NEWN REMEI)ES:
THEIR
PATHOGENETIC EFFECTS
AXD
THERAPEUTICAL APPLICATION
IN
IOM(EOPATHIC PRACTICE.
BY
EDWIN M. HALE, M. D.,
Late Lecturer on Materia [Medica and Therapeutics in Hahnemann Medical College t
Author of " Monograph on Gelseminum ";'  "Abortion and its Homceopathio Treatment I"
Corresponding Seoretary of the Western Institute of Homceopathy, etc.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN:
E. A. LODGE, HOM(EOPATHIC PHARMACY, 266 JEFFERSON AVENUE.
HENRY TURNER & CO., 77 Fleet street, E. C., London. HENIRY TURNER & Co., Manchester, England.
W', RADDE, 550 Pearl street. J. T. S. SxITH & SONs, 484 Broadway. C. T HuRLBUrRT, 437 Broome st., N. Y.
F. E. B(ERIOKE, 635 Arch street. A. J. TAFEL, Ninth street, below Arch street, Philadelphia.
OTIS CLAPP, Boston, H. C. G. LurTIEs, St. Louis. JOHiv B. HALL, Cleveland.
C. S. HALSEY, Chicago. SMITH & WORTHINGTON, Cinuoanati.
J. i. BAQKOFZN & SON, Pittsburgh. DE. B. SPRAGUE, OwegO, N. Tr




Entered according to the Act of Congress in the year 1864 by
EDWIN  A-. LODGE,
In the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the District
of Michigan.
ADV A'No T   i it:
ADVERTISER. AN:D TRIBUNE STEAM PRINTING.'ESTABLISHMENT,




TO THE
HOM(EOPATHIC PHYSICIANS
THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY
THE AUTHOR.








PREFACE.                            v
PREFACE.
The object in the preparation of this work has been to
furnish the physicians and students of the homceopathic school
of medicine, with  full and  accurate information relative to
a class of remedies, mostly indigenous, but few of which have
had any place in the published 1Homeopathic Materia Medica,
Some of the provings have been incorporated into the Symptomen  Codex  (Phytolacca, Podophylluzm  and  Sanguinaria),
others have been published in the various journals of our
School (Runmex, Cimicifuga, Cornus c., etc.), but the great
majority have never been proven until now, and the only
mention of them has been in occasional clinical or empirical
suggestions.  To the first and second classes I have added
many pathogenetic symptoms gleaned from  various sources,
re-provings, poisonings, etc., and added  also all the clinical
observations that could  be collected from  reliable sources.
The latter class may be divided into two others; namely;
those which have been proven, and those of which we have
only empirical data upon which to base clinical use, and suggestive or theoretical deductions.
As we gather experience in the use of these remedies, and
institute accurate provings, the necessity for these suggestions
and theoretical deductions will be done away. Each physician
should consider himself bound to collect all the symptoms
which are really pathogenetic, and note down all reliable curative experience belonging to these medicines, and faithfully
report the same to our journals.
The causes which led me to investigate the properties and
virtues of the remedies mentioned in the following pages, will
be patent to every progressive mind. After using for many
years those invaluable remedies found in our standard Materia
Medica, most of which were handed down to us by Hahnemann and his colleagues, I found that although their curative
scope  was very wide, it did not apparently include many
symptoms and diseases. I was led to investigate the field of
indigenous remedies for these reasons: (1) the suggestion of




VI                   PREFA   E.
Teste,* that plants are adapted to  cure the diseases which
infest the same localities: and (2) the many cures which had
come under my observation, made by  these remedies in
the  hands  of  eclectic  and domestic  practitioners  (some
of the  cases  will be  mentioned  in  the  body  of this
work). These reasons, together with a natural ambition to
enlarge the sphere of homceopathic Materia Medica, induced
me to throw away all prejudice, and devote my energies to the
task of introducing, by provings and clinical experience, the
indigenous medicines which so largely abound in the United
States. A few others had' started before me, and Cimicifuga,
Cornus, Podophyllum, and Sanguinaria had been proven, and
their pathogeneses published. But from some cause they have
not attracted the attention which they deserve.  After several
years spent in the investigation and study of the new remedies, publishing from time to time items from  my experience
with them, I was induced to attempt the work of collecting
all that had been published concerning the indigenous plants
of this country, and to add to such all the knowledge, clinical and. theoretical, which could be gleaned  from  my colleagues, together with my own.
To this I have taken the liberty of adding the testimony
and empirical experience of physicians of the allopathic and
eclectic schools, relative to the medicines under consideration.
If any object to this method, I would refer them  to the
writings of Hlahnemann and his colleagues, —Dudgeon, Madden and Drysdale, of England; Teste and Roth, of France;
and Joslin, Marcy, Hempel, and others of this country.  I
contend that the experience of others, besides members of
the Homceopathic school, is often useful in building our pathogeneses, and adding to reliable clinical knowledge.
I shall not be held responsible for the opinions of any
writer quoted in the following pages.  Let each be judged
upon his own merits.  I do not claim  that this work is in
any way complete.  Indeed, I shall be satisfied if it is only
pronounced by the profession as eminently szggestive. Many of
the provings are very imperfect, and some of the Clinical
remarks, open to criticism. Let the wheat be separated from
the chaff by the inexorable test of honest trial.
* "Introduction of Materia Medica."




INTRODUCTION.
He who  undertakes to write a  Materia Medica which
shall come up to the high standard necessary to  meet the
scientific requirements of the Honomeopathic School of Medicine,
has before him  a really herculean task. The work even of expunging worthless symptoms, will compare with the cleansing  of
the Augean Stables.
The Allopathic Materia Medica, is not susceptible of much
improvement, so long as that school adheres to the dogmas
which form  the basis of that system  of practice; the IHom(eopathic, on the contrary, is capable of immense improvement.
I have found that the task of writing a monograph on
any one drug, as Gelseminum, was really a laborious undertaking; and the work of collecting, compiling and arranging
the material for the elucidation of several drugs, is, of course,
proportionately greater.
That the profession may see how high an appreciation I have
for a scientific Materia Medica, and how much this work has
fallen short of my ideal, both in the matter, and the manner
of its composition, I will insert an extract from  my introductory to a course of lectures, delivered to the class of
Hahnemann Medical College, in the winter of 1863 and'64:
"Since the time of Hahnemann, nearly all our works on
Materia Medica, have been moulded upon the same plan, notwithstanding the progress of all the sciences which properly
pertain to  medicine;  and while a knowledge of chemistry,
pathology, and physiology is deemed essential to every hommopathic physician.
"The great' desideratum  of our school at this time is a
purely scientific Materia Medica.  itahnemann laid the foun



VIlI              INTRODUCTIO N.
dation upon the imperishable rock of natural truth.  Let us
build upon it a magnificent temple, which time nor change
can  ruin, but will ever increase its grand proportions  and
massive solidity.
"Gentlemen:-Would you have my individual conception of
an'Iceal Materia Medica'  With  a few preliminary remarks
on the action of medicines, I will give it you. All drugs,
and by this I mean all substances which  can by any possibility  be used  as remedial agents, have  three modes  of
action upon the animal economy.
"FIRsT-]Mechanically.-This action  is only by  virtue of
their physical conformation.   This includes bulk, and  the
shape of the particles which compose the medicine.' SEcOND- Chemically.-The chemical action of nearly all
medicines, when given in appreciable doses, is fully admitted
by every authority; thus, we have acids, and alkalies, and
numerous compounds, which, by their chemical union with the
solids and fluids, effect  changes in the constituents of the
body.
"THIRD-Dynamically.-This  method  of action may be,
entirely independent of the two former.   But a medicine
may have at the same time a mechanical, chemical, and a
dynamic action; or if properly administered, it may have only
the latter action.  It was a knowledge  of this dynamic
action that Hahnemann  strove to attain.  This he attempted
to do by stripping his remedial agents of all material forms,
or chemical power, and so diluting them as to leave nothing
but the'spirit' of the drug wherewith to oppose disease.
"Now, it is an indisputable fact, which I shall point out
to you more fully in my course of lectures, that our Materia
Medica abounds with symptoms due to the mechanical and
chemical effects of drugs, and these are so mixed up with
the symptonms having a dynamic origin, that they mislead us
when we are engaged in the selection of a iremedy.  Upon
almost every page of our Materia )Medica, is to be found, too
many  of the  natural sensations  to which  every person is
liable.
"'In view of these facts, I would have a rational revision
of  our  Materia  Medica,  expunging  all but  undoubted




INT RO D U CTI O N.                      Ix
dynamic symptoms; and I would have these symptoms arranged
in natural groups, in strict accordance with their rise and
progress.
"In order to elucidate more clearly my views in relation
to drug proving, we will suppose that a society is formed, by
a number of patient, conscientious, and  self-sacrificing men,
whose object is to make a perfect and complete proving of
a drug or number of drugs.
We will suppose that the drug selected  be Phosphorus —
that most excellent of all polychrests,  The first desideratum
would be to ascertain the exact physiological and pathological
condition of each person who intends to experiment upon his
own person.  We should ascertain if every organ  performs
its  functions  properly;  whether any  organic  disease  be
present, and if so, what is its character.  We should inquire
into the nlature of  all the secretions and excretions, aiding
our investigations by the use of the microscope, and those
delicate tests which science has applied to such uses. If the
prover is in perfect health, the fact should be noted; if not,
his condition and symptoms should be carefully recorded.
"The drug selected should then be taken by each one, in
similar quantities, and at the same time.  The. quantity of
the drug  should be  just enough to induce  symptoms and
pathological changes in the organism, by its dynamic influence, and  not by any chemical action.  It would  be next
to impossible to administer Phosphorus in sufficient quantities
to  set up any mechanical action; but with such  drugs  as
Mercury, Stannum or Podophyllum, such effects might readily
be obtained.
"The chemical action of Phosphorus upon the surfaces with
which it comes in contact, would be the most important to
be guarded  against.  It is doubtful if inflammation of the
stomach could be produced by minute quantities of this drug;
but we know  that material doses. will cause gastritis, by its
actual combustion while in contact with the mucous coats of
the stomach.  Such  chemical symptoms would be worthless
to us, when obtained.  Only the specific, dynamic affects of
a medicine  are of value  in a strictly  therapeutic point of
view.




x                IN TRO D U C T I OC   ON.
"Immediately after the ingestion  of the drug, the  first
symptoms should be watched  for and  carefully noted; then
all the unmistakable drug-symptoms which arise, should  be
recorded in the natural order in which they appear.  The
objective and  subjective symptoms should  be considered of
equal importance.  It matters not how  minutely the subjective  symptoms, the aches, pains, and sensations be recorded,
but we insist that all the objective phenomena, should have
an  equally  conspicuous place.  Itahneumann  himself  once
insisted upon this very proposition, for in speaking of Belladonna particularly, he says:-' We want to know what organs
it deranges functionally, what it modifies in other ways, what
nerves it principally benumbs or excites, what alterations it
effects in the circulation and in the digestive operations, how
it affects the mind, how  the disposition, what influence it
exerts over secretions, what modifications the muscular fibre
receives from it, how long its action lasts, and by what
means it is rendered powerless.'
"Now, the investigation of the properties of a medicine in
this way would leave nothing to be desired. Could Hahnemann
have availed himself of the labors of a Brown, a Sequard, a
Lehmann, or Rokitansky, what a complete Materia MIedica he
could have written. But this requirement was far beyond what
his times afforded,  and he did the best that was possible
ander the circumstances.
"Dr. Dudgeon asks:'Ought we not to strive to attain
the theoretical standard proposed by Hahnemann?  And how
is this to be obtained?' I answer, by a more scientific character to  our  Materia Medica; by  treating our pathogenetic
provings in a thoroughly physiological manner; by bringing
to bear on the action of medicines, the aids and appliances
of the  microscope, chemical analysis, and  the  ascertained
principles (not the theoretical surmises) of modern physiology.
This is now  being done by  some members of our school;
and if we were all animated by the samrne noble zeal, we
should  soon  rescue  the  school from  the reproach  of its
unscientific character,  which is so continually urged against it
by adherents of so-called rational medicine.
C' When we  shall have  recorded  all the subjective and




I N T R O D U C TION.                    xI
objective symptoms in the manner above, stated, we shall have
what we will term a true physiological proving. But we
must consider that it would endanger the life of any individual, to carry our experiments so far as to get all the objective phenomena desirable. What shall we do to perfect our
pathogeneses? I answer, by subjecting to the slow action of
drugs, some of the lowest animals, after the manner of some
of the greatest physiologists of the age. Already have Curie
in  France, and  some  members  of our profession  in this
country, begun the laudable work. Such experiments I would
term  pathological provings. By such investigations we could
learn the ultimate effects of drugs; what structural changes
they cause in the tissues, and what extreme organico-pathological conditions they can induce. The experiments of the
physiologists of the allopathic school were crude and unsatisfactory. They destroyed life with huge mechanical or chemical doses of drugs, and the results are of little value to our
school. Our aim  should be, not only to cause death, but to
cause disease, of longer or shorter duration, and then by a
careful scientific analysis of the  artificial malady, classify it,
and determine its character, in order that we may use it as
a guide in the selection of a remedy wherewith to combat a
similar, and ascertained disease, existing in the human body.
"Do  not deem  these views utopian in their character!
Much more than is here advised will yet be attained, and some
of you will live to see the day when just such provings shall be
made. Aye, more! Some of you may live to look upon the
realization of a dream  which has haunted me for years-an
Inconographic Jateria.Medfica. Let me illustrate. Going back
to our first proposition of a proving  of Phosphorus, we will
supp6se all the subjective and objective symptoms recorded in
strictly scientific language, but in addition to this written
pathogenesis we have correct drawings of all the pathological
changes; of all the organic alterations in various organs and
tissues, upon which the drug exerted its poisonous influence.
Let us call to our aid the photographer and the  painter,
and invest the  delineations of morbid  specimens, with  all
the wonderful similitude which those arts are capable of
creating.




xII              INTRODUCTION.
"W'ith such an illustrated  Materia Medica would not the
Art of Healing be so far perfected as to leave, little to be
desired, and  so  enhance  our skill in the management of
disease as to rob it of half its terrors?
"We will now  suppose such a Alateria Medica attainable,
we will also suppose the existence of works on Diagnosis and
Pathology, similarly illustrated, or, that all are combined in
one complete work, in beautiful and massive volumes. What
then would be the status of the practice of medicine?
We will imagine the  young physician just returned from
his visit to a child, ill with  malignant scarlatina. He turns
to his library and finds written down the subjective symptoms of similar cases; and he also finds a written description of the objective symptoms, the latter illustrated with
colored plates, the  whole giving  a striking portrait of the
case he has just visited.
"He now  turns  to his Iconographic Materia Medica, and
finds, it may be, in the pathogenesis of Belladonna or Apis,
all the subjective symptoms of the case; and more satisfactory still, he finds that the objective symptoms correspond,
and the  conditions of the skin, the throat and the mucous
surfaces, are in every way similar to the case under inves.
tigation.
"What, I ask, would  be the result of this method of
study?  What the consequence of this correspondence between
the malady, the illustrated pathology and pathogenesis of a drug
in the materia medica?
"Would it not be the selection of a remedy whose action
would  be  eminently  specific to  the  totality  of the symptoms,  and  therefore   curative,?   Would  it  not  elevate
medicine  to  the  position  of  one  of the exact sciences?
Would it not strip disease of half its terror, and much of
its fatality?"
**                          1B




IN T I O D U C T I O N.                   xIII
In  the  British  Journal of  Hlomeopathy,  number  87,
will be found a Review  of Coe's "Concentrated  Medicines;"
in which the writer, Dr. Stokes, seems to have the idea that
the book belonged, to the literature of the homueopathic
school, at  least one easily  gets such  an  impression  firom
some remarks the writer makes, relative  to  certain  opinions
and assertions put forth by Dr. Coe. I cannot account for
the stupidity which could entertain such an idea. Dr. Coe is
a sort of mongrel, half allopath, half eclectic, and quite an
enthusiast in regard to indigenous remedies. When Keith &
Co. established their manufactory of concentrated medicines in
New  York city, Dr. Coe was selected by theml  as a proper
man to set forth the merits of indigenous remedies in
general, and  their preparations in  particular.  Consequently,
Dr. Coe's work abounds in  extravagant assertions and unreliable opinions. I consider Keith's medicines generally  unfit
for use in homeopathy. Their concentrated  powders  do not
come up to the required standard of chemical purity. Tinctures are to be preferred. In  the provings, more symptoms
were elicited from  tinctures than  from  the  resinoids of the
same plant. The tinctures should be carefully prepared from
the fresh  plants. Tinctures of the  allopathic -pharmaceutists,
made from old dried herbs, etc., are, for homceopathic uses,
always unreliable and unsatisfactory.




NOTE.-It will be noticed that after the few first pages of this work, the word
"female" is not used, but the term "'woman" is substituted. This was not done
without considerable deliberation, and from the best of motives. This alteration was
suggested to me by the talented. authoress, Mrs. Sarah J. Hale. While on a visit
to Philadelphia, in June, 1864, I visited my gifted relative, and in the
course of a conversation, I happened to use the term  "female"  as applied
to woman.  Mrs. Hale called my attention to the impropriety of this mode of
expression.  Is it not a little strange, that men of education, scholars, divines,
and others, should have overlooked this matter so long?  Yet, writers and speakers
have used the term  "female" instead of "woman,"? for the last several centuries,
and the thought of its impropriety never occurred to them; or if it did, they failed
to mention it.  To Mrs. Hale, is due the honor of arresting the improper use
of' female," as a synonym  for ":woman."  In the "Lady's Book," for July,
1856, will be found her able and incontrovertible arguments against the practice.
I will state a few, enough to convince any person of their importance: ist." The word "female" is only used twelve times in the Bible, and in contradistinction to man, as male, while the word "woman" is used over thirteen hundred
times, and in  each  case as designating  the human feminine.  Any one will
immediately recognize the impropriety of using the term "female," if he substitutes
it, in any of the latter instances, thus: " Man that is born of a female, &c."
A female what-Dog, Horse, or Sheep? How absurdly it sounds! This brings
us -to the 2nd.-" The term "female," does not imply anything pertaining to a
woman,-it cannot be construed to mean a lady,-it does not even imply anything
feminine, for feminine means-literally-pertaining to woman.  The word female,
then, should never be used except in contra-distinction to man as a male.  Its appropriate place is to designate the sex of an animal.  To use this term in any
other way, is to degrade  woman.  "The poets are  the  best expounders of
language, because they must use the most appropriate words in their truest sense,
which is their noblest signification, in order to exalt, beautify, and perfect their
themes of song."  If we take a few examples, changing the style in regard to
woman, to the vulgar word of "female," the following will be the result:
"For none of female born'shall harm  Macbeth."-Shakspeare.
"0! femrale in our bowers of ease."-Milton.
The intense absurdity is at once apparent.




LIST OF MIEDICINES TREATED OF IN THIS WORK.
IESCuLUS U GLABRA, B2uckeye...........................  17
EOSCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM, Horse Chestnut.........                 18 and 439
ALETRIS FALINOSA, Unicorn root..............  34
APOCYNSU   ANDROSEMIFOLIUM1 Dog-bane...........      36
APocYNIuM CANNABINUM, Indian Hemp....................41
ARUM TRIPHYLLUM, Indian Turni..p.56
ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA, Milk weed..................................    58
ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA, Pleurisy root......................                 63
BAPTISIA TINCTORIA, Wild Indigo.............................   69
CAULOPHYTLLUM  THALmICTROIDES, Blue Cohosh...........................    84
CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA, Pipsissiwa................................. 96
CIMIIFUcGA RACEMOSA, -Black snake root..............................101
(COLLTNSONIA CANADENSIS, Hard hack, Stone root.......................125
CoRNuS CIRCINATA,  Green Osier...................132
CoRNus FLORIDA, Dogwood...............................139
CYPRIPEDIUM  PUBESCENS, Large yellow Ladies' slipper.................143
DIOSCOREA VILLOSA. Colic root........................ 146 and 435
ERIGERON CANADENSB, Canada flea-bane..............................150
ERYNGIU.   QUATICUM,  tButtont snake root......156
EUPATORT4II          Us.., W.': ite snake root...        157
EUPATOSIUM PERFOLIATUM, Boneset................................158
EUPATORIUM  PURPUREUVI, Queen of tahe Meadow...16......5.....115
EUPHORBIA COROLLATA,  Milk weed. Spurge..........................167
GELSEMINUM SEMPER VIRENS, Yellow Jessamine.173
GossIPiuM, Cotton plant.............................................. 217
HAMAMELIS VIRGINICA,  Witch fazel........................221
HELONIAS DIOICA, False 7Unicorn root.....-.237
HYDSASTIS CANADENSIS, Golden Seal..........................247
IRIS  ERSICOLOR,   Blu/e Flag.......................... i......263
LEPTANDRIA VIRGINICA, Black root.................284
NUPHAR LUTEA, Small flowered yellow pond-lily......................... 302
PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA,  Poke                                               307
PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM, Mfansdrake.327
POLYGONUM HYDROPIPER, Smart-weed....................... 351
rruMEx CRISPUS, Yellow dock........................................ 354
SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS, Blood root................................368
SARRACENIA PURPUREA,  tuntsman's Cup..                                    84
SCUTEIJLARIA LATERIFOLIA, Scull. ~  389
SENECIO GRACILIS, Life root....390
SILPHuIum LACINIATUM, Co2mpass weed.................395
STICTA PULMONARIAm, L2ngwort...................3. l*.3-06
TRILLIUM PENDULUJ,  Birth root.................................... 403
VERATRUM VIRIDE, American Hellebore..........................408
XANTHOXY1LUBM  FRAXINEUM, Prickly ast...............................429




DIRECTIONS TO PHARMACEUTISTS.
ALL the medicines treated -of in  this book can be prepared in
TINCTURE, and this form  is generally preferable..ssculus Glabra, Esculus Hippocastaniu, and Aluin Triph7ylltu,
are also frequently required in form of TRITURATION. Triturations are
also made of the Resinoids Aletrin, Asclepedin, Baptisin, Caelophyllin Cornin,
Cypripedin,  Dioscorein, Eep9atorin, _upurpurin, Gelserninin, Hydrastin, l'risin,
Phlytolaccin, Sanguinarin, Senecionin,  Trillin, and Xanthoxylin.
Some have prepared tinctures of the resinoids, such  as Aletrin,
Baptisin, Caulophyllin, etc., etc., but these  are very unreliable preparations.- They will never produce all the symptoms upon the healthy,
that the tinctures made directly from  the fresh plants will develop,
and  are consequently not *as potent for the cure of disease.  The
tinctures should be prepared from fresh plants, gathered during their
time of flowering, soon after the dew  has dried off and when they
are free from  dust.  They should  be collected where indigenous, and
should not be made from  cultivated plants.'We mak e use of 
RooTS. Aletris, Apocynum. a., Apocynum  c., Arum t., Asclepias s.,
Asclepias t., Caulophyllum, Cimicifuga, Collinsonia, Cypripedium, Dioscorea, Erigeron can, Eryngium, Euphorbia c., Eupatorium aromat., Eupatorium  purp., Gelseminum, Gossipium, Helonias, Hydrastis c., Iris v.,
Leptandria, Nuphar 1., Phytolacca, Podophyllum, Rumex c., Sanguinaria,
Silphium, Trillium' p., Veratrum  viride.
VWHOLE PLANTS. Baptisia, Chimaphila u., Eupatorium  perf., Polygonum  hyd., Sarracenia, Scutellaria 1., Senecio g., Sticta p.
NUTS. iEsculus glabra, ZEsculus hyppocastanum.
B1ARKS. Cornus c., Cornus f. IHamamelis v., Xanthoxylum  f




ISCULUS GLABRA  (OIIOENSIS).
(Buckeyle.)
THIS tree is so well known, that it does not need description.
It grows on the banks of streams, in rich alluvial soils. The fruit
contains its most active poisonous principles, although the leaves,
bark, and roots possess active toxical powers.
It is often eaten by domestic animals; cattle, in particular, are apt
to partake freely of the fruit. In my boyhood, I have seen a great
many cows fall victims to their careless imprudence in diet. Even
when a student of medicine, I have witnessed deaths in cattle from
its effects; and it is a matter of sincere regret, now, that I did not
make a careful post mortem examination of the animals. The general symptoms exhibited in cases of poisoning in animals may be
summed up as follows:
1. Distention of the stomach and abdomen; staggering; reeling; apparent loss of sight; constipation.
2. Falling; paralysis of the hinder extremities; "Palsy; wry
neck; convulsions; fixed eves, and death."
There have been cases of poisoning in men and children, who
ate of this fruit, but I have not been able to obtain any account of
the symptoms exhibited. Two of my pupils once attempted to
prove the Buckeye, but did not continue the experiments, on
account of the apparent gravity of the few symptoms which manifested themselves.
It caused1. Vertigo, severe, with reeling like drunken men; vertigo
with nausea  vertigo with dimness of sight; fullness and heaviness of the head; confusion of ideas; a confused stupor; "thickness" of speech; loathing of food; nausea; cramp in the stomach;
sensation of fullness of the stomach.
2. Great weakness; trembling of the lower limbs; a strong
tendency to contractions of the legs; constipation.
It seems to stand in relation both to Opium and Nux vomica,possessing some of the narcotic'properties of the former, and the
cerebro-spinal affinities of the latter. It may be called a cerebrospinal irritant.
The fruit is used to stupefy fish, by the Indians-a decoction of
the nut is thrown into the water.
3




18;NEW  lHOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
Dr. McDowell, who tested the properties of the rind of the
fruit, says, " f2hn grains of it are equivalent to three grains of
Opium."
The following theoretical and clinical remarks are all that we
have to offer in relation to this medicine:
1. It should prove curative in some forms of vertigo, congestion or gastric cephalalgia, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting and constipation.
2. In some severe brain affections the symptom  "wry neck"
in animals is quite suggestive.  Wry neck is not always a rheumatic affection.  It may arise from  irritation at the base of the
brain, or in thEe cervical region of the cord.  It is a symptom  of
tuberczlcar meningitis, apoplexy, meningitis, and many other brain
diseases.  When this symptom  occurs, during these affections, the
~Asculus glabra will be indicated.
It will probably prove useful in paralysis of the lower extremities, when Nux vomica fails to cure.
It has been used in the treatment of some typhoid symptoms.
But its principal use up to this time has been in hemorrhoidal
affections.  It is a popular belief with many of the country people
in Ohio, that the fruit of the Buckeye, carried in the pocket, or
worn as an amulet, will act as a prophylactic and curative remedy
against the piles.
Dr. Hill (Surgery, p. 371,) says, "A  number of cures have
been reported to us, effected by the use of the Buckeye, taken in
repeated small doses."
Dr. J. S. Douglas considers it quite specific in some severe
hemorrhoidal diseases.
I have prescribed it in constipation and piles, and in some
instanfces got good effects from its use; in other cases it did not
seem to cause any curative action. I gave the -10loth and 1-100th
dilution.
/iESCULUS HIIPPOCASTANUM.
(Horse- Chestnuzt.)
BY H. M. PAINE, M. D.
HISTOuY. —The horse-chestnut is a highly ornamental tree, and
is greatly admired for its majestic proportions, and for the beauty
of its flowers and foliage. It grows rapidly, and'often attains the
height of forty or fifty feet. It is a native of middle Asia, but flourishes well in the temperate climates of both hemispheres. Its genus
comprises about twelve known species, the genus cesculus, however,
*Although the oEsculas hippocastanum is not indigenous to this country, yet. asit
has been naturalized, and proven by American physicians, I have thought best to include it
in this work. It is a near analogue of theo.Escuus glabra, and will doubtless prove a valuable
remedy.




2ESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM.                       19
is incomparably the finest, and is the only one found in the Northern States, and this even is not indigenous in New England.
It was introduced into Europe nearly three centuries ago by
Baron Ungnad, ambassador of the Ottoman Porte, who, in the year
15.76, sent the seeds of the common horse-chestnut to Clausius, at
Vienna. It is now extensively cultivated as an ornamental tree in
Europe as well as in this country.
The name mesculus was originally applied to a species of oak,
also to a tree which bore esculent fruit, and probably is derived
from esca -" food.)) It was transferred to this genus by Linnmus
to the exclusion of the earlier and more appropriate name of " hippocastanum " (horse-chestnut), on account of the resemblance of
the large seeds to chestnuts, and because the Turks often grind
them into a coarse flour, which is mixed with other food, and given
to horses which are broken-winded.
In the Southern and Western States there are several species,
which bear the name of buckeye, from a resemblance of the seeds
to the eye of tha:t animal.
BOTANICAL DESCcIPTION. —In the language of flowers this tree
symbolizes luxury.
The beauty of the horse-chestnut consists chiefly in its inflorescence-surpassing that of almost all our native trees; the huge
clusters of gay blossoms, which every spring are distributed with
such luxuriance and profusion over the surface of the foliage, and
at the extremity of the branches, give the whole tree the aspect
of some monster flower, than of an ordinary tree of the largest
size. Early in June this beautiful tree puts forth large pyramidal.
racemes or thvrses of flowers, of' pink and white, mottled with red
and yellow-finely contrasting with the dark green of its foliage,
which has great grandeur and richness in its depth'of hue and
massiveness of outline.
ORuDER. —Hippocastanace (sapindacem, Gray,); genus, aesculus;:
species, hippocastanum.  Leaves opposite, digitate, of  seven
obovate-cunate, acute, toothed leaflets, serrate and straight-veined.
Flowzers showy, in large terminal thyrsoid racemes or panicles;
pedicels articulated.  Calyx campanulate of five united sepals.
Corolla spreading white, spotted with purple and yellow, and composed of four or five petals, which are irregular, unguiculate, and
nearly hypogynous.  Stamens usually seven, unequal, inserted on
the hypogynous disc. Ovary large, round, echinate when young,
dehiscent, loculicidal, three cornered, three celled, crowned with a
single filiform, conical style, containing two ovules in each cell,
only one of all of which, sometimes two or even three matures.
These seeds are very large, shining, roundish, coriaceous, imahogany-colored, with a broad, round, pale hilum, without albumen.:
The LEsculus Ohioensis (Ohio buck-eye) differs firom the oesculus
hippocastanum in having five leaflets-stamens red, curved, much
longer than the corolla, which consists of' four upright yellow
petals. Fruit prickly when young, but smooth at maturity, about
half the size of the hippocastanum.  This tree is small in size,
and exhales an unpleasant odor, particularly while in flower.




20        NEW   HOMIEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. —The timber is not valuable. The
large  farinaceous  seeds  contain  a  considerable  amount of
nourishment, which is rendered  unavailable, because of.the
intensely bitter and narcotic principle with which they are
charged.  Common horse-chestnuts, nevertheless, with  some
precautions, are largely and advantageously used in Switzerland
for fattening sheep. They are also eaten eagerly by deer,
horses and oxen.  Starch prepared from  them, is superior to
that of wheat, and excels as an article of diet, that of the potato.
Paste prepared from them is preferable to any other, not only because possessing great tenacity, but also from  the fact, that no
moths or vermin will attack anything cemented with it. They
have been recommended as a substitute for coffee. They contain
sparingly a saponaceous principle.
The young leavels are aromatic, and have been used instead of
hops in brewing beer.
The roots contain a mucilaginous and saponaceous matter,
which is thought to be poisonous. Active and poisonous properties pievail in the root, seeds, bark and foliage.
The bark has little odor, but an astringent and bitter, though
not disagreeable taste. It contains, among other ingredients, bitter
extractive and tannin, and imparts its virtues to boiling water. Its
active constituent is supposed to be tannin, hence it has been
employed in tanning. It is recommended as a tonic, astringent, narcotic, and antiseptic; in fevers as a febrifuge, for gangrene, and as
an errhine. A strong decoction is recommended as a lotion to gangrenous ulcers.
It has attracted much attention in Europe, as a substitute for
Cinchona, although it certainly cannot be considered comparable to
Peruvian Bark in its power over intermittents. It is at present
seldom used, and never in this country. The bark of the branches
from three to five years old is considered the best. It should be
collected in spring.
The powdered kernel snuffed up the nostrils produces sneezing,
and has been used with advantage as a sternutatory in complaints
of the head and eyes. In Europe the oil at present' is a fashionable remedy for gout and rheumatism. Maceration in an alkaline
solution removes the bitter principle. iEsculine is the name given
to the extractive matter.
Hahnemann thus speaks of it:  "WVe can, from the morbid
effects which the bark is able to produce, form a just estimate of
its medicinal powers, and determine whether it is suitable for pure
intermittent fever, or some of its varieties. The sole phenomenon
we know belonging to it is, that it produces a constrictive feeling
in the chest. It will accordingly be found useful in (periocical)
spasmodic asthma."
-Digest of Symptomns.-The following digest of the symptoms
have been arranged from  provings made by Dr. Woodward
Warren, and by Dr. O. A. Buchmann, upon himself and six other
persons-four females and three males, all in middle life:




AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM.                        21
In each instance the mother tincture or crude drug was employed, in doses of from five drops to twenty grains.
Dr. Buchmann introduces the provings in the following words:
"Horse-chestnuts have been occasionally used as a popular remedy,
and the tfavorable results heard from their use in glandular swellings
of horses, in chronic catarrhs of the respiratory passages and of
the intestinal canal, determined me to undertake a careful proving
of them on the healthy, in order to ascertain if their vaunted curative powers were on the homceopathic principle.'"*
Symptoms-,-Compiled firom eighteen provings, by eight persons.
The figures represent the number of times the preceding symptom
was mentioned. by the provers.
]General Symptoms.-Feeling of extreme illness. Great weakness.
Totters when walking (2).  Weariness (3).  Fatigued  feeling,
as from  a long walk. Sensation as if she would faint. General
feeling of malaise.
Duration of action, from two to six hours.
Sleep.-Inclination to sleep. Yawning and stupefying sleepiness. Constant yawning (2). Falls asleep when sitting. Sleep
for a quarter of an hour. Slept well.
Fever.-Chilliness and goose-skin. Attack of rigor, lasting ten
minutes. Cannot get warm. Rigor for half an hour. Rigors.
General perspiration. Heat in the whole body.
Sensorhinm.-On  waking  cannot recognize what she sees;
knows not where she is; nor whence come the objects about her
(2). Inward cheerfulness and placidity of temper.
Head.-Feeling as if a board were on the head. Aching in
the forehead. Feeling as during a cold in the head. Sensation as
if intoxicated. Confusion of the head (2). Giddiness. Vertigo,
with sensation of balancing in the head. Formication in the front
of the temple. Heaviness in the head.' Heat in the head and eyes.
Headache over the left eye (2). Headache over the right eye.
Dull pains in the head, here and there, chiefly in the right temple
and occiput, followed by dull stitches in the forehead and left temple. Dull pressure in the forehead. Throbbing in the right fiontal
eminence. Fine stitches in the left temple. Dull pain in the left
temple. Sharp pressing pain in the right temple. Dull stupefying
pain in the head. Dull pain in the occiput (3). Bruised feeling in
the occiput. Heat in the integuments of the occiput (3). Heat
extending from the occiput to the ears (2).
Eyes.-Burning in the internal canthi. Burning and stinging
deep in the left orbit, as if the pain surrounded the eye-ball.
Weight and heat in the eyes. Coldness in the left eye. Jerking
in the right eye. Quivering of the lids. Lachrymation (2). Flickering before the eyes (2). Can see well at a distance; can read
without spectacles, which she could not do before.
Ears, —Burning of the ears. Heat in the occiput, extending to
the ears.
Nose.-Severe fluent coryza (8). Burning in the nostril. Raw
* See Britis7 Journal of Homceopathy, Vol. XVIII., pages 88-194.




22        NEW  H OMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
feeling throughout the whole nasal cavity. The nasal mucus
becomes watery. Thin mucus from the nose, causing a frequent use
of the pocket-handkerchief. Dry feeling and sensation of heat in
the nose, especially its point, as when a severe coryza is about to
come on. Disposition to sneeze. Feeling as after having taken a
pinch of snuff. Formication in the nose (3).' Sensitiveness of the
nasal mucous membrane to the respired air (3). The respired air
causes a feeling of coldness in the nose (2). Drawing in the right
nostril, as in violent coryza. Twisting sensation in the front part
of the nose. Shooting pain in the head.
Face-Looks ill. Pale miserable appearance (2). Flying heat
and redness of the left side of the face,2). Burning in the left
cheek.
M3Iouth-The taste was something like, that of aloes. Bitter taste
(3). Coppery taste, acting as an astringent in the mouth and
esophagus; at first bitter, then sweet. Sweetish taste (6), as after
taking Dulcamara —like liquorice. Burning in the mouth (3).
Biting and stinging at the tip of the tongue. Increased flow of
saliva (9), producing an inclination to swallow.
Throat.-Contractive pain in the throat (2). Sort of constricted
scraped sensation, causing a disposition to hawk. Irritation in the
throat and cesophagus. All the throat was excoriated and constricted. Dryness and contraction of the throat. Dryness in the
throat. Burning in the throat (12), like fire, when swallowing; at
one time slight, then severe; with raw feeling. Constant shooting
and raw pain in the throat. Scraping sensation in the throat. The
mucus in the throat becomes thinner. Hawking of thick (2), afterwards watery mucus. Frequent call to expectorate mucus, which
becomes watery. The mucus in the throat excites a cough. Tickling in the throat (2), causing a cough. Inclination to swallow.
Formication in the fhuces. Dull pressing and pricking in the
fauces. Biting and stinging pain in the fauces. Stinging and burning in the soft palate and posterior nares. Increased pain in the
throat, after eating a grape.
Stomach.-Nausea (15). Retching (2). Inclination to vomit.
Violent vomiting. Burning in the stomach (4). Heart-burn for
half an hour. Water-brash. Eructations of wind (16); of mucus;
of thick mucus; of viscid mucus (3); empty eructations. Flying
heat before the eructation. Fullness of the stomach (3). Periodical tightness in the scrobiculus cordis, with labored breathing.
Twisting in the scrobicults cordis. Aching and rumbling in the
stomach.  Cutting stomach-ache.  The aching in the stomach
extends. Comfortable feeling in the stomach. Hunger.
Abdomen. —Constricted feeling in the bowels. Cramp-like constriction in the bowels, followed by stool (the fourth time). Griping in the bowels (2). Cramps in the bowels.  Motions, preceded
by pain in the bowels. Pinching below the navel. Fine pricking
pains around the umbilicus. Pain from the bowels to the small of
the back. Burning in the bowels.  Pressing downwards in the
abdomen.  Rumbling in the bowels, half' an hour, without pain.
Distention of the abdomen, Pain in the hypochondria, through to




~.ESCULUS  HIPPOCASTANUM.                     23
the back, especially on inspiration. Tearing pain in the right side,
above the hip, deeply seated. Colic, with pinching pains in the
righlt hypochondrium. Stitches in the right hypochondrium. Stitches
in the left side. Fine stitching in the left hypochondrium. Cutting in the left inguinal region. Rumbling in the hypogastriumn.
Stoolsa.-Eructations of wind, with desire to go to stool. Three
moderate fcecal evacuations half an hour after taking the drug.
Four loose evacuations within a quarter of an hour. In two hours
several thin evacuations. In two hours after taking the drug, two
moderate evacuations. Constant urging to stool, after two hours.
Pressure in the rectum, with desire to go to stool. Ineffectual
efforts to stool. Difficult scanty stool. Difficult hard stool, followed
by burning and constriction in the rectum. Constriction in the
rectum (2). Itching in the anus (2); with raw feeling. Stool of
a mixed character. Two liquid motions, preceded by griping.
Motions preceded by pinching in the bowels. Frequent expulsion
of flatus (2.) The usual stool did not take place (2).
UJrine.-Shoots in the orifice of the urethra. Call to urinate.
On two occasions, at short intervals, urging to urinate.
Genital Organs.-Leucorrhcea. Burning in the mlamin3.
iarynx. —Hoarse voice; speaking brings on a cough.  Short
cough, increased by swallowing and breathing deeply. The mucus
in the throat excites a cough (2). Tickling in the larynx, causing
a cough with mucus expectoration. Cough from irritation. Dry
cough. Repeated cough. Dryness in the larynx. Frequent call
to expectorate mucus, which becomes watery.  Pressure in the
throat-pit, as if something had stuck there which required to be
expelled.
Lungs.-H- ot feeling in the chest, with cold rising up (2). Burning and heat in the chest. Raw feeling in the throat and chest (2).
Warm feeling in the chest. Shooting pain in the sternum. Pains
in the sternum, as if a piece were torn out of the chest. Sudden
stitches throughout the chest. Pains in the right scapula, andcl in
the left side of the chest, increased on inspiration. Rheumatic pain
in the right scapula. On the right side of the chest a sensation as
if the lung painfully moved up and down at each respiration (2).
Inerease of the pain on drawing a deep inspiration. Pain in the
chest, alternating with pain in the abdomen. Stitches leave the
left side of the chest and go to the right. Twitching from the
chest to the left shoulder. Tightness in the chest (6). Labored
breathing (2). Palpitation of the~'heart (4); severe, periodic, frequent, with great anguish.
Upper Extremities.-The arml and hand of the left side become
strikingly warmer, and feel as if they were heavier and swollen.
Heat in the shoulders. Burning in the palms of the hands and
soles of the feet. Constant jerking in the right arm. Paralysis of
the right arm —cannot raise it.
Baek.-Pains in the small of the back, and lame feeling. Pain
extending from the abdomen to the small of the back (2). Weariness in the small of the back. Tearing pain in the back. Lameness and sensation at if strained in the right lumbar region, extend



24        NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
ing to the gluteal muscles. Heat in the back of the neck and
shoulders. Weariness in the back of the neck. Lameness in the
back of the neck (2).
SUMMIARY.
General Symptoms. — Weariness, faintness.
Sleep.-Sleepiness.
fever.- Rigors; chills.
Head.-Confused, dull, aching pain, as if from a cold.
Eyes.-Burnin(g heat, as if from a cold.
Nose.-Severe fluent coryza.
Mouth. —izcreased flow of saliva.
Throat. - Burning; razo; stinging; cdryness.
Stomach,-Erluctations; nausea.
Stools.-Dicarrhcea; burning, constriction, pressure, tenesmus,
and itching in the rectum, indicate the utility of this drug in
hcemorrhoids.
Larynx. — Laryngitis?
Lungs.-Bronchitis?  Asthma Y  Palpitation?
Back. —Pains and lamenzess in the small of the back.
These symptoms indicate a wide range of influence.  They
exhibit decided action upon the mucous surface of the air-passages,
upon the stomach, bowels, and rectum.
The chills and rigors, stupifying sleep, confusion and dullness of
the head, congestion of the liver and spleen, palpitation and
impeded respiration, indicate an accumulation of blood in the central
parts of the organism.
The burning in the eyes, fluent coryza, water in the mouth,
burning in the throat, nausea and eructations, the evident bronchitis, and hemnorrhoidal disturbance, indicate congestion of the cappillary vessels, chiefly, we believe, venous congestion.
Dr. Buchmann thus concludes his article: "I trust these provings may induce others to institute more provings, and to test the
therapeutic action of this drug. I may merely add, that I have
succeeded in curing radically a chronic cough with emaciationwhich had long been treated without effect-by daily administration of as much powdered chestnut as would lie on the point of a
knife; and that I have heard from persons on whom I could rely,
of the rapid cure of a chronic cliarrhcea, in which many remedies
have been used in vain, by a single dose of powdered, horse-chestnut.)"
Let these abundant evidences of its usefulness become an
incentive to renewed diligence in developing and perfecting the pathogenesis of this important remedy.
It is usually prepared by grating the nut, after removing the
shell. When dry it can easily be reduced to a fine powder. Triturations are made as of any other homceopathic remedy. [It is
also prepared in the form of tincture.-'Ed.]




~SCULUS HI PPOCASTANUM.                        25
PROVINGS.
PROVING BY C. W. BOYCE, MA. D., OF -AUBURN, N. Y.
Read before the Oneida County  omrn. Med. Society.
August 24.  Took ten grains of the first decimal trituration at 9 A. -. Nausea immediately. Constant desire to swallow,
with feeling of dryness and stiffness of the throat when swallowing.
August 28. At 11 A. Ar., took ten grains of the same preparation. Nausea immediately.  Constant nausea. Feeling of dryness
and roughness of the throat, as'if from taking cold.
At 5 P. m., took ten grains more. Nausea. For two following
days, constant tendency to diarrhea. Almost constant inclination
to stool, but without any, or very slight evacuations.
September 12. At 9 A. M., took ten grains of the same preparation. Nausea i mmediately. Sick feeling in the stomach all day,
with increase of appetite.
At 4 P. A., took ten grains more. INausea. Salivation. Metallic
taste in the mouth. Sensation and dryness of the rectum.
At 8 P. AI., took ten grains more. Nausea. The thought of
the medicine is unbearable. Dryness of the throat. Dryness and
itching in the rectuim, with feeling of stiffness of the skin and adjacent cellular tissue, continuing for several days.
September 24. At 3 P. M., took ten grains. Nausea imluediately. Diarrhcea for twenty-four hours following.
Septe.mber 26.  At 4 P.:m., took ten grains.  Nausea immediately. Increase of saliva. The taste of the drug remained in
the mouth several hours. Diarrhcea of ingesta. For several days
following there was a sensation as if the mucous membrane of the
rectum was thickened, obstructing the passage of fTeces. Dryness
of the passage for several days, followed by a secretion of moisture.
Soreness of the rectum, with a feeling as if something would pass
off all the time  I induced several other persons to make a few
trials, but with no result except increased scliivatiozn.
October 3. At 3 P. xi., took ten grains of the first decimal trituration. Nausea immediately, and continuing all the afternoon.
Dryness of the throat. Dryness of the rectum.
October 4. At 1 o. M., took ten grains. Nausea. Increase of
saliva. Dryness of the larynx, with tickling, scraping feeling of
the laryngo-pharyngeal mucous membrane.  Sensation of swelling
of the nasal mucous membrane, as if from taking cold. Sneezing.
October 5. At 9 A. M., took ten grains. Sensation of dryness
and stiffness of the glottis, and all the pharyngo-laryngeal mucous
membrane. Slight nausea.
At 2 P. Ar., took ten grains. Increase of the dry feeling in the
throat, followed by secretion of mucous, quite like the second stage
of catarrh. Dry uncomfortable feeling in the rectum, which feels
as if it were filled with small sticks.
October 6. At 2 P. sr., took ten grains. Painful dryness of
the throat, lasting six hours. Feeling of prostration of the whole
system. Great repugnance to the drug.
4




26        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
October 7. At 10 A. M., took ten grains. Nausea. Increase of
the saliva. At 4 P. M., took ten grains. Nausea.' Desire for a
passage from the bowels without result. Desire to remain at stool
a long timle, with straining. Excessive dryness of the rectum, with
feeling of heat. At 9 P.ar., took ten grains. Nausea immediately,
with ineffectual attempts to evacuate the bowels. Feeling in the
rectum as though folds of the mucous membrane obstructed the
passage, and as if, were the effort continued, the rectum would
protrude.
October 10. There has been during the past three days soreness in the rectum, with increased secretion of mucus. Frequent
inclination for and ineffectual efforts at stool. At 3 P. Mr., took ten
grains. Nausea as soon as the drug was taken. At 8 P. lr., took
ten grains. Nausea.
October 11. Early in the morning a feeling of emptiness and
gnawing in the stomach. At 10 A. hr., took ten grains. Nausea.
Dryness of the throat after eating. After eating the stomach feels
full, as if the walls were greatly thickened. Considerable pain in
the stomach for four or five hours after eating, which continues
until after taking food again. Dyspepsia. Quite severe pain in
the right side of the head above the temple. Metallic taste in the
mouth. Increase of secretion from the submaxillary glands. Good
appetite. Dryness and soreness of the rectum. At 3 Pr.., took
ten grains. Soreness of the tip of the tongue, like that produced
by ulcers. Thinking of the drug always produces nausea. The
dryness of the rectum  is followed by increased secretion of nmucus.
PROVING BY W. WARREN, M. D., OF DEERFIELD, N. Y.
Read before the Oneida Coulnty Homwopathic Medical Society.
Dr. WOODWARD WARREN, aged thirty-six, nervo-bilious temperament, subject to bilious and gastric derangements.
May 22.  Took two grains of first decimal trituration at
4 P. x. In half an hour felt a dull, pressing and pricking in the
fauces, with a sensation of fullness in the epigastrium, with empty
eructations, followed immediately by burning in the stomach and
bowels. At 4.45, dull pains in the head, here and there, but principally in the right temple and oecciput, followed by dull stitches in
the forehead and temple. At 5.30, colic, with pinching pains in
the right hypochrondrium; empty eructations.  At 6.30, fine,
pricking pains around the umbilicus.
May 29. Took two grains of second decimal trituration at 2
P. M. At 2.25, felt a dull pressure in the forehead, with a slight
feeling of nausea in the stomach, followed immediately by stitches
in the right hypochondrium. At 2.45, bruised feeling in the occiput, with feeling of lameness in the back of the neck. At 3.30,
pressure in the rectum with inclination to stool, with empty eructations. At 4.45, ineffectual efforts to stool. At 8.25, feeling of constriction in the rectum.
MIay 30. At 6 A. n., difficult scanty stool. At 8 A. N., took
three grains of first decimal trituration. In ten minutes coppery




IESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM.                        27
taste in the mouth, with increased flow of saliva.'At 8.30, dull'
pain in the occiput, extending to the ears; fine stitches in the left
temple, with slight feeling of nausea in the stomach. At 9 o'clock,
feeling of lameness and weariness in the back of the neck, and
small of the back. At 10 A. M., empty eructations.
May 31. Took two grains of second trituration at 8.30 A. rI.
At 9, copious soft stool, followed by burning, and a feeling of swelling and constriction in the rectum. At 9.15; empty eructations.
At 9.30, slight burning and nausea in the stomach, with increased
flow' of saliva; fine stitching in the left hypochondrium.   At 9.45,
confused feeling in the head; giddiness. At 10, dull pain in the
occiput, with flushes of heat in the integuments of the occiput,
back of the neck, and shoulders. At 11.25, burning in the ears.
June 7. Took five grains of second decimal trituration at 12
A. Mr. At 12.30, coppery taste, with increased flow of saliva, and a
dull, pressing pain in the left hypochondrium. At 12.45, dull pain
in the left temple; giddiness and confused feeling in the head;
sharp, biting, and stinging pain in the fauces and tip of the tongue.
At 1 P. M., rumbling in the hypogastrium, with.cutting pains
around the umbilicus.; burning and stinging deep in the left orbit,
as if the pain surrounded the ball of the eyes with a feeling of coldness in the eye. At 1.15, heat in the integuments of the occiput,
extending to the edrs. At 1.30, cutting in the left inguinal region;
slight nausea with empty eructations.  At 2.30, general feeling of
malaise, with dull, stupefying feeling in the head. At 4 P. M., dull
pain in the occiput, and lame feeling in the small of the back.
June 8. At 7 A.MI., difficult, hard stool, followed by burning
and feeling of constriction in the rectum. At 9 A. M., took three
grains of second trituration. At 9.45, stinging and burning in the
soft palate and posterior nares; bitter taste, and increased flow of
saliva. At 10, vertigo, with sensation of balancing in the head;
throbbing in the right fiontal eminence. At 10.15, empty eructations, with burning in the stomach, and fine, pricking pains around
the umbilicus. At 10.20, sharp, pressing pain in the right temple.
At 2 P.M.,'lameness, and sensation as if strained in the right lumbar
region, extending to the gluteal muscle.
PROVING BY H. MI. PAINE, M. D., OF CLINTON, N. Y.
Read before tfhe Oneida County Homneopathic Medical Society.
September 28. In usual health. Took ten drops of the pure
alcoholic tincture at 10 p. m.
September 29. Took ten drops at 10 P. M.
September 3'0. Took thirty drops at 10 P.'M.
October 1. Headache, general, through the whole head. A
sensation of fullness in all the upper part of the head. Vertigo,
very annoying all the afternoon. General malaise.
October 2. Experienced a repetition of similar symptoms again
to-day. Disappeared after 4 o'clock, P'.M.  Took forty drops at
9 P. M.  Observed a few minutes after a quick, severe, griping
pain in the epigastric region. It continued about half an hour.




28    INEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
October 3. Feel miserably, cross, disinclination to perform any
labor. Headache in the upper part of the head. The pain is uniform and constant. The sensation is that of fullness and pressure
rather than acute pain. Vertigo, quite troublesome. The above
symptoms continued till toward evening, and theni disappeared.
At 10 P. 3r., took forty drops. Experienced a severe griping pain
in the epigastrium a few minutes after taking the drug. It continned until I fell asleep-about half an hour. It extended from
the stomach to the umbilical region, and appeared to be produced
by fiatus, as there was at the same time quite a perceptible sensation of motion in the bowels.
October 4. Feiv abnormal sensations to-day.' No headache.
Slight vertigo. Took forty drops at 9 P. hr.
October 6. Sore throat, quite troublesome in the forenoon;
none in the afternoon. For the first time since commencing the
proving had rather a difficult stool. Took forty drops at 9 Pr. r.
October 7. Slight soreness in the pharynx during the day.
Rather a difficult stool about noon, followed for at hour by a slight
soreness, aching and fullness in the rectum, indicating piles. Took
fifty drops at 9 P. M.
The taste of the drug is at first intensely bitter, and is peculiarly
unpleasant and nauseous. The bitter taste is soon displaced by a,pleasant, sweetish flavor, very similar to that of.ordinary liquorice
root. This sweet taste remains about an hour.
Immediately on taking the drug there is a sensation of scraping, irritation, or burning, extending from the mouth to the stomach. It usually passes off in an hour or two. It remains longer in
the stomach than in the throat.
Another very unpleasant sensation experienced immediately on
taking the drug is nausea. It is transient, recurring at short intervals, and usually disappears in about half an hour.
CLINICAL NOTES I. P.-Have been subject for several years to
occasional attacks of hemorrhoids, attended with little hsemorrhage, although considerable pain, aching, swelling, and rigid
hardness of the rectum. The paroxysms usually accompany constipation. The pain commences about an hour after an evacuation,
and continues from two to six hours.
About ten grains of the crude nut, finely pulverized, were
placed in a half-ounce vial of alcohol and water, in equal parts. Of
this ten or twelve drops were taken  nearly every evening for
about five weeks —commencing August 11, 1860.
The piles were uniformly relieved after three or four doses.
Observed on two or three occasions, that when the remedy was
discontinued for a few days, the symptoms soon returned. It is
now four months since all symptoms of the disease disappeared.
No other effects were discovered.
II. R.   Had been suffering severely from hmmorrhoids for
ten or twelve days, with a constipated state. of the bowels, and
severe pain in the tumors —making it very unpleasant to stand on my
feet or walk. Also more or less nausea, loss of appetite, furred
tongue, a sensation of fullness about the navel, flatulent pains in




AESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM.                        29
the bowels, and very dark stools. About two weeks previous to
the attack of htemorrhoids, had a severe attack of bilious colic,
which was relieved by Colocynth, Chamomilla, and MIercurius sol.
On the morning of June 13, 1860, took 200. pellets of the sixth
centesimal attenuation of JEsculus. The only symptom referable
to the drug was irritation of the throat and cesophagus —a sort of
constricted, scraped sensation, causing a disposition to hawk. *This
occurred about an hour after taking the drug, and continued for
several hours.
Continued the remedy for several mornings in succession. The
piles are entirely relieved; the bowels act regularly; the appetite
fair; nausea and flatulen~ce gone; and, in short, enjoy my usual
standard of health.
Dr. L. B. Wells, of Utica, has employed this remedy in all cases
of hemorrhoids occurring in his practice during the past two years,
and generally with very good results.
Dr. Wm.  M. Cuthbert, in N. A. Journal for February, 1864,
says: "I proved the drug to a limited extent on my own person,
not being subject to piles, using the first potency. The effects
produced being a painfjiu  weakness of the loins, with dull, aching
pain, accomnpanied by severe tzemors around the anus.  These
symptoms becoming so severe as to interfere with professional
duties, I was reluctantly compelled to end the proving, and one
dose of Nux vomica antidoted in a few hours. all the painful symptoms, since which I have experienced none of them."
Cases referred to by Dr. Cuthbert:
1. Man; aged 37; mechanic. One dose of third potency not
only entirely relieved the piles, but also enabled him to lay off a,truss which he had worn for years for an inguinal hernia.
2. Mrs. M. Piles (protruding at times) of ten years' standing, cured with three doses. It is now three years since, and she
has never had any symptoms of it in that time.
3.. Mr. B. External piles. Promptly cured with one dose;
Nux vomica never having any effect.
4. Mr. L. Blind bleeding piles of twenty years' standing,
cured with three doses, one every two weeks.
A cerate has been prepared from the JEsculus, which has been
found a very efficacious and convenient external application to pile
tumors.
PROVING BY W. H. BURT, M. D.
The  following  thorough  proving  by Dr. Burt, of Lyons,
Iowa, I present to the profession without any clinical remarks.
It speaks for itself. The Asculus h. seems likely to prove a valuable remedy. —(Hale):
March 14th, 1864. At.10 A. M., took 10 grs. of the first dec.
trituration of the dried nut; 11 A. M., neuralgic pain in the region
of causality (right) darts towards the left, with a constrictive feeling of the skin of the forehead, followed by flying pains in the
epigastric region (lower right lobe of the liver); constrictive feeling
of the fauces; 12 M., neuralgic pain in the region of the heart lasted




30        NEW  HIOMBEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
one minute, with frequent pains in the epigastric region. Dull,
aching pain in the small of the back, very much aggravated by
walking; 1 -. M., there has been very frequent neuralgic pains in
the region of the apex of the heart and stomach, with a severe, dull,
aching pain in the lumbar region; 4 r. Mi., constant, dull, aching
pain in the small of the back, aggravated by motion —took 20 grs.;
5 P. M., slight frontal headache, acrid constrictive feeling in the,
fauces —there has been frequent, sharp'pains in the region of the
apex of the heart and stomach, constant, quite severe, aching pain
firom the pit of the stomach to the right lobe of the liver, slight
back-ache, knees ache severely; 10 P. M., there has been frequent
flying pains in the forehead and temples, feeling as if something had
lodged in the fauces that produces a constant inclination to swallow, good deal of distress in the stomach, and flying pains in the
bowels, very severe and constant backache, knees ache severelytook 20 grs., no stool.
15th. Called up three times through the night, back ached
very hard all night, and is still aching; 7 A. M., took 20 grs.; 12
M., dull frontal headache, fauces feeling very dry and constricted,
burning distress in the stomach, fiequent eructations of air, very
tired and languid, back aches severely; 9 P, M., there has been
frequent pains in the umbilical and hypogastric regions all.day, but
they were not very severe, dull backache; no stool.
16th. Up most of the night with the sick; very hard and dry
stool at 7 A. i., followed by colicky pain in the umbilicus, and
severe cutting pains in the anus. Took 10 grs. at 9 A. r. 10:30Por the last hour there has been constant burning distress in the
epigastric and umbilical regions, with a very severe aching pain in
the lumbar region, very painful when trying to walk; occasional
neuralgic pains in the forehead and apex of the heart; dry feeling
of the fauces with frequent inclination to swallow. 11 A. M., dull
frontal headache; severe constrictive feeling of the fauces, with
fuequent inclination to swallow; constant burning distress, with a
constrictive feeling of the lower part of the chest; frequent pains in
apex of the heart; constant dull, aching distress in the umbilical
region, with a very severe headache; walking is very painful. 12Pulse 68, soft and weak; dull frontal headache, with fluent coryza;
constant burning distress in the stomach; dull, aching pain in the
lumbar region; took 40 grs. 3 P. M., slight frontal headache, with
great tightness of the  skin of the forehead.  At 1 P. ii. there
was great constriction of the fauces, with great irritation of the
epiglottis that produced a dry hacking cough; does not trouble me
now; there has been constant burning distress in the stomach and
bowels, with a severe fluttering sensation in the pit of the stomach,
lasting five minutes at a time; came on five different times; empty
eructations; frequent dull aching pains in the right hypochondriac
region; dull pains in the umbilicus, sometimes they are very sharp;
constant dull backache; weariness in the small of the back; tearing
pains in the smrall of the back and hips when walking; weariness
with faintness at the pit of the stomach. 5 P.'Nr., dull headache;
frequent ne ralgic pains in the fauces, with frequent inclination to




2ESCULUS  HIPPOCASTANUM.                     31
swallow; constant burning distress in. the stomach; severe aching
pain in the lumbar region.'9 P.. —Frequent twitching of the muscles under the left eye; stomach and bowels distress me very much.
] 7th. Was up all night with my wife who has a violent attack
of diphtheria, compelled to stop my proving; feeling very much
prostrated; back aching violently; walking is almost impossible;
great desire for stool. At 5 A. M., a very hard and dry knotty
stool, voided with great difficulty; violent backache all day; almost
impossible to get up after sitting down.
18th. Slight backache all day; no stool.
19th. Hard stool, followed by a prolapsed feeling of the anus..20th. No stool.
21st. Natural stool.
22d. Feeling well; took 20 grs. of the pure pulverized nut at
10:30 A. M. 11 A. m. —Severe smarting of the eyes; tongue feeling as if it had been scalded, with great constriction of the fauces;
constant dull pain iii the region of the navel. 11:45 A. M. Seve'e
neuralgic pain in the region of the heart; it is so painful that it.
arrests the breathing; lasted 10.minutes; dull aching pain in the
right hypochondriac region; back commencling to ache severely.
12 M. —Dull frontal headache, with a constricted feeling of the skin
of the forehead; great dryness of the fauces, with frequent inclination to swallow; dull burning distress in the stomach; severe neuralgic pain in the right inguinal region; constant backache, affecting
the sacrum and hips, very much aggravated by walking and stooping forward; pulse 70. 3 P. M. —Slight fiontal headache; great
dryness of the fauces; constant and severe burning in. the stomach,
with a very severe backache in the lumbar region. 6 P. M. —There
has been frequent flying pains in the forehead and temples all day;
fauces feeling constricted, with frequent dull pains on each side of
the tonsils; they look very dark and congested; frequent eructations;
constant burning distress in the stomach; frequent and long, lasting, dull pains in the right hypochondriac region; dull backache.
9 P. M. —Great distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions,
and a very urgent desire for stool, with rumbling in the bowels; a
very large and hard stool, voided with great difficulty, followed by
severe pains in the anus, with'a feeling as if a portion of the anus
was protruded, accompanied with dull pains in the umbilical and
hypogastric regions; this feeling lasted all night and until late in
the morning, with a very severe backache in the lower part of the
lumbar and sacral regions.
23d. Slept soundly; feeling quite well, excepting a feeling as
if a portion of the anus was prolapsed, with a dull backache; flat
slimy taste in the mouth. 9 A. M., took 30 grs. 11 A. M.-Frequent flying pains through the temples; profuse secretion of mucus
in the nostrils, with coryza. The acridity in the mouth and fauces
is very slight; constant and severe burning distress in the stomach,
with an inclination to vomit; constaht dull, aching pain in the right
hypochondriac region, and regi6n of the gall bladder; burning,
aching distress in the umbilicus; constant dull pain across the hips
and sacrum; sharp pains in the region of the apex of the heart.




32        1NEW  HOM(EOPATHtIC PROVINGS.
3 iP. r.-Feeling very depressed and low  spirited'; constant dull,
burning, aching pain in the epigastric and umbilical regions; the
greatest pain is in the pyloric portion of the stomach; at 4:30
P. M. took 30 grains. 6 r. x. —Great congestion of the tonsils
and soft palate; frequent sharp, neuralgic pains in the region
of the heart, with a great burning in the same region; constant and very severe burning in the stomach and bowels; very
hard to endure the burning distress; feeling faint and weak; very
severe backache, worse by motion. 9 P. M.-Frequent flying pains
in the temples; constant dull, burning pain in the pyloric portion
of the stomach; constant dull pains in the right hypochondriac
region, aggravated by walking; dull pains in the umbilicus; very
urgernt desire for stool. 7 P.. -Very hard, dry stool, followed by
pain in the anus; frequent stitches in the region of the heart; dull,
aching pain in the sacrum.
24th. Slept well, but awoke three times and found I had a
dull, burning pain in the stomach; sweet, flat, slimy taste in the
mouth; tongue very much coated yellow; fauces congested; constant dull pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach; very severe
pain in the small of the back and hips when getting up, not much
after moving a minute or so; pulse 76. 10 A. 3r.-Severe burning
distress in the stomach (superior cardiac portion). Took 30 grs. 12
M.; pulse 72;. constant burning, aching distress in the epigastric
region, with constant dull, aching pains in the right hypochondriac
region; constant dull backache; frequent pains in the region of
the apex of the heart and between the shoulders. 2 P..- Great
desire for stool; stool, first part black and hard, the last part
about the natural consistence, but almost white as milk, showing
that the secretion of bile is almost completely suspended; the
stool was followed by severe tearing pains in the anus; constant
burning distress in the epigastric region; the small of my back
aches so severely that it is almost impossible to stoop dclown, or
to get up when sitting down. 4 i. Ph., took 40 grs. 6 P. M.Severe congestion of the tonsils and soft palate, with a constant
aching distress in them; constant aching, burning distress in the
epigastrium; constant dull, aching distress in the right lower lobe
of the liver; the backache is very severe when moving. 9 P. l.Constant aching distress in the tonsils and fauces, with frequent
inclination to swallow; the burning, aching distress in the epigastrium is almost unendurable, it makes me feel very faint and weak;
constant dull, aching distress in the right lobe of the liver; great pain
in the back and hips when trying to move; legs aching severely,
feeling so weak that I must lie down all the time.
25th. Slept soundly; feeling so weak, and my back pains me
so much when trying to move, that it is with great difficulty
that I can get up; moving produces violent pains in the sacrum,
and hips; very severe frontal headache; flat, bitter taste in the
mouth; tongue coated yellowish white; tonsils and soft palate
very much congested, b'ut no enlargement-; constant pain in the
cardiac portion of the stomach; dull, aching distress in the right
liver; urine very high colored; good deal of dull, aching pain be



~ASCULUS  HIPPOCASTANUM.                      33
tween the shoulders. 12 rI., have had a very hard frontal headache all day; back and legs have ached so severely that I was
compelled to lie down all the forenoon; feeling very feverish, hands
hot and dry; pulse 66, soft and weakl; disposition to stretch and
yawn all the time; feeling as if I had the ague; great deal of
distress in the epiga,strium and liver. 3 P. iM.-Feeling very weary
and low-spirited. Took 30 grs. 6 P. x. —Constant distress in the
stomach, with frequent pains through the bowels; back pains
severely when moving. 9 P. Ar. —Great desire for stool; stool about
natural consistence, followed by a prolapsed feeling of the anus.
26th. Slept soundly; back pains me when first moving, otherwise feeling well. 10.- r. —Slight pain in the epigastrium; took
60 grs. 11 A. i. —For the last half hour there has been a constant
dull, aching, burning pain in the region of the heart; pulse 66, soft
and regular; constant aching distress in the tonsils; frequent inclination to swallow; constant pain in the stomach and right lower lobe
of the liver; very severe pain in the lumbo-sacral region when stooping; dull, aching distress: in the dorsal region; fieling very faint
and weak. 5 P. M. —Dull pain in the tonsils, with frequent inclination to swallow.; the tonsils are congested of a very dark color;
constant dull and very severe aching painjust below the pit of the:tomach,. which produces a very weak, faint feeling; it is very hard
to endure the distress; constant dull, aching distress in the right
lobe of the liver, and between the shoulders along the dorsal
region; dull pain when moving in the lumbar in the lumbar-sacral
region; frequent rumbling in the bowels. 9. r. Mii. —Stool about
natural consistence, but very white, showing a great deficiency
of bile; constant dull pain in the liver and back.
27th. Slept well; feeling quite well excepting good deal of
pain in the lumbar-sacral region when moving. 7 P. M. —For the
last two hours there has been constant very severe pain about
and just below the pyloric extremity of the stomach; severe pain
in the sacrum and hips when moving; a very dry stool at 9 P.
r., voided with difficulty; dull pains in the right lobe of the
liver and dorsal region.
28th. Back is feeling very stiff when moving; dull pains in
the small of the back and sacral region; constant dull, aching pain
in the right hypochondriac region, with frequent pains in the
stomach all day, with constant desire for stool; had two soft stools,
without giving relief to the desire for stool; feeling very sad.
29th. Slept well; constant dull, aching pain in the right lobe
of the liver all day, with frequent pains in the stomach and bowels, and constant desire to stool; stool at noon very black and
soft, without relieving the desire for stool.
April lst. There is still a good deal of pain in the lumbar
region, with soft, mushy stool.
I believe if I had used nothing but the first trituration it would
have produced large hemnorrhoidal tumors, the large doses that I
took kept the bowels too loose. Not one of our remedies produce so many and so strongly marked symptoms of hmemorrhoids
as the aesculus. I would also call the attention of our physicians
5




34        NEW  HOOMUaOPATHIC PROVINGS.
to the powerfutl egect eesculus has on the liver. I intended to experiment on animals with the aesculus, but could not get the time
to do it, but hope I will soon. It is a remedy that will well
repay us for all our trouble.           W. H. BURT, M. D.
ALETRIS FARIINOSA.
(Unicorn Root, Stone Grass.)
This plant is the true Unicorn, as distinguished from the fialse,
Helonias dioica. From all accounts it possesses many properties
in common with the latter. The root is the officinal part, and is
with difficulty distinguished from the HIelonias.
Aletrin, or Aletridin, the active principle, is an Oleo-Resin,
and is said to possess the medicinal virtues of the plant.
GENERAL EFFECTS.-No proving of this plant has yet appeared,
and the clinical experience of our school, is very meagre. The
eclectic school however, speak highly of its value.
" In the recent state, and in large doses it is considerably narcotic, with emetic and cathartic properties.  When dried these
properties are destroyed, and it becomes a bitter tonic." (King.)
"The aletris is tonic, stomachic, narcotic, discutient, emetic, cathartic and expectorant.  In large doses it is said to produce
nausea, vomiting, purging, dizziness and other unpleasant effects,
which would seem to indicate that it is possessed of acro-narcotic
properties."* (J. and S. Mat. _Med.)  "It is believed, that no American plant exceeds the Aletris, in intense and permanent bitterness.
In this respect it is not inferior to aloes or quassia. It seems to
be a pure bitter, having also some emetic and cathartic properties.
As a tonic stomachic, it is not surpassed by any of our indigenous
plants, and for this purpose it is extensively employed as a popular
remedy and in regular practice.  It has long been held in high
repute among the Indians. There is some reason to believe, that
it possesses narcotic properties. Rafinesque, who seems to have
experimented a good deal with it, says, that "only small doses
must be used, because large ones produce nausea, dizziness and
narcotic effects, and that the powdered root should not be given in
larger doses than twelve grains. Its uses are the same as gentian
and quassia. In some parts of the country it is used by botanics
as a remedy for dropsy, dysentery and colic. W'e regard it as an
alterative tonic, very similar to hydrastin." —(Prof. -Lee.) It is
highly probable that a thorough proving of this medicine would
develop its value, and mnake it almost an equal with Helonias, or
perhaps China, although it does not appear to possess the, antiperiodic properties of the latter drug. It has, however, some
reputation in Intermittents, and one of the common names of the
plant is "6 ague root."




ALETRIS  FARINOSA.                       35
SPECIAL EFFECTS. —-SensOriUum, Head, etc.-Vertigo; dizziness,
With vomiting; purging; sleepiness; and even stupefaction.
CLINICAL'REMVBRKS. —Theoreticallv, I would suggest that it
may be useful in certain congestions of the head, when the above
symptoms are present. In certain cases of lf~eningitis, in children
and adults, the disease is ushered in by a similar train of symptoms.
A high dilution of' the tincture of the fresh root might in such
cases prove curative. It is highly recommended by Dr. King
(" Diseases of Females ") in hysteria.
G(astrie Symptoms —Vomiting; purging; excessive nausea, with
giddiness, etc.
CLINICAL REMIARKs.-Small doses are said to promote the
appetite and assist digestion. It is used in cases of flatulent colic.
It is highly recommended in cases of dyspepsia, with much general
debility. All drugs which derange the digestive organs are, of
course, homceopathic to some form  of dyspepsia, or gastric disorder. Until we have a proving of Aletris, the indications for the
use of this remedy cannot be given. It may, however, be used
empirically as a dernier resort when other remedies fail. A case
treated by me, may throw some light on its probable sphere of
action.  A lady in the fourth month of pregnancy became very
much debilitated; had nausea, but no vomiting; disgust for all
food; the least food caused distress in the stomach; very constipated; frequent attacks of fainting, with vertigo; sleepy all the
time; emaciated. I used Pulsatilla, China, Iron, Sepia, Nux vomica, Ignatia, and many other remedies with no apparent result.
Discouraged at the result of my treatment, she declared her intention to procure some "bitters."  She'"knew  some bitter tonic
would help her." I happened to have a drachm of Aletridin in the
office. This I dissolved in four ounces of sherry wine, and ordered
a teaspoonful three times a day. In a week she came into my office
exclaiming, "Your bitters have cured me."  The improvement
was really great, and no other medicine was used. A constant
pressure and pain in the uterine region was also removed by the
medicine. In a similar case I have since used the first dilution
with apparent good results.
Female Generative Organs.-Colic in the hypogastrium. Pressure in the region of the uterus. Labor-like pains at the time of
the menses. Weight in the uterine region. Premature and profuse menses. Abortion. Leucorrhnea.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-The Aletris, is by general consent of
Eclectic physicians, considered to possess specific relations as a
curative remedy, on certain diseases of the U terus. I quote some
of the testimony: "The root exerts a tonic or stimulating influence upon the reproductive organs of the female.  In amnenorrhcea, dysmenorrhcea, and engorged condition of the uterus, it
will be found of' especial benefit, removing the difficulties by
restoring  the uterus to its normal condition.  It will also
be  found  advantageous  in those  instances  when  there is
an habitual tendency to abort, not depending upon syphilitic
taint,  or  other  causes  independent of  the  reproductive




36         D~NEW  EOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
organs. I have found it useful in prolapsus uteri, and am
inclined to believe that it exerts a peculiar influence upon the
uterine ligaments, having cured several severe cases of uterine prolapsus by this agent alone, without the aid of any mechanical
means."-(King's Obstetrics, page 638.) "The Aletris is recoinmended in diseases peculiar to females, as an article of great value.
In cases of frequent abortions, or when a disposition to abort
exists, and uterine derangements in general." —(J. & S. 3fat..Afed.)
If the aletris possesses the power of preventing recurring abortions, it is certainly worthy our investigation. A firagmentary
proving even may establish the basis upon which this recommendation is based. Several physicians have verbally given me their
testimony in favor of its power of preventing abortion, even after
pains and hbemorrhage had set in. I have been assured that it has
been used in domestic practice, to produce abortion in the early
months. It is evidently homceopathic to abortion when accompanied by the symptoms named above, as arising from over doses
of the fresh root; also in cases which seem to depend upon a want
of tone in the uterine tissues and general system.
APOCYNU1[ ANDRIOSEMIFOLIUM.
(Dog-bane, Milk Weed, Bitter Root.)
This in an indigenous, perennial, herbaceous plant, friom three to
six feet in height, and abounding in a milky juice which exudes
when any part of the plant is wounded. The stem is smooth and
simple below, branched above, usually red on the side exposed to
the sun, and covered with a tough fibrous bark. It grows in all
parts of the United States, from Carolina to Canada; is found along
fences, in wet places, the skirts of woods, and flowers in June and
July. The leaves are opposite, petiolate, ovate, acute, entire,
smooth on both edges and two or three inches long. The flowers
are white, tinged with red and grow in loose nodding, terminal or
axillary cymes. The peduncles are furnished with very small acute
bractes. The tube of the corrolla is larger than the calyx, and its
border spreading. The fruit consists of a pair of long, linear, acute
follicles, containing numerous imbricated seeds, attached to a central
receptacle and each furnished with a long seed-down. The root is
the part employed, and is large, and like other parts of the plant,
contains a milky juice. Its taste is unpleasant and extremely
bitter.
Great care should be taken not to confound this plant with the
apocynum cannabinum, which it closely resembles; for the medicinal
effects of the two are very different, and the use of the one for the
other might hazard the lives of our patients.
The allopathic and eclectic schools have used it in a crude
empirical manner, as an emetic, alterative, tonic, aperient, diuretic,




APOCYNTUM  ANDROSEMIFOLIUM.                    3 7
detergent, deobstruent, diaphoretic and anthelmintic, &c., much as
they use other drugs, especially those of whose virtues they know
the least.
What little we do know of its real sphere of action, and its
pathogenetic effects, have been ascertained by Dr. J. H. Henry, a
Southern homceopathist, who proved it upon himself and two ladies,
in pretty large doses, ranging from 50 to 1,800 drops of the mother
tincture, of the fresh root. (The tincture must have been a very
weak preparation.) All the provers were well when they commenced
taking the, medicine, with the exception that one of the ladies had
suffered from leucorrhzea, and Dr. H. himself had suffered from
hoemwdrrhoids.
May 14th.-Each person took 50 drops fasting in the morning.
Two: of them felt cramps in the bottoms of the feet; the third had
violent heat of the bottoms of the feet, with profuise sweating of the
whole body.
May 15th.-Each took 100 driops. All felt cramps and burning
in the bottoms of the feet, most severely in the right foot, with
severeppain in the joint of the left big toe, and heat in the right leg
and knee. One of the ladies and Dr. H. complained of great fulness
and pain in the head, of an indescribable, character.  The next
morning the three persons complained of constipation of the
bowels.
Mlay 16th. —All took 150 drops, and experienced about the
same symptoms as on the 15th. Dr. H.'s feet tingling pains in his
toes, sharp pains in the middle; trembling of the body in two
provers; most delightful taste in the mouth of each. Everything
smelled like honey to Dr. H. All complained of pains in different
parts of the body, and Dr. IH. of much pain in the knee and right
shoulder. The ladies complained of pain of all the teeth of the
lower jaw, left side.
May 17th.-Each took 200 drops. Neither, except Dr. H. felt
cramps in the bottom of the feet. All experienced symptoms like
those felt on the 16th; pains and stiffness in the back of the head
and neck; dull heavy pain when breathing seeming to go from
above downward.
May 18th.-Each took 250 drops. Dr. H. and one of the ladies
sufferred fiom painful bilious diarrhcea.
May 19th.-Each took 300 drops, and experienced heaviness of
the body, with a great desire to sleep; flying pains in different parts
of the system; pain in the head and back of the neck, swollen sensations of the face and body. violent itching of body and face.
May 20th.-Each took 350 drops, and experienced all of the
above symptoms, with profuse flow of clear urine; pjlsating pain in
back of the head, and between the right hand and elbow, constipation of two persons; diarrhea of the third, with much pain and
rumbling, only two evacuations, but copious and affording much
relief.
IMay 21st.-Each took 400 drops and experienced much pain all
over the head; stiffness of the neck; pain on turning of the left




38        NEW   HIOM(EOPATH IC  PROVINGS.
side; itching andl burning of the face, much lassitude, frequent passing of clear urine.
MIay 22d. —Each took 450 drops, and felt all the previous symp.
toms, together with great sneezing, twitching of the face, most
violent pains in all the joints, great itching and irritation in left
nostril.
May 23d.-Each took 500 drops.  Violent pain in the left
zygomnatic process, chilliness, lassitude, heat of head and neck, -inability to sleep at night, violent dreams, sleep not refreshing, pain
in the left groin of a shooting character.
May 24th.-Each took 550 drops. Ladies suffered from prqfuse
menstruation, lasting eight days, with violent pressing pain; other
symptoms as before.
May 26th.-Each took 650 drops. Some efforts to vomit; pain
increased in back of neck, and extending to frout; pains severe
above each wrist. One prover had four bilious evacuations, another
ten, and another, constipation.
May 27th.-Each took 1,800 drops. All sick; vomiting, purging, great prostration and trembling of the body.'I his was truly heroic proving, bringing out boldly the characteristic symptoms of the drug.
General Symptoms. -- Nrves of Sensation. - Although  the
remedy produces a great many pains, and pain implies that the
nervous system is involved, still it would seem that these were not
simple nervous pains or neuralgias, but rather simulated rheumatic
or dyscratic pains. It may prove useful in rheumatic-neuralgias.
NERVES OF MOTION.-It produces cramps in the soles of the feet,
pains and stiffness in back and neck, sneezing, twitching of the face,
etc., yet it seems to act far more specifically upon the fibrous tissues
and nerves of sensation, than upon those of motion.
Fever and Inflammatlon. —It causes violent heat in the bottoms
of the feet, with a profuse sweating all over; heat and pain in the
toes, legs, and knees. Swollen sensation of the face and body, with
violent itching of those parts; pulsatory pain in head and back of
neck, and between the right hand and elbow; chiliness, heat of
head and neck, so that one cannot sleep at night.
CLINICAL REMARES.-According to Dr. Henry, it has been
much used in the South, in bilious diseases and fevers; in the marsh
fever of the rice plantations, in yellow fever, in colds and inflammation of the bowels and lungs, in dysentery and diarrhcea, of all these
it seems most homceopathic to biliouts fever, when attended with
bilious diarrhcea, in rheumatic catarrhs, dysenteries and fevers.
On the Fibrous Tissues.-This seems to be the great field of its
action. It has;produced cramps in the feet, probably in the muscles
and tendons; great pain in the joint of the big toe; heat in the right
leg and knee; tingling pains in the toes, pains in different parts of
the body, but especially in the knee and right shoulder; pains and
stiffness in back of head,nd neck; dull heavy pain in the chest
while breathing; flying pains all over the system; most violent
pain in all the joints, etc.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —All the above prominent symptoms were




APOCYNUM ANDROSEMIFOLIUMI.                      39
brought on by tangible doses of the drug. They seem to have been
specific, for all the provers felt them.
In Rheumcatism and Rheunmatic Gout. —It is perhaps the most
homceopathic remedy that we are yet acquainted with; it may be
most suitable in bilious subjects, or when there is a prominent bilious
disorder in connection with the rheumatism. It seems to be absorbed into the system and to penetrate into the innermost portions
of the body, similarly to the rheumatic poison, and even to produce those critical evacuations from the bowels, skin, liver and kidneys, which terminate an attack of rheumatism; and according to
the law of "Similia," it ought to be specific for that protean
disease.
Mucous Memnbranes.-We have no decided proof that it acts
specifically upon this tissue, although it produces sneezing and
itching of nostrils, still it would seem homceopathic to catarrhal
affections of a rheumatic character.
Skin.-It causes profuse sweating when taken in large doses;
also swollen sensation of the face and body, and itching all over,
and burning itching of face, etc.
CLINIcAL REMARKS.-It may prove useful in those disagreeable
perspirations which attend or follow  rheumatic fever; and is certainly indicated in prurigo, especialy when attended with derangement of theliver.
Read.-Great fullness and pain in the head; pains and stiffness
in back of head and neck, pain in head and back of neck. Pulsatory
pain in back of the head, and between the right hand and elbow.
Pain all over the head with stiffness of the neck. Heat of head and
neck, and chilliness, lassitude, sleeplessness and troublesome dreams.
Great pain in all of left side of head with pain above each wrist.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is homreopathic to bilious, rheumatic,
and congestive headaches, especially when attended with rheumatic
pains in other parts, preceeded by constipation, followed by
diarrhzea attended with swelling and itching of the face, and terminating with profuse flow of urine, or perspiration. It is also
indicated in rheumatic or neuralgic hemicrania.
Eyes and Ears.-No symptoms involving these organs have yet
been evolved, but judging from its general effects, it ought to prove
useful in rheumatic affections of those organs.
Nose.-With the pains all over, had severe sneezing with great
itching and irritation in nostril Everything smelled like honey.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —With'the country people this plant in
decoction, is considered a specific for worms and verminous fever,
and in one case I saw good effects from it after Cina and Santonine
had failed. Its moderate use expelled large quantities of ascarides.
The above symptoms of the nose, are such as often indicate the
presence of worms,
Face and Teeth.-Swollen sensation of the face and body; violent itching of body and face; itching and burning of face, twitching of the face. Pain in all the teetA of the lower jaw, left side.
CLINICAL REMARKS.!-rhe sensation of' swelling of the face anrd
body is also caused by aconite, and is probably a purely nervous




40         NEW  IHOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
sensation. The itching etc., is like that caused by Opium and Morphia, is probably of a nervous character, not like that caused by
_Rhus, which indicates an impending eruption. The twitching of
the face and pain in the teeth, point it out as a remedy in those
rheumatic neuralgias of a similar character.
Gastric Symptoms.-Most deliclhtful taste in the mouth of each.
Nausea and efforts to vomit. Vomiting, purging and great prostration. Nausea with constipation, bilious vomiting.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-So   uniform is its emetic effects in large
doses, that it was named by the Botanics, American Ipecac. It
generally caused profuse vomiting of bile. When we have bilious
vomiting with or without diarrhmea; but with pains in the limbs,
cramps in the feet, etc., then the Apoc. Andros. will prove a specific
remedy. In cases of gastric irritability and debility from habitual
biliousness, it will improve the tone of the stomach.
Stomach and Bowels.-Flying pains in the stomach, fullness and
pain in right side, (region of the liver,) with feeling as if something
would pass the bowels, with slight nausea.  Constipation (f'rom
small doses 50 drops.)  Bilious and painful diarrhcea. Diarrhcea
attended with pain and rumbling, but only two large evacuations,
giving much relief; 650 drops caused four bilious evacuations in
one prover, two in another, and constipation in a third; constipation
and diarrhmea every alternate day. The largest dose caused sickness
vomiting, purging, prostration, etc.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is indicated in bilious diarrhcea with
pain in the bowels and region of the,liver; in constipation like that
caused by jaundice when the bile does not find its way into the
bowels, but is retained in the blood and tissues. It is indicated in
bilious headaches; also in bilious fever, when there is much heat
and pain in the head, great tendency to- drowsiness, or restlessness
with troublesome dreams, and either bilious diarrhoea or constipation, with pains in the limbs.
LTrinary Organs. Profuse flow of clear urine. Frequent passing
of clear urine.
CLINICAL REMrARKS.-Previous to a bilious attack some person's
have profuse flow of clear, limpid urine, with chilliness, headache,
etc. This remedy would seem homceopathic to such symptoms. It
has been used successfully in dropsy from diseased liver.
Genital organs.-Profuse menstruation lasting eight days, and
attended with violent pressing down pain. One of the ladies was
troubled with leucorrhcea before taking the medicine. She was
cured, and has not since had a return.
Prof. Lee says, "The Choctaw Indians use it extensively for the
cure of venereal affections, for which they regard it as specific.
They chew the fresh root, swallowing only the juice. There is no
doubt of its efficacy in secondary and tertiary syphilis."
Black and Extremities.-It caused severe pains in different parts
of the body, back of the head, arms, legs, feet, shonlrider, and violent pains in all the joints.  (See "General Symptoms," and
"Fibrous Tissues."
CLINICAL IREHAIRKs.-No remedy seems more indicated by its




APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.                        41
pathogenesis, for muscular and articular rheumatism, than this. It
seems the analogue of Bryonia, Cimicifuga, Aconite, Phytolacca and
Colchicum.
APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.
(Indiian  -lierr p.)
This' should not be confounded with the A. Androsemifolium,
which it resembles only in appearance. The medicinal properties
of the two are widely different.
It is a perennial plant, stems herbaceous, erect, branching, of
a brown color, and two or three feet in height; the leaves are opposite, ovate, oblong, acute at both ends, and somewhat downy
beneath; the cymes are pedunculate, many flowered and pubescent;
the corolla is small and greenish, with a tube not longer than the
calyx, and with an erect border, the internal parts of the flowers
are pinkish or purple. The pod, or follicle is from three to five
inches long, and resembles the pods of the asclepias syriaca, or common silk-weed, but are much smaller.
The stalk and root abounds in a milky juice which concretes
into a substance closely resembling caoutchouc. It is the juice
which contains the active principles.
The root, which is the officinal part, is horizontal, five or six feet
in length, about one-third of an inch thick, dividing near the end
into branches, which terminate abruptly, of a yellowish brown
color when young, but dark chestnut when old, of a strong odor,
and a nauseous, somewhat acrid, and a permanently bitter taste.
It grows in damp places, by marshes and running streams, and
is indigenous to nearly every part of the United States.
The tincture should be dark red and intensely bitter. It is said
by old authorities to be emetic and cathartic, sometimes diuretic,
and like other emetic substances, promotes diaphoresis and expectoration.
~When it does cause nausea, it is persistent and intense; it then
diminishes the frequency of the pulse, and appears to induce drowsiness independently of the exhaustion consequent upon vomiting.
These crude notions however, convey but a faint idea of the
qualities of this plant. No thorough and systematic proving of this
plant has been made. A fragnmentary but suggestive proving was
once made by Dr. Peters. My own observations of its effects, enable me to record many of its pathogenetic symptoms.
Dr. Peters took half wine-glass full doses of Hunt's decoction,
three, times a day —morning, noon and night. For the first few
days he noticed no perceptible effect, except an increased inclination towards constipation. (This decoction must have been very
6




42        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
weak, for a table spoonful of a decoction such as I have made,
would have acted on him as a powerful cathartic.) He noticed a
decided scantiness of urine: occasionally there was some flatulence,
and slightly uneasy sensation in the bowels. About the fourth
day, decided distention of the abdomen began to occur. Especially after a moderate dinner, all the sense of fullness seemed
about the stomach, liver and spleen, while the lower bowels did not
seem more flatulent than usual.
The sense of oppression about the epigastrium and chest was
so great, that there was often the greatest difficulty in getting
breath enough to speak with any comfort, and this happened after
lighter meals than ordinary. He was confident that his urine diminished to one-third its usual quantity, but there was no pain or
uneasiness about the kidneys or bladder, on the contrary these organs felt remarkably comfortable; they seemed simply torpid; the
little water that was passed, flowed as easily as if it were oil, and
there seemed to be but little expulsive power about the bladder.
The urine was generally of a light golden sherry-yellow color, not
depositing any sediment on exposure to cold. "This torpicd action
of the kidneys was rather peculiar as the weather was severely cold,
and I was much exposed to it, and in my ordinary state, my kidneys act frequently and rather freely. It is right to add that during the experiment I was growing very stout, and had just recovered
from fever and ague, which may account for the oppression of the
chest and flatulence."  (Peters.) This may be, but his own experiments afterwards brought on similar symptoms, even when the
drug was taken in minute doses. The symptoms observed by him
and others, will be found under their appropriate heads.
General Symptoms.-Weakness, lassitude. " I took for 6 days,
5 drops, three times daily, of the 3d dilution. No unusual sensations were observed until the fifth morning of the proving, when
on waking we felt a sinking at the stomach, dryness of the mouth,
thirst, nausea, irresistible disposition to sigh, short and unsatisfactory respiration, short and dry cough, scanty expectoration of white
mucus. These symptoms continued during the day, and on retiring, we had in addition unusual heat of the skin, general restlessness and desire to sleep without the ability to do so. During the
entire day, urine was natural in quantity, and gave the same color
to test papers as in health. The night of the fifth was one of great
restlessness and little sleep. On the morning of the sixth day we
awoke at about five o'clock, unrefreshed by our sleep, and with the
same symptoms as on the fifth day, with the exception of a dimininution of the quantity of urine. During this day we were unable
to detect any alteration in the composition of the urine, either by
test paper or with acids. The symptoms of the seventh day and
night were a continuation of the sixth, on the eighth day the
stomach and chest symptoms had diminished, but the urinary secretion had increased in quantity and much lighter in color than in
health. On the evening of the eighth day we experienced an unusual heaviness of the head, with dull aching pains in the small of
the back and limbs. There was no tenderness of the region of the




APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.                       43
kidneys on pressure, but a slight soreness of the parts when bringing the muscles into action, indicating the muscles as the seat of
the pains. From the ninth day the symptoms continued very
gradually to decline until the thirteenth day, after which no further
abnormal phenomena were observed. (Marcy.)
CLINICAL REMARArs. —The above fragmentary proving, is a very
suggestive one. The groups of symptoms resemble those of noninflammatory dropsy, having a rheumatic or congestive origin. We
often meet such symptoms in practice, where it is difficult to give
a satisfactory diagnosis. Before we can know the real action of apocynum, we shall have to make pathological provings of the drug.
In cases of general debility, from a watery condition of the
blood and poor digestion, if at the same time there is scanty urine,
apocynum will restore the strength and tone of the system.
Skin.-Unusual heat of the skin.  Cold skin-with nausea,
vomiting, etc. Copious sweating.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-In nearly all the dropsies, the skin is dry
and harsh. When from natural processes or from the action of
medicines the skin becomes moist and soft, we may be pretty sure
that improvement will soon follow. Whenever I have been successful in the use of apocynum, the skin became moist before the
urinary secretion became more abundant. It has been found useful in some inveterate eruptions, as psoriasis.
Sleep, —Desire to sleep without the ability to do so. Great
restlessness with little sleep at night. On retiring unusual heat of
skin; waking unrefreshed about 5 A. r. induces a tendency to
sleep. Sleepiness with heaviness of the head.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-In nearly all dropsies, especially postscarlatinal, the patient is feverish at night, and very restless. This
often occurs before the dropsical effusion is noticed. In this stage
the apocynum will prevent the malady from being established.
Fever. —Unusual heat of the skin with general restlessness and
desire to sleep with inability to do so-at night. Pulse very slow,
with nausea.
CLINICAL REMARKsS.-Dr. Trent claims for the apoc. anti-periodic
virtues, but he gave it combined with oil of black pepper. Such
observations as made by the allopathic school are perfectly worthless, yet upon such flimsy foundations does their vaunted materia
medica depend! It is probably not useful for the ague properly,
but is of value in the dropsical sequele  which so often follow that
disease. It is homoeopathic to the thoracic oppression, the bloating of the stomach and bowels after eating; the cedema and even
night sweats; in all of which I have used it with advantage in the
2nd and 3d dilutions.
In catarrhal fever with nightly exacerbation, short dry cough with
scanty expectoration of white mucus, and oppression of the chest,
it will be found curative.
Read.-Heaviness in the head. Heavy stupid headache with
drowsiness.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is undoubtedly slightly narcotic in its
effects. The drowsiness which it causes is very similar to that




44        NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC  PPROVINGS.
which occurs in all dropsical affections which have reached a high
degree of intensity. In such cases sleepiness is an unfavorable
symptom, and should warn us to be on our guard against coma and
apoplexy. In such conditions we have in this medicine a prompt
and reliable remedy. Several times in the course of my practice'
have I rescued my patients by giving promptly the apocynmrn. If
the dilutions failed of effect, as they sometimes will in cases marked
by such torpidity, I have not hesitated to resort to the decoction,
for I have ever considered the life of my patients to be of more
importance than a blind adherence to established forms. We should
recollect moreover that the tincture is not always the best preparation. With many valuable plants the decoction is the best method
of administration, because hot water alone, is capable of extracting
all their medicinal virtues.
In a case of supposed hydrocephdalus in a child of Pirof. Renwick, of New York, aged 16 months, after all other remedies had
been given up and the case regarded as hopeless, the use of a
decoction of Indian hemp was followed by perfect recovery. " The
sutures of the head were opened; the forehead projecting considerably; the sight of one eye totally lost; the other slightly sensible;
the child lying in a stupor, with constant involuntary motion of one
leg and arm. The urinary secretion had ceased for more than
twenty-four hours. A tea of apocynum was prepared by dropping
pieces of the root into a coffee cup until nearly frill, covering with
water, and steeping for half an hour: of this a teaspoonful was
given every hour. In the course of a few hours free action of the
kidneys was restored; the sight of both eyes were perfect; stupor
and insensibility passed away. The child steadily convalesced,
though the hemp was given for a fortnight, gradually diminishing
the dose, until but half a teaspoonful was given in 24 hours."  This
was undoubtedly a case of hydrocephalus, and the ccpocynuzrz  as
undoubtedly cured it. The lower dilutions may have done as well,
perhaps as the higher; but in such a case, of a generally fatal disease,
what conscientious physician would hesitate to use other preparations? The dose given was not more than 10 or 15 drops of a 1st
decimal dilution would contain, and no p thogenetic symptonls
were caused. One cannot but be struck with the similarity between
the symptoms cured, and those for which Hartman so confidently
recommends iHelleborus.  In fact, the two medicines are very
nearly allied. Some undoubted cures of hydrocephalus have been
made with Helleborus, but we have given it faithfully and in various
potencies in that disease; and yet the little patients died. What physician has not lost patients with that dreaded malady in spite of Belladonna, 1Hellebore, Sulphur and Zinc? How gladly we would have
resorted to any remedy, in any form, if we thought it would restore
health? Let a fair trial, then, be given to the Apocynum.
Eyes.-" I was once waked up early in the morning with severe
irritation of the left eye, as if several sharp grains of sand were in
it, attended with much heat, irritation and redness, often lasting
several hours. This disappeared as suddenly as it came on, not
leaving a trace behind; although the symptoms were severe enough




APOCYNUM  CANNABINUM.                       45
to make me believe I had an attack of catarrhal rheumatic ophthalmia, which would last at least three or four days." —Peters.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —The above symptoms would indicate its
usefulness in some forms of ophthalmia.
In the case of hydrocephalus, it restored sight to one eye. It
may prove very useful in many diseases of the eye and disorders
of vision due to effused fluids in the eye or brain.
Ears.-In hydrocephalus there is often more or less deafness, for
which condition this remedy will prove curative.
Nose.-" A very peculiar catarrhal attack was experienced, viz:
without any other sign of having taken cold, I would wake
up in the morning with the nostrils and throat filled with thick and
well cemented, yellow mucous, as if I had had a severe catarrh for
at least seven or ten days, and which had skipped its first stage and
commenced in the second."-Peters.
CLINICAL RE mARKs.-The action of apocynum on the mucous
surfaces is not yet fully understood. I have cured one case of
obstinate nasal catarrh with the 1st dil. It seems to cause catar.
rhal states similar in nature to those induced by Pulsatilla, Sumbul,
Copaiva and Paris quadrifolia.
Mouth. —Dryness of the mouth, with nausea, thirst, &c. (See
general symptoms.)  Dryness of the tongue.
Throat.-Throat filled with thick, well concreted yellow mucus
in the morning. Unpleasant degree of heat in throat.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —Some persons are much troubled with
hawking of yellow mucus from the throat and fauces every morning. In such cases the apocynum will probably give relief:
Stomach.-Distention of the stomach after meals.  Sense of
great oppression about the epigastrium, with great difficulty of
getting breath, after lighter meals than ordinary, Occasionally a
sense of sinking was experienced at the pit of the stomach, with
general but transient debility. Sinking at the stomach (this is a
prominent symptom  of the drug). Intense nausea, but cannot
vomit. Severe vomiting (from very large doses). Violent vomiting, with prostration and drowsiness. Increases the appetite and
digestion (curative).
CLINICAL RE1AmRKs.-. —It causes symptoms of the stomach similar to those which are nearly always presented in cases of impending or existing dropsy. It should be tried in that troublesome
symptomr-" Sinking at the stomach " —which occurs in women at
the climacteric period. In diabetes this symptom is nearly always
present, and may be relieved by this drug. It seems quite homceopathic to the vomiting which occurs in the first stage of hydrocephalus, for "' violent vomiting with drowsiness" is quite pathonomonic of that disease. Dr. Freligh cured with it an "irritable
stomach so bad that the patient could not retain even a draught of
water," which occurred as a complication of dropsy.
Abdomen.-Decided distention of the abdomen, especially after
a moderate dinner. The upper bowels seemed distended-the lower not at all. Occasional flatulence, with slightly uneasy sensations
in the bowels.




46        NEW  IHOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Of the great value of apocynum  in
ascites we have an immense amount of proof from the allopathic,
eclectic, and homceopathic physicians. All unite in pronouncing it
a generally useful remedy, a veritable " vegetable trocar," as Dr.
Rush called it.
The mass of evidence in its favor would fill many pages, and
we will only record a few of the most prominent cases.
The first accounts of its great value in ascites were from the
reports of Dr. Griscomb, in the Amer. Jour. of Medical Sciences,
Vol. XII. Afterwards, Prof. Merrill, Dr. Knapp, Dr. Valentine
Mott, and Prof. Lee, and many others bore testimony to its great
usefulness.
Prof Merrill related to his class a case of ascites in a boy of 12
years old, which was promptly relieved by this remedy, after every
other treatment had failed, and the disease had progressed so far
that a time had been fixed for the operation of tapping. The
extract was given, first in doses of one grain, afterwards increased
to ten grains, three times a day. The effects were, moderate
catharsis of a bilious and feculente haracter, free diuresis, without
being profuse, and copious perspiration. Great relief and relaxation was obtained in the first 24 hours, and in five days there was
no hydrophic condition remaining."  (Other cases of ascites will
be found under the head of " General Dropsy.")
To Dr. John F. Gray, of New York, is due the the credit of
fairly introducing this remedy in the treatment of dropsical affections. He could, if he would, make known hundreds of cases successfully treated by the Apocynum. But with advancing years he
has an invincible dislike to making his great and varied experience
public.  Happily, other homceopathic physicians have reported
cases of anasarca, &c;., of great value to the profession.
Dr. Jas. T. Alley, in the N. A. Journal, reports a case of ascites,
supposed to be caused by cirrhosis or hobnail liver. In this
instance it was used in conjunction with a'pis and nitro-muriatic
acid. He bears testimony to its value in cases of dropsy "when
there is no organic derangement to impede its action." Even when
there is, he thinks it may aid other and more specific remedies.
In " abdominal drosy from hob-nail liver, I believe it to be a sure,
though not rapid remedy."  He gave quite large doses, "as
much," he says, " as could be perfectly well borne without disturbance to the digestive organs.
In Hull's Jahr is reported a case of ascites caused by Quinine,
cured by Apocynum.
Dr. Freligh (N. A. Jour., Vol. IV., p. 519,) reports several cases
of ascites cured with this drug:" Mrs. C., aged 49, and Miss M., aged 23. The former was
referable to a cessation of the menses, and the latter arose from
congestion of the liver and portal system.
"Within six months I treated an aged lady, who had been.under treatment for the best part of eight months by one of the
professors of our city, who pronounced the case' incurable organic
disease of the heart,' cured with apocynum."




APOCYNUM CANNABINUM,                        47
I once cured a notable case of ascites with this remedy. The
patient was a lady, aged 45. Her climacteric period had passed
without much disturbance. She caught a severe cold in the month
of March; had some fever and pain in the bowels, and was treated
by an eclectic physician for "inflammation of the bowels." When
I first saw her she was much emaciated, very weak, no appetite,
red tongue and sore throat, abdomen slightly distended, and the
seat of a great deal of heavy, "bruised" pain. The urine was
scanty, high colored; bowels costive. The treatment was commenced with Arsenicum 30th. No improvement following in a
week, the 3rd, and finally the 1st trituration was given, but.the
ascites rapidly increased. For six weeks various remedies were
tried, among which were Kali carb, HIelleborus, China, Colchicum,
Cantharis, Cannabis, and Kal. iod, but no benefit accrued from any
thing. The effusion had now increased to an enormous extent.
She was obliged to sit erect in a chair all the time. Lying down
brought on fits of suffocative dyspncea. Her body and extremities
were exceedingly emaciated. No cedema of the feet. Urine
nearly suppressed; only one or two ounces a day. Bowels very
constipated, moving only every four or five days. At this time, an
experienced allopathic physician was called in, who advised blue
pill, gamboge, and a resort to tapping. This treatment was not
tried. I then gave Apocynum 1st, for two days; no effect; then
10 drops of the tincture every two hours for two days. She got
worse. Then I made a decoction of the dry root, half ounce to
one pint of water. Of this she took a tablespoonful every four
hours, but no effect was noticed. I proposed tapping to save her
life, but she decidedly refused to submit to the operation. I then
procured some of the fresh root (in the month of July), and made
a decoction (one ounce to one pint of water). She took a tablespoonful of this every two hours. In 12 hours the urine became
more profuse, the bowels moved freely, the skin became moist, no
nausea or pain was produced. In a week she could lie down and
sleep all night. Under the use of similar doses, four times a day,
she ultimately recovered, and in two months was considered as
healthy and strong as ever.
Bowels.-From small doses; loose feculent bilious stools, with
slight uneasiness in the abdomen. Loose, but not very copious
bilious stools.  Sensation as if diarrhcea would occur. From
very large doses; copious watery discharges with severe griping
pains, nausea and vomiting, slow pulse, cool skin and copious
perspiration.
CLINICAL REMARKs-In moderate doses it does not seem to
irritate the bowels much. The best Allopathic authorities do not
deem it necessary to produce its hydrogogue effects, in the
treatment of dropsy; Prof. Lee says it need not be given, even
to nausea, all its best cures have been made without giving it
to the extent of causing watery evacuations. It has even cured
dropsy, while the bowels remained obstinately costive and the
stools light colored. Dr. Payne, of Albany, states that it has been
used successfully for diarrhceas and intestinal lhcemorrhcayes, and




48         NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS..
suggests it in cholera morbus, and cholera-infantum. Its analogues
are  Elateriumn, Helleborus niger, Euphorbia cor, Colocynth and
Arsenicum, yet it has a specific effect upon the kidneys which these
have not.
Kidneys and Urine.-Dull aching pain in the region of the kidneys, with increased secretion of straw-colored urine. No tenderness in the region of the kidneys on pressure, nor was the composition of the urine changed any. (Marcy's proving with 3d dil).
Decided scantiness of urine. Urine diminished to one-third the
usual quantity, but no pain or uneasiness about the kidneys or
bladder. The little water that passed flowed as easily as if it were
oil, and there seemed to be but little expulsive power about the
bladder. The urine was generally of a light golden sherry-yellow
color, not depositing any sediment on exposure to cold. Very
peculiar torpid action of the kidneys. (Peter's proving with crude
doses.)  Very profuse, light colored urine. Several quarts, and
even gallons of urine were passed every day. It causes copious
diuresis when given in dropsy.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-In all the provings, so far, it has caused no
particular pain in the urinary organs, but a decided scantiness of
urine. Probably the experiments were not thorough enough. My
experience is, that it is the most reliable diuretic in use. No drug
may be more confidently relied on to produce profuse urination,
when given in disease.
Dr. Freligh says, "I have found it equally efficient in urinary
difficulties, particularly dysuria, strangury and anury, and it appeared
quite immaterial, judging from its effects, whether the symptoms
depended upon common catarrh of the bladder, diseases of the
prostrate, or upon a morbid irritation of the bladder, and whether
from gravel, or from a want of tone in the parts concerned in its
evacuation. I have never known it to fail even in cases of retention
depending upon paralysis, having used it successfully, in a case of
paralysis of the inferior extremities, caused by injury to the spine.
Every remedy had been tried in vain, and the catheter afforded the
only relief, which had been used once and sometimes twice a day for
a fortnight. The first dose had the desired effect, I have treated
many other interesting cases of urinary difficulty successfully with
the apocynum. The doses administered in the case referred to, were
from two to five drops of the tincture, (never more than seven) in a
tumbler two-thirds full of pure cold water, a desert spoonful given,
for the dropsical affections, every four hours; in urinary difficulties
every hour until relief was afforded.
Dr. Freligh reports several cures of dropsy effected with the
Apocynum:' "Mr. L. aged 64, who had been under medical treatment for
several months, and gradually grew worse, until his symptoms were
of the most alarming character, and threatened immediate suffocation.
I found him laboring under the most agonizing difficulty of breathing, being supported in the sitting position in bed, by two or three
persons alternately. His stomach was in such an irritable condition
that he could not retain even a draught of cold water, countenance




APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.                         49
expressive of anguish, abdomen distended, urine entirely suppressed
and very extensive cedema. This case was denominated organic
disease of the heart, by his physician. In a fortnight from the time
I recommended the treatment, he rode out with ease and comfort,
and now appears perfectly well. If the diagnosis of the other
physician was correct, the apocynum will not only cure dropsy
depending upon organic disease of the heart, in a less time than
would appear credible, but also the primary or original disease,
pronounced incurable."'"Mr. G. aged 62, ascites, and anasarca, and (edema of the inferior
extremities, succeeding typhus. His abdomen very much distended
and painful, pulse small and irregular, skin dry and husky, urine
high-colored, diminished in quantity, voided with difficulty, breathing very laborious."
"Master P. aged 8, post-scarlatinal dropsy, face much swollen,
also neck, chest and extremities. When I was called they thought
him dying; he was gasping for breath and could not utter a syllable
although perfectly conscious and would answer by signs. "Dr. F.
adds that during the last seven or eight years he has used the
apocynum with the most decided success in almost every form of
dropsy. He has succeeded with it in hydrothorax, ascites and general anasarca, when Arsenicum, Apis, Hellebore, Digitalis and Kali
iod, with vapor baths, &c., have failed.
lDr. Peters has reported several interesting cases:Case 1. A gentleman aged 70, over six feet high and splendidly
proportioned, became dropsical. The urine became scanty, bowels
constipated, feet, legs and abdomen grew slowly larger, and gradually great difficulty in breathing from the slighest exertion or on
lying down ensued. From the thickness of the abdominal walls,
and the great quantity of fat in the omentum, fluctuation in the abdomen was long masked, but finally became very distinct.. The thickness of the walls of the chest also rendered the physical signs of
hydrothorax indistinct for a long time, but they finally became
very manifest. The action of the heart became very feeble, but was
always distinct, the pulse often vanished down to a mere thread,
was often almost imperceptible for several beats, frequently so compressible that slight pressure would obliterate for the time, and
altogether so strangely irregular, weak and intermitting, that the
sudden death of the patient was expected as a matter of course.
These symptoms progressed steadily in spite of the use of Arsenicum, Hellebore, Scilla, Digitalis, China, &c.. HEe was finally put
upon the use of Hunt's decoction of apocynumr. At the suggestion
of Dr. Gray, commencing with tea-spoonful doses every two or three
hours. In less than 48 hours the patient was comparativbly comfortable, was a.ble to lie down and sleep with pleasure, whereas previously. he had looked forward to the approaching night with the
utmost dread and horror; the urine increased moderately and
steadily, and in a few weeks, the patient who had been ill for upwards of four months, was not only well, but felt better than he had
for years.  The bowels remained sluggish under the use of the
Hemp. This improved state of things lasted for more than a year
7




50        NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
then a relapse was speedily cured by Hemp; a third attack was cured
by Apis; a fourth by Digitalis, Squills and Mercurius; and a fifth
by Iodide of Potash. During the larger portion of this time the
patient had contracted a most invincible dislike to Apocynum; but
in a sixth attack, all the other remedies failing, he was persuaded
to resume the Hemp, after his condition was almost hopeless, and
distressing in the extreme, from excessive oppression and difficulty of
breathing, &c., hydrothorax and edema of the. lungs, inability to
walk or step without being thrown into the most violent suffocating
attacks, and in short fiom the numerous and complicated symptoms
of gbneral anasarca, ascites, hydrothorax, hydro-pericardium, &c.
After using the apocynum three or four days, in doses of one-third
of a wine-glass full three times a day, the urine increased from less
than a pint in 25 hours, to fully three quarts, with a progressing
diminution of all the symptoms. This case has since died without
any return of the dropsy."
Case 2. "A man aged 32, had sufferred with anasarea, ascites
and commencing hydrothorax for many weeks, under active
Allopathic treatment by means of Cream of Tartar and Digitalis,
Eleterium, &c. When I first saw him, his largest pantaloons had to
be cut open andcltied with strings, to accommodate his elephantine
limbs; he was utterly unable to lie down or sleep; urine especially
scanty and bowels costive, The apocynum was commenced in
table-spoonful doses, gradually increased to a wine-glass full every
four hours, by night and day; this was continued for upwards of
ten days without any unpleasant symptoms, the urine slowly commenced to increase, and finally became enormous in amount. In
less than a month he was entirely well; was soon able to go to sea,
and remains well until this day, upwards of two years after.
Case 3. A gentlemen aged 67, had gradually been growing
dropsical for eleven months; he had first been treated homceopathically in the country, by an exceedingly able, but excessively high
dilutionist; he then fell into the hands of two of the most distinguished Allopathic profession of this city; then he was again treated with high dilutions for several weeks by one of our oldest and
best-known homceopathists, finally he came into my hands and was
immediately put under the use of Apocynum. One desert spoonful
per dose, every four hours; his urine which had been excessively
scanty for months and finally had decreased to a small half pint, in
twenty-four hours, thick yellow and turbid, as if yellow clay, had
been dissolved in it, increased to upwards of two quarts in one.
night; two large chamber pots full were passed in one day. In less
than 48 hours after commencing the apocynuin the urine also became
clear and of a light straw-yellow color; all the signs of ascites, anasarca, hydrothorax, and zedema of the lungs disappeared in less than
ten days, after using about one pint of Hunt's preparation of Apocynum, (about one-half oz. of mother tincture).
Case 4. A gentleman, aged about 50, was attacked with inflammatory rheumatism, and treated by an eminent old school physician for about eight weeks, when he became discouraged from the
severity of his sufferings and placed himself under our care. I-e




APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.                         51
had taken the usual routine medicines of the other school, Colchicure, Mercury, Iodide of Potash, Opium, etc., etc., and when he came
into my hands, was reduced by the combined influence of the
disease, and the drug to the following condition:
Severe rheumatic pains in the back, shoulders, elbows and wrist
joints, dull pains and great stiffness, and immobility in  the
lower extremities, cedematous condition of both legs, effusion
of water in the chest and abdomen, excessive dyspncea with constant,sense of suffocation, acute pains in the cardiac region at
every respiration, pulse rapid, feeble and very irregular, almost
entire suppression of urine, dry and hot skin, thirst, dull headache,
excessive anxiety and constant dread of suffocation, inability to
assume the recumbent position, dryness of the tongue and mouth,
inability to sleep from constant feeling of suffocation, short dry and
painful cough. For this group of symptoms we prescribed the first
dil. of Bryonia every hour. After a few hours the rheumatic and
cardiac pains were ameliorated, and the oppression of the chest and
difficult breathing were somewhat better. At the expiration of
ten hours we prescribed Aconite 1st, in alternation with Bryonia
every hour. During the night, some ten hours after the first dose
of aconite, the patient had profuse perspiration for several hours,
followed by an amendment of the entire condition. These two remedies were continued for two days longer, but caused no further
improvement. The first dilution of apis, was next ordered in drop
doses, every two hours. This was continued for three days without any notable improvement.
The patient was now ordered to take a teaspoonful of HIunt's
apocynum every two hours. In a few hours the urinary secretion
was much increased and it continued for several days, until the
dropsical effusions, and the  dclematous condition of the limbs, had
entirely disappeared. While under the use of apocynum occasional
scarifications were made upon the legs and feet, giving exit to much
serum. As the dropsical effusions diminished, nearly. all of the
symptoms, first enumerated, gradually disappeared, until finally the
patient complained of debility, and occasional paroxysms of palpitation of the heart, the remains of the rheumatism. After a few
weeks the patient returned to his-home in the West, remained in a
comfortable condition for several months, was again attacked with
dropsy and after an illness of about two months, died. (Marcy.)
"' Apocyntm is utterly useless in Bright's disease, except to remove the dropsy. I ought to add that albuminaria was present in
none of the above cases. It is also comparatively useless when inflammation is present."  (Peters.)
"I have seen it very effectual in ascites in the hand of Dr. Okie
of Providence, and have seen it remove the dropsical accumulations in Bright's disease, but never knew it to cure the disease."
( Watson.)
Dr. Win. P. Fowler says he prolonged the lives of three dropsical patients, in which the disease was hepatic cirrhosis, (proved by
post morterm) for several years, by the use of apocynum.
In Dropsy after Scarlatina the apocynum has not been as




52        NEW OV OMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
thoroughly tested as it should be. Before I became acquainted
with its value, I relied almost entirely upon Apis, Colchicum and
Digitalis, and with very good success. But now and then a case
would occur, marked by bloody urine, very scanty, with general
cedema, which would utterly resist the action of these remedies.
My first case treated with apocynum, was a little girl, aged about
2 years, who had been given up to die by the allopathic attendants,
who had given squills, calomel, cream of tartar, etc. No urine had
been voided for 24 hours, and all that had passed for several days
previously was thick and black (from blood).  I commenced with
apocynum, 10 drops of the tincture in half a tumbler of water, a
spoonful every hour. She was cured in a week, of the dropsy.
The urine became pr9ofuse in 48 hours. Since this case, I have
treated twenty or thirty, and with uniform  success. I never got
much effect from the 3d. dil. Sometimes the tincture, even in drop
doses failed to act, but a resort to a weak decoction of the fresh
root always had prompt effects, (one-half oz. of fresh root to one
pint hot water, steep an hour or two.)  In several cases marked by
excessive debility, and typhoid symptoms, I gave 10 drops of a
tincture prepared with spirits nitre dulc. instead of alcohol. It
acted beautifully. I am inclined to think this mode of preparation
a good one.
Prof. Lee, who claims to have had large experience with this
drug, says: "It is more certain as a diuretic, if the skin is kept cool,
and cool drinks used. As the chief causes of dropsies are certain preexisting lesions of certain organs, as the heart, liver, and kidneys,
we, of course can only expect our remedies to act as palliative,
unless these organic lesions can be removed. In cases of idiopathic
dropsy, when the exciting causes are external or physical agents, as
cold, conjoined with moisture, malaria, suppression of' eruptions,
or accustomed discharges, excessive depletions, etc., etc., we may
expect curative effects from  apocynum, aided by other remedies
adapted to the pathological state."
In chronic and asthenic forms of dropsy, connected with a watery, non-albuminous state of the blood, and general weakness of
the system, the apocynum is most efficacious, in small and frequently
repeated doses. In cases dependent on mere -debility and mal-nutrition, this remedy aided by suitable diet, will often effect a permanent cure. In advanced stages of albuminuria when there is
considerable effusion, great relief may often be obtained from its
use.
Case 1. "General dropsy in a man of 68, of plethoric habits,
brought on by exposure to cold. Small doses of the decoction
were given, and in a short time all the dropsical symptoms disappeared."M
Case 2. A lady of 58, of a full and plethoric habit, subject to
congestion of the brain, and paralytic seizures of a hemiplegic nature, in which repeated bleedings had been practiced with apparent
good effect, but followed by serous effusion into the pleural, pericardial, and peritoneal cavities, and cellular tissues generally, the
effusion was successfully removed by small doses of the decoction."




APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.                         53
Case 3. A gentleman of 66, a gentleman of spare habit and
accustomed to luxurious living, began to be affected with cough,
shortness of breath and symptoms of aqueous deposit in the pleural
cavity followed by (edema of the extremities. The apocynum was
found to exercise complete control over the disease for many years.
He finally died of dropsy.
Dr. Griscomb reports many cases of the same character, in
which the apocynum was successful.  In idiopathic dropsies it
generally effected a cure, while in dropsies depending on disease of
the liver, heart or kidneys, its effects were mainly palliative, prolonging life for years. Probably, had it been aided by proper remedices, homieopathic to the pathological conditions present, permanent cures might have been effected.
From  the foregoing, the physician should get a pretty plain
idea of the sphere of action of this valuable drug, in the treatment
of dropsical affections. As the result of my individual experience, I would lay down the following rules for its administration.
1) In cases of acute idio2pathic dropsies, use the dilzutions beginning with the highest and descending more or less rapidly, accorcding to theprogress of the disease.
2) In chronic or atonic dropsies, (secondary) use the tincture,
or if: necessary the decoction, in one or two dram doses.
Sexual Organs. —The few experiments which have been made
with the hemp, have not developed any pathogenetic symptoms of
the male sexual organs. None of the provers were females, and its
action on the uterus, is only known by some curative effects noticed
by D.   ]. Marsden, X.*, D., who gives the following cases:
He says-" For about ten years, I have been in the habit of
using the apocynum in arresting menorrhagia as well as some other
forms of uterine hbemorrhage."
Case 1. "A lady was laboring under alarming uterine haemorrhage. It was her regular catamenial period, the flow had been
moderate for a day or two, and then suddenly set in with so much
violence that she soon became too weak to be out of bed. She
was about 25 years of age, the mother of three children; in her
last labor she had hemorrhage previous to delivery. When I
arrived at the bed side she was almost pulseless and disposed to
faint, whenever she attempted to raise her head from the pillow.
There was great irritability of the stomach, and vomiting. The
haemorrhage which ceased at intervals, always resumed when the
vital powers rallied,, and the heart resumed in some degree its
wonted action. The blood was usually expelled in large clots, but
sometimes was fluid. I prescribed one after the other, all the remedies laid down in the books, but with no good results. Several
days had now elapsed, and I now resolved to try the
Apocynum  cann.  I prepared some extempore tincture from
the fresh root. Hastening to the bedside, I found the haemorrhage
still going on undiminished. I prescribed one drop of my tincture
(of uncertain strength) every hour. Almost immediately after
commencing the medicine the flow became less profuse, and regularly and rapidly declined, without a single recurrence of its violence."




54        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
cGase 2. The patient was a house-keeper, about 40 years of age,
accustomed to hard service, and but little careful of her health.
She was the mother of one child, born about 15 years before. She
had been suffering from the most exhausting menorrhagia for about
six weeks, and had been taking medicine from an allopathic physician, but without benefit. I found her greatly debilitated, pulse
feeble and quick, palpitations very troublesome whenever she
attempted to move about the house, stomach excessively irritable.
She had been obliged to leave off her occupations, and passed her
time for the most part in bed, or seated on a chair by the bedside.
The discharge was fluid, and still undiminished. I left apocynum
to be taken in drop doses at an interval of two hours (same tincture as used in first case.) The next day she had severe vomitings.
Her stomach was too irritable to bear the dose I had prescribed,
and which was probably unnecessarily large. The discharge seemed, however, to be diminished. After givivg some medicines to
allay the irritability of the stomach, I again gave the hemp, a few
drops in a teaspoonful of water. I believe I decreased the strength
more than once, before the remedy could be borne without creating
nausea. The flow, however, still continued to diminish, and in
about a week from the time of my first visit was reported to have
nearly ceased. It was, of course, some time before the patient
regained her strength. Upon inquiry made some mopths afterwards, I was informed that at one or two periods immediately subsequent, the flow was somewhat above the normal amount, but
soon subsided spontaneously, and that then she was as regular as is
usual at her time of life.
Dr. Marsden says he could furnish many other cases in his own
practice equally striking, but will only give the following, reported
to him by his friend and former pupil, Dr. WY. H. Cook:"Mrs. N., aged 38 years, was taken ill in June, 1863, with
uterine hmemorrhage, and was attended by an Allopathic physician
until about the middle of December following. During this period
she experienced the most frightful floodings, as she termed them,
and for more than three months of the time the flow was continuous, requiring her to keep her bed for weeks together. After
having hmmorrhage for several weeks, she expelled a mass of membrane, (as she has since informed me,) which I supposed to be the
deciduous lining of the uterus. But, even after this the hmmorrhage continued, and in exhausting quantities-so much so, that
there was not a blood-vessel perceptible upon the surface of the
body, and the emaciation was extreme. She had only had a cessation of a couple of weeks together, and but two or three times
since the commencement in June. The flow was excessive at the
time of my first visit. I saw her at 12 ir., and after inquiring into
the case, I left her four grs. of the 1st dec. trit. of apoc. can. (bark
of the root) to be dissolved in 2 oz. of water, a teaspoonful to be
taken every hour until the hbemorrhage should cease, or I should
see her again.  By 12 o'clock, midnight, the hmemorrhage had
almost entirely ceased, and she left off the medicine. I then gave
her other remedies to assist in recruiting her almost exhausted




APOCYNUM CANNABINUM.                         55
system, under the use of which she improved rapidly. In about
two weeks the hbemorrhage set in again, when I left her the same
prescription, and in less than 24 hours all was right. Since that
time there has been no return, except at her catamenial periods,
and then not excessive. I am  now, (April, 1864,) treating her,
with a prospect of success, for an ulcerated os tincm. I also gave
the same prescription as the foregoing to another lady who had
suffered with uterine hmmorrhage about three-fourths of the time
for several months. Some three months have since passed, and she
now reports herself entirely rid of the trouble and regular. When
I first employed the Apocynum, as above stated, I had seen no
proving of that drug. In my own practice, however, I have seen
enough of its pathogenesis to satisfy me that it is homieopathic to
uterine hemorrhage. On two different occasions, when I gave it to
a lady past the turn of life, in doses of ten drops of the tincture three
or four times a day, for ascites, it had not the slightest perceptible
influence on that affection, but was followed in both instances, after
a few days, by the return of the catamenial flow, very much in the
natural manner.  I also remember the case of a young girl, in
whom the catamenia had ceased without any apparent cause. She
still retained her health and usual appearance. After taking the
medicine in pretty large doses for a few days, she was reported all
"right."  By the way, I would suggest that in cases where amennorrhcea depends not upon deranged health, but upon some strong
revulsion diverting the female circulation into other channels, this
remedy might be legitimately used, with the hope that by its
primary effects it would restore the accustomed discharge, and
break up the abnormal condition of things.
Larynx, Bronchia, and Chest. —Unpleasant sensation of heat
about the fauces and larynx.-(FJireligh.) Irresistible disposition to
sigh. Short, dry, cough, and scanty expectoration of white mucus
in the morning. Oppression of the chest on waking. —(cMarcy.)
Sense of oppression about the epigastriumn and chest. It was difficult to breathe enough to speak at times.
CLINICAL REMAIRKS.-Eclectic physicians use it constantly as an
expectorant. They expect the same effects from it which the allopath gets from his Ipecac, Squills, or Tartar Emetic. It undoubtedly increases the natural secretions of the bronchial surfaces.
Such hints may be made useful. It indicates that we may use it in
hoarse, loose coughs; with heat of the fauces; or cough with
oppression of the chest; or short, dry cough, with scanty expectoration. Accompanying hydrothorax, and even ascites, we generally
find a short, dry cough with oppression, and in such cases Apocynum is doubly indicated, both for the cough and dropsy. It has
cured many cases of hydrothorax, and relieved many cases of
dropsy from heart disease. As it causes the pulse to be slow, it
probably quiets the action of the heart-a very important desideratum in hydro-pericardium.
Back and Extremites. —Unusual heaviness of the head, with
dull, aching pains in the small of the back and limbs. There was
no tenderness of the region of the kidneys on pressure, but a slight




56        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
soreness of the parts when bringing the muscles into action, thus
indicating the muscles as the seat of the pains. — (fcarcy.)  Hara
aching was felt several times in both knees, sufficiently severe to
make me fear that an attack of inflammatory rhematism was coming on.
CLINICAL REmAR~KS.-It may be found useful in some rheumatic
affections, but probably more for the other effects, as (edema. In
synovitis, after the acute stage has passed, it will probably help to
cause absorption of the effused fluid. It has been found useful in
edema of the feet and ankles remaining after typhus.
ARUM  TRIPHIYLLUM.
(Indian Tirnnip, Jack in the Plkpit.)
The A, triphyllum  of the United States corresponds closely
with the A. maculatum of Europe; both have very similar effects.
Our native species is found throughout North and South America,
growing in rich, shady woods and swamps. The cormus is an inch
or two in diameter, and covered with brown, wrinkled epidermis,
and internally white, fleshy and solid. The whole plant, when recent, has a peculiar odor and violent acrid taste; the root, when
chewed, causes an insupportable burning and biting sensation in
the mouth and throat, continuing for a long time. This acrid principle is very volatile, and is expelled by heat. Hence they are
roasted and ate by the Indians. The acrid portion is not imparted
to water, ether, alcohol, or olive oil. By drying, the root loses all
its activity. The medicinal qualities of the root reside principally
in this acrid, volatile principle. Owing to its unstable nature, it
will be found very difficult to procure any preparation in which
it will be retained. I would recommend, as the most probable
way of preserving this volatile principle, that the juice of the
fiesh root, be rapidly triturated with sugar of milk, (according
to the decimal scale) and the trituration kept in bottles sealed
hermetically, and guarded from the light and heat.
The acrid principle has been called Aroine, and becomes an
inflammable gas, by heat or distillation. Prof. Lee says: "The
only way to preserve the active principles of the root is to bury it
in dry sand, by which method it may be preserved for a year."
GENERAL EFFECTS.-" The Arum may well be ranked among
our most active alterants, for besides being a powerful local irritant,
when taken internally, it stimulates all the secretions, particularly
those of the skin, and lungs. It also quickens the circulation and
rouses the nervous energy, so that there is no organ or function
but feels its influence." —Lee.
"It has been advantageously given in asthma, pertussis, chronic




ARUM TRIPHYLLUM.                         57
catarrh, chronic rheumatism, and affections connected with a cachiectic state of the system."- Wood.
The fresh root grated, or reduced to a pulp, with three times
their weight of sugar, is palliative to flatulence, cramp in the stomach, asthmatic and consumptive affections; and also in lingering
atrophy, debilitated habits, great prostration in typhoid fevers, deep
seated rheumatic pains, etc."-Rafinesque.
All writers agree that it is a remedy which may be used to
advantage as a stimulant.
We have no proving, except that which relates to its local
effects upon the mouth and throat. Its analogues are allitum sativa,
and cepa, phosphorus, capsicum, etc.
General Symptoms. -The fresh root, in doses of four or five
grains, causes a sensation of burning heat in the stomach and
(esophagus, which seems rapidly to spread all over the body. Then
follows a quickening of the circulation, heat of the skin with warm
perspiration, and some exaltation of the nervous energy. All the
secretions are somewhat increased.
LocAL EFFECTS.-MOuth, Throat, Tongue, ete.-The fresh root,when
chewed, causes an insupportable burning and biting sensation in the
mouth and throat, continuing for a long time. The sensation experienced in the mouth, throat, and tongue is absolutely indescribable.
I never felt any sensation so tormenting and unbearable. The following narrative of the effects of the Arum maculatumn, copied
from the British Journal, Vol. xvI., p. 321, so nearly resembles
the effects of the Arum tryphyllum, as I have observed and felt
them, as to be nearly identical: "After chewing a young leafstalk for a few seconds, a very intense, prickling, stinging pain
was felt upon the tongue.and mucous membrane of the lips and
throat, accompanied with a flow of saliva, which seemed to relieve
the pain a little-the pains were as if a hundred little needles had
been run into the tongue and lips. A friend, who followed my
example, had, in addition to these symptoms, constriction and
burning in the larynx, his tongue was swollen, and its papilla
injected and raised. The mucus membrane of the throat and lips
was inflamed. The pains on the tongue and lips were increased by
pressure with the teeth. In two or three cases the leaves have
been eaten by children, and have produced very distressing effects.
In one instance, three children partook of them. Their tongues
became swollen, so as to render swallowing difficult, and convulsions followed: one died in twelve, and another in sixteen days;
the third recovered."  Some cases of dangerous poisoning have
been reported, as occurring from eating the A. tryphyllum.
CLINICAL REMAREKs. —Although the local effects of Arum are
very notable, yet we have no clinical experience to show its practical
usefulness in cases of disease effecting the mouth and throat. Dr.
J. S. Douglas recomm'ends it in Quinsy and Angina. Dr. Hill, in his
Surgery, proposes it in similar affections. If we could preserve the
volatile, acrid principle intact in our preparations, we might
expect good results from its use, perhaps, in cases to which it is
hoinmeopathic. It is indicated in the following affections: Glos8




.58       NEW  HIOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
sitis, when the swelling is rapid and accompanied with prickling
and burning pains. Stomatitis, in its most acute form, with great
tumefaction of the lips, mucus membrane of the mouth, etc., followed by superficial ulceration.  (Edema of the Glottis.-The
symptoms of Arum-poisoning present many points of resemblance
to this fearful disease. The rapid tumefaction of the tissues, the
pains and many other local symptoms, are very similar. It may
prove more useful than Apis, Belladonna or Rhus, but we cannot
expect much from any preparation of the Arum, unless it contains
the acrid principle mentioned. lMercurial or Idiopathic Salivation,
in some of its forms, may be met with this remedy; also, Inflammation of the mucus follicles of the throat, with exudation of
mucus, constant "hawking," and profuse secretion from  the
diseased tissues. Acute and Chronic Catarrh of the fauces and posterior nares, may come under the curative range of this remedy.
It has been used with advantage in enlargement of the Tonsils.
Respiratory Organs.-The Arum has a time-honored reputation
in Coughs. In dry coughs the dried root is valued highly. It
promotes expectoration and mitigates the paroxysms, and has even
cured some obstinate cases. In loose coughs, occurring in children
and aged persons, when there is inability to expectorate the accumulated mucus, this medicine is said to act in a beneficial manner.
In this respect it resembles Squills, Phosphorus, etc. Asthma
humidum has been relieved and notably palliated by the powdered
dry root. In all these affections the lower triturations of the dry
root will be the best preparation.
This is one of those peculiar remedies which can never come
into extensive use, because of the evanescent character of its
effects, and the difficulty of making a thorough proving of it. Its
sphere of action is limited, being but a faint analogue of its great
prototype Phosphorus.
ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA.
(Alilk- Weed.)
This milk-weed is one of our common plants, growing by
roadsides and in dry sandy fields, from Canada to the Gulf of
Mexico. The stem is simple, and from three to four feet high,
surmounted by numerous umbels, or balls of flowers, of a pale,
purple color. The leaves are oblong, lanceolate, petiolate, pointed
at the end and whorled, the under surface covered with a short
matted hair; segments of the corona, five; petals and sepals reflex;
corona erect. The seeds are enclosed in oblong, pointed, rough
pods of from two and a half to three inches in length; each seed
is attached to a mass of long, silky fibres, which can be made




ASCLEPIAS  SYRIACA.                     59
into a beautiful thread. The whole plant yields an abundant
milky juice.
This plant has not been used much in the dominant school,
but several eclectic physicians have claimed to use it successfully
in dropsy, colds, catarrhs, and lung affections. They call it expectorant, diaphoretic, alterative, anodyne, &c. In acute rheumatism, Prof. Lee says it bears a close resemblance to cimicifuga.
Of six cases of acute rheumatism which he treated with asclepias
syr., the average duration was eight days; the inflammation confined to the large joints, with considerable pain and swelling.
It had a remarkable effect in relieving the pain.
Dr. Pattee, a progressive allopath, has made some physiological experiments with the plant, which may be considered as a
good " fragmentary" proving. It is to be regretted that all the
symptoms were not noted.
He says: "Two ounces of the cold infusion, made from the
fresh root gathered after the leaves had fallen; taken once every
4 hours, proved diuretic; two oz. of the warm  infusion, taken
every 2 hours, proved diajphoretic; 15 drops of the saturated
tincture, taken once every 3 hours, had well marked alterative
(?) effects; and one drachm of the saturated tincture, repeated once
every three hours, until 8 drachms were taken, cause headache,
drowsiness and sleep. In all the experiments, it increased the
bronchial secretion.
"The first experiment was made upon myself. The urine for
three days immediately preceding the experiment was as follows:
35 oz. per day; specific gravity 1019.7; solid matter 568 gr.;
pulse 68.
After 12 oz. had been taken the first day, the quantity of urine
passed in that time was 128 oz.; specific gravity 1020; solid matter 600 gr.; pulse 67.
Second Dcay. There was but a small increase of water. The
specific gravity and solid matter about the same; pulse 66.
Third Day. (Quantity of medicine same as preceding days).
Quantity of urine 130 oz.; specific gravity 1019.97; solid matter
608 grs.; pulse 63.
On the 4th, 5th and 6th days, the quantity of urine passed
averaged 135 oz. per day, and the amount of solid matter 700
grs. each day; pulse 60. The diet and exercise were not materially altered from what it had been for a month past. The
medicine did not seem to cause any derangement of the health;
the urinary organs were not irritated in any way; the only perceptible effect it had upon the brain was to cause a calm, quiet
feeling, perhaps a little drowsiness towards night."
"The subject of the second experiment was a young man 18
years of age, of good health; pulse 75. At 9 P. M., gave him 3
oz. of warm infusion; the young man in bed; in half an hour
commenced sweating; in an hour he was sweating profusely, and
continued to do so the rest of the night, the infusion being given
every two hours.
The effect it had upon the brain was an agreeable sensation




60         NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
at first; after that had passed off he expressed himself as "awful
sleepy."  When he awoke the next morning, said he had " slept
rather hard," but felt no inconvenience through the day.
It produced the same effect the following night. The third
day, I'gave him one dram of the saturated tincture, made from
the dry root, one every three hours, commencing at 6 P. M. At
9 P. M., said his head felt a little dizzy, and had some headache;
slept sound through the night; skin quite moist; passed 4 oz.
more urine than usual, in the morning. After continuing this
for four more days, had to discontinue it on account of the derangement it caused to the system; he had but little relish for
food; appeared dull and stupid; bowels had moved oftener than
usual; the tongue was covered with a white fur; pulse 64. In a
few days he was well as ever."
" In cases where the pulse had been from 50 to 60, they have
increased to 65 and  o0. Large'doses in any form will produce
nausea., vomiting, and, in some instances, ardor urince. If the
medicine does not produce diaphoresis, diuresis, or catharsis, violent headache will sometimes ensue, but when given in medical
doses and for disease, we do not see much headache."  (The italics
are my own. I will refer to the subject hereafter.-HZ.)
If this experimenter had understood the value of recording
the characteristic symptoms evolved by the medicine, we should
have a much clearer view of its pathogenetic action. As it is,
however, the fragment is a very suggestive one, and we may
draw some really valuable conclusions from it. Arranged after
the Hahnemannian method, the symptoms would stand as follows:
General Symptoms. —Sensation of calmness and quietude of the
whole system. In rheumatism, its action was very favorable. It
had a remarkable effect in relieving the pain.
Skin.-Profuse sweating all night (from  the warm  infusion);
in a low state of typhus fever it has produced a moist state of
the skin, when other diaphoretics had failed, and convalescence
was at once established. The milky juice that exudes from the
stalk has been used externally for warts. A poultice of the fresh
root, boiled, has considerable reputation for the cure of carbuncles, felons, and boils.  (No specific effect is here produced-a
poultice of ulmus fulva would do as well.)
Sleep. —Calm, quiet feeling, with drowsiness towards night.
Great sleepines, with profuse sweating; sensation in the morning
on waking as if he had "slept hard."
Ieever.-It does not seem to cause febrile symptoms, as a primary effect, but it is said to cause the pulse to rise from 50 to
70, with increased heat of skin, when it does not cause diuresis
or diaphoresis.
CLINICAL RETIrARK.-It would seem indicated in cases of fever
from suppressed perspiration; with scanty urine, headache, and
pulse at 75.
Rlead.-The only perceptible effect it had upon the brain of
one of the provers, was to cause a calm, quiet feeling, perhaps a
little drowsiness towards night. The other prover said it caused




ASCLEPIAS  SYRIACA.                         61
" an agreeable sensation at first," afterwards sleepiness; vertigo,
with headache. When the medicine does not cause diuresis or
diaphoresis, violent headache will sometimes ensue; dull and stupid.
CLINICAL REMARIs.-From  the above it would seem to be
homoeopathic to sleepiness, which has followed upon any excitement of the brain -of an agreeable nature; also, headache with
vertigo. But it promises to be most useful in those cephalalgias
which occur after suppressed perspirations, or which arise from
the retention of effete matters in the system which ought to have
been carried off through the skin or kidneys. It will certainly
prove useful in nervous headaches, which are followed by profuse
diuresis; in this respect it resembles ignatia, pulsatilla and gelseminum. Headache with dullness and stupidity.
Gastric Symptoms, etc. —Tongue covered with a white fur; had
but little relish for food; bowels moved oftener than usual; diarrhcea with persistent nausea, and with vomiting.
Kidneys, etc.-The following table will best illustrate its action
upon these emunctories:
Quantity               I Increase  Increase
of   Specifc I Total    of       of
Urine.  Gravity.  Solids.   Urine.   Solids.
Normal Standard. -------— 33 oz.  1019.7  568 gr.
Asolepias Syriaca
First Day. —----------------...- 128 oz.  1020    600 gr.   63 gr.   82 gr.
Third Day. —-.    180 oz.  1020    608 gr.   95 gr.   40 gr.
Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Days... 185 oz.  1020    700 gr.   100 gr.   132 gr.
By this it will be seen that the asclepias syr. notably increases
the solid matters of the urine. This is an important fact, for from
the careful experiments of Dr. Eammond (Hammond's Physiological Memoirs), it appears that colehicum actually increases the
organic and inorganic solids of the urine, while digitalis, squills
and juniper increase only the inorganic matter.  Now, as it is the
organic matter which is generally considered as contaminating the
blood in disease, it is evident they (digitalis, squills and juniper)
exert no effect whatever in depurating the blood, but on the contrary are positively injurious.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Asclepias syriaca then, is a congener of
colchicum, and as such must be found useful in many diseases in
which the latter drug has been successfully used.
In Scarlatina, when the head symptoms correspond, it may
prove a useful auxiliary remedy.
In Scarlatinal -Dropsy, I predict it will be found as useful as
colchicum (which I have found one of our most important remedies), apis, apocynum, hellebore or arsenicum.
It is now fully established that the dropsy, which follows scarlet
fever is caused by the scarlatinal poison which, in its passage into
and through the kidneys, sets up an "acute desquamative nephritis."
Dr. Todd (" Urinary Diseases," page 120) says: "There are
three conditions, which I imagine gives rise to the production of
the dropsy.  These are:  1st, a peculiar irritated state of the
kidneys; 2d, an analogous morbid state of the skin; and, 3d, a




62        NEW  HOMClEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
certain depravity of the blood-by which I mean not only a deficiency in the amount of red corpuscles of that fluid, as well as of
the solids of the serum, but also the  unnatural presence of
certain poisonous matters which interfere with its proper nutrient
changes.'
It is this " poisonous matter which irritates the skin and kidneys
and causes the dropsy."
Now, it will be recollected, that the asclepias syr. causes "violent
headache, increased rate of pulse, vertigo, dullness and stupor," 
when it did not cause diuresis or perspiration. That is, when the
impression which the drug, after pouring into the blood, caused
upon the nervous centres,, did not react upon the kidneys and skin;
the brain felt the force of the medicinal action.  (Similar conditions occur from the use of alcohol.) Also, when the scarlatinal
poison in the blood, is not carried off through the kidneys or skin,
the.brain and nervous system suffers, and convulsions more or less
fatal ensue.
Asclepias syriaca, seems to be a more rational remedy for this
condition than any other, not even excepting colchicunm, and I predict that its use in scarlatinal dropsy will bear me out in my belief.
It will also relieve, I think, those rheumatic pains which often occur after that disease. I would advise the patient to be placed in,bed, and this remedy administered as follows: a few drops of the
2nd, 1st, or even the mother tincture, in an ounce of warm sweetened water; the dose repeated every hour, until the skin and kidneys begin to act normally. (Apis, Hellebore, Apocyc, or Colchicum, should be given in the same manner.) If more convenient,
give a weak warm infusion —1 dram of the root to 1 pint water.
In Dropsy, especially when arising from suppressed perspiration,
or some forms of renal disease, it will be useful. We do not know
what are the peculiar pathological changes which it can cause in
the kidneys, and we are equally ignorant of the pathological effects of Apis, Apoc. c. and most of our best remedies for dropsy.
But it may be considered a general rule, that a drug which primarily causes diuresis, will secondarily cause dropsy.  In proof of
this, we may cite the provings of Canth., Apocynum c., Arsenicum,
Apis., and all the so-called diuretics. They first excite the kidneys
to abnormal action; then the reaction follows, and we have suspension of function, and consequent effusion.
Asclepias syr. then is truly homceopathic to renal dropsy. Dr.
Pattee says: "It has in my hands certainly proved useful in the
removal of dropsical effusions.:Dr. Smith relates the case of a
man of 80, who had general dropsy, caused by taking cold; he was
enormously swollen; he commenced taking 2 oz of the cold infusion every two hours; in 24 hours he had passed over three gallons
of water, and in a week, all the dropsical symptoms had disappeared."
I once treated a case of general dropsy from disease of the heart.
In the advanced stages, after all the usual remedies had one after
the other failed to give relief, I resorted to the Asclepias syr.;
not having any tincture, I ordered an infusion —1 oz. to a quart of




ASCLEPIAS  TUBEROSA.                     63
water-the fresh root was used; a tablespoonful of this preparation was given every two hours. Under its use the urine increased
to nearly a gallon a day, and the breathing was much relieved. The
patient was made comfortable by its use fobr many weeks, but finally
died of the cardiac disease.
Dr. Pattee says, in large doses it will produce ardor urince."
The persistent use of small doses will have the same effect; in fact,
all " diuretic" medicines have the same effect. By the continued
irjtliiont h wl;ch they keep up in the urxnary organs, inarnmmaton is
finally induced. This inflammation may lead on to organic disease,
and consequent anasarca. Here we have the foundation for a general rule, viz.' That all diuretics are secondarily homoeopathic to
the various forms of renal dropsy.
Uterus, etc. In the case of dropsy from heart-disease, referred
to above; the patient's menses had not appeared for 4 months; she
showed no signs of pregnancy; indeed, it was deemed impossible,
that such condition could exist. Such was the general cedema that
no vaginal examination could be made.
About 24 hours after she commenced the use of the Asclepias
syr.; and after diuresis had set in, she was taken with severe laborlike pains; pressing down from small of the back to the hypogastrium, with a scanty discharge of pale red blood. These pains increased with each dose, but disappeared a few hours after suspending the medicine. Upon resuming it, the pains again appeared.
The experiment was tried several times with similar results. In
her feeble state, it was not deemed prudent to carry the experiment further.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —In this case, whether pregnancy was
present or not, the Asclepias syr. manifested a decided specific action upon the uterus. It caused intermitting, bearing-down, laborlike pains, which but few drugs will do. (Macrotis, Caulophyllum,
Uva ursi.) The uterine pains caused by Ergot, Tanacetum, and
others of that class are more constant, remitting.
In domestic use it has some reputation as an emmenegogue, and
abortivant. It has been employed in dysmenorrhcea and amenorrhcea by eclectic physicians with alleged success.
The above experiment would go to show, that it was homoeopathic to dysmenorrha Hiul tbhrgnud abortion: E;pecially when
there is oopious discharge of urine. Dysmenorrhwoa is often accompanied by diuresis, in which case this remedy would be perfectly indicated.
ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA.
(Pleurisy Root.)
The root of this variety of Asclepias is perennial, and gives
origin to numerous stems which are erect, ascending, or procumbent, round, hairy, of a green or reddish color, branching at the top,
and about 18 inches -in height. (It rarely exceeds this, although it




64        NEW  HOM(EOPATllIC PROVINGS.
is stated to be three feet by some authorities.) The leaves are scattered, oblong-lanceolate, very hairy, of a deep rich green color on
their upper surface, paler beneath, and supported usually on short
foot stalks. The flowers are of a beautiful reddish-orange color, and
disposed in terminal or lateral corymbose umbels. The fruit is an
erect, lanceolate follicle, with flat ovate seeds, connected to a longitudinal receptacle by long silky hairs. This plant differs from other
species of Asclepias in not emitting a milky juice when wounded.
It flourishes from Massachusetts to Georgia, and when in full bloom,
in the months of June and July, exhibits a splendid appearence.
The root is the part used in medicine. This is large, irregularly
tuberous, branching, often somewhat fusiform; externally brown,
internally white and striated, and in the recent state, of a sub-acid
nauseous taste. When dried it is easily pulverized, and has a bitter,
but not otherwise unpleasant taste.
It is considered by the eclectic school and others to be diaphoretic and expectorant, and in large doses cathartic. It is employed
in regular practice and domestic use, in catarrh, pneumonia, pleurisy
and consumption. It is held in high estimation in dysentery,
rheumatism, and in cardialgia from flatulence or indigestion.
The following proving, if such it can be called, was communicated
to the Jour. de la Societe Gallicana de Med. Hom. by A. Savery,
M. D., who, it seems was a pupil of Dr. B. Mure, of Brazilian provings "notoriety."
I insert the "proving," in order that no accusation of unjust
bias can be made against me. At the same time I must enter my
honest protest against the manner in which th'e experiment was
made; and state my conscientious belief of the utter worthlessness
of the proving. I will state the grounds of my objections.
Only two drops of the tincture was taken; no repetition of the
dose was made, and all the symptoms, sensations, &c., felt by the
prover, for the ensuingforty days were recorded. It is stated that
at the commencement of the proving, the prover was sufferring from
irritation of the respiratory organs and stomach.
Now when we consider that the Asclepias is a mild, unirritating
medicine, except in large doses, much milder in its action than Ipecac,
or Apocynum; that in domestic practice it is common for those having catarrhs, fever, or any simple ailment, to drink a pint of the
decoction, and feel no other effects than gentle diaphoresis, and complain of no after symptoms; that eclectic physicians use it in almost
every disease, in large doses of the fluid extract, or even the -active
principle asclepin, and note no bad effects; and finally, when I state
that I have taken the tincture in 10 and 20 drop doses tour times a
day and never noticed any unpleasant effects-any such symptoms as
Savery records, it seems incredible that the long list of serious
symptoms should be caused by only two drops of the tincture.
We must remember, too, the admission that the experimenter had
" respiratory and gastric irritation," when he took the first dose, and
this alone should lead us to look with suspicion upon the proving.
It is with a good deal of hesitation that I have admitted this
"proving" into the volume, for it is a very grave and important




ASCLEPIAS  TUBEROSA.                      65
matter to give a proving, which may be instrumental in determining
the life or death of a patient.
Suppose the proving of Veratrum alb. had been unreliable and
false? How many thousands of cholera patients would have gone
down to the grave without an administration of the proper remedial
specific. We hold in our hands, oftentimes, the lives of our patients,
and it behooves us to be solemnly conscientious in the selection of
those remedies which we use at the bedside of the sick. We should
neither be swayed, by theory, prejudice, or the dictum of other men,
but carefully weigh the value of a pathogenesis by the light of reason and experience.
I copy the proving as it was translated and arranged by Dr.
Rhees, and published in the Amer. Hoim. Review, vol. 2, and will
not offer any clinical remarks of my own with this proving, but let
it stand by itself, and if any physician sees fit to accept the pathogenesis as a reliable one, let him do so upon his own responsibility.
The symptoms enumerated bear some resemblance to those which
have been cured by asclepias tuberosa; but throwing aside all other
circumstances, this proving should be substantiated by others beforp
it could be received. I fully agree with Prof. Small, that the true
test of the reliability of all provings is the multiplicity of experiments. If they all evolve the same or similar symptoms, we cannot
hesitate to accept them. (The numerals indicate the days after
taking the medicine.)
DR. SAVERY'S PROVING.
General Symptoms.-Sensation of numbness in the whole body.
Excessive weakness in the morning in bed. Walking seems impossible. Sensation while walking as if he run but forward toward
the left side. Aching in the bones, and rheumatic pains in the extremities, principally in the joints; those pains appear in one arm
and in the opposite leg at the same time; thus if the left arm is
affected the right leg suffers in sympathy, and the left leg with the
right arm; this circumstance was almost constant. Quivering and
twitching of the muscles in different parts; emaciation.
Skln. —Pimples, vesicles or pustules began to appear on the 15th
day, and spread gradually over almost the whole body, but particularly on the arms, legs, and in the face; they are very painful and
itch excessively, and continue more than eight days. A red inflamed spot on the upper part of the right thigh, as large as a dollar, painful and itching, continuing several days, and leaving a dark
stain (23). Many vesicles on the lips (23). Pock-like pustules on the
arms.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —We believe it be a powerful anti-psoric,
useful for cutaneous eruptions.-SAvERY.
Sleep. — Difficult and late sleep at night, with great sleepiness in
the morning, and through the day. Confused and anxious dreams.
Fever.-Feverish the first day, the pulse being at first 55, afterwards 70.  Sometimes much thirst, sometimes none.  On the
eighth day, pulse 92. Pulse thready, 65, during diarrhoea.
Mind and Sensorium. —Excessive dejection (15). Weakness of
9




66         NEW  HIOMEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
memory (2). Difficulty of thinking, collectedly. Feeling of drunk.enness after smoking very little, with weakness of vision.
Read.-Pain in the forehead with a feeling of heaviness in the
side, continuing the whole day, (1). Headache is present almost
daily, generally more severe early in the morning. Headache in the
morning, while rising, with weakness, that he must lie down again;
it continued the whole day, and all the following night, (7). Pricking as with nails in the head, and at the same time in other parts,
(2). Pains in the scalp, in the left side of the occiput, like touching
a pustule, (16). Falling of the hair, (39).
CLINICAL lREAIARKS. —[t has proved useful in Cephalalgia;
gastric headaches, neuralgias. —S.
Eyes.-Transitory pain behind the left eyeball, in a few minutes.
Broad dark spots before the eyes, with slow pulse of 55, (1).
Itching in the angles and lids of the right eye, (3). Inflammation of
the conjunctiva fbr many days; (this, however, is not an unusual
symptom with the prover). Pain in the eyes, by gaslight. The
eyes look lanquidl and fatigued. Feeling as if sand were in the
eyes. The lower lids are painful as if ulcerated.
Face.-Yellowness of the face, (15) Facies hippocratica (after
violent diarrhcea on the 15th day). Yellow coating on the teeth.
Pain in the right inferior molars, (24).
Iouth. —Itching of thelips. Lips inflamed and covered with
herpetic vesicles. Gums very pale and almost yellow; they bleed
easily and repeatedly.  Yellow, tough coating on the tongue,
putrid taste.
Pharynx.-Transitory constriction and stinging in the throat,
extending to the larynx, (1). Pains in the throat. Soreness of the
throat, (26).
Appetite, &c. —Deficient appetite, especially in the morning,
insatiable hunger, (2). Eructations on the first day, less frequent
on the second. Nausea in the morning on rising, (17). Taste of
blood in the mouth.
Stomach. —Burning in the stomach (after 25 minutes). Pains in
the stomach; nervous, even amounting to violent gastralgia; also
cramp-like. Sensation as if the stomach would burst, while laughing. The pains in the stomach continue, almost without a day's
intermission until the 42nd day.
CLINICAL REuMKR.-Gastralgia.-S.
Abdomen.-rhrobbing in the left hypochondria. Pains in the
intestines, (after 20 minutes) subsequently attended with burning in
the right hypochondriac region and stomach. Much flatulence,
smelling like the medicine, with colic-like pains, with a sensation
when walking as if the belly would drop. Violent pain in the
hypogastrium as if the region were ulcerated with tenderness to
pressure. Colic, while going up stairs; while walking; after one
o'clock, (8-14) and also in the morning, during each stool.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is indicated and useful in enteritis.
(Jaundice), etc.                                    SAVERY.
Stool.-Fluid, painful stool (2) of very strong smell (37). Clammy
stool, of green color, and smelling like spoiled eggs, followed




ASCLEPIAS  TUBEROSA.                       67
by pain in the arms. On the 14th day, at 1 o'clock at night, a
painful and copious stool with violent colic, and a sensation as
though the bowels would come out; half an hour afterwards, small
but very painful stool; at 2 o'clock the same kind of stool, but with
increased pain, (Verat. 8, relieved the pain). At 11 o'clock, another
stool almost black in color, clammy, with many ascarides, and yellow
spots like fat, attended with a feeling as if a stream of fire passed
through the abdomen. In the afternoon, a stool of intense yellow
color, with green and yellow flakes. In the evening, a stool exactly
like the white of an egg, with no fcecal matter whatever. The following day the facees are entirely enveloped in froth. Tenesmus.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We have found it curative in acute enteritis; and it is indicated in dysentery, diarrhcea, etc.    *
Urine.-During the first 12 days the urine is red to saturation.
On the 17th day it looks as if mixed with blood; after standing a
short time, small, dark red, almost black points of the size of a pin's
head rise on the surface, and much mucus is deposited on the bottom of the vessel. The urin'e is more red than normal all the time.
Male and Sexual Organs.-Painful stitches in the urethra,
repeatedly,  Ulcerous  excoriations on  the  glans, resembling
chancre, with a pus-like secretion, (disappearing in a few days from
washing in urine.) [The prover had chancre 10 years ago. One
year ago, while proving this medicine, on the 3d day a chancre
appeared on the left side of the prepuce, then on the right, lasting
two days. Copious perspiration of the genitals.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We have employed this medicine with
uniform success in constitutional syphilis, and it is indicated in venereal diseases.                    *
JCatarrhal. —At first dry, then fluent coryza during the first few
days, with much sneezing. Subsequently a blowing out of some
blood from one nostril for several days.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —It may prove useful in asthma and affections of the nose.                                          *
Larynx and Chest, leart.-Pain in the larynx. The breath smells
like pepper. Necessity to inspire hurriedly, followed by a sensation of oppression. Want of breath like asthma, often very great,
particularly after eating and smoking. Pain in the right lung.
Pricking pain in the region of the heart. Contracting pain in the
heart.
CLINICAL REMARIKS.-We have employed it successfully in cases
of phthisis and asthma. It seems indicated in carditis.
3Back and Extremities.-Stinging, transitory stitches between the
shoulder blades. Pain in the loins like lumbago. Pain in left
shoulder, soon after, in the right, like rheumatism. Pain in bones
of left arm. Rheumatic pain in fore arm down to fingers. Numbness of right hand. Violent itching in bands and fingers. Pain in
hips like coxalgia. Rending pain in knees up to the hips, when
walking and rising. The ankle feel as if sprained. Pain in bones
of left ankle, drawing in soles and in the toes. Violent itching on
the legs up to the knees.




68        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It seems to be indicated in articular
rheumatism and bone pains. Lumbago, &c.                   *
REMARKS. —It is to be regreted that the foregoing experiment
was not conducted differently.  Had the dose (2 drops) been
repeated every 4 or 6 hours, and other persons joined in the proving,
something reliable might have been evolved; but in this case we
are at a loss to know whether any of the symptoms resulted from
the medicine, or whether the "gastric and respiratory irritation"
which the prover had when he commenced, was not the cause of the
long array of symptoms.
I am free to admit that the symptoms of the stomach, chest and
bowels, are similar to those which 1 know to be caused by asclepias
tuberosa, but we should have further provings before we blindly
accept this one. I will briefly mention the conditons for which I
have prescribed the asclepias tub. with apparent benefit.
Generally, it is very appropriate in diseases of children. In this
respect it resembles Ipecac, also in asthmatic persons; and those
subject to catarrhal affections; and many diseases which owe their
origin to cold and damp weather.
(a.) It is useful in the coughs and colds of children; in a
loose rattling cough with  difficulty of breathing; in those
nasal catarrhs which children suffer from ("'snuffles "). I have
known a child cured of hoarse croupy cough, tightness of
breathing, and fever with hot but moist skin, by half a teaspoonful
of weak infusion, administered by the mother, every hour; no vomiting or nausea was caused. (The dose in this case was about equal
to a drop of the 1-10 dilution.) I once treated a case of pleurisy in
a child 12 years of age with Asclepias t. 2nd; the symptoms were
much pain of a cutting character in the left side, during inspiration;
some dyspnea, fever, and hacking cough. No other medicine was
given and on the fifth clay the patient was convalescent.
Such confidence have the country people in this remedy, that I
have known parents treat their children for catarrhal fever, pneumonias, etc., with this plant, giving it in warm infusion, rather
than run the risk of placing them under the care of allopathic physicians.. It is not necessary to induce its nauseant action, in order
to get its beneficial influence on the organs of respiration. This fact
the eclectic school now acknowledge, as does the allopathic school
in relation to Ipecac and Tartar emetic. There is certainly a large
amount of testimony in favor of the specific action of Asclepias
tube'osa, upon the respiratory organs. We will quote some of the
most important authorities.
Dr. Wood says, "it has long been employed in catarrh, pneumonia, pleurisy, consumption and other pectoral affections, and
appears to be decidedly useful if applied in the early stages.
Dr. -Bigelow writes, " I am satisfied of its utility as an expectorant medicine, and have seen no inconsiderable benefit arise from its
use as a palliative inophthisis.
Dr. Beach declares, "its action on the lungs is specific, assisting
suppressed expectoration, and relieving the difficult breathing of
patients who are laboring under attacks of pleurisy, which circum



BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA.                      69
stance has obtained for it one of its popular names."  It relieves
difficulty of breathing in general, together with pains in the chest.
Several writers have stated that they "have used it in many
cases of pleurisy and pneumonia with the most marked advantage,
and this too, in nearly every stage of these complaints. * * It
not only operates favorably as a diaphoretic, but is an expectorant of
trancendent value, invariably increasing the freedom of breathing,
and exerts a specific control over inflammation of the thoracic
viscera."  " It has been used with benefit in asthma," etc.
(b.) I have found it useful in vomiting of mucus, and gastic debility. Pro. Lee says, "It is useful in atonic dyspepsia, restoring
tone to the stomach, and relieving.gastric pains and flatulence."
Any drug which is capable of causing irritation of the stomach,
induces weakness of that organ; deranges the digestive function,
and thence dyspepsia. Asclepicas tub. then cures this condition in
small doses because it causes it in large.
(c.) In the colic from flatulence, or from intestinal irritation, in
children or adults, or in catarrhal diarrhcea, this remedy will be
found useful.  In this respect it resembles Chamomilla. I have
found it useful in the dysenteries occurring in the autumn months,
when the nights are cold and damp. Dr. Parker, of Mass., employed it for 25 years in dysentery, and had the greatest confidence in
its powers. I have known it to cure in a few hours, severe rheumatic pains from a cold, with chilliness alternating with heat. I have
generally used the tincture in doses of two or three drops, or the
1st or 2d dil., in same doses. I have no doubt but the higher
dilutions would act equally well especially in young children.
BAPTISIA TINCTORIA.
(Wild Indigo. HorsefJy- Weed,)
This plant is indigenous, growing in most part of the United
States, in dry and poor soils, in woods and on hills. It blooms in
July and August, having bright yellow flowers, in small loose clusters at the end of the branches. It resembles a shrub, and grows
from one to two feet high. The fruit is an oblong pod of a bluish
black color.  It contains indigo, tannin, an acid, and baptisin.
When the whole plant or any portion of it is dried, it becomes
black and affords a blue dye, inferior to Indigo. In some parts of
the country the young shoots are used as a substitute -for asparagus, to which they bear some resemblance, and they occasionally
cause drastic purgation, especially if eaten after they assume a
green color. Alcohol and water will take up its active properties.
Its medicinal virtues reside principally in the bark of the root.
This agent promises fair to become one of our most powerful and




70        NEW  HOMhiEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
valuable polychrets. We have several provings of it, made by Drs.
Burt, Hill, Douglas, Thompson and others. But the proving of Dr.
W. H. Burt, is the most thorough and suggestive. Dr. B. is one of
the most correct and enthusiastic provers in the homceopathic ranks.
Eclectic writers utter their usual indefinite phrases, in. relation.to
this agent. Without any clear idea of its physiological action, they
assert it to be anti-septic, astringent, tonic, emetic, cathartic
and alterative. One only wonders that they did not use all the
rest of the terms found in Materia Medica.  Not a few of that
school consider it a "febrifuge," and many deem it to be powerfully "depressant" in its action over the nervous and vascular
systems, while King says it is a "' stimulant."  It is only by a study
of the general and special symptoms elicited by our provings, that
we can arrive at any correct conclusion as to its real effects upon
the healthy organism. There is one property which the physicians
of the eclectic school allege the Baptisia to possess, which should
command our attention and investigation. I allude to its asserted
anti-septic power.  Applied in the form  of a wash, to ulcers,
mucous surfaces, etc., when there is a tendency to putrescency of
the fluids and solids, gangrenes, fotid discharges, etc., it is said to
correct the conditions alluded to, in a very prompt manner. It is
therefore advised in " malignant sore mouth and throat, mercurial
sore mouth, scrofulous or syphilitic oplhthalmia, erysipelatous ulcers,"
etc. My experience, and that of some of my colleagues in the
homceopathic school, would seem to verify some of these assertions.
Its action seems to be somewhat analogous to the chlorine compounds.
General Symptoms. —' If given in very large doses it causes a
very disagf'eeable prostration  of the whole system."'-(.King.)
Lying in one position for a few minutes, as upon the back, caused
the sacral region to become exceedingly painful, as though I had
lain on the hard floor all night, and inducing the conviction that a
short continuance of the same position, would cause bed sores.
When turning on the other side, the same sensation was produced
on the hips, obliging me at last to turn on my face to relieve those
parts. (D)  (Arnica causes the same symptom, and it is very commonly met with in typhoid fever. —.Hale.)  Intolerance of' pressure on all parts upon wliich pressure was made. Felt weak and
tremulous, as though.recovering from a fit of sickness. Incapable
of making any vigorous mental or physical exertion. An indescribable sick feeling all over, with great languor. Stiffness of all
the joints as though strained. Rheumatic pains and soreness all
over the body.
CLiNICAL REMARKs. — All these symptoms, indicate clearly that
the Baptisia is an analogue of Rhus, AMercury, and even some of
the "nervous-sedatives."' It powerfully lowers the vitality of the
organism.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS. —All the symptoms increased by
taking a glass of beer. The pains are of a pressive, drawing character; aggravated by motion, relieved by rest and excitement. The
right side of the body is most affected.




BAPTISIA   TIN CTORIA.                      71
Nervous System.-The hands felt large and were tremulous,
with a peculiar thrilling sensation through both hands and feet,
somewhat like "going to sleep," a want of circulation. Intolerance
of pressure on all parts of the body-it caused soreness. (D) Artns
and legs tremble. Numb sensations all over the body. Sensation
of paralysis of the eye-lids. The.geeral action of the Baptisia,
upon the nervous system, is that of a sedative. It seems to cause
a degree of paralysis, both of sensation and motion. In this it
resembles Rhus, Aconite and Gelseminum. It may cause a peculiar
erethism, of the nervous system, but this condition is due to debility and not stimulation.
Lymphlatic System.-Swelling of the inguinal glands.  Swelling
of the tonsils.-(Burt.)  Like Mercury and Phytolacca, the Baptisia seems to stimulate or rather irritate, the glandular system.
Allopathic writers decree that Mlercury is a stimulant to the lymphatic and glandular system, although it depresses all the other
fhnctions of organic life. This is the general belief of the adherents of that school.  It is not a healthy  stimulation, but
rather an irritatiozt.  Phytolacca and  Baptisia have the same
action. They are therefore homceopathic: primarily, to irritation
of the glandular system, and secondarily: to indolent atonic states
of that system.  It may be as well in this place to quote the testimony of eclectic writers, as to the specific action of Baptisia upon
the  glands.  "It acts powerfully upon the glandular systems,
increasing  all the glandular secretions.  The leaves applied in
fimentations have discussed tumors and swelling of the female
breast, resembling schirrus.")-(King.)  "It has been used with
advantage as a deobstruent, in visceral obstructions and "engorgements." (J. & S. Mat. Med.)  "Baptisia is a sure and powerful
alterative, and may be employed with confidence in all affections
of the glandular system. In scrofula and cutaneous disorders few
remedies are more beneficial." —(Coe.)  I have khown it used in
phagadenic ulcerations of glands with excellent results. In several
cases of ulceration of the tonsils, after scarlatina, or in diphtheria,
it has, in my hands, surpassed my expectations: I used it both
internally and locally.
Mucous Membranes.-By examining its special effects as recorded
in the proving, it will be seen that the Baptisia causes ulcerations,
of many mucous surfaces, particularly of the buccal cavity.  In
this respect it resembles Mercurius, Nitric acid, Phytolacca, and
Cornus cir. It is specifically indicated in discharges fiom  mucous
surfaces having a fcetid odor, and a sanious excoriating character.
The particular indications for its use will be given under appropriate
headings.
Vascular System, Fever, etc.-Feeling  of greatly  increased
compass and frequently of the pulsations of the heart; pulsations
seem to fill the chest; the pulse (usually but little over 70) 90, full
and soft. Uncomfortable burning heat of the whole surface, especially the face. Tongue felt dry, smarted and felt sore, as if burnt.
The heat compelled me to move to a cool part of the bed, and
finally to rise and open a window, and wash my face aUd hands;




72        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
with these symptoms there was a peculiar feeling of the head,
which is never felt except'during the presence of fever; a sort of
excitement of the brain which is the preliminary, or rather beginning of delirium. For a short time, slight febrile, chilly horripulations on the lower limbs and back. (D)  Burning sensation over
the body, followed by perspiration, vomiting, and diarrhbea with
dark stools, debility slow, round, full pulse. (Beckwith.) Thirst
and flashes of heat over the face. General heat after going to bed.
Heat and burning in the lower extremities, so intense as to prevent
sleep. Chill all day with fever at night, with rheumatic pains and
soreness all over the body. Pulse at first accelerated; afterwards
became very low and faint. Surface of the body chilly.
CLINICAL REMARIKs.-The careful investigator, cannot fail to
be struck with the evident fact, that Baptisia, if long continued
in large doses, would be capable of inducing a condition of the
blood similar to the "' typhus crasis"; and a state of the fluids of
the body, nearly identical with that occurring in low fevers. Its
action on the nervous system also would tend to set up a typhoid
erethism, and its effects upon mucous surfaces would indicate its
power to cause those peculiar intestinal lesions which constitute the
characteristic of typhoid fever. Before giving the experience of
our school in the use of Baptisia in fevers, I will present the
testimony of eclectic physicians.  King says it is indicated in
typhus, and all cases when there is a tendency to putrescency. He
uses it in the low stage of typhoid fever, and in all typhoid conditions, occuring in other diseases. Jones asserts, that it has been
used successfully in cases of typhoid and typhus fever, whenever
there is a tendency to putrescency. It is resorted to by eclectic
practitioners in low fevers, with the same confidence, that we administer the mineral acids, Rhus, Bryonia, etc. Under its use, they
claim that the disease is materially shortened in duration, and robbed of its intensity; but they unluckily compound it so often with
other drugs, that we must look to homceopathic authority for clear
proof of its usefulness. The following cases, related by Dr. Hoyt,
in the North Amer. Jour. Vol. 6, p. 226, were the first to bring
the Baptisia to the notice of the profession. It was used by many
physicians however, before the cases alluded to were published:
Case 1. —Mrs. C. was taken with typhus fever, and treated allopathically. She became so reduced that her life was despaired of, and
after the continuation of the fever for thirty-one days, as a last
resort, Mr. C. prepared a decoction of the Baptisia; taking a
piece of the root about three inches long, and 8th inches thick,
steeping it in - pint of water. HIe commenced by giving her 5 or
6 drops of the decoction once in 15 minutes, increasing till he gave
nearly a teaspoonful at a dose. In about- one and one-half hours
the surface of the patient presented an appearance as though she
had been literally scalded, so red was the skin, accompanied with
a most intense superficial heat; at the same time noticing large
drops of sweat standing on he forehead, the medicine was discontinued. In a few moments a profuse perspiration appeared all over
the body, which continued for nearly 12 hours, or till she was bathed




BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA.                     73
freely with brandy and water. From this time she began to
improve, and with the occasional administration of a drop or two
of the remedy, got well, without any febrile symptoms. It is worthy
of remark that immediately upon the administration of the remedy
she became quiet and fell asleep; she had been restless and delirious
for three weeks previous.  Cases 2 and 3.-Mr. and Mrs. S. being
very unwell, I was called, and found them suffering with symptoms
of continued fever.  After prescribing Aconite, Rhus tox, etc.,
without much effect, and my patients growing rapidly worse, I
was induced to use the Baptisia in decoction, as in Case 1. I
remained to watch the operation of my remedy. To my great surprise in about an hour, the perspiration appeared upon the foreheads
of my patients, and it gradually covered the entire surface. In
about six hours they were thoroughly bathed with tepid water,
and the next morning scarce a vestige of the fever remained, and
a rapid recovery followed. Case 4.-Mr. R. was taken with typhus
fever, and had the usual homceopathic remedies for several days.
An unfavorable prognosis was given, and the Baptisia was decided
upon. It was administered and its effects watched. In this case,
drop doses of an alcoholic tincture were used. The fever was
reduced more than one-half in a few hours, and by a continuation
of the remedy he was saved. A fierce delirium was present in this
case, but it rapidly gave way under the action of the medicine."
Several other cases of undoubted typhoid fever have been reported
as arrested, by the use of Baptisia. Indeed some physicians are so
enthusiastic that they assert its power to " break up" a continued
fever, in any of its stages. Were it necessary to substantiate the
value of Baptisfi in continued fevers, with typhoid symptoms, I
could record the testimony of scores of homceopathic physicians,
who have related their successful experience with this remedy. I
have used it for nearly six years in my practice, and consider it
equally important with Rhus, Phosphoric acid, and Arsenicum,
when indicated. The following are, in brief, the characteristic
indications for its use: Chilliness all day; heat at night; chilliness
with soreness of the whole body; heavy, dull, bruised sensation in
the head, stupefying headache, confusion of ideas, delirium at night,
heavy sleep with frightful dreams, dry red tongue, or brown coated
tongue, sticky mouth, fcetid breath, fetid sweat, and great factor
of the discharges, (urine and stool), great debility and nervous
prostration with erethism; ulcerations of a bad character, etc.
I usually use the mother tincture, or the lower dilutions a few drops
in water, every one, two, or three hours. It acts well, when
alterated with phosphoric or muriatic acid, and may be used with
benefit in nearly all the stages of a typhoid, and even in the premonitory or forming stage. I am certain, that its timely use has
prevented the establishment of the fever, if given when the first
symptoms of languor, chilliness and soreness of the whole body
begin to appear. It is doubtful if Baptisia is indicated in all fevers.
It is one of the misfortunes of all schools of medicine, that when
a new remedy comes up, it is seized upon by certain enthusiastic
members of the profession, and they, losing sight of its specific
10




'74       NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
indications, proceed to laud it in the most extravagant terms, as a
panacea in all diseases. This has been the dase with several new
remedies lately introduced in the'homceopathic materia medica.
Rumex crispus, a really valuable remedy for pulmonary affections;
an analogue of Phosphorus; was so highly lauded, that physicians,
not finding it equal to the task of curing every kind of cough, threw
it aside, and is now too much neglected. Some practitioners like
Dr. Wolf, have gone stark mad about 4Apis mel.; others upon
Aconite, Gelseminum and Atropine. Such has been the fate of
Baptisia. Dr. Hill, does not hesitate to recommend it in nearly
every type and variety of fever. (See "Epitome.") This wholesale
recommendation, has been an injury to the reputation of the
medicine, and indirectly an injury to our school, and our patients.
The range of action of Baptisia is as limited as any other feverremedy.  It may sometimes be indicated in catarrhal, bilious,
rheumatic, or congestive fevers; occasionally in the exanthematous
fevers, when they assume an adynamic type; but only when the
symptoms and conditions resemble thlose caused by the medicine.
Mind.-Restless, uneasy, frightful dreams-gloomy and cast
down for several days."-(Burt.)  "Troublesome dreams, mental
excitement bordering on delirium."  Indisposition and want of
power to think; unhappy; mind seems weak. (D.)
CLINICAL REMARKs. —The above symptoms are similar to those
which precede a typhoid fever. I have often given the Baptisia
one-tenth in these premonitory states, with the apparent effect of
preventing the establishment of the fever.
Sleep.-"Slept two or three hours and waked with difficult
breathing, a kind of night-mare, dreams of laboring hard in the
snow, suffering with heat from  the exertion and finally being
smothered in the snow; unusually sound sleep, dreams about.fighting and disputation, always come off second best." —()Dozcflas.)
Drowsy, stupid, tired feeling. Very restless after midnight. Restless night with frightful dreams. Restless until 2 A. M., then sleep
with frightful dreams. (B.) Dreamed of being bound down with
a chain across the mouth.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The symptoms above noted bear a close
resemblance to those occurring in typhoid fevers.  The restless
nights, with delirium, and frightful dreams, all point to its specific
applicability in many low fevers.
iHead.-" Feeling as if the skin of the forehead would be drawn
to the back part of the head, great tightness of the skin of the
forehead, with pain in the right eye, frequent pressive pain in the
right temple. Sharp pains in both temples, dull pressive pain in
the forehead, feeling as if the forehead would be pressed in, dull
heavy, pressive headache, very much aggravated by motion. Feeling as if the head was too heavy, numb feeling of the head and
face." —(Dr. _Burts Proving.) Dullness of head. Vertigo. Confused feeling in the head, swimming sensation very like that one
experiences before the operation of an emetic."  (Dr. Thomrson's
proving, N. A. J.  Vol. V. page 547. "Peculiar feeling of the
head, which is never felt, except during the presence of fever,




BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA.                     75
excitement of the brain, such as precedes delirium. Dull feeling in the
occiput with slight pain and fullness, vessels of head full, head feels
large. Dizziness, severe frontal headache, heat in forehead, soreness
in front part of head, soreness in the brain, worse when stooping.
"Brain feels numb with occasional stitches or shocks in various
parts of the head, bruised feeling in forehead. Vertigo. Sharp
pain over right eye, then over the left, dull pain in both temples,
growing more intense, dull stupid feeling all over the head with
severe pain in the occiput. Head feels heavy as though I could
not sit up, headache day and night, causing a sensation of wildness,
noise increases the headache." —(Provings by Prof. Douglass,
and Beck7with, Messrs. Rowley, Smith, Hoyt and Sapp, N. A. J.
Vol. VI., pages 228 and 234.
CLINICAL REMIARS. —The head-symptoms of Baptisia resemble
those caused by Bryonia, Gelseminum, Arnica and Muriatic acid.
It is indicated in the headache which precedes and accompanies
typhoid fevers; and is useful in some bilious, nervous and rheumatic cephalalgias. I have often given it in the febrile paroxysm of
an intermittent, when the headache was similar to that caused by
Baptisia. In such cases it not only relieved the head, but often
hastened the critical perspiration and shortened the hot stage. My
former pupil Dr. Rogers, of Laporte, Ind., thinks very highly of it
in similar instances. He prescribes it at the commencement of the
cold stage, and continues it through all the stages, and claims that
it modifies the paroxysm, but has no anti-periodic power, in preventing further attacks. He claims also to have used it with benefit in his own case, during an attack of " cerebro-spinal fever," which
was epidemic in his locality. The Baptisia has many symptoms
which resemble very much, those which are said to occur in the
so-called "spotted fever."  We would suggest to our colleagues
a careful comparison of the symptoms of this dreaded malady,
with the proving of Baptisia. It may be found to be a valuable
remedy in the treatment of that fatal epidemic.
Eyes.-" Feeling as if the eyes would be pressed into the head
with great confusion of sight; cannot place anything till after
looking at it a few seconds; everything seems to be moving. Vertigo attended with sensation of paralysis of the lids, eyes smart and
ache severely."  (B) "Bloated feeling of the eyes; eyes unusually
glistening; disposition to have the eyes half closed; soreness in
front part of head upon moving the eyes or turning them upward;
soreness of' eyeballs, eyes feel swollen with burning and slight
lachrymation; congestion of the vessels of the eye, they look red
and inflamed."-(Doug. et al.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.. —Many of the eye-symptoms of this medicine are similar to those caused by Gelseminum and resemble those
sensations which in the eyes are premonitory to typhus. It is
evidently homceopathic to some varieties of ophthalmia. ZKing and
others recommend it internally, and as a "' wash,"' in scrofulous and
purulent ophthalmia.
Nose. —"Thick mucus discharge from the nose." (T) "Severe




76        NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
drawing pains along the nose." (B) "Catarrh, dull pain at the root
of the nose." (D.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Internally it may be found useful in some
forms of catarrh and ozvena, as a topical application. I know the
infusion, or dilute tincture to be serviceable in obstinate feetid dis.
charges from the nasal passages.
Face.-Burning heat of face, face flushed and hot; external
vessels of face distended and full, flashes of heat over the face, feels
flushed and very hot, cheeks burn." (D)
Ears.-Deafness, or dullness of hearing. Roaring in the ears,
with confusion of the mind.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Dullness of hearing is a common symptom of debility, particularly the debility of typhoid states. Baptisia
is indicated when deafness occurs during a low fever. It is useful
as an injection in fcetid, corrosive otorrhcea.
IMouth, Tongue. etc.-"Profuse flow of saliva; well developed
ulcers in the mouth; long, continued flow of saliva. Tongue feels
as though it had been scraped." (T) " Tongue coated yellow along
the centre; flat bitter taste in the mouth." (B) Tongue feels dry
on rubbing it against the roof of the mouth, smarted and felt sore
as if burned, slight, dry burnt feeling of the tongue. Saliva abundaht, somewhat viscid and flat tasting, appetite somewhat impaired,
food does not taste quite natural. Filthy taste with flow of salivia
loss of appetite, slight yellow coat on the tongue; two days afterward, tongue coated whitish and slightly congested. Tongue coated,
at first white with reddish papilla here and there, followed by a
yellowish brown coating in the centre, the edges being red and
shining; tongue feels thick and swollen, numb pricking sensation
of the tongue, bad taste in the mouth. Teeth and gums feel sore.
Oozing of blood from the gums.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-The above symptoms of the buccal cavity,
afford excellent proof of the law of "Similia' as a law of cure.
They show that the Baptisia will cause conditions of the mucous
membrane of the mouth, etc., similar to those for which it is so
much used in eclectic practice.  An exhaustive proving would
undoubtedly develop symptoms of a more aggravated character,
as putrid ulcerations, etc. King speaks highly of the Baptisia as
a wash to malignant, ulcerous sore mouth; mercurial sore mouth,
and many other pathological conditions of the buccal cavity. It
causes salivation and ulceration; I have used it for many years in
chronic, mercurial sore-mouth, when the gums were loose, flabby,
-dark red or purple, and the breath was intolerably fcetid. Next
to chlorate of potash, it is the best remedy we have to remove
and palliate that disagreeable condition. It is indicated in stomatitis materna; cancrum oris; and nearly all diseases of the mouth
and tongue, characterized by ulceration, putrescency, etc. But in
all these diseases, it should be used topically as well as internally.
Like chlorate of potash, the mineral acids, hydrastus, etc., the cure
is materially hastened by the local application of the diluted tincture, or watery infusion. I usually prescribe it as follows: Baptisia
root one drachm, hot water one pint, or, Tincture Baptisia one drm.




BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA.                      77
cool water four oz. This may be used as a wash, gargle, or local application in any form, when it is indicated. At the same time, the tincture or the dilutions may be given internally, at suitable intervals.
In typhus conditions we find many of the above pathogenetic
symptoms, in nearly every case. They afford special indications
for the selection of this medicine.
Throat.-" Soreness of the throat with scraping and burning.
Raw sensation in the pharynx with a large amount of viscid mucus
Constrictive feeling in the throat, causing frequent efforts at deglitition. Pricking sensation in the upper part of pharnyx. Slight
angina, throat feels swollen or full; tonsils and soft palate injected
with pain in the root of the tongue when swallowing.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The action of Baptisia upon the throat is
quite marked. It irritates the tonsils, uvula, and follicular glands.
It is homiceopathic, and has been found curative in ulcerating sore
throat, suppurating tonsils, catarrhal angina, etc. If the angina tends to assume a putrid character, the ulcers dark, and breath
lcetid, the Baptisia is particularly indicated. Many of my  colleagues as well as myself value it very highly in the treatment of
diphtheria, as an auxiliary to Mere. iod, Kali bichrom. or Kali bro.
It is indicated when putrescent symptoms appear, when the nervous system becomes depressed, and there is much prostration.
The premonitory symptoms of diphtheria, bear a strong resemblance
to many of the symptoms of Baptisia.. It should be used as a
gargle.
Stomach.-" Good deal of distress in the stomach, severe pains
every few moment in the cardiac region of the stomach; disposition
to vomit, but no nausea. Dull pain in the epigastric region, frequently recurring and aggravated by turning over, constant pain in
the epigastric and hypochondriac regions aggravated by walking;
burning distress in the epigastrium" (B.) "Frequent eructations
of fiatus; nausea"' (T). "Gone," empty feeling of the stomach.
Slight nausea, followed by vomiting; pain in the stomach; pains
and cramp in the stomach:; feeling as if there was a hard substance
in it. Stitching pain in cardiac extremity of stomach. Slight
nausea with want of appetite and constant desire for water."
(Doiug. et al.).
CLINICAL REMArKs.-Typhoid and bilious fevers are ushered in
by symptoms which resemble those above given. Baptisia seems
to act specifically on the gastric mucous membrane. It is highly
probable, that it causes the same lesions in that tissue, which it
causes in the mouth and fauces, namely, inflammation and ulceration.
Dr. Coe, says he found it very servicable in certain forms of
dyspepsia, particularly those cases accompained with irritability of
the stomach, acid eructations, griping pains and looseness of the
bowels, with frequent, small, and offensive stools.
Abdomen. —" Constant pain in the right hypochondriac region;
sharp shooting pains all through the bowels. Severe colicky pains
in the umbilical and especially in the hypochondriac regions; the
pain comes on every few seconds, with rumbling in the bowels and




78        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
desire for stool. Constant dull pain in the umbilical region; shooting pain in the umbilical region," (Burt). "Pain in the abdomen
on pressure; dull heavy aching pain in the lumbar region on going
to bed at night. Loud borborygmus, with diarrhoea, fullness of the
abdomen, flatulence. Pain in the hypogastrium, soreness of the
abdominal mucles as if from cold or coughing severely," (Doug. et
al.)  "Distension of abdomen, feeling as though it would be a
relief to vomit, rumbling in the intestines " (T). (In a cat, poisoned with Baptisia, Dr. Burt found the small and. large intestines congested and filled with bloody mucus).
CLINICAL REMiARKS.-It is highly probable that the Baptisia
causes similar intestinal lesions to those observed in typhoid fever.
It is a drastic cathartic, and is homoeopathic to profuse, dark, feetid
diarrhceas, sub-acute enteritis, colics, and other bowel affections.
Liver, &c.-Pain in the right hypochondriac region, aggravated
by walking; constant dull pain in the region of the gall-bladder;
pain extends to the spine. Soreness in the region of liver, pain in
the liver.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Ring says it arouses the liver to a normal
action. Coe declares that in hepatic derangements it will be found
a valuable auxiliary to other remedies. Dr. Burt found the liver
congested in a cat poisoned with Baptisia. Its pathogenetic symptoms show that it is homceopathic to some disorders of the liver, the
exact nature of which, furt-her provings, and clinical experience can
only decide.
Stools and Rectum.-Rumbling in the bowels and desire for
stool, soft, papescent stool with a good deal of mucus, soft mushy
stools with rumbling in the bowels, "constipation, severe constipation with hemorrhoids, diarrhcea two days before, bowels loose
which is uncommon with the prover. Bowels costive for two days.
Vomiting and diarrhcea with dark stools. Bowels constipated
during whole proving."  (Douglas et al.).  [A  cat poisoned
with Baptisia had bloody mucus stools. The intestines were found
congested and filled with bloody mucus.]'In large doses Baptisia
is a drastic cathartic; and in smaller doses a laxative. The stools are
generally dark, offensive, mucous, and even bloody. In quite small
doses it rather constipates. This, however, is an effect of all cathartics when given in small quantities. Baptisia then, is primarily
homceopathic to diarrhcea, dysentery and acute mucous enteritis;
secondarily, to constipation, with indigestion, torpor of liver
and  hbemorrhoids.   Coe says, "in the  treatment of ulcerative inflammation of the bowels and stomach, and chronic diarrhcea,
and dysentery, its use should never be omitted; also, that it is useful in "acrid fiecal discharges, and " frequent, small and offensive
stools." Thus it is that both allopathic and eclectic schools of medicine, use remedies successfully for the very symptoms they cause,
thereby unwittingly treating their patients homceopathically. It is
indicated particularly in adynamic diarrhcea and dysentery, with
the general condition of the system usually present. But it has
been found useful in those affections even when sthenic in character.
In its action on the bowels it resembles Leptandria, Arsenicum,




BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA.                     79
Nitric Acid and Rhux-tox. Dr. Burt, one of the provers of Baptisia,
thinks highly of it in dysentery. He reports the following: Case
1st. A pregnant woman was attacked with dysentery. It brought on
labor, after which the dysentery grew worse. A council was to
he held at noon, but on the morning of the same day Baptisia, (4
drops of the tincture every hour) was given; at noon she was much
better, and her convalescence was rapid. Her symptoms were
violent colic-likepains before every stool, and great tenesmus. Stools
every five or ten minutes. They were pure blood, with a very little
mucus, pulse 20, soft and full. Aconite, Bry, Colocyuth, ]lierc.
Veratrum alb. were given for four days without any benefit, while
the Baptisia cured her perfectly in four hours."  In ten cases of
dysentery I have never seen medicine act better. They all had violent colicky pains in the hypogastric region before a stool, the stools
were mucus and blood, great tensemus which was relieved by the
Baptisia in two or three hours, better than by any remedy I have
ever used; the cases were not generally attended by much fever.
Urinary Organs. —Urine high colored, not'very copious, but of
dark red color. A sort of burning when urinating" (Doug. et
al). Shooting pains in the region of the left kidney. The urine
increased in quantity during the proving, and continued acid
throughout.
Female Genital Organs.-Increased menses.  Menses too soon
and too profuse. Abortion.
CLINICAL REMAKS. —This medicine has not been proven upon
the female organism. But it has been known to cause the above
symptoms. Its real action upon the uterus, ovaries, etc., has yet to
be accurately determined.
Dr. Coe, says, "Baptisia is possessed of more energetic emmenagogue properties than the plant has generally been accredited with.
We have employed it with gratifying success in the treatment of
dysmenorrhoea and defective menstruation. Also in cases of vicarious
menstruation, in combination with Podophyllin, with signal success.
In the treatment of vicarious menstruation, particularly those cases
accompanied with periodical diarrhcea, we have found the following
combination entirely successful when administered during the intermenstrual period: Baptisia grs. xx, Podophyllin grs. x. Caulophyllin
grs. xx. Mix and divide into ten powders. Give one every night or
every other night according to the condition of the bowels."
One of the most ridiculous things in the old school practice, is the
custom of prescribing a farrago of drugs like the above, and then
giving to one of them the credit of curing the malady. Who knows
which drug was the curative agent? If Baptisia is a specific for
vicarious menstruation, its administration simply will prove its virtues.
Coe adds that it "should not be used during the period of utero-gestation, as it is capable of producing abortion, for which purpose we
have known it to be used by quacks and empirics. The danger to
the general health is very great, when used in sufficient quantities
to produce this result."  It follows, then, that Baptisia is homceopathic to abortion when occurring as a consequence of debility,
physical or mental depression, nervous prostration, etc, as in typhoid




80        NEW   ilOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
fevers, and other adynamic conditions. It is a useful application,
in the form of injection, in cases of virulent leucorrhcea, ulcerations
of the os uteri and vagina, with acrid fcetid discharges; also in
unhealthy lochial discharges, and those peculiar putrid discharges
which occur after an abortion, and depend upon the presence of
shreds of membrane, or pieces of the placenta, remaining in the
cavity of the uterus. In these cases the Baptisia, injected in the
form of infusion or dilute tincture, will remove the fcetor and prevent mischief from the acridity of the discharges. The chlorate of
potash, or still better the permanganate of potash will prove more
effectual in grave cases. As there is usually present in all these
cases, a general debility of the. system, and a sort of crasis of the
blood, the Baptisia should be given internally, in the lower dilutions, in conj unction with a nourishing diet, wine, etc.
Larynx, Trachea, etc. —Hoarseness to such an extent as to'
require the utmost effort to be understood. Tickling in the throat,
constantly provoking  a cough.  Great hoarseness.  Complete
aphonia.           u
Chest.-Difficult breathing, increased compass and frequency of
the pulsations of the heart, pulsations seem to fill the chest. Dificulty of breathing, the lungs feel tight and compressed, cannot get
a full breath. Tightness of the chest, feeling of want of power in
the respiratory apparatus such as is felt during fever (D). "Constriction and oppression of the chest,' (Burt.)  Oppressed respiration, sharp pains in the chest when taking a long breath, throbbing
in the heart so as to be distinctly heard. Awoke with great difficulty of breathing, the lungs felt tight and compressed; could not
get a full breath, felt obliged to open the window, to get my face
to the fresh air.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It may prove curative in some varieties
of asthma, also typhoid pneumonia. I am inclined to the opinion,
however, that many of the symptoms of oppression, are due to
nervous atony, and resemble the anxious oppression which occurs
during the low stages of fevers.
Back. -Dull heavy pain in the lumbar region very much aggravated by walking; back and hips are very stiff and ache severely;
chills up and down the back as if ague were coming on; dull heavy
aching in the lumbar region on going to bed at night, flashes of
heat from the small of the back in all directions," (Douglas et al.).
Upper Extremities.-Stiffness of the joints as if strained, twitching in the left deltoid, also in latissimus dorsi of left side.  Soreness of the muscles of the neck, muscular debility, feeling of weariness especially in the right arm and shoulder, hands feel too large
and are tremulous with a peculiar thrilling sensation, somewhat
like going to sleep or a want of circulation," (D.)  "Drawing pains
in arms." (B.)
Lower Extremeties.-Dull drawing pains in the right groin and
testicle. Drawing pains in the legs especially in the knee joints.
Severe drawing pains in the calves of the legs; legs are very weak
and tremble." (B.)  "Burning heat of the feet with feeling of
pulsation, sacral region and hips exceedingly painful; feet become




BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA.                      81
painful from resting on the floor; dull pain in the sacrm, compounded of a feeling as from pressure and fatigue from long stooping,
soon extending round the hips and down the right leg; weariness of
the lower limbs especially the, right. Aching irn limbs, heat and
burning in the lower extremities so intense as to prevent'sleep
most of the night. Soreness in the anterior part of the thighs worse
after sittihng awhile; darting pain in the'left knee and malleolus of
left side. Extremities feel hot except the feet which are cold,"
(Douglas). "Sensation of weakness in lower limbs with weak
knees."  Cramp in the calves when walking.
DR. BURT'S PROVING OF BAPTISIA.*
Oct. 12th. Am  in perfect health. Took 10 drops at 10 A.
M., at 12 M. feeling of tightness across the forehead, with pain
over the right eye. At 3.'M. severe pain every few minutes in the
cardiac portion' of the'stomach. Took 15 drops, 4 P. M. Skin of
the forehead is feeling as if it was drawn very tightly over the
forehead, with sharp pain over the right eye, quite a number of
times there has been sharp shooting pains all through'the bowels.
Took 20 drops, 8 P. M.-Frequent pain over the right eye of a
pressive character. There has been constant pain in the region of
the gall bladder, very severe when walking. Dull pain in the
epigastric region. Dull drawing pain in the right groin, legs ache.
Took 25 drops.
Oct. 13th. Slept well until midnight, then could not sleep any
more. Frequent pain in the epigastric region, very much worse by
turning over which I had to do all the time; dreamed of being
bound down with a chain across the mouth; drawing pains in the
arms and legs. Slight rumbling in the bowels. Tongue coated
vellow along the centre. 7 A. M.-Took 30-"drops,'10 A. M. Dull
pressive pain in the forehead. Sharp pains in both temples; dull
pain in the right hypochondriac region. Slight raumbling in the
bowels with a mushy stool. Dull pain in the small of the back;
drawing pains in the legs. Took 35 drops, 2 P. M. There has been
constant pain in the epigastric and right hypochondriac regions, very
severe when walking, the pain is of a drawing character. Took 40
drops, 9 P. M. Have suffered constantly and severely all day, with
pain in the liver and stomach, the pain causes a numb feeling to pass
all over my body. Dull pain in the forehead. Drawing pain in the
calves of the legs. Urinated 40 oz. acid.
Oct. 14th. Had a very restless night, with frightful dream.
Good deal of dull pain in the liver, stomach and umbilical region.
Tongue coated yellow. 9 P. x. Have had constant pain in the
umbilical region with slight rumbling of the bowels all day. Soft
stool. Urinated 26 oz., acid.
Oct. 15th. I-Iadrestless night, with frightful dreams. 9 A. C,.
Feeling quite well. Took 40 drops. 2 P. x. Have had constant
pain in the stomach and right hypochondriac region. Took 50 ldrops,
5 P.'. Skin of the forehead feeling very much contracted. Slight
rIhis proving was made with the mother tincture, and crude bark.
11




82         NEW  ItOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
pain all day in the stomach and right hypochondriac region, the pain
in the right side is very severe when walking. Severe drawing
pains in the right groin and testicle and right foot. Took 60 drops,
9 P. M. There has been constant pain in the stomach and right
hypochondriac region. The pain was of a dlull aching character and
extended to the spine, very much worse by motion. Took 60 drops,
slept until 2 A. 3., then could not sleep any more. Took 40 drops
at 4  A. X. Had a good deal of pain in the epigastric region all
oi oht. TTtrinated  8 oz., acid.                             
Oc(t. T'Jr5th.  ]-'eeir~' iq,~i  w oell. -}-i,:,'ted -1:t dl.rops indler tl e
s,;t11. I' fik.lti.h.'.jt'(Lio'm.)
t,'  a;,n.  101'ly: i Hi'IS,.   it.   a. ~,' oe k,i ui.ftil   iii tVa, II''   tk.ivif( 0g 1  1i }e
inclision tilghrol' the skin; tBen llutes ale tr the skin:or'l tle thbrehiead
felt as though it would be pulled to the back part' of nlm  head, with
a numb feeling of the forehead and face; in fifteen minutes, feeling
as if I would vomit but no nausea, with severe'shooting pain in the
left kidney and left side of the nmbili6eLs. Thirty minutes, feeling
as if the forehead would be pressed in. Slight pain in the stomach
and right hopochondriae region and umbilical, fiequent gulpingl up of
air. At 10 A. si., slight pressive headache and dull pain in the loins.
The part where the incision was made became so numb that I
could cut the skin without the least feeling of pain. I can assure
my readers that the most painfuil part is holding the chloroform
lbottle on the arm. *Took 100 drops, 2 P. -I. Dull heavy pressive
headache; by spells sharp pains in the temples; heavy aching pain
in the stomach and liver, with a very hot sensation in the same palrts.
Soft stool. Took 120 drops 9 r.:i.  Feeling very weak and tremble a good deal. Pressive pain in the forehead, constant dull aching
pain in the stomach and liver. The pain in theliver extends from the
right lateral ligament to the gall-bladder-it is almost illpossil)le to
walk it makes the pain so severe in the region of the oall-bladder.
Severe drawing pains in the calves of both legs. Took 106 drops.
IUrinated 42'oz., acid.
Oct. 17th.  Slept well until 2 A. ~I., then very restless until
morning; frightful dreams. Dull heavy headache inl the forehead,
constant dull aching pains in the umbilical region, aggravated by
a full inspiration.  Dull aching pain in the ltumbar region, very
severe when walking.  Tongue coated yellow  along the centre.
Flat taste in the mouth, 9 A. xr. Took 150 drops, 12 xr. Head
feeling very heavy, sharp pains by spells in the right and left
temples, const.ant dull pain; in the region of the gall-blaldder, very
severe when walking. Took 200 drops, 3 v _i. Skin of the forehead feeling very tight, with sharp pain in the temples.  Constant
pain in the stomach and liver, quite sharp at times. Fefaring that
all the medicinal properties of the drulg was not in the tincture I
was using, I concluded to take the green bark of the root and chew
it. Took 30 grs. lHad a natural stool, 9 r. ir., constant burning
distress in the epigastriulm,   with severe colicky pains in the umbilical and especially in the hypogastric region, every few seconds,
with rumblin(g in the bowels and desire to vomit, but no nausea;




BAPTISIA  TINCTORIA.                    83
soft stool; drawing pains in the right hip and calves of both legs.
Urinated 31 oz., acid.
PROVING WITH B3APTISIN.
Oct. 18.-Slept until 3 A. M., could not sleep any more, but had
to toss about constantly. Had a dull hard headache, very much
worse by moving. Sharp pains in the temples very often. Constant aching pains in the umbilical region. Took 40 grs. at 4 A. M.
Tongue coated yellow, flat bitter taste in the mouth. Tonsils congested. Drawing pains in the legs., 11 A... There has been
great distress in the stomach and bowels all the forenoon, with
desire to vomit. Soft mushy stool. Took 55 grs. 1 P. m. Eyes
feeling as if they were being pressed into my head, with great confusion of sight, cannot place anything until I look at it for a few
seconds, everything appears to be moving; partial paralysis of the
eyelids, it is very difficult to keep them open; fauces and tonsils
good deal congested. Great distress in the epigastric and umbilical region, with good deal of rumbling. Cramp in the calves of the
legs whenever I move them; am very weak and faint. 8 P. r.  Have
had frequent pains in the right temple. Eyes smart and ache severely. Tonsils vere much  congested, with frequent inclination to
swallow which produces pain in the root of the tongue. Constant
aching distress in the stomach and umbilical region, with great deal
of pain in the region of the gall-bladder. Rumbling with. desire for
stool. Stool papescent with a large quantity of mucus, but no real
pain. Am very faint and weak, legs tremble and ache. Urinated
33 oz., acid.
Oct. 19. Had a very restless night. Frequent pain in the right
temple; dull heavy headache. Tongue coated yellow, with flat
bitter taste. Tonsils and soft palate good deal congested. Dull
aching distress in the bowels. Back and hips are very stiff and
ache severely; drawing pains in the left leg. 4 P. M. -Tonsils and
soft palate look very red, but do not pain any, good deal of distress
in the umbilical region all day. Back aches severely, aggravated
by walking. Frequent drawing pains in the calves of the legs.
Urine is of a whitish color and does not change blue litmus,
and has no effect on red paper.
Oct. 20thb.-Slept well. Tongue coated yellow. Teeth and
gums have been very sore for two days, by pressing on them with
my finger, large quantities of blood oozes from the gums. Tonsils
and soft palate congested. Slight back-ache. Had a natural stool
this morning, but none yesterday. Felt very gloomy for several
days. Bowels moved regularly once a day —perfectly natural.
Oct. 28th.-Feeling  well., Took 4 grs. at 10 A. M. Had a
severe pain in the region of the gall-bladder lasted one hour; constant slight pain in the umbilical region; natural stool. Took 6
grs. All the evening had a dull frontal headache, with smarting
of the eyes and a drawing pain down the nose. Constant dull pain
in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, by spells the pain in the
hypogastric region was very sharp.'Oct. 29th.-'Slept well. Feeling quite well. 10 A. M.-Took 10




84        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
grs.'3 P. x.-There has been constant dull pain in the umbilical
region. At times drawing pains in the right wrist and left ankle.
Took 14 grs. Constant dull fiontal headache, and dull pain in the
bowels all the evening.
Oct. SOth.-Slept well until 1 A. M. Awoke with severe cutting
pains' in the hypogastric region, with loud rumbling of the bowels,
very restless after; had frightful dreams. Tongue coated yellow,
along the centre; flat bitter taste. Soft papescent stools. The
inguinal glands of the left groin are very much swollen, one of them
as large as a common sized hickory nut. Is this an effect of the
medicine, or the effect of a cold?- I have no symptoms of a cold.
They are very painful when walking, 10 A. M.
W. H. BURT, N. D.
CAULOPHYLLEUM  THALIICTROIDES.
(Bluwe Cohosh. Squaw Root.)
This is a smooth, glaucous plant, purple when young, with a high
round stem, from one to three feet high, simple, from knotted and
matted rootstalks, and dividing above into two parts, one of which
is a triternate leaf-stalk, the other bears a biternate leaf, and a
racemous panicle of small yellowish-green flowers, which appear in
May and June. Panicle small, darker than the leaves. Pericarp
thin, caducous, dark blue, resembling berries on thick stipes. Seeds
one or two about the size of a large pea, erect and globose. It is
a handsome perennial plant, growing all over the United States, in
low, moist, rich grounds, near running streams or on grounds which
have been overflowed with water. The seeds ripen in the latter
part of the summer and are said to form an excellent substitute
for coffee, when roasted. The fruit is dry, sweet, insipid, and
resembles that of the Vaccinium. The officinal part is the root,
which is sweetish, somewhat pungent and aromatic, and affords a
yellow infusion or tincture. The resinoid, active principle of this
root, is called Caulophyllin, and may be used instead of the tineture in nearly all cases. In the following clinical experience, it will
be stated which preparation was used in the prescription. In our
school Caulophyllin has been most used. I believe I was the first
to call attention to this remedy. The original article was published
in the North American Journal, Vol. 6, p. 373; since which time
it has been  quite extensively used  The first mention  that
I find of it, by any medical writer, is in the work of John
Thonison-author of the so-called " Thomsonian Practice;" who,
after mentioning its employment by the Indian females to expedite
delivery, and to relieve uterine pain and spasm, reports a case of
inflammation of the uterus, cured rapidly by a decoction of the




CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES.                        5
root.  It is also'highly spoken of by Smith, Matison, Beach and
other "botanic" writers; but the best description of the plant,
and' resume of its properties and uses, is to be found in King's Dispensatory. He says: "It is principally used as an emmenagogue,
parturient and anti-spasmodic; but it likewise possesses diuretic,
diaphoretic and authelmintic properties. it has been successfully
employed in rheumatism, dropsy, colic, cramps, hiccough, epilepsy,'hysteria, uterine inflammation, etc. It is a valuable agent in all
chronic uterine diseases."  Other writers, as Jones and Scudder
(Mat. Med.) and Coe, (Cone. Org. Med.) give the same statement
of its virtues. If I were to compare any of our well-known remedies with it, I should name Asa f:., Platila, Secale, Murex, and perhaps Pulsatilla.
GENERAL EFFECTS.-Sensation of comfortable languor and disposition to sleep. A fine prickling sensation all over the body.
Increased mental and physical vigor. Tremulous weakness of the
whole system.
Nervous System.-The action of Caulophyqlum  on the nervous
system is similar to that of Cimicifuga. It is sedative to the nerves
of motion, and is secondarily homceopathic to spasms, cramps and
even convulsions-especially when they arise from reflex irritation,
originating in the ovaries or uterus. Its primary action is antagonistic to Ignatia, Nux vorlica or Secale. It causes, secondarily,
conditions which those drugs cause primarily. The nerves of sensation, are not directly influenced by this remedy. It relieves pain
by arresting the cramp or spasm by which the pain is caused, or by
some specific influence over the pathological condition known as
rheumatism. I have not known of its successful use in neuralgia, nor
do I think it indicated in that disease when idiopathic. "Eclectic"
writers class it with the " anti-spasmodics." It has an extensive reputation in that school, in hysteria and other nervous affections. "It
appears," says Jones, "to impart a vigorous and healthful energy
to the nervous system. It has been found useful in epilepsy, chorea,
tremors, spasms of the stomach, bowels etc."  (Ec. Mat. Med.) If
homceopathic to epilepsy, at all, it must be in that form known as
"Menstrual" or "Uterine- Epilepsy."  In Idiopathic Epilepsy,
neither Caulophyllum or anything else is of much service; while
in the epileptiform  spasms which occur during or near the menses,
or in hysterical convulsions, connected with dysmenorrhcea, the
caulophyllum is the most appropriate remedy, and has been useful
in such cases, in my own practice. Cimicifuga, (Macrotys) and
Bromide of Potash are also suitable in such cases. In Chorea, it
has proved as useful as its near analogue Cimicifuga. Several cures
of that malady by the use of Caulophyllin, one-tenth have come
under my own observation. Nearly every case occurred in young
girls, and had their origin in some menstrual irregularity. One
case, however, was of a decidedly rheumatic origin. It is useful
in the tremors of nervous women, and drunkards; also in the
cramps of pregnant females.
Mucous Membranes.-It seems to, act upon the mucous mem



86:NTEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
branes of the mouth, fauces and vagina. It has been found curative
in aphthous conditions of those surfaces; also in leucorrhmea.
Muscular Tissues.-It appears to have a specific relation to the
muscular and ilI,rous tissues, but, whether directly or through the
nervous system, is not yet determined. Its efficacy in rheumatism
is undoubted, but it isinot used in that disease as much as the
Cimicifuga; indeed it is hardly mentioned in relation to that affection in works on "eclectic" medicine. The homoeopathic school,
have used it successfully in certain forms of rheumatism, as the
following cases will show:
Dr. P. H. Hale, of Hudson, Mich., reports as follows: "A
plethoric man, of nervous temperament, was attacked with rheumatic swelling of both feet. In a few days the swelling shifted to
the knees, and from thence to the wrists and hands. No percept~ihle benefit accrued from the administration of Pulsatilla, Bryonia,
Rhus, or Aconite. One night about the third week of his illness,
I was called in great haste to see him. The pain and tumefaction
had suddenly left The extremities, and he was suffering from
excruciating pain in the cervical and dorsal regions, with spasmodic
rigidity of the muscles of the back and neck; could not bear to
be moved, slight twitching of the muscles of the arms; paroxysms
of quick, panting breathing; complained of great oppression of the
chest; high fever, severe delirium, and great nervous excitement.
The tincture of Caulophyllum was administered, 30 drops every
half hour. In a few hours the symptoms rapidly gave way, and
from that time the patient rapidly improved, and in a week was
attending to his usual avocations. I have also found it useful in
rheumatism of the uterus."  Dr. R. Ludlam contributes the following interesting experience relative to the use of this remedy. 1' A
clergyman had inflammatory rheumatism, which became fixed in
the carpal and metacarpal joints of the left upper extremity. No
remedy seemed to be of any benefit. The pain was severe and
constant. Caulophyllin was administered and a rapid amelioration,
followed by a prompt cure, was the result.' "A young lady had
inflammatory rheumatism of the hand, after using the usual remedies with unsatisfactory results, Caulophyllin was given, and a rapid
subsidence of the disease was the gratifying result."  Rheumatism
of the Uterus is a common cause of dysmenorrhcea, and many
other painful affections of that organ and its ligaments.  Caulophyllin will be found very useful in such conditions. Cimicifiga is
also indicated, but the former is more useful in rheumatic affections
when spasmodic symptoms are present; that is the chief diagnostic
difference between the two remedies.
Sleep.-More sleepy than usual during the day. Sounder sleep
at night. Disposition to sleep in the evening. (Primary). Sleeplessness at night, fiom a kind of nervous relaxation. Wakes frequently during the night. (Secondary).
CLINICAL REMARUKs.-Some eclectic physicians decree the Caun
lophyllin to be narcotic, while others as Coe, deny that it has such
powers. It has a calming effect upon nervous subjects, and the
provings show that it disposes to sleep in healthy subjects. A




CAULOPHYLLUM  THALICTROIDES.                         87
remedy may cause sleep however, indirectly, by acting as a sedative
to irritated nerves.  Dr. Ludlam reported the following case, illustrative of the action of Caulophyllin to insomnia. I abridge the
case fiom my pamphlet on "abortion," page 17.  A  lady aborted
at the third month; she had terrible floodings, which so shattered
her nervous system  as to render her very miserable.  Her pulse
was feeble,; threadlike, and at times imperceptible; skin cool,
extremities, upper and lower, as well as her features, and cellular
tissue generally, cedematous. and her nerves in the most pitiable contit ion i r.n-'i:le,lc' t I  h (-,,o. it pi:,'rorineni, t:;i"ltl'oI' ofwhih dc",'1,'iel -t nic:It pl: il.i', ni, not I  wio tk: )'Je I,:p.   A ll tit,.o  I,. tmles W ee triedL, )at withilut avail. NApis relieved the:,,_iitl,  all l
under occasional doses of' Arsenicum, her pulse approached a normal
state. Upon the recommendation of Dir. P.. EI. Hale, I gave her Canloph. 2. A few doses sufficed to brealk the spell, and I have never
since failed to procure her the most refreshing sleep with this agent.
llead.-Sliallt mental exhilaration, swimming in the headl, a sort
of vertigo, with dimness of' sight.  Sensation of* fulness of t-le
lead, with pressure behind the eyes, and fulhiess of the temporal
arteries.
CII-NICAL RMrAlxs.. -It is useful in rheumatic and neuralgic
headaches, the latter, when dependant upon uterine disorder, or,
spinal irritation.
Eyes. —Dimllness of sight. Pressure behind the eyes.,Mouth. —Sensation of' dryness in the mouth, or as if' scalded.
Heat inl the mouth and fiuces.'
CI,1NICAL x REmR[IV-lKS. — Iin' says: " Combined with equal parts
of powdeired Hydrlstis, made into an infusion, and sweetened with
honey, it formns'tn elegant and effectual -wNash for apthous soremouth and throat."  Caulophylluin alone will cule aphthlm  of the
mouth, especially in prenalsnt and nursing fema-nles, and even in
children.  A wea.k solution of the tincture in water; used as a wash,
and taken internally,  rill often prove curative in- quite severe
cases.
Stolnach. —eatl; in the stomach.  Slight nausea. Fullness in
the stolnach.  Empty erluctations.
CLINICAL REANIP.mrKs.-I have found the Caulophylluirm  useful ill
some of' those reflex affections of the stom.ach occurring in fetnales,
such as spasms, cardialgia, spasmodic vomiting, excessive nausea
(when attending uterine irritation).  -King does not mention its
use in gastric affections, nor does any other writer, except Jr.
Coe, who asserts thlat "it is an admirable remedly in some forms of
dyspepsia, particularly those cases attended with spasmodic synmptorns.  When therle is o:rstriC irrlitability with vonliting of' foQd, it
may be eml)loyed wtith advlantage."
Abdomen, etc — Distention of tle abdoimen.  Fullness of' tile
abdomen with sorme tenderness.  Rumbling, in the bowels. Constipation.  Stool only every other day.  It is said to expel wrolrms.
C[,INICAL 1MArxmVs. —a Combined with dralLstic purgatives, suiC11
as Aloes or PIodoplhyllum, it prevents tornmilnl better thal any other




88        NEW: HIOMEOPATHIC. PROVINGS.
known drug." —(Klng.) It is said to relieve attacks of spasmodic
and flatulent colic. Caulophyllum is undoubtedly applicable when
there is spasmodic action of the muscular tissues of the intestines,
arising from the irritation of the motor nerves, or from rheumatism.
Urinary Organs. —Copious emission of pale, or straw colored
urine. Slight pain in the neck of the bladder after urinating.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-This remedy is recommended in spasmodic retention of urine, such as occurs in nervous and hysterical
females. Dr. Scudder says he has employed it with advantage in
chronic nephritis, albuminuria, cystitis and urethritis, but we have
only his bald assertion. He gives no cases to substantiate his
testimony.
Female Sexual Organs.-Sensation as if the uterus was congested, with fullness, heaviness and tension in the hypogastric
region. Drawing in the groins-(uterine ligaments.)  Menses too
soon-3 days. Labor-like pains. Abortion with little or no flooding. Intermittent uterine contractions. Relaxation of the os uteri.
Profuse secretion of mucus from the vagina. Increases the natcural
pains of labor.  Spasmodic pains in the uterus, broad ligaments
and various portions of the hypogastric region.
CLINICAL REMgARKS.-It may be interesting to those unacquainted with this medicine, to read the statements of medical
writers of the eclectic school, concerning it. I quote from the most
prominent: "It is principally used as an emmenagogue and parturient, *  *  a valuable agent in all chronic uterine diseases,
appearing to exert an especial influence upon the uterus, and has
been found serviceable in uterine leucorrhcea, amenorrhcea, dysmenorrhcea, etc. When used for several weeks previous to the parturient period, it is said to facilitate that process. It acts as an
uterine tonic. In the more common unhealthy conditions of this
organ and its appendages-even passive menorrhagia and congested cervix, it is equal to, if not surpassing the Cimicifuga."(King.)  Dr. Kindleberger writes to Dr. King that he has used it
with much advantage in after-pains, menstrual suppression, and in
dysmenorrhlea,  *  * it is far superior to Ergot, both in its acting more mildly and with more certain results. "In neuralgia and
rheumatism of the uterus it has frequently been administered with
benefit. * * It expedites delivery in all those cases when the delay
is owing to fatigue, debility or want of uterine energy; the contractions it occasions, more nearly resemble the natural ones, instead
of the continuous, spasmodic contractions effected by Ergot, *
When there has been a tendency to hemorrhage from relaxation
of the muscular fibres of the uterus, after delivery," it will cause
firm contractions, and arrest the bleeding. —Xng's Obstetrics, p. 650).
" Amenorrfhca-.that is-simple amenorrhcea is successfully treated
with Caulophyllum. If there be hepatic aberration alternate with
Podophyllin; if Ansemia-with Iron. In dysmenorrhcea, it is an admiirable remedy, both for the relief of the present symptoms, and for the
radical alteration of the derangement.  It relieves the distress
attendant upon dysmenorrhwea, and its continued use during the




CAULOPHYLLUM   I THALICTROIDES.                  89
inter-menstrual period, and when the menses are present, with Erigeron, Trillium, or Lycopus.  For the relief of afterpains it will
be found efficient in a large number of cases. As a parturient, it
quiets and harmonizes the action of the uterus, and the nervous
system generally, relieving cramps. and other unpleasant symptoms.
-(CUoe's Cone. Org..edicines). "We have used it often, and
known of its being frequently used by others, for a few weeks,
prior to confinement as a preparatory measure to the important
changes which take place at that time, with great apparent advantage.- In many instances, when the females have been invariably
the subjects of'tedious and difficult labors, by the use of Caulophyllum for two or three weeks before confinement, all the anticipated difficulty vanished, the labors were rapid and easy, and the
recovery speedy, when compared  with  previous confinements.
"Although it may be somewhat difficult to assign a satisfactory
reason as to the effects stated, or in other words its therapeutic
action may be difficult of explanation, yet' the effects have been. so
apparent, that any one knowing the character of different labors,
would be forced to ascribe the different results to the use of this
remedy. We have known many highly intelligent ladies, who,
after having used it once, could not be prevailed upon to dispense
with its use in subsequent pregnancies. It has appeared to us to
afford great relief in that restlessness, and disturbed state of the
functions, which generally obtains in the advanced stages of pregnancy. It allays false pains, if we can rely upon the testimony of
those who have had the greatest opportunity to test its virtues."(Jones & Scuzddeers Mat. lAed). Bating a little for the enthusiasm
which eclectic physicians have for indigenous remedies, the above
is a pretty fair enumeration of the virtues of Caulophyllum. The
testimony of the homceopathic school is decidedly in concurrence
with the above, as the following reported cases will show. My
own experience, during the sixiyears which I have used this remedy,
has been such as to entitle me to speak decidedly as to its curative virtues.  A  thorough  knowledge of the physiology  of
the female organs of generation; the pathological changes
they undergo; and the reflex disorders they often give rise to,
when  diseased, is  quite necessary, in  order to  understand
and appreciate the therapeutical powers of this medicine. The
uterus, in its healthy condition, possesses the/ qualities known
as normal torte, contractility, etc. But when that organ is diseased,
we have either atony (arrest of function) or abnormal irritability,
(resulting in painful cramps, contractions, etc). These purely functional derangements of the uterus may exist with or without organic
changes in that organ. Caulophyllum causes primarily,' increased
action of the uterine-motoe nerves. -In healthy conditions of that
organ any action beyond the normal contractility, as to force and
period, is a diseased state. Abnormal activity of any organ is
disease. The uterus then when aroused by Caulophyllum, takes on
increased action, which manifests itself in the form of p ainful contractions, congestion, undue irritability, and many other conditions
of irritation, which are not confined to that organ alone, but extend
12




90        NEW HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
to those- contiguous, and connected. This remedy is therefore
primarily homceopathic to dysmenorrhoea, uterine cramps, congestion, spurious labor -pains, abortion, premature labor, after pains,
when these diseases are caused by exaltation of natural function, or
hyper-stimulation. When administered for these conditions, small
doses will be found most applicable, (the 3d or 6th dilution or trit.)
Prolonged stimulation may wear out the normal irritability of any
organ or tissue; we then have atony, a condition simulating paralysis, or, irritation from atony, which closely simulates the irritation from hyper-stimulation. These latter conditions are caused by
the secondary action of Caulophyllum. Hence it may be indicated
secondarily in the above named disorders, from causes opposite-to
those named in connection with them, also in such affections, as
menorrhagia and metrorrhagia from deficient contractility, as after
abortion and labor; habitual abortion, from uterine debility, a
variety of pains, cramps, etc., during pregnancy, etc.  When
administered for its secondary effects, the doses should be somewhat
larger —(the lower dilutions). I have not found it as useful in Anmenorrhcea as many other remedies, and am of the opinion that it is
seldom indicated in that affection, unless accompanied by spasmodic
action, or extreme atony.  The following cases marked "H," were
originally published by me in the N. A. Jour. of lom.
"Miss N. aged 17, plethoric, nervous, lymphatic, menses suppressed two and a half months. When I called to see her, found
her in spasms, evidently hysterical, but resembling epiliptiform
spasms, affecting the chest, larynx and uterus. She was unconscious. For three hours, under the administration of Bell. Hyos.
and Lobelia- (which latter relieved the spasm of the chest and
larynx somewhat) and even chloroform, and the hot bath —she
remained in those peculiar and frightful spasms. As a last resort,
after giving no medicine for an hour, I gave Caulophyllum 1-10 one
half a grain. In fifteen minutes the spasms ceased; the patient lay
in a stupid condition, free from pain. In the course of the night
the menses came on, and in a few days she was about the house,"
(H).  The Cauloph. was eminently indicated in this case, and it
evidently acted as a prompt curative agent. In my "Monograph
on Abortion," page 18, Dr. R. Ludlam, of Chicago, gives his experience with Caulophyllum in menstrual irregularities.
"' Still another indication for the use of this remedy will be found
in menstrual irregularities, occurring subsequent to, and consequent
upon miscarriage. They are frequent and sometimes very perplexing cases, when neither Puls. Secale, Sabina or other remedies
appear to be especially indicated, and we, have either of the following symptoms: Spasmodic, bearing down pains, with scanty flow;
sympathetic cramps and spasms of neighboring organs, as of the
bladder, rectum and bowels, or, the motor power of the uterus seems
almost entirely gone, and when we may reasonably suppose the
menstrual flow is retarded from a simple lack of the excito-motor
force, either in'the Fallopian tubes, on the parietes of the uterus
itself; the Cauloph. will afford almost instantaneous relief. In a
case of this kind, post-abortive, when the spasmodic pains were




CAULOPHYLLUM   THALICTROIDES.                    91
located in the right lumbar region, occupying a limited space, say
about the size of a silver dollar, and there was almost a total sfip~pression of the catamenia, the Caulophyllin, 3d, dec. trit., repeated
once in three hours, afforded prompt and permanent relief. We
know of no other remedy which is so efficacious under these circumstances. It seems in general practice, to be indicated in many cases
of suppressio-mensium, approaching dysmenorrhoea in some of its
features, being always accompanied by the above named characteristic pains and sufferings of a spasmodic nature. Our experience
would render us very loth to attempt the treatment of these and
kindred cases, without a frequent resort to Caulophyllin." In Dysmenorrhoea, the testimony in its favor is very large. My correspondence with homieopathic physicians convinces me that it is one
of the most successful remedies, in that distressing affection, now in
use. It should be given in appropriate doses, once or twice a day
during the inter-menstrual period, and every few hours, in the
attack. In lMenorrhagia, it is indicated for about the same symptoms as-Ergot and Cimicifuga, and under some circumstances is
superior to both. Dr. Williams reports several interesting cases of
flooding after abortion, when ordinary allopathic and homceopathic
remedies had been used in vain, but were promptly cured by Caulophyllin 1-10. The haemorrhage was passive, had lasted several
weeks, and was probably due to deficient contractility, or profuse
involution of the uterine tissues. When similar conditions obtain
after labor, immediately as in part portem hkemorrhage; or more
remotely, as in profuse lochia, and that form which comes on several
weeks after confinement, after every exertion of the patient, I have
found the Caulophyllin as useful as any other m'edicine. Its action
is pot as rapid as Erigeron or Sabina, but more permanent. Caulophyllin will cause abortion, in the later months of pregnancy. Of
this, I have conclusive testimony. As a remedy in threatened abortion it has no superior. " Mr. S. has had several abortions at about
the third month. Each preceded for a week or more by a sensation of weight and pressure in the pelvis. When I saw her, laborlike pains had already set in, and the os uteri was partly open.
Gave Caulophyllum first, one drop every half hour. In a few hours
the pains abated. She has since given birth at full term  to a
healthy child," (H). In uterine pains during pregnancy —" false
pains," etc., there is no remedy upon which we can rely with more
confidence than Caulophyllin. It has never failed to give relief, in
my practice, and its effects are so apparent that my patients are
unanimous in its praise. I usually give the 2d decimal trit. every three
or six hours, as the case demands. It is equally useful in too severe
and spasmodic pain occurring during parturition; also in deficient
br absent labor-pains. In the former case, however, it should not
be administered lower than the 3d, and even the 30th might be
efficacious; but in the latter condition the one-tenth trit. frequently
repeated, is the most advisable.
-Deficient Labor.-Mrs. E., atprimipara, had been in labor twentyfour hours-a midwife attending her. I found the os uteri about the
size of halfa dollar, (the membranes had roQken during the first hours




92        NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
of pain,) hard, rigid and unyielding, vagina dry, the pains frequent
and spasmodic. Gave Belladonna and Plulsatilla and ordered warm
fomentations.  Twelve hours afterwards there was scarce any
alteration in the condition of the patient, except that she had some
fever, and -was a little delirious. Gave Aconite, 1st. Six hours of
agonizing pain and no progress; by auscultation I discovered the
child to be dead; it was alive twelve hours before. I began to
fear for my patient. Ergot was plainly inadmissible owing to the
yet rigid condition of the os. I therefore gave Caulophyllin, one
half grain every 15 minutes. In one hour the os uteri had become
soft and dilatable, the vagina relaxed and moist; fever abated,
moist skin, pains less agonizing, but strong and expulsive, and in
one hour more she was delivered' of a dead child, weighing 10 1-2
lbs. The mother had a good recovery. I do not think any other
medicine could have produced so favorable a change in so brief a
time. As an agent for inducing premature labor, after rupturing
the membranes, it is invaluable. It is always safer, and in many
cases, superior to Ergot," (H). The chief danger, both to mother
and child, when Ergot is administered, is the powerful continuous
contraction which it causes. It has been the cause of rupture of
the uterus and perineum, and death of the foetus by pressure on
the cord, etc. These casualties are avoided by giving Caulophyllin. In Sutppression of the Lochia, with symptoms- simulating
inflammation, such as pain, cramps, distention, and some tenderness,
the Caulophyllin aided by warm fomentations of Hops, or Polygonum (smart-weed) will restore the discharge in a short time. To
sum up the curative properties of this medicine-I do not doubt
but it is homceopathic, primarily or secondarily, to all the morbid
states mentioned by eclectic authors. It only needs an exhaustive
proving to establish the special indications for its use. I can bear
testimony to its value as a preparatory remedy, in case of: difficult
labor. Myy experience with it in such cases has been very satisfactory.
Caulophyllin  inz Paraplegia.-iDuring the session of the
Western Institute of Homceopathy, held in Chicago, May, 1864.
Dr. Burbank, of Illinois, related a remarkable case of Paraplegia
which he cured with this remedy. The patient was a middle aged
ladv. On the sixth day after her confinement she was attacked
with Metritis-so called by her Allopathic physician. Under the
usual treatment of the old school, the affection apparently subsided,
but left her nearly completely paraplegic. There was partial loss of
sensation,ui and complete loss of motion; could not move the limbs in
bed, or stand upon them. There was considerable emaciation,
anoemia, and general debility. When Dr. B. first saw the case,
two years had elapsed since the seizure, and she was growing
worse. After consultation with some of the most eminent physicians
of Chicago, he gave her Cocculus, Nux. vom., Citrate of Iron and
Strychnia, and several other medicines. Upon examining the
uterus it was;found:retroverted, congested and enlarged. The
patient was put upon the use of Caulophyllin 2nd, and its use was
persisted in until the paraplegia was cured. Improvement set in




CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES.                     93
soon' after taking the medicine, and in a few- weeks she was able to
move her lower extremities; and now —six months after the commencement ofthe treatment-is as well as ever. The uterus, even,
has assumed its normal position and condition. This case -is one
that demands our careful, consideration. It is probable that real
metritis never existed at all. My impression is that it.was originally
a case of retroversion of the uterus, existing before the process
of involution had taken place. After the retroversion, a certain
degree of inflammation may have existed; the process of involution
was arrested, and the uterus remained in a congested or engorged
condition. The, case was one of reflex paraplegia, and the abnormal
state of the uterus its real cause. Such being the ease Nux. vom.,
and the other remedies given, were not appropriate, but Caulophyllin, by acting in a specific manner upon the uterus, restored it to a
normal state, and the paraplegia disappeared of itself. I predict
this remedy will be found a very useful one in many cases of paralylis of the lower extremities.
Male Organs of Generation. -This remedy does not appear to
have been used in any of the diseases of the male genital organs. I
can only find it recommended in one disorder- Gonorrhcea. But
a remedy capable of affecting so profoundly the sexual organs of
one sex, must assuredly affect those of the other. I predict that it
will sometimes be found useful in some' diseases  of the testes, etc.
Even if the Caulophyllin, like Ergot, acts, upon these organs
through the spinal cord, it would not affect.the above conclusions.
Respiratory Organs.-No chest symptoms have been elicited in
any of the fragmentary provings. It may prove useful in certain
spasmodic affections of the the thoracic organs, idiopathic or reflex,
such as hooping cough, hiccough, asthma, spasms of the chest and
lungs, and even cardjif derangQmQnt~.
B aiv auno Extremities.-Pain in the small of the back, like those
of labor; Weight in the region of the sacrum; General lame feeling in the: whrole length of the back. Lassitude and weakness. of
the legs; Trembling of the lower limbs'; Aching in the joints.
Cramps.
CLINICAL REMARKs, —Dr. R. Ludlam  reports two cases of
inflammatory rheumatism of the joints of the hands, cured rapidly
with Caulophyllum.
NoTE. —Since the above was prepared for the press, I received
a proving of Caulophyllum, accompanied by the following letter.
LYONS, May 2nd, 1864.
E. M. HALE, M. D. —Dear  )oter; I t   ing roiv& d na Wld
from yau Iice I last wrote? I hve ooancludcd to send you my short
proving of Crulophyllhim   I have taken it, until I have become so
used to the drug, my system fails to give out any more symptoms.
I think you will be surprised to see what massive doses I took for
such a few symptoms. I do not like to make provings with the
active principles, so-called. They never give me half as many symptoms as the tinctures do. This is the first proving I have ever
seen of Caulophyllum,-I am disappointed; with it. As it has such
a great influence over the female organs of generation, I expected




94        NEW   HOM(EOPATIIC  PROVINGS.
that it would affect the male organs also, but not so. My genital
organs were not affected in the least. Please tell me, if my proving
corresponds with the provings of others, if you have them. I could
not get any of my female friends to prove it. All the symptoms
produced were of a rheumatic character. It appears to arrests
the secretion of bile in a marked manner. The watery stool
I cannot account for.      Truly yours,        W. H. BRT.
DR. BURT'S PROVING WITH CAULOPHYLLIN.
April 28th, 1864. Am in perfect health; tongue not coated;
tonsils are natural; good appetite; bowels move once a day;? urine
acid; temperament sanguine-nervous; age 27; weight 148 lbs.;
pulse 75. 4 P. M.-Took 10 grs. of pure resinoid. 5 P. M.-.-Dull
frontal headache, with a contracted feeling of the skin of the forehead; drawing pains in the thighs, knees, legs and' ankles'; very
sharp pains in the left knee joint, inside; elbows and wrists ache.
5 40.-Very hard pains in the forehead, with a sensation as of
needles being stuck into the forehead. 6 P. M.-Constant flying
pains in the arms and legs, first in one part and then' in another,
remaining only two or three minutes at a time in a place. Severe
drawing pains in the inside of the left thigh; very hard dull frontal
headache; distress in the fauces that causes frequent inclination to
swallow; dull backache in the lumbar region; every few minutes
sharp stinging pains in the glans penis. 9 P. M. —Severe frontal
headache; severe colicky pains every few minutes in the umbilicus; very severe drawing pains in the sterno-cleido-mastoid muscle,
that draws the head to the left side; severe drawing pains in the
joints of the arms and legs; the ankle and toes of the left foot are
very painful; dull backache.
April 29th. Slept well until 3 A. M.; after that I was very restless; skin was hot and dry; severe drawing pains in my hips, knees,
ankles and feet, wrists and fingers. Shutting my hand produced
severe cutting pains in the second joints of all the fingers, they
were very stiff; frequent colicky pains in the umbilicus, relieved
by emissions of flatus; severe drawing pains over the left eye. 10
A. M. —Have the same symptoms. Took 15 grs.; had a natural stool
at 7 A. M. 12 M.-Distress in the stomach and bowels, with drawing pains in the right hypochondrium; drawing pains in the fingers,
legs and feet; the pains are very severe in the feet. 4 i. x. —PDull
frontal headache, by spells there is a very severe pain in the temples
that produces a feeling as if both temples would' be crushed
together; frequent slight colicky pain in the stomach and umbilicus;
slight dull backache; drawing pains in the right side over the liver;
severe drawing pains in the legs and feet, but more especially in
the feet; drawing pains in the fingers; natural but dark stool. 2
P. M. —Took 25 grs. 6 P. M.-Dull headache'; profuse flow of tears;
drawing pains in'the nose; good deal of pain and distress in the
stomach and umbilicus; dull pains in the lumbar region; severe
drawing pains in the ankles and feet; severe pain in the wrists and
joints of the fingers. 9 P. M. —Slight frontal headache; good deal
of distress in the stomach, and small intestines; constant and severe




CAULOPHTYLLUM THALICTROIDES.    95
drawing pains in the wrists and fingers, ankles,feet, and toes; the
left ankle pains very severely; took 30 grs.
April 30th. Had a restless night; there was so much pain in
the joints of the fingers; they look red, and are very stiff; closing
the hand is very painful; slight frontal headache; teeth all feeling
sore and elongated; slight dull pain in the umbilicus when moving,
relieved by emissions of flatus; drawing pains in the knees, ankles,
feet anditoes; walking produces severe painin the metatarsal bones;
natural but hard stool. 10 P. M.-Feeling quite well, excepting
my knees are very weak when walking; another rather soft, stool,
followed by slight pain in the umbilicus; took 50 grs. 12 M. —empty
eructations; sligh distress in the stomach; drawing pains in the
knees and toes, very sharp by spells. 5 P.. —Feeling weak and
nervous; dullness of the head; slight burning distress in the
stomach; slight drawing pains in the wrists and fingers, ankles,
feet and toes; took 75 grs. 10 P. M.-Frequent gulping up of a
very sour, bitterfluid; frequent spells of vertigo; slight burning
distress in the stomach; drawing pains in the fingers, ankles,
feet and toes, but more especially in the toes; knees feeling very
weak when walking; eyes aching with a feeling of something
under the lids; profuse secretion of tears.
May 1st. Slept well until 1 A. M., then awoke with a great
rumbling in the bowels, and a very urgent desire for stool; stool
mostly of water that ran a perfect stream from my bowels, passed
a great quantity. There was no pain. 8 A. M.-Feeling quite well;
tongue coated white; canine hunger; fingers are quite stiff; slight
backache; drawing pains in the toes; want to drink a great deal
of water. 8 A. M.-Frequent slight pain in the umbilicus; drawing
pains in the elbows, wrists, fingers, knees, ankles, feet and toes; all
of my joints crack frequently when walking or turning.
May 2d. Restless night; my fingers, ankles, feet and toes
pained me so much; fingers are very stiff. 7 A. M.-Soft stool, very
white showing a great deficiency of bile in the excretions.
REMARKS.-The urinary or genital organs were not affected in
the least; the pulse remained about natural all the time; its great
centre of action on myself was the small joints; (the fingers and
toes; the carpal, metacarpal and phalangeal; tarsal, metatarsal and
phalangeal joints.)
DR. HALE'S REMARKS.
I know of no more remarkable substantiation of the truth of
the law of Simrilia, than the above graphic proving. How perfectly Dr. Burt describes the rheumatic affection, so similar in its
character to that variety in which Dr. R. Ludlam found the Caulophyllum curative?  I know of no coincidence in my experience
which has ever given me greater satisfaction. To settle any possible cavil or doubt in the minds of the most suspicious, I will say
that Dr. Burt did not know of the use of Caulophyllin in rheumatism, much less had he any knowledge of Dr. Ludlam's experience
with the remedy in that disease. I append Dr. Ludlam's report of
the cases.




