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MEDICAL  ADYAICE 


A  MONTHLY  MAGAZINE  OF 


HOMCEOPATHIC  MEDICINE. 


EDITED  AND  PUBLISHED 


BY 


HENRY  C.  ALLEN,  M.  D, 


VOLUME   XVII. 


ANN  ARBOR,  MICH.: 
THE  ADVANCE  PUBLISHING  COMPANY. 

1886. 


INDEX. 


ABORTION.   C.  B.  Gilbert.  M.D....  180 
About     Several     Things.     L. 

Barnes.  M.  D 463 

Acalypba  ind.    Peter  Cooper,  M.  D...    41 
A  Case  for  Counsel.    E.  Beckwlth. 

M.  D 339 

A  Case  from  Practice.   G.  H.  Carr, 

M.  D 162 

A  Criticism.    8.  P.  Tracey,  M.  D  ...  „  327 
A  Homoeopathic  Want.    8.  E.  Chap- 
man. M.D 66 

Aggravation  and  Verification.   Geo. 

AVlgg,  M.  D 445 

Allen.  H.  C.  M.  D 150,  238.  239,  241,  243 

Allen.  A.  A  ,  M.  D 627 

American  Institute.. 69 

American  Institute:  Bureau  of  Sur- 
gery  -  141 

A  Prior  i^iscovery  in  Gynecology 536 

A  Peculiar  Epidemic.    O.  J.  Lyon. 

M.  D 664 

Apis  and  Rhus:  A  Comparison 448 

Apoplexy;  Cerebral.   A.  A  Whipple, 

A  Slow"  Pulse'  *C."  B  *  Giibert!*  m'.'d.V.*.'.   28 

BARNES.  LEWIS,  M.  D.  ...332,  463.  497 
Battey's  Operation  claimed  by 

Tait.    Phil  Porter  W.D 312 

Beckwlth,  E  .  M.  D. 339 

Belladonna,  Accidental  Proving  of. 

J  D  Tyrrell.  M.D 365 

S.  IS.  Chapman,  M.  D 167 

Berridge.  E.  W.,  M.D 160,  352, 452, 454 

472.  555. 

Biegler.  J.  A.,  M.  D 158 

xsowen.  \7.  tV.,  ai.  xj. .......  »«»«..».««.  .•••••    si 

Buchmann.  O..  M.  I) 434 

Bureau  of  Gynecology:  Am.  Institute 
Discussion  of  Report: 

Dr.  Robt.  Hall;  Dr.  Payne 303 

Dr.  Danfortb;  Dr  McClelland. ..304,  306 

Dr.  Fulton;  Dr.  Owens 306 

Dr.  Morgan;  Dr.  Walton 307.  308 

Dr.  Cannichael ;  Dr.  Koothby....,^08,  309 

Pr.  Ludlani;  Dr.  Phillips 310,  311 

Bureau  of  Obstetrics:  Am.  Institute: 
Complete  inversion  of  Uterus:  Sta- 
stitics.  Abstract  of  Discussion  on.  117 

Dr.  Morgan;  Dr.  Owens 118,  119 

Dr.  Nichols;  Dr.  Runnels 119,  120 

Dr.  Dowling:  Dr.  Grosvenor 121,  123 

Dr.  Moffat;  Dr.  Morgan 124 

Dr.  Ludlara;  Dr.  Mitchell 126 

Dr.  Kiune;  Dr  Owens 126,  126 

Dr.  Buck;  Dr.  Moffatt 126 

Bureau  of  Surgery : 
Hernia,  Inguiual  and  Femoral.  W. 

T.  Helmuth,  M.  D 141 

Hernia,  Statistics  of.   G.  A.  Hall, 

M.  D „..  145 

Discussion  on: 
Dr.  .lames;  Dr.  McClelland  ....146,  147 

Dr.  Schneider;  Dr.  Jackson 147,  148 

Dr  Haywood;  Dr.  Youngman 148 

t^t  ^O^gai|.m»»»l^t»«n« ....... •#♦—...—»»>.»    148 


CANCER.   Curability   of.     P.   P. 
Wells.  M.  D 328 

Cancer  of  Sigmoid— Spigelia. 351 

Cancer  Epithelial— Sepia ~  154 

Carditis,  Rheumatic.  6.  W.  Sherbino, 

M.  D 368 

Cataract.  A  New  Method  of  Operat- 
ing.   R.  D.  Tipple.  M.  D — 643 

Cataract,  After  Treatment  of 134 

Catarrh.   Chronic,   of   the   Fauces. 

GouUon 163 

Carr.  G.  H.,  M.D 133,162.  370,  573,  674 

Case  for  Counsel :  Reply  by  Dr.  Ber- 
ridge  472 

Case  for  Counsel :  Reply  by  Dr.  Par- 
melee 472 

Cases.  Some  Recent.    A.  M.  Cushing, 

M.D 661 

Chapman.  8.  E..M.  D 167,  548 

Cheiidonium  in  Neuroses.  J.  A.  Bieg- 
ler, M.  D ^ 168 

£  G.  Grahn,  M.  D «..„.. 168 

Chemistry  Quiz~ 628 

Circulation  of  the  Human  Blood  De- 
mands  the    Lymphatics.     W.  M. 

Decker.  M.  D 288 

Chronic  disease  of  30  Years*  Duration 

Cured     E  W.  Berridge.  M.  D 462 

Constitutional  Symptoms.  W.  S.Gee, 

M.  D 638 

Cook.  D  P   M  D 448 

Consumption :  Cure  by  Dr.  Hansen....  646 

Cooper  Peter,  M  D, 41 

Cosby,  V.  B..  M.  D 371 

DECKKR.  W.  M..  M.  D 105.  289 
Dipiitheria.  Rhus  Tox  m.    C  B. 

Gilbert.  M.  D 166 

Dewey,  Geo.  M  ,  M.  D 18 

Dewey.  W.  A,  M  D.. 488 

Digitalis.  S.  E.  Chapman.  M.  0 107 

Diphtheria,  Hints  on  Malignant.    G 

H  Carr.  M.D 673 

DroseraRotundiflora:  Posology 396 

Drysdale.  A  E..  M.  U eo.  177.  323.  628 

Dynamization  in  the  Crucible 468 

E.  P.  HuMsey,  M.  D.: 

A  Reply ^ «..  575 

EDITORIAL: 
Abortion  of  Typhoid 86 

Advance  for  1887 674 

A  Medical  Mare's  Nest.    S.  A.  J.....   78 

A  New  College 284 

Arsenic  in  Skin  Disease ^.   86 

A  Specimen  Brick 84 

Guernsey's  Materia  Medica 373 

Homoeopathy  and  Progress.    T.  P. 

W _ 473 

Internationalists ..^ 283 

Lac  Caninum 575 

Medical  Advertising ,^ 375 

Our  Colleges 18I 

Our  Foreign  Letter 28S 

Saratoga  for  1887 ^ 87 

That  Specimen  Brick ^ 284 

The  Hahnemannian  AssocUtlon.....  87 


The  TeBcMng  of  the  Orgnnon .1 

TbePOlrtmnbleriUt...-  s 

Editor's 'Dible-, ^.STB.Ml.  G 

nMtro-TborApeutlcs.   Lenls  Barnes. 

Beetro  MacneUe  PropekleB  0/  uiiiga. 

J.  D.  Grablll.  M.  D _. .— ._-  3 

BIU,E.B.,  M,  D „ „ 

BqituiMnm  HrsiDBla „ -,,. 

InilMlaa,   PoelftL     BobL  miuf, 

Er&nB.H.  9.,  m'.  D....~— ~'~ ~.  3 

Eimriedtla  Dooet  vel  BooMt   0.  H. 
(Srr,  M.  D. - a 


Flneke,  B..  M.  D.„. 


FowlerH  Ulllv  M 

GEE.WU.i4..  M 
QIIbert.r  n 
SUabrlat, J.U..  M  i> 


Gnrtili,  J.  D .  M.  D.... 
Orabn.  B.  G  .  U.  D,... 


HjSMORIihaoe.  r  ' 
UoiuiiiJ   Cue. 


IRRHAOE.  Fulmnnay^  1 

KahnemRnnlUi  ARMeial 
Hfthnemsnn.  Sam*!,  M.  I 


II  ''^^ilrMi'l,'»ls  kii'irwi'(ii™i  Aci~e 

••""..nlA.    K  Haslimiic'k,  M.  D  .. 

pnthv.  rrwcrussivp,    ,\il  Ui 


ThoR.  akinner.  >i 


Looal  DUegae.   C.  PearMD.  M.  D. 

Lwopodlura  bf  luducUoD.    Dr   O. 


MAI.FORMATrON,  A  Rare  Tjuip  ..  4? 
Usteria  Hedlca,  Noles  on.   H. 

CAUeD.U.  D 3SI 

Benzoic  Aeii:  Kltrlo  Aold;  BepUl 
Aru.  NIti  OxftUc  Add;  IpecMU- 
anha;  Splgella,  in  Cancer  nl  Big, 

moliL.^— ....  ~_ ...„ „.-~.  W 

McNeil,  A..  U.  D..„ _..lll.  filS,  641 

HHliolne  ai  Fntetlc«l  by  Ancient 

e^tlans    W.  U.  Decker,  H.  D....  la 
Heilfoitl  Jouniallim.  Elhles  or.  T.  P. 

Wilson,  M  D....„ _._ ™  33 

.lonmaln.  Oiir.   J.  P.  W, M 

Miidnrrhlnnm    E.W  Beni<l|»,ll.I>.  Mil 

MlniieBOts  Uedloal  HonUitr ._  » 

MelllutiiNAIbfL  Q.W.Bowen.H.  D..   3 

Miclwllcry:  Andentaad  Modern 19 

Milk  niet  In  IVphoid*   Wm.  Owens, 

M.  d....„._j:..„ ™ s 

Milk  met.    DIsouialcn:  Ohio  aOM 

SMlety.,..__ „ t 

MiMR.O.  B..H.D .„..— -  U 

MvelKlt.  Aeule~. .^__ m~ 4S 

NARE8.  Poatarior.  Bepertohr  or 
MeHlctnat  aSBcUoB  {be.   £  A. 

FsrrlnglMi.  M.  D ~..  W 

NaBh,E.fi.,H.b„ .„ Bi 

Nainim  Biupburleuin  and  SyooBhi. 

J.T  Kent.V.D. _ K 

Kntnim  Pbosptiorleim.   Ooullon in 

N^unielR  Ht  Ui«  SvmrliysM  rublm 
iMKt-iailim  lo  Ifyiierla.  H.Lelb- 

New  Pnbl1c*tion'»: 
A  l.nlniraicry  liiilde  In  Drtaal/sls 
niicl  Totlrolr^y.    WltlhltiU « 

A  MuniiiU  111  HfIIp!i,    ViirJienrlll le 

ARiiidrdii  niM|ii'iii;il  I'liiiilK,  Mllla- 
miiiirli  w 

Atiiiui.l  \-lilr-.-""K  Mi.-VVl.iii'i'Ani'ii'fy  M 

A  l!('(.i-iri.n  ..t  11 si  riinrjic- 

terlslji'  iSjnihIiiviis  o[  liif  Materia 
Meillnt.    WfnterbDrn n 

AuKUKt  Centmr—.— ..—-. ~-  le 

Hivuuae.  TliBu..— _...«......  ......  II 

OKalnguelorlheMuTMry.  Donald- 

DlwBH!! or theClrcuiatanp  Md  Re. 

splraurr  AppuMu*.  Kicnont...  t 
Ol!u-Mi>*  of  ItlaeallTe.  Urinary  nnd 

OfinnratlvH  OrKBns.  Elohont. *1 

Oiviues  or  Ibe  Spinal  Cord.  Bnun- 

awell. ™. — ~.   ( 

Doirv  III  llrallh  and  Disease.  Hiim- 

.Ir.ll „__ M 

iii-..i,i.,-,.r'M,.i,.inifttion;Op»hnr  W 


.   Kentneky  Still'*  Siii-k't> IT 

Konhel.I^ i-l,  41 

LAO  CANINUM:  A  Proving.  Laura 
Hoimii.  M.  D  „. 
I«ill»rrnc8n    ~ 

LatbllnEer,  H.,  a,  v _....„....  wc 

LlUetitlisl.  S  :  A  Translation 103.  3S7 

Lippe.  Ad..  M.  D....._...._ SIS 

libraries.  Great _ 3S2 

jlj 


leHedloleiJon*- 


[1  HniiivopMIilqiie^. 


Fopi  liar  Relenoe.  _. 


Slid  Buocessful 


lis  Nature.PBtbolOET 


fpKU&Vi 


The  (ipniiine  Works  ot  HlppocratPs; 

Adama „.\r.....88,  « 

^eLomb  Prize  Eishvb:  Watson-  U 
The  Teat  at  Hie  Bpd-sfrte,  or  Homoe- 

opolhyln  tbe  Bnlance:  Dmtley « 

William  Wood  &  Ca.'e  Publications  41 
Wood-B  Library  lor  I88H ~ —    * 

Newton  College  Hospital.    E.    P. 


Abies  a 


a  FraquentlJ  Ipdlcdti 
'a.    H.C.  Allen.  M.D. 


Acid-...,- — —.-. 2a 

Acoiiitum  Nap __„ _..  M 

Nui  Vomica:  Si  E,  Cbapmao,  H.  D-  M 

OBITUARY- 
rornelluB  Ormes.  H.  D.. 38 

R.  Miles  Buddeke.  M.  D 3S 

RolUn  R.  Gregg,  M.  D.,..-..„_._ Ill 

J.  P.  DakB,  Jr.,  U.  D m 

J.  W.  Date,  M.  D- ~ 3f 

C.^"<^UsB.  ufv!!!.\-.LJ.ZZ'".'."  19 

Ohio  State  Society e 

Oraipni  State  Soeiety e 

Omanon.  Pundamentala  of  the.   L. 

Barnes,  H.  V « 

Our  PorelfFn  Letter.   Alfred  E.  Drys- 

dale.  M.T), so,  ITT,  323,  H 

Our  Foreign  Letter.   W.  D.  Foster, 

M.  n 25 

The  IntemaUoiial  Cougresi;  His- 

France    Dr.  Simon 3t 

Austria  and  Germany.   Dr.  Katka.  3f 

Belgium.   Dr  Lambrgthts x 

British  Einplre.    l>r.  Clarke ~—  a 

Canada.   Dr,  MIehol m 

Denmark.   Dr.  Hansen ,_  2( 

Spain.    Dr.  Bublo 26 

Sirltzerland.    Dr.  Bruckner. 2t 

Russia.    Dr.  Bojaniis. 2C 

United  States.   Dr.  B.  W,  James 71 

Essays:  "En  Avant."    Dr.  Dudeeon  21 
Critlplsmof  "Cyclopedia,"  Dr.GoBT- 

MaterlaMedlisa.   Dr.Hughes zi 

Additions  to  Materia  Uefllca.   Dr. 

DrysdHle 21 

)f  Dies  on  NImtlam.   Dr.  Clarke 21 

Diabetes  Mellltus.    Dr.  Kafka z> 

l-aPsoreMenlngeeCerebrnli.   Dr. 

Schmllz _  z 

Gar  Disease  and  (lout   Dr.  Cooper  2^ 

Sepia.    Dr.  Hansen 21 

Measles.  Dlnbtherla,  Pertussis x 

Casrs  from  Practice.   Dr.  Ozanan.  2f 

Owens.  Wni.,H.  R. 26,29.119,  1! 

OxTtmpls   Lambertl.     W.    S.   Gee, 
M.  D « 

PASTEUR'S  Hydrophobia  Cure 3i 
Parrlnu.   A.  F.ltandall,  M.  D..  l< 
Phthisis:  An  Incurable  Case, Cured. 

F~  W.  BerrldnB.  M.  D _...,„.,  « 

Pamphlets  received _ 5; 

Pearson  Clement,  M.  D. 11 

Porter,  W.  H..  M.  D __._....-...,  31 

Porter,  Phil.  M.  D 31 

Porter,  Phil,  M.  D.,  a  reply  h». k 

President's  Address.   O.S.Runnels. 

M.  D. - 11 

—  i   Comments  on.    P.P. 

JWells.  M.  D. „ _.  21 

Foslure  In  Labor.   Dr.  Hemlnway-...  3f 
Prolapsus  Uteri:   Sulphur.    Q.  H. 


Puerperal  Convulsions.  W  J,  Guern- 
sey. M.  D _. „ __,..  313 

Puirord.AlfordM.  D _ SI 

Pulsatilla.  E.  G.  Grahn.  U.D IM 

Physloloftlcal  and  Therapeutic  ESeet 
ol  Drugs:  The  relation  between 
them.    B,  FIncke.  U.  D_ K)8 

QUARANTINE  Disinfection B28 
Quinine:  Utter  Worthlessness 
.pfln  Typhoid.    G,  M.  Hewey.  M.D.    is 
EAN11AT.L.  A.  F..  M.  D S»2 
H^lalned  Placenta:  Its  efleets. 

Wm.  Hoyt.  M.  D _ 02 

:  Discussion  on.  Ohio  Slate 

Society.... M 

Repetition  ot  remedy.  P.  P.  Wells. 
M.  D M 

Rhus  Poisoning:  antidote  or.  A.  J. 
Talel - S4S 

A  verillcBtlon     V.  B  Cosby,  M.D.  sn 

A  verification.    S.  E.  Chapman, 

M.  n _ ler 

Runnels,  O.  S.,  M.  D 193 

Rupture  of  the  Heart.  A.  A.  Whip- 
ple. M,  D _ - «B 

SANITARY  Bclence:  The  Sanltai^ 
Ian  and.   T.  P.  Wilson,  M.  P Bll 

Sanitary:  Am.  Inst  Bureau  report  of   T> 

Sanitary:  Bureau  of „ _..  sag 

Scales.  H  P..  M   D _ 63 

Scarlatina.   J.  U.  Pease,  M.  D Ml 

Scrofula:  A  Case  of 368 

Setectlna   the    Ri-medv:   The   best 

method  of    P.  P.  Wells.  M,  D 91 

Sepia  and  T,achesls:  Charactertstlcs 

of.    H.C  Allen.  M.D. 181 

Repla:  Nnleson.    H.  C.  Allen.  M,  D..  IM 
Bepla:  Hesdarhe.    H.C.  Allen.  H.D.  1R3 

Sepin:  Rplthellnl  cancer 134 

Sepia:  Nervous  System,  efleets  on. 1U 

i^pla:  Intermittent  fever.  In. IM 

Sepia:  Discussion  on.,  Mlcb.StateSo- 

Shertilno.'G.  w'rMrD"!;!!^"."I!jweV3S  «1 

Skinner.  Thomas.  H.  D__ — - lai 

Blmllla  and  Polypharmacy.   A.  Pul- 

ford.  M.  D tt 

Stnmmerlnit „ es 

SiannumUet.   D.P.Cook. H.D .440 

Btnnhlsaerla:  Noteson.   H.C.Allen. 

M.  D 343 

Ptaphisagrla:  Two  Cures  by ..,__  34S 

Stntlstlm:  Hom<eopBthlc _  32B 

Sumicai  Notes.  J.G.GIlcbrist.H.D.: 
Amputations ....—..— — „..,.,.._„  Sit 
AmputaUon  ot  leg  tor  mdIIo  gan- 

Itrene  ....,.,„.„...„,„,_ _.._  US 

Aneorlsni _,— .  2ES 


Epicystotnini':  Two  eases  of.  3,11. 

Lee.  M.  B . — „  IK 

Epithelioma  nf  the  Penis 31 

(Esophmcntomy ;  for  extraction  ot 

toreiim  bodies si 

Exploratory  operation  In  cervical 


Fractures  In  nelghlMrhoodotJninta  X 

:  A  case  ot.    W.  H.  T. 

Emory.  M.  D _ „ _ 61 

Fracluren  and  Dlsloratlons X 

Froc's  '■kin  Transnlanlatlon. .,„  31 

Gonorrho'a  in  the  Female -.,— ,  ll 

Gonorrhcca  in  Women. H 

Hernia ~..._...ns, » 

Hydrocele  „ „__...„..__.„.  a 

Hydrocele  of  a  Remlal  8m-_»-_  It 
Infra-orblUl  NenTlH*——— ._-».   I 


Is  Syphilis  Curable?....- _....>.   1 

LMwmtomv  in  'he  Treatment  of 

atrBDgulBted  Hernia. .  11 

HamnuuT  Tumor.    Wu  U  Bdr- 

i4iiuf ...„» « 

Norre  Suture . .  31 

FanaysiB.Followliu;  Fracture ai 

Perforating  Waun£  of  tlie  Abdo- 
men  ™M 

Pyonephrosis «....  3! 

RAbieo ......»...._ X 

Besectlon  of  the  Large  Intestine.....  It 

Resection  vs.  Amputation U 

Spina  Ulflda. 31 

Stureus,  J.  J.,  U.D .._.....__  61 

Sublimale  Intoxication K 

Sub-pleural  Laceration  nt  the  Lung  12 

Supra  Pubic  Lltbotomy 4C 

;  Svnupsis  of  Clinical 

Lecture  of.    B.  F.  Blggar.  M.  D...  N 
Smicery  In  HnrntEopatETc  Jouraala.   i 

Surgical  Treatment  of  Cancer It 

Sypllllii:  uurablllUof. a 

Syphilitic  Factor  fn  DlaKnosIs 31 

Telangiectasis 31 

The  &te  ar  Metallic  Sutures _.  31 

Tumors -..-. » 

VesIcO' Vaginal  Fistula:  Cured  Ink 

mDKle  Operation _ 31 

Sycosis:  Natrum Sulphurlcum.   J  T. 

Kent.  M.  D - - 21 

Sypbillnum :  Cough  Symptoms.  E.W. 

Berridge.  U.  D —  If 

EypbUlQUtn  CHSe - — ...~~  li 

Syphilis.   Samuel  Htthnemami.  >f.  D.  « 
nSAKAKTVhAS:    Tbe  two.      Geo. 

1   Marx.  H.  D H 

Tanuinla:  renal  coUc....~. ....._.—  2S 


Tarantula:  A  Cose - ...,  M 

Tbpn:  Its  Nulrleiit  and  Medlcnl  Qual- 
ities.    A    fragmentary    prorlng. 

UtUilM  U.  Honellg.  U.  n. _.    I 

The  Curability  ot   Syphllla.    John 

Hall,  M.  I> „.„„ n 

The  derm  Theoiy.    E.  B.  ElUs.  X.  D.   I 
The  Physician's  Protective  Atsocla- 

Uon..' _„ U 

Think  of  It - 1( 

Tracy,  ».  P  ,  M.  D „  3! 

Tuberculosis.    K.  8.  Evans,  K.  D_.....  « 
Typhoid   Fever.     A  Criticism,     fi. 

Flncke,  M.  D -„....„._....„,„..   1 

Tyrrell,  J.  D.,  U.  D SI 

fTLCEBindoienl.  G.  W.  BberbtDO. 

U    M.  D _„_„,.__.._._  3t 

uictfr  inciDient.    Dr.  Hamea « 

UiiBlgbtly  Scars -___  31 

Urine:  Comparative  CbaoBMln.  W. 
H.  PorWr,  M.  D 31 

Uterus;  Congenital  Absence  of  the. 

C.  U  Sprague,  tt.  D. „....  B3 

VAGINISSUB      O.    W.   Bberblno, 
M.  D „ „ 41 

VeriHcstiODs:  DlKltallS.  Rhus,  Bella- 
donna,   S.  E.  Cfiapman.  JI  D. M 

Verifltatlons:  Pulsatilla,  Cbelldon- 
tum.    E.  O.Grahn.  M.  D U 

WELLS,  p.  p.,  M.  D  1,  91.  !IZ,  33 
Whipple.  A.  A^  H.  D IM.  41 

Whose  Faultis It?  Wm.fl.Gee,ll.D.  4« 

■Why?    A  Criticism.    H.  M.C It 

"WliCB.  Geo.,  U.  D 23B.  41 

Wira.m.T.P.,  M.  D. 337.  4T3.  S32,  M 

y  YMOTIC  ulseaaes  :  Can  they  be 
/j  arrested  by  artlllclal  medleutlan. 
P.  p.  Wells,  W.  D _ 


THE  MEDICAL  ADVANCE. 

A  MONTHLY  JOURNAL  OF  MEDICAL  SCIENCE 


Vol.  XVII.  Ann  Arbor,  July,  1886.  No.  1. 


ORIGINAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. 


CAN  THE  PROGRESS  OF  ZYMOTIC  DISEASES  BE  ARREST- 
ED  BY  ARTIFICIAL  MEDICATION  ? 


P.  P.  WELLS,  M.  D.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


"That  which  has  been,  is  possible."— Old  Proverb. 

The  affirmative  of  this  question  has  long  been  denied  by 
men  of  high  position  in  the  profession,  both  of  the  old 
school  and  the  new.  Fifty  years  ago,  in  an  address  before 
a  State  Society  in  one  of  the  New  England  States,  a  pro- 
fessor of  Materia  Medica  in  one  of  the  most  honored  med- 
ical schools  in  the  country,  denied  this  as  to  scarlet  f ever. 
And  since  then  we  have  heard  it  denied  many  times,  from 
men  less  eminent  in  position  and  natural  and  acquired  en- 
dowments, as  to  the  zymoses  in  general.  They  have  said 
this  is  impossible.  It  has  been  said  by  so  many,  it  is  very 
likely  the  great  majority  of  physicians  have  come  to  the 
acceptance  and  belief  of  the  negation.  This  is  the  more 
to  be  regretted  because  wise  men  are  not  likely  to  be  found 
striving  for  that  which  they  believe  it  is  impossible  to  ob- 
tain. And  hence  a  cessation  of  effort  to  displace  confi- 
dence in  a  judgment  which  is  false,  the  consequences  of 
which  can  only  be  disastrous  to  the  sick,  and  to  progress 
of  knowledge  and  success  on  the  part  of  the  physician. 

If  it  be  asked.  Why  is  this  skepticism  as  to  this  limitation 
so  general  if  it  be  not  a  truth?  we  can  only  reply:  Zymoses 


2  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

may  not  have  been  "cut  short"  in  the  experience  of  any 
one  of  these  negators,  and  hence  the  affirmed  impossibiUty. 
It  may  indeed  be  true  that  they  have  never  succeeded  in 
arresting  the  progress  of  such  cases  by  medicines.  They 
may  never  have  seen  such  progress  arrested  in  the  practice 
of  others;  but  does  this  justify  the  denial  that  this  arrest 
is  possible?  Before  this  negation  can  be  so  justified,  it 
must  be  shown  that  these  negators  are  the  possessors  of  all 
knowledge  and  skill,  and  their  experience  embraces  all 
that  the  world  has  seen.  It  would  hardly  be  conceded  to 
such  a  claimant  that  he  is  a  modest  man.  He  may  be  hon- 
est, but  not  modest.  The  "impossible"  is  only  known  to 
omniscience,  and  we  know  no  reason  for  conceding  this 
attribute  to  these  negators.  It  is  worthy  of  remark  that 
some  of  those  who  deny  the  affirmative  of  our  question 
are  of  those  who  would  be  leaders  in  a  school  of  medicine 
which  claims  to  have  a  foundation  on  definite  principles — 
which  have  their  existence  in  the  nature  of  things,  and 
not  in  any  degree  on  man's  acceptance  or  rejection  of 
them. 

This  school  claims  that  one  of  these  principles  is  a  God- 
ordained  law  of  relationship  between  sicknesses  and  the 
agents  which  are  their  assured  curatives;  that  a  right  admin- 
istration of  this  law  is  equal  to  the  cure  of  whatever  is  curable 
in  human  sicknesses.  This  law,  which  this  class  of  negators 
is  supposed  to  have  accepted,  declares  that  like  will  cure  like. 
It  declares  that  this  is  true  of  all  curable  cases.  Law  does  not 
say  all  cases  except  zymoses.  It  makes  no  exception  of  these 
when  it  claims  for  itself  universality  of  application  to  sick- 
nesses as  an  evidence  of  its  genuineness  as  a  natural  law. 
To  accept  this  claim,  as  some  affect  to  do,  and  then  turn  to 
limit  its  application  as  to  the  zymoses,  is  much  as  if,  in  ac- 
cepting gravitation  as  a  natural  law,  one  were  to  say,  yes,  it 
applies  to  all  ponderous  bodies  except — ^what?  If  there  be 
any  what,  then  it  is  conclusive  that  gravitation  is  no  nat- 
ural law. 

Law  proi)oses  and  promises  to  cure,  not  to  permit  sick- 
ness to  run  a  certain  course  without  loss  of  life.  And  be- 
fore zymoses  it  has  never  said  the  power  of  its  right  ad- 


1886  Can  Zymoiic  Diseases  he  Arrestedf  3 

miniBtration  to  care  them  is  limited  to  any  stage  of  their 
progress,  more  or  less  remote  from  that  of  its  initiation. 
If  there  be  failure  to  cure  these  at  any  stage,  the  cause 
should  be  sought,  and  will  be  found,  not  in  any  limitation 
in  the  law,  but  iu  the  incompetency  or  carelessness  of  itd 
administrator.  If  truth  compels  one  to  the  acknowledge- 
ment that  "cutting  short"  the  progress  of  zymotic  dis- 
eases has  been  rare  in  his  experience,  or  that  he  has  never 
seen  this  in  his  own  practice  or  that  of  another,  let  him 
look  to  himself,  not  to  any  limitation  in  the  law,  for  the 
cause  of  the  failure.  Let  him  give  more  intelligent  and 
careful  attention  to  his  attempts  to  administer  this  law, 
which  he  accepts,  and  perhaps  boasts  of,  and  he  may  thus 
come  to  a  new  and  better  experience  in  the  better  results 
which  will  follow  better  efforts. 

Is  it  pretended  there  is  aught  in  the  nature  of  the  caus- 
ation of  these  diseases,  or  in  the  character  of  the  phenom- 
ena they  exhibit  in  their  progress,  which  places  them, 
more  than  other  sicknesses,  beyond  the  jurisdiction  of  our 
universal  law  of  healing?  If  so,  in  what  does  this  disab- 
ling peculiarity  consist?  If  there  be  nothing  of  this,  and 
the  utterances  of  those  who  deny  the  possibility  of  cutting 
short  the  progress  of  this  class  of  sicknesses,  when  the 
process  of  the  actions  of  these  causes  has  once  been  ini- 
tiated, have  no  other  foundation  than  the  failure  of  their 
own  efforts  to  effect  this,  then  the  assertion  of  this  impos- 
sibility rests  on  assumption  for  themselves  of  all  possible 
knowledge  and  skill,  and  that  this  has  been  applied  to  these 
cases  for  their  cure,  and  with  only  repeated  failures  as  the 
result 

We  do  not  accept  this  record  of  failures  as  proof  of  the 
asserted  impossibility.  We  reject  the  assumed  possession 
of  all  knowledge  and  skill,  and  more,  the  claim  that  these 
have  been  present  and  active  in  the  conduct  of  the  cases 
which  have  ended  only  in  these  many  failures.  We  reject 
this  the  more  confidently  because  we  have  seen  these  dis- 
eases "cut  short"  repeatedly,  and,  therefore,  we  affirm, 
with  confidence,  the  possibility  of  this,  and  the  duty  of 
the  practitioner  oi  specific  medicine  to  strive  for  this  in 


VedicaT  Advance. 


Jtdy 


I 


every  case  of  the  zymoses  he  may  be  called  to  care  for. 

The  outcome  of  the  following  case,  the  first  of  the  kind 
I  attempted  to  treat  homceopathically,  answers  the  ques- 
tion at  the  head  of  this  paper  affirmatiTely,  and  the  ans- 
wer seems  to  be  conclusive  aa  to  the  jiOssihiUty  of  the 
arrest  questioned-  The  patient  was  a  little  girl,  nine  years 
old.  Her  posture  in  bed  and  general  aspect  were  eloquent 
ill  declaring  the  profound  nature  of  her  sickness.  She 
had  dull,  dusky-red  color  of  face,  an  expression  of  anguieb, 
skin  hot  and  dry,  pulse  140,  constant  muttering  delirium. 
She  could  be  recalled  to  consciousness  and  intelligence  by 
questions,  which,  once  answered,  she  immediately  returned 
to  her  imaginery  world,  aud  converse  with  imaginary  be- 
ings. She  complained  of  great  jmiu  in  her  head,  was  in- 
tolerant of  light  and  noise.  She  coughed  violently  and 
said  her  chest  felt  as  if  it  were  all  raw  inside.  Cough  was 
without  expectorfttion.  The  abdomen  was  disteiKled,  tym- 
panic, and  extremely  sensitive  to  touch  over  its  whole  sur- 
face. A  diarrhoea  of  frequent,  watery,  brown,  oifansive 
passages,  was  rapidly  exhausting  her  life  powers.  Tongue 
dry,  rough  and  brown.  She  had  great  anxiety  and  restless- 
ness. 

This  is  as  true  a  picture  as  I  can  give  of  the  case  as  I 
first  saw  it.  It  will  be  observed  that  it  is  made  up  of 
diagnostic  or  generic  symptoms;  the  specific,  or  those  con- 
trolling the  choice  of  remedy,  are,  after  these  many  years, 
not  so  easily  recalled.  This  is  not  important  to  our  pres- 
ent purpose,  as  we  are  not  drawing  up  a  model  case  for 
the  tyro's  imitatiou,  but  only  attempting  to  show  the  jms- 
aihiliiy  of  even  a  severe  example  of  zymotic  affection 
being  "cut  skorl"  by  specific  medication. 

It  was  now  but  a  few  months— two  or  three — since  I 
entered  on  a  course  of  clinical  experiments,  the  object  of 
which  was  to  prove  the  nothingness  of  the  means  Homceo- 
pathiste  pretended  to  employ  for  the  cure  of  the  sick.  I 
fully  and  honestly  believeil,  when  I  began  this  trial,  that 
the  curing  power   in  these  was  wholly  an  affair  of  the 

agination,  and  this  I  set  myself  to  prove.  The  experi- 
leutB  were  few  before  I  found  I  had  "caught  a  Tartar,"  or 


1886  Can  Zymotic  Diseases  be  Arrested?  5 

a  Tartar  had  caught  me.  The  results  made  me  the  most 
astonished  man  in  the  county.  I  had  had  such  surprises  that 
I  was  half  inclined  to  believe  everything  could  be  cured  by 
the  means  I,  and  all  good  allopaths  like  me,  had  so  greatly 
dispised  and  hated.  It  was  in  this  state  of  mind  I  met 
this  case.  Of  course  I  was  almost  wholly  ignorant  of  the 
true  method  of  finding  specific  curatives  for  sickness;  but 
I  did  as  well  as  I  knew  and  did  wrong.  I  gave  the 
patient  the  nearest  simillimum  to  the  group  of  diagnostic 
symptoms  I  have  given  above  that  I  could  find,  and  expect- 
ed from  this  such  results  as  had  followed  my  late  attempts 
at  homoeopathic  prescribing.  I  was  disappointed  greatly, 
and  did  not  know  the  reason  why.  The  reason  was,  this 
was  not  homoeopathic  prescribing.  The  foundation  of  the 
prescription  was  the  symptoms  which  decide  the  diagnosis 
of  a  case,  which  often  have  little  importance  as  guides  to 
the  selection  of  a  curative.  The  patient  was  much  worse 
when  seen  at  the  next  visit,  and  1  was  alarmed.  I  was 
dealing  with  this  grave  sickness  with  means  of  which  I 
knew  little,  and  the  parents  who  trusted  me  to  treat  their 
child  knew  nothing;  and  if  in  these  circumstances  the 
child  should  die,  it  would  be  bad  for  both  parents  and  doc- 
tor. I  had  done  as  well  as  I  knew,  and  supposed  I  had 
complied  with  the  demands  of  the  law,  and  the  result  was 
— worse!  I  had  not  the  knowledge  which  could  show  me 
my  mistake,  nor  the  courage  to  go  on  with  the  course  of 
which  I  knew  so  little.  I  had  treated  cases  I  had  called 
by  the  same  name  allopathically,  and  they  had  not  all  died. 
I  believed  this  case  would  surely  die;  but  I  would  try  it 
allopathically  and  did.  The  result  of  this  was  the  patient 
grew  worse  so  rapidly  that,  when  next  seen,  her  death 
seemed  assured.  Then  I  said  if  she  must  die,  it  may  as 
well  be  under  the  new  as  the  old;  and  as  I  had  already 
seen  extraordinary  recoveries  under  the  new  method,  I 
determined  to  try  this  again,  and  proceeded  as  I  should 
have  done  at  the  first  I  made  a  careful  record  of  all  the 
symptoms  of  the  case  I  could  either  see  or  learn  from  her 
attendants,  and  then  took  this  to  my  room,  and  spent  the 
next  seven  hours  in   comparing  this  record  with  every 


6  The  Medical  Advance,  July 

member  of  the  Materia  Medica  which  had  any  of  her  symp- 
toms; and  this  was  repeated  again  and  again  till  those 
remedies  which  were  least  like  were  eliminated  from 
the  list  and  only  one  remained,  and  this  was  accepted  as 
the  "most  like,"  and  was  given  to  the  patient — one  dose  in 
water,  at  4  o'clock  p.  M.  She  was  next  seen  at  nine  o'clock 
next  morning.  She  was  up  and  dressed  and  sitting  on  the 
sofa\  She  got  no  more  medicine,  and  needed  none.  I 
heard  from  her  many  years  after.  She  was  living,  and  had 
remained  in  good  health  from  the  time  of  this  convales- 
cence. 

No  man  of  decent  intelligence  could  have  hesitated  a 
moment  in  the  diagnosis  of  this  case  if  he  had  seen  it. 
After  a  recent  recital  of  it,  I  am  told,  my  diagnosis  was 
called  in  question  by  some  who  had  not  seen  it.  There 
coidd  not  be  the  shadow  of  a  doubt  with  any  competent 
physician  when  he  called  it  a  genuine  case  of  typhoid 
fever.  A  questioner  of  the  correctness  of  this,  before  the 
case,  would  at  once,  and  easily,  have  been  convicted  of 
either  ignorance  or  stupidity.  Those  who  recently  disput- 
ed this,  not  having  seen  the  case,  will  probably  only  stand 
couAdcted  of  impudence. 

But  can  other  species  of  the  zymoses  be  "cut  short"  in 
like  manner  by  exact  specific  (or  homoeopathic)  prescrib- 
ing? If  "that  which  has  happened  is  j)osst6^,"  then  we 
can  have  no  hesitancy  in  saying  they  can.  Here  is  anoth- 
er case  that  proves  the  truth  of  that  which  we  affirm: 

Mrs.  E — ,  twenty-eight  years  of  age,  nursed  her  little  son 
of  seven  years  through  a  severe  case  of  scarlet  fever.  She 
was  with  him  and  cared  for  him  night  and  day,  till  he  came 
to  the  stage  of  desquamation.  The  case  had  been  a  severe 
one.  At  this  period,  and  about  the  third  day  after  the 
first  appearance  of  the  scales,  the  mother  was  found  in  the 
morning  with  violent  headache,  hot,  dry  skin,  pulse  140 
per  minute,  throat  intensely  inflamed,  and  very  painful 
when  swallowing,  and,  what  was  singular  in  the  case,  this 
pain  was  not  inside  of  the  throat,  but  on  the  right,  outside, 
which  was  also  very  sensitive  to  touch.  Face  and  eyes 
were  red,  eyes  injected,  and  there  was  great  bodily  rest- 


1886  Can  ZymoUc  Diseases  he  Arrestedf  7 

lessness.  I  do  not  see  how  even  a  querulous  diagnostician 
coidd  fail  in  the  circumstances  of  the  case,  to  recognize 
and  acknowledge  that  here  was  a  genuine  scarlet  fever,  on 
which  the  severity  of  the  symptoms,  and  the  protracted 
fatigue  and  anxiety  of  the  nursing,  imposed  a  grave  prog- 
nosis. 

In  searching  for  the  specific  for  this  case,  that  never-to- 
be-forgotten  ride  in  the  153d  section  of  the  "Organon,"  to 
have,  in  this  search,  "chief  regard  to  those  symptoms 
which  are  peculiar''  was  permitted  to  decide  the  choice.. 
Evidently,  here,  that  which  was  most  "pecidiar"  in  the 
case  was  the  pain,  when  swallowing,  on  the  right  outside 
of  the  throat,  and  the  great  sensitiveness  of  this  part  to 
touch.  The  other  symptoms  were  sufficiently  like  those 
found  generally  in  this  fever,  and  therefore  decide  its  diag- 
nosis, but  are  of  little  importance  as  guides  to  the  specific 
curative.  The  generic  symptoms  were  discarded  when  we 
began  our  search  for  the  remedy.  I  had  never  met  this 
peculiarity  in  any  case  of  this  fever  before,  nor  did  I 
remember  it  as  a  part  of  the  pathogenesis  of  any  drug.  It 
was  found,  however,  but  not  in  the  record  of  any  drug 
which  I  had  seen  mentioned  as  related  to  scarlet  fever,  but 
in  that  of  one  I  had  never  prescribed  for  any  form  of  sick- 
ness. And  yet,  when  this  ^^peculiarity"  was  found,  the 
drug  was  given  with  fullest  confidence,  and  this  was  justified 
by  the  result  Every  Symptom  of  the  case  had  vanished 
at  the  end  of  twelve  hours,  and  the  care  of  the  patient  for 
her  boy  was  not  interrupted.  She  got  but  one  dose  of  the 
medicine.  In  just  one  week  from  the  day  of  this  first 
attack  she,  having  been  all  the  time  in  the  room  with  this 
desquamating  boy,  had  a  repetition  of  the  attack,  with 
symptoms  identical  with  those  of  the  first.  These  were 
perfectly  and  permanently  removed  by  one  dose  of  the 
drug  which  so  promptly  cured  the  first,  and  in  the  same 
brief  period  of  time.     [Niccolum,  Ed.] 

Then  a  third  case  of  another  sickness,  testifies  to  the 
possibility  of  this  "cutting  short,"  which  confirms  the 
affirmative  of  our  question  in  this  manner:  The  patient 
was  a  young  doctor,  twenty-two  years  of  age,  who  had 


8  The  Medical  Advance,  July 

lived  a  life  of  health;  was  exposed  to  the  contagion  of 
small-pox  in  the  first  year  of  his  practice,  and  notwith- 
standing repeated  vaccinations  subsequent  to  that  of  his 
infancy,  none  of  which  had  taken,  he  contracted  the  dis- 
ease. The  initiating  fever  was  the  severest  I  have  seen  as 
the  introductory  of  this  dreaded  plague.  The  pain  in  his 
head^  he  described  as  if  his  "head  were  filled  with  coals  of 
fire."  The  heat,  restlessness  and  pulse  were  in  severe 
accord  with  this.  The  eruption,  when  it  showed  itself, was 
in  small  umbilicated  vesicles,  standing  so  thick  there  was 
not  space  for  a  small  pin's  head  between  them,  and  this 
over  the  whole  body,  from  the  top  of  the  head  to  the  soles 
of  the  feet  It  was  certain  these  would  all  coalesce  when 
they  should  develop  into  the  full  pustule.  The  prognosis 
of  course,  was  very  grave.  At  this  point  in  the  case,  the 
patient  got  one  dose  of  a  remedy  which,  though  we  are 
told  has  been  much  laughed  at  by  the  American  Institute, 
was  followed  by  most  remarkable  results.  The  whole  case 
was  aborted  from  that  hour.  The  pustules  did  not  fill  out 
A  thin,  scale-like  scab  formed  on  the  vesicles,  which  soon 
dried  and  fell  off.  The  eruption  left  but  one  small  scar, 
though  it  had  been  so  abundant.  There  was  no  secondary 
fever  for  there  was  no  suppuration.  Nor  had  the  patient 
any  other  symptoms  after  taking  his  laughed-at  dose.  The 
whole  of  this  severest  case  of  variola  I  have  ever  treated 
or  seen,  vanished  as  if  into  the  air.  Perhaps  the  Institute 
will  acknowledge  the  right  to  laugh  to  him  who  wins. 

The  object  of  this  paper  is  not  to  give  models  for  treat- 
ment of  other  cases  which  may  be  called  by  the  same 
names  given  to  these  here  reported.  This  is  wholly  un- 
profitable, misleading  and  useless.  It  is  only  to  present 
evidence,  from  experienced  facts,  that  the  denial  of  the 
I)ossibility  of  abridging  the  duration  of  the  zymoses  by 
medication  is  wholly  destitute  of  truth,  and  therefore  un- 
worthy of  confidence.  For  this  purpose  we  have  given  a 
single  example  from  each  of  three  of  the  most  important 
members  of  this  class,  in  each  of  which  medical  treatment 
did  unmistakably  cut  their  progress  short  And  now,  who 
is  there  to  deny  that  that  which  /los  taken  place  i&  possible. 


1886  Can  Zymotic  Diseases  he  Arrested?  9 

Then  why  are  those  who  deny  the  possibility  of  this 
success  with  the  zymoses  so  many?  And  are  they  honest 
in  their  denial?  On  what  reason  do  they  base  this  denial? 
— are  questions  which  naturally  arise  just  here.  The  why 
is  evidently,  partly  because  they  have  been  so  taught,  and 
partly  because  they  have  not  seen  this  success  in  their  own 
practice,  and  hence  they  sincerely  believe  it  cannot  have 
been  realized  in  that  of  another,  and  this  is  their  mistake. 
They  have  not  realized  this  success  because  they  have  not 
been  taught  the  only  way  in  which  it  can  be  secured.  They 
may  have  rested  on  the  teaching  they  have  received,  and 
so  have  made  no  efforts  to  attain  this  supposed  impossible 
success;  or  they  may  have  made  earnest  and  honest  en- 
deavors to  achieve  this,  but  have  failed.  And  why?  It  can 
only  have  been  because  their  method  of  seeking  the  ne- 
cessary means  for  this  success  was  a  wrong  one.  If  they 
had  truly  obeyed  the  requirements  of  our  natural  law  of 
healing,  and  given  less  heed  to  the  false  teachings  which 
have  led  them  off  to  seeking  a  simillimum  for  their  diag- 
nosis, or  for  a  supposed  pathology  of  their  case,  the  result 
might  hiave  been  different  In  the  case  of  typhoid  fever 
we  have  reported  as  ^^cut  short,''  there  was  no  success  when 
a  remedy  supposed  to  be  like  the  diagnosis  of  the  case 
was  given.  Matters  were  only  made  worse  by  this,  and  if 
this  course  had  been  persisted  in,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
the  case  would  have  terminated  fatally.  But  when  typhoid 
fever  was  forgotten,  and  only  the  phenomena  of  the  sick- 
ness were  remembered,  and  a  simillimum  for  these  was 
sought  and  found,  the  result  of  its  one  dose  left  nothing 
for  any  other  dose  or  any  other  drug  to  do.  The  case  was 
"ctd  shoH'' ! 

So  in  the  case  of  scarlet  fever.  There  was  no  thought 
of  diagnosis  or  pathology,  or  of  pathological  anatomy  of 
the  case  when  searching  for  a  simillimum  to  its  phenome- 
na, and  this  because  these  sciences  have  no  place  in  the 
prosecution  of  this  duty.  Does  anyone  say  that  a  prescrip- 
tion resulting  from  a  search  for  a  remedy  where  these 
sciences  have  been  excluded  is  "unscientific"  therefore? 
Nay,  but  that  prescription  is  an  "unscientific"  prescription 


10  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

into  which  these  sciences  have  been  intruded,  where,  under 
the  law  they  have  no  place.  And  perhaps  it  may  not  be  un- 
reasonable if  we  refer  the  alleged  want  of  success  in 
abridging  the  duration  of  the  zymoses  to  this  wrong  use 
of  these  valuable  sciences,  which  are  only  valuable  when 
rightly  used  in  the  right  place,  and  for  the  purposes  to 
which,  in  the  nature  of  things,  they  are  adapted.  Is  the 
prescription  in  this  case  of  scarlet  fever  denounced  as  un- 
scientific because  these  sciences  were  excluded  from  the 
process  by  which  it  was  reached?  Could  the  result  have 
been  hetter  if  they  had  been  admitted  to  this  process?  It 
might  have  been  different    Could  it  have  been  better  *> 

The  same  was  true  in  the  case  of  small-pox.  Only  the 
phenomena  of  the  case  were  regarded  in  deciding  the 
question  of  the  remedy,  and  we  do  not  see  how  the  result 
could  have  been  better  if  all  the  sciences  known  to  man 
had  been  lugged  in  with  intent  to  aid  in  this  decision.  The 
prescription  could  not,  therefore,  have  been  made  more 
"scientific"  or  successful.  A  prescription  is  made  '^scien- 
tific'^ when  it  is  in  accord  with  the  science  of  therapeutics, 
and  the  natural  law  which  underlies  this.  Failing  of  this 
accord,  it  is  unscientific,  if,  in  its  make-up,  all  the  sciences 
in  the  catalogue  have  had  a  part.  This  expression,  "scien- 
tific," is  the  most  misused  and  misleading  of  all  words,  as 
at  present  so  often  used.  The  effect  of  it  is,  or  is  often 
intended  to  be,  to  justify  any  absurdity  in  practice  into 
which  there  is  a  pretence  that  any  number  of  sciences 
have  been  lugged  in,  and  the  more  of  these,  the  more 
"scientific"  the  absurdity  is  supposed  to  be.  The  problem 
being  to  find  a  specific  which  will  cut  the  progress  of  a 
zymotic  disease  short,  this  practice  which  intrudes  scien- 
ces or  considerations  into  it  which  have  no  place  there, 
under  the  law,  may  therefore  be  counted  the  more  ''scien- 
tijid'  by  those  so  doing,  but  it  will  not,  for  this  reason,  be 
more  successful.  It  should  be  no  surprise  to  those  who 
are  intelligent  in  therapeutics  when  told  by  those  who  thus 
practice  that  they  have  never  seen  any  member  of  this 
class  of  diseases  "cut  short"  by  medication.  How  could 
they  have  seen   this   when  confessedly  they  have  never 


1886  Typhoid  Fever.  11 

sought  this  under  the  guidance  of  law,  but  only  by  violat- 
ing its  fundamental  principles? — JV.  A,  Journal, 


-4*»- 


TYPHOID  FEVER. 


B.  FINCKE.  M.  D.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


In  the  discussion  of  Dr.  Wells  article  on  the  abortion  of 
zymotic  diseases  in  N.  A.  Journal  for  May,  Dr.  Schley  said: 

'*  I  have  heard  with  some  astonishment  the  statements  of  Doc- 
tors P.  P.  Wells  and  E.  Carlton  about  the  sudden  arrest  of  typhoid 
fever  within  five  or  six  days  of  its  commencement,  apparently  by 
the  action  of  homoeopathic  medicine.  Doctor  Carlton  states  that 
he  saw  his  patient  on  the  fourth  or  fifth  day,  and  that  within  forty- 
eight  hours  the  patient  was  safely  convalescing.  Now,  it  is  a  well- 
known  fact  that  it  is  often  impossible  to  make  a  sure  diagnosis  of 
typhoid  fever  before  the  sixth  or  seventh  day,  and  then  we  must 
meet  with  a  fever,  enlarged  spleen,  a  rash,  tenderness  in  the  ileo- 
cecal region,  and  perhaps  diarrhoea.  Two  or  more  of  these  must 
be  present,  or  all,  perhaps. 

**  I  am  a  homoeopathic  physician  and  propose  to  remain  one  I 
am,  unfortunately,  not  as  accurate  a  presciiber  as  Dr.  Allen,  but  I 
helieoe  in  the  eflftcacy  of  our  drugs,  and  am  often  contented  with 
them;  but  in  acute  diseases,  as  croupous  pneumonia,  typhus  and 
typhoid  fever,  and  scarlet  fever,  which  are  self-limited,  we  must 
not  be  boastful  of  the  results  of  medicines  administered.  These 
diseases  run  a  course  peculiar  to  themselves,  and  I  am  doubtful  if 
we  may  check  it.  I  have  had  several  cases  of  typhoid  fever  under 
my  care  during  the  past  winter,  and  many  more  from  time  to  time 
since  living  in  this  city,  and  I  have  never  seen  a  case  aborted  ( ?) 
before  the  fourteenth  day,  or  reach  its  crisis  before  the  twenty-first 
day." 

1.  The  objection  of  Dr.  Schley  (p.  463)  is  purely  diag- 
nostic in  an  allopathic  way,  and  does  not  touch  Homoeo- 
pathy at  all.  Dr.  Wells  called  the  case  for  registration 
typhoid  fever  which  was  perfectly  correct  because  it  had 
symptoms  similar  to  typhus,  which  means  typhoid.  Ac- 
cording to  Dr.  Schley  he  would  have  had  to  wait  till  the 
nosological  group  required  for  allopathic  diagnosis  was 
complete,  but  in  the  mean  time  the  patient  probably  would 
have  died.  Dr.  Wells'  diagnosis  was  homoeopathic;  he  se- 
lected his  remedy  according  to  the  totality  of  symptoms 
and  was  so  successful,  that  no  allopathic  diagnosis  was 


12  TTie  Medical  Advance.  July 

needed.  Hence  it  is  a  fallacy  to  diagnose  in  the  allopathic 
way  because  you  have  to  wait  for  the  development  of  the 
species  of  disease,  and  meantime  loose  the  opportunity  to 
heal  on  the  spot  This  is  the  great  advantage  of  the  Hahne- 
mannian  teaching  that  the  present  positive  symptoms  are 
sufficient  to  serve  as  healing  instruments,  as  soon  as  ob- 
served. How  many  diseases  of  the  allopathic  description 
are  prevented  by  taking  the  remedy  immediately  after  the 
first  symptoms  appear!  And  in  that  consists  a  greater  art, 
needing  more  acumen,  than  after  the  disturbance  developes 
to  a  whole  totality  of  symptoms  comprised  under  a  nosolo- 
gical name.  Here  is,  therefore,  a  great  lack  of  judgment 
in  the  objectors,  because  they  put  the  allopathic  diagnosis 
before  the  homoeopathic  one,  and  it  is,  because  they  have 
departed  from  the  teachings  of  Hahnemann  whom  they 
think  antiquated,  while  their  own  myopia  does  not  allow 
them  to  see  that  these  very  teachings  will  be  true  for  all 
time  to  come. 

2.  If  the  Doctor  (p.  463)  is  doubtful  whether  a  self -lim- 
ited disease  can  be  checked,  or  rather  cut  short  (for  no  good 
Homoeopathician  will  ever  check  a  disease)  he  will  have  to 
learn  yet  from  experience,  and  not  set  himself  up  as  a  critic 
when  he  is  only  a  sceptic.  A  too  close  adherence  to  allo- 
pathic pathology  misleads  the  Homoeopathician,  because  po 
two  cases  even  are  alike,  and  according  to  Hahnemann 
every  one  has  to  be  treated  according  to  its  own  indivi- 
duality. 

3.  The  false  departure  indicated  above  is  clearly  shown 
by  the  answer  of  Dr.  T.  F.  Allen  to  Dr.  P.  P.  Wells  (p.  464) 
how  he  is  to  arrive  at  a  knowledge  of  the  determining  symp- 
toms: "By  first  making  a  diagnosis  of  the  pathological  pro- 
cess, and  then  determining  the  secondary  symptoms,"  with 
the  beautiful  explanation  depending  upon  the  lesion  and 
the  tissue-changes  attached  to  it  This  shining  light  com- 
plains so  much  of  empiricism  among  his  compeers  and  no 
wonder,  for  what  they,  imitating  the  despised  old  school 
which  for  all  their  approaches  still  has  nothing  but  con- 
tempt, takes  for  science,  is  in  reality  nothing  but  the  cru- 
dest empiricism.    Any  scientific  treatment  of  any  matter 


1886  Typhoid  Fever.  13 

whatever  must  always  depend  upon  induction.  Induction 
is  the  establishment  of  facts  by  observation,  experience  and 
experiment,  in  order  to  arrive  at  the  general  laws  from  which 
the  single  facts  again  may  be  deduced.  The  patient  pre- 
sents a  number  of  symptoms  which  must  be  carefully  ob- 
served, as  they  alone  in  their  totality  form  the  disease 
which  we  are  able  to  recognize.  The  idea  that  by  pathol- 
ogy supported  by  Anatomy,  Chemistry  and  Microscopy  we 
may  be  enabled  to  penetrate  the  inwardness  of  the  totality 
of  those  symptoms  which  alone  lay  claim  to  unassailable 
I)ositivity,  and  to  get  a  clear  perception  of  the  morbid  pro- 
cesses which  the  vital  force  institutes  in  order  to  restore 
the  equilibrium  of  the  disturbed  state  of  the  organism,  can- 
not be  entertained  for  a  single  moment  when  looking  upon 
the  ever  varying  opinions  upon  which  allopathic  pathology 
progresses,  in  the  illusory  hope  to  make  everything  inside 
the  body  concerning  the  "lesions"  and  "tissue-changes" 
as  clear  as  daylight  For  the  pathological  reasoning  is  de- 
pendent upon  the  changes  which  the  organism  is  under- 
going not  being  left  to  itself,  as  Hippocrates  observed  them, 
but  under  the  crushing  load  of  allopathic  medication  so  that 
nobody  knows  which  is  which.  The  old  school  changes 
continuously  with  the  ever  varying  kaleidoscope  of  pathol- 
ogy, that  insatiable  man  which  swallows  the  innocents  by 
the  million.  The  facts,  then,  upon  which  this  science  of  al- 
lopathic pathology — for  a  science  for  all  that  it  is — ^pro- 
ceeds, are  not  facts  servicable  for  the  science  of  healing, 
which  must  be  based  upon  facts  the  most  certain.  They 
lack  the  main  requisite  for  scientific  induction;  pure  posi- 
tive facts  observed  by  an  eye  which  is  able  to  keep  itself 
free  from  the  bias  of  an  antiquated  school,  a  school  which 
at  the  present  time  draws  fresh  nutriment  from  the  facts 
established  by  the  new  school.  Homoeopathies,  or  the  science 
of  healing  by  similars,  therefore,  has  nothing  to  do  with 
"first  making  a  diagnosis  of  the  pathological  process."  But 
the  first  office  of  the  Homoeopathician  is  to  make  a  diagnosis 
of  the  present  state  of  the  system  by  the  homoeopathic  rule, 
which  is  taking  up  the  pathogenetic  picture  of  the  disturbed 
action  of  the  organism,  as  it  is,  in  plain  language,  collecting 


the  Medical  Advance. 


Jnly 


r 

I 


all  the  symptoms  aiDenable  to  our  understau cling.  Now, 
certainly  tliia  mass  or  totality  of  symptoms  must  have  a 
connection  of  the  same  among  themselves,  and  here  the 
indgment  of  the  homceopathic  observer  comes  in,  assigning 
to  each  symptom  its  value  and  appropriate  place  in  the  pic- 
ture. Suppose  you  wanted  to  make  a  portrait  and  did  not 
underBtand  where  to  paint  tJie  nose,  similar  as  it  may  be, 
what  kind  of  a  portrait  would  you  make?  If  you  would 
put  the  nose  in  the  place  of  the  forehead,  how  could  you 
hide  the  hiatus  left  by  that  important  member  which  gives 
character  to  the  face  ?  Or,  would  you  paint  an  insignificant 
button  on  the  coat  in  its  place?  Thus  the  Homceopathician 
must  in  the  present  positive  pathogenetic  picture  find  out 
where  the  nose  and  where  the  button  belongs.  But  it  ap- 
pears what  to  one  looks  like  a  button,  is  to  another  a  nose. 
That  depends  upon  the  judgment  of  the  observer.  He  must 
find  out  which  symptom  is  of  the  greatest  dignity  and  value 
and  which  is  the  one  leas  important  This  is  the  homtpo- 
patbic  diagnosis,  which  is  not  at  all  dependent  upon  allo- 
copftthic  pathologj'  because  the  object  is  healing,  restoring 
the  disturbed  state  of  the  organism  to  its  normal  equili- 
brium; not  to  furnish  material  for  pathological  conjectures 
and  theories. 

There  are  more  ways  of  healing,  than  the  homoeopathic 
treatment  according  to  Hahnemann,  but  with  them  we  have 
nothing  to  do  except  to  assimilate  from  them  what  belongs 
to  the  homoeopathic  law,  if  we  want  to  cultivate  and  perfect 
the  science  of  healing  by  Homceopathy  as  Hahnemann  con- 
ceived it. 

It  is,  therefore,  unscientific  to  "  first  diagnose  the  path- 
ological process  and  then  to  determine  the  secondary  symp- 
toms;" it  is  merely  empirical,  because  there  are  no  scien- 
tific laws  to  proceed  upon,  but  the  ever  shifting  opinions  of 
men.  Bat  not  that  alone.  Suppose  "  the  pathological  pro- 
cess "  to  be  diagnosed,  whatever  that  may  be,  how  does  it 
help  Dr.  T.  F.  Allen  to  prescribe  intelligently,  as  it  is  called, 
according  to  this  diagnosis?  Are  our  remedies  known  to 
act  according  to  the  out  and  dried  pathological  processes 
which  the  gentleman  diagnoses?     No,  and  here  is  the 


es  H 

J 


1886  Typhoid  Fever.  15 

ond  source  of  his  empiricism.  For,  how  can  he  know  how 
the  medicine  will  act  in  the  body  after  he  has  given  it? 
Certainly  not  from  homoeopathic  data.  For  the  symptomB 
of  their  provings  upon  ,the  healthy  give  us  the  only  think- 
able x)08itive  knowledge  of  what  is  necessary  to  meet  the 
pathogenetic  symptoms  similar  to  them,  or  to  heal  them, 
and  cure  the  disease.  This  scientific  precision  and  posi- 
tivity  of  the  homoeopathic  practice  is  the  reason  why  the 
singular  spectacle  is  presented  that  after  nearly  a  hundred 
years  of  homoeopathic  practice,  the  great  majority  of  hom- 
oeopathic physicians  want  to  run  over  into  the  allopathic 
camp  where  they  are  repulsed,  as  not  being  true  to  their 
own  cause,  which  is  true,  whilst  the  Allopathicians  avail 
themselves  of  the  fruits  of  the  homoeopathic  Materia  Medica 
Pura,  and  improve  their  own  treatment  Verily,  a  cause 
must  be  sound  to  the  core,  if  such  a  curious  spectacle  sur- 
prises the  world!  It  is  that  very  Materia  Medica  Pura,  that 
great  and  incomparable  work  of  consummate  masters,  that 
thesaurus  of  the  homoeopathic  language  from  which  the  Al- 
lopathicians begin  to  pilfer,  infringing  upon  the  seventh 
commandment,  that  identical  work  which  these  empiricists 
in  the  homoeopathic  ranks  who  have  sp^nt  and  spend  now 
any  amount  of  labor  and  money  upon  its  publication,  now 
revile  and  try  to  belittle  and  curtail  fore  and  aft  in  order 
to  make  it  homoeopathic  to  their  own  abridged  minds.  Do 
not  these  so-called  scientists  see  that  they  tread  upon  uncer- 
tain ground,  that  they  venture  upon  the  swamps  of  empty 
conjecture  and  theory  devoid  of  the  necessary  character  of 
scientific  precision,  when  they  try  to  introduce  into  Homoe- 
opathy the  allopathic  notions  which  the  present  time 
largely  influenced  by  that  practice  which  they  simulate  to 
despise,  has  brought  to  light?  If  it  were  only  empiricism, 
it  would  indeed  be  commendable,  because  empiricism 
means  originally  experience,  and  always  is  the  fore  runner 
of  science.  But  not  even  so  much  is  to  be  conceded  to 
these  Homoeopathists  who  complain  of  the  increasing  em- 
piricism in  their  ranks  (see  editorial)  by  which  is  meant  a 
treatment  of  routine  without  law  and  order  and  character 


1 16  The  Medical  Advance.  Jnly 

such  as  giving  masses  of  Chinine  in  intenaittent  and  opium 
and  brandy  in  hydrophobia. 

4.  Comparing  what  Dr.  T.  F.  Allen  (p.  464)  laid  down 
as  the  first  duty  of  the  homcBopathic  physician  to  "diagnose 
the  pathological  process,"  does  not  tally  with  what  before  in 
his  paper  (p.  408)  he  said  about  the  determination  of 
symptoms.  It  is  the  result  of  ruminating  of  what  tliose 
very  Homceopathiciane  have  entertained  whom  he  classes 
as  empiricists,  but  so  contrived,  as  to  reconcile  it  with  his 
allopathic  conception  of  the  pathological  process.  It  is 
not  true  that  von  Boenninghausen  was  the  father  of  "char- 
acteristics," He  only  carried  out  what  Hahnemann's 
genius  had  declared  long  ago  {see  OrpanoH  §  1.53).  But 
it  is  true  that  to  von  Boenninghausen  and  Lippe  pre- 
eminently we  owe  a  world  of  gratitude  for  eliminating  from 
1  chaos  of  symptoms  such  reliable  "characteristics"  which 
already  have  saved  more  lives  than  Allopathy  has  ever 
done.  The  sneer  of  the  editor  (p.  452)  to  covering  the 
"Geist  of  disease"  by  the  "Geist  of  the  remedy"  shows  in- 
deed some  Bpirit,  but  not  much  mind;  whoever  wi'ote  it 
thought  himself  "geistreich"  when  he  only  sinned  against 
the  spirit  He  shows  an  inexplicable  empiricism,  when  he 
attributes  cures  owing  to  simility  of  mental  symptoms  in 
organism  and  remedy  to  "inexplicable  intuition."  Dr. 
Skinner  cured  a  case  of  diabetes  mell,  not  by  "diagnosing 
the  pathological  process  and  determining  the  secondary 
symptoms,"  but  by  adhering  closely  to  a  mental  symptom 
which  was  found  in  the  pathopoesis  of  the  remedy  applied. 

•   All  his  intuition  amounted  simply  to  selection  of  the  simi- 
lar remedy  from  the  M.  M.  P. 
5,  The  division  of  the  symptoms  into  two  classes  (p.  408) 
I  is  well  enough  for  certain  purposes,  for  instance,  for  study- 

ing the  Materia  Medica  Pura,  but  it  is  a  hindrance  for 
I  healing  purposes,  because  it  is  apt  to  obscure  symptoms 
which  have  no  such  relation,  and  have  their  positive  value 
tor  all  that  And  it  is  in  the  same  vein  as  dividing  dis- 
eases into  different  classes,  as  acute  and-chronic,  a  division 
which  has  its  justification,  but  often  hinders  healing  be- 
cause certain  remedies  are  assigned  to  either  of   them, 


I 


1886  Typhoid  Fever.  17 

whilst  it  is  true,  that  any  remedy  if  it  is  homoeopathic,  is 
available  for  any  of  these  classes.  Thus  it  is  also  with  the 
artificial  classification  into  zymotic,  syphilitic,  sycotic, 
psoric,  malarial,  etc.  It  is  all  very  well  for  registration, 
for  pathology,  but  it  should  have  nothing  to  do  with  the 
healing,  because  it  prejudices  the  mind  in  the  selection  of 
the  remedy  which  is  the  next  prepuisite  after  the  patho- 
genetic picture  has  been  taken  up. 

6.  There,  now  to  the  rub.     The  only  fault  that  all  these 
allopathically    inclined     Homoeopathists    find    with    the 
Hahnemannian  postulatum  of  the  totality  of  the  symptoms 
is,  that  it  is  too  much  for  them  (p.  454).    They  do  not  know 
what  to  do  with  it.     They  are  asked  too  much.     Dr.  T.  F. 
Allen  gets  the  horrors  when,  out  of  his  twelve  volumes  of 
Encyclopaedia,  which  do  not  even  contain  all  the  provings, 
he  is  to  select  for  a  totality  of  symptoms  in  a  case  which 
applies  to  him  for  cure.     The  fact,  then,  is,  that  he  and 
many  of  his  compeers  are  unable  to  use  this  postulatum  of 
science  to  advantage  for  their  patients.     They  want  to  be 
excused  from  the  task  laid  upon  them,  because — because  in 
their  mind,  it  is  more  scientific  to  prescribe  pathologically 
according  to  allopathic  notions.     Well,  they  may  do  so, 
if  they  please.     This  is  a  free  country,  and  it  is  lawful  to 
prescribe  allopathically  as  well  as  homoeopathically.    But 
they  must  discard  all  claim  to  Homoeopathy  if  they  set  at 
naught  one  of  the  most  important  requisites  of  homoeo- 
pathic practice.     If  they  do  so,  they  deceive  the  public 
which  expects  to  be  treated  homoeopathically.    If  they  are 
not  able  to  handle  the  case  according  to  the  totality  of 
Sjrmptoms,  others  have  done  it,  and  do  it  to  the  present  day. 
All  the  great  men  in  our  profession  have  done  it,  and  they 
owe  their  glory  mostly  to  this  fact     It  only  would  follow 
from  this  that  Dr.  T.  F.  Allen  and  his  compeers  should 
either  try  to  reach  that  standpoint  where  the  totality  will 
no  more  be   the  bugbear  of    thousands  who  call  them- 
selves Homoeopaths  without  deserving  this  honorable  name, 
or  to  throw  it  and  with  it  themselves  overboard  as  useless 
ballast  in  the  homoeopathic  ship  in  the  preference  of  the 

B 


TS 


Tlie  Medical  Advance. 


July 


diagnosie  o£  the  pathological  process  according  to  the  rules 
of  the  old  school. 

7.  The  fling  at  keynotes  and  charcteristics  (p.  452)  fails 
of  its  aim,  because  it  actually  hits  in  the  quarter  from 
which  it  comes,  because  the  complaint  of  increasing  empiri- 
cism in  the  bad  sense,  comes  from  that  very  quarter.  If 
the  Homceapathicians  make  use  of  characteristics,  they  do 
it  in  perfect  accordance  with  Hahnemann's  teachings,  and 
it  is  these  which  give  the  picture  its  peculiar  features  such 
as  above  in  the  instance  of  the  portrait  was  mentioned  the 
characteristic  nose.  If  the  Homoeopath  iciau  by  a  single 
key-note  can  cure  a  case  successfully,  where  the  most  elab- 
orate diagnosis  of  the  pathological  process  and  determin- 
ing the  secondary  symptoms  will  not  do  it,  why  should  he 
not  do  so?  Why  should  it  be  deemed  less  scientific?  Be- 
cause he  has  not  gone  through  all  the  paraphernalia  of  the 
presently  adopted  regulai-  school?  Quite  the  conti-ary. 
Such  cases  show  the  possibility  of  perfection  which  Hom- 
wpathy  will  attain  it  it  continues  to  progress  as  it  has 
done  for  the  last  twenty  years.  The  people  who  do  not 
understand  such  wonderful  facts  call  the  Homceopathician 
who  succeeds  in  this  way,  often  to  his  own  astoniahment,  a 
wizard,  a  devil,  because  poor  ignorants  as  they  are,  they 
have  no  idea  of  the  power  of  the  homceopathic  law.  And 
indeed,  it  seems,  the  great  majority  of  the  homceopathic 
profession  stand  in  the  same  relation  to  pure  Uomceopathy. 
Having  the  majority  they  proceed  to  measures  which 
are  apt  to  put  Homoeopathy  pure  at  the  stake  as  in  benighted 
times  when  they  burned  the  poor  witches  who  had  only 
the  faidt  of  being  more  sensitive  creatures  than  they. 

But  Homceopathy  is  not  a  witch,  nor  an  error,  but  an 
eternal  truth  which  will  live  and  prosper  in  spite  of  the 
multitude  of  reii-ilers  coming  from  her  own  womb.  They 
cry  out  against  it,  because. they  can  not  overcome  their  own 
insufficiency,  and  they  either  must  mend  or  eniL 

Ceterum  eenaeo  macrodosiam  esse  delendam. 


E(J0I8ETCM  Hye.  has  cured  Sarcoma  of  uterus,  even  when 
ulceration  had  occurred.     No  symptoms  given. 


1886  Quinine  in  Typhoid  Fever.  19 

UTTER  WORTHLESSNESS  OF   QUININE   IN   THE   TREAT- 
MENT OF  TYPHOID  FEVER.* 


GEO.  M.  DEW  BY.  M.  D. 


Habits,  customs,  traditions  in  medicine,  cling  as  i)ertina* 
cioosly  to  M.  D.'s,  as  traditions  and  religious  dogmas  do  to- 
D.  D's,  A  tradition  three  thousand  years  old  is  to-day  as- 
precious  to  the  Jew  as  at  its  conception.  Inflammation  was- 
the  bug-bear  of  the  doctors  for  untold  ages  and  venesection 
the  stereotyped  remedy. 

To-day  Quinine  is  a  therapeutic  despot  whose  autocratic 
sway  few  have  the  courage  to  dispute.  At  sometime,  in 
some  stage  of  every  malady  most  doctors  fancy  they  find  an 
indication  or  an  excuse  for  giving  quinine.  In  high  fever 
it  will  pull  down,  in  low  fever  it  will  push  up. 

No  pulse  so  high,  no  pulse  so  low, 
But  down  one's  neck  the  stuff  must  go. 

In  this  paper  I  propose  to  speak  particularly  of  the  folly 
of  giving  Quinine  in  any  dose,  for  any  purpose,  in  the 
treatment  of  typhoid  fever  or  that  bastard  malady  born  on 
the  historic  banks  of  the  Chickahominy,  whose  untimely 
end  is  near  at  hand. 

I  know  of  no  disease  in  which  Quinine  can  do  so  little 
good  and  so  much  harm  as  typhoid  fever.  The  mass  of  the 
profession  give  Quinine  in  the  beginning  of  typhoid  fever 
in  large  doses  to  lower  the  temperature,  and  at  the  close  in 
small  doses  to  increase  the  appetite,  ''as  a  tonic."  A  dose 
large  enough  to  lower  the  temperature,  two  or  three  degrees 
never  fails  to  injure  the  nervous  system,  and  to  produce 
gastro-intestinal  trouble.  A  large  per  cent  of  deaths  from 
tjrphoid  fever  are  from  exhaustion.  The  issue  in  a  vast 
majority  of  cases  is  entirely  dependent  on  the  ability  of  the 
patient  to  take  and  digest  food.  I  hear  and  read  a  great 
deal  about  "  tissue  waste"  from  high  temperature.  I  doubt 
not  this  is  the  tendency  of  long  continued  high  tempera- 
ture. But  the  fact  is  that  a  gallon  of  sweet  milk  will  pre- 
vent more  "tissue  waste"  than  an  ounce  of  Quinine.     ITie 


'Kead  before  the  Moberly  District  Society  (Allopathic),  October  20, 1885. 


T}ie  Medical  Advance.  July 

I  '■  tissue  waste"  causes  exhaustion  from  impaired  di- 

gestioD,  not   from   temperature,     TLe  applicatiou  of  cold 

water  to  tlie  surface  is  more  efficient  and  tenfold  safer  as  a 

B  of  reducing  temperature,  than  Quinine.     The  vast 

I  majority  of  uncomplicated  caaea  of  typhoid  fever  will  end 

I  in  recovery  if  well  fed. 

I  presume  no  one  is  fool  enough  to  expect  Quinine  can 
prevent  complications  or  cure  them  when  they  arise.  Is 
there  a  man  in  the  profession  idiot  enough  to  give  Quinine 
for  (iiarrhcea,  or  bronchitis,  or  delirium,  or  tremors?  Many 
doctors  have  told  me  they  have  followed  this  Quinine  prac- 
tice and  their  patients  finally  made  it  It  is  hard  to  set 
f  bouLds  to  nature's  ability  to  resist  mal-practice. 

Much  useless  drugging  is  dune  in  self-limited  diseases, 
\  especially  in  pneumonia  and  typhoid  fever.  I  tliink  the 
heroic  doses  of  Quinine  in  typhoid  fever  are  given  under  a 
misapprehension.  The  deleterious  effects  of  high  tem- 
perature are  greatly  exaggerated.  It  is  only  a  few  years 
t  since  the  fever  thermometer  was  invented  or  come  into  gen- 
eral use,  consequently  the  temperature  could  not  be  known, 
nor  was  it  thought  of  in  the  treatment  of  typhoid  fever.  If 
the  per  cent  of  recoveries  are  greater  now  than  before  the 
use  of  the  thermometer  it  is  more  due  to  milk  than  reduc- 
tion of  temperature. 
The  cause  of  high  temjierature  is  not  positively  known. 
When  we  prescribe  for  high  temperature  we  prescribe  for 
a  symptom  only.  The  disease  or  cause  producing  the  tem- 
perature is  what  kills  the  patient  In  no  other  disease  do 
we  make  the  fight  so  vigorously  against  a  mere  symptom. 
In  the  high  temperature  of  some  cases  of  cerebro-spinal 

I  meningitis  onr  efforts  are  not  sj»ent  alone  on  the  tempera- 
ture. Utter  neglect  of  temperature  is  tar  better  for  the 
j)atient  than  halt  drachm  doses  ot  Quinine. 
The  vis  mecUcairix  rinturie  ever  stands  at  the  gate  of 
ideath  to  resist  the  fell  strokes  of  the  doctors. 
A  year  or  two  ago  a  doctor  inviteil  me  to  see  a  typhoid 
'fever  patient  of  his  at  St  Luke's  Hospital  in  St.  Louis. 
The  patient  was  a  man  about  30  years  of  age.  He  was  in 
the  third  week  of  the  fever.     His  temperature  was  101  de- 


1886  Quinine  in  Typhoid  Fever,  21 

grees,  pulse  90.  There  were  two  doctors  in  attendance,  one 
of  whom  was  the  son  of  an  eminent  surgeon  of  St  Louis. 
They  informed  me  they  had  given  this  man  of  very  moder- 
ate temperature  40  grains  of  Quinine  every  day  since  his 
admission.  My  opinion  being  asked  as  to  the  treatment,  I 
expressed  great  surprise  that  the  man  was  still  alive.  Of 
course  I  advised  the  discontinuance  of  the  Quinine;  the 
doctors  decided  to  continue  it,  but  reduce  the  quantity  to 
25  grains  per  day.  This  man,  strange  to  relate,  finally  re- 
covered after  a  tedious  convalescence.  I  saw  him  a  few 
months  ago,  when  he  informed  me  he  took  1,250  grains  of 
Quinine  during  this  attack;  but  these  doctors  no  doubt 
point  to  this  man  as  a  living  witness  of  their  consumate 
skill,  and  of  the  transendent  virtues  of  Quinine  in  the  treat- 
ment of  typhoid  fever. 

The  virtues  of  "Piso's  Consumption  Cure,"  "Warner's 
Safe  Kidney  Cure,"  and  that  panacea  of  quacks,  "The 
Elixir  lodo  Bromide  of  Calcium  Compound"  rest  on  the 
same  stable  foundation.  The  Quinine  monger's  faith  in 
Quinine  is  only  duplicated  by  the  Chinaman's  in  Ginseng. 
Men  swallow  these  things  and  fail  to  die,  hence  the  cure. 

In  a  very  recent  work  entitled  "A  System  of  Practical 
Medicine  by  American  Authors,"  Dr.  James  H.  Hutchin- 
son contributes  a  hundred  pages  on  typhoid  fever.  His 
history  of  the  disease  and  matters  concerning  it  are  excel- 
lent; but  when  it  comes  to  treatment  he  falls  neck  and  heels 
into  routine. 

On  page  326  he  says:  "When  called  upon  to  treat 
typhoid  fever,  if  the  case  is  a  mild  one  with  no  bad  symp- 
toms, such  as  excessive  diarrhoea,  delirium,  tremors,  and  the 
like,  and  especially  if  the  temperature  does  not  rise  higher 
than  102  F.,  I  am  accustomed  after  giving  minute  direc- 
tions as  to  diet  and  general  care  of  the  patient,  to  prescribe 
from  two  to  three  grains  of  Quinine  four  times  a  day.  No 
great  power  in  reducing  the  temperature  of  the  body  can, 
of  course  be  claimed  for  these  doses,  but  experience  has 
shown  that  the  impression  they  make  is  useful  and  they  do 
not  interfere  with  the  administration  of  the  drug  in  larger 
doses  should  this  become  necessary." 


22  The  Medical  Advance,  July 

Now  here  is  a  man  supposed  to  be  the  Polar  Star  to 
guide  American  practitioners  over  the  doubtful  sea  of  med- 
icine; writes  in  a  book  (who  dares  dispute  what  he  sees 
written  in  a  book?)  directions  for  giving  Quinine  every 
three  or  four  hours  to  a  patient  with  typhoid  fever  whom 
the  veriest  tyro  knows  needs  nothing  but  good  diet.  The 
patient  he  describes  is  a  good  one  to  have.  A  good  one  to 
get  up  a  reputation  on.  One  who  "has  no  diarrhoea;  no 
delirium;  no  tremors;  temperature  102."  A  clear  hundred 
per  cent,  of  such  cases  ought  to  recover.  Why  would  any 
thinking  man  give  such  a  patient  Quinine?  He  sayc  he 
was  accustomed  and  in  the  habit  of  doing  this  way.  This 
is  at  the  bottom  of  all  such  nonsensical  practice.  A  doctor 
who  contributes  a  hundred  pages  to  a  book  to  guide  Amer- 
ican practitioners  ought  to  give  some  better  reason  than 
custom  and  habit  for  giving  medicine. 

The  doctors  from  the  land  of  flowers  and  gun-powder  tea 
give  medicine  for  the  same  scientific  reason  this  author 
does;  from  habit,  custom,  tradition.  Dr.  I.  Hun  Su  of 
Pekin,  China,  treats  ancomplicated  typhoid  fever  very  suc- 
cessfully with  the  following  prescription: 

B.  Three  inches  dried  umbilical  cord. 

One  dried  snake-skin. 

One  fresh  tom-cats  head. 

lyiix.   Boil  in  five  pints  of  water  for  two  hours  and  strain. 

8ig,    Tablespoonful  every  four  hours. 

This  prescription  would  be  far  less  apt  to  disorder  the 
stomach  and  nervous  system  than  Quinine,  besides  being 
"tonic." 

There  is  a  German  farmer  in  my  neighborhood  who  has 
what  may  be  called  the  Quinine  habit.  He  has  the  same 
longing  for  Quinine  that  the  Opium  eater  has  for  Opium. 
He  has  taken  five  or  six  grains  every  morning  for  ten  years. 
His  health  is  not  first  rate,  still  he  is  able  to  do  fair  farm 
work  all  the  time.  His  hearing  is  bad.  When  he  omits 
the  accustomed  dose  he  is  quite  unfit  for  business.  If  the 
Quinine  maniacs  can  find  any  consolation  from  this  case 
they  are  welcome  to  it. 

In  the  same  neighborhood  there  lives  a  colored  man  one 


1886  Quinine  in  Typhoid  Fever.  23 

hundred  and  twenty  years  old,  who  has  used  tobacco  and 
drank  whiskey  since  he  was  fifteen.  Therefore  whiskey  and 
tobacco  prolong  life? 

Nothnagel,  the  prince  of  German  Therapeutists,  says: — 
"  The  frequent  assertion  that  the  constant  administration 
of  Quinine  results  in  increased  appetite  does  not  appear  to 
be  well  founded.  It  id  claimed  that  when  febrile  diseases  are 
cured  by  Quinine  the  appetite  is  improved,  but  this  is  the 
result  of  the  improvement  in  the  disease  and  not  directly 
of  the  Quinine."  He  says  i^uchheim  and  Engle  "have 
found  that  the  presence  of  Quinine  in  the  stomach  of  the 
living  animal  retards  digestion,"  and  then  says:  "We  must 
therefore  deny  that  small  doses  of  Quinine  improve  diges- 
tion and  appetite;  on  the  contrary,  in  many  persons  it 
causes  nausea,  vomiting,  and  a  feeling  of  sickness  in  the 
stomach.  The  preparations  of  Quinine  are  in  very  common 
use  as  remedies  to  aid  digestion  and  as  tonics.  They  are 
given  in  a  slip-shod  manner  in  expectancy  of  particularly 
good  results,  in  cases  of  failing  appetite,  and  in  the  most 
diverse  cachetic  and  other  conditions  of  the  system  caused 
by  inanition,  in  simple  dyspepsia,  in  symptomatic  dyspep- 
sia of  phthisis,  to  patients  who  are  weakened  by  long 
suppuration  or  loss  of  blood,  to  convalescents  from  typhus 
and  so  forth." 

He  continues,  "How  unstable  the  foundations  for  such  a 
treatment  are,  we  have  pointed  out;  continued  observations 
have  thoroughly  convinced  us  of  the  utter  futility  of  the  in- 
dications of  Quinine  on  merely  practical  grounds;  Quinine 
is  by  no  means  a  directly  strengthening  remedy;  a  good 
piece  of  beef,  wine,  milk,  eggs,  but  not  Quinine,  strengthen 
the  convalescent  from  typhus  and  the  feverless  sufferers 
from  pleurisy."  (Nothnagel,  Therapeutics,  Vol.  III.,  page 
612-13). 

Such  is  the  opinion  of  as  judicious  an  observer  of  the 
action  of  medicine  as  lives.  But  the  routinist,  the  rut  fel- 
lows will  jump  up  and  reply  that  this  may  be  all  right  for 
Germany,  "but  in  this  malarious  country  Quinine  is  a  ne- 
cessity." 

During  the  late  war  the  Yankee's  invented  a  new  disease 


24  The  Medical  Advance,  July 

that  howls  and  cries  aloud  for  Quinine.  This  bastard  was 
baptized  and  christened  ' Typho-Malarial  Fever;*  and 
though  Dr.  Woodward  abandoned  his  bantling  in  disgust, 
every  malarial  maniac  in  the  land  is  clamorous  for  its  life. 
I  believe  no  one  claims  to  have  any  typical  pathological 
lesions  of  typho-malarial  fever  differing  from  typhoid  fever. 
In  our  last  State  meeting  Dr.  Van  Emon  gave  the  histories 
of  fifteen  post  mortems  of  death  from  the  so-called  typho- 
malarial  fever.  In  every  one  the  characteristic  lesions  of 
typhoid  fever  were  found.  If  the  prefix — the  tail — the  ma- 
larial end  of  this  disease  could  be  amputated,  Quinine 
would  get  its  quietus  from  a  good  many  doctors  who  only 
prescribe  it  on  account  of  this  caudal  appendage.  Some 
men  are  very  contentious  about  the  characteristic  symptoms 
of  typhoid  fever.  Pathology  ought  to  settle  it.  If  a  patient 
has  a  continued  fever  and  any  one  symptom  known  to  oc- 
cur in  what  they  call  a  typical  case  of  typhoid  fever  is  ab- 
sent, this  is  a  case  of  "  typho-malaria."  Should  a  case  fail 
to  have  diarrhoea,  or  delirium,  or  tremors  or  petechia  or 
tympanitis,  or  headache,  or  insomnia,  or  stupor,  bronchitis 
or  haemorrhage,  then  it  would  be  typho-malarial  fever  and 
absolutely  require  Quinine.  Hybrid  diseases  exist  only  in 
the  brain  of  fools.  I  believe  no  one  claims  to  tell  the  sex 
in  baccillas. 

Which  is  the  Sire  or  which  the  Dam, 
Seems  quite  beyond  the  ken  of  man. 

I  am  told  by  the  believers  in  the  hybrid  theory  that  this 
fever  often  commences  as  a  typho-malarial  fever  and  runs 
into  or  ends  in  typhoid.  After  malaria  is  killed  by  Quin- 
ine, typho  lives  on.  Some  men  are  bent  on  keeping  this 
name  alive  to  justify  the  treatment. 

Our  forefathers  fooled  a  long  time  with  biliousness  to 
justify  Calomel. 

Hepatic  doctors  now  are  seen  no  more, 
The  hunt  for  bile  has  long  been  given  o'er, 

Whoever  would  a  reputation  make. 
Deserts  the  bile,  the  bugs  to  overtake. 

Whether  one  believes  or  disbelieves  in  typho-malarial 
fever  is  unimportant;  Quinine  is  a  deleterious  drug  in  either. 


1886  Milk  Diet  in  Typhoid.  25 

The  so-called  typho-malarial  fever  is  not  shortened  or 
mitigated  or  controlled  or  in  any  way  benefitted  by  Quin- 
ine. The  same  objections  apply  to  its  use  in  this  as  in 
typhoid  fever  and  for  the  same  reason  namely,  it  is  the  self 
same  disease. 

Some  one  may  ask  is  it  possible  for  a  patient  to  recover 
from  a  typhoid  fever  or  that  one  with  the  prefix  malaria, 
without  Quinine?  I  will  say,  the  writer  has  not  given  a 
grain  of  Quinine  in  these  diseases  for  twenty  years,  unless 
there  was  a  mistake  in  the  diagnosis  in  the  incipiency.  He 
is  willing  to  compare  notes  with  anybody. 

Self-limited  diseases  are  not  cured  by  any  treatment. 
The  principal  remedies  useful  to  assist  nature  in  these 
fevers  are  cold  water,  sweet  milk,  brandy  and  a  fever  ther- 
mometer. Giving  Quinine  though  sanctioned  by  the  schools 
and  books  is  the  great  medical  delusion  of  the  age. 

I  am  aware  that  when  one  entertains  views  in  medicine 
or  divinity  contrary  to  the  common  herd  he  is  liable  to  be 
thought  "cranky"  or  crochety — not  orthodox.  Orthodoxy 
in  religion  or  medicine  is  a  matter  of  belief,  not  of  fact 
Orthodoxy  in  one  pulpit  is  heterodoxy  in  the  next.  The 
same  may  be  said  of  diflferent  schools  of  medicine. 

The  lancet  now  we  give  quite  o*er, 
With  all  our  thirst  for  human  gore. 

The  modem  doctors  make  the  fight, 
Between  the  cell  and  parasite. 


-•«*- 


MILK  DIET  IN  TYPHOID. 


In  the  discussion  on  his  article  "  The  Eelation  of  Food 
and  Drinks  to  Disease,"  at  the  recent  meeting  of  the  Ohio 
State  Society,  Dr. Owens  said:  "  I  suggested  that  milk  should 
not  be  allowed  in  treating  typhoid  fever.  It  seems  to  be  a 
craze  in  this  country  to  give  milk  for  everything,  but  I  ob- 
ject to  it  for  reasons  that  I  will  give.  In  the  first  place,  in 
this  disease  digestion  is  very  slow,  and  milk  is  one  of  those 
substances  which  readily  forms  a  curd  in  the  stomach.  It 
soon  becomes  curded  and  passes  through  the  intestine  in 
the  shape  of  a  solid  mass.  When  it  passes  through  the 
small  intestine  which  is  usually  inflamed  it  has  a  very  irri- 


T)ie  Medical  Advance. 


July 

tatiEg  effect  As  long  as  milk  is  given  irritation  will  Vie 
prolonged,  until  the  patient  is  well  along  in  the  disease.  I 
will  relate  two  eaaes  which  recently  came  under  my  obser- 
ratioii.  One  was  the  wife  of  a  prominent  citizen  of  Cin- 
cinnati. Slie  had  had  an  attack  of  typhoid  fever  which  had 
been  running  some  two  weeks.  I  found  that  she  had  been 
taking  milk  liberally  ever  since  she  waa  first  attacked. 
Upon  making  an  examination  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  the 
continued  pains  in  lier  abdomen,  I  found  a  hard  lump  as 
large  as  my  two  closed  hands.  Upon  inquiry  she  told  rae 
that  she  had  had  no  movement  of  the  bowels  tor  ten  days 
and  from  the  size  of  the  mass  in  her  abdomen,  I  thought  it 
might  have  been  twice  as  long.  It  was  enormous.  "When 
I  first  saw  the  woman  she  was  thought  to  be  dying.  I  made 
an  examination  as  soon  as  possible  and  told  them  what  I 
thought  the  trouble  was,  and  that  if  she  could  bo  relieved 
she  would  get  along  nicely.  We  gave  her  injections  and 
placed  a  large  bowl  upon  her  abdomen  over  the  mass,  and 
an  hour  from  that  time  she  felt  a  motion  in  her  abdomen. 
In  two  hours  we  had  a  movement  of  the  bowels  with  about 
a  quart  of  curded  milk.  She  was  relieved  immediately  and 
convalesced  as  soon  as  could  be  expected.  Another  was  the 
case  of  a  young  woman  who  was  supposed  to  be  convales- 
cent. She  had  been  directed  by  the  physician  iu  attend- 
ance to  drink  all  the  milk  she  could.  One  morning  she 
was  tronbled  with  distressing  pains  in  the  abdominal 
region.  A  large  mass  waa  found  in  the  bowels  and  it  was 
conclusive  to  me  that  the  trouble  waa  in  the  intestine,  and 
that  it  was  this  mass  that  was  giving  rise  to  this  distress. 
I  suggested  to  her  what  I  thought  the  trouble  was.  I  re- 
quested her  to  turn  over  on  her  aide  so  that  I  could  make  a 
thorough  examination,  and  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that 
there  was  curded  milk  at  this  point.  I  directed  a  liberal 
injection  to  be  uaed.  In  the  course  of  a  day  the  young  lady 
was  relieved  and  got  well  immediately.  The  conclusions 
that  I  have  reached,  as  stated  in  my  paper,  are  based  upon 
considerable  observation.  I  observed  that  when  milk  was 
given  as  a  part  of  the  diet  during  this  disease  the  sickness 
lasted  unusually  long." 


1886  Milk  Diet  in  Typhoid.  27 

Dr.  Webster: — "There  is  one  article  of  diet  which  I  al- 
ways use  in  typhoid  fever.  That  is  oyster  soup.  It  is  heal- 
ing and  nutritious.  I  have  used  it  so  much  that  I  have 
been  termed  by  my  colleagues  "the  oyster  soup  Doctor." 
I  think  it  is  dangerous  to  use  raspberries.  I  have  been 
making  observations  for  thirty-seven  years  now  and  I  have 
noticed  that  cholera  morbus  begins  with  the  raspberry 
season." 

Dr.  Owens: — "They  are  not  if  you  exclude  the  seeds." 

Dr.  Webster: — "There  is  the  point.  It  is  almost  impos- 
sible if  they  are  eaten  at  all,  to  exclude  the  seeds.  In  each 
of  the  little  cells  there  is  a  seed,  and  in  one  bite  there  are 
a  great  many  of  them.  It  is  impossible  for  anyone  to  digest 
them,  and  trouble  begins  immediately." 

Dr.  Owens: — "I  suggested  the  juice  and  not  the  berries 
themselves." 

Dr.  Barnes:  "A  physician  was  once  attending  a  Dutch- 
man who  had  a  very  severe  attack  of  typhoid  fever,  and 
his  patient  got  very  hungry  for  cabbage;  so  the  doctor  got 
him  some  cabbage,  gave  him  all  he  wanted,  and  he  recov- 
•ered  immediately.  Soon  lie  had  another  case  of  typhoid 
fever,  so  he  thought  as  cabbage  had  cured  his  last  patient, 
why  wouldn't  it  cure  this  one?  So  he  got  a  lot  of  cabbage 
and  let  his  patient  eat  all  he  wanted  of  it,  but  this  patient 
was  an  Englishman  and  it  killed  him.  So  the  doctor  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  while  cabbage  would  cure  a  Dutch- 
man it  would  kill  an  Englishman.  In  all  of  these  diseases 
I  have  found  that  there  is  a  little  somebody  down  in  there 
that  knows  more  about  it  than  I  do,  and  I  have  never 
known  the  least  injury  to  come  from  following  the  hint. 
One  of  the  patients  called  for  cabbage  and  it  did  him 
good,  but  the  other  did  not  call  for  cabbage  and  he  died. 
I  have  found  that  often  where  a  patient  is  in  a  delirium  he 
will  call  for  something,  and  if  I  give  him  that  thing  he 
will  immediately  get  better.  I  had  typhoid  fever  once 
when  I  was  a  young  man,  and  as  I  was  delirious  my  brother 
attended  me  constantly.  The  doctor  had  left  in  the  even- 
ing and  told  my  brother  that  I  could  not  live.  In  the 
course  of  the  night  some  time  I  cried  for  dried  beef,  and 


28  The  Medical  Advance.  July- 

he  concluded  that  if  I  must  die  any  way,  I  should  have 
dried  beef  before  I  went  He  went  and  bought  a  quarter 
of  a  pound  of  dried  beef  and  gave  me  shavings  of  it  little 
by  little  until  I  had  eaten  the  whole  quarter  of  a  pound. 
When  I  waked  up  in  the  morning  my  brother  and  the  doc- 
tor were  quarreling,  and  I  heard  my  brother  say  that  if  I 
did  get  well  there  would  be  no  credit  due  the  doctor  for  it. 
My  brother  would  not  tell  me  what  was  the  matter  between 
him  and  the  doctor  for  two  or  three  years.  That  gave  me 
a  hint  when  I  was  only  a  boy,  and  I  have  never  known  a 
case  to  get  any  worse  when  they  got  what  they  called  for. 
Dr.  Owens'  principles  are  correct  in  practice,  but  if  there 
are  any  calls  way  down  inside  of  you,  you  better  follow 
them,  because  they  know  more  about  it  than  you." 


Wl 


A  SLOW  PULSE. 


0.  B.  GILBERT.  M.  D. 


Mr.  B ,  widower,  60  years  of  age,  about  5  feet  3  in, 

high,  plump  figure,  dark  brown  hair  turning  to  gray,  ruddy 
complexion,  apparently  in  good  health  except  a  moderate 
hydrocele  on  left  side,  and,  for  a  few  months  in  1883  and 
1884,  up  to  the  time  when  I  first  counted  his  pulse  in  June, 
an  aching  in  the  back  of  his  head.  In  June,  being  in  at- 
tendance on  a  member  of  the  household,  he  asked  me  to 
count  his  pulse — he  had  discovered  that  it  was  slow.  It 
was  thirty-three  (33).  He  was  so  frightened  that  his  land- 
lady persuaded  him  to  go  that  day  to  Philadelphia,  where 
he  was  thoroughly  examined  by  his  physician,  who  pro- 
nounced his  heart  sound,  and  only  advised  him  not  to  hurry 
up  stairs — unnecessary  advice,  as  hurry  is  not  one  of  his 
characteristics.  I  counted  his  pulse  at  intervals  for  about 
a  year,  and  the  last  time  it  was  twenty-eight  and  one-half 
(28|);  it  felt  as  large  as  a  lead  pencil  (^  in.)  and  was  of  a 
heaving  character,  like  the  motion  of  a  large,  heavy  body. 
I  saw  him  a  few  months  ago,  (April,  1886,)  in  apparent 
health,  but  did  not  ask  him  about  his  pulse. 


1886  Nitrate  of  Sanguinarin.  29 

MATERIA  MEDICA. 


NITRATE  OF  SANGUINARIN. 


PROVINGS. 


WILLIAM  OWENS,  M.  D..  aacinnati,  Ohio. 


I  beg  leave  to  call  your  attention  to  the  fact  that  at  the 
meeting  of  the  American  Institute  at  Put-in-Bay  in  June, 
1878, 1  submitted  four  provings  of  this  drug,  and  three 
clinical  verifications  which  were  published  in  the  transac- 
tions of  that  year,  pages  248  to  256.  I  will  therefore  refer 
all  who  desire  to  study  the  drug  further  to  that  publica- 
tion. The  provings  which  I  have  the  pleasure  of  present- 
ing to-day  have  been  made  subsequently,  and  while  I  have 
used  the  drug  on  many  occasions  with  most  satisfactory 
results  I  prefer  to  substitute  the  clinical  reports  of  others, 
some  of  which  cover  a  much  wider  range  of  symptoms  than 
I  have  encountered  in  its  use. 

Proving  by  C.  J.  S — ,  aged  28,  dark  complexion,  has  al- 
ways lived  in  the  east  but  not  near  the  sea  shore.  Had 
variola  sixteen  years  since,  and  is  deeply  pitted.  Previous 
to  this  his  health  had  been  poor,  but  since  he  had  variola 
he  says  he  is  much  better;  said  that  his  health  is  perfect 

Nov.  24, 1878,  at  10:30  p.  m.,  he  took  dry  upon  his  tongue 
one  powder  containing  five  grains  3x  trituration  of  Nitrate 
of  sanguinarin  and  immediately  retired  for  the  night  He 
sneezed  twice  within  ten  minutes.  In  about  fifteen  min- 
utes he  felt  water  trickling  down  the  left  nostril,  (he  was 
then  lying  upon  his  left  side).  He  also  felt  a  burning  in 
left  nostril;  felt  very  irritable,  unable  to  compose  himself. 
Could  not  go  to  sleep.  In  about  one  hour  the  burning  had 
extended  to  the  right  nostril,  forehead,  and  both  eyes,  with 
smarting  in  the  eyes;  eyes  inclined  to  water;  they  seemed 
painful;  pain  relieved  by  sneezing;  sneezed  several  times 
and  felt  as  if  he  were  taking  fresh  cold.  The  right  nostril 
now  began  to  discharge  watery  mucus.  At  about  one  hour 
and  forty  minutes  after  taking  the  medicine  he  noticed  a 


*'30  The  Medical  Adrance.  July 

eensatinn  of  fullness  with  heat  and  burning  tlirough  the 
naaal  passages.  Went  to  sleep  between  12  and  1  o'clock 
4.  X;  but  awoke  at  3  a.  m.  with  great  pressure,  heat,  and 
fullness  in  forehead, extending  to  the  root  of  the  nose;  was 
restless  and  slept  but  little  until  morning.  On  arising  both 
nostrils  were  plugged  with  mucus,  which  on  moving  about 
was  discharged  and  was  of  a  thick,  yellowish  character; 
that  from  the  right  nostril  was  tinged  with  blood.  Mucus 
of  a  thick  yellowish  character  continued  to  flow  from  the 
nose  for  the  next  ten  days,  when  it  gradually  subsided, 
leaving  stiff,  sore,  cracked  feeling  in  the  posterior  nares 
and  soft  palate.  Examination  on  the  second  day  showed 
swollen  and  elongated  uvula,  redness  and  cedema  of  the 
palate  and  upper  part  of  the  pharynx,  the  mucous  follicles 
were  enlarged  and  of  a  bright  red  color;  the  whole  surface 
was  covered  with  a  white  tenacious  mucus. 

Proving  Wm.  0—  Sr.,  M.  D.,  aged  56,  florid  complexion, 
usually  enjoys  excellent  health,  took  a  quite  severe  cold  on 
being  exposed  at  night.  Had  sneezing,  coryza,  discharge 
of  db&t  viscid  mucus  from  nose,  watering  of  the  eyes,  pain 
in  the  forehead.  Dec.  6,  1879,  4  p.  m..  took  the  drug  for 
relief  of  these  symptoms,  3x  trituration,  one  graia  doses 
every  two  houi's.  Continued  two  days  except  when  asleep. 
Observed  first  a  slightly  bitter  taste  of  the  medicine  which 
soon  passed  off.  Morning  of  the  third  day,  Dec.  9,  awoke 
with  severe  headache,  pain  mostly  in  the  forehead  over  the 
left  eye,  pressure  and  heat  extending  down  to  the  root 
of  the  nose,  pain  and  soreuess  in  right  malar  boue  with 
beat  in  the  whole  of  the  right  side  of  the  face.  Attempted 
to  snuff  warm  water;  could  only  force  it  into  the  left  nos- 
tril, the  right  nostril  was  closed.  The  prolonged  inhalation 
of  hot  vapor  from  lime  water  relaxed  and  softened  the  plug, 
when  it  gave  way,  a  very  profuse  discharge  of  a  thick  yel- 
low lemon  colored  matter  (mucus)  took  place.  This  dis- 
charge lasted  several  mouths.  Ko  detailed  history  was 
kept.  This  was  followed  by  thick  brownish,  sometimes 
bloody  crusts  which  continued  until  the  spring  of  1883. 
The  nose  frequently  became  plugged  and  compelled  me  to 
breath    through    the    mouth.     This   mucus   at  all   times 


1886  Nitrate  of  Sangutnarin.  31 

seemed  hot,  tasted  sweet,  changing  from  yellow  to  brown 
or  green.  During  the  winter  of  1882  and  1883,  the  pos- 
terior nares  became  involved,  extending  into  the  larynx 
and  bronchia,  and  was  attended  by  more  or  less  hoarse- 
ness with  sore,  raw  feeling  never  before  experienced.  These 
conditions  all  passed  away  during  a  visit  to  Florida  in  the 
spring  of  1883. 

CLINICAL. 

Case  I. — Nitrate  Sanguinarin,  Mrs.  B — ,  widow,  aged  55, 
light  complexion,  catarrhal  constitution.  Had  chronic  cough 
for  many  years.  Asthmatic  on  taking  cold,  great  accumu- 
lation of  mucus  during  attacks,  raised  occasionally  during 
attacks  viscid  frothy  mucus  tinged  with  blood,  gastric 
catarrh;  great  tenderness  at  epigastrium. 

October  26, 1883,  was  seized  with  severe  catarrhal  symp- 
toms, sneezing,  burning  in  nostrils,  fluent,  watery  mucus 
discharge  from  nose,  aching  in  forehead.  Cough,  dry  and 
hollow.  R.  20  drops.  Nitrate  sang.,  3x,  in  six  ounces  of 
water,  two  teaspoonfuls  every  hour.  Beginning  at  6  p.  m., 
at  9:30  p.  m.,  four  doses  having  been  taken,  she  was  quite  re- 
lieved. The  usual  time  for  getting  relief  before  had  been 
two  or  three  days.  She  has  used  the  same  prescription  on 
several  occasions  since  with  like  results. 

Case  U. — Hay  Fever.  Dr.  G — ,  Manayunk,  Pa.,  age  not 
given,  says:  "Tour  proving  of  Nitrate  sang,  fits  my  symp- 
toms  of  Hay  Fever.  Please  send  me  enough  for  a  trial." 
"It  always  commences  when  grapes  commence  to  change 
in  color?  This  season  it  was  in  full  bloom  on  the  21st  of 
August  I  have  a  sensation  of  cob-webs  across  my  nose, 
beginning  ten  days  before  it  is  fully  established,  and  re- 
maining until  it  is  so  fully  established.  My  nose  feels  large 
and  tingles;  trickles  water,  mucous  membrane  very  sensi- 
tive to  cool  air,  causing  frequent  sneezing.  The  light  in- 
creases and  aggravates  the  symptoms.  When  I  get  out  of 
bed  in  the  morning  then  the  agony  commences  by  repeated 
sneezing,  copious  discharge  from  the  nose.  Sometimes  it 
is  lead  colored  water  which  makes  anything  sore  that  it 
touches;  this  then  becomes  ropy  with  salty  taste.  The 
eyes  itch  so  that  I  could  almost  rub  them  out" 


32  77iP  Medical  Advance.  July 

■'  The  secretion  from  the  eyes  is  the  same  color  as  that 
from  the  nose  and  has  a  sticky  or  pasty  feel  between  the 
fingers.  Symptoms  worse  in  the  morning  to  ten  o'clock,^ 
continue,  but  not  so  bad  in  afteroooo  and  evening;  have 
cougli  and  irritation  similar  to  inhaling  fumes  of  Sulphuric 
Acid;  rumbling  of  wind  in  abdomen;  pasB  large  qnantities 
of  gaa.  Appetite  is  good,  sleep  well,  and  attend  to  practice, 
bat  requires  a  great  effort  to  do  so;  fruits  and  melons  dis- 
agree with  me;  the  only  comfortable  position  1  can  get  is 
in  bed  and  a  dark  room."     Dated  September  22,  1879. 

October  26, 1880.  Dr.  G— .  writes  me,  "  I  used  your  Ni- 
trate sang,  last  year,  commenced  as  soon  as  I  received  it, 
was  somewhat  relieveil.  But  that  you  gave  me  in  June  of 
this  year  I  think  has  done  the  work,  for  the  first  time  in 
twelve  years,  I  have  escaped  my  attack  of  Hay  Fever." 

Since  I  commenced  the  study  of  this  drug  some  nine 
years  ago  I  have  received  numerous  letters  of  enquiry 
about  it  and  requests  to  furnish  it  to  physicians  in  various 
parts  of  the  country.  I  have  furnished  each,  with  the  request 
to  report  results.  Quite  a  number  have  responded  with  re- 
ports variable  in  character,  but  all  tending  to  favorable  re- 
8ult«.  When  in  San  Francisco  a  few  weeks  ago  I  met  an 
old  time  friend  and  student  whom  I  had  suppbed  with  the 
drug  some  sis  years  ago.  He  was  quite  enthusiastic  over 
it  as  a  remedy  for  the  colds  and  catarrhal  affections  of  that 
windy  place.  I  hope  gentlemen  that  you  will  give  the  drug 
;  trial  in  those  acute  catarrhal  conditions  arising  from 
recent  attacks,  which  Dr.  C.  Wesselhcsft  calls  "Our  New 
England  colds." — Ohio  State  Society. 

THEA:    ITS  NUTRIENT  AND  MEDICAL  QUALITIES. 
A  FHAGMENTAHY  PKOVING.* 

UAJtTQA  MAY  HOWELLS.M.  n.,  CtDolDnKI,  Ohio. 

Homoeopathy  has  not  only  revealed  to  the  world  the  dy- 
namic forces  of  drugs  but  has  also  discovered  that  a  asefol 
medicinal  spirit  may  be  aroused  from  many  familiar  arti- 
«ad  before  tba  Medical  SUIT  of  The  OMo-HoaplUl  for  Women  uid  ChUdrcD. 


1886  Thea:  A  Fragmentary  Proving.  33 

cles  of  food.  From  the  cup  of  coflfee  which  drives  sweet 
sleep  from  tired  eyes,  comes  forth  the  coffea  to  soothe  the 
delirium  and  wakefulness  of  nervous  exhaustion.  In  the 
harmless  pinch  of  salt  we  find  the  spirit  force  which  van- 
quishes  the  poison  of  marsh  fevers  or  pernicious  intermit- 
tents.  The  spirit  of  the  onion  wipes  away  many  tears, 
while  its  relative  the  garlic,  exerts  a  ministering  sphere 
upon  the  respiratory  and  digestive  tracts.  The  dainty 
mushroom  and  hearty  oats  lend  their  invisible  "elves"  to 
quiet  the  quivering  nerves  and  lull  to  rest  the  exhausted 
brain.  Even  the  pale  faced  skim  milk  (Lac  de  Floratum) 
is  said  to  contain  a  force  which  disarms  direful  forms  of 
sick  headache.  Thus  day  by  day  do  we  discover  more  and 
more  of  the  spiritual  forces  of  our  food  and  drink  and  are 
made  well  aware  that  the  true  "history  of  a  mouthful  of 
bread "  has  never  been  written.  To-night  we  ask  you  to 
commune  for  a  few  minutes  with  the  spirits  materializing 
from  a  cup  of  tea. 

Tea — genus  Camellia  Thea,  a  shrub  found  native  in 
China.  The  leaves  gathered  and  dried  constitute  the  arti- 
cle of  commerce  from  which  is  brewed  the  daily  drink  of 
many  nations.  The  different  varieties  of  tea  depend 
chiefly  upon  the  manner  of  preparation  of  the  leaves,  the 
time  of  gathering,  etc.  While  the  green  tea  is  dried  very 
quickly,  the  black  is  exposed  to  the  air  for  a  very  long 
time;  in  this  way  it  derives  its  dark  color  and  under  the  in- 
flmence  of  oxygen  undergoes  certain  chemical  changes  which 
give  it  peculiar  and  distinctive  qualities.  The  chief  con- 
stituent of  tea  is  an  aromatic  volatile  oil,  which  has  a  pecu- 
liar and  powerful  taste,  especially  irritating  to  the  nerves 
of  the  tongue  and  throat  The  ill  effects  of  tea  are  most 
frequently  ascribed  to  the  oil:  tea  packers  working  in  an 
atmosphere  impregnated  with  it,  and  tea  tasters,  who  are 
very  careful  never  to  swallow  any  of  the  decoction,  become 
in  a  few  years  wrecks  of  humanity.  The  Chinese  recogniz- 
ing the  powerful  effects  of  this  oil,  are  careful  never  to  use 
tea  less  than  a  year  old — much  of  the  oil  being  then  lost  by 
evaporation.  Another  constituent  is  a  vegetable  alkaline 
substance  called  thein.    Thein  has  a  slightly  bitter  taste 


34  The  Medical  Aduntice.  July 

and  dieeolvee  in  hot  water.  Third,  we  find  tonnin,  or  tnii- 
nic  acid,  which  gives  tea  ita  astringent  properties.  Fourth, 
gluten,  which  is  not  dissolved  by  hot  water,  and  therefore 
remaina  in  the  grounds,  making  them  slightly  nutritiyua. 
The  beat  manner  of  preparing  tea  for  the  table  ia  by  pour- 
ing boiling  water  over  the  leaves  and  covering  the  vesael 
tightly.  If  the  water  is  not  hot,  the  theiu  and  tannic  acid 
are  not  estricate<l;  if  the  tea  is  boiled,  a  large  per  cent  o£ 
the  volatile  oil  which  gives  the  pleasant  aroma  is  lost  The 
Chinese  make  tea  by  placing  a  tew  leaves  in  each  cup,  over 
which  they  i)our  boiling  water;  the  leaves  being  held  down 
by  a  small  cap  and  the  cups  covered  with  saucers.  The 
IMJor  of  China  and  Japan  make  the  tea  in  a  pot 

While  the  English  nation  serves  tea  with  cream  and 
eugar,  the  Russians  find  lemon  juice  a  pleasant  substitute 
for  the  cream,  and  other  nations  think  the  flavor  much  im- 
proved by  the  addition  of  brandy  or  some  form  of  spirits. 
Hard  water  should  not  be  used  in  making  tea,  unless  the 
exceas  of  lime  be  neutralized  by  carbonate  of  sotla.  Dr. 
Edward  Smith  in  an  article  on  "Foods*' maintains  that 
while  tea  has  but  a  email  amonntof  the  nutritious  elements, 
it  stimulates  respiration  and  promotes  assimilation  of  other 
foods.  Excessive  use  causes  wakefulness  and  increased 
mental  and  physical  activity  followed  by  reaction,  result- 
ing in  depression  and  exhaustion. 

Adulterations  are  freijuently  found  in  the  teas  of  the 
market  Green  teas  are  stained  to  obtain  a  bright  color; 
old  tea  grounds  are  restored  and  sold  for  new  tea,  and  the 
leaves  of  other  shrubs  sometimes  substituted.  The  action 
of  taimic  acid  is  astringunt  usually  constipating  in  effect; 
it  also  acts  as  a  diuretic.  Thein  and  the  volatile  oil  are 
probably  the  elements  which  act  specifically  on  the  nervous 
system,  producing  exhilaration  and  wakefulness. 

Many  accidental  provings  of  tea  have  been  made,  and 
^nce  it  is  only  through  repeated  provings  that  the  real 
merits  of  drugs  are  discovered,  the  writer  adds  her  experi- 
ence. The  subject  ia  in  good  health  mentally  and  physi- 
cally, of  sanguine  temperament  and  not  a  habitual  drinker 
of  either  tea  or  cotFee. 


1886  Thea:  A  Fragmentary  Proving.  35 

PROVING. 

At  the  close  of  a  day  of  very  hard  work  was  urged  to 
take  a  cup  of  tea;  the  tea  of  the  "best  black"  was  made  at 
the  table  and  generously  diluted  with  milk;  the  taste  being 
delightfully  mild  and  pleasant,  a  part  of  a  second  cup  was 
indulged  in.  A  half  hour  later,  a  peculiar  sense  of  burn- 
ing was  noticed  in  the  region  of  the  pyloris.  In  the  course 
of  two  hours,  long,  slow,  cutting  pains  beginning  just  above 
umbilicus  extending  to  pit  of  stomach,  there  becoming  most 
intense  and  thence  radiating  over  the  chest,  producing  a 
sick  faint  feeling.  Sometimes  there  were  three  or  four 
pains  in  quick  succession;  but  oftener  one  long  slow  pain 
recurring  every  four  or  five  minutes,  followed  by  spasmodic 
belching.  Pains  continued  through  the  night  and  towards 
morning  grew  more  intense,  and  were  followed  by  dis- 
charges from  the  bowels  of  a  watery  character,  accompanied 
by  much  flatus  and  pain.  Discharges  of  a  similar  charac- 
ter occurred  every  two  or  three  hours  all  day;  slept  fairly 
well  through  the  second  night  Next  morning  a  single 
watery  discharge  and  return  of  pain  at  long  intervals,  dis- 
appearing entirely  towards  evening  (now  forty-eight  hours 
since  taking  the  tea),  but  succeeded  by  the  most  profound 
nervous  depression.  The  least  thought  of  any  physical  or 
mental  exertion  seemed  hopelessly  overpowering.  Slept 
heavily,  and  awakened  in  the  morning  of  the  third  day  to 
find  exhaustion  even  more  marked.  With  the  greatest  ef- 
fort of  the  will  managed  to  walk  from  the  house  to  the  car- 
riage, and  made  several  calls.  Was  repeatedly  asked  if  I 
were  not  ill:  the  eyes  appeared  sunken;  face  pallid;  marked 
tremor  of  the  hands  even  in  lifting  a  small  vial;  all  move- 
ments slow  and  halting,  as  if  about  to  faint  No  pain  in 
head,  only  intense  weariness  and  a  feeling  in  the  brain  that 
every  thing  must  soon  stop.  About  the  middle  of  the  day 
began  to  rally  slightly,  took  a  little  light  food,  at  night  had 
a  refreshing  sleep  and  rapidly  recovered. 

N.  B. — Having  previously  experienced  many  of  these 
symptoms  after  the  use  of  tea,  I  feel  that  I  can  render 
them  as  reliable  drug  symptoms,  suggesting  tea  as  an  im- 
portant remedy  in  some  forms  of  intestinal  irritation  and 


The  Medical  Advance. 


J  Illy 


nervoua  depression.  The  pain  and  buroing  iu  region  o£ 
pyloris  were  especially  marked  and  peculiar,  the  sensation 
being  an  it  the  interior  of  the  stomach  had  been  scalded,  or 
as  if  the  tea  must  be  eating  its  way  through  the  wall;  s 
pronounced  taste  of  tea  seeming  to  extend  from  throat  to 
stomach. 

A  case  strikingly  illustrative  of  the  tosic  effects  of  tea 
came  into  my  hands  severtd  years  ago.  The  patient  ap- 
plied for  relief  of  certain  dyspeptic  symptoms,  which  had 
been  a  torture  to  her  for  years.  One  of  the  marked  fea- 
tures of  the  trouble  was  a  continual  belching  which  seemed 
to  be  rapidly  exhausting  the  strength.  For  rtlief  of  belch- 
ing I  prescribed  Asafcetida  30.  At  a  second  call  my  patient 
gained  confidence  to  tell  me  of  many  strange  nervous  symp- 
toms. For  a  long  time  had  felt  a  continual  apprehension 
of  something  dreadful  about  to  happen;  feared  a  sudden 
death;  never  would  go  out  alone,  even  if  she  had  to  take  the 
baby  for  company.  At  times  her  mind  was  full  of  most 
dreadful  thoughts;  impulses  to  commit  sonae  horrible  crime, 
or  to  murder  her  children  seemed  to  take  such  possession 
of  her  that  she  trembled  for  their  safety.  On  inquiring 
carefully  into  her  mode  of  living,  I  discovered  that  her 
diet  consisted  mainly  of  bread  and  tea.  A  large  bowl  of 
tea  was  drank  at  each  meal  while  the  tea  pot  containing  the 
remainder  prepared,  stood  conveniently  at  hand  for  a  drink 
whenever  she  felt  thirsty;  thus  consuming  three  pints  of 
strong  tea  in  twenty-four  hours.  The  quantity  of  tea  was 
gradually  reduced  to  one  small  cup  per  day — the  result  be- 
ing the  disappearance  of  all  morbid  symptoms. 

Dr.  Samuel  Lilieuthal  some  years  ago  reported  a  case  of 
violent  mania  in  a  tea  taster.  The  remedy  prescribed  was 
potentized  tea.  In  Allen's  pathogenesis  of  Thea  we  find  a 
multitude  of  forcible  symptoms,  a  few  of  which  have  been 
verifieiL  In  the  provings  here  recorded,  the  mania  or  de- 
lirium produced,  is  usually  of  a  wild  desperate  character, 
with  murderous  inclination,  and  states  of  constant  appre- 
hension. The  marked  pain  and  faiutness  in  pyloric  region 
is  frequently  spoken  of,  though  no  particular  form  of  diar- 
rhoea is  given:  the  profouml  exhaustion  of  the  muscular 


1886  Melihius  Alba.  37 

system  is  also  repeated  by  many  provers.  In  the  host  of 
symptoms  here  presented  it  is  difficult  to  select  the  key 
note.  Only  symptoms  repeatedly  verified  can  be  depended 
upon  for  clinical  use. 

Hull's  Jahr  (by  Lilienthal)  contains  a  fragmentary  prov- 
ing— the  symptoms  not  particularly  characteristic.  Lilien- 
thal's  Therapeutics  mentions  the  drug  in  several  places. 
Under  headache,  gives  the  following:  "Throbbing  of  the 
carotids,  general  tremor,  palpitation,  oppression  of  the 
chest"  Few  other  writers  make  mention  of  the  therapeu- 
tical value  of  this  drug.  One  writer  in  the  "Old  School" 
speaks  of  the  laxative  qualities  of  coffee  and  the  astringent 
properties  of  tea;  another  says,  tea,  coffee,  cocoa  contain 
the  same  alkaloid  and  have  much  the  same  effect;  while 
one  speaks  of  the  flatulent  colic  produced  by  excessive  tea 
drinking.  Scudder,  of  the  Eclectic  School,  says  it  is  a 
useful  astringent  which  may  be  employed  as  an  antidote  in 
poisoning  by  vegetable  alkaloids  and  Tartrate  of  Antimony. 
He  also  recommends  it  as  a  useful  remedy  in  otorrhoea, 
used  as  a  strong  infusion  injected  into  the  ear,  and  also  as 
a  collyrium  in  ophthalmia. 

A  substance  producing  such  marked  effects  upon  the 
nervous  and  digestive  systems  is  certainly  worthy  of  closer 
study,  more  careful  proving  and  clinical  verification. 


■    <M 


MELILOTUS  ALBA. 


G.  W  BOWEN,  M.  D.,  Ft  Wayne,  Ind. 


I  would  be  pleased  to  call  the  attention  of  the  medical 
profession  to  this  remedy,  in  consequence  of  its  prompt- 
ness of  action  in  relieving  congestions,  and  regulating  the 
circulation  of  the  blood,  taking  rank  for  that  purpose,  far 
in  advance  of  Belladonna.  Much  of  the  tincture  now  in 
use,  was  made  from  the  dried  plant  that  was  exhibited  to 
me  by  a  homoeopathic  pharmaceutist,  who  said  he  had  im- 
ported it,  from  which  to  make  his  tincture.  Hence  the  un- 
satisfactory results  obtained  by  many  from  its  use. 

My  first  attempt  to  obtain  some  knowledge  of  its  drug 


38  i'he  Medical  Advance.  July 

effect,  was  made  while  attending  lectures  at  the  Cleveland 
Homoeopathic  Medical  College  in  the  winter  of  1851-52. 
I  had  a  few  of  the  dried  roots  that  I  cut  up  and  put  in  a 
half  ounce  vial  of  alcohol,  and  after  one  or  two  weeks  be- 
gan taking  a  few  drops  several  times  a  day.  After  about 
one  week  had  severe  headache,  and  was  partly  delirious  or 
insane,  and  soon  after  had  a  profuse  bleeding  from  the 
nose,  and  also  coughed  or  spit  up  considerable  bright  red 
blood.  Drs.  Dodge  and  Williams  (professors)  were  sum- 
moned and  helped  me  out  at  the  time,  and  I  was  advised 
to  go  home,  but  did  not 

From  the  evidence  of  its  action  I  became  somewhat  fear- 
ful of  it,  and  did  not  attempt  a  further  proving  until  some 
fifteen  years  later,  when  I  began  to  get  its  range  of  action 
from  a  tincture  made  from  the  whole  plant,  on  a  worthless 
student  in  my  office,  and  some  patients  that  I  was  not  very 
deeply  interested  in.  Becoming  satisfied  that  it  could  be 
tried  with  some  degree  of  safety,  I  made  some  legitimate 
provings  on  myself,  my  wife,  her  mother,  and  my  niece, 
and  on  several  others  that  I  could  carefully  observe.  All 
had  fearful  headaches  and  hsemorrhage  from  the  nose,  ex- 
cept myself.  My  nose  did  not  bleed,  and  thereby  hangs  a 
tale,  noted  in  a  note.  I  began  to  give  it  to  every  patient 
that  had  a  headache,  especially  what  they  called  "sick 
headache,"  and  so  large  were  my  doses  that  many  recov- 
eries were  followed  by  profuse  epistaxis. 

Since  then,  no  proving  has  been  made  except  in  a  clinical 
way.  I  have  given  it  for  all  forms  of  congestive  or  nerv- 
ous headaches,  and  for  engorgements  of  the  blood  vessels 
in  any  part  or  organ,  and  find  it  acts  promptly  on  the  chest, 
heart,  liver,  ovaries,  and  uterus.  The  ready  and  speedy 
action  of  it  has  been  observed  in  all  forms  of  spasms,  in- 
cluding eclampsia,  epilepsy,  aud  infantile.  Its  action  is 
not  instantaneous,  for  it  requires  from  one  to  five  minutes, 
but  not  more,  to  produce  an  effect.  I  have  used  it  in  sev- 
eral cases  of  insanity,  Ui  at  first  relieve  brain  pressure  and 
irritation  until  I  could  decide  what  was  best  to  give,  and 
found  it  act^d  so  nicely  that  it  was  continued,  &nd  in  one 
case,  nothing  else  was  given  until  the  patient  was  com- 


1886  Melilotus  Alba.  39 

pletely  restored     In  such  cases,  it  has  seemed  to  produce 
results  that  I  could  not  expect  from  any  other  remedy. 

I  have  not  for  m^ny  years  needed,  or  given  anything  else 
for  na^al  or  pulmonary  haemorrhage.  It  has  seemed  to  un- 
load the  engorgements  of  the  blood  vessels  so  promptly, 
that  I  deemed  it  invaluable  where  an  equalizer  of  the  cir- 
culation is  needed. 

I  have  never  given  it  in  any  form  for  many  years,  exceipt, 
in  pills  medicated  with  the  first  centesimal,  for  it  did  not 
seem  possible  to  secure  better  results  from  it  in  any  other. 

Note. — In  making  the  proving  on  myself  I  did  not  lose 
blood  from  my  nose  and  so  have  the  engorgement  of  the 
blood  vessels  it  caused  relieved  from  the  pressure,  but  it 
evidently  left  them  enlarged,  for  since  that  time  my  brain 
and  mental  faculties  have  been  more  active  than  ever.  I 
never  forgot  anything,  could  learn  or  comprehend  most 
readily,  even  a  glance  at  anything  was  sufficient  to  stamp  it 
ineflPably.  I  needed  less  food  and  sleep;  couldi  lose  two  or 
three  nights  in  a  week  and  not  feel  its  loss.  My  nervous 
system  was  as  perfect  as  anyone's  ever  was,  except  my 
sympathetic  nerves,  which  became  almost  a  total  wreck,  so 
much  so  as  to  disqualify  me  for  any  forensic  effort  what- 
ever. My  belief  is  that  Melilotus  was  the  cause  of  its  deflec- 
tion from  normality,  and  from  this  effect  a  neurologist 
ought  to  be  able  to  point  to  its  radius  of  action  and  its 
probable  efficacy  in  certain  forms  of  insanity  or  nervous 
affections. 

SYMPTOMS. 

Mind. — Fairly  furious;  had  to  lock  him  up;  loss  of  con- 
sciousness, with  gushing  of  blood  from  nose.  Has  relieved 
many  cases  of  insanity  in  the  early  stages. 

Head. — Terrible  headache,  with  or  without  nausea;  head- 
ache accompanied  with  dizziness,  faintness,  and  nausea; 
intense  throbbing  headache,  with  feeling  as  if  all  the  blood- 
vessels in  the  head  would  certainly  give  way  and  cause 
some  lesion  of  that  organ.  Accompanying  this  headache 
was  the  prominent  symptom  of  being  obliged  to  void  urine 
frequently.     Headache  so  intense  as  to  cause  a  purple  red- 


40  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

ness  of  the  face  and  bloodshot  eyes,  culminating  in  epis- 
taxis,  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  pro- 
duced delirium;  frightful,  heavy,  oppressive  headache,  last- 
ing three  days,  which  was  relieved  by  the  application  of 
vinegar.     (Belladonna  has  aggravation  from  vinegar. ) 

Sick  headaches  relieved  by  epistaxis  or  the  menstrual 
flow;  blood,  bright  red. 

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  dis- 
appear from  forehead  and  settle  in  occiput.  But  when 
ceasing  to  talk,  pain  returned  at  once  to  forehead;  it  could 
be  distinctly  felt  migrating. 

Nose. — Blood  gushed  from  nostrils  with  loss  of  con- 
sciousness. 

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  be- 
came very  annoying. 

Respiratory  Organs. — Horribly  distressing  cough,  caus- 
ing great  anxiety.  Became  very  weary  and  could  not  get 
air  enough;  felt  as  if  smothering.  Toward  night  a  slight 
expectoration,  detached  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  oppressive  could  not  finally 
lie  on  either  side;  tickling  in  throat,  with  cough  and  spas- 
modic breathing,  causing  extreme  nervousness.  Cough  re- 
lieved, like  the  head,  by  epistaxis;  blood,  bright  red. 


1886  Acalypha  Indica.  41 

Chest. — Great  load  on  chest,  causing  difficult  breathing; 
feels  as  if  he  must  smother,  causing  me  to  examine  cloth- 
ing to  see  if  garments  were  not  too  tight  Became  very 
weary,  "because  I  could  not  inhale  air  enough  to  do  me 
good."  Chest  very  sore.  Pulmonary  hsemorrhage  of  bright 
red  blood  (Ipecac.  Millefolium. ) 

General  Symptoms. — Very  nervous  and  easily  annoyed. 
Extremities  cold. 

Melilotus  may  be  studied  with  Alumina,  Carbo  animalis, 
Coffea,  and  Dulcamara — all  of  which  have  epistaxis  with 
the  headache. 

Antimonium  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. 


I  <■» 


ACALYPHA  INDICA. 


PKTER  COOPER,  M.  D.,  Wilmington,  Del. 


Nat  ord. :  Euphorbiacese.  A  common  weed  in  the  East 
Indias.     Proved  by  Dr.  Tonnere,  of  Calcutta. 

Aggravation. — At  night:  cough,  most  violent  Hsemor- 
rhage:  Morning;  expectorates  blood,  pure,  bright  red. 
Evening;  expectorates  blood,  dark  and  clotted. 

Mind. — Gloomy  and  despairing,  but  very  unwilling  to 
dia 

Cough. — Severe  fit  of  dry  cough,  followed  by  spitting  of 
blood  (from  ten  drops  of  the  Ix).  Cough:  violent,  dry^ 
followed  by  bloody  expectoration.  Cough  most  violent  at 
night 

Chest. — Dullness  of  chest  on  percussion.  Constant  and 
severe  pain  in  chest  Tubercular  deposits  in  apex  of  left 
lung. 

H-EMOPTYSis. — Tuberculosis.  Pulse  small,  depressed, 
from  109  to  120.     Progressive  emaciation. 

A   CLINICAL  CASE. 

[Extract  of  paper  read  before  the  Delaware  State  and 
Peninsular  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society,  January  11> 
1886,  made  from  Dr.  S.  A.  Jones'  report  of  the  drug.  ] 


42  The  Medical  Advance,  July 

Thus  does  Dr.  Joues  read  Acalypha  indica:  "It  does 
not  follow  that  Acalypha  indica  has  any  special  elective 
afl&nity  for  the  lungs."  .  .  .  "N.  B. — Worthy  of  trial 
in  all  pathological  haemorrhages,  having  notedly  a  morning 
exacerbation." 

Such  is  an  outline  of  this  drug,  given  us  by  so  eminent 
an  authority  as  Professor  Jones,  of  the  University  of  Mich- 
igan. 

It  was  his  "N.  B." — his  suggestion  that  Acalypha  was 
worthy  of  trial  in  all  pathological  hsemorrhages  from  any 
source,  providing  the  morning  aggravation  was  present, 
that  especially  fixed  my  attention  on  the  drug.  At  that 
time  I  had  a  case  of  hsemorrhage  per  rectum  that  had  baf- 
fled me  for  several  months.  No  remedy  had  aided  in  the 
least,  so  far  as  I  could  see,  unless  it  were  Pond's  extract, 
used  locally  in  the  form  of  injections;  and  I  finally  came 
to  the  conclusion  that  the  relief  apparently  due  to  the 
Hamamelis  was  merely  a  coincidence.  I  had  given  all  the 
hsemorrhagic  remedies  I  knew  of,  or  could  hear  of;  still 
the  bleeding  came  just  as  often,  with  increasing  severity. 
Each  time  the  patient  was  sure  she  would  bleed  to  death, 
and  I  was  not  positive  she  would  be  disappointed.  In  fact 
I  was  so  hopeless  that  I  used  to  delay  the  answer  to  her 
summons  as  long  as  possible,  that  the  bleeding  might  have 
time  to  exhaust  itself  and  cessation  of  the  hsemorrhage 
speedily  follow  the  administration  of  a  remedy.  Thus,  in 
her  belief,  I  had  saved  her  life  many  times  during  this 
period  of  six  months  or  more;  while,  in  reality,  I  was  only 
gaining  time  and  she  was  losing  both  time  and  flesh.  She 
became  reduced  in  flesh  and  the  hsemorrhagic  drugs  be- 
came reduced  in  number  until  like  the  "nine  little  Indians 
sitting  on  a  gate,  the  last  one  tumbled  oflP  and  then  there 
was  none." 

Soon  as  I  read  Professor  Jones'  monograph  on  Acalypha 
indica  I  determined  to  try  it.  She,  the  patient,  had  all 
the  symptoms:  bright  red  blood  in  the  morning,  dark  and 
clotted  in  the  afternoon,  stronger  during  the  afternoon  and 
evening — except  one,  i.  e.,  instead  of  blood  coming  from 
the  lungs,  it  came  from  within  the  portals  of  the  anus.     I 


1886  Ignatia.  43 

procured  the  6x  dil.,  and  served  it  in  water.  It  gave 
speedy — almost  immediate — ^reliet  Each  subsequent  at- 
tack came  less  profuse  and  at  longer  intervals.  She  has 
not  had  a  haemorrhage  now  for  ten  months,  while  before 
she  was  having  from  seven  to  one  (continuous)  a  week. 
She  is  gaining  in  flesh  and  is  in  every  way  improved,  and 
keeps  a  bottle  of  Acalypha  indica  constantly  by  her. 


-«•»- 


IGNATIA:  ACUTE  DROPSY  OF  MITRAL  VALVE. 


C.  B.  GILBERT,  M.  D.,  Washington,  D.  C. 


Miss  C. ,  17  years  old,  5  ft.  5  in.  high,  quiet  and  un- 

<}omplaining  disposition,  dark  hair  and  eyes,  had  rheuma- 
tism in  May,  1885.  On  the  Slst,  twenty-seven  days  after 
the  onset,  she  took  a  warm  bath  by  herself  in  the  bath  room 
and  at  bed  time  was  apparently  no  worse  for  it — (she  was 
considered  convalescent).  The  next  morning  she  wakened 
with  great  shortness  of  breath  and  became  at  once  much 
alarmed;  when  seen  at  noon  I  said  cheerily  as  I  went  in — 

"**  Well,  R ,  what  have  you  been  getting  up?"    Her  only 

reply  was  an  efPort  to  keep  back  the  tears  which  in  a  mo- 
ment forced  themselves  between  the  closed  lids.  The 
remedy  was  plain.  Now  for  the  pathological  state  for  the 
purpose  of  diagnosis,  as  a  means  of  prognosis.  The  short- 
ness of  breath  of  course  drew  attention  first  to  the  chest, 
and  then  was  heard  through  a  flannel  jacket,  cotton  night 
dress  and  gauze  undervest,  mitral  regurgitation  as  loud  as 
I  ever  heard  ii  The  pulse  was  134,  the  tongue  mapped, 
considerable  fever,  and  in  the  night  there  had  been  much 
thirst  The  remedy  of  course  was  Ignatia,  which  was  given 
every  two  hours,  in  water. 

June  1.  Much  better  generally  and  the  regurgitation 
seemed  a  trifle  less;  pulse  112.     Sac.  lac. 

June  2.  Did  well  yesterday,  and  up  to  12:30  a.  m.  when 
she  awoke  with  short  breath  and  cried,  her  mother  gave  her 
Ignatia,  one  dose,  that  I  had  left  in  case  of  need,  and  one 
and  a  half  hours  later  a  dose  of  Spigelia,  which  was  a  mis- 
take.    She  soon  got  better,  but  from  5  a.  m.  was  loquacious 


44  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

and  at  12  A.  M.  sweat  During  the  afternoon  of  the  1st  she 
broke  out  with  an  eruption  like  measles.  No  regurgitation 
can  be  detected  this  evening  (5  o'clock)  after  opening  the 
clothing  to  the  gauze. 

Given — the  pathology;  what  was  the  remedy?  Echo 
answers. 

See  note  to  §  6,  Organon.  Also  §  153.  **"In  searching 
after  a  homoeopathic  specific  remedy.  *  ♦  *  we  ought 
to  be  particularly  and  almost  exclusively  attentive  to  the 
symptoms  that  are  striking,  singular,  extraordinary  and 
peculiar  (characteristic);  for  it  is  to  these  latter  that  simi- 
lar symptoms  from  among  those  created  by  the  medicine, 
ought  to  correspond  in  order  to  constitute  it  the  remedy 
most  suitable  to  the  cure." 


-#•► 


In  1838,  in  the  introduction  to  Jahr's  Manual,  Dr.  Hering 
wrote:  "There  is  a  quarter  from  whence  Homoeopathy  may 
suffer  injury,  and  by  which  its  reputation  may  be  lowered 
and  its  usefulness  abridged.  I  refer  to  the  futility  of  com- 
bining the  practice  of  the  old  and  the  new  school  together; 
the  Juste-Milieu-System,  which  some  physicians  have  in- 
discreetly adopted.  We  readily  allow  that  no  medical  man 
can  be  expected  to  pass  instanter,  from  one  mode  of  treat- 
ment to  another;  an  affair  of  such  moment  should  be  done 
gradually,  yet  with  the  resolute  purpose,  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible, to  lay  aside  the  old  method  of  treatment.  No  prac- 
titioner, and  more  especially  no  novitiate  should  arrogantly 
affirm  that  what  he  cannot  homoeopathically  cure  can  be 
cured  by  no  other  person  in  that  way.  The  history  of 
Homoeopathy  has  abundantly  shown,  during  the  last  25 
years,  that  whoever  attempts  to  unite  the  two  modes  of 
tieatment,  must  ever  remain  a  very  moderate  Homoeopath- 
ist;  and  as  it  regards  the  advancement  and  perfection  of 
the  science,  the  whole  of  this  class  have  contributed  noth- 
ing that  is  worth  recording.  I  sincerely  hope,  that  this 
charge  may  not  at  some  future  day,  be  brought  against 
American  physicians." 


1886  Surgery  in  HomoBopathic  Journals.  45 

SURGERY. 


SURGERY  IN  HOMOEOPATHIC  JOURNALS. 


J.  G.  GILCHRIST,  M.  D.,  Iowa  City,  la. 


In  the  earlier  days  of  our  history  as  a  school  of  thera- 
peutics, the  reports  of  surgical  cases  in  our  journals  were 
few  and  uninteresting.  In  looking  over  some  old  files, 
wounds,  bruises,  fractures  and  such  like  acute  surgery  can 
only  be  found,  and  not  much  of  that.  The  reason  for  this, 
probably,  was  that  our  numbers  being  comparatively  small 
and  the  field  to  be  occupied  extensive,  the  therapeutics  we 
professed  naturally  restricted  the  range  of  our  studies,  so 
that  the  popular  expression  that  "homoeopathy  knew  noth- 
ing of  surgery,"  was  true.  Later,  however,  opportunity 
gave  encouragement  to  special  students,  and  some  appeared 
really  worthy  to  be  called  "surgeons,"  such  as  Helmuth 
and  Beebe.  Now  the  unpleasant  feature  of  this  change 
was,  that  the  journals  became  full  of  surgery,  but  there 
was  little  Homoeopathy  in  it  I  say  "unpleasant  feature," 
because  the  more  some  of  our  practitioners  acquire  in  a 
surgical  way,  the  less  attention  they  seem  to  give  to  thera- 
peutics. This  is  an  eminently  natural  state  of  affairs,  for 
there  is  a  fascination  in  the  achievements  of  modern  sur- 
gery that  may  excuse  a  forgetfulness  of  the  fact  that  the 
homoeopathic  doctrine  of  therapeutics  has  a  very  close 
relationship  to  surgical  practice.  Possibly  the  experience 
of  others  is  something  like  my  own.  The  application  of 
this  therapeutic  principle  has  become  such  a  matter  of 
habit  that  it  is  only  on  notable  occasions  that  we  recognize 
the  fact  that  we  are  doing  something  that  the  majority  of 
surgeons  do  not  do.  For  instance,  some  time  since  I  made 
an  abdominal  section  in  South- Western  Missouri,  one  of 
the  assistants  being  of  the  so-called  regular  school.  The 
bladder  had  been  opened  and  the  manipulations  had  been 
prolonged.  On  leaving  the  house,  the  gentleman  said: 
"How  long  do  you  expect  that  patient  will  live?"  "  Why," 
was  the  reply,  "we  expect  her  to  get  well!"    A  look  of 


The  Medical  Advance.  July 

incredality,  and  be  said:  "Bat  there  will  be  septiciemia 
I  and  peritonitis."  Hb  was  assured  that  I  never  thought  of 
that,  as  there  were  remedies  that  rarely  failed  to  put  a 
stop  to  all  such  symptoms.  It  tiien  occurred  to  me  that  I 
had  means  at  my  command  nnknowa  {but  not  unknowable) 
to  the  surgeons  of  the  old  school.  As  a  matter  of  fact 
does  not  the  homoeopathic  surgeon  approach  his  cases  of 
abdominal  surgery  with  a  fearlessness  unknown  to  the  old 
school,  not  conscious,  many  times,  of  anything  singular  in 
the  occurrence,  simply  because  Aconite,  Arsenic,  Lachesis, 
etc.,  have  almost  invariably  dissipated  threatening  symp- 
toms, or  rather  prevented  their  appearance?  In  undertak- 
ing, therefore,  the  responsible  duty  of  superintending  the 
surgical  department  of  The  Advance,  I  shall  have  in  mind 
that  those  of  us  who  practice  surgery  are  prone  to  forget 
the  great  atlvautage  we  possess  over  practitioners  of  other 
schools  of  therapeutics,  and  do  what  in  me  lies  to  esalt 
this  part  of  surgical  practice,  not  to  the  exclusion,  by  any 
means,  of  other  departments  of  the  science.  To  maku  this 
department  what  our  readers  have  a  right  to  aak  for,  there 
must  be  hearty  cooperation  on  the  part  of  nil  concerned. 
)  earnestly  request  original  papers  im  surgical  topics, 
and  particularly  reports  of  cases  in  which  remedies  were 
successfully  or  otherwise.  Those  having  surgical 
reports  to  make  will  confer  a  favor  upon  the  editor,  and 
assist  our  cause  at  the  same  time,  if  they  will  forward 
I  tbem  early.  The  assumption  of  the  care  of  this  depart- 
I  ment  has  been  so  recently  assumed,  that  the  first  instal- 
I  ment  is  necessarily  somewhat  too  kifikly  indicidualized, 
f  even  for  a  Homceopath;  to  avoid  a  repetition  of  the  inflic- 
I  tion  it  is  hoped  there  will  be  no  lack  of  contributions  in 
the  future. 

IS  SYPHILIS  CURABLE? 

Strange  to  say  the  above  query  is  even  now  awaiting  a 

I  definite   answer.     I   know  that  nine   out  of  ten,   among 

practitioners  of  eiperience,  will  answer  affirmatively,  but 

'  the  tenth  has  a  right  to  be  heard,  and  may  be  right  if  he 


1886  l3  Syphilis  Curable  f  47 

is  in  the  minority.  As  is  very  jErequently  the  case,  we  may 
find  that  there  is  less  disagreement  than  at  first  would 
appear,  the  diflSculty  lying  in  a  different  use  of  words. 
Some  esteem  syphilis  to  be  the  chancre;  some  restrict  the 
term  to  the  constitutional  manifestations;  and  others  in- 
clude, and  properly,  all  the  phenomena  from  the  earliest 
initial  lesion  down  to  the  latest  symptom  in  the  tertiary  or 
congenital  forms.  Then  again,  many  of  our  writers  refuse 
to  recognize  a  difference  between  chancroid  and  syphilis. 
In  entering  upon  a  discussion  of  the  question,  therefore, 
there  should  be  a  clear  understanding  between  the  parties 
as  to  the  meaning  of  terms.  This  subject  was  suggested 
by  a  discussion  that  arose  at  the  recent  meeting  of  the 
Iowa  State  Society,  at  Burlington.  The  assertion  was 
boldly  made  that  syphilis  was  curable,  in  a  matter-of-fact 
way,  many  fortifying  their  statements  with  clinical  reports 
from  their  own  experience!  For  some  years  the  writer  has 
entertained  the  opinion  that  syphilis  was  incurable,  yet 
some  cases  were  often  cured.  In  looking  up  testimony, 
per  contra,  in  Jahr,  Berjeau,  Yeldham,  and  other  homoeo- 
pathic writers,  nothing  of  value  could  be  found,  or  at  least 
very  little — on  either  side.  One  reporter  would  give  a  case 
in  which  a  chancre  promptly  disappeared  in  four  or  five 
days,  under  some  remedy.  Another  would  describe  a  suc^ 
cession  of  active  ulcers,  painful  and  suppurating,  that  are 
healed  with  difficulty,  and  were  not  followed  by  secondary 
symptoms.  One  spoke  of  "  malignant  bubo,"  suppurating 
profusely,  resulting  in  an  ulcer,  deep,  and  slow  to  heal,  in 
fact  extending  so  rapidly  that  he  gave  it  the  name  of 
"phagadenic."  What  earthly  value  is  such  clinical  testi- 
mony? The  first  case  was  probably  sjrphilis,  because  the 
ulcer  healed  so  promptly,  for  many  chancres  heal  in  a  few 
days  spontaneously.  The  "remedy"  in  all  probability  had 
nothing  to  do  with  ii  The  other  cases  were  just  as  proba- 
bly chancroidal,  and  their  evidence  is  of  no  value  in  deter- 
mining the  curability  of  syphilis. 

After  giving  the  question  much  consideration  for  many 
years,  studying  special  monographs  and  clinical  records, 
the  writer  has  re€M3hed  a  conclusion  that  seems  to  be  sus- 


J 

I 

I 


48  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

tained  by  the  admitted  facts.  The  initial  lesion  is  abso- 
lat«ly  incurable,  for  almost  all  agree  that  with  or  without 
treatment  Bscondary  ayroptoms  will  come  on  later.  Those 
who  base  their  belief  in  the  curability  of  the  disease  by 
the  rapidity  with  which  the  chancre  disappears,  are  cer- 
tainly not  familiar  with  the  natural  history  of  the  attection. 
There  are  some  who  have  had  their  patients  under  obser- 
vation for  years  after  the  disappearance  of  the  primary 
sore,  and  not  observed  secondary  symptoms.  They  must 
not  jump  to  the  conclusion  that  cure  lias  been  produced, 
becanse  testimony  is  abundant  that  secondary  outbreaks 
may  be  delayed  twenty  or  thirty  years. 

Furthermore,  syphilis  in  the  secondary  stage  may  be 
cured,  but  we  must  bear  in  mind  that  even  a  prompt  disap- 
pearance of  the  symptoms  is  not  sufficient  evidence  of 
care.  We  must  wait  for  tertiary  lesions,  which  are  often 
(?)  delayed  until  the  next  generation.  If  syphilis  is  cur- 
able it  is  in  the  secondary  stage  of  the  disease.  The  con- 
dition is  not  one  of  destruction,  but  of  laying  down  of 
□erve  tissue.  The  germinal  elements  are  not  destroyed, 
there  is  no  arrest  of  cell-proliferation  or  genesis,  but  an 
abnormal  organization;  perhaps  an  imperfectness  might  be 
considered  characteristic.  So  while  my  experience  teaches 
that  in  the  primary  stage  the  disease  is  iocurable,  in  the 
secondary  esceptionably  curable,  and  in  the  tertiary  again 
incurable,  it  also  compels  me  to  withold  an  announcement 
of  core  until  the  offspring  of  the  syphilitic  parent  can  be 
seen.  We  have  all  seen  cases  of  congenital  syphilis,  and 
none  of  us  ever  saw  a  case  where  the  syphilitic  parent  had 
been  "cured."  Should  two  or  three  years  elapse,  after  the 
disappearance  of  secondary  symptoms,  and  no  tertiai-y 
lesions  appear,  a  cure  would  be  a  fair  presumption,  but 
only  that. 

[Dunham  says,  Materia  Medica,  page  225: 
"  Touching  this  disease  I  desire  to  say,  that  in  so  far  as 
my  experience  in  the  treatment  of  it  is  concerned,  I  have 
not  found  it  less  amenable  to  treatment  than  other  consti- 
tutional  maladies.      The   patient,   otherwise   in  vigorous 


1886  l3  Syphilis  Curable  f  49 

health,  who  presents  himself  for  treatment,  without  hav- 
ing previously  saturated  his  system  with  drugs,  and  with- 
out having  undertaken  to  eradicate  the  morbific  poison  by 
caustic  applications  to  its  primary  local  manifestation,  the 
chancre — such  a  patient,  if  Mercury  be  indicated  by  his 
symptoms,  will  be  cured  as  readily  and  by  as  small  doses 
as  though  his  disease  were  something  of  a  totally  different 
character.  (A  prejudice  to  the  contrary  exists).  And  my 
professional  experience  satisfies  me,  that  in  these,  as  in 
other  cases,  the  high  potencies,  and  infrequent  doses,  pro- 
duce a  more  speedy  and  a  more  effectual  cure  than  low 
X)otencies  and  frequent  doses  do.  But  inasmuch  as  I  do 
not  regard  the  chancre  as  the  "fons  et  origo  mali,"  but 
rather  as  the  blossom  and  product  of  a  constitutional  in- 
fection which  already  pervades  the  system,  I  am  not  in  so 
great  haste  as  some  are  to  destroy  the  chancre,  well  satis- 
fied if,  under  internal  treatment,  I  perceive  it  gradually 
heal  by  healthy  granulations,  no  other  symptoms  mean- 
while appearing.  Above  all,  I  dread  the  local  treatment 
by  caustic,  the  much  vaunted  method  of  Ricord.  For 
observation  has  satisfied  me  that  even  a  majority  of  his 
patients,  discharged  as  cured  through  the  local  cauteriza- 
tion, present,  after  the  lapse  of  from  one  to  eight  weeks,  all 
the  signs  of  secondary  syphilis,  and  become  candidates  for, 
and  victims  of,  the  ''constitutional  treatment." 

"  It  is  not  every  case,  however,  of  so-called  chancre,  for 
which  Mercury  is  indicated. 

"  That  which  is  now  denominated  as  chancroid,  and  which, 
being  a  shallow  and  flat-bottomed  ulceration,  shows  a  dis- 
position to  spread  irregularly  and  indefinitely,  having  never 
well-defined  outlines  nor  a  lardaceous  bottom;  but  exuding 
a  thin,  serous  discharge,  and  which  is  probably  not  at  all 
syphilitic  in  its  origin,  does  not  call  for  Mercury,  and  is  not 
benefitted  by  it;  indeed  is  rather  aggravated.  I  have  found 
the  totality  of  the  symptoms  to  indicate  Nux  vomica  more 
frequently  than  any  other  drug,  and  under  this  a  speedy 
cure  to  follow. 

"  The  form  of  chancre  in  which  Mercury  is  indicated  is 

D 


■^y 


The  Medical  Advance.  July 

the  regular  indurated  Huuterian  chaucre,  with  the  l&rda- 
C60US  base." 

Johu  Hunter  asBertB  (Treatise  on  the  Venereal  Diseases, 
Leipsic,  1787,  p.  531):  "Not  one  patient  in  fifteen  will 
escape  syphilis,  when  the  chancre  is  removed  merely  by 
local  treatment;"  and  in  another  part  of  his  work  he 
assures  us:  "that  the  local  removal  of  the  obancre,  ehould 
it  have  been  accnmpliHhed  ever  bo  speedily,  was  always 
followed  by  an  outbreak  of  the  internal  syphilitic  disease." 

Hahnemann  says  (Chr.  Dis.,  Vol.  I.,  pp.  117-118);  "In 
my  practice  of  fifty  years'  duration,  I  have  never  seen 
syphilis  breaking  out  in  the  system,  whenever  the  chancre 
was  cured  by  internal  treatment;  it  mattered  not  whether 
the  chancre  had  been  left  standing  for  years,  increasing  all 
the  while,  as  every  vicarious  symptom  of  any  other  chronic 
miasm  will  do,  for  the  simple  reason  that  the  internal  dis- 
ease is  progressing  all  the  time,  and  induces  a  consequent 
development  of  the  external  symptom." 

"  Hence  it  is  that  the  internal  disease  is  most  efficiently 
and  most  permantly  cured  while  the  chancre  or  the  bubo 
is  yet  Bsisting  as  its  vicarious  types.  Of  this  genuine 
and  unadulterated  syphilis  it  may  be  said,  thai  there  /.■*  ito 
chronic  miasm,  nor  a  disease  produced  by  a  chronic  miasm, 
whioh  is  more  easily  cured  than  sypkilis."^Ev.] 


INFRA-ORBITAL  NEURITIS. 

■  Case.— Mrs.  L.  B.  R— ,  age  40.  March  11th,  1886,  visited 
"Mrs.  R.,  at  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  by  request  of  her  physi- 
cian. Dr.  A.  P.  Himchett.  The  history  was  one  of  the 
most  intense  suffering,  almost  beyond  belief.  Some  six 
years  ago  was  struck  on  the  right  cheek,  over  the  malar 
bone,  by  a  horse  (I  think),  but  such  Bymptc)ms  as  were 
then  produced  soon  passed  away.     A  year  or  two  later 

I  attacks  of  pain  came  on,  in  parosysms,  at  irregular  inter- 
vale, until  for  two  years  or  more  they  have  been  constant,  or 
nearly  bo.  She  has  been  treated  by  many  physicians,  most 
of  them  suspecting  some  disease  of  the  bone;  had  submitted 
to  extraction  of  all  the  upper  teeth,  to  perforation  of  the  an- 


A 


1886  Infror-OrhUal  Neuritis.  51 

tnun,  to  exploratory  incisions.  All  this  without  the  slightest 
relief.  On  examing  the  case  the  conditions  were  found  as 
follows:  Constant  pain,  of  a  most  intense  character,  in  the 
right  cheek,  especially  the  upper  lip,  alsB  of  the  nose,  and 
malar  region.  The  pain  was  constant,  but  greatly  aggra- 
vated by  the  slightest  touch  or  motion.  So  great  was  the 
hyperesthsBsia  that  her  face  had  not  been  washed  nor  her 
hair  combed  for  weeks;  she  could  not  speak  from  the  pain 
occasioned  by  the  motion  of  the  muscles,  communicating 
with  her  family  by  means  of  a  slate  and  pencil.  Occa- 
sionally the  paroxysms  would  be  so  violent  that  she  would, 
go  into  convulsions,  tears  pour  from  her  eyes  which  were 
red  and  injected,  and  the  aspect  one  of  terrible  suffering. 
After  a  careful  examination,  it  was  decided  that  tiie  trouble- 
was  neuritis  of  the  infra-orbital  nerve.  This  corresponded 
with  the  diagnosis  of  Dr.  Beebe,  of  Chicago,  who  had  also 
seen  the  case.  Remedies  seemed  to  have  been  faithfully 
exhibited,  and  all  concerned  would  not  be  satisfied  without 
some  kind  of  an  operation.  I  decided  to  divide  the  infra- 
orbital nerve,  which  was  done,  well  inside  the  foramen, 
using  a  narrow  tenatome,  thus  making  the  incision  entirely 
subcutaneous.  I  stated  that  the  operation  was  tentative, 
and  if  relief  followed  it  would  settle  the  diagnosis;  but 
should  pain  recur  on  repair  of  the  wound,  I  would  excise 
a  considerable  portion.  Upon  recovering  from  the  ansBs- 
thetic  there  was  no  complaint  of  pain,  the  first  period  of 
quiet  for  many  weary  weeks.  Hypericum  was  first  given, 
but  as  hyperesthesia  returned,  although  less  than  formerly 
— on  the  third  day — Spigelia,  12x,  was  given.  The  effect 
was  prompt  and  decided.  On  April  4th  Dr.  Hanchett 
wrote  that  the  pain  had  not  returned.  May  15th  I  saw  the 
Doctor  and  learned  that  some  time  before  she  had  been 
awakened  at  four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  for  one  or  two 
days,  by  a  severe  pain  of  the  old  character,  for  which  he 
had  given  Nux  vom.,  30,  with  complete  relief.  There  has 
been  no  return  of  the  trouble  now  for  a  month,  and  a  cure 
seems  assured. 


62  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

OBSTETRICS. 


A  RETAINED  PLACENTA  AND  ITS  EFFECTS. 


WM.  HOYT,  M.  J).,  Hlllsboro,  Ohio. 


Mrs.  T ,  after  hftving  missed  two  menstrual  periods 

had  in  November  what  she  supposed  to  be  a  profuse  men- 
struation, but  did  not  look  upon  it  of  sufficient  importance 
to  require  treatment,  therefore  no  physician  was  called, 
and  in  a  few  days  the  flow  ceased. 

Her  general  health  was  but  little  impaired,  but  from  that 
time  she  was  troubled  more  or  less  with  a  leucorrhceal  dis- 
charge that  at  times  was  quite  acrid  and  offensive,  but  not 
of  a  character  to  cause  her  alarm,  therefore  she  did  not  de- 
cide to  consult  a  physician  until  about  the  middle  of  Janu- 
ary. At  that  time  I  commenced  treating  her,  and  although  I 
had  been  her  medical  attendant  for  a  long  time  and  had 
attended  her  during  several  confinements  she  could  not  be 
persuaded  to  submit  to  an  examination. 

I  prescribed  for  her  as  well  as  I  could  but  made  very 
poor  headway,  although  I  selected  the  different  remedies 
used  with  care,  according  to  the  peculiar  symptoms  pre- 
sented in  her  case. 

I  used  both  low  and  high  potencies,  but  none  of  them 
produced  any  decided  change  in  her  symptoms  although 
there  was  a  little  improvement  so  that  by  the  first  of  April 
she  discontinued  treatment,  but  was  by  no  means  well,  the 
leucorrhcea  being  quite  annoying. 

About  the  time  I  commenced  treating  her  the  husband 
'Came  to  me  for  treatment  and  informed  me  that  he  had 
:Something  similar  to  gonorrhoea,  but  protested  that  it 
could  not  be  that,  for  he  had  had  no  possible  chance  to 
contract  such  a  disease;  but  said  that  for  some  time  past 
after  each  sexual  congress  he  had  suffered  several  days 
pretty  severely  from  an  irritation  of  the  urethra,  and  of 
late  the  irritation  had  been  continuous.  His  case  to  all  ap- 
pearances did  not  differ  materially  fi'om  an  ordinary  case 
of  gonorrhoea  except  in  being  more  difficult  to  cure.     His 


1886  A  Retained  Placenta  and  Us  Effects.  53 

case  proved  very  intractable  and  with  the  most  careful  diet 
and  treatment  he  was  not  well  until  late  in  March. 

I  did  not  keep  a  record  of  the  case,  therefore  cannot  give 
all  of  the  treatment,  but  Thuja  30th,  acted  best  and  com- 
pleted the  cure. 

Late  in  June  he  had  another  attack  similar  to  the  first 
except  in  being  much  more  severe,  and  was  of  the  most 
violent  character  I  ever  saw,  the  inflammation  extending  to 
the  prostate  gland,  bladder  and  kidneys.  He  suffered  in- 
tensely for  days  and  weeks,  the  hot  compress  being  neces- 
sary much  of  the  time  to  save  him  from  terrible  suffering. 
I  gave  him  several  remedies,  but  Pulsatilla  30th  was  the 
only  one  that  appeared  to  do  good,  and  with  that  a  cure 
was  finally  accomplished. 

Early  in  June  she  showed  signs  of  failing  health,  became 
weak  and  nervous,  complexion  pale  and  sallow,  rapid  pulse, 
dry  tongue,  very  bad  taste  in  the  mouth,  loss  of  appetite 
and  flesh,  and  had  an  extremely  offensive  leucorrhcea.  She 
thought  there  was  enlargement  of  the  abdomen  but  I  failed 
to  detect  any  change. 

The  offensive  discharge  from  the  vagina  and  her  peculiar 
sallow  complexion  caused  me  to  fear  malignant  disease  of 
the  uterus,  but  as  she  would  not  consent  to  an  examination 
I  was  in  doubt  as  to  the  pathological  condition  with  which 
I  had  to  deal.  Internal  medications  and  medicated  injec- 
tions failed  to  give  relief,  and  the  case  continued  to  get 
worse  until  the  evening  of  July  3rd,  when  1  was  hastily 
summoned  and  upon  my  arrival  at  the  bed  side  found  her 
very  weak  and  almost  pulseless  from  a  profuse  haemorrhage. 

Upon  examination  the  os  was  found  soft  and  patulous, 
and  in  a  short  time  I  had  the  extreme  satisfaction  of  re- 
moving the  remains  of  a  placenta  about  as  large  but  not  as 
thick  as  my  hand.  Haemorrhage  ceased  at  once  and  the 
patient  soon  rallied  and  made  a  rapid  recovery. 

The  placenta  showed  very  little  signs  of  decomposition 
although  it  must  have  remained  in  the  uterus  after  the 
escape  of  the  foetus  from  the  time  of  the  haemorrhage  in 
November  until  July  3d,  about  eight  months. 


The  Medical  Advn 


July 


The  fcetus  could  not  have  escaped  later  than  November, 
as  there  was  at  no  time  either  hemorrhage  or  any  other 
symptoma  to  indicate  it 

DISCUSSION. 

Dr.  Olaypool:— "I  am  sorry  that  some  of  the  older  men 
do  not  have  something  to  say  upon  this  subject,  because  it 
IB  very  important  It  is  something  that  is  more  common 
than  it  should  be.  I  feel  tlmt  the  subject  is  one  that  should 
be  BO  thoroughly  understood  that  no  physician  called  in 
after  a  miscarriage  should  allow  the  patient  to  go  with- 
out a  thorough  examination  and  a  positive  knowledge  upon 
the  part  of  the  physician  that  the  placenta  has  escaped;  or, 
if  it  haB  not  it  should  be  removed  at  once.  I  have  ha<l 
several  experiences  of  the  kind,  though  none  lasting  so 
long  as  that  where  the  patient  had  apparently  recovered, 
gone  on  about  her  household  duties,  and  then  suffered  from 
a  severe  hemorrhage.  One  of  tiiem  was  walking  upon  the 
streets  and  had  to  be  taken  home  in  a  carriage.  When  I 
arrived  she  was  almost  pulseless.  She  had  been  up  aud 
considered  well  for  two  months," 

Dr.  Owens: — "After  a  miscarriage  has  taken  place,  the 
average  physician  is  not  as  thorough  as  he  should  be  in 
making  an  examination.  I  have  known  several  cases  where 
valuable  lives  were  lost  by  this  neglect  upon  the  part  of 
the  physician.  A  prominent  church  member  of  my  ac- 
quaintance had  had  a  miscarriage,  and  the  case  had  been 
neglected,  jrassibly  because  she  brought  it  on  by  her  own 
act  She  partly  recovered,  got  up  and  went  about  her 
duties.  At  the  next  monthly  period  the  flow  was  a  little 
excessive,  but  the  next  time  it  was  very  excessive.  The 
lady  WEia  much  disturbed,  and  so  was  her  husband.  The 
haemorrhage  went  on  for  some  time  before  summoning  a 
physician,  and  the  lady  finally  died.  Another  case  that  I 
know  of  was  that  of  a  young  married  woman  with  one 
child,  and  having  become  pregnant  a  second  time,  had  a 
miscarriage.  Aa  to  the  history  of  the  case  I  know  noth- 
ing, except  as  it  was  presented  to  me  later.  She  had  come 
home  for  a  visit,  got  off  the  train  and  went  to  her  father's 


1886  A  Retained  Placenta  and  Its  Effects.  55 

house.  She  remained  there  three  months,  and  at  each 
monthly  period  she  suffered  from  excessive  haemorrhages, 
and  the  last  month  they  despaired  of  her  life.  She  was 
again  taken  when  starting  home  and  died  in  an  hour.  They 
made  an  examination  after  her  death  and  found  the  pla- 
centa partly  extruded.  I  have  known  of  several  other 
cases  which  did  not  terminate  fatally.  After  a  miscarriage 
an  examination  should  be  made  by  the  physician  as  soon 
as  possible,  and  every  thing  removed.  Dilate  with  one 
finger  if  it  is  necessary,  and  if  that  is  not  enough  use  two, 
and  if  that  is  not  sufficient  take  something  else.  I  have  in 
'  several  cases  used  a  placental  forceps  made  by  taking  a 
sound  and  turning  it  a  little,  and  with  it  seize  the  after- 
birth and  extract  it.  In  the  absence  of  anything  better  I 
have  used  this.  The  examination  should  be  made  immedi- 
ately after  the  person  has  the  miscarriage.  If  I  am  called 
in  some  time  after  the  miscarriage,  and  I  have  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  the  placenta  may  not  have  been  removed,  I  dilate 
and  make  an  examination  then.  I  dilate  at  any  time.  I 
have  sometimes  made  an  examination  at  the  monthly  pe- 
riod.  It  is  the  only  safe  course  one  can  pursue,  because 
we  are  liable  to  have  these  hsemorrhages  at  any  time,  and 
the  death  of  the  patient  be  the  result.  If  there  is  any  bet- 
ter course  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  of  ii" 

Dr.  Wood: — "Although  there  was  so  much  confusion 
during  the  reading  of  the  paper  that  I  could  not  catch  all 
the  points,  I  would  like  to  say  a  word  as  to  the  treatment  of 
these  cases.  I  think  in  most  cases  you  will  rarely  find  it 
necessary  to  dilate,  as  the  parts  are  already  greatly  dilated. 
It  is  very  easy  to  see  how  mistakes  are  made  in  such  cases. 
We  have  cases  where  only  a  portion  of  the  placenta  is  re- 
tained, but  in  some  cases  the  dead  foetus  is  retained.  The 
more  modern  writers  tell  us  that  in  case  of  miscarriage  if 
we  can  empty  the  uterus  with  our  fingers  to  do  so,  but  I  do 
not  think  that  the  more  modern  writers  will  tell  us  to  go  in 
immediately.  Dr.  Owens  has  practiced  for  many  years  but 
I  do  not  think  his  method  is  one  that  can  be  depended  up- 
on. I  think  it  is  better  to  wait  twenty-four  or  forty-eight 
hours,  give  time  for  the  membranes  to  be  expelled  natur- 


'  56 


The  Medical  Advance. 


July 


ally  if  poseible.  I  woulil  like  to  refer  to  the  matter  o£ 
oleaniug  the  uterus.  I  thiuk  that  if  we  resort  to  Crede's 
method  it  will  he  the  best.  I  was  ualled  to  a  place  io 
Michigan  where  a  six  month's  child  had  been  born,  and  it 
was  thought  that  all  the  membranea  had  been  removed. 
The  patient  was  thought  to  be  at  the  point  of  death,  and 
might  lUe  at  any  time.  I  cleaned  out  the  uterus  and  ap- 
plied Iodine,  and  within  an  hour,  by  means  of  internal 
remedies,  I  had  the  hiemorrhage  controlled.  I  think  we 
are  justified  in  resorting  to  the  curette  though  the  patient 
is  very  low.  When  I  cleaned  out  the  uterus  I  got  at  least 
half  a  saucer  full  of  debris.  While  in  some  cases  one  may 
be  justified  in  removing  the  placenta  immediately,  I  do  not 
believe  in  going  into  the  cavity  at  once,  but  think  it  best  to 
wait  twenty-four  or  forty-eight  hours.  If  we  cannot  re- 
move it  with  our  fingers  I  much  prefer  a  curette  as  being 
much  safer  than  any  other  instrument." 

Dr.  Owens: — "I  am  of  opinion  that  if  one  follows  Dr. 
Wood's  directions  death  will  result  in  many  cases  in  a  few 
hours.  I  tliink  you  should  dilate  at  onca  I  do  not  think 
the  doctor  has  had  very  much  experience  in  the  matter.  I 
have  found  in  my  experience  that  the  uterus  will  be  con- 
tracted in  an  hour  so  that  tbe  placenta  cannot  be  removed 
at  all.  As  to  the  instrument  the  one  I  suggested  was  more 
convenient  than  the  other." 

Dr.  Wood: — "In  regard  to  that  point  it  is  unfortunate 
that  our  j'ounger  men  have  not  forty  years  experience  to 
fall  back  upon,  and  we  must  pay  our  respect  to  men  who 
have  had  forty  years  experience.  In  such  cases  the  uterus 
is  not  large  enough  in  the  second  or  third  month  eo  that  the 
contracted  cervix  will  interfere  with  tbe  removal  of  the  pla- 
centa, or  render  it  more  difficult.  Where  you  have  difficulty 
in  removing  it  from  the  uterus  there  will  be  no  danger  in 
using  a  tampon.  I  believe  that  in  a  great  majority  of  cases 
you  will  have  dilitation  as  the  result  of  the  tampon.  If  not 
you  will  be  justified  in  using  physical  means  in  dilating." 

Dr.  Harding; — "It  has  been  my  experience  with  these 
cases  that  sometimes  good  sound  sense  and  judgment  has 
considerable  to  do  with  the  practice  of  medicine.     In  my 


1886  A  Retained  Placenta  and  Its  Effects.  57 

experience  of  seventeen  years  I  have  found  cases  where  I 
felt  justified  in  allowing  it  to  remain  a  few  days,  and  if 
there  is  a  severe  hsBmorrhage  to  use  other  means  to  control 
that.  My  remedy  is  extract  of  Hamamelis.  In  some  cases 
I  have  waited  twenty-four  hours  and  sometimes  longer,  but 
I  usually  take  it  away  as  soon  as  I  possibly  can.  I  hardly 
ever  introduce  the  hand  or  employ  any  other  mechanical 
means.  If  I  find  that  I  cannot  get  up  contraction  immedi- 
ately I  use  cold  water,  and  then  apply  warm  water  across 
the  bowels.  I  use  a  teaspoonful  of  Hamamelis  in  three 
ounces  of  water." 

Dr.  Claypool : — "  I  look  upon  a  case  of  abortion  as  leav- 
ing the  uterus  in  a  traumatic  state,  and  I  think  it  is  good 
surgery  to  remove  any  cause  of  haemorrhage  in  any  trau- 
matic condition.  Therefore  I  believe  it  to  be  good  prac- 
tice to  remove  the  retained  placenta  or  the  membranes  as 
soon  after  a  miscarriage  as  it  is  possible  to  do  so.  Of 
course  we  will  grant  that  physicians  are  men  of  good  judg- 
ment, and  they  should  use  good  judgment  in  these  cases  as 
well  as  in  any  other  case.  It  is  occasionally  true  that  it  is 
best  to  leave  a  case  of  this  kind  for  a  time,  but  I  claim  that 
it  is  the  exception  to  the  rule.  The  rule  I  say  is  to  remove 
it  as  soon  as  possible.  In  the  means  adopted  for  removing 
the  placenta  I  like  my  fingers.  Next  to  that  I  prefer  a 
curette.  I  have  adopted  a  little  plan  of  my  own.  I  use  a 
curette  that  I  make  myself  by  doubling  a  wire  and  twisting 
it  into  a  spiral,  by  introducing  this  and  turning  it  around 
the  placenta  is  entangled  in  the  spiral  and  removed." 

Dr.  Laning: — "I  had  a  case  some  time  ago  of  this  retained 
placenta.  As  far  as  my  experience  is  concerned  I  never 
had  such  a  case  before.  I  attended  a  woman  during  con- 
finement, everything  seemed  normal  except  a  haemorrhage. 
After  confinement  the  uterus  contracted,  and  everything 
was  going  on  nicely  when  I  left  the  woman.  That  night 
about  10  o'clock  her  husband  came  after  me  saying  that 
there  was  something  the  matter  with  his  wife,  and  that 
something  was  coming  out  of  her  vagina,  that  the  nurse 
thought  to  be  her  intestines.  I  was  puzzled  myself,  for  I 
knew  that  I  had  removed  the  afterbirth.     I  followed  up 


The  Medical  Advanre.  July 

this  olew  however,  and  introduced  ray  fingers,  and  it  felt 
simply  like  an  afterbirth.  I£  I  had  not  already  removed  it 
I  would  not  have  stopped  for  a  moment  but  would  have 
proceeded  to  remove  it  It  was  certainly  a  small  supple- 
mentary afterbirth.  I  made  a  cai-eful  examination,  but 
there  was  no  evidence  of  a  second  fcetus,  the  first  child 
weighing  ten  or  twelve  pounds.  After  removing  thia  after- 
birth the  mother  recovered.  I  thought  it  was  very  fortu- 
nate that  this  came  down  in  that  way,  for  I  bad  no  reason 
to  believe  that  there  was  anything  like  it  in  the  uterus.  As 
I  Bay  I  never  saw  such  a  case  before." 

Dr.  Barnes:^"!  have  practiced  in  this  line  for  forty 
years  and  had  about  as  much  of  that  kind  of  practice  as 
physicians  usually  have.  In  the  many  cases  that  I  have 
had  my  practice  is  to  remove  the  placenta  as  soon  as  possi- 
ble. I  never  let  it  stay  as  long  as  half  an  hour.  I  remove 
it  by  drawing  gradually  upon  the  cord.  A  little  steady 
drawing  for  sometime  is  better  than  »  pull  and  a  jerk.  It 
is  upon  the  principle,  that  if  you  want  a  horse's  muscle 
to  corae  up  you  must  work  it  little  by  little,  and  not  put  all 
the  work  on  at  once.  Keep  up  this  steady  drawing,  and  it 
will  all  corae  away  pretty  soon.  If  it  does  not  corae  read- 
ily introduce  the  fingers  and  if  you  can  hook  one  around 
the  afterbirth  it  will  soon  come  away.  I  have  never  at- 
tended but  two  cases  where  I  had  to  introduce  my  hand. 
In  all  of  my  cases  I  have  never  had  a  woman  die  of  child 
bed  fever  or  retained  afterbirth.  It  is  my  rule  to  take  it 
away  immediately,  and  not  let  the  woman  wait  for  any 
length  of  time." 

Dr.  Morrell: — "I  have  not  been  in  practice  for  forty 
years  nor  one-half  of  it,  but  in  my  practice  I  have  seen 
several  cases  of  this  retained  placenta.  In  one  of  my  cases 
of  abortion  a  child  was  born,  but  with  one  leg  missing.  In 
about  a  month  the  placenta  and  other  leg  came.  I  never  use 
any  forcible  means  to  remove  the  placenta,  especially  in 
early  months  of  gestation  or  abortion.  I  do  not  think  it  ia 
neoeasary.  Cantharis  or  some  other  remedy  has  always 
helped  me  out." 

Dr.  Wood: — "I  do  not  wish  to  be  understood  as  not  ad- 


1886  A  Retained  Placenta  and  Us  Effects.  59 

Tocating  the  removal  of  the  placenta  at  once,  if  you  can 
take  hold  of  it  then.  But  the  danger  is  not  so  much  in 
hemorrhage  in  the  first  stage  as  from  septicemia  after- 
wards. There  is  greater  or  less  danger  of  injuring  the 
delicate  membrane  that  lines  the  uterus.  There  is  much 
danger  of  this  until  three  or  four  days  after  the  abortion. 
During  the  early  stages  if  it  cannot  be  removed  with  the 
lingers  it  can  be  removed  by  resorting  to  the  tampon,  or 
later  to  the  curett^.  In  all  cases  where  there  is  any  possi- 
bility of  a  retained  placenta  I  think  it  is  positively  impera- 
tive to  use  injections  of  Carbolic  Acid." 

Dr.  Allen: — "In  cases  of  retained  placenta  from  abortion 
I  have  never  used  anything  but  Cantharis  and  I  have  had 
many  cases  that  pointed  to  serious  results,  but  it  has  al- 
ways helped  me  out  Dr.  A.  O.  Blair  pointed  this  out  to 
me  years  ago.  You  wiU  find  the  indications  in  the  prov- 
ing of  Cantharis  in  our  Materia  Medica." 

Dr.  Obetz: — "I  have  had  occasion  to  look  this  subject  up 
in  connection  with  a  trial  of  one  of  our  Homoeopathic  doc- 
tors for  abortion;  he  had  tried  for  five  or  six  days  to  re- 
move a  placenta  and  foetus  retained.  In  a  great  many  of 
these  cases  in  obstetrics  we  must  resort  to  mechanical 
means,  and  cannot  rely  upon  remedies  entirely. '  The  doc- 
tor had  been  indicted  upon  the  charge  that  he  had  given 
remedies  to  kill  the  foetus  when  he  had  only  been  attempt- 
ing to  remove  the  retained  placenta  to  relieve  the  patient. 
I  think  that  the  placenta  should  be  removed  at  once." 

Dr.  Mitchell: — "I  think  that  the  physician  should  have 
good  sound  sense  and  judgment.  It  seems  to  me  that  in 
these  cases  we  should  discriminate  in  our  patients.  If 
she  is  having  haemorrhage  such  as  to  endanger  life  or  to 
cause  decided  weakness,  then  I  think  the  policy  would  be 
to  enter  the  utenis.  That  is  not  always  the  case,  however. 
We  have  a  placenta  that  remained  in  the  uterus  four  months. 
Now  taking  the  view  that  has  been  presented  that  the 
uterus  is  in  a  traumatic  state,  can  we  run  any  risk,  of  which 
there  is  not  a  little,  of  employing  any  forcible  means  for 
the  removal  of  the  placenta  that  is  closely  adherent,  and 
causing  inflammation  in  many  cases.     Is   it  not  better 


60  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

policy  to  wait  awhile  until  the  patient  gets. a  little  relief  in 
Buch  cases?  I  think  it  is.  I  think  medical  interference  in 
such  cases  is  of  frequent  occurrence  when  it  is  wholly  un- 
called  for,  but  I  do  not  advocate  leaving  ii  I  think  com- 
mon sense  is  what  should  be  used,  and  not  treat  all  cases 
alike." — Ohio  State  Society. 


■— 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


OUR  FOREIGN  LETTER. 


Editor  Advance. — As  no  doubt  your  readers  are  aware 
the  season  on  the  Italian  and  French  Eiviera  ends  about  the 
middle  of  May,  commencing  towards  the  end  of  October. 
Nominally  it  should  last  six  or  seven  months,  but  for  many 
reasons,  the  chief  among  which  is  the  yearly  increasing 
facility  of  traveling,  visitors  tend  to  arrive  later  and  depart 
earlier  each  year,  to  the  great  detriment  of  the  local  trades- 
men and  hotel  keepers — not  to  mention  the  medical  men, 
who  are  supposed  to  be  above  such  considerations.  In  the 
good  old  times  of  the  first  Lord  Broughan,  Cannes  and 
Mentone  were  the  only  health  resorts  on  the  coasts;  all 
consumptives  who  could  afford  it,  were  sent  th§re  as  a  mat- 
ter of  course  (Madeira,  their  only  rival  having  been  beaten 
out  of  the  field);  equally  as  a  matter  of  course,  they  re- 
mained seven  whole  months  and  great  was  the  profit  of 
hotel-keepers  and  doctors.  Now  alas!  every  thing  is 
changed;  invalids  are  transmitted  with  the  utmost  ease 
from  London  to  Cannes  in  thirty  hours,  no  change  is  re- 
quired after  leaving  the  Calais  boat  and  the  Pullman  sleep- 
ing cars  obviate  all  the  evils  of  night  traveling.  The  con- 
sequence is  that  our  patients  put  off  their  departure  to  the 
last  moment,  and  leave  us  at  the  earliest  opportunity.  The 
type  of  visitor  also  has  changed — for  the  worse  as  regards 
the  doctors.  Thirty  years  ago  the  majority  were  consump- 
tives, usually  in  advanced  stages,  therefore  requiring  much 
attendance.  Now  three-fourths  of  the  visitors  are  mere 
pleasure  seekers  with  no  complaint  whatever,  unless  a 
feverish  desire  for  excitement  be  considered  such.     The  re- 


1886  Correspondence.  61 

mainder  are  cases  of  gout,  rheumatic-gout,  rheumatism, 
catarrh  of  the  bladder,  clergyman's  sore  throat,  and  uterine 
complaints,  with  a  fair  sprinkling  of  malades  tmaginaires; 
a  small  minority  are  phthisical,  and  these  again  usually  of 
a  mild  type.  But  though  the  work  to  be  done  has  dimin- 
ished  (owing  in  great  measure  to  the  rage  for  high  alti- 
tudes) the  workers  have  increased,  thus  verifying  the  dic- 
tum of  Solomon  that  '*  where  the  carcase  is  there  will  the 
eagles  be  gathered  together."  Thirty  years  ago  there  was 
but  one  physician  in  Cannes;  he  had  been  fortunate  enough 
to  marry  the  sister  of  an  English  duke,  thereby  securing 
among  other  advantages  all  the  English  aristocracy  as 
patients.  Indeed  he  soon  became  so  prosperous  that  being 
averse  like  many  of  us  to  the  ascent  of  stairs,  he  announced 
himself  unable  to  attend  any  invalid  not  located  on  the 
ground  floor.  However,  on  the  arrival  of- a  second  physi- 
cian, he  thought  proper  to  attend  patients  on  first  floors, 
and  now  that  he  has  at  least  five  formidable  rivals,  he  will 
attend  patients  on  any  story,  even  the  highest — is  glad 
enough  to  get  them — thus  exemplifying  the  good  effects  of 
healthy  competition. 

Mentone  at  one  time  had  but  one  medical  man,  the  eccen- 
tric but  able  Dr.  Henry  Bennei  According  to  himself 
(vide  his  book  on  the  Eiviera)  he  came  to  Mentone  to  die, 
but  the  climate  cured  not  only  himself  but  a  favorite  white 
poodle  also  afflicted  with  consumption.  The  public  delight 
in  pictures  painted  with  vivid  colors,  otherwise  his  descrip- 
tion of  the  marvellous  effect  of  the  Kiviera  climate  would 
be  thought  overdrawn.  In  my  work  entitled  "Wintering 
Abroad,"  I  was  rash  enough  to  quote  an  entry  I  found  in 
the  Mentone  town  annals,  "that  in  the  year  1859,  (the  year 
of  Dr.  Bennet's  advent)  it  was  found  necessary  to  double 
the  size  of  the  cemetery."  My  publisher  instantly  insisted 
upon  my  expunging  the  passage  on  the  ground  that  it  was 
libelloua  I  need  not  say  that  neither  I  nor  the  town 
chronicles  had  intended  any  of  the  sinister  insinuations 
attributed  to  us. 

I  will  not  here  discuss  the  business  question  of  high 
altitudes  versus  the  Biviera.     Suffice  it  to  say  that  fashion 


62  The  Medical  Advance.  July 


tyrannizes  over  the  medical  world  as  it  does  over  the  eoeial, 
and  that  if  you  wish  to  walk  in  safety  you  must  avoid  ex- 
tremes. At  one  time  all  phthisical  patients  were  sent  to 
the  Eiviera.  now  mosf  go  to  Davost,  though  there  are  not 
wanting  signa  that  this  fashion  is  waning  and  that  the  next 
"rage"  will  \m  to  keep  such  patients  at  home  and  attempt 
to  destroy  their  supposititious  tubercle-bacilli  with  anti- 
septics which,  as  Dr.  Haywood  in  his  address  to  the  Hom- 
oeopathic congresB  of  two  years  ago  very  sensibly  remarked, 
"If  sufficiently  strong  to  kill  the  bacilli  will  probably  also 
kill  the  patient."  But  time  tries  all  things,  and  no  doubt 
in  time  high  altitudes,  southern  climates,  and  germicides 
will  nil  be  assigned  their  proper  place  in  oui*  armamen- 
tarium which  needs  all  the  weapons  that  can  be  found  in 
order  to  triumph  over  so  deadly  a  foe  as  consumption. 
Alfred  E.  Dbysdale,  M.  B. 

CAintu,  Fnnce.  ^^ 

Editoe  Advance: — In  your  issue  of  April,  '86, 1  became 
much  interested  in  an  article  headed  "Similia  and  Poly- 
pharmacy," by  Dr.  W.  J.  Hawkes.  It  would  almost  seem 
that  some  "spring  or  indolent  fever"  was  dawning  upon 
some  of  the  members  in  our  ranks.  Of  course  it  is  a  well 
known  fact  that  work,  be  it  mental  or  physical,  does  not 
agree  with  some  persons,  hence  Allopathy  and  Polyphar- 
macy. If  some  of  our  members  could  only  get  a  machine 
to  compound  all  our  remedies  and  deal  out  the  compound, 
it  might  save  them  much  trouble.  Biit,  alas!  such  is  not 
the  case.  Drones  cannot  exist  in  Homceopathy.  It  is  a 
hive  for  working  bees  and  for  those  only,  and  when  we 
shirk  the  work  of  studying  the  single  remedy  we  are  no 
longer  Homoeopaths.  Wo  simply  have  our  grand  old 
motto  "Excelsior"  or  retrograde  with  our  brothers  of  the 
dominant  school.  He  who  would  gain  knowledge  must 
work,  and  especially  is  this  so  in  homceopathio  medicine. 
We  must  and  have  been  working  to  raise  onr  banner  and 
Tin  furl  it  to  the  world,  as  well  as  to  getoutof  the  deep  ruts 
of  Allopathy  and  Polypharmacy,  and  why  now  drop  back 
into  the  old  tracks?  Hahnemann  set  before  us  a  system  of 
medicine  based  on  a  law,  it  proved  successful  seventy  years 


1886  Correspondence.  63 

ago  and  it  is  equally  successful  to-day.  Then  why  aban- 
don it  to  return  whence  we  came?  Why  abandon  the  light 
which  we  now  have  to  fall  into  an  indolent,  empirical  way 
of  compounding  and  prescribing  drugs.  Better  by  far  be 
an  Allopath  and  send  our  victims  to  the  drug  store.  It  is 
no  wonder  the  Allopaths  say  we  are  dishonest  in  our  prac- 
tice. Instead  of  taking  for  our  motto  the  one  given  on  the 
first  page  of  the  cover  of  the  Advance,  we  retreat  and  say 
that  ''a  point  which  to-day  we  should  start  from  will  be 
goal  tomorrow  and  invisible  the  day  after,"  and  thus  re- 
verse things  and  retrograde  till  we  get  back  to  the  pre- 
scription and  drug  store.  Knowledge  in  the  hands  of  wise 
men,  if  rightly  wielded,  is  power,  if  not  rightly  wielded  it 
soon  shows  its  weakness.  We  junior  members  of  the 
homoeopathic  medical  profession  are  in  part  dependent  up- 
on you  older  and  wiser  heads  for  guidance.  If  we  are 
taught  pol3rpharmacy  and  empircism,  the  consequence  will 
be  that  we  shall  fail  and  kill  forever  Homoeopathy,  there- 
fore let  us  have  more  such  lights  as  Hahnemann,  Herring, 
Dunham,  Hawkes,  Guernsey,  Lippe,  Bell,  and  a  host  of 
other  good  men  who  have  done  so  much  to  lighten  the 
cares  of -the  younger  physicians,  and  let  us  wipe  out  all 
that  tends  to  lead  us  from  our  honored  law,  "  Similia  simu 
libus  curantur''  Alfred  Pulford. 

ANSONiA,  Conn.,  May,  1886. 


4»i 


Editor  Advance: — I  send  herewith  evidence  that  Hom- 
oeopathy is  progressing.  The  Newton  College  Hospital, 
officially  opened  June  5,  1886,  is  under  the  care  of  a  Medi- 
cal Board  composed  of  four  homoeopathic  and  four  allo- 
pathic physicians;  E.  P.  Scales,  F.  E.  Crockett,  H.  P.  Bel- 
lows and  8.  A.  Sylvester  on  our  side,  and  O.  E.  Hunt,  H. 
M.  Field,  K.  P.  Loring  and  F.  L.  Thayer,  allopaths.  Hunt 
is  president  and  Bellows  secretary,  and  the  board  is  har- 
monious. The  hospital  has  a  capacity  of  twenty-five  beds 
— divided  into  men's,  women's  and  children's  wards  and 
private  rooms. 

The  trustees  are  about  equally  divided  on  the  medical 
question,  as  are  also  the  executive  committee.     The  consti- 


64 


77)6  Medical  Advance. 


July 


tution  and  by-laws  are  fairly  constructed,  and  the  eight 
homoeopathio  physicians  of  the  city  have  an  equal  chance 
witli  the  iweniy-tico  allopathic  doctors. 

I  have  looked  sharply  after  the  matter  since  its  inception 
in  January,  1880.  We  homoeopathic  physicians  are  de- 
termined to  make  it  a  successful  experiment.  We  have 
seven  acres  of  land  and  a  good  building  to  commence  with. 

Patents  may  elect,  upon  their  admiesior  to  the  hospital, 
the  school  of  medicine  by  which  they  shall  be  treated. 
When  no  preference  is  esproBsed,  the  matron  will  assign 
them  in  alternate  order  to  the  two  schools. 

Physicians,  residents  of  Newton,  whether  members  of  the 
medical  staff  or  not,  will  be  permitted,  with  the  approval  of 
two  members  of  the  medical  board,  to  attend  inmates  of  the 
hospital  who  pay  the  usual  rates  for  board  and  lodging, 
and  who  have  been  admitted  to  the  hospital  in  the  usual 
way.  E.  P.  Scales. 

NtwroN,  «is5,.  June  9, 1BM6. 

[This  is  just  the  experiment  which  Homoepathy  coorta, 
and  our  boraceopathic  representatives  will  have  nothing  to 
fear,  if  they  rigidly  adhere  to  the  law  of  the  similars  and 
the  single  remedy  as  expounded  by  Hahnemann.  Let 
there  be  no  mixing,  alternating,  or  palliating,  {except  with 
the  similar  remedy)  and  the  results  will  speak  for  them- 
selves.—Ed,] 

THE  GERM  THEORY. 

Tlie  following  article  is  copied  from  tlie  Detroit  Errning 
NeiPS  of  a  recent  date.  It  was  called  out  by  the  previous 
publication  of  articles  in  Detroit  papers,  headed  "Human 
Flesb  Eaters"  etc.,  by  certain  doctors  who  are  making  a 
little  "run"  on  germs  and  who  seem  to  fear  that  these 
little  microscopical  somethings  {or  nothings?)  are  about  to 
overturn  the  economy  of  the  world.  It  was  written  for  the 
lay  reader  bat  contains  some  good  points  which  are  not  out 
of  place  just  now  for  professional  perusal: 

1  Lope  none  of  your  readers  will  lie  startled  by  any  of  the  n 
dern  nonsense  about  "bacteria"  and  the  "germ  theory"  of  d 
ease.    When  any  peiaoo  announces  the  general  acceptance  of  the 


1886  Correspondence.  65 

germ  theory  of  disease  by  the  medical  profession  he  is  simply  mis- 
taking his  own  immature  ideas  for  established  medical  doctrine. 
The  most  common  and  sensible  view  of  the  question  is  that  bac- 
teria and  other  germs  found  in  or  upon  diseased  sarfaces  are  the 
proditct  of  diseases — results,  not  causes.  When  any  surface  or  tis- 
sue is  in  a  healthy  condition  these  "germs"  are  perfectly  inert. 

If  the  vitality  of  a  part  is  unimpaired  these  agents  are  of  not  the 
slightest  consequence.  What  then  is  the  manifest  duty  of  physi- 
cians ?  Why,  to  correct  deranged  or  diseased  vitality.  When  this 
germ  theory  was  first  propounded  germicides  were  sought  for  and 
when  found  it  was  heralded  far  and  wide  that  **  disease  was  mas- 
tered," the  **  enemy  of  the  race  (disease)  could  now  be  annihilated." 
These  germicides  or  **  germ-killers  "  were  mostly  carbolic  acid  and 
corrosive  sublimate,  and  they  would  kill  every  germ  they  came  in 
contact  with,  but  to  do  this  in  the  human  body  effectually,  the  dose 
required  was  about  one  pound  and  a  half  of  the  former  and  a  tenth 
of  a  pound  of  the  latter.  So  that  this  wonderful  discovery  was 
about  as  valuable  as  the  joker's  receipt  for  rendering  mosquitoes 
innocuous — extracting  their  bills! 

It  was  found  that,  like  the  quack's  panacea  for  worms  (germs  ?), 
man  himself  is  a  worm  (of  the  dust  according  to  scripture),  and 
powerful  drugs  were  as  likely  to  kill  the  wrong  worm  (the  patient) 
as  the  right  one.    They  are  all  worthless. 

Now  in  fact  great  and  useful  discoveries  in  medicine  are  very 
rare— hardly  more  than  one  or  two  in  a  century.  Pasteur's  furor 
over  his  hydrophobia  antidote,  which  is  the  latest  comet  dazzling 
the  medical  world,  is  of  very  trifling  utility  even  if  what  he  claims 
for  it  is  true,  and  does  not  in  any  event  prove  the  germ  theory.  I 
say  it  is  of  trifling  utility,  for  hydrophobia  is  by  reason  of  its  inf  re- 
quency  a  disease  of  small  consequence.  There  are  3,000  doctors  in 
Michigan;  how  many  of  them  ever  saw  a  case  of  hydrophobia? 
Probably  not  30— less  than  one  per  cent.  As  to  ill  effects,  the 
scratches  and  bites  of  cats  exceed  those  from  dogs  ten  to  one. 

We  have  doctors  who  continually  boast  of  the  wonderful  powers 
of  their  microscopes.  They  claim  to  **  see  millions  upon  millions 
of  the  most  delicate  muscles  &nd  finest  nerves  in  a  pig's  nose."  They 
think  they  have  settled  the  germ  theory  of  disease  in  the  affirma- 
tive. Let  us  see:  In  small-pox  the  poison  "germ"  (if  there  be  one) 
is  in  the  pustule.  Have  these  men  discovered  it,  or  how  the  pus  of 
small-pox  differs  from  any  other  pus  ?  No.  In  scarlet  fever  the 
small  flakes  or  particles  which  come  off  the  skin  in  myraids  are 
contagious.  In  hydrophobia  the  poison  is  in  the  saliva,  and  in 
several  other  contagious  and  infectious  diseases  they  know  just 
where  to  look  for  these  germs  ( ?).  Do  they  find  them  and  are  they 
able  to  describe  them  and  tell  how  one  differs  from  another  ?  Cer- 
tainly not 

E 


I 


66  The  Medical  Advajice.  July 

You  can  put  it  down  as  a  rule  that  those  fellows  who  are  trying 
to  paralyze  the  world  with  their  etiormoits  discoveries  in  medicine 
are  vind-bags  and  mostly  quacks.  If  the  public  knew  them  in  their 
real  gnjse,  as  moat  of  the  profesaion  do,  they  would  invite  them  to 
observe  a  great  deal  more  modesty  than  they  now  exhibit. 

E.  R.  ELLia. 

The  following  from  a  private  letter  speaks  for  itself: 
"  I  am  jj;etting  to  be  a  better  Homceopalh  than  I  used  to  be.  I 
have  handled  some  desperate  cases  of  pneumonia  this  year  with 
the  single  remedy  and  the  thirtieth  potency.  Aconite  is  a  remedy 
that  I  never  used  higher  than  the  tincture  until  lately.  The  thir- 
tieth now  serves  much  better  than  the  tincture  formerly  did.  The 
fact  is.  in  the  days  when  I  alternated  the  low  potencies,  I  was  a 
failura  I  cannot  look  back  to  them  with  any  satia faction.  I  did 
not  study  my  cases  aa  I  should  have  done.  What  I  need  is  a  more 
complete  worh  on  Materia  Medica.  I  have  "  Hering's  Condensed  " 
and  the  four  volumes  of  "Guiding  Symptoms,"  "Hull's  Jahr," 
"  Dunham,"  "  Burt,"  "  Hale,"  "  Kaue'a  Pathology,"  but  often  I  can- 
not tlnd  what  I  want.  Would  you  advise  me  to  get  Allen's  great 
work?  I  am  anxious  and  willing  to  work  that  I  may  do  what  I 
can  for  humanity."  S.  E.  C. 

Yes!  Get  the  Encyclopcedia  and  Index.  Also  get  all 
the  repertories  you  can  £nd  aud  use  them.  Now  that  our 
Materia  Medica  has  grown  to  such  proportionB,  no  man  can 
treat  his  patients  satisfactorily  or  practice  Homoeopathy 
scientifically  and  euccessfully  without  a  frequent  reference 
to  a  good  repertory. 

St-VJIMERINQ. — Dr.  Dio  Lewie  says:  "The  worst  cases  o£ 
stammering  may  be  cured  if  the  patient  be  made  to  mark 
the  time  of  his  speech,  as  is  done  in  singing.  He  is  at  first 
to  beat  on  every  syllable.  He  begins  by  reailing  ft  piece, 
striking  the  finger  on  the  knee  at  every  word.  Tou  can 
also  beat  time  by  striking  the  finger,  hitting  the  thumb 
against  the  forefinger,  or  moving  the  large  toe  iu  the  boot. 
An  hour's  practice  each  day  will  suffice. 

The  repetition  of  the  remedy  is  one  of  the  most  impor- 
tant qnestions  with  which  the  therapeutist  has  k)  deaL 
When  you  are  in  douht  as  to  whether  you  should  repeat 
the  remedy  or  not,  I  can  give  you  a  rule  which  you  will 
always  find  safe  to  follow— don't.— P.  P.  Weias,  M.  D. 


.'it'..'  >5  VU.  >.>.  if,* 

Vi   u   U.-iii..-i--.^  bU'.;  *««ivv    i.a.a..  ir-^^t^ 
■JL-ulju.  .■.:  S;<;,-j-r>.  .■.'.  il„-<  vlvftu      I'ti-.-  .tJuiT»    .     ,^1^, 
v.»  ....o;>.  'A    VX     V    »!.<«.=<»    ,ua  »*.  ^._^^,,.. 
■!«.)...::  ..:  .=)■.-  *vw5.\  ;>>  t»>.  J   U  »ia.ii   .,  .-^.^^^    '„ 
■ii.i:ii:<.v-  iU-i  ?.v>."«'.'Ai  Ul  i*M*i».Uii.v 

'v.:—\   ':?,-.  fSiX'.'.V;    I..    I'     Slttll(<MIU[,  I'niiUu*,.      i       It) 

ct..»=.jv.-.i..,  w».  vv^,„  iu„i..  «^  ,.  ,;j,  , 

.-: .M .  Vli  .'J.  s>*vii*.  St.,  Omoiiuwli,  1)  a  iu.i»|,k  ,.. 
0.-..-i-,.-.-u,  »    \-  >!>.»„,,  l',a.l,,  U  1,  Tri„"r 

•.!ii.-.  J.  1-.  Si^hinl.  H«u,lmki,  J  .  V.-.i:r 
H.  lV<....r..,.  l-|«,.|.,,,l;  H.  S.  l^^r^rT*- 
V.L.V^^l  S.-...luJ,.v;  J.  N.  <tatt«l, Tr"*'^'*"- 

i.^  iviv^t.-:  w.  II.  i'.i,„„,  Vmt^"".:  ~ 
iv:*u..  w.  A.  nuiii(«,iii„.UM  !rii.lS^ 

Lewis    tWiiw,  tMtiWMvi   J^,  i\  ■  ^      *• 

Nu'hols.    lVrl.\sl««rBli;    M.   W.  1^ 

l!<j*.-X.  ^'itioiunttlt;  V.  h.  l%^n||^  j 

hill.  I'iuUU);  K.  I'.  HtitUiurutt 

IVItsU-;  U.  N.  Witiioii,  i\.,.,:.i. 

i'.  Mi-lVruiv»lt.  liimiiinj#i  I    ;\ 

Keist>[.  IStjuu;  V.  K  M-.li.„, 

J.  c  w>hJ.  H,  HAita,,«.i(,  ■  ; 

o<  Aiui.\tU».  Miulj.i  A.J,jJiJ  "  ^. 
lU>ti(W>,  'I'wuiuMli,  Mhtt.;  f  If  !^-  J' 
lV»uI,Mi..li.;U.*,Jm    '  J^n 


^^r  68  77«e  Medical  Advance.  July 

^M  J.  W.  Means,  Troy;  J.  A.  Mitchell.  Newark;  G.  W.  Rhone- 

^^V  house,  S.  Toledo;  F.  H.  Rorick,  Wauseon;  U.  H-  Squires, 

^H  Fostoria;  F.   P.  Taylor,  Toledo;    B.  B.  Vieta,  Cleveland; 

^H  J.  H.  Waddell,  WauseoE ;  Flora  A.  Waddell,  Wauseon ;  T.  E. 

^H  Wells,  Tiffin;  J.  W.  Williams,  AVeaton. 

^H  UONORAHV    UEMBEUS  ELECTED. 

^H  Chas.  Cmpper,  Lebanon.  Ohio;  Chas.  Oesterlin,  Find- 

^^H  lay,  Ohio. 

^^M  The  annual  address  of  the  President  was  an  able  paper, 

^^P  consisting  mainly  of  a  defense  of  Homoeopathy,  in  which 

^V  he  handled  our  allopathic  brethren  "without  gloves."   The 

^H  various  bureaus  were  well  represented,  and  the  papers  as  a 

^^L  rule  well  dip^ested,  well  received,  and  well  discussed.     The 

^^B  work  of  the  Ohio  State  Society  has,  tor  the  last  few  years, 

^^V  been  rapidly  increasing  in  value  and  interest,  and  is  an  ad- 

^^M  mirable  illustration  of  what  can  be  done  by  the  individual 

^^M  efforts  of  a  few  earnest  and  enthusiastic  ofGcers.     Its  last 

^^P  volume  of  proceedings  is  a  credit  to  any  society. 

^^P  It  has  been  noted  as  a  fact,  in  both  State  and  National 

^V  Societies,  that  where  for  long  and  efiicient  service  a  worthy 

^H  ofiicer  is  elevated  to  the  honorable  and  responsible  position 

^^L  of  president,  his  former  ardor  and  interest  appear  to  sud- 

^^H  denly  vanish  and  as  an  ex-president,  he  is  rarely  again 

^^P  seen  at  its  meetings.     We  trust  this  calamity  will  never 

^^  befall  some  of  the  able  workers  in  Ohio.  Dr.  Claypool,  of 
Toledo,  was  elected  president;  Dr.  Walton,  of  Hamilton, 
secretary;  and  Dr.  Pomeroy,  of  Cleveland,  treasurer. 

■  OREGON  STATE  SOCIETY. 

The  tenth  annnal  meeting  of  this  society  was  held  in 
Portland  May  i,  -5,  and  6.  The  address  of  President  Wigg 
bristled  with  statistics.     He  also  read  a  proving  of  Iris 

I  minor,  a  plant  indigenous  to  Oregon  which  we  hope  to  pub- 
lish at  an  early  day,  Drs.  Oamand  Royal,  and  C.  L.  Nich- 
ols were  admitted  to  membership.  Dr.  Henderson,  of 
Salem,  was  elected  president  and  S.  L.  King,  of  Portland, 
eecretary  and  treasurer.  There  were  several  valuable  pa- 
pers read,  and  the  meeting  was  voted  a 


and, 
pa- 


1886  American  Institute.  69 

THE  AMERICAN  INSTITUTE. 


The  thirty-ninth  annual  session  and  forty-third  anniver- 
sary of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy  convened 
in  the  Grand  Union  hotel  Monday  evening,  June  28,  at  8:30 
o'clock.  There  was  a  large  attendance  of  members,  and 
the  spacious  room,  with  the  large  painting  "Genius  of 
America,"  across  the  west  end,  never  looked  better. 

President  O.  8.  Runnels  called  the  meeting  to  order,  and 
after  prayer  by  Rev.  S.  V.  Leech,  Dr.  8.  J.  Pearsall,  of 
8aratoga,  was  introduced  and  made  the  address  of  welcome 
to  which  President  Runnels  in  appropriate  terms  returned 
thanks  in  behalf  of  the  Institute.- 

The  programme  as  presented  by  8ecretary  Burgher  from 
the  executive  committee  was,  with  a  slight  amendment  that 
the  first  half  hour  of  each  morning  session  be  devoted  to 
miscellaneous  business,  adopted. 

Dr.  Arunlphy,  of  Nice,  France,  was  invited  to  a  seat 
upon  the  platform,  and  in  a  brief  manner  returned  thanks 
for  the  honor  shown  him. 

Treasurer  E.  M.  Kellogg  made  his  report: 

RECEIPTS. 

Balance  last  year $  500  88 

Collected  during  the  year, 3105  00 

$3605  88 

DISBURSEMENTS. 

Expense,  Bureau  of  Gynsecology $    23  50 

Organization, '84-5 18  06 

*85-6 46  38 

*•         Com.  on  Drug  Provings 46  94 

R.R.  Fares 19  36 

"         of  Stenographer 210  00 

Salary  of  Secretary 500  00 

Testimonial  to  Treasurer 500  00 

Postage,  Expressage,  etc 312  71 

Postage  and  Stationary  of  Treasurer 75  60 

Engrossing  Diplomas 21  00 

Printing  of  Treasurer 21  63 

Printing  Transactions  of  1885 1112  90 


I 


The  Medical  Advance.  July 

Binding  same 330  00 

DeBcit  on  Encyclopcedia  subscriptions 24  59 

83365  67 

Balance  on  hand 8  340  21 

Oc  motion  the  report  waa  referred  to  the  auditing  commit- 
tee appointed  by  the  president,  eongiating  of  Dr.  Weesel- 
hcBft,  Boston;  Dr.  Baker,  Dee  Moines;  Dr.  Beebe,  Sidney,  O. 

Secretary  Burgher  presented  the  report  of  the  executive 
Eind  publication  committee,  which  w&s  accepted  and  re- 
ferred. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  medical  legislation  was 
made  by  Dr.  Sawyer,  of  Monroe,  Mich.,  which  was  received 
and  referred. 

Dr.  J.  B.  G.  Cnstis,  of  Washington,  D.  C,  spoke  upon  the 
subject  of  congressional  legislation,  and  said  they  had  a 
hospital  in  Washington  which  had  received  an  appropria- 
tion of  i?15,000  from  the  general  government  He  offered 
the  foUowiDg  resolutions,  directing  the  bureau  of  medical 
legislation  to  see  what  course  is  best  to  pursue  to  have 
HomcBopathy  recognized  in  the  army  and  navy  of  the 
United  States. 

First.  That  we  view  with  much  concern  the  fact  that  this  great 
system  of  medicine  is  without  representation  in  the  army,  navy  or 
marine  hospital  service  of  the  national  government,  though  it  is 
the  adopted  system  of  a  very  large  proportion  of  the  citizens  of 
the  country,  who  have  experienced  its  superior  beneficent  results. 

Second.  That  having  without  government  aid,  or  recognition 
even  in  the  medical  departments  of  the  government  service,  at- 
tained to  the  high  position  of  rivalling  the  older  school  ot  medicine 
in  colleges,  hospitals,  literature  and  number  of  educated  and  expe- 
rienced physicians  as  well  as  patrons,  and  having  through  the 
manifest  beneficent  results  of  its  law  and  practice  in  the  preserva- 
tion and  restoration  of  health  largely  revolutionized  the  practice 
of  all  other  schools,  we  claim  that  the  time  has  fully  come  for  its 
recognition  in  every  branch  of  the  government  service  where 
medical  knowledge  and  nkill  are  provided  for. 

Dr.  Sawyer  said  he  was  glad  that  the  profession  had  such 
B  worker  as  Dr.  Cnstis  at  the  National  Capital. 

Dr.  H.  C.  AUen  called  attention  to  tlie  bill  recently  intro- 


1886  American  Institute.  71 

duced  into  the  Senate  by  Senator  Oall  of  Florida,  referring 
to  medical  and  technical  education  of  the  people  under  the 
direction  of  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  and  moved  that  it 
also  be  referred  to  the  committee. 

Dr.  J.  P.  Dake  suggested  that  in  order  to  test  the  valid- 
ity of  the  objection  to  homoeopathic  practitioners  in  the 
U.  S.  Army,  some  medical  man  make  application  for  ap- 
pointment If  he  be  refused  examination,  as  he  likely 
enough  would  be,  there  would  be  a  good  and  sufficient 
cause  for  appearing  before  congress  and  asking  redress. 

Hon.  Alonzo  Bell,  of  Washington,  D.  0.,  ex-Assistant 
Secretary  of  the  Interior,  and  representing  the  Homoeo- 
pathic Hospital  Association  of  Washington,  was  invited  to 
address  the  Institute,  and  as  he  had  something  to  say  and 
came  prepared  to  say  it,  he  was  indulged.  He  said  he 
was  not  well  up  in  the  practice  of  medicine  but  he  was 
heartily  in  favor  of  Homoeopathy.  He  held  that  the  one 
profession  was  Homoeopathy.  He  did  not  see  how  an 
Allopath  could  be  happy.  He  gave  a  history  of  the  Na- 
tional Homoeopathic  Hospital  Association  which  was 
formed  a  few  years  ago  at  Washington,  D.  C,  and  its 
growth  since  its  formation.  By  great  exertion  and  consid- 
erable hard  work  an  appropriation  of  $15,000  was  made 
by  Congress  with  which  to  purchase  a  building,  and  this 
year  an  additional  $5,000  has  been  promised  to  enable  us 
to  make  projected  improvements.  Since  the  foundation  of 
the  hospital  it  has  gradually  been  growing  and  is  now  one 
of  the  prominent  institutions  of  its  kind  at  the  National 
Capital.  The  government  is  now  spending  more  money  to 
find  a  cure  for  hog  cholera  than  to  protect  human  beings 
who  are  dying  by  scores.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  the 
government  thinks  more  of  hogs  than  of  her  citizens,  but 
the  hog  dealers  are  working  hard  for  their  object.  It  is 
time  Homoeopathy  assumed  the  aggressive.  It  has  made 
many  converts  and  is  now  in  the  front  rank  as  the  leading 
remedial  agent  of  the  world,  and  he  showed  the  necessity 
of  preparing  reliable  statistics  on  which  to  base  compari- 
sons of  the  relative  merit  of  the  allopathic  and  homoeo- 
pathic schools  of  medicine. 


rVa  The  Medical  Advance.  Joly 

Dr.  Kinney,  of  Patterson,  H.  J.,  moved  that  the  report 
of  Dr.  Bell  be  referred  to  the  committee  on  publication, 
and  that  a  vote  of  thanks  be  extended  to  him  for  hie  valu- 
able pairer. 

