is a very singular thing.
Sepia has some eruptions on the skin ; the eruptions are likely
to be vesicular, rubbing or scratching producing great burning.
This vesicular eruption is likely to appear in wheals about the
mouth and about the chin, like Nat. mur. Sepia is the typical
remedy for ringworms. It produces eruptions like ringworms.
It produces yellow spots like moth patches upon the forehead,
chest, and abdomen; liver-spots; patches looking like those
occurring in pregnancy, or coming on during gestation, that
remain. These moth patches are very troublesome — those that
appear about the head. I don't mean to tell you that Sepia is
going to remove all of them, but it has done so ; it will remove
them whenever the symptoms — the entire symptoms of the
body — correspond in a characteristic way, and at no other time.
ANSWERS TO "WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES ?"
We have received several answers, none of which are com-
plete, yet several are very good. The following deserve men-
tion : J. D. Craig, M. D., Chicago ; Edward Rushmore, M. D.,
Plainfield, N. J. ; F. E. Stoaks,"M. D., Greenwich, Ohio.
A BRIEF STUDY OF XANTHOXYLUM.
C. Carletox Smith, M. D., Philadelphia.
I have used the prickly ash in my practice for many years,
with the most happy results.
The symptom, " sudden flashes of heat/' which was elicited
in its first proving, attracted my attention toward the then
comparatively new drug, and led me to study its pathogenesis as
far as the limited provings would allow me to go.
Some of the most unsatisfactory cases we have to contend
with in practice arc those suffering from ailments incident to the
climacteric period. Whatever may be the nature of a woman's
sufferings at this crisis in her life, flushings of the face, with the
most intense heat accompanying them, are almost invariably
found to be present. And of the frequent repetition of these,
night and day, the poor sufferer complains the loudest, and begs
to be relieved in this direction, even though we can accomplish
nothing further. These sudden flashes of heat occur at the most
inopportune moments, wdien the patient is calmly conversing
witli her friends in her own drawing-room or while sitting in
church. The sensation commences in some portion of the body
more or less remote, and gradually, but steadily, ascends toward
the head, becoming hotter and hotter in its progress until the
face finally becomes like scarlet in appearance, and feels to the
sufferer as if it would be consumed with the fierceness of the
heat. At this juncture the patient is compelled to seize a fan
and wield it most vigorously for relief, or, in the absence of any
such assistance, she rushes for an open door or window to inhale
the fresh air.
The attacks may or may not end with free perspiration and
consequent relief. If no perspiration ensues, the suffering is
prolonged and but slowly subsides.
Before becoming acquainted with Xanthox. I had but indiffer-
ent success in these cases. But since its virtues were revealed
to me I have been enabled to give signal relief to my patients
while undergoing the severe ordeal of crossing the line.
The flashes of heat under this remedy are of the intensest char-
acter, and hence in some of the worst cases, by its use, we can
give the sought for relief. Some of the provers became so hot
as to cause them to feel as though they would surely die in some
of the paroxysms, while some desired to be bled in order to obtain
speed v relief.
204
June, 1886.] A BRIEF STUDY OF XANTIIOXYLUM.
205
As an additional symptom, these patients become nervously
apprehensive and fearful. Xoises, and even shadows, frighten
them. Here we find the Xanthox. corresponding to this condi-
tion of things, and, of course, will clear up the whole train of
symptoms.
It is a noticeable fact that women suffer at this period with
sighing respiration and a constant desire to take long breaths,
both of which conditions are fully met by this remedy.
Lachesis plays an important part in disorders of this nature,
and is highly curative when the heat is perfectly dry, not fol-
lowed by sweat, as is Belladonna, and when there is present
ovarian trouble as a complication ; which latter fact can always
be ascertained by examining the breasts, when, if such be the
case, the nipples, one or both, will be inverted or drawn in,
looking very much like the cicatrix which remains after the
healing of a severe cut.
Belladonna may be mentioned in this connection as a remedy
to be compared when there is plethora to deal with, intense con-
gestive headaches, and where the flashes of heat end each time
with sweat, and sudden relief thereby.
Ferrum has fiery red face with perceptibly enlarged veins,
and is especially useful in those nervous cases that cry and
laugh immoderately. Ferrum patient sweats from every
motion, and vomits all solid food.
The provings also taught me that the Xanthox. ought to
occupy a high place as a remedy for some of the menstrual diffi-
culties Ave have to contend with, especially in the young and
vigorous.
For instance, it produces the most excruciating pains during
the menstrual How — pains which cause the patients to cry out
in agony, and clutch their hair with their hands in desperation
during their paroxysms. And over and over again have I
cured these suffering girls when their agony would be so great
as to cause me to turn away from the sight of their contortions
and their tears of anguish.
From repeated attacks of this nature, these young sufferers
become extremely nervous — they are afraid of their own
shadows, and start at every trifling noise. They are afraid to
retire to bed alone, or go into a dark room ; they yawn through
the day, and stretch themselves, and are very drowsy, when
they ought to be at work. Appetite fails them ; frequent ear-
ache, which changes from the ear to the teeth on same side, so
that patient does not know whether they are afflicted with
toothache or earache, as the pain changes base constantly.
206
PROVING OF FURFUR IRITICI.
[June,
Lower limbs very weak, can't stand up long at a time, want
to sit.
All these symptoms present a picture which is met nicely by
the prickly ash, and relief from its use will often be most
marked.
Gnaphalium might be compared and studied in this connec-
tion. Both this latter drug and Xanthox. have very painful
menstruation. But the difference between the two is marked —
Gnaphalium has scanty flow of blood, which is a dirty brown or
chocolate color, while under Xanthox. the flow is steady, of a
good color, and seemingly free, though frequently a week ahead
of time, like Calc.
We think of Podophyllum in preference to Lachesis when
pain seems to commence in right ovary (Lachesis left), and de-
scends the anterior crural nerve, increasing in intensity as it
goes down, and made worse by straightening out the limb.
Caulophyllum has intermittent pains in all parts, head, stom-
ach, bladder, chest, and upper and lower limbs.
MOVING OF FURFUR IRITICI (WHEAT BRAN).
S. Swan, M. D., New Yoek.
(1) A woman proved a potency. It produced spasmodic
drawings of the chin.
Pain at base of brain.
Wakes with headache, principally frontal, occasionally occip-
ital.
For some days after commencing the remedy, aching in
thighs.
Until the last few days she has had bloating in the lame foot
since commencing the remedy.
Frequent and urgent desire to urinate.
(2) Mrs. M. B. P. took lm (Swan) every hour till symptoms
appeared, beginning October 23d. She was menstruating at the
time.
November 1st. — Headache in left side of vertex.
Sensation of fluttering at heart, as if frightened. Both hips
at each side of spine (region of dimples) are lame ; better when
walking, worse when sitting still. In hollow of left foot sensa-
tion as if of a dislocated bone or strained muscle, or rheuma-
tism (never had rheumatism).
1886.]
CLINICAL CASES.
207
November 7th. — Muscles of throat inside are all sore to
touch, and when washing round neck.
The gum in right upper jaw, back of molars, swollen and
hanging down on lower jaw, and a little sore. On swallowing
muscles of pharynx and throat are sore.
Since November 28th. — Soreness on top of foot, inside, as
though the bones were sore when walking.
CLINICAL CASES.
E. W. Beeeidge, M. D.
(1) Kali-carb. Mrs. T., aged thirty, October 9th, 1882.—
About a week ago caught cold ; neuralgia in vertex came on,
for which she took some medicine of which she forgets the name ;
then the pains went to chest, and she took CausL, but without
relief. Present symptoms: Cough for a week; worse by day.
For five days, when coughing, pains in both sides of abdomen
like two knives going inward toward each other, doubling her
up, relieved by pressing with the hands. For fourteen days
constant raw pains in stomach pit ; it is now worse on cough-
ing, and after c ^.0hing has throbbing there. For seven days
wakes daily between five and six A. M., with aggravation of the
cough and pain in stomach and abdomen. Sputa, smoke-colored
round lumps, a little streaked with blood, and come flying out
of the mouth with force without any effort being needed. To-
day the cough makes her perspire ; the cough exhausts her.
Diagnosis of Remedy. — Sputa flying forcibly out of mouth is
under Badiaga, Chelidon. and Kali-carb. (the latter a clinical
symptom only), Chelid. and Kali have exhausting cough ; Kali
has the aggravation of cough at five A. M. The abdominal
symptoms, in connection with the cough, have not yet been
noted. I gave Kcdi-carb.%cm (Fincke) every three hours for six
days.
"October 23d. — Cough much better. The knife pains went on
second day ; the early morning aggravation ceased on third day.
The raw pain in stomach has not been felt since October 20th,
and there is no throbbing there, only a little cough and phlegm
in morning, with a little catarrh; the sputa no longer fly out;
cough makes her retch in morning, but she does not perspire
from cough. Soon quite well. The medical history of this
patient is suggestive. She was never well after her sixth con-
finement. Her local allopathic doctor said there was not much
208
CLINICAL CASES.
[June,
the matter, but as she became no better, she consulted the late
Dr. , a well-known allopathic gyncecologist (and abor-
tionist), who diagnosed displacement of uterus and introduced
a pessary. He told her she would be well in six months, but
as his prophecy was unfulfilled she consulted me, and obtained
considerable benefit, even before the above attack of cough
supervened. I found spinal symptoms and tenderness of spine,
but the allopathic gynaecologist never examined the spine; of
course, every patient that consulted him had uterine or ovarian
trouble, else why did they come to him?
(2) Sulphur. October 29th, 1879.— Mr. R., aged twenty-
nine, consulted me for sexual weakness ; erections imperfect ;
semen escapes too soon ; when straining at stool escape of
glutinous fluid ; scrotum flaccid. For eight years has been
sexually excessive, two or three times every night until latelv.
Now only two or three times a week, and only one coitus pos-
sible. Sulphur™"1 (F. C.) one dose and greater abstinence till
the power is restored. Improvement commenced in a week or
two, until the power increased and became quite natural.
(3) Thuja. October 5th, 1885. — Mr. R., after impure coitus
on September 15th, had gonorrhoea, with a soft lump having an
abrasion upon it, on left side of frenum preputice. The lump
smooth and painless. Thujacm (F. C.) and 50m (F. C.) removed
it. It began to loosen in a day or two.
(4) Causticum. May 1st, 1885. — Mrs. D., at four p. M., sudden
pain in inner side of right thigh where it joins the body, as if a
bruise, were pressed on ; worse when throwing left foot forward
in walking, and so bearing all the weight on right foot. Gave
Causticumcm (Swan) at 8.30 P. M. In two hours it wTas better;
next day only a little pain, and it soon went.
(5) Ferrum iodatum. December 20th, 1880. — Miss A. L. D.
complained of morning catarrh, hot and restless in bed, sweet
smell of urine. Gave Ferrum iodatum30 daily for a week.
March 23d, 1881, reports that the sweet odor soon went and
has never returned. She also improved generally, and said the
action of the remedy was very marked.
(6) Kcdi-bichr. — Mrs. D., aged fifty-four, was sent to me by
Dr. Swan, of New York. Consulted me June 18th, 1883.
Hot rising in throat after taking oily food, ale, or champagne ;
generally has a hot rising in throat when she lies down at night
after last meal. Lying on left side brings on the rising in
throat, with sensation of wind forming in stomach. Has been
like this all the winter and ever since. Kali-bichr.cm (F. C.)
daily for a week.
13S6.]
CLINICAL CASES.
209
June 23d. — Reports that the hot rising has not returned,
though she has had champagne ; neither has it returned on
lying down at night, not even when on left side. No more
feeling of wind forming in stomach, except very slightly. Feels
better generally. Kali-bichrm.cm (F. C.) alternate days for
two weeks. Patient sailed for New York, so that I did not see
her again.
(7) Drosera. — Mr. F. V., aged twenty-one, complained on
June 24th, 1884, of cough without much sound, from catching
cold while dressing at an open window four days ago. The
catarrh commenced in nose, then went to chest. Breath very
short. Yellow expectorations with cough. Dros.cm (Swan)
three times a day.
July 1st. — Reported that he was very much better after the
second dose ; breathing got quite well the same evening. Still
a little cough. Can now sing a little, which he had not been
able to do for weeks. Says the action of the remedy is " a
miracle." These symptoms ceased without repeating the
remedy.
Some months previously the patient had been to Dr. M., a
professed homoeopath, for throat symptoms. He gave him
gargle for the throat, two medicines in alternation, one having
a salt taste, and advised cutting the uvula, which, however, was
not done. After eight weeks of this mongrel treatment without
any benefit he consulted me, and the simillimum, Kali-bichrom.
in the Cm (F. C.) potency, relieved him speedily.
(8) Belladonna. — In a case of glaucoma, Bell.cm (F. C),
twice a day for two weeks, removed an appearance of a rainbow
halo around the flame of gas or candle ; the colors of the halo
were yellow, orange, and dark green, reckoning from the inner
circle. The sight also much improved.
(9) Cedron. July 5th, 1883. — Florence M., aged four, about
three weeks a^o was in Scotland, just recovering from whoop-
ing-cough. For the latter half of this time was exposed to a
bad odor from a drain, which resulted in ague. At first the
chill came on every other day at 9.15 A. M. The first four or
five chills lasted for about two hours, followed by fever for four
hours ; no sweat. Thirst all through chill and fever, craving
sips of cold water every four or five minutes. Light-headed
during fever. Her mother gave Aeon.1 for four days, after
which the chills began to shorten and sweat followed the fever.
Then she became quite constipated and looked yellow, for which
she received Podophyllum, strong tincture ; of this she had four
or five doses, but only the first acted. Nux vom} also failed.
17
210
CLINICAL CASES.
[Jiine,
She also took Chinehona3, two closes, two or three days ago ;
but this also, like the rest of the wn-homoeopathic treatment,
failed.
Present state. — For the last four or five days, since being in
London, has had a slight chill every day at irregular times,
lasting about fifteen minutes and followed by fever for about
forty-five minutes. After the fever very violent warm sweat,
chiefly on head and neck and hands, for fifteen minutes. Thirst
for cold water, little and often, through all three stages. After
the sweat falls into a heavy sleep for two hours, remaining
drowsy for three or four hours altogether. Unusually lively
before chill, laughing and jumping about. During chill and
fever desires to be covered ; during sweat desires to be uncovered.
Sleepy during sweat ; whining at any time. Still constipated ;
this morning gray stools after enema of hot water.
Diagnosis of Remedy. — Several remedies were indicated by
the different symptoms ; but as in intermittent diseases I have
found the initial symptom of the paroxysm, cozteris paribus, of
more diagnostic value than the rest, I selected Cedron, which
alone has the excitement before chill. It also has paroxysms
occurring at exactly regular intervals, which was a characteristic
of the case before the mother spoilt it by her wrong treatment,
derived from some mongrel domestic work on pseudo-homce «
opathy. I gave one dose of Cedron*^ (Fincke) at 11.15 A. M.
I did not see the child again ; but the mother reported that a
chill came on about fifteen minutes after the dose, lasting about
forty-five minutes, followed by sleep, with fever at the beginning
of the sleep for twenty-five to thirty minutes ; on waking, after
three hours' sleep, violent sweat. Two days afterward, at the
same time as the last chill, felt sleepy and slept for two hours.
The stools became natural. She has had no return since, up to
May 20th, 1884, the date of last report, though she has been in
a damp place, where both her parents had a slight attack of
malaria.
(10) Psorinum. April 13th, 1885.— W. K., aged thirty, suffer-
i ng from progressive locomotor ataxy. For four or five weeks has
had feeling when walking as if left foot were pulled round in-
ward; worse for the last two weeks, so that he sometimes
looked to see if it were really so. Gave Psorinumem (Fincke)
twice daily for two weeks.
April 27th. — Reports that after first or second dose this sen-
sation went " like magic," and he was able to walk very well ;
the foot seemed, if anything, to be turning a little the other way.
For the last three or four days has had a perfectly new symp-
1886.]
CLINICAL CASES.
211
torn, feeling as if the left great and next toes and adjoining parts
of foot, for about two inches upward, were being pulled up by
cords after walking a little distance. This new symptom ceased
after leaving off the medicine. £See Allen's Encyclopaedia, 454-
457.) In this case, one pathogenetic symptom was verified
clinically and another confirmed by a fresh pathogenetic effect.
In Allen, one hundred and five symptoms out of five hundred
and fifty are marked as verified ; yet because they are mostly
from the thirtieth potency they are all to be omitted in the new
Caricature of Drug Pathogency by Dr. Hughes and Company.
(11) Natrum muriaticum, July 31st, 1885. — The same patient
complained of headache just over eyes for fifteen to twenty
minutes after every meal except supper, after which meal he
feels " splendid f he has had it for about four weeks and it is
getting worse, so that he now has it all day, removed by sleep.
At times, pain like a rope round head, latterly drawn tighter
and tighter. For last two or three weeks, at times after walking
a little, feels as if stepping on air. Nat-m.*™- (F. C.) twice a
day for two weeks and to leave off eating salt.
August 18th. — Reports no more headache since the day after
commencing the medicine ; no rope pains ; no more feeling of
stepping on air.
September 18th. — No return of above symptoms.
(12) Lachesis. April 25th, 1885. — Miss Jessie S., aged six-
teen. Cough for two weeks ; worse at night ; causes lachry-
mation, watering of mouth, and pain in stomach ; sputa are
swallowed. Lachesis 3cm (Boericke) three times a day for eight
days. May 7th, reports cough better next night, and ceased,
with all the concomitant symptoms, after two days.
(13) Sulphuric acid cm (Fincke) removed a cough followed
by eructations, in a case of phthisis, which it much improved.
{14) Nitric acid. September 12th, 1885.— Mr. W., aged
thirty-eight, two or three weeks ago noticed an abrasion on
penis, near where he had a soft chancre eight years ago j he
applied a yellow powder obtained from an allopath ; this healed
it, but it cracked again. For three days has used a lotion pre-
scribed by a Parisian allopath, which caused it to suppurate.
He has now, on right side of inner surface of prepuce, an ulcer
surrounded by an inflamed and indurated areola ; it becomes
more inflamed after walking ; no pain in ulcer. The last impure
coitus was in last week of July or first week in August ; he
thinks the latter. To apply wet lint to chancre; total absti-
nence from alcohol. Nit-ac.mm (Fincke) twice daily for fourteen
days.
212
CICATRICIAL TISSUE..
[June,
September 24th. — Ulcer healing ; less deep ; less inflamed by
walking; no longer indurated. Repeat medicine as before.
December 28th. — Reports that the ulcer healed within ten
days after last consultation. There has been no return and no
secondary symptoms.
REMEDIES WHICH ACT ON CICATRICIAL
TISSUE.
E. Fornias, M. D., Philadelphia.
Asafcet. — When old sores break open and turn black, especially
on stump of amputated limb, with neuralgic pains.
Borax ven. — When old wounds and ulcers are inclined to re-
open and suppurate.
Calc. phos. — When the scars left after an amputation ulcer-
ate.
Carbo an. — When there is stinging in scars. They may
break open and end in ichorous suppuration.
Causticum. — When cutaneous injuries, which had healed,
become sore again ; due, perhaps, to over-fatigue, night-watch-
ing, and anxiety.
Crocus sat. — When old cicatrized wounds reopen and sup-
purate.
Crotalus. — When old cicatrices break open again ; especially
if due to a low state of the system, septic influences, or the
abuse of alcohol, or if there should be an oozing of dark blood
from them.
Fluoric acid. — When old cicatrices become red around the *
edges, covered or surrounded by itching vesicles, or they itch
violently, especially if near the joints or bones.
Graphites. — When there is much burning in old cicatrices,
especially in those remaining after mammary abscesses or ulcers.
It has the power to remove cicatricial hardness, wherever
present.
Hyperic. — When the cicatrices are located in parts rich in
sentient nerves, as the fingers and toes, with much pain. Also
after amputations, when the ends of nerves are involved
lodium. — When the scars itch, break open, or pimples break
out on them. Scrofulous diathesis.
Kali. bich. — When, after ulcers, the cicatrices remain de-
pressed, or for deep stinging scars on the hand, after palmar
abscess.
1SSC]
CICATKICIAL TISSUE.
213
Lachesis. — When scars redden, hurt, break open and bleed,
especially if when open they become surrounded by many small
pimples or a purple areola.
Sulph. acid. — When scars become blood-red or blue, and
painful.
Synopsis.
Scaes :
Break open. — Asa/., Borax ven., Carb. a., Crocus, Crotal.,
Lodium., Laches.
" " and turn black. — Asaf.
" " and turn blue. — Laches.
" " and bleed. — Crotal., Laches.
" " and suppurate. — Carbo a., Croc, Borax ven.
Hurt before they break open. — Laches.
" but do not break open. — Sidph. ac.
" not, but break open. — Crotalus.
Become black. — Asaf. (after breaking).
" red. — Laches (before breaking).
" blood-red. — Sidph. ac. (painful).
" blue. — Sulph. ac, Laches, (after breaking).
" gangrenous, after they break open. — Ars., Laches.
Turn red, hurt, break open, and bleed. — Laches.
" blood-red and hurt. — Sulph. ac.
" blue and hurt. — Sulph. ac.
c< red around the edges. — Fluor, ac.
Surrounded by itching vesicles. — Fluor, ac.
" by many small pimples. — Laches.
u by a purple areola?. — Laches.
Pimples break out on them. — Lodium.
In the lingers and toes, very painful. — Hyperic.
In the hands, with stinging. — Kali bich.
Near the joints or bones. — Fluor, ac.
When septic influences, or a low state of system cause them to
break open. — Crotalus, Laches.
When their opening is due to the abuse of alcohol. — Crotalus.
When they remain depressed. — Kali bich.
After mammary abscess, with much burning. — Carbo a.,
Graph. (Apis, Ars.).
After palmar abscess, with stinging. — Kali b. (Apis.).
After ulcers. — Borax v., Kali b., Graph.
After amputation, if they ulcerate. — Calc. phos.
After amputation, if they break open and turn black, with
neuralgic pains. — Asaf.
214
HYDROPHOBIA.
[June,
After amputation, if very painful from pressure on the ends
of nerves. — Hyperic.
Burning in. — Graph., Carb. a. {Apis., Ars., Hep.).
Stinging in. — Carb. a. (Apis.), Kali b. (in hands).
Itching in. — Iod'. Violently. — Fluor, ac.
Sore again after healing. — Caustic.
HYDROPHOBIA : PREVENTION AND CURE.
The interest of the public in this subject, and especially in the
experiments of M. Pasteur for the protection of those who have
unfortunately been subjects of attack by rabid animals, may be
accepted as a reason for giving to it the limited experience of
the writer in both prevention and cure of this most dreaded of
all diseases. And, first, as to prevention of the development
of the disease in those who have been bitten by mad animals.
Attention was called to the possibility of this many years ago,
and also to means by which this might be, and had been many
times, successful, as he alleged, by that very intelligent and
earnest believer in and advocate of the Homoeopathy of Hahne-
mann— the Hon. Alexis Eustaphieve, Consul General from
Russia to the United States. He wrote several papers on the
subject which were characterized by singular intelligence and
earnestness, which were given to the public in the daily papers
of New York. These able communications attracted the atten-
tion of the public less than their merits warranted. They
were published years before Pasteur was heard of, if not before
he was born. The principles involved in the methods of
Eustaphieve and Pasteur were apparently the same, though
their means and their manner of administration were quite
different. The number now living who retain a recollection of
the Eustaphieve papers must be small. If any are tempted to
inquire why these important documents were allowed to fall so
soon into forgetfulness, it may be accepted as a sufficient reason
that their author was a known advocate of Hahnemann's Homoe-
opathy, and the prevailing medical opinion and practice of that
day were violently opposed to this, and the public took their
cue from the doctors. The doctors of old physic were seem-
ingly determined that "no good thing" should "come out of
this Nazareth " if they could prevent it. And then the Consul
was not a doctor, and his papers fell upon the ears of such as
conceit had long ago carried far away from the possibility of
being taught anything, and especially by those not of their own
188C]
HYDROPHOBIA.
215
persuasion. Those who already know all about it make but un-
promising pupils, whoever may be the teacher. They have been
only too ready to glorify Pasteur, while they wholly ignored
what seems to us the better and safer method of the Consul.
Did they refuse to be taught by one who had had many and
positive experiences of prevention and cure of this most dreaded
of all diseases because of the plenitude of their own knowledge
of other and better means for the accomplishment of these
ends? — means the use of which had been followed by greater
successes? Not so at all. The history, which will not lie,
when written, will certainly declare of these men that as to
hydrophobia they had neither knowledge, means, nor successes.
Is it not this very want of knowledge which has caused them
to shout paeans to Pasteur and inoculation before its value was
established by successful issues of its practice? So they swal-
lowed Koch's microbes whole, and glorified Koch, before they
knew aught of the truth, value, or importance of his asserted
discovery. Would it not seem that with them any man's im-
aginary schemes and means are worthy of their attention and
confidence; but as to the truth, discovered and many, many
times confirmed, if in any way related to Homoeopathy or ema-
nating from any one advocating or practicing it, they will have
none of it.
Prevention of the development of hydrophobia after a person
has been bitten by a rabid animal has been a question on which
much thought and labor has been expended. The result has
boon a resort to means — supposed to be adapted to this end — of
very various kinds. The art of surgery has been many times
and actively employed, and always with one result — viz. : fail-
ure! This resort has seemed to have promise of success in it
only because of false views of the nature and action of the cause
of the disease. This has been regarded as a material thing, in-
sorted by the teeth of the rabid animal into the organism of the
bitten person. So the problem before this view has been to get
this thing out, or to destroy it where it has been deposited in the
wound. For this purpose the knife, cauteries, caustics, and es-
charotics have been early and actively employed to destroy or
remove this thing before there had been time for the supposed
material, destructive agent to be taken into the circulation and
carried beyond the reach of these surgical means.
The defect in this view, and the consequent universal failure
of success from these mechanical means, is in mistaking the ve-
hicle in which the poison is conveyed into the organism for the
poison itself. This, so far from being a material something
216
HYDROPHOBIA.
[June,
which can be cut or burned out when once thrust into the body,
is a veritable dynamis which instantly pervades the whole
bodily mass and impresses on this and on every tissue of it its own
nature ; so that for its destruction or expulsion no amount of
cutting or burning can be of the least service. It would be as
reasonable and, we may add, as "scientific" and successful, to
attempt to cut out of the body the electricity with which the
lightning-stroke has killed it ! And yet to this day, and not-
withstanding these agents have never, so far as we know, pro-
tected any bitten unfortunate, they are the first and constant and
only resort of old physic, as though there had ever been a single
success from their use to encourage hope in surgeon, patient, or
friends. So great is the blinding power of habit, prejudice, and
ignorance ! " Has not this always been the resort of those of
greatest repute as healers? Then who shall impugn their in-
telligence or their practice ?" It may be a sufficient reply to
this question if we ask, Does not unvarying want of success
make other condemnation of it superfluous?
If the dynamic nature of the virus be accepted, as truth re-
quires, then the next logical step in seeking prevention will be
to look for it in some other dynamis related to this of the virus
as its natural conqueror. This has resulted in the recommenda-
tion of three different means by different authors, the use of
which avails of the same principle in effecting, or in endeavors to
effect, the desired prevention — viz. : the principle of the similars.
Hahnemann recommended dynamized Belladonna, a few doses
of which, he affirmed, would secure this object. His confidence
in this assertion was based on the likeness of the pathogenetic
record of this medicine to the phenomena of hydrophobia. Ex-
perience has confirmed the accuracy of his judgment and justi-
fied his confidence in the principle of that natural law which
revealed to him this truth : The most similar remedy is both the
cure and prophylactic of diseases.
Eustaphieve, on this same principle, recommended the poten-
tized virus itself as that which would most certainly protect,
because the most certainly like in its effects to the phenomena of
the disease. This virus has been dynamized and proved, and is
known as Lyssin and Hydrophobinum. The Consul was a native
of the Ukraine, in Russia, where this disease is very common,
resulting from attacks by rabid wolves. There, he affirmed, he
had seen its success many times.* Fortunately, the disease is
* A part, and, the Consul said, an important part, of the Russian practice
with the bitten was to watch daily for the appearance of a vesicle under the
tongue of the patient, which usually shows itself in the second or third week
1886.]
IIYDKOPHOBIA.
217
not of common occurrence here. It has been the duty of the
writer only once in his long course of practice to care for those
bitten by a supposed rabid clog. Perhaps this case may have
such interest in it as to warrant its recital.
In November, 1847, I was called to care for a young man of
twenty-four or twenty-five years and a boy of seven years who
had been bitten, each, through the thick part of the thumb while
the young man, who was leading the boy by the hand, was try-
ing to protect a lady from the attack of a dog which had already
torn her dress badly and was showing great rage. The dog was
well known in the neighborhood — had belonged to a man who
had moved to a distant Western State, leaving his dog behind
with no owner to care for him. He was known as a peace-
able and harmless animal in all the neighborhood, and to have
been feeding since his owner's departure on the carcass of a dead
horse. The dog was found dead the day after he had bitten my
patients in an unoccupied carpenter's shop in the shavings under
the bench. There were no signs of any violence having been
practiced on the dog nor any evidence of cause of death other
than that he had died of disease of some kind. And taking the
facts as I have given them — his former known harmless char-
acter, his great rage at the time of the biting, his late vagabond
life, together with this other and, perhaps, important fact : that
another boy, in the immediate neighborhood, at about the same
time was bitten by a dog and soon died with all the fearful
manifestations of hydrophobia — the conclusion, though it could
not he positively proved, was not unreasonable that the clog died
of hydrophobia and that he was suffering from its rage when he
bit my patients. This was supposed to have been the dog which
bit the boy who died ; but this could not be proved. Nor could
it be proved that the dog was rabid, but the facts seemed to
justify a reasonable presumption that he was.
It was certainly safest to act on this conclusion. After a per-
sonal interview with the Consul, the patients got the nosode Hy-
drophobi nun every twelve hours for a week, and were watched
for three weeks more, but there were no manifestations of sick-
ness of any kind in either, nor any of hydrophobia afterward.
Of course, prevention of the disease was not positively proved in
this case, though we are warranted by the facts in claiming pre-
after the bite. If left to itself, its contents are absorbed within the first twenty-
four hours after its advent. It is to be punctured and its contents thoroughly
washed out, and then prevention is secured. If this be neglected and the
contents of the vesicle are taken up, then the disease is certain to appear in
due time.
218
HYDROPHOBIA.
[June,
sumptively that the treatment protected the patients. There was
no resort whatever to any means in these cases but to the sup-
posed specific remedy. The result left nothing more to be de-
sired. If called to care for another unfortunate in similar cir-
cumstances, we should repeat the practice with good hope of
success.
The third method of procedure for prevention of the develop-
ment of the disease in those who have been bitten is that 'of
Pasteur. This, more than any other, has seized on the public
attention and gained public confidence to an extent not war-
ranted by any facts yet given us. It is worthy of remark that
the agent employed by the French savant is the same as that of
the Russian method. The difference is in the mode of its ad-
ministration. And just here we have a lesson of the limited
vision of old physic as to principles of philosophy and prac-
tice. The start point of Pasteur was the claimed protection
from variolous contagion by the insertion of the vaccine virus.
And such hold had this on old physic, that it at once talked of
his method as a "vaccination" with the hydrophobic contagium,
and gave to this at once, on most inadequate evidence, a confi-
dence but little, if at all, less thau that given to the method of
Jenuer. There has been no recognition by it of the essential
difference in the nature of the two problems. In the one the
question is, the extinction in the organism of its susceptibility
to the action of a specific poison, which susceptibility is extin-
guished by one experience of its effects. The effects of the
vaccine virus are so similar to those of the variolous that it does
sometimes (not always) extinguish this susceptibility. The pecu-
liarity is, the system, as a rule, recognizes no second impression
of the variolous contagium. Unfortunately, the fatal results of
the action of the hydrophobic contagium have been so uniform
that there has been no opportunity for observations as to suscep-
tibility to second attacks of the poison.
We have said we have, in this haste of old physic to seize on,
advocate, and adopt this method of Pasteur, a lesson as to its
limited vision of principles of philosophy and practice. Its
eagerness in this case to approve and adopt practice founded on
the same principles as that other which it has ever and so earn-
estly hated and opposed, is a demonstration of this of no little
interest. It seems to have had no perception of the fact that
this method of Pasteur is in its principles and nature homoeo-
pathic. So far as there is anything good in it, the result is only
the outcome of imperfect obedience of the law of similars. Old
physic didn't know, which explains all this.
1S36.]
HYDROPHOBIA.
219
Then this limited vision is further demonstrated by its par-
tial acceptance of inoculation as a prophylaxis in cholera epi-
demics. This is the more remarkable, as there seems to be no
principle involved which can give any promise of hope of suc-
cess from this resort. We do not see how this partial accept-
ance can be excused, otherwise . than that inoculation is the
present craze of old physic, unless it should be pleaded that the
collapse from so great hopes of good from a knowledge of
Koch's microbes, from utter failure of any successful practice
based on these, has left its adherents in a practical intellectual
daze. It is evident they can't see the principles and elements
of things which characterize their differences.
Then, as to the cure of hydrophobia, what has old physic to
offer to the hopes of those who need curing ? Only a succession
of almost uninterrupted failures, which have marked all its past
history. And is it, therefore, the more willing to receive
instruction from those who have a better record? They are not
more willing ; they only cherish and manifest the spirit of the
Pharisees of the olden time when they could not gainsay the
fact of the new vision given to him who had been blind : " Dost
thou teach us f"
It cannot be otherwise than pleasant to all who love truth
because it is truth, to contrast this record of failures with the
successes which were promised by Hahnemann from the use of
the rightly selected remedy, and which promise has been fully
redeemed by the use of such remedies. In the Archiv fur
Ilomceopathische Heilkunst, Band X, Theil 3, S., 85 et seq., is
given in detail the facts and treatment of a case of this disease
which had been under treatment by old physic till sentence of
death in a few hours had been passed on the sufferer by her old
school attendant. The sentence seemed to be justified by the
described condition of the patient. She was really in extremis.
Still, she responded to the action of the selected specific remedy
and was by this restored to perfect health.* The remedy
selected was one of a group which Hahnemann had pointed out
as numbering in it the important remedies for hydrophobia.
The patient got only one remedy.
It has been the duty of the writer to care for only one case of
fully developed hydrophobia. The experience he had with this
was not of little interest to him. A recital of this case may
interest others. He was called one morning in July, 1848, to
* Boenninghausen was the prescriber and reporter of this case. It occurred
in January, 1830, and was reported by him in 1S31.
220
HYDROPHOBIA.
[June,
see the man who had the care of his horse. He was said to have
taken cold and had a sore throat. I found him in bed, complain-
ing of headache, sore throat, great dryness of the throat, painful
swallowing, sleeplessness, restlessness; his face was red and hot;
eves red, injected, brilliant, with a somewhat wild expression ;
skin hot, dry, and congested; intelligence clear; pulse, 110 per
minute and hard. He gave clear and intelligent answers to
questions put to him. As there could be no doubt as to the
remedy the pathogenetic effects of which were most like the
phenomena before me, I called for a cup of water and a teaspoon,
dissolved a few pellets of Belladonna33 in the water, and offered
the patient a teaspoonful of it. As soon as he saw the water he
went into a violent convulsion. When he came out of this, I
said: "Mike, what is the matter?" "That's the way I be,
sir," was the answer. My diagnosis, which I had not thought
of — i. c., of giving a name to the case — was made for me. I had
not thought of hydrophobia, but only what will cure this man.
I tried a second time to give him a dose of the solution, and
again the sight of the water was followed by another convul-
sion. I asked : " What have you been doing? Have you been
bitten by a dog?" " No. I buried one which had been killed
because it was mad." He got the blood and slaver from the
dog's mouth on his hands, which were cracked. The phenomena
before me were the result of this carelessness. Did this now
clearly declared diagnosis call for a change of the selected
remedy ? He was said to " have taken cold." But this had had
nothing to do with the selection of the chosen remedy ; this was
determined only by the sick phenomena of the case, and the word
u hydrophobia " had as little to do with changing the choice, as
it made no change in the phenomena of the sickness. The pa-
tient, after he came out of his second convulsion, was directed
to close his eyes and open his mouth as wide as he could, which
he did, and a spoonful of the solution was thrown into his throat
as far down as possible. This was swallowed without spasmodic
resistance. This was to be repeated every four hours. This
first visit was on Thursday.
The next day (Friday) he had less fever, less pain in head and
throat, was less restless, had slept some during the night — in
short, was better. Continued the remedy.
Saturday. — Still further improved. Continued the remedy.
Sunday he was so far recovered that in the morning he sat
at the table and ate a bowl of bread and milk as comfortably as
ever he did and his final recovery seemed assured. But there
had been for three days a very earnest interference by the father
1886.]
HYDROPHOBIA.
221
of a young boy who had been recently bitten by a dog, -who
wished to send my patient to the hospital at Flatbush that a
knowledge that there was a case of hydrophobia in the neighbor-
hood might not come to his very nervous wife, the mother of the
bitten boy ; he feared the worst of consequences if she should be
told this fact. He beset the patient's employer, his doctor, and
the patient himself, without ceasing, till finally the patient con-
sented to go if I could be permitted to attend him at the hospi-
tal. This permission was obtained from the city authorities,
without which the patient positively refused to go.
On Sunday morning the patient walked from his house to the
stable, a distance of about one hundred rods, alone. I saw him
there while he waited for the wagon which was to take him to
the hospital. He was perfectly rational, and the only sign of
the dread malady he showed was an occasional look, as of sud-
den apprehension, over his shoulder, as if there were some
frightful object behind him.
I was to see him at the hospital the next day at one o'clock
p. M. My late esteemed neighbor, Dr. John Barker, accom-
panied me to the hospital. We arrived ten minutes past one,
and were told the patient had been dead about ten minutes !
We could learn nothing of the treatment he had been subjected
to, or of what happened to him after his reception at the hospital.
I could not see the physician who had treated the patient, but
learned he would have no homceopathists about his hospital (of
course, he owned it), and had his own wa}r, having killed poor
Mike before my arrival ! I saw Mike, dead, and saw he had
been bled !
I say hilled poor Mike, because, having seen him just before
he left for the hospital, and knowing the progress toward re-
covery he had made under the action of the specific remedy, and
how little there was remaining to be cured on that Sunday
morning, I can have no doubt, if let alone from that time, the
specific he had already taken would have been equal to com-
pleting the cure. But he was not let alone. What he was made
to endure besides the bleeding I do not know. I only know it
cost the poor man his life. Perhaps this was the crudest exhi-
bition of old-school prejudice, hate, and ignorance I have met,
and the outcome was the saddest. And it seems the more un-
pardonable because we cannot suppose this doctor ignorant of the
fact that old physic cures no such cases. We may, perhaps,
hope it has killed few in so short a time.
P. P. Wells.
CLINICAL BUREAU.
CASES FROM THE PRACTICE OF DR. KUXKEL,
KIEL, WITH REMARKS BY S. L.
One of the old guard, dear old Dr. Kunkel, publishes cases
from his practice, for the instruction and edification of our
younger brethren, in the Allg. Horn. Zeitang of 188G. A ser-
vant girl, aged twenty, sick for a year, and for the last two
weeks an inmate of the University Hospital. She complains of
severe cutting, lancinating pains in the pit of the stomach,
especially nights, and most severe after midnight, so that she
has hardly any sleep. Thirst off and on ; pulse accelerated, 100.
On pressure a spot in the gastric region is sensitive. She was
discharged from the hospital ; advised to take walks in the fresh
air ; but this always made her worse, and she had to rest and
lean forward. In bed she took up the same position. To sit
up straight, or to stretch herself out, she could not endure dur-
ing the painful paroxysms ; constipation, discharges painful,
or diarrhoea; micturition normal. Mouth, throat, and lips
mostly dry at night, rhagades on lips. Nutrition did not suffer.
June 24th she received six powders Kali carb.90, to take a
powder morning and evening.
June 25th. — Patient slept the whole night; felt better ; the
spot in the epigastrium still somewhat sensitive ; pulse only
slightly accelerated. She had the two following nights slight
attacks of two hours' duration, which were the last ones, till the
following September, when the same symptoms returned again,
and were again relieved by the same remedy.
It may appear strange that while the first dose removed the
pains for a whole night, the pains returned, notwithstanding
the continuation of the remedy ; but we may expect such mani-
festations in neuralgia, as they correspond to the physiological
relations of the nerves. Their action, when well, is subjected to
the laws of periodicity, and the same takes place in sickness and
during curative processes. It is only an apparent aggravation,
and we must abstain from changing the remedy on that account.
Remarks. — It is of no use to prescribe for the name of a
disease, for we looked in Jahr's Forty Years' Practice, in
222
June, 1886.]
CLINICAL BUJIEAU.
223
Kafka s Horn. Therapy, in Baehr's, Jousset's, and Hughes' works,
and failed to find Kali carb. mentioned among the remedies for
gastralgia. In my repertorial collections I find, under Kali car-
bonicum, gastralgia with cutting, lancinating, or constricting,
boring pains ; worse after midnight, in cold weather ; they can-
not sit up straight; hemorrhoids ;. constipation after confinement,
or very large formed fseces, which are nearly the same symp-
toms found in Dr. KunkePs case, and it would be a great bene-
fit to patients if every physician would be as well versed in our
Materia Medica as Kunkel is known to be. Allen, V, 292,
gives us: 693. Violent constrictive pains in the stomach,
at one o'clock at night, extending into the chest, and under the
shoulders, where they become sticking, with choking in the
throat and oppression of the breath; 651. Sticking in hepatic
region; 669. Cutting pain in the left side of the upper abdo-
men. 725. Cutting in the intestines ; violent pains; in order
to relieve it he is obliged to sit bent over, pressing icith both hands,
or to lean far back; he cannot sit upright ; 765. Large, painful
hemorrhoids. The characteristic symptom, the keynote of the
case, which we underlined, is not found in the condensed Mat
Med. of Hering, Lippe, or Cowperthwaite, and therefore, when
prescribing for a similar case, we might fail to hit the similli-
mum by putting our trust in these condensations. Professor
Allen promises us now another condensation from his Encyclo-
paedia, and though we willingly subscribe for a copy of it, we
cannot subscribe to the contents of the opus. In spite of all the
cry to weed out the chaff, we often find just such symptoms the
keynote, which these severe critics erase ; and though it may be
more troublesome to dig out the keynote from the so-called rub-
bish, it will pay in the end, for the cure will be cito, tuto, et
jucunde. Too often our laziness is to blame for our failures.
We acknowledge that, when reading the case, Dioscorea
struck us to be the remedy, for it has those radiating pains, re-
lieved by eructations and flatus, and worse after eating ; it has
sore lips, dry mouth, smarting of fauces ; but we miss the
nightly aggravation and symptom 501 of Allen gives us
" worse by stooping, at time had to walk around the room to get
his breath, very bad after riding or walking, when sitting
down," and 645, " hard pain about the navel, worse from doub-
ling up, better from pressure or motion."
Mention gastralgia, and every tyro will hold up his hand and
cry Nux vomica, for a light pressure increases the pain, and
hard pressure relieves. But Nux vomica has more tension and
pressure, a crampy pain in stomach and abdomen, than those
224
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[June,
stitching, lancinating pains which are so characteristic of Kali
carbonicum. Both have the aggravation after midnight and
from walking, with relief from sitting. How apparently trifling
symptoms may differentiate one remedy from another!
We meet that relief from bending forward in Argentum nit-
ricum, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, and Nux
vomica, but neither one, except Bryonia, has the characteristic
cutting, lancinating pains of the case, and the aggravations of
Bryonia are more before midnight than after it.
There are other points in this case Avhich are of equal inter-
est. The poor servant girl was already sick for a year, and if
during that time she received treatment, it is just so much the
worse for the treatment, and if her whole reliance was on the
vis medieatrix naturae, of which certainly this poor girl knew
nothing, it shows, high authorities notwithstanding, that the ex-
pectant method will not always suffice.* Kiel has its own uni-
versity and a medical faculty of great renown. Two weeks
she was under treatment at the college-hospital, and discharged
unimproved, with the kind advice to take a walk. We can
easily guess what that treatment was : Morphine injections, and
ferro-citrate of Quinine for the supposed ancemia or chlorosis,
perhaps aqua Laurocerasi, and by all means electricity. If all
fails, get rid of your patient by sending her to the seashore
or up the mountains. It is not unlikely that many physi-
cians of our own school also rely on such treatment, it is
so easy and secundum artem. Kunkel cured the case with
the ostracized thirtieth potency of Kali carbonicum, though
Clotar Muller confesses that he succeeded in cases with the
second and third potency where the higher one failed to make
any impression, and that it was a true homoeopathic cure is fully
demonstrated, because every symptom of the case finds its similli-
mum in the pathogenecy of the drug. What more does Horace
M. Paine, M. D., and his adherents want, to make a cure a
homoeopathic one? Heaven protect us from some physicians
of our own school. Against our enemies we are well able to de-
fend ourselves.
Mrs. H. Landmann, forty-two years old, rather obese and
plump, red face, dark-brown hair, consulted the doctor April
23d. She said that as a child she enjoyed good health, and
before her evolution, which appeared late, she suffered much
from colicky pains. About fourteen years ago, suppurating
glands around the neck, afterwards well. Inside of six months
*Kunkel here acknowledges bis mistake, and glories in Nil desperandum.
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
225
she underwent three operations for sarcoma of the frontal cav-
ities, and the surgeon refused to operate for the fourth time,
and then she was persuaded to try Homoeopathy. She com-
plains especially of severe headaches accompanying the growth
of the sarcoma, at first over the whole head, but especially over
the left eye, with nausea. There is swelling of that part, with
protrusion of the bone, which is not sensitive to pressure. From
a fistulous opening above the root of the nose flows a watery,
odorless secretion. When waking the head feels especially
heavy, and the heat of the bed relieves the headache. The
pains increase in a hot room. Dry skin ; only the axillae per-
spire. Often severe itching in nucha. When, after the last
operation, the headache reappeared, it always set in at noon for
a few hours, but now it is continuous. Perfect insomnia. Com-
plained always during menstruation of headache for a few days.
Prescription : Sepia200, daily one dose.
May 8th. — Headache the first day, which then diminished,
but for six days pains over the whole back ; now pains in stom-
ach and appearance of hemorrhoids ; swelling and pains over
the eye ; the suppuration also diminished and secretion thinner ;
still surring in ears and loss of smell.
May 19th. — Headache and suppuration worse. Sepia3 for
two days and one day nothing.
May 30. — Headache still increasing. Calcarea3 daily.
June 8th. — No change in the pain ; stitching and itching
severe ; hemorrhoids not troublesome ; sleep fair. Silicea200 daily.
July 1st. — For three days pains again, but only about noon;
less stitching and itching.
August 16th. — Silicea200 was continued all this time. Head-
ache now increases again, and she was ordered Silicea 3d
cent., and immediately pain and suppuration decreased. Air
only penetrates the nostrils off and on. Silicea30 daily, for
a long time, but without great success, till finally Graphites, 3d
and 2d cent., removed the pain entirely ; but the woman itched
now terribly, for which Nitric acid, 3d and 2d, and then Staph-
isagria, 30th and 1st, were given. Patient had been over and
over examined during several years to find out a lesion of any
organ ; she took Aurum2 for nearly a year, but a gynaecological
examination had been totally neglected. This was done, and
revealed collum uteri hard and painful, especially the anterior
lip ; uterus somewhat enlarged, nearly immovable. This indi-
cated Platina30, which removed all pains in the pelvic or-
gans and the induration of the collum, the uterus became
more movable. For several vears she now had been free of all
18
226
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[June,
former headaches, and Platina3, followed by decreasing po-
tencies of Nitric acid and Phosphoric acid, restored her to
health. A small fistula of one-half cm depth, on the forehead,
will be removed by external treatment.
Sepia, Calcarea, Silicea, Graphites, Nitric acid, Staphisagria,
Platina, Nitric acid, Phosphoric acid, finally, and the treatment
of the case lasted nearly five years — from 1879 to 1883. What
patience from doctor and patient, and how it pays never to give
up hope in such a psoric case, just as we see that the selections
among our drugs were nearly all antipsorics. The patient was
certainly of a psoric or scrofulous nature, and we may well ask
what is a sarcoma which the surgeon extirpated three times
without preventing its growing again, and then was afraid to
touch it again, just what he ought to have been from the start.
Birch-Hirschfeld, in Eulenburg's Encyclopaedia, xi, p. 670,
defines sarcoma as fibroplastic tumors, consisting purely of
embryonal tissues, or of a tissue which only shows the first
modifications, appearing in passing into definitive tissue (Cornel
and Bouvier), and divides them into fibro-sarcoma, with preva-
lence of fusiform elements, of hard consistency, and growing
from a subcutaneous, intramuscular, or periosteal tissue, to which,
probably, this case belonged, and in about a dozen other forms,
according to their consistency. Of all sarcomatous tumors, the
fibro-sarcoma is the most benign one, whereas a pigment sarcoma
is too often malignant. All have a tendency to relapses, because
the cells radiate deep into neighboring tissue with excessive
energy of proliferation, and hence the failure of extirpation is
easily explained; but as even a benign sarcoma may finally be-
come malignant, surgical authors recommend its early removal
during the stage of its benignancy, though failures to keep it
from growing again are too often recorded.
Gilchrist truly remarks, in his Surgical Therapeutics, p. 255,
that if an operation is attempted, treatment must be immediately
instituted to prevent recurrence, and recommends Hecla lava,
Arnica, Arsenicum, Aurum, Mezer?um, Phosphor, Silicea. He
confesses that treatment does not hold out any flattering promise.
Helmuth, in his Surgery, p. 115, gives us a beautiful case of
spindle-celled sarcoma, with its rudimentary, incomplete, and
preponderating cell-element. The mother of the patient had
succumbed to phthisis, showing again that psora lies at the foun-
dation of all these dyscrasise. May not that psora of Hahne-
mann, which makes itself known in so many diverse ways, have
its foundation in a want of development, the whole constitution
remaining in a lower state of maturity, and the disease thus re-
1886.]
CLINICAL BUKEAU.
227
taining its embryonal or fatal character? Arndt, in his classical
work on Neurasthenia, p. 107, accepts this state as one of the
chief causes of this now fashionable disease, and Brehmer, in his
JEtiology of Phthisis, agrees fully to it. To eradicate that psora,
if possible, must be our chief duty, though mechanical surgery
is in its place to relieve the patient from his present sufferings.
KunkePs patient complained chiefly of headache, especially
over the left eye, with nausea where the bone is pushed outward
by the swelling, and in the morning on awaking, in a hot room
and by the heat of the bed ; dry skin — only axillary perspira-
tion ; itching in neck ; had always headache before menses,
and Kunkel gave Sepia (which failed to bring much relief) and
followed it by Silicea, high and low. In fact, during the whole
treatment of the case the lower potencies acted far better, show-
ing us how necessary it is to take account of the state of the
patient; for we may suppose that after going through three
operations the vitality of that woman was greatly below par and,
hence, not responsive power enough left for a high potency.
The selection of Sepia was certainly a good one, for it is a grand
remedy in migraine of leucophlegmatic or ansemic women, hint-
ing so often at uterine troubles. The pain is from within out-
ward, especially on left side, with nausea and fainting spells,
beginning as soon as waking up, lasting the whole day, and
only relieved by lying down ; the aggravation in a hot room
finds its correspondence in the amelioration in the open air,
when it is pleasant.
We all know what a grand remedy Silicea is in chronic sup-
purations and in headaches from nervous exhaustion, and still
we do not wonder that it failed to give permanent relief, which,
according to the statement, was done by Graphites. The French
physicians consider black lead the chief remedy for the dartrous
constitution — another name for psora; but just as the poison
may throw itself on the external skin and produce herpetic
eruption, so also may it spend its force on some other tissue
and produce tumors. In fact, Graphites is also an excellent
remedy in female complaints, as the genital organs are only an-
other outlet for the poison, and we meet in this remedy, espe-
cially, aggravation of all troubles in the morning when awaking,
with that neurasthenic condition which only finds some relief
by rest in bed.
Though the headache disappeared, that sarcoma gave Kunkel
a great deal of anxiety, for he gave now, as constitutional regene-
rators, Nitric acid, Staphisagria, and for a long time — nearly a
whole year — Auruin metallicum. Did he think of a specific
228
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[June,
infection (for the sins of the fathers shall be punished in the
third and fourth generation) and in affections of the bones, be
they of syphilitic or scrofulous origin, Aurum acts well. Sepia,
Nitric acid, Aurum ! — what a blessed combination in this case !
— for to them we attribute chiefly the cure of the case, and it is
wonderful to study how they complement each other.
Now comes the gynaecological examination and the same hy-
perplasia found there, which also produced the sarcoma, and
Kunkel thinks that Platina removed this induration of the
collum and the enlargement of the uterus, as it is considered
by many authorities the female Aurum, and it is well known to
have acted well in obstinate headaches, which resisted other treat-
ment for years. Was the uterine trouble the fons ef origo mafi,
or was not even this the sequela of the embryonic state of the
woman? Do we, homoeopathic physicians, not neglect too much
gynaecological examination for the reason that we are opposed
to local treatment, except for cleanliness' sake? But even a
Skinner teaches that such an examination is necessary for the
diagnosis and ought not to be neglected.
The case is interesting in its pathology, more interesting in
its therapeutics, and exceedingly instructive in its success. It
took five years and a lot of antipsorics to change the constitution
of that woman from a psoric to a healthy one, but success finally
crowned the zeal of the physician and the patient endurance of
the good woman.
ARGENTUM METAL LICUM IN TORPOR, ETC.
We believe is was Voltaire who, to make fun of the miserly
inclinations of the Genevese, improvised this anecdote : A stranger
seeing a woman lying unconscious in a faint, from which no
efforts seemed able to arouse her, asked, " Where does she live?"
" At Geneva," was the reply. " Ah ! then I have an infallible
cure for her," and taking a small silver piece, he placed it in the
unconscious woman's hand ; immediately the fingers clasped it,
and shortly the woman recovered sufficiently to pocket the
silver.
Now for the moral : It is common to hear subscribers exclaim
(for criticism is ever easy), " our journals are so dull, so stupid,"
etc. Now suppose these dissatisfied ones try to remedy this
torpor by a liberal dosing with Argentum. [Aurum might do as
well.)
Perhaps it may be found that the cause of this dullness is not
all on one side.
1886.]
CLINICAL BUKEAU.
229
SOME CLINICAL CASES.
W. S. Gee, M. D., Illinois.
Chloral hydrate. — Some weeks ago a gentleman presented
himself at the office complaining of a terrific headache. The
trouble had annoyed him for several days, and he decided to
have it no longer unless inevitable. He described it as being a
dull, heavy, aching pain in the forehead. It came each morning,
and was worse at eight a. m. Any sudden motion aggravated it,
such as turning the head quickly, speaking, or laughing, as he
had noticed when playing with the children. He could not lie
down, and was better when in the open air.
Comments. — When looking under agg. in King on Headaches
I found this help :
" Motion, sudden, Chlo."
" Lving down, Chlo.," and many others.
"Eight a.m., Chlo."
Amel. " in open air, Chlo.," and many others.
A comparison of symptoms convinced me that Chloral came
nearest to covering the totality of the symptoms. I had no
potency of that remedy, so procured some of the crude, and with
water made a saturated solution. From this I prepared potencies
on the decimal scale to the sixth, using distilled water as the
menstruum. He was waiting for his medicine, so that sufficient
time could not then be taken to potentize higher. He was given
some disks saturated with the sixth, and directed to take two
every hour until relieved. In the afternoon I was called to see
him, as his headache had grown much more severe. He said
he noticed a relief soon, but continued the medicine (he had
always taken the destructive treatment), and noticed that about
ten to fifteen minutes after each dose his headache was aggra-
vated. He was obliged to stop the medicine. The aggrava-
tion wore off by evening and he had a good night. In the
meantime I had potentized it with distilled water to the twenty-
fifth decimal, and he was directed to take one dose of it if the
headache returned. The next day gave him an opportunity to
use it, and the one dose ended the whole trouble.
Hydrophobin. — R., aet. twelve. Has complained for a week
of having a " sick feeling" whenever he sees or hears the water
running from a hydrant. Turns sick when eating. Feels weak.
Bowels loose, stools watery and painless. Hydroph.30 and Sac.
Lac.
230
CLTNICAL bureau.
[June,
He stated some days later that after taking two powders the
trouble all disappeared.
Bryonia. June 17th, 1885. — Pearl H., colored, set. ten,
states that for several years she has had an enlargement on the
right side of her neck. The tumor is situated in the course of
the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle, and moves as she turns her
head. It is hard, slightly movable, large as a pullet's egg. It
is, perhaps, an inch in diameter by about two and one-half
inches long, reaching up behind the angle of the jaw. She says
" It gets larger in summer and goes down in winter."
Complains of a sharp pain from above downward in the
tumor and lying on that side. Feels a " drawing" in it when
turning the head to the left. Pains at night on going to bed,
but they stop during sleep. Likes moderate weather, but has
more pain in hot weather and when in the hot sun. Gave Bry.2m
Sac. Lac.
June 27th. — The lump is not more than half its former size,
and feels soft as if it contains pus. The pain has all gone. She
can now lie on that side, turn her head to the left, or go in the
heat of the sun without pain. Sac. Lac. for three weeks.
A few weeks later I saw her on the street and the whole thing
had entirely disappeared, and she assured me that nothing was
used except what medicine she received from me. Whether
others have noticed this peculiarity I cannot say, but with me
Bry. or Sil. has cured the great majority of colored patients.
Nat. mur. March 27th, 1885. — Anna applied for re-
lief from a trouble which was very annoying, but she thought
medicine could not remedy. She presented the palms of both
hands, and the whole surface was thickly studded with warts.
She declared there were more than two hundred. They trou-
bled her much on sweeping-day, as they got very sore.
I could get no other symptoms, and on " warts in the palms
of the hands " gave Nat. ra., and she laughingly reported in a
few days, when all had entirely disappeared. The warts had not
appeared on other parts of the body.
Capsicum. February 26th, 1886. — Bessie O., set. twenty-six,
has been a sufferer for years from " dyspepsia " and destructive
treatment. She has had repeated attacks of " acute gastritis."
Has taken a " barrel " of medicine, and still lives. She gave a
long list of symptoms, among which were these : Soreness of the
stomach; burning, as if a fire was within the stomach, not
during, but immediately after eating ; hot or cold food or drinks
make no difference ; bowels regular ; urine and menses " natural."
Caps.lm (four powders) (B. & T.), Sac. Lac.
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
231
March 3d. — Felt better within two days, when all the burn-
ing and soreness were gone. Feels much better in every way.
The next day, after taking the first powder, she noticed a pecu-
liar odor, and it grew worse as she took the other powders —
four in all. It came on in spells ; says she has it now, and that
the odor is more like that from the burning of putrid meat than
any other with which she is acquainted. It goes with her from
one room to another and she has turned things about, thinking
it to have been about the bed, or the clothing of herself or
others. She " knows the medicine caused it." Has an itching
" tickling in the nose and the tip is hot." (See He-ring's Cond.,
Caps.). Sac. Lac. cured her.
INVOLUNTARY PROVING OF ARALIA.
G. M. Pease, M. D., California.
The following symptoms have occurred three different times
in a gentleman of light complexion and about fifty-five years
of age, each time under the same or similar circumstances.
Feeling that he had a slight cold, he chewed a small piece of
Spikenard root — sold in the shops under that name — but proba-
bly the Aralia racemosa of Allen's Encyclopaedia, The piece
chewed was not larger round than a small quill, and an inch in
length. Several of his acquaintances had used the Spikenard
root with benefit.
Twenty-four hours after chewing the root I found him with
the following symptoms :
Lips red and considerably swollen, having a feeling as if
parched. Mouth feels parched ; wants to keep the tongue mov-
ing to keep it moist, although there is profuse salivation ; the
saliva running from the mouth worse when he lies down. Roof
of the mouth covered with ulcers, irregular in size and shape,
having a yellowish- white covering (not membrane) looking like
pus. Throat swollen and sore, difficulty of swallowing on ac-
count of the sensation of having a " bunch" in the throat —
could hardly swallow past the " bunch." Voice husky and
weak. Patient imagines he was poisoned in this way because
he smoked, though he says that others who used the root were
also smokers.
The occurrence of exactly the same symptoms on three occa-
sions render it pretty certain that the drug was the cause.
Mercurius was the remedy given each time, and quick relief
followed.
232
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[June,
NOCTURNAL INCONTINENCE OF URINE.
In view of the paucity of objective and subjective symptoms
usually (the patients beina; generally very young), I know of no
disease which is so discouraging to the physician as the above.
Having recently read an article in Leonard's Illustrated Medi-
cal Journal, by Robert Farquharson, M. D., F. R. C. P. (allo-
pathic), I could not help comparing such uncertainties as there
given with the certainties the homoeopathic school presents to
its followers, and also how we may frequently wander in a maze
for want of clear-cut symptoms. This disease is very annoying
to the mother and causes great anxiety to the physician, unless
the symptoms are direct. Herewith I give two cases, occurring
during 1884, in my practice :
Case I. — Girl, three years, dark eyes and hair. The mother
was almost worn out from frequency of the bed-clothes or extra
cloths to be changed and washed, and the necessity of getting
up to attend to her, not to speak of the incontinence in the day-
time. The urine had no unusual smell, and, indeed, I could
elicit no positive concomitant. Hence, in hope of relief, I gave
several remedies in succession, until one day, I learned the child
was continually craving salt, when I gave her one dose of Nat.
murr00, which was not repeated until she wet the bed, three
weeks following. For five months following she has had no more
medicine.
Case II. — Boy, ten years, fair complexion and blue eyes.
This case had run the gauntlet of all the schools as well as a
goodly share of patent medicine for several years. The leading
symptom was " sharp shooting pain in left chest, close to sternum,
and parallel to it." Hering, Condensed Materia Medica, under
Ox. ac, gives "sudden lancinating in left lung, depriving him of
breath." " Sharp darting in heart and left lung, extending down
to epigastrium." The last symptom is also given in Pregg's
Tllus. Repertory. I gave him Ox. ac.6c , and in two days his
trouble ceased. He continues well up to date, now over seven
months ago.
[The above cases remind the editor that he, too, similarly had
a case of nocturnal incontinence of urine in a little girl that re-
sisted treatment for the very evident reason that no reliable indi-
cations could be obtained. Finally he was informed that the
child could pass urine, when awake, only ivhen standing. Sarsa-
parilla20 was given, which cured in forty-eight hours. —
W. M. J.]
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
233
VERIFICATIONS.
Alfred Heath, London.
Antim. tart. Cough. — A little girl, age four years, with whoop-
ing-cough of two or three months standing, had bronchitis and
congestion of lungs. Symptoms, very fretful before the cough,
with great quantity of phlegm. The mother said that if the
child got angry she immediately had a fit of coughing, and if she
was fretful for some time, and did not cough, in order to relieve
her of the phlegm she offered her something that she knew
would make her cough ; this always brought on the cough.
Ant. tart, at once cured the whole — whooping-cough, bron-
chitis, etc.
China off. Expectoration. — A young lady, aged thirty, had
abscess at bottom of right lung, with expectoration of gray,
white, stringy, tenacious mucus, full of lumps of white granules,
blood, and pus (shown by microscope), cough loose, causing
vomiting of food, with loud whooping spasms three or four
times in succession. After the above symptoms had been cured,
had occasional cough, expectorating lumps of whitish phlegm, full
of black grains, size of a small pinhead. China30 removed
this expectoration in two days ; no return, patient convalescent.
Zinc, metallicum. Urinating. — A gentleman about forty-five
cannot pass his.water standing, can only do so when sitting down.
Zincurn, twelfth decimal trit., immediately removed the trouble
It had been generally brought on or increased by any kind of.
worry.
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS.
Case I. — Man, age forty-two, had severe pain on inner aspect
of left knee, very sore to touch, point of pain easily covered with
finger end; sometimes better for motion, worse for pressure ; knee
joint cracked on stretching limb. Unsuccessful in relieving it
except temporarily, by Con., Colch., Rhus. Finally he com-
plained of a sore spot on abdomen about two inches above navel,
and the same distance left of median line. It was as sore as a
boil, but no external evidence. The aggravations were the same
as the knee, and remembering that Ranun. bulb, had " small,
sore spot, as from subcutaneous ulceration," vide Hering's Con.
Mat. Med. I gave Ranun. bulb.3x, when both troubles were
relieved.
234
NOTES AND NOTICES.
[June, 1886.
Case II. — The same man had intense soreness of instep
(Allen's Symp. Reg., p. 668) of left foot or bruised sensation ;
gave one dose of Bry.200, which gave relief in six hours.
Case III. — Man, aged twenty-nine, had ague several years
ago, which was broken up with Morphine. Since then has been
troubled every spring and fall with malarial manifestations,
which were usually suppressed with Quinine. Complained for
three weeks of headache one morning, and the hives the next
morning. Learned that he used to vomit bile during chill and
suffered greatly in his bones, I gave him Eup. perf.12c. The
next day he had chill, which he said was just like those he used
to have. Though fourteen months ago, he has had no more.
CLINICAL NOTES.
Rules for Use of Pessaries :
1. Be sure that the pessary is needed.
2. Always teach the patient to remove and introduce her pessary, and reject
all pessaries which do not allow of this. I am sure that every useful purpose
can be served by an instrument which may be taken out each night and
replaced in the morning.
3. Always have the pessary made of a material impermeable to moisture.
Soft, pure rubber, or vulcanite are the best. Leaving in diluted Condy's
fluid over night will make such perfectly clean and odorless. A pessary which
is at all absorptive becomes very foul and offensive.
4. Get your patients to soap all soft rubber pessaries. Oil spoils the rubber,
making it soft and porous.
—Dr. McLaren, Edinburgh Medical Journal, April, 1886.
Safe Method for Removing Foreign Bodies from the Ear.— Dr.
Jonathan Hutchinson writes as follows in the British MedicalJournal of April
10th, 1886 :
I am induced to draw attention to a method of treatment which I long ago
advocated, and which is so simple and efficient that it almost supercedes the
need of knowledge. It is the use of a silver wire-loop, instead of either
forceps or scoop. I have never, since I was a student, used either of the
latter instruments ; and for the purpose of extracting hard bodies from the
ear I hold that they are most dangerous. With a flexible silver wire-loop,
or, if need be, with two placed at right angles, I have repeatedly succeeded
when all other means had failed. Thus, not only is the loop quite devoid of
danger, but it is both more easy of use and far more efficient than any other
method. It is impossible that it can injure the membrana tympani or the
walls of the canal. The method of procedure is, after having put the patient
under an anaesthetic, to introduce the loop gently into the ear, and turn it
about until it is believed to have got behind the foreign body. This it will
often do at once ; but sometimes a little patience is necessary. In one instance
I took out a heavy piece of lead in this way with very little trouble, using two
loops at right angles with each other. The simplicity, safety, and efficiency of
the method make it desirable that it should be better known.