96        NEW HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
CHICAGO, May 4th, 1864.
E. M. HALE, M. D. —Dear' Doctor: Meeting my friend, the
Rev. Dr. C-, socially in the autumn of 1860, he inquired if I
had ever prescribed the Caulophyllum for rheumatism? I replied
in the negative. He then told me that he had once suffered from a
very severe and protracted attack of articular rheumatism, in which
the pain and swelling finally settled in the wrist and fingers of one
hand. The usual remedies were tried but without avail. His physician finally prescribed, as a; dernier ressort, a decoction of the Caulophyllum. In a short time he was perfectly relieved. "I would
not," said my friend, "spend a night without the Caulophyllin in
my house for half the city of Chicago!" It so happened that I
was at the time treating an inveterate case of rheumatism affecting
the metacarpal joints of the left hand of a servant girl in the family:
of D. S    Esq. The remedies which I had prescribed did little
good, and all concerned were impatient the girl should, be well and
at work-again. I gave her empirically two grains of the second
decimal trituration of the (Caulophyllin. She was ordered to take
a powder of that size and strength every two hours until relieved.
The poor sufferer had not slept for two or more nights. After taking the second dose she fell asleep, and her pain vanished fro.m that
time forward. There was no metastasis of the complaint, and in
two days she was down stairs at work. While she remained in the
family-two years-she had no return of the disease. Since the
above result was obtained, I have frequently prescribed the Caulophyllin for articular rheumatism  affecting the smaller joints, and
several times with as signal success.  It has however, appeared
more effectual in case of females than of males, who were ill with
this painful disease.  Very respectfully,       R. LubDLrO.
CHIIMAPHILA UMBELLATA.
(Pipsissiwa.)
This plant, known also as Prince's pine, ground holly, etc., is a
native of this country, but grows in many parts of Europe and Asia.
It is found in moist, shady places, and in a loose sandy soil; it flowers in June. The dried plant has scarcely any odor, with a sweetish, somewhat astringent and pleasant taste. It yields its medicinal
virtues to boiling water and alcohol. The leaves are the officinal
portion, but it is probable the root has some virtue.  Chemical
Analysis:-Dr. Holff obtained from  100 parts of the plant, 18.0,
bitter extractive;  2.04, resin; 138, tannic acid. The remainder
was woody fibre, a small portion of gum and some calcareous salts.
Its medicinal virtues are decreed to reside in the bitter extractive,
resin and tannin; but it may be that some of its medicinal powers
reside in the calcareous salts-said salts may consist of Calcarea,




CHIMAPHILA  UMIBELLATA.                      97
Sulphur and the Phosphates, each of which are powerful ciurative
agents. King says the plant contains an acrid and volatile principle —ad saline substances.- The great reputation which this plant
has in chronic scrofulous and psoric affections may suggest the idea
that its curative properties in this direction maybe due to the antipsoric substances residing in the plantsi I shall refer to this subject when treating of Rumex crispus.
GENERAL PROPERTIES.-Wood (Therapeutics, vol. 1, p. 133)says-" The fresh leaves bruised and applied to the skin, are said to
be rubefacient and even vesicating. Internally they are mildly astringent and tonic, with the property of somewhat increasing the secre-7
tion of urine, to which they probably impart some degree of remedial power. It is, I think, scarcely doubtful that their peculiar
active principle, through which they stimulate the kidneys, passes
off, either unchanged or changed, with the urine."  "Pipsissiwa
was much employed by the aborigines of this country, to whom  it
owes the name by which it is now generally designated., From the
Indians the medicine passed into popular use, whence it was adopted by the profession. It was used chiefly in scrofala, rheumatism,
and a ffections of the kidneys, and urinary passages. King says it
is diuretic, tonic, alterative and astringent. Jones &  Scudder
decree it to be diuretic, tonic, astringent, diaphoretic and alterative. Lee, Coe, and other allopathic and eclectic writers entertain
similar views.
General Therapeutie E ee$ts —It has been found curative in
chronic diseases, among which is Scrofula. Prof. Wood says;
"'In Scrofula it is, I-think, a valuable remedy. The late Dr. Joseph
Parish used it very extensively in this affection, and had great confidence in its powers. I have myself been in the habit of employing it in cases of external scrofula during the whole period of my
practice, and have found few remedies which have appeared to me
more efficacious. *  *  *  It has seemed to. me to exercise a favorably alterative influence in- scrofula, independently of:its -astringency and tonic power; but itis extremely difficult to discriminate,
in affections of this kind, between the course of nature and the effects
of remedies, so that it is proper to speak of the latter with some
reserve. Fully aware of the necessity of this caution, I am still of
opinion, as the result of considerable experience, that pipsissiwa
deserves to rank next to cod-liver oil, and. the preparations of Iodine
andIron in the treatment of Scrofula. In order that its full effects
maybe'obtained, it should be long continued, with interruptions
now and then should any considerable degree of fever supervene (?).
In cases attended with ulcers of an indolent and flabby character, it
may be used with advantage as a wash."  These: are the deliberate
statements of one of the best authors in the allopathic school, and
are entitled to some weight. They should stimulate us: to make a
thorough proving of this plant. It: may become a valuable antipsoric. Other writers give: their testimony in its favor in - scrofula.
Prof. Lee -quotes Wood, expressing his ". entire confidence in: the
opinions so strongly set forth."  He has advised this remedy for a,
long time in the same class of cases, both in city and country prac13




98        NEW HOMaEOPATtIIC PROVINGS.
tice, and with marked success: "It is a tonic-astringent of peculiar efficacy in the whole class of cachexia." The late Prof. Mitchell,
of New York, made it the subject of his inaugural thesis (Phil.
1863): "In Scroftla it has proved eminently useful, and with some
practitioners is held in very high repute in the various forms of this
disease, both before and after ulceration. Some have thought it
possessed of specific powers and hence it has acquired the title in
some parts of the country, of the' King's Cure.' D1r. Justice, of
North Carolina. informs us that he " has known it to effect perfect
cures in several obstinate cases of Scrofula, without the aid of other
means.:"  (Jones & Scudder's Mat. Med.)  This last assertion
which I have italicized, is of great import to the homceopathic
physician. The true test qf a remedy in disease, is its effects
when given singly. The Illinois Homaeopathic Medical Association, and the Western Institute of IHomceopathy, which held their
sessions in Chicago this year (1864), each appointed a Bureau of
Provings. The Chimaphila has been selected by this Bureau as a
proper medicine to investigate, and obtain its pathogenesis. I am
sanguine that the profession will gain a valuable remedy in the
Pipsissiwa.
-Fevers.-In several instances in which I have administered this
medicine, the following symptoms have been observed: About half
an hour after each dose (of the 1st dil.) a flushing of the cheeks,
with some general heat, and acceleratedpulse. Wood seems t o imply a caution not to use the Pipsissiwa when fever is present. It
may be homeopathic to some form of fever, probably those having
a hectic character. ".During the Revolutionary War it was used extensively by the army surgeons as a tonic and diaphoretic in typhus
fever.' (ZLee.) Prof. Mitchell relates many cases of intermittent
fever effectually cured by it.
Rheumatism.-As a popular remedy in this disease, i thas always
been in high repute. It is chiefly in chronic rheumatism that its
curative powers have been most noticed. A proving, however, is
necessary to show the particular variety for which it is indicated.
Special Effects.-In the absence of any proving I shall not venture any theoretical suggestions as to its influence on special organs
and tissues, or portions of the body. I deem it proper, however, to
note the large amount of testimony given by the allopathic and
eclectic schools, in favor of its specific action upon, and curative influence over disorders of the
Urinary Organs.-Dr.- Wood says it has been chiefly used in
afections of the kidneys and urinary passages: "Its diuretic
powers have recommended it in dropsy. In cases of this disease
attended with debility, but little reliance can be placed upon its
efficacy; and at best it should be used only as an adjuvant to other
more powerful diuretics." Dr. Lee says: "In Germany it has long
been deemed one of the best remedies in abdominal and renal
dropsies, increasing the urinarysecretion and the depurating function.
We have employed it to a considerable extent for many years,
especially in the treament of dropsical affections, in broken-down
constitutions and intemperate subjects, and generally with manifest




CHIMAPHILA UMBELLATA.                        99
advantage. It has tended to carry off the dropsical accumulations,
while at the same time it imparted tone and vigor to the digestive
system. In Albuminuria also, its effects have proved decidedly
beneficial.  It ranks with.Buchu, Uiva Ursi and _Pareira Brava,
all tonics, and all exerting a specific influence over the genito-urinary
organs. Dr. Barton extols it highly for its anti-lithic properties,
and ranks it with Uva Ursi.: It may; however, well be doubted,
whether it has any specific powers of this kind."  Dr. Coe says it
is useful in dropsy, (especially ascites) gonorrhcea, strangury, gqavel,
and syphilis, when these affections are attended with torpor and
debility. "It exercises a specific influence over the urinary apparatus, increasing the renal secretion, and at the same time it is
thought by some to lessen the quantity of lithic acid, or lithates
secreted. It is especially serviceable in chronic diseases of the
genito-urinary mucous membrane, as in chronic catarrhal affections
of the bladder; chronic nephritis, or urethritis, attended with a purulent or profuse mucous discharge. It is also beneficial in calculous
and prostatic affections; diabetes; in the advanced stages of
albuminuria; and in other disorders of the urinary organs attended
with local debility. In atonic or passive dropsies it has been found
useful."' (Jones & Scudder Mat. Med.) The last paragraph contains, in my opinion, the best resume of the curative properties of
the chimaphila, as regards its action on the urinary organs. I
believe a proving will establish its homceopathicity to the affections
named.
I will now give my individual experience in the use of this
remedy. My attention was first called to it in a case which
happened in the early part of my practice. A young woman
applied to me for a distressing dysuria which had troubled her for
several weeks. She was plethoric, hysterical, had disorders of the
digestive organs, constipation, haemorrhoids, and scanty menses.
The urine was scanty, but was voided frequently, with much pain
before, (passing), during (scalding, smarting) and after. (Vesical
tenesmus.)  The urine was high-colored and deposited a copious
mucous sediment. I gave  her Cantharis, Cannabis, Pulsatilla,
Capsicum, Copaiva, Sepia, Terebinthina and many other remedies,
which seemed indicated, for several weeks, but they only palliated
the difficulty.  Cool hip baths, the wet bandage, mucilaginous
drinks, and Nux Vomica, Sulphur and enemas for the constipation,
etc., were tried, without much effect. An examination of the
vagina and uterus was instituted, but elicited only a tenderness of
the anterior portion of the vagina (bladder) and urethra, some
prolapsus, and slight leucorrhcea (uterine). At this juncture, an old
nurse proposed the'use of the' Prince's Pine."  I assented, having
no prejudice against the plant, and hoping it might benefit my
suffering patient. A decoction of the plant (of uncertain strength)
was prepared, and a wine-glassful administered three or four times
a day. In a week I called to see what the effects of the medicine
had been. To my surprise, I was informed that improvement had
set in the next day after the remedy was commenced. Not only
was the dysuria nearly removed, but the, sediment had almost dis



100    NEW -HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
appeared from the urine; and, stranger still, the constipation was
cured, and the digestive organs were in a normal condition. In
two weeks she was as well as ever. The prompt cure wvhich the
Chirlaphila effected in this case led me to use it in many cases of
strangury, catarrhal affections of the bladder, etc., and in many instances I found it act certainly. It failed in some cases, probably.because it was not truly indicated. I was once called in counsel to
a case of chronic renal and vesical affection, in which the amount of
sediment of a thick, ropy, character, and a pink color (the color
was found to be owing to blood) was really enormous in amount.
The patient, a young man, was debilitated, ansemic,'dyspeptic, had
hectic fever and night sweats, and altogether was in a bad condition.   Various remedies, including  China, Phosphoric acid,
Cannabis, etc., had been given.:Uva Ursi was tried with good
results for a time. At my suggestion the Chimaphila was used, a
few drops ofthe fluid extract in a glass of water, a spoonful every
two hours. He improved rapidly under its use, and in a few weeks
was able to resume his usual avocations. A relapse occurred after
six or eight months. He was again benefited bythe medicine,
since which time I have not heard from  the patient. It has -one
generally uniform effect, namely: to cause mucous sediment to disappear from the urine.  I believe it will be found curative in albumiqnaria, as well as catarrhal affections of the urinary organs. In
that distressing symptom, vesical tenesmmus, occurring from prolapsus or retroversion, it is an excellent palliative, before the uterus is
replaced; and curative after that operation.
I have used it successfullyin two cases of long lasting:gleet. Under
its use the discharge disappeared, and the general health  improved. fI  have noticed the follow'ingpathogenetic symptoms from
its use:
Copious discharge of clear: limpid urine.
Frequent and profuse urination.
Urging to urinate after voiding urine.
Pressing fulness in the region of the bladder.
Loose stool, three or:four times a day.
For the above symptoms, which are primary effects, I have found
the 6th attenuations- most useful. In chronic disorders and catarrhal
affections of these organs, the lowest dilutions: seems to act more
beneficially. I have not tried the high potencies.
Case illustrating its value in irritable bladder:A married lady, aged, 34, had been troubled for many years with
prolapsus uteri, leucorrhcea, ulceration of the neck, etc., but. who is
now somewhat better of those difficulties, applied to me for the
relief of an obstinate vesical irritability. Her' symptoms were as
follows:
Frequent desire to urinate: during the  day. At night the
urging was so constant as to deprivp her of all sleep, She had to
get up and urinate as often as everyhour. The urine was high
colored, deposited a copious light-colored sediment (mucous), and
there was considerable smarting, burning and pricking pain during
its emission. The quantity of urine voided was not larger than




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                    101
normal. The patient. was constipated, an evacuation only every
third day. Some tenderness over thehypogastric region. She had
a severe, racking, dry cough, but no indication of pulmonary difficulty. The prolapsus was aggravated by the cough.
April 2. Inserted an India rubber inflatable pessary. This
relieved the prolapsus, and stopped the cough altogether, but the
vesical irritation was not alleviated, at the end of five days.
April 6. Gave Cannabis 1st (4 pills No. 5, dry,) every four
hours. The effect of this remedy was prompt in relieving the
irritation, and indirectly causing sleep. She declared it acted as a
direct anodyne. This improvement continued for five days, when
the medicine ceased to give any relicf, and she grew worse than
b efore.
April 11. Gave Chimaphila first decimal dilution, 10 drops in a
spoonful of water, every four hours. For several days no effect
was noticeable, except a flushing of the cheeks for about twenty
minuztes after each dose. On the fourth night, however, she was
able to sleep all night, and next day she noticed that the usual
copious sediment was notably lessened, and the dysuria and frequent
urging rapidly gave way. The bowels began to act regularly; the
tenderness of the bladder disappeared, and at this date, April 20th,
she is more comfortable than for many months previously.
Several things relating to the action of this rehledy are worthy of
note:
1. The pathogenetic symptoms mentioned above.
2. Its power in relieving dysuria.
3. Its influence  in lessening the sediment (there was an
evident vesical catarrh.)
4. Its curative action in constipation.
C I MIC IF UG A R AC E M OSA.
(Mfacrotys racemosa.  Black Snake-root.)
This powerful medicinal plant has been used more or less since
the settlement of New England by the whites. It was much used
by the Indians, under the name of Black Cohosh or Squaw Root, for:rheumatism and -diseases of their women. It thus became introduced into domestic, and finally, to some extent, into regular practice.
Still it has always been most in use among the eclectic school, who
value it as we do our Bryonia and Pulsatilla. It is a tall and stately
plant, growing in shady and rocky woods, rich grounds, from Maine
to Florida, flowering from June to July. The root is the part
generally employed in. medicine, though probably the seeds will be
found active; the root should be gathered early in the autumn and
dried in the shade. It consists of a thick, irregularly bent, or contorted body or caudex, from  one-third of an inch to an inch in




102    NEW  HOMEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
diameter, often several inches in length, furnished with many slender
radicles, and rendered extremely rough and jagged in appearance
by the remains of the stems of successive years. The color is externally, dark brown, almost black; internally a yellowish-white; the odor
is feeble and disgreeable, and the taste bitter, somewhat astringent,
leaving a slight sense of acrimony. It yields its virtues partially to
boiling water, but wholly to alcohol. The taste of the tincture
reminds one strongly of that of laudanum. From the root is
obtained the concentrated principle Mfacrotin, which contains
most of the essential properties of the plant, and is often used in the
place of the tincture. The stem is simple, herbaceous, smooth,
furrowed, from 4 to 8 feet high. The leaves fine, alternate, one
nearly radical, large, decompound, and tripinnate; upper one bipinnate. The leaflets are ovate, oblong, sessile, opposite, three to
seven, incised and toothed. The flowers are fetid, white, in a long
terminal raceme, with oftentimes one or more shorter ones at base.
Thefruit or capsule is ovoid, dry, with one cell, containing numerous flat, smooth seeds, which are packed horizontally in two rows.
In the late autumn, and winter, any motion of the plant, causes a
rattling of the seeds, so much resembling the alarm of the rattle
snake as to cause the hunter to start-hence the country people
call it Rattle-weed.
The following pathogenesis which is pretty complete, is made
up of the provings of Drs. Marcy, H. M. Paine, Hill, Douglas and
others. The provings were made with doses of the crude tincture,
the dilutions, (3d and 6th) and many of the symptoms are firom its
poisonous effects. Altogether it -is probably as reliable a proving
as any of our polycrests, and I predict that in a few years it will
rank as high in the estimation of our school, as any remedy we
possess. I have taken pains to collect all the reliable clinical facts
which have appeared in the records of any school, in relation to its
curative action in disease. My own experience with it has been
large.
GENERAL. —Feels very tired. Nervous weakness during the
afternoon. Great sensitiveness to the cold air, which seemed to
penetrate the system. Continual restlessness in the afternoon, desire to move about, not knowing what to do or where to go.
General feeling of illness; weak, trembling exhausted sinking feeling, with slight nausea. Easily fatigued, as after great exertion.
Miserable dejected feeling. Tremors; so weak and trembling as
not to be able to go out or study; believes the condition to be but
one remove from  mania a potu. Desire to lie down and close the
eyes. General bruised feeling as if sore. Sensation as from severe
muscular exercise, especially in the small of the back. It effects the?left side most. Feeling which only those know  who "spree "or watch all night with the sick. Soreness and stiffness of the
whole body, as after hard labor.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-NO particular indications are proper under
this head. The general symptoms of a drug may be primary-as
when the nervous system is profoundly impressed-and the local
affections, the result'; or, they may be secondary, as when particu



CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                      103
lar organs are first affected, resulting in constitutional disturbance.
I would classify its general action as follows:
Nervous System.- Wood classifies it with the "Nervous Sedatives," and I am inclined to think its primary action in pathogenetic
doses is in that direction. How it effects the nervous system is
beyond our ken. We know that it causes all those symptoms known
to the profession under the name of "nervous prostration," and
even extreme conditions which resemble dilirium tremens. This
malady is defined by Watson to consist essentially of a state of
"nervous irritation."  He thinks this' is as good a name as any for
a state which we know exists.  He contends that the nervous
system can be irritated, as well as any organ in the body. It is also
proper to designate certain conditions as states of "1nervous exhaustion "-" nervous excitement."  Cimicifuga seems to cause all these
states of the nervous system. When given to a healthy person it
causes first nervous excitement, which soon leads to irritation and
finally exhaustion.  Some observers have the folly to state that
" very large doses cause no alarming effects."?' I have seen not only
alarming, but dangerous effects arise from dram doses of the "fluid
extract." administered to a girl, by a botanic quack.
Nerves of Sensation. —It seems to exercise considerable control
over this system, independently of its action on the vascular system.
It cures many of those purely neuralgic pains to which females are
liable. Our provings show it to be capable of causing various aches
and pains of a similar character.
Nerves of Motion.-It causes "nervous tremors "- with great
restlessness-(See general symptoms.)  It seems to exert a peculiar
and specific action upon some of the diseases of the nerves of motion,
especially in chorea, Not only in that variety which arises from
rheumatic irritation, but when arising from other causes. A great
number of cases of chorea treated successfully with this remedy
have been reported, a few of, which we collect.
Case 1st. A boy aged 11, had had Chorea for foar months;
one side was affected, and in almost constant motion, except
when asleep; he had been under medical care all the time without
avail. He then took one teaspoonful of pulv. black snake root
every morning for three days, then omitted it three, then resumed
it again until he  had taken it nine times. When he had taken six
doses he was almost well; when he had taken nine doses he was
perfectly well, and remained so for at least four years.-Dr. Young.
Case 2nd. A girl sick with Chorea for a month; after taking
three doses she was very much improved; six doses cured her
entirely. It caused pricking all over every time it was taken.Ibid.
Case 3rd. A lady, aged 19 had Chorea for two weeks; her left
side was almost constantly in motion; it did not prevent her gleeping; Jher general health was perfectly good, and no cause could be
detected. She was dosed with Calomel, Jalap, Tartar emetic and
Cream Tartar, for seven days, when Dr. Young was startled, for
he found that the Chorea had extended to the right side and was
tenfold aggravated. Her arms, legs, head, face,, tongue and every




104       NEW  IHOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
muscular part, was in continual and irregular motion; she could
with great difficulty speak intelligibly. The power of swallowing
was lost to a great degree, she could not walk one step, nor stand
up without support, nor could she sleep day or night on account of
the constant twitching and jerking of the muscles. A teaspoonful
of the powdered root of Cimicifuga was given three times a day;
in five days she was much better, could walk 300 or 400 yards,
could speak and swallow as well as ever; slept well at night; her
legs had but little irregular motion, her head was steady, and the
muscles of her face scarcely agitated; her arms were more affected
than any other part. In seven days more she was quite well-. It
neither vomited, sweated, purged or acted on her kidneys; the only
sensation she had was an uneasy sensation, almost amounting to an
ache, through all her limbs, after every dose, and continuing three
or four hours. Dr. Physic cured several cases with ten grain doses
every two hours. Dr. Wood cured a case after the failure of purgative and  metallic tonics'; also a case of periodic- convulsions
connected with uterine disorder.
Case 4th. A girl aged 9, whose mental faculties were much
disordered, and who had lost nearly all power over the left arm
and leg; bowels irregular, headache, and pain frequently shooting
down the left arm. Was cured quickly. A very intractable case
was cured by Dr. Otto.; A girl aged 18-Chorea with considerable
gastric derangement, with suppression of menses for five months.
Five grains of the pulv. root every 3 hours; no improvement for
nearly a week; then improved rapidly and was well in three weeks.
Dr. Davis says we can no longer doubt its efficacy in Chorea, in all
cases arising from  undue irritability or mobilityi of the nervous
system, especially when induced by exposure to cold; in short, when
Chorea arises from a rheumatic irritation of the motor nerves, and
muscles, or of the anterior column of the spinal marrow. In the
various Eclectic Journals, there have been reported from- time to
time very many cures of Chorea, made with Cimicifuga. I In some
cases the powdered' root was used; in others the tincture, resinoid
(macrotin), or the fluid extract. According to my experience it ismost useful when the disease occurs in females, is aggravated at
the menstrual periods, and seems to be somehow connected with
derangement of the generative functions. The first decimal of the
pulv. root seems to act more promptly in these cases, although the
first dec. dilution is quite reliable. Physicians are in duty bound
to report their failures as well as their cures. I have given the
Cimicifuga in some cases without deriving any benefit from its use.
One case was a child about 10 years of age. The first symptom was
a "catching" of the lower limb, like the disease called " spring-halt"
in horses; afterwards came twitching of the mouth, arms, fingers
and feet. Cimicifuga -lst or 3d trit. did not cause any improvement in ten days. Agaricus was tried a week:; but Nu:x vomica`2d.
dil. five drops threetimes a day arrested the malady. A simila-I'case
also resisted its action, probably because it was not strictly homceopathic, but when the citrate of Iron and Strychnia was given, a rapid
recovery was the result. This last medicine was selected because of




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                    105
the antemia which indicated Iron, and the peculiar spasmodic
symptoms called for Nux vom.. One grain of the first decimal was
given three times a day. Improvement immediately set in, and
continued until the recovery was complete-about four weeks,
F'ever.-Chilliness during the forenoon. Occasional cold chill.
Coldness and chills, particularly of the arms and feet soon after
waking. At 3 A. M., the whole surface became cold. Slight cold
perspiration, and sensation as if it would become profuse, continuing for an hour, accompanied by lancinating pain along the cartilages of the false ribs, left side, increased by taking a long inspiration. Disposition to perspire at night for three weeks; irregular,
usually three or four times a week, occurring about 3 A. nv., commencing while asleep, and disappearing a few minutes after waking,
never profuse. During the first week the surfacewas cold with the
perspiration, but during the last ten days the perspiration was
accompanied by heat rather than coldness; pulse too slow, every
third or fourth pulsation intermitting.  In three quarters of an
hour, increased heat of the face; slight inclination to sweat; pulse
rather full, 90 in the minute, it being 80 before taking the drug.
In three quarters of an hour after taking the second dose, pulse
weaker and very irregular, 80 in the minute. At the end of an
hour pulse 80 and irregular. Pulse quick and weak. In morning
pulse feeble, with weakness and trembling. Drowsiness, with creeping chills upon the back during the evening, followed by frequent
wakings during the night, and desire to throw off the bed clothes,
although the thermometer was below zero.
CLINICAL REMARIKs.-The febrile symptoms developed during a
proving of Cimicifuga are very slight.  Careful obsevers have
almost uniformly foundit to lessen the force and frequency of the
pulse, at the same time soothing pain and allaying irritability. Dr.
Davis says, it causes a depression of the pulse, which remains for a
considerable time. Dr. Marcy says: " Like many other drugs which
exercise a specific action upon the nervous system, the primary
effect of actea, when given in small doses, is slightly stimulating to
both the nervous and vascular systems, causing a slight increase in
the force and frequency of the pulse, and followed speedily by a
permanent depression of the circulation. When administering it
for mild attacks of rheumatism, we have in several instances
observed this primary and secondary action. Among the secondary
effects which are strongly marked, are, diminished nervous irritability, and disposition to sleep." In Rheumatic fever, it is a valuable
remedy. It will sometimes act promptly in reducing the force oI
the pulse, and bringing on a healthy perspiration. Some severe
acute attacks of inflammatory rheumatism have been cured with
Cimicifuga in a very short time. But it has been usually given ill
too large doses, by the dominant scho6l, (30 to 60 drops of the
tincture every two or four hours). Such doses are useless and injuri.
ous. I have succeeded with five drops of the first dilution, and rarely
resort to the tincture. Five drops every hour should be the max
imum dose.
In Yellow fever, it is recommended by some writers. It would
14




106    NEW  HOMMOPATHIC PROVINGS.
seem to be somewhat homceopathic to the severe and peculiar " pains
in the bones," as sufferers term it, but probably bears no relation to
the real condition present. In nearly all fevers it may be indicated for certain conditions which may arise.  Thus in many
fevers, the nervous system, the brain, may and does become very
irritable and irritated, and a train of symptoms, such as will be
found under the head of "Brain,"' will arise. In such cases small
doses will remove the symptoms, and permit remedies more appropriate to the general condition, to act untrammelled. Although
this remedy is to a certain extent an analogue of aconite, yet it does
not seem to control febrile diseases as promptly.
Skin.-Eruptions of white pustules over the face and neck.
Sometimes large, red, papular.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The above is a curative symptom, although
it has been recorded in some of our works as a pathogenetic. So
far in our experiments we have failed to develop any skin symptoms. It is indeed doubtful whether it is an eliminator like arsenicum, or a cutaneous irritant like sulphur. Dr. Hill, in his Epitome,
highly recommends its use in Small Pox, but his indications are not
based on any relation it has to the eruptions, but to the peculiar
pains, etc., which accompany the fever. Dr. D. S. Smith, of Chicago recommends it very highly in Variola and Varioloid, and
asserts that it decidedly modifies the disease, preventing pitting,
and even the development of pustules. It may prove useful, indirectly, in some exanthematous diseases.  Thus: Urticaria often
depends upon rheumatic irritation of internal organs; some eruptions are excited by menstrual derangements. Cimicifuga being
homceopathic to the exciting causes, will, by removing them, remove
the cutaneous irritation. Dr. Lee says, "it sometimes appears to
have a specific action on the skin, causing a sensation of prickling,
itching and heat on the whole surface." This may be (by its action
on the terminal nerves) attended sometimes by a slight eruption.
Sleep. —Very restless at night. Restless at night after three or
four hours of good sleep. Restlessness early in the morning, continuing for a week. Disturbed, restless, unrefreshing sleep, from
3 to 5 A. M., with disposition to fold the arms over the head;
unpleasant dreams of being in trouble, of being in a sad plight;
Somnolency.
CLINICAL REMAIrKS.-The sleeplessness and nightly restlessness
caused by this drug belong to its power of causing nervous irritation. In delirium apotu, sleeplessness is one of the most troublesome symptoms, one which the dominant school try to subdue with
enormous doses of opium. Opium is sometimes homceopathic to
this condition, also Cannabis ind., Coffea, Arsenicum, etc., but none
more so than Cimicifuga, unless it be Digitalis, which latter medicine is just now used with such success in delirium tremens. In
typhoid states, hysteria, and those conditions brought on by mental
excitement and labor, we have to deal with insomnia of an obstinate
character. In many of these instances this remedy will, assist us
in our treatment of the difficulty. I have given it in the sleeplessness of children during teething, or when no apparent cause for the




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                    10~
symptoms existed. A few pellets of the 3d, seemed to palliate as
well as Coffea.
Mind and Sensorinum.-Not disposed to fix the attention on any
subject; vertigo; impaired vision; dizziness; dullness in the head;
vertigo; fulness and dull aching in the vertex; ten minutes after
taking the third decimal dilution, a sort of delirium, with an inclination to run over the subject on which he was reading. Miserable
dejected feeling; mind dull and heavy. Feels grieved, troubled,
with sighing; next day a feeling of tremulous joy, with mirthfulness, playfulness and clear intellect. Considerable exhilaration.
Pleasurable excitement. Cimicifuga soon shows its action on the
sensorium, when administered to sensitive persons. Dr. King
made casual mention in his dispensatory, that this drug had caused
symptoms simulating delirium tremens. To get at the real history
of such action I wrote to Dr. King, who kindly favored me with
the following statement: * * "I did not pay that attention to the
symptoms as one of your school would have done, but merely
noticed them in the aggregate. In the cases referred to, I gave the
tincture for the cure of rheumatism, in ordinary doses of 20 to 30
drops, every hour, but finding the symptoms resulting therefrom to
be similar to those, of delirium tremens, I omitted the medicine
until they had disappeared, and again administered it, but in smaller
doses, and so continued until I found that even two or three drops
would be followed by the same symptoms, and was therefore compelled to cease its use altogether in such cases. I have not met with
this effect in but three cases, and in the first one that occurred, so
positive was I from the symptoms of the patient, that his wife had
allowed him the use of some liquor, that I came very near being
discharged on account of the scolding I administered to both the
patient and his wife. In fact, I did not believe in that case that
the tincture produced the effects, nor until I met with the other
cases. As near as I can recollect there were nausea, retching,
dilated pupils, tremor of the limbs, incessant talking and changing
from one subject to another without any order, though perfectly
sensible when the attention was aroused by any person addressing
them, or conversing with them, but soon relapsing into their vagaries when not disturbed; great wakefulness, imagining strange
objects upon the bed, and in the room, as rats, sheep, etc. Sometimes arousing from their incoherent talkativeness as if startled,
and inquiring regarding persons present: —'Who is that man?''What does he want here?''Tell him to go home,' etc. With
quick, full pulse, a wild look of the eyes, and the peculiar indescribable expression of face commonly observed among those who
labor under delirium tremens." I can corroborate Dr. King's
experience with the Cimicifuga. I once gave the tincture to a girl
who had dysmenorrhcea. I ordered her to take one drop every
two hours during the premonitory stage, and when the pains, which
were intense, painful, like labor-pains, and extended to the hips,
thighs and ovarian regions had become severe, to take one drop
every half hour. By some misunderstanding she took five drops
every half hour for six hours. When I saw her she had no pains,




108       NEW  HIOMEEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
but said her head felt " strange and wild;" her pupils were dilated,
she talked incoherently, and exclaimed that she saw rats, mice, and
insects, on the bed and on the floor and ceiling. She also complained of a roaring in the head, very distressing.
CLINICAL R:EMARKS.- In its effects on the sensorium, (brain)
Cimicifuga is analogous to Arsenicum, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus,
Opium, Stramonium, and a few other drugs, but it has important
points of dissimilarity which should be considered in the selection of
the drug. I treated one mild case of delirium tremens with this
remedy. It seemed to remove the condition. Wrhen the symptoms above narrated occur in typhoid, or hysteric states, the Cimicifuga will act beneficially. A few drops of the 3d dilution in
water every hour seems the most appropriate method of administration.
Itead. — eaviness and dullness of the head; slight fulness of the
head; slight dull pain in the head; acute pain generally through the
head during the day, at times more severe on the left side; slight
pain in the head in the evening; remittent headache of long standing, more or less severe every day, but increased every second day;
dull pain deep in the forehead; dullness of the head and pain in
the forehead and occiput; dull pain in the forehead in the afternoon; dull, boring pain in the forehead, over the left superciliary
ridge, continuing for two hours, from 10 A. M; pain in the forehead
and occiput, with heaviness of the head after one hour; pain from
the eyes to the top of the head, which seemed as if the nerves were
excited to too much action, lasting three hours-under large doses,
it lasted six hours; pain over the eyes; pain over the left eye,
extending along the base of the brain to the occiput; slight pain in
the forehead; dryness of the pharynx; aching in the eyes, apparently
between the eyeball and orbital plate of the frontal bone. At 10 P. Mi.
occasional transient pain in the forehead, over the right eye; dull
pain in the head; fullness in the forehead, over the eyes; severe
pain in the head, particularly in the forehead and eyeballs; severe
pain in the forehead over the right eye, and extending to the temple
and vertex with fulness, heat, and throbbing, and when going up
stairs, a sensation as if the top of the head would fly off; fulness in
the vertex; aching pain in the vertex and occiput in paroxysms, at
times quite severe, immediately after rising. Pain in the vertex
during the afternoon and evening; sensation as if the temples were
compressed occasionally through the day; dull, heavy headache,
more in the left temple; slight pain in the left side of the head;
aching pain in the head, particularly in the'ociput,; exlperienced
only while indoors, relieved by the open air-it increased during
the afternoon, and was quite severe in the evening; about 9 P. M.,
it disappeared entirely after a walk in the open air; constant dull
pain in the head, particularly in the occiput, and extending to the
vertex, during the forenoon and part of the afternoon. The pain
in the head is always relieved by open air; dull sensation through
the head as though he had been on a " spree" and was getting over
its effects. Brain feels too large for the cranium; brain feels compressed. Awoke at 2 o'clock A. M., with excruciating, though dull




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                    109
pain in the forehead, extending to the temples, with coldness of
forehead; pain in the eyeballs. Dull pain in the region of moral
organs-a pressing outward and upward, as if there was not room
enough for the upper portion of the cerebrum. This pain was very
oppressive and intolerable; it began about 5 o'clock p. M., after
taking the second dose, and continued unabated till morning, when
it was relieved in thirty minutes by a dose of Bryonia.
CLINICAL REMARiS.-There is no remedy in our Materia
Medica which so promptly and uniformly causes headache as the
Cimicifuga-with the exception of Glonoine. It is homceopathic to
a variety of headaches, particularly the nervous, rheumatic and
menstrual. It effects the brain in a manner similar to Digitalis.
Some of its symptoms resemble Nux., Ign., Glonoine, Spigelia and
Belladonna. It has cured a headache with "severe pain in the
eyeballs, extending into the forehead, and increased by the slightest
movement of the head or eyeballs," also " dull pain in the occipital
regions with shooting pains down the back of the neck."
Case 1st. A lady aged 35, has suffered from  dyspepsia for
several months, and for nine days past from severe pain in the forehead over the right eye, and extending to the temple and vertex,
with fullness, heat and throbbing, and when going up stairs a
sensation as if the top of the head would fly off. Coldness and
chills, particularly of the arms and feet; faintness in the epigastrium;
pain and regurgitation of food after eating. Cimicifuga first, three
drops three times a day, afforded prompt and permanent relief. —
Paine.
Case 2nd. Mrs. W. aged 47, has not yet passed the critical
period, and suffers from various neuralgic pains incident to that
time. Now suffers from severe pains in the head, particularly in
the forehead and eyeballs. Cimicifuga second, afforded prompt
relief in a few hours.
Case 3rd. Dull pain in the head; fullness in the forehead and
eyes; pain in the eyeballs,: increased secretion of tears; fluent
watery coryza; frequent sneezing; soreness of the throat; cough at
night, caused by tickling in throat-cured in two days by Cimicifuga
2. (Dr. Paine). This is a well marked case of catarrhal headache. I
have found it useful in similar cases. Dr. B. L. Hill states that the
pains in the head caused by Cirnicifuga are all from within outwards. It is particularly usefulin headaches of delicate, nervous and
hysterical females, when the headaches occur at or near the menstrual periods, during pregnancy, and at the change of life. ("Sabina.")
It is useful in the headaches of drunkards, occurring after a debauch;
in the headaches of students and literary men; after mental labor,
and that peculiar heaviness, dullness and gloominess which results
fiom want of sleep. (Nux.)  Children, during teething, or in the
course of many diseases, frequently show symptoms of irritation of
the brain. This is denoted by peevishness, wakefulness, flushedface, injected eyes, etc. In such cases eclectics claim the Cimicifuga has a calming influence, and prevents cerebral congestion,
spasms, etc.
Eyes.-Aching of the eyes, at 10 A. M. Heaviness of the eyes,




110    NEW  HOMWEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
as if caused by cold. Dull pain in both eyeballs. Pain in both eyeballs. Pain in the centre of the eyeballs, and also sensationas if
pain were situated between the eyeball and the orbital plate of the
frontal bone, in the morning, on rising, continuing all day, but not
severe as in the morning; aching pain in the centre of both eyeballs, rarely in one alone, continuing for three weeks after discontinuing the drug; aching pain in both eyeballs through the day; aching
in the eyeballs, in the evening; on going up stairs, eyeballs painful
for a short time; pain in the eyeballs; increased secretion of tears;
pain in the eyeballs, in the left more than in the right, and sensation as if they were enlarged —most severe in the morning; severe
aching pain in the right eyeball, after. retiring at night; constant
dull aching pain in right eyeball, and across the forehead, accompanied with nausea. Pain extending from the right eyeball through
to the right side of the occiput, slightly affecting the ear, at night;
Stinging in the eyelid, stinging in the eyelids, an hour after taking
the drug; stinging of the eyelids, dulness and heaviness of the head
and eyes, as if produced by cold; inflammation of both eyelids; sensation of swelling of right eyelid, with heat as if inflamed, after
four hours. Pain in the right eyelid when closing it, in the afternoon. (The above is fron Marcy's proving.) Redness of face and
eyes;. eyes feel as if swollen; black specks before the eyes. Myopia
increased. During the headache the eyes were so congested as to
attract the attention of every one, although there was no disagreeable feeling in them. (Hill's proving).
CLINICAL REMARIKs. —Few  medicines cause such intense and
persistent pains in the eyeballs. The pains are principally aching.
(Bell., Digit., Merc., Ilepar., Cupr., Crocus., Cocc.) The pains caused
by this drug simulate rheumatic and neuralgic affections of the
eyes. It will probably be found useful in i" ocular hyper-msthesia"
-a condition of irritation and over-sensitiveness of the optic nerves.
It appears to effect the eyes in a manner somewhat similar to
Spigelia in causing intense pains in the eyeballs. A young lady
aged 20, of light complexion, had suffered for several weeks fromr
ophthalima, pain in the eyeballs-a sensation as if they were
enlarged - most severe in the morning; prickling in the inner
canthus, aggravated'by reading; inflammation of the eyelids;
slight secretion of mucus early in the morning; sore throat; reading
causes headache. Cimicifuga first, three drops, three times a day,
entirely removed all the pains in the eyeballs and head.  (Paine.)
It seems to be indicated in Amaurosis, but we have no clinical experience in this disease. Dr. King (eclectic) says, "In doses of one
dram of the tincture every hour, it has effected thorough cures of
ophthalima conjunctiva, without the aid of any local application."
Nose.-Stinging sensation in the nose in the evening; obstruction
of the left nostril, in the evening; inclination to sneeze twice in
the afternoon. -Frequent inclination to sneeze, inlthe afternoon;
sneezing; headache; sneezing several times, at 10 A. Mr.; frequent
sneezing and fluent coryza during the day. Fluent coryza; fluent
coryza of whitish mucus during the day; constant coryzai during
the day; abundant watery coryza; copious coryza; copious coryza




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                    111
during the forenoon; fluent coryza; aching and soreness in the nose
during the day. Fluent watery coryza; frequent sneezing; soreness
in the throat, causing difficulty in swallowing. Profuse coryza in
the forenoon; aching pain in the head; pain in both eyeballs, many
times through the day. Very profuse greenish and slighty sanguineous coryza, after rising; fulness of the pharynx, and constant inclination to swallow; dulness of the head, and pain in the forehead and
occiput; fluent coryza, more so than for many weeks, as if caused
by cold; dryness of the pharynx; sneezing, at 4 P. ir. (Payne's
proving). Stuffed condition of the nostrils, which was soon followed
by an open moist condition, with great sensitiveness to cold air, as
if the base of the brain were laid bare, and every inhalation of the
brain brought the cold air in contact with it. (This is exactly
similar to that produced by a sudden change of weather in winter,
from cold dry, to damp thawing, as by a south wind which melts
the snow). (Hills proving).
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Some authors say that they have never
known it to produce a perceptible increase of any of the secretions;
others again say that it operates powerfully upon the secreting
organs and absorbents, and that it is expectorant and diaphoretic.
From the above symptoms it would certainly seem to have a specific
affinity for the nasal mucous membrane, and causes a real catarrhal
state.  In acute rheumatic-catarrhal attacks, with pains in the
limbs, head, face, eyeballs, chilliness, heat, and fluent watery coryza,
it is certainly indicated; and in one epidemic influenza I found it
useful for such conditions, also in the cough and sore throat by
which it was accompanied.
Face, Jaws and Teeth.-Severe pain in the left jaw. Heat on
one side of the face, with lassitude all over. Very severe pains in
the face, more in under jaw, lower teeth, and articulations of lower
jaw. The pains in the head and face constant, and very severe.
Pain in the right superior maxillary bone, and teeth.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-The above are just such pains as are
nearly always present in catarrhal-rheumatic attacks in the winter
and spring. I once took five drops of the first decimal for similar
symptoms occurring in myself. The one dose seemed to cut short
the attack, at least it mitigated the pains..Mouth. —Offensive breath; dryness and soreness of the lips;
dry lips; small ulcer on the inner surface of the lower lip. Unpleasant taste in the mouth, accumulation of thick mucus upon the
teeth; spitting of thick saliva which seemed to stick to the mouth
and throat, and to be detached with difficulty. Mouth dry in the
morning. Swelling of the back part of the tongue. Root of tongue
and fauces swollen.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —In many cases of rheumatism, the gums
and buccal mucous membrane became swollen and tumefied. In
such cases this remedy may be found useful, used as a weak wash
to the inflamed surface.
Throat.-Dryness of the pharynx; sneezing, at 4 r. M.; dryness
of the pharynx and inclination to swallow, during the night; fulness
of the pharynx and constant inclination to swallow; soreness of the




112       NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
throat when swallowing; sensation of fulness high up in the throat
with fulness in the vertex and stiffness of the neck; sensation of
rawness in the throat; slight difficulty in swallowing; hoarseness,
which increased towards night; constant unpleasant fulness in the
pharynx. Palate and uvula red and inflamed. Inflammation of the
uvula and palate, fifth day more severe than the day before;
copious coryza. Hoarseness, roughness and scraping in the throat;
roughness and dryness of the throat, with thirst; dryness and soreness of the throat on swallowing, and on pressure worse on the left
side.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It has cured Chorea when attended with
almost complete loss of the power of swallowing. In sore throat,
and cynanche maligna a decoction of the root is recommended by
Dr. Barton. Dr.Marcy says it is an excellent remedy against dryness
of the throat, or a dry spot in the throat ca-using cough (Lachesis),
also in dry coughs proceeding from irritation and tickling at the
lower part of the larynx. In a late nuniber of an Allopathic Journal,
it is highly recommended by a Boston physician as a most excellent
remedy in Diphtheria, used in decoction as a gargle.
Appetite and Stomach.-Eructations tasting of the medicine;
eructations and slight nausea, immediately. Pain and regurgitation
of food after eating. Loss of appetite; no appetite for supper;
repugnance. Nausea for fifteen minutes half an hour after taking
the drug; nausea with loathing, soon after the dose; sense of
internal tremor in the stomach, after breakfast; sensation as if too
much food had been taken into the stomach; acute darting pain in
the epigastrium, after a light supper; slight pain in the epigastrium,
extending to the left hypochondrium, with faintness and sensation
of emptiness; faintness in the epigastrium, with repugnance to
food, which, however, did not prevent his partaking of a moderate
breakfast; faintness in the epigastrium, generally in the morning
before eating, particularly if the medicine had been taken over
night, not preventing eating, which was followed by a sensation
of repletion, as if too much food had been taken; faintness of the
epigastrium; faintness of the stomach; slight faintness in the epigastrium, during the forenoon; faintness of the stomach two or
three times, of short duration; violent retching and vomiting, with
pain in the head. In a " proving," which Dr. Hill reported to the
iN. A. Journal of Homceopathy, he copies the above, with a few
additions, and appropriates them to himself. The fact is, that proving
(in vol. 7) is nearly all taken from Dr. Paine's original proving.
Hill and Douglas also state that in their proving " all the stomach
symptoms were produced on females; the drug producing no dis-turbance in the stomach of males." But in Dr. Paine's provings,
men and women were alike affected with nausea and vomiting.
The statement of Dr. Hill, reiterated in his "epitome," is therefore
unreliable.  It was probably originally put forth to favor the
idea that Cimicifuga was specific to nearly all diseases of females,
morning sickness, etc.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-That Cimicifuga may cause sympathetic
nausea and vomiting, by its irritating influence over the female




CXMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                    113
organs of generation, I do not deny. But it is by no means a specific
in' morning nausea'" of pregnant women. If the uterine and
general symptoms correspond, the remedy may be found useful for
that distressing symptom. I have in a few cases found it useful,
but no more so than Nux vom., Ipecac, Puls., or Oxalate of Cerium.
Like its analogues-Digitalis, Belladonna, Opium, etc., this medicine may cause vomiting through its irritating effect upon the brain.
Powerful vomiting is often the first symptom of Meningitis,
Hydrocephalus and' other brain diseases, and the so called "nervous
sick headaches,"' which are accompanied by severe vomiting, probably consist eventually of cerebral irritation. It is in this type of
" sick headache" that Cimicifuga is useful and not in the headaches
which proceed from derangement of digestion.
Abdomen.-Flatus; rumbling in the lower part of the abdomen,
at 10 A. M. Flatulence, causing a sensation of fulness in the abdomen, rumbling of flatus below the umbilicus, at 10 P. M. Fulness
and pressure in the lower part of the abdomen. Increased pressure
in the lower part of the abdomen with some pain. Acute cutting
pain in-the umbilical region, which, although acute, was not so
severe as to prevent attending to his usual business; uninfluenced
by eating and continuing during the afternoon; wandering pain in
the bowels, slight pain in left iliac region; afterwards severe pains
in the bowels, mostly below the umbilicus, with weight and pain in
lumbar and sacral region; soreness of abdominal muscles, on taking
full inspirations. Dull griping, twisting at the umbilical region,
more towards the left. Pain in the left hypochondriac region, worse
on motion, and on taking a deep inspiration. Periodic colic with
inclination' to bend forward, relieved after stool.
CLINICAL REMARiS. -There are three diseases of the abdominal
structures, in which this remedy may prove useful: (1) Rheumatism of the muscular structures; (2) Neuralgia; (3) Peritonitis,
especially puerperal. I have found it useful in thefirst and secolnd,
but have never used it in the third, nor have we any clinical experience of its use in that affection.
Stool, —Evacuation regular and natural during the proving, but
for a month afterwards, alternate constipation and tendency to
diarrhoea; disposition to diarrhcea, in the evening; slight disposition to diarrhoea, after rising. Constipation; feeces hard and dry.
Large papescent stool with general indisposition. Scanty diarrhcea
with tenesmus. Copious papescent stool in the morning.
CLINICAL  REMARKs. — We have no proof that this drug has any
laxative or cathartic effect. It cannot be homceopathic to abnormal
intestinal discharges, at least we have no clinical testimony to that
effect.
Urine.-Disposition to frequent urination. Increased flow of
urine.  Increased secretion of pale urine; retention of urine for
eighteen hours followed by frequent micturition. Profuse flow of
pale watery urine. Stitches in urethra in the morning.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —The dominant school'assert the Cimicifuga
to be a diuretic. It does increase the quantity of urine, but probably not from any influence it has over the kidneys primarily. All
15




114        NEW -HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
drugs which bring on depression of the nervous system, will cause
something akin to "nervous diabetes."  In hysterical states, and
many forms of uterine disorder, we find this condition: —a profuse
flow of watery uline, with nervous prostration;.sinking sensation
at the stomach, chilliness, headache, over the eyes, in the eyes;
lowness of spirit, and sometimes aching pains in the limbs. With
this state of the system, it is supposed by physiologists, there occurs
a waste of phosphorus-which is eliminated by the kidneys in the
form of phosphates. Loss of phosphates indicates innervation. Dr.
Lee says, " In some instances it acts as a renal hydragogue, increasing to a considerable extent, the amount of urinary secretion; but,
in a majority of cases, this result cannot be anticipated with any
considerable degree of confidence.  We are rather disposed to
regard it in the light of a renal alterative; increasing generally the
amount of solicds in the urine, without any great increase in the
amount of water. To eliminate solid matters from  the blood,
whether lithates, phosphates, or animal matters, the cohosh, with
the free use of diluents, may rank among our most efficient agents.
Cimicifuga, has a similar action, over the renal organs, to Aconite,
Asclepias syr. and Colchicum, all of which increase the solid constituents of urine. This condition is admirably met, by the dilutions
of the remedy. It may be found useful in spasmodic retention of
urine, from a cold, mental emotion, or as a symptom of rheumatism.
Genital Organs of Men.-Pain and retraction of the right spermatie cord; drawing pain along the right spermatic cord; pain and
tenderness of the testicles.
CLINICAL REaIARKs.-It is said to cure old standing cases of gleet
and spermatorrhcea.
Genital Organs of Women.-Leucorrhea; menorrhagia; suppression of the menses; feeling of heaviness; weight bearing down in
the uterine region, with feeling of heaviness and torpor of the lower
extremities; appearances of the menses eight days before their
time; labor-like pains during pregnancy; abortion in the fourth,
eighth and twelfth weeks of pregnancy; cold chills and prickling
sensations during the day-in the mammae; prickling sensations in
the breasts.
CLINICAL REMARKS. -No remedy stands higher in the estimation
of the eclectic school, for the treatment of diseases peculiar to females, than the Cimicifuga, and its concentrated principle-Cimicifugin. It is used by them in all uterine diseases, of the most opposite character. Dr. King, one of their highest authorities, says
(Amer. Eclec. Disp.)" it is useful in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhcea,
leucorrhcea and other uterine affections. As a partus accelerator, it
may be substituted for ergot. It brings on expulsive action of the
uterus speedily and powerfully.: After labor it will be found effectual in allaying the general excitement of the nervous system and
relieving after-pains."  In " King's Amer. Obsts." he recommends
it, in addition, for menorrhagia, amenorrhoa, prolapsus uteri, etc.
"It does not produce the powerful and continuous contractions of
the uterus which follow the uise ofergot, and, consequently, is not
as dangerous to the child; neither.does it lessen the susceptibility of




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                      1l5
the organ to subsequent doses,, as is apt to be the case with ergot;
it appears to excite the uterus to a normal activity only."  Jones
and Scudder, in their, "Mat. Med.," reiterate the above recommendations. The writings of that school are full of clinical experience
relative to the usefulness of this remedy in diseases of females. The;
homceopathic school are beginning to realize the value of this agent,
in similar affections, and although the pathogenesis which we have is
meagre, and the recorded symptoms of the drug, so far as relates to
its action on the reproductive organs, few in number, yet those -who
have used it much, upon the indications derived ex uso in morbis,
are enthusiastic in its praise. I will proceed to give what I conceive to be its peculiar' sphere of action, and point out the indications for its use in the various affections arising from derangements,
of the organs of generation. In amenorrhca, or delayed appearance
of the menses in young girls, from deficient nervous energy in: theovaries, and when the abnormal nervous influence is directed to
other organs, giving rise to chorea, hysteria, nervous headaches, etc.,:
the Cimicifuga will restore the functions of the reproductive organs
to a normal state. Should there be, at the same time with the
above conditions, a chlorotic state, Ilelonias or Ferrum  should be
alternated with this remedy. In suppression of the menses from a.
cold, mental emotions, and febrile symptoms, when rheumatic pains
in the limbs, or intense headache, or uterine cramps, are present,.
this remedy will be found very useful. In dysmenorrhcea, the Black
Snake root has been used successfully by all schools. The eclectics consider it a sort of panaccea. Many of our own school speak,
highly of its value. Dr. Hill, in his "Epitome," advises it in all'
cases, and in alternation with Caulophyllum. It is not a general specific, yet will benefit a majority of cases. It is most useful in rheumatic and neuralgic cases; but is often of benefit in congestive, dysmenorrhbea, when alternated with Veratrum viride, or Belladonna.
The best method of administration in these diseases, is to give Cimicifuga, first decimal or one hundredth, three or four times a day during
the inter-menstrual period, and every hour or thirty minutes during the severity of the pain. The Cimicifugin, second or third decimal trituration, will in some cases act more satisfactorily than the
tincture. Several of my colleagues have reported cases of dysmenorrhea cured or very much relieved. Dr. Ludlam thinks more
highly of the Cimicifugin in the neuralgic type, than of Caulophyllum.
The latter is more indicated in cases complicated with uterine
spasms or general hysterical convulsions. Dr. -Williams sends me the
record of two severe cases of dysmenorrheea, probably of a rheumatic
origin, which were apparently cured under the action of Cimicifugin,.
first. I have treated many cases of difficult and painful. menstruation, arising from  various causes, and while in all there was improvement, in many the morbid condition- seemed to be permanently removed. I consider the following symptoms as indicating its
use: Before the menses the peculiar headache, similar to that caused
by this medicine; during the menses,: aching in the: limbs, severe
pain in the back, down the thighs and through the. hips, with heavy
pressing-down, labor-like pains, weeping mood, nervousness, hys.




116    NEW  HOMCOPATHIC PROVINGS.
teric spasms, cramps, tenderness of the hypogastric region, scanty
flow of coagulated blood, or profuse flow of the same character; between the menses debility, nervous erethism, neuralgic pains, tendency to prolapsus, etc.; in menorrhagia, when the flow is profuse,
but more of a passive character, dark, coagulated, and accompanied
by the above mentioned pains. The Cimicifuga does pot primarily
cause hemorrhage, like Sabina, Erigeron or Crocus, but secondarily,
by impairing the tonicity and normal vitality of the uterus. In
Jeucorrhaea, the eclectics speak highly of its efficacy. The late Dr.
Morrow, to whom is mainly due the introduction of the remedy into
that practice, gained much celebrity by his treatment ofleucorrhcea,
with the internal and local use of the black cohosh. He gave it
until it produced and kept up its peculiar action on the brain in a
slight degree; a decoction of the root was to be used as an injection every day. Leucorrhcea may be vaginal, cervical, or uterine.
In the present state of our knowledge of the action of the drug, we
cannot point out accurately the particular form of leucorrhcea for
which it is indicated. It may be beneficial in all varieties; the general symptoms of the patient must, to a great extent, be our guide.
Dr. Hill mentions a "leucorrhcaa of long standing cured during a
week's proving," and another case of "cleucorrhcea, and chronic inflammation and congestion of the uterus, cured during the proving,
while no other symptoms were observed on the provers until the
disappearance of the uterine disease."  Believing in the local, as
well as general action of a drug, I would advise it to be used both
topically and internally. The lower dilutions seems to act most
beneficially. It is now more than sixty years since it was claimed
by Stearns' in the American Herbal, to have an especial affinity for
the uterus, particularly over the menstrual function, and Dr. Tully
regards this claim as well established by the experience of New
England practitioners. As a parturiefacient, it was in general use
among the Indians in the early settlement of this country. Bigelow
speaks of it as an active agent in facilitating parturition; and Tully says he has known many cases where it has produced abortion in
pregnant females, when prescribed for a cough. The evidence on
this head is far more full and satisfactory than in regard to its emmennagogue properties. Prof. Lee says: "It is believed to exert
a specific influence on the uterine contractions lasting longer than
that of ergot, and followed by -less torpor and greater susceptibility and capacity for action in the uterus than before its employment. Its operation, also, is not attended by that deleterious and
stupefying influence on the fcetus which often follows the administration of spurred rye." It is doubtful if the ergot acts medicinally
upon the faetus at all. It is the continued, unintermitting pressure
of the uterus upon the child, or the cord, which causes the coma or
asphyxia in the infant, before birth. "After delivery, also, it has
been extensively used for the purpose of inducing firm uterine contraction, expelling the placenta, and checking post-partem hammorrhages. For this purpose a drachm of the saturated alcoholic tincture should be given every half hour, or oftener, until the desired effect is produced."  This knowledge of the uterine-motor action of




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                     117
Cimicifuga should be appropriated by homoeopathists. They are
capable of making much more valuable use of such knowledge than
the adherents of other schools of medicine. The homeeopathic
school gladly avail themselves of the use of ergot, in slow and difficult, labors arising from an atonic condition of the uterus, or perverted function. I cannot give my assent to those mythical relations of
the effects of Secale third or thirtieth, in causing uterine contractions when deficient during labor-the proof is not sufficient. I consider the Cimicifuga, as well as Secale, Caulophyllum and other drugs
possessing similar powers, as being secondarily homceopathic to conditions of uterine inertia. To explain:  The priniary action of
ergot in moderate medicinal doses is to cause contractions, more or
less persistent of the muscular tissue of the uterus. Under the continued action of the drug these contractions will become more
intense and firm, until, from over-stimulation, an opposite condition
or muscular atony obtains. Now, this latter condition, with its accompanying symptoms, is a secondary effect of the drug, as much
due to pathogenetic action as was the primary. When, in practice,
we meet with similar conditions, i. e., when the uterus, after vain
and powerful efforts, becomes exhausted, ergot is the proper remedy,
if the primary symptoms corresponded with those ofthe drug, viz.,
persistent and unintermitting contractions. But ifthe uterine atony
be caused by ergot, then that medicine will not answer our purpose, and we must resort to Cimicifuga, Caulophyllum, Uva ursi, or
galvanism. Secondary states of uterine muscular atony may be
brought on by all the last named agents, and for this reason
they will all be found useful in similar morbid conditions.
The dose which should be used in such cases should be as large as
can be given with safety to the patient, and just large enough to
arouse the torpid muscular tissue. My theory of dose, and which
experience strongly substantiates, is, that for symptoms which simulate the primary effects of the medicine selected as the remedy,
minute doses should be administered, but larger doses for symptoms simulating its secondary effects. In resorting to the Cimicifuga,
in atonic labors, we need not give the massive doses of the eclectic
school-doseswhich tend to bring on secondary exhaustion. I have
found five to ten drops of the mother tincture, every fifteen or twenty
minutes, to be amply sufficient to bring back or arouse the deficient
vitality of the uterus. But there is an opposite condition of the
uterus which sometimes obtains during labor, a state of hyperexcitation, in which the normal uterine contractions are spasmodic,
painful, and intensely powerful, but intermitting, sometimes with
cramps in the extremities, and a tendency to general convulsions.
Here the Cimicifuga is primarily hommeopathic, and a small quantity
of the third or sixth attenuation will suffice to restore the normal
parturient action. This medicine will be found useful after labor,
in producing firm contraction of the uterus, expelling the placenta,
or checking post-partem hemorrhage. But I think for this purpose
the Secale is to be preferred, because of its power to cause firmer
and more persistent contraction.  After-pains are often readily
relieved by small doses of Cimicifugasecond or third, or Cimicifugin




118       NEW   HIOMMEOPATHIC:  PROVTINGS.
third. I have used it with signal benefit in those cases which
seemed to be kept up by a neuralgic disposition, or mental and
nervous irritability, and the patient was sleepless, restless, sensitive
and low spirited.
Suppression  of the  Lochia  is treated  successfully with
this remedy.  When from  a cold or mental emotion the discharge is arrested, uterine spasms and cramps in the limbs sometimes
occur, accompanied with headache, and even delirium. A case of
this character which came under my treatment, was relieved in a
few hours by Cimicifuga second trit., two grains every half hour.
Warm fomentations were applied to the abdomen and vulva, as
should always be the practice in such instances. It is useful to
relieve those bearing-down pains, indications of. prolapsus, which
women frequently suffer after severe confinements. It is eminently
homeeopathic to a tendency to abortion. It has caused abortion in
many instances, and is commonly resorted to for that purpose by
reckless women, and advised by still more reckless physicians. It
has been used successfully in those instances of " habitual abortion,"
with the result of preventing the usual miscarriages in the second
and third months. But unless the general symptoms correspond,
Caulophyllum, Sabina, Tanacetum or  Helonias will have to be
selected. When the chill, uterine pain, tenderness of the hypogastric region, and flooding have already set in, and the loss of the
feetus becomes imminent, the Cimicifuga, in small doses, may arrest
the progress of the morbid process, provided the membranes have
not become extensively detached. If the separated portion; be
slight, and the patient be kept quiet, and the proper remedy given,
I believe it possible to prevent a further separation. If all hope of
saving the fetus be abandoned, and the uterus is deficient in
expulsive power, then this medicine may be given, as recommended
for uterine atony in labors. But no physician should rely alone
upon medicinal action in such cases. The placental forceps and
blunt hook should be used early and efficiently, to effect the entire
removal of the contents of the uterus. In prolapsus uteri, the
Cimicifuga is recommended by all eclectic authors. But here, as in
other diseases, it can be no general specific. When the prolapsus is
due to congestion, general or/cervical, cervical leucorrheea, or comes
on as a result of abortion, or getting up too soon after confinement;
and when a deficient innervation seems to lie at the root of the
difficulty, then this medicine will be found an excellent remedy. Dr.
Morrow, who probably used this agent more than any other physician
in this country, was very successful in the treatment of prolapsus
by its internal and local application. It already stands high in the
homeopathic school in the treatment of uterine displacements.
(Podophyllum, Caulophyllum, Helonias and Asclepias tub. will also
be found useful). In Ovarian diseases, it will- undoubtedly be found
valuable. A medicine which exercises such profound influence over
the reproductive organs must of necessity influence powerfully the
ovaries. Dr. Cleveland recommends it for Ovaritis, and spasm of
the broad ligaments (in:the latter affection Caulophyllum and Mlagnesia mur. are specifics).  In irritable uterus, next to Platina,




CIMICIFUGA  RACIMOSA.                     119
Sabina, Aconite or Caulophyllum, it will be found the most useful
remedy we posses. Some writers recognize a variety of epilepsy,
having its origin in uterine disorder-the epileptic convulsion being
due to reflex action. This form of epilepsy generally occurs at or
near the menstrual period. In such cases Cimicifuga has effected
cures. It has also broken up the tendency to hysterical attacks occurring during the menses, also hysterical spasms due to uterine displacements after the womb has been restored to its normal
position.
In puerperal mania it has been found curative. In part 43,
Braithwaite's Petrospect, Prof. Simpson reports a case of Puerperal
Hypochondriasis treated with tincture Cimicifuga. "A lady, the
mother'of several children, was twice the subject of the most painful
mental despondency a month or two after delivery. On one of
these occasions she was confined in London, and had the advice of
several eminent physicians; but the disease took a very long and
tiresome course, seeming to defy all remedies, and gradually and very
slowly terminated. On the last occasion on which the attack occurred, this patient was confined under my care here, and went home
to England some weeks subsequently, perfectly well. She returned,
however, in about a month, to Edinburgh, in the lowest possible state
of depression, a perfect picture of mental misery and unhappiness.
I tried many plans to raise her out- of this dark and gloomy state.
All failed. At last, fancying from some of her symptoms and complaints that there might be a rheumatic element in the affection,
I ordered her fifty drops of tincture of Actea, thrice a day. After
taking one dose she refused to continue it, as the drug had a taste
so similar to Laudanum, and as all opiates made her worse.'On being
reassured that there was no opiate in the medicine, she recommenced
it, without any faith, however, in the results, as she had in a great
measure lost faith in all medicinal means. When I saw her next,
some eight or ten days:afterwards, she was altered and changed in
a marvelous degree, but all. for the better. On the third or fourth
day, as she informed me, the cloud of misery which had been
darkening her existence suddenly began to dissolve and dispel, and
in a day or two more, she felt perfectly herself again, in gaiety,
spirits, anrid energy. But nothing would induce her, to give up the
Actea for six or eight weeks longer; and the last time she passed
through Edinburgh, she told me that she had prescribed her own
remedy to more than one melancholic subject with nearly as great
success as she had used it in her own cease." The successful treatment
of this case was rather a piece ofluck than otherwise. It is doubtful,
first, whether there was any "rheumatic element" in the case at all;
and:second, the medicine did not cure by anti-doting any "rheumatic element," butby virtue of its power of causing a similar state of
the brain, and of inducing similar symptoms. This medicine has
always had great r'eputation, not only as an accellerator in childbirth,
but as a preventive of painful and difficult labor. Wishing to test
its value in these cases, I have often given it to ladies whose
previous labors had been slow and difficult, and generally with
excellent results. It is best to begin three or four weeks before




120        NEW   HO'M(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
the time of the expected confinement, and have the patient take a
few drops oft he first or second decimal dilution, or trituration,
three times a day. During the last week, the doses may be given
every four hours. One case will illustrate the success attending its
administration, as it is the type of many others. A lady, the mother
of three children, expressed great anxiety regarding her expected
confinement. She was in the eighth month of pregnancy. Her
previous labors had been unusually severe, very tedious, painful,
and accompanied by fainting fits, cramps, agonizing pain, etc.,
before the birth, and flooding, syncope, and many unpleasant symptoms after the expulsion of the placenta. She took for nearly three
weeks, about ten drops of Cimicifuga first dec. dil. four times a day.
Labor came on at the proper period, lasted only six hours; was not
painful nor difficult; there was no flooding, no fainting, and no
cramps, aind both patient and friends were agreeably surprised.
She got up in nine days, and had a better convalescence than ever
before. If this remedy was useful in this condition alone, it would
stillbe invaluable to the profession. The editor of the London
Lancet, writes: "We are disposed to admit the correctness of the
observations of American Physicians who allege that it has a peculiar action on the uterus. In the irritable condition of that organ,
often observed in patients for some time after menstruation has
ceased, or irregular when about to cease, and marked by pain more
or less periodical in the lumbar region, Cimicifuga affords rapid
relief. In neuralgic pains, often met with in such patients in other
localities, it is equally beneficial. Females at the period of life we
are speaking of, frequently suffer from a distressing pain in the
upper part of the head, recuring with greater severity at night.
These cases are very. satisfactorily met by this remedy. Pains in
the mammae also, whether referable to uterine disturbance or to
pregnancy, are relieved by the Cimicifthga very speedily."
In phlegmasta alba dolens, I would' advise it on theoretical
grounds; not having used it in that disease. Some of the symptoms
of the drug simulate that disease very closely.
Larynx.-Hoarseness, after rising; hoarseness; unpleasant fulness in the pharynx; constant inclination to cough for half an hour,
caused by a tickling sensation in the lalynx, at 7j P,. r.  An attempt
to speak is followed by an inclination to- cough; slight dry cough
four or five times, produced by tickling  in the- larynx; hoarseness
in the evening; short dry cough, several times during the evening,
caused by tickling in the larynx; fluent coryza; cough, particularly
at night, caused by. tickling in the throat; very troublesome, hacking cough, of some month's standing.
CLINICAL REMAERKS.-The two last symptoms mentioned above
are marked  " curative" in one of the provings. In my experience
it has been used beneficially for coughs. It is well known that
many laryngeal symptoms result from uterine irritation. The morbid excitation is transmitted through the medium of reflex action.
The Cimicifuga is especially indicated in such cases, or when cough
arises during pregnancy, or from ainenorrhaea, etc. It is also use



CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                     121
ful in those spasmodic actions of the larynx occurring in hysterical
females.
Chest.-The pain in the head continued for ten days, followed
by coryza, with sore throat and a gradual extension of the disease
to the bronchial mucous membrane; dry, short and hacking cough,
night and day, continuing two'weeks, which is -uncommon, the
prover not having had a. catarrh or cold for several years; acute
pain in the right lung, extending from apex to base, about two
inches to the right of the sternum, aggravated by every inspiration,
continuing for two hours, and gradually diminishing in intensity
until after retiring; similar pain the next morning for half an hour,
but much less severe; lancinating pain along the cartilages of the
false ribs, left side, increased by taking a long inspiration, soon after waking at three P. M. The same pain, very severe and piercing,
so as almost to prevent inspiration for a short time, immediately
after retiring, between ten and eleven P. m., and continuing for half
an hour; soreness of the chest; cold chills and prickling sensations
during the day, in the (female) mammae; prickling sensations in the
breasts. Dr. Tully says it causes cardiac palpitations, which, though
transient and fugitive, are often quite severe, with neuralgic pains
through the chest. In Drs. Hill and Douglas' proving, we findStitches in the region of the heart, or in the heart; pain in the left
side of the chest.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Dr. Lee says "the Cimicifuga has been
found a useful remedy in certain chronic affections of the pulmonary organs."  Dr. Garden, of Virginia, was the first writer who called the attention of the profession to this article in this class of cases.
Having observed its utility in domestic practice, he was induced to
resort to it in his own case, which he considered one of "gastrohepatic, or dyspeptic phthisis," though the physical signs are not
given. The principal symptoms were: a pulse of one hundred to
one hundred and twenty, harrassing cough, purulent expectoration, pain in the right breast and side, hectic paroxysms, loss of
flesh and strength, frequent hamoptysis, and great derangement in
the functions of the stomach and liver. No other medicine was taken
except the Cimicifuga, and to this, aided by a suitable regimen, the
cure, which was completed within a few months, was wholly attributed. Other cases of tuberculosis are given where striking benefit was derived from its use, and where the disease was evidently ar.
rested by it. Dr. Garden used it in his own and other cases in doses
of " an ounce or two of the tincture of the root once or twice a day.
The tincture was prepared with good rye whisky."  He considers
its effect on the head is the test of the extent to which it should be
carried. Such gross abuse of a valuable remedy is worse than foolish. Just in the same manner does the dominant school advise Quinine to be given until it effects the head unpleasantly. But it is as
unnecessary in the one as in the other. A few drops of the mother
tincture, or lower dilutions, frequently repeated, will have a better
and more lasting effect. Dr. Hildreth (allopathic) says: " In nearly
every instance the pulse was reduced to near the natural standard, the hectic symptoms disappeared, and with it the cough and
16




122      NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PRO VINGS.
other signs of phthisis." In acute phthisis, uncomplicated with much
inflammation,-Dr. H. states that he has often seen the most prompt
action from the decoction, in throwing off febrile excitement, or the
hectic paroxysms, allaying cough, reducing the rapidity and force of
the pulse, and inducing gentle perspiration; also, he has found it of
the greatest benefit "in those intermittent congestions and inflame
mations, so frequent in the second and third stages of phthisis from
atmospheric exposures." Prof. Lee says, " there is every reason to
place considerable confidence in Cimicifuga in the early stages of
tuberculosis, when there is a frequent hacking cough and other
signs of the malady. We have used it for many years in such cases
with much benefit, and have come to regard it as possessing almost
specific power in allaying pulmonic irritability, thus abating cough,
while it proves invigorating to the digestive organs. It speedily
checks the diarrheea and night sweats of phthisis." Dr. Wood
thinks it proves useful in pulmonary complaints only by its allaying
irritation through its sedative properties. Prof. Chapman has ranked it under the head of expectorants. This is all old school experience. But we have good reason, judging from our provings, to
expect much from this remedyinsome pulmonary complaints. It
cures cough, pains in the chest, dyspncea, fever, night sweats, and
even diarrheea. My own experience with it in this class of diseases
has not been extensive, yet I have cured some harrassing coughs,
with pains in the chest, difficulty of respiration and general debility,
with the lower dilutions. In diseases of the lungs, bronchia, etc., it
ranks with Aconite, Bryonia, Arnica, and Veratrum viride. In pleurodynia it has been used successfully in many cases. A student
came to me complaining of a severe stitch between the sixth and
seventh ribs of the right side. It had seized him suddenly and was
agonizingly intense. He stated that such attacks generally laid him
up several days. He had usually taken Bryonia for it. Cimicifuga,
first decimal, ten drops every half hour, effected a cure in twenty-four
hours. For those obstinate pains in the left side, which females so
often complain of, this remedy is as nearly a specific as anything can
be. Dr. Simpson (Obstetric memoirs, vol. 1. p. 27) inapaper on the
diagnosis of uterine diseases, mentions those " sympathetic pains in
different and distant parts of the body, "which are really reflex
pains or neuralgias, caused by uterine irritation. Among these reflex pains are —" pain in one or both mammaes" —" pain under the
left mammse and upon the edges of the rib on that side"'-" pains
in the right side "-pain in some of the vertebrae of the back-pain
in the sacral and lumbar regions-pains in the abdominal parietes
-and pains in the joints extremities, head and face." For all these
reflex pains, when dependent on uterine or ovarian disorder, there
is no more useful remedy than Cituicifuga. But it is peculiarly useful in the "pain under the left mammae." It occurs more commonly
in unmarried females, and is probably as frequent in cases of uterine affections, as pain in the shoulder is in cases of hepatic affections. The pain is sometimes diffused along the side, but more
usually it is limited to a small spot not larger than a half-dollar.
When it is not severe it is not affected by the act of respiration, but in




CIMICIFUGA  RACEMOSA.                     123
more severe cases it is increased by deep inspiration, and many a poor
patient has been bled, blistered, leeched, etc., over and over again,
under the idea that it was an indication of pleuritic inflammation."
Dr. Simpson used the Cimiciftiga in some of these severe and obstinate cases, and the pain rapidly subsided underits use. Diseases
oqf the heart may be cured or greatly palliated by Cimicifuga. The
functional disorders of that organ, the palpitations, irregular action, etc., dependent on rheumatic or uterine irritation, are benefited
by this remedy. In cases simulating angina pectoris I have
found it useful. In one instance, the pain, or rather intense anxiety
about the heart, with pain in the shoulder (left) and extending
down the left arm, (the shoulder and upper arm feel as if " bound to
the side"')-all subsided under its action after taking three drops
three times a day for a week. It has occasionally appeared since,
but promptly disappears after a single dose of Cimicifuga. In one
case of pericarditis following an attack of inflammatory rheumatism,
Dr. Marcy observed excellent effects from  the use of the third
dilution. It is better than Digitalis in heart affections, for while
it controls abnormal action it invigorates the nervous system and
the general dition of the patient. It does not interfere with digestion as does Digitalis.
Bacek.-Stiffness of the neck; drawing pain in lumbar region;
pulsating pain in the lumbar region; in the morning, on bending
the neck forward, he experienced a severe drawing, tensive pain, at
the points of the spinous processes of the three upper dorsal vertebrse, which continued for several hours; trembling and weakness
in the back; weak trembling; pain in the small of the back; same
tired feeling in the back, extending from the region of the kidneys to
the sacrum, relieved by rest and increased by motion; dull, heavy
aching in the small of the back, extending to the sacrum; dull pain
behind the right scapula; stitches in the back, below the right
scapula; dull pain in the region of the lower dorsal and upper
lumbar vertebrae; pain below the left scapula; pains as of boils
on the back and extremities; cramping in the muscles of the neck
on moving the head, first in the left, afterwards in the right side;
occasional slight pain in either scapula and right shoulder; weight
and pain in the lumbar and sacral regions, sometimes extending all
around the body, somewhat below the crest of the ileum; rheumatic pains in the muscles of the neck and back; a feeling of stiffness
and contraction; feeling of weight in the small of the back;
drawing pain in a single muscle between the right scapula and spine
for some hours.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-The Cimicifuga exercises an undoubted
influence over the spinal cord, or its membranes, and for this reason
is capable of curing many affections arising therefrom. In true
spinal irritation, which is a functional disease of the spinal marrow,
this medicine is ofgreat value. In this disease the spinal tenderness,
and all the painful symptoms, is accompanied by no organic change
in the cord or the vertebrae. The cause of this disease, says Wood,
is not well understood. It occurs most frequently in women, and
especially during the menstrual period. It would seem, there



124       NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
fore to have some connection with the uterus. Of the exciting
causes, changes in the weather are probably amodng the most frequent. Mental disturbance seems to be capable of inducing it. The
most rational view of the nature of the disease, is, that the affection
is seated essentially in the ligaments of the vertebra, and is generally of a rheumatic or gouty character. It is readily conceived
that irritation may be propagated from this structure to the nervous
tissue of the cord, or at least to the nerves which proceed from the
cord, and receive as they pass an envelop of the diseased tissue." In
this affection I use the remedy internally and externally. The Cimicifuga in drop doses of the first decimal —or Cimicifugin first decimal
or one hundredth, and apply a lotion of one part of the tincture to
ten of water. Dr. Cleveland considers it specific for that painful
affection —crick in the back.  This may be only a symptom of
lumbago, but is in some cases due to a rupture of some of
the fibres of those ligaments which connect the spinous processes.  Dr. Simpson and the editor of the Lancet consider
the Cimicifuga almost specific in lumbago.  Our provings give
us ample basis upon which to select this medicine. It causes
nearly all the symptoms of lumbago, as well as rheumatism of
the dorsal and other muscles of the back. It is hommeopathic to
that affection which Dr. Inman so correctly describes in his work
on " Spinal Irritation" - a weakness (atony) of the muscles
attached to the spinous processes, etc. With regard to the dose
to be resorted to in these affections, I would advise the lowest
attenuations, f'or the reason that the rheumatic or neuralgic affec-.tions are caused by Cimicifuga, secondarily. I have never received
much benefit in those diseases from any dilution or trituration
higher than the third.  The physician should not hesitate in
obstinate cases to resort to drop doses of the mother tincture. If
we do get up a slight medicinal aggravation, it cannot do as much
harm as the continuance of the disease we are trying to combat.
Superior Extremities.-Dull pain in the right arm, deep in the
muscles, extending from the shoulder to the wrist, continuing during the next day; itching and redness of the dorsal surface of the
right hand, in the afternoon, and especially in the evening; a single
pimple on the dorsal surface of the left hand, secreting a little
pus at the apex, disappearing in three or four days; itching of the
dorsal surface of the left hand and wrist, particularly on the dorsal
surface of the thumb, in the evening; small red papula first appeared, becoming, after slight irritation, a diffused redness, which
disappeared in a few hours, but could be reproduced at any time
by slightly irritating the surface. This symptom gradually disappeared in a few days. Dr. Tully says it causes neuralgic pains in
the extremities. It has caused some pains in the arms, with a
numbing sensation, as if a nerve had been compressed. These pains
were first felt in the shoulder, and passed down the arm and then
the forearm, producing a very peculiar, lame, numb, and sometimes
cramping sensation, as in heart disease. Similar pains in the legs.
but more severe and constant in the upper part of the thigh, about
the hip joint and inguinal region. (Sciatica.)




COLLINSONIA  CANADENSIS.                     125
Lower Extremities.- Stinging in the left great toe, for a moment,
on the lower surface, and afterwards on the upper, in the afternoon;
dull, aching, burning pain in the second joint of the right great toe,
extending up the limb, continuing an hour, from eight to nine P.
YM.; the same pain, less severe, on the third evening.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It has been used with benefit in Sciatica,
and other rheumatic affections of the extremities.  Dr. Marcy
writes:  " We have been in the habit of employing this remedy
occasionally in rheumatic affections, during the past eighteen years.
We have prescribed all doses, from the nauseous decoction of the
old school, to the highest homceopathic attenuation, and good results have followed both forms of the medicine-although experience has long since taught us to rely upon the latter form. It is
most serviceable in articular rheumatism of the lower extremitieswith much swelling and heat in the affected parts, and pain on moving the parts. Like Bryonia, it exercises a special control over
inflammation of serous membranes; but its range of action, and consequently its applicability in rheumatic affections, are decidedly
inferior to this drug." The Cimicifuga may be inferior to Bryonia
in its action on serous tissues, but it is far superior to that
drug in its influence on nervous tissues, or rather the neurilemma
or fibrous portion of nerve structure. Bryonia does not cause
or cure rheumatico-neuralgic pains, while Cimicifuga does, in an
eminent degree.  Bryonia has no influence over reflex-nervous
pains, cramps, etc., while Cimicifuga controls many such abnormal
manifestations.
COLLINSONIA  CANADENSIS.
(Ox-Balm. JKnot-Root. cHard-Hack. Stone-Root.)
This plant is found in the Eastern and Northern States. It is
herbaceous, with broad, cordate, ovate, smooth, opposite leaves;
the flowers in terminal panicles of a yellowish violet color; flowering from July to September. The whole plant has a peculiar balsamic smell, which is milder and pleasanter in the flowers than in
the root, this having a somewhat rank, disagreeable odor. It has
a warm and pungent taste. The plant grows to the height of two
feet, with a perennial, knotty root. It contains a volatile oil,-a
resin, tannin, gallic acid, starch gum, sugar, and a peculiar, bitter,
neutral principle, Collinsonin.  "The medicinal virtues of this
plant has been pretty extensively tested in domestic, if not in regular practice, and is regarded as tonic, astringent, diaphoretic, and
diuretic. With some practitioners, it ranks very high as an alterative, especially in chronic affections of the genito-urinary organs, as
cystitis, catarrh of the bladder, gravel, leucorrhoea. By the com



1206      NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
mon people it is highly esteemed as a remedy for headache, colic,
indigestion; while mlany cases of dropsy have been reported to
have been cured by it. Its influence over the secernent and absorbent systems is strongly marked. Like all aromatics, it produces an
agreeable feeling of warmth in the stomach, increasing the force
and frequency of the pulse, and the warmth of the surface; while
it diffuses a pleasant glow over the system, without any special
influence on the cerebral functions. Its effects seem rather manifested on the organic and sympathetic systems and the capillary
circulation."-(Prof. Lee-Allopathic.) This is about as definite as
an old school writer usually writes about any medicinal agent. It
leaves the student in a state of profound uncertainty as to the
real nature of its action. Let us be sincerely thankful that Hahnemann gave us a system of drug-proving, whereby we may escape
from the uncertainties of old medicine. I have not been able to
get an extended proving of this plant, but have noted some characteristic symptoms from its use, and have collected a good many clinical
observations, which may serve us as a guide until we obtain a good
pathogenesis. " In the mountains and hills of Virginia, Kentucky,
Tennessee and Georgia," says Rafinesque, " this genus is considered a panacea, and used outwardly and inwardly in many disorders. It is used as a poultice and wash for bruises, sores, blows,
falls, wounds, sprains, contusions, and taken like tea for headache,
colics, cramps, dropsy, indigestion, etc." It is therefore used much
as the common people in Germany use Arnica, which it somewhat
resembles in some of its general effects on the system.
Head.-Slight fullness of the head; throbbing in the head.
CLINICAL REMARuS. — I am inclined to think it only useful in
gastric and hammorrhoidal headaches. In headaches from indigestion, I have known relief to follow promptly upon its administration.
Gastric Symptoms.-Vomiting (from small doses of the fresh
root); vomiting, with pain and heat in the stomach; cramp-like
pain in the stomach, with nausea; sensation as of flatulence in the
stomach; rumbling in the stomach and bowels; agreeable feeling of warmth in the stomach, with general glow of the system;
increases the appetite; excessive appetite.
CLINICAL RIEMARKS.-In indigestion, from want of tone of the
stomach, and associated with constipation and hbmorrhoids, it
rivals Nux vomica. Both eclectic and allopathic physicians consider it a valuable remedy for the expulsion of flatulence and the
relief of spasms of the stomach and intestines. Coe says (Cone.
Org. Med.) "' no better remedy can possibly be had for the relief of
cramp in the stomach, flatulent and bilious colics, and all spasmodic
affections of the stomach and back. Drs. Fowler and Carroll have
found it promptly curative in many cases of indigestion, loss of
appetite, etc.
Intestines, Stool, etc. —Constipation, with a good deal of flatulence; sluggish stool, with distention of the abdomen; heat and
itching of the anus; hamorrhoidal tumors; the hkemorrhoids




COLLINSONIA  CANADENSIS.                    127
re-appear while taking the medicine for pulmonary haemorrhage;
loose, papescent stool; diarrhoea, with nausea.
CLINICAL REMAKS. —It has a really wide reputation in affections
of the bowels and rectum.  Coe says, " in diseases of the bowels
and rectum it stands unrivalled. We have experienced its sanative
influence in diarrhcea in our own person." It is useful in diarrhcea,
dysentery, and cholera-infantunm. The specific homceopathic indicatious for its use in intestinal disorders are about as follows: In
diarrhoea, when the discharges are mucus, or papescent, or watery,
with cramp-like and spasmodic pains in the bowels, also, vomiting
or nausea. In the diarrhcea of children, so apt to be accompanied
with colic, cramps, flatulence, etc., it has proved an excellent remedy (in the 3rd dilution). In the so-called hbemorrhoidal dysentery,
it has proved curative in the hands of' many of my correspondents.  The discharges are of bloody mucus, and are accompanied with tenesmus, spasmodic tormina, expulsion of scybala,
coated with bloody mucus, heat and burning in the rectum.
In  Constipation,  it has  been  used  very  successfully  by
some of our best practitioners.  Dr. Carroll writes (N. A.
Jour., vol. 5, p. 546,): "In cases of  habitual constipation
it is invaluable, producing not a mere transient relief, but correcting, apparently in a permanent manner, the morbid condition of the digestive system. I say apparently, for, although I
have tested its virtues with success in a good many instances, I
have only known of it' for a year, and consequently cannot say how
enduring its remedial action may prove. I may only say, that in
my own case, having been for fifteen years suffering from  the
reactive effects of a series of cathartics administered with systematic cruelty during my infancy, I succeeded a little more than a
year ago in overcoming, by a month's use of the Collinsonia, the
existing condition of affairs, and since that time I have not been
obliged to recur to it for aid." Indeed, it has so far proved invariably remedial in all troubles depending on constipation..Dr.
PFowler, in Cases I, II, and III, recorded below, gives its excellent
results in obstinate and habitual constipation, associated with
hermorrhoids. I have used it in several similar cases, and so far with
the best results. "The most remarkable influences of the Collinsonia,"
says Coe, "' are observable in hemorrhoids and other diseases of the
rectum. The most inveterate and chronic cases are relieved, and
frequently cured, by this remedy alone. We have known it to act
promptly in suppressing hemorrhage from the bowels (?), and in
relieving those distressing pains characteristic of heemorrhoidal
affections."  We have also from homoeopathic; sources some valuable testimony relating to the curative power of Collinsonia in
hbemorrhoids. Dr. E. P. Fowler (North Amer. Journal of Homceopathy, vol. 6, p. 80,) writes: "' Some two years since I remarked to
a friend and patient that I was honored with a number of cases of
obstinate hcrmorrhIoicds, and that I really wished that I possessed
some means of curing them, without danger of entailing some
more serious disorder. My friend replied that he could tell me of
a remedy, and remarked that two or three years ago he was an




128       NEW   IIOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
absolute martyr, in fact crippled with hemorrhoids."  The remedy
was Collinsonia, and this patient was cured by the following preparation: A small handful of the chopped root was put into a quart of
water, and it was boiled down to a pint. This he took three times
a day,-a small wine-glass full. He was cured in two weeks.
This gentleman added that he " had made some most'remarkable
cures among his friends."  Dr. Fowler adds: " Upon his description of the root, I remembered having in early boyhood gathered
from the woods some of the same kind of root for an old gentleman, who was by its use fully freed from haemorrhoids of over
twenty-five years standing." Dr. F. reports the following cases:
Case 1. " Mr. J. E. J.,whose sufferings fiom hemorrhoids rendered
his life almost a burthen, and completely disabled him from business. I gave him two or three handsful, and directed him to use it
in the manner described to me by my friend. He commenced its
use,' but fbund that it acted as an emetic. I then told him to take
a dessert spoonful twice a day. This he did without disturbance
to the stomach, and in somewhat less than three weeks reported
himself to us, to use his own words,' the humble and grateful subject of a real miracle-cured.' About two months after he had a
slight return of the old trouble, but after taking the Collinsonia
four days, was again well. lMy attention was attracted to another
feature in this case. For years the patient had been a victim of
most resolute constipation, and never had relief without the aid of
enemas; and as these could not be administered without irritation
and pain, the consequence was, that about four or five days were
allowed to intervene between each time. The patient said that he
was not more surprised at the rapid cure of such an old chronic
complaint as the hfemorrhoids, than by the fact that the remedy
had established a free and natural daily action of the bowels, which
continued after the use of the medicine was suspended. Before
the second attack he became again constipated, and was again
relieved as before. He also attributed a cessation of dyspeptic
troubles and an increase of appetite, which was never more than
indifferent, to the use of the drug. But, whether this may have
been owing to the direct action of the drug upon the stomach, or
whether it may have been a secondary effect from relieving the
intestines, is, of course, difficult to decide."
Case 2.  "Was a gentleman afflicted with' flowing piles,'
who had submitted to almost every kind of treatment, both local
and that addressed through the system, and invariably leaving the
successive doctors' hands in a more miserable condition than he
entered them. He had, in fact, come to consider medicine as a
downright humbug, and came to me in a state of incredulity, only
by having heard of some of the cures that I had made with Collinsonia.  This patient was troubled with alternate constipation and
diarrhoea, and the hemorrhage was incessant, though not profuse. He was light complexioned, thin, nervous, and dyspeptic.
I put him on one tablespoonful of the decoction three
times a day.  For the first week the action seemed to be
almost wholly confined to the kidneys, and just as I -was upon the




COLLINSONIA  CANADENSIS.                    129
point of considering the case non-amenable to the remedy, the renal
action ceased, and the hsemorrhoids began to be relieved. Gradually the bowels gained a regular, normal, peristaltic action, the
appetite and power of digestion became improved, and at the end
of eight weeks, the patient pronounced himself in every respect
well-in mind, as well as body.
Case 3rd.  "Was an engineer of extreme bilious, nervous
temperament. He came to me for Varicocele, which was considerable, and at times irritable. He had extreme constipation, and
from various indications I deemed his complaint consequent upon
constipation, and having observed the effect of Collinsonia in this
respect, I gave it to him in the same manner as I had. done to the
preceding cases. I do not remember the exact length of time that
he was under my charge; it was less, however, than four weeks,
the action of the bowels became regular and natural, and the varicocele disappeared. This was about a year ago and he has remained
well since.'
Case 4th. "This case was a lady who sufferred from a bad
form of hcemorrhoids, also from terrible dysmenorrhoea.  Gave her
the Collinsonia, as I had given it to the others, and at the end of
six or seven weeks the hemrorrhoids were gone, and she had been
exempt from dysmenorrhcea. She has since had one or two slight
returns of hzemorrhoids, but which have rapidly yielded to a two
day's use of this remedy. In this case there was almost constant
diarrbhca and loss of appetite; the diarrhea ceased, and the appetite
became, as the lady thought,' quite indelicate'."  Dr.. Fowler found
it " an excellent remedy for the tenesemus of dysentery."  "So far
as my experience goes, this root seems to be a prime remedy for
hcemorrhois,  ysorrhoids dysnno ea, constipation, and dyspepsia, in fact
it seems to be soothing to all inflammation of the lower viscera."
Urinary Organs.-" For the first week its action seemed to be
almost wholly confined to the kidneys.-"(Fowler). Probably in
increasing the amount of urine, as it is a diuretic.
CLINICAeL REIMRKES. —iKing says, " it is used in gravel, catarrh
of the bladder, and urinary disorders."  Jones & Scudder record
that it is esteemed diuretic, and has been used in dropsies, and
chronic diseases of the urinary passages; it is reputed lithontriptic,
but we doubt its capability of dissolving urinary concretions,
although it may be serviceable in allaying.the irritation caused by
them."  Prof. Lee says it is a " valuable alterative in chronic diseases of the genito-urinary organs."  Some patients of mine have
related to me some extraordinary cures by means of this remedy,
of" gravel," of which they were once victims. What the real disorder was I could not determine, although from the description of
the patients it must have been some chronic affection of the kidneys
or bladder, in which calculi was present. We may safely deduce,
from our actual knowledge of its virtues, that it will be found more
useful in chronic than acute affections of the urinary organs. It will
probably prove useful in chronic cystitis, urethritis and nephritis;
also in affections of the bladder arising from diseases of the rectum.
17




130        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
Genital Organs of Women.-Dr. Carroll thinks that it is capable
of producing abortion in the early months of uterine gestation.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is said to be curative in some forms of
leucorrhcea. It has cured, in the hands of homceopathic practitioners,
leucorrhcea, prolapsus, dysmenorrhcea, etc., as the fbllowing cases
will show. It will strike the critical reader, however, that nearly
all the abnormal conditions of the uterine organs were really dependent upon disease of the rectum or bowels, as constipation or
piles, and that when the Collinsonia removed the latter diseases,
the uterine disorder disappeared. It is too often overlooked by the
careless and unobservant physician, that a prolapsus or retroversion
may be caused by constipation; a pruritus or leucorrhoea, by
haemorrhoids, and even a congested cervix by an acute or chronic
dysentery. It seems very probable that it will be found curative in
vicarious menstruation, when the substitutive bleeding is from
the hoemorrhoidal veins. In Amenorrhcea fiom congestion of the
uterus aud pelvic viscera, it may be found beneficial. In menorrhagia from the same cause, it will prove equally useful. Abortion
may be prevented by it use, when that accident is impending, as a
result of constipation, piles, etc. I am not prepared to believe,
however, that its action on the uterus is direct. Dysrmenorrhsca.AWe cannot find any recommendation for the use of this drug in
painful menstruation in the literature of the allopathic schools, but
it appears to have been used successfully by homceopathists in that
affection. Dr. A. L. Carroll, of New York, (N. A. Jour. of Hom.
Vol. 5, page 546,) says:  "In dysmenorrhcea its action is most
powerful —so powerful that I am led to believe it capable, during
the early periods of utero-gestation, of producing abortion. In no
instance that has fallen under my notice, has it failed to relieve
promptly this menstrual derangement, which is so common among
all classes of women in our climate, and I am convinced that when
more extensively known it will be found a specific in this form of
disease."  Dr. Fowler, "case four "-under the head of Hmmorrhoids reports a cure of dysmenorrhea, complicated with piles, loss
of appetite, and constant diarrhma. Dr. Snelling adds his testimony
to Dr. Carroll's, in regard to its efficancy in dysmenorrhcea. " There
is no doubt," he remarks, "''that it exercises a strong specific
influence over the female organs of generation, as we have also seen
distressing symptoms of pruritus, and prolapsus of the womb yield
under its use. "A lady aged about 35, unmarried, had sufferred
for a long time past with all the distressing symptoms of a uterine
prolapsus, complicated  with pruritus, dysmenorrhcea, and most
obstinate constipation. She had been for some time under the care
of a distinguished practitioner for the prolapsus uteri, who, after
relieving the more urgent symptoms, and restoring somewhat the
tone of her system, told her that her only safety lay in avoiding
constipation; and to this end prescribed a cathartic pill, which was
to be taken as occasion required. Under this course she was
gradually but steadily retrogading.  Each recurring menstrual
period brought its days of acute suffering, and confinement to the
bed. Every movement of the bowels was accomplished only by the




COLLINSONIA  CANADENSIS.                   131
aid of a strong cathartic, and this had come to be an act of suffering
and dread from the painful prolapsus of the womb at these times.
The bowels refusing to act, it became necessary firequently to repeat
again- and again the opening pills, before their torpor could be overcome, and then a quick succession of copious and debilitating liquid
stools would leave her prostrate for days. She thus alternated between a state of absolute inaction of the bowels, with its train of
attendant evils, and the exhaustion consequent upon hypercatharsis.
April 3d. —She was put upon three grain doses of Collinsonia can.
one quarter trit, three per diem, with directions to abstain from the
use of the habitual cathartic as long as was possible for her to do
so; no other change whatever was made. Twenty-four hours had
elapsed since the bowels had moved. Slight pains at times in the
back and uterine regions, with distressing pruritus. Appetite small,
pulse normal.  April 5th. —Natural movements of the bowels
without other assistance. No other effects. April 7th and 8th.Healthy movements from the bowels. April lOth. —Much improved
in every respect; constipation entirely removed; symptoms
altogether so marked better that the medicine was discontinued
for one week. During this week the monthly turn passed over,
with much less than the usual amount of suffering, though some
imprudence in diet was followed by colicky pains in the abdomen;
these, however, passed over. At the end of the week the constipation having somewhat retulrned the remedy was resumed, followed
in twenty-four hours by a natural movement from the bowels. The
medicine was continued for one week and then given up. The
relief was complete and permanent.  No subsequent symptoms
made their appearance, and a few days since she expressed herself
as perfectly and entirely well, " without an ache or a pain."  During the course of the administration of the remedy, the pruritus,
dysmenorrhcea, and symptoms of prolapsus uteri, were quietly and
completely removed." It may be that Collinsonia does not act
specifically and directly upon the uterus, but cures congestions,
pains, prolapsus, etc., by removing diseased conditions from other
pelvic viscera.
Genital Organs of Men.-It has proved useful in gleet. It is indi.
cated in spermatorrhaea from hremorrhoids and constipation. Dr.
Fowler (case 3rd) cured a case of varicocele from the above mentioned causes.
Respiratory Organs.-We find no mention in Allopathic or
eclectic tharapeutics, of the use of Collinsonia in affections of the
pulmonary organs. It has, however, been used in the new school
with success. The following case illustrating the use of Collinsonia
in pulmonary homorrhage was reported by -Dr. Liebold, of Newark,
N. J., in the iYortA American Journcl, vol. 7, page 494. " On the
evening of the 11th of August last I was called in haste to the
bedside of Mr. G., an American.about forty years of age, who had
just the third attack of pulmonary hemorrhage under Allopathic
medication, in the space of four days. He had lost about a pint of
moderately fresh looking blood each time, but this time more than
previously. The history of the case was, that he had "infiamma



132       NEW  HIOMCFOPATHIIC  PROVINGS:
tion of the lungs " two years ago treated allopathically. Up to this
day he was comparatively well, and could assign no cause for his
present sickness. On the first day he got sick he passed blood per
anum too, but not subsequently. With a short hacking cough, he
raised almost without intermission, and spat very tough and dark
coagula of blood, as large as a bean, enveloped in viscid phlegm.
Of course he felt somewhat uneasy in his chest, but had no pain. I
put him on Hamamelis Virginica for the next three days but the
hemorrhage returned twice, on the 12th and 14th, although diminished; the spitting of blood remained about the same. Then I gave.Ferrurn-aceticumn; for twenty-four hours, some hemorrhage.
Lycopus virginicus for twenty-four hours.
August 16th. No better. Complains of great inconvenience
from constipation. Gave Callinsonia Canadensis one-fourth, one
powder every three hours (having in view only its gentle laxative
power). The next morning I was greeted, "Well, Doctor, that
is the right remedy, that will cure me," and so it did almost. I say
almost, for notwithstanding he took it up to the 25th, " by and by
at longer intervals," there appeared for the last four days, two or
three times blood in his sputa. The cure was completed by Conium
first, in two days. Saw him well to-day. The Collinsonia can.
acted in this case not in the least on the bowels, more on the
kidneys, but developed an admirable carminative power. So also
said a lady who took it for dysmenorrhcea, and who called them
only by the name of i"wind-powders."  MIr. G. never had
hemorrhoids."
C ORNUS CIRCINATA,
(Round-leaved dog-wood. Green Osier.)
This is a shrub from six to ten feet high, with warty branches,
large, roundish, pointed leaves, waved on their edges and downy
beneath, and white flowers disposed in depressed cymes. The fruit
is blue. The bark, when fresh, is of a bright -green color; when
dried, is in quills, of a whitish or ash color; its taste is bitter,
astringent and aromatic. The plant grows on hill-sides and banks
of rivers. It flowers in June and July.
WooD, LEE, and nearly all the allopathic authorities make but
slight mention of this variety of Cornus. With characteristic want
of accurate knowledge, they assert that all the varieties of this
plant possess the same medical virtues. The general effects of all
may have a general resemblance, but each has a peculiar action of
its own upon the human system.
@eneralitles,-Dark and bilious stools with griping and tenesmus; dysenteric symptoms; bowel complaints generally, with pains




CORNUS  CIRCINATA.                     133
in the bowels before, during, and after the discharges; general
debility, and impaired mental energy, with great drowsiness;
bilious derangements; dull, heavy sensation in the head; shooting,
aching, or throbbing pains in the head; disposition to perspire on
slight exertion; nausea, loss of appetite, bitter taste, lassitude;
symptoms resembling jaundice; cholera infantum; diarrhea, with
excessive debility and nervous excitability; chilliness, followed by
flushes of heat and sweat; sleep unrefreshing, and disturbed by
unpleasant dreams; diarrhzea, with great prostration of the
whole body.
CLINICAL REMARK. —Dr. Marcy found it curative in all the conditions mentioned above.
Skin.-Itching of the scalp, legs, and feet, increased by scratching or rubbing, and succeeded by a painful burning sensation;
aggravation of an habitual scurfy eruption of the scalp; amelioration of a long standing herpetic eruption while under the influence of the drug; occasional paroxysms of itching of the skin of
the back, legs, and feet, mostly at night; fine scarlet rash on the
breast, attended with itching; itching in various parts of the
body; burning sensation over the whole face; skin covered with
a copious clammy perspiration; itching around the genital organs;
itching and burning sensation over the whole body; 1pricking sensation in the arms and legs.
CLINICAL REmrARs. —These symptoms would seem to bear out
the popular belief that it is a good " blood purifier." Dr. Beach,
a veteran of the Botanic school, says:- "it is valuable in saltrheum, scrofula, cancerous humors, itch, and all cutaneous diseases."
A sweeping assertion truly! It might be classed among our antipsorics.
Fever.-Flushes of heat, followed by easy general perspiration;
chilly sensations, succeeded by transient flushes of heat; congestion
of blood to the head and face; throbbing pains in the temples and
vertex; flushes of heat and coldness in alternation; followed by
cold perspiration; soreness of the scalp; aching pains in the eyeballs; rumbling of wind in the bowels; stitches in the chest and
under the scapula; sense of debility and fatigue; heaviness of the
head; drowsiness; nausea; dull pain in the forehead and vertex;
copious general clammy perspiration, succeeded by general chilliness; transient flashes of heat pervading the whole body, with
shooting pains through the brain; heaviness of the eyelids; peevishness; aversion to meat. and bread; and itching of the legs, thighs,
and around the genital organs; head and face hot; coldness, followed by flashes of heat and perspiration; general itching of the:
skin; loss of appetite; drowsiness; and griping pains in the bowels.
CLINICAL RE IARKIs. —In certain forms of bilious remittent fever,
if the gastric and intestinal symptoms correspond, this medicine
will be found useful. Professor Ives says this variety of Dogwood, resembles the pale Peruvian Bark. (C.,Lancifolia.)  It is
used in domestic practice as an anti-periodic. (See C. florida.)
Sleep.-Profound sleep during the night; drowsiness and lassitude; very great drowsiness, and disposition to perspire; sleep




134       NEW   IOMCEOPAT HIC0  PROVINGS.
disturbed by frightful dreams; very sound, but unrefreshing sleep;
very great disposition to sleep, with entire loss of mental and
physical energy; sleep disturbed by fulness and pressure in the
head; sleepy, and weak during the day, with dull pains in the
head, back, and limbs; stupid and sleepy feeling with nausea, and
burning of the face, hands and feet.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Those physicians who have had to deal
much with bilious disorders, will recognize the above symptoms as
bearing a striking similarity to those Which precedes a bilious fever,
hepatic congestion, jaundice, or even an ague. Should the totality
of the symptoms correspond, it is quite likely that the use of the
Cornus c. will prevent the establishment of either of those affections.
Mind and Sensorium.-lDrowsiness; confusion of ideas; indifference with respect to subjects which usually interest; drowsiness, with entire disinclination to mental or corporeal exertion;
depression of spirits; difficulty in fixing the mind, and in attending to ordinary business; mind confused, stupid, with inability to
concentrate it upon any subject-worse toward night; lightness
of the head; great depression of spirits, and petulence; very
great disposition to sleep, with apathy and indifference; feeling
of indolence, and loss of energy; lassitude, confusion of ideas,
vertigo; giddiness, and lightness of head, worse on shaking it or
on stooping; dread of making any exertion.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-The suggestions offered under the preceding paragraph, are also applicable here; the stupor, indifference,
etc., all resemble the premonitory symptoms of disordered conditions of the liver. In hypochondriasis it will be found curative,
when arising from hepatic torpor.
Hlead.-Dull, heavy pain in the whole head, with drowsiness, the
headache increased by walking, stooping or shaking the head;
sense of fulness in the head relieved by a copious stool; dull pain
in the forehead; aching pains through the temples, and on the
top of the head; confused feeling in the head, and sense of fulness
in the brain, with unusual heat in the head'and face; congestion
of blood to the head and face; throbbing pains in the vertex, and
soreness of the scalp; heavy, aching pains in the head, with
almost irresistible desire to sleep; drawing sensation (pain) from
the back of the head to the nose; dull throbbing pains in the
temples and side of the head; deep seated, pulsating pains in the
occipital and parietal regions; deep seated, dull pains under the
centre of the skull; dull pain in the back of the head; pulsations extending from the front to the back part of the head;
Severe pulsative pains in the temporal regions, which passed off
during the evening and night; heavy, confused feeling in the top
of the head'; slight, tensive aching pains through the whole brain;
slight pain over the right supra-orbital ridge; dull pain in the
forehead and vertex; flushes of heat in the head and face; heat
in the top of the head; head feels light and giddy, worse on
shaking the head, or on stooping; shooting pains through the
whole brain; drawing.pains in the back part of the head, and in




CORNUS  CIRCINATA.                     135
the nape of the neck; sense of fulness and pressure in the head,
preventing sound sleep.
CLINICAL REMARiS.-D-r.  Marcy found it curative in cases
when there was-" Dull heavy sensations in the head; shooting, aching or throbbing pains in the head."  It would seem
to be indicated in various forms of bilious headache. One particular form of bilious cephalalgia is well represented in the symptom
— "Sense of fulness in the head, relieved by a copious stool."
Allopathic physicians, noticed long ago that some forms of headache were relieved by free evacuations from the bowels, occurring
spontaneously. This led to the use and abuse of cathartics in head
affections generally. I have treated many cases of habitual headache, which were relieved naturally, by diarrhoea, in which the
pains in the head and the subsequent diarrhcea symptoms corresponded well with the above. In such cases it should be tested.
Eyes.-Aching pains through the eyeballs; heaviness of the
eyelids; eyes sunken; yellowish tinge of the conjuctiva; hollowness of the eyes; dark circle under the eyes; sense of weight
around the eyes; very dull sensations over the eyeballs; sense of
contraction around the eyes; eyes dull and heavy, as after a
debauch; sore pain in the eyeballs.
CLINICALREMARKs. -The " aching pains through the eyelids,"
are with some patients always premonitory of an attack of ague, or
a bilious fever. We find it prevents a jaundice and bilious headache.
The "yellow tinge of the conjunctiva " is often one of the first
symptoms of jaundice. Dr. Marcy found it useful in " symptoms
resembling jaundice."  (See remarks under "stool.") Dr. Beach
says it is useful for "inflamed eyes."  This is about as correct an
indication as Botanics usually have.  Theoretically, I would
strongly recommend it in ulcerations of the cornea; ulcers of the
conjunctiva, from scrofula, or apthous ophthalmia; also for herpes
of the eyelids. It should be used internally, and a wash or collyrium. (See remarks under the head of " mouth.")
Nose.-Itching of the nasal mucous membrane; coryza early in
the morning; prickling sensation in the nasal canal; severe prickling sensation in the bony part of the nose.
Mouth and Throat. —Tonigue covered with a thin, yellowish fur;
insipid taste and clammy mouth; tongue covered with a whitish
fur, with dry mouth and throat; pungent taste in the mouth;
bitter taste in the mouth; smarting in the mouth and throat; bad
taste in the mouth, with loss of appetite; white fur on the tongue,
with desire for cold drinks.'CLINICAL REMARKS.-The above symptoms are those found in
bilious affections generally. But it is a little remarkable that no
symptoms of ulceration, inflammation, or apthae of mucous membrane of the mouth were elicited in this proving. Perhaps
stronger doses would have caused more decided lesions. During the
early part of my practice I was surprised, and sometimes mortified,
at the facility with which my patients would cure " sore mouths,"'
with the decoction of the bark of the green osier, after I had vainly
used mercury, nitric acid, sulphuric acid and other remedies laid




136 -     NEW   llOM1EOPATlHIC  PROVINGS.
down in our books. In apthous stomatitis of children, and even in
stomatitis materna, I have known it to effect a prompt cure after
all other means had been used in vain. Even in mercurial salivation
it will arrest the diseased process, but not so surely and permanently as chlorate of potash. In ulceration of the buccal mucous
membrane from a cold, or gastric derangement, and in that affection sometimes called "bilious sore throat and mouth," it has, under my observation, proved specific. Persons of a scrofulous habit
are often troubled with frequently recurring ulceration of the
tongue, grlus, and mouth generally. Such patients I have known
who always resorted to this remedy with a certainty of absolute
relief. One patient in particular always carried some of the inner
bark in his pocket, and chewed it as a substitute for tobacco, alleging that if he suspended its usethe " sore mouth" very soon returned. Another patient had this "sore mouth" occasionally, alternated
with ulcers on the conjunctiva and cornea. At my suggestion he used
the cornus as a collyrium with the happiest result. It may prove
one of our most valuable remedies in all ulcerations of mucous surfaces. The infusion is generally made by pouring hot water upon
the bark, in the proportion of one ounce of bark to one quart of water.
For homceopathic use, this method might answer in case the tincture was not readily obtained. A few drops of the mother tincture
in half a teacup of water, would be about the proper proportion. I
have rarely used the tincture, as the infusion is so easily made and
readily administered. In order to test its virtues, in minute doses,
I once gave a child, suffering under apthous ulceration of the mouth,
the coronus c. prepared as follows: One drachm of the inner bark
was placed in a vessel containing one quart of hot water. This was
left standing one hour, then filtered. Nitric-acid, Chlorate of Potash, Borax, had been previously used internally and locally. In
twenty-four hours after using the medicine the mucous membrane
began to assume a healthier appearance, and in about a week, was
quite well. The child was in ill health, and had had diarrhcea for
weeks, and had become quite emaciated. Under the use of the remedy the diarrhcea ceased, and the general health decidedly improved.
The dose was one teaspoonful of the above preparation every four
hours. (No attempt was made to wash the mouth).
Eclectic writers call it an "Anti-scorbutic," and so fr as my
observation goes, it seems worthy the appellation. In this respect it
is the analogue of the mineral acids, Baptisia, Kali Chlor., Mercurius and Hydrastis.
Appetite and Stomacoh.-Nausea, with bitter taste, and aversion
to all kinds of food; empty feeling in the stomach, with tasteless
eructations; aversion to food, and desire for sour drinks; burning sensation in the stomach, which lasted an hour and a half;
flatulent distension of the stomach; nausea; bitter taste, and a
gnawing, faint feeling in the stomach; heavy pulsations in the
stomach, with nausea and impaired appetite; pain at the pit of the
stomach during dinner, with distension of the stomach and bowels,
relieved by a copious stool after dinner; nausea, with great
debility and eructations; fulness and oppression in the stomach, with




CORNUS  CIRCINATA.                     137
bad taste and dry mouth; nausea, with bitter eructations and loss
of appetite; smarting and burning in the mouth, throat and
stomach, with desire for stool; weakness of the stomach, with
bitter taste and nausea; sensation of faintness in the stomach and
bowels; drawing pains from the stomach to the lower part of the
abdomen.
CLINICAL REMARs. —Many of the symptoms of this drug, especially the gastric, closely resemble those of Nux vomica. It
stands somewhere between Nux and China in this respect. It has
been used successfully in vomiting of pregnancy and dyspepsia.
Abdomen.-Slight griping pains in the abdomen, accompanied
with rumbling of wind; the pains penetrated the whole abdomen,
but were most severe in the vicinity of the umbilicus; pressing
down pain in the rectum during stool; slight burning pain in the
rectum during an evacuation; pressing pain in the rectum, and
smarting at the anus in the morning, during and after a thin and
scanty stool; tenesmus at stool, with griping in the umbilical region rumbling of wind and large discharge of offensive flatus;
urging to stool, with fulness and uneasiness of the bowels; vague
pains and general sense of uneasiness in the bowels; slight tenesmus, and considerable burning at the anus, after a bilious discharge;
abdominal pains more acute during stool; urging to stool, (sensation in the rectum) in the morning, at five o'clock; on taking
more of the drug, this bearing-down sensation extended to the bowels, increasing the disposition to evacuate. Stool accompanied with
some tenesmus and burning at the anus; distension of the stomach
and bowels with wind; constant working in the bowels, as if their
contents were all in motion; shooting pains fiom the centre of the
thorax to the lower part of the abdomen, the pains coming on
severely at intervals, and then remitting; distension of the bowels
with wind, relieved by a copious, dark and bilious stool; immediately
after dinner; sense of weight in the lower part of the abdomen;
burning sensation in-the stomach and bowels, with same desire for
stool; urging to stool very early in the morning, but unable to
accomplish anything satisfactory, the discharge consisting of a few
slimy lumps, with pressing and smarting at the anus; sensation of
emptiness in the stomach and bowels; drawing sensation from the
stomach to the lower part of the abdomen.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-No drug, except, perhaps, mercury, pre.
sents a more formidable array of "bowel symptoms."  Dr. Marcy
says "its chief action appears to be upon the liver and intestinal
canal. A markedinfluence is likewise exerted upon the brain, but
whether the action of the. drug is direct upon this organ, or whether
the head symptoms proceed from the bilious derangement induced
by it, is a question. We have found it curative in all the intestina
symptoms found under the head of " Generalities."'  "It was firsi
introduced into practice as a remedy for bowel complaints, bJ
Prof. Ives, of New Haven, some thirty years ago. Its empirical us(
in the hands of this gentleman, proved it to be a valuable remedy i!
bilious diarrhcea, dysentery, cholera, infantum, and against the
diarrhceas peculiar to abdominal typhus." If it so promptly cure
18




138       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
ulcerations of the mouth and fauces, why should it not prove just
as much a specific for the intestinal ulcerations, which are peculiar
to this form of typhoid fever?  The result most to be feared in all
inflammatory affections of mucous surface-as in inflammatory
diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal typhus, etc., is ulceration. Had the
experiment been carried far enough by the provers, we have no
doubt this pathological condition would have occurred. The dysentric symptoms did not proceed so far as to cause bloody discharges,
yet any physician who reads the above will perceive that it was
only a question of time; blood evacuations would have soon been
obtained if the drug had been continued in large doses, and if the
prover had stifl persisted, zdceration would have certainlyresulted.
We cannot come at any other conclusion than that the Cornus cir.
will prove as valuable in a certain class of diseases as Mercurius,
Leptandria, Podophyllum, or Nitric acid. In one case of dysentery,
in a child, when there was unmistakable ulceration of the mucous
membrane of the rectum, the mother, by my permission, used enema
of a weak infusion of the green-osier. After using it a few times
the pus disappeared from the stools, and the child suffered less. It
had not improved, under the use of Mere. cor., 6th, and subsequently Nitric acid, 3d. Would it not be well to try this form of
application, as well as internally, at the same time?
Stool. -Sightly loose stool in the morning, accompanied with
slight pressing-down pain in the rectum; Stool, thin and scanty,
with burning at the rectum, and at the anus, during the discharge;
thin, scanty and slimy stool, attended with griping in the umbilical
region; tenesmus, rumbling of wind, and large discharge of offensive
flatus; copious, thin and bilious discharge, succeeded by some tenesmus and burning at the anus which lasted half an hour; dark green,
thin, and very offensive stools, accompanied by copious emission of
offensive flatus; bilious and slimy st.ol, with much wind, some tenesmus, and severe, burning pain at the anus, and a short distance
within the rectum, whichcontinued after the motion; dark, thin and
moderately copious stool, with some tenesmus, and a burning at the
anus; frequent, small, dark and slimy stools with much offensive
flatus; copious, dark stool of the natural consistence, attended with
pressing-down sensation in the rectum; large emission of very offensive flatus; hard, dry and scanty stool, with pressing in the rectum;
stool, consisting of a few thin and slimy lumps, with pressing and
smarting at the anus. (See remarks under " Abdomen.")
Urine.-Urine, scanty and red or pale; sensation of fulness and
weight in the region of the bladder; urine, scanty and high-colored,
and frequent inclination to pass water.
Genital Organs.-Strange and persistent erections through the
night; increased sexual desire during the evening and night, with
diminished power.
Larnyx and Chest.-Stitches in the chest and back; stitches in
the chest and under the right scapula; a fine scarlet rash upon the
chest, attended with itching; sensation of dragging or bearing
down on each side of the thorax, with accelerated pulsations of the
heart; a sore, bruised feeling in the chest and back; shooting




CORNUS  FLORIDA.                       139
pains from the centre of the thorax to the lower part of the abdomen, severe at times and then remitting; choking sensation in the
upper part of the thorax; smarting in the mouth and throat;
frequent inclination to take a long breath.
Back.-Dull pain in the small of the back, with drowsiness and
lassitude; stitches in the back and chest; pain in the lower part
of the back; sore pain in the lumbar region, worse on bending
forward or to either side; occasional paroxysms of itching in the
back, especially in the evening.
Upper Extremities.-Burning and itching sensation in the hands
and arms; coldness of the hands following a loose stool; prickling
sensation in the arms; stretching sensation in the arms, mostly in
the evening and at night; sense of weakness and fatigue in the
arms.
Lower Extremities. —Weary feeling in the legs; itching in the
legs; weakness and weary feeling in the legs; weakness and
trembling of the legs; itchings on the legs and thighs, and around
the labia; burning sensation in the feet; coldness of feet following a loose stool; tired feeling in the legs when walking or
ascending stairs; prickling sensation in the legs; paroxysms of
itching in the legs in the evening.
CORNUS FLORIDA.
(Dogwood, Boxwood).
Common throughout all our forests; conspicuous in spring-time
by its festoons of large, white blossoms, and equally so during the
autumn, fromu its clusters of scarlet berries; a handsome little tree,
usually about fifteen to twenty feet high, is the Cornus florida of
the United States. In this genus of Cornacece, there are about
twenty species, of which America has, north of Mexico, eleven.
The Flowering Dogwood is the most beautiful and showy plant of
its genus. It is too well known to need description. The bark is
officinal, though that of the root contains the greatest amount of
the active principle.  "The principle obtained from  it is.called
cornine, and has all the properties of' Sulphate of Qninine." This
loose assertion must be taken curn grano salis, like all similar assertions of the dominant school. No pathogenesis of the Cornus
florida has yet appeared. I propose, therefore, to collect what
has been written of its therapeutic uses, and gather the few pathogenetic symptoms which are scattered through the pages of various
authorities. We can, by these means, get some idea of its sphere
of action, which will lay the foundation for rational clinical experience, and stimulate us to prove the drug, as Hahnernann did its
great analogue, China. Prof. Lee (Jour. of Mat. 2Med., vol, 1.,
p. 294,) thus speaks of it: " The physiological effects of the Cornus




1140    NEW HOMCEOPATHIC: PROVINGS.
bark are similar to those of the vegetable bitter tonics generally,
viz., increased frequency of pulse, exalted temperature, diaphoresis,
sensation of fulness or pains in the head, and gastric derangement.
Of these, the most strongly marked are the increased temperature
of the skin, and the general perspiration.  Some experimenters
have observed a constant tendency to sleep, which has continued
for several hours. This, as occurs in many other cases, does not
indicate any specific narcotic properties, but is the result of the
cerebral fulness."  Dr. Blackie says that it causes "severe headache, quickens the pulse, and produces violent pains in the bowels."
Other writers give testimony to the above statement. Here we
have good evidence that the Dogwood will cause febrile symptoms
of a peculiar character. Who can doubt its ability to cause a type
of intermittent, bilious, or remittent fever, with gastric and intestinal irritation? Just such types of fever are found in the West,
and may be treated successfully with Cornus. We have considerable testimony in favor of its yalue in intermittents. 1Eberle states
that thirty-five grains of the bark are equal to thirty of Cinchona.
Its effects are closely analogous to those of the cinchona bark, for
which it may often be successfully substituted. Lee says: "Our
own experience with this article has satisfied us that most cases of
our periodic or miasmatic fevers will yield to its judicious use."
Prof. Barton says: "That it may be asserted with entire safety,
that as yet there has not been discovered within the limits of the
United States any vegetable so effectually to answer the purpose of
Peruvian bark in the management of intermittent fevers, as the
Cornus florida." yDr. Norton, who experimented largely with the
bark, declares that in an extensive practice of many years he used
no other remedy in intermittent and remittent fevers." -Dr. Coe
writes: " Its anti-periodic powers render it of peculiar value in the
treatment of intermittent and other periodic fevers. In such fevers
we have employed it with much success. It is certain that Cornine
has cured fever and ague when quinine has failed, and that in all
cases when the latter cannot be employed, the Cornine answers as a
substitute."  In domestic practice, I have observed for many years
that it was often more successful than quinine in certain types of
ague.. The country people generally make an infusion of uncertain
strength, and drink of it during the apyrexia. If taken during the
paroxysm, it causes an aggravation of the fever, headache, etc.
From its known effects when taken in large doses, as well as certain
observations of my own, I would lay down the following indications
for its use in miasmatic fevers: Paroxysm preceded fobr days by
sleepiness; sluggish flow of ideas; headache of a heavy, dull
character; nausea; vomiting; loss of appetite; and sometimes
bilious or watery diarrhbea; chill, with cold, clammy skin; nausea
and vomiting, and violent pains in the bowels; fever, with violent
headache; hot, but moist skin; stupor; "cerebral fulness;" pulse
quick and hard; confusion of intellect, etc. Apyrexia-Debility,
gastric irritability; painful diarrhoea. In bilious remittent, and
even typhoid fever, it may prove a useful remedy. It seems to
occupy an intermediate position between China and Podophyllum.