Dr.  A.  I.  Sawyer,  of  Michigan,  was  appointed  chairman 
of  the  committee  on  medical  legislation  for  1887. 

Dr.  T.  M.  Strong,  of  Ward's  Island,  made  the  report  of 
j  the  committee  on  foreign  correspondence  which  was  re- 
ferred. 

The  president  appointed  Dr.  Strong  chairman  of  the 
committee  for  1887. 

A  letter  from  Dr.  Richard  Haghes,  of  Brighton,  Eng- 
\  land,  was  read,  inviting  the  attendance  of  the  members  of 
the  Institute  to  the  world's  convention  to  be  held  at  Basle, 
I  Switzerland,  iu  August  nest,  and  that  funds  to  pay  expenses 
of  publishing  the  transactions  would  be  thankfully  re- 
ceived. 

On  motion  a  subscription  was  started  for  the  purpose  of 
procuring  the  publication  of  the  proceedings  of  the  World's 
Convention,  and  in  a  short  time  the  sum  of  S170  was 
taieed;  each  subscriber  to  receive  a  copy. 

Dr.  C.  Wesflelhoeft,  of  the  committee  on  drug  provings 
stated  that  his  committee  was  ready  to  report  and  would 
like  to  have  a  time  set  down  when  it  could  be  made.  He 
equested  that  it  be  set  down  for  Wednesday  morning. 

On  motion  the  report  was  deferred. 

Dr.  Mohr,  of  Philadelphia,  reported  for  the  committee 
on  Homceopathy  in  the  Encyclopiodia  Brittanica.  He  said 
that  a  layman  had  kindly  reviewed  the  paper  and  succeeded 
in  having  the  proper  changes  made. 

Dr.  H.  D,  Paine,  of  New  York,  made  the  necrologist's 
report  which  was  accepted  and  referred. 

The  following  are  the  deceased  members:  Seniors — 
H.  N.  Guernsey,  Philadelphia;  H.  E.  Stone,  Fair  Haven, 
Conn.;  B.  Ehrman,  Cincinnati,  O.;  J.  R.  Redding,  Som- 
.  ertoD,  Pa.;  J.  K.  Clark,  San  Francisco,  CaL;  F.  Woodruff, 
Detroit,  Mich.;  A.  W.  Koch,  Philadelphia;  F.  \.  Palmer, 
Boston;  D.  F.  Bishop,  Lockport,  N.  Y. 

Juniors — E.  A.  Farrington,  Philadelphia;  W,  J.  Baner, 


1886  American  Institute.  73 

New  York:  E.  C.  Franklin,  St  Louis;  Clement  Pearson, 
Washington;  H.  Crater,  Somerville,  N.  J.;  E.  F.  Hincks, 
Hyde  Park,  Mass. ;  W.  B.  Davis,  Philadelphia. 

Dr.  H.  D.  Paine  was  appointed  necrologist  for  1887. 

Adjourned  until  9:30  A.  M.  . 

THURSDAl   AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

Dr.  R.  B.  Bush,  of  Salem,  O.,  chairman  of  the  Board  of 
Censors,  reported  an  additional  list  of  .names  for  member- 
ship, which  was  read. 

The  report  of  the  Bureau  of  Sanitary  science  was  called 
at  the  opening  of  the  afternoon  session. 

Dr.  L.  C.  Grosvenor,  of  Chicago,  111.,  chairman  of  the 
Bureau,  formally  submitted  the  report,  the  subject  for  dis- 
cussion being:  "Our  Homes,  their  Hygienic  and  Sanitary 
Condition." . 

He  then  read  a  paper  by  Dr.  M.  H.  Waters  of  Terre 
Haute,  Ind.,  his  theme  being  "  Our  Homes,  their  purposes 
and  intent,  an  index  of  our  civilization."  It  spoke  of  the 
cell  as  now  known  to  be  a  definite,  anatomical  and  physio- 
logical unit,  but  in  fact  exhibiting  all  of  the  phenomena  of 
organic  life.  The  white  corpuscle  is  subjected  to  ever 
changing  influences.  As  the  character  and  condition  of  the 
cells  determine  that  of  the  organ,  so  do  the  organs  that  of 
the  body  or  individual.  So  potent  and  permanent  are  these 
results  that  they  may  be  traced  from  generation  to  genera- 
tion in  peculiarities  of  heredity,  especially  marked  in  the 
transmission  of  physical  and  moral  disease. 

The  paper  contributed  by  Dr.  D.  H.  Beckwith  of  Cleve- 
land, O.,  was  upon  the  subject  of  public  health  and  criti- 
cised severely  all  adulterations,  especially  that  of  food.  At- 
tention was  called  to  the  evils  arising  from  sewage,  pois- 
oned drinking  water,  sewer  gases,  decaying  vegetables, 
cesspools,  market-malaria,  poisonous  germs  in  sleeping 
coaches,  and  vile  food  and  drink.  Several  forms  of  adul- 
teration were  enumerated,  beginning  with  maple  sugar 
mixed. with  glucose  and  brown  sugar;  milk  mixed  with 
water,  carbonate  of  soda,  salt,  borax,  salicylic  acid;  butter 
adulterated  with  an  excess  of  salt,  cotton-seed  oil,  lard  oil. 


PT4 


The  Medical  Advance. 


July 


\ 


carrots,  anise  and  stilphate  of  copper;  oleo-margariDe  and 
its  abominations;  imported  cheese  mixed  with  arsenic  and 
copperas,  and  limbtirger  cheese  soaked  in  urina;  coffee 
mixed  with  chicory,  peas,  beans  and  hominy.  The  adulter- 
ation o£  liquor  and  beer  is  carried  to  such  an  extent  that 
it  is  about  impossible  to  secure  anything  pure. 

Dr.  Anna  Warren,  of  Emporia,  Kan.,  read  a  paper  on 
"Pood,  its  Selection,  Preparation  and  Adulteration."  The 
importance  of  selecting  food  that  contains  the  elements  the 
system  needs,  and  the  necessity  of  having  the  source  from 
whioh  the  food  elements  are  derived  pure,  were  dwelt  upon. 
The  importance  of  having  the  footl  properly  cooked  was 
emphasized.  The  food  that  is  the  most  essential  and  the 
cheapest  is  that  which  is  the  least  successfully  adulternled. 

Dr.  H.  E.  Beebe,  of  Sidney,  0.,  read  a  paper  on  "Our 
Homes,  the  Choice  of  a  Site,"  To  have  a  healthy  home,  first, 
the  local  climate  should  be  healthful,  for  many  diseases  are 
from  local  causes.  Low,  damp  bottom  lands,  sluggish 
streams,  or  where  mist  is  often  seen,  are  not  good  places 
for  building  homes.  Avoid  locating  where  the  winds  bring 
currents  of  air  from  such  places.  Select  an  elevated  site, 
not  at  the  exposed  top  of  a  hill,  but  above  the  level  of  ad- 
joining land  to  favor  natural  drainage.  The  laud  should 
slope  from  the  house.  There  should  be  a  wholesome,  dry 
soil.  It  must  be  free  from  excessive  moisture.  Much  de- 
pends upon  the  surface,  for  it  is  estimated  that  the  ground 
upon  which  we  walk  is  one-third  air.  The  purity  of  ground- 
air  is  important,  for  the  air  above  it  depends  largely  upon 
it,  and  the  house  to  be  healthy  must  have  a  dry  porous 
foundation.  The  physical  condition  of  the  soil  exercises  a 
great  influence  on  the  character  of  endemic  disease. 

The  title  of  the  paper  read  by  Dr.  E.  U.  Jones,  of  Taun- 
ton, Mass.,  was  "  The  water  we  drink;  its  purity  as  an  ele- 
ment of  health;  its  impurities;  tests  for  impurities;  danger 
to  health  from  imparities."  A  thoroughly  thirsty  man  will 
reject  the  most  tempting  food  for  a  glass  of  cold  water. 
Every  particle  of  food  which  we  take  contains  its  normal 
proportion  of  salts,  but  in  a  way  and  manner  which  has 
changed  it  a  little  in  its  chemical  relations.     He  spoke  of 


1886  American  InsUiute.  75 

the  necessity  of  haying  all  wells  located  at  a  safe  distance 
from  cess-pools,  drains,  or  any  other  means  which  would 
tend  to  contaminate  it  It  should  be  free  from  all  pro- 
ducts of  decomposition,  from  metallic  constituents,  and 
from  all  causes  of  disease. 

Dr.  Pemberton  Dudley,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  read  a  paper 
on  "  The  Sanitary  Oare  of  Contagious  and  Infectious  Dis- 
eases." In  speaking  of  the  necessity  of  the  utmost  care 
and  cleanliness,  the  paper  spoke  of  the  physician's  clinical 
thermometer,  saying  that  '^t  is  amazing' to  observe  the 
seeming  indifference  of  some  of  these;  they  place  the  ther- 
mometer under  the  tongue  of  a  patient  suffering  with 
typhoid  fever  or  other  infectious  disease,  and  then  coolly 
slide  it  back  into  its  velvet-lined  case,  infecting  it  also  ir- 
retrievably; then  using  the  same  instrument  in  a  similar 
manner  upon  other  patients.  It  ought  to  be  a  rigid  rule  of 
the  physician  never  to  place  a  thermometer  in  the  mouth 
of  a  patient  until  the  instrument  has  first  been  thoroughly 
cleansed  by  a  strong  acid,  a  strong  alkali,  or  a  strong  chlor- 
ine or  other  disinfectant." 

Dr.  Grosvenor  read  a  paper  on  the  "Sanitation  of  the 
Lying-in  Eoom,"  which  contained  some  valuable  suggestions 
to  be  employed  in  cases  of  confinement  He  concluded  by 
giving  some  instructions  to  nurses. 

DISCUSSION. 

Dr.  S.  Lilienthal,  of  New  York  City,  said  that  oleomar- 
garine, rightly  made,  was  cleaner  than  nine-tenths  of  the 
average  "  country  butter."  In  regard  to  adulterated  beer, 
he  believed  that  any  person  who  knew  the  taste  of  hops 
could  not  be  deceived.  Speaking  of  our  homes,  he  said 
that  a  great  mistake  is  made  in  not  teaching  young  women 
to  properly  understand  housekeeping.  They  are  taught 
music  and  painting,  but  are  utterly  unable  to  cook  a  din- 
ner, and  a  good  dinner  has  much  to  do  with  a  healthy  home. 

Dr.  Bushrod  W.  James  said  that  water  should  be  boiled 
before  being  placed  in  a  filter.  Many  of  the  so-called  pure 
waters  are  very  deleterious.  He  used  boiled  milk  as  a  be- 
verage. All  food  should  be  thoroughly  cooked,  and  noth- 
ing ought  to  be  eaten  in  a  rare  condition. 


76  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

Dr.  H.  C,  Allen  called  attention  to  a  standai-d  work  on 
"  House  Sanitation,"  the  Lomb  prize  essays  published  by 
the  "American  Public  Health  Association"  and  furnished 
the  profeasion  at  cost. 

Dr.  French  spoke  of  a  special  case  of  typhoid  fever  on  a 
farm,  It  was  found  that  the  family  well  was  located  within 
a  short  distance  of  the  barnyard.  Examination  proved  that 
the  matter  from  the  barnyard  percolated  the  soil  and  pois- 
oned the  water.     This  explained  the  cause  of  the  fever. 

President  Ruunels  said  that  most  of  the  filters  in  the 
market  are  death-traps  and  should  not  be  used. 

The  Bureau  was  then  closed. 

INSTITUTE  NOTES. 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  organization  showed  the 
membership  at  the  present  session  to  have  been  from  the 
following  states:  Arkansas  1,  Connecticut  12,  California  2, 
District  of  Columbia  1,  Delaware  2,  Florida  1,  Illinois  15, 
Indiana  2,  Iowa  4,  Kansas  1,  Maine  2,  Maryland  2,  MassEi- 
chusetts  43,  Michigan  3,  Missoori  2,  New  Hampshire  1, 
New  .Jersey  6,  New  York  W,  Nebraska  1,  Ohio  13,  Peun- 
sylvani  26,  Rhode  Island  5,  Temiessee  1,  Texas  2,  Virginia  1, 
Vermont  3,  Wisconsin  2;  total  218. 

UNACCOCNTABLE. 

It  was  a  noticeable  fact  that  of  such  a  fine  looking  and 
intelligent  body  of  men  as  those  who  composed  the  mem- 
bership of  the  Institute,  a  large  number  enjoyed  their 
cigare.  Even  the  Hahnemannians  indulged  quite  as  freely 
in  their  favorite  narcotic.  We  could  not  account  for  it,  as 
they  evidently  were  men  of  good  taste. 

A   MEETING    OF    MEDICAL   EDITORS. 

A  meeting  of  the  editors  of  medical  magazines  and 
periodicals  who  are  attending  the  meetings  of  the  Amer- 
ican Institute  of  Homceopathy  was  held  at  the  Grand 
Union  yesterday.  The  current  literature  of  the  homceo- 
pathic  school  was  represented  as  follows:  Hahnemannian 
Monthly,  Philadelphia,  Pemberton  Dudley,  M.  D.,  and 
Bnshrod  W.  James,  M.  D.;  St.  Louis  Periscope,  Frank 
Kraft,  M.  D.;  Medical  Advance,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  H.  0. 


1886  American  Institute.  7 

Allen,  M.  D. ;  North  American  Journal^  New  York,  G.  M. 
Dillow,  M.  D. ;  American  Journal  oj  Obstetrics,  Detroit, 
Mich.,  Phil  Porter,  M.  D.;  Medical  Era,  Chicago,  J.  E. 
Gross,  M.  D.;  Physicians*  and  Surgeons'  Investigator, 
Buffalo,  F.  P.  Lewis,  M.  D. ;  Clinique,  Chicago,  E.  Ludlam, 
M.  D.;  Clinical  Review,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  C.  L.  Cleveland, 
M.  D.;  American  Homceopathist,  New  York,  G.  W.  Win- 
terburn,  M.  D.;  The  Investigator,  Chicago,  T.  L.  Duncan, 
M.  D. 

The  meeting  was  a  very  pleasant  one  and  matters  tend- 
ing to  improve  the  literature  of  the  profession  were  dis- 
cussed. B.  Ludlam,  M.  D.,  of  Chicago,  was  made  president 
of  the  association  and  Mr.  A.  L.  Chatterton,  secretary. 

Dr.  Bushrod  W.  James,  of  Philadelphia,  was  requested 
to  give  the  association  a  paper  to  be  read  and  discussed  at 
the  next  annual  meeting,  which  will  be  identical  with  that 
of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy,  in  Saratoga, 
next  year. 

FEES  AND   DUES. 

The  initiation  fee  was  reduced  from  $5.00  to  $2.00,  and 
the  annual  dues  retained  at  $5.00.  This  was  one  of  the  re- 
commendations in  the  President's  address. 

SECTIONAL  WORK. 

The  sectional  plan  of  bureau  work  was  adopted  for  the 
future,  thus  giving  each  bureau  ample  time  for  discussion 
— a  whole  day  if  necessary.  The  bureaus  of  Surgery  and 
Materia  Medica,  for  instance,  may  both  be  at  work,  in  dif- 
ferent rooms  at  the  same  time.  The  change  will  necessi- 
tate another  stenographer,  and  we  hope  it  will  prove  satis- 
factory to  the  members. 

The  last  session  and  last  bureau  report  was  well  attended 
— fully  100  members  present — and  was  one  of  the  most 
interesting  of  the  meeting. 

The  next  session  will  be  held  at  Saratoga.  F.  H.  Orme, 
M.  D.,  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  although  confined  to  his  bed  by  ill- 
ness and  unable  to  be  present,  was  elected  President  A. 
B.  Wright,  M.  D.,  of  Buffalo,  Vice-President  The  rest  of 
the  ofiBicers  were  re-elected.     [Continued.] 


AN  AVVUCATE  OF 

HOMCEOPATHIC  MEDICINE. 

H.  C.  ALLEIN,  M.  D.,  Editor  nnil  riilitiaher. 

Vou  SVII.         Ann  Abbob.  Mich.,  Jitly,  1888.  No.  I. 


Tbe  Editor  Is  nut  rpspoiislhle  Tor  the  oplntons  ol  contrlbuMn.  Pereonatltles, 
beinj{  torelgu  t^  BcleiitlSv  discussion,  must  be  eidudpd. 

To  nccommoclBls  botli  reader  and  pnblisher  thia  Journal  Will  be  sent  until 
arrears  ore  paid  Hud  It  la  ordered  dlacontlnued. 

The  date  to  which  subscriptions  are  paid  will  be  found  on  the  sddresH. 


A  MEDICAL  MAUE'S-NEST. 


"  Tbe  rigbt  to  be  a  cussed  fool 

Is  safe  from  all  devlcen  humtin, 
It's  common  (ez  a  gin'ral  rule) 

To  every  critter  born  o'  woman." 

— The  Biglow  Papers. 

"Ass-terisk,"  in  the  New  York  Medical  Times,  has  a  plea 
for  one  and  a  plan  of  one.  The  egg  is  addle.  He  may 
"set"  until  hia  rump  is  bare;  hatch  it  he  cannot.  And 
when  at  last  it  is  broken— fie  on  it — it  will  smell  to  heaven ! 
A  Sebastapol  "stink-pot"  is  attar  of  roses  beside  it 

Poor  .438.  <  so  let  ns  write  it,  as  "  brevity  is  the  soul  of 
wit,"  and  also  a  saving  of  ink)  deedres  to  hatoh  "A  School 
OF  Medicine  and  Soboery,  independent  and  liberal,  where- 
in the  student  of  medicine  shall  be  taught  the  truth,  the 
whole  truth,  without  fear  or  favor  of  medical  sects." 
Egregious  Ass.  even  addsT  "The  time  is  ripe  for  such  a 
Bchool,  the  occasion  auspicious.  It  is  a  pity  it  should  not 
be  improved." 

O  fair  Titania,  where  art  thou?    Thine  own  Nick  Bottom 
waits  thee  in  the  wood.     Don't  let  him  "aggravate  bia 
I  voice  "  in  vain ! 

t  is  only  a  righteous  dread  of  the  "  Society  for  the  Pre- 


1886  A  Medical  Mare's  Nest  79 

yention  of  Cruelty  to  Animals  "  that  deters  us  from  reprint- 
ing the  whole  of  Ass.'s  communication  to  the  Times,  and 
yet  as  « it  must  be  seen  to  be  appreciated,"  we  are  remiss  in 
our  duty  if  we  fail  to  present  it  to  the  reader  of  this  who, 
at  the  same  time,  may  not  take  the  independent  and  schol- 
arly Times.  We  cannot  give  a  digest  of  it  because  it  is 
absolutely  indigestible.  Can  it  be  so  described  as  to  give 
the  reader  the  fitting  conception?  It  is  hard  to  say  and  at 
the  same  time  it  challenges  an  attempt.  Well,  old  Sam 
Johnson  once  said  of  Mr.  Thomas  Sheridan:  "Why,  sir, 
Sherry  is  dull,  naturally  dtill,  but  it  must  have  taken  a  great 
deal  of  pains  to  become  what  we  now  see  him.  Such  an 
excess  of  stupidity,  sir,  is  bc^'^^  nature."  The  Times^  Ass, 
must  be  a  blood  relation  of  Je^nson's  man;  and  his  postu- 
late is  established  by  Francis  Galtan's  great  work  on  Hered- 
itary Genius. 

This,  dear  reader,  is  about  the  size,  OQmplexion  and  spirit 
of  Ass.'s  communication — "an  excess,  of  stupidity."  A 
thousand  thanks,  Dri.  Johnson! 

According  to  this;A8s.,  "The  faculty  of  the  Kew  York 
Homoeopathic  Medical  OoUege  has  projected  a  plan  for  the 
endowment  of  that  institution."  The  said  faculty  asks  one 
quarter  of  a  million  dollars  to  this  end,  and  we  do  not 
believe  that  it  will  ask  in  vain.  Its  patrons  are  the  mer- 
chant princes  whose  hearts  are  not  hardened  by  trade  and 
traffic.  They  have  known  dark  hours  of  anxious  suspense, 
loved  ones  hovering  on  the  brink  of  eternity,  a  true  doctor 
with  them,  and  at  the  end,  the  triumphant  end,  their  Te 
Deum  was  "Die  Milde  Macht  ist  Gross."  Forget  it?  A 
merchant  prince  doesn't  forget  such  experiences  and  simply 
because  he  is  a  prince.  They  know  in  what  and  whom 
they  have  trusted,  and  you  can  leave  the  rest  to  them 
because  their  hearts  hold  even  more  than  their  warehouses. 

Whereupon  poor  Ass.  "  roars  you  an  'twere  any  nightin- 
gale," declaring:  "Is  it  not  rather  late  in  the  nineteenth 
century  to  appeal  to  liberal  and  intelligent  men  for  aid  to 
endow  and  dedicate  to  science  an  institution  of  learning 
devoted  to  the  promulgation  of  one  idea,  and  that  idea 
embodying  a  fragment  of  the  truths  of  therapeutics?" 


80 


The  Medical  Advance. 


July 


Bear  in  mind  the  "fragment;"  we  will  return  to  it  by 
and  by 

But  the  "roar"  isn't  over:  there  follows  bray  No.  2: — 
"It  may  be  well  enough  for  religious  sects  to  establish  in- 
stitutions for  teaching  and  disseminating  their  own  pecu- 
liar ideas,  or  want  of  ideas,  although  it  is  rather  late  in 
the  century  for  them  even;  but  it  is  a  gross  scandal,  in 
science,  for  medical  men  to  indulge  in  such  antiquated 


Dear  reader,  doesn't  old  Sam  Johnson's  "  excess  of  stu- 
pidity" become  luminous,  even  refulgent? 

Observe  this  long-eared  Ass.'s  cheap  sneer  at  the  "  relig- 
ious sects."  Had  he  not  a  mother?  Did  he  never  hear 
her  pray?  If  not.  Gold  help  him:  man  cannot!  When  a 
man  sneers  at  "religious  sects"  and  prates  of  "science," 
you  can  determine  the  value  of  kis  "  science  "  without  the 
"  Differential  Calculus."  His  "  science  "  is  spurioua,  be- 
cause the  basis  of  all  science  is  sincerity;  and  sincerity 
recognizes  sincerity,  always  and  everywhere. 

In  his  "excess  of  stupidity"  this  low-bred  Ass.  (we 
accept  the  best  "  norking  hypothesis "  and  assume  that  he 
knew  no  mother)  doth  not  know  that  a  " religions  sect " 
need  have  but  one  "  idea,"  and  lacking  that  it  cannot  be  a 
"  sect" 

Worse  than  all,  he  doth  not  know  that  every  "  sect "  is  a 
soul's  sigh  denoting  an  hunger  at  which  all  men  having 
praying  mothers  will  bow  the  knee  in  reverential  silence. 
"A  single  sigh,"  said  Hemsterhuys,  "toward  the  future 
and  the  better  is  a  more  than  geometrical  demonstration  of 
the  Deity,"  When  poor  Ass.  gets  the  grace  to  "  sigh,"  he 
will  even  be  a  "sect"  by  himself.     God  speed  the  dayl 

It  is,  indeed,  a  pitiful  Ass.,  but  we  grapple  with  him, 
despite  his  formidable  heels  (the  other  end  isn't  at  all  dan- 
gerous!) in  behalf  of  tlie  "fragment  of  the  truths  of  thera^ 
pontics. " 

O  Ass.  superlative,  what  ia  a  "  fragment"  in  thy  sight? 
Therapeutic  truth  is  allceo-pathic,  enantio-pathic,  or  bomceo- 
pathic.  Hast  thou  the  supreme  asshood,  in  the  face  of 
men  who  are  read  in  the  history  of  medicine,  to  call  the 


1886  Editorial.  81 

homoeo-pathic  truth  a  ''fragment?"  If  thou  verily  hast 
the  brains  of  an  ordinary  ass,  dost  thou  not  know  that  the 
alloeo-  and  the  enantio-pathio  "truths"  are  in  all  sane 
"practice"  the  exceptions  and  not  the  rule?  If  thou  art, 
in  simple  truth,  an  healer,  doth  not  the  law  of  similars,  in 
even  thy  hands,  amply  suffice  in  76  per  cent  of  the  ills 
that  flesh  is  heir  to?  If  so,  is  three-quarters  of  the  whole 
a  "fragment?"  "Thou  dost  not,  canst  not,  realize  three- 
quarters  by  the  law  of  similars?"  Then,  for  humanity's 
sake,  do  not  spoil  a  third-rate  "  cobbler  "  in  trying  to  make 
of  him  a  fourth-rate  physician.  Don't  disturb  the  harmony 
of  the  universe:  incontinently  get  into  your  place! 


The  editors  of  the  New  York  Medical  Times  are  men 
whom  I  do  know.  Egbert  Guernsey  has  written  Eng- 
lish that  any  man  might  envy,  a^d  has  fa^-ly  won  the 
loving  trust  of  friends  of  mine.  Alfred  K.  Hills — ^the 
friend  of  my  better  days— has  a  practical  ability  that  many 
may  covei  That  these  estimable  gentlemen  are  conscien- 
tious in  the  convictions  that  mould  the  policy  of  the  Times 
is  beyond  all  shadow  of  question.  Yet  am  I  not  at  one 
with  them. 

Over  the  coffins  of  my  dead  children  I  learned  in  fruit- 
less grief  that  a  physician  is  even  grander  than  a  "  homoeo- 
path," and,  God  knows,  with  all  that  in  me  is,  I  have  tried 
to  become  one  for  my  living  children's  sake,  for  other 
children's  sake.  Dr.  Kidd's  catholic  book  found  an  hon- 
ored place  on  my  shelves  and  in  my  heart  I  look  for 
truth  everywhere  and  live  in  an  atmosphere  unknown  to 
"schools."  My  old  school  friends  here  are  pleased  to  sit 
in  judgment  on  my  results  and  say  that  I  am  not  a 
"Homoeopath."  I  should  more  highly  esteem  the  compli- 
ment if  I  had  a  higher  esteem  for  them.  But  often  one 
has  to  be  content  with  small  favors!  I  exercise,  under  a 
deep  sense  of  accountability,  that  Eclecticism  which  Old 
School  teachers  preach  about  but  are  incompetent  to  prac- 
tice.   I  say  this  not  to  exalt  myself  but  to  shame  them. 

But  shame  cannot  reach  them.    In  vain  conceit,  arro- 

F 


Tke  Medical  Advance. 


July 


gance,  impudence  and  ignorance  they  are  even  paohyder- 
matous. 

I  left  you  Eastern  men,  friends  and  companions,  in  the 
noonday  of  my  manhood  to  plant  our  flag  on  our  most 
northern  borders.  What  have  I  found?  A  receptivity  for 
truth  in  the  Philietinea?  Truth  given  them  at  the  hands 
of  Hahnemann's  avowed  followers  the  teachers  have  only 
curses  for,  while  the  same  truth  stolen  by  reading  Bingers, 
apostate  Phillipses,  and  J  acquis  Strop  "  Yankee  "  Materia 
Medica  makers  is  welcomed  with  psalms  of  thanksgiving! 
Becall  the  poeans  that  greeted  Ringer's  petty  larceny  of 
our  old  Hepar  sulphur.  To  be  sure,  it  icas  called  "  Calcic 
Sulphide,"  but  the  work  it  did,  and  the  way  it  did  it,  be- 
trayed the  thief.  Look  at  Aconite — has  it  not  exterminated 
those  professional  vermin  that  for  two  thousand  years 
"bled"  mankind  in  both  body  and  estate?"  Consider 
Ipecacuanha  that  patiently  waited  two  centuries  for  the 
feeble  mind  of  "  Regular  "  medicine  to  discover  its  homceo- 
pathicity!  Bear  in  mind  the  virulent  Mercuric  bi-chloride 
finding  a  way  (through  the  thickest  of  crania)  for  the  sim- 
ple truth  that  it  can  "cure"  dysentery! 

What  need  is  there  to  go  through  a  list  that  each  day  of 
their  "discoveries"  is  lengthening?  It  is  needless;  in 
their  craven  hearts  they  now  know  that  the  Laii'  of  Simi- 
lars is  the  therapeutic  talisman.  Have  they  a  shred  of 
gratitude  for  him  who  rescued  this  law  from  the  rubbish- 
heap  of  the  ages?  Have  they  a  shadow  of  that  sense  of 
justice  which  distinguishes  man  from  the  brute? 

"  We  never  forgive  a  man  wtiom  we  Iiave  injured,"  said 
that  Devil's  disciple,  Kochefoucault;  and  "  Regular  Medi- 
cine" makes  good  that  damning  acknowledgement  of 
Satanic  consanguinity. 

Ab  the  custodians  of  the  truth  that  is  in  Homoeopathy 
we  have  been  fought  for  nearly  a  century  with  weaponry 
that  is  only  diabolical;  they  have  violated  the  decencies  of 
civilization  and  outraged  the  amenities  of  letters;  they 
have  done  what  a  gentleman  dare  not,  and  a  christian 
would  not;  they  have  defied  the  sense  of  justice  tliat  is 
indigenous  to  the  heart  of  all  men.     But  injured  Truth  is 


1886  Editorial.  83 

ever  its  own  Nemesis— it  doth,  at  last,  prevail.  They  know 
that  they  have  been  wrong,  know  that  because  wrong  they 
are  vanquished;  and,  wanting  the  magnanimity  to  acknowl- 
edge their  human  error,  their  purpose  is  to  appropriate 
the  truth  for  which  we  have  stood,  and  to  slaughter  us,  its 
witnesses.  To  prate  about  "A  School  op  Medicine  and 
Surgery,  independent  and  liberal,  wherein  the  student  of 
medicine  shall  be  taught  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,''  ift 
indeed  "  an  excess  of  stupidity," 

I  have  seen  this  teaching  of  "the  whole  truth**  tried 
under  the  patronage  of  the  state,  and  not  under  the  continue 
ous  roof  of  "A  School  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,"  but  in  one 
and  the  same  forty  acre  lot,  and  I  have  seen  the  larger 
"truth"  despised,  rejected,  misrepresented,  caluminated 
and  throttled  by  the  unscrupulous  older  school,  aided  and 
abetted  by  the  pusilanimous  moral  cowardice  of  those  in 
authority. 

Although  I  have  in  me  a  good  stomach  for  any  fight 
having  in  it  a  shadow  of  righteousness,  yet  as  my  own 
shadow  grows  longer,  reaches  nearer  to  my  children's 
graves,  1  find  in  me  avowing  desire  to  be  at  peace  with 
all  men;  the  turmoil  wearies,  the  travail  is  grevious, — but 
the  Devil  is  not  dead  (as  many  imagine),  and  this  is  impos- 
sible. 

I  know  the  law  of  similars  is  the  larger  truth,  and  I  also 
know  that  it  must  yet  be  fought  for.  This  arrogant  older 
school  has  got  the  truth  by  conviction:  it  must  enjoy  it  by 
confession — not  by  felony;  that  a  law  older  than  the  uni- 
verse forbids! 

I  and  all  of  us  who  get  this  larger  truth  by  the  heritage 
of  kinship,  are  in  duty  bounden  to  fight  for  him  who  is  dead 
and  whose  clear  sight  first  discerned  it  and  made  it  dis- 
cernible. I  know  by  soul-sickening  experience  that  the 
Homoeopathic  school,  in  simple  fealty  to  its  dead  Teacher, 
MUST  BE  A  SCHOOL  MILITANT.  We  have  no  choice;  this 
issue  is  forced  upon  us  by  even  the  Devil's  elect 

The  Laissez  faire  policy  advocated  by  many  humanita- 
rian Homoeopaths  is  a  delusion  and  a  snare;  it  is  "played 
out; "  we  have  turned  the  other  cheek  for  the  buffet  of  the 


84  The  Medical  Adrmnce.  July 

brute  again  and  again.  Must  we,  at  this  late  day,  implore 
him  to  assail  us  under  the  coat-tails,  "the  place  where 
Honor's  lodged!"  This  pitiful  milk-and-water  policy  baa 
paralyzed  Homoeopathy  in  England,  and  it  muet  not  be 
allowed  to  repeat  that  feat  in  America. 

May  every  homceopathic  physician  in  the  Empire  State 
approach  his  thankful  patrons  and  plead  boldly  for  this 
endowment.  Think  of  the  New  York  Homceopathic  Col- 
lege with  its  twenty-six  years  of  earnest  work  and  its 
alumni  list  embracing  physicians  that  are  a  blessing  to 
suffering  humanity.  Think  of  Hunt's  all-embracing  schol- 
arship; of  Dunham's  beneficent  skill;  of  the  aged  Wells's 
puissance;  of  the  gray-haired  Lilienthal's  untiring  and 
blessing-bringing  industry;  of  Helmuth's  versatile  genius; 
of  Allen's  prodigal  generosity  in  furnishing  the  Cyclopffldia 
— oh,  how  can  I  go  through  the  list! — all  spending  and 
being  spent  for  this  New  York  Homceopathic  College; 
and  see  that  this  endowment  is  gotten.  See,  too,  that  the  col- 
lege keeps  ITS  DISTINCTIVE  NAME — "  HOMOEOPATHIC." 
«  •  A  «  «  ■  « 

Our  "Ass."  whom  we  have  long  forgotten,  would  have  no 
"sects;"  a  sect  is  dreadful.  Philosophy  reaches  fi'om 
Thales,  640  B.  C,  to  Hegel,  1800  A.  C,  and  Truth  achiowU 
edges  all  her  witnesses. 

Don't  heed  the  a-ss  I  write  of:  it  isn't  Balaam's — it  is  the 
D 's!  a  A.  J. 

A  Specimen  Bbick. — Before  us  lies  a  copy  of  the  ques- 
tions given  the  senior  class  of  a  certain  medical  college, 
for  their  final  examination.  We  call  the  attention  of  the 
reader  to  the  first  question  on  the  list:  "Qtt^e  ihe  composi- 
tion oj  2a  grs.  of  l)oi>er's  powder;  doae  for  an  adult.  CUve 
dose  of  pulverized  Opium.  Qive  the  amount  of  Opium  in 
one  and  one-half  grs.  Morphine." 

There  were  nineteen  other  questions,  but  we  need  not 
give  them  here  in  order  to  ascertain  with  what  sort  of 
instructions  these  seniors  have  been  armed  by  their  alma 
mater.  Neither  need  we  quot«  them  in  order  to  find  out 
what  sort  of  an  instructor  is  the  man  who  occupies  the 


1886  EdUorial  85 

chair  which  the  above  questions  represent  Bat  if  the 
unsophisticated  reader  attempts,  from  the  perusal  of  this 
question,  to  even  guess  at  the  professed  character  of  the 
the  medical  school  in  which  such  a  question  could  origin- 
ate, our  word  for  it,  he  will  probably  miss  his  mark.  If, 
however,  he  is  not  so  unsophisticated  as  we  suppose — if  he 
knows  what  "liberal  and  progressive  medicine"  means,  he 
may  possibly  hit  the  iaxgei  the  first  time. 

No,  no,  good  reader,  this  question  was  not  put  for  a  final 
examination  to  a  class  about  to  graduate  from  an  allopathic 
college.  The  eternal  fitness  between  such  a  question  and 
an  allopathic  college,  would  have  removed  the  fact  of  its 
being  asked  to  the  senior  class,  from  the  domain  of  criti- 
cism. Did  we  say  criticism?  As  well  might  we  criticise 
the  coiner  of  false  money.  When  we  criticise  the  acts  of  a 
suicide,  we  may  apply  some  such  test  to  the  asking  of  such 
a  question  to  a  class  of  students,  who  are  supposed  to  be 
instructed  in  "the  divine  art  of  healing,"  as  taught  by  the 
immortal  Hahnemau.  This  college,  whose  faculty  asks 
such  questions,  needs  students — needs  them  badly,  so  we 
are  informed.  And  it  expects  to  get  those  students  from 
homoeopathic  physicians.  Dare  it  nail  that  question  over 
its  front  door?  Dare  it  put  that  question  in  its  annual 
announcement? 


Arsenic  in  Skin  Diseases. — By  request  we  publish  the 
following  questions: 

The  Editor  of  the  Journal  of  Cutaneous  and  Venereal  Diseases 
is  desirous,  of  ascertaining  to  what  extent  Arsenic  is  used  by 
American  physicians  in  the  treatment  of  skin  diseases,  and  also 
the  result  of  their  experience  as  to  its  therapeutical  value. 

Information  upon  the  following  points  is  requested  of  every 
physician  who  reads  this : 

Q.  Are  you  in  the  habit  of  employing  Arsenic,  generally,  in  the 
treatment  of  skin  diseases  ? 

A.  No  I  it  is  not  "generally"  indicated. 

Q.  In  what  diseases  of  the  skin  have  you  found  Arsenic  of  su- 
perior value  to  other  remedies  ? 

A.  In  those  in  which  it  is  indicated  by  the  similarity  of  symp- 
toms. 

Q.  What  ill  effects,  if  any,  have  you  observed  from  its  use  ? 


The  Medical  AdvaTtce. 


July 


A.  No  ill  effects,  and  never  expect  to  observe  any  from  the  uae 
of  Arsenic  or  any  other  remedy. 

Q.  What  preparation  of  the  drag  do  you  prefer,  nnd  in  what 
doses  do  you  employ  it? 

A.  Araenious  acid.  White  Arsenic.  The  dose  is  a  question  of 
experience. 

Address,  Editor  of  Journal  of  Cutaaeous  and  Venereal  Diaeases, 
m  West  40th  Street.  New  Yorlt. 

[We  are  individually  responsible  for  these  answers. -Ed.] 
There  can  be  do  doubt  of  the  entire  honesty  of  purpose 
of  the  writer  of  the  above  questions,  and  yet  to  one  who 
has  studied  the  physiological  action  of  Arsenic — the  sick- 
making,  disease-producing  power  as  manifested  iu  our 
symptomatology,  they  appeal-  extremely  unscientific  if  not 
absolutely  absurd.  Arsenic  is  "of  superior  value"  only 
when  demanded  by  the  similarity  of  the  diseased  condition 
of  the  patient.  In  scientific  therapeutics  there  can  be  no 
question  of  degree — "of  superior  value" — it  is  entirely  a 
question  of  adaptability.  Nature's  appeal  for  relief,  mani- 
fested by  the  symptoms  presented  by  tlie  patient,  is  the 
only  true  guide  in  therapeutics,  and  the  study  of  the  sick- 
making  power  of  the  remedy  when  taken  by  the  healthy 
furnishes  the  only  true  key  with  which  to  unlock  the  secret 
of  the  action  of  "  Arsenic  in  skin  diseases  "  and  all  other 
affections.  This  the  editor  has  yet  to  learn,  but  like  all 
the  rest  of  us  he  can  learn  it  if  he  will. 


The  Aboiition  of  Typhoid.— We  have  heard  many  earn- 
est discussions  on  the  possibility  of  aborting  genmne 
typhoid;  one  man  claiming  to  have  cut  short  a  genuine 
ease  with  Baptisia,  another  succeeded  with  Gelsemium, 
while  a  third  used  Bryonia  or  Bbus  tox.  with  equally  good 
results.  In  each  case  they  prescribed  for  typhoid,  and  if 
they  failed  attributed  the  failure  to  the  malignant  charac- 
ter of  the  disease,  not  to  the  seluction  of  the  remedy.  Each 
man  has  no  doubt  asked  himself  the  question:  Why,  after 
he  had  positively  established  the  di^nosis  his  favorite 
remedy  did  not  always  cure?  This  is  the  question  with 
which  our  allopathic  brethren  have  been  wrestling  for  cen- 


1886  Editorial  87 

tnries  and  which  Dr.  Wells  has  answered  in  the  leading 
article  in  this  issue.    Read  it    Study  it. 

We  think  genuine  typhoid  can  in  his  way  be  successfully 
aborted.  In  fact  we  know  it  can  and  so  can  pertussis  and 
any  other  zymotic  disease,  if  we  only  accurately  and  impli- 
citiy  follow  Hahnemann's  plan.  The  fault  lies  in  the  ap- 
plication of  the  law,  not  in  the  law  itself.  We  study  allo- 
pathic works  which  treat  of  the  cetiology,  pathology,  diag- 
nosis  and  prognosis  of  typhoid,  and  because  these  authors 
base  their  prognosis  on  the  result  of  their  treatment  and 
say,  "  genuine  typhoid  must  run  its  regular  course,  it  can- 
not be  aborted,"  we  do  the  same  thing  in  the  name  of 
Homoeopathy.  Hahnemann  teaches  that  we  are  to  treat 
vur  patient;  Allopathy  that  we  are  to  treat  typhoid.  We 
cannot  serve  two  masters.  If  we  follow  Hahnemann's 
method,  adhere  to  our  law  of  cure  ^nd  scrupulously  apply 
the  indicated  remedy  whether  it  be  Baptisia  or  Sulphur, 
we  will  have  no  need  for  a  prognosis  based  on  allopathic 
practice.  Try  it,  and  publish  the  failures  so  that  it  can  be 
seen  whether  the  law  or  the  practitioner  be  to  blame. 


The  Hahnemannian  Association. — The  meeting  at  Sa- 
iratoga,  June  24,  26  and  26,  was  in  every  way  a  success. 
The  reports  of  the  bureaus  were  very  full  and  complete, 
and  the  practical  experience  elicited  by  the  discussions  ex- 
ceedingly instructive.  The  Bureau  of  Materia  Medica  in- 
cluded very  good  provings  of  three  new  remedies,  and  the 
reading  of  the  papers  of  this  bureau  occupied  an  entire  day 
and  then  several  were  read  by  title  and  referred.  The 
veteran  therapeutist,  Dr.  P.  P.  Wells,  one  of  the  founders 
of  the  American  Institute,  said  in  a  recent  letter:  ''That 
was  the  best  session  of  any  convention  of  doctors  I  ever 
Attended."  We  hope  to  give  a  full  report  in  our  August 
issue. 


Saratoga  for  1887. — The  world  moves.  The  power 
which  made  the  unwritten  laws  of  the  American  Institute 
has  unmade  them.  Hitherto  the  east  and  west  have  had 
the  honor  of  entertaining  the  Institute  on  alternate  years. 


Tke  Medical  Advance. 


July 


and  tliii:!  plan  hae  seemed  to  accommodate  the  majority  of 
the  members.  The  "member  from  Chicago"  however  (for 
the  puipoae  we  presume  of  studying  tlie  physiological  effect 
of  "the  waters"  on  gynoscological  practice)  facetiously  ad- 
vocated the  claims  of  Saratoga  for  1887,  and  many  eastern 
members,  thinking  him  in  earnest,  voted  to  return  to  Sara- 
toga. They  did  not  know  he  was  joking  or  jwrhaps  would 
not  have  done  it.  "We  had  a  pleasant  and  profitable  ses- 
sion, however,  in  Saratoga;  hence  we  forgive  them. 


NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


Wood's  Library  for  1886.  A  few  years  ago  when  thia  enter- 
prising puliliabing  bouse  announced  its  intention  of  issuing  a 
series  of  valuable  practital  works  on  medical  topics  of  especial  in- 
terest to  the  general  practitioner,  it  was  by  many  looked  upon  as  a 
doubtful  business  venturft  It  was  thonght  impossible  to  furnish 
a  new  and  original  work  every  month,  worth  $4.(10  or  $5.00.  for  the 
unprecedentedly  low  price  of  $1.50  or  618.(K)  for  the  series.  It  was 
doubtful  if  the  publishers  would  he  supported  by  the  profession 
even  if  they  fulfilled  their  part  of  the  contract;  and  at  best  the 
effort  would  exhaust  itself  in  one  or  two  seasons.  But  they  cor- 
rectly eatiniated  the  character  of  the  book-buying  and  book-read- 
ing American  physician,  and  thanks  to  their  business  foresight 
and  tireless  energy,  not  only  has  the  first  but  the  seventh  series 
been  completed  and  a  very  promising  beginning  made  on  the 
eighth.  During  their  annual  publication  of  the  last  seven  years 
eighty-four  volumes  have  been  issued,  at  a  cost  to  their  subscribers 
of  only  $1(K,  which  at  the  usual  price  would  have  cost  four  or  five 
times  the  amount.  And  the  quality  at  the  latest  publications 
would  seem  if  possible  to  be  on  the  Increase;  at  least  there  has 
been  no  deterioration.  No  "reprints"  have  thus  far  been  made, 
and  none  are  likely  to  be  made.  As  a  business  venture  it  has  been 
an  unprecedented  success.  The  medical  profession  has  not  only 
welcomed  but  generously  sustained  them  in  their  efforts,  and  so 
long  as  they  continue  to  issue  works  like  the  present  aeries  we 
venture  to  predict  as  generous  a  support. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  SPINAL  CORD.  By  Byroii  Brsmwen,  M.  D..  F.  R.  C.  P.  (EdiD.) 
Lccmier  on  Ibe  Piinclpteii  and  Pnulce  ol  Medldue.  and  on  McdlMl  Dlagnoal* 
In  the  Eilra  Academlcil  School  of  Medicine,  Kdlnbuntb ;  Pitbolcclil  .lo  the 
Edinburgh  Rofkl  lofirm&ry,  eux,,  etc,,  etc.  tlliulnted  b;  an^-tH-o  roU.page 
Ulhograpbfc  PUies.  tn  oolois,  and  many  flne  Wood  EaBririnm.  Pp.  MS.  Vol- 
I,  WoDd'a  LIbiarr  for  ISSe.    Ne«  Yaik;  Wm  Wood  and  Co. 

In  this  volume  this  talented  teacher  has  given  us  an  exhaustive 
treatise  on  the  Anatomy,  Physiology  and  Pathology  of  the  "Spinal 


1886  New  Publicaiians.  89 

Segment."  The  blood  supply  of  the  cord,  and  the  segment  both  as 
a  spinal  centre  and  as  a  conducting  medium  are  minutely  described 
and  well  illustrated.  The  motor,  sensory,  reflex,  trophic  and  vaso- 
motor functions  of  the  spinal  segment  are  so  clearly  and  accura- 
tely rendered  that  many  of  the  neuroses  can  be  more  readily 
and  easily  comprehended.  It  must  be  carefully  studied.  The  chap- 
ter on  spinal  hsemorrhage  is  alone  worth  the  price  of  the  volume. 

INSANITY  AND  ITS  TREATMENT.  Lectures  on  the  Treatment,  Medical  and 
Legal,  of  Insane  Patients.  By  G.  F.  Blandford,  M.  D.»  (Oxon).  F.  R.  C.  P.  L. ; 
Late  Lecturer  on  Psychologic U  Medicine  at  the  School  of  St  Georjce's  Hospital, 
London.  Third  Edition.  To  which  is  added  Types  of  Insanity ;  an  Illustrated 
Guide  in  the  Physical  Diagaosis  of  Mental  Diwase.  By  Allaa  McLane  Hamil- 
ton, M.  D.,  one  of  the  Consulting  Physicians  to  the  InFane  Asylums  of  New  York 
City,  and  the  Hudson  River  State  Hospital  for  the  Insane.  Illustrated  by  ten 
plates  from  photographs  of  cases  selected  as  types,  with  descriptive  text  Vol. 
II,  Wood's  Library  for  1886.    New  York ;  William  Wood  and  Co. 

In  the  32C  pages  to  which  the  twenty  lectures  composing  this 
book  are  condensed,  the  various  causes  and  phases  of  insanity — 
the  etiology,  pathology,  hygiene  and  treatment— with  many  illus- 
trative cases  are  given,  and  given  in  an  easy  graceful  style  which 
makes  them  not  only  fascinating  but  instructive  reading.  But 
when  the  author  discourses  of  the  use  of  Chloral,  Bromide  of  Po- 
tash, Opium,  Cannabis  indica.  Calabar  bean.  Ergot  and  Hyos- 
cyamus  in  the  medical  treatment,  his  lack  of  a  guide  in  therapeu- 
tics is  sadly  noted  and  we  could  wish  this  part  of  his  work  was  up 
to  the  general  standard  of  excellence  which  marks  the  rest  of  the 
lectures.    His  therapeutics  are  confused  and  confusing. 

DISEASES  OP  THE  CIRCULATORY  AND  RESPIRATORY  APPARATUS,  mus- 
trated  by  One  Hundred  and  Three  Fine  Wood  Engravings.  Being  Vol.  I,  of  the 
Handbook  of  Practical  Medicine.  By  Dr.  Hermann  Eichhont.  Pro  essor  of  Spe- 
cial Pathology  and  Therapeutics  and  Director  of  the  University  Medical  Clinic 
in  Zurich.  In  four  volumes.  Being  Vol.  III.  of  Wood's  Library  for  1886.  New 
York ;  William  Wood  and  Co. 

Section  one — diseases  of  the  circulatory  apparatus— treats  of  the 
diseases  of  the  pericardium,  heart  muscle,  endocardium,  neuroses 
of  the  heart  and  diseases  of  the  aorta,  and  the  diseases  of  the  re- 
spiratory apparatus  include  those  of  the  nasal  cavities,  larynx, 
trachea,  bronchi,  lungs,  pleura,  pulmonary  artery  and  medias- 
tinum. The.  diseases  of  the  heart  are  particularly  practical  and 
valuable  for  the  general  practitioner  and  may  be  studied  with 
benefit  by  all.  Many  valuable  diagnostic  hints  will  be  found  in 
this  volume. 

THE  GENUINE  WORKS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.    Translated  from  the  Greek,  with  a 
Preliminary  Discourse  and  Annotations.    By  Francis  Adams,  LL   D.,  Surgeon 
In  two  volumes.    Volume  I.    Being  Vol.  IV.  of  Wood's  Library  lor  1886.    New 
York ;  William  Wood  and  Co. 

Here  is  a  work  for  the  antiquarian,  and  every  true  lover  of  his- 
toric medicine  will  thank  the  author  for  his  admirable  rendition. 
The  author  says  in  the  preface:  "The  design  of  the  present  work 


meal. 


dvanee. 


is  to  give  a  tranHlation.  of  all  the  genuine  remains  of  the  Great 
RippoLTutes,  along  with  such  an  amount  of  illustration  as  ma;  be 
Bufflcient  to  render  them  intelligible  to  itnv  well  educated  member 
of  the  profession  at  the  present  day."  In  this  we  think  be  has  suc- 
ceeded, 

A  REPERTORY  OF  THE  MOST  CHARACTT ERISTIC  HYMPTOMS  OF  THB  MA- 
TE EU  A  MEDIC-A.  BrOeo.  W.  "Intcrbura,  Ph,  r)„K.D.,  HdltorottlieAmtrloan 
Uomceaiuitbtal.   New  York :  A.  U  Ch&uettoti  A  Co.   I'^nno.,  pp.  1S2. 

Dr.  Winterburn  has  demonstrated  that  he  can  make  a  practical 
pocket  repertory  as  well  iis  a  live  journat.  He  has  arranged  his 
matter  alphabetically,  in  a  double  calumc,  under  special  anatomi- 
cal or  regional  heads  to  correspond  with  the  Materia  Medica,  e.  g: 
"General  Conditions;  Effects  of  External InHuences;  Chill. Fever, 
Sweat;  Mind  and  Disposition;  Senaorium;  Sleep  and  Dreams; 
Headache;  Scalp;  Eyes;  Ears;  Nose,"  etc.,  etc.  By  an  admlrablo 
system  of  condensation  the  author  has  been  able  to  give  the  pro- 
fession a  veritable  vade  mecam,  as  every  pocket  repertory  should 
be,  because  it  cannot  be  both  a  pocket  companion  and  a  Materia 


In  the  preface  the  author  says :  "One  must  use  both  knowledge 
and  coninion  sense  in  consulting  a  repertory  in  order  to  get  from 
it  what  it  is  intended  to  give.  For  instance,  on  page  102,  iu  the 
rubric.  Fulness, semn  of.  in  hypo:  Sulph.  Ign.  Cham,  This  does 
not  metiti  that  Sulphur  is  to  be  tried  first  und  if  that  fails,  then 
Ignatia,  to  be  followed  perhaps  by  Cbamomilla;  but  simply  this, 
that  these  three  remedies  have  that  symptom  very  prominently  in 
their  pathogenesy;  that  in  the  ordinary  run  of  cases.  Sulphur  will 
be  indicated  more  frequently  than  Ignatia,  and  this  more  fre- 
quently than  Chamomilla;  and  it  also  means  that  when  Sulphur  is 
indicated  Chamomilla  is  not.  *  ■  •  l)ut  when  indicated  eacti 
becomes  in  its  own  place,  the  only  homcepat hie  prescription,  and 
the  only  one  capable  of  effecting  a  cure." 

This  is  only  a  repertory  of  the  characteristics,  but  the  physician 
will  find  it  immensely  helpful  as  a  pocket  companion,  in  the  car- 
riage, in  the  office  and  at  the  bedside.  The  author  has  shown  his 
love  for  the  cause  in  the  hard  work  and  sacrifice  of  personal  com- 
fort which  this  compilation  has  demanded  and  the  profession  will 
show  its  appreciation  of  his  labors,  we  :ire  fully  assured,  by  fre- 
quently consulting  it,  as  every  work  of  this  kind  will  aid  the  con- 
scientious physician  in  becoming  a  master  of  the  healing  art.  Per- 
sonally we  have  to  thank  Dr.  Winterburn  for  giving  us  so  good  a 
book.  It  deserves  and  we  are  certain  it  will  receive  an  extensive 
sale. 

Publication  of  The  Massachusetts  Homeopathic  Mbdi- 
OAL  Society,  Vol,  VHI,  1S8B. — Over  three  hundred  pages  of  well 
printed  matter  bearing  such  a  title,  should  be  worth  looking  at. 


1886  Neu)  Publications.  91 

No  small  responsibility  attaches  to  such  a  volume.  Whatever  in- 
dividual character  it  may  have  in  the  authorship  of  the  various 
articles,  it  stands  in  its  proper  character,  as  the  representative  of 
the  homoeopathic  medical  profession  of  the  state  of  Massachusetts. 
Now  we  all  know,  that  the  old  bay  state  always  prides  itself  on  its 
blood  and  brains.  So  it  is,  that  a  book  that  indexes  the  intellect 
of  the  Massachusetts  doctors,  challenges  our  attention.  But  we 
ask:  Is  this  book  worthy  its  name?  Is  it  a  credit  to  the  men 
whose  names  appear  on  its  pages?  As  the  product  of  twelve 
months  labor,  is  it  a  substantial  gain  to  medical  science?  Will  it 
pay  to  read  it  carefully  through  ?  and,  shall  we  recommend  it  to 
our  readers  ?  We  are  in  honor  bound  to  answer  the  questions  we 
have  raised,  and,  fearless  of  the  wrath  that  may  come,  we  declare 
that  not  one  of  these  questions  can  receive  an  affirmative  answer. 
The  book  as  a  whole  we  would  relegate  to  the  waste  basket,  were 
we  not  sure  of  finding  some  pearls  of  considerable  price  in  the 
rubbish  which  it  contains.  Necessitated  as  we  are,  to  occupy  but 
limited  space  in  our  notice,  we  can  best  indicate  the  character  of 
the  contents  by  brief  selections  imder  two  heads: 

PEARLS  OF  MORE  OR  LESS  VALUE. 

*' We  neglect  no  single  branch  of  our  science,  while  keeping  prin- 
cipally in  view  the  ideal  of  the  fathers  of  Homoeopathy,  the  ra- 
tional and  critical  study  of  the  action  of  remedial  substances  upon 
the  well,  with  a  view  to  their  exact  employment  with  the  sick.  To 
this  work,  the  great  body  of  homoeopathic  physicians  are  as  en- 
thusiastically attached,  as  are  the  devotees  of  astronomy  to  the 
stars  or  the  mariner  to  his  compass."—/.  Heher  Smith*8  Presidenfs 
Address. 

**lt  these  therapeutic  pipers  (Ringer,  Phillips,  Bartholow,  Pif- 
f ard,  etc.)  would  but  play  all  our  music,  their  followers  might 
dance  without  tears,**— Ibid, 

"As  for  final  union  with  Allopathy,  and  a  great  and  general 
love  feast  of  medical  practitioners,— God  forbid  I  Beware  of  fall- 
ing backwards.  ♦  *  *  The  attentive  ear  needs  not  to  hear  the 
voice  of  a  Circe  to-day,  to  inform  us  of  our  present  perils.  The 
siren  voices  that  lure  us  toward  error  and  the  wasting  of  precious 
years  and  opportunities,  sing  (I  speak  with  due  thought)  of  physio- 
logical therapeutics.  The  rock  that  threatens  to  break  our  prow, 
is  an  unmanly  and  enervating  union  with  Allopathy— a  union 
which  would  not  be  a  truce,  but  a  capitulation;  which  would  not 
be  an  alliance,  but  a  subjugation.**— i&td. 

"The  ultimate  test  for  germicides  is  not  in  the  laboratory.  The 
true  germicide  is  to  be  found  only  ex  usu  in  morhis.  The  hygiene 
is  not  to  be  looked  for  in  a  germicide.*'—^.  U,  Jones. 

"  Homoeopathy  does  not  stand  only  for  its  therapeutic  law,  the 
small  dose  and  single  remedy.    No  small  share  of  its  abiding 


tdicai. 


dvatuie. 


is  to  give  a  translation  of  all  the  genuine  remalnji  of  the  Great 
Hippocrates,  along  witb  such  an  amount  of  illustration  as  xawy  be 
sufllcient  to  render  them  intelligible  to  anv  well  educated  member 
of  the  profession  at  the  present  day."  In  this  we  thinlt  he  haa  suc- 
ceeded, 

A  REPERTORY  OF  THE  MOST  CHARiCTERISTlC  SYMPTOMS  OF  THE  MA- 
TERIA MED1CA.  BfGeo.  W.  lUntcrbuin.  Ph.  D..  M.  U..  EdlMr  of  the  American 
Horn iBopBLh LSI.    New  York:  A,  L.  Cbaueiton  &  Co.    12ino.,  pp.  182. 

Dr.  Wioterburn  has  demonstrated  that  be  can  malie  a  practical 
pocket  repertory  as  well  as  a  live  journal.  He  has  arranged  his 
matter  alphabetically,  in  a  double  column,  under  special  anatomi- 
cal or  regional  heads  to  correspond  with  the  Materia  Medica,  e,  g: 
"General  Conditions;  Effects  of  ExtemallnHuences;  Chill.Fever, 
Sweat;  Mind  and  Disposition;  Sensorium;  Sleep  and  Dreams; 
Headache;  Scalp;  Eyes;  Ears;  Nose,"  etc.,  etc.  By  an  admirable 
system  of  condensation  the  author  has  been  able  to  give  the  pro- 
fession a  veritable  node  tnecum,  as  every  pocket  repertory  should 
l>e,  because  it  cannot  he  both  a  pocket  companion  and  a  Materia 
Medica. 

In  the  preface  the  author  says :  "One  must  use  both  knowledge 
and  common  sense  in  consulting  a  repertory  in  order  to  get  from 
it  what  it  is  intended  to  give.  For  instance,  on  page  102,  in  the 
rubric,  Fulnens,  sense  of,  in  hypo:  Sulph.  Ign.  Cham,  This  does 
not  mean  that  Sulphur  ta  to  be  tried  first  and  if  that  fails,  then 
Ignutia,  to  be  followed  perhaps  by  Chamomilla;  but  simply  this, 
that  these  three  remedies  have  that  symptom  very  prominently  in 
their  pathogenesy;  that  in  the  ordinary  run  of  cases,  Sulphur  will 
be  indicated  more  frequently  tban  Ignatia,  and  this  more  fre- 
quently than  CbamomiUa;  and  it  also  means  that  when  Sulphur  is 
Indicated  Chamomilla  is  not.  •  •  •  But  when  indicated  each 
becomes  in  ita  own  place,  the  only  homtepatbic  prescription,  and 
the  only  one  capaltle  of  effecting  a  cure." 

This  is  only  a  repertory  of  the  characteristics,  but  the  physician 
will  find  it  immensely  helpful  as  a  pocket  companion,  in  the  car- 
riage, in  the  office  and  at  the  bedside.  The  author  has  shown  bis 
love  for  the  cause  in  the  hard  work  and  sacrifice  of  personal  com- 
fort which  this  compilation  hiis  demanded  and  the  profession  will 
show  its  appreciation  of  his  labors,  we  are  fully  assured,  by  fre- 
quently consulting  it,  as  every  work  of  this  kind  will  aid  the  con- 
scientious physician  in  becoming  a  master  of  the  healing  art.  Per- 
sonally we  have  to  thank  Dr.  Winterhurn  for  giving  ua  so  good  A 
book.  It  deserves  and  we  are  certain  it  will  receive  an  extensive 
sale. 

Publication  of  The  Massachusetts  Homceopathic  Mjn*- 
cAl  Society,  Vol.  VIII,  1885. — Over  three  hundred  pages  of 
printed  matter  bearing  such  a  title,  should  he  worth  lookii 


1886 


New  Publications. 


V. 


No  small  respoQsiblllty  attacbea  to  such  a  volume.  Wtiin>'VJr>  in- 
dividual character  it  may  have  in  the  authorship  of  ttit  ■.^fj'.iu 
articles,  it  stands  in  its  proper  character,  aa  the  n:pr<*>nit«'>i^'  -f 
the  homcBopathic  medical  profession  of  the  state  of  MMummin^-ti 
Now  weallknow.that  the  old  bay  state  always  pri']*»itwi'  m  iir 
blood  and  brains.  So  it  is,  that  a  book  that  \ainx*»i  ib*-  '.ft>:lf^ 
of  the  Massachusetts  doctors,  challenges  our  att^uti'A.  Jbu*  «• 
ask:  Is  this  book  worthy  its  name?  Is  it  a  credit  v,  'tf  umt 
whose  names  appear  on  its  pages?  As  the  pr<^u«A  uf  '.wft- 
months  labor,  is  it  a  subatantiid  gain  to  medical  ix;i<Xk<A  >  V  ii  r- 
pay  to  read  it  carefully  through  ?  and,  shall  wc  nivmnitKui  i  ,- 
our  readers?  Weare  in  honor  bound  to  answer  t)jir  •fjKtr.i\ni,  r., 
have  raised,  and,  fearless  of  the  wrath  that  may  ttnrn*:,  w»  ^nv.un* 
that  not  one  of  these  questions  can  receive  an  affirutat:i»  «iinn>r 
The  book  as  a  whole  we  would  relegate  to  the  wtutf:  '^/mtt^tr  w>*r 
we  not  sure  of  finding  some  pearls  of  conHidcrablK  pi^'M  >t  i^ 
rubbish  which  it  contains.  Necessitated  as  w«;  arK,  Xf,  'fAwiti  »« 
limited  space  in  our  notice,  we  can  best  ln(iicat«  lti<:  'sxuf^ti^-  r 
the  contents  by  brief  uelectlons  under  two  hi^add; 

PEARLS  OF  MORE  OR  LESS  VALI.'K, 

"We  neglect  no  single  branch  of  our  science,  wtili«IUM|«to:;fWi, 
cipally  in  view  the  ideal  of  the  fathers  of  llmwirj^Uti.ia-^^ 
tional  and  critical  study  of  the  action  of  reintsdiaJ  TiiirftiMwn  -  u^ 
the  well,  with  a  view  to  their  exact  employment  «h(:  Lim*^  ,  , 
this  work,  the  great  body  of  homosopathlc  V\iJ*ifiimt  ■  m:^m~-i. 
thusiaatically  attached,  as  are  the  devotees  of  astiwiMw..  „^ 
stars  or  the  mariner  to  his  compa3a."-V.  Helmrffunt/t  cv.m 
Addreis. 

"If  these  therapeutic  pipers  (Ringer,  VMUxj/t.i 
fard,  etc.)  would  but  play  all  our  muHin,  tkw- 1 
dance  without  tears."— /bid. 

"As  for  flnal  union  with  AUopathy,  und  «  ^m<jm  -, 
love  fea.<)t  of  medical  practitioner  s,~-God  fMtairi'  < 
iDg  backwards.    •    *    •   The  attentive  a 

e  of  a  Circe  to-day,  to  inform  us  of  our  j 
siren  voiceiUMiBre  tis  toward  e 

s,3ing(I  speak  witi  iw  _ 
;  roi^k  th»t  thr^a»ik^ 
vittiiiif  union  «|fr  ^H 


92  The  Medical  Advance.  July 

strength  and  permiuient  reformatar;  influence,  is  derived  from 
those  fundamental  principles,  by  which  it  is  borne  upon  bruoder 
currents  of  tbe  best  modern  thought,  und  from  which,  alone,  it 
can  derive  its  scientiQc  direction  in  all  its  eifoits  to  escape  tbe 
dangersof  crude  empiricism  and  rationalistic  dog  mat  ism." —  Walter 
Wauelhceft.  [We  should  prefer  to  strike  out  "alone"  and  the  fol- 
lowing "its"  before  we  gave  unqualified  assent  to  this.] 

"  ta  it  not  true  that  the  diseases,  concerning  which  we  have  the 
most  detailed  information,  which  can  be  most  accurately  observed 
in  their  origin,  course  and  termination,  are  precisely  those,  which 
most  persistently  defy  all  treatment,  even  in  their  initial  stages? 
And  is  it  not  equally  true,  that  tlie  most  minute  knowledge  of 
pathological  anatomy  andhlstology.as  well  its  of  the  ascertainable 
causes  of  diseases,  throw  only  a  very  partial  light  upon  the  avail- 
able means  of  treatment  ?"—/6jd. 

We  have  room  for  a  few  items  only,  under  the  head  of 


"When  asked  to  contribute  a  paper  on  this  occasion  upon  the 
treatment  of  diphtheria,  I  was  requested  to  give  my  own  expe- 
rience, and  to  name  the  treatment  that  never  failed  to  cure.  Now 
Mr,  President,  this  is  just  what  I  propose  to  do.  •  *  *  The 
character  of  diphtheria  is  probably  a  mycosis;  bacteria  are  the 
beivreis  of  tbe  contagion;  therefore,  any  treatineDt  to  be  succeea- 
ful,  must  be  in  its  nature  antiseptic  •  •  •  i  order  a  gargle  of 
alcohol  and  make  (equal  parta),  when  the  patient  is  old  enough  to 
gargle  the  throat,  otherwise,  spray  the  throat  with  the  same. 
Then  I  prescribe  Corrosive  Chloride  of  Mercury  and  Chloride  of 
Sodium.  *  *  •  I  pve  it  [the  CorrosiveCbloride  of  Mercury]  in 
thn  first  place  to  kill  the  fungi,  which  constitute  the  disease,  and 
then  to  stimulate  the  secretions  sufficient  to  wash  out  the  .dead 
fungi,  if  sTich  a  thing  be  possible.  *  •  •  I  select  this  remedy. 
Sodium  Chloride,  because,  in  the  first  place,  it  is  decidedly  anti- 
septic, and  in  the  second  place,  because  of  its  influence  through  the 
nervous  system,  over  cell  nutrition.  This  remedy,  like  Mercury, 
attacks  the  enemy  in  its  first  point  of  invasion;  and  after  that, 
while  Mercury  is  pursuing  it  through  the  lymphatics,  the  Sodium 
Chloride  can  proceed  immediately  through  the  nervous  system  to 
■  the  protection  of  cell  life," — W.  H.  Lmigee. 

Gentle  reader,  be  not  surprised;  this  comes  from  eating  too 
many  baked  beans.  It  is  purely  a  pathogenetic  result.  In  conclu- 
sion, we  desire  to  say  that,  as  we  have  not  given  a  tithe  of  all  the 
good  things  to  be  found  in  this  volume  so  also  have  we  not  given 
all  the  bad.  But,  that  anything  so  bad,  could  first  of  all  pa^  the 
society,  and  after  that  the  committee  on  publication;  this  is  what 
surprises  and  pains  us.  Even  the  very  many  good  things  to  be 
found  in  it,  cannot  redeem  it  from  condemnation,  (or  a  fly— so 


1886  Editor^s  Table.  93 

runs  the  scriptures— can  make  the  ointment  of  the  apothecary  to 
stink.  Much  more  like  the  ill-disguised,  allopathic  teachinfrs,  to 
be  found  on  many  passes  of  this  book,  mar  and  corrupt  it.  Even 
its  fair  type  and  excellent  binding,  and  above  all  the  honored  name 
it  bears,  cannot  save  it.  If  Massachusetts  can  do  no  better  more's 
the  pity.  W. 

EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


The  following  "episode"  occurred  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Ohio  State  Society.     Dr.  Claypool,  vice-president,  said: 

"There  is  another  duty  before  us  now.  In  the  report  of  the 
board  of  censors  a  matter  came  up  which  was  exceedingly  unpleas- 
ant, and  was  referred  to  a  committee.  Another  matter  now  comes 
up  which  requires  our  immediate  attention,  and  cannot  be  referred 
to  a  committee.  Since  *this  meeting  of  the  society  charges  have 
been  brought  against  one  of  our  oldest  and  most  respect9d  mem- 
bers— charges  which  this  society,  as  a  society,  cannot  permit  to  go 
unref uted.  If  we  intend  to  go  before  the  public  as  an  organiza- 
tion and  command  respect,  we  must  keep  the  records  of  our  mem- 
bers as  clear  as  possible.  These  charges  come  from  a  neighboring 
state.  It  is  a  surprise  to  us  and  we  deem  it  best  to  have  it  before 
the  society  at  once.  The  party  to  whom  I  allude  is  one  who  has 
been  a  member  of  this  society  for  a  long  time,  has  received  honors 
at  the  hands  of  the  society,  and  been  n*commended  by  it;  and  we 
cannot  recommend  to  public  appointment  any  member  of  this 
society  upon  whose  character  there  rests  any  shadow  of  doubt.  I 
allude  to  insinuations  touching  the  character  of  our  esteemed 
friend,  Dr.  Beckwith.  I  think  that  by  calling  upon  a  Michigan 
man  we  can  have  this  cleared  up,  and  his  name  stand  forth  again 
with  all  its  brilliancy.  I  call  upon  Dr.  H.  B.  Wilson,  of  Michi- 
gan." 

Dr.  Wilson:  My  father,  thinking  something  of  this  sort  might 
arise,  specially  charged  me  before  leaving  home  with  the  duty  of 
refuting  any  such  charges  should  they  arise.  He  also  placed  in 
my  hands  the  documents  with  which  to  refute  the  charges,  and 
also  sent  me  the  following  communication: 

To  All  Whom  it  May  Concern.^*'  I  take  great  pleasure  in  stating  that  the 
bearer,  David  H.  Beckwith,  is  a  young  gentleman  of  intelligence  and  natural 
worth.  He  has  distinguished  himself  as  a  laborer  and  indefatigable  student  and 
as  a  fearless  and  unrelenting  attendant  upon  the  sick.  While  his  uniformly  cor- 
rect moral  deportment  and  manliness  of  character  have  won  for  him  the  esteem 
of  this  entire  community,  I  fear  not  to  predict  for  him  high  rank  with  the  intelli- 
gent and  virtuous  wherever  Providence  may  fix  his  destination." 

^ULTON  ROWLEY, 

Pastor  M.  E.  Church,  Norwalk,  O. 
November  6, 1849. 


^^      the  CO 

^^K    Bchoo: 

^^H     better 


'  94  The  Medical  Advance.  jnly 

The  com  in  iini  cation  was  here  read  by  the  Doctor,  and  in  con- 
clusion he  said:  "As  I  understand  that  Dr.  Beckwith  1b  aoon  to 
leave  us  to  attend  a  meeting  of  the  state  board  of  health,  and 
thinking  it  would  be  improper  for  him  to  do  so  without  his  char- 
acter. I  take  this  occasion  of  presenting  to  him  his  long  lost  char- 
acter." 

The  above  recommendation,  with  an  electrotype  of  Dr. 
Beckwith  taken  in  the  "  forties,"  had  been  framed  and  was 
here  formally  presented  amid  the  cheers  of  the  members. 

Dr.  Beckwith;  "I  regret  exceedingly  that  I  have  to  leave  upon 
the  early  train,  but  the  board  of  health  meets  to-night,  and  I  think 
that  by  attending  I  may  be  able  to  get  two  homteopaths  upon  tbe 
board;  and  I  think  I  can  do  our  profession  more  good  there  than 
here.  I  am  very  glad  that  I  have  at  last  regained  my  long  lost 
character.  I  was  not  aware  of  what  was  coming,  but  I  thought  it 
was  some  graver  charge  than  this.  I  hope  in  after  years  you  wilt 
think  of  the  man  standing  before  you  who  was  recommended  by 
a  Methodist  minister.  Gentlemen,  1  thank  you  for  the  return  of 
Diy  character," 

PERSONAL. 

Mabbied.— On  Thursday,  June  17, 1886,  at  Sidney,  Ohio,  Dr.  A. 
W.  Reddish  and  Miss  Mary  L.  LeBarou. 

Mabbied. — On  Wednesday,  June  23, 188ti,  at  the  residence  of 
tbe  bride.  TaUmadge.  Ohio,  Dr.  J.  H,  Allen  (U,  of  M.,  '84).  of  Ish- 
peming,  Mich.,  and  Miss  Sarah  Ray. 

J.  G.  GiLCHBiST,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Surgery  in  the  University 
of  Iowa,  will,  in  future,  have  editorial  charge  of  the  surgical  de- 
partment of  The  Advance.  Contributors  will  confer  u  favor  by 
sending  surgical  cases,  notes  from  practice,  articles  for  publication, 
etc,  to  the  Editor  at  Iowa  City,  la. 

HoM<EOPATiiic  College  (U.  of  M.).— At  the  June  commence- 
ment tbe  following  received  their  degrees:  Lawrence  Baldwin, 
George  C.  Caron,  Annie  E.  Clark,  Laura  A.  Edwards,  J.  J.  Fowler, 
G.  W.  Hathaway,  Mary  T.  Hathaway,  G. B.  Kelso,  R.  D. Mack,  J.W. 
McLachlan,  I,  S.  Morris,  E.  H.  I^oud.  A.  B.,  A.  B.  Reynolds,  Nana 
B.  Hidden,  R.  C.  Rudy,  Elizabeth  Uncapher,  H.  B.  Wilson,  B.  a 

Db.  Charles  Mohr  has  been  appointed  to  the  chair  of  Materia 
Medica  in  the  Hahnemann  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia,  left 
vacant  by  the  death  of  Dr.  Farrington,  This  is  the  most  impor- 
tant chair  in  a  homceopathic  college,  and  we  feel  certain  Dr.  Mohr 
will  give  a  good  account  of  hia  stewardship.  As  an  alumnus  of 
lUege  no  one  can  have  a  deeper  interest  in  the  future  of  the 
school,  and  as  a  pupil  of  both  Hering  and  Farrington,  few  men  are 
better  qualiSed  to  teach  Materia  Medica. 


1886  Ptiblisher's  Department  96 

PUBLISHER'S  DEPARTMENT 


All  improvements  made  in  The  Advance  are  for  the  benefit  of 
our  readers,  whom  we  thank  not  only  for  valuable  contributions 
to  its  passes,  but  for  prompt  remittance  of  subscriptions.  If  we 
are  promptly  paid  for  Vol.  XVII  we  can  promptly  pay  for  our 
paper,  and  thus  save  money  with  which  to  further  improve  the 
magazine.  Look  at  the  date  to  which  your  subscription  is  paid 
and,  if  in  arrears,  remit  at  once.  As  brevity  is  the  soul  of  wit, 
promptness  is  the  soul  of  business. 

Summer  Diarrh(ea.-— In  the  large  class  of  summer  diarrhoeas 
of  children  and  adults,  with  griping  in  the  bowels  and  flatulence, 
the  use  of  Listerine,  in  doses  varying  from  ten  drops  to  a  tea- 
spoonful  (with  or  without  water),  has  a  most  salutary  and  pleas- 
ing effect.  Its  action  in  arresting  excessive  fermentation  is 
prompt  and  decided. — N,  Y.  Medical  Journal, 

For  a  small  bonus  I  will  introduce  a  good  physician  to  a  prac- 
tice established  eighteen  years,  in  a  city  of  25000  inhabitants.  Only 
two  other  homoeopathic  physicians  in  the  place,  neither  women. 
Reasons:  family  changes. 

Annie  C.  Rowland,  M.  D., 

Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

Maltine  with  Cascara  Sagrada. — We  earnestly  invite  the 
attention  of  the  profession  to  this  valuable  compound.  It  will  be 
observed  that  Maltine  is  not  so  viscid  as  formerly  made,  but  of  a 
more  fluid  consistency,  and,  while  retaining  the  nutritive  and 
diastatic  value  that  has  given  it  precedence  over  all  other  Malt 
Extracts,  it  is  rendered  entirely  agreeable  to  the  taste  of  the  most 
fastidious;  besides,  as  now  prepared,  it  is  more  easily  adminis- 
tered.—if  aZWnc  Mnfg  Co, 

Bromidia.— I  have  given  it  in  two  cases,  one  patient  suffering 
from  a  slight  febrile  affection,  the  other  a  victim  of  acute  insom- 
nia; in  the  latter  case  various  preparations  of  Opium  had  proven 
useless  and  the  administration  of  chloral  was  followed  by  lassitude 
and  congestion  in  the  head.  Bromidia  produced  sound  sleep  in 
both  of  these  cases,  unaccompanied  by  any  unpleasantness  on 
awaking. — Maurice  Hatch,  M,  D, 

I  WILL  give  my  good  will  to  any  one  who  will  rent  my  oflace— 
$12.50  per  month.  A  good  Homoeopath  could  do  well  here.  For 
particulars  address  W.  O.  Cheeseman,  M.  D., 

Joliet,  Illinois. 

Nbw  Yobk  State  Homcbopathic  Medical  Society,  will  hold  its 
next  semi-annual  session  at  Niagara  Falls,  September  7  and  8. 1886. 
A  large  attendance  is  expected. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


I 


July 

Gekeral  Basii,  Dukk,  tn  »n  article  to  appear  in  the  Southern 
Bieoufic  for  August,  relates  the  incidents  of  the  retreat  after  the 
fall  of  Eichmond.  This  war  story  has  never  yet  lieen  fully  told, 
though  it  is  one  of  absorbing  interest. 

In  the  Southern  Bivouac  for  July  will  be  published  an  article 
on  "  Old-Time  Service,"  by  Major  J.  M.  Wright,  of  General  Buell's 
staff,  whose  article  on  West  Point,  published  laat  year,  was  so  well 
received, 

Doctor.— "Well,  how  is  our  patient? 

Nurse.— He  Is  sleeping  with  his  fathers. 

Doctor.— He  is,  is  he.  Why,  I  thought  you  told  me  he  had  in- 
somnia. 

HoRsroUD's  Acid  Phosphate,  is  highly  recommended  by  many 
physicians  as  an  acidulated  drink  in  many  forms  of  low  fevers. 

A  Tobacco  Fueak.— One  of  the  venerable  aeniorsot  the  Amer- 
ican Institute  thus  relates  his  experieacu  with  the  "  weed  ":  "  In 
April,  1884,after  a  continuous  use  of  tobacco  for  50  years.  I  'lost  my 
cud,'  as  they  say  of  sick  cows,  and  the  tobacco  habit  l«f  t  me.  I  did 
not  leave  it  off,  it  left  me,  and  what  had  hitherto  been  almost  a 
passion  became  a  positive  aversion.  From  sheer  force  of  habit  I 
have  made  several  vain  attempts  to  resume,  but  to  date  have  not 
succeeded,  and  I  do  not  expect  to.  It  was  a  very  curious  and 
almost  unheard  of  experience.  »a  the  'cbungit'  took  pl»ue  wholly 
within  24  hours  and  was  complete  and  effectual.  A  Iward  of  med- 
ical, even  neurological  specialists,  would  be  at  a  loss  to  explain  it." 

H.  0.  Kasselman,  M.  D.,  (U.  of  M.)  made  alma  mater  a  Hying 
visit  last  month. 

In  Northwestern  Lancet,  Dr.  C.  F.  Denny  says:  Not  long 
sinc«  I  bad  brought  tome  achildof  sixmonths.sufferingfrom  the 
following  symptoms : 

Constipation,  at  times  irregular  action  of  bowels,  regurgitation 
of  food  and  an  asthmatic  cough.  Its  mouth  was  full  of  thrush 
sores,  and  its  appearance  one  of  poor  nourishment.  It  had  been 
given  a  number  of  Infants'  Foods  in  vain,  one  of  which  I  pre- 
scribed myself.  By  means  of  mild  me<lication,  directed  towards 
the  cough  and  stomach,  something  was  accomplished.  Finally  I 
gave  "Carnrick's  Soluble  Food."  and  had  the  satisfaction  of  hav- 
ing it  retained,  and  at  last  accounts  the  child  was  doing  nicely,  I 
am  inclined  to  think  this  food  is  worthy  of  attention  on  the  part 
of  the  profession.  It  recommends  itself  in  that  it  contains  caseine, 
rendered  soluble  by  pancreatine,  starch  converted  into  dextrine 
and  maltose.  Uence  it  requires  but  little  preparation,  and  that  is 
so  simple,  mistakes  cannot  occur.  It  requires  no  addition  of  milk. 
It  has  the  advantages  and  none  of  the  disadvantages  of  the  many 
foods  now  in  the  market,  and  forms  a  nearly  physiological  substi- 
tute for  mother's  milk. 


THE  MEDICAL  ADVANCE. 

A  MONTHLY  JOURNAL  OF  MEDICAL  SCIENCE. 


YoL.  XVII.  Ann  Akbor,  August,  1886.  No.  2. 


ORIGINAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. 


WHAT  IS  THE  BEST  METHOD  OF  SELECTING  THE 

REMEDY. 


p.  P.  WELLS,  M.  D..  BtooklyD,  N.  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  cure.  It  must  then  have  been  made  one  of  the 
laws  which  were  to  govern  its  life,  especially  its  sick  life. 
In  order  then  to  a  clear  view  of  the  duty  of  this  selection, 
let  us  go  back  to  the  scientific  elements  in  this,  and  ex- 
amine them,  and  see  if  from  these  we  can  gain  light  on  this 
best  method. 

The  objective  of  this  selection  is  the  cure  of  sick  human- 
ity. Then  the  first  object  of  examination  is  man  himself. 
And  in  the  outset  we  find  him  not  an  accident  in  the  world, 
but  the  product  of  an  intelligent  creating  power,  complex 
in  his  constitution,  the  many  parts  or  organs  of  which  were 
each  formed  for  the  performance  of  its  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  har- 
mony of  function  is  health.  Function  is  the  result  of  mo- 
tions in  these  organs,  and  in  each  is  the  particular  motion 
its  function  requires.    Motion  implies  motive  xx>wer.    Or- 


The  Medical  Adiwu-e.  Aug. 

gans  are  moved  to  the  execution  of  function  only  as  they 
Bre  impelled  by  this  power.  So,  in  man,  as  before  the  prob- 
lem of  this  selection  -we  have  organs,  the  power  which 
moves  them,  and  the  resulting  functions. 

Now  this  power  which  is  the  characteristic  of  the  lii'ing 
I  man,  was,  when  placed  within  him  for  tbe  purposes  of  life, 
[  made  susceptible  to  impressions  from  agents,  without  itself, 
I  which  are  capable  of  modifying  its  action  on  organs  and 
f  fuaetions,  so  that  the  harmony  of   these  which  we   call 
s  destroyed.  This  discord  in  organs  and  their  func- 
tions we  call  sickness,  and  this  is  always  tending  to  the 
destruction  of  both.     The  first  impress  then  of  the  cause 
I  which  has  disturbed  this  harmony  is  on  the  power  which 
I  executes  functions.     We  have  then,  first,  the  impact  of  the 
I  morbid  cause  on  the  power  which  executes  functions,  then 
L  the  resulting  disturbance,  and  then,  perhaps,  changes  of 
I  organic  tissues,  if  this  lost  harmony  is  not  restored  l>efor6 
I  there  has  been  time  for  these  changes  of  function  to  pro- 
dnoe  them.  This  is  the  order  in  which  the  processee  of  sick- 
ness succeed  each  other.     Tlie  processes  being  once  set  up, 
the  problem  before  the  healer  is  to  iind  the  agent  which 
has  the  power  to  restore  the  lost  harmony. 

How  shall  we  proceed  in  our  search  for  this?  There  are 
\  but  two  obvious  courses  open  to  us, — one  under  the  guid- 
ance of  law,  the  other  with  no  law  or  guide  other  than 
guessing.  We  can  see  no  other  course  nor  reason,  for  pro- 
ceeding to  demonstrate  the  superiority  of  that  under  law. 
Nor  is  it  needful  to  declare,  as  before  this  problem,  that 
I  there  is  but  one  known  law,  and  tliat  one  is  the  law  of  sim- 
ilars.  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,  sufferings,  and 
dangers  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 
curative?  First,  that  all  the  elements  in  the  problem  of 
the  selection  shall  be  htowii,  while  it  assumes  that  all  ne- 
eessary  to  a  right  selection  are  knowable.     It  will  at  once 


1886  Best  Method  of  Selecting  Remedy.  99 

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  vo  the  phenomena  of  the  sick- 
ness, the  other  to  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  that  agent 
which  is  found  to  be  most  like  the  phenomena  of  the  sick^ 
ness  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  elements  which  may  be  intruded  into, 
the  problem  by  whatever  of  guessing,  which  may  be  called 
by  whatever  specious  or  well  sounding  names. 

Then  of  the  sickness.    It  will  be  borne  in  mind,  this  has 
resulted  from  the  impress  of  some  agent,  on  the  force 
which    executes  and  governs    functions,   with  power  to 
change  these  from  a  living  harmony  to  a  destructive  dis- 
cord.    This  discord  is  sickness.     Then  the  law  will  know 
the  history  of  this  discord,  the  order  in  which  its  different 
elements  have  appeared,  and  of  those  elements  which  con- 
stitute this  discord,  ichat  functions  are  so  affected  by  this 
agent,  and  how  are  these  affected.     Each  function  is  to  be 
questioned  as  to  the  kind  of  modification  it  has  had^ im- 
pressed on  it,  especially  as  this  is  declared  in  the  modal- 
ities 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.  How  is  this  change  affected 
by  other  functions  of  bodily  organs,  as  by  motion,  rest,  po- 
sition, eating,  drinking,  breathing,  by  evacuations  of  what- 
ever kind,  and  this  as  to  each  and  every  function,  and  in 
utmost  detail,  and  as  to  every  circumstance  or  condition,  by 
which  any  one  or  more  of  these  find  aggravation  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  action  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« 


^  ID' 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

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  mecbauicat  uor  chemical  origin. 

Bnt  the  professional  mind  being  what  it  is,  it  is  quite 
likely  before  passing  to  the  medicinal  category,  to  enquire: 
What  aliotif  the  name  of  this  sickness  I  am  about  to  at- 
tempt to  cure?  la  it  not  needful  before  proceeding  to  the 
search  for  the  remedy  that  I  shall  give  a  name  to  that  to 
be  cared?  You  have  given  no  hint  as  to  the  duty  of  diag- 
nosis— name.  Is  it  not  needful  before  going  further  to  an- 
swer the  question,  "Whai  is  it  I  am  about  to  cure?"  We 
answer,  the  law  has  nothing  to  do  with  names  of  sickness- 
ess,  but  with  the  phenomena  which  oliaracterize  them,  and 
the  name  is  not  one  of  these.  It  demands  that  you  find  in 
the  record  a  simillimura  to  these  phenomena,  with  which 
ibe  name  has  nothing  to  do,  you  need  have  no  concern  as 
to  a  name,  till  you  have  found  your  simillimum.  The  uame 
will  not  help  the  i^earoh  for  this  in  the  lesst  It  may,  if 
lagged  in,  prove  a  hindrance  to  the  "scientific"  search  for 
the  true  simillimum. 

But  then  the  pathology  of  the  case — is  one  to  pass  to  the 
search  for  its  remedy  before  this  is  settled?  Is  one  to 
search  for  a  curative  for  a  givpn  case  before  he  has  deci<led 
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. 
Inmost  likely,  you  will  in  the  end  find  yourself  guessing  more 
Chan  you  know,  and  guessing,  law  will  not  accept  as  any 
part  of  a  service  under  its  direction.  The  totality  of  the 
eymptoms  is  all  that  can  be  known  of  the  pathology  of  any 
oase,  and  these  are  the  only  ichnt  the  case  presents  for  cnr- 
mg.  IE  there  be  reasons  for  believingthat  there  are  in  the 
oase  certain  conditions  of  internal  parts  or  organs,  these 
"Masons  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  phenomena  are  just  the  matters  with  which  the  law  J 


1886  Beat  Method  of  Selecting  Remedy.  101 

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  guid- 
ance of  law,  and  this  is  to  compare  our  record  of  the  sick 
phenomena  of  our  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,  each  in  a  way  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  inexpe- 
rienced. We  have  shown  that  all  the  phenomena  of  the 
sickness  are  to  be  gathered,  with  all  of  modalities,  circum- 
stances and  conditions,  pertaining  to  each.*  The  same 
knowledge  is  required  as  to  the  actions  of  the  drug  agents, 
/.  e.,  as  to  the  modalities,  circumstances  and  conditions, 
which  have  marked  the  disturbance  in  the  organism,  ob- 
served 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  fulness  of  detail,  before  we  proceed  to  the  com- 
parison which  is  to  end  in  the  selection  of  our  curative,  be- 
cause it  is  in  the  likeness  of  these  modalities,  etc.,  that  the 


*  This  is  by  far  the  most  difflcult  part  of  clinical 'duties.  "This  record  fairly 
and  rightly  made  of  any  ciise.  and  that  case  is  more  tlian  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 
(luite  an  easy  matter. 


102  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

curative  relation  between  sickness  and  drug  agents,  exists. 
Hence  it  is,  that  in  the  record,  on  the  one  side  and  the 
other,  there  are  found  facts  of  more  and  less  importance, 
as  indices  of  the  true  specific  to  be  selected.  We  must 
have  all,  that  we  may  be  sure  we  have  those  which  aie  most 
important  This  is  found,  oftener  than  otherwise,  not  to  be 
the  facts  which  have  had  most  the  attention  of  patient  and 
friends,  and  perhaps  of  the  doctor. 

To  illustrate  this,  take  a  case  of  dysentery.  The  pains, 
tenesmus,  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  the  case.  That  the  patient  faints 
at  each  stool,  does  not  seem  a  fact  of  much  consequence 
when  it  is  accompanied  by  so  much  of  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  dyna- 
mic. That  they  are  only  disturbed  forces,  and  consequent 
changed  function.  It  is  equally  true  that  that  in  drugs 
which  causes  and  cures  sicknesses  is  a  dynamis.  This,  if 
remembered,  may  save  important  mistakes.  It  should  be 
remembered,  because  the  likeness  which  the  law  requires, 
reaches  to  this  fact  of  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  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 


1886  Best  Method  of  Selecting  Remedy.  103 

acts  curatively,  is  bound  up,  and  therefore  is  comparatively 
inert  in  the  crude  drug,  is  capable  of  liberation,  and  in- 
definite development  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  pro- 
cess 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  de- 
veloped, it  is,  comparatively,  but  little  available  for  the  pur- 
poses of  the  healer.  It  is  that  degree  (and  this  I  regard  as 
an  important  point)  of  development  of  this  power  in  our 
specific  which  brings  it  into  harmonious  relationship  with 
the  dynamis  of  the  sickness,  which  best  prepares  it  for  the 
best  success.  I  think  this  is  a  fundamental  principle  in 
Homoeopathy. 

And  finally — let  us  remember  to  regret,  that,  when  first 
experiments  were  made  to  reduce  drug  power  in  the  dose, 
that  aggravations  of  the  patient's  sufferings  might  be 
avoided,  there  came  into  use  in  our  nomenclature  such 
misleading  terms  as  attenuation  and  dilution.  The  idea 
was  the  reduction  of  drug  matter,  and  the  terms  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  demonstratively,  that 
the  two  elements  are  not  identical.  I  think  it  is  a  proof  posi- 
tive that  the  matter  of  the  drug  and  curing  agent  are  not 
identical,  that  the  same  manipulations  which  reduce  the  one 
enhance  the  other.  The  matter  was  diminished,  while 
by  the  same  process  which  effected  this,  its  dynamis  was 
developed,  and  its  curing  power  enhanced.  These  terms 
are  wholly  misleading  when  applied  to  that  which  has  hap- 
pened to  the  medicinal  agent  when  passing  through  the 
process  which  has  been  more  fittingly  termed  a  dynamiza- 
tion. In  dealing  out  our  medicines  we  are  really  handling 
forces,  and  not  materialisms,  and  to  talk  of  diluting  or 
atteyiuating  deforce  is  to  talk  of  what  is  wholly  inconceiva- 
ble.    A  right  understanding  of  these  facts  will  save  much 


I 

I 

L 
ii 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

confusion  of  ideaB,  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. 
In  the  beginning  we  called  the  method  of  selecting  the 
'  remedy  we  have  presented,  the  best  method.  If  any  in- 
quire why  we  have  done  bo,  we  reply — first,  because  it  hos 
given  us  a  record  of  successes  in  healing,  greatly  surpass- 
ing that  of  any  other.  It  is  this  record  and  no  other  which 
I  has  given  to  Homoeopathy  its  world-wide  repute  and  ac- 
ceptance. Second,  because  it  is  a  practical  embodiment  of 
l^e  principles  of  its  law,  and  a  partial  departure  from  tbia 
method  is  by  just  so  far  as  this  extends,  only  a  partial  ex- 
liibition  of  Homoeopathy  at  the  best,  and  may  be,  and  not 
seldom  is,  so  great  that  the  late  of  therapeutics  is  left 
wholly  out  of  sight.  This  is  true  of  all  |>ractical  proceed- 
ings, based  on  the  principle,  advocated  by  some  and  called 
liberality,  that  of  "going  as  you  please."  i',  e.,  following  in- 
dividual inclinatioQs  and  judgments,  rather  than  the  de- 
mands of  law,  and  yet,  those  who  so  teach  and  do,  claim 
the  rigbt  to  be  called  by  the  name  which  rightfully  char- 
acterizes only  those  who  obey  law.  They  claim  to  be 
accepted  as  Homceopathians,  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  suc- 
cesses in  the  administration  of  our  healing  art.     It  was 
the  method  of  Hahnemann,  Gross,  Stapf,  Boenninghausen, 
Haynel,  Hering.  Rummel,  Schret«r,  Hartmann,  Hartlaub, 
Kukert,  Frinz,  Becker,  Herman,  Homburg,  Langhammer, 
Wahle,  Jahr.  Friedrich  Hahnemann,  and  the  other  worthies 
who  joined  our  great  master,  in  his  labors  which  gave  the 
world    the    prineless  treasuren  of    our   Materia  Medica. 
^K    Fourth,  we  have  called  it  the  best  because  a  trial  of  it  of 
^H  near  half  a  century  has  fully  justified  the  confidence  which 
^H   (he  example  and  testimony  of  these  worthies  inspired. 
^^k       And  now  if  any  man  has  a  better  method,  with  a  better 
^H  leconi  of  successful  healing  attached  to  it,  than  has  this  of 
^^law,  let  him  bring  it  forward  with  evidence  of  the  verity  of 


1886  Medicine  in  Ancient  Egypt  105 

this  record,  and  if  he  can  make  this  satisfactory,  I  am  his 
friend,  and  will  accept  his  better  method  with  all  thank- 
fulness. 

<»» 

MEDICINE,  AS  PRACTISED    BY  ANCIENT  EGYPTIANS, 

OVER-ESTIMATED. 


W.  M.  DECKBR,  M,  D.,  Kingston,  New  York. 


Let  us  turn  our  attention  to  the  land  of  wonders,  to  the 
land  of  pyramids,  obelisks  and  sphinx,  to  Egypt,  the  cradle 
of  the  sciences.  Here  medicine  had  its  birth.  Chrono- 
logically speaking,  we  may  say,  that,  before  the  Deluge 
(2348  B.  C,  Usher),  before  the  pyramids  (4th  dynasty — 
began,  according  to  Lepsius,  3427  B.  C. ),  before  the  Crea- 
tion (4004  B.  C,  Usher),  Anatomy  was;  for  Athothis,  the 
2d  King  of  the  1st  dynasty,  it  is  said,*  wrote  a  work  on  An- 
atomy. Now  the  1st  dynasty  began  about  4177  B.  C. ;  but 
the  chronology  of  these  early  times  is  untrustworthy,  and 
dates  are  found  contradictory,  hence,  no  dependance  must 
be  placed  in  dates  which  makes  the  Creation  come  after 
an  author  or  Anatomy. 

The  Egyptians  were  highly  and  surpassingly  skilled  in 
bandaging  and  embalming.  In  testimony  of  their  excel- 
lence in  this  art  are  their  mummies,  which  have  come  down 
io  us.  The  oldest  of  these  mummies  date  back  3000  years 
B.  C.  Those  most  skilfully  embalmed  are  younger,  and 
were  prepared  at  Thebes  during,  or  subsequent  to,  the  18th 
dynasty.  The  18th  dynasty  began  about  1525  years  B.  C; 
and  it  is  regarded  as  the  most  brilliant  period  of  Egyptian 
history.  By  these  mummies  we  know  that  the  ancient 
Egyptians  thoroughly  understood  dentistry;  for  mummies 
have  been  found  with  gold  fillings  in  their  teeth.  And 
Belzoni,  in  the  exploration  of  Egyptian  antiquities,  found, 

♦  Egypt— Chamber's  Cyclopaedia. 

tThe  1st  dynasty  reigned  about 250  years. 

••     2d       *'  '*  '•    300     " 

♦•      3d       •*  •*  ••    200      '•     B.  C. 

**     4th     •*       began,  according  to  liepslus,  3427     " 


Therefore,  the  ist  dynasty  began  about 4071 

For  the  above  figures  see  Chamber's  Cyclopedia. 


i*        »» 


106  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

in  some  of  the  ancient  tombs,  artificial  ivory  teeth  attached 
to  a  gold  plate.  These  facts  constitute  the  strongest  argu- 
ment, though  indirect,  in  favor  of  ancient  skill  in  medicine; 
for  it  is  natural  to  conclude,  that  medicine  should  be  on  a 
par  with  dentistry. 

Again,  Herodotus  (484—408  B.  C),  in  the  84th  para- 
graph of  his  second  book  (Euterpe),  in  speaking  of  the 
Egyptians,  says:  "The  art  of  medicine  is  thus  divided 
among  them ;  each  physician  applies  himself  to  one  disease 
only,  and  not  more.  All  places  abound  in  physicians;  some 
physicians  are  for  the  eye,  others  for  the  head,  others  for 
the  teeth,  others  for  the  parts  about  the  abdomen,  and 
others  for  internal  disorders."  This  quotation  from  Hero- 
dotus is  misleading.  "  Herodotus  wrote  in  an  age  whose 
consciousness,  still  half  mythological,  perceived  the  won- 
derful as  the  natural,  and  would  have  considered  many  of 
the  ideas  of  modern  history  as  impiety,  or  even  insanity."* 
The  history  by  Herodotus  is  partly  traditional;  and,  in  its 
sweep,  it  covers  a  period  of  between  two  and  three  hundred 
years.  J.  E.  Worcester,  LL.  D.,  in  his  Elements  of  His- 
tory, fixes  the  period  between  713  and  479  years  B.  C. ;  and 
states,  that  the  time  of  its  writing  was  about  445  years 
B.  C.  When  Herodotus  died  (408  B.  C.)  Hippocrates 
(born  460  B.  C.)  was  52  years  old.  Now,  if  the  Father  of 
History,  in  the  above  quotation,  refers  to  his  own  time, 
then,  it  were  better  to  accept  the  authority  of  the  Father 
of  Medicine,  because  it  is  more  reliable;  or,  if  the  quota- 
tion refers  to  ages  prior  to  the  time  of  its  author,  still  the 
Father  of  Medicine  is  a  better  medical  authority  than  the 
Father  of  History.  And,  if  we  would  know  of  the  condi- 
tion of  medicine  in  Egypt  many  centuries  before  Herodo- 
tus and  Hippocrates  were  born,  our  only  authority  is  Moses. 
The  scriptures  are  the  only  historical  writings  between 
Herodotus  and  the  Creation.  Here  is  a  flight  of  years, 
like  an  unexplored  sea  of  darkness,  on  whose  further  shore 
lies  lost  Eden,  of  which  we  dream,  and  dream,  and  still  we 
dream;  and,  except  the  little  medical  light  which  Moses 


♦Clemens  Petersen,  on  Herodotus,  In  Johnson's  Cyclopsedla. 


1886  Medicine  in  Ancient  Egypt  107 

shed  on  this  broad  expanse  of  time,  and  a  few  scattered 
facts  which  modem  research  has  brought  to  light,  we  know 
absolutely  nothing. 

From  the  foregoing,  it  is  clear,  that  no  medical  records 
of  the  ancient  Egyptians  are  extant;  and,  judging  from  the 
records  of  those  nations  who  learned  of  Egypt,  it  is  fair  to 
conclude  that  her  medical  erudition  has  been  over-esti- 
mated, and  is  largely  imagined.  The  oldest  nation  with 
extant  authority,  that  learned  of  Egypt,  is  the  Hebrew. 
The  Jews  sojourned  in  Egypt  430  years;  and  Moses  (born 
1571  B.  C,  Usher),  their  deliverer  and  law-giyer,  received 
an  Egyptian  rearing  and  education,  and  was,  we  are  told, 
"learned  in  all  the  ways  of  the  Egyptians."  To  Moses, 
therefore,  we  refer  for  the  Egyptian  practice  of  medicine. 
Now,  the  Jews  made  their  exodus  from  Egypt  in  the  18th 
dynasty,  the  most  brilliant  period  of  Egyptian  history,  and 
in  about  the  year  1491  B.  C.*;  so  that  the  writings  of  Moses 
give  us  the  state  of  Egyptian  practice  at  that  time.t  And 
what  practice  did  Moses  advocate?  Simply  hygiene  com- 
plicated with  sacrifices,  and  other  superstitious  fights  and 
ceremonies,  which  were  regarded  as  atonements  unto  the 
Lord. 

The  therapeutics  of  Moses,  as  has  been  said,  were 
Egyptian,  but  his  idea  of  the  etiology  of  disease  was  partly 
original,  and  harmonized  with  his  religion.  He  held,  that 
disease  was  sent  because  of  sin,  and  was  the  wrath  of  the 
Lord  (Numbers  16-46),  hence,  his  other  idea  of  atone- 
ment. 

The  Hebrews,  under  Moses,  knew  something  of  Surgery, 
and  instituted  circumcision  (Genesis,  17-10),  which  is  still 
practised  by  the  Babbis  of  the  Jewish  Church.  They  also 
had  mid-wives,  as  is  told  us  in  Exodus,  1-15.     Moses  was 


♦Moses  was  born,  according  to  Usher,  1571  years  B.  ('.;  and,  in  Kxodus,  7—7, 
we  are  told,  that  he  was  W  years  of  age  when  he  led  the  Israelites  out  of  Egypt; 
therefore,  the  time  of  the  exodus  was  In  the  year  1491  B.  C. 

t  Prof.  Geo  T  Ladd,  I).  D.,  of  Yale  College,  In  his  Doctrine  of  Sacred  Scripture, 
p.  3J)2,  says:  "As  to  the  time,  ro4ite,  and  manner  of  the  exodus,  we  have  as  yet 
only  unending  debate.  Its  time  is,  perhaps,  best  located  under  Menephtah,  the 
successor  of  Barneses  the  Great,  and  about  1322,  B.  C."  This  year  fell  In  the  19th 
dynasty.— Author. 


108  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

Eclectic*.  In  the  wilderness  he  lifted  up  the  serpent  of 
brass  to  heal  the  bite  of  the  "fiery  serpent"  (Numbers,  21 
chapter)-— so  old  is  the  idea  of  treatment  by  Similars. 
This  comprises  the  ancient  Egyptian  practice  of  medicine 
as  recorded  by  Moses. 


<■»  I 


"THE  RELATION  BETWEEN  THE  PHYSIOLOGICAL  AND 
THERAPEUTIC  EFFECTS  OF  REMEDIES/ 


»» 


B.  FINGKE,  M.  D.,  Brooklyn.  N.  Y. 


In  the  Scientific  American,  March,  1886,  under  the  above 
caption,  F.  B.  Hays,  M.  D.,  of  Bath  on  the  Hudson,  ap- 
pears to  have  made  a  discovery;  but  following  the  pilfer- 
ing example  of  Binger,  Phillips,  Bartholow  and  Brunton, 
he  palms  it  off  as  an  original  idea.     He  says: 

"  This  relation  is  generally  very  imperfectly  understood.  It  is 
well  known  that  many  of  our  therapeutic  agents  in  common  use 
produce  entirely  different  and  even  opposite  results  according  as 
they  are  given  in  large  or  small  doses.  It  is  usually  supposed  th^t 
this  is  due  to  their  having  different  properties  corresponding  to  the 
quantity  used.  It  requires  but  little  reflection,  however,  to  see  that 
this  view  is  absurd.  Quality  does  not  depend  on  the  quantity.  No 
substance  has  ever  yet  been  discovered  which  is  not  capable  of  ex- 
hibiting all  the  properties  it  possesses,  in  the  most  minute  as  well 
as  in  the  largest  quantity.  Yet  the  fact  remains  that  drugs  capa- 
ble, when  used  in  sufficient  amount,  of  producing  injurious  and 
even  fatal  consequences  will,  in  medicinal  doses,  have  an  entirely 
opposite  effect.  The  explanation  of  the  various  phenomena  thus 
shown  lies  in  the  fact  that  medicines  possess  no  curative  powers 
whatever,  excepting  that  they  are  able  to  arouse  the  vitality  of  the 
tissues  with  which  they  come  in  contact,  this  vitality  being  itself 
the  source  of  all  the  remedial  qualities  drugs  are  supposed  to 
possess.  How  otherwise  can  we  account  for  the  healinq^  properties 
of  substances  the  mere  contact  of  which  is  sufficient  to  cause  the 
death  of  the  tissues  with  which  they  come  in  contact?  Strong 
solutions  of  the  sulphate  of  zinc,  chloride  of  zinc,  nitrate  of  silver, 
and  many  other  similar  remedies,  are  capable  of  causing  inflamma- 
tion of  the  urethra  and  other  membranes;  they  are  capable  of  pro- 


*  The  following  will  probably  explain  why  he  seems  to  have  been  eclectic : 
**that  the  Pentateuch  in  its  present  form  was  not  the  work  of  Moses,  but  was 
rather  a  growth  from  the  work  of  a  number  of  authors  and  redactors  extending 
over  several  hundred  years,  is  the  quite  unanimous  verdict  of  criticism/'— Prof. 
Geo.  T.  I^idd,  The  Doctrine  of  Sacred  Scripture,  p.  503. 


1886       Physiological  and  Therapeutic  Remedies.         109 

ducing:  the  death  even  of  the  tissues  with  which  they  are  brought 
in  contact,  yet  when  applied  in  lotions  of  suitable  strength  will 
cure  urethritis,  as  well  as  inflammations  of  other  mucous  mem- 
branes, such  as  those  of  the  eye,  vagina,  etc.  It  is  nonsensical  to 
suppose  that  the  remedial  effects  herein  exhibited  depend  on  a  dif- 
ference in  the  qualities  of  the  drugs,  according  to  the  amount 
used.  Tested  in  large  or  small  quantity,  their  properties  will  be 
found  to  be  the  same;  but  in  a  solution  of  proper  strength  the  in- 
jurious effect  of  the  drug  simply  excites  the  vitality  of  the  part, 
which  overcomes  the  poisonous  properties,  that  in  sufficient 
strength  would  produce  injury  or  death.  There  is  not  a  drug  used 
by  the  medical  profession  which  will  not,  when  used  in  excessive 
quantity,  cause  poisonous  symptoms;  and  the  immediate  effect  is 
injurious,  whether  the  dose  is  large  or  small,  the  difference  being 
that  in  one  case  the  vitality  of  the  tissues  is  excited  or  stimulated, 
while  in  the  other  it  is  overcome.  The  bitter  vegetable  tonics 
afford  us  an  example  of  the  fact  that  therapeutic  agents,  which  are 
able  in  poisonous  doses  to  cause  morbid  symptoms,  will,  when  pro- 
perly used,  cure  the  disease  thus  set  up.  Gentian,  Calumba,  Cin- 
chona, and  the  other  remedies  belonging  to  the  same  class  as  these, 
will  relieve  dyspepsia,  yet,  in  excessive  quantity,  or  when  too  long 
continued,  they  will  produce  the  same  disease.  Arsenic,  corrosive 
sublimate,  nitrate  of  silver,  together  with  many  other  metallic 
salts  of  like  nature,  such  as  the  salts  of  zinc  and  copper,  will,  in 
poisonous  quantities,  cause  severe  pain  in  the  stomach.  They  are 
also  curative  of  gastralgia  in  small  doses.'* 

"  Digitalis  is  a  cardiac  poison,  yet,  in  medicinal  doses,  it  gives 
relief  in  diseases  characterized  by  weak  action  of  the  heart.  Strych- 
nia causes  symptoms  very  similar  to  those  of  tetanus  when  given 
in  lethal  doses,  but  when  properly  used  is  remedial  in  that  affec- 
tion." 

"  Remedies  which  are  irritant  to  the  bronchial  mucous  mem- 
brane, such  as  ammonia  and  turpentine,  and  which  are  able,  in 
sufficient  amount  to  set  up  inflammation  of  the  respiratory  mucous 
membrane,  are  successfully  used  in  the  treatment  of  bronchitis  and 
pneumonia." 

"  Many  more  examples  might  be  quoted  of  the  fact  that  med- 
icines possess  no  healing  qualities  in  themselves,  other  than  their 
capacity  to  inflict  injury,  and  in  sufficient  quantity  death  of  the 
tissues  with  which  they  come  in  contact,  in  virtue  of  which  they 
are  able  to  excite  the  vital  powers  to  action,  when  given  in  doses 
too  small  to  produce  permanent  damage." 


M 


Our  knowledge  of  the  physiological  effects  of  drugs  is  very 


I 

I 


I  110  The  Medical  Advance.  ^^f^- 

imperfect;  it  is  therefore  impossible  to  see  the  relation  between 
the  poisonous  and  medicinal  properties  of  remedies  in  all  cases,  but 
I  believe  that  wherever  tliia  relation  eaa  be  cleitrly  traced,  it  can 
be  shown  to  tw  governed  by  the  same  principle  which  underlies 
the  remedial  powers  of  the  therapeutic  agents  I  have  mentioned." 
"II  may  be  said  that  drugs  are  not  to  be  judged  by  their  poison- 
'Ous  properties.  But  in  ascertaining  the  nature  of  a  remedy,  it  is 
best  shown  wheu  given  in  such  a  manner  and  under  such  condi- 
tions as  shall  reveal  the  whole  runge  of  its  influence  on  every  con- 
dition, symptom,  or  disease  of  the  body.  It  may  be  argued  that  if 
the  idea  I  have  advocated  be  true,  if  whatever  causen  a  disease  is 
capable  of  ouiing  U,  the  causes  of  disease  should  in  themselvea  be 
sufficient  to  effect  a  cure.  To  this  I  would  say  that  this  is  actually 
the  caae.  Without  going  over  the  many  instances  I  have  already 
mentioned,  in  which  poisonous  remedies  simply  call  forth  the 
Vitality  of  the  tissues,  and  are  themselves  theagents  through  which 
the  powers  of  nature  are  excited  to  overcome  the  injury  inllicted 
by  tbem,  it  will  be  auUtcient  to  mention  the  following  facts,  which 
show  that  all  injurious  agents  carry  within  themaelvea  their  own 
remedy.  When  there  is  bleeding  from  a  small  artery,  the  loss  of 
blood  stops  the  hsemorrhuge." 

"An  ordinary  wound  heals  without  treatment,  and  the  energy 
thua  put  forth  is  obviously  greater  than  that  required  to  maintain 
the  normal  process  of  nutrition  in  the  injured  part.  The  soreness 
of  the  hands  caused  by  hard  muscular  work  is  relieved  by  a  con- 
tinuance of  the  cause  of  the  trouble.  I  have  not  spoken  of  drugs 
possessing  any  healing  power  in  poisonous  doses,  so  I  am  under  no 
necessity  of  showing  that  the  injurious  effects  of  medicines  maybe 
cured  by  a  continuation  of  their  use.  It  is  a  fact,  however,  that 
the  lethal  eSect  of  poisons  are  often  relieved  by  a  poison  po3.sess- 
ing  similar  properties  to  the  one  which  has  been  taken.  The  cor- 
rosive poisons  may,  when  swallowed,  be  rendereil  harmless  by 
promptly  administering  an  emetic  of  the  sulphate  of  Kinc  or  cop- 
per.and  even  narcotics  may  be  neutrali;(ed  by  other  narcotic  drugs, 
given  in  stimulant  doses.  I  am  aware  that  the  theory  1  have  put 
forth  here  is  something  like  the  principle  on  which  Homteoputhy 
la  founded,  While  there  is  considerable  truth  in  homeopathic 
Ideas  of  therapeutics,  however,  it  is  obscured  by  so  much  that  is 
erroneous  that  the  really  valuable  points  in  theory  do  not  rnseive 
the  attention  they  deserve.  It  is  plain  that  the  thousandth  or 
millionth  of  a  grain  of  calomel  can  have  no  appreciable  effect  on 
the  intestine,  though  it  is  undoubtedly  the  case  that,  when  used  in 
small  doses,  it  is  capable  of  relieving  the  diarrhoea  of  children. 
The  same  holds  good  of  many  other  homceopathic  remedies,  and 
the  tendency  of  Homceopathy  is  now  toward  the  substantial  doses 
of  the  regular  school  of  medicine,  The  truths  which  have  brought 
'legitimate  medicine  to  so  high  a  state  of  perfection  as  it  now  en- 


1886       Physiological  and  Therapeutic  Remedies.         Ill 

joys  have  been  arrived  at  through  long  ag&s  of  patient  research 
and  careful  observation;  and  formed,  as  they  are,  on  actual  expe- 
rience, no  theory  can  alter  them.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  drugs 
capable  of  producing  certain  symptoms  in  poisonous  doses  are 
able,  when  rightly  used,  to  relieve  them,  but  it  is  a  rather  vague 
and  uncertain  method  to  depend  on  such  phenomena  as  a  guide  to 
the  treatment  of  disease.  A  better  way  is  to  observe  the  special 
action  medicinal  substances  have  on  certain  tissues,  and  to  employ 
the  remedy  in  diseases  affecting  such  tissues.*' 

"The  principles  governing  the  therapeutic  action  of  remedies 
and  their  relation  to  the  diseases  which  they  relieve  may  be  sum- 
med up  as  follows  " : 

"All  medicines  are  poisonous.** 

"All  are  capable  of  causing  two  distinct  effects:  the  one,  in 
which  the  injurious  nature  of  the  remedy  arouses  the  vitality  of 
the  affected  part,  and  the  other  in  which  the  vitality  is  overcome 
by  the  poisonous  properties  of  the  drug.*' 

"  Whatever  causes  a  morbid  condition  of  a  tissue  is  capable  in 
proper  doses  of  relieving  similar  conditions  of  such  tissues.** 

The  proposition,  that  "quality  does  not  depend  on  quan- 
tity" is  not  true;  the  fact,  that  the  most  inert  substances 
in  the  hands  of  the  Homoeopathician  prove  efficacious  and 
curative  by  being  subjected  to  the  process  of  potentiation, 
disproves  it  The  writer  assumes,  that  "  no  substance  has 
ever  been  discovered  which  is  not  capable  of  exhibiting  all 
the  properties  it  possesses  in  the  most  minute  as  well  as  in 
the  largest  quantity."  But  Hahnemann  has  produced 
powerful  remedies  from  perfectly  inert  substances  in  a 
therapeutic  aspect,  such  as  gold,  silver,  platinum,  tin,  silex, 
alumina,  graphites — not  to  speak  of  the  comparatively  inert 
charcoal,  and  carbonate  of  lime — all  of  which  even  when  ap- 
plied in  the  largest  quantity  will  not  exhibit  therapeutic 
properties  according  to  the  tenets  of  "the  regular  school  of 
medicine,"  but  they  will  do  so  to  an  eminent  degree  in  their 
highly  potentiated  condition,  and  all  the  poisons  will,  when 
potentiated  or  in  small  doses,  show  medicinal  properties 
entirely  different  from  their  application  in  the  largest 
quantity.  If  the  writer  should  demur,  and  even  bring  in 
his  simple  denial,  it  will  avail  little  in  deciding  the  ques- 
tion in  his  favor,  for  the  proofs  are  evident  to  all  experts 
in  the  matter.     The  writer  indicates  his  position  in  depre- 


Thf  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

elating  the  most  important  methods  of  Honiceopathy  by 

approving  o£  the  retrogreseion  of  many,  yea,  ot  the  great 

majority  of  its  adherents  toward  the  flesh-pots  of  Egypt — 

I  the  substantial  doses  of  "the  regular  school  of  medicine." 

■  How  questions  of  science  are  never  settled  by  the  many, 
lliut  by  the  few.     And  these  few  at  the  hand  of  induction 
|ltave  learned  to  recede  more  and  more  from  "the  substan- 
tial doses  of  the  regular  school  of  medicine." 

Fact  is,  that  substances  which  in  their  crude  state  have 
r  no  therapeutic  action  whatever  on  the  organism  of  either 
man  or  beast  according  to  the  regular  school,  gain  a  power 
I  or    force  potentiation — a  remedial    property   of    making 
khealtby  people  sick,  and  sick  people  well.     This  fact  can 
■ibe  established  again  at  any  time  that  a  medical  philosopher 
f  will  try  it,  but  it  can  not  be  disposed  of  by  a  simple  denial 
resting  upon  the  fallacious  "argumentum  ab  impossibili" 
or,  worse  still,  by  ridicule.     This  fact  is  a  legitiraat«  step 
in  the  process  of  induction  of  Me<]ical  Science,  and  must 
be  well  digested  before  the  relation  of  remedies  to  the  or- 
ganism can  be  taken  in  band  successfully.     Certainly,  the 
writer  will  not  deny  that  a  grain  of  siles  is  a  quantity 
which  can  be  clearly  identified  by  physical  and  chemical 
means,  and  that  it  is  an  inert  substance  in  a  therapeutical 
relation.     This  quantity  of  ailex  according  to  the  accepted 
theory  of  Natural  Science  and  of  the  regular  school  of  medi- 
L  fline  is  supposed  to  consist  of   molecules   and   finally  of 

■  atoms  which  do  not  admit  of  further  division,  or  else  the 
substance  would  cease  to  be  what  it  is,  it  would  lose  even 

I  quality  and  its  very  identity,  and  be  a  nott-esi,  having  no 
I  status  whatever  in  the  scientific  world.  Now,  the  process 
of  homoeopathic  potentiation,  in  accordance  with  the  ma- 
terialistic views  of  the  regular  school,  is  a  process  of  atten- 
uation of  the  originally  employed  substance  in  the  ratio 
of  one  to  one  hundred.  How  soon  would  the  atoms  of  the 
silex  be  eshausted,  and  how  could  the  writer  account  for 
the  therapeutic  effect  in  its  highest  potencies  upon  physical 

I  grounds?  It  can  not  be  done.  Sorely,  there  must  be  some 
way  to  account  for  the  action  of  such  high  potencies,  if  the 
potentiatioD  is  a  matter  of  fact,  as  it  is,  and  if  we  can  not  8a(>- 


I 
I 

I 


1886       physiological  and  Therapeutic  Remedies.         113 

ceed  in  one  way,  we  must  try  another.  But  this  much  must 
be  conceded,  even  by  the  writer  sceptical  as  he  may  be, 
that  the  quality  of  the  originally  employed  silex,  in  our 
case,  has  been  essentially  changed  by  its  dequantitation. 
He  need  not  go  into  the  millions,  the  sixth  centesimal 
potency  in  which  the  substance  can  still  be  discerned  by 
physical  methods,  will  be  sufficient  to  prove  that  the  silex 
in  that  sixth  potency  is  of  a  quality,  in  a  therapeutic  view, 
different  from  that  in  the  crude  substance.  Nay,  if  the 
deadly  poison  of  hydrocyanic  acid  is  subjected  to  a  similar 
process  of  attenuation,  the  sixth  centesimal  potency,  and 
even  a  lower  one  will  in  proper  cases  prove  its  therapeutic 
effects  upon  the  organism.  The  proposition,  then,  that 
quality  does  not  depend  on  quantity,  can  not  be  maintained 
by  the  writer,  even  when  reasoning  from  his  own  stand- 
point, the  standpoint  of  the  regular  school. 

But  the  idea  of  quantity  vanishes  altogether,  if  we  con- 
tinue the  potentiating  process  to  a  degree  which  its  own 
inventor  possibly  never  dreamed  of,  though  he  already  laid 
it  down  as  an  incontrovertible  principle,  that  the  medicine 
no  matter  how  fine  it  may  be  prepared  will  still  be  able  to 
affect  the  organism.  And  it  is  now  an  incontrovertible  fact, 
that  as  high  a  potency  as  Lachesis-poison  in  the  six  mil- 
lionth centesimal  potency  has  produced  medicinal  effects 
characteristic  of  the  remedy.  This  beats  all  ideas  of  quan- 
tity thus  far  entertained,  and  leads  back  to  the  original 
meaning  of  quantum:  how  much  or  how  little?  how  large 
or  how  small?  how  coarse  or  how  fine?  how  thick  or  how 
thin,  etc? — being  of  a  negative  character,  and  a  relative 
conception,  the  quantity  can  not  help  us  out  in  this  intri- 
cate matter.  This  much,  however,  must  be  conceded  by 
anybody  looking  upon  it  with  a  scientific  eye,  that  all  the 
potencies  obtained  from  that  single  drop  of  snake-poison 
has  been  eliminated  from  it  while  presenting  to  it  in  the 
ratio  of  one  to  one  hundred  new  masses  of  inert  vehicle  at 
every  step  of  potentiation.  Throughout  all  these  many 
stages  of  development  it  must  contain  a  certain  quality 
which  was  inherent  in  the  original  substance,  and  now  has 
been  transferred  upon  the  vehicle.    For,  the  effects  of  the 

H 


I 


&14  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

various  potenoiea  when  applied  to  the  henlttiy  or  sick  or- 
ganism show  a  diatinet  range  of  action  which  in  their  whole 
oompasB  prove  the  individuality  of  that  remedy,  and  make 
it  sure,  that  these  were  the  effects  of  the  Lachesis- poison, 
and  of  no  other  medicine. 

The  writer  refers  repeatedly  and  with  perfect  justice  to 

"the  vitality  which  is  mediating  the  effects  of  the  remedies, 
but  he  is  inconsistent  in  applying  it  only  to  the  tissues  with 

'which  the  remedies  come  in  contact.  But  the  trite  exper- 
ience, that  there  is  no  point  in  the  healthy  organism  which 
will  not  send  an  almost  instantaneous  sensation  of  pain  to 
its  consciousness,  upon  a  slight  prick  with  a  needle,  should 
caution  against  a  one-aided  view.     It  teaehea  by  a  simple 

I  fact  which  can  be  verified  by  everyone,  that  the  nerves  ( not 
only  tissues )  are  distributed  all  over  the  organism  and  most 
abundantly  on  the  skin  and  mucous  membranes  in  minute 
terminations,  the  lost  endings  of  which  have  not  been  dis- 
covered. Now,  it  has  been  found  by  investigation  that  the 
high  potencies  spoken  of  may  be  taken  up  by  coming  in 
oontact  witb  the  nerve  terminations  in  any  organ  accessible 
to  application.  Formerly  they  were  administered  by  placing 
them  on  the  tongue  or  applying  them  to  the  nostrils  by 
smelling,  bat  now  they  are  found  to  act  also  through  the 
skin  of  the  hands  and  fingers  and  even  by  laying  them 
against  the  face  in  closed  lials.  Nay,  the  experiments  of 
Drs.  Bonrru  and  Burot  who  astonished  the  regular  school 
at  the  Medical  Congress  in  Grenoble  by  showing  thera- 
peutic action  at  a  short  distance  have  long  ago  been  fore- 
stalled by  the  experiments  which  Prof.  Daumer  made  with 
liigh  potencies  upon  the  ill-fated  Caspar  Hanser  in  Num- 
berg  at  a  distance  of  many  feet,  |  see  Mittheilungen  uber 
Caspar  Hauser  v.  Georg  P.  Daumer,  Numberg,  Hnuben- 
stricker,  18.32 )  and  in  our  time  Dr.  Burg  has  based  a  sys- 
tem of  medicine  upon  application  of  metallic  plates  upon 
the  skin. 

These  experiments  show  that  the  nature  of  our  high  pnj- 
tencies  cannot  partake  of  quantity  in  the  sense  of  common 
matter,  amenable  to  experimentation  of  physicists,  chem- 
ists, micro-  and  spectroscopists,  but  it  must  be  similar  to 


1886       Physiological  and  Therapeutic  Remedies.         115 

the  manner  in  -which  the  nerve-system  acts  throughout  the 
organism.  Physiology  fails  to  explain  how  pain  is  felt  and 
perceived,  how  the  will  operates  through  the  nerves  to 
accomplish  the  movements  of  the  locomotor  organs,  how 
the  brain  is  enabled  to  serve  as  the  vehicle  for  the  spirit  of 
man.  if  or  do  we  need  such  explanation  for  the  sake  of 
finding  out  "the  physiological  and  therapeutic  effects  of 
remedies  by  observing  the  special  action  medicinal  sub- 
stances have  on  certain  tissuea"  For  Hahnemann  taught 
a  better  way  of  testing  them,  and  though  preceded  and 
followed  by  members  of  the  regular  school  of  medicine  up 
to  the  present  time,  yet  the  majority  of  them  do  not  accept 
his  true  mode  of  questioning  nature,  as  the  philosophical 
instrument  of  induction  requires,  because  of  that  proverb- 
ial senseless  animosity  between  misguided  votaries  of  med- 
ical science.  If  the  medicines  in  their  various  potencies 
are  tested  upon  the  healthy  human  organism,  a  certain 
knowledge  of  their  action  is  obtained  in  the  changed  state 
presented  by  the  subjective  and  objective  morbid  symp- 
toms of  the  individual.  There  can  be  nothing  more  posi- 
tive than  that  pathopoetic  picture,  the  "  medicamentorum 
vires  positivce''  of  Hahnemann.  This  is  the  Materia  Med- 
ica  Pura,  necessary  to  heal.  Medicine  comprises  many 
auxiliary  sciences,  every  one  of  which  is  needed  in  forming . 
a  connect  judgment  in  the  given  case;  but  a  positive  knowl- 
edge of  the  therapeutic  relation  of  remedies  can  only  be 
obtained  by  proving  the  remedies  physiologically  upon  the 
healthy. 

The  writer  has  collected  many  facts  proving  the  similar 
action  of  remedies  which  in  small  doses  relieve  what  in 
large  doses  they  produce  in  others,  and  they  point  to  the 
natural  law  first  distinctly  pronounced  and  promulgated  by 
Hahnemann.  But  if  the  writer  seeks  in  the  realm  of 
pathology  the  goal  of  attaining  a  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
healing  qualities  of  remedies,  he  will  be  disappointed,  be- 
cause he  ventures  upon  the  uncertain  and  ever-shifting 
ground  of  human  opinions,  which  necessarily  change  with 
every  new  discovery;  and  thus  it  is,  that  the  so-called  reg- 
ular school  of  medicine  ever  tries  to  get  a  principle  guiding 


116  The  Medical  Advance,  Aug. 

their  therapeutic  methods,  and  ever  goes  astray,  sacrificing 
by  the  way  many  who  by  gentler  measures  might  have  been 
saved. 

Hence,  the  first  conclusion  to  which  the  writer  is  driven 
by  his  reasoning  cannot  be  entertained  after  the  exposition 
given,  for  all  medicines  are  not  poisonous,  and  homoeo- 
pathic potencies  cure  medicines,  and  not  poisonous. 

The  second  conclusion,  that  the  medicines  are  capable  of 
causing  two  distinct  effects,  either  arousing  the  vitality  to 
cure,  or  killing  it,  is  only  acceptable  for  a  class  of  medi- 
cines. 

The  third  conclusion,  when  leaving  out  the  tissues,  is 
correct;  viz.,  Whatever  onuses  a  morbid  condition  is  capa- 
ble, in  proper  doses,  of  curing  similar  conditions;  in  other 
words :  Similia  similibus  curantur. 

Ceterum  censeo  macrodosiam  esse  delendum. 


4a»> 


"Feed  a  cold  and  starve  a  fever"  can  only  be  true  in  the 
sense  that  if  you  feed  a  cold  you  will  have  a  fever  you  will 
be  obliged  to  starve  to  get  clear  of.  I  do  not  believe  that 
such  a  thing  as  a  purely  local  disease  exists — a  mechanical 
injury  is  not  a  disease — neither  will  disease,  when  not  too 
serious,  follow  it  if  the  system  be  kept  right  with  the 
proper  diet  and  remedies;  hence  I  have  no  patience  with 
specialists.  The  healthy  action  of  every  organ  of  the  body 
is  dependent  to  a  great  extent  on  the  normal  state  of  every 
other  organ,  and  yet  the  specialist  goes  to  work  as  if  his 
favorite  organ  was  entirely  independent,  doing  business 
strictly  on  its  own  account.  So  he  commences  at  the  top, 
lops  off  a  branch  here,  and  another  there,  and  woe  to  the 
abnormal  growth  or  sensitive  tooth  that  may  show  itself  in 
the  way.  Of  course,  these  are  only  results;  but  no  differ- 
ence, the  doctor  is  expected  to  do  something  for  his  fee, 
and  so  he  removes  them;  the  root,  however,  still  remains 
untouched,  the  cause  is  kept  up  through  the  stomach,  and 
the  patient  gets  clear  of  his  money  and  is  flattered  into 
believing  that  he  is  getting  better  right  along — till  he  dies. 

Peabson. 


1886  American  Institute.  117 

OBSTETRICS. 


AMERICAN  INSTITUTE. 


BUREAU  OP  OBSTETRICS. 

Dr.  George  B.  Peck,  of  Providence,  B.  I.,  as  chairman, 
submitted  the  report  of  the  Bureau  of  Obstetrics,  the  sub- 
ject for  discussion  being  "  Post-partum  Emergencies."  He 
called  attention  to  the  death,  since  the  last  annual  meeting, 
of  Alice  B.  McKibben,  M.  D.,  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.  The  chair- 
man then  proceeded  to  read  abstracts  of  papers  contributed 
to  the  bureau. 

The  first  one  was  prepared  by  Dr.  C.  G.  Higbee,  of  St. 
Paul,  Minn.,  and  related  to  the  "Artificial  Feeding  of  In- 
fants." 

The  second,  the  "Normal  Third  Stage  of  Labor,"  was  by 
Professor  Sheldon  Leavitt,  of  Chicago,  111. 

The  third  was  by  Dr.  L.  M.  Kenyon,  of  Buffalo,  on 
"Puerperal  Fever." 

The  fourth  by  the  secretary  of  the  Bureau,  Julia  Holmes 
Smith,  M.  D.,  of  Chicago,  III.,  discussed  the  "Irregular 
Contraction  of  the  Uterus  During  the  Third  Stage  of 
Labor."     • 

The  fifth  paper  was  by  the  chairman,  George  B.  Peck, 
M.  D.,  and  entitled  "Pabula  Neonatorum."  The  paper  was 
read  by  title  and  referred. 

Dr.  O.  B.  Gause,  of  Philadelphia,  being  in  poor  health 
and  consequently  unable  to  prepare  a  paper.  Dr.  J.  M. 
Mitchell  of  that  city  appeared  as  his  substitute  and  read  a 
lengthy  abstract  on  the  "Complete  Inversion  of  the  Uterus." 

He  said:  "Fortunately,  complete  inversion  of  the  uterus 
is  an  extremely  rare  accident.  Breus  reports  a  case  which 
occurred  at  the  Vienna  Lying-in  Hospital  in  1882,  as  the 
first  case  that  had  occurred  in  33  years  in  a  total  of  280,000 
labors.  Madden  reported  but  one  case  in  190,000  labors 
at  the  Dublin  Lying-in  Hospital.  Later  authorities  give 
the  proportion  as  1  in  140,000." 

ABSTRACT   OF  DISCUSSION. 

L.  C.  Grosvenor,  M.  D. — I  am  exceedingly  interested  in 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Aug. 


the  last  paper  nod  the  more  so,  as  in  a  practice  of  some 
years  I  have  seen  only  one  eaee  of  inversion  of  the  uteras. 
This  caee  was  attended  by  a  midwife.  The  woman  died 
jost  as  I  came  into  the  room;  dying  from  hfemorrhage.     I 

I  was  also  interested  in  the  means  recommended  for  restor- 

IJoag  the  uterus  to  its  normal  condition.  -The  case  I  apeak 
>of  was  a  primipara,     Glad  to  see  the  point  made  that  the 

Kphysiciau  is  not  always  to  be  blamed  for  the  accident.  Ir- 
mgular  contractions  and  nervous  conditions  may  be  the 

I  cause  of  it     I  bad  no  opportunity  to  do  anything  in  this 


I 


J.  C.  Morgan,  M.  D. — The  subject  of  inversion  o£  the 
uterus  was,  not  very  long  ago,  made  interesting  to  me  by  a 
case  in  which  Z  was  called  in  consultation  by  a  young 
physician.  It  was  a  complicated  ease,  and  after  delivering 
the  child  with  the  forceps,  1  proceeded  to  extract  the  pla- 
centa. After  the  placenta  was  removed  I  directed  the  doc- 
tor to  make  friction  over  the  uterus.  I  may  say  that  in  all 
my  twenty-sis  yeara  practice  I  had  but  one  case  of  biemor- 
rhage  in  parturition  that  I  cared  anything  about,  and  that 
I  stopped  with  cold  water.  This  experience  has  been 
largely  due  to  the  fact  that  I  never  allow  the  uterus  to  re- 
main uncontracted,  but  at  once  make  systematic  pressure 
at  the  fundus.  In  this  case  I  asked  the  doctor,  as  I  said, 
io  make  this  pressure,  while  I  gave  some  attention  to  the 
child.  When  my  attention  was  again  given  to  the  mother, 
I  found  that  he  had  been  rubbing  and  pressing  across  the 
epigastric  region,  and  that  masses  of  blood  were  coming 
away,  and  these  were  almost  immediately  followed  by  the 
inversion  of  the  uterus.  The  friction  should  be  made  at 
ihe  fundus  with  the  Hat  of  the  hand  following  the  contour 
iCt  the  uterus,  and  not  pressing  downwards  in  a  kneading 
'^Banner,  as  had  been  done  in  this  case,  The  experience 
irea  a  new  one  to  me,  but  I  adopted  the  following  plan, 
Vrbich  was  simply  to  hold  the  fundus  through  the  relaxed 
'MsBues  of  the  abdomen,  while  I  shoved  the  cervix  down; 
ihy  this  mode  I  was  able  to  replace  it  at  once.  This  little 
^movement  I  would  suggest  as  a  simple  measure  worth  try- 
furthermore   I  wish   to  call   attention   again,  as  I 


1886  American  Institute.  119 

already  have  in  another  bureau,  and  for  which  we  are  in- 
debted to  Dr.  Hering,  to  the  spiral  structure  and  the 
asymetrical  spiral  direction  of  the  fibres  in  the  descent  and 
displacement  of  the  uterus.  If  you  have  a  case  of  posterior 
version  put  it  in  the  same  direction  as  you  would  if  treat- 
ing a  crooked  descent  of  the  head;  in  other  words  follow 
the  spiral  direction  in  these  manoeuvres. 

Wm.  Owens,  M.  D. — I  hope  I  did  not  understand  the 
writer  of  one  of  the  papers  to  say,  that  in  hour-glass  con- 
tractions it  was  the  internal  os  which  was  at  fault.  I  want 
to  say  a  word  in  regard  to  the  relation  of  malarial  poison- 
ing to  the  chUl  which  occurred  in  one  of  the  cases  related. 
Now  as  far  as  our  present  knowledge  goes  in  regard  to  this 
cause,  this  poisoning,  and  its  influence  upon  the  system,  it 
leaves  this  question  very  indefinite.  In  my  judgment  the 
chill  was  due  to  retention  of  clots  of  blood  or  pieces  of  the 
placenta.  Any  such  condition  will  cause  a  rigor  or  chill, 
and  is  often  present  in  retained  placentcu  The  idea  of  a 
malarial  poisoning,  so-called,  is  an  absurdity  in  this  or  any 
other  conditions,  and  I  am  prepared  to  show  it.  I  do  not 
believe  in  following  the  reputation  of  men  who  have  started 
this  great  theory. 

G.  Nichols,  M.  D. — T  have  had  under  observation  two 
cases  of  inversion  of  the  uterus;  one  in  my  own  practice 
and  one  in  consultation.  I  was  called  in  consultation  about 
midnight  to  see  a  patient  who  had  complete  inversion  of  the 
uterus,  immediately  following  confinement  When  I  came 
to  her,  and  turned  away  the  clothing,  I  saw  a  mass  having 
very  much  the  appearance  of  a  clot  of  blood.  A  closer  ex- 
amination showed  it  to  be  an  inverted  uterus  and  vagina 
also,  the  womb  lying  between  the  thighs,  four  inches  below 
the  labia,  and  with  the  after-birth  adherent  to  about  three- 
fourths  of  its  surface.  I  cleansed  the  womb,  removed  the 
after-birth,  and  began  pressure  with  the  fingers  upon  the 
fundus  uteri.  Making  steady  pressure  upwards  I  soon 
found  that  the  parts  were  relaxing,  and  this  continued  until 
the  womb  was  replaced,  with  my  fist  inside  of  it.  Grasp- 
ing the  fundus  with  my  free  hand  and  making  gentle  trac- 
tion I  was  able  to  withdraw  the  hand  from  within  the 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

uterus,  leaving  the  latter  in  place.  I  did  not  see  the  case 
again,  but  tlie  pLysican  in  attendance  said  she  Teas  up  and 
about  in  three  days. 

O.  S.  Runnels,  M.  D. — This  subject  pleases  me  very 
much  because  I  once  had  a  case  of  inversion  of  the  uterus. 
It  occurred  in  a  primipara,  in  the  second  year  after  gradua- 
rtiou,  and  the  impression  left  upon  luy  mind  is  inefFnceable 
I ,  lor  several  reasons.  The  labor  was  a  tedious  one  and  after 
1  twenty  hours  was  completed  with  instruments.  The  woman 
'  was  very  much  exhausted  and  on  examination  I  found  the 
placenta  adherent,  I  waited  a  short  time  for  fm-ther 
\  uterine  efforts  and  contractions.  After  fifteen  minutes  I 
I  noticed  a  blanched  appearanceof  the  patient,  the  lips  white 
I  and  profuse  flooding,  but  with  all  my  efforts  I  failed  to 
'  produce  contractions  of  the  uterus.  I  used  hot  and  cold 
water  alternately,  with  rubbing  with  the  hand  over  the  epi- 
gastrium, but  without  avail;  the  blood  kept  pouring  away, 
and  I  realized  that  unless  relieved  at  once  death  must 
ensue.  I  took  a  pitcher  of  cold  water,  and  turuing  back 
the  bed-clothes  I  poured  the  water  over  the  abdomen,  she 
immediately  gave  a  deep  sigh,  contractions  set  in  at  once 

»and  tlie  haemorrhage  was  checked.  I  then  found  the  pla- 
centa protruding  and  attempted  to  aid  nature  in  its  expul- 
sion. The  pains  or  spasms  of  the  uterus  continued  as 
severe  as  in  the  last  pains  of  labor,  and  the  mass  seemed 
to  come  down  readily,  and  in  a  moment  it  was  thrown  out 
^  into  the  bed.     Examination  over  the  pubes  failed  to  find 

I  the  uterus.  I  then  saw  that  the  protruded  mass  was  an 
inverted  uterus  with  attached  placenta.  I  tried  to  return 
the  entire  mass  into  the  pelvic  cavity,  but  could  not  suo- 
oeed.  I  stripped  off  the  placenta  and  then  tried  to  return 
the  uterus  to  its  proper  place,  but  contractions  had  come 
OD  and  I  could  only  replace  the  uterus  through  the  vagina. 
The  uterine  tissues  began  to  swell  rapidly  and  nothing 
could  be  done,  as  every  ounce  of  pressure  causeil  fainting 
from  shock,  and  imminent  risk  of  death.  I  used  Arnica 
internally  and  Cinchona  later,  but  I  thought  she  would  not 
last  until  counsel  could  come  to  my  assistance.  After 
making  further  effort  I  desisted,  realizing  that  I  would  only 


1886  American  Institute,  121 

do  mischief.  The  sweUing  continued,  involving  the  vaginal 
parts  as  well.  Consulting  physician  said  that  the  only 
thing  to  do  was  to  save  the  patient  if  x)ossible,  and  treat 
the  inversion  of  the  uterus  later.  The  patient  did  well, 
without  any  inflammatory  symptoms  arising,  and  in  about 
eight  weeks  was  around  the  house  and  at  work,  but  with 
the  uterus  still  inverted.  At  the  expiration  of  twelve  weeks 
an  attempt  was  made  to  reduce  the  uterus  under  an  anaes- 
thetic, and  was  so  far  successful  that  I  was  satisfied  I  had 
driven  the  fundus  upwards.  After  a  further  attempt  we 
decided  to  wait  a  day  or  two  before  doing  anything  more. 
But  the  patient  and  friends  refused  to  have  anything  more 
attempted,  alleging  their  fear  of  the  anaesthetic.  They 
wanted  to  know  how  she  would  get  along  in  that  con- 
dition, and  I  had  to  admit  that  sometimes  spontaneous  re- 
position occurred.  They  rested  on  that  and  refused  fur- 
ther treatment  She  suffered  greatly  with  menorrhagia  at 
every  period.  She  finally  went  into  the  country  and  during 
an  attack  of  menorrhagia  was  treated  by  another  physician 
and  was  told  by  him  that  she  had  been  maltreated.  The 
result  was  that  I  had  a  nice  case  of  malpractice  on  my 
hands;  damages  $25,000.  I  am  glad  to  say  I  won  ihe  case, 
and  was  never  harmed  by  it. 

J.  W.  Dowling,  M.  D. — Obstetrics  is  somewhat  out  of  my 
line  and  I  hope  in  the  coming  years  it  will  be  still  more  so, 
but  I  want  to  relate  a  case  bearing  upon  the  subject  of  this 
bureau.  One  of  my  patients  engaged  me  to  attend  her  in 
her  expected  confinement  She  was  not  feeling  well,  suf- 
fered from  a  peculiar  train  of  symptoms,  which  I  called 
miasmatic,  but  without  accomplishing  much  for  their  relief 
by  my  prescribing.  One  day  I  received  a  message  that  1 
was  urgently  needed.  She  had  grown  very  large  so  that  it 
seemed  as  if  there  were  two  growing  within  the  uterus,  in- 
stead of  one.  I  made  an  examination  and  found  the  os  dilated 
with  a  membrane  which  seemed  to  contain  a  large  accumula- 
tion of  fluid.  As  labor  progressed,  I  would,  on  making  an 
examination  from  time  to  time,  feel  something  strike  against 
the  end  of  my  finger  and  then  recede  again;  this  continued 
for  some  time.    Finally  I  ruptured  the  membranes,  and  in 


The  Medical  Advance.  -Aiig- 

my  entire  experience  I  have  never  seen  so  large  an  aociimu- 
lation  o£  water.     I  am  not  exaggerating  when  I  say  that  in 
addition  to  what  was  absorbed  by  the  clothing  and  bed- 
ding, I  myself  Elled  a  twelve  quart  patl  full  to  the  brim, 
which  I  dipped  with  a  basin  from  the  bed.     The  child  was 
not  delivered  yet,  and  placing  my  finger  at  the  uterus  it 
came  in  contact  with  something  which  I  had  never  felt 
before.     It  was  irregular  and  rough,  and  the  uterus  was 
firmly  fixed  around  it.     I  thought  I  could  map  out  an  ear, 
and  was  certain  of  it  when  my  finger  travelled  to  the  other 
I  aide  and  I  could  detect  another  one  there.     Between  these 
L  two  there  was  this  rough,  irregular  surface  which  I  had 
k  never  met  before  in  any  obstetrical  experience.     With  au- 
j  oilier  pain   this  thing  was  bom  (showing  a  photograph). 
\  It  is,  as  you  will  see,  a  fully  developed  fcetus  so  far  as  its 
I  lower  extremities  are  concerned,  with  a  lack  of  develop- 
I  ment  of  the  bones  of  the  head,  and  with  a  rudimentary 
I  brain  no  larger  than  a  hickory  nut,  or  as  if  the  head  had 
I  bfien  sawn  off  above  the  eyebrows,  then  A  serous  membrane 
I  laid  over  this,  and  above  it,  this  nodule  placed.     The  child 
never  breathed.     The  motlier  said  it  had  been  very  active 
up  to  the  time  of  birth.     With  the  father's  permission,  for 
the  mother  never  saw  the  child,  this  jjhotograph  was  taken 
which  I  have  shown  you. 

Now  a  question  comos  to  my  mind,  for  only  a  few  days 
Lprevious  to  the  birth  of  this  monster,  one  of  my  profes- 
[aional  brethren  related  a  case  at  a  medical  meeting,  which 
s  very  similar  to  tliis  one,  in  which  there  was  a  lack  of 
I  development  of  the  boues  of  the  face,  and  there  are  prob- 
r  ably  stime  here  to-day  who  have  had  such  cases.  Now  my 
[.Question  ie  this:  When  tliere  is  a  lack  of  development  of 
[  some  portions  of  the  body,  is  there  an  increase  of  the 
UDuiottc  fluid? 

Another  question  which  I  wish  to  ask  in  connection  with  , 
\  Wie  case  is  whether,  in  the  experience  of  those  present,  itn- 
preasions  made  upon  the  mind  of  tLe  mother,  while  she  has  I 
been  carrying  her  child,  have  api)eared  io  physical  de-  1 
formities  of  the  child.  Now  in  the  case  related  the  has-  I 
band  accounts  for  this  condition,  as  the  result  of  a  visit  to  i 


1886  American  Institute.  123 

Barnum's  and  there  seeing  the  Aztec  children,  which 
were  then  on  exhibition.  He  insists  upon  it  to  this  day 
that  it  was  due  to  that  circumstance,  but  I  am  hardly  pre- 
pared to  affirm  this.  If  I  thought  it  was  so,  I  am  not  cer- 
tain that  I  would  not  be  in  favor  of  indicting  the  exhibi- 
tors, or  preventing  by  law  the  exhibition  of  these  mon- 
strosities. I  would  like  to  allude  briefly  to  two  cases  where 
I  am  positive  that  the  maternal  impressions  were  reflected 
upon  the  child;  one  case  most  marked.  A  woman  brought 
her  little  girl  to  the  clinic  and  on  examining  the  child  I 
found  that  the  index  and  second  finger  of  one  hand  were 
adherent  to  each  other,  and  she  gave  me  the  following  his- 
tory: While  pregnant  her  daughter  was  engaged  to  be 
married  to  a  man  whom  she  did  not  like,  and  on  a  certain 
occasion,  while  intoxicated,  he  followed  her  through  the 
street,  and  attempted  to  stab  her  in  the  right  breast  Un- 
doing the  child's  dress,  she  showed  me  a  cicatrix  to  the 
right  of  the  breast,  saying  that  when  the  child  was  born 
the  hand  was  adherent  to  the  thoracic  walls  at  this  point 
On  her  own  breast  was  a  similar  cicatrix  made  by  the  knife 
wounds.  Another  case  in  point  was  this:  A  lady,  married 
for  several  years,  had  an  uncontrollable  horror  of  one- 
armed  men,  and  being  at  a  friend's  house  she  met  a  dis- 
tinguished gentleman  who  had  lost  his  arm  in  the  war. 
Passing  by  her  he  moved  the  stump  of  the  arm  against  her 
shoulder.  Her  child  was  bom  with  one  arm,  while  the 
other  was  only  a  rudimentary  development  at  the  shoulder. 

Now  I  have  another  question:  Suppose  you  were  placed 
in  a  similar  situation  as  in  the  first  case  I  related,  and  the 
child  had  breathed;  what  is  to  be  done?  It  is  a  delicate 
question,  and  I  do  not  know  whether  it  has  been  asked  be- 
fore or  not  The  question  of  craniotomy  has  been  dis- 
cussed, but  not  this  one.  The  Catholic  clergy  have  re- 
cently given  a  decision  that  no  physician  has  a  moral  right 
to  resort  to  the  destruction  of  a  child  to  save  the  mother. 
In  a  case  of  this  kind  I  ask  again,  what  is  to  be  done? 

L.  C.  Grosvenor,  M.  D. — I  have  had  three  of  these  cases 
in  the  last  few  years.  These  cases  used  to  be  called  aceph- 
alous, but  more  properly  acranial.     About  three  years  ago 


124  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

I  delivered  a  primipara  and  the  child  had  just  such  a  head 
as  in  the  case  related  by  Dr.  Dowling.  In  this  case  there 
were  about  five  quarts  of  amniotic  fluid.  In  every  case 
seen  by  me  the  quantity  of  water  has  been  large. 

R.  C.  Moffat,  M.  D. — I  can  supplement,  by  my  own  re- 
cent experience,  the  case  of  Dr.  Dowling's,  except  as  to  the 
quantity  of  amniotic  fluid,  which  was  less  than  normal. 
Otherwise  the  case  was  as  nearly  similar  as  two  cases  are 
likely  to  be.  I  have,  however,  a  more  distinct  history  as 
to  cause.  When  she  was  about  two  months  advanced  in 
pregnancy,  and  her  surroundings  perfect,  she  was  fright- 
ened by  a  kitten  jumping  at  her  and  biting  her  finger.  In 
a  few  hours  afterwards  she  had  forgotten  it.  The  birth  of 
the  child  was  delayed  four  weeks  beyond  her  records,  and 
when  born  was  acranial.  The  marvel  to  me  was  that  the 
shock  took  place  at  a  time  before  the  bon^  development 
had  progressed,  and  I  have  not  been  able  to  determine  why 
it  should  have  resulted  in  this  way.  The  child's  develop- 
ment was  perfect  until  we  came  to  the  lesion  so  aptly  de- 
scribed, a  projection  above  the  membranes  like  a  walnut 
The  shape  of  lower  head  was  very  much  like  the  Aztec 
children,  sloping  downwards  and  backwards.  How  is  it 
that  when  the  mental  shock  took  place  before  there  was 
any  bone  development,  the  bones  of  the  body  went  on  up 
to  this  line  where  they  stopped  abruptly.  At  the  time  of 
the  shock  there  was  no  bone,  and  yet  the  gi-owth  of  the 
bones  went  on  to  this  ix>int. 

J.  C.  Morgan,  M.  D. — These  cases  do  not  live,  fortunately 
for  us,  who  might  have  the  question  presented,  as.  to  how 
far  to  encourage  life.  They  do  not  live  for  this  reason; 
Brown-Sequard  has  made  post  mortem  examinations  in 
these  cases,  and  remarkable  to  say,  has  found  that  there  is 
non-connection  of  spinal  cord  and  peripheral  nerves.  Let 
us  remember  the  mode  of  development  of  the  body  and  that 
the  peripheral  nerves  are  developed  with  the  outer  portion 
of  **    '    '^v,  and  that  the  spinal  cord  has  an  independent 

,  their  union  taking  p^ace  later.      For  the 

~  be  a  cleft  palate  from  want  of  de- 

gastric  nerve  and  its  connection 


-^^tn  rile -jniimi  Mipi.     S.»    ii  hi,  ..  .* 

~"r*railie  bwoniMi  till*  j«'inhv  n»'ij    •.     .1 

E.  Li'ilirjL:,  M.  P.      1^  t.-i  »»joi.i., 

I 

I  If 

siit'ji'k  iii.'iy  ihrri'TiiV''   .it'in. '-.   •'    ...    'i. 

i>iiH5iinn.  iiiit  :hiM  :ii*iv    i-i-  •.   >.•..  .m >  •     . 

rhiTC^fnrf     \iiii     III..,.    M..«!,)il     .....1.1... 

■  •     .1.    .1 i^/':,,.: I     ,1     ,  j        1     ,. 
•.^li-.Tf-r        r-.        !■..-       ..   ♦!.      .   .J,    /'■     :       i 

J  •  4  i   .       .  .  •  I  .    .      ,  .     .  I      .  .       ;        .  I 

<ts»f'        '  -.^  ■  .    .      ■  ,      . 


\l.    '■ 


-, .  • 


I . 


.  .  .» 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Aug. 


I 


I  delivered  a  primipara  and  the  child  had  just  such  ahead 
as  in  the  case  related  by  Dr.  Dowling.  In  this  case  there 
■were  about  five  quarts  of  amniotic  tinid.  In  every  case 
seen  by  me  the  qaantity  of  water  has  been  large. 

R.  C.  Moffat.  M,  D. — I  can  supplement,  by  my  own  re- 
eent  experience,  the  case  of  Dr.  Dowling's,  except  as  to  the 
quantity  of  amniotic  fluid,  which  was  less  than  normal. 
Otherwise  the  case  was  as  nearly  similar  as  two  cases  are 
likely  to  be.  I  have,  however,  a  more  distinct  history  as 
to  cause.  AVhen  she  was  about  two  months  advanced  in 
pregnancy,  and  her  surroundings  perfect,  she  was  fright- 
ened by  a  kitten  jumping  at  her  and  biting  her  finger.  In 
a  few  hours  afterwards  she  had  forgotten  it.  The  birth  of 
the  child  was  delayed  four  weeks  beyond  tier  records,  and 
■when  born  was  a^raniaL  The  marvel  to  me  was  that  the 
shook  took  place  at  a  time  before  the  bon,  development 
■had  progressed,  and  I  have  not  been  able  lo  determine  why 
it  should  have  resulted  in  this  way.  The  child's  develop- 
|:3nent  was  perfect  until  we  came  to  t!ie  lesion  so  aptly  de- 
scribed, a  projection  above  the  membranes  like  a  walnut. 
The  shape  of  lower  head  was  very  much  like  the  Aztec 
children,  sloping  downwards  and  backwards.  How  is  it 
that  when  the  mental  shock  took  place  before  there  was 
any  bone  development,  the  bones  of  the  body  went  on  up 
to  this  line  where  they  stopped  abruptly.  At  the  time  of 
the  shock  there  was  no  bone,  and  yet  the  growth  of  the 
bones  went  on  to  this  point 

J.  C  Morgan,  M-  D.— These  cases  do  not  live,  fortunately 
for  US,  who  might  have  the  question  presented,  aa,  to  how 
|ar  to  encourage  life.  They  do  not  live  for  this  reason; 
-Sequard   has  made  post  mortem  examinations  in 

lese  cases,  and  remarkable  to  say,  has  found  that  there  is 

m-connection  of  spinal  cord  and  peripheral  nerves.  Let 
tiB  remember  the  mode  of  development  of  the  body  and  that 
the  peripheral  nerves  are  developed  with  the  outer  portion 
of  the  body,  and  that  the  spinal  cord  heis  an  independent 
development,  their  union  taking  p'ace  later.  For  the 
Bame  reason  there  would  be  a  cleft  palate  from  want  of  de- 
Telopment  of  the  pneumogastric  nerve  and  its  connection 


1886  American  Institute.  125 

with  the  spinal  cord.  So  in  these  cases  the  child  does  not 
breathe  because  the  connection  of  the  respiratory  nerve  is 
never  made. 

R.  Ludlam,  M.  D. — It  is  pretty  well  understood,  I  think, 
that  any  considerable  excess  of  amniotic  fluid,  is  credited 
now-a-days  to  a  temporary  or  permanent  diabetes.  Where- 
ever  you  find  an  excess  of  amniotic  liquid,  you  will  find 
diabetes.  Shock  is  quite  often  the  cause  of  these  different 
diabetic  conditions,  which  may  be  temporary.  Sudden 
shock  may  therefore  induce  it  in  these  cases  under  dis- 
cussion, and  this  may  have  something  to  do  with  the  arrest 
of  development.  It  is  a  fact  well  worth  bearing  in  .mind, 
therefore,  that  these  morbid  conditions  are  connected. 

J.  M.  Mitchell,  M.  D. — I  have  seen  two  cases  of  acranial 
children,  and  they  both  contradict  the  question  of  excess 
of  amniotic  fluid,  since  the  qiiantity  was  rather  small  in 
each  case.  In  one  case  I  ascribed  the  cause  to  syphilis,  in 
the  other  no  cause  could  be  discovered.  One  was  born 
without  any  evidence  of  life,  while  the  other,  nothwith- 
standing  what  Dr.  Morgan  has  said,  did  breathe.  There 
must  have  been  some  connection  between  the  spinal  cord 
and  brain.  It  breathed  three  or  four  respirations  far 
apart.  We  saw  it  breathe,  with  horror,  and  the  same  ques- 
tion occurred  to  us,  which  Dr.  Dowling  has  asked.  The 
intervals  lengthened  between  the  respirations,  and  finally 
ceased.  The  explanation  seemed  to  be  that  the  pressure  of 
the  air  upon  the  brain  acted  in  an  anaesthetic  manner,  to 
prevent  breathing.  I  found  a  slight  connection  of  brain 
and  medulla  on  dissection.  I  gave  syphilis  as  the  possible 
cause  in  one  case ;  there  was  no  shock.  Both  patients  were 
in  attendance  at  the  dispensary. 

T.  Y.  Kinne,  M.  D. — Dr.  Dowling  asks  for  cases,  and  I 
can  report  two  in  my  practice.  In  one  of  the  cases  I  could 
not  learn  of  any  cause.  There  was  an  abnormal  develop- 
ment of  the  foetus,  and  a  very  small  quantity  of  amniotic 
fluid.  The  foetus  measured  twenty  inches  in  length,  and 
eight  inches  across  the  shoulders;  and  weighed  sixteen 
pounds.  In  the  other  case  there  was  about  six  quarts  of 
liquor  amnii    The  appecurance  of  the  child  was  as  if  you 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Aug. 


were  to  take  a  crab  and  cut  off  everything  but  the  hind 
lega.  It  breathed  once  or  twice  after  birth.  I  asked  the 
father  if  the  mother  had  ever  been  frightened  in  any  way. 
L.After  awhile  he  stated  that  he  had  been  oat  crabbing,  and 
fcaa  she  was  afraid  of  them,  he  had  amused  himself  by  walk- 
■^g  around  her  with  the  crabs  dangling  before  her.  She 
■'afterwards  mentioned  the  same  thing.  This  foetus  was 
laoephalouB  and  of  the  crab-like  appearance  deecnbed. 

Wm.  Owens,  M.  D. — About  sis  years  ago  I  eaw  a  case 
frbere  there  was  partial  loss  of  the  brain  tissue.  The  upper 
»rt  of  the  brain  was  entirely  missing,  there  was  a  very 
^Bmall  cerebellum,  and  medulla  oblongata;  the  qnadrige- 
ininal  bodies  were  there,  but  of  small  size.  The  child  lived 
tive  days  and  breathed.  I  advised  to  let  it  live  as  long  ua 
possible.  Post-mortem  examination  showed  a  connection 
between  the  respiratory  nerves  and  the  lungs;  pneumogas- 
tric  nerves  full  sized;  connection  complete  between  spine 
and  the  brain  development  The  amniotic  fluid  was  large. 
In  another  caee,  a  primipara,  a  lady  wlio  had  been  in 
ill-health,  in  consequence  of  her  condition,  went  to  a  water- 
ing place.  The  gentleman  in  charge  was  a  cripple,  and 
when  he  entered  the  room  she  became  very  much  excited. 
She  left  for  home  in  a  few  days.  In  due  time  the  child 
was  delivered,  and  its  feet  were  in  the  same  condition  as 
'  lliose  of  the  cripple. 

I     Dr.  J.  S.  Buck  had  had  several  CEtses,  but  could  arrive  at 
pno  satisfactory  conclusions  as  to  quantity  of  liquor  amnil; 
in  one  of  his  cases  it  being  much  in  excess,  in  others  again 
much  diminished. 

Dr.  K,  C.  Moffitt  did  not  believe  that  a  shock  to  the  preg- 
nant woman  would  be  inimical  to  her  offspring  after  the 
»nd  month. 

Dr.  Beckett,  of  England,  narrated  a  case  of  malforma- 
iifion  in  a  child,  superinduced  by  a  fright  received  by  the 
tsVother  after  the  third  month. 


1886  Leucorrhcea.  127 

GYNECOLOGY. 


LEUCORRHCEA. 


THOMAS  SKINNER.  M.  D..  London. 


If  there  is  one  thing  which  fills  my  soul  with  grief  and 
indignation,  it  is  to  observe  the  hankering  which  the  pro- 
fessors and  teachers  of  the  new  school  of  medicine  have  to 
the  present  absurd  nomenclature  and  pathological  theories 
of  the  old  school.  Leucorrhoea  has  recently,  or  compara- 
tively recently,  been  rechristened  vaginitis  and  endome- 
tritis, acute  and  chronic — all  to  suit  the  new  fashioned 
ideas  of  modern  Gynaecologists,  who  imagine  that  such 
terms  are  more  classic,  and  explain  more  clearly  to  the  stu- 
dent what  is  meant;  such  learned  terms  go  to  the  root  of 
the  matter  and  inforip  the  tyro  the  seat  of  the  evil,  the 
morbid  action  which  they  imagine,  think,  or  believe,  is 
going  on  there;  the  amount  of  "tissue  change"  and  the 
character  of  the  tissue  change — as  if  no  diseased  action 
could  proceed  without  tissue  change,  as  if  no  discharge 
could  take  place  from  a  mucous  surface  without  inflamma- 
tory action,  acute,  subacute,  chronic  or  specific, — which  is 
simply  nonsense  and  not  fact.  One  man  writes  a  book  on 
*'  Inflammation  of  the  Uterus "  which  was  a  text-book  in 
Gynaecology  in  my  student  days.  One  would  think  on 
perusing  it  that  everything  wrong  with  womankind  was 
traceable  to  the  womb,  and  the  first  and  last  of  it  was  in- 
flammation of  that  organ — and  the  descendants  or  followers 
of  this  fanatical,  one  idead  Gynsec^dogist  keep  up  the  farce 
by  adding  "t'/is"  as  if  it  were  "the  be-all  and  the  end-all" 
of  every  pain,  and  ache,  and  misery  of  the  Master- work  of 
God.  Another  treats  of  Gynaecology  as  if  it  were  made  up 
of  "discharges,  uterine  and  vaginal."  This  is  equally 
wrong,  as  these  discharges  are  but  a  very  small  fraction  of 
the  complaints  of  women  who  consult  Gynaecologists.  On 
these  and  other  accounts  I  prefer  the  old  fashioned  term  of 
Leucorrhcea  or  "whites,  a  female  weakness,"  and  if  it  is 
to  be  improved  classically,  by  all  means  do  so  without  mix- 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Aug. 


I 


ing  it  np  with  the  family  of  "ttises"  with  which  it  has 
refilly  no  connection,  and  let  the  name  express  no  more 
than  what  it  is,  namely,  a  flow  of  mucus  of  some  sort  from 
the  sexual  organs,  which  is  fully  expressed  by  Medorrhcea, 
from  Medea,  the  sexual  organs,  and  /!/<"  to  flow.  Or  let  it 
be  mucorrhcea  or  vaginorrhoea, — so  long  as  it  implicates 
no  pathological  theory  or  indicates  any  false  treatment. 
The  term  Leucorrhcea  I  confess  is  taultj',  as  the  discharge, 
though  frequently  white  like  milk  and  starchy,  it  may  be 
any  color  or  no  color.  There  is  one  point  in  the  term  Leu- 
Oorrbcea  which  no  one  can  find  fault  with,  and  that  is  that 
there  is  no  pathological  theory  involved,  ^as  in  vaginitis, 
endo-oervicitiB,  endo-metritis,  or  endo-cervo-nietritis,  and 
all  such  claBsic  pathological  twaddle. 

I  was  looking  up  "Norton's  Ophthalmic  Therapeutics" 
the  other  day  ia  regard  to  a  difficult  eye  case,  and  at  page 
293  (2nd  Ed.)  I  read  of  the  disease  "Olaiicoma"  that  it 
signifies  "increased  eye  tension."  No  one  knows  better 
thau  Dr.  Norton  that  glaucoma  means  nothing  of  the  sort, 
because  if  we  turn  to  his  glossary  page  329,  we  learn  that 
the  term  is  derived  from  the  Greek  word  signifying  ijreen. 
Why  render  it  to  signify  increased  tension  of  the  eyeball? 
The  answer  ia,  because  it  points  to  and  justifies  surgical 
interference,  which  is  never  necessary  or  justifiable,  if  one 
knows  bow  to  look  for  and  bow  to  administer  the  remedy, 
the  homoeopathic  similUmum.  What  then  is  Leucorrhcea? 
According  to  my  view,  it  is  a  discharge  of  peccant  matter 
from  the  vagina  or  const iluHunal  urastepipe  peculiar  to  the 
female  bodily  and  mental  constitution.  The  discharge  may 
or  may  not  be  associated  with  inflammatory  action,  and 
that  almost  invariably  of  a  catarrhal  character,  which  may 
be  either  acute  or  cLronic,  but  according  to  my  experience 
chiefly  chronic,  which  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact 

lat,  like  Dr.  Bruns,  of   Boston,  I  limit  my  practice  to 

'kronic  disease,  but  which  was  not  always  so.     When  I 
acticed  as  a  General  Obstetrician  and  family  pliysician 

saw  hundreds  of  cases  of  leucorrhcea;  I  then  examined 
sll  such  cases,  if  virgins  frequently  ocularly,  if  married  J 
!,  then  always  ocularly,  digitally,  and  specularly,  and  J 


1886  Leucorrhcea.  129 

the  mass  of  them  showed  no  signs  to  me  of  acute  or  chronic 
inflammatory  action.  No  change  of  temperature,  heat, 
swelling,  redness,  tenderness  to  touch,  or  pain,  or  any 
symptom  worth  associating  with  the  idea  of  inflammation. 
Further,  this  discharge  is  rarely  induced  by  the  ordinary 
causes  of  inflammation — it  seems  to  have  laws  of  its  own, 
and  is  in  general,  independent  of  phlogistic  etiology.  In 
some  women  it  is  to  them  a  second  nature,  and  these  may 
thank  their  stars,  as  the  saying  is,  if  all  the  astringents 
of  the  old  school, — not  excepting  alluminated  iron,  said 
by  the  late  Sir  J.  Y.  Simpson  to  bo  equal  to  drying  up  the 
Atlantic, — failed  to  dam  up  this  unpleasant  but  healthful 
discharge.  How  can  it  be  healthful  if  it  is  a  disease? 
Therein  lies  the  rub!  Were  it  inflammatory,  like  dysen- 
tery, it  would  be  a  disease,  but  it  is  no  more  inflammatory 
than  defecation,  which  it  is  to  be  presumed  is  a  healthful, 
healthy,  and  a  health-giving  process.  When  vaginitis,  or 
cervicitis,  or  metritis  is  grafted  upon  it  by  adverse  circum- 
stances, or  by  "vaginal  fumbling"  or,  by  the  use  of  astrin- 
gent injections,  escharotics  and  such-like  mal-practice,  that 
is  quite  another  thing.  It  is  then  no  longer  a  healthful 
functional  discharge  in  a  psoric,  strumous,  scroftdous  or 
cachectic  individual,  relieving  her  system  of  poisons  the 
same  as  all  other  mucous  passages  and  cavities,  such  as 
those  of  the  bowel,  bladder,  and  even  the  stomach  through 
the  oesophagus  and  mouth,  the  nose  by  sneezing  and  dis- 
charges, and  the  lungs  by  coughing,  as  in  phthisis,  etc. 
Why  should  the  vagina  and  uterus  be  the  only  exceptions 
to  the  rule? 

Let  me  see  if  the  old  school  treatment  throws  any  light 
upon  this  subject,  which  treatment  is  founded  upon  the 
inflammatory  doctrine  or  theory  of  Leucorrhcea  in  all  its 
forms,  acute,  subacute  and  chronic;  vaginal  or  uterine. 
As  their  inflammatory  doctrine  leans  towards  the  asthenic 
form  or  variety,  tonics,  such  as  puinine,  iron,  arsenic, 
mineral  acids,  salines,  and  astringents,  are  invariably  pre- 
scribed, or  specifics,  such  as  oil  of  Cubebs,  Copaiba,  Tur- 
pentine, and  Cantharides.     As  for  local  measures  they  are 

legion — Sulphates  of  Alum,  Zinc,  and  Copper,  Tannic  and 
I 


ri3o 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Aug. 


^K  Gallic  acids,  Per-nitrate  and  Chloride  of  Iron,  Decoction 
^|<  of  Oak-bark,  Lead  and  Opium,  and  combinations  of  tboee 
^H  and  many  others — and  thongli  laBt  not  least,  Nitrate  of 
^H  Silver  galore.  All  adminieteretl  as  injections /Jcr  vaijinum, 
^H  Bome  as  tampons,  some  applied  as  strong  solutions  with  a 
^H  brush  or  large  hair-pencil,  and  some  in  the  crude  or  dry 
^H^rm  of  Uie  drug,  as  crude  caustics,  to  say  nothing  o£ 
^^V* the  good  old  fashioned"  potential  and  actual  cauteries, 
^^Kmd  leeches,  blisters,  etc,,  to  subdue  the  inflammatory 
^^Ku:tion  set  up  by  the  Nlmia  diUgenta  medici. 
^V  It  would  certainly  be  strange  with  such  au  armamenta- 
^H  riuin  to  subdue  a  weakly-asthenic  inflammation  of  a  mucous 
^B'  surface,  were  there  no  traces  of  the  Ci-yniecologist's  handy 
^H  urork.  I  have  seen  abundance  of  it;  I  have  seen  every  ab- 
^^^  domiual  and  pelvic  "(Yi's"  set  up  by  such  treatment.  I  have 
^^Loeen  vaginitis,  metritis,  ovaritis,  cystitis,  peritonitis,  peri- 
^^^metritis,  and  hepatitis,  induced  by  nothiiig  else  but  this 
^^Hjorsed  local  treatment  by  vaginal -fumblers.  I  have  seen 
^^^^tients  nearly  out  of  their  senses  with  pain  in  the  back, 
^m  fltomacb  and  abdomen,  not  necessarily  inflammatory,  but 
^M  strictly  traceable  to  the  treatment  Lastly,  I  have  seen 
^B  Bome  women  permanently  injured  by  local  manipulation 
^H  and  medication,  and  I  have  seen  and  known  a  few  die— but 
^B  never  of  the  treatment.  Oh,  no!  The  os  and  cf^-vix  were 
^1  simply  melted  away  by  means  of  potassa  Jusa.  The  patient 
^H  died  within  a  week  of  acnte  perimetritis — and,  though  jokes 
^1  are  not  admissible  in  so  serious  a  matter — yet  I  have  heard 
^H  one  Surgeon  who  assisted  me  at  a  post  morlem  of  the  kind 

^B  remark.     "I  say  Dr.,  I  see  what  yon  do  at -,  you 

^K  incise  the  cervix  or  melt  it  away  with  potassa  fusa, — the 
^B  patient  dies  of  haemorrhage  or  of  inflammation,  and  you 
^H  jrat  it  down  'Died  of  the  measles!'"  At  one  time  it  was  a 
^H  common  practice  in  uterine  leucorrhcea  to  introduce  about 
^*  one  or  two  grains  of  powdered  Nitrate  of  Silver  into  the 
cavity  of  the  uterofl  by  means  of  a  porle  caustiqiie,  the  salt 
being  allowed  to  melt  there.  Enough  of  this;  what  of  its 
^m  effects?  I  have  already  given  them!  The  query  is  a  fair 
^h  one,  how  is  it  that  suppressing  or  meddling  with  this  dis- 
^H   diorge  is  so  frequently  attended  by  such  sinister  conse- 


1886  LeUdOrrhoea.  131 

qnences?  Does  it  not  point  to  the  fact  that  the  idea  or 
belief  in  the  inflammatory  doctrine  of  lencorrhoea  is  a 
gross,  a  vulgar  professional  error,  and  that  the  inflamma- 
tory character  of  the  discharge  in  the  mass  of  cases  is  a 
myth.  I  shall  recount  one  of  dozens  of  similar  cases  which 
have  occurred  in  my  experience,  and  be  it  understood  that 
long  before  I  became  a  Hahnemannian  I  saw  the  utter  folly^ 
the  inutility,  yes  the  brutality  to  say  nothing  of  the  indeli- 
cacy of  local  treatment  Mrs.  A.  B.  A. — ,  an  extremely  deli- 
cate individual,  and  a  splendid  "dropping  goose,"  for  her 
physicians,  although  she  was  one  of  those  who  considered 
herself  of  strong  constitution.  I  have  seen  both  of  her 
armpits  after  a  confinement  occupied  by  enlarged  glands 
the  size  of  a  large  goose  or  turkey  egg.*  Only  tackle  her 
with  being  delicatey  though  scarcely  ever  a  week  in  her  life 
out  of  a  doctor's  hands,  and  she  will  retort,  "  I  know  that 
I  am  not  robust,  but  I  will  not  allow  that  I  am  delicate.'* 
Well  then,  after  one  such  confinement,  and  hard  work  sup- 
pressing her  milk  which  was  injuring  her  child,  I  sent  her 
for  change  of  air  to  the  sea-coastf  When  at  the  sea- 
coast,  constipation  and  a  copious  flow  of  milky  leucorrhoea 
set  in.  At  this  time  she  believed  that  one  doctor  or  system 
of  medicine  was  as  good  as  another,  so  oflP  she  went  to  a 
local  Allopath.  (She  was  20  miles  from  me).  The  local 
Allopath  prescribed  an  aperient  and  a  vaginal  injection 
of  alum,  dilute  sulphuric  acid,  laudanum  and  water,  to 
be  used  as  a  vaginal  injection  two  or  three  times  a  day. 
This  mild  milky  whites  being  stopped,  in  obedience  to  my 
patient's  wish,  it  was  followed  by  obstinate  vomiting,  with 
pain  at  the  epigastrium  accompanied  with  terrible  back- 
ache.   The  Dr.  was  afraid  that  the  air  of did  not  agree 

with  his  patient,  that  is,  after  he  had  tried  in  vain  to  undo 
his  handy-work, — so  off  my  "not  robust"  patient  trotted 
to  me  to  see  what  I  could  do  for  her.  I  call  this  disgusting! 

*  Her  father  died  of  cancer  of  the  liver  aod  stomach,  and  she  suffered  from 
every  form  of  glandular  enlargement. 

1 1  may  as  well  state  that  Rhus  200  (F.  C.)  put  an  end  to  the  enlarged  glands 
within  twenty-four  hours.  Allopathically  treated  they  never  got  better  before  the 
month  was  out,  and  she  had  to  lie  with  her  arms  stretched  out  day  and  night. 
This  was  her  first  confinement  under  SimiZto.  and  so  far  she  was  delighted  with  it. 


I 


|82  The  Medical  A  tiravce.  Aug. 

I  have  not  intended  this  patjer  as  il  practical  treatiee  oa 

iBiicorrhoea  according  to  The  Schoolh,     On  the  contrary, 

|I  nieau  to  differ  entirely  from  the  modern  school  of  Gynte- 

logy  in  regard  to  its  pathology  and  treatment  of  Leiicor- 
It  is  rarely  a  merely  local  affection,  but  is  as  a  mle 

conBtitiitionai  symptom  of  tlie  patient,  which  can  only  be 
satisfactorily  and  safely  treated,  modified  or  cured,  by 
treating  the  entire  woman,  and  that  is,  the  iwist  and  present 
Ayniptoms  of  the  patient,  including  any  immediate  or  re- 
mote cause  or  causes,  and  all  oouditiona  of  aggravation  and 
^amelioration  as  regards  time  and  circumstance.  The  guid- 
ing symptoms  or  key-notes  may  be  as  far  removed  from  the 
vaginal  uud  uterine  tissues  as  the  poles  are  from  one 
another.  By  all  means  if  a  shorter  metbod  is  obtainable, 
eny  by  means  of  key-notes,  in  all  cases  adopt  them:  as 
fcir  instancu: — Tlie  patient  has  cuiiing 'pains  in  the  abiUnnen 
yrom  right  to  k-ft..  One  dose  of  Lyco/xxlium  high,  and  the 
ijligher  the  better,  will  give  a  good  account  of  the  leucor- 
rhcea  and  its  homoeopathic  relation  to  every  caee  of  leucor- 
rhcea  irhnv  fhul  ainvomiUmi  is  prest^tt.  It  is  a  matter  of 
moonshine  what  the  pathology  may  be;  all  I  know  is  that 
the  name,  jiatLulogy.  or  nature  of  the  tissue  change,  hag 
nothing  to  do  with  the  selection  or  the  cure  in  the  above 
■case'.^and  as  to  whether  it  is  the  vaginal  or  the  uterine 
mucous  membrane  which  is  infiiimed  or  morbidly  excited, 
it  is  a  matter  of  perfect  indifference.  Where  a  thoroughly 
reliable  key-note  is  not  obtainable,  the  case  muat  be.  worked 
cui  as  Hahnemann  directs  every  case,  or  as  I  have  above 
stated. 

1  repeat,  that  the  main  object  of  this  paper  is  not  the 
treatment  or  pathology  of  Leucorrhoea,  but  an  endeavor  on 
my  part  to  wean  my  Gynecological  brethren  fi'om  treating 
disease  by  name,  and  Leucorrhcea  as  if  it  were  a  local  in- 
flammation of  the  vagina  or  uterus  or  both — when  it  is  in 
I  the  great  run  o£  ctises  peoric  or  scrofulous  in  its  origin, 
'  and  is  curable  in  etvry  instance  bi/constHuHonaHrealmcnt, 
that  is,  by  the  true  homceopatbic  similUmum  placed  upon 
the  tongue,  icithont  the-  slightest  locnl  interference  of  tiny 
JctTtd,  except  common  cleanliness.    The  mischief,  whatever 


i 


1886  Prolapsus  Uteri— Sulphur.  188 

it  is,  is  not  in  the  vagina,  which  is  only  the  estuary  or 
mouth  of  an  endless  ramification  of  tubes,  of  glands,  of 
vessels — the  poisonous  miasm  is  toithin,  and  is  everywhere 
in  the  system — it  has  to  be  quieted,  neutralised,  or  removed, 
and  the  antipsoric  simillimum  will  be  found  to  be  better 
and  more  effectual,  as  a  rule,  than  any  apsoric  remedy. 
Besides,  the  vagina,  like  all  mucous  canals  and  cavities,  is 
self-cleansing,  and  any  homoeopathic  physician  or  GynsB- 
cologist  who  has  to  have  recourse  to  any  form  of  local  me- 
dicinal treatment  in  order  to  cure  Leucorrhoea  in  any  of  its 
forms  has  not  yet  crossed  the  threshold  of  our  art,  and  has 
the  rudiments  of  it  still  to  learn.  The  sooner  our  text- 
books cease  to  associate  Leucorrhoea  with  vaginitis,  cervi- 
citis, metritis,  and  all  the  endless  family  of  "itises"  the 
better.  It  sounds  large  and  very  scientific,  but  without 
losing  sight  of  charity,  it  is  but  ''  as  sounding  brass  or  a 
tinkling  cymbal,'* — and  leads  to  local  suppression  or  some- 
thing worse  in  the  form  of  treatment.  Were  I  to  decide 
between  the  modern  and  the  old  school  of  Pathologists, 
Nosologists,  and  Gynaecologists,  so  far  as  Leucorrhoea  is 
concerned, — recommend  me  to  the  old  school,  as  no 
theory  is  at  stake  in  their  terra,  and  no  idiotic  line  of  treat- 
ment is  indicated. 

In  a  future  paper  I  may  enter  upon  the  practical  treat- 
ment of  Leucorrhoea,  or  "whites,"  or  "female  weakness." 


PJtOLAPSUS  UTERI-SULPHUR. 


GEO.  II.  CARR.  M.  D ,  Galesburg,  lU. 


A  young  married  woman  19  years  of  age,  had  suffered  for 
two  years;  had  been  attended  by  four  allopathic  and  one 
homoeopathic  physicians  who  successively  failed  to  relieve. 
Her  report  was  the  following:  She  attributed  her  illness  to 
miscarriages.  The  symptoms  now  were  almost  complete 
prolapsus  uteri,  which  her  former  medical  attendants  had 
attempted  to  relieve  by  the  usual  mechanical  means — re- 
placing the  uterus  and  retaining  it  in  position  by  pessaries. 
The  last  one  prescribed  rest,  in  bed,  and  kept  her  there 


1^ 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

"until  she  would  stay  on  her  back  no  longer,  without  any 
benefit  whatever.  She  complained  of  constant  pain  and  at 
times  severe  cramps  and  terrible  bearing  down,  so  severe 
|,as  to  cause  spasms,  which  would  come  on  from  any  slight 
loanee;  but  always  come  on  from  10  to  1*2  a.  a.,  when  she 
■felt  weak,  faint  and  hnngi-y,  and  was  relieved  by  eating. 
Pains  woi'se  on  right  side.  Always  very  costive.  Leucor- 
rhcea  very  yellow  and  thick,  causing  soreness,  itching  and 
burning.  Memory  very  poor,  has  Llifficulty  in  recalling 
-anything.  Wakes  up  numb  all  over,  and  has  a  great  deal 
of  headache.     Sleep  full  of  dreams.     Weak  and  tired  all 

I  the  time;  cannot  stand  up  any  length  of  time,  must  lie 
^wn.  Pimply  rash  on  forehead  and  faea  Constant  back- 
sohe  in  lumbar  region.  Very  thirsty  for  cold  water.  These 
'Symptoms  pointed  so  clearly  to  the  remedy  that  I  gave  one 
tJose  of  Sulphur,  20  quintil.  ( Swan )  in  two  teaspoonfuls  of 
i*ftter.  She  declared  she  felt  Uie  effect  in  her  mouth  and 
on  her  tongue  within  fifteen  nmmtes.  The  improveraent 
was  immediate  and  permanent.  She  is  now  well  in  every 
respect  aud  attending  to  her  usual  household  duties.  No 
^   second  dose  was  required  and  no  other  medicine  given. 


Aptee-Treatment  op  Cataract.— At  the  late  meeting 
of  the  American  Medical  Association  at  St  Louis,  Dr. 
Michel,  in  an  original  and  able  paper,  advocated  a  light 
bandage  after  operations  for  cataract  aud  iridectomy,  and 
instead  of  the  usual  dark  room  allows  his  patient  the  priv- 
ilege of  a  light  room,  and  recommends  that  he  be  read  to. 
He  was  corroborated  by  Dr.  Chisholm.  of  Baltimore,  who 
reported  fourteen  cases  of  cataract  aud  four  irideetomies 
loccessfully  treated  in  this  way.  The  lids  are  simply  closed 
a  normal  position,  and  a  piece  of  isiuglass  plaster  '2i 
inches  long  by  1  inch  wide,  thoroughly  wet  and  fitted  to 
the  surface,  which  on  drying  forms  a  firm,  close-fitting 
band.  The  patient  is  then  allowed  the  liberty  of  his  room. 
Darkness  is  no  longer  an  essential  of  treatment;  yet  strange 
to  say,  the  author  was  unceremoniously  "sat  upon"  by  his 
conservative  colleagues,  for  suggesting  an  improvement  in 
peatmen  t. 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  135 

SURGERY. 


SURGICAL  NOTES. 


J.  G.  GILCHRIST,  M.  D..  Iowa  City.  la. 


SuB-PLEUBAL  Lacebation  OF  THE  LuNG. — Mr.  Holmes  at 
a  meeting  of  the  Clinical  Society,  London,  Eng.,  gave  the 
history  of  a  case  of  laceration  of  the  lung  from  concussion, 
occurring  in  a  girl  of  about  fourteen  years  of  age.  The  acci- 
dent is  exceedingly  rare,  and  the  books  rarely  make  any 
reference  to  it.  Nelaton,  many  years  since,  spoke  of  it, 
and  gave  the  symptoms  as  haemoptysis,  dyspnoea,  absence 
of  respiration  in  affected  lung,  yet  natural  results  on  per- 
cussion. Added  to  these,  and  of  the  first  importance,  is  an 
emphysema  at  the  root  of  the  neck.  The  case  recovered, 
and  was  made  the  subject  for  a  discussion,  in  which  Messrs. 
Norton,  Godlee,  Bristowe,  and  others  took  part,  other  cases 
being  cited,  in  all  of  which  the  symptoms  as  given  by  Nela- 
ton were  present.     (  West  Med.  Rep.,  VIII,  201 ). 

GoNOBBH(EA  IN  THE  Female. — The  difficulty  attending  a 
diagnosis  of  gonorrhoea  in  the  female  is  always  considera- 
ble, in  some  cases  frequently  impossible,  in  the  experience 
of  many.  In  cases  of  alleged  rape  on  young  children  it  is 
very  important  to  form  a  correct  opinion.  The  fact  has 
been  pointed  out  that  in  non-specific  viginitis,  (as  also 
urethritis),  the  morbid  action  is  quite  superficial,  while  in 
the  specific  forms  it  is  deep,  involving  sub-mucoid  tissues. 
The  establishment  of  a  diagnosis  in  this  way,  however,  by 
comparison,  is  impossible  to  one  not  constantly  brought  in 
contact  with  venereal  cases,  and  something  more  exact  is 
desired.  According  to  the  Philadelphia  Medical  News 
Dr.  Martineau,  of  Paris,  finds  that  in  "the  specific  form 
the  discharge  is  always  acid,  while  in  the  simple  form  it  is 
always  alkaline."  Such  a  test  is  readily  applied,  and  if  the 
facts  are  found  as  stated,  of  which  it  would  seem  there 
could  be  little  doubt,  a  mistake  need  never  occur  in  diag- 
nosis. 

LaPABOTOMY     in     the     TbEATMENT     of    STBANGUIiATED 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aag. 

Hebnia. — Mr.  Keetley,  of  London,  has  an  article  with  the 
above  caption  in  the  June  number  of  tlie  Annals  of  Sur- 
gery, that  is  not  only  of  value  as  pointing  out  a  promising 
method  of  treating  hernia,  but  is  valuable  to  the  medical 
historian,  as  showing  a  remarkable  change  iu  the  feeling 
with  which  peritoneal  injuries  are  contemplated,  Some 
years  ago  any  lesion  of  this  membrane  was  supposed  to  be 
an  itlmwat  certain  forerunner  of  death,  at  least  the  surgeon's 
functions  were  reduced  to  a  do-nothing  expectancy.  Now 
the  peritoneum  is  incised,  ligatured,  handled,  exposed  to 
the  air,  punctured  for  drainage,  and  treated  in  all  respects 
very  like  other  tissues  in  the  body.  To  be  sure  there  is  a 
high  rate  of  mortality,  yet  considering  the  primitive  thera- 
peutic resonres  of  men  otherwise  well  equipped,  the  per- 
centage of  recoveries  is  somewhat  remarkable. 
_  Aconite,  Arsenic,  Lachesis,  Belladonna,  and  many  other 
rTetaedies  in  daily  use  by  Homoeopaths,  used  of  course  on 
I,  proper  indications,  give  results  that  put  to  shame  all  the 
"germicides"  in  old-school  surgery.  When  a  body  of  men 
who  have  for  so  many  years  turned  all  their  resources  of 
ridicule,  argument,  and  invective  on  the  "dilutions"  of 
our  therapia,  gravely  speak  of  the  germicide  property  of 
such  a  powerful  preparation  as  m^on  "sublimate  solution," 
we  may  justly  look  for  an  adoption  of  some  of  the  drugs 
referred  to  above,  in  orthodox  homoeopathic  form,  just 
as  soon  as  some  "  gerraiciile  "  property  can  be  discovered 
in  them.  Of  course  this  may  never  roach  these  gentlemen, 
but  with  the  faint  hope  that  the  fact  may,  I  beg  to  ask  if  it 
is  not  barely  possible  that  the  best  "germicide"  is  the  beat 
vulnerary?  The  operation  referred  to  by  Mr.  Keetley  does 
lot  seem  to  have  been  generally  known,  and  seldom  prac- 
It  is,  briefly,  in  certain  selected  eases,  where  it  may 
be  impossible  to  reduce  a  hernia  in  the  ordinary  manner, 
the  making  of  an  incision  in  the  linea  alba,  just  large  enough 
to  admit  two  fingers,  immediately  above  the  pubis,  through 
which  the  intestine  is  hooked  bock.  It  is  stated  that  the 
^Lsase  with  which  this  is  "accomplished  is  remarkable." 
^H'Should  the  strangulation  have  been  prolonged,  it  may  he 
^^nell  to  enlarge  the  incision  sufhciently  to  permit  inspeo- 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  137 

tion  of  the  parts.  Some  four  or  five  cases  seem  to  include 
all  the  valuable  clinical  record  of  the  operation — cases  of 
Crumpton,  Annandale,  McLeod,  Fenwick,  and  Pye-Smith. 
The  writer's  list  of  fifty-two  herniotomies  shows  but  two 
deaths,  and  no  case  is  recalled  that  could  have  given  any 
better  result  had  a  laparotomy  been  substituted  for  the  old 
operation.  There  are  cases  quite  infrequent,  in  which  after 
division  of  a  stricture  reduction  cannot  be  effected,  either 
from  some  unusual  relation  of  the  parts,  an  abdominal 
tumor,  or  something  altogether  out  of  the  ordinary  run. 
Such  cases  are  noted,  although  I  have  never  seen  one.  For 
one,  I  will  accept  the  proposed  operation  in  such  cases,  as 
an  aid  to  herniotomy,  remembering,  as  all  surgeons  must, 
the  frequency  with  which  the  stricture  is  eJtogether  peri- 
toneal, and  the  danger  that  would  attend  a  reduction  of  the 
protrusion  en-masse, 

Eesection  op  the  Large  Intestine. — Dr.  Eobert  F. 
Weir,  in  the  June  issue  of  the  Annals  of  Surgery,  has  an 
exceedingly  valuable  paper  on  the  above  topic,  the  case 
being  one  in  which  a  malignant  tumor  had  formed  at  such 
a  distance  from  the  anus,  that  the  ordinary  operation  of 
excision  of  the  rectum  was  impracticable.  The  morbid 
growth  was  at  and  below  the  sigmoid  flexure,  and  reached 
by  a  median  abdominal  section,  four  inches  in  length. 
The  portion  removed  was  five  and  a  half  inches  in  length, 
the  upper  portion  of  the  intestine  being  secured  in  the 
wound,  making  an  artificial  anus,  the  lower  being  closed, 
and  dropped  into  the  pelvis.  There  was  no  recurrence 
after  three  months,  and  the  patient's  health  was  good.  The 
paper  closes  with  a  resumk  of  thirty-five  cases,  by  different 
operators,  of  which  seventeen  recovered,  and  the  result  in 
one  case  not  given.  Considering  the  nature  of  the  malady 
for  which  the  operation  was  performed,  the  serious  char- 
acter of  a  laparotomy,  the  age  and  reduced  vitality  of  the 
subjects,  and  the  frequency  with  which  mesenteric  glands 
were  removed  for  secondary  deposits,  the  results  are  truly 
remarkable.  The  fact  seems  to  be  gaining  recognition 
rapidly,  that  the  only  treatment  worthy  of  consideration  in 
cases  of  malignant  disease,  is  excision  of  the  growth,  and 


138  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

all  the  annexa.  If  undertaken  prior  to  dispersion  of  the 
germinal  elements,  and  made  with  thoroughness,  the  prom- 
ise of  cure  is  excellent.  Inasmuch  as  a  conviction  of  the 
failure  of  any  other  method  of  treatment  is  only  admitted 
when  constitutional  symptoms  come  on,  and  the  whole 
aspect  of  the  case  is  hopeless  of  cure  by  any  means,  I  have 
lately  refused  to  treat  malignant  growths  with  remedies,  or 
any  kind  of  tentative  or  experimental  measures.  Early 
and  thorough  removal  of  all  affected  tissues  is  the  only 
rational  treatment.  When  later  stages  are  reached,  the 
stage  of  dispersion  of  the  elements,  implication  of  contig- 
uous parts,  and  .the  establishment  of  cachexia,  as  far  as 
my  information  and  experience  go  treatment  of  any  kind  is 
futile.  Palliation  is  here  the  only  course  to  pursue,  and  is 
additionally  to  be  preferred  on  the  score  of  humanity. 

Amputation  of  Leg  for  Senile  GANGiiENE.--In  the 
same  journal  Dr.  Robt.  T.  Morris,  of  New  York,  gives  an 
account  of  a  case,  a  man  of  83,  whose  leg  was  amputated 
for  senile  gangrene,  at  the  junction  of  the  lower  and  middle 
thirds — the  arteries  being  found  calcified  to  an  extent  that 
a  ligature  would  not  constrict  them  until  they  had  been 
crushed  by  forceps.  Under  what  is  called  strict  "  antisep- 
tic details,"  perfect  recovery  ensued,  without  a  single  un- 
toward symptom.  It  so  happens  that  the  writer  had  a 
similar  case  some  years  ago,  even  more  remarkable,  that 
may  bear  recital,  although  published  somewhere  at  the 
time.  May  31,  1879,  called  by  Dr.  J.  D.  Craig,  to  see  a  case 
of  senile  gangrene  of  the  right  leg,  in  a  stout  German  man, 
eighty  years  of  age.  The  line  of  demarkation  had  not 
formed,  but  there  were  indications  that  it  would  shortly  do 
so,  just  below  the  knee.  The  limb  was  amputated,  at  the 
lower  third  of  the  thigh,  no  "  antiseptic  details  "  being  ob- 
served, by  the  ordinary  double  flap  method.  On  loosening 
the  tourniquet,  not  a  drojj  of  blood  Jloired,  and  there  was 
nothing  that  looked  like  an  artery  to  be  seen.  A  mass, 
fully  as  large  as  the  little  finger,  of  a  dirty  white  color,  was 
observed,  and  on  close  inspection  was  found  to  be  the 
femoral  artery,  coated  and  infiltrated  with  calcareous  mat- 
ter, the  lumen  being  filled  with  a  loose  clot,  that  was  found 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  139 

to  extend  upwards  for  an  indefinite  extent.  A  ligature  was 
Applied,  as  well  as  to  the  other  vessels,  and  the  parts  some- 
what negligently  dressed,  as  no  hope  was  entertained  of 
recovery.  On  the  next  visit,  however,  there  were  some 
signs  of  repair,  the  patient's  general  condition  was  good, 
and  there  had  been  no  haemorrhage,  not  a  single  drop.  To 
the  surprise  of  all,  recovery  was  perfect,  union  was  prompt 
and  firm,  and  there  was  not  an  unfavorable  symptom  from 
first  to  last.  At  the  time  I  had  never  heard  of  a  case  like 
it,  and  could  not  account  for  the  repair  under  the  peculiar 
<5ircumstance8.  It  was  attributed  to  the  remedies  used, 
Hypericum,  Calendula,  and,  for  some  symptoms  now  for- 
gotten, other  remedies.  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  repair 
was  due  to  the  good  homoeopathic  treatment  given  by  Dr. 
Craig.  With  the  exception  of  the  treatment  pursued,  the 
case  of  Dr.  Morris  and  my  own  were  precisely  alike,  with 
the  difference  in  his  favor.  His  patient  had  "always  lived 
well,  but  temperately;"  mine  had  the  habits  of  many  Ger- 
mans, unlimited  beer  and  tobacco. 

Exploratory  Operation  in  the  Cervical  Vertebra 
— The  same  writer  (Morris),  gives  an  account  of  an  opera- 
tion on  the  vertebrsB  that  resulted  better  than  he  had  any 
right  to  expect,  inasmuch  as  the  procedure  is  one  that  is 
only  mentioned  to  be  condemned  by  mine  out  of  ten  of  our 
modern  authors  and  teachers.  Two  years  before  the  oper- 
ation referred  to  was  made,  the  patient,  a  man  of  25,  had 
fallen  upon  his  head,  sustaining  an  injury  to  the  cervical 
spine  producing  complete  paraplegia.  His  condition  was 
described  as  j)itiable,  "a  living  head,  a  dead  body."  The 
diagnosis  was  made  as  "fracture  of  the  body  of  the  sixth 
cervical  vertebrw,  with  crushing  of  a  corresponding  section 
of  the  spinal  cord."  The  writer  says:  "I  believed  that 
with  the  exception  of  ascending  and  descending  degenera- 
tion of  the  lateral  columns,  the  cord  remained  in  good  con- 
dition, and  that  it  served  in  its  function  as  a  centre  of  re- 
flection. Whether  or  not  any  re-communication  could  be 
established  between  the  cord  and  the  brain — if  a  narrow 
crushed  ix)rtion  of  cord  were  exsected,  and  the  good  ends 
sutured  together — was  a  question  which  had  never  been 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Aug. 


"  answered."     An  attempt  was  made  to  answer  the  question 
on  June  12, 1885,  when  the  spinus  processes  of  the  6tli  and 
L  7th  cervical  vertebrre,  together  with  the  laraiuas  were  re- 
Imoved,  and  the  lueiubraDes  (greatly  thickened)  being  divi- 
Ided,  the   cord  was   exposed.     The  appearances   are  thus 
I  given;  "The  spinal  cord  was  flattened,  and  hardly  thicker 
than  a  sheet  of  ordinary  blotting  paper.     It  was  a  dull,  red- 
dish gray  in  color,  and  fibrous  in  texture.     A  very  few  glis- 
tening, liealthy  fibres  were  to  be  seen,  and  these  fibres  stood 
'   oat  in  pretty  contrast,  like  a  new  spiders-web  along  a  de- 
'  oayiog  twig.     •     •     "     •     As  far  as  examination  with  a 
probe  could  be  made,  the  spinal  cord  was  found  to  be  de- 
genera1«d,  and  it  is  a  qiiestion  whether  the  cord  below  the 
point  of  injury  has  not  degenerated  in  its  entirety,  and 

» given  its  business  over  to  the  care  of  the  sympathetic  sys- 
tem." Death  took  place  April  14,  1886,  nearly  n  yeiir  af- 
tertcfirds,  being  preceded  by  symptoms  that,  it  would 
Bdem,  gives  a  reasonable  hope  that  such  a  procedure  might 
have  been  curative  if  undertaken  earlier  in  the  case.  These 
symptoms  were  attacks  of  pain  in  parts  that  had  long  been 
auiesthetic,  neuralgic  in  character.  The  condition  of  the 
cord,  as  shown  at  Hie  autopsy,  was  as  follows:  "The  cord 
itself  was,  however,  for  an  inch  or  two  of  its  length,  broken 
down  into  a  creamy  tluid.  Above  and  below,  the  cord  was 
firm,  the  lower  part  of  the  cord  seeming  to  be  harder  than 
normal.  Above  tlie  softened  part,  the  columns  of  Goll 
were  distinctly  gray,  and  below  a  portion  of  each  lateral 
■  column  was  gray."  In  n  search  for  a  similar  record  I  have 
found  nothing.  The  operation  does  not  seem  to  have  been 
attempted,  except  at  the  time  of  the  accident,  when  loose 
fragments  could  be  felt.  The  results  have  been  uniformly 
fatal,  and  the  unanimous  verdict  is  against  resections  o£ 
the  vertebi-se  in  cases  of  compression  of  the  cord.  Some  of 
the  features  in  this  unique  report,  however,  as  already  said, 
would  go  to  show  that  an  operation  is  not  after  all  to  be 

I  forbidden,  if  a  saittible  time  is  selected.     Primary  oper&. 
tions  being  uniformly  fatal,  and  the  present  iustauce  beingij 
of  the  late  secondary  character,  it  remains  to  attempt  ajiM 
intermediary  operation,  or  one  in  the  early  secondary  stage.ij 


] 

I 


1886  American  Institute.  141 

Resection  vs.  Amputation. — Mr.  Martel  (St.  Male, 
France)  proposes  a  novel  procedure  in  cases  where  there 
is  such  a  destruction  of  soft  parts  that  repair  cannot  be  ex- 
pected. It  is  to  shorten  the  bones  so  that  apposition  can 
be  secured.  His  single  case,  one  of  severe  compound  frac- 
ture of  the  leg,  with  much  loss  of  tissue,  was  one  of  those 
cases  in  which  amputation  would  be  quite  unanimously 
voted  for.  About  75  mm.  of  the  tibia  were  removed;  on  the 
65th  day  of  treatment  the  parts  came  together  well,  and 
the  results  were  in  every  way  satisfactory.  The  writer 
states  that  the  only  analogous  case  is  one  reported  by  Carl 
Loebker,  {Centr.fur  Chi:  No.  50, 1884),  in  which  the  resec- 
tion was  made  to  facilitate  suturing  the  ends  ot  nerves  and 
tendons  in  a  large  wound  ( Oarz.  Med,  1886,  Feb.  27. ) 


^m^ 


AMERICAN  INSTITUTE. 


WEDNESDAY:   EVENING   SESSION. 

The  Eeport  of  the  Bureau  of   Surgery  was  taken  up. 

The  subject  for  the  Bureau  was  "Inguinal  and  Femoral 
Hernia." 

Dr.  W.  Tod  Helmuth,  of  New  York  City,  being  absent, 
his  paper  entitled 

INGUINAL  AND  FEMORAL  HERNIA 

was  read  in  abstract  by  Dr.  I.  T.  Talbot,  of  Boston,  the 
Chairman  of  the  Bureau.  The  author  reviewed  the  fre- 
quency of  hernia,  showing  that  according  to  Malgaigne, 
the  number  of  males  suffering  from  it  is  one  in  thirteen, 
and  of  females,  one  in  fifty-two.  The  figures  showing  the 
relative  frequency  of  the  different  varieties  of  rupture  also 
indicate  the  far  greater  frequency  of  oblique  inguinal  than 
of  any  of  the  other  forms  of  the  protrusion.  The  reports 
from  the  Surgeon-General's  office,  in  this  respect,  are  in- 
structive. Out  of  334,321  recruits  examined  for  army  ad- 
mission, no  less  than  17,296  were  rejected  for  hernia,  in 
one  form  or  another,  showing  a  ratio  of  about  fifty  per 
thousand;  and  this  percentage  may  be  considered  a  toler- 
ably fair  estimate  of  the  relative  frequency  of  hernia  among 
the  laboring  classes.    Of  these,  the  right  inguinal  are  by 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

far  the  moat  numerous,  being  8598;  the  next  in  order  is  tLe 
left  inguinal,  whicli  numbered  5420;  the  double  inguinal, 
1166;  thuB  making  the  number  of  cases  of  inguinal  hernia, 
single  and  double,  16,178,  out  of  17,296,  If  we  also  take 
into  Gonsidei'ation  that  from  the  total  must  be  deducted  651 
cases  of  unspecified  hernia,  the  immense  proportion  of  in- 
guinal over  every  other  variety  of  rupture  can  at  once  be 
■ceived. 

However  inci'edible  or  strange  it  may  seem,  yet  I  am 
convinced  that  operations  have  been  performed,  by  the  in- 
formation obtained  from  books  only,  without  any  previous 
anatomical  knowledge,  any  practice  on  dead  bodies,  and 
hai-dly  any,  if  any,  opiwrtunities  of  seeing  any  operations 
performed  by  others  ou  the  living;  how  grossly  must  such 
an  operator  be  deceived,  on  account  of  the  rings,  as  they 
are  usually  but  absurdly  called,  of  the  abdominal  mascles," 

r«tc. 

One  point  is  deserving  of  consideration  in  this  connec- 
tioD,  and  that  is  the  relatiou  of  the  epigastric  artery  to  both 
the  external  and  internal  ring,  a  second  being  also  the  rel- 
ative position  of  the  same  artery  to  the  crural  canal. 

Treating  of  the  diagnosis  of  hernia.  Dr.  Helmuth  said 
that  he  knew  of  no  easier  problem  than  the  recognition  of 
uncomplicated  cases  of  oblique  inguinal  hernia;  and  yet 
he  considered  that  there  is  nothing  more  difficult  than  the 
diagnosis  of  a  complicated  rupture.  In  making  his  diag- 
nosis of  inguinal  hernia  the  surgeon  is  required  to  distin- 
guish between  the  direct  and  oblique  varieties,  and  also  to 
make  the  distinctions  between  these  and  certain  otlier  re- 
ducible swellings,  of  which  he  mentioned  congenital  hydro- 
cele, hydrocele  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  cord,  and  vari- 
cocele. Certain  irreducible  swellings  can  be  confounded 
with  inguinal  hernia.  These  are  abscess,  hsematocele,  sar- 
cocele,  enlarged  inguinal  glands,  ordinary  hydrocele,  and 
undescended  testicle.  The  conditions  simidating  femoral 
hernia  were  stated  to  be  lipomata  below  the  groin,  the 
pointing  of  a  psoas  abscess,  varis  of  the  saphena  vein,  and 
enlarged  glands.  Besides  these  points,  there  are  extraor- 
dinary cases  occurring  from  time  to  time  which  require 


1886  American  Institute.  143 

diagnosis,  and  which  may  occur  in  the  experience  of  every 
practitioner.  The  author  then  related  a  very  unique  case 
of  hernia.  The  patient  was  a  clerk.  In  endeavoring  to 
lift  a  trunk,  he  felt  something  give  way.  This  was  fol- 
lowed by  severe  pain,  sense  of  faintness,  vomiting,  and 
collapse.  Upon  examiniDg  the  parts,  the  left  side  was 
enormously  distended  and  had  turned  grayish-blue.  The 
general  condition  of  the  patient  pointed  to  strangulated 
hernia.  The  gut  was  readily  restored,  but  protruded  again 
at  once.  On  invaginating  the  scrotum,  it  was  found  to  pass 
up  into  the  abdomen.  After  returning  the  gut,  the  patient 
did  not  vomit,  but  the  scrotum  got  no  smaller.  The  canal 
was  more  open  than  usual.  The  next  night  every  symptom 
of  the  patient  was  worse,  and  an  operation  became  neces- 
sary. At  the  first  cut,  there  followed  a  flow  of  bloody 
serum;  and  upon  continuing  the  dissection.  Dr.  Helmuth 
came  upon  the  intestine  in  the  canal.  It  was  readily  re- 
placed, but  was  retained  with  difficulty;  but  he  conld  not 
find  the  testicle.  The  next  day  the  patient  died,  with  all 
the  symptoms  of  intestinal  obstruction.  An  autopsy  was 
made.  The  intestines  appeared  healthy  on  superficial  ex- 
amination. The  secret  lay  in  the  following:  The  right 
testicle  had  taken  the  opposite  course  to  the  normal,  and 
had  taken  with  it  a  pouch  of  peritoneum,  and  had  gone 
behind  the  iliacus  intemus,  and  there  it  was  found  with  a 
rudimentary  cord  extending  over  the  roof  of  the  bladder, 
and  cramped  between  the  cord  and  the  bladder  was  a  small 
knuckle  of  intestine  which  was  gangrenous. 

Besides  the  retained  testicle,  it  must  be  remembered  that 
other  organs  may  lodge  in  the  inguinal  canal  and  give  rise 
to  a  protrusion  that  may  be  difficult  to  diagnose.  Dr.  E.  C. 
Wendt  mentions  the  case  of  an  old  woman,  aged  eighty- 
five,  who  had  died  of  various  senile  disorders,  who  had 
worn  a  truss  for  years  for  a  supposed  inguinal  hernia;  the 
post-mortem  examination  revealed  the  right  kidney  in  the 
canal,  a  portion  protruding  externally,  with  a  short  ureter, 
no  pelvis,  and  connected  by  a  firm  fibrous  band  to  the 
uterus. 

It  is  not  well,  either,  to  neglect  the  examination  of  ap- 


1144 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Aug. 


parently  trivial  cases,  for  hernia  in  some  instances  may  be 
mistaken  for  simple  orchitis;  and  a  no  less  (iistinguisLetl 
surgeon  than  Dr.  Valentine  Mott  plainly  stated  that  he  was 
willing  to  stake  his  surgical  reputation  in  a  case  prei^onted 
to  him  by  Dr.  Post,  of  New  York,  that  the  patient  was 

I  suffering  from  a  traumatic  orchitis,  when,  as  the  result 
proved,  be  had  a  large  knuckle  of   intestine  within  the 
scrotum.     And  a  still  more  remarkable  case  is  reported  by 
Togt,  in  which  there  was  a  hernia  of  the  stomach  into  the 
Scrotum. 
It  was  the  opinion  of  the  author  that  taxis,  in  the  major- 
ity of  cases,  is  overdone,  and  jwrformed  often  too  roughly; 
that  instead  of  lestoring  the  intestine  to  its  place,  it  fre- 
quently excites  so  much  additional  inHammation  that  fur- 
ther strangulation  takes  place,  and  the  life  of  the  patient 
is  additionally  imperiled.     The  proper  pressure  to  be  made 
should  be  inversrly  to  the  course  of  the  gut  in  Us  descent, 
and  in  the  majority  of  cases  the  limb  should  be  so  flexed 
that  those  poipts  at  which  stricture  is  most  likely  to  be 
t  discovered  will  be  relaxed.     This  appears  to  be  the  proper 
I  theoretical  course  to  pursue;  and  yet  sometimes,  after  this 
method  has  been  perseveringly  tried  without  any  effect,  by 
k  standing  the  patient  straight  up  against  the  wall,  and  mak- 
[  ing  the  rings  tense,  the  gut  has  been  known  to  slip  beneath 
mthe  margins  of  the  openings  more  readily  than  when  they 
■"Were  relaxed.     The  complete  inversion  of  the  patient  has 
ptieen  found  very  effectual,  and  in  some  cases,  by  the  sur- 
jeon  kneeling  upon  the  bed,  taking  the  patient  beneath  the 
■knees,  spreading  the  legs  wide,  and  drawing  the  body  of 
the  patient  upward  upon  the  person  of  the  surgeon,  the 
:ut  will  slip  into  its  place.     Many  are  the  expedients  that 
ive  to  be  adopted  by  the  surgeon  in  endeavoring  to  re- 
[dace  the  intestine,  but  in  all  of  them,  too  much  handling 
[  the  gut  cannot  be  too  strongly  deprecated. 
Sometimes,  after  maoipulation,  it  is  well  to  desist  for  a 
Few  hours,  make  hot  applications  to  the  parts,  raise  the 
■Joot  of  the  bed,  and  administer  Nux  vomica,  Veratrum,  or 
■.Arsenicum,  before  a  renewal  of  the  attempts  be  made. 