BOOK NOTICES.
A System of Medicine, Based upon the Law of Homoe-
opathy. Edited by H. R. Arndt, M. D. Volume III. Pp.1046.
Philadelphia : Hahnemann Publishing House, F. E. Boericke.
1886.
We take pleasure in congratulating Dr. Arndt upon the prompt completion
of his great labors. This, the third and closing volume of the System of
Medicine, is certainly a handsome volume. The three volumes are all gotten
up in the best style, and do credit to the Hahnemann Publishing House.
Would that their therapeutics were as creditable to Homoeopathy!
The present volume considers diseases of the skin, some eye and ear diseases,
and the " Constitutional Diseases." Under this dubious heading, the following
ailments are considered: Inflammation, tuberculosis, tumors, scurvy, purpura,
chlorosis, scrofulosis, cyanosis, anaemia, plethora, glanders, hydrophobia,
typhoid and typhus fever, yellow fever, malaria, dysentery, cholera, erysipelas,
influenza, parotitis, diphtheria, scarlet fever, measles, small-pox, vaccination,
whooping cough, epilepsy, pyaemia, syphilis, etc. — a most curious jumbling
together of diseases dissimilar and unlike. That such a variety of diseases
should be put under one heading shows the absurdity of classifying diseases
at all ; far better arrange them alphabetically, so one may sometimes find what
he seeks.
As to the therapeutic measures advised in this volume, they are as varied
as the authors and the diseases. Each writer advises such methods as his
little experience seems to warrant, and all is supposed to be " based upon the
law of Homoeopathy."
Samples of practice " based upon the law of Homoeopathy," like this are
truly amusing : " Small ulcers, which occur (in mouth,) in early syphilis
(what stage is "early syphilis"?) must be cleansed thoroughly with the
following solution of Permanganate of Potash." Why "must"? ''Must,"
because the " law' of Homoeopathy " demands it, or " must " because the
writer's petty experience approves of it? A vast difference exists between
these.
Throughout the whole volume we find the greatest respect paid to allopathic
authority, and extensive quotations from them, even upon the treatment of
diseases. Are these also " based upon the law of Homoeopathy " ?
In the preface to this volume the editor writes : "At the very inception of
the work the question arose whether to limit its scope to the strictest applica-
tion of the law of similars to the morbid conditions which constitute disease,
or to include every agent by actual experience in the practice of reliable
physicians of our school shown to be useful in the treatment of the sick.
****** Earnestly believing that it is the first and chief duty of the
physician to heal the sick, and persuaded that in actual practice it is de-
cidedly unwise to ignore the use of auxiliaries, which neither lessen the mar-
velous usefulness, nor mar the beauty, of the law of cure, he (the editor) un-
hesitatingly concluded to accept a plain duty and to provoke severe criticism,
rather than publish a work which, theoretically, might seem perfect, but
could not stand the test of actual practice.''
Why edit a system of medicine based upon a law which is merely theo-
retical, and which will not " stand the test of actual practice " ?
Again, how can "the law of cure " be " marvelously useful " if it cannot
" stand the test of actual practice " ?
If the " law of cure" be a law, it must be universally active and potent;
hence it can need no auxiliaries. Indeed, we might well ask, What are these
"auxiliaries" so frequentlv alluded to, but never accuratelv defined?
235
236
BOOK NOTICES.
[June, 1886.
Hygiene and dietetics are frequently mentioned as " auxiliaries," but they are
not therapeutic agents, strictly speaking, and all use them. If the alterna-
tion of remedies, crude dosage, topical applications, "tonic" medication, etc.,
be some of these "auxiliary" measures, then they surely do "lessen the mar-
velous usefulness" and positively " mar the beauty of the law of cure."
It is not the law that is weak and failing, but we, the physicians who use it,
who are ignorant, lazy, and exceedingly fallible. Let us, therefore, not use
expedients, but increase our knowledge of the materia medica and our ability
to apply the " law of cure." Then we will never need auxiliaries, nor find
our "system of medicine" unable to "stand the test of actual practice."
In conclusion, we must express our regret that so much eclectic practice
should have been allowed in these volumes to mar their usefulness to the
practitioner and to falsely instruct the student.
Chart of Fevers. Arranged from Professor T. S.
Hoyne's Lectures by J. P. Hough. Duncan Bros., Chicago.
This chart is a sheet some twelve or thirteen inches wide and about twenty-
four inches long, containing a description of fevers arranged in parallel col-
umns. These columns contain name, prodroma, character of the eruption,
duration, period of desquamation, pulse, temp., sequelae, varieties, pro-
phylactics, remedies, etc.
The chart is divided into three parts: Exanthematic Fevers, Continued
Fevers, Periodic Fevers. At a glance the physician can tell just what he
wishes to know about any given fever without any time lost in turning leaves
and reading material not immediately useful. Of course, the column con-
taining remedies is imperfect. This must necessarily be so when we remem-
ber how vast is our materia medica and how the most unexpected remedies
are suddenly indicated in any given case. This deficiency, however, is no
objection to the chart, which is exceedingly useful in diagnosis and prognosis.
Every physician who reads this notice should get one. W. If. J.
Chart for Urinalysis. Duncan Bros., Chicago.
This is a convenient tabular arrangement of all the principal tests for
determining the character of the urine. It is in the form of a sheet eleven
by seven and a half inches, and is intended to be hung up in the office for
ready reference. The tests are all good with one exception, Nitrate of silver,
which is in our opinion of comparatively little value. W. M. J.
PAMPHLETS RECEIVED.
Empyema : Herbert C. Clapp, M. D.
Use and Abuse of Instruments in the Male Urethra :
William B. Van Lennep, M. D.
The Test at the Bedside ; or, Homceopathy in the
Balance : Pemberton Dudley, M. D.
Of these pamphlets, we may remark upon those of Drs. Clapp and Van
Lennep, that the operations they discuss are needed only where Homoeopathy
fails, which is seldom when she has a fair chance. We do not see that these
gentlemen have adduced anything new in their essays.
Of Dr. Dudley's lecture, we can only say it gives a clear and forcible ac-
count of the trials and triumphs of Homceopathy, and is well worthy of being
read by all.
We believe the figures given by Dr. Dudley make too poor a showing for
Homoeopathy. The difference between homoeopathic and allopathic losses
are greater than he gives them.
Published by Mr. T. Engelbach, 154 Canal Street, New Orleans.
T HE
Homeopathic Physician,
«
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constantine hering.
Vol. VI. JULY, 1SS6. No. 7.
WHAT IS THE BEST METHOD OF SELECTING THE
KEMEDY?*
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn, X. Y.
It is evident, without argument, that this must be the method
of law. If there be a law, and if this is to govern this selection,
it must have had its origin in the mind which devised and
created the body the selected remedy is intended to heal. It
must then have been made one of the laws which were to
govern its life, especially its sick life. In order to a clear view
of the duty of this selection, let us go back to the scientific
elements involved in this and examine them, and see if from
them we can gain light on this best method.
The objective of this selection is the cure of sick humanity.
Then the first object of examination is man himself. And in
the outset we find him not an accident in the world, but the pro-
duct of an intelligent creating power, complex in his constitu-
tion, the many parts or organs of which were each formed for
the performance of its own special function, and each, in the
execution of its own office, when undisturbed, is in that perfect
accord with every other which conserves the organism as a whole
and each of its parts. This harmony of function is health.
Function is the result of motions in these organs, and in each is
* Read before the New York Countv Homoeopathic Medical Societv, March
11th, and before I. II. A., June 24th, 1886.
237
238
SELECTING THE REMEDY.
[July,
the particular motion its function requires. Motion implies
motive power ; organs are moved to tlie execution of function
only as they are impelled by this power. So, in man, as before
the problem of this selection, we have organs, the power which
moves these, and the resulting functions.
Now this power, which is the characteristic of the living man,
was, when placed within him for the purposes of life, made sus-
ceptible to impressions from agents without itself, which are
capable of modifying its action on organs and functions, so that
the harmony of these, which we call health, is destroyed. This
discord in organs and their functions we call sickness, and is
always tending to the destruction of both. The first impress,
then, of the cause which has disturbed this harmony is on the
power which executes functions. AVe have then, first, the
impact of the morbid cause on the power which executes func-
tions, then, the resulting disturbance, and then, perhaps,
changes of organic tissues if this lost harmony is not restored
before there has been time for these changes of function to produce
changes of tissue. This is the order in which the processes of
sicknesses succeed each other. The processes being once set up,
the problem before the healer is to find the agent which has the
power to restore the lost harmony of function.
How shall we proceed in our search for this ? There are but two
obvious courses open to us — one under the guidance of law, the
other with no law or guide other than guessing. AVe can see no
other course nor reason for proceeding to demonstrate the superi-
ority of that under law. Nor is it needful to declare, as before
this problem, there is but one known law, and that that is the law
of similars. The clinical experience of more than three quarters
of a century has abundantly demonstrated this to be a law, and
neither opposition to this, nor the needs and sufferings and dan-
gers of human sicknesses, have, in all this time, brought to
our knowledge any other.
Then what does this law require of us, if we are to proceed
under its guidance, as we attempt the selection of a needed cura-
tive ? First, that all the elements in the problem of the selection
shall be known, while it assumes that all necessary to a right
selection are knowable. It will at once be seen, if we are to
proceed under the law which underlies the science of therapeutics
— the law of the similars — that these elements are presented to
us in two categories, one embracing those pertaining to
the phenomena of the sickness — the other, those of the
recorded actions on the organism of the agents from which the
selection is to be made. ' The law declares that the record of
1886.]
SELECTING THE REMEDY.
239
that agent which is found to be most like the phenomena of the
sickness is its curative, and it requires a complete knowledge of both
categories before it will accept responsibility for the cure by any
selected remedy. Thus, it will be seen, it sharply rejects all ele-
ments which may be intruded into the problem by whatever
of guessing which may be called by whatever specious or well-
sounding name.
Then of the sickness. It will be borne in mind this has
resulted from the impress of some agent on the force which
governs and executes functions, with power to change these from
a living harmony to a destructive discord. This discord is the
sickness. Then the law will know the history of this discord,
the order in which its different elements have appeared, and
0 ' these elements which constitute this discord, what functions are
so affected by this agent, and hoio are these affected ? Each
function is to be questioned as to the kind of modification it has
had impressed on it, especially as this is declared in the modali-
ties accompanying the change, as to what is the character of the
pains or abnormal sensations, if any, what the time of day, or
in whatever other circumstances is this change found aggravated
or relieved. Plow is this change affected by other functions of
bodily organs — as by motion, rest, position, eating, drinking,
breathing, by evacuations of whatever kind, and this as to each
and every function, and in utmost detail, and as to every circum-
stance or condition in which any one or more of these find
aggravations or relief of sufferings. A record of these, clear and
plain, is to be made, and then the prescriber is ready to pass to the
other category of his problem, the record of the actions of the
agents on the living organism, from which he is to make his
selection. But before proceeding to this, it will be well to note,
that up to this point his problem is wholly made up of dynamic
elements, and not at all of any material entity. This assumes
that the .sickness with which we have to deal has neither a
mechanical nor chemical origin.
Bat, the professional mind being what it is, it is quite likely,
before passing to the medicinal category, to inquire — what about
the name of this sickness I am about to attempt to cure? Is it
not needful before proceeding to the search for the remedy that
1 shall give a name to that to be cured? You have given no
hint as to the duty of diagnosis — name. Is it not needful,
before going farther, to answer the question — what is it I
am about to try to cure? We answer, the law has nothing to
do with names of sicknesses, but with the phenomena which char-
acterize them, and the name is not one of these. It demands
240
SELECTING THE REMEDY.
[July,
that you find in the record a simillimum to these phenomena,
with which the name has nothing to do. You need have no con-
cern as to a name till you have found your simillimum. The
name will not help the search for this in the least. It may, if
lugged in, prove a hindrance to the " scientific " search for the true
simillimum.
But then the pathology of the case. Is one to pass to
search for its remedy before this is settled ? Is one to search for
a curative for a given case before he has decided what it is that
needs curing? If by pathology you mean something different
from the totality of the symptoms, you are talking of that which
the law has not made necessary to your successful search for your
remedy, and of which, most likely, you will in the end find
yourself guessing more than you know, and guessing law will
not accept as any part of a service under its direction. The
totality of the symptoms is all that can be known of the pathology
of any case, and these are the only " what" the case presents for
curing. If there be reasons for believing that there are in the
case certain conditions of internal parts or organs, these
reasons can only have their foundations in the perceptible
phenomena of the case which can be known, and not in any
imperceptible imaginings which no man can know. These phe-
nomena are just the matters with which the law requires the
healer to deal, while it rejects all unknown imaginings as only
calculated to damage success.
Having thrust out diagnosis and pathology, not from clinical
duties, but from this one of them, the selection of the remedy,
where they have no place, though they have important uses in
other clinical duties, we proceed to the next step in the progress
of our selection under the guidance of law, and this is to com-
pare our record of the sick phenomena of the case with that of
the actions of drug agents, as these have been ascertained by
experiments and observations of them on the healthy organism.
These agents have been found to have power to disturb functions,
and each in a manner peculiar to itself, and each in away which
differs from that produced by all other drugs. The record of
the sick phenomena is to be compared with the record of the
drug actions, that the greatest similarity may be found in the
record of some drug to that of the case to be cured. This
found, and the process of the selection is ended, for the law
declares this to be the curative of the case.
But the selection of this from the many of its associates is not
so simple and easy as it may appear to the inexperienced. We have
shown that all the phenomena of the sickness are to be gathered,
1886.]
SELECTING THE REMEDY.
241
with all of modality, circumstance, and condition pertaining to
each.* The same knowledge is required as to the actions
of the drug agents, i. c, as to the modalities, circumstances,
and conditions which have marked the disturbances in the
organism observed in the experiments which have given us our
materia medica. The record of these is a part of the proving
of every drug which has given to this its clinical value. We
require these, in both the record of the sickness and the drug,
in fullness of detail before we proceed to the comparison which
is to end in the selection of our curative, because it is in the
likeness of these modalities, etc., that the curative relation between
sicknesses and drug agents exists. Hence it is that in the record,
onthe one side and the other, there are found facts of more and less
importance as indices of the true specific to be selected. AVe
must have all, that we may be sure we have those which are most
important. This is found oftener than otherwise not to be the
facts which have had the most attention of patient and friends,
and perhaps of the doctor.
To illustrate this, take a case of dysentery. The pains, tenes-
mus, and frequent evacuations are most likely to be the facts
of greatest consideration to the patient. They are comparatively
of but little importance to the prescriber. They say the case is
dysentery perhaps, but they have no voice as to what will cure
it. That the patient faints at each stool does not seem a
fact of much consequence when it is accompanied by so much
misery in the other and more obtrusive facts. And yet this
slightly regarded fact proclaims in loudest and plainest speech
the specific curative for the case. It is the mark of the master-
healer that he recognizes those symptoms of the many which
dominate the selection of the specific curative of his case;
that he knows characteristic symptoms when he sees them, and
gives to them their authoritative consideration in his selection of
his curative.
We have seen that sicknesses are in their nature dynamic —
that they are only disturbed forces and consequent changed
functions. It is equally true that that in drugs which cures
sicknesses is a dynamis. This, if remembered, may save from
important mistakes. It should be remembered, because the
likeness which the law requires reaches to this fact of the
*This is by far the most difficult part of clinical duties. u Tli is record fairly
and rightly made of any case, and that case is more than half cured." This
was said to the writer by one of the greatest masters of the healing art he has
ever known. In comparison with this difficulty, that of finding the specific
remedy is quite an easy matter.
242
SELECTING THE REMEDY.
[July,
dynamic nature of both factors in the problem of finding the
specific for a cure. It is true, men may get sick and other men
may find means to cure them, and neither of them have any
thought of the dynamic nature of the factors law presents for
the healer to deal with. But it is also true, the best success in
healing attends a proper recognition and use of this fact, and
we all are, or should be, as healers, emulous of that which is
best.
The fact that the dynamis in the drug, which alone acts
curatively, is bound up, and, therefore, is comparati%'cIy inert in
the crude drug, is capable of liberation and indefinite develop-
ment by proper manipulation, should be borne in mind, as the
degree to which this shall be carried in the case of a selected
specific is often a matter of the first importance, and never one
of indifference. It is not always, as some have supposed, that
the higher this process of dynamization has been carried with
the selected drug for a given case, the greater is its power to
cure that case. But until this power has been liberated and
developed it is, comparatively, but little available for the pur-
poses of the healer. It is that degree of development of this
power in our specific which brings it into harmonious relation-
ship with the dynamis of the sickness which best prepares it
for the best success. And, finally, let us remember to regret
that, when first experiments were made to reduce drug matter
in the dose, that aggravations of the patients' sufferings might
be avoided, there came into use in our nomenclature such mis-
leading terms as attenuation and dilution. The idea was reduc-
tion of drug matter, and the term may fitly express this as to
the matter of the drug. But it was found that though the
matter had been reduced, the curing power had been rather
increased, showing: demonstrative^ that the tiro elements are not
identical. The matter was diminished, while by the same pro-
cess which effected this, its dynamis was developed and its
curing power enhanced. These terms are wholly misleading
when applied to that which has happened to the medicinal
agent when passing through the process which has been more
fittingly termed a dynamization. In dealing out our medicines
we are really handling forces and not materialisms, and to talk
of diluting or attenuating a force is to talk of what is wholly
inconceivable. A right understanding of these facts will save
much confusion of ideas, and render quite plain many facts
which, though facts, are seemingly impossible, and are wholly
incomprehensible. All we know of them is that they are facts,
and this we do know.
18S6.]
SELECT. XG THE REMEDY.
243
In the beginning we called the method of selecting the
remedy we have presented the best method. If any inquire why
we have done so, we reply, first, because it has given us a
record of successes in healing greatly surpassing that of any
other. It is this record and no other which has given to
Homoeopathy its world-wide repute and acceptance ; second,
because it is a practical embodiment of the principles of its law,
and a practical departure from this method is, by just so far as
this extends, only a partial exhibition of Homoeopathy at the
best, and may be, and not seldom is, so great that the law of
therapeutics is left wholly out of sight. This is true of all
practical proceedings based on the principle advocated by some,
and called liberality, that of " going as you please " i. e., follow-
ing individual inclinations and judgments rather than the de-
mands of law, and yet those who so teach and do, claim the right
to be called by the name which rightfully characterizes only
those who obey law. They claim to be accepted as homceopath-
icians, though Homoeopathy is wholly a law, and these are
"bound by no law" Third, we accept this method as best,
because it was the method of those who have given us our
brightest examples of practical successes in the administration of
our healing art. It was the method of Hahnemann, Gross,
Stapf, Bcenninghausen, Haynel, Hering, Rummel, Schreter,
Hartmann, Hartlaub, Ruckert, Franz, Beker, Herman, Horn-
burg, Langhammer, Wahle, Jahr, Friedrich Hahnemann, and
the other worthies who joined our great master in his labors
which gave the world the priceless treasures of our materia
medica. Fourth, we have called it the best, because a trial of
it of near half a century has fully justified the confidence which
the example and testimony of these worthies inspired.
A.nd now if any man has a better method with a better record
of successful healing attached to it than has this of law, let him
bring it forward with evidence of the verity of this record, and
if he can make this satisfactory, I am his friend, and will accept
his better method with all thankfulness.
THE INTERNATIONAL HOMCEOPATniC CONGRESS.
The third quinquennial International Homoeopathic Convention will he hehl at
Basle, on the 3d, 4th, and 5th of August next; the first day to he devoted to general
considerations bearing on Homceopathv ; the second to Materia Medica ; the third to
Clinical Medicine.
Sectional meetings can he arranged for, at the discretion of the members, during the
hours left vacant by the general sessions.
Every member will be at liberty to speak in his own tongue, provision being made for
interpretii g his meaning to the rest.
Let me remind the profession that funds will be required for this undertaking, and
that I)r. Dudgeon, of 53 Montagu Square. London, is acting as Treasurer. And now I
have only to appeal to all who love Homoeopathy to join in making our gathering a
pleasure and a success. R. Hlghls, M. I).
CYCLOPAEDIA OF DRUG PATHOGEN ESY.
A. M. McNeil, M. D., San Francisco.
[Read before I. H. A., June 25th, 1886.]
Since the time that Hahnemann gathered around him a few
disciples who had been convinced by the cures he performed,
there have been many who, while professing to be his followers,
yet denied much of his teaching. His life was embittered by
them, and the harshest expressions that were ever wrung from
him were directed against them. A journal was established,
whose ostensible object was to advocate conglomeration of Homoe-
opathy and allopathy, whose name lias long since sunk into ob-
livion, very soon after Homoeopathy was established. This
course has been persisted in to the present time. No weapon
has been too insignificant or too dishonorable to be employed
against him. His motives have been misconstrued malignantly,
even his sanity has been questioned. Recently these attacks
have been increasing in boldness and frequency. One is armed
with chalk and blackboard, and figures out how small the
amount of matter in Hahnemann's potencies. Another, with
microscope, hunts for matter in them, and because he cannot find
it denies that it exists, and asserts that therefore they can have
no power. Another turns over musty tomes and throws suspi-
cion on Hahnemann's quotations and provings. It is to the
work of these that I direct your attention.
Hahnemann showed his detractors how to prove the fallacy of
Homoeopathy as he taught it, and although no one has had the
hardihood to deny the fairness of his challenge, none have been
found brave enough to accept it. I quote this as it is found in
the preface of Volume III of his Materia Medica Pura: "Take
a case, of course one for which a homoaopathic remedy has
already been discovered, note down all its perceptible symptoms
in the manner which has been taught in the Organon, and avoid-
ing all those heterogeneous influences which might disturb the
action of the drug, and if, under these circumstances, the drug
does not afford speedy and efficient help, then publish the failure
to the world in a manner which shall make it impossible to
gainsay the homoeopathicity of the drug and the correctness of
your proceedings, and the author of Homoeopathy will stand
confounded and convicted."
" But do not resort to deception. Every fraud is sooner or later
made manifest and stigmatized"
Is there any scientist who ever made a fairer challenge? But
although seventy years have nearly elapsed, I am not aware
244
July, 188C] CYCLOPAEDIA OF DRUG PATIIOGENESY. 245
that it has ever been accepted and Homoeopathy shown to fail.
Many times it has been accepted and the result was conviction
and conversion.
A part of this last work is now before us, and is called A Cy-
clopaedia of Drug Pathogcnesyy edited by Richard Hughes, M.
D., and J. P. Dake, M. D. As a preface, the instructions
(made by themselves) under which it is edited are published.
Part of these I find no fault with, the others I will name. In-
struction 2, "Give a narrative of all provings, stating the symp-
toms in the order of their occurrence, with such condensation as
completeness allows." [Italics mine.]
As to the condensation practiced, one of the objections always
urged against the homoeopathic materia mcdica is its voluminous-
ness. This was always and repeatedly urged. Allen's Encyclo-
paedia of Materia Ifedica, containing all provings in every
language, is the largest. I will compare the provings of Aconite
in these two works. Both works have the same size of page
and general style of printing, excepting that Hughes' and Dake's
is very much abbreviated, so that more matter is crowded into a
page. Allen devotes to Aconite thirty-two pages, Hughes and
Dake forty- six, almost fifty per cent, larger. I suppose that, as
they both claim to collect all provings and poisonings, the
reason for this increased bulk is that where a symptom occurs
more than once in different provings in Allen it only occurs
once, being put in italics to show that it has been repeated. In
Hughes and Dake it is reiterated with no distinguishing type.
Allen also shows, by full-faced type, those symptoms which have
been verified clinically till they have been promoted to the rank
of grand characteristics. In Hughes and Dake all symptoms are
printed alike, and are, therefore, placed as of equal value. In
this way the clinical experience of Homoeopathy for three quar-
ters of a century have been thrown aside as worthless.
Let us see what has been omitted in condensation. Allen
gives fifty-five grand characteristics, printed in full-faced type,
and of characteristics three hundred and ninety-eight in italics.
I boldly assert, without fear of contradiction, that he who has
mastered these four hundred and fifty characteristics of both
kinds is better fitted to prescribe, other things being equal, than
he who has equally well learned all of these forty-six pages if
it were possible. Nay, further, he who has learned well these
fifty-five grand characteristics will prescribe better. As to
what Hughes and Dake have omitted, on a careful examination
I only recommended twenty-seven characteristics of either class
retained, and these in the same type as all the rest. True, this
246
CYCLOPAEDIA OF DRUG PATHOGENESY.
[July,
is sifting the materia medica, but it is throwing away the grain
and carefully preserving the chaff.
Instruction 9 " Includes symptoms reported as coming from at-
tenuations above the twelfth decimal only when in accord with
symptoms from attenuations below."
The reason for this is, it has boen frequently stated, because
with the microscope no matter can be found in potencies above the
twelfth decimal. Does it follow that because with our present
microscopes we cannot find matter above the twelfth that it is
not there? Let us see how scientific men reason on a similar
subject.
Scattered across the sky are masses of light or nebulae seen
with the naked eye. But turn an ordinary telescope on one of
these and it is resolved into clusters of stars. But new nebula?
are now seen. Use a more powerful instrument, and these also
are seen to be composed of stars. Every improved telescope
has resolved nebulae into stars, but has revealed others. And
while astronomers believe that there may be nebula? not com-
posed of stars, but of masses of incandescent vapor, they are
now earnestly looking forward to the completion of the great Lick
telescope to decide which are stars and which nebulae proper.
No astronomer has ever asserted that there are no stars in a
given spot of the firmament because with the most powerful in-
strument he can see none ; he only says he cannot find any, but
thinks it possible they will yet be discovered. But let us go further,
and see what the illustrious scientist, Professor John Tyndall,says
about the use of the microscope. (See Fragments of Science, fifth
edition, page 7.) After showing that by dissolving gum mastic in
alcohol and carefully adding water a perfectly clear liquid is pro-
duced, in which the most powerful microscope can find nothing,
but that a beam of light reveals the fine particles of the germ,
"It is, I hold," he adds, "among the finest ultra-microscopic
particles that the matter potential as regards the development of
bacterial life is to be sought."
" Now, the existence of these particles, foreign to the atmos-
phere but floating in it, is as certain as if they could be felt be-
tween the fingers or seen by the naked eye."* But if Tyndall
*Tyndall also says, Inc. cit., p:ige 413 : " At a certain stage of concentration
the salt can no longer retain the liquid form ; its particles, or molecules, as
they are called, begin to deposit themselves as minute solids, so minute, indeed,
as to defy all microscopic power. (Ttalics mine).
Liebig says: " Only the imperfection of our instruments prevents our see-
ing creatures a millionfold smaller."
Cham. Briefe, page 28: "The same illustrious chemist recognized chemical
action in solutions equivalent to the twenty-fifth homoeopathic (cent, or dec.?)."
1886.] CYCLOPAEDIA OF DRUG PAT HOG EN ES Y. 247
cannot see this matter, even with the highest microscope, how
does he know it exists? By its effects! " By their fruits shall
ye know them," is as good a scientific maxim as it is a scriptural
one. And by the same way we know that pathogenetic and
clinical properties are present in potencies above the twelfth
decimal. But an eminent authority says that we may not
adduce the clinical effects to prove this. With the same pro-
priety it might be said that we may not be permitted to prove
the use of gunpower by loading it and firing at an object. But
Tyndall shows that ultra-microscopic particles do produce
measles, scarlet fever, cholera, etc. And we are asked to believe
that ultra-microscopic particles of rattlesnake poison cannot
cause a headache or cure it. I might quote the experiments
performed by two French physicians (old school) before the
faculty of the French Naval Medical College, at Kochefort,
France, of testing the powers of drugs on blindfolded persons
when the drugs were entirely unknown to the subjects ; but I
forbear, and only refer you to the Medical Advance for June, and
San Francisco Chronicle, April 18th, 1886. This is only one
of the cases in which old school physicians have proven the
truth of doctrines taught by Hahnemann and rejected by his
professed followers.
The symptoms of Hughes' and Dake's work not being arranged
according to the part of the body in which they occur, it is diffi-
cult and tedious to search for symptoms for any particular case.
Just imagine yourself searching for a symptom among the forty-
six pages of Aconite, and the best-arranged index or repertory
could aid but little. So, for the study of cases by the practitioner,
it is really worthless. And picture to yourself a student begin-
ning his study of Aconite among these forty-six pages of symp-
toms of equal value. Fay after day, week after week, and even
month after month would pass and his confusion would only
increase. The labyrinth of Minos was a straight path to that
he would have to travel.
But if the Materia Medica of Hahnemann was full of fanciful
and fictitious symptoms, the so-called success of early Homoeopathy
was a fraud, and that of to-day, as resting on it, should be repu-
diated by every honest man.
Many years ago distrust and suspicion had arisen in the
minds of many homoeopathic physicians against the provings
of Hahnemann and his colleagues, and it was determined to
investigate them by re-proving with massive doses. Dr. Watzke
was one of the Austrian provers peculiarly formed to carry out
this purpose. ^Ve will hear what he says. Pie says, in speak-
248 MEETING OF THE CENTRAL N. Y. HOM. SOCIETY. [July,
ing of Natrum mariaticum : " I am, alas ! — I say alas ! for I
would much rather have upheld the large doses which accord
with current views — I am compelled to declare myself for the
higher dilutions. The physiological experiments made with
Natrum muriaticum, as well as the great majority of the clinical
results attained therewith, speak decisively and distinctly for
those preparations. Several of our most cautious provers have
obtained unquestionable characteristic Natrum muriaticum symp-
toms from them." In their provings, the only distinct picture
of periodic fever was induced in Dr. Wurmb while proving the
thirtieth and twenty-fifth dilutions. Dr. Schreter obtained
symptoms from the thirtieth which no prover got with massive
doses. Of course, according to this Instruction 9, these symp-
toms must be excluded, although obtained by skeptics from
high potencies. Dr. Wurmb got decided and persistent symp-
toms from dilutions (from the thirtieth to the sixth), although
from the crude salt, even in half-ounce doses frequently repeated,
he got no symptoms. The provings of Natrum mur. will be
useless and emasculated if symptoms obtained from their high
potencies are rejected.
But it may be asked, is the homoeopathic Materia Medina
perfect ? No ! although it is the most remarkable work ever
written by uninspired man. It does not require much proving
of new drugs, but needs to be constantly compared with cured
symptoms by careful observers and then verified. Character-
istics are thus obtained ; and, owing to the voluminousness of
the Materia 3fedica, these must be the principal reliance of the
physician and the student.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING OF THE
CENTRAL NEW YORK HOMCEOPATHIC
SOCIETY.
Syracuse, N. Y., March 18th, 1886.
The following members were present: Drs. Young, Hawley,
Boyce, Biegler, Brewster, Martin, Marks, Clapp, Carr, L.B. Wells,
Brown, Swift, Harris, Bessner, Gwynn, Duel, Emmens.
Minutes of last meeting were read and approved. The
President, Dr. Young, appointed Drs. Hawley, Clapp, and
Martin as Committee on Credentials.
There was no communication or paper from Dr. Ad, Lippe, to
whom the Secretary had written a letter.
18S6.] MEETING OF THE CENTRAL N. Y. HOM. SOCIETY. 249
Reading of §§ 11 and 16 from the Organon by Dr. Hawley.
Dr. Hawley remarked that the whole use of drugs was
embodied in these two paragraphs.
Dr. Biegler spoke of the scarcity of the teaching of the
Organon to students, and illustrated the superior power of the
dynamized drug by relating a case of apoplexy improved on a
singledose of Opium mm even after Chloroform had been admin-
istered. He also gave the following case, as an instance of the
sick-making power of mental disturbance. A young lady was
suffering apparently from indigestion and had been treated by
an allopath with cathartics ; this was followed by continuous
eructations. Remedies were given with partial or temporary
improvement until the doctor discovered that she had. been
frightened, the symptoms pointing to Opium, which, when given
in a high potency, relieved all symptoms for good.
Boyce spoke on the eleventh paragraph and compared it with
Biegler's teachings.
The eleventh paragraph was further discussed by Drs. Wells,
Hawley, Biegler, Brown, and Young.
The amendment to the Constitution changing the annual
meeting of this Society to March instead of June was carried.
The election of officers followed and resulted as follows, all the
officers being elected unanimously :
President, Dr. J. A. Biegler, of Rochester, X. Y.
Vice-President, Dr. E. P. Hussey, of Buffalo, N. Y.
Secretarv and Treasurer, Dr. Julius Schmitt, of Rochester,
N. Y.
Moved by Dr. Hawley, that the Secretary notify Dr. Hussey
of his election. Carried.
Dr. Biegler related a case of Natr. carb.cm and one of Naja
tripud.cm The latter was given for aching in the throat, rawness
between larynx and sternum, worse after coughing. One single
dose cured.
Dr. Brown read a paper, which was discussed by Drs. Biegler
and Wells.
Dr. Stephen Seward read a paper on tobacco cancer.
Moved by Dr. Harris, that Saratoga County be included in
the precincts of the Society. Carried.
Dr. Biegler moved that this Society adjourn to meet at
Saratoga at the same time with the International Hahneman-
nian Association. Carried.
A. B. Cakr,
Secretary pro tern.
THERAPEUTICS OF DIPHTHERIA.
Julius Schmitt, M. D., Rochester, N. Y.
[Head at the January meeting of the Monroe County Ilomcoopathic Society.]
The treatment of diphtheria has always been and is still
" V enfant terrible" of the so-called scientific school of medicine,
and the different hypotheses brought forward by speculative
minds of their fraternity have naturally started the most heter-
ogeneous modes of treatment. Their failures have been the
same as they are in all other serious diseases, the death-rate
among their victims is enormous, and diphtheria has become a
terror, not from its own inherent severity, but from the perverse
measures that have been adopted to conquer it ; and here I take
occasion to say that the people's accusing physicians with filling
the grave yards proves, as far as the scientific school of medi-
cine is concerned, the truth of the saying, " Vox populi, vox
BeiP
How different the results of those who follow the law that
God has given us poor mortals to combat disease, and for whose
discovery the world will have forever to thank the immortal
Hahnemann.
Here the death-rate shrinks to a minimum, and would be
still smaller if we, the executors of the law, were other but
human. The progress, however, we are making in finding the
characteristics of our remedies will enable us in the future to
show still more brilliant results.
In following strictly the law of similia similibus curantur and
in carrying out most scrupulously the modes of its application
as taught by Hahnemann and confirmed, especially in diphtheria,
by R. R. Gregg, M. D., of Buffalo (see his book on diph-
theria), I have had in my practice only two deaths from diph-
theria since August, 1882.
I mention this not in a boastful way, but only to show that
the law, even in this much-dreaded disease, is superior to human
speculation and hypothesis.
Each one of the indications for the use of the following
remedies has been verified in my practice :
Apis. — CEdematous swelling of throat and neck ; a little bag
of serum on the end of the uvula. Stinging pains in the throat,
choking spells. Fever high, skin very hot, delirium, urine
voided in drops with burning. Aversion to heat.
Arsenicum. — Diphtheritic membranes shriveled or black.
250
July, 1886.] THERAPEUTICS OF DIPHTHERIA.
251
Tongue with rod stripe along the middle. Swelling of sub-
maxillary glands. Great weakness, prostration, adynamis,
fever not very high, great restlessness and anxiety, patient
wants to change from place to place, or child wants to be carried
from one room to another. Dread of solitude. Urine frequent,
scanty, burning; stools may be frequent, but then also scanty
and burning. Desire for warmth. Thirst for little at a time.
Arsenicum corresponds to the very worst cases of diphtheria,
but, happily, is seldom indicated in cases which have been from
the beginning under pure Hahnemannian treatment. You will
get them mostly out of the hands of the pseudo-scientific phy-
sician.
Arum Iriphyllum. — Diphtheritic membrane not characteristic.
Patient is very irritable, cannot eat or drink on account of the
soreness of mouth, tongue, and throat. He is picking his lips
constantly until they bleed. Diphtheria of Schueiderian mem-
brane, with acrid discharge from nostrils. Submaxillary glands
much swollen. Urine may be scanty and voided frequently.
Aggravation from three p. m., especially fever and irritability.
Belladonna. — Diphtheritic membrane appears on right side.
Mucous membrane of throat of scarlet redness. Right sub-
maxillary gland swollen and exquisitely tender to touch. Desire
to swallow — must swallow or thinks he would choke, although
the act is very painful. Tongue coated white, with red papilla?
shining through the coating. Very sour smell from mouth.
Thirsty desire for lemonade, which agrees. Fever very high,
with a globular pulse, as if a shot were passing under your
finger. Skin so hot to touch that it leaves a hot sensation in
the hand of the examiner. Urine scanty, blood-red, when
getting cold a thick, heavy precipitate of phosphates, or may be
as clear as well-water. Patient may be very restless and ex-
citable, starting in sleep, and high delirium, a regular ataxic
condition, or he may be drowsy, with general venous congestion.
Pupils dilated, violent beating headache, often starting in t he
occiput and spreading to forehead. Stiffness of neck. Time
of aggravation from three P. M. to three A. M.
Belladonna is often indicated in children, especially when
seen early in the attack, and will then cure rapidly.
Ilepar. — Diphtheritic croup with enormous swelling of the
glands of the neck. Dyspnoea very great. Croupy cough,
with a little rattle.
Kali bichromicum. — Diphtheritic membrane greenish -gray or
brownish-yellow. Swelling of tonsils and submaxillary gland-,
oedematous swelling of uvula. Choking spells. Pain in throat ex-
20
252
THERAPEUTICS OF DIPHTHERIA.
[July,
tending to ear, worse when protuding tongue. Very thirsty, de-
sire for beer. Time of aggravation two to three A. M. Diph-
theritic deposits in nose, pharynx, larynx, vulva, and vagina.
Expectoration very stringy white mucus, or thick yellow chunks.
Nasal discharge yellow and excoriating. Kali bichromicum
seems to be the leading remedy this winter.
Lac. caninum. — Diphtheritic mornbrane white like china ;
mucous membrane of throat glistening as if varnished. Mem-
branes leave one side and go to the other repeatedly. Desire
for warm drinks, which may return through the nose. Post
d i ph t her i t ic pa ra lysis.
Laehesi8. — This everlasting monument of Constantino Hering
has grayish diphtheritic membranes, appearing at first in left side
and spreading to right side. Mucous membrane of pharynx,
buccal cavity, lips, and tongue dark purple; strong diph-
theritic odor. Tongue pointed, may catch behind lower lips or
teeth when protruding. Left submaxillary glands swollen and
very tender to touch; painful deglutition; pain shooting up
into left ear; urine scanty and frequent; fluids swallowed
return through nose ; occipital headache ; stiffness of nape of
neck; pain from vertex down to nape of neck. All symptoms
worse after sleep. Desire for coffee and cold drinks, which
relieve throat symptoms. Aggravation at two P. M. May be
indicated in both the ataxic and adynamic states of the disease;
has been very often indicated in former years, but less during
the last two years.
Lachnanthes ttnctoria. — Stiffness of left side of neck, so that
patient has to sit with head bent to the other side, and has to
move the whole body in order to turn from one side to the other.
Lyaopodium. — Diphtheritic membrane, not characteristic, com-
mences on the right side, spreads to the left side. Right submaxil-
lary glands swollen, but not so tender to touch as in Belladonna.
Desire for warm drinks, which are grateful to the throat; wing-
like motion of the alee nasi; aggravation from four to eight P.
M. ; diphtheritic membrane in nose spreads from right to left ;
yellow, thick, acrid discharge from nose. May be given almost
in every case that commences on the right side, when Belladonna
can be excluded.
Mereurim solubUls. — Diphtheritic membrane commences in
one of the arches of the pharynx or in the uvula ; mucous mem-
brane of the throat purplish ; tongue shows a dirty gray coating,
is flabbv, and takes imprint of teeth; ptyalism, bleeding of the
gums; submaxillary glands and parotids swollen hard, prevent
the separation of the jaws (which seems to be very characteris-
183G.]
NEMESIS.
253
tic of this remedy); profuse, clammy perspiration at night; desire
for milk.
Nux vomica. — Dark gray patches on right tonsil; fauces purp-
lish ; stitches through both ears during deglutition; patient is
very much concerned about himself; chilly when uncovering;
perspiration smells like horse's uriue; aggravation at four A. M.
Petroleum. — This remedy I have had occasion to prescribe
only once, and I give you, therefore, the symptoms of the patient
as they were taken down at the time. The case was cured
promptly. Diphtheritic membrane commences in leftside, tongue
pointed and purple (Lach.); then spreads to right side (Lach.);
then to uvula. Mucous membrane of throat dark red and
glistening (Lac-can.); exudation white like china (Lac-can.);
then followed a bland discharge from right nostril, then from
left (Lye); diphtheritic membrane in nose is gray ; fetid odor
from mouth; stitch in left ear when opening mouth; soreness
of bridge of nose; cannot stand the slightest touch, from the very
beginning of the sickness; later slight swelling of both upper eye-
lids; discharge from inner can thus of both eyes; desire for beer
and brandy in water.
Rhus tox. — Membranes grayish white, mostly on both tonsils;
pharynx greatly inflamed; swallowing very painful; submax-
illary glands- somewhat swollen; tongue coated white, with
inclination to become dry; a triangular red space at its point;
apex of triangle pointing backward; great restlessness on ac-
count of pains in back and limbs; desire for oysters.
Sulphur. — Diphtheritic membrane yellowish, commencing on
either side of throat; mucous membrane livid or bright red;
tongue coated white with red border, or yellow as if sprinkled
with sulphur; thirsty, but vomits everything; very restless,
must move about in bed, but movements start chills on back,
running from below upward; clammy, cold perspiration;
shooting pains from back of neck into left ear; empty, gone
feeling in stomach; faints easv; cold drinks do not a<xree with
stomach; desire for beer.
NEMESIS.
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
In the January number of the Homoeopathic World is an agon-
izing howl from Dr. Dudgeon because he finds himself boycotted
by the allopaths. Dr. Dudgeon and his pseudo-homoeopathic
colleagues have been for many years in the habit of boycotting
the genuine homoeopaths. " With what measure ye mete, it shall
be measured to you again."
THE MODUS MEDEXDI.
T. C. Hunter, M. D., Napoleon, Ohio.
It is claimed by scientists that the atoms of the diamond are
as far apart, in proportion to their size, as are the stars in the
heavens ; that each individual atom is in constant motion ; that
the atom of each and every variety of substance has its own
peculiar method of movement; that the movements of the atoms
of the diamond are peculiar to the diamond, and are always the
same ; the atoms of quartz are peculiar to quartz, and are also
always the same ; that this law applies to all substances, whether
in a solid, liquid, or gaseous form. These facts are arrived at
by a process of reasoning, and in the nature of things cannot be
visibly demonstrated.
Let us apply this law and these facts to the settlement of the
vexed question of the manner in which high potencies can affect
the animal economy. Those who have carefully read the results
of Jaeger's experiments in neural analysis, and who believe the
statements he has made, need no argument to prove the ability of
high dilution to affect the living organism. To those who dis-
believe his statements, I would say, try the experiment as care-
fully as he did, and report the results.
In Jaeger's experiments the personal equation of every person
experimented on was affected in a different manner by d liferent
remedies, administered without their knowledge of the name or
nature of the remedy, and these were without the knowledge of
the person experimented on. There could, therefore, have been
no collusion.
I am sorry to say that these facts are directly contradictory
to the edict of the learned savans, who together constitute that
" grand aggregation " of medical talent yclept the American
Institute of Homoeopathy.
It is no doubt true that, being in conflict with the theories of
that very learned and dignified body, it is the " ivorse for the
facts."
I would suggest that, after they have entirely eliminated from
homoeopathic practice the heresies of that old fossil, Samuel
Hahnemann, as to potencies above the twelfth centesimal, they
hold a meeting at Niagara Falls, and proceed in a body to the
head of the rapids, and with all due solemnity put a quietus
on its mad waters by throwing into the middle of the stream
a peck of saw-dust.
In physi-es two similar waves of sound moving in opposite di-
254
July, 1SSG.] CORRESPONDENCE. 255
rections and coming in opposition neutralize each other and
cause silence.
Two waves of light of similar length and being opposed to
each other produce darkness. Also, two similar waves of water
will in the same manner obliterate each other. If these things
are true in natural science, does it require a great stretch of im-
agination to conceive that they are true in disease and its treat-
ment ? May it not be true that these atomic movements in the
diseased organism may be changed either in length, direction, or
force, and that a remedy that will produce a similar aberration
may counteract the abnormal movements, and allow Dame
Nature to restore the normal ? If this is true it may account
for the mauy cases of sudden relief which frequently follow the
administration of the strictly similar remedy.
CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Editor of The Homceopathic Physician :
Dear Sir : — Is there no member of the profession who is
ingenious enough to propose a plan for study of the materia
medica that can simplify matters ? I don't mean to lessen the
number of symptoms, etc., but to suggest such an arrangement
or classification thereof that would lighten the burden of study
which, as we now read it, would take any ordinary mind consid-
erably more than the allotted " threescore and ten years " to
master. If all of your readers would send in their views, per-
haps a combination of the points thus obtained might aid in the
matter. Again, if some philanthropist would offer a reward or
prize for the most feasible scheme, we could wager that an at-
tempt, at least, would be made in that direction.
For some time past I have used a rough, pigeon-hole contriv-
ance improvised from a lot of pound globule boxes, about
thirty in number, arranged on shelves, and each box marked to
represent one heading, viz. : Mind, Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose,
etc., following the usual classification. Here I stow away cards
as I write them, putting each in its proper box. The cards
measure about two by five inches, and are ordered from a sta-
tioner, of blank Bristol-board. Whenever a peculiar or marked
symptom is seen in your journal or elsewhere I write said symp-
tom on one side of a card and upon the reverse side the name of
remedy, and toss it into " its box." By this means I secure a
novel sort of repertory for peculiar symptoms, to which I often
go in looking up a " hard case/' and when a few idle moments
256 WARNING TO "REVISERS" OF MATERIA MEDIC A. [July,
are mine, I take down the contents of one box and play a little
game of solitaire in the form of a quiz. Symptoms that arc
entered in a book are seldom looked at and really of little use
— at least, that has been my experience.
Trusting that this crude paper may bring out something more
valuable on the subject, I respectfully submit it.
Yours, etc.,
Wm. Jefferson Guernsey.
Philadelphia, May 18th, 1886.
Explanation Wanted. — In The Homoeopathic Phy-
sician, Vol. VI, page 115, line 8, Dr. Skinner italicizes as
characteristic the symptom " sinking, empty feeling at epi-
gastrium between two and three P. M" Lower down — line 7
from the bottom — he says it was from one to two P. M.} and
repeats the same at page 117, line 5. Which of these is the
correct version ?
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
To the Editors of The Homoeopathic Physician.
Gentlemen: — In the May number of your valued journal
Dr. Gramm asks for a remedy for a patient who imagined those
about her had all her symptoms.
Under Gels. I came across this symptom — a note I had made,
but I failed to credit its origin : " She feels as though those
about her are sick." Yours respectfully,
Geo. H. Clark, M. D.
Germantown, Phila., June 3d, 1886.
A WARNING TO THE " REVISERS" OF OUR
MATERIA MEDICA.
Cutting in intestines, violent pains ; in order to relieve it he is
obliged to sit bent over, pressing with both hands, or to lean far
back; he cannot sit upright: Kali carb. This characteristic
symptom, the keynote of the case (quoted), which we underlined,
is not found in the condensed Materia Medica of Hering or
Lippe or Cowperthwaite, and therefore, when prescribing for a
similar case, we might fail to hit the simillimum in putting our
trust in these condensations. Professor Allen now promises us
another condensation from his Encyclopaedia, and though we
1S86.]
MISCELLANEOUS PROVINGS.
257
willingly subscribe for a copy, we cannot subscribe to the con-
tents of the 'opus.
In spite of all cries "to weed out the chaff," we often find
just such symptoms the keynote, which these severe critics erase ;
and though it may be m«>re troublesome to dig out the keynote
from the so-called rubbish, it will pay in the end, for the cure
will be clto,tuto, etjucundc
Too often our laziness is to blame for our failures. (" S. L.,"
Homo. Phys., Vol. VI, p. 223.)
MISCELLANEOUS PROVINGS.
S. Swan, M.D.
A vena (Oats).
Mrs. M. B. P. took CM (Swan) a dose every hour till symp-
toms appeared. Commenced January 23d.
January 27th. — Awfully lame in feet; they are so sore she
can hardly keep shoes on, and when walking has to hobble
along. Top of toes particularly sore. No pain in feet, but a
smarting, stinging pain goes quickly through them ; then she is
at rest for a time. Occasional pains in the lower part of
abdomen, left-side, like menstrual pains. Eyes water and tears
drop down when out in air ; never had this before. About
noon, blur before eyes, for about twenty minutes ; sometimes
with it is a dull pain in right half of head, commencing over
right eye. Occasional sharp pains from left iliac region to cen-
tre, as before menses. Particularly cross, fretty, irritable.
January 31st. — Does not sleep well; sleep is light, easily
wakened at the least noise; has troubled dreams, not remembered
on waking. Chilly every time she moves ; has cold crawls all
day. Slight frontal headache.
February 1st. — Could not sleep till two a. if. Restless and
inclined to itch, but when she scratched there was no itching
there. Cramps in left calf. Dreamed of blood ; thought she
was bleeding somewhere, but could not tell where.
February 8th. — Menses commenced on 5th ; regular as to
time, but pink, and no darker color ; cloths, unless boiled, can-
not be rid of it ; no pain or ache. Itching of right side of
vulva, and particularly of clitoris.
February 16th. — Pain in right ovarian region; not sore to
touch, and relieved by pressure.
February 19th. — Leucorrhoea for last three days, yellow
when drying ; albuminous on urinating ; drying hard. Throb-
258
MISCELLANEOUS PKOVJNGS.
[July, 188G.
bing headache in vertex in afternoon. At night, on washing,
great sexual desire in clitoris, relieved by pressing on the part.
February 27th. — Continued pain in outer side of both
breasts.
March 5th. — Menses commenced; profuse, and breasts ceased
to be sore.
March 7th. — Flow profuse, with thick pieces, like liver ;
much pain in right ovary and back ; dazzling before eves ; pain
in top of head, as if deep in brain ; feels very miserable ; with
the menses, came on a very sore throat, as if it had been
burned ; voice is very rough.
March 8th. — Hoarseness; can only whisper; cough on going
into a warm room; pain on top of head; intense itching of
vulva and clitoris ; exceedingly sleepy from half-past ten to
twelve o'clock, with constant yawning.
March 18th. — General lameness and soreness all over feet,
only when walking ; pain from foot runs up right leg to hip-
socket; goes up tendo-Achillis ; had to lie up half the day
from pain in right ovary, and through to back an aching pain;
intensely thirsty ; drinks about half a glassful ; often water
fails to quench the thirst ; a little headache in vertex ; feels
generally miserable.
March 19th. — Feels better, but has a tired, weary, languid
feeling ; leucorrhcea after menstruation.
Cholesterine.
S. Swan took two doses of two hundredth (Swan) two hours
apart ; second day, small, sharp pain on left side of chest,
about eighth rib; third day, on awaking, heat and smarting in
eyelids; heavy, dull pain in eyebrows and upper wall of orbit;
dull, drawing aching across renal region, extending down sac-
rum.
Sixth day, sensation of tension in chest, notably on left of
sternum.
Seventh day, intercostal rheumatic pains in sides of chest,
and a spot the size of a dollar on left side of back below scap-
ula constantly present for three days.
Eighth day, dull, heavy pain just above root of nose, in
morning.
Tenth to fifteenth days, extremely constipated ; stools rather
long, not very large, but very dry ; moving very slowly and
impossible to force them faster ; not at all painful.
For cure by Cholesterine, see Homoeopathic World, 1882, page
214.
EE FLECTIONS.
F. S. Davis, M. D., Quincy, Mas.s.
Tn The Homoeopathic Physician for April, 1SSG, I read
with interest the comments of Ad. Lippe, M. D., in his " Clin
ical Reflections."
It was a surprise to me during the first years of practice that
I so seldom found Aconite indicated.
I had in some way obtained the Idea that this remedy was
one of the most frequently indicated, particularly in febrile
stages of disease.
I am satisfied that with most of the physicans who aspire to
Homoeopathy it is one of the remedies most frequently used.
I do not wonder at their lack of success and frequent resort to
measures that at once mark their lack of confidence in their
profession.
They but feebly walk in the path so clearly marked out by
Hahnemann, and are soon discouraged from honest effort, and
resorting to some easy way, fall to alternating hastily selected
remedies and work blindly in the mire of doubt and uncertainty.
They are constantly disappointed and have no means of cor-
recting their blundering mistakes. They have no guide, for
they will accept no law. Their aspiration proves to be only
ambition. Is not this a verification of George Macdonald's
definition ? He says ambition is aspiration turned hell-wards.
Unless we are willing to follow the important instruction
given us by Hahnemann to carefully observe the peculiarities of
our patients in their diseased conditions and be guided by them,
selecting the remedy accordingly, we shall fail, and well deserve
to. The characteristic symptoms must be looked for in the dis-
eased state, and the drugs producing such in the provings com-
pared until the one covering the conditions of our case is found.
Only by such careful study can we in any sense become masters
of the art of healing. Honest, faithful effort is required to
become able physicians.
Those who are not willing to work resort to a careless habit
of examination and routine prescribing; they lose the power of
careful observation ; their sense of responsibility is weakened ;
they are mongrels.
We want none of this class ; they are a hindrance to advance-
ment, and a dishonor to every true worker. Homccopathy lias
suffered more from such pretenders than from those who declare
openlv against the truth.
259
ARE HOUATT'S PROVINGS RELIABLE?
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
It has been the fashion for the pseudo-homoeopaths from time
to time to cast discredit on all provinga with the potencies by
stigmatizing the provers as either incompetent or dishonest.
Thus Mure's Brazilian provings were sneered at and misrepre-
sented by the late Dr. Hempel, a pseudo-homoeopath, himself
now convicted of blundering ignorance and of willful falsifica-
tion. Yet his verified proving of Elaps coralliaus is worth far
more than all the rubbish Hempel ever penned. Then again
Nenning was the scapegoat, on whose devoted head all the sins
of the materia medica were to be cast. He was stigmatized in
a pretended homoeopathic journal as a " bogus " prover, whose
nom de plume " Ng," should be read " No go," and his provinga
were denounced by a pretended homoeopathic physician as " mis-
leading," "unreliable," " made to order," etc., etc. And all this
has been written in spite of their partial indorsement of Hahne-
mann himself, who incorporated many of his symptoms in his
pathogeneses, and in spite of the daily verifications of them by
those who have brains to select sirnilUmum, and honestly to take
the trouble. Yet of late years " a change came o'er the spirit
of their dream." Nous avous change tout cela; and symptoms
formerly relegated to the literary dust-bin have been actually
found of sufficient value to be rescued therefrom as genuine pearls.
Even Dr. Hughes, one of the chief purifiers (?) of the materia
medica at the present day, has been compelled to admit that
Nenning's symptoms are in the main "good and trustworthy
additions to our pathogenetic material "* (commentary on Allen's
Encyclopaedia, page 49).
After this acknowledgment of injustice done to a valued
prover, it is not surprising to find Dr. Hughes pouring out the
vials of his wrath and indignation not only upon Dr. Houatt's
provings, but upon Dr. Houatt himself. Drs. Mure and Nen-
ning were simply denounced as well-meaning and honest, but
incompetent. Dr. Houatt fares worse at the hands of his critics
and is denounced as a rogue. At the British "Homoeopathic"
* Note. — Yet at page 30 of his new Caricature of Drug Pathogeny lie again
sneers at Nenning, and refuses to insert even all the symptoms Hahnemann
had indorsed.
2G0
July, 18S6.] ARE HOUATTS PROVINGS RELIABLE?
261
Congress, 1879, Dr. Hughes is reported to have denounced his
provings as "actual lies," and in an editorial in the British
Journal of Homoeopathy, January, 1880, page 6, the writer, who
seems by the style to be Dr. Hughes, declares, " It is far wiser
and safer to reject them altogether as fabrications, and the greater
the scorn and indignation with which we do it the less likely is
the imposture to be respected." Surely it was somewhat rash
thus to bring against Dr. Houatt a charge, not simply of incom-
petency, but of fraud, unless this charge can be supported by
proofs, which as yet Dr. Hughes has failed to produce; for
should these " actual lies" be demonstrated to be " actual facts,"
and valuable ones, too, Dr. Hughes will have, to cat his own
words — not a very appetizing diet.
What means should be taken to verify or refute a proving ?
First, confirmation by other provings; secondly, clinical verifi-
cations. With regard to the first, I will only quote those prov-
ings which have been made since Houatt's were published,
seeing that Dr. Hughes might easily retort that a fraudulent pub-
lisher of manufactured provings might easily copy some genuine
symptoms of older provings to aid the deception. But the
clinical test is exposed to no such objection ; indeed, it is em-
phatically indorsed by Dr. Hughes himself, who says {Commen-
tary, page 19): "The thing which such symptoms need is
clinical verification, testing, that is, by being used as materials
wherewith to work the rule Similia similibus curentur. If,
when submitted to such a test, they (as a rule) prove trustworthy
we may safely assume them to be genuine, and admissible into
the materia medica."
(1) Anantherum muricatum. — Dr. Farrington gives as a char-
acteristic in erysipelas " much swelling of arms and legs, dark red
or bluish eruptions, with tendency to suppurate" (The Orc/anon,
II, 222-3) ; this verifies symptoms 561, 562, 564, 582, 480, 499,
506, 507. In The Homoeopathic Physician, V, 402-3, I
published a case veryifying symptom 37. (These numbers are
from Allen's Encyclopedia.)
(2) Belladonna. — Houatt's proving of Belladonna is No. 215
in Allen, and of those symptoms the following are starred, im-
plving that they liave been verified clinicallv : 1, 157, 198, 284,
333, 334, 335, 359, 382, 520, 605, 713, 726', 728, 744, 798, 800,
820, 837, 914, 941, 1059, 1089, 1148, 1149, 1152, 1196, 1408,
1412, 1445, 1483, 1517, 1605, 1639, 1642, 1653, 1666, 1673,
1677, 1685, 1713, 1751, 1761, 1847,1848,2209,2232,2273,
2412, 2496. In addition, in the United States Medical Journal,
April 15th, 1876, page 358, Dr. Storey gives two cases verify-
262
AEE HOUATrS PBOVIXGS RELIABLE?
[July,
ing symptoms 1882 and 2025, the latter of which belongs to
Houatt. So already fifty-one of these "actual lies" have been
clinically verified.
(3) Bufo. — Of this medicine Hering says (Guiding Symptoms,
III, 46), "Many of Houatt's symptoms have been verified."
Especially I would call attention to Payne's remarkable cure of
a fearful case of epilepsy by Bufo30, recorded in the Homoeo-
pathic Monthly and incorporated in the Guiding Symptoms.
Also Dr. McClatchey said (Hahnemann inn Monthly ,^1, 186):
" Within a circuit of five miles from our editorial sanctum we
could gather such a cloud of witnesses to the truth of very many
of the Bufo symptoms (of Houatt) as would astonish all skep-
tics."
(4) Cubeba.— In the Homoeopathic World, 1882, pages 212-13,
Dr. Swan writes that this medicine " is indicated in fetid odor
from chronic catarrh, with greenish yellow expectorations; also
in catarrh with rawness of throat, hoarseness, or aphonia, with
fullness in chest or wheezing; also, catarrh, with greenish-yellow
fetid discharge from nose; and in greenish-yellow fetid leucor-
rhoea. Have cured several cases with Cm and MM. (Swan)."
This verifies symptoms 60, 195, 213, 183. In The Organon,
III, 357, is quoted a cure of dysentery by Dr. Bacmeister, veri-
fying symptoms 149, 150. In the Hahnemannian Monthly , II,
422, Dr. E. M. Hale says of Houatt's provings : " I have cured
with Cubebs many cases of leucorrhcea, irritations of uterus and
ovaries, catarrh of bladder, dysuria, and renal disorders, and
am gratified to find that the symptoms in the pathogenesis are
very similar, often identical, with those which occurred in the
cases I have cured." In the same volume, pages 258-9, are some
allopathic verifications of Houatt's symptoms. So several more
"actual lies" have been found reliable.
(5) Curare. — In The Organon, III, 108, contains a compli-
cated case cured by Dr. T. F. Allen, in which a very large num-
ber of Houatt's symptoms were verified. Dr. Allen says, more-
over, in the article from which this case was quoted : " We have
some knowledge of the effects of Curare, and confess ourselves
astonished to find in Houatt's collection such a large number of
symptoms consistent with each other and with our previous
knowledge of the drug ; and what we have to say of Curare we
believe true of each of his provings." Yet, in spite of this, all
Houatt's provings, with the exception of Belladonna, are ex-
cluded from Allen's Index to the Encyclopaedia, on the ground
that there are confessedly some clinical symptoms mixed with
the pathogenetic not always to be with certainty differentiated.
1S8G.]
ARE HOUATT'S PROVINGS RELIABLE?
263
The two Cities of the Plain, says the ancient legend, were to
have been spared if ten righteous men could be found therein ;
but Dr. Allen consigns to therapeutic perdition eight goodly
and righteous cities on account of the presence of a few sin-
ners !
In the Ilahnemannian Monthly, 1881, page 24, is Dr. Harden-
stein's cure with Curare30. I am unable now to compare it with
the provings.
(6) Kali-iodatum. — Of this remedy, Dr. Allen marks as clini-
cally verified symptoms 172, 174, 178, 183, 185, 186, 194, 267,
304, 426, 469,"' 470, 509, 525, 675. Fifteen more " actual lies"
are thus verified.
(7) Piper nigrum. — The Encyclopaedia, VII, 552, records the
following effects (on two occasions; produced on a lady by tak-
ing large quantities of pepper: Feeling as if temples and
malar bones were pressed in, worse on left side. This con-
firms symptom 13. This was a symptom contributed to the
materia medica by myself ; I trust Dr. Hughes will not accuse
me as having invented an "actual lie" in order to support
Houatt.
(8) Robinia. — On this remedy Dr. Skinner writes to me, Feb-
ruary 4th, 1884 : " Robinia is a remarkable medicine, and Hou-
att's provings are proving to be Al. Bufo ditto." One veri-
fied symptom was " oily sweat" (see symptom 493). I hope
Dr. Skinner will publish his experience.
(9) SarraGenia purpura. — The only clinical experience I can
find is in Hahnemannian Monthly, I, 452-5 ; this, with the other
cases referred to in the article, should be compared with Hou-
att's provings.
It will, I think, be seen from this analysis that Dr. Hughes
was utterly in error in denouncing both Dr. Houatt and his
provings ; and it is to be hoped he will make the amende honor-
able to the memory of onr departed colleague. In the mean-
time there are two things to be done :
First, to add all the symptoms to our repertories wherever
omitted, that they may be more fully tested.
Secondly, it has been stated that Houatt did not publish all
his provings, being naturally disgusted with the treatment he
received from his colleagues. I propose that the I. H. A. should
at its next meeting pass a resolution that application be at
once made to Dr. Houatt' s heirs, asking for a copy of the re-
maining provings, and, if possible, the day-books of all the
provers.
THE RELATIVE VALUE OF SYMPTOMS.
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
The eternal laws are immutable, and Providence is ever ready
to see a violation of these laws exposed. When the world was
created there were created also all natural and eternal laws gov-
erningthe universe collectively, and individuals as such especially.
How much or how little we know of these laws is not under
consideration in this paper. What we do positively know is the
law governing the healing of the sick. This law always existed,
and the earliest writers on the healing art knew of it. So did
the greatest poet, " Shakespeare ;" so did many men of learning;
so did the immortal Hahnemann. His merit was to formulate
a system of applying this law for the cure of the sick, facts after
facts presenting themselves before his searching inquiries led him
to develop his methods of cure till he succeeded in the applica-
tion of the law of the similars, and he demonstrated that all
curable diseases were amenable to the methods he finally de-
veloped for the cure of the sick. His strictly inductive method
led him safely on his onward course; every forward step depended
upon new facts ascertained. The last fact was that crude char-
coal when taken by healthy persons did not change their sensa-
tions, did not produce any symptoms, but if triturated with an
inert substance (sugar of milk) to the third trituration and then
taken by the healthy individual, it produced such symptoms as
were also cured by potentizcd charcoal if similar symptoms were
found on the sick. These facts led to the foundation of the so-
called potentization theory, and proved conclusively that poten-
tization developed sick-making as well as curative powers lying
latent m the crude drug. The Vienna provers had to admit it,
the true healer admitted it, and found later, as Homoeopathy was
further developed, that there was not yec found a limit to the cura-
tive power of drugs, no matter how far and how much they were
developed by means of potentization. It was left to the President
of the American Institute of Homoeopathy to open anew a
question so long ago settled by facts to the full satisfaction of
all true healers in his address, 1885. A series of papers show-
ing how very indignant the homoeopathicians felt on that ac-
count appeared in the journals. Finally a peck of whitewash
came from " Providence " providentially, only making the un-
fortunate President's position if possible more ridiculous.
Providence would have it that the President of the American
Institute betook himself to the witness stand and "confessed."
264
July, 1336 ] THE RELATIVE VALUE OF SYMPTOMS.
2G5
lie delivered himself of an address before the Homoeopathic
Medical Society of the County of New York on March 11th,
1886, before one hundred and eighteen members present, after
Dr. P. P. Wells, of Brooklyn, had read a paper on " The Best
Mode of Selecting the Remedy/'' A vote of thanks was ex-
tended to Dr. P. P. Wells for his interesting and instructive
paper on motion of Dr. Bacon, seconded by Dr. Wilder. That
paper was not published in the May number of the North Ameri-
can Journal of Homoeopathy ; the leading paper in that number
is on the relative value of symptoms, by T. F. Allen, M. D.,
New York.
Dr. Allen accepts the more scientific sounding terms proposed
by Dr. Drysdale, absolute and contingent symptoms. For many
long years the progressive homoeopathists who were often unchari-
tably charged with neglecting " Pathology" have charged that a
knowledge of the very little knowledge we have of pathology
is indispensably necessary. On this point there never was a dif-
ference of opinion, but there is a great difference of opinion as
to the uses of this knowledge. The symptoms of the sick, be-
longing absolutely to the form of the disease he is afflicted with,
are those called now by Dr. Drysdale absolute symptoms, and
there are many pretending homoeopaths who seek to find a spe-
cific remedy for these absolute symptoms, and failing to cure the
sick under the silly application of the law of the similars to a
sick physiology or a pathological condition, ascribe these failures
to the potentized drug, demand appreciable doses or doubt the
general applicability of the law of the similars, denounce Hah-
nemann, his materia medica, and fall into vile eclecticism.