CORNUS  FLORIDA.                       141
Lee admits that it will aggravate an existing febrile condition, but
resorts to the usual false logic to explain its curative action: " A
person in health may take the Cornus, as well as any of the other
vegetable. tonics, in moderate doses, and for a long time without
any marked effects on any of the functions; but taken in the same
manner and the same quantities, in certain pathological states, as a
general lowering of the vital forces and nervous energy, independent of organic disease, or when miasmatic poison has caused a
tendency to paroxysmal attacks, the therapeutical influence of
Cornus will be promptly manifested in a general invigoration of the
vital forces and suspension of the paroxysms. Here, as in regard to
Cinchona, we must be satisfied with the result, for the manner in
which it is brought about must ever remain a mystery. In certaini
morbid conditions, as hectic fever or great debility, attended with
frequency of pulse, and cold, colliquative sweats, the Cornus would
seem to possess the power of a sedative, as manifested in decided
lowering of pulse, and abatement of perspiration. This effect is
common to all neurotic tonics, in certain pathological conditions of
the body. It depends on their imparting increased tonicity to the
muscular fibres of the heart through the organic nerves, thus
enabling the central organ of circulation to throw out a greater
quantity of blood at each contraction. The cardiac irritability
also is lessened by the temporary increase of tonic power and vital
contractibility. On the contrary, if Cornus and other analogous
substances be given in acute and sthenic conditions marked by
those phenomena which are characteristic of inflammatory action,
the circulation will be correspondingly increased by an increase of
infammatory actionz; in both conditions, however, acting as a
stimulant." The above is open to much just criticism. We will
take up a few of his propositions. 1. A person in health cannot
take Cornus, or any other vegetable tonic, for a long time, without
any marked effect. His own statement regarding the effects of
Dogwood disprove it. Besides, the slightest knowledge of physiological processes teaches us that no tonic can be taken with impunity by a healthy person. We soon have an exaltation of function,
then derangement of function, and, finally, more or less depressed
condition of the vital powers. 2. We are not obliged to remain in
mystery relative to the action of Cornus and Cinchona. Hahnemann discovered that the latter cured disorders like those it was
capable of causing; and the Cornus acts in a similar manner.
Trosseau and  Wood-highest allopathic authorities-admit this
virtually, but cloak the real fact, under the term, " Substantiation."
3. Cornus cannot be a sedative, and at the same time a stimulant.
The terms are contradictory, and used in the manner above,
causing no idea at all. The whole truth is, that the Cornus, like all
other drugs, have two series of actions-primary and secondary.
The primary action is, to cause exaltation of the functions of the
vital organs, thence fever, congestion, inflammation. The secondary effects are nearly opposite, such as depression of the vital
forces, loss of tonicity in the heart and muscular fibre generally,
irritation of the various tissues, coldness, colliquative sweats.




142       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC: PROVINGS.
Prof. Lee's facts are not to be disputed, but his theory of the
action of the medicine is untenable.  Cornus is homceopathic to
both the primary and secondary symptoms above enumerated, in
doses varied to suit the existing conditions; and it can cure such
-pathological states only by virtue of its power to cause similar
ones. 4. Cornus and its analogues will not aggravate existing
inflammatory conditions, if given in proper quantities. Administered in minute doses, it will promptly remove inflammations and
congestions, if indicated by the symptoms, and if the'quantity is
small enough, no aggravation will follow its use. Prof. Lee, King,
and other authorities assert that the tincture of Cornus will cause
" violent pain in the bowels, purging, derangement of the digestive
organs, vomiting, nausea, gastric derangement," etc.; yet all are
equally free to admit, and even advise its use in similar conditions.
They say, "It will promote the appetite and digestion, and is
useful in atomic and enfeebled conditions of the stomach; and will
act as an anthelmintic, by improving the functions of the alimentary canal, and correcting those conditions of the digestive organs
which favor the production of worms." And yet, if it was suggested to these worthy writers that the medicine might act according
to the law of similia, they would reject the proposition with
contempt! It is just possible that many of the indications laid
down for the Cornus circinata may be applicable to this medicine;
to be exact we ought to have a scientific proving. But most Hom-.eopaths are not aware that, although it is asserted by both schools
that the varieties of Cinchona bark differ considerably in their
action, yet our pharmaceutists use the C. augustifolia and C. lancifolia almost indiscriminately. To meet the demands of a perfectly scientific materia medical eacht variety of Peruvian bark
should be separately proven. It is quite suggestive, that authorities
recommend Cornus florida in about the same cases and conditions
for which Hahnemann used China, viz: general debility from loss
of fluids, or in the convalescing stages of acute diseases; hectic
fever, night sweats, indigestion, lientery, etc. A tincture made
from the berries when ripe, is considered by some as being most
efficacious in the above conditions.
Reports of cases of ague successfully treated by the late E. J.
Bates, M. D., with Cornus florlda, will be found in American HIomceopathic Observer, Feb. 1864, page 29.
CORNINE.-This is the so-called active principle, of the C.florida,
and stands in the same relation to the bark, as does Quinine to the
Cinchona. Some prefer the Sulphate, as the best preparation. I
have not used the Cornine extensively. In a few cases of debility
from loss of fluids, when China, Quinine, and Phos. acid failed to
act beneficially, I used the first trituration with apparent good
effect. Those of the eclectic school who use it largely, declare it
to be a prompt remedy for the cure of the usual types of intermittent fevers.: They assert that it does not affect the head as do
other preparations of the bark; nor' does it cause gastric or intestinal derangements. Here let me call attention to one notable fact
in relation to all these so-called " active principles," resinoid, alka



CYPRIPEDIUM   PUBESCENS.                    143
loid, or whatever they are called. While they retain to a considerable extent the specific properties of the drug, they are destitute
of many of its more important virtues. Thus Quinine possesses not
all the curative power of China; Macrotin does not represent all
the properties of Cimicifuga; and Leptandrin has no such specific
effect upon the brain as the tincture of Leptandria. So with
Cornine; it represents only a part of the qualities of the original
drug. These " active principles " ought to be subjected to separate
provings. But we are partly justified in using them; for, it may
be asserted with truth, that, while they do not possess all the virtues
of the tincture of the bark, etc., they do not DIFFER in their action.
They have lost something, but have gained no new qualities. Thus
we may use the Cornine in states of general debility, although the
bowel symptoms which indicate the Cornus, are not present. D)r.
Coe says, " for ague, Cornine should be given in three to five grain
doses every three hours, preceded by, or alternated with Leptandrin."  I would advise the lower triturations instead, and know
they  are just as efficacious.  The same writer teaches that,
"although Cornine does not possess the power of neutralizing
acidity of the stomach, yet it is of exceeding utility in those cases
of indigestion, in which that symptom is a troublesome feature.  It
gives almost instant, immediate relief in that distressing symptom
called "heartburn," and its continued use will prove a sure preventive of its occurrence, by restoring the tone of the stomach,
and so obviating the tendency to fermentation.
CYPRIPEDIIUM  PUBESCENS.
(Large Yellow Ladies' Slipper).
There are eight varieties of Cypripedium indigenous to this
country, but the C(I. pubescens from  some cause appears to have
been selected as the variety to be the most used in medicine. It is
known by the common names of American Valerian, (this name is
Smith's, applied to the Scutellaria,) Nerve-root, Yellow moccasin
flower, etc. For minute description of this and other varieties
see King's Dispensatory. The root is the officinal portion. The
roots of all these varieties are undoubtedly collected, sold, and
used, with the officinal article indiscriminately.  Homceopathic
pharmaceutists should therefore be very careful in the selection of
the root. This plant has, always been a favorite remedy in domestic and " botanic " practice. As a " true nzervinze," it meets a great
many indications in the treatment of females and children, and its
harmlessness commends it to general use. It, is an analogue of
Valerian, Coffea, Thea, Chamomilla, Scutellaria, Sene6io gracilis,
and Ambra-grisea. The Eclectic school thus estimates its proper



144       NEW  HOMUI]OPATHIC PROVINGS.
ties: Dr. King says it is "Tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, and
antispasmodic. Useful in hysteria, chorea, nervous headache, and
all cases of nervous irritability; has proved useful in neuralgia,
delirium and hypochondria. Combined with nepeta, and scutellaria, it has permanently cured headache (nervous) not dependent
on acid stomach. An infusion is said to be beneficial in the pains
of the joints following scarlet fever."  Jones and'Scudder, (Mat.
Med.) write-"In numerous affections termed neuropathic, we
have employed the Cypripedium with decided advantage. It
equalizes and energizes the nervous powers, lessens excitement,
allays nervous irritability, alleviates pain, and appears to invigorate
both body and mind, leaving the patient more cheerful and lively
than when any of the narcotics, or many of the anti-spasmodics are
prescribed. The diseases in which it is indicated are hysterical
affections, hypochondriasis, delirium tremens, epilepsy, chorea, hemicrania, neuralgia, ataxic or nervous fevers, etc. In low fever
accompanied with morbid nervous excitability, or irritability, as
manifested by ruthlessness, vigilance, watchfulness, with great
sinking of the vital powers, the Cypripedium  produces a calm
or tranquil state of mind, invigorates the system, and favors
sleep. It is not so important in the relief of spasms or convulsions
as llany other agents, yet its peculiar nervine and stimulant qualities admirably adapt it to the relief of that morbid state of the
cerebro - spinal system, upon which spasms depend."  Dr. Coe
places about the same estimate upon the medicinal powers of this
plant. He says:  "As a substitute for paragoric, Godfrey's cordial, etc., it is most advantageously employed in alleviating the
disorders of children, requiring the use of an anodyne. It possesses, however, some narcoticpower, and many times will be found as
inadmnissible as opiunm."  This last admission is quite an important
one, and throws some light on the action of this remedy. I have
noticed this narcotic effect upon the persons of some of my patients
who were in the habit of using this plant to excess. In country
practice, it is not unusual for the practitioner to find persons who
are as strongly addicted to the habitual use of the Cypripedium, as
others are to the use of Opium. They are generally persons beyond the middle age, whose nervous systems have once been shattered by some serious illness, and they have resorted to the ladyslipper for palliative relief. Such individuals, under the influence
of the -drug, are lively and talkative, disposed to work, and are
really capable of making unusual exertions without much fatigue.
They are tranquil, feel no pain, and altogether very comfortable.
But when the use of the drug is suspended they become irritable,
irascible, fretful; their motions are hurried and, uncertain; they
are agitated by the least contradictory word, a noise, or any excitement of those around them; they cannot sleep, and even have
jactitations, pains, and hysterical spasms. These are the primary
and secondary states and symptons which are directly caused by
the pathogenetic action of the Cypripedium. I do not think the
plant has any specific influence over the skin or mucous membranes.




CYPRIPEDIUM   PUBESCENS.                     145
CLINICAL REmiAARcs. —My observations and experience with this
remedy has given me the following impressions relative to its true
sphere of therapeutic action. (1.) Its action on the brain, is similar to that of Tea, Coffee, Cannabis indica, Cocoa, and a few others
of that class. Its pathogenetic action does not extend as far as
that of Agaricus, Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Stramonium, and others
of that group. I do not believe its toxical effects go beyond the
causation of functional irritation.  It is therefore not homecopathic to congestion, inflammation, or apoplexy of the brain and
spinal cord and its membranes, but only to conditions of morbid
irritability, or hlypercesthesia of the nervous tissues. I do not
doubt its ability to cause serious brain affection in young children,
for the nervous mass in infancy is so delicate and sensitive, that any
agent capable of causing simple irritation, (tea, coffee, bright
lights, noise, fright, etc.,) may induce a condition, which readily
runs on to serious disorder. In young children, irritability of the
brain often appears many days or weeks before more serious disease
sets in. Proper remedies will often arrest this condition, and prevent congestion and inflammation.  Children  thus afflicted are
noticed to be more lively than usual, more inclined to laugh and
play at unwonted hours, even in the night; will often laugh in
their sleep, or are very wakeful and excitable. If the little ones
are urged to play, are excited by light, noise and laughter —all these
tend to fix the irritation more strongly upon the over-sensitive
brain, and soon the child is attacked with spasms or convulsions,
and a meningitis closes the scene. It is in these premonitary conditions, or states of simple irritation, that the Cypripedium  and
Scutellaria, as well as Coffea and Cannabis indica are really indicated; and in my hands, the first named remedy has acted admirably,
and in a highly satisfactory manner. To very young infants I
usually administer the third or sixth dilution in water, or pellets, as
often as the case seems to demand. On the Nervous System generally, of children or adults, it acts as a pure hyperfestheseant;
primarily, elevating the excitability and activity; and secondarily,
decreasing the strength, and awakening a morbid irribility of a low
gL'ade. It is not therefore homeopathic to neurotic diseases due to
inflammation, congestion, or any organic change, but to a peculiar
irritability such as I have described above. In many cases of Neuralgia, "the pain is the disease."  In such instances the Cypripedium will be found curative in many cases. The same observation
will apply to chorea, epileptiform symptoms, hysteria, etc. I have
used it with good effects in the watchfulness, and nervous agitation
of low fevers; but only as a palliative; for the drug is manifestly
not homceopathic to the pathological conditions which are present. In the treatment of diseases of females its use will give
satisfaction to the practitioner who adapts it to the symptoms for
which it is truly homceopathic. The Dose is to be graduated
according to the age of the patient, and whether the symptoms are
primary or secondary, ranging from the 6th dilution or trituration,
down to drop doses of the mother tincture.




146        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
CYPRIPEDIN.
This is the active principle of the Cypripedium pub., and for all
practical purposes, or until we have a thorough proving of the
plant, may be used inlstlead of the lincture and dilutions. I have
used the triturations, and find this preparation curative in about
the same conditions, and for the same symptoms, as the preparation fiom  the crude root. It is, of course, much more powerful
than the tincture, and the dose should be selected accordingly. I
have never given it to children, but in adults it may be given in
the sixth or first triturations, without fear of aggravation, if not too
long continued, pr inappropriately applied.
DIOSCOR EA VILLOSA.
( T,"ild Yamn. Colic-root.)
This is an indigenous plant, growing in most parts of the United
States, but  in  most  abundanlle in the West and South. It is a
slender vine, growing in thickets and hedges, and along-side fences,
flowering in June and July. The root which is the part used in
medicine, is long, from two to four lines in thickness, woody and
contorted. It is of a yellowish-brown  color externally, a slight, not
unpleasant odor when bruised, and sweetish, slightly bitter taste.
Water and alcohol extract its medicinal qualities. Dioscorein, the
active principle of the plant, is much used, instead of the crude
preparations; but generally it is most successful when given in
infusion, one ounce to one pint of boiling water. Of this, one to
two fluid ounces are given at a dose. This is one of those remedies
principally known for certain specific effects upon one organ or
tissue. I will here give the estimate of the eclectic school concerning its properties, together with the theories concerlning its modus
operandi, in order that we may have the testimony befobre us, to aid
in our f arther investigations.  TVood does not mention it in any of
his works, neither do other strictly allopathic writers. King calls it
an anti-spasmodic, "successfully used by eclectics in bilious colic,
in doses of half a pint of the deecoction, repeated every half an hour
or hour; in fact, no other agent seems necessary in this disease, as it
gives prompt and permanent relief inl the most severe cases. It will
likewise allay nausea, also spasms of the bowels."  Of the Dioscorein
he says: "It is undoubtedly as much a specific in bilious colic, as
quinia is in intermittent" (i. e. only specific to some cases?)  " In a
severe case of bilious colic, pronounced past hope by several physicians, four grains, rubbed up with a tablespoonful of brandy, afforded prompt relief,, and a repetition of the dose in about twenty
minutes from the time. of taking the first, effected a cure. In
ordinary cases one or two grains of Dioscorein may be administered




DIOSCOREA  VILLOSA.                      147
every five, ten or twenty minutes."  It is useful in cramp of the
stomach, flatulence, and even uterine cramps.  Coe (Conc., Org.,
Med.,) says:  "The wonderful efficacy of this remedy in the cure
of bilious colic, renders it an indispensible agent to every practitioner of the healing act. In this complaint it is as near a specific
as any remedy can well be. The relief it affords is both prompt
and certain. But its entire value does not relate to this disease
alone, as it has been four d useful in cholera morbus, nausea attending pregnancy, spasms, couo-hs, hepatic disorders, after-pains,
flatulence, dysmenorrhcea, and in all cases where an anti-spasmodic
is required."  "In our experience of the management of cholera
morbus, as well as vomiting from other causes, we have found that
small doses, frequently repeated, will oftentimes control the symptomrs, when large doses fail," (one-fourth grain of Dioscolein.)  "In
conclusion, we would reiterate.he fict that Dioscorein is eminently
anti-spasmodic, and diaphoretic, and that its power of relieving
spasms, relates more particularly to the stomach and bowels, in
the disorders of which it has become to be looked upon by many as
nearly a specific. We speak of our own knowledge when we state
it to be the most reliable remedy yet discovered for bilious and
flatulent colic, and intestinal spasm and irritation generally. It is a
safe and harmless remedy, but in over-doses will produce vomiting."
T'he italics above are our own. If it will cause vomiting in over
doses, why may it not cause spasms, cramps, irritation, and other
phenomena of bilious and flatulent colic, for which it is so specific?
I do not doubt its power of inducing these affections, when long
given in pathogenetic doses. "Jones and Scudder assert that it acts
as "a very gentle diaphoretic, without exciting the action of the
heart and arteries, or increasing the temperation of the body. It
has been but little used, however, for this purpose, although it;might undoubtedly to employed with much advantage. It appears
to act as an anodyne and anti-spasmodic, and likewise as an antiemetic, in the diseases in which it is principally employed. The only
affection in which it has been used sufficiently to give it a fair test
to its virtues, is bilious colic. In many instances it has appeared to
act with great promptitude in allaying nausea and vomiting, and
relieving the pain and spasmodic action invariably present in that
disease.  "In various cases of great severity, when other remedies
had been faithfully and perseveringly employed, and when all had
proved unavailing, the nausea and vomiting, severe pain and spasms
continuing unabated, with a dry and husky state of the surface, the
Dioscorea has afforded entire relief in every respect, in twenty or
thirty minutes, and the patient has fallen into a comfortable state
of repose, and slept quietly the first time since the attack."  Of the
Dioscorein, they add," "We have used it in bilious colic with much
Success; and as an anti-emetio in other cases. In the cholera-infantum of children, it is one of our most efficient agents; combined with
Leptandrin, we have succeeded in curing cases which were considered hopeless. From our experience with this agent, and it has
been somewhat extensive, we believe it has a specific action upon
the liver, not only increasing, but changing the character of the




148    NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
bilious secretion." The above is better and more definite testimony
than we usually get from allopathic sources. We can afford to
lauglh -It the name " anti-emetic," when their own authorities admit
that ",causes vomiting. Yet they will not see that it cures according to the law of similia. Doubtless they would seek to explain its
action upon some other hypothesis even if was known to cause
intestinal spasms. Dr. I. G. Jones, late professor of practice in the
Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and author of an extensive
work on Practice, writes concerning this medicine: "The remedy
upon which I rely in the treatment of bilious colic is ZDioscoreac
villosa. I have used it with entire success in all the cases that have
come under my care. In one case that had been previously treated
forty-eight hours with injections, fomentations, anodynes, and
cathartics, without success, the patient was relieved in half an hour
by taking one dose of Dioscorea. In another case, to which I was
called in the night, the patient, who had been suffering severely for
twelve hours, was perfectly relieved in a few minutes and soothed
into a quiet sleep. It has never been known to fail, and I should
rely upon it with entire — nfidence in all cases of this disease. The
philosophy of its therape& tic action may not as yet be fully understood, or clearly explained. That it is eminently adapted to the
case is very certain, and that, after all, is the main point in practice."
It may be interesting to us to know what condition Dr. Jones calls
"' bilious colic."  He think it does not depend-on hepatic disturbance at all. The symptoms are gastric derangement; furred tongue;
constant pain, aggravated by regular paroxysms of increased sufferings; pain located at first in the centre of, but gradually diffused
over the whole abdomen; febrile reaction, vomiting, distended,
tender and sensitive abdomen, etc. The clinical experience of the
homoeopathic school, with Dioscorea and Dioscorein is not extensive.
In fact I find no published record, and can only give the statements
of my intimate colleagues. Dr. P. H. Hale, of Hudson, Michigan,
informs me that he has used the tincture and lower dilutions successfullyin cramps of the stomach, flatulent colic, bilious colic, and
cholera rmorbus. Dr. A. R. Smart, who administered the remedy at
my solicitation in the same affections, writes me that it seems to act
curatively in cases in which Colocynth, Nux vomica and'Chamomilla are usually given. Dr. C. A. Williams, reports the following
cases:  "Mr. —,  aged 50, subject to severe attacks of cholera
morbus, attended with vomiting, diarrhoea, painful cramps in the
stomach, bowels and extremities, from which, under allopathic
treatment, he would not recover for several days. I was called in
the night to see him after the attack had lasted about an hour. He
was suffering intensely from the above symptoms and supposed he
was to have an illness of several days duration. Wishing to test the
alleged virtues of Dioscorein, I gave him about two grains of the first
trituration every fifteen minutes. After the third dose he became
easier, and before the sixth dose, expressed himself as quite comfortable. He shortly fell asleep, and in the morning went about his
usual avocations." To this I will add my own observations. I have
used the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dilutions, and triturations, in the above




DIOSCOREA  VILLOSA.                     149
affections. In cramps of the stomach, (Cardialgia) the oiXst decimal
dilution often acts more promptly and satisfactorily than Nux vom.
In the dioscorea-gastralgia there is generally a great tendency to
erucate, and the pain is paroxysmal. In spasmodic colic, it seems
to be indicated when we usually give Colocynth and Chamomilla.
In these cases there is usually much flatulence, rumbling; and
paroxysmal pain. In the colic of children, accompanied or not by
diarrhcea, and attended witb screams and cries, and emission of
flatulence, the second and third triturations have been useful. The
true sphere of its action, whether upon the muscular or nervous
tissues of the abdomen, etc., cannot yet be defined. I am inclined
however, to the opinion that it acts more specifically upon the
former. Its action is probably confined to the stomach and intestines. If useful in after-pains, or hepatic disorders, it must be
because they depended upon some intestinal derangement. I once
treated a gentleman fbr several years, for an anomalous disease of
the abdominal organs, of which I could never form any satisfactory
idea. He had been troubled with it from early youth. The pain,
for that constituted nearly the whole of the malady, appeared at
irregular intervals, sometimes once a week, at others once a month,
and lasted several days. I never prescribed anything, nor did any
other physician, which seemed to give him any relief. Anodynes
dulled the pain for a time, but gave no permanent benefit. It was
a crampy spasmodic pain, commencing near the crest of the ileum,
and extending to the lumbar region and hypogastrium. Physical
or mental labor would bring on an attack. It would gradually
increase for days and end in an attack of vomiting; or at other
times affect the head. When it did leave, it was always suddenly.
Lying on the left side and back, only, was endurable. My impression was that it was a spasmodic disease of the vermiform process, excited by some matters introduced into that portion of the
intestine. A travelling "Spiritual Doctor," prescribed for him a
medcine or compound which gave him more relief than anything he
had ever used.  The chief ingredient in this mixture was
the Dioscorea.  The clairvoyant insisted that the malady was
"piles in the bowels.' (?)-a disease which is not down in our
nomenclature. I have been promised a proving of this unique
relmedy, but it has not come to hand. I know of no drug that
would better repay a trial, and none that would aid more in establishing the universality of the law of Sireilia, if we got a pathogenesis verged, wherein we could see a picture of those painful
affections, in the cure of which it has gained such empirical reputation. I have repeatedly taken the tincture and first dilution several
time a day for several days, but never elicited any notable symptoms. I have also tried it in several patients, affected with other
than gastric complaints, but with no better results than in myself.
If this work should be so fortunate as to reach a second edition,
we hope to give a proving of Dioscorea. At present, we can only
treat this, as we have many other drugs, namely: make such mention as will stimulate our co-laborers to investigate its pathogenetic
powers, and curative virtues.




150       NEW   HIOM(EOPATlIC  PROVINGS.
ERIGERON CANADENSE.
(Canada Fleabane. Colt's Tail.)
This plant is common to the northern and middle portions of
the United States, growing in fields and meadows, by road-sides,
and in waste places, and flowering in July and August. It is an
indigenous, annual plant, with a high, branched, furrowed  and
bristly, haired stem, from six inches to nine feet high. There are
several other varieties-as the E. annuum, E. strigosuln, etc., all
possessing similar properties. The whole plant is officinal and
should be collected while in flower. It has a feeble but agreeable
odor, and a bitterish, acid, and astringent taste, and yields its properties to water and alcohol. It may be prepared and used in the
form of tincture, or the dilutions made from the volatile oil. In
most cases the Oleum Erigeroni is the best preparation from which
to prepare the dilutions. It is decreed to be " tonic, astringent and
diuretic."  tfing says it is useful in the form of infusion, in diarrhcea, gravel, diabetes, dropsical affections, dysuria of children,
painful micturition, etc.-" The volatile oil, acts as an astringent,
and may be used as a local application to hemorrhoids, bleedings
from small wounds, etc., also in rheumatism, boils, tumors, and sore
throat."  But it is in henzorrhlages that the oil has been most
strongly recommended; and the testimony relative to its successful
use in this condition is so large that we must accord some specific
virtues to it. It is considered by the country people as being quite
infallible in its power over hemorrhages. The usual practice is to
apply the bruised fresh plant to the wound, binding it on with
a compress. I have known it thus applied to arrest quite alarming
arterial bleedings. In its general action, it is an analogue to Terebinthina. Its primhary action is similar to Turpentine, in causing
intense congestion of the kidneys, etc. It is primarily homceopathic
to active arterial hemorrhages, with congestion, and even inflammation; secondarily, to  passive hemorrhages, with relaxation,
ulceration, etc. Large quantities cause a large stimulating effect,
increasing the heat of the body and the foice of the pulse.
Skin.-When the oil is applied to the skip. it " causes a burning
sensation, much resembling that produced by Capsicum, but will
not vesicate. It is a powerfiul rubefacient, but we never remember
to have seen it vesicate."-(Coe). Dr. White, however, says that
it causes " slightly elevated, sharply defined vesicles."
Eyes.-Applied to the conjunctiva it causes redness, swelling,
inflammation, with profuse muco-purulent discharges. Yet Jones
and Scudder,'Mlat. Med.,' say that the infusion is useful, as a
local application, in ophthalmia, after the acute symptoms have subsided. It will form a useful application to ecchynioses upon
the eyeballs, or around the eye, from a blow, etc. It should be
given internally, and  a weak dilution of the tincture  applied
locally.
Nose. —It is a useful remedy in epistaxis. It may be applied
locally by injecting a weak dilution in water, or saturating lint




ERIGERON CANADENSE.                        151
with it, anad plugging the nostrils. But it is undoubtedly usefil. in
epistaxis, when administered internally. A few drops of the first
or second decimal dilution of the oil, given every fifteen minutes,
will often arrestprofuse bleedings from the nasal passages. When
given for active hemorrhage from the nose, accompanied with congestion of the head, febrile action, red  face, etc., it should be
given in the third or sixth dilution, and in alternation Aconite,
Belladonna or Veratrum viride. But, when the hemorrhage is passive, occurring in debilitated subjects. or is chronic, and associated
with ulcerative catarrh, the one-tenth, or even the tincture, in
drop doses, may be resorted to with benefit.
Mouth, Throat. -In bleeding fiom the gums, profuse bleeding
from the cavity aftekr a tooth has been extracted, it has been used,
locally, with benefit. -Dr. Coe says, " as an application to inflamed
and enlarged tonsils, and inflammation and ulceration of the throat
generally, the remedy has few superiors. It should be applied
with a probang, of the strength of one dram to two ounces of alcohol.
It should be applied externally to the throat at the same time."
This recommendation will remind the practical physician of the
popular use of Turpentine in similar cases. Indeed, it is quite certain that in the early stages of Tonsillitis, the latter remedy will
arrest the disease, when applied to the external throat over the
situation of the tonsils. Its local curative action is as strictly
homeopathic as that of Nitrate of Silver, for either remedy when
applied to the mucous surface will cause inflammation, and even
ulceration.
Stomach, etc.-Nausea; violent retching and vomiting, with burning sensation of long duration in the stomach; sensation of heat
in the stomacbh.
CLINICAL REMtRKs.- It should be useful in hmmatemesis. Vomiting of blood may be caused. (a) by erosion of the mucous coats of
the stomach, (b) inflammation of the stomach and consequent
ulceration, (c) rupture of an artery, (d) cancer, (e) disease of the
liver and spleen. In all these cases the Erigeron will prove a valuable auxiliary to such remedies as Hamaimelis, Sulphuric acid,
Ipecac, etc. When the vomiting is the result of acute inflamrnmation the higher dilutions will be most appropriate, but when it
proceeds from ulceration, rupture of an artery, or when the blood
is black and grumous, then the lowest dilutions will prove nost
efficient.
Abdomen, Intestines, etc.-Cathartics, with burning  sensation
throughout the alimentary canal; thin, papescent stool, ~vith
burning in the bowels and rectum; burning in the margin of the
anus. (The experiment of Dr. Burt, in which he injected the oil
under the skin of' a cat, throws some light on its-action on the bowels.
He got the following symptoms: Undigested stools of meat;
stools loose and streaked with blood. Autopsy showed the colon
and rectum much congested, and in which was dry fecal matter,
agglutinated to the surface so firmly as with difficulty to be removed. All these symptoms, and the pathological condition, point
to an inflammation of the mucous coats of the colon and rectum).




152        NEW HOM(EOPATHIIC PROVINGS.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It has been found curative in diarrhaea
and dysentery. In some portions of the country it is considered a
specific for "bloody flux." In domestic practice I have often known
it to be used in the form of an infusion, with astonishing results.
Taking the hint iirom this observation, I have given the lower
dilutions in dysentery, with excellent results. Several of my colleagues bear testimony to its curative action in this disease. It is
indicated when the urinary organs are sympathetically affected,
and we find dysuria, or suppression of urine. The stools are small,
streaked with blood, accompanied with tormina, burning in the
bowels and rectum. The appearance of scybala (lumps of indurated feces) in the discharges would be a further indication for the
Erigeron. In hemorrhoids, especially in the bleeding variety, this
remedy is specifically indicated. In profuse bleeding from the
hemorrhoidal tumors, we should not rely entirely upon its internal
use, but apply the diluted tincture locally. li, hemorrhage from the
bozoels, the Erigeron will probably prove as valuable as Terebinth.
to which it bears so close analogy. Both remedies are capable of
causing inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal mucous membrane. In typhoid fever, dysentery, and several other diseases,
ulceration occurs, resulting in copious and often fatal hemorrhage.
The usual remedies are Nitric and Sulphuric acids, and Turpentine.
These remedies arrest the bleeding, and heal the ulceration. Erigeron I believe to have a similar curative action, and should the
above medicines fail, I should resort to the first or second decimal
dilution in ten drop doses, repeated every hour, with a confidence
in the result.
Urinary Organs.-The Erigeron has a specific affinity for the
urinary apparatus. Dr. Burt found the cortical substance of the
IKidneys, (in a cat poisoned with the oil) slightly congested. At
first the urine was suppressed, then increased. In this its action
resembles Cantharis, Cannabis, Copaiva, Turpentine, etc., when
given in large doses. The pathogenetic symptoms in men are: (1)
Complete suppression of urine, with pain in the region of the
kidneys; urging to urinate, with emissions of only a few drops of
burning urine (large dose). This condition was followed in a day
or two by copious emissions of pale urine, smelling of the oil.
(2). Small and repeated doses caused frequent urination, with
burning in the urethra when urinating; discharge of mucus with
urine.
CLINICAL REMARKS —Dr. Ring was the first to introduce this
remedy to the hormaeopathic schools fbr the treatment of urinary
affections. In the N. A. Journal of Hom., Vol. V., page 282, he
writes:  "Recently I have had two cases of dysuria in teething
children, which yielded to no remedy until I made use of drop doses
(two or three drops every two or three hours) of a tincture of the
Erigeron c. The symptoms in the two cases were more particularly
-pain so as to cause a great deal of crying on voiding urine, the
calls for which were frequent. The secretion was abnormally
increased, and had a very strong odor. The parts externally-both
were female children-were in both cases very much inflamedf or




ERIGERON CANADENSE.                         153
irritated, with considerable mucus discharged. The children were
very fretful at all times. Several remedies we tried in both cases
without any benefit, but prompt relief followed the use of the
fleabane." Nearly every writer upon indigenous remedies has
recommended the Erigeron for similar cases, as well as for other
affections of the urinary organs. King says it has been found
efficient in  gravel, diabetes, dropsical affections, dysuria of
children, painful micturition, and also many nephritic affections.
"It has been used with benefit in diabetes, nephritis, cysitis, and
to subdue the irritation arising from the presence of calculi in the
bladder; also, in gonorrhcea and gleet." —(Jones and Scudder).
Several cases are reported in the Eclectic Journal of its successful
use in heematuria, also in chronic vesical catarrh. Coe says he has
used the Erigeron in gonorrhcea with the most marked and beneficial results: " It allays the scalding of the urine, and assists materially in cutting short the disease. It is of much service in inflammation of the kidneys and bladder."  All this testimony is eminently
suggestive to the homceopathist. In the study of a medicine, it is
most implortant to ascertain its specific affinity for any particular
organ or tissue. This inquiry settled, we may rationally prescribe
it in affections of those structures, even before we know  the
peculiar pathogenetic symptoms which it causes in those organs.
We have ample testimony that the Erigeron has a specific affinity
for the urinary organs, as much so as Cantharis or Turpentine; and
although its characteristic symptoms may differ from those medicines, yet we know it will prove useful in nephritis, cystitis, haematuria, dysuria, etc. A good proving should be made; but, if we
can have such careful observations as that of Dr. Ring, we can be
guided materially in our selection of the drug.
Genital Organs of Women. —Uterine hemorrhage, with violent
irritation of the rectum and bladder; hemorrhage from the uterus
and bladder; abortion, with profuse hemorrhage, diarrhe3a, and
dysuria —(from very large doses); scanty menses.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We have at command a large amount of
clinical testimony, from the most reliable sources, both allopathic
and homceopathic, as to its curative action in hemorrhages from the
hterus, and other abnormal discharges from the sexual passages.
Beach says (Mat. Med.): "The oil is an infallible remedy in
hemorrhages, in doses of from five to ten drops."'  King (Obstetrics) says it "exerts a powerful influence in menorrhagia and
uterine hemorrhage. From two to ten drops, on sugar, or dissolved
in alcohol, and mixed in a little mucilage or sweetened water,
repeated every ten or twenty minutes, usually acts promptly.
It may possibly have some other influence in checking uterine
hemorrhage than that of a mere astringent; f6r, without the muscular fibres of the uterus are caused to contract, I do not believe
the hemorrhage after delivery can be checked." King's theory of
the action of Erigeron is doubtless correct. In tympanitis, the gas
cannot be expelled, unless there is a contraction of the muscular
coats of the intestines. Turpentine has the same effect in tympanitis that Erigeron does in uterine hemorrhage, namely: causing
20




154       NEW  HIOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
contraction of muscular fibre; but Erigeron must have also the
general power of causing contraction of the muscular coats of the
arteries, else it could not be so specific in all forms of hemorrhage
(arterial).  Coe (Conc. Org. Med.) writes: "Although not a
specific, it is undoubtedly the best agent we possess for the relief
of uterine hemorrhage. The dose of the oil, in these cases, is from
five to tell drops, repeated every thirty or sixty minutes. It will
act more promptly, being rendered more diffusible, by being previously dissolved in alcohol. In addition to its internal administration, it may also be applied locally with the best results. A case
occurred under the observation of the writer, over twenty years
ago, in which the patient, from excessive loss of blood, was reduced
to a comatose condition, and incapable of swallowing. A piece of
cotton wool, saturated with the oil, was introduced into the vagina,
and placed in close contact with the mouth of the uterus, when an
instantaneous stop was put to the bloody flow. During the past
season we were consulted in a similar case, in which we advised
the adoption of the above plan, and with complete success."  Coe
says, "it allays the spasmodic pains accompanying leucorrhcea, and
restrains, without suppressing, the menstrual flow when too profuse." Cases have come under my observation, however, where
the Erigeron in small doses, has undeniably restrained the menstrual
flow, when not too profuse. One cannot read the above testimony
from Eclectic sources, without noting the similarity of its curative
action with that of Sabina. In fact, it is a very near analogue to
Sabina. Both cause, in poisonous doses, abortion, hemorrhage, etc.
Both are indicated in nearly the same conditions. Like Sabina, it
is capable in toxical doses of causing congestion, inflammation, and
even hemorrhage from the kidneys and uterus. We have, in addition to the above, some reliable homeopathic testimony as to the
specific curative action of Erigeron in uterine hemorrhage. Dr.'White (Trans. Ill. Hom. Med. Ass., vol. 9, p. 55,) states: "I have
used the volatile oil in the first, second, and third att., as well as the
crude oil. In uterine hemorrhage, it is the first remedy I have
recourse to. It has never failed me. I have given from one to ten
drops of the 1st, and the same internally, as an injection into the
uterus, in extreme cases."  Dr. Rogers reports to me the follow:
ing cases: (1). A lady, aged thirty-five, had an abortion, followed
by profuse and alarming hemorrhage, which continued for six
weeks, in spite of all the efforts of her allopathic attendants, who
used all the astringents, etc., at their command.  She became
almost exsanguined, nearly catamose; could not move without
flooding; and the case was given"up as hopeless. Erigeron, 1st
dil., was given in ten drop doses, every hour. A piece of cotton
wool was wet in the same, and applied to the os uteri. No more
hemorrhage took place after the first six hours, and under the use
of appropriate nutriment, &c., the lady made a good recovery.
(2). A  case of profuse and alarming flooding after labor was
promptly arrested by the internal administration of Oleum Erigeron 1st dil. Dr. P. H. Hale used it in a case of post-parturient
hemorrhage. Cold applications, posture,'etc., were tried without




ERIGERON CANADENSE.                        155
perceptible effect, but the flooding ceased soon after giving the
patient the oil of Erigeron, 1st dil. in fifteen drop doses, every thirty
minutes. I might add the testimony of a score of other homceopathic physicians, as to its efficacy in hemorrhage from the uterus,
but enough has been adduced to show that it is a valuable and
important remedy in such conditions. It will hereafter prove a
powerful auxiliary to such remedies as Sabina, Trillium, Crocus,
Secale, Platina, and others of similar virtues. The following may
be considered a good resume of its curative indications in diseases
of women: (a.) In profuse and frequent menses. (b.) In dysmenorrhcea with menorrhagia. (c.) In hemorrhage after labor, or
after an abortion. (d.) In threatened abortion with flooding. (e.)
In hemorrhage previous to labor. (f.) In profuse lochial discharges.
(g.) In profuse uterine and vaginal leucorrhea. It has been found
useful in palpitation of the heart, when arising from uterine irritation. It is alleged to have been used " with remarkable success
in those peculiar headaches which accompany defective menstruation."
Organs of Generation of Men.-(See Urinary Organs.)  It has
been found curative in gonorrhcea and gleet.
Respiratory Organs.-Jones and Scudder (Mat. Med.) say: "In
coughs and  chronic bronchial affections, when attended with
copious mucus or purulent secretion, and in the incipient stages of
phthisis attended with bloody expectoration, this agent, used in the
form of a syrup or infusion, will be found to answer an excellent
purpose. It is of value in haemoptysis."  King records his estimate
of its value in hemoptysis, also various other eclectic writers.
DR. BURT'S EXPERIMENT WITH ERIGERON CANADENSE.
Sept. 5. 4 A. M., injected five drops of the oil under the skin of
the foreleg of a cat. Quarter of an hour afterwards mews constantly; runs about; appears restless, uneasy. 5 P. x., lies quiet,
with eyes half closed. 7 P. M., injected thirty drops of oil. After
half an hour appears in great distress. Profuse secretion of saliva.
At 8 P.m. is quiet, with mouth open.
Sept. 6. Passed four stools, natural, during the night; the last
slightly streaked with blood; has not urinated; refuses to eat.
9 A.M., injected fifty drops under the skin of the foreleg; followed
by great agitation as before. 10 A. M., ears and legs very cold.;
excessive trembling. 4 P. M., has had two undigested stools, and
urinated. 6 P. M., injected forty drops; one hour after unable to
get up; trembling excessively.
Sept. 7. Appears quite natural; has passed stools and urine
during the night. Injected thirty drops under the skin of side. 5
P.M., very weak; has been trembling all day.' P. M., injected fifty
drops; tries to walk, but is unable to do so. 8 P.M., injected thirty
drops.
Sept. 8. Just alive. Injected 30 drops. Ears and legs very
cold. Died at 9 A. M.
AuTOPSY.-Nine hours after death, encephalic and thoracic
viscera natural; liver much congested; also, the colon and rectum,




156       NEW  HO1MWEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
which were filled with dry, foecal matter, agglutinated to the intestines so firmly as to be removed with difficulty. Kidneys, cortical
substance, slightly congested. Bladder much distended; other
abdominal viscera natural.
ERYNGIUI.R AQUATICUM.
(Button Snakceroot.)
This plant is a native of the United States, growing in swamps
and wet lands, from Virginia to Texas, and especially on the prairie
lands. The root is the officinal part. Water and alcohol extract its
properties. (For full botanical description, see King's Dispensatory).
No proving of this plant has yet appeared, and the clinical experience
is very scanty. King says: "it is very useful in dropsy, nephritic
and calculous affections; also, in scrofula and syphilis; it is said to
be diuretic, stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant, and, in large doses,
emetic. It has been recommended as a substitute for Senega."
"The pulverized root, in doses of two or three grains, has proved
very effectual in hcemorrhoids, and prolapsus ani. Two ounces of
the pulverized root, added to one pint of good Holland gin, has
effected cures in obstinate cases of gonorrhcea and gleet (one or two
fluid drachms three or four times a day). By some practitioners
this root is employed as a specific in gonorrhcea, gleet and leucorrheea. Howard speaks of it as a powerful diuretic, and says he has
cured asthenic dropsies with it. He has also used it with benefit in
gravel. The only mention made of this remedy in the literature of
our school, is to be found in Hill and Hunt's Surgery, page 400. In
the treatment of Spermatorrhcea, after referring to various remedies, they propose the Eryngium, and give two "remarkable cures"
made by Dr. Parks, of Cincinnati.
Case 1st. "A  married man injured his testicles by jumping
upon a horse; this was followed by a discharge of what was considered semen, for fifteen years, during which time he was treated
allopathically and homaeopathically. Dr. P. exhibited a number of
the usual remedies without permanent benefit. He then gave a
half grain dose, three times a day, of the third decimal trituration
of Eryngium aquaticum. In five days the emissions were entirely
suppressed, and have not returned to this time (over two years).
The emissions were without erections, day or night, and followed
by great lassitude."'
Case 2nd. "A married man, not conscious of having sustained
any injury, was troubled for eight or ten years with emissions at
night, with erections. The semen also passed by day with the
urine. The loss of semen was followed by great lassitude and
depression for twelve or forty-eight hours.'There was also partial
impotence. He had been treated allopathically. Dr. P. gave him




EUPATORIUM AROMATICUM.                       157
Phos. ac. for two weeks without material benefit.  He then
exhibited the Eryngium as above, with like excellent and prompt
result."
It does not do as well in the hands of others, for several physicians have informed me they never found it of benefit in similar
cases. I have tested it in several instances with like poor success.
That the remedy has some specific affinity for the urinary and
genital organs appears probable, but we want a pathogenesis to
guide us in its selection.
EUPATORIUM  AROMATICUM.
(White Snake Root.)
This is an indigenous plant, growing from Massachusetts to
Louisiana. The root, which is the officinal part, has a pleasant
aromatic odor, and a bitterish taste. " This species of Eupatorium
(see Eclectic Mat. Med.) is anti-spasmodic, nervine, diaphoretic, and
expectorant. It is esteemed a valuable nervine, and anti-spasmodic,
and one peculiarly adapted to many cases of debility and irritability
of the nervous system, such as hysteria or hysterical affections,
chorea, tremors, convulsive, or spasmodic diseases, subsultus
tendinum, restlessness and morbid watchfulness, etc., occurring in
the advanced stage of fevers. It is diaphoretic and expectorant?'
The only mention of this medicine in our literature is the
assertion of Dr. B. L. Hill in his epitome that it is a specific for
apthous stomatitis in females and children. We can nowhere find
that he has given any reason for this recommendation. Judging,
however, by the perfect reliability of that gentleman's teachings,
we should perhaps have all confidence in his dictum. Some of our
physicians say that they have found it useful in nursing sore mouth
and in apthie of infants. It may be worth a proving, but so long
as there are such drugs as Trillium and Leptfindria to be proved,
we shall not recommend it.
Dr. Wm. Huntington says: "My use of Eupatorium  aromaticum is quite limited. I have derived considerable benefit from
its use in alternation with Hydrastus c. in- nursing sore mouth. It
acts as a palliative only. I have also used it with good results in
apthons affections of the mouth and throat closely resembling
nursing'sore mouth, but the most benefit that I have ever derived
from its use has been in those cases of burning at the stomach so
often met with in pregnant females for a few weeks previous to
confinement. In such cases it seldom fails to give very marked
relief."
Dr. Smith Rogers has found the Eupatorium  aromaticum
effectual in curing apthab and nursing sore mouth without giving
any other drug in connection with it. Dr. Lodge states that many
other physicians have made similar reports.




158       NEW   lOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
EUPATORIUMI PERFOLIATUM.
(Bone-set —Ague weed.)
There are at least sixteen species of Eupatorium in the Northern
States alone. The stem of the Eupatorium perfoliatum is villous,
hirsute, cylindrical; the leaves, opposite, connate, perfoliate, oblong,
tapering, acute, senate, rough above, tomentose beneath, heads about
ten-flowered. The root is perennial, horizontal, crooked, sending
up many erect stems, which are simple at base, branched above,
round, hairy, and of a greyish-green color. The whole plant is
officinal. The whole plant is intensely bitter, having a peculiar
flavor, but without astringency or acrimony. Its odor is but
slight, and it yields its sensible and medicinal properties to water
and alcohol.  It is supposed to contain a resinoid.Eupatorine
which is said to contain the specific virtues of the plant.
General Effects.-It is decreed by the old school to be diuretic,
diaphoretic, purgative, emetic, alterative, expectorant, and tonic.
It proves emeto-cathartic when given in large doses. (Therefore,
it is homceopathic to vomiting, with diarrheea —bilious). Prof. Lee
gives his testimony in favor of its successful use in intermittents,
but doubts its asserted anti-periodic power. It was in general use
among the aborigines of this country, on its first discovery, as a
remedy for intermittent fever, and was accordingly adopted by the
whiteg for the cure of the same disease.  "Whether it proved 5uccessful or not depended very much on its mode of administration.
Sometimes it would arrest the disease, if fieely given in warm
decoction just before the expected recurrence of the paroxysm,
proving emetic, or emeto-cathartic, and in other cases it would
prove successful if given in cold decoction, or the powdered plant,
at frequent intervals between the paroxysms; but in a majority of
cases it failed to subdue the disease " (because it was not homceopathic to a majority of the cases, any more than is quinine or any
other medicine). Prof. Lee says: "With regard to the use of
this plant in Inrfluenza, whether sporadic or epidemic, we have
proved it possessing great efficacy —relieving the pain in the back
and limbs, as well as the general lassitude, with great promptness;
for although in this disease the skin is often bathed in perspiration,
yet it is of a morbid character-the surface being pale, and morbidly sensitive, and the excretion of a passive kind. When the
secretions are of this morbid nature, and the pulmonary system is
involved, the Boneset has proved in our hands a most valuable
remedy, inducing a healthy and free perspiratory discharge, and
replacing the chilly or febrile sensations with a uniform or healthy
glow." (Yet the Eupat., in large doses, will cause the same
unhealthy perspiration and state of the skin which Dr. Lee nmentions, so that he uses it homceopathically after all.) "As it has but
slight influence in augmenting the action of the heart and arteries,
it may be employed with advantage in almost every variety of inflammatory action.' "In the atonic forms of dyspepsia and general
debility it is relied on by many practitioners as an efficient remedy,




EUPATORIUM  PERFOLIATUM.                     159
In that form  of indigestion consequent on the use of alcoholic
drinks, it has proved highly beneficial, as well as in that ofold people."
"Its efficacy in certain forms of dropsy has been dwelt upon by
some writers. Dr. Thatcher, who has tried it extensivelyin various
diseases, says that in anasarcous swellings of the extremities, depending on general debility, it may be safely recommended as an
excellent tonic."  Dr. Zollickoffer thinks it possesses medicinal virtues which are admirably adapted to a variety of affections, and that
in conjunction with sup. tart. potassa, it is one of the most valuable
remedies in tinea capitais
DosE. —In old school practice, the concentrated tincture or fluid
extract is given in doses of one to four drachms. The Eupatorine
in doses of two or three grains. The Infusion, (one ounce to one
pint of boiling water) in doses of two to six ounces, the latter dose
causing emesis and catharsis. In hommeopathic practice, it has been
used successfully in agues, in drop doses of thefirst dilution; also
in ten-drop doses of the tincture; and teaspoonful doses of a cold
infusion (vide Trans. Amer. Ins. of Hom.).
Fever.-Chilliness through the night, and in the morning, with
nausea from the least motion; aching pain and soreness, as if from
having been beaten in the calves of the legs, small of the back, and
in the arms, above and below the elbows; nausea as the chill goes
off; aching in the bones of the extremities, with soreness of the
flesh; chilliness, with excessive trembling and nausea; chilliness
in the morning, heat through the rest of the day, but no perspiration. The patient feels worse in the morning of one day, and in
the afternoon of the next day. Nocturnal sweat, with chilliness,
from motion, or removal of the covering. A greater amount of
shivering during the chill than is warranted by the degree of coldness. Retching and vomiting of bile; vomiting after every
draught; trembling in the back during fever; thirst several
hours before the chill; chilliness from  motion;  pungent heat
attending the perspiration at night; alternate chilliness and flashes
of heat.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The Eupatorium is recommended by Drs.
Jaynes, Neidhard, Gray, Williamson and Douglas, in intermittent
fevers, quotidian, tertian, and quartan. The general and specific
indications for its use are said to be: (a.) The paroxysm generally
commences in the morning.  Thirst several hours after the chillwhich continues during the chill and heat. It has proved curative
when the symptoms have been:-Chill at seven o'clock in the
morning, preceded by thirst, and attended with moisture of the
hands; vomiting at the conclusion of t/he chill; chill in the
morning; heat during the rest of the day; slight perspiration in the
evening; heavy chill early in the morning of one day, and a light
chill about noon the next day, and so on successively; chill preceded by pain above the right ilium, with thirst and disposition to
yawn; pain in the bones early in the morning before the paroxysm;
the chill is induced or hastened by taking a drink of water; headache, backache and thirst during the chill; coldness, with a great
deal of trembling, attended with nausea; coldness and stinging




160       NEW   HOMCEOPATlHIC  PROVINGS.
and pricking, as from pins, in both feet, at the commencement of the
chill; aching in the bones of the extremities, in the latter part of
the chill and in the beginning of the heat; stiffness of the fingers
during the phill; aching pain, with moaning throughout the chill.
(b.) Throbbing headache during the chill and heat; violent pain in
head and back before the chill; distressing pain through the
scrobiculus cordis throughout the day; chill and heat; flushed
face and dry hot skin during the fever; fever, accompanied
with sleep and moaning, and followed by slight perspiration;
nausea and sickness at the stomach at the commencement of
the heat, with violent throbbing headache; headache and trembling
during the heat; fever in the forenoon, preceded by thirst
early in the morning, but no chill; attended by fatiguing
cough, and not followed by perspiration; great weakness and
prostration during the fever, with faintness from motion; the
patient cannot raise his head from the pillow while the fever lasts;
the heat goes off with moderate perspiration, during sleep in the
evening; the thirst continues during the chill and heat, with vomiting after each draught of water; vomiting of bile at the close of
the hot stage; nocturnal perspiration, with coldness; fever, with
despondency of mind, morbid sensitiveness of the skin and sleeplessness. (c) Loose cough in the intermission; cough in the night,
previous to the paroxysm; thirst throughout the night, before
the paroxysm, (in tertian ague).
"I have for'many years applied the Eupatorium, in cases of
intermittent fever, when there was little or no sweat, at any time
during the disease; and consequently in those forms closely verging upon the remittent type." —(Dr. Gray).
The above clinical symptoms I select from the proving published
in "Trans. of Amer. Ins. of Hobm."  They are there marked with
an *, and are the result of the clinical experience with the remedy,
contributed by Drs. Neidhard, Williamson, and others. The cases
from which they were taken I give in full:CASES OF INTERMITTENT.-Dr. Neidhard has observed the most
decided effects from the Eupatorium perfoliatum in -the treatment
of certain cases of intermittent fevers, in two of which the following
symptoms were present: Violent thirst before the chill, and slight
during it; nausea and sickness of the stomach (in one case vomiting)
at the commencement of the heat, with violent throbbing headache;
tastelessness of food; want of appetite; tongue coated yellow;
the chills set in in the morning and lasted for one or two hours;
heat during the rest of the day, and slight perspiration in the
evening. Type certain. In one case the sulphate of quinine had
been administe.f.Whithout preventing  the recurrence of the
paroxysms.
Dr. Williamson has exhibited it successfully ill various cases
of fever.
Cdse 1st: The chill generally began at nine o'clock in the morning, and lasted four hours from the time, when they commenced, and
continued about seven hours, and was seldom followed by perspiration. The next day there was a lighter paroxysm, which usually




EUPATORIUM   PERFOLIATUM.                   161
commenced at twelve o'clock and ceased about the same time in the
evening, as the heavier on the day preceding. The paroxysms
continued to oeOur tMlf alternately with bln lIttle varlatlon for the
spaoe of twenty-thrtu dayS, notwithStindig my uncoeaing efforts to
arrest them by the administration of a number of remedies.  On
the 12th of December the following symptoms were present: Chill
commenced at nine o'clock in the morning, and lasted four hours,
attended with a good deal of shivering and trembling; raging
thirst before the chill, and during the chill, and heat; vomiting of
whatever was taken into the stomach, and of bile, with distressing
pain in the epigastrium; distressing headache during the heat;
fever ceased about eight o'clock in the evening, and was followed
by inconsiderable perspiration. Eupatoriumrn perfoliatum  first, in
water, a teaspoonful every hour, in the apyrexia, cured the case,
without the occurrence of another paroxysm.
Case 2d: Bilious diathesis; tertian ague; chill at nine o'clock
[in the morning, which lasted an hour and a half; thirst in the
night before the chill; raging thirst during the chill and heat;
violent headache throughout the paroxysm; some perspiration;
retching and vomiting during the chill, immediately after drinking;
vomiting of bile. Eupatorium perfoliatum first, five drops in as
many teaspoonfuls of water, of which she took a teaspoonful every
two hours on the alternate day. Early on the morning of the
expected chill, Eupat. perf. tincture four drops, in eight teaspoonfuls of water, a teaspoonful every hour. The paroxysm did not
return. This patient had been subject to frequent attacks of
intermittent fever for several years, and had always suppressed
them  with sulphate of quinine, but since the above attack, now a
period of four years, she had no return of the disease.
Case 3rd: A girl of fourteen years of age; tertian intermittent fever; thirst before the chill; became stretchy and looked
pale at nine o'clock in the morning; felt cold and chilly, but did
not shake; walked about the house crouched up; was very thirsty
during the chill and beat, but took only a little sup of water at
a time; headache and trembling during the heat; the coldness
lasted one hour, and the heat about two hours, followed by very
little perspiration.  Eupat. perf. tinct. a few  drops in water.
Dose, a teaspoonful every three hours.
Case 4th: At eight o'clock in the morning was attacked with
pain above the right ilium; thirst and a disposition to yawn;
fingers became stiff, with slight coldness; upon taking a drink of
water shuddering commenced immediately; chill lasted two hours
and a half:; headache, backache, and thirst during the chill;
nausea as the chill was going off; the headache was increased,
but the thirst was diminished during the heat; sensation of great
weakness during the fever, so much so that she could not raise
her head from the pillow; trembling in the back, with faintness
from motion during the fever; the fever terminated by moderate
perspiration during sleep in the evening. She felt pain in her
bones early in the morning before the attack. Eupat. perf. tincture
in water a teaspoonful every three hours.
21




162        NEW  IHOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
Case 5th:  Tertian  ague, for two weeks, isickly, sallow
countenance; chill at eight o'clock in the morning; thirst throughout the night previous to chill; thirst during the chill and heat,
and vomiting immediately after each draught of water; vomiting
of bile at the close of the hot stage, which was followed by inconsiderable perspiration. Eupat. perf. tincture, in water, a teaspoonful every three hours. No -more chills.
"Nearly half a century ago, there prevailed throughout the
United States, but particularlyin the State of Pennsylvania, a peculiar Epidemic, which, from the constancy of the attending symptom
of " pain in the bones," was called break-bone fever. The Eupat.
perf., though a diaphoretic, so signally relieved the disease, notwithstanding copious perspiration was a frequent attendant, that it
was familiarly called bone-set, a common name by which it is extensively known. "In all cases of typhoid disease, attended with
hot, dry skin, it is reputed to be an estimable medicine."  "It was
used with great success in an epidemic of Influenza and lakefever, which prevailed a few years ago in the neighborhood of
Lake Ontario." " In miasmatic districts, along rivers, at fisheries,
on marshes:2land their several neighborhoods, where intermittent
and remittent fevers have prevailed epidemically, the Eupatorium
has been a favorite remedy with the most successfill practitioners,
as well as a deservedly popular one in the hands of the people,
very often superseding the necessity of calling in medical aid.
In 1812, it was substituted for Peruvian bark, in the treatment
of intermittent fevers, in the New York Alms House, and with
uniform success.' Dr. Williamson recommends it in gastric fevers,
remittent fevers of typhoid character, bilious fever, etc. It is
highly recommended, as a prophylactic against agues.
IRead.-Headache with a sensation of soreness internally, better
in the house; aggravated when first going in the open air; relieved
by conversation; pain extending from the forehead to the occiput,
greatest in left side; throbbingq headache; beating pain in the
nape and occiput, better after rising; darting pains through the
temples, with sensation of blood rushing across the head; distress
on the top and in the back part of the head; shooting pains
-from left to right side of the head; painfult soreness in the right
parietal protuberance; heat on the top of the head, with pain,
which is relieved by pressure; thumping in the side of the head,
above the right ear; soreness and beating in the back part of the
head.
CLINICAL RE3ARKS.-Besides those symptoms which are italicized above, the Eupatoriumn has cured certain forms of periodical
headache, namely: " A headache with nausea, every other morning, when first awaking, which continues all day, with loss of
appetite during the day, but good appetite during the intervening
day." Nux vomica will cure such headaches when they occur
every day. Eupatorium has also cured a " pain in the occiput after
lying, with sensation of a great weight in the part, requiring the
hands to lift it."  This kind of headache is common in ague
patients.




EUPATORIUM   PERFOLIATUM.                   163
Eyes.-Soreness of the eyeballs; intolerance of light; redness of the margin of the lids, with glutinous secretion from the
meibomian glands; increased lachrymation; pain and soreness in
left eyeball.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Soreness of the eyeballs is one of the
most common and permanent symptoms of ague, and usually preceeds an attack for several days; this symptoms would be a good
indication for the selection of this medicine.
Face.-Sickly, sallow countenance; flushed face; redness of the
cheeks, with dry skin; pale face.
Mouth.-Paleness of the mucous membrane of the mouth;
tongue coated yellow; white coated tongue; sores in the corners of the mouth; dryness of the throat; soreness of the fauces
with catarrh.
Appetite.-Insipid taste in the mouth; tastelessness of food.
Want of appetite; distaste of food; nocturnal thirst for something cold; thirst for cold water; desire for ice-cream; great
appetite.
CLINICAL REMA'RS. —When the Eupatorium is taken in small
doses for a few days, the appetite is first increased; a still further
continuance gives rise to unnatural hunger, accompanied by disorders of digestion, and finally to complete loss of appetite, and
loss of taste for food. This remedy is homeeopathic to the canine
hunger which attends or precedes ague; also when arising from
abuse of quinine. It is also indicated (secondarily) in the loss of
appetite and indigestion from the same causes. It will be found
useful in many forms of dyspepsia, anorexia of drunkards,
loss of appetite, etc. (See general effects.)
Stomach.-Belching of tasteless wind, with a feeling of obstruction at the pit of the stomach; sensation of something in the
stomach that ought to come up, without the ability to raise it.
General shuddering proceeding from the stomach; sensation of
fullness in the stomach; beating in the epigastrium-in the night;
heat in the stomach; nausea; nausea and vomiting of food;
vomiting of bile; vomiting of mucus and bile; vomiting of bile
with trembling, attended with pain in the epigastrium, with nausea
and extreme prostration, almost syncope; distressing disposition
to vomiting; nausea and vomiting with free perspiration, and
expectoration; qualmishness from odors, the smell of food, cooking, etc.
CLINICAL REMARKs.- When a warm infusion or decoction of
this plant is administered, it invariably causes profuse and longcontinued vomiting, nearly always of bile. Hence its reputation
as a domestic remedy for bilious affections and fevers of that type.
Its use is resorted to with a great deal of confidence in the forming
stagesiof a bilious fever, and it seems to have the power of arresting the attack. It is eminently homceopathic to vomiting of bile,
of food, and even of drinks, as soon as taken.
Liver.-Soreness around the waist; tight clothing is oppressive.
Soreness and fullness in the region of the liver; tightness in the
left hypochondrium.




164       NEW  HlOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
Intestinal. —Purging stools, with smarting and heat inr the anus.
Four or five watery stools in the day; tenesmus, with small discharge of loose stool; morning diarrhcea; constipation.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-WVVhile the warm infusion causes vomiting
only, the same preparation when taken cold acts as an active
cathartic, causing profuse bilious watery stools, with nausea and
severe colic, prostration and relaxation.  Catharsis is a primary
effect of Eupatorium, constipation the remote, secondary.
Urinary Organs. — Urine scanty and high colored; copious
evacuation of limpid urine; dark, brown, scanty urine, depositing
a whitish clay-like sediment; voided but once in twenty-four hours.
Dark colored; but clear urine; itching of the mons veneris.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It seems homceopathic to the dark colored
urine met with in bilious disorders; also the watery urine observed
during intermittents. It is said to have been very successful in the
treatment of a peculiar -berpetic eruption, affecting the anus and
adjacent parts, as the scrotum and thighs, and also extending its
ravages to the rectum.
Catarrhal Symptoms. —Flowing coryza; sneezing; hoarseness,
with roughness in the voice; hacking cough in the evening;
cough with soreness and heat in the bronchia; cough aggravated
in the evening.
CLINICAL REMARKS,.-The Eupat. per. has an extensive reputation in colds, influenza, and catarrhal fevers. In domestic practice
it is usually given in small doses of the warm infusion, and produces
copious sweating. Some physicians consider it almost specific in
colds, etc. In homceopathic practice, it has cured, in small doses:
"I ectic cough from  supposed intermittent fever; nocturnal loose
cough; hoarse rough cough with scraping in the bronchia; violent cough with soreness in the chest; cough with flushed face
and tearful eyes-the patient supports the chest with the hands;
cough preceding measles; cough following measles; disposition
to cough with dyspncea."  The above are quite prominent symptoms, and show this remedy to have quite a specific action upon
the bronchial mucous membrane. In eclectic practice it is highly
esteemed as a "cough remedy."'Its effects on the respiratory
tract, seems somewhat analogous toPhosphorus, Tartar emetic, and
Causticum. It has been found useful in epidemic influenza.  (See
General Effects.)
Chest.-Diffculty of breathing, attended with anxious countenance; perspiration, and sleepiness; painJul irritation of the
pulmonary organs with heat in the chest; aching pain under the
left breast; inability to lie on the left side; soreness in the chestfrom taking a full inspiration; grating sensation in the chest at
every deep inspiration.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It has been used successfully in asthma,
bronchitis and even pneumonia. It has given relief in a case when
the " Dyspncea was very great, obliging the patient to lie with his
head and shoulders very high," also the two symptoms italicized.
Back.-Weakness in the small of the back; deep seated pain
in the loins, with soreness from motion; pain in the back as tiom




EUPATORIUM PURPUREUIM.                      165
a bruise; beating pain in the nape of the neck; pain in back and
lower extremities.
Upper Extremlties.-Soreness and aching in the arms and forearms; stiffness of the arms; painful soreness in both wrists, as if
broken or dislocated; stiffness of the fingers with obtuseness. of
the sense of touch; heat in the palms of the hands, sometimes
with moisture.
Lower Extremities.-Pain in a spot not larger than a pea, over
the left hip, with soreness; pain with extreme sensitiveness in the
left glutei muscles, passing around in front of the trochanter major;
burning in the skin, on the inner side of the thighs of a female;
flagging of the muscles of the left thigh, as if they were falling
off the bone. The pains are worse from ten o'clock, A. Mi., until
four o'clock, P. M. Pain and soreness of the upper part of the left
foot, with increased sensibility of the left big toe; the pain in the
foot is increased by standing on it. Stiffness and general soreness
of the lower extremities when rising to walk; calves of the legs
feel as though they had been beaten; soreness and swelling of
both feet, when standing on them, in a gonty subject; pain in the
first joint of the left great toe, which suddenly moves to the
corresponing joint of the right one; pricking in the soles of the
feet; aching pain in the right hip, while sitting; lameness in the
right hip and lower extremity, when walking; soreness and
aching of the lower limbs; throbbing in the right foot; rheumatic pains on the inside of the left knee; dropsical swelling of
both feet and ankles; heat in the soles of the feet in the morning.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —Dr. Williamson considers it indicated in
Rheumatic affections, accompanied by perspiration and soreness of
the bones. Also in Gouty affections. It is said to have cured
"Gouty inflammation of the left knee and right elbow."  "Dropsical swelling of both feet and ankles," also symptoms recorded
above.
EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM.
(Queen of the Meadow. Gravel root.)
This plant, known all over the United States bythe common
names above given, grows abundantly in low wet ground. It flowers in August and September, and the root, which is the officinal
portion, should be collected in the fall. The active principle,
Eupatorine, or.Eupurpurin, as it is sometimes called, is said to
contain, in a great degree, the medicinal properties of the root.
Probably no plant has such an extensive reputation among the people in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, and such a popularity
must be found upon some reliable foundation. In an extensive




166       NEW   IHOMCEOPATIIC  PROVINGS.
country practice for many years, I found it used successfully in the
most obstinate cases of dropsy, gravel (so-called) and chronic renal
and vesical diseases. It is fiom these popular uses that the eclectic physician has gained his empirical knowledge of this remedy.
It is decreed to be diuretic, stimulant, astringent, tonic, and antilithic.
"There is no doubt but what this agent exerts a specific influence upon the kidneys, increasing the quantity of urine secreted,
and to some degree the amount of solids excreted in it. It has
been employed in atonic dropsies, chronic nephritis, catarrhus
vesicle, attended with ulceration; chronic irritation of the bladder,
attended with increased mucous secretion. It has also been employed in haematuria, gleet, leucorrhcea, and other forms of female
weakness, rheumatism and gout, with success. It is a popular
remedy in gravel, and said by some to possess solvent powers;
although we cannot award it any positive powers of that kind yet, as
it increases the amount of water excreted, which is acknowledged
to be the best solvent for stone, and always allays irritation of the
bladder, we must consider it at least the equal of Uva ursi and
Chimaphila. We have used the Eupurpurin, and consider it among
our most efficient curative agents in diseases of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. In one case of marked albuminuria, when other
agents had failed to produce any relief, the continued use of this
remedy for two weeks entirely relieved the patient. In two cases
of Diabetes insipidus, its use was attended with the same results.
We have also employed it in incontinence of urine, especially in
children, with good effects. It is of the most importance, however,
in allaying irritation of the bladder; in many casqs of this kind
caused by displacement or chronic inflammation of the uterus, or
arising during, or after pregnancy, we have obtained more benefit
from its use than from any other agent."  (Eclec. Mat. Med.)
Dr. King says: "It is used with excellent effect in dropsical
affections, strangury, gravel, and all chronic urinary disorders,
haematuria, gout and rheumatism."
It is in the class of diseases just named, that I know it to be more
useful. I have known it to remove symptoms of the urinary
organs, that had resisted the use of Canth., Cann., Copaiva, Pulsatilla and Thuya. My experience with this variety of Eupatorium
has been quite extensive, and my observation of its use are equally
so. It seems to be a close analogue of Uva ursi, Cannabis, Chimnaphila, Pulsatilla, and Copaiva. I have known it, when taken excessively, as it often is by the country people, to materially aggravate
renal difficulties, and even give rise to the very symptoms fobr which
it is so strongly recommended, and so really useful. To be more
specific, I have cured with this remedy a severe case of strangury,
in a female, due to uterine displacement; the usual remedies had
been used without benefit. In a case of excessive irritation of the
bladder, with large deposit of lithates in the urine, it removed all
the symptoms in a week. Several minor cases might be mentioned.
Next to Apocynum cann., I consider it the most powerful remedy
we possess, for the alleviation, and even permanent cure of Dropsy.




EUPHORBIA COROLLATA.                       167
It is even superior to that medicine, for its action on the kidneys
is of a more pervading and profound character, i. e., it is capable of
modifying the various tissues of those organs, to a greater degree
than the Apocynum. One of the most intractable cases of dropsy,
due apparently to renal disease, that ever came under my care, I believe to have been permanently cured by the tincture of this root.
I usually use the mother tincture, and lower dilutions; a few drops
at a dose, every two or six hours, as required.
EUPHORBIA COROLLATA.
(Go-Quick. Milk-wced. Spurge.)
This plant is as yet but rarely used in Allopathic or HIomceopathic practice, but our Eclectic colleagues have made extensive trials
with it in disease for many years, and thus indirectly given us some
valuable pathogenetic hints. But, much as it is used by that school,
their literature contains but little in its reference to therapeutic
power. With physicians of that school it supersedes the use of Lobelia
or Ipecac, as an emetic or diaphoretic; and is substituted for the
Podophyllum, Jalap, &c., as an active cathartic.  But in the doses
in which it is administered, it is often productive of unpleasant and
even dangerous symptoms, and capable'of doing much injury to the
gastric mucous membrane.
I have never administered it in disease, save in a strictly homceopathic manner, but I have experimented upon myself, testing the
effects of the dried root in grain doses; and I have often had opportunities of observing its immediate and remote effects upon the
persons of the patients of eclectics.
The Euphorbia cor. belongs to the Nat. Ord. Euphorbiaceve,
with the Euphorbia off., of lHahnemann; and the Euphorbia
ipecacuanha of American writers. There are two other varieties,
the Euphor. maculata, and E. hypericifolia but as their effects are
quite different from the former, they cannot properly belong to the
same group of remedial agents.
The E. off., of which we have a proving by HIahnemann himself,
is one of the most irritating and powerful agents known, in its action upon the skin and gastric mucous membrane. It is said to have
an irritant effect upon the brain. It is seldom if ever used internally by the old school, because of its severity of action. Its principal
use is externally as a rubefacient or vesicant. Hahnemann, although
he does not give a picture of its general effects upon the skin, mentions its causing erysipelas of the face of a severe character.  But its
real sphere of action is more like that of Croton tiglium, than any
other drug. It causes a most intense inflammatory cezema, which
often puts on an erysipelatous appearance.




168    NEW HOMEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
In Hlahnemann's proving, sufficient prominence is not given to its
effects upon the stomach and intestines, although he'gives a few of
the symptoms indicative of its peculiar action in that direction.
The E. Ipecacuaha has been used by American botanic physicians,
and by the country people in domestic practice, for many years, as
a prompt and easy emetic. It is the mildest of this class, causing
free and copious emesis and catharsis, with little pain, except when
given in large doses. Yet the milky juice of this variety will, when
applied to the skin, produce vesication and eczematous inflammation. It is used by the eclectics as an emetic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and epispastic. They claim that it is superior to Elaterium
as a hydragogue in dropsy; that it will bring on the menstrual discharge when given in cathartic doses; and is useful in hepatic torpor, bilious colic. &c.
Probably it is not specifically indicated in any of these diseases
but may prove homeopathic to some form of eczema, gastric disorder, with irritation of the mucous coat of the stomach and bowels. But it is the Euphorbia corollata which I prefer to consider,
as being the more powerful remedy, and perhaps more capable of
attaining a position in our Materia Medica, by the side of the
E.-off. This plant is incorrectly termed by Wood, King, and other
writers as the "large flowering spurge."  In  their botanical
descriptions, the peculiarities of the different varieties are mingled
together, so that I can nowhere find a correct description of the
E.-Corollata. It grows in waste and sandy places all over Canada
and the Northern States, flowering in July and August. It has
several straight stems rising from a small yellowish root, which,
when broken, yields a milky juice which irritates the skin when
applied to it for a few minutes, creating a pustular eruption. The
stalk contains the same juice, but of less strength. The bark of
the root is the officinal part, and, together with the whole root,
inodorous and tasteless! Its virtues are imparted to water and
alcohol. The tincture of the powdered bark, or the bark itself,
triturated with sugar or milk after the usual manner, is the best
method of preparation. Being destitute of taste, it is easily given
to children, should it be necessary to use the lower triturations.
Pellets saturated with the mother tincture, the first trituration or
the strong tincture, or powdered bark, should be used in provings.
Its action' on the system is intense and peculiar. It is called by
the country people by the expressive name of Go qtgick, referring
to its quick and prompt action. I am  indebted to Dr. A. R.
Brown, of Litchfield, Mich., for many interesting facts relating to
its action. It is considered by those who use it, as the most powerful "revulsive agent" in their Materia Medica, in all cases of local
congestion, especially of the lungs and head; also in inflammation
of the pleura, lungs and liver, and it is used as a substitute for
bleeding and Calomel. Its admirers allege that it will certainly
arrest the progress of the above affections in a few hours, and
break up all simple fevers. This is of course erroneous, but it
reminds one of the ilelleborism of the ancients, so graphically
described by Hahnemann. In fact no drug with which I am




EUPHORBIA COROLLATA.                        169
acquainted so much resembles the Veratrum album. It will be seen
that its near analogues are also Jatropha, Elaterium, Croton-tig.
Arsenicum, Tartar-emnetic, Verat. viride; and will undoubtedly
prove as useful in practice.
Dr. Brown, who has repeatedly tested the pure effects of the
root upon his own person, thus describes the action. After taking
the dose (twenty-five grains of the powdered root) and while in
good health no effects were noticed for about one hour and a half,
when suddenly, with no premonitory symptoms of pain, a distressing sense of deathly nausea set in, accompanied in a few minutes
by faintness; then sudden and powerful vomiting of, first the food,
etc., in the stomach, then of large quantities of water mixed with
mucus, then clear fluid like rice-water. In less than a minute after
the vomiting commenced, great commotion in the bowels, followed
immediately by copious watery evacuations, set in. This simultaneous vomiting and diarrhcea continued for nearly an hour, at short
intervals, or intermissions, all the while accompanied by great
anxiety, a death-like sense of faintness and exhaustion; cool-skin —
covered with beaded sweat; cold hands, feet, and nose, and great
weakness. In about two or three hours all these symptoms passed
away, leaving only weakness as from hunger, no pain or distress,
only a peculiar languor. During the height of its action the pulse
sank to forty. After taking fifty grains the effects were much
more intense, but lasted only a little longer. It resembled more
nearly a severe attack of sea-sickness, or cholera morbus, than anything the doctor could imagine. Taken in doses of two or three
grains every two or three hours, it causes languor, perspiration,
and softness of the pulse.
King (Dispensatory), says, "fifteen or twenty grains of the
powdered  root will excite emesis, rarely occasioning pains or
spasms, and giving rise to very little previous nausea or giddiness.
Four grains given every three hours, will act as a diaphoretic.
When given in large doses it is apt to induce inflammation of the
mucous coat of the stomach and bowels, with hyper-catharsis. It
causes distressing nausea with prostration."
Wood, (Therapeutics, Vol. II, p. 442). It is not like Ipecacuanha., safe in over doses, but when taken too largely acts with great
harshness, causing much nausea, violet vomiting, hypereatharsis,
and symptoms of general prostration. Other medical writers speak
of it in much the same manner; but the most extended notice of
its virtues which has yet appeared, is from the pen of Dr. Grover
Coe, in a work on "Concentrated Organic Medicines."  Were Dr.
Coe a homceopathist, he would appear in a much better light in his
essay on remedial agents, as it is, he makes himself obscure and
sometimes ridiculous, by seeking to account for the modus operandi
of certain medicines, upon vague and theoretic grounds, and by
ignoring the law of Similia.
Of Euphorbin, the concentrated principle of the E.-corrollata,
he says: c" The Euphorbia is a reliable acquisition to our indigenous
materia rmedica, and fulfills many important indications. In small,
repeated doses it acts as a diaphoretic, inducing free perspiration,
22




170        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
deterges the mucous coats of the stomach and bowels, stimulates the
functions of the liver, and corrects the tendency to colliquative
diarrhceal discharges."(!!)  "When administered as an emetic,
it will generally vomit without exciting any previous nausea, while
at other times considerable prostration of the muscular system with
lingering nausea will be observed; paleness of the countenance,
and cool, moist state of the skin, from which, however, the patient
rapidly recovers, as soon as the medicine has operated on the
bowels." "We deem the Euphorbia one of the most powerful
and at the same time, safest revulsive remedies that can be administered for the relief of cerebral congestions. It excites powerfully
the absorbent and venous systems, and is therefore frequently employed for the removal of dropsical effusions, removing them when
other means fail." [This is all vagae theory. It acts similarly to
the Elaterium.]
After stating pretty fully its irritating action on the mucous
coat of the stomach and bowels, this author, strangely enough, goes
on to say: c We have found the Euphorbin of much ability in the
treatment of cholera infantum, diarrhcea, and dysentery. (!) It seems
to exercise a peculiar control over the glandular structure of the
intestinal canal, correcting and giving tone to the action of the
secreting vessels, and promoting the assimilation  of nutritious
matters." All of which is mere nonsense. It acts by virtue of its
power to cause similar pathological conditions in healthy persons.
Is it not strange that allopathic writers should labor so hard to
cover up the real action of drugs, when the actual law of their
remedial action is so apparent to every sensible mind'? With
a full knowledge of its power to cause "'hypercatharsis with
inflammation of the bowels, cramps, and vomiting," he says:
"'We (I) have administered it in cases of cholera infantum, when
the alvine discharges were watery, copious, and offensive, and had,
as the result of its operation, well-digested stools without feetor."
Then, to gloss this, to him incomprehensible power, he resorts
to unworthy special pleading, thus: "We have been unable to
discover that the Euphorbin acts as a special irritant upon the
bowels, but, on the contrary, esteem it as a corrector of irritation."
(In small doses.)  "Our observations of its operation have led us
to the conclusion that the irritation sometimes observable is the
result of an increased activity on the part of the eliminating vessels
of the alimentary canal, and the consequent depurition of certain
morbid and acrid materials from the blood, which being brought in
contact with the mucous surfaces, constitute an extraneous cause of
excitement."  This language reminds one of the obscure and foggy
reasoning that our medical grandfathers indulged in a few centuries
ago-a jargon of unmeaning phrases.
The Euphorbium-cor, causes, like the Verat.-alb. and its
analogues, a decided and  profound depression of the  vitality
of the nerves of the stomach and bowels, and an utterly relaxed
condition of the intestinal capillaries. It induces a pathological and pathogenetic state, which presents a picture  resenmbling with wonderful fidelity cholera morbus, cholera infantum,




EUPHORBIA  COROLLATA.                     171
colliquative diarrhewa, sea-sickness, and many other forms of lesion
affecting the digestive tube. It may act in large doses as a direct
local irritant, in the same manner as Tartar-emetic; for the juice of
the root will produce vesication and pustules upon the skin, and
perhaps upon the mucous membrane. But it certainly possesses a
dynamic power, which exercises a profound influence through the
medium of the nerves.
Pathogenesis.-A resume of the symptoms after Hahnemann's
method would be as follows:
Read, &c.-Vertigo; Swimming in the head, with faintness,
dimness of sight, and prostration; everything seems to be whirling around; vertigo, witheringing in the ears; he fears he is going
to die; death-like sensation, with anxiety of miud; no desire to
live unless relief comes soon.
Digestive Tract, &c.-Burning in the mouth and on the tongue
after taking the dry powder; vesicles on ithe lips and tongue
after taking the fresh root; sudden nausea one hour after taking
the powder, followed in a few minutes by sudden and forcible
vomiting and diarrhcea of watery (rice-water) fluid, with sinking,
anxious feeling at the stomach, faintness, slow and week pulse (40),
cool skin, cool hands and feet, which become affected with painful
cramps; profuse colliquative discharges from the bowels, like the
evacuations in cholera, with painful spasms of the intestines; cold
sweat on the body and extremities; spasms of the legs and feet.
Pathology. —I had intended to make some experiments on animals, with the view of showing its pathological effects upon the
mucous membranes of the stomach and bowels, but have been unable to devote the necessary time. I hope to present the profession with the results of such experience soon. This article is published to call the attention of my colleagues to this important
remedy, and ask their assistance in perfecting its pathogenesis. If
we may be allowed to judge from analogy, we can safely affirm that
its physiologico-pathological effects are similar to those caused by
the Elaterium, Verat. alb. and viride, Jatropha curcas., and perhaps
Aconite.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —This remedy is perfectly homceopathic,
judging from its pathogenetic symptoms and its known effect in
disease, to many morbid conditions of the digestive tube; many serious and severe diseases of the stomach and bowels, as well as some
affections of the liver, kidneys, and skin. In some forms of aphthce,
accompanied by vomiting or diarrhcea, and that condition of the
alimentary mucous membrane characterized by any aphthous
exudation extending from the mouth to the anus. This condition is
often seen in children and nursing women, and vulgarly known as
" thrush."  In this affection I should advise the lower dilutions of
the tincture of the plant.  After this; Hydrastus, Rhus-vernix,
Borax, and Arsenicumrn or Tartar-emetic may be tried. In weakly
subjects Phosphoric and Sulphuric acids will prove useful. Chlorate
of Potash is an admirable remedy in some cases. Sea-sickness and
the severe vomiting of pregnancy will be benefitted by the medium
dilutions of the tincture of the dried root.  It is useful in the




172       NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
vomiting which arises from fright, over indulgence in ices, fruits,
etc., or from the effects of acrid matters in the stomach, such as
large doses of Ipecac., Antimony, Lobelia, etc. In cholera morbus
and cholera infantum we have abundant proof of its utility. I
have known it to cure these affections after the usual remedies had
entirely failed. In such conditions, if the evacuations be acid in
their nature, the acidity should be corrected by small quantities of
Carb. soda or MlIagnesia, otherwise the prompt curative effects of
the Euphorbium will not appear. This is a point too often ignored
by homceopathic physicians. Hahnemann taught that these chemically altered conditions of the fluids were the result of actual acid
fermentation of the contents of the stomach and intestines, and
must be met by remedies which act in a chemical manner. Many
remedies, apparently well chosen, will not act beneficially in such
conditions, but act promptly upon its removal, the acid in such
cases antidoting, perhaps destroying, its medicinal principle. In
acute enteritis, gastritis, and other inflammatory diseases of the
gastric and intestinal mucous membrance, I should consider it
admirably indicated, if the other symptoms correspond. In toxical
doses it undoubtedly causes active inflammation of their structures,
and then, instead of watery evacuations, we may have mucous and
bloody discharges, accompanied by pain and tenesmus. In these
diseases the higher dilutions would be preferable. The colliquative
diarrhcea of consumptive and typhoid patients may be benefited by
this remedy, as also those obstinate chronic diarrhceas which are
prevalent among soldiers in camps, and are probably caused by bad
food and worse water. It will undoubtedly prove useful in many
of the diseases of children, such as sympathetic or irritative fever,
worm fever; in fact, all febrile action when caused by irritation of
the bowels. Dr. Coe says: "We value it exceedingly in the treatment of the indigestion of children, and for the removal of all that
train of symptoms which is usually supposed to indicate the presence of worms. These are: loss of appetite, or it may be variable,
voracious at times, and none at others; furred tongue; feverishness; fcetid breath; bloating of the stomach; constipation, or, on
the contrary, a troublesome diarrhcea; emaciation; peevishness;
wakefulness, etc."  In such cases I had the best effects from the
first decimal trituration of the root-bark, or the third trituration of
the Euphorbin. But Santonine is the most reliable specific. Finally,
it may prove useful in some of the exanthemas, such as eczema,
pustular ring-worm, erysipelas, and milk-crust of children when associated with diarrhcea. I do not know whether its internal administration will cause its peculiar effects on the skin; my experiments were
not carried far enough to test the matter. We may safely suppose
however, that it may thus act, similarly to Croton, Rhus, and
Tartar-emnetic. In all affections of the skin, its external use as a
lotion, Cerate, or Glycerole should accompany its external administration. I earnestly solicit a trial of its remedial virtues in the
above mentioned diseases;  and careful provings on healthy
persons, and the lower animals.




GELSEMINUM,  SEMPERVIRENS.                   173
GELSEMfNUM SEMPERVIRENS.
(Yellow Jessamine.)
The Root is the officinal part, and yields its virtues to water
and alcohol.
DEScRIPTION.-This plant is likewise known by the name of
Field Jessamine, and Woodbine; it is the Bignonia Sempervirens
of Linnaeus, and the Gelseminum nitidum of Michaux and Pursh.
It is named the Gelsemium nitidum by some authors. It has a
twisting, smooth, glabrous stem, with opposite, perennial lanceolate, entire leaves, which are dark above, pale beneath, and which
stand on short petioles; the flowers are yellow, having an agreeable
but rather narcotic odor, and stand on axillary peduncles; the
calyx is very small, with five sepals; the corolla is funnel-form
with a spreading border, and five lobes nearly equal; stamens five;
pistils two; capsule two-celled, compressed, flat, two-partible;
seeds flat, and attached to the margins of the valves. The berries
are black.
This is one of the most beautiful climbing plants of our
Southern States, ascending lofty trees, and forming festoons fiom
one tree to another, and in its flowering season, in the early spring,
scenting the atmosphere with its delicious odor. On account of
its gorgeous yellow flowers, and the rich perfume which they
impart, as well as the deep shade it affords, it is extensively cultivated in the gardens of the South as an ornamental vine. It grows
in the North as an exotic. It begins to blossom about the first of
March, and its blossoming season lasts until the end of May. The
root is several feet in length, with scattered fibres, and varies from
two to three lines in diameter, to nearly two inches. The internal
part of the root is woody, and of a light yellowish color, the
external part or bark, in which the medicinal virtues are said principally to reside, is of a light snuff color, and from half a line to
three lines in thickness.
A vine, the root of which is sometimes gathered for the Gelsemminum, resembles it very much in appearance, though it is of a
lighter color, and the outer bark is covered with white specks or
marks somewhat similar to those on young cherry or peach limbs,
and the lower part of old vines become rough and have small tendrils that fasten upon the bark of trees, and which are never seen
on the Gelseminum. The bark of the vine is also more brittle, and
the leaves are always on long footstalks, which are opposite, at the
end of which are two opposite leaves, almost exactly resembling the
Aristolochia Serpentaria. The root is almost white, very tough,
straight, and about the same length of the medicinal root, and has
a slightly bitter, disagreeable nauseous taste. I never saw any of
the flowers, though they are said to resemble the others in shape,
but are snowy white, with a slight, unpleasant, odor. The vine is
called the White Poison Vine and White Jessamine.
I am  thus particular in giving a correct description of this
plant, in order that there shall be no mistake about the matter.




174       NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
Homweopathic pharmaceutists, above all others, should be scrupulously careful to prepare the medicines we use in their utmost
purity. The Gelseminum, more than any other vegetable remedy,
demands the most careful preparation. It is not known to me
whether the leaves possess any medicinal qualities. But I should
suppose from analogy that they possess as much comparitive power
as the leaves, etc., of Aconite, or Veratrum viride. The tincture
made from the flowers is comparatively inert.
TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS.-We do not find any well authenticated
report of any case of fatal poisoning from the use of Gelseminum,
and do not knowtherefore what pathological changes it produces in
the human body.
Case 1.-This is said by King to be the first known case of
poisoning by Gelseminum; and that by it, the' plant was -first
brought into notice. "A planter on the Mississippi, while laboring
under a severe attack of bilious fever, which resisted all the usual
remedies, sent a servant into his garden to procure a certain medicinal root and prepare an infusion of it for him to drink. The servant by mistake collected another root, (the Yellow  Jessamine,)
and gave an infusion of it to his master who, shortly after swallow-'
ing some of it, was seized with the followingSymptoms.-Complete loss of muscular power; was unable to
move a limb, or even to raise his eyelids, although he could hear,
and was cognizant of circumstances transpiring around him. His
friends, greatly alarmed, collected around him, watching the result
with much anxiety, and expecting every minute to see him breathe
his last.  After some hours he gradually recovered, and was
astonished to find that his fever had left him." —(Xing's Disp.)
In this case no treatment was reported to have been given, yet
the man recovered perfectly, besides being rid of an obstinate fever.
No one can compare the above symptoms with those of Catalepsy,
without remarking the striking resemblance. It ought to prove a
specific fQr that malady.
Case 2.-Several deck hands of a steamer on the Mississippi
river, tapped a barrel of tincture Gelseminum which they supposed
to be whisky. All who drank of it were more or less affected.
The symptoms were about the same as in case 1. It was reported
that two out of these three died, but Dr. H. H. Hill, who was
present, says they were saved by the employment of Quinine and
Capsicum in large doses, aided by external stimulation.
He makes the following report of these cases: "In the summer of 1853, late in June or early in July, I had five barrels of
tincture of Gelseminum shipped from Vicksburg, Mississippi. The
boat grounded on a sand bar on the Ohio river near night. I happened to see the barrels on deck, they having been taken out of the
hold in shifting freight. I requested the mate to have the barrels
lowered again as they contained medicine, and it was not safe in
case the hands should get at them. The next morning another
boat made its appearance, and the captain told us we had better
get aboard of that boat as it was of light draught. As we were
getting aboard, I heard two physicians say to the captain that




GELSEMINUM  SEMPERVIRENS.                  175
some of his men had been drinking alcohol or some poison, and two
or three of themn were about dead. They told the captain to
give them an emetic. Being well convinced what they had been
drinking, I told him not to do so, as they were already too much
relaxed, and that they needed stimulants. During the night
they had opened a barrel and drawn a bucket full, as I learned
from the men, and had drank it from tin cups, it was supposed
from half a pint to a pint each. They looked very much like
dead men, their eyes were closed; circulation very feeble; no
pulse perceptible; and breathing so low that it could hardly be
perceived at all. Two of the men were taken on board the
other boat and the other three were left. I went up the river
with the two men and gave them stimulants, and in less than
two hours they were able to walk. They recovered. When I
got to Louisville, I learned that there was a statement in: the
Louisville Journal that it was supposed that the three men who
were left behind were dead, they having been left in an apparently
dying condition. Some three days afterwards the boat got up, and
another statement appeared in the paper that stimulants had been
given to them and they had recovered."
Case 3.-A  lady aged 24, suffering from Typhoid Pneumonia,
took ten drops of Tincture Gelseminum; in an hour eleven more;
and in two hours after twelve drops. Shortly afterwards appeared
the followingSymptoms.-She could not see any one in the room, although
persons stood close by the bed. Her eyes were wide open, pupils
dilated, pulse regular and full, skin natural and healthy in color,
feet and hands cold. She seemed to know all that was going on;
described her symptoms; said she felt faint; felt as though her
blood had ceased circulating and that her head felt very light.
Treatment.-She was given a teaspoonful of Aromatic spirits of
Ammonia in water, and repeated in fifteen minutes. At the expiration of half an hour she said she felt perfectly well, complained of
no pain whatever; the fever was subdued, and in. four days she
was quite able to rise from her bed. (Dr. Lungren, of Franklin,
N. C.)
Case 4.-Dr. B   -, a practicing physician in one of the
upper counties in Georgia, while suffering from a severe nervous
toothache, took what he guessed was about thirty drops of the
tincture.
Symptoms. —In ten minutes he said, "I cannot see you." His
eyes were wide open, pupil dilated; pulse eighty to ninety. He
attempted to walk, and staggered like one intoxicated. (He was
immediately given a dose of Ipecac, as an emetic). He wrote with
a pencil on paper, for he could not speak, "I am very sick; wish
to vomit but cannot." In a few moments he vomited, but the
discharge passed through the nostrils. His hands and feet became
icy cold, pulse regular, eighty to ninety.
Treatment.-Warm bricks were applied to his feet, his hands
and ankles were chafed; strong Aqua ammonia was placed to his
nose and upon his chest. In an hour he was able to speak. The




176       NEW   HOMCE OPATHIC  PROVINGS.
next he complained of being very faint; took aromatic spirits of
Ammonia, and the next day rode home a distance of twenty-three
miles. It is needless to say the toothache left him-[Ib.]
Case 5.-A convict in the N. I. State Prison swallowed oneand-a-half ounces of the fluid extract, with intent to poison himself, The effects were, great prostration, nausea and vomiting, dilated pupils, inability to speak or move, coldness of the surface, feeble
pulse, etc. The effects passed off, with proper antidotes, in about
twenty-four hours.- (Dr. Pattee, in Tilden's Journal.)
In this case we observe nausea and vomiting, which is a rare
effect of the drug.
Chase 6. —"In one case a lad of twenty-seven yeatrs of age
swallowed six fluid drachms of the tincture without any permanent
injury." —(IDr. King.)
ANTIDOTES. — Unless the person is seen immediately after the
drug is taken emetics, it is said, are not safe or advisable, on
account of the additional prostration they may cause. In fact none
but the most stimulating emetic substances would have any effect
upon a stomach paralyzed by a large dose of Gelseminum. Probably the best emetic remedy is mustard, a teaspoonful of the ground
seed in half a cup of warm water. Ammonia is a valuable antidote to the prostrating effects of the drug, as also are Quinine,
Capsicum, and Brandy. Dr. King states that a piece of common
coarse salt, about the size of a pea, chewed and swallowed, will
produce a restoration in five or ten minutes in many instances. A
spoonful of salt and water may be given, if the patient be too weak
or insensible to chew it. Electro-Magnetism is a powerful antidote
to its paralyzing influence. In bad cases it should be perseveringly
used. A strong preparation of Xanthoxylum would prove a reliable stimulating antidote. The HIomceopathic antidotes against the
primary symptoms of prostration, etc., are Aconite, Verat. viride,
Verat. alb., Arsenicum  album, Secale, Chloroform, Carbo veg. and
China. Against its specific effects on the head and eyes, Opium,
Bellad., Stram., Hyos., Agar., and Spig. are indicated in small
quantities. The proper antidotes to its secondary symptoms, convulsive, spinal, etc., are'Nux vom., Ign., XEsculus g., Cuprum,
Agar. and Ethusa. The warm bath, mustard to the extremities,
and cool applications to the head and spine would be valuable palliative means.
GENERAL EFFECTS, ON THE N:ERVOUS SYSTEM —Nerves of Sensation.-Gelseminum does not exert the decided and specific effect
upon the nerves of sensation that we witness from the effects of
Aconite. It causes none of the numbness, tingling, prickling and
crawling sensations which mark the action of that poison.
The pains which may be caused by Gelseminum are not, in my
opinion, caused by a primary affection of the nerves of sensation,
but depend upon a certain morbid condition of the nerves of motion. Such pains are caused by cramp-like contractions of muscles
and tendons, constricting certain nerves or blood-vessels, or they
may arise as in case of Aconite from irritation of the ganglionic
nerves, about the blool-vessels —many are probably congestive in




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                    177
theirnature, like the pains in the head and eyes. In pure Neuralgia,
this remedy can be of but little service; although it may be very
useful in removing many consensual symptoms, such as excessive
nervous irritation, drawing and twitching of the muscles of the
affected parts, etc.  Dr. Douglas, however, declares that "A
majority of all cases of Neuralgia will be promptly relieved by
Gelseminum but it sometimes requires to be given in pretty large
doses,, repeated every half hour till the pain is relieved." He
says:  "My experience does not perfectly coincide with your
remark upon the action of the Gelseminum upon the nerves
of' sensation. It does not, certainly,'cause the numbness, tingling, prickling and crawling sensations' of Aconite, but in my individual experience, it causes the pains. In my own provings, I
have frequently experienced a succession of acute, sudden, darting
pains evidently running along single nerve branches in almost every'
part of the body and limbs, sometimes so sudden and acute as to
make me start. At one time a quick succession of these acute
sudden pains coursed down the outside and front of the tibia for
over half an hour, leaving a line of considerable tenderness marking
its track. These pains which seemed clearly neuralgic, gave me
the palpable indication for its employment in this disease. And it
has certainly been successful. But while it has promptly cured
some distressing cases of neuralgia, in which Aconite had been fully
tried without benefit, there have occurred some other cases in
which it has failed and Aconite has succeeded.  What is the
explanation of this?  If we suppose that in some cases of this
disease there exists a real inflammatory  state of the nerve,
and in others a mere excess of sensitiveness, the explanation
is easy: Aconite cures the first, and Gelseminum the last." Dr. P.
P. Wells, says, "we feel warranted in predicting that the class of
fevers to which Gelseminum will be found related, is that based on
blood dyscrasia, with a tendency to decomposition of its hommatine
and globules, or to fevers of a miasmatic origin, which Aconite
seldom or never is."
Nerves of motion.-Gelseminum, like Nux vomica, Angustura,
~Esculus, Ignatia and Strychnia, does primarily affect the nerves of
motion, but in an opposite manner. It depresses and paralyses
these nerves which they excite and irritate. But while the action
of Gelseminum differs from  that of Strychnia in this respect; in
another it affords a remarkable resemblance. Both cause hypersmia of the spinal marrow, which may increase to actual engorgement or extravasation. This condition is not brought about as
soon by Gelseminum as by Nux vomica, but the condition when
obtained has very nearly the same results. But while the active
congestion of the spinal marrow  caused by Nux vomica, is
accompanied by an exalted and tense state of the motor nerves,
even to tetanic spasm; the passive congestion of Gelseminum is
accompanied by a paralytic or debilitated state of those nerves, or
a condition exactly opposite to tetanus. Gelseminum may cause
death by prostrating and exhausting primarily the energies and
vital power of the nerves of voluntary and involuntary motion.
23




178       NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
While Strychnia, Nux vomica, etc., would produce death from
the same cause, but the fatal prostration would be secondary; the exhaustion being preceded and caused by the
primary irritation and spasmodic action of those nerves.
Gelseminum may also cause death by congestion and apoplexy of
the brain and spinal marrow. Nux, Ignatia and Strychnia may also
cause death by producing such a congested condition of the spinal
cord and its membranes as to lead to fatal hemorrhage into those
important tissues.
CLINICAL REMARKs. —The primary homceopathicity of Gelseminum to paralysis from loss of motion will be discussed in other
places. Its use in very many forms of Convulsions may here be
alluded to. The other schools of medicine, viewing this drug as
a powerful anti-spasmodic, would see it indicated in nearly all forms
of convulsions. It has been used in both clonic and tonic spasms; in
Epilepsy, Chorea, Hysteria, etc. I gave it in one case of severe
Hysterical Epilepsy, a young girl after suppressed menses had
attacks every evening, lasting an hour or two, during which time
so severe was the spasm of the glottis that asphyxia seemed really
impending. The attacks had been every day for two weeks. Five
drops of the tincture were given at three and again at six, P. m.
At seven, the usual hour, no spasms appeared, and did not return
until the next menstrual period, when the remedyhad no effect; and
Asafcetida, in one grain doses, every four hours was resorted to,
which brought on the menses and cured the spasms. I have treated
many cases of Hysteria from various causes with Gelseminum, and
I know of none more generally useful.
Eclectic writers claim to have cured cases of Chorea with Gelseminum. In the three cases treated by me, one recovered, one was
benefitted, and one, a case of years continuance, seemed to be
aggravated.
In Tetanus, it would seem to be one of the most powerful antipathic remedies, yet I cannot find a single recorded case treated
with this remedy. After testing the medicines homceopathic to the
disease, like Nux Vomica, Ignatia, Aconite, etc., I should resort to
the Gelseminum with a good deal of confidence. We know that it
produces its peculiar prostrating effects, even to an extreme degree,
without causing any local lesion. Now it often happens that no
material traces of disease can be discovered either in the brain
and spinal marrow of persons who have died of Tetanus. Dr. Gerhard
declares that of the twelve cases he examined no lesion whatever
could be detected. Some of the secondary symptoms of Gelseminum strongly resemble this disease.  Some months after writing
the above, we have the following report from Dr. O. G. Strong "I
tried the Gel. two weeks since, in a severe case of Tetanus. I gave
ten drops of the mother tincture, fifteen minutes apart. After the
third dose, the spasmodic action entirely ceased, and the patient
recovered. It produced the most satisfactory specific action of any
remedy I ever tried in such a case."
In Hydrophobia, also, no appearances have been found which
could account for the fatality of the disease. In this terrible malady,




GELSEMINUM  SEMPERVIRENS.                     179
Gelseminum ought to be found useful if not curative. In material
doses, it relaxes all the muscles, calms the fury of nervous excitement, relaxes the glottis and prevents spasms. Why should it not
be valuable in Hydrophobia? The spasms in this disease are brief
and clonic, similar to the secondary ones of Gelseminum. The
circulation is much disturbed (excited). A dog killed with it
could not drink while under its influence. Were I to become
hydrophobic, I should take Gelseminum and "await the end."
Since writing the above, several of my colleagues have reported
to me cures of spasmodic croup in children, made with Gelseminum,
used according to my suggestion. I have no doubt but it will
prove an invaluable remedy in that malady, named by Wood"_Infantile Spasm of the Glottis."' It is known in medical works
under the name of Laryngismus stridulous, Asthma of Millar, etc.
The essential nature of the disease is a general morbid excitability
of the nervous system, directed especially to the muscles of the
glottis, which contract spasmodically. It has been said to arise
from irritation or inflammation of the cervical portion of the spinal
marrow, (that portion most irritated by Gelserninum) the presence
of worms in the intestines, etc. From whatever cause it may
arise, the Gelseminum, if not a curative remedy, properly, will be
a valuable palliative, used in drop doses of the first dilution or
mother tincture, frequently repeated; it must procure relief in the
majority of cases, while during the intermediate time, it should be
alternated with Bell., iHyos., Ars., or Moschus.
Muscular System. —The most prominent of all the effects of
Gelseminum is to induce a profound and intense prostration of the
whole muscular system. Its effects are first manifested on  the
voluntary muscles, afterwards on the involuntary, No remedy so
suddenly and surely destroys the tone of muscular structure; but
it acts not by causing any disintegration or disorganization, but
by impairing the vitality of those nerves which supply it with life.
This property of Gelseminum can be made subservient to the physician in many ways.
In cases of obstinate tonic convulsions and cramp-like rigidity,
full doses, sufficient to bring the muscular system under its pathogenetic action, will promptly remove such morbid conditions. There
is no danger in this method of administering the remedy, for one
of the peculiarities of its action is, that there is no permanent injury
done to the tonicity of muscular structure, unless its use is long
persisted in, and wantonly abused. In this respect it acts wonderfully like chloroform.
Like chloroform, it will be found very useful to the Surgeon,
when in cases of dislocation or fracture, reduction is rendered
difficult or impossible by a rigidity of the muscles of the part. In
such cases the system  may be brought under its influence very
readily. It does not, however, give that insensibility to pain which
is the prominent effect of chloroform.
It is freely used by some obstetricians in cases of rigidity of the
os-uteri, or external parts. King advises it in all such cases as
being much superior to Lobelia, as well as pleasanter, as it does




180       NEW   HOMCIEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
not nauseate nor cause that sense of deathly prostration so peculiar
to that drug. I have used it successfully in such cases, as well as
for those severe spasmodic pains which sometimes come on in labor.
In such instances it must be given in appreciable doses, of five, ten
or fifteen drops, repeated if required; a slight dimness of sight is a
good indication that the remedy is acting.
Dr. Moore, of Illinois, reports to me, relative to the- curative
action of' Gelsemenum in muscular pain (Myalgia), from great over
exertion. He stated that after a day's fatiguing walking, such as
usually laid him up with lameness and stiffness for several days,
he took thirty drops of a common tincture of Gelseminum. In half
an hour the peculiar weakness and pains in the limbs and muscles
were ameliorated, and he shortly fell asleep. In the morning,
much to his surprise, he awoke feeling as comfortable as though he
had not walked so unusually the day before. He had no lameness
or soreness, as usual. This case illustrates the specific affinity of
Gelseminum for the motor nerves and the voluntary muscles under
their control. It should prove one of the best remedies for acute
Myalgia which we possess.
Vascular System —Heart and Arteries. —Pulse frequent, soft, weak,
-so feeble as to be sometimesimperceptible; fluttering pulse; pulse
full 120; pulse slow and full, or slow and soft; sensation as though
the blood had ceased to circulate; pulse reduced from 112 to 55
in twelve hours; heart's action slow and feeble; the beats of the
heart cannot be felt; the action of the heart and arteries much
depressed, with cold hands and feet, chills and pain in the head.
-(lDouglas).
Dr. P. P. Wells (Amer. Hom. Review, Vol. 4 p. 84,) states
that from the twelfth dilution he had the following spmptoms:
"A  peculiar irregular action of the heart which had never been
experienced before; this was a sensible motion of the heart as though
it had attempted its beat, which it failed fully to accomplish, and the
pulse then each time intermitted; this occurred at iirregulr intervals,
and more frequently when in repose than when in motion, the worst
and most frequent attacks being in the evening and worst of all on
lying down in bed when retiring for the night, and these attacks
aggravated by lying on the left side."  These symptoms lasted
eight or ten days. Dr. Finke stated to me that he experienced
similar symptoms from  a higher dilution.  In Philadelphia, Dr.
Lippe, Helry and others are using the Gelseminum in the thirtieth,
two hundredth and one thousandth potencies, with apparent good
results; I notice this fact however, that they find these high
attenuations curative for the primary smptoms of the medicine.
CLINICAL:REMAuKs. —In diseases of the heart, particularly in
those in which the chief indication is to diminish the action of that
organ, Gelseminum will be found a valuable remedy. In some
forms of functional derangement it will often efect a cure. In material doses it will alleviate those cases of excessive action of the
heart from plethora, congestion, neuralgic or rheumatic irritation,
or hysterlic palpitation.
Like Aconite and Veratrum viride, Gelseminum is not hornceo



GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIREN S.                  1S8
pathic or curative in any organic affections of the heart; but like the
above named remedies and Digitalis, it is a very valuable auxiliary
in the treatment of those maladies.
It is an excellent palliative in those troublesome symptoms which
affect the head and eyes during the progress of heart disease. The
sensation of fulness, heaviness, giddiness, throbbing, jerking, etc.,
the dimness of sight, and other amaurotic symptomsare admirably
met by small doses of Gelseminum or its resinoid.
Fever.-Within a few minutes, sometimes within two or three, a
marked depression of pulse, which becomes ten, fifteen or twenty
beats less in the minute, if quiet, but greatly disturbed by movement;
chilliness, especially along the back; pressive pain in the head, most
generally of the temples, sometimes in the occiput, at others over
the head. The chilliness is soon followed by a glow of heat and
prickling of the skin, and quickly succeeded by perspiration, which is
sometimes profuse and disposed to be persistent, continuing from
twelve to twenty-four hours. As soon as the reaction takes place
after the chill the pulse rises as much above the normal standard as
it was before depressed below it. With these symptoms is a puffy,
swollen look, and feeling of fulness of the eyelids, slimy and disagreeable or bitter taste in the mouth, languid feeling in the back and
limbs and sleepiness. —(Douglas.)  Febrile chilliness, cold extremnities, especially the feet, heat of head, and face with headache; pulse
uniformly depresse d and rendered less frequent with chilliness, cold
feet, heat and pain -of the head.-(Hull's Jahr.)  Have felt chilly
all day, particularly in the morning. This statement regarding the
pulse is erroneous. I have found that in both men and animals, it
often increased the rate and frequency of the pulse. Sometimes
even the volume of the pulse seemed increased, but generally it is
diminished. An explanation of this phenomenon will be found in
the paragraph "ead."' Derangement of circulation as shown in the
fltictuations of the pulse from seventy to 120; chilliness with vertigo;
headache and coated tongue; cold extremities; inclination to "hug
the fire," with chills following each other in rapid succession from
sacrum to base of occiput.-(Dr. F L. V.incent.)
Dr. M. E. L zarus, a well known painstaking prover, could not
get any such prominent symptoms as recorded by Dr. Douglas. He
however experienced a languor, with inclination to stretch, some
slight chilliness, with feeble flashes of heat. He suggests that perhaps Dr. Douglas is very susceptible to the action of Gelseminum.
iMy impression would be the same, as I have given it to healthy persons, in all manner of doses, yet never heard any one mention such
decisive symptoms as those of Dr. Douglas. Still it is undoubtedly
primarily homceopathic to the pathological conditions upon which
all real chills depend; and secondarily honreopathic to febrile conditions or the reaction which follows those conditions.  In this
respect it is somewnat similar to Aconite, and others of the same
group. But it is only a general, not a particular resemblance.
Dr. J. S. Douglas says:-" You and Dr. Lazarus remark that you
have not been able to elicit such marked symptoms in your provings
as were experienced by me. The symptoms particularly referred




182       NEW  HIOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
to are the chills, the reactive febrile heat with headache, and sweat.
Dr. L. suggests that I am probably very susceptible to the action of
this drug. This remark suggest an important fact which has gradually unfolded itself in my successive fragmentary provings on some
seventy persons, and on myself. The fact, of which I have at
length become clearly convinced, is this: The degree of chill, of
febrile reaction, of headache, and of neuralgic pains, bear a very
uniform ratio to the nervous sensitiveness of the patient. My temperament is decidedly nervous and sensitive. In all the subjects of
a nervous, sensitive temperament, the above symptoms are strongly
marked. In those of an opposite, insensitive temperament, while
the pulse is depressed, and the extremeties cool or cold, there is no
chill, or it is very slight, little or no headache, and slight febrile reaction, and consequently little sweat. In several highly sensitive
subjects the chill has been equal to a respectable fit of ague, the
reaction and pain of head corresponding, and the sweat profuse.
These symptoms have been most strongly developed in some female
provers of highly sensitive temperaments, by half-drop doses.
Some persons seem almost insensible to its effects. One man who
had taken several drugs for proving, without any marked results,
took three teaspoonsful in one day of the strong tincture, which I
know to be good,; and reported the next day no symptoms."
(There is one form of rigors, or " nervous chills," as they are sometimes called, in which, with shivering and chattering of the teeth,
there is no sensation of chilliness. It is an irritated condition of the
nerves of motion,and is seen in hysterical subjects, or appears during a fright or other mental emotion in healthy persons. It is often
seen during parturition, and is said to attend relaxation of sphincter
muscles. Now, Gelseminum causes just such rigors by establishing
similar conditions as the above, and a small dose of the tincture will
control readily such morbid manifestations.)
In Simple Fever, without functional disturbance, Dr. Douglas
declares it to be specific; given at the onset of any fever of simple,
uncomplicated character, it will undoubtedly arrest it very promptly.
It seems peculiarly adapted to the fevers of children and sensitive
women, while Aconite and Veratrum viride are more applicable to
adults of robust and rigid constitutions.
In the so-called Irritative Fever, it will be found a valuable remedy. It is more capable of meeting the majority of the symptoms of
that malady than any remedy which I have used. It corresponds
with the excessive nervous irritation; the tendency to irregular convulsive action; the periods of wakeful debility; and the accessions
of feverish stupor. In cases however complicated with hepatic or
gastric difficulties, it will have to be aided by Mer., Pod., Ipecac.
Tart. emet. Should the lungs be implicated it might answer alone,
but Phosph., Bry. or Antimonium crudem will be of service. If the
bowels are effected, Pulsatilla, Mercurius or Chamomrilla may have
to be given although some of the provings seem to indicate that
Gelseminum affects the intestinal functions. Wood, with doubtful
propriety, classes infantile remittent, as well as worm fever, with
irritative fevers. There may be some general affinity, as Gelsemi



GELSEMINUM   SEMPEREVIRENS.                  183
num  has proved useful in each.  Since I have treated infantile
remittents with this remedy, I have conducted them safely through
their course with better satisfaction than before.
Dr. Neidhard reports the following case;-A child, aged ten, was
cured by Gelseminum first dil. two drops every four hours, of a kind
of bilious fever, characterized by the following symptoms: Giddiness, dull, aching pain in the forehead and over the eyes. She cannot concentrate her mind on any one thing; cannot read; is very
irritable; very thirsty; and has slight chills, followed by much
fever; extreme weakness. Was completely cured within eight
days.
Dr. R. Ludlamn, in his article on the " Therapeutics of Infantile
Remittent Fever," in the N. A. Jour. of Hom., says:-" Excepting
the Aconite, there is certainly no remedy with which the profession
is at present familiar which promises so much as the Gelseminum
in the treatment of this variety of the remittents of infancy and
childhood."
" From personal observation (and these hints have their origin in
this source only) we should be inclined to recommend G(elseminum
in those remittents which are primarily characterized by excessive
irritability and erethism, either of the general or special nervous
systems. There is perhaps no single means which, under the various circumstances which ascompany and give good evidence of the
aforesaid pathological condition, promises so much as this. We
have'sometimes failed with Aconite, with Chamonilla, and withBelladona, to allay the excessive restlessness and disquiet occasioned
by what the old nurses style an'inward fever' in a little juvenile,
and at other times have succeeded at once in its relief by a few
doses of Gelseminum."
"This remedy appears also to be well adapted to the relief of
those attacks of this fever which border closely upon intermittents,
examples of which might readily be mistaken for a masked fever
of that peculiar type. In such cases, as well as those which toward
their close degenerate into ague, in one or another of its protean
forms, we may prescribe a low attenuation of the Gelseminum with
the confident hope of success. In our hands, indeed it has proved
almost a specific fbr those remittents, the diagnosis of which, from
a more definitely paroxysmal form of fever was not readily made
out. We have also cured several well marked intermittents with it,
but its sphere of usefulness would appear to lie somewhere along
the boundary between these and the purely idiopathic remittents
of which we have been speaking."
The real value of (ielseminum in intermittents is not yet to a
certainty ascertained. Some homceopathic physicians, among them
Holcombe, Ludlam  and Douglas, assert that it will cure agues.
Holcombe with characteristic boldness, gives us the following odd
prescription for a homceopathic one: Forintermittents with cerebral
symptoms, with hyperaesthesia predominating-Sulphate of Quinine,
ten grains, Gelsemin, one grain; divide into five parts. Begin six
hours before the expected paroxysm, and give one part every hour.''Indications for use; when the paroxysm  has been marked by