"  There  is  a  very  important  axiom  that  from  my  experi- 


1886  American  Institute.  145 

ence  I  can  adduce,  and  it  is  this:  After  the  strangulation 
of  a  hernia  has  been  entirely  relieved  by  operation,  and 
the  gut  returned  into  the  abdominal  cavity,  stercoraceous 
vomiting  may  continue  and  occur  several  times,  thus  giving 
great  anxiety  to  the  practitioner  regarding  the  thorough- 
ness of  his  operation.  In  such  cases  the  stercoraceous 
matter  must  have  been  in  the  stomach  and  duodenum  prior 
to  or  during  the  operation." 

The  paper  treated  of  the  various  methods  for  the  radical 
cure  of  hernia,  in  most  of  which  the  patient  is  required  to 
wear  the  truss,  if  not  for  the  remainder  of  his  life,  for  a 
very  considerable  time,  so  that  these  plans  are  not  by  any 
means  as  satisfactory  as  we  are  often  led  to  believe.  The 
author  thought  the  truss,  properly  applied,  would  in  many 
instances  radically  cure  a  hernia. 

Dr.  G.  A.  Hall,  of  Chicago,  followed  Dr.  Helmuth  with 
a  paper  on  the  same  subject  He  mentioned  his  personal 
experience,  a  somewhat*  remarkable  one.  In  his  practice 
he  had  met  with  a  larger  number  of  cases  affecting  the  left 
side,  which  is  contrary  to  general  experience.  Every  prac- 
titioner, he  said,  should  post  himself  on  the  anatomy  of 
hernia,  and  be  able  to  differentiate  the  various  forms  of 
hernia.  As  a  rule,  it  will  be  found  that  not  more  than  one 
case  in  a  hundred  coming  to  the  specialist,  has  previously 
been  correctly  diagnosed.  He  justly  condemned  the  slip- 
shod method  of  sending  patients  to  drug-stores  for  trusses, 
as  such  a  procedure  was  a  risk  both  on  the  part  of  physi- 
cian, druggist,  and  patient  Of  all  the  operations  for  the 
radical  cure  of  hernia,  he  favored  that  by  cutting.  The 
injecting  process,  he  said,  would  fail  in  sixty  per  cent  of 
the  cases.  He  thought  it  better  to  operate  than  to  use  per- 
sistent taxis,  as  inflammation  from  that  cause  is  one  of  the 
greatest  stumbling-blocks  after  the  operation.  He  would 
operate  on  any  patient  in  perfect  health  who  was  under  the 
age  of  eighty-five.  He  then  gave  the  following  statistics 
of  his  experience  with  hernia: 

Total  number  of  cases, 384 

Inguinal  hernia, 357 

Femoral      " 27 

J 


146  The  Medical  Advance,  Aug. 

Inguinal      **     right  side, 169 

"      left      " 188 

Femoral      "      right    " 12 

"      left       " 15 

Inguinal      **      in  men, 353 

"            "     in  women, 4 

Femoral      "     in  men, 6 

"            "      in  women, 21 

Operations  for  non-strangulated  inguinal  hernia  by 

cutting, 213 

Reported  cured, 186 

Not  reported, 11 

Not  cured, 13 

Died, 3 

One  of  the  three  who  died,  was  a  physician  who  came 

to  him  a  stranger,  and  who  was  an  habitual  drunkard. 

Gangrene  set  in,  and  caused  his  death.     In  another  case 

there  was  an  undescended  testicle.    This  patient  died  from 

improper  nursing. 

Operations  for  strangulated  inguina]  hernia,   .       .  29 

Cured, 18 

Died, 11 

Operations  for  non-strangulated  femoral  hernia,    .  22 

Cured, 22 

Operations  for  strangulated  femoral  hernia,    .       .  5 

Cured, 3 

Died, 2 

Dr.  Charles  E.  Walton,  of  Hamilton,  Ohio,  next  read  a 
paper  on  "  The  Diagnosis  and  Statistics  of  Hernia." 

A  paper  by  Dr.  M.  O.  Terry,  of  Utica,  N.  T.,  on  "  Tumors 
Likely  to  be  Confounded  with  Hernia,"  was  read  by  title 
and  referred  for  publication. 

DISCUSSION. 

Dr.  Jno.  E.  James,  of  Philadelphia,  reported  one  case 
on  the  subject  of  hernia  that  was  very  obscure.  The  pa- 
tient was  a  lady  about  sixty-two  years  of  age.  She  was 
taken  with  severe  pain  in  the  region  of  the  liver.  A  phy- 
sician was  summoned.  She  had  an  old  hernia  on  the  right 
side.  About  three  weeks  afterwards  she  sent  for  her  phy- 
sician again;  he  found  a  tumor  in  the  right  inguinal  re- 
gion, that  he  diagnosed  as  the  old  hernia  with  strangula- 
tion.   He  gently  applied  taxis.     The  following  day  Dr. 


1886  American  Ifisliliile,  147 

James  was  summoned  in  consultation;  foiind  thf)  tiimrir 
greatly  inflamed,  the  redness  extending  t^)  tluj  livor.  Thfifft 
was  a  doughy-like  feel  to  the  outer  tissues,  liut  a  hardness 
nndemeath.  She  had  been  vomiting  for  forty-eight  hours. 
He  was  unwilling  to  risk  a  diagnosis  without  an  iricJHion. 
He  operated,  and  found  a  fluctuating  tumor,  which  he  in- 
cised, and  there  issued  blcKKl,  serum,  and  thick,  grumous 
pus  in  quantity.  On  inserting  his  finger  into  the  mu:,  he 
found  it  extended  towards  the  liver,  hut  there  wan  no  iter- 
nia.  He  could  not  prol>e  to  the  Uittrjni  of  tJie  n/t/:.  Ut9 
treated  it  as  he  would  an  ojif;n  wound.  All  Mympt/jni^  of 
strangulation  passed  away.  On  the  fourth  Jay  th<:  rrliurii/:- 
ter  of  the  discharge  changed.  Tli^^re  appfTunTd  in  it  >:nj/ill 
seeds,  and  it  was  discolored  by  s/^me  fruit  i-.he  lia/J  tzftUztt. 
She  continued  to  pa-js  hemi-fluid  f;*rcal  niatt>:r  for  >//rfje 
weeks,  until  he  l^^t  sight  of  hr-r,  her  U^welv.  moving  natur- 
ally. -  His  diagri^/sii?  was  al/s/;e*-nof  the  liv<:r  occu joying  the 
old  hernial  *ac. 

Dr.  J.  H.  Mcri*:!knd,  of  Pitt-.burgh,  ^M  n/.t  think  it  the 
experience  of  r^xru/^^rir  generally  that  the  tru>.i-.  al//ne  will 
cure  hernia.  Hr%ir/y  '•.x;,r^'/'^'jl  sk  \th*  of/inion  that  it  m 
the  province  of  t^e  i/:.\r'.rlhgi  V)  l'y,k  tifU-.r  th<r  msiiU-.t  *J 
adapting  trrLT-^r?-,  ;t-.  %  '^/,,ti%  of  fja/arri'/unt  ttttif*itititt*:i',. 
Hence  all  jjT^rAViOr.^r'.  -:.o-*>i  hav«:  w^-lj  'h'hn<:'l  itnnniAtz-A 
to  guide  tL-:r-  ::.  r:.r  Ti-.^h'^i.f,:.  of  tfui-.i-.^-::  in  fn:;  i-ii^rn. 
enoe.  no  tr:Lrr  ^r  ',f  "-Vi.  ,<:  ,:.  >,:,-,-  u*iiu\t^-t  *if  tinMA  t)iat  *]/,«•»■. 

not    p^ftVy/  i?  ::.>    f-r^-r-'-:       >.    .'.'.^.J.«;:>/]':    l,«/k     tijat    '-//nri<-/;U 

the  j^  ■»'>.:.  :;.'  '.«i*    s  -»*.  ;,Tif*-:r<  *,:.<.  frXtt  u  iiiii\\i-n\,U-  Ku/ 
affair.  ■■L: ':;.  v > .-, r  * • . . .  5>, •* ;. «r •   ,v, ;;/;,':  ^ ^   \  t  f*-  of  f  .n,*  it, 

nati       Tr.-=:  r ;.  -.   ;  -  .    /.  ;•   '.*%  •     •»  <.-:    ;:. >...«: .-j  o;  <  ,     ^/ . « /.   ;,   *l'rA,,r.   i:\ 
thchZLrTL':  V.  * ;.  r  ;>^  -     '. '.  -  '.  *   vi  ;. , '. ;.    n  i; .-.  ;;    .: ', . . ;.  y    „  ,, ,»  ,.  y^.  , , 

the  p5s.l  %.:!   V ;.  v  >  .• .   <  -.  -,   .  -,  w >.,•  •:   ;. •  *  .-=.-  ,r    , , , -    •• ., ,. »    „ .,  ,  .^ 

■  r 


k  > «   4 


.J 


rtiii'/C  ',f  ■.•:a*v.'  '  :*    '  4'.  v^',  o.v 


;..'   -vv  •.4\-fi/.   -..XA 


146  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

Inguinal      ''      right  side, 169 

"      left       " 188 

Femoral      "      right    " 12 

•*      left       " 15 

Inguinal      **      in  men, 353 

**  "      in  women .4 

Femoral      "     in  men, 6 

"            "      in  women, 21 

Operations  for  non-strangulated  inguinal  hernia  by 

cutting, 213 

Reported  cured, 186 

Not  reported, 11 

Not  cured, 13 

Died, 3 

One  of  the  three  who  died,  was  a  physician  who  came 

to  him  a  stranger,  and  who  was  an  habitual  drunkard. 

Gangrene  set  in,  and  caused  his  death.     In  another  case 

there  was  an  undescended  testicle.    This  patient  died  from 

improper  nursing. 

Operations  for  strangulated  inguina]  hernia,   .       .  29 

Cured, 18 

Died, 11 

Operations  for  non-strangulated  femoral  hernia,    .  22 

Cured, 22 

Operations  for  strangulated  femoral  hernia,    .       .  5 

Cured, 3 

Died, 2 

Dr.  Charles  E.  Walton,  of  Hamilton,  Ohio,  next  read  a 
paper  on  "  The  Diagnosis  and  Statistics  of  Hernia." 

A  paper  by  Dr.  M.  O.  Terry,  of  Utica,  N.  Y.,  on  "  Tumors 
Likely  to  be  Confounded  with  Hernia,"  was  read  by  title 
and  referred  for  publication. 

DISCUSSION. 

Dr.  Jno.  E.  James,  of  Philadelphia,  reported  one  case 
on  the  subject  of  hernia  that  was  very  obscure.  The  pa- 
tient was  a  lady  about  sixty-two  years  of  age.  She  was 
taken  with  severe  pain  in  the  region  of  the  liver.  A  phy- 
sician was  summoned.  She  had  an  old  hernia  on  the  right 
side.  About  three  weeks  afterwards  she  sent  for  her  phy- 
sician again;  he  found  a  tumor  in  the  right  inguinal  re- 
gion, that  he  diagnosed  as  the  old  hernia  with  strangula- 
tion.   He  gently  applied  taxis.     The  following  day  Dr. 


1886  American  Institute.  147 

James  was  summoned  in  consnltation;  found  the  tumor 
greatly  inflamed,  the  redness  extending  to  the  liver.  There 
was  a  doughy-like  feel  to  the  outer  tissues,  but  a  hardness 
underneath.  She  had  been  vomiting  for  forty-eight  hours. 
He  was  unwilling  to  risk  a  diagnosis  without  an  incision. 
He  operated,  and  found  a  fluctuating  tumor,  which  he  in- 
cised, and  there  issued  blood,  serum,  and  thick,  grumous 
pus  in  quantity.  On  inserting  his  finger  into  the  sac,  he 
found  it  extended  towards  the  liver,  but  there  was  no  her- 
nia. He  could  not  probe  to  the  bottom  of  the  sac.  He 
treated  it  as  he  would  an  open  wound.  All  symptoms  of 
strangulation  passed  away.  On  the  fourth  day  the  charac- 
ter of  the  discharge  changed  There  appeared  in  it  small 
seeds,  and  it  was  discolored  by  some  fruit  she  had  eaten. 
She  continued  to  pass  semi-fluid  faecal  matter  for  some 
weeks,  until  he  lost  sight  of  her,  her  bowels  moving  natur- 
ally. •  His  diagnosis  was  abscess  of  the  liver  occupying  the 
old  hernial  sac. 

Dr.  J.  H.  McClelland,  of  Pittsburgh,  did  not  think  it  the 
experience  of  surgeons  generally  that  the  truss  alone  will 
cure  hernia.  He  also  expressed  as  his  opinion  that  it  is 
the  province  of  the  physician  to  look  after  the  matter  of 
adapting  trusses,  as  a  point  of  paramount  importance. 
Hence  all  practitioners  should  have  well-defined  principles 
to  guide  them  in  the  selection  of  trusses.  In  his  experi- 
ence, no  truss  is  of  value  in  any  number  of  cases  that  does 
not  possess  this  feature — a  malleable  neck  that  connects 
the  pad  with  the  bar;  but  prefers  one  with  a  malleable  bar. 
Eecently  he  had  come  across  a  truss,  a  very  unpretentious 
affair,  which  went  still  farther,  made  by  Frye,  of  Cincin- 
nati. The  encircling  bar  was  malleable,  with  a  double  at- 
tachment to  the  pad,  one  of  which  was  a  spring  which  gave 
the  pad  an  upward  and  inward  pressure  like  that  which 
would  be  made  by  the  fingers  if  holding  a  hernia  in  place. 
The  instrument  is  both  simple  and  cheap. 

Dr.  N.  Schneider,  of  Cleveland,  said  that  in  operating 
for  strangulated  hernia,  the  ring  should  be  closed  thor- 
oughly, so  that  a  return  of  the  trouble  can  be  prevented. 
His  method  of  operating  is  an  old  one;  he  cuts  down  upon 


I 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

the  hernia,  opens  the  canal,  and  returns  the  gnt  It  is  not 
necessary  to  open  the  sac.  He  ligates  the  sack  at  its  neck 
with  antiseptic  ligature,  either  catgut  or  silk  threat!,  cuts 
off  the  sac,  and  drops  it  into  the  perit<ineal  cavity ;  he  leaves 
nothing  in  the  ring  at  all.  He  then  freshens  the  borders 
of  the  ring,  and  unites  by  sutures.  After  this  operation 
the  patient  is  not  likely  to  have  a  return  of  tlie  hernia. 

Dr.  W.  L.  Jackaon,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  said  that  in  some 
cases  of  recent  hernia  in  which  tasia  had  failed,  the  appli- 
cation of  heat  to  the  parts  and  elevation  of  the  hips  might 
be  successful.  He  had  succeeded  in  relieving  a  few  cases 
in  this  way. 

Dr.  Haywood,  of  Taunton,  Mass.,  related  a  ease  of  stran- 
gulated hernia  in  a  man  aged  80.  The  patient  liati  i>eri- 
Oarditis,  and  could  not  be  placed  on  his  back,  and  could  not 
take  an  annosthetic;  he  already  had  stcrcoraceous  vomiting. 
His  face  and  extremities  were  cold,  his  countenance  was 
pinched;  it  was  apparently  evident  that  he  could  live  but 
a  few  hours.  Dr.  Haywood  therefore  gave  him  the  choice 
of  the  risk  from  operation,  risk  of  an  amesthetic,  or  of 
death.  He  chose  the  latter.  His  symjitoms  indicated  Nux, 
He  was  unable  to  retain  anything,  either  liquid  or  solid; 
he  had  a  constant  feeling  of  distress  in  bis  stomach,  and  a 
feeling  as  of  a  stone  in  his  stomach,  not  in  the  bowels.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  hours  after  taking  the  Nux,  the  nausea 
ceased,  and  in  the  next  twenty-four  hours  the  hernia  re- 
duced itself.  The  patient  during  this  time  was  unable  to 
assume  any  ]K>sition  except  the  erect. 

Dr.  M.  D.  Youngman,  of  Atlantic  City,  said  that  he  had 
had  a  very  successful  experience  with  Ether  in  the  treat- 
ment of  strangulated  hernia.  He  applied  absorbent  cotton, 
saturated  with  the  drug,  over  the  hernia,  and  re-applied 
the  Ether  at  sufficiently  close  intervals  to  maintain  con- 
stant saturation  of  Eind  evaporation  from  the  cotton.  This 
must  be  kept  up  for  a  long  time.  His  friend.  Dr.  Fiske,  of 
Brooklyn,  bad  also  been  successful  vrith  the  local  use  of 
Ether  in  hernia. 

Dr.  Jno.  C  Morgan  said  that  the  same  remarks  that  he 
made  the  day  before  concerning  the  spiral  direction  in  re- 


1886  American  Institute.  149 

placement  of  other  viscera,  applied  also  to  hernia.  He 
remarked  that  the  pain  in  strangulated  hernia  is  not  in  the 
tamor  itself,  but  generally  in  the  region  of  the  umbilicus. 
He  also  related  a  case  of  intestinal  obstruction  from  pelvic 
thrombus,  which  was  reported  in  the  Hahnemannian 
Mo7iihly  for  March,  1886. 

A  paper  by  Dr.  Horace  Packard,  of  Boston,  entitled 
"  A  Synopsis  of  Fifty  Operations  for  Hernia,"  was  read 
by  title  and  referred. 

Dr.  E.  H.  Pratt,  of  Chicago,  read  a  paper  on  "  Orificial 
Surgery  in  its  Relations  to  Chronic  Diseases." 


tm 


Parvinu. — Dr.  Theophilus  Parvin,  of  Philadelphia,  in  a 
recent  clinical  lecture,  is  reported  as  saying:  "It  would 
hardly  do  to  advise  a  woman  whose  disease  was  due  to  ex- 
cessive indulgence  to  try  matrimony  as  a  remedy;  this 
would  be  homoeopathic,  but  it  would  hardly  be  calculated 
to  cure  the  disease."  This  style  of  comparison  is  so  com- 
mon in  their  journals  that  it  would  seem  that  at  least  ninety 
per  cent,  of  AUopathists  are  utterly  ignorant  of  the  homoeo- 
pathic theory.  "What  ignorance,  and  so  many  public 
schools."  A.  F.  Randall,  M.  D. 


^0^ 


Cerebral  Apoplexy. — One  day  last  week  I  sent  your 
secretary  a  short  communication  regarding  two  sudden 
deaths  and  their  j^ost-niortem  revelations. 

Yesterday,  January  25,  it  was  my  fortune  to  meet  with 

another,  as  follows:  Mrs.  T.,  widow;  age  forty-nine;  music 

teacher;  in  fair  health,  so  far  as  they  knew;  spare,  not 
fleshy  or  full-blooded  person. 

She  was  standing  in  ordinary  conversation  with  a  neigh- 
bor. All  at  once  she  exclaimed,  "Oh!  my  head"  (partially 
indicating  with  the  left  hand  that  side  of  the  head),  and 
sank  to  the  floor  as  in  syncope,  the  lady  supporting  her  as 
she  fell.  I  saw  her  in  two  or  three  minutes,  her  residence 
being  opposite  my  office.  I  placed  her  upon  a  bed,  and 
with  my  ear  to  her  chest  could  hear  for  a  moment  the  last 
fluttering  sounds  of  the  heart,  and  all  was  still.  The  au- 
topsy, three  hours  later,  revealed  a  rupture  of  the  left 
middle  cerebral  artery,  with  a  large  amount  of  extravasated 
fluid  blood.  The  organs  and  viscera  of  thorax  and  abdo- 
men were  all  healthy.     Dr.  Wipple  in  Clinique, 


150  The  Medical  Advance,  Aug. 

MATERIA  MEDICA. 


NOTES  ON  SEPIA. 


H.  C.  ALLEN,  M.  D. 


This  wonderful  anti-psoric  has  a  profound  action  on 
nearly  every  tissue  and  organ  of  the  body,  and  like  most 
remedies  of  its  class  its  medicinal  effect  is  long  lasting — a 
single  dose  being  often  sufficient  for  many  weeks.  It  ap- 
pears to  first  expend  its  energy  upon  the  brain  and  nervous 
system,  thus  deranging  the  life  forces,  or  as  Hahnemann 
termed  it,  the  "vital  force,"  and  thus  producing  organic 
change.  The  tendency  is  to  produce  organic  change  of  tis- 
sue as  first  seen  in  its  effects  on  the  skin,  in  the  well-known 
discolorations,  "yellow-saddle,"  "moth-patches"  as  well 
as  the  characteristic  herpetic  eruptions;  hence  the  ability 
to  cure  the  deeper  and  more  malignant  diseases.  Epithel- 
ial cancer  has  been  reported  by  Dunham  and  others  as 
coming  within  its  healing  influence. 

As  "there  is  nothing  new  under  the  sun"  Sepia  is  not 
by  any  means  a  new  remedy.  For  dysmenorrhoea  and 
other  derangements  of  women  Hippocrates  placed  a  high 
value  upon  it,  and  Galen  likewise  used  it  extensively,  but 
in  what  form  we  are  not  told,  for  atonic  conditions  of  the 
gastro-intestinul  canal.  Notwithstanding  all  this  it  has  not 
yet  found  an  abiding  place  in  the  Pharmacopoeia  of  our  al- 
lopathic brethren,  as  neither  "  Murrill's  Digest  of  Materia 
Medica  and  Pharmacy"  (1883),  nor  the  "Sixth  Decennial 
Bevision  of  the  U.  S.  Pharmacopoeia"  makes  any  mention 
of  it  whatever.  The  chief  explanation  of  this  rejection  is 
probably  due  to  the  fact,  that  in  its  crude  form  as  drugs 
are  usually  compounded  it  has  been  found  to  be  practically 
worthless.  Like  Alumina,  Calcarea,  Carbo  veg.,  Lycoix>- 
dium,  Natrum  mur.  and  Silicea,  the  dominant  school  has 
not  been  able  to  obtain  results  from  Sepia  that  would  war- 
rant its  introduction  into  the  Materia  Medica.  In  our 
school,  for  this  yevy  reason,  many  practitioners  place  little 
reliance  upon  it,  its  action  being  deemed  vague  and  uncer- 


1886  Notes  <m  Sepia.  151 

tain.  In  this  they  are  no  doubt  correct.  Those  of  us  who 
accept  Hahnemann's  law  and  reject  his  dynamic  theory  and 
its  practical  results  in  our  treatment  of  the  sick,  are  not 
very  much  in  advance  of  our  benighted  half-brother  of  the 
other  school.  As  Sepia  is  so  frequently  used  in  alterna- 
tion with  Lachesis  I  want  to  point  out  some  objections  to 
such  practice  based  upon  its  pathogenesis. 

CHARACTERISTICS. 

SEPIA.  LACHESIS. 

Adapted  to  women  of  dark  Suitable  for  women  with,  dark 

hair  and   eyes,  ri^id  muscular  eyes  and  complexion,  or  red  hair 

fibre,  mild   disposition,  but  are  and   freckled,  inclined   to  low 

easily  offended  and  then  are  ir-  spirits,  with  indolent,  choleric, 

ritable  and  often  vehement.  melancholic  temperant. 

Inclined  to  abdominal  adipose.  Thin,  emaciated,  changed  men- 
especially  after  child  bearing.        tally  and  physically  by  effects  of 

disease. 

Climacteric  troubles  especially  Climacteric  troubles  when 
when  based  on  portal  conges-  mental  or  nervous  symptoms 
tion.  predominate. 

Hot  flushes,  sudden  accessions  Hot   flushes,  burning  vertex 

of  heat,  but  followed  by  momen-  headaches,  haemorrhoids,  hsem- 

tary  sweat   and  disposition  to  orrhages,  especially  after  cessa- 

syncope.  tion  of  menstrual  flow. 

Paralytic  affections  of  pelvic  Paretic  symptoms  of  left  side, 
and  abdominal  viscera.  Left- sided  apoplexy. 

Menses:  never  regular,  too  Menses:  regular  as  clock  work, 
early,  too  profuse;  too  late  and  punctual  almost  to  the  hour;  too 
too  scanty.  short,  too  feeble.  Pains  relieved 

by  flow. 

Coldness  on  vertex.  Heat  on  vertex. 

Feet  and  ankles  cold.  Feet,  especially  soles,  burning. 

SKIN. 

Yellow;  face,  conjunctiva,  Bulla\yellow,  purplish  or  dark, 
chest;  yellow  saddle  on  cheeks  from  bloody  serum.  Carbuncle, 
or  across  nose.  Herpes  on  upper    malignant    pustule,  bed   sores 


152  The  Medical  Advance,  Aug. 

parts  of  body,  worse  at  men-    with  dark  or  black  edges.    Ma- 
strual  period.  ligrnancy. 

Prolapsus;  intolerable  bearing  Prolapsus :bearing do wn^abor- 

down  as  if  contents  of  pelvis  like  pains^as  if  every  thing  would 

would   extrude  from  body;  re-  issue  from  vulva.  Uterine  region 

lieved  by  sitting  down  or  cros-  extremely  sensitive  to  touch,can- 

sing  limbs.     Usually  feet  and  not  bear  clothes  to  touch  her. 

ankles  cold.  Constitutional    symptoms    are 

guiding. 

Pains  extend  from  other  parts  Pains  ;neuralgic,tearing,stitch- 

to  back;  are  attended  with  shud-  ing,  pulsating,  burning,  worse 

dering  not  chilliness  and  are  re-  after  sleeping,  and  from  noon  till 

lieved  by  motion  or  pressure.  midnight. 

Sensation  of  ball  in  inner  parts:  Sensation  as  of  worms  crawl- 

during  menses,  pregnancy, lacta-  ing:  in  heels,  bladder,  rectum;— 

tion;withconstipation,diarrhoBa,  of  beating  as  with  little  ham- 

hsemorrhoids,    leucorrhoea    and  mers  in  rectum,  temples,  vertex, 
uterine  affection. 

Worse  at  new  moon,  in  snowy  Worse  in  spring,  during  ex- 
weather,  during  or  before  a  tremesof  heat  or  cold;  suns  rays, 
thunder  storm. 

Worse   on   awakening  when       Worse  after  sleep;  or  the  ag- 
aroused  from  a  deep  sleep, but    gravation  wakens  him  from 
relieved  after  sufficient  sleep.         sleep,  or  he  sleeps  into  the  aggra- 
vation.   A  mental  condition. 

Hsemorrhage;  during  climac-  Haemorrhage;  during  climac- 
teric, pregnancy  especially  fifth  teric;  blood  lumpy,  black  or 
and  seventh  months,  flow  dark  acrid.  Hsemorrhagic  diathesis; 
and  sluggish.  small  wounds  bleed  much. 

Sepia  and  Lachesis  are  incompatible,  and  like  most  ani- 
mal poisons  should  rarely  follow  each  other  and  Jiever  he 
given  together.  A  careful  individualization  would  certainly 
prevent  such  a  catastrophe  for  the  patient,  as  they  are 
rarely  if  ever  indicated  at  such  a  time. 

Each  of  these  polychrest  remedies  has  only  obtained  a 
foothold  in  the  homoeopathic  Materia  Medica  after  a  severe, 
prolonged  and  bitter  contest  against  the  doubts  and  unbe- 


1886  Notes  on  Sepia.  153 

liefs  of  members  of  our  school.  But  they  have  neverthe- 
less come  to  stay. 

HEADACHE. 

In  Vol.  VI,  Medical  Advance,  Dr.  Ockford  reports  the 
following  case: 

Mrs.  L ,  of  nervo-sanguine  temperament,  had  for 

several  years  a  headache  recurring  every  Saturday. 
Thought  it  sometimes  came  from  the  noise  of  her  children 
who  were  home  from  school  that  day;  but  so  sure  as  Satur- 
day came  the  headache  returned;  the  pain  was  of  a  boring 
character  from  within  outwards,  and  was  attended  with 
nausea  and  vomiting.  Binding  the  head  up  tightly  gave 
some  relief  and  if  she  could  get  a  good  sleep  would  awaken 
much  relieved.    Sepia  200,  cured. 

In  Medical  Advance,  Vol.  XV,  pp.  385:  I  was  called 
December  20,  1884,  at  3  a.  m.,  to  visit  a  lady  suffering  with 
a  severe  congestive  headache,  and  requested  to  bring  my 
"hypodermic  syringe  or  chloroform."  As  I  have  no  use 
for  palliatives  and  do  not  use  either,  I  did  not  take  them. 
She  is  forty-six  years  of  age,  of  medium  size,  dark  com- 
plexion, black  hair  and  eyes,  and  except  an  occasional 
headache,  usually  enjoys  good  health.  Menstruation  reg- 
ular, normal;  occurred  two  weeks  ago.  The  present  attack 
was  attributed  to  some  mental  excitement  to  which  she  had 
been  subjected  in  the  afternoon.  The  pain  began  in  the 
evening,  and  thinking  to  obtain  relief  she  retired  early, 
but  from  the  violence  of  attack  was  soon  compelled  to 
leave  the  bed  and  walk  the  floor  to  obtain  relief.  The  pain 
was  pressing,  throbbing,  bursting;  as  if  the  head  was  too 
full;  as  if  it  would  burst  or  force  the  globes  from  the 
orbits.  The  head,  face  and  neck  were  red  and  hot,  and 
the  carotids  throbbed  violently.  The  pain  was  terrible, 
and  she  declared  she  "would become  insane  if  it  continued 
another  hour."  Tlje  only  relief  she  could  obtain  was  by 
pressing  the  sides  of  her  head  with  both  hands  and  tcalk- 
iiig  as  rapidly  as  possible  from  end  to  end  of  a  suite  of 
three  rooms.  The  character  of  the  pain,  the  intense  con- 
gestion of  head,  face,  eyes,  and  the  throbbing  carotids, 
certainly  pointed  to  Belladonna.     But  the  manner  of  ob- 


154  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

taining  relief  from  rapid  motion,  which  was  here  the  most 
uncommon  symptom,  promptly  excluded  that  remedy.  Any 
remedy  that  would  cure  this  case  must  contain  among  its 
totality,  this  peculiar  symptom,  which  is  a  characteristic  of 
Sepia.  A  few  pellets  of  Sepia  200  were  prepared  in  water, 
and  a  teaspoonf  ul  ordered  every  ten  minutes  until  relieved. 
Before  the  time  for  the  third  dose  had  arrived,  she  had  lain 
down  on  the  lounge  and  was  asleep,  and  the  next  day  was 
as  well  as  usual.  Would  the  "hypodermic"  have  done  the 
work  quicker  or  better?  Should  we  not  be  thankful  ior  a 
law  of  cure,  and  does  it  not  pay  to  follow  its  guiding  star? 

EPITHELIAL  CANCER. 

Sepia  produces  swelling  on  lower  lip  with  soreness,  bum- 
ing  and  a  pricking,  slivery  sensation.  Guided  by  these  and 
the  constitutional  symptoms,  Dunham  and  others  were  led 
to  the  employment  of  Sepia  in  the  treatment  of  epithelial 
cancer  of  lower  lip.  Two  cases  cured  by  Sepia  800  are  re- 
ported by  Dunham  as  having  come  within  his  personal 
knowledge. 

Case. — Dunham  says.  Materia  Medica,  Vol.  II,  pp.  147: 
An  epithelial  cancer  far  developed  had  been  excised.  The 
wound  healed  kindly.  After  a  few  months  the  patient  be- 
gan to  emaciate,  and  to  exhibit  every  sign  of  cancer 
cachexia.  Eminent  surgeons  diagnosed  internal  cancer. 
The  decline  was  alarmingly  rapid.  No  hope  of  recovery 
was  entertained.  The  complex  of  symptoms  indicated 
Sepia,  which  was  given,  200,  and  effected  a  complete  and 
rapid  restoration  of  health.  The  health  remains  good  to 
this  day  (ten  years). 

nervous  system. 

Dr.  Hesse  reports  the  following  case  in  The  Advance, 
Vol.  XVI,  pp.  872,  showing  its  profound  action  on  the  ner- 
vous system. 

Mrs.  H ,  a  delicate  brunette  with  pale  face,  consulted 

the  Doctor  on  account  of  spasmodic  shaking  of  the  head. 
The  attacks  begin  suddenly,  and  with  fearful  rapidity  the 
head  is  thrown  to  the  right  and  left  around  its  vertical  axis. 
She  is  perfectly  conscious  during  the  attack,  without  a  par- 


1886  Notes  on  Sepia.  155 

ticipation  of  any  other  part  of  the  body,  lasts  several  min- 
utes and  repeats  itself  several  times  during  the  day,  espe- 
cially after  emotions,  and  she  may  remain  free  from  them 
for  several  days.  After  an  attack  she  feels  prostrated. 
From  childhood  on  she  always  was  nervous,  irritable,  and 
suffered  from  convulsions.  The  shaking  of  the  head  began 
four  years  ago  after  a  fright  and  is  worse  before  or  during 
menses,  from  emotions  and  even  when  she  meets  persons 
disagreeable  to  her.  Appetite  fair,  no  thirst,  diarrhoea  and 
constipation  alternating.  Nights  restless;  cannot  lie  on 
her  back,  throws  herself  about  and  awakens  unrefreshed. 
Much  flatulence  in  the  morning  which  she  relieves  by  gym- 
nastic exercises,  better  towards  evening.  Heavy  atmos- 
phere and  hot  rooms  disagreeable;  heaviness  of  head  in 
foggy  weather  and  before  a  storm.  She  always  feels  rest- 
less, and  cannot  sit  for  a  long  while,  she  must  do  some- 
thing; bites  her  nails,  scratches  her  head  or  pulls  out  hair. 
Menses  regular,  scanty;  during  the  interval  moderate  leu- 
corrhoea.  Hemicrania  and  lightning-like  dizziness.  Can- 
not wear  garters  or  rings,  as  her  extremities  feel  swollen. 
After  the  failure  of  Ignatia  for  a  week  she  received: 

July  2.     Sepia  30,  one  powder  a  week. 

July  16.  After  every  powder,  the  next  morning  a  severe 
paroxysm;  on  the  other  days  only  very  slight  ones;  feels 
encouraged. 

August  4.    No  more  paroxysms,  though  she  menstruated. 

August  17.  A  slight  attack.  She  complains  of  poor 
sleep  and  morning  malaise.     One  powder.  Sepia  200. 

October  12.  Sleeps  better.  During  November  a  severe 
aggravation  followed  from  anxiety  and  continued  nursing 
of  her  sick  family;  but  gradually  she  improved  again  under 
Sepia  200,  but  we  doubt  if  her  predisposition  to  nervous 
aflFections  can  ever  be  entirely  eradicated.  We  find  under 
Sepia: 

"  The  head  jerks  and  twitches  forward  six  or  seven  times 
with  full  consciousness;  in  the  morning,  jerking  of  the 
head  backward  when  rising." 

This  gave  a  valuable  hint  for  its  selection. 


Tlie  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

INTERMITTENT  PETEIl. 
The  paroxyBm  of  the  Sepia  intermittoat  strongly  re- 
ri^mblee  that  of  Arsenic  in  the  mixed,  irregular  uharatiter 
of  its  different  stnges.  As  a  rule  neithpr  stage  is  promi- 
nent nor  well-defined  in  Sepia,  but  is  a  very  good  picture  of 
what  is  known  as  an  undeveloped,  partially  suppressed  or 
"spMiiled  case," — ^or  as  Hahnemann  calls  them  '"cases  of  Cin- 
choniam,"— by  the  useof  Quinine  or  some  other  anti-periodic. 
The  symptoms  are  so  mixed  with  drug  effects  as  not  to  ap- 
pear to  call  tor  any  particular  remedy.  The  complexion  in 
this  class  of  cases  strongly  resembles  that  of  Sepia.  It 
presents  a  sallow,  dirty,  doughy,  sickly  appearance,  and  in 
all  old  cases  of  so-called  "  malarial "  jx)isoning  we  no  doubt 
have  portal  stasis  or  congestion  aa  the  pathological  basis. 
The  abdominal  vessels  iu  both  these  class  of  cases  are  en- 
gorged, and  they  often  find  their  simillimum  in  Sepia.  In 
homoeopathic  practice,  however,  there  is  no  such  thing  as 
"always  will."  There  must  be  some  symptomatic  indica- 
tion in  harmony  with  the  condition  presented  by  the  pa- 
tient, or  the  remedy  will  not,  cannot  act.  In  many  of  these 
oases  a  few  doses  of  Sepia,  high,  will  clear  them  up,  effect 
a  return  of  the  symptoms  of  the  original  paroxysm  so  that 
the  curative  remedy  maybe  readily  selected.  This  class  of 
cases,  in  the  writer's  experience,  are  more  frequently  met 
with  in  the  South  than  the  Sorth,  but  wherever  fouud  and 
correctly  differentiated  gootl  results  will  be  obtained.  Sul- 
phur should  not  be  over-looked  here,  if  the  symptoms  cor- 
respond. 

DI8CD88I0N. 

Dr.  Porter,  I  would  like  to  ask  Dr.  Alien  if  he  honestly 
thinks  that  Sepia,  or  any  other  remedy  in  the  Materia  Med- 
ica,  will  cnre  cancer?  If  we  have  any  remedy  or  remedies 
capable  of  caring  cancer  or  other  malignant  affection  very 
few  raerabers  of  the  profession  have  yet  found  it  out.  For 
one  I  have  it  yet  to  learn.     I  doubt  the  diagnosis,  not  the 

Dr.  Allen.  I  have  found  very  few  writers  iu  our  litera- 
ture, or  in  any  literature,  more  reliable  as  accurate  diagnos- 
ticians than  Dr.  Dunham.     He  would  certainly  be  consid- 


1886  Notes  on  Sepia.  157 

ered  as  good  authority  as  Dr.  Porter  or  myself.  But  Dun- 
ham tells  us  most  emphatically  that,  "the  complex  of 
symptoms  "  presented  by  the  patient  called  for  Sepia,  and 
we  all  know  that  he  prescribed  for  the  patient  and  not  for 
the  cancer.  This  is  just  where  we  so  often  make  our  most 
serious  blunders.  We  prescribe  for  our  diagnosis,  or  the 
diagnosis  of  some  one  else,  and  we  too  often  base  our  prog- 
nosis on  the  treatment  of  the  other  school  instead  of  on 
that  of  Hahnemann.  If  we  would  follow  our  law  of  cure 
in  its  entirety  as  laid  down  by  Hahnemann,  we  would  see 
fewer  cases  of  disease  with  a  malignant  termination.  The 
patient  would  be  cured  before  he  reaches  the  malignant 
line. 

Dr.  Obetz.  This  reminds  me  of  a  case  which  came  into 
my  hands  from  the  old  school  in  the  early  years  of  my 
practice,  when  I  was  fresh  from  college  and  the  Materia 
Medica  teaching  of  Dr.  Barnes.     A  married  woman,  Mrs. 

F ,  a3t.  45,  was  passing  the  climacteric.     Although  she 

had  raised  a  family  she  had  not  been  well  foj  about  17 
years.  There  was  much  general  emaciation;  she  was  un- 
able to  sit  up  the  latter  half  of  the  day.  Had  a  firm,  hard 
tumor  in  each  breast  for  some  time,  attended  with  sharp, 
lancinating  pains.  She  presented  a  sallow,  bleached  ap- 
pearance; yellow  patches  on  the  chest  and  the  "yellow 
saddle"  across  the  nose.  The  totality  of  the  symptoms 
were  covered  by  Sepia,  and  much  to  my  surprise  the  30 
potency  cured  the  case.  It  presented  every  appearance  of 
malignancy  and  had  been  pronounced  malignant  by  other 
physicians.  And  yet,  because  it  was  cured  by  Sepia  30, 1 
never  could  think  the  tumors  were  malignant  The  author- 
ities all  say  the  true  cancer  is  incurable  by  any  internal 
medication. 

Dr.  Porter.  I  think  there  is  just  where  we  make  our 
mistakes.  We  think  it  a  case  of  cancer,  but  it  is  not  Our 
diagnosis  is  faulty.  It  is  a  generally  accepted  fact  that 
after  tissue  change  has  taken  place,  after  the  breaking 
down  has  begun,  there  is  no  remedy  that  will  cure  a  case 
of  cancer. 

Dr.  Allen.    Every  disease,  and  especially  those  pro- 


158  The  Medical  Advance,  Aug. 

foundly  affecting  the  entire  system,  has  its  stages  of  ad- 
vancement distinctly  marked,  and  it  is  possible  that  in 
every  case  of  cancer  there  is  a  line  of  demarkation  between 
malignancy  and  non-malignancy;  a  line  within  which  the 
tumor  is  benign,  and  beyond  which  it  is  malignant  This 
probably  is  equally  true  of  every  fatal  case  of  sickness.  In 
the  cases  of  both  Dr.  Dunham  and  Dr.  Obetz  I  have  no 
doubt  of  the  correctness  of  the  diagnosis,  but  the  homoeo- 
pathic remedy  stayed  the  progress  of  the  affection  and  pre- 
vented what  might  have  been  a  fatal  termination.  How  it 
disheartens  a  physician  to  prescribe  for  what  he  believes  a 
fatal  case,  according  to  his  prognosis.  But  if  he  would 
only  close  his  eyes  to  his  pathology,  diagnosis  and  prog- 
nosis and  rely  on  the  "  totality  of  the  symptoms  "  as  laid 
down  by  Hahnemann,  he  would  often  be  as  agreeably  dis- 
appointed as  was  Dr.  Obetz. — Michigan  State  Society. 


tm 


CHELIDONIUM  IN  NEUROSES. 


J.  A.  BIEGLER,  M.  D.,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 


Mrs.  H.  B.  H .     This  lady  has  been  a  great  sufferer 

from  rheumatism,  of  the  neuralgic  variety,  for  more  than 
ten  years.  She  is  44  years  old,  and  is  now  undergoing  the 
change  of  life;  has  not  menstruated  in  the  past  five  months. 
The  neuralgic  pains  have  been  for  a  few  years  past  more 
constantly  in  the  left  side  of  the  body  than  elsewhere,  and 
more  especially  in  the  chest,  in  the  region  of  the  heart  and 
arm.  She  has  suffered  from  pericarditis,  which  is  to  be 
noticed  by  a  grating  sound  at  the  apex  of  the  heart  There 
is  also  valvular  disease,  and  a  very  feeble  action  of  the 
heart 

This  morning,  June  15th,  1885,  at  7  o'clock  she  was  taken 
suddenly  with  a  very  severe  pain,  which  she  located  in  the 
pit  of  the  stomach,  going  through  to  the  back,  at  about  the 
lower  edge  of  the  scapulae.  The  hands  and  feet  were  icy 
cold.  Bespiration  was  so  painful  that  she  could  ex- 
pand the  chest  to  but  a  slight  extent,  and  frequently  gasped 
for  breath.     Had  a  natural  stool  and  passed  urine  before 


1886  Chelidonium  in  Neuroses.  159 

the  attack.  Vomited  her  breakfast,  which  was  only  a  little 
oatmeal. 

I  could  not  obtain  satisfactory  answers,  for  she  was  in 
agony,  and  gasped  for  breath,  so  that  she  could  not  answer. 
Warm  applications  had  been  made  with  some  relief.  Gave 
Chamomilla  mm.,  of  which  she  received  three  doses  from 
9  o'clock  to  noon,  during  which  time  she  was  comparatively 
easy,  but  not  for  a  moment  free  from  pain.  At  noon  the 
pain  returned  in  its  most  severe  form,  but  she  now  located 
it  more  toward  the  right  of  the  pit  of  the  stomach,  going 
right  through  /o  the  lower  point  of  the  right  shoulder 
blade.  There  is  a  distinct  fan-like  motion  of  the  alee  nasi. 
No  thirst  or  fever.  Gave,  without  looking  up  the  remedies, 
Veratrum  alb.  At  8  o'clock  found  she  had  constant  pain, 
but  for  little  spells  free  from  the  most  severe  form,  so  that 
she  could  lie  down  and  sleep  for  a  few  minutes.  Having 
now  a  better  opportunity  to  question  successfully,  I  found 
that  the  seat  of  pain  had  shifted  from  the  pit  of  the  stomach 
to  directly  over  the  region  of  the  liver  and  passed  through 
to  the  region  of  the  right  kidney.  It  is  a  stitching  and  also 
pressing  pain.  She  now  complains  of  an  ache  or  pain, 
not  severe,  going  from  nape  of  neck  over  the  head  to  fore- 
head. The  fail-like  motion  of  the  wings  of  the  nose  is  very 
marked.  She  feels  better  from  eating  a  crust  of  bread. 
Acute  sensitiveness  or  tenderness  to  touch  over  the  seat  of 
the  pain.  On  looking  over  the  remedies  indicated,  Allen's 
Index  gives  for  pain  in  the  right  hypochondrium,  going 
through  to  the  back,  the  following,  which  are  all,  except 
two  or  three: 

Agaricus,  Calcarea,  Euphrasia,  Camphor,  Drosera,  Graph- 
ites, Natrum  mur.,  Laurooerasus,  Pulsatilla,  and  Chelidon- 
ium, with  pain  starting  from  the  same  point,  but  going 
downward.  Among  these  remedies  Allen  gives  for  Cheli- 
donium, pain  in  neck,  extending  to  forehead  and  occupit 
Hering  gives  for  Chelidonium:  Stomach;  constriction, 
tension  and  sensitiveness  in  pit  of  stomach  and  right  hypo^ 
chondrium.  Feeling  of  anguish  in  pit  of  stonuich,  gnawing, 
grinding painybetter  while  eating."  Hypochondria;  "pains 
Jrom  region  of  liver,  shooting  toward  the  back;  stitches  in 


160  The  Medical  Advance,  Aug. 

region  of  liver;  pressive  pain  in  region  of  liver.  Bheuma- 
tism;  the  least  touch  anywhere  is  exceedingly  painfuV 
Chelidonium  is  the  only  remedy  among  them  that  has  the 
fan-like  motion  of  the  wings  of  tfie  nose,  [Berridge,  Orgaiu 
07i,  Vol.  II,  page  338.]  Chelidonium  mm.  (Swan),  one 
dose  was  given,  followed  by  Sac.  lac.  The  next  morning 
I  could  hardly  get  anything  but  exclamations  from  patient 
and  family,  of  wonder  at  the  decided  and  prompt  relief 
which  the  first  j)owder  gave.  Before  taking  it  she  had  to  be 
moved  from  the  chair  to  the  bed,  which  was  done  with 
great  diflSculty  by  three  persons,  attended  by  the  screams 
of  agony  from  the  patient  Within  one  hour  after  taking 
the  powder  she  was  so  relieved  that  she  could  turn  herself 
and  rise  up  in  bed  without  help.  The  tenderness  to  touch 
continued  for  one  day  after  the  pain  was  relieved,  but  after 
that  it  disappeared  also,  and  without  a  repetition  of  the 
dose.  If  any  verifications  (clinical)  on  Chelidonium  are 
needed  for  the  new  repertory,  it  is  hoped  that  this  case 
may  be  of  service  in  that  direction,  and  this  is  the  princi- 
pal object  in  writing  it  out.  The  most  of  the  symptoms  in 
this  case  are  perhaps  suflSciently  marked  as  confirmed  or 
verified  in  the  Guiding  Symptoms,  others  may  yet  be  im- 
pressed with  more  importance. 


•«•■ 


SYPHILINUM:    COUGH  SYMPTOMS. 


E.  W.  BERRIDGE,  M.  D.  London. 


To  facilitate  the  scientific  use  of  Syphilinum,  I  copy  from 
my  MSS.  all  the  cough  symptoms  which  I  have  been  able 
to  collect  up  to  the  present  time. 

Hard,  constant  cough,  with  thick  yellow,  tasteless  expec- 
toration. 

Dry,  racking  cough,  with  slight  purulent  expectoration 
now  and  then,  caused  by  a  sensation  of  rasping  or  scraping 
in  throat;  always  much  worse  at  night 

Hard  cough,  worse  at  night,  when  it  is  continuous,  pre- 
venting sleep;  white  phlegm  expectorated. 

Expectoration;  muco-purolent,  grayish,  greenish,  green- 
ish-yellow, tasteless. 


1886  Syphilinum:  Cough  Symptoms.  161 

Whooping-cough,  accompanied  by  terrible  vomiting. 

Dry,  sharp,  hacking  cough,  without  expectoration,  but 
with  rawness,  scraping  and  burning  from  fauces  to  stom- 
ach-pit; with  a  whoop  on  inspiration,  and  a  choking  sensa- 
tion from  fauces  to  bifurcation  of  bronchia,  with  great 
mental  distress. 

Cough  and  dyspnoea  come  on  after  mid-day  dinner,  has 
to  fight  for  breath,  feels  as  if  she  would  be  suffocated; 
these  symptoms  last  all  night,  and  at  daybreak  they  get 
better,  and  she  falls  asleep.  (Greatly  improved,  but  not 
cured-) 

Expectoration  without  cough,  quite  clear.  White;  feels 
like  a  round  ball,  and  rushes  into  mouth. 

Cough  worse  lying  on  right  side. 

Cannot  lie  on  right  side,  as  it  causes  a  dry  cough. 

The  provings  of  Syphilinum,  which  are  very  fragmen- 
tary, as  yet  contain  no  cough  symptoms. 

It  will  be  interesting  to  compare  future  provings  and 
clinical  experiences  with  Dr.  Skinner's  case,  so  as  to  ascer- 
tain whether  Syphilinum  was  really  homoeopathic  to  the 
case  from  tlie  first.  Some  of  the  above  symptoms  agree 
with  those  of  this  case,  while  others  do  not  This  compar- 
ison would  also  serve  to  decide  the  point  whether  the  cure 
was  really  due  to  Syphilinum  or  to  Sulphur,  or  to  both. 
Dr.  Skinner  gives  the  symptoms  which  led  him  to  prescribe 
Syphilinum  as  "the  exact  photo  twenty-four  hours  after  the 
dose  of  Sulphur.''  The  prescribing  of  a  new  remedy  so 
soon  after  the  dose  of  Sulphur  necessarily  vitiates  the  re- 
sult, as  the  latter  is  a  long-acting  remedy.  The  ameliora- 
tion at  daybreak  is  a  symptom  strongly  characteristic  of 
Syphilinumy  and  has  not,  so  far,  been  observed  under 
Sulphur;  yet  it  also  belongs  to  Colchicum,  Aurum,  Nux 
vomica  and  Mezereum,  and  may  to  other  remedies. 

With  regard  to  the  change  of  name,  which  Dr.  Skinner 
"means  to  have  effected,"  as  he  desires  the  opinion  of  the 
profession,  I  venture  to  give  mine  for  what  it  is  worth.  In 
my  opinion,  if  a  patient  is  told  he  is  taking  Leusinum,  he 
(or  she)  will  at  once  ask  what  it  is;  and  when  an  explana- 
tion is  refused,  will  at  once  endeavor  to  find  out  by  the 


» 


I ec 


i2  The  Medical  Advance.  -Aug- 

\  of  Bome  one  conversant  with  Latin.     This  might  prove 

awkward.     The  plan  which  I  adopt  is  nevei-  (or  except  for 

some  special  reason)  to  tell  patients  what  they  are  taking; 

it  is  no  business  of  theirs,  and  a  knowledge  of  the  remedy 

often  leads  them  to  its  use  at  an  improper  time  or  in  an 

improper  way.     If  perchance  I  should  ever  prescribe  a 

I  noBode  (which  I  only  do  if  it  is  proved,  or  if  some  reliable 

I  clinical  symptoms  are  known  to  me)  to  any  one  to  whom  I 

li  have  previously  mentioned  the  names  of  the  medicines  I 

Khave  prescribed,  I  simply  tell  them  it  is  a  new  medicine, 

I  the  name  of  which  I  do  not  wish  to  divulge  as  yet  except 

I  to  the  profession. 

A  CASE  FHOM  PRACTICE. 

Q.  H.  CARK,  U.  D .  Onlesburg,  01. 

An  old  doctor  residing  here  had  been  troubled  for  some 
two  or  three  winters  with  an  iniciise  cold  finin  in  both  legs; 
left  one  worse.  It  came  on  every  night  on  lying  down  and 
lasted  all  night,  only  relief  was  by  getting  up  and  walking, 
and  everything  had  failed  to  help.  Magnetic  leggings  had 
afforded  most  relief.  The  trouble  ceased  in  warm  weather. 
He  happened  to  speak  of  it  one  day,  and  I  told  him  I  would 
stop  it.  As  he  wanted  to  try  it,  I  gave  him  one  dose  of 
Syphilinum  mm.,  dry.  He  lost  his  pain  for  sis  or  eight 
weeks,  when  it  returned  in  a  miltler  form,  and  he  received 
one  dose  of  Syphilinum  cmm.,  and  he  has  never  had  it 
since.  Went  all  winter  without  pain.  But  he  said  the  sec- 
ond powder  made  liis  genitals  ache  so  that  he  couldn't  sit 
still,  and  this  continued  for  over  a  month.  He  is  now  con- 
Tinoed  that  you  can  obtain  symptoms  from  imtenciea. 

_j,jAi7/MJifB. — A  lady,  78  years  of  age,  had  suffered  from 
attacks  of  spasmodic  bronchial  asthma  ( ? )  for  25  years. 
The  attack  would  come  on  onli/  at  night  after  lying  dawn, 
or  durimg  a  thunderstorm,  and  produce  the  most  intense 
nervous  insomnia,  entirely  preventing  sleep  for  days  and 
nights  together.  Under  allopathic  treatment,  full  doses  of 
morphine  brought  relief  for  twenty  months.  Ars.  Amb., 
Bell.,  Ipecac,  Nux,  Phos.,  Sulp.,  Op,  high,  and  other  appar- 
ently well  selected  remedies  entirely  failed.  8yph.  cm.  cured. 


1886  Chronic  Catarrh  of  the  Fauces.  163 

CLINICAL  MEDICINE. 


CHRONIC  CATARRH  OF  THE  FAUCES:  NATRUM  PHOS- 

PHORICUM. 


A  Case  flrom  Practiee :  Dr.  H.  Qoullon,  Welm&r.  Populart  Zeitsehrift,  June,  1886. 
Translated  bj  8.  LIUENTHAL,  M.  D.,  New  York. 


This  affection  is  commonly  complicated  with  catarrhal 
states  of  other  mucous  membranes,  especially  of  the  stom- 
ach. One  of  his  patients,  suffering  from  it,  suffered  espe- 
cially at  night  from  vomiting,  breathed  with  open  mouthy 
so  that  the  oral  cavity  was  always  dry;  tongue  always  had 
a  thick,  heavy,  yellow  coating.  This  goldeii-yellow  creamy 
exudation  is  characteristic  of  Natrum  phosphoricum.  A 
dry  cough  with  expectoration  of  tough  mucus  was  relieved 
by  Kali  bichromicum,  but  Natrum  phosphoricum  6th 
cleaned  the  tongue,  removed  the  morbid  acidity  of  the 
stomach,  so  that  he  could  again  digest  ordinary  food.  In 
non-complicated  chronic  catarrh  of  the  fauces  only  Sulphur, 
1st  trituration,  is  needed,  but  where  the  catarrhal  process 
extends  to  the  uvula  and  arch  of  the  fauces,  Mercurius  cor- 
rosivus  2d  cent  trituration  acts  better.  With  these  four 
remedies  many  a  patient  can  be  cured  of  this  chronic  ail- 
ment 

The  Sodium  phosphate  is  one  of  Schuessler's  biochemical 
remedies,  recommended  for  sour  eructations;  vomiting  of 
sour  fluid  or  of  curd-like  masses;  greenish  diarrhoea,  pain 
in  the  bowels,  spasms,  fever  with  acid  symptoms;  con- 
junctivitis with  discharge  that  is  creamy  in  consistence  and 
golden-yellow  in  color,  moist,  golden-yellow  coating  on  the 
ionguCy  palate,  tonsils,  etc.  As  our  own  Farrington  had 
the  remedy  proved  from  the  crude  drug  to  the  highest  po- 
tencies, the  symptoms  can  be  considered  reliable  (Hahne- 
mannian  Moidhly,  12,  172;  Allen's  ^ncjcfopccdia,  VI,  600), 
and  we  read  there:  "81,  worries  about  his  health;  97,  nose 
as  if  full  of  mucus,  and  discharge  is  slight;  pricking  in 
nares,  acute  enough  to  bring  tears  to  the  eyes;  109,  tongue 
dirty  white,  with  dark-brown  centre;  116,  accumulation  of 
mucus  in  throat;   tough,  clear,  white  phlegm  from  poe- 


The  Medical  Adrancc.  Aug. 

terior  iiares;  dropping  of  tliick  yellow  mucus  from  pos- 
terior nnrea;  worse  at  night,  awnkens  him,  he  must  sit  up 
to  clear  his  throat;  129,  eructations  and  alight  regurgita- 
tion of  food;  diarrhcen  with  colicky  paius,  and  much  Sstue; 
232,  irritation  in  throat;  dry,  tickling  cough;  desire  to  take 
long  breath,  as  if  the  room  were  too  close." 

The  Potassium  salts  act  stronger  thau  the  Sodium  salts, 
and  our  neighbors  of  the  other  school  often  prefer  therefore 
the  Sodium  bromide  to  the  Potassium  bromide;  the  Chromic 
Roid  is  an  escharotic  and  its  sphere  of  action  vastly  differ- 
J«it  from  thetoning-upPhosphorus;  hence  Kali biohromieum 
r  school  better  known  and  more  frequently  applied 
Ertban  the  Sodium  phosphate,  which  was  nearly  forgotten  till 
Kposhed  forward  by  Schuessler,  and  if  all  of  bis  tissue  rerae- 
*di6B  have  not  the  stamp  of  authoritative  proving,  it  is  a 
defect,  which  ought  to  be  quickly  removed  and  the  provings 
made,  for  their  curative  value  has  already  beeu  verified  in 
many  a  case.  The  cough  of  Kali  bichromicum  is  painful 
with  difficult  expectoration  (Hepar  couglt  loose  with  easy 
expectoration),  as  the  tough  mucus  adheres  to  the  bronchi, 
causing  wheezing,  whistling  and  loud  rattling  in  the  chest, 
so  that  from  a  larger  deposition  the  adherent  mucus  may 
even  taste  fetid  when  expectorated;  in  color  the  expectora- 
tion is  more  slate-colored  than  golden -ye  How.  In  the  naso- 
pharyngeal catarrh  of  Kali  bichromicum  we  meet  a  ten- 
dency to  ozoena  with  fetid  discharges;  even  caries  of  the 
nasal  hones,  In  its  gastric  symptoms  we  find  more  agree- 
ment, but  again  the  disease  seems  to  be  in  a  more  advanced 
state  for  -Kali  bichromicum  than  for  Natrum  phosphori- 
cum.  Both  have  a  thick  yellow  coating  of  the  tongue,  both 
have  that  feeling  of  emptiness  in  stomach,  not  always  re- 
lieved by  eating;  but  in  Kali  bichromicum  the  food  rests 
in  the  stomach  like  a  heavy  weight  (Abies  nigra),  whereas 
the  Sodium  phosphate  patient  has  pains  and  flatulency 
fi'oni  tliis  emptiness  and  wants  strong  things,  even  Alcohol, 
to  appease  it.  Acidity  is  the  keynote  to  Sodium  phosphate; 
a  dyscrasic  state  stamps  the  Bichromate  as  an  antipsoric. 
When  the  chronic  catarrhal  process  extends  to  the  uvula 
and  fauces,  Goullon  thinks  of  corrosive  Mercury,  and  we 


1886  Rhus  Tox,  in  Diphtheria.  165 

need  not  feel  astonished,  for  there  is  many  an  analogy  be- 
tween the  Mercurials  and  the  Bichromate.  All  the  Mer- 
curials have  constant  dropping  of  muco-pus  from  the  pos- 
terior nares  into  the  throat;  the  discharge  may  be  gluey  or 
watery  and  smelling  like  old  cheese,  but  never  as  tough 
and  stringy  as  we  meet  it  in  the  Bichromate. 

In  con-complicated  chronic  catarrh  of  the  fauces  the  first 
trituration  of  Sulphur  is  all  that  is  needed,  according  to 
GouUon.  [But  the  patient  must  have  the  Sulphur  charac- 
acteristics;  the  name  alone  is  not  sufficient. — Ed.].  Blake- 
ley  (Hoyne's  Therapeutics,  I,  147)  cured  one  case  of  twen- 
ty-five years'  standing  with  one  dose  of  the  55,000th.  Hoyne 
says:  "  Sulphur  will  be  of  frequent  service  in  persons  with 
a  dirty,  greasy  skin,  and  also  in  those  who  perspire  easily. 
The  nose  constantly  feels  obstructed,  and  when  blowing  it 
there  is  but  little  dischargey  although  there  is  more  or  less 
constant  dropping  of  mucus  from  the  posterior  nares,  dry 
ulci?rs  or  scabs  in  the  nose,  with  loss  of  smell  and  taste." 

What  benefit  it  would  be  to  our  patients,  if  this  crux 
medicorum,  chronic  naso-pharyngeal  catarrh  could  be  erad- 
icated with  one  of  these  four  remedies,  for  they  are  easily 
differentiated.  At  any  rate  it  is  worth  while  to  ponder  over 
them,  and  when  they  fail  the  whole  Materia  Medica  will 
still  be  open  to  our  selection. 


<» 


RHUS  TOX.  IN  DIPHTHERIA. 


C.  B.  GILBERT,  M.  U..  Wrtshington,  D.  0. 


March  7,  1886.     Mrs.  W ,  30  years  old,  mother  of  two 

boys,  dark  hair,  has  a  cold  with  headache  which  seemed  to 
indicate  the  epidemic  remedy — Bryonia.  On  the  morning 
of  the  8th  she  had  sore  throat  on  the  left  side  and  ached' 
all  over;  her  grunting  and  fussing  were  extraordinary,  and 
she  said  that  she  always  does  so  when  sick.  Lachesis  was 
given,  but  in  the  evening  was  found  to  have  done  no  good. 
Eh  us  tox.  was  then  substituted,  and  that  night  she  slept 
well ;  and  the  next  morning,  9th,  the  grunting  was  all  gone 
and  slie  was  as  peaceful  as  a  summer  morning.  But — the 
lift  tonsil  teas  covered  icith  a  yellow  dijMheritic  membrane! 


166  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

Was  that  the  disease?  Were  the  bacteria  to  be  annihilated 
with  all  sorts  of  abominable  loccJ  applications,  as  the  dis- 
ease? The  disease  had  been  within,  and  was  now  cast  out 
Let  the  bacteria  (if  such  things  be)  revel  in  their  chosen 
field!  Who  cares?  Certainly  not  the  patient,  for  she  was 
well  Certainly  not  the  Doctor,  for  his  Rhus  tox.  had  cured 
her,  and  was  now  followed  by  the  second  best  remedy  in  the 
Materia  Medica — Saccharum  lactis. 

March  27,  1886.    Miss  L ,  35,  medium  height,  light 

brown  hair,  blue  eyes,  plump  figure,  has  been  showing 
signs  of  suppressed  chills  (malaria)  from  which  she  suf- 
fered last  summer;  has  felt  lazy  and  achey  at  times,  with 
hot  palms;  to-day  she  feels  stiff,  and  aches,  and  feels  like 
going  to  bed;  throat  a  little  sore.     Rhus  tox. 

March  28.  Quite  sick  to-day  (2  p.  m.);  awoke  with  the 
left  tonsil  covered  with  yellow  diphtheritic  membrane  and 
a  large  patch  on  the  right  which  has  not  increased  since 
morning;  has  sharp  pains  first  in  one  joint,  then  in  another, 
with  general  aching  and  tender  surface;  left  tonsil  stiff, 
pulse  84 .  Lachesis,  one  dose.  9  a.  m.  ;  grew  better  through 
the  afternoon,  and  at  6  o'clock  took  another  dose  of  Lach- 
esis, after  which  the  pains  were  worse  for  half  an  hour; 
pulse  now  84,  and  temperature  100° ;  feels  better. 

March  29.  Had  a  little  threatening  of  pain  in  head  and 
joints  last  night,  and  occasionally  awoke  with  thirst;  palms 
hot;  pulse  70.  Sac.  lac,  and  as  membrane  was  disintegra- 
ting, to  gargle  with  tepid  water;  9  p.  m.,  not  feeling  so  well 
Lachesis,  one  dose. 

These  cases  have  been  written  out,  not  to  confirm  any 
symptoms  of  remedies,  but  because  they  go  to  prove,  as  the 
writer  believes,  that  the  diphtheritic  membrane  is  not  the 
disease  called  diphtheria,  nor  even  the  only  evidence  of  it. 

The  first  patient  had  diphtheria  last  summer  and  was 
treated  with  low  potencies,  which  is  well  enough,  but  the 
recurrence  would  seem  to  indicate  that  the  membrane  had 
been  treated  instead  of  the  diseased  patient;  she  was  found 
gargling  the  throat  with  water,  in  which  was  a  little  alco- 
hol, to  relieve  the  dryness;  as  it  produced  no  irritation,  it 
was  allowed. 


1886  Verifications.  167 

The  second  patient  had  scarlet  fever  when  a  child  under 
allopathic  treatment,  and  has  never  been  as  well  since;  this 
was  her  sixth  attack  of  diphtheria,  the  last  interval  being 
about  two  years;  heretofore  gargle  or  swabbing,  every  half 
hour  night  and  day,  has  been  the  treatment,  the  last  time 
swabbing  with  boracic  acid;  she  thinks  she  prefers  to  go  to 
bed  and  sleep  in  peace,  and  her  mother  enjoyed  the  change 
quite  as  much ; — and  all  that  gargling  and  swabbing  was 
done  in  the  name  of  science  by  a  leading  homoeopathic 
physician!  This  patient  was  not  relieved  when  the  mem- 
brane showed  itself;  and  it  is  a  question  whether  Rhus  tox. 
ought  not  to  have  been  repeated — she  only  took  three  doses 
— in  order  that  the  disease  might  all  have  been  thrown  out, 
in  which  case  perhaps  Lachesis  would  not  have  been  re- 
quired. Lachesis  did  no  good  to  the  first  patient,  while 
Rhus  tox.  developed  the  membrane  and  removed  the  total- 
ity of  the  symptoms  which  alone  constitute  the  disease;  in 
the  second  case  though  the  membrane  was  developed  the 
patient  was  not  relieved,  but  was  sicker;  she  did  not  grow 
any  worse,  however,  after  the  morning;  there  is  a  sixong 
probability  that  no  more  medicine  should  have  been  given. 


■<*^ 


VERIFICATIONS. 


S.  E.  CHAPMAN,  M.  D.,  Forest  HUl,  Cal. 


Case  I. — Digitalis.     Was  called  last  January  a  few  miles 

into  the  country  to  see  Eddy  B ,  aged  four  years.     A 

"regular"  of  this  section  had  been  treating  him  a  week  for 
pneumonia.  I  found  him  lying  in  a  deep  slumber,  from 
which  it  required  some  effort  to  arouse  him.  The  skin  was 
cold  and  clammy,  and  there  was  considerable  puffiness 
about  the  eyes.  The  urine  was  scanty  and  passed  with 
great  pain.  The  pulse  was  wondeTiul— forty-eight  per  min- 
ute, striking  the  finger  with  a  force  and  tensiveness  that  I 
never  met  before  nor  since.  Over  the  right  chest  had  been 
applied  by  my  "rational"  predecessor  a  fly  blister  that  ex- 
tended from  the  sternum  to  the  spine,  and  about  five  inches 
wide.     This  enormous  blister  the  doctor  had  ordered  to  be 


The  Medical  Advance.  Aug, 

■left  on  twenty-tour  hours;  and  for  twenty-two  hours  it  was 
PEurtually  allowed  to  remain  there.  The  mother  had  removed 
it  some  twenty-four  hours  before  I  was  cidled.  I  concluded 
that  we  had  a  case  iif  nephritis  from  absorption  of  Can- 
tbaris,  and  the  fast  deepening  sopor  indicated  uremia.  I 
gave  the  mother  an  unfavorable  prognosis,  anil  the  patient 

I  Digitalis  2x,  every  hour;  hot  fomentations  over  the  kid- 
neys, and  sweet  milk  ad  libitum.  I  based  my  prescription 
lOn  that  slow,  non -compressible  pulse. 
Next  morning  I  found  but  little  change,  except  that  the 
quantity  of  urine  passed  was  somewhat  increased.  Pulse 
«lill  48;  treatment  continuetL 
The  following  day  the  pulse  had  risen  to  54  Urinary 
IBecretion  considerably  increased,  and  mental  state  brighter. 
The  case  went  on  rapidly  to  complete  resolution.  Wouhl 
a  high  potency  have  done  as  well,  or  better?  I  really  wish 
I  knew.  I  would  like  to  be  able  to  report  the  temperature, 
but  my  thermometer  at  the  time  was  broken.  I  have  no 
doubt  it  was  eubnormal.  Has  any  reader  of  this  journal 
ever  met  so  slow  a  pulse  in  bo  young  a  patient?  [The  HO  or 
200  would  no  doubt  have  cured  in  lialf  the  time,  but  no 
better.  The  prescriber  will  never  know  till  he  tries.  —Ed,] 
Case  II. — Rhts  iox.  This  was  a  case  of  dysentery;  pa- 
tient two  years  old.  The  passages  were  occurring  once  or 
twice  every  hour,  consisting  mainly  of  blood  and  mucus; 
tenesmus  consideralile.  Thinking  it  a  plain  case  for  Mer- 
eurius  corr.  I  dissolved  a  grain  of  the  3x  trituration  of  that 
remedj'  in  a  glass  of  water,  and  gave  a  teaspoonful  every 
hour.  At  nest  visit  the  patient  appeared  better,  passages 
less  frequent,  but  they  had  changed  in  character,  being  now 
of  a  jelly-like  appearance,  and  totally  devoid  of  smell. 
With  Bsiniue  gravity  I  continued  the  remedy. 

On  my  next  visit  I  found  that  the  child  was  not  bo  well. 

JB  still  like  jelly,  odorless,  more  frequent  after  niid- 

Jiight,  preceded  and  followed  by  much  pain,  with  great 

txestlessnesB.     Bhus  toi.  3x  immediately  relieved  and  cured 

[ihe  case. 

Case  111.— Belladonna.     Our  allopathic  brethren  (and 
lot  a  few  Homceopaths,  I  regret  to  say")  scoff  at  our  syrap- 


1886  Verifications.  169 

tomatology;  but  I  well  remember  a  time  when  I  "took  the 
cake,"  with  nothing  to  guide  me  but  a  symptom  that  was 
much  too  trivial  for  their  consideration.  The  patient  was 
a  three  months  old  babe  that  had  been  screaming  almost 
constantly  for  three  or  four  weeks.  Four  old  school  M.  D.'s 
had  exhausted  their  skill  upon  it.  All  hands  agreed  that 
colic  was  the  "devil"  that  possessed  our  infant  Finally  the 
physician  made  an  important  discovery;  the  mother's  milk 
did  not  agree  with  baby,  yet  the  mother  was  a  healthy, 
robust  woman,  who  had  raised  five  sturdy  youngsters  on 
said  milk.  Baby  was  weaned;  but  the  devil  still  "held  the 
fort,"  I  was  called  as  a  dernier  resort  I  found  the  little 
fellow  very  much  emaciated  and  evidently  nearly  exhausted, 
I  carefully  examined  the  patient,  but  could  not  determine 
the  cause  of  the  trouble. 

The  stools  were  natural  and  the  abdomen  anything  but 
distended.  I  sat  beside  his  cradle  and  watched  him  for  an 
hour.  He  would  lie  quiet  a  few  moments,  apparently 
asleep,  when  he  would  awaken  with  a  scream  and  cry  with 
all  his  might — which  was  but  little — and  after  a  few  mo- 
ments would  cease  as  suddenly  as  he  began,  and  again  fall 
asleep.  This  was  repeated  a  number  of  times  with  toler- 
able regularity.  I  was  told  this  was  the  way  he  had  acted 
from  the  beginning  except  when  under  the  influence  of 
opiates.  "Pains  come  and  go  suddenly."  I  gave  him  Bel- 
ladonna 200.  A  few  moments  after  the  first  dose  he  fell 
asleep,  and  slept  several  hours.  No  further  trouble.  I 
never  knew  what  ailed  the  child,  and  do  not  care. 


^•» 


VERIFICATIONS. 


£.  G.  GRAHK,  M.  D.,  New  Trenton.  Ind. 


Case  I. — Pulsaiilln.  The  experience  of  the  younger 
practitioners  is  no  doubt  often  taken  by  the  older  ones 
with  a  few  grains  of  allowance  for  correctness,  and  yet 
there  is  no  good  reason  why  the  former  should  not  once  in 
a  while  make  "  center  shots  "  as  well  as  the  latter. 

Last  winter  I  was  called  to  see  an  elderly  lady.     Wanted 


170  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

her  husband  to  go  to  Harrison,  Ohio,  six  miles  away,  to  get 
Dr.  Thomas,  their  family  physician.  He  urged  that  she 
have  me  come,  since  I  was  near  at  hand,  and  she  finally 
consented,  saying,  however,  that  she  had  no  faith  in  my 
system. 

Complained  of  pains  above  and  below  the  left  eye,  down 
over  the  cheek,  with  very  severe  stabbing  pains  through 
the  globe  of  the  eye  itself. 

I  thought  of  Spigelia,  which  covers  these  symptoms — 
though  left-sided  prosopalgia  is  also  met  with  in  Aconite. 
Bryonia  has  intense  pressive  pains  in  eye  balls,  but  not 
left-sided  so  far  as  I  know.  But  I  also  thought  of  some- 
thing else.  My  patient  was  a  religious  woman,  yet  melan- 
choly, inclined  to  weep  and  had  the  "mild,  yielding  dispo- 
sition "  of  Pulsatilla. 

I  had  pellets  saturated  with  the  4x,  but  was  afraid  to 
give  her  these,  so  I  put  a  few  drops  of  Pulsatilla  Ix  in  a 
large  glass  of  water  and  after  a  good  stirring  gave  her  a 
teaspoonf  ul.  She  said  it  had  no  taste.  I  told  her  to  never 
mind  the  lack  of  taste,  but  to  take  a  half  teaspoonful  in  half 
an  hour,  then  in  one  hour,  and  increase  the  interval  be- 
tween doses.  The  third  dose  brought  relief,  and  a  few  more 
stopped  the  pains  altogether.  She  wondered  how  so  little 
medicine  could  do  any  good.  Of  course  the  4x  pellets 
would  have  done  just  as  well,  but  I  did  not  want  to  disgust 
her  with  "little  white  pills." 

A  subsequent  attack  was  relieved  by  Pulsatilla  lOx,  on 
disks,  since  which  time  she  has  had  no  more  trouble  and 
has  become  a  convert  to  Homoeopathy,  wondering,  however, 
how  it  is  that  a  doctor  can  cure  disease  by  simply  treating 
a  patient's  disposition. 

Case  11. — Pulsatilla,  My  mother  (76  years)  wrote  to 
ask  if  I  thought  it  advisable  for  her  to  take  some  Sarsa- 
parilla  "/or  the  blood,''  stating  also  that  she  was  troubled 
with  "severe  dizziness,"  forgetting  to  give  any  precise 
symptoms  respecting  the  vertigo.  She  stated,  however,  that 
her  appetite  was  not  just  right,  and  that  she  had  eaten  no 
butter  for  some  time,  used  very  little  lard  in  cooking,  and 
could  not  bear  fat  meats  at  all. 


1886  Verifications.  171 

Folsatilla  has,  '^  stomach  disordered  from  fat  food,''  and, 
what  was  more  likely  than  that  the  vertigo  bore  some  rela- 
tion to  the  stomach  trouble? 

I  put  a  drop  of  Pulsatilla  2x  on  six  powders  of  sugar  of 
milk  and  mailed  them  with  instructions  to  take  one  each 
night  on  going  to  bed,  and  if  she  needed  anything  more  to 
give  me  more  precise  symptoms.  After  taking  three  pow- 
ders  she  wrote  that  she  needed  nothing  more,  "vertigo 
gone  and  able  to  eat  butter  and  fat  meat." 

In  both  of  these  cases,  the  guiding  symptoms  were  char- 
€tcteristics  of  Pulsatilla. 

Case  III. — Chelidonium.     Was  called  one  evening  to  see 

Miss  C ,  aged  20  years.     Complained  of  pain  in  right 

side  of  head — others  running  down  behind  the  ears,  over 
the  shoulders  and  upper  arms — through  the  chest  to  the 
shoulder  blades,  with  a  preference  for  the  right  side. 

While  I  was  hesitating  as  to  the  simillimum,  it  occurred 
to  me  that  I  ask  where  the  pain  was  most  severe  and 
where  it  stopped;  to  which  I  received  the  answer,  "under 
the  lower  part  of  the  right  shoulder  blade." 

T  thought  at  once  of  Chelidonium  majus,  which  has  "pain 
under  inferior  angle  of  right  scapula,  may  extend  into 
chest."  Also  "  pain  in  right  cervical  muscles  and  in  the 
region  of  right  clavicle,  and  further  pressive  pain  in  right 
side  of  head." 

I  put  a  few  drops  of  3x  in  a  half  glass  of  water  and  or- 
dered a  teaspoonf ul  -every  half  hour  to  two  or  three  hours 
according  to  severity  of  symptoms,  until  relieved.  A  few 
doses  were  enough  to  stop  the  whole  trouble.  That  was 
my  second  verification  of  Chelidonium. 


•«a^ 


In  a  meeting  of  the  Boston  Academy  of  Homoeopathic 
Medicine,  April  4,  1859,  the  subject  of  discussion  was 
"Puerperal  Convulsions;"  the  remedies  used  by  the  phy- 
sicians present  were  principally  Belladonna,  Stramonium, 
Opium,  Hyoscyamus;  ether  and  cold  aifusion  were  used  as 
adjuvants.  But  "aH  cases  that  were  ireaied  entirely  on 
homceopathic  principles  recovered.''  See  American  Horn- 
cBopathic  Review,  Vol.  I,  377.  Gilbert. 


172  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

SOCIETIES. 


THE  'HAHXEMA.NNIAN  ASSOCIATION  AT  SxVRATOGA, 

JUNE  24,  25,  26,  1886. 


The  sixth  annual  meeting  was  called  to  order  at  eleven 
o'clock  by  the  President,  H.  C.  Allen,  M.  D.,  who  called 
Vice-President  Rushmore  to  the  chair  and  then  delivered 
the  annual  address.  On  motion  the  address  was  referred 
to  a  committee  consisting  of  Drs.  Butler,  Ballard  and 
Lawton. 

The  Secretary,  Dr.  Custis,  made  his  annual  report,  which 
consisted  of  the  routine  duties  of  his  office,  and  the  resig- 
nation of  two  members,  Drs.  Ostrom  and  Pomeroy. 

The  Treasurer's  report  was  then  read  by  Dr.  Hawley, 
showing  the  commendable  promptness  with  which  members 
had  remitted  their  dues,  and,  after  defraying  all  the  ex- 
penses, leaving  a  balance  in  the  treasury. 

Dr.  Hawley  also  read  a  communication  from  Dr.  Skin- 
ner in  reference  to  an  error  in  his  dues  which  was  referred 
to  the  Board  of  Censors.  The  Treasurer's  report  was 
referred  to  the  Auditing  Committee:  Drs.  Rushmore,  Saw- 
yer and  L.  B.  Wells. 

On  call  for  unfinished  business,  Dr.  Biegler  gave  notice 
of  an  amendment  to  Article  III,  Constitution,  regarding 
qualification  for  membership,  by  erasing  the  words,  "The 
applicant  shall  be  a  graduate  of  a  recognized  medical  col- 
lege," and  substituting  the  words,  "  a  regularly  educated 
physician."  The  question  was  discussed  by  Drs.  Butler, 
Biegler,  Carleton,  Kent  and  Gee,  and  the  amendment  was 
lost. 

The  committee  on  revision  of  the  By-Laws  was,  on 
motion  of  Dr.  Kent,  continued,  and  Dr.  Wesselhoeft  ap- 
pointed to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  death  of  Dr. 
Pearson. 

Letters  of  regi'et  at  unavoidable  absence  were  read  from 
Drs.  Baer,  Foote  and  Hall. 

Dr.  Lee  presented  "A  revision  of  the  platform,"  and,  on 
motion,  it  was  made  the  first  order  of  business  Friday 
morning.  ^ 


1886  The  Hahnemannian  AssociaUatu  173 

Dr.  Butler  moved  that  the  election  of  officers  be  made 
the  special  order  of  business  at  commencement  of  after- 
noon session,  Friday.  The  President  congratulated  the 
members  on  the  progress  which  the  Homoeopathy  of  Hah- 
nemann is  making  in  this  country. 

Dr.  Wells:  "How?" 

Dr.  Allen:  "How  very  few  clinical  reports  you  now  see 
in  our  medical  journals  treated  by  the  alternation  of  rem- 
edies, compared  with  what  was  published  three  or  five 
years  ago.  The  cases  are  not  considered  instructive  by  the 
editors  or  the  contributors,  or  both,  and  consequently  are 
not  published.  There  are  more  enquiries  as  to  how  to 
study  the  Organon  and  Chronic  Diseases^  how  to  practice 
with  the  single  remedy,  and  whose  thirtieths  and  two  hun- 
dredths I  would  recommend-  More  men  are  treating  and 
curing  intermittent  fever  with  the  single  remedy  on  its 
symptomatic  indications  than  ever  before.  On  the  whole, 
there  is  a  brighter  and  a  better  outlook  for  the  future." 

Dr.  Kent,  Chairman  of  the  Bureau  of  Materia  Medica 
and  Provings,  presented  the  following  papers:  "Cyclopoe- 
dia  of  Drug  Pathogenesy,"  by  A.  McNeil,  M.  D. ;  "A  New 
Materia  Medica,"  "  Notes  on  Materia  Medica,"  and  "  Gel- 
semium,"  by  E.  B.  Nash,  M.  D. ;  "  What  is  the  best  method 
of  selecting  the  remedy,"  by  P.  P.  Wells,  M.  D.  This  able 
paper,  which  forms  the  leading  article  in  this  issue,  called 
out  a  very  interesting  and  instructive  discussion.  "Apium 
Graveolens:  A  Proving,"  by  Wm.  P.  Wesselhoeft,  M.  D.; 
"  Potencies  and  Imponderables,"  by  Samuel  Swan,  M.  D. ; 
"Proving  of  Loco,"  (or  Battle  Weed  of  New  Mexico  and 
California)  by  W.  S.  Gee,  M.  D.;  "Verifications,"  by  D.  C. 
McLaren,  M.  D.;  "Notes  on  Vespa  Vulgaris,"  by  J.  E. 
Winans,  M.  D.;  "Apium  Virus,"  by  E.  W.  Sawyer,  M.  D.; 
"  Proving  of  Culex  Musca  "  and  "  Natrum  Sulfuricum,"  by 
the  chairman,  J.  T.  Kent,  M.  D.,  who  read  his  proving  of 
Culex  on  which  he  and  his  associate  provers  had  been  at 
work  for  four  years. 

EVENING  SESSION. 

Called  to  order  at  8  p.  m. 


The  Medical  Advaitce.  Aug. 

On  motion  Dre.  Thomae  Skinner  and  Adolph  Lippe  were 
I  re-instated  to  membership. 

The  Board  of  CenHors  reported  the  following  applica- 
k  iiouB  for  membership; 

Geo,  W.  Cftrr,  Charles  Hoyt,  William  Hoyt,  Wm.  H. 
\  Stover,  Wm.  D.  Cooper,  Geo.  H.  Clark,  A.  H.  Elirman, 
i  Samael  Long,  A.  B.  Knott,  R.  C.  Markbam,  S.  A.  Kimball, 
\  Frank  Powell,  W.  L.  Eeed,  Alice  B.  Campbell,  A.  H.  Schott, 
Ij.  G.  Gundlach,  G.  W.  Sherbino,  J.  H.  Sutfln,  Harlan 
Hitchcock,  eJI  of  whom  were  duly  elected.  A  number  of 
applications  were  deferred,  not  being  made  in  time. 

The  Bureau  of  Materia  Medica  then  continued  its  report, 

I  a  paper  by  Harlan  Hitchcock,  M,  D.,  on  "  High  Potencies 
and  their  Action,"  being  read  by  the  author. 
MORNINO  SESSION. 
The  Erst  business  of  the  morning  session  was  the  revis- 
ion of  the  platform  of  the  association  as  follows: 
The  following  resolutions  completely  and  fully  repreaent  the 
tb^Apt^u'^'c  opinion  and  practice  of  the  members  of  the  Inter- 
national lluhnemanniun  Aitsociation : 

WiiEitEAS,  We  believe  nahuemiinn'a  Organon  nf  the  Healing 
,  Art  to  be  the  only  true  guide  in  therapeuti<»;  and 

Whereas,  Both  the  Orj/anon  and  experien<:e  prove  Honiieopa' 
o  consist  of  the  law  of  the  similars,  which  includes  the  total- 
y  of  the  Bjioptoms  as  the  only  basis  for  prescribing,  the  use  of 
«  single  remedy  in  thi^  minimum  dose  of  the  dynamized  drug. 
roven  upon  the  healthy,  and  these  not  singly  hut  collectively; 
Bivrefore  be  it 

Sesolved,TbM  the  alternating  or  combining  of  remedies  in  a 
prescriplion  ia  non-homueopathic. 

Resolved.  That  the  use  of  medicated  topical  applicjitions  and 
mechanical  appliances,  surgical  cases  excepted,  ia  non-bo mceopathlc 
and  hence  injurious  to  the  best  interests  tit  the  patient. 

Jitiotiied,  That  as  "  the  best  dose  of  medicine  is  ever  the  small- 
est," any  suppression  of  symptoms  by  the  toxic  actioD  nf  a  drug 
cannot  be  recognized  as  homojopathie  practice. 

Resolved,  That  this  association  can  have  no  sympathy  with  those 
physicians  who  would  engraft  upon  Homceopathy  the  pathological 
theories,  the  empirical  prescriptions,  or  the  crmie  dosage  of  Allopa- 
thy and  Eclecticism;  nor  can  Homceopathy  Ije  held  responsible  for 
their  fatal  errors  in  theory  or  failures  in  practice. 

Resolved,  That  for  the  purpose  of  perpetuating  the  science  of 
Homceopathy,  and  for  our  common  improvement  and  advance- 


1886  The  Hahnemannian  Associatum,  176 

ment,  we  o^ranize  the  International  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, 
on  motion  of  Dr.  Kent,  it  was  laid  on  the  table. 

Dr.  Guernsey  moved  to  change  the  seal  of  the  Associa- 
tion, as  its  present  symbol  was  indicative  more  of  the  faith 
cure  than  of  Homoeopathy.  Bef erred  to  a  committee  which 
subsequently  reported  a  new  seal,  a  medallion  of  Hahne- 
mann, instead  of  the  present  device.     Ordered. 

Dr.  Kent  closed  his  bureau  by  presenting  a  number  of. 
papers  by  title. 

AFTERNOON  SESSION. 

The  first  business  of  the  afternoon  session  was  the  elec- 
tion of  officers,  which  resulted  as  follows:  Dr.  James  T. 
Kent,  Si  Louis,  President;  Dr.  W.  P.  Wesselhoeft,  Bos- 
ton, Vice-President;  Dr.  E.  A.  Ballard,  Chicago,  Secretary; 
Dr.  W.  A.  Hawley,  Syracuse,  Treasurer;  Dr.  G.  Pompili, 
Corresponding  Secretary;  Dr.  J.  A.  Biegler,  Bochester, 
Chairman  of  Board  of  Censors;  Dr.  W.  S.  Gee,  Hyde 
Park,  111.,  Dr.  Edward  Bushmore,  Flainfield,  N.  J.,  Dr.  C. 
W.  Butler,  Montclair,  N.  J.,  Dr.  J.  B.  Bell,  Boston,  Mass., 
Censors. 

The  Auditing  Committee  reported  the  Treasurer's  report 
correct 

Committee  on  revision  of  by-laws  asked  for  and  was 
granted  further  time. 

BUREAU   OF  CLINICAL   MEDICINE. 

Dr.  J.  A.  Biegler,  acting  chairman,  was  then  taken  up. 
Papers  were  read  by  Drs.  Biegler,  Miller  and  Brown,  fol- 
lowed by  interesting  discussions. 
The  evening  session  was  devoted  to  discussion  of  papers. 

MORNING  SESSION. 
KURIAU  ON  CLINICAL  MEDICINE 

Besumed  its  business,  papers  being  read  by  Drs.  Gee,  Bob- 
ert,  Sawyer,  (two  papers)  Lawton;  papers  from  Drs. 
BcJdwin,  Bruns,  Seward,  Lowe,  Oarr,  Berridge,  (London) 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Haynes,  Birdsall,  Pease,   Cranoh,  Hoyne,  Stokes,  Foote, 
Hawley  and  Gueruaey  (two  papers). 


Dr.  Schmitt,  cliairman.  The  following  papers  were  read: 
"Cliuical  Cases,"  Dr.  Hushmore;  "Diphtheritic  Croup," 
Dr.  Can;  "Chills  in  the  Lying-in  Room,"  Dr.  Custia; 
*' HydropB-amnii,  causing  Premature  Labor,"  Dr.  Schmitt; 

J" Specialties  in  Medicine,"  Dr.  Nash;  "Pregnancy  and 
iParturition,"  Dr.  McLaren;  "  Homoeopathy  in  the  Diseases 

lx}f  Women,"  Dr.  Hussey.  This  comprehensive  bill  of  fare 
was  well  digested  and  well  discussed. 


.  E.  Carleton^  chairman,  then  opened,  and  a  number  of 

Vinteresting  papers  were  read;  among  these  being  Dr.  Rush- 

fmore  on  "  Tumors  " ;  Dr.  J.  B.  Bell,  on  "  Homceopatliy  and 

q"  ;  Dr.  L.  B.  Wells,  on  "Arnica"  ;  Dr.  Dwight  Stowe, 

"  Conservative  Surgery  "  ;  Dr.  Leonard,  on  "  Ovarian 

Surgery  "  ;  Dr.  CarlGton,  on  *'  The  Baatinado  in  Asphyxia," 

"Cider  Vinegar  as  a  Local  Antidote  to  Carbolic  Acid," 

and  also  "  Suppression  and  Metastasis." 

^t  The  Association  then  adjourned  sine  die. 


I 


H  in  JL 


'  The  Kentucky  State  Hok(eopathic  Medical  Society 
was  organized  at  Lexington,  July  14,  by  the  adoption  of  a 
constitution  and  by-laws  and  the  election  of  the  following 
officers: 

President.  J.  A.  Lucy,  M.  D. 

Vice  President,  G.  M.  Ockford,  M.  D. 

Recording  Secretary,  S.  M.  Worthington,  M.  D. 

Corresponding  Secretary,  C.  P.  Meredith,  M.  D. 

Treasurer,  J.  A.  Van  Sant,  M.  D..  and  the  following 
Board  of  Censors:  Drs.  Monroe,  Kasselmau,  Buck. 

After  appointing  chairmen  of  the  different  bnieaus  and 
a  committee  on  legislation,  the  Society  adjourned  to  meet 
in  Iieiington  the  third  Wednesday  in  May,  1887. 


1886  Correspondence.  177 

CORRESPONDENCE. 


OUR  FOREIGN  LETTER. 


Editor  Advance. — In  my  last  letter  I  think  I  mentioned 
the  large  and  sudden  exodus  of  visitors  which  takes  place 
in  Cannes  towards  the  middle  of  May.  So  striking  are  its 
effects  that  streets  and  boulevards  at  once  assume  a  de- 
serted aspect;  the  coachmen  who  a  few  days  before  were  so 
overdone  with  work  as  to  refuse  to  take  fares  unless  com- 
pelled to  do  so  by  the  police,  now  eagerly  solicit  the  passers- 
by  for  the  custom.  What  little  life  is  left  in  Cannes  seems 
to  be  focussed  in  the  railway  station  at  1:30,  the  time  when 
the  rapide  leaves  for  Paris.  Coupe  lits,  fanteuil  lits,  and 
sleeping  cars  have  to  be  engaged  weeks  before,  and  such  is 
the  struggle  and  confusion  that  few  trains  are  able  to  get 
off  without  leaving  behind  a  melancholy  crowd  of  would-be 
travellers. 

But  though  so  many  leave  in  May,  the  heat  does  not  be- 
come even  unpleasant,  much  less  prejudicial  or  intolerable 
till  the  middle  of  June.  Indeed  those  who  remain  see  the 
country  in  the  perfection  of  its  beauty — the  heightened 
brilliancy  of  the  sun  which  accompanies  the  advancing 
summer  confers  upon  the  landscape  a  depth  and  softness 
of  coloring  not  seen  in  the  earlier  months.  Beyond  the 
middle  of  June  I  should  advise  no  man  to  stay;  every  green 
tiling  is  burnt,  clouds  of  dust  fill  the  air  and  mosquitoes 
begin  to  make  night  hideous. 

I  don't  know  whether  in  America  you  are  troubled  with 
an  antiseptic  compound  termed  "Sir  William  Burnet's 
fluid."  It  is  sold  in  bottles  with  grey  labels  which  though 
marked  poison  and  possessing  a  deep  groove  in  the  glass 
have  nothing  of  the  terrifying  aspect  of  the  fluted  indigo 
bottles  with  flame-colored  labels  in  which  poisonous  lini- 
ments, etc.,  are  usually  dispensed  by  English  Chemists.  To 
this  fact  and  also  to  the  impossibility  of  distinguishing  it 
by  the  naked  eye  (for  it  is  a  colorless  fluid  resembling 
water  except  that  it  is  about  double  its  weight)  must  be  at- 
tributed the  frequency  with  which  it  is  taken  accidentally 

L 


The  Mediotil  Advance. 


Aug. 


and  the  number  of  casualties   arising  therefrom.      Some 
weeks  ago,  before  rising  I  received  a  scrap  of  paper  from  a 
lady  well-known  in  English  society,  both  for  her  own  tnl- 
ents  and  for  being,  like  Cornelia,  the  mother  of  two  distin- 
guished sons.     The  message  ran  as  follows;  "Have  taken 
Burnet's  fluid  in  mistake  for  fluid  Magnesia."     As  may  be 
L  imagined,  knowing  the  virulence  of  the  poison,  I  lost  no 
F  time  in  procuring  the  antidote  at  the  nearest  chemist's  and 
I  hastened  to  the  aid  of  my  patient.     I  learned  that  lady  X. 
s  we  shall  call  her,  had  asked  her  maid  to  pour  out  a  table- 
I, Spoonful  of  her  fluid  Magnesia  and  hand  it  her  in  a  raedi- 
f  cine  glass.  The  maid  had  taken  the  liquid  out  of  the  wrong 
bottle,  but  l>oth  substancee  being  indistinguishable  from 
water  there  was  nothing  to  indicate  this,  and  lady  X.  only 
became  aware  of  the  error  when  she  felt  her  throat  and 
gullet  burnt  by  the  descending  liLiui(L     She  then  at  once 
did  the  very  beet  thing  that  could  be  done  under  the  cir- 
cumstances— she  took  a  tumblerful  of  mustard  and  hot 
water.    Burnst's  fluid,  as  nn  doubt  your  readers  are  aware, 
consists  of  pure  Chloride  of  Zinc,  dissolved  in  an  equal 
part  of  water.     Now,  as  lady  X,  took  a  tablespoonful  of  the 
fluid  she  must  have  swallowed  two  drachms  of  pure  Chlor- 
ide of  Zinc,  a  powerful  corrosive  caustic,    I  found  her  with 
frequent  pulse,  vomiting  and  diarrhcea,  but  no  indications 
L  of  collapse,  and  as  two  hours  had  then  elapsed,  I  judged 
ithat  she  must  have  ejected  most  of  the  poison  after  the 
I  mustard  emetic,  and  that  she  had  thus  saved  her  life.     I 
1  administered  the  usual  autidote,  i.  e,,  Carbonate  of  Soda, 
I  which  converts  the  virulent  and  soluble  Chloride  of  Zinc 
m  insoluble  and  inert  carbonate,  and  after  leaving 
I  more  powders  to  be  given  at  intervals  and  after  enjoining 
I  the  adjuncts  usual  in  such  cases  (milk,  whites  of  eggs,  etc. ) 
\  left  the  house.     When  I  returned  in  a  few  hours  I  was  told 
I  tiiat  Dr.  C,  one  of  those  arrogant  gentlemen  who  call  them- 
I  selves  rationalists,  had  taken  charge  of  the  case,  and  that 
I  my  further  attendance  was  not  required.     As  lady  X.  had 
I  Hot  previously  consulted  me,  I  supposed  I  had  just  been 
(  called  in  as  the  nearest  doctor  in  an  emergency,  and  1  was 
I  hboat  to  depart  without  thinking  more  of  it  than  that  the 


1886  Correspondence,  179 

mode  of  procedure  was  somewhat  odd,  when  I  heard  a  voice 
calling  down  the  stairs  that  lady  X.  wished  to  see  ma    I 
found  her  in  a  condition  bordering  on  collapse,  the  result  of 
the  treatment  of  my  rational  friend.    His  first  proceeding 
had  been  to  suspend  the  administration  of  the  antidote 
without  of  course  knowing  what  it  had  contained;  he  then 
gave  a  morphia  injection  which  had  stopped  the  diarrhoea 
and  vomiting,  thereby  imprisoning  the  corrosive  fluid  and 
enabling  it  to  increase  the  ulceration  which  was  no  doubt 
proceeding.     Then  in  order  still  further  to  demonstrate 
the  great  superiority  of  "regular  (?)  and  rational"  treat* 
ment  he  had  made  a  great  parade  of  applying  a  linseed 
poultice  to  the  stomach  and  had  substituted  Unseed  tea  for 
the  barley  water  I  had  ordered.     Lady  X  assured  me  that 
Dr.  C.  had  only  been  there  as  an  old  friend  of  the  family 
and  that  she  preferred  my  line  of  treatment  and  wished  me 
to  come  again  in  the  afternoon,  when  Dr.  C.  had  promised 
to  meet  me.     I  thought  this  strange  and  asked  her  again 
whether  there  was  no  mistake,  for  we  could  not  possibly 
agree  in  our  treatment,  but  she  declared  that  the  treatment 
was  to  be  in  my  hands  and  that  Dr.  C.  was  to  be  there 
merely  as  a  family  friend.     When  I  returned  in  the  after- 
noon I  found  Dr.  C.  already  closeted  with  the  patient;  pre- 
sently he  came  out  and  told  me  that  it  was  impossible  for 
him  to  meet  me  on  a  medical  question,  adding  that  on  a 
question  of  gardening,   or  of  cruelty  to  animals  or  of 
bazaars  it  would  give  him  the  greatest  pleasure,  etc.     He 
further  stated  that  he  would  gladly  leave  the  case  in  my 
hands,  but  tliat  lady  Xs'.  sons  had  insisted  upon  his  treat- 
ing her,  a  statement  which   proved  subsequently  to  be 
quite  untrue.    I  may  add  that  I  ascertained  from  the  chem- 
ist that  he  afterwards  administered  the  very  same  antidote, 
viz.,  Carbonate  of  Soda,  which  he  had  so  indignantly  de- 
claimed against  in  the  morning  and  which  he  was  the  means 
of  suspending  during  three  invaluable  hours.     Needless  to 
say,  lady  X.  recovered  in  spite  of  the  consultations  with 
three  of  his  "rational"  colleagues,  the  daily  bulletins  to 
the  papers  and  all  tlie  fuss  which  it  was  thought  necessary 
to  make — indeed,  she  would  never  have  been  in  serious 


180  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug 

danger,  but  for  the  unwarrantable  interference  of  Dr.  C. 
for  which  he  would  have  been  severely  censured,  as  he  well 
knew,  had  I  belonged  to  his  own  school.  I  don't  know  how 
far  in  America  you  have  to  encounter  difficulties  of  this 
kind.  I  imagine  that  the  British  public  is  peculiarly  doc- 
tor and  parson-ridden,  and  that  it  will  long  continue  to 
endure  the  insolence  of  the  majority  of  medical  men  before 
it  perceives  that  their  line  of  conduct  though  meant  to 
spite  and  injure  the  section  of  the  medical  profession  who 
happen  to  think  differently  from  themselves,  really  injures 
the  public  themselves  far  more  and  indeed  places  the  lives 
of  themselves  and  families  in  danger.  [Unfortunately, 
American  Homoeopaths  are  not  free  from  similar  indigni- 
ties at  the  hands  of  their  "regular  ( ?) "  brethren. — Ed.] 

Alfred  E.  Drysdale,  M.  D. 


^*» 


Mrs.  P ,  May  13, 1886.     Last  menses,  February  28th; 

began  to  flow  on  the  6th  of  May;  on  the  9th  had  severe 
pains  in  the  womb  during  the  afternoon  till  midnight,  when 
she  passed  a  large  "clot",  which  was  not  examined,  with 
relief;  since  then  has  flowed  like  menses,  saturating  a 
napkin  a  day;  the  discharge  is  offensive  and  clotted;  sharp 
pains  in  womb  at  times  and  from  left  ovary  downward  and 
inward;  diarrhoea  at  7  A.  m.  blackish,  fecal,  urgent,  pre- 
ceded by  much  pain.  No  nausea  during  pregnancy.  As 
the  diarrhoea  was  the  last  phase  of  the  case  it  was  consid- 
ered the  most  important  indication  for  the  simillimum,  as 
taught  by  Hahnemann,  and  therefore  Podophyllum  was 
selected  and  acted,  according  to  law,  relieving  everything. 
The  breasts  had  been  enlarged  and  sensitive,  but  they  re- 
turned promptly  to  the  normal  state  after  passing  the 
"  clot"  I  was  not  called  in  until  the  pains  in  abdomen 
came  on;  patient  said  she  was  glad  of  the  pregnancy,  being 
the  second  in  ten  years  (her  only  child  three  years  old) 
and  that  she  did  nothing  to  bring  it  on,  which  last  indicates 
in  this  case,  I  think,  Natrum  mur.  Ix  trii  in  full  doses. 

Gilbert. 


AN  ADVOCATE  OF 

HOMCEOPATHIC  MEDICINE. 

H.  C.  ALLEX,  M.  D.,  Editor  and  Publisher. 


Vol.  XVII.      Axx  Arbor.  Mich.,  August,  1886.  No.  2. 


The  Editor  is  not  responsible  for  tlie  opinions  of  contributors.  Personalities, 
being  foreign  to  seientifle  discussion,  must  be  excluded. 

To  accommodate  both  reader  and  publisher  this  journal  will  be  sent  until 
arrears  are  paid  and  it  is  ordered  discontinued. 

The  date  to  which  subscriptions  are  paid  will  be  found  on  the  address. 

EDITORIAL. 


Our  Colleges. — In  the  report  of  Dr.  Franklin  Smith, 
Chairman  of  the  Bureau  ot  Statistics  of  the  American 
Institute,  we  find  the  following: 

"There  are  thirteen  medical  colleges;  1124  students  have  ma- 
triculated, and  3S4  graduated  during  the  year.  There  are  now 
7345  alumni  of  these  colleges.'* 

With  a  pros])ective  college  in  both  Baltimore  and  Min- 
neapolis the  question  may  be  fairly  asked,  "Does  the 
progress  and  welfare  of  Homoeopathy  demand  any  more 
colleges?  Have  we  not  colleges  enough  to  accommodate 
all  our  students?"  Well,  "that  depends."  It  is  not  upon 
the  number  of  either  colleges  or  practiticmers  that  the  true 
welfare  of  our  school  depends.  "Ten  righteous  men  would 
have  saved  Sodom."  It  is  qualify ,  rather  than  numbers, 
which  our  school  needs  to-day.  If  our  practitioners  were 
possessed  with  the  zeal  of  the  pioneers  of  Homoeopathy 
and  the  founders  of  the  American  Institute,  there  would 
be  students  enough  forthcoming  to  fill  all  our  college  halls. 
But  they  lack  the  zeal  of  the  pioneers,  because  they  have 
drifted  from  the  simplicity  and  accuracy  and  consequently 
from  the  wonderful  success  which  attended  the  early  prac- 
tice. 

But  while  our  colleges  all  need  students,  there  is  very 


182  The  Medical  Advance,  Aug. 

little  to  make  the  majority  of  our  practitioners  either 
enthusiastic  or  zealous  in  securing  them.  The  reply  of  a 
preceptor  who  had  two  students  in  an  allopathic  college  to 
the  question,  "  Why  do  you  send  your  students  there  when 
we  have  so  many  good  colleges  in  our  own  school,"  may 
account  for  a  part  of  this  apathy.  He  said:  "I  have  had 
many  students,  and  after  they  graduate  in  our  homoeopathic 
colleges  I  find  I  have  to  teach  them  the  philosophy  of 
Homoeopathy  at  home,  and  I  now  send  them  where  they 
can  be  well  drilled  in  the  primary  branches,  being  careful 
to  tell  them  to  pay  as  little  attention  as  possible  to  the 
Materia  Medica  and  therapeutics  of  Allopathy.  I  have 
better  success  in  this  way."  This  antagonism  should  cease. 
It  is  demoralizing  in  its  influence.  The  profession  natur- 
ally looks  to  our  college  faculties  for  better  work;  and  the 
faculties  can  do  it  if  they  will.  They  can  teach  all  there  is 
in  Homoeopathy  first — honestly,  fairly,  frankly,  and  fully 
stating  Hahnemann's  teachings — and  then  let  the  student 
decide  for  himself  what  practice  he  will'  follow.  In  this 
way  they  can,  not  only  restore  harmony,  but  the  old  time 
enthusiasm  as  well. 

See  what  California  has  done.  In  1870  there  were  but 
20  Homoeopaths  on  the  entire  Pacific  coast  Now  there 
are  over  200,  with  a  college,  and  (this  session)  34  students. 
Similar  zeal  would  give  us  a  college  in  Baltimore  and  in 
Minneapolis,  and  the  students  to  fill  them  would  easily 
be  found. 

The  second  section  of  the  report  of  the  committee  on 
the  president's  address  is  instructive  reading  for  our  col- 
lege faculties: 

"It  is  the  sense  of  this  committee  that  Hahnemann's  writings, 
and  especially  the  *  Organon,*  should  occupy  a  place  in  every  col- 
lege curriculum.** 

The  original  intention  of  this  resolution  was  no  doubt 
correct,  but  John  Wesley  once  said  that  "the  road  to  Hades 
was  paved  with  good  intentions."  Since  our  student  days 
the  "Organon"  has  been  a  text-book  in  and  has  annually 
occupied  "a  place  on  (nearly)  every  college  curriculum" 
in  this  country.     But  when  a  graduate  of  one  of  the  fore- 


1886  Why.  183 

most  of  our  colleges  says  he  never  heard  a  lecture  on  the 
''Organon/'  or  the  philosophy  which  it  teaches,  the  advan- 
tage of  having  it  "on  every  college  curriculum"  is  not  very 
apparent  No!  this  resolution  does  not  go  to  the  root  of 
the  evil.  It  simply  instructs  the  faculties  "how  not  to  do 
it."  The  placing  of  the  "Organon"  on  the  curriculum  is 
not  sufficient  It  must  not  only  "  occupy  a  place,"  but  its 
.doctrines  and  teachings — the  philosophy  of  therapeutics — 
must  be  as  thoroughly  taught  as  anatomy.  Suppose  anat- 
omy only  occupied  "a  place  on  the  curriculum,"  what  kind 
of  medical  men,  either  as  surgeons  or  diagnosticians,  would 
our  colleges  turn  out?  The  teachings  of  the  "Organon" 
are  as  essential  to  the  Homoeopathist  as  is  anatomy  to  the 
surgeon.  It  has  been  said,  "the  student  can  read  the 
*  Organon'  at  his  leisure,  after  he  graduates."  No!  he 
cannot  He  will  have  just  as  much  time  to  read  his  anat- 
omy, physiology  or  pathology.  The  "  Organon "  is  not  a 
book  to  be  read,  A  simple  reading  is  not  enough;  it  must 
be  studied  as  you  studied  Euclid,  during  your  three  years' 
college  course,  and  then  you  will  have  frequent  occasion  t<J 
refer  to  it  during  your  busy  years  of  practice.  After  the 
student  masters  the  "  Organon,"  he  is  prepared  to  practice 
Homoeopathy,  and  not  before.  The  "Organon"  teaches 
what  Hahnemann  says  Homoeopathy  is.  Let  our  teachers 
teach  that  first,  then  ventilate  their  own  ideas  if  they  have 
any. 

COMMENT  AND  CRITICISM. 


WHY  ? 


Editor  Advance:  On  the  10th  of  April,  1844,  a  conven- 
tion wtis  held  in  New  York  Gity  to  found  the  American 
Institute  of  Homoeopathy,  and  the  following  officers  were 
elected:  President,  Dr.  Hering;  Vice-Presidents,  Drs. 
Flagg  and  Channing;  General  Secretary,  Dr.  Gray;  Treas- 
urer, Dr.  Kirby.  The  following  preamble  and  resolution 
were  adopted: 

**  \V]iKU£A.s,  A  majority  of  the  allopathic  physiciaDS  continue  to 


184  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

deride  and  oppose  the  contributions  to  the  Materia  Medica  that 
have  been  made  by  the  honiceopathic  school;  and, 

"  Whereas,  The  state  of  the  Materia  Medica  in  both  schools  is 
such  as  imperatively  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  respect- 
ing the  principles  and  practice  of  Homoeopathy  is  so  defective  as 
to  make  it  easy  for  mere  pretenders  to  this  very  difficult  branch  of 
the  healing  art  to  acquire  credit  as  proficient  in  the  same;  there- 
fore, 

** Resolved,  Th'dt  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— ThQ  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  skillful  manner." 

Are  not  the  above  resolutions  of  the  founders  of  the 
Institute  a  sufficient  answer  to  the  question  so  often  asked, 
"Why  was  the  I.  H.  A.  organized?"  Cannot  the  answer 
be  found  by  carefully  examining  the  progress  and  teach- 
ing of  Homoeopathy  in  the  Institute  for  the  past  few  years? 
It  is  but  a  few  years  since  those  who  practiced  Homoeopa- 
thy— or  professed  to — were  willing  to  acknowledge  it  and 
conscientiously  tried  to  follow  the  law.  Is  it  so  to-day? 
Let  us  carefully  examine  the  facts  as  they  are  found,  for 
example,  in  the  New  England  States.  Read  some  of  the 
papers  presented  to  the  Institute  at  its  late  session  by  New 
England  members.  Can  you  find  anything  homoeopathic 
in  them?  Listen  to  the  discussions  at  the  last  meeting. 
Could  you  imagine  anything  savoring  more  of  empiricism 
than  that  on  diphtheria?  And  not  a  New  England  mem- 
ber to  make  an  objection.  Is  it  any  wonder  that  one 
astonished  member  thought  he  was  in  an  allopathic  society? 
One  of  the  speakers  was  formerly  a  teacher  in  Boston 
University.  Must  we  infer  that  that  is  the  kind  of  Homoe- 
opathy taught  there?  If  so,  is  it  any  wonder  that  the 
number  of  graduates  has  declined  from  forty-five  to  eigh- 
teen? That  school  ought  to  be  the  leading  school  in  the 
world,  backed,  as  it  is,  by  the  leading  religious  denomina- 


1886  Think  of  U.  185 

tion  in  New  England,  and  that  again  by  its  gift  of  a  million 
dollars.  Has  the  evident  desire  to  discredit  Hahnemann's 
teachings  anything  to  do  with  it?  Is  that  why  physicians 
who  believe  in  Homoeopathy  send  their  students  elsewhere 
or  to  allopathic  colleges?  Is  it  not  true  that  nearly  all  our 
schools  are  a  little  guarded  as  to  what  they  say  about  the 
Organonf  Is  it  not  true  that  many  of  our  members  who 
talk  longest  and  loudest  advocate  the  exclusive  use  of  low 
potencies  and  the  alternation  of  remedies?  Are  not  these 
good  reasons  for  starting  a  society  in  which  Homoeopathy 
might  be  advocated?  Do  not  some  of  these  reasons  an- 
swer the  query  "Why?" 

One  thing  is  certain:  if  the  Institute  will  permit  itself 
to  be  led  into  the  dark  paths  of  empiricism,  every  member 
will  not  blindly  follow  without  a  protest,  and  some  may 
even  connect  themselves  with  other  societies  in  which  the 
teaching  is  more  in  accord  with  that  of  the  founders  of  the 
Institute.  I  am  not  a  member  of  the  I.  H.  A.,  neither  do 
I  pin  my  faith  on  the  cm.  or  mm.  potencies,  but  I  do 
believe  the  single,  well-selected  remedy,  even  as  high  as 
the  tenth,  is  preferable  to  the  tinctures  of  several  remedies, 
mixed.  I  left  New  England  several  years  ago,  thinking  in 
no  other  place  was  such  pure  Homoeopathy  taught  and 
practiced.  Was  I  mistaken  then,  or  am  I  mistaken  now? 
In  my  opinion  the  organization  of  the  I.  H.  A.  was  a  vig- 
orous protest  in  the  right  direction — in  the  direction  of  a 
return  to  the  teachings  and  practice  of  the  founders  of  the 
Institute — and  it  will  be  a  benefit,  not  an  injury,  to  the 
Institute. — H.  M.  C. 


<«■ 


TIIIXK  OF  IT. 


The  following  diagram  represents  sundry  yearly  expen- 
ditures in  the  United  States.  How  does  it  look  on  mature 
reflection?    Is  this  not  a  subject  for  thought? 

Liquor $900,000,000 

Tobacco 690,000,000 

Breads 505,000,000 

Meats 303,000,000 

Iron,  Steel  and  Lumber 523,000,000 


186  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

Wool,  Cotton  and  Sugar 602,000^000 

Public  Education ^    02,000,000 

Missions 5,500,000 


A 

S 


I 

I 


05 


I 


1^ 


I 
1 

I 

Pain  is  the  price  of  civilization.  Do  we  not  here  find  a 
sufficient  explanation  for  many  of  our  neuroses?  Should 
the  Homoeopath  not  study  the  etiology  of  disease  as  Hah- 
nemann recommended,  and  be  sufficiently  well  informed  of 
the  effects  of  disease-producing  agents  as  to  be  able  to  stop 
the  cause  ere  he  attempt  to  relieve  by  medication?  Until 
we  do  this  we  will  often  prescribe  in  vain. 


1886  New  Publications.  187 

NEW  PUBLIC  A.TIONS. 


THE  DISORDERS  OF  MENSTRUATION.  By  J.  N.  Upshub,  M.  D.,  Professor 
of  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics  in  the  Medical  College  of  Virginia. 
New  York  and  Ix)ndon :  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons.    l2mo.,  pp.  300. 

The  contents  of  the  book  are  given  under  ten  chapters  as  fol- 
lows: Begional  Anatomy  of  Uterus;  The  Physiology  of  Menstru- 
ation; Amenorrhoea;  Menorrhagia;  Dysmenorrhoea;  The  Ovaries 
and  their  Diseased  Conditions;  Vesical  Irritation;  Pelvic  Cellulitis; 
The  Neurosis  of  the  Menstruation;  and  The  Menopause.  The  dif- 
ferential diagnosis  of  the  various  abnormal  conditions  is  very  clear 
and  explicit,  but  the  treatment  consists  largely  of  surgical  meas- 
ures. However  there  are  many  very  practical  hints  to  be  found  in 
this  handy  volume. 

MANUAL  OF  DIFFERENTIAL  MEDICAL  DIAGNOSIS.  By  C.  W.  CUTUSB. 
M.  D.    New  York  and  London :  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons.    12mo.,  pp.  161. 

The  author  says  in  his  introduction:  "A  careful  examination  of 
a  patient  is  the  first  requisite  toward  establishing  a  diagnosis.  To 
conduct  this  properly  and  to  the  best  advantage  a  systematic  ex- 
amination of  the  patient  will  lead  to  the  quickest  and  surest 
results.  First  locate  the  disease,  and  then  balance  the  symptoms 
struck,  and  the  diagnosis  is  recast.*' 

Here  is  a  sample  of  comparison  between 

CANCER  OF  STOMACH.  ULCEB  OF  STOMACH. 

History  of  hereditary  cancer.  History  of  anaemia  or  chlorosis. 

Occurs  in  people  over  forty.  Occurs  In  young  adults. 

Pain  constant  and  lancinating.  Pain  intermittent  after  eating. 

Deep  pressure  not  painful.  Deep  pressure  very  painful.. 

Heniatemesls  small  in  amount,  "coffee  Hematemesis   large    in    amount  and 

grounds"  in  appearance.  bright  red. 

Vomiting  appears  late  in  the  disease.  Vomiting  one  of  the  flrst'symptoms. 

Vomiting  does  not  relieve  pain.  Vomiting  relieves  the  pain. 

Cancerous  caeliexla.  Anaemia. 

Presence  of  tumor  in  epigastric  region.  No  tumor  in  region  of  stomach. 

From  the  first  to  the  last  page  this  is  a  very  practical,  concise, 

every  day  working  book. 

A  MANUAL  OF  DIETETICS.  By  J.  Milner  Fothergill,  M.  D..  Edin..  Physician 
to  tlie  C-ity  of  I/ondoB  Hospital  for  Diseases  of  the  Chest  (Victoria  Parl«),  Hon. 
M.  D.  Rusli  Medical  Coliege,  Chicago,  111.,  Foreign  Associate  Follow  of  the 
College  of  Physicians,  Philadelphia  8vo,  extra  muslin.  255  pages.  Price, 
$2.50.    New  York,  William  Wood  and  Company. 

The  author  of  this  work  should  need  no  introduction  to  our 

readers.    His  writings  on  medical  subjects  have  justly  given  him 

a  wide  reputation.    The  present  work  is  markedly  characteristic. 

It  is  essentially  a  breezy  book.    The  prelace,  which  is  unusually 

brief,   begins    with    this    startling    exclamation:    "The   day  of 

dietetics  has  arrived."    On  this  somewhat  elevated  key  the  whole 

book  is  constructed.    It  is  delightful  as  well  as  instructive.   From 

the  author's  views  as  to  the  use  of  stimulants  we  are  obliged  to  dis- 


188  The  Medical  Advance.  Aug. 

sent.  Certainly  not  in  this  conntry  can  such  opinions  be  backed 
by  experience.  The  fling  at  teetotalers,  page  29.  is  flippant  and  in- 
excusable. As  therapeutics  is  quite  left  out,  we  can  And  no  fault 
with  the  writer's  ideas  upon  most  subjects  and  cordially  recom- 
mend the  work  to  all  our  readers. 

PURPURA.    By  G.  W.  Wlnterburn.  M.  D.    New  York :  A.  L.  Chatterton  Publish- 
ing Company,  1886. 

In  this  excellent  monograph  of  240  pages  the  author  gives  us  a 
careful  yet  exhaustive  resume  of  the  literature  of  this  rare  affec- 
tion. His  investigations  were  originally  begun  in  order  to  prepare 
a  paper  on  the  subject  for  N.  Y.  State  Society,  and  the  thorough- 
ness with  which  he  has  accomplished  his  task  shows  clearly  that  he 
undertook  it  con  amore.  The  therapeutics  are  especially  valuable. 
It  contains  a  good  repertory  and  an  index,  and  is  a  book  which 
should  be  found  in  every  physician's  library,  for  when  he  wants  to 
consult  it  he  wants  it  badly  and  the  time  necessary  to  look  up  a 
case  of  this  kind  may  be  very  valuable  to  both  physician  and  pa- 
tient.   Better  buy  it  now. 

The  Bivouac— The  August  number  of  this  magazine  is  of  un- 
usual interest,  containing  a  great  variety  of  articles  on  current 
topics.  General  Basil  Duke  contributes  one  of  the  most  interest- 
ing articles.  "After  the  Fall  of  Richmond,"  which  contains  much 
original  matter  relating  to  the  treasure  train,  and  to  the  last  coun- 
cil of  war.  It  is  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  .ill  the  war  articles 
recently  published. 

The  Popular  Science  Monthly  for  August  opens  with  a 
richly  illustrated  article,  of  great  economic  value,  entitled  "  Woods 
and  their  Destructive  Fungi."  The  author,  Mr.  P.  H.  Dudley,  a 
civil  engineer  of  rising  reputation,  has  for  several  years  been 
studying  the  structure  of  those  woods  most  commonly  employed 
in  the  arts,  with  reference  to  the  agencies  concerned  in  their  dete- 
rioration. The  results  of  his  investigations  put  quite  a  different 
aspect  from  the  generally  accepted  one  on  the  process  of  decay, 
and  promise  to  be  of  vast  industrial  importance  in  their  practical 
application. 

The  Magazine  of  American  History  for  July  presents  a 
rich  table  of  contents.  It  opens  with  the  editor's  delightful  "  His- 
toric Homes  in  Lafayette  Place,"  under  the  general  title  of  "  A 
Neglected  Corner  of  the  Metropolis," — a  chapter  as  informing  as 
it  is  entertaining,  and  of  national  as  well  as  local  interest;  accom- 
panied by  nearly  a  score  of  unique  historic  illustrations.  This 
magazine  is  doing  a  great  work  for  American  history. — The  Au- 
gust number  contains  three  important  contributions  to  the  War 
Studies:  General  Lee's  **  Cedar  Mountain,"  which,  in  connection 
with  the  author's  paper  in  the  July  number,  will  be  read  with  pro- 
found interest;  "Negro  Slaves  during  the  Civil  War,  and  their 


1886  News.  189 

Relation  to  the  Confederacy,"  by  Col.  Jones,  the  distinguished 
Georgia  historian;  and  a  stirring  battle  sketch,  **At  the  Death 
Angle,"  by  Charles  A.  Patch. 

The  August  Century.— In  the  War  series,  "The  Battle  of 
Fredericksburg"  gives  scope  for  stirring  illustration.  General 
Longstreet  contributes  the  title  paper  and  the  Confederate  view. 
The  Union  assaults  upon  the  memorable  stone  wall  are  described 
by  General  Couch,  who  was  virtually  in  command  on  the  field  of 
*•  Sumners  *  Right  Grand  Division '."  General  Smith  writes  anec- 
dotally  of  the  part  taken  by  "Franklin's  *Left  Grand  Division  V* 
and  his  article  contains  several  foot-notes  by  General  Franklin. 
General  Hawkins  brings  new  facts  to  explain  "  Why  Burnside  did 
not  renew  the  attack,"  and  Major  Lacy,  then  the  owner  of  the 
famous  mansion  known  as  the  "  Lacy  House,"  contributes  several 
anecdotes  of  the  Confederate  commander,  under  the  title,  "Lee  at 
Fredericksburg."  There  are  five  full-page  pictures  among  the 
thirty-four  war  illustrations  of  the  number. 

NEWS. 

For  Sale.— Allen's  Encyclopcedia,  cloth,  10  vols.,  in  good  order, 
Hodge  Obst.  and  other  books,  cheap.    J.  H.  Dix,  Emerson,  Kan. 

Hahnemann  Medical  College,  San  Francisco,  has  thirty- 
four  students.  No  danger  of  having  too  many  homoeopathic 
colleges,  if  they  only  teach  Homoeopathy. 

New  York  Ophthalmic  College  is  preparing  for  the  coming 
session  and  proposes  to  do  some  good  work  in  homoeopathic  thera- 
peutics. We  are  convinced  a  much  better  training  can  be  had  in 
this  college  and  a  practitioner  can  be  better  prepared  for  his  special 
work  in  this  department  in  New  York,  than  in  any  European  insti- 
tution. 

New  York  State  Society,  Sept.  7  and  8.— President  Hough- 
ton delivers  the  annual  address  Tuesday  evening.  Headquarters, 
Cataract  House,  Niagara  Falls;  rates,  $3.00  per  day.  A  cordial 
welcome  to  all,  especially  our  Canadian  brethren,  who  are  so  near. 
The  symptoms  favor  a  pleasant  and  profitable  session. 

Bureau  of  Obstetrics.— Dr.  E.  Hasbrouck,  chairman,  will 
have  the  following  attractive  bill  of  fare  to  offer  the  New  York 
State  Society  which  meets  at  Niagara  Falls,  September  7  and  8, 
1886:  "Albuminuria  of  Pregnancy:  Its  Causation,  Effects  and 
Proper  Treatment;"  "The  Causation,'*  W.  W.  Blackman,  M.  D., 
Brooklyn;  "The  Effects,"  Wra.  A.  Allen,  M.  D.,  Flushing;  "The 
Treatment,"  G.  W.  Winterburn,  M.  D.,  New  York. 

Good  News.— In  a  recent  communication  Dr.  Mohr  says:  "The 
publication  of  Hering*s  great  work—Tfie  Guiding  Symptoms— wUl 
go  on  under  the  best  of  business  auspices.    A  well  known  medical 


The  Medical  Adoance. 


Ang. 


i^ 


book  publisher,  with  large  facilities  Cor  the  diaposal  of  the  work, 
will  enter  into  a  contract  with  the  [leriog  heira  for  the  rapid  pub- 
lication of  the  remniniug  volumes."  This  is  an  announcement  the 
^.  bomieopathic  profession  will  be  delighted  to  hear. 

Gynecological  Craze.— Dr.  Hag^art's  article  under  theabove 
Itle  la  H  recent  issue  of  The  Advance  has  been  reprinted  for 
gBneral  distribution,  in  three  different  cities,  and  in  one^or  two 
instances  without  giving  either  the  author  or  Tue  Advance 
creilit.  The  author  has  just  cause  to  feel  aggrieved,  as  the  public 
may  infer  that  he  instigated  the  publication,  when  he  was  not 
even  consulted.  So  far  as  The  Advance  is  concerned,  we  are 
only  too  happy  to  be  of  some  service  to  our  readers. 

Haunkmann  Colleoe,  Philadelphia.— The  week  commenc- 
ing Monday,  September  20,  will  be  a  memorable  one  in  Philadel- 
phia. The  new  College  and  Hospital  building  will  be  dedicated 
with  appropriate  ceremonies,  the  State  Society  will  hold  its  annual 
session,  the  Alumni  Association,  including  all  the  college  gradu- 
ates from  1849  to  1880,  will  have  a  "  reunion,-'*  and  a  good  time 
generally  will  be  had.  Every  homoeopathic  physician  from  Maine 
to  California  is  cordially  invited,  and  we  assure  them,  if  they  go, 
that  the  hospitality  of  our  Philadelphia  Homoeopaths  will  be  equal 
to  the  occasion.    We  apeak  from  experienci 

I  PERSONAL. 

Dr.  H.  M.  Hobaht,  of  the  Chicago  Homceopatbic  College,  is 
spending  his  vacation  in  Europe. 

Thomas  Skinner.  M.  D.,  may  be  addressed  until  October  1.  at 
Bearnock  Lodge,  Inverness,  Scotland,  where  he  is  spending  the 
^mmer. 

i.  Q.  H.  Patcsen,  M.  D.,  of  Burlington.  Iowa,  removes  to  New 
fork  City.  Gotham  is  quite  a  town,  and  there  is  room  for  a  few 
more  Homreopaths, 

Dh.  F.  H.  Orsie,  of  this  city,  one  of  the  most  popular  hommo- 
pathic  physicians  In  the  south,  was  recently  elected  president  of 
theAmericiin  Institute  of  HomoiopaXhy.— Atlanta  if .  S.  Journal. 

Carroll  0.  Bovce.  M.  D,,  has  been  appointed  resident  physi- 
of  the  Woman's  Homceopathic  Medical.  Surgical  and  Mater- 
'Uty  Hospital.  Philadelphia,  which  is  nearly  completed  and  will  be 
Opened  IQ  the  autumn. 

S.  LiLiESTHAL.  M.  D.,  the  veteran  ex-editor  of  the  If.  A.  Jour- 
nal, is  now  enjoying  his  otium  aiim  dignitate  in  the  wilds  of  Cali- 
fornia, He  will  give  the  stndents  of  Hahnemann  College  some 
lectures  on  the  Organon  ere  he  returns  east. 

Dr.  H.  Z.  Landis,  formerly  of  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  after  taking 
the  Now  York  Polyclinic  course,  a  couri       '"     "       —    .  ^ 
oeopathic  College  and  spending  a  year  ii 


1886  Obituary.  191 

of  Germany,  is  now  associated  in  practice  with  Dr.  E.  Lippincott, 
Memphis,  Tenn. 

Asa  S.  Couch,  M.  D.,  of  Fredonia,  N.  Y.,  chief  editor  of  the 
Physicians^  and  Surgeon^  Investigator^  has  been  invited  to  deliver 
the  annual  Hahnemannian  address  before  the  London  Homoeo- 
pathic Hospital  in  October  next.  We  predict  that  the  oration  will 
be  worthy  a  place  beside  the  brilliant  efforts  which  have  preceded 
it.  Dr.  Couch  will  give  a  good  account  of  himself  as  a  representa- 
tive American  Homoeopath. 

S.  H.  Talcott,  M.  D.,  and  the  New  York  Asylum  for  the 
Insane,  receive  a  very  complimentary,  yet  a  well  deserved  notice 
in  Frank  Leslie* s  Illustrated  for  June  26.  It  says:  "New  York 
was  the  first  of  the  states  to  recognize  the  claims  of  the  homoeo- 
pathic system  of  medical  treatment  in  founding  an  asylum  for  the 
insane;"  and  we  may  add,  that  the  homoeopathic  world  can  point 
with  pride  to  the  brilliant  record  made  by  the  medical  staff  at 
Middletown. 


OBITUARY. 


KoLLiN  K.  Gregg,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  August 
19, 1828,  and  when  five  years  of  age  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Adrian,  Mich.,  where  in  1849,  he  began  the  study  of  Allopathy 
with  Dr.  Rufus  Kibbe,  the  family  physician.  From  frequent  ex- 
pressions of  dissatisfaction  in  which  his  preceptor  often  indulged 
at  the  unsatisfactory  results  of  his  practice,  his  attention  was 
called  to  the  subject  of  Homoeopathy,  his  uncle  Dr.  Durfee  Chase, 
of  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  having  ten  years  previously  become  a  convert 
to  the  new  system.  In  1850  he  returned  to  Palmyra  and  entered 
his  uncle's  office,  subsequently  attended  lectures  at  Cleveland  and 
Philadelphia,  and  took  his  degree  from  the  latter  college  in  March, 
1853.  In  the  following  May  he  removed  to  Canandaigua,  N.  Y., 
where,  in  partnership  with  Dr.  Lyman  West,  he  practiced  until 
1861,  when  he  removed  to  Buffalo.  Here  his  ability  as  a  practi- 
tioner and  writer  soon  gave  him  not  only  a  local  but  a  national 
reputation.  In  1869  he  ^tablished  the  Homcsopathic  Journal^ 
which  he  edited  and  published  for  two  years.  As  was  to  be  ex- 
pected, it  was  vigorous  and  outspoken  in  its  advocacy  of  Homoe- 
opathy. He  was  the  author  of  "The  Illustrated  Repertory,"  an 
invaluable  office  companion,  which  first  appeared  in  the  columns 
of  his  journal,  and  his  "Treatise  on  Diphtheria"  is  one  of  the  best 
monographs  on  the  subject  which  has  ever  appeared  in  our  schooL 
He  was  a  senior  of  the  American  Institute,  and  a  member  of  the 
following  medical  societies:  Erie  County, New  York  State,  Western 
New  York,  Central  New  York,  and  the  International  Hahneman- 


and 


The  Medical  Adi'ance.  Aug. 

nian  Association,  of  which  he  whs  president  in  1885.  He  was  a 
frequent  coQtributor  to  The  Advance  and  maDy  other  journals. 
His  gralUiQt  aingle-handed  stnig^gle  against  the  "  Bacteria  craze " 
as  a  diaease-producinff  germ,  and  in  favor  of  his  fibrin  theory,  has 
given  him  a  national  reputation  in  both  schools.  He  was  an  inde- 
^tiguble  student,  an  extremely  conscientious  practitioner,  a  rigid 
exponent  of  the  Homceopathy  of  Bahoemann,  and  one  of  the 
ablest  and  most  accurate  prescribera  in  our  school, 

He  was  married  in  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  September  3,1858,  to 
Miss  Hattis  E.  Williams,  who,  with  two  children,  Ida  Williams 
and  Edward  Rollin  Gregg,  survive  bim. 

His  life  has  been  a  constant  struggle  with  disease,  and  it  was 
only  by  his  accurate  and  skillful  prescribing  that  be  was  able  to 
maintain  a  sufficient  degree  of  strength  to  meet  the  demands  of  a 
large  prat^tice.  During  the  past  few  years  lie  had  several  severe 
ftttacks  of  illness,  which  seriously  undermined  his  strength.  In 
ijune.  1885,  an  attack  of  pulmonary  hiemorrhagB  preventt-d  him 
[l  from  presiding  at  the  meeting  of  the  Hahnemannian  Association 
i^la  Syracuse.  From  this  he  partially  recovered,  but  a  hard  winter's 
Work  told  upon  his  enfeebled  powers,  and  last  spring  the  life  forces 
[I'began  rapidly  to  fail,  with  no  apparent  local  disease,  until  the  end. 
He  dieil  at  his  home  in  Buffalo  on  Thursday.  August  Ist,  at  4:30 
;.  M.  Hom(Bopathy  has  lost  one  of  iti)  ablest  defenders,  and  New 
Tork  State  one  of  its  beat  men. 

GuitsHON  N.  Bbigham,  M,  D.,  was  born  at  Fayston,  Vt.,  March 
S,  1B20.  He  began  the  study  of  medicine  in  1842,  as  a  student  of 
Dr.  Joslyn,  of  W aitsll eld,  Vt.,  graduated  in  1845  from  the  Vermont 
Uedical  College  at  Woodstock,  and  begun  his  career  as  a  practi- 
:tioner  at  Warren,  Vt.  the  same  year.  He  was  one  of  the  founders 
i»f  the  Vermont  HomtEupathic  Medical  Society,  and  its  first  Pre^i- 
'4ttit.  He  practiced  in  Warren  for  a  number  of  years,  then  removed 
raccessively  to  Waitsfield  and  Monlpelier,  and  llnally  in  1875  to 
'IGrand  Rapids,  Mich.,  where  he  soon  acquired  a  lucrative  practice 
HDd  where  he  resided  until  bis  death.  He  died  suddenly  of  an- 
pectoris,  June  31,  1886.  He  was  ttie  author  of  a  work  un 
"Nasal  Catarrh"  and  one  on  "Consumption."  He  was  a  strict 
HomcBOpatb,  a  careful  and  accurate  prescriber  and  a  very  success- 
ful physician.  Although  not  a  member  of  the  Hahnemannian  As- 
sociation, he  was  a  true  follower  of  Hahnemann  both  in  theory 
and  practice. 

C.  T,  CoKLiss,  M.  D..  died  at  his  residiince  in  Indianapolis,  July 
1886,aged  68  years.  He  was  born  in  St.  Lawrence  Co.,  N.  T.,  and 
one  of  the  oldest  ho m<Bopathie  practitioners  in  Indiana,  hav- 
ing practiced  Homceopathy  in  Indianapolis  for  over  thirty  years, 
lie  was  an  active  member  of  the  Masonic  fraternity,  a  man  of  high 
social  standing  and  literary  taste.  Resolutions  of  respect  to  his 
memory  were  adopted  by  the  homceopathic  physicians  of  the  city. 


r 


THE  MEDICAL  ADVANCE. 

A  MONTHLY  JOCRNAL  OF  MEDICAL  SCIENCE. 


Vol.  XVII.         Ann  Arbor,  September,  1886.  No.  3. 


ORIGINAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. 


THE  PRESIDENT'S  ADDRESS. 


0.  S.  RUNNELS.  M.  D.,  IndlaDapolis,  Ind. 


Members  of  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy: 
Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — The  two  events  which  made  the 
year  1843  notable  in  the  history  of  Homoeopathy  were  the 
death  of  Samuel  Hahnemann  and  the  birth  of  the  Ameri- 
can Institute.  In  the  month  of  July  of  that  year  the  career 
of  the  one  was  ended  and  that  of  the  other  begun.  This 
coincidence  was  significant  These  were  more  than  fortui- 
tous occurrences. 

The  personal  influence  of  Hahnemann  was  now  gone. 
After  a  long  life  of  phenomenal  activity,  the  better  half  of 
vhich  had  been  spent  in  the  exposition  and  defense  of  his 
great  truth,  he  was  forced  to  go  hence  without  a  successor, 
or  one  upon  whom  his  mantle  could  fall.  With  disciples  of 
marked  ability  in  every  civilized  land,  there  was  no  one 
qualified  to  take  his  place;  no  one  possessed  of  the  require- 
ments of  so  great  a  leader.  From  the  very  nature  of  the 
case,  it  was  not  only  impossible  but  entirely  undesirable 
for  any  one  of  his  followers  to  attain  unto  leadership.  At 
this  juncture,  in  a  distant  and  more  favored  land,  and  in 
ignorance  of  the  death  of  the  founder,  his  legitimate  and 
highly  favored  successor  was  bom.  The  organization 
which  henceforth  was  to  be  his  representative  in  the  world, 
and  which  was  to  do  more  to  voice  and  defend  his  cause 


194  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

than  all  other  agencies  combined,  was  launched  upon  its 
great  mission.  What  was  thus  denied  to  a  single  indivi- 
dual was  consigned  to  the  safe  keeping  of  the  organized 
many. 

How  faithfully  this  trust  has  been  administered  is  now  a 
matter  of  record.  No  longer  under  the  repressing  and 
dwarfing  influences  of  a  despotic  social  order,  but  thus  well 
planted  in  the  soil  of  freedom,  the  growth  and  perpetuity 
of  Homoeopathy  was  assured.  From  that  time  on  it  was  to 
grow  into  its  full  stature;  it  was  to  more  and  more  accom- 
plish its  beneficent  work.  Under  the  fostering  and  esta- 
blishing influences  of  the  American  Institute,  Homoeopathy 
has  acquired  its  fixed  habitation  and  gained  honor  for  its 
name  the  world  over.  It  has  taken  its  place  among  the 
sciences  of  man,  and  has  forced  its  neighbors  into  a  gen- 
eral knowledge  of  the  fact  For  forty-three  years,  except 
the  interval  of  the  civil  war,  its  counselors  have  met  an- 
nually to  consider  its  interests  and  devise  measures  for  its 
advancement  Imbued  with  the  spirit  of  truth,  they  have 
determined  in  collective  wisdom  the  questions  that  have 
most  closely  concerned  the  reform  in  therapeutics  by  them 
demanded.  They  have  thus  gained  the  help  and  inspira- 
tions incident  to  professional  association,  and  have  gone 
forth  the  better  equipped  for  the  duties  before  them. 

With  the  banner  of  therapeutic  reform  over  it,  this  great 
force  of  scientific  workers  has  gone  on  conquering  and  to 
conquer;  for  the  achievements  of  its  past  are  but  an  earn- 
est of  what  it  is  yet  to  accomplish,  its  work  being  but  fairly 
begun.  Loyalty  and  fidelity  to  principle  on  the  part  of  its 
exponents  are  alone  requisite  to  the  fulfillment  of  this 
prophecy.  Through  experience  in  these  meetings,  it  has 
been  found  servicable  to  have  presented  at  the  beginning 
of  each  session  a  brief  synopsis  of  the  situation — a  recapi- 
tulation or  resum6  of  the  professional  status.  This  has 
crystallized  into  a  rule;  and  standing  as  a  sentinel  on  the 
watch-tower,  this  your  President  has  been  detailed  to  do. 

What  during  the  year  has  been  the  progress  of  medicine, 
particularly  of  therapeutics  ?  What  has  been  accomplished  ? 
What  are  the  signs  of  promise?    What  is  lying  uppermost 


1886  Presidents  Address.  195 

to  be  done?  So  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  I  see  attention  paid 
as  never  before  to  that  greatest  of  all  departments  of  our  art, 
Hygiene.  All  along  the  line,  in  every  camp  and  bivouac, 
there  is  perceivable  a  growing  distinction  between  cause 
and  effect,  the  antecedent  and  the  consequent.  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 
The  fact  that  the  occasioner  of  the  phenomena  is  not  al- 
ways definable,  is  not  immediate,  may  have  had  its  source 
in  some  precedent,  time  or  person,  and,  like  a  river  to  the 
sea,  wended  its  way  to  the  present  observation-point  by 
hereditary  or  other  descent,  does  not  confuse  the  physician 
abreast  of  these  times.  He  does  not  doubt  that  some  ma- 
lign influence  is  operative,  and  that  morbid  conditions  are 
but  the  evidences  of  it. 

So,  more  and  more  attention  to  the  abatement  of  the 
causa  occasionalis  is  being  demanded;  so,  more  and 
more  are  physicians  of  every  name  obeying  that  sweeping 
injunction  of  Hahnemann:  "Discern  the  exciting  or  main- 
taining cause  of  the  disease,  and  take  measures  for  its  re- 
moval." As  a  consequence,  disease  agencies,  both  direct 
and  remote,  are  to-day  being  searched  for  as  never  before. 
The  ever  increasing  determination  is  to  nip  diseases  in  the 
bud  and  cut  down  the  conditions  that  bear  them.  Of  quick 
interest,  therefore,  to  all  are  the  efforts  being  put  forth  to 
ward  off  and  annul  the  maladies  to  which  man  is  subject 
Individuals,  families  and  societies  are  receiving  training 
as  never  before,  as  to  how  they  may  guard  and  defend 
every  port  of  entry.  The  air,  the  water,  the  food  and  the 
environment  are,  by  the  average  intelligence,  even  of  lay- 
men, now  called  to  answer  the  severe  questions  of  scrutiny 
and  analysis.  And,  going  further,  individuals  are  finding 
that  they  have  more  than  the  present  to  deal  with,  more 
than  the  here  and  now  to  consider.  Each  one  is  learning 
that  he  is  but  part  of  a  chain,  a  link  welded  to  others  in 
both  directions,  the  past  and  the  future  being  but  exten- 
sions of  the  present  Every  one  is  carrying  ills  handed 
down  to  him  by  ignorant  or  heedless  ancestors.     How  may 


196  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept. 

he  cast  them  off  and  abolish  their  malign  influences? 
Every  one  has  the  power  to  transmit  a  multitude  of  weak- 
nesses or  disease  tendencies  to  his  progeny.  How  may  he 
prevent  the  transmission  of  such  a  curse?  Can  he  root 
them  out  of  his  own  existence  and  thus  repeal  the  statute 
of  entail?  Can  he,  by  a  sober  attention  to  the  laws  of  life, 
generate  a  human  being  who  shall  be  possessed  of  a  better 
physical  endowment  than  he  himself  inherited? 

Thus  it  is  that  everything  that  pertains  to  the  mainten- 
ance of  a  sound  mind  in  a  sound  body,  is  being  cross-ex- 
amined in  a  way  wholly  unknown  even  to  our  fathers.  As 
fruit  of  this  the  exanthemata  and  communicable  diseases 
are  being  walled  in;  the  so-called  "filth  diseases"  are  be- 
coming unpopular,  disgraceful;  the  propagation  and  trans- 
mission of  hereditary  diseases  are  commencing,  justly,  to 
be  rated  as  acts  akin  to  crime,  while  that  horrible  pit  of 
darkness,  in  which  are  committed  sexual  frauds  and  intra- 
uterine murder,  is  being  illuminated  and  ventilated  and  as 
far  as  possible  disinfected  with  a  thoroughness  before  un- 
known. Thus,  year  by  year,  is  the  realm  of  disease-exhi- 
bition circumscribed,  and  the  tenure  of  happy,  healthful 
life  lengthened. 

But  these  achievements  in  prophylaxis  are  but  the  prom- 
ise of  that  which  is  attainable.  The  possibilities  in  this 
field  are  so  great  as  to  defy  the  most  fertile  imagination. 
Ood  speed  the  joyous  day  when  the  questions  of  right  liv- 
ing shall  not  only  be  satisfactorily  answered  but  the  lives 
of  all  brought  into  conformity  thereto. 

It  is  refreshing  to  recall  the  fact  that  Hahnemann  was  a 
power  in  this  dep6ui;ment  of  healing  and  that  he  made 
everything  subservient  to  it  Filled  with  the  inspiration 
of  the  discovery  of  the  law  of  therapeutics,  which  it  was 
his  to  expound  to  the  world,  he  was  careful  to  say  that  even 
that,  was  secondary  "  to  the  removal  of  the  obstacles  to  the 
cure,"  and  "the  guarding  as  far  as  possible  against  the  in- 
fluences that  may  induce  disease."  He  was  not  so  short 
sighted  as  to  teach  that  Similia  Similibus  Curantur  would 
be  operative  beyond  its  province,  or  that  its  province  em- 
braced the  entire  range  of  morbid  ramifications,  or  that  it 


1886  Presidenfs  Address.  197 

was  the  only  procedure  admissible  in  the  relief  of  human 
suflfering.  On  the  contrary,  like  a  good  naval  officer,  he 
ordered  the  decks  cleared  before  the  commencement  of 
action. 

Is  the  alimentary  canal  choked  with  inimical  or  extran- 
eous material;  has  the  system  received  a  poison  that  must 
soon  work  its  destruction;  are  mechanical  forces  operating 
at  variance  with  the  prescribed  harmonies  of  the  natural 
order,  in  the  guise  of  broken  or  dislocated  bone,  displaced 
organ,  tumor,  growth,  calculus  or  cicatrical  formation;  will 
the  body  soon  become  exsanguinated  through  the  orifice  of 
wounded  artery?  **  It  is  taken  for  granted,"  he  says,  "that 
every  intelligent  physician  will  commence  by  removing  this 
causa  occasionalism  In  every  disease  where  there  are  tang- 
ible exciting  causes  discernible,  it  is  the  physician's  first 
duty,  he  teaches,  to  remove  the  obstacles  to  the  cure,  by 
vomiting,  antidote,  surgical  interference,  etc.,  as  indicated; 
and  secondly,  to  choose  the  appropriate  remedy  to  combat 
the  disease  represented  by  the  totality  of  the  symptoms — 
"the  totality"  of  course,  remaining  after  the  removal  of 
the  "causa."  It  is  puerile  to  say  that  he  ever  countenanced 
the  rejection  of  non-observance  of  that  formula,  sublata 
causa,  iolUtur  effecius,  (the  cause  being  removed  the  effect 
ceases),  or  forbade  the  mitigation  of  the  intense  suffering 
of  pronounced  incurables  by  the  most  effective  palliatives 
within  human  reach.  For  he  commanded,  on  the  one  hand, 
the  most  painstaking  study  of  the  disease  phenomena,  and 
on  the  other,  a  corresponding  insight  into  the  abilities  and 
limitations  of  drug-performance. 

"  No  one,"  says  his  Organon,  "  can  merit  the  title  of  a 
genuine  physician,  or  a  man  skilled  in  the  art  of  healing, 
no  one  can  accomplish  his  purpose  in  a  rational  manner, 
who  does  not  clearly  perceive  the  curative  indication  in 
eacli  particular  case  of  disease,  who  is  unacquainted  \vith 
the  therapeutic  effects  of  medicines  individually  and  who 
is  not  guided  by  evident  reasons  in  his  ai)plication  of  that 
which  is  curative  in  medicine  to  that  which  is  indubitably 
diseased  in  the  patient.  Nothing  is  truer  than  that  close 
observation  of  disease  causes  and  the  intellect  employment 


198  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept 

of  correct  remedial  principles,  were  the  warp  aud  woof  of 
Hahnemann's  life.  That  he  did  not  reject  "the  accumu- 
lated 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  stu- 
dent of  his  prodigious  life-work  must  truthfully  attest. 

Harmonious  with  the  general  progress  in  prophylaxis 
before  cited  are  the  rapid  strides  recently  made  along  spe- 
cial lines,  and  which  deserve  at  least  a  passing  mention. 
In  this  category  I  may  instance  in  particular,  cholera,  hy- 
drophobia and  yellow  fever.  The  problem  essayed  is:  Can 
the  human  system  be  fortified  in  advance  against  these  and 
other  diseases?  Summing  up  the  results  thus  far  attained 
and  speaking  with  cautious  reserve,  I  must  say,  if  not  fully 
and  satisfactorily  established,  it  is  at  least  plausibly  pre- 
dicted. 

A  corresponding  member  of  this  Institute,  Dr.  Tomaso 
Cigliano,  has  placed  on  record  data  of  the  most  positive 
character,  relative  to  the  prevention  and  cure  of  cholera. 
The  report  of  the  experiences  of  himself  and  confreres,  in 
the  recent  great  epidemic  at  Naples,  Italy,  shows  that 
cholera  also,  like  scarlatina  and  vai'iola  has  its  prophylactic 
remedy.  In  the  very  midst  of  this  most  malignant  epi- 
demic, Rubini's  Camphor  did  not  fail  to  prevent  the  dis- 
ease in  a  single  instance,  though  used  in  many  thousand 
cases.  And  its  use  in  the  treatment  of  those  stricken  with 
the  disease,  in  connection  with  those  well  known  remedies 
pointed  out  by  Hahnemann,  resulted  in  a  loss  of  from  one 
to  four  per  cent,  only,  while  the  mortality  under  what  are 
mistermed  "regular"  methods,  was  over  fifty  per  cent. 

If  these  data  stood  alone,  the  product  of  experiences  in 
a  single  epidemic,  a  suspension  of  the  verdict,  till  more 
varied  opportunities  were  had  to  prove  the  matter,  might 
well  be  called  for.  But,  conforming  as  they  do  to  results 
obtained  in  Paris  in  1849,  in  Smyrna  in  1865,  and,  notably 
in  the  great  epidemics  of  cholera  in  this  country,  we  do  not 
hesitate  to  say  that  they  are  indisputable  aud  of  the  great- 
est possible  im]X)rt  In  the  light  of  these  repeated  succes- 
ses, we  make  bold  to  declare  that  statisticians  and  special 


1886  Presidenfs  Address.  199 

committees  appointed  by  governments  to  compile  all  that 
is  known  on  the  treatment  of  cholera,  shall  be  guilty  of  the 
blackest  of  crimes  if  they  do  not  incorporate  these  data 
into  their  reports,  if  they  again  suppress  them,  as  did  the 
special  committee  appointed  by  the  American  Congress 
but  a  few  short  years  ago! 

It  is  of  record  that  over  forty  years  ago  Eustapheive  and 
Hering,  disciples  of  Hahnemann,  advocated  the  use  of  the 
virus  of  rabid  animals  both  internally  and  by  vaccination 
for  the  prevention  of  rabies.  In  his  recent  experiments 
Pasteur  has  emphasized  this  treatment  and  attained  a  de- 
gree of  success  that  has  riveted  the  attention  of  the  world 
to  the  procedure.  While  it  is  yet  too  early  to  say  that  he 
has  conclusively  shown  that  every  case  of  hydrophobia  can 
be  warded  off,  he  has  by  his  one  thousand  efforts  in  this 
field,  and  his  undoubted  successes  in  the  abatement  of  epi- 
demic maladies  among  the  lower  animals,  proven  that  the 
prevention  of  contagious  or  infectious  diseases  by  the 
timely  use  of  the  appropriate  prophylactic  remedy,  has  a 
wider  application  than  has  been  hitherto  supposed. 

Along  the  same  line,  too,  are  the  seemingly  well  authen- 
ticated results  of  Dr.  Domingos  Friere,  of  Bio  Janeiro,  who 
has  vaccinated  with  attenuated  yellow  fever  virus,  over 
seven  thousand  unacclimated  persons,  all  of  whom  had  just 
been  exposed  to  the  disease.  Every  one  afflicted  with  the 
fever  and  treated  by  this  method  even  as  late  as  the  second 
stage,  has  thus  far  recovered.  Of  the  whole  number  ex- 
perimented upon  only  eight  have  since  died  of  disease,  not- 
withstanding the  fact  that  the  trial  was  made  during  one 
of  the  most  fatal  epidemics  ever  known  in  that  city. 

To  be  sure  these  accomplishments  of  Pasteur,  Friere  and 
others  have  not  as  yet  passed  their  crucial  stage,  and  indis- 
putably established  their  claims,  but  progress  enough  has 
been  made  to  show  that  they  are  full  of  promise  and  that 
ultimate  fulfillment  may  reasonably  be  hoped  for.  The 
thing  worthy  of  our  note  in  passing,  is  the  close  resem- 
blance which  all  this  bears  to  Homoeopathy.  That  the  ani- 
mal system  can  be  protected  against  the  ravages  of  disease 
force  by  the  propagation  in  the  system  of  a  morbid  impres. 


Ieic 


ITie  Medical  Advatice.  Sept. 

in  all  reepectB  like  unto  that  manifested  by  the  dis- 
was  the  principle  which  Hahnemann  advocatetl  and 
itestably  proved.  He  demonstrated  indubitably  that 
ihe  more  closely  the  drug  impression  resembled  the  dis- 
ease manifestation,  the  more  speedy  and  certain  would  be 
the  immanity  or  cure,  and  that  this  was  not  only  occasion- 
ally true  but  that  it  was  the  rule  throughout  the  realm  of 
disease-operations.  Hence  his  deduction,  that  any  sub- 
stanco  in  nature  would  prove  to  be  a  remedy  either  prophy- 
lactic or  restorative  that  possessed  the  power  to  create  such 
impression;  inasmuch  as  the  necessary  "similar"  was 

it,  JMir  se,  in  the  form  or  physical  character  of  the  drug 
used,  but  in  the  condition  or  morbid  impression  which  it 
created.  Thus  was  necessitated  the  use  of  the  single 
remedy  and  the  death  of  jwlypharmacy.  Thus  was  re- 
quired the  lesser  quantity  and  the  attenuated  dose. 

The  study  of  drug-etfects,  the  physiological  action  of 
remedies,  the  proving  of  the  impression-producing  power 
of  curative  agents  was  then  inaugurated,  following  which 
came  the  tabulation  of  the  positive  effects  of  drugs  admin- 
istered to  the  healthy,  and  the  construction  of  a  pure  Ma- 
teria Medica.  From  that  day  forward  no  substance  in  ua- 
tnre  was  bx)  mean  or  unpromising  to  command  respect  or 
■te  made  the  subject  of  inquiry.  It  mattered  not  whetlier 
the  agent  was  vegetable  or  mineral,  tlie  venom  of  a  reptile 
or  an  insect,  a  disease  product  or  a  contagious  virus,  it  was 
required  to  stand  or  fall  upon  its  ability  to  stamp  its  signa- 
ture upon  the  animal  economy.  For  its  power  to  originate 
such  a  morbid  impression  foretold  its  ability  to  remove  a 
like  impression  when  produced  by  disease. 

Whether,  therefore,  medicine  be  administered  by  inunc- 

in,  vaccination  or  hypodermic  needle,  or  be  taken  by  the 
mouth  or  rectum  is  immaterial,  so  long  as  the  most 
ealective  minimum  dcrae  of  the  single  remedy  is  used,  so 
long  as  that  remedy  is  employed,  which  has  the  energy  to 
create  a  like  condition.  The  principle  then,  employed  by 
Jenner  and  copied  by  all  his  successors  is  homoeopathic; 
it  is  but  a  corollary  of  Hahnemann's  law. 

"We  have  too  long  been  stumbliug  over  the  apparent  con- 


1886  Presidenfa  Address.  201 

tradiction  of  similia  and  idem,  and  have  thus  in  a  measure 
been  debarred  from  the  fruits  of  our  conquest.  Words  are 
but  clumsy  vehicles  for  thought,  and  alas,  how  often  only 
serve  to  shut  out  the  meaning  intended.  To  comprehend 
the  thing  for  which  they  stand,  we  must  look  beyond  them 
into  the  very  soul  of  the  question.  For,  whatever  words 
may  do,  principles  do  not  clash.  God  never  allowed  one 
truth  to  go  to  war  with  another,  or  in  any  way  infringe  upon 
or  circumscribe  its  action.  Go-relation  and  inter-depen- 
deuce  is  everywhere  expressed. 

A  great  law  is  like  the  center  of  a  stellar  system;  for  in 
its  mighty  sweep  around  a  greater  center  it  carries  with  it 
a  brood  of  satellites,  which  not  only  revolve  about  it,  b];it 
which  draw  from  it  their  light  and  heai  Such  a  sun  is 
Similia  Similibus  Curantur,  and  such  is  its  place  in  the 
domain  of  therapeutics.  Wherever  remedies  have  acted  in 
the  prevention  and  cure  of  diseases,  they  have  shown  their 
allegiance  to  this  centripetal  power.  In  their  various  ex- 
hibitions of  ability,  often  under  the  most  adverse  and  em- 
barrassing circumstances,  as  in  polypharmacy,  they  have  in 
their  actions  and  reactions  observed  loyalty  to  this  thera- 
peutic principle,  and  have  more  and  more  voiced  the  de- 
mand for  a  single  remedy,  the  minimum  quantity  and  the 
similar  condition. 

TliuH,  through  the  ages  ^'has  this  increasing  purpose 
run/'  all  opposing  influences  to  the  contrary  notwithstand- 
ing. For  Coniraria,  alias  Allopathy,  its  chief  antagonist, 
tho  self-styled  "regular"  of  to-day,  (and  which  is  typical 
of  nil  our  opponents),  is  as  ever  a  wandering  comet,  has  no 
gravital  center  or  guiding  principle.  Having  started  no- 
wlnu<i,  it  cnn  go  nowhere,  but  into  eventual  oblivion.  The 
grout  therapeutic  facts  that  sparkle  in  and  appear  to  be  a 
part  of  its  immense  tail  are  really  not  of  it,  do  not  move 
with  it.  They  are  the  stars  that  shine  through  its  appen- 
dage; they  are  the  planets  and  satellites,  the  primaries  and 
Hccondaries,  of  a  therapeutic  system,  even  similia,  which 
seems  to  dominate  the  therapeutic  universe.  Such  being 
the  far-reaching  majesty  of  this  law,  it  is  not  singular  that 
men  are  attracted  to  it,  both  consciously  and  unconsciously. 


202  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

as  steel  is  drawn  to  a  magnet,  and  that  all  efforts  to  repel 
them  are  unavailing.  For  here  is  a  principle,  that  in  one 
short  century  has  turned  the  medical  world  upside  down, 
and  wrought  more  changes  for  good  than  all  previous  con- 
tributions to  the  healing  art  combined. 

This  is  the  leaven  that  has  worked  and  is  working  its 
marvelous  transformations  through  that  whole  incongruous 
mass  of  jumbled  facts,  called  "the  accumulated  experien- 
ces of  the  profession,"  bringing  order  out  of  disorder  and 
system  out  of  chaos.  Heroic  treatment,  omnibus  prescrip- 
tions, the  lancet,  leech,  cautery  et  al,  have  been  driven  be- 
fore it  and  are  now  employed  only  in  remote  or  benighted 
regions,  or  by  those  practitioners  who  have  been  stationary 
since  the  18th  century. 

"The  proving  of  medicines  on  the  healthy,  the  single 
remedy  and  the  fractional  dose,  are  being  appropriated  by 
the  old  school  as  a  benefaction;  while  the  law  of  similars 
has  forced  its  way  both  to  open  recognition  and  clandestine 
acceptance  in  the  form  of  the  opposite  action  of  large  and 
small  quantities  of  drugs." — Hughes. 

The  literature  of  the  whole  medical  world  has  felt  the 
effects;  and  those  works  are  the  most  popular  in  the  old 
school  that  are  the  most  saturated  with  this  teaching — as 
is  attested  by  the  remedy  disposal  of  Bartholow,  Brunton, 
Phillipri,  and  the  eleven  editions  of  Binger. 

Commerce  also,  is  paying  its  tribute.  The  sails  of  trade 
are  filled  with  its  breezes.  Even  its  enemies  have  been 
forced  to  manufacture  and  vend  its  wares.  Our  little  pills, 
triturations  and  innocent  dilutions  are  no  longer  such  ob- 
jects of  hatred  and  derision  as  they  were  in  the  Leipsic- 
days.  For  inventive  genius  has  been  called  to  the  rescue, 
and  we  are  offered,  forsooth,  the  clever  counterfeit  in  the 
shape  of  "sugar  powders,"  "sugar  and  gelatine-coated 
pills,"  "parvules,"  "compressed  tablets"  and  tasteless 
pharmaceutical  preparations. 

Drug  houses,  big  and  little,  are  scrambling  for  the  place, 
and  are  now  willing  to  incur  the  displeasure  of  their  old- 
time  gods,  and  become,  even  in  small  measure,  homoeo- 
pathic pharmacies. 


1886  Presidents  Address.  203 

In  every  live  country  of  the  globe  the  same  tendencies 
are  manifest — the  same  scenes  witnessed.  Wherever  free- 
dom dwells  the  most  securely,  there  Homoeopathy  grows 
the  most  luxuriantly,  and  its  demands  are  conceded  the 
most  generously.  Bulers  and  law-makers  are  growing  sen- 
sitive to  its  requirements,  and  the  public  wants  are  better 
heeded.  Colleges,  hospitals  and  dispensaries  are  chartered 
and  endowed  for  it  by  the  state,  and  public  institutions  are 
placed  under  its  care.  Within  the  present  summer,  the 
Massachusetts  legislature  has  appropriated  the  additional 
sum  of  S180,000  to  complete  and  equip  the  Homoeopathic 
Hospital  for  the  Insane  at  Westboro — thus  swelling  the 
State's  aid  to  this  institution  alone  to  the  munificent  sum 
of  over  §500,000,  while  that  large  penal  institution,  the 
Ohio  penitentiary,  has,  in  the  same  time,  been  placed  un- 
der homoeopathic  care.  In  addition  to  these,  our  National 
Congress  has  recently  given  Homoeopathy  governmental 
recognition  by  making  an  appropriation  of  §15,000  for  the 
completion  of  the  National  Homoeopathic  Hospital  at  the 
Capital. 

To  further  show  that  the  spirit  of  this  medical  revival  is 
not  dead;  and  that  it  is  not  the  crippled  three-legged  stool 
so  facetiously  described  by  the  misguided  Holmes  over 
forty  years  ago,  I  call  you  to  witness,  that  since  the  utter- 
ance of  that  satirical  statement,  there  have  been  chartered 
and  established  in  this  country  fifteen  homoeopathic  col- 
leges, which  have  standards  of  requirement  equal  to  any  in 
the  land,  which  graduate  annually  over  four  hundred  doc- 
tors and  which  have  alumni  numbering  over  seven  thou- 
sand; that  during  this  time,  more  than  a  duplicate  number 
of  physicians  have  joined  their  ranks  bringing  diplomas 
from  old  schools;  and  that  to-day,  after  one  generation  has 
passed  away  in  death,  there  are  more  than  ten  thousand 
physicians  openly  practicing  Homoeopathy  in  the  United 
States,  while  the  number  in  the  old  school  who  are  clan- 
destinely practicing  it,  and  feeling  their  way  into  it,  is  as- 
tonishingly large;  that  the  homoeopathic  literature  is  re- 
spectable, being  represented  annually  in  periodicals  and 
books  by  an  aggregate  of  more  than  twenty-five  thousand 


204  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

pages;  that  we  have  one  national,  seven  sectional  and 
twenty-eight  state  societies,  embracing  an  aggregate  mem- 
bership of  over  three  thousand;  that  there  are  in  this  coun- 
try more  than  fifty  general  and  special  hospitals,  possessing 
property  valued  at  over  $5,000,000  and  treating  annually 
upwards  of  25,000  patients;  that  we  have  forty-eight  dis- 
pensaries where  from  one  to  two  hundred  thousand  poor 
receive  annually  gratuitous  treatment;  and  that  the  patrons 
of  Homoeopathy  comprise  millions  of  the  most  cultured 
and  wealthy  citizens  of  the  Republic,  every  one  of  them 
filled  with  the  missionary  spirit  and  the  desire  to  spread 
this  medical  gospel  to  the  remotest  bounds.  Having  once 
walked  in  the  better  way,  they  have  no  wish  to  return  to 
the  old  labyrinth.  Even  that  barrier  to  medical  progress, 
that  Chinese  wall  around  therapeutic  science,  that  barri- 
cade against  truth  built  by  the  American  Medical  Associa- 
tion, and  known  as  Sec  1,  Art  4,  Code  of  Ethics,  even  that, 
I  say,  has  felt  the  battering-ram  of  this  changed  public 
opinion  and  is  tumbling  to  the  ground. 

I  need  not  recount  to  you  the  steps  of  the  desperate  con- 
flict that  is  now  being  waged  behind  its  bars.  But  one 
thing  is  remarkable;  it  is  not  those  from  without  who  are 
endeavoring  to  scale  this  wall,  but  those  from  within.  Sick 
of  the  prison-life  to  which  it  subjects  them,  they  have  at- 
tacked their  keepers,  and  are  in  deadly  struggle  for  free- 
dom. The  cry  is:  *' Liberty,  equality,  fraternity."  It  takes 
no  prophetic  eye  to  see  that  the  Bastile  must  go — aye,  is 
going. 

That  influence,  now,  which  has  wrought  all  this  change; 
that  ** Social  Contract"  which  has  fermented  all  this  revo- 
lution; that  heaven-bom  truth,  Similia,  which  like  a  day- 
star  has  led  men  on  to  those  great  achievements;  what  of. 
that?  Is  its  mission  ended?  Has  the  time  come  to  furl 
its  banner  and  blot  out  the  distinctions  for  which  it  has 
stood?  No;  to  state  it  is  to  condemn  it  As  well  ask  the 
followers  of  the  Divine  Master  to  abandon  that  title  be- 
stowed upon  them  at  Antioch,  and  no  longer  be  known  as 
"Christians,"  as  to  enjoin  the  abrogation  of  that  name, 
which  is  above  every  name  in  healing,  even  Homoeopathy, 


1886  Presidents  Address.  205 

with  all  that  that  implies.  For  a  word  is  but  the  sign  of 
an  idea,  a  mere  device  for  identifying  a  person  or  thing. 
In  and  of  itself  there  is  nothing  odious.  It  is  the  thing  for 
which  it  stands  that  is  good  or  bad,  attractive  or  repug- 
nant It  is  not,  therefore,  the  mere  cancellation  of  the 
word  Homoeopathy  that  is  demanded,  but  the  cessation  of 
the  life  it  represents;  the  abolition  of  its  manifestations; 
the  death  of  its  organization.  For  more  than  four  score 
years,  this  modest  exaction  has  been  made,  but  with  what 
result,  obtained  in  the  face  of  what  tremendous  odds,  the 
world  knows.  After  the  accomplishment  of  such  vast  good, 
and  while  it  is  but  yet  on  the  threshold  of  its  great  mission, 
it  is  clear  that  it  is  not  destined  soon  to  expire.  The  great 
Over-ruler  will  see  to  it,  as  He  has  in  the  past,  that  it  is 
not  blotted  out;  that  mien  do  not  sell  it  for  pieces  of  silver 
or  betray  it  by  means  of  a  kiss. 

Homoeopathy  is  here  by  Divine  command,  has  a  vast 
realm  yet  to  evangelize  and  redeem,  and  it  will  remain  un- 
til all  Einger-like  plagiarism  shall  be  extinguished;  imtil 
it  shall  be  dishonorable  for  men  to  clandestinely  adopt  it, 
in  whole  or  in  part,  and  then  openly  oppose  it  and  perse- 
cute it;  until  it  can  go  unchallenged  into  any  medical  coun- 
cil or  medical  journal  in  the  world,  and  until  there  are  no 
more  diseases  to  heal. 

Followers  of  Hahnemann:  To  you  has  been  given  the 
nurture  and  defence  of  this  great  truth.  To  you  has  been 
issued  the  command:  Go  into  all  the  world  and  preach  this 
gospel.  Fail  not  to  acquit  yourselves  worthily  and  to  stand 
firmly  in  the  exposition  of  all  that  is  true  and  of  good  re- 
port in  medicine. 

Gathered,  now,  in  annual  conclave,  there  are  some  things 
around  this  council-board  that  we  should  seriously  consider, 
honestly  confess  and  faithfully  reform.  For  in  the  inven- 
tory of  our  possessions  we  have  both  needs  and  short-com- 
ings. In  the  spirit  of  truth,  therefore,  and  for  the  mutual 
and  general  good,  let  us  take  a  candid  survey  of  the  field; 
let  us  give  and  take  wholesome  criticism. 

The  most  inexcusable  and  reprehensible  thing  among  us 
to-day  is  the  intolerance  of  opinion  on  various  pointe,  so 


206  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

emphatically  manifest.  We  are  too  much  filled  with  the 
esprit  de  corps  of  the  old  camp,  the  spirit  of  the  old  day 
in  opinion,  when  it  was  damnable  to  doubt,  and  heresy  to 
think,  otherwise  than  you  were  bid  to  think.  There  is  too 
much  tendency  among  us  to  employ  the  "  boycott "  and  to 
ostracise  those  who  are  not  of  our  conviction.  If  you  do 
not  employ  that  potency  in  prescribing  which  I  deem  the 
most  desirable,  or  if  you  do  not  accept  my  estimate  and 
rendition  of  certain  theories  promulgated  in  the  Organon, 
then  you  are  as  an  alien  and  heathen,  worse  even  than  the 
common  enemy!  One  holds  that  medicines  exhaust  their 
curative  powers  before  the  twelfth  potency  is  reached,  and 
that  all  above  that  is  "moonshine;"  another  believes  that 
the  cure  is  best  made  with  the  higher  and  highest  poten- 
cies, and  that  any  deviation  from  their  employment  is 
"mongrelism"  and  "Allopathy."  This  whole  epithet- 
spirit  is  born  of  evil,  and  is  the  carrier  of  no  good  thing. 
It  is  all  contrary  to  the  mind  and  heart  of  science.  It  is 
the  mediaeval  over  again.  It  should  be  at  once  consigned 
to  oblivion,  and  heard  of  no  more  among  us.  Strike  with 
all  your  ability  for  that  which  you  hold  to  be  true,  but 
generously  accord  your  fellows  the  same  privilege. 

Bemembering  that  Hering  "never  accepted  a  single 
theory  in  the  Organon  as  there  promulgated,"  and  that  it 
is  the  essence  of  Hahnemann's  teaching  "to  totally  disre- 
gard all  theories,  even  those  of  one's  own  fabrication,  when 
they  are  in  opposition  to  the  results  of  pure  experience." 
Let  us  catch  and  hold  the  catholic  spirit  of  the  great  Dun- 
ham, and  thus  fuse  ourselves  into  one  harmonious  body  of 
scientific  workers,  each  tolerant  of  the  other's  views. 

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  further  be  made  to  those  great  arbiters,  Ume  and 
experience. 

I  think,  further,  we  should  all  be  better  readers  of 
Hahnemann's  writings.     There  is  too  much  ignorance  on 


1886  Presidmts  Address.  207 

all  hands,  as  to  what  he  actually  taught  One  should  un- 
derstand his  environment  and  the  limitations  of  the  knowl- 
edge of  his  time,  in  order  to  judge  of  his  great  abilities 
and  make  proper  estimate  of  what  he  said  and  did. 

The  Organon  should  have  first  place  among  the  text- 
books of  every  college;  and  every  curriculum  should  make 
provision  for  its  thorough  study.  A  knowledge  of  the  ori- 
gin and  growth,  to  the  present  day,  of  the  various  tenets 
of  our  belief,  should  be  obligatory  upon  all.  Thus,  only, 
shall  students  be  established  in  correct  practices,  and  be 
prepared  to  give  well-grounded  reasons  for  their  convic- 
tions. 

Again,  every  member  of  our  ranks  should  be  found  in 
his  place,  doing  his  utmost  for  the  dissemination  of  this 
principle.  As  long  as  our  opponents  are  so  thoroughly 
organized,  it  is  our  bounden  duty  to  associate.  Our  socie- 
ties should  be  strengthened  by  the  membership  of  every 
subscriber  to  the  law.  Particularly  is  this  so  with  regard 
to  the  American  Institute.  This  is  our  representative  body, 
and  should  be  the  pride  of  every  loyal  subject.  Every  one 
should  be  intensely  interested  in  its  welfare,  the  growth  of 
its  membership,  and  the  correct  expression  of  its  influence. 
By  the  fruits  of  this  tree  are  we  known  and  rated  the 
world  over.  Every  disciple  of  Hahnemann,  therefore,  in 
America,  should  see  to  it  that  his  name  is  on  its  roll  of 
members,  and  that  he  is  doing  all  he  can  to  have  it  properly 
express  this  great  truth.  He  should  see  to  it  that  he  does 
not  lend  himself  to  counteracting  influences  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  societies  that  will  cripple  the  forces  of  this 
society,  which  is  superior  to  all.  This  year,  no  less  than 
four  so-called  "  National "  societies,  besides  this  Institute, 
and  composed  almost  entirely  of  its  members,  are  meeting 
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 
he.  The  proper  place  for  every  one  of  these  societies  is 
inside  the  American  Institute  of  Homoeopathy.  And  the 
proper  and  paramount  business  of  this  session  is  to  see  to 
it  that  these  distracting  and  emasculating  influences  are 


208  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

from  this  time  on  neutralized.  In  these  days  of  combina- 
tion, such  a  diversity  of  effort  should  no  longer  be  allowed 
to  continue.  These  five  societies  should  be  "  pooled,"  and 
the  best  efforts  of  all  the  members  centered  on  the  up- 
building of  one  common  society  that  shall  stand  for  all, 
and  that  shall  make  its  name  lustrous  throughout  the 
world. 

To  this  end,  we  should  as  an  Institute  abandon  our  prim- 
itive methods  and  adjust  ourselves  to  the  demands  of  ma- 
ture life.  As  it  is,  we  are  miserably  cramped,  and  nobody 
is  satisfied.  Not  a  single  bureau  is  able  to  get  the  time 
necessary  for  the  proper  consideration  of  its  subject 
Members  are  forced  to  hear  their  papers,  upon  which  they 
have  expended  much  time  and  thought,  read  by  title  and 
referred  without  discussion.  It  will  not  do  to  longer  print 
volumes  of  so-called  "  Transactions "  made  up  almost  en- 
tirely of  "referred"  papers;  or,  what  is  still  more  aggra- 
vating, papers  which  have  been  mangled  to  death  by  an 
"abstract."  It  will  not  do  longer  to  have  sessions  prac- 
tically void  of  discussions.  For  this  is  why  these  collat- 
eral societies  have  been  formed.  This  is  the  reason  why 
many  old  members  will  not  attend  or  furnish  papers  for 
these  meetings,  and  will  not  pay  their  dues.  If  we  would 
not  have  every  one  of  our  bureaus  represented  by  a  collat- 
eral society,  and  our  membership  lose  its  animation,  we 
must  no  longer  continue  the  suicidal  order.  It  must  no 
longer  be  heard  that  "  the  Institute  is  in  a  rut,"  "is  run 
by  a  ring,"  and  "its  active  members  are  smothered  to 
death." 

We  must  enlarge  the  area  of  our  building  to  such  an 
extent  as  to  provide  every  one  of  our  bureaus  with  ample 
accommodations;  so  that  the  bureaus  in  their  turn  may 
abolish  all  hindrances  to  advancement;  may  cease  forcing 
their  members  to  consider  only  text-book  topics,  and  allow 
reports  of  original  investigations  along  any  line.  When 
that  is  done,  progress  will  be  watched  in  this  Institute;  the 
enthusiasm  of  its  work  will  become  contagious;  and  its 
membership,  which  has  been  practically  stationary  for  the 
last  ten  years,  will  be  multiplied  by  two,  three,  or  four. 


1886  Presidents  Address.  209 

There  is  no  way  to  do  this  except  by  the  adoption  of  the 
section  plan.  If  you  say,  "We  have  tried  that,"  I  shall 
question  it  most  rigidly.  In  a  large  body  like  this  no  effort 
of  that  kind  can  be  called  a  trial  which  does  not  embrace 
several  sessions.  Time  must  be  allowed  to  get  the  machin- 
ery in  order  and  working  smoothly.  Opportunity  must  be 
granted  for  amendment.  We  must  have  a  chance  to  im- 
prove what  is  defective  and  supply  what  is  wanting. 

In  this  manner  we  shall  succeed  as  perfectly  as  have 
larger  societies  before  us,  notably  the  American  Associa- 
tion for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  and  shall  thus  quad- 
ruple our  working  ability.  Consonant  with  such  a  change, 
all  needless  barriers  to  membership  should  be  torn  away. 
We  must  study  the  problem  as  it  is.  Most  young  physi- 
cians are  in  straightened  circumstances.  They  have  mort- 
gaged the  future,  many  of  them,  to  secure  their  education 
and  make  the  outfit  for  practice.  While  it  is  a  great  in- 
convenience to  be  impecunious  at  such  a  time,  it  is  not 
necessarily  a  misfortune.  The  fact,  however,  remains,  that 
ten  dollars  is  a  sum  that  would  be  seriously  missed  by  very 
many  who  would  gladly  join  us,  but  who  are  thus  debarred, 
I  therefore  question  the  wisdoni  of  our  present  finance 
methods,  particularly  the  imposition  of  an  initiation  fee,  a 
demand  without  any  obvious  equivalent.  Better  abolish 
that  fee  entirely. 

I  respectfully  suggest,  therefore,  that  you  at  once  ap- 
point a  special  committee  who  shall  consider  this  whole 
matter,  and  report  a  plan  in  the  early  part  of  the  session, 
embodying  all,  for  our  consideration  and  adoption. 

During  the  session  of  1868,  at  the  instance  of  Dr.  Car- 
roll Dunham,  this  Institute  appointed  a  committee  to  com- 
pile for  it  a  pharmacopoeia,  which,  when  published,  should 
be  the  official  guide  for  the  homoeopathic  pharmacists  in 
this  country.  Dr.  Dunham  was  made  chairman  of  this 
committee,  and  spent  years  in  the  prosecution  of  the  work, 
which  was  finally  interrupted  by  the  Centennial  Conven- 
tion, and  the  early  death  of  its  indefatigable  President. 
Among  Dr.  Dunham's  papers  was  found  a  pile  of  discon- 
nected MSS.   awaiting  final  arrangement  for  the  press. 

N 


210  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept 

Unavailing  effort  was  made  to  find  some  one  who  was 
willing  to  take  up  and  complete  the  work;  bnt  the  commit- 
tee di'agged  itself  along,  and  was  finally,  in  1880,  dis- 
charged. ITius  it  ended,  and  thus  it  remains  to  this  day. 
Since  then  two  works  have  been  issued  to  supply  this  de- 
mand, but  inasmuch  as  they  are  at  variance  on  vital  points, 
there  is  still  no  uniformity  in  the  preparations  of  our  rem- 
edies; there  is  no  authoritative  command  for  our  pharma- 
cists to  follow.  Investigations  made  by  the  Institute  in 
the  past,  and  the  researches  of  its  Bureau  of  Pharmacy, 
which  will  be  voiced  to  you  during  this  session,  all  show 
how  great  is  our  need  in  this  direction.  When  dried  herbs 
and  roots  are  substituted  for  fresh  succulent  ones  in  the 
manufacture  of  tinctures,  and  when  triturations  are  proven 
to  be  as  variable  as  the  names  of  their  makers,  it  is  high 
time  that  something  definite  be  done  by  this  body  to  en- 
force uniformity.  Then  let  the  work  of  issuing  an  author- 
itative pharmacopoeia  be  again  taken  up,  and  carried  to  an 
early  completion. 

This  will  be  an  appropriate  supplement  to  that  other 
great  work,  the  compilation  of  the  Cyclopoedia  of  Drug 
Pathogenesy,  over  which  the  American  Institute  and  the 
British  Homoeopathic  Society  for  the  last  two  years  have 
conjointly  had  a  fostering  care. 

The  purity  and  reliability  of  our  Materia  Medica  is  a 
consummation  to  be  desired  by  all;  but  we  have  hardly  yet 
begun  to  realize  the  great  work  that  is  here  being  accom- 
plished for  our  science.  •  To  have  the  pathogenesis  of  every 
drug  well  authenticated;  to  have  it  freed  from  all  error;  to 
have  it  present  the  real  truth  of  drug^ability  in  every  in- 
stance, is  to  plant  the  feet  of  every  prescriber  on  the  bed- 
rock of  certainty;  is  to  supply  him  with  knowledge  that 
will  sustain  him  in  the  hours  of  extremity. 

The  three  numbers  of  this  publication  already  received 
attest  the  ability  and  faithfulness  of  the  work  thus  far  ac- 
complished, and  furnish  a  tangible  outline  of  its  great  use- 
fulness. Nothing  should  be  allowed  to  interrupt  or  embar- 
rass the  prosecution  and  completion  of  this  work  so  well 
begun.     We  should  continue  to  extend  to  its  editors,  our 


1886  Presidenfs  Address.  211 

appointees,  the  substantial  encouragement  they  need  to 
carry  out  this  work.  For  it  is  safe  to  say,  that  this  is  the 
nearest  approximation  to  a  "Pure  Materia  Medica"  we 
have  ever  yet  attained,  and  is  a  vast  step  in  the  right  direc- 
tion. The  great  work  of  our  future  is  to  perfect  our  ac- 
quaintance with  the  physiological  action  of  drugs,  by  all 
the  aids  to  observation  furnished  by  tnodern  science,  and 
to  present  that  knowledge  in  its  acceptable  form. 

Finally,  we  are  pained  to  note  the  absence  here  of  faces 
long  familiar,  which  can  meet  with  us  no  more,  having  pre- 
ceded us  to  the  land  of  the  unknown.  Like  soldiers  re- 
turning from  battle,  we  miss  these  comrades  who  have  stood 
shoulder  to  shoulder  with  us  on  many  hard-fought  fields, 
and  who  were  battle-scarred  veterans  when  the  most  of  us 
here  present  entered  the  ranks.  They  have  been  the  light 
of  our  councils,  and  the  source  of  reliance  in  times  of  need. 
Is  there  one  among  us  who  is  not  thus  bereaved? 

**  It  singeth  low  in  every  heart, 

We  hear  it  each  and  all, 
A  song  of  those  who  answer  not 

However  we  may  call. 
They  throng  the  silence  of  the  breast, 

We  see  them  as  of  yore, 
The  kind,  the  true,  the  brave,  the  sweet, 

AVho  walk  with  us  no  more." 

It  remains  for  us  now  to  emulate  their  example  in  all 
good  works,  and  if  possible,  by  added  zeal,  counteract  their 
loss.  These  memories  of  our  past,  its  fellowships  and 
achievements,  should  bind  us  in  closer  allegiance  to  truth, 
and  should  inspire  us,  during  the  life-remnant,  with  greater 
fidelity  in  our  work. 

In  closing,  I  desire  to  extend  to  you,  fellow  members,  my 
sincere  thanks  for  the  high  honor  conferred  upon  me  at 
your  last  meeting. 

In  grateful  appreciation  of  this,  your  most  valued  gift,  it 
is  my  earnest  desire  to  subserve  only  your  best  interests. 
In  the  conduct  of  these  affairs,  therefore,  I  bespeak  your 
kind  assistance  and  patient  indulgence. 


212  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

THE  ADDRESS  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  OF  THE  AMERICAN 
INSTITUTE  OF  HOMCEOPATHY,  AT  ITS  SESSION  OF 
1886. 


It  has  been  my  duty  on  several  former  occasions  to  com- 
ment on  addresses  of  Presidents  of  our  homoeopathic  asso- 
ciated bodies,  and  not  always  with  approval.  Indeed, 
oftener  than  otherwise  they  have  seemed  to  disgrace  Pres- 
idents and  the  bodies  that  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  lenrn 
that  these  electing  bodies  were  so  ignorant  of,  or  indiffer- 
ent 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 
ivere  for  the  time  being.  It  is,  therefore,  a  pleasure  to 
note  in  the  last  of  these  addresses  a  manifest  improvement 
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  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  certainly  admirable  in  its  generous  and  noble 
spirit,  and  in  the  clearness  of  expression  of  the  thoughts 
it  presents. 

But  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  coin- 
cidence of  the  death  of  Hahnemann  and  the  birth  of  our 
Institute,  he  says  of  the  latter: 

"The  organiziition  which  henceforth  was  to  be  his  representa- 
tive in  the  world,  and  whicn  was  to  do  more  to  voice  and  defend 
his  cause  than  all  other  agencies  combined,  was  launched  upon  its 
great  mission.    What  was  thus  denied  to  a  single  individual  [to  be 


1886  Comments  on  the  Presidents  Address.  213 

the  representative*  of  HahnemariD]  was  consigned  to  th(^  siife-keep- 
ing  of  the  organized  many.  How  faithfully  this  trust  has  been 
adniiniutered  is  now  a  matter  of  record,  etc.*' 

•  Just  so,  and  alas  for  the  record!  After  the  early  history 
of  the  Institute,  when  this  ceased  to  be  under  the  guidance 
and  control  of  its  founders,  this  record  has  been  little  else 
than  an  increasing  abandonment  of  all  which  is  character- 
istic 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  eflfectually  excluded  from  the  re- 
corded actions  of  the  Institute  that  in  that  of  the  last  few 
years  it  will  be  diflBicult  to  find  an  excuse  for  a  suspicion 
that  this  body  which  has  given  us  this  record  is  an  Insti- 
tute of  Homoeopathy  at  all.  And  this  is  how  the  succes- 
sors ot  the  founders  of  this  organization  have  "  adminis- 
tered the  trust"  given  to  them.  They  have  simply  cast  it 
out  from  them  and  would  have  nothing  to  do  with  it  And 
hence  the  great  disgrace  on  Homoeopathy,  inflicted  by  its 
*' Indianapolis  resolution.''  Did  our  President  remember 
that  this  resolve  made  a  part  of  that  record  when  he  eulo- 
gized it?  There  it  stands  now,  as  an  attempted  justifica- 
tion 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  meet- 
ings and  went  to  them  no  more?  Did  he  know  that  one  of 
the  earliest  to  do  this  was  our  great  leader,  Heringf  The 
writer  of  this  walked  out  of  the  meeting  with  him,  in 
which  he  said  he  had  resolved  to  attend  no  more  meetings 
of  the  Institute,  and  false  to  this  "/r/<s/ "was  the  reason  he 
gave.  Hering,  I  believe,  was  n,ever  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 


214  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept. 

for  the  quid  ajyportcVf  What  he  saw  was  what  the  record 
should  have  heeii,  not  what  it  is,  or  of  late  has  been  as  to 
all  pertaining  to  the  Homoeopathy  of  him  of  whom  this 
President  declares  this  body  is  the  successor  and  repre- 
sentative. 
And  further: 

"With  the  banner  of  thenapeutic  reform  over  it  [the  Institute], 
this  great  force  of  scientific  workers  hsis  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  Init  fairly  begun. 
Loyalty  and  fidelity  to  principle  [had  he  forgotten  the  Indianap- 
olis resolution]  on  the  part  of  its  exponents  are  alone  requisite  to 
the  fulfillment  of  this  prophecy." 

What  in  the  name  of  truth  and  couimon  sense  has  this 
Institute  "conquered"?  and  what  is  it  to  conquer  hereafter 
with  promise  of  good  in  it,  as  to  any  interests  of  "thera- 
peutic reform,"  having  so  wholly  abandonded  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  he  [Hahnemann]  did  not  reject  *the  accumulated  knowl- 
edge of  the  ijrofession'  and  did  not  *base  his  practice  upon  an 
exclusive  dogma,'  is  clear,  therefore,  to  every  fair-uiinded,  unpre- 
judiced 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.  Well,  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 


1886  Commenis  on  the  Presidents  Address,  215 

aught  of  value  to  this.  We  have  been  somewhat  familiar 
with  these  writings  for  near  half  a  century,  and  were  edu- 
cated into  the  core  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  dogma."     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  foundation  or  that  he  mentioned  any 
other  with  recommepdation  to  the  confidence  of  his  fol- 
lowers.    He  proclaimed  a  natural  law,  universal  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  expressions,  "accumulated  knowledge  of  the  profes- 
sion" and  "exclusive  dpgma,"  sound  as  though  we  had 
heard  them  before,  but  never  before  in  an  attempt  to  drag 
Hv*ihnemann  down  to  the  low  level  of  those  of  his  pretended 
followers,  who  had  abandoned  all  pertaining  to  his  system  of 
therai)eutics  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  pro- 
pounder   and  advocate  of   law.     It  has  been   said,   "no 
exchisive  dogma " — by  those  who  found  themselves  inca- 
pable  of  a  successful   practice  of  Hahnemann's  law,  to 
palliate  their  habitual  resorts  in  th(»ir  practice  to  expedi- 
ents 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 


216  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept. 

their  inability  to  discriminate  between  a  "dogma''  and  a 
natural  laiv.  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  iis  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  ciise,  appeal  must  still  further  be  made  to  those 
great  arbiters— fimc  and  experience." 

Before  assenting  to  this  paragraph,  we  would  know  what 
the  writer  means  by  an  "  ope^i  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  opportunity  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  cannot  open  a  question  which  has  been  thus  set- 
tled. It  is  submitted  that  Hahnemann  and  his  immediate 
followers  settled  this  question,  and  no  superior  intelligence 
has  opened  it  by  better  observations  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  those  who  trust  him?  We  may  add,  the  testi- 
mony of  these  old  witnesses  has  been  many  times  fully 
confirmed  by  the  experience,  observation,  and  practical 
successes  of  their  able  successors.  We  have  no  hesita- 
tion in  regarding  the  question  of  dose  as  no  longer,  logic- 
ally, an  "  open  "  ona 

"The  Organon  should  have  first  place  among  the  text-books  of 
every  college,  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 


1886  Comments  on  the  President's  Address.  217 

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  ex- 
pressed 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.  Our  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 
subject.  Every  one  should  be  intensely  interested  in  its  welfare, 
the  growth  of  its  membership,  etc." 

TheD  why  are  they  not?  There  are  many  who  have  no 
such  sense  of  '^boimden  duty.''  Indeed,  *^duty"  has  com- 
pelled 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  mem- 
bers of  that  body  and  why  there  are  not  more  who  are 
'^ 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  pf  old  physic  think  or  say  of 
this  or  that  than  of  the  principles  and  corollaries  of  our 
law.  Anil  it  has  ])een  more  engaged  with  matters  which 
are  fij)pr()ved  of  by  this  much  feared  lady  than  with  those 
inculcated  by  Samuel  Hahnemann.  Iii  short,  it  has  ceased 
to  be  an  Institute  of  Homoeopathy,  and  has  become  mainly 
an  Institute  for  work  which  will  not  offend  this  Mrs. 
(Jrundy.  In  carrying  out  this  work,  it  has  twelve  bureaus 
which  are  devoted  to  subjects  certainly  imi)ortant  in  them- 
selves, 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  homoeopathic 
subjects.     Now  who  does  not  see  that  this  body  so  distrib- 


218  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

uting  its  working  agencies  as  an  Institute  of  Homceopathy 
is  only  a  caricature? 
And  further  the  address: 

**This  year  no  less  than  four  so-called  *  national'  societies— be- 
sides this  Institute,  and  composed  almost  entirely  of  its  members 
—are  meeting  within  this  small  city  within  the  week— the  most  of 
them  holding  meetings  during  the  same  time  i\s  that  occupied  by 
the  chief.  With  all  my  might  I  say,  this  shauld  not  he.  The  proper 
place  of  every  one  of  these  societies  is  inside  the  American  Insti- 
tute of  Homoeopathy.'* 

We  know  nothing  of  the  societies  here  alluded  to,  but  if 

•*The  proper  and  paramount  business  of  this  session  is  to  see 
that  those  distracting  and  emasculating  Influences  are  from  this 
time  on  neutralized," 

then  we  would  suggest  to  those  who  are  thus  "  /o  see  fo  it " 
to  begin  with  the  inquiry — why  are  these  things  so?  And 
if  they  find  the  cause  to  be  too  much  of  Mrs.  Grundy  and 
too  little  of  Samuel  Hahnemann,  let  him  mend  the  meth- 
ods of  the  Institute  in  this  manner,  and  we  venture  to 
assure  our  President  this  cause  of  his  grief  will  cease. 


-tafr 


PROGRESSIVE  HOMCEOPATHY. 


AD.  LIPPE,  M.  )>..  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


Anxious  to  learn  what  is  transpiring  among  the  Homoeo- 
paths we  have  just  read  "The  Presidential  Address  de- 
livered to  the  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society  of  Ohio,  May 
11th,  1886,  by  H.  E.  Beebe,  M.  D.,  Sidney,  Ohio,"  who  is 
evidently  endeavoring  to  hit  two  birds  with  one  stone. 
Dr.  Reeve  of  the  "Regulars"  is  attacked  first,  and  the 
temptation  could  not  be  overcome  by  the  learned  President 
to  stand  from  under,  and  make  all  the  harsh  things  uttered 
by  Dr.  Reeve — who  apparently  knows  more  about  Hahne- 
mann's school  of  the  healing  art  than  does  Dr.  Beebe — ap- 
plicable only  to  "  a  few  honorable  physicians,  though  nar^ 
roic-minded  they  be,  are  found  in  our  ranks.  These 
few  are  mostly  found  in  Eastern  cities  and  they,  seeing  the 
folly  of  their  ways,  are  rapidly  coming  into  the  camp  of 
the  orthodox,  or  as  he  terms  it,  scientific  body  of  the  med- 


1886  Progressive  Homceopathy.  219 

ical  profession,  and  ere  long  Homoeopathy  will  only  be 
known  as  a  matter  of  history."  (Reeve,).  This  is  the 
first  attack  Dr.  Beebe  makes  on  the  veterans  whom  he 
later  designates  as  extremists  and  enthusiasts. 

How  came  it  that  a  majority  of  medical  men  calling 
themselves  Homoeopaths  obtained  the  ascendency — men 
utterly  ignorant  of  the  principles  governing  the  homoeo- 
pathic healing  art,  or  ignoring,  which  is  worse,  the  history 
of  our  school  even  in  this  country — obtained  control  of  our 
schools,  hospitals,  journals,  and  general  literature?    Will 
Dr.  Beebe  read  the  transactions  of  the  American  Institute 
of  Homoeopathy,  which  was,  and  should  have  remained,  a 
representative  body?    If  he  does,  he  will  learn  history. 
The  founders  of  the  Institute  were  all  true,  honest.  Hom- 
oeopaths, and,  anxious  for  progress,  they  pointed  out  the 
direction  in  which  progress  was  to  be  obtained.     They  fol- 
lowed the  inductive  method  of  Hahnemann.     Hahnemann 
had  created  a  Materia  Medica  Pura,  the  storehouse  which 
supplied  the  means  to  apply  the  law  of  the  similars;  and 
this  storehouse,  this  Materia  Medica,  was  necessarily  to  be 
enlarged  that  Homoeopathy  might  progress.      They  all 
were  then  what  Dr.  Beebe  now  depreciatingly  calls  ex- 
tremists,  enthusiasts,  like  true  soldiers  who  had  united 
themselves  to  fight  the  battle  for  liberty,  for  a  principle, 
against  ever  varying  opinions;  for  liberty  to  be  governed 
by  a  law  of  nature,  and  by  nothing  else,  for  the  cure  of  the 
sick.     Now  these  extremists  and  enthusiasts  hoisted  their 
banner  on  which  was  written  "The  Law  of  Similars,"  and 
with   this   banner  they  entered  a  hard  fight,   and  they 
gained  recognition   by   intelligent   and   thinking    people. 
Their  successes  in  curing  the  sick  secured  them  a  large 
following,  and  while  their  victories  increased,  while  their 
societies,  colleges,  and  literature   flourished,  some  bom- 
bastic  leader  like   Fallstaff  brought  in  his   recruits  by 
means   of   Justice   Shallow.       There    they    are.   Mouldy, 
Shadow,  Wart,  Feeble,  BuUcalf.     Tt  was  the  craving  for 
numerical  strength  which  induced  the  Institute  to  accept 
the  Fallstaff  recruits.     This  illusion  that  sui)erior  numbers 
could   strengthen  our  school  increased,  and  here  we  are 


220  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept 

strong  in  numbers  only.  It  was  charitably  believed  by  the 
advocates  of  a  numerical  strength,  that  the  new  members 
would  continue  to  advocate  and  defend  not  only  the  law  of 
cure  but  all  that  appertained  to  it,  under  the  inductive 
method  of  Hahnemann.  And  they  had  a  good  right  to 
believe  so,  as  all  these  new  members  joined  our  ranks 
voluntarily,  presumably  under  the  conviction  that  Hahne- 
mann's Healing  Art  was  superior  to  any  other  medical 
practice.  These  no  doubt  well-meaning  men  found  out 
their  mistake  too  late.  These^new  comers  were  not  en- 
thusiasts for  Homoeopathy  but  they  were  in  the  fullest 
sense  of  the  word  extremists,  vieing  with  each  other  for 
the  introduction  of  new  departures  without  censure  from 
the  Institute.  And  now  they  take  shelter  under  the  falla- 
cious doctrine  of  "freedom  of  medical  opinion  and  action." 
Their  numerical  strength  is  at  present  so  great  that  a  re- 
form inside  of  the  Institute  is  impossible;  the  motive  of 
this  numerical  majority  is  transparent,  and  Dr.  Reeve  and 
his  colleagues  of  "The  Regulars"  justly  hold  them  up  be- 
fore the  public  in  utter  contempt  as  sailing  under  false 
colors.  If  either  Dr.  Reeve  or  Dr.  Beebe  believe  that  the 
Homceopathicians,  seeing  the  folly  of  their  way,  are  rapidly 
coming  into  the  camp  of  the  orthodox,  "the  scientific  body 
of  the  medical  profession,"  they  are  much  mistaken,  and 
are  exhibiting  an  assumed  ignorance  of  medical  history. 

If  Dr.  Beebe,  or  other  presiding  officers  of  our  societies, 
ever  observed  a  Homoeopathician,  not  belonging  to  the 
progressive  school,  claiming  to  be  orthodox,  making  his 
appearance,  they  are  in  error  if  they  believe  that  they  are 
"  seeing  the  folly  of  their  ways"  and  are  rapidly  coming 
into  the  camp  of  the  orthodox,  "scientific  body  of  the  med- 
ical profession."  Where  then  are  these  by  Dr.  Beebe  called 
"narrow-minded  Homceopathicians?"  Many  of  them  can 
not  leave  their  numerous  sick,  others  will  not  waste  their 
time  in  observing  progressive  departures  from  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  our  school  advocated  by  the  presiding 
ofl&cers  and  countenanced  by  the  members  of  these  socie- 
ties; it  would  be  worse  than  a  waste  of  time  for  the  Hom- 
ceopathicians to  attend  these  meetings.     These  historical 


1886  Progressive  Homoeopathy.  221 

events  can  be  illustrated.  Some  years  ago,  by  request,  I 
read  a  paper  before  the  Pennsylvania  Homoeopath  State 
Society.  The  first  paper  read  was  by  a  learned  gentleman 
calling  himself  a  Homoeopath,  the  first  sentence  of  which 
was  "gonorrhoea is  a  local  disease."  Local  treatment  for  a 
local  disease;  as  if  local  diseases  ever  existed  save  those 
caused  by  mechanical  injuries.  The  Society  accepted  this 
absurd  paper;  my  paper  was  ignored.  Since  then  I  have 
abstained  from  reading  papers  before,  or  attending  the 
meetings  of  fraudulent  homoeopathic  societies. 

As  usual  the  Ethiopian  comes  out  of  the  woodpile  at  the 
close  of  the  addresses  of  these  misleading  leaders,  and  on 
page  five  of  Dr.  Beebe's  address  he  exj)oses  himself.  That 
learned  man  says:  "He  who  has  adopted  the  golden  mean 
is  not  a  fractional  physician.  The  progressive  Homoeo- 
path accepts  no  restraint.  He  is  a  doctor  of  medicine,  a 
physician  in  the  noblest  sense.  This  term  includes  Hom- 
oeopathy, for  it  is  an  integral  part  of  medicine.  Nothing 
is  now  plainer  than  that  the  rank  and  file  in  our  school  be- 
lieve in,  and  justly  claim  the  right,  no  less  than  other  phy- 
sicians, to  prove  all  things  and  to  hold  fast  to  that  which 
is  good."  He  has  here  presented  to  you  the  Ethiopian, 
and  some  may  be  uncharitable  enough  to  consider  him 
"slightly  off."  What  is  the  golden  mean  ?  Why,  £cZeo//cfSW.' 
^'The  progressive  Homceopaih  acccpis  no  resiraini!  "  That 
is  a  declaration  of  independence;  a  declaration  of  defiance 
to  law  just  as  reprehensible  as  the  defiance  now  exhibited 
by  the  Socialists  and  Communists  to  the  laws  of  the  land 
of  their  adopticm.  A  person  living  under  the  constitution 
of  the  United  States,  whether  he  be  a  native  or  an  adopted 
citizen,  must  be  restrained  by  the  constitution  and  the  laws 
of  the  United  States.  If  he  claim  to  be  progressive  and 
refuse  to  accept  this  chosen  restraint,  he  becomes  amen- 
able to  the  laws  and  penalties  provided  for  the  violators 
thereof.  If  a  Homoeopath  professes  to  belong  to  our  school 
he  is  supposed  to  be  honestly  seeking  to  comply  with  its 
methods  and  always  be  governed  by  its  fundamental  law, 
the  law  of  the  similars.  If  Homoeopathy  were  only  an  "in- 
tegral part  of  medicine  "  it  would  not  deserve  a  distinctive 


222  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

name.     That  distinctive  name  was  given  our  healing  art 
by  its  founder,  expressive  of  the  natural  law  upon  which 
it  is  founded.     The  progressive  Homoeopath,  by  the  asser- 
tion of  Dr.  Beebe,  accepts  no  restraint,  which  is  equivalent 
to  saying  that  he  accepts  no  law,  and  that  having  claimed 
to  be  a  Homoeopath,  he  now,  finding  himself  in  a  numeri- 
cal majority,  claims  "perfect  freedom  of  medical  opinion 
and  action."     While  he  parades  before   the   public   as  a 
Homoeopath,  he  expects  all  other  Homoeopaths  to  endorse 
him,  when  he  really  plays  the  role  of  a  socialist  and  com- 
munist.    Defying  all  laws  he  calls  himself  not  a  Homoeo- 
path, except  when   bent  upon  deceiving  the  public,  but 
a  doctor  of  medicine,  and  he  tells  us  that  this  term  includes 
Homoeopathy.     Does  this  law-defying  doctor  of  medicine 
not  know  that  Homoeopathy  is  an  exclusive  system  of  the 
healing  art?    Homoeopathy  does  not  include  any  other 
system  of  medicine,  and  can  not  possibly  be  included  in 
other  systems  of  medicine.     It  can  never  be  perverted  into 
Eclecticism.     All  medical  men  have  a  perfect  right  "to 
prove  all  things  and  to  hold  fast  that  which  is  good."    Ex- 
actly so!     But  the  medical  man  who  proves  all  things  may 
have  a  logical  mind  and  common  sense,  or  he  may  be  in- 
tellectually weak.     The  man  with  a  logical  mind  quickly 
sees  that  if  Homoeopathy  is  based  on  a  natural  law,  the 
application  of  it  for  the  cure  of  the  sick,  if  it  is  a  law,  must 
be  universally  applicable.     It  surely  can  not  be  applicable 
in  one  case,  and  the  palliative  treatment  applicable  in  an- 
other.    Under  such  a  supposition  it  would  cease  to  be  a 
law,  and  the  school  adopting  it  would  fall,  as  it  would  de- 
serve to.     And  now  we  come  to  the  burning  question,  what 
is  meant  by  "Progressive  Homoeopathy,"  by  name?    Is  it 
not  Eclecticism  in  fact?  Progress  implies  the  acknowledged 
failure  of  old  Homoeopathy,  and  an   advance  called  for. 
We  ask  Dr.  Beebe  and  those  calling  themselves  progressive 
Homoeopaths,  in  what  particular  Homoeopathy  as  practiced 
by  the  early  pioneers,  and  by  a  host  of  true  and  good  men 
to-day,  has  failed?    The  pioneers  were  conservative,  and 
only  progressive  in  developing  the  conservative  methods  of 
our  healing  art    The  present  progressive  Homoeopaths 


1886  Progressive  Homoeopathy.  223 

ignore  the  fact  that  the  early  conservative  Homoeopathi- 
cians  introduced  Homoeopathy  by  their  successes  in  curing 
the  sick;  and  if  these  conservative,  true,  honest  men  had 
not  been  successful,  Homoeopathy  would  have  been  extin- 
guished long  ago,  and  progressive  Homoeopathy  never 
heard  of.  The  fact  is,  these  progressive  men  tiever  were 
Homoeopaths,  they  were  ignorant  of  the  healing  art,  and 
when  they  attempted  to  apply  it  practically  they  failed, 
and  ascribed  their  failures  to  the  methods  of  cure  which 
they  had  never  mastered;  hence  they  resorted  to  pallia- 
tions, and  now  claim  the  mixing  up  of  various  modes  of 
practice,  a  progress.  Dr.  Beebe  quotes  Hahnemann:  "When 
we  have  to  do  with  an  art  whose  end  is  the  saving  of  hu- 
man life,  any  neglect  to  make  ourselves  thorough  masters 
of  it  becomes  a  crime !*^  Now,  will  Dr.  Beebe  tell  the  med- 
ical world  who  the  criminal  isf  Is  it  the  man  who  knows 
the  art  and  saves  lives,  or  the  man  who  neglects  to  make 
himself  a  thorough  master  of  the  art,  and  then,  failing  in 
his  attempt,  claims  the  right  to  do  just  as  he  pleases, 
guided  by  no  law  at  all,  and  in  justification  of  his  criminal 
act  calls  the  true  healer  "narrow-minded,"  a  "fanatic,"  an 
"  enthusiast,"  etc.  A  prominent  doctor  of  medicine  in  the 
East,  nicknamed  by  an  admiring  Western  man,  "The 
Weather  Cock,"  declared  in  private  but  a  few  days  ago 
that  he  was  convinced  that  the  old  school  (depending  on 
opinions  only,  and  the  new  school  governed  solely  by  prin- 
ciples under  a  natural  law)  were  speedily  to  be  "merged 
into  one."  He,  too,  asserted  at  the  same  time  and  at  the 
same  place  that  he  now  had  frequent  calls  from  old  school 
men  for  consultations.  And  he  still  holds  oflSces  of  trust 
among  the  Homoeopaths.  And  is  this  farce  to  be  still  per- 
formed by  him  and  other  progressive  men  ?  How  a  school, 
governed  by  opinions  and  ever  changing  hypotheses,  can 
be  merged  into  a  school  which  all  the  world  (save  the  pro- 
gressive Homoeopaths)  knows  is  governed  by  a  natural 
law,  is  a  mystery.  As  well  may  an  untrained  individual 
try  to  attend  to  the  steam  engine  of  a  train,  or  to  the  send- 
ing of  a  telegraphic  message,  and  failing,  blame  the  engine 
or  the  instrument     He  would  be  hooted  at;  so  will  these 


224  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

progressive  Homoeopaths  be  hooted  at,  when  they  declare 
their  inability  to  cure  homoeopathically.  The  steam  en- 
gine, the  instrument,  and  the  practice  of  Homoeopathy, 
have  been,  are  now,  and  will  forever  be,  successfully  man- 
aged by  every  one  who  makes  himself  a  thorough  master 
of  their  respective  arts.  A  failure  to  accomplish  what 
others  have  done  for  almost  a  century,  is  a  confessio  pau- 
pertaiis.  Homoeopathy  will  never  go  on  record  as  a  "  lost 
art."  Even  in  the  dark  days  the  progressionists  prei)are  a 
large  number  of  faithful.  True  healers  are  to  be  found  in 
all  parts  of  this  country  and  the  world,  who  are  developing 
our  healing  art  for  the  benefit  of  suffering  humanity. 


-<♦►- 


Tarentula:  Renal  Colic. — The  following  case  was  very 
promptly  relieved  by  Tarentula  200: 

Kidneys:  Indescribable  aching  in. 

Aching  pain  in,  relieved  after  urinating. 

Severe  pain  at  night  in. 

Shooting  pain  in,  worse  in  right. 

Pain  in,  as  if  from  vesical  calculus,  with  con- 

■= stant  desire  to  urinate,  which  does  not  sat- 

isfy. 

Weariness,  weakness,  in  region  of,  preventing 

standing. 

Bladder  :  Spasmodic  action  of,  from  debility. 

Irritation  of,  as  if  from  calculus. 

Fullness  of,  as  from  over-distension. 

Pain  in,  extending  through  pelvis. 

Squeezed  sensation  in. 

Pain  in  left  hypochondrium,  extending  at  times  to  pel- 
vis. 

Weakness,  general,  from  9  to  11  A.  M.  (very  character- 
istic). 

The  mental  condition  was  marked  by  irresolution,  inde- 
cision, uncertainty;  impatient,  restless,  irritable. 

Pallor  of  face,  very  marked  at  times. 

Sleep  restless;  inability  to  sleep;  uneasiness. 

Bitter  taste  m  mouth. 


1886  Natrum  Sulphuricum  and  Sycosis.  225 

MATERIA  MEDICA, 


NATRUM  SULPHURICUM  AND  SYCOSIS. 


J.  T.  KENT.  A.  M.,  M.  D. 


Descriptio7i  and  Sphere  of  Action, — As  its  name  indi- 
cates, it  is  the  chemical  combination  of  Natrum  and  Sul- 
phur, 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.  Natrum  sulphuricum  com- 
bines, in  a  measure,  the  wonderful  effects  of  Natrum  mur- 
iaticum  and  of  Sulphur  in  the  Western  climate,  as  an  active 
malarial  agent.  Malarial  climates  are  all  more  or  less  bil- 
ious. Of  course,  I  do  not  mean  every  man  or  every  woman 
that  comes  to  you  and  says:  "Doctor,  I  am  bilious."  We 
never  know  what  that  means.  It  means  more  or  less  liver; 
it  means  more  or  less  stomach;  a  general  derangement  of 
the  system.  Any  kind  of  sickness  may  be  called  bilious- 
ness, but  where  the  liver  and  stomach  combine  to  effect  dis- 
orders, we  have  true  biliousness. 

It  is  a  most  wonderful  combination  in  its  symptoms,  be- 
cause it  not  only  pertains  to  muscular  debility  and  distur- 
bances of  the  general  structures  of  the  body,  but  also  com- 
bines that  which  gives  it  consideration  mentally.  Its  com- 
plaints are  those  that  are  brought  on  from  living  in  damp 
houses,  living  in  basements,  and  in  cellars.  They  are  gen- 
erally worse  in  rainy,  wet  weather;  hence  it  was  called, 
primarily,  by  Grauvogl,  one  of  his  hydrogenoid  remedies. 
It  produces  a  profound  impression  upon  the  system  in  a 
general  way  like  sycosis  and  a  deep-seated  or  suppressed 
sycotic  disease.  Therefore,  it  is  one  of  the  grandest  reme- 
dies underlying  asthma,  asthmatic  and  inherited  complaints. 
In  fact,  Natrum  sulphuricum  is  one  of  the  best,  one  of  the 
clear-cut  indicated  remedies  for  those  constitutional  condi- 
tions in  children  that  result  in  chest  catarrhs  and  asthmatic 

complaints.     This  shows  you  only  one  of  its  hereditary 
o 


226  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

features.  Now,  if  we  take  into  consideration  the  sycotic 
nature,  the  hydrogenoid  condition  of  constitution — always 
worse  in  wet  weather — and  this  heredity,  we  have  one  of 
the  grand  features  of  this  medicine. 