The true healer discerns closely between these so termed abso-
lute symptoms as absolutely belonging to a form of a disease and
then carefully and accurately notes down all the other strange
symptoms belonging absolutely only to the sick individual and
not absolutely to the disease, and these symptoms Dr. Drysdale
terms contingent; these are the guiding, determining symptoms,
and have a positively greater value for the selection of the simi-
lar and therefore curative remedy than have the so-called abso-
lute symptoms. A knowledge of pathology and the absolute
symptoms does not assist us in selecting a curative remedy, but
assists us in determining the general regime of the sick. After
clearly showing the value of the determining symptoms, the
learned Doctor falls out of his roll when he fables about the two
anti-zymotics, Quinine and Mercury, and finally asserts that if it
— the poison (marsh malaria) — has attained an overpowering
control Quinine will so reduce its virulence that nature will
266 THE RELATIVE VALUE OF SYMPTOMS.
[July,
eliminate it. This a fatal error, to say the least of it. Why
abandon the law of the similars at a state of sickness which, as
Dr. Allen says, has attained an overpowering control? This
overpowering control is expressive of a failure of the unskilful
homoeopath to cure, and then he is told that Quinine will so re-
duce its virulence that nature will eliminate it. Of course, nature,
aided by the .similar remedy properly administered, will eliminate
it, the marsh malaria. Quinine will suppress the symptoms and
leave the marsh malaria to seek other organs, frequently the
liver or spleen, and there develop fatal diseases. Again a lucid
remark is made by the Doctor when he says, on page 411, our
best results are obtained by treating the patient and ignoring the
zymosis. The question, " How far is palliation consistent with
or antagonistic to Homoeopathy ?" is answered by showing, as
Hahnemann did in his Organon of the Healing Art, para-
graphs 53 to 56 : Either one or the other of the means of apply-
ing medicines for the cure of the sick can be the right one, and
if we profess to be homoeopaths it follows that we are in honesty
bound to reject all other modes of applying medicines for the
cure of the sick, we are bound to declare palliative treatment in-
consistent with and antagonistic .to Homoeopathy. The keynote
to the heresy of the applicability of various modes of cure by
the physician is sounded in the New York Medical Times, which
journal is honest enough to reject Homoeopathy and accept eclec-
ticism. On page 85 of the May number it expresses its hopes that
the American Institute will cease to bind its members by a single
dogma. The declaration of a belief that homoeopath ists are
bound to adhere to a single dogma shows the deplorable ig-
norance of men who can utter such an absurdity.
Bound by a single dogma. All assertion for Avhich no proof
is offered is dogmatical Chalybams specut. (Philosophy), p. 4.
Dogmatism is Puppyism come to maturity. The law of the
similars is a natural law on which rests the whole structure of
the homoeopathic healing art. The history of the develop-
ment of that law, and how it can and must be applied for the
cure of the sick, was fully described in Hahnemann's Organon
of the Healing Art. A deviation from his methods will neces-
sarily be followed by failures, and weak as well as lazy men will
never — hardly ever — blame themselves, but find some plausible
excuse. Not all men do so; and I may now relate a singular
case worthy of imitation : The late Professor Robert Plare, who
for many long years had so successfully filled the chair of
chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania, after resigning
his chair, and after giving all his chemical apparatus to the
Smithsonian Institution, had made up his mind to make some
1886.]
THE RELATIVE VALUE OF SYMPTOMS.
267
Aluminium. Calling at his house one morning, I met the old
Professor with his leather apron on, and naturally asked him
what he was doing. He answered that he had twice failed in
his attempt to make Aluminium; that it was his fault surely;
other people had made it, and he would not give it up till he
succeeded. He did succeed. "What other people have done I
will do also," and he did it. How different it is in our days.
Thousands of evidences are recorded confirming in all particulars
the truthfulness of Hahnemann's method if properly applied.
Hahnemann and others had secured an unparalleled success in
curing the sick; others failed, and these men now boldly seek
to create a doubt as to the applicability of the universal law of
cure; they seek excuses for palliative treatment; they deny the
efficacy of potentized drugs, if no appreciable drug quantities can
be discovered by the microscope. Professor Hare made Alumin-
ium. These unfortunates who failed deny that others succeeded
and resort to eclecticism. They bewail that the homoeopaths are
bound by a dogma. They have time and again had the temerity
to declare the followers of Hahnemann, the very ones who have
established our practice, and by their painstaking, hard work
made Homoeopathy respected, that these men were now retard-
ing the progress of what? Eclecticism ! Well, they do, and will
continue to do, all they can to expose the folly of men who favor a
deviation from the law of the similars when it suits them. The
relative value of symptoms must be determined by the observing
healer himself ; he knows that pathological conditions and sick
physiology are not guiding symptoms, nor does he for a moment
fable about zymotic diseases or palliative remedies; he will accept
and apply Hahnemann's methods and cure the sick. He will
not be compelled to implore Providence for a peck of whitewash
because he was breaking his pledges to the public, when he pro-
fesses to practice Homoeopathy, and denies first of all the infal-
libility of the law of the similars as the only law of cure, and
progressively uudcrmines Hahnemann's arguments, till finally
he packs a jury of incompetents to report adversly on the po-
tentization question. It is a fatal error to claim that Homoeopa-
thy, stripped of the infinitesimals, would be more acceptable to the
common school of medicine. Bosh !^ Homoeopathy, without the
infinitesimals, becomes a caricature^ If these unfortunate ad-
herents to fatal errors would diligently hide their infinitesi-
mal knowledge of the principles governing the healing art
to which they not only profess to belong and of which prin-
ciples they jwofess to be exponents also, the common school of
medicine might at least respect them, while now they refuse that
much-coveted recognition.
THE SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE INTER-
NATIONAL HAHNEMANNIAN ASSOCIATION.
The International Hahnemannian Association met in its sixth
annual session at Saratoga, June 24th, 25th, and 26th. Among
those present were noticed Drs. H. C. Allen, E. A. Ballard, J.
A. Biegler, C. W. Boyce, T. L. Brown, C. W. Butler, Alice B.
Campbell, E. Carleton, A. B. Carr, Stuart Close, J. B. G. Cus-
tis, W. S. Gee, W. J. Guernsey, W. A. Hawley, H. Hitchcock,
E. P. Hussey, J. T. Kent, C. H. Lawton, E. J. Lee, S. Long,
J. F. Miller, Mahlon Preston, E. Rushmore, E. W. Sawyer,
Julius Schmidt, S. Swan, L. B. Wells, P. P. Wells, William P.
Wesselhoeft, etc.
We give a brief outline of the work done ; fuller reports will
be given later; suffice it to say here that the meeting was in
every way a great success, and all in attendance felt themselves
most amply repaid.
The first session was called to order promptly at eleven A. M«
by the President, Dr. H. C. Allen, who then delivered a very
interesting address. Referred to a committee, consisting of Drs.
Butler, Ballard, and Lawton, who later reported in commenda-
tory terms of the address, excepting one section upon the dose
question, to which they desired to add an explanatory note.
Then followed reports of Secretary and Treasurer ; next the
amendment to the By-Laws was rejected. The amendment,
as proposed, was to the effect that an applicant for membership
need not be a graduate of a regular medical college, but must be
a regularly educated practicing physician. The rejection of this
amendment leaves the rule as before, to wit : That an applicant
must be a graduate of a regular medical college.
Dr. C. W. Butler moved that election for officers for ensuing
year be made first order of business for afternoon session of
Friday. Agreed to.
Dr. E. J. Lee introduced a revision of the preamble and
resolutions, originally adopted June, 1880, as prepared by Dr.
C. Carleton Smith and himself, and moved their consideration
be made first order of business for Friday morning's session.
Agreed to. The following are the resolutions, which were later
duly adopted, after brief discussion :
The following resolutions completely and fully represent the therapeutic opinion
and practice of the members of the International Hahnemannian Association :
Whekeas. We believe Hahnemann's Organon of the Healing Art to be the only true
guide in therapeutics ; and
268
July, 1886.] SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE t. II. A. 200
Whereas, Both the Organon and experience prove Homoeopathy to consist of the
law of the similars, which includes the totality of the symptoms as the only basis for
prescribing, the use of the single remedy in the minimum do*e of the dynamized drug,
proven upon the healthy, and these not singly but collectively ; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the alternating or combining of remedies "in a prescription is non-
homceopathic.
Resolved, That the use of medicated topical applications and mechanical appliances,
surgical cases excepted, are non-homoeopathic, and hence injurious to the best interests
of the patient.
Resolved, That as "the best dose of medicine is ever the smallest," any suppression
of symptoms by the toxic action of a drug cannot be recognized as homeebpathic prac-
tice.
Resolved, That this Association can have no sympathy with those physicians who
would engraft upon Homoeopathy the pathological theories, the empirical prescrip-
tions, or the crude dosage of allopathy and eclecticism : nor can Homoeopathy be held
responsible for their fatal errors in theory or failures in practice.
Resolved, That for the purposes of perpetuating and perfecting the science of Homoe-
opathy, and for our common improvement and advancement, we organize the Inter-
national Hahnemannian Association, and adopt the following Constitution and By-Laws.
An effort was made to drop the word International from the
title of the Association, but after a spirited discussion, was, on
motion of Dr. Kent, laid on the table.
Dr. Guernsey nioved to change the seal of the Association, as
its present symbol was indicative more of the faith cure than of
Homoeopathy. Referred to the Committee. Later Dr. Guernsey
reported a new seal for the use of the Association by substituting
a medallion of Hahnemann for the present " snake " device.
Ordered.
The Auditing Committee reported the Treasurer's report as
correct.
Committee on Revision of By-Laws asked for further time.
The Bureau of Materia Medica, under their Chairman,
Professor J. T. Kent, M. D., then reported. Among the many
admirable papers presented were those of Drs. P. P. Wells, A.
McNeil, Wm. P. Wesselhoeft, D. C. McLaren, W. S. Gee, and
J. T. Kent.
Dr. W. S. Gee's paper consisted of an elaborate proving of
the " Loco Weed," introducing many valuable symptoms. The
drug gives promise of being a valuable addition to our materia
medica. Dr. WesselhoefVs paper was a continuation of his
proving of Apium Graveolens, reported at last meeting of the
Association. This remedy also promises to be of much value,
especially in urticarious affections. Dr. Kent's paper presented
an exhaustive proving of the Culex Musca, better known as
the musquito. This proving had been four or more years in
hand, and all agreed was exceedingly well done. Dr. Wells re-
marked that the late Dr. Hering had spoken of the probable
value of the musquito poison, but had never proved it.
Dr. Hitchcock read a very interesting paper on " High Po-
tencies and their Action, with a Clinical Case," which was well
prepared and full of good points.
270
SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE I. H. A.
[July,
In the discussion that ensued Drs. Brown, Wesselhoef't, and
Schmidt participated.
The reading of the papers of this bureau, and their discussion,
occupied all of the first day's sessions, three in all.
Dr. Kent closed the bureau by reading many papers by title
only, so fruitful were their labors !
The Board of Censors reported applicants of about thirty
physicians, some of whom were laid upon the table, owing to
various non-compliance with By-Laws. Among those elected
were Drs. Alice B. Campbell, C. Hoyt, W. Hoyt, S. Long, Frank
Powell, J. G. Gundlach, H. W. Sherbino, J. H. Sutfin, R. C.
Markham, Stuart Close, H. Hitchcock, G. H. Clark, A. H.
Schott, G. W. Carr, W. H. Stover, "W. D. Cooper, A. H. Ehr-
man, A. B. Knott, S. A. Kimball, W. L. Reed, Thomas Skin-
ner, of London, etc.
Dr. Ad. Lippe was unanimously reinstated a member. The
Association will be pleased to again welcome one who has so
long and so faithfully advocated its principles.
The Bureau of Obstetrics, Diseases of Women and Children,
Dr. Julius Schmidt, Chairman, presented a number of papers,
the first of these being by Dr. Rushmore on " Clinical Cases,"
and next, by Dr. Allen B. Carr, on diphtheritic croup.
Dr. Custis read a paper on " Chills in the Lying-in-room,
their Significance, and What they Suggest."
The discussion which ensued elicited remarks from Drs. P. P.
Wells, L. B. Wells, Biegler, Preston, Campbell, Bishop, Saw-
yer, Carleton, Ballard, and Hussey.
Dr. Schmidt, Chairman, then read his paper on " Hydrops-
amnii, Causing Premature Labor, and of an Anencephalus, fol-
lowed by Phlebitis," which was received without discussion.
Dr. E. B. Nash presented a paper on " Specialties in Medi-
cine," and by request — the author being absent — it was read,
and proved to be a very excellent paper, brimful of sarcasm
and wit, which brought down the house very many times.
A paper by Dr. D. C. McLaren, on " Pregnancy and Parturi-
tion," and also one on " Homoeopathy in the Diseases of
Women," by Dr. E. P. Hussey, were read by title.
Dr. Custis presented an account of an important case, and re-
quested information as to treatment.
The first business of Friday afternoon was the election of offi-
cers for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows : Dr. James
T. Kent, St. Louis, President; Dr. W. P. Wesselhoeft, Boston,
Vice-President ; Dr. E. A. Ballard, Chicago, Secretary ; Dr. W.
A. Hawley, Syracuse, Treasurer ; Dr. G. Pompili, Rome, Cor-
18S6.]
SrXTH ANNTAL SESSION OF THE I. H. A.
271
responding Secretary ; Dr. J. A. Biegler, Rochester, N. Y.,
Chairman of Board of Censors; Dr. W. S. Gee, Hvde Park.
111.; Dr. Edward Rushmore, Plainfield, N. J. ; Dr. C. W. Butler,
Montclair, X. J. ; Dr. J. B. Bell, Boston, Mass., Censors.
Dr. Allen, the retiring President, was elected a Committee on
Railway and Hotel Rates for next Convention.
The next Convention will be held at Oakland, Michigan.
The report of the Bureau of Clinical Medicine, under Dr. E.
Rushmore, Chairman, was next considered. This bureau con-
sisted of Drs. G. F. Foote, J. F. Miller, F. Bruns, W. A.
Hawley, J. C. Robert, T. L. Brown, J. A. Bieeler, E. W. Ber-
ridge, J. R. Haynes, T. P. Birdsall, E. A. ^Ballard, G. M.
Pease, T. S. Hoyne, and F. E. Stoakes. The papers were ex-
cellent and their discussion interesting.
The Surgical Bureau, Dr. E. Carleton, Chairman, with Dr. J. B.
Bell, L. B. Wells, and W. H. Leonard, reported on Saturday.
When speaking on " Medical Education," Dr. P. P. Wells
recommended that the members of the Association send their
pupils to such colleges as teach the philosophy of Hahnemann ;
that no college could turn out homoeopathic graduates that did
not make a specialty of teaching the law. He referred to the
College at St. Louis as being the only school that was sound on
this doctrine. He referred to President-elect Kent, the profes-
sor of materia medica at the St. Louis school, in terms of highest
commendation, and hoped the Association would stand by him
in his efforts to uphold the banner of pure Hornceopathy.
Dr. Kent thanked the speaker and the Association for their
kind words, and hoped that his future course would justify the
confidence heretofore reposed in him.
A resolution was offered to the effect that this Association re-
commeDd the Homoeopathic Medical College of Missouri (St.
Louis) to its members and their pupils and friends as the only
college in the world at which Homoeopathy is properly taught.
This was promptly seconded, but before final action could be
taken upon it a discussion arose, participated in by Drs. Ballard,
Carleton, Rushmore, Brown, dishing, Campbell, and others,
plainly indicating that there were other colleges which were
working industriously, though in a quiet way, for the same end.
At the conclusion of the discussion, on motion of Dr. Kent, the
resolution was laid on the table.
The Bureau on " Clinical Medicine" then resumed its routine
business.
Dr. Gee read a valuable paper giving several important clini-
cal cases ; also papers by Dr. John C. Robert, Dr. Sawyer (two
272 SIXTH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE t. H. A. [July, 1886.
papers), Dr. C. H. Lawton, Dr. F. Bruns; also, by title, papers
from Drs. Baldwin, Seward, Lowe, Carr, Berridge (London),
Haynes, Birdsall, Pease, Cranch, Hoyue, Stoakes, Foote, Haw-
ley, and Guernsey (two papers).
Dr. Wells being on the point of leaving the meeting, the Presi-
dent took occasion to thank him for his presence and good words.
The applause which followed was long continued. When Dr.
Wells finally rose to respond tears stood in his eyes, and for
some moments he was unable to speak. His wrords came slowly
and were listened to in quiet and with much feeling. He said :
" I have hardly words to express my gratification at the appro-
val of yourself and our Association. I am impressed with the
probability that this is the last meeting of the Association that
I shall ever attend. The probabilities are, before you will as-
semble again, I shall be called higher. I was not originally in
favor of the formation of this Association. I thought my mis-
sion was rather in the old Institute, which I helped to create ;
but I have changed my mind. If I am never permitted to meet
with you again, I would like to leave with those who survive
me, my testimony, once and forever, to the truth of the law that
governs our Association and which has our utmost confidence, and
to urge the Association, if I am gone, to spare no effort, to count
no exertion too much, which shall extend the confidence we have
in our law and which shall increase our influence toward inducing
all others to come into active support of the truth." (Applause.)
The necrological report was read and accepted.
From the Bureau of Surgery a number of interesting papers
were read, among these being — Dr. Rushmore on " Tumors,"
Dr. J. B. Bell on " Homoeopathy and Pain," Dr. L. B. Wells
on " Arnica," Dr. T. Dwight Stowe on " Conservative Sur-
gery," Dr. Leonard on " Ovarian Surgery," Dr. Carleton on
" Bastinado in Asphyxia," " Cider Vinegar as a Local Antidote
to Carbolic Acid," and, also, " Suppression and Metastasis."
The Association then adjourned sine die.
This report is hastily prepared from newspaper reports, and does
not do justice to any of the papers or their discussion. Papers
by Drs. P. P. Wells and A. McNeil are given in this number ;
next issue will contain Dr. Kent's paper on " Natrum sulphu-
ricum, and Sycosis f later on we hope to give many more of the
admirable papers presented at this meeting. The Saratoga
meeting of the International Hahnemannian Association wUJ
ever be memorable in its annals, for there the Association took
a grand step forward in its u purpose of perpetuating and per-
fecting the science of Homoeopathy."
"DR. LANGHAMMER AND DR. DUDGEON."
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
Dr. Dudgeon (Homoeopathic World, 1886, p. 210), in order to
disparage Hahnemann's fellow-provers and exalt the Caricature
of Drug Pathogenesy, declares of Langhammer that, " with
strange perversity, he recorded dilatation or contraction of the
pupil as the effect of all the medicines he proved — which we
should have thought least likely to cause those symptoms." He
then gives a list of twenty-four of these medicines, adding, "Such
anomalies destroy our confidence in this person's" ("person's" is
good!) "provings, and no doubt many of Hahnemann's fellow-
provers are equally untrustworthy." On referring to Allen's
Encyclopcedia I find that in all these medicines, except nine,
0716 or other or both symptoms are confirmed by other provings,
and of these nine exceptions, the symptoms of Merc-sol. are con-
firmed by the provings of Merc.-vivus. Would it not be better
if Dr. Dudgeon made himself a little better acquainted with the
homoeopathic materia medica before venturing to condemn it?
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
CORRECTION.
In June number, page 206, for Furfur Iritici read Furfur
Triticum.
BOOK NOTICES.
American Medicinal Plants. By C. F. Millspaugh,
M. D. Boericke & Tafel, New York and Philadelphia.
The fourth fascicle of this beautiful work is just published. It is one of
l he most accurate and beautiful publications of its kind that we have ever seen.
Besides tue plates, which are colored to life with exquisite taste, there is a
printed description of each plant in beautiful type. This description includes
the usual statement of its botanical characteristics; a paragraph devoted to
"history and habitat;" "part used in preparation ; " " chemical constituents,"
and "physiological action." This last is, of course, from the homoeopathic
standpoint.
The whole work is eminently interesting to homoeopath ists, and there is not
a physician of our school who should continue practice without a copy. We
are all too ignorant of the nature of the materials which we prescribe.
Physicians should have a good knowledge of chemistry and botany. In the
absence of the latter knowledge these magnificent plates are an excellent
substitute. W. M. J.
Proceedings of the International Hahxi .manxian
Association for the years 1884-85. Ann Arbor, Mich. 1886.
This volume of two hundred and seventy-two pages includes the minutes of
the meetings for two years — being in reality two volumes bound in one.
274
BOOK NOTICES.
[July, 1886.
It is an interesting and valuable work, containing contributions from well
known Hahneinannian homoeopaths.
We see within its pages the addresses of the two succeeding presidents —
Drs. Foote and Gregg. There is an interesting paper upon "Suppressed
Malarial Fever," by Dr. John Hall, of Toronto ; provings of several remedies,
by Dr. Cranch ; one of Dr. P. P. Wells' excellent papers ; " Magnetism," by Dr.
Fellger, etc. The book is well printed, and is embellished with a wood-cut
portrait of Dr. P. P. Wells.
The only adverse criticism we can make is that the publication of these
papers should not have been delayed so long a time. W. M. J.
Purpura. By George William Winterburn, M. D., editor
of the American Hom(Jcopathid. New York : A. L. Chatterton
& Co. 1886.
The above is the title of an excellent little monograph of two hundred and
fifty pages upon Purpura and its homoeopathic treatment. The work begins
with a description of the disease, its etiology, pathology, and symptoms;
descriptions of the several varieties; its diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
Then follows a separate section devoted to indications of the remedies. These
are not arranged in alphabetical order but according to their clinical value.
The first and apparently most important remedy is Crotalus ; then come
Phosphorus, Lachesis, Arsenicum, Secale, etc., ending up with Lycopodium.
The last section is a very good repertory. In the section devoted to the
individual remedies, under each drug is a list of pathogenetic symptoms ; then
comments showing its therapeutic range; then clinical cases proving the value
of the medicine. It will thus be seen that the whole work is very thorough,
and calculated to be a material help to the student and practitioner in find-
ing the suitable remedy.
Statements are given of the experience of physicians who gave such drugs
as Quinine and Chloral in massive doses with the resulting and unexpected
production of purpura. Such proofs of the relationship of the drugs to
purpura are of course acceptable to the homoeopathist. Yet they are not
valuable without the true pathogenesis to enable us to individualize. Ac-
cordingly, the author shows his clear understanding of our system by giving
the required symptomatology. Those who are interested* in the subject
may find some cases that were published by this same author in The
Homceopathic Physician last September, page 306.
In conclusion, we may say that the book is beautifully printed, and we give
it our cordial indorsement. W. M. J.
The Latest System in Medicine. By H. E. Beebe,
M. D. Sidney, Ohio : Trego & Binkley. 1886.
The above is an address delivered before the Homoeopathic Medical Society
of Ohio, May 11th, 1886. It is a general review of the successful career of
Homoeopathy and an answer to much old-school argument against it, especially
the address of Dr. Reeve, entitled " The Latest Systems in Medicine."
The author considers that Homoeopathy suffers from two kinds of extremists
within her ranks — "Those who would restrict us in our resources the same as
the allopath, and the other class who are seeking recognition from our aggres-
sors." By this we suppose he means the high potency men on one side and
the mongrel element " seeking recognition" on the other.
Altogether, we think the address an excellent one, W. M. J.
T ih: IE
Homeopathic Physician.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constantine hering.
Vol. VI. AUGUST, 18S6. No. 8.
NATRUM SULPHURICUM AND SYCOSIS.
J. T. Kent, A. M., M. D.
As its name indicates, it is the chemical combination of Natrum
and Sulphur, Glauber's salts, sulphate of soda. It partakes of
the wonderful properties of both Sodium and Sulphur, and some
day will become a very frequently indicated remedy. It is a
remedy which typically corresponds to many of the complaints
of a bilious climate. Malarial climates are all more or less bil-
ious. Of course, I don't mean every man or every woman that
comes to you and says : " Doctor, I am bilious." AVe don't
know what that means. It means more or less liver ; it means
more cr less stomach ; a general derangement of the system.
Any kind of sickness may be called biliousness, but where the
liver and stomach combine to effect disorders, we have bilious-
ness. Natrum sulphuricum combines, in a measure, the won-
derful effects of Natrum muriaticum and of Sulphur in the
Western climate as an active malarial agent.
It is a most wonderful combination in its symptoms, because
it not only pertains to muscular debility and disturbances of the
general structures of the body, but also combines that which
gives it consideration mentally. Its complaints are those that
are brought on from living in damp houses, living in basements,
and in cellars. Its complaints are generally worse in rainy
weather — wet weather ; hence it was called, primarily, by Grau-
vogl one of his hydrogenoid remedies. It produces a profound im-
275
276
NATRUM SULPHURICUM AND SYCOSIS. [August,
pression upon the system in a general way like unto sycosis and
like unto a deep-seated and suppressed sycotic disease. There-
fore, it is one of the grandest remedies underlying asthma and
asthmatic complaints and inherited complaints. In fact, Na-
trum sulphuricum is one of the best, one of the clear-cut, indi-
cated remedies for constitutional conditions in children that
result in chest catarrhs and asthmatic complaints. This shows
you only one of its hereditary features. Now, if we take into
consideration the sycotic nature, the hydrogenoid condition, of
the constitution — always worse in wet weather — and this her-
edity, then we have one of the grand features of this medicine.
Its next grand sphere is its action upon the liver and stomach,
producing, as I have intimated, this bilious disturbance of the
body. We have, corresponding with this liver excitement, a
long list of mental symptoms marked with irritability, anxiety,
desire to die, aversion to life and to things in life that would
generally make people pleasant and comfortable. Now, if I
begin on this mental state and go down through it, we will see
more of it.
A good wife goes to her husband and says: "If you only
knew what restraint I have to use to keep from shooting myself
you would appreciate my condition !" It is attended with wild-
ness and irritability. No remedy has that symptom like Na-
trum sulphuricum. You may examine the various remedies in
our pathogenesy and you will find almost every kind of mental
symptom, but here is one that stands by itself — this wonderful
restraint to prevent doing herself bodily harm is characteristic
of Natrum sulphuricum. The satiety of life, aversion to life ;
the great sadness, the great clespondenc}', coupled with the irri-
tability and dread of music — music makes her weep, makes her
sad, makes her melancholy — this symptom runs through the
Natrums ; it gets this from the Natrum side of its family ; Na-
trum carb., Natrum muriaticum, Natrum sulphuricum, all have
it. Anything like melancholic strains aggravates her complaints ;
mild music, gentle light, mellow light that pours through church
windows — all these make her sad — these little glimmers of light
that come through the colored glass make her sad. Now, such
is the mental characteristic of Natrum sulphuricum.
It has violent head pains, and especially so in the base of the
brain ; violent pains in the base of the neck ; violent, crushing
pains as if the base of the brain were crushed in a vise, or as if
a dog were gnawing at the base of the brain. These symp-
toms have led to prescribe this medicine. In spinal meningitis
of to-day, if all the remedies in the materia medica were taken
1886.] NATRUM SULPHURICUM AND SYCOSIS.
277
away from me and I were to have but one with which to treat
that disease, I would take Natrum sulphuricum, because it will
modify and save life in the majority of cases. It cuts short the
disease surprisingly when it is the truly indicated remedy. I
don't want you to understand now that I recommend any one
remedy for a disease — don't get that idea — but I have said that
simply to get you to place the proper value on this remedy. In
relation to the symptoms that you are likely to find in spinal
meningitis there is a drawing back of the neck and spasms of
the back, together with all the mental irritability and delirium
already described. The violent determination of blood to the
head that we find in this disease clinically is nicely cured.
The next most important feature is in relation to the eyes.
That is characteristic and is equaled only by one other remedy
in chronic diseases where there is an aversion to life with
photophobia, and that is Graphites. You take these cases of
chronic conjunctivitis, with granular lids, green pus, terrible
photophobia, so much so that he can hardly open his eyes, the
light of the room brings on headache, brings on distress and
many pains. Here Natrum sulphuricum should be consulted
and compared with Graphites, because Graphites has also an ex-
treme aggravation from light in eye affections. Of course, this
classes it entirely away from Belladonna and the other remedies
that have acute photophobia or determination of blood to the
brain, because it gives you a chronic state and condition that you
must study. Natrum sulphuricum produces a stuffing up of
the nose, red tongue, irritable mucous membrane of the eyes,
nose, and ears, with great dryness and burning in the nose.
Pus becomes green upon exposure to the light. The mouth
always tastes bad. The patient says : " Doctor, my mouth is
always full of slime." That is a common expression of the
patient when he comes to you. And the provers, all of them,
said that they were troubled with a slimy mouth. Thick, tena-
cious, white mucus in the mouth. Always hawking up mucus
— it wells up from the stomach ; mucus from the oesophagus ;
mucus by belching; mucus coughed up from the trachea, and it
is always foul and slimy.
There is a distended feeling in the stomach ; a sense of a
weight in the stomach ; almost constant nau?ea ; vomiting of
slime, bitter and sour. These are the characteristics : bitter and
sour. A sensation of weight in the right hypochondrium, in
the region of the liver ; aching pains ; sometimes cutting pains,
and a great amount of distress in the region of the liver. En-
gorgement in the region of the liver. He can only lie on the
278
NATRUM SULPHURICUM AND SYCOSIS. [August,
right side, his complaints are aggravated from lying on his
left side. When lying on the left side the congested liver seems
to pull and draw ; the great weight increases the pain and un-
easiness and he is compelled to turn back on the right side.
Now, it is from these symptoms, whenever a patient comes into
my office and says, "Doctor, my mouth is so slimy and tastes so
bad, and I think I am bilious," that he always gets Natrum
sulphuricum.
I began the use of this remedy with Schtissler's remedies
some years ago, and find the indications well carried out by the
higher and highest potencies. I carry Tafel's five hundredth
potency in my case, and use also the highest of Fincke with
same results. Bell says that if the thirtieth potency of Arsenic
is equal to a complete knowledge of the drug, crude Arsenic
would be equal to complete ignorance.
Now, there is another state as to the chest, and that is
in relation to the cough. It has a cough with a sensation of
all-goneness in the chest. In this it competes with Bryonia ;
both hold the chest when coughing. Bryonia holds the
chest because he feels as if the chest would fly to pieces ;
there is such a soreness that he feels the necessity of steadying
his chest. The complaints of Bryonia are relieved by pressure.
Natrum sulphuricum has this same desire to hold the chest ; but
in Natrum sulphuricum the muco-pus that is spat up from the
lungs is thick and ropy and yellowish green, looking like pus —
purulent — aud there is an all-gone, empty feeling in the chest.
He feels a sense of weakness there ; he feels that his lungs are
all gone, that he must die in a few days with consumption or
some other failing like that, and that it is coming on in a short
time.
Bryonia will correspond more to the irritable states with the
cough, where there is great rawness, great constriction, great sense
of tearing in the chest, burning in the chest ; while Natrum sul-
phuricum will correspond to a case that has been going on for per-
haps a week ; every cough brings up a mouthful of purulent expec-
toration with a desire to press upon the chest to relieve the weak-
ness; Natrum sulphuricum is then your remedy. Another chest
state is that of humid asthma. If a child has asthma give Natrum
sulphuricum as the first remedy. Asthma, when hereditary, is
one of the sycotic complaints of Hahnemann. You will not find
that in your text-books, so don't look for it, but it may be an
observation worth knowing. I have cured a very large number
of such cases of asthma, although the text-books would dis-
courage you if you should read them under asthma, because
1886.] NATRUM SULPHUKICUM AND SYCOSIS.
279
they will tell you that cases of asthma are incurable. For years
I was puzzled with the management of asthma. When a person
came to me and asked : " Doctor, can you cure asthma ?" I
would say, " No." But now I am beginning to get quite liberal
on asthma, since I have learned that asthma is a sycotic disease,
and since I have made judicious application of anti-sycotics I
have been able to manage and cure a great number of such cases.
You will find in the history of medicine that wherever asthma
was cured it has been by anti-sycotic medicines. That is one of
the first things I observed, that outside of sycotics you will
seldom find a cure for asthma. There is that peculiarity that
runs through sycosis which gives you a hereditary disease, and
asthma corresponds to that disease ; hence it is that Silioea is one
of the greatest cures for asthma ; it doesn't cure every case, but
when Silicea corresponds to the symptoms you will be surprised
to note how quickly it will eradicate it. While Ipecac, Spongia,
and Arsenicum will correspond just as cleverly to the superven-
ing symptoms and to everything that you can find about the
case, yet what do they do ? They palliate the case nicely ; they
repress the symptoms, and your asthma is no better off, your
patient is not cured. Arsenic is one of the most frequently in-
dicated medicines of any in the books for the relief of asthma ;
so also are Bryonia, Ipecac, Spongia, and Carbo veg., but they
do not cure ; they relieve surprisingly at times. Where a
patient is sitting up, covered with a cold sweat, wants to be
fanned by somebody on either side of the bed, dyspnoea is so
distressing that it seems almost impossible for the patient to live
longer, to get another breath, then Carbo veg:. comes in and
gives immediate relief and the patient will lie down and get a
very good night's rest ; but what is the result ? On comes the
asthma again the very next cold. Natrum sulphuricum goes
down to the bottom of this kind of a case. If it is hereditary, that
is, not long-lived, if it is in a growing subject, Natrum sulphur-
icum goes down to the bottom of such a case and will cure when
its symptoms are present ; and the symptoms will so often be
present. It is because of this deep-seated anti-sycotic nature
that we find in the combination of Natrum and Sulphur that we
have a new state and combination running into the life. When
the chest is filling up with mucus, rattling of mucus, expectora-
tion of large quantities of white mucus, with asthmatic breathing
in young subjects, this remedy must be thought of.
With the constitutional troubles there are important head
symptoms — head symptoms from injuries of the head. A
young man in St. Louis was hurled from a truck in the fire
280
NATRUM SULPHURICUM AND SYCOSIS.
[August,
department. He struck on his head. Following this for five
or six months he had fits; I don't know what kind of fits he
had ; some said he had epilepsy, some said one thing and some
another, and some said he would have to be trephined. He was
an allopathist, of course, as these firemen all are, for it is hardly
ever that you can get one to go outside of allopathy and try
something else. He was a good, well-bred Irishman ; he had
to have some good, stout physic. Some of his friends prevailed
upon him to stay in the country for a while. He did so, but
he did not get better; he was so irritable; he wanted to die.
His wife said she could hardly stand it with him; always
wanted to die; didn't want to live. His fits drove him to dis-
traction. He didn't know when he was going to have one;
they were epileptiform in character. Well, in the country he
ran across a homoeopathic doctor, because he had one of these
attacks and the handiest doctor at the time was a homoeopath.
That homoeopath told him that he had better come back to St.
Louis and place himself under my care. He did so." At that time
it had been about six months that he had been having these fits.
When he walked into my office he staggered ; his eyes were
nearly bloodshot ; he could hardly see out of them, and he
wore a shade over his eyes — so much was he distressed about the
light — such a photophobia. He had a constant pain in his
head. He had injured himself by falling upon the ground upon
the back of his head, and he had with this all the irritability
that I have described. There was nothing in his fits that was
distinctive of a remedy, and the first thing that came into my
head was Arnica; that is what everybody would have thought.
Arnica wouldn't have been the best remedy for him, though.
Had I known no other or better remedy Arnica would have
perhaps been the best. As soon as he had finished his descrip-
tion, and I had given the case more thought, I found that
Natrum sulphuricum was the best indicated remedy for injuries
about the head, and I have been in the habit of giving it. So
I gave it in this case. The first dose of Natrum sulphuricum
cured this young man. He has never had any pain about the
head since. He has never had any mental trouble since, never
another fit. That one prescription cleared up the entire case.
If you will just remember the chronic effects from injuries upon
the skull — not fractures, but simple concussions that have
resulted from a considerable shock and injuries without organic
affections — then Natrum sulphuricum should be your first rem-
edy. Now, maybe that is not worth remembering, but when
you have relieved as many heads as I have with Natrum sul-
1886.] XATRUM SULPHURICUM AND SYCOSIS.
281
phuricum you will be glad to have been informed of this circum-
stance. Ordinarily, Arnica for injuries and the results of inju-
ries, especially the neuralgic pains and the troubles from old
scars ; but in mental troubles coming on from a jar or a knock on
the head or a fall or injuries about the head, don't forget this
medicine, because if you do many patients may suffer where they
might have been cured had you made use of this medicine.
Natrum sulphuricum produces great flatulence, distention of
the abdomen, cutting pains in the abdomen, associated with con-
gestion of the liver. In this tympanitic condition of the liver
that sometimes comes on in the inflammatory conditions in
bilious fever you will find Xatrum sulphuricum your remedy.
In relation to the genito-urinary organs, we have some very
valuable symptoms. In chronic gonorrhoea, with greenish dis-
charges— yellowish-green discharges. Instead of gonorrhoea
running off into a white, gleety discharge, it keeps up a yellow-
ish, thick, greenish discharge. It competes here with Thuja and
Mercurius, both of which are anti-sycotics. When Natrum
sulphuricum is indicated there is generally very little pain, it is
almost painless. There is chronic loss of sensibility in the part.
The urine is loaded with bile, is of a pinkish or yellowish color,
with a u corn-meal " sediment, or it looks like stale beer and is
extremely offensive. Offensive urine is not in the text. Like
Sulphur, it has burning of the soles of the feet at night, and the
burning extends to the knees ; burning from the knees down.
It has also, like Sulphur, great burning in the top of the head ;
it has tearing, rending, cutting pains from the hips down to the
knees ; worse at night. The stomach symptoms are worse in
the morning, and so also with the mental symptoms, they are
generally worse in the morning. Xow, upon the skin we have
some eruptions ; we have those cases of so-called itch, scabies or
vesicular eruptions, vesicular eczema, with a thin, watery dis-
charge exuding from the fingers, and the fingers are swollen stiff
and stand out stiffened by the swelling ; they are swollen so stiff
they can hardly be gotten together. (Baker's itch and barber's
itch come under this head.) Natrum sulphuricum cures where
the palms of the hands are raw and sore and exude a watery
fluid. Also vesicular eruptions around the mouth and chin and
various parts of the body ; little, fine water blisters, very much
like Xatrum muriaticum and very much also like Natrum carb.
So you see it runs into the Natrums. The other disease that I
incidentally mentioned a moment ago — the barber's itch — is a
sycotic disease — a sycosis menti, a disease of the hair follicles.
It is sometimes even contagious. It is one of the highest types
282
NATRUM SULPHURICUM AND SYCOSIS.
[August,
of sycosis — the next highest type of sycosis is the venereal wart
known as the gonorrhoea! wart. This medicine corresponds to
this state and condition of the body. Now, we have said con-
siderable about sycosis. We know in sycosis, which is a consti-
tutional miasm, that we have venereal warts or gonorrheal
warts ; that we have another sycotic state that comes upon the
female in cauliflower excrescences. We have also hereditary
asthma, a constitutional disease that depends upon sycosis, and this
peculiar barber's itch is one of the highest types of sycosis ; they
are all due to one cause, and some day this cause will be demon-
strated to be latent sycosis. Gonorrhoea will some day be
known to be the true offspring of this sycosis. It is the conta-
gious part of the sycosis. It is the means by which the disease
is handed from generation to generation. This thing you will
not find in the books, and it is, perhaps, only a private opinion
and, therefore, worthless. But some day you will remember
that I told you this. I have seen things in my observation that
astonished me. I believe I have solved what Hahnemann
called sycosis, though he has never described it. To me it is
very clear from the cases I have cured with this theory in view
or this doctrine in view. The cases I have cured lead me to be-
lieve that I am on the right track.
Now, I say that gonorrhoea and all of these latent conditions
of the body are one and the same thing ; that primarily they
date back to one and the same source. Of course, the books
will tell you that gonorrhoea is not a constitutional disease; but
when gonorrhoea will produce warts, and gonorrhoeal rheuma-
tism, and will last throughout life, and children be brought into
the world with the same disease, how are you going to get
around it ? There was a young man in the St. Louis City Hos-
pital who had been there many months, and who was so sore
in the bottoms of his feet that he could not get around ; he had
to leave his business ; he was a baker; finally his old employer
oame to me and wanted to know if I could do anything for that
young man. I didn't know anything about the nature of his
disease. I told him to bring the young man to me. The young
man was brought, and I learned from his history that years
before he had had gonorrhoea ; that it had been suppressed with
injections. I put him under such constitutional treatment as these
theories that I have just mentioned guided me to, and I cured
him. In our city I have cured twenty-five or thirty cases of
this peculiar kind of sycosis that dated back to a latent gonor-
rhoea. Symptoms of a latent gonorrhoea are unknown to the
books. You will find nothing of it. It is only known to such
1886.]
TONGUE SYMPTOMS.
283
observers as have been able to make two out of two times one —
by putting things together. By and by I shall have a complete
chain of evidence to show that gonorrhoea is a constitutional dis-
ease and can be handed down from father to son, as can syphilis.
It is one of the chronic miasms, and is one that very little is
known about. If this be true, it is as dangerous to suppress a
gonorrheal discharge before its time as it is to suppress a syphi-
litic chancre before its time. You will never know if you go on
treating these constitutional miasms by suppressing the primary
manifestations — you will never know the harm you are doing.
The most of these are calculated by the process of evolution
to wear themselves out, to roll out, or to evolve themselves into
symptoms that are so depleting to the disease that they leave of
themselves, or leave the patient very nearly free from the dis-
ease. Such is the calculation of Nature in a gonorrheal discharge,
and such has been the intention of Nature in the chancres that
appear upon the genitalia. But poor ignorant man, believing
he must do something, has made it his first business to cauterize
these chancres — to dry up these discharges — and he doesn't know
how much harm he is doing. But this is only a private opinion.
I have observed this, that there are two kinds of gonorrhoea —
one is a simple urethral discharge, which, when stopped by in-
jection, will not produce a constitutional taint, because that is
not a sycosis ; and the other form is the sycotic gonorrhoea, which,
if suppressed with injections, will appear in constitutional symp-
toms. Now, it is for you to live and think for yourselves. If
you can make anything out of what I have told you, and it ever
helps anybody, I shall be amply repaid. You will most naturally
see that all these thoughts are in furtherance of Hahnemann's
teaching, based upon the facts observed by him and his faithful
followers. Unless guided by the light of the dynamic doctrine
of disease and cure, these things would scarcely be observed.
For the study of this sycosis I might have taken up Thuja, but
knowing how well the master has performed this work, I have
taken a remedy that is scarcely second in importance to bring
out as well the use of a remedy as a miasm in relation to it.
TONGUE SYMPTOMS.
Aggravation from putting tongue out, Cocc. Kali-carb., Lyc.
Hacking cough from putting tongue out, Lvc.
When putting tongue out it catches behind the teeth, Apis., Lach.
Tongue trembles on being put out, Apis., Lach.
Tongue protruded with difficulty, can hardly be drawn back, Hyos.
Tongue indented upon the edge, Ars.-met., Glon., Hydrast., Iod., Merc,
Podophyl., Rhus tox.
THE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HOMCEOPATHY,
AT ITS SESSION OF 1886.
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
It has been my duty on several former occasions to comment
on addresses of Presidents of our homoeopathic associated bodies,
and not always with approval. Indeed, oftener than otherwise
they have seemed to disgrace Presidents and the bodies who had
elected them, and the duty of reviewing their performances has
often been anything but pleasant. They have been so replete
with ignorance and endeavors to pervert therapeutic science that
they could not otherwise than cause grief- or shame, or both, to
intelligent minds who have the interests of homoeopathic science
at heart. It could not but grieve such to learn that these elect-
ing bodies were so ignorant of or indifferent to all which is
characteristic of this science, and cause shame that this ignorance
should be thus paraded before the community as an exponent of
the present status of Homoeopathy in the bodies whose heads
these Presidents were for the time being. It is, therefore, a
pleasure to note in the last of these addresses a manifest improve-
ment over its predecessors in very many particulars. Indeed,
if we had been present at the meeting and no one had got ahead
of us in the matter, we are not sure we should not ourselves
have moved a vote of " thanks to the President for his able and
interesting address." We are sure we should have voted a
hearty affirmative of such a proposition. This address is cer-
tainly admirable in its generous and noble spirit, and in the
clearness of expression of the thoughts it presents.
Bat it is impossible to assent to some of its utterances, and
notably to some of those at the beginning, where our President
attempts giving history. After giving the coincidence of the
death of Hahnemann and the birth of our Institute, he says of
the latter :
"The organization which henceforth was to be his representative in the
world, and which was to do more to voice and defend his causa than all other
agencies combined, was launched upon its great mission. What was thus
denied to a single individual [to be the representative of Hahnemann] was
consigned to the safe-keeping of the organized many. How faithfully this
trust has been administered is now a matter of record, etc."
Just so, and alas for the record ! After the early history of
the Institute, while this was under the guidance and control of
284
August, 1886.] THE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
285
its founders, this record has been little else than an increasing
abandonment of all which is characteristic of the teachings of
Hahnemann, and of time and thought given to almost any and
everything else which a wealth of bureaus could bring to the
consideration of the body to which they were expected to report.
Such reports, on these many subjects, have been so numerous that
there has been no time to attend to the matters of this " trust,"
and these have been so effectually excluded from the recorded
actions of the Institute that in that of the last few years it will
be difficult to find an excuse for a suspicion that this body
which has given us this record is an Institute of Homoeopathy
at all. And this is how the successors of the founders of this
organization have "administered the trust" given to them.
They have simply cast it out from them and would have noth-
ing to do with it. And hence the great disgrace on Homoeop-
athy, inflicted by its infamous " Indianapolis resolution." Did our
President remember that that resolve made a part of that record
when he eulogized it ? There it stands now, as an attempted j usti-
fication of whatever practical departure from all of Hahne-
mann or his Homoeopathy any man's ignorance or whim may
compel or tempt him to perpetrate. Did he know when he
wrote this eulogy of this record that because it was a record of
the abandonment of Homoeopathy that many of its members,
and those of the best, left its meetings and went to them no
more? Did he know that one of the earliest of those to do this
was our great leader, Hering ? The writer of this walked out
from the meeting with him, in which he said he had resolved to
attend no more meetings of the Institute, and false to this
"trust" was the reason he gave. Hering, I believe, was never
after this seen in the Institute. In his thought of this record is
it not too apparent that our President wholly mistook the quid
est for the quid apportetf What he saw was what the record
should have been, not what it is, or of late has been as to all per-
tainiug to the Homoeopathy of him of whom this President de-
clares this body is the successor and representative.
And further :
"With the banner of therapeutic reform over it [the Institute] this great
force of scientific workers has gone on conquering and to conquer, for the
achievements of its past are but an earnest of what it is yet to accomplish, its
work being but fairly begun. Loyalty and fidelity to principle [had he for-
gotten the Indianapolis resolution] on the part of its exponents are alone
requisite to the fulfillment of this prophecy."
What in the name of truth and common sense has this In-
stitute " conquered "? and what is it to conquer hereafter with
286
THE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
[August,
promise of good in it, as to any interests of "therapeutic
reform," having so wholly abandoned working in the cause of
its science, which Homoeopathy is, is wholly in the territory of
the unknown and unimaginable. If it were a triumph when
our great leader was driven out from their body by their neglect
of the science of therapeutics, we do not believe our President is
one who will boast loudly of it, and we know of nothing else it
has triumphed over, unless it be the patience and forbearance
of their most honorable, intelligent, and illustrious members.
Truly, if the past is a prophecy of the future, then any triumphs
which are in reserve for Homoeopathy must come from agents
or agencies outside of the American Institute.
"That lis [Hahnemann] did not reject 'the accumulated knowledge of the
profession' and did not 'base his practice upon an exclusive dogma' is clear,
therefore, to every fair-minded, unprejudiced person. This every student of
his prodigious life-work must truthfully attest."
Now we suppose the knowledge of our President of what
Hahnemann accepted of "the accumulated knowledge of the
profession " must have been derived from his writings, just as it
is with the rest of us. Now, in which of those does he find
evidence that the master borrowed aught from "the accumulated
knowledge " of old physic, which he wrought into his system of
therapeutics, thereby adding aught of value to this. We have
been somewhat familiar with these writings for near half a
century, and were educated into the love of old physic as this
was imparted to students in the days of our pupilage, and as this
could be gathered from the current literature of that school in
the days of our allopathic experience, and we have now no
recollection of any intimation in any of these writings that they
or Homoeopathy were indebted in the least to "this accumulated
knowledge " for aught which had given value to either. It may
be we have overlooked this all these years.
And then, Hahnemann "did not base his practice upon an
exclusive dognia." Will our President tell us what he did
"base it upon"? In our simplicity we have learned only that
this was based on an alleged natural law known to us as the " law
of similars." We have no recollection of any mention, in any
of his writings, that any practice of his had any other founda-
tion or that he mentioned any other with recommendation to the
confidence of his followers. He proclaimed a natural law, uni-
versal in its relation to the needs of all curable sicknesses, not a
"dogma" which he or his followers were at liberty to regard or
neglect, as whim or convenience might dictate. These expres-
1836.]
THE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
287
sions, "accumulated knowledge of the profession" and " exclusive
dogma," sound as though we had heard them before, but never
before in an attempt to drag Hahnemann down to this low level
of those of his pretended followers who had abandoned all per-
taining to his system of therapeutics except its honored name.
Indeed, we believe we have only met them in attempted defenses
of those abandoners, certainly never before in any attempt to
degrade Hahnemann from his exalted position as propounder
and advocate of law. It has been said — " no exclusive dogma" —
by those who found themselves incapable of a successful practice
of Hahnemann's law, to palliate their practical plea of imbecility
before this law, contained in their habitual resorts in their prac-
tice to expedients outside the demands of law, "no exclusive
dogma" for them. The status of these "no dogma" men as to
intelligent perception of principles is clearly shown by their
inability to discriminate between a "dogma" and a natural law.
Was it for the like of these that this false pretense was raised as
to Hahnemann as a tribute to their complacency?
"The question of dose was an open one when Hahnemann left it. It is an
open one still, and cannot be settled as by the voice of a Pope. To reach the
final establishment of both the rule and exception as applied to the requisite
dose of each individual drug in each particular case, appeal must still fur-
ther be made to those great arbiters — time and experience"
Before assenting to this paragraph, we would know what the
writer means by an " open question." If he means a question
the answer to which has not been universally accepted, then his
statement as to the dose is no doubt true. But if a question
ceases to be an " open " one when the clearest intelligence, after
an adequate " experience^ both as to "time" and observation, has
spoken, then we submit that this question of the dose has long
ceased to be an " open " one. If such intelligence and oppor-
tunity have spoken on this matter of the dose, then the question
is closed. Negation may prevent the universal acceptance of the
utterances of this intelligence and experience, but negation can-
not open a question which has been thus settled. It is submitted
that Hahnemann and his immediate followers settled this ques-
tion, and no superior intelligence has opened it by better obser-
vations or better experiences. If the testimony of these greatest
and best observers is rejected, then whose is the loss? Is it not
that of the rejector and of those who trust him? We may add,
the testimony of these old witnesses has been many times fully
confirmed by the experience, observation, and practical successes
of their ablest successors. We have no hesitation in regarding
the question of the dose as no longer, logically, an " open " one.
288
THE ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT.
[August,
"The Organon should have first place among the text-books of every col-
lege, and every curriculum should make provision for its thorough study."
A sounder or more important utterance never came from a
President's lips in any associated body. If there had been but
this one utterance in this address calling for our approval, and
there are many others, this alone would deserve thanks from
every lover of truth. On no other recommendation in the
address hangs so many and so great consequences. Will this so
timely and clearly expressed aught be heeded by our colleges ?
If not, then on whom rests the responsibility ? Not on our
President. He has nobly cleared his skirts.
Again, the address says :
"It is our bounden duty to associate. Odr societies should be strengthened
by the membership of every subscriber to the law. Particularly is this so in
regard to the American Institute. This is our representative body, and
should be the pride of every loyal subj°ct. Every one should be intensely
interested in its welfare, the growth of its membership, etc."
Then why are they notf There are many who have no such
sense of ° bounden duty." Indeed, "duty" has compelled them
to create other organizations where the truth of the divinely
given therapeutics, as contained in the Organon, could be freely
studied, discussed, elucidated, and advocated, as they were not,
could not be, and are not in the American Institute. This is
why many are not members of that body and why there are
more who are not "proud" of it. The Institute has given itself
to other matters of thought and action than those for which this
body was created. They seem to have had more in thought,
what will the Mrs. Grundy of old physic think or say of this
or that? than of the principles and corollaries of our law. And
it has been more engaged with matters which are approved of
by this much feared body than with those inculcated by Samuel
Hahnemann. In short, it has ceased to be an Institute of
Homoeopathy, and has become mainly an Institute for work
which will not offend this Mrs. Grundy. In carrying out this
work, it has twelve bureaus which are devoted to subjects cer-
tainly important in themselves, but not necessarily related to
Homoeopathy, or, at the best, only remotely so, while there are
two which are expected to engage more particularly with homoeo-
pathic subjects. Now who does not see that this body so dis-
tributing its working agencies as an Institute of Homoeopathy is
only a caricature?
And further the address :
"This year no less than four so-called 'national' societies — besides this
Institute, and composed almost entirely of its members — are meeting
1886.]
A HEREDITARY IDIOSYNCRASY.
289
within this small city within the week — the most of them holding meetings
during the same time as that occupied by the chief. With all my might I
say, this should not be. The proper place of every one of these societies is
inside the American Institute of Homoeopathy."
We know nothing of the societies here alluded to, but if
"The proper and paramount business of this session is to see to it that those
distracting and emasculating influences are from this time on neutralized,"
then we would suggest to those who are thus "to see to it" to
begin with the inquiry — why are these things so f And if they
find the cause to be too much of Mrs. Grundy and too little of
Samuel Hahnemann, let them mend the methods of the Institute
in this matter, and we venture to assure our President this
cause of his grief will cease.
A HEREDITARY IDIOSYNCRASY.
S. L.
We will let our fair patient speak for herself: " Of my grand-
mother I know but little, as she died when mother was only six
years old. Grandfather spoke of her as a very talented woman,
but physically unequal, through highly wrought nervous condi-
tions, to perform the work for which the brain was so eminently
fitted. The only pronounced idiosyncrasy was her predisposition
to cramp-colic induced from certain foods, most prominent of
which was milk, eventually dying from colic, the belief being
entertained, from drinking milk.
"My grandmother left as an inheritance to my mother the cramp-
colic and her many talents and brain-power. In appetite my
mother has not many marked likes or dislikes ; but many things
produce violent cramps and colic — not of the ordinary nature,
as most people are affected, as it seldom or never affects the
bowels and rarely touches the stomach. It always commenced
with pain in the region of the heart, traveling upward to the
chest, throat, and tongue, which symptoms tally exactly with the
conditions of my grandmother's case, in whom it was, however,
of a more aggravated character, rendering her in a few minutes
devoid of speech. In my mother it also often appears between
the shoulders, suffering intense agony, which will be entirely
dissipated in a few minutes from drinking a glass of ordinary
cooking soda.
" My father also must be careful in his diet, as there are some
23
290
A HEREDITARY IDIOSYNCRASY. [August,
eatables which disagree, causing with him never any trouble of
stomach or bowels, but vertigo and intense pain at the base of
the brain, which I also might designate a cramp-colic, as it dis-
appears with such remedies usually prescribed for such troubles.
In taste he is odd, being very fond of milk and cream, but to-
tally unable to eat butter, anything seasoned with it producing
the most violent nausea. My mother is more than ordinarily
fond of milk, and will occasionally indulge, though fully aware
that the penalty of cramps will surely follow. Eggs have a like
result. In vegetables, turnips, cabbage, asparagus produce
cramps. Buttermilk she finds much easier of digestion, and can
often drink it without any unpleasant after results, though it
sometimes produces wind in the stomach. In relation to farina-
ceous food, she can only eat bread in the form of hot biscuit, or
prepared in such a manner as to contain lard, as wheaten bread,
in the form of light bread (raised with yeast prepared from hops),
she cannot eat at all, neither does corn-meal agree. Liquors of
any description cannot be taken, producing in place of stimula-
tion the effect of weakness, or rather absence of strength, felt
most severely in the knee-joints, a half teaspoonful of whisky
creating the feeling of inability to walk, though not a physical
fact. Wines, colic. Fond of all kinds of fruit; some agree, a
few produce colic, especially watermelons. Otherwise, mother
has a wonderful constitution, with no tendency to female com-
plaints, able to perform a great amount of physical labor, so long
as the work does not afford too great an amount of pleasurable
excitement to the brain, has inventive genius of the mechanical
turn, a talented musician and painter; she has constantly to
change from one thing to another to counterbalance the nervous
tendency to over brain work.
"Now to come down to myself. I presume that my heirlooms
are the cramps with the same symptoms, with the exception that
I can classify the foods which produce the pain between shoul-
ders and those which create pain around the heart. I do not
recollect of ever having taken a glass of uncooked milk, the
taste being nauseous to me ; but cooked with eggs into custard
I like it very much, and then sometimes, but rarely, colics always
with pain between the shoulders, as also a pain immediately
under the shoulder-blade of the left side, which, owing to the
curvature of the spine, makes the pain very near the waist line.
Eggs boiled soft or hard, or poached, produce the same pain,
but fried, into which there is a proportion of grease, they rarely
ever hurt me. All kinds of fruit cause colic with the same
symptoms, but if eaten in rich pastries, which is only a coating
1886.]
A HEREDITARY IDIOSYNCRASY.
291
of fat to the fruit, produce no ill effects. Raw fruit I never
touch, dislike the taste, and it disagrees, strawberries and
oranges causing fever, as well as colic. Vegetables I like, and
can eat those which affect my mother most seriously without
colic, provided they are dressed with vinegar, as otherwise they
produce cramps in region of heart, etc., my worst enemy in the
vegetable line being corn, either green or canned, and peas —
colic with same symptoms. I dislike sweet potatoes, which
disagree, while Irish potatoes, fried, agree, but boiled lay heavy
on stomach, without colic. I have eaten, so far, very little
bread during my life, but less than ordinary during pregnancy,
but after confinement feel an almost uncontrollable desire for it.
Rice and oat-meal produce colic as quickly as fruit, and have the
added symptom of a burning sensation in the pit of the
stomach, with wind, which passes into the bowels. Liquors act
as with my mother, with exception of beer, which proves the
best tonic for exhaustion, but creating biliousness. The bile
accumulates in the stomach and creates nausea in a few minutes ;
is thrown from the stomach, and in ten minutes I feel as well as
ever, though perhaps having suffered a week. Meat is my
principal diet, upon which I have always lived, eating every-
thing in the market, both wild and domesticated, with the
exception of mutton. Fat meat I have never been able to eat,
the taste turning my stomach, as does also either the taste or
smell of tea.
"I have but one organic trouble, which comes and goes accord-
ing to the climate — an excessive flow of urine. It is not
confined to warm climates, but makes its attacks in various and
varied altitudes, but never when living where I get the ocean or
lake breeze. The urine, when analyzed, is pronounced free
from aL tests of ordinary urinary bladder or kidney troubles.
During a severe attack the bladder is greatly distended and
visible to the eye and to the touch.
" I have not yet touched upon the troubles of my oldest brother,
which are many and varied, only I know that since his illness a
rare beefsteak produces in him a sensation of drunkenness.
"And now to my dear little girl. I nursed her (living then at
Los Angeles) until she was a year old, my breasts discharging
immense quantities of very rich milk, commencing to feed her
some at the age of nine months, as my health was poor. During
that time she suffered greatly from colic and wind in stomach
and bowels after feeding her with crackers and condensed milk ;
ever since she has suffered from this cramp-colic and constipa-
tion, the stool being exceedingly large and dry, without any
292
A HEREDITARY IDIOSYNCRASY. [August
apparent moisture whatever. The attending physician con-
sidered my milk the cause of the mischief, and, under his order,
I weaned her. She grew rapidly worse, and he then advised
Horlick's food with fresh milk, which agreed well with her,
but the old pain in the bowels seemed still to increase rather
than diminish. She passed dentition without any other trouble
save the old pain, but to get an action of the bowels enemata
were necessary. We tried olive oil, which she would retain all
night and pass in the morning without any stool, often, however,
retaining the oil until an injection of soapsuds relieved her, the
stool appearing healthy in character. Oat-meal was now tried ;
it opened the bowels, but caused intense suffering, passing wholly
undigested. Then the doctor ordered rice, which digested
well, but failed to loosen the bowels. However, as she liked it
we alternated the food, and as she preferred rice without milk it
was given her so, and I found that she suffered less pain. Then
we gradually began with meat, and the improvement was
marked ; then potatoes, baked or boiled, with plenty of butter,
and continued the rice with sugar, all of which digested per-
fectly, still adhering to the food prepared with milk night and
morning, and still she suffered and the bowels remained
inactive."
About this time they removed from California and settled in
New York on account of malaria, from which Mr. C. suffered
at the Pacific Coast. Mrs. C. passed, soon after her arrival,
through an easy confinement, but suffered again from immense
galactorrhea, five to six quarts a day of heavy, rich milk, and
her babe suffered from cramp-colic early from its birth. Cal-
carea carbonica reduced the milk, the babe was weaned, and
brought up on veal and beef broth, suitably reduced. In con-
sequence of constipation, it suffered from an aphthous erosion at
the anus and succumbed to it. During this time the older child
was brought up on soft-boiled eggs with bread, which digested
thoroughly, but gave her wind on the stomach. A trial was
now made with Horlick's food and rice, but increase of pain and
constipation resulted. Liebig's extract of meat made her
feverish. At my earnest request all milk, boiled or fresh, was
now stopped and the child put on rare beefsteak, minced, stale
bread with plenty of butter, which she relishes, and hot water
sweetened. A baked Irish potato, mashed and buttered, is
easily digested. Has an inordinate desire for salt, preferring it
to sugar, but having a periodical love of sugar; has never tasted
fruit or candy.
With this' cramping in her bowels there is excessive perspi-
1386.]
A HEREDITARY IDIOSYNCRASY.
293
ration, increasing or diminishing as the attacks in the bowels are
better or worse, and at the same time frequent urination. Her
breath, as well as that of the babe during its short life, has a
faint odor of choloroform, and she suffers, though rarely, from
fainting spells, when she can only be roused with difficulty, and
this happens only when tired out from walking or too much
playing. Her mother is liable to such faintings, and has as
many as three such fainting spells in one day, though conscious-
ness is never entirely abolished. The child's grandmother had
these fainting spells only during confinement, and in one of them
she was nearly given up for dead, on account of its long du-
ration. Taking into consideration the history of four generations
of this highly talented, nervous family, all good-natured and
sprightly when well, without any disposition to melancholy, but
only sorrowing over their cranky constitution, we find :
1. Milk in no shape or manner is well borne, even producing
nausea in some.
2. Meat is their staple food and well digested, though fat is
disliked.
3. Milk produces cramp-colic and constipation; food like
bread or potatoes is not digested when milk is taken with the
food.
4. Pain in cardiac region when swallowing food.
5. Griping in the morning after rising, extending into the
chest, followed by short attacks of pinching in the stomach.
6. Hard stool covered with mucus, resembling sheeps' dung ;
much straining.
7. Copious pale urine.
8. Pain between scapulae.
9. Fainting spells, with faint odor of chloroform from breath.
Complaints after milk — Ambra, Angustura, Brom., Bry-
onia, Calcarea, Carb-veg., Cham., Chel., Chin., Cina, Cupr.,
Kali, Lach., Lvc, Nat-c, Nat-rn., Nitr-ac, Nux-v., Phos., Sep.,
Sulph.
Complaints from eggs — Ferrum, Colchicum.
Complaints from bread — Bry., Caust., Nat-m., Nitr-ac,
Nux-v., Phos., Puis., Rhus, Sars., Sep., Sulph., Zinc.
Complaints from farinaceous food — Lye, Nat-sul., Sulph.
Complaints from fruit — Ars., Borax, Bry., Carb-v., China,
Mag-m., Nat-c, Puis., Selen., Sep., Verat.
Fat food nauseates — Nitric acid.
Desire for milk — Merc-sol., Ars., Bov., Rhus, Sabad., Lil.,
Staph.
Desire for butter — Merc-sol.
294
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
[August,
Fainting spells — Aeon., Camph., Carb-v., Chin., Lach.,
Nat-m., Nux-v., Phos., Sulph., Tabac, (Nicotine, breath odor
of Alcohol).
Pale, copious urine — Nitr-ac, Puis., Ign., Mag-c, Phos.,
Plat., Rhus, and many more.
Cramp-colic — Bell., Cham., Coca, Magnesia phos., Nux-v.,
Puis., Lach., Carb-v., Coff., Sulph., Zinc.
Flatulent colic. — Asaf., Cham., China, Lach., Mag-phos.,
Nux-v., Puis., Sulph.
How can these constitution ailments be eradicated ? There
is no hysteria in the family, which delights in brain work. I
gave so far Sulphur, and after its action was exhausted Nitric
acid200. Would any of the milk remedies be here indicated?
Advice is solicited and will be thankfully received.
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
Ad. Lippe, M. D.
Mr. B., forty years old, always in robust health, called to com-
plain of very intense pain in the right shoulder joint ; can hardly
move the arm, but is absolutely unable to lift the arm up ; had
a bad night, almost sleepless, on account of the pain. He re-
ceived a few pellets of Sanguinaria canad. cm (Fk.), and in forty-
eight hours he reported himself well.
A coachman had fallen off a ladder and had bruised his right
shoulder. Suffered intense pain at night ; described it as great
soreness. One dose of Arnica cm (Fk.) relieved the great soreness,
but he was unable to move the arm, when a dose of Bryonia cm
(Fk.) gave some relief. He now told me that some twenty years
ago he had injured the same shoulder in a simiiar way, and that he
was then laid up for some months. It was now the seventh day
of his fall, and the shoulder remained very stiff; he could not
raise his right arm without severe pain ; at rest he was comforta-
ble when he kept his arm in a sling. I now gave him one dose
of Sanguinaria canadensis001 (Fincke). Five days later he was
able to resume his duties as a coachman.
Comments. — The first proving of Sanguinaria canadensis was
published in the English language in the first volume of the
Transactions of the American Institute of Homoeopathy. On page
239 we find the characteristic shoulder symptoms, both pathoge-
netic and curative, and the symptoms have been so often verified
that it might seem useless to report more such cases cured by San-
guinaria. As the tendency of modern materia medica compilers
1886.]
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
295
is so very different from our early materia medica producers it is
well to call the attention of reflecting healers to the growing evil.