184       NEW  IHOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
violent pains, referable to the cerebro-spinal, rather than the ganglionic system, and by correspondingly intense burning fever, great
nervous restlessness, sensitiveness to light and sound, mental agitation or anxiety, delirium, sleeplessness, curious sensations of falling,
swimming from giddiness, partial blindness or deafness, especially
applicable to nervous, excitable subjects, and to mild fresh cases,
without prominent gastric or hepatic symptoms, in short, before
any visceral complication has been engrafted on the nervous phenomenon."
(This last clause, I (Hale) regard as well indicating the sphere of
action of Gelseminum in agues, but in the "indications " proper,
Holcombe has mixed up the primary with the secondary symptoms
of the drug, which rarely appear together. The dose, however that
he advises is very nearly of the proper quantity. Of the quinine, I
think he prescribes altogether too much. In very similar cases, I
have succeeded admirably with one-fifth or one-tenth grain doses
of Quinine, alternated with one-tenth or one-twentieth grain of
Gelsemin, or two or three drops of the mother tincture. Holcombe's
prescription would undoubtedly arrest the paroxysms promptly, but
it would be apt to give rise to visceral complications, which smaller
doses would avoid, and at the same time be equally as efficacious).
Dr. Ludlam writes me —"Perhaps in the whole range of its
clinical virtues there is no more satisfactory and really valuable use
which can be made of the Gelseminum than in the treatment of
those intermittents which might properly be styled post-typhoid. It
is to this especial form of intermittents, which succeeding upon an
adynamic condition of system, are characterized by a want of distinctness in their several stages, and which are of a masked type
and intractable in nature, that the Gelseminum has in our experience
seemed to be particularly applicable. We have remarked the
evident tendency in patients suffering with enteric fever, and who
had but recently removed tothe city [Chicago] from miasmatic
districts, to sequels of this order. Scarcely any such patient has
ecsaped this characteristic convalescence, and in none of those cases
in which we have ordered this remedy have we failed to witness
the best results from its employment, while in years past, such cases
were especially perplexing and tedious, we are free to express our
pleasure in and appreciation of a means so entirely successful.
These patients were all from the Southern States."
John C. Morgan, M. D., author of a short proving in Dir.
Shipman's Journal of Materia H2edica, writes as follows: "It
seems worthy to be called a specific for fresh cases of Intermittents,
and will modify even old cases, changing double to single tertian.
My dose is one-fourth drop in a teaspoonful of water, usually. I send
a few clinical cases."
(a) "'W. S., a swarthy soldier of large frame, on going into
camp, May 11, had no blanket; slept on straw under leaky shed;the night being cold, awoke early in the morning with a severe
chill, —but little shaking; fever ensued.  Took at a dose ten drops
common tincture Gelseminum; fever augmented  with  slight
delirium. Took five drops-some aggravation.  During the after



GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                   185
noon and evening took fractional drop doses; no fever at night.
The next day took one-fourth drop every two hours. He had no
other paroxysm."
REMARK.s —This nmay not have been an attack of Intermittent.
Such chills, followed by fbver, art often the result of qp6oure,  or
of getting wet. Still had it not been for the Gelseminum, it might
have resulted in some form of protracted fever. (Hale.)
(b) "A  soldier of sanguine temperament had Diarrhoea and
rheumatic pains, with symptoms of Intermittent; took for several
days one-fourth drop tincture Gelseminum, and was cured."
Intermittent Fever-Case 1.'-"In one case I had used all the
usual anti-periodics, as Cornine Salicine, Quinine, etc., without
succbss. Even after producing the constitutional effects of Quinine
the chills would sometimes, return every day for awhile, then every
other day. Thus the case continued for several weeks, until I despaired of success with the other anti-periodics, so I determined to
try the tincture of Gelseminum. Accordingly, I left an ounce of
the tincture of the fresh root, directing it to be given in doses of
thirty drops every two or three hours, until the eyes were affected;
then the medicine was to be suspended until that passed off, then
again resumed as before, and so on until the fever was broken. I
saw the patient just as the chill was gone off, and commenced the
tincture of Gelseminum  immediately. The fever did not rise very
high, nor continue long, nor did the chill ever return. The patient
recovered from the time he commenced the medicine, and was soon
up at his usual avocation. Now, what still more astonished me was,
that the medicine never affected his eyes in the least, yet it
suspended the chills immediately. I had frequently combined the
tincture of Gelseminumr  with the other anti-periodics before and
met with very prompt success, yet I attributed it to the other
articles; but this time I determined to try the Gelseminum alone.' —
[Sensible!-Hale.]  (Dr. Goss, Eclectid Medical Journal.)
Caase 2. Nov. 4.-Intermittent Fever (tertian type). Has been
affected six'months; has pain in the head, and pains over the body,
whenhe has no chill; tongue not much coated; other symptoms
common to the disease.'Treatment-Alkaline bath once a day;
tincture Gelseminum, one-half dram three times a day. Nov. 17,
discharged, cured. —lewton's Clinical Reports.
The above are the only two published cases of Intermittents cured
by this medicine alone. Very many cases are reported of pretended
cures by Gelseminum; but, as it was always given so mixed with
Quinine, Hydrastin, or other drugs, no reliance can be placed
upon the reports.
Dr. Holecombe writes me that the Gelseminum was the basis of
several celebrated patent medicines, noted at the South for the cure
of remittent and intermittent fevers; that it certainly was the prin.
cipal ingredient in "Speed's Tonic," which at one time was: popularly
considered an unrivalled febrifuge, but, failing to cure those cases
attended with organic complications, it fell into disfavor, although
it is still used by many people in the South. "From  large doses
I have seen blindness, partial deafness, singular torpor, stupidity
24




186       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
of feeling, inability to open the eyelids, and nervous prostration;
such symptoms as would follow a state of nervous excitement,
or hypersesthesia. In small doses I have found it valuable in the
opposite condition. I class it with Aconite, Bell. and Chain. I
have used it in the summer months, for weeks at a time, as I
would Aconite. I believe, in addition to its febrifuge power, it
has a specific anti-periodic influence."
Dr. Douglas praises the Gelseminum, in drop doses, very highly
in simple, uncomplicated Intertmittents, when indicated by the
symptoms, and spehks of hlaving met with much success in its use.
Dr. Ludlam has cured several well-marked cases of Intermittent
fever with the low dilutions. Several of my colleagues report
cases of Ague, successfully treated with Gelseminum. I have used
it frequently in Intermittents, and have succeded in some severe
cases in curing the disease, after it had been arrested with Quinine,
but showed an obstinate tendency to return. These cases were
reported in full in the August number of the North American
Journal of Homeopathy for 1861. It can be used both during the
apyrexia, and in the paroxysm. In larger doses during the former
state, than during the latter, It will be found to control the
painful nervous sensations which arise during the fever, better than
Aconite, if indicated. An Eclectic physician, engaged in a large
practice in the State of Ohio, informed me that except in severe
congestive cases, he relied altogether upon Gelseminum to break up
the paroxysms of Fever and Ague. He stated, however, that he
always gave a sufficient quantity to cause almost complete blindness during the apyrexia. I can hardly doubt the veracity of my
informant, but I suggested to him that he might break the patient,
as well as the ague. He had no fears of that result, however.
I am not aware that any Homceopathist has advised, or used
Gelseminum in Typhoid fever. But its pathogenesis and physiological action has many points of resemblance to that form of Typhoid
designated as Nervous fever, i. e., when there is no intestinal lesion
or any particular local complication. It is specifically indicated in
those cases in which the patient, from some great excitement, or
over-exertion, suddenly sinks into a low typhoid state, with great
prostration of all the vital forces, and when he experiences strange
sensations in the head, with morbid condition of the motor nerves,
manifested by local paralysis, or continued jactitation of certain
muscles. Women are more subject to this variety than men.
With the former we have many hysteric symptoms, such as nervous
dysphagia, even hysteric spasms, sleeplesness, aberration of
sight, etc.
Gelseminum should here be cautiously given in drop doses, or
pellets of the 2nd or 3d.
In true enteric fever, I should not place much reliance on
Gelseminum.  There are other remedies which pathologically
correspond, and are consequently more specific; among'these are
Bapt., Rhus tox., Phosp. acid, Ars., Terebin. and Mur. acid.
In Yellow Fever, Gelseminum has not been used by the Homoeopathic school, I believe. Drs. Holcombe, or Davis, make no mention




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                   187
of it in their reports to our Homceopathic Journals. They relied
upon Aconitum, Belladonna, Arsenicurh, Lachesis, and Argentum
nitricum. The Eclectic and Allopathic schools have used it to some
extent, but the only published report I can find relating to it, is a
pamphlet by Drs. White and Ford, of Charleston, S. C. This report
was entitled the "Bradycote (whatever that may mean) treatment
of Yellow Fever by Gelseminum sempervirens."  They prepared a
tincture from the fresh root, as follows:-Radix Gelsemini, four
ounces; Alcohol (95 per cent.) and Aqua communis, each eight
ounces. To adults they gave of this twenty or thirty drops; to children from five to twenty, every hour for the first four hours;
then at longer intervals, and with doses half as large. Total number treated with Gelseminum twenty-five; all of which recovered.
Of these, fifteen were males and nine, females; adults twelve;
children twelve; whites twenty-two; blacks two. Of the whole
number treated, two vomited black vomit, five passed black vomit
downward. In three cases hemorrhage occurred from the tongue,
gums, or nasal passages. One woman was in the sixth month
of her pregnancy, and did not abort. Average duration of
treatment; about eight days.
No marked prostration was caused by this remedy; the pulse
being, however, much less quickly reduced than by Veratrum
Viride. In few cases was the heart's action fully lowered in less
than twelve hours, and it was well controlled throughout the rest
of the disease, in the majority of cases. The concurrent treatment
was the same as with Veratrum. Mercurialization was complete
in ten cases; incomplete in fourteen cases. In a few instances a
marked redness of the tongue was observed, a condition that was
not distinctly noticed during the administration of Veratrum. [This
symptom has been often noticed in my provings. —Hale]. The
Gelseminum appeared to produce a general calming influence, even
during the early period of its administration, but was not found to
possesss any marked narcotic properties. It seemed to promote the
action of the kidneys, and during its use only, in several cases, an
erythema of the skin was noticed. This drug appeared to influence
the volume of the pulse, before it affected its frequency, and in
most cases for the rest of the disease to control both conditions in
an equal manner. Emesis was not observed to ensue upon the
administration of this medicine; the gastric irritability peculiar to
the disease being moreover, to all appearances, favorably influenced.
There were treated by Veratrum viride 11 7 cases, of which fifteen
died. Of six treated by the ordinary method [without Veratrum or
Gelseminum] three died.
In Scarlet Fever the Gelseminum bids fair to rank with Belladonna. Besides being indicated in the peculiar, intense fever, with
nervous erethism, its well known action on the skin will render it of
value in impelling the eruption to the surface. It causes a peculiar
erythema, which has some resemblance to the eruption in Scarlatina
as well as some f6rms of Purpura. Its analagous relation to both
Belladonna and Aconite, strongly commends it to our favor, and if
we are to judge its curative powers from its pathological effects,




188       NEW  ItOMUEOPATHIIIC  PROVINGS.
it will be be found efficient, alone, where the former remedies are
indicated. Dr. H. W. White speaks very highly of its effects in
Scarlatina.  He asserts that it will control the pulse, calm the
nervous erethism, determine the eruption toward the surface,
relieve pain, and lessen the cerebral congestion, in a manner superior
to Bell., or Aconite. Cases which seemed quite formidable at their
commencelnent, soon assumed a milder character, and terminated
safely. }I  considers it effectual, alone, to control the majority of
cases. Should the disease assume a malignant character, Dr. White
alternates it with Amm. carb., Carbo.veg., Mur. acid, or Ars. Its use
should be suspended if symptoms of prostration set in.
In Measles the Gelseminum appears to be specifically indicated
during the forming and inflammatory stage [the eruptive]. Among
its pathogenetic symptoms we find prominent catarrhal conditions,
as " chilliness, watery discharge from the nose, hoarseness, with
feeling of soreness of throat, and in the chest, cough, etc." Among
its effects upon the skin we find "a papulous eruption, very much
the color of measles, which it closely resembles, but the papule are
more distant and distinct. It appears most frequently upon.the
face."  Relying upon these fragmentary, yet prominent indications,
I have treated several'cases of Rubeola with this remedy, and
apparently with good results. It seemed to prevent a continuance
of the cough beyond its proper limits, and to act as a prophylactic
to chronic catarrhal affections, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
Dr. Douglas considers it quite capable of modifying the disease
in a marked manner, when given in the first stages, after which
Pulsatilla, Euphrasia, and Sulphur will be more useful. Dr. Lodge
states that he has used Gelseminum in measles, in some cases to the
exclusion of any other remedy, and is satisfied that it is a valuable
medicine in this disease.
In the treatment of ]_Eryszpelas, Gelseminum  may be found of
unequivocal benefit. It is certainly homceopathic to the febrile
symptoms, if not to the peculiar eruption or external manifestations of the disease; yet, Gelseminurm causes an erythema, which
certainly bears a resemblance to some of the milder forms of
Erysipelas. It is also homceopathic to those dangerous, and often
fatal congestions, or internal metastases, which often Complicate the
malady. I gave it one severe case of Facial Erysipelas, in alternation with Rhus. The case progressed very favorably. Dr. Coe
advises it as a topical application: "We have found the tincture
beneficial as an outward application in erysipelatous affections.
Diluted with from four to eight parts of water, we have applied it
with excellent results. The parts should be kept covered with
cloths wetted in the diluted tincture. It abates the local inflammation, and has a very soothing and pleasant influence."
In c7ariola the Gelseminum may prove as useful as Aconite and
Bellad., in allaying the intense and painful fever which accompanies
that disease. It has been used advantageously in Varioloid.
In all eruptive fevers, especially in children, there is a strong
tendency to convulsions, at or about the time of the appearance of
the eruption. I know of no remedy which is so likely to prevent




GELSEMINUM  SEMPERVIRENS.                     189
that unpleasant, and often fatal complication, as the one under.consideration.
In the treatment of Rheumatic Flev4r, and Rheumatism generally, Gelseminum  has its advocates in the! Homceopathic school of.the North-west, or that portion of them which have adopted the.use of the remedy.
The, Gelseminum is highly praised by some practitioners, in.Fectic fever, and there are some reasons for supposing it to be
peculiarly adapted to that form of fever.
VENOUS SYSTEM.-Dr. Marcy declares Aconite to be c" homeopathic to intense or excessive venous congestion, with entire paralysis, or depotentization of all the arterial activities, carried up to
the  point of actual cyanosis."  I Hale]'once supposed  Gelseminum to be homceopathic to the same condition, but recent
investigations have satisfied me that Holcombe's remark is true, that
" Gelseminum  holds a position midway between Aconite and Belladonna."  It is rather difficult to define exactly what this condition
is, but it is certainly more homoeopathic to arterial congestion than
Aconite or Veratrum viride. Still, one of the effects of Gelseminum in moderate doses, is undoubtedly similar to Aconite; for, like
it, it " depotentizes the arterial activities,"
It needs further trial and investigation to determine the exact
relation of Gelseminum, to the venous system. It may be asserted,
however, that while Aconite and Veratrum viride are only homceopathic to  primary passive venous congestion, Gelseminum  is
primarily homceopathic to that form of intense passive congestion,
of both veins and arteries, in which an irritation of the congested
organs sets in, nearly as severe as though the congestion had been
active., This condition may be attended by inflammation or hemorrhage, and may end in active arterial congestion, etc. Eclectic
writers seem to be aware of the danger of using Gelseminum  inr
some cases. WKing says, "' It is contra-indicated: in congestive fever,
in cases where there is great muscular and nervous prostration with
relaxation, and when there exists a determination to the brain or
other important viscus."
LYMPHATIC SYsTEm. —Although Coe, and some other writers,
crudely declare Gelseminum  to be an  "alterative,"  we have
no direct proof of such action. I have never seen any indications
of its action on the glandular system, nor can I imagine any such
action, unless it be from congestion to certain large and important glands, which it may induce.
LOCAL EFFECTS.
Mind. —Irritable and impatient mood; incapacity to think or
fix the attention; confusion of mind; stupid, intoxicated feeling;
dulness of: all the mental faculties, in one case great mirthfulness;
inability to concentrate the mind; depression of spirits; anxiety;
incoherency of thought. The sensorial modification consisted of a
mistiness within the brain, not much affecting the lucidity of
thought, but somewhat confusing perceptions, so that I experienced
some difficulty in attending to the physical details connected with




190       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
my practice. There was at first a cheerful, careless morale, afterwards depression of spirits. Rather dull and stupid for some days,
with disinclination to conversation. This -was remarked by my
friends who knew nothing of my taking the medicine. Aversion to
study; melancholy and depending mood. I found it to affect the
power of concentration very materially. I could not fix my mind
on the contents of a newspaper, although the matter was of an
exciting character. I could not pursue one train of thought for
any time; ideas would vanish and leave a vacancy of mind which
was quite annoying.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Gelseminum is particularly recommended
when there is excessive irritability of body and mind, in mental
derangement with vascular excitement. No remedy is more useful
in the causeless nervous excitement of hysteric patients; or in
those feverish conditions accompanied by great restlessness, tossing
about, sleeplessnes and irritable mood. In those conditions, one or
two drops of the tincture every hour, will be the most proper mode
of administration. It is'indicated in those attacks of frenzy,,attended with congestion or inflammation of the brain; also in those
stupid, comatose conditions attending typhoid fever, and in a low
muttering delirium of typhus.' Here we should give drop doses of
the second or third dilution.
I have found it homceopathic, or curative, to that state of semistupor, with languor and physical prostration, caused by protracted
night-watching; also in that mental apathy which follows intoxication from use of ardent spirits.
Hysterical insensibility is much more readily controlled by this
medicine than with Opium or Cann. indica. Hysterical catalepsy is
a similar malady, and one in which Gelseminum is primarily indicated; also many other hysterical states of body and mind, while Platinum, Asaf., Val., and Scut., are secondarily homceopathic to similar
states.
Head.-Pain in the head across the fbrehead; after breakfast experienced a dull aching pain in the head in region of occiput, which
increased in severity as the day advanced; excruciating headache,
accompanied by slight nausea; the pain seemed slightly mitigated
by shaking the head, but the relief thus obtained was not marked.
Headache extending from occiput to os frontis; great heaviness of
the head; sensation as if the brain was heavy; heaviness of the
head with dulness of mind; dimness of sight and vertigo; pain in
the head quite constant, dull, stupifying, and pressive; most frequently in the forehead and temples; bruised pain above and back
of the orbits; tightness of the brain; often more or less headache
with' nausea; giddiness is pretty constant; an intoxicated feeling
and tendency to stagger, often with dizziness and imperfection of
vision, aggravated by smoking; heaviness, with sense of fulness in
the head, which increased to a severe headache relieved on the
third day of the proving by copious urination, after which a pleasant languor pervaded the system for some hours; dulness in the
head with stupor; dry mouth, coated tongue, bitter taste; pulse full,
and 80; intoxication, vertigo unto falling; sort of mistiness within




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                   191
the brain, not much affecting the lucidity of thought, but somewhat confusing perception; staggering like one intoxicated; swimming sensation in the head; head felt very light, with -vertigo.
He could not hold the head erect. Pain over the whole top of the
head, extending back to the occiput; general dizziness, and disagreable pain in the head; a band-like pain which surrounds the
head, with shooting pain in each jaw and parietal bone; pain in
left side of head, extending from the prominence of the parietal
bone to the mastoid process of the temporal and is periodical in its
nature; dull headache in right ride of head; in the morning on
rising a dull pain in occiput, and a slight tendency to throbbing in
right side of head; headache in the top of the head, in the left
occipital region, then changing to the sides and vertex; a settled,
dull, dragging headache, mainly in the occiput, mastoid, and
upper cervical region, extending to the shoulders; relieved when.
sitting by reclining the head and shoulders on a high pillow.
These last symptoms delineate a form of headache very often
met with, and in which Gelseminum is a specific remedy. No
remedy has a greater influence over the circulation of the blood in
the vessels of the brain. It causes intense hypernemia of that
organ, which stops just short of inflammation. But its paralyzing
influence on the great reactive forces of life, prevents that termination by destroying the reactive power of the system. In this
respect it differs from Bellad., Stram., and Quinine.
CLINICAL REMARKs. —It is homceopathic to that intense and
overwhelming congestion of the brain which often attacks children
during the period of dentition. In these cases the nervous energies
soon lose their integrity. No reaction comes on, and the patient
dies comatose, or in feeble convulsions. Owing to its primary
homceopathicity to this condition, Gelseminum should be used in
the second or third  decimal dilution, repeated every fifteen
minutes.
It is also homceopathic to Coup de soliel, a condition very similar
to the above. In the so-called'" brain fever " of children and adults,
it will be found beneficial in alternation with Aeon., Bry., Bell., or
Hyos.: In inflammation of the membranes of the brain, it will be
found a valuable auxiliary to other well-known and reliable remedies
in that affection. It is homceopathic to many varieties of headache,
in which it has been successfully used, both by homceopathic and
allopathic physicians. In nervous headaches, where the pain commences in the cervical portion of the spinal column, and spreads
thence over the whole head, it will afford prompt and timely relief.
Dr. Pattee says: "-Headache of the nervous kind may often be
relieved, and I have found no one medicine so useful in this troublesome disease."  Hemicrania when accompanied by abnormal symptoms of the eyes, such as dimness of sight or double vision, or with
great sensitiveness to all sounds, will be promptly relieved by it.
The so-called nervous sick headache, will generally be arrested by
a few doses of a low dilution of Gelseminum, while the true sickheadache, which arises from  gastric derangement, will only be
palliated by this remedy; a cure can only be effected by proper




192      NEW   IIOMaEOPATIIIC  PROVINGS.
diet, and, the patient use of Puls., Iris vers., Nux vom., Pod. and
Sanguinarlia.
Those who wish to understand the specific action of thi drug in
causing and curing these nervous affections of the head, will find an
admirable explanation on page 12 of Peters' Ruckert on Headache. Gelseminum undoubtedly causes a weakened and debilitated
state of the great sympathetic nerve; and thence arises the pain,
heat, congestion, &c., of the head. It is primarily homceopathic to
those headaches which come on suddenly, with dimness of sight, or
double vision, with dizziness, followed by great heaviness of the
head, semi-stupor, dull, heavy, expression of the face, great muscular relaxation, slow, full pulse, etc. Allopathists claim to cure
chronic headaches of long standing with Gelseminum.
In CUoma and Apoplexy: it is homceopathic to these disorders
when they arise from  intense  passive congestion, with nervous
exhaustion, and as these are: the primary conditions caused by Gelseminum, it must be given in very small doses. If the apoplexy
depends on active arterial congestion, in persons of tense fibre, the
doses must be larger.
I have found Gelseminum very useful against those distressing
pains in the head which often follow fever and ague. These pains
are of a crampy, drawing, or tearing character, and are aggravated
by study or exertion. They generally occupy the region of the
occiput. Also for those sensations and pains which in some persons
precede attacks of ague, such as drawing, or shooting, dull pains in
the region of the mastoid process.
Eyes.-Great heaviness of the lids; difficulty of opening the eyes
or keeping them open; eyes closed in spite of him, on looking steadily
at an object; fullness and congestion of the lids; diplopia when
inclining the head towards: the shoulder, but vision single when
holding the head erect; dryness of the eyes; misty or glimmering
appearance before the the eyes; pain in the orbits, sometimes
excessive; diplopia which I could correct by an effort of the will;
distant objects seemed indistinct as I rode or walked, and one evening I could read but with difficulty. These symptoms are characteristic, as my sight: is perfectly good, and I never have anything
the matter with my eyes. Dilatation  of pupils; amaurosis;
diplopia; blindness; dimness of sight: Stitch, traversing the
eyelids on the right side, vertically; vertiginous sensation, followed
by confused vision, especially of distant objects; the sense of sight
is tardy in following the movement, things appearing for several
seconds to be blurred, and the remaining unfixed in its new
direction but no sensation of gauze or film. It is accompanied
by a disposition to partially close the eyes as if to steady the
balls. Confusion of sight with heavy looking eyes. [Similar
to  that produced by alcohol. l  Pain in both eyes; particularly
the left; dimness of sight; drooping of the eyes; indistinct
vision; in the evening, eyes felt quite sore, and as if there was
some foreign substance irritating the conjunctiva.. At night
eyes quite sore; n~ot much pain, but merely  soreness with
sensitiveness to light and lachrymation; Eyes yellow. Eyes much




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                   193
inflamed and weak, with great flow of tears at intervals; great
heaviness of eyelids. Pains of a shooting character in the frontal
sinus, extending to the'eyes and, jaws. The pain in the eye is of a
pricking character, extending from the bridge of the nose to the'eye. Pains deep in the ball of the left eye, extending from above
downwards. Pain in the eyes is of a pricking character, extending
from the centre to the angle. The pains seem to wind round the
right eye. Pain extending from the bridge of the nose to the eye.
Deep-seated pain in the eye of the left side, extending from above
downwards. Smoky appearance before the eyes, with pain above
them. Total blindness ensued in a very short time after taking
thirty drops with violent dizziness.
LT (NICxL  REMkRRKS.-Gelseminum  has a remarkable and
peculiar affinity for the organs of vision.'No other remedy except
Bell., so promptly and so specially affects the eyes.  It must
become, in time, a-valuable homesopathic remedy for many serious
internal and external diseases of these organs.
Before  its relaxing effects are felt in the general muscular
system, its local effects upon the eye-lids become apparent.
The lids feel heavy, and are lifted with difficulty. After a time
complete paralysis of the lids obtain. This constitutes an affection
designated by opthalmic writers as Ptosis. It may arise from paralysis of the levator' muscle, or from an affection of the third pair
of nerves. Gelseminum  may cause Ptosis by inducing either of
those conditions. But there is some reason to believe that the
Ptosis caused by this drug may have a deeper seated origin. Mackenzie (Diseases of the Eye) says:-" The cerebral variety may be
either sudden or slow; the sudden, arising after fatiguing exertion,
violent mental excitement, exposure to the direct rays of the sun,
intoxication, blows on the head, concussion of the body, etc. The
slow, from organic changes going on in the brain. The disease
often wears an apoplectic aspect."  Mackenzie gives several cases,
evidently caused by congestion of the brain. It is to such cases of
Ptosis that Gelseminum will be found curative. It will probably
be found efficient in the Ptosis of drunkards, from exposure to the
sun, and the so-called rheumatic variety. It is eminently homceo.
pathic to those cases caused by paralysis of the third pair of
nerves.
Diplopia- is another prominent and primary effect of Gelseminum.
Double vision, according to Mackenzie, may proceed from paralysis
of some of the muscles of the eyoballs. Doubtless Goelsominum
causes such a form of this disease, and would be found curative to
paralytic cases. But diplopia often proceeds from a congested state
of the encephalon. I suspect that Gelseminum is homaeopathic to
such a morbid state, as also to the Diplopia caused by alcohol and
chloroform, to which it seems to have a great resemblance in many
respects. Gelseminunm is homonopathic to asthenopia or debility of
the eyes; in those cases of weakness of sight caused by exhaustion
of the nerve from over-exertion of the eyes, especially when accompanied by dimness of sight; feeling of weight in the head and eyes,
with some dryness and double vision. It is not indicated in chronic
25




194       NEW   HOM(CEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
cases. In these,:China, Iron and Nux vomica will be found useful.
In one case the prover: complained of having Strabismus, and a: constant inclination to squint.: It may be useful in some paralytic cases,
but probably not curative in the strabismus which comes on in the
course of hydrocephalus.
The Amaurotic symptoms caused by Gelseminum are many
and distinct. It, seems peculiarly indicated in that malady, and if
we can ascertain the exact sphere;of its action, may prove useful to
the oculist in relieving amaurotic patients.  It is undoubtedly
homceopathic to many forms of amaurosis, viz: to those caused by
apoplexy of the retina; congestion of the brain, apoplexy, and even
those cases which arise from the presence of worms in the intestines.
When administered for the cure of amaurosis it should be given in
small doses. The medium or even high potencies will prove efficient.
The following case is reported by Dr. Kenlyon. It is illustrative
of the curative powers of Gelseminum in some forms of Amaurosis:
"Rev. Mr. —, aged about 35 years, nervous bilious temperament,
previously suffering from intermittent fever, and had taken Quinine,
largely, complained of being tormented with a constant floating of
spots before the eyes, at times black, and even dazzling-no other
symptoms. I gave him Belladonna, and did not see him again in
three weeks, when he said the trouble was slightly relieved for~ a
day or two, and then increased; he ceased taking the remedy,
thinking it might be an aggravation, but the trouble continued to
increase, and after a week he resumed the remedy with no effect.
The sight is gradually growing dim, so that he cannot read or write;
the words all run together, and he cannot tell a person across the
room. There. is considerable heat in the eyes, and extending into
the forehead; the floating spots are all black ones now; the pupil
of the eye slightly contracted; with this exception perfectly healthy
in appearance, and there is no indication of former troubles. I then
prepared and gaveihim of the 6th and 30th dilution of Gelseminuma dose of the 6th each morning, and of the 30th each evening. I
did not hear from him again in several weeks, when he wrote me
that in two days from the' time he commenced the remedy he could
see an improvement, when he, according to my directions, omitted
the remedy; and in two weeks every trace of the trouble was
removed. I saw him months after, and he remained perfectly
well."  (Seventeenth Annual Report Amer. Inst. of Hommopathy).
Dr. D. W. Rogers, of Quincy, Mich., relates a case: in the North
American Journal, (August, 1861, p. 104) where the Gelseminum
was useful in a case presenting symptoms of intense heaviness of
head; stupid drowsiness; dirmness of vision; also double vision:;
vertigo; throbbing of the carotids; pulse slow and weak. Other
cases could be reported, but sufficient has been presented to direct
the attention of physicians to'the great value of Gelseminum in
this affection.
I have never noticed that it caused' anything like photophobia.
On the contrary, it frequently causes a thirst for light, It might
cause photophobia as one of its secondaryor remote effects. I judge
so from the fact that I once removed permanently a fear of light,




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                    195
more especially candle or lamplight, which had resisted Phosphorus
and Conium, and was probably caused by an idiopathic over-sensitive state of the optic nerve, as there was no trace of inflammation.
I used drop doses of the tincture, however. Dr. Peters declares
Belladonna to be antipathic- to photophobia. It must resemble
Gelseminum in this particular symptom, and probably many others.
Under the action of Gelseminum. the pupils are always dilated.
I have never witnessed contraction. Aconite on the contrary, generally causes contraction of the pupils.. It will be well to bear this
fact in mind, as it is an. important diagnostic symptom  in many
cerebral diseases.
Ears.-Rushing and roaring in the; ears; sudden and temporary
loss of hearing; the pains which ascend from the back to the
occiput often affect the ears; digging in, the right ear; stitches;
pain behind both ears.
CLINICAL REMARKS.- There: are no instances on record of its
being used in affections of the ear. One of the symptoms of
catarrh in the head, or a common cold, is roaring in the ears, with
sudden deafness. In such cases it might prove of benefit. It may
be found of service in neuralgic otalgia, also in paralytic deafness.
Coe says, " The diluted tincture dropped into the ear will soften
the accumulation of hardened cerumen, and relieve the ringing
roaring, from diseased secretion."'
Nose. —Watery discharge from  the nose; sneezing with dull
headache; tingling in. nose; bloody mucusdischarge.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Dr. Douglas considers it a specific for
colds in the head, accompanied by a discharge of watery fluid from
the nose, hoarseness, cough, soreness in the throat- and chest. Dr.
D. W. Rogers prized it highly in an epidemic of influenza in
which he tested it.  It: has. been a valuable remedy in my
practice in mild and severe attacks of influenza, with loss of smell,
coryza, headache, etc. Dr. Pattee' says, "In coryza, or cold in the
head, this is one of the best remedies I have; ever used; it cures
the severest cases in from twelve to forty-eight hours."
Face.-A papulous eruption on the face, very nearly resembling
measles; erythema of the face and  neck;  heavy,  besotted
appearance of the face; sensations of stiffness in the muscles of
the jaws; the muscles of the face seemed to contract, especially
the orbicularis oris, somewhat impeding speech:; numbness of the
face; pale face; cold face, covered with perspiration. [Toxical
effects.] Itching of small points on. the face; pimples on the temporal:ridge; yellow complexion.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It has been used successfully by myself,
and some other: homceopathists, in the treatment of facial neuralgic&. It cured one case of neuralgia of the infra-orbital nerve,
which did not yield to Acon. or Bell. One drop of the tincture was
given every hour, and the diluted tincture rubbed on the affected
part. Dr. Coe says, "Neuralgia, when arising from functional disturbances of the nervous system, is  successfully treated  with
Gelseminuml." It is best indicated, when, in connection with the pain,
there are contractions and twitching of the muscles near the portion




196       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIIC  PROVINGS.
of the face affected; also in those cases accompanied with extreme
general nervousness, and loss of control over the voluntary muscles,
giving rise to odd, irregular motions. Dr. Douglas has found it
curative in several cases of prosopalgia.
Prof. Ludlam writes me, "In some cases of orbital neuralgia,
characterized by distinct paroxysms of acute pain, of a quotidian
type, located along the superciliary ridge, especially over the left
eye, with contractions of the eyelids, and a peculiar expression in
the eye of the affected side —the organ appearing to the observer
as if the patient were laboring urnder a maddening delirium, the
opposite eye appearing quiteno: mal, meanwhile-we have given the
Gelseminum with good effect. In one example, where Quinine
had failed at the hand of another physician, the Gelseminum affordprompt relief. In most cases thus remedied, the relief of suffering
has been gradual, the pain tapering off quietly and imperceptibly.
We have never employed it locally in this disorder. To speculate
upon its modus operandi would perhaps be of little service, but that
it has the property of interrupting certain nervous disorders, of
which the more prominent system is their periodicity, there can be
no question. The introduction of the element of time, into the
organism, whether viewed in a physiological or pathological light,
is one of the most marvelous and entertaining phenomena connected
with the history of the species; and any remedy capable of relieving
abnormalities of this function-if such we may style it-in any of
their protean forms, merits our study and most earnest attention.
If it be demonstrated by actual experiment that the Gelseminum is
capable of palliating and removing a local hyperaesthesia of the
supra-orbital nerves, or indeed of any other nerves, the profession
should be made aware of this fact; and it is for this reason that we
are led to record our own limited experience in the direction indicated."  It may prove useful against erythema of the face, also to
certain palpulous eruptions of the face, not of a constitutional
character. The sensations of tension, stiffness, and contraction of
the muscles of the face and jaws, would seem to indicate that it
might be useful in some cases of Trismus.  (Scuttellaria causes
simnilar symptoms.) Acting upon this suggestion I once gave it to
a female patient, who, in a hysterical attack of unusual severity, had
such rigidity of the muscles surrounding the mouth and jaws, that it
resembled an attack of tetanus. The jaws could not be forced open,
nor hardly the lips.  I succeeded in getting two or three drops
between her teeth. In eight or ten minutes the jaws began to
gradually relax, and in a short time had assumed their normal condition. In Erysipelas of the face, the internal and external use of
Gelseminum is sometimes of much benefit as a palliative remedy.
Teeth and Jaws. —Stiffness of the jaws; difficulty of opening
the mouth; on the right side, pain extends from the last back
tooth up to the temple; pains of a shooting character in the frontal
sinus, extending to the eyes and jaw.
CLINICAL REMARkIS. -In some cases offacial neuralgia, especially
in nervous females, when the jaws seem to be spasmodically affected,
Gelseminum may be useful in combating that symptom. In




GELSEMINUM  SEMPERIVIREN S.                  197T
Odontalgica from a cold, or when purely nervous, Gelseminum may
be useful.  It is said that a bit of cotton wet in the tincture and
applied to the tooth, or pushed: into a cavity, will relieve the pain.
Mouth and Tongue. —Dryness of the mouth; astringent sensation
in the mouth; thickly coated tongue; painful dryness in the fauces;
tongue red; tongue red, raw, and painfuhl; sensation as if the tongue
was paralyzed, impeding speech; partial paralysis of the glottis and
tongue. (Toxical effects.) Tongue coated with light, whitish coat;
several times during the day saliva was found colored yellowish,
and all the latter part of the day a bad, foul taste and bleath;
yellowish white fur on tongue; yellow coat on tongue.
CLINICAL REMAKs. —-From its effects upon the tongue and
glottis, we may find it curative in many cases of irritation, or paralysis of those parts.
Throat.-Dryness; irritation and soreness of the fauces; difficulty
of swallowing; paralytic dysphagia; when vomiting, the fluids passed
through the nostrils; acute sensation of heat and astringency. (Toxical effects.) Painful sensation of something having lodged in the
Esophagus.
I once observed the following symptoms, which occured in a
woman, to whom it had been given to arrest daily hysteric convulsions. The patient had never experienced similar symptoms before.
The tinc. Gels. was given in doses of ten drops every four hours.
The spasms were much relieved, and their periodicity broken up,
but on the second day of its administration there appeared dryness
andburning of thefances; red tongue inflamed in the middle; severe
burning in the cesophagus, from the mouth to the stomach; spasmodic sensation, and cramplike pains in cesophagus; hawking up
of bloody matter. During the spasms, bloody, brown foam would
run out of the mouth. The burning sensations at times seemed
intolerable; deglutition was painful; food and  drinks, warm,
aggravating.  At this  juncture I was  called, and for the
relief of these symptoms gave Arsenicum 3d, then Carbo vegetabilis
3d, with mucilaginous dripks, but without much benefit. A more
careful study of the symptoms determined me to try Phosphorus.
Pellets of the second dilution were given with prompt success;
relief followed in a few minutes after the first dose, and in a few
days the symptoms disappeared.  In this case there must have
existed CEsophagitis,-a true inflammation of its mucous tissue. As
the Gelseminum was taken largely diluted with water, it must have
been a specific and not a mere local effect.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It may be found a valuable remedy in
inflammation and irritation of the aesophagus, from acrid secretions
of the stomach.  Dr. White, of Coldwater, Mich., praises the
Gelseminum highly in Tonsilitis, and inflammation of the pharynx,
palate, and uvula, He considers it equal to Belladonna in Scarlatinous Angina. I have only used it in slight catarrhal inflammations
of the fauces and tonsils, in which it seemed to act favorably. It
would seein to be perfectly specific to paralysis of the glottis, and
all other portions of the organs of' deglutition. In all the above
affections, the medium or high dilutions are best indicated, especi




198    NEW  HOMneOPATHIC PROVINGS.
ally if the patient be susceptible to the action of the drug; if not,
large doses must be used.  Its action on the throat resembles
very much the effects of Belladonna. Dr. Douglas advises it in
inflammation of the tonsils, and other throat affections.. In the
spasmodic affections of the throat, so frequent in hysteric females, it
is superior to any other drug, but will have to be given in-material
doses.
Dr. Lodge, reports, that the G'elseminum has proved very useful
in cases of paralysis succeeding diphtheria, particularly in paralysis of
the organs of deglutition and aphonia. He relates the following
case: "A young man of 18 who had been treated for diphtheria by an
allopathic physician was found with the following symptoms:
great prostration; partial paralysis of the right side; desire for food,
but difficulty of swallowing, and vomiting after taking ever so little;
cannot speak above a whisper; great difficulty in articulation; cough
with expectoration of fi-othy mucus streaked with blood; severe
pain in different parts of the body, immediately after lying down,
preventing sleep; pulse 120, and small. He had been kept up by
stimulants.  Treatment-Gelseminum tincture, five dops in half a
tumblerful of water; teaspoonful: every hour.  Commenced the
medicine at 3, P..M.; rested better the following night; pains very
much less; next day could swallow easier;: in four days could swallow well and partook moderately of roast turkey, with relish. The
improvement continued under the use of the Gelseminum, all
the symptoms disappearing, except those of bronchial irritation,
which Gel. did not remove. Phosph. and the ordinary remedies were
then resorted to, and the cure completed. This youth is now in the
enjoyment of good health.
Taste, Appetite, Gastric affections, &c.-Thirst during the sweat;
mawkish taste; clammy feverish taste; great hunger; eructations,
nausea; hiccough; yellowish-white coating of the tongue, with
fetid breath; alternate increase and loss of appetite, slight nausea;
sour eructations; bitter taste; bad, foul, spoiled taste and breath,
with frequent need to rinse the mouth, or spit; raising of tasteless,
semi-solid matter in the oesophagus, with flatus.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is homceopathicto loss of appetite from
debility of the stomach, or a paralytic state of the organs of digestion,
or increased appetite caused by active hypceremia of the coats of
the stomach. It does not seem to be homceopathic to many gastric
conditions, as it rarely causes nausea or eructations. It does not
induce vomiting, like Verat. viride, Ipecac., or Tart. emet. It only
causes vomiting when taken in large quantities'; then: it:irritates by
its bulk and acridity only. If useful: in any variety of vomiting, it
is in that form which arises from atony of the stomach,; in which
case Nux vom., Iron, and China are better.
Stomach.-Feeling of emptiness and; weakness in the stomach
and bowels; distension of the stomach with pain and nausea; sensation as of something wanting in the epigastric region:; rumbling, and
dull pains in the epigastrilum, relieved by expulsion of flatus; burning in the stomach extending up to the mouth.
CLINICAL REMXARKs.-Sensations of great weakness, emptiness,




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                   199
"goneness" at the stomach, arises from a debilitated state- of the
great sympathetic nerve, and may be uncomplicated with any other
morbid state, in which case Gelseminum may be useful, in small
doses. It may, however, arise from congestion of the portal system, and a torpid state of the liver, in which case Nux vom., Aeon.,
Lept., Pod. or'Mer. would be applicable, alternated with Gelsem.
It is often caused by uterine congestion, or prolapsus, when Cimicifuga, Helonias, or Sepia must be given. Ignatia, Coffea, or Thea,
in cases caused by mere nervous excitement, or sudden emotion. It
is primarily homeopathic to accumulation of flatus in the stomach,:distention, eructations and dull pain, probably caused by want of
tone in the muscular fibres of that organ. For such symptoms the
2d or 3d dilutions will suffice. It is secondarily homceopathic to
many forms-gastralgia, cardialgia, cramps in the stomach, and all
spasmodic conditions of that organ. It is homceopathic to congestion
of the stomach, with hyperaemia of its mucous lining. The svmptoms indicating its use are: sensation of a heavy load, with weight,
tension, and dull pain; sometimes with empty, faint, sensations
in the epigastrium, and a false hunger-a kind of gnawing. Of
late, the Gelseminum is much used in all active hcemorhages, by
the Eclectic and Allopathic schools. They rely upon its sedative
power. Many other remedies, however, will prove more useful in these
affections. In active haemorrhages, Hamaml., Ipecac., and Erigeron;
in the passive variety, Trillium, Terebinthina, and Sulph. acid, will
be found efficient remedies.
Abdomen and  Stool.-Rumbling and rolling in the abdomen,
with emission of flatus above and below; periodical pains in the
abdomen, with yellow diarrhcea coming on in the evening; pain in
the left iliac region; bowels loose, but great difficulty to discharge
anything-; there seems to be great strength in the sphincter muscles;
dull pain in bowels, which becomes quite severe towards morning;
dull aching pain in the umbilical region; palpitation of muscles
of the abdomen, which continued about three minutes; slight pain
in  the  transverse  colon; gnawing pain  in  the  transverse
colon. Seventeen hours after taking the drug, was awakened by:severe gripings in the lower abdomen, soon followed by a very
natural stool, but followed by no diminution of pain until another
large, deeply bilious discharge; followed by instant relief of pain..Evacuation of flatulence both ways; movements of flatus in the
lower bowels; slight colicky feeling, as if the bowels would be
moved, and constant eructations of wind and bland fluid. At breakfast, dull-ache on the rightside of theihead; gastric oppression; had
to loosen the waistbands; after which colicky sensations to the
left of the navel, as if a stool would shortly be passed; slow stool,
leaving:a sensation of more remaining to be passed, and of abdominal repletion. Pain- behind the fifth rib, to the left of the stenum,
from flatus relieved by eructation. Stool at first consistent, then
papescent, bilious, homogeneous, preceded all the morning by
flatulence. Coincident with the intoxicated feeling, gastralgia and
colic. Colicky pains below the navel, extending to the testes, and
causing flatus; relieved by its expulsion; stool of a deep yellow




200       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
color and papescent; soft, bilious stool, preceded by threatenings
of diarrhoea; Colic; attempted stool, much wind only passed; teacolored, semi-solid stool; dull pains in the abdomen; sharp pains in
the bowels with stools of a light creamy color and pappy consistence:; sleep disturbed by lancinating pains in abdomen, relieved
by copious discharges of flatus; intoxicated feelings, with painless
but slightly diarrhceic stool; tenderness of the abdominal parietes.
Writers bf the dominant and eclectic schools have decreed
that Gelseminum does not act as an internal irritant, or a purgative;
they assert that it is not known to increase any of the intestinal
secretions. Homcepathic provings seem  to lead us to different
conclusions, as many of the above abdominal symptoms demonstrate.
CLINICAL REMARrS.-If Gelseminum be homceopathic to Colic,
it is to the spasmodic and flatulent. As either of these varieties
may run into and induce the other, we will consider themin one
paragraph.  Flatulence  is generally  caused by the imperfect
digestion of articles of food, some kinds of which, such as raw
vegetables, and substances of a fermentable nature, are more prone
to have that effect. But in a perfectly healthy state of the digestive organs, all varieties of food may be eaten with impunity. The
powers of digestion then, must be morbidly enfeebled before flatulent
or spasmodic colic can ensue. Any cause, therefore, which is capable of debilitating digestion, may act as a cause of flatulence. In
Peritonitis, we cannot expect much specific benefit from Gelseminum
except from its power to control the fever, and the nervous erethism
from excessive pain. While it might not be as valuable as Aconite,
it would be better than Veratrum viride or Tartarus emeticus. An
external application  of the tincture in peritoneal inflammation
might allay the pain somewhat.  I have used Aconite for that purpose with the best results.  In Enteritis it may prove more
valuable. As it causes congestion and hypera3mia of the intestines,
it may prove homceopathic to the first stages of acute Enteritis. It
will probably blie useful to restrain the spasmodic action of the
bowels, which is often a distressing symptom  of this disease. In
Neuralgia of the Intestines I have found the tincture, in single drop
doses, given every fifteen minutes, to be a successful remedy. The
symptoms were acute, lancinating pains in the bowels, with great
agitation and restlessness, cold hands and feet, rapid pulse, and a
tendency to general spasms. In Strangulated hernia, the Gelseminum in sufficient pathogenetic doses, ought to be a most valuable
aid. More relaxing than Chloroform  or Lobelia, or Opium, it is
surprising that physicians and surgeons of the other schools have
not resorted to its use. It would be the first medicine I should resort
to, and no remedy holds forth greater promise of usefulness in such
dangerous accidents. Its internal administration would be aided
much by external application. In Diarrhceaj Gelseminum may
prove useful when the stools are bilious, papescent, and accompanied by much flatulence; also when theire is much nervous
prostration —more weakness than the discharge could cause. It
will not be found useful in diarrhcea with watery, mucous, or profuse




GELSEMINUM  SEMPERVIRENS.                     201
discharges; or in looseness from indigestion. Dr. Morgan noticed
that while proving the drug, any exciting news would bring on
"threatenings of diarrhcea."  This fact is suggestive. We know
that in certain  impressible people, whose nervous systemhas
become enervated,,any fright, excitement, or emotion will cause a
temporary looseness of the bowels.' Now, the effects of Gelseminum
on the system are just such as would make it homceopathic to such
conditions and its effects. Dr. Lippe, of Philadelphia, reports to
me, several cases of diarrhcea, caused by fright, grief, and depressing, emotions, treated with the 1000th dilution, a single dose sufficed.
In Dysentery, so far as my experience goes, the results attained
are very similar to those noticed from the use of Aconite, viz: sub.
sidence of the inflammatory symptoms, disappearance of blood from
the stools, less fever, and a mitigation of the tenesnmus. I have
treated many severe caseskwith it, in alternation with Merc., Podoph.,
Ipecac. and Aloes. Besides its internal administration, I adopted
the suggestion of Coe and others, and used the tincture in an enema,
in the proportion of ten drops to four ounces of warm starch or
gum water; injecting all at once, and repeating every few hours.
It mitigated the severe tenesmus. In Constipation, Gelseminum
does not appear to be primarily indicated, in many cases. It may
be useful in simple retention of stool from deficiency of tone in the
muscular coats of the intestines [in 2d and 3d dilution]. It may be
useful, also, in constipation, from spasm of the muscular coats at some
point in the intestinal tubes, in drop doses of tincture. In the
Southern States it is much used, in infusion, as a domestic remedy
for intestinal worms, and with alleged success. Dr. Coe advises the
Gelseminum in half or one grain doses, two or three times a day,
combined with Podophyllin and Santonin, and says it has proved
effectual in expelling the ascaris lurmbricoides and tricocephalus dispar. I have had unusual success in treating worm  affections with
the Gelseminum, 2d trituration, alternated with Podophyllin 1st or
2d, and Santonin one-tenth, each in grain doses, two hours apart.
After two or three days the worms are either expelled in large
numbers, or the verminous symptoms all disappear. A weak dilu.
tion of the tincture injected into the rectum, will often bring away
large quantities of ascarides.
Liver and Spleen. —The provings of Gelseminum  so far do not
show any pains or abnormal sensations referred to the hepatic or
splenic regions. Its effect upon the alvine evacuations, however,
show that it has some effect upon the liver. For instance, we have,
"large, deeply bilious discharge; bilious, papescent stool; stool of
deep yellow color, and papescent; soft bilious stool;" all denoting
increased action of the liver. We have also, "tea-colored stool;
stool of a light creamy color, and pappy consistence') indicating a
deficient amount of bile in the evacuations.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Judging from these symptoms, we may
cobsider it primarily homceopathic to some forms of bilious diarrhoea,
probably from a relaxed condition of the biliary ducts, or the ductus
communis choledochus, or it may be hepatic hypervemia. It iE
probably primarily hommeopathic to passive congestion of the liver
226




202       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
denoted by prostration, and a languid circulation; languor, dullness,
drowsiness, or depression of spirits; dimness of sight, and dull
headache.  Jauncdice, with  prostration, clay-colored stool, etc.
There are two symptoms above mentioned, viz.: tea-colored, [slatecolored?] and creamy, papescent stool, which indicate that Gelseminum  causes either deficiency or retention of bile. Now, from
what we know of the action of the medicine, it is hardly to be
supposed that it can cause, primarily, any excessive secretion of bile;
but it may cause deficient secretion, from atony of the liver, in
which case the yellow coloring matter of the bile would fail to be
eliminated from the blood, and its accumulation in the circulation
would be a necessary consequence. This, Wood believes to be the
most common origin of Jaundice. Gelseminum, 3d dilution, alternated with Mere., Leptandria, Podophyllum, would be most
applicable in such conditions.
The Gelseminum seems to have a specific effect upon the nerves
and muscles of the rectum. Dr. W. H. White has seen it cause
paralysis of the sphincter ani, with tendency to prolapsed rectum.
Urinary Organs. —Urine rather increased in quantity; clear and
watery; friequent micturition; frequent emission of clear and
limpid urine, with seeming relief to the dullness and heaviness of
the head; urine at times clear and limpid, at times milky and
turbid. Urine much increased in quantity.  [Bird, " Urinary
Deposits," p. 210, says that it is characteristic of phosphatic urine to
be pale and colorless; also that such urine deposits pale urate of
ammonia, nearly white. Phosphatic urine is often foetid). "The
effects of Gelseminum were dissipated within a few hours. As I
have remarked an augmented secretion of urine, I suppose my kidneys eliminated the drug rapidly, and so prevented its action on the
divers organic spheres."  I [Hale] have noticed symptoms similar
to the above, whilst under the influence of the drug; and in nearly
every instance the profuse emission of watery urine was accompanied by transient chilliness, tremuloussness, and an evident alleviation
of the sensations of heaviness of the head, dullness of mind, and
dimness of sight. Several persons who made partial provings for
me, noticed the same symptoms, with the alleviation. Contrasting
the effects of Gelseminum on the urinary organs, with some of the
phenomena of disease, and they become interesting and significant.
In real Diabetes, Gelseminum  cannot be of much service. It is
probably not pathologically indicated.  In XNephritis, Cystitis,
Urethritis it may be used as we would use Aconite in similar diseases, viz: to reduce the local hyperaemia. In these affections we
must rely entirely upon the-secondary action of the drug; using it
in larger doses.
In my practice it has benefited some cases of frequent urging to
urinate, with scanty emission, attended with tenesmus of the bladder.
In Enuresis,- Gelseminum ought to prove as valuable a remedy as
Belladonna, for like that drug, it induces a paralytic state of all the
sphincter muscles. Those cases, then, of involuntary micturition
depending on a relaxed or paralytic condition of the sphincter
muscles of the neck of the bladder, may be much benefitted, or




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIREKNS.                  203
cured by the use of the dilutions of Gelseminum. Gelseminum will
probably prove useful in spasms of the-ureters from the passage of
Calculi. In this most painful affection, the object is to produce, in
the promptest manner possible, a relaxation of the ureters. This is
generally accomplished by the use of hot sitz baths, Chloroform,and Lobelia or Nux vom. Gelseminum, if properly administered,
would prove as efficient as either of the above means, and
secondarily more homaeopathic to the condition. In! that most
distressing affection, Spasm  of the bladder, it would certainly
prove useful, by promptly relaxing the circular fibres of that
organ. This disease is often, in the case of females, confounded
with uiterine spasm, and in males with spasmodic colic. But in
either disease Gelseminuml  will prove a valuable remedy, aided
in some cases by Cauloph., Cimicif.,Colocynth, or Nux vomica.
Case reported by Dr. Neidhard -"  Mr. T. S., one of the most
celebrated artists in the United states, upwards of eighty years of
age, was afflicted for more than four months with a constant involuntary discharge of urine, every quarter to half hour, day and night.
The disease seemed to consist in a relaxed, paralytic condition of
the sphincter muscles of the neck of the bladder. It was impossible
for him to hold his water. Cantharides, Bromide of Potash, Dulcamara, and some other remedies were prescribed, without the
slightest beneficial effect. It was now thought best to omit all
remedies for several weeks, but without any improvement. Having
lately studied-the pathogenetic effects of Gelseminum nitidum, it
was resolved to try it in the above case. Five drops of the 2d dil.
were administrred three times a day. In a few days its beneficial
effects were already perceptible, and in the space of a week the
whole disease was conquered, and has not returned now within six
months.'
Genital Organs. —(1) MEN. Some irritability of the right testis,
and afterwards dragging pain in the same, extending to both groins,
and the hypogastrium, followed by escape of flatus; irritation of
small spots on the mucous surface of the prepuce, with surrounding
congestion; painless redness about the orifice of the urethra;
agreeable sensation during micturition, throughout the course of
the uretha; involuntary emission of semen, without an erection.
One of the most careful and conscientious provers inour ranks,
writes me as follows: —" A seminal weakness, formerly removed by
Conium, returned during this proving, and was the chief reason:why I discontinued it." This statement throws much light on the
action of this remedy upon the male generative system, and accounts
for its alleged usefulness in seminal emissions. My own provings
of Gelseminum developed the following symptoms: In connection
with the general prostration, accompanied by diuresis, there was
always much flaccidity with coldness of the genital organs.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Gelseminum is primarily indicated in impotence from  muscular paralysis and atony; in seminal emissions
with or without amorous dreams, but caused in all cases by direct
debility of the genital organs, or, rather, of the great nerves upon
which depends their healthy condition. It is also secondarily honm



204    NEW HOMCEOPATHIIC PROVINGS.
ceopathic to seminal emissions from excessive irritation of the organs
of generation, either from emotional or local congestive causes, and
when accompanied by a condition similar to Satyriasis.
In the former cases, small doses of the dilutions mayprove efficient,
but in the latter, large quantities will have to be admlinisteed-two
or three drops of the tincture every two hours. I have used the first
trituration of Gelseminum in cases marked by local itritation, and
succeeded in effecting a cure, when other remedies had failed. Cases
from allopathic authorities. Coe says:-" For spermatorrhcea, in
connection with tonics we have found it of exceeding utility. It
many cases it is better to administer the Gelseminum alone for
several days, or until a remission of the symptoms is induced, and
then follow with tonics-Cerasin, Lupulin, or Hydrastin."
CASE 1.-From Keith's Journal, in a letter from a physician:"About four years ago, I was badly afflicted with spermatorrhbea,
and had nearly despaired of finding relief, for I had tried every plan
of treatment suggested by my medical friends.  I acceded to your
advice to try Gelseminum and took~ but four doses [of how much?]
before the emissions ceased-; and by continuing the medicine my
appetite returned, the peculiar: cadaverous hue of my face yielded
to a niore healthy color, and, as subsequent years have proved, I
was cured of my disease." In another number we have the following
statement: " We believe it to be, in the treatment of spermatorrhcea,
as near a specific as any medicine can bb. Administer the following
powder each night, on retiring:-Gelseminum, one-half grain;
Lupulin, three grains; mix. Gradually diminish the dose as the
patient shows signs of improvement. We have cured several
cases with from six to ten doses."  The above prescription could
only benefit those cases belonging to the irritative variety, due to
some local congestion, or exalted. state of the nerves of those
organs. The Lupulin alone has a deserved repiiutation for curing
similar cases of the disease.
In Gonorrhoea the Gelseminum has been much used, and highly
praised by some enthusiastic eclectics. According to Coe, "Gelseminum has gained considerable repute in the treatment of Gonorrhaea.
We have employed it for some three years past, in that disease, but
have neverrelied on it exclusively. Our principal object in employing it, is to overcome the urethral inflammation and prevent chordee,
and for these purposes we have found it reliable.  We usually
administer it at bed time, finding that the patient is more apt to enjoy
a quiet night's rest thereby. We cannot say with certainty whether
the Gelseminum possesses any specific alterative value in the above
disease, or not, but we believe it does." He advises it in two grain
doses, but small powders of the first decimal trituration, or repeated
doses of the first dilution, will probably be found as useful, and less
hazardous than the one large dose.
Case. —Dr. J. S. Douglas states that some thirty years ago a
patient came into his office with Gonorrhoea, of several months
standing, which had been- improperly treated. One of his pupils
begged him to allow him to treat the case, saying he' could cure
the most obstinate case in a few days, with the root of Yellow Jes.




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                   205
samine, A small handful of the root was put into a common junk
bottle of whiskey, and the patient ordered, in a day or two, to take
a tablespoonful of the mixture night and morning. He took but a
few doses when he became much alarmed with the effect upon his
eyes, thinking the medicine had destroyed his vision. Every symptom  of gonorrhcea had, however, disappeared, and the cure was
permanent. Since that time he has treated many cases with it,
and invariably with the same success. Dr. Morgan writes me:"The Gelseminum is in repute for the cure of spermatorrhoea; and
an allopath of my acquaintance uses the tincture in the very largest
doses in Gonorrhcea with, as he asserts, perfect success, even in old
cases.
(2.) WOMEN7. —Besides the few pathogenetic symptoms which
have observed, none of the provers of our school give us any
symptoms of Gelseminum upon the organs of generation of women.
The following symptoms came under my notice: Sensation of
heaviness in the uterine region, with increase of the white, leucorrhceal discharge; a feeling of fullness in the hypogastrium [in a
girl of 17]; slight uterine pain (to which she had not been subject); aching across the sacruin-a sensation as when the menses
are coming on. [These symptoms appeared from taking five drops
of the tincture every two hours-in a pregnant female in the ninth
week. On examination, the os was slightly open,.and somewhat
patulous. Notwithstanding the small amount of experience which
the profession possess relative to the action of the Gelseminum on
the organs of generation of wonmen, there seems to be considerable
unanimity of opinion among Eclectic authors, regarding its effects
in that direction. We will examine the testimony. ZDr. King, who
seems to understand its sphere of action very well, and who has had
much practical experience in the use of the medicine, says: "In
obstetrics it has been efficaciously employed in dysmenorrhcea,
gastralgia, cramps, and odontalgia - during pregnancy; in rheumatism of the uterus, rigid os uteri, hour-glass contraction, retained
placenta, and puerperal fever, puerperal convulsions, etc.
We will examine its merits in the above affections briefly' in
detail:
In,Dysmenorrhoea of a neuralgic or spasmodic character, the
Gelseminum would undoubtedly prove beneficial in material doses;
minute doses would fail to reach the malady, because dysmenorrhcea is not one of the primary effects of the drug. Its neuralgic
and spasmodic symptoms are secondary. But in the congestive
form the dilutions will be useful. In the inflammatory form, King
advises it, in connection with tincture of Aconite, both in large
doses. Coe asserts that "forrelieving the pain of Dysmenorrhlea
we know of no single remedy equal to it."' He gives one-half grain
of Gelseminum every two hours, and frequently alternates Caulophyllin or Viburnin with it; both of the latter remedies I know to
be valuable in this affection. He further says:-" When caused by
functional derangement we deem it specific; we have earned the
gratitude of many sufferers by its employment."  I would advise a
candid trial of the remedy in the hands of homceopathists. In




208       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
Amenorrhcea, Coe advises it, and says the menses will frequently
return under the use of half grain doses of Gelseminum, three times a
day. In the congestive variety, induced by a cold, it will undoubtedly prove of service.  in Abortion, King recommends it on the
ground that it will have the same effect as blood-letting in preventing that accident. Coe says: "The opinion has been entertained
by some that the Gelseminum is capable of producing abortion, but
our experience with it, inclines us to the contrary belief. As before
stated, when administered in small doses, it gently stimulates uterine contraction, but when given in large doses, it will arrest the
progress of labor with much certainty. Still, we are unable to say
that it will NOT produce abortion under some circumstances,
although we have never seen any evidence of its power to do so,
and we have administered it to women at all the different stages of
utero gestation."  Drs. White and Ford thought that when used in
Yellow Fever, the Gelseminum rather prevented abortion, as one
woman so treated, was in the sixth month of pregnancy, and did
not abort. Still, my observations c6nvince me that under some
circumstances the medicine may be capable of causing abortion.
The pathogenetic symptoms above noticed would go far to substantiate such a belief. Let it be borne in mind that anything
which has a severe depressing influence upon the nervous and
vascular systems may cause miscarriage. Thus, profuse bleedings,
a chill, debility from acute disease, grief, fright or other depressing
emotions, will in some constitutions tend to such an accident.  Now
the effects of this drug on the female organism, are very similar to
the above, and may therefore under similar circumstances bring on
the same results. Its general action on the uterus will be considered further on. In the vomiting and gastrodynia of pregnant
females, when of a spasmodic character, Gelseminum  may prove
beneficial. Some writer has called, attention to the similarity
between this vomiting and sea-sickness. It is a curious fact that
the remedies found beneficial in one, are those most useful in the
other. Thus Nux vomica, Cocculus, and Chloroform are the remedies
for sea-sickness, and I have found them equally reliable in the severe
vomitings of pregnancy. As Gelseminum bears a remarkable
resemblance to the last mentioned agent, I would advise its use in
single drop doses, in cases where the usual medicines had failed to
give relief, and where there was present considerable nervous, debile
irritability. The troublesome cramps of pregnancy, although generally amenable to the usual Verat. alb., Coloc., and Nux vom., may
be controlled as readily by the use of Cauloph., Vibur., and Gelseminum. Dr. King in his Obstetrics, speaks of it in hour-glass
contractions, and inversion of the uterus, in order to aid manual
operations, but doubts its safety under all circumstances. In those
cases it would be expected to have many of the effects of Chloro.
form, especially relaxation. He also strongly advises its use in
puerperal convulsions.
Cases reported by Dr. J. S. Douglas:
Case ist,-On the night of the 3d inst., (Nov. 1861) a young
married woman, of highly nervous temperament, and seven months




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                   20o.'pregnant with her first child, was attacked with violent convulsions,
frequently repeated, and soon followed with complete unconsciousness, and the wildest delirium.
This state of things continued till the afternoon of the 5th,
when she was delivered of a dead foetus. The convulsions now
ceased, but she continued in a state of wild delirium, incessantly
talking and without a moment of sleep for three days and nights.
During the next half day her delirium was somewhat more subdued, the incessant talk less furious, and she seemed to sleep once
or twice for a minute or two. During all this time, the arterial
action was inclined to be excessive, as in acute inflammatory disease,
though no such state could be detected. This excessive action was
successfully controlled by the frequent use of Aconite.
I now resolved to try the effect of Gelseminum. She accordingly took tea spoonful doses of a mixture of three drops, third
dilution, in one-half a tumbler of water. During the night, after
two or three doses, she had three sleeps of from one to two hours,
and in the morning gave the first evidence of consciousness. This,
however, was of short duration. A few minutes of mental effort
seemed to exhaust the power of the brain and she relapsed into
wakeful delirium. But whenever she has become delirious and
sleepless, the Gelseminum, in the above doses, has uniformly and
promptly procured quietness and sleep. The intelligent nurse has
come to rely implicitly upon it whenever needed. The patient has
steadily improved fiom the above date to the present, Nov. 23d,
though it has been necessary to give occasional intermediate doses
of Aconite, which alone has controlled the excessive arterial activity. She now leaves her room, though her mind is weak, and wanders when too long excited.
In this case it is evident that Gelseminum has uniformly and
perfectly succeeded in quieting excessive nervous irritability and
delirium, and procuring sleep, where Aconite, Bellad., Cham.,
Coffea, Hyos.,' Ign., Puls., Stram., etc., had proved powerless.
Case 2nd. —On the 5th inst. I was called to see a lady eight
months pregnant, the mother of four children, the two last of
which had been born at about the same period (of eight months).
All her labors had been exceedingly tedious, from three to six or
seven days, apparently from the great rigidity and unyieldingness
of the os uteri. In her last confinement she had violent puerperal
convulsions. - When I was called on the 5th she had had - regular
labor pains for three days, but, accustomed to protracted labors,
she had not thought it time to send for me till she was seized with
a convulsion, which was repeated before my arrival. I founde the
pains quite active and frequent, but on making an examination not
the least result was observable. The os uteri was not in the least
developed, but rigid, and perfectly closed.
With the vivid recollection of her last two labors, at the same
period of eight months, their extreme tediousness, the violent and
alarming convulsions which now bid fair to be continued through
a labor of days-perhaps many days'; of all the exhaustive appliances formerly employed to. subdue the convulsions and to stop or




208       NEW   IiOM(EOPATIJIC  PROVINGS.
hasten the premature labor, with.nearly all my time necessarily
occupied with the case above related, no one will marvel at my
extreme anxiety and perplexity. On reflection, as all other known
means had, on the. former occasions, proved so fruitless, I resolved
to try the effect of Gelseminum. It might, by its great sedative
power, subdue the spasms; it might allay and put a stop to the
premature labor pains. If it failed of accomplishing these objects,
it might relax the rigidity of the os uteri, and thus facilitate the
labor. She was not of a nervous, but a bilious temperament. I
gave five drops of the tincture, directing it to be repeated after
each spasm, or, if no spasm occurred, every hour unless the pains
were abated, or she experienced some of the characteristic
symptoms of the drug. After three doses I saw her. No more
spasms had occurred.' The pains were unchanged. Directed one
drop every two hours. Six hours after, the pains were nearly the
same, but a very palpable change was effected in the state of the
os uteri, which was now soft, relaxed, and sufficiently dilated to
admit the finger easily. I had no doubt the labor would now go
on, and fromn the much more rapid relaxation of the os uteri than
on former occasions, would be much less tedious. I left to call
again in six or eight hours, or to be notified if needed sooner. At
my next visit the pains were much less frequent and much lighter.
No symptoms from the drug. Continued one drop every four
hours. On the following day, the pains had altogether ceased and
the patient was feeling entirely comfortable. Three days since she
was in her usual good health and attending to her usual duties.
She was safely delivered at the proper time, and after an easy labor.
Others can draw their own inferences from this case, and I will
not comment upon it, except to say, it is obvious that Gelseminum
accomplished in it what every hitherto known means had entirely
failed to effect, on two precisely similar occasions, with the same
patient.,
Case reported by Dr.:. A. Williams: —Mrs. S --—, a large
woman of plethoric habit, about twenty-eight years of age, in her
sixth month of pregnancy, was taken, April 25th, 1864, with flowing.,It not being very severe, the patient, from  some cause,
allowed it to continue to the 28th, when, thinking she was about to
be confined, sent for me. (I attended -her through a case of the
same kind the year previous.)  On calling I found the above history, with the following condition: considerable flowing, but no
pain.:On examination, I found the os slightly dilated, and at once
proceeded with the usual remedies, to check the hemorrhage, but
with no success, and the discharge continued until the eve of the
29th, when the waters were expelled. Immediately previous to
the last act, she had had two or three quite severe pains. On
examination I found the: os uteri rigid, with the orifice about the
size of a three cent piece. As she was free from pain I put her on
Caul., two grain doses every two hours. I continued this until the
30th, 11 A. M., when, on examination, I found no change. The
patient had been comfortable, with the exception of slight nausea;
I then gave her Caul., first dec. trit., three grain doses every two




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                  209
hours, until the eve of the same day. Still no change. I then gave
her Gelseminum fid. ext., two, drop doses, every hour. The following morning, May 1st, I called again. She had rested well, had
flowed but very little, and concluded she was no better. I made
an examination and found the os fully dilated, and the head of the
fwetustpartly expelled. I very soon delivered her, and cut the cord;
the child lived nearly an hour. The placenta was retained, and
about ten minutes after the child was expelled, the os had contracted, and was rigid as before. I again gave her Caul., in its
various potencies, with no success. I then gave Ergot, but got no
effect except nausea. This occupied the time from May 1st, until
the 3d, Friday, the os still rigid. I gave Gelsem. as before, and
with the happiest results, as in a few hours the os uteri was fully
dilated, and the placenta expelled. Mark, that during the whole
course of this case there were no pains, except the few before the
liquor amnii was discharged. The patient progressed finely, and in
a few days was convalescent. The discharge was quite light after
confinement, and of a pale color.
In the treatment of the form of puerperal convulsions depending on Uraemia, I should place much reliance on the remedial
powers of Gelseminum. It will be found of much service in moderating the violence of the fits,'as well as to run off by its diuretic
effects, some of the urea and carbonate of ammonia upon which the
primary morbid condition depends. Of the use of Gelseminum in
rigid os uteri, Dr. King says: " It has within the last few years,
been recommended to overcome this difficulty, and I have administered it in a considerable number of cases with benefit. It possesses an advantage over Lobelia in not causing nausea and vomiting, but as a general rule its influence is not so readily experienced
as with that drug, and when once effected is of a more permanent
character."?' (Do not give so much then, Doctor.) Prof. Cleveland,
Dr. L. E. Miller, and many other writers eminent in the Eclectic
and Allopathic schools speak very highly of the use of Gelseminum
in difficult labor, from rigidity of the os or vagina. They consider
it much more efficient, and its administration attended with less
suffering and danger than Chlorof., Bellad., Lobelia or artificial
dilatation. I think that Gelseminum, in rigidity of the os uteri, is
superior to any remedy usually recommended in our school. It
may be applied locally to the os, in the form of the glycerole of
Gelseminum; one or two drams should be rubbed into the rigid os,
with the finger. Croserio advises the administration of a few
pellets of the 30th [!] of Belladonna. Jahr says, "If the neck
should remain closed, and a hard rim should be felt all around the
orifice, three globules of Belladonna dry upon the tongue will
bring about the regular evolution of the progress of labor,s or "if
the dilatation of the vagina proceed too slowly, or be too painful, a
few doses of Coff., Sec., Puls., or Nux vom., will remedy this
trouble."  This latter prescription is much more scientific than the
former for Coff., See. Puls., and Nux vom. undoubtedly cause
rigidity of the vagina and os uteri, as a primary effect. But there
i unot  particle of proof that Bellad. does. On the contrary, the
27




210        NEW  HOMCEOPATIIC PROVINGS.
well-known and invariable primary effect of Belladonna is to cause
paralysis or relaxation of all the sphincter muscles. Gelseminum
has many points of resemblance to Belladonna, but none more similar than its effects on the sphincter and circular muscles, all of
which are primarily relaxed, and even paralyzed. It dilates the
pupil, paralyzes the glottis, relaxes the sphincter of the bladder and
rectum, and those muscles of the os uteri and vagina, upon which
their contractile power depends. While, then, it has a similar
action to the Belladonna, it can be used with greater safety, for its
effects are generally transient, and may be controlled, if excessive,
by such a general remedy as common salt; or specific, such as
Secale or Caulophyllum. The large doses of Gelseminum advised
by Eclectics, are not necessary. From  two to five drops of the
tincture, or even first dilution, if good, will, in most cases, be fbund
sufficient. There is one other argument for the use of Gelseminum in some difficult labors, which, if made reliable by the test of
observation and experience, will bring the medicine into deservedly
high repute. I allude to the statement made by several prominent
writers, but particularly by Coe, whom I quote, as follows: "Some
division of opinion exists in relation to the true action of this
remedy upon the uterus. We have had considerable experience in
the treatment of female disorders, and have used the preparations
of Gelseminum  quite extensively.: For five years past we have
employed it as a parturifacient, and with better satisfaction than
any other remedy. We use it for the purpose of relieving cramps,
or other spasmodic difficulties, vertigo, nervous irritability, wakefulness and other symptoms accompanying gestation. It seems to
prepare the system for the parturient effort, and labor is completed in an unusually short period of time. When administered
in small doses, it gently stimulates uterine contraction, but when
given in large doses it will arrest the progress of labor with much.certainty." The same writer seeks to account for this and other
peculiarities of its action as follows: "Gelseminum is one of those
medicines which are peculiarly governed in their action, by the
quantity administered. Thus, in small doses it acts as a gentle stimulant and tonic to the nervous system, giving vigor and harmony
of action; while in large doses it proves a powerful relaxant,
completely prostrating the muscular system, and by over stimulating the brain and nerves, produces irregular and disturbed nervous
action." This sentence undoubtedly embodies the real sphere of
action of this wonderful remedy, as well as the true rationale of its
curative powers in disease. The explanation is worthy the staunchest disciple of Hahnemann, for it indicates as strongly as words
can, that it cures according to the law of Similia, i. e., it cures in
small doses, that which it causes in large.
Air Passages.-Paroxysms of hoarseness, with dryness of the
throat; voice seems weak; sneezing followed by tingling and fulness
in the nose; sneezing with dull headache; tingling in nose; paralysis of the glottis, with difficulty of swallowing; ineffectual efforts to
articulate; voice thick, as if the tongue was too large; cough fiom
tickling and dry roughness of the fauces; burning in the larynx and




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                  211'
down in the chest, under the sternum; a sensation of soreness in
the chest when coughing.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Dr. Douglas considers it almost a specific
for ordinary catarrhal fever, with the usual symptoms of sneezing,
watery coryza, soreness of the throat, and cough, with rawness in
the chest. During the winter of 1860-61 I treated a great many
cases of severe influenza, then epidemic, in which the symptoms
much resembled the above, only more intense, often nearly
approaching to acute bronchitis. Gelseminum was the principal
remedy relied upon. It seemed to act very favorably in cutting
short, or modifying the disease. Only a few cases needed Phos.
or Mercur. iod. in alternation. In Acute Bronchitis it will doubtless be found as useful as Aconite or Tart. emet. In Aphonia frori
catarrhal paralysis it is fully indicated, in small doses. (See case
reported under head of " Throat.")
Thoracic Organs.-Stitching sensations in the region of the heart;
constrictive pain around the lower part of the chest; short paroxysmal pain in the superior part of the right lung, on taking a long
breath with stitches from above downwards. The pain in the lungs is
one of the most prominent symptoms. Periodical pains in the pectoral muscles; offensive breath; slow breathing and slow pulse,
(primary), followed by rapid breathing, and quick, weak pulse
(secondary). Sudden sensation of suffocation, as in hysteria; respiration almost imperceptible; sighing respiration. (In men) Breathing unnaturally slow; heavy and labored respirations; inspirations,
were of a sighing, catching character; slow breathing with rapid
pulse (primary). Respiration hurried and seemingly painful; inspirations; long with croupy sound; expirations sudden and forcible.
Pathology.-The following pathological appearances have been
observed by Dr. Miller and myself, in animals poisoned by Gelseminum: Active hyperaemia of the lungs; lungs highly congested;
heavy, sinking in water, but evidently not inflamed; lungs bluish
at the base, crepitating but little, and filled with venous blood.
CLINICAL REMrARKS.-But few painful symptoms of the chest
have been observed by the provers of Gelseminum. This I presume
can be accounted for on the supposition which the pathological
appearances seem to uphold, that it does not cause inflammation, or any disturbance of the nerves of sensation of the thoracic
organs. In this resuect it ranks with Aconite and Veratrum viride.
It undoubtedly first attacks the nerves which control the respiratory movements, acting primarily as a sedative, causing more or
less paralysis; and secondarily, irritating the same respiratory nerves
into irregular and spasmodic action, with concomitant hyperaemia.
The venous congestion, I imagine to be the resnlt of an inability of
the veins to return the blood to the heart, from paralysis. The
secondary symptoms shown by the dogs, were evidently of a spasmodic character, as regards the respiratory efforts, while the
primary respiratory symptoms, were as evidently the result of a
sedative influence on the nerves.
The therapeutic sphere of Gelseminum in thoracic affections
may be briefly summed up: It is primarily indicated in paralysis




212    NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
or debility of the lungs,. of a nervous origin; and in passive congestion; it is secondarily indicated in all affections of the lungs and
pleura., which are marked by erethism, or vascular irritation; or
when congestion is to be feared, or is already present; also in all
spasmodic affections of the lungs and diaphragm, such as convulsive
hiccough, certain forms of asthma, spasms of the air passages,
convulsive coughs, etc. In real Pneumonia and Pleurisy, it is not
truly homaeopathic, but may be used with benefit.  Dr. J. S.
Douglas, says: "A word in regard to the homceopathicity of Gelseminum in inflammations, as pneumonia, etc., etc. In all inflammatory diseases, there is a forming or congestive stage, characterized by chilliness, depressed pulse, etc. According to my view, to
this stage, and this only, is Gelseminum homieopathic,  When this
stage is passed, and congestion gives place to inflammation, the
indication for Gelseminum ceases, and that for Aconite begins.
This is the clear distinction which I make between these two valuable drugs. I do not, however, mean to exclude Aconite from the
congestive stage of inflammatory diseases, but I believe Gelseminum still more strongly indicated."
The remarks of Dr. Marcy, relative to the action of Aconite
on the lungs, are perfectly applicable, it appears to me, to Gelseminum:-'"It is highly probable, as I have already observed, that many
of the pulmonary symptoms, produced by Aconite, are due to its
specific action upon the brain, rather than any direct impressions on
the lungs. Normal respiration and circulation can only be sustained
by an unimpaired condition of the brain. Even when the impression upon this organ is slight, we observe an immediate change in
the action of the heart and lungs. The inhalation of Chlorofobrm
or Ether, for example, which exercises a specific influence upon the
brain, causes an almost immediate acceleration of respiration and
circulation-the pulse often rising to 140, and the respirations to
26 or more, in the minute.."
I have called attention already to the similarity of Gelseminum
to Chloroform. It is probable that as soon as the Gelseminum
produces a decided impression upon the brain, the symptoms of
pulmonary sedation cease, because counteracted by the cerebral
influences, and we have acceleration of the respiration and circulation. Let it be borne in mind too, that in some spinal diseases,
various spasmodic affections of the lungs set in. The influence of
Gelseminum on the spinal cord may induce similar symptoms. Dr.
Douglas, says: "In the first stage of the disease (Pneumonia) as in
most other inflammatory diseases, Gelseminum is capable of breaking
up the- disease in the first twenty-four hours, by producing free
perspiration. Repeat it as occasion requires till the fever and pain
abate. Gelseminum is more prompt and effectual than Aconite and
]Bryonia if given at an early stage."
Back and Neck. —Dull, aching pain in back, particularly in lumbar and sacral region; pains in the neck, which confine themselves
to the upper part of the sterno-cleido mastoid muscles directly back
of the parotid glands; dull pain under scapula of left side; pain in
the back as in the cold stage of ague, (in many cases); chilliness




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                  213
and chills running up the back from the loins to the nape of the
neck; rheumatic pains in the left side of the neck; contractive sensations in the right side of the neck; a settled, dull, dragging headache, mainly in the occiput, mastoid and upper cervical region,
extending to the shoulders, relieved when sitting, and by reclining
the head and shoulders on a high pillow; aching in the left anterior
part of the trapezius muscle; aching in the sacro iliac and lumbar
regions, and the lower part of the left thigh, as when a fever is
commencing.
CLINICAL REMARKS, —NO remedy so certainly causes 3Myalgia
by its seconadary action, than Gelseminum, and no remedy is more
certain to relieve such pains, temporarily, at least. (See Dr. Moore's
case on page 180). It is most useful in the acute variety; when
chronic, myalgia mustbe treated by China, Nux, Helonias, etc. (See
Inman's treatise on myalgia.) It is homceopathic and curative, as I
have often verified, in many of those aches and pains in the back,
shoulders, neck, and occiput, which so often precede or follow
attacks of ague or nervous fevers; also when these or similar pains are
of a neuralgic nature, arising from some form of spinal irritation;
or come on as the result of a cold, having somewhat of a rheumatic
character.  It will doubtless prove to be homaeopathic to many of
those anomalous cases of spinal irritation, or chronic myelitis, which
resist the usual remedies. In paralytic conditions of the lumbar
or sacral muscles, it is especially indicated.
Upper Extremities.-Deep seated, dull aching pains in upper
and lower extremities, and joints generally; severe pain in both
upper extremities; seemed to be deep-seated in muscles; the pains
were most in left arm and fore-arm; severe aching pain in left
elbow; rheumatic pain in extremities; sharp shooting in last
phalangial joint of right thumb; dull pains in muscles of right
arm and shoulder, and some of the time in the left arm; sharp pain
in right wrist; weakness and numbness of both arms; coldness of
the wrists and hands; itching about the elbows and fore arms;
some heat and dryness of the hands; the palms feel hot and dry;
drawing-ache about the left elbow.  From  large doses the arms
become powerless, with loss of voluntary motion; sensation remains
intact.
In dogs, poisoned with Gelseminum, the fore legs were not paralyzed until some time after the hinder limbs. In attempting to
walk-dragging the posterior extremities-the fore legs tottered as
if weak, and finally gave way; then clonic contractions seized them.
It would seem to be homceopathic to paralysis of the arms, with
loss of motion, but not sensation (the reverse is true of Aconite),
also when the paralyzed arms are affected with cramps arid contractions. It may be found useful in some forms of rheumatism of the
arms, induced by a cold, and not inflammatory, attended with loss
of motion.
Lower Extremities. —Dull pain in the left thigh; dull pain in left
humeral region, also in lower extremities-these are deep-seated
in the muscles; rheumatic pains in bones and joints of extremities,
and in the back; deep-seated aching pains in muscles of extremities,




214       NEW  HIOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
relieved by motion; severe pain in calves of both legs; paroxysmal
pain in the left lower extremity; shooting pain in calf of right leg;
violent shooting pain in the leg, which comes on in paroxysms;
every one is more violent; the pain is half way between the knee
and ankle; pain in hip of left side, confining itself tothe joint; it at
times extends to the outside of the thigh; the pain is of a drawing,
sharp character, and much worse on motion; pain in little finger
and the one next to it; pains in left foot and ankle, with spasmodic
contraction and drawing pains in the toes; excessive drawing,
contracting, and crampy pains in the lower limbs, extending from
the thighs to the toes-the pains seem to proceed from the bones
as well as the muscles; excessive crampy pains in the whole right
foot; during and after a walk, the symptoms are much aggravated;
it seems as if the limbs could not be made to move another step;
when the pains are felt above the knee, they are not felt below, and
vice versa; excessive drawing and contracting pains in the gastrocnemius muscle of the left leg; the other pains in the limbs all abate
while sitting; this does not; no position seems to relieve it; drawing
and aching pains, which seem to come from bones; heaviness and
feeling of weight in the limbs; coldness of the extremities, especially the feet, often severe; feet feel as if in cold water, aguish
feeling, with pain in the legs; pain in popliteal spaces; aching in the
left rectus femoris muscle, and drawing in the right calf; transient
crampy pain in the inner part of the thigh when walking: rheumatic
pain in the right knee, and left side of the neck-the latter when
lying down; the former when walking; while walking, a feeling
in the knee joint as if the relation of the bones were deranged, and
did not fit, as in partial luxation; pains in the left thigh and knee;
sudden catch or twist in the inside of the patella. Paralytic
symptoms made themselves manifest throughout the entire muscular system-first experienced in the knee, and then in the inferior
tibial region, increased unto falling. Loss of voluntary motion in
the lower extremities; fatigue of the lower limbs after slight
exercise; soreness in the gastrocnemii muscles as if they had
been beaten. The paralysis caused by Gelseminum is first manifested in the lower limbs, which become weak and then powerless,
but with no loss of sensation, at least not until the near approach of
death.
It seems to be homceopathic to rheumatic (myalgic) pains in
the legs, accompanied by crampy sensations and weakness of the
knees.-(See case reported under heading "Throat.")
Skin. —The Gelseminum  produces a very marked eruption in
most of the cases. It appears on the face most frequently, but
sometimes also upon the back, and between the shoulders. It is
papulous, very much the color of measles, which it closely resembles,
but the papula are more distant and distinct. Though very conspicuous, they are attended with little or no sensation-the patient
being unaware of any eruption until he happens to see himself.
Persons have frequently been asked what was the matter, or if
they had the measles, when they were not aware of the eruption.
It generally appears the second or third day of the proving, and




GELSEMINUM   SEMPERVIRENS.                    215
continues one or two weeks more. An eruption of vesico-pustules
-painless, but having no other analogy with measles —appeared,
during proving, on the inside of the thighs.
Intense but transient itching of small points on the face, at the
edge of the hair, and on the scalp; pimple, quite sore, having the
areola embracing the diameter of a pea, red and inflamed (such an
eruption not experienced at any other time). The pimples appeared
on the forehead and neck, sore to the touch, and seemed like a small
cutaneous induration, or minute furunculi. They finally disappeared
without suppuration.  During its use in yellow fever a constant
erythemna of the skin was noticed, and a redness of the tongue;
neither appearing during the administration of Veratrum viride.
CLINICAL REMAIRKIS. —Its action on the skin is at once specific
and peculiar taking into consideration its catarrhal symptoms, we
may consider it indicated in measles, as well as some other painless
non-suppurating eruptions. Its use in erysipelas and exanthematous
fever, has already been alluded to. Dr. Coe writes: "bWe have
found the tincture an excellent remedy for poisoning by the Rhus
toxicodendron, and Rhus radicans. Dilute the tincture with from
four to eight parts of water, and apply as directed for erysipelas,
keeping the parts constantly moistened with it. If there be any
febrile excitement present, administer the tincture internally at the
same time. *  *  *  We have experienced the value of this remedy in our own person, and can recommend it as reliable. Other
practitioners have used it with success. *  *  Many forms of skin
diseases [what?] may be benefited and cured by the internal and
external application of the tincture."
Sleep.-Very restless; during the night was very restless with
unpleasant dreams after midnight; but little inclination to sleep;
when it does come on, dreams much of business, etc.; disposition
to sleep; a sort of stupor; cannot keep the eyes open; is obliged
to lie down and sleep. Drowsiness and long sound sleep are very
general symptoms. Drowsiness with dimness of vision; kind of
drunken stupor; heaviness of the eyes as after night watching; at
first it seemed to cause drowsiness;' afterwards aggravated the
habitual sleeplessness; unusually sound morning sleep, with difficult, weary waking (after taking twenty-five drops the day and evening previous); languor and drowsiness when trying to study; slept
an hour in the afternoon, and on being roused felt unwilling at first
to move; eyes transiently bloodshot. It cannot be considered a
narcotic, ranking with opsium. Still it has some narcotic traits, in
common with Aconite, Chloroform, Alcohol, or Hyoscyamus. Unless taken in large quantities, it rarely induces sleep by its direct
effects, but it may give sleep by removing nervous erethism. It
more resembles the so-called nervines, uScutellaria, Gypripedium, etc.
We have the following opinions of writers of other schools:
Professor Tully considered it a narcotic, and places it in a group
with Spigelia. " It must be borne in mind that Gelseminum is narcotic. Some division of opinion exists as to whether the Gelseminumn has a narcotic property. We should think that a very slight
experience would be sufficient to decide this question. When the




216       NEW  HlOMEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
patient is brought fully under its constitutional influence, the symptoms are so marked that we cannot conceive how the remedy should
be deemed otherwise. On attempting to move about, the patient
appears as if intoxicated; the muscles refuse to obey the mandates
of the will, while the head is dizzy and the senses confused. In
some respects the symptoms much resemble those produced by Stramonium, and in like manner pass off as soon as the remedy is discontinued; at other times the patient appears as if under the influence of Alcohol, and evinces a decided disinclination to motion, and
tendency to sleep, from which he awakes invigorated and refreshed."
(Dr. Coe.) "Whether it is a narcotic, is not yet satisfactorily established." (Dr. King.)
CLINICAL REMARKS. — In those comatose states caused by
cerebral congestions, we shall find it a valuable remedy. I have
called attention to its usefulness in the stupor attending the fevers
of children. [Infantile remittents.] It will be equally useful in
the stupor of typhus cerebralis, or any form of typhoid, when
coma is a prominent symptom, and the other symptoms correspond. It may also be beneficial in the low delirium of typhoid
fever. When used for the above, the low dilutions are advised. In
that peculiar stupor, or drowsiness, felt by students and persons of
sedentary habits, especially in hot weather, and not caused by
hepatic torpor, this remedy in small doses, continued for many days,
is as capable of affording relief as any drug I have ever used.
When depending on hepatic derangements, it is removed by
Podoph., Lept., or Nux Vomica. In Delirium trem'ens, or morbid
wakefulness of drunkards, large doses (five or ten drops) of the
tincture repeated as often as necessary, will be found as useful as
opium, in some cases, and more efficent in others. No remedy so
happily controls the sleeplessness and agitation of teething children,
students, persons laboring under mental excitement, or hysteric
females. The first dilution will usually suffice.
CASE.-Reported by Dr. Lodge. A commercial traveler asked for
advice under the following circumstances: —He said that he was engaged during the day taking orders, settling accounts, etc., nerves
on the stretch all the time; that at night he would go to bed with a
feeling of exhaustion, and great desire for sleep but without obtaining any rest; the transactions of the day would be turned over in
his mind again and again-repose coveted but not gained. I gave
him a drachm vial of tincture of Gelseminum, with directions to take
three or four drops in water when retiring. The prescription was
successful. A few months afterwards he reported that it was only
necessary to resort to the Gelseminum occasionally, but that
when he did use it, it calmed his nervous system, produced slight
prespiration and quiet refreshing sleep. In sleeplessness, from
nervous irritation, it is invaluable.
General Sympntoms.-Weakness and trembling through the entire
system; listless and languid; great lassitude; feeling of lightness
in the body; fear of falling; easily fatigued; general feeling of
illness as in fever, so prostrated that he can neither move hand or




GOSSIPIUM   HERBACEUM.'                   217
foot; no power over any muscle; strange, indescribable feeling
through the entire system.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The only symptom in the above which we
need to notice in this place is the one in italics. It very frequently
appears in persons suffering from spinal exhaustion, particularly
when caused by onanisn. This fact I have observed in several
cases. A very few other remedies in our Materia Medica have this
symptom. (Ambra-grisea.)
G O SSIPIUM  ERBACEUM.
(Cotton Plant.)
The Cotton plant is a native of Asia, but is extensively cultivated
in this country.
No proving of the Cotton root has been made, and its medicinal
effects are so uncertain and unreliable that it will be mentioned
merely to call the attention of the profession to the agent, and
stimulate some one to institute provings on the healthy, in order
that we may have some reliable data for its use.
Dr. Bouchelle, of New Orleans, I believe, was the first to call
attention to its powers as a uterine motor-stimulant. He published
his observations in Southern medical journals, and other physicians
substantiated his statements. Ie says: —"The inner bark of the cotton
root has a special affinity for the sexual organs, modifying their
functions in a remarkable manner; it not only possesses oxytocic
properties, invigorating feeble contractions of the uterine fibres,
but it originates expulsive contraction at any period of gestation,
and will induce immediate abortion when taken in the proper quantity, and without any detriment to the health of the female."  IIe
asserted that it is " habitually resorted to by slaves in the South as
an ec6olic, forthe criminal purpose of inducing abortion, a fact which
I have had named to me a number of times by Southern practitioners."  Dr. B. infers, from its influence on women, that the use
of it destroys the generative capacity, rendering the person sterile,
without impairing the health. Dr. King, in his Eclectic Obstetrics,
quotes the above, and says: "Should this eventually prove to be
the case, this agent will become a most important article of our
Materia Medica, a boon to physicians, and likewise to females with
deformed pelves."  It is used in strong decoction-four ounces of
fresh bark to one quart of water, boiled down to a pint-dose, two
fluid ounces every twenty-five or thirty minutes. He adds:-" A
tincture of the bark in spirit of nitric ether, and administered in
doses of from thirty to sixty drops, several times a day, has produced
the most decided and prompt relief in nAmenorrhca owing to a
torpid condition of the uterus, or a mere derangement of its fuunc28




218       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
tions, not connected with disease of other parts. It has likewise
proved efficacious in cases of recent dysmenorrhcea. I have successfully used it in a few cases of uterine hemorrhage, in combination with ergot and cinnamon."  How mercilessly would Hahnemann have criticized this last statement! How can a sensible physician write such a sentence?  Which was the efficient agent?
Which had any power over the hemorrhage? Yet, of such loose
statements is the ordinary Materia Medica of the opposite schools
made up!
Drs. Jones and Scudder place the Cotton root among the Emmenagogues, but at the same time assert that it is "not Abortiva
or Parturient in the slightest degree." They say, "It may be emmenagogue; at least, in some cases in our practice, the warm infusion,
drank freely, with other auxiliary measures, has reproduced the
menstrual discharge. It is hard to determine, however, in such
cases, how much to attribute to the agent, as any warm fluid, taken
freely, with the use of the warm foot and hip bath, will sometimes
be sufficient to reproduce the discharge.."
Coe's statements are all loose, and are of no reliable character.
He recommends it for all sorts of uterine diseases. (His employers,
Keith & Co., manufacture the Gossipin, and wish it lauded in the
highest terms.) I commenced experimenting with the Gossipium,
about eight years ago; I have given it in small and large doses, to
the' healthy and the diseased, and have yet to see the first symptom,
of pathogenetic or curative action arise from  its ruse. I have
ordered it in strong decoction in Amenorrhcea, and also in the third
dilution of the tincture; I have prescribed the Gossipitum in massive
and minute doses, in dysmenorrhcea, uterine hemorrhage, etc., but
never noticed the slightest effect; nor have I ever seen anything
which would lead me to suspect it was an abortivaut or parturient.
Dr. Holcombe, of New Orleans, and other Southern physicians,
inform me that they have no confidence in its alleged virtues. On
the contrary, we have the testimony of many Eclectic and Homceopathic physicians, that the Cotton root is a remedy which really
does exert an influence over the generative organs of women, and
has been found useful in uterine pains, cramps, hemorrhages, atony,
amenorrhcea, and as an efficient agent in difficult labor pains.
"Mr. Shaw, of Tennessee, writing to the Nashville Journal,
says:'I consider this root one of the' very best emmenagogues of
the materia? medica, and I think it should be so classed. My reasons
for considering it such, are grounded upon the different experiments which I have made with it, within the last twelve months.
I sometimes use a decoction, and; at others an infusion, but most
generally a decoction, prepared thus: Cotton root, four ounces;
water, two pounds. Boil down to one pint. S.-A wine glass full
every hour. This produces the most salutary effect in dysmenorrhcea; it acts as an anodyne in allaying the pain, and as an emmenagogue in aiding or augmenting menstruation; its action is very
speedy; after its exhibition, in this case, it produces an effect which,
indeed, appears almost natural, that is, almost without pain; the
patient, after its exhibition, feels but little inconvenience from pain,




GOSSIPIUM   H:ERBACEUM.                  219
which soon subsides, and menstruation is immediately augmented,
without acceleration of the pulse or gastric uneasiness. There are
few other emmenagogues that can claim this feature.
"'Its action in amenorrhiea I think superior to any other emmenagogue belonging to the materia -medica, though it would be proper
to pay some attention to the general health of the patient before
exhibition. It is superior to anything that I have tried in the
way of emmenagogues. I have had cases in which I first tried
the usual emmenagogues, with but little effect, or success, when
I would determine on trying the decoction of this root, which
would far surpass my expectations, by acting with the most marked
effect; menstruation being produced on the following day after
its exhibition. All of the symptoms disappeared on exhibition
of this medicine. I believe this to be the best emmenagogue that
we can employ in mere suppressio mensium, where there is no other
disturbance in the general health.
"'With the usual emmenagogues, I was unable to produce the
catamenia on a young lady, which continued for about twentyfour hours, then suddenly became very sparce and painful; and
in a few days after this period had passed, I employed the infusion of the cotton root as a means of exciting this function, which
it did on the following day, a plentiful discharge being produced,
which continued for five or six days. She has been regular at
every period since that time, and has enjoyed good health with
the exception of a few simple attacks, which caused no derangement of the menstrual function. For about twelve months previous to the exhibition of this medicine, her health was very much
impaired, but she commenced improving, and soon recovered her
health. I could detail other cases similar, in which I have tried
the decoction with the same effect, but I deem it unnecessary to
mention its action in each individual case.
C"'  As a parturient agent, I think it superior to ergot in one sense
of the word, and in another about its equal, its action being about
as prompt as that of ergot, and attended with much less danger.
I have tried both in parturition, and found the cotton root decoction to act with fully as much efficacy as ergot. In some cases in
which I have tried it, the pain was to some extent allayed, and
labor promoted with as much speed as when ergot was administered.
It appears to be perfectly harmless, from the fact that its action is
almost unattended with pain. It causes neither gastric distress, or
acceleration of the pulse —if it does,"it is not perceptible-both of
which are occasioned by ergot to some extent.
"'I have witnessed its action in retained placenta with good effect,
which was an expulsion of the mass in about twenty minutes after
the exhibition of the first dose. It may be proper to say, that I
gave two doses before the placenta was thrown off. I believe it to
be safer as a parturient agent, or an emmenagogue, or at least as
safe, as any other article of the materia medica.
"'It should have a fair and impartial trial by the profession generally, because it will prove itself worthy of the time and labor
spent in its investigation. It is handy to all, and free of expense.




220        NEW  IOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
A few trials by the profession will confirm the truth of this short
essay. Give it a trial, and it will prove itself in some cases of amenorrheea, dysmenorrhbea, or probably in some lingering case of
labor, which may require the assistance of medicine, to produce
contraction of the uterus for the expulsion of the child. I think it
worthy of the attention of the profession, in the above cases.
"' Tincture of Cotton Root as a Tonic.-There is a condition of
the system in which this tincture acts as a valuable restorative.
These cases are of a leuoco-phlegmatic temperament of both sexes,
but it is to the female sex that I wish to draw the attention of
the reader. Where there is general bad health, accompanied with
tardy menstruation, I have used it with the happiest effect; in a
few cases of emansio mensium, caused by anemia, where the
patient was troubled with pains in the loins and giddiness of the
head, with;a derangement of the digestive organs, such as anorexia,
accompanied with an uneasy, depressed feeling at the scrobiculus
cordis, every month, which was promptly relieved by the tincture,
but not with the effect of producing the menstrual flux, which was
afterwards produced by the decoction, I find it necessary to continue
the tincture from two to four weeks. The strength of the tincture
that I have been in the habit of using, is prepared thus:-Bark of
the root (dry), eight ounces; diluted alcohol, two pounds; digest
fourteen days, then filter and give it in one drachm doses, three or
four times a day. The tincture which I used was prepared by
myself; and as I have seen no account of its use, I claim the first
preparation of it, as well as the first experiment with it. My
brother, Dr. H. J. Shaw, has since tried it, with the same good
effect; in fact, his experience coincides with mine throughout.'
",L'The cotton seed has acquired considerable reputation as an
anti-periodic in cases of intermittent fever, the use of which originated with a planter in South Carolina, who says: —I have never
failed to cure a patient, with a single dose of it, even where large
doses of quinine have failed.'
" It is, however, in the peculiar active properties, of the root, that
the profession will be chiefly interested. The, oftentimes, great
danger in administering ergot, prevents its use, even when its
specific effects seem to be called for. If these specific effects can
be obtained by the use of the cotton root, and this too, without
the liability of injury to the general system (and these have been
attributed to it), the profession would do well to give it a
thorough and extensive trial."-(Tilden's Journal).
I here leave the consideration of this plant for the investigation
of my colleagues.




HAMAMELIS,' VIRGINICA.                  221
HAMAMELIS- VIRGINICA.
(iPitch ITazel.)
This is an indigenous shrub, sometimes called Winter-bloom,
Snapping-chazlenut, Spotted Alder, etc.  It consists of several
crooked, branching trunks, from  the same root, from  two to six
inches in diameter, ten or twelve feet in height, and covered with a
smooth, gray, and spotted bark. It is a much larger shrub than the
-edible hazle-nut, which has a straight trunk, not spotted, but
brownish. The IHamamelis vir., grows in almost all sections of the
United States, especially in damp woods, flowering from September
to November, when the leaves are falling, and maturing the seeds
the next summer. The bark and leaves are the parts used in medicine; they have a pleasant, aromatic odor, and a bitter, astringent
taste, leaving a sense of pungency and sweetness in the mouth.
Water extracts their virtues. The shoots are used as " divining
rods" to discover water and metals under ground, by certain adepts
in the occult arts. They have been used, also, by certain superstitious
quacks, for the cure of old ulcers, etc., by rubbing them on the
diseased surface. Strange as it may seem, cures are alleged to have
been made in this manner. There has always been a large amount
of superstition connected with this shrub. The popular preparation
known as " Pond's Extract of Hamamelis," is made from the leaves
and twigs, by a process of distillation. It is used by all the schools
of medicine as an anodyne application. It cannot be expected,
however, that it will relieve or benefit all the diseases mentioned on
the extensive labels of the manufacturer, and the physician who
pins his faith thereupon will be disappointed. This remedy, like all
others, has its limited sphere of usefulness.
General Application.-Allopathic authors deem it hardly worthy
of mention. WVood barely notices it in his Dispensatory, as a mild
astringent, and discutient. Eclectics make more mention. King
says it is tonic, astringent, and sedative; useful in haemoptysis,
hmematemesis, and other haemorrhages; also diarrhiea, dysentery,
and excessive mucus discharges: —"It has been employed with
advantage in incipient phthisis, in which it is supposed to unite
anodyne influences with its others; used as an application to painful
tumors, and external inflammations; also, as a wash for sore mouth;
an injection in bowel complaints, prolapsus ani and uteri, leucorrhcea, gleet, piles, and ophthalmia." These authors say that the
decoction may be taken internally, in any quantity, and applied externally of any strength. N-o fears are entertained that it will
prove injurious. The Hamamelis has been used in homoeopathio
practice for twelve or fifteen years. Several physicians claim the
honor of introducing it to the profession, among whom are Hering,
Okie, and Preston. I believe Dr. Okie was the first to write concerning the medicine, although he says Dr. Hering was the first to
call his attention to the remedy. Dr. Hering, it seems, became
acquainted with its virtues while attending Mr. Pond, the proprietor of the Extract, who informed him what it was. Dr. Okie says:




222       NEW, HOM(EOPATHIC  PRO VINGS.
" Hering proceeded at once, by scientific trials, to discover for himself whether the remedy did, or did not, possess any or all of the
virtues attributed to it by its proprietor."  Hering informed Dr.
CGushing that he had used Pond's Extract in "chronic effects from
mechanical injuries," painful and bleeding  hemorrhoids, and
c" severe pleuritic stitches supervening on tuberculous phthisis." He
considers it a " union of Aconite and Arnica."  It is a little strange
that no regular proving has been made. If Dr. Hering has made
any proving the profession has never seen it. Dr. Preston made a
fragmentary proving, which was published in the Philad. Jour. of
Horn., vol. 1., page 460. We shall have to make use of that, and
the pathogenetic and clinical notes scattered through the various
journals.
Vascular System — Arterial System.-Hamamelis does not seem
to affect the heart and arteries directly. It does not appear to control arterial inflammation, or congestion, or hemorrhage; but,
according to all observers, its sphere of action is especially upon the
Venous System.  Of the few pathogenetic symptoms we have,
not many point unmistakably to an affection of this system. But
we have abundant clinical experience to prove that this remedy is
one of the most prominent we possess for inflammation of veins,
venous congestion, hemorrhage, etc. In Dr.Preston's proving will
be found the pathogenetic symptoms in full, such as " crowding
fulness of blood in the head and neck; sense of suffocation, etc.;
also "uterine hemorrhage," "Epistaxis."
CLINICAL REATIARKS.-AS early as 1851, Dr. Preston writes:
"It has been used by many physicians in Rhode Island, in cases of
venous congestion, and haemorrhage, with great success.":' "Ex uso
in morbis," I have made many trials of the efficacy of Hamamelis.
Have given it successfully in a number of cases of Epistaxis, some
of which were of an alarming character, and the cure has been
prompt and effectual. One case of active uterine hemorrhage, caused
by a fall, was promptly relieved by it, but, its particular sphere
seems to be in passive hbemorrhages and venous congestions. I
have cured many cases of passive uterine hmemorrhages with it, and
have given it with success in a few cases of pulmonary haemorrhage.
But the crowning point of its virtue rests in its peculiar, prompt
action in cases of phlegmasia alba dolens, and in varicose veins. In
old cases of varicosis I have never seen its equal, and have cured
many cases of varicose veins of the leg and foot, which have resisted
all other treatment for years."  Dr. Preston states that Dr. Henry,
then of Selma, Alabama, was the first to recommend the Hamamelis to our use, and thinks he might furnish us with valuable therapeutic and pathogenetic information, but I have not been' able to
find anything from his pen on the subject.  Dr. Okie estimates the
Hamamelis highly, in phlegmasia alba dolens, varicose ulcers, and
varicoses. He has used it successfully in hbemoptysis, epistaxis
purpura, bleeding and painful piles, etc. (Phila. Jour. of Hom., vol.
1, p. 536).
Dr. Belcher reports the following cases, which I have somewhat abridged:-.




HAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.                    223
Case lst.-Vomiting and purging of blood (see "Intestinal" ).
Case 2nd.-A boy, aged fourteen, growing rapidly, with a good
appetite, has had Epistaxis at irregular intervals of from  four to
twenty-four hours, by which he has become pale and much enfeebled.
Ham. 3rd, one-eighth of a drop twice, a day was given, and since the
first dose to the present time, three months, he has had no return.
Case 3rd.-MIelcena (see "Intestinal ").
Case 4th.-A case of VFarioloid. At a certain stage of the
disease there came on Epistaxis, which lasted about an hour, ceased,
and returned in a few hours, and continued. " The blood was dark,
discharging freely in drops; the pulse rapid; breathing hurried; lips
and mouth dry; the face and body were covered (besides the papulM, which seemed to me not to have progressed, but to have
shrunken) with a dusky red erythema, with purpural spots, varying
from the size of a pin-head to that of a three-cent piece, here and
there-but over the abdomen, which I more particularly examined,
occupying one-third of the surface. The vessels of the conjunctiva
were so congested, as at first sight to appear like chemosis. Gave
Hamamelis, three drops of the first dilution in a tumbler of water,
of which a table-spoonful was given every fifteen minutes. In
twenty minutes the hemorrhage had ceased entirely, and returned
no more. The medicine was then continued every hour. The next
day he had one ejection of a dark, bloody character, but the
purpura had not increased, and he had slept some. Gave Rhus. 2,
and Ham. 2, alternately every hour. In two days he was out of
danger, and convalesced rapidly —(N. A. Jour. vol. 3, page 463.)
Dr. Belcher states that -" hemorrhage with asthenia or anaemia, or
from asthenic tendency, is of itself an indication for the use of Hamamelis." ILe considers sulphuric acid an analogue of Hamamelis,
but its action is not so prompt. Further notice of its action in
venous diseases will be mentioned under other heads.
Head.-A  crowding fulness of blood in the head and neck.
The epistaxis was accompanied with a feeling of tightness of the
bridge of the nose, and considerable crowding pressure in the forehead, between the eyes, with a benumbed sensation over the whole
os frontis.-(Preston.) A painful fulness of the brain, especially at
the top, with a desile: to hear lofty, sublime conversation, attended
with perfect indisposition to talk, myself; feeling as if a bolt was
passed, from  temple to temple through the head, and tightly
screwed, accompanied by a feeling as if she ought to be reverenced
by all around her.-(Burrett.)
CLINICAL REMARKS. —The above symptoms would seem  to
indicate a condition of passive congestion, or venous stagnation,
resulting in hemorrhage from the overloaded vessels. In headache,
arising firom congestion, and resulting in epistaxis, this may prove
an excellent remedy. Many cases are only relieved by bleeding
from the nose. The Hamamelis acts by removing the cause, and in
this manner arrests the bleeding, if present, and removes the condition upon which it depends. We have but little clinical testimony
as to its value in Ceephalalgia. It will probably never be found as
useful as Belladonna, Aconite, or Getsemmum.




224       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
Nose.-Epistaxis, with a feeling of tightness of the bridge of
the nose, and considerable crowding pressure in the forehead
between the eyes. (This was caused by one drop of the 3d, in Dr.
Preston, who never before had bleeding from the nose.).Profuse
Epistaxis (ten:hours after taking one drop of the 3d).
CLINICAL REMARKS. —-We have found in the various Journals,
over one hundred cases of epistaxis, some of them of an alarming
character, which were promptly arrested by the use of Hamamelis
in some form. A few of these cases have been given under the
head of "Venous System," and others, of a notable character, are
given briefly: below. Dr. Belcher cured a severe case in a boy
aged fourteen, with Hamamelis 3d, one-eighth of a drop. The
bleeding had not returned several months after. Dr. Preston in an
article on venous hemorrhages writes:-" Epistaxis, or bleeding
from the nose, forms the most common hemorrhage of childhood,
and in a great proportion of cases is simple and perfectly harmless.
When it is dependent upon active congestion it is usually arterial,
and proves its own remedy; when it is the result of mechanical
congestion, or forms one of the developments of the hemorrhagic
diathesis, it is passive and probably venous." Dr. P. gives an
interesting case, illustrating its treatment with Hamamelis.
" An old gentleman, hemiplegic, who had been subject to
~occasional attacks of hsemorrhage from the nose, often profuse and
very debilitating, and on several occasions requiring Mr. Abernethy's operation of plugging the nostrils, before it could be
stopped. He had now been afflicted at intervals of several days
with slight oozing of very dark blood from the schneiderian membrane, particularly three times a day and shortly after meals, corresponding to the rhythmical exacerbation of the pulse; after the
afternoon meal the bleeding was very profuse. He was able to
walk about, but complained of feeling very weak and faint, with
occasional vertigo or confusion of ideas; his countenance was pale,
and his pulse decidedly hemorrhagic. I ordered him home, and to
keep perfectly quiet; to use a strong nourishing diet, with wine at
each meal, and gave him China and Hamamelis 3rd, in alternation
every two hours. I was sent for to his house in the afternoon and
evening, and the bleeding had been almost constant, but, slowly
oozing from his nose since he got home; by evening he was too
weak and faint to set up, but lay in bed with his head raised; gave
China and Hamamelis 1st. The hemorrhage increased however,
all the next day, when small pieces of linen were wet with
iHamamelis tincture, rolled up in the shape of a funnel, and pushed
as far into the nostrils as possible. The next morning the bleeding
had been very slight, exhaustion much less, and all other symtoms
improving. In three days he was able to go about his business."
Dr. Burnet, of N. O., reports "a lady of plethoric habits, had
epistaxis twenty-four hours, which all ordinary means had failed
to relieve. At a previous attack she came near bleeding to death;
I gave her Hamamelis 3rd, and a wash of diluted tincture for her
nose.  The hemorrhage was arrested in a few moments, but




HIAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.                   225
returned, by coughing, the next day. It was again arrested by
the same means, and did not return."
Mouth.-Dryness of the mouth; burnt sensation on the tongue.
CLINICAL REMARI(S.-I have used the Hamamelis satisfactorily
in bleeding fiom the buccal cavity, bleeding and spongy gums, and
hemorrhage fiom the cavity after extraction of a tooth. In cases
of burns of the tongue and lips, from hot drinks, a weak solution
of this medicine held in the mouth gives prompt relief.
Eyes. —It has proved curative in painful inflammation of the
eyes; excessive congestion of the conjunctiva and bruises of the
orbits.  It is useful in extravasations under the conjunctiva, and
painless sugillations on the eyeball. During pertussis the eyeball
sometimes becomes congested, and the minute vessels are ruptured.
A wash of Hamamelis quickly dissipates the extravasations.
Throat.-Dry, thirsty feeling of the throat, which water would
not relieve, lasting full twenty-four hours.-(Burritt.) Fulness in
the neck; have to sleep with the neck free of any covering.
CLINICAL REMiR1KS. —There is a condition of the fauces, and
throat, which might not inaptly be designated as varicosis, the
posterior fauces, uvula, and pharynx are of a blueish hue, caused by
distended veins which ramify on the surface; this causes a fulness,
with cough, and pain in swallowing, and sometimes hawking of
dark colored blood, mixed with mucous.  In one case of this
character the internal and topical use of Hamamelis proved
curative.
Stomach and Bowels.-itcematemesis, Constipation, lcemorrhoids.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The primary effect of Hamamelis in
material doses, is to diminish the secretions of the mucous surfaces
of the intestinal tract; a form of constipation is the result. In none
of the fragmentary provings which we possess is there any symptom relating to congestion, or hemorrhage from the stomach and
bowels, but our clinical experience is rich in cases of such hmmorrhage. Dr. Burnett in Am. Tom. Review, vol. 1, page 512, reports:'a lady who had been expected to die for several days, from
hmmatemesis. I had none of the Hamamelis by me, and ordered a
decoction of the bark-a teaspoonful every three hours. It cured
the patient immediately." Writing of hsemorrhage from the bowels,
or meltena, Dr. Preston says: "I have given Hamamelis withsuccess in arresting hbemorrhage, when I knew the bleeding proceeded from  carcinomatous ulceration, as well as where it arose,
from simple mechanical congestion of the portal circulation. To
show that others have had like success with the same remedy, I
relate a case of melena, probably of the latter kind, reported to me
by my brother-in-law, Dr. George S. Green, of Hartford, Ct.
July, 1855, Mr. M --—, aged twenty, light hair, dark eyes, spare
figure, etc., came home from his business with a violent headache,
and took a dose of Calomel at night, followed by one of Castor Oil
in the morning; this he did on his own responsibility, and the
consequence  was a severe diarrhea, for which Dr. Schae was
called upon to prescribe. Du. S. attended him  ten days, and
reports his discharges to have been very profuse and watery, as
29




226    NEW  HOMEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
often as every half hour, accompanied with more or less fever, but
no pain. After ten days the Dr. left him convalescent, but quite
weak, and, intending to leave for his home in Massachusetts. Two
days after, quite early in the morning, he had a very large discharge
of dark clotted blood, and within an hour, two more discharges,
the three filling a large-sized chamber pot; very offensive but
attended by no pain. At this time I first saw him, in consultation
with Dr. S. I examined the discharges; found the patient pale and
much exhausted, aware of danger but notfrightened; pulse 120-130,
weak, intermitting, haemorrhagic; no tenderness on pressure in any
part of the abdomen; no enlargement of liver or spleen that could
be felt; no pain, nothing but great weakness, and occasional faintness.
A week previous to this hemorrhage he had two discharges from
the bowels, that were liquid, and brick colored, with a greasy scum;
his appetite had been unusually good, but his countenance pallid
and sunken. On the seventh day after this attack, when I was
called, he had another discharge from the bowels, of dark, grumous,
offensive smelling blood, which continued to pass away from him
with a gurgling noise, until three large sheets ware saturated. On
the next day he passed about a tea-cupful of bright red blood, and
the hammorrhage ceased. He was sick in' the house eight weeks;
his hair fell off, and he was somewhat anasarcous in the lower
extremities, but from the first, had no pain, and, after the h1emorrhage, no fever; his recovery, perfect. The only remedies used
were stimulation, China, and Hamamelis virginica.  This case
was unquestionably one of mechanical congestion of the portal
circulation, and the hvemorrhage was probably caused by the action
of the powerful cathartics taken in the commencement.  It is
unnecessary for me to say, that in my opinion, both the diarrhcea
and hemorrhage might have been avoided by judicious treatment
in the beginning, because the congestion might have been removed
without such violent result:; but the symptoms having been caused,
the treatment certainly proved Isuccessful.    We might relate
several other cases of melhena, as well as of hwmatemesis, dependant upon other causes besides mechanical congestion, in all of
which Hammamelis was of great service in arresting and preventing
hemorrhage, which otherwise would probably have proved fatal.
George E. Belcher, M. D., of New York, reports the two following
cases: Case 1., James (a porter), aged about thirty, a well-built, muscular Irishman, after complaining about three days (as near as I
could ascertain) of fullness, and grumbling, aching pains in the
abdomen, and irregular febrile flushes, was attacked with vomiting,
and purging of blood, which gradually increased. In the morning
of the day the hcmorrhage began, his employer sent him Nux v. 3,
and Aeon. 3; to be taken alternately; but, as by evening there was no
improvement, I was sent for, and gave Ipec. 1, and _Mere. sol. 2,
alternately, every hour. Early on thefollowing morning I received
information that the hemorrhage continued, and that he was faint,
cold, and sweating profusely. I found him so, indeed, with a weak,
rapid pulse, restless, and complaining of the fullness and grumbling
in the abdomen; but, owing to the imperfect domestic arrangements,




HAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.                   22T
I could not ascertain how much blood had been vomited or purged.
I gave Hfamamelis, two drops of the tincture dissolved in half a
tumbler of water, of which a dessert-spoonful was given every
fifteen or twenty minutes, until improvement took place. This was
very apparent, when I called two hours afterwards; a reaction was
moderately but firmly established, and the patient felt better. He
had vomited once only, and but a small quantity of blood; and the
melmena from this time diminished, so that it disappeared, nearly, if
not entirely, in two or three days. I substituted Chin. and le'rc. for
the 11am. in about twenty-four hours after improvement had begun,
and continued them, on account of the apparent hepatic congestion,
to convalescence.
Case 2. W. A. B. A man aged about forty, temperate, of a
spare habit, after complaining two or three days of fulness through
the hypochondria, and attacked with diarrhmea, on account of
which he called at my office, and for which I gave him Ars. 3. The
next day, not being relieved, I was sent for; found him feeble,
with blank, dingy-reddish countenance; thirst; frequent pulse; and
having a loose evacuation about every three or four hours, which he
described as offensive, and of the color of dark rosewood. Not
seeing it, I concluded that it must be melaena, and gave H/am. and
Aeon.; a solution of two or three drops of each in tumblers of
water, of table spoonful doses, were directed to be given alternately
every two hours, until better. The next day I found him feeling
decidedly improved, having had but one small discharge since.
From this time he rapidly convalesced.
Dr. L. Pratt communicated to the Chicago IHom. Medical
Society, 1859, the following case of Intestinal hemorrhage. A
young man whose health had been injured by ague and quinine,
was attacked, during the course of a typhoid fever, with copious
bleeding from the bowels. The blood passed by the rectum
amounted to at least two quarts before I saw him. He had stools
of blood about once in fifteen minutes; it was of a dark grumous
nature. Four drops of the mother-tincture of HIamamzelis, in a
tumbler of water, a desert-spoonful to be taken every ten minutes
until the discharges were arrested, for an hour-r-omit for an hourthen to take one dose more. Afterwards omit until a relapse
occurred. The next day ascertained that the bleeding had twice
returned, but was at once arrested by a single drop each time.
The patient recovered under the use of Arsenicum and China. In
this case the bleeding probably originated in ulceration of some
portion of the intestines; was of a passive character, and perhaps
venous. It would seem from the above cases, that Hamamelis is
curative in several forms of hemorrhage from the bowels.
(1) That caused by portal congestion.
(2) From a ruptured vessel.
(3) From ulceration of the bowels.
(4) From a hemorrhoidal vein.
In -Dysentery, the Hamamelis is indicated when the amount of
blood in the stools, is unusual in quantity, and amounts to an actual
hemorrhage. The blood in such cases is generally dark, in small




228        NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PIROVINGS.
clots or patches, scattered through the mucus. Dr. Dunn, of Ill.,
(I11. State Hornm. Ass., 1858) said he "had not found Mercurius so
effectual in the treatment of dysentery, during the past summer, as
it had formerly been; but he had been highly successful with Hamamelis, in cases of dysentery, in which the alvine evacuations were
largely loaded with blood."
In the so-called hcemorrihoidal dysentery, this remedy is almost
specific, alone, although it may sometimes have to be alternated
with Aloes or Podoph. In ~my practice benefit has accrued both
from  the internal and topical application. A few  drops of the
tincture or lower dilutions, every hour or two, internally; and an
enema of one drachm of tincture -Iamamelis to four ounces of cold
water, or starch water. The decoction of the bark (one oz. to one
qt. water) is even better than' the above preparation for an enema,
both in dysentery and bleeding hemorrhoids.
In lDiarrhaea, the  alamamelis is said to have been found useful,
but the indications for its use are not ascertained. It will require
more extended provings and clinical experiments, to establish its
applicability to diarrhea. I would suggest that it may be useful
in mucus and serous discharges. It is in lemorrhoids, that the
Hamamelis has achieved some of its greatest victories. It seems to
have extraordinary power over this disease, not only as externally
manifested in the form  of hemorrhoidal tumors, but against the
primary cause, which is often located in the portal system. It has
been used in this affection from the earliest history of the country.
The aborigines first imparted a knowledge of its curative virtues
to the first settlers. It is mentioned as a remedy for piles, used
externally, in the works of the early  "Botanic " physicians.
When Pond first sold his Extract, it was recommended particularly for this complaint. Dr. Hering was Pond's family physician,
and was induced by him to try its efficacy in some diseases. In
1850 Dr. Hering informed Dr. Cushman, a pupil of Dr. Okie, that
he had used it successfully in " painful and bleeding hemorrhoids."
Dr. Okie was then induced to test its virtues, and in a letter to
Hering, published in 1853, he says: "I next made use of the
Hamamelis in a nlmber of cases of painful and bleeding piles.
Those cases in which it has proved most beneficial in my hands, are
characterized by burning, soreness, fulness, and, at times, rawness of
the anus; in the back a weakness or weariness, or as the patients
graphically express it,' Doctor, my back feels as if it would break
off.' The hemorrhage is generally profuse, and I have in several
instances seen this latter symptom cured completely, with shrinking of the over-loaded hemorrhoidal vessels, so that the full, pouting look of the anus was changed to its own more natural and
demure pucker, while the burning and itching, depending more
upon cutaneous irritability, or some herpetic taint, still remained.
I have here likewise made a wash of the remedy, applying it externally while giving it internally in the more dilute form. Mr T., a
highly respectable agriculturalist, somewhere in the fifties, had
been troubled with painful and bleeding piles for a number of
years. On examination I found the anus surrounded with a crop




HAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.                    229
of tumid hemorrhoidal veins, bluish in color, and the whole anus
encircled by a red- erythemic halo. I found he suffered with'backache,' has a'pasty mouth,' digestion tolerable, was not much constipated; I gave Hamamelis first dilution six drops night and
morning and applied a lotion, one-third of the remedy, two-thirds
distilled water. In a fortnight he called again and I found him
much relieved. I repeated the prescription, to be taken once a day.
Since which time he has remained well."
-Dr. )Davicdson, (Monthly Horm. Review, London,) reports a case
of "burning, painful hemorrhoids," in a lady, who had been
subject to attacks of piles for the last ten years. Her symptoms were'"great suffering from  weight, and pressure, at the
anus; hemorrhoids protruding; great exhaustion from frequent
hemorrhage from  the rectum; bowels constipated; severe frontal
headache; restless nights; mouth parched and dry on awaking.
Hamamnelis 6, ten drops in six ounces of water; one table spoonful three times a day. The third  day after, the hemorrhoidal
symptoms were much relieved, but she complained of severe pains
in the back. Continued the medicine. Five days after, the hemorrhoids were painful and protruding. A new symptom had also
developed itself. My patient wished me to examine her arms, as
during the past two days she had suffered severely from a peculiar
pricking pain, from  the wrist to the shoulder, which pain  is
increased on pressure. On examining the arms, I found that the
patient indicated the direction of the pain along the course of the
superficial veins. Ordered Sacch. lactis to be continued the next
three days, when the pricking pain had quite left her arms; but the
hemorrhoids were still troublesome. Hamamelis 6-thirty drops
in six ounces of water, to be used as a lotion. A pledget of lint,
saturated with this, to be applied to the protruding hemorrhoids
every night. Six days after she reported  herself well. Six
months after, the same patient applied again. She was suffering
from protruding hemorrhoids, accompanied by severe inflammation.
she also had catarrhal symptoms, and was very desponding. Hamamelis 6 was given as above, and the lotion used as before. She
toolk only five doses, because,-' after the fourth dose she became
very much alarmed by a pricking pain in the region of the heart.
The hemorrhoids, however, were imuch relieved. Ordered Sacc.
Lact. Two days after, the pricking pain "about the heart" was
still very severe; it was also now felt in the courses of the superficial veins of both arms. These pricking pains continued for a
period of ten days, increasing in intensity during that time. At
length I prescribed Arnica 12, three times a day. Two weeks
after the patient states that she feels better than she has done for
years; and the piles, to use her own expression,'have been completely vanquished. I must not forget to record, that while under
treatment, this patient had been relieved, by the Hanmamelis, of a
peculiar tightness of the chest, from which she had suffered from
childhood.")  This case presents some interesting peculiarities,
namely: the apparent pathogenetic symptoms caused by the Hamamelis, simulating inflammation of the veins, and even the heart.