Its  next  grand  sphere  is  its  action  upon  the  liver  and 
stomach,  producing  a  bilious  disturbance.  We  have,  cor- 
responding 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. 

Mind, — A  good  wife  goes  to  her  husband  apd  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  wildness  and  irritability.  No  remedy  has 
that  symptom  like  Natrum  sulphuricum.  You  may  exam- 
ine the  various  remedies  in  our  drug  pathogenesy  and  you 
will  find  almost  every  kind  of  mental  symptom,  but  here  is 
one  that  stands  by  itself — this  wonderful  restraint  to  pre- 
vent doing  herself  bodily  harm,  is  characteristic  of  Natrum 
sulphuricum.  The  satiety  of  live,  aversion  to  life;  the 
great  sadness,  the  great  despondency,  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  which  it  receives  from  the  Natrum  side  of  its 
family;  Natrum  carbonate,  Natrum  muriaticum,  Natrum 
sulphuricum,  all  have  it.  Anything  like  melancholic  strains 
aggravates  her  complaints;  mild  music,  gentle  light,  mel- 
low light  that  pours  through  church  windows,  these  little 
glimmers  of  light  that  come  through  the  colored  glass,  all 
these  make  her  sad.  Now,  such  is  the  mental  characteris- 
tic of  Natrum  sulphuricum. 

Case. — With  the  constitutional  troubles  there  are  im- 
portant head  symptoms — mental  symptoms  from  injuries 
of  the  head.  A  young  man  in  St.  Louis  was  hurled  from  a 
truck  in  the  fire  department  He  struck  on  his  head.  Fol- 
lowing this  for  five  or  six  months  he  had  fits;  I  do  not  know 
what  kind  of  fits  he  had;  some  said  he  had  epilepsy,  some 


1886  Nairum  Sulphiiricum  and  Sycosis.  227 

said  one  thing  and  some  another,  and  some  said  he  would 
have  to  be  trephined.     BLe  was  an  AUopathist,  of  course,  as 
these  firemen  all  are,  for  it  is  hai'dly  ever  that  you  can  get 
one  to  go  outside  of  Allopathy  and  try  something  else.     He 
was  a  good,  well-bred  Irishman;  so  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  h© 
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;  did  not  want  to  live.     His  fits  drove  him  to- 
distraction.     He  did  not  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,  and  he  wore  a  shade  over 
his  eyes — so  much  was  he  distressed  about  the  light — such 
a  photophobia.     He  had  constant  pain  in  his  head.     He 
had  injured  himself  by  falling  upon  the  back  of  his  head, 
and  he  had  with  this  all  the  irritability  that  I  have  de- 
scribed.    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,  however,  would  not  have  been  the  best  remedy  for 
him.     Had  I  known  no  other  or  better  remedy  Arnica 
would  have  perhaps  been  the  best.     As  soon  as  he  had  fin- 
ished  his  description,  and  I   had  given  the  case  more 
thought,  I  found  that  Natram  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  injuriea 


228  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

upon  the  skull — not  fractures,  but  simple  concussions  that 
have  resulted  from  a  considerable  shock  and  injuries  with- 
out organic  affections — then  Natrum  sulphuricum  should 
be  your  first  remedy.  Now,  that  may  not  be  worth  remem- 
bering, but  when  you  have  relieved  as  many  heads  as  I 
have  with  Natrum  sulphuricum  you  will  be  glad  to  have 
been  informed  of  this  circumstance.  Ordinarily,  Arnica 
for  injuries  and  the  results  of  injuries,  especially  the  neu- 
ralgic 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  injury  about  the  head,  do  not  forget  this  medicine, 
because  if  you  do  many  patients  may  suffer  where  they 
might  have  been  cured  had  you  made  use  of  this  remedy. 

Head, — It  has  violent  head  pains,  and  especially  so  in 
the  base  of  the  brain;  violent  pains  in  the  back  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  symptoms  have  led  me  to  prescribe 
this  medicine.  In  the  spinal  meningitis  of  to-day,  if  all 
the  remedies  in  the  Materia  Medica  were  taken  away  from 
me  and  I  were  to  have  but  one  with  which  to  treat  that  dis- 
-ease,  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  do  not  want  you  to  understand  that  I  recom- 
mend any  one  remedy  for  a  disease.  Do  not  get  that  idea. 
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  readily  relieved. 

Eyes. — 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  aver- 
sion 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 


1886  Nairum  Sulphuricum  and  Sycosis.  229 

can  hardly  open  his  eyes;  the  light  of  the  room  brings  on 
headache,  distress  and  many  pains.  Here  Natrum  sulphur- 
icum should  be  compared  with  Graphites,  because  Graphites 
has  also  an  extreme  aggravation  from  light  in  eye  affec- 
tions. Of  course,  this  classes  it  entirely  away  from  Bella- 
donna and  the  other  remedies  that  have  acute  photophobia 
or  acute  determination  of  blood  to  the  brain,  because  it 
gives  you  a  chronic  state  and  condition  that  you  must  study. 

Nose, — 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  gi*een  upon  exposure  to  the  light. 

Mouth. — 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  pro  vers,  all  of  them,  said  that  they  were 
troubled  with  a  slimy  mouth.  Thick,  tenacious,  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. 

Stomach. — There  is  a  distended  feeling  in  the  stomach; 
a  sense  of  a  weight  in  the  stomach;  almost  constant  nausea; 
vomiting  of  slime,  bitter  and  sour.  These  are  the  charac- 
teristics :  bitter  and  sour. 

Liver. — A  sensation  of  weight  in  the  right  hypochon- 
drium,  in  the  region  of  the  liver;  aching  pains;  sometimes 
cutting  j)ains,  and  a  great  amount  of  distress  in  the  region 
of  the  liver.  Engorgement  in  the  region  of  the  liver.  He 
can  only  lie  on  the  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  di*aw;  the  great 
weight  increases  the  pain  and  uneasiness  and  he  is  com- 
pelled 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  sulphur- 
icum. 

Natrum  sulphuricum  produces  great  flatulence,  disten- 


230  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

tion  of  the  abdomen,  cutting  pains  in  the  abdomen,  asso- 
ciated with  congestion  of  the  liver.  In  this  tympanitic 
condition  of  the  liver  that  sometimes  comes  on  in  the  in- 
flammatory conditions  in  bilious  fever,  you  will  find  Na- 
trum  sulphuricum  your  remedy. 

I  began  the  use  of  this  remedy  with  Schussler's  reme- 
dies some  years  ago,  and  find  the  indications  well  carried 
out  by  the  higher  and  highest  potencies.  T  carry  Tafel's 
five  hundredth  potency  in  my  case,  and  use  also  the  highest 
of  Fincke  with  same  results.  Bell  says  that  if  the  thir- 
tieth potency  of  Arsenic  is  equal  to  a  complete  knowledge 
of  the  drug,  crude  Arsenic  would  be  equal  to  complete 
ignorance. 

Chest — There  is  a  condition  of  the  chest  that  is  charac- 
teristic, 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 
it  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  expectorated  is  thick, 
ropy  and  yellowish  green,  looking  like  pus — purulent — 
and  there  is  an  "all-gone,"  empty  feeling  in  the  chest.  He 
feels  a  sense  of  weakness  there;  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  corresponds  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  sulphuricum  correspond  to  a  case  that  has 
been  going  on  for  perhaps  a  week;  every  cough  brings  up 
a  mouthful  of  purulent  sputa  with  a  desire  to  press  upon 
the  chest  to  relieve  the  weakness;  Natrum  sulphuricum  is 
then  your  remedy. 

Another  condition  is  that  of  humid  nsthmn.  If  a  eiiild 
has  asthma  give  Natrum  sulphuricum  as  the  first  remedy. 


1886  Natrum  Sulphuricum  and  Sycosis.  231 

• 

Asthma,  when  hereditary,  is  one  of  the  sycotic  complaints 
of  Hahnemann.     You  will  not  find  that  in  your  text-books, 
so  do  not  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  discourage  you 
if  you  should  read  them  under  asthma,  because  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  judi- 
cious application  of  anti-sycotics  I  have  been  able  to  re- 
lieve or  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  remedies.     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  dis- 
ease, and  asthma  corresponds  to  that  disease.     Hence  it  is 
that  Silicea  is  one  of  the  greatest  cures  for  asthma;  it  does 
not  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  clearly  to  the  supervening  symptoms 
and  to  everything  that  you  can  find  about  the  case,  yet 
what  do  they  do?    They  palliate;  they  repress  the  symp- 
toms; but  your  asthma  is  no  better  off,  your  patient  is  not 
cured.     Arsenic  is  one  of  the  most  frequently  indicated 
remedies  for  the  relief  of  asthma;  so  also  are  Bryonia, 
Ipecac,  Spongia,  and  Carbo  veg.,  but  they  do  not  cure; 
though  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  dis- 
tressing 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 


232  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept. 

Bulphuricum  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  grow- 
ing subject,  Natrum  sulphuricum  goes  down  to  the  bottom 
of  such  a  case  and  will  cure  when  its  symptoms  are  pres- 
ent; and  the  symptoms  will  so  often  be  preseni  It  is 
because  of  this  deep  seated  anti-sycotic  nature,  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,  ex- 
pectoration of  large  quantities  of  white  mucus,  with  asth- 
matic breathing  in  young  subjects,  this  remedy  must  be 
thought  of. 

Sexual  Organs. — In  relation  to  the  genito-urinary  or- 
gans, we  have  some  very  valuable  symptoms.  In  chronic 
gonorrhoea,  with  greenish  or  yellowish-green  discharges. 
Instead  of  gonorrhoea  running  oflf  into  a  white,  gleety  dis- 
charge, it  keeps  up  a  yellowish,  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. 

Urine, — The  urine  is  loaded  with  bile,  is  of  a  pinkish  or 
yellowish  color,  with  a  "corn-meal"  sediment,  or  it  looks 
like  stale  beer  and  is  extremely  offensive.  Offensive  urine 
is  not  in  the  text. 

Exiremities, — 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,  ren- 
ding, cutting  pains  from  the  hips  down  to  the  knees;  worse 
at  night.  The  stomach  symptoms  are  worse  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  so  also  with  the  mental  symptoms,  they  are  gener- 
ally worse  in  the  morning. 

Skin, — Now,  upon  the  skin  we  have  some  eruptions;  we 
have  those  cases  of  so-called  itch,  scabies  or  vesicular  erup- 
tions, vesicular  eczema,  with  a  thin,  watery  discharge  exu- 
ding 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 


1886  Natrum  Sulphuricum  and  Sycosis.  233 

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  tlie  body;  little,  fine 
water  blisters,  very  much  like  Natrum  muriaticum  and 
very  much  also  like  Natrum  carb.  So  you  see  it  runs  into 
the  Natrums.  The  other  disease  that  I  incidentally  men- 
tioned a  moment  ago — the  barber's  itch — is  a  sycotic  dis- 
ease, a  sycosis  menti,  a  disease  of  the  hair  follicles.  It  is 
sometimes  even  contagious.  It  is  one  of  the  highest  types 
of  sycosis;  the  next  highest  type  of  sycosis  is  the  venereal 
wart  known  as  the  gonorrhoeal  wari  This  medicine  corre- 
sponds to  this  state  and  condition  of  the  body. 

Now,  we  have  said  considerable  about  sycosis.  We  know 
in  sycosis,  which  is  a  constitutional  miasm,  that  we  have 
venereal  warts  or  gonorrhoeal  warts;  that  we  have  another 
sycotic  state  that  comes  upon  the  female  in  cauliflower  ex- 
crescences. We  have  also  hereditary  asthma,  a  constitu- 
tional 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 
demonstrated  to  be  latent  sycosis.  Gonorrhoea  will  some 
day  be  known  to  be  the  true  offspring  of  this  sycosis.  It 
is  the  contagious  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,  per- 
haps, 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  be- 
lieve 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  doc- 
trine in  view.  The  cases  I  have  cured  lead  me  to  believe 
that  I  am  on  the  right  track. 

Now,  I  say  that  gonorrhoea  and  all  of  these  latent  condi- 
tions of  the  body  are  one  and  the  same  thing;  that  primar- 
ily they  date  back  to  one  and  the  same  source.  Of  course, 
the  books  will  tell  you  that  gonorrhoea  is  not  a  constitu- 
tional disease;  but  when  gonorrhoea  will  produce  warts, 


234  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept. 

and  gonorrhoeal  rheumatism,  and  will  last  throughout  life, 
and  children  be  brought  into  the  world  with  the  same  dis- 
ease, how  are  you  going  to  get  around  it?  There  was  a 
young  man  in  the  Si  Louis  City  Hospital  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  came  to 
me  and  wanted  to  know  if  I  could  do  anything  for  that 
young  man.  I  did  not  know  anything  about  the  nature  of 
his  disease.  I  told  him  to  bring  the  young  man  to  me. 
He  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  treat- 
ment 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  gonorrhoea.  Symptoms  of  a  latent 
gonorrhoea  are  unknown  to  the  books.  You  will  find  noth- 
ing of  it.  It  is  only  known  to  such  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  evi- 
dence to  show  that  gonorrhoea  is  a  constitutional  disease 
and  can  be  handed  down  from  father  to  son,  as  can  syphilis. 
It  is  one  of  the  chronic  miasms,  and  is  one  about  which  very 
little  is  known.  If  this  be  true,  it  is  as  dangerous  to  sup- 
press a  gonorrhoeal  discharge  before  its  time,  as  it  is  to 
suppress  a  syphilitic  chancre  before  its  time.  You  will 
never  know  if  you  go  on  treating  these  constitutional 
miasms  b}^  suppressing  the  primary  manifestations — you 
will  never  know  the  harm  you  are  doing. 

The  most  of  these  are  calculated  by  the  process  of  evo- 
lution to  wear  themselves  out,  to  roll  out,  or  to  evolve  them- 
selves into  symptoms  that  are  so  depleting  to  the  disease 
that  they  leave  of  themselves,  or  leave  the  patient  very 
nearly  free  from  the  disease.  Such  is  the  calculation  of 
Nature  in  a  gonorrhoeal  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 


1886  Iris  Minor:  A  Proving,  235 

chancres — to  dry  up  these  discharges — and  he  does  not 
know  how  much  harm  he  is  doing.  But  this  is  only  a  pri- 
vate opinion.  I  have  observed  this,  that  there  are  .two 
kinds  of  gonorrhoea — one  is  a  simple  urethral  discharge, 
which,  when  stopped  by  injection,  will  not  produce  a  con- 
stitutional taint,  because  that  is  not  a  sycosis;  and  the  other 
form  is  the  sycotic  gonorrhoea,  which,  if  suppressed  with 
injections,  will  appear  in  constitutional  symptoms.  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.      I.  H.  A. 


-#•»- 


IRIS  MINOR.    A  PROVING. 


GEORGE  WIGG.  M.  D ,  Portland,  Oregon. 


This  small  indigenous  plant  grows  in  clay  ground,  and 
on  the  hill-sides  in  this  state — Oregon.  The  stem  is  very 
slender,  and  only  from  eight  to  ten  inches  high. 

In  October,  1885,  I  prepared  a  tincture  from  the  small 
bulbs  out  of  which  the  roots  grow,  by  pounding  them  into 
a  pulp,  and  adding  to  one  ounce,  two  of  alcohol  95°,  letting 
it  stand  ten  days  in  a  dark,  cool  room,  and  shaking  it  well 
niglit  and  morning.  Of  this  tincture,  I  took  on  December 
1st  five  drops.  Fifteen  minutes  after,  1  began  to  expe- 
rauce  a  sense  of  burning  in  my  mouth,  which  increased 
until  the  throat  and  fauces  felt  as  if  on  fire. 

Cold  water  did  not  relieve  the  symptoms,  but  they  dis- 
appeared at  midnighi 


236  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

December  3:  7  A.  M. — Took  twenty-five  drops.  Fifteen 
minutes  after,  fearful  burning  in  throat 

9  A.  M. — Throat  very  painful  and  burning.  Have  to 
keep  swallowing  every  second  or  two.  Mouth  dry,  and 
free  from  saliva. 

2  P.  M. — Am  very  gloomy,  and  cast  down.  Wish  that  I 
had  never  seen  Oregon. 

6  p.  M. — Am  really  home-sick. 

8  p.  M. — Went  to  bed;  could  not  sleep;  became  more  de- 
spondent until  midnight. 

I  A.  M. — Fell  asleep.  Awoke  at  5  a.  m.  with  a  dull  ach- 
ing in  both  temples,  and  an  itching  in  both  eyes.  Could 
not  go  to  sleep  again,  but  kept  turning  the  pillow  over,  as 
the  cool  side  would  relieve  the  pain.  Symptoms  passed  off 
an  hour  after  sunrise — 8:30  A.  m. 

December  6:7  a.  m. — Took  thirty  drops.  Twelve  minutes 
after,  mouth  and  throat  burn  as  if  full  of  Capsicum.  Had 
to  keep  sucking  in  the  cold  air. 

9:30  A.  M. — Could  not  stand  the  burning  longer.  Tried 
cold  water;  no  good.     Sweet  oil  and  camphor  relieved. 

II  A.  M. — Passed  urine  of  a  brownish  color,  and  con- 
tinued to  do  so  every  fifteen  minutes  for  two  hours. 

1:35  p.  M. — Pain  in  second  left  upper  molar  tooth,  which 
appears  about  a  half  inch  too  long. 

6.  p.  M. — Pain  in  tooth  severe.  Applied  chloroform 
without  benefit.  Went  to  bed,  but  owing  to  the  pain  did 
not  get  to  sleep  till  2  a.  m. 

December  7. — Awoke  at  6:15  a.  m.  Tooth  still  aching. 
Upon  standing  up,  a  sinking  all-gone  feeling  in  stomach, 
which  caused  me  to  vomit  up  a  quantity  of  greenish-yellow 
slime,  not  bitter.  This  symptom  passed  off,  after  drinking 
a  cup  of  black  tea. 

10:25  A.  M. — Pain  in  tooth  increasing.  Neither  cold  nor 
hot  water,  chloroform  nor  camphor  would  relieve.  Thought 
there  was  an  ulcer  at  its  root,  and  that  the  pain  was  not 
the  result  of  drug  action.  Had  a  dentist  extract  it  No 
sooner  had  he  done  so  than  the  pain  ceased.  Tooth  was 
decayed,  but  not  ulcerated. 


1886  Iris  Minor:  A  Proving.  237 

December  8. — Awoke  at  6  a.  m.  with  an  itching  all  over 
scalp;  thought  it  due  to  dandruff. 

7  A.  M. — Brushed  head  well  with  a  stiff  brush.  Five 
minutes  after,  the  whole  scalp  was  burning,  as  severely  as 
if  tincture  of  Capsicum  had  been  rubbed  in;  at  the  same 
time  my  eyes  began  to  smart 

The  sensation  in  them  was  like  that  caused  by  being 
near  a  person  scraping  Cochlearia  Armoracia.  Eyes  did 
not  water.  This  itching  and  burning  passed  off  in  the 
evening,  after  lasting  eleven  hours. 

December  10:  9  a.  m. — Took  sixty  drops  on  an  empty 
stomach. 

9:30  A.  M. — Mouth  and  throat  burning  fearfully. 

10  A.  M. — Cutting  pain  in  abdomen;  more  severe  on  the 
right  side.  Pressure  upon  the  ileo-csecal  region  caused  a 
deathly  sensation  at  pit  of  stomach. 

11:40  A.  M. — Courage  all  gone.  Could  not  keep  from 
crying. 

2  p.  M. — Am  sick  all  over.  Went  to  bed.  Pain  in  bowels 
increasing.  Headache  in  both  temples.  Vomiting  of  very 
green  bile.  Hot  applications  relieved  pain  in  bowels,  but 
not  head.     A  very  copious  action  of  bowels  at  midnight 

December  11:  8  a.  m. — Am  so  exhausted  that  I  cannot 
leave  the  bed,  though  the  pains  have  somewhat  moderated. 

2  p.  M. — A  hard  chill  came  on  lasting  twenty  minutes.  I 
made  an  effort  to  overcome  it,  but  could  not. 

After  the  chill,  temp.  102°  F.  As  it  decreased  a  mod- 
erate perspiration  appeared. 

The  acute  pains  passed  off  during  the  night,  but  for 
fourteen  days  there  was  a  painful  spot  over  the  ileo-csBcal 
region,  as  if  an  ulcer  about  the  size  of  a  quarter  might  be 
on  the  inside. 

My  bowels  did  not  act  normally  for  ten  days. 

Was  afraid  to  continue  the  proving. 

I  wish  to  call  attention  to  what  appears  to  me  to  be  a 
characteristic  of  this  plant,  not  found  in  the  provings  of 
Iris  versicolor. 

1.  Absence  of  saliva,  mouth  being  dry. 

2.  The  gloomy,  cast-down  and  homesick  feeling. 


238  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

3.  Burning  in  eyes,  without  eflPusion  of  tears. 

4.  Pain  in  one  tooth  only;  second  upper  molar. 

5.  Itching  and  burning  of  scalp,  but  no  eruption. 

6.  The  chill  at  2  p.  m.     Am  forty-four  years  old  and 
never  had  a  chill  before,  nor  since. 

7.  The  painful  spot  in  ileo-c8Bcal  region,  and  the  length 
of  time  it  continued. 


NOTES  OX  FREQUENTLY  INDICATED  REMEDIES.  WITH 
COMPARATIVE  SIMILAR  SYxMPTOMS. 


H.  C.  ALLEN.  M.  D. 


ABIES  NIGRA. 

Stomach. — The  guiding  symptoms  so  far  as  our  provings 
or  clinical  experiments  go,  appear  to  cluster  about  this 
gastric  characteristic: 

Sensation  of  an  xtndigesied  hard  boiled  egg  at  pit  of 
stomach.  This  is  not  a  weight  or  a  heaviness  but  a  sensa- 
tion causing  a  constant  uneasiness  and  discomfort.  The 
patient  is  often  dull  and  drowsy  during  the  day,  with  loss 
of  appetite:  wakeful,  restless  and  hungry  at  night.  There 
may  be  constipation,  nervousness,  dysuria;  vertigo,  flushed 
face  and  distressing  headache,  but  they  all  appear  bo  hinge 
upon  this  one  symptom  and  are  removed  with  it 

Bryonia,  has  pressure  in  stomach,  as  from  a  stone,  after 
eating,  makes  him  fretful  and  irritable.  But  under  Bryonia 
the  stomach  is  sensitive  to  touch,  cannot  endure  the  pres- 
sure of  the  clothes  and  is  aggravated  from  motion,  espe- 
cially a  sudden  or  false  step. 

Calcarea,  has  pressing  pain  as  if  a  load  or  stone  were  in 
it,  after  a  moderate  supper,  and  like  Bryonia  is  worse  from 
motion  and  better  lying  quietly  on  the  back.  Also,  like 
Bryonia,  pressure  is  painful,  but  the  saucer-like  distension 
is  wanting  under  the  latter. 

Nux  vomica,  has  pressure,  as  from  a  stone,  worse  morn- 
ings and  after  meals.  The  region  of  stomach  is  sensitive 
to  pressure,  but  not  to  false  step  or  jar,  like  Bryonia.  The 
high  living,  abuse  of  drugs,  sedentery  habits  and  debauch- 
ery of  Nux,  serve  to  further  distinguish  between  them. 


1886  Frequently  Indicated  Remedies.  239 

Pulsatilla,  has  weight  as  from  a  stone,  early  morning  on 
waking,  and  an  hour  after  a  meal;  but  is  better  by  eating 
again.  Pains  are  worse  from  walking,  misstep  and  when 
stomach  is  empty;  from  fats,  pastry,  fruit,  ice  cream,  etc. 

ACETIC   ACID. 

In  the  treatment  of  many  severe  cases,  both  acute  and 
chronic,  this  remedy  is  frequently  indicated  and  as  fre- 
quently overlooked.  And  yet  some  of  its  leading  symptoms 
are  so  clear-cut  and  so  characteristic  as  not  easily  to  be  for- 
gotten. It  is  especially  adapted  to  persons  of  lax  muscular 
fibre;  pale,  ansemic,  chlorotic,  with  more  or  less  rapid  was- 
ting of  the  body. 

Haemorrhages:  active  or  passive;  from  nose,  bronchi, 
lungs,  stomach,  bowels,  genitalia. 

Diarrhoea:  profuse,  exhausting;  in  ascites,  diabetes, 
typhoid,  typhus,  tuberculosis. 

In  these,  or  any  other  affections,  the  characteristic  indi- 
cations for  Acetic  acid  will  be  found  in  the  following: 

Intense,  burning,  insatiable  thirst,  even  after  drinking 
large  quantities  of  water. 

Passim/  large  quantities  of  clear,  tvatery  urine,  both  day 
and  night 

Projuse  night  siceats  tvith  great  debility  and  marked 
emaciation. 

These  form  the  three  points  of  support  for  the  exhibition 
of  this  remedy;  and  it  matters  little  what  the  name  of  the 
disease  is,  a  host  of  minor  ailments  revolving  about  them 
as  satelites  about  a  planet,  will  often  be  promptly  dissipated 
by  a  few  doses  of  this  medicine.  It  acts  promptly  and  effec- 
tively in  the  thirtieth  potency.  It  may  act  as  well  in  any 
other  potency,  but  I  have  never  used  it  lower  or  higher. 

Arsenicum,  is  the  remedy  which  is  usually  thought  of 
and  generally  given  in  many  of  the  before  mentioned  affec- 
tions, instead  of  Acetic  acid;  and  we  are  often  astonished 
at  our  failure.  A  careful  comparison  in  the  first  place 
would  have  promptly,  excluded  it.  While  Arsenicum  has 
emaciation,  great  prostration,  marked  debility  and  intense, 
burning  thirst,  and  while  in  these  particulars  there  is  a 


240  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

striking  coiTespondence,  there  is  also  as  striking  a  differ- 
ence. The  thirst  of  Arsenic  is  almost  invariably  for  "little 
and  often,"  and  when  a  large  quantity  is  taken  it  is  almost 
certain  to  be  rejected  or  to  produce  nausea  and  vomiting, 
which  never  occurs  under  Acetic  acid.  The  mental  rest- 
lessness of  the  debilitated  Arsenic  patient  is  also  wanting 
in  Acetic  acid. 

The  peculiarities  of  the  Arsenic  diarrhoea  also,  are  en- 
tirely different:  like  the  thirst  of  Arsenic  the  alvine  dis- 
charge is  scanty;  it  is  painful  and  followed  by  great  prostra- 
tion; while  under  Acetic  acid  it  is  profuse,  watery,  painless. 

Ferrum,  has  the  ashy  pale  face  of  the  anaemic  or  chlor- 
otic  patient,  and  this  paleness  extends  to  the  lips,  tongue 
and  mucous  membrane  of  entire  buccal  cavity,  which  is 
rarely  found  under  Acetic  acid.  But  the  earthy  pale  face 
is  also  subject  to  congestions,  becomes  easily  flushed  and 
bright  red,  from  mental  emotion,  pain  or  other  symptoms, 
which  is  never  found  under  Acetic  acid. 

Ferrum  has  watery,  painless,  even  involuntary  diarrhoea; 
or  diarrhoea  of  undigested  food;  but  is  aggravated  at  or 
after  a  meal  and  by  drinking  cold  water,  while  that  of 
Acetic  acid  is  not  affected  by  eating  or  drinking.  It  has 
profuse,  debilitating,  long-lasting  sweat;  clammy,  stains 
yellow,  strong  smelling,  fetid  on  going  to  sleep;  but  it  is 
aggravated  by  motion,  may  occur  by  day  as  well  as  night 
and  patient  is  always  loorse  when  sweating. 

In  the  marasmus  which  occurs  during  the  first  summer 
of  teething  children,  we  have  found  Acetic  acid  exceedingly 
useful.  There  is  loss  of  appetite,  the  child  drinks  much 
and  often,  pain  in  stomach  and  abdomen,  diarrhoea  with 
stool  of  undigested  food,  restless  sleep  or  sleepless  nights 
and  great  emaciation,  with  sometimes  swollen  oedematous 
legs.  To  this  picture  add  the  characteristics  of  the  remedy 
and  an  apparently  desperate  case  will  be  promptly  restored. 
Here  a  comparison  with  Arsenicum  or  Iodine  may  be  ne- 
cessary. 

In  myelitis,  or  cerebro-spinal  meningitis,  when  the  pain 
in  the  back  is  only  relieved  by  lying  on  the  abdomen,  this 
remedy  should  always  be  thought  of. 


1886  Frequently  Indicated  Remedies.  241 

Acetic  acid  causes  and  cures  menorrhagia.  In  some 
parts  of  the  west  the  servant  girls  are  in  the  habit  of  tak- 
ing a  tablespoonful  of  strong  vinegar  to  check  the  men- 
strual flow,  if  the  unwelcome  "visitor,"  should  occur  when 
"a  party"  or  other  festivity  is  to  be  attended.  It  will 
promptly  check  the  flow  for  a  few  hours  or  days,  as  the 
case  may  be,  when  a  menorrhagia  will  take  the  place  of  the 
normal  flo^.  or  nature  may  find  relief  in  a  hemorrhage  of 
the  lungs,  stomach  or  bowels. 

The  gastric  symptoms  are  often  valuable:  violent  burn- 
ing pain  in  stomach;  cannot  bear  the  slightest  pressure; 
sensation  as  if  an  ulcer  were  in  the  stomach,  or  as  if  ite 
contents  were  in  a  constant  ferment.  This  may  be  accom- 
panied by  sour  eructations,  sour  vomiting,  profuse  saliva- 
tion and  water-brash  day  and  night  and  call  for  its  use  in 
morning  sickness,  gastric  ulcer,  etc.,  and  provided  the  three 
characteristics  are  present,  prompt  and  permanent  relief 
may  follow. 

ACONITUM  NAPELLUS. 

Nearly  every  homoeopathic  physician  knows,  or  thinks 
he  knows,  all  the  characteristic  indications  for  the  use  of 
this  wonderful  polychrest,  hence  it  may  be  considered  pre- 
sumptive to  make  even  a  few  suggestions.  Said  a  veteran, 
of  nearly  fifty  years'  practice,  to  me  recently:  "I  do  not 
give  Aconite  once  now,  where  in  the  early  years  of  my 
practice  I  gave  it  twenty  times.  I  do  not  see  it  indicated." 
That  is  just  the  point  We  do  not  think  there  is  a  remedy 
in  the  Materia  Medica  to-day  more  frequently  prescribed 
when  not  indicated,  or  when  it  can  only  tend  to  spoil  the 
case  or  render  it  incurable,  than  Aconite.  Dunham  says: 
"  It  often  happens  that  Aconite  is  frequently  indicated  at 
the  very  beginning  of  some  acute  diseases,  and  that,  if 
properly  used  in  such  cases,  it  will  often  cut  short  the 
career  of  the  disease.  From  these  facts  has  arisen  a 
fashion  of  giving  Aconite  almost  as  a  routine  prescription 
in  the  beginning  of  all  acute  diseases,  indiscriminately; 
particularly  if  the  cases  are  supposed  to  be  characterized 
by  that  Protean  phantom  of  the  pathologist,  inflammation. 
Great  mischief  often  results  from  this  practice,  negatively, 


242  The  Medical  Advance.  Sepi 

inasmuch  as  it  causes  the  loss  of  valuable  time  duriug 
which  the  true  specific  remedy,  which  should  have  been 
given  at  the  very  first,  might  have  been  acting;  and,  posi- 
tively, inasmuch  as  Aconite  often,  when  inappropriately 
administered,  does  real  mischief,  exhausting  the  nervous 
power  of  the  patient  and  adding  to  a  prostration,  which  is 
already,  probably,  the  great  source  of  danger." 

The  guiding  characteristics  of  Aconite  are  in  the  mental 
sphere,  the  symptoms  of  the  mind  and  disposition: 

"Restlessness,  anxiety,  uneasiness  of  mind  and  body, 
causing  tossing  about,  sighing  and  frequent  change  of 
posture;  forebodings,  anticipations  of  evil,  anguish  of  mind, 
dread  of  death,  and  even  distinct  anticipations  of  its  occur- 
rence." To  this  Hahnemann  adds  the  sound  advice, 
"Aconite  should  not  be  given  in  any  case  which  does  not 
present  a  similar  group  of  symptoms.  Then,"  he  says, 
"the  result  is  truly  wonderful." 

Aconite  should  never  be  given  unless  the  mental  charac- 
teristics are  present 

Aconite  should  never  be  given  if  the  patient  is  quiet, 
calm,  tranquil,  and  bears  the  pain  and  suffering  philosoph- 
ically, no  matter  how  high  the  temperature,  how  rapid  the 
pulse,  how  hot  the  skin  or  great  the  thirst  may  be. 

"Aconite  is  never  to  be  given  first  to  subdue  the  fever, 
*and  then  some  other  remedy  to  meet  the  case.'  " 

"Aconite  should  never  be  given  to  '  save  time '  while  the 
physician  goes  home  to  study  up  the  case." 

Fever  or  inflammation  alone  is  never  a  sufficient  indica- 
tion for  the  use  of  Aconite  or  any  other  remedy. 

Aconite  should  always  be  given  for  the  disquiet,  the  un- 
easiness, the  distress  of  mind  and  body,  the  mental  an- 
guish that  allows  no  rest,  the  mental  fear  for  the  future; 
tiien  fever  or  no  fever,  Aconite  will  be  in  its  place,  homoeo- 
pathic to  the  case,  and  will  never  disappoint  the  prescriber. 

Our  allopathic  brethren,  following  the  advice  of  Ringer 
and  a  few  writers  on  homoeopathic  Materia  Medica,  who 
make  Aconite  the  great  anti-phlogistic,  are  using  it  to  cut 
short  the  premonitory  stage  of  typhoid.  But  in  this,  as  in 
every  other  case  where  they  prescribe  for  a  pathological 


1886  Frequently  Indicated  Remedies.  243 

theory,  they  can  only  meet  with  indifferent  success  or  mor- 
tifying failure.  The  law  of  cure  is  no  respecter  of  theories 
and  cannot  work  that  way  if  it  would, 

RHUS  AND  RHUS  POISONINGS. 

In  the  Homceopathic  Recorder  for  July  Mr.  A*  J.  Tafel 
gives  the  following  practical  hints  from  personal  exper- 
ience. It  is  a  very  good  illustration  of  the  necessity  for  a 
careful  individualization  of  every  case,  even  of  poisonings 
with  the  same  remedy.     [Ed.] 

This  subject  presents  an  almost  inexhaustible  theme;  for 
while  there  are  ever  so  many  antidotes  no  remedy  has  aa 
yet  been  found  successful  in  all  cases  of  poisoning  by  Bhus^ 
Rhus  is  met  with  everywhere  in  the  middle  States,  as  well 
as  in  the  South  and  the  West,  and  is  a  pest  on  the  Pacific 
slope. 

Formerly  a  distinction  was  made  between  Bhus  radicans 
and  Rhus  tox.,  and  in  Jahr's  Sympt  Codex,  we  find  twenty- 
five  pages  devoted  to  Rhus  radicans  and  twenty-four  to 
Rhus  tox.  The  provings  of  the  former  were  made  and  ar- 
ranged by  Drs.  B.  F.  Joslin,  S.  B.  Barlow,  E.  Bayard,  W. 
Williamson,  and  others,  while  Bhus  tox.  was  taken  from 
the  German  of  Jahr's  Sympt,  Codex.  However,  as  Hering 
and  Allen  dropped  this  distinction  in  their  works  on  Ma- 
teria Medica,  and  as  botanists  unite  in  declaring  the  iden- 
tity of  the  two,  Bhus  radicans  has  gone  out  of  use  and  has 
been  rarely  called  for  in  the  past  ten  years. 

The  writer  has  had  considerable  experience  with  Bhus 
poisoning,  in  his  family,  as  well  as  with  the  employes  who 
collect  the  yearly  supply  of  the  fresh  leaves  for  the  phar- 
macy. 

One  fine  day  at  the  end  of  May,  1871,  A.  L.  T ,  a  five^ 

year  old  incipient  botanist,  crept  along  and  through  some 
Bhus  tox.  bushes  while  collecting  fiowers  in  Hamilton  Park^ 
Staten  Island,  and  became  fearfully  poisoned;  the  whole 
face  was  swollen,  the  eyes  closed,  and  the  abdomen  and 
genitals  implicated.  On  the  third  day  the  whole  face  was 
covered  with  a  thick  gray  crust,  in  spite  of  all  remedies.. 
Just  then  Dr.  C.  G.  Baue,  of  Philadelphia,  paid  us  a  friendly 


I 


TTie  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

visit,  and  seeing  the  boy's  condition,  prescribed  Psorinum 
400  (Hering).  Two  doses  were  given,  four  houi-B  apart. 
Improvement  set  in  within  an  hour;  the  itching  grew  less, 
next  day  the  crusts  di'ietl  off,  in  three  days  they  were  about 
gone,  and  soon  the  bny  was  well  again.  A  week  after,  the 
:irriter  essayed  to  clear  the  garden  around  the  house  (alxiut 
an  acre  in  extent)  of  every  Rhus  plant  and  was  several 
hours  in  doing  it.  A  good  armful  was  collected,  and  as  he 
was  careful  not  to  touch  his  face  while  thus  engaged,  he 
thought  he  had  escaped  the  toxic  influence.  Tlie  hands, 
which  had  been  well  washed  with  oastile  soap  immediately 
after,  were  all  right,  but  the  face  was  puffed  up  and  itched 
next  morning.  He  then  resolved  to  try  an  experiment,  and 
proouftd  tile  28,000  potency  (Baruch)  of  Khus  tox.  and 
took  one  doae.  Within  less  than  an  hour  the  face  felt  as 
if  a  cooling  lotion  was  being  spread  over  it;  the  swelling 
went  down  and  by  evening  was  almost  gone.  We  thought 
we  had  made  a  discovery.  A  few  days  after,  the  same 
hapless  boy,  who  had  been  cautioned  in  vain  against  leav- 
ing the  precincts  of  the  garden,  came  up  to  his  father; 
"Look  what  nice  flowers  I  have,"  he  exclaimed,  showing  a 
hand-full  of  Rhus  tox.  blossoms.  They  looked  pretty,  but 
we  pitied  the  boy.  We  waited  until  the  nest  morning  to 
make  sure  of  the  toxic  absorption,  but  it  was  the  same  old 
story — face,  neck,  hands  and  arms  were  blotched  with  a 
-terrible  itching  eruption;  he  received  one  dosn  of  Rhus 
tox.  28  m,  and  on  coming  home  in  the  evening  we  found 
the  boy's  face  looking  natural  and  the  itching  gone.  We 
tiien  thought  we  had  a  sure  thing. 

A  few  weeks  after,  the  late  Dr.  John  Butler,  in  conver- 
eatioa  at  the  pharmacy,  remarked  what  a  difficult  thing  it 
was  to  cure  Rhus  poisoning.  "Ob,"  said  thewiiter,  "noth- 
ing easier  than  that,"  and  proceeded  to  relate  his  recent 
experience,  and  declaring  his  readiness  to  cure  any  given 
recent  case  within  forty-eight  hours.  A  small  wager  was 
laid  and  time  passed  on.  A  week  or  two  after  a  gentleman 
called  at  the  pharmacy  and  asked  for  A.  J.  T.  He  had 
been  sent  down  by  Dr.  Butler  to  get  some  -  of  that  new 
Bhas  antidote.     He  received  one  dose  of  Rhus.  28  m.  on 


99 


1886  Frequently  Indicated  Remedies,  245 

the  toDgue,  and  two  powders  of  Sac.  lac,  containing  each  a 
few  pellets  of  that  remedy,  with  the  direction  to  take 
another  powder  on  retiring  at  night,  and  if  no  decided  im- 
provement was  manifest  next  morning,  the  third  powder. 
In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day  a  second  case  was  sent 
down  by  Dr.  Butler,  and  the  day  after  a  third  case.  They 
both  received  the  same  medicine  and  similar  directions. 
Some  time  after  the  Doctor  called  at  the  pharmacy  and 
exclaimed,  "Well,  you  won  that  bet"  "Won  what  bet? 
"Why,  don't  you  remember  about  the  three  Khus  cases? 
Then  it  came  back  to  mind.  None  of  the  three  patients 
had  occasion  to  use  the  third  powder;  within  twenty-four 
hours  they  had  been  cured,  and  stayed  cured.  We  felt 
elated.  But  next  season  when  we  wanted  to  repeat  this 
success,  the  remedy,  for .  some  unknown  reason,  would  not 
respond,  and  that  season  we  saw  as  prompt  effects  in  several 
cases  from  Bryonia  200  (Tafel).  However,  Anacardium 
200  (Tafel),  and  Croton  tiglium  200  (Tafel)  are  our  stand- 
bys.  Anacardium  was  first  prescribed  with  success  many 
years  ago  by  Dr.  C.  G.  Raue,  and  was  effective  in  a  major- 
ity of  cases  when  our  men  were  sent  to  him  after  gathering 
our  season's  supply. 

This  year  four  of  our  men  gathered  in  one  day  260 
pounds  of  fresh  leaves,  but  our  veteran  superintendent  of 
the  laboratory,  Mr.  GoU,  gave  each  of  them  and  took  him- 
self a  (lose  of  Anacardium  200  before  they  started,  and 
another  dose  after  their  return.  One  of  the  men  had  his 
face  speckled  with  black  si)ots  from  drops  of  the  milky 
juice;  these  spots  were  slightly  inflamed  next  morning,  but 
after  a  third  dose  the  redness  decreased,  and  on  the  third 
day  he  was  well.  Two  otlier  men  escaped  entirely,  and  Mr. 
GoU  was  but  slightly  aflfecteJ,  at  the  wrist  and  on  the  arms, 
but  by  taking  a  third  dose  of  Anacardium  he  was  well  on 
the  fourth  day.  The  leaves  were  gathered  on  a  bright, 
warm,  breezy  day,  and  the  only  precaution  taken  was  to 
stand  on  the  windward  side  of  the  shrub,  so  as  to  have  the 
effluvia  blown  away  from  them.  They  had,  however,  to 
carry  the  bags  back  to  the  city,  cut  up  the  leaves,  and  pre- 
pare the  tincture  that  same  evening. 


246  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

The  most  virulent  Rhus  poisonings  are  met  with  on  the 
Pacific  coast.  Our  esteemed  friend,  Dr.  G.  Oehme,  form- 
erly of  Tompkinsville,  Staten  Island,  but  since  February 
located  in  Roseburg,  Oregon,  wrote  recently  that  all  the 
woods,  roads,  and  by-ways  there  are  infested  with  the 
Poison  Oak  (Rhus  Califomica),  which  there  attains  the 
size  of  the  scrub  oak  of  New  Jersey  and  other  places,  and 
that  this  universal  pest  entails  untold  suflPerings  on  those 
susceptible  to  its  influence. 

There  seems  to  be  no  panacea  for  its  baneful  effects  on 
mankind;  each  case  has  to  be  treated  by  itself  according  to 
its  peculiar  symptoms,  and  it  would  seem  that  while  one 
given  remedy  will  reach  a  majority  of  cases  in  a  certain 
locality  in  one  season,  in  another  season  it  may  prove  nearly 
valueless. 

The  remedies  most  frequently  indicated  are  Bryonia, 
Auacardium,  Croton  tigl.,  Cantharis.,  Comocladia  dentata, 
Rhus  venenata,  and  sometimes,  also,  Mercurius  viv.,  Pul- 
atilla,  Sarsaparilla,  Sulphur.  We  see  it  stated  in  Jahr's 
Symp,  Codex:  "The  following  are  some  of  the  particular 
effects  of  Rhus,  rad.,  which  have  been  removed  by  these 
antidotes.  Bryonia  has  removed  the  sensatioji  of  fulness 
in  the  scalp;  the  rheumatic  pains  in  the  chest  increased  by 
respiration;  the  palpitation  at  night  in  bed,  with  pain  in 
the  chest,  dyspnoea,  and  the  painless  rigidity  of  the  neck. 
Mercurius  has  removed  the  sore  feeling  of  the  tip  of  the 
tongue.  Pulsatilla,  the  toothache  in  the  evening.  Sul- 
phur, the  semilateral  pain  in  the  upper  and  left  part  of  the 
forehead,  in  the  evening;  and  the  pain  in  the  left  chest, 
opposite  the  middle  of  the  left  lung,  especially  in  the  even- 
ing in  bed,  and  at  nighf 

At  the  homoeopathic  pharmacy  in  San  Francisco  they 
generally  give  the  3d  or  6th  potency  of  Rhus  Calif,  wlien 
asked  for  an  antidote,  and,  it  seems,  with  general  gootl  suc- 
cess. 


1886  Curability  of  Syphilis.    Hernia.  247 

SURGERY. 


J.  G.  GILCHRIST,  M.  D.,  Iowa  City,  la. 


Curability  of  Syphilis  seems  to  be  still  a  question 
sub  judice.  The  quotations  from  Dunham  and  Hahne- 
mann, appended  to  my  former  article  (July  number), 
have  the  effect  to  emphasize  a  statement  then  made, 
that,  unfortunately,  homoeopathic  testimony  is  practi- 
cally worthless,  when  sought  for  in  works  over  ten  or  a 
dozen  years  old.  Neither  Dunham  nor  Hahnemann  is 
speaking  of  syphilis  at  all ;  they  use  the  term,  it  is  true, 
but  the  symptoms  they  quote  are  not  those  of  syphilis.  I 
must  repeat  a  warning  already  given:  the  ulcer  is  not 
syphilis,  and  the  continuance  or  disappearance  of  the  pri- 
mary sore  promises  nothing  as  to  the  cure  or  otherwise  of 
syphilis.  The  only  proof  that  syphilis  has  been  cured,  is 
found  in  the  life  history  of  the  sufferer,  and  the  physical 
state  of  subsequent  offspring.  This  proof  cannot  be  got 
for  years.  Knowing,  as  all  surgeons  do,  that  there  are 
many  sources  of  error  in  the  more  study  of  the  venereal 
ulcer,  a  diagnosis  of  syphilis  cannot  be  made  with  absolute 
Ci^iainttj  until  the  secondary  phenomena  appear,  and  in 
the  "  classical  order  and  sequence." 


Hernia  seems  to  be  a  never-failing  subject  for  discus- 
sion. According  to  the  reports  of  the  late  meeting  of  the 
American  Institute,  there  were  many  points  overlooked  in 
the  discussion,  familiar  to  all  taking  part,  doubtless,  but 
which  should  have  been  noted.  Thus,  one  gentleman 
speaks  of  closing  the  rings,  and  thereby  preventing  a  re- 
descent.  Of  course  he  meant  in  "recent"  cases,  because 
the  elongation  of  the  mesentery,  in  all  "ancient"  cases, 
has  the  effect  to  render  the  "  contents  too  great  for  the 
capacity  of  the  abdomen,"  and  very  often  if  one  aperture 
is  closed  up,  the  hernia  appears  elsewhere.  If  this  gentle- 
man claims  a  "  cure "  in  all  his  cases  so  treated,  he  cer- 
tainly is  very  ingenuous,  and  must  have  failed  to  follow  the 
after-history  of  his  patients.     Another  advises  the  return 


248  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

of  the  intestine  without  oi)ening  the  sac.  Surely  not  with- 
out satisfying  himself  that  the  constriction  is  not  in  the 
sac?  Why  not  say  so,  and  thus  avoid  the  danger  of  lead- 
ing some  inexperienced  reader  into  a  fatal  error. 


Tumors  comes  to  the  front  for  discussion  as  regularly  as 
the  equinoxes.  The  Michigan  Society  wrestled  with  the 
subject  of  curability,  at  their  late  meeting,  and  certain 
savans  were  found  guilty  of  perpetrating  the  old  joke,  that 
the  "  authorities  all  say  the  true  cancer  is  incurable  by 
any  internal  medication."  May  we  ask  what  is  an  "author- 
ity"? And  on  what  possible  ground  he  excludes  Dunham, 
Grauvogl,  Helmuth,  and  a  host  of  others,  from  that  cate- 
gory? A  class  of  "authorities"  may  possibly  be  so  unan- 
imous, but  it  is  certainly  questionable  whether  the  gentle- 
man has  put  the  question  to  all  of  them.  With  a  question 
of  pathology,  or  operative  treatment,  to  decide,  we  can  go 
to  Bryantj  Wells,  Holmes,  Gross,  and  others;  with  one  in- 
volving therapeutics,  their  testimony  is  utterly  valueless, 
good  for  nothing  but  medical  babes.  Another  hurls  this 
at  us:  "  It  is  a  generally  accepted  fact "  (mark  that,  a  fact) 
"that  after  tissue-change  has  taken  place,  after  the  break- 
ing down  has  begun,  there  is  no  remedy  that  will  cure  a 
case  of  cancer."  That  is  what  was  said  to  Dr.  Holcombe 
when  he  published  cures  of  yellow  fever,  viz. :  "  The  proof 
that  he  did  not  cure  yellow  fever  is  found  in  the  fact " 
(here  is  another  "fact")  "that  yellow  fever  is  incurable." 
Well,  "tissue  change"  is  an  awful  thing,  as  witness  mumps 
and  typhoid  fever.  So  is  the  "breaking  down"  of  tissue, 
as  is  seen  in  abscess  and  caries.  Still,  such  awful  catas- 
trophes are  successfully  met,  as  a  rule,  if  the  "  authorities  " 
are  to  be  believed,  and  one  is  irresistibly  led  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  something  more  than  this  must  be  the  "  incura- 
ble "  indication  in  cancer.  I  know  cancer  can  be  cured, 
but,  alas!  it  seldom  is.  For  reasons  given  in  another  place, 
I  rarely  if  ever  make  the  attempt.  But  I  hope  I  am  not 
so  vain  as  to  attribute  igtlQrance  to  a  colleague,  by  ques- 
tioning his  diagnosis — when  he  does  what  I  dare  not  at- 
tempt, or  so  poorly  read  in  the  history  of  medicine  as  to 


1886  Surgical  Treatment  of  Cancer.  249 

put  down  a8  impossible  a  reported  cure,  because  some  ante- 
diluvian therapeutists  say  so.  A  man  that  can  cure  a  case 
of  tumor  with  Sepia  30,  and  then  doubt  the  fact,  or  rather 
his  diagnosis,  must  certainly  gracefully  accept  the  verdict 
that  he  is  "  too  modest  to  live,"  or  has  a  very  indifferent 
regard  for  the  acuteness  of  his  senses.  Father  Tom,  in 
his  celebrated  interview  with  the  Pope,  covers  this  point 
beautifully.  He  says:  "Thim  operations  on  the  sinses 
comprises  only  particular  corporal  emotions,  connected  wid 
sartin  confused  perciptions  called  sinsations,  and  isn't  to 
be  depinded  upon  at  all.  If  we  were  to  follow  thim  blind 
guides,  we  might  jist  as  well  turn  heretics  at  onc't  'Pon 
my  sacret  word,  your  Holiness,  it's  neither  charitable  nor 
orthodox  of  you  to  set  up  the  testimony  of  your  eyes  and 
ears  agin  the  characther  of  a  clergyman."  If  the  last  word 
is  made  "authority,"  we  have  the  case  in  a  nut-shell. 


The  Surgical  Treatment  of  Cancer,  is  treated  of  by 
Dr.  J.  A.  Steele,  of  Minnesota  ( Minnesota  Med.  Monthly, 
Vol.  I,  p.  85),  in  a  paper  read  before  the  State  Society  in 
1885.  The  doctor  advocates  excision  as  the  treatment,  par 
excellence,  joined  to  the  use  of  carbolic  acid.  The  paper 
takes  too  much  for  granted,  in  some  respects,  and  is  some- 
what obscure  in  others,  but  as  a  whole  may  be  accepted  as 
a  fair  exposition  of  the  best  practice  and  teaching  of  the 
day  as  to  methods  of  treatment.  In  speaking  of  the 
"  caustic  method,"  he  is  content  to  oppose  it  on  the  ground 
that  it  is  painful,  that  there  is  uncertainty  as  to  thorough- 
ness of  removal,  and  ihat  "they  (escharotics)  are  com- 
posed of  the  rankest  poisons."  Inasmuch  as  all  remedies 
are  poisons,  in  the  nature  of  things,  taken  singly  this  ob- 
jection should  only  go  to  show  need  for  individualization. 
But  the  doctor  is  in  error  when  he  states  those  as  the 
greatest  or  chief  objections.  The  objection,  above  all 
others,  is  that  the  action  of  the  eschajQtic  has  a  tendency 
to  extend  the  boundaries  of  the  mor|}i^  action.  The  essen- 
tial nature  of  carcinoma  Is  the  g^i^iijial  elements.  If  the 
tissues  are  irritated,  more  particularly  if  inflamed,  there 
is  increased  .cellular  activity,  and  consequent  augmented 


250  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

cell  genesis.  Thus  the  boundaries  of  the  morbid  tissue 
will  always  be  outside  of  the  line  of  the  most  intense  in- 
flammation. Increase  the  size  of  the  poultice  to  include 
this,  and  the  area  is  correspondingly  enlarged;  the  poul- 
tice can  never  extend  over  all  the  invaded  territory.  He 
also  states  that  there  is  one  valid  reason  in  their  favor: 
"  In  the  removal  of  a  cancer  by  an  escharotic,  there  will  of 
necessity  follow  a  copious  discharge,  which,  in  its  nature, 
might  lessen  the  liability  to  a  return  of  the  disease." 
Now,  doctor,  you  certainly  do  not  mean  this,  not  literally. 
If  suppuration  were,  as  was  once  believed,  a  liquifaction 
of  tissue,  it  might  answer.  But  if  suppuration  is  really  a 
state  of  increased  "production  with  deficient  organiza- 
tion," exaggerated  cell-genesis,  may  it  not  be  possible  that 
the  greater  the  discharge,  the  stronger  the  chances  are  for 
dispersion  of  the  elements?  You  know  the  cachexia  is 
closely  associated  with  the  "open  stage"  of  carcinoma. 
The  fact  is,  taking  the  modern  view  of  pathology,  that 
escharotics  have  nothing  to  recommend  them.  If  the  knife 
is  forbidden,  then  so  is  all  kind  of  treatment;  above  all 
others,  any  method  that  extends  the  area  of  inflammation. 
The  doctor  refers  to  the  "  proper  use "  of  the  knife,  but 
does  not  tell  what  this  is.  It  is  not  in  the  use  of  Carbolic 
Acid  aflei"  the  knife,  as  his  language  would  lead  us  to  in- 
fer, because  thai  is  also  one  of  the  "  rankest  poisons,"  and 
more  than  that,  hinders  repair.  I  think  the  proper  treat- 
ment is  as  follows: 

Given  a  carcinomatous  tumor,  in  the  benign  stage,  freely 
movable,  skin  not  implicated,  surrounding  lymphatics  un- 
complicated, and  no  one  with  any  surgical  knowledge  or 
experience  would  hesitate  to  remove  it  at  once,  and,  if  he 
lets  Carbolic  Acid  and  similar  abominations  alone,  can 
predict  a  cure  with  reasonable  certainty.  Of  course  it  is 
understood  that  the  removal  must  be  thorough  and  radical. 
Given,  on  the  other  hand,  the  reverse  of  these  conditions, 
and  the  prediction  can  be  just  as  safely  made  that  there 
will  be  recurrence.  Painful  experience  has  compelled  me 
to  completely  change  my  earlier  views,  and  I  now  feel  that 
the  doctrine  of  purely  local  disturbance  in  the  early  stages 


1886  Hydrocele.  251 

• 

of  carcinoma  is  absolutely  true  and  demonstrable.  Later 
there  is  dispersion  of  the  elements,  and  then  no  treatment, 
certainly  nothing  surgical,  can  be  of  any  avail.  Let  me 
confess  again:  I  have  often  done  it,  but  as  some  who  may 
have  been  led  into  error  by  my  earlier  teaching,  may  see 
this,  and  not  former  articles,  it  is  well  to  "do  it  again." 
Remedies  may  cure  a  carcinoma;  there  is  too  much  evi- 
dence to  attempt  a  denial.  Nevertheless,  he  is  unwise  and 
doing  his  patient  an  injustice  who  attempts  to  treat  a  case 
in  that  way.  Why?  Because,  when  it  becomes  e\ddent 
that  his  treatment  has  failed,  the  tumor  is  in  a  condition 
and  stage  that  cannot  be  cured  by  any  means.  If  it  can 
be  cured  at  all,  it  is  in  the  early  stages,  when  the  trouble 
is  purely  localized;  then  the  knife  is  the  only  remedy,  and 
it  rarely  fails.  You  can  rapidly  and  eflPectually  remove 
every  particle  of  affected  tissue.  A  poultice  of  the  escha- 
rotic  variety  precipitates  dispersion,  and  we  have  the  ger- 
minal elements  in  the  areola  of  the  ulcer  left. 


Hydrocele. — At  the  February  meeting  of  the  New  York 
Surgical  Society,  Dr.  Wm.  T.  Bull  read  a  paper  on  the 
"  Radical  Cure  of  Hydrocele  by  Antiseptic  Incision."  The 
paper  is  of  interest  to  Homoeopaths  in  many  ways,  and 
amply  merits  our  attention.  His  list  of  cases  operated 
upon  niimbers  fourteen,  there  being  two  deaths  and  twelve 
recoveries.  One  of  the  deaths,  he  tells  us  {Annals  of  Sur- 
gery, July,  1886),  was  from  peritonitis,  and  was  in  the  case 
of  a  man  with  a  large  hernia  that  it  was  attempted  to  cure 
at  the  same  time.  The  hernia  was  reducible.  No  symp- 
toms are  given,  post-mortem  or  otherwise.  The  other  fatal 
case  is  thus  described:  The  patient  "was  a  laboring  man, 
forty-two  years  of  age,  somewhat  debilitated  from  exposure 
and  lack  of  food,  but  presenting  no  signs  of  organic  dis- 
ease (jf  the  internal  organs;  who  had  had  double  hydro- 
cele for  six  months.  Both  sides  were  operated  on  at  once; 
the  wound  was  irrigated  moderately  with  1  to  5,000  solu- 
tion of  bichloride  of  mercury,  and  a  dressing  of  bichloride 
gauze  was  applied.  In  forty-eight  hours  diarrhcea  oc- 
curred.    This  was  followed  by  vomiting,  abdominal  pain^ 


252  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

• 

and  tympanitis,  and  on  the  fourth  day  he  died.  At  the 
autopsy  there  were  found  only  the  evidences  of  violent 
gastro-enteritis,  the  rectum  containing  several  patches  of 
gangrenous  mucous  membrane."  The  italics  are  mine.  To 
the  average  "  regular "  intellect,  the  death  is  probably  at- 
tributable to  the  debility  from  "  exposure  and  lack  of  food." 
I  think  the  Homoeopath  will  have  little  difficulty  in  fixing 
the  responsibility  on  the  "  antiseptic  precautions."  The 
writer  of  the  paper,  however,  recognized  the  mercurial 
agency  in  the  fatal  case,  as  he  says  in  his  summary  (page 
33):  "One  has  died  from  mercurial  poisoning."  In  the 
absence  of  information,  it  is  fair  to  presume  that  the  case 
of  "peritonitis"  was  not  entirely  unconnected  with  the 
mercurial  treatment  The  average  "stay  in  bed"  in  all 
these  cases  is  given  as  ten  days;  the  average  "stay  in  the 
hospital,"  twenty-seven  days.  One  case  was  in  bed  three 
weeks,  and  one  in  hospital  sixty  days.  There  was  no  re- 
currence in  nine  of  the  twelve  cases,  after  from  four  to 
twelve  months.  In  the  discussion  that  followed,  it  seemed 
to  be  the  opinion  of  many,  that  the  operation  had  little  to 
recommend  it  over  other  and  simpler  methods,  such  as  in- 
jections of  Iodine,  or  Carbolic  Acid.  The  condition  was 
rarely  found  to  be  of  a  character  that  would  fully  justify 
such  a  formidable  operation.  The  statistics  given  by  Drs. 
Sand  and  others  showed  a  shorter  period  of  confinement, 
less  severity  in  the  symptoms,  and  about  the  same  freedom 
from  recurrence.  The  writer  of  the  paper,  and  those  tak- 
ing part  in  the  debate,  restricted  the  methods  of  treatment 
to  excision  of  the  tunica  vaginalis,  injections  of  Iodine, 
and  injections  of  Carbolic  Acid.  Nothing  was  said  of  elec- 
trolysis, and,  as  a  matter  of  course,  there  was  no  hint  that 
remedies  had  any  applicability.  The  text-books  give  many 
cases  of  hydrocele  cured  by  electrolysis,  and  I  can  add  two 
to  the  number.  Books  on  homoeopathic  therapeutics  give 
numerous  cases  cured  by  remedies.  I  cannot  now  give  the 
figures,  but  can  recall  as  many  as  four  cases  cured  by  Sili- 
cea,  and  one  by  Rhododendron.  In  two  cases  the  fluid  was 
evacuated  by  means  of  a  small  exploring  trocar;  in  each, 
however,  re-accumulation  occurred,  but  under  the  action  of 


1886  Aneurism.  253 

Silicea  it  was  speedily  arrested,  and  slowly  abstracted.  As 
to  complications  with  hernia^  a  single  case  has  occurred  in 
my  practice.  I  do  not  remember  that  it  has  been  reported 
before.  Case  41,  October  29th,  1879:  M.  J.  E.,  Detroit, 
Mich.  Has  a  very  large  irreducible  hernia  of  the  left 
side,  for  two  years,  complicated  with  hydrocele.  The  her- 
nial protrusion  is  estimated  at  a  circumference  of  13 
inches,  excluding  the  hydrocele  as  much  as  possible.  The 
size  of  the  scrotum  interferes  to  such  an  extent  with  his 
work  (a  stone-mason)  that  he  has  visited  many  hospitals 
and  surgeons,  searching  for  relief.  None  have,  hitherto, 
consented  to  attempt  a  cure.  November  6th,  assisted  by 
Drs.  J.  D.  Craig  and  Wm.  M.  Bailey,  the  tunica  vaginaUs 
was  incised,  a  portion  removed,  and  the  adhesions  of  the 
hernial  sac  carefully  loosened.  The  pillars  of  the  abdom- 
inal ring  were  approximated  by  means  of  fine  catgut  su- 
tures, and  the  tunica  vaginalis  closed  with  the  same  mate- 
rial. The  wound  in  the  integument  was  closed  with  silk 
sutures,  and  a  dressing  of  Hypericum  applied.  He  made 
an  uninterrupted  recovery,  without  accident  of  any  kind, 
the  temperature  range  never  being  above  +  2.  On  Decem- 
ber 5th  he  was  reported  well,  there  being  no  trace  of  the 
hernia.  A  year  afterwards  he  was  still  well,  no  hernia,  nor 
recurrence  of  hydrocele.  He  received  a  few  doses  of  Ar- 
senicum for  some  threatening  symptoms,  which  was  the 
only  remedy  used  excepting  the  Hypericum. 


Aneurism. — There  are  few  morbid  conditions  that  are  as 
grave  in  their  character  as  aneurism  of  large  vessels  so 
situated  that  operative  treatment  is  impossible,  such  as  of 
the  aorta.  Surgical  ingenuity  has  been  actively  employed 
for  generations  in  attempting  to  secure  coagulation  in  the 
sac,  in  imitation  of  nature's  .method  of  lamination,  but  so 
far  the  results  obtained  have  failed  to  satisfy  the  require- 
ments. Injection  of  various  substances  and  introduction 
of  foreign  material,  such  as  horse-hair,  iron  or  steel  wire, 
and  the  like,  have  been  only  partially  successful.  The 
measure  of  success  attained  has  been  the  establishment  of 
coagulation;  the  failure  has  been  in  effecting  a  cura    In 


254  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

the  majority  of  cases  death  has  resulted  from  haemorrhage, 
due  to  ulceration  of  the  coats  of  the  vessel.  In  other 
cases  death  has  occurred  in  various  ways,  showing,  1  think, 
a  failure  properly  to  appreciate  the  nature  of  the  disease. 
For  instance,  in  the  July  number  of  the  Annals  of  Surgery 
(p.  47)  Dr.  A.  Pearce-Gould  furnished  an  editorial  article 
on  the  subject  under  discussion,  based  upon  the  report  of 
a  case  of  aortic  aneurism  treated  by  Dr.  Cayley,  by  the  in- 
troduction of  steel  wire,  40  feet  on  one  occasion,  and  35 
feet  on  another.  The  patient  died  (notwithstanding  the 
success  of  the  operation  as  to  producing  firm  coagulation 
in  the  sac),  from  the  extension  of  the  morbid  action,  or 
rather  the  dilatation,  which  was  so  extensive  that  the 
trachea  was  flattened  to  an  extent  that  rendered  it  imper- 
vious to  air.  The  patient  died  from  apnoea.  In  addition 
to  acute  arteritis,  with  consequent  danger  of  ulceration  or 
gangrene — the  dangers  common  to  all  the  methods  in  vogue 
which  look  to  coagulation  as  the  sole  object  and  aim  of 
treatment,  are  septicaemia,  embolism,  and  acute  inflamma- 
tion of  tissues  contiguous  to  the  aneurismal  sac.  Now 
what,  some  may  inquire,  are  these  other  considerations  of 
treatment,  the  failure  to  appreciate  which  renders  the 
methods  mentioned  irrational  and  only  partially  success- 
ful? Briefly  these:  The  expression  is  common,  in  the  sec- 
ular and  professional  press,  that  on  j^osUmortem  examina- 
tion a  cerebral  vessel  was  found  raptured,  and  the  statement 
is  supposed  to  sufficiently  account  for  the  fatal  issue.  Now 
is  this  true?  A  vessel  is  amply  competent  to  preserve  its 
integrity  as  far  as  intra-vascular  tension  is  concerned,  so 
long  as  the  variations  in  the  degrees  of  tension  are  occa- 
sional, that  is,  such  as  would  occur  in  the  ordinary  exigen- 
cies of  life.  In  fact,  the  vessels  are  designed  to  withstand 
occasional  and  accidental  increase  of  tension  far  beyond 
any  degree  that  they  can  possibly  be  subjected  to.  The 
rupture  of  a  vessel,  therefore,  from  accidentally  increased 
tension,  or  its  dilatation  under  normal  degrees  of  pressure, 
most  conclusively  shows  some  loss  in  the  vessel,  some  de- 
terioration of  its  coats.  The  merely  artificial  production 
of  a  clot  in  an  aneurismal  sac,  it  must  be  apparent,  not  only 


1886  Aneurism.  255 

fails  to  reach  the  conditions  essential  to  cure,  but  even  may 
add  to  the  danger,  in  addition  to  the  inflammation,  septi- 
caemia, and  embolism  universally  recognized  as  imminent, 
by  extending  the  area  of  the  dilatation.  I  am  speaking 
now,  of  course,  of  symptomatic  or  idiopathic  aneurism. 
A  treatment  that  has  for  its  sole  object  the  production  of 
coagulation,  must  in  the  nature  of  things  be  not  only  un- 
satisfactory in  results,  but  unscientific  in  its  conception. 
Here  is  another  instance  where  Homoeopathy  places  weap- 
ons in  the  hands  of  the  surgeon  that  other  schools  of 
therapeutics  know  nothing  of.  I  think  an  aortic  aneurism 
would  do  better  "  left  to  nature  "  than  when  "  treated  "  in 
the  unscientific  methods  referred  to  above,  because  of  the 
compensatory  thickening  of  the  walls  of  the  sac  that  is  a 
notable  feature  in  the  natural  history  of  the  disease.  I 
have  had  the  privilege  of  treating  three  cases  of  aortic 
aneurism  with  remedies,  the  results  being  eminently  note- 
worthy. One  was  of  such  size  that  the  sternum  and  costal 
cartilages  were  eroded,  almost  absorbed.  Gallic  Acid  Ix 
was  given,  in  ten-drop  doses,  and  in  three  months  all  pul- 
sation had  ceased.  One  year  afterwards  he  remained  well. 
In  another  case  Lycopodium  30  was  used,  as  suggested  by 
Dr.  Hughes  {Pharmacodynamics),  and  a  cure  resulted.  A 
third  case  came  to  my  clinic  in  Iowa  University,  of  the  ab- 
dominal aorta,  and  was  much  benefited  by  the  same  rem- 
edy. He  passed  into  the  hands  of  another  physician,  who 
did  nothing  beyond  confining  him  to  the  bed  for  a  few 
weeks.  He  is  still  at  his  daily  business,  one  year  and  a 
half  after  I  first  saw  him,  and  while  far  from  well,  has  lost 
many  of  the  more  troublesome  sjrmptoms.  These  cases 
are  far  too  small  a  number  upon  which  to  base  a  theory; 
yet  the  results  are  in  harmony  with  the  results  of  others 
who  have  had  similar  experiences.  Added  to  this,  a  fairly 
large  list  of  cases  treated  by  ligature,  in  which  there  was 
no  arteritis,  ulceration,  secondary  haemorrhage,  or  recur- 
rence, in  all  of  which  remedies  were  used  as  indicated, 
data  is  furnished  upon  which  to  base  the  statement  that  a 
cure  of  aneurism  depends  upon  a  cure  of  the  condition 
making  the  aneurism  possible.    In  this  connection  I  wish 


r256 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Sept. 


i  to  call  attention  to  a  most  remarkable  statement  as  comiDg 

I,  from  an  old-school  physicisii,  one  that  is  germane  to  out 

I  topic,  and  affords  con'oboratiye  testimony  as  to  the  coiTect- 

neas  of  the  position   taken.     Discussing  "Hydrophobia" 

( London  Lancet,  June,  1886,  p.  440, )  Dr.  Chas.  W.  Ddlles, 

of  Philadelphia,  usea  the  following  language:  "A  rational 

1  method  of  treating  what  ia  called  hydrophobia  will  never, 

rl  believe,  be  established  until  we  recognize  the  fact  that  it 

Mb  uot  a  single  morbid  entity,  not  e^  specific  inoculable  dis- 

I,  but,  like  convulsions,  n  series  of  phenomena,  the  first 

I'Btep  to  the  treatment  of  which  must  consist  in  remember- 

ring  that  it  may  be  due  to  a  great  many  different  causes, 

Kand  iu  endeavoring  to  find  out  what  is  the  cause  in  each 

•.particular  case."    In  the  same  journal,  by  the  way  (p.  436), 

rihereiBthe  report  of  a  cure  of  thoracic  aneurism  "with- 

p'Dut  operation,"  by  Mr.  E.  H.  Saunders,  Eoyal  Navy.    "  This 

a  was  traumatic  in  character,  and  appeared  to  be  cured 

I  in  almut  sis  months  after  its  commencement     The  treat- 

iment  given  rest  in  bed,  starvation  diet,  and  Io<Ude  of  Potaa- 

■I'Sium,  15  grains  three  times  a  day."     The  summing  up  is  as 

Tfollows:  "On  reference  to  several  works  on  the  subject  of 

f  aneurism,  I  find  but  few  recorded  oases  where  such  marked 

Ikbeneflt  has  taken  place  in  so  brief  an  interval  under  consti- 

^tutional  treatments— viz.,  those  of  Bouilland,  Tuke,  Andral, 

Nilaton,  and  a  more  recent  one  recorded  by  Dr.  Koberts, 

of    Manchester.     Whether    the    commencing    lamination 

( primary )  during  the  patient's  sojourn  iu  hospital,  whether 

entirely  or  in  part  due  to  the  restricted  regimen,  to  the 

Iodide  of  Potassium   (which,  I  believe,  is  now  credited 

with   the   power   of    increasing  the   coagulability  of  the 

I  blood),  or  to  all  these  circumstances  combined,  it  would 

fbe  hard  to  form  au  exact  opinion." 


Anotiier  WrrNEsa.— I  must  have  The  Advance.    It  speaks 

ft  my  Bentimenls;  my  experience.    I  have  been  in  practice  over  forty 

wjears  and  use  all  potencies  from  crude  drug  to  "pretty  high."  but 

■I  lucliDc  more  and  more  to  tbe  high  powera  in  all  chronic  diseases 

e  from  tbem  I  obtain  tbe  beat  results  for  my  patients,  and  I   i 

bbtend  to  hold  by  this  divine  rule.  E.  G.  Cook. 


1886  Neurosis  at  the  Symphysis  Pubis.  257 

GYNECOLOGY. 


NEUROSIS  AT  THE  SYMPHYSIS  PUBIS:  ITS  RELATION 

TO  HYSTERALGIA. 


DR.  H.  LEIBLINGSa.  Brody. 
Translated  by  S.  ULIENTHAL,  M.  D. 


Character  of  the  disease:  Intense  boring  and  stitching 
pain,  localized  at  the  symphysis  pubis;  following  the  liga- 
ments and  fascia,  it  usually  radiates  towards  the  in- 
guinal region,  towards  the  anterior  upper  iliac  spine,  tow- 
ards the  perineum  and  thighs.  The  pain  is  never  like  labor- 
pain.  The  inguinal  regions  are  very  little  sensitive  to  pres- 
sure, the  hypogastric  region  never;  the  uterus  shows  no 
anomaly;  rectum  and  bladder  perform  their  functions  nor- 
mally. The  pains  are  nearly  constant,  with  paroxysmal 
aggravations,  during  which  the  patient  in  a  sitting  position 
with  extended  legs  may  pass  days,  till  she  is  brought  for- 
cibly in  a  horizonial  position,  affording  her  considerable 
amelioration.  After  passing  some  time  immovably  in  a 
horizontal  position,  great  momentary  relief  was  obtained 
by  passive  motion  of  the  thighs  in  the  direction  towards 
the  pelvis,  so  that  thus  the  pelvic  bones  were  pushed  to- 
wards one  another.  The  skin  over  the  symphysis  pubis  is 
more  sensitive  to  the  superficial  touch,  than  to  strong  pres- 
sure. Puncta  dolorosa  were  observed  at  the  ligamentum 
arcuatum  superioris  and  inferioris;  the  most  sensitive  point 
to  the  touch  is  the  ligamentous  part  at  the  posterior  wall 
«  of  the  symphysis,  and  hence  the  patients  dread  manual  in- 
ternal exploration,  as  the  examining  hand  pushes  against 
the  symphysis;  the  pain  in  touching  the  uterus  becomes 
intense,  as  soon  as  the  sound  passes  the  upper  part  of  the 
cervical  canal  and  enters  the  os  internum  uteri,  because  at 
that  moment  the  examining  hand  exerts  the  greatest  pres- 
sure on  the  symphysis. 

The  similarity  of  this  affection  with  articular  neurosis  is. 
clear,  as  both  have  these  symptoms  in  common: 

(1)  Intense  painfulness,  though  no  pathological  changes 
can  be  detected. 


1 


The  Medica}  Advance.  Sept 

(2)  Puncta  dolorosa. 

(3)  Over-sensitiveness    of    the    stdu    to    slight  touch, 
rhereas  strong  pressure  is  wpU  borue. 

(4)  Failures  of  usual  treatment,  till  we  attend  to  it  as  hu 
articular  neurosis. 

It  is  easily  understood  how  mistakes  in  diagnosis  are 
possible,  for  (1)  hysteralgia  is  found  in  the  same  region; 
(2)  the  lower  segment  of  the  uterus  was  considered  the 
seat  of  the  disease,  aud  this  part  of  the  womb  is  close  to  the 
symphysis  pubis.  Both  affections  are  rare.  Scauzoni  ob- 
served it  only  19  times,  and  the  patients  suffered  for  years 
intolerable  pains,  so  that  he  says:  "Hysteralgia  differs 
from  the  pains  caused  by  organic  affections  of  the  uterine 
pareiiohyma  by  its  long  duration  for  years,  by  the  absence 
of  perfectly  painless  intervals,  by  its  tisation  tp  a  certain 
point,  limited  to  the  lower  segment  of  the  uterus."  (3) 
The  pain  in  hysteralgia  is  never  like  labor-pain.  (4)  The 
position  of  the  patient  with  widely  extended  legs  hints  far 
more  to  rq  affection  of  the  symphysia  than  to  an  uterine 
affection.  (5)  The  treatment  of  hysteralgia,  as  deep  scarifi- 
cation of  the  vaginal  portion,  repeated  leeching,  dilatation 
of  the  cervical  canal  with  sounds  or  compressed  sponges; 
application  of  ice,  even  cauterization  of  the  vaginal  portion 
with  the  ferrum  candens  (Nonnet)  fails;  wherecis  the  usual 
treatment  for  articular  neurosis  yields  good  and  compara- 
tively  rapid  effects,  as  a  case,  considered  incurable,  was  en- 
tirely relieved  inside  of  tour  months. —  Wietu  Med.  Woclien- 

ihrifi,  17, 1886. 
[Dear  Doctor!     Will  you  kindly  give  us  the  remedy 

ir  this  neurosis  of  the  symphysis  pubis.  Here  we  are 
again,  Allopathy  in  its  true  light,  for  it  fails  to  give  us  the 
individual  characteristics  of  the  patient,  so  that  from  his 
individuality  we  may  also  find  the  characteristic  symptoms 
of  the  local  affection.  It  is  true,  we  meet  amelioration  in 
a  recumlwnt  jxisition  in  Bryonia,  Calcarea,  Oarbo  animalis, 
Ignatia,  Kali,  Lycopodium,  Nus  vomica,  Pulsatilla,  Stan- 
nom,  Sulphur;  aggravation  by  mere  contact,  among  others 
in  Bryonia,  Cinchona,  Ignatia,  Lycopodium,  Nux  vomica, 
Pulsatilla,  Magnesia  carb.  and  mur.,  Mercurius,  Natrum, 


1886  Correspondence.  259 

Sulphur,  and  a  host  of  others;  but  I  cannot  find  the  symp- 
toms, aggravation  in  a  sitting  position  with  extended  legs, 
and  amelioration  when  lying  down  with  adduction  of  the 
legs.  Please  help  our  Gynaecologists  out,  so  that  they  may 
score  one  where  celebrated  professors  failed.  I  feel  some- 
times that  it  were  well  if  we  had  no  specialists.     S.  L.] 


^>»- 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


OUR  FOREIGN  LETTER. 


Editor  Advance. — Agreeably  to  your  request  for  a  note 
to  The  Advance,  I  have  much  pleasure  in  laying  before 
your  readers  a  few  items  picked  up  at  the  Third  Quinquen- 
nial Session  of  the  International  Homoeopathic  Congress 
just  closed.     When  I  left  America  (June  12)  it  was  under- 
stood that  this  Congress  would  be  held  in  Brussels,  Bel- 
gium, on   August  3.     My  wanderings,  therefore,  brought 
me  to  that  ancient -<5ity  on  Saturday,  July  31,  fully  pre- 
pared to  see,  on  the  following  Tuesday,  a  glorious  array  of 
the  genius  and  culture  of  our  school.     Owing  to  non-arrival 
of  my  mail,  and  having  no  definite  information  of  the  pro- 
gram e  for  the  Congress,  on  Monday,  I  sought  and  found 
Dr.  L.  Gaudy,  of  Brussels,  who  received  me  with  great 
cordialty.     Upon  making  known  my  errand  the  doctor  in- 
formed me  that  the  Congress  would  not  be  held  in  Brus- 
sels, but,  for  reasons  named  below,  the  meeting  would  be 
held  in  Basle,  instead!     Glorious  news!     Glorious  postal 
facilities!     Being  two  days'  journey  from  Basle;  having 
arrangements  for  a  different  route;  desirous  of  surveying 
the  field  of  Waterloo;  the  magnificent  galleries  of  Bubens, 
and  the  Dutch  school  at  Antwerp;  on  August  2  our  ar- 
rangements are  hastily  changed,  and  early  on  the  morning 
of  the  3rd  finds  your  correspondent  on  an  express  train  for 
Switzerland,  via  Cologne,  Bingen,  Romilly  and  Strasburg. 
Fortunately,  in  this  instance,  the  cathedral  at  Cologne  is 
in  close  proximity  to  the  railway  station;  its  lofty  spires 
(the  highest  in  the  world)  being  visible  for  miles  distant 
This  magnificent  structure  has  been  but  lately  completed^ 


77te  Medical  Advance.  Sepi 

i  a,  visit  thereto  reoallB  much  of  historic  iiitereet.     Since 
B  completion  of  the  two  towers,  which  reach  the  highest 
•oint  attained  by  man,  not  excepting  the  Washington  monu- 
at,  or  any  other  result  of  man's  genius.     Without  paus- 
ing to  (lwe]l  on  the  beauties  of  the  Rhine,  iis  scenery  and 
its  ruins, the  beauties  of  Germany.andof  southern  France, 
the  morning  of  August  4  brings  us  to  Hotel  Trois  Boir, 
Basle,  in  a  coKI  rain  storm. 
On  the  following  morning,  however,  the  last  day  of  the 
(Congress,  1  found  Dr.  Briiokuer,  resident,  when  I  ascer- 
tained the  habitat  of  the  Congress,  which  I  speeiiily  reached. 
There  appeared  the  faces  of  many  ac<]uaintnnces,  most  of 
whom  are  known  either  personally  fo  your  readers  or  to 
Eame  through  their  cfmtiibutions  to  our  literature. 

In  order  to  understand  correctly  the  causes  which  rend- 

H-ed  it  necessary  at  the  last  hour  to  hold  this  Congress  at 

Basle  instead  of  Brussels  it  is  necessary  to  state:  That  at 

the  quinquiinuial  meeting   held  in  Londou  in  1881,  Dr. 

Martjny  invited  the  Congress  to  hold  its  meeting  in  1SS6, 

in  Brussels;  that  at  that  time  he  was  appointed  Chairman 

of  the  Committee  of  Arrangements,  and  together  witli  the 

concurrence  of  the  General  Secretary,  instructed  to  name 

I ^ates,  and  do  all  things  necessary  to  facilitate  the  business 

l-«f  the  Congress  and  the  comfort  of  the  physicians  in  at- 

t'tendance.     This  it  seems  Dr.  Martiny  failed  to  do,  and 

l-published  a  notice  in  the  Revue  HovKropuihique  Beige, 

letating  that,  owing  to   a   dearth   of   material,  and   other 

r  causes,  the  Congress  would  not  be  helil  in  Belgium  this 

year,  but  in  1889,  and  then  in  Paris,  etc.     That  if  held  at 

the  time  first  proposed  it  would  be  a  failuie,  a  source  of 

mortification  to  the  physicians  of  Belgium,  and  a  serious 

letriment  to  the  good  name   and  progress  of  our  cause 

1,  aa  well  as  to  fatally  cripple  a  scheme  ou   foot  to 

lequip  a  hospital  in  Brussels,  etc. 

Dr.  Weber,  of  Cologne,  in  behalf  of  the  German  Homceo- 

paths,  endorsed  the  action  of  the  Belgian  Committee,  in  a 

^^  publication  in  the  AUgemeiiie  Homoeopciihische  Zetfuiig,  in 

^^L^hioh  he  objected  to  the  plan  of  the  Congress,  etc. 

^^^    The   General  Secretary,  learning  the  disaffection   and 


the 

^■Oot 
tail 
Tht 

Wr. 

^^Pffi'ec 

I 

t] 

ii 
o 

Ii 
« 

y 

t 


1886  Correspondence.  261 

supineness  of  the  Belgians,  and  being  determined  to  carry 
out  the  behests  of  the  last  Congress,  decided  that  this  Con- 
gress must  be  held,  and  assumed  the  responsibility  of  nam- 
ing a  place  and  took  prompt,  energetic  steps  to  secure  a 
successful  meeting.  The  British  Homoeopathic  Associa- 
tion, being  in  session,  approved  his  action,  and  concurred 
with  Dr.  Hughes  in  selecting  Basle.  At  the  closing  of  the 
Congress,  which  has  just  brought  its  labors  to  a  termina- 
tion. Dr.  O.  S.  Runnels  proposed  a  resolution  of  thanks  to 
Dr.  Hughes  for  his  untiring  zeal  in  the  interests  of  this 
Congress,  which  was  Very  enthusiastically  adopted. 

This  is  the  third  quinquennial  Congress — the  first  hav- 
ing been  held  in  Philadelphia  in  1876,  Dr.  Carroll  Dun- 
ham, President;  the  second  in  London  in  1881,  Dr.  Rich- 
ard Hughes,  President;  and  this  at  Basle  in  1886,  Dr.  John 
Meyhoffer,  President,  Dr.  M.  Roth,  London,  Vice  Presi- 
dent; Honorary  Vice  Presidents  Dr.  O.  8.  Runnels,  Ex- 
Pres.  Am.  Inst,  and  Dr.  Shadier,  Berne,  President  Swiss 
Horn.  Med.  Society. 

present: 

• 

Drs.  O.  S.  Runnels,  Indiana;  T.  BrUckner,  Basle,  Switz- 
erland; Richard  Hughes,  Brighton,  England;  J.  Mey- 
hoffer, Nice,  France;  A.  C.  Pope,  Tunbridge  Wells,  Eng.; 
Walter  Wesselhoef t,  Cambridge,  Mass. ;  Robert  T.  Cooper, 
London;  Viucent  Leon  Simon,  Paris;  Louis  D.  V.  Wilder, 
New  York;  Louis  Lambreghts,  fils,  Antwerp;  R.  B.  Rush, 
Salem,  Ohio;  M.  Mattes,  Barensburg;  Oscar  Hansen,  Co- 
})eiihagen;  John  H.  Clarke,  London;  J.  B.  Noble,  London ; 
M.  Roth,  London;  Bonifnce  Schmitz,  Antwerp;  Ruben 
Lmllam,  Jr.,  Chicago;  Chas.  Heerman,  Paris;  E.  Foche, 
Freiburg,  Baden;  Frederick  Neild,  Tunbridge  Wells,  En- 
gland. A.  M.  Cash,  Torqay,  Eng. ;  Dr.  Mischilen,  Basle; 
H.  M.  Hobart,  Chicago;  Dr.  Mossa,  Strasbarg,  Germany; 
Robert  Auker,  Berne;  Ed.  Syd.  Fries,  Zurich;  B.  Heer- 
man, fils,  Paris;  A.  Pfandez,  Thun,  Switzerland;  G. 
Scriven,  Dublin;  Dr.  Schadler,  Berne;  W.  Y.  Cowl,  New 
York;  Baron  von  Hyer,  Berne;  Guiseppe  Bonin,  Turin; 
Emile  Batault,  Geneva;    Wm.   G.   Foster,  Kansas  City; 


262  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept. 

Madam  Batault,  Zarandnitsky,  Germany;  Jas.  M.  Wyborn, 
F.  C.  S.,  London;  Major  Wm.  von  Morgan,  London. 

MONDAY,  AUGUST  2. 

A  preliminary  meeting  was  held  at  the  Hotel  Sweitzer- 
hoft  at  8:30  p.  M.,  at  which  officers  were  elected  and  rules 
of  procedure  adopted. 

At  the  preliminary  meeting,  the  question  as  to  what  lan- 
guage should  be  used  in  the  sessions  of  the  Congress 
created  some  comment.  By  reference  to  the  names  of 
physicians  present  it  will  be  noted  that  representatives 
speaking  Italian,  Danish,  German,  Dutch,  Swiss,  French, 
and  English  claimed  a  hearing,  each  in  his  mother  tongue. 
Dr.  Bonino  suggested  that  inasmuch  as  the  Continental 
universities  required  their  graduates  to  become  proficient 
in  Latin,  that  the  Congress  use  that  language.  It  was 
found,  however,  that  most  of  the  physicians  spoke  either 
English  or  French,  and  many  of  them  four  or  five  different 
languages,  that  these  two  would  be  used.  Dr.  Roth,  the 
Vice  President,  being  familiar  with  all,  would  undertake  to 
interpret.  This  he  did  with  great  satisfaction  to  all.  When 
one  recalls  the  difficulty  of  remembering  an  extemporane- 
ous speech  of  ten  or  fifteen  minutes'  length,  and  repeating 
it  correctly  in  the  same  language,  it  may  be  easily  seen 
what  a  trying  task  it  may  become  when  required  to  trans- 
late  the  same  into  several  different  foreign  tongues. 

TUESDAY,  AUGUST  3. 

The  convention  assembled  at  9:30  A.  M.  The  regular 
quinquennial  reports  on  the  state  of  Homoeopathy  in  vari- 
ous parts  of  the  world  were  presented,  viz: 

INTERNATIONAL  HOMCEOPATHIC  CONVENTION. 

1881. 
Precis  of  Papers  Presented  for  Discussion. 

HISTORIES. 


France.. 

BY  DR.  V.  LEOy  SIMOX. 

Dr.  V.  Leon  Simon  reports  that  the  number  of  our  ad- 
herents slowly  increases.     At  Paris  it  remains  about  the 


1886  Correspondence.  263 

same,  but  in  the  South  there  is  a  sensible  increase,  thanks 
mainly  to  Dr.  Charge.  Dr.  Jousset  has  made  several  pro- 
selytes in  Brittany.  There  are  about  seventy  Homoeopath- 
ists  in  Paris,  and  130  in  the  rest  of  France.  Homoeopathy 
is  also  not  unknown  in  the  French  Colonies;  there  are 
practitioners  of  it  in  Algiers,  Tunis  and  Martinique.  The 
number  of  students  promises  well  for  the  future. 

There  are  in  France  at  least  fifteen  homoeopathic  phar- 
macies; nine  in  Paris,  two  at  Lyons,  two  at  Bordeaux,  one 
at  Marseilles,  and  one  at  Nice.  There  are  two  Societies,  to 
one  or  other  of  which  most  of  the  French  practitioners  be- 
long— the  Societe  Hahnemannfenne  and  the  Societ6  Hom- 
oeopathique  de  France.  Both  meet  at  Paris.  Homoe- 
opathy is  taught  by  lectures,  hospitals,  clinics,  dispen- 
saries and  journals. 

Lectures  have  made  but  little  progress  during  the  last 
five  years.  The  hospitals  show  the  most  satisfactory  re- 
sults. There  are  two  at  Paris  and  one  at  Lyons,  all  pros- 
pering greatly.  The  Hospital  Si  Jacques  has  had  a  new 
and  handsome  building  erected  for  it,  and  contains  sixty 
beds.  Next  in  importance  to  the  hospitals  is  the  Dispen- 
saire  Alix-Love.  This  institution  has  only  been  open  five 
months,  but  is  making  rapid  progress  in  its  numerous 
branches  of  work. 

The  dispensaries  are  numerous  and  prospering.  The 
three  established  journals  still  flourish.  Two  of  our  col- 
leagues have  joined  the  staff  of  the  Petite  Revue  du  Midi 
as  scientific  contributors,  and  have  published  several  arti- 
cles of  great  value  to  the  cause. 

The  author  then  enumerates  our  colleagues  who  have 
passed  away  during  the  last  five  years,  among  them  being 
Dr.  David  Roth,  the  Comte  de  Bouneval,  and  Dr.  Espanet. 

Dr.  Leon  Simon  notices  the  epidemic  of  typhoid  fever 
in  Paris  in  1883,  and  the  small  mortality  in  our  hospitals 
and  among  our  private  patients.  Dr.  Cretin's  remarkable 
pamphlet,  entitled,  Fievre  Typhoide:  Hypotheses  et  Caiu 
tradictions  Acad^miques,  is  mentioned  with  high  approval 
He  also  reports  fully  on  the  cholera  epidemic  in  the  south 
of  France  in  1884  and  1885,  where  our  mortality  was  only 


264  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

9.5  per  cent.;  and  notes  with  satisfaction  the  growth 
of  friendly  relations  between  the  old  and  the  new  schools, 
consultations  being  readily  obtained  in  France.  He  ap- 
pends a  list  of  books  published  since  1881,  in  addition  to 
those  mentioned  in  his  full  report. 

Austrian  and  Gfrman  Empires. 

BY  Til.  KAFKA,  M.  D.,  KAKLSBEI). 

I.  Necrological,  On  April  23, 1882,  Dr.  George  Schmid 
died.  He  was  the  author  of  several  good  medical  works — 
e.  g.,  "Cholera  Poison,"  "Has  Homoeopathy  a  Right  to  State 
Aid?"  "My  Medical  Testament."  He  left  by  will  a  sum  of 
money  for  the  purpose  of  endowing  a  chair  of  Homoeopathy 
in  the  University  of  Vienna,  but  the  authorities  have  not 
yet  done  nor  are  they  likely  to  do  anything  so  sensible. 

In  1884  Dr.  Veith,  Professor  in  the  Veterinary  College 
of  Vienna,  died  at  an  advanced  age.  He  was  a  zealous 
Homoeopath. 

In  1885  Dr.  David  Seegen  died.  He  was  one  of  the  most 
successful  homoeopathic  physicians  of  Prague,  and  he  left 
a  sum  of  money  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Children's 
Hospital  in  that  city. 

In  1885  Dr.  Franz  Weinke  died.  He  was  a  zealous  con- 
tributor to  the  Oester.  Zeitsch,  des  Ver.  der  Horn,  Aerzie 
Oesterreichs. 

Death  has  removed  a  very  well  known  Germam  Homoeo- 
path, to-wit,  Dr.  Baehr,  physician  to  the  late  King  of 
Hanover,  the  author  of  the  well-known  prize  essay  on 
Digitalis;  Dr.  Riickei*t  of  Herrnhut,  one  of  Hahnemann's 
original  disciples,  author  of  many  homoeopathic  works,  the 
best  known  of  which  is  his  "Klinische  Erf ahrungen ;"  Dr. 
Borchers  of  Bremen;  Dr.  Ameke  of  Berlin;  Dr.  Rentsch 
of  Wismar  have  also  departed. 

n.  Historical,  Dr.  Wiirstel  and  Dr.  Gerstel  (of  Vi- 
enna), and  Dr.  Jacob  Kafka  (of  Prague),  celebrated  the 
fiftieth  year  (jubilee)  of  their  medical  degree. 

Professor  Bakody,  of  Pesth,  published  a  work  called 
"Hahnemann  Redivivus,"  in  which  the  scientific  character  of 
Hahnemann's  doctrines  was  earnestly  and  successfully  de- 


1886  Correspomlence.  265 

fended.  He  also  pablished  a  reply  to  the  attack  on  Hom- 
oeopathy of  Prof.  Jiirgensen,  of  Tiibingen.  The  violent 
attacks  on  Homoeopathy  by  Jiirgensen,  Liebreich,  and 
Koeppe  were  well  answered  by  Sorge  (of  Berlin),  Mayntier 
(of  Zell),  and  Heinegke  (of  Leipzig). 

Homoeopathy  has  made  great  progress  among  the  public 
of  Germany.  There  is  hardly  a  town  in  Germany  where, 
the  allopathic  druggists  do  not  also  keep  a  stock  of  homoeo- 
pathic medicines.  Funds  have  been  collected  in  Berlin 
and  Leipzig  for  the  establishment  of  homoeopathic  hospi- 
tals, and  it  is  hoped  that  they  will  soon  be  erected. 

In  1884  the  Berlin  Homoeopathic  Society  began  the  pub- 
lication of  a  periodical,  which  is  now  regularly  published 
and  well  supported  by  the  cliief  homoeopathic  physicians. 
The  Pionier  is  a  society  established  by  Dr.  Oidtmann  for 
spreading  a  knowledge  of  Homoeopathy  among  the  people. 
It  publishes  a  monthly  periodical  with  the  title  of  Der 
Pionier,  edited  by  Dr.  von  Eye,  a  very  useful  organ  for  the 
propagation  of  Homoeopathy.  The  chief  original  works 
that  have  appeared  during  this  period  are,  besides  the  pole- 
mical ones  mentioned  above,  the  "  Experiences  of  an  Old 
Piiy^^icinn,"  by  Dr.  Groos,  and  the  "Origin  of  and  Opposi- 
tion to  Homoeopathy,"  by  the  late  Dr.  Ameke.  Burnett's 
work  on  "Cataract,"  translated  by  Goullon,  and  Johnson's 
"Domestic  Physician,"  translated  by  Katz,  are  the  princi- 
pal translated  works  that  have  been  published. 

The  Central  Verein  and  the  Berlin  Homoeopathic  So- 
ciety are  in  full  maturity.  In  Munich  the  homoeopathic 
hospital  was  closed  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Buchner,  but 
thanks  t<3  the  assistance  of  Prince  Dettingen-Wallerstein 
it  has  again  been  opened;  it  is  under  the  direction  of  Drs. 
Quaglio  and  Koeck.  There  is  also  in  Munich  a  society  for 
aiding  poor  medical  students  who  are  anxious  to  study 
Homoeopathy.  A  similar  foundation  exists  in  connection 
with  the  Central  Verein  for  assisting  students  and  practi- 
tioners to  study  Homoeopathy  in  Buda-Pesth  under  Pro- 
fessor Bakody.  They  bind  themselves  in  return  to  settle 
to  practice  in  some  German  town.  In  Berlin  there  is  an 
examining  board  for  practitioners  who  wish  to  dispense 


i  Advance. 


8«pt 


their  own  medicines  in  Prusaia.     Dr.  Fischer,  o£  Berlin,  is 

ihe  examiner  in  Horn  ceo  path  y  of  this  board. 

In   Stuttgart  there   ia   a  society,  the   "Hahnemannia," 

■which  assists  poor  studentB  at  the  University  of  Tiibingen. 

I  deaconeeses'  hospital  in  Stuttgart  has  for  many  years 

>een  under  the  care  of  a  homceopathic  physician,  Dr.  Sick. 

^r.  Rapp,  who  was  forced  to  resign  his  professorship  of 

BPathology  and  Medicine  in  the  University  of  Tiibingen  on 

■"account  of   hia   homoeopathic   proclivities,   now  enjoys  a 

a  practice  as  a  homoeopathic  physician,  and  for  some 

jears  has  fiUe<l  the  post  of  physician  to  the  Queen  of  Wur- 

bemherg, 

Belgium. 


Belgium  is  reported  as  enjoying  during  the  past  five 
ears  a  period  of  calm  iu  respect  of  attacks  on  Homteo- 
pathy  and  its  practitioners,  of  which  the  earlier  history  of 
our  system  there  is  so  full.  The  only  public  events  in  con- 
nection with  it  are  a  discussion  at  the  Academy  of  Medi- 
dne  of  n  ptiper  on  the  subject  (ISSI),  and  (188G)  an  at- 
impt  to  obtain  wards  iu  the  Brussels  hospitals  where  our 
'practice  can  be  carried  out.  The  former  turnetl  on  the 
question  whether  the  paper  (whose  conclusions  were,  on 
the  whole,  hostile  to  Hahnemann )  should  be  printed  in  the 
archives  of  the  Academy,  and  the  proposal  was  rejected  by 
two  votes  only.  The  latter  is  yet  pending,  but  has  fair 
prospects  of  success. 

In  Belgium,  as  elsewhere  in  Europe,  Homceopathy  oon- 
I  tinues  to  gain  favor  among  the  laity,  but  the  number  of  its 
vactitioners  increases  slowly.     Dr.   Lambreghts,  indeed, 
Kwtimates  it  at  70,  while  Dr.  Martiny,  in  1881,  gave  it  as  50, 
[1>ut  he  seems  to  have  no  definite  evidence  such  as  a  Direc- 
tory  would   afford.      The   "Soei6t6  Beige   des   Mfid^cina 
JlHomtjeopathes,"  and  its  organ,  U Homcuopathie  MiUtanie, 
■)  valorously  conducted  by  Dr.  Gailliard,  have  ceased  to 
list;  but  the  older  society,  the  "  Oorcle  Homceopathique 
^e  Flandi'es,"  and  the  "Association  Centrate  des  Homteo- 
mthes,"  Beiges,  continue  to  fiourish,  as  also  does  the  Revue 
Homtrojmthique  Beige,  now — as  before — under  the  able 


1886  Correspondence.  267 

editorship  of  Dr.  Martiny.  He  has  lost  a  valuable  collab- 
orator in  Dr.  H.  Bernard,  of  Mons.  It  is  noted  with  re- 
gret that  several  dispensaries  have  ceased  to  exist  during 
the  last  few  years;  but  those  at  Brussels,  Antwerp,  Ghent, 
and  other  places  continue  in  full  operation. 

British  Empire. 

BY  JOHN  W.  CliARKR,  M.  D.,  LONDON. 

Dr.  Clarke's  history  of  Homoeopathy  in  the  British  Em- 
pire takes  the  form  of  a  diary  (or  rather  annuary),  noting 
the  leading  events  in  each  year  connected  with  it.  The 
establishment  of  the  yearly  Hahnemann  Oration;  the 
founding  (thanks  to  the  munificence  of  Mr.  Henry  Tate) 
of  a  homoeopathic  hospital  in  Liverpool;  the  extension  of 
the  work  of  the  hospital  in  London;  and  the  inception  of  a 
revised  Materia  Medica  under  the  auspices  of  the  National 
Societies  of  England  and  America — are  its  encouraging 
features.  On  the  other  side  stand  the  suspension  of  activ- 
ity on  the  part  of  the  School  for  lack  of  students;  the  dis- 
continuance of  the  British  Journal  of  HoincBopathy ;  and 
the  diminution  rather  than  increase  in  the  list  of  names 
contained  in  the  Directory.  The  sense  of  need  of  some 
further  effort  to  make  known  the  advantages  of  our  method, 
and  to  dispel  the  ignorance  and  prejudice  which  obstruct 
its  advance  among  the  profession,  has  led  to  the  formation 
of  a  "Homoeopathic  League,"  which  may,  it  is  hoped,  do 
good  work.  Dr.  Clarke  notices  some  evidences  of  greater 
liberality  towards  homoeopathic  practitioners  on  the  part  of 
the  men  of  the  old  school,  and  mentions  Dr.  Lauder  Brun- 
ton's  "Pharmacology"  as  another  instance  of  wholesale, 
but  unacknowledged,  borrowing  from  homoeopathic  sources. 
A  full  obituary  for  each  year  is  given,  the  death-roll  in- 
cluding the  names  of  Leadam,  Bayes,  Black,  Hilbers,  Mad- 
den, Chepmell,  Holland,  and  Neville  Wood. 

The  Australian  Colonies  are  stated  to  show  steady  pro- 
gress, and  in  Melbourne,  Victoria,  a  handsome  hospital  has 
been  built  and  opened.  There  has  been  no  time  to  obtain 
direct  reports  from  this  quarter,  but  Canada  and  India  will 
speak  for  themselves. 


268  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

Canada, — Dr.  Nichol,  of  Montreal,  reports  that  Homoeo- 
pathy in  Canada  continues  to  hold  its  ground.  Of  its  100 
practitioners  eighty  are  in  the  province  of  Ontario,  and  one 
only  in  the  North- West  (at  Winnipeg).  He  is  himself  the 
most  active  writer  in  the  Dominion,  and  justly  refers  to 
his  "Diseases  of  the  Larynx  and  Trachea  in  Childhood," 
and  "Montreal  Tracts  on  Homoeopathy."  The  Canadian 
Institute  of  Homoeopathy  is  in  a  flourishing  condition,  and 
at  its  annual  sessions  some  valuable  papers  are  read.  Ef- 
forts are  now  on  foot  to  found  a  homoeopathic  college  and 
hospital  in  Toronto. 

Denmark. 

BY  DR.  OSCAR  HANSEN.  COPENHAGEN. 

The  history  of  Homoeopathy  in  Denmark  begins  with 
1821,  and  since  that  time  it  has  never  wanted  representa- 
tives, at  least  in  the  capital.  There  are  now  seven  homoeo- 
pathic practitioners  in  Copenhagen,  and  one  at  Aalborg,  in 
Jutland.  Funds  are  being  collected  for  a  hospital  in  the 
former  city,  and  now  amounts  to  230,000  francs.  There  is 
a  "Homoeopathic  Society,"  founded  in  1859,  which  (under 
Dr.  Hansen's  editorship)  issues  a  monthly  journal;  it  has 
also  a  library,  and  assists  enquirers  and  students.  Danish 
homoeopathic  literature,  save  for  replies  to  tlie  usual  at- 
tacks made  upon  it,  consists  mainly  of  translations  from 
foreign  sources. 

Spain. 

BY  DR.  F.  «.  RUBIO.  MALAGA. 

Dr.  Rubio  states  that  there  are  53  homoeopathic  practi- 
tioners in  Madrid,  41  in  Barcelona,  and  43  in  other  parts 
of  Spain* — altogether  137.  There  are  four  homoeopathic 
journals.  The  Hospit?\l  San  Jos^,  at  Madrid,  continues  to 
flourish;  and  the  Medical  School  connected  with  it  has  be- 
tween 40  and  50  students.  There  are  dispensaries  in  vigor- 
ous operation  at  Madrid  and  Malaga,  and  in  most  cities 
where  Homoeopathy  has  a  representative. 


*  This  list  is  probably  imperfect,  for  it  omits  Bilboa,  where  there  is  certainly 
one  Homoeopath  1st.— Eds. 


1886  Correspondence,  269 

Switzerland. 

BY  DB.  BRUCKNER,  BASLE. 

During  the  last  ten  years  (when  Dr.  Bruckner  reported 
to  the  Convention  of  1876)  about  ten  homoeopathio  prac- 
titioners have  passed  away  in  various  parts  of  Switzerland; 
but  there  are  23  now  practicing  the  system.  One  medical 
society  meets  annually  for  conference  in  one  of  the  towns 
of  the  confederation. 

EussiA. 

BY  DR.  BOJANU8,  PETERSBURG. 

Dr.  Bojanus  is  unable  to  give  any  statistical  data  about 
the  progress  of  Homoeopathy  in  Bussia,  not  having  re- 
ceived any  notice  to  prepare  a  paper  until  too  late  for  the 
Convention.  He  gives,  however,  a  very  detailed  account 
of  an  attempt  made  by  Dr.  V.  Dittmann,  of  Petersburg,  to 
show  the  superiority  of  the  homoeopathic  treatment  in 
diphtheria,  which  was  at  that  time  raging.  Dr.  Dittmann 
first  recommended  Mercurius  cyanatus  30th  as  an  infalli- 
ble remedy  and  prophylactic  against  this  terrible  disease; 
and  afterwards  he  entreated  the  Emperor  to  let  him  have 
a  hospital,  in  which  he  could  treat  the  cases  of  diphtheria 
entrusted  to  his  care  according  to  the  homoeopathic  sys- 
tem, under  th3  supervision  of  an  allopathic  committee  of 
physicians.  This  request  was  granted,  and  a  hospital  of 
40  beds  entrusted  to  his  care.  But  by  the  intrigues  of  the 
allopathic  fraternity  he  had  but  one  patient  to  treat,  a 
child  with  angina  scarlatinosa  gangraenosa,  which  died.  No 
other  patient  was  entrusted  to  his  care.  It  may  easily  be 
imagined  that  after  this  complete  failure  Dr.  Dittmann 
was  insulted  and  abused  in  the  papers  by  the  enemies  of 
Homoeopathy,  and  the  system  of  Hahnemann  denounced 
as  a  fraud.  Dr.  Bojanus  therefore  advises  the  German 
Homoeopaths  not  to  establish  a  homoeopathic  hospital  in  a 
city,  where  there  is  an  University,  but  rather  in  a  place  like 
GUirlitz,  where  there  is  a  large  population  of  working  men. 
Dr.  Bojanus  is  convinced  that  as  long  as  homoeopathic  hos- 
pitals or  dispensaries  are  under  the  control  and  supervision 
of  allopathic  authorities,  they  can  never  flourish.     Only 


i70  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

Btrhei-e  such  institutionn  are  entirely  independent,  as  they 

ire  in  America,  are  they  in  a  prosperous  condition. 

Finally  he  states,  that  in  Moscow,  two  allopathio  phyai- 

Eipians  have  become  converts  to  Homoeopathy,  and  in  Feters- 

LTg  two  sous  of  Dr.  BojanuB  are  now  practicing  Homoeo- 

jathy. 

United  States. 


■  Dr.  James  iiegins  by  giving  the  following  statistics  as  to 
ftie  present  position  of  Homoeopathy  in  the  United  States: 

Of  Practitioners,  there  are  about  10,000. 

Of  Medical  Colleges,  14,  with  about  1,000  fresh  matri- 
culants and  400  graduates  annually.  (The  MiEinesota  Col- 
lege has  been  added  since  this  report  was  written ). 

Of  Hospitals,  51:  with  i,000  beds. 

Of  Insane  Asylums,  3. 

Of  Dispensaries,  4S. 

»0f  Societies,  143. 
Of  Journals,  22. 
Of  Pharmacies,  33. 
Regarding  the  Colleges,  he  notes  a  progressive  elevation 
in  the  standard  of  medical  education.  The  multiplication 
of  capable  specialists  in  our  ranks  is  much  aided  by  the 
special  training  provided  iu  the  New  Tort  Ophthalmic 
College  and  Hospital,  which  is  authorized  to  confer  the 
diploma  of  "Oculi  et  Auris  Chirurgus"  upon  its  students, 
Our  Hospitals  are  receiving  large  aid  both  from  private 
and  public  source.  Among  tlie  latter  may  be  mentioned 
the  assignment  to  Homoeopathista  of  the  ffestborough  In- 
sane Asylum  valued  at  Si320,000,  with  «180,000  for  its 
equipment;  and  Providence,  Washington  and  Pittsburg 
have  corresponding  liberality  to  record  ti-om  the  authori- 
ties of  their  respective  States.  In  the  Newton  General 
Hospital  near  Boston,  the  medical  and  surgical  staff  ia 
divided  equally  between  old  school  and  hom'^opatbic  physi- 
cians, while  a  similar  assignment  has  been  made  in  the 
Cook  County  Hospital  at  Chicago;  and  the  Hahnemann 
Medical  College  and  Hospital  at  Philadelphia,  the  oldest 


«ta^ 


1886  Correspondence.  271 

institution  of  its  kind  in  the  country,  is  about  to  take  pos- 
session of  a  new  and  thoroughly  equipped  building. 

To  the  National  Societies  extant  at  the  last  report  is  to 
be  added  a  "Southern  Homoeopathic  Association,"  which 
(it  is  hoped)  will  do  much  to  promote  unity  and  progress 
among  the  Homoeopathists  of  the  Southern  States. 

Dr.  James  considers  the  great  success  of  Homoeopathy 
in  the  United  Skates  due  to  the  fact  that  it  appeals  directly 
to  the  people,  with  whom  all  political  power  resides; 
though  he  recognizes  the  greater  freedom  with  which 
young  societies  are  permeated  by  new  ideas. 

Supplemental  reports  as  to  the  state  of  Homoeopathy 
were  made  as  follows:  United  States,  Dr.  O.  S.  Runnels; 
Switzerland,  Dr.  Bruckner;  England,  Dr.  Pope;  France, 
Dr.  Heerman;  Belgium,  Dr.  Lambreghls;  Denmark,  Dr. 
Hansen;  Germany,  Dr.  Mossa;  India,  too  late  for  pre- 
sentation to  the  Convention,  by  Dr. ,  giving  an  en- 
thusiastic account  of  the  flourishing  condition  of  Homoeo- 
pathy in  that  country, — homoeopathic  college,  and  several 
journals. 

The  statement  was  made  that  in  some  parts  of  Germany 
so  great  is  the  demand  for  Homoeopathy  that,  in  one  in- 
stance, the  citizens  offered  a  money  bonus  to  any  physician 
who  would  settle  among  them. 

Greatest  progress  of  any  country,  next  to  United  States, 
comes  from  Germany,  where  we  are  so  often  told  it  is  dy- 
ing out,  or  has  actually  died. 


ESS  A  YS. 


"En  Avant." 

BY  R.  E.  DUDOBOM,  M.  D.,  LONDON,  ENGLAND. 

The  author  asks:  1st,  why  is  Homoeopathy  regarded  with 
aversion  by  the  medical  profession  ? 

In  its  early  days  there  was  sufficient  reason  for  this  in 
the  complete  opposition  of  Homoeopathy  to  established  and 
traditional  methods  of  treatment  and  to  all  the  current 
theories  of  disease  and  cure.     The  prejudices  and  interests 


The.  Medical  Advance. 


the  profession  ■were  arrayed  againet  it.     It  was  also  con- 
iry  to  the  interests  of  the  apothecaries.     By  its  gi'eater 
iccess  in  the  treatment  of  disease,  by  shortening  the  dura- 
'tion  of  the  treatment,  and  by  enabling  patients  to  treat 
themselves  for  all  the  slighter  ailments,  it  naturally  di- 
minished the  fnnds  derivable  from  practice.     As  the  med- 
ical profession  is  overstocked,  ami  the  great  mass  can  barely 
keep  themselves,  any  proposal  to  diminish  the  profits  of 
treatment  would  meet  with  the  moat  vigorous  opposition. 
Homoeopathists  always  assert  that  Homoeopathy  cures  dis- 
eases more  quickly  and  with  less  outlay  on  the  patients' 
port.     But  this,  in  place  of  being  a   recommendation,  is 
;t  the  reverse  to  the  great  mass  of  struggling  practition- 
They  welcome  any  new  method  that  increEiaes  the 
rk  of  the  doctor,  such  as  new  and  powerfully-acting  medi- 
'■cines,  electrical  applications,  hypodermic  injections,  etc.; 
but  a  system  that  diminishes  the  work  of  the  doctor  goes 
against  their  prejudices  and  material  interests. 

2iid.  What  can  we  do  to  promote  the  general  adoption 
of  Homcepatliy?  At  its  first  introduction  Homoeopathy 
spread  rapidly  among  the  intelligent  classes,  because  it 
was  zealously  propagated  among  the  public  by  popular 
literature,  lectures  and  meetings,  and  because  it  offered  a 
mild  system  of  medication  which  contrasted  stiongly  with 
the  violent  and  often  painful  methods  of  the  old  school 
But  gradually  the  old  school  abandoned  these  rough  meth- 
ods, gave  w\}  bleeding  and  the  painful  and  perturbing 
methods  they  had  hitherto  used,  and  Homceopathiats,  see- 
ing this,  trnsted  that  the  old  school  would  go  a  step  further 
and  adopt  Homoeopathy,  Therefore  they  left  off  appealing 
to  the  public  and  addressed  themselves  to  the  profession 

The  public,  no  longer  directly  appealed  to,  ceased  I 
to  interest  themselves  in  the  new  system,  and  the  profee 
sion,  no  longer  influenced  by  the  patient  world,  ceased  to  | 
furnish  new  converts  to  Homoeopathy,  but  took  from  Hom- 
oeopathy its  medicines  and  methods,  while  they  continued   [ 
to  misrepresent  and  deride  the  doctrine  fiom  which  they 
'derived   their   remedies.     Homceopathists   found  that  all  ' 
lir  appeals  to  the  old  school  remained  unheeded.     In  J 


1886  Carrespmdence.  278 

order  to  influence  the  profession,  we  must  do  as  the  earlier 
pioneers  of  Homoeopathy  did,  and  resume  the  propaganda 
of  our  system  among  the  public,  who  will  in  their  turn 
force  the  old  school  to  adopt  the  doctrine  as  well  as  the 
remedies  of  Homoeopathy,  which  they  now  only  use  em- 
pirically. The  profession  on  the  whole  will  gain  by  adopt- 
ing Homoeopathy,  as  patients  will  then  regain  the  confi- 
dence in  medicine  which  they  have  in  great  measure  lost, 
in  consequence  of  the  acknowledged  uncertainty  of  treat- 
ment and  the  open  boast  of  medical  men  that  they  are 
guided  by  no  therapeutic  principle.  When  the  profession 
is  agreed  on  the  adoption  of  the  only  true  and  rational 
Homoeopathic  rule,  and  the  public  know  this,  they  will 
cease  to  dread  the  hap-hazard  treatment  of  a  doctor,  and 
will  lose  their  love  for  quack  medicines,  whose  use  will 
thus  appear  to  them  irrational. 

Wednesday,  August  4. 
A  Criticism  on  the  *  'cyclopcedia.  op  drug  pathogenesy." 

BY  DR.  IMBEBT-GOURBErUE,  BOYAT,  FRANCE. 

The  author  begins  by  pointing  out  that  the  name 
tpafj/idxov  indicates  that  all  drugs  are  first  of  all  poisons, 
and  hence  the  importance  of  knowing  their  poisonous 
action.  The  Cyclopoedia  gives  us,  for  the  first  time,  an 
opportunity  of  studying  the  physiology  of  drugs,  by  pre- 
senting their  effects  in  the  order  of  their  evolution.  It  is 
also  very  valuable  as  bringing  together  in  an  accessible 
form  all  available  knowledge  derived  from  the  four  sources 
of  (1)  poisonings,  (2)  over-dosings,  and  (3, 4)  experiments 
on  men  and  animals.  He  is  especially  pleased  with  the 
classification  of  the  arsenical  poisonings.  He  seems  to 
regard  this  work,  however,  rather  as  material  for  a  future 
building  than  as  an  end  in  itself;  though  he  does  not  in- 
dicate the  manner  in  which  he  would  have  such  building 
erected. 

The  Presentation  of  the  Materia  Medioa. 

BY  RICHARD  HUGHES,  L.  B.  0.  P.,  BRIGHTON,  BKGLAND. 

The  author  observes  that  the  presentation,  in  the  Oyclo- 
poedia  of  Drug  Pathogenesy,  of  the  provings  and  poison* 


274  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

ings  with  drugs  in  narrative  detail,  has  excited  much  at- 
tention on  the  Continent,  and  that  some  critics  seem  to 
consider  the  schema  as  at  least  as  good  a  form.  He,  on 
the  other  hand,  believes  the  latter  to  be  unnecessary,  mis- 
leading, and  pernicious. 

The  Materia  Medica  may  be  used  homceopathically 
either  ^  priori  or  h  posteriori, 

1.  On  the  first  plan,  it  is  studied  beforehand,  and  for  this 
purpose  the  author  maintains  the  schema  to  be  most  pre- 
judicial, as  rendering  pathogenesy  uninteresting  and  unin- 
telligible. It  has  thus  operated  injuriously  (a)  by  rob- 
bing Hahnemann  of  his  due  credit  as  the  father  of  experi- 
mental pharmacology;  (6),  by  deterring  many  would-be 
enquirers  from  the  study  of  Homoeopathy;  and  (c)  by 
driving  its  practitioners  to  empirical  use  of  remedies  in- 
stead of  fresh  homoeopathic  selection. 

2.  When  the  Materia  Medica  is  used  by  way  of  reference 
in  presence  of  a  case,  the  schematic  arrangement  is  unne- 
cessary for  symptom-finding,  as  that  is  provided  for  by  an 
index.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  misleading,  as  symptoms 
become  falsely  interpreted  when  divorced  from  their  con- 
comitants, and  often  assume  (when  isolated)  a  prominence 
not  their  due.  The  author  combats  the  doctrine  that  symp- 
toms are  susceptible  of  indefinite  variations  in  grouping, 
as  maintained  by  Drs.  Allen  and  Farrington. 

He  finally  pleads  for  the  detailed  provings  and  poison- 
ings as  the  fundamental  Materia  Medica  of  Homoeopathy, 
to  be  studied  by  every  learner  and  referred  to  by  every 
practitioner;  all  other  arrangements  of  pathogenesy  to  be 
regarded  as  merely  introductions  and  applications. 

On  the  Additions  to  the  "Cyclopcedia  of  Drug  Patho- 
genesy"   REQUISITE  to   MAKE    IT    OF    FULL    USE    TO    THE 

Practitioner. 

BY  J.  DRY8DALE,  M.  I).,  LIVERPOOL,  ENGLAND. 

The  author  warmly  approves  of  the  work  done  by  the 
Oyclopoedia  in  sifting  the  matter  of  our  pathogenesy,  and 
presenting  it  in  intelligible  and  connected  form.  To  make 
it  available  for  practice,  however,  there  is  needed  an  index 
to  the  symptoms,  and  a  physiological  and  therapeutic  com- 


1886  Correspondence.  275 

mentary,  with  such  general  information  about  the  drug  as 
is  given  in  ordinary  works  on  Materia  Medioa.  It  is  pro- 
posed to  supply  these  in  a  companion  volume.  Dr.  Drys- 
dale  argues,  here,  that  for  future  volumes  of  the  Cyclo- 
poedia  it  will  be  better  to  incorporate  such  matter  with  the 
pathogenesis  of  each  medicine,  so  giving  the  practitioner 
less  trouble  in  reference,  and  keeping  him  from  the  danger 
of  falling  into  the  easier  way  of  empiricism. 

Notes  on  Nicotism, 

BY  JOHN  H.  CLARKE,  M.  D.,  LONDON,  ENQLANO, 

The  author  maintains  that  all  employers  of  tobacco  are 
the  subjects  of  poisoning;  and  that  the  comparative  ab- 
sence of  symptoms  during  its  habitual  use  is  a  "tolerance" 
analogous  to  that  of  arsenic  eating.  Its  sudden  discon-^' 
tinuance  often  leads  to  "tertiary"  effects  similar  to  those 
resulting  from  its  primary  adoption;  and  the  same  may 
occur  from  temporary  excess  of  lowered  resistance  on  the 
pai't  of  the  "nicotist"  The  "intermediate  stage"  is  one 
of  saturation  with  the  drug,  kept  up  by  recurrence  to  it  as 
soon  as  a  sense  of  craving  shows  that  its  influence  is  wan- 
ing. Its  evil  effects  here  are  shown  in  the  eye,  the  heart, 
and  the  nervous  system  generally;  and  also  by  local  action 
in  the  throat. 

The  author  regards  alcohol  as  too  similar  to  tobacco  to 
be  a  safe  antidote  for  it  in  ordinary  quantities.  Nux  vom- 
ica is,  in  his  judgment,  the  great  remedy  for  nicotism; 
while  he  finds  Camphor  of  much  value  in  subduing  the 
craving  for  the  poison  in  those  who  are  endeavoring  to 
break  off  its  use. 

The  discussion  on  this  paper  was  lively.  One  gentle- 
man maintaining  the  proposition  that  tobacco  promotes 
digestion,  longevity,  is  a  solace  for  all  our  cares,  and  to  it 
ascribes  all  the  best  projects  of  genius. 

Thursday,  August  5. 

Diabetes  Mellitus:    Its  Homceopathic  and  Balneo- 
therapeutic Treatment. 

liY  THEODORE  KAFKA,  M.  D.,  KARLSBAD,  AUSTRIA. 

The  author  commences  with  a  summary  of  the  views 


276  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

held  as  to  the  nature  of  diabetes  in  former  and  later  times. 
For  himself,  he  prefers  to  look  for  a  true  conception  of  the 
disease  to  its  aetiology.  As  predisposing  causes  he  dwells 
mainlx  on  heredity,  diet  (the  immoderate  use  of  saccharine 
and  farinaceous  matters),  and  inactivity  (leading  to  de- 
ficient oxidation).  Among  exciting  causes  he  places  in 
the  first  rank  derangements  of  the  nervous  system  result- 
ing from  strong  emotional  disturbance,  though  he  does  not 
attach  so  much  importance  as  is  often  given  to  continued 
grief  or  worry.  Trauma,  alcoholic  excess,  and  repeated 
chills  are  other  starting-points  of  the  malady,  which  he 
evidently  regards  as  a  general  disorder  of  nutrition  rather 
than  as  seated  in  any  organ  or  definite  nervous  centre. 

Proceeding  to  therapeutics,  he  surveys  the  German  and 
French  homoeopathic  literature  for  cases  and  recommenda- 
tions, without  any  definite  results.  The  older  writers  made 
no  chemical  examination  of  the  urine,  so  that  their  diag- 
nosis must  remain  uncertain.  Among  the  later  German 
practitioners,  Arsenicum,  Acidum  phosphoricum  and  Kreo- 
flotum  have  acquired  most  repute,  while  Uranium  has  done 
best  in  French  hands. 

The  author's  own  experience  is  derived  from  an  almost 
exclusive  use  of  the  Karlsbad  waters,  and  he  relates  fifteen 
cases  in  which  cures,  more  or  less  complete,  seem  to  have 
resulted.  He  keeps  his  patients  on  an  anti-diabetic  diet, 
but  allows  a  little  Graham's  bread. 

liA  PsoRE  Menin,gee  Cerebrale,  ou,  Les  Meningites 

PSORIQUES. 

BY  DR.  nONIFACE  8CHMITZ,  AN'TWKUP,  BEL(;iUM. 

Dr.  Schmitz  believes  that  a  form  of  meningitis  occurs 
which  comes  under  the  category  of  neither  "simple"  nor 
"tubercular,"  and  he  calls  it  "psoric."  He  differs  from 
Hahnemann,  however,  in  disclaiming  any  connection  be- 
tween psora  and  scabies;  the  former  being  with  him  an 
expression  denoting  "morbid  states  resulting  from  ac- 
cumulation and  retention  in  the  blood  of  excrementitious 
material  of  organic  origin."  They  tend  to  issue  in  critical 
evacuations,  and  often  spring  up  without  any,  or  any  suffi- 


1886  Correspondence.  277 

oient,  cause.  If  their  origin  can  be  traced,  it  is  generally 
to  a  suppressed  eruption  or  evacuation.  A  meningitis  of 
this  kind  presents  features  leading  one  to  think  of  the 
tubercular  form;  but  they  are  not  so  severe,  and  under 
suitable  homoeopathic  treatment  this  malady  ends  in  re- 
covery. The  principal  remedies  are  Belladonna,  Agaricus, 
Apis,  Aconite,  Pulsatilla,  Bryonia,  Sulphur. 

Dr.  Schmitz  states  that  he  has  collected  twenty  cases 
illustrative  of  the  malady;  but  on  the  present  occasion  he 
relates  one  only,  in  which  the  symptoms  were  sufficiently 
grave,  but  good  recovery  ensued  under  Aconite,  Bryonia, 
Sulphur  and  Agaricus,  all  in  the  6th  dilution;  the  last 
seeming  to  have  the  most  decisive  e£Pect.  He  adds  the 
case  reported  by  Dr.  J.  G.  Blackley  in  the  Monthly  Homceo- 
pathic  Review  for  July,  1885,  which  he  considers  of  this 
nature,  and  several  others  from  Homoeopathic  literature. 

The  mention  of  Psora  elicited  the  criticism  that  it  is  now 
time  to  let  this  doctrine  fall  into  desuetude,  as  impractica- 
ble and  illogical. 

Ear  Disease  and  Gout. 

I»Y  ROBERT  T.  COOPER,  M.  A.,  M.  D.,  LONDON,  ENGLAND. 

Dr.  Cooper  believes  that  gout  causes  deafness  by  affect- 
ing the  lining  membrane  of  the  aural  vessels  with  chronic 
inflammation;  and  brings  forward  a  new  remedy  for  such 
a  condition  in  the  shape  of  the  Picrate  of  iron  {Ferrum 
picricum).  He  relates  the  incidental  pathogenetic  effects 
of  this  salt  which  led  him  to  think  it  homoeopathically  re- 
lated to  gout,  and  adds  some  clinical  confirmations.  He 
does  not  pretend  that  the  drug  is  specific  for  gouty  deaf- 
ness, but  that,  given  in  the  dilutions  from  12 — 30,  it  will 
seldom  fail  to  benefit  His  only  illustrations,  however,  are 
two  cases,  in  neither  of  which  is  gout  mentioned  as  a  fac- 
tor, and  in  the  second  of  which  the  deafness  is  said  to  have 
been  "climacteric."  In  one  a  distressing  tinnitus  disap- 
peared under  the  3x  potency,  in  the  other,  deafness  and 
headache  under  a  solution  of  1  to  50. 

The  paper  ends  with  a  description  of  the  substantive 
changes  sometimes  induced  in  the  ear  by  chronic  goat 


278  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept 

Either  there  is  hypertrophy  and  stiffness  with  ansemia,  or 
there  is  eczema,  with  much  tenderness  and  irritability.  In 
the  former  case  the  deafness  is  said  to  be  very  intractable; 
in  the  latter  it  readily  yields  to  Chininum  sulphuricum  in 
the  6x-12x  trituration.  [The  point  was  made  that  sudden 
deafness  is  often  hysterical]. 

Sepia  and  its  Importance  as  a  Remedy  in  Pulmonary 

Affections. 

BY  DR.  OSCAR  HAN8KN,  COPENHAGEN,  DENMARK. 

The  author  begins  by  an  account  of  the  substance  we 
call  Sepia,  and  of  its  literature  and  symptomatology.  This 
he  follows  up  by  eleven  cases  of  his  own,  in  which,  given 
in  the  12th  and  30th  dilutions,  it  has  proved  curative. 
Three  only,  however,  illustrate  the  thesis  advanced  in  the 
title  of  the  paper,  the  remainder  consisting  of  gonorrhoea, 
general  ill-health  connected  with  uterine  disorder,  psoriasis, 
and  ozsena. 

Eeport  of  a  case  of  Measles,  followed   by   Diph- 
theria,    AND     COMPLICATED    WITH    WhOOPING     CoUGH. 

Post  Diphtheritic  Paralysis.    Eecovery. 

BY  A.  MIIMJLEY  CASH,  31.  D.,  TORQUAY,  ENGLAND. 

Dr.  Cash  in  this  paper  gives  a  detailed  report  of  a  case 
in  which,  after  several  weeks  of  whooping  cough,  measles 
supervened,  in  a  child  living  in  a  poor  over-crowded  neigh- 
borhood of  the  town  of  Torquay.  The  cervical  glands 
were  greatly  swollen.  On  the  fifth  day  extensive  diph- 
theria of  an  exceptionally  adynamic  type  was  developed. 
On  the  12th  day  the  soft  palate  was  paralysed,  the  face 
cyanotic  and  syncope  threatened.  Up  to  this  time  the  me- 
dicine chiefly  relied  upon  had  been  Aconite,  Kali  bich.  3x, 
Merc,  biniod,  3x,  Arsenic  3x,  and  Digitalis  Ix,  as  the  symp- 
toms had  indicated.  She  was  now  ai)parently  sinking,  any 
attempt  to  raise  the  head  from  the  pillow  was  followed  by 
fainting.  The  Cyanuret  of  Mercury  was  now  given,  in  the 
30th  potency,  for  forty  hours.  After  twenty-four  hours 
she  began  to  rally,  and,  in  another  day,  was  able  to  swal- 
low milk  and  sit  up  in  bed.    China  ^  and  Gelsemium  were 


1886  Correspondence.  279 

DOW  given,  and  three  days  later  the  whooping  cough  gra- 
dually increasing  as  the  diphtheritic  symptoms  disappeared, 
Drosera  Ix  and  Belladonna  2x  were  prescribed.  For  a 
month  food  had  chiefly  been  given  by  enemata,  now  she 
was  able  to  swallow,  and  only  one  enema  per  diem  was  re- 
quired, and  in  two  or  three  days  this  became  unnecessary. 
On  the  40th  day  fetid  otorrhoea  was  marked,  and  Pulsa- 
tilla and  Causticum  were  given.  This  gradually  passed 
away,  and  after  a  period  of  great  weakness  and  much  ema- 
ciation, she  made  a  complete  recovery. 

In  some  remarks  on  this  case.  Dr.  Cash  points  out  that 
the  complication  of  rubeola  with  diphtheria  rendered  the 
diagnosis  by  no  means  simple  at  first,  but  that  presently  a 
typical  picture  of  diphtheria  was  presented.  The  addition 
of  whooping  cough  greatly  added  to  the  danger  from  ex- 
haustion. Dr.  Cash  also  refers  to  the  decline  of  the  whoop- 
ing cough  during  the  time  of  the  rubeoloid  rash  and  its 
subsequent  return.  The  post-diphtheritic  paralysis  oc- 
curred much  earlier  than  it  usually  does.  Dr.  Cash  further 
notices  the  threatened  paralysis  of  the  heart  and  the  im- 
portance of  insisting  upon  the  horizontal  position  being 
maintained  during  convalescence.  He  also  attributes  the 
speedy  recovery  of  cardiac  power  to  the  influence  of  the 
Cyanuret  of  Mercury.  Causticum,  he  thinks,  had  more 
control  over  the  paralysis  than  any  other  remedy.  The 
completion  of  the  recovery  ending  in  robust  health  without 
a  trace  of  any  nervous  disease,  shows,  he  thinks,  how  even 
through  the  most  formidable  complications,  nature  may  yet 
find  her  way  to  health  aided  by  mild,  unreducing,  specific 
treatment. 

The  observation  was  made  by  the  venerable  and  learned 
President  that  in  this  country,  these  maladies  (measles, 
diphtheria  and  whooping  cough)  usually  go  hand  in  hand, 
prevailing  simultaneously;  and  that  he  believed  the  three 
to  be  differing  developments  of  the  same  materies  morbi. 
A  plea  for  an  International  Pharmacopceia  by  Mr.  Wy- 
born,  of  London,  was  presented,  and  comprehensively  dis- 
cussed. 
A  committee,  consisting  of  Dr.  Cowl,  N.  T.;  Mr.  Wy- 


r 


The  Medical  Advance.  Sept. 

bom,  of  the  Pimrmaoy  o£  Gould  &  Son,  London ;  Geieecker, 
of  Grmier's  Phfirraacy,  Leipeic,  was  appointed  and  in- 
stracted  to  confer  with  similar  committees  from  other 
untrieB  haviug  the  same  object  in  view. 


Cases  prom  Pbaotioe. 


» 


I 


I.  Dr.  Ozanam  first  treats  of  polypus  occurring  in  the 
rectum  and  larynx.  For  those  of  fibrous  or  cancerous  kind 
he  urges  operation  as  the  only  practicable  course;  but  for 
the  mucous  and  papillomatous  varieties  he  thinks  we  have 
resources  in  medicine.  He  relates  cnses  illustrative  of 
these  statements.  In  two  of  these,  papilloma  of  the  rectum 
in  children  disappeared  or  came  away  under  Kali  broma- 
tum  Ix,  three  to  five  grammes  daily.  Next  come  five  cases 
of  laryngeal  polypus,  chiefly  treated  by  operation,  but  in 
one  case  disappearing  under  Berberis  in  various  attenua- 
tions. The  instruments  used  in  one  of  the  operations  were 
invented  by  Dr.  Ozanam  himself.  Uluatrative  engravings 
[fujoompany  the  paper. 

n.  The  aiithor  next  calla  attention  to  the  value  of 
Guaiucum  in  acute  angina  tonsillaris.  He  admits  that  it 
is  fi'om  the  old  school,  and  in  substantial  doses,  that  its  re- 
putation has  come;  but  thinks  it  homceopathicalty  indicated 
by  the  symptoms  in  its  pathogenesis — "burning  pain  in 
the  throat;"  and  finds  it  perfectly  effective  in  the  attenua- 
tions from  Ix  to  3x.  He  gives  three  cases  illustrative  of 
its  action,  in  one  of  which  its  happy  effects  are  contrasted 
jfrith  the  ordinary  treatment  pursued  in  another  instance  in 
i^iie  same  suljjeiits. 

TTT.  Dr.  Ozanam  finally  records  a  case  in  which  a  chronic 
dysenteiry  occurring  during  pregnancy,  but  then  checked, 
reappeared  after  delivery  with  a  yet  greater  intensity,  and 
refused  to  yield  to  any  treatment  for  a  month.  Then  su- 
pervened n  purpuric  condition,  with  scorbutic  gums,  syu- 
c»pes,  etc.  At  this  point  Ergotin  Is  was  prescribed,  a 
drop  every  two  hoars;  immediate  improvement  set  in  and 
both  dysenteric  and  scorbutic  symptoms  disappeared.  A 
proctalgia  which  had  complicated  the  case  remained  be- 


1886  Correspondence.  281 

hind,  but  yielded  readily  to  ^sculin,  the  alkaloid  of  ^s- 
culus  Hippocastanum,  which  Dr.  Ozanam  finds  more  effec- 
tive than  the  matrix  substance. 


Kali  bichromicum  in  Eye  Diseases  by  Dr.  Byers  Moir, 
London. 

Some  points  in  Cutaneous  Therapeutics,  by  Dr.  Galley 
Blackley,  London. 

At  1  p.  M.  the  Chairman  announced  the  time  had  arrived 
to  "restore."     And  "all  restored." 

During  the  afternoon  session  the  remaining  business 
was  dispatched,  many  communications  were  read  by  the 
Secretary  expressing  regret  for  absence,  good  wishes  for 
success,  etc. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Pope  it  was  unanimously  agreed  to 
hold  the  next  Congress  in  1891  in  the  United  States,  time 
and  place  to  be  determined  by  the  American  Institute  and 
Secretary. 

Dr.  Richard  Hughes  was  re-elected  permaneht  Secretary. 

Resolutions  were  passed  expressing  thanks  to  th6  Chair- 
man, the  Vice-President  and  the  permanent  Secretary. 

The  social  features  of  the  Congress  were  marked.  The 
members  with  ladies  accompanying  them,  dined  together 
sans  cdrdmonie  on  Tuesday,  "Wednesday,  and  Thursday 
evenings;  and  on  each  evening  toasts  were  drank,  etc. 

Amongst  the  toasts  were: 

a.  "  Samuel  Hahnemann." 

Response  by  Dr.  Walter  Wesselhceft,  who  said  in  a  very 
effective  and  finished  address,  that  he  felt  a  sense  of  op- 
pression and  sadness  on  this  occasion,  etc.  In  the  evening 
after  the  festivities  were  closed  Dr.  W.  received  a  dispatch 
from  London,  notifying  him  of  the  serious  illness  of  Mrs. 
W.  there.  He  proceeded  on  the  first  train,  only  to  find  on 
arrival,  that  meantime,  his  wife  had  passed  away.  A  sad 
ending  to  his  happy  journey. 

h,  "  Similia  Similibus  Curantur."  Response  by  Dr.  V. 
Leon  Simon.  In  elegant  poetic  phrase  the  learned  savant 
likened  the  law  to  the  Victoria  Regis  expanding  into  fresh 
beauty. 


282  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept 

c.  "Our  Homoeopathic  Hospitals."  Response  by  Dr. 
H.  M.  Hobart. 

d  "Medical  Societies."  Response  by  Dr.  O.  S.  Run- 
nels. 

e,  "Medical  Journals."     Response  by  Dr.  J.  H.  Clarke. 

The  informal  toasts. on  the  closing  evening  were  numer- 
ous, responses  sparkling  and  the  company  jolly.  For  many 
of  the  notes  here  I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  Runnels.  All  con- 
cur in  their  expressions  that  this  Congress  has  been  un- 
usually enthusiastic  and  harmonious;  the  discussions  very 
full,  interesting  and  fraught  with  practical  observations. 
The  greatest  good  feeling  prevailed  throughout,  and  the 
auguries  for  the  future  of  the  Congress  are  most  promising. 

Faithfully  Tours, 

Wm.  D.  Foster. 


•^m^ 


GREAT  LIBRARIES. 


Germany  has  more  books  in  its  libraries  than  any  other 
nation.  The  are  over  1,000  libraries  in  Austria,  Germany 
and  Switzerland,  twenty  of  which  contain  over  100,000 
volumes.  France  has  six  libraries  of  over  100,000  books, 
besides  the  National  Library,  which  is  the  largest  in  the 
world.  Great  Britain  has  only  nine  libraries  of  over  100,- 
000  volumes,  and  the  British  Museum  pays  out  $10,000  an- 
nually adding  to  its  collections.  Spain  has  thirty  public 
libraries,  containing  700,000  volumes.  The  library  in  Wash- 
ington contains  518,000  volumes  and  170,000  pamphlets, 
and  there  are  but  five  larger  in  the  world — the  French  Na- 
tional, with  2,500,000;  the  British  Museum,  1,500,000;  St. 
Petersburg,  1,000,000;  Munich,  900,000;  and  Berlin,  with 
750,000. — Pojiulai*  Science  Monihly, 


-••#- 


N.  B. — Many  valuable  clinical  reports  and  news  items  are  una- 
voidably held  over  on  account  of  the  space  taken  by  the  Inter- 
national Congress  at  Basle,  Switzerland. 

Correction.— In  our  report  of  the  proceedings  of  the  Hahne- 
mannian  Association,  August  number,  page  172,  Dr.  Biegler  was 
credited  with  giving  notice  of  an  amendment  to  Article  111,  Con- 
stitution. This  wivs  an  error;  Dr.  Butler,  we  believe,  gave  this 
notice  in  1885. 


AN  ADVOCATE  OF 

HOMCEOPATHIC  MEDICINE. 

H.  C.  AliliEN,  M.  D.,  Editor  and  Publisher. 

I 


Vol.  XVII.    Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  September  1886.  No.  3. 


The  Editor  is  not  responsible  for  the  opinions  of  contributors.  Personalities, 
being  foreign  to  scientific  discussion,  must  be  excluded. 

To  accommodate  both  reader  and  publisher  this  jounial  will  be  sent  until 
arrears  are  paid  and  it  is  ordered  discontinued. 

The  date  to  which  subscriptions  are  paid  will  be  found  on  the  address. 

EDITORIAL. 


"Internationalists." — The  "Phunny  Man"  of  our  es- 
teemed cotemporary,  the  Medical  Era,  must  be  ranked  as 
a  discoverer.  He  has  evidently  been  indulging  in  a  Kip 
Van  Winkle  sleep  from  the  way  he  tackles  those  "  Resolu- 
tions of '86."  "The  lines  have  been  drawn;  the  division 
has  come."  Strange  he  should  not  have  heard  of  it  be- 
fore. For  the  benefit  of  his  readers  we  will  inform  him 
that  those  "resolutions"  were  adopted  at  Milwaukee  in 
June,  1880,  and  have  been  published  annually  ever  since. 


Our  Foreign  Letter. — We  ask  a  careful  perusal  of  the 
facts  reported  in  the  histories  and  progress  of  the  school 
as  presented  at  the  International  Homoeopathic  Congress, 
held  at  Basle  on  August  3  and  4.  Both  in  public  addresses 
and  in  periodical  literature  the  dominent  school  has  af- 
firmed again  and  again,  that  Homoeopathy  was  "dying 
out"  in  Europe.  Especially  was  this  said  to  be  true,  in 
Germany,  the  land  of  its  birth.  It  is  some  consolation  to 
be  able  to  refute  the  slander  and  to  know  that  there  is  al- 
most as  much  demand  for  homoeopathic  physicians  in  Ger- 
many as  there  is  in  America.  It  appears,  however,  to  be  a 
pretty  lively  corpse;  yet  our  medical  brethren  we  presume 
will  continue  to  write  an  occasional  obituary. 


^^^84  The  Medical  Advance.  Sept 

^M     A  NEwCoLLEGE;— Well  done!  Minnesotn.   Afewraotiths 
^Kfiuoe  you  founded  a  journal  and  dow  you  found  a  college. 
iKDie  first  aDnouncement  of  the  Minnesota  Homceopathic 
"     College  ie  on  our  table.     Among  its  faculty  are  some  of  the 
best  men  of  the  Northwest — seven  of  whom  are  graduates 
of  the  Hahnemann  of  Philadelphia— men  whom  we  think 
■will  honestly  and  fearlessly  do  their  duty.     We  are  in- 
formed that  this  will  be  "  a  liomneopathic  college."     We 
sincerely  hope  so.     We  hare  very  little  criticism  to  make, 
but  should  have  preferred  huiiucopalhic  tearl-hooks  placed 
fii-et  on  the  list  of  every  chair.     Why  should  Playfair  take 
precedence  of  Guornaey  in  the  chair  of  Obstetrics?     Let 

I  the  faculty  bear  in  mind  that  it  is  quality  the  profession 
needs  in  its  recruits  of  to-day,  and  turn  out  only  repre- 
Aentative  men.  We  wish  it  success  and  God-speed  on  its 
arraud. 
That  Specimen  Brick. — In  our  July  issue  we  mildly 
iSnggested  that  a  question  propounded  to  a  homceopathia 
^aduating  class,  in  a  homceopathic  college,  by  a  professed 
ieaoher  of  homceopathic  Materia  Mediea,  was  not  in  keep- 
ing with  the  "eternal  fltnesH  of  things."  We  mentioned 
neither  the  name  of  the  college  nor  the  teacher.  But  the 
coat  fitted  so  well  that  Dr.  Arndt  put  it  on,  fathered  the 

» allopathic  teaching  and  defended  the  allopathic  practice  in 
B  few  pages  of  gross  personal  abuse.  We  have  no  quarrel 
*ith  Dr.  Arndt.  This  is  not  a  personal  matter  at  all;  it  is 
a  question  of  principle.  We  are  as  deeply  interested  in 
the  success  of  our  college  and  the  welfare  of  Homceo- 
patliy  as  any  one;  but  so  far  as  our  cause  is  concerned,  such 
teaching  is  simply  suicidal.  Bitter  personal  abuse  is  not 
argument  It  may  however  be  Dr.  Arndt's  estimate  of  the 
amenities  of  professional  life.    So  far  as  we  are  concerned, 

ilife  is  too  short  to  devote  valuable  time  to  such  miserable 
-work. 
His  chief  reason  for  teaching  students  rank  empiricism 
is,  that  a  homoeopathic  physician,  i^orant  alike  of  his 
Slateria  Mediea  and  the  philosophy  of  Homceopathy,  had   ' 
VUsgraced  himself  and  his  cause  by  giving  an  over  dose  of  ^ 


1886  New  PublicoHons.  285 

Morphia  as  a  palliative.  Do  two  wrongs  ever  make  one 
right?  Has  Dr.  Amdt  forgotten  the  French  proverb, 
"That  he  who  excuses,  accuses?"  Will  teaching  students 
how  to  analyse  Dover's  Powder  ever  make  them  accurate 
homoeopathic  prescribers?  A  true  follower  of  Hahnemann 
has  no  need  for  the  palliative  use  of  Morphine,  and  a  true 
teacher  should  not  indoctrinate  his  students  with  such  em- 
piricism. It  is  against  such  teaching  that  we  wish  to  enter 
an  emphatic  protest.  The  State  pays  another  man  to  teach 
Allopathy  and  all  the  profession  requires  of  Dr.  Arndt  is 
to  teach  Homoeopathy,  pure  and  simple;  not  Homoeopathy 
as  he  understands  it,  but  Homoeopathy  as  taught  by  Hahne- 
mann. 

Dr.  Arndt  objects  to  our  publishing  only  one  of  the 
twenty  questions.  From  the  character  of  the  defense,  we 
would  naturally  infer  that  this  question  contains  not  only 
his  precepts  but  his  practice  also.  This  is  not  by  any 
means,  the  only  one  in  the  list  beyond  criticism.  He  may 
have  edited  volumes  of  Materia  Medica  and  Practice,  but 
there  are  other  questions  in  that  list  which  clearly  prove 
that  the  author  has  yet  to  learn  the  Alpha  of  the  "  Science 
of  Therapeutics  "  as  taught  by  Hahnemann  and  Dunham. 


Ml 


NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


MILLSPAUGH'S  AMERICAN  MEDICINAL  PLANTS. 

We  are  in  receipt  of  Fascicle  IV,  of  this  splendid  work,  which 
as  it  approaches  completion  appears  also  to  approach  perfection. 
This  closes  the  Banunculacese— Ranunculus  repens  and  bulbosus 
— which  are  remarkably  accurate  representations,  especially  the 
latter.  The  Ailanthus  Glandulosus  (of  which  we  have  a  large  tree 
in  our  yard)  is  true  to  life;  in  fact,  it  is  so  life-like  that  we  can 
almost  smell  its  sickening  odor.  The  Pirus  Americana  is  another 
gem  in  coloring,  exceedingly  natural.  Both  the  botanist  and  pub- 
lisher deserve  not  only  the  thanks  of  the  profession  for  their  enter- 
prise, but  a  liberal  subscription  for  their  outlay. 

HOMOEOPATHIC  LEAGUE  TRACTS.    Nos.  1-4.   London:  Published  for  the 
League,  by  J.  Bale  &  Son. 

Tract  No.  l.—  Why  should  the  friends  of  Homceopathy  form  a 
League  f  Here  they  are:  " Homoeopathy  has  never  received  fair 
play  by  the  majority  of  the  medical  profession,  in  fact,  to  the 


286  The  Medical  Advance,  Sept. 

people  it  has  been  misrepresented  by  their  allopathic  brethren.'* 
And  we  might  add,  they  will  never  do  anything  else  but  misrepre- 
sent it.  They  know  nothing  about  it.  and  are  too  self-opinionated 
to  investigate  it,  hence  can  only  misrepresent. 

Tract  No.  2,— Scope  of  the  Healing  Art.  This  defines  the  three 
methods  of  cure  as  given  by  Hahnemann;  viz.,  Enantiopathic,  Al- 
lopathic and  Homoeopathic. 

Tract  No.  3. — The  Origin  of  Htnnceopathy.  This  is  a  very  read- 
able tract.  It  deals  with  the  history  of  Hahnemann's  discovery, 
shows  the  evolution  of  the  small  dose  from  the  crude  drug,  and  in 
referring  to  the  rise  and  fall  of  remedies  in  Allopathy  says: 
"  Every  medicine  as  it  is  proved  falls  into  its  proper  place  m  the 
scientific  Materia  Medica,  and  remains  forever  a  health-giving 
remedy  for  the  disease  it  mirrors  in  its  positive  effects.  While  we 
see  remedies  come  and  remedies  go  in  the  old  school,  the  medicinal 
acquisitions  made  by  Homoeopathy  remain  good  for  all  time.  The 
first  medicines  introduced  by  Hahnemann  are  as  useful  to-day  as 
they  were  fifty  years  ago  and  will  be  equally  useful  five  hundred 
years  hence." 

Tract  No.  L— Hahnemann's  a^Jiievements  in  medicine  and  tJie 
allied  sciences.  This  very  effectually  disposes  of  the  allopathic 
calumny  that  Hahnemann  was  an  igroramus  and  a  charlatan,  and 
verifies  the  proverb,  **  that  we  never  forgive  a  man  whom  we  have 
injured."  Now  that  our  British  colleagues  have  put  on  their  "war 
paint"  and  "carried  the  war  into  Africa"  we  may  see  a  revival  of 
Homoeopathy  in  Great  Britain.  They  should  have  done  this  twen- 
ty-five years  ago. 

LECONS  DE  CLINIQUE  MEDICALE.    Par  le  Dr.  P.  Jou»^et.    Paris :  Libralrle  S.  B 
BaiUiere  et  fils. 

It  is  disagreeable  to  have  to  make  the  confession,  but  truth  and 
the  best  interests  of  medical  science  compel  it,  that  few  works 
published  by  American  Homoeopaths  Jire  abreast  of  the  times.  The 
explanation  I  have  not  time  or  space  to  attempt  to  discuss  at  pres- 
ent, though,  en  passant,  I  may  mention,  as  included  therein,  a  lack 
of  professional  literary  ambition,  with  too  much  of  a  habit  of 
looking  abroad  for  works  the  like  or  the  equal  of  which  should 
assuredly  be  produced  at  home.  This  assumes  the  unsoundness  of 
the  opinion  that  American  Homoeopaths  are  wtmting  in  the  ability 
or  experience  requisite  to  such  undertakings,  since  their  success  in 
practice  is  both  marked  and  well  known  in  all  parts  of  the  land. 

On  the  other  hand  I  am  hnppy  to  observe  that  English  and 
French  publications  usually  are  fully  up  to  the  standard  of  the 
times.  Among  the  French  there  is  no  writer  more  capable  nor 
lucid— none  whose  diction  is  more  graceful  than  the  author  of  the 
above  volume.  Though  there  may  not  be  so  much  originality, 
though  the  experimental  research  be  not  so  thorough,  nor  the  clin- 


1886  New  Publications.  287 

ical  experience  so  varied  or  extensive  as  we  find  in  Trousseau's 
celebrated  Clinical  Lectures,  I  think  the  style  and  diction  of  Dr. 
Jousset's  work  fully  equal  to  them.  He  is  generally  au  courant 
with  the  latest  and  most  advanced  theories,  discussing  them  in  a 
fair  judicial  spirit,  pointing  out  weaknesses  and  merits  with  a 
clearness  and  discrimination  really  fascinating.  Such  works 
should  and  probably  will  command  the  respectful  study  of  our  old 
school  confreres,  while  elevating  the  homoeopathic  profession  gen- 
erally to  their  own  high  standard.  'No  candid  Allopath  can  rise 
from  the  perusal  of  these  lectures  without  the  conviction  that  the 
author  is  his  equal,  at  least,  in  knowledge  and  honesty  of  opinion, 
and  also  that  there  are  presented  etiological,  pathological,  hy- 
gienic and  therapeutical  hints  of  the  most  valued  character. 

Notwithstanding  my  intention  of  availing  myself  of  more  than 
the  usual  space  of  a  review  owing  to  the  importance  of  this  work, 
I  cannot  notice  more  than  one  tithe  of  the  subjects  I  should  like 
to  deal  with.  But  I  must  state  that  the  chapter  on  hydrophobia 
deserves  careful  reading,  for  the  able  handling  of  the  aetiology 
and  treatment  of  the  disease.  I  confess  surprise,  at  the  same  time, 
at  no  allusion  to  Pasteur's  system.  True,  he  mentions  the  microbe 
theory  in  relation  thereto,  but  only  to  pronounce  it  absurd.  The 
zymotic  character  of  purpura  is  denied,  while  he  deplores  the  ten- 
dency nowadays  to  attribute  most  diseases  to  hypothetical  setio- 
logical  theories.  We  have  the  subject  of  lupus  of  the  pharynx  also 
thoroughly  treated,  clear  diagnostic  lines  being  drawn  between  it 
and  other  diseases  to  be  mistaken  for  it.  It  is  interesting  to  notice 
that  he  depends  most  upon  hygienic  means  in  such  cases,  while 
admitting  that  Hydrastis,  Aurum  and  Permanganate  of  Potash, 
yviW  assist  in  a  cure.  I  have  myself  cured  a  case  with  Hydrastis 
and  Kali  bichromate,  locally  and  internally,  some  years  ago.  Dr. 
Jousset  believes  that  the  cerebral  symptoms  during  typhoid 
fever  are  due  to  a  true  diffused  meningeal  encephalitis;  but  most 
English  and  American  authorities  will  differ  from  him  on  this 
point.  One  of  the  most  useful  chapters  is  that  on  gout  and  kin- 
dred diseases.  I  have  long  entertained  his  opinion  respecting  the 
unity  of  these  affections,  and  may  shortly  publish  my  views  there- 
on. Cinchona  3x  he  regards  the  principal  medicine  for  the  acute 
and  chronic  forms,  and  cites  several  cases  promptly  and  effectively 
relieved  by  it.  This  clinical  experience  we  should  test.  But  un- 
like Dr.  Hughes,  he  considers  Colchicum  homoeopathic  to  gout, 
thinking  it  useful  only  in  the  acute  stage.  While  considering 
Salicylate  of  Soda  the  best  palliative,  he  discountenances  its  use, 
believing  it  dangerous  to  the  patient  afterward.  My  experience 
does  not  coincide  with  his.  Jaccoud's  treatment  of  erysipelas  by 
the  use  of  the  wine  of  quinine  our  author  has  found  most  success- 
ful, but  he  now  employs,  with  equally  gratifying  results.  Cinchona 
6x.    Progressive  anorexia  is  ably  treated,  too,  this  chapter  deserv- 


The  Medical  Advance. 


I 


Sept 

a  careful  atutly;  it  is  full  of  pathological  aad  clinical  interest. 
have  also  several  eases  of  supra-orbital  neuralgia,  of  an  iuter- 
mittent  form,  recurring  in  liie  nioming.  mentioned,  the  cure  in 
«a(!h  case  baviof;  promptly  followed  the  a<1  ministration  of  Xux 
Tomica.  In  syphilis  he  reconimenilH  tangible  doses  of  Mercurius 
And  Iodide  of  Potash.  He  considers  every  variety  of  chancre  be- 
llonglng  to  the  same  species,  the  gravity  of  the  case  depfinding  up- 
on the  previous  condition  of  the  patient.  While  not  fully  espous- 
ing those  views,  I  must  say  they  are  strongly  set  forth,  forming 
impressive  pages  of  the  book.  I  have  to  differ  from  him  alao  on 
bis  theory  of  tliH  contngiousnessof  typhoid  fever  as  well  as  cholera, 
I  believe  them  due  to  bacteria,  most  frequently  entering  the 
system  with  drinking  water.  Un  the  sutvject  of  pneumonia  I 
[lifu'dly  think  him  fair  when  he  states  that  Bennett  does  not  under- 
stand the  value  of  auscultatory  signs,  for  few  physicians  are  hetter 
llicqiiHinted  with  them.  The  chapter  on  phthisis  will  be  read  with 
Ijprollt  by  all.  He  believes  it  curable.  Ilis  thoughts  are  practical 
Isnd  thorough,  and  the  remarks  on  the  different  complications  are 
complete.  Nor  should  his  plea  for  a  vegetable  diet  be  overlooked 
In  this  climate,  or  at  this  season.  The  case  of  painful  contraction 
of  the  bladder,  described,  Is  replete  with  interest  to  the  profession. 
He  thinks  this  disease  is  ofr.en  due  to  fissures,  and  may  Ijb  cured 
like  ttssurea  of  the  anus,  by  dilatation,  and  that  many  supposed 
CBsesof  Aalctiltt.'tof  the  bladder,  which  have  he«n  operated  upon, 
[%er6  due  to  fissures  of  the  neck  only  —a  cure  resulting  although  no 
found. 

rebavesomuchmatterdeservingthebiKhestpraise^itmaj 
ippear  ungracious  to  notice  defects;  but  that  is  the  ofHce  of  the 
ritic.    The  work  is  marred  by  occasional  needless  repetitions  from 
fwhich  future  editions  should  l>e  exempt.    He  refers  to  the  utility 
vomica  in  neuralgia  in  several  places,  notably  pp.  500, 608, 
and  MO,    At  n  clinic  this  may  be  necessary  to  impress  the  sta- 
ll, but  hardly  in  a  work  of  this  character.    Again,  the  introduc- 
[OD  is  Almost  precisely  the  same  as  the  first  chapter  in  VoL  I  of 
lectures,  translated  by  Dr,  Ludlam,  with  occasional  ampU' 
tUons  and  elaboration.   Such  hiemishea  can  and  should  he  effaced 
the  earliest  occasion. 

Id  conclusion  1  cannot  too  strongly  urge  upon  some  of  the  en- 
irising  publishers  of  our  school  the  advisability  of  securing  at 
hands  of  a  competent  translator,  the  early  re-issue  of  this  ex- 
llent  work  in  a  creditable  English  dress. 

PROSPEB  BsNDEa. 


AlfWALfi  Of  Sdborrt.— The  August  number  of  this  admirable 
Btonthly  raaintfuna  its  reputation  as  the  best  periodical  in  the 
~   flish  language  on  the  science  of  surgery.    To  those  making  a 

*cialty  of  surgery  this  journal  is  indlspensible. 


THE  MEDICAL  ADVANCE. 

A  MONTHLY  JODRNAL  OF  MEDICAL  SCIENCE. 


Vol.  XVII.  Ann  Abbor,  October,  1886.  No.  4. 


ORIGINAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. 


THE  COMPLETE  CIRCULATION  OF  THE  HUMAN  BLOOD 

DEMANDS  THE  LYMPHATICS. 


W.  M.  DECKER,  M.  D..  Kingston,  N.  Y. 


Harvey's  discovery  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  in 
1616,  was  incomplete,  and  the  complete  circulation  of  the 
blood  still  awaits  revelation. 

The  circulation  of  the  blood,  as  it  is  given  by  our  lead- 
ing physiologists  of  to-day  (Dalton,  Flint),  is  no  more 
complete  than  a  treatise  on  digestion  would  be  that  only 
considered  stomach-digestion.  Austin  Flint,  Jr.,  in  his 
Physiology,  represents  the  circulation  of  the  blood  as 
accomplished  through  the  heart,  the  arteries  and  the  veins. 
This  is  what  is  generally  conceded  and  taught  as  the  com- 
plete circulation  of  the  blood.  But  there  have  been  enough 
special  facts  and  discoveries  made  within  recent  years, 
concerning  blood  corpuscles,  and  the  so-called  lymph  and 
lymphatic  system,  to  almost  warrant  the  assertion,  without 
conjecture,  that  the  lymphatic  system  of  vessels  is  essential 
to  the  complete  circulation  of  the  blood.  Yet  Flint  and 
other  physiologists  treat  of  the  lymphatic  system  apart 
from  circulation,  under  absorption.  As  well  treat  of  the 
circulation  of  the  blood  under  absorption;  for  Flint,  him- 
self, says  (Physiology,  p.  321),  "The  ideas  of  physiologists 
concerning  the  mechanism  of  the  absorption  of  soluble 
substances  have  become  radically  changed  since  the  begin- 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


I  niag  of  the  present  century;  and  it  is  now  generally  ad- 
mitted that  thifl  process  takes  place  chiefly  by  blood-res- 
Bels,  and  that  the  absorbents  haye  no  such  wonderful  elee- 
i.  tive  power  as  was  attributed  to  them  by  the  older  writers." 
From  the  time  of  Harvey  to  the  present,  it  has  been 
1  that  the  blood  circulated  by  the  arteries  and  Toina, 
o  it  does.     Nobody  will  deny  the  fact.     Hence  we 
Ipropose  to  show,  partly  from  hypothesis,  but  chiefly  on 
\  goo<l  authority,  that  this  circnlation  is  not  the  complete 
r  siroulation  of  the  blood.     Thai  the  compl^le  vircnlatlon  of 
f  ihe  blood  itemands  a  third  set  of  vessels,  already  well 
\  lenown  and  described  as  the  lymphatics. 

ITie  reader  will,  perhaps,  need  no  further  confirmation  of 
[  the  reasonableness  of  this  declaration  than  the  truth  which 
[  emanates  from  the  collective  sayings  of  Flint  on  this  sub- 
I  ject,  gathered  from  different  portions  pf  his  work  on  Phys- 
I  iology.     Here  they  are; 

"It  is  now  pretty  generally  acknowledged" "that 

there  is  no  difference  between  the  white  corpuscle  found 
in  the  lymph,  chyle,  and  bIboiL" — p.  13  and  14. 

The  corpuBoular  elements  of  the  lymph  "are  now  re- 
garded as  identical  with  the  corpuscles,  globular  corpus- 
cles found  in  the  blood,  known  uuder  the  name  of  white 
blood-corpnscles,  or  leucocytes." — p.  3;i2. 

"There  does  not  appear  ....  to  be  any  actual  difference 
between  the  coagulating  principles  of  the  lympth  and  of 
the  blood,  "^p.  332. 

"The  analyses  of  Dahnhardt  have  shown  that  nearly,  if 
.  not  all  of  the  inorganic  matters  which  have  been  demon- 
L  Otrated  in  the  blood  are  contained  in  the  ]ymph."^p.  332. 
"These  facts  indicate  a  remarkable  correspondence  be- 
\  iween  the  composition  of  the  lymph  and  that  of  the  blood." 
"All  of  the  constituents  of  the  blood,  except  the  red  oor- 
I;i^a8cles,  exist  in  the  lymph,"^p.  332, 

"  Urea,  one  of  the  moat  important  of  the  products 
I  of  destructive  metamorphosis  of  the  tissues,  is  undoubtedly 
kteken  up  by  the  lymph  and  conveyed  in  this  fluid  to  the 
-p.  334 
"It  is  thought  by  Bernard  that  the  lymph  is  the 


1886  Circulation  of  the  Blood.  291 

principal  fluid,  if  not  the  only  one,  by  which  this  excre- 
mentitious  substance"  (urea)  "is  taken  up  from  the  tis- 
sues."  "Although  urea  always  exists  in  the  blood,  its 
quantity  is  less  than  in  the  lymph." — p.  332. 

"The  constituents  of  the  plasma  of  the  blood  and  the 
lymph  are  nearly  if  not  quite  identical." — p.  334. 

"This"  (referring  to  the  above  statement)  "is  another 
strong  argument  in  favor  of  the  passage  of  most  of  the 
constituents  of  the  blood  into  the  lymph.', — p.  334 

"There  can  hardly  be  any  doubt  concerning  the  source 
of  most  of  the  liquid  portions  of  the  lymph,  for  they  caa 
be  derived  only  from  the  blood." — p.  334, 

"The  connection  between  the  lymphatics  and  the  blood- 
vessels is  very  close,  and  all  operations  upon  the  lymphatic 
system  involve  disturbance  in  the  circulation." — p,  330. 

"In  the  substance  of  the  brain  and  spinal  cord,  Eobin 
and  His  have  demonstrated  a  curious  system,"  of  what 
Eobin  terms  true  lymphatic  vessels,  "which  entirely  sur- 
round the  capillary  blood-vessels." — p.  306. 

The  capillary  blood-vessels  thus  float  in  the  so-called 
lymph  contained  in  these  lymphatic  sheaths.  This  ar- 
rangement is  similar  to  that  of  the  maternal  sinuses  and 
foetal  tufts,  or  that  of  the  Malpighian  bodies  and  the  cap- 
sules of  MilUer. 

What  is  true  concerning  the  relation  of  lymphatics  to 
the  blood-capillaries  in  one  portion  of  the  system,  is  prob- 
ably true  in  all  portions  of  that  system;  at  least,  the  ex- 
ception to  this  apparent  rule  has  yet  to  be  found. 

Robin  says  this  arrangement  of  the  lymphatics  in  the 
human  subject  is  "analogous  to  the  lymphatics  which 
partly  surround  the  small  blood-vessels  in  fishes,  reptiles, 
and  batrachians."  "In  these  animals  the  lymphatics  in 
many  parts  nearly  surround  the  blood-vessels,  to  the  walla 
of  which  the  edges  of  their  proper  coat  are  adherent;  and 
that  portion  of  the  wall  of  the  blood-vessel  which  is  thua 
enclosed  forms  at  the  same  time  the  wall  of  the  lymphatic." 

"This  disposition  of  the  lymphatics  in  the  brain  and 
spinal  cord"  (human)  "would  allow  of  free  interchange 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct. 


wbs  andosmosis  and  exosmosLa,  of  the  fluid  pm-tioas  of  the 
I  tlood  and  lymph. "^p.  306. 

"The  deformation  of  the  leucocytes" "is  some- 
thing BO  rapid  and  changeable  as  to  produce  creeping 
movemente,  due  to  the  projection  and  retraction  of  [mrtions 
of  their  Bubstance."  "These  movements  are  of  the  kind 
oalled  amoeboid,  and  ai'e  supposed  to  be  impt>rtaiit  in  the 
procesB  of  migration  of  the  corpuscles,  which  has  lately 
been  described." — p.  14. 

"Addison,  in  1843,  aiid  Waller,  in  1846,  demonstrated  the 
actual  passage  of  corpuscles"  (whit«)  "through  the  coats 
of  the  capillaries."  "Cohnheim  and  Recklinghausen  then, 
after  much  research  and  experiment,  founded  the  well- 
known  and  now  generally  accepted  'migratory  theory."  "— 
Helmuth's  Surgery  of  1870,  p.  36. 

Now,  if  these  quotations  mean  anything,  they  mean: 
L    Ist — ^That  the  lymph  corpuscle  and  the  white  corpuBcle 
K)f  the  blood  are  identical. 

r  2d. — That  the  lymph  is  blood^that  it  is  the  liquor  san- 
guinis of  the  blood,  anil  the  white  corpuscle  of  the  blood. 
Hence,  it  follows  that  the  lymphatic  system  of  vessels  is  a 
system  of  biood-Tessels. 

3d. — That  the  anatomicEil  relation  between  the  capillary 
Btlood-vessels  and  tlje  lymphatic  system  of  blood-vessels  is 
IfiQch  as  to  favor  osmosis  and  the  amceboid  action. 

4th. — That  the  liquor  sanguinis  passes,  by  exoBmosis, 
f  from  the  capillary  blood-vessels  into  the  lymphatic  blood- 
I  Teasels. 

5th. — That  the  white  corpuscles  pass,  by  amceboid  action, 
[  from  the  capillary  blnod-veaaels  into  the  lymphatic  blood- 
|_Tessels. 

ThuB  far  the  evidence  seems  to  be  conclusive  in  favor  of   , 

%  third  system  of  blood-vessels;  but  let  us  carry  our  con- 

ictions  still  further  at  the  risk  of  repetition. 

The  lymphatic  system  is  as  necessary  to  the  circulation 

I  pt  the  blood  as  the  venous  system.     The  lymphatics  are  a 

I^Bficond  venous  system^are  necessary  to  the  arteries^and 

u-form  a  speciiil  and  unique  office  in  blood  circulatioo. 

9?he  lymphatic-venous  system  does,  in  the  circulation  ol  ] 


1886  Circulation  of  the  Blood.  293 

the  blood,  what  the  ordinary  venous  system  can  not  do, 
because  of  its  anastomosis  with  the  arterial  system.  The 
lymphatic-venous  system  does  not  anastomose  with  either 
the  venous  or  the  arterial  systems;  but  its  relation  to  them 
is  none  the  less  intimate.  The  lymphatic-venous  system 
provides,  what  I  propose  to  call,  a  vasa-lemma  (from  vas, 
a  vessel,  and  /£///x«,  a  coat,)  for  the  capillary  vessels  (arte- 
rioles and  venules).  By  this  arrangement  the  red  corpus- 
cles are  excluded  from  the  lymph  blood-vessels,  because 
they  are  not  capable  of  the  amoeboid  act,  and  so  are 
obliged  to  complete  their  circuit  by  the  veins;  but  the 
white  corpuscles,  endowed  with  the  characteristic  amoeboid 
trait,  freely  and  in  large  numbers,  return  by  the  lymph 
blood-vessels.  This  separate  return  route  is  provided  ex- 
clusively for  them,  in  order  that  they  may  come  in  contact 
with  the  chyle  and  the  nutritious  principles  before  starting 
out  on  their  circuit  again. 

The  reader  has  already  been  informed,  that  the  constit- 
uents of  the  lymph  and  blood  plasma  are  quite  identical; 
but  here  are  some  points  of  resemblance  which  should  be 
mentioned — both  have  the  same  color,  and  both  are  saline, 
alkaline,  and  of  about  the  same  specific  gravity.  (Sp.  Gr. 
of  blood  plasma  is  1028 — Eobin;  Sp.  Gr.  of  dog's  lymph 
is  about  1022  -Magendi.  Thus  far  it  has  been  impossible 
to  ascertain  the  normal  Sp.  Gr.  of  human  lymph. — Flint, 
p.  330). 

The  lacteal  vessels  are  a  part  of  the  lymphatic  venous 
system,  and  they  empty  into  the  receptaclum  chyli,  as  do 
also  the  lymphatic  vessels  from  the  lower  extremeties. 
Hence  "the  chyle  of  the  thoracic  duct  is  nothing  more 
than  lymph,  to  which  an  emulsion  of  fat  in  a  liquid  con- 
taining albuminoid  matters  and  salts,  is  temporarily  added 
(luring  the  process  of  intestinal  absorption." — Flint,  p.  337. 

The  leucocyte  is  probably  as  much  of  a  servant  of  nutri- 
tion as  the  red  blood  corpuscle.  "It  carries  fat  and,  per- 
haps, nutritious  elements  to  the  tissues,  and  returns  empty 
or  laden  with  urea  (uncertain)  and  other  excrementitioufl 
matters — the  tissue  waste.  "The  function  of  the  leucocyte 
is  not  understood." — Flint,  p.  15.     "The  composition  of 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct 

the  leucocyte  baa  not  been  accurately  determined." — Flint, 
p.  16. 

The  lencocyte  is  a  traveling  anatomical  organ  endowed 
with  special  functions— as  much  so  as  the  liver,  though 
^Lvery  imperfectly  understood.     Nobody  seems  to  worry  be- 
^B<oaiiBe  he  can  not  say  whence  the  origin  of  the  liver.     Man 
H^  seems  to  understand  that  to  solve  that  question  would  be 
to  elucidate  the  riddle  of  life:  and  man  ia  content  to  won- 
der in  silence  here.     But  the  leucocyte,  Oh,  the  leucocyte, 
he  grapples  with  as  though  it  were  a  much  leas  difficult 
problem  ^as  though  it  were  the  fruit  or  offapi'ing  of  some 
hidden  organ,  instead  of  a  primal  creation,  au  original 
development     The  origin  of  the  leucocyte  is  as  much  of 
an  enigma  as   the   unsolved  question  of  old— "how  the 
bones  do  grow  in  the  womb." 

This  wontierful,  eccentric  leucocyte  is  a  wandering 
migratory  cell — the  cosmopolite  of  the  organism.  It  goes 
on  errands  of  mercy  and  charity,  and  inspects  all  tissues; 
and,  wherever  needed,  it  gives  its  stores  to  sustain,  and 
iteelf  to  repair  tissue,  in  which  it  becomes  Hxed.  The 
leucocyte  is  the  Saviour  of  the  organism.  It  loses  its  free- 
dom and  its  life  to  save  all  tissue.  In  the  repair  of  tissue 
it  dies  in  the  same  sense  that  a  kernel  of  wheat  dies  when 
buried  in  the  ground, — it  is  a  metamorphosis,  or  death  in 
the  sense  of  organization. 

The  lymph,  wiih  its  leucocytes,  has  to  do  with  riutritiou. 
All  the  lymph,  from  more  than  three-fourths  of  the  organ- 
ism, mingles,  in  the  thoracic  duct,  with  the  product  of 
digestion,  taken  up  from  the  intestine;  and  this  mingling 
is  accompL'shed  before  the  chyle  is  passed  into  the  general 
circulation,  at  the  juncture  of  the  internal  jugular  with 
the  left  subclavian  vein.  This  mingling  of  the  lymph  and 
its  leucocytes  with  the  products  of  digestion,  in  this  man- 
ner and  place,  is  signiticant.  Tbe  object  of  thi.-j  mingling, 
I  believe,  is  tliat  the  lymph,  and  especially  the  leucocytes, 
may  imbibe  nutritious  materials  before  setting  out  on  their 

tlong  journey  to  the  tissues  riii  the  heart,  lungs,  iiud  nrte- 
zial  nystem.     The  leucocytes  evidently  imbibe  something  ' 
At  this  point,  for,  after  entering  the  arterial  blood,  tiiey  are  | 


1886  Circulation  of  the  Blood.  295 

more  uniform  in  size  and  in  general  appearance. — Flint, 
p.  332.  They  are  equally  and  evenly  loaded,  hence  their 
more  uniform  size  and  contour  while  in  the  red  blood 
(arterial)  than  in  the  white  blood  (lymph).  In  the  red 
blood  they  are  completely  loaded.  In  the  white  blood  they 
are  more  or  less  empty.  In  the  chyle  the  process  of  load- 
ing or  imbibing  is  going  on;  but  by  the  time  they  reach 
the  large  veins  the  process  is  all  completed,  or,  rather,  all 
completed  in  the  right  heart  and  lungs.  They  leave  the 
tissue,  empty,  or  imperfectly  charged  with  waste  (perhaps 
urea,  for  there  is  more  urea  in  the  lymph  than  in  the 
blood),  reach  the  chyle  in  this  state,  and  there  load  up,  or 
imbibe,  to  the  extent  of  their  capacity  (the  urea  or  what- 
not being  exchanged  for  nutriment),  and  then  move  on 
with  their  rich  freight  for  the  tissues  again,  and  deliver  it 
to  the  tissues  by  exosmosis  while  in  the  amoeboid  act,  or 
in  some  other  way  (elective?)  not  understood.  - 

It  is  possible  that  the  leucocytes,  in  the  white  blood 
(lymph)  of  the  thoracic  duct,  are  numerically  insufficient 
at  times  to  imbibe  all  the  special  nutriment  intended  for 
them,  or  they  may  be  largely  in  excess  of  the  nutriment,  so 
that,  either  some  of  this  nutrition  is  left  free  in  the  chyle, 
or  there  remains  unsatisfied  leucocytes  to  pass  with  the 
general  mass  into  the  venous  blood  on  its  way  to  the  right 
side  of  the  heart  More  free  nutriment,  intended  for  the 
leucocytes  and  plasma,  travels  by  another  course  toward 
the  right  side  of  the  heart,  viz. — the  nutriment  conveyed 
by  the  portal  vein  from  the  intestine  vicL.  of  the  liver  and 
inferior  vena  cava  to  the  heart  To  regulate  this  unsatis- 
fied condition,  which  may  exist  between  the  leucocytes  and 
certain  free  nutriment,  there  is  a  final  provision  before  the 
blood  becomes  arterial,  furnished  by  the  great  lymphatic 
vein  (duct),  which  empties  its  contents  into  the  right  in- 
nominate vein  at  the  junction  of  the  right  subclavian-^wdth 
the  right  internal  jugular  vein.  And  the  lymph-blood  from 
this  vein  (duct)  only  has  to  pass  about  one  inch  and  a  half 
(the  length  of  the  right  innominate  vein)  before  it  mingles 
in  the  superior  vena  cava  with  the  chyle  and  lymph-blood 
from  the  thoracic  duct  vein,  poured  in  by  the  left  innomi^ 


I 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct 

Bate  vein.  And  to  tliU  fluid  mixture  ia  finally  ntlded,  in  the 
right  auricle,  the  nutricaent  from  the  portal  system  via.  of 
the  inferior  vena  cava.  In  the  right  cavities  of  tlie  heart, 
then,  there  is  a  mixture  of  lymph-blood  and  cliyle,  of  nu- 

Itritious  and  excrementitioua  matters  fi'om  the  thoracic 
dnct-vein,  lymph-blood  and  excrementitious  products  from 
the  great  lymphatic  duct-veiu,  uutritions  matter  from  the 
portal  system,  which  the  liver  has  purified  ( eholesterine, 
taken  out)  and  replenished  (sugar  added),  and  the  venous 
Wood  from  all  parts  of  the  system  loaded  with  carbonic 
acid  and  excrementitious  materials.  Now,  ia  passing 
through  the  right  cavities  of  the  heart  this  heterogeneous 
blood  is  subjected  to  churning  and  pressure,  and  its  ingre- 
dients are  thus  thoroughly  mixed.  Therefore,  when  the 
blood  leaves  the  right  heart  for  the  lungs  the  leucocytes 
and  the  free  nutriment  are  reconciled — the  affinity  of  the 
leucocyte  is  satisfied  temporarily  by  the  pabulum.  In  the 
lungs  this  mixed  blood  is  converted  into  arterial  blood, 
and  rentlered  able  to  sustain  life  by  losing  carbonic  acid 
J  Biid  water,  and  taking  on  oxygen,  principally  by  the  red 
OorpuBcles.  This  exchange  of  eases  is  a  kind  of  osmosis. 
The  arterial  blood  now  passes  to  the  left  side  of  the  heart, 
I  and  is  thence  sent  out  to  all  portions  of  the  organism.  The 
I  effete  and  excrementitious  matters  of  the  arterial  blood  are 
removed  on  reaching  the  organs  for  that  purpose;  and  on 
\  reachijig  the  capillaries  the  red  corpuscles  give  up  their 
[  oxygen  to  vivify  the  tissue,  aud  pass  on  into  the  venous 
I  aystem  laden  with  carbonic  acid.  The  plasma  and  the  leu- 
■Oocytes  here,  too,  give  up  their  stores  to  the  tissue,  or  the 
Tiungry  tissue  overcomes  the  feeble  affinity  which  the  leu- 
Kjyte  has  for  its  cargo,  and  they  are  thus  left  empty,  or 
3  up  waste,  and  return  with  the  blood  plasma,  either  by 
I  regular  venous  system,  or  by,  the  lymphatic  venous 
The  majority  of  the  leucocytes  return  by  the  lat- 
ter route,  for  there  are  less  corpuscles  in  the  venous,  than  j 
in  the  arterial  blood.— Flint,  p.  161. 

This  new  theory  of  the  circulation  of  the  blood  recog- 

Isiaee  as  many  varieties  of  blood  as  there  are  different  sya- 1 
terns  of  blood-vessels.     There  are,  therefore,  three  grades, 


Jft 


1886  Medical  Advertisements.  297 

or  conditions  of  blood  in  the  human  system,  viz. :  The  ar- 
terial blood,  the  richest  and  best,  and  the  only  blood  cap- 
able of  sustaining  life,  characterised  by  oxygen,  and  its 
color,  red;  then  the  lymphatic  blood,  next  best,  character- 
ized by  its  color,  white,  or  slightly  yellowish,  and  the  only 
blood  in  which  the  white  corpuscle  exists  without  the  red; 
and,  last  and  poorest  of  all,  the  venous  blood,  character- 
ized by  its  color,  blue,  or  black,  and  its  feeble,  or  non- 
coagulability. — Flint,  p.  30  and  31. 


«»i 


HOMCEOPATHIC  PERIODICALS  AND  MEDICAL  ADVER- 
TISEMENTS.* 


E.  HASBROUCK,  M.  D.,  Brooklyn.  N.  Y. 


The  value  of  periodical  medical  literature  to  the  busy 
practitioner  is  undoubted,  as  is  the  fact  that  the  degree  of 
value  is  largely  estimated  by  the  character  of  the  contents 
of  the  publication  to  which  attention  is  devoted.  This 
proposition  is  true  and  applies  to  the  literature  of  all 
phases  of  medical  practice.  The  necessity  for  such  litera- 
ture being  admitted,  it  is  proposed  to  briefly  consider  some 
aspects  which  naturally  appear  in  connection  with  the  sub- 
ject  of  medical  journalism  in  general,  and  that  connected 
with  the  homoeopathic  school  in  particular.  In  the  outset 
it  is  proper  to  recognize  the  fact  that  ownership  of  pro- 
perty, of  whatever  kind,  grants  to  the  owner  the  right  of 
use  and  control  in  any  manner  not  inconsistent  with  the 
laws  of  the  country.  It  is  also  recognized  that  medical 
journals  are  articles  of  property  and  hence  may  be  con- 
trolled by  the  owners  of  them.  However,  we  shall  raise  the 
question:  Have  not  subscribers  any  rights  which  the  pub- 
lishers should  feel  bound  to  respect? 

Believing  that  this  question  can  be  answered  affirma- 
tively, the  following  is  presented.  Who  can  take  up  for 
perusal  any  one  of  the  many  medical  journals  published  in 
this  country  without  noticing  how  greatly  it  is  burdened 
with  advertising  pages,  and  with  what  variety  they  are  pre- 


'Read  before  the  Horn.  Med.  Society  of  the  State  of  New  York,  Sept.  7th.  1886. 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct. 

inted?  Many  o£  these  advertisements  pertain  to  proprie- 
Itery  medicines,  and  it  is  with  this  class  alone  that  we  shall 
rdeal,  although  our  remarks  are  applicable  to  some  other 
classes.  Advertisements  of  the  class  spoken  of  are  ad- 
mitted in  the  journals  of  all  schools,  without  distinction  as 
to  the  needs  or  methods  of  either.  The  articles  advertised 
are  almost  without  exception  those  which  are  compounded 
and  of  some  o£  which  the  formula)  are  probably  copy- 
righted. To  admit  such  to  journals  that  are  non-homceo- 
pathic  does  not  seem  especially  inconsistent,  as  the  char- 

»acter  of  the  preparations  are  not  incongruous  with  the 
methods  of  pharmacy  pertaining  to  the  practice  represent- 
■ed  by  them.  An  objection  which  will  apply  is  that  mem- 
bers of  a  profession  which  is  boastful  of  a  high  standard 
of  education,  are  asked  to  lay  aside  the  exercise  of  intelli- 
gent thought  and  submit  to  a  form  of  dictation  at  the  hands 
of  an  ever  obliging  pharmaceutical  profession.  The  ob- 
j'ection  applies  alike  to  all  members  of  the  profession,  but 
as  Homceopnthists  we  are  also  compelled  to  submit  to  a 

toonstantr  array  of  professional  supplies,  medicinal  and  other- 
irise,  which  are  entirely  foreign  to  the  purposes  and  needs 
of  any  avowed  believer  in  the  "law  of  cure"  which  we 
daim  as  our  guide. 
One  is  almost  led  to  believe  from  the  constancy  with 
which  such  advertisements  are  found  in  our  journals  that 
there  exists  a  concerted  design  on  the  part  of  pharmaceu- 
tists and  publishers  to  keep  us  under  the  bane  of  tempta- 
tion and  solicitation  to  depart  from  our  "  straight  and  nar- 
»jrow  way."  If  this  be  not  true  then  it  would  seem  that 
with  the  professors  of  our  faith  there  must  exist  a  greater 
(tt  lesser  demand  for  such  articles,  the  persistency  of  the 
advertisemeutfl  justifying  the  conclusion,  that  if  uo  returns 
were  received  the  far-sighted  business  men  would  soon 
withdraw  them  from  publication.     It  can  reasonably  be 

I  Assumed  that  a  journal  which  places  before  the  profession  a 
jj^ospectus,  salutatory  or  title;page  declaring  an  intention 
,te  appear  as  an  exponent  of  topics  connected  with,  or  col- 
Iftteral  to.  Homoeopathy,  does  so  with  an  expectatiim  of  de- 
jiviiig  almost  entirely  its  list  of  subscribers  from  those  who 


1886  Medical  Advertisements,  299 

are  known  as  the  practitioners  of  that  system  of  medicine, 
and  such  a  declaration  should  be  considered  the  contract 
from  publisher  to  subscriber  in  regard  to  the  matter  to  be 
placed  before  the  latter  by  the  former.  If  this  assumption 
be  the  truth,  then  we  are  justified  in  stating  that  the  con- 
tract is  in  the  main  unobserved,  and  that  it  would  seem 
that  the  time  has  arrived  when  subscribers  and  readers, 
individually  and  collectively,  should  demand  consistency 
on  the  parts  of  editors  and  publishers.  It  is  not  congenial 
or  desirable  for  one  when  thoroughly  interested  in  reading 
a  well  written  article  on — for  instance  "The  Requisites  of  a 
Homoeopathic  Prescription  "  or  another  subject  equally  as 
learned  and  concise  pertaining  to  that  law  in  medicine  to 
which  we  all  have  expressed  an  adherence,  to  find  that,  as 
a  page  is  finished,  the  next  presents  in  large  type  and 
glaring  headlines  an  advertisement  of  "ready  made"  com- 
pound prescriptions  for  which  are  claimed  all  manner  of 
special  or  specific  virtues — maybe  "the  best  and  most 
soothing  sedative  ever  offered"  to  a  suffering  public;  or 
"a  nerve  tonic,  stimulant  and  anti-spasomodic"  to  meet  all 
cases  of  nervous  disorders  in  either  sex;  or  another  which 
is  commended  for  "all  kidney  derangements"  and  so  on 
almost  ad-infinitum.  If  these  special  preparations  are 
needed  by  us  as  Homoeopathists,  we  are  ungrateful  in  not 
more  frequently  gladdening  the  hearts  of  our  benefactors, 
the  pharmaceutists,  by  certificates  of  the  perfect  adapta- 
bility of  their  goods  to  our  needs.  And  why  should  we  not 
occasionally  send  letters  of  thanks  to  our  accommodating 
friends,  the  editors  and  publishers,  for  so  kindly  directing 
attention  to  these  articles  of  trade  and  commerce,  which 
tend  to  make  our  weary  lives  worth  living,  asking  them  to 
spare  no  pains  in  enlarging  the  list  until  we  can  go  direct 
from  the  pharmacy  to  the  bed-side  bearing  the  "balm  of 
healing"  without  the  expenditure  of  a  mental  effort  or  the 
bui-ning  of  "midnight  oil"? 

On  the  other  hand,  if  we  do  not  use  or  need  these  pre- 
parations, let  us  with  an  unmistakable  emphasis  say  to  the 
publishers  that  we  demand  a  loyal  consistency  between 
their  teaching  and  what  they  are  willing  we  shall  also 
read. 


The  ifedieal  AdxHince. 


Oct 


The  writer  is  a  subscriber  for  ten  or  more  bomce 
Ki^urnals.  an  examiriHtion  of  which  hns  shown  that  with  a 
B  esceptioii,  all  are  engaged  in  the  dnal  occupation  of 
lauding  the  infinite  value  of  homoeopathic  practice  and 
teaching  with  a  varying  degree  of  correctness  the  precepts 
of  HomcBopatby  side  by  side  with  the  advertisements  of 
the  leading  compounders  of  prescriptions  pertaining  to  the 

I  ancient  method  of  dispensing  drugs.  Not  only  is  the  state- 
laent  true,  but  the  practice  is  largely  on  the  increase;  the 
journals  of  our  school,  as  &  rule,  carrying  nearly  as  heavy 
loads  of  the  contraband  goods  as  the  journals  of  the  other 
«hools.  Since  we  are  not  all  adamantine,  one  of  the  ef- 
fects of  the  constant  temptation  set  before  us  may  be  to 
turn  UB  from  our  "  guiding  star"  into  the  use  oE  these  much 
vaunted  and  conveniently  obtained  "specials"  rather  than 
to  be  true  to  the  cause  we  profess  to  venerate  and  trae  to 

Ppnrselves  in  the  precise  and  sometimes  wearisome  task  of 
Harching  out  the  remedy  for  an  intricate  case. 
This  is  the   arraignment  we   present.     Are   there   any 
justifying  circumstances?    Seemingly— YES;  really— NO. 
The  publisher  will  probablj' say ''that  medical  journal- 
ism of  the  present  age  cannot  be  sustained  without  a  large 
..advertising  patronage,  that  the  subscription  list  will  not 
ftltaeet  the  oxiMnses  of  publication."     The  statement  will  be 
^4  true  one,  but  another  reason  for  it  also  esists  in  the  fact 
^at  there  are  more  journals  published  under  auspices  de- 
nominated as  "homceopathic"  than  add  to  the  influence  of 
K&e  system  or  are  required  for  its  welfare,  as  the  average 
^fontents  of  many  of  them  are  widely  divergent  from  the 

■  bonest  and  effectual  practices  of  those  who  gave  to  Homceo- 
Ipatby  the  name  and  standing  it  lias  grandly  borne  during 
vtbe  years  that  are  past. 

Some  of  our  journals  have  separate  editorial  and  pub- 

■  HBbing  departments,  the  editor  being  only  responsible  for 
B  editorials  and  selected  articles  while  to  the  publisher  is 

^Ten  the  largest  liberty  in  his  department,  with  perhaps 

ty  to  the  principles  which  a  journal  may  have  been 

Fpledged  to  its  subscribers  and  readers  to  proclaim  and  in- 

toalcate,  having  only  an  eye  single  to  the  revenue  to  be  de- 


1886  Medical  Advertisements.  301 

rived  from  advertisers,  and  admitting  such  advertisements 
as  offer  the  best  terms,  regardless  of  the  consistency  be- 
tween the  wares  advertised  and  the  influence  the  publica- 
tion should,  or  is  supposed,  to  wield.  Thus  an  editor  who 
has  entered  upon  his  career,  with  an  earnest  desire  to  en- 
hance the  interests  of  the  espoused  cause,  is  hampered  in 
the  influence  he  seeks  to  wield  by  the  indifference  and 
money  gathering  proclivities  of  the  publisher.  Not  only 
does  his  influence  become  largely  curtailed  but  he  is  made 
a  co-offender  in  the  constant  offence  of  offering  an  indig- 
nity to  the  mass  of  readers  who  have  no  need  or  desire  for 
the  articles  paraded  in  the  advertising  columns.  We  ad- 
mit that  there  exists  a  necessity  for  revenue  from  advertis- 
ing pages,  but  we  also  claim  that  there  probably  is  a  sub- 
stantial legitimate  sphere  of  advertising  in  connection  with 
homoeopathic  journals,  the  limits  of  which  are  readily 
grasped  by  a  few  moments  consideration.  We  believe  the 
grievances  to  which  we  have  thus  partially  alluded  are  cap- 
able of  rectification  without  the  application  of  the  string- 
ent measure  of  proclaiming,  with  a  large  degree  of  con- 
cert, without  long  delay,  the  withdrawal  of  future  subscrip- 
tions and  contributions  from  such  journals  as  continue  to 
be  offensive.  Having  thus  intimated  the  means  of  protec- 
tion and  redress  lying  within  reach  of  such  members  of 
the  homoeopathic  profession  as  are  offended,  and  who,  we 
believe,  are  by  far  the  larger  proportion,  we  trust  the  pub- 
lishers will,  by  some  methods  and  action  within  their 
realm,  speedily  remove  the  causes  of  offence,  and  thus  be 
spared  the  mortification  and  approbrium  arising  from  the 
sway  of  that  mighty  conqueror,  the  "boycott,"  which  is, 
even  now,  preparing  its  maw  for  victims. 


4a»i 


Sulphur:  Movements  in  Abdomen,  as  of  a  Fist  of  a 
Child. — At  the  end  of  his  very  interesting  case  of  spurious 
pregnancy,  reported  in  the  May  number  of  The  Advance, 
Dr.  Skinner  states  that  Sulphur  is  "  the  only  medicine  " 
which  has  the  above  symptom.  Almost  the  same  symptom, 
though  somewhat  differently  expressed  by  the  provers,  is 
found  under  Convallaria  majalis.  Crocus,  and  Thuja. 

E.  W.  Bebbidqe,  M.  D. 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct 

GYNECOLOGY. 

AMERICAN  INSTITUTE. 
BDREAC  OF  OrN.ECOLOOY. 
iport  of  the  Bureau  of  Gynsecology  came  up  at  the 
raing  o£  the  afternoon  session,  and  the  subject  for  dia- 
in  was  "  Diagnosis  and  Treatment  of  Organic  Dia- 
of  the  Uterus." 
Dr.  L.   A.  Phillips,  of  Boston,  Mass.,  chairman  of  the 
ureau,  explained  the  purpose  and  object  of  this  subdi- 
and  said  that  the  papera  to  be  read  would  be  brief 
ind  largely  the  result  of  personal  observation  and  clinical 
experience. 

The  paper  of  Dr.  S.  P.  Hedges,  of  Chicago,  III.,  was 
read.      It   related  to   "  Organic   Diseases  of    the   Cervix 
Uteri,"  and  spoke  of   atrophy,  hypertrophy,  atresia  and 
tnosis. 

Dr.  Phil.  Porter,  of  Detroit,  Mich.,  read  a  paper  on 
The  Diseasee  of  the  Uterine  Lymphatic  System."  lu 
condueion,  he  said:  "  lentil  there  is  some  attempt  at  reor- 
ganization of  the  chaotic  mass  of  remedies  recommended 
for  local  use  in  all  uterine  disease;  until  there  is  presented 
for  our  consideration  more  acceptable  reasons  than  those 
now  given  for  their  use,  we  do  not  feel  justified  in  refer- 
ring to  them  in  this  instance.  They  are  very  numerous, 
but  in  this  case  we  may  say,  as  of  the  therapeutical  prob- 
lem which  is  apparently  distinguished  by  the  variety  of 
ways  it  which  it  can  be  solved,  that  thia  seeming  wealth  of 
gynsecology  conceals  only  its  real  poverty  in  the  treatment 
of  uterine  maladies." 

The  nest  paper  read  was  by  Dr.  H.  K,  Bennett,  of  Fitch- 
burg,  Muss.,  its  title  being  "Diagnosis  and  Treatment  of 
the  Dieeaaes  of  the  Endometrium." 

Dr.  Phillips  read  his  own  paper  on  "  Fibroid  Tumors  in 
the  Uf«rus."  He  recommended,  as  a  remedy.  Iodide  of 
lime, 

Dr.  Moses  T.  Bunnels,  of  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  prepared  a 
paper  on  "  Diagnosis  and  Treatment  of  Malignant  Dlseasee 
of  the  Uterus,"  which  was  read  by  title. 


■  Utt 
fctei 


1886  American  Institute.  303 

DISCUSSION. 

Robert  Hall,  M.  D. :  I  have  been  much  pleased  with  Dr. 
Hedge's  paper  on  organic  diseases  of  the  cervix  uteri.  I 
think  the  author's  method  in  differentiating  the  various 
forms  of  atrophy  of  the  cervix  are  very  lucid,  and,  as  it  has 
been  drawn  from  his  clinical  experience,  it  seems  to  me  to 
possess  special  value  for  our  study. 

With  that  variety  of  atrophy  of  the  cervix  resulting  from 
superinvolution,  I  am  specially  interested.  The  practice 
of  mothers'  nursing  their  children  beyond  the  proper  limit 
of  lactation  is  very  common,  and  injurious  both  to  the 
health  of  the  mother  and  that  of  the  child.  The  mother 
usually  has  two  objects  in  view;  the  prevention  of  preg- 
nancy, and  the  supposed  benefit  to  the  child.  The  latter 
is  fallacious,  and  the  former,  although  it  may  prove  suc- 
cessful in  some  cases,  yet  it  is  at  the  expense  of  lowering 
her  vitality,  thereby  inducing  serious  diseases,  among 
which  may  result  superinvolution  of  the  uterus. 

With  regard  to  the  treatment,  I  am  gratified  to  see  that 
the  author  of  the  paper  gives  importance  to  the  therapeu- 
tical, as  well  as  surgical,  management  I  also  attribute 
much  value  to  careful  hygienic  care.  The  author  has 
graphically  delineated  his  method  of  stimulating  the  atro- 
phic cervix  by  the  use  of  the  graduated  solid  steel  dilators 
to  aid  in  restoring  the  organ  to  its  normal  state. 

I  believe  surgeons  differ  somewhat  as  to  the  proper 
instruments  and  methods  most  advantageous  in  securing 
the  desired  result.  My  own  experience  in  this  matter  is 
not  of  suflScient  extent  to  give  a  valid  opinion  on  the  mat- 
ter. As  I  see  in  the  following  portion  of  the  paper  where 
he  speaks  of  the  treatment  of  atresia  and  stenosis  of  the 
cervix,  he  depends  largely  upon  the  same  solid  steel  dila- 
tors. It  occurs  to  my  mind  that  possibly  he  may  be 
somewhat  "wedded  to  his  idols! "  This  leads  to  the  fact 
that  is  too  often  the  case  that  physicians  and  surgeons 
have  a  strong  tendency  to  drift  into  a  rut,  or  the  riding  o£ 
a  favorite  hobby,  without  being  conscious  of  the  fact 

Dr.  Payne:  I  wish  to  make  a  few  remarks  on  uterine 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


Bfibriods  and  to  express  my  pleBsure  at  hearing  Dr.  Phillips' 

Epaper,  as  well  as  congratulate  him  on  his  success  in  the 

l^atmentof  these  growths  with  Iodide  of  lime.     I  believe, 

EJbowever,  that  the  effects  which  he  gets  are  due  to  the 

I^Jodine  of  the  composition.     His  success  has  been  much 

ftlihe  same  as  my  own  with  tlie  latter  remedy.     I  am  sorry 

"he  has  forgotten  to  mention  another  BuccesBful  remedy, 

and  that  is  Ergotin.     With  quite  an  experience  in  uterine 

disease  I  think  this  remedy  stands  ahead  of  lodide'of  lime. 

ChurchiU's  tincture  has  a  tendency  to  stop  the  growth 

tirhen  given  after  the  Ergotin.  I  usually  dilate  with  the 
Sponge  tent  and  then  wash  out  the  cavity  with  Chnrcbill'e 
tincture  of  iodine,  having  previously  curetted  the  inner 
enrface.  After  quite  an  experience  with  these  conditions 
I  am  certain  that  this  treatment  will  control  the  biemor- 
rhage  when  nothing  else  will.  I  remember  one  case,  an 
old  lady,  where  the  hasmorrhage  had  occurred  at  intervals 
for  thirty  years.  After  applying  this  treatment  the  hBcm- 
orrhage  ceased,  and  baa  not  reappeared  for  three  monfbs. 
Surgical  interference  to  that  ertent  is  always  jastiflable, 
and  certainly  beneficial.  I  would  like  ta  speak  of  one 
remedy  in  endometritis  and  the  conditions  spoken  of  in 
the  papers,  such  as  sarcoma  and  others.  This  is  &  solution 
of  Chloride  of  Zinc,  to  be  used  in  place  of  Nitric  acid.  It 
controls  the  htemorrhage  better,  and  the  slough  comes 
ftway  better  than  after  Nitric  acid. 

L.  L.  Danforth,  M.  D.:  I  want  to  say  a  word  concerning 

VlSiis  very  interesting  subject^-en  do  metritis.     Any  experi- 

1 6ooe  which  one  may  have,  especially  of  a  practical  nature, 

B  worthy  of  attention.    When  these  oases  are  not  extremely 

L  severe  and  the  disease  has  not  attacked  the  deeper  por- 

l^tions  of   the  mucous  membrane  of   the   cervix,  internal 

psedication  is  usually  sufficient  to  remove  the  disease  and 

'correct  the  constitutional  condition  which  is  at  fault.    Here 

Sepia,  Kali  bichromicum,  Arsenicum,  Mercurius  and  other 

remedies,  are  of  value  in  removing  the  local  symptoms  as 

well  as  the  constitutional  effects  of  the  glandular  disease, 

the  back-ache,   burning  pains,   lassitude,  et  cetera, 

llrMch  follow  this  affection.     When  the  patients  have  suf- 


of  ( 
oon 

^^Bevi 
H^tior 
^^boec 
^Poori 

Sep 

rem 

wel 
■    Tiz.,  tl 
^■irMch  I 


1886  American  Institute.  305 

fered  for  a  long  time,  and  the  degeneration  of  the  glandu- 
lar structure  of  the  cervix  is  far  advanced,  1  do  not  think 
that  remedies  alone  are  entirely  efficient;  they  need  to  be 
assisted  by  local  treatment  The  best  local  agent  in  my 
experience  is  pure  Nitric  acid,  preceded  by  thorough 
cleansing  of  the  part  involved  and  perhaps  by  curetting 
the  cervical  tissues.  Applied  once  or  twice  a  week,  this 
treatment  is  of  service  in  promoting  healthful  changes  in 
the  diseased  glands  within  the  cervix.  We  cannot  do 
much  in  these  severe  casey,  by  either  method  alone;  med- 
icine and  local  treatment  must  be  conjoined.  It  is  very 
important  that  the  entire  condition  of  the  patient  be  taken 
into  account,  any  diathesis  which  may  underlie  the  local 
condition  should  be  considered;  also  the  condition  of  the 
general  health,  following,  and  due  to,  the  prolonged  and 
exhausting  discharges.  The  one  who  can  apply  his  rem- 
edies most  closely  in  these  conditions  will  be  the  most 
successful  in  removing  them.  Locally  the  Nitric  acid  has 
been  the  most  useful  in  my  hands. 

You  all  know  how  important  it  is  to  have  a  perfectly 
clean  surface  before  applying  your  local  remedies.  It  is 
futile  to  apply  any  remedy  to  these  cervical  glands,  while 
they  are  covered  over  with  the  tenacious,  gluey  discharge 
which  comes  from  them.  I  know  of  no  better  cleansing 
remedy  than  the  peroxide  of  hydrogen.  Cautiously  in- 
jected into  the  cervix,  or  applied  on  cotton  pledgets,  it  is 
very  effectual  in  removing  the  abundant  and  tenacious 
discharge. 

J.  H.  McClelland,  M.  D. :  I  want  to  confirm  Dr.  Phillips' 
experience  with  Iodide  of  lime.  At  the  World's  Conven- 
tion in  1876,  I  reported  several  cases  of  intra-mural 
fibroids,  which  I  had  treated  ^ith  this  remedy;  since  that 
time  I  have  treated  other  cetses.  I  think  it  is  the  best 
remedy  we  have  at  our  hands  for  this  purpose.  I  have 
used  Trillium  also,  led  partly  by  its  symptomatic  indica- 
tion for  uterine  hsemorrhage,  and  I  believe  with  good 
effect;  yet  Iodide  of  lime  is  equally  efficient  in  controlling 
the  haemorrhage.  Some  cases  which  I  have  had  under 
observation  for  ten  or  fifteen  years  have  given  very  little 

T 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct 

[  trouble  except  from  the  pressure  due  to  the  increasing  size 
r  which  has  reacheil  that  of  a  well  developed  child  iu  utero. 
f  I  have  beeu  utterly  unable  to  control  the  onward  growth, 
F.  8.  Fulton,  M.  C:  I  would  like  to  refer  to  the  paper 
[  o£   Dr.  Porter,      While  connected  with  the  Hahnemann 
L  Hospital,  I  saw  a  number  of  cases  and  hid  opportunities 
for  my  personal  experience,  and  iu  seeing  that  of  otiiera. 
I  would  apeak  a  word  iu  favor  of  hysterectomy,  for  I  think 
subsequent  events   will   show   that   this   operation   ie   as 
devoid  of  danger  as  is  the  operation  of  ovariotomy.     All 
.  the  oases  operated  on  in  the  hospital  recovered  except  one, 
I  and  that  one  was  complicated  with  cancer  of  the  perito- 
i  neum.     Dr.  Tait  gives  twenty-two  cases,  all  making  go:d 
recoveries.     Dr.  Goodell  says  hysterectomy  is  very  largely 
snccessful  if  the  section  is  made  close  to  the  vaginal  junc- 
tion; the  higher  you  go  into  the  uterine  tisane,  the  greater 
.  the  danger.     All  the  operations  in  the  hospital  were  done 
I  with  the  simple  vaginal  section.     As  a  younger  member  of 
the  Institute  I  would  tike  to  predict  the  successful  result 
of  this  operation. 

Wm.  Owens,  51.  D.:  I  want  to  refer  to  a  remedy  for  uter- 
ine fibroids,  to  which  I  have  already  called  the  attention  of 
the  members  of  the  Institute,  at  the  meeting  held  at  Brigh- 
ton Beach.  At  that  time  I  reported  five  cases  cured,  and 
one  nuder  treatment  This  was  a  case  of  submucous 
fibroid  of  considerable  size.  I  gave  three  hypodermic 
injections  of  the  fluid  extract  of  ergot,  and  the  patient 
recovered.      Another  case,  in  which  the  injections  were 

I  given  once  a  month,  was  under  treatment  for  two  years, 
but  was  then  cured.  Auother  case,  which  was  treated 
within  the  last  year,  was  under  treatment  for  three  months, 
receiving  twelve  injections  in  alL  The  indications  upon 
which  these  injections  were  given  were  an  enlarging  tumor 
nnder  the  hypogastrium,  in  two  cases  extending  above  the 
pelvic  brim,  with  frequent  hiemorrhages,  aggravated  at  the 
menstrual  pariod,  so  that  these  lasted  for  nearly  three 
weeks  out  of  the  four.  The  last  case  treated  I  have  not 
Been  since  last  January,  but  report  says  she  is  well  and 
that  there  has  been  no  return  of  the  hemorrhage.     Cases 


1886  American  Institute.  307 

treated  eight  years  ago  have  had  no  return,  except  in  one 
case,  the  tamors  remain,  giving  no  trouble,  however,  hav- 
ing been  reduced  to  a  minimum  size.  I  gave  the  Iodide 
of  lime  to  the  patient  treated  for  two  years.  I  have  given 
twenty  drops  as  an  injection,  but  usually  give  only  ten 
drops,  injecting  it  into  the  hypogastric  region. 

J.  C.  Morgan,  M.  D.:  One  thing  has  given  me  great 
pleasure  during  this  convention,  and  that  is  that  we  have 
had  so  much  of  Homoeopathy  taught,  and  to  my  agreeable 
surprise  from  specialists  also,  as  we  heard  this  morning. 
Now  I  want  to  talk  a  little  Homoeopathy  in  this  connec- 
tion. Let  me  say  by  way  of  preface,  and  briefly,  that  in 
my  observation  a  large  proportion  of  the  fibroid  tumors  of. 
the  uterus,  whether  submucous,  intramural  or  subperi-. 
toneal,  occur  in  women,  to  whom  the  change  of  life  is  aur 
event  not  so  very  far  off  in  all  human  probability,  aside- 
from  other  diseases.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that  this  is  an 
absolute  rule,  but  a  large  proportion  of  them  are  approach-, 
ing  this  period.  Now  it  seems  to  me  that  we  have  a  spe- 
cial hint  in  the  management  of  these  cases  from  this  fact, 
namely,  that  if  we  can  guide  them  safely  to  this  point  and 
secure  the  passage  of  it  within  a  reasonable  time,  then  we 
have  done  a  good  work.  These  views  are  based  upon  a 
somewhat  lengthened  experience,  although  not  so  exten- 
sive, perhaps,  as  some  others  here.  I  have  repeatedly 
found  that  the  approach  of  the  change  of  life  is  the  thing 
we  have  to  consider,  to  look  out  for,  and  to  prepare  for. 

One  of  my  patients,  age  about  39  years,  had  an  enormous 
intramural  fibroid,  so  that  she  had  the  appearance  of  a 
woman  six  to  seven  months  pregnant  Her  health  was 
miserable,  and  she  was  liable  to  frequent  attacks  of  monor- 
rhagia, which  kept  her  exceedingly  weak,  and  gave  her  an 
exsanguinated  appearance,  and  still  this  great  burden  had 
to  be  carried.  I  treated  her  with  medicines,  for  Dr.  Atlee, 
to  whom  the  case  had  been  referred,  refused  to  operate, 
although  she  was  willing  for  any  operation.  I  took  up  her 
symptoms  and  studied  them  very  carefully.  She  had  at 
the  time  when  first  seen,  this  intense  weakness  from  loss 
of  blood;  she  had  a  great  many  others,  but  this  was  the 


"keyoote."  1  gave  her  Cinchona  200, 1  was  even  90  foolish 
1  that,  and  by  keeping  her  under  the  influence  of  that 
iremedy,  there  was,  in  a  very  quiet  sort  of  way,  a  decided 
amelioration  of  the  subjective  symptoms,  but  no  special 
tihange  in  the  size  of  the  tumor.  The  relief  to  her  personal 
^eliogs  was  marked.  The  htemorrhage  ceased  for  some 
itime  and  ou  its  reappearance  the  remedy  was  again  given 
^ith  relief.  Then  she  complained  of  a  feeling  of  disten- 
in,  as  though  the  parte  werp,  too  small,  and  received  La- 
dhesis  for  it,  which  relieved.  Cocculus  has  the  opposite 
eondition,  namely,  a  feeling  as  if  there  was  tfio  much  room. 
C.  E.  Walton,  M.D. :  I  have  used  the  Ergotin  or  Ergot  in 
ieeveral  cases,  four  or  five  perhaps,  in  the  same  way  as 
[amended  by  Pro£  Owens.  I  always  use  one  syringe 
full  and  sometimes  two,  and  have  never  seen  any  evil  re- 
sults, but  always  good.  In  all  cases  of  uterine  hiemor- 
Xbage  and  all  cuses  of  fibroids,  submucous  or  subserous,  I 
make  use  of  the  Ergot.  Where  they  were  in  tiie  uterine 
oaual  I  have  succeeded  in  forcing  their  expulsion,  and 
when  subserous  the  growth  has  diminished,  but  1  have 
taever  been  able  to  entirely  obliterate  them  by  this  mode  of 
lareatmeut. 

J.  H.  Carmichael,  M.  D.:  I  think  that  fibroids  in  an 
#Ctive  stage  are  very  apt  to  carry  a  woman  beyond  the 
point  designated  by  nature  tor  the  change  of  life.  I  think 
she  is  very  apt  to  go  to  fifty  years  or  beyond,  when  a  large 
fibroid  is  present  in  an  active  state  and  giving  rise  to 
hffimorrhage.  Belladonna  will  relieve  the  congestion  and 
.soreness  attending  upon  flbi-oids. 