Here on p. 239 of the first great work of the early members of the
American Institute of Homoeopathy we find not only the patho-
genetic symptoms, but their verification, by admitting into the
pathogenesis of a then new remedy also the curative symptoms.
Drs. Husmann and Jeanes, two excellent observers and true
healers, have long ago joined the majority. Compilers, and most
of these materia medica compilers and reformers, have become
notorious despoilers of the laborious men who created our
materia medica. Among them stands foremost Dr. Richard
Hughes, who mercilessly abuses the memory of our best provers.
May not my own old early friends, Drs. Husmann and Jeanes,
fare better? It is high time that the profession demand "a
halt n in these wicked abuses of the dead, who left their works
behind them, seeking no other reward than the knowledge of
having tried their best to augment our Materia Medica Pura as
the only means by which we can apply the only law of cure for
the cure of the sick. What results can we hope our rising
generation will obtain when nothing but a sad caricature of the
Materia Medica is bestowed on them for reference ?
In the two cases related the guidance to a certain cure
were the similarity of symptoms as we found them on record,
made by the early pioneers of our healing art. Symptoms 235
and 236 were present, and the remedy was administered in a
single dose and in a high potency. Of course, some of our col-
leagues will deny the efficacy of a dose in which no perceptible
quantities of the drug can be detected by the microscope ; the
learned friend at the Hub will, of course, splutter about the ab-
surdity of administering such a dose, but it does not change the
facts at all. There are no attempts made to put a scientific
looking pathological livery on our Materia Medica Pura. We find
clearly related, changed sensations of the organism stated in the
Materia Medica Pura, and we have the law of the similars to
guide us to successful cures, not once, but invariably. It is ob-
vious that without a materia medica it would have been impos-
sible for Hahnemann or anybody else to even test the applica-
bility of the law of the similars for the cure of the sick. This
materia medica was created by Samuel Hahnemann, and with
his Materia Medica Pura it was possible to prove beyond a pos-
sible doubt that the law of the similars was a natural law, and
that under that law and under no other law diseases could and
were cured, provided their similar symptoms were found among
the proved remedies, and it seemed that no man of common
296
CLINICAL REFLECTIONS.
[August,
sense and tolerable intellect could draw another deduction from
these facts than a conviction that the progressive successfulness
of our healing art depended on a progressive development of our
materia medica in just exactly the same manner as Hahnemann
employed when he created a materia medica pura. This was the
conviction of the founders of the American Institute of Homoe-
opathy, the first fruits of their honest and intelligent labors are
mentioned in this paper, their early publication of the patho-
genesis of Sanguinaria canadensis, the appreciation of their
labors may be expressed time and again by the survivors of the
early pioneers and by a grateful posterity. While Homoeopathy
progressed rapidly, while the sick were cured by healers who
followed Hahnemann's teachings and methods, a set of pseudo-
homoeopaths arose, and we could not describe these men better
than Hahnemann himself described so frequently "the pre-
tenders" men who wear the livery of Heaven to serve the devil,
as an uncompromising allopathist writes to me expressing his
utter contempt for these men who preach one thing and practice
another. That is all the recognition cranks obtain. Various
modes have been tried by these pretenders to undermine our
noble healing art. All to no purpose, always tripped up when
these men tried to discredit Hahnemann and set themselves up
as reforming progressionists for the sake of "recognition"
which only comes in the shape of detestation, and now finally
these men resolved to destroy our materia medica. That arch-
defiler of the great philosopher who founded our school cried out
against Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura because the day-
books of the pro vers were not published, showing his ignorance
(not confined to this point only) of the fact that the publisher of
this work (Arnold) did it at a great pecuniary loss out of grati-
tude he owed Hahnemann for curing him.
Instead of going on in the beaten path, which had secured
cures and successes, a set of illogical men pretend to purify our
Materia Medica Pura by publishing hastily and inaccurately
compiled day-books. There is really no limit to the ignoble
acts of these destruction-seeking pretenders. There is the lead-
ing spirit of them, who denounces Drs. Mure and Nenning* and
fairly criminates Dr. Houatt, charging him with fraud. These
things become offensive to every true healer. Does Dr. Richard
Hughes profess to be conversant with the drift of the homoeo-
pathic literature ? If he does, he might remember our publish-
ing a case of " renal colic" cured by Ocimum canum.. He
will find the remedy in my text-book and in Allen's Encyclo-
paedia. He will find it also with the habitual slovenly and incon-
1886.]
WHAT AKE THE REMEDIES?
297
consistent work — Allen conscientiously excludes all curative
symptoms. Why ? Has he discovered also that of late years
our journals are loaded down with incredible observations. They
never deceive the thinker. In this case Allen admits in a paren-
thesis to be sure right side (curative symptoms), but omits a
strong curative symptom — the hemorrhage from the kidney
after the attack. The cases in which Ocimum canum. is indi-
cated in renal colic are very rare, but just in such desperate
cases we shall have a correct pathogenesis. Nenning's provings
have thousands of times been verified. Ncnning was the first
homoeopath who, after proving Aconite, gave it in pleurisy.
Let Hughes howl and roar as he seems fit, but when he abuses
Houatt he becomes a destestable slanderer. Bufo has cured time
and over again epileptic attacks, especially when they occur
during the night and are followed by coma and headache, and
Bufo is also an indispensable remedy in what is called the
malignant pustule, a most malignant and fatal malady. Time
and again have I verified Houatt's provings by the actual test and
cured. Now, will that blasted despoiler of our healing art pub-
lish one single case in which he prescribed a remedy proved by
these by him maligned men, administered it according to
Hahnemann's methods, and then failed. No, never will any
of these destruction breaders commit themselves. Till they do let
them be branded " slanderers of the dead," Every true healer
will hold on to our own old-time, honored materia medica.
Guided by it he will surely heal the sick, and he will resent all
new-fangled propositions to purify the Materia Medica Pura.
The motive of these proponents is ivicked.
WHAT ARE THE REMEDIES?
The following symptoms are taken from Allen's Encyclopaedia.
Can you find the remedies from the Indexf
1. Sensation "as if the anterior parietes (of abdomen) were
wanting and the bowels were in danger of falling out."
2. Grasped forehead and cried : " My head ! my head ! I
am crazy \" and walking about.
3. A feeling in the middle of forehead as if a hair hung down,
which he constantly wanted to wipe away.
4. Puts hand into soup instead of the spoon; is unable to find
mouth with spoon — runs it along the side.
5. Painful boring and tearing in a hollow back tooth and a
sticking pain in same place in the tooth on touching cheek ; re-
lieved by cold and open air ; aggravated by warmth.
CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Editors of The Homoeopathic Physician :
Gentlemf:n: — I am venturing to send you my answers to
"What are the Remedies?" February, 1886. I do so, not
because I have satisfactorily answered them — the reverse is true,
I fear. But as one of your objects was to " test the value of the
repertories," I will contribute my observations.
I am in the habit of working up my cases with Repertory
and Materia Medica. The difficulty I have is well illustrated
by my answers to your questions. Often well-known symptoms
are not given at all under any heading, others have to be sought
from one end of the book to the other, and when a symptom is
given in two places different drugs are given in the two places.
Endless confusion ensues, one gets discouraged, one's faith in
repertories is reduced to a minimum. Still a repertory is
indispensable. I used Lippe's, chiefly. I need not say I am
looking forward with pleasure and with great expectations to
your Repertory of Characteristics. Apologizing for troubling
you, I am, yours sincerely,
A Junior Practitioner,
E. A. Neatby, M. D.
London.
1. Metrorrhagia of large black lumps ; worse from any mo-
tion ; violent pains in groins and fear of death — despair ; bright
red face and fever : Ferrum.
I first turn up metrorrhagia in Lippe's Repertory, and find
over sixty drugs given :
— of black blood. Arn., Bell., Bry., Cham., Chin., Croc,
Ferr., Igt., Plat, (all included in the sixty).
— with painfullness of abdomen. Ferr., Sabina.
(...) red face. Ferr.
To get more information respecting the character of the blood,
refer to " blood."
Blood clotted and black. Chin., Ferr., Nuxj., Sabin.
Lippe gives no information respecting the condition worse on
moving, but in the Cypher Repertory of the Hahn. Pub. Soc.
is found :
Motion (the least) increases flow vastly. Ferr., Sab., Sap.
The answer is Ferrum.
But this shows the difficulty of working with our present
materials. No information is given on the remaining points in
298
August, 1886.] CORRESPONDENCE.
299
connection with menstruation in any of the repertories at my
command.
Allen's Index j under Clots, omits China, Iron, Sabina (! !).
Upon whom are we to rely ?
2. Drawing and tearing pain in periosteum, at night, in wet,
stormy weather ; at rest, in motion. Rhod. (and Rhus).
As no locality is given, reference is made to the chapter
u Generalities " in Lippe.
Drawing, tearing. Cham., Colch., Hell., Igt., Laur., Merc,
Plb., Puis., Rhod., Rhus, Sec. c, Staph.
Drawing when at rest. Mur. acid, Nux in., Rhod.
— at night. Cham., Plb.
— in bones. Arg., Chin., Coca, Colch., Kali c, Merc, Rhod.,
Rhus, etc., etc.
nocturnal. Aur., Lye, Mang., Merc, etc
In wet weather. Calc, Dal., Lye, Merc, Rhod., Rhus,
Ruta., Sep., Sal., etc
— windy, stormy. Cham., Phos., Puis., Rhod.
The feature of worse in stormy weather would lead one to
decide upon Rhod., perhaps, though the nocturnal aggravation
is not mentioned above (in Lippe), yet Rhod. and Rhus both
have it.
Rhod. is said to be chiefly before wet and storm.
3. Elaps. (Allen) ; Ars., Puis. (Lippe).
4. Xux. ( )
5. Middle of thigh, as if broken. Sul. (Allen).
6. No locality given.
7. Coldness and itching. Acid nitr. (Allen and Lippe).
8.
9. Carb. veg. (Lippe).
10. Walk in open air, desire for. Asaf., Mez., Phos. (Allen).
Several others in Lippe.*
Dr. E. J. Lee.
Dear Sir : — I copy this (not that I think that Dr. P. P.
Wells needs any help, but simply to clinch what he says) from
the printed minutes of the Convention which was held in New
York city April 10th, 1844 (that being the anniversary of the
birth of the illustrious Hahnemann), to establish the American
Institute of Homoeopathy.
Dr. C. Heriug, of Philadelphia, was elected President, Dr.
*The editors apologize for the tardy appearance of this paper ; it was mislaid.
300
BOYCOTTING.
[August,
Josiah F. Flagg, of Boston, and Dr. Wm. Channing, of New
York, Vice-Presidents, and Henry G. Dunnel, Secretary.
A preamble and resolution in these words were adopted, viz. :
"Whereas, A majority of the allopathic physicians continue
to deride and oppose the contributions to the materia medica that
have been made by the Homoeopathic school, and, whereas,
the state of the materia medica in both schools is such as im-
peratively to demand a more satisfactory arrangement and greater
purity of observation, which can only be obtained by associate
action on the part of those who seek diligently for truth alone ;
and inasmuch as the state of the public information respecting the
principles and practice of Homoeopathy is so defective as to make
it easy for mere pretenders to this very difficult branch of the heal-
ing art to acquire credit as proficient in the same ; therefore
"Resolved, That it is expedient to establish a society entitled
' The American Institute of Homoeopathy/ and the following
are declared to be the essential purposes of said Institute:
" First. The reformation and augmentation of the materia
medica.
" Second. The restraining of physicians from pretending to be
competent to practice Homoeopathy who have not studied it in a
careful and skilful manner."
Dr. John F. Gray was elected General Secretary of the Insti-
tute, and Dr. G. R. Kirby, Treasurer. The Convention then
adjourned.
The first session of the American Institute of Homoeopathy
was organized immediately after the adjournment of the Con-
vention, on the evening of the 10th of April, 1844, at the call
of the General Secretary-elect.
I have the minutes of the first two sessions of the American
Institute of Homoeopathy in printed form, and it certainly can-
not be that I am the only person that has them, as there were,
according to this report, not less than one thousand printed.
J. D. Grabill, M. D.
San Antonio, Texas, May 7th, 1886.
BOYCOTTING!
Editors Homoeopathic Physician: — When physicians
disagree, who shall be the judge?
Dr. Berridge, in your July number, page 253, writes : " Dr.
Dudgeon and his pseudo-homoeopathic colleagues have been for
many years in the habit of boycotting the genuine homoeopaths."
I had last year the pleasure of visiting the meeting of the
1886.]
BOYCOTTING.
301
British Homoeopathic Society, and wondered why such men as
Wilson, Skinner, and Berridge kept aloof from the meeting. I
asked members — Dudgeon, Hughes, Clark, Clifton, etc. — for
the reason of such absence. They all replied that every homoeo-
pathic physician would be welcome, but they positively refused
to meet with the Society. May we not ask, On which side is the
boycotting ?
Again, the members of the I. H. A., as a body, refuse to
attend the meetings of the American Institute, and by their very
absence show a wrong spirit. True, words of similia are always
thoroughly enjoyed and applauded by a full house. In omnibus
charitas; and though charity need not ride in a "bus," as is
often the case, still this spirit of exclusiveness does more harm
than the contamination with mongrelism could ever produce on
this or the other side of the water.
Can every member of the Legion of Honor swear he never
under any circumstances swerved from the strict application of
the homoeopathic law ?
Honest and truthful Dr. Skinner acknowledges such an excep-
tional case, and perhaps others have been in the same predica-
ment. I often wished to become a member of the I. H. A., but
I cannot give away the liberty which a Dunham desired and
which does not mean license. The exceptional transgression
shows that the rules are strictly kept in nine hundred and ninety-
nine cases oat of a thousand. No boycotting, but let us be
brothers in unity. Our teachers of true Homoeopathy ought to
be at every meeting and make their influence felt ; for they will
be listened to with close attention and gratitude, and in hoc signo}
S. S. C, a close union will give us victory.
Yours, in F., L., and T.,
S. LlLIENTHAL.
Dear Dr. Lilienthal : — In your communication to " Edi-
tors Homoeopathic Physician" you inquire why members of
the I. H. A. do not attend meetings of the American Institute.
We reply, Most of the members of the I. H. A. did for years
faithfully attend these meetings, many of them being among the
founders of the Institute, and they have worked in past years,
in season and out of season, to build up the Institute, fondly
hoping it would prove a faithful guardian of the truth and an
active disseminator of priceless knowledge.
The writer remembers hearing the late Dr. McClatchey, at
Coney Island, June, 1881, tell a friend that nine-tenths of the
302
BOYCOTTING.
[August,
members of the Institute were eclectics — and surely Dr. McClat-
chey knew all about eclecticism !
Now, what service — to themselves or to others — could a few
strict Hahnemannians in such company render ? Experience
has proven them to be out of place in the Institute and the In-
stitute itself utterly useless to them. But you will reply, Grant-
ing the Institute was becoming eclectic, should not these men
have remained at their posts and sought to stem the tide of eclec-
ticism? A fair question, and one which experience of many
years answers. The homceopathists did remain and did try to
stem this torrent of eclecticism. And the result? Dr. McClat-
chey has stated it: after nearly forty years of such service we
find the Institute to be nine-tenths eclectic ! At the last meet-
ing of the Institute, at Saratoga, a member, after listening to a
discussion, exclaimed he almost believed himself to be listening
to allopaths ! Homoeopaths have at present no mission in the
American Institute. A Hering, a Dunham, a Guernsey taught
the truth, illustrated the truth — yea, almost died for the truth —
and to what result ? Nine-tenths eclectic ! The members of
the Institute will not listen to " Moses and the prophets; neither
would they listen, even though one rose from the dead."
Again, you ask : " Can every member of the Legion of Honor
swear he never under any circumstances swerved from the strict
application of the homoeopathic law?" Some of the members of the
so-called "Legion of Honor" are eclectics, and are dishonored for
signing a paper with false intent. However that may be, we
presume every one makes mistakes, and every homoeopath has
made many errors in practice. It is not what one does, but what
one tries to do.
Strict Hahnemannians undoubtedly make mistakes, but they
love Homoeopathy and try to practice and develop it. The eclec-
tic, on the other hand, does not believe in Homoeopathy, strictly
defined, and does not try to practice it.
For many years we have had Dunham quoted as the champion
of liberty. Liberty for what? — To do as one pleases? Neither
Dunham nor any other man can grant such license. No man
can give the success of homoeopathic practice to eclectic practice.
Practice Homoeopathy, and you get its results; practice eclecti-
cism, and you get its results. What liberty do you desire ? Take
it, and with it its legitimate consequences. "As one plants, so
shall he reap."
Our charges against the Institute can be briefly summed up.
In the early years of its existence the Institute was weak in
numbers but strong in men of ability and of purpose. In these
1886.]
AN IMPORTANT OMISSION.
303
latter years the Institute is strong in numbers but lacking in
ability and purpose — in fact, it seems to have no purpose, unless
a servile imitation of the allopath and a ready adoption of each
new fashion in medicine be evidence of a studied purpose to
please the old school. About every principle which makes
Homoeopathy strong and victorious has been successively denied
and derided — all to please the allopath. The single dose is re-
jected ; the minimum dose is ridiculed ; drug pathogenesis is
placed upon a false basis, pathology ; psora theory — useful as it
has been, numerous as have been the proofs of its value in heal-
ing— has been made a laughing-stock. In short, all the distinc-
tive, all the useful, principles of Homoeopathy are rejected to-day
by nine-tenths of the members of the American Institute, and
yet you, Doctor, ask for the reason of the absence of lovers of
true Homoeopathy! Truly, you must be jesting. "No boy-
cotting,^ you say. The truth is there boycotted, and hence we
seek it elsewhere. E. J. L.
AN IMPORTANT OMISSION.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
From the April number of Homoeopathic Physician I
learn that Dr. T. F. Allen is about to publish a Handbook of
Homoeopathic Materia Medica. The precise need of such a work
is not very apparent, seeing that we have Hering's Condensed
Materia Medica, and also his Guiding Symptoms. It would
conduce more to the interests of Homoeopathy if Dr. Allen
would edit a new and complete edition of his Encyclopaedia. A
large number of errors and omissions has been already pub-
lished. Here is one which I have just discovered in Colocynth.
Symptom 362 is from the proving of Dr. Caroline Lebeau, and
references are given to the proving in A. J. H. M. 31., 1870,
and N. A. J. H (new series), 61. The proving is also published
in H M., VI, 28. From the original version of the proving
we learn that after the second and last dose at noon there was
no unusual feeling, till about four P. M. the severe colic came on.
On the second and third days the same pains returned at four
P. M., and so on for six days in all. To this proving Dr. Lilen-
thal adds a note : " Remarkable is the periodicity caused by this
dose of the high dilutions."
Yet, in spite of all this, Dr. Allen entirely omits this very import-
ant feature of the symptoms. He merely states that on the second
day " abdominal pains came on again at four p. m.," but the daily
periodicity (resembling Lycop.) is conspicuous by its absence.
Are we never to have a complete and accurate materia medica ?
A WARNING FROM HISTORY.
In July, 1843, the American Institute was organized for the
purpose (as stated in their resolutions) of —
(1) The reformation and augmentation of the materia medica,
and (2) the restraining of physicians from pretending to be com-
petent to practice Homoeopathy who have not studied it in a
careful and skillful manner.
Among the physicians who associated themselves together for
these purposes, we read the names of the illustrious men that
have made Homoeopathy in America. Hering, Josliu, Kirby,
Jeanes, Williamson, Bayard, Lippe, Wells, McManus, and a
host of others were there. It is well for us of the I. H. A. to
pause now and consider how an institute founded by such men
could have proven in a few years such a lamentable failure ; for
failure it is, however large in membership it may be, however
large its publications are; failure it is! For the Institute was
organized to promote and develop Homoeopathy ; but no
Homoeopathy is now to be read in its transactions nor heard in
its debates.
We ask again, How and why did the Institute become eclec-
tic? The answer is evident. By following the false and per-
nicious idea of seeking numerical strength. In order to grow
in its membership, every one who applied was elected. Hence
in a few years the homceopathists were entirely outnumbered,
outvoted, and finally engulfed in a mire of eclecticism.
At the last meeting of this Institute a distinguished member
is reported as saying, after hearing a discussion upon the treat-
ment of diphtheria, he could almost imagine he were attending
a meeting of allopaths ! A terrible criticism upon so-called
homceopathists — their treatment differed scarcely at all from
that of the allopaths ! And this in an Institute " of Homoe-
opathy" founded by a Hering, a Josiin, etc. !
To avoid a like failure, let the I. H. A. guard its doors with
utmost carefulness, admitting none to its membership of whose
personal worth and homoeopathic practice there can be the least
doubt.
No member should sign an application for membership unless
he knows personally and surely of the fitness of the applicant.
Never can we be too strict in our elections for memberships.
Once in, it is difficult to remove an objectionable member. We
believe the present Chairman of our Censors will be unceasingly
vigilant. Let the members boldly support him.
304
PECULIAR SYMPTOMS.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
It has been suggested in one of our journals that the mem-
bers of the I. H. A. should " record new and reliable observa-
tions and verifications of unusual symptoms, etc." The fol-
lowing is a small contribution :
(1) Dr. Theo. J. Gramm will find the symptom "delusion
that some one else, and not the patient himself, is ill," under
Gelseminum. Dr. W. W. Day reported this as produced and
verified clinically in one of the American journals.
(2) Dr. Skinner reports a cure by Causticum of the symp-
tom, " he must be standing in order to get his bowels relieved."
This symptom I have also verified clinically on two occasions.
A colleague informs me that he once cured it with Alumina3?.
(3) At the end of his very interesting case of spurious
pregnancy, reported in the Medical Advance for May, Dr.
Skinner verifies the symptom " movement in abdomen as of
the fist of a child," stating that Sulphur is the " only medicine "
that has it. A similar symptom is also found under Conval-
laria majalis, Or-ocus, and Thuja. The characteristic of the
Convallaria symptom is that it occurs when lying on the back.
(4) Plumbum. — This should be what the mongrels would
call "a good remedy" in epilepsy. In one of our journals, I
think the Homoeopathic World, the following is attributed to it:
" Tries to scramble up a wall before the epileptic attack (in dog)."
Dr. David Wilson tells me that he cured a case having this
symptom, " after the attack, runs into a corner and urinates."
(5) Zincum. — Lippe's Repertory gives (p. 222) " sensation as
if blood stagnated in legs." This I have clinically verified in
a very interesting case. The patient has been for about two
years under the care of a professed Hahnemannian, who had
relieved her of some of her symptoms, but proved utterly
unable to cure the remainder. Being recommended to consult
me by a friend whom I had greatly relieved after the same phy-
sician had also failed, she placed herself under my care; and at
the present time both she and her friend are almost well. The
last prescription of her former physician, some weeks before
she saw me, was one dose of Nuxl0my to be followed next evening
by one dose of Calc.6m ! ! ! Zincum was staring him in the face the
whole time, and it is almost needless to say that this unhomoeo-
pathic compound prescription was " like so much water on a
duck's back."
24 305
CASES FROM PRACTICE.
John V. Allen, M. D., Philadelphia.
It is not necessary for me to mention many cases from practice
to show the efficacy of high dilutions in all forms of disease, bat
as we are continually " poo-poohed" by the mongrel sect (so-
called homoeopathic) for using such preparations, and as it might
be of benefit to them if these few cases should reach their notice, I
will mention some of the many hundred I have cured with
these preparations.
Case I. — Miss A., age eighteen years. I was called one morn-
ing early and found this young lady bleeding profusely from a cav-
ity in the jaw, occasioned by the extraction of a tooth. She had
bled continually for five days, after being treated unsuccessfully
for the same by a reputable chemist with Sulphate of Iron, etc.,
and after seeking the advice of a prominent allopath. There
were no indications for any particular medicine, any more than
the cause, viz.: tearing of the blood-vessel, and otherwise
bruising of the parts in extraction. I gave Arnica30 in water,
every fifteen minutes until better. I called two hours later,
when patient reported that the hemorrhage ceased after taking
the first dose of medicine, and did not return.
Case II. — This patient, a practicing dentist of Frankford, con-
sulted me some months ago, then suffering with neuralgia, and
asked for a prescription, which he knew would be homoeopathic.
For the past eight years he has not known what a well day
was; so severe has been his sufferings, that Professors Garret-
son and Levis, each in turn has unsuccessfully tried to cure him
by the extraction of branches of the trifacial nerve. Nor did
the patient stop at butchery, but sought the treatment of two
prominent mongrel homoeopaths of cur town, and all in turn
failed to relieve what afterward proved so easy. The pains
were sharp, cutting, in right sup. and inf. maxillary regions,
coming and going suddenly; of course Bell, was the remedy to
cure, on account of the character of pains. Of this I gave six
powders in CM potency, and the patient has not had a return of
a paroxysm, and to this day is free of pain.
Case III. — Mrs. C, aged twenty-eight years, had been suf-
fering with paroxysms of chills and fever every other day for
five weeks, and no relief after taking chill preparations of
Quinine. Chill commenced in the stomach, and from thence
306
August, 1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
307
spread all over the body. During the chill profuse sweat,
headache, and no thirst. Heat, with increasing headache and
thirst, followed by profuse perspiration ; during the apyrexia,
the headache continued, and the patient felt very sore all over
the body, as if bruised ; bowels constipated and ineffectual urg-
ing to stool. Feet continually cold and damp. Gave three
powders of Lycop.cm, which relieved the chill and other symp-
toms only temporarily for a few days, after which the symp-
toms returned with marked severity. I then gave three pow-
ders of Calc. carb.cm , and the chill, fever, and other symptoms
entirely disappeared without a recurring paroxysm, and she re-
mains perfectly well to date.
Case IV. — G. G., aged twenty years, consulted me May
22d of present year suffering with purpura hemorrhagica.
The lower limbs and abdomen were entirely covered with black
and blue spots, from the size of a pin's head to that of a pea,
and the chest, upper extremities, and face not so thickly spot-
ted ; nose has continually bled for five days and nights. Blood
of a very thin, dark color, and a very distressing, weak, sore
feeling all through the body. Gave Sul. ac.500. Next morn-
ing the patient reported nose-bleed stopped, but continually
passing of pure blood from the bladder, with burning. Gave
Terebinth.530, which immediately arrested the hematuria, and
the patient continued to steadily improve without any more
medicine.
CLINICAL BUREAU.
CLINICAL CASES.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
(1) Arnica, — Fain in right anterior side of head, worse by
lying with the head high, relieved by lying with head low.
Was cured by one dose of Fincke's millionth potency of
Arnica.
(2) Psorinum. — Miss , March 25th, 1 886. Cough, causing
tearing from centre of chest to throat, all on the right side.
Cough worse at night ; urine escapes when coughing. Psori-
num™ (Fincke), one dose.
April 6th. — Reports that she had no cough the following
night, and it did not return. She says she never knew a medi-
308
NOTES AND NOTICES. — ERKATA. [August, 1886.
cine act so quickly. (See Lee's Cough Repertory, p. 22.) This
sympton is 392 in Allen, but is not there given as verified. It
is one of Hahnemann's symptoms from thirtieth potency ; but
even with his indorsement, and a clinical verification, it will
doubtless be omitted by Dr. Hughes in his Oa/rieature of Drug
Pathogenesy, because the potency was above the twelfth decimal !
But perhaps the work will never reach so far. The second
part, just published, contains some horrible blunders and
omissions.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
Dr. F. Bruns 1ms temporarily removed from Boston to Buffalo, N. Y. He
has established his office at 775 Front Avenue.
Dr. E. A. Ballard, the newly elected Secretary of the International
Hahnemannian Association, has been visiting Philadelphia, and honored our
editorial sanctum with a call.
The Sulphide of Calcium has been employed by Dr. Simpson, of Bergen,
in the following case : A typhoid fever patient presented a swelling in the
neck which promised suppuration. The drug was administered in one-fourth
grain doses, with result of reducing the swelling and removing the constitu-
tional symptoms depending on it. — The Medical Record.
ERRATA.
The following corrections should be made in our June issue :
Page 206. Furfur Iritici should read Furfur Triticurn. Second line of this
article, for drawings of the chin read drawing in of the chin. Seventh line of
same article, for thighs read throat.
Page 208, line twenty-four, for loosen read lessen.
Page 211, line sixteen, for latterly read laterally.
NEW YORK
MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
FOR WOMEN,
No. 213 West Fifty-fourth Street, New York City.
The regular winter session (twenty-fourth year) will begin October 1st,
1886, and continue twenty-six weeks. Daily clinics will be held in the Col-
lege, while the Hospital and Dispensary adjoining give advantages for prac-
tical instruction unsurpassed by any other college. In addition, the large
daily clinics of the Ophthalmic Hospital and the Ward's Island Homoeo-
pathic Hospital (weekly) are open for students.
For further particulars and circular address
CLEMENCE S. LOZIER, M. D., Dean,
103 West Forty-eighth Street, New York, or
LOUISE GERRARD, M. Secretary,
149 West Forty-first Street, New York.
T ZEE IE
Homeopathic Physician
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— const antine heeing.
Vol. VI. SEPTEMBER, 1886. No. 9.
THE ORGANON OF THE INSTITUTE.
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Sam. — Blow! blow, father!
Old Weller. — It's all very veil, Samivell, to call blow! blow! but vere
is the vind to come from? — Pickwick.
The American Institute, at its last meeting in Saratoga, is
said to have passed a resolve calling on our homoeopathic col-
leges to teach their classes the philosophy and practice taught by
Hahnemann in his Organon of Homoeopathic Medicine, i. e.,
to teach their classes Homoeopathy. Why are these colleges so
called on, and what is the significance of this resolve?
In the first place, they are called to this duty because it has
been hitherto so almost entirely neglected. They are called
Homoeopathic, created to teach Homoeopathy, and men have been
placed in them whose business it should have been to teach their
successive classes the principles of this philosophy and practice,
and yet the Institute, by this resolve, declares they have not
done it, and this judgment of the Institute is confirmed by the
uniform ignorance of their graduated pupils, when leaving their
class-rooms, of all pertaining to these principles and this prac-
tice. Not one of them has been found by the writer of this who
has given any evidence he had been so taught, and all, when
questioned on the subject, have declared they had heard nothing
of these through their whole college course. And yet each had
borne away with him a declaration on parchment that he had
309
310
THE OKGANON OF THE INSTITUTE.
[Sept.,
been taught these principles and by this teaching had become
qualified to practically administer them for the benefit of the
sick public, and this declaration has been signed with the hand
of each of his teachers, who had been receiving the money of
this graduate and omitting altogether the instruction each so cer-
tifies this pupil has received. Does a falsehood become a truth
by being placed on parchment ? If not, what becomes of the
character of these teachers as to veracity ?
It will be remembered this Institute, so calling for a cessation
of this shameful and abusive neglect of duty, is composed of
graduates of these colleges, and consequently were only too well
informed as to the truth of this neglect, so significantly pointed
out in this resolve. What else, indeed, could have drawn from
them this call to duty by these teachers, but an intolerable sense
of wrong, and want, in the hearts and minds of these Institute
graduates, which they were not willing should be continued in
the experience of future classes? The intelligent of these gradu-
ates, when brought before clinical problems, with the duty of
solving them according to law upon them, cannot but have had
painful consciousness of their deficiency, the result of this ne-
glect of their teachers, and it can hardly have been otherwise
than that their own humiliation, before this felt want, compelled
this resolve in the interests of future classes of graduates and
of future sick humanity. It is well that this should be so,
though it will hardly escape notice that the call came rather late.
It is well also that it should come from these interested suffer-
ers, who can hardly be mistaken as to the fact of this practical
treachery on the part of their teachers, or the embarrassment
this has inflicted on themselves in their early clinical experi-
ences. Will this wail from these graduate members be heeded by
these teachers ?
The answer to this question covers all there is of importance
in this timely resolve. What is this to be? Will the Organon
be taught as a result of this resolution ? The graduates of the
Institute say to the colleges — teach the Organon ! As these are
at present manned, what can be the answer that will more fittingly
describe their poverty of qualification for this work than that
of asthmatic old Weller to Sam : " Vere is the vind to come from ?"
Who shall teach these teachers, who must themselves be taught,
before they can teach others ? We say these must be taught,
because it is inconceivable that they should carelessly, lazily, or
of vicious purpose withhold from their classes this precious
knowledge if they themselves had possessed it. They have
only omitted to teach that which they themselves did not know.
1886.] THE ORG ANON OF THE INSTITUTE. 31 1
They have omitted this duty only because they could not per-
form it. They could not teach the unknown.
This brings us logically to the often treated and most important
subject, "improved medical education." This "improved" has often
been presented as the one great desideratum of the medical body.
And anybody could see how desirable this is. But nobody
seems to have had a very clear view of just how this was to be
achieved. Indeed, everybody seems only to have had visions
of ways and means pertaining only to the pupil. "A better 'pre-
liminary education." Good. More time given to the study of
elementary sciences, i. e., those which are cognates of therapeu-
tics. Well, no man will know too much of these, or be too
familiar with them. But if he is to be better educated he must
have better teaching. The pupil can only absorb what the teacher
has to give him, and if he comes out from his graduating insti-
tution in a state of knowledge before clinical duties suggestive
of a want of something better than he has brought with him,
the fault must be his own — want of attention or capacity on his
part, or of neglect or want of knowledge or capacity to teach on
the part of his instructor. The onus of this want, where it is
so general as to be found in a majority of a body so large as
our Institute, is by this fact beyond doubt placed to the discredit
of the teacher.
Better education, then, means better teachers — just this, and
only this. Better educated homoeopathic graduates from our
colleges can only result from replacing those teachers, whom
this resolve of the Institute charges with neglect or incompetency,
with men who are capable and willing to teach the philosophy
and practice of the Organon. These graduates in the Institute,
who presumably were impressed wTith a sense of this necessity,
say this teaching is the one great need in order to attaining the
u better education " so much talked of, and so greatly needed,
by both graduates and the public, and they are right. But how
can this teaching be realized by the present incumbents in our
colleges ? Has any. one of them been placed in the chair he
occupies because of any supposed fitness, by reason of his supe-
rior knowledge of this philosophy and of its practical adminis-
tration? If there be one, where is he and what is his name?
Does not the past history of these colleges show that if it
accidentally happened that an appointee had been given a chair
who knew and could and was disposed to teach the principles
of this philosophy, he was just the man that was not wanted,
and therefore he has had "to go"f Then where are the men,
when this resolve comes to these colleges with the demand that
312
HOW TO STUDY THE REPERTORY.
[Sept.,
they teach Homoeopathy, who can comply with its terms? Will
not each incumbent when called on for this duty be compelled
either to confess his inability in the premises, or to attempt to
foist on the Institute and their classes a poor substitute of their
own for this inspired truth of the Organon f Nous verrons.
If the present colleges, with their present faculties, find them-
selves wholly unable to comply with this demand of the Insti-
tute, is this, their most reasonable resolve, to be therefore without
effect ? Has the public, which has given to these colleges their
corporate powers, no rights nor interests in this matter ? Were
not these powers given to these corporations for the very purpose
that there the philosophy and practice of Homoeopathy might be
taught, and for no other? But, say their graduates, who have
had the best means of knowing the truth of what they affirm,
these corporations have hitherto been recreant to this trust, and
we demand a cessation from this and a compliance with the
purpose of their creation. Now, what will these colleges do
when thus indicted and called to duty by their own children ?
And again we say, Nous verrons.
HOW TO STUDY THE KEPERTORY.
Pkofessor J. T. Kent, M. D.
After all the symptoms of a patient have been written out
the Repertory should be taken up. The beginner should not
attempt to abbreviate the anamnesis, but should write out the
full general rubric for exercise, if nothing more. If meloincholy
be the word, the remedies set to the word should be written
down with all the gradations. If the melancholy appear only
before the menses let a sub-rubric be placed in a manner to show
at a glance the number of remedies of the general class having
the special period of aggravation: Many of the most brilliant
cures are made from the general rubric when the special does
not help, and, in careful notes of ten years, would bring down
many of the general rubric symptoms and furnish the best of
clinical verifications. The longer this is done the more can
the busy doctor abbreviate his case-notes.
The special aggravations is a great help, but such observations
are often wanting, and the general rubric must be pressed into
service.
Again, we have to work by analogy. In this method Boenning-
hausen's Pocket Repertory is of the greatest service.
1886.]
HOW TO STUDY THE REPERTORY.
313
Take Minton's most excellent work, and we find menstrual
agonies are ameliorated by heat, peculiar to Ars. and Nux., and by
moist heat, to Nux-m. But the symptoms of one case are not
like either of these remedies, and we must go farther into the
materia medica. We can there form the anamnesis by analogy
and make use of the general ?'ubric, taking all the remedies
known to be generally ameliorated by heat and warmth ap-
plied.
To be methodical, the general rubric should appear in the
notes of the prescriber and the special below it. If this plan be
carefully carried out, a comparison of ten years' work would be
a most instructive perusal. What is true of a remedy generally
may often be true in particular, especially so in the absence of a
contraindicating exception, well established.
If this plan be followed by beginners, always reading up the
Materia Medica with the anamnesis, by the time business be-
comes plenty the work becomes easy and rapid. A young man
can prescribe for a few patients a day and make careful homoeo-
pathic cures, and he can gain speed enough to prescribe for
twenty to thirty a day after a few years. Any man who desires
to avoid this careful method should not pretend to be a homoeo-
pathic physician, as the right way is not in him, as the desire must
precede the act.
The patient does not always express the symptom in the
language that would best indicate the real nature of the symp-
tom. Then it is that judgment is required, that the physician
may gain a correct appreciation of the symptoms. So often is
this true that the young man and often the old is led from the
true expressions of nature, and he will make an inappropriate
prescription. The task of taking symptoms is often a most
difficult one. It is sometimes possible to abbreviate the anamne-
sis by selecting one symptom that is very peculiar containing
the key to the case. A young man cannot often detect this
peculiarity, and he should seldom attempt it. It is often con-
venient to abbreviate by taking a group of three or four essen-
tials in a given case, making a summary of these, and eliminating
all remedies not found in all the essential symptoms. A man
with considerable experience may cut short the work in this
way. I have frequently known young men to mistake a mo-
dality for a symptom. This is fatal to a correct result. The
symptom is the sensation or condition, and the modality is only
a modification. The symptom often becomes peculiar or charac-
teristic through its modality.
When a sensation is looked up in the Repertory, all the reme-
314
HOW TO STUDY THE REPERTORY.
[Sept.,
dies belonging to it should be written out, and individualization
began by modalities.
I am frequently asked what is understood by peculiar as ap-
plied to a case. A little thought should lead each man to the
solution.
A high temperature, a fever without thirst, is in a measure pecu-
liar. A hard chill with thirst for cold water is peculiar. Thirst
with a fever, with the heat, is not peculiar, because you can
safely say it is common to find heat with thirst, and uncommon
to find heat without thirst. That which is common to any
given fixed disease is never peculiar. This may seem too simple
to demand an explanation, but let him who knows it go to the
next page. Pathognomonic symptoms are not used to individu-
alize by, and are never peculiar in the sense asked for.
I am asked what I mean when I say to beginners, treat the
patient and not the disease. My answer always is about as fol-
lows : The symptom that is seldom found in a given disease is
one not peculiar to the disease, but peculiar to the patient, there-
fore the peculiarities of the patient have made the disease differ
from all the members of its class and from all others in the
class, and make this disease, as affecting this patient, an indi-
viduality by itself, and can only be treated as an individual.
This individuality in the patient manifests itself by peculiar
symptoms nearly always prominent, and always looked for by
the true healer. The man who gives Aeon, for fever knows
nothing of the spirit of the law or the duties of the physi-
cian. The same is true of Colocynth for colic, Arsenicum for
chill, etc.
" What shall we do when we find several peculiarities in the
same patient and one remedy does not cover them all ?" Here
is where the astute physician will pick up his Repertory and
commence the search for a remedy most similar to all, and if he
has been a student for a few years he need not go about asking
foolish questions. The lazy man has spent his days in the folly
of pleasures, and the man of limited belief has shot out so
many valuable things that he is constantly standing up in public
asking foolish questions and reporting cases with symptoms so
badly taken that he reveals the whereabouts of his past life.
He has not made use of the Repertory, and shows a complete
ignorance of the rubrics and the usual formality of taking
symptoms as taught by Hahnemann. It is a blessed thing that
they are not responsible for all their ignorance. Where shall
the responsibility rest, and who shall " throw the first stone " ?
It is so easy to wink at the sins that ourselves are guilty of
1886.] NOTES UPON A LECTURE ON STAPHYSAGRIA. 315
that it seems impossible to find judge or jury before whom to
arraign the first law-breaker.
The cry for liberty has been a grievous error, as liberty is
and has been most shamefully abused. It means a license to
violate law, and only a modest elasticity is necessary and full
eclecticism is the product. It is liberty that has driven out of
use, or limited the use of, the Repertory that all the old healers
so much consulted. If Bcenninghausen used a Repertory with
the limited remedies there proved, how much more do we need
to consult it.
NOTES UPON A LECTUKE ON STAPHYSAGRIA.
Professor J. T. Kent, M. D.
(Stenographically reported.)
This remedy is a wonderfully useful remedy in a limited
sphere. Its sphere is generally of a nervous character with
marked irritability, both of body and mind — irritability of
the mind and genito-urinary organs and skin.
The mental symptoms will often depend upon the genito-
urinary irritability.
The mental states when once developed will be aggravated
by anger, by indignation, by over-eating, and especially by any
sort of sexual excess, or worriment.
It is a characteristic feature of Staph, to become gloomy and
downcast. Irritable and very sad after anger, especially when
suppressed. After a marked offense. After an insult. A
gentleman is insulted by a scamp that he cannot fight and he
suffers wonderfully with the prostration that follows. He feels
insulted ; he feels indignant ; were he a little lower in life he
would raise his fist and go at him. So he holds himself, curbs
himself, and suffers by it. This curbing or restraint of self
brings on the Staph, mental state. With that information I
almost always give Staph. That kind of a condition so natu-
rally brings on this Staph, symptom. If it is a diarrhoea
brought on by such a state — by anger or indignation — it is Col-
ocynth. Now these two remedies are quite similar; especially
similar in relation to the testes and ovaries. Staph, has proved
useful more particularly upon men. Colocynth has manifested
its marked condition in both ovaries and testicles. Both these
remedies produce a pain in the testicles as if they were squeezed,
and both produce the same symptom in the ovaries. In both
316 NOTES UPON A LECTURE ON STAPHYSAGRIA. [Sept.,
these instances these complaints are brought on by anger and
indignation. But in Staph, we have these marked mental
features that I have described — sadness, melancholy, etc.
Another marked feature of Staph, is its debilitating influence
upon the sexual organs of the male, bringing about impotency
with extreme irritability of the bladder and urethra ; irritability
of the bladder and urethra brought on by sexual excess — that
will give you, most likely, many symptoms of Staph. Its
greatest usefulness is when it corresponds to this Staph, state.
In many of the complaints coming on from coition, with ex-
cesses, you will find many Staph, symptoms.
You will find this a very useful thing in newly married
people, especially the female, with frequent urging to urinate.
A young wife in a few weeks after marriage suffers greatly
from passing water. Great irritability of the bladder and
urethra. The natural changes in her life have brought about
this result, and Staph, is a most excellent remedy. In relation
to the genital organs there is marked itching ; irritability with
itching and crawling as of insects. The most troublesome
symptoms in the male are brought about by this crawling, as of
insects about the scrotum. He will tell you that he has some-
thing that is always crawling. He wants to scratch his scrotum
at all times.
Where the irritability is more particularly confined to the
prepuce and penis it is Petrol.
The external genitalia of the female will have this itching,
and you will have to compare Coffea, Platina, Petroleum, Apis,
Tarantula, and Staph. They all have this very troublesome
itching.
Terrible puritis, a sensation as of insects creeping and crawl-
ing. Tarantula Hispania has cured a great many of these
cases for me. She will say that the whole outer parts feel as if
worms or as if insects were boring and crawling, with no relief
from cold or heat. There is a continual titillation and irrita-
tion there which is annoying and distressing.
These are the general symptoms of the genito-urinary state,
and the mental state will help you to select this medicine.
There is another marked feature in relation to the head and
forehead. A sensation of a lump in the forehead, as if it were
wedged in. The whole front of the head feels like a wooden
ball wedged in there. The interior of the brain feels as if it
were a wooden ball.
This symptom is likely to come on and be associated with
1886.] NOTES UPON A LECTURE ON STAPHYSAGRIA. 317
the mental symptoms, and brought on from the same cause,
associated with irritability of the genital organs, etc.
There is another symptom that is likely to be present, either
with or without this sensation of a ball in the head, and that is
a sensation of emptiness, as if there were a spot in the base of
the brain.
These two symptoms may be associated ; sensation of a ball
in the front of the head, and a sensation of a vacuum in the
posterior part of the head. These are characteristic of Staph.
It has the most pressing, stupefying headache, with a general
stupid condition of the mind. Sleepiness, so that he desires to
lie down and sleep all the time. And he is so irritable that he
doesn't want the members of his family to speak to him, and
he has to use the greatest control to tolerate the little members
of his family ; the children annoy him so.
There is great itching on the scalp, and falling off of the
hair. These are the characteristic features. The itching is as
much from a sensation of crawling, in keeping with this symp-
tom everywhere upon the skin.
It seems to be a very deep-acting remedy at times. It will
act in chronic mental symptoms for four to six weeks. I have
known a single dose of Staph, to keep off the most marked and
troublesome symptoms for six weeks. I have a patient under
control now on Staph., and it has been acting on him about six
weeks. He is nearly well. He has had in all two or three
doses of Staph., very high. It was a case of great brain-tire,
so called, with great genital weakness. Irritability with ina-
bility to sustain a mental effort. He was insulted by a man ;
being too dignified to fight, he subdued his wrath and went
home sick, trembling, and exhausted. Staph, acted most won-
derfully on him.
In fact, this medicine has given relief even in syphilis and
sycosis. There being an interwearing of the two diatheses in
an old case of chronic syphilis — a syphilis that has run a long
time and left its impression upon the body. And especially
does it modify cases that have been mercurialized. It stands
almost equal to Hepar and Nit. ac. in that respect.
For the inflammation that sets in after a patient has been mer-
curialized— as the final result of syphilis — it stands with Merc,
Hepar, and Thuja for that state.
It is a great remedy for styes with a hardened base, leaving
hard knots j with this irritable state that I have described ;
the genital weakness and irritability of the bladder.
0
318 NOTES UPON A LECTURE ON STAPH YSAGRIA. [Sept.,
Made worse by anger and indignation ; such a history from
your patient will lead to this medicine.
Another marked and very peculiar feature is in relation to
the teeth. They are black and crumbling. It is a very great
remedy in little children, in irritable children who have black
teeth. Teeth turn black almost as soon as they appear from the
gums.
Compare this with Kreosote, for it also has the irritability,
the changeable condition, desiring all sorts of new toys, throw-
ing them away as fast as they get them. This irritable state
belongs to both, and you must compare the two medicines care-
fully.
This remedy has salivation; hence you see its relation to
Mercury, and why it so cleverly fits Merc. — when it may anti-
dote it. Its genital symptoms and salivary symptoms are like
Merc.
Hering gives constant accumulation of water in the mouth.
There is swelling of the tonsils, also after abuse of Merc.
While talking she swallows continually. Why? Because
of this constant accumulation of water in the mouth.
Longing for thin, liquid food.
Great desire for wine, brandy, or tobacco.
There is a great craving for his tobacco, which makes him
sick. It does not say so in this text, but it is a fact that he is
always aggravated from his tobacco.
Sensation as if the stomach was hanging down or relaxed.
This is a good deal like Ipec. in the colicy state, but not
a marked exhaustion from nausea. Colic after lithotomy. That,
of course, is a clinical symptom. Colic, with urging to stool or
with urging to urinate; squeamishness — worse after food or
drink. Worse after food or drink is quite common and is a
characteristic aggravation.
This makes me think of it in relation to wounds.
Wounds that have become irritable, and turned dusky. For
that you will find a wonderful remedy in Staph. Of course, in
such a case, look for the mental state generally, and the symp-
toms that preceded the wound. Staph, is so good for wounds,
for the effects of wounds, or healing of the disturbance in gene-
ral, that if for any reason you have been giving your patient
Staph., and he then receives a wound you couldn't change
your medicine. You can go on with it.
Hot flatus; smells like rotten eggs — (Psorin).
There is something more characteristic about this medicine ;
that is the perspiration and flatus smell like rotten eggs. The
1886.] NOTES UPON A LECTURE ON STAPHYSAGRIA. 31 9
Staph, patient when sweating, smells liked spoiled eggs, the
perspiration is so foul.
After the least food or drink, griping and dysenteric stool.
Now what does that sound like ? Like Colocynth.
Colocynth and Staph, have the same symptom. Both have
that symptom, aggravation after eating and drinking.
Staph., Colocynth, and Caust. follow each other and are com-
plementary to each other.
You find in your text a great many symptoms related to
weakness of the male sexual apparatus.
Always bear in mind the wonderful value of this medicine in
relation to masturbation.
The low (lunacy ?) that belongs to the practice — to the act —
also belongs to this medicine.
Testicles inflamed with burnings and stinging, and pressing,
and drawing pains. Shooting and drawing in the cords. Right
testicle feels as if compressed.
In Colocynth we have the testicle feeling as if squeezed.
You see this is the same symptom — as if compressed or squeezed.
They are very similar in this symptom.
There is a heart symptom not in the text that is of great
value. Stitching pains in the heart are very characteristic.
There is trembling and beating of the heart.
This medicine has violent palpitation — palpitation so marked
that it can be seen — the throbbing ; and it shakes the whole
body. That is found also in Nat. mur.
If you have violent stitches in the heart and the region of
heart, stopping the breathing, and with that no other symptom —
as you will find very often in practice nothing else to guide
you but this stitch in the heart — then Staph, will serve you
very well.
There is another peculiar feature of Staph.; that is, its
tendency to produce dry scaly eruptions upon the elbows, and
over points of the bones, and the bones of the chest, but par-
ticularly upon the elbows and the knees.
Nodosities on the fingers and toes.
It also produces an inflammation of the periosteum — a periosti-
tis.
Compare that with Asaf., Sil., and Merc.
Colocynth, Staph., and Caust., follow each other in rotation.
THE MATERIA MEDICA OF THE FUTURE.
Ad. Lippe, M. D.
Brighten up, you desponding disciples of Hahnemann, who
taught the world how to apply the Law of the Similars for the
cure of the sick, and for that purpose created a Materia Mcdica
Pura. Desponding brethren who were unnecessarily frightened
into the belief that the Cyclopccdia of Drug Pathogenesy, of
which our esteemed English philosopher is the father, and whose
aim in life has been to remind the medical world of the historical
fact that Samuel Hahnemann lived and promulgated a new
Healing Art, by HIM called Homoeopathy, which was not
acceptable to the large majority of materialistic, conservative,
unthinking medical men and who further says, if Hahnemann
had left out "the essentials "the large majority would have adopted
a school the founder of which was so successful to combat
diseases, but they were not ; and so apparently seemed to be the
father of the Cyclopccdia of Drug Pathogenesy, claiming that the
play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out would be more admired
by brainless spectators than the play is now by brainy specta-
tors who come to see a new delineation of Hamlet. For the
present, let your despondency be turned into joy. Brighten
up. There comes a sweet message from Brighton, which you
will find on page 581 of the American Journal of Homoe-
opathy, July, 1886. Richard Hughes, M. D., condescends to
defend himself against some accusations about the shortcomings
of his pet child, the Cyclojicedia. Of course, if an author, or
his packet indorsers, have not the material, it amounts to a
supererogation to furnish the work, and if Dr. Arndt is quoted
as one who cites from the Eclectic Medical Journal, it is the
first time that Dr. Richard Hughes & Co. publicly commit
themselves as adherents to the eclectic school ; it is an honest
confession ! The last sentence of Dr. Hughes' whitewashing
attempt is very, very significant. This learned man says :
" Nothing has been alleged by our present reviewer * which
would hinder the Cyclopccdia from being what we are striving
to make it, the Materia Medica of the future" That is it. The
Cyclopaedia is intended to furnish future generations with a
*Dr. Berridge and others have also reviewed this caricature, but they are
ignored ! Is the reviewer now mentioned inviting the providential white-
wash brush ?
320
Sept., 1886.] EXPLANATION WANTED.
321
Materia Medica; it is not intended for the present generation.
The Cyclopaedia will be a plain Materia Medica for the future,
not a Homoeopathic Materia Medica Pura. The editors and
compilers will strive to make it so. While they were striving
diligently to have the Cyclopaedia accepted as an indispensable
substitute of Hahnemann's master works, not considering for a
moment that Homoeopathy gained recognition by the people
under the results (cures) obtained with its aid, they realized the
fact that their compilations were not hailed by all the homoe-
opaths, and with praiseworthy modesty they now tell us that
this caricature is "for the future." The present generation
does not appreciate this Opus; that is the only inference we can
draw from it ; in this they are right. What the future will
require, no man can tell ; if in the future this Opus is needed,
all right ; at present there is no need of it.
EXPLANATION WANTED.
Thomas Skinner, M. D., London.
In the July number Dr. Berridge, of London, seems puzzled
to know the exact times which I consider indicate Sulphur as
regards its most important and all but unvarying characteristic
— " sinking, empty feeling at the epigastrium." I reply, eleven
a. m. daily, or almost daily, when ill or below par. The next
in point of time or periodicity and homceopathicity, I have
found to be from eight till nine A. M., and from one or two till
three P. M. daily, or almost daily, when out of sorts. The copu-
lative conjunction " and " in the last clause is of greater im-
portance than Dr. Berridge seems to think, and it seems to me
very like hair-splitting that Dr. Berridge should ask for an ex-
planation, because, in one case, the afternoon aggravation varied
one hour. Time and clinical experience will verify or nullify
the characteristic value of the italics at page 115 of Vol. VI of
The Homoeopathic Physician.
Dr. Berridge seems to forget that there are degrees of char-
acteristic, as of everything else, and further, let me observe that
Dr. B. is laboring under a willful mistake when he states that
" Dr. Skinner italicizes as characteristic," etc. Dr. S. does
nothing of the kind, and no one knows better than Dr. B.
himself that Dr. S. means neither more nor less by said italics
in describing his " Cases of Chronic Disease — Cured " than to
lead the reader's attention to the symptoms of the case leading
322
FATAL ERRORS.
[Sept.,
to the selection of the remedy, and ^responding to similar
symptoms in our Materia Medica. This I consider a very differ-
ent thing from characteristics, and, I repeat, no one knows this
better than Dr. Berridge. If Dr. B. will take the trouble to
look at page 115, Vol. VI, he will see what a mess he has made
of it. Let him read Diagnosis of the Remedy, and he will
find that the italics are not confined to Sulphur alone, but to
Sulphur, Calcarea, Lycopodium, and Pulsatilla. Yet an " expla-
nation " is " wanted." If I mistake not, not only is an expla-
nation wanted from another quarter, but an apology as well.
By italicizing the symptoms corresponding to those in our
Materia Medica, in describing almost every case cured or relieved
which I have published, I have received the hearty congratu-
lations and thanks of many homceopathicians in all quarters,
and it would be well if Dr. B. and every one did the same,
instead of frequently giving us a learned-looking array of some
twenty or fifty remedies, not one of which resembles the totality of
the symptoms, or is ever dreamt of as fit for administration in
the case, and the characteristics of which are generally, if not
altogether, ignored.
My answer to Dr. Berridge then is, homceopathicity and
characteristic Homoeopathy are two very different things in-
deed, and in the present instance he has mixed them, I have
said willfully, and I sincerely hope I may be wrong.
FATAL ERRORS.
Ad. Lippe, M. D.
The progressive wing of the homoeopathic school is advocating
persistently such gross, fatal errors that it appears timely to ex-
pose them, as an acceptance of them would make our healing art
a laughing-stock.
One of the leading fatal errors is the promulgation of a fre-
quently repeated assertion that we, as homoeopaths, are bound to
be governed by an exclusive dogma, that we are asked to be
slaves to an exclusive dogma, and that we must be liberated from
this slavery. None of the writers or speakers have ever told
us what this imaginary exclusive dogma which interferes with
the freedom of action and practice really is. Even in the last
century a learned Frenchman conceived the idea that there could
be no certainty in medicine till we were governed by some na-
tural law in our practice. This natural law existed always —
from the creation of the world — and cannot be modified or set
1886.]
FATAL ERROKS.
323
aside by any argument, dictation, or contrivance whatever. As
a natural law, it can no more be set aside or ignored than the
human and divine laws that regulate our civil society, as at-
tempted in these modern days by the Communists.
Natural laws are divine laws and will prevail, even if a suc-
cession of Presidents of the American Institute represent them
as dogmatic and interfering with the liberty of the profession.
They address themselves to professing homoeopaths, and, boldly
pretending to be expounders of our great text-book, the Organon
of the Healing Art, by Samuel Hahnemann, make reckless state-
ments and uphold opinions not in harmony with the teachings
of the master. They of late seemingly exhibit an utter igno-
rance of the fifty-third to fifty-sixth paragraphs of the Organon.
The last orator surely has never read the foot-note to the eleventh
paragraph, nor the eleventh paragraph itself neither, else he
would not have said: "The belief is increasing that symptom is
only another word for effect, and it invariably implies a cause —
some definite, impression-producing thing, which has acted or is
acting in conflict" . (Dr. O. S. Runnel's address before the
American Institute of Homoeopathy.) If ever there was an ab-
surd heresy uttered, here is one, and any logical mind must
draw the deduction from Dr. Runnel's address that the belief is
increasing that Hahnemann and our noble healing art are all
wrong and that it would be best in these days to come to
the relief of and sustain the still large majority of our dear allo-
pathic brethren in their desperate effort to stick to the germ
theory, now abandoned by the most progressive and observing
men of their school. Does not Professor T. F. Allen blow the
germ-horn in the June number of the North American Journal
of Homoeopathy, page 518, and spread himself before a gazing
majority, as if he really knew nothing of the law of nature gov-
erning the healing art, and address himself solely to kindred
spirits, ignoring Hahnemann and his school, going back to the
easy-going practice of administering Quinine as a specific remedy
for marsh malaria, on the theory and belief that Quinine is a
germicide and kills the supposed plasmodium ? Yet such men
stick to the name! The late Presidents of the American Insti-
tute may do what they please ; they may blow hot and cold in
their addresses, profess to follow Hahnemann, and thus flatter
the numerical majority of pretenders, who, ignorant of the Or-
ganon or of the application of a natural law for the cure of the
sick, are entertained with a tirade against an exclusive dogma
which their chosen presiding officer opens, not suspecting that
all this talk is absurd and a fatal error. The homoeopaths who
26
324
FATAL ERRORS.
[Sept.,
fully see the fatal error very naturally inquire after the motives
of the men dealing and trading in fatal errors, to the disgrace of
our school. What is the motive f The brave Richard H., from
Great Britain, has committed the fatal error over and over again
of telling us how, if the fatal errors committed by Hahnemann
were eliminated from Homoeopathy, the medical world at large
would honor us with their recognition. Aud this would-be re-
constructor of our materia medica — who forever has tried in
vain to bring distrust on Hahnemann and now disgraces himself
by slandering the departed brethren who have sacrificed them-
selves while living that they might add their mite to enlarge our
knowledge of the sick-making and (therefore) curative action of
drugs — this same man finds followers among men this side of
the water who, like him, have done absolutely nothing to ad-
vance our healing art ! The motive thus is clearly " RECOGNI-
TION" by the dominant school of medicine. Another fatal error.
As it has always been our habit to sustain our propositions by
documentary evidence, not dealing in shallow phraseology like
the " exclusive dogma" we will now astonish the recognition-
seekers by a copy of a letter from a prominent and very active
allopathic physician who has undertaken, with a Committee of
the Philadelphia County Medical Society, to show irregular, un-
licensed doctors that the law of the land is supreme and that the
medical laws must be obeyed.
Here is a copy of the letter, dated Philadelphia, July 7th,
1886 :
" Ad. Lippe, M. D. :
"Dear Doctor: — I have read with great interest your address on 'What is Homoe-
opathy? and while disagreeing with you in doctrine, am in full accord with your ex-
pose of those who steal the livery of Heaven in which to serve the Devil. I have the
most profound respect for all who are true to their principles, no matter how much I
may disagree with them, but the deepest disgust for those who preach one thing and
practice another. Could you spare me a few more copies of jour address, as
several of my friends are anxious to have your opinion on the subject?"
After this time the aiming after "recognition" does clearly
appear to be "a fatal error" if it is undertaken by "pretenders."
Sailing under false colors does not pay ; it is " piracy." The
motive of the homoeopaths is to show the rocks on which the
piratical craft is surely running if they take no warning and
do not hoist an honest flag.
The fatal error of the fear of an exclusive dogma governing
our school, as well as the fatal error of recognition-hunting on
a piratical craft, have been exposed, and we now will attempt to
show to pretenders, if still a spark of sense is left them, that
1886.]
FATAL ERRORS.
325
the natural law governing our school is an ancient law. They
may then probably obtain a copy of the Organon and learn,
what is not taught generally in the medical schools, how safely
and surely to apply that law for the cure of the sick. Hippo-
crates knew the law, acknowledged the correctness of it time
and again ; but a natural law, like the law of the similars, must
be always true; not only reflecting medical men see it, but also
the poets. The great poet Shakespeare has given frequent evi-
dences of this knowledge, but on this occasion we will indulge
in only one quotation from Romeo and Juliet, Act I, Scene ii :
Tut, man ! one fire burns out another's burning,
One pain is lessen'd by another's anguish ;
Turn giddy, and be holp by backward turning;
One desperate grief cures with another's languish ;
Take thou some new infection in thine eye,
And the rank poison of th' old will die.
The immortal poet fully explains the law of the similars,
and when he says turn giddy, and be holp> by backward turning,
he fully illustrates the law of the similars. Giddy dancer, re-
verse your steps and you will be helped ; standing still is not
your remedy ; tolle causam is not your remedy ; but keep up a
similar motion in the opposite direction and you will be helped.
Pain is not cured by paralyzing the pain-demonstrating nerves.
Mind that, you defenders of the hypodermic-injection-of-Mor-
phia, sailing under false colors and defamers of the true healer.
Even the great poet tells you that "one fire burns out another's
burning " — an artificially burning producing drug will remedy
burning pains — not your progressive squirt-gun. But cui bono !
Men who cannot appreciate Hahnemann surely can't appreciate
or learn from Shakespeare; these men will forever be led by. de-
signing men into "fatal errors" such a fatal error as Dr. Run-
nels advocates in his late address, when he said : " It is puerile
to say that he ever countenanced the rejection or non-observance of
that formula, (sublata causa, tollitur effectus' {the cause being re-
moved, the effect ceases),- or forbade the mitigation of the intense
suffering of pronounced incurables by the most effective palliatives
within human reach" It is a heap of fatal errors we find in
this short sentence. It is really excessively puerile to attempt
to draw from any of Hahnemann's writings the deduction that
he ever countenanced the silly formula, " sublata causa, tollitur
effectus." Has he not protested against and condemned severely
the prominent formula of the allopathic school, " causam tolle"?
and Dr. Runnels undertakes to assert that Hahnemann coun-
tenanced such absurdities ! What do we know about the "prima
326
FATAL ERRORS.
[Sept., 1886.
causa morbi "f Again we call Dr. Runnels' attention to the
sixth paragraph of the Organon, foot-note included. Paragraph
seven deals with " causa occasionalism Now it is a well-known
fact, indisputable, that you must first catch the hare before you
can cook him. If the prima causa has not been found, neither
in the chemical laboratory or on Bock's dissecting-table, nor by
the microscope, we have just as good a chance to cure the sick
as we have to eat the hare that has not been caught. The next
fatal error is still more ridiculous. The forbidding of the use
of palliatives obviously follows the acceptance of a law of cure ;
there cannot be two conflicting laws both true and applicable.
The acceptance of the law of the similars precludes the pallia-
tive practice, and if a greenhorn among the new graduates be-
lieves that the intense suffering of even the incurables by means
of the most effective palliatives within human reach will be re-
lieved successfully, he will find out that fatal error in a very
short time. The intense suffering so palliated will return more
severely — increased doses of the most effective palliative will,
by and by, be rejected by the sufferer with his nervous system
entirely prostrated, the stomach rejecting even the palliative, the
physician at his wits' ends after his promises to give relief have
failed — he is himself sick and disgraced also.
It is a fatal error to attempt to make Homoeopathy more ac-
ceptable to the common school of medicine by caricaturing it,
depriving it of any of its characteristics and seeking recognition
of Homoeopathy while in reality the worst medical caricature,
" vile, unprincipled, communistic eclecticism " is offered by pro-
fessing recognition-seeking homoeopaths, who are a disgrace to
any school of medicine.
The Ladies' Tipple. — That popular abomination known as " Beef, Iron,
and Wine," which is now sold so extensively not only by druggists but by
tradesmen of various kinds, deserves a little special attention from the medi-
cal profession. It is an agreeable mixture to the sight and taste ; its name
is a triple combination of seductive mononyms; while, taken into the stom-
ach, it acts as a gentle " pick-up" to the worn and over-sensitive nerves of
the ladies. It has, in consequence, become a popular, if not a fashionable,
tipple, and is indiscriminately used to an extent that is, we believe, not
entirely free from danger. Every medical man knows that the amount of
actual beef or food in these various preparations is insignificant, and that it
is the wine, after all, that makes them liked, and that leads so many persons
to purchase their second bottle.
There is no good reason why this mixture is allowed to be sold by those
unlicensed to sell wines, and if the law supports the practice it is the duty of
physicians at least to try and lessen it. Inebriety can result from these
tipples. — The Medical Record.
IN MEMORIAM.
Rollin R. Gregg, M. D.
The homoeopathic medical profession will learn with surprise
and regret of the death, on Wednesday, August 4th, of Dr.
Rollin R. Gregg, of Buffalo, after a lingering illness.
He was a well-known and consistent homoeopath ist. We
cannot do better than copy the following admirable notice of
him from the Buffalo Courier:
" Rollin Robinson Gregg, M. D., was born in Palmyra, N. Y.,
August 19th, 1828, and removed, with his parents, to Adrian,
Mich., when five years old. He began the study of medicine
in 1849, with Dr. Rufus Kibbe, the family physician, an allo-
pathist. In 1850 he went back to Palmyra, and began the
study of Homoeopathy with an uncle, Dr. Durfee Chase, and
took courses of lectures in the homoeopathic colleges in Cleve-
land and Philadelphia, graduating from the latter college in
March, 1853. In May, 1853, he removed to Canandaigua, N.