230       NEW  HIOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
The question might arise, would not the same pains, etc., have
arisen during the course of an attack of inflammation of the hemorrhoidal veins, had the Hamamelis not been administered? However, Hahnemann would undoubtedly have placed these symptoms
in: the pathogenesis of 1Iamamelis, and we may do the same; still,
we could wish that further experiments would substantiate the
reliability of these symptoms as purely belonging to the drug, in
which case they would be very important as indicating, unmistakably, its sphere of action.
Urinary Organs.-Scanty, high-colored urine.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The Hamamelis has been found useful in
hcematuria. Several cases presenting the symptom-bloody urinehave been reported, cured by this remedy.
" In Hsematuria "-writes Dr. Preston-"  China and Hamamelis
are the principal remedies, unless there be ulceration of the prostate,
or neck of the bladder, when these should be alternated with Asterias-rubens.  In all hemorrhages dependent upon Scirrous, or
carcinormatus ulceration, we have used IIamamelis to control the
hemorrhage, and Asterias rnbens to arrest the ulcerative process,
and we have had more than ordinary success with these remedies
in a number of cases. In urethral and rectal hemorrhages, China,
Cantharis, Mezereum, and Terebinth, are recommended, but we have
had'cases of congestion of the tubuli uriniferi, following Scarlatina,
and attended with discharges of black blood from the kidneys, when
neither of them, nor Dig. Hamamelis, Zinc, and a host of others,
had any good effect, that were cured in two or three days by the
use of Gallic acid, in three grain doses three times a day."
Dr. Belcher reports the following case, which perhaps can be
classed among renal effections: "A lady, who, while pregnant,
had alburminaria and general anasarca, with occasional vaginal discharges of blood. She was prematurely confined, when about six
and a half months advanced, and then had adherent placenta, which,
until detached, caused her to flood so profusely as to be faint andfainting for four or five hours. About twelve or fourteen days afterwards she was attacked with dysentery, which lasted four or
five days; about ten or twelve days after this, with the ague,and
fever; after this, flooding again, which last attack was controlled
without difficulty by the Hamamelis second, repeated every three
or four hou rs."
Organs of Generation of Women. —Iemorrhage from the uterus,
of bright and fresh blood, not coagulable, about midway between
the menstrual periods, (from one drop of the third —(Dr. Preston).
Active uterine hemorrhage in a young lady.  (See Preston's
fragmentary provings.)
CLINICAL RE MAKNs.-Dr. Preston, who reports the pathogenetic
symptoms referred to above, remarks that in the first case, that " a
leucorrhoea which the lady had been troubled with for years, ceased
as soon as she began taking the Hamamelis, and has not again appeared." It is a common and popular domestic remedy, in form of
a decoction, used as a vaginal enema, and generally with considerable success. Eclectic writers recommend it in leucorrhoea




HfAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.                    231
with relaxation of'the vaginal walls, but consider its action that of
an "astringent."  True, the Hamamelis contains tannin in quite an
appreciable quantity, but even tannin'is homceopathic-secondarilyto some fbrms of leucorrhcea. Harnamelis, used internally and
topically, is one of the most useful medicines in those varieties of
leucorrhcea which similate a hemorrhage, and constitute a drain on
the system  as severe as a bleeding. In most cases, however, it
should be alternated with Pulsatilla, Sepia, Helonias or Senecio
gracilis.
Dr. Okie, in his letter to Dr. Hering, says he found it useful in
Ovarian Disease: " My first use of the remedy was in the case of
a colored girl, twenty-two years of age, of plethoric habit, who at'
the age of eighteen, had received a violent blow over the left
ovarian region, and since that time had suffered with violent pains,
at times concentrating themselves in the seat of the original injury,
and again producing a diffused and agonizing soreness over the whole
abdomen; the touch aggravated these sufferings intensely; the left
ovarian region was swollen, flat on percussion; the menses were
irregular, very painful, with exacerbation of all the sufferings at the
catamenial epoch. Examination per vaoinum, disclosed exquisite
tenderness of the canal, a swollen and tumid os uteri, which was
likewise extremely sensitive; passing the finger by the side of the
neck of the womb, and pressing upward toward the left ovarian
region, likewise caused extreme suffering.  This patient was
frequently afflicted with retention of urine, and I had been obliged
to use the catheter for several days together. I made use of the
Hamamelis in this case, both internally and externally. I made use
of Pond's extract. After using it she was much relieved; could
bear pressure upon the swollen part (the swelling having notably
diminished); the diffused soreness was less marked. She bore the
vaginal examination with more ease. A gradual return to health
set in, from the time the HIamamelis was commenced."  Dr. R. Ludlam informs us that he has found this medicine a most important
remedy, internally and locally, in all ovarian diseases, accompanied
with swelling and tenderness of those organs. He advises compresses,
wet in the dilute tincture, constantly applied to the sensitive locality.
It was found very useful by Dr. Burnett, in varices during pregnancy.-" A woman in the fourth month of pregnancy with her
seventh child. She was compelled to labor for her livelihood; suffered almost always with varicose veins; at this time she was very
lame; suffered much pain and could scarcely move about. I gave
twelve globules of Hamamelis third dil., and a wash of diluted
tincture. She took four pills at a dose, two doses a day. The first
day she felt entire relief firom pain, and could exercise with ease.
She required no further treatment; I attended her in her confinement and' found no trace of her former malady."  "A lady pregnant with her fourth' child. She complained of a painful stiffness
and a sensation of swelling and weakness in her left leg, which
continued to some extent during pregnancy; but the Hamnamelis
gave her prompt relief, and there was no return of it after confinement.'  " A woman pregnant with her fifth child. During her last




232       NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
three pregnancies she had been troubled severely with varicose veins,
which, after the fifth month, had burst above the ankle and bled
profusely. When I was called to see her, she was only four months
advanced in pregnancy, but the bleeding had commenced, and she
was anticipating a serious time. I gave her Hamamelis three times
a day, diluted tincture for a wash. She had no more bleeding, and
is now well." Dr. F. Burnett, of New Orleans, found the Hamamelis useful in Dysmenorrhcea: —"A colored woman aged thirty-five.
Two years previous, at the time the menses should have appeared,
she experienced severe pain through the lumbar and hypogastric
regions and down the legs; fullness of the bowels and brain, with
severe pain through the whole head, resulting in stupor and deep
sleep, lasting twelve to thirty-six hours, from which it was impossible
to arouse her; after which she gradually returned to her natural
state, and so remained till the time for the next menstrual period,
when the same suffering was repeated. She was brought to me at'the commencement of one of these paroxysms; the pain in the
back, pubic region, and head, had already commenced. I gave eight
globules of the fifteenth dilution of Haniamelis, to be taken in two
doses, four hours apart, which established her menses perfectly
without any further medication, and she continued to menstruate
regularly afterward."  "An Irish girl, aged eighteen, strong, robust
make. She had never menstruated, but had suffered instead with
haematemesis, constant constipation and varices of the legs. I gave
lier Hamamelis fifteenth, to be taken three times a day. Her menses
appeared immediately, her legs got well, and I knew of her perfect
health for three years afterwards, during which time she became a
mother."  This case illustrates its curative virtues in vicarious mnenstruation, when the condition is in correspondence with that caused
by IIHamamelis. An interesting case of vicarious menstruation is
reported by Dr. Kenyon (Amer. Hom. Review, Vol. 2, p. 412):
" Mary F., aged fourteen, has always enjoyed tolerable health until
the last eighteen months, when she menstruated. The first time
there was considerable pain in the back and head, for several days
preceeding it, with nausea, vertigo, etc. The flow was natural, and
recurred two succeeding months quite regularly, and without any
of the unpleasant sensations which preceded the first. When the
fourth period came round, there was no indication of menstruation,
but in place of it, quite free epistaxis; this continued for several
months, increasing in severity each month. She was emaciated very
much; no color in the cheeks or lips; pulse 140, and feeble; action of the heart very labored, but not giving any signs of organic
lesion; extremities considerably bloated; stomach very irritable;
bowels constipated; urine scanty and clear; some cough, and great
dyspnaea. It was the day when the bleeding was to return, and I
watched the case; there was over a quart of blood lost; it was thin,
forming very slight coagula. I gave her the sixth and thirtieth dil.
in alternation, two doses of each in the twenty-four hours, which was
all the medicine she got during the month following, except a few
doses of Arsenicunm for dyspucea, when it was troublesome. When
the next month came round, she menstruated regularly, and had no




HAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.                     233
more bleeding, and from this time she went on rapidly to a perfect
recovery, under the use of iamamelis."  In  Uterine femorrhage,
it is highly extolled by some physicians. Dr. Preston cured a case
of " active uterine hemorrhage caused by a fall; it was promptly
relieved by it;" but, he thinks," its particular sphere seems to be in
passive hemorrhages and venous congestions." He has "cured many
cases of passive uterine hemorrhage with Hamamelis."  Dr. W. E.
Payne states, that he has not used the Hamamelis successfully in
uterine hemorrhages, except when the blood flowed steadily, was
venoues in its character, and without uterine pains. My own experience accords with that of Dr. Payne's; therefore, I would not advise the use of this remedy in hemorrhage after labor, for here we
want a remedy like Secale or Erigeron, which causes contraction
of the muscular tissue of the uterus, and perhaps of the arteries.
]Erigeron is antipodal to Hamamelis. It is as directly indicated in
active, arterial hemorrhage, as the latter is in passive venous
bleedings.
Organs of 4Generation of Men, etc.-We are not in possession of
pathogenetic symptoms relating to these organs, but it has been
used in some diseases affecting the veins, testes, and contiguous
tissues. Dr. Preston, in an able paper on " Diseases of the veins "
(N. A. Jour. of Hom. 1887,) says. "The homceopathic treatment
of Circocele. (Varicosis of the spermatic veins) is very much the
same as for varicose veins in the leg, and in a number of cases under
my own observation has been found successful. To illustrate this
treatment, I prefer to give the following report of a case, sent me by
Dr. Geo. Barrow, of Taunton, Mass.-" A friend of mine, about
thirty years of age, a merchant of Chicago, of scrofulous tendencies,
was taken some three months since with drawing pain in the left
spermatic cord, with swelling heat, redness and pain in the cord
and in the left testicle, for which an allopath treated him four or five
days with warm fomentations and laudanum  applied to the part.
The testicle swollen four or five times its usual size; very hard and
painful, was closely enveloped with collodion frequently applied (to
support the tumor?) while seidlitz powders were given to keep the
bowels open. As this treatment gave no relief, but the symptoms
rather grew worse, my friend was easily pursuaded to abandon it
and try the homceopathic plan. In consultation with Dr. Smith, of
Chicago, where I happened to be present on a visit, I gave the
patient, Bell., Puls., and Clematis, for a week, with very little benefit
when I proposed to try Hamamelis. I accordingly obtained a
bottle of "Ponds' extract," of which I administered drop doses
every two hours, and enveloped the scrotum in a bandage wet with
a solution of the same medicine, one part of the tincture to about
ten parts of alcohol and water. In twenty-four hours he was free
from all pain, the swelling gradually disappeared, and with the help
of a silk suspensory bandage, he was able to resume his business
in a few days, and now is entirely well."  The Hamamelis was at
one time highly lauded as an excellent remedy in the treatment of
Gonorrhcea. It was advised to administer the remedy internally,
and use the diluted tincture (or Ponds' ext.) as an injection. Dr.
30




234       NEW  HIOM3EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
Smallinforms me that in the first stage of this disease it has appeared
to be of benefit, in allaying pain and inflammation. It may be useful
in all stages, but cannot be looked upon as a specific remedy. I
have advised it in long standing cases of Gleet, with apparent benefit. In Orchitis, it is highly praised by Dr. Ludlam. He states
that under its external use the tumefaction and pain rapidly subsides.
He considers it to have some specific power over inflammatory
affections of the testes and ovaries.
Thoracic Organs.-Return of inflammation of the diaphragm with
the following symptoms: —labored respiration; opressive tightness
of the lower part of the thorax, inability to make a deep and full
inspiration; when attempting to assume the recumbent posture
breathing became alrnost impossible; a crowding fullness in the
neck and head, and a sense of suffocation so as to prevent his lying
down; unable to make a deep inspiration when standing up. (Preston.)
Pricking pain in the region of the heart; felt also in the superficial
veins of both arms. The pricking pains in the heart continued for
ten days, increasing in intensity all the time. (Arnica twelfth was
then given, and the pains disappeared.) — Davison.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Hamamelis has cured cough, and hlemoptysis, with taste of sulphur in the mouth, and dull frontal headache."
Also " tickling cough, with taste of blood on waking."  In Hcsrnoptysis, it is considered by some as, a remedy par excellence, applicable
to nearly all cases; but this is going too far. It can never take the
place of Aconite. Dr. Preston (Diseases of Veins) says:-"In general we look upon Hamamelis as a specific for passive venous hemorrhages, and we have seen it successful in arresting this particular
form of bleeding fiom the pulmonary mucous membrane; but we
speak from only a few years experience, and that a few observers, and
therefore we must be impartial enough to mention a few of those
remedies which other practitioners have recommended as useful in
the cure of some forms of hsemoptysis:-Aconite, Ipecac., Ferr.,
acet., Arnica, Millefol, etc. Dr. E. M.Payne (U. S. Jour. of Hom.Vol.,
I. p. 730) reports the following case:-A  young lady aged sixteen,
was seized while at school, and without any premonitory symptoms,
with blood-spitting. The patient was of slender build, light hair,
blue eyes; fair complexion, lax fibre, and phthisical diathesis;
menses regular and normal. The blood-spitting commenced with
a slight hack, and continued, with scarcely a moment's intermission
up to the time of my visit, a period of nearly an hour. I found her
lying upon a sofa, calm, with a napkin in hand nearly saturated with
apparently pure venous blood, and spitting about the amount of a
tea-spoonful at intervals of one or two minutes. The blood came into
the mouth without any effort. She described it as issuing about
ten inches below the right clavicle, in a warm current, making
apparently a tortuous course, and at the same time there was a sensation in that region, as from the pressure of a hard body. Pulse
somewhat accelerated, eighty-five.  Ferrum  aceticum was given
but caused no improvement in three hours, Millefolium, Aeon., Ipecac,
and Belladonna caused no amelioration. Hamamelis, four drops of
the tincture to half a tumbler of water. A spoonful was given. The




HAMAMELIS  VIRGINICA.                      235
bleeding immediately ceased, and did not afterwards return. I have
never used the Hamamelis successfully, in cases of blood-spitting
when the blood was of light fluid red, frothy in appearance, and
raised by much cough."  Dr. Okie reported an interesting case in
which hbemoptysis was present, in a complicated lung affection.
Hamamelis controlled the bleeding, but was powerless to cure the
patient. A girl, aged, nine, was said'to be in a dying state. She was
sitting upright, supported by pillows, her breath greatly oppressed.
She had been ill about two years, dating her first loss of health to
a cough, which was said to have resulted firom swallowing a small
piece of straw; since that period, she had been tormented with
incessant cough. She bled from the lungs pints at a time. She had
raised large quantities of offensive matter; at one time "nearly a
tumblerfil."  Examination elicited general anasarca, great swelling
of the lower extremities; the abdomen swollen from the areolar
infiltration; face much puffed, closing athe eyelids; -a number of spots
resembling purpura were found upon the lower extremities; she
had been troubled with profuse epistaxis. Auscultatory examination elicited the presence of a very long cavity, extending from the
mammary region to near the base of the right side. The respiration in the left lung was puerile, with a mingling of rhonci and
mucous rales. The urinary secretion was almost null, the urine itself
of a deep brandy color, depositing a heavy lateritious sediment. I
feared a fatal result, and speedily. The scant urinary secretions and
pleuritic pains, the hydropic tendency, and the state of thethoracic
organs, led me to fear the superventon of anaemia and:serous effusion
into the pleural sac. Iodine was given; for about a fortnight she
improved; the urine was much increased; the dropsy lessened; the
respiration easier; petechiae did not appear; cough about as usual.
At this time she was seized with Epistaxis and Hocemoptysis pulse
full, etc. Hfarnamelis checked the hamorrhage promptly, and there
was no recurrence. The strength, appetite, and general health of
the patient improved, so that she was up, and about her usual avocations. She lived about eighteen months, but finally died from pulmonary abscess. -Philal. Jour. Vol. 1 p.' 538.
Back.-Tearing pain across the small of the back, with fulness
of the joints of the legs. — (Burritt.)
CLINICAL REMARIs.- It has been found useful as an external
application to lumbago, "crick in the back," myalgia, bed-sores, and
petechia.
Upper and lower Extremities.-Pricking pain in the superficial
veins of both arms, extending from  the wrists to the shoulder.
(Davison.) Painful fulness of the joints of the legs, as if they
would burst, which soon extends to all the joints of the body; after
the fulness of the joints disappear, then there was a dread of moving the limbs, as if it would cause suffering, with a weary, stiff, full
feeling.
CLINICAL REMARKs. —The greatest triumph of Ilamamelis, has
been in the treatment of varicoses of the limbs. Dr. Preston,
writing of varicoses remarks:-" Homeopathy has, as in many
other cases, directed us to a specific remedy, which in my




236        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC O PROVINGS.
practice, as well as in that of a number of my colleagues in
this section of the country, has been attended with uniform   success  in  the   treatment  of  this  annoying  disease.
"Since 1851 (six years) I have prescribed Hamamelis in upwards of
fifty cases of varicose veins of the lower limbs, and in no single
instance has it failed to make a decided curative impression; but in
the great majority of cases, it has, thus far at least, proved a radical
cure.  My plan is, first, to bandage the limb tightly from the arch
of the foot to a little above the knee, or to the hips, if the varices
are above the knee, and the best bandage, in my opinion, is an
elastic silk stocking, manufactured for the purpose. Under this,
compresses of linen are laid over the dilated veins, and kept wet
with Hamamelis tincture, or Pond's extract.  I give the 3d dil.
internally, two or three times a day. Some few cases, with large,
indolent ulcers on the tibia or malleolus, have been under treatment
a year, but most of them have been cured, or at least have disappeared, in less than half that time.   The crowning point of its
-(Hamamelis) virtues, rests in its peculiarly prompt action in cases
of phlegmasia alba dolens, and in varicose veins. In old cases'of
varicosis, I have never seen its equal; and have cured -many cases
of varicose veins of the leg and foot, which'had resisted all other
treatment for years?' Dr. Belcher reports several cases of varices
in pregnant women, cured by Hamamelis.  (See cases uider " Organs of Generation of Women." Dr. Barrows found this medicine a
valuable auxiliary in the treatment of a child, with the folliowing
symptoms: -"Inflammation of the femoral vein, with the erysipelatous spot near the groin, and over the veinj spreading over nearly
one half of the thigh, with flexion of the leg; swelling of the entire
leg and foot, with tension; heat and pale appearance of the limbs;
scanty urine, stiffening the linen (albuminous); tympanitis; cedema
of the whole body, limbs, and face. Calc., Hepar and other remedies,
were used.  (See case in full, in N. A. Journal, vol. 6, page 317.)
Dr. R. Ludlam informs me that he considers the Hiamamelis of the
greatest advantage in all cases of articular rheumatism, with swollen
and painful joints; as a local application it seems to possessdecided
anodyne properties. He advises that cloths, or cotton wool, wet
in the dilute tincture, be applied constantly to the painful parts.
NOTE.-Just as this paper was ready for the printer, I received the "Hom. Review," for
April, 1864, which contains a case of Phlebitis, reported by Dr. H. Robinson, Jr., cured by
YEamamelis. The symptoms were: "' Great pain in right leg, from the knee to the hip; leg much
swollen, and quite sensitive to the touch. The cutaneous veins were hard, knotty, swollen, and
painful. The skin erysipelatous; pulse small and wiry; much thirst; no appetite; bowels
costive; urine'red and scanty; veins of abdomen, hard, like cords, red and painful. Gavo
Hamamelis I., five drops in half a goblet of water." Cured in ten days.




HELONIAS  DIOICA.                      237
HtELONIAS DIOICA.
(False Unicorn Root.)
This plant is known by the names of Drooping Starwort,
Devil's Bit, etc.  It is indigenous to the United States, growing in woodlands, meadows and moist situations. It is found
in Canada, and as far south as Georgia and Louisiana. "The plant
is sometimes mistaken for the Aletris Farinosa, but may be identified by the leaves of the Aletris being sharply pointed, with a
straight, slender spike of scattered flowers, while the Helonias is
not so sharply lance-shaped in its leaves, and has a thick plumose
dioical spike. The root is the officinal part; it is tapering, fibrous,
about an inch and a quarter in length, and from two to six-eighths
of an inch in diameter, very hard, transversely wrinkled, and
abrupt or premnorse at the end, appearing as though it had been cut
or bitten off. There has been, and still exists, much difficulty
among druggists, in determining the difference between the roots of
the Aletris farinosa and Helonias dioica. It has often been the
case that these roots have been indiscriminately bought and sold."'(King.) King, in his Dispensatory, gives a very minute description
of the root of the Helonias, which I would advise our pharmaceutists
to examine, for it is highly important that the preparations used by
our school, should be genuine. It is quite probable that much of
the fluid extract and active principle, Helonin, made in this
country, is prepared from both plants mixed.
GENERAL PROPERTIES.-" The Helonias is tonic, diuretic, and
vermifuge; in large doses, emetic; and, when fresh, sialagogue.
The plant is said to kill cattle feeding on it, and the decoction to
kill insects. In doses of ten or fifteen grains of the powdered root,
repeated three or four times a day, it has been found very beneficial in dyspepsia, loss of appetite, and for the removal of worms.
It is reported beneficial in colic, and atony of the generative
organs, etc."-King.  "It is tonic, stoinachic, diaphoretic, and
pectoral; it is adapted to atonic states of the system; it has been
recommended in cases of chronic rheumatism, jaundice, strangury,
etc., also in colds, and coughs; it has been used as a remedy in low
grades of fever, as a stimulant, with success, etc." —Jones and Scudder. "'It is alterative, tonic, diuretic, vermifuge and emmenagogue,
used in prolapsus uteri, amenorhcea, dymenorh ea, leucorrheea, to
prevent miscarriage, dyspepsia, worms, etc."- Coe. We can glean
but little information as to the general sphere of action of this medicine, from the above farrago; that it has been used with benefit
in the above mentioned diseases and conditions, I do not doubt, but
we are still at a loss for any special indications; those which can
only be obtained from a thorough proving.
The great majority of medical men of other schools do not
realize the value of physiological experiments. They rely more
upon uncertain empirical data, judging of the curative virtues of a
medicine by its effects upon the sick. That this method has its




238       NEW   IHOM(EOPATHI -O PROVINGS.
value, we do not dispute; indeed, we may always feel confident
that, a medicine which will cure a given group of symptoms, will
cause similar ones, in healthy persons. We, therefore, look upon
curative effects, as indication of pathogenetic effects.'We have
but a meagre proving of H-Ielonias, and that only on the male. This I
regret very much, for its action on the organism of women is notable
and peculiar. I shall be able to present to the profession, however,
some suggestive clinical facts, which will throw some light upon its
remedial action. The following symptoms are obtained fromn a
fragmentary proving sent me by Dr. C. H. Burr, of Portland,
Maine. The proving in its original form, appears at the end of this
article.
General Symptoms.-An unnatural degree of languor and a
feeling of weariness and weight in the region of the kidneys; general weariness. (Burr.)  "Decided increase in muscular power which
continued as long as the remedy was taken" (in large doses).I)r. Close.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —This medicine is a peculiar and powerful
"Ctonic," or, as Headland would have it "restorative." It is considered,
particularly indicated when the disease has proceeded, (1) from disease of the generative orgqans, (2) or from functional disorders of the
stomach,; hence it is considered valuable in anemia and chlorosis,
in alternation with Ferrum; and in dyspepsia, in alternation with;Nux vom., if indicated. It does not belong to the China group,
because it has no anti-periodic powers; nor does it cause a hyperstimulation of the nervous and vascular systems like that powerful
drug. Neither does it have much more affinity for the Nux' vomica
group, for it does not excite or irritate the spinal system. It is
more nearly allied to Ferrum than any other article of the Materia
Medica,, while, at the same time, it has some points of resemblance
to the members of both groups above referred to. China and Nux
vomica, together with their analogues, cause a condition, which may
be described as increased tonicity of muscular fibre. China brings
about this condition, through its influence upon the processes by
which the blood is formed; it probably tends to augment the quantity of that fluid, and to render it richer. Thus, by its own operation upon the nutrition of the heart, and through the agency of the
enriched blood, it gives greater energy to the contractions of that
organ; and hence the fuller and stronger pulse, not unfrequently
resulting from its moderate and continued use: But in cases of
anmernia, chlorosis, and some other conditions of the system, China
will not improve, apparently, the condition of the blood, or at least;
the tissues do not respond to the stimulus of the improved blood.
Then it is that Ferrum, or Nux vomica, given alternately with it,
will place the diseased tissues in a condition to be benefitted by
the circulating fluid, and a cure is soon effected. Nux vorica
increases the tonicity of tissues, mainly through its influence upon
the spinal system. It is a spinal stimulant, and nearly all its therapeutic effects arise from this action. In a great many cases-of atony
of any organ, or tissue of the body, this medicine will, alone, effect
prompt and permanent cures; but, like China, it will sometimes




HELONIAS  DIOICA.                      239
fail, unless superseded or assisted by the action of China or Ferrum.
There are also other instances wherein China, Ferrum and Nux will
fail to improve the abnormal conditions for which they seem
indicated, and the Helonias will here come in play,, and be found
very useful. Helonias enriches the blood, through its influences
upon the nutritive processes; not as iron does, for iron is a metallic
substance, and a vegetable substance cannot act in the same manner.
But Helonias does not act like China or Quinine, for the latter
stimulates by its direct primary action, while the former does not.
Mental Symptoms.-Mind dull and  inactive.  The previous
cheerful state was followed by dullness, and gloominess;'irritable;
could not endure the least contradiction, or receive any suggestions
in relation to any subject; all conversation was unpleasant; desire
to be left alone; he desires to find fault with every one around him.
(This state of mind lasted several days-see proving.)
CLINICAL REMARs. —One cannot help being struck by the similarity of the above symptoms, to those mental states common to
diseases of the genital organs in both sexes, particularly in women.
Such symptoms are quite common to uterine disorders, and to
unhealthy pregnancies. In disorders of digestion'we also meet
with a similar group of symptoms. I consider such symptoms to
be an excellent guide, in default of other pathogenetic ones, to the
selection of Helonias in uterine disorders, etc.'
Cerebral Symptoms.-Slight pain through the temples, with a.
feeling of iulness in the head, and vertigo; a feeling of pressure
from within upward to the vertex, aggravated by looking steadily
at any fixed point; pain in the occiput, with pulsative pain in
the vertex-increased by stooping, attended with vertigo; pain in
the forehead as if a band about an inch wide was drawn across
from temple to temple. (Iod., Merc., Stann., Nit. ac.)
Gastric, etc.-Wakes every morning at 5 o'clock (an unusual
hour) with the lips, tongue and fauces dry, and a bitter taste in the
mouth; appetite not as good as usual. Soon after taking each
dose sensations of pain, tightness, and pressure felt in the stomach,
which was partially relieved by, the eructation of tasteless gas;
cramp-like pain in the stomach; motion and rumbling in the intestines, as if diarrhcea would come on. "In Ohio, and many of the
Western States, it is in very general use as a common emetic' operating with great certainty, but with more activity than Ipecac. or
Eupatorium.")-Lee.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Dr. Coe says the "H relonin will be tolerated by the stomach when other tonics are rejected. It invigorates
the appetite, promotes digestion and depuration, and so improves
the quality  and increases the quantity of the blood.  In this
way the foundation for a cure is laid, by improving the tone of the
entire system."  A  thorough proving would doubtless show that
this medicine produces a long train of gastric symptoms, beginning
with hyper-stimulation, and ending in atony. I have found it very
useful both in idiopathic functional diseases of the stomach, and
especially in those  sympathetic gastric disorders, which accompany  diseases of the uterus. Loss of appetite, eructatimuns ful



240       NEW   HOMiEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
ness, cramp, and painful congestion, with lowness of spirits, are the
chief indications for its employment, Dr. Close (Tilden's Jour. of
Mat. Med., vol. 2, p. 297) reports the case of a woman with
general dropsy: "Her stomach was in a very irritable condition,
rejecting her food and medicines. After giving iHelonias (fl. ext.)
I remained and watched with no little solicitude its effects, expecting it would be likewise rejected; but instead, I had the satisfaction
of seeing it retained, and in a little time she became less restless, the
moaning noise which she had been accustomed to make almost
constantly, ceased, and at the end of half an hour after it was given
she fell asleep; the pulse became decidedly softer, and slower, than
it had been for a long time. When she awoke there was a decided
increase of muscular power." (Dose of fi. ext. one to three drachms,
according to Tilden. Dr. C. probably gave as much.)
In Dyspepsia, etc., I have generally used the lower dilutions and
triturations.
r'inary Organs.-Kidneys somewhat stimulated, and a larger
amount than usual, of clear, light colored urine has been voided.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is deemed to be a diuretic by medical
writers: "In the treatment of the various forms of dropsy, the
IHelonin has proved of remarkable utility. It operates in a general
manner, and is, seemingly, a powerful resolvent. The only manner
in which it proves evacuant, is, in some cases, as a diuretic-except
when given in over-doses, when it is emetic."- Coe.
There are few forms of dropsy which are not due to an asthenic
state of the system, or which do not bring on this condition during
their course. Therefore, not only do we need to use in dropsy such
remedies as Apis, Apocynum,' Colchicum, which act specifically
upon the kidneys, but possess no "tonic" power; but we are
obliged to resort to such medicines as China, Arsenicum, Phosphoric acid, etc. Indeed, these latter medicines have, alone, cured
many cases of general dropsy by their influence over the general
system. The Helonias will be found valuable'to the homceopathist
in that class of cases, when there is anasarca, with general debility,
and an atonic condition of the generative organs, such as chlorosis,
amenorrhcea, dropsy from uterine hemorrhage, etc.
Genierative rgans, —Pain in lower part of the back, through to
the uterus, like inflammation, piercing, drawing; breasts swollen,
very tender, and will not bear the pressure of even an ordinary
dress; nipples very sensitive and painful; great uterine hemorrhage came during the proving, and continued until the medicine
was discontinued. [The above pathogenetic symptoms were noticed
by Dr. E. Clark, of Portland, Me. He states he has noticed the
same train of symptoms in six or eight cases. The medicine was
given at the first trituration (Helonin). These symptoms were
received after the following was written.]
CLINICAL RXMARKis. —rhe Helonias is one of those indigenous
medicines, which from the earliest days of medicine in this country,
has had a peculiar reputation-first with the Aborgines, then with
the early white settlers, and finally with the medical profession in
the country-as being a remedy, even the remedy, for those disor



tHELONIAS  DIOICA.                     241
ders generally termed "uterine," and which depended upon an
atonic condition of the organs of reproduction. I regret exceedingly that I cannot present the profession with a proving upon the
organism of women. I have given it to healthy women, but never
observed any notable symptoms. Primarily, it always increases the
tone and physilogical activity of the generative organs. I there.
fore consider it secondarily homceopathic to those diseases or conditions for which it has been used so successfully. Were it not so,
it never could have been used successfully in the doses usually
administered by the opposite school of practice. It would have produced aggravations, and been by them considered contra-indicated.
Before giving the clinical experience of our own school, I will quote
the opinions and clinical remarks concerning this remedy, which I
find in the records of allopathic literature.
Prof. C. A. Lee writes (Tilden's Journal of Mat. Med. II., p.
123):-" Numerous trials have satisfied us that it has a specific
action on the uterine organs,-an alleviative, regulating influence
over their functions. Hence, in Amenorrhoea marked by general
atony, and an anmmic and torpid condition of the system this,
plant proves of great service; giving tone to the digestive organs,
favoring nutrition and sanguification, and promoting the secretions
generally. So, in Leucorrhcaa, associated with similar conditions of
the general system, it will be found equally serviceable. Its influence  as an uterine tonic  is also well marked  in cases of
atonic or passive Menorrhagia. Here, by imparting tonicity to
the muscular fibres of the uterus, and by a stimulating power
over the plexuses of organic nerves, which supply the pelvic
viscera, the exudation of blood is checked, and he predisposing, as well as the proximate cause of the disease, removed.
If it has the power of obviating sterility and impotence, as is alleged by some writers, it must be by a similar mode of operation.
It may be slightly aphrodisiac, but there are no well-attested facts
bearing on that point. It is very probable, however, that it may,
in common with Senecio and other uterine tonics, produce such
effects; but if it does, I have no proof of the fact, except what may
by drawn from analogy. It is very probable, also, that in cases of
dysmenorrhoea and liability to abortion from  atony of the reproductive organs, it may.prove highly advantageous by a similar mode
of action, just as we find in the case of Iron, and other tonics which
improve the general health. But, in addition to this, it would
seem to be endowed, to a considerable extent, with specific properties and powers. Dr. Coe (Cone. Org. Med.) is very enthusiastic,
he says:-" No agent of the Materia Medica better deserves the
name of uterine tonic.  The remarkable success attending its
administration in the diseases peculiar to females, has rendered it an
indispensible remedy to those acquainted with its peculiar virtues.
Like the Senecin, it is alike appropriate in the treatment of diseases
apparently calling for dissimilar properties as, for instance, amenorrheea and menorrhagia. Its alterative and tonic influence will
account, in a measure, for its utility in those complaints. In the
treatment of amenorrhoea, it will be found most beneficial in those
31




242    NEW HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
cases arising from, or accompanied with, a disordered condition of
the digestive apparatus, and an anvetnic habit. It; has an especial
influence on the organs of generation, independent of its general
constitutional influence. For this reason it has proved of eminent
value in the cure of prolapsus uteri, tendency to miscarriage, and
atony of the generative organs; sterility and impotence have also
been relieved and cured by this remedy. Certain writers have
classed it as an aphrodisiac, and stated that its continued use
induces an abnormal desire for sexual indulgence. Such a statement
could only have been made in the absence of actual knowledge, and
as the legitimate fruit of a prurient imagination. We have probably
used the Helonin quite as extensively as any other practitioner,
and we must confess to a want, of sufficient penetration to discover
any such results from  its employment. The only aphrodisiac we
recognize, is the natural proclivity of a sensual mind. That the
HIelonine is a special tonic to the organs of reproduction we are
well aware, but only to a normal and healthy extent. Did its action
extend further than this, it would be a disease-producing, and not a
disease-curing remedy. When a medicine so acts upon a diseased
organ as to restore it to a physiological condition, we very naturally
conclude that said organ will manifest the fact of its restoration by
the resumption of its functional activity. This is precisely the case
when the Helonin is employed. If administered for the cure of
indigestion, the appetite improves, the food is digested, absorbed,
and assimulated, and thus the curative action of the remedy manifested. If, on the other hand, the case be one of amenorrheea, sterilty,
menorrhagia, or impotency, secretion is restored, tone imparted,
and the healthful flow of returning stimulus is manifested by the
usual physical signs. The sexual appetite is sequent, and not the
antecedent of the restoration of the ability of the organs. to perform the functions assigned them by nature."
A portion of Dr. Coe's remarks, namely, that which relates to the
effects of curative doses of medicines, is in the main correct. But
his general statement contains one great, fundamental error, which
has ever been the glaring fault of allopathic therapeutics. Ile
states that Helonin is a special tonic to the organs of reproduction,
but only to a normal extent; did it extend beyond this, he remarks,
it would be a disease-creating remedy. The old school of medicine,
has always been wilfully blind to the truth, that all medicines may
be disease-producing. That a medicine is a "special tonic" to any
particular organ, is the strongest proof that it is capable, if long
continued, even in small doses, of causing disease in that organ.
If, then, IHelonias be given for uterine atony, and acts curatively,
when that organ has regained its tone, if the remedy be continued,
it will urge or elevate the physiological functions of that organ, and
induce an abnormal condition,' the result of hyper-stimulation. If
Helonias is a special tonic to the organs of reproduction, we do not
doubt, that if given to a healthy individual, it would cause an excess
of sexual desire, congestion of' the uterus, ovaries, etc., and even
amenorrhcea, or menorrhagia, dependent on active congestion; then,
after a time the irritability of these organs would be worn out and




HELONIAS  DIOICA.                      243
according to a well-known physiological law, we shall have an exhausted or atonic condition of the tissues previously over-stimulated.
The conditions and diseases enumerated by Dr. Coe, as within the
curative range of Helonias, are those which it would cause by its
secondary action. It is capable of causing an almost equal number
by its primary action. My theory of -Dose, accounts for the curative
operation of the material doses used by the allopathic schools. The
curative action of iHelonias in the lower attenuations, is chiefly
directed towards those atonic states which it causes secondarily.
But if given for its primary effects, it must be given in the middle
or higher' attenuations, else, we should get up injurious medicinal
aggravations.
Resume.-The Helonias is primarily homzeopathic to the following diseases, when occurring in persons of plethoric habit, strong
digestion, and great muscular power:-Active congestion of the
uterus, causing, besides the usual symptoms of that condition, suppression of the menses, (congestive amenorrhcea); menorrhagia;
from active congestion; prolapsus or retroversion from congestion;
abortion from undue afflux of blood to the uterus. The special
symptoms which would indicate in these diseases, can only be obtained by a thorough proving. Helonias is secondarily indicated,
and has proved eminently curative to diseases of the reproductive
organs, occurring in persons of a lax, or anaemic habit, and in which
there is a loss of normal tone. As diseases of the same name may
be caused by opposite states, so the primary amenorrhzea of IHelonias may be due to congestion, while the secondary amenorrhea is
due to lack of blood and normal activity of the uterus, etc.
The clinical experience of our school with this remedy is not large,
but quite successful. Dr. C. H. Burr, of Portland, Me., says:-"I
have given it in similar cases of prolapgus uteri with very satisfactory results; also in cases of frequent and profuse menstruation,
when the patients lose more blood than is manufactured in the
inter-menstrual period, with pain in the back, and frequent palpitation of the heart; in such cases it will seldom disappoint those who
are disposed to use it."
Dr. Geo. S. Foster, of Meadville, Pa., reports to me the following
cases:-" Mrs. -, aged thirty-two, had prolapsus uteri and ulceration, for nine years, up to the summer of 1862, with all the symptoms incident thereto. All the physicians in town during that time
had been trying to cure her; the usual pessaries and cauterization,
and all they could do, with no success. When I took the case in
hand in September, 1862,. I gave her but little encouragement, as
you may suppose. I examined her; found ulceration of neck of
womb, constant dark, bad  smelling discharge; great irritation
of vagina, so much that a soft sponge pessary could not be retained;
she had lost her " reckoning," the discharge being constant, with
flooding on lifting a bucket of water, or anything of weight;
countenance sallow, and such an expression as one would have'
from the suffering she had endured; could with difliculty, walk
up the stairs, or across the room; the least exertion would bring
on flooding. I did not keep an account of my prescriptions, but




244       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
prescribed remedies for symptoms present-the principal, Nux.,
Bell., Secale., Sabina, etc. I repeatedly replaced the womb; the
treatment was very discouraging to myself; but symptoms would
give way to the action of the remedies readily. About seven
months ago, I procured the Vaginal Syringe, and had her use
it with water and Tannin. About six months ago I replaced the
womb for the last time, and did not prescribe again for four or
five months, when she called on me, informing me that it had not
been down since my last services, then five months; but still she
looked rather badly, and still a dark, ugly discharge, pain in the
small of back, etc.
"December 19.-Helonin seond dec.; three a day, for two days.
"December 21. —Improving; twelve powders, about one grain,
three a day.
" December 25. —Reports marked improvement in general health
the discharge had changed to a bright red-more like the menstrual.
"December 30.-No discharge for five days; she could dance,
run up and down stairs; her cheeks have the bloom of health,
and in spirits she equals the youngest. So you may see what a
few doses of the Helonine has done; finished up the case in grand
style, very much to my own and her gratification.
"' Case 2.-A young woman who has hadtwo abortions at four
months; she was in her fourth month again, with all symptoms of
again aborting. Left Secale; saw her again in a day or two;
it was then time for her courses, and I was fearful that would
augment her trouble; she was suffering the usual pain as in such
cases. I left her Helonine second dec., and saw her in town yesterday; she had walked in; has had no trouble since taking the last
prescription.  You may be able to glean but little from the
foregoing; but it still points to the remedy as sure to be the
foremost in the rank of uterine remedies."
The following cases came under my own treatment, and I have
since used the HIelonin in similar cases with good results:
Case 1.-A woman, aged 25, the mother of two children, and
enciente with a third. The usual symptoms of pregnancy were not
present, but in their stead, a peculiar prostration of the nervous
and muscular system obtained. She was anaemic-pulse small
and feeble; skin sallow and pale; digestion bad; no desire for any
kind of food, and all kinds of food caused distress and epigastric
oppression. She became emaciated, debilitated, and very low
spirited. There was also present constipation, and almost constant
uterine distress and pain, of a pressing down character; also leucorrhcea. China, Sepia, Pulsatilla, Ferrumn, Nux, and Ignatia were
given, with but slight benefit. Upon purely empirical data, I
prescribed Helonias,. five drops of the mother tincture, one hour
befor6 each meal. The effect was surprising. In a few days her
appetite increased; all dyspeptic symptoms disappeared; strength
returned rapidly. The blood improved in richness, as was manifest
by the returning color, and healthy complexion. The uterine disturbance ceased, and a normal pregnancy resulted.




HELONIAS  DIOICA.                     245
Case 2.-A lady, aged 45, at the climacteric period suffered
much from frequent and repeated floodings, profuse serous leucorrhcea, and dropsy. She had also much uterine and ovarian pain.
Her complexion was very sallow, unhealthy looking, earthly, and
pale..She had taken muriated tincture of iron from an allopath,
for some months, but grew worse under its use. A report of the
treatment of the whole case would be of interest, but want of space
prevents its narration. The floodings subsided under the use of
Trillin one-tenth; the dropsy and ovarian pain was removed by
Apis. 2; the uterine pain was palliated by Sepia and Macrotin. But
she still remained weak, emaciated, and the complexion did not
improve. Leptandrin 2nd improved it somewhat; the icterus had
disappeared. Helonias 2nd dec. trit., two grs. every four hours was
then prescribed. Under its use the nutritive functions rapidly
recovered their tone; strength and increased vitality returned, and in
a few weeks she felt quite well.
Back, etc.-A feeling of weariness and weight in the region of
the kidneys; sharp, spasmodic pain in the back, running to the crest
of the left ileum; severe rheumatic (?) pain in the right hip joint,
worse during motion; pain, and a feeling of lameness, in the whole
back; pain in lumbar region, about the upper portion of the sacrum,
and pelvis; the pains in the back are more troublesome during the
night. (See generative organs.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Pains in the back, also lameness, stiffness, etc., located in the sacra-lumbar region-a common symptom
in~ all uterine disorders, and even in diseases of the male organs of
generation. Helonias seems to cause these pains in quite a notable
degree; they often simulate rheumatic pains, and may be mistaken
for them.
PROVING OF HELONIN, BY DR. C. H. BURR, OF PORTLAND) ME.
The preparation used in this proving was a solution of thirty grs
of Helonin in one ounce of alcohol, diluted with half an ounce of
water. It was thought best to commence with small doses, and
increase hourly, until decided symptoms were produced, and Oct.
15th, in accordance with this idea, two drops were taken at 10,
A.M., four gtt., at 11; eight gtt. at 12 M. Soon after taking each
dose, sensations of pain, tightness, and pressure were felt in the
stomach, which was partially relieved by the eructation of tasteless
gas. At 1 P. M.,twelve gtt. were taken; at 2, sixteen gtt.; at.3,
twenty gtt.; motion and rumbling in the intestines as if diarrhmea
would come on. At 4, thirty gtt. were taken; at 5, forty gtt.; at
8, fifty gtt.  Slight pain was now  felt through the temples,
together with a feeling of fullness in the head, and vertigo.: At 10,
P. M., took fifty gtt.
October 16th.-The symptoms produced yesterday were not of a
decided character. Took at 7, A. M., forty gutta; at 9, fifty gtt.;
at 11,'sijty gtt.; at 12, sixty gtt. Still, but little effect is produced,
and I should be unconscious of being under the influence of any
remedy were it not for an unnatural degree of languor, and a
feeling of weariness, and weight, in the region of the kidneys. At




2456      NEW   HOMEOPATtIC  PROVINGS.
2, P. x., sixty gtt.; at 3, sixty gtt. At this stage of the proving, the
alcoholic preparation was put aside, and an aqueous one substituted;
Helonin twenty grains, water one ounce; of this, forty gtt. were
taken at 4, P. r.; at 7, fifty gtt. The symptoms mentioned as
occurring in the head, are more decided; the sense of fulness
increases, and there is a feeling of pressure from within, up to the
vertex; the latter feeling is aggravated by looking steadily at
any fixed point; the kidneys have been somewhat stimulated
and a larger amount than usual of clear, light-colored urine has
been voided during the last twelve hours; the pulse ranges at
eighty-four, full, and a little irregular. At 9, P. M., took sixty
gtt.; no nlew symptoms.
October 18th.-No medicine was taken during the 17th, until evening, when at 7, half a drachm was taken; at 9, half a drachm;
at 12, half a drachm.  In the afternoon and evening, there was a
great deal of weariness, and feeling of weight in the region of the
kidneys, and with much more general fatigue than usual; mind dull
and inactive.
October 19th.-Took at 8, A. M., half a drachm; at 12, half a
drachm; pain in the vertex; the pain in the head is increased by
stooping, and attended with increased vertigo; sharp, spasmodic
pain in the back, running to the crest of the left ilium. At 5 P. x.,
took half a drachm. Have awoke every morning since the proving
was commenced, at 5 o'clock, aft unusual hour, with tongue and
fauces dry, and a bitter, disagreeable taste in the mouth.  The
symptoms during the day have been more marked, and principally
confined to the head and back; the appetite has not been as usual.
October. 21st.-Took at 12, x., one drachm. Soon after taking this
dose felt a cramp-like pain in the stomach. At 8, P. x., took one
drachm; severe, rheumatic pains in the right hip joint, worse
during motion; pain in the forehead, as if a band about an inch
wide was drawn across from templeto temple; pain and feeling
of lameness in the whole back, and dryness, and bitter taste in the
mouth.
Oct. 22nd.-Took at 9, A. M., one drachm; at 12, m., one drachm.
Last evening was engaged in singing until 8 o'clock, at which
time I took one drachm. Previous to taking the remedy, I never
felt better, more cheerful, or in better spirits. Ssoon after taking
it, there was an entire change in surrounding circumstances; I very
soon became dull, gloomy, and irritable; could not endure the
least contradiction, or receive any suggestions in relation to any
subject; all conversation was unpleasant, and what I most desired
was, to be left alone, reserving to myself the privilege of finding
fault with every one around me.  I consider that this moral
condition was not accidental, but purely a pathological state, produced, and kept up by the action of the medicine. Previous to the
22nd, this state assumed an intermittent form, but after that
date, it was unchanged for several days, and was one of the
most constant and marked effects.
October 26th,.-No medicine has been taken since the 22d. Pain
in the lumbar region, about the upper part of the sacrum and




tIYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.                    247
pelvis. These pains during the last twenty-four hours have been
more constant and severe than at any other time; the pain in
the back seems more troublesome at night than during the day."
HIYDRASTIS CANADENSIS.
(Golden Seal.)
This well-known plant is indigenous. It has a perennial root,
which is the officinal portion. It consists of a tortuous, knotty caudex, with numerous long fibers, and is of a bright yellow color
internally. The plant is found growing in shady woods, in rich soil,
and in damp -meadows, in different parts of the United States, but is
more abundant west of the Alleghanies. It flowers in, May and
June. The root in its fresh state is juicy, and when dried looses
much of its weight. Its odor is strong and somewhat narcotic,
with a very bitter taste. Its virtues are imparted to water and
alcohol. A peculiar nitrogenous, crystallizable substance called
Hydrastin, is considered the active principle of this plant. In homeoopathic practice we usefive different preparations of this agent.
(1.) A tincture and dilution of the fresh root. This should be
made with diluted alcohol.
(2.) A trituration of the pulverized root.
(3.) A trituration of the Hydrastin.
(4.) A glycerole made with the tincture.
(5.) A cerate.
The Hydrastin is not considered to possess all the virtues of the
root. It stands in the same relation to it, as Quinine does to
Peruvian Bark (China). It possesses all the tonic properties of the
root, but not all the peculiar specific action on the mucous tissues,
which is possessed by the preparations of the root. We ought to
have a good proving of both preparations.
GENERAL EFFECTS.-There is no medicine in use in eclectic practice about which there is such a general unanimity of opinion as
to its therapeutical effects. The unequivocal testimony is that it is.
(1.) A mild, certain, and permanent  tonic;
(2.) An alterative to all the mucous surfaces, and indeed to all
tissues with which it is brought in contact. When we come to
speak of special indications, its various applications in disease will
be fully considered. I hope to be able to show that this agent, so
truly valuable even in empirical practice, is realy homceopathic to
nearly every condition for which it has been used successfully by
eclectic physicians. The allopaths seem to know or care but little
about this remedy.  Wood thus mentions it in his Dispensatory.
"It probably possesses the ordinary virtues of the vegetable bifters,




248       NEW   I HOMEOPATHIIC  PROVINGS.
and is soid to be employed as a tonic in some parts of the country.
In the form of infusion, it has been used in the Western States as a
topical application in ophthalmia, and the Indians are said to employ
it in the same manner, in old ulcers of the legs. The notion of
its efficacy in cancers, originating in a report which reached the late
Professor Barton, that it was used in the cases of this complaint by
the Cherokees, is probably altogether groundless."  In his " Therapeutics" and "Practice" Wood does not mention it.  In homceopathic practice it has been used for a few years, but only upon
empirical data.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS. —The universal'testimony of those who have
had experience in the use of Hydrastis, is, that it increases in a
marked manner the physical strength, and elevates the functions of
the stomach, as regards digestion, assimilation, etc. It probably increases the appetite, and acts in many ways as China does when
given during convalescence from disease, or in diseased states characterized by debility.
This is to the Ecle6tic, what Quinine is to the Allopath, and China
is to our own -school. The first-named school look with surprise
upon the indifference with which this, their favorite tonic, is treated
by their rival school. I have known eclectics in large practice,
rely upon it almost to the exclusion of Quinine or Salicine, in intermittents and other malarious fevers. They usually prescribe one
drachm of the tincture or fluid extract, or one or two grains (even
as high as six grains) of Hydrastin, every one, two, or four hours, as
the case seems to demand, and assert that it always acts as a pure
tonic, and that its effects are not attended with any stimulation of
the circulation, or congestion of the brain, as is the case with
Quinine. Yet, curiously enough, English homaeopathists assert that a
"' few drops of the mother tincture will cause a sensation of physical
prostration." It could not do this by its primary action, like chinaits scondary effect may be prostration. Drs. McLimont and Marston
state that " one of us has for upwards of a month at a time, endeavored by experiment, to ascertain its pathogenesis; but we have been
unable to elicit any very decided symptoms, except upon the sensorium and heart, which were affected for a very short time, by
doses of half an ounce and upwards, smaller quantities appearing
to pass off without any effect at all." The tincture used by the gentlemen must have been of a very poor quality, or half an ounce would
have shown its effects in quite a decided manner. They state, however, that they " know of no medicine which has caused so great an
improvement in the general health of our cancer patients as has
this, an improvement which, in most cases, has become visible in the
bettered expression of the countenance, to all who had previously
known the patients."
It is appropriate in this place, that I should give some account
of the use of Hydrastis in cancers by our English colleagues. In the
October No., 1863, of the British Journal of jHomceopathy, we
find an article entitled, " Cancer; its Pathology, etc.,' by Drs.
McLimont and Marstonm  After mentioning other remedies, as
Arsenicum, Aurum, Hyoscyamus, Conium, and Carbo. veg., they pro



HYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.                    249
ceed to notice the Golden Seal. They say: "We are not sure who
it'was that first adopted and recommended the use of Hydrastis c.,
but have reason to believe that this application of the root was first
made in America."  We have looked through the various works
published in this country, in which this plant has been noticed, but
do not recollect that it is once mentioned as having been used in
cancerous affections. King, Jones and Scudder, Kost, and others,
mention that it possesses a marked action upon mucous surfaces,
and is curative in ulceration, chronic inflammation, etc., of those surfaces; also old ulcers on the extremities, etc. In domestic practice
it is used somewhat as we use Arnica, as an application to bruises,
abrasions, and sprains. The first mention of the use of Hydrastis
in cancer is found in the earlier numbers of the British Journal.
Dr. Bayes and Dr. Pattison both reported cases cured with an
external application of the drug. But Dr. P. published his cases in a
pamphlet, much as the cancer doctors of this country publish their
wonderful cures, and there was much room left for doubt, as to the
genuineness of the statements. Drs. McLimont and Marston do
not, however, rely entirely upon the use of Hydrastis alone, but
consider it -necessary to "enucleate" the tumor. This process of
enucleation is described in full (see page 628).  IHydrastis was
applied to the tumor, after it had been incised. But it will seem
strange to American homceopathists, who have always loked upon
their English brethren with something akin to reverence, when they
learn the manner of its application. "A piece of lint is applied to
the surface, spread with equal parts of a paste composed of a
strong decoction of IHydrastis root, chloride of zinc, and jfour, andstramoniucm  ointment."  Shade of Hahnemann, have mercy upon
English homceopathists!  Is this  Homceopathy?  What, in the
name of common sense, can a mild, non-caustic medicine like
Golden Seal do, mixed up with such caustics and narcotics as chlo.ride of zinc and stramonium? Is the.British Journal so badly in
want of original articles, as to be obliged to publish such absurdity
under the name of homceopathy? It is equally ridiculous with old
school practice. If the I-ydrastis was to be tested, why not do it
in a proper manner, by applying it in a concentrated form to the
diseased part?  In some of the cases reported, a "lotion" of
Golden Seal was applied with apparent good effect. Of the constitutional treatment they  say:  "This "-the Hydrastis-" is the
medicine upon which we chiefly rely in our treatment of cancer,
usually putting our patients under a course of it for a month or so,
before commencing the enucleation of the mass. Our doses vary
from one or two drops of the sixth dil., to drop doses of the mother
tincture; the lower forms being used chiefly in those cases in which
the cachectic condition is fully marked; and. we must confess that
we know of no medicine which has caused so great an improvement in the general health of our patients as has this. We continue the medicine during the whole of the treatment, and for some
weeks after. "' In some cases, however, the ulceration has extended
into such parts as to prevent much treatment by the application of
the paste, and here we have obtained much good from the Hydras32




250       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
tis lotion, combined with its internal administration; the pain
decreases, the factor dimninishes, the discharge is lessened, and the
ulceration progresses less rapidly. *  *  Our experience, on the
whole seems to lead to the conclusion, that fbr the most part the
health (as connected with the disease) improves more rapidly under
Arsenicumrn  than  under  Hydrastis, while  on the other hand,
the local condition participates more decidedly in this amendment
when Hydrastis is taken."  Several example cases are given to
illustrate the curative effects, a few of which we condense:
Case 1.-A lady had observed for some years a hard substance
in her right breast, which, for a few months before coming under
treatment had rapidly increased in size, and had become so painful
as to prevent all rest by night. On examination, a tumnor of strong
hardness, and about the size of a duck's egg, was discovered in the
upper portion of the left breast. It was non-adherent, but the skin
was slightly puckered, and the nipple retracted. Another physician
had called the tumor a malignant one.  Hydrastis sixth  was
administered in drop doses. The pain was at once relieved. The
enucleation of the tumor, however, was decided upon. The wound
speedily cicatrized, and the patient remains perfectly free from
disease.
Case 2.-"A lady had suffered for six months from a swelling in
the left breast. The pain-which was compared to knives thrust
into the part-had become almost unbearable, and the patient was
already beginning to assume that worn appearance so characteristic
of the cancerous diathesis. The tumor, which attained a considerable size, was hard, heavy, and adherent to the skin, which was
dark, mottled, and very much puckered, the nipple also being much
retracted. The patient was at once advised to come to town for
the enucleation of the tumor. This, however, her circumstances
prevented, and without any expectation of affording much relief, a
lotion of Hydrastis was ordered, with the internal use of the same
medicine. The pain almost imnlediately ceased, and the tumor so
speedily decreased in size that -at the end of two months it had
altogether disappeared, leaving but the puckered skin, which had
otherwise regained its natural appearance. When we last heard of
this patient she continued perfectly well. It is needful to state that
her health rapidly improved under the treatment, and that her
countenance regained the aspect of health."  This is a notable case,
and if the IHydrastis will always act as well, it will prove a great
boon to humanity.
Ten cases are given, in which the Hydrastis was used. In most
cases it relieved the pain, and in some it checked the progress of
the disease. The writers claim that it failed to give relief in no
case. They predict gr-eat advantage from:the use of this medicine.
But we protest against its combination with powerful caustics and
anodynes, if we are to have all the good effects of the "paste"
attributed to the Hydrastis. I would suggest that American homceopathists test the pure paste of Hydrastis (pulv. root) applied to the
"incised" tumor, or the lotion, or even a strong cerate, giving at
the same time the remedy internally.  The Hydrastis is also recom



HYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.                      251
mended for Lupus. Three cases, says Drs. M3cL. and M., have
been treated successfully with it.
I have been treating a case of scirrous of the breast by the use
of Hydrastis. The lady had a scirrous tumor extirpated from the
right breast six years previously. Three months before I was consulted she noticed a small induration, or tumor, near the site of the
one which had been extirpated. It gradually increased in size and
became very painful. The pain was lancinating, and extended up
to the shoulder and down the arms. I applied a lotion of Hydrastis,
one-tenth in water, and ordered her to take five drops of the onetenth three times a day. It is now one month since she commenced
its use. The pain ceased the first week, and the tumor has
decreased rapidly in size. Dr. H. I. Saxton, of St. Joseph, Mich.,
writes nme that he has had considerable experience in the use of
HIydrastis as an external application; and gives the following cases
illustrating its use:
Case. —A girl seven or eight years of age fell, and lacerated
the scalp above the left temple. The wound was several' inches in
length, in the form of a crescent. It suppurated, and became a
troublesome sore. After cleansing the surface, the Hydrastis, in fine
powder, was applied. It checked the suppuration, allayed the
inflammation, and under its use, the ulcer healed in a few days.
Case 2.-Was an ulcer from  a burn, on the back of a child's
hand. It was much inflamed, very painful; she could hardly move
her wrist. The powdered Hydrastis was applied lightly. Although
the child irritated it a good deal, it soon healed, and left the cuticle
smooth, and without a cicatrix.
Case 3. —Infantile Intertrigo. "Excoriation in the folds of
the neck."  The dry powder was applied, and it healed in three
davs.
As a wash, one part, of the tincture to ten of water I
have found more useful in obstinate excoriation of the skin, in
children, than Arnica.  Glycerine is a better vehicle than water.
The Glycerole of Hydrastis is used with great advantage in cases
of intertrigo, sore nipples, and ulcerated surfaces. While Arnica
seems specific for contusions, with extravasations, and Calendula
for incised and lacerated wounds, even when unhealthy suppuration ensues, the Hydrastis seems the best remedy for chronic
ulcers, arising from  either of the above causes, or from  burns,
scalds, or some diseases of the skih.
Skin.-'Enough has been said above to indicate the conditions
of the skin, etc., for which Hydrastis is indicated. It is probably
not specific against any idiopathic diseases of the skin, but only for
some of the effects of such diseases. It has been found useful
against lupus, psoriasis, rhagadqes, and excoriations. It may be
employed as a simple lotion, a glycerole, or in the form of a cerate.
If the general condition of the system is cachectic its internal use
will be found beneficial.
Sleep.-Awakened several times during the night by severe
pains in the small of the back, and hypogastric region, with dull
pain in the umbilicus.




25 2  -   NEW   HIOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
Fever. -Chilly sensation all night, notwithstanding abundance of
covering; chilliness, with aching in the back and limbs.
CLINICAL REMARKS. -Its use in Intermittent fevers has already
been alluded to. It is most serviceable in quzoticiansj when there
is considerable gastric disturbance, jaundice, and a general cachectic
condition. Also in cases where mercury and quinine have been
used injuriously. In the debility which follows gastric, bilious, and
typhoid fever, it will be found very useful.
Mind.-Feel very sad and gloomy.
llead.-Dull, heavy frontal headache; constant dull headache,
with pain in the hypogastritiu  and small of the back of a dull
aching character; dull frontal headache present most of the time.
CLINICAL REMARKIS.-I have found it useful in headache from
gastric difficulties, those arising from dyspepsia, and in those
frontal headaches which occur in chronic catarrh. It has been
found curative in headache from habitual constipation.
Eyes.-Mucous membrane of the eyelids much congested; discharge of large quantities of thick white mucus; profuse secretion
of tears; eyelids agglutinated together; mucous membrane of lids
congested; smarting of the eyes; burning of the eyes and lids.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We find here distinctly manifested, the
specific action of Hydrastis. It affects all mucous membranes, that
of the eyes seems to be prominently affected by the pathogenetic
influence of the drug. We also find that this remedy has been
used very successfully by eclectic practitioners, in diseases of the
eyes. In catarrhal conjunctivitis, -after the acute stage has passed,
it has been used as a collyrium with unequivocal benefit. King
advises it in opacity of the cornea. Jones and Scudder assert that,
"' A decoction of it is very useful as a detergent and antiphlogistic
application to the eyes, either in acute or chronic inflammation; in
acute ophthalmia we have obtained much advantage from applying
a poultice of equal parts of Hydrastis and ulmus fulva, wet with
cold water; it relieves the pain and burning, and in many mild
cases will effect a cure without any other application. In the
chronic form of the dis'ease we employ it without the ulmus fulva,
directing a large poultice to be applied to the affected eye upon
going to b;ed, and retained on through the night, wetting it occasionally with water' if it becomes:dry." Were it not for the senseless combinations which they use, some valuable clinical experience
might be gleaned from the works of writers on eclectic medicine.
From the above testimony as to the use of Hydrastis in Ophthalmia,
we may deduce some practical suggestions. The " eye symptoms"
noticed by the provers show that Hydrastis is an analogue of Pulsatilla, Euphrasia, Hepar sulphur and Sepia. The two former
correspond more particularly to acute catarrhal inflammation, while
the latter, and HIydrastis are more appropriate to the chronic condition. (IzEthusa effects the eyes similarly to Euphrasia.)  Pulsatilla is but indicated when the discharge is thick, mucus, or even
muco-purulent, and there may be superficial ulceration of the conjunctiva. Bat the discharge for which Hydrastis is indicated,
proceeds from a more obstinate catarrhal inflammation, in which




HYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.                     253
ulceration is a prominent symptom. It is a little strange that the
above mentioned writers do not mention or advise the use of this
remedy internally in Ophthalmic diseases. It may be remarked,
however, that the older allopathic writers do not mention the
internal use of Pulsatilla or Euphrasia, although they used them as
topical agents, in the same diseases for which we use them.
-Dose, etc. —In acute conjunctivitis give the' third dilution, and
apply about the same attenuation, (in distilled  water), to the
eyes. In the chronic, attended with ulceration, use the one-tenth
or one-hundredth internally and as a collyrium.
Nose. —Very much stuffed up; constant discharge of thick white
mucus- from  the nose; constant coryza with profuse secretion of
tears; obstruction of the nasal passages with frequent coryza;
constant coryza with frontal headache; (B) "excessive secretion
from  the mucous membrane of the nose, so much so that the
secretions were removed in long tenacious shreds or pieces."(Ki ing.)
CLINICAL IREMARKS.-This last symptom, which I find in King's
Disp., shows very clearly the sphere of action of the drug; also
that the mucous membrane- of the nose is specifically affected; this
symptom was caused by internal administration. For several years
I have been in the habit of treating chronic nasal. catarrhs, ozmna,
and diptheritic affections of the nose, with Hydrastis. In simple
catarrh, the second dil. may be given internally and used as an
injection into the nostrils, two or three times-a day. When there
is ulceration the first dec. trituration will afford more satisfactory
results.  In Ozaena, it may be used still stronger, and in alternation with injections of Baptisia, giving at the same time
internally, Iodide of Arsenic, or Nitric ac.  In acute coryza,
with copious secretion of white mucus and tears, nightly chilliness,
despondency, etc., I would suggest the use of the high potencies.
Its internal and topical application may prove of benefit in nasal
polypi. If its asserted power of discussing scirrous and other
tumors be but substantiated, it may prove useful in cancer of the,
nose.
Mouth.-Large apthous sore on the mucous membrane of the
under lip; fiat taste in the mouth; "excessive secretion of tenacious mucus from the buccal mucous membrane, so profuse that it
may be removed in long tenacious shreds." —(Kizng.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We have here the same blenorrhagic
symptoms noticed under "Nose."  Hydrastis has always been a
favorite domestic remedy in "sore mouth."   Many physicians use
it in all forms of stomatitis with alleged success. It has been found
useful in common apthous stomatitis of children; in simple ulceration of the buccal mucous membrane; in mercurial sore mouth;: and
in stomatitis materna. I have witnessed the most obstinate varieties
of these affections, yield to the local application of Hydrastis in
decoction or powder, after the mineral acids, astringents, nitrate of
silver of the old school, and even homceopathic remedies had been
tried in vain. The best method of application is to put one drachm
of the tincture into half a pint of water, use this as a wash every




254       NEW   IOMiEOPATHIC  TPROVINGS.
four hours; enough will be swallowed or absorbed, to exert its
specific constitutional action.
In Dr. Ludlam's report on "stomatitis materna. (Trans. Ill.
Hobm. Society) mention-is made of the use of this remedy in that
*disease. Dr. Murch has been very successful in many cases, using
it as a wash, and the dry powder applied to ulcers in the mouth.
Fauces, Throat, etc.-Tingling and smarting in the throat;
hawking up of tenacious, yellow or white mucus, with rawness of
the fauces; some pain on swallowing, as from excoriation.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is a favorite remedy with many homoeopathic physicians in the West, as a gargle in cases of simple
ulcerated sore throat; also in Angina with ulceration, when accompanying scarlatina; it does not, like Baptisia, remove the fretor in a
direct manner, but its curative effect over the ulceration tends to
remove any putrefactive condition. I consider it as useful in.Diphtheria, as any remedy we are acquainted with. (Use as
directed under "Mouth.")  The pathogenetic symptoms are quite
similar to, those for which Dr. Gray, of New York, so highly recommlendsMerc. Iodatus; and the pathological condition, namely, inflammation and engorgement, with profuse secretion of mucus from the
mucous follicles of the throat, very much resemble the condition
which Mercurius causes. In some varieties of Chronic Angina,
we find the mucous membrane of the fauces studded with round,
protuberant spots, of a red color, as if injected with blood, and the
patients complains of an aggravation from the least exposure to
cold. For this state of the throat Hepar sulphur is generally
prescribed, but its permanent curative effect is much aided by the
internal and local use of Hydrastis. Syphilitic Angina, has been
benefited by the use of this medicine; indeed, in its action on the
glands of the mucous membrane, Hydrastis is an analogue of the
mercurials. There is a kind of sore throat, which often attends
dyspepsia; it is sometimes known as "bilious sore' throat," although
the name is inappropriate; it is a sympathetic disorder, arising from
irritation of the stomach and lower portions of (esophagus; for this
troublesome affection, the Hydrastis internally is an excellent
remedy.
Gastric Symptoms.-Eructations of sour::fluid; faint feeling at
the stomach; -dull aching pain in the stomach, which causes a very
weak, faintish feeling; burning pain in the umbilical region, with a
faintish " goneness' in the epigastric region; cutting pain in the
stomach.
CLINICAL REMARKs. —This remedy seems likely to  prove as
prominent a remedy fbr those conditions which are.known under
the name of dyspepsia, as Nux vomica, Sulphur, or Pulsatilla. W'e
will glance at the testimony of eclectic physicians on this subject:
-" It is successfully administered in dyspepsia and chronic affections
of the mucous coats of the stomach; in chronic inflammation of
the stomach it is very valuable; it will be found of especial advantage in the treatment of persons who are intemperate, gradually
removing the abnormal condition of the stomach, and in many
instances  destroying  the  appetite  for liquor.-(King.)  "In




HYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.                     255
anorexia,  indigestion, and' general debility, arising   from  a
languid, or atonic state of the stomach, it is unsurpassed, restoring
tone to the. stomach, promoting the appetite, and acting as a
general restorative.  It may also be employed in those cases of
chronic gastritis and chronic irritation of the stomach with altered
secretion, which constitute the worst and most persistent forms of
dyspepsia.  In acid indigestion the Hydrastis, associated with
calcined magnesia or prepared charcoal, will be found truly valuable,
especially when attended with a torpid condition of the bowels.
In those sympathetic diseases of the digestive organs, arising from
uterine disease, we have obtained more benefit.from this than from
any other agent.-(Jones & Scudder Miat. Med.) "The cases in
which we have known this plant used with most success, were
atonic dyspepsia, attended with torpidity of the liver; languid
circulation, and constipated bowels." (Prqfessor Lee, Allopath.)
The few pathogenetic symptoms which we have, point to its use
in dyspepsia with acidity, and dyspepsia from atony. The faint
feeling, is quite suggestive of congestion of the portal system; but
we should be guided, perhaps, more by the general action of
Hydrastis upon mucous membranes. We know that it causes (1)
blenorrhagia; (2) excoriation and ulceration (supe:ficial?); and a
condition simulating chronic inflammation. I have used this medicine
in gastric disorders, for several years, and my experience, together
with a knowledge of its general effects, lead me to consider it
homceopathic to the following conditions; I use the nomenclature
of Dr. Chambers-(see Disorders of Digestion):
(1) Mucous Flux (chronic.)
(2.) Excess of epitheliuml (chronic).
(3.) The Anvamic state.
(4.) (Chronic Inflammation, (mucous).
(5.) Ulcer of the stomach.
(6.) Deficiency of gastric juice.
It may prove of value *in cancer, or scirrous of the stomach, if
the experience of our English colleagues should be verified; it
palliates those symptoms of flatulence, distention, and painful
digestion, so common to dyspeptics.
Stomach and Bowels.-Slight pain in the umbilical region, with
a hot sensation in the same parts; severe cutting pain in the
hypogastric region, extending into the testicle, where it is of a
dull aching character, occurring after stool and accompanied by a
very faint feeling; constant distress in the umbilical region, with
loud rutlbling in the bowels; dull pain in the hypogastrium and
small of the back; dull pain in the umbilicus, aggravated by moving,
and accompanied by great rumbling in the bowels; severe pains
in the hypogastrium with very faint feeling following stool; constant dull pain in the right side of umbilical region; constant
dull aching pain in the stomach that produces a gone, or faint
feeling; constant pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach, that
produces a very weak, faint feeling; severe cutting pains in the
stomach and umbilical region; at intervals sharp pain in the region
of the spleen, with constant dull pains in the stomach and bowels,




256       NEW  HIOMEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
accompanied by a hot burning sensation; the aching pain in the
umbilicus prevents my sleeping; great deal of pain in the umbilical
and ccecal regions, continuing all night, with pain in the whole
bowels all the fbllowing day; sharp pains in the region of the
ccecum.
CLINICAL REIMARKS.-It will be well here, to inquire into the
general action of Hydrastis upon the intestinal tube. It is not
considered as a cathartic, yet I have known large doses of the
powdered root to act as a purgative. This, however, may have
been in part owing to the irritating effects of the woody fibre in
the powder, as the tincture does not, in quite large quantities, have
that effect. King says that in some instances "it proves laxative,
but without any astringency, and seems to act in therapeutical
action between Rhubarb and bloodroot." Prof. Lee says it "proves
laxative to the bowels."  Dr. Burt, who made a portion of this
proving, writes me that he did not have any very loose stools
during the experiment; that he did not notice any mucus in the
evacuations; the burning pain in the bowels was quite troublesome;
but his proving was not continued a sufficient length of time to
develope its peculiar blenorrhagic effects upon the intestinal
mucous membranes. We feel safe in asserting that Hydrastis is
not primarily or directly homceopathic to diarrhoea, unless in the
catarrhal, in which it should be used highly potentized; but it is
decidedly homoeopathic to the following conditions:
(1) Chronic mucous flux of the intestines. (This condition has
been treated under -the name of intestinal catarrh, blenorrhcea of
the bowels.) It seems to be a near analogue of Ammonicum muriaticum in its effects upon mucous surfaces.
(2.) Erosion, chronic ulceration, etc., with "defective absorption;') it is also homceopathic to flatulent colic; and pain in the
bowels when accompanied by faintness.
Stool.-Soft stool, followed by severe cutting pain in the hypogastrium, with dull aching in the testicles, accompanied by a very
faint feeling; soft, mushy stool, with great rumbling in the bowels.
(Burt). Obstinate relaxation of the bowels; griping pains in the
bowels; tenesmus.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Prof. Lee (allopath), says this medicine
has been used with most success in atonic dyspepsia, attended with
languid circulation, torpidity of the liver, and constipated bowels.
If it really proved curative in material doses, in constipation, it must
be secondarily homceopathic to that condition. The reports of our
English colleagues seem to support this theory by actual cases.
Dr. Hastings, Surgeon (British Hom. Journal, Vol. XVIII, page
317,) writes: "My assistant, Mr. Clifford, uses it extensivelr in very
chronic and obstinate cases of constipation, and says, that a drop of
the mother tincture, in water, first thing every evening, has been
most effectual in these cases."  The following cases, illustrating the
use of Hydrastis can. in constipation, were reported by Dr. Rogerson in the British Journal, Vol. XVIII., page 526:Case 1. —" Margaret Shaw, aged thirty-eight, came to the dispensary, with the following symptoms:-for the last eight years,




HYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.                   257
she had: been troubled with constipation, during which time her
bowels had never been moved more than once or twice a week,
and then only by the aid of opening medicine. Castor oil and pills
generally had been taken, consequently she complained of constant
headache, more especially in the morning; bad taste in the mouth;
foul tongue; pain in the back and shoulders; a sense of constriction in the hypogastric  region, which was only relieved by
opening medicine; rather bilious; yellow complexion; skin smooth
and dry; great pain after each stool, which was of a hard nodulated consistence, and of a brown or gray color. I now ordered her
to take Iyd. c., every morning and evening, and to leave off taking
all opening or purgative medicines; after four days had elapsed,
her headache, pain in the back and shoulders, were much better;
the bowels having moved. Four days afterward, the headache had
entirely disappeared; free from pain; stool quite easy and healthy;
yellow hue disappearing from the face; the appetite much better,
and at the end of four weeks she reported herself quite well."
Case 2. "Sarah HIowarth, aged twenty-nine, complaining of
sore neck and throat, the latter much relaxed and inflamed, more
especially the, posterior part; headache, cough and spit; pain in
side;while stooping and rising from a recumbent position; breath
bad; tongue foul and coated with a thick white fur; appetite bad;
and bowels for some seven or eight weeks very much confined;
had been obliged to resort to opening medicines every Saturday
evening; they were generally moved three or four times every
Sunday, and not again until the medicine was repeated on the
following Saturday. She was ordered Hydrastis c. every morning
and evening; one week afterward, she felt rather better; breath
not so bad; tongue moist and more healthy; appetite increasing;
bowels moved every day since she commenced taking the medicine;
continued the Ilydrastis; one week later she feels nearly well,
excepting a slight pain while swallowing any food; bowels free
from all uneasy sensation, and move every day; appetite greatly
increased and gaining strength every day; continued the medicine,
which resulted in a perfect cure at the end of two weeks longer."
C'ase 3.-Thomas Oscar, aged forty-six. Has been for several
months troubled with general anasarca-difficulty in making water,
which was of a high color, depositing a cloudy sediment while
standing;: and having been in active service during the Crimean
campaign was accustomed to sleeping out in the open air, and
being- so exposed for a series of weeks and months, suffered from
an acute attack of rheumatic fever, which laid the foundation of
his present illness; his bowels for the last two months having been
very much confined, so much so, that he was necessitated to resort
to opening medicine once or twice a week. On my first visiting
him, however, on the twenty-first of April, I prescribed IIydrastis
every morning and evening.
April 29th.-Has, since taking the medicine, had his bowels
moved two or three times every day; he also makes much more
water-more freely and of a better color; continue Hydrastis.
May 4th —Iis bowels have been moved every day, with the
33




258       NEW   -IOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
exception of yesterday!; his water increases; tongue better; sleeps
very well, and feels in every respect  great relief from his former
sufferings; continuei Hydrastis every morning.
May 26. Bowels more quiet, regular; swelling much diminished;
water freer, clear and copious; feels now nearly well; continue
Hydrastis every other morning."
"The above cases are only a few of the many in which I have
tried it with great success; it seems to act most beneficially. on
those who have undergone, or constantly resort to a course of
opening medicine;. itt also seems to act best on those who have
spent an active life, but have be.come of sedentary habit."  It is tobe regretted that Dr. Rogerson did not give the doses he used.
iHydrastis is indicated in some forms of dysentery; in mucous
enteritis when of a catarrhal. character, and the inflammation'
sub-acute, the Hydrastis at the third dilution will prove curative.
In chronic enteritis, when the discharges are tenacious, slimy, and
accompanied with tenesmus; or when the feeces are in the form of
hard balls, coated over with yellowish, tough mucus; this medicine
will be of service in the first and second potency. The topical
application of the remedy must not be forgotten in these cases.
Enemas of Iydrastis will be found useful, and will bring about a
cure unaided, or at any rate materially aid its internal action;
when- the disease is located in the rectum, this form of application
will be found particularly beneficial.In Ulceration  of the recttem, occurring after bad cases of
dysentery, the local application of Hydrastis will effect prompt
cures; also, in fissure of anus. (The cerate will be the best
preparation in these cases).
In Hoemorrhoids, this plant has some reputation. Reliable
practitioners have: assured me that they have cured the most
obstinate cases by the alternate use of Hydrastis and Podophyllum,
using enemas of Hydrastis every night.
In Excoriations of the anus, as it occurs in little children, or
even adults, in diarrhoea and dysentery, no better remedy can
be advised; it should be used in the form of glycerole.
Liver.-Our provings do not point to any particular symptoms,
relating to the liver, but it is considered valuable in hepatic disorders, by the Eclectic school.
C(oe says:-"I'Upon the liver it acts with certainty and efficacy;
as a chologogue and deobstruent it has few equals; it is of inestiinable value in the treatment of chronic derangements of the' liver
and portal circulation; it seems to exercise an especial influence
over the portal vein, and hepatic structure, generally; resolving
biliary deposits; removing obstructions; promoting secretion, and
giving tone to the various functions. It may be relied upon with
confidence for the relief of hepatic torpor. In intermittent fever,
we have found it most reliable in- those cases in which the
prolongation of the disease depended upon a disordered condition
of the functions of the liver."'  King does not mention its applicability
to hepatic diseases.  Other writers, however, recommend it in
affections of that organ. If the liver eliminates the principle of the




HYDRASTIS  CAXNADENSIS.-                   259
Hydrastis, we may safely assert that it will disorder its functions.
I have quoted the above, to draw the attention of our school to its
alleged uses. There is one condition of the liver, however, in which
I consider the Hydrastis homcopathically indicated; I allude to
to 1"catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the
gall bladder, biliary ducts, etc.
Urinary Organs.-Dull, aching sensation in the region of the
kidneys; dull, heavy weight in the lumbar region; urine increased
from  twenty-eight to sixty ounces per day, and changed from an
acid reaction to neutral." (B).
CmNIcAL REMARKS.-NO mention has been made of the diuretic
action of Hydrastis, yet it would seem to have such effect; it needs
confirmation, however, and further provings may clear up the
matter. From analogy, it is more than probable, this medicine has
the same effect upon the mucous membranes of the urinary organs,
that it has upon the mouth, nose, and fauces, above alluded to.
The resinoid principle of the drug, may be eliminated through the
kidneys, the same as Turpentine, Copaiva and others; if so, it
would undoubtedly cause those blenorrhagic conditions of the
bladder, urethra, etc., for which it is considered almost a specific.
KXing, and every other Eclectic writer on'therapeutics, assert, its
"great value in; gleet, chronic gonorrhcea, incipient stricture,
spermatorrhcea and inflammation and ulceration of the internal
coat of the bladder."  " Many cases of ulceration of:,the internal
coat of the bladder have been cured by the decoetion of Hydrastis
alone. It must be injected into the bladder,: and held there as long
as the patient can conveniently retain it-to be repeated three or
four times a day, immediately after emptying the bladder."  It
may be. prepared as follows: Tincture Hydrastis, c., one drachm;
hot water, one pint;' inject about blood-heat. Its internal use
alone would undoubtedly cure the disease, but it would require a
longer time.  (I have cured cystic blenorrhcea with  Copaiva,
Chhinaphila, and Uva-ursi internally.)
In Gleet, it is beneficial, used in the same manner as above recommended. Dr. Hastings, U. S. Marine Hospital, San Francisco, California, reports in the Paciflc Journal, his treatment for Gonorrhaea.
Patients in the acute stage are freely:purged; kept quiet; placed on
half rations for three days; after which they are allowed full diet.
The urethra from the time of the reception, is injected night and
morning with a saturated infusion of fresh Hydrastis. He is first
directed to urinate, and after the injection,' to lie on his back for
an hour or so to retain it. After:the first purgation, no medicine is
given internally. This treatment allays the chordee and ardor
urinae immediately, and in the course of a febw days the disease is
removed. Dr. H. says that, having used all kinds of treatment, he
finds this produces a quicker cure, with less pain to the- patient,
than any other. Dr. Hastings has also employed the Hydrastis as
an injection into the bladder in Cystitis. For this purpose, the
temperature should be brought to blood-heat, and about four ounces
thrown in daily. The pain on micturition is remarkably relieved."
From this crude treatment, we may draw some practical sugges



260       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
tions. We can use the Hydrastis in minute quantities, with just as
good effects as are gained from massive doses. Dr. Coe, says, it
should be given internally in small and repeated doses in chronic
inflammation of the blader. In congestion of the- ureters, chronic
suppression of urine, and gravelly affections, also in incontinence
of urine, and diabetes, it will be found highly useful." This may
be taken cum grano salis.
Generative Organs of lMen.-It is homeopathic to chronic
gonorrhoea, gleet, balanitis, balanorrhsba, etc. For the debility after
spermatorrheea it is an admirable remedy. (See urinary organs.)
Gtenerative Organs of Women.-We regret that we have no provings of Iris v. upon women. But the clinical experience relating to
use in some disordered states of the reproductive organs, is quite
extensive.  From  its peculiar, specific action on other mucous
tisues, we should consider it homeopathic to conditions marked
by abnormal secretions, such as uterine and vaginal catarrh, or
mucus leucorrlhea (which according to Tyler Smith is a hyper-secretion of the glandular portion of the cervix uteri). In this form of
leucorrheea the: discharge is tenacious, sometimes hanging from the
os, in a long viscid string. It should also be useful in epithelial
abrasion of the os and cervix uteri, and vagina, especially when
superficial ulceration is present. When these conditions are accompanied with considerable debility, and disorder of the digestive
functions, I have found the iydrastis one of the best of medicines.
It should be given internally, in the lower attenuations, and used as
an injection, of about the strength of one drachm Of the tincture to
one pint or quart of water.  The enema should be retained five
minutes, repeated twice or three times a day.
The following Eclectic testimony may not:be inappropriate
in this place:-" It is of singular efficacy in leucorrhcea when the
complaint is complicated with hepatic aberration."- (.Dr. Coe.)
" In those sympathetic affections of.the digestive organs, arising
from uterine diseases, we have obtained more benefit from it than
from any other agent. Not only does it exercise a tonic influence
upon the digestive organs, but if there is one agent more than
another that deserves the name of uterine tonic, we believe that
this is the agent. As a vaginal injecion in leucorrhea, or inflammation, (J. & S. Met. M/Ied.,) of the cervix uteri, it has no superior."
Dr. H. M. Saxton, of St. Joseph, writes me that he has used it
very successfully in various forms of leucorrhaea. Very many other
practitioners of our school consider it; indicated in this class of
affections, not fromn any special affinity for the generative organs,
but by its general sphere of action, both as a restorative, and from
its power to-influence the conditions of mucous membranes.
Catarrhal Symptoms, etc. —Dull, frontal headache, with frequent
coryza and constant secretion of tears; nose very much stuffed up;
constant tickling of the larynx, with a dry harsh cough; chilliness;
itching of the back and limbs; eyes smart: and burn; scraping
sensation in the larynx; constant rough, hacking cough.
CLINICAL RErARKs.-Although our eclectic colleagues recommend it in "all chronic, and even acute inflammations of mucous




HYDRASTIS  CANADENSIS.                    261
membranes," yet they make no mention of its use in catarrh of the
air passages. The above pathogenetic symptoms point directly to
its effects on the respiratory tract. It causes many notable catarrhal
symptoms. I would reccommend it, theoretically, in acute catarrhsnasal, laryngeal and bronchial (in the sixth dil.), also in chronic
catarrhs of those passages. It is homceopathic when the discharge
is thickl yellowish, very tenacious, "stringy," and profuse.  In
these  cases the low attenuations should be used, aided when
practicable by the topical application in the form of injection. In the
bronchial catarrh of old people, with debility, loss of appetite
eachectic conditions, it should prove very useful.
Back and Upper Extremities.-Aching in the lower region;
weariness in the arms.
CLINICAL REMARS. —I once treated a lady, during her climacteric period, whose chief complaint was an intense aching pain in
the small of the back. This pain sometimes changed to a burning.
The profuse menses, were lessened with Platina; the  nervous
symptoms by Lachesis-and Pulsatilla, but neither these nor Sepia
relieved the pain in her back. Upon the recommendation of a nurse
she drank a decoction of ilydrastis, with the effect of removing
the back-ache in a few days. The cure seemed permanent.
-Lower Extremities.-Legs feel very weak, and ache; pain in the
small of the back; severe pain in the right knee, lasting all day, and
much aggravated by walking; dull aching in the loins.
CLINICAL  REVERES.-In irritable ulcers on the legs, this
medicine may be used in the form  of a very weak wash, also
internally. In indolent ulcers, a stronger preparation, even the
pure tincture would be more useful.
DR. BURT'S PROVING QF liYDRASTIS.
Nov. 9th.-Feeling well, bowels regular once a. day; urine
natural; took ten grains 3. P. m., all day constant, slight pain in
the umbilical region, with a hot sensation in the same parts, 7. P. M.,
soft stool, followed by severe cutting pains in the hypogastric region
and dull aching pains'in the testicles, accompanied with a very faint
feeling; eructations of sour fluid; dull-heavy weight in the lumbar
region.;
Nov. lOth.-Feeling well, 9. A. M., took twenty grains 12 M.;
dull, heavy, frontal headache; constant distress in the umbilical
region, with loud rumbling in the bowels, dull aching sensation in
the region of the kidneys; took fifteen grains 5. P. M., dull headache; slight constant, pain in the umbilical region; dull pain in the
region of the kidneys; took forty grains; constant dull headache,
with great deal of dull pain in the hypogastric region and small of
the back; slight stool, with a faint. feeling afterwards; legs feeling
very weak, and ache; urinated twenty-eight oz. acid.
Nov. 11th. —Awoke several times in the night, with severe pain
in the small of the back and hypogastric region, and dull pain in the
umbilical region, aggravated by motion, with great rumbling in
the bowels; stool at 6. A. M., soft, papescent, followed by a very
faint feeling and severe pains in the hypogastric region; dull head



-262      NEW-  HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
ache; eyes secreted large quantities of thick white mucus; mucous;
membrane of the eyelids good deal congested; nose very much
stuffed up; slight hacking cough, with a scraping sensation irt the
larynx; took fifty grains at 10. A. M. 5.:iP. M., constant dull frontal
headache; nose secreting constantly a thick white mucus;,constant
rough hacking cough; soft mushy stool at 2.P.M. with great rumbling
in the bowels; constant coryza; my right knee has pained me very
severely all day-walking aggravates it very much; took sixty grs.
9. P. M., there has been constant dull headache; frequent coryza
with profuse secretion of tears; nose running constantly a thick
white mucus; constant, slight, hacking cough; constant dull pain
in the umbilical region; soft mushy stool.; urinated forty-two oz.
acid-heat has no effect upon it.
Nov. 1 2th.-Slept well; eyelids agglutinated together; mucous
membrane of the lids congested; obstruction of the nose with
thick mucus; frequent coryza; slight, hacking, rough cough;
constant dull pain in the right side of the umbilical region; soft
mushy stool; dull aching in:the loins; apthee-like sore on the mucous
membrane of the under lip; took seventy grains at 10. A. M., 12. X,.
there is a constant, dull, aching pain in the stomach, that produces a
gone or faintish feeling; dull, frontal, headache: 5. P. x., there has
been constant pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach, that
produces a very weak, faintish feeling; soft. mushy stool; feeling
very sad and gloomy; took eighty grains; constant pain in the
stomach and umbilical region all the evening; dull heavy back-ache;
urinated thirty-six oz., acid.
Nov. 13th.-Awoke a number of times with severe cutting
pains in the stomach and umbilical region; nose stuffed up;
apthbe is better; soft papescent stool; 10. A. NM., took 100 grains;
12. l., constant dull pain in the umbilical region by spells quite sharp
pains in the region of the spleen; feeling very gloomy; all the
afternoon, dull pains in the stomach and bowels, with sharp pains in
the region of the spleen, accompanied with a hot sensation; 4.. r.,
took seventy drops of the tincture; constant dull.burning pains all
the evening, cramps in the umbilical region, with smarting of the
eyes; urinated forty-one oz., slightly acid.
Nov. 14th.-The dull, heavy aching pains in the umbilical region
prevented me from sleeping, most of the night; dull heavy headache; eye-lids agglutinated together; mucous membrane congested;
nose stuffed up; soft mushy stool; 9. A. i.  took fifty drops of
Tildens fluid extract; 12. x., there has been constant, dull, burning
pain in the umbilical region, accompanied with a faintish goneness
in the epigastric region; dull frontal headache; burningin the eyes;
took seventy-five drops; same symptoms were present all day;
urinated sixty.one oz., slightly acid.
Nov. 15th. —Vas very chilly all night, notwithstanding I had
an abundance of clothes over me; great deal of pain in the
umbilical and: cceum region all night; pain all day in -the whole
of the bowels; soft, mushy stool; urinated fifty oz.
Nov. 16th. —Feeling quite well.




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      263
I RIS VERSICOLOR.
(BIlue Flag.)
DESCRIPTTON. —This indigenous species of Iris has a perennial,
horizontal, fibrous root, and a stem two or three feet high, round
on one side, acute on the other,: and frequently branching. The
leaves are sheathing at the base, sword-shaped, and striated. The
flowers are from two to six in number, and are usually blue, or purple, though varying much in color. The capsule has three valves,
is divided into three cells, and when mature, is oblong, three-sided,
with obtuse angles, and contains numerous flat seeds. The Blue
Flag is found in all parts of the United States and Canada, flourishing in low wet places, and flowers in June. The root is the medicinal portion and yields its virtues to water, but more especially to
alcohol.
MEDICAiL HISTORY. —-It is probable that its employment as a
remedial agent, was first suggested to the profession by the Indians,
who, it is said, value it as one of their most powerful medicines.
Indeed, so important a place does it hold in their estimation, that a
traveler among the tribes in Georgia and Florida, mentions having
seen an artificial pond in almost every village, covered with a luxuriant growth of the Iris, and which was constructed especially for
its cultivation. In times of prevailing sickness, they would partake
freely of a decoction of the root, which, together with prayer and
fasting, they considered an efficient guard against an attack of the
epidemic. In allopathic practice it has been considered useful in
dropsical affections, on account of its power as a diuretic, but it is
more especially mentioned in the books as a cathartic and emetic,
and is highly spoken bf by some physicians for the promptness and
certainty of its action in the direction its classification indicates.
Dr. Bigelow states that he has found it efficacious as a purgative,
though inconvenient firom  the distressing nausea and prostration
which it is apt to occasion.
DR. WM. H. BURT'S PROVING WITH IRIS.
May 15th.-Took three grains of the green root at 3 P. M.; the
acrid property wAs strongly marked; back part of the mouth and
fauces felt on fire all the afternoon, with profuse flow  of saliva;
8, P. M., took three more grains; slept well, but had a discharge of
semen with amorous dreams, something I am not accustomed to.
May 16th.-Mouth and tongue feel as though they had been
scalded, natural stools; anus feels sore, or as if sharp points were
stickling in the parts; 8 A. m.; took ten grains; so acrid it was
with difficulty that I could get my breath; constant discharge
of ropy saliva dropped from my mouth during conversation; constant distress in the anus, feeling as if it was prolapsed. 1 P. m.;
took twenty grains of the dried root; no acridness to it, great
distress in the stomach: half an hour after taking it; lasted two
hours; no other symptoms.
May 17th. —Took thirty drops of a poor tincture; no symptoms,
except that the next morning I awoke feeling very: irritable.




264     -NEW   IIOMC(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
May 18th.-Took forty grains of the green root; fifteen minutes
after, profuse flow of saliva and tears; mouth and stomach feel on
fire; almost impossible to breathe, it is so acrid; one half hour of
great pain and distress in the stomach; it is awful to bear; continued all the afternoon and evening; it is not a sharp pain, but an
awful, burning distress; appears to be deep in the region of the
pancreas, cold water does not touch it; profuse flow of saliva all
day; constant eructations of tasteless gas; sleep; very restless all
night, with bad dreams.
May 19th. —Awoke at 4 A. X., with great rumbling and
distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, and with great
desire for stool, followed immediately by a copious, thin, watery
stool, which could not be retained a moment without much pain;
mouth feels as if it had been scalded 4ongue thick and rough.
8 A. M., another thin, watery stool, with great rumbling in the
bowels; no appetite; loss of taste.  11 A. M., took forty grains;
acridness not felt so much. I Pr M., in great distress in the epigastric region; the distress is horrible to endure; profuse flow
of saliva. 2.30 P. m., the distress in the epigastric region is still
increasing; very restless; cannot be still one moment; think I
cannot live; very much frightened; copious discharge of thin
water from the bowels, but no abatement of the awful agony in the
epigastric region; inhaled chloroform, which gave a little relief.
3.15, P. x., another large stool of water, tinged with bile; the
water ran from the bowels in a continuous stream; nearly two
quarts of water passed; there was great rumbling in the bowels,
but no pain; this gave great relief; felt quite well at bed-time;
sleep, very restless; amorous dreams, with discharges of semen.
May 20th.-Very irritable through the day; otherwise quite
well. I had constant eructations of tasteless gas during the whole
period.
June 9th.-Took fifty grains of the green root, chewed it,
and swallowed the juice, at 11.30 A. M.; immediately a great
burning distress in the epigastric region, but not much in the
mouth; profuse flow of saliva; the burning in the stomach is
awful; cold water does not seem to reach it. 2.30 P. 1x., large,
yellow, papescent stool; with great rumbling, tut no pain; five
minutes more, another large watery stool; the burning in the pancreas is fearful to endure; constant rumbling in the bowels, but no
sharp pains. 2.45, P. i., another watery stool with colicky pains
in the epigastric region; flow of saliva abating. 5.30, P. M., there
has been severe colic in the epigastric and umbilical region for the
last two hours; every few momrents copious watery stool, with
great rumbling in the bowels. 6 P. M., great pain and distress in
the bowels, followed by a large watery stool; still the pain continues; begin to feel very faint and exhausted; knees weak and
tremble. 6.30, P. M., another watery stool; anus feels on fire. 7,
P. M., another watery stool, with disposition to strain and bear down;
great burning in the anus; food rises very sour. 9, P. M., another
watery stool with straining; anus feels on fire; becoming very
much exhausted I was compelled to retire. At 4 A. At., great rumb



IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      265
ling in the bowels, with desire for stool; had a profuse one of a
watery nature; followed by great straining, with the passage of a
little mucus. 5 A. M., another watery stool, followed by great
straining, with the passage of blood and mucus. 5.30 A. Dr.,
another stool of mucus, streaked with blood, with great tenesnus.
/ A. DI,) stool of water and mucus with great straining; mouth
tastes flat; tongue feels thick. 9 A. x., another copious stool of water
and undige1ted food, with groat strlini;ng  have become very much
exhausted; eyes much sunken in; teeth feel too long, and are very
sore;'dlill, heavy headache; very hoarse; urine very scanty-deep
reddish color; stomach very sour; bowels very tender.on pressure; loss of -appititt, 10.80 A..I.,!mlth el atoll oP.    a.
watenr  with grealt  enesmus, and rumbling in the bowels; dull
heavy headache in the forehead; calves of the legs pain very much
when walking, especially the right; thick flat taste in the mouth.
12.45, P. AI., small stool of mucus, with great tenesmus; constant
rumbling in the bowels; almost impossible to walk, my limbs are
so weak and painful; -for the last six hours the mucous membrane
of the anus has been prolapsed with great smarting pains. 3 P. x.,
another small stool of mucus, with severe tenesmus; urine very
scanty, and burning when voided; constant eructations of sour gas;
flying pains all through the bowels.
June IOth. —Dull, heavy headache in the frontal region; flat,
thick taste in the mouth; quite hoarse; urine very scanty, red and
burning the whole length of the urethra for half an. hour after
voidihg it; inflammation  of the glans penis; it is very much
swollen and  e'td; sever-e...:i -che; teeth  all fe el6soe  and
elongateda.
June 11lth.-Feel quite well; little hoarse; inflammation in
glans penis about gone.
June 13th.-At 4 P. Ai., natural stools, urine about natural.
Jiine 15th. —Tery hard lumpy stool; anus feels prolapsed;
pained all day.
June 16th. —Very severe back-ache, but otherwise well; for two
weeks occasionally, severe, shooting pains would pass through
my  temples several times a day. I was surprised that no
constipation followed such a long course of diarrhiea.
DRl. BURT'S PROVFIiG WITH IRISIN.
May 26th. —At 11 A. ii., took four grains of the first decimal
trituration. 12 ni., dull, heavy headache in the forehead; by spells
sharp pains in the temples; tight constrictive feeling of the scalp;
3.15, P. M., food rises very sour; 4.30 P. i., took eight grains;
10 P. x., soft papescent stool without pain, but rumbling in the
bowels; dull headache in the frontal region; very restless night;
dreams of fighting, etc.
May 27th. —Great deal. of rumbling in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, with desire for stool; had a soft, papescent stool,
without pain; flat taste in the mouth; teeth feel elongated and sore;
back, upper, and lower molars-dull, heavy, aching pain in them
for three hours; pain in. the forehead and left temple; pain in the
34




266        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
temple very sharp by spells; passed water but twice during the
day-very red color; restless night; discharge of semen, with
amorous dreams.
May 28th. —At 9 A. i., took ten grains; frequent eructations
of tasteless gas; rumbling all the afternoon in the umbilical region;
pain in the right kidney —lasted three hours; teeth still feel elongated and sore; great desire to sleep in the day time; fell asleep
while reading; dreamed of dissecting a woman hanging up by the
heels in my office; awoke very much frightened; made several
attempts to get up to shut the door, but could not; it was a regular night mare. 4.30, P. r., took fourteen grains; soft papescent
stool at 9 Pi ~.; hands hot and dry all dclay; dreamed of snakes, and
every thing bad; discharge of semen; restless night; teeth still
sore.
May 29th. —Took twenty grains at 9 A. M.; hands hot and dry
all day; cannot fix my mind on my studies; constant eructations
of tasteless gas; great diminution of the secretion of urine; made
a very little water morning and night, followed by great burning
in the urethra for half an hour after voiding it; dull heavy headache in the forehead and temples; by spells the pains in the temples
are very sharp and shooting; dull heavy pain in the lumbar region
all day; soft papescent stool at 2 P. M. At 5 P. i. took thirty
grains; restless night; horrid dreams; great rumbling in the
bowels all the time; discharge of semen, with amorous dreams.
May 30th.-Mouth tastes flat; tongue- coated white; dull
heavy headache in the forehead and temples; at times the pain in
the temples is very sharp; constant pain in the lumbar region,
aggravated by motion; urine'very scanty and high colored; very
soft, yellow stool, with great rumbling in the bowels but no pain.
May 31st.-Took forty grains at 8 A. M.; dull, heavy headache
all day; great pain in the lumbar and sacral regions; almost impossible to walk. 12 m., took eighteen grains; soft, mushy stool at
evening, with great rumbling, but no pain; restless night; bad
dreams.
June lst.-Dull, heavy headache; back pains me very severely;
very much worse by walking. 8 A. n., soft, papescent stool with
great rumbling in the bowels; constant eructation of gas.
June 2d. —Took five grains of the pure Irisin; good deal of
pain in the forehead and temples. 5 P. M., severe colic in the umbilical region; pains come on every few minutes; lasted two hours;
great rumbling in the bowels; soft, papescent stool in the evening;
restless night; dreampt of digging up dead people, and finally fell
into the grave which awoke me, feeling very much frightened.
June 3d. —Top of the head has twenty-six pustules on it, some
of them as large as a three-cent piece; the pustule is situated upon
an inflamed base of a rose color; with red streaks running
from one to the other; they contain yellow matter; very tender to
the touch; gradually disappeared in four days. Took ten grains at
4 P. M.; dull heavy pain in the forehead and temples; great rumbling in the bowels; very restless night; dreampt of the' dead, as
usual; discharge of semen.




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      267
June 4th.-Flat taste in the mouth; teeth sore; natural stool;
took twenty grains at 9 A. x.; dull heavy pain in the forehead and
temples; the pain in the temples is very sharp at times; very restless night; awful dreams of the dead; discharge of semen.
June 5th.-Flat taste in the mouth; headache is very troublesome to-day; dull, heavy pain in the lumbar region all day. 5 P. rM.
soft, papescent stool with pain in the umbilical region; restless
night with bad dreams; discharge of semen.
June 6th. —Dull, heavy headache; back pains me very much;
had the soft, painless stools, with great rumbling in the bowels;
great increase of urine; urinated eleven times profusely.
June 7th. —Natural stool; backache all gone, but voided urine
in large quantities.
June 8th.-Feel well, but pass urine in large quantities; stool
natural.
I would advise Allopaths to use Irisin for constipation, if they must
use cathartics to cure it. In the last number of Braithwaite's Retrospect is a short notice of Irisirn. It states that "the effects of Irisin
are very similar to those occasioned by a combination of blue pill,
rhubarb, and aloes. It seldom fails to produce a mild catharsis
with bilious evacuations, and' appears to possess the advantages (1)
of not requiring the addition of murcurial, (2) not irritating the
rectum as aloes is apt to do, (the green root does irritate the
rectum very much); and (3) it has no astringency' and therefore
does not produce subsequent constipation, like rhubarb when given
alone. (This last statement is correct,, constipation does not follow
the use of Iris.) In a sluggish state of the bowels, arising from
torpidity of the liver, or when the stools are pale, particularly as
we find them in the intervals of overt attacks in gouty persons,.we
have found the Irisin one of the best aperients, much gentler than
Podophyllin, and more reliable when a slight cholagogue action is
required, to be maintained for a lengthened period." (Lancet,
Aug. 30, 1862, p. 239.)
PROVIFNGS BY J. G. ROWLAND, M. D.
The following provings, with one or two exceptions, were made
from the tincture prepared in the customary manner. The attenuations used were made on the decimal plan. No. I used the third
and first dilutions, and the mother tincture; No. 2 and No. 3, same;
and No. 4, the first trituration.
No. 1.-About fifteen minutes after taking the third dilution,
an uneasy feeling was experienced in the scorbiculis cordis, together
with rumbling in the lower part of the abdomen; these symptoms
increased until the lower part of the sternum seemed protruding;
nausea and eructations of wind; dull pain in the right parietal
protuberance, which increases steadily until it becomes a hammering pain, and so much aggravated by motion, that for the moment
it appears unbearable, but by continuing movement it gradually
abates, returning again when at rest; rheumatic pain in the right
shoulder, worse on motion, especially by raising the arm; a disposition to feel displeased with everything and everybody, which




268       NEW   HOM1(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
gives place to a feeling of liveliness and activity, immediately after
taking the first dilution; sneezing; nausea and slight' vomiting of
watery and extremely sour fluid; about two hours after, stitch in
inferior part of occiput, more on the right than the left side; severe
rheumatic pain in the whole right arm and right knee joint, worse
on motion, and continuing when at rest; acute and extremely
severe boring pain in right parietal protuberance, causing him to
bend down his head; pain in the left side, as though the ribs were
were pressing hard upon the lower portion of the lung; unable to
take a long breath, for the pain in the left lung, which was of a
sticking and cutting character; a short dry cough, excited by tickling in the larynx; slight toothache in a warm room; headache,
much aggravated by coughing; rumbling and uneasiness in the
stomach, accompanied by diarrhwea, with little pain;'stools lumpy,
brown, and very offensive; sweat over the whole body, particularly
in the groin; dry cracked lips; a sharp cutting pain in the urethra,
when conmmencing to urinate; after taking medicine five days,
several small vesicles appeared on the right wrist, which gradually
formed into pustules, having a depression in the centre; these dried
up in the night, leaving crusts, which remained nine days before disappearing. (The prover thinks it proper to state he had been
attending a severe case of small pox.) Half an hour after taking
nearly half an ounce of the mother tincture, a feeling of rawness
in the throat; general languor; ill-humor; inability to fix the mind
on any subject; when writing, mind will wander to other things;
diarrhea, with colic; nausea, and vomiting of a thin watery fluid,
of an exceedingly sour taste; constant nausea for more than an
hour, and vomiting several times; diarrhcea, with rumbling and
cutting in the lower part of the abdomen; heat over the whole
body, then chilliness, with cold hands and feet; head feels very
heavy, the eyes dull, with pain directly over the left superciliary
ridge; severe burning pain in the internal canthus of the right
eye; the eye filling with tears; sensation of fulness of the head;
head feels hot, and face flushed; whenever attempting to laugh a
sensation as though,a band were drawn tightly around the forehead;
the day after taking mother tincture, feeling of sleepiness, with
great chilliness,' only at all comfortable when near a hot fire, and
even then, cold, chilly sensations are felt down the back; violent
tearing pain in the right hip-joint, knee and shoulders, very severe,:
indeed; the most severe only lasting about three minutes; vomiting of the sour matter before mentioned; and great chilliness over
the whole body the whole night, although abundantly covered;
weakness; despondency; thinks he is going to be very sick, then
a disposition to laugh at his fears, which, however, soon return;
dreams of'suffocation and fire; cutting and sticking in the urethra when making water, with coldness and itching over the genitals, the itching being worse on scratching; six dysenteric stools
during the night, with pain and rumbling in the lower part of the
abdomen; also great lassitude; after these symptoms have abated,
there remains a sore-throat and slight headache.
No. 2. Feeling of weakness and weariness in the lower part




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                       269
of the back; pain of. a dull, aching character, in right hypochondria when walking; pains in the.right, then in the left knee when
walking; feeling of weariness in the back for several clays; sharp
pain near outer side of left arm, when moving it; swelling of gums
on the inner surface of left side of lower jaw, under the molar
teeth; pain in left hip joint, when walking; redness of the conjunctiva, as if from cold; for a day or two much fetid flatulence;
pain in abdomen, which is relieved by  discharge of flatus; sharp
pain in first joint of great toe of right foot, when walking, renewed
frequently during the day; pain in last joint of middle finger of
left hand; a number of shooting, shifting, and momentary pains in
the phalangeal and metacarpo-phalangeal articulations, all of these
pains coming on more during the evening, and being worse on
motion; boils on back, face and hands; pain along posterior part
of cristi ilium of the right side; urine more copious; the pain in
first joint of great toe occurs, during walking,' for a number of
days;' pain in left thigh; pulse accelerated; after increasing doses
more frequently renewed, empty eructations, and pain in the stomach; unusual restlessness during the night; sleep disturbed by
startings; aching pain in the stomach before breakfast; pains tensive and sticking in right shoulder during motion, pcarticulctrly on
raising the arm. (This symptom set in soon after commencing the
proving', continued sit weeks after discontinuing the medicine.)
Pains in the metacarpal joints of both hands, muscles of right arm,
and pectoralis-major, mostly during motion, and in the evening;
woke two hours- earlier than usual, with no disposition to renew
sleep; pain in the bowels, going off by discharge of flatus; feeling
of a greasy coating over mouth and tongue, early in the morning;
aching pain in the stomach after drinking cold water; pains
through the day in most all the limbs; urine increased in quantity,
tensive, momentary, and constantly recurring pains in all thu
joints, but mostly the smaller; which shift rapidly about, mostly
in the evening, that is, from supper to bed-time; pain in abdomen
above the crest of the ilium, both sides; after breakfast a diarrhceaic
stool, with subsequent pain in the epigastrium; in writing, pains in
phalanges of right hand, and in the end of index finger of same
hand. (Observed several weeks after proving.)  Pain in left thigh;
shooting, sticking pain in the right foot; continuous sharp pain
along the left side of first phalanx of middle fingers of right hand;
sharp pains in the middle fingers of left hand succeeded instantly
by a similar pain in the axillm of same side. (Occurring fiequently
during about five minutes.) Sudden diarrhceaic stool after supper;
sharp, cutting pain, frequent in the metacarpo-phalangeal articulation of thumb of right hand; vexed, irritable mood, disposed to
find fault.  (Proving No. 2 was made by the same individual, at
three different periods.)
No. 3. —Pulse somewhat accelerated; headache for two days;
the third day he was seized with a peculiar headache; the pain
shot, as he describes' it, like an electric shock, from the right temple to the left part of occiput, and continued about half an hour;
headache with great depression of spirits and general debility;




270       NEW. HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
crampy pains in right lumbar region in the evening, continuing
several hours, and causing a sweat to break out; woke up unusually
early, with dry mouth and general depression; headache occurring
irregularly during several days; observed a pimple on middle finger
of left hand; the next day the inflammation was extended over
the hand; the day after it became more violent, and occasioned
great pain, and was afterwards opened to obtain relief; no pus was
found, but it was subsequently formed, and discharged through the
opening, which penetrated'as far as the bone; a fungous growth
meanwhile had taken place around the edges; pain extended from
this hand up the arm; there was much swelling and pains* in the
part affected, which had much the appearance of a malignant boil;
there was a disposition to a similar formation on the index finger
but the inflammation subsided after a time, and finally disappeared;
during the proving the urine was very copious, and. had a strong
disagreeable odor; restlessness for five nights in succession; headache with pain in the bowels; sickness of stomach in the evening,
obliging him to lie down; pain in left side of chest.
No. 4.-Colicky pains during the evening and night, obliging
him to bend forward for relief, and attended with loss of appetite
and great restlessness during the night; this colic continued the
next day, but was immediately removed by a dose of Nux vomica;
no appetite the next day; restless at night, with troubled dreams;
several pimples on lower extremities and other parts of the body,
like mosquito bites; constipation several days; languid and feverish in the afternoon; no disposition to mental or physical exercise;
next day flushed face, fever, drowsiness and loss of appetite  weakness and languor, with rumbling in the bowels; the morning after,
a thin watery diarrhcea, continuing through the day; debility and
loss of appetite; diarihoeaic stools the next day, succeeded by pain
in the umbilical region; colic in the afternoon, ceasing at night.
CHARACTERISTIC PEcuLIARITIEs.-The symptoms appear mostly
in the evening and at night. (In myself the symptoms appeared
mostly in the day time.) Pain aggravated by motion; right side
most effected.
EFFECTS UPON ANIMALS. EXPERIMENTS OF DR. BURT.
June 5th.-Gave a young female cat, weight three and onefourth pounds, a decoction of Iris ver.; at 2 P. x., five minutes nausea and vomiting of firothy mucus; stares at it as if frightened;
ten minutes after, constant nausea, nothing but mucus vomited.
Quarter after 2, lies on the lounge and appears quite natural; gave
half an ounce of tincture (wasted a little); six minutels after, veiy
restless; crying fearfully; nausea and vomiting. Twenty minutes
alter 4, nausea and retching; mewing; eyes half closed; respiration very rapid; restless. Half past 4, mewing and efforts to
vomit; lies still thirty-six minutes; running across the floor with
efforts to vomit; mews; saliva runs from mouth constantly. Forty-three minutes after, desperate efforts to vomiit but cannot. Ten
* The pain in the finger was accompanied by perspiration, although the weather was
cold.