I  have  used  twenty  to  twenty-five  drops  of  Ergotin  j 
I  hypodermically,  and  am  convinced  that  I  never  practiced  a  , 
ianore  barbarous  method  than  this  for  the  removal  of  a  J 
Itnterine  tumor.  I  have  had  at  one  time  a  large  number  o£  , 
I  colored  people  under  my  care,  and  have  found  that  alxmt  I 
I  eight  out  of  twelve  have  fibroids;  this  colored  population  : 
[  were  attendants  at  a  dispensary  service  under  my  controL 
I  .T  practiced  the  Ergotin  iujectioos  upon  them,  and  pumped  ' 
L'tbe  blood  out  of  them  by  this  means.  But  I  found  after-  ! 
■twards  that  Ergotin  3x,  or  Secale  3x,  would  control  the  ] 


1886  American  InsUiute.  309 

haemorrhage  and  contract  the  uterus  in  a  manner  more 
beneficial  to  the  patient. 

I  have  used  the  Iodide  of  lime,  and  can  confirm  its  good 
effects,  for  my  experience  with  it  has  been  excellent.  For 
removing  the  soreness  nothing  is  better  than  Belladonna  Sx, 
in  my  estimation. 

I  have  now  in  my  care  fifteen  cases,  eight  of  which  are 
approaching  the  climacteric,  and  I  do  not  propose  to  inter- 
fere with  them  while  I  can  make  them  comfortable.  I 
have  used  Equisetum  hyemale  for  sarcomo,  where  it  has 
extended  so  as  to  involve  all  the  surrounding  tissues,  and 
even  eaten  into  the  bladder.  This  remedy  has  controlled 
the  pain  when  no  opiate  would.  I  have  recently  had  two 
or  three  cases  in  which  I  have  tested  the  eficacy  of  this 
remedy  for  this  condition. 

A.  Boothby,  M.  D. :  We  might  easily  infer  from  what 
has  been  said  here  to-day,  that  the  question  of  a  remedy 
for  uterine  fibroid  was  a  very  doubtful  one,  and  this  the 
more  when  we  consider  the  number  of  remedies  which 
have  been  proposed,  acquired  a  reputation,  ran  their  course 
and  died  out.  One  of  the  most  thoroughly  tried  of  these 
is  Ergotin,  and  this  has  been  proven,  apparently  inert  by 
all  schools. 

[Neither  uterine  fibroids  nor  any  other  tumor  will  ever 
be  cured  (except  accidentally)  by  persistently  prescribing 
for  the  tumor.  This  is  not  homoeopathic  treatment  The 
law  of  cure  does  not  and  cannot  work  that  way.  Neither 
Ergotin,  nor  any  other  remedy,  can  effect  a  cure  when  not 
indicated.  This  is  simply  empirical  guessing,  and  must 
fail  much  oftener  than  it  succeeds.  To  those  who  apply  it 
in  this  way,  Similia  will  never  be  a  universal  law,  only  a 
method  of  practice. — Ed.] 

I  want  to  refer  to  the  statement  which  has  been  made, 
that  the  future  Hould  see  the  operation  of  hysterectomy  as 
common  as  that  of  ovariotomy.  I  think  this  is  very  mis- 
leading, for  in  the  first  place  we  must  distinguish  between 
the  two  conditions;  the  one  fatal  in  a  few  years,  while  with 
the  other  they  may  and  do  live  for  many  years.  The  suc- 
cess in  ovariotomies  is  vastly  better  than  is  that  for  fibroids. 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct. 

No  pablUhed  reports  are  as  good  as  those  which  have  lieen 
mentioned,  taking  a  large  experience  together.  There  is 
only  one  surgeon  that  I  know  of  who  recommends  the  re- 
moval of  uterine  fibroids  as  the  rule,  and  that  is  Dr.  Mar- 
tin, of  Berlin.  I  do  not  think  an  operation  tor  fibroids 
shoidd  be  attempted,  except  when  there  is  extreme  suffer- 
ing, and  the  patient  thoroughly  miserable,  or  when  the  ex- 
cessive hiemorrhage  imperils  life. 

K.  Ludlam,  M.  D. ;  I  want  to  express  my  personal  grati- 
fication, as 'well  as  interest  in  the  report  of  this  bureau,  and 
I  am  very  sure  the  papers  will  be  of  service  to  those  who 
read  them  in  the  transactions.  As  an  old  fellow  passing 
away  i-apidly,  I  take  great  interest  in  the  develojiment  of 
this  sjjecial  department,  for  I  think  I  may  consider  myself 
the  father  of  this  section,  although  without  sectional  feel- 
ing. I  want  to  speak  a  word  iu  favor  of  Secale;  it  is  not  an 
infallible  remedy,  but  certainly  a  useful  one,  as  is  also 
Cinchona.  I  assure  you  that  we  ought  not  to  forget  our 
homceopathic  remedies  in  the  management  of  these  cases. 

^D^.  Morgan  is  quite  i-ight  that  if  ws  can  carry  our  patients 
over  a  certain  period,  nature  will  cure  the  case  by  limita- 
tion. I  know  very  well,  also,  that  some  tumors  fold  their 
tents  and  silently  steal  away,  and  thus,  at  times,  invalidate 
our  claims  for  cnre  by  means  of  remedies.  I  want  to  quote 
from  Scanzoni,  who  says,  that  chronic  endometritis  is  an 
incurable  disease.  I  approve  of  Dr.  Bennett's  mode  of 
treatment,  but  I  believe  that  in  ninety-nine  out  of  one  hun- 
dred cases,  chronic  endometritis  ia  chronic  subinvolution, 
and  that  if  you  will  give  your  remedies  which  will  follow 
tip  this  process,  which  should  have  gone  on  sooner,  you 
will  cure  your  ease.  And  remedies  will  bring  this  about. 
In  our  clinic  are  many  of  these  eases,  and  we  ainka  it  a  rule 
to  examine  them  from  month  to  month,  making  the  record 
at  once,  and  we  have  found  that  the  size  decreases  at  the 
^L  late  of  about  one  inch  a  month,  when  they  are  under  care- 
^H^^jiil  treatment.  Secale  is  a  very  useful  remedy  here,  given  j 
^^f  a  dose  four  times  a  day. 

^H*     There  are  one  or  two  conditions  which  iire  liki^ly  to  beJ 
^B  confounded  with   uterine  fibroids,  which   were  not   men-* 


1886  American  Institute.  311 

tioned  in  the  paper.     These  are  pelvic  hsBinatocele  and  pel- 
vic cancer. 

Concerning  the  results  claimed  for  the  Iodide  of  lime,  I 
accept  the  experience,  but  would  suggest  that  we  use  a 
glycerole  about  the  cervix  in  many  of  these  cases,  since 
some  efiPusion  in  or  about  the  cervix  may  have  something 
to  do  with  the  size  of  the  growth.  It  is  not  unusual  to  have 
these  parts  contain  a  considerable  proportion  of  serum,  and 
when  this  is  pressed  out  by  any  means,  the  size  of  the 
tumor  will  diminish  rapidly,  and  perhaps  remain  in  this 
diminished  form.  Belladonna  has  some  such  action  when 
applied  locally. 

One  word  in  regard  to  the  claim  for  hysterectomy.  When 
he  says  this  operation  is  not  to  be  resorted  to,  it  is  not 
covering  the  whole  question.  But  the  idea  of  extirpating 
the  uterus,  or  any  great  part  of  it,  brings  up  the  most  ser- 
ious operation  of  any  thing  of  the  kind  in  surgery,  because 
it  is  so  very  difficult  to  control  the  hsemorrhage  afterwards. 
This  is  especially  the  case  if  you  make  a  pedicle  of  the  cer- 
vix. Amputation  of  the  uterus  is  a  small  affair  when  com- 
pared with  hysterectomy.  I  should  say  that  the  operation 
was  very  rarely  necessary,  for  patients  rarely  die  of  uter- 
ine fibroid,  since  the  approach  of  the  climacteric  will  re- 
lieve. So,  unless  the  fibroid  involve  the  entire  organ,  I 
should  prefer  not  to  operate.  If  it  involve  the  entire  sur- 
face of  the  uterus,  you  have  an  hysterectomy  on  your 
hands,  and  that  is  a  very  different  question.  It  will  be  a 
long  time,  in  my  judgment,  before  hysterectomy  will  be  as 
safe  as  ovariotomy  is  now. 

L.  A.  Phillips,  M.  D. :  I  would  remind  you  that  in  my 
paper  I  stated  that  I  would  give  my  experience  with  one  or 
two  remedies,  and  did  not  pretend  to  exhaust  the  subject 
of  remedial  agencies.  Furthermore  I  am  a  prescriber  of 
homoeopathic  remedies,  only  I  say  we  must  learn  to  use 
them  by  experiment  and  trial,  for  we  cannot  tell  by  our 
provings  as  many  of  these  remedies  have  not  been  proved. 
They  never  produced  these  conditions,  and  we  have  no 
evidence  that  they  will  cure  them  except  by  experiment 
Iodide  of  lime  curing  them  would  seem  to  have  just  as 
much  a  homoeopathic  effect,  although  not  proven. 


The  Medical  Advm 

JBATTEV'S  OPEKATIUN  UNJUSTLY  CLAIMED  BY  TAIT. 

The  editor  of  the  Virginia  Medical  MonVily  in  a  recent 
■issue  thus  disposes  of  the  claim  to  priority  of  Battey'B 
I  operation : 

"It  Beems  singular  at  this  late  day  that  Mr.  Lawson  1'ait 
lohould  set  up.  a  claim  to  priority  in  the  succeasful  perform- 
Isnce  of  the  operation  properly  known  as  Battey's.  We 
I  are  glad  to  see  the  '  error  of  statement  of  results  of  Bat- 
I  tey'a  and  Tail's  operations  corrected '  by  Dr.  Kobert  Bat- 
tey  hiraeelf  in  the  Medical  News,  May  15,  1886.  He  says: 
'In  his  Note  on  Removal  of  the  Uterine  Appendages  (page 
466,  current  volume  of  the  Medical  Neivs),  Mr.  Lawson 

tTait  inadvertently  aaya  of  my  original  operation;  'It  was 
first  performed  by  Battey,  with  h  fatal  result,  on  August  17, 
1872,  aud  therefore,  if  proper  nameB  are  to  be  given  to  the 
operations,  it  deserves  to  have  Dr.  Battey's  name  attached 
to  it.' 
'This  case  has  bo  often  been  reported  to  medical  sooie- 
ties,  and  cit«d  in  the  journals,  in  London,  as  well  as  in 
America,  as  a  successful  case,  that  I  can  hardly  suppose 
Mr.  Tait  to  be  ignorant  of  the  fact.     I  therefore  accept  it 
as  a  slip  of  the  pen,  in  the  hurry  of  a  busy  professional 
■  life.     I  can  the  more  readily  do  this,  since  in  the  same  con- 
pnection,  he  is  quite  as  unhappy  in  reporting  the  result  of 
I  ''his  own  case,  when  he  tells  us,  'It  was  first  performed  by 
r^e  on  August  1,  1872,  with  a   successful  result     I  am 
I  therefore  entitled  to  have  this  operation  described  by  my 
[•name.' 

'In  the  British  Mrdical  Jomiitd  for  May  31.  1879,  we 
I  fisd  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Tait  the  following:  'Removal  o£ 
normal  ovaries.  As  a  small  contribution  to  the  history  of 
this  proceeding,  I  should  like  to  supplement  Prof,  Simp- 
Bon's  paper  by  the  statfiment  that  1  have  removed  the  ovar- 
ies for  the  arreat  of  hcemorrhage  in  cases  of  myoma  threa 
times,  in  all  three  with  a  fatal  result.  The  dates  i 
August  1,  1872;  December  26,  1873;  and  March  14,  1874 

I  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  this  operation  was  performed  in 
lEngland  five  daya  afler  it  was  first  performed  in  Germany, 


tat 
fi 
nt 
a 
fi: 
ii< 


1886  Puerperal  Convulsions.  313 

and  sixteen  days  before  it  was  performed  by  Dr.  Battey. 
....  That  this  operation  will  prove  a  great  addition  to 
surgery  I  have  no  doubt  With  our  improved  methods,  I 
believe  that  at  least  two — possibly  all  three — of  my  cases 
would  recover  now,  if  I  had  them  over  again.'  [Italics 
Dr.  Battey's.] 

*  To  Mr.  Tait's  claims  of  priority  I  have  nothing  to  say. 
For  more  than  six  years  (from  September,  1872,  to  May, 
1879)  during  which  this  subject  was  actively  discussed  in 
medical  societies  and  medical  journals,  his  voice  was  not 
heard.  There  seems  little  disposition  manifested  anywhere 
to  re-open  the  case  now  for  his  benefit'  Porter. 


^•^ 


PUEllPERAX  CONVULSIONS. 


WM.  JEFFEEtSON  GUERNSEY,  M.  D..  Philadelphia. 


On  the  30i;h  of  last  December  a  gentleman  called  about 
five  o'clock  in  the  morning,  stating  that  his  daughter,  aged 
20,  was  in  terrible  convulsions.  1  tried  in  vain  to  elicit 
symptoms  enough  to  prescribe  on,  and  it  was  not  until  I 
had  commenced  putting  up  some  Belladonna  on  account  of 
the  violence  described  by  him,  that  he  interrupted  me  with 
the  assertion  that  bis  daughter,  who  was  un-married,  was 
pregnant,  but  that  he  knew  it  was  not  more  than  three 
months  advanced.  I  did  not  change  my  prescription, 
thinking  that  I  should  probably  hear  from  her  again  before 
night.  About  fifteen  minutes  later  word  was  sent  to  come 
at  once,  and,  thinking  the  man  might  be  mistaken  in  re- 
gard to  her  period  of  gestation,  and  not  knowing  what 
course  would  be  best  to  persue,  I  carried  my  obstetric  for- 
ceps. I  found  that  the  Belladonna  had  not  been  given  and 
the  poor  girl  had  thrown  herself  upon  the  floor  and  was  in 
most  horrible  convulsions.  A  digital  examination  revealed 
the  fact  that  labor  was  far  advanced  and  that  I  had  a  full 
term  child  to  handle.  Fearing  that  her  violent  motions 
would  at  least  kill  the  child  and  possibly  injure  herself,  I 
quickly  procured  ether  and  after  complete  ansesthetization 
removed  the  child  without  difficulty.     She  was  soon  after 


The  Medical  Ativance. 


Oct. 


R^oarefully  placed  upou  a  bed  nnd  made  as  comfortable  as 
F'the  circumstances  would  permit.  Surely  this  was  a  day 
■  doomed  to  disappointment,  for  her  convulsions  did  not 
I  cease,  and  the  general  uut-look  was  anything  but  promis- 
|lng. 

The  "frightful  distortions  of  the  limbs"  found  under 
Cicuta  and  the  opisthotonos  also  characteristic  of  it,  led 
me  to  give  that  remedy,  but  without  effect.     Subsequently 
I  prescribed  as  follows:  At  10:30  a.  m.  Apis  cm.,  one  pow- 
der; at  noon.  Apis  cm.,  in  water;  at  two  p.  M.  Hyoscyamua 
60m  in  water;  at  six  p.  M.  Sac.  Inc;  at  ten  p.  Sf.  Hyoscyamus 
130.     The  iiest  day  (31st)  one  powder  Silicea  era,  in  morn- 
ing and  Sac.  lac  all  day.     On  calling  at  10  p.  M.   her  con- 
Tulsions  were  still  present,  but  slie  was  much  weaker,  pulae 
rapid  (beat  not  recorded)  and  almost  imperceptible.     Had 
not  been  conscious  since  removal   of   child.     Urine   very 
scant.     I  did  not  teat  tbe  urine  for  albumen,  for  two  rea- 
sons; first,  it  would  not  have  altered  the  treatment;- second, 
it  was  impossible  to  collect  it  in  her  comatose  condition. 
She  had,  of  course,  taken  no  iiourishmeiit,  and  what  struck 
me  with  horror  was  a  diirk,  shadowy,  irregular  outline  just 
visible  upon  her  face  in  the  dim  light.     On  turning  up  the 
gas  I  found  eeverid  of  these  dark  colored  spots  varying  in 
size  from  that  of  a  hickory  nut  to  one  ha\'ing  a  diameter  of 
probably  four  inches.     I  knew  that  with  her  careful  nurs- 
ing that  she  could  not  have  braised  her  face  so  terribly 
without  other  bodily  injury,  and  was  assured  that  she  had 
not  done  so,  yet  these  marks  resembled  those  of  contusion. 
This  peculiariiy,  (See  Organon,  §  153)  with  the  other  in- 
dicatioua  for  Arnica  led  me  to  give  eight  powders  of  the 
45in  (Fincke),     Her  convulsions  grew  milder  from  that 
time  out,  and  in  the  morning  I  was  delighted  to  find  tlie 
l«cchymoses  had   nearly  disappeared.     Improvement  eou- 
I  tinned  till  the  nest  morning,  when  she  had  a  slight  convul- 
I  bIou,  and  I  gave  one  more  |>owder  of  Arnica  45m,  having 
I  no  other  potency  with  me  (I  should  have  preferred  cm.). 
pHer  recovery  from  that  date  was  marked  and  rapid,  and  I 
^discharged  myself  on  the  15th  of  January,  sixteen  da 
Q  birth  of  child,  without  having  given  another  dose 


1886  Surgery.  315 

medicine,  although  Sac.  lac  was  regularly  administered  to 
satisfy  the  mother's  fears.  The  child  lived  three  months 
and  th^en  died  from  marasmus.  The  girl  had  no  milk,  nor 
did  she  have  the  least  trouble  from  the  mammse,  and  on 
dismissing  the  case  I  could  not  help  noticing  that  she  was, 
apparently,  in  as  good  a  condition  as  any  woman  I  had 
ever  attended  in  a  natural  labor.  I  learned  from  the 
mother  that  her  menstruation  is  now  regularly  re-established 
and  quite  normal  in  every  feature. 


-#•► 


SURGERY. 


J.  G.  GILCHRIST,  M.  D.,  Iowa  City,  la. 


Paralysis  Following  Fracture. — Injuries  of  nerves 
are  common  after  fracture,  but  M.  Poulaiu  of  Paris,  records 
a  somewhat  remarkable  occurrence  in  L'  Union  Medicate 
for  April  20,  1886  {Annals  Surgery),  The  case  was  one 
of  fracture  (compound)  of  the  lower  end  of  the  humerus, 
in  which  the  amount  of  callus  was  so  enormous,  that  the 
radial  nerve  was  included  and  compressed  to  such  an  ex- 
tent that  paralysis  occurred.  The  exuberant  callus  was 
chipped  away,  the  nerve  freed,  and  held  up  by  the  sutures 
in  the  edges  of  the  wound  passing  under  the  nerve.  With- 
in a  year  recovery  was  almost  complete. 


Telangiectasis  is  treated  by  Dr.  Boeing  (Nerdirigen) 
by  painting  with  a  4  per  cent,  solution  of  sublimate-collo- 
dion, once  daily  for  four  days.  In  the  record  of  cases 
given,  the  history  seems  to  be,  about  the  sixth  day  there 
was  a  "  suppurating  ring  about  the  base,"  and  in  two  or 
three  days  more,  the  scab  was  removed  without  pain.  The 
scars  are  stated  as  being  very  soft  and  uon -contracting. 
I  have  since,  within  six  mouths,  treated  cases  as  follows: 
Lifting  the  angioma  upwards,  a  hair-lip  pin  was  inserted 
under  the  base,  from  side  to  side.  A  tight  elastic  ligature 
was  then  applied  back  of  the  pin.  In  one  case,  two  pins 
were  required,  at  right  angles.  The  mass  became  detached 
in  eight  days,  leaving  a  very  small  scar,  with  hardly  any 
pain  from  first  to  last. 


RSfi  The  Medical  Advanrr.  Oct. 

^     Frog's    Skin    Transplantation.— Dr.    Peterson    used 
frog's  skin  in  a  case  of  slowly  cicatriziug  wound  on  the 
neck.     The  method  is  worthy  of  attention,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  good  results  from  the  material  used.     "A  piece  of 
_  frog's  skin,  the  size  of  the  thumb  nail  was  washed  in  a  two 
|ip6r  cent  snlution  and  placed  upon  blotting-paper,  where  it 
was  divided  into  two.     The   grafts   were   applied   to  the 
wound  80  that  the  blotting-paper  was  interposed  between 
them  and  the  hsing  plaster.     Two  days  after  the  trans- 
plantation both  fragments  of  epidermis  were  found  to  be 
adherent     Two  days  later  a  fresh  grafting  was  made;  the 
I  former  grafts  had  become  roseate.     In  a  further  period  of 
I  forty-eight  hours  the  pigmentation  of  the  grafts  had  almost 
^.{tisappeared.     The  cicatrix  resulting  after  this  treatment 
was  found  to  be  of  great  softness  and  elasticity.     The  same 
t^aterial  is  being  used  in  some  of  the  London  hospitals." 
^Lancet.  July,  1886. 

Heusia.^ — There  are  few  subjects  about  which  more  is 
fTmtten,  and  more  theorizing  indulged  in,  than  hernia  intea- 
I  tinalis.  New  trusses  and  new  methods  of  reduction  in  cases 
I  of  strangulation  are  found  in  nearly  every  issue  of  some 
I  of  our  journals.  It  is  safe  to  say  that  the  large  majority 
I  of  these  proposed  proceilures  are  the  outcome  of  "timid 
Ifiurgery,"  and  are  based  upon  very  inadeiiuate  clinical  evi- 
|4ence.     The  one  fact  of  paramount  interdst,  it  seems  to 

^,  is,  that  without  opening  the  hernial  sac,  and  seeing  {or   I 
Wfseling)    that  the  constricted  portion   has   been   entirely   I 
VTBduoed,  there  is  always  uncertainty  as  to  reduction.     I 
lliave  long  since  refused  any  treatment  for  strangulated  | 
ancient  hernia  other  than  operative,  for  the  double  reason  ] 
that  then  only  can  we  be  sure  that  the  hernia  is  reduced, 
and  that  the  operation  may  prove  a  radical  cure.     Another   ■ 
case  of  fatal  result  of  temporizing  treatment  is  given  in  a 
report  in   the   Tuly  LuncM,  of  a  patient  in   the  Oashel 
Union  Hospital  (Ireland),  in  which  the  hernia  was  aspi- 
rat-ed  and  supposed  to  be  "reduced  by  slight  pressurel" 
^L  The  next  day  the  hernia  reappeared,  herniotomy  was  maile, 
^B>but  the  patient  died,  having  bod  a  fecaj  fistula  from  the  . 


1886  Wmmds  of  Abdomen — Vesico-Vaginal  Fistula.    317 

aspiration.  The  fault  was  not  the  surgeon's,  as  the  patient 
refused  to  submit  to  an  operation  on  the  first  occasion.  It 
is  one  more  instance  of  the  folly  of  taking  our  patients 
into  our  consultation. 


Perforating  Wounds  op  the  Abdomen. — It  has  not 
been  many  years  since  it  was  a  universal  teaching  that  a 
perforating,  wound  of  the  abdomen,  with  visceral  complica- 
tion, was  certain  death.  In  fact  fche  gravity  of  such  a  leg- 
ion is  no  less  to-day,  but  the  method  of  treatment  gives 
vastly  different  results.  The  abdomen  is  now  opened, 
wound  of  intestines  and  viscera  sought  for  and  closed  with 
suture,  vessels  ligated,  and  the  cavity  cleansed  and  drained. 
Prof.  F.  S.  Denis,  of  New  York,  in  the  Philadelphia  Med- 
ical News,  gives  a  r6sum6  of  sixteen  cases,  in  some  of  them 
the  wounds  of  the  viscera  being  multiple,  in  which  perfect 
success  was  had.  The  Lancet  says,  by  way  of  comment: 
"It  is  interesting  to  note  that  the  late  Professor  Gross, 
when  writing  on  Wounds  of  the  Intestine  more  than  forty 
years  ago,  recommended  just  this  line  of  treatment.  He 
clearly  saw  the  only  direction  in  which  surgery  could  hope 
to  deal  successfully  with  such  cases.  Our  modern  im- 
proved methods  of  wound  treatment  have  rendered  the 
cgurse  of  action  then  advised  not  only  practicable,  but  suc- 
cessful." 


Vesico- Vaginal  Fistula;  Cured  in  a  Single  Opera- 
tion.— The  following  case  was  one  of  sufficient  interest  and 
importance  to  report.  Mrs.  W — ,  age  41.  June  29th,  1886. 
Nine  weeks  since  was  delivered  of  her  eighth  child,  still- 
born, after  a  tedious  labor.  Had  passages  of  urine  en- 
tirely through  the  vagina  after  the  second  day.  On  exam- 
ination a  large  fistula  was  discovered,  and  the  case  sent  to 
me.  The  fistula  was  midway  between  the  ostium  and  the 
anterior  cuUle-sac,  and  measured  (estimated)  one  inch  and 
a  quarter  in  diameter,  nearly  circular.  The  edges  were 
strongly  inverted  into  the  bladder.  Assisted  by  Dr.  Barth 
and  a  student,  the  edges  were  freshened,  five  silver  wire 
sutures  introduced,  and  the  parts  cleansed  with  Oalandula 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct. 


They  were  not  touched  or  examined  until  July  8. 

p  There  was  some  dribbling  of  urine  for  three  days,  the 
oatheter  being  used  for  that  time.  Afterwards  there  was 
no  urine  passed  through  the  vagina.  The  stitches  were  re- 
moved on  July  9,  and  the  fistula  found  firmly  united,  July 
23,  was  again  seen,  and  the  fistula  found  closed.  No  trou- 
ble of  any  kind.  No  remedies  were  given,  from  first  to 
last,  beyond  the  washing  with  Calendula  immediately  after 

r  tiie  operation. 

Nerve  Sctore  has  become  a  recognized  procedure,  not 
mly  in  the  immediate  treatment  of  wounds  involving  divis- 
ion of  important  nerves,  but  in  old  cases  where  innervation 
pifl  marked.     Mr.  HEtrrison  (Liverpool)  gives  an  interesting 
J  of  complete  paralysis  of  the  hand,  with  atrophy  of 
|>the   muscles,  due  to  division  of  the   median   and   ulnar 
I'  nerves,  the  ends  of  which  were  fount]  bulbous  and  included 
I  in  the  scar  tissue.     The  nerves  were  freed,  sutured,  and 
almost  perfect  recovery  was  secured   in   about  eighteen 
monthe.   The  case  was  one  of  over  a  year's  standing  { .-litn. 
0/  Surg.,  IV,  161).     Prof.  Gunn,  of  Chicago,  in  the  Med- 
ical News  of  May  8,  1886,  gives  a  very  remarkable  case,  in 
^^  Vhich  nerves  of  different  function  and  distribution  were 
^B>  Butured,  with  good  results.     The  ulnar  nerve  being  essest- 
^B^ed  in  an  operation  for  neuroma,  it  was  attacljed  to  the  me- 
^^Kdian.     "  Immediately  after  the  operation  there  was  com- 
^^^plete  paralysis  in  motion  and  sensation  iu  the  parts  supplied 
^^^>by  the  ulnar  nerve."     Three  months  afterwards,  with  grad- 
ual return  of  innervation  during  the  interval,  the  parts 
were  nearly  normal.   The  attempt  was  made  on  the  author- 
ity of  Rawa,  that  "(a)  the   central   nerve   apparatus  : 
inabled  to  innervate  organs  which  do  not  belong  to  it  t 
)on  as  those  organs  are  artificially  brought  in  conneotion  ] 
irrith  it." 


Spina  Bifida. — The  Annals  of  Surgery  (July,  1886,  p.   ' 
■^,)  ciuotes  an  interesting  case  reported  by  Dollenger  in  I 
Vw*^'-  Med.  Woch.,  1886,  No.  7.     The  case  was  as  follows: 
L  girl  of  five  yeara  of  age.    When  she  was  brought  to  him 


1886  The  Fate  of  Metallic  Sutures.  319 

last  November,  the  tense  translucent  swelling  had  a  cir- 
cumference of  36  ctm.  Bilateral  spastic  club-foot  con- 
tracture, incontinence  of  urine  and  feces.  D.  aspirated  and. 
found  that  emptying  the  sac  caused  no  nervous  symptoms, 
but  relieved  the  contracture  and  incontinence,  until  the  sac 
refilled.  He  then  concluded  to  operate.  He  slit  the  sac, 
the  inner  membrane  of  which  was  a  continuation  of  the 
spinal  dura.  Through  the  opening  several  thin  and  one 
short  (>  mm.  thick  nerves  passed  to  the  sac;  these  were  cut 
off  short.  The  dura  was  cut  away,  leaving  just  enough  to 
close  the  opening.  It  was  then  sewed  over  the  nerve 
stumps.  The  sutured  dura  was  next  freed  from  the  edges 
of  the  hole,  sinking  back  into  the  spinal  canal.  The  two 
lateral  rudiments  of  the  fifth  lumbar  spinous  process  were 
broken  over,  and  sutured  in  the  middle  line.  External 
sutures  closed  the  whole  in.  The  operation  was  well  borne. 
The  bones  immediately  united.  The  skin  cicatrized  after 
throwing  off  a  small  slough.  She  can  now  (February, 
1886,)  retain  100.0  to  150.0  urine;  the  spastic  foot  contract- 
ures have  not  returned,  and  she  is  running  around  all  day. 


The  Fate  of  Metallic  Sutures  is  a  question  that  has 
at  all  times  excited  more  or  less  discussion.  Some  contend 
that  they  may  be  left  in  cavities,  or  subcutaneous,  without 
damage;  others,  that  they  are  always  the  cause  for  trouble, 
more  or  less.  I  have  long  been  of  the  opinion  that  the 
effects  depend  more  on  the  location,  and  other  circum- 
stances, than  to  the  mere  suture.  Some  time  since,  a  su- 
ture was  overlooked  in  the  final  dressing  of  a  case  of  ves- 
ico-vaginal  fistula,  and  after  two  weeks  there  was  a  sb'ght 
dribbling  of  urine.  On  examination  the  suture  was  found, 
removed,  and  in  a  short  time  all  trouble  ceased.  The  rule 
would  seem  to  be,  that  where  much  tension  is  exerted  on 
the  suture  it  ceases  to  do  good,  after  the  primary  indica- 
tion is  met,  and  should  be  removed.  Apropos  to  this.  Dr. 
MacEwen  (Glasgow),  in  describing  an  operation  for  hernia, 
uses  the  following  language  {^Annals  of  Surgery,  IV,  103): 
"  As  long  as  it  maintains  tension  on  the  tissues,  the  wire 
being  itself  unyielding,  it  causes  ulceration  of  the  parts 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


I 


rpfessed  on.  This  ulcerative  process  will  continue  until 
the  wire  in  relation  to  the  tisaueB  has  reached  a  position  o£ 
rest  When  this  is  accomplished,  it  is  no  longer  an  active 
agent,  but  descends  to  the  condition  of  a  foreign  body 

Lwhieh  at  best  becomes  eneapsuled  in  the  tissues,  but  occasion- 
ally gives  rise  to  disturbance,  which  ends  in  its  elimination." 

Fbactdheb  is  Neighborhood  of  Joints,  from  various 
causes,  are  not  infrequently  followed  by  stiffness,  more  or 
less  permanent,  of  the  joint;  and  the  question  has  been 
long  in  debate,  whether  the  mode  of  treatment  can  in  any 
control  the  result.  Authorities  are  found  advising 
etrieally  opposite  treatment,  viz.,  passive  motion,  and 
mobility,  during  the  whole  progress  of  the  case.  The 
uestion  formed  the  subject  for  debate  at  the  New  York 
lurgical  Society's  meeting  in  March,  1886  {Ann.  of  Surg., 
IV,  130),  being  introduced  by  a  paper  from  Dr.  R.  J.  Hall, 
in  which  practical  immobility  of  the  joint  in  Colles'  frac- 
ture was  enjoined.  The  conclusion  reached  seems  to  have 
been,  thftt  the  mistake  is  in  attempting  to  formulate  iutles- 
ible  rules.  Immobility  is  no  doubt  demanded  when  the 
frsigments  are  iu  relation  to  muscles  that  are  put  into  ac- 
by  motion,  whether  passive  or  voluntary;  it  is  not 
necessary  when  opposite  conditions  obtain.  Thus,  in  Colles' 
fracture  there  are  no  muscular  attachments  of  any  impor- 
ioe,  the  tendons  gliding  over  the  parts  involved.  Move- 
d  of  the  frnpnienls  is  the  point  to  be  guarded  against; 
passive  motion  does  not  have  this  effect,  there  is  no 
^ubt  that  it  should  be  practiced.  The  iiointa  of  interest 
growing  out  of  this  study,  are  in  connection  with  questions 
ot  deformity,  and  anchylosis.  With  the  parts  completely 
reduced,  deformity  can  only  occur  by  disarranging  the 
fragments.  If  passive  motion  does  this,  it  must  be  avoided.  I 
Anchylosis  may  be  due  to  abnormal  production  of  callus,  j 
to  exudation,  fibrinous  in  character  (inflammatory),  or  to  ] 
simple  disease  of  the  muscle.  The  surgeon  mast,  there-  I 
fore,  have  a  clear  understanding  of  the  case  in  band,  and' j 
preserve  immobility,  or  practice  passive  motion,  as  one  or  | 
■fche  other  of  the  above  comlitions  would  demand. 


1886  Amputations,  321 

Amputations. — Surgeon-Major  W.  Gray,  Bombay,  India, 
has  a  readable  and  suggestive  article  in  the  Lancet  (June, 
1886,  p.  437)  on  the  antiseptic  treatment  of  wounds,  illus- 
trated by  an  account  of  forty-two  amputations,  mostly  of  the 
leg.  While  there  are  some  facts  of  interest  connected  with 
the  "antiseptic"  precautions  used,  yet  they  are  not  suffici- 
ently novel  to  attract  attention,  beyond  the  summing  up, 
which  is  so  much  in  the  line  of  my  own  convictions,  that  I 
quote:  "It  will  not  fail  to  be  noticed  how  much  larger  has 
been  the  proportion  of  successful  cases  in  the  last  half  of 
the  series,  as  compared  with  those  of  the  first,  and  this 
greater  success  appears  to  coincide  substantially  with  the  • 
disuse  of  the  water-proof  covering,  and  with  the  adoption 
of  drier  and  thicker  absorbent  dressing.  Accurate  adap- 
tation of  the  flaps  I  regard  as  of  great  importance.  I  now 
always  mark  them  out  with  a  scalpel,  in  order  to  insure 
evenly  cut  edges,  and  when  the  skin  has  retracted  they  are 
completely  transfixed  in  the  usual  way.  My  experience 
has  taught  me,  too,  that  antiseptic  applications  direct  to 
the  wound  are  in  many  co^es  unnecessary  ( ! !).  I  allude 
especially  to  those  cases  where  the  tissues  are  perfectly 
healthy.  Still  they  do  no  harm  ( ?),  and  by  way  of  making 
"assurance  doubly  sure,"  may  be  employed  in  every  in- 
stance. All  I  mean  to  convey,  however,  is  that  we  can  in 
a  certain  class  of  cases  obtain  as  good  results  without  as 
with  them,  provided  we  attend  carefully  to  other  precau- 
tions. I  never,  under  any  circumstances,  use  the  spray. 
Moisture  in  any  shape  or  form  I  look  upon  as  one  of  the 
most  fertile  sources  of  failure.  Our  whole  eflForts  should 
be  directed  to  preserving  both  the  wound  and  the  dressing 
in  the  driest  condition  possible.  The  essentials,  then,  of 
my  present  procedure  are  cleanliness,  infrequent  dry 
dressings,  free  drainage,  accurate  adaptation  of  flaps,  and 
rest."  The  italics  are  mine,  used  to  emphasize  what  I  con- 
sider to  be  a  fact,  that  if  a  thing  is  not  useful,  it  must  be 
hurtful.  The  summary  is  admirable,  but  fails,  in  my  opin- 
ion, to  give  sufficient  credit  to  the  flap  operation  in  general, 
and  the  particular  method  the  writer  practices.    I  have 

never  employed  the  circular  method,  because  it  was  prac- 

u 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oot 


i 
i 


I' 


tically  impossible  to  bring  the  rear  surfaces  in  apposition 
■at  all  points,  and  thus  "pockets"  and  cavities  were  nnavoid- 
able,  Tlie  smooth  surfaces  made  by  a  flap  operation  are 
admirable  as  facilitating  repair,  and  form  abundant  cover- 
ing to  the  end  of  the  bone;  the  writer's  practice  of  mark- 
ing out  the  flaps  with  a  scalpel,  and  not  completing  their 
formation  until  the  skin  Las  retracted,  ia,  I  believe,  very 
largely  reHponsible  for  his  good  results.  When  he  speaks 
of  "  rest,"  it  is  presumed  that  position  is  likewise  inclnded. 
I  place  this  near  the  top  of  the  list  of  essentials,  as  a  posi- 
tion that  relaxes  the  muscles  fully  must  be  the  most  rest- 
'ul,  and  at  the  same  time  will  have  the  effect  to  present 
aconical  stump.  I  have  thought,  from  two  unfortunate  ex- 
periences, tbat  ft  conical  stump  is  oEtener  due  to  muscular 
contraction  before  adhesions  have  formed  with  the  bone. 
In  each  case  the  conical  appearances  were  evident  nt  an 
early  period.  Ah  a  Homceopath,  I  could  add  to  the  list  of 
essentials  the  use  of  Hypericum  to  prevent  pain,  and  Cal- 
endula to  promote  repair. 


The  editor  of  this  department  must  again  request  the 
'oo-operation  of   those  interested  in  surgery,  as  it  must 
iriously  impair*  the  attractiveness  of  his  department  if  it 
ntinues  to  be  filled  by  a  single  contributor.       J,  G.  G. 


Intermittent  v3.  Quinine. ^My  predecessor,  Dr.  Fin- 
\r.  assured  me  some  years  ago  that  were  I  practicing  in 
Port  Huron,  Mich.,  I  would  find  Quinine  indispensible. 
Well !  I  have  been  here  sixteen  months  and  so  far  from  ^ 
finding  it  a  necessity  I  have  given  it  but  twice — onc« 
the  potency  homceopathically — and  in  neither  case  did  it  | 
of  benefit.     I  have  had  but  very  litt'e  trouble  in  i 
luring  my  cases  of  "  chills "  with  the  indicated  remedy,  1 
'which  has  generally  been  Arnica,  Arsenic,  Ipecac,  Natrutn  | 
Inur.,  Nux  vomica,  etc,,  and  in  two  cases  Elaterium,  accord-  1 
ing  to  indications  given  in  your  book,  which  I  regard  as  I 
invaluable.  A.  F.  Eandall. 


1886  Pasteur's  Cure.  323 

CORRESPONDENCE. 


OUR  FOREIGN  LETTER. 


PASTEUR'S  CURE. 


The  vacation  of  medical  men  will  soon  become  unbear- 
able if  the  public  are  permitted  to  pursue  them  wherever 
they  go  with  the  perpetual  question;  What  do  you  think  of 
Pasteur's  cure  for  Hydrophobia?  Time  and  temper  would 
be  saved  by  carrying  about  a  stereotyped  reply  and  pro- 
ducing it  every  time  the  topic  is  mooted.  An  altitude  of 
3,000  feet — the  height  of  this  place  above  the  sea — is  no 
protection  against  this  species  of  persecution.  At  present 
a  furious  correspondence  is  raging  in  the  columns  of  the 
Times  conducted  without  much  moderation  by  Mr.  Vincent 
Richards,  the  well  known  veterinary  and  Miss  Anna  Kings- 
ford,  a  London  lady  doctor,  who  displayed  more  animua 
than  knowledge  on  the  subject.  Her  triumphant  statement 
that  the  rabbits  operated  on  by  Pasteur  died  of  some  other 
complaint  than  hydrophobia,  would  not  have  been  made> 
had  she  known  that  M.  Pasteur  had  long  ago  set  that, 
question  at  rest  by  inoculating  dogs  with  tissue  taken^ 
from  the  said  rabbits,  a  proceeding  resulting  in  the  death 
of  the  dog  with  all  the  symptoms  of  hydrophobia.  But  as 
a  matter  of  fact  the  question  of  the  efficacy  of  M.  Pasteur's 
inoculations  is  insoluble  with  the  data  we  as  yet  possess. 
Statistics  and  details  must  be  less  relied  upon  than  the 
mere  lapse  of  time.  Tf  asked  personally  whether  I  believe 
in  M.  Pasteur's  treatment,  I  should  be  obliged  to  answer 
in  the  affirmative,  but  my  opinion  being  merely  founded  on 
general  considerations,  it  can  have  but  little  weight.  For 
many  years  I  have  followed  M.  Pasteur's  career  as  dis- 
closed in  the  pages  of  tne  Compies  Rendus,  with  the  great- 
est interest.  It  seemed  to  me  that  he  was  one  of  the  few 
scientific  men  who  availed  themselves  not  only  of  the 
inductive  method  of  Bacon  but  also  of  the  deductive  meth^ 
od  of  Mill.  Of  what  use  is  the  accumulation  of  a  vast 
array  of  facts  if  no  inference  is  to  be  drawn  from  them? 
On  the  other  hand,  given  the  accuracy  of  the  great  Hahne^ 


era 


The  ATf-rficai  Advance.  Oct. 

^xaABTiian  diecoveries  and  of  Jenner's  vaccination  methods, 
vbat  more  logical  than,  prophylaxis  per  similia.  M.  Pas- 
teur's first  attempts  were  with  a  complaint  very  fatal  to 
■"■fowls  called  chicken  oliolera.  He  found  that  the  virus  of 
Ithis  complaint  would  be  modified  by  successive  inoculations 
;«nd  that  if  they  injected  it,  it  conferred  protection.  His 
iiext  advance  was  to  proceed  in  the  same  way  with  the  poi- 
:80n  of  malignant  pustule,  carbuncle  or  charbon,  a  complaint 
widely  prevalent  among  French  cattle  and  sheep  and  invar- 
;iably  fatal.  This  experiment  also  was  crowned  with  suc- 
eess — BO  much  so  that  the  government  made  liiin  large 
jpecuniary  grants  and  thousands  of  cattle  were  brought  by 
the  farmers  for  inoculation  with  the  result  that  tlie  disease 
.IB  now  almost  extirpated. 

Bearing  tlie  ab()ve  undoubted  facta  in  mind,  irf  it  not,  I 
nay  aek,  exceedingly  probable,  that  a  similar  method 
should  succeed  in  the  case  of  hydrophobia?  It  may  be 
remarked  that  it  is  fortunate  tor  the  world  at  large  and  for 
thoae  unlucky  enough  to  be  bitten  by  mad  doge  in  partiou- 
[ilar,  that  Pasteur  happens  not  to  be  a  medical  man,  but  a 
■Mientific  chemist.  Had  he  been  the  former,  the  long  arm 
of  persecution  would  have  reached  him  as  it  did  Harvey, 
Jenner  and  Hahnemann  and  perhaps  his  discoveries  wotild" 
only  liave  been  recognized  fifty  years  after  his  death,  too 
late  for  the  salvation  of  the  numerous  victims  of  the  epi- 
demic now  raging  throughout  Europe. 

Aiiropos  of  epidemics,  the  travelling  public  should  be 
cautious  how  they  visit  Italy,  this  autumn.  Cholera  is 
increasing  in  Venice,  Verona,  Padua,  etc.,  and  where  chol- 
era is,  there  also  will  be  found  a  worse  scourge  ae 
regards  travellers,  viz.,  quarantine..  Two  years  ago  I  was 
.fortunate  enough  to  witness  the  Italian  method  of  car- 
iTing  out  these  arrangementa  and  never  wish  to  do  so  any 
more.  Sick  and  healthy  are  huddled  together  in  tents 
around  which  a  cordon  of  sentinels  is  drawn  and  food  is 
only  obtained  by  indirect  means^the  peasants  deposit  it 
some  yards  from  the  boundary  and  the  prisoners  have  to 
gather  it  off  the  ground  for  themselves.     Any  means  more 


1886  Pasteur's  Cure.  325 

calculated  to  foster  and  spread  the  disease  it  would  be  dif- 
ficult to  conceive. 


I  am  giving  you  an  extract  from  an  allopathic  periodical 
called  ''The  Medical  Press  and  Circular"  not  because  the 
facts  it  contains  are  unknown  to  you,  but  because  it  is 
pleasant  to  think  that  the  old  school  must  be  aware  of  them 
also.  Another  remarkable  fact  is  that  an  allopathic  jour- 
nal should  actually  contain  fourteen  lines  of  print  concern- 
ing Homoeopathy  with  only  one  sneer. 

**The  International  Homoeopathic  Convention  of  1886, 
was  held  last  week  at  Basle,  and  about  40  physicians,  includ- 
ing representatives  from  European  countries,  were  present 
The  subjects  discussed  were  the  present  position  of  Hom- 
oeopathy as  contrasted  with  that  of  the  last  quinquennial 
convention  .According  to  the  reportsHom  ceopathy  is  flourish- 
ing more  or  less  (especially  less)  in  every  country,  but  its 
progress  in  the  Old  World  is  as  nothing  compared  with  that 
which  it  has  made  in  the  New.  The  United  States  now  con- 
tains upwards  of  10,000  practitioners,  14  medical  colleges 
with  about  1,000  fresh  matriculants,  400  graduates 
annually;  51  hospitals  with  4,000  beds;  3  insane  asylumns, 
48  dispensaries,  143  societies,  22  journals  and  33  pharma- 
cies all  devoted  to  Homoeopathy." 

Unless  the  phrase  'according  to  the  reports'  is  meant  to 
imply  that  Homoeopathists  are  necessarily  liaTS,"especially 
less''  is  actually  the  only  sneer. 

More  amusing  is  the  ingenuousness  of  "old  true  blue" 
who  writes  to  the  Lancet  "What  is  Homoeopathy?''  As 
well  might  the  enquirer  address  himself  to  the  Pope  con- 
cerning the  tenets  of  Martin  Luther.  The  Lancet  of 
course,  is  not  above  answering  the  question  in  a  manner 
which  I  hope  will  satisfy  "Old  True  Blue."  Sic  Lancet 
lofiuitur: 

"1.  Dr.  Kidd,  the  most  popular  leader  of  Homoeopathy, 
says  there  are  two  principles,  similia  similibus  and  con- 
traria  contrariis  curantur. 

2.  There  is  no  homoeopathic  licensing  body  in  England. 

3.  Homoeopathy  is  a  fad  and  a  fallacy. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct. 


H    homi 

^■jJSBCl 

W  "' 


4.  The  medical  profession  does  not  consider  it  honorable 
■lor  a  member  holding  a  degree  from  a  Biitish  university, 
to  practice  Homoeopathy;  but  the  law  particularly  forbids 
any  examining  body  or  other  medical  authority  to  refuse 
its  (niftlifi cations  to  any  gentleman  on  the  mere  ground  of 
his  holding  peculiar  or  osclasive  theories  of  medical  prac- 
tice." 

This  is  the  peculiar  mixture  of  falsehood  and  truth 
which  has  proved  more  effective  because  more  insidious 
than  the  old  sledge  hammer  style  of  abuse.  Who,  I  should 
like  to  know  ever  heard  of  Kidd  as  a  popular  leader  of 
Homteopathy,  or  indeed  as  anything  else  but  a  successful 
though  amphibious  practitioner?  To  the  statement  that 
the  medical  profession  does  not  esteem  it  honorable  to 
practice  Homceopatby,  a  rider  might  be  added  that  the 
homcBopatbic  profession  does  not  think  it  honorable  to 
itice  Allopathy. 

Apropos  of  the  Lancfil,  you  no  doubt  have  heard  that  its 
editor  and  proprietor,  G.  Wakeley,  M.  D.,  has  just  died. 
After  reading  the  obituary  article  contained  in  this  weeks' 
edition  of  the  Lancet,  I  almost  felt  as  if  the  terrible  earth- 
quakes were  hardly  a  coincitlence.  De  mortuia  nil  nisi 
bonnn  is  no  doubt  an  excellent  maxim,  but  there  is  u  differ- 
ance  between  moderate  praise  and  the  extravagant  lauda- 
tion in  which  his  own  staff  seem  to  think  it  neoesaary  to 

idulge. 

No  doubt  he  has  been  eminently  succeseful,  as  we  should 

!pect  of  a  man  who  kept  his  eye  constantly  fixed  on  the 
Scbsoriber,  and  even  on  the  public.  What,  we  may  aak,  b«- 
of  professional  secrecy  when  the  minutest  details 
OODcerning  the  last  illness  of  any  one  of  the  least  notoriety 
i-flre  published  by  a  journal,  which,  though  ostensibly  for  the 
Vdsding  of  medical  men  alone,  is  to  lie  seen  in  the  reading 
room  of  any  club  in  the  kingdom.  What  the  Lancet 
terms  its  "  commanding  position,"  is  largely  due  to  the  per- 
sistency with  which  it  has  pandered  to  the  vulgar  curiosity 
of  the  public.  His  impnrtialty  and  breadth  of  view  like- 
wise came  in  tor  much  undeserved  praise.     His  mode  of  '. 

irrying  into  practice   the  self-selected  motto  of   "midi  ] 


1886  Glanoinum.  327 

alteram  partem,''  which  heads  the  Lancet,  is  sufficiently  no- 
torious. It  consisted  in  publishing  every  letter  or  article 
adverse  to  Homoeopathy,  and  steadfastly  refusing  to  insert 
their  refutation.  Alfred  E.  Drysdale. 


■<•» 


Editor  Advance: — Please  explain,  if  you  can,  how  you 
reconcile  the  tenor  of  the  articles  "A  Specimen  Brick"  in 
your  July  issue,  and  "That  Specimen  Brick"  in  your  Sep- 
tember issue,  with  the  insertion  of  such  advertisements  as 
those  of  "Peacock's  Bromides,"  "Bromidia,"  "Tissue Phos- 
phates," etc.? 

Is  the  composition  of  any  of  the  above  any  less  "  shot- 
gun "  in  its  character,  or  the  principles  of  their  administra- 
tion to  the  sick  any  less  allopathic  than  those  of  "Dover's 
Powder?" 

If  it  was  wrong  for  Dr.  Arndt  as  a  teacher  of  "the  divine 
art  of  healing"  to  put  the  question  named  in  your  first  ar- 
ticle to  a  class  of  medical  students,  is  it  not  a  greater  wrong 
for  a  journal  which  poses  as  "an  advocate  of  homoeopathic 
medicine" — and  whose  circulation  is  many  times  that  of 
Dr.  Arndt's  class — to  endorse,  by  publishing  the  advertise- 
ments, the  use  of  such  evidently  allopathic  medication?  It 

looks  no  better  in  a  medical  journal  than  in  a  college  pro- 
fessor for  the  "pot  to  call  the  kettle  black."  I  am  not  en- 
deavoring to  shield  Dr.  Arndt  from  your  criticism,  but  I 
am  entering  my  protect  at  this  mixing  of  two  opposites. 
We  cannot  carry  the  doctrines  of  Hahnemann  to  their  right- 
ful position  at  the  very  top,  if  we  load  them  and  ourselves 
with  allopathic  prescriptions.  S.  P.  Tracy,  M.  D. 

Saalt  Ste  Marie,  Mich. 


-<♦»- 


Glonoinum:  Epistuxis. — A  strong,  active  young  man, 
not.  20,  at  work  in  the  harvest  field  during  the  very  hot 
days  in  July,  1886,  had  for  five  consecutive  days,  from  three 
to  live  severe  attacks  of  epistaxis  each  day,  until  he  be- 
came very  weak  and  exhausted.  As  soon  as  he  went  into 
the  hot  sun,  the  face  would  become  flushed,  hot,  red;  head 
felt  full,  large,  swollen,  congested,  as  if  it  would  burst; 
sensation  as  if  all  the  blood  in  the  body  had  been  pumped 
into  the  neck,  throat,  face,  head.  Violent  throbbing  of 
head  and  face;  aggravated  by  every  step,  jar,  or  even  the 
pulse  beat;  relieved  in  open  air,  and  by  sleep. 

Glonoinum  80  promptly  cured. 


328  The  Medical  Advance.  Oci 

COMMENT  AND  CRITICIS^r. 


CURABILITY  OF  CANCER. 


p.  P.  WELLS.  M.  D. 


^'First  be  sure  you  are  righV — Davy  Crockett. 

Under  the  head  of  Surgery,  and  on  page  249  of  the  Ad- 
vance for  September,  1886,  is  the  beginning  of  a  paragraph 
which  is  headed,  " The  Surgical  Treatment  oj  Cancer''  It 
is  taken  from  the  Minnesota  Medical  Monthly,  and  was 
written  by  Dr.  J.  A.  Steele.  Why  it  was  copied  by  the 
Advance  is  not  quite  apparent.  Certainly  not  because 
there  is  aught  in  it  of  instruction  to  homoeopathic  readers 
as  to  the  homoeopathic  treatment  of  cancer,  or  ought  of 
any  treatment  of  this  which  the  history  of  the  centuries 
has  not  continuously  stamped  with  the  judgment  of  im- 
becility and  failure.  Of  the  writer  of  this  paragraph  we 
have  no  knowledge.  The  paragraph  itself  bears  so  many 
"  ear  marks  "  of  allopathic  origin,  and  its  conclusions  as  to 
treatment  are  so  wholly  given  to  approval  of  the  only 
means  this  school  knows,  or  recognizes,  when  before  the 
problem  of  dealing  with  cancer,  that  there  could  be  no 
doubt  on  this  head  were  it  not  that  some  who  are  called 
Homoeopathists  write  and  act  so  like  old  school  physic,  that 
mere  human  vision  can  see  no  difference  between  the  one 
and  the  other.  Even  teachers  have  been  found  in  so-called 
homoeopathic  colleges  who  have  begun  their  endeavors  to 
find  out  the  fitness  of  their  pupils  to  graduate  as  doctors  of 
homoeopathic  medicine  by  enquiries  as  to  their  knowledge 
of  the  "  constituents  of  Dover's  powder — its  proper  dose, 
etc,"  as  though  a  homoeopathic  graduate  had  any  use  for 
this  knowledge  or  for  the  powder  it  contemplated  !  This 
being  true  of  the  teacher  it  is  not  strange  that  his  pupils 
should  in  their  practice  and  opinions  differ  little  or  noth- 
ing from  out  and  out  old  physic.  And  when  the  writer  of 
this  paragraph,  copied  into  the  Advance,  says  : 

"  I  now  feel  that  the  doctrine  of  purely  local  disturbance 
in  the  early  stage  of  carcinoma  is   abundantly  true  and 


1886  Curability  of  Cancer.  329 

demonstrable.  *  *  *  Remedies  may  cure  a  carcinoma; 
there  is  too  much  evidence  to  attempt  a  denial.  Neverthe- 
less he  is  unwise  and  doing  his  patient  an  injustice  who 
attempts  to  treat  a  case  in  that  way.  *  *  *  If  it  can 
be  cured  at  all,  it  is  in  thft  early  stage,  when  the  trouble  is 
purely  localized*  and  the  knife  is  ihe  only  remedy,  and  it 
rarely  fails!"  It  is  impossible  to  tell  whether  he  is  old 
school,  pure  and  simple,  or  a  Homoeopathist  who  has  passed 
to  his  graduation  on  the  strength  of  his  knowledge  of 
Dover's  powder!  His  acknowledgement  of  a  possible  cure 
by  remedies  gives  a  kind  of  suspicion  that  he  may  be  one 
of  this  kind,  and  then  his  preference  for  the  knife  (the 
only  old  school  resort)  is  no  bar  to  this  supposition,  for  it 
is  from  the  same  armamentarium  as  the  Dover's  powder. 
That  he  can  admit  that  "  remedies  may  cure,"  and  in  the 
same  paragraph  declare  "  the  knife  is  the  only  remedy,"  is 
perhaps  an  outcome  of  the  Dover's  powder  teaching,  which 
is  so  likely  to  impress  pupils  with  a  sense  of  the  superiority 
of  the  means  of  old  physic.  It  may  indicate  the  mixture 
of  practical  notions  so  commonly  found  in  these  quasi 
Homoeopathists,  while  it  demonstrates  their  usual  lack  of 
knowledge  of  principles  and  logic. 

He  declares  cancer,  "  in  its  early  stage,"  to  be  "  a  purely 
local  disturbance,"  which  savors  of  both  of  old  physic  and 
Dover's  ix)wder  Homoeopathy.  It  indicates  in  the  writer  a 
kind  of  Micawber  etiology — an  etiology  which  looks  for 
"  something  to  turn  up  "  from  no  cause  whatever,  perhaps 
a  cancer.  It  has  inade  if  self  This  certainly  is  an  etiology 
on  a  par  with  the  notion  of  the  homoeopathic  Materia 
Medica,  which  deems  a  knowledge  of  it  guaged  by  the  pu- 
pil's knowledge  of  the  constituents,  dose,  etc.,  of  Dover's 
powder.  It  is  some  comfort  to  find  this  in  the  Advance, 
because  of  our  faith  in  the  fact  that  its  readers  have  al- 
ready been  taught  by  it  a  better  etiology.  They  know,  and 
therefore  need  not  be  again  reminded  that  the  incipient 
deposit  of  the  carcinomatous  matter  into  whatever  tissue, 
is  thai  of  a  product  of  a  general   cause  acting  on  the 


Italics  ours. 


po' 

■'  ' 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct. 

functiou  of  DTitrition,  and  so  acting  on  it,  and  bo  to  modify 
this  fiiu<ition.  that  cancerous  matter  is  evolved,  the  deposit  of 
which  into  the  particular  tissue  or  organ  where  it  is  found, 
rather  than  into  any  other,  is  determined  by  other  general 
janses,  and  both  theee  and  that  which  has  impressed  the 
kower  which  executes  thp  living  functions  of  the  body,  so 

K^ibat  the  destrnctive  deposit  has  resulted,  are  beyond  the 

KMach  of  the  surgeon's  knife,  which  the  writer  says  is  "  the 
remedy,"  though  be  has  previously  stated  "  remedies 

"may  cure,"  and  that  "  there  is  too  much  eridence  "  of  this 
"to  attempt  a  denial."  He  has  certaiuly  so  mixed  up 
things  in  his  paragraph  as  to  certify  to  his  mental  and 
scientific  state  before  the  problem  he  attempted  to  discuss. 
Of  these  he  has  left  no  doubt.  And  these  are  of  such  a 
character  as  to  make  the  question  his  old  school  or  Dover's 
powder  homoeopathic  belonging  of  no  consequence  what- 
ever. 

And  then  what  can  have  been  his  opportunity  for  ob- 

I  serving  the  history  and  progress  of  cancer  which  left  him 
to  say  the  knife  "  rarely  fails  !  "  Our  own,  extending  over 
a  period  of  more  than  half  a  centnry,  has  taught  us  just 
the  opposite  of  this — that  it  rarely  succeeds.  How,  in- 
deed, could  it  have  been  otherwise,  when  any  amount  of 
skillful  cutting  out  or  oS  must  have  left  the  originating  . 
cause  behind,  to  renew  its  malevolence  in  the  same  locality 
or  another  ?  And  our  observation  justifies  the  statement, 
that  reappearances  of  cancer,  after  excision,  are  mora 
virulent  than  original  deposits. 

Why,  when  admitting  cancer  could  be  cured  by  "reme- 
dies," did  he  not  give  to  his  readers  the  philosophy  of 
cure,  and  show  them  that  cancer,  before  this  philosophy,  IB 
just  like  any  other  disease  It  is  only  to  find  its  specific 
remedy,  not  for  cunccr,  but  for  the  group  of  sick  pheuom- 
eua  which  accompany  it,  and  the  curing  results  will  far 
transcend  those  following  the  use  of  the  knife,  however 
skillfully  this  may  have  been  handled.  The  reason  of  this 
is  the  specific  remedy,  (not  for  cancer)  but  for  the  phe- 

Iiiomena  of  the  case,  can  and  will  go  beyond  the  material 
ileposite  of  the  case,  which  alone  is  amenable  to  the  knife, 


1886  Curability  of  Syphilis.  331 

and  reach  and  remove  the  immaterial  cause  which  has  pro- 
duced ii  So  treated,  and  the  case  so  cured,  and  there  are 
no  returns  to  plague  the  doctor  and  destroy  his  patient. 
We  ask  again,  why  did  not  this  writer  give  this  philosophy 
to  his  readers  ?  As  we  cannot  decide  from  his  paper 
whether  he  is  old  physic  or  of  Dover's  powder  Homoeo- 
pathy, we  cannot  tell.  If  he  were  of  old  physic,  he  did 
not  know.     If  of  the  powder  variety  of  Homoeopaths,  the 

case  is  no  better. 

.  ^>»  . 

ON  THE  CURABILITY  OF  SYPHILIS. 


JOHN  HALL,  M.  D.,  Toronto. 


On  reading  in  the  Medical  Advance,  page  247  of  vol- 
ume XVIL,  on  "  the  incurability  of  syphilis,"  "  that  disease 
being  as  still  sub  judice,  that  both  Hahnemann  and 
Dunham  in  speaking  of  syphilis  were  not  speaking  of 
syphilis  at  all  ;  that  the  primary  ulcer  is  not  syphilis,  and 
its  continuance  or  disappearance  promises  nothing  as  to 
the  cure  of  that  disease."  All  which  agrees  perfectly  with 
that  saying  of  Ricord  to  his  class  that  "  he  would  not  have 
the  smallest  chancre  on  his  penis  for  the  largest  fortune 
which  could  tempt  him."  It  being  thereby  self-evident 
that  Eicol-d  had  doubts  of  the  curability  of  such  a  malady> 
that  wherever  a  hard  or  Hunterian  chancre  had  fallen 
upon  that  organ  there  must  follow  in  time  secondary 
symptoms  more  or  less,  as  their  natural  consequence. 

Now  I  merely  wish  to  say  in  a  short  answer  to  the  article 
alluded  to,  that  both  Hahnemann  and  Dunham  knew  what 
they  were  talking  about  when  they  spoke  of  syphilis  ;  that 
the  primary  chancre  if  true,  will  as  truly  induce  the  true 
secondary  or  constitutional  symptoms  as  that  it  exists,  but 
while  these  can  only  be  known  by  time,  I  hold  that  where 
the  primary  disease  has  been  treated  homoeopathically — not 
meddled  with  by  any  external  means — until  the  said  chancre 
disappears,  no  secondary  symptoms  will  follow,  but  the  pa- 
tient is  free  from  syphilis  forever,  which  none  of  Kicord's 
followers  knew,  and  hence  their  fear  of  primary  infection. 

An  experience  of  thirty  years  justifies   the  writer  in 


The  Medical  Advwux. 


Ool. 


making  the  above  assertion  and  a  desire  on  liia  part  to  res- 
cue the  memory  of  Hahnemann  and  Dunham  from  the  im- 
putation which  has  been  cast  upon  thorn,  that  "  they  did  not 
know  what  they  were  treating."  The  former  says,  that  no 
disease  is  so  readily  cured  as  primary  syphilis,  and  that 
statement  is  true;  but  it  is  not  every  cue  who  will  take  the 
aeoessary  pains  to  prescribe  correctly  at  first,  and  then  wait 
'beu  he  has  done  so.  But  as  the  primary  chancre  is  hard- 
ly developed  until  two  or  three  weeks  have  elapsed  a£tsr 
exposure,  is  it  a  strange  conclusion  that  the  mediciue  used 
to  control  it  should  also  have  two  or  three  weeks  to  develop 
itB  virtues  without  repetition.  But  such  is  the  doctrine 
taught  by  Hahnemann,  is  little  understood  or  followed  by 
bis  proposed  disciples,  and  hence  their  signal  want  of  suc- 
oees.  I  therefore  maintain  with  these  great  men,  that  this 
terrible  disease  is  as  curable  as  one  could  wish,  and  by 
oorability  I  simply  mean  what  the  Master  taught — ^when 
cured  it  never  recurs. 

As  to  secondary  symptoms  which  only  occur  where  the 
primary  has  not  been  eureil,  but  treated  by  false  means, 
and  so  driven  off  or  in  for  awhile — for  return  they  surely 
will  after  a  time,  and  make  severe  reprisals  for  former 
abortive  treatment — when  such  come  on  as  I  know  is  too 
often  the  case,  they  will  require  all  the  skill  which  the 
Homoeopath  possesses  to  get  out  of  the  system,  saying  noth- 
ing about  the  tertiary,  which  are  often  beyond  our  best 


■'  ELECTRO-THERAPEUTICS." 

I..  BARNES.  M,  D..  DeUwBre.  O. 

I  cannot  refrain  from  a  word  or  two  upon  an  article 
Rjtoder  the  above  heading  in  the  May  Advance.     A  new 
f:6lectrical  current,  called  "neutral,"  with  comparative  effects, 
B  here  brought  to  view.     It  is  defined  as  consisting  "<rf| 
mch  rapid  alternation  of  negative  and  positive  polarizatioii  I 
^at  an  intermediate  effect  is  produced,  a  current  neithw  ] 
nusing  decided  tonicity  nor  decided  laxity  of  tissue." 
And  yet,  in  the  table  given,  we  find  that  this  neittral  cur-'; 


1886  Electro-Therapeutics.  .  333 

rent  has  both  a  x)ositiye  and  negative  pole.  Also,  that  this 
current  of  no  "decided  tonicity,"  under  the  head  of  "ner- 
vous stimulation  or  tonicity,"  is  marked  10,  highest  number 
in  the  scale,  and  that  this  effect  results  from  either  pole. 

We  also  see  in  the  table  that  the  positive  pole  of  a  com- 
mon primary  current  is  more  depressing  than  all  other 
currents,  being  marked  10,  when  yet  years  of  experience 
have  taught  me  that  no  form  of  electricity  is  more  potent 
in  the  stimulation  and  production  of  fiber  contraction. 
More  might  be  said  in  regard  to  the  table,  but  I  desire  to 
give  specimens  only. 

Finally,  does  rapid  alternation  make  a  neutral  current, 
or  anything  like  it?  Perhaps  nothing  can  be  more  decid- 
edly positive  than  a  discharge  from  a  Leyden  jar — nothing 
farther  from  neutrality.  What  is  the  nature  of  that? 
Whoever  will  turn  to  Ganot's  Physics,  No.  736,  may  read 
that  by  observations  on  the  image  of  the  spark  in  a  rotating 
mirror,  "the  discharge  consists  of  a  series  of  oscillating 
currents,  alternately  in  opposite  directions."  Can  Dr. 
Hicks's  or  any  other  machine  produce  more  rapid  alterna- 
tions than  this?  And  if  it  could,  would  the  current  in  any 
sense  be  neutral? 


Editor  Advance: — The  above  criticism  places  me  in  a 
somewhat  peculiar  not  to  say  embarrassing  position.  Al- 
though I  was  credited  with  the  authorship  of  the  article  in 
The  Advance  for  May,  I  absolutely  knew  nothing  about  it 
except  that  it  was  a  garbled  abstract  taken  from  one  of  Dr. 
T.  H.  Hick's  catalogues  on  ^^Electro-Medical  and  Surgical 
Apparatus,''  However,  now  that  I  have  become  an  inter- 
ested party  I  will  make  an  effort  to  clear  up  part  of  Dr. 
Barnes'  letter. 

The  "neutral"  current  referred  to  is  not  a  straight  cur- 
rent converted  into  such  by  rapidly  interrupting  it,  as  was 
stated.  This  was  a  mistake  on  the  part  of  the  person  mak- 
ing the  abstract. 

The  direction  of  the  neutral  current  is  to  and  fro;  but  its 
effects  are  neutral  inasmuch  as  the  alternate  direction  pre- 
vents either  a  marked  positive  or  negative  action.    With- 


Tke  Medical  Advance.  Oct 

FOat  attempting  to  discuss  the  meaning  of  the  words  nega- 
tive and  posiiive  in  the  table,  which  really  mean  the  ilirec- 
iion  o£  the  current  and  not  two  distinct  forms  of  electri- 
city, we  will  quote  from  Dr.  Hick's  article  on  "  Eleclro- 
^Thtirapeidics  "  as  to  the  effects  varied  by  "  alow  and  "  rapid  " 
interruptions.  . 

"  When  a  galvanic  current  is  sent  through  a  properly 
constructed  coil,  and  interrupted,  it  is  converted  into  prim- 
ary and  secondary  currents,  which  are  capable  of  producing 
a  greater  variety  of  results  than  could  be  obtained  from  the 
galvanic  alone.     The  "quantity  "  in  such  induced  currents 
cannot  exceed  that  o£  the  galvanic  used  to  produce  them, 
but  the  "electro- motive"  force  can  be  unlimited,  and  the 
proportions  of  "tension"  and  "quantity"  can  thereby  be 
varied  to  suit  any  case.     Simultaneously  with  every  inter- 
ruptiou  (or  break  in  the  circuit)  there  is  an  andulatory 
current  given  off  from  the  primary  and  secondary  coils. 
The  number  of  such  pulsating  cuiTents,  therefore,  deiiends 
upon  the  number  of  times  the  circuit  is  broken  and  closed, 
WlieD  each  interrupted  currents  are  applied  to  a  muscle 
alternate  contractions  and  relaxations  occur.     The  muscu- 
I  iar  contraction  is  proportional  to  the  electro-motive  force 
tof  the  current,  and  such  a  contraction  takes  place  as  often 
B  the  circuit  is  broken;  and  a  muscular  relaxation  occurs 
I'  when  the  current  ceases  to  flow  through  tha  muscle,     The 
f'function  of   a  muscle  is  contraction  and  relaxation  and 
I  irhen  we  send  interrupted  currents  through  a  muscle  y^ 
force  functional  activity.     The  lasting  effects  of  such  mua-  ] 
oular  activity  depends  upon  the  direction  in  which  the  cur- 
rent is  sent   and   the  number   of   induced  currents  sent  J 
through  it.     A  relaxed  and  depressed   conihtion   of  the  i 

»  muscular  system  follows  an  application  when  either  the  i 
terruptions  are  too  rapid  or  the  current  is  sent  in  the  wrong  I 
direction.  The  undulations  of  electricity  should  not  l>e  sent  j 
so  rapidly  that  a  muscle  cannot  get  time  to  distinctly  c 
ti-act  and  relax  every  time  a  pulsation  passes  through  iL  I 
We  obtain  the  best  results  when  not  more  than  eight  hun-  J 

Idred  undnlatoi-y  currents  are  sent  through  a  muscle  in  a 
Biinnte.     But  in  paralysis  we  should  not  send  more  than  I 


T 
u 


1886  ElectrO'Therapeutics.  335 

from  two  to  four  hundred  currents  in  a  minute.  The  or- 
dinary vibrator  used  in  Faradaic  batteries  gives  oflp  from 
ten  to  fifteen  thousand  currents  in  a  minute;  a  muscle  can- 
not contract  and  relax  in  so  short  a  space  of  time,  therefore, 
it  is  thrown  into  a  confused  convulsive  tremble,  which  is 
sure  to  result  in  fatigue." 

The  consideration  of  the  direction  of  the  current  may  as- 
sist Doctor  Barnes  in  settling  the  question  of  stimulation 
in  order  to  effect  the  reduction  of  a  fever,  from  a  Electro- 
Therapeutical  standpoint. 

"We  come  now  to  the  most  important  consideration  in 
connection  with  Electro-Therapeutics.  The  direction  of 
the  current  forms  the  nucleus  in  which  lies  the  germ  of 
success,  and  around  which  all  previous  considerations  clus- 
ter and  form  but  secondary  parts.  The  direction  in  which 
a  current  is  sent  determines  the  physiological  and  thera- 
peutical actions.  When  a  current  of  electricity  is  sent 
toward  a  nerve  centre  "stimulation"  is  the  effect,  and 
when  it  is  sent /rom  a  nerve  centre  "depression"  follows. 
Nervous  stimulation  and  capillary  contraction  are  the  effects 
producible  by  the  negative  electrode,  and  nervous  depres- 
sion with  capillary  laxity  are  the  effects  of  the  positive 
electrode.  These  two  terms  "stimulation"  and  "depres- 
sion" expresses  the  virtues  of  electricity  in  a  "nut-shell." 
The  terms  "positive"  and  "negative"  fully  express  the 
direction  of  the  current.  The  current  always  travelling 
from  the  positive  to  the  negative  pole.  Muscular  contrac- 
tion always  takes  place  in  the  direction  of  the  current  For 
example:  If  the  positive  electrode  be  applied  to  the  origin 
of  a  muscle  while  the  negative  is  placed  over  its  insertion 
the  muscle  will  begin  to  contract  at  its  origin  first,  and  if 
the  polar  electrodes  be  reversed  the  contractions  will  take 
place  from  insertion  to  origin.  When  currents  are  sent  in 
alternate  directions  we  obtain  the  most  powerful  tonic 
effects,  without  producing  either  abnormal  nervous  excite- 
ment or  local  depression.  One  would  naturally  suppose 
that  when  a  current  travels  in  alternate  (or  to  and  fro)  di- 
rections, that  the  alternate  polarity  would  neutralize  not 
only  each  other,  but  also  the  effects  of  the  current  in  the 


I 


ayatem;  but  such  is  far  from  beiiig  the  result.  The  cur- 
rents seem  to  travel  up  the  (iffereni  and  down  the  eff'enmi 
.ohaunele,  thus  Btimiilatiiig  each  nerve  function.  The  posi- 
tive and  negative  local  effecta  evidently  ueatralize  each 
other  from  the  fact  that  we  have  neither  local  depression 
nor  excessive  local  nervous  stimulation  foUuwing,  which 
would  be  the  case  if  the  currents  were  travelling  in  one  di- 
xeotion  for  too  great  a  length  of  time.  Myhrst  esperiments 
in  this  direction  were  made  by  reversing  the  direction  of 
the  current,  every  few  seconds,  with  an  ordinary  pole- 
(^arger,  and  I  found  the  results  so  astounding  that  I  began 
-At  once  studying  out  a  device  that  would  give  off  any  de- 
sired number  of  either  straight  or  alternate  (or  to  and  fro) 
current  pulsations  in  a  minute.  This  I  accomplished,  after 
about  two  years'  experimenting,  in  the  rerolving  uiferrup- 
ttir  already  referred  to.  This  to  and  fro  current  "  will  re- 
move the  most  obstinate  case  of  paralysis  resulting  from 
functional  derangement.  Ita  virtues,  in  this  respect,  are  no 
doubt  due  to  the  fact  that  the  muscles  alternately  contract 
And  relftx  from  above  dowaward  This  alternate  coutrno- 
tion  and  relaxatiou  I'eferred  to  can  be  plainly  seen  by  taking 
hold  of  the  two  electrodes,  and  changing  the  current  from 
to  and/ro  to  straight  In  many  complicated  cases  it  is  the 
Mdy  current  capable  of  overcoming  the  difficulty  withoutpro- 
dueing  either  too  marked  "positive"or  "negative"  effects," 
Now  my  dear  Editor,  after  this,  if  my  name  is  to  be 
affixed  to  an  article  that  I  have  not  prepared  myself,  please 
Bee  that  it  is  in  the  nature  of  a  gynaecological  subject  or  at 
least  something  that  I  am  more  familiar  with  than  electri- 
taty.  PeiL  PoBTEii,  M.  D.,  Deteoit. 


1886  Ethics  of  Medical  Journalism.  337 

THE  ETHCIS  OF  MEDICAL  JOURNALISM. 


We  called  the  attention  of  one  of  the  oldest  and  most 
experienced  journalists  in  our  ranks,  to  the  article  of  Dr. 
Hasbrouck  in  the  present  issue  of  the  Advance  and  asked 
his  opinion  of  it.     The  following  is  his  reply. 

Editor  Advance: — The  question  raised  by  Dr.  Has- 
brouck is  not  peculiar.  It  touches  the  lock  which  hides 
from  us  the  mystery  of  the  universe.  The  highest  and 
most  enlightened  ethics,  has  not  yet  found  the  key  to  that 
lock,  and  we  know  not  why  it  is,  that  good  and  evil  are  so 
hopelessly  united.  I  say  hopelessly,  because  in  nature, 
only  the  feeblest  attempts  are  made  to  separate  them,  and 
men  in  their  most  earnest  attempts,  only  partially  succeed. 
This  statement  needs  no  illustration. 

I  understand  ethics  to  be  an  attempt  to  attain  the  abso- 
lute gooii  I  believe  also  that  every  man's  highest  inter- 
est lies  in  the  direction  of  that  attempt,  and  that  the  fact 
that  this  end  is  never  reached,  is  no  excuse  for  our  lack  of 
effort  to  reach  it.  Let  us,  then,  candidly  admit  that  every 
calling,  trade,  profession  or  business  of  life,  has  both  its 
good  and  evil  elemants.  Dr.  Hasbrouck  is  a  physician. 
He  very  properly  criticises  medical  journals.  One  of  the 
chief  differences  between  his  profession  and  that  of  jour- 
nalism is,  that  the  evils  of  the  latter  lie  more  upon  the  sur- 
face. Nevertheless  it  is  c  mceivable  that  we  might  write 
an  article  setting  forth  the  unethical  characteristics  of  the 
medical  profession.  And  it  is  conceivable  that  we  might 
cause  Dr.  Hasbrouck  to  cry  quits.  Of  course  this  would 
excuse  neither  party,  but  everybody  knows  that  something 
is  gained  by  parrying  an  opponent's  thrusts  with  "you're 
another." 

In  this  case,  that  something  which  we  desire  to  gain,  is 
a  spirit  of  leniency  t  )ward  medical  journals.  Dr.  Has- 
brouck has  dealt  us  blows  which  we  do  not  wish  to  turn 
aside,  and  could  not  if  we  would.  But  in  the  evils  that 
beset  our  journals,  there  is  nothing  singular.  Judged  by  a 
high  standard,  all  must  fall  uuder  condemnation. 

I  have  also  had  my  ideal  medical  journal.    My  first  ven- 

V 


The  Medical  Adrsance. 


Oct 


I 


)  coat  me  five  years  of  bard  labor  and  the  loss  of  some 
money.  The  balance  sheet  showed  financially  something 
■worse  that  nothing.  My  second  venture  cost  me  seven 
years  of  hard  work  and  the  loss  of  two  thousand  dollars. 
Other  parties  subsequently  lost  on  the  same  journal  But 
the  same  journal  in  different  hands  is  now  paying  its  ex- 


No  medical  journal  can  be  conducted  successfully  with- 
out advertisements.  Conline  it  to  advertisements  that  are 
"legitimate,"  and  the  publisher  will  fiud  himself  out  o£ 
;  jiocket  The  ideal  journal  can  be  published  oidy  at  a  great 
It  is  idle  to  talk,  at  present,  of  running  a  journal  on 
.'the  subscription  list  alone.  The  commercial  world  is  will- 
ing to  patronize  the  journal.  By  accepting  such  aid,  a 
first  class  medical  journal  may  be  published.  There  may 
be  and  there  doubtless  is  a  fiat  contradiction  between  the 
inside  and  the  outside  of  many  journals;  but  this  is  not  an 
uncommon  state  to  observe  elsewhere.  Some  pessimistic 
philosopher  once  said  that  the  only  consistent  man  was  the 
man  who  committed  Buiciile.  But  unfortunately  siiiGide 
does  not  correct  the  evil.  Neither,  if  these  journals  of 
vhich  we  are  speaking,  were  to  strip  off  their  c  overs,  to- 
gether with  their  advertisements,  and  go  naked  through 
the  land  and  shortly  die  of  starvation,  would  things  be 
much  bettered. 

Perhaps  Dr.  Hasbrouck  has  not  had  experience  in  pub- 
lishing a  journal.  If  not  let  him  try  it;  let  him  kpep  to  a 
ibigh  standard  until  financial  failure  stares  him  in  the  face, 
;(iiiil  then  let  him  consider  whether  it  is  better  to  fail  on 
ideal  principles,  or  go  ahead  on  business  principles  and 
i^ncceed.  Granted  those  business  principles  are  ethically 
spF-aking,  unsound,  should  we  ignore  them  or  seek  to  im- 
prove them? 

Dr.  Hasbrouck  wisely  deplores  the  existence  of  certain 
evils,  but  a  wiser  one  than  he  advises  that  ihe  tares  be  al- 
lowed to  grow  with  the  wheat,  lest  in  uprooting  the  tares, 
(he  wheat  be  also  destroyed.  And  the  same  oracle  assures 
US,  that  it  is  not  the  outside  of  the  platter  which  is  of  the 
most  importance. 


1886  A  Case  far  Counsel  339 

Finally,  if  the  journal  itself  is  of  a  high  standard;  if 
being  nominally,  it  is  also  really,  a  genuine  homoeopathic 
journal,  however  it  may  be  obliged  to  carry  things  objec- 
tionable, I  can  no  more  reject  it  than  I  could  the  ship  la- 
dened  with  a  valuable  cargo,  because  upon  its  hulk  barna- 
cles were  clinging. 

A  better  day  is  coming  for  our  medical  journals.  Let 
us  help  those  who  are  doing  what  they  can  to  hasten  it, 
though  they  do  not  at  present  fulfill  all  the  law. 

T.  P.  Wilson. 


HI 


CASE  FOR  COUNSEL.  PROGNOSIS,  AND  TREATMENT- 
REMEDIAL  AND  DIETETIC.      . 


E.  BECKWITH.  M.  D.,  Knoxville.  Tenn. 


Mr.  J.  H.  L ,  aged  61,  gouty  diathesis,  corpulent, 

lymphatic,  height  5  feet,  10|  inches,  weight  268  pounds, 
swarthy  complexion,  black  eyes,  old  warts  on  nose,  brow 
and  eyelids.  Naturally  of  a  strong  constitution,  broad 
chest,  abdomen  enlarged  from  fat;  high  liver,  excessive 
smoker,  likes  brandy.  Bowels  generally  regular;  consti- 
pation if  morning  cigar  is  omitted.  Has  suffered  and  now 
suffers  from  the  following:  Short  breath,  nightly  suffoca- 
tive attacks,  has  to  be  fanned,  suffocation  when  ascending, 
spasmodic  constriction  of  the  chest  (Ars.,  Carbo.  veg.,  Lach. 
and  Tab.  relieve). 

Kestlessness  of  body,  has  to  change  from  one  bed  to 
another,  get  up  and  walk  about,  (Ars.  relieves,  and  some- 
times will  give  quiet  sleep  all  night).  Starting  from  sleep, 
must  sit  up.  Weak,  loss  of  appetite,  "  cannot  sleep  unless 
fanned  "  all  night.  Carbo  veg.,  200,  relieves  and  will  give 
good  sleep  some  nights,  all  night,  when  he  will  say,  "  now 
you  have  struck  the  right  remedy;"  but  it  only  palliates, 
,  same  as  Ars.  and  Lach. 
y||u«.  Sadden  starting  when  falling  asleep,  from  want  of  breath 

will  sit  up  and  take  long  deep  breaths  and  exclain,  "  Whew  I " 

i  it  from  ascending  stairs,  and  then  breathe  more  natur- 
mkil  he  lies  down  and  begins  to  dose,  then  suffocation. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


1  desire  to  urinate,  with  itching  of  perineum  over  the 
[  prostate  gland,  relieved  on  urinating.  Numbness  of  bnnds 
1  and  feet.  Trembling  of  handy  when  writing,  probably 
I  owing  to  want  of  accustomed  etimulue — having  reduced 
1  his  cigars  from  a  dozen  or  more  to  oue  and  a  half  daily. 
I  A  good  cigar  or  drink  of  brandy  relieves  the  narvonsaesB 
[  and  trembling  of  the  hands.  Tabftcum,  200,  also  palliates. 
"Heat  rash"  all  over  the  bjdy,  especially  chest  and 
I  abdomen,  like  meables.  Itches,  atings,  burns,  relieved  by 
I  Aeon.  200,  Lach.,  Apis.  3x  and  20(\  and  gets  better  when 
I  vieathur  becomes  cooler.  This  itching  and  stinging  rash 
r  produces  a  sort  of  furor  of  the  nerves  and  makes  him  want 
to  yell.  Agony,  sits  up,  can  hardly  breathe,  pnlse  weak; 
thirst,  drinks  little  and  often;  urine  about  normal  as  to 
quantity,  mostly  passed  in  niglit,  (he  saya  from  habit), 
of  ft  deep  straw  color,  8.  G.  1010;  sometimes  has  a  pecu- 
liar, herby,  aromatic  smell;  some  albumen  shown  by  heat 
and  Nitric  Acid;  sometimes  the  uriue  looks  clear  and  then 
decomposes  rapidly,  in  twenty-four  hours  emitting  a  very 
foul  odor.  H  is  more  thirst  at  night,  says  he  sumetimea 
drinks  half  a  gallon  during  the  night,  and  urinates  after, 

Ifcut  not  so  much  during  the  day  whf  ii  he  is  occupied  with 
lis   book-keeping.      During    dyspncea,   palor,   skin   cool, 
moist;  jnst  as  he  is  passing  the  liue  between  wakefulness 
and  slumber  a  kind  of  "furor"  of  the  nerves  and  suffoca. 
tion,   with   desire   to  urinate,   and   itching  of  perineum.  J 
After  urinating  can  drop  oif  to  sleep  and  sleep  for  two  orj 
^^  three  hours,  and  with  aid  of  either  Ars..  Lacli.  200,  Cirb( 
^^HTeg'  200,  will  sleep  some  nights  cill  uight,  with  occasioni 
^^B  IFaking  to  urinate. 

^^B     Heart  sounds  weak;  systole  weak,  at  times  very  wei 
^^Kno    murmer,    no    regurgitation,   no    cedema,   no    dropa^.^ 
^^KFulse  veri/  wenk  all  the  time.     Sometimes  can  be  countec* 
^^V  with  difficulty;  no  pain,  no  sync-)p ',  no  palpitation,  rarely 
^^M  intermits. 

^H       Respiration    rapid,   average    abmt    30,    faster    during! 
^^r  attacks  of  dyspnoea.     Kespiratiun  thoracic  and  abeomiual,^ 
largely  the  latter;  breathes  quietly  for  a  few  minutes  whai 
lying,  then  suddenly  sits  up  and  pants  with  deep,  longl 
^^^  bieaths. 


1886  A  Case  for  Counsel.  341 

His  age,  corpulence,  indolence  as  regards  muscular  ex- 
ertion, though  in  the  counting-room  a  great  worker;  high 
liviag,  fondness  for  braudy  (though  always  in  modera- 
tion), feeble  circulation,  dyspnoea  on  exercise  or  lying 
down,  indicates  more  or  less  fatty  heart  with  dilatation  and 
renal  complication,  resulting  from  the  gradual  giving  out 
of  the  chief  organ  of  circulation.  Appetite  and  digestive 
functions  till  quite  lately  have  been  remarkably  good. 
Narcotics,  Alcoholics  anil  Nicotine  generally  palliate  the 
symptoms  they  produce;  this  rule  is  so  universal  that  it 
might  almost  be  considered  a  law,  is  illustrated  in  this 
case,  as  all  his  symptoms  are  relieved  by  a  cigar  or  a  drink 
of  brandy.  He  has  had  this  weak  pulse  for  years,  while 
he  was  an  excessive  smoker.  Tabacum  30  palliates,  but 
not  so  well  as  Ars.  or  Lach.,  which  are  both  antidotal  to 
nicotine,  the  symptoms  of  which  are  so  markedly  prominent 
— weak  heart  and  pulse,  paleness,  coldness,  and  someiimes 
nausea,  relieved  by  open  air  and  deep  inspiration.  Loss 
of  sexual  desire  he  attributes  to  tobacco,  as  he  says  if  he 
has  any  desire  a  few  whiflfs  of  a  cigar  will  dissipate  it 
immediately.  Sure  to  be  constipated  if  the  morning  cigar 
afcer  breakfast,  is  omitted. 

The  remedies  that  I  have  studied  are  principally  those 
which  are  antidotal  to  nicotine,  as  well  as  correspond  to 
the  "  totality  of  symptoms,"  Ars.,  Lach.,  Ipec,  Nux.,  Puis., 
Bry.,  Bell.,  Plantago,  Igu.,  Carbo  veg.,  with  only  pallia- 
tive results.  Is  this  all  that  can  be  done?  Objective 
symptoms  point  to  Gausticum,  but  it  has  not  afforded  the 
relief  tliat  the  nicotine  antidotes  have.  Is  it  advisable  in 
this  case  to  entirelij  interdict  smoking?  I  have  thought 
not.  When  a  man  has  "  lived  to  smoke  "  so  many  years,  I 
am  fully  persuaded  that  there  comes  a  times  when  it  will 
be  necessary  for  him  to  "  smoke  to  live."  And  so  with  the 
dram-drinker  who  "  lives  to  drink,"  he  will  sooner  or  later 
arrive  at  that  point  when  he  will  have  to  "drink  to  live." 
His  customary  likes  and  appetites  are  hard  to  control.  He 
is  away  now  at  the  "  Springs,"  and  I  am  having  a  rest  and 
time  to  study  up,  and  report  for  aid  and  counsel. 

The  law  of  nature  that  "action  and  reaction  must  be 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


■  equal"  has  been  verified.     He  remained  at  the  "Springs" 

■  (Iron,  Sulphur  and  Magnesia)  for  two  weeka  and  drank 
Fthe  waters  according  to  advice  of  resident  physician,  "a 

dipper  full  every  two  hours,  from  rising  to  bed  time,"  with 
imraediafce  relief  of  dyspncea  and  constipation  and  large 
lucreELse  of  urine.  But  at  the  end  of  two  weeks  he  re- 
turned with  increase  of  all  his  old  symptoms:  ascites, 
cedema  of  the  extremities,  scanty  urine  and  dyspntjea. 
Sp.  g.,  1010;  slight  trace  of  albumen,  great  weakness  and 
ptoBtration. 

Unsiqhtly  ScARB.^Scara  are  always  unsightly,  and  are 
[  often  painful  or  inconvenient  on  aocoant  of  their  propeu- 
I  fiity  to  contract  ae  they  become  older.     Dr.  Ward,  of  New 
I  Tork,  asserts  that  they  may  be  removed  by  manipulation, 
L  vbich  he  directs  to  be  employed  as  follows:  Place  the  ends 
f  two  or  three  fingers  on  a  scar  if  it  be  a  small  one,  and 
1  the  margin  if  it  be  large,  and  vibrate  the  surface  on  the 
^tissues  beneath.     The  surface  itself  is  not  to  be  subjected 
Kto  any  friction;  all  the  motion  must  be  between  the  integn- 
ment  and  the  deeper  parts.     The  location  of  the  vibratile 
'  motion  should  be  changed  every  ten  or  fifteen  seconds  un- 
til the  whole  scar  has  been  treated,  if  it  be  of  moderate 
size.     If  the  scar  be  the  result  of  a  large  scald  or  burn  the 
margin  only  should  be  treated  at  first;  the  advances  toward 
the  centre  should   be  deferred  until  the  nutrition  of  the 
margins  has  been  decidedly  improved.     Only  a  little  treat- 
ment should  be  applied  at  any  one  spot  at  the  same  time, 
but  the  vibrations  should  be  repeated  as  many  as  twenty 
times  a  day,  but  never  with  sufficient  frequency  or  severity 
as  to  cause  pain.     If  the  scar  becomes  irritable  suspend 
treatment  until  it  subsides.     In  the  course  of  two  or  three 

■  weeks  of  faithful  treatment  the  surface  of  tlie  sears  o£ 
L  moderate  size  become  more  movable,  and  will  begin  to 
fiorm  wrinkles  like  new  skin  when  pressed  from  side  to  sida 
I  All  these  changes  are  dne  to  improved  nutrition,  consequent 

1  better  blood  circulation — the  development  of  entirely 
~pBV  sets  of  blood-vessels  in  the  cicatrical  tissue. 


1886  Staphisagria.  343 

MATERIA  MEDICA. 


STAPHISAGRIA. 


H.  C.  ALLEN,  M.  D. 


This  is  a  long  acting  remedy;  a  single  dose  often  con- 
tinuing its  beneficial  eflFects  for  five  or  six  weeks,  in  chronic 
cases. 

Antidote  to  Staphisagria  :  Camphor. 

Staphisagria  antidotes  :  Abuse  of  Mercury  or  Thuja. 

Hahnemann  says:  "The  main  characteristic  of  Colo- 
cynth  is  that  it  produces  cramp-like  pains  in  internal  and 
external  parts  ;  tonic  spasms  with  jamming,  pressing  pains, 
and  in  such  is  Staphisagria  its  main  antidote." 

Complementary  to  :  Causticum,  Cojocynth. 

Heringsays:  "Causticum,  Colocynth  and  Staphisagria 
are  nearly  related,  and  often  one,  after  its  effects  cease,  will 
indicate  the  other.  They  may  all  be  followed  by  Sepia,  our 
great  finishing  remedy." 

Incompatible :  Should  not  be  used  before  or  after.  Ban* 
cuius  bulb. 

Sphere  of  Action,  is  somewhat  limited,  but  within  that 
sphere  it  is  all-important  Its  chief  force  seems  to  be  ex- 
pended on  the  nervous  system,  especially  the  mind  and 
generative  organs  of  the  male,  producing  marked  nervous 
irritability  of  both  mind  and  body.  The  characteristics  of 
the  drug  are  to  be  found  in  the  mental  sphere,  and  strongly 
resemble  those  of  Colocynth,  with  which  it  must  often  be 
compared. 

STAPHISAGRIA.  COLOCYNTH. 

Affects  upper  left,  lower  rig^ht  Affects  upper  rig^ht,  lower  left 

side.    Pain  pressings  inwards.  side.  Pains  pressing  outwards. 

Sensitive  or  inflamed  external  Sensitive  or  inflamed  internal 

parts.  parts. 

Dry  skin.  Disposition  to  sweat. 

Pulse  frequent,  small,   tremb-  Pulse  frequent,  full,  hard. 

ling:. 

Characteristic     thirst    in   hot  Characteristic  want  of  thirst  in 

stag^e.  all  stages. 


344 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


Generally  worse  from  cold. 

Better  in  bed. 

Worse  from  touch  and  pres- 
sure. 

Worse  after  urinating^. 

Worse  when  smoking. 

Worse  (colic)  after  stool. 

Menses  retarded  and  scanty. 

Affected  by  the  misdeeds  of 
others. 


Generally  better  from  cold. 

Almost  always  worse  in  bed. 

Better  from  touch  and  pres- 
sure. 

Better  after  urinating^. 

Better  from  smoking^. 

Better  (colic)  after  stool. 

Menses  too  soon  and  profuse. 

Affected  by  the  misfortunes  of 
others. 


Ailments  from  misdeeds,  offences,  misbehavior  of  others 
— grief,  mortification,  shame,  unmerited  insult,  wounded 
pride,  vexation  with  indignation  or  reserved  displeasure. 
This  reserved  displeasure,  this  pent  up  anger,  the  mental 
effort  to  curb,  suppress,  or  restrain  his  indignation,  aggra- 
'  yates  or  produces  the  mental  irritability,  the  apathetic,  in- 
different, hypochondriacal  condition  so  characteristic  of  the 
affections  of  this  remedy. 

He  becomes  low-spirited,  dull,  indifferent,  after  sexual 
excesses,  onanism,  or  persistently  dwelling  on  sexual  sub- 
jects, and  this  weakened  condition  of  both  mind  and  body, 
renders  him  so  excessively  sensitive  to  the  least  impress- 
ion, the  least  word  that  seems  wrong  gives  great 
offence,  even  anger  or  indignation.  From  this  he 
suffers  mental  and  physical  prostration.  In  illustra- 
ting this  point.  Dr.  Kent  sa>s:  "It  id  a  character- 
istic feature  of  Staphisagria  to  become  gloomy,  downcast, 
irritable,  sad,  after  a  marked  offense,  after  an  insult,  after 
anger,  especially  when  suppressed.  A  gentleman  is  insult- 
ed by  a  scamp  that  he  cannot  fight;  he  feels  indignant; 
were  he  moving  in  the  same  sphere  in  life  he  would  strike 
him.  But  he  curbs  and  restrains  himself  and  suffers  won- 
derfully with  the  prostration  that  follows.  This  self-re- 
straint brings  on  the  Staphisagria  mental  state,  and  with 
that  information  I  almost  always  give  Staphisagria." 

Colocynth  has  a  somewhat  similar  mental  condition. 

Ailments  from  grief,  shame,  mortification,  anger,  vex- 
ation with  indignation  or  reserved  displeasure.  But  here 
the  mental  and  physical  disturbance  from  anger  and  re- 
served displeasure  seems  to  expend  its  force  on  the  ab- 


1886  Staphisagria.  345 

dominal  organs  producing  dysenteric-diarrhcBa,  instead  of 
the  despondency  and  mental  prostration  of  Staphisagria. 

This  mental  irritability  is  often  found  in  children.  The 
child  throws  or  pushes  things  away  indignantly.  (Desire 
for  things  which  are  refused  when  offered,  Bry. — Wants 
different  things  which  are  repelled  when  offered,  Cham. ) 
Kreasote  also  has  this  peevishness  and  irritability  in  a 
marked  de^ee,  and  in  this  respect  should  be  compared 
with  Staphisagria  in  the  diseases  of  children  !  See  also 
Ant.  tart.,  lod.,  Sil. 

Head.  Dull  headache,  unable  to  perform  any  mental 
labor.  A  pressing  stupefying  headache,  as  if  the  brain 
were  compressed,  especially  in  forehead  ;  worse  on  rising 
in  morning  and  from  motion,  better  from  rest  and  warmth. 
Senation  of  a  ball  firmly  fixed  in  forehead,  even  when 
shaking  the  head,  and  a  sensation  of  a  hollow  or  empty 
place  in  occiput  which  there  was  not  brain  enough  to  fill,  is 
very  characteristic  of  Staphisagria,  and  of  the  headaches 
of  onanists  or  those  caused  by  sexual  excesses.  They  are 
usually  accompanied  by  excessive  irritability.  Conversa- 
tion, even  with  the  members  of  his  own  family,  worries 
and  exhausts  him  and  he  is  obliged  to  use  the  greatest 
self-restraint  or  it  becomes  intolerable.  There  is  a  dull 
senation  of  the  brain,  and  mental  application  or  labor  is 
practically  impossible,  or  if  persisted  in  produces  nervous 
irritability  and  mental  and  physical  prostration. 

Eyes.  Styes,  nodosities,  chalazse  on  the  lids,  one  after 
the  other,  sometimes  supperating  and  attended  with  itching, 
fine,  needleJike,  pricking  pain,  with  a  hardened  base  and 
leaving  hard  nodosities  in  their  wake.  They  are  torpid  in 
character,  maturing  and  disappearing  slowly.  They  appear 
to  have  a  preference  for  lower  lids. 

Pulsatilla  has  styes  especially  on  the  upper  lids,  are 
acute  in  character,  exceedingly  painful,  maturing  rapidly 
and,  after  suppuration,  as  rapidly  disappear,  leaving  no  trace 
after  them.  The  characteristics  of  the  patient  and  the 
digestive  cause — eating  rich,  fat  food,  meats,  especially  pork, 
should  be  taken  into  consideration. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct. 


Mouth  and  Teeth.— The  deep-seated  eocstitntional  ac- 
tion of  StaphiBsgria  is  seen  in  the  crumbling,  discolored, 
carious  teeth  oE  weak,  narvoaa,  irritable  children.  The 
teeth  crumble  on  the  edges,  turn  black  or  show  black 
streaks  almost  as  soon  as  they  break  through  the  gums. 
This  is  usually  a  guiding  symptom,  and  should  be  com- 
.  pared  with  Kreosote. 


^M  STAPnlSAQBIA. 

^^Touttiache  of  decayed  teeth, 
gDHWini;,  tearing,  shooting 
into  eiir.throbliingin  temples, 
worse  from  cold  drinks  and 
touch,  but  not  by  «ating. 
Toothuclie  during  menaea. 
Black,  crumbling,  carious, 
show  diirk  utreakg.  Ditllciilt 
df  ntitioD,  tevtb  decay  aljnost  a) 
Boon  MB  they  cut  tdrough  the 
gum?. 
Fistula  dentaliii. 

tVLia-t:  white,  awolieu.  spoa^y, 
ulcerating,  bleed  when 
touL-hed. 


RRE080TE. 

Toothache  of  decayed  teetb, 
drawing  extends  to  inner 
ear  and  temples,  and  to  the 
left  side  of   face. 

Drawing  toothache. 

Dark  apots  on  teeth,  com- 
mencing to  decay;  teeth  be- 
gin to  decay,  us  soon  as  they 
appear.  Very  painful  den- 
tition, causes  convulsiona. 

Teeth  wedge-shaped. 

Ctuins;  bbtishrred,  inflamed, 
spongy,  ulcerated,  scorbutic, 
bleed  readily. 

Ilicinorrhage  of  guras  and  nose, 
dark  blood,    quickly   coagu- 


Oonstant  accumulation  of  water  in  the  month,  Profuse 
Bdlivation.  While  talking  she  swallows  continually. 
Stomacace  ;  mouth  and  tongue  full  of  blisters.  (Compare 
Mercury. ) 

I  Stomach  and  Abdomen. —Extreme  hunger,  even  when 
Wtomach  is  full  of  food.  This  constant  craving,  even  after 
ft  full  meal,  is  very  characteristic  of  Staphisagria,  and  is 
often  met  with  in  the  scrofulous  patient,  especially  if  in 
youth  the  nervous  system  was  weakened  by  onanism  or 
aexua!  escesses. 

Longing  for  liquid  food — soup,  bread  and  milk,  mush 

id  milk,  rice  and  milk — is  more  often  relieved   by  this 

edy  than  any  other.     It  should  always  be  thought  of  at 

it.     Sensation  as  if  the  stomach  was  relaxed  or  hanging 

lown,  is  also  found  under  Ipecac.,  but  in  the  latter  is  usual- 


1886 


Staphisagria. 


347 


ly  accompanied  with  nausea  or  vomiting,  and  possibly  may 
be  due  to  its  exhausting  effect 

Colic :  Spasmodic  cutting  pains  in  abdomen,  with  urging 
to  stool  or  urging  to  urinate  with  nausea,  relieved  by  bend- 
ing double,  worse  after  eating  and  drinking.  After  the 
least  food  or  drink,  griping  pains  and  dysenteric-diarrhoea. 

Colic,  after  lithotomy  or  herniotomy  :  When  the  charac- 
teristic cutting  pains  prevent  eating  and  drinking  after 
surgical  operations  of  pelvis  and  abdomen,  this  remedy 
should  always  be  thought  of. 

Bismuth  has  persistent  vomiting,  convulsive  inexpressible 
pain  in  stomach  after  operations  on  the  abdomen.  When 
food  has  filled  the  stomach,  enormous  quantities  are  vom- 
ited, lasting  all  day.  But  the  operations  are  on  the  abdo- 
domen,  and  the  pain  is  in  the  stomach  ;  while  under  Staph- 
isagria the  operations  are  of  the  pelvis,  and  the  pain  is  in 
the  abdomen. 

Lycopodium, —  Canine  hunger;  constant  craving;  the 
more  he  eats,  the  more  he  craves;  head  aches  if  he  does  not 
eat.  But  as  it  also  has  the  other  extreme,  constant  sensa- 
tion of  satiety,  they  often  require  to  be  compared. 


STAPHISAGRIA. 

Anemia— Upper     left,     lower 

rig^ht  side. 
Dark  hair,  skin  and   muscles 

rigid. 
Paralysis  generally   one-sided, 

non-apoplectic. 
Crusts  and  scales  around  the 

joints. 
Pleasant  dreams. 
Thirst  only  during  hot  stage. 

Mood  sad,  indifferent,  low- 
spirited,  fretful,  peevish,  ill- 
humored. 

No  delirium,  rarely  uncon- 
sciousness. 

Ailments  from  misbehavor  of 

others,  shame,  mortification, 

anger  with  reserved  displeas- 
ure. 


LYCOPODIUM. 

Ansemia    or    plethora— Upper 

right,  lower  left  side. 
Light  hair,  skin  and  muscles 

lax. 
Paralysis,  often  of  both  sides — 

apoplectic. 
Sweat  around  the  joints. 

Unpleasant  dreams. 

Thirst   wanting    only   during 

chill,  remains  after  fever. 

Mood  changeable,  sad  or  cheer- 
ful, gentle  or  irritable, 
haughty,  malicious,  greedy. 

Delirium,  unconciousness. 

Ailments  from  fright,  anger, 
from  vexation  with  fear  or 
vehemence. 


348 


TTie  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


Menses  too  scanty.  Menses  too  scanty  or  too  pro- 

fuse. 
Expectoration  loosened  at  nififht      Expectoration    morning    and 

and  swallowed.  evening. 

Worse  in  cold  weather.  Better  in  cold  weather, 

Nux  Vomica  has  many  gastric  symptoms  in  common 
with  Staphisagria,  but  a  careful  comparison  will  reveal 
many  characteristic  points  of  difference. 


STAPHISAQRIA. 

Upper  left,  lower  right. 

Paralysis,  one  sided. 

Painless  eruptions. 

Heat  or  sweat  with  inclination 
to  uncover. 

Want  of  thirst,  except  during 
hot  stage. 

Suppressed  anger. 

Taciturnity. 

Ailments  from  shame  and  the 
misbehavior  of  others. 

Hunger  predominant. 

Dysenteric-diarrhoea;  worse  af- 
ter eating,  especially  after 
dinner  and  supper. 

Menses  too  late  and  scanty. 

Worse  after  perspiring. 

Worse  in  wet  weather  from 
washing  and  moistening  di- 
seased part. 

Worse  when  sittinp:  erect  and 
from  pressure. 


NUX  VOMICA. 

Upper  right,  lower  left. 
Paralysis,  of  both  sides. 
Painful  eruptions. 
Heat  or  sweat  with  aversion  to 

uncover. 
Thirst  during  chill  and  between 

heat  and  sweat. 
Outbursts  of  anger. 
Loquacity. 
Ailments  from  jealousy,  anger, 

contradiction. 
Loss  of  appetite. 
Dysenteric-diarrhoea;  worse  af- 
ter every  meal ;  worse  early 

in  morning. 
Menses  too  soon  and  profuse. 
Worse  while  perspiring,  better 

afterwards. 
Better  in    wet  weather,  from 

washing  and  bathing. 

Better  when  sitting  erect  and 
from  pressure. 


Sexual  Organs, — On  the  generative  organs,  especially,  of 
the  male,  it  appears  to  spend  its  first  affect.  One  of  our 
veteran  practitioners  of  Michigan  once  told  the  writer  that 
in  a  practice  of  forty  years  he  had  rarely  found  it  necessary 
to  use  any  other  remedy  than  Staphisagria  for  seminal 
emissions  from  onanism,  and  that  in  the  thirtieth  attenua- 
tion. Here  it  rivals  Phosphoric  Acid,  and  a  comparison 
may  be  useful : 


STAPHISAGRIA. 


PHOSPHORIC  ACID. 


Onanism,   patient    indifferent,       Onanism,  patient  is  distressed 


1886 


Two  Cures  by  Staphisagria. 


349 


low-spirited,  mind  dull,  per- 
sistently dwelling  on  sexual 
subjects. 

Nocturnal  emissions,  sunken 
face,  bashful  look,  backache, 
legs  weak,  organs  relaxed. 

Constant  sexual  excitement. 

Emission  without  erections. 

Great  mental  prostration  with 
dyspnoea. 

Atrophy  of  testicles. 

Sexual  desire  excited. 


and  worried  over  the  culca- 
bility  of  his  indulgence. 

Nocturnal  emissions,  frequent, 
debilitating,  causing  hypo- 
chondriasis; during  stool. 

Little  sexual  excitement. 

Emission  with  erections. 

Great  physical  prostration  with 
night  sweats. 

Softening  of  testicles. 

Erections  without  desire. 


Two  Cures  by  Staphisagria. — Mr.  X.,  a  farmer  living 
near  Fontaine  L'Eveque,  desiring  some  needed  repairs  to  a 
wagon  on  a  Sunday  during  harvest  time,  applied  to  the 
blacksmith,  who  was  tinder  obligations  to  him  for  previous 
service  rendered.  The  latter,  contrary  to  expectation,  re- 
fused to  work  on  Sunday,  and  Mr.  X.  returned  home  repress- 
ing his  anger  and  indignation.  An  hour  had  hardly  passed 
when  he  was  seized  with  a  general  trembling,  great  oppres- 
sion of  the  chest,  until  he  feared  he  would  suffocate.  In 
the  stomach  there  was  great  pressure  and  tension,  as  if  it  • 
had  been  crushed  by  a  heavy  weight,  These  symptoms 
were  accompanied  by  nausea  and  bitter,  salty  eructations. 
An  allopathic  physician  was  called  in  who  prescribed  Mor- 
phine internally  and  applications  of  Laudanum.  A  full 
bath  was  also  .ordered.  These  means  were  continued 
during  part  of  the  day,  but  without  result.  Then  Dr. 
Gauthier,  living  at  Hyon,  near  Mons,  was  sent  for,  but  he 
could  not  come  till  two  o'clock  in  the  morning,  by  which 
time  the  pains  were  so  intolerable  that  the  patient  cried  for 
death  as  a  relief.  Before  the  arrival  of  the  doctor,  Cham- 
omilla,  Iguatia  and  Colocynth  had  been  given  without 
effect.  Staphisagria  was  immediately  prescribed,  8  glob- 
ules of  the  30th  in  12  teaspoonf uUs  of  water,  a  teaspoonf ul 
being  given  every  quarter  of  an  hour.  After  the  fourth 
dose  there  was  a  sensible  improvement,  and  the  medicine 
was  then  given  every  half  hour.  The  amelioration  contin- 
ued, so  that  in  three  hours  the  patient  fell  into  a  refresh- 
ing sleep  and  awoke  cured. 


The  Medieal  Advance. 


Oct 


I 


Mr,  0 —  suffered  violently  from  a  carious  tooth.     It  was 

extracted,  but  the  dentist  removed  with  it  a  small  fragment 

of  the  right  inferior  maxillary  bone.   This  was  followed  by 

an  ostitis,  and  notwithstanding  subsequent  treatment  the 

trouble  increased  so  that  caries  of  the  bone  resulted.     The 

physicians  and  surgeons  whom  Mr.  0.  consulted  declared 

that  an  operation  was  necessary;  but  unwilling  to  submit 

_to  this,  he  went  to  au  old  Homceopath  who  persuaded  him 

I  to  try  homceopathic  treatment,  aud  this  he  did.     Sulphur, 

I   Calcarea,  Silicea,  Mercurius,  Aurum,  Mezereum  were  auc- 

oessively  given,  but  without  any  positive  result.     Then  it 

was  decided  to  give  Staphisagria,  which  produced  a  marked 

improvement.     The  remedy  was  continued,  and  it  alone 

was  sufficient  to  radically  cure  the  affection. 

Note.— It  required  four  months  of  treiitment  to  proiiuce  this 
remarkable  result.  Two  nionths  would  have  lieen  aufllcient  had 
the  treatment  b<«n  cnmnitinced  witn  SliiphisagrNi,  for  it  alone 
must  get  the  honor  of  the  cure.— ii«>.  Horn.  Beige.,  xii„  l». 


MATERIA  MEDICA  NOTES. 

Benzoic  Acid.     Urine:  ammoniacal,  strong-smelling,  ex- 
cessively offensive,  the  odor  penetrating  the  whole  room. 
This  is  a  guiding  symptom  in  eneuresia  nocturne,  dysuria   i 
senilis,  irritable  bladder,  gravel,  enlarged  prostate,  drib-   1 
bling  urine.     Diarrhoea:  stool,  copious,  grey  or  white,  like  I 
dirty  soap-suds  with  excessively  offensive,  strong,  pungent  ' 

lor,  like  the  urine,  scenting  the  entire  house.  The  name 
lOf  the  disease  matters  little,  if  these  characteristics  be  pres- 
Nwit  the  result  will  usually  be  prompt  and  entirely  satis-  \ 
[ifaotory.  We  recently  obtained  almost  unexpected  resulta 
chronic  tonsilitis  of  right  side,  from  a  few  doses  of 
;oic  Acid  200,  the  first  time  we  ever  prescribed  it  in 
affection.  It  must  not  be  repeated  too  often  if  we  i 
'■Iroidd  obtain  the  best  effect 

Nitric  Acid.—'H.B.s  dai-k,  brown,  turbid  urine,  like  the 
l^ediment  of  a  cider  barrel,  and  strong-smelling  like  horse's 
nrine,  but  it  lacks  the  pungent,  penetrating  character  of 
of  the  odor  of  Benzoic  Acid- 

Sepia. — Has  turbid,  blood-red,  dark  brown,  very  offen- 


1886  Materia  Medica  Notes.  361 

sive  urine  with  a  white  or  reddish-white  sediment  which 
adheres  so  strongly  to  the  vessel  that  it  can  be  removed 
only  with  great  difficulty.  The  odor  is  atrocious  and  must 
be  at  once  removed  from  the  room. 

Argentum  Nitricum,  Children  with  constant  craving 
for  sugar  or  candy;  irresistable  desire  for  sugar,  but  diar- 
rhaea  may  be  caused  or  aggravated  by  it. 

Oxalic  Acid, — Sugar  aggravates  pains  in  stomach,  but, 
unlike  Argentum,  rarely  causes  diarrhaea.  Dr.  Deschere 
says,  "children  so  often  get  sick  from  eating  candies  it 
should  be  more  frequently  thought  of,  and  I  know  of  no 
other  remedy  which  will  as  certainly  cure  gastric  ailments 
aggravated  from  eating  sweets."  We  have  used  it  for 
years,  when,  after  eating  candies,  colic  or  cramp  pains  in 
the  stomach  usually  follow,  and  verify  the  observation  of 
Dr.  Deschere. 

Ipecacuanha. — Has  craving  for  sweets,  for  dainties,  and 
gastric  ailments  from  indigestible  food — ice  cream,  raisins, 
cake,  pastry,  salads,  fruits — but  it  is  nearly  always  attended 
with  more  or  less  constant  nausea,  and  the  nausea  is  re- 
ferred to  the  stomach. 

Kati  carb,  Lycopodium,  Mag.  mur..  Sulphur  and  others 
have  desire  for  sweets,  but  the  effect  produced  by  indulg- 
ing in  them  is  not  so  marked. 

Spigelia:  Cancer  of  Sigmoid.  I  was  led  to  use  Spi- 
gelia  in  a  case  of  cancer  of  sigmoid  occurring  in  a  stout, 
plethoric  lady  with  black  hair,  florid  complexion  and  ap- 
parently in  perfect  health.  She  suffered  fortunately  from 
a  moderate  diarrhea,  and  the  cancerous  mass  had  so  con- 
tracted the  calibre  of  the  intestine  that  nothing  approach- 
ing a  normal  i)assage  of  fecal  matter  had  occurred  for 
months,  and  the  terrible  pains  through  the  pelvin,  shoot- 
ing into  the  back,  hips,  and  down  the  limbs,  were  not  even 
palliated  by  repeated  doses  of  morphia  which  produced  dis- 
tressing nausea  and  insomnia.  Guided  by  the  following 
symptoms — a  recent  proving  by  Dr.  Hoyne  in  January 
Advance — Spigelia  200  (Dunham)  at  once  relieved  the 
pains  and  diarrhaea  and  for  ten  days  she  had  a  normal 
stool.     The  pains  then  began  to  return  when  Spigelia  1000 


352  The  Medical  AdvaTice.  Oct 

(B.  AT.)  again  gave  relief.  On  their  return  the  Becond 
time  Hpigelia  3000  afforded  relief  and  for  three  weeke  more 
she  was  comfortable  and  free  from  pain.  I  have  since  used 
it  in  two  cases  of  incurable  disease  with  intolerated  pains 
back,  chest,  pelvis,  etc.,  with  gratifying  results. 
'Sioniach  and  (Esophagus-. — Severe  constricting  pain  in 
the  cesopbagus,  in  two  places;  one  stricture  is  one  inch  and 
one-half  above  the  cardiac  orifice,  and  the  other  about  the 
middle  of  the  tube,  at  which  point  the  pain  is  constant  and 
severe,  passing  through  to  tlie  back  just  below  the  inferior 
angle  of  the  right  scapula,  aggravated  by  every  attempt  to 
swallow  either  liquid  or  solid  substances,  and  by  vomiting. 
Spasmodic  contractdons  the  entire  length  of  the  cesophagus, 
BO  severe  that,  for  days  and  nights,  could  neither  rest  nor 
sleep  without  the  constant  use  of  ice. 

Sharp,  cutting  pains  streak  across  abdomen,  low  down, 
and  extend  into  back  and  lower  limbs. 

Severe  labor-like  pains,  coming  in  paroxysms,  gradually 
increasing  and  decreasing  in  strength,  preceded  by  a  chill 
and  aggravated  by  change  of  position,  making  face  and  feet 
ooM,  hands  remaining  warm. 

Pressure  and  pain  in  whole  pelvic  region,  tlie  pains 
shooting  down  the  limbs.  Burning  heat  in  vagina,  with 
of  fullness  and  pressure;  worse  standing.  Heat,  pain 
ind  pressure  in  uterine  region;  a  dislike  to  move." 


MED0HRUINU.M-PI10VING. 

E.  W.  BEBKIIK.K,  M.  0.,  Landau.  Eog. 

i  Most  be  fanned  all  the  time,  throws  the  clothing  off,  yet  1 
urface  is  cold;  burning,  mostly  subjective  of  hands  and 
feet,  wanta  them  uncovered  and  fanned. 

Chill  at  10  A.  H.,  some  chattering  and  shivering. 

Chill  from  10  to  12.;  during  the  fever  was  nervous,  mov- 
ing the  fingers,  etc. 

Chill  at  10:30  a,  m.;  fever  with  thirst;  chill  began  in  1 

I  fingers  and  toes. 
Chill  at  10:30  a.  m.,  sometimes  followed  by  fever  with   \ 
tiiirst;  solid  coldness  all  over. 


1886  Medorrhinum.  353 

Chill  from  10:30  to  12:30;  thirst  during  chill,  none  du- 
ring fever. 

Chill  from  10  to  11  a.  m.  ;  cold  feet  and  legs. 

Chilliness  at  11  a.  m.,  beginning  with  great  coldness  of 
fingers  and  toes. 

Coldness  at  11  a.  m.,  beginning  in  fingers;  at  the  same 
time  great  urging  to  urinate,  greater  than  the  amount  war- 
rants. 

Chill  at  2  p.  M.,  feet  became  cold  first;  after  chill  ex- 
cessive langour,  becoming  drowsy;  weary  dreams  of  walking. 

Chill  at  5  p.  M.,  followed  by  fever  and  slight  sweat  (after 
getting  wet);  repeated  next  day,  but  lighter. 

Little  chills  began  in  head  and  swept  down  back,  mostly 
on  left  side. 

Chilly  and  sleepy,  yawning. 

Chills  up  and  down  back. 

Chills  frequent,  several  times  a  day. 

Shivering  chills  with  boring  pains  in  chest. 

Several  chills  dyiring  day,  awoke  in  night  with  creeps. 

Coldness,  right  hand  is  cold  and  then  left;  a  slight  flash 
of  heat  succeeded;  then  sensation  of  a  foreign  substance 
first  in  right  eye  then  in  left. 

Cold  handd,  with  coldness  extending  all  over  body. 

Constant  alternations  of  coldness  and  fever. 

Never  well  since  chill  a  year  ago. 

Creeping  chills  running  down  back  and  all  over  body  in 
a  zigzag  course. 

Great  feeling  of  heat  over  whole  back  and  back  of  head, 
heat  and  tingling  in  right  ear,  all  with  sweat  of  f^et;  heat 
does  not  reach  below  kidneys,  is  greatest  just  under  scap- 
ulae, at  same  time  smarting  of  edge  of  eyelids;  heat  in- 
creases to  fever. 

Coldness  of  legs  up  to  knees,  also  of  hands  and  forearms. 

Continued  heavy  perspiration  attended  by  great  sensi- 
tiveness to  cold. 

Hectic  fever. 

Alternate  heat  and  chill. 

Fever  in  afternoon. 

Fever  and  rapid  pulse  at  night 
w 


354  The  Medical  Advance.  Oct. 

Flashes  of  heat  alternating  with  chills. 

Night  sweats. 

Great  tendency  to  perspire  on  the  least  exertion. 

Night  sweats  are  mostly  from  knees  down,  somewhat  on 
feet. 

At  night  heavy  perspiration,  once  head  was  dripping  wet; 
left  side  was  always  worse. 

Perspiration  round  neck. 

Sweat  always  when  napping. 

Slight  moisture  during  night,  was  not  awakened  by  it, 
but  in  the  morning  noticed  that  the  shirt  was  damp. 

Fever  and  nervous  restfulness  from  midnight  to  3  a.  m. 

Aggravation  of  fever  and  malaise  from  10  to  1. 

Fever  came  on  at  11  A.  M.,  preceded  by  very  cold  feet; 
fell  asleep  during  the  fever;  after  fever,  sweat  on  palms, 
feet  and  legs. 

Fever  sometimes  with  thirst,  sometimes  not;  has  gushes 
of  perspiration  on  face  with  fever;  very  languid  after  it. 

Hectic  fever  every  afternoon. 

Great  general  internal  heat  after  dinner  as  if  blood  were 
boiling  hot  in  veins;  the  same  after  slight  exertion. 

Great  burning  heat  all  over  body,  with  flashes  of  heat  in 
face  and  neck. 

Chill. 

Excessive  coldness. 

CLINICAL  SYMPTOMS  OF  MEDORRHINUM. 

Profuse  sweat  about  neck. 

Chills  for  four  months,  every  day,  commencing  from  3 
to  6  p.  M. 

Chill  with  headache,  thirst,  nausea,  sometimes  vomiting. 

Fever  with  headache,  thirst,  nausea. 

Sweat  with  headache,  nausea;  sweat  chiefly  on  head  and 
neck. 

Pains  from  waist  downward;  frequent  urination,  dark  in 
color,  frequent  eructations;  constipation;  bad,  bitter  taste 
in  mouth  in  morning.  Took  Im.;  the  same  day  had,  a  chill 
but  none  afterwards;  the  constipation  and  bad  taste  ceased 
in  a  week.     (S.  Swan,  M.  D.). 


1886  Belladonna.  355 

Chill  came  on  first  at  night,  afterwards  at  various  hours; 
for  instance,  on  two  consecutive  days  at  2  P.  M.,  then  two 
days  at  three,  four,  five,  six  each,  then  at  seven  p.  M.,  there 
it  remained  for  two  weeks.  Chill  commenced  in  small  of 
back,  running  up  and  down;  lasted  about  an  hour,  and  as 
it  ceased,  profuse  frequent  urination  appeared  and  con- 
tinued during  the  fever;  congestion  of  chest  simulating 
pneumonia  during  the  fever,  causing  great  alarm;  great 
renal  distress  daring  paroxysm;  thirst  during  fever  for  hot 
drinks;  fever  continued  six  to  eight  hours;  profuse  per- 
spiration after  the  fever;  great  nervousness  during  the 
paroxysm,  was  sure  he  would  die;  intolerance  of  noise; 
irritable.     (Cured  by  S.  Swan,  M.  D.,  with  10m.). 


^•» 


BELLADONNA:  ACCIDENTAL  PROVING. 


J.  D.  TYURELL,  M.  D.,  Toronto.  Ontario. 


Case  I. — July  13th,  1886.    Last  night  Mr.  B ,  suffered 

very  much  from  facial  neuralgia,  right  side;  applied  hot 
vinegar,  but  no  relief  to  speak  of;  then  he  took  freely  of 
Belladonna,  low,  10  pellets.  No.  25,  at  a  dose,  which  "cured" 
his  neuralgia  so  he  went  to  sleep  and  awoke  almost  un- 
speakably happy. 

Sfnffis  2)rcff(nis: — Eight  side  of  face  feels  thick  and  swol- 
len, lips  feel  thick  and  stiff,  whole  side  of  face  numb,  can 
scarcely  articulate.  Voice  husky,  thick;  speech  slow,  in- 
distinct, 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  leans 
against  anything  on  ////  sufe,  he  cannot  straighten  up  un- 
less he  push  himself  oflf  with  right  hand;  if  he  sit  down 
on  floor  he  cannot  get  up  unless  he  use  rijfht  arm  to  raise 
hinjself.  Cannot  pass  any  person  or  object  on  1(0  side 
without  running  against  it;  constant  tendency  to  go  to  left 
sidr,  not  in  a  circle,  but  diagonally.  Pupils  dilated;  right 
side  of  face,  left  side  of  body  affected. 

Hyoscyamus  200th,  three  powders,  one  every  two  houi-s; 

improvement  rapid  and  permanent,  discharged  cured  in, 
three  days. 


356  The  Medical  Advance,  Oct. 

Case  II. — June  19,  1886. — Mrs.  S ,  medium  height, 

slender,  dark  hair,  pale  face,  and  grey  eyes  since  birth.  Men- 
tal temperament;  highly  sensitive  to  action  of  drugs.  Three 
years  ago  had  "neuralgia  of  heart"  for  which  a  Belladonna 
plaster  was  prescribed;  in  a  day  or  so  pain  was  sensibly 
diminished,  but  she  complained  of  pain  in  head,  and  eyes; 
thought  it  was  caused  by  the  Belladonna,  but  her  parents 
said  it  was  all  imagination.  She  wore  it  three  weeks,  when 
she  had  no  pain,  but  iris  of  right  eye  had  changed  from 
grey  to  a  deep  blue,  noticeable  by  herself  and  noticed  by 
friends  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  long  dur- 
ing daylight. 

Belladonna  40  m.  (Fincke)  four  powders,  one  every  two 
hours,  and  report  in  ten  days. 

June  29th.  Reports  eyes  less  painful,  can  read  two  or 
three  hours  by  gas-light,  without  paia  or  dimness;  right 
eye  not  so  blue.  She  reports  that  "medicine"  produced 
sharp  pains  from  back  round  to  hypogastrium ;  great  bear- 
ing down  ard  tenderness.  Scanty  but  frequent  urination; 
pains  come  and  go  suddenly.  Wants  to  go  down  town  to- 
morrow, so  wishes  medicine  for  pains,  gave  one  powder. 
Belladonna,  40  m.  and  wait  Next  day  met  her  elown  town, 
feeling  much  better,  still  improving.  This  corroborates 
and  completes  the  symptom  recorded  in  Dr.  Ber ridge's  in- 
comparable Repertory  to  Homoeopathic  Materia  Medica, 
"Diseases  of  Eyes,"  page  35,  rubric.  Iris — Color,  discol- 
ored.    Atp.  (Bell.)  ^^ 

POSOLOGY:  DROSEKA  ROTUNDIFLORA. 


DR.  BUGHMANN.  Alvei.slebeu  Germany. 


I  prepared  the  tincture  used  in  the  following  experi- 
ments myself,  from  the  fresh  blooming  plant,  which  I 
crushed  and  covered  with  an  equal  amount  of  strong  alco- 
hol. It  was  agitated  daily,  pressed  out  after  three  days, 
and  was  set  aside  in  a  well  stoppered  bottle  until  the  clear 
tinctui'e  could  be  decanted. 


1886  Drosera  Rotundiflora,  357 

Many  homoeopathic  physicians  still  cling  to  the  assump- 
tion that  a  larger  dose  must  of  necessity  act  stronger,  ex- 
ert a  stronger  influence  on  the  respective  nerves,  than  a 
smaller  dose. 

This  is  not  even  the  case  with  all  remedies  of  a  patho- 
genetic action,  for  not  infrequently  the  opposite  has  been 
observed,  as  can  be  proved  by  some  of  the  most  common 
articles  of  food:  a  cup  of  weak  tea  in  the  evening  will 
cause  an  itching  of  the  skin  and  sleeplessness  with  me; 
while  I  sleep  tranquilly  after  a  cup  of  strong  tea.  A  cup 
of  weak  cotfee  causes  me  discomfort  and  stomach  ache, 
while  str:ng  coffee  occasions  a  comfortable  sensation  with- 
out any  stomach  trouble.  With  some  remedies  incentive 
action  is  not  developed  until  it  is  triturated,  as  in  common 
salt,  which,  taken  in  larger  quantities  merely  causes  in- 
creased thirst,  while  a  few  grains  of  the  3x  trit.  I  have 
seen  produce  three  watery  evacuations  in  quick  succession, 
in  a  healthy  person,  shortly  after  having  been  adminis- 
tered. With  several  remedies  having  narcotic  constitu- 
ents incentive  action  was  not  observed  until  by  dilution  the 
opposite  narcotic  properties  were  weakened.  I  have  cured 
constipations  by  a  proper  dilution  of  opium,  which  had 
withstood  the  strongest  allopathic  purgatives.  There  are 
persons  of  great  sensitiveness  with  whom  homoeopathic 
higher  dilutions  must  not  be  repeated  on  the  same  day, 
while  I'lrge  allopathic  doses  will  be  repeatedly  tolerated 
without  discomfort. 

Drosera  belongs  to  those  remedies,  a  repetition  of  which 
in  a  high  attenuation  may  be  hurtful. 

Hear  what  Hahnemann  savs,  whose  truthfulness  and  un- 
ai)proa('lied  gift  of  observation  may  be  said  to  be  ack- 
nowledged by  all  of  us.  According  to  him  one  dose  of  one 
pellet  of  the  size  of  a  millet  seed,  medicated  with  the  30th 
centesimal  dilution  of  Drosera,  is  sufficient  to  etfect  a  ])er- 
fect  cure  of  an  attack  of  epidemic  whooping  cough  in 
from  seven  to  nine  days.  I  ask  you,  gentlemen,  who 
among  us  in  recent  times  has  done  as  well,  although  he 
said  "Follow  my  example" ;  at  least  I  don't  believe  any  of 
those  reasoning  from  a  ])hysiological  standpoint 


358  The  Medical  Advance.  Oct. 

Muhlenbein  gave  Drosera  16th,  but  witnessed  serious 
aggravations  in  two  children,  and  observed  that  the  attack 
was  prolonged,  which  was  not  the  case  after  one  dose  of 
Drosera  30th. 

Trinks  found  one  dose  of  a  high  potency  of  Drosera 
sufficient,  in  a  majority  of  cases,  to  cure  this  sickness  in 
from  7  to  14  days. 

Tietze  and  Bethmann  succeeded  in  effecting  complete 
restoration  in  whooping  cough,  with  one  dose  of  Drosera 
30  in  eight  days. 

I  must  confess  with  shame  that  I  gave  Drosera  30  one 
dose  a  day,  even  two,  in  whooping  cough,  and  always  to 
the  detriment  of  the  patient,becHUse  I  did  not  fully  compre- 
hend Hahnemann's  precepts.  For  he  says  in  his  Maieria 
Medica  Pura:  "Take  care  not  to  administer  a  second  dose 
immediately  after  the  first  (and  least  of  all  another  reme- 
dy), for  it  would  not  only  hinder  without  fail  the  good  suc- 
cess, but  would  occasion  considerable  damage,  as  I  know 
from  experience." 

As  irritating  however,  as  acts  a  repetition  of  the  30tli  of 
Drosera  repeated  on  the  same  day,  just  so  soothing  will  be 
the  repetition  of  the  Ix  dilution,  repeated  ad  libitum,  to 
the  sensitive  nerves  of  the  larynx  and  trachea. 

I  have  made  this  experience  first  on  myself. 

Almost  every  Spring  and  fall  I  am  attacked  by  a  bron- 
chial catarrh,  succeeding  a  cold,  which  generally  commen- 
ces with  a  A-iolent  tickling  cough  (Tussis  spasmodica, 
catarrhus  bronchi  siccus)  which  almost  drove  me  to  distrac- 
tion at  night.  The  tickling  has  its  seat  in  the  larynx,  and 
none  of  the  fifty  remedies  recommended  for  it  by  Kafka 
had  the  least  etfect,  so  that  finally  I  had  to  have  recourse 
to  morphine,  to  get  to  sleep.  My  head  and  stomach  natur- 
ally felt  the  worse  for  it  the  next  morning,  althoiigli  I  took 
only  0.005(1-12  gi*ain).  In  order  to  try  a  remedy  not  men- 
tioned in  Kafka's  Therap.,  I  became,  according  to  Kafka's 
opinion,  an  unscientific  dilettante;  /.  e,,  I  consulted  Trinks' 
Repertory  and  there  I  found  under  "tickling  in  tlie  larynx" 
in  bold  type,  Drosera,  A  Ithough  I  was  here  without  a 
modern,  refined,  materialistic,  pathologico-anatomical  basis, 


1886  Drosera  Rotundiflora.  359 

yet,  as  the  physiological  basis  had  left  me  in  the  lurch,  I 
took  a  vial  of  the  Ix  dilution  to  my  bedside  so  as  to  be 
prepared  to  take  it  as  soon  as  the  cough  commenced.  As 
soon  as  the  attack  set  in,  I  took  a  drop  on  a  piece  of  sugar, 
and  what  was  my  astonishment  to  find  that  the  cough  and 
the  tickling  disappeared  with  ray  swallowing  the  dose.  I 
then  put  a  few  drops  in  a  glass  of  water  and  took  a  swallow 
as  soon  as  the  tickling  reappeared,  nnd  to  my  joy  I  ob- 
served that  the  tickling  ceased  at  once  and  the  cough 
failed  to  appear.  After  a  few  swallows  I  fell  asleep  and 
did  not  awake  again  that  night,  although  I  had  been  awak- 
ened several  times  a  night  by  that  cough  before.  Since 
then  I  started  with  Drosera  Ix  or  the  mother  tincture, 
which  never  occasioned  untoward  symptoms,  while  allay- 
ing the  iickling,  as  well  as  this  tickling  cough  and  suc- 
ceeding bronchial  catarrh,  which  used  to  last  for  several 
weeks.  I  have  not  had  a  sleepless  night  since,  as  I  always 
dropped  asleep  after  taking  the  medicine,  and  much  quick- 
er than  after  morphine. 

Since  that  time  I  always  carry  some  sugar  of  milk  med- 
icated with  Drosera  mother  tincture,  and  I  am  thereby  en- 
abled to  relieve  the  sleepless  nights  of  children  with  bron- 
chial catarrh,  where  this  tickling  cough  is  rarely  absent,  as 
well  as  those  affected  with  tuberculosis  of  the  lungs  whose 
bane  of  life  is  the  nocturnal  tickling  cough. 

But  you  must  always  meet  renewed  irritation  with  an- 
other dose  of  the  remedy.     Sleep  will  follow  so  speedily 

that  I  often  was  asked  whether  I  had  administered  a  sopo- 
rific. Even  the  smallest  children  will  bear  such  doses; 
and  I  never  observed  unfavorable  effects.  May  this  rem- 
edy be  as  useful  to  ray  colleagues  as  it  was  in  my  hands. — 
^•J  lUjeimciiie  Homceopathiscke  Zeitung, 


ft 


Posture  in  Labor. — H.  B.  Hemenway,  M.D.,  says:  "We 
conclude  tiiat  the  dorsal  dccnbiiuSy  now  so  comraon,  should 
be  discouraged,  because,  first,  it  retards  labor;  second,  it 
exhausts  strength;  third,  it  favors  mal- positions;  fourth,  it 
tends  to  produce  ruptures;  fifth,  it  tends  to  produce  local 
inflammation;  sixth,  since  the  labor  is  retarded,  it  increases 
the  length  of  time  that  the  child's  head  is  compressed,  and 
so  endangers  its  life." — Am,  Jour,  of  Obstetrics, 


360  The  Medical  Advance.  Oct 

CLINICAL  MEDICINE. 


HYDROPHOBIA. 


DR.   VON  BOENNINGHAUSEN,  MttnPter. 
Archiv  f.  bom.  Heilkunde  Vol  80. 3  p.  85. 


Translated  by  B.  FINCKE.  M.  D.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 


1830  Jan.  30.  I  was  visiting  the  family  v.  W.  in  the 
evening,  where  also  the  sister  of  the  house  Freifrau  v.  H. 
owner  of  a  large  estate  near  A.  was  present.  She  related 
that  a  short  time  ago  a  maid-servant  was  bitten  by  a  mad 
dog,  and  in  consequence  hydrophodia  had  occured.  On 
my  remark  that  nevertheless  it  would  be  possible  to  save 
her,  and  it  would  at  least  be  human  duty  to  try  it,  since 
thus  tsT  no  case  of  declared  hydrophobia  had  been  known 
to  be  cured  on  the  allopathic  method,  she  asked  me  to  give 
her  the  necessary  remedies,  and  oflPered  herself  to  send 
them  the  next  morning  to  the  clergyman  in  the  place,  a 
very  intelligent  man,  so  that  there  could  be  no  mistake. 

Since  I  did  not  know  anything  about  the  state  of  the 
patient,  and  the  manner  in  which  hydrophobia  occured  in 
this  individual  case,  as  also  about  the  remedial  measures 
already  taken  allopathically  it  was  utterly  impossible  for 
me  to  make  a  selection  of  the  three  remedies  cencerned, 
vis;  Belladonna,  Hyoscyamus  and  Stramonium,  (for  Can- 
tharis  at  that  time  had  not  been  proved. )  There  remained 
nothing  to  do,  but  to  send  a  homoeopathic  dose  of  each  in 
a  blank  powder,  and  to  add  a  summary  of  the  most  char- 
acteristic symptoms  of  each  remedy  so  that  the  intelligent 
clergyman  would  be  enabled  to  select  the  most  fitting.  The 
powders  were  numbered:  No  1  contained  Belladonna  24, 
one  drop;  No  2,  Hyoscyamus  12,  one  di-op;  and  No  3,  Stra- 
monium 9,  one  drop,  and  with  my  remarks  and  a  letter  to 
the  lady  they  were  dispatched  the  next  morning. 

Feb.  1,  clergyman  answered:  "I  received  the  powders 
yesterday  noon,  and  went  immediately  after  service,  to 
make  use  of  them.  I  found  it  difficult  to  decide  which  of 
the  three  remedies  could  be  administered  to  the  greatest 


1886  Hydrophobia,  361 

advantage,  because  the  indications  given  in  the  instructions 
corresponded  but  little  with  the  condition  of  the  patient 
I  resolved,  since  the  patient  had  already  received  Bella- 
donna,  to  give  powder  No  2.  But  when  1  arrived,  I  found 
the  surgeon  M — ,  was  treating  the  case  in  consultation 
with  the  district  physician,  Professor  L — .  The  latter  told 
me  the  patient  was  no  longer  sufiPering  from  hydrophobia; 
her  present  disease  was  only  weakness,  the  result  of  the 
violent  convulsions  which  she  had  had,  and  she  was  going 
to  be  restored." 

"From  these  words  I  concluded  that  the  Professor  him- 
self had  diagnosed  the  disease  as  hydrophobia,  and  the 
hydrophobic  symptoms  had  yielded  in  consequence  of  the 
use  of  Belladonna." 

"I,  therefore,  hesitated,  to  give  the  powder,  especially 
as  Mr.  M —  to  whom  I  said  I  had  an  arcanum  against 
hydrophobia,  desired  to  defer  it  for  the  present,  as  every 
simultaneous  use  of  other  remedies  was  forbidden." 

"  This  morning  I  was  hastily  summoned,  as  the  patient 
was  thought  to  be  dying,  and  wanted  to  speak  to  me.  On 
arriving,  I  found  the  following  condition:  She  couLl  not 
speak,  was  constantly  in  convulsions  and  cramps,  and  foam- 
ing at  the  mouth.  She  was  conscious,  as  she  replied  to  my 
questions  by  signs.  In  about  half  an  hour  she  rallied  so 
far  as  by  the  help  of  the  nurse,  to  sit  up.  I  then  gave  her 
powder  No.  2 — Hyoscyamus  12,  one  drop  in  sugar  of  milk 
— dry  on  the  tongue;  and  according  to  directions  allowed 
it  to  melt  on  the  tongue.  I  gave  the  necessary  instructions 
to  the  nurse,  and  remained  an  hour  with  the  patient  in 
which  she  spoke  distinctly,  being  as  well  as  on  previous 
days;  hence  I  am  not  positive  that  the  powder  had  any 
beneficial  effect,  as  I  fear  the  patient  is  already  too  ser- 
iously effected  to  be  relieved  by  medical  aid." 

The  following  report  of  the  case  was  written  in  the 
presence  of  the  Privy-counsellor  Freiherm  v.  K. :  Louisa 
Klusemann,  aged  21  years,  Jan.  19th,  1830,  in  the  evening 
went  to  the  well  for  water.  She  noticed  on  the  snow  a 
strange  dog,  not  far  from  her,  occupied  with  some  current 
bushes,  but  as  soon  as  he  saw  her,  attacked  her  furiously. 


362  Ttie  Medical  Advance,  Oct 

seizing  her  apron,  dress,  and  neckerchief,  which  afterwards 
were  found  covered  with  saliva,  and  in  her  effort  to  ward 
bim  off  was  bitten  in  the  left  hand.  Three  scars  were  still 
visible,  viz,  a  pretty  large  one  at  the  outer  margin  of  the 
palm,  below  the  little  finger;  a  second,  like  a  bruise,  at  the 
base  of  the  little  finger;  and  the  third  at  the  top  of  the 
ring  finger  of  the  same  hand.  The  last  one  was  the  most 
painful,  and  the  patient  after  the  habit  of  many  people  of 
that  class,  inconsiderately  tried  to  obtain  relief  by  sucking 
the  wound.  The  dog  was  said  to  be  shot  the  next  day.  At 
ten  o'clock  the  same  evening  a  surgeon,  M — ,  who  lived  in 
the  same  neighborhood,  was  called,  cauterized  the  wounds, 
and  dressed  them,  when  the  patient  fainted.  In  the 
following  days  he  could  not  induce  suppuration.  On  the 
fourth  day  she  received  medicine  internally.  On  the  23d 
day  she  felt  a  certain  tension  in  her  throat,  which  in- 
creased the  next  day,  causing  pain  in  swallowing.  It  seems 
that  the  sucking  of  the  wound  precipitated  the  breaking 
out  of  the  disease.  Jan.  24  and  25,  she  awoke  at  midnight 
with  great  anxiety  in  her  chest,  and  a  sensation  of  heat  in 
her  forehead  which  in  less  than  half  an  hour  disappeared, 
and  she  fell  asleep  again. 

The  first  real  attack  of  Hydrophobia  occurred  Jan.  25th, 
about  eight  a.  m.,  while  attempting  to  put  on  her  head- 
dress before  the  mirror.  The  glare  of  the  mirror  imme- 
diately caused  a  sensation  of  heat  and  burning  in  the  eyes, 
with  many  stars  dancing  before  her,  and  heat  in  the  fore- 
head, with  a  sensation  as  if  she  were  pushed  forward  by 
starts.  Dreadful  anxiety  in  the  chest,  violent  palpitation 
of  the  heart  and  profuse  sweat.  A  second  attack  occurred 
about  an  hour  later,  and  was  much  more  severe,  when  she 
attempted  to  pour  water  into  a  kettle,  though  otherwise  at- 
tended with  similar  symptoms.  In  the  third  attack  wliich 
soon  followed,  she  bit  the  clothes  of  a  working  woman  who 
was  called  for  assistance.  From  this  time  the  attacks  be- 
came furious,  and  returned  at  short  intervals,  and  always 
continued  from  half  an  hour  to  an  hour;  each  attack  being 
introduced  by  anxiety  in  the  chest,  and  violent  palpitation. 
Then  it  went  from  the  chest  into  the  neck,  and  from  there 


1886  Hydrophobia.  363 

into  the  head,  where  a  terrible  heat  occurred  with  a  sensa- 
tion as  if  the  head  would  burst.  Even  at  the  present  time 
she  shudders  at  the  remembrance  of  that  sensation  of  anx- 
iety and  heat,  with  the  vanishing  of  sight,  which  grew  bet- 
ter as  soon  as  the  heat  in  the  head  abated.  In  these  mo- 
ments of  suffering,  she  felt  an  irresistable  impulse  to  bite 
and  tear  with  her  teeth,  and  she  actually  did  bite  and  tear 
her  own  clothes.  After  this  was  made  impossible  she  bit 
her  own  tongue,  the  marks  of  which  are  still  visible.  In 
order  to  prevent  this,  at  the  beginning  of  the  paroxysm,  a 
glove,  piece  of  wood  or  something  else  was  put  into  her 
mouth.  During  these  paroxysms,  her  teeth  became  so 
loose  that,  as  she  expressed  it,  "they  hung  before  her 
mouth,"  an  upper  incisor  being  lost  in  one  paroxysm. 
From  this  time  no  more  food  was  taken  because  the  swel- 
ling became  so  great  that  it  required  ten  or  twelve  efforts 
before  she  could  swallow  a  spoonf ull  of  medicine,  the  effort 
being  attended  with  the  most  violent  pain.  The  tongue 
and  throat,  both  internally  and  externally,  became  more 
and  more  swollen  from  day  to  day,  and  in  the  later  stages 
there  was  a  sensation  of  narrowing  of  the  trachea  so  that 
breathing  was  attended  with  the  greatest  exertion.  The 
voice  became  indistinct,  and  unintelligible,  and  was  entirely 
lost  in  the  last  twenty-four  hours  before  the  homoeopathic 
dose. 

Memory  also  was  considerably  weakened.  On  looking  at 
brilliant  objects,  or  bright  light,  the  eyes  would  turn  red, 
with  sparks  and  fiery  rays  before  them,  and  terrible  stitches 
and  heat  in  the  forehead.  Finally  she  asserted  that  for  the 
last  three  days  she  had  been  unable  to  sleep. 

If  it  be  true,  as  the  patient  assures  me,  the  district  phy- 
sician had  seen  her  four  times,  had  administered  medicine 
to  her  himself,  and  had  taken  precaution,  by  applying  long 
leathern  arm-gloves  that  the  nurses  might  not  be  injured; 
if  it  also  be  true  that  he  himself  had  warned  the  people 
personally  to  be  careful;  had  declared  the  disease  to  be 
hydrophobia  and  predicted  certain  death  by  Wednesday, 
as  the  patient  herself  heard;  all  this,  certainly  did  not  cor- 
respond with  his  later  statements,  that  the  disease  was  not 


364  The  Medical  Advance,  Oct. 

hydrophobia,  for  the  simple  reason  "  had  it  been  she  could 
not  have  recovered.''  The  patient  asserts  that  she  was  per- 
fectly conscious  when  on  February  1st  the  clergyman  gave 
her  the  powder,  and  was  obliged  to  separate  the  teeth  with 
the  handle  of  the  spoon,  that  he  might  place  it  on  her  ton- 
gue. Soon  after  placing  the  powder  in  her  mouth  she  felt 
relief,  and  regained  her  speech  which  she  had  lost  for  the 
last  twenty-four  hours.  The  improvement  was  now  visible 
from  hour  to  hour,  until  she  fell  into  a  deep,  refreshing 
sleep,  the  first  for  three  days,  and  from  which  she  awoke 
quite  alleviated.  She  awoke  with  an  unextinguishable 
thirst,  and  was  much  astonished  that  she  could  indulge  in 
moderate  drinking.  While  relating  this  circumstance  her 
eyes  glistened  with  joy  at  the  remembrance  of  it,  and  she 
added  that  it  was  unlike  a  common  violent  thirst  which 
urges  to  constant  drinking,  but  an  internal  longing  for 
fluid,  accompanied  with  joy  and  intense  satisfaction  at  re- 
covery from  such  a  terrible  disease,  the  diagnosis  of  which 
was  thereby  confirmed.  It  was  not  until  the  third  day 
after  the  homoeopathic  remedy  was  administered  that  the 
eyes  became  loss  sensitive  to  brilliant  objects,  especially 
mirrors,  and  it  was  several  days  before  the  mirror  ceased 
to  produce  burning  in  the  eyes,  and  heat  in  the  head. 

A  week  after  she  had  severe  pains  in  the  abdomen,  and 
which  the  district  physician  said  was  probably  caused  by 
the  too  large  doses  of  medicine  (compare  Belladonna,  Ma- 
teria Medica  Pura,  Vol.  1).  In  the  beginning  of  May  the 
patient  called  on  me  here  in  Mtinster,  for  the  second  time 
suffering  from  an  obstinate  quotidian  fever,  the  psoric  na- 
ture of  which  was  not  to  be  mistaken,  and  which  allopathic 
antipyretics  only  suppressed.  She  received  from  me  only 
one  single  dose  of  Hyoscyamus  12. 

This  is  the  simple  narrative  of  a  fact,  the  particular  cir- 
cumstances of  which  I  would  have  liked  to  explore  in  the 
place  where  it  happened;  a  fact  which  in  the  surroundings 
of  the  town  excited  more  interest  than  it  merited,  because 
according  to  my  convictions  Homoeopathy  here  did  nothing 
but  repair  the  fault  which  Allopathy  had  committed  by  her 
(rational!)  doses.     Of  course  no  convert  will   deny  that 


1886        •  Tuberculosis.  365 

without  homoeopathic  aid,  the  patient  would  certainly  have 
been  sacrified.  But  then,  she  would  not  have  died  from 
the  natural  hydrophobia,  but  from  the  Belladonna  hydro- 
phobia, which  was  substituted  in  its  place.  Hence  the 
genuine  homoeopathic  Antidote  Hyoscyamus  acted  so  rapid- 
ly, much  more  rapidly  than  it  would  have  done  in  the  na- 
tural hydrophobia.     [And  only  a  single  dose. — Ed.] 


•«•» 


TUBERCULOSIS. 


E.  8.  EVANS,  M.  D..  Columbus,  O. 


A  German,  age  27,  a  day-laborer  in  my  employment,  blue 
eyes,  light  complexion,  and  given  to  masturbation.  He  has 
been  in  this  country  six  years.  For  three  years  has  had  a 
short  hacking  cough.  Being  unable  to  speak  English,  I 
could  obtain  but  very  little  information  as  to  its  character. 
I  observed  that  he  drank  a  large  quantity  of  water,  but 
only  in  small  quantities  at  a  time.  He  told  me  that  the 
cough  prevented  him  from  sleeping  in  the  after  part  of  the 
night.  Profuse  sweats  after  midnight,  the  sheets  in  the 
morning  would  be  wet.  Red,  hectic  spots  on  cheeks.  I 
gave  him  three  powders  Arsenicum  1000,  a  powder  once  a 
week,  and  to  my  surprise  and  astonishment,  with  complete 
relief  of  all  his  troubles.  Cough  gradually  ceased,  and 
the  night  sweats  passed  away.  He  became  stout  and  well, 
and  gained  in  flesh  for  a  year. 

This  winter  he  again  began  to  complain.  Lungs  tender, 
and  seijsative  to  touch,  severe  pains  in  the  left  lung,  hectic 
flush,  night  sweats,  and  the  usual  consumptive  cough  with 
ra[)id  emaciation.  As  I  could  obtain  no  characteristic 
symptoms  calling  for  any  remedy,  I  gave  him  one  dose  of 
Tuberculinum,  cm.,  merely  as  an  experiment,  not  thinking 
that  it  would  have  any  etfect  one  way  or  the  other.  You 
can  imagim  my  surprise  to  see,  in  less  than  ten  days  a  very 
decided  change  for  the  better.  It  has  now  been  two  months 
since  I  gave  him  the  one  powder.  The  unfavorable  symp- 
toms are  all  gone,  and  he  is  fleshier,  and  feels  better,  he 
says,  than  he  has  for  ten  years.  He  has  taken  no  other 
remedy. 


•   « 


366  The  Medical  Advance,  Oct. 

The  query  is,  what  cured  him  ?  I  confess,  to  me,  it  is  an 
enigma.  There  must  be  some  curative  power  in  these  po- 
tencies, but  I  do  not  know  what  it  is.  In  fact  I  know 
nothing  about  it  [The  doctor  is  probably  correct  in  say- 
ing that  he  knows  nothing  about  the  curative  power  of  the 
potentized  drug.  He  knows,  however,  as  much  as  any 
body.  Neither  he  nor  any  one  else  knows  anything  about 
the  curative  power  of  Arsenicum  3x,  or  Arsenicum  1000. 
It  is  a  simple  fact,  that  is  all  we  know  about  it. — Ed.  ] 

CLINICAL  CASES. 


G.  W.  SHERBINO,  M.  D.,  Abilene,  Texas. 


Case  I. — Indolent  Ulcers:  Sulphur, — Mrs.  J — ,  aged 
thirty,  has  had  an  ulcer  on  left  leg,  midway  between  knee 
and  ankle,  which  has  been  discharging  more  or  less  for 
twelve  years;  discharge  thin,  watery,  sometimes  tinged 
with  blood.  Surgeons  have  wanted  to  cut  down  and  scrape 
the  bone,  claiming  it  could  be  cured  in  no  other  way.  I 
introduced  a  probe,  but  a  careful  examination  revealed 
neither  caries  nor  necrosis.  The  bone  was  perfectly 
smooth.  I  told  the  patient  the  sinus  could  be  cut  open — 
it  was  two  or  three  inches  in  length — an^  by  bringing  the 
parts  together,  it  in  that  way  might  be  cured.  She  was 
willing  to  submit  to  any  treatment  that  promised  a  cure; 
but  I  also  told  her  that  while  splitting  the  sinus  open 
might  be  the  easiest  way,  it  certainly  was  not  the  best. 
There  was  evidently  a  constitutional  defect,  and  when  that 
was  removed  the  ulcer  would  be  cured  also. 

The  symptoms  were  few  but  characteristic:  She  could 
not  bear  any  covering  on  that  leg  at  night,  the  foot  was 
hot  and  burning,  especially  the  sole;  in  fact  the  whole 
limb  seemed  to  burn  at  night,  and  she  was  frequently  com- 
pelled to  sleep  with  limb  uncovered;  restless  sleep  at  night 
in  consequence;  hot,  burning,  vertex  headache;  hungry 
every  day  at  11  a.  m.  These  symptoms  were  far  removed 
from  the  ulcer  and  apparently  had  little  or  nothing  to  do 
with  it,  but  as  there  was  nothing  characteristic  about  the 


1886  Clinical  Cases,  367 

ulcer,  the  c5onstitutional  symptoms  must  be  relied  upon. 
Sulphur  1000,  one  dose.  Sac.  lac.  to  last  a  week. 

At  the  end  of  a  week,  received  a  letter  stating  she  was 
wonderfully  improved,  ulcer  better  than  for  years;  the 
burning  in  the  foot  and  limb  almost  gone.  Sac.  lac.  for 
two  weeks. 

In  a  month  she  wrote  that  the  ulcer  had  been  healed  For 
several  days,  but  that  morning  had  broken  out  again.  One 
more  dose  of  Sulphur  1000;  Sac.  lac.  for  another  month. 
Cured. 

Case  II. — Hydrocephalus:  Apium  virus, — Was  caUed 
to  see  a  little  girl,  aged  about  two  and  a  half  years,  suffer- 
ing with  diarrhoea  for  two  or  three  days,  attended  with  a 
high  fever  and  a  rapid  pulse,  and  worse  in  the  afternoon. 
She  was  drowsy  and  sleepy.  Belladonna  200  relieved  the 
fever  promptly,  and  on  my  second  visit  the  bowel  trouble 
had  abated,  though  she  was  still  drowsy,  sleeping  most  of 
the  time.  I  thought  she  would  need  no  further  attention, 
and  requested  to  be  notified  if  she  did  not  improve.  Sev- 
eral days  after  I  was  again  called  and  found  my  little 
patient  much  worse.  She  was  unconscious,  pupils  widely 
dilated,  and  did  not  notice  anything.  Had  been  growing 
stupid  ever  since  my  last  visit.  Her  head  was  drawn  back- 
wards. She  was  very  restless,  constantly  rolling  her  head 
from  side  to  side,  with  an  occasional  sharp,  piercing  scream 
which  I  had  never  heard  before,  but  shall  not  soon  forget, 
the  "  cri  encephalique."  Urine  very  scanty;  had  not  passed 
any  in  twenty-four  hours.  Some  squinting  of  the  eyes.  No 
thirst.  This  was  evidently  a  serious  case,  and  I  feared  I 
had  neglected  my  patient  too  long.  Apium  virus  200,  in 
water,  teaspoon ful  every  two  hours  until  better. 

Called  in  the  evening.  Patient  not  so  restless;  had 
passed  urine;  still  rolling  the  head  constantly,  but  the 
sharp  scream  had  ceased;  skin  hot  and  dry.  Pulse,  140. 
The  improvement  was  sufficiently  marked  to  discontinue 
the  remedy.  Ordered  Sac.  lac.  every  two  hours,  the  medi- 
cine to  be  repeated  if  the  improvement  ceased,  or  if  the 
screaming  commenced  again.  On  calling  in  the  morning 
found  her  sitting  up  in  bed  playing  with  her  toys.  Sac. 
lac.  every  two  hours. 


The  Medical  Advance.  Oct. 

This  came  very  near  being  a  bad  case,  but  similia  proved 
all  safficieni 

Case  III. — May  ,  age  two  and  a"  half  years,  twin, 

light  complexion,  blonde  hair;  had  sore  eyes  last  summer 
for  three  months,  for  which  she  received  nothing  but  local 
treatment  Seemingly  she  recovered,  leaving  a  small  cica- 
trix over  the  pupil  of  the  left  eye.  Last  winter  her  mother 
vaccinated  heron  the  calf  of  the  leg.  It  "took  "  and  made 
her  quite  sick.  She  was  apparently  progressing  favorably 
till  her  mother  brought  her  to  the  office,  for  a  discharge 
behind  the  ear,  which  was  clear,  transparent,  gluey,  with 
some  acne  here  and  there  over  the  face.  For  this  she  re- 
ceived one  dose  of  Graphites  cm.,  which  cured  in  one  week. 
Three  weeks  after  she  was  brought  to  the  office  again;  this 
time  with  ophthalmia  of  both  eyes.  She  could  not  bear 
the  light;  had  to  wear  a  shade,  and  keep  the  eyes  bandaged 
even  in  the  house.  The  conjunctivae  very  red  and  con- 
gested, agglutination  of  the  lids  iji  the  morning,  intolerable 
photophobia,  and  profuse  lachrymation,  the  water  running 
down  both  cheeks.  Perhaps  she  would  return  with  pim- 
ples around  her  eyes.  Once  she  had  a  sore  on  her  head 
that  had  to  be  opened,  and  it  discharged  a  quantity  of  pus. 
The  lymphatics  of  the  neck  were  enlarged  and  felt,  under 
pressure,  like  split  peas.  Every  time  I  gave  her  a  remedy, 
she  would  improve  for  a  week  or  two,  and  then  return  as 
bad  as  ever.  This  continued  for  about  three  months,  and 
the  parents  became  somewhat  discouraged;  but  if  she 
went  to  an  occulist,  she  would  again  receive  the  same  old 
local  treatment,  in  which  they  had  no  coufidence.. 

I  had  given  her  Belladonna,  Calcarea,  Graphites,  Cina, 
Mercurius,  Khus  tox..  Sulphur,  and  Silicea;  but  despite 
my  best  selected  remedies,  she  would  return  as  bad  as  ever. 
For  about  two  or  three  weeks  she  suffered  from  ulcer  of 
the  cornea.  Both  eyes  were  terribly  phntophobic,  attended 
with  severe  pain.  She  would  improve  for  a  time,  and  then 
on  would  come  th©  inevitable  relapse.  Each  remedy  had 
been  carefully  selected,  and  allowed  a  proper  time  to  act 
before  a  repetition  of  the  dose,  but  without  avail.  From  a 
proving  of  Sanicula,  which  appeared  in  The  Advance  in 


1886  Clinical  Cases.  369 

January,  1885,  and  a  careful  correspondence  of  the  symp- 
toms, especially  the  tendency  to  relapse  which  Sulphur 
had  failed  to  prevent,  I  determined  to  give  it  a  trial.  Sani- 
cula  50m.  (Skinner)  was  accordingly  prescribed,  with  very 
gratifying  results.  Improvement  began  at  once,  and  con- 
tinued without  any  more  relapses.  The  bloated  and  en- 
larged stomach  and  abdomen,  the  profuse  sweating  of  the 
head,  so  that  the  pillow  was  wet  while  sleeping,  for  which 
Calcarea  and  Silicea  had  been  given  with  only  temperary 
relief,  gradually  but  permanently  disappeared. 

There  is  no  doubt  but  that  Sanicula  will  become  one  of 
our  best  remedies,  rivaling  some  of  our  valuable  anti- 
psorics. 

Case  IV. — Rheumatic  Carditis.  Spigelian  Miss  B — 
aged  12,  was  troubled  with  inflammatory  rheumatism,  a  year 
ago,  which  left  her  with  "heart  trouble,"  and  her  hands 
were  somewhat  deformed.  Two  or  three  weeks  ago  she 
took  a  severe  cold  which  caused  her  to  suffer  most  intoler- 
able pain  in  the  region  of  the  heart. 

When  I  was  called  she  had  been  attended  by  one  of  the 
old  school  physicians,  who  had  that  day  said  she  could 
not  live  until  morning.  The  neighbors  were  of  the  same 
opinion  and  were  preparing  her  burial  clothes. 

The  doctor's  diagnosis  of  the  case  was  consumption,  scrof- 
ula and  heart  disease.  She  had  fair  complexion,  with  blue 
eyes  and  light  hair.  Evidently  she  had  a  catarrhal  affection 
but  I  could  see  no  signs  of  scrofula  or  consumption. 
When  I  called,  she  was  sitting  in  a  rocking  chair,  having 
been  in  that  position  for  a  week,  as  she  was  unable  to  lie 
down  for  a  moment,  so  great  was  the  dyspnoea.  Her  pulse 
was  120,  full  and  strong;  respiration  28;  temperature  99®. 
She  described  a  pain  in  her  chest  at  about  the  sixth  inter- 
costal space,  where  the  apex  of  the  heart  strikes  the  thorax, 
the  spot  that  pained  her  seeming  to  be  about  the  size  of  a 
quarter  of  a  dollar,  and  having  three  branches)  one  ex- 
tending in  a  straight  direction  backward  to  the  left  scapula; 
a  second  upwards  across  the  left  chest  to  the  point  of  the 
left  shoulder  and  down  the  arm;  and  the  third  downward, 
across  the  lower  part  of  the  sternum,  or  epigastric  region. 

X 


)  The  Medical  Advance.  Oct 

moving  or  taking  a  long  breath,  the  pain  became 
rse,  the  act  of  moving  being  always  followed  by  a  mo- 
DOentary  suspension  of  breath.  The  heart's  action  vigor- 
!,  striking  the  chest  so  hard  that  it  produced  a  waving  un- 
diilating  motion  of  the  carotids.  I  thought  from  the  heart 
striking  further  around  to  the  left  that  there  was  hypertro- 
phy of  the  left  ventricle,  but  I  could  not  detect  any  abnor- 
mal sounds,  only  increased  intensity.     Spigelia  200, 

On  calling  next  morning,  I  found  her  lying  in  bed  with 
twopillows  under  her  head  sleeping  soundly.  I  felt  her  pulse, 
and  as  she  did  not  awaken,  left  word  that  I  would  call 
again  next  day.  She  improved  very  rapidly  from  day  to 
day.  I  would  stop  giving  Spigelia,  and  use  Sac  lac.  instead, 
when  the  pain  would  soon  return,  so  that  I  would  again 
have  to  give  Spigelia.  This  was  continued  for  at  least  a 
month,  until  all  trouble  had  ceased.  As  the  pain  abated 
respiration  and  pulse  became  normal,  and  with  this  came 
decreased  heai't  action.  She  has  not  had  any  aching  about 
the  heart  for  two  months;  has  gained  in  flesh  and  her  appe- 
tite is  good. 

When  I  began   to  treat  her,  her  mother  was  the  mofit 
skeptical  person  in  the  town,  but  now  she  does  not  feel 
r  that  way.     Faith  comes  after  the  cure,  both  to  the  patient 
[  and  friends,  and  also  the  doctor. 

-EXPERIENTIA  DOCET  VEL  DOCEAT." 

GEO.  H.  CABR,  M.  D..  Galeflburg.  111. 

Woman,  aged   thirty-eight,  thin,  spare,  sallow,  brown 

I"  haii;  has  been  an  invalid  all  her  life.     Now  complains  of 

'  bearing-down  paims  in  uterus  and  bowels,  as  if  everything 

1  Tould  fall  out     On  walking  she  feels  as  if  the  bowels 

I  vonld  fall  out     Leucorrhoea,  brownish.     These  symptoms 

'  were  relieved  for  one  week  by  one  dose  of  Lilium  tigri- 

I  nam  omm.,  when  they  returned  with  renewed  vigor,  except 

the  leuoorrhcca     She  then  complained  of   great  pain  i 

bowels,  as  if  everything  would  come  or  fall  out  when  shsbJ 

made  the  least  motion.     Great  thirst  for  cold  water,  but  itt 


1886  A  Verification.  371 

was  vomited  immediately.  Nose,  mouth  and  throat  became 
very  sore  and  a  profuse  eruption  of  fever  blisters  came  out 
around  the  mouth.  A  continual  "  shower  of  soot  before 
eyes,''  with  fainting  at  every  little  exertion.  Pulse  98, 
large  and  full;  heart's  pulsations  shake  the  whole  body. 
Continual  sensation  of  burning  in  left  lung,  with  almost 
constant  cough  and  expectoration  of  chocolate-colored 
sputa.  Great  hurry  and  restlessness,  can  do  nothing  fast 
enough,  with  fear  of  being  startled,  and  easily  frightened, 
especially  at  night. 

Gave  one  dose  of  Natrum  mur.  cm.  One  week  from 
that  time  she  had  been  at  work  two  days,  and  said  she  felt 
perfectly  well,  only  weak.  I  write  this  because  I  am  cer- 
tain these  bowel  symptoms  of  Natrum  mur.  are  character- 
istic, and  yet  they  are  not  noticed  in  any  work  of  charac- 
teristic Materia  Medica.  This  woman  had  been  under  the 
care  of  other  physicians  for  uterine  trouble,  ulceration  and 
prolapsus  for  years,  and  she  was  cured  in  two  weeks  by 
one  dose  of  Natrum  mur.  cm.     Can  crude  doses  do  better? 


-*•»- 


A  VERIFICATION. 


V.  B.  COSBY,  M.  D.,  St.  Ix)uis,  Mo. 


Intermittent  Fever.    Rhus  iox. — Mrs.  W. ,  aet  40, 

has  had  malarial  fever  for  two  years;  been  treated  by 
several  allopathic  physicians;  ringing  in  ears  since  taking 
quinine;  continuous  heat,  worse  at  night;  no  chill.  Patient 
slept  in  a  draught  after  becoming  heated  from  washing; 
great  pain  and  stiffness  in  left  side  and  back  of  neck;  ina- 
bility to  turn  her  head;  worse  from  lying  down,  better  from 
continued  motion  or  change  of  position.  Gave  one  dose  of 
Ehus  tox.  71  m.  (Fincke). 

Three  days  later  patient  returned  with  following  symp- 
toms:  Pain  and  stiffness  in  back  and  side  gone,  but  great 
stiffness,  pain  and  swelling  in  lower  limbs  and  feet  Also 
a  dry  fatiguing  cough,  which  she  had  not  had  previous  to 
taking  this  remedy.  This  last  being  Dunham's  guiding 
symptom  for  Bhus,  and  knowing  it  to  be  the  result  of 
Bhus,  the  patient  received  Sac.  laa  for  one  week,  and  waa 
cured. 


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'j 

AN  ADVOCATE  OF 

HOMCEOPATHIC  MEDICINE. 

H.  C.  AliliEN,  M.  D.,  Editor  and  Publisher. 

Vol.  XVII.      Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  October  1886.  No.  4. 


The  Editor  is  not  respoiisibie  for  tlie  opinions  of  contributors.  Personalities, 
being  foreign  to  scientific  discussion,  must  be  excluded. 

To  accommodate  both  reader  and  publisher  this  Journal  will  be  sent  until 
arrears  arc  paid  and  it  is  ordered  discontinued. 

The  date  to  which  subscriptions  are  paid  will  be  found  on  the  address. 


EDITORIAL. 


The  Teaching  of  the  Organon. — In  the  September  issue 
of  the  Homoeopathic  Physician,  Dr.  Wells  asks  some  very 
pertinent  questions;  questions,  which  in  the  interest  both 
of  the  cause  and  the  profession,  our  college  faculties  should 
promptly  and  honestly  answer.  The  adoption  by  the  Ameri- 
can Institute  of  the  recommendation  of  President  Bunnels 
"  that  the  Organon  be  taught  by  all  our  colleges,"  is  in 
the  opinion  of  Dr.  Wells  proof  positive  that  it  is  not  taught 
and  has  not  been  taught  therein,  as  he  claims  that  the  ma- 
jority of  the  members  of  the  Institute  are  alumni  of  the 
colleges,  and  should  know  whereof  they  speak.  Hence  the 
call  to  teach  the  Organon  is  certainly  prima  facia  evi- 
dence that  there  was  necessity  for  it.  If  the  colleges  heed 
the  warning,  some  member  of  the  faculty  will  be  deputed 
to  teach  the  Philosophy  of  Homoeopathy — the  vital  point 
of  Homoeopathy  as  expounded  by  Hahnemann  in  his 
master-piece.  This  selection  of  a  teacher  is  not  a  simple 
matter,  and  Dr.  Wells  illustrates  the  difficulty  by  a  quota- 
tion from  Pickwick: 

Sam.— Blow!  blow,  father! 

Old  Weller.— It's  all  very  veil  Samivell,  to  call  blow!  blow  I 
but  vera  is  the  vind  to  come  from  ? 

This  ought  to  be  and  is  a  serious  question.    Any  mem^ 


The  Medieal  Advance. 


tier  of  the  faculty  is  no  more  qualified  to  teach  these  tun- 
damental  principles  than  be  is  surgery,  because  like  the 
surgeon  he  must  not  only  "preach  but  practice,"  A  sur- 
geon would  present  a  sorry  spectacle  before  a  class  who 
was  compelled  to  call  upon  some  one  else  when  an  opera- 

I  tion  was  to  ba  performed,  and  a  teacher  of  the  Orgauou 
■who  could  not  put  its  principles  into  practice  in  the  college 
clinic  would  be  equally  out  of  place,  and  if  pooaaible,  more 
useless.  A  teacher  of  either  Materia  Medica  or  Practice, 
thoroughly  imbued  with  the  truths,  the  spirit,  and  the 
principles  of  the  Organon,  can  no  more  help  teaching  it 
in  every  lecture  and  in  every  prescription  than  he  can  help 
eating  when  he  is  hungry.  But  as  Dr.  Wells  says,  it  will 
be  extremely  difficult  for  him  to  teach  what  he  does  not 
know,  and  much  more  difficult  for  him  to  practice  what  In 
many  cases  he  has  little  If  any  conception  of.  Once  intro- 
duce the  Homreopathy  of  the  Organon  into  our  college 
clinics  and  allopathic  palliatives  would  be  superfluous  and 
unknown.     Hence  the  pertinency  of  Dr.  Wells'  question; 

"  Will   the  Organon    be  taught  «s  a  result  of  this  resolution!"! 

The  icraduutes  oi'  the  Institute  aity  to  the  colleges,  teach  the  Orgar,] 

Bon.    As  these  are  at  present  manned,  whut  can  be  the  answer  1 

that  will  more  fittingly  describe  thsir  poverty  of  qualification  for 

this  work  than  that  of  asthmatic  old  Weller  to  Sura:    "Vera  is  the 

vind  to  come  f TO laf"    Who  shall  teach  these  teachers,  who  muflt 

themselvea  be  taught,  before  they  can  teach  others  ?    We  say  thesfi 

r  must  be  taught,  because  it  is  inconceivable  that  they  should  car»wJ 

r  leasly,  laiily,  or  of   vicious  purpose  withhold  from  their  classeafl 

■4lhis  precious  knowledge  if  they  themselves  had  possessed  it.    Theyl 

■have  only  omitted  to  t«ach  that  which  tliey  themselves  did  uota 

mow.    They  have  omitted  this  duty  only  because  they  could  notfl 

Kfform  it.    Tliey  could  not  teach  the  unknown.  M 

This  brings  us  logically  to  the  often  treated  and  most  impcni^ 

mt  subject,  "  improved  ".  medical  education."    This  "  Ivtprovwi'^ 

ta  often  been  preseut(<d  as  the  one  great  deflideratuiu  of  the  med4 

nl  body.    And  anybody  could  see  how  desirable  this  is.    But  ti9jl 

~  body  seems  to  have  had  a  very  clear  view  of  just  how  this  was  tijn 

be  achieved.    Indeed,  everybody  seems  to  have  had  visions  of  wayH 

andmeanspertainingonly  to  the  pupil.  "  A  bettet- p)-eliminari/ edUtm 

^^^fiotion."    Good.    More  time  given  to  the  study  ol  elementain 

^^ftsciences,  t.  e.,  those  which  are  cognates  of  therapeutics.    Well,  nra 

^^Knan  will  know  loo  much  of  these,  or  be  too  familiar  with  them^ 


I 


1886  Editorial  375 

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  from  graduation  in  a  state  of  knowledge  before  clini- 
cal 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.  This  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." 


Medical  Advertising. — For  Dr.  Hasbrouck's  timely 
article  on  the  inconsistency  of  medical  advertising  in  hom- 
oeopathic journals,  and  the  other  side  of  the  question  as 
presented  in  Dr.  Wilson's  reply,  we  ask  the  thoughtful 
consideration  of  every  reader,  because  it  is  a  question  in 
which  every  reader  of  a  medical  journal  is  interested. 
Medical  journals  are  supposed  to  be  published  for  the  bene- 
fit of  the  medical  profession,  hence  a  medical  journal  is 
just  what  the  profession  choose  to  make  it.  A  stream 
never  rises  higher  than  its  fountain.  If  the  readers  of  a 
medical  journal  would  contribute  their  quoto  towards  the 
expenses  of  publication,  as  promptly  as  they  would  have 
their  patrons  pay  their  medical  bills,  this  evil,  in  the  ma- 
jority of  cases,  would  not  exist.  But  they  do  not  do  so. 
The  printer  must  be  paid,  and  in  order  to  pay  him  the  pub- 
lisher must  resort  to  advertisements  or  draw  on  his  private 
bank  account  to  defray  the  expense  of  publication.  The 
editor  of  the  American  Medical  Digest  in  the  September 
issue  says: 

*'  Advertisements  are  a  necessary  evil,  because  hardly  any  of  our 
journals  are  supported  by  subscriptions.  Those  which  stand  high- 
est are  sapped  by  the  numerous  insignificant  attempts  at  journal- 
ism seen  all  over  the  country.  Our  only  remedy  is  to  place  every 
first  class  journal,  and  there  are  not  many  of  them,  upon  an  inde- 
pendent footing  by  sufficiently  increasing  their  income  from  sub- 
scriptions." 

Said  a  medical  man  recently  when  asked  by  a  traveling 
agent  of  a  publishing  house  to  subscribe  for  another  jour- 
nal,  ^<  I  receive  now  more  medical  journals,  as  specimen" 


The  Sfedioal  Advance. 


Oofc 


I 
I 


,  than  I  can  read.     Whatie  the  use  of  subscribing? 

And  yet  the  publisher  or  editor  o£  every  journal  thinks  he 
has  a  mission  to  fulfil  in  the  medical  world.  If  medical 
advertising  as  at  present  conducted  by  our  jom'nals  be  an 
evil,  and  Dr.  Haabrouck  would  not  complain  if  it  were 
.not,  there  is  no  use  trjdng  to  "  regulate  "  it.  "  The  centur- 
ies have  demonstrated  that  there  is  no  sense  whatever  in 
trying  to  regulate  an  evil."  Evils  should  bs  eliminated 
not  regulated.     The  Advance  is  ready  for  improvement 

A  Ca.se  fok  Counsel. — Contrary  to  our  usual  custom  we 
publish  the  symptoms  of  "  a  case  for  counsel "  for  the  sake 
of  calling  attention  to  the  most  difficult  feat  in  practical 
therapeutics, — "the   taking  of  the  case."     Dunham  says: 

"Toselect  the  remedy  after  a  maaterlj  examination  and  record  of 
the  case  ia  comparatively  easy.  But  to  take  the  case  requires 
great  knowledge  of  humun  nature,  of  the  hiatory  of  disease,  and, 
as  we  shall  see,  of  tlie  Materia  Medica." 

In  practice  there  are  two  kinds  of  patients  for  whom  it 
IB  very  difficult  to  prescribe;  the  one  who  "has  no  symp- 
toms "  either  guiding  or  otherwise— is  simply  sick  and  ex- 
pects the  physician  to  know  at  fii-st  sight  nil  about  his  case; 
Bnd  the  other,  who,  with  little  or  no  questioning  can  reel 
off  symptoms  by  the  yard.  To  the  accurate  prescriber  one 
is  about  as  jiuzzling  asi  the  other,  as  it  is  almost  impossi- 
ble fo  obtain  anything  characteristic  or  guiding  upon  which 
"to  hang  a  prescription."  Hahnemann  has  given  us  the 
kdy  with  which  to  unlock  the  difficulty.  In  §  1511  of  the  | 
Organon,  he  says: 

This  search  for  a  Homoeopathic,  specific  remedy,  consists  In  t 
.oomparlsan  of  the  totality  of  ttie  symptonia  of  the  natural  diaeaw] 
vith  the  list  of  symptoms  of  our  tested  drugs,    i*       * 
making  this  comparison,  the    more  prominent,  uncommon,  and 
peculiar  (characteristic)  features  of  the  ease  are   especially,  and 
almost  exclusively  considered  and  noted;  for  these,  in  particular; 
sJtCliliI  hear  thecloaest  ^milttjide  to  the  symptoms  of  the  dealre^  i 
medicine,  if  that  ia  to  accomplish  the  cure.    The  more  general  n 
indeflnate  symptoms,  such  as  want  of  appetite,  headache,  wea 
oess,  restless  sleep,  distress,  etc.,  unless  more  clearly  defined,  < 
serve  but  little  notice  on  account  of  their   vagueness,  and   i 
because  generalities  of  this  kind  are  common  to  every  diaease,  and'fl 
to  almost  every  drug." 


1886  Editorial  377 

In  §  173, 175,  177, 179  and  182  he  lays  down  the  modus 
operandi  by  which  a  case  presenting  but  few  symptoms  is 
to  be  taken  and  prescribed  for.  In  cases  like  the  one  re- 
corded by  Dr.  Beckwith,  where  the  symptoms  of  narcotic 
poisoning  are  engrafted  on  a  scrofulous  base,  with  a  his- 
tory of  organic  heart  lesion,  symptoms  in  endless  variety 
may  be  expected,  and  the  task  is  not  an  easy  one  to  ascer- 
tain the  peculiar  ones.  The  guiding  symptoms  of  such  a 
case  are  in  our  experience  much  more  apt  to  be  found 
among  the  subjective  symptoms.  In  either  case  the  only 
accurate  way  in  which  such  a  case  can  be  successfully  met 
is  to  caref  uUy  write  it  out  in  detail. 


Guernsey's  Materia  Medica. — From  The  Hahnemann- 
ian  Monthly  for  September,  we  learn  that  Dr.  J.  C.  Guernsey 
is  busy  on  the  work  on  Materia  Medica  left  unfinished  by 
his  father.  This  consists  of  his  "Key-notes,"  or  character- 
istics of  Materia  Medica,  lectures  delivered  to  the  class  fif- 
teen or  twenty  years  ago  and  which  have  been  in  constant 
demand  ever  since.  It  will  contain  verifications  of  the 
rich  and  ripe  experience  of  one  of  the  ablest  prescribers 
and  most  successful  homoeopathic  physicians  which  Amer- 
ica has  yet  produced.  It  is  now  in  press  and  will  soon  be 
issued;  nor  will  it  require  the  guarantee  of  the  Institute 
before  it  can  be  published.  It  will  be  an  every-day-work- 
ing  Materia  Medica,  both  for  the  present  and  the  future. 
Every  practitioner  will  want  a  copy  on  his  table,  and  will 
anxiously  await  its  appearance. 


<■> 


At  the  recent  meeting  of  the  American  Institute,  Wm. 
Tod  Helmuth,  M.  D.,  was  unable  to  be  present  to  read  his 
paper  on  "  Hernia,"  but  sent  his  paper  to  the  Chairman  of 
the  bureau  with  the  following  appology: 

To  The  Chairman  of  Bureau  of  Surgery. 

The  troubles  and  trials  a  Doctor  endures, 

Very  few  in  this  world  would  suspect. 
And  often  resemble  the  hernia  he  cures, 

Beings  '"sudden"  and  oft-times  *'  direct" 


The  Medical  Advance.  Ocfe 

My  plans  (like  a  gut  in  the  inguinal  rlnir), 

Show'd  suddenly  signa  of  "  obstruction," 
And  despite  all  the  patience  and  skill  I  could  bring, 

I  could  not  effect  their  reduction. 
The  chances  looked  black  as  the  time  wore  away, 

Like  a  coil  of  intestine  when  strangled; 
But  I  thought  I  could  certainly  get  off  one  day, 

To  hear  how  my  paper  was  mangled. 
But  slowly  my  hopes  show'd  the  symptoms  of  death. 

To-night  they  are  "gangrenmis"  quite. 
So  listen  to  this  my  expiring  breath — 

Look  out  for  "  a  rupture ''  "  to-nignt.'' 

EDITOR'S  TABLE. 

G.  H.  Patchen,  M.  D.— Removes  to  New  York  soon  after  Oct.  1, 
I  in  partnership  with  Dr.  G.  H.  Taylor,  will  pay  special  Utten- 
1  to  the  treatment  of  chronic  disease  by  vibratory  and  special- 
1  motion. 

Detroit  Free  Hospital.— The  Hon.  James  McMillan  has 

[  donated  SIOO.OOO  to  build  a  Free  Homceopalhic  Hospital,  the  plans 

of  which  are  now  in  the  handa  of  the  architect;  and  Hon.  John 

S.  Newberry  has  donated  S100,000  with  which  to  endow  it.    There 

is  no  chance  here  for  an  allopathic  steal. 

The  Southeen  Hosiobopatido  Medical  Association— Will 
hold  its  third  annual  meeting  at  New  Orleans,  on  December  Sth, 
9tb  and  10th,  1S86.  The  two  previous  meetings  have  been  well 
attended;  the  interest  has  steadily  increased  and  this  year  a  full 
attendance  of  all  Southern  Physicians  is  expectetl.  Six  bureaus 
]  will  he  ably  represented.  ^^____^_^ 

NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 

San  Antonia  as  a  Health  Resort.— By  Joseph  Jones,  M.  D.J 
one  wishing  information  tor  invalids  or  a  winter  resting-' 
s  for  themselves,  should  write  Dr.  Jones  for  this  little  hro- 
l  ^ure. 

TheatmentofDiseasefkomtheHomieopathicStandpoint. 
ff .  RoBY,  M.  D..  ToPEKA.  Kan.,  188«.— This  is  a  lecture  deliv- 
fered  before  "The  Philosophical  Society  of  Chicago,"  with  some 
k  facta  and  statistics  added,  and  forms  a  pamphlet  of  37  pages. 
l.is  a  fair  campaign  document. 

The  Germ  Titeory  in  Relation  to  Tqekapeutics.    C.  T^J 

{Cahpbell,  M.  D.,  London,  Ont.    Canadian  Institute  of  Homceo- 1 

»thy.    The  author  considers  the  study  of  micro-organisms  to  be  j 


1886  Nevo  PublicationB.  379 

in  the  direction  of  sanitary  science,  and  for  the  benefit  of  preven- 
tive medicine  rather  than  therapentics. 

Works  on  Materia  Medio  a  issued  by  Hahnemann:  Their 
Composition  and  Value.— By  S.  Lilienthal,  M.  D.  Reprint  from 
the  Transactions.  Pp.  39.  All  who  had  the  pleasure  of  hearing^ 
this  at  the  Institute  will  be  glad  to  have  an  opportunity  of  peru- 
sing it  at  their  leisure.  The  earnest  words  of  the  closing  pages 
will,  or  ought  to,  inspire  any  of  us  in  our  work. 

HoMCEOPATHic  Medioal  SOCIETY  OF  OHIO.— -Transactions  of 
the  22nd  Annual  Session.  This  volume  of  239  pages  is  well  printed 
with  clear  type  and  on  good  paper,  and  is  the  first  volume  of  pro- 
ceedings to  reach  our  table,  for  which  we  have  to  thank  Secretary 
Walton.  There  are  many  valuable  papers  in  this  year's  proceed- 
ings and  they  prove  conclusively  that  Ohio  has  a  working  socfety. 

Index  Catalogue  of  the  Library  of  the  Surgeon  Gener- 
al's OFFICE,  U.  S.  Army:  volume  VU,  Insignare's— Leghorn. 
Volume  VII  of  this  great  work  contains  14,688  author-titles,  rep- 
resenting 5,987  volumes  and  12,372  pamphlets.  It  also  includes  6,371 
subject-titles  of  separate  books  and  pamphlets,  and  34,903  titles 
of  articles  in  periodicals.  The  entire  work  to  date  includes  nearly 
40,000  volumes  and  nearly  60,000  pamphlets. 

The  Reign  of  Law  in  Medicine.  Dice  Brown,  M.  D.  The 
Hahnemann  Oration  for  1885.  Trubner  &  Co.,  Ludgate  Hill,  Lon- 
don, 1886.  This  is  one  of  the  ablest  of  an  able  series  of  annual 
orations  delivered  at  the  opening  of  the  London  School  of  Homoe- 
opathy and  should  be  found  in  every  library.  If  such  Homoeo- 
pathy as  this  teaches  were  practiced  and  taught  by  our  British 
colleagues,  the  London  college  would  not  now  be  begging  for 
students. 

Michigan  State  Society.  -At  the  last  meeting  of  the  Society 
a  "  Committee  on  Organization  "  was  appointed  consisting  of  Drs. 
Porter,  House,  and  Brown,  who  are  evidently  determined  to  do 
what  they  were  instructed  to  do,  viz.;  organize  active  working 
societies  in  every  part  of  the  state.  Several  societies  have  been 
put  in  working  order  and  others  are  rapidly  coming  into  line. 
There  is  work  to  be  done  and  done  promptly  and  well.  Let  no 
time  be  lost. 

The  Southern  Bivouac— The  October  number  of  the  South- 
ern Bivouac  is  out  with  its  usual  variety  of  interesting  and  en- 
tertaining articles.  Dr.  Felix  L.  Oswald  closes  the  summer  season 
with  a  delightful  paper  on  some  out-of-the-way  watering  places, 
and  W.  W.  Harney  concludes  his  paper  on  Orange  Culture.  A  North- 
em  soldier  draws  a  striking  comparison  between  the  campaign  of 
General  Lee  and  General  Grant.  Colonel  R.  W.  WooUey  has  an  im- 
portant paper  relating  to  Qen.  Albert  Sydney  Johnston's  purposes 
in  fighting  the  battle  of  Shiloh,and  Colonel  Allen  reviews  General 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct. 


■Xongstreet's  account  of  Lee'a  invasion  of  Maryland.  As  a  war 
ftlssue,  the  October  Bivouac  is  probably  the  best  this  magazine 
ff'hsi  yet  presented. 

Magazine  OF  American  History.— An  interesting  paper  liy 
John  Diioitry,  entitled  "  A  King's  Gift."  is  one  of  tlie  prominent 
features  of  the  October  issue.  It  is  the  pleasant  story  of  events  in 
Louisiana  about  the  time  of  the  gift  of  that  province  to  Spain,  by 
Louis  XV.,  of   France,  who  it  seems  was  heartily  tired  of  hia 

I  American  domain.  "An  Earthquake  in  Kentucky,"  by  John 
Uftmes  Audubon,  a  graphic  description  of  what  the  great  natural- 
idt  experienced  in  1825,  will  attract  notable  attention  at  this  junct- 
tne.  An  excellent  portrait  of  Audubon  is  the  frontispiece  to  the 
giagaziue.  The  second  paper  of  General  Alfred  E.  Lee, "From. 
CedKr  Mountain  to  Chaotilly,"  develops  one  of  the  moat  trust- 
irorthy  discussions  of  that  campaign  yet  printed. 
HoSHEOPATllY ;  As  VIEWED  BY  A  MEUBEK  OF  THE  MASSAOHU- 
_BBrT3  Medical  Society.— An  address  before  the  Hahnemann 
'Society  of  the  Boston  University  School  of  Medicine,  Being  a 
wply  to  Dr.  C,  Weaselhoeft.  This  is  the  second  chapter  of  the 
jBoston  Love  Feast,  an  attempt  to  harmonize  the '*  pathies,"  lo 
make  oil  and  water  mix,  or  as  the  lecturer  expresses  it,  "the  earn- 
est desire  to  do  my  part,  however  small,  toward  creating  harmony 
In  the  rimk  and  file  of  the  raedical  profession  after  years  at  aatox- 
ttmate  and  bitter  feeling."  His  explanation  of  Homceopathy  Is 
about  as  clear  as  could  be  expected,  but  neither  of  these  celebrated 
addresses  will  ever  make  many  true  converts,  and  sofarosHomce- 
opathy  is  concerned  might  better  have  not  been  delivered. 

Popci,AR  Science.— In  the  opening  article  for  October,  oa  | 
"The  Distribution  of  Wealth."  Mr.  Charles  S.  Ashley  discusses  the  J 
conditions  which  favor  the  acquirement  of  great  fortunes,  and  the 
effect  of  such  aecumulations  on  the  public  welfai-e.    He  developo 
the  conclusions  that  wealth  is  usually  gained  by  doing  a  corres- 
ponding share  of  the  world's  work;  and  that,  large  as  the  individ- 
ual's gain  may  be,  it  ia  no  adequate  measure  of  the  gain  that  j 
accrues  to  the  public  from  having  great  resources  placed  in 
bands  of  men  able  to  manage  them  wisely  and  apply  them  to  { 
aehemeaof  public  utility. 

If  it  lie  true  that  active  brains  are  very  often  found  under  hair-  I 
ess  scalps,  the  article  by  Mr.  Virgil  Eaton  on  "  A  Bald  and  Tooth- 
ess  Future"  with  the  startling  statistics  which  he  presents,  will  \ 
L  eertatnly  interest  many  readers. 

The  October  Century.— Few  numbers  have  appealed  to  sO  ^ 
L  iride  an  audience  with  topics  of  such  general  interest  as  the  Octo-  J 
I  ber  issue.  It  is  important  for  what  it  promises  no  less  than  b]t' I 
[what  it  gives.  An  editorial  in  "Topics  of  the  Time"  announces* 
lUiat  in  the  November  number  the  first  chapters  of  "The  Author-  | 


1886  New  Publications.  381 

ized  Life  of  Lincoln,"  by  John  G.  Nicolay  and  John  Hay,  who 
were  the  President's  private  secretaries,  will  appear.  As  Lincoln  is 
one  of  the  greatest  figures  in  American  history,  so  are  his  bio- 
graphers by  opportunity,  no  less  than  literary  ability,  best  qualified 
to  make  the  story  of  his  life  a  gain  to  American  literature.  Read- 
ers who  have  not  the  personal  interest  of  the  veterans  of  the  war 
in  the  battle  series,  will  find  in  this  illustrated  serial  history  of 
Lincoln,  the  blending  of  literary  merit  and  the  interest  of  momen- 
tous events;  while  soldier-readers,  as  the  war  series  becomes  less 
and  less  prominent  as  a  feature  of  the  magazine,  will  see  in  the 
biography  of  the  civic  chieftain  a  larger  view  of  the  leading  per- 
sonalities and  motives  of  the  struggle.  To  the  October  number 
Clarence  King  contributes  also,  a  striking  paper  on  "  The  BiO' 

?:rapers  of  Lincoln,**  illustrated  with  full-page  portraits  of  Nico- 
ay  and  Hay. 

General  W.  S.  Rosecran's  description  of  his  victory  at "  Corinth" 
is  the  chief  illustrated  war  article;  other  papers  of  a  distinct  per- 
sonal interest  are  reminiscences  of  Stonewall  Jackson,  by  his 
sister-in-law,  Mrs.  Margaret  J.  Preston,  and  "  Stonewall  Jackson's 
Last  Battle,"  by  his  aide-de-camp,  Captain  James  Power  Smith, 
who  helped  the  mortally  wounded  general  from  the  field  at  Chan- 

cellorsville.    Striking  portraits  are  given  of  Rosecrans  and  Jack- 
son. 

Medical  and  Surgical  Directory  of  the  United  States, 
R.  L.  Polk  &  Co.,  Detroit.  New  York  office,  280  Broadway,  Pp. 
1452;  price  $7.00. 

This  is  the  largest  and  best  work  of  the  kind  ever  printed  in 
this  country.  It  is  closely  printed  and  contains  a  complete  list  of 
the  physicians  of  every  school  of  practice  in  the  United  States. 
The  P.  O.  address  is  in  display  type,  then  the  county  and  popula- 
tion follow,  the  names  are  alphabetically  arranged,  carefully  in- 
dexed, giving  the  college  and  date  of  graduation  and  present  loca- 
tion. The  medical  colleges  in  the  United  States  and  Canada,  exist- 
ing or  extinct,  with  location,  officers,  number  of  Faculty,  etc.,  with 
the  various  Medical  Societies,  Hospitals,  Asylums,  Sanitariums 
and  Boards  of  Health;  a  synoposis  of  the  laws  of  registra- 
tion, the  laws  of  regulating  the  profession  in  each  state,  the 
medical  journals,  the  official  list  of  the  medical  department  of 
the  Army,  Navy  and  Marine  Hospital  service  of  the  United  States; 
a  sketch  of  each  state,  giving  statistics  of  climate,  rate  of  mor- 
tality, names  and  locations  of  the  most  important  mineral  springs. 

Such  a  work  will  be  invaluable  to  the  Colleges  and  Alnmnt 
associations  and  enable  them  to  locate  their  graduates.  It  will 
will  also  enable  societies  to  fix  the  status  of  candidates,  etc.,  etc., 
e.  g.  Dr.  D.  A.  Gorton,  of  Brooklyn,  the  author  of  the  recent 
abominable  tirade  against  the  New  York  Homoeopathic  College 
endowment,  registers  as  a  Homoeopath.    But  we  find  that  he  is  a 


The.  Medical  Adva; 


Oct 


graduate  of  the  Hygeio-Therapeutic  College  of  New  York,  char- 
tered, 1S56;  extinct  18H6,  We  can  easily  see  what  a  Homoeopathic 
training  in  the  philosophy  of  the  Organon  this  man  had,  and  why 
be  now  advocates  the  dropping  of  the  name. 

It  will  be  many  years  lietoro  another  directory  of  this  kind  will 
be  published  and  we  would  advise  all  who  want  such  a  work,  to 
buy  it  now. 

We  Ua  &  Co.— The  Jefferson  Medical  College  of  Philadelphia 
issues  its  sixty-second  annual  announcement.  Certainly  this  is  a, 
venerable  institution:  and  it  we  could  conceive  it  as  having  a  dis- 
tinct individuality,  we  might  also  conceive  it  having  wisdom  pro- 
portlonale  to  its  years.  But  of  course  men  die  while  institutions 
live,  and  the  good  men  do.  sometimeB  lives  after  them;  but  it  does 
not  follow  that  the  present  faculty  of  the  Jefferson  Medical  Col- 
lege, possess  a  large  amount  of  individual  knowledge,  plus  the  ac- 
cumulated wisdom  of  their  predecessors.  This  is  unfortunate,  for, 
as  age  somehow  goes  for  very  considerable  in  a  medical  college, 
this  college,  by  virtue  of  its  many  years— its  prestige  in  fact,draws 
no  small  number  of  students  to  ite  doors.  These  students  expect 
more  from  such  an  aged  school  than  from  one  younger,  so  In  fact 
do  we  all.  The  present  report  shows  6U  matriculates  the  past 
year;  all  these  in  search  of  medical  knowledge.  We  can  scarcely 
challenge  the  capabilities  of  sucb  men  as  DaCosto,  Bartbolow, 
Gross  and  Parvin ;  learned  men.  surely,  to  hold  place  upon  the  list 
of  teachers.  Most  colleges  publish  a  list  of  "  text^books"— hooka 
that  are  to  be  studied  and  whose  teaching  are  supposably  followed 
L  1t>y  the  professors.  But  not  so  Jefferson  Medical  College.  Its  fA- 
roulty  have  no  text-books.  They  publish  only  a  list  of  "books  of 
r'trference,"  The  all-sufficient  faculty  furnish  a  complement  of 
wisdom,  without  the  vulgar  use  of  text-books.  But  now  comes  a 
curious  fart:  Thesehooksof  reference  are  little  more  than  the  pro- 
duct of  the  brains  of  the  faculty  of  Jefferson  Medical  College. 
They  are  Da  Costa  on  Diagnosis,  BarthoIow'.H  Practice  of  Medicine, 
Bartholow's  Materia  Medica  and  Therapeutics,  Bartholow's  Trea- 
tise on  Electricity,  Gross'  System  of  Surgery,  Parvin's  Treatise  on 
Obstetrics,  and  just  a  few  others,  upon  subjects  not  yet  written 
upon  by  said  faculty.  What  a  happy  arrangement  for  the  student! 
Tou  simply  listen  to  our  lectures  and  read  our  books  and  lol  You 
are  wise  indeed.  Even  that  might  be  less  distasteful,  if  It  were 
not  80  much  of  it  Bartholow.  Now.if  this  is  not  a  serious  prostitu- 
tion of  medical  education  we  do  not  know  what  could  he.  Only 
think  of  it!  So  much  for  our  leetures,  and  so  much  for  our  books. 
This  looks  as  though  the  veneratile  Jefferson  had  put  itself  on  the 
"nimble  six  pence"  basis.  If  the  learned  professors  are  not  making 
money  out  of  this  scheme,  where  does  the  money  go?  To  our  way 
of  thinking  this  looks  bad,  and  it  is  bad.  And  it  Is  all  the  worw, 
coming  from  such  a  source.    In  order  that  we  may  take  this  in  at 


1886                                 Obituary.  383 

a  g^lance  we  will  show  approximately  what  the  faculty  of  Jefferson 
Medical  College  make  every  two  years  in 

PROFITS  ON  BOOKS. 

List  Price.  Gross  Am't. 

Da  Costa  on  Diagnosis,  611  copies $7.00  4.277 

Bartholow,  M.  M.  and  Therap.,  611  copies. .      6.00  3.666 

Bartholow,  on  Electricity,            "       **    ..      2.50  1.537 

Bartholow,  Practice  of  Medicine  "       "    . .      6.00  3.666 

Gross' Surgery                               "       "    ..     15.00  9.165 

Parvin's  Obstecrics.                       "       "     ..  *10.00  6.111 


*  Estimated. 


Total 30.422 

Of  this  amount  there  will  be  paid  to  the  authors  (faculty)  $12.- 

000.  Add  now  to  this  the  fees  paid  for  the  lectures  (two  years  fees) 

198.575,  making  the  modest  sum  of  8210,  575.00,  received  by  the  fa- 
.  culty  of  Jefferson  Medical  College  every  two  years.    The  Count  of 

Moute  Cristo  could  scarcely  have  made  a  larger  showing.    Is  it 

strictly  honorable  ? 

OBITUARY. 


R.  Miles  Buddeke,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  Nashville,  Tenn.,  nearly 
thirty  years  ago.  Was  educated  at  the  Nashville  High  School  and 
Vanderbilt  University.  He  received  his  medical  education  in  the 
medical  colleges  at  Nashville  and  Memphis,  and  after  graduation 
became  associated  in  practice  with  his  elder  brother.  Dr.  J.  W. 
Buddeke,  of  Memphis,  where  in  the  last  five  years  he  had  estab- 
lished a  wide  circle  of  friends  and  a  large  professional  practice. 

About  two  years  ago  he  was  married  to  Miss  Florence  Toof,  the 
accomplished  daughter  of  Mr.  J.  S.  Toof,  one  of  the  leading  cotton 
merchants  of  Memphis,  who,  with  a  bright  boy  baby  two  months 
old,  and  a  large  circle  of  friends  in  both  cities,  are  left  to  mourn 
his  early  departure. 

He  was  an  earnest  student  and  conscientious  practitioner,  and 
though  not  physically  robust,  his  active  mind  and  intense  energy 
enabled  him  to  leave  an  exemplary  record. 

After  a  mild  attack  of  fever  he  returned  to  his  father's  residence 
in  North  Nashville  to  rest  and  recruit.  Over  exertion  in  visiting 
friends  brought  on  a  relapse  to  which  he  gradually  succumbed. 


Cornelius  Ormes,  M.  D.,  was  born  at  West  Haven,  Vt.,  August 
4th,  1807,  and  consequently  was  in  his  seventy-ninth  year  when  he 
died.  He  came  of  distinguished  Vermont  ancestry.  His  father, 
General  Jonathan  Ormes,  was  an  officer  in  the  American  army 
during  the  war  of  1812. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Oct 


I 


He  received  an  academic  education  at  the  academy  at  Castleton, 

Vt..  ten  miles  from  liis  father's  home.    Here  he  made  the  acqumnt- 

ance  of  Professor  Woodward,  the  noted  Vermont  surgeon,  by 

whom  he  was  led  to  the  study  of  medicine.    He  graduated  from 

the  Castleton  Medical  College  in  1832,  practiced  with  hi.s  preceptor 

for  a  time,  subsequently  forming  a  partnership  with  Dr.  McCloud, 

of  Whitehall,  but  removing  to  Panama,  Chautauqua  county.  N.  T.. 

.  February,  1H33.    At  this  time  the  county,  and  adjacent  parts  of 

L  Fennsylvania,  were  largely  engaged  in  lumbering;  and  here  Dr. 

J  Ormea'  surgical  experience  particularly  fitted  him  for  the  emer- 

I  ^ncies  conutanlly  arising,  and  he  soon  had  an  extensive  practice 

k through  the  surrounding  country. 

3  Arst  induced  to  examine  the  new  system  of  medicine 
l:by  Dr.  James  Birnstil,  of  Westfield.  N.  T.,  and,  in  1818,  after  much 
l^study  and  a  careful  comparison  of  results,  he  decided  to  adopt 
iHomoeopathy  as  his  system  of  practice.  In  18<S3  he  removed  to 
kjameatown,  which  enlarged  his  already  extensive  practice.  In 
K18T2  he  was  called  to  the  chair  of  Obstetrics  and  Uterine  Surgery 
r  in  the  Detroit  Homteopathic  College,  which  for  two  years  he  ably 
filled. 

He  was  a  senior  in  the  American  Institute  and  a  member  of 
I  Kew  York  State  Society  and  other  medical  associations. 

He  acquired  a  natioaal  reputation  in  abdominal  aurg:ery.   His 

■ovariotimies  were  numerous  and  very  successful.    One  noted  case 

lot  tumor  was  of  the  colloid  variety  and  weighed  Bfty-one  pounds, 

Lthe  uterus  measured  eleven  inChes  in  length;  from  long  continued 

Bsure  its  cavity  was  wholly  obliterated,  and  the  organ  exten- 

Sively  spacelated.    The  entire  ma.ss  was  removed,  and  the  patient 

Is  still  living  and  in  excellent  health. 

Modest  and  retiring  in  his  disposition,  he  was  a  man  of  action 

rather  than  words.    Fttw  physicians  have  acquired  a  reputation  so 

extensive  and  universal,  and  none  will  be  more  missed  from  our 

t  «tatu  and  national  associations.    In  every  sense  of  the  word  he  , 

I  was  a  man  and  a  physician. 

J.  W.  Dake,  M.  D.,  died  at  his  residence,  No.  15  Charlotte  stre 
lUichester,  February,  1886. 

He  was  an  old  resident  of  Western  New  York,  and  was  bom  !i 
Portage,  Livingston  county,  in  1829.  He  received  his  primary  ed 
ucation  in  the  schools  of  his  native  towu,  and  finished  bis  sludUV 
and  graduated  at  the  Genesee  Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Lima, 
began  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  guidance  of  his  eJ 
brother  at  Warsaw,  N.  Y.,  took'  his  decree  from  the  Clevel 
Hospital  College  In  the  class  of  I860,  and  at  once  actively  eatt 
upon  the  duties  of  bis  profession  as  a  partner  of  his  brother  a 
Warsaw,  where  for  many  years  he  led  a  busy  life.  Subseouenl^ 
he  removed  to  Albion,  then  to  Nunda,  and,  In  1873,  to  Rocbest^V 
where  he  opened  an  office  and  continued  to  practice  until  by  faJlf — 
bealth  be  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  professional  labors. 


THE  MEDICAL  ADVANCE. 

A  MOiNTHLY  JOURNAL  OF  MEDICAL  SCIENCE. 


Vol.  XVII.  Ann  Arbor,  November,  1886.  No.  5. 

ORIGINAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. 


ELECTRO-MAGNETIC  PROPERTIES  OF  DRUGS. 


J.  D.  GRABILL.  M.  D.,  San  Antonio.  Tex. 


One  year  has  past  since  I  read  my  paper  (printed  in 
the  June  issue  of  the  Advance)  before  the  Montgomery 
Co.,  Ohio  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society,  and  in  that  time 
I  have  been  experimenting  in  a  great  many  ways,  and  I 
am  not  only  able  to  prove  the  electro-magnetic  properties 
of  drugs,  but  in  every  instance  the  law  of  similars  stands 
out  as  bodly  and  defiantly  as  the  law  of  gravitation,  organ- 
ized and  governed  by  the  same  Ominpotent  Power  that 
controls  the  entire  universe. 

I  also  find  that  diphtheria  and  scarlet  fever,  are  diseases 
brought  about  by  a  fermentation  of  the  blood;  while 
cholera  is  a  disease  brought  about  by  a  decomposition  or 
a  separation  of  the  elements  in  the  blood  of  the  portal 
venous  system  of  circulation. 

This  is  not  an  assertion,  but  a  fact  that  can  be  demonstra- 
ted, and  I  may  do  so  at  some  future  time;  but  I  feel  rather 
timid  in  having  my  name  appear  so  often  in  the  journals, 
being  aware  of  the  usual  remarks  made  by  brother  physic- 
ians on  occasions  like  this,  so  I  will  take  the  same  ground 
the  editor  of  one  of  our  journals  takes  with  regard  to  ad- 
vertising. After  having  admitted  that  he  had  been  doing 
rather  a  reckless  amount  of  advertising,  and  in  this  man- 
ner worked  himself  into  a  good  practice,  he  calls  a  halt, 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Nov. 


I 


I 


id  eaye  it  is  wrong  to  come  into  his  neighborhood,  or 
eren  within  a  hundred  miles  of  him,  and  advertise  unlesa 
yoa  do  it  through  his  journal,  at  least,  that  is  about  the 
gist  of  his  remarks.  So  I  say  to  the  profession,  if  you  have 
any  remarks  to  make,  please  make  them  on  other  papers 
but  let  mine  alone. 

One  of  my  first  experiments  was  made  by  placing  pieces 
of  Camphor  in  a  glass  of  pure  water;  these  move  about 
with  a  rotatory  motion,  some  turning  to  tbe  right  some  to 
the  left,  and  by  watching  them  closely  you  can  see  very 
plainly  that  there  is  a  magnetic  power  at  work  in  them. 

Borneo  Camphor,  its  alcoholic  solution,  turns  the  plane 
of  polarized  light  to  the  right. 

Mint  Camphor  or  Menthol,  occurs,  together  with  terpene, 
in  the  oil  of  peppermint,  and  differs  from  the  Borneo,  by 
having  proportionally  two  atoms  more  of  hydrogen,  and 
turns  tbe  ]>lane  of  polarization  to  the  left. 

Tbe  essential  oils  of  many  labiate  plants,  such  as  Bose- 
mary,  Marjoram,  Lavender,  and  Sage,  deposit  a  sabstance 
having  tbe  chemical,  and  all  the  properties  of  common 
Camphor,  but  it  is  inactive  to  polarized  light 

Camphoric  Acid,  a  siibstance  obtained  by  boiling  Cam- 
phor with  Nitric  Acid,  is  itself  destro  or  levo-rotatory,  ac- 
cording to  the  kind  of  Camphor  used. 

A  mixture  of  dextro  and  levo-rotatory  Camphor  in 
equal  parte,  boiled  in  Nitric  Acid  yields  an  inactive  Cam- 
phoric Acid. 

Quinine  and  Cinchonidine  turn  the  plane  of  polaiized 
light  strongly  (o  the  left 

OiQcbonlue  and  Quinidine  turn  the  plane  of  polarized  1 
light  strongly  to  the  right.     While  Quinidine  in  a  solution  j 
of  Chlorine  water  and  Ammonia  turns  the  plane  strongly  to 
the  left. 

These  I  have  demonstrated  myself.  I  will  now  give  the  ■ 
action  of  the  different  Turpentine  oils  just  as  I  get  them  , 
Crom  one  or  the  other  of  my  works  on  chemistry. 

Tbe  French  Turpentine  oil,  when  purified  by  neutralis- 
ing it  with  an  alkalic  carbonate,  and  then  distilling  it,  first   ' 
over  a  water  bath,  and  then  in  a  vacuum,  consists  mainly, 


1886         ElectrO'Magiietic  Properties  of  Drugs.  387 

of    a   hydrocarbon,  called  Terebenthene,  and  turns  the 
plane  of  polarization  of  a  ray  of  light  to  the  left 

English  Turpentine  oil,  treated  in  a  similar  manner, 
yields  as  its  chief  constituent,  a  liquid  called  Anstratene 
or  Anstra-terebenthene,  having  the  same  specific  gravity 
and  boiling  point,  but  turns  the  plane  of  polarized  light  to 
the  right 

Malic  Acid  is  the  acid  of  the  apple,  pear,  and  a  large 
number  of  other  fruits;  it  is  also  found  in  considerable 
quantity  in  the  Bhubard,  Mountain  Ash  berries,  and  is 
also  obtained  from  active  Tartaric  Acid.  It  exerts  a  rotatory 
action  on  polarized  light  Pasteur,  has  obtained  a  modifi- 
cation of  this  acid,  which  is  optically  inactive.  Malic 
Acid  formed  from  Succinic  Acid,  is  also  inactive. 

Levo  Tartaric  Acid  resembles  dextro  Tartaric  Acid  in  every 
respect,  except,  that  it  turns  the  plane  of  polarization  to 
the  left,  and  its  salts,  as  well  as  the  acid  itself,  though 
somorphus  with  the  corresponding  dextrotartrates,  con- 
tains oppositely  situated  hemihedral  faces. 

Bacemic  Acid,  a  compound  of  dextro  and  levo  Tartaric 
Acid,  on  crystalizing,  forms  two  distinct  and  separate  crys- 
tals, and  by  carefully  picking  out  these  crystals  and  dis- 
solving them  in  water,  the  one  solution  will  turn  the  plane 
of  polarization  to  the  right  the  other  to  the  left,  while  a 
mixture  of  these  two  crystals  in  equal  weight,  have  no 
action  on  polarized  light. 