Y., where he practiced medicine in partnership with Dr. Lyman
West, until 1861, when he came to Buffalo. His ability as a
physician and a writer soon gave him local and national promi-
nence. In 1869 he established a medical journal called the
Homoeopathic Journal, which he edited for two years, when he
was obliged to discontinue it on account of ill health. He was
the author of An Illustrated Repertory and A Treatise on Diph-
theria, the latter of which has met with a large sale among
physicians. He was a contributor to many medical journals ;
was senior member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy,
member of the Erie County Homoeopathic Medical Society,
New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society, Homoeopathic
Medical Society of Western New York, Homoeopathic Medical
Society of Central New York, and the International Hahne-
mannian Association, of which he was President in 1885.
Articles from his pen have been published in the local press
from time to time. One several years ago upon ' The Physical
Evils of Alcohol/ created great interest, and was extensively
copied throughout the country ; and his more recent article,
representing his decided views upon some of the most inter-
esting and vital questions in1 pathology, excited wider than
national interest, and will be remembered by manv. He was a
327
328 OFFICEKS AND BUREAUS, I. H. A., 1887. [Sept.,
plain, unostentatious man, an indefatigable student, giving his
time to thought rather than to show, extremely conscientious in
his practice, rigidly carrying out his convictions of what was
best for his patients' welfare, regardless of every other motive,
and may truly be said to have given his life for others. Not-
withstanding his large practice and studious habits, for years he
devoted one afternoon in each week to prescribing, free of
charge, for all the poor who would come to him, until, becoming
too great a tax upon his strength, he was obliged to discontinue
it.
" He was a most indulgent man to his family, always ready
and willing to gratify their every wish. He was married in
Canandaigua, September 8th, 1858, to Hattie E. Williams, who
with two children, Ida Williams Gregg and Edward Rollin
Gregg, survive him."
OFFICERS AND BUREAUS, I. H. A., 1887.
In order to facilitate the work of the I. H. A. for the next
year, we publish now a full list (with post-office addresses) of its
officers and bureaus for ensuing year. Members of the bureaus
should put themselves in communication with the Chairmen of
their respective bureaus that work may begin at once and be
properly directed. Applications for membership must be in
hands of the Chairman of Board of Censors by January 1 st.
The President and other officers will be glad to give any infor-
mation in their power, to those desiring it.
President— Professor J. T. Kent, M. D., 2309 Washington
Avenue, St. Louis.
Vice-President — Dr. Wm. P. Wesselhoeft, 176 Common-
wealth Avenue, Boston.
Secretary — Dr. E. A. Ballard, 97 Thirty-seventh Street,
Chicago.
Treasurer — Dr. Wm. A. Hawley, Syracuse, N. Y.
Chairman Board of Censors — Dr. J. A. Biegler, Rochester,
N. Y.
Materia Medica and Provings.
Dr. Wm. P. Wesselhoeft, Chairman, Boston; Dr. Ad.
Lippe, Philadelphia ; Dr. P. P. Wells, Brooklyn ; Dr. Harlyn
Hitchcock, Newark, N.J. ; Dr. J. A. Biegler, Rochester, N.
Y.; Dr. E. B. Nash, Cortland, N. Y. ; Dr. Wm. S. Gee, Hyde
Park, 111.; Dr. H. C. Allen, Ann Arbor, Mich.; Dr. E. W.
1886.] NOTES FROM LECTURE ON CADMIUM SULPH. 329
Berridge, London ; Dr. G. H. Clark, Philadelphia ; Dr. J. A.
Compton, Indianapolis, Ind.; Dr. C. F. Millspaugh, Bing-
hamton ; Dr. J. E. Winans, Lyons Farms, New Jersey.
Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children.
Dr. E. P. Hussey, Chairman, Buffalo, N. Y. ; Dr. Julius
Schmitt, Rochester, N. Y. ; Dr. Edw. Rushmore, Plainfield,
N. J.; Dr. D. C. McLaren, Brantford, Ontario; Dr. F. M. Dil-
lingham, Boston; Dr. L. M. Kenyon, Buffalo; Dr. Samuel
Long, New Brunswick, N. J. ; Dr. Allen B. Carr, Rochester,
N. Y.
Clinical Medicine.
Dr. E. W. Sawyer, Chairman, Kokomo, Ind. ; Dr. C. W.
Butler, Mont Clair, N. J. ; Dr. J. A. Biegler, Rochester, N. Y. ;
Dr. C. W. Boyce, Auburn, N. Y.; Dr. T. S. Hoyne, Chicago;
Dr. Edward Rush more, Plainfield, N. J. ; Dr. J. B. Gregg
Custis, Washington ; Dr. Alice B. Campbell, Brooklyn; Dr.
H. C. Allen, Ann Arbor; Dr. O. M. Drake, Ellsworth, Maine;
Dr. J. R. Haynes, Indianapolis ; Dr. John Hall, Sr., Toronto ;
Dr. C. H. Lawton, Wilmington, Del.
Surgical Bureau.
Dr. E. Carlton, Chairman, N. Y. ; Dr. T. Dwight Stowe,
Mass. ; Dr. J. B. Bell, Boston ; Dr. A. B. Carr, Rochester, N.
Y.; Dr. W. H. Leonard, Minneapolis.
NOTES FROM A LECTURE UPON CADMIUM
SULPHATE.
Professor J. T. Kent, M. D., St. Louis.
(Stenographically reported.)
This medicine corresponds to very low forms of disease, and
especially where the stomach is involved in extensive irritation,
attended with exhaustive vomiting and extreme prostration.
Aggravation by the slightest motion runs through this remedy.
We have desire to keep quiet, like Bryonia ; and we have the
exhaustion and extreme irritability of the stomach of Arseni-
cum. In this you see we have a cross between Arsenicum and
Bryonia. That is one valuable point.
You will see that it is not necessary to alternate Bryonia and
Arsenicum ; when you have the " cross " and don't know what
330 NOTES FROM LECTURE ON CADMIUM SULPH. [Sept.,
to do, you can always find a true specific by looking long
enough.
You have the extreme irritability of the stomach ; although
Bryonia has much of this it doesn't take your patient so low
down into this state of prostration and irritability. It has
vomiting of mucus ; vomiting of green, gelatinous slime ; and
it has sometimes frothy mucus with blood ; or even vomiting of
blood.
The prostration is so great that he thinks he will die. With
this there is a tenderness over the stomach ; tenderness over the
abdomen generally, with tympanitic condition. There is marked
soreness in the region of the liver. And withal the skin is
becoming yellow and sallow. The urine becomes scanty ; at
first heavily loaded, and finally suppressed. At times there is
bloody urine.
The blood also passes from the bowels in black, offensive clots.
The stomach seems to fill up ; there is a feeling of distention ;
it seems full. There is a gagging and retching and violent
nausea, and finally violent vomiting of an inky substance — of
black blood, with sinking and collapse.
Cadmium sulp. seems to take the patient down fully as low as
Arsenicum. His stomach is in every sense as irritable ; the
nausea is as great ; the sinking and prostration as profound. All
the symptoms resemble Arsenicum ; but he has not been restless
like the Arsenicum patient ; on the contrary, he must keep very
quiet. Vomiting of inky substance and blood.
These are states that you will find in yellow fever. Several
physicians of our school have used this medicine in yellow fever
and verified these symptoms.
Now, this same irritable state you will find in cholera infan-
tum : Irritable stomach with frequent, mucous, slimy stools ;
greenish discharges ; greenish gelatinous vomiting ; greenish
gelatinous stools. These you will find under this medicine.
You will find these conditions in cholera infantum. It has been
found a wonderful medicine in cholera infantum ; and, in this,
I will again say to you, it is a cross between Arsenicum and
Bryonia.
Wherever it occurs to you that from your symptoms you have
a mixture — that you have a cross between Arsenicum and Bryonia
— you can find in this no excuse for alternation, because you have
the proper medicine in Cadmium sulph. It may be a difficult
matter for you to get hold of a potency of Cadmium sulph., be-
cause it is not very much used here. You can probably get it
very low at the pharmacies. I use it only very high.
1886.] NOTES FKOM LECTURE ON CADMIUM SULPH. 331
This remedy also produces paralysis of certain muscles. That
is another characteristic — paralysis of the side of the face, of
either side, but the left has been favored. Inability to lift the
upper eyelid or to contract the muscles of the side of the face.
This medicine has cured such cases even when of long standing.
It has cured both painful and painless paralysis of the face. In-
ability to close the eyes caused by this paralysis.
Another marked symptom for this medicine is coldness. Cold-
ness with cold sweat, especially on the face ; associate that with
the severe pains of the paralytic kind, or severe pains in the
stomach in connection with this vomiting. Violent cutting,
burning pains in the abdomen. There it is again like Arsenicum,
burning in the stomach like Arsenicum.
Here is this symptom in the text : tongue shows traces of
black vomiting, dirty brown or black. Upon the mucous mem-
brane there adheres to the sides of the mouth and to the teeth
appearances of stringy, dark, bloody exudations, and it is very
offensive. In this remedy there is violent thirst, like in
Arsenicum, Bryonia, and Phosphorus; violent thirst. With all
these conditions you may have that which would make you
think of Belladonna, for this medicine has in the head — in
connection with the attack — that which threatens great violence ;
preceding this vomiting, preceding this condition of the stomach,
it has hammering in the head, so violent are the pulsations.
Throbbing and burning, with great heat of the head ; coldness
of the extremities. It seems as though all the blood in the body
was rushing to the head. This may make you think of Bella-
donna, but here Cadmium sulph. has this state.
In the text I find pain in the vertex, lung, in the head, tongue ;
digging and drawing in the head ; pulsation in the head and
temple. Inflammation of the brain with the hammering ; and
this violent state has been so great that it has produced rupture
of blood vessels and apoplexy, which has resulted in paralysis.
The stomach symptoms, as they are laid down in this text, are
most astonishing. There are a great number of stomach symp-
toms, and you will find them in yellow fever and low forms
of disease, attended with vomiting, cholera infantum ; irritable
stomach and gastritis are pictured in these symptoms in a very
marked manner. I will read these stomach symptoms to you
in a condensed form (this is in connection with nausea and
vomiting generally). Deadly nausea; intense retching and
distressing nausea. Nausea in the mouth, chest, and abdomen ;
often with pain and cold sweat in the face. The nausea is often
accompanied with red face and lock-jaw ; gagging, retching, and
332 NOTES FROM LECTURE ON CADMIUM SULPH. [Sept.,
vomiting up of mucus every few minutes. Excessive vomiting
of a yellowish, greenish semi-fluid, almost gelatinous. It is
like JEthusa and also like Arsenicum ; also Bryonia, Ipecac, and
Veratrum; and especially in that greenish, semi-fluid state.
Vomiting of sour, yellow, or black matter with pain in the ab-
domen. Excessive nausea, gagging, retching, and so sensitive
that the least touch on the lip will bring on the vomiting. Deadly
nausea ; must lie quiet. (There you get the opposite of Arsenicum
to watch for.) Black vomit, which is still in the stomach and
can be smelled ; he feels it and smells it. This is a clinical ex-
perience. Nausea and black vomiting when other medicines
fail in yellow fever. Vomiting brown fluid after drinking
■cold water. Vomiting of food, or bile, or mucus. Vomiting
of acid matter, or yellowish matter, accompanied by cold
sweat in the face, and with griping. Burning pains in the
stomach. (That also belongs to Arsenicum.) Violent cramps
in the stomach. Gastric symptoms during pregnancy, in drunk-
ards. After cramps in the stomach ; after drinking beer ; in the
forenoon. (This is a hint from Hering.) Cutting pains in the
stomach ; those are very characteristic ; cutting and burning.
It says here, intense burning in the stomach. Also burning
from the oesophagus to the stomach ; coldness in the stomach and
hypochondrium ; burning pains in the stomach and navel;
urging to stool. There are your stomach, nausea, and vomiting
symptoms.
Can anything be more marked? Can anything stand out
with a better picture — showing you the remedy that you will
need in the South — those of you who are going South to New
Orleans, and Memphis, and Vicksburg ? And some day we
may have yellow fever to deal with here.
The pain and cutting and the burning that belong to the
abdomen are similar to those in the stomach. But these general
symptoms are likely to stand out. They will extend down to the
stomach. Here is the grand characteristic : these evacuations
that are of a gelatinous and yellowish-green, semi-fluid charac-
ter, those are very characteristic of this medicine. It may be
associated with alvine evacuations ; but there will be these
gelatinous, yellowish-green, semi-fluid discharges. With these
symptoms— the gelatinous, yellowish-green discharges — you will
need to compare it with Colchicum, Hellebore, Podophyllum,
Sepia, and Rhus. Kali bich., also has such a state in its
general aggravations, in its general conditions. There is also
severe cutting pain in the region of the kidneys, with suppres-
sion of the urine, or very scanty urine, or bloody urine.
1886.] NOTES FROM LECTURE ON CADMIUM SULPH.
333
You may find this remedy useful in connection with vomit-
ing in pregnancy, if there be this severe gastric irritation which
nothing relieves. Arsenicum is not indicated because she is not
restless. It is too bad a case for Bryonia, It is a case that has
been existing for some time ; then you may find this remedy will
help you out.
It is expected that you are homoeopaths and will practice
homceopathically, and that you will relieve these cases. If you
get them in the beginning they are not likely to become very
bad. They should be relieved speedily and promptly, especially
the vomiting that occurs in the early stages — in the early months
of pregnancy.
It has a cough with loss of consciousness, agitation, and red
face. Pain in the stomach, or vomiting of bile.
There are some sleep symptoms that are also characteristic.
When he goes to sleep he stops breathing, and wakes up suffo-
cating and fears to go to sleep because of the spells. You will
find that in Opium; in Lachesis; in Carbo animalis, Grindelia
squarosa, and Grindelia robusta. He rouses up with great
dyspnoea, because he sleeps but a moment before he feels that
something is taking place, and he is roused up by the dyspnoea —
by the sense of being smothered. Then he goes along again
and drops to sleep, and just as soon as he does so, his breathing
stops. Like Lachesis, the symptoms are all worse after sleep.
Now this is a little like Arsenicum in relation to the pains.
The pains in Arsenicum and most of the suffering states of Ar-
senicum come on after he has been asleep awhile, as well as
coming on in the night or along toward morning. There is an
aggravation of Arsenicum by time — many of the symptoms
come on in the night whether asleep or not. But the abdominal
pains are likely to come on after waking in the morning. In
this remedy the symptoms are mostly worse after he has been
asleep, whether in the night or day time ; on waking the symp-
toms are generally worse. In this remedy there is great sleep-
lessness— annoying, protracted sleeplessness.
There is another state in connection with this congestion of
the brain, and that state would be very likely to be associated
with cholera infantum. A child will lie with its eyes open and
apparently unconscious. With all these stomach symptoms, with
the bowel symptoms, and congestion of the brain, you may im-
agine a bad case of cholera infantum. Child lying apparently
asleep ; so far as its movements are concerned, it is motionless.
It can be roused up as from a sleep. It is not that unconsciousness
of Hellebore and Zincum and Apis — which have an unconscious
334 NOTES FROM LECTURE ON CADMIUM SULPH. [Sept.,
state from which the child cannot be roused — but this appears to
be a stupor as from sleep. The eyes are open. That is some-
thing peculiar about this medicine.
Hellebore will go into a profound stupor from which you can-
not rouse him, like Apis and Zinc. Other remedies have it too,
but these are leading, and are the most common remedies.
There is one peculiar state in which this medicine has been
found the most useful in the treatment of yellow fever. This is
clinical information. When a patient seems to have been doing
well for awhile — seems to have been getting better — and from
exposure to a draft of air he takes cold (and all the doctors in
the South know how likely black vomit is to come on after taking
cold), then think of Cad. sulph. Taking cold in yellow fever is
almost sure death. It brings on a state much lower than that
through which he has gone.
Now, if he has been perspiring while convalescing, a slight
draft of air, or a slight throwing off of the clothing will bring
upon him this state of prostration — a feeling as if he was going
to die. For a relapse with all of these violent symptoms Cadmium
sulph., clinically, has been a most important remedy. For this
reason I believe, from the symptoms, that we will find it an im-
portant remedy in this state of things. Crotalus has also been
used for this state with great benefit. (I shall talk to you about
that the next time.) Whenever sweat is checked in yellow fever
from any cause, these states are likely to come on, and this
remedy is likely to be indicated, because the symptoms call for it.
Cadmium has a very strong resemblance in this state to that
of Zincum, but there is this much about it : there seems to be a
different sphere of action, and a different way of bringing these
states about. Zincum has this same vomiting, but it is from a
different cause, and it comes about in a different way. If a
child, for instance, has gone through with a congestion of the
brain, after it began to rouse up — begins to come to his senses —
there is likely to be great prostration; slow convalescence;
vomiting of a teaspoonful of water; almost paralysis; the
stomach refuses to tolerate anything — not even a little liquid —
after he has gone through with this congestion, wTith the stupor,
then Zincum would be indicated. But here we have another
state. Here the stomach symptoms are primary. Or if there
is congestion it is of the active type, coming on with great vio-
lence, like Belladonna. Hence, you see, its sphere is unlike
Zincum. In the text you might confound it with Zincum ; but
knowing these facts you could not. Both Belladonna and
Cadmium have rolling of the head in cholera infantum.
1886.] THE CARICATURE OF DRUG PATHOGENESY.
335
There is a grand relation between Carbo veg. and Cadmium.
The very lowest form, with tendency to septic blood in yellow
fever, will demand Carbo veg., and may assist Cadmium to do
its work. In Carbo veg. there is more bleeding, less nausea ;
exudations of blood about the teeth ; a great deal of dyspnoea.
Patient wants to be fanned ; a great deal of cold sweat. Sweat
comes out hot and becomes cold soon. There is suffocation and
sinking. Puffiness of the surface. Carbo veg. may correspond
to some of the lower forms of yellow fever.
THE CARICATURE OF DRUG PATHOGENESY.
E. W. Bereidge, M. D.
To the second part of the Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesy we
find the following note attached : " In view of what has been
said as to condensation, they (the editors) have in the present
issue exercised more restraint in this particular, and will be glad
to learn how the result commends itself/' As it might be con-
sidered uncourteous if none of the " Hahnneinaniacs," as one of the
leading mongrels impertinently calls us, took notice of their
polite request, we venture to make the following comments on
three provings as a specimen of the whole :
It would show a want of appreciation of the learned editors'
willingness to be corrected did we not express our approval of
the " restraint " which, with evidently painful self-denial, they
have imposed upon themselves. Nevertheless, it is unsatis-
factory in two ways. First, they do not tell us how much
" restraint " they have imposed ; whether they have adopted
the suggestion to reprint the provings verbatim, or whether they
have continued to condense (and mutilate) as before, only to a
lesser extent. Secondly, though they by implication admit that
the first part of this work has been imperfectly executed, they
make no promise to give their subscribers a revised and im-
proved edition, so that those who find they have been entrapped
into purchasing a confessedly unreliable work may not have
to lament the loss of their dollars through a " confidence trick."
On this latter subject we hope the learned editors will state
their intentions.
In examining the second portion of the work we have taken
three provings, the originals of which were easily accessible,
viz. : Anthemis nobilis, Aranea scinencia, and Aralia racemosa,
and will confine our remarks to a few symptoms in each. Ex
eno disce omnes.
336 THE CARICATURE OF DRUG PATHOGENESY. [Sept., 1886.
At page 269, line 18, under Antherais nobilis, we read,
" Much perspiration on head and face;" this is not only a con-
densation, but an absolute falsification of the symptom, which
read in the original, " Much warm perspiration all over body,
chiefly on head and face."
In line 24, of the same page, we read "dysphagia for
liquids ;" this is a most unwarrantable mutilation of the
original symptom : " On drinking tea had no relish for it ; it
seemed as though it would be vomited, because the pharynx
felt as if the liquid would not go down; this was felt only with
liquids, the solid food he enjoyed and swallowed without diffi-
culty." In the same line "eyes watered much in open air,"
should be, " Eyes watered much, especially on exposure to cold."
Surely the editors do not consider these two conditions as
synonymous! The symptom "eyes slightly painful, as though
something pressed against posterior part of ball, worse on
bending head down," is omitted altogether, and to the symptom
"carotids feel turgid" should be added, "This feeling was
especially marked below, decreasing upwrard." This will
suffice for Anthemis nobilis.
On page 332, lines 15, 16, we find under Aranea scinencia:
" On first day took two drops on going to bed. In two hours
felt fatigued physically and mentally, as though he had labored
hard; had felt uncommonly well in morning." As it seemed a
very curious circumstance for the prover to feel fatigued two
hours after going to bed, when naturally he would be asleep,
for there is nothing said to the contrary, I referred to the
original, where I found the following version: "First day,
dose, two drops on going to bed. Slept well all night (is usually
restless and sleeps but little). At eight A. M., two drops more.
In two hours felt fatigued," etc.
Comment on this blunder is hardly needed !
Finally, on page 339, we find a newT and improved (?) version
of Dr. S. A. Jones' proving of Aralia, thus : " On retiring at
midnight was seized with a violent fit of asthma, which, as he is
subject, thinks can hardly be ascribed to the drug. He says,
indeed, that the programme was different from that to which he
is accustomed, but he does not specify the points of distinction."
So it would seem that the editors, who neither experienced nor
witnessed the symptoms, were better able to j udge of their cause
than Dr. Jones, who did experience them ! As Dr. J ones de-
clares that these symptoms were not those of his ordinary attacks,
and considered it a reliable proving of Aralia, and as Aralia
has proved beneficial in asthma, this dictum of the editors is at
least uncomplimentary to Dr. Jones.
VERIFICATION OF SYMPTOMS OF COFFEA
TOSTA.
G. M. Pease, M. D., San Fraxcisco, Cal.
From dilutions made from tincture of roasted Mocha coffee
I can report the following symptoms as speedily relieved, first
by the twelfth centesimal ; but before there was a permanency
was obliged to resort to the thirtieth, sixtieth, eightieth, one
hundreth, and one hundred and twenty-fifth, all centesi-
mal. These symptoms will be found in Allen's Encyclo-
pcedia : No. 7, anxiety ; 8, a kind of fearfulness which seems
unendurable; 9, timidity, and fear of sudden death (similar to
Aeon., which had been given but failed) ; 40, paleness of face, ;
41, countenance very pale, and had an anxious expression ; 43,
face waxy pale; 53, tension in the stomach so that she is obliged
to loosen the clothes ; 55, great fullness in epigastrium and par-
tial loss of appetite; 101, trembling of the limbs; 118, great
lassitude and general debility, 119, excessively iceak and pros-
trated; 126, aversion to open air, which aggravates the symp-
toms ; 138, coldness of the surface and limbs ; 139, on account of
easy perspiration, chilliness and shivering from the least expos-
ure to cold air ; 140, chilliness with general shaking and chatter-
ing of the teeth : caxxot get warm ; 141 , feet and hands cold;
152, cold, clammy perspiration all over the body, but chiefly in
the palms of the hands (also lower legs and feet, similar to Calc.
c). The italics are given of the most prominent conditions.
At one time, wishing for a higher potency than I felt the dis-
position to make by hand, and failing to get it at our local
pharmacy, I wrote to Boericke & Tafel, and received the follow-
ing reply :
*****" We beg to state that Coffea tosta we have
not in stock, never having had a call for it. Hahnemann made
his 0 from the green berry. ***** ^ye have heard
that sometimes physicians did — as you have done — first roast
their coffee, but as the provings were made from 0 made from
the green berry, we always made ours the same way, and our
potencies are also made from such 0"
As I had Coffea cruda made from the green berry and did not
desire Coffea tosta also made from the green berry I continued
the potentizing. Should any of the readers of The Homoeo-
pathic Physician desire a graft of Coffea tosta made from the
roasted berry, I shall be pleased to supply them with either of
the potencies mentioned or the one hundred and fiftieth centesi-
mal.
337
CORRESPONDENCE.
To the Editors of The Homoeopathic Physician :
Gentlemen : — Can our homoeopathic " eclectics 99 or allo-
pathic brethren explain the material nature of the following ?
While in conversation with a patient (an elderly lady) the
other day, I used the word " lemons " and she immediately grasped
her throat and seemed to swallow with considerable difficulty.
I inquired the cause and she replied : " That whenever an acid
was mentioned she had the queerest sensation in her throat,
with shooting pains from the throat into the ears, increased quan-
tity of saliva, and a constant desire to swallow.''9
She also stated she could not take acids, as they produced
such an aggravation of the above symptoms.
Here is a key which might unlock another chapter in " sub-
stantialism 99 did we know how to apply it.
Yours fraternally,
R. L. Thurston.
Minneapolis, August 3d, 1886.
Editors Homoeopathic Physician. — I have been looking
over with interest the case of S. L. in the last number of The
Homoeopathic Physician. I would recommend a dose of
Lachesis high, every night at bedtime for a long time, and
Chamomilla high for the acute symptoms, when they appear,
frequently repeated.
Yours, etc.,
H. Noah Martin.
Philadelphia, August 5th, 1886.
Editors of Homoeopathic Physician :
Having read over S. L/s case of " Hereditary Idiosyncrasy,"
in the August number, I would suggest the use of Natrum
muriaticum for both mother and child.
Let him try it faithfully in both cases and give Psorinum
intercurrently if it fail to act well. I think they are both Na-
trum cases, and it is, I have found, one of the most " heredi-
tary " drugs we have. D. C. McLaren.
Brantford, Ont., August 8th.
338
"AN IMPORTANT OMISSION.
A. F. Randall, M. D., Port Huron, Mich.
Oq page 303 of the current volume of the Physician, Dr.
Berridge calls attention to what he pleases to call "an important
omission." I desire to record a verification of that symptom
and to express my conviction that the four p. if. aggravation
will yet be found to be as characteristic of Colocynth as it is of
Lye, particularly as regards colic.
Two years ago I treated a case of scarlet fever with fatal re-
sult in about three days, and, although this was only my third
fatal case of that disease in eleven years of practice, the father
and mother were firmly of opinion that their child died from
lack of medicine ! and their grief was of the kind that refused
to be comforted. A few months subsequently another child was
born to them, and when it was about three months of age Mrs.
R. went into their house and found the baby screaming " for all
it was worth." " Why don't you do something for that baby?"
The reply was, " The doctor (allopath — no more homoeopath for
them) had done all he could, and said the baby would outgrow
it ; all the old women's remedies had utterly failed, and they
were firmly convinced that the baby would die." " Would they
give it something she would bring ?" " Yes, but they knew it
would be useless." It had had the colic for three months,
seemed in terrible agony, restless, and worse at intervals of a
few minutes." I sent Colocynth200. A dose was given at six p.
M., another at seven, and shortly the babe fell asleep, slept all
night, and nearly all of the next day, which rather astonished
them, but they felt confident that the colic would return as soon
as the effect of the "opiate" worked off. It had an occasional
dose of the same remedy afterward, and is to-day alive and
well. After I had prescribed I learned that the attacks came
nearly every day and always at four P. M., and lasted till seven or
eight. I am now very glad to learn that the remedy was indi-
cated by the " totality of the symptoms."
By all means, let those who are qualified so to do continue
their criticisms ; we will save our volumes of the Physician
until we can have a " complete and accurate Materia Mediea"
with no thanks to those eclectic excluders who are just now
amusing themselves (and us) with their " boiled down " book.
27 339
DO POTENCIES HIGHER THAN THE TWELFTH
ACT?
Wm. Steinrauf, M. D., Nokomis, III.
Richard Hendricks, aged nineteen years, was taken sick on
the eighth day of June with a pain in the right side. I was
asked to send him some medicine. From the description of the
messenger, I learned that the young man had sickened rather
suddenly, was very restless, tossing about, and had quite a high
fever. Under the circumstances, I thought I could do no
better than to send Aconite, which I did by putting ten of the
very smallest pellets moistened with the 3x in two ounces of
water, with the injunction to take one teaspoonful every three
hours till there was some change.
The next day I was called to see the patient, as the pain had
increased and the fever was no better. I found the lad in bed
with a pulse of one hundred and thirty and a temperature of
one hundred and five at ten A. M. This was, according to the
statements of the friends, the third morning of his sickness.
I was somewhat astonished at such a state of affairs. As he
attributed all his misery to a pain in the right side of the iliac
fossa, typhlitis, perityphlitis, and inflammation of the appendix
vermiformis passed through my mind. The pain had com-
menced suddenly, was of a sharp, lancinating nature, and was
increased by motion. This condition of my patient remained
thus for two days, only that the pulse and temperature were
very much higher evenings than nights. Now, the pain ceased
in the iliac fossa and a cough set in, which directed our attention
to the right lung. Pneumonia was our diagnosis. He was
treated with different medicines in the second and third potencies,
but to no effect ; his pulse now in the evening was one hundred
and fifty and the temperature one hundred and six and a half.
Pure blood was vomited up in large quantities and the outlook
very gloomy, all the more so, as the man was of a consumptive
family, his father having died of phthisis. In this dilemma,
when all our efforts had proved naught so far, and as to ail
appearances we could not lose anything by giving our
remedy high, we gave Phos. 200, a few pellets dry on the
tongue. In six hours our patient was better, in twenty-four
hours out of danger. He got up two days after taking that
remarkable dose of Phos.200 .
340
ULCERS ON CORNEA, EXTRACTED FROM VARI-
OUS CLINICAL SOURCES.
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
Central ulcer, Ars., Cimicifuga, Euphrasia, Hepar, Merc,
Nux-v , Sol ph. (deep), Silic, Lac.-felin.
Ulcer in upper part, Crot.-tig., Hepar (also serpiginous), Merc.
(vascular), Rhus (vascular).
At margin, Hepar, Kali-b., Merc.-iod., Thu. (Pustule on edge
of cornea, Rhus.).
— lower margin, Hepar (vascular).
— lower part, Merc., (vascular, superficial).
— outer side, Ars. (elevated edges).
— outer margin (Sulph.).
— inner part (Alumina.).
Ulcer vascular, Ars., Calc, Graph., Hepar, Merc, Rhus.
Superficial, Ars., Asaf., Canth., Con., Euphr., Merc.-iod.,
Merc, Rhus, Sulph.
— deep, Hepar, Silicea, Sulph., Arg.-n.
— sloughing, Hepar, Sil.
— elevated, Hepar.
— red, Hepar.
— circular. Hepar.
— smooth, Hepar.
— serpiginous, Hepar, Merc.-iod.
— with white base, Hepar.
— perforating, Sil., Podo.
— elevated edges, Ars.
— nan vascular, Sil.
— transparent with clear edges, Euphr.
ERRATA.
In Dr. Wells1 paper upon Dr. Runnels' address, in our last
number, the following corrections should be made: Page 286,
nineteenth line from the bottom, for " love n read lore; p. 287,
third line from top, for " this " read the ; p. 288, fourth line from
bottom, for " body n read lady.
341
"THESE BE YOUR GODS, O ISRAEL!"
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
In the third edition of HempeVs Materia Medica, edited by
Arnott, the following quotation from Hahnemann is given
(Vol. 1, page 696) : "Bark is seldom effectual unless it disturbs
the rest of the patient at night, as it does that of persons in
health who make a trial of this drug."
Dr. Dudgeon translates this passage: " Bark will hardly ever
be found curative when there are not present disturbances to the
night's rest similar to those the medicine causes in the healthy,
which will be found recorded below."
A JOKE.
We see it reported that the able President of the American
Institute desires the Ovganon to be made a text-book in homoeo-
pathic medical schools. Is it not, has it not always been, so
used ? How could Homoeopathy be taught without it ? Unless
something better is offered President Runnels should not be so
sarcastic.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
Dr. E. A. Ballard, of Chicago, desires us to state that his address is 97
Thirty-seventh Street, Chicago, not 3631 Cottage Grove Avenue. He moved
nearly a year ago, but letters and papers still continue to be sent to this latter
location. Hence this notice.
The Medical Record of August 28th contains an interesting report of
the clinic of Dr. Sexton upon " the effects of sea-bathing upon the ear." It is
claimed that pain and deafness are caused by the waves striking the side of
the head, the water having force enough to penetrate the ear and bruise ihe
drum. It also carries with it small shells and grains of sand that remain
and keep up irritation. The momentum of the wave is also able to carry the
water through the nostrils or the open mouth into the eustachian tube and so
into the middle ear, thus causing inflammation, pain, and deafness.
342
T HI IE
Homeopathic Physician
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constantine hekixg.
Vol. VI. OCTOBER, 1S86. No. lO.
HIGH POTENCIES. HAVE THEY EFFICIENT AC-
TION ON THE ORGANISM ?*
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
For the purposes of this paper we will answer the question —
What are we to understand by "High Potencies"? — by saying:
All numbers of potentized drugs, raised in the centesimal ratio,
from the thirtieth inclusive, as directed by Hahnemann in his
Organon of Homoeopathic Medicine (Third American Edition, p.
217) ; i. e., all above that which contains in each drop of the
liquid preparation of a drug the decillionth of a drop, or less,
and of the dry preparation the decillionth of a grain, or less, in
each drop or grain of the medicinal substance so treated. Is
this drop, or grain, or a fraction of either, capable of producing
any effect on the living human organism, in any circumstances,
either for good or evil ? This is the question we propose to dis-
cuss in this paper. In the prosecution of this purpose we re-
mark, first, that this power to so affect the organism is wholly a
matter of fact, and not in any part or degree a matter of opinion
or belief. It is either fact or fiction, and this entirely independ-
ent of its acceptance or rejection, by one or many, of whatever
authority these may be in other departments of knowledge.
Acceptance adds nothing to its being or authority, while rejec-
tion can neither mar nor destroy it. If a fact, it is, and cannot
be otherwise. If & fiction, no advocacy can give it either being
*The substance of this paper appeared in Skinner's Organmi, in July,
1880. It has been revised and changed by its author to adapt it, in its
subject-matter, to the present thought of the profession, as it is now professedly
engaged in its discussion and investigation.
343
341
HIGH POTENCIES.
[Oct,
or importance. There is no middle ground in the case. If the
power be a fact, then by its existence it is raised above all possi-
ble vicissitude, from whatever of negation, ridicule, sarcasm, or
reproach, from whatever of ignorance or prejudice; if a fiction,
it is equally beyond the power of advocates to give it life or in-
fluence beyond that which attaches to dead thoughts, which have
perished for lack of truth. Its utmost reach will be to become an
object of strange curiosity to the world, for not a few of the intelli-
gent in the world of science have believed in this power. What
do we understand by a fact? That which exists. Different facts
rest on different kinds of evidence as proofs of their existence.
Facts in mathematics are demonstrated by figures ; in chemistry
by visible experiments upon the elements with which this sci-
ence deals. So of various other sciences. Facts in these are
proved to exist by experiment and observation upon the elements
with which these sciences have to do. If, in these, certain re-
sults follow certain processes or combinations with uniformity,
certain relations are assumed to exist between these elements as
facts. And yet it may be said of most of these, that for any
knowledge of them in possession of the world at large, men have
been, and are, wholly dependent on the testimony of the few
who have made the experiments which have disclosed their ex-
istence. The world, in accepting the testimony of these wit-
nesses to facts, so accredited, has not been charged with credulity
or want of independence of mind. The progress of knowledge
of all sciences has proceeded on this line from the beginning, and
must in all its future advances pursue the same course. It is
the testimony of the few who make and observe experiments
which constitutes the additions to the sum of human knowledge,
as possessed by the many. The many are dependent on this tes-
timony for increase of their knowledge, by reason of the fact of
their general lack of time, means, and knowledge necessary to
their making: the experiments for themselves.
Outside of the question at the head of this paper, it has not
been known that those who have thus labored and witnessed, in
the interest of science, have been met with opprobrium and abuse
in return for the fruits of their labors. Men who have proved,
who have tried, and know the truth of that to which they tes-
tify have been rightfully and duly honored. It has been re-
served for those who have tried, and know the truth of ihe
answer to this question, to be met with unbelief, ridicule, and
reproach from those who have not tried and do not know. It
is to be remembered that tin's return for experimental labor, and
testimony as to its results, has come almost exclusively from
1886.]
HIGH POTENCIES.
345
those who do not know. On the one side there is experimental
knowledge of the truth ; on the other, want of experience neces-
sitates absence of knowledge. But the Judgment of "imposdr
bility" has not, therefore, been the less positively pronounced,
and this even by men who in other departments of knowledge
stand in rank with those who stand highest,* and this with as
little regard to logic or evidence as has characterized the sneers
and negations of those who in this rank have no standing at all.
Why this difference between this and the testimony of experi-
menters in other departments of knowledge? Are the witnesses
few? Are they incompetent observers? Are they truthful?
Are they less worthy of confidence, those who have tried and
know the truth of that which they affirm, than are others who
have not tried and do not know ? Is there any other or better
way of getting at the true answer to this question than to try it?
Experiment and observation, are not these better than a 'priori
negation ? Are they not better than accusations of fanaticism
and insanity ?
If it be said such negations and accusations have come only
from small men, who are attempting to move under a greater
load of prej-udice than they can gracefully carry, the truth of
this is at once admitted ; and to this may be added, that such
minds are not expected to resort to the only proper solution of
this question — to try it. Abuse of those who do is easier.
They are equal to this. For the other they are believed to have
few qualifications. Are the witnesses to the affirmative of this
question so few that their testimony is therefore insignificant ?
Nay. They are not few but many. Of physicians, many hun-
dreds ; of patients, many tens of thousands. Have they spoken
before taking sufficient time for the necessary experiment and
observation? Of many physicians, it may be truly said, they
have given half a century, and even more, to daily practical trials
of these potencies. Of many others, they have given them simi-
lar trials for ten, twenty, thirty, and more years, all resulting in
a common conviction of their efficient action, so strong that none
can be stronger, and this with an uniformity wholly incompatible
with the possibility of a mistake.
The number and character of the witnesses, their innumerable
experiments and observations, their remarkable unanimity of
conclusion, place the affirmative of the question in the immovable
position of a fact, which can only be set aside by the force of
more intelligent and more numerous witnesses, who shall have
*Sir John Forbes, Dr. John Ware, and others.
346
HIGH POTENCIES.
[Oct,
made more and more carefully conducted experiments, which
demonstrate different results. The "impossible" has noplace
here. No man, nor body of men, whatever their standing in
the world of science, has authority to pronounce that " impossi-
ble" which careful and intelligent experiment and observation,
conducted by competent men, for more than half a century,
have proved to be a fact.
Against such a result the assertors of the "impossible" have
only opposed their personal dictum, and left it unsustained by
any higher authority than that of their own individual person-
ality. Whatever of weight may be justly given to this, in ques-
tions of science, it is confidently submitted that as against the
testimony of this multitude of witnesses, many of whom are in
every respect their equals in natural and acquired endowment,
in character and capacity for observing facts, and who have had
abundant opportunity to know the truth of that which they
affirm, this personality can give no force of authority to their
negations or to their assertions of " impossibility." To the
affirmative of this question men testify who for many years
have had daily demonstrations of its truth in their daily practi-
cal successes, which have given them increasing confidence in
the truth and value of that which they affirm, to the end. On
the other hand, are those who have no such experience, and are
therefore without knowledge, declaring this affirmative "impos-
sible" apparently for no better reason than that they themselves
know, practically, nothing at all of the matter at issue. The
loi> ic of this is, that that of which they have no practical knowl-
edge does not exist — something more than a shadowy claim to
share with the Almighty His attribute of omniscience.
This argument, or rather assertion, of the " impossible" has
had some historical illustrations. "The Royal Society of Eng-
land" resolved the conversion of reciprocal into rotatory motion
" impossible," when Watt's engine was, at the time of the pas-
sage of this resolution, performing this resolved "impossibility."
Dr. Lardner, the highest authority in philosophy in his day,
declared navigation of the ocean by steam an "impossibility,",
and even demonstrated this, by reason of the great space that
would be required for the necessary fuel and machinery. At
the time of this demonstration the British steamship Sirius was
at anchor in the harbor of New York, having made the voyage
from Liverpool by steam-power.
These illustrations of the true value of the "impossible" of
no little interest, are well calculated to teach modesty to those wrho
thus assume the functions of the Omniscient, if, indeed, they are
1886.]
HIGH POTENCIES.
347
not precluded from instruction in this graceful virtue by the
pride so characteristic of this class of men.
The witnesses testifying to the truth of the affirmative of the
question before us, we have seen, are sufficient in numbers to
prove the existence of any fact capable of being proved by human
testimony. We have seen that their daily duties gave them
abundant opportunity to ascertain the truth of that which they
affirm. We have shown that they came to their conclusion in no
hasty spirit. They gave to the consideration of the subject all
the time and attention a matter so intimately related to the lives,
health, and prosperity of their fellow-men demanded, and that
advancing time, with its increase of experimental evidence, has
only served to strengthen their confidence in this truth, till it has
become to them a fact, than which no other stands on a more solid
foundation.
Then these facts of numbers, opportunity, and time, being as
here represented, to complete the picture of their fitness as
witnesses to so important a truth, it may be some will inquire,
and not improperly, as to the personal character of these men so
testifying. We have said their number is, of physicians many
hundreds, and of patients many tens of thousands. Of course,
no one man can have a personal knowledge of each one of so
great a multitude. It has been the fortune of the writer to know
many of the class here spoken of, in this and other lands, and
he has no hesitation in saying of those whom he does know, that
they are as worthy of credence as any similar number of men of
any class whatever. Among them are men of the highest ability
as observers, and of as sound regard for truth as those who are
most consecrated to its interests. Of the whole number he has
no hesitation in regarding them, as in all the qualities which go
to make good witnesses, as equal to the average of men both in
capacity and integrity. It may not be amiss to look at the dis-
cipline through which some of these witnesses have been brought
to the convictions they avow on this subject, and the more as it
throws light on their character and that of the testimony they
bear to the efficient action of these potencies. The u impossible"
is the first suggestion to nearly all intelligent minds when this
action is first presented as a matter worthy of their confidence as
healing factors. The quantity.* It is so insignificant. It is
* It is the great error of those who deny the efficiency of high dynamizations
that they only regard our medicines and their doses from a material stand-
point. For them, that which cures in the medicines is the matter of the drug, and
hence their rejection of these dynamizations, because they cannot conceive of
any matter being present in them, and therefore to them there is no healing
348
HIGH POTENCIES.
[Oct.,
too contemptible to be worthy the attention of serious minds.
This is the first and almost universal conclusion of all who for
the first time have their attention called to the subject; and then
the next step is quite natural, and that is the "impossible."
The witnesses who now testify to their power and value were in
the first instance no exception to this state of mind when they
took the first step in the investigation which led to their emanci-
pation from the " impossible." These men have all been skep-
tics, at least the best of them, and they have emerged from
skepticism into conviction and faith, through investigation,
followed by long experience and observation. Every one
of them, in his present testimony, may be said to bear
witness against himself when he affirms the efficacy of these
potencies. In this they condemn their former ignorance and
prejudice as utterly without reason or excuse. It is a maxim of
those whose especial office is to examine evidence, and from this
to elicit the truth, that he who testifies against himself gives the
strongest and best evidence. If this be a sound principle, then
the testimony thus given in the case before us is materially
strengthened by the fact that these witnesses have all come from
the ranks of unbelievers, impelled l>y the force of facts which
they could neither gainsay nor resist.
Some of them met these facts while making experiments, to
which they had been impelled either by friends (as in the case
of the writer) or by conscience, to silence the clamor of either or
both, with the sole object of proving these potencies the non-
entities they confidently believed them to be. In his own case
the first experiment undertaken with this sole object showed him
that he was dealing with a power which he was compelled to
recognize, and which he could by no means quell by the ever-
power in them. From their standpoint, no doubt, they are right in their con-
clusions. The error is in their point of departure in their argument. This
appears from the fact, which cannot be reasonably denied, that these poten-
cies do cure, and cure the gravest sickness, and as matter in form, in these, is
inconceivable, the fact that they so cure is no less than a demonstration of
the true nature of that which cures. It proves this nature to be dynamic.
Now it is no more possible to conceive of quantity as pertaining to a dyna-
mismus than it is to conceive of matter in these high dynamizations. Quan-
tity implies the possibility of measurement. But who has measured or can
measure the dynamics of gravitation and declare quantity as an attribute of it?
or of the attraction of cohesion, or of the power of thought, or of the moral
forces? Great and small, predicating quantity, are terms which do not
belong to ihe vocabulary of these forces. No more does it to that of the force
which cures. This force may show greater efficiency in some circum-
stances than in others, as it does when in its greater development — the higher
dynamizations — cure sicknesses which the lower members have failed to do.
1886.]
HIGH POTENCIES.
349
present and potent "impossible" The power was not only
possible, it was a fact, and a fact pregnant with blessing to him-
self and the world. So this conviction has been created and
confirmed in the experience of many of these witnesses, and we
cannot conceal from ourselves that in solid worth it outweighs
all the negations of all the skeptics who can be counted.
If it be suggested that the discussion of this question has been
fully exhausted in past time, and that the results then reached
have been confirmed by subsequent experience, to the extent of
rendering further argument useless, and therefore the question
be asked, Why pursue the subject further now ? the reply is, the
facts do not seem to be so generally or perfectly known as they
should be, especially by those who are comparatively young in
the practical studies and duties of our school of the profession ;
and this, perhaps, chiefly because they are young, and this discus-
sion has been, in the main, of the past. The history of the last
two years has disclosed the fact that there are those in our ranks
at the present time who do not know the truth of this question,
simple as it is in itself, and easy as it is of demonstration, and
though it be so fully testified to by a multitude of those who
have had the best means of knowing the facts in the case.
The proposal to inquire into the potential action of the thir-
tieth centesimal and higher potencies of homceopathically pre-
pared medicines suggests the following questions : What dispo-
sition is it proposed to make, in this inquiry, of the great body
of experience and testimony on this subject, brought to us in
our history of the past ? Is not this proposed inquiry wholly
a work of supererogation ? Is it possible to place any answer
to the inquiry in our title on a stronger foundation than that
furnished by experience and testimony already on the record ?
This testimony has been before the world for more than half
a century, with evidence constantly accumulating, till now, it is
submitted, the interests of truth require no more. Will those
prosecuting this inquiry have access to better sources of evidence,
or will they claim for themselves to be better capable of judging
or observing facts than were those who have preceded them in
this inquiry. If so, what credentials do they offer to us which
give assurance that this claim is well founded ? Surely the igno-
rance of the history of this question, evinced in the proposition
to now inquire into the truth of its affirmative, seems to give
assurance of nothing so much as of the unfitness of the proposers
of this inquiry for the work which they would undertake.
What evidence do these men give of better industry, clearer
intelligence, more earnest zeal, or integrity of purpose, than
350
HIGH POTENCIES.
[Oct.,
has characterized those who have gone before them? Do they
propose to try it by better methods than those practiced by their
predecessors ? Nay, but so far as these have been disclosed,
they appear of a very inferior character, and to give, if put in
action, only promise of confusion, and a possible casting of
obscurity over that which is now bright and conspicuous.
It is confidently believed that after these questions are
answered, the general verdict will be, as to the inquiry, No
promise of usefulness in it, and therefore not needed. It is not
forgotten that in the progress of observation and discussion of
the efficiency and value of these potencies, which has followed
the original writing of this paper, those who deny both are
those who call for new investigations of the subject, nor that
in this progress these negators have been driven to extreme of
absurdity in their denial of the jurisdiction of the only tribu-
nal where the question can have a standing. This denial can
only have had its origin in the consciousness of the fact that the
evidence before this court (that of clinical experience) was wholly
against them, and therefore this their only resort, to reject its
authority and deny its jurisdiction. As this is, in the nature of
the case, the only possible tribunal before which these questions
can be tried and decided, even a blind man can see that this
negation is equivalent to a confession of judgment against them-
selves. And they resort to the only other tribunal left to them,
that of unbelief, which decides questions without trial, and so
saves them all trouble, though in the end this resort only
enhances the disgrace of defeat.
Then, as to the methods of the proposed inquiry, outside of
clinical experience, i. e., by giving drugs to the healthy. In the
first place, the great difference of susceptibility to drug action of
persons in health, varying from that which is extreme in some
to that which is so near a nullity in others that they are only
affected by comparatively massive doses, and the fact that a
knowledge of this difference can only be ascertained by experi-
ment, constitutes an obstacle to gaining any valuable results from
this trial quite insuperable, i.e., giving potentized medicines to
healthy persons. The drug is given to one of these last and
sluggish ones, in the proposed potentized form, and no result
follows. The verdict as to this experiment will be — No powers
when the failure depends not on want of power in the drug, but
an absence of sensibility in the prover. Therefore the verdict —
No power — may be altogether at variance with the truth. Then
the great sensibility of some individuals to the action of some
drugs, while almost insensible to the action of others, is an ad-
1886.]
HIGH POTENCIES.
351
ditional element which cannot fail to embarrass the inquiry.
The inquiry, so carried out, seems, for these and other related rea-
sons, to have in it little of promise of good in a new solution of this
problem, which has been so long and so satisfactorily solved by
better methods, and by men every way equal to any who will be
likely now to engage in this superfluous investigation.
There are few drugs, if indeed there be any, of which it can
be said that the provings of them already had have fully
exhausted the circle of their possible effects on the human
organism. Even of those most extensively proved, and there-
fore best known, new results are constantly presented to the
observation of experts in our materia medica, either by clinical
experience, poisonings, or provings on the healthy. It is suffi-
cient to refer to the recent growth of the pathogenesis of Sul-
phur, which years ago presented to us so extensive a record of
symptoms that it was regarded as an example of our provings
as complete as any, or to the scarcely less than marvelous recent
record of symptoms of Plumbum metallicum, to illustrate our
meaning. It has been proposed to give to a prover a drug, the
name of which he does not know, though he is supposed to be
familiar with the record of its symptoms, and he is to give its
name, guided to this by his knowledge of the drug, and its
effects as these shall be realized in his experience, after taking a
sufficient number of doses to develop modification of the func-
tions of his organism. These, it is assumed, will so accurately
repeat the record of the symptoms of the drug that the expert
prover will recognize and name the agent which has produced
them. If not able to do this, either his knowledge of the drug
is defective, or the phenomena resulting from the doses, if any,
are to be referred to other causes, both of which conclusions
may be false, and vet this is to be received as a testing of the
power of potencies to affect the organism, which reasonable men
are expected to accept as conclusive. Suppose the prover be
one of the extreme examples of susceptibility as to the particular
drug he has taken, he is almost certain in this case to experience
new symptoms, which, being new, were not recognized by him
as effects of the drug, and therefore contribute nothing toward
revealing its name to him, and this the less, the more he is
familiar with its previous record.
And then, if no repetitions of the previous record character-
istic of the action of the drug be developed in the proving, the
conclusion, No power to affect the organism, may be false, and
must be so held till the identity of the recent and former provers
is established as to circumstance, condition, and constitutional
352
HIGH POTENCIES.
[Oct.,
susceptibility to the action of this drug. As this will certainly
be found impossible, the value of the proposed experiment, as
a test of the action of potencies on the organism, is disclosed as
a nullity. And, besides, we are not so much interested to know
whether drugs in the potentized form are capable of producing
'poisonous effects on the healthy, as whether they can effect curative
results on the sick. This last is our practical concern, and for-
tunately we are far removed beyond doubt on this subject.
Then the microscope fails to show the presence of medicinal
substances in potencies higher than the fifth, or, as some say,
the twelfth. What then? The attempt has been made to
attach the inference that therefore there can be, and is, no power
to cure in those which are higher. If the power to cure were
limited to those agents which are discoverable by this instru-
ment, then the whole matter could be easily settled. But those
who have advanced this objection have shown no such limitation.
If the power to cure were so limited, why not the power to
cause as well ? We know there are many grave maladies resulting
from miasms no microscope has ever revealed, and the dis ase
has not, therefore, been modified in the least degree. It lias
been neither more nor less severe for this cause. The truth is,
before the microscope can be admitted as an authority on this
question it must be shown that its power of detection of the
medicinal presence is equal, or superior, to that of the vital sus-
ceptibility of the living organism. This its advocates have not
attempted to show, nor are they likely to. Till this is fully
proved the instrument, however interesting its revelations in
other departments of science, has nothing whatever to do with
the solution of the problem before us.
The answer to the claims which have been advanced for its
recognition in this inquiry is: The thirtieth, and even much
higher potencies, have cured the sick, and do still, after these
many years, all the same as if there were neither references,
challenges, microscopes, nor skeptics to oppose. That they have
cured and do cure, is a fact as solid and substantial as any other
in the circle of human knowledge, and being a fact, it will so
remain when referees, challengers, and skeptics shall cease to be.
This being a fact that high potencies, as we have defined them,
have cured and do still cure the sick, we have an affirmative
answer to the question which stands in the title of this paper,
which is quite conclusive. But it may be said that the inquiry
is to be as to the action of those potencies on the healthy organ-
ism. True. But was not the inference to be drawn of non-
potentiality with the sick, if the investigation failed to recognize
1886.]
HIGH POTENCIES.
353
potentiality with the healthy? If not, why the investigation?
If the reference were in whole or in part to provings on the
healthy by these potencies, these could be safely left to clinical
confirmations or condemnation, as clinical experience should
decide. And then our chief concern is with the use and results
of these potencies of drugs with the sick, With the healthy
these are comparatively of little consequence.
With the sick they are of the highest importance. That they
do act on the sick we have the testimony of those who have
proved the fact practically in an experience of more than half a
century. The testimony of these witnesses has been uniform
and in the affirmative. And then it is scarcely less than self-
evident that, if potential as to the sick organism, they are also
as to the healthy, this being composed of the same organs and
functions, the difference between the two being, in the former a
change in function or tissue, resulting from the morbid process.
But the truth is not left to inference at this late day of experi-
ence with these potencies. The whole matter was settled by the
Austrian Provers' Union in their very remarkable proving of
Natrum murintieum, and this chiefly by the provings of mem-
bers who were wholly skeptical as to the possibility of the action
of these potencies. They failed to secure any valuable results
from the use of the crude substance, in large or small doses, or
from its low potencies. They resorted to the higher with a
return of wealth of most important symptoms. The gentlemen
were more astonished than gratified by this outcome of their
experiment. They did not hesitate to say it was wholly at
variance with their previous belief, and that, if their prejudices
could have controlled the result, it would have been different.
They unwillingly acknowledged the truth, that the potencies
<lo act potentially on the healthy organism. Do our friends
exnect an investigation more intelligent or faithful than this of
Vienna? Or do they expect one more controlled by prejudice
than this confessedly was? Or were the advocates of this new
investigation ignorant of the fact that the matter they proposed
to inquire into had been already thus settled, against the wishes
and prejudices of the provers?
It is not the object of this paper to discuss the comparative
value of higher and lower potencies as curative agents; still, it
may not be amiss to remark, that the observation of the writer
of the practice of those who have used the higher has shown
him that this has gradually, but progressively, become more and
more exclusively confined to the use of the higher numbers.
This is eminently true of those among them with whom he is
354
HIGH POTENCIES.
[Oct.,
personally acquainted, and especially of those who are most
thoughtful and the best observers. This result, these witnesses
affirm (and their number is not small), has been imposed on
them by a more successful practice than they had been able to
realize from lower numbers, and this often against their wills
and prejudices. The amount and weight of this testimony is im-
portant, and the writer has no hesitation in believing it fully
confirmed by his own experience.
In this conviction, let it be remembered by those who may be
tempted by this testimony of those who have thus profited in
their practical duties to make trial of these potencies, if they
expect to realize similar results in their own experience, they
are to follow exactly, as these witnesses have done, the rules
given them by the Muster. If they begin by deciding that this
or that of these rides is not essential to the experiment, they may as
well, and perhaps better, stop before beginning. They can never
be witnesses in the case of the slightest value, nor can they
realize the results which are affirmed to have followed a more
faithful observance of them.
It may be added to the above that the only instance of com-
parative observation of the curative power of higher and lower
potencies, on a large scale, i. e., continued and recorded for a
series of years, was made in the Hospital of the Sisters of Charity,
in Vienna. The experiment was continued ten years, in two
periods of three years each, and one of four years, each succeed-
ing period being practiced with numbers higher than that of its
immediate predecessors. The experimenters knew nothing of
the comparative results till after the expiration of the full term
of ten years.
When these were carefully collated by competent agents, it
was found that in exact ratio as the practice had been advanced
from lower to higher, the ratio of cures had been increased, and
the duration of the disease and the period of convalescence had
been abridged, thus, in all practical respects, confirming the
superior curative power of the higher as compared with the
lower potencies, as well as the conclusions of those in private
practice who have from their own experience testified to the
same superiority.
It will be remembered that these prolonged experiments in
Vienna were not made by the advocates of high potencies in
practice. On the contrary, so far as they were on the record as
to these, they appear as opponents.
The results stand as facts. The wdiole practical life of the
observers had been hitherto given, in good faith, to the use of
1886.] NOTES FROM LECTURE OX VERATRUM ALB. 355
the lower. They acknowledged the result was different from
their expectations, and that they would have preferred it should
have been otherwise, thus adding a valuable element to the
character of the testimony they give us.
If it be asked : Are the higher potencies of superior practical
value in the hands of all practitioners ? the reply is : The supe-
riority will be found only in the practice of those who are will-
ing to follow the instruction of the Master :
u Mack's nach aber macks genau nach."
" Do it exactly at I have done."
But have there been no practitioners who, after faithfully
trying the higher numbers in their practice, have gone from
these to the lower with increase of beneficial results? If there
be such, let them give the cases in which they failed of success
from the use of. the higher numbers in such detail as to their
elements as will enable another to prescribe intelligently for
them, and if the writer is not able to point out the error in prac-
tice from which these failures have come, he will hope to be
able to receive such reports with respectful attention, and in no
case to return insult and abuse for this addition to his knowledge.
NOTES FROM A LECTURE UPON VERATRUM
ALBUM.
Professor J. T. Kent, A. M., M. D., St. Louis.
(Stenographically reported.)
The evacuations of Veratrum alb. are copious and frothy.
There are marked cramps in Veratrum alb. Camphor is cold
but has no sweat. Veratrum alb. has cramps in the abdomen
and extremities, and that which is more distinguished even than
that in these three remedies is the foamy, frothy stool. Secale
has suppression of the urine and rice-water discharges ; it has
the prostration and exhaustion and restlessness and thirst ; all
these remedies have thirst for cold water. And Veratrum alb.
has thirst for cold water. They are quite similar and vet are
different. There is another remedy that will be found of im-
portance in cholera, and that is Jatropha. The characteristic
feature of this is a rice-water discharge ; it has vomiting and
purging; more or less sweet; and more or less cramps; it has
a suppression of urine and the great prostration and syncope and
rapid onset of the disease that is peculiar to cholera, and it has
356 NOTES FROM LECTURE OX VERATRUM ALB. [Oct.,
this to differentiate it from all other remedies — that the vomit
and purging and evacuations are thick and albuminous, lumpy,
instead of thin and watery. This is one of the grandest reme-
dies in the book ; when you have that symptom, none of the
other remedies will cover it, and it has all the other symptoms
of cholera.
Cuprum has the suppression of urine ; it has the sweat more
or less cold — becoming cold after it is out a little while ; it has
the blueness of the surface, the appearance of sinking, the
vomiting and diarrhoea, and rice-water discharges ; but it has
more marked cramps than any other remedy in the book. It is
known by its violence, the violence of the cramps; the cramps
in the chest are particularly marked because it seems impossible
for him to get his breath on account of the spasmodic dyspnoea,
terrible cramps in the abdomen, and in all the extremities, even
cramps in the fingers and thumbs, thumbs turned down.
Arsenicum, you will remember, has the frequent but scanty
stool, rice-water discharges, rice-water vomiting, terrible nausea,
terrible gastric symptoms, terrible sickness ; the least amount of
water makes him sick; a mere teaspoonful of water gags him.
There is not so much cramping in this remedy, and the remedy
is generally indicated after diarrhoea, or after the profuse dis-
charges have ceased and he is about to enter collapse. This is
the most characteristic time for Arsenic — the prostration and
collapse. Arsenicum has been found indicated in scanty but
frequent stool and tenesmus. It is very rarely that you will
find Arsenicum indicated in cholera except in collapse. The
prostration and threatened death, collapse ; that is Arsenicum.
Sometimes you will find Phosphorus having the characteristic
indication that the patient has thirst for cold water, with the
profuse discharges from the bowels, pouring away as from a
hydrant. But the most characteristic feature and upon which
you will give Phosphorus is the peculiar vomit. It has violent
thirst for a drink of water — cold water ; he often vomits it im-
mediately, or he vomits it after it becomes warm in the stomach.
That is a grand feature of Phosphorus.
Cuprum sometimes has thirst for acids, but that is not a very
distinguishing feature in cholera. You will not get those dis-
tinctions in your book. I am trying to give you the distinguish-
ing features and point them out to you so that you will know
when to give that remedy.
Sulphur is sometimes a great cholera remedy, and runs into
these comparisons, when the cholera comes on in the latter
part of the night, or toward morning, driving him out of bed.
1SSG.] NOTES FROM LECTURE ON VERATRUM ALB.
357
This is as characteristic of Sulphur in cholera as it is in any
other disease. Sulphur has been recommended as a prophylac-
tic. You may need Carbo veg., but you will have to contrast
that with Arsenicum in the collapse of cholera, because Carbo
veg., Camphor, Veratrum alb., and Arsenicum are the great
coilapse remedies, and would be indicated after the stool has
stopped, Carbo veg. and Veratrum alb. have cold breath, the
breath is actually cold in the collapse, and they both have pro-
fuse sweat, but in the Carbo veg. case the sweat is hardly an
indication for the remedy, as it is in Veratrum alb. In Vera-
trum alb. it is so characteristic because of its coldness. If
you will notice under the cover of the Carbo veg. case you will
n'nd that the sweat is warm, while in Veratrum alb. it comes
out cold. If you notice, upon the face where they both have
marked sweat, the sweat is cold in both of them. "When ex-
posed to the air it is cold, and the body is actually cold and
deathly. AH of these remedies have blueness around the eyes,
and blueness of the face, blue skin. Particularly is this cliar-
aeteristic of Cuprum, Veratrum alb., and Camphor. The
Carbo veg. patient wants to be fanned. In collapse this is
more characteristic of Carbo veg. than of any other remedy.
The patient wants to be fanned ; wants his head, perhaps,
slightly elevated on a pillow, so he can be fanned, and fanned
vigorously, too. in Veratrum alb. the tongue is actually cold.
They are pretty nearly dead when they get these symptoms,
and an intimation now from me is that you shall give as little
medicine as possible in these cases. I hope you will have con-
fidence and give these medicines well potentized. If you do
not you will scarcely ever save a case ot collapse of cholera;
they do not act quick enough if you give them very low.
Camphor is better from cold, and Veratrum alb. is sometimes
worse from heat, the normal temperature of the body or of the
room, that which would be convenient to others, evidently will
not discommode the Veratrum alb. patient. But there are
some symptoms where the patient is better from cold. He is
worse from the warmth of the bed in rheumatism. He is com-
pelled to walk the floor in a cold room from the excess of pain.
The keynote to Camphor is diarrhoea, great prostration, cold,
and will not be covered.
You will find that in some cases of disordered stomach,
regardless of cholera and diarrhoea, etc., with the marked
feature of coldness of the stomach. I remember not long ago
prescribing for a disordered stomach that had been a source of
annoyance for a long time. In one instance cited the partv was
29
358
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON VERATRUM ALB.
[Oct.,
out in his harvest field at work when he had this troublesome
coldness of the stomach ; when this coldness came on he would
have a profuse sweat, then it would go away, and after that
the coldness would go away. That annoyed him year after
year. He took all sorts of tonics. He couldn't be relieved.
One single dose of Veratrum all), cured that case permanently.
You will now and then have to give Veratrum alb. in conges-
tion and inflammation of the bowels, peritonitis, and entero-
peritonitis. You will there have the vomiting, and diarrhoea,
and cold sweat; most likely you will have the cold sweat. 'J he
cold feeling in the abdomen — reversed peristaltic action and a
sinking in the abdomen, an empty feeling, and a coldness in the
abdomen are characteristic.
I told you in the beginning that this is a great remedy for the
female. Dysmenorrhooa and violent uterine pains. There may
be more or less burning, or there may be coldness throughout
the abdomen and stomach. But the dysmenorrhooa is attended
with nausea, with vomiting, and with diarrhoea ; profuse and
watery discharges with more or less sweating is quite charac-
teristic of Veratrum alb. You will find Veratrum alb. again
indicated in puerperal fever — or rather in puerperal convulsions
with this same general feature — sweating and diarrhoea ; mania,
wants to kiss everybody.
The complaints of women associated with menstrual periods
or disorders of menstruation, nymphomania of lying-in women,
also nymphomania in connection with menstruation. It says
here: " Before menses;" but it is before, during, and after, asso-
ciated with menstruation. It has menstrual aggravation. Dur-
ing pregnancy she wants to wander about the house. Here is
this feature of insanity made worse during the menstrual
period — "she wants to kiss everybody." There is diarrhoea or
there is profuse sweat; with these symptoms Veratrnm alb. is
your remedy, and your only remedy. Veratrum alb. has very
difficult breathing. Dyspnoea — difficult respiration with dry-
ness and constriction of the chest like Phosphorus and Bry.
But it will be in this case witii profuse cold sweat, and perhaps
with diarrhoea. And with the nausea profuse vomiting and
asthma. In damp cold weather, in the early morning, better
from throwing the head back. Cold sweat on the upper part of
the body. An especial feature that you may possibly observe
in Veratrum alb. — it may not always be present — is that the
most profuse sweat is upon the head, and the sweating spreads
downward from the head to the toes, down the body. The
sweating spreads downward.
I8S6.] NOTES FROM LECTURE OX VERATRUM ALB. 359
Here is a long symptom under cough, from which we will
pick out several characteristics. Dry tickling ai'ter walking in
the sharp, cold air, or rattling, but nothing loosens. The rattling
in the chest is quite characteristic of Veratrum alb. Veratrum
alb. is a great remedy for whooping cough caused by tickling in
the lowest branches of the bronchi. Expectoration yellow and
tenacious. Spasmodic cyanosis with cold sweat. This is a
characteristic feature of whooping cough. Cyanosis. Loud
barking cou^h with hvsteria. Worse in the morning and late
evening until midnight from going into a warm room, getting
warm in bed, change of weather; eating and drinking cold
things, especially water. Epidemic whooping cough is worse in
the spring or autumn. The convulsive stage of whooping
cough. Under heart and pulse: Tumultuous, irregular con-
traction of the heart, forerunners of paralysis. Intermittent
action of the heart with some obstruction in the hepatic region.