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      271
minutes to 5, nausea and mewing; saliva running profusely. 5,
retching; throws her head up and mews fearfully; respiration
seventy-two; mouth wide open. Ten minutes after, nausea and
moaning. Quarter-past 5, retching and sneezing; head hangs to
the floor. Half-past 5, nausea and vomiting; very restless; mewing; respiration fifty-six; does not notice anything; mouth wide
open; saliva running profusely; mews and appears in great distress. 6, the nausea continues, with great efforts to vomit; saliva
runs from  the mouth constantly; groaning and appears in great
distress; nose rests on the floor; mouth wide open. 7, still sick at
the stomach; saliva runs in great quantities; respiration forty-six;
gave half an ounce more; died in five minutes without a struggle,
POST-MORTEM one hour after death: pupils dilated; the brain
was not examined; lungs very much congested; the upper lobes
filled with dark venous blood; heart filled with black blood; stomach natural color, but very much distended with gas, with a
quantity of meat undigested; pyloric extremity covered with bile;
also the duodenum and jejunum was covered with bile and watery
mucus; liver is very much congested, of a black color, bleeds profusely when cut into; gall bladder half full of bile; the pancreas
is very pale; all other organs natural.
June 23d.-Gave a female kitten, four months old, at 2 P. M,9
forty grains of Irisin;' wasted a good deal. Half-past 2, profuse flow
of' saliva; mouth wide open; wants to lie down all the time; respiration very rapid; mews constantly. 3 P. r., mews most fearfully; appears to be in great pain; rolls from one side to the other;
mouth wide open; great difficulty in breathing; appears to be
dying; secretion of saliva is very limited. Quarter-past 3, still
lying in the same position, mewing at every breath; mouth filled
with froth; walked two feet, staggered very much; dropped on its
side; respiration forty-eight. Half-past 3, tries to walk but falls;
mews at every breath. 4 P. x., cannot stand; lies on its side; respiration thirty-six; mouth open, filled with froth. Quarter-past 4,
respiration forty-eight. 5 P. M., gasping for breath; respiration
twenty-four; if spoken to mews fearfully, but cannot get up; in ten
minutes crawled two feet; went into a spasm, lasted one minute;
the spasms were in its fore legs and back; respiration eighteen;
pupils dilated. 7 r. x., on its side gasping for breath; respirations
eighteen; cannot stand when lifted up; ears and legs cold; mews
fearfully by spells, as if suffering great pains; kicks and scratches
at a fearful rate. Half-past 8, appears in great pain; mews every
breath. Half-past 9, went into spasms, the forelegs and spine; had
a watery passage from the bowels and died.
AUTOPSY ten hours after death. —Upper lobes of the lungs
very much congested; heart, auricles and ventricles all filled with
dark venous blood; liver very much congested, especially the left
lobe; gall bladder half filled with gall; stomach almost ready to
burst with gas; part of the medicine in it; color natural; little
food in it; pancreas red with blood; more congqested than any
other organ; the whole of the intestines are filled with mucus,
water, and gas; no bile to be seen; all the other organs natural.




272       NEW   HIOM(IEOPATHIC  PRO VINGS.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS. Nervous; irritable, with prostration of
the whole system; weakness, so that he can hardly stand; nearly
all the symptoms are aggravatd by motion.
CLANICAL REMARKs.-Nearly all the conditions for which Iris is
applicable, are characterized by unusual lassitude, prostration and
lowness of spirits; it is most useful in persons of bilious temperament, subject to gastric and bilious disorders.
Slkin.-Several vesicles on the right wrist, gradually forming
into pustules, which dried up in one night, leavihg crusts which
remained nine days; malignant sore resembling a boil, on middle
finger of left hand, forming a cavity reaching to the bone'; pimples
resembling mosquito bites, on body and extremities; small boils on
the back, face and hands.-(Rowland). Twenty-six pustules on
the scalp, (vertex) some as large as a three-cent piece; the pustules
are situated upon a rose-colored, inflamed base, with red streaks
running from one to the other; they were painful on pressure, and
filled with yellow pus. —(Burt).
CLINICAL REMARIS. —It has been highly recommended for
scrofulous affection's, and skin-diseases; it would seem homeopathic
to certain pustular eruptions.
Case.-Reported by Dr. Burt, treated since he made the
proving. "A child aged eight months; the vertex and sides of the
head covered with a thick crust from the exudation of lymph;
under the scab it looks-red, and bleeds if the incrustation is disturbed.  There are also scabs at the back of both ears, which look
red and bloody. Gave Iris versicoler, ten drops of the mother
tincture in a tumbler full of water, one teaspoonfull three times a
day; a cerate of the same remedy to be applied twice a.day; the
head to be washed once a day with castile soap. The one prescription cured it in two weeks. It is now nine'weeks, and there
is no return of the eruption."
Sleep.-Feeling of drowsiness; sleepiness with chills; unusual
restlessness during the night; waking much earlier than usual;
startings during sleep; restless every night; dreams of suffocation
and fire. —(Rowland.)  Very restless at night; bad dreams during
the whole proving; dreams of the dead every night; amorous
dreams, with nocturnal emissions, (from Iris v). Dreams of snakes,
of the dead; of dissecting a body; awoke very much frightened;
tried to get up and shut the door, but could not. (This attack
resembled nightmare). Dreams of fighting; amorous dreams (from
Irisin). —Burt.
Mind. —Desponding; low spirits; easily vexed, and put out of
humor; afraid he is going to be very sick, and afterwards laughs
at his fears, which soon return, succeeded by blindness and activity.
(Rowland.)- VFery irritable; confusion of the mind; dullness of the
mental faculties; cannot fix the mind on his studies; fear of
death;'waking with fright. —(Burt).
CLINICAL REmARKS. —rhe above symptoms of mind and sleep
are probably not due to any direct irritation of the brain, buf
rather to the disturbing action which the Iris exercises upon the
liver and gastric mucous membrane. The lowness of spirits is an




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      273
indication for its use in hepatic disorders, and perhaps in spermatorrhcea; it would seem  particularly applicable to the night cries
and "terrors" of children, from intestinal irritation.
Fever, etc.-Sweat, from violent pain in the finger; sweat over
the whole body, but particularly in the groin; heat over the whole
body, followed by chill, with cold hands and feet; desire to be
close to the fire, and even then, chills along the back; chills over
the whole body at night, although abundantly covered; feverish,
during pains in abdomen; pulse accelerated.-(Rowland). Dry,
hot skin; hands hot and dry; pulse slightly accelerated (during
the whole proving).-(Burt).
CLINICAL RrEmAKS.-It is used by eclectic physicians in bilious
fevers, much as the allopath uses calomel; it is considered a sort of
"vegetable mercury," causing copious bilious evacuations, salivation, etc. Dr. Kitchen, (North Amer. Jour. of Hoem. Nov. 1851),
recommended the Iris v. very highly in typhoid fever. He reports
several cases:
Case. —"A  boy, twelve years of age, had typhoid fever. I
had given a number of remedies without effect; he had fever;
muttering delirium; yellow, watery, fcetid diarrhcea; involuntary
passage of water and faeces; coated tongue, dry, brown, crusty;
edges red; sordes on the gums and teeth; foul breath, and all the
marked symptoms of this disease. I gave the Iris, third dilution.
It certainly produced a very marked change, showing its effect,
first on the tongue and bowels, and thence extending its beneficial
action to other parts. It was on the tenth day of the disease when
I gave it, and in five days he was convalescent, although I had no
idea he could possibly recover; the tongue became moist; diarrhcea
eased off, fever subsided; delirium ceased; and he soon became
rational, slept well, and had a rapid convalescence."
Case..-" An old lady aged eighty-three, had fever; stupor-;
black, stinking, involuntary diarrhaea; tongue dry and brown;
fhetid breath. Cured (?) in 48 hours."
Case 3.-" A middle aged woman. Fever; intense headache;
pain in small of the back; black dysenteric passages; nausea and
efforts to vomit; cured in four days. (After she took a few doses
she lost all power over her lower extremities; had cramps of the
legs, nausea, and some retching.)"
Case 4. —" A young man, aged fourteen, with an attack of
bilious pneumonia; could not retain even a mouthful of water on
his stomach; continued easy through the subsequent course of the
disease.'
The provings here given show Iris to be homceopathic to all
the above symptoms in each case.
Itead.-Dull, heavy headache in the forehead, acccompanied by
weakness, nausea, and even vomiting (from  Iris); heavy headache
in the forehead and temples —at times sharp, shooting pains in
the temples, (this pain occurred as often as every half hour
during the whole proving); pain in the forehead and right temple;
constrictive feeling in the scalp (from  Irisin); dull pain in the
right p/*tal protuberance; (Batrt), be6oming a hammering pain,




274       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIIC  PROVINGS.
aggravated by motion, which if continued relieves it-but it soon
returns when at rest (see Rhus); severe stitch in the lower
part of the occiput, more on the right side; extremely severe
boring pain in the right parietal protuberance, causing him to.bend
the head down; headache aggravated by coughing; sensation of
fullness in the head; head and face feel hot; when attempting to
laugh, sensation of constriction around the forehead; head feels
heavy; lancinating pain under outer extremity of right eyebrow;
pain shooting firom the temple to left occiput, compared to an
electric shock. —(Rowland.)
CLINICAL REMARKS. — The Iris-headache occupies generally the
forehead and right side of the head; aggravated by rest, and on
first moving the head, but relieved by continued motion: accompanied by lowness of spirits, nausea, and even vomiting.  Dr.
lKitchen, who published the first clinical experience with this
remedy, says of its use in " sick-headache:" —" It is the most prompt
and effectual remedy I have ever given in this truly annoying
malady. The first dose. will arrest the trouble, in some patients.
I have experienced this effect in several cases. I have made
comparative trials with it and other remedies, telling my patients
to observe, and let me know which number would relieve them the
most speedily; they have invariably, on the attack, sent for the
number attached to Iris'; this I consider conclusive respecting this
complaint, so that I need not comment on it further than to recommend it very highly, so far as my experience goes. Let it be tested
by others."
The Iris has been tested by many homaeopathic physicians,
in sick-headache, and the testimony is generally in its favor;
from  our knowledge of the sphere of action of the medicine, it
would seem most likely to be indicated in those " sick-headaches "
of a gastric or hepatic origin; in the purely " nervous sick-headache"
or that variety arising from congestion, other remedies may prove
more useful. This matter, however, can only be decided by careful
observation.
In Neuralgia of the head, eyes, etc., Dr. Kitchen recommends
the Iris: "A lady afflicted at intervals with this most distressing
complaint, and who had swallowed the whole allopathic and
homceopathic Mat. Med., with only partial benefit, has been more
relieved by the Iris, than by any remedy I have yet administered
to her. It is usually in the head, temples, eyes, etc., and attended
with most distressing vomitings, of a sweetish mucus; and
occasionally, when with much straining, with a trace of bile. It is the
only medicine which has much control over the stomach, arresting
the vomiting in the few trials I have made with it, very soon, and
allaying in some degree, the violent pain of the head, so that I
have been asked by her whether I had not given her morphine. I
have been asked the same question by patients in bowel affections;
they frequently going to sleep after its administration; this is easily
accounted for by the cessation of pain, which is almost invariably
followed by sleep."
Eyes,-Redness of the conjunctiva, as if from a cold;  the eyes




IRIS. VERSICOLOR.                      275
feel dull, with pain over left superciliary ridge; severe burning
pain in internal canthus, with effusion of tears. - (Rowland.)  Eyes
sunken, with blueness around the eyes.-(Burt.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Dr. Kitchen relates that while giving the
Iris to a child for summer complaint, the mother said to him:"Doctor, you have not only relieved the diarrhaea, but you. have
cured my child of isificmed eyelids, which it has been troubled
with for some time."  He states that he has tried it in several
cases of that affection, and with success. The cases in which it
seemed to be of benefit, were those of simple palpebral inflammation, apparently arising from a cold —nothing that I could perceive
of a scrofulous taint —they did not adhere in the morning, at least
very slightly.
Ears.-Singing and buzzing in the ears (in a lady-after two
grains of Irisin second, given for bilious diarrhaea, which it cured
after Chamomilla, Pulsatilla and Ipecac had failed).-(Burt).
Mouth, Fauces, etc.-Greasy feeling over tongue and gums on
rising in the morning; feeling of rawness in the mouth; slight
soreness of throat; dry mouth; slight toothache in a warm room;
dry, cracked lips; swelling and soreness of gums, inner part below
molar teeth of left side.-(Rowlacnd.) Back part of mouth and
rauces feel on fire (constant symptom); tongue feels as though
it had been scalded; flat taste in the mouth; constant discharge of
saliva-it dropped from the mouth during conversation; tongue
coated white; diminution of taste; teeth feel sore and elongated;
ulcers on the mucous membrane of the cheeks [Iris]; dull, heavy,
aching pains in all the teeth; teeth feel very sore and elongated;
severe pain in the back upper and lower molars, lasting three hours,
[Irisin].-(Burt.)
CLINICAL REmrAKs.-The Eclectics class this plant among the
"sialagogues," Dr. Burt, who proved the fresh root in large doses,
does not doubt that it would produce sloughing and deep ulceration, if continued for a long time. There is a rather curious and
remarkable similarity between the adtion of the Iris and that of
Mercury; this is all the more singular when we consider that the
former is a vegetable remedy; not only does this  Iris affect the
mouth in a similar manner to Mercury, but this similarity of action
extends throughout the whole glandular and mucous systems, and
perhaps, all the tissues except the osseous. I have taken patients
from off the hands of Eclectic physicians, who were so completely
salivated by the Iris, that were it not for the absence of the peculiar
fcetor, I should have taken it for a mercurial salivation. Even the
sympathetic fever which the Iris causes, has considerable resemblance to that of Mercury. Dr. Coe (Cone. Org. Med.), thus
speaks of the Irisin: —-" Irisin  is  justly  esteemed  as  one
of our most valuable alteratives. It is eminently resolvent, and
exercises a marked influence over the entire glandular system.
It increases the salivary flow, and has the reputation of producing  ptyalism.  But a careful distinction  must  be  made
between the  effects  produced  by vegetable agencies  upon
the mucous and salivary glands, and mercurial salivation; the




276      NlEW   HIIOMEOPATHIIC   PROVINGS.
former are nothing more nor less than manifestations of a
quickened physiologidal activity-evidence of special therapeutic
stimulus, constituting oftentimes a critical conservative effortNo loosening  of the teeth; no sponginess of the gums; no
putrefactive odor; no sloughing of the soft parts; increased,
but not disordered secretion. On the other hand, Mercury induces
a pathological condition of the vital constituents of the blood and
fluids, and favors the formation of vitiated products; altering from
good to bad, and from bad to worse; giving rise to congestions,
lesions, putrefactive conversions, and disorganizations of the organic
structures. In the former case we have the evidence of a direct
therapeutic stimulus, operating upon the vital impressibility of the
secretive apparatus, promoting increased activity of the functions
for the purpose of eliminating legitimate products. In the latter
instance we have an augmented flow of morbid material, resulting
from the destructive conversions of the vital constituents by the
remedy itself, and which are not the legitimate products of organic
metamorphoses. In the former case, the remedy itself is the motorstimulus, while in the latter instance the mercurial corruptions
constitute the stimuli of excitement.'
To the superficial student of medicine, the above reads very
well, but to the physiologist it becomes simply absurd. Only one'
conclusion can be drawn, namely, that Dr. Coe is ignorant or
dishonest. Nothing but the gravest ignorance of the elementary
facts of physiology and pathology, could lead to such special
pleading. He must be aware that any departure fromn    normal
physiological state, constitutes a pathological condition. Given to
a person in perfect health, the Iris causes abnormal activity of the
glandular and mucous systems: Mercury does as much. The main
difference between the actions of the two medicines is in degree.
The poisonous effects of Mercury are more pervading and more
malignant than the pathogenetic effects of the Iris. Both cause
actual pathological conditions, having their peculiariLies  and
characteristic symptoms.  When given in  disease, if homceopathically indicated, and administered in proper doses, they both
restore the tissues, for which they have an affinity, to a healthy
condition.
If Dr. Coe was dishonest in his statements with the intention to
prejudice the reader against Mercury his conduct degenerates into
downright meanness. Mercury, when administered according to the
law of similia, is a benificent, and valuable curative agent. When
given in this manner, it never causes any pathogenetic symptoms,
gives rise to no morbid products, and disorganizes no tissues or
secretions. On the contrary it tends to prevent the very calamities
which Dr. Coe so much dreads, and which he could cause, to a certain
degree, by the abuse and prolonged use of even the Iris. I would
here make an observation relative to the action of Iris, namely: it
is not owing to the acridity of the. fresh root acting topically, that
the pseudo-mercurial symptoms are due, but to a specfic dynamic
action of the drug on the constitution. It is true that the Iris does
contain an acrid principle, but from the fact that the dried root,




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                     277
and even the alkaloid, causes the above-named condition when
taken into the stomach, is proof that those effects belong to the
whole drug. If this was not sufficent proof, we could refer the
physician to the fact that this peculiar action may be caused by the
dilutions of the remedy, up to the third, and perhaps higher.
THtERAPEUTIC DEDUCTIONS.-It is a strange comment on the
practice of the opposite school, that they should recommend the Iris
highly'in mercurial cachexy, syphilis, etc.!  No drug is more
thoroughly homceopathic to diseases of the mouth, similar to
those caused by Mercury, and in the few cases in which I have used
it, it has acted well. Even in mercurial salivation it has been
found useful, but it cannot be relied on with as much confidence
as the Chlorate of Potash. In Stomatitis, with or without ulcera.
tion (canker), when there is painful burning in the mouth and fauces,
Iris is strongly indicated. In these cases I would advise the
tincture of the green root, administered in the third or sixth
attenuation.
Gastric:ynmptoms. —Loss of appetite; nausea and empty eructations; nausea, and vomiting of a watery and extremely sour
fluid; constant nausea and vomiting for an hour; aching in the
stomach before breakfast, and on drinking cold water; sickness of
stomach obliged him to lie down.-(Rowland.)
Eructations of tasteless gas; rising of water, very sour; great
burning distress in the epigastric region; it could not be allayed by
drinking cold water; colicky pains every few minutes in the epigastric region; Intense buzrning in the region of the pancreas
(this was a constant symptom during the whole proving. —(Burt.)
Severe and profilse vomiting; vomiting with much pain in the
stomach; distressing nausea and vomiting; vomiting and purging;
vomiting with diarrhea, accompanied with great prostration;
burning in the mouth, fauces, and cesophagus.
CINICAL REMARKRS.-The Iris has probably an irritant action
upon the gastric mucous membrane, as seen upon the mouth, fauces
and esophagus. By refering to Dr. Burt's heroic provings, this
action will be seen portrayed in strong colors. I know of no one
of the new remedies which promises to be more useful in gastric
disorders, than the Iris versicolor. Even now we have some
valuable clinical observations.
Dr. Kitchen in his paper on Iris, says it is useful in vomiting:
"Effectual in almost all kinds-simple sour, bilious, of food,
with or without pain. In every case of vomiting or sick stomach
in which' I have yet given it, it has been successful, and, in severe
cases, on the administration of a few tea-spoonfuls. Such has been
my experience. I:have recomended it in some cases in which the
other usual remedies had failed, and in no case in which I have
given it, have I been obliged to abandon it, and resort to other
remedies. Such, I again say, has been my experience thus far, but
I would not be understood as saying that this will always be the
case in future. No doubt it, like all other remedies, has its appropriate sphere, which it will take time and opportunity to make out and
define correctly. I merely state what I have discovered up to the




278       NEW  lHOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
present, with the limited opportunities I have had of testing it in
different forms of disease. I have for some years attended a little
girl, now about nine years of age, who has periodical vomiting
spells, coming on once every month or six weeks, sometimes not
for three or four months, but certainly three or four times in the
course of a year. I have tried in various attacks, all the different
remedies usually successful in such cases, but not with much benefit;
the attack would last two or three days, and would seem to wear
itself out. A single tea-spoonful of the Iris arrests it at once. It
comes on with vomliting of the ingesta, then sour fluid, and at last,
bile, yellow and green, with great heat of the head, some general
iever, and great prostration; the perspiration is warm, caused by the
efforts of straining and vomiting." — (AT. A. ou. qf iorm.)
The Iris is eminently homceopathic to some varieties of gastritis
(mucous), cesophagitis, dttoclenitis, and many of those disorders of
digestion which go under the general name of dyspepsia. In many
points it resembles Pulsatilla, especially the tendency to " acidity of
the stomach," and " rising of'ingesta;" also the sympathetic disturbances having a gastric origin. The peculiar and severe symptoms elicited
by Dr. Burt, and referred by him to the pancreas (see proving,) and
which, in all probability, were really in the gland, point to its applicability to infiammation, and other disorders of that important
organ. In that disease known as "Pancreatic salivation" it ought
to prove specific. A thorough knowledge of the physiology of the
pancreas will lead us to define pretty clearly the derangements likely
to be caused by the Iris. The pancreas is usually regarded as
belonging to the group of salivary glands. " The pancreatic juice
is analagous to saliva. It acts upon starch even more energetically
than saliva, transmuting it into sugar and lactic acid; and upon fats, by
forming them into an emulsion so that they are readily absorbed.
-(Draper.)  It is generally conceded that a normal pancreatic
juice (as regards quality and quantity), is necessary for the digestion of' fatty food.  Many of the derangements of digestion, are
undoubtedly due to deficiency, and unhealthy conditions of this
juice. There can be no rational doubt of the action of Iris upon
this gland. Even had we not Dr. Burt's suggestive provings, we
could judge of its effects upon that gland from analogy. A remedy
which irritates and stimulates the salivary glands, must have a
similar action on the pancreas-a similar tissue, possessing similar
functions. —(Puls., Mere., Iodine, Podoph.)
Prof. Lee (Allopathist) says: —"It acts as a stimulant to the
liver and pancreas."  Our list of pancreatic remedies are five in
number, and the symptoms they possess, directly referring to that
gland are quite indefinite. The Iris promises to prove very
valuable for the removal of morbid states, induced, directlyr or
indirectly, by functional diseases of that organ. Dr. Burt succeded
in killing several cats with the tincture of Iris versicolor.  One of
the most noted morbid appearances noticed on examination was a
highly congested condition of the pancreas.  A portion of one
pancreas was sent, through me, to Dr. Ludlam of this city, who
subjected it to a critical examination, which proved the presence




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      279
of intense congestion of the minute vessels, and even a rupture,
and extravasation of blood into the tissues of the gland.
Dr. Kitchen says he " cured a case of gastrodynia characterized
by violent pains in the epigastric region, coming on at intervals"
with Iris. The Iris relieved him  at once, and he had no return.
He has also relieved and cured, "vomiting of food an hour after
meals," with Iris.
Liver, Hypochondria, etc.-Pain in the right hypochondriaworse on motion; pain above the cristi ilii on' both sides, first on
the right; crampy pains in the right lumbar reigon. —(Rowland.)
Cutting pains in the'egion of the liver. —(]Aitchen.)
CLINICAL  REMARKS. —PrOf. Lee (allopathic) says, the Iris
"stimulates the liver."
A writer in the London Lancet, asserts the irisin to be a powerful and efficient cholagogue.
King intimates that it acts upon the liver in a manner similar
to the mecurial preparations; not as active as Podophyllin but more
lasting. The opposite school believe it stimulates the liver, increasing the secretion and excretion of bile, by; virtue of its general
stimulative action on the glandular system. Dr. Kitchen (homceopathic) says: —"May it not be administered beneficially in some
affections of the liver? It undoubtedly acts on this organ. I have
had full evidence of that in several cases, producing a manifest
secretion of healthy bile."
Abdomen, Stool, etc. —Uneasy feeling in the scrobiculis cordis;
rumbling in lower part of abdomen; lower part of sternum seems
protruded; cutting pain in the lower part of the abdomen, relieved
by discharge of flatus; colic, obliging him to bend forward for
relief; fetid flatulence; diarrhcea with slight pain, accompanied
by rumbling and uneasiness in the stomach; stools lumpy, brown,
and very offensive; diarrhcea with colicky pains;. diarrhcea with
rumbling and cutting in the lower part of the  abdomen; six
dysenteric stools at night, with rumbling and pain in abdomen, and
great lassitude; sudden liquid evacuation after supper; constipation
for some time, succeeded by thin watery diarrhcea.-(Rgowland).
Colicky pains every few minutes in the epigastric and umbilical
regions, with desire for stool (during the whole proving); four
yellow, papescent stools, with rumbling in the bowels; fourteen thin
watery stools, followed by two stools consisting of water and mucus,
with tenesmus; watery stool; copious running from the bowels in
a continuous stream; stool tinged with green; stool of undigested
food; stool of blood and mucus, with great tenesmus, and a sensation as if the anus was on fire; anus feels as if sharp points were
sticking in it; mucus membrane of the rectum  prolapsed; great
smarting and burning of anus after every stool. —(Dr. Burt, fromn
Iris.)  Swelling of the stomach and abdomen. —(Kitchen.)  [The
Irisin produced severe, intermittent colic in umbilical region, with
soft mushy stool; also soft, papescent stools, with rumbling, but no
pain.]
CLINICAL REMARKx S. —The Iris is esteemed by the opposite
schools as a powerful cathartic, but one which, they assert, does not




280       NEW- HOMCEOPATHIIC PROVINGS.
leave constipation after its cathartic action. Dr. Burt sustains this
assertion by the results of his own proving of massive doses. Prof.
Lee says:-"As a cathartic it is said to act on all parts of the
canal, but more particularly on the upper portion.' It has been
rejected by some as unsafe and dangerous; but it was probably
administered in over doses.' Iris undoubtedly  causes bilious
discharges from the bowels. Dr. Burt thinks he has seen evacuations of pure bile follow its use. The burning and smarting,
however, at the anus and rectum, noticed in the proving, is rather
the result of its acridity, than the effect of bilious fluids; the
sensations in the rectum are probably due to the same cause as
the burning in the mouth and fauces. Regarding its therapeutic
action, we cannot do better than quote Dr. Kitchen's experience:
Colic. —" Some cases I have relieved. The colic of infants is
benefited by it. There is a peculiar condition of the abdominal
region of the adult also, which may come under this head, and
which may be termed a grumbling bellyache. It is most prevalent
at] the changes of the, seasons, Spring and Autumn, and appears to
be owing to a vitiated secretion of the liver, and mucous membrane
of the bowels, and consists in an almost constant uneasiness and
grinding in the bowels; a kind of sub-colic; a mushy passage once
or twice a day, in some cases, but in the generality of cases, a
very fcetid discharge of wind,'f a coppery smell, attended occasionally with an involuntary escape of fluid, soiling the shirt, and
sometimes a passage of scybalous matter, together with fluid,
mucoid fceces of an offensive, putrid, and coppery odor. It was a
case of this kind which first led me to a use of this remedy. I had
tried several medicines without the least relief, for nearly a week,
and administered the Iris at random, never having given it in any
disease. To my surprise the patient was shortly relieved, and had
no return; his bowels soon became healthy and regular, and he
praised the good effects of the remedy very highly. The sphere of
the Iris appears to be chiefly the stomach and abdominal contents."
-Diarrhcea.- "I have not yet been able to obtain with any
degree of accuracy, the symptoms of those cases in which it proves
to be the most appropriate. I think, however, that burning in the
rectum and anus, after a passage, is one state which it arrests
almost immediately. It also seems to be appropriate to cases in
which there are pains, and green discharges, relieving the pains
very frequently in a short time, and changing the green passages
after some doses have been given. There is one very curious
feature which I have frequently observed, which is, that when the
diarrhcea is'not arrested after a few  doses, it seems, after the
administration of it for twenty-four or forty-eight hours, to produce
an aggravation; there is an increase of pain and several free feetid
passages, and then the diarrhcea ceases. This generally has taken
place about two or three o'clock in the morning. Whether I have
given it in too low dilutions, generally from second to sixth, I
cannot tell, but such a feature I have frequently observed, and
have administered it with perfect success in a few cases of periodical
nzight diarrhoea, attended  with pain, and two  or  three free




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      281
discharges towards morning. I have also cured all my cases of
cholera infantum?  with it this summer, and some of them in a few
days. I look upon it as a very valuable addition to our remedial
measures in this complaint.
"In Cholera morbus, I have succeeded in every case in which I
have yet administered it, even the most violent. A single teaspoonful,
of a few drops in a half tumbler of water, has in many very severe
cases, put immediate stop to the vomiting. I consider it a specific
in this form of disease, and I would earnestly request physicians to
try it in the first cases of Cholera Asiatica, which may fall under
their notice, and give the result to the profession. In cholera
morbus, it arrests the pain which is so violent in many cases at the
pit of the stomach, or around the navel, or, in some cases, still
lower down in the abdominal region, at or before every fit of
vomiting or purging. In fact, it seems, as far as I have as yet been
able to judge, the more appropriate the more violent the pain, and
in some cases, acting, as the patients and bystanders express themselves,'like a charm.'
ZDysentery.-" Some mild cases I have cured with Iris, but it is
not the remedy in this disease. The cases which seemed to be
benefited were of the nature of dysenteric diarrhcea, attended with
green discharges, or slimy mucus, without blood, or much straining.
(Dr. Burt's proving elicited these very symptoms, however, and
quite severely.) In one case it evidently acted favorably on the
secretion of the liver, producing a free flow of healthy bile, and an
immediate abatement of the unhealthy passages. In those cases
in wliich there was bloody flux, I did not rely on it, not knowing
sufficient of its curative powers."  The pathogenesis of Iris points
directly to its sphere of usefulness in some varieties of dysentery,
probably in bilious-dysentery; yet there can be no doubt of the
power of Iris to cause acute mucous enteritis, but the inflammation
mzay be located higher in the intestinal canal, than in ordinary
cases of dysentery. - (Here it appears the opposite of aloes and
podophyllum, which affect the lower portion of the canal, rectum,
etc."') It will be seen by the proving, however, that it has many
symptoms analogous to Podoph.-the prolapsus of rectal mucous
membrane,' " pricking in anus," etc. Dr. Kitchen's successful use
of Iris in abdominal typhus, proves its applicability in some quite
severe forms of intestinal inflammation, and perhaps in organic lesions
of that canal. (See Ferri). I would simply add, by way of testimony
that many homceopathists, with myself, have found the Iris a
valuable remedy in nearly every disease of the bowels for which
Dr. K. recommends  it.  I would also suggest its use in hcemorrhoids, bilious colic, fisure of the anus, fistula in ano, etc.
Urinary and Genital Organs. —A sharp cutting pain in urethra
when beginning to urinate; urine copious; strong, disagreeable
smell to the urine; cutting and sticking in urethra when urinating;
coldness and itching of the genitals.-(Rowland.)  Dark red urine,
with burning in the urethra for half an hour; increase in the
quantity of urine; nocturnal emissions with acmorouts dreams
(friom  Iris): profuse urination —-eleven times a day-for three
36




282       NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
days; nocturnal emissions,with amorous dreams for seven consecutive nights; glans penis much swollen and red, (fiom Irisin).(Burt.)
CLINICAL RE)IARIKS.-The Iris seems to have a special affinity
for the genito-urinary organs, causing not only irritation, with
increased secretion, but symptoms of inflammation even. Eclectic
physicians have elevatedthis plant to a high position, as a remedy
for affections of these organs. King says it is a diuretic.  He
recommends it in dropsy, but advises it to be given:until its
hydrogogue effects are obtained. Although such a course will often
run off the dropsical effusion, yet it is unnecessary and injurious.
As with the Apoc. cann., the Iris, if appropriate, will eliminate the
serous fluid through the kidneysi without any action on the bowels.
The dropsies in which Iris will be found curative, will probably
be found to be hepcatic in their origin, generally.
Sygphilis. —Not only King, Jones, and other eclectics, but
Coe and Prof. Lee, positively attest that "In Syphilis, either
primary or secondary, it acts as a powerful and efficacious agent.
In eradicating the syphilitic virus, and correcting the diathesis of
the system, it is not only powerful, but positive, and certain. In
the secondary or tertiary forms of syphilis, after mercury in all its
forms of administration had  proven  abortive, this agent has
restored patients to perfect health. A gentleman who had studied
medicine, but abandoned the practice for the ministry, informed us
that he had used, and heard of others prescribing it with entire
success in a large number of syphilitic cases, after the disease had
passed into the secondary or tertiary stages, and often after mercury
had been liberally used for a long time. The dose in which he
employed it was one or two fluid drachms of the tincture, six or
eight times daily." —(Jones and Scudder's 1iMat. Med.)  If these
recommendations of Iris, in that terrible malady, are reliable —and
we have no reason to doubt the veracity of the above named
authors-this remedy would be far preferable to its metallic
analogue, Mercury. The general sphere of action of the Iris, as
developed by our provings, would certainly point us to its use in
Syphilis and Gonorrhea, even if we had no previous intimation of
its use in those diseases. Some homceopathic author remarks that
in no proving of Silicia, Calcarea, etc., do we get those ulcers,
abscesses, etc., for which those remedies are so specific. So it is
with Iris. It would be carrying the provings of this medicine
beyond proper bounds to produce the ulcers, and other characteristic symptoms of Syphilis, even if it were possible so to do. Dr.
Headland's theory of eliminative action may explain why Iris, and
some other medicines cure Syphilis, namely: by eliminating the
virus through the proper glands, thus ridding the system of the
poison —not antidoting it in the system.  N either my colleaguesso for as I can learn-nor myself, have had any experience in the
use of Iris in syphilitic affections.
In  Gonorrhcea it would appear by its pathogenesis to be
indicated. I used it in one case, with apparent good results. It was
given at the first dilution, five drops four. time a day.




IRIS  VERSICOLOR.                      283
In Seminal Emissions, when accompanied by dmorous dreams,
it is very appropriate. When consulted in a case of spermatorrhcea, the first question to be asked is, "Do you have amorous
dreams, with emissions? "  If the answer is in the affirmative, I
consider the case one of irritation, and treat it with Phos.,,Canth.,
Cann., Puls. and Iris. If a negative answer is received, the case is
classed with those arising from want of tone, and lack of vitality
and which call for such remedies as Kali brom., Conium, Phos.
acid, Agnus castus and Caladium. This method of ascertaining
the pathology of this affection, was first laid down by the astute
Lallemrand, whose researches in this direction have been so valuable.
No proving of this medicine upon the female organism has been
made. Judging from its effects upon the male organs, we can safely
consider it capable of deranging the female organs of generation.
Eclectic physicians claim to find it useful in the treatment of
"leucorrhbea, congestions of the cervix, ulceration, and other
disorders of the uterine system."  Coe thinks it "particularly
indicated in uterine leucorrhcea, in which affection it seems to be
of almost specific value."  As this variety of leucorrhcea is the
result of a hyper-secretion of the glandular follicles of the cervix, it
is quite probable the Iris may act curatively, as its primary effect
is' to cause a similar condition in glandular tissues. "A  physician
who had used this article extensively, and had had ample opportunities of testing its virtues, informs us that he had found it more
effectual in hemorrhages, particularly nenorrhagia, than any other
agent he had ever tried."-(Jones and Scudder 1Mat. Med.)  If
the Iris should prove a true homweopathic remedy for syphilitic
affections, it will be found useful in many diseases of the vagina,
uterus, and ovaries, caused by that pervading poison.
Larynx and Chest.-Short, dry cough; excited by a tickling in
the larynx; pain in the left side, as though the ribs were pressing
against the lungs; unable to take a long breath for the pain in the
left chest, which was of a cutting and sticking character; pain in
the left chest.-(Rowland.)  Hoarseness and ringing in the ears;
soreness and rawness of the fauces. —(Burt.)  Taken in connection
with the above symptoms, the experiments of Dr. Burt on animals,
are quite suggestive.
Back.-Constant pain, aggravated by motion, in the lumbar
and sacral region, was a constant symptom when proving Irisin.
-(BPurt.)
Upper Extremities.-A  sharp, tensive pain in right shoulder;
worse on motion, especially by raising the arm, and continuing a
long time; this pain occurs most in the evening; severe pains;
shooting, momentary, and shifting about rapidly, in the phalangeal
and meta-carpal-phalangeal articulations; and also in the sides and
ends of the fingers, of both hands-these pains more in the evening;
sharp pain in the end of middle fingers of left hand, succeeded
instantly by a similar pain in axilla of' left side  pains in phalanges
when writing.-(Rowlancd.)  Hands hot and dry all the time.(PBurt.) Dr. Rowland advises the Iris in rheumatism of the shoulders,
wrists, and hands.




284       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
Lower Extremities. —Pain in the right knee joint, worse on
motion; violent tearing pain in right hip and knee joints; sharp
pain similar to those in the hands, in right hip, right and left knee
joints, and in'right foot, especially in the first joint of great toeall worse on motion. —(Rowland.) Trembling and weakness of the
knees; calves very painful, when walking, especially the right.(_Burt.) "After she took a few doses, she lost all power over her
lower extremities, but regained it during convalescence.  (This
can hardly be considered a pathogenetic symptom, as it occurred
in a patient with typhoid fever.) Pain in lower extremities and
cramps in calves of legs, with nausea and retchings".- (See Dr.
J[itchen's notice of Iris.)  The Iris appears homceopathic to
rheumatalgia of the lower as well as upper extremities. Dr. Burt
says it caused paralysis of the hinder extremities, and spasm, of the
fore-legs, in cats. Its action on the spinal cord may be more intense
than we are now aware of. In many of its symptoms, especially
the pains in the chest and extremities, the Iris strongly resembles
Bryonia alba. I close my notice of this undoubted polychrest,
with the hope that from the materials here given, the profession
may reap some important benefit.
LEPTANDRIA  VIRG INICA.
(Black root.-Culver's Physic.)
This is the Veronica virginica of Linnaus. It is an indigenous,
perennial plant, with a simple, straight, smooth, herbaceous stem,
from two to five feet in height.  (For Botanical description see
King's Dispensatory.)  This plant grows throughout the United
States, in limestone countries, in rich moist places, woods, thickets
and barrens, and flowers in July and August. The root, which is
the officinal portion, is about the thickness of the finger, six or seven
inches in length, of a blackish color externally, and brown internally.
The powder is dark brown, with a faint odor, and a bitter, nauseous
taste. Its virtues are impaired by age. Alcohol and water extract
its medicinal properties. The root should be gathered in the fall
of the second year. There has been no accurate analysis of this
plant. King says it contains " an essential oil, bitter extractive,
tannin, gum, a resin, and woody fibre."  To the resin the name of
Leptandrin has been given, but there are other medicinal principlesi as the Leptandrin does not contain all the therapeutic properties of the root.
It will be seen by the following proving and remarks, that there
are three forms in which this plant may be used. Each preparation will have different medicinal effects, i. e., one preparation will
possess qualities which the others do not:




LEPTANDRIA   VIRGINICA.                     285
(1).-The tincture of the fresh root, which will contain all the
medicinal virtues of the plant.
(2). —The tincture, or triturtion, of the dried root which will
contain only a portion of its virtues, as the narcotic and acrid principles are probably volatile.
(3).-The Leptandrin, which possesses about the same properties as the dried root, with perhaps less of its irritating  qualities.
GENERAL EFFECTS. —-King thinks the fresh root is too drastic
and uncertain for medicinal use, as it produces vomiting, bloody
stools, dizziness, vertigo, and in pregnant females, abortion, unless
used with much care. (He should give it in minuate doses.) The
dried root is decreed to be " laxative, tonic, cholagogue, and alterative.   * * It exerts a powerful influence over the absorbent system,
* * It is thought to possess narcotic properties. Leptandria is
by the same author said to be a " powerful cholagogue, with but
slight laxative influence." Prof. Hill, when an Eclectic, thought it
to be "aperient, alterative, and tonic."  Dr. Coe regards it as
"alterative, deobstruent, cholagogue, laxative, and tonic."  No
remedy is held in higher estimation by the Eclectic school than
this; and they use it profusely, in all diseases, with the same disregard for special indications, that the Allopaths use mercury. The
following proving, and clinical experience, though meagre, may do
something toward showing the real pathogenetic and curative
power of this agent:
Mucous Membranes. —" No remedy with which we are acquainted, is more to be relied upon in chronic affections of the mucous
surfaces." —(Coe.) The fresh root, especially, seems to have a
peculiar irritating effect upon mucous surfaces. This may proceed
to inflammation. It may cause pseudo-membranous inflammation
in the intestines, as occurs in acute enteritis. Coe says Leptandria is curative in this condition when it occurs in chronic diarrhoea
and dysentery. It causes an increased secretion and discharge of
mucus from the intestinal surfaces (the mucous follicles), and in
higher grades of its toxical action,, the secretion is so much
increased that the discharges are profuse and watery. It may
even cause ulceration, sloughing, and gangrene.  (See Intestines,
Stools, etc.)
Serous Membranes.-It seems to have some action on these membranes, but probably only indirectly.
Nerves of Motion and Sensation.-Its action upon the nervous
system is probably not direct or notable.
Glandular System. —" The glandular system, including the skin,
partakes of its healthful impress." —(Coe.)  Gatchell says it causes
pain in the sub-maxillary glands. In Dr. Burt's proving it seemed
to cause pain in the inguinal glands. Its action upon the liver
seems to be well attested. It arouses its secretory and excretory
functions.  It probably irritates the whole intestinal glandular
apparatus, when given in large doses. In small doses, used homneopathically, it restores these glands to a healthy action.
General Symptoms-Languid, tired feeling; feel very weak and
faint; very weak and languid, can hardly walk,; faintness from the




286       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
severe nausea at night; general relaxation of the system; great
prostration; great lassitude, with disinclination to talk; talking is
very laborious; physical and mental depression, with vertigo and
drowsiness.
CLINICAL RE MARKS.-Notwithstanding the assertion of Eclectic physicians, Leptandria in large doses, depresses the general
strength of the system. It is only when it is used in proper medicinal (i. e. homceopathic) doses, that this medicine acts as a tonic.
It is a tonic in the same manner as Arsenic, Nitric acid or Mercury,
by removing abnormal conditions.  Dr. Gatchell says "a characteristic indication for its exhibition is excessive debility."  Dr.
Coe declares that " one great advantage possessed by the Leptandria is its tonic power. It never debilitates, but, on the contrary,
invigorates while it deterges." Yet he admits that its operation is
frequenty attended with considerable prostration. I have witnessed cases in which a decoction of the fresh root had been administered, where the prostration was excessive, and resembled that
caused by mercury.
Fever.-Pulse diminished in frequency; feet and legs from knees
down feel cold and numb  pulse full, but reduced from sixty to
forty; great lassitude; languor of the whole system; disinclination to talk, which is very laborious; chilly sensation at the shoulders and down the back; tendency to shiver; sore and lame
feeling in the small of the back.-( Gatchell.)  Skin hot and dry;
pain in the bowels with chilliness along the spine.-(Burt.)  Universal chilliness.
CLINICAL REArARKS. —Coe remarks that when the Leptandria is
given in disease, and the patient is fairly brought under its constitutional influence, "the skin, which was before hot, dry, and
constricted, becomes soft, moist, and  flexible; expectoration
becomes easy, the arterial excitemelnt is lessened, and the patient,
before restless, wakeful, and delirious, becomes calm, rational, and
inclined to sleep."  HIe considers it a valuable remedy in typhoid
fevers, and in this opinion King, Jones, Morrow, and others concur.
Some homceopathic practitioners, as Hill, Gatchell, and many of
my correspondents, place the same high estimate upon its curative
powers in typhoid states, when there is present, great prostration,
stupor, heat and dryness of the skin, calor mordax, or coldness of
the extremities; dark, foetid, tarry or watery stools, mixed with
bloody mucus, and an icterode condition.
In JIntermittent.Feer it is a favorite and much-used medicine
by nearly all Western physicians, of both schools, who combine it
with Quinine. They assert that it renders the action of Quinine
more certain, and prevents the liability to a return of the disease,
at least for the season; and is useful in periodic diseases generally,
of an obstinate character, in which Quinine alone produces little or
no result. In my experience, which was at one time very large, in
diseases of the character referred to, the Leptandria did really act
in a very beneficial manner. kMy method was to use it in alternation with Quinine, China, Nux vom., or any other medicine indicated, and always in acordance with what I always considered to be




LEPTANDRIA   VIRGINICA.                     287
its homceopathic applicability. I do not consider that it has any
real anti-periodic power, as some drugs undoubtedly have, but it
removes conditions of the liver which often tend to keep up a continuance of intermittent maladies. I usually gave it for the following symptoms: considerable prostration; loss of appetite; heavily
coated brown tongue; bitter taste in the mouth; constipation,
or diarrhcea, with dark fcetid stools; jaundice; yellow, saturated
urine.
In Bilious fevers, I have given it for nearly the same symptoms,
using Leptandrin second or third dec. trit.
In bIrfantile remittent, I have had some excellent results from
its use, administering the second or third dilution of the tincture,
or the third and fourth trit., as seemed most proper.
Mind, Sleep. —Gloomy; desponding; sleep disturbed  by the
pains in the head and bowels, sleep more disturbed after midnight;
very gloomy and irritable all day; drowsiness; a kind of stupor of
of the mental faculties.
CLINICAL REMKARKS.-It causes symptoms of the mind, similar
to those occurring during disordered conditions of the liver, such
as hepatic torpor, congestions, and the like. Some writers consider
the fresh r;oot to possess narcotic properties. It seems honmceopathic to the drowsiness attending hepatic torpor, or that occurring
in typhoids.
Skin.-Skin. hot and dry, with frequent pains in the bowels.
CLINICAL REMAARKS. —It is probably not hommeopathic to any of
the various affections of the skin. But may be found useful when
they are aggravated by the retention of bile. In the intolerable
itching of the skin, occurring in jaundice, in will prove useful,
(See Liver,)
Iead.- Constant, dull, frontal headache, worse in the temples 
slight frontal headache, with a dull aching sensation in the umbilicus; dull frontal headache, apparently deep seated in the cerebrum;
slight frontal headache, with neuralgic pains in the right temple;
very severe frontal headache, made nearly unbearable by walkin.;
very dizzy while walkiing; feeling as if the hair was being pulled
at; vertigo.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-With the knowledge we now possess of the
action of this medicine, especially on the liver, we can very properly decide the above-described headache to be the so-called " bilious
headache.)" It somewhat resembles the cephalalgia caused by Nux
and Brvonia. A  "bilious headache" is usually accompanied by
constipation, furred tongue, bitter taste, indigestion, yellow urine,
languor, and depression of spirits. A free discharge from the bowels, of dark-brown, or greenish, feculent matter, usually dissipates
the pain. Such headaches are relieved, and even cured, by the use
of Leptandria, second or third trituration.
- Eyes. —Eyes smart and ache very much (this symptom was
present during the whole of the proving); eyelids agglutinated;
profuse secretion of tears; eyes smarting constantly, with dull,
aching pains in the eyeballs; painful sensation in left eyelid;
lids and balls feel constricted.-(lDr. Gatchell.)




288       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIIC PROVINGS.
Mouth, Throat, etc.-Tongue coated, yellow along the centre;
pain in sub-maxillary glands.
Gastric Symptoms.-Tongue coated yellow along the centre; flat,
pappy taste in the mouth; nausea, with deathly faintness upon rising
in the night; painful distress in the stomach, with rising of food,
very sour; canine hunrger; nausea, with faintness; nausea followed by vomiting; severe vomiting, accompanied by diarrhcea.
CLINICAL RE.mnARIS.-Among the Eclectics, it is considered a
"valuable remedy for dyspepsia."' This phrase is continually used
in reference to Leptandria. But "dyspepsia" may be caused by
many various morbid states, both of the stomach and liver, thus:
it may depend upon an excess or a deficiency of bile; on gastric
catarrh, and degeneration of the gastric glands; atony of the stomach; deficiency of gastric juice, etc., etc. My experience with
Leptandria inclines me to the opinion that it is chiefly homceopathic
to those varieties of dyspepsia which depend upon disordered states
of the liver, and atony of the stomach. I have found it very useful,
used in alternation with Nux vomica, in men, and Pulsatilla in
women. If there is present constipation, headache, jaundice, and
bitter taste in the mouth, I prefer the first decimal trit. If there is
diarrh(ea, rising of sour ingesta, nausea, pain in the bowels and
debility, the third or sixth trituration.
Stomnach.- Constant distress in the lower part of the epigastrium and upperportions of ucmbilical regions; sharp, cutting pains
at intervals in the same parts; constant aching distress in the stomach
and umbilical regions; constant aching, burning sensation in the
stomach and liver, aggravated by drinking cold water; severe
aching pain in the stomach immediately after rising, and continuing
all the forenoon; dull, aching pain in the cardiac portion of the
stomach; great distress in the stomach and small intestines, with
great desire for stool, that could not be retained one moment;
weak, sinking sensation at the pit of the stomach.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It would seem homceopathic to some forms
of gastralgia, cardialgia, pyrosis, and some of the various pains
and  distressing  sensations which accompany indigestion.   The
"sinking sensation at the pit of the stomach," caused by Leptandria, is probably due to portal congestion, for which condition it
is one of the most valuable remedies. It should be administered
at the 2d or 3d dec. trit.
iaiver.-Dull aching pain in the lower part of the right hypochondriac region, near the gall-bladder, with dull aching pain in the
umbilicus, and rumbling in the bowels; dull aching in the whole of
the liver-the pain extends to the spine, but is worst near the gallbladder; constant dull, burning distress in the epigastric and hypochondriac regions; dull, aching burning distress in the region of the
gall-bladder, with frequent chilliness along the spine; profuse, black,
undigested stool, followed by great distress in the region of the
liver, extending to the spine; the pain is of a hot, aching character,
with chilliness along the spine; sharp, cutting pains near the gallbladder; great burning distress in the back part of liver, and in the
spine; pain in left shoulder and arm.




LEPTANDRIA  VIRGINICA.                      289
CLINICAL REMARKs. —The eclectic school of medicine, and even
the allopathic, claim for Leptandria, that it possesses a specific affinity~for the liver; that it profoundly modifies its functions in various
ways. King says of Leptandria: " It is a chola.gogue. It causes
the liver to act with great energy, and without active catharsis, and
is employed with success in all hepatic affections * * It is indicated
by an inactive state of the liver, and all functional diseases of that
organ."  And of Leptandrin he says: " It is the only known medi.
cine that efficiently stimulates and corrects the hepatic secretions,
and removes functional derangement of the liver, without debilitating the system by copious alvine evacuations."  Other writers of
that school reiterate the same statements, and all eclectic practitioners use it with unhesitating confidence. It is to that school what
" blue mass "' is to the allopathic, while the Podophyllin is considered
to take the place of calomel.  But the wide recommendation of Leptandria in 1" all functional derangements of the liver," is too sweeping, and resembles the assertions of the allopaths, that Mercury is the
only remedy in " all hepatic derangements." We are aware that the
researches of Inman and Thudichum seem to render it doubtful if
Mercury acts directly upon the liver; but the great mass of the allopathic school still use it, and probably will, for the next ten generations. Dr. Burt's admirable proving of Leptandria, which we
herewith present the profession, establishes the fact beyond all controversy, that this medicine does exercise an influence of no doubtful power over the liver and its secretions. The hepatic symptoms
are well marked, both the subjective and objective, and the whole
experiment goes to prove what I have so often asserted in my
writings: that all the remedies successfully used by the allopathic
schools, are used strictly in accordance with the homceopathic law of
cure; and being administered under that law, do effect cures, notstanding the large doses in which they are given-doses which very
often produce needless and painful, and sometimes injurious medicinal
aggravations. In regard to the real action of Leptandria on the
liver, and its secretions, I do not propose to hazard any decided
opinion, inasmuch as the action of Mercury even, upon that organ,
is involved in considerable mystery. The same may be said of
such analagous medicines as Iris versicolor and Podophyllum. But
I may throw out a few suggestions, which can be taken for what
they are worth: " (alomel," says Draper, m" increases the fluid, but
diminishes the solid constituents of the bile."  It is my impression
that Podophyllum and Iris versicolor act in a similar manner. Leptandria, on the contrary, seems to increase the solid, and decrease
the fluid constituents of that secretion; or, in other words, Leptandria may have the power of facilitating the elimination of the proper
exerementitious portions of the bile, or an excess of the non-excrementitious portions. It is at present believed that the retention
of cholesterine in the blood is very injurious. That substance acts
somewhat after the manner of Urea, namely: as a direct poison to
the nervous centres. Its non-elimination causes headache, vertigo,
languor, depression of spirits, painful sensations in various portions
of the body, etc. Now, it is highly probable that Leptandria
37




290        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
increases, directly, the elimination of this substance, for under its
action, when given in proper medicinal doses, the symptoms enumerated above, are rapidly dissipated. The retention of other excrementitious constituents of the bile cause various morbid conditions,
and the Leptandria, by its peculiar action, seems to be the remedy
most likely to be of benefit when we wish to eliminate such substances through the liver. As it does not appear to increase the
fluid constituents of the bile, as does Podophyllum and Iris v., its apparent tonic effect, even in material doses, may thus be accounted
fbr. Mercury, however, seems to have in some instances, a similar
action with Leptandria. In minute doses, in certain states of the
system, it acts as a tonic, i. e., it removes the morbid state by its
homweopathic action, and the vital powers resume their normal sway.
Some further suggestions relating to the action of Leptandria may
not be amiss. Its primary pathogenetic action seems to be that of
a stimulant, or irritant of the hepatic cells.  Chambers states that
"Mercury, Nitro-Muriatic Acid, and Manganese, cause an increase
of yellow matter in the cells of the liver." Podophyllum may have
the same effect; so also Leptandria. As a consequence of this plimary stimulation or irritation, we have the increased elimination before mentioned, and sometimes acute congestion and inflammation.
Leptandria therefore is primarily homeeopathic to an irritable concdition of the liver, in which the discharges are of the peculiar character described under "Stool," and the pains and abnormal sensations are similar to those under "Liver." The secondary effect -of
Leptandria is over-stimulation, or a condition of exhausted irritability, in which the hepatic cells refuse to perform their office (particularly that of eliminating the excrementitious substances from the
blood?). In such cases we have the following conditions, namely:
Jaundice from retention of biliary matters in the blood; so -called
" bilious symptoms;" congestion of the liver, and even chronic inflarmmation of that organ, with its complications of enlargement,
abscess, and various other structural changes. Leptandria is therefore secondarily homoeopathic to the last-named pathological states.
The size of the dose, let me remind the reader, will depend on its
primary or secondary homceopathicity.
Abdomen.- Constant, dull, aching distress in'the umbilical region
with ocasional, sharp, cutting pains in the same region: pain and
distress in the bowels, preventing sleep;. dull pain in the lower part
of right hypocondriac region and near the gall-bladder, with dull,
aching distress in the umbilical region, and rumbling in the bowels;
great distress in the whole of the bowels; sharp, cutting pains, with
rumbling and desire for stool; stool followed by very weak feeling
in the bowels and rectum; constant, dull, aching distress in the
umbilical and hypogastric regions, with sharp pains every few
minutes-the pains make me feel very faint; constant, duill, aching
pains in the right inguinal region, passing down to the testicle;
dull aching in the lumbar region; great rumbling and distress in
the hypogastric region, with a profuse, black, fetid stool, followed
by slight pains in the bowels; great distress in the hypogastric
region, with great desire for stool-the pain is aggravated by drink



LEPTANDRIA  VIRGINICA.                     291
ing cold water; a good deal of distress in the stomach and bowels,
with a burning sensation; stool followed by very severe, cutting
pains in the small intestines; distension of abdomen; sense of
vermicular motion in the colon; sense of coolness in the alimentary
canal; pain in the left iliac region; rumbling in the intestines;
flatulence.
CLINICAL  REMARKS. —The Leptandria is homceopathic to a
variety of chronic enteritis, especally that form which is so common
inl camps, and among the lower class of our population in cities.
It should be useful in bilious enteralgia, and the colics  from
flatulence, etc.
During the course of cases of typhus abdominalis, symptoms
will often arise, which call for its administration. Every practitioner
has met with cases in which the icteric symptoms, the prostration,
and frequently the abdominal pain, and the character of the
intestinal discharges, resemble very closely these found in the
provings of Leptandria. It is not suitable for conditions of such
intensity as call for the use of Arsenicum, but for those cases where
the derangement is still functional, and there is yet no real decom.
position of the fluids and solids, no ulcerations, etc., such as
Arsenicum causes. I have used the second dec. trit., in a few cases
of typhus abdominalis, with unequivocal benefit.
Stool.-Hard, black, and lumpy; afterwards soft and mushy stool;
stool soft and mushy, and followed by a very weak feeling in the
bowels and rectum; great rumbling and distress in the hypogastritnm, with a profuse, black, and very fetid papescent stool, followed
by slight pain in the bowels; great desire for stool; very profuse
black stool, of the consistence of cream, and partially digested,
followed by great relief; profuse, black, fetid stool, preceded by
severe pain in the umbilical and hypogastric regions; inability to
retain the stool, which is followed by great relief; great distress in
small intestines and desire for stool, followed by a soft very fetid
and black stool; watery stool, followed by severe cutting pains in
the small intestines; inability to retain the stool, which is very
profuse, fetid, and watery, with large quantities of mucus, and
followed by very severe pain in the hypogastrium; desire for stool
with great rumbling in the bowels, followed by profuse stool of
watery mucus intermingled with a yellow matter-the evacuation
was followed by very severe pain in the umbilicus; profuse, thin
stool, with large quantities of mucus, followed by sh'arp, catting
pains, and great distress iu the umbilical region.
CLINICAL REMTARIS.-It, is a stereotyped phrase of eclectic
writers that the Leptandria causes " copious, dark, tar-like'dejections from the bowels." They teach that when this symptom occurs,
after the administration of Leptandria in disease, it is a very
favorable symptoti, and recovery is confidently predicted, This
assumption is based upon the well-known fact, that similar evacuations do often occur during the course of bilious and other fevers
hepatic diseases, etc., and seem to be of a " critical" character, i. e.,
they relieve the system of certain morbid matters, which had
caused the malady. I have treated many malarious fevers of a




292        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
pernicious character, when these tar-like discharges ocurred under
the homceopathic use of Arsenicumand Rbhus, and when the peculiar
evacuations were not due to the medicine, but to the vis mnedicatrix
naturce.   I have known them  to occur during an attack of
supposed portal congestion, when no medicine had been taken.
But this pathognesis of.Leptandria proves that those peculiar dark
discharges, are not always the result of natural disease-in other
words, that this medicine is not alone an eliminative of such
morbid matters, but actually cures such evacuations, when given to
healthy persons. Eclectic writers erroneously teach that when the
Leptandria causes black evacuations, it shows that the system was
being poisoned with "vitiated bile," or some other morbid matters.
It is this belief that has led them to the indiscriminate routine, and
injurious use of this remedy in many diseases. They did not stop
to ask themselves the question, whether the tar-like discharges,
might not be due to the poisonous action of the drug?  I have
known patients under eclectic treatment to be kept under the
action  of Leptandria day after day, until the third stage of
poisoning-namely, that state when watery mucus and bloody
stools occur; because the physician supposed he must continue the
administration of the medicine until the black discharges ceased.
When they did cease, then the disease was said to "run into
dysentery;" but it was the dysentery of Leptandria. So much for
the blind adherence to pervading opinion, which is the curse of all
medical schools. There are some interesting peculiarities in relation
to the symptomatology of the evacuations caused by Leptandria.
The catharsis caused by it may be divided into four stages:
(1) Discharge of black, thick, tar-like, fcetid substances.
(2) Thinner, brownish, often feetid evacuations.
(3) Stool of mixed mucus, flocculent, and watery matters, with
yellow bile, or blood.
(4) Mucus, bloody stool, mixed with  shred-like substanceoften pure blood is discharged.
Now, to prescribe a drug successfully, we should know the
different stages of its pathogenetic action. This is just as important as to know the stages of disease. The catharsis of Podophyllin
differs materially from that of Leptandria, and although it causes
some of the varieties of stool, they occur in a different order. If
we are called upon to prescribe for a diarrhoea, we should investigate its history; if that history corresponds in order and nature,
with the Leptandria-disease, then that drug is the specific remedy.
In the treatment of a dysentery the same rule holds good; dysentery occurs in the fourth stage of Leptandria-poisoning, while it
occurs in the second stage of podophyllum-intestinal-irritation. With
some drugs, scanty, bloody, and mucus stools, occur, as a primary
symptom, as in cases where the rectum is the seat of inflammation.
Teste was the first to call attention to the importance of
selecting remedies upon this data, and the practitioner will find the
rule a valuable one.
Dr. P. P. Wells, of New York has lately called the attention
of the profession to the importance of the characteristic symptoms




LEPTANDRIA  VIRGINICA.                     293
of drugs; those symptoms which make it differ from all other
drugs. Thus, there are many remedies for "11black stools," but not
all will remove that condition;  the collateral symptoms must
correspond. This subject will be noticed in another place. In the
subject of the proving of Leptandria, it should not escape the notice
of the physician, that the evacuations per anum are accompanied
by some peculiar symptoms: The pains in the intestines usually
occur after stool; in the podophlyllum diarrhcea they occur before,
while the diarrhea of mercury, and many others, the pain is severe
during the stool. It will also be noticed that the evacuations are
not followed by tenesmus.  The proving here given does not
mention it, nor do I find it mentioned in any article refering to its
action. In practice I have not found it useful when there was
marked  tenesmus attending  the  disease.  Such  remedies as
Podophyllum, Aloes, and Mere urius are more applicable.
I am inclined to believe that Leptandria does not have any direct
specific effect on the rectum. Its action on the liver and portal
system, undoubtedly causes it to effect, the rectum  and  hemorrhoidal vessels but this action is indirect. If we carefully
study the symptoms of Leptandria, after the method proposed
by Dr.P. P. Wells, we shall find it a drug possessing a distinct
itdividuality, as much as any other drug in our Materia M[edica.
In Acute Diarrhcea, we shall find this medicine often indicated,
and it will prove a valuable specific when administered for the pathological conditions in which it is indicated-those, and the
symptoms, are well shown by the proving.
In Chronic Diarrhcea, this drug is even more reliable for the
general condition, which is shown by the following extracts from
my lecture on Leptandria, delivered before the class of Hahneman Medical College, in the winter of 1864:"The three principal varieties of chronic diarrhbca, in which
Leptandria will be found useful, are:
"(a) From  chronic inflammation or irritation of the mucous
membrane.
"(b) Dependent on hepatic derangement.'"(c) Diarrhoea of debility.
"Some of the indications for Leptandria in the first-named
variety, I have already given. But I will here call your attention
to one form of this affection, which bears the common name of
"Camp Diarrhbea."  This disease is usually contracted in camp,
where the soldiers are illy protected from atmospheric changes,
and are exposed to cold, dampness, and fetid exhalations, from
refuse matter, decaying vegetation, etc. These, together with
improperly cooked food, and bad water, are the principal causes
of this malady. Its onset is sometimes gradual, lasting for days
and weeks before the surgeon's attention is called to it by the
patient; but it often attacks its victims suddenly, and assumes the
character of a cholera morbus, or acute enteritis. It is one of the
most intractable diseases with which our army has to contend.
Under allopathic treatment it is almost incurable, and sometimes
resists all medication, so long as the man remains in camp or bar



~294       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
racks, exposed to the same influence which caused it, and obliged
to subsist upon the usual hospital diet. In the acute stages, the
following treatment will be found most applicable: If it is evidently caused by a cold, or exposure to dampness, Dulcarnara,
Aconite, or Pulsatilla will be found most efficacious. When caused
by bad diet, and improper food or water, Pulsatilla, or Podophyllum
will be most useful. If hepatic derangement is evidently present,
Mercurius, Podophyllum, Leptandria, or Iris versicolor will be
indicated. If the attack is choleraic in its character, Arsenicum,
Veratrum alb, or Euphorbia cor., and perhaps Aconite, should be
selected. But when it assumes a chronic character, and persists
in spite of altered diet, change of location, etc., then Leptandria or
Leptandrin will be found an invaluable remedy. In many cases
its persevering use will alone effect a cure, although there are
cases in which we may be obliged to resort to the auxiliary aid of
Phosphoric acid, Nitric acid, Arsenicum, Sulphur, or Mercurius
corrosivus.
"It is in most cases absolutely necessary that the patient (the
subject of Camp Diarrhcea) should be removed from  camp, or
barracks, as soon as possible, and transferred to some healthy
locality. For obvious reasons, a return to the patient's home is to
be preferred. Here his military dress should be changed for his
former civilian's apparel and his diet should consist of plain, nutritious,
easily-assimilable substances. My experience has been that patients
do the best upon a milk diet; plain bread and milk being the best'
form  of its use. In addition, hie should have a certain limited
amount of good fresh beef, mutton, or game, every day. Taking
the hint from the practice of an eminent Russian military surgeon,
who successfully adopted the treatment in the great military
hospitals, I have advised the use of raw, or nearly raw, beef,
and in most instances, with the most satisfactory results. Tender,
lean steak should be selected, and chopped very fine, a very small
quantity of salt may be added if the patient insists. Of this an
adult may eat one or two ounces, three times a day, with his bowl
of bread and milk. Potatoes, salted meats, warm bread, raw fruit,
pastry, coffee, preserves, and liquors, should be prohibited. Moderate exercise will be of advantage; too much, injurious. If the
chronic diarrhcea depends for its continuance on debility, and
resembles the colliquative diarrhcea of phthisis, accompanied by
hectic fever and coiliquative sweats, the Leptandria is still useful,
but should be given in alternation with Phosphorus, Arsenicum,
China, or.Ferrum. The two latter are especially indicated if a
lientery is developed, and the food passes the bowels unchanged,
or in a state of putrefactive fermentation.
"In some cases such is the debility and relaxation of the mucous'
membrane, that the serous and even fibrinous parts of the blood'
escape, attended sometimes with more or less of the red coloring
matter. An increased degree of the same affection constitutes
passive hemorrhage.  It is not unfrequently associated with a
watery state of the blood, which becomes incapable of sustaining a
due energy in the extreme vessels. In such conditions, Leptandria




LEPTANDRIA  VIRGINICA.                      295
is still useful, but should be aided by those remedies which are
capable of bringing back the blood to a normal condition. First in
importance stands Iron. The preparation I prefer is the Phosphate, given in the form of syrup of super-phosphate of Iron,
thirty drops after each meal, or a few grains of the first decimal
trituration of the Pyro-phosphate. Next in value are Hydrastin,
Helonin, Muriatic acid, and sometimes Nux vomica. The Citrate
of Iron and Strychnine is often one of the most efficient remedies
for chronic diarrhcea when we have two conditions; namely, an
impoverished state of the blood, and an atonic state of the mus-:
cular tissues of the intestines.  When these states obtain, we
usually find alternate constipation and diarrLcea, deficient digestion; aeumnnulationg of flatulence and homrnorrholds.
Dr. Small is very successful in  the  treatment of Chronic
Diarrhcea: he relies upon Nitric Acid and Arsenicum.
"( Chronic ulceration of the intestines often occurs during the
course of a chronic diarrhcea. Dr. Chambers says:'There is no
disorder in which emaciation is so marked a feature throughout
its whole course, as chronic ulceration of the small intestines.'Ulcerations of the ccecum and colon, tubercular or not, produce as
much, nay, often more diarrhcea; but they are not, by any means,
so distinguished in their power of reducing the patient. In this
lesion of the ilia, even the parts which are not the actual seat of
disease, seem incapacitated from absorbing nutriment, and the
victuals pass through the alimentary canal in the same state as
when they left the stomach, except being made putrid by chemical
decomposition. All the stages of digestion are equally suspended.'
" 1'These lesions are more common during infantile life, and
thousands of children are yearly carried off by this malady in every
large city.  In this affection Arsenicum, Merc. cor., Sulphnr,
Nitric' acid, and Phytolacca are indicated. The Leptandria has
also been of use in my hands, when, with the usual symptoms, there
was present a jaundiced hue of the skin, sallow complexion, pain
in the region of the liver, lack of bile in the evacuations, and great
debility. In such a condition I would advise you to use, for adults,
the first decimal trituration; for children, the third trituration.
" When the ulceration is tubercular, you will have to resort to a
different class of remedies, prominent among which I would advise
the hypophosphate of lime (calcis hypophosphis), which has all
the curative properties of cale. carb., together with the recuperative qualities of phosphorus. The second or third dec. trit. will
prove the most satisfactory. Leptandria may be called for, even
in this disease, if we find disorder of the liver complicating the
case. Ibelieve it increases the absorbent action of the intestinal
mucous membrane, and thus prevents the excessive emaciation.
In respect of the action of Leptandria on the mucous membranes
of the intestines Dr. Coe, gives a case which is quite interesting.
He says:' No remedy with which we are acquainted, is more to
be relied upon in chronic affections of the mucous surfaces. Its
value in this respect is peculiarly apparent in chronic dysentery
and diarrhea, and other diseases of the bowels.  When filtse




296       NEW   HOMEOOPATiIC  PROVINGS.
membranous formations have occurred in the smaller intestines
produced by the gradual exudation of plastic lymph., the Leptandria may be relied upon for their removal, with great confidence.
*  *  W aVe have also used it with great success, in the cure of
constipation and piles. We recently treated acase of the latter
complaint, accompanied with frequent hemorrhage  from  the
rectum, of twelve years standing. A short time after commencing
its use, the patient discharged considerable quantities of false
membrane, in shreds and patches, and a number of pieces several
inches in length, forming complete tubes. The evacuation of this
matter was attended with an amelioration of all the symptoms,
and at the present' time the patient declares himself well. The
bowels are regular, appetite good, the hemorrhage has ceased,
and the distressing pain, so long experienced beneath the sacrum,
entirely gone.',  This is quite an important clinical fact, and although the
cases were treated with massive doses two to four grs. twice or
thrice a day, we cannot doubt that the remedy was homoeopathic
to the disease mentioned.
In Woods' Practice, article "Chronic Enteritis," we find that
"occasionally portions of false membrane are discharged, and in
some rare instances, tubes of considerable length, obviously the
result of a plastic inflammation, throwing out coagulable lymph
upon the surface of the mucous membrane.",Dr. Cumming of Edinburg has given an account of a peculiar
variety of pseudo-membranous inflammation of the bowels (quoted
by Wood). In this variety, Dr. Simpson used Arsenic, a remedy
homceopathic to the disease, and Dr. Cumming used tar and electro
"galvanism," successfully.
Believing, as.1 do, that all medicinal remedies cure only under
the law of similia, it seems highly probable to me that Leptandria,
in the case given by Dr. Coe, caused the expulsion of the membrane
and effected the cure, by virtue of its power to cause a similar
pathological state.
Chronic Dysentery is often associated with chronic enteritis,
and it is not always easy to determine, how far the two portions of
the bowels are severally involved in the inflammation, nor is the
decision a matter of much importance. Chronic Diarrhcea and
Dysentery are very nearly allied in their anatomical character, and
we often find cases where the symptoms of both maladies are
intimately,blended. But chronic dysentery, when not thus combined, is distinguished from chronic diarrhcea by the frequency and
comparatively small quantities of the evacuations, their character,
and the tenesmus with which they are attended. The greater
number of the stools consist chiefly of mucus, sometimes mixed
with pus-like matter or blood. Occasionally, however, feculent or
bilious matter is mixed with the proper dysenteric discharge.
When the disease occupies the rectum and lower portions of the
colon, the feculent discharge is often consistent, and instead of
being uniformly mixed with mucus, is either irregularly pervaded
by it in layers or streaks, or enveloped in a thick coating of it,




LEPTANDRIA  VIRGINICA.                     297
derived from the surface of the bowel with which the fceces lay in
contact. There is usually more or less tormina, and tenderness on
pressure; the pulse, skin, and appetite are affected as in chronic
diarrhcea, and there is nearly the same emaciation.  Chronic
Dysentery is seldom an original disease, but when it occurs, is
almost always in consequence of an acute attack. It is very often
a result of acute attacks of "camp dysentery," and even " camp
diarrhea'' may run into a chronic dysentery. In this disease we
have in Leptandria a valuable and efficient remedy, but it is more
applicable to those cases in which a chronic enteritis complicates
the disorder.
In Cholera Infantum it has proved a very useful remedy. Dr.
Kling (Eclectic), says:-" In cholera infantum, a disease which sometimes sets at defiance all the skill of the physician, I have met with
excellent success by the following combination: Leptandria six grs.,
Quinia three grs., Camphor one and a half grs., Ipecacuanha threefourths grs., mixed and divided in twelve powders, of which one
may be given every two or three hours, and its use continued thus
for several days. Its action at first is to increase the alvine passages, and apparently augment the disease, but in a few days the
character of the evacuations change, become more and more
normal, as well as more regular in their appearance; after which,
one or two powders per day for a week will render the cure
permanent."
I have quoted the above, to show that this mixture, absurd as
it is, really cured the disease homceopathically.
Leptandria, the main ingredient, is eminently homeopathic to
the disease in most cases, as the proving shows conclusively.
Quinia, for which we substitute China, is indicated by the
general condition (prostration from -loss of fluids), and by the
special symptoms (copious, dark, or light, watery stool, etc).
Ipecac. is one of our best remedies, when there occurs vomiting
with the diarrhmea, and Camphor, as shown by Hahnemann is quite
homeopathic to choleraic symptoms, with considerable prostration.
By the use of Leptandria third trit., China second dil., and Ipecac.,
first or second, with Camphor tenth, as an intercurrent remedy, the
hommopathist, can cure his patients, without the danger of doing
injury to the organism, especially in cases of children, that is apt
to occur from such massive doses as is advised by King, who
admits that the disease is apt to be aggravated at first,by the
medicines.
Dr. B. L. Hill, when an Eclectic, wrote as follows concerning
the action of Leptandria, in dysentery.
"In the epidemic dysentery which has prevailed for the last two
seasons (1854,55,) in many parts of our country, this article has
been of great service. It was usually given with the best success,
after evacuating the bowels freely, with a combination of Podophyllin and Leptandria, or Rhubarb. For this purpose give from
one-half of a grain to a grain every hour, gradually lengthening the
interivals as the discharge becomes darker. Though it may not be
38




298       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
applicable in all cases of dysentery, it is doubtless one of the most
useful articles in this dangerous disease."
The epidemic referred to was of an adynamic character, quickly
prostrating the patient, and often ran into a typhoid condition.
For the same epidemic, Dr. Hill would now advise and use with as
good results, minute doses of Leptandria, Podophyllum, Arsenicum,
and Baptisia. It may be remarked here that Podophyllumr is indicated for a much higher grade of inflammation and irritation of the
bowels, than Leptandria.  The following was Dr. Hill's estimate
of the action of Leptandria: —"It is not strictly cathartic. It is
aperient, alterative and tonic. In cases of children affected with
summer complaint, where there is evidently a lack of the proper
biliary secretions, but when owing to the already irritated condition of the bowels, the ordinary remedies for arousing the liver
are inadmissible, this article seems to be the very thing needed. While
it acts freely upon the liver, instead of purging, it seems to change
the discharge from the light, and watery, or slimy condition, to a
darkened and apparently bilious state rendering them  more and
more consistent, until they become perfectly natural, without
having been arrested entirely, or at any time aggravated. It at
the same time seems to act as a tonic, restoring the tone of the
stomach, and increasing the strength and activity of digestion."
Dr. Hill the homoeopathic, values the Leptandria as highly as
did Dr. Hill the eclectic, but he accounts for its action in a more
rational manner.  As the latter he gave one-fourth to one grain
every hour or two, in acute cases, or one to two grains three times
a day in chronic cases; as the former he finds one-tenth or onehundreth of a grain equally servicable. In those severe cases of
disease which clearly resemble the primary symptoms of poisoning
with the fresh root of Leptandria, the thirtieth, if prepared from
a good tincture, would doubtless act curatively.'Urine.-Urine at first slightly acid, then neutral and rather
scanty; urine very red, and does not affect litmus paper; dull,
aching pain in the lumbar region.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-King says " it exerts a powerful influence
upon the absorbent system, and in combination with cream of tartar,
has been successfully used in obstinate cases of dropsy."
If Leptandria is homeopathic to any variety of dropsy, it is
probably that dependent on disease of the liver. In order to test
its value in dropsy, or, indeed, any disease, it should be given alone.
To combine medicines is to lose all data concerning the real action
of any single agent.
It is doubtful if Leptandria exercises any specific act;on on the
functions of the kidneys, yet a medicine may be useful in dropsy
without being a diuretic. It may act curatively by a certain general
restorative power. Thus China, Iron, Helonias, etc., may remove
dropsies by bringing the organism up to a normal condition. Any
cause which obstructs the circulation in the portal system of veins,
will induce dropsy.  Chronic tumefaction of the liver, and organic
diseases of that organ; also inflammation of the portal vein, are
the principle causes of the varieties of hepatic dropsy.




LEPTANDRIA   VIRGINICA_,                    299
Thorax.-Soreness in left side of the thorax, especially about
the cardiac region.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-In affections of the liver, we may have
sympathetic disturbances of the heart's action; so also from
dyspepsia.
Indirectly the Leptandria may prove useful in some derangements of the functions of the heart.
Back.- Sore and lame feeling in the small of the back.
Upper Extremities. —Both wrists are very lame, and ache
severely, lasting some hours; pain in left shoulder and arm; chilly
sensation at the shoulders and down the arm.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Pain in the left shoulder is a symptom of
disease of the posterior portion of the liver.
Lower Extremities.-Feet and legs, from the knees downward,
feel cold and numb.
DR. BURT'S PROVING OF LEPTANDRIA.
January 29th, 1864. —Am perfectly well; good appetite;
bowels regular, once a day; urine acid. My temperament is sanguine-nervous, with a little of the bilious.  Took one grain of
Leptandrin, at 10 A. M.; 10.15, natural stool; 12 M., constant, dull,
frontal headache, worse in the temples; constant distress in the
lower part of the epigastric region, and umbilicus-by spells there
are sharp, cutting pains, in the same parts. Took two grains, 3 P. M.;
slight, frontal headache, with a dull, aching sensation in the umbilicuns. Took three grains, 5 P. M.; constant, dull, frontal headache,
very severe, deep in the regions of causality; constant, dull, aching
distress in the umbilicus-at times there are very sharp pains in the
same region. Took four grains, 9 P. M.; the fiontal headache has
been very severe; eyes smart, and ache very much; constant,
aching distress in the umbilicus, with sharp pains at times; feeling
very gloomy. Took 5 grains.
January 30th.-Feeling very tired; slept middling well; awoke
several times, and found that I had a severe frontal headache.
Took six grains at 7 A. Ir.; 10 A. M., slight, dull headache, with
slight distress in the bowels. Took eight grains, 12 iM.; constant,
dull headache, very much worse in the regions of causality; eyes
sore, and smart severely; constant, aching distress in the stomach;
with great distress in the umbilical region. Took ten grains 2 P. M.,
had to ride ten miles on horseback, did not notice any particular
symptoms. At 6 P. x. took fifteen grains;. 9 P. r., slight, frontal
headache; eyes ache, and smart severely; constant, aching distress it the epigastric and umbilical regions, with sharp, cutting
pains, by spells; uarine slightly acid; no stool to-day.
January 31st.-Had a restless night after midnight; the pains
and distress in the bowels prevented me from sleeping; feeling very
languid; dull pain in the lower part of the iight hypochondriac region;
tongue coated yellow along the center. Took twenty grains at 8 A.M.;
stool, first part hard, black, and lumpy, afterwards soft and mushy;
12 M., slight, frontal headache; eyes smart very much; frequent,
dull, aching pains in the lower right hypochondriac region, near the




300       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
gall bladder, with dull, aching distress in the umbilical region, and
rumbling in the bowels. Took twenty-five grains, 2 P. M.; dull,
aching distress in the whole of the liver that extends to the spine;
the most distress is in the region of the gall-bladder; great distress
in the whole of the bowels, with sharp, cutting pains, rumbling, and
desire for stool; stool, soft and mushy, followed by a very weak
feeling in the bowels and rectum; 5 P. M., frontal headache; eyes
smart a great deal; constant, burning, aching distress in the region
of the stomach and liver; dull, aching distress in the umbilical and
hypogastric regions. Took twenty-five grains, 9 P. AB.; dull, frontal
headache that is very deep in the cerebrum; eyes smart very.
much; burning distress in the whole epigastric and hypochondriac
regions; constant, dull, aching distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions, with very.sharp pains every few minutes; makes
me feel very weak and faint; constant, dull, aching pain in the
right inguinal region, that passes down to the right testicle; it is
very hard to endure the pain in the testicle; dull aching inthe
lumbar region; urine rather scanty, and does not affect blue litmus
paper.
February 1st. —Had a restless night after midnight; skin was
very hot and dry, with firequent pain in the bowels; eyelids agglutinated; unpleasant; flat taste in mouth; tongue coated yellow, along
the centre; great rumbling and distress in the hypogastric region,
with a profuse, black, very fcetid, soft, papescent stool, with
slight pain in the bowels afterwards; feeling very languid. At
6 A. A1., took thirty grains; 11 A. M., frequent, dull, aching distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions. Took forty grains,
2 P. x.; for the last two hours I have been in awful pain and distress in the epigastric, umbilical, and hypogastric regions; drinking
cold water aggravates the pain and distress very much; dull,
aching, burning distress in the region of the gall-bladder, with
frequent chilliness along the spine; great distress in the hypogastric region, with great desire for stool; very profuse, black
stool, about the consistence of cream, with undigested potatoes in
it. This gave great relief; but was followed by great distress in
the region of the liver, extending to the spine; it is of a hot, aching
character, with chilliness along the spine; 5 P. r., slight, frontal
headache; there has been constant distress with very sharp pains
by spells, in the lumbar region; 10 P. x., slight frontal headache,
with sharp pains in the temples; there has been constant distress,
with pains in the whole of the abdomen, since 5 P. xf., but, for the
last half hour, the pains in the umbilical and hypogastric regions have
been awful to endure, with rumbling and great desire for stool; a
very profuse, black, fetid stool, that ran a stream from my bowels,
and could not be retained a moment; this gave great relief; but,
did not stop the pain altogether; urine very red, does not affect
blue litmus paper.
February 2nd.-Slept soundly; feeling very languid; both
wrists are very lame and ache quite severely the left one aches
the most, pain lasted until noon; tongue coated, yellow along the
centre; flat taste in the mouth. Immediately after getting up, a




LEPTANDRIA  VIRGINICA.                      301
very severe, aching distress came on in the epigastric region. At
10 A. M., the distress in the stomach is constantly getting worse;
I cannot sit or stand still, it is so severe; food rises very sour; 12
M., the painful distress in the stomach has been unendurable all the
forenoon; it is a hard, aching, burning sensation, and appears to be
in the stomach; 9 r. Mi., the painful distress in the stomach has not
been so hard, but have had severe pains in the umbilical region
all the afternoon; urine neutral; no stool to-day.
February 3rd. —Slept soundly; awoke at 5 A. Mi., feeling very
hungry, with great distress in the epigastric region, and continued
until I had breakfast; frequent pains in the epigastric region
all day.
February 4th.-Slept well; feeling quite well; great desire
for food; stool, first part natural, last part soft and mushy.
February 5th.-Awoke at 2 A. I., feeling very hungry; have
a great appetite; 11 A. M., took twenty drops of the fluid extract
of Leptandria; 12 x., dull, frontal headache; profuse secretion of
tears; dull, aching distress in the stomach and umbilical region;
3P. M., slight headache; constant, aching distress in the umbilicus
with sharp pains by spells; sharp, cutting pains near the gallbladder. Took thirty drops, 4 P. x., dull, frontal headache, with
a sensation as if the hair were pulled at; good deal of distress in
the stomach and bowels, with a burning sensation; 6 P. Mi., dull,
aching distress ill the umbilicus. Took forty drops; 10 P. M., there
has been a great deal of distress in the umbilicus, with a great
burning distress in the back part of the liver and in the spine; soft,
mushy stool; took fifty drops.
February 6th.-Slept well; arose once in the night; immediately
I became sick at my stomach, with a deathly faintness; tongue
coated yellow; flat taste in* my mouth; 7 A. xM., took six drops; 10
A. 31., slight headache; great distress in the small intestines, and
desire for stool; stool soft, very fcetid, and black. Took seventy
drops; noon, dull, aching distress in the umbilical region, with
very sharp pains by spells. Took eighty drops; 3 P. m., slight
frontal headache; eyes smart a good deal; constant, dull, aching
pain in the cardiac portion of the stomach; great distress in the
umbilicus. Took one hundred drops; 10 P. x., slight frontal
headache, with neuralgic pains in the right temple; eyes smarting
constantly, with dull pains in the eyeballs; have had very severe
pains in the stomach and small intestines, with great distress and
desire for stool; stool soft, very fmtid, and mushy; have been very
gloomy and very irritable all day. Took one hundred and twenty
drops.
February, 7th.-Up all night with a very sick patient; had
frequently severe pains in the umbilical and hypogastric regions;
stool, 3 A. MI., that run  a stream  friom  my bowels, followed
by very severe cutting pains in the small intestines; 8 A. x., very
severe frontal headache, walking makes it almost intolerable;
great distress in the stomach and all of' the small intestines, with
great desire for stool, that could not be retained one moment; run
a stream  from  my bowels, very fetid, with large quantities of




302    NEW  HOME OPATHIC PROVINGS.
mucus in it, followed by severe pain in the hypogastric region;
Took one hundred and sixty drops. 10 A. Al., there has been constant and very violent frontal headache; great distress in the
stomach and small intestines, with frequent pains in the umbilicus
that make me feel very faint and weak; great rumbling in the
bowels; stool that could not be retained, consisting of water
and large quantities of mucus and a little yellow matter,
followed by very hard pains in the umbilicus; very dizzy while
walking; quite weak and languid, can hardly walk; 12 M., severe
frontal headache; constant, dull, aching, burning distress in the
whole of the bowels, with frequent pain. and rumbling, and great
desire for stool; stool of water and mucus, followed by very hard
pain in the hypogastric and umbilical region; 2 P. M., another very
profuse, thin stool, with large quantities of mucus; great frontal
headache; very weak and languid, compelled to go to bed; 4 P. M.,
slept two hours, awoke with great distress in the whole of the
bowels, and great desire for stool; profuse, watery stool mixed
with mucus that could not be retained; 5 P. M,, another
stool of mucus and water, with part natural faeces, very fwetid;
6 P. M., another stool, with large quantities of mucus in it, followed
by sharp, cutting pains, and great distress in the umbilical region;
feeling very weak and faint; 9 P. x., another profuse stool that
could not be retained, followed by severe pains in the bowels; very
severe frontal headache.
February Sth.-Slept soundly, feeling very languid; tongue
coated yellow along the centre; dull, aching distress it4 the bowels;
during the night have had frequent pains in the umbilicus, with
much rumbling all day; no stool; great appetite.
February 9th.-Lost my sleep last night, and am feeling very
bad to-day; have had frequent pains in my bowels all day, with
severe headache; no stool.
February 10th.-Slept well; feeling very well, excepting frequent pains in the umbilical region; soft, yellow, papescent stool,
preceded by pain in the umbilical region.
NUPHAR LUTEA.
(Small flowered, yellow Pond-Lily.)
This well-known plant is found all over the United States,
growing in ponds and stagnant waters, is of a similar habit to the
white pond-lily-the leaves always floating in deep water, and
are erect in shallow. The petioles are semi-cylindrical; color of the
root and flower, deep yellow. Dr. Marcy says the species used by
Dr. Petit, the prover, was the small, and flowered, yellow pond-lily,




NUTPHAR  LUTEA.                       303
n. lutea, not the large-flowered, common yellow lily —from which,
however, it is said to be sometimes difficult to distinguish it.'
This proving was made with the fourth, sixth, seventh and
eighth dilutions, by Dr. Petit, and translated from the Joour. de la
Societe Gallicane, and may be found in the North Amer. Jour.,
Vol. 3, p. 250. I have arranged the pathogenesis according to the
general plan herein adopted.
General Symptoms.-Weakness; restlessness; diminution of the
strength; and flush, healthy complexion.
Emotive $phere. —-Excessive moral sensibility, giving one great
pain on witnessing the suffering of animals; great impatience at
the slightest contradiction.
Sklin.-Toward the end of ten or twelve days which followed
the commencement of the proving (first), there appeared, on different parts of the body, a number of red blotches, tolerably regular
in outline, oval or circular, prominent, and covered with  little
scales, of a silvery white; in short, resembling psoriasis. There
were a few on the posterior surface of the arms, but they were most
abundant on the anterior surface of the legs; they itched violently,
especially in the evening. Friction removed the little scales, which
were rapidly reproduced; remained a few days, then fell off again
from the scratching induced by the itching. This eruption lasted a
month and a half. As it disappeared, and the scales ceased to be
reproduced, the skin at the place of each blotch became pale, red or
yellowish. It would be impossible to mistake the character of psoriasis in these symptoms. Were they pathogenetic or unconnected
with the remedy?' —(Petit.)  Aggravation of a moderate ptyriasis
capitis, of several years standing; morning and evening, especiallyy
the itching is intolerable, and the comb brings away a great
quantity of hair (second proving). (Dr. P. doubts whether this
was a drug symptom, as the pityriasis was constitutional with him.)
Sensation like flea-bites in different parts for several days; a red,
slightly prominent patch, covered with little white scales, and itching violently, on the interior surface of the right arm, near the
axilla; a red, oval, prominent patch, as large as a five-cent piece, on
the internal surface of the left arm, exactly like a patch of psoriasis,
covered with silvery scales, falling off, and renewed again every
few days, itching violently especially in the evening.
With  very commendable frankness Dr. Petit  offers  the
following:
REMARKS.-" We have seen during my first proving, an eruption like psoriasis appeared on my lower limbs. Although of an
eminently psoric constitution, manifested in childhood by temporary enlargements of the cervical lymphatics, chilblains, catarrhal
inflammation of the eyelids, etc., and in adult life by symptoms
resembling, at one time, the commencement of tubercular consumption, and which only yielded to hommopathic treatment, it was
nevertheless thefirst occasion in which I had been affected with an
eruption of this nature. It continued for a month and a half. In
the second proving, subsequently instituted a few  months after,
there was no eruption. But in the third, five months afterwards,




304       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
two patches appeared on the internal surface of each arm. Four
years afterwards, while an interne at the RZospice de la Salpetri~re,
and brought every morning in contact With some hundred patients
affected with itch, I was seized with a general psoriasis, which
lasted more than a month, without being in the least affected by
any medicament, and only yielded, at the end of three or four
weeks, to the alternate use of manganum and nitric acid. Every
year since has been marked by the appearance of two or three
patches of psoriasis. Quite recently I again proved the Naphar 1.,
and in less than a fortnight the patches of psoriasis appeared on all
sides.   *    *    *    What conclusion shall we draw  from
these facts? Did the Nu2phar act three times in succession to produce the eruption?  Or did it simply act by awaking the pathological susceptibilities of the economy, and depressing the vital functions, and thus favor the appearance of the disease? Or is the
whole thing a mere coincidence? I shall willingly adopt the latter
conclusion as the wiser one, until further provings, and an extended
clinical experience shall have thrown more light upon the subject."
This conclusion does honor to his judgment. Let further provings on healthy persons be made.
Itead.-Pressive headache in the forehead and temples, ceasing
in the open air; boring pain in transitory attacks in the left anterior
part of the forehead, in the evening; dull, or teasing pains, sometimes in the forehead, at others in the whole upper part of the
head; heaviness in the whole head, in the middle of' the day; dull,
deep lancinations behind the left frontal eminence; dull pain in the
left anterior central lobe; very painful, bruising, shaking in the
brain at every step when walking; dull pain and sensation of painful weight in the orbit all day, in the right anterior cerebral lobe,
and right side of the occiput; painful heaviness in the orbit, at the
base of the brain —a very frequent symptom since the beginning of
the proving; lancinations in the left anterior part of the brain;
Weight in the temples in the morning..  CLNLICAL REMARKs. — The pains about the orbital regions are
peculiar. Dr. P, is of the opinion that its action is deep, direct and
primary on the nervous centers.
Eyes.-Dull pain, and sensation of weight in the orbit; discolored eyes, (around the eyes2? H.)  (For other symptoms of the
orbit, see Head.)
Face. —Face pale; discolored eyes; though otherwise as well as
usual.
Gastric and Intestinal Symnptoms.-Sweetish taste several times a
day; sense of weakness; slightly painful over the whole anterior
surface of the stomach; soft stool, preceded by some colic, for several days; diarrhceaic stools, morning and evening, preceded by
violent colic pains in the rectum; six stools from 8 P. Ar., to 6 A. M.;
diarrhceaic stool during the day, after breakfast and another after
dinner; yellow diarrhcea, especially in the morning, for three days,
five' or six stools a day, without colic or epigastric trouble, except
at times a sense of weakness in the epigastric region; the stools
are always more numerous toward five or six o'clock, A. A.;




NUPHAR LUTEA.                         305
emission of flatulence in evening, with wind colic; smarting, and
burning pain at the anus, after every stool; stitches, as from
needles, in the rectum.
CLINICAL REmARKS. —" In the chronological order of the symptoms, those which are seated in the digestive organs do not commence until a number of days after the disturbance has been manifested in the nervous functions. Their seat, so far as can now be
judged, is in the lower part of the digestive canal. Thus the pains
which accompany or precede the stools, are principally seated in
the rectzum. The appetite is not at all disturbed, still the strength
is not renewed, nutrition languishes, the face becomes pale, the eyes
dark colored. The stools are sometimes soft, generally languid,
yellow, most frequent between four and six o'clock, A. AI. It is
indicated in acute or chronic cases of entero-colitis., when the
aggravation takes place, in the early morning, and generally in
cases where there is depression of the virile functions."'-(Dr.
Petit.)
Case l.-" M. B., At. twenty-eight, had had a morning diarrhcea for three months. He had to rise every morning towards five
o'clock, several times for this purpose of going to stool-never any
colic. Bryonia and Sepia, did no good in a fortnight; the diarrhcea continued of the same character, and the slightest error in
diet aggravated it. Nuphar cured it rapidly.-(lb.)
Case 2.-"  M. Louis B., aet. twenty-one, Professor of Literature,
had scarce returned from the country, towards the end of last
autumn, when he was taken with a morning diarrhma, with colic.
Between four and six, A. AM., he had two or three stools, and comnionly one in the evening. This state had lasted eight days. After
first dose of Nuphar, taken at night, the diarrhcea ceased."
Case 3.-"M I. L., cWt. forty-three, musician, had suffered three
years from entero-colitis, contracted by excesses at the table, and
venery, and domestic troubles. He had exhausted the resources of
the old school, and of quackery, without benefit; and when he
consulted me, towards the end of last November, he presented the
following case:-Appetite good, sometimes excessive; frequent
regurgitations of an acrid and corrosive taste; digestion slow;
colic and rumbling every night, awakened several times from  five
to seven, every morning, to go to stool, which was liquid or soft,
yellowish, and either sour or fietid; the least excess, of any kind,
produced an aggravation of this state, and generally obliged him
to remain in bed for a day or two-ordinarily he was enabled to
attend to his affairs; his sleep was agitated; heat in the palms of
his hands; frequent pulse; at times a dull pain in the left renal
region, which was sensitive to the touch. From the first doses of
N2uphar he derived more benefit than he had previously experienced from any treatment, and in two months he was well." —(It.)
Case 4.-" NM. D., a jeweler, cet. thirty-three, hadl had a diarrhmea for a fortnight, which obliged him to get up several times for
stool, towards five or six, A. M. He had no colic, but experienced
burning at the anus, together with general depression. The diarrhcea ceased from the second day-."-(Jb.)
39




306        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
Case 5. —" M. B., ct. thirty-seven, wood carver, consulted me
on the 26th of May. He had been sick for three months. His
tongue was white, mouth pasty, and his stomach the seat of a
painful sensation of weariness; digestion slow. He had wind colic,
principally early in the morning, with liquid or soft, sour-smelling
stool. For several years the virile functions had been badly performed; he had tolerable frequent pollutions during sleep; constant itching of the scrotum and perineum; small desire for coitus;
infrequent and feeble erections; the diarrhcea, colic, digestive
troubles, and general weariness, were aggravated on the day succeeding sexual connection. I prescribed N2iuphar, and eight days
after the first consultation, the patient not coming to visit me, one
of his friends told me he was better' —(Ib.)
This remedy has much resemblance to Iris v., in the character
of the intestinal symptoms, and also the seminal emissions, but is
not so active and intense in its action.
iJrine.-The urine deposits a copious, reddish  sand, which
adheres to the vessel.
Generative Organs of Men.-Diminution of lascivious thoughts
and the sexual inclination for ten days; opposite effects during the
succeeding days; complete absence of sexual desire; penis contracted; scrotum relaxed; entire absence of erections and sexual
desires; the voluptuous ideas which fill the imagination, do not
cause erection; lancinations in the right testicle; dull, transitory
pain in the right testicle for several days in succession; a similar
pain at the extremity of penis, right side; severe lancinations in
left testicle, with pains in extremity of penis, left side; an interne
en pharmacie, of the hospitals of Paris, took for several days a
quantity of tincture of this drug, and remained for two months
without perceiving either propensity or power of performing the
generative act.
CLINICAL REMARKS, ETC. -- Nuphar possesses a remarkable
power of modifying the vital forces, particularly in the matter of
the generative functions, as was already known to the ancients.
(Dioscorides, Pliny, etc.)  This action is exhibited in depressed
phenomena, more and more marked, and lasting sometimes as long
as thirty days. The reaction then commences, and proceeds, but
with considerable slowness.
Cause i.-Having administered a dose of Nuphar 6th dil., for
several evenings in succession, to a patient convalescing from
typhoid fever, whose feeble state was aggravated by nocturnal
emissions, these latter diminished in number from the first day, and
gradually disappeared.
Case 2.-Gave the drug to a man who, for nine years, had had
involuntary seinal losses, during sleep, at stool, and when urinating, with complete absence of erections. He was pale and languid,
and had been treated in vain, for several months, by Opium,
Quinine, etc. The first evening he had violent headache, accompanied by vertigo, as if from intoxication, extending into a part of
the night; with  soreness, nausea, epigastric pains, ahd bitter
mouth; the next morning general bruised feeling, as if it had been




PIHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.                      307
beaten with a club. (There is a connection between these pains,
and the bruised pains produced by Nuphar in the brain and
thorax, which are sensibly aggravated by the shock of every step.
(P.) During the following evenings, the patient, who was taking
the remedy twice a day, experienced heaviness in the head, vertigo,
as if from intoxication (similar, he declared, to those he had felt
while taking opium), and bitterness in the mouth. For a month he
took the Nuphar, at two different times. His paleness diminished,
his general weakness disappeared by degrees, and his digestive
functions took a new start. At the same time the pollutions
ceased, erections came on, accompanied by a decided propensity for
the generative act, and before the thirtieth day of the treatment
he was able to satisfy it with success, and without fatigue." —(P.)
Thorax. —Painful sensation behind the sternum when running, as
though the subjacent organs were violently shaken.
Back and Extremities.-Deep, dull pain at the lowest part of
the left lumbar region, and in the posterior superior part of the
external iliac fossa; it coincides with a similar, but not constant
pain in the internal iliac fossa of the same side; weakness of the
limbs in the evening.
PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.
(Poke.)
This plant is indigenous, growing in nearly all parts of the
United States, in fence corners, and cleared land not under cultivation. The root is collected in November, cut in slices and dried in
the sun; the leaves are gathered just before the berries ripen,
and the berries when fully ripe. An active principle termed'PAytolacein has been obtained from the root, and is much used in
place of the tincture, or pulverized root. The tincture should be
made with purified alcohol, from  the green root-the dried root
tincture is comparatively inert.  Phytolacca is asserted  to  be
emetic, cathartic, alterative and discutient. It acts as an emetocathartic, and exhibits some acreo-narcotic powers, such as impaired
vision, vertigo and drowsiness. In over doses it is said to cause
excessive vomiting and purging, with great prostration, and
occasionally convulsions. "While the most prominent effects of
Phytolacca appear to be produced on the stomach and bowels, the
skin, the nervous system, and the urinary and genital organs of both
sexes share largely in its influence. When given to animals in large
doses it produces vomiting, purging, bloody stools, perspiration,
drowsiness or stupor, cough, tremors, convulsive motions, increased
urination, and distention of the abdomen. The flesh of wild
pigeons and other birds which eat the berries, acquire a highly red




308        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
color, a disagreeable flavor, and is destitute of adipose substance;
and in some instances whole families have been excessively purged
by eating game which has fed upon these berries, although children
frequently eat the berries without any bad consequences. Phytolacca has been successfully used in veterinary practice, for discussing
tumors, fistulous ulcers, and in a disease called'yellow water.' "(TraCns. Amer. Ins.  -ornt.)  The Phytolacca is an analogue of
Mercury, Iodide of Potash, Iris versicolor, Podophyllumn, Arsenicum,
and other drugs. It is'a little strange that a vegetable remedy
should be so analogous in its action to the Iodide of Potash; one
symptom is quite notable-the loss of adipose tissue in birds which
have eaten of the berries. Kali hyd. has this power of causing
absorption of adipose in a great degree; so also both are useful in
periodical, mercurial, and so-called syphilitic rheumatism.
Two provings are here given, (one f6und in the Trans. Amer.
Inst. of Hom. Vol. II.; the other lately made by Dr. W. H. Burt):
General Symptoms.-Many of the symptoms, especially those
about the head and thr6at, are better after breakfast, while tile heat,
and many of the abdominal symptoms are worse in the afternoon;
dryness of the fauces, most in the morning; some of the abdominal
symptoms disappear in the night; the symptoms of the chest are
worse after midnight, better in the afternoon, and most of them on
the right side; the pains in the head are chiefly in the forehead,
and worse after dinner; dullness, giddiness and vertigo; the
prominent, feeling in the eyes is that of smarting; the symptoms of
the eyes and eyelids are worse in the morning, but the vision is worse
in the evening; increased sense of hearing, the right ear is most
affected; sensation of a lump in the throat; the symptoms of the
stomach, throat, and mouth are worse in the morning. The first
appearance of the pain in the right hypochondrium was in the
afternoon, but afterwards it was always worse before daylight in
the morning; griping pains without diarrhcea; pain in the left iliac
region; the symptoms of the lower extremities are worse in the
afternoon; the pains are sometimes followed by itching and
burning; the pains shoot inwards and upwards; transitory pains.
Many of the symptoms are attended with heat; neuralgia in the
perinaeum in the middle of the night; the cough is worse towards
morning; sudden translation of internal pains to the extremities.
During one of the provings, the symptoms of the eyes became so
severe, that Sulphur was taken as an antidote, and all the subsequent
symptoms appeared on the left side.-(r4cans. Amer. Ins. Hrom.)
Great prostration accompanying the vomiting and purging; much
debility. — (Dr. Burt.)
Mucous Membrianes.-This medicine appeals to act as virulently
upon mucous tissues as Mercury, and the preparations of Potash.
Like them  it appears to cause something like false membranes
(throat), and severe ulceration and inflammation in the intestines,
stomach, etc.)
MIuscular Tissue.-It seems to exercise a marked influence over
this tissue. It causes muscular pains (myalgia) and rheumatic
symptoms, and has been found very useful in the latter disease. No




PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.                        309
remedy is more popular in domestic use, for chronic rheumatism,
than a rude tincture of the ripe berries in whisky. I have observed
several marked cures of obstinate cases from its use. "The extracte
of the root is an excellent remedy for the removal of those severe
pains attending mercurio-syphilitic affections (ostea-copus), in which
it is more beneficial than Opium." —(Jing.) This would seem to
indicate that it affected the periosteurn.,
Nervous Tissue.-The Phytolacca has been known  to cause
convulsiQns in men and children. Dr. Burt's experiments on animals
elicited many convulsive symptoms. According to Dr. King, it
causes " a tingling and pric kling sensation over the whole surface."
In its pathogenesis we found many neuralgic pains, which are clearly
distinguished from the. myalgic. No post-mortem  examinations
have been made of men or animals-poisoned with this plantwith sufficient accuracy to point out the peculiar pathological
conditions it causes.
Vascular System.-Heart, Fever, etc.-Neither of our provings,
contain any mention of the effects of Phytolacca upon the vascular
system. I find no "fever symptoms," and but one "heart symptom."
"Occasional shocks of pain in the region of the heart; as soon as
the pain in the heart ceases, a similar pain appears in the right
arm.' This is quite a valuable symptom, as it appears in some
rheuniatic affections, and may indicate grave cardiac disease. I
find no mention of its use in any forml of fever; it is quite probable,
however, that a remedy of such power will be found useful in some
febrile diseases. (Enteric gastric, etc.)
Glandular System.-It is esteemed very highly in glandular
affections. In our pathogenesis we find the following symptoms:"A very peculiar tension and pressure in the parotids; hardness of
a gland on the right side of the neck; suppuration of a tumor behind
the right ear, with a discharge of matter and blood."  Dr. Burt
found the Phytolaccin to cause swelling and inflammtation of the
tonsils. Several homoeopathic physicians, with myself, have found it
useful in swelling and induration of glands; ib seems to have a
specific affinity for the mammary glands (see " Generative Organs
of Women".)  According to King, 1"the root excites the whole
glandular system, and has been highly extolled in syphilitic,
scrofulous, and cutaneous diseases. It is said to hasten the suppurative process; it has been used with alleged success in bronchocele.
Cancer, Scirrous, Ulcers, etc.-King says: "An inspissated
juice of the leaves has been recommended in indolent ulcers, and as
a remedy in cancer.' According to Coe:' Phytolaccin has been
much employed in the treatment of carcinomitous affections. It is
undoubtedly as efficient an alterative as can be safely employed in
that disease; its beneficial effects are most apparent in cases of
open cancer. The patient's system should be freely brought under
its constitutional influence, and the dry Phytolaccin applied to the
ulcer. The Phytolaccin applied either in the form  of a paste with
water, or in strong alcoholic tincture, has been found quite effectual
in that species of cancer known as lupus, when used in the early
stages." Other eclectic physicians advise the Phytolacca in old,




310        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
indolent, and fistulous ulcers, both as an external and internal
remedy. I have found it fully equal to our best anti-psorics, in
the treatment of old ulcers, even when of a syphilitic nature; in
this respect it is a congener of Silicia, Lachesis, Arsenicum, Kali
hyd. Kali bichrom, and Sulphur.
Skin.-A small boil behind the right ear; suppuration of painless
tumors; drawing in cicatrices; pustule behind right ear; a painful
boil on the right side of the back; eruption of spots on the chest,
of the size of lentils, elevated, with great itching.-(Trans. Amer.
Hrom. ins.)
We have a large amount of testimony from various sources, in
relation to the curative action of Phytolacca in cutaneous diseases.
Xiing asserts its usefulness, and advises an ointment of the pulverized root or leaves in psora, tinea capitis, etc., in connection
with its internal administration. Scudder says:-"In ringworm,
scabies, shingles, etc., it may be regarded, almost in the light of a
specific. At all events it has but few equals." Coe states that " Saltrheum, itch, and other cutaneous eruptions have been cured with
Phytolaccin; it is to be employed not only internally but externally."
With the country people it has considerable reputation for the cure
of obstinate cutaneous diseases. It seems most successful in itch,
psoriasis, and certain scaly diseases of the skin. An ointment is
usually made by stewing the bruised root in lard; this is applied
several times a day. I have known this to cure an obstinate and
disgusting disease of the  scalp, resembling tinea.  When the
ointment or concentrated  alcoholic tincture is applied  to the
healthy skin, it produces "burning and smarting pains," and may
even cause inflammation, vesication, and ulceration. It would seem
to act hommopathically even when applied locally, like other
escharotics. Mfany homceopathic physicians value this medicine
highly in the treatment of chronic skin diseases. It is to be
regretted that we have no exhaustive proving with small and
diffusible doses. I predict that it will prove a valuable anti-psoric
as well as polychrest.
Sleep. —Yswning; fiequent gaping in the daytime; drowsiness;
sleepiness; very wakeful at night; restless sleep at night; he lies
on the stomach; nausea on being woke out of sleep at night; great
inclination to sleep; sleep is very sound; restless at night firom
pair. in the bowels; awoke crying from a very sad dream. It is
said *to be narcotic (acro-narcotic); it will be indicated in the
stupor which accompanies some diseases of the bowels, brain or
typhoid fever.
Sensortlum.-Sensation of soreness in the interior of the head,
deep in the brain; dullness of the head; stupefaction; transient
giddiness; vertigo with dimness of vision; head feels very light
and hollow.
lIead.-Pains throughout the head; aching; dull feeling in the
head; dullness, with the sensation of weight in the forehead; dull
pain in the forehead; slight pain in the fore part of the head, with
increased sense of hearing; dull, steady, achingpain, principally in
the forehead; heavy aching pain about the forehead, after dinner;




PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA,                        311
aching pain along the lower half of the right orbit; slight pain in
the tuberosities of the forehead; headache, with sickness of the
stomach from walking; one-sided pain  just above the eyebrows~
with sickness of the stomach; the pain is increased by looking
down and by stooping; headache; slight fullness of forehead with
constant gaping; heaviness in the head and  especially in the
temples- pain  in the region of  time and mirthfulness, on the
right side in the top of the head, and a sensation as if the brain
were bruised, when stepping from a high step to the ground; pain
in the left temple, followed by burning in the skin in the left region
of time; in the left region of combativeness; cold in the head;
pressure in the temples and over the eyes; in the temples; in the
forehead, after dinner, in the glabella; on forehead and upper part of
both eyes, painful; on the temples and constrictive feeling at the
prlecordia, like the feeling that precedes sea-sickness; slight pain
across the forehead, with gaping; sore pain over the head, Worse on
the right side and in damp weather, as if an attack of sick headache
were approaching; slight constriction across the forehead; drawing
sensation above the root of the nose; drawing pain in the right
temple; moving transitory pains in various parts ofthe head, ahnost
constantly, generally on one side at a time, but more friequently and
most severe on the right side; shooting pain from the left eye to
the top of the head, which passes off and returns at short intervals }
heat in the head.-(Trans. Amer. Ins. Hlom,, Volf I.) Dull, heavy
headache in the forehead —-a constant symptom; sharp, shooting
pains in right temple.-(Dr. Burt.)
CLINICAL REMAR:Ks.-Phytolacca promises to prove useful ini
some varieties of rheumatic, catarrhal, and nervous headache. It
will probably be found useful in those terrible cephalalgias to which
syphilitic patients are liable.
Eyes.-Shooting pain from the left eye to the top of the head 
pressure in the eyes; pressure around the eyes in the afternoon, as
if the eyes were too large; pressure over the eyes; some painful
pressure on the upper parts of both eyes and forehead; burning
and smarting sensation in the left eye with great flow of tears;
sensation in the eyes like that caused by horse-radish; smarting itl
the left eye; sandy feeling in the eyes; iitching at internal canthi
of the eyes, very severe, which caused the application of the finger
to rub the eye-the ball became very painful from  the slightest
pressure; sensation as if a grain of sand were lodged under the
left eyelid, causincr a secretion and flow of tears from that eye~
smarting in the internal canthi of both eyes, but worse in the left
one, and very much aggravated by gas-light in the evening  feeling
in. the eyes and nose as if a cold would come on; soreness on closing
the eyelids; reddish-blue swelling of the eyelids, worse'on the left
side and in the morning; cannot close the eye without pain all the
forenoon, better in the afternoon; agglutination of the eyelids
during the night; flow of tears all the time from the eyes, relieved
in the open air; photophobia in the mornin(g; dimness of sight;
long-sightedness. —( Tans. Amer. Ins. Vol. II.)
Great smarting in the eyes and lids-(constant symptom); dull,




a12    NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
hieavy, aching pains in the eyeballs, aggravated by motion, light,
and especially by reading T sensation as if there was a feather over
the sight; eyes agglutinated every morning.
CLINICAL REMAmS.s.-The Phytolacca has a large number of
symptoms of a prominent and  suggestive character, relating to
the eye, and affecting its various tissues; it is eminently indicated
in rheumatic, catarrhal, scrofulous, mercurial and even syphilitic
opththalmia. I have used it with success in one case of rheumatic
pain in and about the eye, and another of chronic conjunctivitis
with granulation. In the "Chicago Medical Examiner" is found
the following mention of the curative virtues of Phytolacca in
Granular Conjunctivitis. Although from allopathic sources, the
testimony is worthy our consideration. In this case as in all others,
the pathogenesis of the medicine proves its homceopathicity to the
disease:
Dr. C. S. Penner, of Memphis, Tenn., in the N. A. Med.
Chirurg. Review, January, 1857, highly extols the efficacy of the
Phytolacca in preventing relapses of inflammation in granular lids.
"Regarding," he says, "these exacerbations, accompanied with
circumorbital pain, soreness in the periosteum and scalp, as of
rheumatic origin, about two years ago, I was induced to try the
poke, friom its well-known efficacy in rheumatic inflammations, and
the result has far exceeded my most sanguine expectations. With
the aid of this remedy, I have been enabled to effectually cure
cases of granular conjuctiva, that, without it, would have resisted
all my efforts; indeed, with me it has almost proved a specific for
the exacerbations attending this complaint. Patients fully under
the influence of the Phytolacca, often expose themselves, and take a
severe cold, without affecting the eyes in the least. I use the root
in the form of a strong decoction or tincture, and give it in large
enough doses to produce fulness of the temples and head; I have
not yet seen a severe recurrence of acute inflammation in this
disease, where the patient was kept fully under the influence of
the Phytolacca."
An allopathic physician claims to have effected several cures of
Jtstula lacrynmais, with Phytolacca. I cannot find the paper which
makes mention of it in such, cases, and therefore the. manner in
which'it was used, is not known to me. But, as in granular conjunctivitis, it was probably used topically and internally.
Ears,-Shooting pain in the right ear, very quick; pain in both
ears, worse in the right one; irritation in one of the eustachian.
tubes; a sensation of obstruction in the left eustachian tube, with a
rushing sound in the ear of the same side, and a feeling as if the
hearing were dull, while at the same time it is sensitive to the most
minute sounds; increased sense of hearing with pain in the forehead.-( Trans. A~mer. hist. Honm., Vol. II.)
Nose.-Drawing sensation above the root of the nose; feeling in
the nose and eyes as if a cold would come on; cold in the head;
stoppage of the right nostril; coryza; flow of mucus from one
nostril while the other is stopped; discharge of mucus from one
nostril at a time, sometimes one and sometimes the other; total




PHYTOLACCA.DECANDRA.                        313
obstruction of the nose when riding, so that one is forced to breathe
altogether through the mouth, and cannot relieve himself by blowing
the nose. —(Trans. Amer. Inst. Hiom,, Vol. I.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Persons engaged in pounding or grinding
the root are generally affected with symptoms like severe coryza.
Even those engaged in making the second and third triturations of
Phytolaccin are similarly affected. It is a powerful irritant to the
nasal mucous membrane; it is indicated in acute and chronic nasal
catarrhs; in ozsena, and syphilitic ulceration of the nose. It has
cured a small cancer on the ala of the nose.
Face. —Palenesss of the face; heat in the face after dinner; heat
on the left side of the face in the afternoon; heat with redness of
the face, and a sensation of fullness about the head, and coldness of
the feet; eruption on the upper lip, left side; aching pain along the
lower half of the right orbit.-(Trqans. Amer. Inst. of Homn.)
CLINICAL REMARKS. —The inspissated juice of the berries,
applied to cancerous or scirrous tumors, and ulcers of the face and
lips, has effected cures of such ulcers, etc. It has been found
useful in prosopalgia and rheumatic pains in the bones (periosteum)
of the face.
Mouth, Teeth, and Tongue.-Small ulcers on the inside of the
right cheek, like those caused by mercury; tenderness and heat in
the roof of the mouth and on the tongue; flow of saliva into the
mouth; mouth fills with water; the saliva is yellowish, and has a
metallic taste; dryness of the palate in the morning; swelling of
the soft palate; slight feeling of smarting and coldness towards
the tip of tongue. Shooting pains in the molar teeth of the
upper and lower jaws of the right side; disposition to bite the
teeth together; irresistible inclination to bite the teeth together.
-(Trans. Amner lis. of thom.)  Tongue feels rough, with blisters
on both sides, and a very red tip; great pain in the root of the
tongue when swallowing; teeth all ache, and are very sore, and
feel elongatod (the same symptoms were caused by Phytolaccin;)
metallic taste in the mouth.-(Dr. Burt.)
CLINICAL REXMARKS.-Some of the symptoms of the medicine
strongly resemble those of Mercury, even to the metallic taste,
and soreness of the teeth; it has been used with benefit in
mercurial ptyalisim, and mercurial pains of the teeth; it is indicated in inflammation (rheumatic) of the gums, and buccal cavity;
rheumatic odontalgia, ulceration of the buccal cavity, and various
forms of sore mouth are amenable to its action.
Pharynx and {Esophagus.-Sensation in the pharynx like that
caused by eating choke-pears; pressing pain in the right side of the
throat; sore throat, and swelling of the soft palate in the morning,
with a thick, white, and yellow mucus about the fauces, after the
removal of which the throat feels better, and still better after
breakfast; soreness of the throat, and a feeling when swallowing
saliva as if a lump had formed there; the same sensation is felt
on turning the head to the left side; the throat feels very dry and
sore, especially on swallowing in the afternoon; general soreness
of the posterior fauces, and apparent extension of the irritation
40