Inactive  Tartaric  Acid,  is  much  more  soluble  in  water 
than  the  ordinary  Tartaric  or  Bacemic  Acid.  It  does  not 
deflect  the  plane  of  polarized  light,  but  differs  from  Bacp- 
mic  Acid,  in  not  being  resolved  into  the  two  active  acids 
named  above;  however  it  is  converted  into  dextro  Tartaric 
Acid  by  heat 

Volatile  or  essential  oils  obtained  from  Beech,  Borneo, 
Caoutchouc,  Caraway,  Chamomile,  Coriander,  Hop,  Juniper, 
Laurel,  Parsley,  Pepper,  Thyme,  Valerian,  and  a  thousand 
others  are  isomeric  with  Turpentine  oil. 

Lemon  oil  composed  mostly  of  Citrene,  turns  the  plane 
of  light  to  the  right 

Paralactic  or  Sareolactic  Acid,  is  a  modification  of  Lactic. 


388  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

Acid,  existing  in  the  animal  organism,  especially  in  the 
muscular  flesh,  and  from  which  it  may  be  extracted  by 
cold  water,  or  dilute  alcohol.  It  agrees  in  all  its  reactions 
with  fermentation  Lactic  Acid,  but  it  differs  from  ordinary 
Lactic  Acid  in  its  relation  to  polarized  light,  as  it  turns 
the  plane  to  the  left,  while  Lactic  Acid  is  optically  in- 
active. * 

Hematoxylin  the  coloring  matter  in  Logwood,  crystalizes 
in  pale  yellow  prisms,  dissolves  easily  in  water,  alcohol,  or 
ether,  forming  a  dextro-rotatory  solution. 

The  proofs  in  my  former  paper  and  those  above,  cer- 
tainly ought  to  be  convincing  enough  to  any  thinking  mind 
of  the  electro-magnetic  properties  of  drugs. 

Every  substance  has  a  certain  fixed  power  within  it- 
self, that  will  invariably  make  itself  known  under  simi- 
lar and  favorable  conditions;  that  power,  being  Heat, 
Light,  Electricity  and  AflSnity,  so  far  as  my  knowledge 
goes.  Heat,  Light,  Electricity  and  Affinity,  have  been  for 
years  regarded  as  kindred  and  convertable  modes  of 
motion. 

Electricity  and  Magnetism  are  one  and  the  same  thing. 
This  can  be  demonstrated  in  a  few  minutes  by  winding  the 
armature  of  a  horse  shoe  magnet,  with  a  copper  wire  one 
end  of  it  being  flattened,  the  other  end  sharp.  Make  six  or 
eight  turns  around  the  armature,  then  bend  the  wire  so 
that  the  sharp  end  will  come  in  contact  with  the  flat  end, 
and  every  time  tlie  armature  is  removed  from,  or  placed  on 
the  magnet,  a  spark  will  make^its  appearance  at  the  point 
of  union  of  the  wire.  This  also  illustrates  the  fact  that 
magnetism  and  light  are  one  and  the  same  thing,  and  if 
you  will  touch  the  spark  with  the  back  of  your  hand  you 
will  be  convinced  that  heat  and  light  are  the  same  thing. 

Again,  pass  an  electric  current  through  a  thin  wire  and 
it  produces  heat;  if  sent  around  a  piece  of  iron  it  produces 
magnetism ;  if  through  a  conducted  fluid,  chemical  decom- 
position. Physically  speaking,  if  the  same  current  is 
passed  through  the  nerves  of  sensation,  it  produces  heat;  if 
upon  the  nerves  of  seeing,  the  sensation  of  sight;  and  if 
through  a  nerve  supplying  an  organ  in  which  there  is  a 


1886         Electro-Magnetic  Properties  of  Drugs.  389 

circulating  fluid  having  the  conductiug  property,  then 
chemical  decomposition.  Magnetism  and  chemical  affin- 
ity are  one  and  the  same  thing;  chemical  affinity  takes  the 
elements  out  of  a  solution,  and  places  them  in  a  fixed  polar 
arrangement,  consequently  the  force  that  draws  the  par- 
ticles together,  and  that  which  places  them  in  their  molecu- 
lar order  are  one  and  the  same  thing.  These  are  not  mere 
assertions  on  my  part,  but  any  school  boy  can  demonstrate 
them. 

Vital  force  overcomes  affinity,  mechanical  force  over- 
comes gravity,  but  neither  chemical  force  nor  gravity  is 
suspended. 

There  are  no  unresisted  forces  in  nature;  it  is  only  by 
their  constant  resistance  and  overcoming,  that  forces  are 
called  into  activity. 

How  much  of  this  force  is  stored  away  in  a  given  sub- 
stance? Let  us  look  at  the  vast  force  exercised  by  the 
growth  of  vegetable  matter;  e.  g.  take  the  leaf  of  any  plant 
The  atoms  of  a  pound  of  carbon  rush  into  union  with  those 
of  oxygen,  they  fall  down  the  chemical  precipice  with  a 
force  sufficient  to  raise  a  thousand  weights  of  a  thousand 
pounds  each,  one  foot  high. 

This  expresses  the  strength  of  their  attraction  for  each 
other,  and  if  they  are  to  be  separated,  this  force  must  not 
only  be  resisted  but  must  be  overcome.  So  powerfully  are 
the  elements  of  Carbonic  Acid  held  in  combination,  that 
the  chemist  can  only  separate  them  by  the  double  action 
of  high  heat  and  tlie  most  powerful  affinity,  yet  a  leaf  or  a 
blade  of  grass  at  tlieir  ordinary  temperature,  will  take  up 
Carbonic  Acid  and  set  oxygen  free. 

Compare  this  force  with  the  force  set  at  liberity  by  the 
act  of  triturating,  and  they  are  one  and  the  same. 

This  force  set  at  liberty  by  the  act  of  preparing  a  drug 
is  the  force  that  gives  to  each  substance  its  medicinal 
property,  it  is  the  force  that  gives  to  each  leaf,  shrub  or 
tree,  or  any  mineral  substance  its  individuality  and  but 
for  this  individual  force,  all  things  would  look  the  same. 
Christ  in  his  teaching  has  clearly  demonstrated  that  law 
when  He  said:  "Every  seed  shall  bring  forth  fruit  after 
its  own  likeness." 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


This  force  is  not  demonstrated  at  random,  but  each  sab- 
I'stonce  has  within  itself  its  own  individual  property.  ThiB 
lis  beautifally  illustrated  by  the  production  of  nice  sweet 
lapples  on  a  sour  apple  tree.  There  is  not  a  microscopist 
■  or  a  chemist  in  the  world  that  would  undertake  to  mater- 
I  ialize  the  power  in  the  twig  for  chajiging  the  sour  sap  info 
I  Tich  luscious  fruit,  and  yet  every  farmer  knows  the  power 
I  is  there. 

Is  there  a  physician  in  our  school  that  would  expect  the 
I  Bame  result  from  the  administration  of  the  English  Tur- 
Ipentine  oil,  which  has  the  power  of  turning  the  piano  of 
I  polarization  to  the  right,  that  he  would  expect  from  the 
Irreneh  oil,  which  has  the  jwwer  of  reversing  the  scale  of 
I  polarization. 

Now,  I  claim  that  this  is  the  point  of  difference  among 

lur  physjciaua.     When  visiting  their  patients  they  find 

among  them  two  cases,  all  the  subjective  and  objective 

symptoms  being  the  same  ( so  far  as  the  physician  is  able 

to  judge)  and  for  which  he  concludes  to  give  Terebinthina; 

the  one  patient  improves  instautty,  the  other  grows  worse. 

The  physician  in  visiting  his  patients  detects  this,  and  says 

to  himself,  why  is  it  that  two  cases  indentically  the  same, 

t  the  same  drug  indicated,  and  yet  one  gets  well  whils_the 

[other  grows  worse.    He  cannot  explain  it,  yet  there  are  four 

Itrensons  for  it: 

First,  the  magnetic  current  may  be  passing  through  1 
I  patient  from  left  to  right  and  his  drug  has  the  power  ( 
'  passing  from  right  to  left. 

Second,  the  magnetic  current  may  be  passing  from 
right  to  left  and  the  drug  the  power  to  pass  from  left  to 
right  These  two  can  still  be  reversed  making  four  reasona 
why  his  patient  is  no  better;  bo  that  with  our  preseaj 
knowledge  of  drugs,  diseases  and  the  human  system, 
^^  stand  three  chances  of  not  curing  to  one  of  curing, 
^^L  When  a  physician  in  prescribing  for  a  person,  can  tol 
^^■.from  his  medicine  case,  an  instrument  that  ndll  demon^ 
^^B  etrate  by  figures  the  number  of  degrees  his  patients  e 
^V  Tous  system  is  off  the  normal  standard;  anil  another  i: 
^B  '  ment  that  will  detect  the  way  the  magnetic  current  is  p 


T 

I' 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  391 

sing  through  the  system;  and  when  every  bottle  of  medi- 
cine we  receive  from  our  homoeopatic  pharmacies,  will 
have  a  label  on  it  with  an  arrow  indicating  the  direction  the 
remedy  has  the  power  of  turning  the  plane  of  polarization, 
the  point  of  the  arrow,  resting  on  the  figure  indicating  the 
number  of  degress,  then  can  we  say  that  we  are  scientific 
physicians,  then  can  we  say  that  medicine  has  a  scientific 
standpoint,  and  that  day  is  not  far  distant. 


4a»— 


SURGERY, 


SURGICAL  NOTES. 


J.  G.  GILCHRIST,  M.  D.,  Editor. 


Fractures  and  Dislocations,  is  the  title  of  a  small 
work  by  Mr.  Hugh  Owen  Thomas,  of  Liverpool,  England, 
which  seems  to  be  the  concluding  number  of  a  series  of 
similar  works  collectively  known  as  "  Contribufions  to  Sur- 
gery and  Medicines''  Why  we  have  not  heard  of  preced- 
ing numbers  cannot  be  told;  certainly  not  for  lack  of  a 
certain  kind  of  merit,  (judging  entirely  from  the  specimen 
before  us),  as  the  views  of  treatment  and  management  are 
eminently  original,  not  to  say  startling  and  revolutionary. 
While  the  medical  critic  might  justly  question  the  literary 
excellence  of  paragraphs,  here  and  there,  and  the  "  ethical " 
prude  be  oflfended  by  an  occasional,  yes,  a  frequent  dis- 
regard for  the  feelings  of  others,  or  the  time-honored 
teachings  of  the  profession,  yet  the  abundant  clinical  testi- 
mony oflfered  must  convince  all,  even  the  most  captious, 
that  the  views  presented  are  certainly  worthy  of  careful 
study.  The  work  does  not  pretend  to  be  a  treatise  on  bone 
surgery;  it  is  simply  an  exposition  of  certain  items  of 
treatment,  more  particularly  in  delayed  union^  and  non- 
union. The  views  expressed  are  not  entirely  novel,  as  they 
have  been  published  as  early  as  1876  in  diflFerent  numbers 
of  the  Lancet  and  other  British  periodicals;  nevertheless, 
they  seem  to  have  attracted  little  attention,  at  least  in  this 
country,  as  the  International  Oyclopoedia  of  Surgery^  the 


392  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

latest  and  most  pretentious  work  on  surgery,  makes  the 
merest  mention  of  the  writer's  name,  and  then  simply  in 
passing.  The  controlling  idea  of  the  work  in  hand  seems 
to  be  that,  while  symmetry  of  an  injured  part  must  receive 
attention,  yet  usefulness  is  the  great  end  to  be  obtained. 
The  writer's  arguments  are  forcible,  and  yet  one  fact  seems 
to  have  escaped  him.  Is  it  not  a  fact,  that  if  retention  of 
a  dislocated  joint,  or  fragments  of  a  fractured  bone  can 
only  be  maintained  by  the  exertion  of  great  jorce,  the  re- 
duction is  imperfect?  At  least  this,  I  believe  to  be  true  of 
fractures,  and  to  some  extent  of  simple  uncomplicated  lux- 
ations; that  when  the  part  is  placed  in  a  position  to  neu- 
tralize muscular  action,  reduction  should  be  easily  accom- 
plished, aud,  as  a  rule,  retention  as  easily  maintained  as 
long  as  the  conditions  are  observed.  An  ordinary  frac- 
ture that  can  only  be  "  set "  by  the  exertion  of  great  force, 
and  maintained  "  set "  bv  the  continuance  of  that  force, 
has  not  been  "  set "  at  all.  Certain  fractures  are  treated 
now-a-days,  as  far  as  dressings  are  concerned,  by  position 
only,  the  "  muscles  being  nature's  splints,"  as  some  one  has 
said.  Mr.  Thomas  thinks  delayed  union,  or  non-union — is 
due  to  many  factors,  of  course,  but  very  often  to  "local 
starvation"  by  tight  dressings  making  pressure  on  the 
point  of  injury.  For  this  reason  he  discards  plaster  dress- 
ings, and  splints  as  ordinarily  applied.  He  prefers  to  in- 
crease exudation,  when  below  a  certain  standard,  and  we 
find  him  recommending  dependent  positions  for  the  in- 
jured part,  "  damming  "  the  region  by  elastic  ligatures,  and 
in  various  ways  doiug  violence  to  many  cherished  theories. 
He  gives  a  large  number  of  cases  in  which  non-union  had 
beeu  corrected  by  "  percussion,"  with  a  suitably  protected 
hammer,  force  enough  being  applied  to  produce  much  ec- 
chymosis,  and  great  tenderness  and  swelling,  on  the  theory 
that  the  bond  of  union  is  furnished  by  this  exudate.  Our 
limits  will  not  permit  a  further  notice  of  what  is  certainly 
a  remarkable  work;  practitioners  of  surgery  will  find  it 
exceedingly  entertaining  and  all  interested  in  pathology 
and  physiology  will  find  much  food  for  thought.  Certain- 
ly the  writer  is  a  man  of  courage,  and  the  great  number  of 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  393 

cases  given,  quite  minutely  detailed,  has  the  eflfect  to  some- 
what disarm  criticism. 

Aneurism. — In  a  recent  issue  I  had  occasion  to  criticise 
the  popular  teaching  with  reference  to  the  theory  of  treat- 
ing aneurism,  and  stated  that  the  introduction  of  foreign 
material,  as  wire,  as  a  nucleus  for  coagulation  seemed  to 
be  in  imitation  of.  nature's  method.  It  now  appears,  from 
experiments  made  by  Mr.  Richard  Barwell  (London  Lan- 
cet, August,  1886),  that  the  clot  resulting  from  these  pro- 
cedures, is  loose  and  friable,  having  the  eflfect  not  only  to 
render  them  ineflfectual,  but  exposing  the  patient  to  danger 
from  embolism  and  other  accidents.  Accordingly  he  (Bar- 
well),  conceived  the  idea  of  increasing  the  solidity  of  the 
clot,  and  at  the  same  time  securing  a  more  rapid  coagula- 
tion, by  passing  a  current  of  electricity  through  the  wire 
after  introduction  into  the  sac.  The  procedure  was  prac- 
tical in  a  case  of  large  thoracic  aneurism,  the  wire  being 
introduced  through  a  fine  ivory  needle.  The  exact  account 
is  unnecessary,  as  the  patient  died,  and  the  autopsy  showed 
the  following:  "On  opening  the  aneurism,  it  was  found 
to  consist  of  two  parts;  a  left  portion  much  the  larger,  and 
a  secondary  or  right  portion,  which  seemed  to  have  recent- 
ly  increased  in  size,  and  which  where  the  lung  formed  a 
part  of  the  wall,  had  hurst,  and  given  exit  to  two  pounds  and 
eight  ounces  of  blood  which  was  found  in  the  right 
pleura."  The  italics  are  mine.  The  features  in  the  case  to 
which  attention  is  thus  called,  of  interest  to  us  all,  are  the 
almost  certain  enlargement  of  one  part  of  an  aneurism, 
after  partial  reduction  of  another,  and  the  cousequent  error 
in  judgment,  common  to  all  these  methods  which  leaves  out 
of  tlie  account  the  state  of  the  vessel  which  renders  an  an- 
eurism possible.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  also,  that  while  the 
clots  are  firmer  than  in  cases  where  galvanism  had  not  been 
used,  yet  they  were  much  smaller.  Mr.  Barwell  is  a  rec- 
ognized authority,  but  it  seems  unlikely  that  many  will 
be  found  to  place  the  same  estimate  on  the  value  of  this 
treatment  that  he  does. 

Epithelioma  of  the  Penis. — That  early  and  radical  re- 
moval of   the  carcinomatous  parts  is  the  best  practice,  in 


I  the  present  state  of  knowledge,  few  will  care  to  dispute,  at 
I  least  among  those  whose  daily  experience  is  in  this  direction. 
I  Some  years  ago  there  was  a  general  tendency  to  abandon 
I  operative  siu'gery  in  cancerous  affections,  bat  of  late  it  has 
I  shown  that  the  quasi  successes,  and  frequent  failure>4  was 
t  due  to  lack  of  thoroughTtess.  Even  epithelioma  of  the  lip 
I  was  removed  with  diatmst,  with  an  expectation  that  it 
I  would  recur.  Two  cases  of  epithelioma  of  the  penis  are 
L  reported  by  Mr.  Jesaett  (surgeon  to  London  Cancer  Hos- 
I  pital)  in  the  July  Lancai  (p.  14),  in  which  amputation  was 
I  performed  with  perfect  success.  No  recurrence  after  a 
L  sufficient  interval,  and  in  one  case  enlarged  glands  in  the 
r  groin,  that  had  existed  for  some  time,  entirely  disappeared. 
In  both  patients  the  condition  before  operation  is  described 
as  pitiable,  and  in  each  there  was  immediate  improvement 
in  every  particular.  One  of  the  moat  interesting  features 
I  in  this  report,  is  the  success  attending  the  treatment  of 
[  the  urethra.  This  was  cut  long,  split  up  for  half  an  inch 
I  on  tlie  under  side  and  stitched  to  the  lower  angle  of  the 
[wound.  This  was  on  Dec.  8th,  1885;  on  May  12th,  1886, 
I  there  was  very  slight  contraction  of  the  urethra,  not 
[  enough  to  cause  any  inconvenience. 

PyoNErHRoais.— Suppurative  disease  of  the  kidney  is, 
I  without  doubt,  a  sufficiently  grave  affair,  but  that  it  is  ne- 
l-cesBarily  fatal,  much  evidence  can  be  found  to  the  contrary. 
I  The  organ  is  in  the  majority  of  ca^es  destroyed,  perhaps 
[  always,  and  thus  free  incision,  or  even  nephi-ectomy  has 
I  oome  to  be  considered  the  proper  treatment  Cases  have 
■  recovered  spontaneously,  by  evacuation  either  through  the 
tparieties  of  the  abdomen,  into  the  pelvis,  or  into  the  blad- 
J  der,  but  the  circumstances  are  s\ich  that  prognosis  is  ob- 
»ecared,  a  very  unfortunate  fact.  Should  the  abcess  be 
Idue  to  impacted  calculus,  unless  the  stone  is  thrown  out 
P^ith  the  discharges,  there  will  probably  be  recurrence  of 
the  abcess;  even  with  the  stone  thrown  out  there 
picion  that  one  similar  may  be  left  behind.  Hence  it  fol- 
lows that  the  advantage  of  a  thorough  exploration  renders 
I  nephrotomy  a  desirable  procedure,  and  the  consequent 
destruction    of   the  kidney  in     extensive   abcess  renders 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  395 

nephrectomy  often  valuable.  Nevertheless,  as  everyone 
knows,  cases  recover  without  either  of  these  somewhat 
formidable  procedures.  Mr.  Thos.  Edwards  (London) 
gives  the  notes  of  a  case  in  which  over  three  pints  of  pus 
were  evacuated  by  means  of  a  small  trocar,  in  five  tappings, 
and  recovery  was  pronounced.  In  this  case  the  pus  seems 
to  have  increased  in  "oflfensiveness"  with  each  tapping. 
A  sixth  tapping  gave  clear  fluid,  like  urine,  fully  three 
pints.  This  shows  an  obstruction  of  the  ureters,  and  the 
quantity  would  indicate  a  complete  disorganization  of  the 
kidney.  Since  the  urine  has  been  drawn  off  by  frequent 
tappings,  the  quantity  becoming  less  and  less,  until  finally 
it  "disappeared."  {Lancet,  July,  1886,  p.  35).  In  the 
same  journal  (p.  39),  is  the  report  of  a  similar  case,  but 
with  a  very  different  termination,  by  M.  T.  Sadler,  M.  D. 
In  this  case  the  kidney  was  incised,  a  drainage  tube  in- 
serted, and  the  cavity  washed  out  with  "carbolic  lotion." 
The  urine  had  for  some  time  contained  pus,  "was  albumi- 
nous and  of  low  specific  gravity,"  and  there  were  occasion- 
al small  phosphatic  concretions.  The  case  came  under 
treatment  in  March  (1885),  and  many  symptoms  imme- 
diately improved;  in  about  a  year  he  died,  and  no  post- 
mortem was  had.  Were  this  case  alone,  it  might  have  no 
particular  significance.  Unfortunately  there  are  too  many 
such,  so  that  it  is  a  question  whether  the  "drainage  tube 
and  carbolic  lotion"  may  not  be  responsible  for  some  of 
the  mortality.  I  would  not  dare  assume  this  to  be  the 
case,  but  still  consider  it  a  legitimate  inquiry,  particularly 
when  we  recall  what  certainly  seems  to  be  a  fact  that  as- 
piration,as  a  suppurating  cavity  refills,  seems  to  give  better 
results  than  a  continual  discharge  as  it  accumulates. 

Bullet  Wounds  op  the  Brain. — While  this  number  of 
the  Lancet  (July,  1886)  is  before  me,  attention  may  be 
called  to  some  editorial  comments  on  a  most  remarkable 
case.  As  the  report  may  not  be  accessible  to  the  readers  of 
the  Advance  generally,  I  will  quote  liberally:  "The  first, 
and  most  important,  is  reported  by  Dr.  Fluhrer,  one  of 
the  visiting  surgeons  to  the  Bellevue  Hospital,  New  York 
A  young  man,  nineteen  years  of  age,  was  admitted  mnder 


396  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

his  care  for  a  bullet  wound  over  the  centre  of  the  forehead. 
The  injury  was  self-inflicted,  and  was  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  unconciousness,  which  lasted  for  three  quarters 
of  an  hour,  after  which  the  patient  rose  and  walked  some 
distance;  then  he  became  aphasic,  and  on  admission  to  the 
hospital,  soon  after, was  semi-conscious,  having  paralysis  of 
the  right  side  of  the  trunk  and  right  limb,  and  hyperesthe- 
sia on  the  left  side.  After  all  preparations  had  been  made 
to  conduct  the  operation  aseptically,  the  scalp  was  turned 
aside,  and  the  opening  in  the  skull  enlarged.  Profuse 
haemorrhage  ensued;  this  was  partly  from  the  superior 
longitudinal  sinus,  and  easily  controlled,  and  partly  from 
a  wounded  branch  of  the  anterior  cerebral  artery,  the  se- 
curing of  which  entailed  great  trouble,  and  was  only 
achieved  after  the  loss  of  a  considerable  amount  ot  blood. 
The  next  step  was  to  explore  the  track  of  the  bullet  through 
the  brain  by  means  of  a  large  probe.  The  ragged  open- 
ing of  the  entrance  of  the  bullet  was  seen  in  the  first  fi'on- 
tal  convolution,  just  at  the  inner  edge  of  the  hemisphere. 
The  probe  passed  back  and  slightly  to  the  left  for  about 
six  inches,  when  a  soft  resistance  was  detected.  With  the 
probe  in  situ,  a  spot  was  marked  on  the  scalp  where  its 
end  would  emerge  if  projected.  Over  this  spot  the  scalp  was 
reflected,  and  the  skull  trephined.  The  dura  mater,  which 
was  entire,  was  incised,  and  a  little  dark  blood  beneath 
it  allowed  to  flow  out  The  opening  in  the  skull  and  dura 
mater  was  enlarged  in  the  supposed  direction  of  the  bullet 
until  the  finger  could  be  passed  in.  A  slight  resistance 
was  then  felt  in  the  brain.  Instead  of  exploring  this,  more 
of  the  skull  was  cut  away  until  a  rent  in  the  pia  mater  was 
exposed,  with  a  quantity  of  torn  brain-matter  lying  over  it 
Into  this  opening  a  probe  was  passed,  which  struck  the 
bullet  at  the  depth  of  an  inch,  and  with  small  dissecting 
forceps  this  was  then  removed.  "The  future  history  of 
the  case  was  eminently  satisfactory,  recovery  being  per- 
fect. The  theory  upon  which  this  extensive  exploration 
was  made,  is  thus  described:"  Dr.  Fluhrer  founded  the 
treatment  *  *  *  *  upon  the  well-known  fact  that 
bullets  entering  the  brain  very  frequently  traverse  it,  and 


1886  Surgical  Notes,  397 

glance  oflf  again  from  the  interior  of  the  skull.  He  there- 
fore advises  that  when  a  bullet  is  known  to  have  entered 
deeply  into  the  brain,  the  line  of  its  track  should  be  marked 
by  carefully  introducing  a  probe,  and  that  the  skull  should 
be  trephined  at  the  spot  where  the  ball  will  have  struck  it 
on  the  interior;  from  this  second  aperture  the  deflected 
course  of  the  bullet  can  be  easily  traced,  and  through  it 
the  bullet  can  be  extracted."  The  editor  observes  in  clos- 
ing: "The  suggestion  is  a  bold  one,  and  without  such  a 
success  as  Dr.  Fluhrer  achieved  in  the  first  case  in  which 
he  practiced  it,  surgeons  would  probably  long  hesitate  be- 
fore adopting  it" 

Syphilitiq  Factor  in  Diagnosis. — Dr.  Waugh  ( West 
Med,  Reporter,  Aug.,  1886)  has  a  very  readable  and  time- 
ly article  on  the  above  subject.  The  point  of  especial  in- 
terest made,  is  that  while  an  uncomplicated  and  typical 
case  of  syphilis  is  as  simple  a  diagnostic  problem  as  can  be 
desired,  yet  there  can  be  nothing  more  difficult  to  detect 
when  other  conditions  obtain.  He  says  truly:  "The  mer- 
est tyro  could  scarcely  mistake  it  in  its  ordinary  form. 
And  yet,  no  disease  is  so  protean,  so  variable  in  its  mani- 
festations, so  liable  to  appear  in  unexpected  ways  and  un- 
usual situations;  so  that  the  most  skillful  diagnostician 
will  sometimes  be  baffled  by  it."  These  are  facts,  and 
medical  practitioners  would  do  well  to  give  them  their 
most  earnest  attention.  The  cases  he  gives  are  so  gernv^ne 
to  former  contributions  to  the  Advance,  that  this  brief  ref- 
erence seemed  to  be  necessary.  The  fact  of  chief  inter- 
est, in  nearly  all  the  clinical  reports,  is  that  victims  of 
these  complex  disorders  had  all  supposed  themselves 
"cured"  of  syphilis  years  ago;  some  of  them  had  almost 
forgotten  that  they  had  ever  had  a  venereal  disease.  The 
danger  threatening  diagnosticians  is  that  they  come  to 
think  everybody  is  syphilitic,  and  are  thus  led  into  a  danger- 
ous error.  A  good  general  rule,  in  all  these  obscure  and  in- 
veterate affections,  is  to  enquire  into  sexual  history,  and  if 
venereal  disease  has  existed,  no  matter  how  far  back,  pro- 
cure as  an  exact  account  of  it  as  possible.  Should  the 
symptoms  be  imperfectly  given,  it  is  a  safe  procedure  to 
assume  syphilia 


The  Medical' Advance. 


Nov. 


Eabieb.— rAe  Western  Med.  Reporter  (Aug.  1886) 
gireB  a  synopsis  of  the  reanlts  to  data  of  Pasteur's  method 
E  inoculation.  The  cases  treated,  up  to  June  16,  1886, 
fwere  1,335.     The  cases  are  divided  into  three  clasBes; 

First,  those  in  which  rabies  was  demon strnted  by  inoc- 
ulation, and  rabies  had  been  developed  in  other  animals 
bitten  by  the  suspected  dog;  cases  96,  death  1  or  1,04,  per 
jent. 

Second,  those  in  which  the  rabies  was  positively  proved, 
■iouB  ways,  autopsies,  syinptoms,  and  the  like;  cases 
il4,  deaths  3,  or  .46  per  cent 

Third,  rabies  unproved,  on  account  of  escape  of  the  ani- 
~mal;  cases  232,  cures  not  given  because  the  cases  were 
not  tabulated  on  account  of  want  of  prooj  of  rabies.  The 
summing  up  is,  that  from  a  study  of  all  returns  accessible, 
the  deaths  before  Pasteur's  method  was  promulgated,  aver- 
aged 160  per  1,000.  Now  the  deaths  among  those  inocu- 
lated, average  7  per  1,000.  In  grouping  the  results  obtain- 
able by  inoculation  for  various  conditions  with  virus,  it  is 
£oun(l  that  before  Jenner  the  deaths  from  small  pox  were 
50  per  cent ;  now,  of  the  inoculated,  they  average  but  23 
per  1,000.  Bo,  also,  with  Pasteur's  carbuncle  inoculation, 
which  shows  that  whereas  there  were  120  deaths  per  1,000 
before  his  discovery;  there  is  now,  among  animals  inocu- 
lated, but  5  per  1,000. 

Cocaine  Anesthesia  by  a  new  Method. — The  Thera- 
peuiic  Gazelle  (Wien.  Med.  Blatt)  gives  the  following 
method  for  using  cocaine  without  infection:  Dr.  Wag- 
ner, Society  of  Physicians,  Vienna  (Feb.  5th,  1886)  says: 
"For  this  purpose  he  made  use  of  the  property  of  a  gal- 
Tanio  current  discovered  by  Dr.  Haertner,  in  consequence 
of  which  fluids  move  from  the  positive  to  the  negative  pole. 
If  the  positive  electrode  is  dipped  in  a  cocaine  solution, 
and  placed  upon  the  skin,  and  the  negative  pole  placed  a 
short  distance  from  it,  and  a  current  allowed  to  pass,  the 
skin  lying  between  these  two  points  of  application  of  the 
electrode  becomes  anesthetic."  The  practice  promises  to  be 
of  value  in  certain  cases,  and  seems  to  be  well  established 
by  ample  clinical  proof. 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  399 

CESOPHAGOTOMY,  FOR   EXTRACTION   OP  FOREIGN    BODIES. 

— Dr.  T.  M.  Markoe,  of  New  York,  gave  the  history  of 
two  cases  of  oesophagotomy  for  the  extraction  of  foreign 
bodies,  in  a  paper  read  before  the  New  York  surgical  so- 
ciety, April  12,  1886,  {Ann.  Surg.,  Sept,  1886)  that  are  ex- 
ceedingly instructive,  and  entertaining.  The  operation  is 
one  that  has  in  all  times  been  recognized  in  our  literature, 
but  its  performance  has  been  very  infrequent  The  first 
case  noted  terminated  fatally,  the  second  in  recovery.  The 
author  attributes  part  of  his  want  of  success  in  the  first 
case,  to  the  absence  of  antiseptic  procedures,  as  they  were 
then  not  well  understood,  (1875)  but  justly,  it  seems  to 
me,  apprehends  the  persistent  attempts  to  dislodge  the 
body  before  the  operation  was  made,  and  the  inutility  of 
rectal  alimentation  had  quite  as  much  to  do  with  it  The 
cases  are  given  at  length,  and  while  highly  interesting  will 
not  be  produced  on  this  occasion,  as  the  points  of  interest 
can  be  brought  out  without.  The  difficulties  in  the  opera- 
tion are  great  to  expert  operators,  eminently  formidable  to 
those  not  expert;  the  depth  of  the  dissection  and  the  im- 
portant structures  found  in  this  region  might  well  deter 
the  novice  from  the  attempt.  The  comparative  infrequen- 
cy  of  the  accident  operates  to  pi'event  the  accumulation  of 
much  clinical  experience  by  any  one  operator.  Thus  the 
author  states,  "the  statistical  tables  show  that  out  of  eigh- 
ty-two cases,  only  five  men  have  had  more  than  two  cases; 
and  of  these  five  only  two  had  an  experience  embracing 
five  cases."  CEsophagotomy  must  be  placed  in  the  cate- 
gory of  hernia,  and  other  accidents,  where  the  part  of  wis- 
dom would  seem  to  be  early  operation,  prolonged  manipu- 
lation often  failing,  with  the  additional  disadvantage  of 
leaving  the  parts  concerned  in  a  condition  highly  unfav- 
orable for  repair.  The  rule  should  be,  it  would  seem  then, 
when  an  operation  may  be  required,  in  cases  of  accidents 
involving  danger  to  life,  it  should  be  done  at  once  when 
well  directed  measures,  such  as  taxis  and  the  like,  fail  after 
a  short  trial.  In  the  first  of  the  cases  reported,  rectal 
alimentation  was  attempted,  and  the  patient  died  "from in- 
anition;" in  the  second  food  was  passed  into  the  stomach 


r4oo 


Tk(i  Medical  Advaniv. 


Nov. 


I 


1^' 


through  a  tube  inserted  through  the  wound,  and  later 
through  the  noee,  and  the  patient  lived.  This  record  is 
me  more  clinicftl  argument,  of  which  there  are  many, 
'Bgainst  rectal  feeding.  Nothing  is  snid,  in  this  report, 
of  the  remote,  after  hist*»ry  of  the  successfui  case,  or  un- 
fortunate circumBtance,  inasmach  as  the  conditions  would 
seem  to  favor  cicatricial  stricture.  Dr.  S.  W.  Gross,  of 
Philadelphia,  furnishes  a  synoposia  of  the  cases  reported, 
eighty-two,  (82)  up  to  date.  Of  these,  63  recovered  and  19 
died.  "The  foreign  body  was  found  and  removed  in  74, 
and  of  these  57  recovered  and  17  died.  The  foreign  body 
was  not  found  in  seven  cases,  and  in  one  case  it  was  found 
but  slipped  into  the  stomach,  and  passed  per  amim.  •  * 
Of  the  It!  fatal  coses  of  cesophagotomy,  8  are  stated 
to  have  dietl  of  abscess  provoked  by  the  lodgment  of  the 
foreign  body,  2  died  of  exhaustion,  2  of  septicsemia,  1  of 
pneumonia,  and  the  rest  not  clearly  stated."  Statistics  are 
wanting  showing  the  rate  of  mortality  in  cases  in  which 
the  foreign  body  became  ijnpacted  and  was  not  removed. 
Reports  of  such  cases  are  very  numerous,  however,  aoc^a 
the  result  is  almost  uniformly  fatal.  In  some  cases  vessela 
are  opened,  and  the  patient  dies  of  htemon'hage;  abceas  ' 
and  ulceration  have  been  a  frequent  cause  of  death.  With- 
out seeking  to  tabulate  these  reports,  it  is  very  clearly  in- 
dicated that  if  impaction  occurs,  of  a  degree  or  character 
that  cannot  be  readily  overcome,  the  line  of  safety  is  io 
early  operation. 

SDBLIM4TB    INTOXICATION." — Thia    is   a  subject  that 

ims  to  be  giving  the  "antiseptics"   much  trouble  just 
It  seems  remarkable  that  a  body  of  men  wlio  claim 
BO  loudly  "science"  and  "rationalism"  as  their  "partioo*  ■ 
lar  vanity,"  should  be  persistently   misled  as  they  harri 
been  for  generations.     The  history  of   medicine,  as  mat 
by  these  gentlemen,  is  an  almost  constant  succession  i 
le  "discovery"  of  specifics,  of  one  kind  or  another,  i 

constant  disappointment     To  say  nothing  of  chian  t 

pentine,  cundurango,  quinine,  eucalyptus,  ca5cara,phleb( 

omy,  etc.,  how  have  the  surgical   portion  of  the  profesaicq 

been  by  turns  elevated  and  depre^ed  by  the  discovery  { 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  401 

and  disappointment  from  carbolic  acid,  iodoform,  subli- 
mate, etc.  One  by  one  their  germicide  et  vulnerary  speci- 
fics have  either  failed  them,  or  proven  about  as  dangerous 
to  life  as  the  dreaded  germs.  Even  when  the  "sublimate" 
has  been  attenuated  to  one  ten-thousandth,  still  "  intoxica- 
tion "  has  occurred.  They  are  now  ready  for  a  new  agent, 
and  I  beg  respectfully  to  recommend  to  their  considera- 
tion, as  we  have  all  been  doing  for  a  long  time,  CalendulUy 
as  a  remedy  that  can  be  used  on  known  indications,  and 
with  not  enough  "intoxicating"  properties  to  alarm  the 
most  rabid  prohibitionist.  Dr.  Kuemmell  (Hamburg) 
now  has  his  tale  of  disasters  to  tell.  Cases  that  died  from 
the  eflfects  of  the  agent  used,  cases  that  might  have  recov- 
ered had  no  "antiseptic  precautions  "  been  taken.  He  fin- 
ally reaches  a  conclusion  {Ann.  Surg.,  Sept.,  1886)  that  "we 
can  draw  the  conclusion  that  in  laparotomy  on  patients  not 
too  much  reduced''  (italics  mine)  "sublimate  solutions  of 
1  to  5- 6,000  may  be  used;  that,  however,  in  highly  anaemic 
weakened  individuals,  and  those  with  kidney  affections  it 
is  safest  to  avoid  sublimate  altogether."  Looks  as  though 
the  "rationalists"  may  soon  commence  to  specialize  and 
individualize  cases. 

Hydrocele  of  a  Hernial  Sac.  —The  writer  has  had  fre- 
quent occasion  to  warn  students  against  allowing  their  pa- 
tients to  wear  badly  fitting  trusses,  or  those  with  stiff 
springs,  or  conical  pads.  The  reasons  for  this  caution  are 
apparent.  A  truss  is  valuable  just  in  proportion  as  it  ful- 
fils its  function,  namely  to  retain  the  prolapsed  viscera.  It 
will  be  an  element  of  danger  if  not  well  fitting,  at  best 
will  be  an  annoyance.  But  it  may  retain  the  viscera,  and 
still  be  dangerous  or  injurious.  Thus  a  stiff  spring  may 
induce  atrophy  and  thinning  of  the  parts  pressed  upon,  or 
agglutination  of  parts  that  should  not  be  obliterated.  If 
the  pad  is  too  conical,  it  may  enlarge  the  opening,  and  ag- 
gravate the  condition.  But,  it  would  seem,  that  there  are 
other  accidents  producible  by  a  truss.  Dr.  R.  F.  Weir,  of 
New  York,  reports  acase  {Ann.  Surg.,  Sepi,  1886)  in  which 
the  sac  of  a  femoral  hernia  became  occluded  on  the  proxi- 
mal side,  and  a  hydrocele  developed  therefrom.  The  in-, 
z 


402  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

terest  in  the  case  related  is  to  diagnosis,  more  particularly, 
but  it  may  serve  to  call  attention  to  a  somewhat  common 
result  of  truss-pressure  in  inguinal  hernia,  viz.,  hydrocele 
of  the  tunica  vaginalis. 

Supra  Pubric  Lithotomy. — Dr.  J.  M.  Lee,  of  Eochester, 
N.  Y.,  reports  two  cases  of  epicystotomy  at  the  semi-an- 
nual meeting  of  the  N.  T.  State  Society  (homoeopathic) 
reprinted  in  the  Physician's  and  Surgeon's  Investigator 
Sept.,  1886.  The  cases  recovered  finely,  one  case  having 
the  bladder  wound  sutured,  the  other  not:  The  point  of 
chief  interest,  in  addition  to  the  general  value  of  such  re- 
ports, is  contained  in  the  closing  paragraph.  "  None  of 
the  popular  antiseptics  (daubs  or  squirts)  were  employed  in 
either  case,  but  Aconite,  Nux  vom,  Ars.,  Hepar  sulph,  Bhus 
tox.,  and  Carbo.  veg.,  were  given  according  to  their  specific 
indications." 

Mammary  Tumor — Was  it  Scirrhus? — So  queries  Dr. 
R.  C.  Moffatt,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  (ibid).  After  reading 
his  paper  carefully,  I  can  confidently  answer  him  in  the 
negative.  In  brief,  the  case  was  one  of  a  tumor  in  the 
breast,  of  somewhat  suspicious  characters,  but  with  suffi- 
cient ambiguity  about  it  to  cause  such  men  as  the  doctor 
himself  and  Dr.  M .  L.  Fiske  to  hesitate  about  pronouncing 
it  cancerous  or  not.  The  treatment  pursued  was  the  use  of 
Arsenic  lod,  3x,  and  firm  compression.  Under  this  manage- 
ment the  tumor  became  reduced  in  size,  and  after  five 
years  remains  hardly  distinguishable.  Had  the  compress- 
ion been  omitted,  there  might  be  room  for  debate;  but  the 
/oc/  of  a  pressure  joined  to  other  considerations,  would  go 
far  to  prove  that  the  growth  was  benign.  The  skin  does  not 
seem  to  have  been  implicated,  and  the  nipple  not  notably 
retracted,  two  circumstances  that  would  seem  to  forbid  a 
suspicion  of  carcinoma.  On  the  other  hand,  the  location, 
age,  social  condition,  sex,  and  some  of  the  characters  of 
the  tumor  would  lend  weight  to  the  malignant  hypothesis, 
but  they  are  all  overcome  by  the  one  fact,  to  my  mind,  that 
pressure  produced  resorption  of  the  tumor.  I  say  resorp^ 
Hon,  as  there  were  no  symptoms  of  dispersion,  an  occur- 
rance  that  would  have  been   almost  inevitable  under  the 


1886  Surgical  Notes.  403 

oirciunstances.  Now  it  is  here  that  the  doctor's  course  was 
open  to  criticism.  Had  it  been  carcinoma,  and  in  the  stage 
suspected,  such  pressure  would  have  hastened  the  disper- 
sion of  the  elements,  and  a  fatal  result  anticipated  by  one 
or  two  years.  Fortunately,  for  the  patient,  it  was  evident- 
ly non-malignant. 

GoNORRHCEA  IN  WoMEN. — Dr.  T.  S.  Hoyne,  in  the  Med- 
ical Specialist  (August,  1886)  quotes  from  Dr.  Jessen  as 
to  the  natural  history  of  gonorrhoea,  in  which  positions 
are  taken  that  are  exceedingly  radical,  and  open  to  criticism. 
Briefly  the  opinion  is  expressed  that  gonorrhoea  is  not 
specific,  that  it  is  a  suppurative  inflammation  merely.  I 
am  well  aware  that  there  are  many  who  entertain  such  an 
opinion,  but  am  also  aware  that  the  doctrine  is  far  from 
universal  acceptance.  It  would  seem  impossible  for  an 
observing  man  to  so  mistake  the  significance  of  symptoms 
and  tissue-changes  that  are  so  unique.  Now  a  non-specific 
urethritis  or  vaginitis,  is  acute,  without  incubation,  per- 
haps purulent  discharge,  oftener  mucus;  is  superficial, 
and  of  short  duration  under  ordinary  circumstances.  Spe- 
cific urethritia  on  the  contrary,  has  a  marked  chronicity, 
more  or  less  prolonged  incubation,  always  purulent  (or 
muco-purulent)  discharge,  of  long  duration,  and  impli- 
cates deep  parts.  It  is  not  confined  to  the  mucous  mem- 
brane, but  extends  to  sub-mucoid  tissues.  The  distinc- 
tions the  doctor  attempts  to  make  between  gonorrhoea  con- 
tracted from  an  "  immoral "  woman,  and  one  who  has  a  leu- 
corrhoea,  is  injurious,  but  far  from  convincing.  The  com* 
municatiou  is  to  "  be  continued,"  and  perhaps  the  latter 
part  may  qualify  the  former.  If  not,  the  position  taken  by 
the  doctor,  and  those  who  think  with  him,  must  certainly 
rest  under  the  imputation  that  they  are  fitting  a  case  to  a 
theory.  Certainly  well  observed  facts,  in  daily  practice, 
would  seem  to  incontestably  prove  that  gonorrhoea  is  a 
disease  sui  generis,  specific  and  contagious,  with  absolute 
symptomatic  and  pathological  differences  from  any  non- 
specific inflammation  or  irritation  of  the  same  tissues. 


404  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

SYPHILIS. 


SAMUEL  HAHNEMANN.  M.  D. 


[Many  homoeopathic  physicians,  especially  the  younger 
men,  have  been  unable  to  obtain  a  copy  of  "  Hahnemann's 
Chronic  Diseases,"  and  consequently  have  never  carefully 
studied  what  Hahnemann  really  taught  about  the  "  cura- 
bility of  syphilis;"  hence  we  offer  no  apology  for  this  pub- 
lication:] 

The  syphilitic  miasm  is  much  more  general  than  the  miasm  of 
sycosis.  For  the  last  four  centuries,  it  has  given  origin  to  a  vast 
number  of  chronic  affections. 

The  treatment  of  syj)hilis  is  only  difficult  when  there  is  a  com- 
plication with  the  psoric  miasm,  after  it  has  broke  forth  from  its 
latent  condition.  Sometimes,  but  rarely,  syjiJiilis  is  complicated 
with  sycosis;  whenever  this  complication  exists,  it  never  exists 
without  the  additional  complication  of  psora. 

In  the  treatment  of  syphilis,  three  different  conditions  may 
occur.  First,  the  syphilitic  disease  may  exist  in  its  genuine  form, 
together  with  the  chancre,  or,  in  case  the  chancre  should  have  been 
removed  by  external  applications,  it  may  exist  with  the  bubo, 
which  must  then  be  considered  as  the  representative  of  the  chan- 
cre;* secondly,  it  may  exist  without  being  complicated  with  an- 
other miasm,  though  both  the  chancre  and  the  bubo  may  have 
been  removed;  and  thirdly,  it  may  exist  in  a  state  of  complication 
with  another  chronic  miasm,  either  with  the  chancre  or  bubo,  or 
after  their  removal  by  local  applications. 

The  chancre  generally  appears  between  the  seventh  and  four- 
teenth day  after  the  infection  has  taken  place;  it  rarely  appears 
either  sooner  or  later,  and  generally  affects  the  parts  which  have 
been  first  tainted  with  the  virus.  The  chancre  first  appears  in  the 
form  of  a  little  vesicle,  which  is  soon  changed  to  a  painfully  sting- 
ing ulcer,  with  an  elevated  border.  This  ulcer  may  remain  upon 
the  same  spot  during  the  life-time  of  the  patient,  and,  although  it 
may  become  enlarged,  yet  the  secondary  symptoms  of  syphilis  will 
never  make  their  appearance  as  long  as  the  chancre  remains. 

The  allopathic  physician,  not  knowing  that  the  entire  organism 
has  become  infected  with  the  syphilitic  miasm,  even  before  the 
appearance  of  the  chancre  and  immediately  after  the  impure 
coition  has  been  accomplished,  looks  upon  the  chancre  as  a  simply 


*  In  rare  cases,  the  bubo  is  the  first  and  immediate  result  of  an  impure  coition, 
wltbout  any  previous  chancre;  generally,  however,  it  is  consequent  upon  the 
removal  of  the  chancre  by  local  applicatlons^and  is,  in  this  case,  a  troublesome 
representative  of  the  latter. 


1886  Syphilis.  405 

local  ulcer  which  ought  to  be  removed  by  the  external  application 
of  desiccating  and  cauterizing  substances,  and  which  will  remain 
quite  harmless,  provided  it  is  not  left  too  long  on  the  skin;  for,  in 
this  case,  the  absorbing  vessels  might  carry  the  poison  into  the 
internal  organism,  and,  in  this  way,  produce  a  general  syphilitic 
affection,  w^hereas  these  evil  consequences  might  be  avoided  by  a 
speedy  removal  of  the  chancre.  This  is  both  the  doctrine  and  the 
practice.  By  this  practice,  the  physician  deprives  the  internal 
disease  of  its  vicarious  symptom,  the  chancre;  and,  by  the  removal 
of  the  chancre,  he  forces  the  disease  to  embody  itself  externally 
in  the  more  troublesome  and  speedily  suppurating  bubo.  And 
after  this  too  has  been  removed,  as  is  foolishly  done,  by  external 
treatment,  the  disease  is  forced  to  manifest  itself  throughout  the 
organism  with  all  the  secondary  symptoms  of  a  fully  developed 
syphilis.  This  unavoidable  development  of  the  internal  syphilitic 
disease  generally  takes  plages  after  the  lapse  of  two  or  three 
months.  So  far  from  relieving  the  patient,  the  physician  posi- 
tively injures  him. 

John  Hunter  asserts:*  "Not  one  patient  in  fifteen  will  escape 
syphilis,  when  the  chancre  is  removed  merely  by  local  treatment;" 
and  in  another  part  of  his  work,t  he  assures  us:  "  that  the  local 
removal  of  the  chancre,  should  it  even  have  been  accomplished 
ever  so  speedily,  was  always  followed  by  an  outbreak  of  the  inter- 
nal syphilitic  diseai-e." 

The  same  doctrine  is  emphatically  taught  by  rabre,J  who  says: 
"that  the  local  removal  of  the  chancre  is  always  followed  by  syph- 
ilis; that  Petit  had  cut  off  a  portion  of  the  labia  of  the  genital 
organs  of  a  woman,  which  had  been  affected,  for  some  days,  with 
venereal  chancre;  that  th(^  wound  indeed  healed,  but  that  the 
syphilitic  disease  nevertheless  broke  out. 

It  is  incredible  that  physicians,  in  spite  of  the  experience  and 
emphatic  statements  of  such  great  observers,  should  have  shut 
their  eyes  to  the  fact:  that  the  venereal  disease  existed  already  in 
its  fulness  in  the  organism  before  the  chancre  had  made  its  appear- 
ance, and  that  it  was  an  unpardonable  mistake  to  remove  the 
chancre  by  external  applications,  and  to  consider  this  local  removal 
of  the  chancre  a  complete  cure  of  the  disease.  On  the  contrary, 
by  this  local  removal  of  the  chancre,  the  syphilitic  disease  was  not 
only  forced  to  ramify  into  its  secondary  symptoms,  but  the  physi- 
cian deprived  himself  of  a  sure  and  infallible  indication  of  the 
thorough  and  permanent  cure  of  the  internal  disease.  As  long  as 
the  chancre  existed,  the  organism  was  yet  tainted  with  the  syphi- 


*  Treatise  on  the  Venereal  Diseases,  Lelpsic,  1787.  p.  &31. 

t  The  same  work,  p.  561-IJG3. 

X  Fabra,  I>ettres,  Supplement  &  Son  Traits  des  Maladies  V^n^riennes,  Paris, 
1786. 


406  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

litic  virus;  whereas,  the  disappearance  of  the  chancre  consequent 
upon  the  internal  administration  of  appropriate  remedies,  was  a 
sure  sign  of  the  internal  disease  having  been  completely  and  per- 
manently cured. 

In  my  practice  of  fifty  years*  duration,  I  have  never  seen  syphi- 
lis breaking  out  in  the  system,  whenever  the  chancre  was  cured  by 
internal  remedies,  without  having  been  mismanaged  by  external 
treatment;  it  mattered  not  whether  the  chancre  had  been  left 
standing  for  years,  increasing  all  the  while,  as  every  vicarious 
symptom  of  any  other  chronic  miasm  will  do,  for  the  simple  reason 
that  the  internal  disease  is  progressing  all  the  time,  and  induces  a 
consequent  development  of  the  external  symptom. 

As  soon  as  the  chancre  is  removed  by  external  remedies,  the 
syphilitic  disease,  which  is  engrafted  upon  the  whole  organism  as 
soon  as  the  infection  has  taken  place,  manifests  its  series  of  sec- 
ondary symptoms. 

As  soon  as  the  syphilitic  miasm  hiis  taken  effect,  it  ceases  to  be 
circumscribed  by  the  spot  where  the  infection  first  took  place;  the 
whole  nervous  system  is  at  once  tainted  with  it  ;*  the  miasm  has, 
so  to  say,  become  the  property  of  the  whole  organism.  Washing 
and  wiping  the  parts,  with  whatever  liquid  it  may  be,  is  fruitless; 
even  exsecting  the  part  is  of  no  avail.  During  the  first  days,  the 
infected  spot  does  not  show  any  morbid  symptoms;  but  the  inter- 
nal organism,  from  the  first  moment  of  the  infection,  is  being 
adapted  to  the  action  of  the  recently  introduced  miasm.  When 
the  syphilitic  disease  has  been  completely  developed  in  the  system 
by  means  of  this  progressive  adaptation,  then  it  is  that  nature 
produces  the  chancre  upon  the  primitively  infected  spot  with  a 
view,  as  it  were,  of  hushing  the  internal  affection. 

Hence  it  is  that  the  internal  disease  is  most  efliciently  and  most 
permanently  cured  while  the  chancre  or  the  bubo  are  yet  existing 
as  its  vicarious  types.  Of  this  genuine  and  unadulterated  syphilis 
it  may  be  said,  tJiat  there  is  no  chronic  miasm,  nor  a  disease  pro- 
dnced  by  a  chronic  iniasm^  ivhich  is  more  easily  cured  than  syph- 
ilis. 

In  that  stage  of  the  syphilitic  disease  where  the  chancre  or  the 
bubo  are  yet  existing,  one  single  minute  dose  of  the  best  mercu- 
rial preparation  is  sufficient  to  effect  a  permanent  cure  of  the 
internal  disease,  together  with  the  chancre,  in  the  space  of  a  fort- 
night. Of  course  such  a  cure  can  only  be  effected  when  the  syph- 
ilitic disease  is  not  complicated  by  some  psoric  affection;  it  is 
especially  in  young  persons  of  a  cheerful  temper  that  a  speedy 
cure  may  be  anticipated;  psora  being  in  a  latent  condition  in  such 
persons,  neither  syphilis  nor  sycosis  can  become  adulterated  by 


♦Note  of  the  translator:    Hahnemann  expresses  this  result  thus:  "The 
whole  living  body  has  perceived  the  presence  of  the  poison." 


1886  Syphilis.  407 

that  miasm.  A  few  days  after  the  medicine  has  been  taken,  and 
without  the  use  of  any  external  application,  the  chancre  is  changed 
to  a  pure  ulcer  with  a  little  quantity  of  laudable  pus,  which  heals 
of  itself  without  leaving  the  slightest  cicatrix,  or  even  a  spot,  the 
color  of  which  is  different  from  that  of  the  sound  skin.  This  is 
a  convincing  proof  that  the  internal  disease  has  been  completely 
annihilated.  Inasmuch  as  the  chancre  is  the  external  indication 
of  the  internal  disease,  this  disease  cannot  be  considered  cured  as 
long  as  the  internal  remedy  has  not  acted  sufficiently  to  remove 
even  the  slightest  trace  of  chancre  from  the  skin. 

Already  in  the  second  edition  of  the  Materia  Medica  Pura, 
Dresden,  1822,  have  I  indicated  the  mode  of  obtaining  the  best 
mercurial  preparation.  Even  at  this  moment  I  consider  such  a 
preparation  the  best  anti-syphilitic  remedy,  although  it  is  difficult 
to  obtain  it  perfect.  In  order  to  obtain  it  as  perfect  as  possible, 
and  with  the  least  trouble,  (for  the  greatest  symplicity  should  be  ob- 
served in  preparing  homoeopathic  remedies)  it  is  better  to  follow  the 
method  which  I  shall  indicate  below.  Take  a  grain  of  the  purest 
liquid  quicksilver,  and  triturate  it  three  hours  with  three  hundred 
grains  of  sugar  of  milk,  taking  one  hundred  grains  at  a  time,  and 
triturating  them  for  an  hour.  In  this  way  you  obtain  the  million 
degree  of  the  trituration.  Of  this  trituration  you  dissolve  one 
grain  in  alcohol,  continuing  the  process  of  dissolving  through 
twenty-seven  phials  up  to  the  decillion  degree.  (See  the  end  of 
this  volume,  where  the  mode  of  preparing  the  different  degrees  of 
homoeopathic  medicines  is  more  fully  described). 

Formerly  I  was  in  the  habit  of  using  successfully,  one,  two,  or 
three  globules  of  the  billion  degree,  for  the  cure  of  syphilis.  The 
higher  degrees,  however,  even  the  decillion  degree,  act  more 
speedily,  more  thoroughly,  and  more  mildly.  If  more  than  one 
dose  should  be  n»quired,  which  is  seldom  the  case,  the  lower 
degrees  may  then  be  employed. 

In  the  sauK^  way  as  the  chancre  or  the  bubo  gave  incontroverti- 
ble evidence  of  the  internal  disease,  the  disappearance  of  the 
chancre  conse(iuent  upon  the  internal  use  of  the  best  mercurial 
preparation,  without,  however,  the  concomitant  use  of  any  exter- 
nal application,  is  an  infallible  indication  of  the  internal  disease 
having  been  completely  and  radically  cured. 

Jiut,  on  the  other  hand,  this  correspondence  between  the  inter- 
nal disease  and  its  vicarious  symptom  shows  that  the  mere  exter- 
nal removal  of  the  chancre,  injismuch  as  it  does  not  result  from 
the  cure  of  the  internjil  disease,  leaves  the  deluded  patient  just  as 
syphilitic  after  the  removal  of  the  chancre  as  he  was  before. 

The  second  stage  of  the  disease  is  that  rare  stage,  in  which  the 
chancre  has  been  speedily,  though  foolishly,  removed  from  the  skin 
by  external  applications  without  the  organism  having  been  much 


408  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

disturbed  by  either  internal  or  external  violent  remedies.  Such  a 
comparatively  easy  removal  can  only  take  place  in  persons  that 
are  not  affected  with  a  difficult  chronic  disease,  in  whom  psora  is 
consequently  in  its  latent  condition.  Even  in  this  stage,  the  disease, 
provided  it  is  not  complicated  with  psoric  affections,  may  be  easily 
cured,  and  the  secondary  symptoms  of  syphilis  may  be  prevented  by 
the  internal  administration  of  the  above  described  mercurial  prep- 
aration; although  the  violent  removal  of  the  chancre  by  external 
remedies  makes  it  more  difficult  to  be  certain  of  the  cure  of  the 
internal  diseiise,  than  if  the  chancre  had  first  been  transformed  to 
a  benign  ulcer  and  had  then  disappeared  of  itself,  in  consequence 
of  the  internal  disease  having  been  cured  by  internal  remedies. 

However,  even  in  the  presence  of  these  disadvantages,  the  atten- 
tive observer  may  discover  a  sign  which  will  tell  him  whether  the 
internal  disease  is  or  is  not  completely  cured.  For,  in  case  the 
chancre  should  have  been  removed  by  external,  though  mild,  rem- 
edies, and  the  internal  disease  should  not,  therefore,  have  been 
completely  cured,  the  original  spot  upon  which  the  chancre  had 
been  developed,  will  exhibit  a  reddish  morbid-looking,  red,  or  blu- 
ish scar;  whereas,  if  the  chancre  have  been  removed  by  the  inter- 
nal remedy  and  be  no  longer  necessary  as  the  vicarious  embodi- 
ment of  the  internal  disease,  the  original  spot  of  the  chancre  can 
no  more  be  traced,  on  account  of  that  spot  being  covered  by  as 
healthy-colored  a  skin  as  the  rest  of  the  body. 

If  the  homoeopathic  physician  has  discovered  that  blueish  spot, 
and  by  this  discovery  has  become  convinced  that  the  internal  dis- 
ease is  not  yet  cured,  the  patient,  provided  he  is  perfectly  free 
from  all  secondary  symptoms  of  psora,  may  be  perfectly  cured  by 
one  single  dose  of  the  above  described  mercurial  preparation;  and, 
as  a  proof  that  the  cure  is  perfect,  the  bluish  scar  will  completely 
disappear,  and  the  skin  at  that  spot  assume  the  same  healthy  ap- 
pearance as  the  rest  of  the  body. 

Even  in  case  the  bubo  should  have  already  made  its  appearance, 
the  patient  may  yet  be  completely  cured  by  one  dose  of  the  above 
mentioned  mercurial  preparation,  provided  the  syphilitic  disease 
is  not  yet  complicated  wit'h  psora,  and  the  bubo  has  not  yet  passed 
into  the  suppurative  stage.  Generally,  however,  syphilis,  in  this 
condition,  is  complicated  with  psora.  The  indication  of  the  cure 
being  completed  is  the  same  as  above. 

Neither  in  this  latter,  nor  in  the  former  case,  an  outbreak  of 
syphilis  needs  to  be  apprehended,  provided  the  treatment  has  been 
rightly  conducted. 

We  have  now  to  treat  of  the  third  stage  of  the  disease  in  which 
the  syphilitic  disease  is  found  complicated  with  psora.  If  this 
complication  occur,  the  psoric  miasm  is  not  in  the  way  of  a  thor- 
ough cure  of  the  syphilitic  disease,  but  it  Ls  impossible  to  effect  the 


1886  Syphilis.  409 

cure  of  th£  syphilitic  disease,  complicated  vnth  jpsora,  by  one  rem- 
edy only. 

This  complication  may  take  place  in  two  ways.  The  patient 
may  either  have  been  already  affected  with  a  psoric  disease  at  the 
time  when  the  syphilitic  infection  took  place;  or  else,  the  psora 
which  existed  in  the  organism  at  the  time  when  the  syphilitic 
infection  took  place,  may  have  been  called  out  by  the  violent  drugs 
and  painful  external  remedies  of  the  allopathic  physician,  the 
effect  of  which  was  to  remove  the  external  symptom  of  syphilis 
after  protracted  efforts,  to  undermine  the  general  health  of  the 
patient,  and  to  force  the  psoric  and  the  syphilitic  miasm  into  a 
combination  with  each  other.  Such  a  combination  can  only  take 
place  between  syphilis  and  psora  in  a  state  of  manifest  develop- 
ment. 

These  are  the  reasons  why  psora  is  so  often  found  complicated 
with  syphilis.  The  poor  patient  is  often  assailed  for  months  with 
mercurial  frictions,  large  doses  of  calomel,  corrosive  sublimate, 
and  other  violent  mercurial  preparations,  inducing  fever,  dysen- 
tery, never-ending  and  exhausting  salivation,  pains  in  the  joints, 
sleeplessness,  etc.  But  all  these  violent  remedies  not  only  leave 
the  syphilitic  miasm  uncured,  but,  in  combination  with  the  inter- 
mediate use  of  weakening  warm  baths  and  purgatives,  they  rouse 
the  latent  psora  much  before  the  time  when  a  cure  of  the  syphilitic 
disease  could  be  effected  by  means  of  such  an  improper  treatment, 
and,  in  this  way,  enable  the  psoric  and  the  syphilitic  miasms  to 
combine. 

It  may  here  be  observed  that  it  is  the  nature  of  the  psoric 
miasms  to  break  forth  in  consequence  of  great  concussions  of  the 
system,  and  violent  inroads  upon  the  general  health. 

Hy  this  combination  of  syphilis  and  psora  a  sort  of  spurious, 
masked  syphilis  is  formed,  which  the  English  physicians  designate 
by  the  term  pseudo-syphilis.  This  is  a  sort  of  monstrous  double- 
disease,*  which  no  physician  has  l)een  hitherto  able  to  cure,  because 
no  physician  has,  up  to  this  moment,  known  the  extent  and  nature 
either  of  latent  or  developed  psora,  and  has  much  less  suspected  its 
combination  with  syphilis.  No  one  was  therefore  able  to  remove 
the  psoric  action  which  was  the  only  cause  of  that  pseudo-syphilis; 
no  one  was  able  to  cure  the  syphilitic  disease  by  freeing  it  from  its 
horrible  combination  with  psora;  and,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
psoric  miasm  withstood  every  attempt  at  cure,  because  it  cannot 
be  cured  unless  syphilis  is  cured  at  the  same  time. 


*  It  is  even  more  that  a  double-disease.  The  lar^e  and  frequently  repeated 
doses  of  the  violent  mercurial  preparations  liave  added  their  inherent  medicinal 
disease,  which,  together  with  the  exhaustion  consequent  upon  such  treatment, 
reduces  the  patient  to  a  truly  sad  plight.  In  such  cases  Hepar  sulphuris  may  be 
given  in  preference  to  pure  Sulphur,  on  account  of  its  anti-psoric  virtue. 


410  7?!^  Jile^iioaJ  Arirxinoe^  Xov. 


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4i 


1886  Therapeutics  of  Oonorrhcea.  411 

This  complication  I  treated  according  to  the  principles  laid 
down  above.  First,  I  directed  my  remedies  against  the  psoric 
miasm ;  and  then  against  the  other  two  miasms,  beginning  with 
the  one  whose  symptoms  were  most  prominent  at  the  time.  After- 
wards the  remaining  portion  of  the  psoric  symptoms  was  removed 
by  the  corresponding  anti-psorics,  and  then  the  last  traces  of  syph- 
ilis and  sycosis  by  other  adequate  remedies.  The  complete  and 
radical  cure  of  sycosis  may  be  recpgnized  by  the  same  indications 
as  the  cure  of  the  syphilitic  miasm,  viz.,  by  the  healthy  color  of 
the  skin  being  restored  at  the  places  upon  which  the  cauliflower 
excrescence  has  been  located;  whenever  this  excrescence  is  removed 
by  mere  external  remedies,  the  place  which  had  been  covered  with 
it,  exhibits  an  unhealthy  looking  skin. 


^•» 


TIIERAPEITTICS  OF   GOXORRTICEA.* 


BY  DR.  KUNKEL,  of  Kiel. 


Tho  insufficiency  of  the  treatment  of  this  disease  is 
repeatedly  asserted  by  hpmoepathic  physicians  and  has 
lately  been  expressed  in  an  article  signed  "Ge,"  in  the 
AlJgcmeine  Homdcopathische  Zeitung,  I  can  not  agree 
to  this,  although  I  possess  no  one  "remedy  for  gonorrhoea 
or  gleet" 

In  the  following  paper  I  will  endeavor  to  give  an  outline 
of  my  mode  of  treatment  I  ask  an  unprejudiced  trial  of 
it  and  entertain  the  conviction  that  if  it  is  granted  every 
colleague  who  will  thus  treat  cases,  especially  chronic  ones, 
will,  like  myself,  afterwards  meet  the  disease  with  a  firm 
confidence. 

As  to  the  pathology  of  gonorrhoea  we  must  on  the  one 
hand  consider  the  aetiology,  and  on  the  other  the  soil  on  which 
it  grows — the  individuality  of  the  affected  person.  As  to 
the  f(^rmer  it  is  well  known  that  it  is  the  secretion  of  the 
mucous  membrane  which  conveys  the  disease.  This  conta- 
gion may  be  indifferent,  i.  e.,  only  cause  a  simple  catarrh  of 
the  mucous  membrane,  that  will  by  a  systematic  dietetic 
mode  of  life  run  its  course  without  medicinal  treatment  after 
a  time  and  will  not  leave  behind  any  morbid  phenomena 
which  may  be  traced  to  the  action  of  the  morbid  secretion. 


•  Translated  by  A.  McNeil,  M.  D„  San  Francisco. 


412  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

In  addition  to  the  indifference  of  the  secretion  there  is  also 
a  relative  soundness  of  the  affected  person,  viz :  an  absence 
of  those  constitutional  taints  which  experience  has  shown 
prevents  the  disease  from  running  its  course  spontaneously 
and  causing  it  to  become  chronic,  i.  e.,  gleet. 

This  simple  form  of  the  disease  is  the  mildest  and  gets 
well  without  medicine,  although  such  drugs  as  Cannabis  and 
Terebinth  may  hasten  its  cure.  Balsam  copaiba  and 
Cubebs  have  a  like  result  and  the  general  health  remains 
unaffected  throughout  its  course. 

The  case  is  otherwise  when  the  secretion  which  infected 
the  patient  is  such  that  it  produces  morbid  phenomena 
which  could  not  arise  from  a  simple  lesion  of  the  urethra. 
And  if  we  examine  our  patients  with  the  requisite  careful- 
ness we  will  soon  be  convinced  that  there  is  no  small  num- 
ber of  cases  of  gonorrhoea  which  call  forth  morbid  phe- 
nomena which  did  not  exist  before  the  infection.  The 
symptoms  thus  produced  are  different  and  consequently 
require  different  remedies  which  I  will  now  mention  as  far 
as  they  are  known  to  me  by  experience,  in  brief  character- 
istics: 

Thuja. — This  remedy  corresponds  to  the  worst  disturb- 
ance of  the  general  health.  Frequently  the  patient  will 
perceive  in  twelve  to  twenty-four  hours  the  action  of  the 
virus,  which,  like  that  of  a  serpent  affects  the  entire  ner- 
vous system.  Sleeplessness;  extreme  mental  depression; 
paralytic-like  weakness  of  the  extremities  occur  in  a  short 
time  (yea,  as  I  saw  in  one  case  immediately.)  Besides 
disordered  digestion,  complete  loss  of  appetite  or  it  alter- 
nates with  canine  hunger,  or  the  latter  alone;  flatulence; 
bad  taste  in  the  mouth;  urging  to  urinate,  often  with 
scanty  discharge;  falling  out  of  the  hair,  etc.,  etc.  There- 
with the  secretion  from  the  urethra  is  often  scanty.  Only 
after  one  has  given  a  dose  of  Thuja,  it  will  become  more 
copious  and  in  the  same  ratio  the  general  morbid  condition 
improves ;  pointed  condylomata.  For  the  pharmacodynamics 
of  Thuja  I  refer  to  Wolf 's  "  Homoeopathische  Erf ahran- 
gen"  and  those  who  wish  to  use  it,  my  little  work  "Die 
Impfvergiftungundihre   Heilung"    wherein    I    expressly 


1886  Therapeutics  of  Oonorrhoea.  413 

remark  that  the  symptoms  there  mentioned  are  taken 
not  only  from  Wolf 's  provings  but  had  been  by  myself 
established  and  confirmed.  A  remedy  closely  related  to 
Thuja  is 

AciDUM  PHOSPHORIODM. — When  indicated  the  action  of 
the  virus  is  developed  more  gradually.  The  patient  feels 
relaxed  in  mind  and  body;  paralyfcic-like  weakness  of  the 
legs;  aversion  to  his  former  occupation;  indifference;  pee- 
vishness; sleepiness  in  thedajrkime  (sometimes  with  sleep- 
lessness at  night);  flatulence;  rumbling  in  the  bowls;  dis- 
position to  diarrhoea  in  which  the  stool  is  often  undigested, 
gray,  or  whitish  green.  The  urine  is  clear  as  water  but 
becomes  cloudy  and  milky;  bad-smelling  night-sweats; 
unpleasantly  tasting  slime  in  tlie  mouth,  particularly  in 
the  morning;  disposition  to  very  weakening  pollutions; 
pointed  condylomata  as  in  Thuja. 

Staphisagria. — Whether  we  are  justified  in  classifying 
this  drug  with  the  two  former  I  do  not  venture  to  decide, 
but  we  may  conclude  that  it  corresponds  to  a  syphilitic  and 
a  certainly  contagious  form  of  the-  disease.  So  much  is 
certain  that  Staph,  is  a  not  unimportant  remedy  in  the 
treatment  of  a  phase  of  the  disease  which  is  accompanied 
by  constitutional  phenomena,  which  have  an  unmistakable 
similarity  with  the  two  former.  Disorders  of  the  mental 
life  also  appear  in  the  foreground,  particularly  a  •  high  . 
degree  of  irritability ;  starting  up  in  anger;  disturbed  sleep; 
frequent  waking;  feels  badly  after  sleeping,  but  particularly 
after  the  siesta;  much  flatulency.  Profuse  secretions  of 
mucus  in  the  pharjmx;  disposition  to  ulcers  on  the  gums; 
scorbutic  condition;  bad  smelling  sweat  In  the  sexual 
sphere,  disposition  to  pollutions;  pointed  condylomata;  and 
in  women  disease  of  the  ovaries.  While  we  may  classify 
the  first  two  remedies  as  anti-sycotics,  we  want  also  the 
following. 

Mercurius. — Also,  when  this  drug  is  indicated  the  gen- 
eral condition  of  the  patient  is  affected  after  the  reception 
of  the  contagion,  but  as  it  appears,  we  are  justified  in 
deriving  the  constitutional  from  the  local  lesion,  the  ca- 
tarrh with   its  results  (lymphangitis  and  adenitis)  [?]. 


414  2%6  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

This  remedy  is  as  suitable  in  soft  chancre  as  in  gonorrhoea, 
and  cures,  as  does  no  other,  those  cases  in  which  a  bubo 
threatens  to  form.  This  often  manifests  itself  very  soon 
by  a  pecuUar,  often  painful  drawing  in  the  regio  inguina- 
lis.  Whether  soft  chancre  is  pathologically  identical  with 
a  definite  form  of  gonorrhoea  as  the  old  pathologists 
thought,  who  saw  no  difference  in  them,  I  will  neither 
affirm  nor  deny.  We  may  however  remark,  that  when  dif- 
ferent men  drew  their  "  lottery  tickets  from  the  same  box," 
one  of  whom  gets  a  soft  chancre  and  the  other  gonorrhoea; 
furthermore,  when  both  are  received  from  one  coitus  and 
both  yield  to  Mercury,  we  are  justified  in  accepting  the 
above  opinion.  Oh,  that  we  might  be  freed  from  the  ana- 
tomical mode  of  thought  which  stands  so  much  in  the  way 
of  everything  therapeutic, 

I  will  only  mention  some  of  the  symptoms  which  indi- 
cate Mercurius.  The  frequently  greenish  color  of  the 
secretion ;  the  characteristic  smell  from  the  mouth ;  the  pro- 
fuse flow  of  saliva;  'the  swollen,  easily  bleeding  gums; 
the  fever  of  horripilations  always  alternating  with  heat, 
which  like  the  local  symptoms  is  always  aggravated  by  the 
heat  of  feather  beds;  nightly  exacerbation;  the  tearing 
headache,  etc. 

AciDUM  NiTRicuM  stands  closely  related  to  Mercury. 
.Both  belong  more  to  syphilis  (the  former  more  particularly 
to  hydrargyrosis. )  With  the  Acid  the  signs  of  impover- 
ished blood-formation,  manifested  by  disposition  to  hsBm- 
horrhages  which  are  always  of  a  dark  color,  are  more 
prominent.  The  scorbutic  phenomena  are  more  clearly 
marked  than  with  Staphisagria.  Bad  smelling  sweat 
and  exhalation  from  the  skin;  bad  smelling  urine;  bad 
smelling  faeces;  and  bad  smelling  from  mouth.  A  fine 
stitch  running  through  the  glans  is  not  an  important  symp- 
tom. 

Whether  the  Nitric  Acid  (Sit  venia  verbo)  as  well  as  the 
mercurial  form  of  the  disease  may  be  transferred  by  infec- 
tion, i.  e.,  convey  in  a  certain  measure  their  own  special 
character,  I  will  not  decide.  Mistakes  are  easy,  for  the 
patient  may  have  never  observed  himself  closely  until  the 


1886  Therapeutics  of  OonorrhcBa.  415 

infection  occurred.  That  the  Nitric  Acid  form  of  this  dis- 
ease is  very  frequent  arises,  perhaps,  from  the  frequent 
abuse  of  Mercury.  In  persons  who  have  been  mercurial- 
ized, an  indifferent  gonorrhoea!  secretion  will  certainly 
arouse  the  morbid  disposition  in  a  manner,  and  thus  from  a 
recent  clap,  a  gleet  will  be  produced.  If  this  is  always 
the  case  that  the  contagious  secretion  only  gives  the  im- 
pulse to  the  form,  then  Nitric  Acid  should  belong  to  the 
third  category  to  be  mentioned. 

In  this,  as  has  been  said,  the  catarrh  is  indifferent,  but 
the  "  infected  "  individual  was  already  sick  when  the  "  in- 
fectidn"  occurred.  Just  as  we  have  often  enough  seen 
that,  hitherto  "  quite  healthy  "  persons,  in  consequence  of  a 
cold  contract  a  chronic  catarrh  or  something  worse;  as  a 
violent  emotion,  which,  in  a  really  sound  man  leaves  no  tra- 
ces, will  lead  to  a  chronic  disease;  as  tin  error  in  diet  which 
the. well  easily  overcomes,  may  cause  severe  chronic  gastric 
disease;  finally  as  an  indifferent  coryza,  may,  in  anindivid- 
al  so  disposed,  give  rise  to  a  chronic  nasal  catarrh,  so  may 
an  indifferent  catarrh  of  the  vagina  in  one  with  a  predis- 
position thereto,  cause  a  gleet.* 

It  follows  that  there  are  as  many  remedies  for  these  cases 
as  there  are  constitutional  remedies,  presuming  that  these 
are  related  to  the  urethra.  As  I  am  not  writing  a  Therapeu- 
tics but  only  its  fundamental  outlines,  I  must  limit  myself 
to  a  few  drugs  which  I  have  found  most  frequently  related 
to  the  disease. 

When 'a  jjatient  with  gleet  comes  to  a  physician,  usually 
the  first  thing  he  does  is  to  show  his  penis.  They  are  often 
astonished  by  my  requesting  them  not  to,  and  asking  them 
"what has  ailed  you  heretofore?"  This  must  evidently  be 
the  point  on  which  the  whole  examination  centres  in  order 
to  discover  the  remedy  ,if  my  reasoning  is  right.  Whether 
it  is  a  case  of  gleet  or  another  chronic  disease,  is  imma- 


*SoI(]ier8  have  repeatedly  consulted  me  on  account  of  gonorrhcea.  On  my  ask- 
Ing  them  why  they  did  not  go  to  their  surgeon,  replied  that  the  woman  who  infec- 
ted them  would  be  examined  and  was  often  discovered  to  be  free  from  disease, 
wherein  they  would  be  punished.  How  often  it  occurs  that  different  men  have 
connection  with  t lie  same  woman,  one  of  whom  acquires  agonorrhwa  and  the 
others  do  not.    Such  cases  are  best  explained  by  what  I  have  said  above. 


416  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

terial  in  most  cases.  The  anatomical  pathology  is  not  the 
foundation  of  our  treatment,  but  the  Materia  Medica. 
Therefore  the  beginner  must  not  forget  that  the  symp- 
toms formerly  existing  are  as  important  in  the  selection  of 
the  remedy,  and  often  far  more  so,  than  those  present. 

The  anti-psorics  which  I  have  most  frequently  found  suc- 
cessful are  Sulphur  and  Sepia. 

SuLPHUR; — I  will  only  give  a  few  outlines.  Preceding 
chronic  eruptions  on  the  skin,  which  itch  violently  in  the 
warmth  of  the  bed  and  more  particularly  then,  are  consid- 
ered, and  partly  correctly  considered,  important  indications 
for  the  choice  of  Sulphur,  yet  as  it  appears,  this  symptom  is 
often  over-estimated.  Other  remedies  as  Graphites,  Lycop- 
odium,  Calcarea,  Carbo  veg.  Ledum,  Pulsatilla,  compete  in 
a  conspicuous  manner  and  to  be  particularly  considered  in 
eruptions  on  the  head.  Further  indications  are  chronic 
ophthalmias  and  conspicuously,  taking  cold  easily  with 
coryza  or  cough,  the  latter  of  which  is  aggravated  in  the 
warmth  of  the  bed,  or  rheumatic  pain  aggravated  in 
the  warmth  of  the  feather-beds,  and  which  frequently 
changes  its  location,  cold  (with  heat  of  the  head)  and  (in 
summer)  sweating  feet.  With  children;  throwing  off  the 
bed-clothes  at  night,  even  in  winter;  moist  air;  impending 
rain  and  wind;  aggravate. 

Sepia. — I  once,  in  consequence  of  an  incomprehensible 
lapsus  mcmoricB,  asserted  that  although  Sepia  often  should 
be  chosen  in  syphilis,  yet  only  seldom  in  gonorrhoea. 
This  is  all  wrong,  as  Sepia  is,  among  all  the  constitutional 
remedies,  perhaps  most  frequently  the  one  to  be  chosen 
both  in  gonorrhoea  and  gleet,  presuming  that  it  stands  in 
relation  to  the  urethra,  which  it  does  pre-eminently. 

The  indications  for  its  administration  are  tolerably  char- 
acteristic, so  that  one  is  not  often  in  danger  of  making  a 
mistake,  if  the  patients  are  in  some  measure  attentive. 
That  Sepia,  on  the  whole,  corresponds  to  the  female  sex  is 
known,  yet  it  is  often  enough  indicated  for  men.  In 
women  the  symptoms  stand  out  clearer,  on  the  one  hand, 
on  account  of  the  relations  of  the  drug  to  the  female  sex- 
ual organs  (which  have  a  great  number  of  symptoms) 


1866  Therapeuiics  of  Oonorrhoea.  417 

and  on  the  other,  on  account  of  greater  "  nervousness  "  of 
the  woman.  One  often  recognizes  the  Sepia  patient  at  a 
glance.  A  yellow  (or  reddish)  saddle  across  the  nose  and 
cheeks  is  a  characteristic,  and  also  yellow  spots  about  the 
mouth  and  on  the  forehead.  Plying  heat  of  the  face. 
With  Sulphur  there  is  a  more  lasting  rush  of  blood,  often 
without  cause,  or  when  sitting  long,  or  on  a  slight  excita- 
tion; skin  inclined  to  sweat  (much  seldomer  the  contrary), 
particularly  in  the  axillsB,  between  the  shoulders,  and  the 
mammsB;  disposition  to  all  kinds  of  "algias"  (headache,  car- 
dialgia),  which  are  usually  accompanied  by  chilliness; 
unrefreshing  sleep.  After  sleep  most  of  the  complaints 
appear,  particularly  in  the  morning,  sometimes  lasting  a 
longer  or  shorter  time,  to  appear  again  in  the  evening. 
Stomach  and  liver  are  usually  more  or  less  affected.  The 
cardialgisB  are  pressing,  burning,  sticking,  and  have  the 
peculiarity  that  they  often  appear  in  from  one-half  to  two 
hours  after  eating.  Wandering  rheumatism,  ameliorated 
in  the  warmth  of  the  bed,  the  reverse  of  Sulphur.  (Lach., 
Natrum  mur. )  Gray  or  white  stools  show  the  deficient  excre- 
tion of  bile.  Fat  and  acid  are  the  most  likely  to  disagree. 
The  modalities  offer  important  indications.  Sepia  is, 
beside  Bryonia,  the  only  remedy  which  has  aggravation  in 
the  east  (in  Europe,  dry)  wind,  and  in  fog.  Aggravation 
in  sultry,  moist  atmosphere;  before  a  thunder-storm;  while 
"clear  warmth"  agrees  often.  Aggravation  at  rest;  better 
on  motion.  This  symptom  alone  has  repeatedly  and  suc- 
cessfully decided  me  to  give  Sepia,  etc.  That  polychrests, 
as  Calcarea,  Lycopodium  and  Graphites,  may  come  into 
consideration,  is  evident  Also  Clematis  and  Capsicum 
play  a  not  unimportant  rdle.  The  latter  I  have  frequently 
found  eflScacious  in  gonorrhceal  rheumatism.     The  former 

has  acted  favorably  in  the  same  direction,  but  I  have  had 
no  personal  experience  with  it. 

As  under  the  influence  of  the  "  psoric  discord,"  so  under 
that  of  malaria,  a  simple  catarrh  of  the  urethra  becomes  a 
gleet     Here  Natrum  mur.  is  the  remedy.* 

*  several  years  ago  I  discovered  that  Rhus  tox.  cured  several  cases  of  gonor- 
rhoea, that  drug  beiag  the  remedy  correspondiug  to  the  genus  epidemlcus.  llie 
indications  were:  aching  pains,  relieved  by  motion;  swelling  of  the  prepuce;  flow 
of  urme  slow,  but  not  much  pain  attending.— Tbaitslatob. 

A* 


418  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

Natrum  mub. — The  external  phenomena  of  the  patient 
have  no  particular  peculiarities,  except  that  some  had  bloat- 
edness  of  the  face,  which  in  most  cases  was  accompanied 
by  paleness,  which  symptom,  as.  is  well  known,  belongs  to 
several  drugs.  The  patient  complains  of  shortness  of 
breath,  but  he  does  not  consider  that  much,  as  he  has  "  had 
it  for  a  long  time,  or  always."  Physical  examination  of 
the  chest  shows  the  lungs  healthy,  but  an  increased  im- 
pulse of  the  heart,  and  iciih  healthy  heart-sounds,  irregu- 
lar, intermitting,  or  accelerated  pulse,  the  latter  from  rela- 
tively slight  movement,  as  rising  from  a  chair.  He  com- 
plains of  sleepiness  in  the  daytime,  particularly  in  the 
forenoon,  passing  off  in  the  evening;  thirst;  horripilations; 
pain  in  the  spleen,  more  rarely  in  the  liver,  when  moving 
quickly  or  riding;  cardialgia,  a  shorter  or  longer  time  after 
eating;  constipation;,  peevishness;  disposition  to  weep; 
better  towards  evening;  paralytic-like  weakness  of  the  legs. 
All  phenomena  very  changeable.  Nat.  mur.  cures  every 
form  of  rheumatism  of  the  joints,  which  has  its  origin  in 
malarial  disease,  and  appears  frequently,  and  not  seldom 
alternating  with  intermittent  fever,  etc. 

I  now  finish  my  task,  and  repeat  that  I  have  only  given 
the  outlines,  and  that  many  other  remedies  than  those  I 
have  mentioned  can  cure  gonorrhoea.  However,  the  ma- 
jority of  cases,  I  believe,  will  yield  to  the  drugs  I  have 
mentioned. 

As  to  the  dose  I  have  given,  with  the  exception  of  Mer- 
cury and  the  first  mentioned  drugs,  (Cannabis,  Terebinth.,) 
the  30th  or  higher;  the  latter  often  in  only  one  dose,  the 
others  every  seventh  evening.  Mercury  I  give  in  lower 
doses,  almost  always  the  3d  cent.,  as  I  considered  the  in- 
fection a  localized  one.  Of  Nitric  Acid  in  the  lower 
potencies  I  have  seen  little  or  nothing,  on  the  ground  that 
the  remedy  in  these  cases  first  cured  the  constitutional 
disease,  and  secondarily  the  gonorrhoea,  an  infection  in  the 
narrowest  sense  not  being  present. 

That  in  recent  cases  we  must  at  times  treat  more  symp- 
tomatically,  as  in  chordee,  and  the  like,  is  evident 

In  the  foregoing  I  believe  that  I  have  treated  gonorrhoea 


1886  Rupture  of  the  Heart.  419 

according  to  Hahnemann's  views  of  therapeutics.  If  in 
this  disease  we  would  investigate  Hahnemann's  doctrines 
without  prejudice,  we  must  do  it  carefully,  as  he  requires. 
Whoever  is  careless  and  complains  of  his  lack  of  success, 
has  only  himself  to  blame. 

I  have  only  to  add:  Chronic  local  disease  is  often  an  in- 
surmountable obstacle  in  morbid  affections  of  the  paren- 
chymatous organs,  particularly  those  of  the  abdomen.  In 
these  cases  Hahnemann's  theories,  in  their  present  devel- 
opment, leave  us  in  the  lurch,  and  to  cure  we  must  admin- 
ister Rademacher's  organ  remedies,  and,  according  to  my 
experience,  better  in  the  potentized  form. 


•«S»i 


A  POST-MORTEM. 


A.  A.  WHIPPLE.  M.  D.,  Quincy,  HI. 


Rupture  of  the  Heart — The  other  case  (which  for 
the  benefit  of  the  profession  in  general  I  wish  to  place 
upon  record)  was  a  lady  of  seventy-five  years,  whom  I  first 
saw  and  examined  about  the  1st  of  October  last,  diagnosing 
at  that  time  aortic  obstruction,  probably  from  ossification 
of  the  aortic  valves.  On  January  10  she  had  a  slight 
attack  of  gastralgia,  from  which  she  recovered  in  a  few 
hours.  On  the  13th  I  saw  her  in  the  forenoon.  She  had 
passed  a  good  night;  ate  a  light  breakfast;  sat  up  two  or 
three  hours  after  noon;  retired;  arose  at  5:30  P.  M.  to  use 
the  chamber,  and  upon  lying  down  she  gasped,  and  died 
without  a  word  or  expression  of  pain. 

The  next  morning,  January  14,  1886,  I  made  an  examin- 
ation in  the  presence  of  Drs.  Ehinger  and  Nickerson.  On 
opening  the  pericardium  we  found  it  filled  with  blood.  A 
rent  was  found  at  the  apex  of  the  left  ventricle  large 
enough  to  admit  the  index  finger.  The  ventricular  walls 
were  not  increased  in  thickness.  The  right  ventricle  was 
covered  with  fat  The  aortic  valves  were  ossified,  greatly 
diminishing  the  arterial  orifice. — CUnique, 


420  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

OBSTETRICS. 


INTELLIGENT  MANIPULATION  VS.  OBSTETRICAL  FOR- 
CEPS.* 


O.  B.  MOSS.  M.  D.,  Kansas  City,  Mo. 


There  is  probably  not  among  us  a  physician  of  any  con- 
siderable experience  in  general  practice,  whose  cases  of 
dystocia  have  not  left  in  his  mind  some  vivid  recollections. 
Whether  all  of  us  have  mastered  all  the  diflSculties  of  this 
nature  that  we  have  met,  or  whether  we  have  been  mas- 
tered by  them,  is  not  pertinent  to  the  practical  interests  of 
this  hour.  An  error  is  quite  as  potent  as  a  success,  "  to 
point  a  moral  or  adorn  a  tale." 

The  extreme  frequency  with  which  many  physicians  em- 
ploy the  obstetrical  forceps,  and  the  infrequency  with 
which  it  is  used  by  others,  have  led  me  to  consider  before 
you  this  evening  the  subject  just  announced.  That  the  for- 
ceps are  an  occasional  necessity  in  obstetrical  practice,  it 
is  not  my  purpose  to  deny.  The  question  that  leads  to  al- 
most endless  discussion  is  this:  When  is  it  a  necessity? 
Now,  while  I  shall  make  no  efifor  to  exhaust  the  subject,  I 
hope  to  reach  a  point  when  I  may  at  least  make  some  prac- 
tical deductions  bearing  upon  the  frequency  with  which 
the  use  of  this  instrument  is  justifiable.  This  will  ena- 
ble us  to  determine  whether  the  instrument  is,  or  is  not 
abused. 

Since  instrumental  delivery  is  never  justifiable,  except 
in  a  case  of  dystocia,  in  order  to  make  the  discussion  clear 
it  becomes  necessary  to  keep  in  mind  the  exact  meaning  of 
the  terms  we  employ.  Therefore,  a  few  remarks  on  this 
topic  are  necessary  to  the  logical  structure  of  this  paper. 

Let  us  define  dystocia  as  meaning  any  difficulty  in  par- 
turition, whether  maternal,  foetal,  or  due  to  some  fault  in 
the  appendages.  Since  the  causes  which  lead  to  difficult 
delivery  are  various,  I  will  briefly  notice  a  few  of  them, 
under  Cazeaux'  three  groups  or  classes  of  labor: 


♦Read  before  the  Kansas  City  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society,  Sept.  6. 1886. 


1886  Manipulation  vs.  Forceps,  421 

First,  those  rendered  difficult,  ddngeroas  or  impossible  by 
a  defect  or  an  excess  in  the  action  of  the  expulsive  forces. 

Second,  those  rendered  difficult,  dangerous  or  impossible 
by  obstacles  to  the  expulsion  of  the  foetus. 

Third,  those  complicated  by  accidents  liable  to  endanger 
the  life  or  health  of  the  mother  and  child. 

In  the  first  class  the  pelvis  and  organs  of  generation 
may  be  perfectly  normal  and  the  child  in  harmony  with 
the  passage;  but  the  expulsive  force  may  be  so  deficient  as 
to  prolong  the  duration  of  labor  beyond  twenty-four  hours, 
and  thus  lead  to  dangerous  complications.  All  the  causes 
of  dystocia  pertaining  to  the  character  of  the  pains 
may  be  termed  vital,  and  may  be  removed,  generally,  by 
administering  the  properly  selected  drug.  The  mechanU 
cal  causes  operating  in  the  first  class  are  an  over-disten- 
sion of  the  uterus,  as  from  an  excess  of  liquor  amnii,  and 
premature  rupture  of  the  membranes. 

Excessive  aminotic  fluid  may  be  easily  reduced,  and  pre- 
mature rupture  of  the  membranes,  under  good  manage- 
ment, should  not  prove  a  serious  complication. 

In  the  event  of  the  uterine  contractions  being  too  power- 
ful, the  chief  danger  lies  in  the  liability  to  rupture  the 
uterus  or  perineum.  But  here,  again,  the  pains  may  usu- 
ally be  so  modified  by  the  proper  medication,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  manipulatory  management,  as  to  avert  every 
possible  accident,  especially  of  such  a  nature  as  to  require 
instrumental  delivery.  Therefore,  I  feel  safe  in  saying 
that  dystocia  from  the  ciuses  thus  far  mentioned,  should 
never  call  for  instrumental  delivery. 

The  causes  operating  in  the  second  class  are  more  for- 
midable, since  they  involve  malformations  of  the  pelvis. 
By  this  term  we  are  to  understand  that  the  pelvis  may  ex- 
ceed or  fall  short  of  the  average  size.  But  it  is  in  the  lat- 
ter condition  that  the  aid  of  forceps  is  most  apt  to  be  in- 
voked; when  the  measurements  of  the  superior  strait  are 
considerably  less  than  four  and  two-fifths,  four  and  four- 
fifths,  and  five  and  three-tenths  inches,  respectively,  for  the 
antero-j)osterior,  oblique  and  transverse  diameters.  To 
this  class  I  will  add  such  deformities  of  the  foetus  as  ren- 


422  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

der  it  out  of  harmony  with  the  parturient  passage;  rigid 

cervix,  resistant  perineum,  mal-presentations,  rupture  of 

the  uterus,  mal-formation  of  the  vagina  and  vulva,  tumors, 
etc. 

In  the  third  class  of  Cazeaux  we  may  place  such  acci- 
dents as  haemorrhage  in  placenta  praevia,  prolapse  of  the 
cord,  short  cord,  loopings  of  the  cord,  etc. 

In  considering  the  forms  of  dystocia  embraced  in  these 
three  classes,  it  must  be  seen  by  a  moment's  reflection,  that 
the  great  majority  of  cases  fall  under  the  first  and  second. 
And  moreover,  those  of  the  first  class  should  never  require 
instrumental  aid,  while  only  two  conditions  in  the  second 
class  are  serious,  viz. :  Malformations  of  the  pelvis,  and  such 
deformities  of  the  foetus  as  render  it  out  of  proportion  to 
the  size  of  the  passage.  But  these  two  conditions  are  so 
rare  that  physicians  do  not  average  one  case  of  dystocia 
from  either  of  these  causes  during  the  experience  of  a 
life-time;  nor  are  they  by  any  means  always  amenable  to 
delivery  by  the  forceps  when  they  do  occur.  And  so  may 
it  be  said  of  the  causes  considered  in  the  third  class; — 
they  are  so  exceedingly  rare  as  to  be  almost  neutral  in  mak- 
ing out  a  list  of  possible  instrumental  cases  likely  to  occur 
in  the  experience  of  any  one  man.  All  the  more  common 
conditions  enumerated  complicate  labor  by  rendering  it 
tedious;  but  they  are  not  invincible,  and  may  generally  be 
overcome  by  intelligently  assisting  the  parturient  forces 
by  medical  and  manual  means. 

In  my  own  practice,  embracing  several  hundred  cases  of 
labor,  instruments  have  rarely  been  indicated.  I  was 
called  to  attend  a  primipara  about  thirty  years  of  age. 
The  ])elvis  was  very  small,  but  not  deformed,  and  the  child 
was  unusually  large,  its  weight  being  over  ten  pounds. 
We  decided  to  give  Ergot,  which  I  soon  became  convinced 
was  wrong.  The  pains  were  sufficiently  violent  before, 
but  now  they  were  greatly  fortified,  and  after  continuing 
with  dangerous  intensity  for  two  or  three  hours,  with  the 
head  still  engaged  in  the  superior  strait,  and  no  pulsa- 
tion of  the  foetal  heart,  we  thought  it  advisable  to  perform 
craniotomy,  which  I  ])roceeded  to  do. 


1886  Manipulation  vs.  Forceps.  423 

This  was  a  case  in  which  the  size  of  the  foetus  was  out 
of  proportion  to  the  diameters  of  the  pelvic  canal,  and  the 
cranial  bones  had  lost  their  compressibility  on  account  of 
almost  complete  ossification.  The  extremely  narrow  pel- 
vis of  this  woman  was  noticeable  before  as  well  as  after 
pregnancy,  and  was  a  matter  of  great  solicitude  on  my 
part  from  the  hour  that  I  was  engaged  to  attend  her  in 
confinement. 

An  earlier  resort  to  instruments,  with  no  Ergot,  would 
probably  have  been  wiser  management;  but  I  confess  that 
I  should  have  no  confidence  of  success  in  attempts  to  have 
saved  the  child,  by  any  means  whatever. 

I  have  been  called  several  times  to  come  with  for- 
ceps and  assist  in  the  delivery  of  women  under  the  care  of 
other  physicians,  and  each  time  have  discovered  thdt  the 
obstruction  to  delivery  was  mechanical — due  to  mal-posi- 
tion  of  the  woman,  or  to  some  defect  in  presentation,  or 
else  to  derangement  of  the  dynamical  forces,  and  in  each 
case  the  trouble  was  speedily  removed  and  the  woman  de- 
livered without  the  use  of  forceps. 

In  one  case  I  found  the  head  flexed  and  resting  against 
the  perineum.  I  was  assured  that  no  progress  had  been 
made  during  several  hours.  After  watching  a  few  i)ains 
which  produced  no  change,  I  discovered  that  the  head 
needed  extending  toward  the  vulvar  orifice,  which  could 
not  be  effected  with  the  woman  lying  on  her  back  and  so 
propped  by  pillows  and  blankets  as  to  form  an  angle  of 
about  35°  to  40  ^  Gaining  permission  to  change  the  posi- 
tion of  the  woman,  I  lowered  the  head,  turned  her  partly 
upon  the  left  side,  and  with  the  thumb  of  the  right  hand 
thrust  into  the  rectum  to  the  supraorbital  ridge,  I  extended 
the  head  and  forced  it  to  engage  in  the  vulvar  opening. 
The  result  was  that  a  few  pains  completed  the  delivery. 

About  two  years  ago  I  was  called  to  assist  in  the  deliv- 
ery of  a  woman  who  had  been  in  labor  thirty-six  hours. 
The  administration  of  choroform  was  begun  in  the  first 
stage,  and  when  I  saw  the  case,  this  stage  was  not  yet  com- 
pleted. On  learning  that  the  foetus  was  still  alive,  I  ad- 
vised to  stimulate  the  pains;  and,  the  physician  having  the 


424  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

case  in  charge  being  worn  out  with  loss  of  sleep  and  anx- 
iety, begged  me  to  go  ahead  and  do  as  I  thought  best  In 
three  hours  the  woman  was  safely  delivered. 

Although  many  cases  might  be  produced  to  illustrate 
the  mechanical  principles  upon  which  I  proceed,  and  to 

which  I  attribute  what  success  I  have  attained,  I  will  not 
occupy  more  time. 

It  is  reasonable  to  suppose  that  the  cases  I  have  attended 
are  a  fair  average  of  what  every  physician  encounters  in 
an  obstetric  practice,  equal  in  extent  to  my  own.  There 
were  two  or  three  breech  presentations,  several  cases  of 
twins,  one  monstrosity,  one  back  presentation,  one  shoulder, 
and  one  of  partial  placenta  preevia. 

The  fact  that  no  case  ever  passed  out  of  my  hands;  that 
I  have  lost  but  one  child  in  delivery,  and  not  a  single 
mother;  and  further,  that  I  have  met  with  but  one  case  in 
which  delivery  was  not  possible  without  instruments,  ena- 
bles me  to  say  that  in  my  own  experience,  less  than  one- 
fourth  of  one  per  cent  of  my  obstetrical  cases  could  posi- 
bly  have  been  better  managed  with  instruments,  than  with- 
out. And  even  in  this  one  case,  it  must  remain  a  question 
whether  the  forceps  would  have  saved  the  life  of  the  child. 
In  my  opinion  it  would  not. 

For  a  few  years  past  I  have  made  it  a  practice  to  see  and 
examine,  during  the  last  month  of  gestation,  every  case  of 
labor  for  which  I  am  engaged.  Of  course,  the  presenta- 
tion is  easily  determined  at  this  time,  or  even  earlier,  and 
when  labor  begins  I  am  not  taken  by  surprise  at  any  point. 
I  know  about  what  to  expect  Then,  when  I  am  called  and 
find  the  woman  in  labor,  I  seek  to  correct,  by  the  appro- 
priate remedy,  any  abnormality  that  may  exist  in  the  ptir- 
turient  forces — never  giving  an  anesthetic  in  the  first 
stage  of  labor,  and  rarely  in  the  second  stage  until  near 
the  close.  But  I  always  give  it,  though  never  profoundly, 
during  the  last  pains;  so  that  at  the  moment  of  greatest 
perineal  and  vulvar  distention,  the  suflFering  will  not  only  be 
kept  at  the  minimum,  but  the  tissues  at  the  maximum  of 
their  distensibility.  If  given  in  the  first  stage,  it  is  apt  to 
weaken  the  contractions  of  the  uterus,  and  may  impair  the 
cardiac  force,  thus  needlessly  complicating  the  case. 


1886  Manipulation  vs.  Forceps.  425 

When  spending  a  few  months  in  New  York,  I  learned 
that  the  young  men  who  attend  the  out-door  departments 
of  the  hospital  and  dispensary  clinics,  for  some  reason, 
generally  met  with  cases  which  can  only  be  delivered  with 
the  forceps.  At  least  they  will  tell  you  so;  and  they  prob- 
ably resort  to  this  instrument  in  one-fourth  of  the  cases 
they  attend.  Their  patients  are  sometimes  lacerated  and 
have  a  bad  "  geting  up."  But  no  matter;  their  practice  is 
vindicated  if,  indeed,  'tis  even  attacked. 

There  is  no  question  but  these  men  use  the  forceps  more 
frequently  in  charity  cases  than  they  would  do  in  private 
practice.  But  the  truth  is,  many  physicians  use  the  in- 
strument in  a  large  per  cent  of  their  cases  in  private  prac- 
tice. 

Said  a  Prof,  of  Obstetrics  recently,  in  discussing  this 
subject:  "Nine  out  of  ten  applications  of  the  forceps  are 
for  the  purpose  of  extracting  the  head  when  detained  at 
the  pelvic  outlet  The  delay"  he  adds,  "is  due  to  resist- 
ance of  the  perineal  muscles,  extreme  flexion  of  the  child's 
he&d,  uterine  inertia,  or  some  deviation  from  the  normal, 
either  of  the  child's  head  or  of  the  inferior  strait." 

I  maintaining  gentlemen,  that  detention  at  the  pelvic 
outlet  should  always  be  overcome  by  manual  aid  in  con- 
junction with  the  parturient  forces,  unless  there  is  de- 
formity of  the  inferior  straight,  or  of  the  head,  or  what  is 
less  likely,  unless  the  extremely  low  vitality  of  the  pa- 
tient shall  have  been  exhausted  before  this  stage  of  labor 
is  reached.  If  the  perineal  muscles  are  resistant,  weaken 
their  tension,  by  steady  pressure  backward  during  the  in- 
tervals of  pain,  and  by  the  use  of  chloroforn,  unless  this 
is  contra-indicated.  If  the  head  is  flexed,  extend  it  as  in- 
dicated above.  If  the  uterine  inertia  occasion  the  delay, 
discover  the  cause  of  the  feeble  contractions,  and  proceed 
according  to  circumstances.  I  have  yet  to  find  such  a  case 
which  could  not  be  managed  by  the  indicated  remedy,  con- 
joined with  intelligent  manipulation. 

Deformity  of  the  inferior  strait,  or  of  the  child's  head 
is  so  rare,  that  the  forceps  in  the  hands  of  any  man  will 
wait  a  long  time  to  demonstrate,  in  such  cases  as  these,  its 


426  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

utility.     They  may  occur,  but  these  are  not  the  cases  which 
swell  the  list  of  instrumental  deliveries. 

Is  the  use  of  the  forceps  perfectly  safe?  Cazeaux  says: 
"There  can  be  no  doubt  that  the  use  of  the  forceps  increas- 
es the  danger  of  delivery."  After  he  had  delivered  more 
than  ten  thousand  women,  Dr.  Dewees,  in  discussing  the 
use  of  the  forceps,  says:  "However  strongly  I  may  be 
impressed  with  the  utility  of  the  forceps,  I  should  not  feel 
myself  warranted  to  use  them  as  often  as  they  appear  to 
be  in  Great  Britain  and  on  the  continent  of  Europe." 
Furthermore,  it  is  well  known  that  accidents  often  occur 
under  the  most  experienced  management,  such  as  lacera- 
tion of  the  perineum,  vesico-vaginal  and  recto-vaginal  fis- 
tulee,  besides  less  serious  injuries  of  the  soft  tissues  and 
occasionally  injury  of  the  child.  Therefore,  the  instru- 
ment should  be  used  only  in  cases  of  actual  necessity. 
Prof.  Pa  jot  says:  "Whenever  the  mother  or  child  runs 
any  danger,  and  this  danger  will  cease  when  labor  is  ended, 
the  forceps  is  indicated."  Very  well,  but  everything  de- 
pends upon  the  physicians  judgment  to  determine  when 
danger  is  threatened  which  intelligent  manipulation,  con- 
joined with  the  projjer  remedy,  will  not  suffice  to  avert. 

Now,  gentlemen,  it  is  my  firm  conviction — and  I  must  be 
allowed  to  base  my  opinion  largely  upon  my  own  experi- 
ence, thus  deducing  what  the  average  experience  of  others 
should  be — that  the  forceps  is  very  rarely  necessary,  and 
that  not  even  once  in  several  hundred  cases  need  it  be 
brought  into  use.  In  other  words,  I  hold  the  opinion  that 
a  very  large  per  cent,  of  all  the  cases  in  which  instrumen- 
tal aid  is  invoked,  could  be  more  safely  delivered  by  intel- 
ligent and  patient  attention  to  the  mechanism  of  labor, 
to  the  dynamic  condition  of  the  patients,  and  to  proper 
manipulatory  processes,  than  by  the  use  of  the  forceps. 


Minnesota  Medical  Monthly.— This  is  the  latest  addition 
to  our  periodical  literature.  It  is  under  the  editorial  nuinagement 
of  W.  E.  Leonard,  M.  D.,  with  an  able  corps  of  Jissistants.  It  is 
bright,  newsy,  practical,  and  we  extend  it  a  hearty  welcome. 


1886  A  Rare  Malformation.  427 

A  RARE  MAJiFORMATION. 


The  following  case  of  "  Congenital  Abscence  of  the  Osti- 
um VaginsB,  and  Delivery  by  the  Anus"  appears  in  the  Sep- 
tember No.  of  the  Horn,  Journal  of  Obstetrics  taken  from 
the  Medical  News: — On  April  24,  1885,  late  in  the  evening, 
Dr.  C.  G.  Sykes,  of  Galveston,  was  called  to  attend  Mrs. 
H.  T.,  who  was  in  labor.  She  was  thirty-five  years  old, 
and  bore  every  sign  of  perfect  physical  development. 
The  midwife  said  she  had  been  in  labor  since  the  preced- 
ing midday.  The  bag  of  waters  had  been  ruptured  early 
in  labor,  and  the  patient  was  very  much  prostrated  by  her 
protracted  but  ineflScient  efforts  to  expel  the  foetus.  Exami- 
nation revealed  entire  absence  of  the  vaginal  orifice,  and 
the  finger,  passed  along  the  perinteum,  sank  into  the  dis- 
tended anus,  and  encountered  the  foetal  head  just  within 
the  opening.  The  anus  was  dilated  to  about  the  diameter 
of  three  inches.  Never  having  met  with  such  a  case,  the 
attending  physician  sought  the  advice  of  the  writer. 

Examination  confirmed  the  diagnosis.  The  foetal  head 
was  found  within  the  rectum,  arrested  at  the  distended 
and  resisting  anus.  A  clammy  skin,  sighing  respiration, 
rapid,  feeble  pulse,  told  the  story  of  strength  wasted  by  a 
fruitless  labor.  Uterine  inertia;  the  anus,  though  consid- 
erably dilated,  was  insufficiently  so  to  admit  the  pcissage  of 
the  head,  and  was  rigid  and  unyielding.  The  indications 
were  too  clear  to  admit  of  a  doubt  as  to  the  treatment 
Chloroform  was  administered,  a  Simpson's  obstetrical  for- 
ceps applied  with  comparatively  little  difficulty,  and  by 
moderate  effort  the  head  was  promptly  delivered.  The 
shoulders  and  trunk  were  brought  into  the  world  by  a  vis 
a  ferffo,  exerted  by  squeezing  and  downward  pressure  on 
the  uterus  through  the  adbominal  parietes.  The  placenta 
was  speedily  expelled  by  expression.  There  was  no  appar- 
ent laceration  of  the  anal  sphincters.  There  was  no  unu- 
sual hjcmorrhage  at  the  time  of  the  accouchement,  nor  was 
there  subsequent  oozing.  Firm  tonic  contraction  of  the 
uterus  quickly  followed  a  dose  of  ergot  The  anus  re- 
gained its  normal  characteristics  within  a  few  hours. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


Five  mouths  and  sixteen  days  after  her  accouchement, 
Dr.  Payne  examined  the  case  thoroughly,  and  found  com- 
plete absence  of  the  ostium  vugime.  All  the  parts  within 
the  vulva  presented  the  characteristics  of  virginity— the 
clitoris,  normally  developed  and  situated;  the  vestibule 
and  posterior  commissure  bore  no  signs  of  having  been 
stretched,  distorted,  or  lacerated  by  childbirth :  the  uiethra 
was  in  its  proper  place;  the  nymphse  and  labia  majors 
were  in  every  respect  natui'al  iu  their  virgin  symmetry  of 
outline.  Two  fingers  were  readily  introduced  into  the 
rectum  and  passed  upward  aloug  the  anterior  rectal  wall 
for  a  dintanceof  about  two  inches,  when  it  was  clearly  ap- 
preciable that  the  surface  gradually  sloped  forward  and 
upward,  and  merged  into  the  anterior  vaginal  wall,  whicli 
at  this  point  was  natural  in  its  anatomical  relations  ;  from 
a  half  to  an  inch  below  the  os  uteri,  could  be  distinctly  felt 
the  free  edge  of  a  membranous  curtain  which  represented 
the  upper  third  of  the  rectii-vaginal  sex>tam.  There  was 
nothing  abnormal  either  in  the  size  or  position  of  the 
uterus,  or  in  its  relation  to  the  vagiua.  Examination  with 
the  speculum  fully  confirmed  the  revelation  of  the  digital 
exploration.     The  most  painstaking  investigation  failed  to 

P detect  the  slightest  trace  of   cicatricial  tissue.     The  oon- 
(dusion  was  that  the  malformation  was  congenital.  ' 

The  woman  has  borne  three  children,  all  at  full  term,  and    I 
well  developed,  but  ilead.     The  cause  of  the  dfath  seemed 
to  lie  iu  the  early  drainage  of  the  amniotic  fluid  and  the 
protracted   labor.     Nothing  noteworthy   occurred   during    < 
the  day  of  the  accouiihemeut,  except  continuance  beyond 
ordinary  limit,  and  the  exhaustion  which,  as  a  natural  con- 
sequence, ensued.     Her  labors  had  lasted,  she  said,  about    | 
two  days,  but  had  not  iu  any  case,  been  followed  by  fever,  I 
pain,  abnormal  discharge,  or  other  evidences  of  iufiammar^  j 
tory  action.     Her  recoveries  had  been  uniformly  short,  sit-  i 
ting  up  on  the  sixth  day,  and  resuming  her  ordinary  duties  I 
at  the  end  of  the  second  week.     Menstruation  has  always,  i 
been   regular   (except  during  pregnancy)   and    painlesa  I 

i  Sexual  desire  and   its  gratification  during  coitus  were  ii^J 
isvery    respect   satisfactory.     She   had  never  been  madol 


1886  Midmfery:  Ancient  and  Modem,  429 

aware,  either  by  the  exit  of  the  menstrual  flux,  the  method 
of  sexual  intercourse,  or  even  the  strange  manner  of  her 
accouchement,  that  she  was  different  from  other  women. 
Her  husband,  after  being  closely  questioned,  asserted  most 
positively  that  he  had  never  entertained  the  faintest  suspi- 
cion that  there  was  anything  the  matter  with  his  wife  out 
of  the  usual  order  of  things. 


<M 


MIDWIFERY:    ANCIENT  AND  MODERN. 


[A  writer  in  the  Cincinnati  Lancet  discourses  on  the 
midwife  in  ancient  obstetrics,  and  from  the  statistics  of 
Hamilton  county,  O.,  in  which  is  Cincinnati,  there  is  a  proba- 
bility that  she  is  fast  resuming  her  old  time  position  in 
the  obstetrical  world;] 

In  the  time  of  Pharaoh  the  principal  accomplishment  of 
the  midwife  in  cases  of  twin  confinement  was  to  definitely 
note  the  eldest  or  firstborn.  Thus  in  the  case  of  Thomar's 
twins,  the  first  appearing  was  branded  on  the  hand  with  a 
hot  iron  to  prove  its  priority.  This  was  the  first  noted  case 
of  spontaneous  version,  for  we  read  in  Genesis  that  the  first 
born  hand  made  its  exit  through  the  vulva  and  the  midwife, 
marking  it,  returned  the  aim  to  the  uterus,  and  the  child 
with  the  branded  hand  was  bom  after  the  first  bom. 


In  Plato's  dialogues  Socrates  claims  that  midwives  by 
means  of  remedies  or  enchantments  may  hasten  delivery 
and  favorize  abortion,  and  the  mother  of  Socrates,  the  cele- 
brated Phenarates,  was  widely  known  for  her  skill.  Socra- 
tes himself  was  said  to  be  a  skilled  obstetrician,  and  cer- 
tainly wrote  knowingly  on  the  supject 


In  ancient  Greece,  stringent  laws  forbade  women  to 
practice  midwifery,  but  Hyginus  mentions  how  Agnodice 
disguised  as  a  man,  practiced  obstetrics,  and  how  when 
Grecian  ladies  who  were  too  modest  to  desire  men  in  con- 
finement bewailed  the  fact  that  women  were  no  longer  per- 
mitted to  officiate  in  the  l3dng-in  chamber,  the  beautiful 


430  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

young  Agnodioe  would  exhibit  her  female  charms  as  a 
proof  of  obstetrical  strategy.  Agnodice  did  an  enormous 
business,  and  it  was  long  before  her  secret  was  discovered; 
but  finally  she  was  arraigned  for  violation  of  the  law  and 
condemned  to  severe  punishment.  Then  it  was  that  the  Gre- 
cian ladies  asserted  their  feminine  rights,  and  a  new  law 
was  enacted  permitting  women  to  study  medicine  and  prac- 
tice obstetrics. 


Among  the  Romans,  midwives  were  ranged  at  the  top  of 
the  obstetric  profession,  and  their  testimony  was  required 
by  law  in  certain  cases.  Pliny  gives  many  names  of  the 
celebrated  midwives  of  antiquity. 


The  most  ancient  work  on  midwifery  was  entitled  De 
muUeribus  passionibus,  written  by  Moschion  under  the 
reign  of  Adrian.  Moschion  asks  the  question:  "  Quid  est 
obstetrix?'^  and  responds:  ^^  mulier  ominia  quce  ad  femi^ 
nas  spectant  adocta  imo  et  artus  ipsius  medendi  periia;  Ha 
id  iltorum  omnium  morbos  commode  curare  valeaf" 


During  the  middle  ages  midwives  acted  as  obstetricians, 
and  about  the  only  work  of  any  note  that  appeared  was  an 
illustrated  book  by  Eucharius  Rooslin,  published  in  Ger- 
many in  1513.  In  France,  up  to  the  time  of  Mauriceau, 
obstetrics  were  almost  wholly  practiced  by  women,  and  in 
1627  the  famous  quarrel  between  Louise  Bourgeois  and 
Charles  Guillemeau  awakened  the  interest  of  all  educated 
Frenchmen.  This  quarrel  was  due  to  the  death  of  Marie 
Bourbon  de  Montpelier.  It  was  the  celebrated  midwife, 
Louise  Bourgeois,  who  attended  Marie  de  Medicis  in  six 
confinements,  and  also  wrote  essays  for  the  instruction  of 
midwives.  Who  has  not  heard  of  Madame  Boivin  and 
Lachappelle? 

In  England,  Mr.  Aveling  in  his  remarkable  work  on 
"English  Midwives,"  gives  an  infinity  of  interesting  data 
of  celebrated  female  obstetricians,  as  for  instance  Johane 
Homulden,  who  attended  the  majority  of  King  Henry 


1886  Vaginismus..  •    431 

VIII's  wives,  and  of  Alice  Dennis,  who  attended  Queen 
Anne  of  Denmark,  and  whose  obstetrical  fee  was  usually 
five  hundred  dollars;  of  Jane  Sharp,  who  published  in 
1671  her  renowned  work,  "  The  Midwife's  book  on  the  whole 
art  of  midtoifery  discovered,  directing  child  bearing  tcomen 

how  to  behave  tliemselves;''  of  Elizabeth  Collier,  who  was 
accused  of  conspiracy  against  King  Charles  II.,  and  de- 
fended herself  so  well  that  the  court  acquitted  her,  but 
afterwards  arrested  and  fined  her  heavily  for  publishing  a 
pamphlet  against  English  law. 


At  the  end  of  the  seventeenth  century  the  midwives  had 
no  longer  a  monopoly  of  the  obstetrical  business.  Puer- 
peral fever  and  septicaemia  appeared  to  grow  more  com- 
mon, and  ruptured  perineums  must  have  increased  wonder- 
fully, if  we  are  to  believe  the  statistics  of  the  modern  gyn- 
sBcologisi  In  America  at  the  present  moment,  the  mid- 
wife bids  fair  to  again  monopolize  the  obstetrical  field.  In 
Cincinnati,  for  instance,  fully  three-fourths,  or  seventy-five 
per  cent  of  births  are  under  the  care  of  midwives  (about 
6,000  out  of  8,000  births  in  Hamilton  county),  and  no  city 
in  the  country  can  show  a  lower  death  rate  from  develop- 
mental disease  of  women  in  childbed.  Indeed,  the  most  of 
such  deaths  occur  in  hospitals,  under  the  care  of  physi- 
cians who  frequent  surgical  wards  and  post  mortem  dis- 
sections. Midwives  have  often  been  accused  of  ignorance 
and  bungling.  Granting  that  such  may  be  the  fact,  there 
are  no  reliable  statistics  on  which  to  base  the  charge.  A 
patient  midwife  is  more  conservative  than  your  ordinary 
practitioner,  who  usually  hurries  up  the  work  of  nature. 


tm 


VAGINISMUS. 


6.  W.  SHERBINO,  M.  D..  Abilene,  Texas. 


Mrs.  E. ,  age  24,  came  from  southern  Texas  to  con- 
sult me;  has  been  sick  since  last  confinement — which  was 
long  and  tedious — two  years  ago.  The  labor  occurred  at 
eight  months,  and  was  followed  by  several  severe  heemor- 


V  _ 

432  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

rhages.  She  is  now  emaciated,  weak,  debilitated,  and 
wholly  unable  to  attend  to  her  household  duties.  Her 
former  medical  attendants  diagnosed  bi-lateral  laceration 
of  the  cervix,  and  said  nothing  but  a  surgical  operation 
would  give  permanent  relief.  She  came  to  me  with  the 
firm  conviction  that  the  operation  would  have  to  be  per- 
formed before  she  could  get  well.  She  said  there  also  was 
a  painful  tumor  as  large  as  a  hazle  nut  in  the  vagina,  and 
when  walking  or  standing  on  her  feet  this  tumor  with  some 
of  the  vagina  would  protrude.  There  was  a  constant  "bear- 
ing down  sensation"  when  on  her  feet. 

As  she  came  from  other  hands  I  knew  it  would  be  more 
satisfactory  to  make  a  thorough  examination,  which  I  ac- 
cordingly did.  I  found  almost  complete  prolapse  of  the 
vagina,  on  the  posterior  surface  of  which,  about  an  inch 
from  the  ostium  vaginae  there  was  a  tumor  as  described,  on 
either  side  of  which  was  a  fissure,  which  with  the  tumor 
were  exceedingly  sensitive  to  touch.  Vaginismus  was  so 
marked  that  when  my  index  finger  touched  the  tumor  or 
fissure  the  vagina  would  grasp  it  spasmodically,  and  the 
pain  was  so  excruciating  that  the  tears  would  roll  down 
her  cheeks.  A  thorough  examination  with  a  speculum 
could  only  be  made  while  under  the  influence  of  anaesthe- 
tics. There  was  some  erosion  of  the  os,  but  I  failed  to  de- 
tect any  laceration.  I  promptly  informed  her  that  I 
thought  she  could  be  cured  without  the  knife,  at  least  it 
would  only  be  used  as  a  dernier  resort.  Menstruation  was 
irregular,  profuse  and  painful,  the  pain  commencing  with 
cramps  in  the  stomach  and  abdomen.  At  this  time  the  va- 
ginal tumor  would  become  inflamed,  sore,  and  attended  with 
a  sensation  of  smarting,  not  unlike  a  fresh  cut.  Her  fea- 
tures were  pinched  and  drawn  and  the  face  freckled  and 
yellow.     Her  weight  was  one  hundred  and  ten  pounds. 

For  the  extreme  pain  and  suddenness  of  its  appearance, 
and  the  throbbing  headache,  I  gave  her  Belladonna  200. 
This  gave  her  great  relief.  She  next  complained  of  a 
severe  neuralgic  pain  which  had  troubled  her  at  times, 
more  or  less,  for  years.  It  extended  from  the  left  side  of 
the  spine  downward  over  the  crest  of  the  ilium  to  the  in- 


1886  Vaginismus.  433 

guinal  region.  This  pain  was  frequently  present  during 
the  first  days  of  menstruation.  Berberis  200,  a  few  doses, 
followed  by  Sac.  lac. 

Helonias  was  next  called  for  by  "the  great  soreness, and 
a  sensation  as  if  the  uterus  was  very  large,  and  constantly 
pressing  against  the  rectum.  She  was  sure  there  was  dis- 
placement." For  the  constant  bearing  down  and  prolapse 
of  the  vagina,  she  received  Lilium,  Sepia,  and  an  occasional 
dose  of  Sulphur,  according  to  the  indications. 

Her  next  two  subsequent  menstrual  periods  were  more 
regular,  and  comparatively  free  from  pain.  Her  general 
health  was  improving  in  every  way  as  satisfactorily  as  I 
could  expect,  but  the  tumor,  vaginismus  and  its  consequent 
troubles  were  as  persistent  as  ever,  so  that  I  almost  de- 
spaired of  being  able  to  fulfill  my  promise,  without  surgi- 
cal interference. 

The  next  menstrual  period  occurred  in  two  weeks;  was 
too  profuse  and  lasted  nearly  a  week.  She  said  she  began 
to  feel  as  she  had  years  ago  at  such  times. 

Her  feet  were  cold  and  damp,  and  it  was  with  great  diffi- 
culty that  she  could  keep  them  warm;  was  extremely  sen- 
sitive to  cold;  the  least  cold  wind  chilled  her  through  and 
through. 

In  my  anxiety  to  relieve  her  vaginismus  I  had  evidently 
overlooked  her  previous  history.  I  now  gave  her  Calcarea 
1000,  one  dose,  followed  by  Sac.  lac.  An  improvement  be- 
gan at  once.  Menstruation  became  regular;  the  spasms  of 
the  vagina  were  relieved,  the  tumor  was  no  longer  sensitive 
to  touch,  and  gradually  disappeared. 

Calcarea  was  repeated  once  or  twice  a  month,  as  the 
symptoms  called  for;  and  she  has  no  farther  trouble.  The 
vagina  and  uterus  are  in  normal  condition,  so  far  as  she 
knows.  She  is  now  fleshy,  weighs  151  lbs. ;  has  been  keep- 
ing boarding  house  all  winter,  and  enjoys  better  health 
than  at  any  previous  time  in  her  life. 

This  case  is  instructive  for  the  following  reasons: 

First  It  shows  the  power  of  the  dynamized  drug  and 
the  single  remedy. 

B* 


434  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

Second.  It  was  difficult  to  resist  the  temptation  to  re- 
move the  growth  by  surgical  means. 

Third.  Perhaps  I  could  have  cured  the  vaginismus  by 
forcible  dilatation,  and  perhaps  not 

Fourth.  I  left  all  these  procedures  as  a  dernier  resort, 
which  fortunately  were  not  needed. 

Fifth.  Is  this  not  the  right  way  after  all  to  build  up  a 
new  organism? 


■«a»i 


MATERIA  MEDICA. 


ACTION  OF  LYCOPODIUM  BY  INDUCTION  IN  A  CASE 

OF  INFLUENZA.* 


•  DR.  O.  BUCHMANN,  Alvensleben,  Germany. 


Feb.  16,  1885.     Mrs.  F.  B. ,  has  suffered  for  the  last 

week  from  epidemic  influenza  which,  far  into  April,  had 
affected  children  under  five  years  of  age.  There  was  re- 
mittent fever,  severe  fluent  coryza,  harassing  cough,  loss  of 
appetite  and  hard  stool  which  occurred  only  in  the  morn- 
ing, previously  she  had  an  evacuation  morning  and  even- 
ing. The  voice  became  hoarse  and  she  complained  of  pains 
in  the  air-passages,  chest  and  abdomen,  aggravated  by 
coughing  spells.  This  was  accompanied  by  soreness  in  all 
the  muscles  of  the  extremities  and  of  the  back  as  if  beaten, 
aggravated  by  every  motion.  She  looked  pale  and  miser- 
able, and  was  so  weak  that  she  had  to  stay  in  bed  a  great 
part  of  the  day.  Sometimes  daily  attacks  of  tearing  pains 
in  the  head,  the  teeth,  and  the  right  meatus  auditorius  ex- 
ternus  occurred,  which  were  most  violent,  especially  at 
night  Under  the  administration  of  the  common  remedies, 
nothing  was  changed;  only  the  concussive  dry  cough  had 
grown  moist  and  expectoration  followed. 

This  10  A.  M.  an  attack  of  pains  came  on  in  the  head,  face 
and  teeth  of  the  right  side,  especially,  and  became  almost 
insupportable  in  the  right  meatus  auditorius  extemus. 
The  last  symptom  caused  me  to  choose  Lycopodium  cm. 


*  Translated  by  B.  Fincko,  M.  D.,  from  the  Allgem.  Horn.  ZeUung,  Vol.  Ill,  p.  4. 


1886  Lycapodium  by  Induction.  435 

(Fincke)  the  vial  of  which  containing  dry  globules  I  put 
into  the  right  hand  of  the  patient  who  was  lying  on  the 
sofa.     Her  face  was  flushed,  hot  and  somewhat  bloated. 

After  five  minutes  weariness  took  place,  and  suddenly 
clonic  spasms  in  the  facial  muscles  pf  the  right  side  fol- 
lowed, which  distorted  the  single  muscular  groups  cross 
and  lengthwise.  The  spasms  ceased  immediately  as  soon 
as  the  vial  was  removed,  but  several  times  spasmodic 
twitching  occurred  in  the  right  shoulder  and  once  in  the 
left  Pain  in  the  vertex  with  sensation  as  if  the  skull 
there  were  driven  asunder,  and  as  if  a  hole  were  in  it.  The 
distortion  of  single  muscles  of  the  right  side  of  the  face 
occurred  momentarily,  several  times,  till  toward  noon.  The 
tearing  in  the  skull,  face  and  right  meatus  disappeared 
since  the  spasms  in  the  right  side  of  the  face  took  place, 
and  the  face  which  till  then  was  red  and  hot  has  become 
pale  and  cold.  Till  noon  rumbling  in  the  bowels,  as  if  an 
evacuation  would  follow. 

Feb.  24  With  the  Lycopodium  symptoms  described 
the  pathopoetic  action  by  induction  had  ceased,  the  neu- 
ralgic attacks  were  not  repeated,  and  the  influenza  was  so 
far  removed  that  the  further  administration  of  remedies 
did  not  seem  to  be  necessary.  The  influenza  poison,  how- 
ever, was  not  driven  out  completely  by  this  induction,  be- 
cause the  regular  appetite  had  not  yet  returned,  and  there 
was  only  one  hard  difficult  evacuation  in  the  morning. 
The  abdomen  is  hard  and  distended  in  consequence  of  in- 
sufficient evacuations,  and  painful  on  pressure  upon  the 
right  side.  The  face  is  pale  with  sunken  features.  Also 
the  strength  has  not  returned  as  is  often  observed  in  the 
course  of  an  influenza.  Finally,  no  day  has  passed  where 
not  now  and  then  pains  in  the  teeth  made  their  appear- 
ance by  which  also  the  sleep  was  interrupted.  But  with 
them  no  symptom  was  prominent  which  would  have  given 
a  clue  for  the  selection  of  a  certain  remedy. 

March  3.  For  the  past  week  she  has  been  wakened  each 
midnight  by  the  striking  together  of  the  teeth,  followed 
immediately  by  dull  aching  pains  in  the  superior  right  mo- 
lars.    These  continued  about  two  hours,  and  were  followed 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


■  by  an  escitemont  preventing  sleep  for  an  honr  after.  This 
I  she  had  not  mentioned  till  this  morning  at  9  o'clock,  when, 
I  without  any  piemonition,  a  striking  together  of  the  teeth 
I  with  toothache  came  on,  similar  to  previous  nightly  attacks. 
I  Toward  10  o'clock  the  pains  bad  so  much  increased  in  vio- 
i.  lence,  that  she  called  for  a  remedy  against  it.  The  striking 
I  together  of  the  teeth  again  [jointB  to  Lycopoiiinm. 

I      Now  I  considered  the  following  points: 

I      (1)  This  symptom  could  not  be  taken  any  more  as  the 

Kpathopcetic  after-action  of  Lycopodium. 

I      (2)  The  toothache  was  not  quite  removed  by  the  inditc- 

■^on  of  Lycopodium. 

I      (!i)  It  was  to  be  supposed  that  a  new  induction  in  like 

■  manner  would  not  gtop  the  attacks. 

■  (4)  It  could  not  be  determined  how  long  the  indaotion 

■  was  to  be  continued  in  order  to  act  sufficiently  strong- 

I  (5)  After  the  former  experience  it  was  to  be  feared, 
I  that,  on  holding  the  vial  for  a  longer  time  a  long  continued 
I  Lycopodium  action  might  ensue,  which  would  procrasti- 
I  nate  Gouvaleecence  still  more. 

The  remembrance  of  the  energetic  effect  of  Jequirily  and 
'  the  rapid  action  of  Burcq's  regional  metallic  plates,  in- 
L  duced  me,  in  this  case  to  desist  from  the  induction  by 
I  hand,  and  to  adjust  the  vial  as  near  as  possible  to  the 
I  affected  nerve  only  till  Lycopodinm  symptoms  would  ap- 
l   pear. 

Hence,  at  10  a,  m.,  I  ordered  the  patient  to  press thev 
of  LycojMidium  cm.  ( Fincke )  gently,  with  the  fingers  of  t 
left  hand,  across  and  close  below  the  right  zygomatic  pro- 
cess. 

When  by  induction  of  Lycopodium  by  the  right  hand 
five  minutes  had  passed,  before  decided  symptoms  of  Ly- 
copodium appeared,  two  minutes  were,  on  this  shorter  ronte, 
sufficient  to  produce  the  prodromi  of  the  specific  inductopy 
action,  vis.,  collection  of  water  in  the  month  and 
soreness  of  the  nostrils,  lachrymation,  more  from  the  right 
eye — symptoms  which  failed  to  appear  when  the  induction 
was  made  with  the  right  hand.* 


K 


•Because  Hic)-  removcii  ti 


1886  Lycopodium  by  IndiLciton,  437 

Another  minute  was  passed  under  yawning  and  eructa- 
tions, when,  suddenly  in  quick  succession,  four  strong  jerks 
went  through  the  painful  teeth,  and  the  toothache  was  gone. 
Now  the  vial  was  quickly  withdrawn. 

At  12  o'clock  patient  complained  of  pain  and  sensation 
of  coldness  in  the  skin  on  the  very  place  where  the  vial  had 
lain,  as  if  there  were  a  piece  of  ice — for  fifteen  minutes. 
After  that  a  pleasant  sensation  of  heat  appeared  and  cir- 
cumscribed redness  of  both  cheeks.  The  redness  was  of 
the  size  of  a  silver  dollar,  first  on  the  right  cheek  and  half 
an  hour  later  on  the  left  with  some  swelling  as  far  as  the 
redness  extended,  and  a  sensation  of  tension  in  it. 

Toward  2  p.  M.  the  redness  disappeared,  and  only  the 
swelling  with  tension  remained. 

For  the  first  time  after  the  beginning  of  the  influenza 
she  took  a  good  square  meal  for  dinner  and  relished  it  ex- 
ceedingly. Nevertheless  she  continued  to  be  hungry  till 
late  in  the  evening,  and  also  after  supper  she  had  the  sen- 
sation as  if  the  stomach  were  quite  empty. 

March  4.  Last  night  quiet  sleep  without  pain.  At  the 
usual  time  iu  the  morning  hard  stool.  Suddenly  painful 
drawing  in  three  strings  over  the  right  eye,  as  far  as  the 
vertex  in  three  successive  jerks  with  spasmodic  closure  of 
the  eye  each  time,  passing  from  the  place  where  twentv- 
four  hours  ago  the  vial  had  lain.  Then  pain  in  the  vertex 
as  if  the  skull  were  driven  asunder,  lasting  for  half  an 
hour.     Good  appetite  through  the  day. 

March  5,  10^  a.  m.  Attack  of  pain  as  yesterday  morn- 
ing, but  without  the  split  sensation  of  the  skull.  Circum- 
scribed redness  and  heat  on  the  right  cheek  lasting  forty- 
five  minutes. 

5^  p.  M.  Bepetition  of  the  attack  as  yesterday  morning. 
After  it  patient  attempted  to  give  an  order  to  the  coach- 
man, but  constantly  made  mistakes  in  speaking,  so  that  the 
man  could  not  understand.  In  order  to  make  herself  un- 
derstood she  must  deliberately  and  slowly  pronounce  every 
word,  otherwise  she  could  not  say  what  she  wished.  This 
symptom  lasted  for  an  hour;  after  that,  till  bed-time  it  was 
less  annoying. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


March  (i.     No  aymptouis. 

March  7,  9  a.  m.     Tearing  pain  in  the  right  meatus  autli- 
I  tor  ins  for  half  an  hour. 

April  3.     Since  patient  was  taken  with  infiueDza,  there 
I  Lbs  been  no  perfect  recovery.     She  feels  weak,  looks  pale 
I  and  miserable,  and  the  appetite  is  poor.     This  morning 
'  Bhe  had  a  hard  and  difficult  evacuation,  but  the  abdomen  is 
hard,  the  region  of  the  liver  painful  on  presanre  and  mo- 
tion, and  the  colon  is  filled  with  hard  maeees. 

Toward  10  A.  «.,  suddenly  violent  tearing  pain  through 
I  the  teeth  on  the  right  side,  the  right  meatus  auditorins,  the 
L  right  temple,  and  the  right  side  of  the  face,  as  if  torn. 
I  Five  minutes  after  the  appearance  of  the  paina  the  vial  of 
t  Lycopodium  was  applied  in  tlie  same  manner  as  described 
I  March  3d,  and  since  the  pains  were  concentrated  upon  the 
[  right  meatus  the  vial  was  inserted  loosely  in  it,  and  kept 
I  there  for  two  minutes.     During  this  time  the  water  flowed 
,   into  the  mouth,  the  pain  increased  in  violence,  atui«r  with 
roaring  and  tolling  in  the  right  ear  took  place,  such  as  was 
once  obeerved  from  smelling  chloroform.     The  pains  in- 
creased more  and  more  for  fifteen  minutes,  so  that  she 
threw  herself  on  the  floor.     Three  chills  as  if  cold  water 
were  poured  over  her  within  two  minutes,  then  general 
heat  with  perspiration  all  over  the  body  and  cessation  of 
the  pains.     The  skin  of  the  face  had  been  exceedingly 
painful  to  the  least  touch  during  the  attack,  but  could  bear 
now  a  strong  pressure. 

10-J  A.  M.  Rumbling  in  the  bowels,  with  urging  to  stool. 
Burning  heat  in  the  whole  body  with  general  perspiration 
and  stupefaction  continues. 

3  p.  M.  Till  now,  every  hour,  buniing  heat  with  perspira- 
tion lasting  fifteen  minutes,  with  continued  stupor.  Kum- 
bling  in  the  bowels  with  urging  to  stool.  Shortly  after,  two 
evacuations  succeeding  each  other,  the  first  hard,  the  sec- 
ond softer,  though  there  bad  been  the  usual  evacuation  in 
the  morning. 

9  P.  M.  Great  fatigue  and  stupor.  The  attacks  of  per- 
spiration came  on  every  hour  till  now. 

April  4.     The  sleep  last  night  was  interrupted  only  a  few 


1886  Lycopodtum  by  Induction.  439 

times.  In  the  morning  usual  evacuation.  Abdomen  soft 
Liver-region  painless  on  pressure.  Now  and  then  flying 
heat  at  the  upper  part  of  the  body  without  perspiration. 
Toward  4  p.  m.  rumbling  in  the  bowels  with  bland  evacua- 
tion which  occurred  once  more  in  the  evening. 

April  13.  The  usual  evacuation  at  4  o'clock  has  not 
taken  place,  for  the  first  time  since  April  4,  otherwise  the 
evacuation  is  regular  in  the  morning  and  evening  as  before 
the  influenza.     Complete  convalescence. 

EPICRISIS. 

Referring  to  the  lastly  described  neuralgic  attack  it  is 
not  easy  to  decide  whether  the  progressive  aggravation  of 
the  pains  after  the  application  of  Lycopodium  is  to  be  con- 
sidered as  pathogenetic  or  pathopcetic.  The  circumstance 
that  at  the  previous  inductions  an  increase  of  the  pains 
which  had  called  for  them,  has  not  taken  place,  speaks  for 
the  former  view.  Such  an  aggravation  of  symptoms  I  fre- 
quently  observed  after  the  200th  potency  of  certain  reme- 
dies in  certain  persons,  after  each  repetition  of  the  dose. 
In  our  case  an  aggravation  occurring  in  the  beginning 
could  take  place  much  easier,  since  the  affinity  of  the  facial 
nerves  of  the  right  side  for  the  morbid  cause  was  not  suffi- 
ciently exhausted  on  account  of  the  attack  five  minutes  be- 
fore, so  that  Lycopodium  could  drive  out  this  cause  im- 
mediately. Thus,  in  the  beginning  two  noxes  acted  simul- 
taneously by  which  of  course  the  pains  were  increased. 
The  Lycopodium  fever  after  fifteen  minutes  was  the  sign, 
that  the  greater  affinity  for  Lycopodium  had,  in  the 
struggle  for  the  possession,  assisted  to  gain  the  victory,  by 
which  the  enemy  was  expelled  without  resistance  at  the 
same  time  from  his  fortress  in  the  liver  and  colon  where 
he  had  caused  the  hypersemia  of  the  liver  and  the  obstruc- 
tion of  the  colon.  An  attack  of  Lycopodium  repeated  three 
times  had  been  necessary,  in  order  to  carry  the  obstinate 
influenza-poison  out  of  the  system,  just  as  homoeopathically 
the  vox  populi  recommends: 

Poison  must  drive  out  poison! 

The  foregoing  case  opens  again  a  deep  insight  into  the 


440  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

kinetic  process  of  the  homoeopathic  cure,  as  I  have  devel- 
oped it  in  my  explanations  on  scientific  principles. 

This  case  confirms  anew  the  assumption  of  the  physiolo- 
gists, that  the  ganglionic  nervous  system  receives  conducted 
impulses  oj  excitation  and  mediate  motory  phenomena  by 
reflection  or  automatically.  Again  the  same  ganglia  have 
by  their  inductory  excitation  mediated  motory  processes 
similar  to  those  which  we  have  observed  in  induction  with 
Lachesis  and  Phosphorus,  and  we  thus  have  the  satisfac- 
tion to  see  Hahnemann's  doctrine  of  the  dynamic  influence 
of  the  noxes  justified  by  the  physiologists.  We  observed 
pathopoetic  phenomena  by  means  of  the  high  sensitive- 
ness of  the  patient  which  in  common  cases  remain  latent, 
but  now  have  led  to  the  discovery  of  the  secret  paths  on 
which  we  can  follow  the  agent  step  by  step,  and  measure 
the  rapidity  of  its  entrance  of  the  nerve-cells  to  which  by 
its  affinity  it  has  been  conducted. 

COMPARISON  OF  THE  INDUCTORY  SYMPTOMS  OF  LYCOPODIUM  CM. 
WITH  SIMILAR  SYMPTOMS  FROM  PHYSIOLOGICAL  PROVINGS. 

By  induction  of  the  high  potency.  By  physiological  provings. 

After   five  minutes,  sudden       Distortion  of  the  face,  first  in 
clonic  spasms  in  the  facial  mus-    its  length,  then  in  its  breadth. 
cles  which  distorted  the  muscu- 
lar groups  alternately  cross  and 
lengthwise. 

Spasmodic  jerking  in  the  right       Involuntary  jerkin^f   now   in 
and  once  in  the  left  shoulder.         one  and  then  in  the  other  shoul- 
der. 

Pain  in  the  vertex  with  sensa-       Headache,  as  if  the  head  would 
tion  as  if  the  skull  were  driven    be  driven  asunder, 
asunder  and  a  hole  were  in  it. 

Distortion  of  single  muscles       Spasmodic  jerking  in  the  buc- 
on  the  right  side  of  the  face,    cinator  muscles, 
momentarily,  several  times. 

In  spite  of  an  ample  meal  at  Canine  hunger  at  the  midday 
noon,  continual  hunger.  Sensa-  meal  with  sensation  as  if  satia- 
tion after  supper,  as  if  the  stom-  tion  were  impossible.  Enormous 
ach  were  quite  empty.  hunger  without  satiation,  even 

immediately  after  eating. 


1886  Oxytropis  Lamherti.  441 

Painful    drawing  in  three  Drawing-up  of  the  skin  of  the 

strings  over  the  right  eye  as  far  forehead  with  dilatation  of  the 

as  the  vertex,  in  three  successive  eye-lids,  then  drawing-down  of 

jerks,  with  spasmodic  closure  of  this  skin  with  closure  of  the 

the  eye  each  time.  eyes. 

On  giving  an  order,  she  contin-       Making  mistakes  in  speaking 
ually  makes  mistakes  in  speak-    words  and  syllables.    Difficulty 
ing,  so  that  she  can  not  be  un-    of  expression  and  of  finding  the 
derstood.   She  must  deliberately    fitting  words, 
speak  every  word  slowly,because 
otherwise  she  can  not  say  what 
she  wishes. 

Chills  as  if  cold  water  pouring  Shaking  chill  and  icy  coldness, 

over  her  within  two   minutes,  Alternating  attacks  of  chill,  heat 

then  general  heat  with  perspira-  and  sweat, 
tion  all  over  the  body. 

With  the  exception  of  the  fever-symptoms  the  pathopce- 
tic  symptoms  of  Lycopodium  by  induction,  correspond  so 
exactly  with  the  characteristic  Lycopodium  symptoms  of 
our  present  physiological  provings,  that  they  cover  each 
other,  and  remove  every  doubt,  that  they  might  not  be  en- 
titled to  be  considered  as  physiological  provings,  since  the 
idea  to  conceive  them  as  influenza-symptoms  is  entirely  ex- 
cluded, which  does  not  need  any  argument 

The  Lycopodium  fever  has  been  observed  in  the  physio- 
logical provings  in  so  many  shapes  that  the  imperfect  cov- 
ering of  the  fevers  symptoms  can  not  be  found  strange,  be- 
cause the  individuality  as  well  as  the  disease  act  modifying 
upon  it.  But  one  symptom  characteristic  of  Lycopodium 
which  will  cover  exactly  a  symptom  of  our  physiological 
proving,  must  decide. 


OXYTROPIS  LAMBERTI.    ("LOCO-WEED") 


WM.  8.  (}£E,  M.  D..  Hyde  Park,  111. 


This  plant,  (a  description  of  which  may  be  found  in 
Coulter's  Manual  of  the  Botany  of  the  Bocky  Mountain 
Begion)  belongs  to  the  great  bean  family.  It  is  found  in 
California  and  New  Mexico.  Because  of  its  perpetual 
foliage  animals  are  attracted  to  it  that  would  probably  shun 


442  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

it  in  summer.  Its  action  on  animals  poisoned  by  it  is  de- 
scribed by  stockmen  as  producing  a  kind  of  intoxication 
with  incoordination  of  the  legs — known  as  the  "  Loco,"  be- 
cause of  the  interference  in  "loco" -motion.  While  on  a  trip 
to  New  Mexico  Prof.  Hawkes  heard  of  the  plant  and  se- 
cured some  specimens  from  which  a  tincture  was  prepared. 
To  test  the  merits  of  this  preparation  a  proving  was  made 
under  his  direction,  but  with  only  partial  success. 

During  the  last  term  of  our  college,  with  the  kind  help 
of  our  students,  I  made  a  subsequent  proving  with  the  re- 
sults here  given.  No  prover  knew  what  he  or  she  was  taking, 
either  drug  or  potency. 

These  symptoms  were  produced  by  the  ^,  Ix  to  30x. 
Some  reported  "  no  effect." 

No.  1.— Mr.  S.  P.  T ,  10  drops  of  6. 

No.  2. — Mrs.  W ,  10  drops  3x. 

No.  3.— Mr.  G.  H.  A ,  15  drops  3x. 

No.  4. — Mrs.  P ,  powders  of  12x. 

No.  5. — Mrs.  L ,  powders  of  30x. 

No.  6. — Same  of  12x. 

Mind. — Great  mental  depression.**^  Cannot  think  or  con- 
centrate his  thoughts.**'  Forgetful  of  familiar  words  and 
names.'  No  life.'  Disinclination  to  talk  or  study.'  Wants 
to  be  alone,  to  sit  down  and  do  nothing.'  A  feeling  as  if 
I  would  lose  consciousness. '^  All  symptoms  worse  when 
thinking  of  them.*'* 

Sensorium. — Sensation  as  though  I  would  lose  conscious- 
ness, or  fall  when  standing.*  Sense  of  fullness  of  the 
head,  and  of  instability  when  standing  or  sitting.* 

Head. — Great  pressure  of  the  head,  aggravated  by  moving 
eyes.*  Head  hot.*  Unable  to  move  about  from  the  un- 
certainty and  numbness,  with  prickly  sensation  in  left 
arm  and  hand.*  Pain  in  the  rim  of  the  ear  for  two  or 
three  minutes,  then  pain  commenced  between  the  eyes 
and  went  in  a  straight  line  up  over  head  to  base  of 
brain.''  Pain  in  occipital  region,  as  if  drawn  backward; 
stops  at  3  p.  M.*  Head  very  sensitive,  aggravation  on 
side  lain  upon.'    Uncertainty  of  gait. 

Eyes. — Feel  dull  and  heavy,  blur,  pupils  dilated.'**  Pain 
in  the  eye.*    Pain  over  the  right  eye.* 


1886  Oxytropis  Lamherti.  443 

Ears. — Roaring  in  ears.' 

Nose. — Scabs  form  in  the  nose.'  Frequent  violent  sneez- 
ing with  fluent  coryza  in  the  evening.*  Alae  bum.*  Pres- 
sure over  bridge  of  nose.>  Fluent  coryza,  somewhat 
bloody.* 

Mouth. — Dry,  mornings.'  Metallic  taste,  strangely  marked.* 
Gumboil  on  left  lower  jaw.  Profuse  saliva.  Tenderness 
of  all  molars.i 

Throat. — "  Husky."  *    Dry  and  sore.' 

Eating  and  Drinking. — Appetite  gradually  increased.*  Ag- 
gravation after  eating,  amelorated  after  an  hour.'  Loss 
of  appetite  (" very  unusual").* 

Nausea  and  Vomiting. — Eructations  as  after  taking  soda 
water,  with  colicky  pains  and  looseness  of  the  bowels 
(Vas  constipated  before  taking  the  remedy).*  Nausea 
with  tired  languid  feeling  all  forenoon.  Nausea  aggra-  ^ 
vated  lying  down,  amelorated  on  rising,  aggravated  lying 
down  again  (not  at  night). 

Stomach. — Tenderness:*  Pressing  soreness.'  Cold  during 
chill.' 

Abdomen. — Lancinating  pains  all  through,  aggravated 
evening  (but  once).'  Sharp  pain  right  to  left  across 
abdomen,  ameliorated  after  stool. 

Stool. — Mushy  stools  which  slip  through  the  sphincter  in 
lumps.*  Dark,  brown,  jelly  like.'  Urgent  desire  ameli- 
orated by  passing  flatus.'  Crawling  sensation  in  rec- 
tum.'   Entire  relief  of  pain  in  abdomen  after  stool. 

Urine. — Profuse  and  watery.'  Very  much  increased.***''** 
When  thinking  of  urinating  must  go  at  once.'  The 
marked  metallic  taste  gradually  disappeared  after  a  pro- 
fuse flow  of  straw-colored  urine.* 

Male  Sexual  Organs. — Complete  impotence.'  No  desire 
or  ability  ("I  am  naturally  passionate").'  Bruised 
feeling  in  testicles  from  right  to  left,  on  going  to 
bed.*    Pain  in  glans  penis.* 

Female  Sexual  Organs. — Grasping  pain  in  left  ovary.' 

Larynx. — Mucus,  difficult  to  expectorate.* 

Breathing. — Short  and  quick  from  full  feeling  in  abdo- 
men.* 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Nov. 


Cough. — Dry,  aggravated  from  exercise.'     Hacking,  with 

tightness  across  the  chest,'     Oppression — 9  P.  M,' 
Heart. —Palpitation,  aggravation  on  lying  down  at  night.'"' 

IUe'"k  and  Back. — Pain  and  stiffness  of  the  muscles  oE  the 
I    back  of  the  neck. 
ppi'ER  Extremities. — Sharp  pain  with  coldnesB  from  left 
shoulder  down  the  arm,  aggravated  in  shoulder  joint, 
ameliorated  after  sleep.'     Prickling  sensation  in  left  arm 
and  hand.* 
Lower  Extremities. ^Stitching  pain   in   right  leg  and 
knee.'     Pain  inside  of  left  leg  from  gi-oin  to  knee.< 
(^Extremities  in  General. — Flesh  on  under  side  of  limbs 
i.     Soreness  of  all  the  muscles  of  right  side  of  the 
body,'     All  pains  come  and  go  quickly,  but  the  muscles 
lain  sore  and  stiff.'     Frequent  fine  pains  all  over  body 
until  3  p.  M.,  when  all  disappeared.' 
iPosiTiON.— All  pains  better  in  open  air,  and  when  moving 
about.'      Nausea,    breathing,  etc.,  aggravated  by  lying 
down,'-* 
I^Sleep. — Disturbed.'"'     Twitching  of  muscles   on   falling 
asleep  roused  him,'     Dreams  of  a  pleasant  or  lascivious 
character."     Dreamed   of  spiders,   bugs,  of    swimming, 
(unnsual  for  her  to  dream).'    Ssd,  weary,  and  despond- 
ent on  rising. 
IPhill.— At   11:40  a.   m.     Begins  between  shoulders,  ex- 
tends downward.'     Stomach  feels  cold.'    Pains  over  body 
during  chill,'    With  the  decline  of  the  chill  a  "  closing 

'  seusation  in  lungs  and  bronchi  making  breathing   i 

difficult.     Chill  lasts  until  1  p.  m.,  followed  by  |>erspira-  ] 

tion  of  palms  and  soles.     Pains  cease  at  3  r.  M.     Had  a  J 

chili  with  same  symptoms  every  seventh  day  for  fool  4 

weeks.     The  coldness  of  the  back  lasted  eight  weeks  and  4 

was  then  removed  by  a  dose  of  Gelsemium. 

Notes  by  the  provers: 

No.  1.—"  These  symptoms  disappeared  so  gradually  that  | 

1 1  eonld  not  tell  when  they  &nally  left  me:  Pain  in  the  testi-  i 

Ivies;   copious  urination;    accumulation  of   mucus   in   the  1 

I  larynx;  pain  in  the  kidneys.     One  peculiar  character  of  all  I 

kthose  symptoms  which  lasted   more  than   one  day  was:  f 


1886  Aggravation  and  Verification,  445 

thinking  of  them  invariably  made  them  worse,  and  that 
they  were  not  markedly  aflPected  by  position,  motion,  time 
of  day,  etc.,  except  the  palpitation  and  breathing,  which 
were  made  worse  on  lying  down.  The  symptoms  were  ag- 
gravated every  other  day  without  entire  cessation." 

No.  3. — "  The  mental  depression  became  so  great  that  I 
was  compelled  to  discontinue  its  use." 

No.  4. — "  Previous  to  taking  the  remedy  there  had  been 
a  long  standing  condition  of  vertigo.  Vertigo  when  sit- 
ting, lying,  aggravated  by  people  moving  about.  The  at- 
tacks lasted  two  or  three  days  at  a  time.  None  of  this 
trouble  has  returned  since  taking  the  first  powder.  There 
has  disappeared  also  the  uncertain  movement  in  walking, 
the  severe  pain  in  the  head  with  the  compression.  The 
pronounced  metallic  taste  disappeared  after  the  profuse 
flow  of  urine." 

No.  6. — "I  was  obliged  to  stop  the  powders  as  such 
mental  depression  followed  that  I  feared  I  would  be  unable 
to  continue  my  studies." 

Great  mental  depression  with  vertigo. 

Uncertainty  of  gait. 

Aggravation:  when  thinking  of  symptoms;  lying  down. 

Profuse  urination  of  clear  urine. 

Metallic  taste. 

Amelioration:  after  sleep;  open  air;  moving  about. 

These  symptoms  included  the  general  sphere  of  its  ac- 
tion. 

Most  of  them  I  have  frequently  confirmed  with  the  30th 
potency. 

AGGRAVATION  AND  VERIFICATION. 


GEO.  WIGG,  M.  I).,  East  Portland,  Oregon. 


Carbo  Vegetabilis. — August  1st,  1886, 1  was  called  to  see 
P.  F — .,  a  married  man,  aged  36  years,  who  was  on  July  29, 
attacked  with  parotitis.  In  order  to  reduce  the  glands,  he 
had  his  wife  rub  them  with  cold  salt  vinegar.  The  swell- 
ing left  the  face  and  neck,  but  was  followed  by  metastasis 
to  the  head,  stomach  and  left  testicle.    Three  days  of  treat- 


The  Medical  Advaruje. 


Not. 


t  under  Puleatilla,  and  HyoscyamuB,  brought  no  im- 

Biprovement.     On   the  fourth   day,  hie   father  said  to   me, 

"  Doctor,  he  is  all  the  time  trying  to  vomit,  yet  he  cannot 

r  throw  np  anything,  and  he  has  a  bitter,  and  sometimes  a 

saltish  taste  in  his  mouth." 

I  at  once  thought  of  charcoal,  but  baring  none  with  me, 
I  went  home  and  put  one  grain  of  willow  charcoal  to  one 
hundred  grains  of  sugar  of  milk,  and  triturated  it  well  one 
hour.  Of  this  I  gave  him  one  grain  at  2  r.  m.  and  left  one 
grain  to  be  given  at  9  p.  m. 

At  2  A.  M,  on  the  fifth,  a  messenger  informed  me  that  Mr. 

Ir.  was  dying,  at  the  same  time  requesting  that  I  go  at  once 

|:and  see  him.     When  near  the  house,  hie  mother — who  was 

i  visit  from  Los  Angeles— met  me,  and  said  her  poor 

■  Ixiy  was  dying;  that  he  was  paralyzed. 

When  at  the  bedside,  I  saw  that  his  arms  and  legs  were 
I  constantly  jerking,  and  that  he  would  tremulously  stretch 
I  out  his  hand  and  make  an  effort  to  get  hold  of  those  who  . 
I  Btood  near  his  bed,  the  same  as  a  child  will  do,  when  it 
r  awakes  in  a  fright.    Once  in  a  while  he  would  cry  out, 
"Oh,  my  shoulders,  my  shoulders."     I  said,  "What  is  the 
matter  with  them?"     His  reply  was,  that  they  were  burn- 
ing, and  actiing  in  a  frightful  manner,  that  the  pain  went 
up  his  neck,  then  into  his  head,  and  it  seemed  as  if  some 
one  was  cutting  and  pressing  his  brains  out  behind  his  left 
ear,  and  that  the  pain  had  made  hia  nose  bleed.     I  gave  J 
him  a  large  powder  of  Sac.  lac.  and  had  him  smell  a  fewf 
pellets  saturated  with  Camphor. 

I  then  asked  myself  this  question:  Can  it  be  possibly! 
that  those  two  grains  of  Carbo  veg.   have  done  all  this  m 
mischief,  and  is  it  really  an  aggravation? 
^M        While  thus  thinking,  my  patient  said,  "Doctor,  that  pow-tl 
^B   der  has  gone  right  to  the  spot,  the  pain  is  being  relieved.  I 
^y  He  was  still  smelling  the  Camphor.     I  left  at  6  a.  h.,  telUi^ 
ing  liim  that  as  the  powder  I  gave  him  was  so  large,  ] 
-would  give  him  no  more  till  my  return,  but  he  might  smal 
the  pellets  every  half  hour. 

tl  saw  him  again  at  9  A.  M.     He  said  the  powder  had  savedfl 
s  life,  for  just  before  he  took  it  he  could  feel  in  hi 


I 


1886  Aggravation  and  Verification.  447 

ach  that  he  was  sinking  away.  He  said  his  head  and 
shoulders  were  not  so  painful,  but  his  mouth  tasted  as  if 
full  of  salt,  and  that  eructations  made  it  worse.  It  was  a 
task  for  me  not  to  give  another  dose,  but  remembering  the 
advice  of  my  preceptor.  Dr.  Churchill, — never  to  strike  at 
the  nail  after  it  was  driven  home,  because  the  head  might 
fly  off — I  put  five  drops  of  alcohol  into  a  glass  half  full  of 
water.     Dose,  one  teaspoonful  every  hour. 

August  5,  6  p.  M. — Still  improving.  He  has  had  no 
more  eructations.  Headache  gone.  Little  pain  in  should- 
ers, and  a  saltish  taste  in  mouth.  Left  testicle  not  so  pain- 
ful, but  as  large  as  a  goose  egg.  Limbs  jerk  no  more. 
Continued  the  alcohol  and  water. 

August  6. — Saw  patient  at  9  a.  m.  Found  him  free  from 
pain.  Salt  taste  gone  from  mouth.  Testicle  still  in  the 
same  condition.  Gave  him  four  powders  of  Sac.  lac.  with 
instructions  to  take  one  every  three  hours.  I  went  home 
and  prepared  the  third  trii  of  Carbo  veg. — which  Hahne- 
mann says  is  the  highest  that  should  be  employed — and 
gave  patient  one  grain  at  5  p.  m. 

August  7, 9  A.  M. — Testicle  smaller,  but  left  side  of  face 
and  neck  swollen. 

August  8, 10  A.  M. — Face  and  neck  normal.  Testicle  re- 
duced one  half,  and  free  from  pain.  Gave  no  more  medi- 
cine. Patient  continued  to  improve,  and  on  the  20th  re- 
sumed work. 

Now,  in  Hahnemann's  "Materia  Medica  Pura,"  under 
Carbo  veg.,  we  find  the  following  symptoms: 

"  Cutting  and  squeezing  headache  above  and  behind  the 
left  ear. 

"  Great  swelling  of  the  pariotid  gland  between  the  cheek 
and  ear,  to  the  angle  of  the  lower  jaw.  In  the  morning,  in 
bed,  very  severe  epistaxis. 

"Bitter  and  scraping  eructations. 

"  Salt  taste  in  mouth  all  day. 

"  Frequent  inclination  to  vomit,  and  yet  did  not  vomii 

"  The  stomach  is  heavy  and  there  is  as  it  were  trembling 
in  it. 

"  Burning  on  the  right  shoulder. 


448  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

"  Drawing  pain  in  the  right  shoulder. 

"Attacks  of  sudden  faint  weakness." 

Again,  in  Hering's  Materia  Medica,  we  have  this  symp- 
tom (22)  under  charcoaL  "Swelling  of  the  testicles  from 
metastasis  of  mumps." 

Now  I  am  of  the  opinion,  that  the  pain  in  this  man's 
head,  shoulders,  with  trembling  and  jerking  of  limbs,  the 
nose-bleed,  and  the  sinking  sensation  in  his  stomach,  were 
aggravations  caused  by  the  two  grains  of  the  Ix  trit.  of 
Carbo  veg. ;  and  the  passing  away  of  all  symptoms  after 
the  one  grain  dose  of  the  3d  cent  a  verification  that  char- 
coal can,  under  the  law  "Similia  Similibus  Curantur" 
cure  disease. 


— ■ 


A  COMPARISON. 


Apis.  rhus. 

Mood  :— Irascible;   irritable  ;  Mood  :— Dejected  ;  forgetful ; 

hard  to  please ;  nervous  ;  mem-  difficult,  dull  comprehension, 
ory  impaired.    Jealousy  (in  wo- 
men.) 

Dread   of    death;    thinks    it  Suicidal   intent,    wants    to 

about  to  occur.  drown  himself. 

Fear  of  apoplexy.  Fears  he  will  be  poisoned. 

Bad  effects  of    fright,  rage,  Consequences  of   vexation 

jealousy,  hearing  bad  news.  with  fear. 

Apoplexy  more  frequent  than  Paralysis  more  frequent  than 

paralysis.  apoplexy. 

Diarrhoea  usually  painless.  Diarrhoea  usually  painful. 

Urine  dark;  diminished  often-  Urine:  light  -  colored,   even 

er  than  increased;  urinates  of-  pale;  increased  in  quantity;  fre- 

tener  than  usual.  quently  copious. 

Retention  of  Urine.  Urine  passed  involuntarily. 

Abdominal  respiration.  Thoracic  respiration. 

Cough;  awakens  before  mid-  Cough;  dry,  teasing;  from  un- 

night  and  ceases  as  soon  as  the  covering  even  a  hand;  from  ly- 

least  particle  is  loosened,  which  ing  or  sitting  still, 
is  swallowed. 

Expectoration  difficult.  Expectoration    not  constant; 

chiefly  in  the  morning. 

Affects  left  side  predominant-  Affects   right    side   predomi- 

ly.  nantly, 

Skin  eruptions,  especially  ery-  All  skin  eruptions  and  pain, 

sipelas,  go  from  left  to  right.  go  from  right  to  left. 


1866  Stannum:  Night  Sweats.  449 

APIS.  RHUS. 

Erysipelas;    parts   pale    red,       Erysipelas:   parts   bluish-red, 
swollen,  puffy;  pains,  burning,  of  a  deeper  color;  pains  burn- 
stinging;  characteristic  cedema.  ing;  intolerable  itching;  char- 
acteristic vesicle. 

Affections  of  the  ovaries  from       Affections  of  the  ovaries  from 

left  to  right;  (Graph  Lach.)  from  right  to  left.  (Bell.  Lye.) 

Very  sensitive  to  pain,  especi-       Insensibility  or  sensation  of 

ally  slight  touch  or  light  pres-  numbness  predominates, 
sure. 

Inclination  for  open  air.  Aversion  to  open  air. 

Haemorrhages   dark;    blood       Haemorrhages,  light,  watery; 

non-coagulable.  blood  coagulates  easily. 

Cutting  pain  in  internal  parts.       Gutting  pain  in  external  parts. 

Burning,  with  piercing  pain.  Burning  pain  with  itching. 

Heat,  with  inclination  to  un-       Heat,  with  aversion  to  uncov- 

cover;  uncovering  gives  relief,  er;  yet  uncovering  agg.  while 

wrapping  up  gives  relief. 

Ghill,  of  the  affected  part.  Sweat  of  the  affected  part. 

Thirst,  wanting  only  during  Thirst,  may  or  may  not  be 
sweat.  present. 

Urticaria  as  chill  passes  off.  Urticaria    during    heat   and 

sweat. 

Predominently  sleepy.  Predominently  sleepless. 

Gomplementary:  Natrum  mur.       Gom piemen tary;  Byronia. 

Follows  well  after  Apis:  Ars.  Follows  well  after  Rhus:  Ars, 
Graph.  lod.  Phos.  Puis.  Sulp.  Bry.  Gale,  Gon.,  Phos.  ac.,  Mur. 
Stram.  ac. 

Agg'n;  swallowing  food,  es-  Agg'n;  swallowing  food  or 
pecially  drink;  from  the  heat  of  saliva;  in  the  snowy  air;  cold 
the  sun;  warm  room  or  warm  air;  cold  applications;  getting 
applications.  wet. 

Apis  and  Rhus  tox.  are  incompatible,  either  before  or  after  each 
other,  and  should  never  be  used  in  alternation. 

■  ^•»  ■ 

Stannum:  Night  Sweats. — Dr.  D.  P.  Cook,  of  Clay  Cen- 
tre, Ks.,  says:  "I  have  in  many  cases  of  night  sweats  verified 
the  wonderful  eflBcacy  of  this  remedy,  which  I  think  is  too 
little  used,  or  too  often  overlooked,  in  this  condition.  The 
sweats  are  usually  the  result  of  general  debility  from  inter- 
mittent fever,  pneumonia,  phthisis,  or  similar  causes.  They 
come  on  after  the  patient  has  fallen  asleep,  are  viscous  in 
character,  most  profuse  on  neck  and  back,  very  debilitating, 
and  as  soon  as  the  patient  moves  he  is  chilly  on  back  and 

shoulders. 

c* 


\B0  The  Medical  Advatu^.  Not, 

THE  PHYSICIANS'  PEOTECTIVE  ASSOCIATION. 

Dr.  Hier,  in  Med.  Invesiigator,  prtmounces  this  plan  a 
a  snccesB.     It  certainly  is  wurtby  an  hunest  trial  in  every 
I  town: 

While  we  would  not  refuse  the  worthy  poor  the  benefit 
of  our  professional  services,  we  feel  that  we  are  justly  en- 
titled to  remuneration  from  those  who  are  able  to  pay; 
and,  for  the  purpose  of  protecting  ourselves  against  loss 
of  fees,  we  agree  to  form  an  association,  to  be  governed  by 
the  following  rules: 

.  The  name  of  this  association  shall  be  "The  Physi- 
\  clans'  Protective  Association." 

2.  The  object  of  the  association  shall  be  to  prevent  loss 
I   of  fees  fi'om  such  patrons  as  could  pay  if  they  would. 

3.  The  officers  of  this  association  shall  consist  of  a  pres- 
I  ident,  vice-president,  secretary  and  treasurer.  The  election 
I  of  officers  shall  take  place  annually  on  the  first  Saturday 

of  October. 

4.  Any  physician  may  become  a  member  of  this  associa- 
tion by  a  vote  of  the  majority  of  the  members  present. 

5.  Any  member  grossly  violatiog  the  rules  of  this  asso- 
ciation may  be  expelled  by  a  vote  of  the  majority  of  mem- 
bers present  at  any  meeting;  provided,  said  member  shall 
have  had  one  montli's  notice  of  charges  preferred. 

6.  Each  member  of  the  association  shall  keep  a  list  of 
8uch  persons  as  the  association  may  from  time  to  time 
declare  to  be  unworthy  of  credit,  and  no  member  shall 
render  any  professional  service  in  any  case  where  a  person 
whose  name  is  on  such  list,  is  responsible  for  the  fee, 
unless  the  fee  for  each  visit  or  prescription  is  paid  in 
advance,  or  satisfactory  security  is  furnished  for  the  same. 

7.  Whenever  any  person  whose  name  is  on  the  non- 
'  credit  list  makes  a  satisfactory  settlement  of  all  claims  of 

members  of  the  association  for  professional  services  ren- 
dered, the  association  may  erase  such  name  from  the  list 

8.  The  association  shall  meet  at ..on  the 

I  first  Saturday  of  January,  April,  July  and  October,  at  2:30 
]  p.  M,;  but  adjourned  meetings  may  be  held  at  other  places, 
I  by  a  vote  of  a  majority  of  the  members  preseut. 


1886         The  Physician^  Protective  Association.  451 


^ 


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^ 


The  Medioal  Adtiance. 
CLINICAL  MEDICINE. 


I  CHRONIC    DISEASE    OF    THIRTY    YEARS'    DURATION 
CURED. 


'.  BBKRIDQE.  M.  D.,  ] 


1.  Kng. 


Case  I.— Phosphorus.— \B85,  April  15th.     Mr,   B , 

I  age<l  55,  consulted  me  for  the  following  symptoma  :  Thirty 
I  years  ago  he   had  typhoid    fever,   treated   allopathically. 
r  Ever  aioce  then  if  he  lies  on  his  left  aide  he  has  desire  for 
I  stool ;  and  if  he  persists,  a  loose  stool  is  the  result.     A  few 
weeks  ago  he  was  in  Boston,  U.  S.  A.,  where  he  caught  cold 
daring  cold  weather.     He  has  a  dry  hacking  cough  on  en- 
tering the  cold  air ;  the  cough  shakes  him.     No  expectora- 
tion now,  but  at  first  it  was  yellow  and  sweet.     When  on 
board  ship  returning  to  England  had  much  sweat  on  head, 
and  the  cough  was  worse  when  lying  on  back,  better  when 
lying  on  right  side.     Feels  weak. 
Diagtiosia  of  Remedy. — Taking  the  most  peculiar  symp- 
I  torn,  not  aa  in  itself  an  infallible  keynote,  but  as  a  guide  to 
[  the  totality  of  the  symptoms,  I  found  in  "  Bell's  Repertory 
I  of  Diarrbcea:"   Aggravations  £rom  lying  on  left  side;  Ar- 
I  nica.  Phosphorus.      Of   those  two,  a   reference  to   Lee's 
T  Cough   Repertory  showed  that  Phosphorous  had  all  the 
oough    symptoms.     A   further   reference  to  the   Materia 
Medica  showed  that  Phosphorus  also  corresponded  to  the 
sweat  on  head  and  weakness. 

I  gave  him  Phosphorus  cm.  (F.  C.)  every  4  hours  for  dJ 
days. 

April  29th.     Has  had  no  medicine  for  about  a  week, 
maob  better;    cough  almost  gone;    much  less  weaknet 
and  he  can  now  lie,  and  eoen  sleep,  on  left  side,  without  th^ 
stool  sympfoiris  being  excited. 

1896,  Feb,  11th.     Has  had  no  return  of  the  abnormal  d 
sire  for  stool  till  soma  weeks  ago,  since  which  it  has  p 
siated.     He  also  complains  of  rather  sharp  frontal  beat 
L  Bohe,  beginning  on  awaking;  with  the  headache,  the  moatl? 
I  fills  with  saliva. 


1886  Acute  Myelitis.  453 

Diagnosis  of  Remedy. — Flow  of  saliva  with  headache 
belongs  to  Epiphegas  (viscid),  Hippom.,  Indium,  Kali- 
bichr.,  Opium,  Phosphorus,  Sepia.  As  the  same  remedy 
was  again  indicated  I  gave  Phosphorus  cm.  (F.  C),  twice 
daily,  for  8  days. 

March  30.  Beports  that  the  headache  ceased  soon  after 
leaving  my  house.  The  stool  symptoms  also  ceased  before 
he  had  finished  the  medicine;  and  when  I  last  saw  him, 
May  8th,  had  not  returned. 

It  seems  to  be  at  present  a  purely  clinical  symptom,  but 
it  is  one  of  great  value. 

Case  II,  Acute  Myelitis. — Cicuta. — 1882,  March  12th. 

Mr. ,  aged  65,  had  had  much  worry  in  April,  1881.    This, 

with  exposure  to  cold  east  winds,  brought  on  jaundice.  He 
then  consulted  a  pretended  Homoeopath  who  habitually 
alternates  his  medicines.  This  learned  man  diagnosed 
prostatic  disease;  he  made  no  local  examinations  to  ascertain 
the  fact,  but  said  "  he  looked  like  it."  No  benefit  follow- 
ing, he  consulted  another  pretended  Homoeopath,  who  said 
that  his  colleague  must  be  "a  (theological  word)  clever 
fellow  to  diagnose  prostatic  disease  by  the  countenance," 
and  prescribed  a  mixture  of  strychnine  and  two  other 
medicines.  The  patient  expostulating  that  this  was  un- 
homoeopathic  treatment,  he  pleaded  in  excuse  that  he  ''had 
to  treat  three  different  diseases  in  him."  (Such  is  Homoe- 
opathy in  Great  Britain.  The  names  of  both  these  men 
are  in  the  so-called  "  Homoeopathic  "  Directory,  from  which 
I  have  withdrawn  my  name  in  disgust,  not  liking  my  com- 
pany. )  The  treatment  did  him  no  real  good,  and  subse- 
quently he  resorted  to  Allopathy,  and  no  wonder! 

Nov.  5th,  1881.  Involunteu'y  jerking  of  feet  came  on, 
worse  in  right  foot,  disturbing  sleep;  this  increased  to  ab- 
solute plunging  of  the  right  leg,  to  such  an  extent  that  the 
inguinal  glands  became  swollen  and  painful;  subsequently 
there  supervened  a  rotatory  motion  of  the  body,  chiefly  dur- 
ing sleep.  His  Allopathic  physician  declared  that  it  must 
end  in  paralysis.  Treatment  only  gave  him  temporary 
relief. 


464  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

March  12tlL  I  found  him  in  the  following  condition: 
Much  worse.  More  jerking  of  right  leg,  with  a  return  of 
the  plunging  thereof,  which  for  a  time  had  ceased.  Lat- 
eral shaking  of  the  body,  chiefly  during  sleep,  but  also  at 
times  when  sitting  up  during  night.  The  jerking  of  the 
right  leg  was  chiefly  lateral,  but  also  in  other  directions; 
sometimes  the  left  leg  jerked  laterally.  Standing  stopped 
all  the  jerking  at  once.  All  along,  the  convulsive  move- 
ments have  been  worse  at  night,  whether  sitting  or  lying. 
The  jerking  of  leg  is  relieved  by  rubbing  spine.  Ten- 
der spot  in  middle  of  dorsal  vertebra.  The  jerking 
commences  during  sleep,  increasing  till  it  wakes  him;  it 
now  comes  on  also  at  times  when  sitting.  The  jerking  of 
the  leg  is  relieved  by  drawing  up  the  leg. 

Cicuta  virosa,  Im.  ( Jenichen)  every  2  hours. 

March  13th.  He  says  the  medicine  acted  splen- 
didly and  had  done  him  "incomparably  more  good" 
than  any  other.  He  fell  asleep  soon  after  the  first 
dose  at  12:20  p.  m.,  slept  much  during  afternoon, 
and  fairly  so  during  night;  it  has  been  the  best  sleep 
for  a  long  time,  with  very  little  jerking,  only  one  slight 
plunge,  and  no  shaking  of  body.  The  medicine  was  now 
continued  every  3  hours,  and  subsequently  repeated  at 
various  intervals  as  the  symptoms  indicated. 

On  March  17th  they  were  nearly  gone,  and  on  the  24th 
they  had  ceased,  and  he  said  this  was  the  best  night  he 
had  had  since  his  illness.  The  medicine  had  to  be  again 
repeated  on  a  recurrence  of  the  symptoms,  and  on  April 
9th  they  finally  ceased,  and  were  not  followed  by  paralysis 
as  the  Allopath  had  foretold. 

Physicians  who  refuse  to  visit  acute  cases  lose  a  great 
opportunity  of  demonstrating  what  Homoeopathy  can  do; 
neither  can  their  knowledge  of  Homoeopathy  be  so  per- 
fect 


An  "Incurable"  Case  of  Phthisis  Cured  Hom(eo- 

PATHICALLY, — Mrs.  J y  aged  21,  consulted  me  March 

10th,  1885.    Had  been  under  the  care  of  an  Allopath  for 
some  time>  but  got  worse;  and  as  he  could  do  her  no  good. 


1886  "  Incurable  "  Case  of  Phthisis.  455 

she  resolved  to  try  Homoeopathy.  She  had  never  been 
strong.  Was  married  2^  years  ago,  and  has  one  child  16 
months  old.     Since  then  has  gradually  lost  flesh. 

Present  Symptoms:  Very  weak,  especially  in  morning. 
Frequent  clearing  of  throat,  with  occasional  black  mucus 
from  throat.  Always  subject  to  headaches,  worse  since 
birth  of  child;  they  are  in  vertex  and  temples,  sharp  and 
throbbing,  brought  on  by  excitement,  relieved  by  pressure. 
At  times  pains  in  lower  left  chest;  worse  by  lying  on  it 
Feet  always  cold,  with  itching  chilblains.  Appetite  bad. 
Yellow  streak  down  middle  of  tongue.  Pulse  very  feeble. 
Sleeps  with  mouth  open  and  with  hands  above  head;  sleep 
not  good,  but  very  sleepy  in  morning;  horrible  dreams,  of 
poisonings  and  animals.  At  times,  cramps  in  calves. 
Often  feels  as  if  the  blood  were  all  in  head.  Constipation; 
aversion  to  go  to  stool;  stools  hard,  dark,  diflBcult,  with 
straining,  sometimes  too  large,  and  sometimes  with  pain  as 
if  it  would  not  pass.  Menses  always  have  been  too  late; 
now  at  intervals  of  5  weeks;  flow  lasts  from  4  to  7  days, 
usually  profuse;  dark  clots,  large  atflrst  then  smaller,  also 
stringy.  Before  menses,  backache  and  headache,  and  little 
mattery  pimples  on  face.  During  first  and  second  days  of 
menses,  much  pain  in  back  and  abdomen,  relieved  by 
warmth.  Weakness  during  menses.  Very  profuse  leucor- 
rhoea,  but  less  since  birtli  of  child;  it  is  worse  after  coitus 
and  causes  irritation.  Sexual  desire  has  decreased  ever 
since  marriage  and  has  now  quite  gone.  Sinking  feeling 
at  stomach,  worse  at  9  a.  m.  When  feet  are  very  cold,  they 
sometimes  feel  damp.  Hair  falls  oflp.  Vertex  hot  during 
headaches.  For  four  or  five  years,  varicose  veins  in  left 
calf;  they  burn  and  ache  unless  she  rests  the  leg.  Auscul- 
tation showed  heart  weak,  but  otherwise  normal.  Dullness 
on  percussion  of  right  lung;  some  crepitation  in  left  lung. 
Her  mother  is  healthy,  except  that  she  has  varicose  veins. 
Her  father  died  at  age  of  44,  having  suffered  from  some 
pulmonary  affection.  She  eats  a  great  deal  of  salt;  drinks 
port-wine  and  stoui    Always  fond  of  sweets. 

Diagnosis  of  Remedy. — In  this  case  there  was  no  one 
special  symptom  to  be  taken  as  a  keynote  and  guide  to  the 


I 

[ 


The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

totality:  therefore  I  first  esamined  the  medicmes  corre- 
Bpoiiding  to  the  chest  Bymptoma,  as  the  lungs  were  the  or- 
gans most  seriously  affected. 

Cheat,  worse  by  lying  on  painful  side  is  under  Bell., 
Boras,  Oactus,  Calc,  Caps.,  Ign.,  Lye.,  Nux,  Sabad., 
Spong.,  Sulpii.,  Tar  ax. 

Chest  worse  by  lying  on  left  side  hae  Aeon,,  Amm.  c, 
August,  Bry.,  Calc.,  Canth.,  China,  Ipec,  Lye,  Nitr.  afi., 
Natr.  m.,  Phosph.,  Puis.,  Rhus,  Seneg.,  Sep.,  Silic,  Sulph. 

This  rednces  the  lisl:  to  Calc.,  Lye.  and  Sulph.  Of  these 
Calc,  and  Sulph.  have  relief  of  head  by  pressure.  Dreams 
of  animals  is  under  Sulph.;  dreams  of  poisons  under 
neither  of  these  two.  Both  have  sleeping  with  hands 
above  head;  but  neither  of  these  sleeping  with  mouth 
open;  this  latter  symptom  is,  however,  under  Sulph,  iod. 
Black  mucus  from  throat  has  not  yet  been  recorded  in  the 
lepertories.  Emptiness  in  stomach  belongs  to  Sulph.  but 
not  to  Calc,  though  Calc.  phos,  has  it  at  7  p.  m.  Sulph. 
and  not  Calc.  has  the  morning  aggravation  at  11  a.  m., 
which  approximates  to  the  exact  symptom  in  question. 
Calc.  and  not  Sulph.  has  the  damp  feeling  of  feet,  but  this 
symptom  was  not  a  prominent  one.  Weakness  in  morning 
is  under  both  Calc.  and  Sulph.;  also  varicose  veins  in  legs. 
Chilblains  is  only  under  Sulph.,  which  also  has  itching  of 
chilblains.  Both  have  cramps  in  calves.  Yellow  tongue 
ia  under  neither.  Calc,  but  not  Sulph.,  has  too  large 
stools.  Sulph.  alone  has  menses  too  late,  the  characteris- 
tic of  Calc.  being  the  reverse  symptom.  Neither  have 
dotted  or  stringy  menses,  nor  loss  of  sexual  desire,  nor 
increased  leucorrhcea  after  coitus.  Both  have  he<it  of 
Tortex, 

On  the  whole,  I  decided  that  Sulphur  best  corresponded 
to  the  totality  of  the  symptoms,  though  no  remedy  covered 
all,  and  I  gave  a  dose  of  Sulph.  dm.  ( F.  C. )  in  water,  night 
and  morning  for  16  days.  I  also  ordered  her  to  diminish 
the  amount  of  salt,  and  to  take  the  pure  soliditied  Cocoa. 
The  stimulants  I  did  not  feel  it  safe  to  diminish  in  her 
weak  state. 

Uarch  24th.     Weakness  much  less.     No  more  clearing 


1886  ''Incurable''  Case  of  Phthisis.  457 

of  throat  Headache  better.  Feet  still  cold.  Sleep  bet- 
ter, and  dreams  much  less  horrible.  Less  constipated. 
Sinking  in  stomach  gone.  (This  verifies  Dr.  Skinner's 
observation  in  Homoeopathic  Physician,  VI.  115. ) 

February  1st  had  erysipelas  in  face,  first  on  left  side  then 
right,  bright  red,  lasting  on  and  off  for  8  or  10  days;  to- 
day has  the  same  on  left  face,  but  without  the  itching  of 
the  former  attack.  Pulse  rather  stronger.  Has  taken  less 
salt,  and  also  been  able  to  lessen  the  amount  of  stimulant 
Repeat  medicine  for  16  days. 

April  7th.  Erysipelas  went  in  3  days,  much  sooner  than 
in  former  attack.  Feels  stronger.  Throat  symptoms  not 
returned.  Headaches  rather  more  frequent  No  return 
of  pains  in  left  chest,  except  when  she  lies  on  it,  and  then 
it  is  not  so  bad  as  formerly.  Feet  still  cold,  but  no  chil- 
blains for  last  week,  in  spite  of  the  cold  weather.  Appe-  * 
tite  rather  better.  Tongue  clearer.  Pulse  rather  stronger. 
Does  not  sleep  so  often  with  hands  above  head,  but  still 
has  bad  dreams;  yet  the  sleep  is  better,  more  refreshed 
and  less  drowsy  in  morning.  Fullness  of  head  continues. 
Still  constipated,  but  has  a  daily  stool.  Menses  returned, 
less  profuse,  but  clotted  and  stringy;  less  pain  during 
menses.  Auscultation  showed  improvement  in  lung;  less 
crepitation.     Has  taken  no  salt  for  a  week. 

Bepeat  medicine  for  16  days. 

April  21st  Stronger.  No  throat  symptoms.  Less  fre- 
quent headaches,  and  only  one  bad  one.  Less  pain  in  chest, 
and  can  lie  longer  on  left  side.  Feet  warmer  (weather 
warmer. )  More  relish  for  food.  Dreams,  less  bad.  Con- 
gestion to  head  several  times.  Less  constipated.  Sinking 
has  returned,  but  less  than  before.  For  a  few  days,  noticed 
that  hair  fell  off  and  is  very  greasy.  Auscultation  showed 
no  crepitation. 

Repeat  medicine  for  16  days. 

May  5th.  Menses  returned  9  days  ago,  ceased  yester- 
day; stringy,  but  fewer  clots;  much  pain  in  back.  Has 
felt  weaker.  Headaches  less  frequent  and  less  severe. 
Can  lie  longer  on  left  side.  Not  much  appetite  for  meat 
Sleeps  better.     Congestion  to  head  unchanged.    Less  con- 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Nov. 


Btipateil.  Hair  falls  off  and  is  still  greasy.  Sinking,  bet- 
ter.    LeucorrhoBa  after  menses,  canaing  great  irritation. 

Repeat  medicine  for  16  days. 

May  19th.  On  15tb  felt  chilly  oiit  of  doors  and  caught 
cold.  Un  16th  had  sore  throat  and  nvula  was  inflamed  and 
hung  down.  On  17th  throat  was  better,  and  the  cold 
seemed  more  in  head;  but  for  the  last  two  days  it  is  in 
che.st.  Has  now,  hoarseness;  tightness  across  chest,  with 
difficult  bieathiiig;  cough  worse  by  day;  this  morning 
wanted  to  cough,  but  could  not;  sputa  black,  thick,  saltish 
in  taste.  Has  felt  much  weaker  since  this  catarrh.  The 
tightness  sometimes  prevents  her  from  speaking.  Exhaust- 
ing flushes  of  heat  rising  upwards.  Stools  fairly  natural, 
though  sometimes  a  little  stroiiiiug.  Less  leucorrbcea  lately. 
Pain  ill  left  chest  worse;  it  comes  on  from  excitement  or 
hurry,  even  without  lying  on  left  side.  Still  has  ruah  of 
blood  to  head.     Eight  chest  tender.     Cough  exhausts  her. 

As  some  new  symptoms  had  arisen  fi'om  the  catarrh,  mid 
were  jxfi-sisfeni,  and  even  increasing,  as  shown  by  the  at^ 
tack  going  from  the  head  and  throat  to  chest,  a  new  rem- 
edy had  to  be  selected. 

Diagnosis  of  Remedy. — Sputa  salt  and  black:  Bell,, 
Ohina,  Kali.  bL,  Lycop.,  Nux,  Puis,,  Rhus. 

Exhausting  cough:     Lyoop..  Nux. 

I     Pain  in  chest,  worse  lying  on  painful  side:     Lye,  Nux. 
Pain  in  chest,  worse  lying  on  left  side:     Lycop.,  Puis. 
Cough,  worse  by  day:     Lye,  Nux. 
Catarrh  from  getting  cold:     Nux,  Pule. 
The   choice   so  far  seemed    evenly   balanced    between 
Jiyeop.  and  Nux.,  which  also  seemed  about  equally  to  oor- 
reapoud  to  the  remaining  symptoms. 

As  clinical  experience  has  shown  that  Nux  follows 
Sulphur  well,  I  gave  Nux  vom.  102  m.  ( F.  C. )  3  times  daily 
for  8  days. 

May  26th.    Has  improved  since  22d.     Much  less  hoarse- 
ness;   tightness   nearly   gone.     Cough   still   troublesome; 
sputa  unchanged  in  character,  but  more  profuse.   Stronger. 
^LrXess  flushes,   but   they  still  exhaust  her.     Constipation 
^Binuch  less.     Less  pain  in  chest,  but  cannot  lie  long  on  left  , 


1886  "Incurable"  Case  of  Phthisis.  469 

side  yet.  Bush  of  blood  to  head  not  returned.  Cough 
still  exhausts  her.  Tongue  clearer.  Pulse  stronger.  Has 
had  erysipelas  on  face,  first  left  then  right,  very  bright 
red,  with  much  itching;  lasting  for  several  days  off  and 
on.     Auscultation  showed  chest  to  be  better. 

On  a  re-examination  of  the  case,  I  concluded  that  it 
would  have  been  better  had  I  stopped  the  Sulphur  on  May 
5th,  when  the  menses  became  more  profuse  and  caused 
weakness.  As  the  acute  catarrhal  attack  was  relieved  by 
the  Nux,  I  judged  it  best  to  stop  medicine,  that  any  possi- 
ble over  medicinal  action  might  pass  off. 

June  9th.  Much  better.  Cough  less.  Stronger.  No 
flushes.  (Flushes  upward,  causing  exhaustion,  is  not  given 
under  Nux,  and  should  be  noted  for  further  verification. ) 
No  constipation.  Can  now  lie  on  left  side  without  pain. 
No  more  rush  of  blood  to  head.  Pulse  stronger.  Last 
menses  commenced  May  27th;  backache  before  menses, 
scarcely  any  pain  during;  felt  weak  during  and  after 
menses. 

No  medicine. 

June  23d.  Has  felt  more  languid  for  last  week,  but  has 
much  better  spirits.  Menses  due  to-morrow;  has  had 
backache  for  last  3  or  4  days.  Cough  better,  no  expectora- 
tion. Has  had  a  flush  to-day  and  on  21si  Bather  more 
constipated.  Appetite  a  little  better.  A  little  hoarse  in 
morning.  Once  or  twice,  pain  in  left  lower  chest,  like  a 
slight  stitch.  Has  only  had  slight  headache  occasionally 
Sleep  better;  still  dreams,  but  not  so  badly.  Less  leucor- 
rhoea.  Hair  still  falls  off,  but  less,  and  is  less  greasy. 
Perspires  a  good  deal  in  face,  hands  and  axillte.  AuscuUa-^ 
Hon  shows  chest  quite  natural. 

No  medicine. 

July  7th.  Still  languid  (weather  very  hot.)  Menses 
rather  more  painful,  clots  and  strings  the  first  3  days.  No 
cough,  only  a  clearing  of  throat  in  morning.  One  or  two 
flushes.  Constipation  better.  Sleep  poor  from  hot 
weather.  Much  perspiration.  Tongue  brownish.  Pulse 
still  feeble.     Still  has  leucorrhoBa.     Hair  falls  off  less,  but 


The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

more    greasy,   and  clings   together.     Less   hoarse. 
EAoute,  but  transient  pains  iu  various  parta  of  chest. 

As  the  menstrual   trouble  was  worse,  and  the  hau"  WB8 
reasy,  I  concluded  that  a  new  medicine  must  be  selected. 
Diagnosis   of  Remedy. — Oily   hair:      Benzoin,  Branca, 
Bry.,  Hydroph.,  Phos.  ac.  Plumb. 

Tongue  brownr     Bry.,  Plumb. 
I  Clots;     Bry. 
I  Gave  Bryonia,  103  m.  (F.  C.)  twice  daily  for  8  days, 

July  14th.    Has  felt  better  altogether.    Hair  less  greasy. 
Pains  about  chest  uot  returned.     Very  little  hoarseness. 
Still  languid.    Constipation  gone.    Less  perspiration.    Has 
slept  better.     Pulse  stronger.     Auscultation  natural. 
No  medicine. 

Aug.  11th.     Cough   gone.     Hoarse   in   morning.     Hair 

less  greasy.     StUl  easUy  tired.     Sleeps  well.     Less  sweat. 

Last  meuses  16  days  ago,  5  days  too  late.     Not  much  pain. 

Varicose  veins  in  left  calf  have  been  sore  and  burning. 

Everything  worries  her.     Tongue  brownish.     Has  not  felt 

well  for  last  week.     Auscultation  natural. 

Lippe'e  Repertory  gives  varices  in  left  leg,  Fluor,  acid; 

1  ao  I  prescribed  cm.  (Finoke)  twice  daily  for  16  days. 

Aug.  25th.     Less  hoarse.     Hair  no  longer  greasy,    Less 
easily  tired.     Still  easily  worried.     Pulse  stronger.     Veins 
so  longer  painful. 
No  medicine. 

Sept.  4th.     Rather  more  hoarseness.     Hair  greasy  ageiit 
md  electric.     Varicose  veins  ache  and  bum.     On  awaking 
Whad  taste  in  mouth,  and  brown  coating  on  teeth. 

Diagnosis  of   Remedy. — Brown   coating    on    teeth    in 
BQoming:     Natr.  phos.,  Sulph. 
Varices  in  legs:     Sulph. 

As  Sulphur  had  corresponded  to  so  many  of  her  symp-  I 
toms,  and  had  not  been  taken  for  a  long  time,  I  gave  a  dose 
of  dm.  (F.  C. )  every  other  day  for  16  days. 

Oct  9th.     Hair  less  greasy.     Brownish  mucus  on  teeth 

tand  lips  in  morning.  Hoarseness.  (Has  been  to  the  sea- 
side, where  she  caught  cold ).  Stronger.  More  constipa- 
tion the  last  week.     Sometimes  has  headaches,  the  last  one 


1886  "Incurable "  Case  of  Phthisis.  461 

worse  by  cold,  though  formerly  they  used  to  be  relieved 
thereby.  Still  sleeps  with  month  open  and  arms  above 
head.  Still  has  headaches,  but  last  menses  were  less  pain- 
ful. 

Sulphur,  2  cm.  (F.  C.)  twice  daily  for  16  days. 

Oct  26th.  Less  mucus  on  teeth  and  lips.  Hair  less 
greasy  (has  had  it  shampooed).  Constipated.  Menses 
commenced  on  the  26th;  not  much  pain.  Not  quite  so 
strong  the  last  week.  Pulse  better.  Coldness  of  feet 
returned. 

Bepeat  medicine  for  16  days. 

Nov.  9th.  Had  a  very  bad  headache  about  ten  days  ago; 
they  would  come  on  just  before  or  after  menses.  Less 
mucus  on  teeth.  Hair  less  greasy;  it  is  now  beginning  to 
fall  off  again.  Constipation  almost  gone.  Stronger,  but 
easily  worried  and  made  irritable.  Headaches  relieved  by 
strong  pressure.  Appetite  poor.  Tongue  still  rather 
brown.    Pulse  much  stronger. 

Bepeat  medicine  for  16  days. 

Nov.  28th.  No  more  headaches.  No  mucus  on  teeth. 
Hair  not  greasy  and  does  not  fall  off  much.  No  constipa- 
tion. Stronger.  Appetite  poor.  Tongue  still  brown.  Feels 
very  well  generally.  As  the  improvement  was  now  very 
marked,  I  stopped  medicine. 

Dae.  15th.  Had  a  bilious  headache  on  the  12th;  other- 
wise free  from  them.  Mind  stronger.  No  more  mucus  on 
teeth.  Hair  more  natural.  Appetite  poor.  Tongue  still 
coated. 

No  medicine. 

Dec.  29th.  No  more  headaches.  Mind  stronger.  No 
more  mucus  on  the  teeth.  Hair  scarcely  falls  off  and  is 
not  greasy.     Tongue  still  yellowish-brown  at  back. 

No  medicine. 

Jan.  12th,  1886.  Has  been  to  Paris,  and  feels  much 
better  and  appetite  improved.  No  headache.  Tongue  less 
coated.  Has  to  clear  throat  when  indoors  and  brings  up  a 
little  phlegm;  this  is  rather  worse  since  going  away  to 
Paris.  Hoarseness  on  speaking.  The  varicose  veins  have 
not  troubled  her. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


I 


No  medicine. 

Jan.  30th,  Feels  mucL  better,  better  than  for  a  long 
time.  Appetite  much  better.  Tougue  still  rather  brown. 
The  throat  syiuptoms  went,  but  have  returned  since  catch- 
ing cold.  Stronger-  No  more  trouble  from  varicose  veins. 
Chilblains  on  right  foot.  For  a  long  time  right  foot  cold 
and  left  warm.  The  latter  symptoms  indicated  Hura  Bra- 
zUiensis  and  Lycopod.;  but  as  the  improvement  seemed  to 
be  still  continuing  I  considered  it  best  to  let  the  Sulphur 
act  "When  you  don't  know  what  to  do,  play  trumps;" 
1  e.,  wait  and  hope! 

Feb.   13th.      Had   a   headache    yesterday,   relieved  by 

Itrandy.     Chilblains  have  been  bad,  and  have  now  attacked 

foot  also.    Eight  foot  cold  and  left  warm.    The  increase 

at  the  new  symptoms  showed  that  a  new  remedy  should  be 

.^elected,  and  the  direction  of  symptoms  from  right  to  left 

.need  the  choice  of  the  two  just  mentioned  to  Lycopod. 

I  gave  Lycopod.  3  cm.  (Boericke)  twice  daily  for  16  days. 

March  3d.  Feels  very  well  Chilblains  quite  gone; 
they  soon  went  after  last  consultation,  though  the  weather 
has  been  snowy  and  bitterly  cold.  Feet  warmer  and  less 
difference  in  their  terapernture,  Appetite  better.  No' 
more  cough  or  hoarseness.  Varicose  veins  have  no* 
troubled  her  for  a  long  time,  and  she  thinks  they  are 
smaller;  has  worn  no  elastic  stocking.  Tongue  still  rather 
brown.     Scai-cely  any  menstrual  pain  now. 

No  medicine. 

March  18th.  No  more  chilblains;  Right  foot  still  a 
Kttle  colder  than  left.     Appetite  very  good.     Tongue  bet- 

r.  but  still  a  little  brown  in  centre. 

No  medicine. 

I  did  not  see  her  again,  bat  she  wrote  Sept.  16tb  that 
jBhe  never  felt  better  in  her  life. 

Hahnemannian  Homceopathy  has  cured  a  case  given  up 
as  incurable  by  Allopathy.  [This  ie  a  brilliant  and  satis- 
f!ictory  cure,  and  while  we  do  not  feel  competent  to  criticise 
so  able  a  prescriber  as  Dr.  Ben-idge,  we  fail  to  see  any  rea- 
son ucdec  Hahnemann's  positive  instruction  for  such  a 
frequent  and  coutined  repetition  of  the  remedy.  Perhaps 
Dr.  Berridge  can  explain. — Ed.] 


1886  Comment  and  Criticism.  463 

COMMENT  AND  CRITICISM. 


ABOUT  SEVERAL  THINGS. 


Editor  Advance:  Dr.  Phil  Porter  has  treated  my  short 
article  in  the  October  number  of  the  Advance  in  a  gentle- 
manly manner,  as  far  as  he  is  concerned.  But  he  has 
quoted  nearly  three  pages  from  Dr.  T.  H.  Hicks  to  help 
him  out  of  trouble  in  regard  to  his  electric  currents,  and 
to  "assist  Dr.  Barnes"  in  considering  "the  direction  of 
the  current,"  "in  settling  the  question  of  stimulation,"  etc. 
I  have  looked  through  the  quotations  with  some  care  and 
have  marked  twelve  fallacies  of  some  importance  which,  of 
course,  do  not  afford  me  any  large  amount  of  help.  I  do 
not  care  to  point  them  out  at  present,  however,  since  they 
would  occupy  considerable  space,  would  not  probably  be  of 
general  interest,  and  I  am  not  now  in  the  mood  for  adverse 
criticism. 


Circulation  op  the  Blood. — I  choose  rather  to  say  a 
word  in  praise  of  the  article  by  Dr.  W.  M.  Decker  on  the 
"Circulation  of  the  Blood."  I  think  it  admirably  done 
and  full  of  instruction.  It  may  not  be  all  true,  but  its 
foundation  is  doubtiess  correct,  and  its  main  points  cannot 
be  questioned. 

Medical  Advertising. — I  have  had  thoughts  quite  sim- 
ilar to  those  of  Dr.  E.  Hasbrouck  on  such  advertisements  as 
fill  the  covers,  and  sometimes,  I  regret  to  say,  get  between 
the  leaves  of  some  of  our  medical  journals,  but  have  con- 
sidered them  necessary  evils.  We  must  put  up  with  them, 
or  put  up  with  no  journals.  I  have  had  some  experience 
in  periodical  publishing,  and  speak  from  the  knowledge  so 
obtained. 


A  "  Case  for  Counsel,"  by  Dr.  E.  Beckwith,  is  pitiable. 
The  poor  old  man  refered  to  has  lived  himself  through  too 
rapidly.  No  prescription  of  medicines,  according  to  the 
symptoms,  either  "key-note"  or  " totality,"  will  be  likely 
to  cure  him,  unless  the  fast  living  which  produced  hift 
troubles  can  be  corrected;  ^And   then    the  question  Ia 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


I 


'hether  he  would  have  vital  force  enough  to  rally  from 
the  shock  of  reform.  I  doubt  if  the  one  cigar  after  break- 
fast could  ever  be  dispensed  with.  I  think  the  brandy  and 
all  other  stimulants  might  be.  Narcotics,  according  to  my 
experience,  became  woven  more  inveterately  into  the  organ- 
ism than  alcoholics  ever  do.  I  think  the  old  man's  only 
chance  for  any  degree  o£  continued  comfort,  or  much  more 
life  of  any  Bort^  depends  upon  leaving  them  off  and  upon  a 
plain  diet  in  generaL 

The  Okqason. — Another  noteworthy  article  in  the  same 

rich  number  of  the  Advance  is  your  editorial  on  "The 

Teaching  of  the  Organon."     No  doubt  our  physicians  and 

college  professore  know  too  little  about  the  philosophy  of 

this  book.     Every  person  in  this  free  country  aud  rapidly 

advancing  age  shoold  be  at  liberty  to  reject,  or  at  least  not 

adopt,  anything  he  cannot  see  to  be  true.     But  we  should 

be  thankful  for  what  any  man  can  help  us  to  see.     And  a 

book  that  summarises  the  life  work  of  him  who  founded 

our  system  ought  surely  to  be  carefully  studied  by  all  who 

profess  to  practice   the   system.     And  no  less  certainly 

should  it  be  esplained  to  medical  students.  I  am  myself  not 

much  inclined,  as  is  somewhat  known,  to  follow  the  dictum 

tjsS.  any  man  as  authority,  even  of  Hahnemann;  bnt  there 

Vis  no  work  on  medicine  that  makes  me  think  so  much,  and 

leads  me  to  so  much  insight,  as  the  Organon.     Things  that 

seemed  preposterous  at  first,  appear  gradually  to  unfold 

themselves  and  after  a  while  show  their  deep  foundation 

in  real  fact.     For  instance,  we  ridicule  each  other  about 

high  potencies  as  "moonshine,"  or  low  potencies  as  "flesh   ' 

pots"  of  the  old  shool;  or  we  soom  the  fixed  number  o{'i 

"shakes"  of  Hahnemann,  but  the  grand  truth  at  the  bot- 

V  torn  of  it  all  is  the  principle  that  attenuation  or  potentdza- 

t  tion  of  drugs  is  a  great  discovery — second  only  to  the  law 

I  of  cure — in  its  far-reaching  importance. 

Many  of  us  have  repudiated  the  "psora"  theory  and   ■ 
k  supposed  that  when  the  itch  insect  was  discovered  it  waB  ^M 
r  all  over  with  it.     But  the  more  we  look  around,  reflect  and  ' 
r  investigate,  the  greater  is  our  inclination  to  receive  it  as 
L^ae.     Call  it  dyscrasia  and  all  is  right. 


1886  Whose  Fault  Is  It?  466 

The  idea  of  "  key-notes  "  has  appeared  to  contradict  the 
central  idea  of  "  totalities,"  and  as  applied  to-day,  no  doubt, 
is  often  true.  But  the  "  key-notes  "  of  the  Organon,  although 
not  called  by  this  name,  are  rational  and  instructive.  We 
read  ( §  153 )  "  that  the  more  prominent,  uncommon,  peculiar 
features  of  the  case  are  especially  and  almost  exclusively 
considered  and  noted."  And  (§  212)  that  "  the  effect  upon 
the  state  of  the  mind  and  disposition  are  the  principal 
features  of  all  diseases;"  so  (§  220)  "we  may  proceed  to  find 
a  remedy  of  great  similarity,  especially  with  regard  to  the 
mental  disturbance  which  it  has  the  power  to  produce." 
Such,  and  not  the  little,  unimportant  points  that  some  of 
our  doctors  bring  forward,  are  the  real  Hahnemannian 
"  key-notes,"  and  these  commend  themselves  to  our  ration- 
ality. Indeed  the  principles  of  the  Organon,  when  deeply 
studied,  shine  forth  as  great  originals,  full  of  truth  and 
blessing.  Let  them  be  taught,  and  let  our  students  see 
and  know  at  heart  what  they  are.  I  do  not  say  there  are 
no  errors,  no  false  philosophy,  in  the  book,  but  I  am  sure 
that  no  other  work  on  medicine  is  equal  to  it — as  a  text 
book. 

Why,  therefore,  can  we  not  have  a  few  fundamental  lec- 
tures— a  half  dozen  or  so — on  the  philosophy  of  Homoeop- 
athy as  taught  by  the  Organon,  prepared  by  some  experi- 
enced and  capable  speaker,  and  delivered  in  the  medical 
course  of  our  colleges?  The  same  man,  thoroughly 
equipped  in  this  way,  might  go  to  several  institutions  in 
the  same  season.     Will  our  college  faculties  think  of  it? 

L.  Barnes,  M.  D., 
Delaware,  O. 


»» 


WHOSE  FAULT  IS  IT  ? 


This  question  is  often  asked,  but  under  very  different 
circumstances.  When  a  train  is  wrecked  the  question  is 
echoed;  or  when  any  deplorable  condition  is  recognized 
which  demands  reformation,  the  natural  inclination  is  to 
look  for  the  cause.  Physicians,  above  aU  others,  are  suj)- 
posed  to  "remove  the  cause,"  but  there  is  an  inborn  desire 
to  shift  personal  responsibility. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Nov. 


Withont  taking  too  much  space  I  desire  to  apply  the 
queation  to  homceopathic  physiciaus.    The  report  is  abroad 
that  Homceopathy  does  not  accomplish  the  same  results 
which  characterized  its  work  in  Hahnemann's  time.     That 
I  there  appears  to  be  some  foundation  for  this  statement,  few 
will  deny.     Others  account  for  this  "  apparent "  result  by 
'  Baying  that  Hahnemann's  co-laborers  were  faulty  diagnos- 
licians,  and  that  their  cores  were  not  of  the  diseases  men- 
tioned!    Does  it  not  seem  unkind  to  cast  such  a  reflection? 
I  Will  any  physician  of  the  present  day  set  himself  up  as  a 
I  peer  of  Hahnemann  or  as  being  able  to  surpass  him  in 
i  accomplishments?    If  so,  let  him  read  carefully  the  history 
I  of  that  great  man;  let  him  follow  him  through  those  fifty 
I  or  more  years  of  careful  investigation.     Who  now  is  will- 
I  ing  to  master  eight  languages,  sit  up  every  third  night  all 
,  night,  for  years,  to  prosecute  experiments?    Let  him  think 
I  a  moment,     I  fear  many  comment  unjustly  on  this  great 
mau'a  work,  when,  in  fact,  they  have  never  carefully  read 
I  his  works,  or  even  of  his  works, 

Hoineeapathy,  being  based  on  a  law  of  nature,  does  not 

legenerate,  but  its  representatives  may;  and  we  can  see 

j  reason  for  Hahnemann's  remark  to  his  friend  that  although 

I  there  were  many  "Homoeopaths,"  ha  could  count  hie  true 

\  followers  on  his  fingers. 

Let  us  go  back  for  a  moment  and  look  over  the  past, 
i  Hahnemann  was  left  to  his  own  deductions  to  formulate 
the  laws  which  govern,  or  shonld  govern,  the  application 
of  this  science.  All  ideas  were  allopathic,  and  they  were 
engrafted  deep;  were  almost  a  part  of  the  life  of  the  indi- 
vidual. 

After  a  time  he  became  converted,  through  his  own 
observation,  and  instructed  others.  While  he  lived,  hia 
followers  had  the  benefit  of  his  personal  instructions,  and 
in  order  to  succeed  were  obliged  to  antagonize  their  inher- 
ent ideas.  They  saw  the  results  and  this  "  object  teach- 
ing" was  effective.  He  could  not  live  always  but  he  hoped 
his  teaching  would,  and  left  a  guide-book  to  his  followers 
which  bears  the  same  relation  to  Homceopathy  that  the 
-  bible  does  to  theology.     Hia  cures  served  to  strengthen 


1886  Whose  Fault  Is  It  f  467 

the  faith  of  his  followers.    The  miracles  of  the  bible  were 
to  show  the  power  of  the  new  doctrine. 

His  followers  were  left  to  work  alone,  with  instructions 
given.  In  their  work  they  were  fallible,  and,  as  it  is  human 
nature  to  think  more  of  one's  own  ideas  than  those  of 
another,  soon  there  was  clashing.  They  forgot  the  true 
way  or  strayed  from  ii  They  grew  "  liberal,"  and  students 
came  for  instruction.  They  watched  the  daily  work  of 
their  preceptors  and  took  it  for  granted,  as  they  were 
"  Homoeopaths,"  that  whatever  they  did  was  Homoeopathy. 
These  students  copied  from  their  preceptors  and  very  nat- 
urally copied  the  virtues,  as  well  as  the  faults,  of  the  pre- 
ceptors—  their  failures  to  comply  with  the  law.  These 
students  had  ideas  which  they  put  into  practice,  and,  in  turn 
students  came  to  them.  By  and  by  colleges  were  foi*med 
from  these  students  to  the  tenth  generation.  As  one  nat- 
urally copies  from  one  he  considers  his  teacher,  is  it  any 
wonder  that  a  great  many  faults  should  have  been  handed 
down?  These  colleges  sent  out  graduates  and  they  in  turn 
sent  back  students,  who  copied  their  faults  and  added  to- 
them  those  of  the  college  teachers,  but  ever  drifting  from 
the  teachings  of  Hahnemann.  Now,  something  has  been 
omitted  during  these  years,  viz. :  to  direct  students  to  study 
Hahnemann's  writings.  What  would  we  think  if  ministers 
taught  and  lived  as  they  pleased,  and  never  read  or  taught, 
the  bible?  I  think  the  analogy  can  be  carried  to  this 
point. 

How  may  we  know  of  this  neglect?  We  need  not  con- 
fine ourselves  to  the  results  of  the  practice,  but  turn  with 
shame  and  see  that  Hahnemann's  Organon  has  only 
reached  the  "  5th  edition  "!  What  about  Chronic  Diseases 
and  Lesser  Writings?  That  "5th"  should  be  more  like 
the  50th  edition.  Is  it  not  a  disgrace  to  the  school?  The 
sinner  is  always  trying  to  climb  up  some  other  way,  and 
the  physician  is  ever  trying  to  improve  on  Hahnemann's 
method.  If  he  was  the  founder  Homoeopathy,  who  is 
better  able  to  direct  us  in  the  practice  of  it?  How  can 
we  know  what  Homoeopathy  really  is  until  we  read  his 
instructions  and  experiments?    As  the  boy  who  writes  a 


The  Medical  Advance.  Not. 