Pulse frequent, small, and hard. Slow, soft, and intermittent,
sometimes slower than the heartbeat. This remedy is not so
important in relation to the heart and pulse as it is with Vera-
trum vi rides, which has full and bounding pulse — a very strong
pulse, with red face, throbbing carotids, a good deal like Bel-
ladonna. Veratrum vi rides is a wonderful heart remedy. It
has slow, feeble, soft pulse. Pulse with lack of power as well
as a full, bounding, hard pulse. This remedy has slow, soft,
and intermittent pulse. Veratrum virides has also intermit-
tent pulse. The pulse will beat along in both kinds of Vera-
trum, soft and easy for a few beats, and then get slower and
stop a few beats, then go on again.
We have already paid particular attention to symptom:
hands icy cold and blue. Compare that with Silicea, because
Siiicea has cold hands and feet. Silicea also has great coldness
of body during menstruation. Sil. again resembles Veratrum
v rides in the peculiar constipation that I perhaps forgot to
mention. The Silicea stool is large and hard. A marked fea-
ture of the Silicea stool is that it is so large and hard that it is
sometimes impossible to expel it, and when it is expelled part
way the patient becomes exhausted and gives it up in despair,
and the stool slips back again when it is apparently about to be
completely expelled. In Veratrum alb. he will strain and pass
a large stool; he will strain and sometimes give it up without
accomplishing the work, like in Alumina, in which this terrible
constipation is peculiar, this straining at stool, straining until
exhausted. In the Veratrum alb. stool he will strain until
covered with a cold tweat, and then give up exhausted.
3G0 NOTES FROM LECTURE ON VERATRUM ALB. [Oct., 1836.
The Alumina patient, although his symptoms in this regard
are hard to describe, I have verified them many a time. The
patient will grasp the scat, and bear down and press with the
abdominal muscles, and undergo violent straining, and will be
covered with sweat from head to foot. He gives up in despair.
Now, these three remedies are very similar: Alumina, Vera-
t ruin alb., and Silicon. It is stated that in Silicea the stool slips
hack; it is not so stated in these other remedies; still these
have this violent straining. Other remedies have similar symp-
toms, but these are very marked — cramps in the calves.
The last symptom under 34: pains in the limbs; worse
during wet, cold weather; worse in the warmth of the bed;
better when walking up and down. These pains may come on
any minute like Mercurius. Chamomilla pains make him
get up in the ni<j:ht and walk around for relief, and are better
from motion. Under position it says that children are easier
when carried about quickly. That is like Arsenicum. The
Arsenicum child is so restless that nobody can move fast
enough; nobody carries him fast enough. But if carried across
the floor rapidly it seems to satisfy; but the instant you stop it
will commence to yell.
There is a peculiarity about Sulphuric acid in tin's rapidity
of everything that is going on. The Sulphuric acid patient
mav be very sick, but nobody does anything quick enough for
him. He is not satisfied with anything that you do, because it
is not done quickly enough. He just wants things to jingle ;
you will do that if you will fly around and wait on him. He
is not satisfied, because you don't get around fast enough. In
Pulsatilla we have improvement from slow motion. Puis.,
Lvcop., and Rhus are the remedies that have the characteristic
better from motion. Lvcop. has the Hhus relief from motion.
Pains in the legs in the rheumatic state better from motion.
Puis, is better from motion, and also worse from motion, worse
from rapid motion, and better from slow motion. As soon as
you walk rapidly across the floor with the child it will cry, in
Puis., and also if you sit down. It is only relieved from its
irritabilitv and pains by moving it slowly in Puis.
Now, in the fever, and wherever else you find symptoms of
Veratrum alb., apply the red string — profuse vomiting, profuse
evacuation from the bowels, profuse sweat. Great thirst for cold
water and refreshing things ; worse in the night, worse in the
warmth of the bed. Vomiting, purging, and great prostration.
Cold sweat over the whole body, and especially on the face.
PROGRESSIVE MATERIA MEDICA.
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
The notorious Dr. H. R. Arndt, professor of materia mcdica
at Ann Arbor, and the author of the most progressive eclectic
works on practice, sailing under homoeopathic colors and in-
dorsed by the progressive management of the Hahnemann Pub-
lishing Company, and by the subsidized press ; indorsed also,
apparently, by the American Institute of Homoeopathy, this said
IT. R. Arndt is out with a circular addressed " to the profession."
Firstly, I thank said Dr. Arndt for not sending me, and other
homceopathists, that circular, as I have been for almost half a
century a true Hahnemannian, and do not hesitate to express my
protests against the said Dr. Arndt's attempt to pervert Homoe-
opathy into vile eclecticism. Said Dr. Arndt seems to think it ne-
cessary to abuse Dr. H. C. Allen for having done his simple duty
in exposing Dr. Arndt's heresy and incompetency. Theaecusatiou
is that Dr. Arndt asked as the first question for the final ex-
amination of the senior class, " Give the composition of twenfii-
Jive grains of Dover's powder, dose for an adult. Give dose for
an adult of Palv. Opii; amount of Opium represented ly one and
a-half grains of Morphia"
Professor Arndt is finding fault with Dr. PI. C. Allen in not
mentioning the subsequent questions! There is nothing in
them to show that Arndt is competent to teach or examine on
homoeopathic materia niediea, and even if they were questions
well put it would not show why the first question was past
criticism. And it is an ordinary event for these progressivists-
into-vile-eclecticism to give themselves away. Arndt desires to
state that he has seen serious results arise, even in the practice
of avowed Hahnemannians, from the utter ignorance of the
nature and dose of certain drugs used non-homceopathically.
So have others seen the same thing. Why is it so? The
graduates of the so-called homoeopathic colleges do as their
teachers do. They profess to be homoeopathists in order to
deceive the people and practice what such men as Dr. Arndt have
taught them — " Eclecticism." And Professor Arndt commits
himself when he makes that objectionable assertion. And now
I shall ask this teacher a few questions. What have Dover's
powders to do with Homoeopathy or its materia medica ? Does
Homoeopathy use sudorifics, and where does Professor A. find
any authoritv for such an absurdity in any of Hahnemann's
361
362
PEACE-OFFERINGS: AN OLIVE LEAF. [Oct.,
writings? Do homoeopathists legitimately use Pulv. Opii ?
Does Hahnemann not condemn severely the use of Opium as a
palliative? What has Homoeopathy to do with Morphia?
The progressive materia medica of Dr. Arndt, by his own
showing, includes a compound : Dover's powders ; Opium in
substance pulverized ; Morphia in half grain doses. The pro-
fession at large — I mean both the old school and the homoeo-
pathic school — are beholden to Dr. H. C. Allen for his exposition
of Dr. Arndt's incompetency, and to Dr. Arndt for his plea of
"guilty" Dr. Arndt says he will teach Homoeopathy as he
understands it, not as Hahnemann taught it. Mark that ! As
HE, Professor Arndt, understands it ! His Opus on practice,
and the first question he asked the senior class, are a plea of
" guilty," and Dr. H. C. Allen's charges are fully proven by
Professor Arndt's self-stultification.
PEACE-OFFERINGS: AN OLIVE LEAF.
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
The progressive, anti-dogma wing of the homoeopathic school,
yearning for recognition, have distinguished themselves once
more, and have given rise to a new phase of the history of
medicine. As it cannot be long before this recognition craze
will evaporate, it may be as well to put on record the events of
a few years, if for no other purpose than to complete history,
and exhibit the folly of the recognition seekers, showing them
how they are not only not successful in their attempts to patch
up a peace, but how, in fact, they receive a severe rebuke from
the other side of the house. A year ago we were reminded
by Dr. Bowditch that Dr. Conrad Weasel hceft kindly consented
to give his views upon Homoeopathy to the members of the
Boylston Medical Society of the Harvard Medical School.
Now, to return the compliment, the Hahnemann Society of the
Boston University have requested Vincent Y. Bowditch, A. B.,
M. D. (Harvard), to state his views upon the much-vexed ques-
tion of the difference between the homoeopathic form of practice
as now known and that of the " Old," or " Eegular School."
Dr. Conrad Wesselhceft did give " his views", upon Homce- #
opathy, and any one who desires to know what his individual
views are is reminded of the fact that Otis Clapp & Son, Boston,
have that precious lecture for sale. This lecture of Dr. Conrad
Wesselhoeft before the Boylston Medical Society of the Harvard
1886.]
PEACE-OFFERINGS: AN OLIVE LEAF.
363
Medical School, which has been reviewed before, was a peace-
offering, an attempt to make Homoeopathy " acceptable" The
choice of an efficient man to lecture on Homoeopathy was, in
every respect, unfortunate and injudicious, as there were in
Boston other men, who not only knew the fundamental princi-
ples governing the homoeopathic healing art, but who live up to
these principles and develop Homoeopathy as it was left to us by
its founder, while Dr. Conrad Wesselhceft has earned a well-
deserved notoriety. He was the very last man that should have
been allowed to deliver a lecture on the subject; he is the noto-
rious mistranslator of Hahnemann's Organon of the Healing
Art; he is notorious for his attempts to find the sick-making
powers and the curative powers of drugs by the aid of the
microscope, thereby ignoring the great advances offered the
practitioner by Hahnemann. Of course, he was seeking recog-
nition, as the "Old," or " Regular School" this very day pro-
fess to find the causes of diseases by the aid of the microscope
also. The microscope will never divulge either the cause of
diseases nor the presence of the curative power of drugs.
Dr. Bowditch speaks well from his materialistic standpoint,
but he is far from settling the " vexed question." How can it
be settled? By the actual experiment only. There have been
opinions given by very prominent allopaths long ago, who dealt
much more fairly with this question and who made honest in-
quiries as to the comparative results in healing the sick under
the homoeopathic and allopathic system. There appeared in
No. XLI of the British and Foreign Medical Eevieic, a paper by
John Forbes, M.D.,F.R.S., entitled, " Homoeopathy, Allopathy,
and Young Physic." This paper was republished in 1846 by
Otis Clapp, 12 School Street, Boston. If Dr. Bowditch would
condescend to read that paper, he would find much instruction
in it and probably repent of his address. To the question,
What would your (allopathic) school do in a ease where the
symptoms were so varied that it was impossible to make a
diagnosis? Dr. Bowditch might well accept John Forbes' sen-
tences : 4
" For nature tlien has room to wrrk lier way,
And, doing nothing, often h:is prevailed
When ten physicians have prescribed and failed."
The paper of Dr. Forbes was a reply to a pamphlet by Dr.
Henderson, the Professor at the University of Edinburgh. Dr.
Bowditch answers questions propounded to him, and in reality
accepts the distorted explanation of Homoeopathy by Dr.
Conrad Wesselhceft. Dr. Henderson was not exactly a repre-
301
PEACE-OFFEPJNGS: AN OLIVE LEAF.
[Oct,
sentative of exact Homoeopathy when he wrote his pamphlet.
He began by accommodating himself to the wishes of his old
colleagues, trying to make Homoeopathy just a little more
acceptable to them, as they were neither ready nor capable of
following Hahnemann in his arguments. By no means accept-
ing Dr. Forbes' reply as satisfactory, we always held him to be
honest in his convictions, but, as he did not make the actual
experiment, he was not therefore able to give a sound opinion
on the subject, and consequently fell into a logical blunder.
Not being able, and too honest withal to deny the most astound-
ing results under Dr. Fleishman n's homoeopathic treatment of
pneumonia at the Vienna Hospital, he attributed these so favor-
able results to the fact that the sick received only such reined ies
as were in his opinion equal to "nil." Had he had the moral
courage to try the experiment, he would have changed that
opinion; but as he had blundered in his logic, he blundered fur-
ther on and blundered into young physic — a do nothing therapy.
The rebuke he gave the common allopathists was never for-
given. He might much better have made the experiment and
l>ecome a homceopathist, as he was no longer recognized by the
common school of medicine as a reliable editor of the then famous
Quarterly. Dr. Bowditch confronts a professed homoeopath ist,
but by no means a representative man; he only represents a wing
of illogical physicians who profess to belong to the homoeopathic
school. Glad that Dr. Bovvditch exposed these illogical, law-defy-
ing men at the close of this address, we shall dwell on this most
essential point of the controversy again. First a few words to Dr.
Bowditch. When Dr. B. says that a positive science of medicine
is an absolute impossibility, he is sadly in error. The positive
science of medicine consists in the science (knowledge) to cure the
sick. The perfect knowledge of the exa^t function of every nerve,
muscle, and other organ, and of their relations to disease, does
not perfect our knowledge to cure. While in this material
direction the ordinary physician seeks for revelations, the seeta-
rian homoeopaths have furnished every physician with a knowl-
edge of the effects of many drugs on the human frame, both in
health and disease; have furnished them with an unfailing
natural law — the Law of the Similars, and with a safe guide for
applying that law. As long as physicians hold on to the belief in
diseases per sey and the possibility of discovering their causes, so
long will they have to continue their palliative treatment, and
the Hahnemannian method of the Healing Art will remain to
them a sealed book, incomprehensible to their material concep-
tion of diseased condition. They object principally to the dyna-
18S6.] PEACE-OFFERINGS: AN OLIVE LEAF.
365
mic origin of diseases to be cured by dynamized drugs — that is
really the stumbling-block. Hence it is no wonder that the
ordinary physician is horror-stricken when he finds that the
founder of the homoeopathic healing art proclaims the old
formula, similia similibus curantur reliable, and proves it by
"experience" — experience based on practical observations. If
Dr. Bowditch tells us truly that no physician of the "regular"
or "old school" is taught to practice by any set maxim, rule,
or principle, he fully exposes the insurmountable barrier which
excludes the physician of that school from even the attempt to
investigate a Healing Art which is based on fixed principles,
maxims, and rules. When actual observation demonstrates that
cures are made under homoeopathic treatment of long-standing
diseases that have been unsuccessfully treated by skilled physi-
cians who were not guided by any set maxim, rule, or principle,
which is not unfrequently the case, then they, like Dr. B., ex-
claim, "Could not this favorable result have occurred if Nature
had been left to herself?" Try it; follow the advice of that
learned physician, Dr. Forbes, and benefit the sick. If Dr. B.
cannot believe that an infinitesimal part of a grain of table salt
can have the slightest effect, salutary or deleterious (Dr. B.
means curative or sick-making), upon any one, he is encouraged in
his skepticism by the statement from pseudo-homoeopaths, that
such ideas have long been exploded, and so is entitled to the
privilege of unbelief till he tries the experiment. But there is
no idea about it. If pseudo-homceopaths imagine themselves
able to deny facts — historical events — let them be happy in their
imaginations. But they cannot expunge the testimony of the
large number of honest physicians, who, with Dr. Watzke, of
Vienna, published their experiences, with the utmost simplicity,
in the Oesterriche Zeitschrift. Their confession is recorded in
that journal, that the actual experiment had convinced them
that their cherished preconceived ideas about the sick-making
and curative powers of Naiitim muriaticum (kitchen salt) had
utterly changed. The experiment clearly and unmistakably
proved that the decillionth potency was in every respect more
efficacious than less potcntized preparations. That is history,
and such history does not explode, nor can it be set aside by
ignorant and malicious recognition-seeking Pretenders.
We shall now strike the key-note of the controversy, and are
greatly obliged to Dr. Bowditch for his very humiliating but
true statements. When Dr. B. says and proves that homce-
opathists do not always practice in accordance with the methods
to which they profess an adherence, he draws the picture mildly
366
PEACE-OFFERINGS: AN OLIVE LEAF.
[Oct.,
indeed, but when he also adds that such men are apparently held
in high estimation by their own colleagues, he also is showing him-
self to be a close observer. Yes, they are apparently "tolerated."
Calling themselves homoeopaths, it was hoped by the homoeo-
pathicians that by a good example and tolerance they might
eventually be induced, if not compelled, to see their errors and
become consistent and practice in accordance with the methods
which they professed to adhere to ; they were never held in
high esteem, but they were tolerated by a large number of men
who were faithful to the school to which they belonged, its
principles and methods. Dr. B. finally quotes from the esteemed
Professor in his address to the Boylston Society last year this
expression : " To say that a homoeopath should not use an alio-
pathic means of treatment, or that an allopath should, on no ac-
count, use a homoeopathic remedy, is as absurd as to say that a
blacksmith must, on no account, use a watchmaker's file, etc."*
No discourtesy in what you say. A professed homoeopath who
could utter such an absured sentence as Dr. Conrad Wesselhceft
did deserves no courtesy. There is no logic in that sentence,
and I defy the best microscopist to detect it. The highly esteemed
Professor Wesselhoeft (Conrad) does not see (microscopist as he
is) any reason why a homoeopath should not use an allopathic
means of treatment!!! Did not this very Conrad Wesselhoeft
translate (mis -translate) Hahnemann's Organon of the Healing
Art f What, then, of the 53d and 54th paragraph ? Can two
fully antagonistic cure methods be both applicable ? Here comes
the peace-offering — vain hopes. A pretending homoeopath who
resorts to an allopath's means of treatment is plainly & fraud, and,
worse than that, he mounts the witness-stand and testifies that he,
individually, is incompetent to practice Homoeopathy, and utters
his own testimonium paupertatis. He exposes himself to the
detestation and scorn of every physician of both schools ; he
lowers himself to the level of every ordinary quack who appeals
to the ignorance and prejudices of the many, under the pretense
of being a progressive, liberal man. He calls himself a homoe-
opath, while all the consistent homoeopathicians, as well as the
regulars, call him " a fraud." Is that anything approaching
recognition or accepting the olive-branch ?
The allopaths are surely welcome to use a homoeopathic
remedy, and if they do, it is an evidence of their willingness to
try the "experiment." When the late Dr. Constantine Hering,
* Absurd! The blacksmith may use a watchmakers file, but the watch"
maker has no use for the blacksmith's implements.
1886.]
PEACE-OFFERIXGS: AN OLIVE LEAF.
367
then a student and assistant of a celebrated surgeon at Leipzig,
was asked to write a pamphlet against Homoeopathy, he, as a con-
scientious man. having consented to comply with the request,
concluded that he could only do so after he had first tried the
experiment. He did so, and the experiment confirmed all that
Hahnemann taught to be true. He did not write the expected
anti-homoeopathic pamphlet, and was dismissed from his position
and had finally to go to Wurzburg, where the large-minded
scientist, Professor Schoenlein, assisted him to graduate as doc-
tor of medicine. He became and remained during a long life a
consistent homoeopath. Those not governed, as the true homeo-
paths are, by any set of maxims, rules, or principles, they may,
when in distress, well try a homoeopathic remedy. Of course, if
they do they also confess to a testimonium paupertatis, but in
doing so they may gain wholesome experience. Let us for a
moment dwell on the professional position of men whom Dr.
Conrad Wesselhceft tries to represent. In our days they call
themselves liberals and progressive homoeopaths; in fact, they
appeal, like ordinary quacks, to the ignorant people; they stop
at nothing to further their own pecuniary interests; they insist
on calling themselves homoeopaths and, as Dr. Bowditch truth-
fully tells lis, use allopathic means. They belong to so-called
homoeopathic societies; they carry with them the hypodermic-
injection syringe, and the Morphia and Atropia bottles; they
send their prescriptions to the apothecaries, like all other physi-
cians, and claim that to be their privilege. Hahnemann and
his followers appeal to the interest of the people, and are always
true to their profession. Dr. Bowditch knows, as well as I do,
that the most successful homceopathists are ahcays true to the
principles governing our school, and that they are the most suc-
cessful practitioners, commanding the confidence and esteem of
the most intelligent members of the community.
Such men do not ask for " recognition/' They offer no olive-
branch. What will eventually be the fate of the recognition
seekers represented by Dr. Conrad AVesselhceft — what will be-
come of the olive-leaf? The poor, misguided men still have
my sympathy ; they are in a sad dilemma. The " regulars "
have exposed their illogical irregularities, the homceopathicians
will now expose their illogical attempt to make peace-ofierings,
and will despise them just as much as the " regulars" do; what
will they do? The homceopathicians are tired of " tolerating"
a set of men who by their own confessions advocate mixed —
eclectic — treatment ; who boldly defy Hahnemann's teachings,
and even abuse as dogmatists the men who are true to the cause;
368
PEACE-OFFERINGS: AN OLIVE LEAF. [Oct., 1886.
and who for merely selfish reasons stick to the name, form
Hahnemann societies, Hahnemann clubs, Hahnemann colleges,
Hahnemann journals, and in these do promulgate and teach vile
eclecticism. The " regulars" expose their misdoings, how they
profess one thing and practice another to please the ignorant,
to whom they cunningly and like ordinary quacks appeal. Let
them see the handwriting on the wall.
In parting with Dr. Bo wd itch, and hoping he- will continue
to expose these all-around despised, utterly dishonest men, we
thank him for his lecture, and now will say a few words to mis-
guided, recognition-seeking men themselves. We say to them
you are " recognized" all around as a set of men who sail under
false colors and disgrace the healing art promulgated by Hahne-
mann, and by him called Homoeopathy. Strip yourself of the
assumed name of homoeopaths ! But who will have you? The
homoeopathicians will be glad to get rid of you — as you have
disgraced them. The "regulars" have found you out, and
severely despise you. Be honest, drop a title you do not deserve,
or you may fare worse. Join the eclectics — to them you belong.
You have been tolerated under the charitable belief that you
would come to your senses, but you were ungrateful, and show
by your offensive conduct that our charitable belief was "a fatal
error." Still, you shall be allowed to finish your course — you
shall have rope enough and you will hang yourselves. We have
precedents, to be sure. The socialists, men who have no true
conception of the difference between liberty and freedom, pro-
mulgated their brain-cracked absurdities and they were not
molested, because it was not deemed possible that their al surd
notions would take. Alas! they addressed themselves to the
ignorant ; they progressed under the belief that toleration meant
approval. They were allowed rope enough, and we now see where
they have landed. In both London and Chicago they are taught
that freedom of speech is not the same as liberty of speech ; there
is the rope. Does not the microscopist of the Hub see without
the aid of the microscope that his peace-offerings and his olive-
branch are "politely rejected"? Does not the same distinguished
physician see without the microscope that he has "committed"
himself to vile eclecticism? If he does not see it just now he
will awaken to a very unpleasant reality before long; he will be
taught that he cannot misrepresent Homoeopathy; he will be
taught the vast difference between liberty and license. The
peace-offering has been rejected; the olive-branch was an illusion.
ON THE HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF THE
TOOTHACHE.*
Read before the Allopathic Medical Society, of Muenster (Westphalia), by
Dr. V. Bcenninghausen.
From among the numerous varieties of odontalgia the author
selects only one species — the throbbing toothache, on which he
makes the following practical remarks :
I. By taking cold, particularly from sharp, dry air, there is
frequently a species of fever produced, which is accompanied
with congestion of blood to the head, burning heat in the face,
hard, accelerated pulse, and great physical and mental uneasi-
ness. If simultaneously with these symptoms a beating tooth-
ache is felt, generally confined to one-half of the jaw, with a red
cheek on the same side, then Aconitum is the specific, which
soon removes the toothache together with the other symptoms.
II. Auother kind of beating toothache occasioned by taking
cold, but without fever, is cured by Causticum. It is generally
of a chronic nature, attended with painful, easily bleeding gums,
and with rending pain in the eyes and ears and muscles of the
face.
III. Chamomilla will cure a throbbing toothache, particularly
in women and children presenting the following characteris-
tics :
It is worse at night, becomes almost insupportable by the
warmth of the bed, so that the patient is driven complaining
and moaning from place to place. One cheek is frequently red
and somewhat swollen, as also the submaxillary glands ; there
is likewise thirst and perspiration on the scalp. A very small
dose of this remedy, or only a smell of it, is sufficient to remove
the whole suffering. Some time since, while I was absent from
home, my wife was taken with this species of toothache. She
applied to Dr. Branco, who then resided in this city. He ad-
ministered on the first day Aconitum, on the second Pulsatilla,
and on the third Bryonia, without the slightest relief; and pre-
suming that in this case homoeopathic treatment would be of no
avail, he finally ordered eighteen leeches and prescribed some
anodyne mixture. The ease produced by those means was, how-
ever, of very short duration, and the appearance of my wife
*\Ve make no apology for republishing this article from the pen of so great
a horn eopathist as Boenninghausen. It first appeared thirty years ago ; but as
the journal in which it was published is out of print, it has been lost to sight.
"NYe have the pleasure of once more bringing it to light.
3G9
370 IIOMCE9PATHIC TREATMENT OF TOOTHACHE. [Oct.,
quite alarmed me on my arrival in the afternoon of the fifth day
of her suffering, when I immediately administered Chamomilla.
An hour afterward the pain left her, and the next morning the
swelling of the face was removed.
IV. The throbbing toothache, which is cured by China, does
not occur so frequently. I remember particularly one case,
which I met with during a journey through the district of
A reus berg. A young girl, hitherto in blooming health, had be-
come pale and emaciated. She suffered from a beating tooth-
ache generally after eating and at night, which would be relieved
by clenching the teeth firmly together and by strong pressure,
whilst a gentler touch would aggravate the pain exceedingly.
There were also night-sweats and continual diarrhoea, which de-
bilitated her to such a degree that she was scarcely able to walk.
She was relieved in one night by China.
A similar toothache may be produced by the abuse of China,
as 1 had occasion to observe in the case of two individuals, who
partook of it every day in their brandy. It would, of course,
have been improper to administer China in these instances, and
the symptoms differed so materially, that one patient was cured
by Arnica, the other by Pulsatilla.
V. The north pole of the magnet very speedily relieves a
throbbing toothache in the lower jaw, which is attended with a
sensation of burning, with swelling, heat, and redness of the
cheek, whilst there is chilliness in other parts of the body,
tremor and uneasiness in the extremities, with general irritabil-
ity. It becomes aggravated by heat and eating. The cure was
effected, in many instances, in one minute, by placing the fore-
finger long enough on the north pole of the magnet to produce
a slight increase of pain. The following example, though a
failure, may illustrate the powerful effect of the magnet in simi-
lar cases. My servant suffered from a toothache apparently
adapted for the application of the north pole, but the pain was
in the upper jaw. He had scarcely touched a magnetic rod
which bore only a weight of a few ounces, when he suddenly
put the other hand to his face, saying : " There, it jumps down "
(in the lower jaw).
In order to ascertain whether this metastasis was really occa-
sioned by the north pole of the magnet, I ordered him to touch
the south pole, and again his hand flew up to his face, for the pain,
as he assured me, had returned to the old place again. Pulsa-
tilla relieved the poor sufferer in a few minutes. That could be
no imagination !
VI. Another cure performed with Pulsatilla gives me still
1SS6.] IIOMCEOPATIIIC TREATMENT OF TOOTHACHE. 371
much satisfaction. Several years since, I stopped one evening
during my travels at a hotel, where I met some friends and the
young family physician of mine host. I had scarcely seated my-
self in the parlor, when the oldest daughter of the family begged
me to relieve her from a throbbing toothache, under which she
had suffered for longer than a fortnight every evening from sun-
set until midnight. All the means employed had proved use-
lass, according to the physician's own confession, and though the
circumstances did not permit a further inquiry into her case, I
let her smell of my preparation of Pulsatilla, and the relief was
so instantaneous, that even the doctor admitted it would be
something extraordinary if this cure was permanent. But I
concluded that Pulsatilla could only have acted so promptly in
consequence of a state of the patient's system perfectly corres-
ponding with this remedy, and therefore told the doctor if the
patient would observe a homoeopathic diet for eight or ten days,
she would not only remain free from toothache, but her other
symptoms would also subside. The young iEsculapius seemed
still more surprised, and asked: "What other symptoms f} I
then acquainted him with some characteristics of Pulsatilla, viz. :
chilliness, and yet the effect of artificial heat being almost insup-
portable, absence of thirst, disposition to weep, wakefulness be-
fore midnight, unrefreshing sleep in the morning, disgust for
rich victuals, etc.
U{K>n this, he replied that the patient must have informed
me herself about these symptoms, and when it was proved that
I, having just arrived, had only conversed with her in his pres-
ence and within his hearing, he became vexed and rather for-
ward ly accused the patient and her parents of partiality to me,
and of saying anything to please me ; for it would be utterly
impossible to have such knowledge from any other source.
This induced me to take him aside and inform him that I
had reason to suppose there must be also irregularities in the
patient's uterine functions, as well as in those of the intestinal
canal, the truth of which he might ascertain himself, if lie felt
disposed. He not only consented to this, but was also candid
enough to confess that he found my suppositions correct. Though
the cure proved a permanent one, I never could discover whether
the Doctor was induced by it to pay any attention to Homoe-
opathy.
VII. The indications for the use of Sabina in this species of
toothache are of but rare occurrence, yet I have met with some cases
where it proved to be the only specific. The throbbing appears
likewise toward evening and in the night, becomes aggravated
372 HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT OF TOOTHACHE. [Oct.,
by the warmth of the bed and by eating, and is attended by a
sensation as if the tooth were going to burst. There is strong ar-
terial action, belching of wind, and in females, in whom only I had
occasion to observe it, copious uterine hemorrhage of light color
at the menstrual period as well as at other times. In one instance
this kind of toothache appeared immediately after a podagricai
pain in the great toe had been suppressed by external applica-
tions. Sabina, corresponding with one as well as the other of
these symptoms, removed them both.
VIII. The throbbing toothache, for which Succus sepise is
the specific, mostly attacks persons of sallow complexion. It ex-
tends up to the ear and down through the arm to the fingers
with a prickling sensation therein ; it is attended with difficulty
of breathing, cough, swelling of the face and of the submaxil-
lary glands. The throbbing toothache during pregnancy is
often removed by this remedy, which is rather slow, but certain
in its operation.
IX. Similar to the toothache to which Sepia is adapted, in
regard to the sensation as well as the accompanying symptoms,
is that which is cured by Silicea. The pain is more in the lower
jawbone, the periosteum of which is swollen, than in the tooth
itself ; the patient has no rest at night from general heat, and
his skin is very prone to ulcerate from slight bruises. I cured
myself from an attack of this kind.
X. Spigelia is an excellent remedy for the throbbing tooth-
ache which is attended by a rending, burning pain in the malar
bone, paleness and swelling of the face, with yellow rings under
the eyes. There is also often pain in the eyes, frequent urging
to urinate with copious discharges, palpitation of the heart, a
sensation in the chest resembling the purring of a cat, chilliness
and great uneasiness. I succeeded in curing such a case of pro-
sopalgia and toothache of several years standing.
XI. Hyoscyaraus will cure a throbbing toothache, which
occurs mostly in the morning, and is occasioned by cold air.
The affected tooth seems to be loose during mastication, and
there is also a violent pain in the gums, congestion of blood to
the head, general heat, at intervals spasmodic contraction of the
throat, so as to prevent the patient from swallowing, and great
dejection of spirits. Jealousy and grief had thrown a young
girl into a severe fever with delirium and throbbing toothache,
which were removed by Hyoscyaraus.
XII. The throbbing toothache which often appears after
eruptions, which have been suppressed by external applications,
is cured by Sulphur. Such cases are attended with swollen
1886.] HOMOEOPATHIC TKEATMENT OF TOOTHACHE. 373
gums, which likewise throb; there is great sensibility of the
edges of the tooth, congestion of blood to the head, and throb-
bing headache, particularly in the evening ; the eves are red
and inflamed and so is the nose ; there are stitches in the ear,
ineffectual effort at stool, constipation, pain in the back, uneasi-
ness in the extremities, chilliness, drowsiness, etc. If, however,
these symptoms should have been occasioned by the abuse of
Sulphur, other remedies must be resorted to.
XIII. The throbbing toothache produced by the abuse of
Mercury, mostly worse at night in bed, is generally removed by
Acid. Nitr.
XIV. Veratrum is indicated where there is swelling in the
face, cold perspiration on the forehead, sickness at stomach,
vomiting of bile, lassitude of the extremities, great sinking of
strength, even to fainting, external coldness and internal heat,
and thirst for cold drinks, scarcely to be satisfied. An individual
who had been suffering in this manner for twenty-two weeks,
and who became so reduced as to be unable to walk, was cured
by two doses of Veratrum.
These aphoristic remarks on the varieties of but one species of
toothache, for which, from amongst thirty-five remedies, we had
only opportunity to try fifteen, sufficiently explain the diffi-
culty in selecting the specific remedy for every given case, since
many other varieties of toothache bring a still greater number
of remedies into concurrency of choice. Hence the assertion
" that homceopathists need no laborious study," must at once
appear unfounded, and though the practitioner may fail, from
want of skill, the homoeopathic fundamental law never does.
Professor Echenmeyer, of Tuebingen, says in his work, Allce-
opathy and Homoeopathy Compared According to their Respective
Principles: " The accumulation of extraordinary facts is beyond
all doubt, and the reasonable do not expect from Homoeopathy
what might justly be demanded from doctrines tested for centuries
past. Homoeopathy not only stands severe scientific analysis,
but it also presents us with new principles and conducts us into
a higher pathology and physiology. Hence, then, let her have
fair play !" With this request, gentlemen, do I conclude my
feeble attempt to introduce into our Society a subject by no
means favored as yet by its members ; but so much greater is
the pleasure which I feel by acknowledging the noble spirit of
calm observation and impartial investigation, manifested by
allowing Homoeopathy " fair play/' until either its truth or
fallacy shall have become indisputable.
30
THE I. H. A. AND THE INSTITUTE— THE DIFFER-
ENCE EXPLAINED.
A PROMINENT HAHNEMANNIAN EXPRESSES HIS VIEWS — HOW
THE INTERNATIONAL HAHNEMANNIAN ASSOCIATION DIFFERS
FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HOMOEOPATHY.
One of our reporters yesterday interviewed a prominent mem-
ber of the International Hahnemannian Association and ob-
tained his views on certain subjects connected with the present
Association and the one which meets here next week. As the
interview developed some valuable and interesting information
we give it.
" In what respect does the International Hahnemannian Asso-
ciation differ from that of the American Institute of Homoe-
opathy which meets here next week? You both profess to be
homoeopaths ?"
" True, the American Institute claims to be homoeopathic,
and in so far as they have appropriated the title and base their
profession on the law of Hahnemann, they may call themselves
such. But they do not carry out that which was taught and
practiced by our founder."
"Can you tell me in a few words how they differ ?"
" Hahnemann, who was the discoverer and promulgator of
this school of medicine, taught and practiced that there was but
one remedy for a series of symptoms, that this remedy must be
potentized to such degree by various processes, until it reached
the plane of the symptoms — when, if properly administered, the
latter would disappear, and the patient be cured quickly, gently,
and permanently. This process of selecting the one remedy, as
you might infer, is a laborious one — there being now upward of
one thousand remedies, with new ones appearing each year.
The true followers of Hahnemann adopt the plan of studying
a case thoroughly until the one remedy becomes apparent. The
other branch decline to go into this labor, and by giving drugs
sometimes crude, sometimes singly, sometimes two or more in
alternation, at other times in combinations, with external appli-
cations, Morphia, Quinine, hypodermic injections, and other ad-
juncts not recognized by our great master, they palliate, sup-
press, or hide the disease, only to have it reappear at a later
period in another fcffm."
" This, to one not specially familiar with medical matters,
looks very like eclectic practice."
" So we claim it is, the merest pretence of Homceopathv. In-
374
Oct., 1886.] THE ECLECTICISM OF THE INSTITUTE. 375
stead of making a painstaking effort to individualize each case
(for no two cases are ever exactly alike), and then giving the
o?i6 remedy suited for that particular case, they — this other asso-
ciation— are governed in the main by names and pathological
conditions, and thus treat the names of diseases and not their
patients."
" The American Institute seems to outnumber you, how-
ever ?"
" Certainly, as Allopathy outnumbers Homoeopathy. Their
practice is a very much easier one, and medical men, not unlike
the rest of mankind, are sometimes given to taking things easy
— getting lazy, in other words. Then, also, the International is
still young, but steadily growing in numbers and popularity."
— Hie Daily Saratogian, June 26th.
THE ECLECTICISM OF THE INSTITUTE.
The following, from a Saratoga paper, reporting a meeting of
the Institute, shows how eclecticism thrives there : * * *
Dr. Owens spoke of diphtheria and gave his treatment of
various cases.
Dr. Grosvenor had found that those diphtheria patients who
take and retain nourishment get along the best.
Drs. Dake, Sawyer, D. E. Hoag, Packard, Butler, Carmich-
ael, and James also spoke on the subject of diphtheria.
Dr. Cowperthwaite said : " I feel to-night as if I were in
a meeting of Old School physicians, when men get up here
and say it must be lactic acid and lime, and hot irons and Sul-
phate of Soda, and not one of them gives an indication. I say
I feel that I have strayed into a meeting of allopaths. Provi-
dence has either been smiling on me for the last eighteen years
or something else ; but I desire to say here to-night, and it may
be very remarkable to you, gentlemen, and that is, I have never
started off on that kind of a tangent but once, and that was the
one case of diphtheritic croup that I ever lost. That was a case
in a family that came to me from allopaths ; they thought the
child would die and stayed up all night with it and had it in-
hale Lime and Bromine, and the child died in the morning.
That is the only case I ever lost. I don't believe in all that
stuff that we are talking about here. Let us stick to our
remedies. I have cured three cases with Lachesis and I have
not given it lower than the thirtieth, and I am not a high
potency follower either. I have cured one case with Causticum,
and that was with the thirtieth. * * * "
CLINICAL BUREAU.
LAC FELINUM.
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
Mr. H., aged thirty-seven years. September 10th, 1885, Left
eye inflamed for three weeks. Entire conjuctiva bulbi a deep
red. Photophobia. On left segment of left cornea is an ulcer.
For last three nights, pain like a knife running from left eye to
left occiput, on lying down, especially when lying on left side.
Burning in left temple near eye, worse at night. Has had to
remain at home for the last five days.
Lac felinum 40m (Fincke) every four hours.
September 26th. — Says the eye was better the next day, and
continued to steadily improve. The pain ceased first, being
entirely gone in three days; then the inflammation disappeared.
Now the eye feels quite well, and there is only a slight film
(of old standing) where the ulcer was.
Aggravation of eye pains by lying on left side has been veri-
fied by me in another published cure by Lac felinum. Aggra-
vation of eye by lying on the painful side belongs to Syphilinum,
and aggravation by lying on the unpainful side is under Zincum.
CLINICAL CASES.
J. D. Tyrrell, M, D., Toronto, Canada,
July 13th. — Last night Mr, P. suffered very much from
facial neuralgia ; used hot vinegar, with no relief ; he then took
a free dose of Bell.3 which " cured " his neuralgia, so he slept
and awoke almost unspeakably happy. He reports : — Right
side of face feels thick and swollen, lips thick and stiff; whole
side of face numb, can scarcely articulate ; voice husky and thick,
speech slow, indistinct, and stammering ; loss of co-ordination,
weak, tottering gait, as if drunk ; cannot pick up handkerchief
with either hand, he constantly drops it ; if he lean against any-
thing on left side, he cannot straighten up unless he push him-
self off with right hand ; if he sit on floor must use right arm to
elevate himself, else he cannot get up ; cannot pass any person
376
Oct., 1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
377
or object on left side without running against it ; constant ten-
dency to go to left side, not in a circle but diagonally ; pupils di-
lated ; right side of face, left side of body, affected. R Hyos. nigr.200
three pellets, one every two hours; improvement rapid and per-
manent ; discharged well in three days.
No. II. — Mrs. S. (June 19th). — Medium height, slender,
dark hair, pale face, gray eyes since birth. Mental tempera-
ment highly sensitive to action of drugs. Three years ago had
"neuralgia of the heart," for which Belladonna plaster was pre-
scribed. In a day or so pain was sensibly diminished, but she
complained of pain in head and eyes, thought it was caused by
the Bell. ; but her parents thought it all imagination, so she
wore it three weeks, when she had no pain, but iris of rigid eye
had changed from gray to deep blue, noticeable and noticed by
friends clear across the room. It has remained blue ever since,
and she has steadily, but slowly, lost power of vision, till now
she cannot read or sew by gaslight, and not for long by day-
light. R Bell.41™ (Fk.) four pellets, one every two hours, and,
report in ten days.
June 29th. — Reports eyes less painful; can read two or
three hours by gaslight without pain or dimness ; right eye
not so blue. She says powders produced sharp pains from
back round to hypogastrium; great bearing down and tenderness;
scanty, but frequent urination; pains come and go suddenly;
wants medicine to stop pain, so she can go down town. R Bell.4 m,
one powder. Next day met her down town feeling better.
This proving seems to corroborate and complete symptoms
recorded in Dr. Berridge's Repertory to Horn. Med., page
35, Iris-Color, discolored, Atp. (Bell.).
No. III. — About two months ago reported his daughter, set.
eight, as follows : — Mental temperament ; thin, does not sleep well ;
"has worms;" grinds her teeth at night; sleep made up of
naps; has twenty-nine warts on her hands and fingers; warts
painful and have resisted all treatment; child stoops very
much ; dorsal vertebrae very much curved. R Sulph.cm (Swan),
two posvders, twelve hours apart. Reports to-day, August 25th :
The warts seemed to " slowly melt away," till now all are gone :
shoulders and back lt straight as an arrow."
BOOK NOTICES.
A Decalogue for the Nursery. By S. J. Donaldson,
M. D. Boston : Otis Clapp & Son, 1886.
This excellent book is intended for the instruction of young mothers in the
care of infants. As the name suggests, it is divided into ten chapters, each
one of which is devoted to some special detail in the management of babies.
Thus chapter first relates to the ''washing and clothing" of young children.
Chapter second treats of '"bodily posture;" chapter third, "infant diet;"
chapter fourth, dentition; chapter fifth, "fresh air," etc. We particularly
commend the chapters upon clothing, posture, and diet. That of posture is
perhaps the least understood and considered, yet it is of the highest impor-
tance. We cannot so thoroughly approve of the therapeutic measures, a few
of which savor too strongly of old phvsic. Yet the denunciation of old school
drugging is more vigorous, pointed, and just than can he found in almost anv
oilier author.
On the whole, however, we cordially indorse this book, [te style is easy,
natural, and fluid. It is well-printed in large type, and can be safely recom-
mended by doctors to young mothers for their guidance. W. M. J.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
Truth. — Tlie greater the value of a symptom for purposes of diagnosis, the less
its value for the selection of the remedy. A clear understanding of this principle
is, I believe, of the greatest importance in making a homoeopathic prescrip-
tion ; and the difference in practice between physicians who follow this rule
and those who reverse it is verv marked, and, one mav almost sav, radical.
' T. F. A.
Dr. John V. Allen, of Sellers Street. Frankford, Philadelphia, has just
been married to Miss Maggie J. Cannon, of 531 North Fifth Street, Philadel-
phia, by Rev. J. P. Byrne, in St. Joachim's Church, Frankford, assisted by
Revs. Tobin, Donovan, and Burke. Solemn High Mass was celebrated. Von
Weber's Mass was sung, under the direction of Professor Bowman and Rev.
Joseph Strahan, of Tacony. The happy couple received their friends at their
new house. 11 Sellers Street, on Wednesday evening. The wedding presents
were quite numerous and valuable.
Dr. Thomas M. Dillingham, 134 Boylston Street. Boston, being about to
sail for Europe, has taken Dr. Samuel A. Kimball into his office to look after
his practice during his absence.
Otis Clapp, of Boston. — Otis Clapp, senior member of the firm of Otis
Clapp & Son, homoeopathic pharmacists, died in Brooklyn September 18'h.
From 1862 to 1875 he was United States Collector of Internal Revenue for
the Fourth Massachusetts District.
The Southern Homceopathic Medical Association will hold its
third annual meeting at New Orleans, La., on Wednesday, Thursday, and
Friday, December 8th, 9th, and 10th, 188(5.
378
T ZEE IE
Homeopathic Physician.
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constantine hering.
Vol. VI. NOVEMBER, 1886. No. 11.
PKACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
[Introductory Lecture before the New York Medical College and Hospital for
Women. Session of 1886-7.]
The faculty which apprehends principles, and the innate dif-
ferences of these, as they are met in practical duties and expe-
riences, is one the student of medicine and surgery should early
and earnestly cultivate, and the practitioner never cease en-
deavors to enlarge and perfect, and especially the practitioner of
specific medicine, because its exercise is so constantly demanded
in his every endeavor to relieve the pains and heal the sicknesses
of mankind. His life-work is so largely made up of analysis
and comparison of visible and invisible elements, and his suc-
cess in dealing with these depends so much on his right appre-
hensions and discriminations of them, that a vigorous and trained
faculty for this work is, at the outset and forever after, a sine
qua non in his duties.
First. The principles of the philosophy of the relationship
of curatives and sicknesses by which health, when lost, is re-
stored, A knowledge of these implies a recognition of the true
nature of that which constitutes sickness, and of that in the
drug which makes it a curing agent. A wrong understanding
of either will assuredly lead the student or the practitioner into
the regions of the unknown, where all will.be found to lead to a sys-
tem of therapeutics, uncertain, unreliable, and to disappointing
guessing. It should be remembered that specific medicine de-
mands that each element in the problem it is called to solve
379
380 PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. [Nov.,
shall be known, and this implies that all elements a knowledge
of which is necessary to this solution are knowable.
Before this faculty we are about to present practical surgery
and specific medicine, with a view to discover the relationships
of the two to each other, if we may. At first sight it may
appear that no two duties can be more unlike than are those of
these two departments of professional work. But first sight
does not always cover the whole ground of any subject, and it
may not of this. It sees on the one side the man or the
woman with his or her paraphernalia of knives, scissors, for-
ceps, saws, tubes, needles, etc., in great variety, together with
splints, bandages, and pulleys, with whatever else may be neces-
sary to enable him or her to deal in the best manner and with
best success in endeavors to repair the damages of accidents, or
to relieve of the consequences of morbid processes, as these
may be met in various deposits of matter or in destroyed parts,
organs, or tissues. So the surgeon appears, and has for cen-
turies, as one equipped for duties altogether mechanical in their
nature, and he is best prepared for these who comes to them
with the nerve and skill needful for the performance of the
grand operations which mutilate where the operator could not
cure ; and if life be preserved by these mutilations, let not the
operator nor his work be lightly esteemed. Thus viewed, the
surgeon is prepared to deal with material elements by use of
material agencies. But the work of the true surgeon is not lim-
ited to these, as we shall see.
The practitioner of specific medicine, on the other hand,
appears with neither instruments nor apparatus other than a
few small phials, each containing a few small pellets, each
charged with its own power, which relates it to the sick condi-
tions for which it is the specific. A knowledge of these powers
is to the specific prescriber what the frightful display of instru-
ments and apparatus is to the surgeon. But there is in the
equipment of the two this wide difference : the physician finds
in his simple and unobtrusive armamentarium a magazine of
powers equal to all his needs and those of the sicknesses he
cures, while the surgeon who is equal to the most imperative
demands of his calling is often compelled to go beyond his
material resources into the immaterial domain of the physician,
and there borrow the forces which alone can bring relief to his
own embarrassment and his patient's woes ; and no amount of
skill in the use of instruments and apparatus can take the place
of these forces in the most satisfactory cures which result from
the surgeon's work. Even in treating the results of grave acci-
1886.] PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. 381
dents, where mechanical injuries are the objects of the surgeon's
care, and where, if anywhere, we might look for completeness
of resource in mechanical means, not seldom the true surgeon
finds his most precious and effective helps in the dynamic
arsenal which contains the resources of the specific prescriber.
If it be asked, Why this difference between the two related
branches of the healing art? we can only answer, It is in the
very nature of the problems the two have to solve : those of
the physician being simple in their nature, while the surgeon is
constantly called to deal with those which are complex. The
physician's are purely dynamic ; the surgeon's are often a mix-
ture of dynamic and mechanical elements, and hence, if he be
equal to the demands of his calling, he must frequently resort
to both mechanical and dynamic means, while the physician, if
he be a physician, employs only those which are dynamic.
In treating sicknesses this man knows he is dealing with
processes which have resulted from the impress of one force —
the morbid cause — on another force, that which governs and
executes the processes of functions in the living body, so that
the harmonious action of these, which is health, is disturbed,
and discord is introduced : and this discord, wholly a dynamis
in its nature, is the sickness the physician is to cure. To restore
this lost harmony is the one objective of the physician's work,
and this experience has abundantly proved is best effected by
means which are also wholly dynamic in their nature.
All that class of diseases which have been called surgical,
because in their progress they are more or less likely to develop
conditions which may call for mechanical interference, have
their origin in dynamic causes, and hence in the beginning often
find relief, and not seldom their cure, in the means borrowed
from the armory of the physician ; while even mechanical
injuries, liter dealing with them by mechanical means, according
to their nature, often find their cure greatly promoted and
accelerated by right dynamic medication. There is this dis-
tinction between the diseases which are regarded as more espe-
cially belonging to the province of the surgeon, and the results
of accidents, which are his by prescriptive right. The diseases
call for dynamic means in the beginning, while with results
of accidents, such as fractures of bones and dislocations of
joints, these are in place chiefly after the use of mechanical
means.
Then there are conditions sometimes met with after mechan-
ical injuries which fail to respond to whatever of skill in the
application of means from the armamentarium of the surgeon.
382 PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. [Nov.,
For example, you may find fractured bones refusing to unite
even when treated by the most skillful and experienced surgeon.
He has exhausted his means, and at the end of weeks of pain
and anxiety on the part of the patient, and anxious endeavor
on that of the surgeon, there is found no beginning of the
process of reparation. The ends of the fragments are as movable
upon each other as when first broken. The best skill has
failed, and what can the poor patient or surgeon do? Here is
one joint more in the limb than nature intended or has use for.
Indeed, the one joint more has made the broken limb perfectly
useless. Such a case came under my observation in 1846. A
boy, fifteen years old, had an artificial joint in the right forearm
at about the junction of the upper and middle third. The case
was of three years' standing. It cannot be necessary to add
that he had had the best of treatment the surgical skill of that
day could give him, after saying he had been a patient of the
late Dr. Valentine Mott, who certainly would have looked on
himself as wronged by any one who should assign him to a less
exalted rank in American surgery than that of its head. Dr.
Mott had done all, and the best he could, for the boy, and the
end had been an utter failure. The case had been abandoned
now for a long time, and the boy left to go through life with
only one arm for its practical duties. This was the state of the
case when his mother, on whom I was in attendance, first called
my attention to it. It was so that this happened about the
time I was translating Croserio's paper on the " Relations of
Homoeopathy to Surgery." I learned from this paper that this
eminent surgeon and earnest advocate of Homoeopathy had
found that dynamized preparations of Symphitum officinalis
hastened the reparation of fractures by exciting and increasing
the needful deposit of callus matter, thus greatly abridging the
period of convalescence after such accidents. Croserio was the
first, so far as I know, to call attention to this root as a remedy
for these accidents. I do not know how his attention was called
to it, or how he ascertained the fact. But a fact it is, as I have
had many opportunities of verifying, that it does shorten the
period of repairing fractured bones. When I examined this
arm, the thought came to me that here was an opportunity for
an experiment to test the truth of Croserio's observation. To
be sure, the case was not exactly a fair one for this purpose, for
the artificial joint was of some years' standing, and had been
subject to all the means known to old surgery for its cure with-
out benefit, and if these means caused suffering and exhaustion
to the patient, this was no reason for withholding them with
1886.] PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. 383
the Seignor Dr. Mott. He was not afraid to deal with heroics,
and presumably the boy had had the ends of the fragments
rubbed against each other, and had enjoyed the experience of
setous and whatever else this excellent surgeon was able to
devise, from which he could hope for aught of benefit to an
artificial joint. The patient and his parents had been told by
this eminent surgeon that the case was helpless and hopeless as
to cure. But then the next thought was : Dr. Mott knew
nothing of Homoeopathy. He only knew enough to hate it.
At any rate, he had not tried it in this case, and probably had
never heard of Croserio's discovery.
So, though the case, on the face of it, was sufficiently dis-
couraging, I determined to try it, if the root could be had. I
asked the mother if she had ever seen the comfrey root. She
said there was a large specimen of it in her father's garden in
, a town not far from Brooklyn, on Long Island. I said,
If you will get me a specimen of the root, I will cure your
boy's arm. I was rash and enthusiastic in my faith in Homoe-
opathy, and I believed in Croserio. Three days after this an
expressman brought me about half a peck of the root. From
the best specimen of this I carefully prepared a tincture accord-
ing to the directions of the Organon, dynamized a drop of this,
and gave the boy every six hours a teaspoonful of water in
which some pellets charged with this dynamization had been
dissolved. The result was remarkable. It astonished me
greatly, though I had seen homoeopathic cures before. In two
weeks from taking the first dose, this boy, pronounced crippled
in his arm for life, played and enjoyed a game of ball with it,
and had the full use of his arm ever after. My promise was
rash ; but the boy was cured !*
* The fol'owing record of a case of artificial joint, treated at the Brooklyn
Homoeopathic Hospital, has been kindly furnished me by the surgeon in
charge of it. He treated the case wholly by mechanical surgical means, and
knowing him, as we do, we have no reason for believing any man would have
used such means in a like case more skillfully or with clearer intelligence.
It is given here as a contrast to the case treated wholly by dynamic means.
This is of interest, because of the difference in the nature of "the means em-
ployed in the two cases, the difference as to time of beginning treatment
after the fracture, the duration of the treatment, and the probable suffering
of the patient resulting from this in the one case, and the perfect painlessness
of the treatment in the other. The one was taken in hand immediately after
the fracture, and, no doubt, was skillfully handled as to the means employed.
The other was first treated after an interval of three years from the time of
fracture, and yet in fourteen days from taking his first dose the arm was re-
stored to soundness, while the case treated mechanically was under treatment
more than a year. Verily, in this case the new would seem to be the better.
Case of False Joint, Middle Third Humerus. — Humerus fractured by
384 PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. [Nov.,
It was not long after this before I had an opportunity to
test the preparation in a case of simple fracture of the humerus.
The patient was a boy of seven years. The bone was broken
about the junction of the middle and lower third. The lad
suffered greatly from nervous shock after the accident, which
was the result of a fall. There was great trembling and agita-
tion, which continued after adjustment of the fragments and
application of the splints. For this the boy got a teaspoonful of
water, in which some pellets of a dynamized preparation of the
homoeopathic remedy related to such a condition had been dis-
solved, and he became perfectly tranquil and free from pain in
less than five minutes. He was then chiefly troubled with the
fear that he should not "be well by the fourth of July." The
accident occurred in the third week of J une. He got occasional
doses of the medicine first given till it was judged he had passed
the point of danger from inflammation and its attendant fever,
of which he showed signs only in a very slight degree ; indeed,
these were so slight as to give but very little discomfort at any
time. Then he had a teaspoonful of a solution of pellets of
Symphytum every four hours. There was neither pain nor
swelling to trouble the patient or his doctor. The splints were
removed for the first time on the eighth day. The fragments
getting arm in a rubber-roller machine at middle third, on August 3d, 1885.
Dressed with rectangular inside wire splint.
September 17th. — No union. On this date patient anaesthetized, and ends of
fragments rubbed together.
September 18th. — Arm tightly bandaged, and shoulder-cap applied.
October 30th. — No union. Plaster splints applied. Patient leaving hospital
with instructions not to remove bandage for next eight weeks.
March 17th, 1886. — Re-admitted to hospital with arm in same condition,
viz.: no union. From this time tiil April 3d, at intervals of a few days, site
of fracture hammered with wooden mallet for a few moments to excite inflam-
matory action.
April 3d. — Bone cut down upon, ends cut off, and fragments wired together.
Arm dressed with wire splint.
April 9th. — Arm put in plaster-of-Paris dressing.
May 29th. — Dressing removed ; no more union than on day of operation.
June 2d. — Left hospital.
June 5th. — Re-admitted to hospital.
Constitutional treatment. — Out-door exercise, Murdock's food, etc., with
Farradic and galvanic currents for most of the time till August 9th, when
second operation, performed similar to the first, viz.: ends of bone sawed off
and ivory peg driven in ; also brought ends into a position with silver wire,
and arm put in wire splint.
August 18th. — Wire changed for plaster-of-Paris.
September 28th. — Plaster dressing removed. A good callus thrown out,
and a very good union. Same day arm again put in light felt splint, in order
to insure good union. This is the condition the patient is in at present time.
1886.] PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. 385
were immovable on each other, and the arm bore the handling
of the dressing without complaint.
He wore his splints a few days longer to guard against a
second fracture from a fall or other accident. Of course, I was
greatly delighted with this success, and thought I had done a
good thing, and had a right to rejoice over the unparalleled
speedy recovery of this broken bone. I was not a little sur-
prised, therefore, to learn, a few weeks afterward, that the case
had brought me into great disgrace in the neighborhood. The
neighbors insisted on it, and the parents were only too much in-
clined to believe, there never had been a fracture in the case,
because a broken bone, i. e., one really broken, was "never healed
in so short a time." And certainly, there is no denying, from
the standpoint of old-school surgery, they had a strong case on
their side. If I had been tempted, by my surprise at this almost
miraculous experience of success, to believe with these neighbors
that there had been no fracture, how should I have accounted for
the crook in the shaft of the bone and the crepitus when the
fragments were moved ? This, of course, the neighbors did not
hear, and so their confidence in their judgment was not dis-
turbed by it.
Then there are cases which demand mechanical interference of
the surgeon as the first step in the process of cure. An operation
is called for, and till this is performed nothing can be done by
specific medicine for relief. But after this is accomplished it
may do much, and it is not seldom, if this be omitted, the best
skill of the operator will leave his patient to destruction from
the original diseased condition, and the shock he has inflicted by
his necessary violence. He may find, in such a case, if his
patient now gets the true specific remedy, that it will lift him
speedily up and out from his pains and danger. A case which
well illustrates this was that of a vouns; lady who came from a
distant Southern State to Philadelphia to consult our great
leader and master, Hering. He at once saw the case was first
one for the surgeon, and called a professor of this art, in one of
Philadelphia's famous schools, who found evidence of urinary
calculus. This was to be removed by the surgeon, and after
this the patient was to be treated by Hering, an arrangement
equally honorable to both ; and the more as the surgeon and
physician were representatives of different schools of practice,
between the members of which such courtesies are not too fre-
quent. The stone was removed by the surgeon, by the use of
the knife, and though a master of his art, he had only imperfect
means of estimating the size of the stone till he had seized it
386 WHAT CONSTITUTES AN IGNORANT PHYSICIAN? [Nov.,
with his forceps. Then he discovered, to his horror, that his
opening was inadequate to its passage. What did he do? Did
he enlarge the way for the passage of the body to be removed?
Not at all. But being a man of great physical strength and
greater determination, he grasped the stone more firmly and
dragged it through this too-narrow way by sheer force. Of
course, great injury to parts was a consequence, and a very great
addition to the shock of the simple cutting which had preceded
it. This was so great the surgeon told his class (of which my
informant was one), the day after the operation, that the patient
would inevitably die.* In this prognosis he left out one im-
portant element — the patient was to be treated by Hering, and,
therefore, was sure to be treated homozopathically. It was in
this state of hopeless injury she came into the hands of our
master, and because in his hands her case was not quite hope-
less. Hering appears to me as before this case more the old
master he was than in any other. He at once saw the " key-
note" to the cure, and saw it where a less than Hering might
well have overlooked it. It was in the mental state of the patient.
She was indignant in the extreme, because she thought she had
not been treated with proper respect by those whose hands she
had j ust passed through. I have recited this case to illustrate
this point of relationship between specific medicine and surgery
rather than either of the many lying at my hand, because it not
only presents the power of right medication, but also this mar-
velous knowledge and insight of the peerless physician. He
gave a dose of Staphisagria, and in a very short time the patient
was free from pain and danger, and her convalescence was brief
and perfect.
[to be continued.]
WHAT CONSTITUTES AN "UTTERLY AND UN-
CONSCIOUSLY IGNORANT" PHYSICIAN?
A Reply to Edmund J. Lee by M. O. Terry, M. D.
If the readers of The Homoeopathic Physician will refer
to the December number, 1885, they will find an article on
"Addresses, etc.," and if they will examine the May number,
1886, "A Reply to the Author of Addresses, etc.," and also im-
mediately following a few comments by Dr. Edmund J. Lee,
one of the editors of the journal.
* My informant described the stone as of the size and shape of a large lemon.
1886.] WHAT CONSTITUTES AN IGNORANT PHYSICIAN ? 387
It is with these comments which the distinguished and erudite
editor has made that we now have to deal.
Slurs and prejudice will not be indulged in, I will leave all
of this to one who must use such weapons to divert the mind
from the known scientific facts of the case. T will, therefore,
mete out to my fair-minded critic what I consider to be the
truth.
Passing the Doctor's " tirade/' I come to his first question :
u How then does he treat them, seeing he reviles Hahnemann's
symptomatic method of treating diseases ?" Perhaps the most
concise method will be to take a hypothetical case. The patient
has an ulcerated throat, accompanied with fever, following a
severe cold. Here I prescribe strictly according to the law
enunciated by Samuel Hahnemann. Here is the condition for
the application of the law ; but expose the ulcerated throat to a
contaminated atmosphere, and the case may pass beyond the
limits of the law. Billroth, in his Surgical Pathology, says :
u Catarrhal conjunctivitis may become diphtheritic." So the
simply ulcerated throat may become diphtheritic through the
agency of fungi and infusoria. Now the case is a surgical one
in part. The poisoned ulcerated surfaces must be kept in an
antiseptic state. Not a particle of odor should be allowed to
be emitted. Mercury in some form in material doses may be
the medicated remedy, and act antiseptically at the same time.
I should say, however, that the throat should have other treat-
ment, if nothing more than the frequent application of an alco-
holic spray. Again I say this part of the case has nothing to
do with the law which Samuel Hahnemann enunciated.
Symptoms are but the cries of the nerves, and whether from
disease or from remedies they are the indices by which we de-
termine the locality where the morbid processes are going on.
The Doctor admits his belief in the dynamic origin of zymotic
and parasitical diseases.
I have treated malaria where it is indigenous ; where the
atmosphere was so impregnated with the poison, that any indi-
vidual, coming down with a difficulty from a headache and de-
ranged stomach to something more serious, would suffer from
the dreaded chill. Quinine was the specific remedy, and homoe-
opathically indicated in maternal doses. Our school in the region
referred to was afraid to use it because it thought it allopathic
to give Quinine. Homoeopathic physicians were often severely
criticised on account of failing to remove speedily the periodic
chill. My point in this case is that, although Quinine was the
symptomatic indicated remedy, it was the specific only when
388 WHAT CONSTITUTES AN IGNORANT PHYSICIAN? [Nov.
given in doses of sufficient strength to neutralize the germ
disease.
It may be aa sensible thing" to treat, for instance, that para-
sitical disease known as scabies, or iteh9 on the dynamic theory.
I, for one, wish myself separated by such a line of demarkation
from those who so believe that there can be no mistake.
"Think of it and blush, ye followers of Hahnemann," when
such antiquated and absurd views are held up as modern medical
science! Think again of the ridicule that will be brought upon
you by medical men conversant with the nature of this disease.
Think of looking up the indicated remedy based on the symp-
toms of the case, where the disease is on and in the skin in the
form of microscopical animal life. Rather go back to the crude-
ness and cleanness of your forefathers, using sulphur and soap
to destroy and free the skin from the parasites.
The Doctor states " There can be no law of therapeutics unless
it were universal."
We have a regular method of testing drugs, but each remedy
is governed by a law peculiar to itself. Have we a remedy
which, by proving on the healthy organism, produces a disease
similar to itch, a parasitical and filth disease?
We undoubtedly have the best system of therapeutics. Reme-
dies alone, however, internally administered, will not cure all of
the various derangements affecting the animal structure.
In closing, I offer the query : Is not a physician who uses a
remedy when indicatedy but not without removing the cause of
the diseases, as good and even a more faithful follower of
Hahnemann than one who gropes entirely amongst the limbs of
the tree of symptomatology to the utter and unconscious neglect of
the scientific facts relative to that disease ? The latter will " never
be missed" from the better element of the homoeopathic school.
[We claimed in our former note, commenting upon Dr. Terry,
that he was " utterly and unconsciously ignorant of Homoe-
opathy," which is amply proven by the paper herewith given.
We need not comment upon this second paper, for to all who
know anything of Homoeopathy it tells plainly its own tale of
mongrelism. — E. J. L.]
Cortland, N. Y., May 27th, 1886.
Editors Homoeopathic Physician.
Gentlemen : — I have just read the article of M. O. Terry,
M. D.,* and your reply to it. I wish to give you a specimen of
* Homoeopathic Physician, May, 1886, page 178.
1886.]
PROGRESSIVELY AGGRESSIVE.
389
this wonderful physician's practice. Two years ago he read a
paper in the New York State Society at Binghamton on the
treatment of carbuncle. It was to inject into tiie carbuncle in
different directions Carbolic acid. His chief and most effective
remedy for spinal neurasthenia is thermo-cautery. I suppose
he did it on the ground of his being one of those homoeopathic (?)
physicians who have the largest patronage, and who are the
growing scientific (?) men of our school in this and other States,
"that use various auxiliary measures in practice, and avail
themselves of all that modern science has to offer." I suppose
these are some of his boasted auxiliary measures. I remember
when some one questioned the homceopathicity of these he had
very little to say in defense of them along that line. The fact
is, so far as my observation goes, that these sticklers for all sorts
of auxiliaries, adjuvants, etc., generally know much more of
them than they do of Homoeopathy.
That braggadocio about pneumonia is all lost, because, accord-
ing to Allen, the clinical test does not prove anything, you know.
The microscope, spectroscope, or instruments of that ilk must
decide all that.
E. B. Nash, M. D.
PROGRESSIVELY AGGRESSIVE.
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
In the front ranks of the progressive homoeopaths, who have
progressed backward till even sensible eclectics despise them,
and who in all quarters are exposed to the attacks of the regulars,
stands H. R. Arndt, M. D., one of the professors at the Univer-
sity of Michigan, who, by some trickery or as a joke, was charged
by the Regents of the University with teaching Homoeopathy.
He is now out with a circular addressed " To the Profession."
As the progressivists — a piratical set sailing under false colors,
and now exposed to public execration by the regulars as preach-
ing one thing and practicing another — have inaugurated the
means of defending their law-defying attitude by " boycotting,"
we really are thankful to Dr. H. R, Arndt for boycotting some
homceopathicians by not favoring them with a copy of his cir-
cular. Go on in that way — thank you ! Could this progres-
sivist not find a medical journal willing to print his attempted
defense? Guess not. In passing let us say that this progres-
sivist is the author of a huge work on practice, an opus neither
390 PROGRESSIVELY AGGRESSIVE. [Nov.,
flesh nor fish, more like the fabulous sea-serpent, a monstrous
abortion, begotten by an attempt to produce a cross between low
allopathy and vile eclecticism, under the pretense of belonging
to the homoeopathic school, and published by that popularity and
money seeking Hahnemann Publishing Society. In his circu-
lar he finds fault with Dr. H. C. Allen for exposing him in the
Medical Advance. His defense shows what sort of a gentleman
and scholar he is.
The expose complained of is that Professor H. R. Arndt asked
the senior class as his first question on examination "Give the
composition of twenty-five grains of Dover' s powder ; dose for
an adult. Give dose for an adult of Pulv. Opii.; amount of
Opium represented by one and a half grains of Morphia." The
learned professor and author tells the profession (of course, the
boycotted old fogies are exempt) that he will continue to teach
Homoeopathy as he understands it. When he asked the senior
class the above questions he confessed that he does not under-
stand Homoeopathy as it was taught by its founder, Samuel Hah-
nemann, and because exposed by Dr. H. C. Allen he follows in
the footsteps of the progressivists and claims the right to teach
what he pleases under the name of Homoeopathy. If any
genuine Hahnemannian exposes him he means to defend his
right to call his eclecticism Homoeopathy; to teach this so-called
Homoeopathy to serve his own selfish ends, notwithstanding the
documentary evidence furnished by himself that he is ignorant
of the principles governing our noble healing art, and that he
has not the remotest conception of logic, etc. As to Dr. Arndt' s
logic, he defends himself by a statement that he has detected
some professed homoeopathicians in the use of palliative allo-
pathic means. If he did really detect professed homoeopathicians,
many of whom are members of the International Hahnemannian
Association, no doubt, let us have their names and his proof.
That professing homoeopaths, including Dr, Arndt, preach
one thing and practice another thing has been exposed ad nau-
seam by the allopathists who spurn the wretches who put on the
livery of heaven to serve the devil in.
If Dr. Arndt's detective work proved itself to be true, does
Dr. A. not know that two wrongs never make a right ? Will he
cure these unfortunate hypocrites by instructing them how to
use allopathic practice and escape detection ? Here is a speci-
men of Dr. Arndt's logic, and we charge him under strictly
logical deductions with favoring and teaching just such miserable
hypocrisy : Profess to be homoeopaths, he says in effect to the
students, and then do as I and the like of me do, practice just
1886.]
A NEW SYMPTOM OF MANGANUM.
391
as you please and claim it to be advanced Homoeopathy; follow
Richard Hughes. The latter, by his own confession, has taken
into his confidence Dr. Arndt, who furnishes material from eclec-
tic sources for the last great opus, the Encyclopaedia, rejecting the
provings of Hahnemann's assistants. According to Richard
Hughes' prophecy said amalgamated caricature will be the Materia
Medica of the future. Why ? Because the present generation
declines to accept the fraud. It is printed at the expense of
the American Institute of Homoeopathy, and the f uture will find
the opus unsold. Like HempePs Organon, it will progress back-
ward into the paper mill.
On the 8th of June, 1870, the American Institute of Homoe-
opathy was told " that perfect liberty would the sooner bring knowl-
edge of the truth" The tree of freedom-of-medical-opinion was
planted then and there. The knowledge of the truth is brought
to us surely, and in 1886 Dr. Arndt, who has enjoyed perfect
liberty under that ruling, brings us to the knowledge of the
truth by making us understand that any criticism of his work
will make this progressivist on the freedom license become
aggressive and ugly. Still, we have the knowledge of the truth,
and believe that perfect liberty will soon bring knowledge of
the truth to others. Give them freedom, give them rope enough,
and they will appeal to the profession, and hang themselves to
escape the verdict of the allopathic school and the homoeopathi-
cians combined.
A NEW SYMPTOM OF MANGANUM.
E. AY. Berridge, M. D., London.
t
The following report is extracted from a paper by Dr. John
Cowper in the British Annals of Medicine, 1837, vol. I, p. 41.
The peculiar form of paralysis produced by Manganum is of
great importance, as I can find no other remedy producing it.
It is not often met with in practice, but I remember seeing a
case about thirty years ago.
In the chemical works of Messrs. Charles Jennant & Com-
pany, near Glasgow, a number of men are employed in grinding
the Black Oxide of Manganese. Their bodies become covered
with it, the air is loaded with it, and they may swallow it in
their food. In 1828 a previously healthy young man engaged
in this occupation had signs of paraplegia. The loss of power
in the lower limbs was so slight at first that, though perceptible
to bystanders, it was scarcely observed and never made the
392
BOYCOTTING BY THE MONGRELS.
[Nov..
subject of complaint by the man himself ; but it slowly in-
creased, till at the end of some months he had to quit his work.
He was little or no better at the end of a year. Next year
another of the workmen, previously healthy, was similarly
affected. He continued his employment for many months with
some intervals. The paralysis increased and he was removed,
from which time there was no further increase of the symptoms.
Now, after seven years, there is only a very trifling amendment.
The loss of power is most apparent in the lower extremities,
which are so considerably affected that he staggers and inclines
to run forward if he tries to walk. The arms are also weakened,
but only to a small extent. He says that in speaking he can-
not make himself heard by persons at a moderate distance, as
formerly. The inability seems to depend, not on any defect in
articulation, but on weakness of voice. There is an obvious
expression of vacancy in countenance, apparently from the para-
lyzed state of facial muscles. From the same cause the saliva is
apt to escape from the mouth, especially during speaking. Since
the occurrence of these cases three other workmen have been
similarly affected, but the disease was arrested by removing the
cause. As soon as the staggering, which is the first symptom
of the disease, was remarked, their employment was changed ;
in all of them the paralysis gradually diminished, and at the
end of a few weeks was entirely gone. It first paralyzes the
lower extremities, whereas Me?*curial paralysis commences in the
upper extremities.
BOYCOTTING BY THE MONGRELS.
E. W. Berridge, M. D., London.
Dr. Lilienthal challenges my assertion that the homceopathi-
cians are boycotted by the mongrels, on the ground that Drs.
Dudgeon, Hughes, Clark, and Clifton all told him that u every
homoeopathic physician would be welcome" to the meetings of
the British Homoeopathic Society. Had Dr. L. read my note
with a little more care, and in connection with the context, he
would have seen that I was referring to the boycotting practiced
by the mongrel journals, not by the mongrel societies. I have
no doubt the latter would willingly accept my membership for
the sake of my guineas, and to have some one to laugh at ; per-
chance, also, with the dim and distant hope of even making me
a mongrel like unto themselves. But I simply decline the
1886.]
BOYCOTTING BY THE MONGRELS.
393
honor, and prefer to choose my own company. I can do them
no good ; if they will not believe Hahnemann and Boenning-
hausen, they will not believe me. On the other hand, they can
teach me nothing that I want to know. If I ever wish to study
eclecticism, I shall prefer to get it at first hand from the writings
of Lauder Brunton, and the lectures of Sidney Ringer. These
gentlemen are at least honest in this, that they do not assume a
designation to which they have no claims.
Now to substantiate my charge of boycotting :
(1) The late Dr. James Lillie sent through me a valuable
proving of potencies of Veratrum viride to the British Journal
of Homoeopathy. It teas boycotted by Dr. Hughes.
(2) I sent some interesting and, in my humble opinion, valu-
able provings of Iris fcetidissima (in potencies) to the British
Journal of Homoeopathy and the Monthly Homoeopathic Review.
They were boycotted by Drs. Dudgeon and Pope.
(3) I sent some potency provings of Erythroxylon coca to the
British Journal of Homoeopathy. This was also boycotted.
N. B. — Dr. Lilienthal, who now denies the existence of said
boycotting, admitted them into the North American Journal of
Homoeopathy, knowing that they had been boycotted, and thus
practically censured the boycotting.
(4) If Dr. L. will refer to an appendix to " T/ie Organon,"
entitled " The Ethics of Mongrelism," he will see how Dr.
Dudgeon boycotted Dr. Skinner by refusing to admit a reply to
an unjust attack upon him.
(5) Not many months ago Dr. Clark one of those four gen-
tlemen who assured Dr. L. that the homceopathicians were not
at all boycotted by them, stated in his journal, the Homoeopathic
World, that his pages would be open to any statement of facts
relative to the Materia Medica. Accordingly I commenced a
critical analysis of the new Caricature of Drug Pathogenesis.
This was continued for a few months, when, possibly finding
that his friends, Dr. Hughes & Co., were getting the worst of it,
this also was boycotted on the plea of want of space, though
ever since the Homoeopathic World has contained little else than
the details of silly squabbles between mongrels clamoring for
recognition and allopaths who deservedly snub them, and glori-
fications of the new " Homoeopathic League," as an appropriate
motto for which I would suggest, Partureunt monies, nascdur
ridiculus mus.
(6) Still more recently Dr. Swan sent me his valuable col-
lection of verified provings for me to arrange and get published.
Among them was a proving of Cinchona Boliviana, translated
32
394
BOYCOTTING BY THE MONGRELS.
[Nov.,
by the late Dr. Higgins. This I sent to the Monthly Homoeo-
pathic Review. After considerable delay, caused by the editors,
Drs. Dyce, Brown, and Pope, not being able to make up their
minds whether they should publish it or not, I received a post
card from Dr. Brown, dated August 12th, 1886, in which he
says : "We both are agreed that the publication of the proving
would not be useful, so cannot print it in the Review." Is
this sufficient evidence of boycotting, or does Dr. L. require
more ?
Dr. L. asks, " Can every member of the Legion of Honor
swear he never, under any circumstances, swerved from the
strict application of the homoeopathic law?" I can. From
the time when I commenced the practice of Homoeopathy, I have
never once knowingly departed from Hahnemann's rules ; I never
once found the need of doing so.
Finally, Dr. L. says : " Honest and truthful Dr. Skinner
acknowledges such an exceptional case," alluding, of course, to
the case of Angina pectoris reported in the final volume of the
North American Journal of Homoeopathy, in which Dr. Skinner
declares that he found it necessary to resort to anaesthetic.
I much regretted at the time the manner in which Dr. Skin-
ner commented on this case, but I did not reply for two reasons :
(1) I hoped that one of our veterans would analyze the case ;
and (2) as Dr. Skinner had withdrawn from the International
Hahnemann ian Association, he alone was responsible for such a
divergence from Hahnemannian practice. But now that Dr.
Skinner has applied for re-election, and since his re-election
this case is brought as a reproach against us by Dr. Lilienthal,
it is necessary that some one should accept his challenge.
I have not a copy of the case at hand, and so can only, at
present, quote from memory ; but, as I studied it with great
attention, and my memory is excellent, I am able to refer to it
wTith substantial accuracy.
The case was this : Dr. Skinner found an anaemic girl howl-
ing from pain, unable to speak, but pointing to the region of the
ensiform cartilage as the seat of pain. He gave one dose of
Aconite10m, and finding that in fifteen minutes there was no
relief, proceeded to chloroform her. When the pain was some-
what subdued, she described it as a violent shooting from region
of ensiform cartilage, or stomach-pit, to back.
The patient has to be chloroformed from time to time for
many days, Aeon, being also administered. After the Chloro-
form was omitted, the remedies administered on homoeo-
pathic principles, for the severe pains and the other symptoms,
1886.]
BOYCOTTING BY THE MONGRELS.
395
acted like magic, as they had done before this attack. Hence
Dr. Skinner concludes that there are cases, though few and far
between, when the use of an anaesthetic becomes necessary.
I trust I shall not be misunderstood in these remarks. I
have no desire to criticise Dr. Skinner for his treatment per se.
I am perfectly sure that he did his "level best" for his patient,
and angels can do no more. But humanum est errare; we are
none of us infallible, not even Dr. Skinner. Had he simply
published the case as one in which he individually had failed to
select the simiUimum, and asked for the advice of those who had
been long in the active practice of Homoeopathy when he was
still in the Egyptian darkness of allopathy, all would have been
well.
But when Dr. Skinner claims that Aconite was the simiUimum,
and yet failed ; when he claims that there are cases where an-
aesthetics are inherently necessary, not because the physician is
fallible, but because the Law of Similars is not universal, and
when he winds up with an arrogant defiance to any possible
critics in a manner which irresistibly reminded me of the
Irishman's challenge to all comers at Donny Brook Fair,
"Wull ony jintleman thread on the tail ov me coat?" he neither
does justice to himself nor to Homoeopathy.
Therefore, at the risk of having my cranium metaphorically
broken by Dr. Skinner's shillelah, for I cannot say with him
that "my head is as thick (!) as any nigger's," I venture to com-
ment thuswise :
(1) It is a fatal error to conclude that because a single dose of
a remedy fails to relieve acute pain in fifteen minutes, that either
the wrong remedy has been given, or that Homoeopathy has been
found wanting. Undoubtedly, many cases, both of acute and
chrom'c diseases, have been cured by single doses of the simiUimum
in a high potency ; but there are other cases in which persistent
repetition is necessary. Thus, in the preface to the third part of
the second edition of his Chronic Diseases, published in 1837,
Hahnemann says that the "repeated administration of one and
the same medicine 'is' indispensable to obtain the cure of a
great chronic disease" — a doctrine which I have verified in
several cases even under the use of the highest potencies. Again,
in section 247 of his Organon, the master says that " the small-
est doses of the best-selected homoeopathic medicines may be
repeated with the best, often with incredible, results — in the
very acutest (diseases) every hour, up to as often as every
five minutes." This I have also verified in some cases of acute
pain. In a case like that recorded by Dr. Skinner, I should
396
BOYCOTTING BY THE MONGRELS. [N<
certainly have deemed it more prudent to dissolve the best in-
dicated remedy in water, and give spoonful doses at very short
intervals for a reasonable time before concluding the remedy
had failed.
(2) It is a still greater fatal error to conclude that because an
unhomceopathic remedy failed to act promptly, that, therefore,
an anaesthetic must be given. It seems never to have occurred
to Dr. Skinner that it was a very strange circumstance that
every other medicine acted most beneficially and promptly, but
that the Aconite did not. Is not the reason that the other
remedies were homoeopathic to the changing symptoms of the
case, but the Aconite was not?
Further, this view of the case is, in my opinion, confirmed by
an analysis of the symptoms. Aconite has plenty of shooting
pains in the chest, but I cannot find either in Hering or Allen
the symptom of the patient, shooting pains from region of ensi-
forni cartilage to back. In addition, though, it has the symptom
on which Dr. Skinner lays great emphasis, "Inconsolable
anxiety and piteous bowlings, with complaints and reproaches
about trifles;" yet this symptom, given by Hahnemann himself,
is an idiopathic mental condition, and not dependent on severe
pain, as is Dr. Skinner's patient. Consequently, I can only
conclude that Aconite had only a superficial resemblance to the
case, and was not a true simillimum.
Dr. Skinner will doubtless ask, "What would you have done
under such circumstances ?" I should have much preferred
that Dr. Lippe gave his opinion on this matter, as his experi-
ence is necessarily much greater than mine. However, I will,
with diffidence, make the following suggestions. The true
simillimum, of course, would be a remedy that produced the ex-
act symptom of the patient, viz. : howling from pain, but unable
to speak, but pointing to the ensiform cartilage as the seat of
pain. If that had not been recorded, we could only resort to
whatever we could ascertain with regard to the cause of the at-
tack. Hahnemann says that in cases complicated by medicinal
poisonings, it is often necessary to antidote the drug effect first
before we can get a clear picture of the disease.
Now this patient was anaemic, to begin with, as she had been
dosing herself with Carbonate of Ammonia, perhaps the worst
thing that an anaemic patient could take. On referring to Am-
monium carbonicum in Hering's Chiiding Symptoms, we find
angina pectoris given as a symptom of the first rank ; and
under "Antidotes" we find Arnica, Camphor, Hepar. Bearing
in mind that the patient was over-fatigued by a long walk, the
1886.]
LACHESIS AND LYCOPODIUM.
397
choice of these three remedies is Arnica, a remedy which, ac-
cording to Gfuiding Symptoms, is also a great remedy in angina
pectoris, in connection with which it has cured " violent attacks
of anguish" (page 3), and also (Encyclopaedia, symptom 563)
has produced " Stitches under the sternum. "
In my opinion Arnica was best indicated as the first medi-
cine to relieve the complications arising from the overdosing
with Carbonate of Ammonia; and had a few doses of this
remedy been given, I think the patient would have been con-
siderably relieved without the use of anaesthetics, and, as the
later indicated remedies, would have completed the cure without
any divergence from the rules of Hahnemann.
I hope some of our veterans on the other side will give the
profession the benefit of their knowledge on this matter.
Postscript : I have not referred to the fact that Arnica, like
Aeon., has the symptom "howling," because in both cases it is
idiopathic and not the result of pain. But the following symp-
tom of Arnica is suggestive in connection with Dr. Skinner's
patient, as it describes a pain so great that it can be expressed
only by actions — not words : " Excessively violent pain, which
caused many to scratch the wall or the floor with their nails,
like madmen." (See Encyclopaedia, symptom 789).
LACHESIS AND LYCOPODIUM.
In answer to the inquiries of a correspondent, we reprint the
following by Dr. Piersons in The Organon, Vol. II, p. 228 :
Lachesis.
1. Pain and soreness begin on
left side of throat, which
is
2. Worse from hot drinks, bet-
ter from cold ; more pain
on swallowing liquids than
solids.
3. Throat excessively tender to
external pressure.
4. Spits large quantities of ropy
mucus.
5. Protrudes trembling tongue
with great difficulty.
LYCOPODIUM.
1. Pain and soreness begin on
right side of throat, which
is
2. Worse from cold drinks
(especially milk), except
water in some cases ; better
from hot drinks.
3. Tongue distended, causing a
silly appearance.
4. Ichorous nasal discharge in
scarlatina and diphtheria,
beginning in right nostril.
5. Tongue is darted out, and
oscillates to and fro.
THE SANITARY WOOLEN SYSTEM.
Wm. Jefferson Guernsey, M. D., Philadelphia.
Several years age Dr, Ad.Fellger, after returning from a trip
abroad, exhibited to me some articles of clothing manufactured
under the Jaeger Sanitary Woolen System which he had ob-
tained at Stuttgart, where he also had the pleasure of meeting
the inventor. The " feel " of the exquisitely fine fabric created
within me an instantaneous craving for just such clothing. Could
it be procured in this country, and at a reasonable price?
Having long been cognizant of the great superiority of woolen
over vegetable clothing, I felt that in this system of using solely
one hundred per cent, woolen material for day and night wear
Dr. Jaeger had " hit my fancy to a T." A few weeks since a
circular was sent me from the Jaeger Sanitary Woolen Sys-
tem Company, of 827 and 829 Broadway, New York, which
proved to be an American branch of the Stuttgart concern. I
accordingly availed myself of a little pleasure trip to Gotham,
"taking in" the Jaeger store. The result of my inspection of
an hour and a half was an empty pocket (which was too lightly
charged) and a determination to some time be possessor of an
entire line of the goods.
Although the temperature was rising, I had faith enough in
the theory (which I will presently explain) to immediately don
my woolen undersuit, and could not now be prevailed upon to
part with it.
Let me here refer to the chief points in the Jaeger system.
His theory is that as woolen clothing rapidly evaporates and the
vegetable (viz. : cotton and linen) fabric retains the exhalations
from the body, so must wool alone be used in suiting, lining,
padding, and even pocketing. He not only believes in the su-
periority of wool over cotton and linen, but thinks the latter
materials positively injurious in preventing this evaporation,
which is so necessary to good health, comparing a starched linen
shirt (which is also proscribed) to a coat of varnish. An ex-
ample of this may be easily cited in the rubber overshoe, which
becomes almost unbearable after a little walk from the same
cause, though in an exaggerated degree. In order, however,
that the hygienic subject may not live entirely out of fashion,
and consequently out of the world, the sanitary shirt (over and
undershirt in one) is supplied with fine woolen collar and cuff
bands, having stud holes for attaching the ordinary collar and
cuffs if desired. That part of the shirt that would be exposed
398
Nov., 1886.] THE SANITARY WOOLEN SYSTEM.
399
to view in the open space of the vest is covered by a wide, ordi-
narily shaped necktie, also of pure wool. Thus anything unusual
in outward appearance is avoided.
Quite a number of patterns of clothing and linings are exhi-
bited for cutting into fashionable shapes, or the purchaser can
procure the regulation Jaeger suit, if desired, but one thing must
not be lost sight of, whatever the "cat," the coat, pants, vest,
and underclothing must be entirely of wool, externally and in-
ternally.
The shoes are neatly made after the Waukenphast shape, but
lined with woolen cloth and ventilated at the heel. The hats
are woolen and with a woolen felt band which has a delightful
feeling upon the forehead after wearing the customary adhesive
plaster, and can be inserted in any hat. The bedding is partic-
ularly nice, and includes everything. The sheets and pillow-
cases are as fine as China silk, and pleasant to even the most
delicate skin.
There is a fond notion in the minds of most people that
woolen goods are hot and good only for winter, and even then
apt to engender too copious a perspiration. Now let me here
state that it is solely with a hope of reaching a few whom Dr.
Jaeger will not that I have been tempted to here defend his theory,
namely, that woolen underclothes are hot in summer because
they are encased in linen or cotton ones, which prevent the
evaporation that would otherwise take place, and they are not
warm enough in winter, sometimes for the same reason. If,
therefore, the evaporation be permitted to take place uninter-
ruptedly, or unhindered by this " varnish," we have a healthy
skin, normal circulation, and consequently sufficient heat to
withstand the cold of winter and feel comfortably cool in sum-
mer. Vegetable fabrics are more or less good conductors of
heat and cold. Wool is a non-conductor of both, and thereby
insulates the body from atmospheric changes. With such a
system of clothing, which is veritably a sanitary one, we may
safely, even though our clothing be somewhat damp from rain
or perspiration, subject ourselves to an abundance of open air,
and with the absence of drug dosing, which Homoeopathy for-
bids, nature may be kind to us in extending our present period
of ill health to robust manhood and womanhood far beyond the
"expectancy" table of the best regulated life insurance com-
pany. Homoeopathy does not force and drive but aids nature
in casting off disease by coaxing it to perform its normal func-
tions. So does the sanitary woolen system assist in maintaining
health by keeping up the functions of nature. Therefore, I say,
400
HORDEOLUM OR STYE.
[Nov.,
what Homoeopathy is to the sick the Jaeger system is to the well,
and as a natural health preserver (consequently a preventive
of disease) and an auxiliary in treating the sick, we should urge
its general adoption, and do all in our power as scientific physi-
cians to discourage the use of the pernicious vegetable clothing.
Feeling conscientious in this matter, I wish the Jaeger firm, who
are personally unknown to me, a hearty welcome.
HORDEOLUM OR STYE.
Geo. H. Clark, M. D., Philadelphia.
Hordeolum, or stye, a small boil on the margin of the eyelid,
differs in no essential respects from boils in any other part of the
body, and, as they are usually indicative of general disturbance,
can only be treated successfully by paying attention to the
general characteristic symptoms. There are cases, however,
when one meets with these troublesome little affections in which
there are no symptoms of general disturbance, and then reference
to the following will be of service:
Styes in general: Alum, Am. car., Am., Bor., Bry., Gala,
Canth., Caust., Coloc, Con., Elap., Ferr., Graph., Hyperic,
Lycop., Merc, Nat.mur., Pic. ac, Phos., Phos. ac, Puls., Rhus,
Seneg., Sep., Sil., Stann., Staph., Sul., Tep., Thu., Uran.,
Ziz.
— canthus, near internal : Lycop.
inner, pressive pain : Stann.
— corner of eye, in : Nut. mur., Stann., Sul.
— drawing pain in, before discharge of pus : Graph.
— drawing, burning pain in, agg. evening and in warm
room : Puis.
— lid, lower, on : Graph., Phos., Rhus, Seneg.
-5 , — , left : Hyperic.
— — , upper, on : Alum., Amm. c, Caust., Ferr., Merc,
Phos. ac, Puis., Staph., Sul., Uran.
, — , right : Amm. c
— nervous exhaustion, as consequence of : Staph.
— nodules, hard, after : Staph., Thu.
Styes, pain, drawing, burning, agg. evening and warm room :
Puis.
— , — , — : Graph.
— pressive, near inner canthus : Stann.
— , — , shooting : Staph.
1886.] BISMUTHUM SUBXITKICUM. 401
Styes, pressive, tearing, in paroxysms : Staph.
— , — , throbbing : Hep.
— , — , warmth amel. : Hep.
— , recurrence, to prevent : Graph., Staph., Sul.
— , redness of lids, with : Sep.
— , sensation of, on holding lids still : Meny.
— , sensitive to touch : Hep.
— , sides, left : Elap., Lycop., Puis., Staph., Uran.
— > — > r'ght : Amm. c, Calc, Canth., Nat. mur., Tep., Ziz.
— suppurating : Lycop.
— tension, with, on and, upper lid : Amm. c.
BISMUTHUM SUBNITRICUM (MAGISTEEIUM
BISMUTHI).
S. L.
In F Art Medical, of August, 1886, we read : " The obser-
vation presented by Dr. Dalche to the Soci£te de Medicine legale
(July 12th) seems to show that the dressing with Bismuthum
subnitricum may produce more or less severe manifestations.
" October 18th, 1884, a woman, about thirty years old, entered
Hotel Dieu. Since September 19th she had been treated at
home for a large and severe burn of the third degree, reaching
from the inferior angle of the shoulder-blade down to the but-
tock, and taking in the whole back ; the left arm was severely
burned. For the last two weeks the burn was dressed with the
Bismuth. On October 3d the eschar detached itself completely,
and the dressing had to be renewed every other day on account
of the factor. She improved steadily — appetite was good —
when, on October 11th, she complained of a slight sore throat,
accompanied by dysphagia. The inferior surface of the soft
palate was covered by a white false membrane of slight adher-
ence and consistency, uniting with false membranes on the ton-
sils and uvula.
" October 13th. — They were more extended; under them the
mucosa shows a blackish color, and the gums of the lower jaw
present a dark brown color. Still her general state was not bad,
and there was no albumen in the urine.
"October 16th. — Breath foul; sphacelus of parts affected.
" October 26th. — Patient complains of burning of tongue, and
one sees, on its edges, small black spots which, by their recession
402
BISMUTHUM SUBNITBICUM.
[Nov.,
form a track full of white false membranes. For the last two
days she has also suffered from diarrhoea.
" October 27th. — She vomits everything. A black border ap-
pears on the upper gum, and spots appear on the inside of the
cheeks. The dressing with Bismuth is stopped. Up to
November 1st the patient is tormented with vomiting, diar-
rhoea, and hiccough, and albumen is found in the urine. On
November 6th she complains of pains along the oesophagus ;
has no appetite, and her teeth are loose. Gradually improve-
ment follows, but even at the beginning of December the spots
on the mucosa and the black border on the gums are still visible.
Toward the middle of December she left the Hospital."
We have here an excellent proving of Bismuth, and the
lesions observed resemble only slightly any other angina or
stomatitis ; most yet to diphtheritis ; the Bismuth employed
was pure, and its presence found in the urine and alvine dis-
charges. A resume of the phenomena observed gives :
Stomatitis pseudomembranosa, with disseminated plaques, the
membranes resting on black spots (Bismuthic depots).
Black borders on gums ; loosening the teeth.
Pharyngeal angina (uvula, tonsils, and palatine arch); false
membrane, slightly adherent, and of slight consistency ; slate-
colored spots all over ; later, sphacelus of the soft palate.
Vomiting, hiccough.
Pain along oesophagus (oesophagitis).
Diarrhoea ; albuminuria.
It is curious that, just as in dressing with corrosive Mercury,
the manifestations are limited to the alimentary canal. No
other influence was observed, even none on the heart, to which
Bismuth has a manifest electivity. To this observation may be
opposed the innocuity of excessive doses by the mouth, and it is
well known what large quantities Monaeret prescribes. This
inertia (perhaps not constant) may be explained by the insolu-
bility of the subnitrate in the midst of acids, whereas suppurat-
ing wounds are alkaline. Still, vomiting and diarrhoea were
observed in healthy persons after one or two grammes of the
substance. May not its habitual tolerance be partly due (leav-
ing the law of similitude aside) to the frequency with which this
drug is prescribed for vomiting and diarrhoea?
We knew long ago that Bismuth produces vomiting, hiccough,
and diarrhoea (Allen II, 186, and X, supplement, 386), and
Dalche demolishes, happily, the objection that these symptoms
are produced by indigestion. The gingivitis, angina pharyngea
with intense redness, and excessive dysphagia were also known
1886.]
CIMICIFUGA.
403
(Allen, I. o.). But the false membranes, of little consistency and
only slightly adherent to the cheeks, lips, tongue, pharynx, ton-
sils, and palate, ending in sphaceles, have so far not been re-
corded. May this not give us a hint to employ Bismuth in
diphtheria, especially as also albuminuria was observed. This
is put on record by a physician of the old school, and they might
learn therefrom that our pathogeneses are not mere dreams.
But it teaches us that extensive dressings with medicinal sub-
stances, even with Bismuth, may produce grave symptoms.
Dr. Pied v ache.
CIMICIFUGA.
A Lecture by Prof. J. T. Kent, A. M., M. D.
[Stenographically reported.]
This is a great woman's friend, and some doctors only know
it as such. Fenugreek is good for a horse, they say, and so is
Cimicifuga good for a woman — when the symptoms agree.
The general constitutional state to which this remedy is most
favorable is the hystero-rheumatic constitution. Its symptoms
are nearly as full of hysteria as Ignatia, and nearly as full of
rheumatism as Colchicum or Bryonia ; it has the aching rheu-
matic soreness in the body, and particularly in the muscles.
The power of the muscles is affected pretty generally. It has
rheumatism of the scalp ; rheumatism of the base of the head,
or of the skull ; aching in the base of the skull, as if a bolt
extended from the base of the skull through to the top of the
head. Constant dull pain in occiput> extending to top of head.
The headaches are ameliorated in the open air. It has a sen-
sation of lifting up of the skull. In this it resembles Canna-
bis sat. and Cannibas indica. Cannibas indica has it as a
pathogenetic symptom ; so has Actea racemosa. Belladonna
has it as a clinical symptom. This lifting up of the skull
occurs in uterine troubles. Rheumatism, colic, irritable uterus,
enlargement of the uterus ; that will give you an association
of symptoms like these head symptoms. Now, there is a
marked mental symptom. That mental symptom is this: She
feels as if a black pall, or a gloom, or a horrible sadness was
settling over her ; everything seems dark to her ; there is no
light around her. This symptom of darkness and gloom, like a
404
CIMICIFUGA.
[Nov.,
black pall settling over her, is a mental symptom centering at
the heart, accompanied by palpitation. There is all this sad-
ness and gloom, and it has many of the hystero-mental symp-
toms. Hypochondria is very marked. The eyes furnish a
marked symptom ; extreme soreness of the eye-balls with ex-
treme aching ; also chorea or clonic jerking of the eye-balls ;
oscillations ; movement of the muscles produces jerking of the
balls and shock of the lids. The pupils are dilated.
This remedy produces choreic spasms over the body, ac-
companied by rheumatism. Whenever the rheumatism subsides
and chorea takes place, this is the remedy. There is a peculiar
rheumatic, bruised feeling, sore in the chest and about the
heart; aching in the heart, accompanying rheumatism. Inter-
costal rheumatism. Rheumatism of the muscles of the chest.
Intercostal neuralgias. There is a great soreness in the abdo-
men ; sore as if bruised. There is a menstrual symptom that
is worth noting ; menses too soon, too profuse ; irregular ;
suppressed.
It may be safely said of this remedy that it has irregular
menstruation j it is both too profuse and too scanty ; too soon
and too late. It has menses irregular, with enlargement, ten-
derness, induration, and great soreness clinically. It has many
times cured the results of abortion : sub-involution. The men-
strual discharge is likely to be dark and offensive and sour.
Now there is another marked uterine symptom that you will
need to remember, because you will find this symptom useful in
after-pains ; after-pains that seem to be the result of the spasms
of the broad ligaments ; aching, spasmodic pains coming on with
more or less violence and clutching in the groin ; spasms in the
broad ligaments. Now, the rheumatism is not specially con-
fined to one muscle or to one part of the body ; it may occupy
the whole body. It has a twin sister in the other Cohosh — this
is the black Cohosh ; it is a twin sister cf the blue Cohosh, which
is Caulophyllum. In association with uterine symptoms we
have the same chorea ; we have a similar rheumatic diathesis ;
We have hysterical spasms ; and we have great prostration and
trembling. But let me tell you the key-note, or a state or a
condition for which you can always rely upon Caulophyllum :
"Rheumatism of the small joints with uterine complaints
while in Cimicifuga the rheumatism is more likely to be in the
belly of the muscles, and not particularly in the joints. In
nondescript uterine troubles this is always your remedy. It is
mild, and may be administered in almost any form ; it cures in
the tincture, and it cures them when given in the third ; it cures
1886.]
CIMICIFUGA.
405
in the thirtieth. I have cured many of these cases with the two-
hundredth with just as great satisfaction.
Cimicifuga has predisposition to abortion ; great uterine weak-
ness ; want of ability to go through with gestation ; threatened
abortion ; pains and aches of a tearing, bearing-down character ;
dragging down, like labor pains. Now, in a hystero-rheumatic
constitution, in a woman who is in the habit of aborting, this
medicine would be most suitable. In a hystero-rheumatic
constitution, where you suspect difficulties in labor, you may
administer this medicine a month or six weeks, or two months
before the expected confinement, with relief of the troubles,
and, perhaps, preventing the troubles that would otherwise
attend confinement. In both of these remedies there is a won-
derful sensation of weakness in the pelvis; a sensation of relaxa-
tion ; a sensation of exhaustion ; and in this they compare with
Pulsatilla and Sepia.
In Cimicifuga there is marked urinary trouble; teasing to
urinate : frequent urination ; burning during and after urina-
tion. Copious flow of urine followed by prostration. She gets
up often in the night to pass urine. In the lower extremities
we have the rheumatism that belongs to this medicine. The
rheumatic pains are mostly aching and jerking ; they are con-
stant, and in the belly of muscles, producing knotting up and
numbness. Numbness in the lower extremities, with cold feet
and cold sweat. The aching that is in the muscles is sometimes
like bone pains, it is so dull. There is twitching of the muscles
associated with rheumatism, which may sometimes give place to
the aching. A rheumatic aching and choreic jerking of the
muscles, with the characteristic that in all of these rheumatic
complaints, like chorea, the spasms are all made worse by motion,
like Bryonia. This remedy is quite full of hysteric spasms;
hysteric contractures ; and it has been able to cure a number of
cases of hysterical convulsions coming at the puerperal period ;
puerperal convulsions that are hysterical in character, with the
clenched hands. Remember now these particular elements : the
hysteria, rheumatism associated with uterine troubles, heart
troubles, general weakness, and you will get a pretty good
picture of this little remedy.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Editors Homceopathic Physician.
GENTLEMEN: — Permit me to bring to your notice the follow-
ing case, and to request that you or some of your readers will
kindly suggest the remedy.
The patient, a woman, some ten years since was suffering
from what her allopathic physician called an attack of neural-
gia. The doctor recommended that her head be sweated.
Accordingly she was placed in bed with her head between two
hot bricks, and the sweating continued until she was uncon-
scious. In her delirium she imagined that her head fell off and
rolled over into a pasture. She went and picked it up, but in
getting over the fence it fell from her apron to the ground and
broke to pieces. She took the fragments to her doctor, who put
them together again, excepting one piece, which would not fit.
He put this piece into his pocket-book and kept it. She now
gets pains which arise in the neighborhood of the spleen, then
fly to the head, causing delirium. In her delirium she says:
"If you will only go to Dr. B. and get that piece of bone and
return it to my head I believe I could recover." She also com-
plains, whilst in this state, of the hardness of the pillow. She
wants her head moved over to a soft pillow. Then she asks
for the restoration of the bit of bone.
W. E. EVERLY.
Grey Eagle, Minnesota, September 11th, 1886.
CLINICAL BUREAU.
THREE CASES OF DIPHTHERIA.
John Hall, M. D., Toronto, Ontario.
September 9th. — Boy aged ten. Tonsils and uvula covered
with a grayish deposit, beginning on the right side. Great
thirst for cold drinks (at the beginning when he could swallow),
drinking only little at a time ; throat swollen outside, and swal-
lowing impossible. Had used allopathic means for recovery,
with increase of deposit and of all the other symptoms.
The usual remedy, Lycopod., as affecting the right side, and
from thence to the left, seemed impracticable, as the patient at
the first desired only cold drinks, taking but little at a time, which,
406
Nov., 1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
407
with the dirty grayish deposit, effectually shut off his medicine ;
and these symptoms being only under Apis mel., so far as the
writer's knowledge extended. This was given in the 15M po-
tency, a dose every hour the first three hours, and then every
four hours, which was continued twenty-four hours, the case
being ominous of evil, and soon to be remedied if possible.
September 10th. — Reports as much better. Can swallow
easily, and deposit on the fauces has almost disappeared. Swell-
ing on the outside is also better, and now desires only warm
drinks. I gave him Sac. lac. every four hours.
September 11th. — Slept well all night. All deposit gone;
also the outside swelling ; desires his usual food, which I allow
to-morrow ; is quite lively, and wishes to go out.
Of course, in all such maladies I do not allow the use of dis-
infectants, as recommended by the Board of Health — Chlorine,
Carbolic acid, etc. — the use of which render our treatment more
or less abortive ; nor the precaution of these men in sending
everybody out of the house excepting the nurses and physician,
both of whom, if their theory be correct, need well disinfecting
and ventilating before entering any other dwelling ; and I may
add that, where the patient is seen in time, no secondary symp-
toms follow, simply because such procedure cures this dreaded
complaint. .
The second case is that of a somewhat aged woman, who had
nursed her daughter with the disease, keeping the physician,
and, indeed, all others, ignorant of her condition until the state
was almost hopeless, both tonsils and uvula being profusely
covered and herself very ill. As the daughter was recovering,
however, by patient attention, several times daily, and the use
of homoeopathic remedies — being guided thereto solely by the
totality of the symptoms — she also so far got pretty well —
she thought herself so before her physician could say as much —
and being compelled to leave the city and travel some eight
hundred miles, I looked on her with much interest. After
some three weeks I received a letter very carefully giving every
symptom, from which I learned that she was severely paralyzed
both in swallowing and speaking. She could scarcely take any
food without great danger of choking, and her speech was re-
duced to a whisper. During this time of both danger and suf-
fering, her friends, who had no faith in our art, insisted on
calling in allopathic aid, which signally failed with all its means
to give any relief. Under these circumstances I was wrritten to,
and notwithstanding the most scrupulous search could not satisfy
myself what best covered the symptoms of her throat and
408
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[Nov.,
larynx. Fortunately for me, she had added " that she could not
bear heat nor covering ; but when such were put on her" — as was
natural — " would as soon throw them off" Having no remedy
in which this was so marked as Secale, I gave this — a few doses
in a high potency — waiting with some anxiety the result of my
prescription ; and not long after I received a letter of the most
grateful kind, giving me an account of her complete recovery,
from the medicine which had been sent.
Here then was a case of secondary symptoms, the patient
having come very late under our care, and left the city before
well cured ; but even this dangerous state gave way by her
faithfully giving all the symptoms, which a tyro would have
failed in doing, leaving the patient to die.
The third was the case of a little girl aged about nine, living
a few miles from me, and which I declined at first to take, she
having been subject to allopathic treatment some four days pre-
viously, the doctor gladly giving her up, allowing the father to
send for me. I was then prevailed upon and went tremblingly.
Both fauces were covered, also the uvula, with whitish deposit,
which seemed also to descend into the larynx. All I could
learn was that the trouble began on the left side, and from thence
invaded the right and uvula; was almost strangled on awaking
from sleep, and greatly preferred hot drinks, I gave Lachesis
high, a few doses, allowing it to act under Sac lac. The exuda-
tion was very slow in disappearing, and the patient feeling much
better. About the fourth day of attendance a cough set in
recurring at any time and without expectoration, and on exami-
nation of the throat saw that the back of the uvula was invaded
with deposit, and, perhaps, lower down. Seeing no other remedy
indicated but Lachesis, I continued it at long intervals, and
though both cough and deposit were troublesome for a homoeo-
path, that medicine cured both in about two weeks from the
beginning, no secondary symptoms appearing.
CASES CURED BY LAC YACCINUM
DEFLORATUM.
S. Swan, M. D., New York.
It is the fashion of some soi-disant homoeopaths to sneer at the
provings and cures attributed to this remedy and its allies, for-
getting that this very remedy has been extensively used in
diabetes and Bright's disease by Drs. Donkin, Mitchell, and
others, and that Lac caninum has been successfully used by the
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
409
allopathic school in rachitis. It is useless to write for stereotyped
fossils, but to those who are receptive of progressive truth the
following cases will be of interest :
(1) Judge M. For years has been subject to attacks of bloat-
ing in epigastric region, and with it would always have an
attack of asthma, so that he could scarcely breathe ; then he
would have a hard pressive pain at about fourth cervical vertebra ;
pressure round the breast (but not like the grasping of Cactus)
with the dyspnoea ; great despondency on account of the disease,
has no fear of death, but is sure he is going to die in twenty-
four hours. These symptoms were only relieved by purgative
medicines; was always constipated. Lac vaccinum defioratum
in a high potency cured.
(2) Miss Caroline B., aged eighteen. About seven or eight
p. M. becomes so sleepy that she cannot resist, aud has to lie
down ; about nine p. M. a very hot fever comes on, during
which she sleeps; the fever continues until near morning, when she
wakes in a profuse sweat, which stains the linen yellow, and is
very difficult to wash out. During the day the back usually
feels cold ; short dry cough, with difficult expectoration of a
small lump of mucus, which relieves the cough. Irregular
menses, sometimes very dark and scanty, sometimes colorless
water. Pimples on face and forehead. Lac vaccinum defiora-
tum lm (one dose) completely cured her.
(3) Miss Bella B., aged thirteen, dark hair. For the last
year has had severe headache at times, and great pain across
umbilicus; also pains passing down under-side of thighs to heels ;
pains in top of feet, as if bones were broken across instep. These
pains in legs and feet would come on as soon as she stepped upon
them in the morning, upon which she would become faint and
nauseated, and have to lie down ; would have to lie down three
or four times before she could get dressed. Lac vaccinum de-
floratum in a high potency cured her. Three or four months
afterward the headache returned, and was again cured by the
same remedy.
(4) Severe headache, with a sensation as if the top of her
head was lifted up, and was raised about five inches, and all
the brain were coming out j head feels very hot ; motion
increases the pain ; the face feels as if the flesh was off the
bones, and the edges separated and sticking out. Was bet-
ter in five minutes after a dose of 1M, and next morning was
well.
(5) Pain commencing in and above inner end of right eye-
brow, in organ of size and weight, before rising in morning ;
33
410
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[Nov.,
soon after rising the pain passes down into eyeball, increasing
in intensity till afternoon, when it becomes unbearable. It
is worse by walking, and particularly by sitting down,
though ever so carefully ; also by heat radiated from the
fire, or by stooping ; better by pressure ; light did not aggra-
vate it ; eye looked natural ; pressure on temple disclosed
strong pulsation of the artery ; pain ceases at sunset, and does
not return till next day. Lac vaccinum defloratumcm com-
pletely cured her.
(6) A woman had been suffering all the afternoon from a
sudden suppression of menses, caused by putting her hands in
cold water to rinse out some clothes. Great pain in uterine
region, intense headache, aching pains all over, fever, flushed
face. One dose of 1M in water put her to sleep free from pain,
and she slept all night. Next morning had a slight flow ;
another spoonful brought on the flow properly, and by eleven
P. M. she was able to attend to her duties, feeling entirely well.
The flow continued the usual time. The pain ceased before the
flow was restored, which proves that it was a homoeopathic cure,
and not a natural recovery.
(7) Dr. J. C. Boardman cured with 10M intense aching pain
with soreness and heaviness of whole head ; face deathly pale,
and dreadful weakness and prostration.
LAC CANINUM.
S. Swan, M. D., New Yoek.
(1) Dr. Biegler sends the following case :
Mrs. K. : Crusts had formed on skin, under which grayish-
yellow matter formed, and was squeezed out. Throat became
bad, deglutition difficult, mucous follicles raised or swollen, and
covered with a whitish, cream-colored mucus. Nose became so
bad that there was fear of the destruction of the bones ; bloody
pus was discharged several times a day ; bones of nose sore on
pressure. Cured by Lac can.cmm (Swan).
(2) Mrs. B. : Proved Lac can.^m (Swan).
Pain as from a knife thrust from under left zygoma up to
vertex (in fifteen minutes).
Low down in right groin above ramus, three lancinations up
toward crest of ilium, waking her from sleep (in three days).
Itching in left side of labia, with rough eruptive condition on
left side of vagina, with acrid leucorrhcea, excoriating severely
(in twelve days).
1886. ]
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
411
(3) By S. Swan, M. D. : Patient had intense unbearable pain
across super-sacral region, extending to right natis and down
right sciatic nerve ; pain was so severe as to prevent sleep or
rest ; also, diphtheritic sore throat on right side, with sensation
of a lump ; could not swallow solid food. One dose of Lac
can. billionth (Swan) cured in twenty-four hours.
SANGUINARIA IN RHEUMATISM.
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
July 7th, 1886. — Mrs. complained of aching in ball of
right thumb, which part was swollen, the pain extending round
wrist and back of hand ; the pain is most severe in the ball of
thumb. Has had it for about two weeks, and it has been worse
since the hot weather set in ; could not use hand properly from
pain and weakness in it.
Sanguinaria Canadensis cm (F. C), one dose about noon.
About live p. m. began to improve, and at ten p. M. was much
better, with no swelling.
July 9th. — Hand was quite well, except some weakness.
July 10th. — Quite well, and feels better in general health than
before.
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
Works on Materia Medica issued by Hahnemann ;
their Composition and Value. By S. Lilienthal, M. D.
Pittsburg : Stephenson & Foster. 1886.
This pamphlet of thirty-nine pages is a paper read before the American
Institute of Homoeopathy at its thirty- ninth session. It contains a rapid
review of the principal remedies in Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura and the
Chronic Diseases. We notice some valuable hints concerning the therapeutic
value of certain remedies that would be quite useful to a careful prescriber in
determining the choice of the similar remedy.
If Dr. Lilienthal would do justice to his paper he would republish it with
a thorough alphabetical index to each remedy, that it might be used in daily
practice.
We are much amused by one of his statements which we think should
never have been made. He says, in speaking of Aconite : " Those keen
critics, Drs. Dudgeon and Hughes, have accepted nearly all the symptoms of
Hahnemann."
Accepted ! What difference does it make whether the symptoms are accepted
by these gentlemen or not ? Have they not been industriously trying to
break down the whole fabric of the homoeopathic principle, and still further
convincing those who are hostile to it of the justness of their opposition?
412 NOTES AND NOTICES. [Nov.,
Then, if this be the case, what difference should it make to real homceopa-
thists what these gentlemen accept or reject ?
Is it not rather ludicrous that a master mind who originates an entire new
system should have to submit his work to revision of its details by minds that
are incapable of grasping its primary principles? W. M. J.
A Lecture on Homceopathy. By C. Wesselhoeft, M.
Boston : Otis Clapp & Son. 1886.
This is the third edition of Dr. Wesselhoeft's clever lecture, delivered some
time since before the Boylston Medical Society of Harvard Medical School.
It is an able lecture and one mainly to be commended.
books and pamphlets received.
The Test at the Bedside; or, Homceopathy in the
Balance. By Pemberton Dudley, M. D.
Operations on the Drum-head for Impaired Hear-
ing, with fourteen cases. By Seth S. Bishop, M. D.
Cocaine in Hay-fever. By Seth S. Bishop, M. D.
Annual Report of the Homceopathic Hospital, Mel-
bourne.
Erysipelas and Other Septic Infectious Diseases In-
cident to Injuries and Surgical Operations Prevented by a
Method of Atmospheric Purification. By David Prince, M. D.,
Jacksonville, 111.
NOTES AND NOTICES.
The Significance of Facial Hairy Growths Among Insane Women
— Allan McLane Hamilton, M. D., New York. — The significance of
alteration in the growth of hair and the condition of the skin and its appen-
dages have attracted the attention of many modern observers, and it has come
to be generally acknowledged, I think, that such appearances have more than
ordinary import as symptoms of nervous diseases. It is not uncommon, as
we know, to find hair upon the faces of women, though when discovered it is
not in any considerable quantity, and is the indication, as a rule, of a ten-
dency toward masculinity or the arrival of that age when uterine and ovarian
functions have ceased. It cannot be denied that when such growths take
place in young women, in localities where hair does not usually grow, they
are suggestive of some pathological process which may naturally be sup-
posed to involve the sympathetic nervous system. Fabre has quite lately
drawn attention to the production of very striking hair-changes in consequence
of various mental states in women, and other observers allude at length to the
excessive growth of hair in paralyzed parts. Fabre refers to several instances.
In one the patient was a mother who had suffered great mental anguish
through the loss of a child. Another woman, who suffered from a uterine-
disease complicated by nervous symptoms, lost all her hair, but it returned
as rapidly and grew vigorously under the use of appropriate treatment.
The appearance of hair, slight though it may be, is, I think, an inevitable
result of an overactive and continuous exercise of functions of the uterus and
1886.]
NOTES AND NOTICES.
413
ovaries, and is but part of the process which in the early stages of pregnancy is
expressed by deposition of pigment in various places, by the bronzing of "the
skin, and the lively excitement of the organic nervous system. Kaposi men-
tions the liability of women who have borne children to hairy facial growths,
but believes that the appearance of hair upon the chin is found more often
after the climacteric period than at any other time.
Enough is shown by the meagre literature of the subject to prove that there
is a very close connection between the irregular or excessive performance of
the functions of the female pelvic organs and the phenomena of cutaneous
malnutrition, and, moreover, that when their innervation is taxed some pecu-
liar exhibition of disordered vaso-motor function occurs in a remote part,
•a-*******
First. — Abnormal growth of hair, especially upon the face, is frequently
closely connected with disturbed function of the pelvic organs of women.
Second. — That in the insanity of women, especially when it lapses into de-
mentia and cutaneous nutritive changes exist, such growths of hair are by no
means of uncommon appearance.
Third. — That their unilateral character, so far as preponderance in growth
is concerned, and their association with unilateral cutaneous lesions, such as
bronzing and nail-changes, 'indicate their nervous origin.
Fourth. — Their appearance, chiefly upon the face in insane patients, and
relation to trophic disorders incident to facial neuralgia, point to the fifth
nerve as that concerned in the pathological process.
Fifth. — The development of hair with the deposit of pigment and skin
lesions and occasional goitrous swellings suggests the inference that the neuro-
pathologies] process which leads to the growth of hair in the chronic insane
is akin to that which gives rise to Addison's disease. — Med. Record.
A Successful Food for Infants. — Douglass H. Stewart, M. D., 332
West Forty-seventh Street, New York, reports as follows : " I have made a
test in above fifty cases of the Lactated Food you so kindly sent to the North-
western Dispensary for me, and can only add that in every instance there
was an improvement, more or less marked. I have had such poor success
with ' ' and kindred foods that I employed your preparation in
rather a faint-hearted way at first, but after one or two trials was convinced
that Lactated Food is all you claim for it."
Dr. W. A. Dewey desires us to announce to his friends and patrons that
he has returned to San Francisco, where he has opened an office at No. 36
Geary Street. Telephone No. 906.
Smoking Boys. — Dr. William A. Hammond says: "The use of tobacco by
boys tends inevitably to destroy their nervous systems before they are fully
formed. It makes them liable to neuralgia and various functional diseases
of the brain which are certainly calculated to destroy their mental force.
Tobacco also interferes with the development of the body in regard to size;
it stunts the physical system. It certainly impairs digestion ; it certainly
impairs hearing and eyesight. I have seen several instances of young chil-
dren having their eyesight injured seriously, if not irreparably, by the use of
tobacco. The excessive use of tobacco is injurious to everybody, adults as
well as infants, male as well as female."
Dr. Ed. Lodge, Sr., returns to Thomasville, in Southern Georgia, and will
practice there through the winter months in diseases of the throat, bronchia,
lungs, and heart. The American Observer, which he published for twenty-one
years, will be resumed under new management.
414
NOTES AND NOTICES.
[Nov., 1886.
The Significance of the Decomposition of Albuminoid Substances.
— In a paper on this subject, Dr. Bryce made the point that we should not
judge of the fact or condition of nuisances by odor, but should base our opinion
and decision upon their bacterial manifestations. — Medical News.
Lactic Acid in Laryngeal Phthisis. — Dr. Theodore Hering, of Warsaw,
has recently published a memoir with this title, in which he relates his ex-
periences witu this remedy. He treated thirty-two cases of tubercular ulcera-
tions of the vocal cords with Lactic acid, and of these four were completely
cured, two were nearly so, four were much improved, and in six the ulcera-
tions were not healed, but phonation was restored and the dysphagia was re-
lieved. He uses a twenty to thirty per cent, solution, applied by means of a
pledget of absorbent cotton, and preceded in certain cases by an application
of cocaine. When greater tolerance is established he employs an eighty per
cent, solution of the pure acid, and the applications are continued until the
eschar falls off. Such good results in so intractable an affection would seem
to warrant a further trial of Lactic acid. — Medical Record.
[So the use of Lactic acid by the homceopathists is not ridiculous, after all.
—Eds.]
A new and sure remedy for rattlesnake-bites is put forward by Dr. H. C. F.
Myer, of Pawnee City, Neb. It is the tincture of Echinococca Augustifolia,
and has been used by him successfully in eight cases. Dr. George C. Nichols,
of Kansas City, reports in the Kansas City Medical Index a case successfully
treated by this remedy. — Medical Record.
Sodium Chloride and Gout. — Dr. Ferran, of cholera-inoculation fame,
has recently published an article on gout (Revista de las Ciencias Medicas) in
which he insists upon the prejudicial effects of Sodium salts in individuals
predisposed to this affection. He says that the disease is most prevalent in
cities on the sea-coast, and that persons sailing on vessels loaded with salt
are very prone to gout. Alkaline waters are also injurious in that they often
bring on an attack, although the patient is afterward better for a time. He
recommends nitrate of Amyl by inhalation in the treatment of gout in addi-
tion to the internal administration of the acetic extract of Colchicum. — Medi-
cal Record.
Treatment of Asphyxia of the New-born. — Dr. W. M. Trow, of North-
ampton, Mass., writes: "In view of recent articles in your journal upon the
treatment of 1 Asphyxia of the New-born,' permit me to say that for more than
twenty years I have, with good results, treated those cases by elevating the
hips so as to let the head hang down and holding the child in that position
for a few seconds, more or less, as the case might demand." — Medical Record.
er
Homeopathic Physician,
A MONTHLY JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If our school ever gives up the strict inductive method of Hahnemann, we
are lost, and deserve only to be mentioned as a caricature in
the history of medicine."— constanti>-e herixg.
Vol. VI. DECEMBER, 1S86. No. 12.
PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE.
P. P. Wells, M. D., Brooklyn, N.Y.
[Introductory Lecture before the New York Medical College and Hospital for
Women, Session of 1886-7.]
(Continued from page 386.)
There is a class of diseases which, in former times, have been
regarded as belonging almost exclusively to the province of the
surgeon, and by him but rarely cured. They destroy tissues by
erosion or by depositing into them elements which by and by
develop a destructive agency as to all surrounding tissues, and
ultimately even of life itself. To arrest this progress old physic
was confessedly powerless, and it turned all such cases over to
the surgeon, and his only resource was his knife. Cut it off^ or
cut it out, and this was all he could do ; and being to the short-
sighted vision of old physic only a " local affection, " why was not
this effectual ? Because the local results of the disease were not
all nor the most important part of it. It was not effectual be-
cause that which caused this local destructive evil was beyond
the reach of the surgeon's knife. Pie could neither cut it out
nor off, and it remained after the fruitless operation ready, on
the occurrence of any excitement which can renew its activity,
to attack other parts, and, oftener than otherwise, with greater
virulence than that which characterized the original attack.*
The period of time between the operation and the second de-
* I have never heard of a cure of a cancer, by any means, which had relocal-
ized itself after its first local manifestation had been removed bv the knife.
' 415
416 PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. [Dec,
velopment of local destruction has been construed as a reprieve
from the action of diseased malevolence. This is a mistake.
The greater virulence of the second local development of the
disease would seem rather to indicate that the operation had only
added force to the malign agency it could neither reach nor con-
trol. It is not a safe conclusion, in such cases, that holds the
invisible as non-existent. In dealing with the various forms of
cancerous affections, this is the history which has followed at-
tempts at their extirpation by the knife or other destructive
agencies.
But can these diseases, which are called malignant, be cured
by dynamic means — these which are so generally non-amenable
to the surgeon's art? They are met in diverse forms, all which
are destructive in their nature and refractory before any method
of cure. Still they are made sometimes to respond to s[>ecific
medication, even the most inveterate of them. There have been
instances of cure of each of the various forms of these fearful
maladies, except, perhaps, that of osteosarcoma. I am not
aware that this has been cured by any means, however skill-
fully applied. But that fatal form, under any surgical skill or
appliances, fungus hcematodes, has been many times cured
permanently by specific dynamic means. A case in Baltimore,
that of a lady who had this developed on her thigh, and who
had been condemned to lose her leg by her old-school surgeons,
as though this had ever cured a case, and notwithstanding the
invariable failure which had followed this resort in the past his-
tory of surgery — this was cured by my late friend, McManus,
by a few doses of a rightly selected and rightly managed medi-
cine. The disease disappeared in a short time, and never
returned.
Epithelial cancer has been cured many times by specific medi-
cation, and perhaps has been oftener found to respond to this
than its relatives. A case of this kind applied to me in 1859.
The patient was a little past middle age, a retired merchant,
with abundant means, who had consulted the best surgeons in
Philadelphia, Newr York, and Boston for a sore on his under
lip, which had been pronounced a cancer by them all, and I
could see no reason for discrediting their diagnosis. He had
come to New York for the purpose of having it cut out. Hav-
ing a business transaction with a patient of mine whom I had
been so fortunate as to cure of a lupus, pronounced incurable by
Boston surgeons, he was told if he would come to me I would
cure him. For, having cured his nose, he very simply believed
I could cure everything. I could not promise to cure the lip,
1S86.] PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. 417
but was willing to try, and suggested if I failed he could have
it cut out after, and as he showed little evidence of constitutional
cachexy, I was not without hope I should succeed. It was the
first case of the kind I had attempted to treat homceopathically,
and I did not know what I could do. I made a careful record
of all aberrations of function I could hunt up in the man, and
made a study of these, not of cancer, and gave him the medi-
cine the record of which presented greatest likeness to most of
these. The result was the sore healed and these aberrations dis-
appeared. The man remained in health many years, and so far
as I know has to this day. I gave him, in the course of the
treatment, four different medicines, in succession, as the present
symptoms seemed to call for each, at the time of prescribing.
They were not given in alternation, but the second succeeded the
first when this had exhausted its curing power, and the third
the second for the same reason, and no other, and so on till
there was no longer need to give the man medicines of any kind.
It may not be without interest if we say of the medicines given
each belonged to the class of so-called antSptorioB. Each was
given, not because it belonged to this class, but because the
phenomena of the case called for these and for no other. The
treatment lasted from May to December.
Another form of cancerous affection is that which is only too
often met in the female breast. It has been cured by specific
medication. But in the experience of Baron Dupeutren, Mr.
Thompson, of the University of Edinburgh, Sir Astley Cooper,
and Sir Philip Crompton, of Dublin, as these eminent surgeons
informed my preceptor, in 1829, had never been cured by them
by surgical means, and Mr. Thompson and the Baron added
they did not thiuk they had ever prolonged life one day by the
use of the knife, though they had amputated many breasts.
They said they had refused to operate on these cases for many
years, their experiences of the results of amputation having con-
vinced them that the resort was whollv useless. Mv surgical
preceptor, also, for many years before his death, refused to oper-
ate on these cases, because his own experience had confirmed the
judgments of the eminent surgeons named as to the worthless-
ness of operations for the removal of the local development of
the disease. Such being the judgment and experience of so
eminent surgeons of the-resort to surgical means for the cure of
mammary carcinoma, well-authenticated cases of cure by specific
medicines must be of the greatest interest. One such has been
treated by me and cured in the last three years.
The patient gave birth to her first child when twenty- one
418 PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. [Dec,
years of age. She bad abscess in tbe right breast shortly after
her confinement, which was badly managed. Repeated abscesses
were allowed to succeed each other, and to discharge through
different openings, and when the discharge from these had
ceased there remained an indurated deposit in the breast, and
ugly cicatrices as well. After about ten years the deposit
became painful, enlarged, was pierced with lancinating, burning
pains. The cicatrices thickened, and the nipple was retracted.
The patient was found in this state after having been treated
for cough with expectoration, pains and soreness of the chest,
shortness of breath, sweating at night, loss of weight, etc. Her
mother's family had lost several members by pulmonary phthisis,
and this was regarded as threatening the development of the
family plague in her person. It certainly did not relieve the
gravity of the prognosis in the matter of the breast. But both
conditions now seem to be cured. She has had no trouble from
either for the last two years, and is now leading a life of great
activity, and bearing many and great responsibilities. The
induration has ceased to be troublesome, and, I believe, has
disappeared. The cicatrices have lost their threatening appear-
ances. She has required no medicines the last two years.
Now what were the means used in this case which have
placed it in so sharp contrast with the experience of results from
the treatment of such cases by surgical means ? We reply, she
got, from first to last, only a few little pellets charged with
medicinal preparations, which, we are told, " The American
Institute have laughed out" of its body.* And in the light of
this case does it not look a little as if the Institute had laughed
prematurely ? and as if their laughter had only made it the
worse for the Institute ? Its laughter certainly was found no
impediment to the cure of this gravest of maladies. But what
were the means employed for the cure of this breast ? There
were only two medicines given, the doses of which were taken
at long intervals, and they were both antipsorics ! We believe
if the doses had been repeated at short intervals, the treatment
would have been a failure.
We have endeavored to present problems of cure which illus-
trate the differences and relationship of the two branches of the
healing art, and if we have succeeded in our endeavor, we have
shown the one to be chiefly a dealer with material elements,
while the other is wholly concerned with those which are
dynamic in their nature, and this is the difference in the nature
* T. F. Allen.
1886.] PRACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. 419
of things of which we have spoken. Take the case of the arti-
ficial joint. Why the refusal of the fragments to unite? Be-
cause the nutrition of the parts had become so modified by some
cause, constitutional or otherwise, that the repairing callus was
not provided for this purpose. Then the fault was in impaired
function, and this impairment implies a change in the life-force
which governs and executes functions. In the normal action of
this force on nutrition in the case of fracture, the material neces-
sary to repair is provided ; but in its modified action the supply
fails, and there is no repair. So, for the cure, in such a case,
means are required which act on this dynamis which governs
and executes the function of nutrition, and in a manner which
shall restore this to its normal action on this function, that the
supply neeeded for the repair may be furnished, and the case, so
to speak, may be able to cure itself. Now it is not very apparent
how mechanical means can so affect this force, while it is per-
fectly clear dynamic means did, and the cure was the result.
So in the case of the simple fracture, mec hanical means can only
place the fragments in position most favorable to the needed
repair, and to preserve them in it, and this is all they can do.
But a dynamis which can reach this executant of function, and
stimulate it to a greater supply of the repairing material, and
an acceleration of the repairing process, can do more, and this is
just what the Symphytum appeared to do in the case recited.
The shock which follows severe surgical operations, as in the
case of the young lady who had been the subject of lithotomy, is
purely dynamic. The violence to which the living sensibilities
have been subjected has so impressed the life-force that bodily
functions are generally so affected that they are not found in
healthy action. All are changed more or less from their normal
state, and confusion in these is the order. Now all the surgeon
can do for the relief of this condition, with means peculiar to
his art, is to secure for his patient the repose and sanitation
proper for the speediest and safest recovery. Having secured
these, he can only wait the result, "(rusting to nature" to do for
his patient where he finds himself powerless and without
resources. But convert this surgeon into a physician whose
armamentarium is loaded with means which enable him to act
specifically on this life-force, and so to act on this that this con-
fusion shall be brought again into harmonious order, and he
will be found capable of doing much more and better for the
cure of his patient than can any amount of "trusting to nature"
Let him know how to do the right thing, and do it, and leave
" trusting to nature" to those who so often raise this pretense as
420 PRACTICAL SURGERY AXD SPECIFIC MEDICINE. [Dec,
a shield to protect themselves from their sense of perfect help-
lessness. " Trusting to nature " is a well-sounding phrase, and
sometimes seems to have a savor of wisdom in it, while, in
truth, it is ever neither more nor less than a confession of judg-
ment of utter practical imbecility. Let him find and give the
specific dynamis which law has made the cure of this shocked
condition, and his experience will most certainly repeat that of
the master, which saw the poor patient brought from a condition
which the eminent and experienced surgeon declared to his elass
would inevitably prove fatal, to one of peace, health, and use-
fulness. Let neither physician nor surgeon forget that rightly
chosen and rightly managed dynamic means are able to do this
even where no other known means can.
Then as to the whole family of malignant diseases, which old-
time practice has so uniformly given over to the knife and to a
fatal termination. These have been looked on as local in their
nature, and hence, if this were true, what can be more reason-
able than the conclusion which decided to cut them off or out,
and so have an end of them ? The only difficulty has been, in
cases so treated, they would not so end. And the constant
reappearance of that which was supposed to have been cut off or
out should have taught those old-time surgeons, as it teaches us,
that this idea of local character is wholly false. The reappear-
ance demonstrates that there was something in the case which
was not cut off or out. The surgeons said, something absorbed
into the system from the local head which has now germinated
into new evils, therefore they said, cut off or out early before
this absorption, and there may be escape from the evil. But,
return, notwithstanding, rebuked, this false judgment, though it
suggested to the surgeon neither a better philosophy nor better
practice.
What experience has failed to teach old-school surgeons,
God's providence taught Hahnemann, and he has taught us,
that each form of these malignant and fatal diseases is not local
but general in their nature, and not material but dynamic in their
origin and constitution, and that by rightly selected and rightly
managed dynamic means, they may be and have been, each of
them, cured. They are, before the law, like other forms of dis-
ease, and, if cured at all, it must be, has been, and can only be,
by the right administration of the most similar remedy, as are
all other diseases. If successfully treated, it must be by adapt-
ing the remedy to the phenomena of the case, and not by any,
whatever remedy, supposed to be in relation to cancer as its
curative. The phenomena are to be treated, and not the name.
The reason for this is, that these diseases are the result of causes
18S6.] PEACTICAL SURGERY AND SPECIFIC MEDICINE. 421
acting on the life-force, and so modifying its execution of life
functions that a train of discordant and destructive processes is
set up which have in them no self limitation as to either dura-
tion or the extent of the destruction resulting. These, left to
themselves, only cease when there is no more to destroy. As to
the cause which has thus destructively impressed the life-force,
both surgeons and physicians were wholly in the dark till it was
pointed out to them by Hahnemann. He called it u psora."