I  page  copies  the  first  luie  after  the  toodel,  bo  each  sticceed- 
Eing  line  as  a  rule  is  copieil  from  the  one  above  and  the  last 
HOn  the  page,  iustead  of  being  best,  is  usually  the  worst. 
tie  this  not  true  of  us?     Were  not  the  immediate  foUowera 
■of  Hahnemann  nearest  to  him  in  practice?    Are  we  not 
■  copying  from  some  one  else  rather  than  learning  from 
fhim?     What  is  tlie  remedy?    If  the  case  has  been  well 
taken,  the  remedy  is  clear.   Let  every  physician  who  wishes 
to  be  called  a  Homoeopath  read  all  of  Hahnemann's  writ- 
ings, and  especially  the  Oi'gaiion,  and  then  if  a  student 
presents  himself,  frankly  tell  him  he  must  be  acquainted 
with  the  Organon,  and  wheu  that  studejit  goes  to  college 
he  will  be  taught  it  if  his  teacher  has  shared  in  the  work, 
.,  and  when  he  goes  out  lie  will  not  be  obliged  to  meet  his 
oases  unprepared.     The  medical  societies  then  will  discuss 
[  topics  and  its  meniberfl  agret^  and  who  can  not  predict  the 
I  results?  Wm.  8.  Gee,  M.  D.,  Chieaga 

DYNAMIZATION  IN  THE  CRITOIBLE. 

In  1880  the  "Milwaukee  Academy  of  Medicine"  under- 
took, in  a  series  of  elaborate  experiments,  to  demonstrate 
the  truth  or  falsity  of  the  curative  power  of  the  potent- 
ized  drug.  So  far  as  we  know  the  demonstration  amounted 
to  nil :  a  war  of  words  in  the  journalistic  world  being  the 
only  practical  result.  Those  who  previously  were  using 
the  thirtieth  and  higher  potencies  with  entirely  satisfacto- 
ry results,  continued  to  use  them  still,  and  those  who 
were  satisfied  that  medicinal  action  ceased  where  science 
ceased  to  detect  the  drug  in  material  quantity,  coutinued 
to  be  satisfied  still.  But  this  is  an  age  of  progress,  and 
the  potentized  drug  is  to  be  subjected  to  the  test  of  clini- 
cal experience  by  those  who  doulit  its  efficacy.  This  time 
the  field  of  labor  is  transferred  to  tlie  East,  New  York 
Stete  anil  Western  New  York  Homcepathio  Medical  Socie- 
ties 'are  to  graple  with  the  problem  and  we  presume  this 
much  vexed  question  will  now  be  set  at  rest 

At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Homcepathio  Medical 
Society  of  New  York  in  February  last,  a  committee  con- 


k 


1886  Dynamizaiion  in  the  Crucible.  469 

sisting  of  Drs.  A.  E.  Wright,  T.  L.  Brown  and  H.  M. 
Paine  was  appointed  to  collect  statistics  to  prove  or  dis- 
prove the  efficacy  of  the  thirtieth  and  higher  attenuations 
The  committee  has  selected  Apis  and  Bhus  for  the  test  and 
in  repoi*ting  cases  ask  that  the  following  conditions  be 
observed : 

First— Jj^ading  symptoms  and  general  condition  of  the  patient. 

8econd,— The  attenuation  and  repetition  of  remedy. 

Third.— The  time  after  administration  when  marked  relief  was 
first  noted. 

Fourth. — The  duration  of  convalescence  to  complete  recovery. 

Reports  to  be  forwarded  to  the  chairman,  Dr.  A.  R.  Wright,  166 
Franklin  Street,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 


The  following  is  from  the  Western  New  York  Society: 

Buffalo,  September  1, 1886. 

Dear  Doctor  :— At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  Western  New  York 
Homoeopathic  Medical  Society  a  committee  was  appointed  for  the 
purpose  of  securing,  if  possible,  positive  evidence,  clinical  or  path- 
ogenetic, as  to  the  potency  of  attenuated  drugs. 

The  fact  was  recognized,  that  from  the  early  history  of  Homoeo- 
pathy till  the  present  day,  a  portion  of  the  profession  have  attribu- 
ted to  attenuated  remedies  qualities  which  were  not  claimed  for 
the  material  drug;  while  another  large  body  of  homoeopathic  prac- 
titioners have  insisted  that  all  curative  power  ceases,  when  by  no 
known  method  can  the  drug  substance  be  detected  in  the  medium 
employed. 

The  desirability  of  a  solution  of  the  question  of  the  potency  of 
attenuated  drugs  was  recognized  by  the  society  that  their  employ- 
ment might,  with  justice  be  endorsed  or  condemned.  In  answer 
to  the  view  which  many  hold,  that  the  matter  has  already  been 
demonstrated,  and  that  published  reports  of  alleged  cures  are 
accessible,  the  committee  would  say  that  the  selection  of  certain 
clinical  reports  would  be  invidious,  while  others  are  by  no  means 
conclusive. 

Without  bias,  therefore,  the  committee  approach  the  question 
and  invite  your  co-operation  as  in  the  solution  of  a  purely  scien- 
tific problem. 

They  would  be  pleased  to  receive  from  you  reports  of  cases  in 
which  the  following  requirements  have  been  met : 

F(r8t— Reports  of  recoveries  of  self-limited  diseases,  in  which  aoth  or  higher 
potencies  have  been  employed,  in  which  the  duration  of  the  illness  has  been 
shorter  than  in  tlicse  cases  treated  on  the  expectant  plan. 

iScoQ/td— Reports  of  recoveries  of  diseases,  the  tendencies  of  which  are  not  to 
spontaneous  recovery,  in  which  90th  or  higher  potencies  have  been  employed. 


The  Medical  Advatice.  Nov. 

I  further  desired  that  not  only  the  nameaof  the  diseasea 
treated  be  given  with  the  aymptoms  for  which  the  remedy  is  em- 
ployed, but  as  well  the  pathogenetic  syroptoma  on  which  the  diag'- 
nntis  is  based  with  any  idiosyncrasies  which  may  exist.    Tliedlag- 

^noais  Bhall  be  veriAed  by  at  least  one  other  competent  observer  if 
^ssible. 
I  The  committee  would  also  be  pleased  to  receive  results  of  tests 
of  attenuated  drugs  on  the  healthy,  >md  to  that  end  will  furnish 
any  who  desire  to  experiment  on  those  especially  sensitive  to  any 
drug  a  30th  attenuation  of  that  drug  with  live  bottles  of  blanks, 
the  vials  to  be  marked  in  such  a  way  that  neither  the  one  upon 
J  whom,  or  by  whom  the  experiment  is  made  shall  know  which  con- 
^^atna  the  attenuated  drug. 
'  Trusting  that  we  may  receive  your  valued  assistance  in  these 
"Bsts,  we  are.  Fraternally  yours. 

F.  Park  Lkwib.M.  D., 

188  Franklin  St.,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 
E.  P.  IlrssEY,  M.  D.. 

493  Porter  Ave.,  Buffalo.  N.  T. 
M.  A.  WiLMON,  M.  T)., 

North  East,  Pennsylvania. 
Committee. 

However,  we  venture  to  suggest  to  the  committees  that 
thiB  is  not  a  question  of  belief  at  all.  It  is  a  question  of 
fact  and  will  remain  a  fact  in  the  world  of  science  whether 
it  be  "endorsed  or  condemned"  by  either  or  both  of  these 
learned  societies.  The  revolution  of  the  globe  was  not 
materially  affected  by  Galileo's  recantation,  neither  will 
the  efficacy  of  the  poteutized  drug  be  seriously  affected  by 
the  endorsment  or  condemnation  of  a  medical  society. 
Some  men  would  not  believe  "though  one  were  raised  from 
the  dead,"  At  the  meeting  of  the  American  Institute  in 
St.  Louis  in  X885,  Dr.  Pemberton  Dudley  related  a  case  in 
which  a  raotlier,  apparently  in  the  beat  of  health,  after  a. 
violent  &i  of  passion,  nursed  her  child.  Soon  after,  the 
child  was  siezed  with  the  most  terrible  convulsions  and  des- 

tpite  the  best  directed  medical  efforts  death  soon  resulted. 
What  was  the  cause  o£    death?      What  potency  did  it? 
This  is  a  fact  capable  of  repetition,  and  acknowledged 
1^6  great  majority  of  the  medical  profession  not  to  depei 
qpOD   belief.      Like  every  other  scientiSc   fact,  it  is  m 


1886  Dynamization  in  the  Crucible.  471 

affected  by  the  belief  or  non-belief  of  any  one.     Here  is 

another  fact  taken  from  the  Medical  Quarterly  : 

A  little  girl  in  Watertown,  N.  Y.,  who  was  dying  with  scarlet 
fever,  desired  to  send  a  kiss  to  a  little  playmate  in  another  town. 
She  kissed  the  letter  which  was  sent  by  mail  to  the  little  friend, 
who,  wholly  unaware  of  the  danger  incurred,  kissed  the  letter  as  a 
message  from  her  friend.  In  a  few  days  she,  herself,  died  from 
scarlet  fever  contracted  by  that  kiss.— Medical  Times. 

If  this  be  true,  and  it  must  be  or  it  would  not  have 
appeared  in  a  medical  journal,  we  would  also  like  to  have 
it  included  in  the  questions,  that  we  may  know  the  poten- 
cy or  quantity  of  this  attenuated  scarlet-fever  poison  sent 
or  received  by  that  fatal  kiss.  Our  allopathic  breth- 
ren are  ready  to  accept  this  as  a  toxicological  fact,  and  yet, 
are  not  quite  ready  to  throw  aside  the  question  of  dose 
which  has  hitherto  blockaded  the  path  of  therapeutic  pro- 
gresa  This  fact  is  certainly  not  affected  by  belief  Per- 
haps the  proposed  experiments  of  our  New  York  brethren 
'may  throw  some  new  light  on  this  subject  We  certainly 
would  like  to  see  this  scarlet-fever  poisoning  demonstrated 
to  be  an  impossibility,  if  the  demonstration  would  rid  it  of 
its  disease  producing  action  in  the  future.  Would  belief 
or  ncnirhelief  or  even  the  "  endorsment  or  condemnation  " 
of  the  society  affect  or  seriously  interfere  with  the  dissem- 
ination of  the  poison?  Let  it  be  investigated  and  the  facts 
published  to  the  world. 


Dr.  P.  P.  Wells  says :  "In  the  prosecution  of  this  pur- 
pose we  remark,  first,  that  this  power  to  so  affect  the  organ- 
ism 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  independent  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  rejection  can 
neither  mar  or  destroy  ii  If  a  fact,  it  is,  and  cannot  be 
otherwise.  If  a  fiction,  no  advocacy  can  gain  it  either 
being  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  possible  vicisitude,  from  whatever  of  nega- 


2?(e  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


1 

I! 


No  msLlicme. 

Jan.  30tb.  Feela  mucli  better,  better  than  for  a  long 
time.  Appetite  much  better.  Tongue  still  rather  brown. 
The  throat  symptoms  went,  but  have  returned  since  catch- 
■  ing  Qold.  Stronger.  No  more  trouble  from  vai'icose  veins. 
I  C^lblains  on  right  fooi  For  a  long  time  right  foot  cold 
sad  left  warm.  The  latter  symptoms  indicated  Hura  Bra- 
ziliensis  and  Lycopod. ;  but  as  the  improvement  seemed  to 
be  still  continuing  I  considered  it  best  to  let  the  Sulphur 
act  "When  you  don't  know  what  to  do,  play  trumps;" 
i,  e.,  wait  and  hope! 

Feb.   ISth.      Had  a  headache    yeBterday,   relieved  by 
brandy.     Chilblains  have  been  bad,  and  have  now  attacked 

tlaft  foot  also.  Right  foot  cold  and  left  wann.  The  increase 
of  the  new  aymptoma  showed  that  a  new  remedy  should  be 
selected,  and  the  direction  of  symptoms  from  right  to  left 
reduced  the  choice  of  the  two  just  mentioned  to  Lycopod. 
I  gave  Lycopod.  3  cm.  (Bcericke)  twice  daily  for  16  days. 
Mai-ch  3ii.  Feels  very  well.  Chilblains  quite  gone; 
they  soon  went  after  last  consultation,  though  the  weather 
has  been  snowy  and  bitterly  cold.  Feet  warmer  and  less 
difference  in  their  temperature.  Appetite  better.  No 
more  cough  or  hoarseness.  Varicose  veins  have  not 
troubled  her  for  a  long  time,  and  she  thinks  tliey  are 
smaller;  has  worn  no  elastic  stocking.     Tongue  still  rather 

►  brown.     Scarcely  any  menstrual  pain  now. 
No  medicine. 
March  18th.     No  more  chilblains:     Right  foot  still  k 
little  colder  than  left.     Appetite  very  good.     Tongue  bet- 
ter, but  still  a  little  brown  in  centre. 
No  medicine. 

>I  did  not  see  her  again,  but  she  wrote  Sept.  16th  that 
jBhe  never  felt  better  in  her  life. 
-  Hahnemannian  Homoeopathy  has  cured  a  case  given  up 
B»  incurable  by  Allopathy.  [This  is  a  brilliant  and  satia- 
factory  core,  and  while  we  do  not  feel  competent  to  ciiticise 
so  able  a  preecriber  as  Dr.  Berridge,  we  fail  to  see  any  rea- 
son under  Hahnemann's  positive  instruction  for  such  a 
frequent  and  contined  repetitioji  of  the  remedy.  PerhapS' 
^^Dr.  Berridge  can  explain. — Ed.] 


1886  Comment  and  Criticism,  463 

COMMENT  AND  CRITICISM. 


ABOUT  SEVERAL  THINGS. 


Editor  Advance:  Dr.  Phil  Porter  has  treated  my  short 
article  in  the  October  number  of  the  Advance  in  a  gentle- 
manly manner,  as  far  as  he  is  concerned.  But  he  has 
quoted  nearly  three  pages  from  Dr.  T.  H.  Hicks  to  help 
him  out  of  trouble  in  regard  to  his  electric  currents,  and 
to  "assist  Dr.  Barnes"  in  considering  "the  direction  of 
the  current,"  "in  settling  the  question  of  stimulation,"  etc. 
I  have  looked  through  the  quotations  with  some  care  and 
have  marked  twelve  fallacies  of  some  importance  which,  of 
course,  do  not  afford  me  any  large  amount  of  help.  I  do 
not  care  to  point  them  out  at  present,  however,  since  they 
would  occupy  considerable  space,  would  not  probably  be  of 
general  interest,  and  I  am  not  now  in  the  mood  for  adverse 
criticism. 


Circulation  op  the  Blood. — I  choose  rather  to  say  a 
word  in  praise  of  the  article  by  Dr.  W.  M.  Decker  on  the 
"Circulation  of  the  Blood."  I  think  it  admirably  done 
and  full  of  instruction.  It  may  not  be  all  true,  but  its 
foundation  is  doubtless  correct,  and  its  main  points  cannot 
be  questioned. 

Medical  Advertising. — I  have  had  thoughts  quite  sim- 
ilar to  those  of  Dr.  E.  Hasbrouck  on  such  advertisements  as 
fill  the  covers,  and  sometimes,  I  regret  to  say,  get  between 
the  leaves  of  some  of  our  medical  journals,  but  have  con- 
sidered them  necessary  evils.  We  must  put  up  with  them, 
or  put  up  with  no  journals.  I  have  had  some  experience 
in  periodiccJ  publishing,  and  speak  from  the  knowledge  so 
obtained 


A  "  Case  for  Counsel,"  by  Dr.  E.  Beckwith,  is  pitiable. 
The  poor  old  man  refered  to  has  lived  himself  through  too 
rapidly.  No  prescription  of  medicines,  according  to  the 
symptoms,  either  "key-note"  or  "totality,"  will  be  likely 
to  cure  him,  unless  the  fast  living  which  produced  hia 
troubles  can  be  corrected.  ^And   then    the  question  is 


474  2%6  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

informs  its  readers  that  this  Congress,  "  was  attended  by 
only  forty  delegates,  of  whom,  seven  were  from  America." 
This  is  not  a  commendable  spirit  in  the  editor  of  a  metro- 
politan journal.  There  may  be  something  disadvantageous 
in  fewness  of  numbers.  A  mass  meeting  or  a  political 
convention,  might  find  great  virtue  in  a  multitude,  but 
surely  Mr.  Record,  a  scientific  body  could  find  no  crime  in 
a  limited  membership.  A  big  crowd  may  be  inseparable 
from  an  Allopath's  idea  of  a  convention,  but  a  man  of  sense, 
can  see  that  forty  picked  men,  taken  out  of  all  the  civil- 
ized nations  of  the  world  might  do  more  for  medical  sci- 
ence, than  could  a  thousand  blustering,  noisy,  perhaps 
drunken  men,  though  they  met  under  the  sanction  of 
nobles  and  kings.  A  brass  band  and  a  loud  hurrah,  in  our 
experience  and  observation,  find  genial  companionship 
in  an  allopathic  crowd.  But  the  science  and  philoso- 
phy of  medicine,  like  all  other  science  and  philosophy,  seek 
the  quiet,  unpretentious  fellowship  of  the  earnest,  intelligent 
and  modest  few.  Perhaps  the  Record  can  tell  its  readers 
how  much  more,  truth  would  have  been  advanced,  had  the 
number  present  at  Basle,  been  a  thousand  and  forty, 
instead  of  "on]y  forty."  Shame,  on  the  spirit  that  has  no 
nobler  ideas  of  the  needs  of  scientific  investigation ! 

Again,  when  the  Record  says:  "The  sessions  seem  to 
have  been  largely  occupied  with  persuading  its  members 
that  Homoeopathy  is  growing"  it  intentionally  or  other- 
wise misleads  its  trusting  readers.  With  a  thousand  allo- 
pathic journals  throughout  the  world,  constantly  asserting 
that  " Homoeopathy  is  dying  out"  there  "seems"  to  be  a 
necessity  for  some  one  to  tell  the  truth,  and  to  demon- 
strate it.  This,  the  Congress  at  Basle  did,  but  it  did  not 
do  it  "  largely,"  Mr.  Record,  and  you  ought  to  know  it. 

The  editor  goes  on  to  say:  "  We  learn  that  in  France, 
there  are  but  two  hundred  Homoeopaths;  in  Belgium 
about  sixty;  in  Switzerland,  twenty-three;  in  Spain,  one 
hundred  and  thirty-seven;  while  in  Germany  and  England 
they  do  not  venture  to  estimate  the  number.  Judging 
from  the  statistics  given,  it  would  be  a  large  estimate  to 
suppose  that,  in  all  Europe,  there  were  [are,  Mr.  Editor] 


Editorial. 


475 


one  thousacd  HomoeopathB.  The  real  hope  of  Homce- 
opathy  appears,  therefore,  to  be  in  this  country."  Many 
things  beaidee  Homceopathy  depend  upon  thia  country, 
dear  sir,  and  that  fact  is  no  disgrace  to  the  things  them- 
selves, nor  to  this  great  and  free  nation.  There  ia  more 
intelligence  among  the  people  of  America  than  among  the 
people  of  any  other  country,  and  if  that  intelligence  is 
joined  to  a  larger  love  for  Homceopathy,  why,  Jew,  I 
thank  thee  for  the  word. 

The  editor  of  the  Record  kuowB  as  well  as  we  do,  that 
Homoeopathy  is  of  slow  growth  in  European  countries 
hecause  of  the  repressive  and  tyrannical  laws  of  those 
connirie.s  passed  and  enforced  by  Ike  direction  of  the  allo- 
pathic school.  The  tyranny  of  the  Czar  is  not  greater  than 
ia  that  of  the  allopathic  school  in  Europe.  "Here,"  eays 
the  editor — that  is,  in  America,  "  it  is  stated,  there  are  over 
ten  thousand  homoeopathic  practitioners,"  but  he  knows 
perfectly  well  that,  had  the  multitudinous  attempts  of  the 
allopathic  doctors  succeeded,  there  would  not  now  be  one 
left  to  tell  the  tale.  Success  against  such  odds,  as  have 
appeared  against  Homceopathy  even  in  thia  country,  is 
something  of  which  we  may  boast. 

In  Europe,  it  has  been  a  hundred  fold  worse.  There, 
Homtfiopathy  lives,  because  an  enlightened,  though  feeble 
public  sentiment,  holds  it  up  against  the  machinations  of 
its  arch  enemy,  the  allopathic  medical  schooL 

The  Record  credits  us  in  America,  on  the  reports  made 
at  Basle,  "  with  fourteen  medical  colleges,  fifty-one  hospi- 
tals, forty-eight  dispensaries,  one  hundred  and  forty-three 
societies,  twenty-two  journals  and  thirty-three  pharma- 
cies." And  with  a  coolness  not  to  be  excelled,  it  adds,  that 
Homceopathy  "  appears  to  be  one  of  the  social  difaorders  to 
which  new  countries  are  aubjected,  but  it  is  one  which  des- 
pite the  apparent  showing  of  statistics,  the  United  States  is 
surely  outgrowing."  And  all  this  in  the  face  of  the  fact  that, 
every  year  we  steadily  increase,  as  our  carefully  compiled 
statistics  show.  And,  by  the  way,  we  could  have  reported 
one  more  asylum  in  the  State  of  Michigan  in  the  hands  of 
the  homceopathic  school,  if  the  allopathic  doctors  had  not 


An  The  Xedknl  Adx^imx,  5or. 

f^A^fU  H  fr^/M  fKt  Will  ihh  Be^nrd  tell  its  reviews  all 
nljf^^ii  thin  \0fgrHAn0yfA  jfAA^nrj^  said  tfa«n  ask  diem  why 
U^mff^fffHihy  ^y^m  wA  fprjw  mcme  npidlylf  ^  It  would 
tafc^  H  \frHrh  b^^rt,"'  majs  thiit  editor,  ^to  find  eiMoorage- 
i»#^fi  in  ifi^  rftiv/un  repr/rtup^resented.'^  Yes,  sir;  for  onoe 
y//a  «ir'9  ri^it  A  or/ward  rnay  well  find  his  home  where 
uumtf^^rn  ari/1  tunttfi  will  firrjtect  and  hide  him,  bat  it  takes  a 
hrar^  li^^rt  t/>  be  a  true  Homceopath  eren  to-day.  None 
^/th^Tf  fi^?<9'I  ^ifply*  T.  P.  W. 


NKW  PUBLICATIONS. 


liHUm/nrn  mwrVM  of  HVWiKHY,  ymu  *fdltlf>n,  enlarged,  rearranged,  re- 
vltw'd,  rriiMijr  fmrU  rHwriiUiU,  And  rnij';h  new  matter  added.  Is  announced  by 
Uft  llftltwtitnitm  ViihUnUUm  Uountt  tor  Novern^ier. 

l)r.  llt'UnuiUf  by  iiriiv<?rHal  coriHent,  occupies  the  front  rank  in 
th<»  Ifoino^opathic  Hr'hool  an  a  Hiir^wm.  Ilis  experience  and  scien- 
iUU;  iiiUiiuuwuiH  urti  too  well  known  to  nenl  any  comments.  The 
liuthor,  wn  an?  irifortn(*rl,  ban  occupied  much  time  in  this  revision, 
and  iUtt  rifpiiiation  of  the  publishers  is  a  fi^uarantee  that  no  pains 
will  tin  H|)an<d  to  make  the  volume  not  only  a  credit  but  an  honor 
to  the  Hcbool.  The  arran^(?ment  will  consist  of  the  following 
divlHiotiH: 

I'art  1.     Minor  and  Preliminary  Surgery. 

i'lirl-  II.    (icniMid  Sur^^'ry. 

I'url,  II  I.    Surj^ery  of  JSpeciial  Regions  and  Tissues. 

Pari  I II.  Original  Surgery  will  etmtain  so  many  additions  and 
NO  mncli  new  niiiM<M',  to  bring  the  volume  up  to  date,  that  those 
wln»  liavt'  been  Inrlunate  enough  to  possess  a  copy  of  the  hist  edi- 
tion will  Mcnrn'ly  know  the  ntiw  one.  We  shall  anxiously  await 
Mm  appearan<'e. 

WIM.IA.M    WimW  A    t'tJ.'s   ITHMCATIONS. 

W'r  rllp  I  ho  Tollowlng  from  the  Nvm  York  .Vail:  The  firm  of 
William  W(mmI  \  i\),  is  out*  of  the  oldest  in  America.  Mr.  Samuel 
\Voo«l.  Ilu»  grandfather  of  Mr.  William  II.  S.  Wood,  of  the  present 
Mrui,  was  tin*  foniub'r  of  the  house  and  was  associated  with  many 
of  thf»  philanthropie  enterprises  of  his  time  in  New  York.  He 
bf^gan  tlu»  bookselling  and  publishiug  business  in  IS(>I.  In  ISlShe 
aH?<oelated  w  ith  him  two  of  his  sons,  Satnuel  S.  and  John,  and  the 
[\\\\\  Wkwww  Samut^l  Wood  iS:  Sons,  Soven  years  later  another  son, 
Mr.  W\lbam  Wood,  was  admitttnl  to  the  tirm,  and  at  the  same 
ttmo  Mr.  »lohn  Wood  ntiivd.  Mr.  William  Wood  had  taken  a 
givat  udt^ivst  iu  m^Hlieal  works,  and  their  stort*  sivm  l>ei*ame  the 


1886  New  Publications.  477 

resort  of  the  noted  men  of  the  profession.  In  1836  Samuel  S.  and 
William  Wood  bought  out  their  father's  interest  and  carried  on 
the  business  with  increased  attention  to  medical  works.  In  1861 
Mr.  Samuel  Wood  died,  and  two  years  later  Mr.  William  Wood  ad- 
mitted his  son,  William  H.  S.  Wood,  as  a  partner,  and  the  firm  be- 
came William  Wood  &  Co.  In  1868  Mr.  William  Wood  retired  and 
Mr.  Alfred  S.  Griffiths,  and  Mr.  Isaac  F.  Wood,  another  grandson 
of  the  founder  of  the  house,  became  members  of  the  firm.  Three 
years  later  the  interest  of  the  latter  was  bought  out  by  his  part- 
ners, who  continued  the  business  until  1884,  when  Mr.  William  H. 
S.  Wood  became  the  sole  proprietor,  retaining  the  old  name  of 
William  Wood  &  Co.  In  1871  the  medical  department  of  the  busi- 
ness had  become  so  large  that  the  firm  decided  to  relinquish  their 
wholesale  trade  in  miscellaneous  books  and  confine  themselves  to 
the  publication  and  sale  of  medical  books. 


A   LABORATORY   GUIDE   IN  URINALYSIS  AND  TOXICOLOGY.    By  R.  A. 
Witthaus,  M.  D.,  New  York,  William  Wood  &  Co. 

This  volume  of  seventy-five  pages  is  a  practical  hand-book  for 
the  office  or  the  laboratory,  and  we  cannot  give  a  better  idea  of  its 
practicality,  than  by  quoting  in  full  its 

GENERAL  RULES  FOR  WORKING: 

1.  There  is  a  place  for  everything,  into  which  it  must  be  put  imr 
mediately  after  use. 

2.  The  reagent  bottles  must  be  kept  upon  the  shelves  in  the 
order  of  their  numbers,  and  with  the  labels  outward. 

3.  In  replenishing  reagent  bottles  from  stock,  fill  them  only  half 
full. 

4.  If  the  reagent  in  any  bottle  becomes  cloudy,  filter  it. 

5.  Do  not  lay  the  stopper  of  the  bottle  upon  the  table.  Remove 
it  from  the  bottle  by  grasping  it  between  the  little  and  ring  fingers 
of  the  left  hand,  and  hold  it  there,  pointing  outward  from  the  back 
of  the  hand,  until  replaced  in  the  bottle. 

G.  In  liciuid  tests,  use  about  two  per  cent,  of  the  liquid  to  be 
tested  in  a  test-tube;  not  more  unless  so  directed. 

7.  Add  the  reagent  in  small  quantity  at  first,  and  stop  when  the 
desired  end  is  attained. 

8.  Prevent  the  last  drop  adhering  to  the  lip  of  the  bottle  from 
flowing  down  its  side,  by  catching  it  upon  the  stopper  or  upon  the 
clean  lip  of  the  test-tube. 

9.  A  separate  portion  of  the  original  substance  or  liquid  is  to  be 
used  for  each  test,  except  when  otherwise  directed. 

10.  Before  trying  a  reaction,  read  the  description  through,  and 
then  follow  the  directions  literally.  STiould  tJie  result  not  be  that 
desci'ibedf  ask  for  an  explanation, 

11.  Let  each  piece  of  apparatus  be  clean  before  being  put  into 
its  place,  and  let  everything  be  in  its  place  before  you  leave. 


478  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  STOMACH  AND  INTESTINES.  A  manual  of  clinical 
therapeutics  for  the  student  and  practitioner.  By  Dujardin-Beaumetz,  trans- 
lated from  the  fourth  French  edition  by  E.  P.  Hurd,  M.  D.  Illustrated.  New 
York:    William  Wood  &  Co.,  1886. 

The  entire  work  of  Clinical  Therapeutics  of  which  the  present  is 
the  first  volume,  has  gone  through  four  editions  in  France,  and 
has  been  translated  into  Italian,  Spanish,  and  Russian.  The  pres- 
ent work  intended  for  the  American  profession,  is  from  the  fourth 
revised  French  edition  which  appeared  in  1885,  "  somewhat 
abridged  "  as  the  translator  says  "  to  bring  it  within  the  space  pre- 
scribed by  the  publisher."  The  work  consists  of  twenty-five  lec- 
tures condensed  into  390  pages,  and  treats  of  the  various  diseases  of 
the  digestive  tract.  Lecture  VI  on  Lavage  and  Gavage  of  the 
stomach,  with  the  apparatus  to  be  used,  and  the  entire  process  of 
feeding  by  this  method,  is  particularly  interesting  and  alone  worth 
the  cost  of  the  entire  volume.  The  differential  diagnosis  of  the 
various  affections  is  cleair,  able,  and  will  be  referred  to  with  ad- 
vantage by  the  busy  practitioner,  when  a  careful  comparison  is  re- 
quired to  be  made. 


DISEASES  OF  DIGESTION,  URINARY.  AND  GENERATIVE  ORGANS.  Illus- 
trated by  one  hundred  and  six  flne  wood  engravings.  Being  Volume  II, 
of  the  Hand-boolc  of  Practical  Medicine.  By  Dr.  Hermann  pichhorst  Profes- 
sor of  Special  Pathology  and  Therapeutics  and  Director  of  the  University 
Medical  Clinic  in  Zurich.  This  is  Vol.  VI.  of  Wood's  library  for  1886.  New 
Yorlc:  William  Wood  &  Co. 

This  volume  of  Eichhorst  is  a  companion  of  Vol.  I,  Hand-Book 
of  Practical  Medicine.  Wood's  library  of  standard  authors  for  1886. 
The  diseases  of  the  intestinal  tract  are  well  illustrated.  The  chap- 
ter on  Helminthiasis  is  especially  valuable.  The  illustrations  and 
description  of  the  various  animal  parasites  of  the  intestines  are  so 
well  given,  that  no  practitioner  can  well  afford  to  be  without  it. 
The  author  has  no  apologies  to  make.  What  he  has  to  say  is  said 
in  a  clear  and  concise  style,  which,  taken  all  in  all.  forms  one  of  the 
most  attractive  volumes  of  this  attractive  series. 


ELECTROLYSIS,  its  Theoretical  Consideration  and  its  Therapeutical  and  Surgi- 
cal Applications.  By  Robert  Amory,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  Member  of  the  Massachu- 
setts Medical  Society,  etc.,  etc.  Octavo,  3U  pages.  Illustrated  by  nearly  one 
hundred  flne  wood  engravings.  Supplied  only  to  subscribers  for  "Wood's 
Library  of  Standard  Medical  Authors,"  for  1836  U2  vols.,  price,  $15.00),  of  which 
this  is  Vol.  Vin.    New  Yorlc:  William  Wood  &  Co. 

The  author  says  in  his  preface  **  It  is  diflicult  to  understand  the 
action  of  electricity  in  biological  and  physiological  relations  with- 
out first  properly  understanding  the  principles  of  chemistry  and 
physics,  which  control  the  manifestations  of  this  physical  force. 
Neither  can  we  expect  to  grasp  the  great  truths  which  underlie 
the  action  of  electricity  upon  living  tissues,  unless  a  comprehen- 
sive view  be  presented  of  the  laws  which  affect  the  construction 
and  destruction  of  these  living  tissues."   Here  is  a  subject  of  which 


1886  New  Publications.  479 

the  general  practitioner  requires  more  than  a  smattering  knowl- 
edge. If  he  does  not  thoroughly  understand  the  use  of  the  various 
forms  of  electrical  currents,  different  kinds  of  batteries,  the  num- 
ber of  cells  required,  the  strength  of  the  current,  etc.,  etc.,  he  had 
better  relinquish  his  patient  to  an  expert,  or  purchase  Wood's 
Library  for  1886,  and  master  this  difficult  subject.  The  treatment 
of  exophthalmic  goitre  by  electrolysis  and  the  number  of  cases  re- 
ported in  this  chapter  is  worthy  a  careful  perusal.  Whether  cures 
affected  in  this  way  will  be  permanent  and  the  patient  not  suffer 
deteriorated  health  in  other  particulars  is  a  question  which  has 
not  yet  been  decided. 


RHEUMATISM:  ITS  NATURE.  ITS  PATHOLOGY,  AND  ITS  SUCCESSFUL 
TREATMENT.  By  T,  J.  Maclagan,  M.  D.  Octavo,  285  pp.  Illustrated.  Sup- 
plied only  to  subscribers  for  "Wood's  Library  of  Standard  Medical  Authors," 
for  1886,  of  which  this  is  Vol.  IX.    New  York:  William  Wood  &  Co. 

The  author  who  undertakes  to  treat  rheumatism  in  all  its  pro- 
tean aspects,  as  met  with  in  this  country,  has  no  trifling  task  be- 
fore him.  In  this  volume  the  contents  briefly  express  the  general 
scope  of  the  work,  the  principal  points  of  which  are  rheumatism, 
its  varieties  and  symptoms;  duration  and  seat  of  rheumatism;  lac- 
tic acid  theory;  the  miasmatic  theory;  the  nature  of  malaria;  its 
mode  of  action,  etc.,  are  some  of  the  questions  which  the  author 
discusses.  In  the  discussion  of  all  these  subjects,  the  latest  patho- 
logical theories  are  lucidly  given,  and  will  be  found  interesting  and 
instructive;  but  when  he  approaches  the  subject  of  therapeutics, 
like  many  of  his  cotemporaries,  he  is  apparently  lost.  After  enu- 
merating a  large  number  of  remedies  such  as  Colchicum,  Aconite, 
Quinine,  (Juaiacum.  Lemon  Juice,  Sulphur,  Mercury,  etc.,  the  au- 
thor says:  "Of  all  these  different  remedies,  not  one  stands  out 
prominently,  as  that  to  which  we  can  with  confidence  look  for 
good  results.  We  have  needed  new  remedies  for  acute  rheuma- 
tism—a malady  which  not  unfrequently  proves  fatal,  which  is  al- 
ways accompanied  by  great  pain,  and  is  a  fruitful  source  of  heart 
disease.  Under  these  circumstances  I  need  make  no  apology  for 
bringing  under  the  notice  of  the  profession  a  remedy  which,  so  far 
as  my  observations  have  gone,  has  given  better  results  than  any 
which  I  have  hitherto  tried — and  I  have  tried  all  the  usual  reme- 
dies over  and  over  again.*'  The  new  remedy  which  the  author  in- 
troduces, Salicin,  is  given  evidently  on  the  miasmatic  theory  of 
rheumatism  and  differs  in  no  particular,  so  far  as  we  can  see,  from 
every  remedy  which  has  preceded  it,  and  which  the  author  says 
he  has  tried  in  vain.  Salicin,  like  every  other  remedy  prescribed 
for  rheumatism,  will  meet  the  same  fate  as  its  predecessors,  not 
because  it  may  not  cure  some  cases,  but  because  it  is  prescribed  for 
the  disease  instead  of  the  patient. 


480  The  Medical  Advance,  Nov. 

THE  GENUINE  WORKS  OF  HIPPOCRATES.  Translated  from  the  Greek, 
with  a  Preliminary  Discourse  and  Annotations.  By  Francis  Adams,  LL.  D., 
Surgeon.  Volume  II.  Being  Vol.  VII.  of  Wood's  library  for  1886.  New  York : 
William  Wood  &  CJo.   Pp.363.    Octavo. 

This  volume  contains  his  writings  on  "  Surgery,"  **  Fractures," 
"Articulations,"  "Mochlicus,"  "Aphorisms,"  "The  Law,"  "The 
Oath."  "  Ulcers,"  "  Fistulas,"  "  Haemorrhoids,"  "  The  Sacred  Dis- 
ease." 

The  "Aphorisms  "  (of  90  pagos)  is  perhaps  the  most  celebrated 
work  on  ancient  medicine  which  has  ever  appeared.  It  has  been 
translated  into  nearly  every  language  on  earth:  Arabic,  Hebrew, 
Latin,.  English,  French,  German,  Italian,  and  Dutch ;  "  has  been 
commented  upon  from  the  earliest  time  to  the  present  day  *  * 
and  has  been  published  so  frequently,  and  in  so  many  different 
forms,  that  the  titles  alone  of  the  various  editions  occupy  ten  pages 
in  the  edition  of  the  Litr6,  and  still  more  in  that  of  Kiihn."  It 
certainly  contains  many  practical  notes,  especially  on  hygeine, 
which  we  would  do  well  to  heed,  even  in  this  modem  age  of  pro- 
gress. 


PRACTICAL  CLINICAL  LESSONS  ON  SYPHILIS  AND  THE  GENTTO-URIN- 
ARY  DISEASES.  By  F.  N.  Otis,  M.  D..  Clinical  Professor  of  Genlto-Urinary 
Diseases  in  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons.  New  York.  New  York: 
Printed  for  the  author  by  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons.    Octavo.    Pp.  684. 

The  author  says  in  the  preface  on  the  new  pathology  of  syphilis: 
"  I  had  been  unable  to  accept  the  statements  of  all  authorities,  that 
it  was  a  mysterious,  instantaneous,  poisoning  of  the  organism,  in 
defiance  of  all  known  physiological  and  pathological  laws.  *  * 
That  an  explanation  of  all  the  lesions  and  manifestations  of  syph- 
ilis was  possible,  through  known  physiological  and  pathological 
processes."  In  this  demonstration  we  tliink  the  author  has  suc- 
ceded.  He  has  at  least  taken  this  hitherto  hydra-headed  affection 
out  of  the  list  of  the  mysterious  and  placed  it  on  a  pathological 
basis  where  it  can  securely  rest,  viz.:  through  and  by  the  lym- 
phatic system.  This  theory  is  consistent,  intelligible,  and  presents 
very  few  radical  inconsistences.  Taken  all  in  all  it  is  the  best  con- 
tribution to  the  pathology  and  treatment  of  this  affection  which 
has  yet  appeared  in  the  dominant  school.  In  a  new  edition  prom- 
ised this  or  next  year  the  author  proposes  to  add  new  chapters  on 
Hereditary  and  Infantile  Syphilis  and  Reflex  Irritations. 


DOGS  IN  HEALTH  AND  DISEASE.     By  John  S.  IIurndall,  M.  R.  C.  V.  S. 
London:  E.  Oould  &  Son.    1886. 

This  is  a  practical  application  of  the  law  of  the  similars  to  the 
treatment  of  the  diseases  of  the  dog,  and  every  lover  of  the  canine 
species  will  thank  the  author  for  his  admirable  little  treatise.  We 
confess  we  do  not  like  the  "  cast-iron  "  rule  which  the  author  rec- 
ommends in  the  potencies— from  the  tincture  to  the  3x.    It  would 


1886  JTew  Publications.  481 

have  been  more  liberal  to  allow  every  man  to  use  the  potency  his 
experience  confirms.  For  many  years  we  have  used  the  30  and  200 
in  treating  both  tbe  horse  and  the  dog,  with  entire  satisfaction. 
The  chief  difficulty  we  have  met  ia  in  Belectiny  the  remedy,  having; 
to  depend  entirely  upon  objective  symptoms. 


THE  TEST  AT  THE  BEDSIDE.  OE,  HOMtEOPATBY  IN  THB  BALANCE.    Bj 
Fembertaii  Dudler.  M.  D..  ?blladelplila. 

"  The  Test  at  the  Bedside  "  ia  one  of  the  beat  Homceopathic  cam- 
paign documents.  It  was  prepared  as  a  pioneer  or  missionary  ad- 
dress, and  delivered  by  special  re<iuest  before  the  Southern  Homceo- 
pathic Medical  Association  at  its  second  annual  meeting  In  New 
Orleans,  in  March,  138(1,  and  ia  published  by  The  Southern  Journal 
of  Homeopathy,  in  a  neat  little  pamphlet,  just  large  enough  ti 
transmitted  through  the  mail  in  a  M^o.  6^  envelope.  It  will  win 
converts  for  Homoeopathy  wherever  circulated. 

THE  LOHB  i>KIZB  ESSAYS.    Published  by  the  Amerlctui  Public  Health  A 
ciatlon,  18M.    Irving  A.  W»taan,  M.  D..  Secretary,  Couconl,  N.  H.    H«at  pMt- 
iHtidtorei.oo. 

I.  Healthy  Homes  and  Food  for  the  Working  Classes.  By  Vic- 
tor C.  Vaughan,  M.  D.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

II.  The  Simitary  Conditions  and  Necessities  of  School-Houses 
imd  School-Life.    By  D.  F.  Lincoln,  M.  D.,  Boston,  Mass. 

III.  Disinfection  and  Individual  Prophylaxis  against  Diseases. 
By  George  M.  Sternberg,  M.  D..  Surgeon  U,  8.  A. 

IV.  The  Preventable  Causes  of  Disease,  Injury,  and  Death  in 
American  Manufactories  and  Worlishops,  and  the  Best  Means  and 
Appliances  for  Preventing  and  Avoiding  them.  By  George  H, 
Ireland,  SpringQ eld   Mass. 

The  above  constitutes  a  volume  of  about  200  octavo  pages, 
thoroughly  indeieed,  printed  upon  heavy  paper  and  bound  in  brown 
cloth  with  gold  and  black  Dnish.  making  a  handsome  volume. 

These  worhs  won  the  prizes  offered  by  Mr.  Henry  Lomb,of 
Rochester,  N.  V.,  through  the  American  Public  Health  Associa- 
tion, and  cost  nearly  tioo  thousand  dollars.  They  are  written  in 
language  largely  devoid  of  technical  terms,  and  may  be  compre- 
bended  by  any  person  or  family.  It  is  designed  to  distribute  these 
as  extensively  us  possible  among  the  American  people,  and  to  thia 
end  the  price  has  been  placed  upon  the  basis  of  the  aont  of  a  large 
edition. 

contents: 

Part  I.    Building  a  Home.— Location;  the  cellar;  the  walls;   [ 
the  floors;  arrangement  of  rooms;  the  windows;  heating  and  ven- 
tilation; water  supply;  the  disposal  of  waste;  the  surroundings: 
the  care  of  the  home;  buying  or  rentingahouse;  tenement  houses. 

Pabt  II.    Healthy  Foods.— Foods  and  food  atuffs;  the  nutri- 
tive value  of  foods;  the  economic  value  of  foods. 
JB* 


472  The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

tion,  ridicule,  sarcasm,  or  reproach,  from  whatever  of  igno- 
rance or  prejudice;  if  a  fiction,  it  is  equally  beyond  the 
power  of  advocates  to  give  it  life  or  influence  beyond  that 
which  attaches  to  dead  thoughts,  which  have  perished  for 
lack  of  truth."  

Case  fok  Counsel. — Editor  Advance:  Dr.  Beckwith's 
case  on  page  339  interests  me  a  great  deal.  He  has 
described  it  very  accurately,  and,  by  his  earnestly  ex- 
pressed wish  for  advice,  I  am  led  to  offer  a  few  suggestions 
from  my  experience  in  similar  cases. 

Diagnosis, — Chronic  Bright's  disease,  with  secondary 
cardiac  dilatation  and  probable  emphysematous  patches  in 
lungs. 

Treatment. — Merc,  corr.,  6x  trit.,  a  powder  every  three 
hours,  will  be  found  to  cover  the  totality  of  the  case.  If 
ursemic  symptoms  are  exhibited,  such  hydragogue  cathar- 
tics as  cream  of  tartar,  at  once;  otherwise  continue  with 
the  simillimum,  Merc.  corr. 

Dietetic.  —  Buttermilk,  two  quarts  daily,  strong  meat 
broths,  roast  beef,  Murdock's  liquid  food  and  milk  in  mod- 
eration, with  soft  boiled  eggs.  Avoid  butter,  potatoes, 
bread  (if  possible),  starchy  foods,  sugar  and  sweetmeats, 
the  latter  at  all  hazards. 

Prognosis. — Death  early  in  1887. 

The  latter  prediction  does  not  prevent  the  doctor  from 
doing  his  whole  duty  by  his  patient,  thus  giving  him  the 
benefit  of  every  doubt. 

Should  allow  the  gentleman  to  smoke  one  or  two  cigars 
daily,  but  should  certainly  take  away  the  brandy,  substi- 
tuting for  that  exciting  cause  of  his  illness,  some  light 

wine  in  small  quantities.  M.  H.  Parmelee,  M.  D. 

Toledo,  O. 

Editor  Advance:  In  reply  to  Dr.  LilienthaFs  question 
as  to  the  remedy  for  the  case  of  neurosis,  p.  257-9  of  the 
September  issue  of  the  Advance:  the  nearest  to  the  pecu- 
liar conditions  that  I  know  of  is  Euphorbium — "violent 
sprained  and  lame  pain  in  left  side  of  pelvis,  extending  to 
thigh,  on  stretching  the  limb  after  sitting." 

E.  W.  Berridge,  M.  D. 


AN  ADVOCATE  OF 

HOMOEOPATHIC  MEDICINE. 

H.  C.  ALIiEN,  M.  D.,  Editor  and  Pablisher. 

Vol.  XVII.    Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  November,  1886.  No.  5. 


The  Editor  is  not  responsible  for  the  opinions  of  contributors.  Personalities, 
being  foreign  to  scientific  discussion,  must  be  excluded. 

To  accommodate  both  reader  and  publisher  this  Journal  will  be  sent  until 
arrears  are  paid  and  it  is  ordered  discontinued. 

The  date  to  which  subscriptions  are  paid  will  be  found  on  the  address. 


EDITORIAL. 


HoMCEOPATHY  AND  PROGRESS. — The  Medical  Record^ 
(allopathic),  of  New  York,  is  in  general  a  very  honorable 
journal.  It  exhibits  usually,  a  fair-mindedness,  quite  supe- 
rior to  many  of  the  journals  of  that  school.  But,  unfortu- 
nately, the  Record  has  its  lapses.  The  chief  source  of  its 
trouble,  generally  lies  in  the  doings  of  the  homoeopathic 
school  of  medicine.  If  the  members  of  that  school  will 
only  keep  still  and  do  nothing,  or  say  but  little,  the  Record 
is  very  complaisant  and  even  patronizing  toward  the  "  silli- 
ness of  attenuations."  But  let  the  Homoeopaths  get  togeth- 
er and  do  something  worthy  of  their  name,  and  fitting 
their  opportunity,  and  the  gall  of  this  allopathic  journal  is 
stirred  to  its  lowest  depths. 

In  a  late  number,  (Oct.  2),  it  sets  forth  its  grievances  in 
an  editorial,  entitled  "  The  Progress  of  Homoeopathy."  It 
graciously  informs  its  readers,  that  "The  Homoeopaths  have 
been  holding  an  International  Congress  at  Basle,  Switzer- 
land." So  far,  good;  for  this  is  the  only  method  by  which 
many  of  the  readers  of  the  Record  are  likely  to  learn  this 
fact.  All  they  know  about  Homoeopathy  in  general  or  par- 
ticular, is  such  occasional  and  often  distorted  glimpses  as 
are  to  be  found  in  this  journal. 

Following  this    announcement,  the  Record  sneeringly 


Tfie  Medical  Advance. 


Nov. 


I 


» 


whether  he  would  have  vital  force  enough  to  rally  from 
the  shook  of  reform.  I  doubt  if  the  one  cigar  after  break- 
fast could  ever  be  dispensed  with.  I  think  the  brandy  and 
all  other  stimolauts  might  be.  Narcotics,  according  to  my 
experience,  become  woven  more  inveterately  into  tlie  organ- 
ism than  alcoholics  ever  do.  I  think  the  old  man's  only 
chance  for  any  degree  of  continued  comfort,  or  much  more 
life  of  any  sort,  depends  upon  leaving  them  off  and  ujwd  a 
^ain  diet  in  general. 

The  Oboanon. — Another  noteworthy  article  in  the  same 
rich  number  of  the  Advance  is  your  editorial  on  "The 
Teaching  of  the  Organon."  No  doubt  our  physicians  and 
college  profesBors  know  too  little  about  the  philosophy  of 
this  book.  Every  person  in  this  free  country  and  rapidly 
advancing  age  should  be  at  liberty  to  reject,  or  at  least  not 
adopt,  anything  he  cannot  see  to  be  true.  But  we  should 
be  thankful  for  what  any  man  can  help  us  to  see.  And  a 
book  that  summarises  the  life  work  of  him  who  founded 
our  system  ought  surely  to  be  carefully  studied  by  ctll  who 
profess  to  practice  the  system.  And  no  less  certainly 
should  it  be  explained  to  medical  students.  I  am  myself  not 
much  inclined,  as  is  somewhat  known,  to  follow  the  dictum 
of  any  man  as  authority,  even  of  Hahnemann;  but  there 
is  ?(o  work  on  medicine  thai  makes  vte  think  so  much,  and 
leads  me  to  so  much  iitsight,  as  the  Organon.  Things  that 
seemed  preposterous  at  first,  appear  gradually  to  unfold 
themselves  and  after  a  while  show  their  deep  foundation 
in  real  ftict.  For  instance,  we  ridicule  each  other  aboni 
high  potencies  as  "moonshine,"  or  low  potencies  as  "flesh  j 
pots"  of  the  old  shool;  or  we  acorn  the  fixed  number  ot'-J 
"shakes"  of  Hahnemann,  but  the  grand  truth  at  the  bot- 
tom of  it  all  is  the  principle  that  attenuation  or  potentizB- 
Uon  of  drugs  is  a  great  discovery — second  only  to  the  law 
of  cure — ^in  its  far-reaching  importance. 

Many  of  us  have  repudiated  the  "psora"  theory  and  \ 
supposed  that  when  the  itch  insect  was  discovered  it  i 
all  over  with  it.  But  the  more  we  look  around,  reflect  and  i 
investigate,  the  greater  is  our  inclination  to  receive  it  as  i 
true.     Call  it  dyscrasia  and  all  is  right. 


1886  Whose  Fault  Isltf  465 

The  idea  of  "  key-notes  "  has  appeared  to  contradict  the 
central  idea  of  "  totalities,"  and  as  applied  to-day,  no  doubt, 
is  often  true.  But  the  "  key-notes  "  of  the  Organon,  although 
not  called  by  this  name,  are  rational  and  instructive.  We 
read  ( §  153 )  "  that  the  more  prominent,  uncommon,  peculiar 
features  of  the  case  are  especially  and  almost  exclusively 
considered  and  noted,"  And  (§  212)  that  "the  effect  upon 
the  state  of  the  mind  and  disposition  are  the  principal 
features  of  all  diseases;"  so  (§  220)  "we  may  proceed  to  find 
a  remedy  of  great  similarity,  especially  with  regard  to  the 
mental  disturbance  which  it  has  the  power  to  produce." 
Such,  and  not  the  little,  unimportant  points  that  some  of 
our  doctors  bring  forward,  are  the  real  Hahnemannian 
"key-notes,"  and  these  commend  themselves  to  our  ration- 
ality. Indeed  the  principles  of  the  Organon,  when  deeply 
studied,  shine  forth  as  great  originals,  full  of  truth  and 
blessing.  Let  them  be  taught,  and  let  our  students  see 
and  know  at  heart  what  they  are.  I  do  not  say  there  are 
no  errors,  no  false  philosophy,  in  the  book,  but  I  am  sure 
that  no  other  work  on  medicine  is  equal  to  it — as  a  text 
book. 

Why,  therefore,  can  we  not  have  a  few  fundamental  lec- 
tures— a  half  dozen  or  so — on  the  philosophy  of  Homoeop- 
athy as  taught  by  the  Organon,  prepared  by  some  experi- 
enced and  capable  speaker,  and  delivered  in  the  medical 
course  of  our  colleges?  The  same  man,  thoroughly 
equipped  in  this  way,  might  go  to  several  institutions  in 
the  same  season.     Will  our  college  faculties  think  of  it? 

L.  Barnes,  M.  D., 
Delaware,  O. 


tm 


WHOSE  FAULT  IS  IT? 


This  question  is  often  asked,  but  under  very  different 
circumstances.  When  a  train  is  wrecked  the  question  is 
echoed;  or  when  any  deplorable  condition  is  recognized 
which  demands  reformation,  the  natural  inclination  is  to 
look  for  the  cause.  Physicians,  above  all  others,  are  sup- 
posed to  "remove  the  cause,"  but  there  is  an  inborn  desire 
to  shift  personal  responsibility. 

D* 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Kov. 


NEW  PUBLICATIONS. 


it  from  us.  Will  the  Record  tell  its  readers  all 
about  this  bare-faoed  robbery,  and  then  ask  them  why 
HomcBopathy  does  not  grow  more  rapidly?  "It  would 
take  a  brave  heart,"  says  this  editor,   "  to  find  encourage- 

Imeut  in  tlie  various  reports  presented."  Yes,  sir;  for  once 
you  are  right.  A  coward  may  well  find  hia  home  where 
numbers  and  noise  will  protect  and  hide  him,  but  it  takes  a 
brave  heart  to  be  a  true  Homceopath  even  to-day.  None 
other  need  apply.  T.  P.  W. 

^LMUTU'8  SYSTEM  OF  SURGEEY,  Fifth  edition,  eiilttrgea.  raarnUiKCd.  re- 
vised, many  parti  rewrltteo.  and  muuh  naw  matlJir  added.  Is  aiinaniioed  by 
tile  Uahnemuin  E>ubllslliuK  House  for  Noveinbor. 
Dr.  Uelmuth,  by  universal  consent,  occupies  the  front  rank  In 
the  Homceopathic  aehool  as  a  surgeon.  Ilia  experience  and  scien- 
tific attainments  nre  too  well  known  to  need  any  comments.  The 
author,  we  are  informed,  has  occupied  mnch  time  in  this  revision, 
and  the  reputation  of  the  publishers  is  a  guarantee  thai  no  paina 

twill  be  spared  to  make  the  voiiime  not  only  u  credit  but  an  hODor 
to  the  school.    The  arranfferaent  will  consist  of  the  following 
divisions: 
Part  I.— Minor  and  Preliminary  Surgery. 
Part  II.— <Jeneral  Surgery. 
Part  HI,— Surgery  of  Special  Eegions  and  Tissues. 
Part  III.— Original  Surgery  will  rantain  so  many  additions  a 
80  muuh  new  matter,  to  bring  the  volume  up  to  date,  that  thou 
who  Jiave  been  fortunate  enough  to  possess  a  copy  of  the  last  e" 
tion  will  scarcely  know  the  new  one.    We  shall  anxiouiily  a 

tits  appearance. 
WILLIAM  WOOD  *  CO.'S  I' I'D  LIGATIONS. 
We  clip  the  following  from  the  JVew  York  Mail:  The  firm  trf," 
William  Wood  &  Co.  is  one  of  the  oldest  in  America.  Mr.  Saiimd 
Wood,  the  grandfather  of  Mr.  William  H.  S.  Wood,  of  the  present 
firm,  was  the  founder  of  the  house  and  was  assoeiated  with  many 
of  the  philanthropic  enterprises  of  his  time  in  New  York.  ~~ 
began  the  hookselling  and  pultlishing  business  in  ISM.  In  1816  b 
I  associated  with  him  two  of  his  sons,  Samuel  S.  and  John,  and  ti 
a  became  Samuel  Wood  &  Sons.  Seven  years  later  another  » 
Mr.  Williatn  Wood,  was  admitted  to  the  firm,  and  at  tlie  sain 
time  Mr.  John  Wood  retired.  Mr.  William  Wood  had  taken  i 
great  interest  in  medical  works,  and  their  store  soon  became  Q 


1886  New  Publications.  477 

resort  of  the  noted  men  of  the  profession.  In  1836  Samuel  S.  and 
William  Wood  bought  out  their  father's  interest  and  carried  on 
the  business  with  increased  attention  to  medical  works.  In  1861 
Mr.  Samuel  Wood  died,  and  two  years  later  Mr.  William  Wood  ad- 
mitted his  son,  William  H.  S.  Wood,  as  a  partner,  and  the  firm  be- 
came William  Wood  &  Co.  In  1868  Mr.  William  Wood  retired  and 
Mr.  Alfred  S.  Griflaths,  and  Mr.  Isaac  F.  Wood,  another  grandson 
of  the  founder  of  the  house,  became  members  of  the  firm.  Three 
years  later  the  interest  of  the  latter  was  bought  out  by  his  part- 
ners, who  continued  the  business  until  1884,  when  Mr.  William  H. 
S.  Wood  became  the  sole  proprietor,  retaining  the  old  name  of 
William  Wood  &  Co.  In  1871  the  medical  department  of  the  busi- 
ness had  become  so  large  that  the  firm  decided  to  relinquish  their 
wholesale  trade  in  miscellaneous  books  and  confine  themselves  to 
the  publication  and  sale  of  medical  books. 


A   LABORATORY   GUIDE   IN  URINALYSIS  AND  TOXICOLOGY.    By  R.  A. 
Witthaus,  M.  D.,  New  York,  WUliarn  Wood  &  Co. 

This  volume  of  seventy-five  pages  is  a  practical  hand-book  for 

the  office  or  the  laboratory,  and  we  cannot  give  a  better  idea  of  its 

practicality,  than  by  quoting  in  full  its 

GENERAL  RULES  FOR  WORKING! 

1.  There  is  a  place  for  everything,  into  which  it  must  be  put  im- 
mediately after  use. 

2.  The  reagent  bottles  must  be  kept  upon  the  shelves  in  the 
order  of  their  numbers,  and  with  the  labels  outward. 

3.  In  replenishing  reagent  bottles  from  stock,  fill  them  only  half 
full. 

4.  If  the  reagent  in  any  bottle  becomes  cloudy,  filter  it. 

5.  Bo  not  lay  the  stopper  of  the  bottle  upon  ths  table.  Remove 
it  from  the  bottle  by  grasping  it  between  the  little  and  ring  fingers 
of  the  left  hand,  and  hold  it  there,  pointing  outward  from  the  back 
of  the  hand,  until  replaced  in  the  bottle. 

6.  In  liquid  tests,  use  about  two  per  cent,  of  the  liquid  to  be 
tested  in  a  test-tube;  not  more  unless  so  directed. 

7.  Add  the  reagent  in  small  quantity  at  first,  and  stop  when  the 
desired  end  is  attained. 

8.  Prevent  the  last  drop  adhering  to  the  lip  of  the  bottle  from 
fiowing  down  its  side,  by  catching  it  upon  the  stopper  or  upon  the 
clean  lip  of  the  test-tube. 

9.  A  separate  portion  of  the  original  substance  or  liquid  is  to  be 
used  for  each  test,  except  when  otherwise  directed. 

10.  Before  trying  a  reaction,  read  the  description  through,  and 
then  follow  the  directions  literally.  Should  tlie  result  not  be  that 
desciHbed,  ask  for  an  explanation, 

11.  Let  each  piece  of  apparatus  be  clean  before  being  put  into 
its  place,  and  let  everything  be  in  its  place  before  you  leave. 


I 

I 

J 

I 


The  Medical  Advance.  Nov. 

DISEASES  OF  THE  BTOMA.0R  AND  INTESTINES.  A  ninnual  of  pllnloni 
theraiieuttus  [or  tbu  student  und  practitioner.  By  Oiijardin-Beuumetz,  traiu- 
iHlcd  trom  the  tourth  Frenub  edltlou  by  E.  P,  Hurd,  M.  D.  Illuatrated.  New 
York:    WUllam  Woud  &  Co..  1««l. 

The  entire  work  of  Clioical  Tberapeutica  of  which  the  present  ia 
the  first  volume,  has  gone  through  four  editions  in  France,  and 
has  been  translated  Into  Itulian,  Spanifih,  and  Uusaian.  The  prea- 
ent  work  intended  Tor  the  American  profession,  is  from  the  fourth 
revised  French  edition  which  appeared  in  1883,  "  somewhat 
abridged''  as  the  translator  aays  "to  bring  it  within  the  space  pre- 
scribed by  the  publishpr."  The  work  consists  of  twenty-Bve  lec- 
tures condensed  into  3D0  pages,  and  treatsof  the  various  diseases  of 
the  digestive  tract.  Lecture  VI  on  Lavaffe  and  Gavage  of  the 
stomach,  with  the  apparatus  to  be  used,  and  the  entire  process  of 
feeding  by  this  method,  ia  particularly  intereating  and  alone  worth 
tbe  cost  of  the  entire  volume.  The  differential  diagnosis  of  the 
various  affections  is  clear,  able,  and  will  be  referred  to  with  ad- 
vantage by  the  busy  practitioner,  when  a  careful  comparison  is  re- 
quired to  be  made. 

DIBBA3B8  OF  DIGBHTION.  UBINARY.  AND  OBNERATIVE  ORGANS.  lUai- 
truted  by  one  Jmudred  and  six  flue  wood  engravings.  Being  Volume  II, 
o[  the  Hand-book  of  Practicsl  Medicine.  By  Dr.  Hermann  plclihorst  Profes- 
sor of  Special  Paltioloity  and  Tberapeullcs  and  Director  of  the  [Inlversity 
Medicst  Oinic  Id  Zurlcli.  T1il«  Is  Tol.  VI.  ot  Wowl's  llbrarj  lor  188C  New 
York:  William  Wood  «i  Co. 

This  voitime  of  Eichhorst  is  a  companion  of  Vol.  I,  Hand-Book 
of  Practical  Medicine,  Wood's  library  of  standard  authors  for  1886. 
The  diseases  of  tbe  inteatinal  tract  are  well  illustrated.  Tbe  chap- 
ter on  HelminthiaaiB  is  eapeciall.v  valuable.  The  illustrations  and 
description  of  the  various  animal  parasites  of  the  intestines  are  so 
well  given,  that  no  practitioner  can  well  afford  to  be  without  it. 
The  author  has  no  apologies  to  make.  What  be  has  to  say  is  said 
In  a  clear  and  concise  style,  which,  taken  all  in  all,  forms  one  of  the 
most  attractive  volumes  of  thu)  attractive  series. 

BLEOTBOLYaiS,  He  Theoretical  Consideration  and  its  Therapeutical  and  Surgl- 
oal  Applications.  By  Robert  Amory,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  Uember  of  the  Massachn- 
SBtts  Medical  Society,  etc.,  etc  Octavo,  aw  pages.  lUuHtraitMl  by  nearly  one 
hnndrtKl  flne  wood  engravings.  Sujipliud  only  to  subscribers  lor  "Wood's 
Library  ol  Standard  Medical  Authora,"  lor  llU(til2  voU..  priue,  (is.oa),  ol  which 
this  Is  Vol.  Vm.    NewYork;  WlUlaroWoOdSCo. 

The  author  says  in  his  preface  "  It  is  dillleult  to  understand  the 
action  of  electricity  in  biological  and  physiological  relations  with- 
out first  properly  understanding  the  principles  of  chemistry  and 
physics,  which  control  the  manifea  tat  ions  of  this  physical  force. 
Neither  can  we  expect  to  graap  the  great  truths  which  underlie 
the  action  of  electricity  upon  living  tissues,  unless  a  comprehen- 
sive view  be  presented  of  the  laws  which  affect  the  construction 
and  destruction  of  these  living  tissues."   Here  is  aaubject  of  which 


1886  New  Publications.  479 

the  general  practitioner  requires  more  than  a  smattering  knowl- 
edge. If  he  does  not  thoroughly  understand  the  use  of  the  various 
forms  of  electrical  currents,  different  kinds  of  batteries,  the  num- 
ber of  cells  required,  the  strength  of  the  current,  etc.,  etc.,  he  had 
better  relinquish  his  patient  to  an  expert,  or  purchase  Wood's 
Library  for  1886,  and  master  this  diflacult  subject.  The  treatment 
of  exophthalmic  goitre  by  electrolysis  and  the  number  of  cases  re- 
ported in  this  chapter  is  worthy  a  careful  perusal.  Whether  cures 
affected  in  this  way  will  be  permanent  and  the  patient  not  suffer 
deteriorated  health  in  other  particulars  is  a  question  which  has 
not  yet  been  decided. 


EHEUMATISM:  ITS  NATURE,  ITS  PATHOLOGY,  AND  ITS  SUCCESSFUL 
TREATMENT.  By  T,  J.  MaclaRan,  M.  D.  Octavo,  285  pp.  Illustrated.  Sup- 
plied only  to  subscribers  for  "Wood's  Library  of  Standard  Medical  Authors," 
for  1886,  of  which  this  is  Vol.  IX.    New  York:  William  Wood  &  Co. 

The  author  who  undertakes  to  treat  rheumatism  in  all  its  pro- 
tean aspects,  as  met  with  in  this  country,  has  no  trifling  task  be- 
fore him.  In  this  volume  the  contents  briefly  express  the  general 
scope  of  the  work,  the  principal  points  of  which  are  rheumatism, 
its  varieties  and  symptoms;  duration  and  seat  of  rheumatism;  lac- 
tic acid  theory;  the  miasmatic  theory;  the  nature  of  malaria;  its 
mode  of  action,  etc.,  are  some  of  the  questions  which  the  author 
discusses.  In  the  discussion  of  alJ  these  subjects,  the  latest  patho- 
logical theories  are  lucidly  given,  and  will  be  found  interesting  and 
instructive;  but  when  he  approaches  the  subject  of  therapeutics, 
like  many  of  his  cotemporaries,  he  is  apparently  lost.  After  enu- 
merating a  large  number  of  remedies  such  as  Colchicum,  Aconite, 
Quinine,  Guaiacum.  Lemon  Juice,  Sulphur,  Mercury,  etc.,  the  au- 
thor says:  *'0f  all  these  different  remedies,  not  one  stands  out 
prominently,  as  that  to  which  we  can  with  confidence  look  for 
good  results.  We  have  needed  new  remedies  for  acute  rheuma- 
tism—a malady  which  not  unfrequently  proves  fatal,  which  is  al- 
ways accompanied  by  great  pain,  and  is  a  fruitful  source  of  heart 
disease.  Under  these  circumstances  I  need  make  no  apology  for 
bringing  under  the  notice  of  the  profession  a  remedy  which,  so  far 
as  my  observations  have  gone,  has  given  better  results  than  any 
which  I  have  hitherto  tried — and  I  have  tried  all  the  usual  reme- 
dies over  and  over  again.*'  The  new  remedy  which  the  author  in- 
troduces, Salicin,  is  given  evidently  on  the  miasmatic  theory  of 
rheumatism  and  differs  in  no  particular,  so  far  as  we  can  see,  from 
every  remedy  which  has  preceded  it,  and  which  the  author  says 
he  has  tried  in  vain.  Salicin,  like  every  other  remedy  prescribed 
for  rheumatism,  will  meet  the  same  fate  as  its  predecessors,  not 
because  it  may  not  cure  some  cases,  but  because  it  is  prescribed  for 
the  disease  instead  of  the  patient. 


The  Medical  Advance.  Not. 

THE  UENULSE  W0KK8  OP  HlFPOCltATES.  Translated  from  tbe  Greek, 
with  a  Prelimliutry  Discourse  and  Anaotntians.  B;  Fraacis  Adaiua,  LL.  D,, 
Surgeon.  Volume IL  Being  Vol.VH.ot  Wood's IHiniryCoriSsa.  Now  York: 
WlUlain  Wood  &  Co,   Pp.  aea.   Octavo, 

This  volume  contains  his  writings  on  "Surgery,"  "Fractures," 
f " Articulations,"  "Mochlieua,"  "Aphorisms,"  "The  Law,"  "The 
J  Oath,"  "Ulcers,"  "Fistulas,"  "  Hiemorrhoids,"  "The  Sacred  Dia- 
sase." 

The  "Aphorisms"  (of  OUpagfa)  is  perhaps  the  moat  celebrated 
work  on  ancient  medicine  which  has  ever  appeared.  It  has  been 
translated  into  nearly  every  language  on  earth:  Arabic,  Uebrew, 
Xiatin,  English,  French.  German,  Italian,  and  Dutch;  "has  been 
commented  upon  fcom  the  eiirlieat  time  to  the  present  day  •  * 
and  has  been  published  so  frequently,  and  in  so  many  different 
forms,  that  the  titles  alone  of  the  various  edltious  occupy  ten  pages 
in  the  edition  of  the  Litri*,  and  still  more  in  that  of  Kfihn."  It 
certainly  contains  many  practical  notes,  especially  on  hygeine, 
which  we  would  do  well  to  heed,  eveu  in  this  modem  age  of  pro- 
gress. 

PHAOnCAL  CLINICAI.  LESSONH  ON  aVPHH-IS  AND  THE  GENirO-UKIN- 
ARY  DISEASES.    By  F.  N,  OK*.  M.  D,.  aiolcal  Protessor  ol  Oenlto-Crinarj 
DlsoasoB  in  the  CoIleBf  of  Physfulwis  and  anrueons.  New  ITork.    New  York: 
Printed  For  tbe  author  t)j:  G.  P.  Putnam's  Sons,   Octavo,    Fp,  SS4. 
The  author  says  in  the  preface  on  the  new  pathology  of  syphilis: 
"I  had  been  unable  to  accept  thestatementsof  all  authorities,  that 
[  It  was  a  mysterious,  instantaneous,  poisoning  of  the  organism,  in 
defiance  of  all  known  physiological  and  pathological  laws.    *    * 
That  an  explanation  of  all  the  lesions  and  manifeatationa  of  syph- 
ilis was  possible,  through  known  physiological  and  pathological 
processes."    lu  this  demonstration  we  think  tbe  author  has  auc- 
ceded.    He  has  at  least  taken  this  hitherto  hydra-headed  affection 
out  of  the  list  of  the  mysterious  and  placed  it  on  a  pathological 
basis  where  it  can  securely  rest,  viz.:  through  and  by  the  lym- 
phatic system.    This  theory  is  consistent,  intelligible,  and  presents 
I'very  few  radical  inconsistences.    Taken  all  in  all  it  is  the  best  eon- 
Mtribiition  to  the  pathology  and  treatment  of  this  affection  which 
^bas  yet  appeared  in  the  dominant  school.    In  a  new  edition  prom- 
I  'ised  this  or  next  year  the  author  proposes  to  add  new  chapters  on 
^'Hereditary  and  Infantile  ijyphilis  and  Iteilex  Irritations. 

V  John  8.  Hubmuali.,  M,  B.  0.  V.  S. 

This  is  a  practical  application  of  the  law  of  the  similars  to  tha 

^treatment  of  the  diseases  of  the  dog,  and  every  lover  of  the  canine 

species  will  thank  the  author  for  hLs  admirable  little  treatise.    We 

e  do  not  like  the  "  cast-iron  "  rule  which  the  author  reo- 

in  the  potencies— from  the  tincture  to  the  3s.    It  would 


1886  NeiD  PublieoHans.  4Sl 

have  been  more  liberal  to  allow  every  man  to  use  the  potency  his 
experience  confirms.  For  many  years  we  have  used  the  30  and  800 
in  treating  both  the  horse  and  the  dog,  with  entire  satisfaction. 
The  chief  difficulty  we  have  met  is  in  selecting  the  remedy,  having 
to  depend  entirely  upon  objective  symptoms. 

THE  TEST  AT  THE  BEDSIDE.  OB,  HOMOEOPATHY  IN  THE  BALANCE.    By 
Pemberton  Dudley,  M.  D.,  Pniladelphia. 

"  The  Test  at  the  Bedside  "  is  one  of  the  best  Homoeopathic  cam- 
paign documents.  It  was  prepared  as  a  pioneer  or  missionary  ad- 
dress, and  delivered  by  special  request  before  the  Southern  HomoBO- 
pathic  Medical  Association  at  its  second  annual  meeting  in  New 
Orleans,  in  March,  1886,  and  is  published  by  Tlie  SoutJiem  JoumaZ 
of  ffomcBopathy,  in  a  neat  little  pamphlet,  just  large  enough  to  be 
transmitted  through  the  mail  in  a  No.  6^4  envelope.  It  will  win 
converts  for  Homoeopathy  wherever  circulated. 


THE  LOMB  PRIZE  ESSATS.  Published  by  the  American. Public  Health  Asso- 
ciation, 1886.  iTYlng  A.  Watson,  M.  D.,  Secretary,  Concord,  N.  H.  Sent  post- 
paid for  f  1.00. 

I.  Healthy  Homes  and  Food  for  the  Working  Classes.  By  Vic- 
tor G.  Yaughan,  M.  D.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 

II.  The  Sanitary  Conditions  and  Necessities  of  School-Houses 
and  School-Life.    By  D.  F.  Lincoln,  M.  D.,  Boston,  Mass. 

III.  Disinfection  and  Individual  Prophylaxis  against  Diseases. 
By  George  M.  Sternberg,  M.  D.,  Surgeon  U,  S.  A. 

IV.  The  Preventable  Causes  of  Disease,  Injury,  and  Death  in 
American  Manufactories  and  Workshops,  and  the  Best  Means  and 
Appliances  for  Preventing  and  Avoiding  them.  By  (George  H. 
Ireland,  Springfield.  Mass. 

The  above  constitutes  a  volume  of  about  200  octavo  pages, 
thoroti^ghly  indexed,  printed  upon  heavy  paper  and  bound  in  brown 
cloth  with  gold  and  black  finish,  making  a  handsome  volume. 

These  works  won  the  prizes  offered  by  Mr.  Henry  Lomb,  of 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  through  the  American  Public  Health  Associa- 
tion, and  cost  nearly  two  thousand  dollars.  They  are  written  in 
language  largely  devoid  of  technical  terms,  and  may  be  compre- 
hended by  any  person  or  family.  It  is  designed  to  distribute  these 
as  extensively  as  possible  among  the  American  people,  and  to  this 

end  the  price  has  been  placed  upon  the  basis  of  the  cost  of  a  large 
edition. 

contents: 

Part  I.  Building  a  Home.— Location;  the  cellar;  the  walls; 
the  floors;  arrangement  of  rooms;  the  windows;  heating  and  ven- 
tilation; water  supply;  the  disposal  of  waste;  the  surroundings; 
the  care  of  the  home;  buying  or  renting  a  house;  tenement  houses. 

Part  II.  Healthy  Foods.— Foods  and  food  stufEs;  the  nutri- 
tive value  of  foods;  the  economic  value  of  foods. 


The  Medical  Advance. 

dnimoZ/twxis,-— general  properties;  methods  of  cooking  meat; 
milk;  butter;  cheese. 

Vegetable  foods; — cereals  aod  grains;  flour  and  meal;  bread; 
peas  and  beans;  potatoes;  other  vegetables;  starches;  sugars; 
traits;  nuta;  vegetable  oils;  condiments;  tea;  coffee;  chocolate. 

There  is  here  much  information  on  all  these  subjects,  which 
cannot  be  found  so  well  arranged  aod  thoroughly  dwciiased  in  any 
other  work. 

Dr.  Sternberg  was  awarded  8600  for  his  monograph  on  "  Disin- 
fection and  Individual  Prophylaxis  against  Infectious  Diseases," 
which  is  without  doubt  one  of  the  best  works  extant  upon  this 
subject.  The  author  is  already  well  known  for  his  scientillc  at- 
tainments, and  his  views  on  disinfection,  to  which  he  has  devoted 
much  time  and  thought,  are  exhaustively  presented.  It  no  doubt 
contaioB  the  latest  researches  in  sanitation  and  for  years  will  be 
the  authority  on  these  matters.  It  will  be  Invaluable,  in  fact  al- 
most indispensable,  in  the  Ubrary  of  every  physician.  When  called 
upon  for  a  scientific  opinion  on  sanitary  matters,  either  public  or 
private,  no  homceopathic  physician  should  be  found  wanting.  We 
can  greatly  advance  the  vital  question  of  public  health  by  not  only 
buying  this  small  work  ourselves,  but  by  recommending  it  for  gen- 
eral reading.  It  deserves  a  translation  into  German,  at  least,  that 
the  masses  of  the  people  maybe  able  to  profit  by  its  instruction. 

I       Annval  Addresses  Before  the  Massachusetts  Hom<k(K  1 
'  PATHic  Medical  Society,  etc..  etc— The  Brst  of  these  was  de-  J 
llvered  by  the  veteran,  Dr.  S.  SL  Gate  of  Salem,  in  1864,  ami  tbft 
second  by  Dr.  D.  B.  Whittier  of  Fitchburg,  in  1879.    Both  addresees 
cover  practically  the  same  field,  to- wit:  The  value  r^fotvecUee  sj/mp- 
toioiinthe  treatment  q^  disease  (Whittier,;  aai  Correct  obsej  nation 
in  tnedioine  (Gate).    It  is  well  known,  that  an  important  advuno4 
was  made  in  medical  science,  when  Hahnemann  taught  us  the  trufl  I 
value  of  subjective  symptoms.    And  we  know  also  that,  in  spite  1 
of  all  that  has  been  done  in  demonstrating  theiiuportauceof  suoh  J 
signs  of  disease,  the  allopathic  school,  true  to  their  material  i 
utincts,  cling  with  tenacity  to  objective  symptoms,  and  give  them] 
in  all  caaea,  with  few  exceptions,  precedejice.  Homceopathy,  on  tl 
other  hand,  is  distinguished  for  the  care  she  takes  in  tracing  onl 
subjective  signs.    And  it  is  equally  plain,  that  there  can  be  npi 
true  application  of  the  law  of  Similia,  except  the  observer  notes  inl 
each  case  those  symptoms  which  the  Allopath  would  certainly  dis^ 
card.    The  genuine  homoaopatbic  pathologist,  discards  no  signal 
for  with  him, "  the  totality  of  the  symptoms  "  gives  the  true  pictUM-V 
of  the  disease.    It  is  passible  that,  among  some  of  us,  an 
been  committed,  in  giving  either  too  much  prominence  to  subjeo^l 
tlve  symptoms,  or  of  altogether  losing  sight  of  objective  signs. 
so,  then  both  these  addresses  are  timely.    The  correct  study  of  dis*^ 


1886  New  Publicaiions.  4i 

ease,  or  rather  of  each  individual  case,  Is  to  no  one  so  important  as 
to  the  HomcGopath.  Upon  thia  point,  these  pamphlets  are  full  of 
valuable  suggestions,  and  we  comuend  their  perusal  to  our  rend- 
ers; and  especially  to  those  who  are  young  in  the  art  of  diagnoa* 
ing.  No  doubt  the  authors  as  above  named,  might  be  successfully 
solicited  fur  copies. 

Transactions  of  the  HoateopATHic  Medioai,  Society  of 
New  Yoek,  Vol,  xxi.  1886.— This  ia  a  portly  volume  of  4S1  pages 
well  printed  and  well  bound  in  clotb,  and  contnina  some  valnar 
ble  articles.  It  has,  as  a  frontispiece,  a  fine  ateel  engraving  of  M. 
0.  Terry,  M.  D.,  the  President  for  1886,  and  contains  an  index  for 
volumes  XII-XXI,  1815  to  1886  inclusive,  A  few  complete  sets  of 
transactions  of  this  society  can  be  had  of  the  treasurer.  Dr. 
Coburn,  91,  Fourth  St.,  Troy,  N.  T. 

Facts;  The  Patuies,  Isms  and  Quackery.  By  Carl  Horsch, 
M.  X).,  Dover,  N.  H.  This  ia  another  attempt  by  a  profeased 
Homoeopath  to  "drop  the  name."  He  writes  "  an  open  letter  to 
tbe  American  Institute"  declining  to  become  a  member  unless 
"  Homreopathy "  be  dropped  from  its  honored  name,  but  when 
Polk  esks  for  his  status  as  a  medical  man,  he  conststentt;  ( ?)  wishes 
to  be  registered  as  a  Homceopath. 

Dr.  Guernsey's  "Key  Notes"  ia  now  passing  rapidly  through 
tbe  press,  and  will  be  ready  sometime  during  the  coming  month. 
It  will  contain  about  three  hundred  pages,  and  will  be  a  practical 
every-day  worlcing  Materia  Medica.    Price,  8S.50. 

Syphilis. — G-.  Frank  Lod^ton,  M.  D.  This  little  work 
published  by  A.  M.  Wood  &  Co.,  Chicago,  Ills.,  is  a  fairly 
well-written  account  of  the  pathology  and  semeiology  of 
syphilis,  reliable  and  tally  up  to  the  latest  teaching. 
There  is  nothing  original  in  it,  and  it  differs  but  little  from 
the  large  Dumber  of  similar  works.  As  presenting  the 
subject  in  a  condensed  form,  it  has  a  certain  value,  but 
those  possessed  of  Bumsted,  Otis,  or  Van  Buren  and  Keys, 
will  not  find  it  a  very  valuable  addition  to  their  library. 
The  ground  taken  in  debatable  points,  or  those  that  har^ 
been  open  to  argument  in  times  past,  is  fully  in  accord 
with  the  accepted  teachings  of  the  day,  which  would  seem 
to  be  now  almost  out  of  the  field  of  controversy.  With 
the  therapeutics  we  have  nothing  to  do;  it  is  presttmed 
that  they  are  satisfactory  to  those  who  have  practical  uaa 
for  the  work.  Candor  compels  me  to  acknowledge,  how- 
<?ver,  that  I  have  been  enabled  to  cure  several  cases  of  in- 
veterate  eecoudary  and  tertiary  syphilis  with  large  doses  of 


1484 


Tks  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


I 

r 


Iodide  of  PotaBBium,  when  all  other  remedies  had  failed; 
even  the  Bame  remedy  had  done  no  good  in  other  forms. 
There  is  no  doubt  that  previous  failares  had  been  due  to 
mistakes  in  my  prescribing,  but  the  fact  remains  that  the 
patients  were  apparently  fiDally  .cured,  and  remain  90. 
While  the  book  under  notice  may  not  be  of  much  value  to 
the  specialist,  yet  those  who  desire  a  fair,  intelligible,  trust- 
worthy and  withal  condenBed  exposition  of  the  present 
state  of  knowledge  on  the  subject,  will  find  it  eminentlf 
Batisfactory.  J,  G-.  O. 

EDITOR'S  TABLE. 

W.  D.  Cooper,  M.  D.,  has  located  in  Lansing,  and  will  make  a 
speciality  of  surgery.  We  are  glad  the  doctor  has  permanently 
pitched  his  tent  at  the  capitaL 

Bh.  E.  a.  Lodge  leaves  for  ThomasviUe,  Georgia.,  the  first  of 
Sovember,  where  he  will  remain  until  May,  1887,  and  give  special 
attention  to  diseases  of  the  throat  and.luug9.  THomasville  has  n 
delightful  winter  climate. 

Medical  Societies  have  been  organized  in  Michigan  during 
the  past  month  in  the  fcUcwing^  pkce^:  J&ckdon,  Dstrdit,  Lan- 
sing, Grand  Rapids,  Ue«d  City  and  l:jaginaw.  We  hope  in  the  near 
future  to  hear  the  results  of  their  labors. 

Editor  Advance.— If  any  reader  of  your  journal  has  met  with 
a  case  of  Cocjdne  addiction  and  will  send  me  the  fullest  details  at 
his  command,  I'll  thank  him  for  the  courtesy,  reimburse  him  for 
any  expmse  incurred,  and  give  him  full  credit  in  a  coming  paper, 
J.  B.  Mattiaon,  M.  D..  314  State  St.,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Westbobough  Insane  Hosfitai,.— "Applications  for  the  posi- 
tion of  male  or  female  physician  in  the  Westboroiigh  Insane  Hos- 
pital, at  Westborough,  Mass.,  may  be  made  on  or  before  the  15th 
of  November,  1886,  Homoeopathic  practitioners,  who  desire  one 
or  two  years  of  experience  in  this  apecialty,  can  apply  in  person,  or 
by  letter,  to  N.  Emmons  Paine,  M.  D.,  Superintendent,  at  ' 
borough." 

New  Yoke  Homceopathic  Medical  College.— The  ope 
exercises  of  the  New  York  Horaceopathic  Medical  College,  1 
held  in  the  college  amphitheatre,  Tuesday  evening,  Oct,  &th. 

A  large  audience  composed  of  the  students  of  the  college.  Bun 
bering  about  two  hundred,  their  friends,  members  of  the  faoul^ 
and  the  profession  g«;nera]ly,  were  in  attendance. 

The  introductory  address  was  deUvered  by  Professor  i 
Dowliog,  the  subject  being, "  Why  we  do  not  live  out  our  t 
■son  years  xnd  ten." 


1886  EdiUn'a  Table.  485 

As  WILL  be  seen  by  the  following,  nearly  all  our  colleges  report 
an  increased  class  over  last  session: 

188&-86  1886-87 

Halmemann  College.  Philadelphia 148  159 

New  York  Homoeopathic.  ...-<». no  report  131 

Boston  University  College- no  report, 

OoUege  and  Hospital  for  Women,  New  York  22  24 
Cleveland  Hospital  College-...-^....^^.....^^                              Increase  of  36  px. 

Pulte  Medical  College » ^..  00  76 

Hidinemann  College.  Chicago 169  176 

UnlTerslty  of  Michigan.  ^...^ 46  60 

Chicago  Homoeopathic  College-.^^.  M..^ 130  136 

St.  Louis  Homoeopathic  College...-.^ 31  44 

universiigr  oi  xowaM  •••••••*•■•■•••••••••.••••••.•••••••••  «i  3« 

Minnesota  Medical  College organized  in  1886.  16 

California  Homoeopathic  College larger  class 

Nebraska  University  College....-.^...^.^..^...  no  report. 

We  shall  hold  this  for  next  month.  Please  give  full  reports  by 
November  25. 

An  Important  Resolution.~A  step  in  the  right  direction 
was  taken  at  the  recent  convention  of  the  senate  of  the  University 
of  New  York,  in  which  Chancellor  Sims,  of  Syracuse,  spoke  in 
favor  of  giving  the  licensing  of  physicians  to  another  body  than 
the  educating  power,  and  with  Regent  Watson  offered  the  follow- 
ing resolution,  which  was  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  in  the  Judgment  of  this  convocation  the  power  to  license  phys- 
icians should  he  vested  in  hoards  of  examiners  different  from  faculties  of  medical 
instruction. 

The  following  was  also  passed: 

Resolved,  That  the  following  gentlemen,  viz. :  Begent  William  H.  Watson,  M.  D., 
chairman.  Chancellor  Charles  N.  Sims,  LL.  D.,  Warden  R.  B.  Fairhaim,  Vice 
Chancellor  Henry  M.  MacCracken,  D.  D.,  and  Truman  J.  Backus,  LL.  D.,  he  con- 
stituted a  standing  committee  of  the  convocation  on  medical  education  and  medi- 
cal licensure. 

Detroit  Free  Hospital.— Gordon  W.  Lloyd,  the  architect,  is 
hard  at  work  on  the  plans  for  the  new  Homoeopa'  hie  Hospital  in 
Detroit,  made  possible  by  the  munificent  gifts  of  $100,000  each 
from  James  McMillan  and  John  S.  Newberry.  These  plans  are 
being  prepared  after  a  tour  of  inspection  by  Mr.  Lloyd  and  Dr.  C. 
A.  Walsh,  which  included  visits  to  all  the  important  hospitals, 
asylums  and  sanitary  institutions  in  the  country,  and  it  is  hoped 
that  by  combining  the  many  good  features  found  here  and  there, 
an  institution  second  to  none  in  the  country  may  be  obtained. 

The  hospital  building  is  to  be  located  on  the  southeast  comer  of 
John  H.  street  and  Willis  avenue,  and  is  to  be  four  stories  high, 
the  first  story  being  of  rough  cut  stone  and  the  remaining  stories 
of  pressed  brick  with  cut  stone  trimmings.  It  will  be  in  the  gen- 
eral form  of  an  "L,"  with  arms  fronting  on  and  extending  along 
either  street,  but  the  main  front  or  central  design,  as  it  were,  wiU 
be  on  an  angle  fronting  squarely  to  the  corner.  While  the  front 
elevations  will  be  ornate  in  design  it  is  the  purpose  to  devote  mpe^ 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Not. 


I 


cial  atteotion  and  the  best  efforts  towards  obtaining  conveniunce, 
perfect  ligrht  and  ventilation,  an  abundance  of  sunlight  for  all 
wards  and  rooms  iind  the  highest  forms  of  sanitary  appliances. 
The  building  will  be  set  back  from  the  streets  sufhcientlj  to  pre- 
sent a  spacious  lawn,  which  is  to  be  ornamented  with  trees  and 
foliage  plants.  The  main  entrance  at  the  corner  will  be  for  the 
use  of  attendants,  physicians,  i^onvalescent  patients  and  visitors, 
A  second  entrance  will  be  near  the  east  end  of  the  Willis  avenue 
front,  where  patients  will  be  received.  A  third  entrance  at  the 
Bouth  end  of  the  John  R,  street  front  will  be  used  for  the  recep- 
tion of  materials  used  in  the  institution.  There  will  be  no  bal- 
conies about  the  premises  as  they  are  considered  bad  about  hospi- 
tals in  that  they  shade  the  rooms  and  serve  as  places  for  the  ac- 
cumulation of  dampness  and  other  undesirable  deposits.  A  fea- 
ture of  the  ealablinhrnent  will  he  a  garbage  burner  located  in  the 
baaeoient  where  all  refuse  from  the  culinary  department  and  all 
cast  off  bandaging  and  other  medical  dressings  will  be  burned. 
All  modern  improvements  in  the  line  of  steam  beating,  lighting  by 
gas  and  electricity,  water  distribution  (hot  and  cold),  i>ath  rooms, 
elevators,  etc.,  will  be  provided.  In  brief  it  is  to  be  as  complete  ft 
hospital  as  can  be  built  for  the  9200,000  donated,  and  that  means 
much.  In  this  connection  the  following  letter  will  prove  of  in- 
terest! 

To  James  McMillan,  Esq..  and  the  Son.  John  8.  Newberrtni 
Gentlemen— We,  the  homceopathic  physicians  of  Detroit,  feel^ 
ourselves  at  a  loss  to  suitably  express  our  gratitude  and  admira- 
tion for  your  magnificent  liberality.  It  enables  us  to  realize  a  long 
cherished  wish,  the  fruition  of  which  seemed  hopelessly  distiuit. 
But  not  to  ourselves  is  this  gift  the  greatest  good.    Humanity  la  . 
the  persona  of  the  worthy  poor  ia  the  object  to  which  youbavajj 
given  of  your  abundance.    All  true  physicians  feel  it  both  a  dut^l 
and  privilege  to  give  of  their  skill  to  the  same  end.    When,  b 
such  munificence  as  yoiirs,  the  opportunity  is  given  them  to  e: 
oise  their  skill,  results  are  attained  that  no  individual  efforts  O 
their  part  can  ever  reach.    When  lo  thiH  is  added  your  recognitli^J 
of  the  principle  of  Homceupathy,  so  dear  to  us,  can  you  wond< 
that  we  fail  to  find  the  words  to  thank  you?    Neither  you  nor  v 
can  estimate  the  value  and  influence  of  your  act  upon  the  futui 
but  BO  long  as  Detroit  shall  remain  a  city,  so  long  shall  your  n 
be  cherished  by  suffering  ones  whom  your  gift  has  made  it  possiblt'l 
to  relieve. 

In  accepting  the  trust  on  our  part  we  pledge  ourselves  to  taitt 
tul  work,  to  an  earnest  endeavor  to  make  the  record  of  the  DetioUl 
Free  Hospital  equal  to  any  in  the  world,  to  subordinate  persoi 
strifes  and  rivalries  to  the  good  of  the  institution,  and,  so  far  a 
ia  UB  Ilea,  justify  the  confidence  you  have  reposed  in  us. 


^^^^ 


1886  Editor'a  Table.  4SFt 

With  sentiments  of  profound  gratitude  and  admiration  we  beg 
leave  to  subscribe  ourselves. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 
C.  A.  Walsh,  M.  D.  C.  C.  Miller,  M.  D. 

E.  P.  Gaylord,  M.  D.  J.  M.  Griffin,  M.  D. 

H.  P.  Mera,  M.  D.  R.  C.  Olin,  M.  D. 

E.  R.  Ellis,  M.  D.  F.  X.  Spranger,  M.  D. 

W.  M.  Bailey,  M.  D.  O.  Lang,  M.  D. 

C.  A.  Hughes,  M.  D.  Phil  Porter,  M.  D. 

M.  E.  Hughes,  M.  D.  M.  J.  Spranger.  M.  D. 

R  E.  Gustin,  M.  D.  Thos.  H.  Hicks,  M.  D. 

W.  R.  McLaren,  M.  D.  D.  J.  McGuire,  M.  D. 

W.  A.  Polglase,  M.  D.  C.  F.  Sterling,  M.  D. 

Detroit,  Mich.,  September  30, 1886.  —Tribune, 

Drs.  T.  p.  and  Harold  Wilson  have  formed  a  partnership 
and  will  continue  to  give  special  attention  to  diseases  of  the  eye 
and  ear.    Office,  30  South  Division  street,  Ann  Arbor,  Michigan. 

BusHROD  W.  James,  M.  D..  has  opened  a  "surgery"  for  his  eye 
and  ear  department,  where  cases  requiring  surgical  treatment  can 
receive  the  best  sanitary  surroundings.  It  will  be  supplied  with 
matron  and  skilled  attendants  and  will  afford  accommodation  for 
general  surgeons  who  may  desire  to  operate  and  treat  their  cases 
under  favorable  surroundings.  Address,  northeast  comer  Eigh- 
teenth and  Green,  Philadelphia. 

Medical  Society  of  Northern  New  York  held  its  thirty- 
fifth  annual  meeting  in  Albany,  October  27,  and  although  the 
attendance  was  small  the  sessions  were  very  interesting.  Valua- 
ble papers  were  read  by  Drs.  Robinson,  Sullivan,  H.  M.  and  H.  S. 
Paine,  of  Albany;  Dr.  Allen,  of  Water ville;  and  Dr.  Terry,  of 
Utica.  Several  new  names  were  added  to  the  list,  which  now  con- 
tains the  names  of  over  one  hundred  physicians. 

Hahnemann  Medical  College,  of  Philadelphia,  can  now 
boast  of  as  complete  a  college  building  as  is  to  be  found  in  the 
United  States.  It  was  opened  to  the  public  September  20,  and 
from  the  20th  to  the  25th  a  series  of  exercises  were  held  in  connec- 
tion with  the  opening.  Vice-President  McGeorge  said,  in  receiving 
the  keys  and  accepting  the  trust  in  behalf  of  the  Board  of  Trus> 
tees:  ''This  building  is  a  monument  of  a  united  profession,  and  it 
is  an  honor  to  the  united  Homoeopathists  that  they  have  made  this 
building  possible.**  Dr.  J.  C.  Guernsey,  on  behalf  of  the  heirs  of 
his  father,  presented  the  college  with  an  oil  painting  of  Hahne- 
mann, probably  the  best  in  America,  if  not  the  best  extant. 
Among  the  prominent  professional  gentlemen  from  a  distance  we 
noticed  Dr.  J.  W.  Dowling,  of  New  York,  Dr.  J.  H,  McClelland,  of 
Pittsburgg,  and  Dr.  L  T.  Talbot,  of  Boston. 


T%e  Medical  Advatwe. 
PUBLISHER'S  PAGE. 

SUBSCKIUEBS  WILL  CONFER  A  FAVOK  BY  PROMPTLY  llEMITTINO. 

SrBSCK  IB  BUS  should  bear  in  mind  that  the  prompt  issue  of  a 
journal  depends  upon  the  prompt  payment  of  the  printera.  If 
every  subscriber  would  follow  the  "goMen  rule"  and  pay  as  he 
would  wish  his  patrons  to  pay  him,  poblishers  would  be  happy. 

The  Cost  of  Infant  Foods.— One  of  the  greatest  objections 
that  have  been  made  to  the  use  of  the  various  prepared  infant 
foods  upon  the  market  has  been  their  high  cost.  As  it  will  be  a 
matter  of  interest  to  the  entire  profession  to  linow  the  compara- 
tive costs  of  the  various  food.s,  a  careful  computation  has  been 

The  so-called  milk  foods  or  powders  are  found  to  be  the  highest, 
averaging  to  coat,  when  prepared  ready  for  use,  about  nine  cents 
per  pint;  next  in  cost  is  a  class  called  Liebig's  Food,  which  aver- 
age six  cents  or  more  a  pint;  next  in  a  class  of  farinaceous  foods, 
which  cost  nearly  as  much  as  the  Liebig  Foods.  Below  all  these 
Is  Lactated  Food,  which  costs  but  four  cents  per  pint,  making  it 
the  most  economical  food  the  profes.<tion  can  uso.  A  dollar  pack- 
age of  Lactated  Food  will  give  an  infant  one  hundred  and  fifty 
meats  or  sufficient  to  la-st  about  four  weeks. 

Dr.  Wolf,  Demonstrator  of  Chemistry  Jeff.  Med.  College,  Phila- 
delphia, says: 

I  have  been  using  ilellin's  Food  for  the  last  two  years  both  in 
my  own  family  as  well  as  In  my  practice.  My  success  with  it  was 
so  excellent  that  in  all  cases  when  artificial  feeding  of  infants  was 
required,  I  would  use  no  other.  My  own  child  has  prospered  un- 
der its  use  beyond  my  fondest  expectations  and  is  the  envy  of 
many  mothers  who  have  nursed  their  infants.  My  good  results  in 
the  treatment  of  infantile  disorders  of  the  alimentary  tract,  dates 
from  the  time  1  employed  Mellin's  Food  as  a  substitute  tor  milk, 
and  I  now  undertake  such  cases  with  much  less  hesitancy  than 
formerly. 

In  a  series  of  comparative  experiments  as  to  the  nutritive  value 
of  the  different  foods,  as  judged  by  the  chemical  condition  of  the 
fiecal  discharges,  I  found  that  the  smallest  amount  of  solid  residue 

equal  periods  was  obtained  by  ouly  two,  one  of  which  was  Mel- 
lin's, and  that  the  latter  gave  rise  to  less  offensive  discharges  than 
all  others,  proving  beyond  doubt  to  nie  its  greater  nutritive  value 
over  all  other  artificial  foods. 

W.  A.  Dewky,  M.D„has  returned  to  San  Francisco  and  resimied 
practice  at  3i(  (ieury  st. 

S.  R.  Geiseb,  M.  D.,  of  Cincinnati,  has  been  appointed  medical 
of  the  Home  Life  Ins.  Co,  of  N.  T. 


THE  MEDICAL  ADYANCE. 

A  MONTHLY  JOURNAL  OF  MEDICAL  SCIENCE. 


Vol.  XVII.  Ann  Akbor,  Dkcembkr,  1886.  No.  6. 


ORIGINAL  CONTRIBUTIONS. 


A  BRIEF  REPERTORY  OF  MEDICINES  AFFECTING  THE 
POSTERIOR  NARES,  WITH  COMMENTS  AND  SUG- 
GESTIONS * 


E.  A.  FARRINGTON,  M.  D.,  Philadelphia, 


It  has  become  an  approbrium  of  homcBopatbic  practice 
that  post-nasal  and  pharyngeal  catarrhs  are  frequently  not 
cured  by  internal  medication.  Specialists,  treating  nose, 
throat  and  ear  affections,  are  daily  receiving  patients  who 
have  been  dismissed  by  homoeopathic  physicians  as  incur- 
able, or  who  have  become  disgusted  with  the  general  prac- 
titioner. I  grant  that  one  who  devotes  bis  exclusive  atten- 
tion to  a  given  subject  should  be  better  qualified  therein 
than  those  engaged  in  common  practice.  But  the  question 
is  not  one  of  comparative  success  in  the  employment  of 
internal  medicine;  it  is  one  of  contrast  between  local  ap- 
plications and  legitimate  Homoeopathy.  If  the  system  of 
Hahnemann  is  universally  true,  that  is,  if  it  is  founded 
upon  law  and  does  not  constitute  a  mere  rule,  it  must  as 
assuredly  remove  a  post-nasal  catarrh  as  a  sore  throat  or  a 
cold  on  the  chest. 

There  are  three  modes  of  defence,  one  or  another  of 
which  is  invariably  employed  iu  defending  Homoeopathy 
against  a  charge  of  inefficiency; ^rs/,  that  if  one  can  obtain 
the  simillimum,  the  cure  or  relief  will  follow;  secondly^  a 


♦  Trans.  Penn.  State  Society. 


^90 


The  Medical 


Dee. 


r  local  affection  is  always  a  part  of  a  more  or  leaa  lateut  con- 

Btitational  dyserasia,  and  therefore  cannot  be  permanently 

cured  until  the  latter  is;  thirdly,  the  failure  is  claimed  to 

be  due  to  errors  in  selection  or  in  potency,  in  repetition  or 

^   in  tlie  administering  of  drugs  singly  or  in  alternation. 

To  all  sucU  illogieal  positiouH,  I  emphatically  object  I 
believe  thnt  the  simillimum  will  help  because  I  believe  in 
the  universality  of  the  law;  and  consequently,  I  reject  al- 
ternation of  remedies.  I  accept  the  law  because  I  think 
that  it  is  logically  deducible  fn)m  revealed  truth.  If  any 
one  agrees  with  me  here,  my  strictures  do  not  apply  to  him. 
They  apply  to  those  who  admit  the  truth  of  Homceopathy, 
because  they  haTe  tested  it  and  have  been  satisfied  from 
L  experience;  and  this  class  includes  nearly  the  entire  me- 
I  dicai  profession.  Having  proved  Homceopathy,  then,  in 
r  the  same  manner  as  did  Hahnemann,  the  only  reasonable 
position  is  that  the  system  is  effective  because  it  cures. 
When,  therefore,  it  fails,  a  consistent  defence  is  not  paucity 
of  material  and  knowledge,  but  an  earnest,  painstaking  and 
persistent  series  of  experiments  instituted  as  a  crucial  test 
With  ail  due  deference  to  specialists,  they  have  not  car- 
ried out  this  plan.  Failing  with  the  means  at  hand,  they 
have  felt  compelled  to  preserve  their  reputations  by  resor- 
ting to  collateral  measures;  for  more  is  expected  of  them 
by  the  public  than  of  the  general  practitioner,  SpecialistB 
should  spare  no  pains  to  institute  provings.  There  are 
many  unproved  or  partially  proved  plants  and  mineralsi 
which  are  known  to  exert  some  sort  of  an  influence  upon 
the  naso-pharyngeal  passages.  It  is  incumbent  upon  thoi 
most  interested  to  thoroughly  explore  the  subject  and  d 
termine  what  this  inlluence  is  in  each  drug.  A  few  yeai 
ago  we  could  not  readily  cure  cases  which  now,  i 
introduction  of  Sauguinaria  nitrate  and  Antimonium  s 
tnm,  are  easily  relieved. 

I  propose  to  enumerate  the  remedies  known  to  affect  thn 
posterior  nares,  and  to  offer  some  suggestions  concerning  i 
£ew  not  often  employed. 


1886 


Repertory  of  Posi-nasal  Catarrh. 


491 


The  known  drugs  are: 
Aconite,  Graaatum. 

Msculus  Hip,  Hepar. 

Alumen.  Helianthus. 

Alumina.  Hydrastis, 

Anacardium.  Iodine. 

Ant.  crud.  Iris  vers. 

Ant,  sulph,  auratum.  Kali  bich. 


Argentum  nit. 

Amnion,  hrom, 

Baptisia. 

Bryonia. 

Baryta. 

Calcarea  ost. 

Galea  rea  sulph. 

Carbo  an. 

Carbo  veg. 

Cepa. 

Coral,  rub. 

Coccus. 

Cistus, 

Cinnaharis, 

Chlorine. 

Digitalis. 

Eriodictyon. 

Euphrasia, 

Fagopyrum, 

Fer.  phos. 

Flouric  ac. 

Gallic  ac. 


Kali  jod. 
Kali  mur. 
Kreosote. 
Lycopodium. 
Mercury. 
Mer.  corr. 
Mer.  cyan. 
Mer.  prot. 
Mer.  bijod. 
Mag.  carb. 
Mag.  sulph. 
Mezeteum, 
Natrum  ars, 
Nat.  carb. 
Nat.  phos. 
Nat.  mur. 
Nitric  acid. 
Nitrum. 
Nux  mosch. 
Osmium. 
Oxalic  acid. 
Petroleum. 


Plumbum. 

PSORINTTM. 

Phos.  acid. 

Phytolacca, 

Penthorum, 

Phj'^sostigma. 

Phosphorus. 

Paeonia. 

Rumex. 

Rhus.  tox. 

Saponine. 

Staphisagria. 

Sumbul. 

Sepia. 

Sulphur. 

Silica. 

Sinapis  nig. 

Sang.  nit. 

Spigelia, 

Theridion, 

Thuja. 

Tellurium. 

Ustilago. 

Vinca  minor. 

Wyethia. 

Yucca. 

Zinc. 

Zingiber. 


Of  these  eighty  or  more  drugs,  some  are  so  rarely  indi- 
cated as  to  be  of  little  value  to  the  general  practitioner, 
several  are  useful  only  in  acute  catarrh,  and  but  a  few 
offer  the  usual  symptoms  of  phronio  catarrh  of  the  poster- 
ior nares.     These  few  are: 


Alumina. 
Amm.  brom. 
Ant,  auratum, 
Arg.  nit. 
Calcarea  ost. 
Corallium. 
Cinnabaris. 
Fagopyrum. 


Hepar, 
Hydrastis. 
Kali  bich. 
Kali  mur. 
Mer.  jod  at. 
Mer.  bijodat. 
Natrum  ars. 


Psorinum. 

Sepia. 

Sulphur. 

Silica. 

Sang.  nit. 

Spigelia. 

Thuja. 


Nitric  ac. 

The  relative  value  of  this  group  is  indicated  by  the 
variety  of  type,  reducing  those  of  the  highest  value  to  tha 


492  The  Medical  Advance,  Dec. 

two  Mercuries,  Sang,  nitrate,  and  Kali  bich.  and  mur. — a 
very  small  armamentarium  for  so  stubborn  a  disease.  But 
the  list  could  be  enlarged  if  specialists  would  test  known 
symptoms  and  publish  the  results. 

For  instance,  Phosph.,  Natr.  mur.,  Cistus,  Natr.  ars..  Alu- 
mina, have  glazed  or  varnished  appearance  of  the  posterior 
wall  of  the  pharynx.  Why  not  use  one  or  another  of  these 
when  such  a  state  of  the  membrane  obtains  higher  up? 

Alumina  and  Nat.  mur.  affect  the  mucous  membranes, 
causing  scanty  secretions,  the  latter  drug  being  distin- 
guished by  smarting  sensation;  why,  then,  may  not  Alumina 
be  often  used,  especially  as  in  addition  it  causes,  scurf  in 
the  nose,  plugging  of  the  Eustachian  tubes,  snapping  sound 
in  the  ears  on  swallowing  or  chewing;  dropping  of  mucus 
from  the  posterior  nares. 

Kali  mur.  often  relieves  hawking  of  mucus  from  the  pos- 
terior nares;  why  not  note  carefully  its  effect  upou  the  ca- 
tarrh itself  and  report  results  at  a  future  meeting?  Com- 
pare also  PsBonia* 

When  the  pharyngeal  walls  are  varicose,  Pulsatilla,  Ham- 
amelis,  Vespa,  Natr.  ars.,  and  Phytolacca,  may  be  consulted. 
The  first  two  have  relieved  the  catarrh,  though  I  have  been 
compelled  to  follow  Hamamelis  with  some  other  drug  to 
effect  a  cure. 

Vespa,  like  Natr.  ars.,  produces  oedema  and  varicosis;  the 
first  caused  purulent  catarrh  of  the  middle  ear,  and  also 
recurrent  tonsillitis,  and  ought  to  be  used;  the  second,  with 
thickening  of  the  mucous  membrane,  lasting  for  months, 
hawking  of  a  thick  mucus  from  the  posterior  nar<3s,  offers 
a  valuable  remedy  for  winter  catarrh. 

Fagopyrum  pictures  a  common  and  very  annoying  form 
of  the  disease,  one  in  which  exposure  is  sure  to  increase 
the  catarrh  with  rawness  and  dryness,  formation  of  dry 
crusts,  granular  appearance  of  the  mucous  membrane  and 
an  intolerable  itching  and  burning. 

Sensitiveness  to  inhaled  air  is  not  especially  important 
in  acute  catarrh  but  is  in  chronic.  It  calls  for  Arsenic,  Natr. 
ars.,  Corallium,  Hydrastis,  Lithium,  Osmium,  Kreosote,  and 
probably  Fagopyrum. 


1886  Repi  Hory  of  Post-nasal  Catarrh.  493 

Dryness  of  the  posterior  nares  is  not  only  in  the  latter 
remedy,  but  also  in  Alumina,  iEsculus,  Siuapis  nigra, 
Wyethia,  and  a  few  others. 

^sculus,  as  well  shown  by  Dr.  T.  F.  Allen,  suits  colds 
extending  from  the  posterior  nares,  adown  the  pharynx, 
with  dryness,  scraping  and  burning;  at  times  secreted  mu- 
cus drops  low  down  and  causes  choking;  patients  are  weak, 
with  soft  pulse,  backache,  constipation  and  piles.  Why 
should  we  neglect  this  and  devote  our  attention  to  the  more 
familiar  Nux?  .Esculus  would  relieve  more  promptly  and 
more  permanently. 

Sinapis  nigra  has  cured  dryness  of  the  anterior  nares, 
and  has  caused  dry  sensation  in  the  choanse  and  pharynx; 
why  not  try  it  when,  in  addition,  there  is  the  characteristic 
condition  of  the  mucous  membranes:  dryness,  with  at  most 
scanty  chunks  of  tenacious  mucus  secreted. 

Wyethia  I  have  never  used;  it  is  claimed  to  have  pro- 
duced and  cured  pricking,  dry  sensation  in  the  posterior 
nares.  According  to  Hale  it  is  useful  in  chronic  pharyn- 
gitis, removing  the  granular  appearance,  and  never  failing 
to  relieve  drfjness  of  the  pharyn.r  and  burning  of  the  epi- 
glottis. 

Penthorura  seloides  belongs  to  a  class  of  plants  that  do 
not  act  very  deeply;  still  by  reason  of  their  acridity  they 
produce  catarrh,  skin  symptoms,  and,  some  of  them,  hem- 
orrhoids. Tlie  Penthorum  ought  to  be  tried  when  there  is 
a  continual  feeling  as  if  tlie  nose  were  wet,  but  without 
coryza.  Sense  of  fullness  in  nose  and  ears.  Posterior 
nares  feel  raw  as  if  denuded. 

Osmium  rivals  the  more  commonly  employed  Phos- 
phorus. It  is  highly  irritating  to  mucous  surfaces,  pro- 
voking coryza,  sneezing  as  from  snuff;  nose  and  larynx 
sensitive  to  the  air.  Small  lumps  of  phlegm  are  easily 
loosened  from  the  posterior  nares  and  larynx. 

Like  Phosphorus,  it  attacks  larynx  and  lungs.  Charac- 
teristic is  severe  puia  in  the  larynx,  worse  wlien  coughing 
or  tallcing;  hoarseness. 

Ammonium  bromidum  is  said  to  be  effective  when  the 
patient  hawks  down  a  stringy,  bloody  mucus.     Here  it  re- 


494  The  Medical  Advance.  Dec. 

sembles  Sangain.  nitrate  aud  Kali  mur.,  but  is  far  inferior 
to  either. 

If  the  mucas  is  of  a  lemon-yellow  color,  not  very  fibrin- 
ous, Sulphuric  acid  is  almost  sure  to  cure.  It  is  only  when 
it  is  tough  and  stringy  that  Kali  bich.  claims  precedence. 

When  hardened  clinkers  are  hawked  from  the  posterior 
nares  Kali  bich.,  Cinnabaris,  Sepia  and  Teucrium  are  ser- 
viceable. The  latter,  suggested  by  Dr.  Walter  Williamson, 
Jr.,  is  needed  when  very  large  and  irregidar  masses  are 
hawked  down.    Cinnabar  for  dirty  yellow  lumps. 

Saponine  causes  tough  tenacious  mucus  in  the  posterior 
nares,  extending  into  the  larynx. 

Quillaia,  one  of  the  plants  from  which  Saponine  is  de- 
rived, has  been  quite  extensively  used  in  California  by 
Homoeopathists  for  a  cold  in  the  head,  contracted  during 
warm,  damp  weather.  Here  it  rivals  Gelsemium,  both 
causing  general  lassitude  and  tiredness  and  weakness  of 
the  muscles — states  of  relaxation  favoring  colds. 

Dr.  August  Korndoerfer  has  made  some  excellent  cures 
with  Spigelia,  guided  by  Hahnemann's  symptoms:  profuse 
discharge  of  mucus  through  the  posterior  nares;  nasal  mu- 
cus passes  off  only  through  the  posterior  nares.  I  have 
not  been  very  successful  in  using  it. 

But,  after  all,  the  majority  of  cases  call  for  such  remedies 
as  Merc,  jod..  Sang,  nitrate,  Antim.  auratum  and  Pulsatilla. 
And  it  is  such  accurately  fitting  remedies  as  these  that  I 
hope  to  see  greatly  increased  in  number  by  energetic  pro- 
vings,  conducted  by  those  whose  ability  to  diagnose  dis- 
eases of  the  nose  qualifies  them  for  the  work. 

Sanguinaria  nitrate,  given  persistently — and  nasal  c€i- 
tarrh  needs  repeated  doses — will  often  help  when  there  are 
burning  rawness  and  soreness  in  the  posterior  nares,  and 
hawking  of  thick,  yellow,  sometimes  bloody  mucus. 

Pulsatilla  acts  better  if  the  mucus  is  thick,  yellow-green 
and  bland;  and  Merc.  jod.  when  there  is  swelling  of  the 
glands  of  the  neck  and  yellow  coating  on  the  dorsum  of 
the  tongue, 

Antim.  auratum,  proved  under  the  auspices  of  Dr.  C. 
Neidhard,  causes  increased  mucus-secretion.   In  one  prover 


1886  Repertory  of  PosUnasal  Catarrh,  496 

it  aggravated  a  chronic  catarrh  with  increased  discharge  of 
a  greenish-yellow  mucus,  more  offensive  than  before.  It 
is  used  by  Dr.  Hugh  Pitcairn  as  a  co-relative  of  the  iodide 
of  mercury. 

Nitric  acid  follows  when  dirty,  bloody  mucus  flows;  and 
Mezereum  in  mercurialized  patients  when  there  are  scrap- 
ing, burning  and  rawness  posteriorly;  /Ain,  yellow,  bloody 
discharge. 

In  conclusion,  I  desire  to  say  that,  as  many  nasal  ca- 
tarrhs have  a  specific  origin,  no  remedy,  not  active  in  in- 
fluencing the  cause,  can  materially  relieve  the  catarrh.  In 
addition  to  Sulphur,  Kali  jod.,  Aurum.,  etc.,  we  should  con- 
sider Theridion,  confirmed  by  Dr.  Korndoerfer  as  an  intro- 
ductory drug  in  scrofulous  cases — Thuja,  well-known  in 
sycosis,  and  invaluable  when  the  discharge  is  thick,  green 
or  bloody  and  green — and  Psorinum,  despised  by  some,  but 
fully  appreciated  by  others  as  often  superior  to  Sulphur. 

For  convenience  I  add  a  brief  repertory,  confining  my- 
self to  the  limited  region  under  consideration. 

Nature  of  the  discharge: 

Yellow,  thick:  Arg.  nit.,  Aur.,  Natr.  ars.,  Hyd.,  Calc.  c, 
Berb.,  Cinnab.,  (dirty  lumps),  Kali  bi,  Sulph.  ac,,  Nit 
ac.  Puis.,  Spig.,  Sulph.,  Ant  aur..  Sang,  nit,  Therid.,  Nat 
c,  Hep.,  Lye,  Phos.,  Kali  sulph.,  Alumina,  Bumex,  CaL 
sulph.,  Sumbul,  Mez.  (thin). 

Green:  Berb.,  Puis.,  Thuja,  Kali  bi.,  Nat.  c,  Phos.,  Sep., 
Merc. 

Plugs,  Clinkers,  etc:  Teucrium,  Kali  bi..  Sepia,  Cinn., 
Lye,  Mang.,  (yellow  or  green  lumps),  Mer.  jod.,  (blood- 
tinged),  Nat  ars. 

Like  tallow:  CoraL  rub. 

Irritating,  corrosive:  Ars.,  Ars.  iod.,  Cepa,  Kreos.,  Garb, 
acid. 

Broum:  Kali  bich.  (bloody  and  offensive). 

Bloody:  Canth.  (and  tough),  Arg.  nit  (yellow  mixed 
with  clots),  Hyd.,  Nit  ac.  Sepia  (with  yellow  green 
shreds).  Sang,  nit.  Kaolin,  Kali  bi.,  Lach.  (bloody  pus), 
Phos.  (in  streaks).  Sulphur  (in  threads),  Mez. 


496  The  Medical  Advance.  Dec 

Offensive:  Aur.,  Graph.,  Mer.  (trickling  mucus),  Sulph., 
Thuja,  Nit.  ac,  Nat  c,  Elaps.  (relieved  a  case  for  me 
marked  by  disproportionate  fetor),  Therid.,  Asaf.,  Lach., 
Kreos.  (old  people),  Tell,  (herring  brine).  Ant.  aur.? 

Stringy:  Amra.  brom.,  Sulph.  ac.  Kali  bi.,  Cinnab., 
Hyd.,  Coc  cac.  Yucca  (and  greasy-looking). 

Scanty y  tenacious:  Sinapis, -Alum., Osmium  (large  lumps), 
Nat.  mur.,  Phos.  Saj^onin  (tough,  tenacious),  Phyt. 

Membrane  dakk: 

Lacli.,  Phyt.,  Amm.  brom.,  Yucca. 
Red:  Arg.  nit. 

Scales,  ulcers: 

Arg.  nit.  (with  yellow  scales)  Kali  bi.  (punched).  Alum., 
Cal.  c,  Graph.,  Lye,  Puis.,  Sepia,  Silica,  Zinc,  Psorin., 
Thuja,  Therid.,  Lach.  (bloody),  Baryta  (and  behind  uvula), 
Kali  carb.  (foul  crusts),  Fagop. 

CHOANiE  ; 

Too  dry:  Silica,  Sepia,  Fagop.,  Ruraex,  Sticta,  Wyethia, 
iEsc.  hip.,  Alum.,  Sinapis,  Zinc,  Sang. 
As  if  too  open:  Flour  ac,  lod.,  Nat.  mur. 

Obstructed: 

Anac,  Cal.  sulph.,  Hyd.,  Iris,  ver.,  Kali  iod. 

Ears  affected: 

Mer.,  Vespa,  Phyt.,  Gels,  (itching  in  Eustachian  tube, 
also,  pain  in  ears),  Nux  and  Silica  (both  itching  in  Eus- 
tachian tubes),  Kali  bi.,  Rum.  (ear  feels  stopped,  voice 
sounds  strange — relief  in  one,  but  not  cure),  Alum.  (Eus- 
tachian stopped  with  mucus).  Graph.  (Eustachian  stopped 
up),  Iod.  (catarrh  Eus.  tube),  Lith.  carb. 

Crackling  sound  on  swallowing:  Graph.,  Hep. 

Nitr.  ac.  (Eustach.  obstruction)  Petrol,  (passages  dry, 
whizzing  in  ears). 

Sensitive ^To  inhaled  air: 

Ars.,  Nai  ars.,  Ars.  jod..  Coral.,  Hyd.,  Lith.  carb..  Os- 
mium, Fagop.,  Kreos.,  Fer.  phos. 

Nose  feels  wet: 
Penthorum. 


1886  Fundamentals  of  the  Organon.  497 

Eawness,  scraping,  soreness: 

^sc.  hip.,  Mer.,  Mer.  jod.,  Mez.,  Nux  vom..  Sang,  nii, 
Nit.  ac,  Chlor.,  Kreos.,  Hyd.,  Iris  v.,  Nat.  ars.,  Ars.,  Ars. 
iod.,  Fer.  phos.  (on  inspiration),  Mag.  carb..  Oxalic  ac, 
Phos.,  Phos.  ac.  Osmium,  Carbo  veg.  (on  coughing  or 
swallowing,  soreness),  Gallic  ac,  Penth.,  Sepia,  Nitrura. 

Burning: 

iEsc.  hip.,  Arg.  nit.,  Phos.,  Osmium,  Ars.,  Ars.  iod.,  Nat. 
ars.,  Fagop. 

Like  a  fine  leaf: 
Baryta  carb. 
Like  something  hanging :  Yucca. 


Ml 


FUNDAMENTALS  OF  THE  ORGANON. 


LEWIS  BARNES,  M   D,,  Delaware,  Ohio. 


The  nature  of  disease  comes  early  to  the  front,  and  a 
cursory  view  from  such  careless  reading  as  many  seem  to 
give  the  matter,  often  leaves  the  impression  that  disease, 
according  to  Hahnemann,  consists  in  the  symptoms. 

But  this  is  far  from  being  the  case.  He  says  distinctly 
(§7).  "The  totality  of  the  symptoms"  is  the  "outwardly 
reflected  image  of  the  inner  nature  of  the  disease." 
"  They  constitute  together  the  true  and  only  conceivable 
form  of  the  disease,"  because  they  are  only  what  is  dis- 
cernible through  the  senses  (§6).  If  neither  physician  nor 
patient  could  feel,  see,  hear  or  in  any  way  discern  anything 
amiss,  there  would  be  no  conception  of  disorder. 

What,  then,  is  disease  ?  It  is  something  above  that 
which  can  be  discovered  by  the  senses,  these  being  able  to 
discern  the  signs  only — something  beyond  the  domain  of 
matter.  It  does  not  originate  in  the  material  organism 
at  all.  Its  primary  seat  is  not  there.  It  belongs  to  some- 
thing that  has  life;  but  matter  is  dead,  and  consequently 
without  sensibility.  "  The  material  organism  without  vital 
force  is  incapable  of  feeling,  activity  or  self  preservation." 
Vital,  means  living.  Vital  force,  therefore,  is  that  which 
is  alive,  and  hence,  not  material      For  "  this  immaterial 


498  The  Medical  Advance,        %  Deo. 

being  (vital  force)  alone,  animating  the  organism  in  the 
state  of  sickness  and  of  health,  imparts  the  faculty  of 
feeling,  and  controls  the  functions  of  life"  (§10).  Thus,  it 
is  not  merely  immaterial  in  an  abstract, indefinite  sense;  it 
is  an  immaterial  "  being," — another  and  higher  positive 
existence.  It  is  "spirit-like,  self-acting,"  "omnipresent 
in  the  organism,"  and  in  sickness,  is  alone  primarily 
deranged,  (§11).  Hence,  "  disease  considered  as  a  material 
thing  hidden  within,  but  distinct  from  the  living  whole, 
(§13)  is  a  nonentity." 

It  follows  that  if  disease  is  spirit-like  and  not  material, 
a  derangement  of  the  spirit-like  vital  force  "  by  the  dyna- 
mic influence  of  some  morbific  agency"  (§11),  "our  vital 
force,  that  spirit-like  dynamis  cannot  be  reached  nor  affec- 
ted except  by  a  spirit-like  "dynamic  process."  "Neither 
can  the  physician  free  the  vital  force  from  any  of  these 
morbid  disturbances,  i.  e.,  diseases,  except  likewise,  by 
spirit-like  (dynamic,  virtual)  alterative  powers  of  the  ap- 
propriate remedies  acting  upon  our  spirit-like  vital  force" 
(§16), — such  as  the  "spirit-like  power  concealed  in  drugs" 
(§20). 

All  this  was  new  doctrine  to  the  world  at  the  time  of  its 
promulgation.  It  is  new  still  to  most  men.  It  is  new,  or 
not  understood,  or  unheeded,  or  disbelieved  by  very  many  if 
not  most  homoepathic  physicians.  We  live  in  an  age  so 
material  that  few  persons  can  form  an  idea  of  anything 
beyond  the  existence  of  matter,  and  consequently  deny 
such  existence,  or  if  they  speak  of  the  soul  or  mind  as  of 
something  immaterial  and  spiritual,  and  of  its  connection 
with  disease,  they  regard  it  as  a  power,  greater  or  less, 
which  may  modify  and  perhaps  induce  material  disorder 
in  the  material  organism;  but  that  disease  itself  is  imma- 
terial, seated  in  something  spirit-like  and  vital,  and  that 
drug  force  must  be  immaterial  in  order  to  reach  it — is  not 
understood.  And  yet  this  doctrine  lies  at  the  bottom  of 
the  healing  art  as  taught  in  the  Organon.  It  is  not  my 
purpose  here  to  argue  concerning  its  truth,  but  ^to  show 
that  it  is  a  fundamental  idea  in  our  system  as  originally 
given  to  the  world.     It  might  be  shown  indeed  that  the 


1886  Surgical  Specialism.  499 

whole  fabric  rests  upon  it  Every  Homoepathist  should, 
therefore,  fix  it  in  his  mind.  Every  professed  practitioner 
should  at  least  look  carefully  into  it  The  distinction 
between  matter  and  life,  material  organism  and  spirit-force, 
ought  to  be  apprehended.  We  should  not,  with  a  promi- 
nent writer  of  our  school,  speak  of  the  fineness  and  deli- 
cacy of  the  operation  of  transforming  Jood  into  blood  and 
brain  and  then  into  thought''  Such  ideas  controvert  the 
whole  tenor  of  the  Organon.  We  may  speak  of  food  as 
transformed  into  brain,  and  of  the  brain  as  an  organ  of 
thought,  which,  or  by  means  of  which  thought  can  appear 
in  words  or  signs,  while  the  real  thinker  is  of  a  totally  or 
discreetly  different  substance;  but  to  say  that  the  brain 
becomes  thought  is  to  confound  the  material  and  spiritual, 
is  to  repudiate  the  profound  and  primary  distinction  of 
the  Organon  in  relation  to  the  nature  of  disease. 

There  is  one  article  in  the  Advance  for  November,  enti- 
tled "  Electro-Magnetic  Properties  of  Drugs,"  which  would 
require  considerable  explanation  to  make  it  correspond 
with  this  primal  doctrine  of  the  Organon.  I  will  not  criti- 
cise it,  however,  since  the  author  says  to  the  profession, 
"  If  you  have  any  remarks  to  make,  please  make  them  on 
other  papers  and  let  mine  alone." 

I  expect  to  say  more  on  the  fundamentals  of  our  sys- 
tem as  originally  expounded,  but  will  confine  myself  mostly 
to  showing  what  it  is  instead  of  contending  with  those  who 
stand  more  or  less  in  opposition. 

SURGERY. 


J.  G.  GILCHRIST,  M.  D.,  lowa  City,  la. 


Surgical  Specialism: — It  maybe  safely  assumed  that 
there  is  no  necessity  for  argument,  at  this  day,  to  show  the 
legitimate  character  of  surgical  specialism;  none,  whose 
opinions  are  worth  anything,  would  question  the  proposi- 
tion. Notwithstanding  this,  there  seems  to  be  some  doubt 
in  the  minds  of  a  few  excellent  men,  as  to  the  exact  posi- 
tion of  the  specialist  with  relation  to  the  general  practi- 


500  The  Medical  Advance,  Dec. 

tioner,  and  on  this  point  I  wish  to  say  a  word  or  two.  The 
question  is  suggested  by  a  recent  occurrence,  one  that  is 
not  unique,  representative  of  many  similar  ones.  A  physi- 
cian of  the  highest  professional  attainments,  aud  of  un- 
blemished personal  honor  and  integrity,  one  whose  opinion 
on  medical  subjects  is  always  valuable,  and  who  never 
knowingly  or  willfully  injures  a  colleague,  became  asso- 
ciated in  the  care  of  a  case  supposed  to  be  impaction  of 
gall-stoDes  in  the  gall-bladder.  The  case  became  one  of 
some  urgency,  and  when  speaking  of  it  to  one  who  may  be 
considered  a  surgical  specialist,  he  stated  something  as  fol- 
lows: "A  specialist  should  have  seen  the  case  had  an  oper- 
ation been  permissible,  but  the  patient,  an  intelligent 
woman,  declined  it,  when  its  nature  was  explained  to  her, 
and  of  course  there  was  nothing  more  to  be  said."  The 
question  was  asked:  "How  did  you  come  to  propose  it  to 
her?"  *'0h,"  was  the  reply,  "when  asked  if  something 
more  than  we  were  doing  could  not  be  done,  we  told  her 
there  teas  an  operation  sometimes  made,  but  it  would  require 
two  operations,  one  to  make  an  opening  down  to  the  gall- 
bladder and  secure  its  adhesion  to  the  walls  of  the  abdo- 
men, and  after  some  days  then  open  the  gall-bladder,  and 
empty  it  out.  The  results,  you  know  are  not  good,  the 
patient  either  dying,  or  having  to  go  through  life  with  a 
biliary  fistula.  The  operation  was  declined."  Now  when 
this  instance  was  related  the  thought  immediately  arose, 
that  this  gentleman  had  singularly  failed  to  grasp  the  idea 
of  specialism.  Surely  surgery  is  not  a  purely  mechanical 
art,  and  the  surgeon  a  mere  handicraftsman  to  be  called  in 
to  execute  the  orders  of  the  general  practitioner!  No  sur- 
geon could  submit  to  such  a  degradation  of  his  calling. 
The  surgeon  is  called  in  to  determine  himself  the  question 
of  the  expediency  or  propriety  of  an  operation,  and  it 
should  be  on  his  opinion  that  the  decision  of  the  patient 
should  be  based.  It  has  never  before  been  the  case,  so  far 
as  I  know,  that  any  other  course  has  been  pursued,  and 
surely  a  moment's  reflection  will  ehow  that  the  practice  is  a 
reprehensible  one  from  every  point  of  view.  Take  this 
present  instance  as  a  case  in  point     In  the  first  place  the 


1886  Surgical  Specialism,  501 

manner  of  making  the  operation  is  not  at  all  as  described 
by  the  physician;  and,  in  the  second  place,  as  far  as  death 
is  concerned,  the  results  are  quite  different.     Thus  it  ap- 
pears that  undesignedly  the  physician  did  surgical  special- 
ism an  injury,  and  also  may  possibly  have  withheld  some 
advantage  from  the  patient.     Let  us  see.     Not  to  multiply 
authorities,  I  will  quote,  sufficient  to  summarize  the  teach- 
ing of  the  day,  from  the  article  on  Cholecystotomy,  in  the 
International  EncyclopcBdia  of  Surgery  ( V.  1072,  et  seq. ) 
by  Henry  Morris,  M.  A.,  M.  D.,  and  F.  E.  C.  S.,  surgeon 
to  Middlesex  Hospital,  London,  England.     He  says:  "The 
other  plan  is  that  carried  out  by  Marion  Sims,  and  followed 
by  Lawson  Tait.     It  consists  in  opening  the  gall-bladder, 
and  stitching  it  to  the  parieties,  at  one  operation^     The 
italics  are  mine.     The  method  of  Mounder,  in  which  there 
was  a  double  operation,  was  a  proposed  operation,  reported 
in  the  Clinical  Society  Transactions,  Vol.  X.,  p.  14.    That 
of  Tait  and  Sims  has  been  made  many  times,  and  is  to  be 
preferred  by  all  operators.  So  much  for  the  technique;  now 
what  of  the  results.     "Mr.  Tait,"  says  our  author  (ibid), 
"informs  me  that  he  has  now  operated  on  ten  occasions; 
that  all  the  patients  have  recovered,  and  that  in  every  case, 
save  one,  the  operation  has  been  successful  in  its  results. 
In  these  nine  cases  the  cause  of  the  distension  was  calcu- 
lus, and  the  contents  of  the  gall-bladder  mucus,  though  in 
three  cases  suppuration  was  beginning."     So  as  far  as  the 
preservation  of  life  is  concerned,  the  majority,  yes.,  the  large 
majority  are  successful.     As  to  the  biliary  fistula  being 
common,  it  may  be  that  the  Doctor  confounded  the  results 
of  cholecystotomy  with  those  of  cholecystectomy,  a  radi- 
cally difiFerent  opinion.     Biliary  fistula  is  a  rare  sequence, 
as  the  wound  of  the  gall-bladder  is  sutured.   Should  there 
be  impaction  of  a  calculus  in  the  duct,  a  fistula  might, 
probably  ivould  result;  even  then,  a  fistula  is  better  than 
death. 

Now  this  somewhat  lengthy  exposition  is  given  not  with 
the  intent  to  criticize  the  Doctor  referred  to  as  a  Surgeon,  be- 
cause he  is  not  one,  nor  does  he  claim  to  be.  It  is  not  in 
ill-nature,  because  the  occurrence  is  not  one  in  which  the 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


•writer  is  interested,  and,  furthermore,  there  are  few  men 
wtoT  whom  he  entertains  a  more  sincere  regard,  or  for  whose 
I  attainments  he  has  greater  respect.  It  is  solely  for  the 
f  purpose  of  emphasiziug  the  fact  that  a  surgical  specialist 
I  should  be  permitted  to  pass  his  own  jud^^ent  on  a  case  of 
I  a  surgical  character,  and  not  called  in  as  a  mechanic  to  do 
or  not  do  what  a  non-apecialist  may  decide  for  him.  In 
other  words,  it  is  a  protest  against  a  degradation  some- 
times heaped  upon  a  specialist  It  may  be  that  the  snr- 
,  £;eon  tu  the  case  may  not  have  commended  himself  to  the 
■  physician  in  charge  as  one  qualified  as  a  specialist.  This 
[does  not  alter  the  case,  as  there  are,  presumably,  other  sur- 
'  geoQS  that  would  commend  themselves  as  such.  The  fact 
has  been  frequently  dwelt  upon,  that  the  encouragement  of 
specialism  is  a  direct  benefit  to  the  profession;  the  position 
Hurgery  occupies  to-day  is  solely  due  to  the  vast  experience 
L  of  specialists,  trusted  by  the  profession.  The  surgical  ex- 
Iperience  of  one  man  in  medical  practice  is  worth  little,  his 
I  opportunities  being  both  few  and  infrequent,  All  this  is 
[  of  the  nature  of  a  truism,  and  yet  the  great  meiss  of  the 
{  profession  continue  to  give  special  study  and  practice  a 
grudging  recognition.  There  is  doubtless  a  wonderful 
change  in  this  respect,  in  tlje  past  twenty  years,  a  very  en- 
couraging omen  for  the  future,  yet  there  is  enough  and  to 
spare  of  the  old  spirit  remaining. 
Fraotdbb  in  the  Neighborhood  of  a  Joint: — The  dis- 
[  onssion  of  this  subject,  noted  in  a  previous  issue  of  the  Ad- 
vance attracted  the  attention  of  our  old  friend.  Dr.  W.  H. 
T.  Emory,  of  Toronto,  Canada,  and  he  kindly  sendfl  the  . 
following  interesting  report  of  a  case: 

On  May  10th,  was  summoned  to  see  John  M. ,  a)t.  14  J 

years.    Found thatwhUewrestlingwithacompanion.hehad  i 
fallen  backward  in  such  a  manner  as  to  fall  upon  his  left  ] 
arm  which  was  twisted  backward  under  him,  so  that  the 
weight  of  his  body  and  that  of  his  contestant  was  super- 
imposed.    By  careful  examination  under  anteethesia,  the 
^-    lower  extremity  of  the  humerus  was  found  to  be  fractured, 
^L  the  line  of  fracture  running  from  about  an  inch  above  the  ] 
^K  iutemal  condyle  in  an  oblique  direction  extending  into  the  J 


I 

I 


1886  Epicystoiomy.  503 

elbow  joint  thus  completely  separating  the  internal  condyle 
which  by  the  contraction  of  the  flexors  of  the  forearm  wjis 
drawn  down  fully  two  inches  from  its  natural  relations. 
The  deformity  was  also  increased  as  well  as  the  gravity  of 
the  case  complicated  by  dislocation  of  the  head  of  the 
radius,  with  rupture  of  the  annular  ligament. 

The  dislocated  radius  was  placed  in  proper  position  and 
held  in  situ  by  a  bandage.  The  separated  condyle  was 
then  brought  into  place  with  considerable  difficulty  by  flex- 
ing and  pronating  the  forearm  and  by  direct  force,  and 
held  in  situ  by  means  of  an  angular  splint  made  of  perfor- 
ated zinc,  at  the  angle  of  which  there  was  a  glenoid  de- 
pression which  was  padded  so  as  to  grasp  firmly  the  separ- 
ated condyle.  The  roller  was  then  applied  with  as  great  a 
degree  of  tightness  as  safely  could  be  used,  and  the  arm 
held  in  the  before-mentioned  position.  The  bandages  were 
tightened  every  day  when  necessary,  and  on  the  12th  day 
all  dressings  were  carefully  removed,  and  while  the  injured 
parts  were  grasped  firmly  with  the  left  hand,  slight  passive 
motion  of  the  joint  was  made,  and  the  dressings  all  re- 
placed as  at  first.  This  process  of  passive  motion  was  re- 
peated every  day  thereafter  for  two  weeks  when  the  zinc 
splint  was  replaced  by  a  leather  one,  from  which  the  young 
man  could  remove  the  arm  twice  each  day  and  flex  and  ex- 
tend the  forearm  several  times  in  succession.  At  the  end 
of  another  fortnight,  the  splint  was  abandoned  altogether 
with  all  other  dressings,  and  the  motions  of  the  elbow  joint 
were  pretty  free,  the  only  difficulty  being  inability  to  ex- 
tend the  forearm  to  a  strait  position,  which  however  was 
entirely  overcome  in  another  fortnight  by  holding  weights 
in  the  hand  varying  from  four  to  eight  pounds  for  a  min- 
ute or  two  at  a  time,  so  that  inside  of  three  months  after 
the  accident  he  had  the  perfect  use  of  the  arm  and  it  would 
have  taken  a  very  accurate  eye  to  discover  any  difference 
in  the  appearance  of  his  elbows.  I  cite  this  case  as  a  prac- 
tical sort  of  argument  in  favor  of  passive  motion  which  I 
firmly  believe  when  carefully  and  judiciously  made  use  of 
is  of  incalculable  advantage  in  such  cases. 

Epioystotomy: — The  ancient  suprapubic  operation  for 


604  The  Medical  Advance,  Dec. 

vesical  stone,  has  lately  undergone  a  remarkable  revival. 
On  all  hands  we  meet  with  reports  of  cases,  and  the  results 
seem  to  be  far  better  than  from  any  other  cutting  operation 
for  vesical  calculus.  Our  own  school  of  therapeutics  has 
done  its  full  share  in  the  development  of  this  method,  in 
fact,  in  the  case  of  Prof.  Helmuth,  we  were  early  in  the 
field.  Certainly  none  who  are  familiar  with  the  difiFerent 
methods  of  operating  can  deny  the  superior  advantages  of 
the  high  operation.  The  sole  embarrassment  has  been  in 
the  danger  of  peritoneal  injury,  but  in  addition  to  the  mod- 
ern estimation  of  such  injuries  having  robbed  them  of  the 
former  gravity  and  importance,  the  use  of  the  rectal  tam- 
pon and  injection  of  the  bladder  has  rendered  such  com.- 
plications  infrequent,  if  not  wholly  unnecessary.  Where 
the  bladder  is  much  thickened,  or  bound  down  by  adhe- 
sions, of  course  the  peritoneum  is  exposed  to  injury,  but 
the  results  under  modern  methods  of  treatment  are  quite 
satisfactory.  But,  at  this  moment,  the  question  has  another 
and  more  personal  interest.  Dr.  J.  M.  Lee,  of  Rochester, 
N.  Y.,  a  former  pupil  of  the  writer,  and  a  graduate  of  the 
Michigan  University,  publishes  a  record  of  two  cases 
(  Phijs.  and  Surg,  Investigator, Nil,  273 ),  which  are  given  be- 
low as  matters  of  general  interest,  and  as  an  illustration  of 
the  homoeopathic  side  of  the  question  of  surgical  thera- 
peutics. The  writer  is  proud  of  this  record,  as  it  may,  in 
some  sense,  be  considered  an  outcome  of  his  methods  of 
teaching.  And,  by  the  way,  inquiry  developes  the  fact  that 
Dr.  Lee  has  attained  a  somewhat  enviable  reputation  as  an 
operating  surgeon,  having,  among  other  capital  operations, 
made  ovariotomy  six  times  without  a  death.  The  cases,  to 
resume,  of  epicystotomy  are  as  follows: 

D.  L.  S.,  aged  67  years,  came  under  my  care  during  the 
current  year,  through  the  kindness  of  Drs.  Hurd  and  Day- 
foot  He  had  been  ill  for  five  years.  While  returning 
from  a  business  trip  he  noticed  that  he  was  not  able  to 
urinate  in  the  usual  way,  but  by  getting  over  on  his  hands 
and  knees  he  could  pass  water  as  freely  as  ever.  Finally 
he  was  unable  to  relieve  himself  even  in  this  way,  and  the 
water  had  to  be  drawn.     Later  large  hemorrhoidal  tumors 


1886  Epicystotomy.  505 

developed  about  the  anus,  which  were  operated  upon;  this 
afforded  temporary  relief.  However,  two  years  ago  they 
returned  and  added  materially  to  his  sufferings.  It  was 
unusual  for  him  to  hold  his  water  more  than  an  hour  at  a 
time,  and  even  then  the  last  half  was  spent  in  acute  suffer- 
ing from  tenesmus,  both  of  bladder  and  rectum.  The  piles 
would  protrude,  and  the  only  relief  was  found  in  drawing 
the  water;  the  last  few  drops  were  often  bloody.  This  con- 
dition continued  with  neuralgia  about  the  hips,  in  the  tes- 
ticles, and  down  the  thighs— of  a  shooting,  lancinating 
character.  Occasionally  sharp  darting  pains  passed  from 
the  bladder  along  the  perineum,  and  centered  in  the  glans 
penis,  which  were  sufficient  to  compel  him  to  start  and 
groan.  There  was  smarting,  burning  pain  in  the  bladder; 
burning  sensation  in  the  soles  of  the  feet,  which  was  very 
annoying  and  caused  him  to  lie  with  them  uncovered.  He 
remained  in  this  condition  until  last  January,  when  he  con- 
sulted Brochester's  oldest  surgeon,  a  "regular."  While 
catheterizing  him  the  instrument  came  in  contact  with  a 
calculus.  He  made  five  attempts,  without  an  anaesthetic, 
to  crush  the  stone,  and  succeeded  in  removing  the  greater 
part  of  it  During  the  last  operation  a  fragment,  about  the 
size  of  an  almond,  was  caught  in  the  jaws  of  the  lithotrite 
and  drawn  through  the  urethral  caned,  to  within  two  inches 
of  the  meatus  urinarius,  where  it  became  arrested.  Of 
course  the  urethra  was  lacerated.  While  he  was  preparing 
to  cut  the  fragment  out  it  crumbled  and  disappeared. 
Within  a  few  days  he  made  another  examination  under 
ether,  and  decided  that  the  stone  had  all  been  removed. 
Notwithstanding,  after  the  usual  time  for  convalescence 
had  elapsed,  the  distressing  symptoms  remained  and  were 
intensified,  probably  from  the  excessive  instrumentation. 
The  patient,  on  inquiring  as  to  the  cause  of  his  continued 
sufferings,  was  informed  that  they  proceeded  from  a  thick- 
ened state  of  the  bladder,  and  that  increasing  quantities  of 
water  should  be  injected  twice  daily  to  overcome  it  This, 
however,  failed  to  afford  the  desired  relief.  He  was  con- 
fined to  his  room  the  most  of  the  time,  being  able  to  walk 
for  a  short  distance  only.    Many  weary  hours  were  spent 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


Fib  Bitting  over  the  edge  of  a  Blop-jar,  which  assisted  bim  to 
'   bear  the  tenesmus  of  both  bladder  aud  rectum,  the  latter 

■  of   which  was'  very  severe   as  tlie  piles  were  frequently 

■  strangulated.     This  position  enabled  him  to  go  from  one- 
half  an  hour  to  two  houi-s  without  resorting  to  the  use  of 

e  catheter. 

When  I  was  called  March  27tb,  I  made  a  careful  esam- 
ination  with  the  followiug  result:  Prostrate  gland  enor- 
mously enlarge<l;  double  inguinal  heniia;  large  prolapsed 

■  hemorrhoids;  albuminuria;  resistant  stricture,  three  inches 

■  from  the  meatus;  palpitation  and  abnormal  heart  sounds. 
f  On  attempting  to  suund  tor  stone,  the  searcher  caught  in  a 
r  false  passage,  made  by  the  patient  in  trying  to  catlieterize 

himself,  so  the  effort  was  discontinued.      Knowing  that 
I   Bome  of  the  symptoms  might  be  due  to  the  stricture,  and 
I  that  its  presence  prevented  a  thorough  examination,  I  de- 
cided to  divide  it     One  week  later,  assisted  by  Dr.  Day- 
k  foot,  I  incised  the  meatus  and  stricture  behind  it  to  No. 
]  L,  fifter  which  a  Fall  sized  conical  sound  passed  easily. 
■The  wounds  were  kept  open,  and  at  the  end  of  two  weeks 
f  »ere  considered  healed.     I  then  introduced  the  searcher 
and  detected  fragments  of  stone.     On  April  28th,  assisted 
by  Drs.  Daytoot  and  Bissell,  I  crushed  and  evacuated  a 
portion  of  the  pieces,  by  Dr.  Bigelow's  method.     I  now 
became  convinced  that  this   operation  was  impracticable  J 
for  their  complete  removal-     The  patient  was  allowed  ( 
recruit  for  a  tew  weeks,  and  on  June  10th,  assisted  by  t 
same  gentlemen,  I  performed   epicystotomy  as  practice 
by  Dr.  Helmuth,  with   a  few   variations.     The   bladder^'! 
which  was  quite  ammoaiacal,  was  washed  out  night  i 
morning  for  a  few  days  previous  to  the  operation,  with  4 
saturated  solution  of  borax.     The  night  before  the  opi 
tion  a  dose  of  castor  oil  was  administered,  and  a  thoroaj 
injection  given  the  following  morning.     Just  befoi 
the  chloroform,  which  was  preferred  ou  account  of  album 
inuria,  the  bladder  was  washed  out  until  clean  with  a  s 
tion  of  calendula  1  to  100.     The  patient  was  then  t 
thetized,  and  placed  on  the  table,  the  sonde  k  dard  ini 
daoed  and  seven  ounces  of  calendnlated  water  at  a  temp 


1886  Epicystotomy.  507 

• 

ature  of  100°  injected  through  it,  which,  though  a  very 
small  amount,  was  all  that  we  considered  safe  to  use.  An 
assistant  placed  the  colpeurynter  in  the  rectum  and  injected 
fifteen  ounces  of  warm  water  into  it,  which  caused  exceed- 
ingly severe  spasms  of  the  abdominal  muscles,  etc.,  not- 
withstanding that  the  patient  was  profoundly  chloroformed 
— even  to  sturtor.  It  was  apparent  that  the  operation 
could  not  thus  proceed,  and  about  three  ounces  of  water 
were  allowed  to  flow  out  of  the  rubber  bag  in  the  rectum. 
An  incision,  two  and  one-half  inches  long,  was  made  in  the 
linea  alba,  terminating  at  the  root  of  the  penis.  When  it 
was  seen  that  the  fold  of  peritoneum  had  not  been  elevated 
above  the  site  of  operation,  and  must  be  cut,  the  wound 
was  enlarged  towards  the  umbilicus  to  give  room  in  which 
to  work.  The  dissection  was  carried  on  carefully  and  the 
peritoneum  divided.  The  spasms  of  the  abdominal  mus- 
cles referred  to  above  and  the  unusual  straining  forced  the 
intestines  out,  and  Dr.  Day  foot,  though  at  home  in  such 
places,  had  his  hands  more  than  full.  The  index  finger  of 
the  right  hand  served  to  elevate  the  peritoneum  and  blad- 
der, which  tissues  were  previously  secured  by  a  loop  of 
catgut,  while  the  left  hand  guarded  the  opening  in  the 
abdominal  cavity.  The  blood  being  sponged  away,  the^ 
grooved  stilet  was  passed  through  the  bladder,  which 
was  opened  with  a  pair  of  angular  scissors  placed  in  the> 
groove.  Three  sharp  fragments  of  stone,  varying  in  size^ 
from  an  almond  to  a  pea,  were  removed  by  the  finger^ 
from  a  deep  pouch  behind  the  projecting  prostate,  and  the 
bladder  and  wound  cleansed.  The  incision  through  the 
bladder  was  sewed  with  fine  catgut,  using  Glover's  suture. 
The  protruding  intestines  were  replaced,  and  the  incised 
peritoneum  also  closed  with  fine  catgut,  and  continued 
stitch.  The  integument  was  brought  together  with  No.  2ft 
silver  wire  to  within  one-half  inch  of  the  lower  angle  of 
the  wound,  where  a  tent  was  placed  nearly  down  to  the 
bladder  wall.  Calendula  dressings  were  applied  with 
plenty  of  absorbent  cotton,  and  finally  a  pad  of  marine 
lint,  secured  by  a  flannel  binder,  catheter  retained.  Within 
three  hours  reaction  was  established.    Aconite  was  pre-- 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


scribed  and  the  patient  showed  no  bad  symptoms  nntil  the 
oommenceraeDt  of  the  second  day,  when  there  was  enor- 
mous gaseous  formation,  greatly  distending  the  stomach 
I  and  bowels;  nausea  and  frequent  vomiting  of  a  blackish 
.  watery  substance.     Although  the  utmost  care  was  taken  in 
I  selecting  remedies,  this  troublesome  and  dangerous  condi- 
j  tion  continued  until  the  sixth  day.     It  was  not  possible  to 
administer  any  food  by  the  stomach,  and  rectal  alimenta- 
[  tion  was  resorted  to. 

For  some  time  previous  to  the  operation  his  stomach 

bad  been  in  a  catarrhal  Btate,  which  I  was  unable  to  cor- 

I  rect,  and  the  irritation  of  the  chloroform  upon  the  gastric 

I  glands  afforded  the  most  dangerous  and  alarming  symptoms 

during  the  progress  of  the  case- 

The  urine  flowed  through  the  wound  the  greater  part  of 
the  time  until  the  eighteenth  day,  when  the  catheter  was 
removed  and  the  water  drawn  every  two  or  three  hours. 
The  temperature  was  not  atwve  100"  during  the  progress 
of  the  case,  and  but  for  the  weak  stomach  not  a  bad  symp- 
tom would  have  been  developed.  At  the  end  of  the  fourth 
week  he  was  about  the  room,  and  the  sixth  week  left  Roch- 
ester, hie  old  home,  to  visit  his  son  in  Richmond,  Vir- 
ginia, having  good  digestion  and  being  quite  free  from 
urinary  symptoms. 

Casf!  II. — July  Itith,  J.  C,  aged  67  years,  was  placed  in 
my  hands  for  operation,  by  Dr.  E.  J.  Bissell,  who,  with 
Dr.  J.  W.  Bueli,  assisted  me.  The  patient  was  very  much 
enfeebled  from  years  of  suffering  with  chronic  rheuma- 
tism, which  had  secondarily  affected  the  heart. 

Operation  same  as  above,  but  easier.  Usual  amount  of 
water  injected  into  the  bladder  and  rectum  without  the 
slightest  difficulty.  Incision  two  inches  long;  peritoneum 
not  seen;  stone  encysted  and  turned  out  with  the  finger. 
Bladder  wounil  not  sewed:  integument  closed  with  wire  as 
usual,  and  tent  retained  in  the  lower  angle  of  the  wimnd. 
Catheter  not  retained— allowing  the  water  to  flow  freely 
through  the  wound  until  the  end  of  the  fifth  day,  when  it 
ceased  for  a  time — then  the  catheter  was  fastened  in  the 
bladder.     Bronchitis  set  in  on  the  eighth  day,  and  a  little 


1886  Suprapubic  Lithotomy.  509 

later  a  colliquative  diarrhoea.  These  diseases  well  nigh 
exhausted  his  remaining  strength,  and  the  healing  process 
was  apparently  arrested  for  several  weeks.  Finally,  he 
began  to  gain,  and  no  urine  passed  through  the  wound 
after  the  thirty-ninth  day.  He  is  now  about  his  business, 
and  considers  himself  well.  The  highest  temperature  was 
1001°,  ai^d  this  was  present  one  evening  only,  after  which 
it  gradually  assumed  the  normal  poini 

None  of  the  popular  antiseptic  "daubs  or  squirts"  were 
employed  in  either  case,  but  Aconite,  Nux  vom.,  Ars.,  Hepar 
sulph.,  Ehus  tox.  and  Carbo  veg.  were  given  according  to 
their  specific  indications. 

It  will  be  noticed  that  I  did  not  sew  the  bladder  in  the 
last  case;  however,  I  think  the  tardy  healing  was  in  no  way 
due  to  this,  as  the  state  of  the  patient  was  incompatible 
with  the  repair  of  wounds. 


^a^ 


SYNOPSIS  OF    CLINICAL    LECTURE    ON    SUPRAPUBIC 

LITHOTOMY. 


BY  H.  F.  BIGGAR,  M.  D. 
Protessor  Clinical  and  Gyneecological  Sttrsery,  HomoeDatblc  Hospital  College, 

Cleveland,  Ohio. 


This  large  phosphatic  stone  which  is  shown  you  to-day, 
was  removed  from  a  patient  two  weeks  ago.  Its  presence 
made  an  invalid  of  him  for  several  years.  It  has  a  peculiar 
history.  The  removal  wjis  successful.  Its  history  and  re- 
moval will  be  given  in  detail  at  my  next  clinic.  To-day  I 
wish  to  call  your  attention  to  suprapubic  lithotomy  giving 
its  history,  advantages,  disadvantages,  the  early  method  of 
operating  and  the  method  of  the  present  day. 

The  advantages  are: 

(a)  A  quicker  and  safer  operation  than  perineal  lithot- 
omy or  in  many  cases  of  litholopaxy. 

(b)  Not  so  liable  to  haemorrhage. 

(c)  No  injury  to  the  prostate  gland,  bladder  or  rectum. 

(d)  Encysted  calculi  can  be  removed  more  easily. 

(e)  It  does  not  emasculate  as  in  perineal  cystotomy. 

(f)  All  fragments  may  be  removed  more  easily. 


510 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


(g)  Applicable  to  female  bladders. 
(h)  In  boys  generally  the  most  desirable  operation, 
(i)  All  stones  over  two  and  a  half  ounces  can  be  re- 
moved more  easily. 
The  disadvantages  are. 

(a)  A  diseased  or  thickened  bladder,  so  that  its  fundus 
cannot  be  raised  above  the  pubes. 

(b)  Corpulency. 

I9,(c)  The  distension  of  the  rectum  or  bladder  is  not  free 
from  danger. 

(d)  The  ureters  may  be  distended  in  place  of  the  bladder. 

(e)  Opening  the  peritoneal  cavity. 

(f )  Drainage  of  bladder  is  more  unfavorable. 

(g)  Urinary  infiltration. 
(h)  Recovery  slower. 


For  the  operation  it  is  necessary  to  make  the  bladder  an 
abdominal  organ,  thus  removing  the  dangers  of  injury  to 
the  peritoneum.  This  is  done  by  injecting  the  bladder  and 
inserting  a  rectal  pouch  within  the  rectum  and  distending 


Suprapubic  Lithotomy. 


511 


the  pouch  with  water.  The  cute  represent  the  relative  posi- 
tion of  bladder  and  rectum  before  and  after  tilling. 

In  giving  the  methods  of  operating,  would  state  that 
suprapubic  lithotomy  of  to-day  is  but  the  renewal  of  an 
old  and  discarded  operation. 

''The  high  operation  was  first  described  in  1556  by  Pierre 
Franco.     He  performed  it  on  a  child  two  years  old." 

"  About  the  year  1719  it  was  first  performed  in  England 
by  Dr.  Douglas. " 

"  Chelsenden  published  in  1723  an  excellent  brochure  oa 
the  high  operation  for  stone  in  the  bladder. 

Dr.  Gibson  was  the  first  to  operate  ia  this  country,  then 
Dr.  McLellan. 


THE   EARLY    METHOD   OF   OPEBATINO. 

"  Mr.  S.  Sharp,  *an  excellent  practical  surgeon  in  his  time, 
after  noticing  with  great  impartiality  the  objections  which 
were  then  urged  against  the  high  operation,  says  that  he 

•Cooper'a  Surgical  DIctlDn&Tj.  Vol.  II,  p.  VX.  «l.  »eq. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Dec 


hALotild  not  be  Borpriaed  if,  hereafter,  it  were  revived  and 
ntractioed  with  success;  an  observation  which  implied  that 
libe  foresaw  that  the  method  was  capable  of  being  so  im- 
tproved  as  to  free  it  from  its  most  serious  inconvenience. 
I  "  C6me  operated  in  the  following  manner:  he  first  intro- 
rdnoed,  through  urethra,  into  the  bladder,  a  staff  which  was 
I  then  held  by  an  assistant;  an  incision  an  inch  in  length 
was  now  made  in  the  perineum,  in  the  same  direction  aa  in 
the  lateral  operation. 

Another  incision  was  made  in  the  membraneous  part  of 
the  urethra,  along  the  groove  of  the  staff,  as  far  as  the  pros- 
tate gland.  A  very  deeply  grooved  director  was  then  pass- 
ed along  the  staff  into  the  bladder,  and  the  latter  iustra- 
ment  was  withdrawn.  J 

I      By  means  of  the  director,  a  sonde  &  dard  or  kind  of  cath-  I 
[   eter   furnished  with  a  atilet,  was  now  introduced  into  the 
bladder,  and  the  director  taken  out. 

An  incision  was  then  made  about  three  or  four  inches  in 

length,  just  above  the  symphysis  of  the  pubes,  down  to, 

and  in  tbe  direction  of  the  Hnea  alba.     A  trocar,  in  which   . 

there  was  concealed  a  biatoury,  was  next  passed  into  the  I 

linea  alba,  close  to  the  pubes,  and  the  blade  of  the  knife  then  J 

atarted  from  its  aheaf  towards  the  handle  of  the  instrument,  I 

while  its  other  end  remained  stationary.     In  this  manner*   j 

the  lower  part  of  the  linea  alba  was  cut  from  below,  up-  1 

I  wards,  and  an  aperture  was  made  which  was  now  enlarged 

I  Tnth  a  probe-pointed  curved  knife,  behind  which  a  finger 

was  kept,  so  as  to  push  the  peritoneum  out  of  the  way.  J 

C6me  then  took  hold  of  the  sonde  a  dard  with  his  right  J 

hand,  and,  elevating  its  extremity,  lifted  up  the  fundus  of  I 

the  bladder,  while,  with  the  fingers  of  his  left  hand,  he  en- 1 

I  deavored  to  feel  its  extremity  in  the  wound.     As  soon  aa  1 

I  t^e  end  of  the  instrument  was  perceived,  it  was  taken  hold  1 

of  between  the  thumb  and  middle  finger,  the  peritoneum  I 

■was  carefully  kept  up  out  of  the  way,  and  the  atilet  was  J 

pushed  by  an  assistant  from  within,  outwards,  through  thel 

fundus  of  the  bladder.     The  bladder  being  thus  pierced,J 

^L  the  operator  introduced  into  a  groove  in  the  stilet  a  curvedJ 

^B  bistoury,  with  which  he  divided  the  front  of  the  bladdei^ 


i 

I 

] 
1 

I 


1886  Suprapubic  Lithotomy.  513 

from  above,  downwards,  nearly  to  its  neck.  He  then  pass- 
ed his  fingers  into  the  opening,  and  keeping  up  the  blad- 
der with  them,  withdrew  the  sonde  a  dard  altogether.  But, 
as  it  was  desirable  that  both  his  hands  should  be  free,  the 
bladder  was  prevented  from  slipping  away  by  means  of  a 
suspensory  hook,  held  by  an  assistant  as  soon  as  the  open- 
ing was  found  to  be  already  ample  enough,  or  had  been  en- 
larged to  the  necessary  extent 

C6me  next  introduced  the  forceps,  took  out  the  stone,  and 
passed  a  canula,  or  elastic  gum  catheter,  through  the  open- 
ing in  the  peritoneum  iuto  the  bladder,  so  as  to  maintain 
a  ready  outlet  for  the  urine,  and  divert  this  fluid  from  the 
wound  in  the  bladder. 

Sir  Edward  Home  performed  his  new  operation  for  the 
first  time  in  Si  George's  Hospital,  on  the  26th  of  May, 
1820.  ''  An  incision  was  made  in  the  direction  of  the  linea 
alba,  between  the  pyramidales  muscles,  beginning  at  the 
pubes,  and  extending  four  inches  in  length;  it  was  contin- 
ued down  to  the  tendon.  The  linea  alba  was  then  pierced 
close  to  the  pubes,  and  divided  by  a  probe-pointed  bis- 
toury to  the  extent  of  three  inches. 

The  pyramidales  muscles  had  a  portion  of  their  origin  at 
the  symphysis  pubis  detached  to  make  room.  When  the 
finger  was  passed  down  under  the  linea  alba,  the  fundus  of 
the  bladder  was  felt  covered  with  loose  fatty  cellular  mem- 
brane. A  silver  catheter,  open  at  the  end  was  now  passed 
along  the  urethra  into  the  bladder,  and  when  the  point  was 
felt  by  the  finger  in  the  wound,  pressing  up  the  fundus,  a 
stilet,  that  had  been  concealed,  was  forced  through  the 
coats  of  the  bladder  and  followed  by  the  end  of  the  catheter. 
The  stilet  was  then  withdrawn,  aud  the  opening  through 
the  fundus  of  the  bladder  enlarged  towards  the  pubes  by  a 
probe-pointed  bistoury,  sufficiently  to  admit  two  fingers, 
and  then  the  catheter  was  withdrawn. 

The  fundus  of  the  bladder  was  held  up  by  one  finger, 
and  the  stone  examined  by  the  fore  finger  of  the  right  hand. 
A  pair  of  forceps  with  a  net  attached,  was  passed  down  in- 
to the  bladder,  and  the  stone  directed  into  it  by  the  finger, 
the  surface  being  very  rough,  the  stone  struck  upon  the 


614  The  Medical  Advance.  Dec 

opening  of  the  forceps,  and  being  retained  there  by  the 
finger. 

A  slip  of  linen  had  one  end  introduced  into  the  bladder, 
and  the  other  was  left  hanging  out  of  the  wound,  the  edges 
of  which  were  brought  together  by  adhesive  plaster.  A 
flexible  gum  catheter,  without  the  stilet  was  passed  into  the 
bladder  through  the  urethra,  and  kept  there  by  an  elastic 
retainer  surrounding  the  penis. 

The  patient  was  put  to  bed  and  laid  upon  his  side,  in 
which  position  the  urine  escaped  freely  through  the  cath- 
eter. "  Sir  Edward  Home  repeated  his  new  method  on  a 
gentleman  who  went  out  in  his  carriage,  with  the  external 
wound  completely  healed  on  the  fourteenth  day  after  the 
operation. " 

"THE   PRESENT   METHOD   OF   OPERATING.* 

"  I  shall  now  consider  the  practical  mode  of  performing 
the  operation,  detailing  the  steps  which  appear  to  me  to  be 
necessary  in  order  to  accomplish  it  safely  and  easily.  I 
may  say  at  once  that  it  is  a  very  simple  proceeding  and  easy 
of  performance;  much  more  so  than  is  lateral  lithotomy. 

"A  good  deal  has  been  written,  as  it  appears  to  me,  with  a 
tendency  to  associate  unnecessary  complications  with  the 
new  method,  to  induce  the  surgeon  to  take  certain  needless 
precautions  in  the  way  of  preparatory  treatment  in  relation 
to  the  practical  operative  proceeding  and  to  the  after-man- 
agement. No  previous  preparation  of  the  bladder  is  neces- 
sary. Attempts  to  increase  the  capacity  of  the  viscus  by 
preliminary  injection,  which  some  surgeons  have  made,  al- 
most invariably  fail  to  accomplish  the  object  Aimed  at;  on 
the  contrary,  they  increase  already  existing  irritation. 
Furthermore,  a  capacious  bladder  is  by  no  means  neces- 
sary. An  empty  condition  of  the  rectum  having  been  en- 
sured by  enema,  the  patient  may  lie  on  his  back  on  a  table, 
with  his  head  and  shoulders  slightly  raised. 

"As  soon  as  he  is  unconscious  I  roll  the  india-rubber  bag 
into  a  cone,  grease  it  well,  and  introduce  it  into  the  rectum, 
taking  care  that  it  shall  be  completely  above  the  grasp  of 


♦The  Lancet,  Dec.  5, 1885,  Sir  Henry  Thompson. 


1886  Suprapubic  Lithotomy.  515 

the  sphincter.  Theu,  about  twelve  or  fourteen  ounces  of 
water  are  gently  thrown  into  the  rectal  bag  in  the  case  of 
an  adult.  I  prefer  to  make  this  the  first  step  of  the  proceed- 
ing. 

"I  next  introduce  a  flexible  catheter  into  the  bladder,  and 
inject  slowly  and  gently  six,  eight,  or  ten  ounces,  feeling 
my  way  carefully,  according  to  the  resistance  perceived  in 
the  act,  and  the  degree  of  eminence  observed  above  the 
pubes,  almost  invariably  obvious  to  the  eye  as  well  as  to 
the  hand,  taking  care  to  avoid  force.  The  rectal  distension 
is  essential;  the  vesical  need  not  be  considerable.  The 
fluid  used  should  be  a  mild  antiseptic  solution,  such  as  one 
of  boracic  acid,  which  is  often  adopted. 

"Employing  carbolic  acid  solutions  uniformily,  for  most 
purposes,  I  generally  inject  one  not  exceeding  in  strength 
one  part  in  1,000.  The  catheter  being  withdrawn,  the  base 
of  the  penis  is  firmly  ligatured  with  an  india  rubber  tube. 
Palpation  above  the  symphysis  now  demonstrates  the  posi- 
tion of  the  bladder,  most  of  it  lying  above  the  brim  of  the 
the  pelvis  in  the  form  of  a  rounded  ball. 

"Having  taken  my  place  by  preference  on  the  patient's 
left  side,  a  vertical  incision  of  the  skin  and  cellular  tis- 
sures  strictly  in  the  median  line  over  the  salient  bladder  is 
made,  about  three  inches  long  or  a  little  more,  overlapping 
the  hard  upper  border  of  the  symphysis  below.  The  skin 
may  be  conveniently  divided  by  transfixing  a  fold  lifted  up 
for  the  purpose;  the  precise  method,  however,  is  not  mater- 
ial. This  being  done,  1  lay  aside  the  knife  and  prefer  to 
use  only  the  right  index  finger  nail  for  separating  the  tis- 
sues down  to  the  linea  alba,  which  is  easily  accomplished. 
A  few  fibres  of  this  may  be  raised  with  the  artery  forceps 
and  a  small  opening  made  with  the  blade  of  a  scalpel  so  as 
to  admit  a  wide  flat  director,  to  be  carried  beneath,  on 
which  to  divide  that  structure  upwards  and  downwards  for 
about  an  inch  and  a  quarter  in  each  direction. 

"The  finger-nail  is  then  again  employed,  separating  the 
muscles,  etc.,  in^he  median  line  until  another  fibrous  layer 
is  apparent,  the  transversalis  facia,  and  it  is  divided  on  the 
director  precisely  as  before.     If  the  stone  is  large,  the  in- 


[516 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


I 


Bartion  of  a  rectus  muscle  into  the  pubic  ramus  oo  each 
Bide  may  be  divided  to  a  small  extent. 

"  The  yellow  fat  covering  the  bladder  now  comes  into  view. 
This  should  be  carefully  separated  in  the  middle  line  by 
Borapiug  with  the  nail  from  behind  the  symphysis  pubis  in 
the  direction  upwards,  ao  as  to  place  the  peritoneum  out  of 
.yeach,  should  it  be  uear,  until  the  promiueuce  of  the  dis- 
tended bladder  is  eeieily  felt,  and  perhaps  even  the  stone,  as 
'it  is  covered  only  by  the  vesical  wall,  beneath  the  operator's 
finger. 

"  Veins  appearing  hereabout  may  give  much  trouble  by 
bleeding  if  the  knife  is  employed,  but  for  this,  however, 
there  ib  no  occasion,  by  scraping  with  the  nail  upwards 
■ftnd  downwards  and  pushing  or  drawing  them  canifully 
aside,  they  may  be  safely  removed  from  the  line  of  action 
nntil  the  fibres  of  the  bladder  are  exposed.  After  due  ex- 
amination a  small  curved  hook  should  be  carried  through 
the  vesical  coats,  when  a  little  fluid  is  seen  to  issue  by  its 
side,  proving  that  the  bladder  has  been  fairly  entered. 
Maintaining  the  hook  elevated  by  the  left  hand,  a  scapelin 
the  right  makes  a  small  puncture  by  the  side  of  the  hook 
{which  still  retains  its  hold)  just  sufficient  for  the  inddx 
finger  to  be  introduced  and  partially  stop  the  overflow  of  1 
the  urine  now  rapidly  issuing  from  the  orifice.  A  few  f 
moments  will  suffice  for  the  finger  to  determine  the  Bize> 
form  and  position  of  the  stone,  and  to  decide  how  large  an 
opening  is  necessary  for  its  removal. 

"I  make  the  opening  by  introducing  the  left  index  fingei 
by  the  side  of  the  right,  separating  the  two  fingers  gently  j 
BO  far  as  may  appear  sufficient  to  accumplieh  the  purpose,  i 
tiius  avoiding  the  use  of  the  knife,  and  with  it  sometimeB-J 
''troublesome  htemorrhnge.  When  a  tumor  baa  been  present  % 
I  have  passed  a  hxip  of  stout  silk  through  each  margin  (rf  1 
the  vesical  opening  in  the  same  manner  as  wo  have  been  I 
accustomed  to  do  in  the  borders  of  the  cut  urethra  when  .1 
opening  it  from  the  perineum  in  front  of  an  impaBsahle  1 
stricture.  Each  loop  gently  held  up  by  an  assistant  on  1 
either  side  gives  easy  access  to  the  bladder,  which  may  be  i 
farther  aided  by  letting  some  of  the  liquid  issue  from  thaJ 


1886  Suprapubic  Lithotomy.  517 

rectal  bag.  For  the  large  hard  calculi  for  which  I  have 
chiefly  adopted  the  operation,  the  use  of  silk  is  unnecessary. 
The  extraction  of  the  stone  may  be  done  in  the  usual  man- 
ner by  means  of  forceps,  but  I  prefer  to  effect  it,  if  possible, 
by  using  the  two  index  fingers  as  blades;  while  the  two 
hands  are  locked  together  by  interclasping  the  other  fingers 
of  each.  The  bladder  is  ascertained  to  be  free  from  other 
contents,  and  little  else  remains  to  be  done. 

"The  open  wound  will  give  issue  to  tte  urine,  and  I  have 
seen  no  danger  of  infiltration  if  the  wound  is  left  quite 
free  for  that  purpose. 

"The  only  attempt  I  have  made  to  limit  its  extent  has 
been  by  introducing  one  large  suture  about  an  inch  below 
the  upper  angle  through  the  abdominal  wall;  I  have  never 
used  a  single  stitch  in  the  bladder;  and  whether  even  the 
former  is  servicable  or  not  may  be  questioned. 

"I  have  thought  it  desirable  to  leave  five  or  six  inches  of 
large  india-rubber  tube  for  twenty-four  or  forty-eight 
hours  to  ensure  a  free  opening;  and  sometimes,  also  a  soft 
full-sized  catheter  in  the  urethra.  The  patient  has  gener- 
ally been  relieved  by  the  removal  of  these  in  two  or  three 
days.  He  lies  on  his  back  during  the  first  forty-four 
hours,  and  then  on  each  side  alternately  for  six  hours  at  a 
time,  and  all  the  urine  runs  easily  in  this  way  from  the 
wound,  and  excoriation  of  the  skin  is  prevented  by  one  side 
only  being  wetted  for  that  short  period  at  a  time.  No  other 
dressing  than  layers  of  lint  soaked  in  weak  carbolic  acid 
solution,  or  in  one  of  boracic  acid,  has  ever  been  employed 
by  me. 

"Of  all  my  cases  one  artery  only  was  tied,  and  no  torsion 
or  other  method  was  required,  and  there  has  been  no  ve- 
nous haemorrhage.  This  result  I  attribute  to  the  substitu- 
tion of  the  finger-nail  for  the  knife  in  the  division  of  all  tis- 
sues except  the  three  layers  named — the  skin,  the  linea 
alba,  and  the  transversalis  fascia. 

"The  nail  not  only  serves  to  guard  the  veins  as  above  said 
but  to  push  up  the  peritoneum,  should  it  be  in  the  way  at 
the  upper  angle  of  the  wound;  but  this,  I  believe,  it  rarely 
can  be  if  the  rectal  distension  has  been  properly  mada     I 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo 


I 


am  not  aware  whether  this  valuable  agent,  the  finger-nail, 
has  been  thus  systematically  employed  for  the  parpose  be- 
fore my  own  first  experience  with  it  in  the  case  of  July  2d> 
1884,  above  referred  to. 

"The  fact  of  its  use  then  is  recorded  in  this  journal  (Oct 
11th,  1884)  in  my  account  of  that  case.  I  have  since  de- 
signed a  tittle  ivory  instrument  to  take  the  jilace  of  the 
oail,  which  I  propose  to  describe  shortly. 

"Finally  I  am  satisfied  that  the  operation  described  is 
well  adapted  for  tumors  of  the  bladder  when  ascertained  to 
be  of  large  size,  and  when  they  are  not  merely  simple  poly- 
poid growths  of  a  simple  kind,  which  are  easily  removed 
through  the  perineal  incision. 

"I  adopt,  also,  a  modification  of  the  proceeding  for  those 
cases  in  which  a  perineal  exploration  has  first  been  made, 
and  in  which,  therefore,  the  bladder  cannot  be  distended;  a 
modification  equally  applicable  to  the  cases  of  women  in 
whom  the  same  condition  practically  exists." 


I     Indolent  Ulcers. — Cnharea  flouric-a.    Mr.  A.  8. , 

sixteen  years  of  age,  consulted  me  August  22d,  1882;  had 
previously  enjoyed  good  health.     His  disease  has  now  con- 
tinued for  three  years,  allopathic  treatment  Viy  incisions 
and  drainage,  has  improved  it  but  little.     The  lower  half 
of  the  left  leg  is  red,  and  very  mnch  swollen,  apparently  J 
about  the  ankle.    There  are  three  fistulous  ulcers  secreting  J 
a  thick  yellow  pus,  and  have  thrown  off  many  splinters  o£  J 
.  bone.     The  pains  appearing  principally  at  night.     Lung^J 
1  normal.    Appetite  not  good.    Emaciation.    Frequent  cough  I 
L  in  tke  morning  ivith  ikicl-  yellow  expecUrraiion.     Consider^' 
ItAle  weakness  in  ike  morning. 

Caloaria  flourica  fix  ti'ituration,  morning  and  evening  for 
fceight  days,  alternating  with  intervals  of  four  days  without 
i-medicine.     In   five   months,  al!   cured.     Externally,  onlyj 
EGlycerine  was  used.     I  saw  him  six  months  ago,  and  he  J 
Mmained  welL     No  enlargement  of  the  limb  was  disoovei 
-Db.  Hansen  in  Alg.  Horn.  Zeiiung, 


1886  Sanitary  Science.  519 

SANITARY  SCIENCE. 


(f 


THE  SANITARIAN"  AND  SANITARY  SCIENCE. 


The  following  correspondence  needs  no  lengthy  intro- 
duction. Our  letter  was  addressed  in  good  faith  to  the 
senior  editor  of  The  Sonitarian,  with  a  faint  hope  that  he 
would  be  brave  and  consistent  enough  to  give  it  to  his 
readers  and  fairly  answer,  if  he  could,  its  criticisms.  That 
for  lack  of  courage  he  failed  to  do  so,  is  not  at  all  surpris- 
ing. As,  therefore,  he  has  rejected  it  and  expects  to  find 
it  printed  elsewhere,  we  hope,  in  seeing  this,  he  will  not 
be  disappointed. 

Ann  Arbor,  Mich.,  Oct.  15, 1886. 
A.  M.  Bell,  A.  M.,  M.  D.,  Editor  Sanitarian. 

Dear  Sir. — Tou  have  repeatedly  requested  me  to  sub- 
scribe for  your  journal,  a  thing  I  have  so  far  neglected  to 
do.  I  am  to-day  in  receipt  of  another  specimen  copy  of 
the  same,  enclosing  a  printed  slip,  urging  me  to  patronize 
your  publication  on  the  ground  that  it  is  an  important  and 
therefore  valuable  organ  of  sanitary  matters.  Under  your 
able  guidance,  it  is  ostensibly  devoted  to  the  search  after 
disease  producing  agencies.  It  seems  willing  to  point  out 
every  source  of  danger  to  health,  and  is  professedly  ready 
to  help  stamp  out,  and  with  an  unsparing  hand  demolish 
everything  tending  to  endanger  and  shorten  human  life. 

It  seems  with  equal  promptness,  to  stand  ready  to  give 
a  helping  hand  to  every  organization  devoted  to  the  pro- 
motion of  public  health.  But,  Mr.  Editor,  in  looking  over 
the  specimen  copy  before  me,  I  find  a  large  amount  of 
space  devoted  to  circular  No.  2  of  the  Ninth  International 
Medical  Congress,  which  is  to  assemble  in  Washington, 
D.  C,  in  1887.  Numerous  official  dignitaries  are  designat- 
ed as  patrons,  and  a  very  long  list  of  official  names  follow, 
with  an  extensive  program,  so  that  it  is  not  difficult  to  get 
at  the  real  object  of  the  proposed  meeting.  Omitting  a 
few  names,  the  program  looks  very  much  like  that  annu- 
ally issued  by  the  American  Medical  Association.  It  is  in 
fact  the  circular  of  a  medical  convention,  and  differs  from 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Dec 


I  many  of  a  similBr  character,  only  in  that,  it  includes  the 
I  names  of  many  distinguished  foreigners;  and  the  congress 
I  "will  donbtlesB  be  representative  of  the  medical  men,  med- 
I  ical  societies  and  other  and  many  medical  institutions,  of 
[  most  civilized  countries. 

Very  well  then,  being  a  medical  congress,  having  only 
medical  officers  and  proposing  to  treat  of  only  medical  snb- 
jecte,  it  is  not  therefore  necessarily  a  sanitary  convention, 
Indeed  it  is  very  surprising  how  little  space  in  the  long  pro- 
gram is  devoted  to  anything  that  is  even  remotely  related 
I  to  sanitary  matters.  Out  of  eighteen  subjects,  there  is  one 
I  assigned  to  "  Public  and  International  Hygiene." 

I  think,  sir,  you  might  well  disclaim  against  so  meagre 
I  an  allotment  of  space  in  the  program  of  so  important  a 
[  body.  But  it  only  shows  you,  or  it  well  might,  the  truth- 
(  fulmess  of  what  I  am  about  to  state. 

Whatever  your  International  Congress  may  claim  to  be,  i 
t  is  not  a  sanitary  body,  and  I  marvel  that  its  circular 
Suds  space  in  a  joumfil  like  yuurs.    Medical  men  belong- 
ing to  the  class  of  medical  practitioners  represented  by  the 
members  of  this  International  Congress  long  ago  abun- 
1  doued  all  special  pretentions  to  beiog  able  to  cure  any  cer- 
I  tain  form  of  disease,*     Their  works  on  therapeutics  deal 
largely  in  the  treatment  of  patients,  but,  one  can  only  infer, 
that  all  tliis  treatment  is  intended  to  cure.     It  was  MoUfere, 
I  think,  who  said  that,  "  the  doctor  amuses  the  patient 
while  nature  cures  the  disease."     Medicines  act,  but  nature 
38,  is  about  all  these  learned  medical  gentlemen  would 
E  dare  to  claim  for  their  art;  and  this,  by  their  own  showing, 
L  is  notoriously  uncertain. 

It  is  this  which  has  driven  so  many  of  them  into  the 
I  sanitary  field,  where  they  are  reaping  a  golden  harvest  of 
'  reputation.     They  find  the  prevention   of  disease  to   be 

*A  recent  editorial  of  tbcM«II«ilRux>nt  lsllopalJ)lc)conlRin»Ihe  tollowlng; 
"The  (|iMstLon  bas  lieen  repB»leillja»keil,  ■  Wlint  can  we  cure?'  Our  [ftthere  be- 
lieved In  till!  poBiUve  effivu  of  drugs.  Th^y  admiDlsMretl  tbem  wltb  a  lavish 
huuL  Wu  bnve  swudk  ovar  to  tlie  oiiposlle  exlreme.  and  ouUlde  of  a  few  sped- 
flos,  mutuBll]'  acknowledKe  our  InablllC]'  to  affect  many  morbid  iiroceBscs.  Wa 
are  skeptlcHl  lu  regard  lo  tbe  eltiscts  of  our  remodies.  •  •  ■  We  know  that 
topical  applications,  where  itoaslble.  caii  modify  dlaeaaa;  but  on  Ibe  lurlom  vli- 
'B  are  able  to  exert  very  Utile  dlrael  effect." 


1886  Sanitary  Science.  621 

something  attainable.  Sick  and  tired  of  attempting  to 
heal  the  sick,  they  are  glad  to  do  something  more  certain, 
and  so  they  become  sanitarians. 

Bat  I  have  something  more  to  say  of  them.  Medical  art 
as  represented  by  these  gentlemen — and  by  the  way  I  see 
they  are  all  gentlemen,  not  a  lady's  name  appearing 
on  the  list,  not  even  in  "Obstetrics"  or  "Gynaecology" 
or  "  Diseases  of  Children,"  the  special  field  in  which  med- 
ical women  are  supposed  to  excel — I  say,  medical  art  as 
represented  by  these  gentlemen,  is  not,  by  their  own  show- 
ing, certainly  curative  of  disease;  neither  is  it  preventive, 
else  why  have  we  a  "Sanitary  Science"?  or  why  have  we 
the  American  Public  Health  Association,  while  there  exists 
the  American  Medical  Association?  No,  on  the  contrary, 
the  medical  art  of  these  gentlemen  is  notoriously  produC' 
tive  of  diseasa  Shall  I  quote  that  witty  and  wise  saying 
of  Holmes,  which  declares  that,  if  all  medicine  were  thrown 
into  the  sea,  it  would  be  all  the  better  for  mankind  and  all 
the  worse  for  the  fishes?  Shall  I  give  you  proof  to  be 
found  on  all  hands,  that  in  the  opinion  of  the  wisest  medi- 
cal men,  more  injury  has  beeu  done  mankind  by  the  use  of 
drugs,  even  in  the  hands  of  practitioners,  than  can  possibly 
be  offset  by  all  the  good  claimed  by  the  use  of  them  ? 

I  wish,  sir,  you  would  ascertain  how  many  tons  of  drugs 
are  yearly  disposed  of  by  the  great  wholesale  drug  houses 
of  this  country.  I  wish  you  would  estimate  what  enor- 
mous quantities  of  poisons,  to  say  nothing  of  other  drugs, 
go  over  the  counters  of  the  multitudinous  drug  stores,  and 
into  the  stomachs  of  the  people,  every  day.  You  cannot 
deny  it,  sir;  we  are  a  drug  eating,  drug  cursed  nation. 
Millions  of  people,  in  this  country  alone,  in  a  single  gen- 
eration, shorten  their  lives  by  taking  medicina 

If  we  were  to  take  up  but  one  drug  among  many,  we 
could  find  a  large  number  in  every  community  whose  lives 
are  made  a  hopeless  curse  by  the  use  of  that  drug  alone. 
In  any  considerable  town  or  city  you  can  count  the  opium 
eaters  by  scores  and  hundred. 

The  habit  of  taking  medicines  of  any  kind  is  perniciously 
and  is  directly  productive  of  many  tottDL^  oV  diawwafe*   "^"^ 


Tlie  Medical  Advance. 


Dec. 


rthen  do  not  you  sanitarians,  why  does  not  your  journals, 
r  whose  end  is  the  health  of  the  people,  enter  upon  a  crusade 
I  against  this  great  destroyer  of  human  happinesB  and  life? 
I  And  why  do  you  give  apace  to  thie  great  International 
f  Congress  program,  when  you  fcuow  that  the  ultimate  result 
j  will  be  to  cause  disease?  This  distinguished  body  of  med- 
liical  men  has,  collectively  and  individually,  many  elements 
Pworthy  of  commendation.  I  would  not  refuse  it  one  of  its 
■  true  claims  to  excellence.  But  alas!  it  is  wedded  to  this 
I  Bystem  of  drug  consumption.  It  is  to  these  men,  and  their 
llike,  the  world  owes  its  drug  eating  proclivity. 

The  result  of  all  this  is  the  shortening  of  human  life. 
The  fact  that  death  occurs  daily  from  over-doses  of  mor- 
phine, chloral  and  other  drugs,  is  not  among  the  worst  re- 
eults,  for  these  may  not  number  more  than  a  score  or  two, 
but  the  direct  results  are  to  be  found  among  thousand  upon  j 
thousands,  who  count  their  drags  more  than  their  food^.l 
and  who  are  defrauded  of  happiness  and  cheated  of  life  1^  1 
thiB  destructive  habit. 

Can  you,  sir,  as  a  sanitarian  look  upon  all  this  costly  and 
useless,  and  I  may  add,  criminal  waste  of  life,  and  do  noth- 
ing to  abate  it?     Does  your  journal  represent  intelligent  ;i 
sanitary   science,  while  it  fosters  this  evil?     I  presumSi 
though  I  do  not  know,  that  you  have  through  your  page^V 

Inttered  repeated  warnings  against  the  pernicious  use  (rf"i 
drugs.     But  if  you  have  done  so,  you  have  nullified  those 
warnings  by  aiding  the  men  who  are  the  chief  cause  of  the  , 
evil.     And  while  you  do  so  you  cannot  be  commended  i 
representing  the  highest  and  most  intelligent  views  of  b 
itary  science. 
Fraternally  yours, 
,  T.  P.  Wilson,  M.  D. 

Dear  Doctor: — In  reply  to  your  note  of  the  2oth  i 
offering  contribution  herewith  returned,  I   am   surprisedil 

I  to  learn  that  1  have  so  repeatedly  requested  your  subsorip-a^ 
taon  for  The  Sanitarian,  as  I  am  led  to  infer,  by  your  opin- J 
fen  of  it,  to  have  well  nigh  disgusted  you.     I  am  awart  a 


I 


^ta 


1886  Sanitary  Science.  523 

having,  much  too  generously  for  my  purse,  distributed  The 
Sanitarian  gratuitously,  and  promise  myself  to  be  less 
liberal  in  that  respect  in  the  future.  But  to  your  offered 
contribution,  so  unjustly  criticising  The  Sanitarian  and  its 
editor's  brotherhood,  in  its  own  pages,  I  hardly  know  at 
which  to  be  most  amazed — your  opinions  or  your  request 

[It  is  not  exactly  conventional  to  tell  a  man  his  faults  in  his  own 
face,  or  to  criticise  an  editor  in  his  own  paper;  but  for  all  that,  it's 
a  very  sensible  thing  to  do,  and  we  make  no  apology  for  so  doing.] 

My  own  first  spur  to  practical  sanitation  was  gained  in 
the  exercise  of  my  profession  as  a  medical  practitioner 
during  the  Mexican  war,  to  prevent,  as  far  as  possible,  the 
spread  of  yellow  fever,  as  well  as  to  do  all  I  could  to  cure 
those  sick  of  it  who  fell  under  my  care.  Fortune,  good  or 
bad,  as  you  may  consider,  cast  my  lot  for  many  years  in 
some  of  the  worst  climates  in  the  world,  in  the  two  Amer- 
icas and  Africa  and  the  adjacent  islands,  as  a  physician^. 
assistant  and  passed  assistant  surgeon  in  the  navy.  I  tried 
to  make  use  of  my  opportunities,  and  exerted  myself  to  pre- 
vent sickness.  In  short,  I  have  had  much  more  extensive 
opportunities  for  making  use  of  my  knowledge  as  a  physi- 
cian for  the  prevention  of  sickness  than  I  have  time  or 
inclination  now  to  write  oui 

[It  is  quite  probable  that  physicians  were  among  the  earliest  of 
sanitarians.  Priority,  however,  is  a  mooted  question,  and  there 
are  several  other  professions,  whose  claims,  both  in  the  past  and 
present,  cannot  be  ignored.  Dr.  Bell  would  have  been  a  sanitarian 
though  he  had  been  brought  up  in  any  other  profession  or  trade« 
In  all  his  earlier  life  he,  however,  was  an  exception  to  the  rule 
among  physicians,  and  he  cannot  deny  it.  The  American  Public 
Health  Association  has  among  its  members  many  noted  men  wha 
are  not  and  never  will  be  physicians. 

Moreover,  if  I  were  to  venture  on  detail,  the  suggestions 
of  your  offered  contribution  are  that  my  effort  has  all  been 
wasted;  that  I  have  been  and  am  yet  out  of  my  sphere  in 
your  point  of  view.  To  fraternize  with  doctors,  especially 
such  as  those  chosen  to  represent  the  forthcoming  Inter- 
national Medical  Congress,  you  appear  to  think  so  incon- 
sistent with  my  pretensions  as  a  sanitarian,  as  to  hare 
found  the  impulse  to  read  me — aye,  to  make  me  read  oat, 


lite  Medical  Advance. 


I 


I 


of  my  own  mouih-piece — a  lecture  on  my  short-comings 
and  inonsistencies. 

[That  is  just  what  we  said,  and  still  insist  upon  it,  that  Dr.  Bell 
as  a  aanitariua  and  The  Sanitarian  as  a  journal,  devoted  to  the 
prevention  of  disease,  has  nothing  to  do  with  the  International 
Mediciil  Congress;  und  we  have  plainly  stated  our  reasons;  and  wa 
cannot  Bod  in  Dr.  Bell's  anawer  any  adeqiiiite  reply  to  the  stricture 
we  have  made.  We  have  nothiog  against  the  Medical  Congress  or 
the  American  Medical  Association,  any  more  than  we  might  have 
against  the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association,  We  say  that 
the  program  of  the  Congress  is  unsuited  to  the  pages  of  a  sanitary 
Journal.  Our  reasons  for  this  have  heen  given.  Why  are  we  not 
shown  to  be  in  the  wrongV] 

Sarelj,  it  is  enough  for  me,  as  I  do,  to  confess  that  when 
I  have  done,  and  promise  to  continue  to  do,  all  I  can  for 
the  promotion  of  preventive  medicine,  that  I  fall  far  short 
of  accomplishing  all  that  I  would  in  a  field  of  labor  bo  ex- 
tensive.    But  of   one  thing,  I  can  speak  with  certainty 
without  presumption.     I  have  never  confined  my  efforts  to 
any  special  association,  clique  or  sect.     Sanitation  despises 
all   such   narrowmindednesBes  and  jealousieB,  no  matter 
whence  they  come,  and  for  myself,  my  highest  ambition  is 
to  be  worthy  of  the  title  sometimes  bestowed  upon  me,  of 
being  a  sanitarian.     Of  the  International  Congress  and  its  I 
"official  dignitaries,"  etc.,  as  you  are  pleased  to  oharactw-  | 
ize  them,  we  agree  in  the  statement,  that  "it  is  not  difficult  [ 
to  get  at  the  real  objects  of  the  proposed  meeting,"  though  J 
it  is  altogether  probable  that,  from  the  tone  and  illogical  M 
character  of  your  communication,  we  should  greatly  differ<l 
in  our  conclusions.     Mine  tire,  in  short,  for  professional  I 
advancement  in  the  prevention  as  well  as  the  cure  of  dis*  J 
ease.     The  executive  committee  and  committee  of  arrange-  J 
ments  could  not  suit  everybody;   could  not  cater  to  thai 
opinions  of  Tom,  Dick  and  Harry  and  be  sure  to  giToJ 
prominence  to  every  jealous- minded  Dick  who  knew  ol   , 
some  other  man  or  woman  more  competent  for  Bome  par- 
ticular designated  place  than  the  one  chosen.     Hence  thsy 
roust,  of  course,  fall  shoit  of  their  duty.     They  have,  ■ 
least,  improved   on   the   first   committee's   work — that  i 
appointing  themselves  to  the  most  distinguished  poBitiom 


^^k 


1886  Sanitary  Science,  525 

-which  the  association  that  you  seem  to  despise  (the 


American  Medical)  had  the  manliness  to  reject  It  would, 
of  course,  be  an  easy  matter  for  you,  or  any  one  else  as 
familiar  with  sanitary  science  as  you  are,  to  suggest  a  nxid- 
titude  of  other  names  quite  as  fitting  as  those  selected  to 
represent  that  or  any  other  section.  But,  as  judged  by 
by  their  works,  I  very  much  doubt  whether  you  or  any  one 
else  could  select  a  more  representative  class  of  names 
for  any  section,  number  of  sections,  or  whole  category  of 
preferred  names  than  that  with  which  you  find  fault.  And 
I  may  be  permitted  to  add,  claiming  equal  respect  with 
you  for  the  sex  in  and  out  of  the  profession,  I  know  of  no 
woman  in  the  United  States  who  has  made  such  advance- 
ment in  any  branch  there  named,  as  would  lead  me  to  sug- 
gest that  she  would  be  a  better  representative  than  any  one 
of  the  chosen. 

[From  this  it  follows,  good  doctor,  that  a  medical  woman  can- 
not hope  for  recognition  amongst  the  learned  gentlemen,  until  she 
becomes  "  a  better  representntive  than  any  one  of  the  chosen  "  in 
the  M(  dical  Congress.  Is  such  a  standard  of  ability  forced  upon 
women,  either  manly  or  just?] 

But  of  all  your  far-fetched  criticism,  that  which  implies 
that  the  International  Medical  Congress  is  for  the  promo- 
tion of  the  drug  trade  and  consumption  [of  drugs]  is  the 
most  preposterous! 

[This  is  a  cheap  evasion  of  our  charge.  The  truth  is  not  so 
easily  set  aside.  The  pages  of  The  Sanitarian  can  be  filled  any 
day  with  the  proof  of  the  truthfulness  of  what  we  have  said.  Dr. 
Bell  would  not  dare  to  print  it,  however.] 

And,  alas,  for  your  own  cause,  you  quote  the  opinion  of 
one  everywhere  esteemed  by  his  fraternity — Dr.  Oliver 
Wendell  Holmes.  I  deem  it  an  honor,  sir,  to  have  been 
one  of  Dr.  Holmes'  students.  I  retain  many  of  his  pre- 
cepts, and  right  sore  am  I,  if  you  were  more  familiar 
with  them  in  the  aggregate,  you  would  never  have  so  dese- 
crated one  of  his  tenets  as  to  apply  it  in  an  argument  so 
feeble  as  that  under  discussion. 

[O,  yes,  Dr.  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes  is  **in  the  aggregate,"  and, 
nominally,  an  allopathic  physician.    But  if  he  ever  practiced  med- 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


,  it  viaa  so  long  ago  that  he  must  have  forgotten  all  about  it. 
t'Ko,  he  is  a  poet,  and  hia  shafts  of  ridicule  have  found  some  sore 
ftpots  in  the  medical  art  of  his  confreres.  He  has  told  not  a  few 
1  very  naughty  Htories,  not  always  to  the  credit  of  hia  brethren,  and 
Lthey  have  been  painfully  aftUcted  with  the  particular  statement 
I  which  WB  have  quoted.] 

Finally,  permit  me  to  request  that  i£  you  conclude  to 
publiwli  the  paper  which  you  have,  I  know,  with  good  bat 
greatly  mistaken  intent,  offered  The  Sauilnrian,  you  will 
please  publish  this  letter  with  it.     Totirs  truly, 

A.  N.  Bell. 
P.  Wn-sON,  M,  D.,  Ann  Arbor,  Mich. 


With  this  request,  as  is  seen,  we  have  complied,  althongh 
jDr.  Bell,  himself  a  veteran  editor,  sends  us  his  communi- 
r  cation  written  upon  both  sides  o£  note  paper.    But  to  quote 
1  Dr.  Bell's  words,  we  hardly  know  at  which  to  be  most 
L  Atuazed,  his  opinions  or  his  request — refusing  us  a  hear- 
[  lug  and  asking  one  tor  himself.     This  might  be  called  by 
[  dome  a  specimen  o£  pure  cheek,  but  we  are  disposed  to 
[.take  it  as  a  compliment.     It  presupposes  that  we  have  the  ' 
I  oourage  to  do  what  he  did  not  dare  to  do.     But  can  the  , 
J  reader  see  in  Dr.  Bell's  reply,  any  attempt  to  answer  the  j 
I  necusation  we  have  made  against  the  Allopathic  schoolf 
[  Wial  it  ie  the  destroyer  of  many  human  lives  by  its  use  of  i 
1  large  quantities  of  drugs,  and  of  drugs  that  auddeuly  kill,  / 
and  through  the  habit  of  drug  taking  which  it  engenders  I 
1  smoug  the  people,  and,  therefore,   Tin;  Siinitnrinn  as  a  I 
k  journal,  and   Dr,   Bell   as   a   leader   in  sanitary  science  I 
r  should  have  nothing  to  do  with  the  International  Medical  1 
r<!!ougrBB8,  except  to  jxiint  out  its  errors  and  atteuipt  to  I 
eform  the  abases?     8mall-poK,  diphtheria,  typhoid  and' J 
^.yellow  fevers  and  kindred  contagious  diseases,  about  whiohT 
f  wo  maoh  is  said  about  stamping  them  out,  and  preventing  J 
I -them  by  law,  are  jointly  not  half  ao  destructive  to  put^ia  * 
V  health  as  is  the  taking  of  drugs,  done  by  the  orders  and 
I  tiirough  the  influeuce  of  the  allopathic  schools.     A  pbiloa- 
I  Opher  once  declared  that  "  through  the  art  of  dn 

t  harm  had  beeu  wrought  upon  Immauity  than  front 
istilence  and  sword  combined." 


1886  The  Food  for  Infants.  527 

And  yet  The  Sanitarian  and  its  editors  boldly  promote 
this  work,  and  are  amazed  that  we  offer  any  objection. 
Truly,  consistency  is  harder  than  diamond.       T.  P.  W. 


THE  FOOD  FOR  INFANTS. 


A.  A.  ALLEN,  M.  D.,  Milwaukee,  Wisconsin. 


I  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  those  who  have  the  care 
of  very  young  children  depending  upon  them,  to  the  very 
gratif3dng  success  I  have  obtained  from  the  use  of  Heed 
and  Carnrick's  Soluble  Food,  in  the  diseases  peculiar  to  de- 
ranged digestion  in  this  class  of  patients.  In  many  severe 
cases  of  green  or  slimy  discharges  during  dentition,  chol- 
era infantum,  watery  diarrhoea  or  vomiting  of  curdled  milk, 
general  debility  and  even  cerebro-spinal  reflex  irritation  or 
epidemic  meningitis,  I  have  been  wonderfully  and  pleas- 
antly surprised  by  the  almost  immediate  and  generally 
salutary  effects  of  this  food.  So  much  so  in  fact  that  I 
have  taken  the  personal  responsibility  of  urging  the  manu- 
facturers to  immediately  and  greatly  increase  their  efforts 
in  placing  the  article  before  the  public  generally  so  that  not 
only  physicians  but  all  who  may  ever  have  need  of  such  an 
article  may  know  of  its  beneficial  action.  I  have  used  a 
number  of  articles  destined  to  supplant  the  mother's  milk 
in  carrying  young  children  through  the  stage  of  life  be- 
tween birth  and  full  use  of  their  first  teeth,  but  none  that 
have  given  the  universally  prompt,  often  long  sought  for, 
always  gladly  welcomed  relief  and  generally  permanent 
improvement  that  follows  the  use  of  this  article  of  diet.  In 
my  opinicm  it  is  entirely  a  food  and  does  not  partake  of  the 
stimulating  nature  when  prepared  thicker  or  stronger  than 
the  printed  directions,  that  some  other  prepared  foods  pos- 
sess. The  weakest  and  most  irritable  stomacR  it  has  been 
my  lot  to  meet  in  years,  retained  and  digested  it  from  the 
first  without  rejecting  a  single  meal,  and  improvement 
within  twenty-four  hours  has  followed  its  use  in  every  case 
in  which  I  have  used  it  this  summer.  It  is  very  palatable 
and  taken  willingly  and  often  eagerly  by  the  little  invaUdsa^ 


628  The  Medical  Advance.  Dea 

I  have  never  been  troubled  by  an  apparent  feeling  of  full- 
ness being  exhibited  by  an  infant  after  taking  this  food, 
that  has  so  often  troubled  me  with  other  foods  and  which 
is  generally  attributed  to  th^  food  being  prepared  stronger 
than  directed  on  the  box,  but  I  consider  said  fullness  only 
an  ordinary  symptom  of  indigestion,  due,  not  only  to  the 
strength,  but  to  the  stimulating  properties  possessed  by 
the  food,  and  I  have  never  been  satisfied  with  anything  of 
a  stimulating  nature  in  treating  weak  stomachs.  I  hope 
this  recital  of  my  experience  will  be  sufficient  to  stimulate 
many  others  to  pay  more  heed  to  the  value  of  proper  food 
as  an  adjunct  to  assist  the  properly  selected  remedy  to  re- 
lieve the  suffering  of  this  great  army  that  is  depending 
upon  us  for  relief,  and  that  their  experience  will  be  as 
satisfactory  as  mine  has  been,  not  only  in  proving  the  value 
of  the  food  but  in  relieving  misery  and  curing  quickly  and 
satisfactorily  this  class  of  diseases. 

I  hope  those  who  need  help  with  these  troubles  will  try 
it  and  if  they  can  not  obtain  it  nearer  send  to  Heed  and 
Carnrick,  New  York,  for  a  sample. 


m» 


Quarantine  Disinfection.— At  a  recent  meeting  of  the  New 
Orleans  Board  of  Health,  Dr.  Holt  reported  that,  "the  new  steam 
disinfecting  chamber  at  the  Mississippi  Quarantine  Station  had 
been  completed  and  is  now  in  use.  Steam  charged  with  the  atom- 
ized bi-chloride  of  mercury  solution  is  turned  into  this  chamber,  in 
which  have  been  placed  the  articles  of  wearing  apparel  and  bed- 
ding to  be  disinfected,  and  the  temperature  is  maintained  at  226** 
Fahrenheit.  So  great  is  this  heat  and  the  penetrative  power  of 
the  material  used  that  clothing,  saturated  with  the  chemically 
charged  steam,  on  being  taken  from  the  chamber  is  instantly  dried. 
The  most  delicate  fabrics  and  stuffs  of  every  color  have  been 
treated  without  the  slightest  stain  or  injury." 


•4a» 


Chemistry  Quizz.— "Is  Mr.  Ferguson  present"? 

"  Mr.  Ferguson,  stand  up.' 

"  Wnat  is  Prusic  acid? 

"  Well  really.  Professor,  I  have  forgotton.' 

"Well,  Mr.  Ferguson,  is  it  a  weak  acid  or  a  strong  acid? 

Mr.  Ferguson,  being  coached  by  a  mischievous  student,  "a  weak 
acid  sir. " 

No,  Mr.  Ferguson,  it  is  a  strong  acid.    If  you  would  put  two 

drops  of  it  on  your  tongue  it  would  kill  a  dog." 


I 


1886  Correspondence,  529 

CORRESPONDENCE. 


OUR  FOREIGN  LETTER. 


Editor  Advance. — Some  of  your  readers  may  find  it 
useful  to  be  furnished  with  a  few  particulars  concerning 
the  relative  advantages  and  disadvantages  of  the  various 
Rivi6ra  winter  stations.  Mentone  is  decidedly  the  warm- 
est and  most  sheltered  of  them  all,  and  is  indeed  so  much 
so  as  to  be  too  relaxing  and  enervating  for  all  but  the  most 
advanced  invalids.  Those  cases  of  consumption  belonging 
to  the  true  tubercular  variety  who  are  incapable  of  sus- 
taining the  smallest  amount  of  bracing  should  be  sent 
there,  and  will  do  better  there  than  any  where  else.  As  a 
rule  it  may  be  laid  down  as  an  axiom  that  consumptive 
patients  should  be  subjected  to  the  greatest  amount  of 
bracing  of  which  they  are  susceptible.  Thus  very  ad- 
vanced cases  in  whom  the  slightest  breath  of  cold  produces 
pneumonic  exacerbations  should  be  sent  to  Mentone. 
After  Mentone  comes  Ospeduletti;  San  Bemo,  Cannes,  St 
Baphael  and  Hy^res,  are  distinctly  cooler  than  the  two  pre- 
ceding, though  enjoying  a  warm  and  agreeable  climate 
throughout  the  winter.  For  this  reason  they  are  better 
suited  to  those  invalids  who,  while  requiring  avoidance  of 
the  rigorous  English  and  American  winters,  are  yet  bene- 
fitted by  the  mild  amount  of  bracing  they  will  receive  in 
the  four  above  named  places.  Among  them  Cannes  should 
be  selected  by  those  who  are  fond  of  society  and  the  gaiety 
of  a  large  community;  St.  Baphael  is  situated  amidst  im- 
mense pine  forests,  a  circumstance  to  which  great  impor- 
tance is  attached  by  some;  Hy^res  is  removed  from  the  sea, 
and  therefore  suitable  for  bilious  patients  and  those  who  can- 
not sleep  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  ocean  (Hy^res  is 
not  in  the  island  of  that  name,  but  some  distance  inland); 
San  Bemo  is  in  Italy.  The  prices  are  more  moderate  and, 
of  course,  Italian  is  spoken,  whereas  French  is  the  language 
of  the  three  other  places  named;  this  will  be  an  advantage 
to  some  and  a  disadvantage  to  others.  Nice  and  Cimier  I 
cannot  recommend  to  any  bona  fide  consumptive;  the  con- 


%30 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


I  janction  of  an  icy  wind  irith  a  broiling  son  being  extremely 
[  dangerous  to  Buch  persons;  but  they  are  suitable  to  elderly 
I  people  and  those  who  only  require  change  and  sunshine. 
Nice  is  like  Paris  on  a  smaller  scale,  and  possesses  all  the 
advantageB  and  disadvantages  of  a  large  town.  Bordighera 
is  a  pleasant,  rustic  retreat,  situated  on  a  tongue  of  land 
running  into  the  sea,  and  therefore   not  sufficiently   shel- 

■  tered  for  consumptives,  though  excellent  for  other  persons 
who  only  require  a  warm  sunshiny  winter  in  a  picturesque 

I  Bpot     No  on©  nowadays  need  dread  the  journey  even  from 

'  America — eight  days  from  New  York  to  Liverpool,  four 
and  oue-hnlf  hours  from  Liverpool  to  London,  and  thirty 

I  hours  thence  to  Cannes,  the  only  change  required  being  on 
ind  off  the  Calais  boat. 
The  weather  here  is  charming;  the  autumn  rains,  which 

'  Bhould  have  fallen  in  September,  were  delayed  till  the  18th 
inst,  coinciding  with  the  depression  which  has  recently 
traveled  over  Europe.  The  mean  temperature  at  9  4.  M. 
for  the  last  week  has  been  65°  F.  Driviug  through  Grass© 
a  few  days  ago  I  saw  fields  of  rosea,  Jasmine,  tube-roses, 
and  carnations  in  full  flower;  they  are  cultivated  for  sake  of 
the  scent,  which  is  prepared  at  Grasse  in  immense  quantities 

■  and  distributed  all  over  the  world.  Few  visitors  have  as 
yet  arrived  here  beyond  the  chaplains  of  the  various 
churches  and  chapels  with  which  Cannes  is  well  supplied, 
almost  every  sect  and  shade  being  represented.  The  Rev. 
H.  Percy  Smith,  of  Christ's  Church,  is  a  follower  of  Ro- 
bertson, and  a  good  representative  of  the  broad  section  of 
the  Episcopalians,  while  Mr.  Brook,  of  Trinity,  and  Mr. 
WallasUm  will  satisfy  those  who  lean  to  the  evangelical 

^^  and  the  high  church  parties  respectively.  There  are  also 
^^L  meetings  of  the  Scotch  Presbyterians,  of  the  Plymouth 
^^m  Brethren,  and  two  French  protestant  and  one  German 
^H  ehurch,  besides  Italian  missions,  and  of  course  Romish 
^^r  ohurches. 

^B  Cholera  has  now  entirely  died  out  in  Italy  and  has  made 
^B  its  appearance  in  Vienna,  Buda-Pesth,  etc.  It  is  curious 
^^^  to  note  how  prudence  seems  to  desert  medical  men  when 
^^K  they  approach  the  difficult  problem  of  the  t^liagnosis  and 


1886  Correspondence,  631 

treatment  of  this  scourge.  Anglo-Indians  who  have  passed 
their  lives  in  the  midst  of  it,  express  themselves  much  more 
cautiously  than  European  physicians  who  have,  perhaps, 
never  seen  a  case.  Prof.  Koch,  the  eminent  pathologist, 
after  a  sojourn  of  a  few  months  in  India,  considered  him- 
self competent  to  locate  the  virus  of  cholera  in  the  comma 
baccillus,  a  species  of  bacteria  plentifully  found  in  the  rice- 
water  stools,  and  professed  to  be  able  to  produce  the  dis- 
ease by  inoculations  of  his  cultivated  virus.  Prof.  Klein, 
an  equally  eminent  pathologist,  not  only  inoculated  him- 
self with  but  also  swallowed  an  indefinite  quantity  of 
Koch's  cultivation  fluid  without  any  effect  whatever.  A 
Spanish  medical  man  read  a  paper  before  the  French 
Academy  of  Science,  in  which  he  stated  that  he  had  suc- 
ceeded in  inoculating  ninety  nuns  with  a  preparation  from 
the  rice-water  stools  of  cholera  patients,  and  in  proof  of 
the  success  of  the  operation  he  alleged  the  fact  that  all  the 
nuns  had  died.  This  triumph  was  loudly  applauded  by  the 
assembled  savants,  but  it  may  be  doubted  whether  the  con- 
vent authorities  were  equally  pleased,  considering  that  the 
reason  why  the  nuns  submitted  to  the  inoculations  was 
that  they  might  be  able  to  go  among  cholera  patients  with- 
out fear  of  taking  the  disease  themselves. 