The designation was laughed at by these ignorant and arrogant
doctors, but they were as helpless to cure the plagues after their
laughter as before, and these diseases have been cured, when
cured at all, only by means he called antipsorics, from which we
should infer that there is much less of "science" or wisdom in
laughter and ridicule than doctors seem to have supposed, and
notably those of the American Institute of Homoeopathy.
The evidence that the life-force is thus impressed by the cause
of these malignant diseases is first found in the modified action
of the function of nutrition. This being changed from its con-
servative action, itself reacts on all other bodily functions, and
the resulting disorders in these go on till the whole sad story of
suffering and death is told.
From these examples of disease and cure we have endeavored
to show the intimate relationship of the surgeon's and physician's
duties. They are closely connected, the one finding help from
the resources of the other in the every-day duties of practical
life, and this so frequently that the two may better be regarded
as branches of one healing art, than as two factors distinct from
each other. The surgeon must draw on the resources of prac-
tical medicine whenever, after relieving his case of mechanical
embarrassments and wants, he finds bodily or mental functions
in disorder, which are best, and perhaps only, relieved by the
dynamic resources of the specific prescriber. Hence the surgeon,
who will practice his art with the knowledge and skill which
shall secure for him the best successes as a practical healer, must
be master of a knowledge of the dynamic resources of the phy-
sician and how to use them, while the physician is compelled to
resort to the surgeon's skill and means to relieve his patient of
the pains and embarrassments of the mechanical elements which
often make an important part of his case. These (as in the case
of urinary calculus) are to be removed before the case can be in
any condition to receive curative impressions from appropriate
dynamic means. Hence, it will be seen, no one can be a sur-
geon, equal to all the wants of his calling, who is not master
also of the art of dynamic prescribing; while the physician mav
be master of this, and at the same time be no surgeon.
NOTES FROM AN EXTEMPORANEOUS LECTURE
UPON FERRUM.
Professor J. T. Kent, A. M., M. D., St. Louis.
(Stenographically reported.)
Provers on beginning to take Iron soon present the appear-
ance of pseudo-plethora — that is, an apparent fullness of blood-
vessels. That is especially true upon the surface. The face
becomes highly colored and hot — turgescent and filled with
blood. The extremities, gradually, after a time, become cold,
numb, and stiff. As a matter of fact, Ferrum produces a high
degree of anaemia — a determination of blood to the surface from
the slightest cause. Blushing, especially of the face, gives the
appearance of plethora, but in reality it is pseudo-plethora.
The old school are in the habit of giving Iron for anaemia.
Iron is homoeopathic to anaemia when its peculiar symptoms are
present; but because it produces anaemia it is not essentially
homoeopathic to anaemia — I mean to all cases of anaemia. It
produces a state in which it is very much like Manganese; that,
however, is not attended with an appearance of pseudo-plethora.
The face is not red or flushed or seal- brown, as is the case in
Ferrum. The blood is gradually broken down, or at least its
red corpuscles are; and, finally, a sallow, pale appearance
of the skin sets in — a greenish-yellow tinge; after that occurs
it is chlorotic in appearance. Ferrum produces almost a com-
plete chlorosis.
There is a tendency to oedema — puffiness of the extremity and
coldness; but at no time does the head lose its turgescence or
its heat; and so, also, at no time does the face lose its flushed
appearance. There is an increasing diminution of the red
blood-corpuscles. It seems to affect particularly the lower
extremities.
Now, with this state there is a very marked stomachic dis-
order, in which there is vomiting of food immediately after eat-
ing; there is a jerking regurgitation of food, very much as in
Phosphorus, which spits up food by the mouthful, tasting as it
did when swallowed. There seems to be no secretion in the
stomach capable of bringing about a change of the food. On
the other hand, fluids in Ferrum may stay down a long time
and may not be vomited at all ; but it has especially vomiting
of food immediately after taking it. If you have the vomiting
422
Dec, 1886.] NOTES FROM LECTURE ON FERRUM.
423
of food, the flushed face, the anaemic condition, the bodily cold-
ness of the hands and feet, then you will have a very fair, thor-
oughly characteristic picture of Ferrum.
Another peculiar condition associated with the bluish body
and red face is the burning of the soles and of the palms.
There is coldness of the hands and feet, but with burning in the
palms and soles. That, you observe, gives you a combination of
symptoms quite guiding and somewhat like Arsenic; and, by
the way, it is quite similar to Arsenic.
There is a marked similarity between three drugs — China,
Arsenic, and Ferrum — and they are antidotes to each other.
Ferrum you will find everywhere recommended as an antidote
to Arsenic ; Hydrocyanic acid is also a common antidote. I
have already described to you the peculiar anaemia of China.
You will find Ferrum very often come into use as an antidote
to the abuse of Quinine, and the preparations from the bark,
because it corresponds clearly with the symptoms. At the same
time, Ferrum is an antidote to the abuse of Arsenic. It corre-
sponds, again, in a general way, to disorders attended with
emaciation; consumptive disorders, producing a wasting; rapid
wasting of the tissues. Iron, given in the crude form, the way
it is sometimes used, is one of the most dangerous medicines — it
is not really a medicine — is one of the most dangerous drugs to
use in consumptive disorders. It should never be given except
in the highest attenuations in consumptive disorders, for it may
act with great violence, producing great destruction. Even the
smallest doses, the smallest perceptible doses, will produce vio-
lent aggravation and great injury.
Another marked feature is its predisposition to hemorrhage.
Quite early in the pathogeneses, before there is marked break-
ing down, we find profuse hemorrhages of dark blood producing
marked effects in hemorrhage of the nose, in uterine hem-
orrhage, and the menstrual flow becomes immediately increased
after taking Ferrum; the flow lasts too long; after taking Iron
awhile, the blood becomes thin, and the hemorrhage is of a thin,
watery blood. Ferrum has really two kinds of hemorrhage,
dark blood, and thin, watery blood. One reason why consump-
tives should never touch Iron is the fact that it predisposes them
to bleeding of the lungs. Iron and acids are very much alike.
All the acids predispose the consumptive to hemorrhage, and espe-
cially true is this of Acetic acid. Now, you might very prop-
erly conclude that with this breaking down we should have
great bodily weakness and exhaustion of all the limbs; the least
exercise, the least work, the least labor of any kind, produces
424
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX FERRUM.
[Dec,
fatigue. The red face of Ferrum begins in a peculiar way. You
have seen individuals blush from the least embarrassment or ex-
citement : Ferrum looks very much like that. Yet it isn't so much
a blush from shame or from excitement as from pain ; the face is
almost constantly red ; the face becomes so violently red, you may
say, as we see sometimes in old whisky drinkers and old beer
drinkers, and it may even be associated with large veins on the face.
The face feels filled with blood, turgesced, engorged, and there
is enfeeblement and dizziness associated with it. With the chill
there is red face; with the pains there is red face; with the ex-
citement there is red face. This is not a healthy redness,
because if you pinch up a piece of the skin between the fingers
it will blanch slowly, but the redness will return. It is a torpid
circulation of the veins of the smaller vessels of the skin, and it
exists from the general determination of the blood to the head.
This appears to be a local hyperemia; perhaps it is; but it
occurs with general ana?mic condition of the body. The more
marked this redness and turgescence of the head, the greater will
be the coldness and numbness and stiffness of the hands and feet
and of the extremities; but this redness is not always attended
with heat of the head, as in Belladonna or in Aconite, where we
have redness with heat, for it may actually be attended with cold-
ness, but the determination of the color to the surface is the
particular feature of Ferrum.
Now, there is another marked feature of Ferrum, that with
the pains and red face, whether it occurs with the chill or with
the pains, there is marked thirst ; hence, thirst is a key-note.
Chill, red face, and thirst: Ferrum. You will find that in ague;
is so characteristic in ague that you need but one medicine —
Ferrum. You may also find this in septicaemia, in puerperal
fever, in abortion. A lady was having a chill, and with that
chill there was red face and thirst. One dose of two hundred
cured that case. There is an irritability running through the
Ferrum mental state ; the patient is angry whenever opposed ;
hence, opposition brings on anger and pettishness. There seems
to be a great deal of pride associated with this remedy ; they
cannot bear to be opposed ; their pride is uppermost ; they like
to be on the right side ; they don't like to find out they are
wrong, and they will not listen to argument or reason. This is
attended with pettishness and with irritability. This is a
Ferrum state. There is sometimes coldness with this red face.
There is a state in which Ferrum produces throbbing of the
carotids, red face, hot head, and often fever, and with the chill
there is thirst, but with the heat of that fever there is no thirst ;
1SS6.]
NOTES FROM LECTURE ON FERRUM.
425
no thirst during the sweat ; it has a protracted sweat ; the fever
is short and sometimes wholly absent ; the chill is likely to be
marked with thirst and red face ; then the red face passes otf
more or less, and becomes blanched and pale and of a yellowish
green. The sweat comes on almost at the very end of the chill,
or if it is a slow fever it lasts a little while. There is a duski-
ness in spots — a mottled condition of the body with this sweat ;
the face will have red spots surrounded by white rings, which
occur in some places about the body, particularly upon the
back. Turn your patient over and look for them. The sweat
is clammy and sometimes offensive, staining the linen yellow.
A marked feature is the time of aggravation, which is gener-
ally toward morning. The sweat begins toward morning and
may last till noon or all day; it is clammy and offensive and
the body has a doughy feel. In relation to its chill, that is
likely to come on at three or four o'clock in the morning, or
three or four or five o'clock in the afternoon. The general
aggravation of Ferrum is especially toward the morning, from
four to five, or from three to five o'clock. Some o4" these
features you will not find in the text. Ferrum is associated
with the so-called cold patients. Calearea, Silicea, Sepia, and
others have that class of cold patients. Lycopodium is a very
cold patient sometimes ; so, also, Phosphorus. Opium is both hot
and cold. Early in the proving of Opium there will be great
heat and tendency to throw off the covering ; and you will
notice in old Opium eaters that as soon as the first effects of
Opium pass off they go near the stove ; they will bundle them-
selves up. There is another peculiar feature in Ferrum, and
that is in relation to its vertigo ; this comes on when going
down the hill, and is opposed to Calearea, which comes on when
going up. The vertigo of Ferrum always comes on when going
ac rnss water, while the water may be perfectly smooth, yet if
the Ferrum patient gets into a canoe he gets so dizzy that he
can hardly continue in the canoe ; he fears he will jump out ;
he fears that he cannot balance himself upon the water, and
sometimes gets sick at the stomach. This especial aggravation
may not apply to but one or two symptoms of the drug. The
general aggravation belongs to the whole drug, or to the drug
in general. There are exceptions that are worth remembering.
You remember I told you, in going over Pulsatilla, that the
discharges are bland except the leucorrhcea. That is character-
istic of Pulsatilla, but that doesn't say that Pul-atilla has not a
bland leucorrhcea for itself. So I also told you once that in
Arsenicum the complaints of the body are made better from
426
NOTES FROM LECTURE OX FERRUM.
[Dec,
heat, and the headache better from cold. That is characteristic.
But Arsenicum has a headache that is commonly better from
heat. That, you observe, is the exception — the alternate action,
as Hahnemann describes it. Bryonia, you know, is worse from
motion, yet it has lumbar pains that are better from motion.
Rhus, in its general state, is better from motion ; but it has
lumbar pains, and pains in relation to motion, associated with
the spinal column, that are better from rest. They bring on
almost the direct opposite of Rhus.
Some of our Materia Medicas are at fault in figuring out these
exceptions, when they take it for granted that because a remedy
has several symptoms that are aggravated from a certain peculiar
condition, that, therefore, it is a general aggravation of the
remedy, which is not true. Lippe says the pains of Camphor
are made worse from cold, which is true. Now, as a matter of
fact, the early bowel symptoms associated with cholera are
ameliorated from cold, and the patient cannot be covered. The
pains and the heat are conditions ameliorated by warmth, but
the cold stage is aggravated from warmth.
Under aggravations from heat or cold it says : Thirst or
thirstlessness, because Ferrnm has both in some character-
istics ; when there is no fever with Acetic acid he is very
thirsty ; with the fever he is thirstless. In the dropsies, in
Acetic acid, where there is profuse urination he has marked
thirst — violent thirst ; but in the febrile stages it is thirstless.
This is uncommon, and, therefore, peculiar or characteristic. In
pseudo-membranous croup there is marked thirst when there is
no fever. In Ferrum there is throbbing in the head, particu-
larly in the back part of the head ; with the cough there is a
violent throbbing pain at the base of the brain ; it seems as if
the head would burst open. If it is associated with red face it
is Ferrum. Carbo veg. has violent pain in the base of the
brain when coughing, but it has not the red face of Ferrum, nor
all the pains and excitement associated with the red face ; head
hot and feet cold.
Another characteristic running through the remedy is diarrhoea
of undigested food ; painless, involuntary stools during a meal.
China has painless, undigested stools during the night. In
Ferrum, as a marked feature, is the desire to go to stool, which
comes on as soon as he puts anything into his stomach ; it may
be involuntary, soiling his clothes while eating. Arsenic has it
also.
The female sexual organs give us another prominent feature
in this, that during coition the female is insensible to the act ;
1886.]
NOTES FROM LECTUEE ON FERRUM.
427
there is no feeling in the vagina ; there is a sense of numbness,
or, rather, a lack of sense. In this it is associated with Ber-
beris, and, on the other hand, it also has painful ness in the
vagina during coition. Sepia, Kreosote, and Sulphur have
coition very painful because of the increased sensitiveness of
the vagina. Ferrum phos. has that state, but it is because of a
spasm of the vagina caused by the increased sensitiveness. The
vagina is too dry ; extreme dryness of the vagina ; dry and
parched. When making an examination it seems almost im-
possible to get into the vagina with the finger without first
anointing, and then you will have to make an effort, because of
the extreme dryness of the vagina. Natrum muraticum has
painfulness, because of the dryness of the vagina. The vagina
is dry and hot in Ferrum. Another notable condition produced
by this remedy is such a weakened condition of the vagina as
attends prolapsus. Generally you will think of Sepia, Kreosote,
Mercury, and Xux for prolapsus of the vagina. I stated, in
going over the general state, that the menses are too profuse and
last too long ; also, the flow may be watery. This may be
associated with an old case, when a patient has been poisoned by
Ferrum years and years ago by allopathic use. Ferrum would
be indicated now and be useful. It enlarges the veins of the
calves. It has a rheumatism that is likely to be in the right
deltoid muscle, beginning in the shoulder and going downward.
Sanguinaria has the same. Colchicum and Ferrum have pinch-
ing, drawing, and tearing pains in the right deltoid muscle,
creating an inability to raise the arm ; worse from a motion to
lift the arm, or from attempting to contract the muscle ; this
is better from heat ; worse from the weight of the bed-clothes.
Right arm is lame ; irresistible desire to bend the arm ; drives
him out of bed at two A. M.; better from walking slowly about.
Ventrum has rheumatic pains, driving him out of bed, and, as
I said before, Ferrum should never be given in consumption,
and likewise never in syphilis. If, in an old case of secondary
or tertiary syphilis you give Ferrum, you are sure to make his
ulcerations phagadenic and his general condition worse. Don't
administer Iron in the crude form to the sick. I regard it as
one of the most dangerous and one of the longest acting medicines
in the materia medica. It is a very deep antipsoric and one
that should be handled with great discrimination. Use it highly
attenuated and seldom repeated. It acts when suitably attenu-
ated upon the body for fifty days.
PROGRESSIVE HOMOEOPATHY.
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
There is no standstill in nature and there is no standstill in
the sciences and arts ; we either progress forward or backward.
These few lines are intended to show the progress forward under
existing circumstances. This is as pleasant a sight as is the ac-
knowledgment of Richard Hughes, M. D., that the great opus
of his creation, The Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogencsy, is intended
to be the Materia Medica of the future. This, we opine, does
not mean the near future, but a future far off. Rejected by the
ungrateful present generation, it is hoped by R. Hughes & Co.
that the opus rejected now will fire better than other works of
other unappreciated authors — as, for instance, the Organon of
Hempel, which, rejected by a large and respectable majority,
progressed backward into the paper-mill.
The kind reader is reminded of the fact that the late Dr. Von
Boenninghausen published in 1863 a Glossary to the Aphorisms
of Hippocrates. On page 280 we find the following foot-note
(No. 30): "Many homceopathists will have found, with us, that
there is a form of epilepsy most difficult to heal and which we
often fail to cure if the patient falls into a deep sleep after an
attack, from which they awake with a continuous pain in the
cerebellum." Since the late distinguished Boenninghausen wrote
that foot-note we have progressed, and have a knowledge of the
pathogenesis of Bufo, and just such cases, which are not infre-
quent and so clearly described by the great observer, have been
cured by Bufo, provided it is properly administered. It is an
easy way to condemn a prover and his provings, and we find
Richard Hughes dissatisfied with Bufo provers, and he abuses
them and rejects their provings. To judge of the correctness of
a proving a priori, without having subjected it to the clinical
experiment, is a supererogation, and if such an a priori con-
demnation comes from an individual who has not given any evi-
dence of his capacity to make an experiment it is best to ignore
it. At all events, the clinical experiment has repeatedly proved
that Bufo, when properly administered, will cure epileptic at-
tacks, especially when they occur during sleep at night. The
sick may or may not be awakened by the attack, but when he
does awaken from his sleep he will have violent headaches.
Whether the modern backward-progressing compilers of materia
medica reject such clinicallv-con firmed svmptoms or nrovings
428
Dec, 1886.] PKOGRESSIVE HOMOEOPATHY.
429
or not, the true healer will, nevertheless, make a note of them
and will cure a form of epilepsy formerly incurable. That -is
progress.
The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica, by Dr. C.
Hering, the master-work of the father of our school in this
country, is now in a fair way of being continued, and that is
another progress forward, while it appears that the great opus
of Richard Hughes is by him pronounced to be a progress back-
ward in the distant future, probably into "the paper-mill,"
The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica will guide the
diligent student into a full knowledge of our materia medica
aud enable him to become a true healer and progress forward.
A progressive way to find the curative remedy can be pur-
sued, even when our best repertories do not assist us. We again
resort to the illustration manner. There are very rare chronic
cases of illness in which it seems almost a hopeless task to find
the similar remedy. A few prominent symptoms may be
covered by a remedy and they vanish after it has been taken for
a short time; a new set of symptoms sets in, and you can cover
only a few of them, and the same unsatisfactory results follow.
In the case alluded to, which might be diagnosticated chronic
meningitis, some symptoms predominated. The headache was
worse when lying down; relieved by remaining in a sitting posi-
tion; when the pain increased a sensation like the globulus hys-
tericus was complained of ; all the coverings of the neck felt too
tight and were constantly loosened; fullness, pulsation, and beat-
ing in the head. Glonoin, Bellad., Gelsemin., had giren relief
at times; Lachesis only caused aggravation. Belladonna had
given out; so had the repertories. It now seemed as if a remedy
related to Belladonna in its sick-making actions had to be found.
We took up the little work of the indefatigable Bcenninghauscn
on Relations, and finally came to Sepia. All other related reme-
dies did not correspond with the case before us. There we found
what we had been looking for in the four hundred and seven-
tieth and four hundred and seventy-first symptoms in the fifth
volume of Hahnemann's Chronic Diseases. No. 470 — Pressure
in the throat, no matter how little it is covered; No. 471 — Pres-
sure in the throat in the region of the tonsils, as if the handker-
chief were tied too tightly around the neck. To our not small
astonishment, we found, for the first time in this case, all the
symptoms of the patient under Sepia, and the benefit she received
from this remedy was as astonishing as it was unexpected. In
no other way than by examining the relative remedies to the
one which had most benefited her could we have been enabled to
35
430
PROGRESSIVE HOMEOPATHY.
[Dec,
find the similar. It is not often that the repertories give out,
but they did in this exceptionally singular case, and we call our
colleague's attention to a progress forward to find the remedy.
The materia medica of our school is, as we have shown, progres-
sive, and we may further progress if we enter earnestly upon the
study of the relationship existing between the proved drugs.
If we progressively develop our healing art, we cannot be per-
suaded either into distrusting and abandoning the great inherit-
ance left us by the master in his Materia Medica Pura and
Chronic Diseases, nor into declaring that the law of cure, Simitia
Similibus Curantur, is also not reliable, and that progressive
abandonment of logic and principles, as well as general progres-
siveness backward into misnamed liberal and scientific planes,
demands from every u physician " a condemnation of sectarian-
ism and an entire reliance upon his own illogical judgment when
to administer remedies according to the law of the similars and
when to apply palliative treatment only. Progressive liberal-
ism, untrammeled by any formula or law of cure, demands (so
these men say) that we may, as scientific men, apply the law of
the similars and the palliative treatment "in alternation" Pro-
gressive freedom of medical opinion and action demand such a
course. Let us have full freedom of action in these liberty-
seeking days; let us defy all laws, natural and divine, as well
as the laws of the land ; let us malign, boycott, and punish, if
we can, all men whom we deem obstacles to our progressivcness.
This is the language and demand expressed in the organs of this
liberty-seeking set of men, who, besides all other absurd demands,
claim the freedom to practice and teach Homoeopathy as they
understand it and claim to be still entitled to the honorable
name of homoeopath while, in fact, they have abandoned all the
tenets of the school long ago. The symptom, "every covering
of the neck seems to be too tight," has been so frequently cured
by Lachesis that it appeared almost a positively reliable indica-
tion for Lachesis. In the case above referred to this symptom
was permanent, did not necessarily belong to the presumed
pathological condition, and Lachesis, also sometimes otherwise
indicated, especially for violent pains in the left ovary when
menstruation sets in, always aggravated the symptoms and never
gave the slightest relief. In seeking for a remedy it was thought
best to find among the remedies one related to the one which
had given the most relief (Belladonna), and there was set at the
head of the list a symptom not necessarily belonging to the dis-
ease so called. The lady had her fingers continually on the dress
covering her neck ; when it was even wide, the very touch of it
distressed her.
1886.]
PROGRESSIVE HOMOEOPATHY.
431
The above enumerated symptoms were found under Sepia, and
to our knowledge Sepia was for the first time administered
where these neck and throat symptoms were present, and this
symptom disappeared entirely after Sepia, which remedy much
improved the whole condition of the patient. Is it not evident
that our Materia Medica can only be made more useful by care-
fully noting the clinical results ? Is a daybook of provers, such
as the backward progressionists, llichard Hughes & Co., now
try to foist on the profession of any possible use till the symp-
toms experienced by the provers have been verified by the
clinical experiment? And then, after arranging them in a
proper manner, they become accessible and useful. There are
many, a great many, symptoms recorded in Hahnemann's,
Hering's, and other collections of proved drugs not yet verified
by the clinical experiment, but they have just as good a right to
remain on record as other symptoms that have been verified.
In the course v of time these as yet unverified symptoms will
become "guiding symptoms." The student of the pathology
that is found in the books, as well as the progressive healer who
studies comparative pathology, is aware that even the known
forms of classified diseases have changed their characteristic
concomitant symptoms, and as one of the most palpable illus-
trations we mention " scarlet fever." The older physicians have
all observed such marked changes, not only in the scarlet erup-
tion itself, but especially in the concomitant symptoms, that
in these changed symptoms quite a different class of remedies
became curative at various times. Remedies most frequently
called for in scarlet epidemics forty years ago, such as Am-
monium carb., Lycopodium, and Calc. carb., are in the later
epidemics not indicated. There was an epidemic requiring
very often Mercurius jodatus, another epidemic required Apis
and Arum trif., and for some years we have the old Sydenham
scarlet fever for which Hahnemann found Belladonna so often
the curative remedy. The next epidemic may call for an
entirely different set of remedies, and symptoms may arise
which now remain in our Materia Medica still unverified. In
consideration of these facts stated, how is it possible for a
thoughtful healer to fable about even the mere possibility ol
pressing diseases into a labeled pathological livery, much less
demand the treatment of diseases by a Materia Medica read
through scientifically ground pathological spectacles.
The progress forward was well illustrated by the published
provings of Lithium carbonicum by the late Dr. C. Hering. If
the progressive backward set of men, Hughes cv Co., will take
432
POINTS.
[Dec.
up the third volume of the American Revieio they will find in it
the daybooks of the provers, and it is a well-known fact that
R. Hughes & Co. previously deplore Hahnemann's omission to
publish the provers' daybooks. They should know that the
publisher of Hahnemann's Materia Medica published the work
from utterly disinterested motives, and only in grateful acknowl-
edgment of the benefit he had received by Hahnemann's treat-
ment. In the fourth volume of the American Revieiv will be
found an arrangement of the symptoms of Lithium carbonicum,
including some clinical experiments and clinical confirmations.
Hering and his contemporaries advocated a progress forward.
But what of to-day? The progressiveness of our school will
go on progressively; nothing can possibly check it. In the
pathogenesis of Lithium carbonicum by C. Hering we find
symptom 93 : Acidity in the stomach was relieved by nothing
so quickly as by Lithium. Here we have an evidence that
curative effects of drugs frequently observed can by no means
with propriety be expunged f rom our Materia Medica. Let our
aim, as homceopathicians and true healers, be to progress for-
ward and ignore the progressivists backward — leave them to
their fate.
POINTS.
C. Carleton Smith, M. D.
Prophylamin. — In rheumatism when the needle held in the
fingers gets so heavy she cannot sew.
Copious diarrhoea, with rheumatic pains in ankle joints, but
not in the wrrists; thirst for large quantities of cold water, similar
to Bryonia.
Arnica. — Taste of rotten eggs, especially in the morning.
Graphites: only in the morning after rising, disappearing on
washing the mouth ; Tart, emetic, taste of rotten eggs only at
night; Chamomilla has stools like spoiled eggs, but not the
eructations or flatulence ; Psorinum has eructations tasting like
rotten eggs.
Under Chamomilla, Ant. tart., Ars., Cina, Ignatia, Kali c.,
and Puis., the children want to be carried ; under Ars., the
child wants to be carried fast; under Bromine, wants to be
carried fast on account of dyspnoea, as in croup ; Cham., only
quiet when carried; Cina has amelioration from fast rocking;
Aeon, also better from fast rocking.
1886.] POINTS. 433
Chelidonium. — Desire for very hot drinks ; only water almost
boiling will remain on the stomach.
Silicca. — In vermiculons subjects where Cina seems indicated
and fails, Silicea will most probably be the remedy.
Cuprum Acet. — Constant protrusion and retraction of the
tongue (also Lach.) ; in epilepsy the aura begins in the knees,
ascending until it reaches the hypogastric region, when uncon-
sciousness occurs, foaming at the mouth and falling down con-
vulsed.
Just as soon as patient goes into a high ceiling room her head
reels and she loses her senses.
Digitalis. — Feels as if heart would stop beating if she dared
to move ; Gelsemium, she feels as if she must move in order to
keep her heart going.
Dulcamara. — Catarrhal ischuria in children, from wading in
water with bare feet, with discharge of mucus from the urethra,
milky urine, and mucous deposit.
Guaiacum. — Violent and constant stitches in the throat from
larynx to left clavicle ; violent, spasmodic inflammatory action
of air passages, especially the larynx, with such violent palpita-
tion of the heart as to cause suffocation.
Iodium. — Itching in the lungs, low down and extending up-
ward through trachea to nasal cavity ; the itching in end of nose
is the signal for the cough to begin.
Kali Bich. — Pain over inner angle of right eye, no larger
than a three-cent piece; quite excruciating; commencing in
middle of forenoon, increasing in severity until middle of after-
noon aud then disappearing.
Kali Bromatum. — He imagines he is singled out as an object
of Divine wrath ; extreme drowsiness.
Constant hacking cough during pregnancy; irresistible desire
to urinate, but no flow except with urging aud difficulty.
Kali Carb. — Sensation as of a stick extending from throat to
left side of abdomen with a ball on each end of the stick.
Lachesis. — Obstinate constipation ; everything tastes sour ;
food becomes violently acid as soon as it reaches the stomach.
Rhododendron. — Breathless and speechless, from violent pleu-
ritic pains running downward in left anterior chest, after stand-
ing on cold, damp ground.
Cannot get to sleep or remain asleep unless her legs are
crossed.
434 PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. HOM. MED. SOCIETY. [Dec,
Sepia. — Tongue very foul, but becomes clean at each men-
strual flow, returning again when flow ceases ; palpitation re-
lieved by walking a long distance and by walking fast ; while
Spigelia has palpitation, increased by sitting down and leaning
forward.
SiJicea and Mag. mur. have headache ; better from wrapping
up head warmly ; but Silicea has pain better indoors and from
rest, while Mag. mur. is better from open air and exercise — in
fact, compels one to move about for relief; worse when lying
down.
Stannum has colic like Colocynth, made better by leaning
against something hard.
Child will not be quiet unless carried on the point of the
mother's shoulder.
Stramonium. — Vomiting as soon as he raises his head from
the pillow, and vomiting from exposure to bright light.
[In giving the above excellent article for publication, Dr.
Smith requests that if any readers of this journal know of other
remedies having the same or similar symptoms they will furnish
them to the editor for insertion. If all would contribute their
experience in this way a most valuable Materia Medica would
result.
To make such articles as the foregoing available, every physi-
cian should provide himself with a blank-book, having an index
in which all valuable symptoms should be entered under the
most conspicuous word occurring in the symptom, with a note
showing where the symptom was obtained. In a short time the
industrious physician would find himself in possession of a
manuscript repertory always ready for use and yet always grow-
ing. One of the editors of this journal has kept such a book in
a limited way for several years and finds it invaluable. — Eds.]
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CENTRAL NEW YORK
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY.
Syracuse, September 16th, 1886.
Dr. Hawley's Office.
Dr. J. A. Biegler, in the chair, called the meeting to order at
10.12 A. M. Present: Drs. C. W. Boyce, Seward, Leslie, Mar-
tin, Brewster, Hawley, Stowe, Carr, Harris, Nash, Voak,Gwynn,
Hussey, Emmons, Schmitt.
f-
1886.] PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. HOM. MED. SOCIETY. 435
Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
As Committee on Credentials the Chair appointed Drs. Hawley,
Boyce, Seward.
Dr. J. A. Biegler, Chairman of the Committee on Revision
of the Constitution and By-Laws, reported a sketch of a revised
Constitution, the single articles of which were discussed, and
finally a new Constitution was adopted, which reads as follows:
Article I.
This Association shall be known as the Central New York
Homoeopathic Medical Society, embracing the following coun-
ties, and such others as may hereafter be added, viz.: Broome,
Madison, Oswego, Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Chenango, Wayne,
Cortland, Onondaga, Yates, Jefferson, Monroe, Oneida, Erie,
Herkimer, Saratoga.
Article II.
The object of this Society shall be the improvement of knowl-
edge of the science of therapeutics and the study of materia
medica according to the law " Similia similibus curantur" as
expounded by Samuel Hahnemann in his Organon.
Article III.
This Society shall be composed of those who are now mem-
bers and of such others as may be hereafter duly chosen, in
conformity with Article IV of the Constitution and the By-
Laws.
Article IV.
Applicants for membership must be graduates of a recognized
medical college or licentiates according to the laws of the State
of New York, and shall indorse the declarations of principles
adopted by this Society.
Article V.
The officers of this Society shall be elected by ballot at each
annual meeting, and shall consist of a president, vice-president,
a secretary, who shall act as treasurer, and three censors, whose
duty shall be to receive and carefully examine credentials of
applicants to membership and report their qualifications accord-
ing to the requirements of Article IV of the Constitution and
of the By-Laws, relating to the election of members.
436 PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. HOM. MED. SOCIETY. [Dec,
Article VI,
The Constitution may be amended by a vote of two-thirds of
the members present at any annual meeting, provided that no-
tice of such amendments has been given at least six months prior
to said annual meeting.
The following declaration of principles was also adopted :
Declaration of Principles.
That we fully believe in the rules of practice as given in the
Organon (the fundamental principles of Homoeopathy), viz.: the
law of similars, the totality of the symptoms, the single remedy,
and the dynamis of the drug, as the sole foundation upon which
we act in practice.
That, as legitimate Hahnemannian homoeopath ists, we disavow
all the innovations, which have been or may be foisted upon
Homoeopathy, and that, therefore, we repudiate the mixing and
alternating of medicines, and disapprove all local, medicinal, and
mechanical applications in non-surgical diseases.
The Secretary then read section 246 from the Organon,
Dr. T. D. Stowe opened the discussion with the following re-
marks :
Sections 246 and 247 should be read and analyzed in the light
of section 245. By doing so we shall be better prepared to
understand the rule of repetition and the " reason why" of this
most important guide. As it is a maxim in law, that parts of
an instrument or statute questioned, or difficult to understand,
ought to be examined in the light of other parts that are defi-
nite or clear, or in the light of avowed objects, so in examining
and comparing sections 246-7 we ought to do the same in the light
of section 245. And this rule ought to be observed in the
study of the Organon in all its parts. Had this been done in
time past, much, if not all, of the acrimonious debate, giving
rise to divisions in our school, would have been avoided, and the
" bugbear " of Homoeopathy, " the question of dose," would
never have frightened the " old ladies " of the allopathic nor
the young disciples of the homoeopathic school.
The language of Hahnemann in these three sections, 245,
246, 247, seems to me to be plain — so plain that I wonder they
have not been better understood. Section 245 emphatically and
very reasonably declares that the rate and quality of ameliora-
tion of symptoms should govern the practitioner in the repetition
of dose. " Perceptible amelioration, making continual progress,
1886.] PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. IIOM. MED. SOCIETY. 437
formally forbids the repetition of any medicine whatever." This
precept settles the repetition of "the dose" in all cases present-
ing steady, marked, continuous improvement, until all the symp-
toms are removed in inverse order in fifty or one hundred days.
But as all cases are not thus easily managed as some, indeed,
most cases do not thus happily respond, then it becomes necessary
to repeat again and again, and in section 216 Hahnemann lays
down the rules of repetition. What are they?
1. A cessation of continual progress in the improvement of
the patient.
2. If the remedy be strikingly homoeopathic.
3. When it is administered in the highest development, i. e.,
the least revolting to the vital power, yet sufficiently energetic to
influence it. (What more can even an allopath ask ?) And
4. When repeated at the most suitable intervals, which expe-
rience has determined for accelerating the cure, but not so fre-
quent as to excite sensible aggravations.
In all these suggestions Hahnemann shows remarkable
thought, care, and precision, and it will be observed "the most
suitable intervals " are to be determined by the experience and
judgment of the physician or counsel, and the urgency or
gravity of the case. In paragraph 247 Hahnemann shows
when (subject to the foregoing conditions), in chronic cases, the
most subtle doses may be repeated every twelve, ten, eight, or
seven days with the best and most incredible effect, or in acute
diseases every twenty-four, twelve, eight, or four hours, and in
very grave cases every hour to five minutes.
The length of time a remedy may or should be given is
shown in section 248 to be, " Until a cure is effected, or until it
ceases any longer to afford relief." In the latter case the
remnant of symptoms will require the selection of another
homoeopathic remedy.
Hahnemann's foot-notes to the sections under discussion to-
day may seem to some contradictory or ambiguous, but careful
examination will show the contrary. Such notes abound
throughout the work and are to be regarded as explanatory and
defensive. It may be that they were not always called for or
necessary, but in making up a verdict as to their merit or de-
merit we must not forget that Hahnemann was human, and as
such was not, nor did he claim to be, perfect; that he was
reviled and persecuted for promulgating his discoveries and his
methods ; that for years, like Socrates of old, his wife was his
bitter enemy, a sort of Xantippe ; that in later years his
practice was overwhelming and his literary pursuits indefati-
438 PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. HOM. MED. SOCIETY. [Dec,
gable. How many of his critics could have been indifferent or
even calm under similar pressure?
No, my brothers, the great fault with his critics in and out
of our school is that Hahnemann is misrepresented, because
misunderstood ; misunderstood, because poorly studied and
timidly put into practice. Our duty is to investigate his pre-
cepts in the light of reason and fairness as scholars, and then
to apply them in accordance with truth, nature, and sound
exegesis.
Dr. Boyce spoke of the three periods in Hahnemann's life,
corresponding to his precepts in regard to the dose, i. e.. in the
first edition of the Organon he advocates the single dose; in
1833 he mentions that the single dose is not sufficient and has
to be repeated, and in the introduction of the third volume of
his Chronic Diseases in 1837 to 1838, from which the Doctor
read, the advice is given to repeat the dose in a watery solution
for days.
Dr. Boyce also mentioned that Hahnemann uses the word
alternation when he speaks of the intercurrent use of Sulphur
and Hepar.
Dr. Biegler pointed to the difference of alternation as made
use of to-day from that Hahnemann recommends, whose advice
is to let every remedy act for seven to ten days in chronic dis-
eases before another remedy should be given.
Dr. Boyce now read a foot-note from Hahnemann's Materia
Mediea Para, where, under Belladonna, he recommends the
alternation of Aconite and Colfea.
Dr. Stowe said : " Hahnemann meant by alternation that a
remedy might be changed just as often as the symptoms
changed requiring its application."
Dr. Biegler said that Hahnemann, after all that he had
thought, had no need to qualify the word " alternation."
Dr. Boyce said : " Dr. Boenninghausen, Lippe, and all the
older physicians, even Hahnemann himselt, have alternated."
Dr. Biegler read from the foot-note of paragraph 246, where
he gives the time, a dose of Nux had to act before Sulphur
should be given, so that nature be ready to react.
Dr. Boyce tells of the alternation of Boenninghausen in
croup, as given by C. Dunham — namely, No. 1, Aconite; 2,
Hepar ; 3, Spongia ; 4, Hepar ; 5, Spongia.
Dr. Voak asked what Dr. Boyce would do when anybody
sent for medicine for croup ?
Dr. Boyce answered he would not send any medicine, but tell
the messenger that he had to see the patient himself in order to
make a satisfactory prescription.
1886.] PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. HOM. MED. SOCIETY. 439
Dr. Nash remarked that Bcenninghausen and all the heroes
of Homoeopathy were only men, who had not to be followed
unless they stood up for principle, but that their deeds, when not
in accord with Hahnemann's teaching, were excusable, as they
had not so many remedies as the homoeopaths of the present
day. He gives his patients the order to give the remedy until
better or worse, for aggravation will come promptly, and tell
the nurse when to stop the medicine.
Dr. Gwynn doubts the capacity of the attendants to say when
a dose should be stopped or repeated.
Dr. Boyce read a letter by Dr. C. Wesselhceft, of Boston, on
the foot-note of sections 246 and 247.
Dr. Gwynn moved that the letter be received, and the thanks
of the Society be tendered to Dr. C. Wesselhoeft. Adopted.
The meeting was then adjourned and the out-of-town mem-
bers accepted the invitation of the Syracuse members to dinner.
2.30 P. m. — Meeting wras again called to order by the Presi-
dent, Dr. Biegler.
Dr. Gwynn thinks there is a spirit of intolerance in this
Society that excludes the presence of many physicians. Hahne-
mann's Organon was twisted in such a shape as to please the
men that come now to form it. He thinks there is no doubt
that Hahnemann tolerated alternation, and he wants no fight
amongst the homoeopathic fraternity, we had enough to do to
fight allopathy. He would not participate in any more meet-
ings, as he could not learn anything.
Dr. Nash was sorry that Dr. Gwynn got mad ; he never
allowed himself to get into that mental condition. Opinions
were opinions. He, for his part, always learned something from
the discussion of the Organon. As to the remark, that so few
are left that attend these meetings, he would rather have open
enemies than false friends; the latter have made Homoeopathy
the laughing-stock of allopathy. A man of half ways never
knows where he belongs. If the eclectics would take their
true stand, there would be no fights among homccopaths. He
himself was standing on the firm belief in pure Homoeopathy.
Dr. Biegler. — Every society, to be successful, has to keep up
its tenets. No offense could be given, if the many stuck to non-
alternation, and this conflicted with the views of the few.
Dr. Lippe, Boenninghausen, and we all had to learn before
we could assume the standpoint we fight for now. He, himself,
had used in former years Bcenninghausen's alternation of reme-
dies in croup, but in his own family it failed, and, by clinging
440
PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. HOM. MED. SOCIETY. [Dec,
to the rules of Hahnemann again, Phosphorus was selected,
given in a single dose in a high attenuation, and cured in thirty-
six hours.
Dr. Hawley always finds the best result in giving the single
remedy; he had also alternated, when commencing to practice
Homoeopathy, but had learned better. He introduced Dr. True,
of Syracuse, to whom was given the privilege of the floor.
Dr. True states that he is alternating with low potencies, and
that he is sorry of the division in Homoeopathy. He thinks
that both Homoeopathy and the people are suffering from it;
he pleads for union, so that physicians might learn from an
assembly like this.
Dr. Hawley spoke of the gradual decrease of the number of
physicians attending these meetings since they began to discuss
the Organon, and they stayed away without giving any reason.
Nobody has been restricted in the method of treatment, although
crude treatment is condemned. If these men are able to defend
their methods, why don't they come and do it? Hereafter
every member has to conform to the new Constitution as adopted
at this meeting, and if he is a homoeopath, why can't he submit
to it?
If you want to manufacture nitro-glycerine, you have to fol-
low the chemical formula in order to succeed. If you want to
succeed in Homoeopathy, you have to follow the law Similia
simiMbm curantur and the rules laid down by Hahnemann, or
you will fail to be a homoeopath. I, for my part, give every-
body permission to cure disease outside of Homoeopathy, if
he can.
Dr. Harris remarked that the Society was not popular on
account of an illiberal feeling; we ought to have more liberty.
I thoroughly indorse Hahnemann, but I will not call any man,
whoever he be, "master." He did not like members to come
together and form cliques, like politicians do.
Dr. Nash said: " I was never restrained in giving my opinions
in the meetings of this Society, and I am glad that Dr. True
openly confesses that he alternates and comes here to learn a
better way. We are in the defense against men without any
principles, and we do not want to increase our members by sacri-
ficing our principles. We have not been intolerant, but we have
condemned everything that is not Homoeopathy
Dr. True expressed his sympathy with the principles that
were represented here.
Dr. Biegler said : " As long as no principles are at stake every-
body is lovable, but as soon as the homoeopath, adhering to
1886.] PROCEEDINGS OF C. N. Y. HOM. MED. SOCIETY. 441
Hahnemann's teaching, talks Homoeopathy, he is called a dis-
turber of harmony.
"Dr. Voak studied under Lippe and Guernsey, but in a case of
croup, when medicine had to be sent and he could not see the
patient, he would send Bcenninghausen's prescription. When
in Binghamton at the last semi-annual meeting of the New York
State Society he heard Dr. Terry's case of carbuncle, he could
not help pitying the doctor that did not know any better how to
treat this disease."
Dr. Hawley thought that you can generally elicit some symp-
toms from the messenger, so as to enable you to send the single
remedy. For instance, if child wakes feverish with a sawing
respiration Aconite will be indicated, whereas sawing breathing
without fever called for Spongia ; and if child wakes toward
morning with a croupy cough and a rattle, as if it would raise,
Hepar would come in.
Dr. Stowe related the following cases : "Mr. D. V. came to me
in February, 1885, for a prescription for croup. The child was
about three years old, tolerably fat, of light complexion, light
hair, and blue eyes. For some time the child had been ailing,
having ordinary coryza, followed now by croupy symptoms.
They were :
"1. Much dry heat with restlessness.
"2. Sudden awaking in fright at nights, from nine P. m. till
two A. M., grasping its throat.
" 3. Shortly after perspiration on face, head, and neck, going
off with sle<>p.
"4. During the paroxysms of hoarse, suffocating cough, the
child had purple nails and lips.
" 5. Scanty, tough expectoration, yet the tracheal sound was
somewhat loose. Sambucus2c (Dunham) cured.
' In December, 1884, or January, 1885, the child had a similar
attack, for which a so-called homoeopathic physician prescribed,
but without relief. Hive syrup was then given, but its action
was so violent, nearly killing the child, that the parents were
almost scared out of their wits and disgusted. When the father
came to me he said he ' was almost afraid of me, as I was a
stranger and a homoeopath ; yet they dared not give any harsh
medicine.' He took the Sambucus and gave it with happy
results. Some time after that he called and obtained more,
saying, ' It acted so prompt and nicely that he wanted it in the
house in case of another and similar attack.'
"The dry, hot skin during sleep; the sudden suffocative par-
oxysms of hoarse cough, obliging the child to spring up and
442
TREATMENT FOR BURNS AND SCALDS. [Dec.
grasp the throat in terror; and the perspiration in face and on
the neck, when thus awakened, led me to choose Sambucus."
Dr. Can* proposes, as place for next meeting, Rochester, on
the third Thursday in December. Carried.
Dr. Schmitt moved that the next subject for discussion be
" Sycosis," and that Dr. Kent, of St. Louis, be requested to
prepare a paper on this subject for the next meeting. Adopted.
The meeting then adjourned at half-past four p, M.
Julius Sciimitt, Secretary.
WHAT IS THE MOST TRULY HOMCEOPATHIC
TREATMENT FOR BURNS AND SCALDS?*
Ad. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia.
Every individual case will require its individual treatment
according to the law of cure (iSimilia simi/ibus curantur), and,
therefore, many remedies, not mentioned in this short essay, may
be indicated in some cases as the symptoms accompanying such
injuries, as well as the causes which may indicate them. I can,
therefore, only treat of such conditions following such injuries
as we find most frequent in practice. And to illustrate the
general treatment of scalds and burns in the most truly homoe-
opathic manner, I shall first state the symptoms generally fol-
lowing the different degrees of combustion, and give the
remedies that are indicated by such symptoms and have been
confirmed by practice, and, secondly, state what remedies
were more efficacious according to the causes.
Combustions are caused when our body comes in contact with
fire, heated substances, mineral acids, alkalies, or some of the
metallic salts and oxides. On the degree of heat, and, therefore,
with fluids, on their density and thereby conditional capacity for
heat, on the time they have been iu contact, and on the tender-
ness of the parts with which they have been in contact, depends
the degree of the ensuing inflammation. Thus may exist any
number of degrees; but we will confine ourselves, as is usual, to
four.
(1) The first degree of combustion is caused by steam, or
from the contact of more or less hot substances ; it produces a
deep, not circumscribed, redness of the skin without swelling,
*The above excellent article was first published in the Philadelphia Journal
of Homoeopathy thirty- three years ago. — Eds.
18S6.]
TREATMENT FOR BURNS AND SCALDS.
443
which vanishes when pressed upon by the fingers. The skin
peels off in a few days.
Treatment. — Among the known homoeopathic remedies Ars.,
Bell., Euphorb., Hammamelis, Rhus, and Tereb. correspond
with that condition of skin. I found Hammamelis the most
efficacious remedy. The distilled preparation, externally applied,
will reduce the pain immediately.
(2) The second degree, which is mostly caused by heated fluids,
causes the epidermis to become either spontaneously or gradually
elevated to a smaller or larger blister, filled with a yellow or
transparent fluid. The redness and swelling of the skin are
more intense than in the first degree, the pain severer — burning
— and this condition is generally accompanied by fever. The
vesicles shrink and dry up, the fluid becomes absorbed, and the
epidermis is thrown off, or if they burst or are opened the fluid
is emptied, the blister sinks in and dries up, a new epidermis is
formed, or the place suppurates.
Treatment. — There is none of the known remedies to corres-
pond closer to this condition than Cantharides, which, if early
enough applied, will prevent the blisters from forming to any
extent. Where they have formed the tincture of Cantharides,
applied with a brush externally, will soon relieve the pain.
But alcohol or brandy may be applied. Urtica urens, Creasote,
and Caustieum have to be next considered, should Cantharides
not be sufficient. When it has come to the formation of ulcers,
Ars., Carbo veg., Cycl., and Lachesis have to be considered.
(3) The third degree is caused by the flames of fire or by
the ionger contact of the body with hot substances, especially hot
fluids. It is characterized by gray, yellowish, or brown spots,
which are thin, soft, and when slightly touched painless, only
painful when more severely pressed upon, at the same time
blisters make their appearance (filled with a brownish or san-
guinolent fluid), the adjoining parts are red and much swollen.
In six or eight days, sometimes later, the epidermis and the
malpighian net are thrown off, and it heals by granulation.
There is a white, bright scar left.
Treatment. — This irritation corresponds with the symptoms of
Ars., Canth., Cycl., Creasote. Creasote water will very gener-
ally soon allay the violent pain. It can be applied with a brush,
and linen cloths dipped in weak Creasote water can be applied
to the burned parts. I found this an admirable remedv.
Caustic solution has been used in the same manner successfully.
(4) The fourth degree is caused by a long contact with fire,
red hot or melted metals, boiling fluids, etc. The destruction
444
TREATMENT FOR BURNS AND SCALDS. [Dec, 1886.
involves the whole thickness of the skin and the cellular texture,
or goes deeper into or through the muscles to the bones, or a
whole part is destroyed and burned to coal. The scurfs formed
are of different thickness, and insensible when caused by hot
fluids; gray or yellow when caused by fire or dry hot sub-
stances ; brown or black, dry, hard, sounding when touched. In
the circumference of these scabs t lie skin is drawn into radiating
folds. The adjoining parts are much swollen and reddened,
very painful, and often covered with blisters. Around the scabs
suppuration ensues which causes the scurf to be thrown off, and
then a more or less deep ulcer is formed. Granulation sets in, the
edges unite and form ill-shaped, hard, immovable scars, frequently
changing or even sometimes suspending the motions of the parts.
Treatment. — The best remedy in such cases is soap — a paste
made out of the scrapings of good Castile soap and spread on
linen, with which the burned surface is covered. It is necessary
to renew this dressing from time to time. If the ulcers become
putrid and offensive, and Sapo. given internally does not relieve,
the dressing must be changed, and Creasote will then be in place
externally. If the pain in the ulcers is burning, Ars., internally,
or, when they bleed at the same time, Carbo veg., will be the best
remedy. Sec. cor., Caust., Cycl., Laches., if the ulcers become
gangrenous. Such cases, after treatment with lead water, have
yielded in my hands to the application of soap ; the remedy
being administered at the same time internally.
When the burn is caused by sulphuric or other acids, Lime-
water is the best remedy.
If caused by an alkali, Vinegar is best.
If caused by burning fluid, as is used in lamps, a paste of
Chloride of Lime and Oil, or an aqueous solution of Chlor. lime
alone, is best.
Gunpowder burns, which generally affect the face and hands,
I have best treated with a very weak solution of Creasote.
If it is caused by phosphorus, Sweet Oil is the best remedy.
If fever, diarrhoea, constipation, or other symptoms make
their appearance, they must be treated according to symptoms.
In many cases it is better to apply externally only a little mutton
suet, and give the remedies internally, except when they had
been treated injudiciously before.
The People's Health Journal, of Chicago, says: "Invalids
who have tried everything but Homoeopathy, have made less
than half an effort to get well."
EXPLANATION WANTED, BUT NOT GIVEN.
E. W. Berridge, M. D.
It is with extreme reluctance that I occupy the pages of The
Homceopathic Physician with anything approaching a personal
matter j but Dr. Skinner's attack on me in the September num-
ber is so ill-natured in its tone, as well as unjust in its substance,
that I crave a few lines for a reply.
The point is simply this : Dr. Skinner published a case in
which he first declared the sinking at the epigastrium to have
come on betiveen two andthreePM., and afterward referred to it as
from one to two p.m. Seeing that there was a discrepancy arising
from some clerical or printer's error, I asked which was the
correct version. Surely this was a fair question ; and I think
the profession will be much surprised at the manner in which
Dr. Skinner has attacked me for it.
(1) I did not ask Dr. Skinner what hours he considered as
characteristic for this Sulphur symptom, but simply what the
symptom cured was, there being a discrepancy in the record.
(2) Dr. Skinner accuses me (twice) of " ivillful " mistake,
italicizing the word on the second occasion, so that at any rate
there should be no " mistake " as to his meaning. In other
words, he accuses me of being a deliberate and intentional liar !
To this charge I make no reply. I treat it with the supreme
contempt it deserves. But lest my colleagues should think that
I have been careless in my quotations, 1 will call their attention
to Dr. Skinner's own words (p. 115, line 5 from bottom) : " I now
reckon it strongly indicative of Sulphur." If this, combined
with italics, does not mean that Dr. Skinner considered the
symDtoms characteristic, then langm ge must have been given, at
any rate to him, to conceal his thoughts, as Talleyrand used to
say. Besides, the question was not whether the symptom was
characteristic, but what the symptom really was.
(3) Dr. Skinner sneers at my usual method of describing how
I have selected the remedy. I am sorry it does not please him.
But my method is, to the best of my poor ability, based upon
Hahnemann's own instructions and example ; and having the
indorsement of the master, I can endure the censure of my own
pupil.
In conclusion, should Dr. Skinner ever again honor me with
his criticisms in The Homceopathic Physician, I shall take no
notice of it unless it is couched in the tone and language which
36 445
446
"PARALYSIS FROM BELOW UPWARD." [Dec, 1886.
is used in discussions between gentlemen. Whether Dr. Skinner's
charge of "willful" mistake, i. e., of deliberate lying, can be
classed under that category, I leave my colleagues to decide.
DR. EVERLY'S CASE IN THE NOVEMBER
NUMBER.
We are in receipt of two answers to this singular case.
Dr. George H. Clark, of Germantown, Philadelphia, suggests
Baptisia.
Dr. W. S. Gee, of Hyde Park, Illinois, suggests Baptisia,
Thuja, Phos., and Cajuputum. He also adds : " The fixed ideas
of Thuja, as well as its miasmatic sphere with the close symp-
tomatology, suggests a study of it if other remedies do not act."
" PARALYSIS FROM BELOW UPWARD."
W. S. Gee, M. D., Hyde Park, Illinois.
Dr. Berridge, in last number of Homoeopathic Physician,
calls attention to the paralysis of Manganum, and adds, " I can
find no other remedy producing it." If the paralysis from below
upward is the feature to which he refers, he may add Conium
to the list. In my lectures of last year I mentioned that pecu-
liarity of Conium. Brunton says, p. 787 : u The symptoms of
Conium poisoning are weakness of the legs and staggering gait,
passing on to paralysis, which progresses upward, and finally
causes death by failure of respiration. The mind remains clear
to the last." The same facts may be gathered from Taylor on
Poisons, p. 699 ; also from a later work largely drawn from it
— Blyth on Poisons, p. 240. The last statements of the great
Socrates should fix these facts in our minds. Remember also
Lathy r us sativus, given in Allen's Encyclopaedia.
Notice, Members I. H. A. The rule applying to applica-
tion for membership, whereby all names must be in the hands
of the Chairman of Board of Censors six months previous to
the meeting at which the vote is taken, is now in force, and
December 25th is the latest date, after which the Chairman has
no discretion, and all names coming in thereafter will have to
go over to next year. Fraternally,
J. T. Kent, President.
HOMCEOPATHIC MEDICAL COLLEGE,
Missouri, November 8th, 1886.
CORRESPONDENCE.
Cocaine Addiction.
Messrs. Editors :
If any reader of your journal has met with a case of cocaine
addiction and will send me the fullest details at his command, I
will thank him for the courtesy, reimburse him for any expense
incurred, and give him full credit in a coming paper.
J. B. Mattison, M. D.
Brooklyn, 314 State Street.
CLINICAL BUREAU.
CLINICAL CASES.
W. S. Gee, Hyde Park, Illinois.
From students and other friends a repeated and pressing
invitation is given to "write for our journals." Thinking that
perhaps what seems too simple to many of us may be of interest
to neophytes, this case is submitted :
Case I. — August 31st, 1885. — C. W. S., American, set. thirty,
was sent from a firm in the city by one of the proprietors whose
experience had engendered such confidence as he thought to
• warrant sending all his friends to me. He had told the new
victim that " He will want to know all about your history for
one or two generations," and sent him with instructions to "tell
all about it." The complaint made was that he had "jaundice."
That he had been treated for weeks and by several physicians
without benefit, but rather injury. Remembering that in all
obstinate troubles, even of the acute variety, if they are
unchanged by treatment ordinarily successful, a miasm is at the
base of it (and such troubles always have an important history),
we began at once the search for first cause. The following is
copied from my record : Knows nothing of his family history, as
he has been away from home for many years. Thinks all the
members were subject to bilious turns. When about twelve
years old, had an attack of headache which lasted forty-three days.
He always woke up with it at six A. M., and it lasted until sundown.
During the attack wanted to be quiet, did not want to move or have
any noise, or be spoken to, or have mental exertion. Eating candy
447
448
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[Dec,
or drinking coffee would bring on an attack. Had attacks of " dys-
pepsia" at the same time or afterward. Headaches ceased about
five years ago, and has had " bilious attacks" since. At one
time when he had the headache he lay three days at a time with
his hands under his head. Had a bilious attack about once a
year; it began by loss of appetite, then languor, kidneys and,
backache, skin yellow, urine high-colored. An attack lasts three
or four days and passes away. Present trouble : About four
weeks ago had a brassy taste; six days later began to vomit ;
could not eat ; the urine turned yellowish-red, and boviels became
constipated. Still feels languid, irritable, has no energy, skin
is of a deep yellow color all over the body, and itches excessively.
No appetite ; wants to eat, but cannot. Has taken much medi-
cine; even "took seven kinds in one day." Nux vom.dm four
powders, Sac. Lac.
September 5th. — Five days' time brought this report:
"I am now all right, although I am still yellow and
have some itching of the skin; eat well, and feel like myself
again. Have some sour gulping from the stomach after
eating" Sac. Lac, with one powder of Xux vom.dm to take
if symptoms returned. He never needed the last powder, as the
whole trouble rapidly vanished.
Can any one read the above and doubt the existence
of a liver trouble in this case? What more written evi-
dence could be desired? This young man had suffered
before, as the history shows, and all his serious troubles
pointed to the same locality as the cause of trouble. We
could not definitely say where the predisposition to such
attacks lay without the full history of the case. Many different
causes give rise to jaundice, but a different history is found in
the different cases. So in the selection of the remedy for the
given case. The present symptoms may not be sufficient in
themselves to justify a selection, but with the history the aid is
all-sufficient both as to disease and remedy.
As Dunham wisely illustrated, we may not be able to decide
as to whether two lines an inch long are-parallel, but if they be
extended the problem is easily solved. What are the prevalent
ideas regarding the treatment of liver troubles, especially where
jaundice is an accompanying symptom ? That a medicine or
medicines must be used which " stirs up the liver " and pro-
duces several free movements of the bowels. How many cases
of congestion, active or passive, escape without Mercury in some
form ? Where this idea is entertained many poor victims are
made invalids for life through the bigoted stupidity of such
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
449
practice. How often does induration remain ? Disturbed and
limited function, of course, results. These same physicians re-
move enlarged tonsils by the knife, and had not nature wisely
made such strong attachments and encased the liver, it is proba-
ble that a portion or the whole of it would many times be " scien-
tifically " removed.
How do we know that such a disease exists but by the symp-
toms? Disturbed function is manifested in nervous phenomena,
and just in proportion to the amount of nervous disturbance of
a pronounced, peculiar character is the case more favorable to
cure. We deal with fads when we note the symptoms elicited
from the patients. We may theorize as to the cause and results
of symptoms, which are the only evidence of disturbance, but
that conjecturing is unnecessary, and liable to lead us to wrong
conclusions. Having the facts from the patient, we have corres-
ponding fads in well-proven remedies. The facts of the dis-
ease when met by the similar facts of the curative remedy result
in his cure. If symptoms which vary from the normal, in the
given case, are removed, is not the patient well ? Nux vora. in-
cluded the nervous phenomena of that case, and hence cured the
case, although that remedy may never have produced the same
condition of the liver. Neither did it perform the cure by vir-
tue of its " unloading " or " stirring" the liver to the extent of
producing several loose stools. Neither could it have been from
toxical action that such a change was wrought. If one doubts
the dynamic cause of disease and the dynamic curative effect of
our remedies, let him witness the evolution to health of one of
these cases of old liver trouble. One other point deserves men-
tion. Why was the remedy selected ? Because it corresponded
to the totality of symptoms, and not because the patient has been
" drugged."
Can a remedy cure, when given in a potency, any symptoms
but those which come within its curative range? It is loss of
time and a source of confusion to give Nux vom. for " previous
drugging" when another remedy is well indicated.
Case II. — September 16th. — From the same store came
another clerk when he saw what had been done for his neighbor.
A. R. B., set. twenty -four years, was also informed as to the
history that would be necessary, and came ° loaded."
(We may say here that the ignorance as to the importance of
the history and the inability to give it definitely and accurately
is one great hindrance from reaching the curative remedy. It is
often necessary to have them call repeatedly, to freshen their
memory, consult their friends, etc., for many times. This help
450
CLINICAL BUREAU.
[Dec.,
is next to indispensable.) This young man's father is sixty-four
years old ; has rheumatism. (He is an allopathic physician of
some note in the East. I wonder what would best express his
feelings if he knew that a "little pill" influence had started into
his family !) Mother, fifty-five, has neuralgia. Has four brothers
and two sisters, and health of all good. When six months old
had cholera infantum. It lasted several months, and he has not
been strong since. From that time anything indigestible
brought on fever or convulsions. Was subject to stomach
trouble, with vomiting, headache, and fever, until twelve or
fifteen years old. Had "typhoid fever" every year in spring
or fall, or, when much weakened, for several years in succession.
In 1883 had scarlet fever lightly, and was well that summer.
Was weak, but recovered slowly. Had diarrhoea for several
weeks. After the diarrhoea stopped he was better in health for
two months, when a pain appeared in the left knee and gradually
grew worse. Applications were made, then other joints became
implicated. This trouble lasted one year, from October to
October, even while medical skill of the congenial kind was
continued. During the time a consultation and conjunction of
scientifically wise physicians pronounced " effusion in both
knees, and he must stop all work for a year." He was viorst
in March, and in June was able to walk a little on crutches.
In summer the ankles, wrists, and elbows gradually got better.
The knees have been weak ever since. The soreness seems to
be in the long bones of the legs, but the ends are tender on deep
pressure. The pain is worse before a storm. He can predict a
storm three days ahead. He is better after the storm comes. The
pain is worse when he starts to walk, and grows less after walking
some distance. He says that during the attack the pain was
worse at night, teas restless, and the bowels were constipated.
Rhus tox.200.
September 26th. — Felt feverish for a day or two after the last
visit ; has had less pain. He later took some cold, and for a
slight return of the trouble he received one powder of Rhus
tox.cm with marked relief. From that dose to the present he
received another powder of Rhus tox.cm-
From the crooked, pity-deserving young man who came in
as carefully as possible with an unmistakable evidence of protest
against coming to a homoeopath there has developed an active
young man who has attended dancing-school with great enjoyment.
He walks as stately as any of his friends and has not lost a day
from business since taking the first dose of Rhus tox.200- He was
sure another severe illness was before him when he came, as he
1886.]
CLINICAL BUREAU.
451
felt just as before the long siege above described. Would he be
easily convinced that the powders which constituted the medi-
cine were "nothing but alcohol"? I use Sac. Lac. powders as
placebo, that no one may say that the " alcohol " in the placebo
accomplished the only change made.
Case III. — August 23d. — Wm. McC. came from the same
store. He is a Scotchman, aet. twenty-three, of slender frame.
He held the office of " shipping clerk." He gave this " pedi-
gree :" Four years ago, in Scotland, while working in a printing
office and while lifting a heavy load of paper he felt sick and
spat blood, and in a few minutes vomited blood. He had always
been well before that time. After that time he had trouble
with his stomach and has not been well since. There was a
burning, empty, gone feeling in region of the stomach immediately
after the bleeding. This occurred in April, and the following
June he came to America. Soon he began to have trouble also
with the bowels. He returned to Scotland on a visit, and while
there was relieved, but when he returned to America the bowel
trouble again appeared. Attacks of diarrhoea were quite fre-
quent ; with all the attacks he was dizzy, weak, and faint in
stomach. The attacks always came in the night ; the stools were
always of a burning character and left a burning in the anus.
He has received much treatment from several physicians, but
gets no permanent relief.
Present symptoms : Diarrhoea came on again about midnight
last night — came suddenly and with urging; had four move-
ments before daylight; stools were hot and burning each time ;
stools scanty; stools offensive, and the odor clings to him ; empty
feeling in stomach, especially about eleven A. M., icith faintness, and
is relieved by eating.
Gave Sul.lm (B. & T.), three powders — one after each move-
ment— and Sac. Lac.
August 28th. — He reports : "Took another powder as directed
and the trouble stopped, but ate something which started the
bowels again, and took the others and have had no diarrhoea
since." The appetite returned, the bad taste (which had not
been recorded above) disappeared, and he was all right again.
A few points are worthy of notice from these cases.
1. Only one remedy was used in each case. For one, the two
hundredth of it, and, later, the CM ; for ;«no' her, the DM ouly,
and for the last, the 1M only. I
None of them received at any't5rae from me any other remedy
or potency than the one named'.-'
2. The curative remedy in each case was indicated by prtvioa*
attacks of illness.
452
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
[Dec, 1886,
When in doubt as to the best remedy, with Dunham I would
say, "Draw long lines, and the parallel will become evident."
See Dunham's Lectures on Materia Medica, Vol. II, page 56,
for cases which were cured of present ailments with remedies in-
dicated for troubles years ago.
BOOK NOTICES AND REVIEWS.
The Physician's Visiting List for 1887. Lindsay &
Blakiston's edition. Philadelphia: P. Blakiston & Co.
This is the thirty-sixth year of the publication of this excellent little
pocket-book.
In addition to the convenient blank portions for keeping notes of cases,
we find Marshall Hall's ready method in asphyxia, a list of poisons and anti-
dotes in tabular form, a dose table, which, however, is useful only to physi-
cians of the regular school, an excellent article upon u Disinfectants, condensed
from the conclusions of the Committee on Disinfectants of the American
Public Health Association," etc. The full list of the valuable things for
every day use may be learned from the advertisement, which appears in this
number. We can only say that the information contained is that which the
physician wishes to know in his daily practice when far away from his
library. Every physician should have a copy. W. M. J.
Homoeopathic Periodicals and Medical Advertise-
ments. By E. Hasbrouck, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y. Read
before the Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New
York, September 7th, 1886.
This pamphlet of four pages is a protest against the prevalent practice of
admitting advertisements of proprietary medicines to the pages of professedly
homceopathic journals. The castigation herein given is well deserved.
There ought to be reform in this matter, but we think the author has a
mighty task before him. W. M. J.
L' Union Homceopathique is a new monthly journal de-
voted to Homoeopathy, published at Antwerp, in Belgium. Its
editor is Dr. Boniface Schmitz.
We give the new journal cordial greeting and wish it every success.
The Surgery of the Pancreas. By N. Senn, M. D. Ke-
printed from the Transactions of the American Surgical
Association, April 29th, 1886. 129 pages.
This book $i$skji£st tiaen, received.
'' 'KRftATA.
Page 387, line 24 from the top : io^rrvcdicafed read indicated.
: "Page 408j lice, 2£, for hot drinks read cold drinks.
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