No  doubt  you  have  read  the  violent  altercation  in  which 
the  public  are  freely  taking  part  on  what  is  called  the 
laparotomy  epidemic.  The  operation  of  removal  of  the 
ovaries  and  tubes  first  discovered  in  America,  fell  into  dis- 
use there,  but  has  lately  been  revived  by  Mr.  Lawson  Tait, 
of  Birmingham,  with  great  success,  at  all  events  financially. 
Dr.  Emmet,  of  New  York,  states  that  in  his  lengthened 
experience  he  has  only  met  with  two  cases  in  which  the 
operation  was  indicated,  that  neither  of  these  would  submit 
to  it,  and  that  they  both  completely  recovered  subsequently 
without  operation.  Lawson  Tait  rejoined  that  these  two 
patients  afterwards  came  to  him,  that  far  from  being  cured 
they  were  in  a  desperate  condition,  and  that;  now,  thanks  to 
his  skillful  mode  of  performing  laparotomy,  they  are  in 
perfect  health.  Indeed  the  loud  and  brazen  manner  in 
which  Mr.  Tait  blows  his  own  trumpet  cannot  but  remind 


632 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Dec. 


u9o£  the  late  Sir  James  Simpson  to  whom  he  bears  a  close 
I  but  unavowed  relationship.  The  latter  certainly  contrived 
to  arrogate  to  himself  the  discovery  of  aniestheties,  though 
B  was  perfectly  aware  that  the  trae  discoverer  was  an 
American,  With  regard  to  laparotomy,  it  now  transpires 
that  in  the  Women's  Hospital  at  Liverpool,  out  fif  a  total 
I  of  349  patients  admitted  during  the  year.  111  had  this 
operation  performed  by  the  enterprising  Dr.  Imlach  with- 
out consulting  with  his  colleagues  on  the  staff.  Naturally 
the  public  and  the  profession  are  alike  shocked  ami  indig- 
nant and  an  inquiry  is  loudly  demanded  on  oil  aides. 
Apropos  of  Liverpool,  the  Homoeopathic  Hospital  recently 
endowed  by  the  munificence  of  Mr.  Henry  Tate,  the  augar 
refiner,  is,  I  am  told,  progressing  apace.  Such  institutions 
are  greatly  needed,  there  being  only  one  other  in  Great 
Britian,  i.  e.,  in  Loudon.  It  is  unfortunate  that  in  England 
the  medical  youth  must  be  educated  at  an  allopathic  col- 
lege where  tliey  hear  nothing  but  sneers  concerning  Hom- 
ceopathy,  and  are  frequently  deterred  by  the  gibes  of  their 
companions  from  the  straight  and  narrow  way  that  leadeth 
to  homceopathio  practice.  It  is  hoped  that  some  day  the 
state  will  grant  licening  power  to  homoeopathic  colleges  as 
it  does  in  America.  A  E.  Dryrdai.e,  M.  1). 

Cakmeb.  Francs.  OuL  %,  ISW, 


Minnesota  MEniOAL  Monthly,  Jdly.— ■■  It  is  suggested  that. 
In  every  school  there  should  be  a  professor  of  physics,  whose  duty 
It  would  he  to  make  a  minute  exumination  of  each  student,  and 
see  thHt  their  health  is  properly  looked  after." 

This  is  pretty  rough  on  the  King's  English,  l>ut  harder  still  on 
the  professor.  Down  this  way,  a  professor  of  physics  is  not  a  me- 
dical man,  and  he  knows  as  much  of  the  question  of  health  as  the 
protessor  of  Astronomy,  and  no  more.  The  Idea  sought  to  be  «x- 
pressrd  in  the  above,  may  seem  to  some  quite  plausable,  but  we 
protest  that  it  is  absurd.  If  there  is  such  a  thing  lis  "meddlesome 
midwifery,"  we  may  stigmatize  this,  as  medillt-some  sanitation. 
And  there's  a  deal  of  it  in  vogue  just  now.  Every  fellow  is  seek- 
ing to  outdo  every  other  fellow  in  carrying  sanitary  matters  to  a 
vanishing  point.  Ideas  have  tiieir  seed  tirne  and  their  harvests, 
just  as  does  vegetation,  and  in  matters  of  hygiene,  the  thoughtfol 
observer  will  not  fail  to  see,  that  some  of  it  has  already  gone  to 
seed.  T.  P,  W. 


1886  Congenital  Absence  of  the  Utenis.  533 

GYNECOLOGY. 


CONGENITAL  ABSENCE  OF  THE  UTERUS. 


C.  G.  SPBAGUE,  M.  D.,  Omalia,  Neb. 


A  case  presenting  all  the  features  of  congenital  absence 
of  the  uterus,  recently  came  under  my  observation — and 
being  the  only  case  of  the  kind  which  I  have  ever  met 
with,  either  in  print  or  practice — I  beg  leave  to  lay  it  be- 
fore the  readers  of  the  Advanoe. 

Case. — Jennie  S. ,  set  about  34,  consulted  me  re- 
garding her  approaching  ''change"  as  she  termed  it;  dur- 
ing the  interview  she  stated  that  she  never  had  men- 
struated, neither  had  there  ever  been  any  symptoms  look- 
ing to  that  physiological  function.  As  a  girl,  she  stated 
she  had  always  enjoyed  the  very  best  of  health,  except  at 
such  times  as  when  she  was  under  treatment  by  her  family 
physician  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  that  important 
function — and  at  such  times,  she  stated,  she  had  been  made 
so  very  ill  from  the  effects  of  excessive  medication,  that  she 
was  frequently  confined  to  her  bed  for  several  days  at  a 
time.  She  had  been  taught  by  her  medical  attendant  that 
the  menses  must  be  brought  on,  or  she  could  never  be 
strong  and  well — hence,  she  submitted  to  the  "forcing" 
process  at  different  periods  for  several  years,  but  without 
satisfactory  results.  At  the  age  of  24  she  was  married,  and 
continued  to  live  with  her  husband  for  about  six  years; 
during  that  period,  she  states,  there  was  free  indulgence  in 
sexual  intercourse,  which  at  times  was  carried  to  excess; 
she  finding  as  much  pleasure  in  the  act  apparently  as  her 
husband.  Mutual  dissatisfactions  at  last  began  to  develop 
— each  accusing  the  other  of  being  the  cause  of  a  childless 
home,  until  a  separation  was  agreed  upon,  since  which  time 
she  has  been  employed  at  general  housework — and  now,  at 
the  age  of  34,  seeks  medical  assistance  to  guide  her  during 
what  she  regards  as  "her  change.*'  The  unusual  history 
of  her  case  led  me  to  advise  an  examination  per  vagina — 
which  was  acceded  to,  and  which  developed  the  fact  that 
there  was  not  the  slightest  trace  of  a  uterus.    Examination 


531 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Dec. 


per  rectum  was  made  on  two  separate  occasions,  and  with- 
out the  least  indications  of  the  presence  of  either  uterus  or 
oTarieB.  Of  course  tbe  presence  or  absence  of  the  uterus 
is  so  much  easier  determined  than  that  of  the  ovaries,  und 
while  I  am  as  absolutely  certain  that  the  utems  is  not  pre- 
sent, as  I  can  be  of  anything  else  under  like  circnmstan- 
oes,  I  cannot  speak  so  positively  regarding  the  presence 
or  abaence  of  the  ovaries.  The  mammary  glands  are  de- 
veloped to  about  the  Hame  degree  as  is  usually  found  in 
females  of  her  physical  development,  that  is,  she  being 
somewhat  on  the  "lean"  order — ^the  mammse  are  bat 
slightly  developed. 

In  the  previous  consideration  of  her  case,  I  had  formed 
the  opinion  that  there  might  be  a  lack  of  development  of 
that  organ — but  was  not  prepared  for  a  total  absence  of 
that  important  apjiendage.  The  vagina  terminated  in  a 
blind  pouch  at  about  four  inches  from  the  vulva,  beyond 
which  there  was  not  the  faintest  semblance  or  indication 
of  the  esiiatenoe  of  a  uterus.  Here,  truly,  was  an  anamoly 
which  might  well  be  called  perplexing.  Here  was  a  woman 
who,  to  all  external  appearances  had  been  created  with  all 
the  organs  and  functions  of  her  sex,  who  had  fulhlled  the 
requirements  of  a  wife,  except  in  that  of  reproduction,  had 
reached  the  age  of  34  years,  had  never  menstruated,  nor 
had  any  effort  ever  been  made  to  account  for  its  non  ap- 
pearance. The  examination  was  repeated  some  four  or  five 
days  after  the  first  interview,  as  I  thought  I  must  have 
overlooked  some  important  indication — but  the  same  result 
was  reached,  although  conducted  with  the  utmost  care. 

Now,  I  would  ask,  can  there  be  a  development  of  tJie 
ovaries,  and  none  whatever  of  the  uterus?  From  the  fact 
that  the  woman  is  in  possession  to  a  marked  degree,  of 
sexual  instinct  and  sexual  passion,  it  would  seem  to  me 
that  such  must  be  the  case.  Sexual  excitement  is  easily 
aroused  as  was  evidenced  at  the  time  of  examination,  by 
contact  with  the  clitoris;  indeed,  evidence  of  the  habit  of 
masturbation  existed  in  the  slightly  enlarged  condition  of 
that  organ— although  the  habit  was  emphatically  denied  by 
the  patient. 


1886  MaUPositian  of  Foetus.  535 

I  can  scarcely  believe  it  possible  to  have  ovarian  devel- 
opment without  the  uterus,  as  I  have  always  regarded  it  as 
necessary  that  where  one  existed  the  other  must  also  exist, 
either  in  full  or  partial  development,  and  more  particularly 
so  where  sexual  appetite  is  present  But,  some  may  ask, 
if  the  presence  of  ovaries  are  necessary  to  the  function  of 
menstruation  and  maternity — and  these  two  important 
functions  are  performed  without  the  slightest  venereal  ap- 
petite,  why  cannot  the  opposite  condition  prevail?  I  am 
strongly  inclined  to  take  this  view  of  the  matter  myself — 
believing  that  in  the  case  under  consideration  there  is  an 
imperfect  development  of  both  ovaries  and  fallopian  tubes 
— ^but  an  entire  congenital  absence  of  the  uterus. 

The  case  is  of  such  interest  to  me  individually,  that  I  am 
trying  to  arrange  for  an  examination  by  several  others  of 
my  associates  here,  and  shall  be  happy  to  report  result. 


•^•^ 


MALr-POSITION  OF  FCETUS. 


W.  J.  HAWKES,  M.  D..  Chicago,  111. 


^  ^  ^  It  has  been  said  that  the  remedy  indicated  by  the 
sum  of  the  morbid  phenomena  of  the  expectant  mother,  has 
been  the  means  of  correcting  the  mal-position  of  the  foetus 
in  utero.  I  indorse  the  statement  In  a  misapprehension 
of  the  true  function  of  medicine,  I  have  heard  teachers  and 
others  ridicule  the  statement  that  ''  Pulsatilla  had  turned 
the  child  in  the  womb."  This  involves  a  mis-statement  as 
well.  The  normal  position  of  the  child  is  the  right  occi- 
pito-illiac  anterior.  Any  deviation  from  that  position  is 
wrong,  and  was  caused  by  something  not  right  in  the 
mother.  The  science  of  therapeutics  takes  cognizance  of 
this  wrong,  and,  by  adopting  a  proven  remedy  to  the  to- 
tality of  her  symptoms,  corrects  it  But  nature  is  never- 
ceasingly  endeavoring  to  have  all  things  exactly  right  in 
her  economy;  and  after  she  has  been  relieved  of  the  incu- 
bus which  had  hampered  her  action,  is  enabled  to  correct 
even  greater  wrongs  than  the  mal-position  of  the  joeius  m 
utero,  floating,  as  it  is,  freely  in  the  liquor  amnii.    It  ib 


I 

I 


The  Medical  Advance.  Deo. 

.  supposed,  and  it  was  neyer  intended  to  say,  that  a  frac- 
tion of  a  drop  of  the  3d,  30th  or  200th  of  PnlBatilla  or  any 
other  drug  went  directly  to  the  child,  seized  it  by  the  heels 
and  turned  it  bodily  right  aide  up.  It  is  hardly  conceiv- 
able that  such  ai]  absurd  notion  could  have  found  lodge- 
ment in  a  graduate's  brain.  I  have  seen  premature  labor 
pains  promptly  arrested,  and  a  change  in  the  position  of 
the  foetus,  which  was  observed  by  others  besides  myself, 
caused  by  the  administration  of  the  clearly  indicated 
remedy.  But  nature  did  the  arresting  and  changing  of 
position.     The  medicine  simply  cleared  the  decks. 

[This  is  undoubtedly  the  homceopatbic  method,  the  only 
true  method  of  treatment,  for  the  abnono  all  ties  of  preg- 
nancy. But  Dr.  Hawkes  might  have  gone  much  furthur. 
The  time,  of  all  times,  in  which  to  eradicate  the  constitu- 
tional ailments  of  the  child  is  while  still  in  utero,  and  the 
totality  of  the  symptoms  of  the  mother  both  before  and 
during  pregnancy  is  a  safe  and  sure  guide  for  the  curative 
remedy. — Ed.] 

A  PRIOR  DISCOVERY. 


The  medical  world  is  prolific  in  controversies  over  prior 
discoveries  in  medical  and  surgical  methods,  and  we  pre- 
sume it  will  continue  to  be  so  till  man  shall  have  reached 
that  stage  of  development  in  which  his  physical  system 
will  be  impervious  to  decay.  Gyntecology  has  been  par- 
ticularly fruitful  in  this  respect  History  shows  that  two 
men,  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  may  follow  the  same 

Iliue  of  thought  and  reach  the  same  conclusion  without 
knowledge  of  each  otlier.  We  believe,  also,  that  it  is  a 
recognized  law  of  courtesy,  that  to  the  one  who  first  pub- 
lishes his  deductions  belongs  the  honor  of  priority.  This 
does  not,  however,  as  we  understand  it,  discredit  the  work 
of  the  later  investigator,  so  that  in  calling  the  attention  of 
the  medical  public  to  the  subjoined  comparative  data,  it  ia 
only  to  place  on  record,  and  give  due  credit  to,  the  origin- 
ator of  this  method  of  perinseorrhaphy. 


1886 


A  Prior  Discovery. 


537 


From  the  MediocU  Current,  Jan.,  1886. 

METHOD  OF  PERINi^ORRHA- 

PHY. 

John  W.  Streeter,  M.  D., 

Professor  of  the  Medical  and  Surgical 
Diseases  in  the  Homoeopathic  Med- 
ical College,  of  Chicago. 

Reported  far  The  Medical  Current  by 
the  Editor. 

The  method  of  performingr 
the  operation  for  repair  of  lace- 
rated perinei  as  devised  by  Dr. 
Streeter.  is  to  my  mind  superior 
to  any  I  have  ever  seen  others 
perform  or  figured  in  books. 

The  patient  is  placed  upon 
her  baclc,  the  legs  fiexed  upon 
the  thigh  and  the  thighs  upon 
the  abdomen.  The  operator 
having  decided  how  much  of 
the  aperture  to  close,  makes  an 
incision  along  the  muco-cutane- 
ous  juncture,  through  the  mu- 
cous membrane.  Tnen  with  a 
scalpel,  but  preferably  a  pair  of 
blunt  pointed  scissora,  dissects 
up  the  mucous  and  submucous 
tissues  in  the  form  of  a  triangle, 
the  base  being  at  the  outlet  and 
the  apex  at  the  inlet  of  the  va- 
gina, leaving  the  margins  which 
form  the  sides  of  the  triangle 
and  the  a[>ex  intact.  No  tissue 
whatever  is  cast  away,  as  in  the 
ordinary  method  of  operating. 
The  divided  tissue  is  now  lifted 
up  toward  the  symphysis  pubis 
and  the  wound  closed  with  sil- 
ver sutures  as  in  the  ordinary 
manner.  To  hold  the  muco-cu- 
taneous  margins  together,  two 
superficial  stitches  of  silk,  one 
on  either  side  of  the  united  per- 
ineal walls,  are  used. 

To  summarize  its  points  of 
excellence  we  would  say: 

1.  There  is  no  delay  for  fear 
of  non-union  on  account  of 
capillary  oozing. 

2.  The  separated  tissue  of  the 
vaginal  fioor  acts  as  a  bridge  to 
the  wound  and  thus  prevents 
any  vaginal  or  uterine  discharge 
coming  in  contact  with  the  raw 
surfaces,  thereby  delaying  or 
entirely  preventing  proper  un- 
ion. 


From  the   Canada  Medical   Record^ 
June,  1886. 

A  NEW  METHOD   FOB  BELIEF 
OF  BUPTUBED  PEBINiEUM. 

At  a  recent  meeting  of  the 
Medico-Chirurgical  Society,  of 
Montreal,  Dr.  Trenholme  read  a 
paper  on  this  subject.  He  des- 
cribes it  as  follows: 

I  denude  the  surfaces  to  the 
fullest  extent  of  the  parts  in- 
jured. This  denudation  is  ac- 
complished by  the  removal  of 
the  covering  of  the  parts  to  be 
denuded,  i.  e.,  the  cicatricial  sur- 
face in  one  piece.  For  this  pur- 
pose the  first  incision  is  made  at 
the  upper  part  where  the  edge 
of  the  skin  coalesces  with  the 
cicatricial  surface;  the  knife  is 
entered  at  the  highest  on  the 
right  side,  and  the  incision 
brought  down  to  the  lowest 
part  of  the  fourchette,  where  it 
IS  met  by  a  similar  incision  on 
the  left  side.  The  lowest  part 
of  the  angle  is  then  seized  with 
the  forceps  and  carefully  dis- 
sected upward,  taking  special 
care  to  remove  the  whole  sur- 
face without  incising  the  flap; 
this  dissection  is  carried  on  tul 
the  surface  represented  by  the 
original  wound  is  uncovered. 

[Here  the  Doctor  gives  in- 
struction about  inserting  the 
sutures,  which,  with  the  excep- 
tion that  he  uses  shield  sutures, 
does  not  materially  differ  from 
the  ordinary  method.] 

The  edges  of  the  wound  are 
co-apted  by  horse-hair  sutures, 
and  the  upper  part  of  the  flap 
and  around  the  right  and  left 
side  are  secured  by  catgut  su- 
tures; this  leaves  the  united 
surfjices  in  the  shape  of  the  let- 
ter T.  The  vaginal  surface  is 
perfectly  covered,  and  in  no 
way  can  a  drop  of  fluid  enter 
the  wound   or  interfere  with 

union  by  first  intention. 

«  «  «  « 

The  objection  to  all  other  op- 
erations was  that  it  left  toe 
vaginal  incision  open,   which 


638  The  Medical  Advance.  Dec. 


3.  The  care  of  the  patient  is 
much  lessened,  catheterization 
and  vaginal  douching  being  ab- 
solutely unnecessary. 


sometimes,  therefore,  interfered 

with  union  by  first  intention. 
♦  ♦  *  * 


The  following  points  are 
gained:  Perfect  union;  perfect 
restoration  of  the  perinaeum; 
no  loss  of  substance,  and  no 
after-fever  worthy  of  the  name. 

That  Dr.  Streeter  has  practiced  and  taught  this  method 

to  his  classes  for  the  past  ten  years,  the  students'  note 

books  and  the  records  of  his  dispensary  and  hospital  cases 

will  show. — Medical  Current 


•«•»• 


Bureau  of  Sanitary  Science.— Subject :  Climatology, ^In 
accordance  with  the  rules  governing  sectional  work,  adopted  at 
the  last  session  of  the  Institute,  the  following  plan  of  work  for 
this  Bureau  is  submitted,  with  the  belief  that  every  member  will 
enter  into  it  heartily,  and  make  his  particular  department  as  com- 
plete as  possible : 

1.  "  Ocean  and  Seashore  Climate.*'  Bushrod  W.  James,  M.  D., 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

2.  "  The  Relation  of  Flora  to  Climate."  E.  U.  Jones,  M.  D., 
Taunton,  Mass. 

3.  "Relation  of  Climate  to  Disease."  R.F.  Baker,  M.D.,  Daven- 
port, Iowa. 

4.  "Health  Resorts."  W.  B.  Chamberlain,  M.  D.,  Worcester, 
Mass. 

5.  "  Individualization  ol  Climate."  A.  K.  Crawford,  M.  D.,  Chi- 
cago, Illinois. 

6.  "  The  Study  of  High  Altitudes  in  Relation  to  Disease."  A.  S. 
Everett,  M.  D.,  Denver,  Colorado. 

7.  "  Observations  on  Florida  Climate."  H.  R.  Stout,  M.  D.,  Jack- 
sonville, Florida. 

8.  "Influence  of  Climate  in  Catarrhal  Affections."  D.  H.  Beck- 
with,  M.  D.,  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

9.  "Influence  of  Climate  in  Bronchial  Affections."  Charles  E. 
Jones,  M.  D.,  Albany,  New  York. 

10.  "Influence  of  Climate  in  Pulmonary  Affections."  Joseph 
Jones,  M.  D.,  San  Antonio,  Texas. 

11.  "  Influence  of  Climate  in  Disturbances  of  the  Nervous  Sys- 
tem."   William  Owens,  M.  D.,  Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

12.  "  Influence  of  Climate  in  Diseases  of  Alimentary  Canal  and 
its  Appendages."    G.  II.  Wilson,  M.  D.,  Meriden,  Connecticut. 

13.  "  Influence  of  Climate  in  Disturbances  of  Circulation— Secre- 
tion and  Excretion."    George  M.  Ockford,  M.  D.,  Lexington,  Ky. 

14.  "  Facts  and  Fallacies  in  Climatology.*'  H.  E.  Beebe,  M.  D., 
Sidney,  Ohio.    H.  E.  Beebe,  M.  D.,  Chairman,  Sidney,  Ohio. 

C.  E.  Jones,  M.  D.,  Secretary,  Albany,  New  York, 


1886  Constitutional  Symptoms.  539 

CLINICAL  MEDICINE. 


CONSTITUTIONAL  SYMPTOMS. 


W.  S.  GEE,  M.  D..  Chicagfo,  111. 
Adjunct  Professor  of  Materia  Medica  and  Clinical  Medicine,  Hahnemann  College. 


Every  healthy  individual  has  certain  distinguishing  pe- 
culiarities which  give  him  an  individuality.  While  in 
general  contour  he  is  similar  to  other  members  of  his 
race,  he  has  in  addition  some  exceptional  points  or  traits 
which  show  an  unmistakable  difference  between  him  and 
his  fellowmen.  These  peculiarities  in  health  he  retains 
when  he  is  sick.  In  whatever  sickness  he  may  have,  a  few 
of  his  old  peculiarities  will  be  present.  These  we  may  call 
constitutional  symptoms.  These  symptoms  serve  us  to 
more  readily  detect  disease  in  the  variation  from  the 
healthy  standard  of  that  individual. 

When  Hahnemann  declared  to  the  world  the  resxdt  of 
his  most  profound  study  of  disease  and  especially  of 
chronic  disease,  we  learned  that  in  the  constitution  of  most 
individuals  existed  one  or  more  underlying  influences  which 
he  termed  ''miasms."  These  miasms  existed  in  some  de- 
gree without  causing  decided  interference  with  health  ex- 
cept when  aided  by  exceptional  conditions  such  as  the  pre- 
sence of  acute  diseases,  change  of  life,  etc  This  is  true 
to-day.  That  is  to  say,  the  constitutional  miasm  may  be 
latent  or  active.  It  remains  latent  when  no  symptoms  are 
present  which  mark  a  deviation  from  health.  This  is  seen 
in  growing  children  and  even  in  adults  so  long  as  the  vital- 
ity of  the  person  predominates.  It  becomes  active  by  the 
presence  of  acute  disease,  known  by  making  simple  dis- 
eases unusually  severe  and  prolonged;  or,  as  at  the  decline 
of  life  when  the  vitality  of  the  individual  diminishes,  we 
have  tumors,  malignant  growths,  etc.  It  is  also  seen  in  the 
increasing  severity  of  recurrent  attacks  of  disease.  After 
Hahnemann  had  recognized  the  facts,  his  next  work  was  to 
make  available  remedies  which  would  cure  these  difficul* 
ties.  As  a  result  of  his  work  we  have  the  deep  and  long 
acting  antipsorica 


540  The  Medical  Advance,  Dec. 

We  are  directed  to  give,  the  remedy  preference  which 
best  corresponds  to  the  present  symptoms.  This  is  a  safe 
rule;  but  there  are  many  cases  which  do  not  present  plain 
indications  and  the  remedy  is  not  apparent.  For  these 
cases  we  deduce  this  rule: 

When  the  present  symptoms  do  not,  with  a  reasonable 
degree  of  certainty,  indicate  a  remedy,  search  for  pre-ex- 
isting constitutional  symptoms, 

Carroll  Dunham  wrote,  in  illustration,  that  two  lines  each 
an  inch  long  might  appear  parallel,  but  the  fact  was  not  so 
apparent  as  when  the  lines  were  extended.  So  in  the  se- 
lection of  the  remedy  the  "  extended  lines "  into  the  his- 
tory  of  the  patient  often  decides  the  choice  of  the  similli- 
mum. 

He  has  given  us  a  few  instances  of  the  value  of  drawing 
long  lines  and  prescribing  for  pre-existing  symptoms. 

On  pages  462  to  464  of  "  Science  of  Therapeutics "  we 
may  find  a  careful  record  of  a  case  of  "Nervous  Deafness  " 
of  thirteen  years  standing  cured  with  Mezereum,  given  be- 
cause it  covered  the  totality  of  the  symptoms  when  the  pa- 
tient had  milkcrust — the  suppression  of  which  was  imme- 
diately followed  by  the  deafness.  The  most  careful  exam- 
ination of  the  case  revealed  no  present  symptoms  except  a 
**membrana  tympani  white,  opaque,  and  evidently  thick- 
ened." 

On  page  56,  of  Part  II,  "Lectures  on  Materia  Medica" 
by  the  same  author,  is  a  record  of  a  case  of  headache  in 
winter  cured  by  Aloe,  given  because  the  attacks  of  summer 
diarrhoea  indicated  that  remedy. 

A  case  of  epilepsy  was  given  Platina,  because  of  previous 
strong  passion  and  peculiar  disposition,  imperious  and  high 
stepping. 

A  case  of  uterine  disease  was  cured  with  Agaricus,  given 
because  of  aching  in  the  heels  and  marked  family  tendency 
to  spinal  meningitis. 

These  cases  illustrate  the  value  of  drawinglong  Zines  when 
present  symptoms  do  not  make  the  remedy  apparent. 

Case  I. — Mr.  G.  C.  H. ,  aet  50,  applied  for  the  cure 

of  nasal  catarrh.    He  presented  no  marked  symptoms  upon 


1886  CojisfHutional  Symptoms.  541 

which  to  select  a  remedy  and  a  careful  history  revealed  the 
fact  that  he  had  taken  a  cold  bath  36  years  ago,  and  his 
trouble  dates  from  that  time.  The  cause  of  the  disease 
suggesting  Bhus  tox.,  cm.  (F.)  and  later  one  dose  of  30,  a 
farther  study  confirmed  the  selection  and  he  received  the 
remedy  with  decided  relief  within  three  days.  He  took 
cold  twice  during  the  time  of  treatment  and  needed  more 
of  the  remedy.  For  later  symptoms  of  an  acute  character 
he  received  Sticta  pulmonacea  4x,  and  is  to-day  free  from 
the  disease.  This  he  has  not  been  able  to  say  in  36  years. 
He  received  his  first  prescription  in  August  last 

Case  II. — Mr.  Mc. ,  set  25,  consulted  me  for  an  at- 
tack of  diarrhoea.  He  had  received  treatment  from  several 
physicians  without  benefit.  His  present  symptoms  were 
not  sufficient  to  make  clear  the  remedy,  but  his  history 
aided  with  these  facts  did:  Four  years  ago  he  lifted  paper  in 
a  printing  office  and  vomited  blood  afterwards.  Since  that 
time  he  has  been  troubled  with  a  weak,  *' all-gone''  feeling 
in  the  region  of  the  stomach,  especially  about  11  a.  m.,  re- 
lieved  by  eating.  He  has  had  recurrent  attacks  of  diarrhoea 
whicli  came  on  after  midnight  with  urging.  Stools  loose 
and  yellow,  with  bwming  in  anus  aftei'  stool.  He  received 
Sulphur  Im.  and  was  cured. in  a  few  days. 

Case  III. — Mr.  B. ,  aet.  25,  complained  of  a  pain  in 

his  knee.  No  distinguishing  features  being  present  an  ap- 
peal was  made  to  the  "anamnesis"  or  previous  history. 
He  had  suffered  one  whole  year  from  rheumatism  some 
years  before  and  was  unable  to  leave  the  house.  The  fea- 
tures of  the  attack  pointed  to  Rhus  tox.  and  that  remedy,  in 
the  Im  potency,  cured  his  knee. 

Case  IV. — Miss  L. ,  complains  of  sore  throat  with  no 

deciding  symptoms.  Her  history  reads:  Has  had  an  attack 
of  "quinsy"  every  year,  for  several  years.  The  disease 
always  began  on  the  left  side.  The  throat  was  sensitive  to 
touch  on  the  outside,  with  sensation  as  of  a  lump  internally^ 
which  went  down  on  swallowing  but  immediately  returned. 
She  received  Lach.  cm.  one  dose.  The  attack  di8apx)eared 
without  suppuration  and  she  has  again  past  the  season 
without  the  yearly  return  of  the  trouble. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Dec. 


r 

I 

m  t 


Came  V. — (No.  14,013  in  our  Saturday  clinic)   applied 
L  for  relief   from   nasal   catarrh.     There  being  no  decided 
I  symptoms  for  a  remedy,  her  history  was  carefully  recorded. 
She  has  been  sick  since  15  years  old,  (now  36).     Had  re- 
current headaches.     He-adtiche  relieved  by  ilie  jiow.    Had 
cramps  before  thejlow  and  is  relieved  when  the  Jiow  begins. 
Troubles  left-sided.    Catarrh  in  left  half  of  nose,  sore  throat 
m  4m  left  siile,  must  have  clothing  loose  on  left  side  of  body. 
I  Constipation  with  inability  to  have  a  movement,  because 
the  anus  setms  to  he  closed-  and  she  has  not  power  to  expel 
the  stool.     She  received  Lach.  cm.  one  dose.     She  reported 
last  Saturday,  Nov.  G,  by  request,  not  having  reported  since 
receiving  the  medicine  on  Sept.  9.     The  relief  was  almost 
I  immediate. 

Case  VL — (No.  13,152,  in  Dr.  Hawkes'  clinic)  is  a  man 
laged  63.     He  was  a  sorry  spectacle  when  he  presented  on 
j  Sept.  9.     His  present  symptoms  pointed  more  toward  Ly- 
'  oopodiuni,  but  he  had  received  that  remedy  without  bene- 
fit    The  history  dated  the  trouble  to  have  originated  24 
years  ago  in  exposure  to  dampness.  Hhus  tox.  Im.,  one  doee, 
was  given  him,  as  present  symptoms  confirmed  the  selec- 

ttion   and  he   is  slowly  improving.     He  is  now  in  Prof, 
Hawkes'  clinic, 
Case  VII. — Marion  H. ,  a  little  girl  of  five  years,  was 
taken  seriously  ill  with  remittent  fever.     The  temperature 
ranged  from  103  to  104  and  above  for  several  days.     The 
best  selected  remedies  did  not  seem  to  act.     The  history 
^^    was  more  carefidly  examined.    When  a  baby  she  perspired 
^b  very  mjtch  about  her  head.     Was  troubled  with  cold  damp 
^H  feet.     Stomach  and  bowels  were  easily  disturbed     She  was 
W^  alou)  getdiiff  her  teeth  and  in  learning  to  walk.     With  this 
help  Galcarea  ost  Im.  was  selected  and  a  great  change  was 
soon  apparent  and  recovery  was  rapid. 

Oabe  VIII, — Willie  E. ,  set.  7  years,  was  taken  sick 

Oct  14.     When  first  seen  he  complained  of  pain  in  back  of  i 

head  and  neck.     He  had  but  slight  fever  for  several  daya  J 

bat  there  was  a  decided  increase  until  the  temperature  w 

^L. about  103  in  the  moruing,  and  104  to  104  4-5  in  the  e 

^H-iag.     The  variations  were  but  slight  Tor  several  days. 


1886        Cataract:  A  New  Method  of  Operating.         64B 

was  quiet,  uncomplaining,  and  when  asked  how  he  felt  re- 
plied: "Very  well,  thank  you."  When  closely  questioned, 
he  spoke  of  an  aching  pain  in  the  back  of  his  head,  which 
was  much  worse  with  the  increase  of*  the  fever  and  dimin- 
ished with  it  toward  morning.  Several  remedies  had  been 
given  but  our  little  patient  was  fast  gliding  away  with  but 
little  evidence  of  sickness,  except  the  fever.  Some  loose 
offensive  movements  of  the  bowels  occasionally  broke  the 
monotony  and,  although  quite  offensive,  gave  no  sufficient 
clue  to  the  remedy.  A  very  careful  history  elicited  these 
facts:  Before  the  pregnancy  which  resulted  in  the  birth  of 
this  boy,  the  mother  lost  two  children.  During  the  term 
of  pregnancy  she  was  in  deep  suppressed  grief,  because  of 
this  loss  and  kept  away  from  friends,  did  not  visit,  but  led 
a  lonely  sad  life  during  the  whole  term.  When  Willie 
grew  to  some  size  she  noticed  that  he  did  not  play  as  did 
other  boys.  He  was  imposed  upon  without  resistance  on 
his  part  and  if  wronged  said  nothing,  but  later  gave  vent  to 
his  suppressed  grief  in  tears  when  alone.  If  for  any  trivial 
offense  she  reprimanded  him,  he  said  nothing,  but  perhaps 
some  time  later  she  found  him  alone  and  crying.  Even 
during  this  illness  he  preferred  being  alone  all  day.  If  for 
any  reason  she  left  his  room,  on  her  return  frequently  found 
him  crying.  Whether  atavism  is  mythical  or  not  this  his- 
tory led  to  Ignatia,  and  within  twelve  hours  after  taking  it 
a  decided  change  for  the  better  was  made. .  His  recovery 
has  progressed  without  further  medication, 
r  If  these  illustrations  will  help  any  one  at  a  time  when 
there  is  "a  painful  absence  of  symptoms"  our  desire  will 
be  realized. 


M> 


CATARACT— A  NEW  METHOD  OF  OPERATING. 


B.  D.  TIPPLE.  M.  D.,  Toledo.  Ohio. 


I  send  you  a  report  of  three  cases  of  senile  cataract,  op- 
erated upon  and  treated  successfully,  by  a  method  some- 
what different  from  that  generally  prescribed  and  followed 
by  oculists.    A  description  of  one  c  ase  will  suffice  for  ail 


Septt 


The  Medical  Advance.  Deo. 

fffla  they  were  all  treated  in  the  same  way,  and  with   like 
good  results. 

Mra.  H^  was  operated  apon  in  Augaat  last,  Mr.  G —  in 
Beptember,  aud  Mr.  Z~~  in  November.  I  operated  by  mnk- 
[  my  iaciaion  with  Von  Graffe's  knife  in  the  solero-eor- 
ial  janctioD,  followed  by  an  iridectomy  and  laceration  of 
t^sapsule  as  is  usual  ( previously  having  instilled  into  the 
eye  Muriate  of  Cocaine,  two  per  cent,  solution,  at  inter- 
vals of  a  minute  or  two  for  ten  inmutes).  I  then  with  one 
of  Bowman's  narrow  flesible  scoops,  bent  in  the  proper 
shape,  delivered  the  lens  intact,  with  ease,  being  careful 
not  to  bruise  the  ii-is  or  cornea,  after  which  I  closed  the 
lids  of  both  eyes  and   transfixed  them  with  isinglass  plas- 

tter  only,  using  a  strip  for  each  eye  about  three  inches  long 
by  one  inch  wide,  extending  from  the  brow  to  the  cheek. 
I  applied  noother  dressing,  and  directly  placed  the  patiente 
on  a  couch  where  I  kept  them  the  first  day  after  the  opera- 
tion with  their  heads  elevated,  after  which  I  allowed  them 
to  sit  up  in  a  room  with  the  light  subdued,  but  not  dark- 

iened  to  such  an  extent  that  the  attendant  could  not  see  to 
go  about  the  room  readily.     After  the  fourth  day  I  in- 
creased the  light  in  the  room  gradually,  until  it  was  suffi- 
ciently light  for  a  person  with  ordinary  vision  to  be  able  to 
read  when  sitting  in  the  vicinity  of  a  window.     The  pa- 
tients got  along  with  but  little  inconvenience,  and  made  a 
Xapid  recovery.     I  consider,   from   my   experience,   that 
Bcoop  extraction  is  decidedly  the  safest  method  of  remov- 
ing the  lens,  especially  when  the  operation  is  performed 
nnder  the  local  effects  of  the  Muriate  of  Oocaine  (as  that 
drug  has  a  relaxing  effect  upon  the  coats  of  the  eyeball  im- 
pairing their  elasticity  for  the  time  being,  by  its  effect  up- 
m  on  the  vaso-motor  nerves),  thereby  rendering  pressure 
Lthe  removal  of  the  lens  more  or  less  hazardous.     The 
rger  resulting  from  loss  of  vitreous,  choroidal  hiemorrhi 
I  laruising  of  the  ciliary  body,  iris,  etc     Dr.   Chisolm, 
I  reported  a  number  of  hospital  cases  treated  after 
I  ing  by  simply  applying  the  isiuRlass  plaster,  says  that  tl 
r  was  no  laehrymation,  photophobia  or  after-pain  worthy 
■fiaentioning,      His   experience   in  that  corresponds  wil 


1886  Pulmonary  Hcemorrhage.  545 

mine,  although  he  does  not  report  having  used  the  scoop. 
My  three  cases  above  reported  made  a  much  better  and 
more  rapid  recovery  than  any  preceding  cases  treated  by 
me,  according  to  the  old  method  of  bandaging  and  confin- 
ing  in  a  dark  room  in  bed  for  days.  Time  and  space  pre- 
vents  me  from  entering  into  the  details  of  the  after  treat- 
ment. It  is  sufficient  to  say  that  with  me  the  end  justifies 
the  means. 


^•» 


PULMONARY  H.EMORRHAGE-AN  UNUSUAL  CASE. 


M.  N.  AVERY.  M.  D.,  Nlles,  Mich. 


Mrs.  W ,  colored,  aei  48,  dressmaker.     Previous  to 

1883,  good  health;  robust  During  the  last  three  years 
has  been  afflicted  with  haemoptysis  at  irregulcu*  intervals  of 
one,  two,  or  three  months,  or  oftener,  according  to  the 
amount  of  exercise  taken.  Violent  exertion,  reaching  or 
lifting,  nearly  always  would  result  in  an  attack  of  haemor- 
rhage, accompanied  with  coughing  and  severe  lancinating 
pain  in  left  infra-mammcu*y  region,  extending  through  the 
chest  to  the  back.  This  haemorrhage  and  cough  would 
last  two  or  three  days  and  gradually  subside.  During  the 
intervals  between  the  attacks  patient  felt  quite  well,  with 
the  exception  of  the  pain,  at  times  recurring  from  over- 
exertion or  deep  inspiration;  also  a  dry,  hacking  cough,  but 
only  at  times. 

During  the  last  year  the  pain  has  been  gradually  ap- 
proaching the  cutaneous  surface  of  the  chest,  till  one 
evening  last  week,  while  rubbing  her  side,  she  felt  some- 
thing prick  her  hand;  close  examination  revealed  the 
point  of  some  sharp  substance  protruding,  which  was  at 
once  removed  with  the  aid  of  a  pair  of  tweezers.  This 
foreign  object  proved  to  be  a  needle,  minus  about  three- 
eighths  of  an  inch  of  the  eye  end.  Patient  now  remem- 
bers that  three  years  ago,  after  having  worked  hcu*d  all 
day,  she  fell  asleep  in  her  chair  in  the  evening,  with  a 
needle  in  her  mouth.  After  sleeping  awhile  she  awakened, 
coughing  and  choking;  was  frightened  and  thought  she 


[546 


The  Medical  Adva 


Dec 


had  swallowed  the  needle.  However,  the  congh  ceased  and 
as  she  found  the  eye  end  of  the  needle  in  her  mouth,  and 
as  no  immediate  trouble  followed,  she  thought  all  waa 
right,  although  she  never  found  the  other  part  of  the 
needle  till  she  estracted  it  as  stated. 

This  patient  has  taken  much  medicine  from  many  doo- 
I  tore;  has  been  treated  for  consumption,  heart  disease, 
[■  change  of  life,  etc.,  etc.,  all  without  benefit,  of  course, 
[■  Since  the  removal  of  the  needle  the  pain  has  disappeared, 
'  no  difficulty  being  caused  by  violent  exertion,  and  a  com- 
plete recovery  is  expected. 


TKiNBLatED  by  A,  MCNEIL,  M,  !>.,  Sac  FrauolsFo. 

Consumption. — Phosphorua.     Mr.  S.  L. ,  age  26,  oon- 

P«alted  me  June  1*2, 1880.     Has  been  hoarse  for  six  months; 

allopathic  treatment  without  any  benefit 

SUiUi3  itrtpsms:  weakness,  emaciation,  hoarseness,  dry- 
-nesa  in  the  throat,  shortness  of  breath,  short,  dry,  fati- 
■  guitig,  cough;  sensation  as  if  something  adhered  firmly  in 
wihe  trachea.  Cold  sweat  in  the  evening,  and  at  night, 
I  cough  rcorse  morning  and-  ct^ening,  and  when  in  cold  air. 

In  the  right  infra  and  supra-clavicular  regions,  inspiration 

is  jerking,  expiration  harsh  and  prolonged. 

IPliosphoms  6x,  two  drops  night  and  morning. 
June  29th.     No  material  change,  slightly  worse.     PhoB- 
phorue  30,  five  pellets  night  and  morning. 
July  2Gth.     Cough  entirely  gone,  hoarseness  inconsider- 
able, all  other  symptoms  disappeared.  Continued  the  I 
phorus  for  sixteen  days,  then  ceased.     ( Why.  when  all 
symptoms  had  disappeared,  should  the  Phosphorus  be  c 
tinned  sixteen  days  longer?    Translator). 
August  16th,  very  well. 
April  13tb,  1881,  he  returned  with  the  sf 
AuscultatioQ    discovered    nothing  wrong    : 
Phosphorus  30  cured  him  in  three  weeks. 


1886  Scarlatina,  547 

February  18th,  1882,  he  returned  again.  He  had  been 
hoarse  four  weeks.  The  lungs  were  normal,  and  he  said 
the  hoarseness  was  not  as  bad  now,  and  the  last  time,  as  it 
was  the  first.  I  gave  him  Phosphorus  for  nine  days.  In 
five  days  more  he  was  well,  and  so  remains. 


SCAKLATINA. 


J.  M.  PEASE,  M.  D.,  San  Francisco.  Cal. 


Case. — Gracie  B. ,  aged  ten  years,  of  large  develop- 
ment for  her  age,  extremely  florid  complexion,  was  taken 
Thursday  morning  with  symptoms  as  follows:  Nausea  and 
vomiting,  high  fever,  pulse  150,  skin  very  hoi  Throat 
sore  on  right  side  and  tonsil  covered  with  ragged  grayish 
exudate,  breath  foetid,  etc.  As  considerable  diphtheria  had 
been  prevailing  it  was  at  fii'st  thought  it  might  be  that  dis- 
ease. Lycopodium  200th  was  given.  A  few  hours  later  a 
second  visit  was  made  when  other  symptoms  were  noticed. 
The  fauces  presented  an  extremely  red  and  shining  appecu*- 
ance,  the  exudate  more  extensive,  the  tongue  slightly  coated, 
with  numerous  red  papillae  showing  through  the  coating 
looking  like  the  projecting  seeds  of  a  strawberry;  the  skin 
was  very  red  especially  on  the  neck  and  upper  part  of  the 
chest,  light  was  unpleasant  to  the  eyes  and  the  conjunctivas 
red.  Pulse  very  sharp,  but  quite  easily  compressed  and 
beating  160  per  minute.  She  complained  of  the  mouth 
feeling  dry  and  hot  but  had  no  special  thirst  except  for 
lemonade;  but  it  hurt  her  more  to  swallow  liquids  than 
solids.  She  was  inclined  to  be  sleepy,  and  when  dozing 
would  start  up  as  if  frightened  or  try  to  get  out  of  bed,  but 
as  soon  as  awake  would  lie  down  and  cover  herself  closely. 
Belladonna  200th  was  given. 

On  the  following  morning  the  skin  was  red  over  the 
whole  body,  pulse  140,  throat  looking  about  the  same. 

There  was  not  as  much  photophobia  as  the  day  before 
and  the  temperature  did  not  seem  as  high,  but  having 
broken  my  thermometer  a  day  or  two  before  was  unable  to 
learn  the  exact  amount  of  heai 


r648 


The  Medical  AdvaTwe. 


Deo. 


I 


At  the  evening  visit  symptoms  were  belter,  pnlse  120. 

Satitrdfiy  morning:  Fever  much  lesa,  throat  has  less 
membrane,  pulse  108;  no  second  visit  made  that  day. 

Sunday  morning;  Membrane  nearly  gone,  throat  less 
sensitive  in  swallowing,  redness  of  skin  decidedly  dimin- 
ished; no  photophobia;  asked  what  she  could  have  to  eat 

Monday:  Membrane  gone,  throat  only  slightly  red. 
Pnlse  102,  skin  dry  and  harsh,  no  redness. 

Tuesday:  Fulse  90.  Is  hungry  and  thinks  she  is  being 
starved;  desquamation  has  commenced  about  the  neck. 

Wednesday:  Desquamation  begun  over  the  whole  body, 
she  teels  well,  pulse  86.  As  there  seemed  no  further  need 
for  the  doctor's  services  the  case  was  dismissed  in  just  six 
days  from  the  onset  of  the  disease,  no  remedy  except  as 
first  mentioned  was  given;  the  doses  being  once  in  three  or 
four  hours  during  the  height  of  the  fever,  and  Sac.  lac. 
being  substituted. 

That  this  case  might  have  been  a  bad  one  there  seems 
little  doubt,  more  especially  as  the  mother  and  younger 
sister  were  attacked  with  diphtheria  a  few  days  later. 

INTERMITTENT  FEVEH. 

r.  B.  lillJiERT.  M.  U.,  Waslllngloii,  V.  C. 

[These  three  eases  occurred  in  three  children  in  the  same 
family,  all  sick  at  the  same  time  and  presumably  from  the 
same  exciting  cause,  but  each  calling  for  a  different  rem- 
edy. It  certaiuly  is  not  an  argument  in  favor  of  the  uni- 
versal indication  for  Quinine  or  any  other  remedy. — Ed.] 

Phosphoric  aciil. — Chill  at  9  p.  u.  with  great  prnstrntion, 
which  continues  all  through  the  paroxysm;  fever  all  night 
with  frequent  passing  of  large  quantities  of  clear  watiery 
urine;  not  much  thirst;  side  on  which  she  lies  is  painful. 

Nvx  THOsc/i  ft /(I.— Continuous  fever,  with  red  face  and 
frontal  headache;  sleeps  most  of  the  time,  but  wakes 
whining  about  lier  head;  thirst;  does  not  want  to  be  cov- 
ered (July);  later  fever  became  intermittent  and  chill 
began  in  feet,  followed  by  fever  and  drowsiness  with  less 
headache:  eyes  itched. 


1886  Nux  Vomica.  549 

Arnica. — Chill  in  the  morning,  8:30  or  10:30,  with  shak- 
ing and  severe  headache;  head  hot,  body  cold;  skin  of 
hands  and  arms  mottled  blue;  complains  of  bed;  great 
thirst,  followed  by  vomiting — ^first  sour,  later  perhaps  bit- 
ter; fever  very  high  with  sleep  and  less  thirst;  at  last 
sweat;  then  gets  up  to  play,  but  not  very  vigorously. 


*m 


NUX  VOMICA. 


.  S.  E.  CHAPMAN,  M  D.,  Fobest  Hill,  Cal. 


Probably  there  is  no  remedy  in  our  Materia  Medica  that 
has  oftener  proved  a  "  friend  in  need "  to  me,  than  Nux 
vomica.  This  is  one  of  our  best  known  remedies,  and  I 
will  only  attempt  a  few  verifications. 

Case  L  Vomiting  of  Pregnancy.  Was  called  to  see  a 
young  married  woman.  She  was  in  the  fifth  month  of 
pregnancy,  and  had  been  vomiting  about  five  weeks,  during 
which  time  little  or  nothing  had  been  retained  by  the  stom- 
ach. She  was  reduced  to  the  last  degree  of  emaciation  and 
prostration.  Allopathy  had  done  its  best  for  her,  and  now 
gave  an  unfavorable  prognosis. 

There  was  great  sensitiveness  to  pressure  over  the  stom- 
ach; bowels  obstinately  constipated;  pulse  100  per  minute, 
and  exceedingly  week;  complained  of  great  heaviness  of 
the  head,  etc. 

I  left  a  few  powders  of  Nux  3x  to  be  given  every  two 
hours.  She  never  vomited  again  after  taking  the  first  pow- 
der. She  rapidly  gained  in  strength  and  flesh,  but  during 
the  seventh  month  I  was  called  to  attend  her  in  confine- 
ment. I  then  encountered  the  only  case  I  have  ever  seen 
of  absolutely  dry  labor.  There  was  not  a  drop  of  amniotic 
fluid.    She  made  a  good  recovery. 

Case  II.  How  many  have  seen  and  prescribed  for  this 
symptom:  "Fluent  coryza  by  day,  and  dry  coryza  by 
night?"  A  young  man  consulted  me  for  the  following 
symptons:  Three  weeks  previously  he  contracted  a  "cold 
in  the  head  "  from  cooling  off  too  suddenly  while  perspir- 
ing, from  which  there  resulted  one  of  the  worst  cases  of 


560  The  Medical  Advance.  Dec 

acute  nasal  catarrh  I  have  ever  seen.  The  tissues  about 
the  nose  and  eyes  were  much  swollen,  and  the  discharge  of 
thick  white  and  yellowish  mucus  from  the  anterior  nares 
was  something  enormous.  He  assured  me  that  the  dis- 
charge began  in  the  morning  the  moment  he  assumed  the 
erect  posture,  and  started  as  suddenly  and  fluently  as 
though  a  flood-gate  had  been  opened.  This  continued  du- 
ring the  day  until  bedtime,  and  ceased  the  moment  his 
head  touched  the  pillow.  The  schneiderian  membrane 
then  became  perfectly  dry,  attended  with- a  severe  burning 
pain.  There  was  a  constant  heavy  dull  pain  at  the  root  of 
the  nose.  There  were  also  concomitant  symptoms  that 
pointed  to  Nux  vomica,  such  as  indigestion,  constipation, 
etc. ;  but  I  took  the  symptom  mentioned  above  for  my  "key 
note,"  and  gave  Nux  vomica  3x,  a  powder  every  two  hours. 
I  have  never  seen  anything  more  magical  than  the  action 
of  Nux  in  this  case.  Belief  came  immediately  and  per- 
manently. 

Case  III.  Bile,  The  profound  hypochondriasis  pecu- 
liar to  Nux  is  seldom  wanting  in  a  case  requiring  that 
remedy.  How  often  have  I  seen  the  "  blues  " — particularly 
in  those  suffering  from  chronic  ailments  and  of  sedentary 
habits — dissipated  by  a  few  doses  of  Nux.  The  morbid 
view  such  a  case  takes  of  his  surroundings,^  we  will  attempt 
to  portray  in  the  following  doggerel: 

BILE. 

O  world,  thou  vast  and  aching  void  I 
Hast  thou  one  pleasure  unalloyed  ? 

If  so,  'twas  never  mine. 
I've  walked  thy  surface  forty  years; 
Well  art  thou  called  "  a  vale  of  tears," 

Thou  sea  of  scalding  brine  I 

Vain  Earth  I  hast  thou  one  thing  that's  good? 
What  though  I  seek  the  deepest  wood 

For  rest  from  sight  of  sin; 
The  birds  on  ev'ry  bush  and  tree 
Scream  and  fight  most  viciously— 

Distract  me  with  their  din  I 

The  flowers  bloom;  they  only  bring 
Forth  odors  that  are  poisoning, 
Causing  stomachic  qualms. 


1886  Some  Recent  Cases.  551 

Vendors  of  them  upon  the  street 
Full  twenty  times  a  day  I  meet- 
One  way  of  begging  alms  I 

Widows  and  orphans  fill  the  land. 

Foul  crime  and  sin  on  ev'ry  hand- 
Red  war  and  desolation  I 

Where'er  I  go  I  always  see 

Squalid  want  and  poverty- 
Gaunt  hunger  and  starvation! 

Of  death  alone  can  we  be  sure. 
Thousands  our  ills,  but  rare  the  cure; 

Legion  our  aches  and  pains. 
Often  when  strongest,  sickness  comes. 
Then  in  our  long  and  silent  homes 

They  lay  our  cold  remains. 

And  I  am  sure  that's  much  the  best, 
For  there  alone  is  found  a  rest; 

There  only  is— but  pshaw  I 
My  doctor  walks  in,  looking  wise. 
Reads  this  poetry  and  cries, 

*'Sir,  take  Nux  Vomica." 


^•» 


SOME  RECENT  CASES. 


A.  M.  GUSHING.  M.  D.,  Springneld.  Mass. 


As  the  Homoeopathic  Medical  Society  of  New  York,  and 
the  Western  New  York  Society  are  to  attempt  to  prove  or 
disprove  the  power  of  attenuated  drugs  to  cure  disease,  and 
ask  for  contributions,  I  send  the  following  reports.  But,  as 
I  do  not  recollect  and  have  not  the  notes  of  many  cases 
treated  with  Apis  and  Bhus,  the  remedies  with  which  they 
are  to  begin,  I  send  some  recent  cases. 

Case  I.  Apis.  Mrs.  S — ,  aged  50;  face,  limbs,  and  feet 
swollen,  and  oedematous  for  some  weeks.  Urine  scanty; 
not  feeling  well.  Inclined  to  erysipelas.  Gave  Apis  200, 
one  powder.  Three  days  later  swelling  all  gone,  feels 
nicely,  and  asked  if  I  expected  it  would  effect  her  kidneys, 
said  the  urine  was  profuse. 

Case  II.  Apis.  A  child  aged  three,  feverish,  with  inflamed 
throat;  diriy,  grey  diphtheritic  patches  on  tonsils;  oedemat- 


7'he  Medical  Advance. 


I>eo. 


oas  appearance  of   fauces..     Apis  200,  aod  In  two  days 
throat  nearly  well  and  urine  very  profuse. 

Cabe  III.  Rhus.     Mr. ,  aged  57.  left  foot  lame  on  in- 
side of  instep,  much  worse  on  rainy  days.    Doring  an  attack 
I  of  pain  on  a  wet  day  gave  Bhus  toii  cm,  and  in  ten  minutes 
L  the  pain  was  in  the  ball  of  great  toe,  and  ten  minntes  later 
I  pain  and  lameness  all  gone. 

Case  IV.  Phosphorus.     Mrs.  N^,  aged  36.     Ten  years 
[  *gf  post-partem  hfemorrhage.     Since  then  profuse  menses, 
has  to  lie  in  bed  from  sis  days  to  two  weeks  each  month. 
Her  husband  says  the  blood  "  just  pours  away  from  her." 
The  flow  intermits;  is  worse  at  night;  dark,  large  clots; 
gushes  out;  is  weak,  pale,  emaciated;  chilly,  thirsty,  worse 
from  warm  drinks;  nervous,  ringing  in  ears ;  vertigo;  hands 
u(i  feet  cold;  palpitation  of  heart;  white  canker  sores  in 
mouth.     Ib  tall  and  slim.     Has  had  many  {loctore,  and  her  J 
lotber  died  of  similar  symptoms  at  about  he*-  age.     GavOS 
Phosphorus  200,  one   powder.     For   sii  months  meDsevI 
normal,  ail  symptoms  much  better,  gained  tiesh  and  feltfl 
well.     Then  from  over-exertion  the  flow  was  increased,  bntfl 
■was  immediately  relieved  by  the  same  remedy.  ■ 

Case  V.  Boroj-.  Mrs.  L — ,  aged  28,  tail,  slim,  light  cqio-I 
plexion,  liad  cough  and  throat  trouble  for  three  years.  Hecfl 
father,  brother  and  two  sisters  died  in  one  year  of  oon-l 
sumption.  She  baa  had  leucorrhcea  several  years;  haafl 
been  treated  by  homceopathic  physicians  in  Boston,  Naw-fl 
York  and  Washington  without  benefit,  and  ha<i  decided  toV 
pay  out  no  more  money  for  that  trouble,  The  discharg^l 
was  white,  not  very  thick,  and  feels  like  warm  water  runS 
nitig  doivn  her  limbs.  I  gave  one  powder  of  Borax  200,  an^B 
in  ten  days  her  leucorrhcea  was  all  gone,  and  she  had  nofl 
trouble  with  her  throat.  Six  months  later  she  had  no  re-4 
turn  of  either  trouble,  and  could  walk  two  miles  in  a  heav^fl 
r  on  a  rainy  and  snowy  day  without  a'ny  return  of  anjifl 
of  her  old  symptoms.  She  had  formerly  moved  aboidfl 
twice  each  year  for  a  change  of  climate,  but  has  now  raS 
^H     mained  in  the  same  place  for  two  years.  ^ 

^B       Case  VI.  Intermittent  Fevek. — Nairtim  mur.    fibtW 
^ft  £ — .     Chill  every  other  day  at  9  or  10  A.  M.;  lasts  a  1<h^H 


I 


1886  Some  Recent  Cases.  668 

tiine;  is  very  severe.  Begins  in  hands  and  feet,  which  are 
very  cold.  Fever  severe  and  long,  with  headache  which 
lasts  all  next  day.  Sweat  profuse;  is  weak  and  debilitated. 
Has  had  it  before  and  been  treated  by  both  schools  in  this 
country  and  Europe;  has  been  fed  salt  and  always  got 
Quinine.  I  gave  Natrum  mur.  Im.  Next  day  slight  chill 
for  about  fifteen  minutes,  and  had  no  more  at  all. 

Case  VII.  Mr.  E — ,  husband  of  above,  had  very  severe 
chill  after  eating,  worse  in  arms  and  pit  of  stomach;  with 
dry,  hot  skin;  bursting,  frontal  headache  and  red  face;  no 
thirst  Feet  icy  cold.  Belladonna  seemed  indicated,  which 
I  gave  in  the  200  potency,  and  not  another  chill. 

Case  VIII.  Miss  B — ,  chill  every  day,  sick  in  bed,  has 
been  treated  by  old  school  two  weeks  and  is  no  better. 
Chills  begin  in  back  with  severe  pain  in  back.  Gave  Cap- 
sicum 30,  and  not  another  chill. 

Case  IX.  Mr.  F — ,  chill  every  afternoon,  with  great 
thirst  during  chill.  Head  and  back  ache.  Fever  in  even- 
ing. Sweats  all  night;  no  thirst  during  fever  or  sweat. 
Gave  Ignatia  Im,  and  not  another  shiver. 

Case  X.    Insanity.    Miss  ,  aged  about  24    Four 

years  ago  was  disappointed  in  her  marriage  expectations; 
followed  by  typhoid  fever.  Since  then  has  been  insane. 
Treated  by  old  school  and  eclectics  till  qaite  recently;  has 
had  homoeopathic  treatment,  receiving  Gelsemium  one  day 
for  fever,  and  the  alternate  day  brandy  for  debility.  Was 
gradually  getting  weaker,  and  the  physician  feared  she 
would  die  soon.  She  would  lie  in  bed  picking  the  bedding 
with  her  fingers,  mutters  or  talks  to  herself;  laughs  to  her- 
self occasionally.  Takes  but  little  food;  discharges  from 
bowels  and  bladder  passed  in  bed.  I  gave  one  dose  of  Phos- 
phoric acid,  which  I  obtained,  supposing  it  was  about  Im, 
but  later  learned  it  was  the  cm.  She  had  a  more  quiet 
night  and  ate  more  breakfast,  and  improved  daily.  On  re- 
turning to  my  home  I  studied  the  case  carefully  and  de- 
cided Pulsatilla  was  better  indicated,  and  sent  a  powder  of 
Pulsatilla  16m,  to  be  given  if  necessary.    It  was  given  on 

its  receipt,  about  one  week  after  the  Phosphoric  acid.   She 
J* 


The  Medical  Advance.  Deo, 

took  no  more  medicine,  and  in  thirty-one  days  from  first 
prescription  went  home,  able  to  oare  for  herself,  and  do 
light  house  work. 


A  PECULIAR  EPIDEMIC. 

O.  J.  LVON.  M.  D.,  aabvtha.  Kan. 


I .„_... 

^^   oated  on  an  upland  with  fine  undulating  prairies  surromid- 
ing,  and  with  no  water  course  nearer  than  the  Nemaha 
river,  aeven  miles  away.     We  have  a  very  exacting  Board 
of  Health  and  our  town,  as  to  cleanliness,  is  in  a  fine  sani- 
tary condition,  and  but  for  the  drug  stores  and  regular  (?) 
medicine  very  few  entries  would  be  made  in  the  cemetery. 
Our  people  are  ohiefly  from  New  England,  and  (esoept  the 
almost  universal  habit  of  drugging)  are  possessed  with  a 
fair  knowledge  of  hygiene,  which  they  practice.     At  this 
^_    season  of  the  year  we  usually  have  more  or  less  of  malar- 
^B  ial  (?)  affections,  but  so  far  this  year  are  comparatively 
^B  free. 

^H       About  October  10  the  first  case  to  which  I  was  called, 
^H  -was  attacked  suddenly  in  the  morning  after  rising  with  an 
^H   intense  vertigo  on  least  motion,  attended  with  a  hammer- 
^^     ing  in  one  or  both  ears,  weakness  and  prostration.     They 
have  wandering  pains  in  chest  and  slmulders  and  respira- 
tion is  slower  than  normal,  but  the  pulse  is  unchanged.  In 
eome  cases  there  is  delirium  at  night,  but  no  marked  febrile 
excitement  at  any  time.  The  vertigo  is  the  most  distressing 
and  persistent  symptom  and  is  only  relieved  by  lying  prone. 
The  attack  lasts  about  a  week  and  convalescence  is  slow  and 
tedious.     Is  it  a  mild  form  of  "spinEil  fever?"     It  appears 
to  resemble  in  some  respects  the  so-called  "milk  sickness" 

•  which  prevailed  in  Indiana,  Illinois  and  Ohio  some  years 
Bga  What  is  it,  and  what  is  the  remedy? 
SooEK  One  foe  the  Doctoe.— "If  I  were  so  unlucky."  said  aa 
ofScer,  "as  to  have  a  stupid  son,  I  would  certainly  make  him  a 
doctor."  "  Well,"  said  a  doctor  who  was  present,  "  you  think  dU- 
^^    terently,  sir,  from  your  taXher."— Medical  Record. 


1886  Proving  of  Lao  Caninum.  666 

MATERIA  MEDICA. 


PROVING  OF  LAC  CANINUM. 


By  LA.UKA  MORGAN,  M.  D. 


[Day-Book:  Copied  for  The  Advance  from  the  Prover's  M8S. 

by  E.  W.  Berridge,  M.  D.] 

First  Proving.  Laura  Morgan,  M.  D.,  aged  24,  being  in 
sound,  vigorous  health,  took  three  doses  of  32nd  centisimal 
potency  on  March  13th,  1871,  six  doses  on  March  14th,  and 
nine  doses  on  Mcu*ch  15th. 

March  14th,  (2d  day).  Tongue  very  red,  and  coated 
white.  Taste  in  mouth  as  if  she  had  been  eating  spoiled 
meat;  increased  by  anything  sweet;  lasted  all  the  morning. 
Increase  in  quantity  of  saliva,  which  is  slightly  viscid. 
Some  redness  of  left  side  of  throat  but  no  sensation  of 
soreness.  Pain  in  right  ear  lasting  only  a  few  minute&. 
Headache  in  upper  part  of  forehead,  with  the  sensation 
of  a  broad  band  pressed  firmly  across  forehead  from  one< 
temple  to  the  other.  Baw  sensation  in  the  chest,  as  if  it 
had  been  scraped.  Upper  eyelids  very  heavy,  could 
scarcely  keep  her  eyes  open;  very  sleepy.  Felt  very  short 
in  evening,  while  walking. 

March  15,  (3d  day).  Tongue  very  red  and  coated  white. 
Putrid  taste  in  mouth.  Aversion  to  anything  sweet  Bed- 
ness  of  throat  increased.  Pain  in  right  ear  for  a  short 
time.  Orange-red  spots  on  face  and  hands,  appearing  and 
disapx)earing  suddenly;  small  in  size,  irregular  in  shape^ 
not  elevated  nor  having  any  sensation.  Considerable  expec- 
toration of  slightly  viscid  mucus.  Frontal  headache,  with 
the  sensation  of  a  band  across  forehead.  Felt  very  short 
during  evening.    Very  sleepy,  could  scarcely  keep  awake. 

March  16,  (4th  day).  No  bad  taste  in  mouth.  Tongue 
clean.  Frothy  mucus  in  mouth,  increased  by  going  into 
open  air  and  after  eating.  Slight  pain  in  right  ear.  Head- 
ache; band  across  forehead.  Bedness  of  throat  increased, 
with  a  slight  sensation  of  soreness  on  right  side  thereol 
Burning  of  left  side  of  face,  lasting  about  an  hour.  Oa-. 
tarrh  of  both  nostrila 


566  The  Medical  Advance.  Dec. 

March  17,  (5th  day).  Tongue  coated  white.  Fluent 
catarrh  from  both  nostrils,  with  sensation  of  fullness  in 
upper  part  of  nose.  Constant  discharge  of  thin,  watery 
fluid,  which  slightly  excoriates  edges  of  nostrils.  Throat 
slightly  sore  on  right  side.  Constant  inclination  to  swal- 
low. Throat  feels  raw.  Headache.  Voice  sounds  changed, 
is  very  rough.  Mucus  in  mouth,  increased  after  eating, 
and  also  in  open  air.  Cold  and  chilly  all  day,  till  4  p.  m., 
when  she  became  suddenly  very  warm  with  flushing  of  left 
side  of  face.  Backache  nearly  all  day  between  scapulas, 
worse  after  she  became  warm,  somewhat  relieved  by  leaning 
back.  Leucorrhoea  lasting  all  day,  but  ceasing  after  6  p.  m. ; 
worse  when  standing  or  walking.  Considerable  sneezing. 
Frequent  and  ineffectual  urging  to  stool,  with  much  strain- 
ing, but  neither  constipation  nor  diarrhoea. 

March  18,  (6th  day).  Woke  up  just  before  daylight 
feeling  almost  suffocated,  had  to  go  to  the  open  window. 
Oppressed  for  breath  all  day,  only  comfortable  while  ia 
open  air.  Nausea  while  in  bed,  worse  by  motion;  lasted  all 
morning.  Rumbling  and  gurgling  in  left  lower  abdomen. 
Sharp  pains  in  all  directions  on  left  side  of  pelvis,  worse 
by  pressure.  Diarrhoea,  very  watery  discharges,  with 
much  pressure  at  anus.  Constant  pricking  sensation  at 
anus,  lasting  all  morning.  Intense  headache,  entirely 
relieved  by  cold  water  application,  but  soon  returned,  not 
however,  as  severe.  Backache  between  scapulae.  Throat 
better.  Mouth  constantly  full  of  frothy  saliva,  but  lips  dry 
and  parched.  Leucorrhoea.  Eructations  of  tasteless  gas. 
Felt  perfectly  well  in  afternoon.  Fingers  extremely  cold, 
but  not  rest  of  hand.     Sleepy  during  evening. 

March  19,  (7th  day).  Felt  well  all  the  morning.  Slight 
coating  of  tongue.  Throat  sore  in  afternoon  and  evening, 
on  right  side.  Constant  inclination  to  swallow.  Leucor- 
rhoea all  day,  but  none  at  night,  even  after  taking  a  long 
walk.  Slight  excoriation  and  itching  of  external  labicL 
Frequent  inclination  to  cough  from  a  tickling  sensation  in 
upper  anterior  part  of  larynx,  worse  in  the  house  and  while 
talking.  Frontal  headache.  Feet  swollen  and  very  sore, 
causing  considerable  pain  while  walking.  Very  sleepy 
daring  evening. 


1886  Proving  of  Lac  Caninum.  557 

March  20,  (8th  day).  Tongue  slightly  coated  white. 
Putrid  taste  in  mouth.  Throat  feels  raw  and  sore  on  right 
ride.  Aversion  to  anything  sweet.  Leucorrhoea  during 
day.  Headache.  Itching  of  vulva.  Urine  frequent,  scanty, 
high-colored.  Urination  causes  intense  pain  in  vulva  where- 
ever  the  least  drop  of  urine  comes  in  contact  with  it  Back- 
ache between  scapulae.  Tickling  sensation  in  throat  Wants 
to  drink  very  cold  water  all  the  time,  only  in  very  small 
quantities.  Sore  on  lower  jaw,  behind  last  right  molar 
tooth,  almost  well  next  day. 

March  21,  (9th  day).  Tongue  coated  brown.  Raw  sensa- 
tion in  back  of  throat  Tickling  and  sense  of  constriction 
in  upper  part  of  throat,  causing  constant,  dry,  hacking 
cough.  Headache.  Slight  lameness  of  left  shoulder.  Pain 
in  right  ear.     Considerable  thirst 

March  22,  (10th  day).  Throat  almost  well.  Headache. 
Painful  stitches  in  right  big  toe  when  walking.  Wrists  and 
knees  lame.  Cough  from  tickling  in  upper  anterior  part  of 
larynx,  worse  when  talking,  and  also  whBn  lying  down. 
Pain  in  right  ear.    Slight  lameness  of  left  shoulder. 

March  23,  (11th  day).  Headache  and  nausea  on  waking, 
lasting  all  the  morning.  Pain  in  right  big  toe  when  walk- 
ing. Cough  from  tickling  sensation.  Pain  in  right  ear. 
Wrists  lame. 

March  24,  Q2th  day).  Tongue  coated  white.  Throat 
inflamed  and  painful.  Sore  grayish-yellow  patch  on  right 
side  of  throat,  just  above  tonsil.  (The  throat  was  exam- 
ined by  two  allopathic  physicians  who  pronounced  it  to  be 
diphtheria,  and  advised  immediate  cauterization,  which  of 
course  was  not  done. )  Mouth  constantly  full  of  mucus,  no 
expectoration,  but  a  constant  inclination  to  swallow,  which 
causes  pain.  Coughfrom  tickling  in  pharynx.  Fine  stinging 
pain  at  middle  of  sternum;  very  superficial,  lasting  about 
half  an  hour,  but  returning  during  evening.  Throat  relieved 
by  eating.  Pain  in  urethra  during  urination  and  lasting  for 
a  short  time  afterwards.  Leucorrhoea  all  the  afternoon. 
Sudden  creeping  chills  in  lower  limbs.  Pains  in  abdomen 
caused  by  leaning  forwards.  Appetite  increased.  Consid- 
erable nausea.     Headache;  band  across  forehectd.     Wrists 


[ 


658  The  Medical  Advance.  Deo. 

very  lame,  especially  the  right,  which  has  sharp  pains  pass- 
ing from  thumb  to  little  finger. 

March  '25,  ( 13th  day ).  Tongue  coated  white.  Putrid  taste 
ID  mouth.  Roof  of  mouth  and  back  wall  of  pharynx  coated 
with  a  grayish  yellow  deposit,  the  greater  part  of  which 
soon  disappeared,  lasting  only  about  an  hour.  Tliroatvery 
sore  on  right  aide.  Constant  inclination  to  swallow.  Throat 
■very  much  better  by  noon ;  deposit  had  nearly  disappeared, 
but  worse  again  by  night  Headache  first  on  one  side  of  fore- 
head aud  then  ou  the  other.  Hharp  pains  under  4th  rib  of 
right  side,  when  taking  a  deep  inspiration.  Abdomen  very 
sensitive  to  pressure.  Burniug  sensation  in  lower  part  of 
abdomen  aud  pelvis,  passing  from  side  to  side,  Sharp, 
shooting  pains  in  abdomen  and  pelvis,  worse  on  left  side. 
Biding  in  a  carriage  seems  to  jar  her,  and  increases  the 
abdominal  pain;  while  walking  does  not  influence  it  in 
any  way.  Clothes  feel  very  heavy.  Slight  pressure  in  abdo- 
men fixim  within  outwards.  Pain  in  right  eai'.  Pain  in  right 
popliteal  apace. .  Right  wrist  lame  and  painful.  Urination 
causes  intense  pain  in  urethra,  soon  passing  off.  Very  hun- 
gry all  day,  cannot  eat  enough  to  satisfy  herself;  feels  as 
hungry  after  eating  as  before.  Pain  in  sacrum.  Dry, 
hacking  cough.     Slight  leucorrhoea. 

March  2(i,  (14th  day).  Nausea  on  first  rising.  Tongue 
red  and  coated  white.  Throat  slightly  sore.  Dry,  hacking 
cough.  Cannot  satisfy  her  hunger.  Intense  pain  in  right 
ear.  Wrists  very  lame.  Pain  in  right  popliteal  space. 
Burning  sensation  in  pelvis,  with  pains  in  all  directions. 
Pressure  from  within  outwards,  as  if  the  contents  of  abdo- 
men would  be  forced  outward  laterally  just  above  pelvis. 
Pain  uuder  4th  rib  of  right  side  when  taking  n  long  breath. 
Headache  first  on  one  side,  then  on  the  other.  Pain  in 
sacrum,  increased  by  riding,  not  by  walking.  Pain  in  abdo- 
men caused  by  leaning  forward.     Slight  leucorrhoea. 

March27,  (15thday).  Throat  still  slightly  sore.  Menses 
commenced  three  days  too  soon.  Flow  very  scanty  and  inter- 
mittent. Abdomen  and  pelvis  extremely  hot  Pains  in 
uterine  region  all  day,  having  no  particular  direction  except 
down  inner  side  of  thighs,  half  way  to  knees.     Abdomen 


1886  Proving  of  Iaw  Caninum.  559 

hard  and  eensitiye  to  deep  pressure.  Headaoha  Pain  in 
right  ear.  Sharp  pain  passing  from  right  shoulder  to  second 
joint  of  third  finger.  Pain  passing  from  right  popliteal 
space  to  back  part  of  ankle.  Backache  between  scapulsB. 
Menses  bright  red;  when  blood  is  put  in  water,  it  forms  in 
long  strings  which  soon  dissolve;  passage  of  several  small 
pieces  of  thin,  white  transparent  substances  having  a  dis- 
tinctly organized  structure,  but  extremely  delicate. 

March  28,  (16th  day).  Throat  slightly  sore.  Headache. 
Pain  in  right  ear.  Pain  between  scapulae  when  leaning 
forwards.  Pain  in  uterine  region,  and  particularly  in 
region  of  left  ovary,  extending  down  into  thigh.  Abdomi- 
nal pains  relieved  by  leaning  back.  Abdomen  swollen  and 
hard.  Pains  in  abdomen  intermittent  Menses  more  pro- 
fuse, and  the  blood  natural  in  character. 

March  29,  (17th  day).  Throat  well  in  morning,  but  a 
little  sore  on  right  side  in  afternoon.  Sensation  as  though 
there  was  a  lump  in  right  upper  part  of  throat.  Backache 
between  and  just  below  scapulae  when  leaning  forwards. 
Pain  in  pelvis,  principally  in  right  ovarian  region.  Abdo- 
men swollen  and  sensitive  to  deep  pressure,  which  also 
causes  nausea;  the  nausea  passes  off  when  the  pressure  is 
relieved.  Sensation  while  walking,  as  if  abdomen  would 
burst  Frontal  headache.  Dry,  hacking  cough.  Pain  in 
right  ear.  Intense  sharp  pains  in  left  side  of  abdomen 
with  nausea,  caused  by  leaning  forward. 

March  30,  (18th  day).  Headache  over  left  eye  on  first 
waking,  and  great  pain  in  pelvis,  most  marked  at  right 
ovary.  Abdomen  very  hard  and  feels  as  though  it  would 
burst  Throat  slightly  sore.  During  afternoon,  burning 
sensation  all  across  pelvis,  particularly  in  left  side,  with 
considerable  pain.  Feeliog  of  tension  in  left  groin;  does 
not  want  to  walk  or  stand  as  it  increases  the  sensation;  re- 
lieved by  placing  the  leg  on  abdomen.  Urination  frequent 
and  scanty.  Constant  inclination  to  swallow.  Lips  very  dry 
but  no  thirst.  Mouth  constantly  full  of  slightly  viscid 
mucus.  Pain  in  forehead  during  afternoon,  first  on  left 
side,  then  on  right. 

March  31st,  (19th  day).    Headache  over  left  eye  on  first 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Dec 


Frequent  urination.  Throat  slightly  Bore.  Very 
imngry,  could  not  eat  enough  to  satisfy  herself.  Menses 
Pains  and  tension  in  left  groin.  Great  thirst  for 
y  cold  water  in  small  quantities,  which  cause  teeth  to 
ache.  Outward  pressure  in  abdomen  and  pelvis.  Dry. 
hacking  cough,  Paia  in  right  ear.  Very  sleepy  during 
evening. 

April  1,  (20th  day).  Headache  on  left  side  of  forehead 
on  first  waking,  soon  passing  off.  Throat  slightly  sora. 
Very  sleepy  all  day  long,  could  acarcely  keep  awake.  Con- 
stant inclination  to  urinate.  Backache  between  scapulsa 
and  eacruni.  Burning  in  left  side  of  pelvis.  Great  praa- 
snre  in  abdomen  from  within  outward.  Slight  leucorrhoea 
during  day,  worse  when  standing  or  walking.  Wrists  lame 
and  painful,  especially  the  right.  Pain  in  l>Bnd  of  right 
elbow.  Pain  in  right  popliteal  space,  relieved  by  stretch- 
ing the  limb  out  and  everting  the  foot.  Walks  lame. 
Eight  leg  seems  one  or  two  inches  too  long.  Very  thirsty. 
Fain  in  inner  and  forepart  of  left  knee.  Bruised  sensation 
pin  right  side  of  chest  when  taking  a  deep  inspiration. 
I  Very  distressing  dreams  about  cats. 

April  2,  (21st  day).     Pain  on  left  side  of  forehead  on 

rfirst  waking.     Pain  in  head  during  day,  first  on  one  side 

■  then  on  the  other;  seems  perfectly  unbearable;  relieved 

on  first  going  into  open  air,  but  soon  grows  worse.     Throat 

slightly   sore.      Constant    inclination    to    minate.      Very  J 

sleepy  all  day.     Appetite  natural.     Pain  and  burning  i 

left  side  of  abdomen  and  pelvis  with  weight  and  dragging 

on  that  side;  clothes  feel  very  heavy.     Contents  of  abdO; 

men  and  pelvis  seem  as  though  they  were  coming  ont  jm 

above  pelvis.     Tension  in  left  groin  relieved  by  draw: 

leg  np  to  body.     Pain  in  inner  and  forepart  of  left  knei 

Fain  in  under  part  of  right  knee,  relieved  by  stretching  ort 

the  limb  and  everting  the   foot     Wrists  lame.     Pain  j 

right  hand,  passing  from  thumb  to  little  finger.    Very  o 

and   irritable  while  the  headache  lasted.     Bight  leg  fee 

^^  longer  than  lefi     Slight  pains  in  right  ear. 

^^L     April  3,  (22d  day).     Throat  slightly  sore.     Pain  in  rigU 

^^v«Br.     Pain  in  back  just  below  right  scapula.     Headai 


F 

i 


1886  Proving  of  Lac  Caninum.  561 

Gross  and  irritable.  Pain  in  left  side  of  pelvis.  Feeling 
of  tension  in  left  groin.  Fain  in  knees  and  wrists.  Weight 
and  dragging  in  left  side  of  pelvis.  Fain  in  right  side  of 
I)elvis;  while  it  lasted  there  was  no  pain  in  left  side. 
Cough  from  tickling  in  throat  Thirst.  Teeth  sensitive 
to  cold  water.  Urine  frequent,  scanty,  high-colored,  red 
sediment.    Fain  in  eyeballs  when  looking  upward. 

April  4,  (23d  day).  Throat  slightly  sore  on  left  side. 
Headache,  and  while  it  lasted  felt  very  cross  and  irritable. 
Fain  in  left  side  of  pelvis;  weight  and  dragging  on  that 
side.  Teeth  sensitive  to  cold  water.  Thirsty.  Fain  in 
right  ear.  Urine  frequent,  profuse,  light-colored.  Fain 
in  eyeball  when  looking  up. 

April  5,  (24th  day).  Throat  slightly  sore  on  left  side. 
Headache.  Cross  and  irritable.  Fain  in  left  temple,  pass- 
ing from  it  to  left  ear,  and  then  to  molar  teeth  of  left  upper 
jaw.  No  earache  to-day,  but  instead  a  ringing  in  the  ear. 
Urine  frequent,  especially  at  night. 

April  6,  (25th  day).  Throat  slightly  sore  on  left  side. 
Nausea  from  leaning  forwards.  Headache.  Fressure  and 
pain  in  left  side  of  pelvis.  Wrists  lame.  Binging  in 
right  ear. 

April  7,  (26th  day).  Throat  nearly  well.  Burning  of 
ball  of  left  big  toe.  Headache.  Severe  pain  in  right 
ovarian  region,  completely  relieved  by  a  flow  of  bright  red 
blood,  which  lasted  for  about  an  hour  and  did  not  return. 
Binging  in  right  ear. 

April  8,  (27th  day).  Throat  well.  Headache.  Severe 
pain  in  right  ovarian  region,  completely  relieved  byathick, 
leucorrhoeal  discharge.  Burning  of  inner  side  of  left  big 
toe.     Binging  in  right  ear. 

April  9,  (28th  day).  Slight  headache  for  a  short  time. 
Leucorrhoea  at  night,  none  in  day.  Frequent  urine,  light- 
colored  and  profuse. 

April  10,  (29th  day).  Sore  on  right  side  of  septum  of 
nose.  Leucorrhoea  at  night  Frequent  urination.  Swell- 
ing of  right  submaxillary  gland,  with  considerable  sore- 
ness.   Fain  in  left  ear. 

April  11,  (30th  day).     Slight  headache.     Gland  almost 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 


1 


well.  Urine  frequent  and  profuse.  Sharp,  shooting  pains 
in  ball  of  right  thumb.  Paiu  in  left  ear.  Sensation  after 
urinating  as  though  the  bladder  were  still  full.  Emission 
of  a  drop  or  two  after  urinating.  Nose  sore;  constant 
inclination  to  pick  at  it  and  get  the  scab  off. 

April  12,  (31st  day).  Swelling  of  left  submaxillary 
gland,  with  much  soreness.     Pain  in  left  ear. 

April  13,  (i(2d  day).  Qland  still  sore  and  swollen.  Pain 
in  left  eai'. 

April  14,  (3.M  day).  Severe  shooting  pains  in  abdomen 
and  pelvis,  passing  in  all  directions.  Rumbling  and  gurg- 
ling in  abdomen,  with  escape  of  flatus.  Very  watery 
diarrhcEa,  only  in  morning.  Headache  only  in  afternoon, 
extending  from  right  temple  to  right  malar  bone.  Pain  in 
back  just  below  right  scapula.  Pain  in  both  ears.  Very 
sleepy  during  evening. 

April  15,  (34th  day).  Headache  on  right  side  of  fore- 
head. Throat  slightly  sore.  Tongue  pale  red,  coated 
white.  Paiu  in  upper  and  outer  part  of  breasts.  Loucor- 
-rboea  only  while  standing.     Nose  still  sore. 

April  16,  (35th  day),  Constant  pain  in  nipples.  Breasts 
seem  very  full.     Nose  very  painful  to  touch. 

April  17,  (36th  day).  Constant  paiu  in  breasts,  they 
feel  very  sore  when  going  up  or  down  stairs.  Scab  came 
off  nose,  leaving  it  as  well  as  ever.  Headache  on  right 
side  of  forehead.     Pains  in  abdomen  and  pelvis. 

April  18,  (37th  day).  Tongue  coated  white.  Mouth  and 
throat  covered  with  dark  yellow  spots.  Throat  slightly 
Bore.  Headache  from  right  temple  to  right  malar  bone. 
Entire  relief  from  all  urinary  trouble.  Coryza,  constant 
watery  discharge  from  nose,  excoriating  nostrils  and  upper 
lip.  Right  side  of  nose  seems  stopped  up.  Cough,  with 
pain  and  oppression  of  chest;  it  jara  her  all  over.  Cough 
from  tickling  under  middle  of  sternum.  Menses  com. 
menced  seven  days  too  soon;  flow  came  in  gushes,  scanty, 
intermittent,  bright  red  and  stringy,  preceded  by  mnch 
flatulence  from  bowels.  Abdomen  swollen  and  very  hard. 
Pain  in  left  ovarian  region.  Pain  passing  from  crest  of 
left  iliom  to  left  ovarian   region.     Sensation  of  extreme 


1886  Proving  of  Lac  Caninum.  563 

heat  in  left  side  of  abdomen  and  pelvis,  not  confined  to  any 
one  spot,  but  general.  Pains  in  abdomen  relieved  by  lean- 
ing back.  Cutting  pain  in  lower  part  of  abdomen.  Fain 
in  back  below  right  scapula.  Pressure  in  abdomen  from 
within  outwards.  Pressure  of  arm  or  hand,  increases  the 
abdominal  pain.  Breasts  very  painful  and  sore;  feel  as 
if  full  of  very  hard  lumps,  very  painful  when  going  up  or 
down  stairs.  Head  feels  heavy,  dull  and  stupid,  as  though 
it  would  be  impossible  to  make  the  least  mental  effort  Feels 
as  though  she  had  not  a  friend  in  the  world,  and  could  cry 
any  moment;  there  seems  to  be  nothing  in  the  world  worth 
living  for;  would  like  to  die  any  time.  Very  restless;  can- 
not concentrate  her  thoughts  or  mind  to  read;  wants  to 
leave  everything  as  soon  as  it  is  commenced. 

April  19,  (38th  day).  Woke  up  at  daylight,  feeling  that 
she  was  a  loathsome,  horrible  mass  of  disease,  disgusting  to 
herself  and  to  every  one  else:  could  not  bear  to  look  at  any 
portion  of  her  body,  not  even  her  hands,  as  it  intensified 
the  feeling  of  disgust  and  horror:  could  not  bear  to  have 
any  one  part  of  her  body  touch  another,  had  to  keep  even 
her  fingers  apart  from  each  other:  felt  that  if  she  could 
not  get  out  of  her  body  in  some  way  she  should  soon 
become  crazy:  could  not  think  of  an3rthing  but  her  own 
condition:  in  a  short  time  fell  into  a  slight  slumber,  from 
which  she  woke  free  from  all  mental,  but  not  physical,  symp- 
toms. Sharp  pain  in  left  anterior  superior  spinous  pro- 
cess of  ilium,  during  expiration.  Pain  in  left  ovarian 
region,  and  all  across  lower  part  of  abdomen.  Breasts  very 
sore  and  painful.  Fain  in  left  side  of  abdomen  and  pelvis 
all  the  morning.  Breasts  very  painful,  but  no  lumps;  the 
pains  are  caused  by  the  least  jar;  has  to  hold  breasts  firmly 
when  going  up  or  down  stairs.  Sharp  pains  in  right  side. 
In  afternoon,  sharp  pains  in  right  ovarian  region,  not  con- 
stant, but  intermittent.  Breasts  worse  toward  evening,  so 
that  the  pressure  of  her  arm  in  its  natural  position  causes 
considerable  pain.  Abdomen  painfxd  from  the  least  weight 
of  arm  or  hand.  During  evening,  pain  in  back  between 
scapulae  and  sacrum.  Menses  more  profuse,  but  not  as 
much  as  is  natural,  somewhat  stringy. 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Dec. 


April  21,  (40tli  day),  Wriets  lame.  Pain  in  back  below 
right  scapula.     Very  sleepy  during  evening. 

April  22,  (ilet  day).  Biceps  very  eore  at  lower  part, 
'  only  felt  during  motion,  not  from  touch.  Pain  in  evening 
I  in  region  of  7th  and  8th  ribs  of  right  side,  caused  by  deep 
'  inspiration. 

April  24,  (43d  day.)  In  evening,  pain  in  both  knees; 
slight  relief  by  stretching  the  limbs  out  straight  Pain  in 
back  below  right  scapula. 

April  25,  (44th  day).  In  evening,  abdomen  very  hard 
and  swollen.  Pain  in  lower  part  of  abdomen  and  pelvis 
on  left  side,  increased  by  pressure  of  arm  or  hand. 

April  26,  (45th  day).  During  evening,  pain  in  region  of 
I  7th  and  8th  ribs,  during  deep  inspiration. 

April  28,  (47th  day).     Very  sleepy  during  evening. 
May  2,  (51st  day).     Pain  in  evening  in   region  of  7th 
and  8th  ribs,  caused  by  deep  inspiration. 

May  3,  (52d  day).  Oonatant  inclination  to  urinate; 
I  nrine  profuse,  naturd  in  color. 

May  4,  (53d  day).     Constant  inclination  to  urinate. 
May  5  and  6,    (54th  and  55th  days).     Slight  frontal 


May  8,  (67th  day).     Sore  spot  on  right  side  of  right 
I  breast,  about  size  of  a  sCver  dollar,  very  sensitive  to  touch 
I  or  to  the  jar  caused  by  going  np  and  down  stairs. 
May  9,  (58th  day).     Very  sleepy  during  evening. 
May  11,  (60th  day).     Sore  spot  similar  to  that  of  May 
8th,  on  left  side  of  right  breast. 

May  12,  (61st  day).     Constant  inclination  to  urinate. 

May  LS,  (62d  day).     Menses   commenced  four  days   too 

I  Boon;  scanty,  but  otherwise  normal.     Slight  frontal  head- 

^  ache  on  waking.     During  evening,  slight  sensation  of  pres- 

eure  in  abdomen  and  pelvis  from  within  outwards.     Slight 

pain  in  left  side  of  abdomen  and  pelvis,  lasting  only  a  few 

minutes. 

May  14  and  15,  (63d  and  64th  days).     Slight  headache 
on  first  waking, 

May  16,  (65th  day).     Constant  inclination  to  urinate. 


1886  The  Two  Tarantulas.  565 

the  inclination  does  not  abate  by  urinating.    Headache 

nearly  all  day. 

May  25,  (74th  day).     Breasts  very  sore;  sensitive  to  the 

least  pressure;  dull,  constant  aching  pain  in  them  all  the 

evening. 

[end  of  first  proving.] 


•^•^ 


THE  TWO  TARANTULAS. 


DR.  GEORGE  MARX,  Washington,  D.  C. 


In  reply  to  the  question:  "Can  you  explain  to  us  the 
cause  of  the  difference  in  the  physiological  action  between 
the  Tarantula  of  Europe  and  that  of  America?"  I  have 
to  say  that,  as  a  medical  man,  I  know  nothing  about  Taran- 
tula as  a  therapeutic  medium,  but  from  an  arachnological 
standpoint,  this  question  is  easily  answered  by  stating  the 
fact  that  the  European  Tarantula  is  an  entirely  different 
creature  from  the  one  of  the  same  name  in  America. 

The  Tarantula  of  Europe  is  the  oldest  known  and  de- 
scribed spider,  and  it  received  its  name  from  the  city  Tar- 
anto,  in  southern  Italy.  It  was  in  the  middle  of  the  six- 
teenth century  that  the  inhabitants  of  that  city  were 
alarmed  by  the  sudden  appearance  of  vast  numbers  o£ 
large,  dark-colored,  hairy  spiders  in  their  gardens  and  vine- 
yards. These  fearful  looking  animals  were  hiding  under 
every  stone,  in  every  crevice  of  the  walls  and  rocks,  and 
many  gardeners  and  soil  tillers  were  bitten  in  hand  or  foot 
by  this  new  fiend.  The  terror-stricken  (more  by  the  horror 
and  fear  of  the  animal  than  by  the  actual  pain  of  the  bite) 
sought  the  aid  of  the  doctors,  who  decided  that,  to  remove 
the  poison  from  the  system,  the  patient  had  to  undergo  a 
powerfid  diaphoretic  cure,  and  recommended  constant  and 
continuous  dancing  as  the  best-suited  medium.  The  tremb- 
ling victim  was  led  to  the  public  dancing  ground,  the  guitar, 
trombone,  and  clarionet  resounded  in  prestissimo  measure, 
and  he  was  seized  by  one  of  the  swift-footed  girls  and 
whirled  around  until  she  was  breathless,  when  quick 
another  daughter  of  the  village  took  her  place,  and  so  on 
until  the  poor  fellow,  bathed  in  perspiration  and  perfectly 


The  Medical  Advance,  Dec. 

exhausted,  fell  awooning  to  the  ground.  After  a  couple  of 
liouTB  of  sound  sleep  he  was  pronounced  cured.  This  dance 
they  called  Tarantella. 

Ferrande  Imperato  wrote  the  first  account  of  this  Bpider, 
and  Ms  son  published  it  in  1599.  He  says:  "These 
spiders  are  called  Tarantula  because  they  infest  the  envi- 
rons of  the  city  Taranto;  the  inhabitants  called  them  also 
Solofizzi,  and  fear  them  very  much  for  their  venomous 
bites,  which  produce  great  pain  and  a  tremor  through  the 
whole  body.  The  effect  of  the  bite  reappeai's  the  same 
time  every  year  as  long  as  the  unfortunate  victim  lives, 
and  the  only  cure  is  a  powerful  perspiration  and  exhaustion, 
which  is  produced  by  continuous  dancing." 

Writers  who  followed  Ferrande  were  not  satisfied  with 
this  description  of  the  effect  of  the  bite  o£  the  Tarantula; 
they  exaggerated  the  symptoms  and  enhanced  the  terror 
until  these  reached  the  ridiculous.  "The  tarantulati" 
(victims),  says  one,  "laugh,  cry,dance,  eigh,  scream,  and 
perform  a  thousand  extravagances  j  they  cannot  bear  to  see 
the  blue  or  black  color,  but  they  rejoice  in  the  red  and 
green,"  eto. 

The  superstition  about  the  bite  of  the  Tarantula  prevails 
in  some  districts  tn  the  present  day,  and  the  naturalist 
Hoffman  gives  an  interesting  narrative  of  how,  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Naples,  the  lazzaroni  were  utilizing  this 
superstition  in  order  to  obtain  wine  or  money  from  the 
credulous,  "for  they  suffer  themselves  to  be  bitten  pur- 
posely by  the  Tarantula;  then  they  raiseabighallothroagh 
the  streets,  and  the  charitable  population  give  them  wine 
for  the  pretended  cure;  they  drink  it  in  immense  quantities, 
and  then  commence  to  dance  amid  the  encouraging  and 
joyous  shouts  of  the  people." 

Ludovico  Valetta  wrote,  in  1706,  a  treatise  on  the  habits 
of  the  Tarantula,  which  he  found  also  in  the  northern  part 
of  Italy.  Pallas  describes  the  identical  spider  from  sonth- 
em  Rnssia-  Olearius  found  it  in  Persia;  Dufour  in  Spfiia 
and  Portugal,  and  Brullfe  in  northern  Africa. 

The  Tarantula  of  Europe  and  the  eastern  hemisphere 
belongs  to  the  family  Lycoeoidee  or  wolf  spiders. 


I 


1886  The  Two  Tarantulas.  567 

Lycosa  or  Tarenttila.  The  members  of  this  family  make 
no  web  to  live  in,  but  hide  under  leaves  and  stones,  and 
catch  their  prey  running;  they  carry  their  egg  cocoon 
along,  fastened  on  the  under  side  of  the  abdomen  by  strong 
threads,  and  in  some  genera  the  young  ones,  when  first 
hatched,  domicile  on  the  back  and  the  legs  of  the  mother, 
giving  her  a  hideous  appe€U*ance.  Linnaeus  called  it  Aranea 
Tarantula.  Its  present  name  is  Tarentula  fasciventris 
(Dufour). 

Who  has  ever  travelled  through  the  West  India  Islands 
or  southern  Texas  and  Florida  and  has  not  met  with  the 
unavoidable  darkey  with  a  Tarantula  in  a  box  or  bottle, 
offering  this  curiosity  for  sale?  They — the  darkey  and  the 
Tarantula— -are  found  everywhere,  at  steamboat-landings, 
depots,  hotels,  etc.  Examining  this  Tarantula  we  see  at 
once  that  an  entirely  different-looking  spider  presents  itself 
here  under  the  same  name. 

This  American  Tarantula  is  found  in  all  countries  of  the 
western  hemisphere  below  the  37th  degree  of  N.  latitude, 
and  it  belongs  to  the  family  Theraphosoidse,  a  family 
which  deviates  from  all  other  Araneida  by  having  four 
instead  of  two  lungs,  aod  their  mandibles  possess  movable 
claws  with  vertical  motion,  whereas  in  all  other  spiders 
these  claws  move  horizontally.  The  largest  spiders  of  the 
tropics  belong  to  this  family,  and  their  poisonous  bite  is 
greatly  feared  by  the  inhabitants,  and  certainly  with  more 
right  than  the  comparatively  harmless  Tarentula  fasciven- 
tris of  Europe  and  the  East  Not  only  that  the  bite  or 
sting  of  any  animal  heals  under  greater  difficulties  in  a  hot 
climate,  but  the  poison  gland  of  this  spider  is  of  such 
formidable  size  that  if  its  contents  should  be  introduced 
into  a  wound  it  would  certainly  show  its  venomous  char- 
acter in  an  alarming  state. 

I  must  here,  however,  state  that  I  have  never  heard  of 
any  authentic  case  of  a  serious  result  of  spider  bite,  and  I 
myself,  although  having  been  bitten  accidentally  and  pur- 
posely by  spiders  of  considerable  size  many  times,  never 
experienced  any  greater  consequence  than  considerable 
local  inflammation  not  much  worse  than  the  sting  of  a  bee. 


I  Tke  Medical  Advance.  Deo. 

However,  the  iotensity  of  the  symptonis  will  of  oourse  rory 
with  different  individuals.  The  American  Tarantula  be- 
longs to  the  genus  Thaleromata  (AasB. ). 

There  is  a  group  of  Arachnides  closely  related  to  the 
scorpion  family,  the  Pedipaipi  or  Tarentulte  (Fabr. ),  and 
here  we  have  lite  third  Tarantula. 

Is  it  now  to  be  wondered  at,  tliat  mistakes  and  misnnder- 
standings  may  happen  when  we  speak  of  the  Tarantula  and 
neglect  to  mention  which  one  of  them  we  mean?  and 
now  is  it  clear  to  the  reader  why  the  physiological  action 
of  the  European  spider  differs  so  decidedly  from  that  of 
the  western  hemisphore? 

The  risumi  of  the  foregoing  is:  The  zoologist  knows 
of  only  one  Tarantula,  that  is  the  Tarantula  of  Fabriciua, 
or  that  related  to  the  scorpions.  The  tourists  with  a 
Bcientifio  tendency  knows  two,  the  European  Tarentula 
faaciventris  and  the  American  Thaleromata,  but  the  rich- 
est in  knowledge  is  the  Texas  cowboy  and  the  Southern 
negro,  who  call  every  long-legged,  dark-colored,  hairy 
"critter"  a  Tarantula. — Recorder. 


I 


NoTK. — The  splendid  proving  of  Dr.  Nufiez  places 
Tarantula  in  the  list  of  chief  remeiliea  for  deei>-seated 
affections  of  the  nervous  system;  not  only  chorea  and  hys- 
teria, but  many  forms  of  insanity.  In  the  beginning  of 
insanity  patients  sing,  dance  and  cry,  but  without  fever. 
Paroxysms  of  insanity,  with  raging  delirium;  restlessness, 
complaining,  threatening  words  of  destruction.  Taciturn- 
ity and  irritability;  desire  to  strike  himself  and  others; 
cross,  tendency  to  get  an|3^y  and  to  speak  abruptly;  obliged 
to  constantly  move  the  limbs.  Sudden,  fox-like  and  de- 
structive efforts  requiring  the  utmost  vigilance  to  prevent 
damage;  followed  by  laughter  and  apologies. 

A  Case. — A  lady  aged  33,  of  fine  physique,  enjoying  the 
beat  of  general  good  health,  has  suffered  terribly  for  four 
years  wiUi  hyperesthesia  of  tips  of  fingers  of  both  hands. 
At  times  unable  to  dress  herself  or  chUd  without  gloves. 
The  irritation  would  at  once  produce  a  sensation  in  her 
teeth  "as  if  set  on  edge  by  a  strong  acid."  The  pain  was 
not  in  the  Angers,  but  in  the  teeth.  Asarum,  Gelseminm, 
Sulphuric  acid,  failed.  Tarantula  has  afforded  relief  for  six 
months  or  more. 


1886  Our  Medical  JoumaU.  669 

COMMENT  AND  CRITICISM. 


OUR  MEDICAL  JOURNALS. 


The  Clinique,  October,  1886.  Pro£  Leavitt  gives  ns  a 
lecture  on  "The  Medical  Profession  and  the  People."  It 
seems  to  have  been  previously  delivered  by  the  obstetrical 
professor  to  his  students  in  Hahnemann  Medical  Collega 
If  it  served  as  an  introductory  to  his  course,  it  strikes  us 
as  a  clear  case  of  premature  delivery,  for  the  subject  is  as 
ill  suited  to  a  class  of  medical  students  as  would  be  a  dis- 
course on  marriage  to  a  primary  public  school  If  the 
relation  of  the  student  to  the  people  is  properly  to  be  con- 
sidered by  the  student  during  his  medical  course,  then  we 
may  safely  say  that  this  lecture  is  a  case  of  breech  presen^ 
tation. 

Bat  the  subject  matter  of  the  lecture  is  equally  curious. 
It  reminds  us  of  nothing  so  much  as  it  does  of  a  fellow, 
who  has  been  for  a  long  time  on  a  hard  spree,  and  is  now 
attempting  to  sober  up  by  giving  a  temperance  lecture. 
The  Professor  treats  of  people  and  doctors  with  an  aban- 
don that  shows  he  is  thoroughly  mellowed  for  the  occasion. 
He  certainly  gives  his  friends  away  with  a  lavish  hand. 
The  "Confessions  of  an  Opium  Eater"  are  child's  play  to 
the  confessions  of  our  Chicago  professor,  which,  however, 
he  is  careful  to  put  in  the  second  and  third  person.  Other 
people's  sins  he  unmasks  with  an  unsparing  hand,  and  he 
leaves  few  of  their  foibles  unnoticed.  Now  and  then  he 
generously  includes  himself  in  the  term  "we." 

An  outsider,  reading  this  lecture,  and  notiog  its  severe 
arraignment  of  the  "doctors,"  might  well  exclaim:  "What 
a  precious  bad  lot!"  We  have  space  to  give  only  a  few 
specimens.  "Medical  skepticism"  of  the  people,  he  de- 
clares to  be  due  to  the  "extravagant  confidence  of  the 
physician  in  his  own  skill  and  the  remedies  which  he  pre- 
scribes." This  seems  much  like  the  man  who  objected 
to  angels  on  account  of  their  wings.  He  thought  they 
could  fly  better  if  they  were  not  so  burdened.  The  old 
dramatic  gag  of  "just  enough  but  not  too  much,"  seems  in 


0  The  Medical  Advance.  Deo. 

B  ProfeBsor'e  mind  applicable  just  here,  but,  alas  for  the 
thiaking  student,  who  listens  to  such  a  lecture!  He  must 
inevitably  become  himself  a  "medical  skeptic."     But,  no; 

»we  are  mistaken,  for  we  are  told  "the  young  practitioner 
leaves  his  alma  muter" — the  old  Hahnemann,  of  course — 
"with  a  conscious  ability  to  cure  every  ill  which  affects 
mankind."  Here  is  something  confessedly  wrong  in  the 
teaching  of  that  school.  As  Prof.  Leavitt  is  guilty  of  no 
such  crime  as  teaching  students  to  have  confidence  in 
themselves  and  their  remedies,  it  must  be  a  dead  ^ve 
away  on  his  distinguishe.l  colleagues.  It  is  they,  and  not 
he,  who  have  "  bo  clearly  delineated  "  the  "  powers  and  indi- 
cationB"of  "his" — the  student's — "remedies."  But  we  are 
told  that  this  student  subsequently,  "looking  at  thin^  in  a 
more  subdued  light  *  *  •  makes  no  promises  and  offers 
r  no  encouragement."  He  drops  down,  in  fact,  from  the  aro- 
■  light  of  a  too  much  illuminated  education  in  college,  to  the 
ft  iallow  candle  of  real  practice. 

'        The  Professor  then  discourses  on  "dishonesty"  among 

physicians  and  he  makes  a  sad  showing  for  "those  other 

fellows"  who  live  and  practice  and  make  great  gain  in 

I    Chicago.     The  Professor  and  his  friends  are  not  included 

I' in  thia  list,  of  course.     He  does  not  say  "we."     What  he 

I  Bays  of  "want  of  exactitude"  in  medical  practice,  is  all 

quite  true.    He  then  turns  his  attention  to  "the  remadieB" 

for  these  evil  a. 

First,  he  declares  "  the  trouble  is,  there  are  so  many  of 
OS."  In  other  words,  he  would  have  the  students  get  their 
medical  education  and  graduate,  but  not  settle  in  Chicaga 
And  theu  he  exclaims,  "doctors  proverbially  disagree." 
This  shows  what  early  education  does  for  a  man.  When  a 
boy  he  doubtless  often  heard  this  saying  repeated,  and  now 
he  is  willing  to  tell  his  students  that,  among  doctors, 
"nnion  is  out  of  the  question."  Such  teaching  is  both 
false  and  unfortunate.  It  can  only  have  an  evil  influenoe 
on  the  students. 

The  Professor  then  proceeds  to  say,  "As  preceptors  and 
professors,  we  ought  to  make  more  rapid  improvement  in 
facilities  and  methods.     Instead  of  spreading  before  our 


1886  Our  Medical  Journals.  571 

students,  year  after  year,  the  same  pathogenetic  and  clinical 
symptoms,  some  of  them,  in  ambiguous  and  senseless 
terms,  with  little  abridgement  and  few  additions,  and  these 
in  stereotyped  alphabetical  order,  we  should  surely  cull 
out  the  grain  and  blow  out  the  chaff."  Certainly,  Herr 
Professor,  if  you  and  your  colleagues  have  been  guilty  of 
some  of  these  things,  it  is  high  time  you  reformed. 

If  your  faculty  lacks  in  improved  facilities  and  methods, 
make  no  delay  in  your  reformation.  If  you  have  been 
using  senseless  and  ambiguous  terms,  you  cannot  too  soon 
mend  your  ways.  If  you  have  been  giving  your  students 
chaff  mixed  with  your  grain,  you  should  no  longer  con- 
tinue the  fraud.  It  must  have  been  very  humiliating,  how- 
ever, to  tell  all  this  to  your  students. 

But,  pray,  what  crime  is  this  that  you  are  guilty  of  iit 
spreading  the  same  pathogenetic  and  clinical  symptoms,, 
year  after  year,  before  your  students?  What  would  you? 
A  new  pathogenesis  every  year?  Must  you  have  new  clin- 
ical symptoms  for  diseases  that  are  as  old  as  history,  and 
as  numerous  as — as  the  inhabitants  of  Chicago?  And  who, 
among  your  learned  faculty,  can  point  out  the  chaff,  and 
who  raise  the  wind  to  blow  it  out? 

Now  that  we  are  asking  questions,  we  are  impelled  to 
inquire  why  you  are  so  anxious  that  ''  students  should  also 
be  taught  that  there  are  certain  emergencies  which  simple 
remedies  will  not  satisfactorily  meet,  and  for  which  certain 
adjuvants  and  expedients  are  essential"?  What  can  you 
mean  by  "simple  remedies"?  Do  you  mean  "the  indi- 
cated remedy  "?  Do  you  mean  what  my  allopathic  neigh- 
bor calls,  relying  on  "  little  pills,"  when  "  the  case  demands 
something  powerful "? 

You  say,  further:  "Childlike  reliance  under  all  circum- 
stances on  strict  homoeopathic  remedies,  unaided  and  alone, 
is  what,  in  some  quarters,  has  made  people  so  doubtful  of 
the  efficacy  of  our  mode  of  cure."  O,  learned  Professor, 
will  you  tell  us  what  is  "our  mode  of  cure,"  if  it  be  not  just 
that?  Would  you  have  us  believe  that  he  who  persistently 
violates  the  great  law  of  cure  makes  most  converts  to  it? 
This  is  clearly  a  case  of  false  conception,  natural  enough^ 
perhaps,  to  an  obstetrical  professor. 


1672  The  Medical  Advance.  Dec. 

Leaving  out  mttny  statements  we  have  no  space  to 
notice,  we  come  lastly  upon  this:  "A  new  remedy  occasion- 
ally ehines  forth  in  the  medical  heavens  and  is  hailed  with 
^mo3t  unfeigQBii  delight.  Magi  follow  its  light  and  a  host 
of  simple  ones  run  on  behind.  But  soon  it  gets  dim  and 
either  pasass  entirely  out  o£  sight  or  beuomsa  a  star  of  no 
magnitude.  Such  were  [are]  Salicylic  acid,  Cunduraugo, 
Phenic  acid  and  many  others,  while,  last  of  all,  comes 
Cocaine.  New  theories  of  disease  and  hence  new  methods 
.  of  treatment,  have  likewise  led  ua  astray." 

This  last  statement  is  fully  explained  by  the  first     It 

■'isn't  profitable  to  go  whoring  after  strange  gods.     And  the 

istronomer,  who  turns  his  telescope  away  from  the  clear 

■ens  of  science,  to  hunt  for  stars  in  puddles  of  mud, 

Birill  find  both  his  stars  and  his  science  reduced  to  very 

*  flraall  magnitudes.    No  true  HomGe:3path  is  ever  misled  by 

such   ifjnes   faiui.      No  homceopathic    atudent,   properly 

taught,  will  be  iu  danger  of  running  after  such  phantoms^ 

I  But,  sorely,  Professor,  your  cijndemnation   of    drugs    is 

■  neither  discriminating   nor  just     Cundurango  you   may 

■  perhaps  condemn  to  limbo,  but  the  other  three  you  have 
I  named  have  taken  their  places  in  the  armamentarium  of  the 
■aurgeon,  and  they  will  stay  there  whether  Prof.  Leavitt 
1  consents  or  not.  Surely  none  of  his  colleagues  would  ven- 
I  ture  to  make  such  a  statement  If  tbe  Professor  were  as 
i  sound  in  therapeutics  as  he  is  in  obstetrics,  he  would  chal- 
l  lenge  the  unqualified  admiration  of  his  hearers  and  read- 
I  ers,  but,  as  it  is,  he  seems  to  be  in  a  state  of  urresled 
\development.  T.  P.  W. 

Editor  Advance:  The  enclosed  letter  from  Dr.  Carr  ei- 

[  plains  itself.     It  was  written  in  reply  to  an  inquiry,  in 

I  which  I  stated  I  had  not  been  as  fortunate  as  I  could  wish 

in  some  bad  cases  of  diphtheria,  and  reminded  him  of  an 

article  on  "Experience  in  Diphtheria,"  of  which  he  was 

the  author,  published  in  the  Investigator,  Vol.  IX,,  page 

^_    135  (new  series),  in  which  he  says;   "This  autumn  and 

^K  winter  I  have  treated  one  hundred  cases  of  genuine  dipk- 

^H  theria,  in  its  various  forms,  from  the  lightest  to  the  most 


1886  Hints  on  Malignant  Diphtheria,  573 

malignant  type.  Loss  none,''  etc.  This  was  in  1879.  I 
was  anxious  to  know  if  he  had  met  with  the  same  success 
since.     This  is  his  answer: 

HINTS  ON   MALIGNANT   DIPHTHERIA. 

Galesburg,  III.,  Oct.  28, 1886. 

Dear  Doctor :  Your  *•  Macedonian  cry  "  came  this  morning,  and 
I  will  try  to  send  you  a  few  hints  for  severe  cases.  I  can  truly 
say  that  for  the  last  seven  years  my  success  has  been  equal  to,  if 
not  better  than  during,  the  preceding  years,  now  about  seventeen, 
in  which  I  have  used  the  high  potencies.  In  this  time  I  have  met 
with  every  recorded  type  of  this  disease  and  never  failed  to  cure, 
save  in  one  case,  which  being  convalescent,  undertook  to  play  with 
her  toys,  and  rising  up  quickly,  dropped  back  dead;  a  sudden  car- 
diac paralysis  having  taken  place.  I  have  since  then,  by  being  on 
guard,  avoided  such  terminations.  This  is  my  only  death,  and 
this  not  strictly  from  diphtheria. 

Nasal  types  of  a  severe  form  are  usually  well  met  by  Bromium, 
Lac  caninum,  Lachesis,  Lycopodium,  Sulphur,  and  sometimes  Mer- 
curius  Cyan.,  but  rarely  the  last.  In  the  majority  of  cases  I  have 
never  had  to  look  further  than  Lachesis  or  Lac  caninum.  Croup- 
ous forms  must  be  met  by  Bromine  or  Lac  caninum;  sometimes 
Lachesis  or  Sulphur,  the  two  latter  especially  in  the  hsemorrhagic 
type.  When  your  last  and  gravest  complications  arise:  constantly 
and  steadily  sinking,  cold  skin,  cold  sweat,  stupor,  no  reaction, 
Sulphur  every  time.  In  many  of  the  worst,  even  gangrenous  types 
of  this  disease,  we  find  the  patient  coughing  a  little,  short,  sup- 
pressed cough  and  absolutely  free  from  pain,  save  in  the  pit  of 
stomach.  Children  will  put  their  hands  on  their  bellies  and  say, 
"  hurts."  These  ciisa.s  always  die  unless  you  interpose  a  dose  or 
two  of  Sulphur.  These  are  the  most  dangerous  complications  I 
have  ever  seen  in  this  malady.  Of  course,  in  other  times,  other 
functional  disturbances  may  take  place,  calling  for  other  remedies, 
but  in  the  gravest  type  Sulphur  is  the  ''king"  of  remedies.  Four 
years  ago  I  obtained  Diphtherin  cm.  (Swan),  and  in  every  epidemic 
since  I  have  furnished  my  patrons  with  this  remedy,  one  or  two 
doses  per  week.  /  have  never  had  a  case  of  diphtheria  when  this 
remedy  was  used  in  advance  as  a  preventive.  I  have  certainly 
given  it  in  one  thousand  diffirent  cases  and  it  Jias  never  failed. 
The  inference  is  plain,  that  prevention  promises  the  best  results. 
I  also  use  Diphtherin  cm.,  or  cmm.,  when  no  other  remedy  •is 
strongly  indicated;  of  late  years  I  use  the  cmm.  entirely,  as  from  it 
I  obtain  the  quickest  and  most  satisfactory  results.  When  other 
complications,  such  as  post-diphtheritic  affections,  arise,  which 
sometimes  happens,  the  proper  remedy,  one  or  two  doses,  is  gener- 
ally, I  might  say  always,  all-sufficient.    Yours  fraternally, 

E.  B.  Nash,  M.  D.,  Cortland,  N.  Y.  G.  H.  Carr,  M.  D. 


k 


The  Medical  Advance.  I>eo. 

DOVER'S  POWDER  HOMOiOPATIiy. 

Editor  Advance. — Dr.  BeckwitL's  "  Case  for  Cuansel  " 
has  called  out  a  prescription  which  I  regret  to  aay  is 
neither  scientific  nor  homoeopathic  nnd  far  from  creditable, 
to  use  no  harsher  term,  to  our  school  of  practice.  Where 
in  the  world  can  Dr.  Parmelee  find  any  homceopathic  aa- 
thority  for  his  "  hydragogue  cathartic  "  and  by  what  stretch 
of  the  imagination  can  he  make  Mercurius  Corr.  the  simil- 
limum  for  this  case?  "Prognosis;  death  early  in  1877," 
Not  a  very  encouraging  outlook  after  due  use  of  the  simil- 
limum.  Kow  in  my  humble  judgment  this  man  may  live 
for  years,  if  he  keep  clear  of  "  Dover's  Powder  Homce- 
«patby." 

A  very  brief  examination  of  this  case  reveals  the  follow- 
ing:    "He  is  advanced  in  years;  corpulent;  suffers  from 
nightly  attacks  of  dyspnoea:  great  restlessuess,  mast  move 
from  place  to  place  or  wolk  about  to  obtain  relief.     For 
this  train  of  eymptoma  a  superficial  observer  would  at  once 
prescribe  Arsenic,  of  which  he  has  liad  enough.     But  here 
is  his  promineni,  peculiar,  uncovimon  symptom  which  is 
not  found  under  Arsenic:  "Sudden  starting  when  falling 
asleep  from  want  of  breath,  will  sit  up  and  take  long,  dpt-p 
breaths."     Who  ever  saw   an   Arsenic  patient  do   that? 
Moreover  his  "skin  troubles  make  him  almost  wild,  1 
ants  to  yell,"  and  "  his  pulse  is  very  weak  all  the  tima. 
'iien,  with  these,  you  put  the  symptoms  in  secondary  t 
.tion  to  these  characteristics,  you  have  a  very  good  < 
hrith  which  to  go  to  the  Materia  Medica.     Every  t 

lese  sjTDptoms  are   found  under  Aurum  Met.;  it  e 
I'flovers  his  whiskey  and  tobacco  habits,  and  if  this  p 
Will  take  an  occnsional  dose  of  Aurum  every  tour,  f 
jAjght  weeks  until  a  loud  call  is  made  for  some  other  a 
TIC,  I  see  no  rea.son  why  he  may  not  reach  his  allott 
£hree  score  years  and  ten,"  and  die  of  something   i 
lan  "fatty  degeneration  of  the  heart,"  notwithstandi 
tiie  prognosis.     And  in  all  kindness  permit  me  to  i 
my  colleague  to  "stop  fooling"  with  "hydragogue  catb 
ties,"  "Dover's  Powder,"  etc.,  etc.,  in  the  name  of  Hahn9 


1886  Dynamization  in  the  Crucible.  676 

mann  and  Homoeopathy,  study  his  cases  and  prescribe  for 
them  after  the  plan  of  Hahnemann,  and  he  will  have  fewer 
prognoses  of  that  kind  to  make.  Such  prescribing  is  little 
less  than  a  carricatore  on  Homoeopathy  as  taught  and  prac- 
ticed by  Hahnemann  and  Dunham,  and  the  success  cor- 
responds with  the  practice. 

G.  H.  Carr,  M.  D. 

Galksbubo,  III. 


^>» 


"DYNAMIZATION  IN  THE  CRUCIBLE. 


»» 


Editor  Advance:  As  far  as  the  comments  under  the 
above  heading  in  the  November  number  of  The  Advance 
are  directed  to  the  Western  New  York  Society,  they  show 
a  strange  misunderstanding  of  the  object  of  the  committee. 
It  is  not  an  attempt  to  *'  subject  the  potentized  drug  to  the 
test  of  clinical  experience  by  those  who  doubt  its  efficacy." 
What  we — many  of  us  using  potentized  drugs  daily  in  our 
practice — want,  is  the  results  of  the  experience  of  those 
who  do  believe  in  and  use  the  potentized  drug.  We  want 
facts,  of  a  kind  that  will  be  incontrovertible  evidence  to 
those  who  do  not  believe. 

The  circular,  with  careful  reading,  ought  to  explain 
itself.  It  seems  hardly  necessary  to  attempt  to  elucidate 
it,  or  to  make  a  re-statement  of  self  evident  facts.  There 
is  not  a  point  in  it  but  should  meet  the  assent  and  receive 
the  co-operation  of  every  lover  of  Homoeopathy. 

That  there  is  any  efficacy  in  the  potentized  drug  is  im- 
probable to  those  who  do  not  know;  and  the  improbability 
is  undoubtedly  the  reason  so  many  of  the  medical  profes- 
sion are  without  this  knowledge;  they  have  not  received 
sufficient  convincing  evidence,  and  they  will  not  follow 
Hahnemann's  precept,  and  do  exactly  as  he  did. 

That  it  is  worth  an  effort  to  reach  these  unbelievers  and 
convince  them  that  the  improbable  is  true,  is  acknowledged 
by  the  valuable  space  given  in  our  best  journals  to  writ- 
ings upon  the  philosophy  of  Homoeopathy  and  reports  of 
cases  cured,  from  the  pens  of  the  best  men  in  our  ranks; 
and  by  the  several  brochures  which  have  appeared  from 


The  Medical  Advance. 


Deo. 

I  their 


I 


time.     These  are  all  doing  their  work, 

influence  ia  great.     Bat  argument  seldom  convinces, 

Mauy  of  tLe  reports  of  cases  lack  the  very  elements 
needed  to  make  them  convincing  to  a  skeptic;  and  as  the 
oirciilor  states,  the  selection  of  paiiicular  cases  woald  he 
invidious.  With  the  exactions  of  the  present  times,  no 
more  effective,  convincing  work  can  be  done  than  in  the 
direction  of  the  provisions  of  this  circular.  And  of  par- 
ticular importance  ia  the  last  proposition  it  contains.  Dr. 
J.  T.  Kent,  in  his  address  to  the  Central  New  York  Society, 
well  said:  "The  skeptical  experimenters  in  provings  made 
vith  attenuations,  forgot  that  a  special  predisposition  Is 
frequently  necessary  for  contagion  [Organon,  §31]  and  that 
this  predisposition  cannot  be  made  to  order,  but  must  be 
utilized  when  found,  which  affords  a  propitious  opportu- 
nity for  the  pure  esperiment  through  which  we  discover 
the  sick-making  power  of  drugs."  It  is  for  these  t 
predisi>ositions  to  the  effects  of  particular  drugs,  which  t 
offer  the  marked  attenuations — not  for  experimenting  upt 
the  sick.  AVe  all  meet  with  these  sensitives  occasionatlyi 
and  it  is  a  matter  of  surprise  that  they  have  not  been  e 
tern atic ally  utilized. 

I  believe  the  knowledge  of  the  efficacy  of  high  potencies 
ie  the  vititl  point  of  Homceopathy,  and  of  the  therapeutiea 
of  the  future;  and  until  it  is  more  universally  recognized 
ve  shall  never  take  the  place  that  is  ours  among  the  exact 
sciences.  There  are  undoubtedly  those  who  "  would  not 
believe  though  one  were  raised  from  the  dead."  The 
world  has  always  had  them.  We  do  not  expect  to  reach 
Buch;  it  would  be  &  waste  of  effort  to  attempt  it;  but  if  any 
tnan  is  seeking  light,  those  who  have  it  should  not  with- 

Don't  criticise  our  "endorse"  and  "condemn"  too 
Boverely.  Any  one  who  has  attempted  to  formulate  a  con- 
.  Bervative  circular,  or  set  of  resolutions,  knows  something 
.ot  the  difficulty  of  expressing  the  exact  intention,  and 
I  avoiding  collision  with  every  one's  protruding  angles. 
Without  doubt  the  idea  that  we  hope  to  aid  others  as  well 
88  ourselves  oa  a  society,  to  solve  the  question,  could  have 


1886  Facial  Erysipelas :  Rhus  Tox.  577 

been  better  expressed.  An  agnostic  position  is  the  only 
one  which  we  could  with  fairness  assume,  and  is  the  only 
one  in  which  true  experimental  research  can  be  conducted. 
Unquestionably,  work  by  a  mixed  society,  like  the  Western 
New  York,  will  command  more  attention  from  the  average 
mind  than  similar  work  by  a  society  composed  wholly  of 
men  who  are  already  committed  in  the  matter.  Let  us 
work  together  in  anything  that  will  advance  the  knowledge 
of  the  truth,  and  combine  our  experiences  until,  together 
with  matter  not  covered  by  the  work  of  this  committee,  we 
shall  produce  a  campaign  document  which  shall  be  a  power 
for  Homoeopathy.  E.  P.  Hussey,  M.  D. 

Buffalo,  N,  Y. 


Editor  Advance. — I  have  just  finished  Dr.  Hasbrouck's 
complaint  on  the  inconsistency  of  '*  medical  advertising," 
in  the  October  Advance.  That  feature  of  the  eight  med- 
ical journals  for  which  I  subscribe,  does  not  disturb  me 
half  so  much  as,  with  one  exception — the  HomcBopaihio 
Physician — they  all  seem  to  consider  it  their  duty  to  pub- 
lish an  account,  more  or  less  perfect,  of  the  proceedings  of 
the  American  Institute  meetings.  I  enjoy  reading  these 
notices,  but  when  each  journal,  as  it  puts  in  an  appearance, 
contains  the  same  thing,  after  a  time  it  becomes  slightly 
monotonous.  But  like  Christmas,  it  only  comes  once  a 
year,  and  I  suppose  I  ought  not  to  complain. 

J.  J.  Sturgus,  M.  D. 

Olatiie,  Kan. 


Facial  Erysipelas.  Rhus  tox.  One  dose  of  Rhus 
tox  30  cured  a  severe  case  of  facial  erysipelas,  with  marked 
constitutional  symptoms.  It  began  on  the  left  cheek  and 
spread  to  the  right;  small  vesicles;  livid-red  color;  great 
restlessness,  etc.  In  twenty-four  hours  it  was  receding 
from  right  to  left,  across  the  nose^  and  the  constitutional 
symptoms  nearly  all  gone.  The  following  day  the  patient 
declared  himself  well,  and  the  cuticle  was  coming  off  clear 
and  dry.     Perfect  recovery  in  forty-eight  hours. 

RoBT.  Farley,  M.  D. 


IjeilleMcal^ltruance 


AN  ADVOCATE  OF 

HOMCEOPATHIC  MEDICINE. 


H.  C.  ALLEN.  M.  D.,  Editor 


WyoL.  XTIL     Ann  Abbob,  Uioh^  Deckmber,  1886.  So.  6. 

Ttie  Editor  IB  not  responsible  tor  the  oplnlana  ol  cootrlbutora.   Ferson  all  ties, 
tnlng  foretgn  to  sclentlHc  discuislon,  must  t»e  eiicliided. 

ToaccaniTni>date  bath  reader  and  linbllsher  this  Journal  will  be  gent  untU 
rre&n  are  paid  and  It  Is  ordered  dlsoiutlnued. 
The  dale  to  which  subscriptions  are  paid  will  be  touncl  on  the  address. 


EDITORIAL. 

The  Advance  fob  1887  will  have  two  volamea  of  nearly 
600  pages  each,  beginning  in  January  aad  July,  thus  mak- 
ing it  the  largest  magazine  published  in  the  homoeopathic 
.  Bchool.  For  the  kind  words  of  encouragement  and  nppro- 
I  b&tioD  received  during  the  past  year  and  the  prompt  remit- 
tance of  subscriptions,  we  are  under  many  obligations. 
But,  while  the  "  sinews  o£  war "  are  absolutely  necesaary 
in  the  publication  of  a  medical  journal,  we  do  not  forget 
our  obligations  to  our  contributors,  without  whose  practi- 
cal aid  it  would  be  impossible  to  publish  96  pages  per 
month,  and  by  whose  help  in  the  future  we  shall  endeavor 
to  not  only  maintain  its  excellence  but  to  increase  ils  ase- 
folnees  and  value  to  the  general  practitioner.  Wishing 
our  readers  a  "Merry  Christmas"  and  abundant  success 
in  their  collections,  we  shall  endeavor  to  do  our  part  to 
make  The  ADVAsru  for  1887  the  best  in  the  history  of  the 


The  Polvtumblebite, — Said  a  physician  of  the  domin- 
ant school,  who  has  seen  twenty  years'  experience:  "There 
I  lias  always  been  a  mystery  about  homoeopathic  practice 
I  which  I  hare  never  found  a  Homoeopath  able  to  explain. 
t  If  HomcBopathy  be  the  'Science  of  Therapeutics,'  as  ei- 


1886  Editorial  679 

pounded  by  Dunham,  and  if  each  remedy  be  first  proved 
singly  on  the  healthy  as  a  guide  to  its  administration  in 
disease,  what  earthly  excuse  can  the  polytumblerite  have 
for  the  alternation  of  remedies?  If  the  polypharmacy  of 
my  own  school  be  unscientific,  how  does  the  same  practice 
make  Homoeopathy  the  'Science  of  Therapeutics'?**  It 
certainly  would  be  much  more  consistent  if  we  would 
practice  what  we  preach.  If  any  of  our  readers  care  to 
unravel  the  mystery  our  columns  are  at  their  service. 


What  would  it  profit  us  as  a  school,  if  we  gained  the 
whole  world  of  regular  (?)  medicine  and  lost  our  own 
beloved  Homoeopathy?  How  does  the  millenium,  the 
union  of  the  schools,  look  from  this  standpoint? 


Lac  Caninum. — In  response  to  repeated  enquiries  as  to 
"where  can  I  obtain  a  proving  of  Lac  caninum,"  we  pub- 
lish in  this  issue  the  day-book  of  Dr.  Laura  Morgan,  and 
in  our  January  issue  shall  give  the  entire  proving  under 
its  rubrics.  If  any  of  our  readers  will  promptly  send  us 
verifications,  we  will  be  glad  to  add  them.  We  are  well 
aware  that  many  of  our  physicians  do  Dot  and  will  Dot  use 
Lac  caninum,  asserting  that  they  "  do  not  believe  in  "  or 
"have  no  confidence  in  such  preparations."  Fortunately 
for  science  and  the  welfare  of  humanity,  the  action  of  the 
remedy  is  neither  dependent  upon,  nor  in  any  way  affected 
by,  our  belief  or  unbelief  in  its  curative  power.  Put  it  to  the 
clinical  test,  and  publish  its  failures  to  the  world.  The  same 
objections,  possibly  by  the  same  objectors,  were  made  to 
Lachesis,  even  after  Heriug*s  magnificent  proving.  Hydro- 
phobinum,  Psorinum,  Sepia,  Tarantula  and  others  have  met 
the  same  fate,  and  survived.  Like  these,  Lac  caninum  has 
come  to  stay.  Its  splendid  record  in  malignant  diphtheria 
and  malignant  scarlatina,  where  it  occupies  a  field  which 
no  other  remedy  can  fill  in  the  saving  of  human  life,  would 
certainly  warrant  its  retention.  At  least  ridicule  and  pre- 
judice should  not  banish  ii  The  century  is  too  far  ad- 
vanced for  such  unscientific  work. 


680  The  Medical  Advance.  Deo. 

EDITOR'S  TABLE. 


Dr.  Gillard's  Sanitarium,  at  Sandusky,  Ohio,  offers  a  fine 
opportunity  for  the  treatment  of  chronic  diseases. 

B.  EiNARSON.  M.  D.,  of  White  Cloud,  Mich.,  has  left  for  a  year's 
visit  to  Europe,  taking  in  his  former  home  in  Iceland.  Dr.  H.  B. 
Keynolds  (U.  of  M.,  *86)  succeeds  him. 

Phil  Porter,  M.  D.,  of  Detroit,  has  been  elected  a  Fellow  of 
the  British  Gyniocological  Society.  This  honor  has  been  conferred 
on  only  one  other  Homoeopath,  Dr.  Edward  Blake,  of  London.  We 
congratulate  our  confrere. 

Married. — Dr.  Wm.  H.  Leonard,  Minneapolis,  and  Mrs.  Jose- 
phine C.  Kehoe,  daughter  of  Dr.  J.  A.  Wakeman,  Centralia,  111.,  at 
the  residence  of  her  brother,  E.  B.  Wakeman,  928  Sixth  avenue, 
south. 

Dr.  Wm.  E.  Keith  and  Miss  Mahala  Batchelder  were  married 
Sunday,  October  10,  at  San  Jose,  Cal. 

Bradley-House.— At  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Nov.  23,  '86,  by  Rev. 
Dr.  I.  W.  Joyce,  Dr.  Benjamin  A.  Bradley  to  Miss  Magdalene  N. 
House. 

For  Sale.— a  copy  of  Boenninghausen's  "Therapeutic  Pocket 
Book,''  by  Hempel.  and  a  set  of  the  "Chronic  Diseases."  Apply  to 
C.  B.  Gilbert,  M.  D.,  1222  New  York  Ave.,  Washington,  D.  C. 

S.  Mills  Fowler,  M.  D.,  of  St.  Augustine,  Fla.,  writes:  "As  a 
health  resort  this  place  is  unsurpassed  by  any  in  the  state  for  'cer- 
tain diseases;  but  owing  to  its  situation,  it  is  subject  to  the  sudden 
thermal  variations  always  found  at  the  sea  shore,  and  for  that 
reason  very  delicate  persons,  unless  they  can  be  surrounded  by 
every  comfort  afforded  only  in  our  best  hotels  or  a  well  appointed 
home,  would  be  better  off  in  the  interior  of  the  state.  We  now 
have  tive  large  first-class  hotels  that  will  open  as  soon  as  needed, 
and  when  the  new  and  magnificent  "Ponce  de  Leon"  is  finished 
there  will  be  accommodations  for  more  than  6,000  guests  at  one 
time,  in  the  city." 

Dr.  J.  P.  Dake,  Jr.  (U.  of  M.,)  died  at  the  residence  of  his 
father,  Nashville,  Tenn..  Nov.  14, 1886.  He  received  his  education 
in  the  Nashville  high  school,  the  University  of  Tennessee  and  the 
University  of  Michigan,  graduating  in  the  class  of  1879.  He  had 
been  associated  in  business  with  his  father  and  brothers  in  Nash- 
ville, and  with  his  brother,  C.  M.  Dake,  M.  D.,  in  Hot  Springs,  Ark^ 
but  from  poor  health  was  never  able  to  do  much  hard  work  in 
INractiee.  He  had  visiteil  various  hejilth  resorts  in  this  country 
and  in  Europe,  with  but  only  temporary  benefit.  The  family  will 
Iftettve  the  sympathy  of  the  entire  profession  in  their  bereavement. 


1886  New  Publicdtions.  681 

International  Hahnemannian  Association.— Under  the 
present  rule  of  the  Association,  all  applications  for  membership 
must  be  in  the  hands  of  the  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Censors,  Dr. 
J.  A.  Biegler,  Kochester,  N.  Y.,  six  months  before  the  time  of 
next  meeting.  This  time  expires  Dec.  25,  after  which  the  Chair- 
man has  no  discretion,  and  all  coming  in  after  that  date  must  go 

over  to  the  next  year. 

J.  T.  Kent,  M.  D.,  President. 


-4«»> 


NEW  PUBLIC  A.TIONS. 


L'UNION  HOMCEOPATHIQUE;  public  par  le  Dr.  Boniface  Schmitz.   Canal  des 
Becollets,  19,  Anvers,  Belgique. 

We  congratulate  our  confrere,  Dr.  Schmitz,  whose  able  contri- 
butions to  La  Revue  Homceopathique  Beige  it  has  been  our  privi- 
lege to  peruse,  upon  the  spirit  of  enterprise  which  he  manifests  in 
publishing  a  new  journal  in  a  kingdom  where  so  many  already 
exist.  Homoeopathy  is  spreading  fiist  in  Belgium,  and  doubtless 
there  is  room  for  another  publication  of  this  character.  The  aims 
and  aspirations  of  L* Union  are  laudable,  and  we  wish  it  a  long 
and  prosperous  career.  In  its  programme  it  announces  that  it 
will  publish  reports  of  the  proceedings  of  the  different  homoeo- 
pathic societies  of  importance,  both  domestic  and  foreign,  that  it 
will  give  careful  review  of  the  best  homoBopathic  publications, 
and  that  its  clinical  department  will  be  made  mo>t  interesting  by 
valued  contributions  from  the  pens  of  leading  Homoeopaths.  Dr. 
Schmitz  makes  a  strong  appeal  to  his  confreres  of  Belgium  to 
league  themselves  together  and  by  concerted  action  to  obtain 
admission  to  the  hospitals  of  the  country  as  medical  attendants, 
and  other  official  recognition.  He  suggests  the  formation  of  a 
society  similar  to  that  of  the  American  Institute  of  Houioeopathy, 
or  the  British  Homoeopathic  Society.  We  welcome  most  cordially 
our  new  confrere  to  the  ranks  of  homoeopathic  literature. 


A  DECALOGUE  FOR  THE  NURSERY.    By  S.  J.  Donaldson,  M.  D.   Boston: 
Otis  Clapp  &  Co.,  1886. 

When  an  author  gives  to  the  world  a  new  thought  or  groups 
and  crystalyzes  old  ones  so  as  to  render  them  available,  he  does  a 
real  service  to  his  kind.  We  have  just  had  the  pleasure  of  reading 
**A  Decalogue  for  the  Nursery,"  by  S.  J.  Donaldson,  M.  D.,  of  New 
York,  every  line  of  which  is  suggestive.  In  all  that  has  been 
written  I  have  found  nothing  so  complete  and  helpful.  We  wished 
we  might  hear  the  author  talk  more  in  detail  of  infant  clothing, 
but  the  ears  of  too  many  mothers  are  more  open  to  the  edicts  of 
fashion  than  to  the  teachings  of  the  physiologist.   The  chapter  on. 


682  The  Medical  Advance,  Dea 

infant  feeding  will  repay  perusal.  When  the  author  interprets  to 
us  the  meanlQg  of  infant  cries  and  infant  postures,  he  shows  a 
wonderful  appreciation  of  the  child  nature.  In  delineating  dis- 
eases he  is  peculiarly  happy,  and  the  chapter  on  drugs  should  be 
read  by  every  parent  in  the  laad.  What  he  says  on  bathing  will 
awakeu  the  intelligent  mother  to  better  thinking  in  this  matter. 
I  am  quite  sure  that  the  mother  who  has  read  to  some  purpose  the 
previous  chapters  will  hardly  need  the  one  on  dentition,  for  her 
little  one  will  cut  its  teeth  unconsciously.  In  the  intervals  of  a 
busy  practice  each  chapter  has  bean  a  recreation,  and  I  have 
waated  to  take  the  author  by  the  hand  and  thank  him  for  the 
gratification  afforded.  As  Homoeapaths  we  might  criticize  his 
treatment  of  croup,  convulsions,  etc.,  but  many  of  us  would  have 
to  confess  to  similar  expedients.  It  is  admirably  adapted  to  popu- 
lar reading  and  an  excellent  book  to  put  into  the  hands  of  young 
mothers.    It  will  prove  a  blessing  to  the  little  ones.         L.  C.  G. 


^m^ 


PAMPHLETS  RECEIVED, 


Annual  Report  of  the  Eye  and  Ear  Department.  City 
Dispensary,  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Catalogue  OpnTiiALMOLoaicAL  Instruments.  By  Jas.  W. 
Queen  &  Co.,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Empyema.  Twenty-Four  Cases  of  the  Radical  Opera- 
tion.   By  Herbert  C.  Clapp,  M.  D.,  Boston. 

The  Latest  System  of  Medicine.  By  H.  E.  Beebe,  M.  D^ 
Sidney,  Ohio.    Presidential  Address,  1886. 

RppoRT  ON  THE  BiLOxi  Fever.  By  New  Orleans  Board  of 
Health.    Joseph  Holt,  M.  D.,  President,  Sept.  1886. 

Ethics  of  Female  Sterility.  By  A.  R.  Jackson,  M.  D.  Re- 
print.   The  Physician's  Magazine,  Vol.  I,  No.  3,  Philadelphia. 

What  is  Homceopathy?  A  lecture  by  Ad.  Lippe,  M.  D.,  be- 
fore the  Woman's  Homoeopathic  Association  of  Pennsylvania. 

Spray  in  the  Trachea.  By  Otto  Fullgraff.  New  York.  Re- 
printed from  the  New  York  Medical  Times,  for  December,  1885. 

Practical  Notes  on  the  Treatment  of  Skin  Diseases. 
By  G.  H.  Rohe,  M.  D.,  Baltimore.    Press  of  Thomas  &  Evans,  1885. 

Surgical  Lesions  of  the  Brain  and  its  Envelopes.  By- 
Nicholas  Senn,  M.  D.  Reprinted  from  Medical  News,  August, 
1886. 


1886  New  PubliccUiona.  583 

Concerning  Ophthalmia  Neonatorum.  By  Charles  Ster^ 
ling.  M.  D.  Reprinted  from  North  American  Journal  of  Homcoo- 
p€Uhy, 

Electrolysis  in  Gynecology.  By  F.  H.  Martin,  M.  D.  Re- 
printed from  the  Journal  of  the  American  Medical  Association^ 
July,  1886. 

Progress  of  Electrolysis  in  Surgery.  By  Robt.  Newton, 
M.  D.  Reprinted  from  the  December  number  of  Qaillard's  Medi- 
cal Journal, 

Catarrh  of  the  Upper  Air  Tract  and  its  Effecs  on  thb 
Ear.  By  Samuel  Sexton,  M.  D.  Reprinted  from  the  Medical 
Record^  January,  1886. 

An  Address  to  Alumni  Association,  Department  Medi- 
cine AND  Surgery,  University  of  Michigan.  By  Charles  J. 
Lundy,  A.  M..  M.  D.,  1886. 

Intubation  of  the  Larynx  for  Diphtheritic  Croup.  By 
E.  F.  Ingals,  M.  D.  Reprinted  from  the  Journal  of  tlie  American 
Medical  Association^  July,  1886. 

Some  Recent  Experiences  in  Clinical  Surgery.  By  Don- 
ald Maclean,  M.  D.  Reprinted  from  the  transactions  of  the  Michi- 
gan State  Medical  Society,  1886. 

Clinical  Lectures  Orthopedic  Surgery.  Delivered  at 
the  Philadelphia  Hospital.  By  A.  S.  Roberts,  M.  D.  Reprinted 
from  the  Medical  Neios,  March,  1886. 

Limitation  of  the  Contagious  Stage  of  Syphilis.  By  F. 
N.  Otis,  M.  D.  Reprinted  from  Journal  cf  Cutaneous  and  Venr 
ereal  Diseases,  March  and  April,  1885. 

Fifth  Annual  Report  of  the  State  Homceopathio 
Asylum  for  the  Insane,  at  Middleton,  N.  Y,  1886.  This  is  a 
valuable  report  and  deserves  a  careful  perusal. 

Kuhlman's  Illustrated  Catalogue  of  Surgical  Instru- 
ments :  1886.  This  contains  cuts  of  nearly  every  surgical  instru- 
ment, which  can  be  obtained  as  cheaply  from  Detroit,  quality  con- 
sidered, as  from  any  maker  in  the  country.    Send  for  a  copy. 

UOMCEOPATHIC  LEAGUE  TRACTS  NO.  5.     STATISTICS  OF  HOM- 

<EOPATiiY.  These  sttitistics  contain  comparative  results  of  treat- 
ment, both  in  hospitals  and  private  practice;  the  comparative 
mortality  of  pneumonia,  cholera,  dysentary,  yellow-fever,  etc.;  the 
statistics  of  the  spread  of  Homoeopathy  in  the  Old  and  New 
World,  and  altogether  forms  a  very  readable  tract. 

No.  6.  Persecutions  of  Homocopathy.  Under  the  follow- 
ing headings  are  to  be  found  some  hard  facts  in  the  history  of  our 


684  The  Medical  Advance.  Dea 

school,  which  our  practitioners  of  to-day  will  find  g^ood  reading, 
viz:  Persecution  of  new  truths,  of  Hahnemann,  of  Trinks,  of 
Hornburg,  of  Baumg^arten,  of  Rapp,  of  Kallenbach,  of  Quin,  of 
Homer,  of  Henderson,  of  Tessier,  iind  the  famous  resolutions  of 
the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  of  Edinburgh,  Ireland  and 
London. 

Locomotor-  Ataxia.  A  Review  of  TiiiRTY-EionT  Gases.  By 
Clarence  Bartlett,  M.  D.,  Philadtdphia.  This  is  a  very  vfA\  written 
monograph  of  fourteen  pages,  but  the  author  evidently  makes  the 
mistake  of  treating  his  cases  instead  of  his  patients;  of  prescrib- 
ing for  generalities,  or  he  never  would  have  written  the  following: 
"Argentum  nitricum  is  the  remedy  which  I  administered  when  no 
other  remeily  was  markedly  indicated."  "  I  have  tried  the  bichlo* 
ride  of  gold  and  sodium  twice,  as  recommended  by  Bartholow,  but 
saw  no  good  from  it."  A  Homoeopath  should  never  try  a  remedy 
unless  it  covered  the  totality  of  the  symptoms  of  his  case,  on  any 
man's  recommendation,  not  even  Bartiiolow's. 

The  December  Century.— The  topic  in  the  War  Series  is  "The 
Second  Day  at  Gettysburg,"  treated  by  Generals  Henry  J.  Hunt 
and  Yj,  M.  Law,  the  latter  with  special  regard  to  "Round  Top  and 
the  Confederate  Right."  The  thoroughness  with  which  this  series 
is  being  carried  through  is  perhaps  nowhere  better  exemplified 
than  in  the  papers  devoted  to  Gettysburg.  The  announcement 
that  less  space  will  hereafter  be  devoted  to  the  War  Series  has 
brought  the  Editor  numerous  letters  from  veterans  expnnjsing  the 
hope  that  the  report  is  incorrect;  such,  however,  is  not  the  case. 

The  Christmas  St.  ]N'iciiolas.— The  most  striking  feature  of 
this  number,  is  the  article  on  **nowaGreat  Battle  Panorama  is 
Made."  It  is  written  by  Tiieodore  R.  Davis,  who  was  interested  in 
the  production  of  one  of  these  popular  exhibitions,  and  is  copiously 
illustrated  with  sketches  by  the  author,  and  with  reproductions  of 
photographs.  The  entire  process  of  producing  the  marvelous  effects 
obtained  is  described  so  as  readily  to  be  understood. 


>■» 


Corrections  in  Medorrhinum,  Advance,  1886,  pp.  352-5. 

Symptom  1 — Add  comma  after  •'  subjective." 

Symptom  18— For  "  flash  "  read  "  Hush."    Also,  symptom  30,  for 

"flashes''  read  "  Hushes." 
Symptom  23— For  "feet"  read  "face/* 
Symptom  38— For  "  restfulness  "  read  "  restlessness." 
Second  c/^/^^c«Z  symptom— for  '*6  p.  m."  read  "4  p.  m."  and  insert 

"  tasteless  "  before  *•  eructations." 
Lastly,  the  provmg  should  have  been  credited  to  Dr.  Swan;  I 

have  merely  arranged  the  fever  symptoms  in  order.        E.  W.  B. 


vntlMl,-    v\n  lire     ivv,:  >■ '"MltEll  VI. 


liHcDicalvlDuancc 


ra-^ — 

bmceopathic  Supplies 

Halseys  "OUR  SOAP" 

Has  ro&Tty  do  fr\nni  for  Surseona  or  PUj-elMaud  [ib9,  Twavt 
Uut  tatuiOs  ecFt,  oliuui,  i*w«uts    Pardns.,  SIJSO. 

Wf  laUkti  a  SpvrliLl  DuptkrLniunE  or 

Bug-g-y  and  Hand  Cases 

POR  PHTBILIAH'S  DBBJ, 
OTjTE.— — 

HALSEY  BUGGY  CASES, 
^Gynecological  Bag^^ 


Bvery  New  Book  I    All  New  Bemediee 

man  AND  HICIHKK  POrKXClKS. 
A  lulling  10  ".■>!(  *lwi.)rf 


•fHawke's  Materia  Medioa, 

idfl  hnoMidlon,  vui-j-  ni' lit  ami  ^^ompact  fur  iioukofc 

HALSEY  BROTHERS, 


OSIOAOO, 

iST  WoaUtufton  St. 


DKTftOIT, 
30  L»  Fayotto  Ava.' 


i^H 


1 1  OUB  ADVBRTISERS'^PAGES.  11 

I  Infantile  Atrophy. 

''INFANTILE  A  TROPHY,  or  the  slow  wasting 
which  is  a  familiar  symptom  m  hand-fed  hahien,  is 
one  of  the  commonest  causes  of  death  in  ewrly  in- 

^'INFANTILE  ATROPHY  is  the  conse- 
quence of  insuffiment  nourishment.  The  child 
wastes  because  he  is  starved.  But  it  is  not  to  actual 
laclc  of  feeding  that  the  starvation  is  usualh/  to  h§ 
ascribed.  A  baby  fed  from  the  breast  which  se- 
cretes milk  poor  in  quality  and  insujicieni  for  tfie 
child's  support,  will,  of  course,  grow  slowly  thinru'v,' 
hut  an  infaTit  suppUed  largely  with  farinaceous 
compounds,  from  which  his  feeble  digestive  organs 
fail  to  derive  even  a  minimum  of  nourishment,  wiU 
waste  wiih  startling  rapidity.'''' 

"Mellin's  Food  may  he  used  from  the  first,  and 
is  almost  always  well  digested.  Fa/rinaceous  Tnat- 
iers,  unless  guarded  hy  malt,  as  in  MelUn^s  Food, 
should  jwt   he  given  to  a  child  younger  Otan  site 


9toiii''DlBeu*  In  dilldran,"  by  Eiiitace  Smltb,  SLD..  P.Il.C,P„  Loodon.  EniUnit. 


I  fif  (ptaf,  (HU  b*  tmt  J>«*  la  any 
,  OOOOALE  A  CO.,  SOSTON,  MASa. 


ODH  il>VfiB^1BBl(S'  W&E8. 


Supporter  Is  PrefernMe  to  OthenL 


'  .  .Itafforda 

The  Abdomli 


id  Cltert^«^d  VbdqmlDid  Buppdn. 
I  >upoortj"nily  lifla  iho  welchi  of  ihe 


^nnJ  preeani  upas  II  from  aooTii. 

TUelllerlnc^Suppnrt  liinerrerltyRn(iathandnn!ni'i.tlnr.    t 
Oiu  rrum  iitmrbed  aecnllous.  aOt  produ  e  Injurf  bj  pretnir^ 

The  Etasiio  Corils  pei    ' 


>r  inwmyeuE 
Helf  A41u»tlng,    Itn-qutre 


Thin  Supporter  wBi  n 


U  cum  ot  becom  e  pol 


X  n:ii>li  s  luttructed  liaw,(Q 

"ur  Rwluced  Priret  sre,  lo  PbyBiriBni,  tS.OO.  Instnunonls  eent  by  nKll  ■!  onr  rtik. 
on  t«relptur  priw;  oiwe  c&uuuU  bjreipreaa.  C>0.  D..  and  callecl  Rturti  exjjrew  oo 
Ihe  moarr>  '     '  '     '      ' ' 

Kk  rAVTiOV.— Sever*]  vrthlesi  ImffkHon*  bave  been  made  which  are  often 

Stallul«dfnroiu  infttuwtutifci  llie  detrimeStiif  the  pW^eniM>d  ihe  djuappoliiunnit 
Uie>pnA>ciiin,  Nine  Eentilne  unlHU  the  ud  of  ihi?  aMoiii>iii>I  Belt  la  KlAmnid  la 
■lit  iBllem,  ■•  Dr.  flfc/FifcuS  W.  U.  Sunuorler,  Chlraao.  HI.,"  anil  Ihe  biw  of  <  ft-  fa  eiip, 
"Vr-UdntfrnhK.  [r.i*,.en,.C7hfc(Hw./(L,  O.  S.^.V,  h  laaDadvioUgelnoractittrect 
train  iii/mwe  txChaneei^iipMt  any  time  wl  boDtexIn  ebsiKC.  aud  ars  able  lo  Dl  an* 
Caselhai  requlrei  uteiine  luripocl 

Our  valuable  paBiphlet,"^'iiie  Ptactioil  F^i!tt'«bout>  UaplaoemenUar  tluffbdibi'* 
Will  Iw  MUl  jou  iree  oa  applluUun. 


Optical  Department 


Mcintosh  o-ALViNio  and  pabaxho  battery  oo. 

We  manuraclurB  a  oomplete  line  of  JW UnwoopM.  StermpUrviv.  SubipUmn*  and 
jlKMHirlM.  Vaur  apecliJ  aKention  la  lailted  to  our  Solar  ifi/rnucnpe  atid  Sterc^tleot» 
ComhlBotlon,  PrnfuaUinai  MUjmacopt,  Cllnicai  Mlcrostopt  and  m-'unUU  SUrerrpUoin. 
.''  We«i«prepa[edC»rumlslialarg»aHortBiaDlor  £due(iili>iuil  and  Srit7it(fle SlUUt, 
Xtermcnple  Ol^ecU,  InclQdiog  the  prodjoUoiu  of  the  beat  American  and  Fotal«n  Pks. 
_  pMvre  fUiotaliud  to  order. 

Out  complete  catalogue  will  be  iwot  free  66  appllcaUon.    Addnaa, 

Molntoab  Oalvanlo  and  Faradlo  Battery  Co ,  "  ' 

300  Bttd  S(HI  UMWbara  SIfm*,  Obleaco,  m. 


Thk  Habmsuamh, 

MEDICAL  COILS^  \AlfD  SOSPlfJ^   j^j^ 

OF  CHIC  AGO. 

The  twenty-seventh  annual  course  of  lectures  will  begio  Taes- 
dny  eveoiDg,  September  Zl,  ie80>  Thie  well-kiiiiwn  college  « 
chartered  in  1KS5,  anil  organised  in  1$50.  Ever  faioce  ita  doors  were 
opened  for  students  itft  chief  object  has  been  to  Gt  and  send  forth 
thoae  who  woa1d  honoralily  and  faithfully  represent  the  resources 
of  the  Healing  Art.  The  Board  of  Trustees  therefore  lake  legiti- 
mate pride  tn  the  more  than  fourteen  hundred  graduates  who  have 
come  under  the  roof  of  "  Old  Hahnemann  "  to  qualify  for  the  hon- 
orable and  arduous  duties  of  the  medical  profesaion. 

TbD  Pollc7'orttae  OoUege  is,  ae  it  has  been,  to  make  no 
promise  for  hospital  or  college  tuition,  special  clinics,  or  any  means 
for  study  and  observation  ibat  is  not  literally  and  righteously  kept. 

The  Plan  of  Teooblng  adopted  and  carried  out  la  so  largely 
clinical  and  objective  thst  every  student  Is  brought  face  to  face  with 
disease  in  all  the  departments  of  clinkoal  etudy ;  the  college  conrse 
'ie  the  complement  of  the  daily  drill  in  the  Hospital;  the  didactic 
.coarse  is  given  by  teachers  of  age,  experience,  learning  and  resp 
sibility;;  the  students  are  examiaed  upon  such  branches  as  they 
may  reasonably  be  expected  to  master  during  their  pupilage,  and 
which  nill  best  fit  them  for  iheir  chosen  career.  From  the  long 
and  varied  experience  the  Board  is  abundantly  aatiefled  Ihat  this 
serious,  earnest  and  thorough  method  of  training  meilical  studoi 
is  the  best  that  can  be  adopted,  and  that  there  Is  no  compensation 
and  no  make-shift  that  will  atone  for  a  lack  uf  conciseness,  clear- 
ness, competency,  adaptability  and  responaibitily  on  th?  part  of  the 
teaching  corps  of  a  medical  college,  and  the  sooner  the  profession 
rosliies  this  faut  the  better  for  its  interests.  The  fees  are  low,  the 
the  material  for  practical  anatomy  ftee  and  plenty.  For  full  in- 
formation, with  Catalogue  and  The  Cl'inique,  address, 

E.  S.  BAILEY,  M.  D.,  Registrar, 

ao34  HICHIBAM  ATKHCE. 

— B 


OUB  ADVERTISERS'  PAGES. 

MENTHOL 

\Coffin  and  Wood  Chemical  Company, 


,  1  o<.,  i  lb.,  1  lb.,  5  lb.,  and  10  lb.  contsioen. 
Wamuitei]  Perrectly  Pare. 

HERNIA.. 

AK'H    |1IPRRI«I.   TRIIHM.     TbU  1*  a  new  Tnm 

.  D  neo  ud  kiiauimlul  p'Inclplei,  h»Tlnj(  ■  MbipbI 
ItprlHK  PiUI|  virying  In  iitie  mxl  f  inn,  u  wri\  n 
of  an  liiK.  Tbepmu  f  beiiiK  cliaalar.otrmluil  ... 
llMirt'>eTBi7iDoi1oni>rihel><>3v.  Wspn  DivmihI  « 
The  Aduli  hul  Rive*  ■  pmnini  ^m  3  bi  ft  innimta  Prnl 
glf  M  H  pounili.  Pkil  No.  i  glvn  «  pouiidii  hrt  Nn,  ft  rl' 
pnuada.  Pad  Nu-SglTtsiii  p  unda,    Tha  aprliiita  >raalTi 


Bipeiin.      Our   mrtixa 

ll-ntllra' TrniWH)  ■«  MitKrlx 

Medical  Xulbnrltf  tn  be  tbv  (i 
TruM.  imiTiuwliiiiH-d  by 
.n  Stale  boaplIBlii.    Umce  Kamllti'n 


lO-ffi  E«AN   IMPEKI«L'|-H|IN 


>•  and  only   VuiMII«iI 

i«  b(4i  medlr*^  men  uf  Ana 

lloi'li. 

Ann  Ai-b«r,  NIvhlRnaa 


SANITARIUM  FOR  SALE. 


Dr.  E.l«in  Gitlard,  offers  hia 
Bniiitnrium  toeelher  wiih  i^m- 
yilpie  eqiiipmeDtf,  for  sHie.  TIte 
SunitHrium  is  loralfd  Ht  T^nnrltia- 
ky.  0..  a  thriving  cilyof  22.000 
irihHliiiHntf,  (tituHtfd  on  a  b«Hu- 
fiil  bay  of  the  name  name  and 
liywhicliit  iBnearlygurroanilwl. 
8i)ndii>'ky  in  wiihin  a  fvw  min- 
Utefi  Milortbf  ramoun  ivIuniJa 
of  Lake  Erie.  This  mnketi  il  ono 
of  lli«  idomL  dt^liKlilful  i>l«)tf>nre 
reBorln  in  llie  country.  TlieSani- 
lariiiro  lias  been  ealablistied  foar 
year-:  no  other  inBtitiition  of  the 
kind  In,  or  aboiii.  Sandtixliy, 

RpflHon  for  selJinir,  illness  of 
fumiiy.    TurniB  of  ksAe  eaay. 

A. I  it  rem. 


I.  OHJ^ABD,  M.  D.,  6aadti8lcy.  Ohio. 


OUR  ADVERTIBEB8'  PAGES. 


AND  FARADIC  BATTERY  CO., 


ftclpto^h  Comliiped  Ijalvapicl  t^aradic  batteries 

TtUt,  OflM  Ul  TatUf  Bitttrlil,  ZlKtrtdH,  BUotrlo  itii  i,rt*ntu,  EUtlMl  llu- 

ItteVicUui,  nttMiOuii;  Gglu,  VoKnlu  ul  BLgKiluMlemwpM, 

And  all  kinds  ol 

PHILOSOPHICAL  ELECTRIC  APPARATDS. 

A^ooli,  (vHeies.  PhyEicliinB  or  UoGpliali  nintlne  new  Appanlu'  will  do  well  n 

f»or  III  tvUb  <»HT»pondFii('e  slid  oblain  mlmiita.  Men  oF^dpntlfip  eipvrl' 

ence  h^ve  ohireeof  ihcDnnu'Acturltig  dcp&rlmeiil.   We  employ  Lhe 

—  'It  ikiurul  moclisrilin.  >nd  bave  Cne  ti.rg«t  (kcfUUea  In 


COMBINED  GALTANIC  AND  FAEADIC  BATTEEIES. 

ThoD  BiLtcrie*  are  recammcnd- 
•d  by  Uia  Uedlul  Fncnllj  ot  both 
America  and  Hurope  and  haft 
been  adopled  bjr  ibe  United  Stalci 
OovenimeDl.  (br  lue  in  MrdlcAl 
DepartmentoIlIieAriay  uid  NaT?. 

(IBUKBOSLTNlTAlllI 


^pwed    of  ona 

ilrlp-Gup.  IblU  OH 

eta.   The 

„.  — lueiT  H  lUH  in  UBe.     TbefliUll 

tween  lhe  calli.  and  UMre-  la  no  danier  of  hnaklng  a*  vlU) 

Bin  rella.  Thl«  !■  the  onlj  baltaiT  In  wblrli  the  aln«  aadcaibom  plawa  <«n  o* 
pi  clean  and  alwayiln  order  bj  •Imply  rlnilliB  UiBm. 
An  extra  large  cell  [wltli  a  zlni;  and  carbon  element)  i*  added  to  (he  ooinblDed 
oMIerlee  lor  the  pnrpoee  or  producing  the  handle  currenL  Thiitell  giveaaimucb 
Ibrce  ■»  li  ever  needed,  and  arolds  exbiuitlni  the  current  froin 'he  Gal tlkIc  ce[la. 
All  Ibe  malal  work  li  flnelf  nickel  plat«1  and  tiisalT  pollabed.  aad  ever?  pan  la  pot 
hwatber  u  that  II  can  be  ewllr  lepUcwl  by  the  operatur.  Onr  battetlei  weigh  loa 
OCeupylea*  apace,  glie  a  current  ur  greater  totenslty  and  quanliiy  ihan  uiTOtbcj 
ballei7  maaDlkcmreiL 

Our  lUuBtraled  Calfllogue.  a  handwiine   book  ciTlnB  full  description  ofallonr 
tooda  and  other  valuable  I'lformatlon,  leot  Oeu  on  applltaUon. 

McINTOSB    BALVANIC    AND    PARADIC     BATTERY    CO, 
S-Sa  No.  800  and  302  Dearborn  Street,  Obloaeo,  lU. 


OUR  ADVBBTISEH8'  FAGE9. 

WHAT  AND  why! 


WHAT  WE  CLAIM  FOB,  OITR.  GOODS. 

|.4-  Our  tinclnreB  are  made  Tram  beat  materials  and  nre  of  the  fHllI 
standard  bomtBopalhii;  strength. 

ftS.  Our  tritiirntionB  are  rarerully  made  from  chkmica!.i,t  Purb  OOods 
ONLT  and  the  bfel  granulated  sui-ar  of  railk.  Bj"  our  meiliod 
of  packing  triturations  we  give;  (a)  Full  weight  (wftitth  ih© 
triluralions  bought  of  other  firms).  (61  Perfect  prolecllon  from 
liKht.  (c)-Kot  being  packed  tightly  the  gooda  are  always  free 
from  lunipa  Id)  Tlie  cane  make  a  tieater  appearance  on  office 
shelves  than  bottles. 

■8,  Our  terms  are  20  percent,  to  33 J  per  cent. lower  than  other  pbar- 
macista  ask  for  same  quality  of  goods. 

1 4.  You  receive  credit  on  your  account  for  freight  or  eipress  charKes, 
not |exceei)iug  10  per  cent,  of  the  invoice. 


WB  CAN  8BLL  SO  aSBAPLT. 

1.  We  employ  no  traveling  salesmen.  The  expense  of  such  (from 

1900  to  £l,riOO  a  year  and  S3  per  day  expenses},  is  charged  dU 
reclly  to  the  consumer. 

2,  Our  manufactory  and  laborato^  is  under  the  supervision  of  the  ^ 

junior  partner,  Dr.  W.  A.  Farnsworth,  the  preparation  anilj 
GomposiMon  of  the  remedies  not  beinit  trusted  to  nntkilledl 
help  or  to  those  who  have  no  knowledge  ofohemistryor  phar 
maceutica, 

3.  We'buy  crude  drugs,  oils,  ^lasaware,  etc..  in  large  amouDts,  sab- 

ject  to  our  order,  and  discount  our  bills. 

4,  Our  cusloraers  are  all  prompt  pay,  and  this  enables  us  to  conduct 

our  business  in  a  much  more  eatisfactory  and  cheaper  man- 
ner than  if  we  were  obliged  to  lell  on  long  time  and  conse- 
quently buy  on  long  time. 


i   convinced  of  what   » 

DBS.  FAENSWOETH, 


niipopntfalc  Ptinrmitclala. 

EAMT  SAGIHAW.  MICD 


I  .tU  IS^  Special  Price  for  Triturations  in  25  lb.  lots. ' 


Ol?R  ADVERTISERS'  PAGE^.  1.J 

A. VOLUNTARY  OPINION, 

FROM 

KE  OLD  i  EMIIENT  PMCTmONER 


To  iKe  LUbig  Company: 

Allow  n 


iBobfine 


preMQiPil  to  me  Kcenl'y  for  her.     Mit  tonitt  has  even  bei 

ficiftl  lo  her She  has  found  It  exceedingly  helpfu 

iag  her  strength  diirinn  thi-  "Poet  Piirluio"  (leriod.  Sjie  la  bow 
ueiDKit  for  ^^le  third  time,  with  tlie  anine  Hntisfnaiory  ret^ulia.  ~ 

I  have  prescribed  your  Coca  Beef-Tonics  for  tniiny  years,  with 
emioently  satisfactory  rerulls,  ntid  it  Kivea  me  sincere  pleusiire  lo 
say,  rurthermore,  that  I  have  alwayt  found  them  to  b«  jual  lu  rfpre- 

:  SoiDB  lime  ago  I  was  induted  to  try  the  elBcacy  of  a  "Cora 
Wiil«,"  Biippoaed  to  be  iai[K)rled  Ibnt  whit^b  I  oftcrwurdB  d[»car- 
ere^ji**  °f  doiue«tiu  aiftimfacture).  but  found  it  in  avery  way,  bbth 
aB  !»' flavor  and  effect,  inferior  to  your  preparatiotiB. 

And  I  hIso  bee  to  expreaa  my  appredatiaa  of  your  L-oarteey. 
when  rei^ently  visiting  yonr  estubliehment  to  orrier  a  eupplr  of 
yoitr  Ionics  far  my  wife  and  some  lady  ualients.  Yuur  metlmde  of 
prepBraiion  were  ebowo  and  esplaiDeil  to  me  and  the  evidence 
given  that  in  the  preparalioo  of  your  Coja  Beef  Tonica,  etc.,  you 
use  Iht  tml  of  matiriaU  only. 

Allowmeeay,  further,  that  T  have  found  LATEXINE  invalua- 
ble in  the  treatment  of  whoopinx  uough  IW  eff^-ct  is  marveluUBly 
prompt  and  permaiient.  I  have  prtscribed  it  in  many  euorea  of 
(weea.  witJi  hartlly  a  loilarA  Ihere  sbonld  be  no  phyHician  ih-Ml 
me  laiul  unacquainted  vlth  thiB  Ood  aeod  to  suflVrlii^  [hildhood, 
^         '  ^     ^  I  am  Tours,  Verv  Truly,  ^<J 

NkW  Rochbllb,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  8.  ISBti.  E.  W,  FINCH,  M.  D. 


SPECIAL.— Latbxine  la  ibe  property  of  tlie  widow  of  ad 
old  school  pliyaician.  The  Liebig  Coiiipany  handles  it  purely^ 
OS  a  inntter  of  gooj'will,  it  boirig  the  only  source  of  inComer 
to  thti  lady  in  qaeatioVi.  No  charge  is  mnde  by  Us  to  her  for 
the  hRiidting  Of  thie  prepuralion.  HiyBleianHof  nil  boHooIb 
cotistanlly  prescribe  it,  and  ]mndMri»nf  letters  ttom  medtculr 

E'eiuen  testify  to  Ilh  aurpriiiinK  effi  laoy.  This  rscfipt  hita 
in  use  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  iind  was  urigiualed 
ng  the  Ufiylinie  of  the  physician  above  alludfd  to.  It 
cnn  be  ordered  ibroiigh  drujteiBls,  or  we  will  amid  it  direct  at 
Fifty  Cents  per  Bottle,  or  six  for  Two  Dollars  and  a  Half. 
By  the  (loieq;  the  price  to  pliysiciam  is  Four  Dollars '^€  a 

"THE'L'ifeBiG  Laboratory  and  chemical  WoRi(g;|Oo^ 

II    ,1.1     if    ^*'"'^'<T*l'??f^  oijKi^ia, 
.rti.l'i--    "EW  VpEK  DEPOT:  SSiAntTf^y.^inft/  f  i,\/\i  ;  ,'| 


iJB. 


I 


t  OUR  ADVERTISERS'  PA0E8. 

The  liRcssT  HoiimPiraic  Mediml  Coliecj  ra  the  D.  S. 


f  Homoeopathic  Medical  College' 

For  the  MEDICAL  EDUCATION  of  MEN. 

The  BUventh  Autumn  and  Winter  Sessloii  of  the  Chicago 
Homcaopathio  Medioal  College  opens  on  Tuesday,  Septem- 
ber S8tb,  188e,  and  closes  February  241b,  1887. 

Tbe  inetruotion  in  all  the  depejtments  Is  Graded,  8oieii> 
tlfio  and  Eminently  Praotioal. 

The  Largest  Oltnlos  In  tbe  ^Vorld,  which  aObrd  Homcso- 
^thio  instruotion,  are  beld  in  College  building  and  lar^e 
Hoapital  opposite,  by  Members  oi  the  Faculty  and  by  tha 
&oapital  Staff. 

|9~'3tudent9  and  Preceptors  are  cordially  invited  to  &V> 
tend  these  extensive  clinics,  which  are  held  all  the  feu 
round.  ' ' 


J.  E.  KIPPAX,  M.  D.,  LL.  B., 

153 -ilNDIANA  AVEKUE.  7-B5'  Seotetatr, 


Mew  AMD  iHPmmi  eomon.  at  »  neauca  met. 


OTIS  CLAPP  &  SON'S 

Physician's  Visiting  Lisi 


I 


Prescription  Record, 


The  publishere  would  respectfully  call  the  attention  of  physfciatis  to  . 
ihc  new  edition  of  their  Vtsmnc  List  and  PRssotuTioM  Record,  wioob  - 
they  offer  as  pofisessiog  maoy  features  especially  desirable  in  i 

While  it  gives  every  oppoitunity  to  keep  a  fUU  record  of  Visits,  I 
scripiioits,  and  Charges,  its  size  is  smoiler  and  more  compact  than  i 
other  list  offered  to  the  Honiceopalhic  profession. 

It  inctndes  such  tables  and  information  for  ready  reference  as  "1 
render  ihe  List  of  value,  and  not  make  it  cumbersome. 

The  paper,  typography,  and  binding  are  each  superior  in  quali^^ 
being  bound  in  flexible  tuck  binding  and  gilt  mlges,  with  pocket  a 
pencil,  presenting  a  Record  both  rich  and  elegant  in  appearance. 

The  List  is  made  "  Perpetual,"  and  of  two  *i/es  ;  vir.,  for  thirty  j 
for  SIXTY  patients  a  week. 

Price  for  30  patients $1.00 

"       "60        "  1-25 

SBoyile-- pages  of  Record  of  Doily  Engagements  and  I'rescriptJM 
I  Kut  to  any  tddress  on  application  to  the  publishers. 


-      OTIS  CLAPP  &  SON, 


BOSTON   AND   PROVIDBNCB. 


CELERINA 


NERYE-TQHIC.  STIMULANT  AND  ANTISPASMODIC. 


ALETRIS  CORDIAL 


UTEftlNE  TONIC  AND  RESTOBATtVB. 


?m\m  FROM  THE  ULETHIS^FIRIHOSl  OR  TRUE  UNICORIL 

lNDICATIONS.-A™'"""-'-''ea.    DTimei,o.^l.Bi.,     Lencorrhea.    Pralapana 
Dterl,  titorllUi.  lu  I'RBVKNr  HlBDnrj'lBge.  elc.  ; 

DOSE.— One  teaspoonful  three  or  four  times  a  day. 

Untraled  as  a  Uterine  Tonic  in  Irregular,  Painful,  Suppresses  1  Eicesshre  Henstrnallbn 

IT  UESTOBES  NOIiMAL  ACTION  TO  THE  UTEBIH,  AND  IKFUlTti  TIUOS  TO 
THE  ENTIBE  UTEUINK  SISTEX. 
««'Wher«WunienhHT«ii)>or»iiaurli>Knr«'li>i»PreBniiDclB*.or  InBnTO 
whero  HUorllnn  Ix  tfan-X.  th«  AIbUIi  (Jur<i]i>l  I.  Iuil]»i.d,  uid  ■bould  ba  o 
Unuoualy  itdminljitered  during  entire  seatutlou. 


ACID  MAN  NATE 


A  MILD.  SAFE  AND  PLEASANT  APERIENT. 


'  Prepared  from  Manna,  I 


I  Catliartic  Add,  and  Fruit  Juices.' 


PBEOMAMUk.    Tb 
EXCRKTIOH 


^i  t.i_    ~_j    ^_.....-_.i_  . -»_^   '-insfCBted  kud  tornlu  Htati:*  at  «.■ 

■iSlubIc  odiidltloa. 
!■■■  dlrsoted  by    be  Fbyilclkn. 


S.H.KENNEDYS 

CONCENTRATED  EXTRACT  OF 

PINUS  CANADENSIS 

EOna     A  NON-ALCOHOLIC  LIQUID.    LwhJT.ej 


JIIDICATIOH8.-A"i"inlnQrla,  l>iarrhe«.  Dy.en.err.  NlBbl-Sweat^Hro 

Wtitn  Uied  »  in  Injection,  lo  ivold  Stiiti'lng  ni  linen,  tfie  WHITE  PInus  ihnuM  be  U»d. 

Seoommeuded  6/   OR.  J-  MARION    3ltl^.  ""A  "tfcar  Promliieai   Fhylolani 


RIO  CHEIVIICALCOIVIPANY.ST.LOUIS. 


-•VBOles  FREE  lo  Biiy  Fhya 


.I^ttliaJoUTDKl. 


I 


OTTR  ADVERTISERS'  PAGES. 

HOMCEOPATHIC 
^  OF  CLEVELAND  OHIO, 

IBl  and  183  Prospect  St 

One  of  tbe  oldeei  Homffiopalhlu  Colt^tl^s  in  ihe  world.    For  pw- 
licuUra  or  nnDouncement,  sdilrbM 

h  8.  J.  JflMi,  Stgiitrar. -  ^       91  Publii  Sjuui. 

NHW^  YORK 

EOUSOPATHIC  USDICAL  COLLEQE 

X.  F.  A.ljJ.,Slitt  A..  M.,  M.D..  D«iui. 

Por  Announcement  and  information,  address 

L.  L.  DANFORTE,  M.  D.,  Seo., 
8-S6  l^eWeet  44th  St,,  Hew7ork  Olty 

State  University  of  Iowa. 


HOM<EOPATHIC1  MEOirAL  UEPARTHK 

T*  UMVcasiTV  or  Iowa  Is  nn  >8)rTGaitlnn  iiE  su  . 

Klntli  Annuul  Course  or  Lectures  In  the  Collviteol  noni«nna[tty  w 

m.-j J —    H...1 .    ._ ^  JOntltlUB  lUlllI  MW"''   '     ' 


Tbe  8TAT8  UMVcasiTV  or  Iowa  Is  nn  >8)rTGaitlnn  iiE  sin  collcires-    Tb» 

_'lnUi  Annuul  Course  or  Lectures  In  the  Collviteol  noni«nna[r  ~     '" 

WedueBda;.  Octobers,  ISM,  uidoontlnue  unlll  Hmli  I.  l"i*i 


liMtara  omraL 

M»rlletil8tloii 

DvmonstnitDr's  ticket  (laelDdlng 

Ululoina  Foe,,.. 

tHwiHIal  II-'-* 


•T  partlculara  nddrms  Uie  Dean 


A.  <'.  COWPKBTHWAITB,  m.  B.,  lowkClty,  lows. 

HOU(EOFATHIC   UEDICAL   COLLEaS, 

OK"   MISSOURI. 

Comer  J^Oersoii  Ave.  and  Howard  streets,  St.  Louia.     The  28tli 
eeesion  begins  Sept.  H,  ISM   Preliminary  esamlnallon  required. 
S.  B.  PARSONS,  M.  D.,  Dkak. 
For  AuuuuiiL'emento,  etc.,  addfOM 

J.  T.  KENT,  A.  M.,M.  D..  RimigTBAR. 
6-a6  tSU  WublngtAn  Ave..  St.  Loai*.  Uo. 


OUR  ADVERTISERS'  PAGES. 

STIMULANT-EMULSION. 

BRANDRIOLI 


Finest  Cod  LiverOil.Rye  Brandy 
And  Iceland  Moss. 


Tills  EmnlsioD  Ib  perfecl.and  will  beir  rsduDlna 
Jl  lielp  coniumpUTes  lo  enjo;  *  ' 


The  puritT  or  Ihe  Rye  Bnndy  OB^d  In  FnnilrfDll  li 
ElulrlD  Ligbt  Proceu.  All  polaonoiu  inciters '  Fiuel  nil, 
The  Cod  l-frer  Oil  i«  nude  from  only  sound  selected  l.ii 


d  by  the  KdlaoB 
itirel;  deslroTud. 

EXPLANATORT  OF 


wlilch  m 


phydclaiu.  wblcb  to 


I  by  phydcl 


iBlck 


I  (nbstl  ute  for  Brandy.  Hyo.  Scotch  Uoarbnn, 

II  inib  WblBkles,  more  DUUitloai.  dlgeUlble 

Jiade.  It  la  dlsillltd  Avni  Ryeand  Bsrler  Udt, 
and  thejoice  oT  Wlve-fDaltlneQmpet,  allbetiiB 
' ^Ied  lOReiher    The  lermentalinn  or  iha 

inon)  or  Ion  lannrlc  actd, 

U  upon  Ihe  other  food  inat- 
[er  inuie  muD^  and  the  'plril  dlttlUtd  igmon 
wbolotome  tban  Ibe  ordinary  dlhtlllaiea  ot 
grain.  11 1»  dplicloa«  In  [BBle.  and  ils  terrpal. 
aiab  lltr  Id  uw  by  tbeilck  i-afcrea'  advuntage 
nvi-r  Ihe  whlkklea  and  other  BpirlU.  now  pm- 

,y.h«^dlo^ultJ^iia^- 


_..d  Urns  better  fl .„.  „ _„- ^ , 

ondergnne  theeqalvalentofeilremeeipo-'iire  to  tbe  holiest  sunlight  [or  a  sulQclent 
leoinh  of  tim  ■  in  thoroughly  mature,  purify  and  iieduelate  il. 

The  EdiMinElertrlo  Light  Frocess.aH  applied  haa.n>r  tbeDnttliDe  in  the  knowl- 
edge of  man.  pnt  anntlgbl  and  nimmer  heat  luaide  a  barrel  of  liquor,  and  matured 
ItMalTultaad  SowerB  >ire  ripened. 

It  win  make  ax  good  a  Milk  Punch  or  Hot  Be<-erage  aB  Ibe  nlgheat  grade  Gnad 
CbampaBDS  Cognac  Brandy,  and  la  a  great  deal  more  nutrilloiiB  and  dlge»tl-  1e. 

lilBDiBDrpaHdformaklnBjelly.elc..  [bribe  lick,  bah  in  flavor  and  richneia, 
beddet  belns  perrecUy  pure.  We  court  InveBllgaKon  looking  to  phyilelani.  the  alok 
•□d  the  debllllaled  fbronrauppDrt.  Ignoring  the  liquor  Irade,  vhn  are  not  allowed 
to  tell  II.  Krery  bnttle  la  numbered  and  rrglilered.  and  can  be  traced  direct  to  Iba 
Dniled  BUlei  Bonded  (Intern^a  Bereuuel  Wa'ehniue. 

Mr  PanoQB.  the  chemJBt  fotHeun.  W.  H.  SchleflHIn  &  Co..  end  other  ch^mlHti 


State-,  mnetly  r«-l't< 
Ibeir  nanie-'  Vcauf 

3nng  to  ma 

TJ.  a  PURITY  OtJAR A NTBB  CO.  210  Front  St,  N.  Y. 


int.)  were  reduced  to 

ny  dajB  afier  the  roBBiIng  c 

Rf:  rfentilf  «!l';H.~Our  r 

loftlv  re-Weot  in  the  c 


bectric  'r 


We  dn  not  paMI-h 


OUB  ADVEBTI8EBS'  PAOE&  3S 

THE  MUTUAL  BENEFIT 

LIFE  mmui  a 


OF  NEWARK,  N.  J. 


Paid  PoUqrholdan  since  OrgatUxatioa  In  184S,  t88,lS4.058.9<. 


In  •  Mutual  Lif«  Insannce  Companj  eTery  dflUar  saved  ia  ex* 
peneeB  is  a  dollar  added  to  divid«nde,  and  a  dollar  aaved  in  tfa« 
actual  COBt  of  ioBtirance.  Tht  MvtuaX  Bmrfit  Lift  InMuranct  Com- 
pany IB  tMrupiautui  for  its  (cotunnieaJ  maaagement,  for  tlie  magniUidt 
Af  its  divUtnit,  for  the  lihitalHy  of  iU  Policy  CoBtTact,  and  fbr  ita 
/air  dealing  with  its  members.  So  PoUey  tian  bt  /ar/eiied  aftar  the 
•econd  year  aa  long  aa  any  valoe  remains  la  coatinne  the  insorance. 
The  Pull  Snerve  valae  of  a  lapsed  Folic;  compated  on  the  4  per 
cent.  atAiidard,  ie  applied  to  keeping  the  inmrance  in  force;  or.  If 
preferred,  to  Ibe  purchase  of  a  Piid-up  Policy  »l  the  Company's  reg- 
ular published  rates.  After  the  second  year  Pollciee  are  t'nconlMluble 
except  againut  intentional  fraud,  and  all  restrictions  upon  travel  or 
occupation  are  rewiovtd.  The  Company  leant  up  to  mu-half  of  th«  re- 
terve  value  of  its  Polioiea  whan  utisfaetory  asaficaments  can  he 
made  as  collateral  security;  sod  its  practice  as  to  the  purchaao  of 
Policies  for  auh  vatw*  hna  always  been  txtremiiy  liberaL  Lot-sea  are 
paid  imeiediaUlji  on  receipt  of  salisfactory  proofs;  and  in  all  Vffieo- 
tial  features  a  Policy  in  the  Mutoal  Benefit  offen  advsnUgee  tquai 
if  not  tuprrior  to  those  of  any  other  Company. 


M.  J. 


WHITMAN,  State  Agent, 

Room  1.  C&mp&u  BnOiUsa,  Detroit, 


,111011.    M 


6Vk  ADVERTISERS'  PAOE8. 


Hahpemani]  HHedbl  College  aiid  [jospttal, 

OF  PHILADELPHIA. 


A.  R.  THONIAS,  M.  D.,  Dean,  1 733  Che^fnut  St.,  Phila. 
OrO.  B,  GAUSE,  M.  D..  Registrar,  1519  Arc>i  St.  &^ 


11:115  illtTj|||iil2:si 


tissue  Wh.om^h.utem* 


BoDe-Caloium  Pli«pb»le  OaP.O,.  aodlum  PlioaphaW  Nft  H  P.O.,  FerrouB  FhM- 
pbftli'  Fe2  P.O.    'mnviI'Mnii  ^u-rthtxt  R.pn. 

WSttLIX'gaDiraitrHDXLIIIBOrFBC'FHATiaAllCC&LIUIA,  A  Nerve  Food  &nd  Na- 
Llvfl  runic.  li,a^lii^LrcaHiM;u'  ui  QuiisuuiiJUDii,  BriJui:JiiLii.  Scrofultand  »11  formi 


ItM-  ■ 

INa-  V 


in  •poe»ble  cuKhiii    .-linU  Hj-imj^ai.l.-  i.;i.l   in.'  i.ini.l.;  Ill  ilu'  mohi  irriuililn  btom- 

fooiphorus  thi?  osuliilng  elpmcnt  iir  itn'  S.Tve  Cviilria  fur  the  »^u-(»U£u>  of 
Seryerorof;  Mme,  PiiUBiiiiiiie,«n  .'leDH-nt  of  (Jell  dev  Lopment  and  Nuirtllon; 
Bam  no!ii,btla»iia»di4\.tol,,FuocWia*\  *elWtlf  o!  Uvcruiil  Pui.-rH«,aiid<»r- 
ncure  of  Adanirmt  utloalh  the  A.i1iBcatSr]>lan&t;  IranilieOiMltliigCaiiKil' 
aeiil  or  the  B  ond  IVirUiB  Ge'i«ntliin  of  Heilkod  Mnllon:  Plinaphorlo  Acid,  TdiUb 

mie  Citni,  .ifflfl"«!  WiiA'nW  pUWertfie  Wptrty  Of(»linl^j;(i«MillHn  «ua  dim- 

Tbe  SuiwrliiniT  af  (ht;  Elixir  coniint  Id  uniting  with  the  PhnqiHstH  fiib  FfxcW 
piniiMtMBr  IMinitL-tinnVuiiliprniiiwor  Subdnfng  l'«nirH''d  Allayln  niiallon 
at  nie  Noebiu  X*mtMTi»  ni  rbe  AllmenUry  ''aitd.  whlen  idftpu  ii  idTbe  a  icceo- 
lul  trntmeiil  oi  t^tiiniub  DemiEeTiiciiiB  KudisH  Otaeaim  er  i-iulij  Katrktnii,  the 
oatcoroe  of  IndlpMliin  MtlaMmUeHiiihiff  Fuodis'iiJ  ij^u.ua».ot-iBVTTLy  ol  ihero 
eI•elltl<dele[aenEW^^erVe'PlIrceiufl¥lyue-K£jWIr-  '^  '  '- 

Thenieciil  iudii-Btliiti  or  lhlHO0iiiMiiMJ-4ior  Ptioaptutes  In  Sp'nal  ABbcUoni, 
CtrlH.  NecnMiii.  Dnun  t  d  FTBclureE.^krumui,  Poorly  Developed  Uhililrcn,  Ra- 


in. Nei'tiMiii.  Diiun  id  FnclureE,  Ukrumui,  Poorly  Develi 
ded  Deiitl  lon.A  >nh.il|npl!in^nb|^U4>IU.'»uU^  A<! 
IS  Develapmeii  I  ui4Kak  la^ouietiCtixoaMiS  ui  BeMii 
d.up  rondttnn^orih^Neffuii^tiyfiiiiii  aUbul Ae«Mve  IM  c 

There  ?»ftfii  i.ifytW»liJ|nithii''plip«rtUon, 'bm  whi™  tn(l*ral*Al  the  Uqnor 
BwychWtaot.UiB*;.  a,  |iliwe)v«iory  may  be  added,  ea^i  fluid  d«thm  o  Uh^b.Iu- 
aanV>4R(»i»diouleol>Ti«E1l>lIiDal(lnEth,  tiOi  -f  •  e^Mii.f  lu  ball  Ruirl  u&nea 
an  ordlnuT  itoae,  a  con  .InMlon  or:B  wide  laiige  ot  uWrulnGn*.  eiptclUly  in  l^n- 


f.  Wkf  taana  i  ttva 


Preparwl'arChemical "Laboratory  ofT.'BTwHEELERTM.  0,.  Montreal.  P.  6. 

t-MR  Pill   i^n  Ik.    i^.kiT^.I    i,jMI1..D    D^'1    Dnl.1    Ku  nil     Hntrrol  bId  ■  I  I  Mia  TU  .11.  r  ' 


lid  tiy  all  Druggliu  at 


ITature'a  Nerve  Tonic  an€  Br^im  1*00(7. 

Tleldlng  Ihe  moil  rtmaitable  fe-uiia  in  both   Funfliniial  and  Urpinic  DrJca-ea  of  'be  Bum  and  Ner 

NEUR'VCOIA,  OPIUM  and  Morpnloe  HaMta,     SPERMATOREHCE 

INSOMNIA.,  INANTiLE  PARALY3IS,  TIO  D' JLOBEUX, 

SCIiTIOA,  NBRVO  m  DYSPEPalA,  MBLANOHOLIA. 

MANIA,  NEURa^THENli,  lilPOTENOY. 

Fmrnrllllit.— AVKNiOr  Avenwoa  the  active  primlpla  nl  the  Oal  fATona  Satlrai  oliUlnvil  by  cnuh 

riisdr'edKrtl^  b  UiBO  Ireied  t>  mnoBrallnnand  permUion  rromWtn  141  honm.    Tha  final  lolul 


ta'irB.?i4iper<M'il.«r»twm'    ■r'V'inreniii  kaMaaiin>4or iheon 

iniinth  mdeand  |lem«la  SnciUL  nnoiiu  known.    ^  tlmoat  Spec . 

aBmAtAnii'MAira  roakiaaJ  IMioriirof  Waited  Buacgy  ft  ii  unpiralleltil.    Put  up 


Plloa.  11     For  lale  tn  all  dnu  tlorea.  |*  ft 

800T0H  OATS  HSaEHOB  OOUPAN7,  174  Puiton  Street.  Kew  Tork 


OUR  ADVERTISERS'  PAGES. 


IIRIOIMIZIDIZ 


THH  HYPNOTIC. 
wounn.A.— 

£Tei7  FlDld  dnotam  conUltu  la  gn.  EilCB  of  pun 

Birlfled  Biom.  FaU  *o6  H  gr.  EaCB  or  gen.  Imp.  e. 
yufcyuD. 

One-haif  to  on«  Bald  incba  In  WATEB  oi 
IB  pradQECd. 
INDICATIOWH.— 

Bkv«p1>«iD«a,  UerTDumoB.  Neuralgia.  Bcwlube,  ConiuliloiU,  OoIICk 
HiinK  Epllcpg;,  IrrftctillUir.  Eli',  la  Uia  nat  tuneM  kiid  dtHriom  of 
Faven,  ii  !■  ttnolntelr  LuTBluible. 

It  does  not  Look  TTp  t 


ir  SYBCP  txaj  boor  nntU  dacv 


I 


FAPINE. 

r  THB  DE-NABOOTIZED  OPIATB  ^ 

im.  (he  Numtle  and 
lo  nuae  Nauiea.  Vma* 


ADVERTISERS 
Can  learn  the  exact 
cost  of  any  proposed 
line  of  Advertising 
in  American  Papers 
by  addressing  Geo. 
P.  Rowell  &  Co.'s 

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lOSproceSt.,  New  York. 

Bend  10  CU.,  lor  lOO-Psge  PajnpbleL 


LuUier  J.  IngeraoU.  M.  D„ 

RECTALSPECIALIST 

FMeatee  of  "Th«  befl  'Becul  Bpaa»- 

CORRESPONDENCE  SOLICITED. 


Opera  aoTue  Km^. 
DENVER.  -  COLORADO 


Detroit,  Mackinac  &  Marquette. 


a  Arbor .... 


JolrrEMt 
,  eSopu 

,   I  lit  p  a 

.     S  IS  p  IB 

.   BNpm 


...L    &  M  > 


rrew  tnlTii  Hoa.  1  and  !  iDtke  chwe  com 
cnml  and  O.  R.  A  I.  B.  R. 
nne  tlona  kiro  mids  M  8L  Ignice  with  il 
N*vlg»UoTi  CompKDj,  and  alt  lake  BteacDc-, 

>iUi  llie  kluqaetlv,  HooehlOD  and  OntonacDn  Railroad.  fOtkU 


It  Hacklnao  Cilr  wllh  Ulch- 
if  (he  DetroilandrietelBiid 


A^ATBON, 
Gen.  SupL,  UuqueCUt  Mich 
X.  W.  AXLKN,  Genl  Paat.  and  TIckat  Agoit.  If amuettv. 


lake  Bopeiioi  poiDii. 


The  Medieal  Advamee. 


2T 


THE 

Hahnemann  Publishing  House. 


THE  STANDARD 


HomoBopatMc  Publications 

issued  by  this  well-known  house  comprise  many  of  the  text-books 
necessary  to  be  used  by  every  student  of  Homoeopathy. 

A  FULL  DESCRIPTIVE  CATALOaUE  TATILL  B^  SENT  ON 
RECEIPT  OF  NAME  AND  ADDRESS. 


'AH  works  adyertised  in  our  catalogue  furnished  to  students  and  physi- 
cians at  a  discount  of  20  per  cent. 


ALLEN,  DB.  TIMOTHT  F.  The 
EncTclopaBdia  of  Pure  Materia 
Meoica :  a  Record  of  the  Posi- 
tire  Enects  of  Drugs  upon  the 
Healthy  Human  Organism.  With 
contributions  I'rom  Dr.  Richard 
Hughes,  of  England ;  Dr.  C.  Her- 
ing,  of  Philadelphia;  Dr.  Carroll 
Dunham,  of  5few  York ;  Dr. 
Adolph  Lippe,  of  Philadelphia, 
and  others.  Ten  volumes. 
Price,  bound  in  cloth,  ....  $00 
Half  morocco  or  sheep,  ...     70 

ALLEN,  DR.  TIMOTHY  F.  A  Gen- 
eral  Symptom  Register  of  the 
Homoeopathic  Materia  Medica. 

1331  pages.  Large  8vo.  Cloth,  $12 
Half  morocco  or  sheep,  ...     14 

ALLEN,  WILLIAM  A.  Repertory 
of  the  Symptoms  of  Intermittent 
Ferer.  Arranged  by  Wilham  A. 
Allen.  107  pages.  V2mo.  Cloth. 
Price, $1 

ALLEN,  H.  C.  The  Therapeutics 
of  Intermittent  Fever.  By  H.  C. 
Allen,  M.  D.,  of  the  Universitpr  of 
Michigan.  Second  edition,  revised 
and  enlarged.  342  pages.  8vo. 
Cloth $2.75 

ARNDT,  H.R.  A  System  of  Medi- 
cine, Ba.sed  upon  the  Law  of 
Homoeopathy.  In  three  volumes, 
royal  octavo.    Vol.  I,  968  pages ; 


Vol.  II,  923  pages ;  Vol.  Ill,  1046 
pages.    Price  per  volume,  bound 

in  cloth, e7.50 

Thecomplete  work,  .  .  .  .22*50 
Price  per  volume,  l)ound  in 

hall  morocco  or  sheep*  .      8*50 
The  complete  work,    .    .    .   25*50 

RAEHR,  DR.  B.  The  Science  of 
Therapeutics  according  to  the 
Principles     of    Homoeopathy. 

Translated  and  enriched  with  nu- 
merous additions  from  Kafka  and 
other  sources,  by  C.  J.  Hempel, 
M.  D.  Two  volumes.  1387  pages. 
Half  morocco, $9 

BELL  and    LAIRD,   DBS.    The 

Homoeopathic  Therapeutics  of 
Diarrhoea,  Dyseniary,  Cholera, 
Cholera  Morbus,  Cholera  Infantum, 
and  all  otlier  Loose  Evacuations  of 
Bowels ;  by  James  B.  Bell,  M.  D. 
Second  edition.  275  pages.  12mo. 
Cloth, $1*50 

BEBJEAU*  J*  PH*  The  Homoeo- 
patliic  Ireatment  of  SypliUis, 
Gonorrhoea,  Spermatorrhoea, 
and  Urinary  Diseases*  Revised, 
with  numerous  additions,  by  J.  R. 
P.  Frost,  M.  D.  256  pages.  12m  o. 
Cloth, $1*50 

BBETFOGLE,  DB*  W.  L.  Epitome 
of  Homoeopathic  Medicines*  383 
pages, $1*25 


F.  S.  BOSBICZS,  Hahnemann  Fublisliing  Eonse,  FUlfldalphla. 


Ths  M«di«al  Advtuui^, 


I 


BBItiHAH,   DR.    GEBSHAH   N. 

Fhtbbls  Pulmon&lix,  ur  Tnber- 
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pnge!<.    12mo.    Cloth,  -   .   .  fS.OO 


cations  for  Tweiity-flre  B«me- 
dies  in  lutennltlent  Fever.  Br 
T.  P.  WnaoN,  M.  D.,  ProfesBor  of 
Theory  und  Praciice,  Ophthnlmic 
and  Aural  Surgerv,  Uaiveisity  of 
Michig:m.  1680.  '53  pages.  JStao 
Cloth $0.40 

fflSSLOW,  DR.  W.  H.  Tlie  Hn- 
mui  Ear  and  Its  Diseases.    A 

practical  Treatise  upon  the  Ex&mi- 
naiion, Recognition,  and  TreHtmeot 
(if  ASeclionsof  llie  Ear  and  Associ- 
ate Parts.  Prepareii  forthe  Inslnic- 
lioD  of  StudeniB  and  the  Guidance 
of  Physicians.  Bv  W.  H.WiSBLOw. 
M.  D.,  Ph.  D.,  Ctoulist  and  Aurist  lo 
the  Pittsbar^ii  HDmoeopathiu  Hos* 
pita],  etc.,  etc ,  widi  one  hundreil 
and  thirty-eight  illustration*.  Aati 
pages.    Svo.    Cloth,  ....  (^..'(O 

WIMERBURS,  DR.  CEO.  W. 
The  Valnc  of  Tacclnatlon,  A 
Non-Parliaan  Review  of  its  History 
and  Results.  BvGxk^boe.Wiluam 
WiNTEHBUBN,"' Ph.  D.,  M.  D.  IS2 
]iugea.  Bonnd  in  paper,  .  .  $0.uO 
Bound  in  clolli, 7S 

WORCESTER,  DR.  S.  Inunltr 
and  Its  Treatment.  Lectures  on 
the  Treatment  of  Insanity  and 
Kindred  Nervous  Diseases.  Bv 
SiMUBi,  ■H'oBCESTEB.M.  D.,  Balew, 
Mass.,  Lecturer  on  Insanity,  Ner- 
vous Dieeasee,  and  Dermalolugy, 
Bl  Boslon  University  Sichocd  of 
Medicine,    etc.,    etc    262    pages, 

k.so 


^  WIL80I!»DR.T.P.    Spedallndl. 

LATEST  PUBLICATIONS. 

SCHtisSLEfl'S  BIOCHEMICAL  TREATMENT. 

Trnnd;lr,l  from  tl,<-  T'lfUl'-  (.V'TO"n  W/.lw»- 

WINTERBURH'S  VACCIHATIOH. 

-4  yon-riu-U^^-'i  li^v"'  '■fill  riUlTn  n,.J.  Rtindlt. 

ic  Editiixi.     JOHNSON'S  THERAPEUTIC  KEY.      .V»'  Edaim. 

Third  EdUioji.     RAUE'S  SPECUL  PATHOLOGY.     ThirdBdiliim. 

ARNOT'S  SYSTEM  OF  MEDICINE. 


A  Triumph  in  Chemistrv. 


After  more  than  two  years  of  hard  labor,  many  annoying 
disappointmeula  and  great  expense,  Win.  F.  Kidder  &  Co., 
of  New  York,  have  succeeded  in  piodacing  a  Non-Bydrosooplo 
Gmst  Pepsin  of  very  superior  digeeting  power.  Uerman 
Endenian,  chemist  for  the  board  of  health  of  Brooklyn,  in 
the  Apotheker  Zeitung^  reports  that  be  bas  tested  this  Pepsin 
by  the  beef  process,  and  finds  that  it  digestti  more  than 
double  the  quantity  of  any  Pepsin  in  the  market.  The 
chemist  of  one  of  the  best  known  drug  houses  in  the  country 
says:  "In  my  bands  the  Crust  Pepsin  manufactured  by 
Kidder  &  Co.,  has  proved  the  most  effective  ferment  I  have 
ever  tested.  One  grain  easily  dissolves  one  thousand  grains 
of  egg  albumen.  Moreover,  it  shows  a  uniformity  of  strength 
not  found  id  the  commercial  article."  For  druggists  and 
manufacturing  chemists,  the  great  advantage  of  this  prepara- 
tion will  be  readily  seen.  ^  One  grain  of  this  Pepsin  with  19 
grains  of  sugar  of  milk  wilt  make  a  saccharated  pepsin  U. 
S.  Phar.  1880;  while  in  Jensen's,  one  of  the  beat  of  the  old 
preparations,  it  requires  5  grains  to  15  of  sugar  of  milk  (ac- 
cording to  their  own  statements)  to  obtain  the  same  results, 
hence  this  would  be  as  cheap  at  i7.50  per  ounce  as  Jensen's 
at  tl.'25,  the  usual  price.  Every  advance  of  this  kind  in 
chemistry  only  makes  it  easier  for  the  physician  to  feed  bis 
patients  in  cases  where  the  stontach  absolutely  rejects  all 
nourisbment  An  increase  in  quality  without  increase  of 
piiotb^ 


ODB  ADVERTISERS'  PAGES. 

COOPER'S  RECTAL  SPECULUM 


Ttaia  \a  a  well  nude  nickel  pUled  lascni- 
caent  Tee  blades  mai-  be  doKd  lo  balf  an 
incb,  or  eipuded  to  two  and  ■  half  Inehe* 
to  dluueWr.  by  means  of  the  ■ 

llira  tihtminent  gli'ei  a  betlSt  •rlew  or  tba 
racial  w>ll!  BDd  more  room  Ibr  opoatlita- 
baa  wijr  other  rectal  apecu 


lUl  hair  the  iia)ial  price. 


^ollege  of  tlie  ITetv  York  Ophtlialmic  Hospital. 

Inatrucl'lan  in  Dlaease*  of  <h«  Ere,  Ewr  nnd  Tbroitt. 

The  Stale  of  New  yoTkhanorBiited  a  charter  wtioreby  \te  are  aiitliarlz«d  to  coa- 
tbeiegneof'UcKllUAvrQ  CMtiavuS"  apoo  (Boss  who  pan  the  eiamlnatlon, 
ij^^to  confer  "CeHHIeata  In  JjOri/Ttgolot/ll."   Vot  anpauncementi,  addre*s 


Si>, 


;kry  c.  HouaHTotf,  j 


Ssv  M  llilieal  Co%  iid  Eoi;ital  Tor  f osii. 


]f«.  ns  Wm*  a4tb  s 


I,  !teiir  Tork  Cliy. 


TberegnlBr  Winter  SeaJDnlTwentr-roarth  year}  will  b«([n  Octobik  1  ISSt,  mail 
V'Slk  week*.  Dall;  alinle*  will  be  held  In  ibe  College,  wblle  MHpa 
Ital  and  Dlipensary  adJnlnlnxEfve  advantages  Tor  prtcllcallintruciLon  unanrpifcd 
faujr  other  oollegB.  In  aildlltoo,  the  largo  dally  clinics  of  Ibe  Opbtlululc  HM 
ilalandlheWud'i  tflanit  liomsopnlblr  B'xpllal  (Weekly)  are  open  IbrMadcoH. 
'    Porf^Utherparticiilanand  clicalat-.  addMaa 


Dec.  26tFr,  1886. 


OUR  ADVERTISERS'  PAGES. 

,,  DR.  E.  M.  HALE, 

I*"  .J  ^o.  65  Twenty-Second  Btr^j^ 

*    _.       ■*  CHiCAjoa-  '  9} 

CHAPMAN,  GREEN  &  G0„ 

ManofBthirinK  CbemistB.  Chicago. 
GENTLEMEN: 

I  promised  you  when  you  sent  in  tha 
eample  of  Dr.  Robe's  Peptonized  Beef,  to  give  it  a  thorough'. 
trial  in  my  practice.  I  confesB  that  I  commenced  with  a 
prejudice  againet  these  prepttratioDs.  never  having  seen  the 
good  elTect«  promised  for  them,  T  commenced  by  osing  it 
myself,  in  warm  milk,  and  found  it  delightfully  agceeable 
and  soothing,  not  only  to  the  Btomach,  hut  the  nervous 
system. 

I  have  prescribed  it  largely,  and  without  exception,  roy 
patients  are  pleased  with  its  eETects.  It  is  especially  Talil- 
abie  in  atonic  dyapppsia,  catarrh  of  the  stomach  and  bowels, 
acid  indigeation,  low  fevera,  diphtheria,  aod  particularly  in 
neurasthenia  in  all  its  forms. 

It  is  a  real  peptonized  food,  and  I  can  not  imagine  a 
case  where  it  will  not  agree  with  the  stomach. 

As  a  food  for  infant*,  when  all  starchy  foods  are  not* well 
borne,  this  will  act  as  a  powerful  nutritive  agent,  and  a  seda- 
tive to  the  whole  Bystem. 

As  a  dietetic  agent,  it  is  the  greatest  boon  lately  present- 
ed to  the  medical  profession. 

Yery  sincerely. 

E.  M.  HALE,  M.D. 


NOTE.— One-half  lb.  samples  of  Dr.  Preston  B.  Rose's  Pep- 
T0NI2RD  Brkf  are  sent  free  to  any  physician  who  is  wil- 
^   ling  to   pay  the  express  charges.    -Address  the  Sola 
*    Agents, 

\:  CHAPMAN,  aREEN  &  CO, 

»  CHICAGO,  ILLS. 


m 
11^ 


:f|:H:|:|:|g|^| 


e  i  H  •  S  I  !  I 
a  5  J  >  s  s  £  I 


PI 

■Ob  « 

Hi 


OUB  ADVERTISEBa"  PAQBe. 

I»ETTET'S 


HOMffiOPATHIC  PHARMACY 

77  Kuci-rD  A-vsaruE, 
CLEVELAND.  -  OHIO. 


,    PUI.L.    LINK    OF 


BCERICKE  AND  TAFEL'S  GOODS, 

SHEKMAM'S  TINCTUKES,  SUBOIOAL  INSTRU- 
MENTS, POCKET  AND  BDQGY  CASES. 
SCALES  AND  WEIGHTS  OF 
PKECISION,  Aa 

[EDICAL    BOOKS! 

On  >lUcli  wa  oBei  TUB  BEST  DISCOUNTS  lo  tho  Prof^Dn. 

eXJGAR   DISKS  j^ND  OONES 

K>  CGDO  p«T  pound— 3C  cents  half  poand, 

AT.T.  OP  THE  NEW  REMEDIES. 


We  ilm  to  fumlRli  onljr  the  tKMoC  UTcrjithtng  Id  mirUne,  and  iMre  noexpanw 
lo;ttial  cni. 

4V  ill  Friui  H  Lo*  u  lu  GuiMoltbU  Pbanuer. 

Sund  lor  tH.iUU  USl'  luil  LDMf  LtlK  tJATALOGDB  of  Homoopathla  Pnb- 

IlEBlJOIUL 

Non-Hnraanized  Cow  Pox :  Onr  Own  Propagation. 

Omls  XX.  W  lur^f  linrr  po'nti  lienvMy  cbirxcd  npoti  both  ild«< . .t1  a 

Onde  XXX.b  l»rga  Iro.y  p^lnln.  eiin  b<r*vlly  cbtrged ~ _ II  U 

•a-  Ul  Vim  Wimiltl.   Winutf  vtlh  wok  Fukii*.~SK 
Orden  br  Tnnll.  xlili  nmlilHiice,  will  I 
ncelre  prompt  tlieuUnii.  I 

J.  PETTET,  A.  M..  M.  D., 
^3^  77  Euclid  Ave.,  Cleveland,  0. 


OUR  ADVEHTISER8'  PAGES. 


MALTINE^ 


MAt<-r|«E  ij  ru  auperfoT  In  nut'lllTe  kod  dla-(Mic  vi 
nsnuraciured  in  IhH  worm.  There  [a  no  recommit  live  ibat « 
kud  umuy  Hrnllni:  Dinjan-s. 

H«  I.TIN t;.  IniUdilTemitroniii.  Is  the  only  Halt  Pm 
being  HI  palaliblo.  di^eailble.  and  eailjy  uelmilaicd.^  Or^ilseffli'li 


Malt  Extract 


nv  Malt 
iioeln 


ti.TiNt;. 

1  palalablo.  diKB 

,  ■  on  LWecOil.  llig  Br.>m<dei^ftud  Ibe  lodldi 


Hand  in  tbe  front  innknl 


.dtbe 


B  power  of  Qul- 


lerapfullcalMitaoUlbaL  wepowew  riU'F,  L.  P.  "iAfDKhU 

n  ( I.TIIli:  Is  B  valuable  tOod.  &  rood  of  prfoplen  yaluetil  umai  of  ciaerteiii'T.^tn 

lart.tD  Terr  iinw  EUtclc  vuei  It  l*i  food  wbliUt  may  onaD  bf  rfiatiedtawnaii  at  ma'* 

wlUaiid»li«rtndo.  '  "J.  KILNEK  POIBBHUILL. 

Uiit  of  M  trade  laoiplea  of  Mall  Eilriwt  eiamtned  by  Ueaare.  Daiirfan  &  i  ttomock, 

only  tlirce  piwrMed  Ihe  powernf  M^ngo"  Mari'h     Tbese braudi  were  Uiltink.  Oor- 

bfti.  HBxej  A  Co.'b  Extract,  and  Xeppler's  Ualt  Eitru^I 

WILLIAM  B0HKRT9,  M.  D..  F.RS. 
IhaTeBuli1erted"MBlt]De"and  "Trommei'g  lUUaotoI  Walt"  lo OA exact  qiMiA 

latlTO  compiuiHiii  of  IbelrdifBikHcactivlly. 

power  any  of  Uie  all  preparajouii  of  Mall  wbli 

At  the  Interp^donal  Health  KshlbttiDD  beld  In  Loadoa,  Encland,  tbo  only  gold 
medal  and  (he  mcbe>l  award  I'l  merit  were  xlven  to  Meltlne  '•y  a  Ju'>-  compoBed  oi  the 
be-I  chemliialn  Eiir-ipe;  and  rweui  anklysea  made  by  the  mnatrelUb  o  aulhorlMea  Id 
Europe  and  Amerl  a  prove  conrJiitlTely  that  Malllne— lii  DUiritive  and  dlaataUo  value 

NU7E.—Ph7Sir1aiif  will  observe  that  Haltine.  as  now  prepared,  is  not  Ml  vlMild  U 
formerly  made.  helDB of  a  more  Quid  OosatHenpyj  and.  *hire  relalnliurlhB  nulrltlTa 
■l.ddlaaialictalDe,  whl>>i)  bUilven  It  preoedenoeover  all  other  KXtraeu  of  Milt  It  ll 
tendered  i-nllrelyaKT  eafale  to  the  tule  of  the  m^iit  Itetldlotu,  and  Is  more  elMly  Ml- 
uilTililertvl  A&niiwpr  pared  me  poxltWely  |miran[ec  thai  Ualtlne  will  not  ferment  or 
conteal  Id  any  dlmale  or  at  any  >i:ason  of  the  year. 


MAI.TINE  With   HfltoplkQEp biles. 
MALTIME  olib  Pi-pbln  and  Pancreatlni 


nA.LTI?<E  Vfn 

MAI.TO-TERRIXE. 

MALTU-VlBITItKIN. 

Ualtine  with  (JaMiai*  Sagnd*. 
paratlve  analyiei  by  twenty  of  the  ban  AiutlyHcti 
te.  O-  We  will  furnish  jratutiou.lT  a  o-e  pound 
Frep^iUloua  to  Pbyaielaui  nho  will  pay  the  eiiires 

F'O  COh  1S2  Fnllon  HIpect,  Svw  Tark.