314       NEW  HOMOEOPATEIC PROVINGS.
into one of the eustachian tubes; roughness in the pharynx;
nnpleasant sensation of dryness in the pharynx towards morning,
which makes him cough; great dryness of the throat; dryness of
the throat on going to bed; dryness in the throat, worse in the
morning; sensation of dryness of a spot in the fmuces on the left
side in the morning, continuing  until after breakfast. —(Trans.
Amer. Izs. of Htom.)  Great dryness of the throat; roughness in
the pharynx (constantly); sensation as of a lump in the throat that
causes a constant inclination to swallow; sensation as if an apple
core had lodged in the throat; great congestion and swelling of
the soft palate and tonsils; the right tonsil is half as large, again
as the left; both are of a very dark red; feeling as if a ball of red
hot iron had lodged'in the faiuces, and whole length of the cssophagus, when swallowing; the pain was so great that I could eat
nothing but fluids for two days, constant choking sensation; roughness and rawness of the throat; tonsils and palate congested, and of
a dark purple color; great pain in root of tongue, fauces, etc.,
from Phytolacca and Phytolaccin; (Dr. Bzurt.)
CLINICAL REMAsRKs.-One of the most prominent symptoms
observed in all cases of poisoning with Phytolacca, is'inflammnation of the fauces;" it seems to have a decided affinity for these
tissues. Dr. Burt wrote me during the time he was proving the
drug, that it would certainly prove a valuable remedy in diphtheria,
and his prediction has been verified. A few weeks after his
provings Dr. Burt had an opportunity of testing the virtues of
Phytolacca in that disease. He reports the following cases for the
" Investigator, Vol. I, p. 30 
" Miss, B.,'et twenty. November 8th had a severe chill at
night, with great pain in the back of the head, back and limbs, followed with fever and sore: throat.  10th, was called to see her;
found her suffering very much, with great headache; worse in the
back part; back and limbs aching fearfully; both tonsils very much
swollen, and covered with a grayish pseudo-membrane; tongue
very red at the tip, coated white; great prostration; cannot stand;
if she raises up in bed, she immediately faints away. Prognosis
unfavorable. Gave Phytolacca, four drops at a dose`every hour,
and a gargle of the same between. Morning, decided change for
the better. Continued the same treatment for three days, when the
false membrane came off, and the fifth day discharged her cured.
She took a large spoonfhl of beef tea every two hours. She had
no other remedy.  It was remarkable to see how quickly the
fever abated under its influence.
" Mrs. B., set. thirty-one. November 16th. —Throat commenced
to feel sore in the morning, followed by high fever all day; right
tonsil very much swollen; at noon commenced to see white substance forming on the tonsil. I was called 10 v. ir.; found the right
tonsil covered completely with a white pseudo-membrane; fauces
and soft-palate very much inflamed; deglutition almost impossible;
loss of appetite; great frontal headache; bowels moved every two
hours, with severe pain in the umbilical regi6n; great prostration;
vertigo is so great that she cannot walk. Pulse 127, soft. Gave




PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA                        315
Phytolacca, four drops every hour, and a gargle of the same every
hour, cn:msisting of fifty drops in a tumbler of water.  18th.-Very
much better; pulse 100; throat does not feel near as sore; false
membrane beginning to come off; back and limbs ache but slightly;
headache nearly gone; continued same treatment three days.
Discharged her cured. The diarrhoea stopped the second day.
"Miss. H. Aet., twenty-five. December 3d.-Had a severe chill
in the night followed by high fever and sore throat. Took Aconite
and Belladonna all day, but continued to get worse. Midnight I
discovered patches of pseudo-membrane on the tonsils; she conplained most bitterly of the back of her head and neck; back and
limbs aching. Pulse 120; bowels costive; loss of appetite. Gave
Phytolacca, three drops every hour, with a gargle of the same
between. 4th, noon.-Feeling better; continued the same treatment.
5th.-No fever; feeling quite well, but thinks her throat is more
sore; both tonsils are swollen and covered in patches with false
membrane; continued the same treatment, giving six drops at a
dose. 6th,-Feeling a great deal better; pseudo-membrane is off of
the tonsils; continued same remedy every two hours for two days,
when I discharged her, cured.
"A. Snyder, set. thirty-nine. November IOth.-Throat commenced
to feel sore, with severe headache; back and limbs aching severely.
ilth.-Was called to attend him, and found the following symptoms:
Throat very sore; both tonsils covered with a grayish pseudo-membrane, soft and swollen; palate and fauces violently inflamed;
deglutition impossible; severe frontal headache; back and limbs
aching severely; high fever; pulse 128; delirious at times; bowels
costive;  has not slept through the night.  Ordered fat salt
pork to be put around his neck; beef tea every two hours, and
gave Phytolacca every half hour; four drops at a dose, with a
gargle of the same. 13th. —Decided change for the better; pulse
ninety-eight; head, back and limbs do not ache so hard as they did
yesterday; throat feeling very sore, but the false membrane does
inot seem to be spreading; continued the Phytolacca every hour,
13th.-Feeling much better; pseudo-membrane commencing to fall
off leaving great holes in the tonsils, that bleed a little; continued
same treatment. 14th.-Pseudo-metnlbrane all off; tonsils are very
much swollen, and look very red and ragged; continued the Phytolacca for three days, once in two hours, when I discharged him
cured. I have given the Phytolacca in two cases of children, and
two in adults, where the pseudo-membrane was well formed (but
there was not so rhuch fever), with the same gratifying result.
These are all the cases I have had this fall, and Phytolacca has
cured every one of them. I believe there is no medicine in the
Materia Medica to be compared to it in diphtheria, if the respiratory organs are not involved. I had no cases where the air
passages were involved, to know its effects."
Other cases reported by Dr. Burt to the "A' merican Homa-o
pcathie Observer."'iM. F. ret. twenty-six, Jan. 4th. 9 P.M.-Slight pain in the left
tonsil when swallowing; rested well until 2 A. iu.; awoke with a




316       NEW   HIOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
severe frontal headache; back and legs aching very hard, with
high fever and sore throat; could not sleep any more; 8 A. M.,
pulse 120 and very soft; head, back and legs are aching violently;
throat very sore; left tonsil very much swollen and covered with
a grayish filse membrane; right tonsil has patches of the pseudomembrane on it; delgutition is almost impossible; great prostration;
can stand up only a few moments at a time, it makes him so faint
and dizzy. Gave Phytolacca, four doses every hour, with a gargle
of the same, consisting of fifty drops in a tumbler of water. 5th.Feeling very much better; fever nearly gone; head, back and legs
do not ache half as much as they did yesterday; pulse 100; throat
is feeling very sore; left tonsil is very much swollen and still covered
with the pseudo-membrane; the right one looks very red with small
patches of membrane on it; deglutition almost impossible; continued treatment. 6th.-Feeling much better; pseudo-membrane is
off from both tonsils; they look very red, and the left one is still
swollen; no fever; slight appetite; continued treatment.  7thFeeling quite well, but throat pains him  when swallowing; discharged cured.
"' Mrs. G. at. twenty-one, nursing a babe. Jan. lth —Throat
commenced to feel sore; had a very restless night. 12th.-Slight
headache with, a severe pain in her back and legs; very chilly all
the time; throat very sore; both tonsils very much swollen, and
covered in patches with a dark-colored pseudo membrane; deglutition very difficult; face very much flushed; great prostration;
cannot sit up any, she is so faint and weak;* bowels regular. Gave
lPhytolacca, four drops every half hour, with a gargle of the same.
13th. —Feeling very much better; fever all gone; back and legs
do not ache any; throat is feeling very sore; tonsils very red and
swollen, and covered in patches with  the pseudo-membrane;
deglutition is very painful. Continued same treatment once an
hour. 14th.-Feeling quite well; pseudo-membrane is off' from
both tonsils; there are large holes eaten into the tonsils; can
swallow quite well. Continued same treatment every two hours;
discharged her cured the next day. The babe nursed her all the
while, and did not take the disease. I attended a lady once before
who nursed her babe through the disease, and it did not take it.
"Miss. K. set. 9. December 12th. —For the last two days has had
a fever, with chills all the while; throat has been very sore, and is
getting worse all the time; head, back and legs are aching constantly; pulse,1 30; very weak and soft; soft palate, and tonsils are
violently inflamed and swollen; both tonsils are covered with grayish pseudo-membrane; cannot swallow anything; very weak;
cannot sit up; has not eaten anything for two days, neither can she
be pursuaded to take any kind of nourishment. Gave Phytolacca
two drops every hour; morning feeling a little better; pseudomembrane looks about the same; continued treatment; morning
feeling quite well; f'alse membrane is all off, but the throat is feeling
very sore; continued same treatment one day more, and then
dischar:ged her cured.
" Little Henry. wet. 4. For two days has had a little fever and




PHYTOLACCA  DECANDRA..317
sore throat; says he is cold all the time; refuses to take food;
both tonsils are as large again as they ought to be, and covered in
patches with a whitish false membrane; pulse 118; very weak; he
lies on the lounge all the time. Gave Phytolacca, ten drops in a
tumbler one-half full of water; cured in two days."
A  young lad was taken with diphtheria, and treated by an old
school physician, and died. His sister, twenty-eight years of age,
was taken with it, three days after, and treated by an eclectic, and
died the fourth day. A young lady who waited on them was taken
down with it four days after the death of the sister. I was
sent for, found her with a very sore throat, and the tonsils and soft
palate covered with the false-membrane, of a greenish color; both
tonsils were twice as large as they ought to be; neck was very
stiff; pulse 128. She was very much frightened, was sure she
would die; hands and limbs trembled constantly. I tried to quiet
her, and gave Bellad. and Iodide of Mercury, every hour, in alternation. Morning found her very much worse; left tonsil was swollen
so much that she could not swallow; fever the same; and still
trembling. I gave one dose of Aconite, and then a gargle of a
tincture from the green root of Phytolacca, every half hour, and
gave internally about six drops of the same every hour. Remained
with her through the day, and all night; morning, she was not so
nervous, and the disease had not made any progress; continued
the same treatment; next day about the same; continued same
treatment, but made it a little stronger. Morning, decidedly better,
the pseudo-membrane looks as if it would soon drop off; continued
same treatment. Morning, feeling quite free from fever, and about
a quarter of the membrane has come off; she has a fine, scarlet eruption all over the body and limbs, but more on the legs than there
is on the body; urine is albuminous; continued the same treatment
every two hours. Morning, one tonsil (the right) is free fiom the
membrane, but looks very raw, and burns a good deal; continued
the same. Next morning, false-membrane all gone; swelling has disappeared excepting the left tonsil; continued Phytolacca. This
case was cured in a few days. Dr. Burt says he has succeeded with
Phytolacca in thirty-two out of thirty-four cases of Diphtheria
treated.
Case of Scarlatina, with Diphtheritic complications reported, by
Dr. Geo. F. Foster; "I had an opportunity last week of trying the
Phytolacca dec., in a case of diphthera, with better success as to
time of curing patient than with Bell. Iod. Mlerc. etc.
The patient, in the room with a scarlatina patient, was taken
sick; high fever, headache etc., not complaining of throat for two
days, when the child's mother told me she complained of her
throat. I examined it and, sure enough, there was the trouble; both
sides covered with the membrane, with rash on the body. I stopped
Acon. and Bell., and gave the Phyto. dec. (tinct. root), fifteen
drops in one-third glass of water two teas-poonsfill at a dose every
hour, with gatgle of same, three drops to a glass of water. It was
the quickest cure of the disease I ever made.
Dr. G. C. Brown  says: "I have been experimenting  a




318       NEW   HOM(EOPATEIC  PROVINGS.
little with Phytolacca in enlarged tonsils, and so far have found
it very beneficial.  In two cases they were so much enlarged
as to materialy interfere with deglutition, and had sulface ulcers.
WTere speedily reduced by the use of Phytolacca. a few drops of
the tincture in a tumbler of water; a tea-spoonful every two hours."
Dr. C. W. Boyce reports that he has found the Phytolacca
universally beneficial in diphtheritic sore throats.
Dr. Stearns, uses the thirtieth attenuation, of Phyto., in diphtheria, with striking curative results.
Appetite arnd Taste.-Taste like nuts in the mouth-bitter at
first, but leaving a slight feeling of smarting  and  coldness
toward the tip of the tongue; raging appetite; hungry soon after
eating; diminished appetite; the usual appetite remains, notwithstanding the nausea of the stomach. (Trans. A. Inst. Honz.)
Gastric Smptoms. —Eructations.; eructations with  spitting of
water; eructation, with flatus; violent pressure in the stomach on
walking in the morning, with accumulation in the mouth-disappears after rising; constrictive feeling at the proecordia, with pressure in the temples; sickly feeling in the stomach; nausea on being
awoke out of sleep in the night; feeling of sickness, as if he would
vomit; sickness of stomach accompanying the headache; vomiting,
with but little distress in the stomach. (Trans. A. Inst.-  orm.)
Stornach.-Cutting in the pit of the stomach, and in the abdomen; tenderness to the touch of the pit of the stomach; pain in
the region of the pvlorus (Trans. A. I. Ii:.); eructations of air;
eructations of sour fluid; great distress in the stomach and bowels;
pains in the cardiac portion of the stomach, aggravated by a full
inspiration and by walking; nausea with a very faint feeling;
nausea with severe pain in the umbilical region; slight nausea
with profuse vomiting,' without much pain attending it, but good
deal of distress in the stomach; nausea and violent vomiting
(in dogs). (Burt.)
CLINICAL REMAFRKs. —The vomiting caused by Phytolacca comes
on slowly, preceded by nausea, much prostration, and sometimes
fainting and convulsions. When the vomiting does set in it is
intense, thorough, and composed of bile, mucus, ingesta, worms,
and even blood. This medicine ought to prove useful in a variety
of gastric affections, and disorders of digestion.
Liver, Hypochondria. -Digging pain in the right hypochondrium,
in the upper and lower portion of the liver, preventing motion;
first felt at two o'clock in the afternoon, then every morning before
daylight; some soreness remaining through the afternoon and
evening; pain in the region of the pylorus; cannot lie on the right
side after midnight, on account of penetrating pain in the right
hypochondrium; violent dull, pressing pain in the left hypochondrium, in the evening, so that he cannot remain in the sitting posture, he lies on the painful side all night and the pain is gone the
next morning; *soreness and pain in the right hypochondrium
during pregnaney.  (Trans. A. Inst. Horn.)
CLINICAL! REMARKs.-The Phytolacca  is recommended  in
chronic hepatic disorders, also in diseases of the spleen. It




PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.                        319
undoubtedly has some influence over these organs, by virtue of its
tendency to irritate all glandular structures,  It has cured'"soreness and pain in the hypochondrium during pregnancy.
Abdomen. —Boring pain to the left and a little above the umbilicus, continuing but a few minutes; deep-seated, but not severe
pain, in the left iliac region; neuralgic pain in the left groin; cutting in the abdomen; griping pain, as before a diarrhcea; griping
all day long, followed by the passage of offensive flatus; the griping disappears in the night; sensation in the bowels, as if a diarrhea would follow; rumbling noise in the bowels; frequent passage
of wind downward. (Trans. A. Izst. Hom.)
Stool and Anus. —*Constipation of long standing; hard stools;
three stools during the day; the first one is hard, and preceded by
griping, and the others with pains moving about in the abdomen i
continual inclination to go to stool; mushy stool; diarrhcea attentended with a sickly feeling in the bowels, but no tormina or tenesmus; copious discharges of bile from the bowels; in the middle of
the night, neuralgic pain shooting from the anus and the lower part
of the rectum  along the pelrinaeum, to the middle of the penis, followed ill a few minutes by a neuralgic pain in the right big toe,
(Trans. A. 1. E.)  Constant dull pain in the umbilical region,
worse by motion; severe, colicky pains in the umbilical region;
rumbling in the bowels, sometimes with desire for stool; burning distress in the umbilical region; bowels very  tender on
pressure, and pain severely when walking; stool natural; stool
soft and mushy, with  undigested  food in it, sometimes with
straining; stool of mucus, with  straining; dark, lumpy stoo(l;
soft papescent stool, followed by a very faint feeling; wind passes
the bowels constantly, of a very fetid nature; emissions of flatus
relieves the pain in the bowels; loss of appetite; canine hunger 
vomiting of worms (in animals); pain in the left hypochondriac
region when walking; loss of appetite; hiccough with great inclination to vomit, but no nausea; nausea and violent vomiting (in a
dog); great rumbling in the bowels, with pain in the umbilical
region; great pain in prtecordial region, very much worse by walking; great distress in the umbilical and hypogastric regions; stool
soft and mushy; dark, papescent stools with undigested fbod i-f
them.; pain in the umbilical region with desire for stool. (-Burt.)
Toxicological efects, trachea and lungs filled with mucus; stomach
highly congested at the base; colon and rectum  appear congested;
liver highly congested; kidneys appear very much congested.
CLINtCAL RE IARKS.-The Phytolacca is an  emeto-cathartic.
It causes many of the symptoms of a severe attack of cholera
morbus. It is homaeopathic to some forms of cholera, diarrhcea.,
dysentery, and hemorrhoids. In piles it has been found curative
(by eclectics) in many cases, applied locally, and given internally.
It is also hormlaopathic to enteritis and colic. It has cured a case of
"constipation of' long standing."
Urinary Organs.-*-Urgent desire to pass water; copious nocturnal urination; weakness, dull pain and soreness in the region
of the kidneys,-most on the right side, and connected- with heat;




320       NEW    IOMCEOPATITIC  PROVINGS.
uneasiness down the ureters a chalk-like sediment in the urine, a
gurgling sensation in the prostrate gland, repeatedly in the afternoon; *pain in the region of the bladder, before and during urination; *dark-red urine which stains the chamber of a mahogany
color, and which is hard to get off. —lrans. Am. Ihst. Ilom.
The urinary secretion was at first diminished, afterwards
increased. The urine remained acid and became decidedly albuminous. The speciAc gravity became greatly increased.'rhe bottle
used to measure the urine became completely covered with a
twhite deposit, about one-sixteenth of an inch thick.-D,. Burt.
CLINICAL REAtRKS.'-The urinary symptoms in the original
proving were quite notable, but those elicited by Dr. Burt, are
really of great importance. The urine, under the usual tests, was
decidedly albumninous. When we consider how important albuminaria becomes, in Scarlatina and Diphtheria, we can easily realize
the full value of Phytolacca in those maladies. It is indicated in
many renal and cystic disorders.
Generatire Organs of Men, —Complete loss of all sexual desire
for two months; no erections during the whole proving; sexual
organs unusually relaxed.
CLINICAL REhMAmRs.-It would seem  quite homceopathic to
inlnotence. It seems likely to prove a valuable remedy in Syphilis,
although our provings do not bring out any objective symptoms.
"' The Cherokee Indians, is is said, used to dress the venereal sores
with the powder of the dried root; and some physicians aver that
it will cure syphilis without the aid qf mercury."  If we are to
credit the testimony of eclectic physicians, it has not only been
found curative in primary syphilis, (chancre, etc.) but in secondary
and tertiary syphilis, (ulcers, eruptions, throat and nasal diseases,
bone pains, etc.)  " For the cure of syphilis, and mercurio-syphilitic
disorders, the Phytolaccin is quite equal to any other organic remedy.    *   The severe pains attending tertiary-syphilis and mercurio-syphilitic complications are more effectually relieved by the use
of this medicine, than by any other remedy."-( Coe.) It is said to
be particularly useful in cases of chronic and obstinate gonorrhcea
and gleet. Dr. Small thinks highly of it in some forms of syphilitic rheumatism, and I have found it promptly curative in many of
the conditions mentioned above. It has cured Orchitis.
Generative Organs of Women.-*tMeteorrhagia; *menstruation
too copious and too firequent; painful menstruation; violent pains
in the abdomen during menstruation, in a barren female; *leucorrhnea; *inflammation swelling and suppuration of the mamma.(Trans. Amer. Inst. IZom.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-All the above symptoms are marked with
the asterisk, in the.original proving, I have no means of ascertaining whether they were originally pure pathogenetic symptoms.
The asterisk implies they were; but had been substantiated by
curative effects. The proving in Symptomen codex, is not accompanied by the name of any prover, or those physicians who contributed clinical notes. In the clinical observations I find the following:  "Being given in a case of chlorosis, when the leucorrhea




PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.                       321
had been cured by Pulsatilla, it brought the leucorrhceaz back
again."  (Possibly?)  It always appeared surprising that eclectic
writers should say so little about the Phytolacca in diseases of
women. I find no mention of its use in that class of diseases, in
King, Scudder, and others, yet the extensive range of action of the
medicine precludes the idea that it will not be found useful.
In my estimation the sphere of action of Phytolacca is principally upon (a) the glandular system, (b) the serous and fibrous tissues, and (c) the mucous membrane.
Phytolacca has a specific effect upon the:thyroid and rmammary,
also parotid, and other glands of the throat, and by analogy ought
to act powerfully upon the ovaries, and glands of the uterus (also
the testes). Accordingly it ought to prove curative in ovaritis, and
other affections of the glands, such as neuralgia, etc.; in uterine
leucorrhma, or that variety which proceeds from  the glandular
portion of the cervix. Its powerful influence over ulceration
should make it curative in ulcerated os-uteri, whether of a nonspecific, or specific character. Finally, it should cure rheumatic
affections of the uterus. The metrorrhagia and frequent menstruation mentioned above, may have proceeded from ulceration of the
os; the dysmenorrhcea from rheumatic irritation, and the leucorrhaea may have had a glandular origin. In organic affections of
the uterus, as tumors, cancer, scirrous, ulceration, I would strongly
advise the Phytolacca, internally and locally applied, and its use
persevered in for some time. The action of Phytolacca on tlie,nammary glands is specific and decisive. In No. 84, page 201, of
the British Journal of Homceopathy, will be found an article from
my pen, which covers this subject as much as the present state of
our knowledge will permit. I would urge upon physicians to test
its virtues in the various diseases of the mammnae. Since the article
was published, I have used it successfully in many cases of mammitis as well as tumors and nodosities in these glands:
"It is the intention of the writer to call attention to only one
particular use of this remedy; viz., in certain diseases of the main.imary glands.'"The various writers ori' Materia Medica of the dominant and
other schools not homoeopathic, while they recognize its value in
diseases of the glands, do not mention this particular sphere of its
action. In the homceopathic proving above referred to we find the
following:"'Iznflamnation, swelliftg, and suppuration4 of the mammca.'
But I am  not aware that; this symptom, has ever been put to practical test by homceopathists, with the exception of Dr. Hill, who
recommends it in some diseases of the breast.  (See lill and
Hunt's Surgery.)  My experience with the drug dates back nearly
fifteen years, before I had seen the: proving referred to, or indeed
any published statement of its value as a medicine.
" When I was a student of medicine in my father's office (he
was then an allopath), a neighbor had a valuable cow, which, after a
clandestine confinement, was brought home from the woods with
a most enormously'swollen udder. It was as hard as a stone,
41




322       NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
intensely hot, painful, and sensitive, and not a particle of milk could
be drawn. In his anxiety the owner came into his office, and asked
my father to suggest something to discuss the swelling and engorgement. A dose of Epsom salts was administered, but after twentyfour hours the cow was worse than before. At this juncture an
old woman of the neighborhood brought in a piece of a large,
white, succulent looking root, which she called scoke, and ordered
the farmer to cut a portion of it up finely and give the animal in
some " bran mash."  Another, the larger portion, was made into a
decoction, and the cow's udder washed with it frequently. The
effect was magical! In less than twelve hours the milk could be
drawn, the gland softened, and in a few days the morbid condition
was removed.
"This incident was nearly forgotten until a few years after,
when I was engaged in practice, and was having trouble with mastitis and abscess of the breast in the ipersons of my patients. I
found the remedies laid down in our books notoriously and obstinately inefficient. In spite of Aconite and Belladonna in high and
low attenuations, the inflammatory engorgement would run on to
suppuration. I then tried larger doses and other remedies, among
which the Xfali hycd. was most valuable; also topical application of
Belladonna, Arnica, Iodine, etc., after the manner-of the dominant
school, and will give then thhe credit of preventing much suffering
and deformity. But I determined on making a trial of the virtues
of the Phytolacca, and before I commenced its use, made inquiry
among the farmer's of my acquaintances, and found to my gratification that it was considered a specific in all cases of inflammation
and engorgement, "'caking" of the udder of cows, and even
mares.
"The next case of engorgement of the mammae which came
under my care was an aggravated one. The woman, the mother
of several children, had had "broken breasts" with every confinement, and the cicatrices in the glands bore testimony to the truth
of her assertion. About four days after delivery she had a severe
chill followed by some fever,.and in a few hours both mammoe were
hard,. swollen, and painful. The child made ineffectual efforts at
nursing, the nipples became very sensitive, and she was in much
distress for fear of the inevitable sufferings apparently in store for
her. Here Was a case wherein to test the efficacy of the Phytolacca. Ten drops of the first decimal dilution were administered
every hour, and a lotion was prepared by adding one-half oz. of the
tincture to one-half pint of warm  water. This was applied constantly by means of folds of cotton cloth laid upon the breasts. In
the course of the next twenty-four hours I had the satisfaction of
finding some signs of resolution. The heat, pain, and swelling
became less, and in a few days, with the aid of low diet, and careful extraction of the milk, the woman recovered with only a small
abscess at the site of an old cicatrix4 instead of extensive suppfiration, as usual. Since that time I have used it in very many cases,
with the same excellent results, and it is only in the severer forms,




PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.                        323
accompanied with erysipelatous inflammation, that I have had to
resort to Belladonna internally and externally.
"But this Phytolacca is not only useful in simple and inflammatory engorgement, causing rapid resolutions, but it is valuable in
those cases where suppuration has already commenced. Here it
reduces the inflammation, increases the activity of the absorbents,
and will often condense an apparently large abscess into the smallest dimensions.
"It is often the case that neglected or ill-treated mammary
abscess degenerates into illconditioned, fistulous ulcers. In such
cases I have seen the best effects follow the judicious use of this
remedy.
" C'ase 1.-A young woman, a primnipara, very corpulent, with
very large mammary glands, was taken with chills and fever a few
days after confinement. The family were poor, and lived a long
distance in the country; no physician was called, and nothing was
properly done, but very improperly the breast was poulticed for
nearly two weeks, when several large abscesses opened spontaneously and discharged enormous quantities of unhealthy pus. Six
weeks afterwards she carne to me for advice. The breast affected
was a most loathsome sight, long, pendulous, distorted, the seat of
several large fistulous ulcers, discharging a watery, fcetid, ichorous
pus; the gland was full of hald, painful nodosities, of the size of
a walnut and larger. I suspended the breast by the application of
long strips of adhesive plaster, placed in various directions across
and around the gland, and prescribed ten drops of Phytolacca first,
four times a day; also a preparation of one-half oz. of the tincture
to eight oz. of distilled water, to be thrown into the fistulous
canals with a small glass syringe; this treatment, together with a
better diet and a little wine, so much improved the case in a week,
that but one small ulcer remained open; and in a fortnight the
treatment was suspended. The gland will never return to its
normal condition, but will probably retain its irregular shape and
knotty feel.
" Case 2.-A woman, aged 40, applied to me to be treated for
what had been declared an "open cancer" of the breast. It
originated one year previously after the birth of her seventh child,
and was the result of a neglected abscess. The ulcer was an inch
in diameter, gaping, angry, filled with unhealthy granulations; a
probe passed obliquely downwards until it reached a hard sensitive
tumor about the size of a hen's egg; the discharge was offensive
and sanious. The case was treated by suspension and compression,
and the use of Phytolacca as above. Cured in two weeks.
"Many.similar cases might be cited, but these will suffice,
as they are good examples of the many cures made with this
remedy.
"It may here be mentioned, that the local application of this
remedy is useful in cracked and excoriated nipples. It should be
given at the same time internally. If the fissures are syphilitic in
their origin, this remedy is still usefil. I once treated a case of
irritable tumor of the breast as described by Sir Astley Cooper.




324    NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
It had been: present several years, and was very sensitive and painfhl, most especially at the menstrual periods; the pain extended
down the arm  of' the affected side, and at times causing a sympathetic enlargement of a' gland in the axilla. I administered Belladonna, Conium', Phosphorus, and Iodine, but without any good
result, and the patient left me. A few months after, I learned to
my intense mortification, that an old woman had cured it with a
plaster of the inspissated juice of the berries of the Phytolacca.
Since that occurrence I have treated several cases successfully with,
the Phytolacca internally, giving the lowest dilutions, and sometimes the mnother tincture. In one case I permitted the patient to
use a 1"salve" of the juice of the berries mixed with mutton
tallow. This she applied constantly over the site of the tumor.
Whether it hastened the cure or not I cannot say, at least its application did' no harm, although it seemed capable of causing some
vesications of the skin.
"The same old lady above mentioned had quite a reputation for
curing "cancers," and with no other application, as I was assured,
than the extract of Phytolacca. I have known the finely powdered
root, when applied to fungous growths, have the effect of changing
such abnormal into normal or healthy ulcers which soon healed.
"I have found it usefutll in encysted tumors; in recent indurations; and even in scirrous of the breast; nor should I be surprised
if further trials should show  it to be useful in cancer of the
mammae.
"In those cases of irritable mammeo where there is no swelling,
induration, or tumor, only a painfulness at the menstrual period, I
have found it, specific in a f;ew cases. The menses became more
natural, and the painl in the mammnae ceased. The question here
arises: Why will it not prove valuable in certain diseases of the
testicles or the ovaries?  When we consider the physiological
relation,of the ovaries to the mamma, we should incline to predict
it will found useful in many ovarian diseases."
To the above article I would add, that the root is in general
use among dairymen in this country, to regulate any abnormality
in the milk of cows. If the milk be scanty, thick, watery, curdy
(flocculeit), or contains blood or pus, or becomes in any way unnatural, they give the green root, or a decoction in small quantities, and
the effect upon the milk is generally favorable. This should suggest
its use in abnormal conditions of the milk in women, giving it in
the lower dilutions. The higher might be tried in some peculiar
cases.
Larynx and Cough.-Tickling in the left side of the larynx, with
hacking cough, and aching in the right side of the breast and great
dryness of the throat; sensation of roughness in the bronchia;
cough towards morning, from  dryness of the pharynx; dry
bronchial cough, with'the sensation  of lroughness and  slight
increase of heat in the trachea "and bronchia; hacking cough.(I rans. A. I. H.)
CLINICAL RExMARKS. —It seems to be Dr. ]Burt's opinion that
when the diphtheria membrane invades the air passages, the Phy



PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA.                        325
tolacca is of less value, or none at all, but this remains to be
proven. If it is specific to the disease, it may be curative of it,
let it be located where it will. It is said to have been used in
asthma, and chronic coughs, with benefit.
Chest and Respiration.-Shortness of breath; aching pain in the
right side of the breast; pain in the right side of the chest about
the region of the nipple, passing through to the back, felt on taking
a long breath, and on bending the shoulder backwards, better in
the afternoon; pain in the right side of the chest, so bad after
midnight as to prevent sleep, aggravated by lying on the right side,
disappears after getting up in the morning; tenderness of the
muscles of the chest, as if they were bruised; occasional shocks of
pain in the region of the heart, and as soon as the pain in the heart
ceases, a similar pain appears in the right arm.- (Trans. A. I EHf.)
CLINICAL REMARKs. —Some eclectic writers suggest its use in
pulmonary turberculosis, and analogy might suggest its use in ulcerative diseases involving the lungs and bronchia, but we have no
clinical records of its successful use in such cases. I found it beneficial in one case of intercostal rheumatism of several years' standing. It ought to prove curative, as the symptoms indicate in some
rheumatic and neuralgic affections of the thorax and heart.
Baek.-Pain in the left lumbar region, followed immediately by
severe itching; a lasting pain in the left shoulder-blade, as if' from
a blow; an occasional sensation as if a small piece of cold iron
were pressed on the painful shoulder-blade; sensation of weight
and pressure on both shoulder-blades, as after carrying a heavy
load; stiffness in the right side of the neck, worse in bed, after
midnight; a very peculiar pressure and tension in the parotids;
hardness of the gland on the right side of the neck; suppuration of
a tumor behind the right ear, with a discharge of matter and
blood; severe pain between the scapulas, when walking; constant
dull, heavy pain in the lumbar and sacral regions, aggravated by
motion; the back is very stiff every, morning. (Dr. Jhurt.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is indicated by the symptoms, and has
proved curative in cases of' stiff neck," lumbago, and even spinal
irritation.
Upper Extremities.-Dull aching pain and tenderness along the
top of the right shoulder, along the superior edge of the trapezius
muscle, increased by pressipg upon the part and by contracting the
muscle; pain throughout the muscles of the left shoulder; pain in
the humeral insertion of the left deltoid muscle; slight drawing
pains in the right upper arm; pain appears in the right arm after
a similar pain ceases in the heart; tenderness in the outside of the
left arm just above the elbow, when pressing upon it, and when
extending the arm; dull aching pain and excessive tenderness, as
if from a bruise in the muscles of the outside of the right upper
arm, most severe for about two inches above the elbow, fel,t particularly when the part is pressed, upon and touched, and when
extending the arm; twitching and fluttering of the muscles of the
right upper arm, while it is resting on a table; weakness and
aching in the bone of the right arm  above the elbow, aggravated




326        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
by motion and extension; rheumatic drawing in the right forearm;
rheumatic drawing in the left forearm along the ulna, and the same
sensation in the right leg; rheumatic pains in the hands and feet,
sometimes in the arms and legs; drawing pain in, the right hand,
now and then, by shocks upwards to the elbow; rheumatic feeling
in the little finger of the right hand, very annoying when writing;
rheumatic pain, first in the left hand, and afterwards in the right
one; shooting, like needles, in the left thumb; violent shooting
pain in the fleshy part of the left thumb, lasting about half a
minute; lancinating pain in the little and ring-fingers of the right
hand; neuralgic pains in the palm of the right hand; occasionally
frequent sudden pricking in the points of the fingers, as if from
eclectic sparks; shooting in the finger-points, sometimes in one
hand and sometimes in the other.-(Trans. A. I. IT)  Arms ache;
ends of the fingers all throb and ache, as if they were going to
suppurate, (this symptom lasted three days). —(Dr. uBrt.)
CLINICAL REAIARtI(s.-Dr. Burt recommends the Phytolacca in
whitlow, felon, etc., because of the remarkable similarity of the
symptoms. It is a popular domestic remedy in those troublesome
affections (the green root is applied raw or boiled). Indicated in
rheumatic affections of arms and hands. Dr. Burt has cured warts
on the hands with the tincture locally applied.
lower Extremities.-Sciatica; neuralgic pain on the outer side
of the left thigh; neuralgic pain in the external part of the right
thigh; neuralgic pain in the external part of the left thigh; neuralgic pain in the left groin; heaviness in the knee joints, tired from a
little walk; heaviness in the lower extremities, as if they were
asleep, in the afternoon; rheumatic pain in the right knee, in the
afternoon, increasing in the open air, and especially on a damp day;
rheumatic drawing in the right leg and in the left forearm
along the ulna; rheumatic feeling in the left knee, with the sensation of shortening the tendons behind the knee when walking;
rheumatic pains below the knees and in the arms; pain on the dorsum of the right foot at four o'clock in the morning; coldness of
the feet with increase of the capillary circulation about the face and
head; free sweating of the feet, most under the toes; neuralgic
pain in the right big toe, in the middle of the night; pains at a
spot on the ball of the right foot, which had been frost-bitten years
before, and in a corn never painful before. —(Trans. A. I. Hf.) Legs
ache, and feel very stiff about the knees, aggravated by walking;
weakness; could walk with difficulty. —(Dr. Burt.)
CLINICAL REMARKS. —It is stated that from the application of
the juice of the root to corns " the whole toe became inflamed and
turned black, like gangrene."  It seems almost incredible that this
should have been a direct result of the Phytolacca. It has been
used successfully in chronic rheumatism  of the lower extremities;
for chronic inflammation of the knee joint, with or without effusion,
and in sciatica and nightly pains in the limbs.  Syphilitic and
mercurial rheumatism (periostitis) generally selects the tibia, as the
chief point of its operations. I have used it successfully in nightly.
pains in tibia, with nodes, and even irritable ulcers on the legs. It




PODOPHYLLUMI PELTATUMV,                      827
will be found useful in nearly all those cases in which Iodide of
Potash is so frieely used in allopathic practice, and strangely enough
is quite as successful as that salt.
Characteristic Peculiarities.-The pains all partake of the nature
of neuralgia; they are pressing and shooting, sometimes sore,
drawing and aching; the pains are all made worse by motion and
by pressure; the pains in the extremities are always in the outer
portions of the limbs; the secretion of tears, saliva, bile, urine and
the menses is increased; irresistible inclination to bite the teeth
together; vomiting attended with but little distress in the stomach;
the diarrhcea appears to be kept up by the increased action of the
liver, and consequent redundancy of bile, with but little tormina
and tenesmus; with the increase of the secretion of bile, there is a
dry, irritative cough, and almost constantly recurring transitory
pains in different parts of the head.  We find the symptoms predominating in the right side of the head and neck, the right upper,
extremity, the right side of the chest, and the right lower extremiity; when enumerating the symptoms of the eyes only, we find the
left one most fiequently mentioned; in the above extract there are
forty symptoms located on the right side, and thirty-one on the left,
In several instances, the symptoms appeared on the left side first,
and either passed over to the right, or the next symptom occurred
on the right side, —(Trans. Am. 2st..iom.)
PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.
(1-landrake.)
This plant is also known by the common name of 3May-Applek
It is so well-known that no description is here necessary. It is
found in great abundance in all parts of the United States, The
firuit is eaten and  much liked by some persons, but extremely disagreeable to others. It is slightly aperient, and popularly supposed,
to cause an eruption of boils. The pulp only should be eaten. The
fleshy portion contains much medicinal power, but inferior to the
root, which is the officinal portion. It was well known  to the
Indians before the whites settled the country, and was one of their
most active purgatives.  It should be collected soon after the
ripening of the fruit; its active plinciples are readily taken up by
alcohol; it contains a resinous principle, called Podophyllin. The
preparations used in hommopathic practice should be the tincture
from  the fresh root; a trituration from  the dried root, and from
Podophyllin; and dilutions made in the usual manner from the
third tritliration of the last-named preparation, or the tincture.
Toxical Effects.-The entire plant in its recent state is an irritant
poison, producing vomiting, hypercatharsis, tormina, stupor, and




828       NEW   HOMiEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
bloating of the body; the root recently dried, operates as a drastic
cathartic and emetic, when given in large doses, but the violence of
its action is materially modified by age. Several cases of poisoning
by the fruit, in children who had eaten the rind, have been brought
under my observation, but in no instance was a fatal result induced.
The following narrative of cases by Dr. D. C. Owen, which I take
from the " Chicago iMedical Examiner," are of interest, as showing
the principal toxical effect of the medicine:-" On the 4Lh of
August, 1860, I was called upon to visit two children of E-I. C., who,
the messenger said, were vomiting themselves to death. I inquired
what the children had been eating or taking; he replied, that the
parents thought the vomiting was caused by May-apples, which the
children had eaten in the morning.  I drove briskly on, and arrived
at the place in, perhaps, half an hour, where I found two very
pretty little girls, aged respectively, six and eight years, stretched
upon their beds;bbathed in cold perspiration; their faces pale as
corpses; eyes sunken in their orbits; noses pinched; pulse very
weak, and scarcely perceptible at the wrist; great thirst; and the
stomach contracting so hard and rapidly, in efforts to vomit, that
the wrenching pain would cause them to utter sharp screams, one
after another, for five minutes at a time. I was told that the
vomiting had been going on for the last four hours, almost without
intermission, it being now 12 M. On examining the matters thrown:from the stomach, I found them to consist, for the most part, of
seeds, pulp, and membraneous covering of the ripe May-apple,
having the peculiar odor of that fruit. I asked them if they had
eaten the rinds of the apples.  They said, no; but they had used
their teeth to rupture the rinds. I informed the parents that the
recovery of the oldest child was not to be expected, owing to the
prostration already produced; but that the chances for the younger
were much better. I gave the oldest, one gr. sulp. morphine,
covered the epigastrium and entire abdomen, which was tympanitic
and very tender, with a blister; invited the blood to the extremities
with hot flannels and sinapisms; gave carbonic acid water, in small
quantities, to allay thirst;. and, as the bowels had not been moved
since the vomiting begun, ordered an enema of castor oil and
molasses in warm  water. To the younger I gave, perhaps twothirds: gr. morphine, and ordered the same course as for the other,
except that for the blister I substituted mustard. They were now
kept as quiet as possible for, perhaps, an hour and a-half, when the
younger child was sufficiently under the influence: of the narcotic to
fall into a quiet sleep. The oldest now vomited again bilious matter
mixed with blood-the bile dark green and very thick, the blood
dark and coagulated. She complained frequently of burning sensation in the throat. Finding that the injections had failed to move
the bowels, I gave HIydrargyri sub. mur, gr. xij., Morphine
sulph., gr. j. They were now both getting warm  extremities, the
youngest still sleeping, I left powders of morphine and camphor,
one of which was to be given after each act of vomiting, should it
commence again, or aiter each stool, should the bowels act too
freely. I directed the parents to do everything in their power to




PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.                      329
maintain the proper amount of heat in the extiemities; and, if the
means they were then using were not sufficient to keep up the
warmth of the body, to use brandy by enema. For the youngest,
I left similar powders and directions, should she require them.
" Called August 5th, at 7 A. M.-Founld the oldest past all hopethe eyes glazed and motionless, the death-rattle in her throat, the
abdomen swelled almost to bursting, and the under jaw fallen. At
half-past eight o'clock she expired.  I learned that she had continued to vomit thick bile, with more or less blood mixed with it,
about every hour through the night. The youngest child was
considerably better, although there was considerable tenderness
over the stomach, to remove which I applied a blister; gave
Dover's powder to keep her quiet, slippery-elm water for drink,
kept the bowels solvent with sulphate of magnesia; and, by the
morning of the 8th, she was convalescent. I have endeavored to
give a simple statement of the facts in the above cases, as they
occurred; and I will decline making comments, more than to say,
that, after seeing the deleterious effects of the May-apple in these
cases, I would not recommend them as being the healthiest article
of diet that we can procure; and I have also kept an eye single on
the action of podophylline."  In the hands of incautious or
ignorant physicians, the Podophyllum and its active principle have
been productive of an immense amount of injury to the people of
the West. I have treated many painful, severe, and incurable
diseases of the stomach and intestines, uterus, and urinary organs,
which could be dated distinctly to over dosing with this potent
drug. 1N ext to Mercury, it is capable of inflicting more injury to
the human organism, when abused, than almost any other drug in
common use; yet eclectics denounce MIercury in all its forms,
while pouring this poison down their patients.  The original and
only proving which has yet appeared, was made by Dr. Williamson,
of Philadelphia, and published in the "Trans. Amer. Inst. of Hornm.
Vol. I."  I shall make that the basis of this article, and add thereto
the pathogenetic and clinical symptoms which have been collected
since that publication. It has been used more extensively, perhaps,
than any of the new remedies, and is already looked upon by our
school as a valuable polychrest. I am indebted to Dr. E. J. Frazer,
of Chicago, for the peculiar arrangement of the symptoms of this
medicine. Under my directions he has placed the primary and
secondary symptoms in their proper order, as nearly as our
knowledge of the action of the drug will permit. This should be
done with every medicine, in order to ifcilitate the study of its
effects, and guide us in the selection of the proper dose. Eclectic
physicians, and of late many of the allopathic school, have come to
look upon the Mandrake as a sort of panacea for nearly all acute
diseases, and useful in almost all chronic affections. With its enthusiastic admirers it ranks with Calomel. Medical adjectives have
been exhausted in describing its powers and virtues. It is said to
be cathartic, emetic, alterative, anthelmintic hydragogue, sialogogne,
deobstirauet, febrifuge, anti-periodic, diuretic, etc., etc., etc. It is a
fact, that like Mercury it penetrates every nook and cranny of the
42




330       NEW  HIOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
organism, and there is scarce an organ or tissue of the body but
feels its malign influence, when it is introduced into the system in
toxical doses. It has been used in nearly every disease in the
nomenclature, and is said to have proved curative in those of the
most opposite character. I shall try to show in my clinical remarks
the causes of its great popularity, and attempt to define its real
sphere of action. I will here remark that I shall use the statements
relative to the Podophyllum and Podophyllin, indiscriminately-as
I believe both to act in a similar (perhaps identical) manner upon
the system. The latter may not have as wide range of action as
the former, because it does not contain all the medicinal constituents
of the plant. To meet the requirements of an exact science, such
as hommceopathy aspires to be, there should be a proving of both
preparations, bat until we reach that desideratum we must do the
best we can. In the clinical remarks I shall designate as far as
possible which preparation was prescribed, in order that the physician may use the same in similar cases. (I shall, for the sake of
brevity, adopt the abreviation " Pmn." for the one, and "Pz?)." for
the other preparation.)
GENERAL EFFECTS. —Ner~voUS System.-Podophyllum  does not
act specifically upon the nerves, as does Aconite or Nux vomica.
In this respect it ranks with Bryonia, Aloes, and other medicines of
the same class. The pains induced by the Mandrake are probably
moyalgic in their character. In idiopathic neuralgia,* or indeed
neuralgia in any form, it is of doubtful utility.
Muscular System.-We have not sufficient proof, nor do we find
anything in the pathogenesis, which would lead us to suppose that
Podophyllum acted directly upon the muscular fibre, as does Bryonia, Mercurius, or Helonias. To fully understand the action of
Mliandrake, and other similarly acting and depressing drugs, one
should read that instructive book, "Inman on Myalgia."  I would
suggest that Podophyllumn causes pains, cramps and other sensations
and affections of muscular tissue by (a) its irritating action upon
mucous membranes, and (b) by its depressing action upon the vital
power. According to Inman, all drastic purgatives may cause
myalgia, and even cramps, and wasting of muscle. Viewing the
action of this medicine as I do, I cannot consider it indicated in
rheumatism affecting muscles or tendons. If it has been found
beneficial in that disease, it has been from some indirect action, and
not from any specific effect. I have known it to cause severe myalgic pains and soreness, and have found it curative in similar conditions, but never in true rheumatism. The Podophyllin has the power
to cause other pains besides those referred to the bowels, stomach and
other portions of the digestive tract. I have known It to cause pains
in various parts of the system, but I believe them to be generally
rmyalgic. Dr. Coe, whose testimony is sometimes valuable, says:
"Podophyllin is sometimes very tardy in its operation, not acting
under eighteen or twenty hours, and frequently it will operate more
freely during the second twenty-four hours, than during the first.
In cases of chronic disorders of the liver, spleen, and other viscera,
considerable pain will frequently be experienced in the diseased




PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.                        331
organs during the operation of the medicine. Sometimes the pain
will be in the liver, at others in the spleen, again in the kidneys,
(medicinal aggravation), also in the back of the neck and head, in
the pleura, intercostal muscles, etc., (rnyalgic), but these symptoms
will subside with the operation of the medicine."  He thinks these
are favorable indications, "showing that the remedy is at work
arousing the dormant energies of the system." It is not necessary,
however, to cause'these pains, etc.
Mucous Tissues.-In its action on mucous membranes it ranks
with Mercurius, Iris v., Veratrum album., and other drastic cathartics. It is powerfully irritant to the tissues, especially those of the
digestive tract. It is not directly specific in its action upon the
mucous membrane of the respiratory and urinary passages. It will
however irritate and inflame any mucous surface when brought in
contact with it, sometimes acting as a powerful escharotic.  Of its
power to cause inflammation of any and all portions of the mucous
tmemnbrane from the mouth to the anus, there can be no doubt.
Such effects have been too often observed in practice, by all physicians who lhave had opportunity to notice its action when adminministered in material doses. It even causes ulceration of this
tissue, and may be said to act as Dr. Freligh asserts of mercury" as a solvent of the living solids," but not to' the extent of the former poison. Mandrake is hommopathic to enteritis, gastritis, etc.,
and even to bronchitis and urethritis, under certain circumstances,
which will be noticed under appropriate headings.
Serous Tissues.-It is said to affect, by its " alterative action,"
the serous membranes of the body, and prove curative in pleuritis,
peritonitis, synovitis, and even meningitis; but its action in this
direction, is not, in my opinion, specific or direct, as is the case
with Bryonia.
Glandular System.-It is here that mandrake is a close analogue
of Mercury, Iodine, Iris versicolor, etc. When taken up into the
circulatiop, it is eliminated by the glands, and is thus rendered
capable of causing irritation, inflammation, and even suppuration of
alrnost any glandular organ or structure. To those who would
thoroughly understand the action of that class of medicines termed
"Eliminants," I would advise a careful perusal of that masterly
work, "Headland on the Action of Medicines."  According to
King and others, "It produces a powerful and lasting impression
upon the glandular system and secretory organs, unequalled by any
other article." It is highly recommended and habitually used in
scrofula, induration, and swelling; also inflammation and suppuration of glands. It would be useless to waste our space in recording
all the laudations of eclectic physicians in relation to its Curative
action upon the system. Like the praises the allopathist bestows
upon mercury, they are too often based upon an unsubstantial
foundation.
Vascular System, Fever.-Chilliness while moving about during
fever, and in the act of lying down, with perspiration immediately
afterwards; chilliness when first lying clown in the evening, followed
by fever and sleep, which is disturbed with talking and imperfect




332        NEW   HO1MEOPATHIIC  PROVINGS.
wakings; fever attended with constipation; fever with incoherent
talking (W); slow pulse, scarcely perceptible pulse; puiselessness
and collapse. The primary action of toxical doses is to depress the
vital energies of the whole system, and therefore lower the action
(tone) of the heart and arteries, in a manner similar to Verat. alb.
and its analogues. This will be seen by reference to the case of
poisoning recorded on a previous page. Dr. Coe makes a suggestive remark on page 245 of his work (Cone. Org. Med): "Podophyllin exercises a remarkable control over the sanguiferous system,
removing capillary obstructions, and equalizing the circulation. Its
exhibition is frequently followed by la decided increase of temperature on the part of the skin, and patients sometimes imagine that
the medicine is going to induce a fever. Many who have been
troubled with unequal circulation and coldness of the extremities
for months, are permanently relieved by a single dose." The symptoms I have put in italics, would seem to show that the Mloandrake,
like mercury, had the power to cause a fever peculiar to itself; a
real irritativefever. This fever sometimes resembles the mercurial
fever, as it is often accompanied byperspiration, and pains all over
the system. Taking the ensemble of the symptoms, we have in the
coldness, chilliness, heat, pain, sweat, etc., a very good picture of
a febrile attack.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Eclectics and other admirers of Podophyllum in the " regular " school, make the sweeping assertion that
it is useful in the treatment of all fevers, and place in the same list
those of the highest and lowest grade, the sthenic and asthenic.
This is so manifestly absurd, that it were useless to spend time to
show its absurdity, but the opposite schools of medicine are so prone
to deal in generalities that we can expect nothing better of them.
Podophyllum is indicated and has been found useful in the following varieties of fever.
Intermittent Fever.-When the following symptoms are present:
"Chilliness when lying down-or in the evening; chill in the morning a 7 o'clock, with pressing pains in both hypochondria, and dull,
aching pains in the knees and ankles, elbows and wrists; back-ache
before the chill; the shaking and sensation of coldlness continues
for some time after the heat commences; some thirst during the
chill, but more through the heat; the patient is conscious durino
the chill, but cannot talk, because he forgets the words he wishes
to employ; delirium  and loquacity during the hot stage, with
forgetfulness afterwards of all.that passed; violent pain in the head,
with excessive thirst during the fever; sleep during the perspira.
tion; loss of appetite during the apyrexia."  The above symptoms
are given by Dr. Williamson, who does not inform us whether they
are purely curative symptoms, or pathogenetic and curative. He
further says Podophyllum  is indicated in quotidian tertian and
quartan organs, and for " periodical diseases" generally. The
practitioner, however, must not expect too niuch of this remedy in
Intermittents. It cannot be ranked with N ux., China, Quinia,
Cornus fo., or any of the "anti-periodic' group of medicines
which act curatively by virtue of that power, but rather with




PODOPHYLLTUM PELTATUM.                      333
Mercurius, Leptandria, Iris, etc., which act as curative agents in
Intermittent fevers, by another power, namely, of correcting the
condition of particular organs, as the liver, and. thus removing the
obstacles to a recovery. In my practice, which was at one time
extensive, in a district cursed with ague, I had ample opportunity
to observe the action of Podophyllum in this disease. I. never
found it of benefit unless the hepatic, intestinal, and gastric symptoms corresponded with those of the fever; when given for the
symptoms of the fever alone, enumerated above, it was not curative.
In fact it would remove all the other symptoms, and the paroxysms
of fever would still occur in a modified form. But if alternated
with Ipecac., China, Cornus, or Nux vomica (in quotidian), Arsenicum, Cedron, or Quinia (in tertian), the cure would be prompt and
permanent. Those who are opposed to alternation of remedies can
use the Podophyllum first, and the appropriate remedy afterwards.
As the  testimony  of eclectic physicians may be interesting
on this point, I will quote:'In bilious fevers, either remittent or intermittent, it not unfrequently arrests the diseases,
at the first prescription, if given in the proper manner, or
it so far modifies the attack  that the case becomes mild
and manageable."  (King). Dr. Morrow  makes the same statement, but says it is only indicated when there is evident
hepatic torpor or congestion. "IDuring the early stages of most
febrile  diseases, particularly intermittent and bilious remittent
fevers, podophylline is an agent of superior efficacy. A single
dose often arrests the severest attacks of fever."  (Jones and
Scudder).  "In the treatment of fever and ague, we almost
invariably precede the employment of the other remedies by
the free exhibition of Podophylline. By so doing, in this climate,
we cut the disease short at once, and oftentimes have no
occasion for further medication. We have known many cases
of intermittent fever yield to a single dose of the Podophylline,
and, we have no doubt, but the credit of the cure is frequently due
to this agent, where it is attributed to other means."  (Dr. Coe.)
The above embodies the general estimate of the eclectic
school, as regards the value of this medicine in agues.  No writer
pretends that it has any actual anti-periodic power. It has been
noticed in many. of our provings, that certain febrile and even painjul symptoms were decidedly aggravated, or had a tendency to
recur at certain hours in the day, or on alternate days. This peculiarity renders a drug an "anti-periodic."  In the proving of Podophyllum, we find that certain febrile and other symptoms, tend
to occur in the morning, but this I consider rather an indication of
its remittent action. Future experiments will decide. In Bilious
Fsevers, this  medicine is an excellent hommcopathic remedy.
No other drug  so  often  corresponds  with  the  symptoms,
particularly  when  there is much  intestinal irritation.  It is
admirably indicated in the  various forms of remittent fever;
which in the west are generally considered " bilious " in character.
The febrile  symptoms are quite strongly  marked, and may
afford some data for the selection of this drug, but we should




334        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
be guided  principally by the  general symptoms. As above
stated, eclectic physicians, and of late many allopathic,  are
enthusiastic believers in the power of Podophyllum, when given
at the onset of nearly all fevers, in cathartic doses, of arresting
or "breaking ups" such attacks. But I need not acquaint the
homceopathic physician that such practice is sometimes fraught
with the most deplorable consequences. When the patient is
strong and robust, the vitality of the organism may rally
from its depressing action, or medicinal aggravation of the
malady; but if such reaction does not take place the fever,
which may have been mild in its character, is changed to a
serious and intractable one. The intestinal irritation which the
Podophyllin sets up, will go on and withstand all the rude
means of the eclectic to arrest. In this way I have  known
simple remittents changed into enteric or typhoid  fever. In
irritative fever, and infantile remittent, no remedy will give
better satisfaction, not even Mercurius. But it should be used
with caution in all fevers accompanied or caused by intestinal
orgastic irritation. In these cases it is primarily homoeopathic,
and should be used in the fourth and sixth dec. dil., should the symptoms denote inactivity  of the liver and glandular system  of
the intestines, and constipation, with jaundice exist, then the
second or third dil. may  be used safely. In  Typlhoid  and
Typhusfevers, (enteric) the Podophyllum is often indicated. It is
quite as homceopathic to the irritation, inflammation, and even
ulceration of Peyer's glands, as Mercurius and Arsenicum, but
it is not so well indicated by the general symptoms; namely,
the condition of the blood, etc., as Baptisia, Phosphoric and
Muriatic acids, or even Leptandria or Iris. Dr. Hill, (Epitome)
says  Podophyllin  is the  best remedy  for the diarrhcea of
typhoids, but homceopathists can accept no such whoselale
assertion. If' the diarrhzea, in a case of typhoid, corresponds to
the Podophyllum-diarrhcea then, and only then is it a specific
remedy. The best writers in:the eclectic school are aware of
the danger of giving large doses of Podophyllin in typhoid
and other low fevers, and all are particular to warn the physician
not to use it when there is much prostration or intestinal
irritation existing. Notwithstanding this, the physicians of that
and the old school, are generally so ignorant of disease, and
so reckless of consequences, as to give this powerful drug  in
typhoid fever. The consequences are that but few patients, under
that treatment, have vitality to resist the toxical effects of the
drug  and the disease. If Podophyllin is prescribed  in true
enteric (or typhoid) fever, it should be only the middle and
higher potencies —the tenth and upwards. The Podophyllum may
be used lower, in the third or sixth. These general remarks,
I deem sufficient to point out the applicability of the remedy
in the various forms of fever. They will serve to guide the
practitioner in the selection of the drug by the special symptoms.. Even the excanthematous fevers form no exception.
Sleep.-Sleepiness in the day time, especially in the forenoon;




PODOPHYIJLUM  PELTATUM.                    335
sleepiness early in the evening: restlessness the fore part of
the night; distress after the first sleep in the evening; rising
up in the bed, during sleep without waking; moaning in sleep
with eyelids half closed; *restless sleep of children, with whining
at night; unrefreshed by sleep on waking in the morning; too
heavy sleep at night; drowsy and difficult to wake in the morning, *afeeling of fatigue on waking in the morning.
CLTNICAL REAMARKs.-Stupor and even coma occur in cases
of poisoning with Podophyllum. The above symptoms form a
group very often met with in persons who are supposed to be
"bilious," or have "liver complaint."  In other words, they are
common to "hepatic torper, and are premonitory to many kinds of
fever. The symptoms marked *, are said by Dr. Williamson to
have been cured by this medicine.
Skin.-*Sallowness of the skin in children; *moistness of the
skill with preter-natural warmth.
CLINICAL REAREKs. —-The two symptoms above, are the only
ones recorded as skin symptoms, and those appear to be curative.
I have never noticed any irritation or eruption of the  skin
appear from its internal use. It is probably not homoeopathic to
any cutaneous disease. Its topical application, by virtue of its
escharotic power, results in redness, vesication and even pustulation
and ulcers. It forms an ingredient of the "irritating plaster" of
the eclectics. In this manner of application it may prove locally
homceopathic, as does Argentuma nit., etc. I have known its abuse
and prolonged use to cause jaundice, but that symptom more properly belongs to another paragraph. Like mercury, it causes a
peculiar irritative fever, characterized by heat of the skin with
moisture (fever with sweat). This symptom may be of value, in
aiding us in the selection of the medicine. (Jo  says the resinoid
"possesses a degree of escharotic power, and when applied to
fungous growths will dissolve them down. It produces a rapid
pustulaton, which appears first in the form of minute vesicles filled
with a serous fluid which speedily changes to a whitish or yellowish hue. This superficial inflammation is at the same time quite
severe. The pustules are slow in healing.
Mental Symptoms.-Depression of spirits; imagines he is going
to die, or will be very ill.
CLINICAL RE:AR:EKs. —According to Dr. Williamson it has been
found curative in the delirium of fevers.  Beyond this we know
but little of its homceopathic use in mental or emotional disorders.
It is evidently indicated, judging from its sphere of action, and
has been found useful, in depression of spirits, and hypochondriac
state of mind arising from hepatic disorder.
lcead.-Giddiness and dizziness, with the sensation of fullness over the eyes; momentary darts of pain in the forehead,
obliging one to shut the eyes; dullness and headache with
sleepiness in the morning; *morning  headache with flushed
face; pain on the top of the head when rising in the morning;
morning headache with heat in the vertex; pressing pain in the
temples in the forenoon, with drawing in the eyes as if stra,




336        NEW   IIOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
bismus would follow; stunning headache through the temples
relieved by pressure; sudden pain in the forehead with soreness of the throat in the evening; heavy dull pain in the
forehead, with soreness over the seat of pain; headache alternating  with  diarrhmea; vertigo  while  standing  in the open
air; pain in the left frontal protuberance  aggravated in the
afternoon; vertigo with inclination  to  fall forwards; * perspiration of the head during sleep, with coldness of the flesh
while  teething;  face  pale  as a corpse's with  pinched nose
and a cold perspiration.
CLINICAL REMAIRKS.-Dr. Williamson  found the Podophyllum   curative in " rolling of the  head during difficult dentition in children;" also the two symptoms marked with the
asterisk. The head symptoms are  quite  notable, particularly
the  " morning  headache'  so:common  in bilious affections;
also the  "headache  alternating with  diarrhoea "-one of the
most frequent symptoms is hepatic difficulties.  We have no
proof that this drug will cause inflammation or congestion of
the brain or its meninges; but the symptomn recorded above as
cured by Dr. Williamson: "rolling of the head," etc., together
with another-wrongly placed under the head of teeth; namely,
"grindinog  of the  teeth  at night, especially  with  children
during  dentition," would  seem  to point to  irritation of the
brain, whether idiopathic or reflex, we cannot decide, but would
suggest an intestinal origin.! Podophyllum  has been much used
against brain affections'by electic physicians, but in such large
doses as: to  act as a/ "revulsive "  or "derivative " as they
express it. I would not undertake to decide that it could not
cause disease of the brain: it would need a pathological proving to elucidate that point. I will quote some eclectic testimony as to its value' in their hands in brain affections, and the
reader may judge of the nature of its action for himself. Prof.
AMorroy says:' "In no'class of cases has the medicine manifested
a higher degree of' value, so far as I have been able to observe
its effects, than  in:those cases marked  by strong determination of blood to the brain, producing either congestion or incipent inflammation of that organ. In several cases of this description, in the treatment of which I have witnessed its effects, I
was agreeably  surprised  to  find  every  trace  of congestion
eradicated by one or two thorough operations of this article.
It seemed to exercise a more completely controlling influence
on this pathological condition than any medicine I have ever
used for this same purpose."  It was given of course, in strong
cathartic doses. Still a mere cathartic would not have such a
"controlling influence,"  and it may  after all have  exercised
some specific curative effect upon the condition of the brain;
i. e., the small amount of the drug  which was absorbed by
the stomach.  _Dr. Coe, strangely. enough does not say much
about its use in brain diseases, as he considers it specific for
almost every other class of maladies. He says it does good,
as a revulsive  cathartic, in congestion of the brain and apo



PODOPHYLLUM   PELTATUAM.                   337
plexy. He mentions one case however, where it acted mechanically with good results, and if no better agent was at hand
-castor oil, etc., —the homceopathist might use it legitimately.
"In a child eight months old" he says, "we removed by
means of lobelia and podophyllin one and  a half pints of
solid casein. This matter so expelled was in a high state of
putrefactive fermentation.'"  This case he says was pronounced
"congestion of the brain," but with the" removal of the morbid material from the stomach, all the symptoms abated, and
the child  recovered.  In  a  case of  Jaundice, which  had
advanced so far as to cause comatose sleep, and partial insensibility, after every usual homceopathic remedy had been tried
without much effect, the Podophyllin, one grain of the first
trit., every half hour, removed all the dangerous symptoms.
Improvement commenced about the time frequent bilious stools
appeared.  No bile had passed the bowels for nearly two
weeks previously.
Eyes.-Smarting in the eyes; drawing sensation in the eyes,
accompanying pain in the head; heaviness of the eyes, with
occasional pains on the top of the head; pain in the eye.
balls and in the temples, with heat and throbbing of the temporal arteries. Eyes sunken in their orbits.
CLINICAL RElMAnRKS. —In a conversation with the venerable
Dr. Hering, relating to  this remedy, he referred  me to a
remark of Dr. Barton (Allopath); namely, that he had noticed
that frequently after administering the Podophyllum —no symptoms appeared  on the same day, but the next morning the
eyes would appear inflamed. This, according to Hering, would
seem to imply that Podophyllum  was indicated in ophthalmias
which appeared, or were aggravated, in the morning. It has
been used as a collyrium in chronic opthalmia or ulcers on
the cornea, and  is probably as- useful as any escharotic, for
all act upon the law of Similia.
Teeth. —  Grinding of the teeth at night; the teeth  are
covered with dried mucus in the morning.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The. first symptom  above  recorded
should perhaps be placed under the "Head " symptoms. However, children often grind the teeth (adults also) from a disordered  state  of the  stomach, indigestion, acidity, and  even
hepatic disorder. I once noticed in a child to whom, Mandrake
had been administered by the parents, that each paroxysm of
nausea and griping was preceeded by "grinding of the teeth."
In this case there was a reflex symptom  proceeding from  the
intestinal irritation. The teeth are said to become loose under the
action of this medicine. (See mouth symptoms.)
Mouth.-Copious salivation; * offensive odor from the mouth;
offensiveness of the breath at night - perceptible to the
patient; -the taste of fried liver in his mouth at night; sourness of the mouth  and tongue on waking in the morning.
* white fur on the tongue with foul taste; putrid taste in
the& mouth.
43




338       NEW  HIOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
CLINICAL REMARKS. — Dr. Williamson  contributes the curatin symptoms marked with a star. The effect of Mandrake
upon the mouth is quite specific and note-worthy. All writers
agree that it will cause symptoms like salivation. I have known
it to  cause severe ptyalism  in numerous cases, when abused
by electic physicians. Even in the 3d trit., this effect is quite
noticeable in persons who are subject to stomatitis, or have
been mercurialized. Dr. Coe says: "It has beeh said that Podophyllin is capable of producing ptyalism, but we have never
seen any evidence of the fact in persons who had never taken
nzercury. The  only  symptoms  of salivation  we have  ever
observed have been in those  cases where mercury has been
taken at some previous time. Podophyllin is powerfully resolvent, and by its peculiar excitation of the glandular system
will sometimes dislodge deposits of latent mercurial atoms, and
so bring about a season of mercurialization. Lobelia, Irisin and
Phytolaccin will frequently do the same."  This is a species of
special pleading, often resorted to by eclectic practitioners, but
it is untenable. If these drugs will cause ptyalism  when mercury is in the glands it will cause the same symptoms when
mercury is not present. The only difference will be that the
presence of mercury renders the glands'more susceptible to
the action of these agents.  Podophyllin  is homeoopathic to
ptyalism, even mercurial; to  stomatitis and  many  inflammatary affections of the gums and  buccal mucous membrane.
It has been found curative in  "'nursing sore mouth," "canker
in the mouth."  I have  cured with the dilutions, used as a
wash, a case of chronic inflammation of the tongue, which was
red, dry, cracked, and often bleeding, and somewhat swollen.
It seemed idiopathic, as no greater derangement was noticeable.
Throat.-Sore  throat, commencing  on the right side and
then going to the left; soreness of the left side of the throat,
especially painful when swallowing  liquids, and worse in the
morning;  dryness of the throat;   soreness of the  throat
extending to the  ears;  *rattling  of mucus in  the throat;
*goitre; *sore throat, commencing on the right side and going
to the left.
CLINICAL REnARKs.-The three curative symptoms are from
Dr. Williamson.  The first is due to  the  excited secretory
action of Mandrake upon the tonsils and  mucous follicles of
the throat. This medicine has made undoubted' cures of Goitre
in the hands of homceopathic as well as eclectic physicians.
The testimony on this point appears conclusive, but I cannot
say that I have ever seen much benefit from its use in my
hands, at least no such  decided  effects as follow  the use of
Iodine, Bromine, and their salts, even in  minute  doses.  Nor
have I found it of much  value in tonsillitis, in  which it is
inferior to Phytolacca or Iris versicolor.
Appctite. —Voracious appetite; regurgitation of food;- loss of
appetite; indifference to food; satiety from  a small quantity of




PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.                       339
food, followed by nausea and vomiting; desire for something sour;
thirst towards evening; putrid taste.
CLINICAL REMARKs. —The effects of Podophyllin in small doses
(one-tenth of a grain) is, according to King and others, to cause
increase of appetite, and healthy digestion; but, in large doses, it
causes disgust for food, which if taken is regurgitated.  Dr.
Williamson cured many cases of dyspepsia in which the above
symptoms were prominent. (See Gastric.)
Gastric Symptoms, and Stomach.-Regurgitation of food; food
turns sour after eating; sourness of the. stomach; acid eructations; belching of hot flatus which is very sour; acidity in the
afternoon, with an unpleasant, sickly sensation in the stomach;
nausea and vomiting, with fullness in the head; vomiting of food
an hour after a meal, with a craving appetite immediately afterwards; extreme nausea, continuing for several hours; vomiting of
food with putrid taste and odor; heart-burn; water-brash; heat in
the stomach; sensation of hollowness in the epigastrium; throbbing in the epigastrium, followed by diarrhzea; gastric affection,
attended by depression of spirits; heat in stomach; vomiting of
hot frothy mucus; stitches in the epigastrium  from  coughing.
(Williamson.)  The nausea begins about two or three hours after
the medicine, in material doses, is taken; it continues sometimes
with great severity, and with vomiting of ingesta, mucus, and
bile, for twenty-four or forty hours even. (Hale.)  Great thirst,
and the stomach contracting so hard and rapidly in the effort to
vomit that the wrenching pain would cause them to utter sharp
screams, one after another, for five minutes at a time; vomiting of
bilious matter mixed with blood, the bile, dark green and very
thick, the blood dark and coagulated; vomiting of thick bile and
blood for eighteen hours."  (Dr. Owen.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-From  its effects in the case of fatal
poisoning, we should judge it indicated in acute Gastritis, when
the pain and vomiting is unusually severe, and the matter
ejected consisted of bile and blood as described above. The nausea
which attends the action of Mandrake, is particularly distressing.
It is "lingering and  death-like, something like that caused by
tobacco." It is attended generally with severe and painful vomiting
of bilious matter, as well as copious bilious and watery discharges,
and severe griping pain in small intestines from the bowels, when
the dose is large. The critical physician will readily see by the
pathogenetic and curative symptoms above, that Podophyllin is
indicated in many conditions of gastric irritation, and even inflammation.  Eclectic writers, particularly mention that it is contra
indicated in gastritis, which observation implies to the homoeopathist, that it will prove a valuable remedy in some forms of that
disease. Some physicians value it highly as a homceopathic remedy
for many forms of dyspepsia. (See curative symptoms above.) In
its effects upon the gastric mucous membrane it is analagous to Iris
versicolor, Mercurius, Arsenicum,  Nux  romnica, Pulsatilla, and
others, and will rival them in the various affections of the stomach.
Abdomen.-Fulness in the right hypochondrium, with flatulence.




340    NEW  HOMlEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
Colic with retraction of the.abdominal muscles; pain. in the
transverse colon at three o'clock in the morning, followed by
diarrhzea; rumbling of flatus in the ascending colon; pain in the
ascending colon; pain in the bowels at daylight in the morning
which is relieved by external warmth and by bending forwards
whilst lying on the side, but is aggravated by lying on the back;
the pain in the bowels is at first attended with coldness, which is
followed by heat and warm perspiration; sensation of heat in the
bowels, accompanying the inclination to go to stool; sensation of
flatus in the left hypochondrium; faintness with sensation of
emptiness in the abdomen after stool; cramp-like pain in the
bowels, with retraction of the abdominal muscles occurring at 10
o'clock in the evening, and again at 5 o'clock inthe morning, and
continuing until 9; sharp pain above the right groin, preventing
motion in the 1ast months of pregnancy; distention of the abdomen; enormous swelling of the abdomen (in case of fatal
poisoning).
CLINICAL REMARKS.-The pains which are caused by Podophyllum are not confined to the intestines, but extend to the
muscles of the abdomen. According to Inman irritation of the
mucous coat of the intestines may, and does generally cause
myalgic pains and spasm. There is some similarity in the pains
caused by Plumbum  and Podophyllum; but, the former drug acts
directly upon the nerves which govern the contraction of muscles,
while the latter causes pain and spasm in the same muscles by
irritating a contiguous mucous membrane. Williamson recommends
the Podophyllum in Colica pictonum  (lead colic), and Eclectics
claim to cure that disease with Mandrake. Perhaps the similarity
of the two diseases may be sufficiently clear to empower the one
to cure the other. I once attended a case of poisoning by Podophyllum, when the rectus and other muscles were drawn' into
lumps or knots; the pain was relieved by "doubling up" and very
hot applications. Colocynth did but little good; Gelseminum, in
drop doses, gave some relief; I did not try Plumbum, having none
at hand. The colic caused by Podophyllum is generally attended
with diarrhmea or dysentery, and often with bilious vomiting and
diarrhcea. In Peritonitis, I do not consider it indicated, unless in
exceptional cases. Certain intestinal and myalgic disorders simulate true peritonitis and may be mistaken for it; in such cases
the Podophyllum may be useful. Eclectic physicians consider it
almost specific for Puerperal Peritonitis, but it cannot be anything
but injurious in that disease, given in the heavy doses in which they
present it. The allopathic treatment of this disease shows some
strange  discrepancies.  Some writers claim  that blood-letting,
Verat. v., Antimony, etc., are the only reliable remedies; others,
rely wholly upon Opium, and narcotics; and still another portion of
that school place their faith upon Turpentine. It is very probable
that Podophyllin acts similarly to the latter drug. According to
Inman (see Treatise on Myalgia), inflammation of serous membranes,
as the pleula and peritoneum is not necessarily accompanied with
pain, and, that myalgia or paralysis of the muscular parietes of the




PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM                        341
abdomen is often mistaken for Peritonitis. We have the same
intense burning pain in certain localities, (the attachment of muscles)
the same exquisite tenderness, and the same distention, noted as
belonging to puerperal peritonitis. Any treatment, says Inman,
which will give tone to the muscles, causing contraction of the
muscles involved, will restore the patient. This statement accounts
for the benefit which has accrued from the use of stimulants,
tonics, Opium, and even Turpentine and Podophyllin. The two
first give tone to the muscles —Opium gives them rest, which is so
necessary to a cure; and the two latter by a certain specific
influence which they seem to have over our muscular fibre; for
turpentine cures tympanitis, in small doses, too small to irritate the
bowel, (it causes tympanitis), and Podyphyllin causes all the
symptoms of Peritonitis, as will be seen by reference to the cases
of poisoning above. In the fatal case, Enteritis could not have
been present, for the time was too short, and if the peritoneum was
affected it was by the direct toxical action of the poison. No post
mortem having been made of the fatal case, we do not know whether
peritonitis was present, and the symptoms may have been due to
some other lesion.
Liver and Spleen.-(1.) Fullness in the right hypochondria;
hypochondrium  with  flatulence; stitches in the right hypochondrium, worse while eating; twisting pain in the right
hypochondrium, with  sensation of heat in the part; *fullness,
with pain and soreness in the right hypochondrium; chronic
hepatitis with costiveness; pains in the region of the liver. (2)
Sensation of weight and dragging in the left hypochondrium, close
under the ribs; sensation of flatus in the left hypochondrium;
pains in spleen.
CLINICAL RMARKS. —It is difficult to decide whether all the
pains above mentioned are myalgic or really in the organs referred
to in the headings.  Some of the symptoms are undoubtedly
myalgic.  The curative symptoms of fullness, etc., has been so
often verified by Dr. Williamson and others of our school, that
we may safely say that it indicates hepatitis, or congestion of the
liver. The " chronic hepatitis with costiveness,' is also a valuable
observation.  It is not necessary, however, that constipation
should be present; it is asuseful when that diseaseis attended
with diarrhea, or the two states alternately. From many years,
experience with, and observation of, the use of Podophyllin in
diseases of the liver, I feel qualified to venture the following
observation relative to  its  pathogenitive  and curative action
upon that organ. I believe the  Podophyllum  and its active
principle to be a direct stimulant of the liver. I am aware that
some of the most astute investigators of the allopathic school
deny that Jercury has any direct or specific action on that organ.
They would probably allege the same of the Mandrake, but there
are certain reasons which I shall give further on, why I consider
the arguments against Mercury not valid in the case of Podophyllum. The primary action of Podophyllum  in large doses is
generally to cause vomiting and diarrhcea of undoubted bilious




342    NEW HIOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
matters. I have examined the evacuations caused by Pn. in case of
jaundice, which before its administration were completely free from
bile, and found that the green color was actually due to that
secretion. The examination was made with the most approved
chemical tests. The patient felt the action of the drug upon the liver,
before it nauseated or caused any intestinal irritation. (The dose
was one-fourth of a grain of the pure resinoid, triturated with ten
of sugar of milk). In still smaller doses, third trituration, it wil
cause bile to appear in the previously clay colored stools. I
consider this medicince therefore primarily homcepathic to acute
irritation, congestion and  inflammation of the liver,  bilious
diarrhcea, and hepatic pains. A further proving is needed to give
special indications. The powerfully irritating effect which this
drug has upon the secretory functions of the liver, enables it to
cause such excessive action as may' pass over into passive
congestion, chronic inflammation, suspension of function from
exhaustion, suspension of binary secretion, and even retention of
that fluid. Podophyllum has been abused in the hands of
eclectics as badly as Mercury in the allopathic school. I have
known it to cause chronic hepatic diseases, as jaundice, enlargement, and even some organic affections. There is scarcely an
acute or chronic disease of this important viscus, in which this
medicine may not, in some of its stages, be found useful.. A careful
study of our proving, together with the observations of physicians
of both schools, will give us much information as to its sphere of
action. The dose in hepatic diseases, is a matter of great importance. I believe an adherence to the following rules will give the
physician greater success with the medicine than he could attain
without them. (1.) For the primary (acute) conditions, similar to
those caused by large doses of Podophyllum, give the highest and
middle attenuations.  (The third or eighteenth of Podophyllum,
and sixth or thirtieth of Podophyllin.) (2.) For Symptoms and
conditions (chronic) simulating the secondary effects, give the
lower actenuations, and in rare cases, even the one-tenth of the
resinoids, (3.) In a few cases, as in retention of bile from obstruction of the gall duct., or in case of gall-stones, we must have the
direct mechanical effects of Podophyllum. In such cases crude
doses are required. This is best illustrated by the following case
of "expulsion of gall stone," reported by me to the North American
Journal, Vol. 12, p. 258:
" In Vol. 7, 304, of this Journal, my industrious colleague, Dr.
Marcy, made mention of' An Empirical Remedy for gall-stones,'
and says:'For the violent spasmodic pains which accompany
their passage to the intestines, we have found the following treatment, derived from an empirical sourse, eminently efficacious: As
soon as the pains have declared themselves, we give the patient six
ounces of tepid Olive-oil, and then prescribe Nux and Aconite in
alternation every half hour. We also apply hot water fomentations, and occasionally a warm bath, when the paroxysm is not
speedily ameliorated.'  The case which I will now report is a very
interesting one. The patient, a young lady, residing at ]No. 53




PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.                      343
Carpenter street, had been subject, for several years, to attacks of
supposed gastralgia, which would pass off in a few days under the
use of anodynes, leaving her slightly jaundiced. This attack had
been much more severe, and she had been under the care of two
professors in the allopathic colleges in this city for six weeks when
I was called. They pronounced her disease "neuralgia of the
stomach."  The character of the pain had not changed, only to
grow more severe since its onset. She had been drugged with.Blue-mass, Calomel, Opium, Dover's-powder and Chloroform,
and'received only temporary benefit from  their use. I found her
emaciatied, jaundiced, (her skin of the hue of bronze), tongue
coated white; no appetite; headache most of the time; pulse
quick and hard, but small; urine very scanty, a yellowish brown
color, and was found to contain bile when the usual tests were
applied. The pains in the epigastrium extended to the right side,
region of the gall-bladder, and were remitting i. e., there were
paroxysms of great intensity, but some pain all the time;
excessive nausea, when the pain becomes severe; constipation
and diarrhmea alternated, and in either condition the evacuations
were now, and had been destitute of bile for several weeks. At my
first visit I was undecided as to the pathological condition at the
bottom of the difficulty, but gave Aconite and Nux-vomica. The
next I decided that the malady originated frorm the presence of
gall-stones in the gall-duct, obstructing completely the passage of
bile into the intestines, and giving rise to the interior pain; no
relief had been obtained from the remedies, and she had been
obliged to resort to Chloroform all night. I now resolved to
try Dr. Marcy's treatment. Six ounces of tepid Olive-oil were
ordered, but she could only be induced to swallow three. This
was at 3 P. M.; at 9 P. xr., the other three ounces were administered. Nux and Aconite were continued as before. Third dayno improvement. She took Chloroform about half the time to get
relief from the intense spasmodic pain; urine more scanty, and
of a deeper color; slimy, white diarrhcea, not a trace of bile in
the discharges; vomiting of mucus; no bile had been vomited
for several weeks. I ordered a hot bath. In the attempt to take
it, a very severe chill set in with fainting; this was followed by
some fever. In the evening she became stupid, would not answer
questions, and I feared she would go into coma. Dr. Coe, (Conc.
Org. Med., page 247) gives the following treatment for gall-stones:
He gives at bed-time a powder composed of Podophyllin, grs. ij.,
Euphorbin, grs. j., Caulophyllin, grs. ij. The next' morning, Ias
soon as the nausea attending the operation of the powder has
subsided, administer eight ounces of pure Olive-oil.''We have
known," he asserts,'as many as two hundred of these concretions,
varying in size from that of a small pea to that of a hazle-nut, to
be passed after the administration of a single dose of Podophyllin
and the Oil.'  ly patient was rapidly sinking, and I knew that if
the obstruction was not soon removed, the blood would become
irretrievably poisoned with bile. I did not deem it necessary to
fbollow Coe's practice. Podophyllin is the real agent which dislodges




344    NEW  IHOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
the concretions from the gall-duct. This it does, I believe, by
increasing the expulsion power or peristaltic action, so to speak,
of the gall-bladder and its duct. The Olive-oil may aid in relaxing
and dilating the duct, and carries the concretions off through the
bowels, after they have been expelled.  I accordingly gave
one grain of Podophyllin in the evening; she was allowed Chloroibrmn  during the night. In  the morning she swallowed three
ounces of Olive-oil, at 6 o'clock. At 9 o'clock she vomited bile;
at noon she had a free evacuation from the bowels, of a bilious
appearance.  At 3 P. x., another bilious stool, and with it a
discharge of several gall-stones-they fell into the vessel with a
metallic sound-as the nurse informed me. All pain ceased about
the time she vomited, and did not return. The concretions were
round, about the size of a cherry, rough externally, yellowish, and
when broken in two, showed a radiating appearance from a common
centre. No account was kept of the number passed, as the nurse
was somewhat negligent, and failed to collect them. In a few
days, under the use of Aconite and Nux, the jaundice had nearly
disappeared; her appetite returned, and in two weeks she was able
to ride into the country, and has since enjoyed good health. In
the words of Dr. Marcy, I assert that'this affords us example
where the consistent homceopathist is justified in employing a
chemical and purgative agent to rid the system of foreign
substances which nature is struggling to throw off. It is not disease
which we are to remove; not a therapeutic agent which we are to
administer.' 1 recognize three methods of restoring health; viz:
the chemical, the mechanical, and the homceopathic. By the first
we can remove an irritating cause of disease, as by the use of
Nitric-acid, in Oxalic-acid urine by the second, we can expel
a biliary calculus with Podophyllin and Olive-oil; and by the lastthe only law of cure-we can remove, with Aconite and Nux,
the hepatic inflammation consequent upon the passage of the
stones.   I maintain  that my treatment was as rational and
cientific as that of the surgeon who removes the spiculae of bones
or the musket-ball, and then uses his specific remedies, and his
surgical apliances."
It is amazing to witness the vast confidence which the eclectic
physicians have in Podophyllin in nearly every disease of the liver.
They use it almost indiscriminately in the most opposite states
and conditions, and in functional organic affections of that organ.
I have not space to quote their observations and praises, but would
refer the reader to their works on Practice and Materia Medica.
In congestion of the portal circle, this medicine appears to have
an immense curative power, in which it is only equalled by
Mercury and Leptandria. In _Diseases of the Spleen, the Podophyllum  has been found  useful.  It may be tried in acute
inflammation, or chronic enlargement.
Enteric Symptoms. —Stool earlier in the morning than usual, but
natural; frequent stools during the day, but of a natural consistence; six soft yellow  stools a day, with some griping: (from
grain doses of the third trit); profuse diarrh(ea, worse in the morn



PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.                       345
ing; very frequent papescent, yellowish  stools for forty-eight
hours; diarrhcea early in the morning, which continues during the
forenoon, followed by a natural stool ill the evening; evacuations
of green stools in the morning; diarrhcea immediately after eating
or drinking; *extreme weakness and cutting pain in the intestines
adier stool; *painful diarrhcea, with screaming and grinding of
the teeth, in children, during dentition; white slimy stools; *hot,
watery evacuations; stools watery, frequent, profuse, and attended
with prostration and cramps as in cholera; stools muco-gelatinous,
small and infrequent, with flatulence, and pain in the region of the
sacrum; after an evacuation of a large mass of gelatinous substance, like white of egg, the severe tormina ceased and did not
return; *food passes the bowels in an undigested state; copious
evacuations, with blueness under the eyes; *evacuations which
consist of dark, yellow mucus, which smells like carrion  frequent
chalk-like stools, which are very offensive; *with gagging and
excessive thirst in children; *constant pain in the lumbar region,
which is worse during evacuation, and particularly after stool;
stools yellow, green or watery and brown; stools streaked with
blood; evacuations in the morning, attended with strong urging in
the bowels, with heat and pain in the anus; flashes of heat running up the back after a stool; sensation at stool as if the genital
organs would fall out, (in a female); too much bearing down at
stool, as if from inactivity of the rectum; severe and painful tenesmus after a watery stool; *chronic diarrhrea, worse in the morning;
diarrhoea with prolapsus ani at every stool, (in children); desent
of the rectum from a little exertion, immediately followed by stool,
or a discharge of thick, transparent mucus, sometimes of a yellow
color, and mixed with blood; the prolapsus ani occurs. most frequently in the morning; secretion of mucus from the anus; the
anus feels very sore, sensitive and swollen; aggravation of existing
hemorrhoids; several hard, painful hemorrhoidal tumors around
the anus; one of which bleeds profusely, (primary symptoms):
constipation for two  days after the diarrhea; constipation with
headache and flatulence; the fieces are hard and dry, and voided
with difficulty; constipation, with hemorrhoids and prolapsus ani;
alternate constipation and diarrhoea, (secondary symptoms): hard
stool, coated with yellow, tenacious mucus.
CLINICAL REmARKS.-It will be seen that I have arranged the
above symptoms in a peculiar order, different from that adopted in
the original proving. The plan of arranging the symptoms of a
drug without reference to its primary and secondary action is much
to be deprecated. The entire symptoms (I"stool,'" etc.) of all our
drugs begin with " constipation."  Now, no one supposes that this
is the first symptom of all drugs. On the contrary, frequent and
loose evacuations are the rule. The first symptom from even small
doses of Podophyllum  is diarrhea. It is not until the purgative
action has subsided, or the irritability of the intestines exhausted,
that we have constipation. In fact this medicine rarely causes
constipation, and then only secondarily. To avoid repetition, I have
designated those symptoms cured by Williamson and Jeanes with
44




346        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
an asterisk, but all of the other symptoms are of equal importance,
and have all been verified by clinical experience. I will briefly
enumerate the disorders of the bowels in which this drug is indicated, without a useless repetition of the symptoms. In acute or
chronic mucouts or follicular enteritis, it is specifically and primarily
indicated. No drug, not even Mercury, so surely causes these
conditions. Whether the disease be present in children or adults
the Podophyllum will be found promptly curative. -Diarrhcea, in
nearly all its varied manifestations, finds a similimum in the pathogenesis of this potent drug. Drs. Hering, Jeanes, Pretchs, and
many others lay much stress on the tendency to morning aggravation of the intestinal, aid indeed all the symptoms of Podophyllum.
There are only two forms of diarrhea in which this medicine is
secondarily indicated. I allude to that form which accompanies
complete jaundice, and in which the evacuations are clay-colored
and offensive; and the diarrhcea which alternates with constipation,
in some chronic hepatic disorders. In these varieties it will be
found necessary to use the lower dilutions and triturations, while in
the former affections the middle and highest potencies will act
curatively. Dr. Jeanes has cured many cases of relaxed bowels,
when the stools were too frequent but natural, with the highest
attenuations of this remedy. Acute and chronic Colitis is a
disease which calls for the Podophyllum.  The symptoms of the
drug and disease bear a remarkable resemblance, as a comparison
will show. Dysentery is one of the diseases in which this medicine
has been found most useful. An abuse of this drug, and even its
moderate and careful use, in some cases, is sure to bring on symnptoms of acute dysentery. It is useful in chronic or acute dysentery, and in many cases will be found more beneficial in all the
stages, than any other agent. One peculiar feature of the Podophyllum-dysentery, is the almost invariable presence of prolapsus
ani, or a tendency thereto. I once attended two children, aged respectively three and six years, who had been dosed with Podophyllin
by an Eclectic. Dysentery was present in both patients, and also
prolapsus recti. The mucous membrane of the rectum was red,
inflamed and exquisitely sensitive.  Drs. Jeanes and Williamson
noticed similar pathogenetic effects. I cured the children with
Nux and Nitric acid. Many cases of prolapsus recti have been
cured with Podophyllin, even when of six years' standing, and
accompanied all that time with diarrhcea. Dr. Gatchell, gives the
indications for this remedy in dysentery, "commencing  with a
watery diarrhcea, terminates in a muco-sanguineous dysentery,
accompanied with sickness at the stomach. If the diarrhewa, which
preceded the dysentery, especially manifested itself early in the
morning, the case will be all the more appropriate." He advises six
drops of the tincture in six ounces of water, a teaspoonful at a
dose; which is to be repeated after each stool, until improvement
commences. This prescription will cure many cases of dysentery.
This remedy is chiefly indicated in the so-called bilious dysentery
in which the stools look like pea-soup, and consist of a yellowish'
greenish, or bloody mucus, having a disagreeable odor, and accomr




PODOPHYLLUM PELTATUM.                        341
panied with violent pains in the region of the colon, rectum and
anus; it causes and aggravates hemorrhoids, and severe tenesmus,
with prolapsus ani, especially in children; sometimes nausea and
vomiting go with -the above symptoms. The active principle, or
Podophyllin, at the third trituration, is often more effectual and
prompt in its action, than the tincture. Altogether, it is one of the
best remedies we possess for the cure of dysentery, enteritis, and
many other inflammatory diseases of the intestinal track. —I.)
Dr. G. also advises Leptandrin in typhoid dysentery, and mentions
that Dr. Morrow was very successful with it, in that formidable
form which appeared after the cholera of 1849. "-In the practice of
the writer, the second and third trituration, has often been used
successfully in low conditions occurring in dysentery, chronic
diarrhcea (especially the obstinate diarrhcea of soldiers), and in
typhoid fever."-Arner. Mag. Ioemr., vol. 1, p. 370. In Cholera
morbus, is sometimes treated very successfully by the use of Podophyllumn. It causes, in large doses, similar watery, flocculent discharges, very profuse and exhausting, accompanied with cramps in
the abdominal, and flexor muscles of the extremities. Ir this
respect it is the analogue of Elaterium, Jatropha, Euphorbia cor.,
Arsenic, and Veratrum. Asiatic Cholera, in some:of its phases,
ought to find a specific remedy in this medicine. So abundant are
the alvine evacuations of serum caused by Mandrake, that Eclectics
use it as a hydrogogue cathartic in cases of dropsy. In Cholera
Infacntum it was found by Dr. Jeanes and Williamson to be eminently useful. I have used it in a good many cases of this disorder,
as well as diarrhcea from teething, and nearly every intestinal
disease to which children are subject, and have found it as useful
as Mercury, Chamomilla, or Pulsatilla. In the bowel complaints of
children the practical physician is cognizaft of the colic with spasmodic retraction of the abdominal muscles, the spasmodic tenesmus, and tending to prolapsus ani; all strong indications for this
medicine. Hemorrhoidal affections are admirably under the control of Podophyllum. The specific affinity which this drug has for
the liver, portal system, and rectum, as shown in the pathogenesis,
enables it to cause hemorrhoids from  portal congestion, chronic
hepatic affections, and primary irritation, congestion, and even
inflammation of the veins and mucous membrane of the rectum.
It will be found useful in internal or external piles-for those which
bleed and those which do not. The sensations it causes in the
rectum, anus, and hemorrhoidal tumors are similar to the effects of
aloes, of which it is a congener.
Urinary Organs.-*Enuresis; *involuntary discharge of urine
during sleep; *frequent nocturnal urination during pregnancy,
(primary effects); pain in the region of the kidneys, followed by
flow of urine with calculi sediment; *diminished secretion of urine;
*suppression of urine; scanty urine, with frequent voidings,
(secondary effects).
CLINICAL REMAxrcs. —All the above symptoms are marked by
Dr. Williamson, as curative. They are also pathogenetic, as I propose
to show by Eclectic authority. I quote such testimony because it




348       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
may:throw some light on the action of Podophyllum on the urinary
apparatus..King says it has been found useful in "incontinence
of urine, and some affections of the bladder;" a very ambiguous
kind of testimony. Jones says it is almost specific in "incontinence of urine, and useful in some renal difficulties."  Dr. Coe,
writes, "' in the suppression and retention of urine, we have found
the Podophyllin of exceeding utility, as a radical remedy. We
remember one case in which the catheter had been used, on, an
average, twelve times in twenty-four hours, for four weeks, and
which was promptly and permanently relieved by. a single dose of
Podophyllin, rendering the further use of the catheter unnecessary.
In all derangements of the urinary apparatus, Podophyllin will be
found one of the -best alterative diuretics that can possibly be
employed. It operates not so much by increasing the flow of
urine as by restoring the secreting power of the kidneys. It is
very effectual in removing uric acid deposits, and corrects the diathesis. Frequently during its operation, considerable pain will be
felt in the region of the kidneys, followed by ajflow of urine
highly charged with calculous sediment. It possesses also diuretic
properties."  If this last observation is reliable, it would seem to
show that Podophyllin has some specific action upon the renal
organs.
Organs of Generation of Men. -Sticking pain above the pubes,
and in the course of the spermatic cords.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-The Podophyllin has seemed to produce
but few symptoms, nor has it been used in homceopathic practice in
any of the affections of these organ. In the eclectic school, however, it is used quite extensively for Syphilis, Gonorrhcea, Gleet,
acrnd diseases of the prostrate. We are left in doubt, however,
whether the medicine has any specific relation to those diseases, or
was used in a spirit of blind empiricism, and the maladies got
well in spite of the medication.
Organs of Generation of Women.-Retarded menstruation; suppression of the menses in young females, with bearing down in the
hypogastric and sacral regions, with pain from motion, which is
relieved by lying down; pain in the region of the ovaries, especially
in the right; after-pains, with strong bearing down; leucorrhcea;
discharge of thick, transparent mucus; leucorrhea, attended with
constipation and bearing down in the genital organs; prolapsus
uteri; symptoms of prolapsus uteri, continuing for several weeks.
after parturition, with rumbling of flatus in the region of the
ascending colon; symptoms of prolapsus -uteri, with pain in the
sacrum; flatulence unfrequent; muco-gelatinous stools.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-Besides the symptoms marked as curative and pathogenetic, above, Dr. Williamson and Jeanes have
cured the following: "Prolapsus uteri —many cases; numb, aching
pain in the region of the left ovary, with heat running down the
left thigh, in the third month of pregnancy; ability to lie comfortably only on the stomach in the earlier. months of pregnancy;
swelling of the labia during pregnancy; after-pains, attended with
flatulency." Other homceopathic practitioners have found the




PODOPHIYLLUM PELTATUM.                      349
Podophyllum useful in many of the diseases of women, especially
when involving the uterus and ovaries. It is still an unsolved
question in what way the medicine affects the uterus; in some
cases it would seem. to do so by its action on the bowels and
rectum, as is the case with: aloes. It is well known that any drug
which powerfully irritates the lower bowel will cause congestion
and even inflammation of the womb, by extension of effect through
contiguous tissues; thus, aloes may cause the above, as well as
uterine cramps, menorrhagia, prolapsus, etc. It is thought by
some that Podoph. has a similar action, but it would seem from
our proving, as well as numerous clinical cases reported, that the
medicine must have some direct action on the uterus and ovaries.
Prolapsucs Uteri et Vagina. —CAsE 1. —A  lady who had lately:
given birth to a still-born child, of large size, with a serious loss of
blood, and had, undoubtedly, the symptoms of a severe prolapsus
of the womb; Arnica was given a few days, followed by China and
Carbo veg.; these greatly increased the strength of the patient,
after which I gave Mercurius 3. four powders, and Podophyllin 3.
four powders, on alternate days. In four or five days she: was
completely cured. —-r. Prowell, Amer. MIag. Hom., vol. i. p. 70.
CASE 2.-A lady had been confined about four weeks previously, but
had been suffering ever since, with violent bearing-down pains in
the' region of the womb; intolerable pain in the back; great
degree of weakness; apthwe; and several scrofulous  swellings:
about the neck. On examination, I found a moderate degree of
prolapsus, swelling and induration of the os uteri, a profuse excoriating leucorrhcea, and great ardor urince. I gave, in this case,
Mercurius sol., and Podophyllin, in alternation daily, which relieved
in ten days the prolapsus, and reduced the os uteri to its normal
size. The apthae yielded at the same time, to a great extent, Belladonna, relieving this symptom; Sulphur, Sepia, and Mere. iod.,
removed the leucorrhcea, and swelling of the glands, in three weeks
time. The 3d attenuation was used. (Ibid). CASE 3.-Prolapsus
uteri, brought on by a violent strain, seven years ago; she was
emaciated from violent suffering, loss of appetite, cold and debilitating night sweats, violent burning in hypochondriac region,
extreme low spirits. Mere. viv. 3d removed the night sweats permanently; Podophyllin 3d removed the other symptoms, with the
prolapsus, and she remains cured-more than one year.'Induration of Os Uteri. —Dr. Gatchell mentions, incidentally,
that Dr. Brown, of Cincinnati, cured with a trituration of, Podophyllin, an induration of the os. which had resisted the efforts of
the distinguished Prof. Morrow, until he abandoned the case' in
despair. This remedy is used extensively by the eclectics in all
diseases of the liver; uterus, and in dysentery; diarrhaea, acute and
chronic; glandular enlargement; scrofulous and venereal diseases.
(Amer. Mag. Hom., vol. i. p. 63); According to some physicians,
Podophyllin is useful in swelling and inflammation of the ovaries;
its general specific action on the glandular system would lead us to
suspect it of the power of causing disease of those organs.  I once
fbund it beneficial in a case'of chronic ovaritis, with symptoms




350       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC. PROVINGS.
like those in the proving. It is also useful in many of the disorders of pregnant females, especially when caused by a congested
condition of the  pelvic viscera; the morning sickness, or excessive
vomiting of pregnant women, will often be relieved by this medicine.  Eclectic  physicians praise it highly in simple, recent
amenorrhaea, but they use it as the allopathist uses aloes, not homeopathically; in congestive amenorrhea, however, it is homaeopathic to the condition, and in minute doses will act curatively.
Larynx.-* Cough, accompanying remittent fever; * dry cough;
loose, hacking cough; *hoopihg cough, attended with costiveness and loss of appetite.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-All the above symptoms seem to be curative. We are left in doubt as to the power of Podophyllin in causing laryngeal affections. Dr. Coe states that he seldom employs
any other medicine in the treatment of croup, when called to treat
the disease in its incipient stages; but, he applies cold water to the
throat, and alcoholic baths, and then gives a "full dose" of Podophylin. This practice it is needless to say is needless torture, and
the children who escape such practice are lucky indeed. It is too
much like the allopathic treatment of croup with "full doses" of
Calomel and Castor oil.
Chest.-Pains in the chest, increased by taking a deep inspiration; snapping in the right lung, like breaking a thread, when
taking a deep inspiration; inclination to breathe deeply; sighing;
shortness of breath; sensation in the chest as if the heart was
ascending to the throat; sensation of suffocation when first lying
down at night; palpitation of the heart from exertion or mental
emotion; *palpitation of the heart with a clucking sensation rising
up to the throat, which obstructs respiration; sticking pain in the
region of the heart; * palpitation oif the heart, from physical
exertion, in persons subject to a rumbling in the ascending colon;
heavy sleep, and a feeling of fatigue on waking in the morning,
followed by drowsiness in the forenoon.
CLINICAL REMARK. —The first curative symptom  above was a
case reported by Dr. Ward. It is to be regretted that a physical
examination of the heart was not made, that we might know the
condition of that organ. Such omission is to be deprecated in all
clinical reports. The last heart-symptom is not marked with an
asterisk in the original pathogenesis. Dr. Hempel, however, placed
it in the Symptomen Codex, probably upon good authority, in fact,
the remark in parenthesis in the original, (" Jeanes' numerous
cases ") would seem to imply that he had cured that symptom in
numerous cases, although it might imply only that it had been
indicated as a pathogenetic symptom.  The condition  of the
heart which gave rise to those symptoms, needs elucidation; taking
the collateral symptoms into account, we should say. it was a
sympathetic derangement of that organ, from disease of the liver,
occurring in a debilitated subject. I do not imagine that the Podophyllum is capable of curing or causing any organic disease of the
heart. In pulmonary or pleuritic affections it does not seem to be
often indicat:ed,




POLYGONUM  IHYDROPIPER.                     351
Back. —-Pains in the small of the back when, walking or standing, with the sensation of the back bending inwards; pain in the
lumbar region, with the sensation of coldness, worse at night and
from  motion; pain in the loins, increased by a false step and
walking over uneven ground; pain between the shoulders, with
soreness, worse'at night and from  motion; pain under right
shoulder-blade; stiffness of the nape, with soreness of the muscles
of the neck and shoulders; pain in the nape, with soreness increased
by motion; pain between the shoulders in the morning.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —Upon a careful analysis of the above
symptoms, guided by Dr. Inman's treatise on Myalgia, I pronounce
them of a myalgic character, not rheumatic.  I do not consider
Podophyllin capable of causing or curing rheumatism, like Bryonia,
Colchicum, etc. It causes myalgia by its debilitating influence on
muscular fibre. The pain under right shoulder-blade may have
been from hepatic derangement.
ipper Extremities. * Rheumatism in the left forearm  and
fingers; weakness of the wrists, with soreness to the touch.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-My estimate of the sphere of action of
Podophyllum  would lead me to doubt if it cured a veritable
rheumatism of the left forearm  and fingers, inasmuch as Inman
proves that myalgia of the muscles of the arm is often mistaken
for that disease; the last symptom is purely myalgic.
Lower Extremities.-Pain and weakness in the left hip, like
rheumatism, from cold, increased by going up stairs; pains in the
thighs, legs, and knees, worse from  standing; weakness of the
joints, especially the knees; slight paralytic weakness of the left
side, of one years duration; cracking in the knee joints fromn
motion; heaviness and stiffness of the knees, as after along walk;
stiffness on beginning to move; aching of the limbs, worse at
night; pain in the left knee, leg, and foot; sharp pain in the outer
and upper portion of the left foot; coldness of the feet; pernpiration of the feet in the evening.
CLINICAL REMARK.s. -Here again, as above, I consider all the
above pains as myalgic, arising from  muscular debility. Dr.
Jeanes, reports the cure, in a girl eighteeen years of age, of " slight
paralytic weakness of the left side, of one years duration."
POLYGONUM HYDROPIPER.
(Smart-weed.)
This is a very common indigenous plant, known by the above
vulgar name, and also as Water pepper. It is found in rich, moist
ground, about barns,'stables, and out-houses, and along small water




352       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
courses, in most parts of the United States. It has but a slight
odor, and a pungent, acrid taste. It yields its medicinal properties
to water and alcohol.
GENERAL EFFECTS.
In allopathic works it is: generally classed as an Emrmenagogue,
but is said to be " diaphoretic, diuretic, stimulant, antiseptic,
rubefacient, and disciitient."  Probably no indigenous plant is in
such general, almost universal use, in domestic practice in the
country and city, and no remedy is so popular in a great variety
of complaints. It may be one of the many popular delusions, but
certain it is, that the remedy gives satisfaction to the patient in a
majority of cases. -In the country it is almost useless for the
homceopathic physician to attempt to prohibit the external use of
the Polygonum; and, as its. use is no more objectionable than Arnica
applications, and prevents officious friends from applying some
worse article, it may as well be permitted, and even advised, as a
fomentation in internal inflammations, spasms, pains, etc.
The green herb, bruised, and applied to the surface, acts
promptly as a rubefacient. Anti-septic properties have been assigned
to it, and from  the testimony in its favor, we doubt not it may
be advantageously  employed as a local  application for that
purpose. "It constitultes an important fomentation in hysteritis,
eystitis, nephrttis, peritonitis, pneumonitis, pleuritis, articular rheumatism, local pains, sprains, bruises, indolent and painful tumors,
etc., one of the best in use.' —(Eclectic MJ/at. Med..).
Dr. B. L. Hill, when an eclectic, reported a "protracted case of
epileptic fits entirely cured by the use- of the extract, made into
pills."  "In combination With Sulphate of Iron and Gum Myrrh,
it is said to have cured epilepsy-probably dependent on some
uterine derangement.i'-(King.) Which erned.  "The infusion, or a
fomentation of the leaves, has been beneficially applied in chronic
ulcers, hemorrhoidal tumors, also as a wash in chronic erysipelatous
inflammations and as a fomentation in tympanitis and flatulent
colic." -(lb.) It has quite a reputation as an external application
in poisoning by the different varieties of Rhus.
Dr. Small informs me that a proving of this remedy Was once
made by himself, aided by some of the students of the Philadelphia
Homceopathic College, when he was Professor in that institution.
The records of that proving, are, however, unfortunately lost. He
states that its general sphere of action is quite similar to that of
Pulsatilla. It acts upon the mucous membranes, skin, and sensory
nerves; It has a great reputation in acute catarrhal affections, to
which it appears to be homceopathici also to some rheumatic
disorders. We append to this notice of the Polygonum, Dr.
Joslin's fragmentary provings. We shall not-arrange the symp.
toms, nor attempt any clinical observations, except as relates to the
Sexual Organs of Women.-D)rs. Tully, Eberle, Wood, and others,
class it among the emmenagogues. Dr. Eberle states that it causes
the following symptoms:-" Warmth, and a peculiar tingling sensation throughout the  whole system; in most instances  slight




POLYGONUIM  HYDROPIPER.                     353
aching pains in the hips and loins; a sense of weight and tension
within the pelvis."  He states that he has used it in about twenty
cases of amenorrhcea, and says:-' I can affirm that with no other
remedy or mode of treatment have I been so successful as with
this. I have seldom. found it necessary to continue its use for nmore
than six or seven days, before its emmenagogue powers were manifested."'He says that those to whom he recommended it, found it
effectual. He used it in the form of a saturated tincture, in doses,
of a teaspoonful three times a day. The warm infusion is used
successfully in domestic practice-a wine glassfull every few hours.
I have known this simple treatment to prove effectual after all the
usual remedies failed. 
FRAGMENTARY PROVINGS OF POLYGONUM HYDROPIPER, BY DR, B. F.
JOSLIN, OF NEW YORK.
FIRST'PROVING.-A specimen was collected September 12th,
1854.-A heavy rain a few days before had washed the leaves. The
earth in the vicinity had not yet become dry, so that no dust had
since fallen on the leaves. The weather and' time of day were
favorable, all dew having been removed by the sun shining in a
clear sky. The flowering season of the plant had commenced.
At noon, immediately after collecting the specimen, a leaf was
thoroughly masticated and' wallowed; the taste pungent, like that
of black pepper.
SYMPTOM 1. —At 12.30 P. M., momentary pain in the right
frontal protuberance, and instantly afterwards in the right occipital
protuberance, after half an hour. In the afternoon of the same
day, two dozen of the leaves were thorougly bruised in a clean
agate mortar, and not being sufficiently succulent to allow of the
expression of juice, the mass was put into a vial with alcohol, reduced
by water to about fifty per cent. At ten in the evening eat another
leaf.
2. —September 13th. —Intolerable itching at the left shin, a little
above the ankle, in the morning at six o'clock.
3.-Severe aching at the fore part. of the left tibia, about four
inches below the knee, from one till two o'clock, P. M.
4.-Aching in the left shoulder, when recumbent, about 11 P.
M., soon after going to bed.
SECOND PROVING.-On the 7th day of May, 1856, I decanted a
second time a second sample of the tincture, from a specimen collected September 16th, 1854, and prepared in a similar manner.
At 1.30 P. M. agitated one drop of this tincture with half an ounce
of water, and took it at once.
1.-At 1.40 r. M., painful pressure on the palmar-radial side of
the right fore-arm, an inch and a half above the wrist, at -the spot
where the radial artery is distinctly felt, lasting seven minutes,
commencing ten minutes after the dose.
2. —IDiy cough in the night, excited by titillation in the upperanterior, part of the chest, with a dry sensation in the larynx when
coughing, after about twelve hours. May 8th.-At 1 P. M.. put one
drop of the tincture, Polyg., in one gill of water, and after agitating
it several times, occupied a minute in sipping it.
45




354    NEW HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
3.-Sensation of heat in the mouth and throat within the first
quarter of an hour, commencing at the tip of the tongue and
extending to much of the mouth, then to the throat at the right
upper part.
4.-Cough excited by a pricking, tickling sensation, behind the
upper part of the sternum, at 1.30 P. x,; i. e., after forty minutes.
5. —May 9th and 10th.-Pain pressive and remittent, for two
~consecutive evenings, at the anterior-inner surface of the head of
the left tibia.
6.-On thej 9th, in the evening, the interior of the anus was
studded with itching eminences, as from corrugation without contraction —a kind of hemorrhoidal tumor; they disappeared within
two days.
The above is an exact copy of records made at the time of the
provings. Short as they are, I call them two' because the latter
was made after such an interval as precludes the possibility of
continuance of action.
NOTE.-It would seem homeeopathio to hemorrhoids.
RUMEX CRISPUS.
(Yellow Dock.)
This plant is a native of Europe, though naturalized in this
country.  It follows closely the match of emigration, and even
precedes it, so thAt it may almost be looked upon as belonging to
the class of indigenous plants. It grows in fields, gardens, and
waste places, and is so well known that it needs no accurate description. The root which is the officinal portion, is large, spindleshaped and yellow; it has but little odor, and a bitter and astringent taste., It yields its medicinal properties to boiling water
and alcohol. This is one of four species of dock used in this
country in medicine, but of the others we have no provings or
clinical experience. To the late lamented B. F. Joslin, M. D., of
New York, the profession owe the valuable and accurate provings
of this medicine. He first called the attention of the profession
to it in the first and second volumes of the Philad. Jour., of Hornm.,
afterwards in other Journals, and finally in the American Hom.
Review, in which he published the " verified symptoms ot Rumex
Crispus."?  The original provings and clinical contributions, were
made by some of the best men in our schools, namely Drs. Joslin
Sr. and Jr., Bowers, Bayard, Kellogg, IIoughton, Payne, Rhees,
and others. We may implicitly rely upon the accuracy of their
observations. I cannot omit in this place to render my tribute
of respect and reverence for the genius, virtues, and sterling




RUMEX  CRISPUS.                       855
qualities of Dr. B. F. Joslin. He was one of those representative
men of our profession and school, ranking'with Hartmann, Hempels
Neidhard and a few others whose "mighty footsteps' will
"E:chlo down the Corridors of Time."
Among his many excellent qualities, the most to be admired were
his industry, honesty, and consistency. In the domain of Materia
Medica and Therapeutics, no man has done more in this country.
He has given us some exact and reliable provings, and a volume
on "Epidemic Cholera," which is one of the finest monographs ever
published in our school. He was rigorously honest in that' he
allowed no prejudice to sway his judgment, but examined carefully
the testimony relating -to drugs, fiom any and all sources, selecting
the reliable, no matter from  what source it emanated, or how
obtained. He also recorded his observations with that truthfulness
and candor which commands our highest regard. Although a
staunch champion for the " high potencies,"., he did not allow his
enthusiasm  to  degenerate into bigotry, or his preference into
prejudice. He was thoroughly consistent, always relying upon the
higher dilutions, even in Cholera, and his success in their cure was
something astonishing, but probably owing to his carefulness in
selecting his remedies. We can admire such a man, as much as
we can despise others, who, constantly harping upon the highest
potencies, habitually resort to the lower, and'even cruder drugs.
For myself, who allow the largest lattitude, I can sincerely respect
the consistency of a Joslin, even though I cannot adopt his practice
altogether. According to Dr. Joslin's "verified symptoms," and
clinical experience, the Rumex c., is closely analogous to Sulphur
Phosphorus, Causticurn, Calc., MIercurius, and Spongia. In fact
it has many symptoms which are to be found in the pathogenesis of
these remedies. This may partly be accounted for by a fact too little
heeded by our school; namely, that the chemical analogue of a plant
is some clue to its pathogenetic effects.  Rumex c.', contains,
besides starch, mucilage, lignin, etc., Sulphur, and various salts,
among which are the phosphate of lime. Here we have three of
our best remedies represented indirectly in the yellow-dock; namely,
Calcarea, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. Its use in the old school, for
diseases of the skin, and other obstinate affections, all of which are
covered by the symptoms of the medicines above named, and its
undoubted success, should have led us, without any proving, to
decide nearly the sphere of action of this plant. The following
provings, however, show its real properties, and proves the reliableness of the above assertion. The provings were made with the
mother tincture, lower and higher dilutions; the thirtieth causing the same or similar symptoms, that were aroused by the crude
tincture.
GENERAL EFFECTS.-Allopathists have decreed the Rumex c.,
to be alterative, tonic, astringent and discutient. In the first
volume of the Philad. Jour. of Homceopathy, Dr. Joslin comments
on the Allopathic use and statements concerning this medicine.
As it would be improper to copy his remarks entire I would refer
the reader to that article (page 289). He remarks:-" Its only




356    NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
definite and well-ascertained property was its power of curing itch,
when administered ifiternally and applied externally. This was as
well known to the laity as to the profession."  He goes on to say
that the Allopathist compounds the medical properties of the difp
ferent varieties of Rumex, and would have us consider their effects
nearly the same. Ignoring as they do the necessity of proving
each drug, in order to ascertain its true action, they grope in the
dark.  They reverse the true order of investigation.  " But
these" he remarks "are not specially the faults of the professor
(Wood); they are almost inseparable from. the school."  Dyr.'Wood remarks:  "We have placed together the three officinal
species of dock (i. e. R., aguaticus, R. brittanica and R. obtusifolius),"
because their virtues are so nearly alike that a separate consideration would lead to unnecessary repetition. All the otherspecies may
be used'indiscriminately with those which are considered 6fficinal.
The medical properties of dock root are those of an astringent
and mild tonic. It is also supposed to possess an alterative property
which renders it useful in scorbutic disorders, and cutaneous
eruptions, particularly the itch. It is said to have been useful in
scrofula and syphilis. The roots of some species unite a laxative,
with the tonic and astringent property, resembling rhubarb, somewhat, in their operation."  (Wood.)  " Dr. Payne, in his judicious
compend of the Allopathic Materia Mledica, comes to the conclusion, that Rumex is similar but inferior to Rhubarb. Our school;
after a comparison of the provings, would consider the difference
to be more qualitative than quantitative."  ([odine).
The eclectic school estimate the docks more highly than their
Allopathic brethren. Jones and Scudder in their Materia Medica
say:-'"The dock appears to exert its silent alteratve action upon
the constitution in many chronic cutaneous eruptions, as scabies,
the different forms of herpes, etc.; syphilis, when it, has assumed a
constitutional form, attended with an ulceration of the  fauces,
eruption or ulceration upon the surface, also in mercurio-syphilitic
disorders, mercurial cachexy, cancerous tumors or ulcers, scrofulawhether manifested by a general depravation of the  system,
enlarged glands, or foul and indolent ulcers-or in any other form
of ulcer, especially if dependent upon any constitutional taint. In
caries, necrosis or other morbid conditions of the osseous system, in
scurvy or scorbutic affections, and in numerous other abnormal
states, its resolvent, depurative and detergent qualities, render it an
excellent auxiliary and corroborant, all the agents desired under
this class (alteratives) are either associated or alternated with
other remedies and not relied upon as individual curative agents."
This last sentence contains the elements of all the errors of
Allopathic therapeutics. They mix a number of drugs together,
and then affirm certain curative properties of one of these, because
the compound seemed to cure. It is in this manner that the estimate of Rumex quoted above is made up. It is generally given in
combination with Stillingia, Iodide of Potash, or some other drug.
N early all the curative effects above named may be due to the latter
medicines. It is also recommended for " dyspepsia, debilitated




RUMEX   CRISPUS.                      357
states of the intestinal canal, diarrhcea, and dysentery."  I Dr. J.
Williams. says: —" Boiled in milk, and taken in hematemesis, it is
an infallible remedy.' It is said to be useful as a wash or gargle
in spongy states of the gums, ulceration of the mouth, throat, etc.
Howmuch of value there may be in the above statements, will be
shown by the proving.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS.-General languor; general pulsation or
throbbing through the body; sensitiveness to the open air in cold
weather, or fo the cold.
CHARACTERISTICS.-Locality  and  character. —The  left chest
has' more verified symptoms than any other region; they are
generally sharp pains. The) other regions which afford a considerable, and nearly  equal number of symptoms, as compared
with each other, are the head, stomach, abdomen, and inferior
extremities. The symptoms of the head.are, generally, dull pains
in the fiontal region. The symptoms generally appear to be either
in a mucous membrane, or in a muscular locality, and to be about
equally numerous in both. I leave' it for others to decide whether
the latter are neuralgic. They present about the same number as
the former. (Joslin.) Conditions. —Headacbe, worse on movement;
sensation of weight of a hard substance in the stomach, or pit of
the stomach after a meal; liquid  diarrhcea, evacuations in the
morning; pain in the chest when in bed at night; unquiet sleep,
with dreams of danger or trouble, early in the morning; itching
of the skin, worse on uncovering, and exposing it to the air,
especially on going to bed in the evening, or at night.  (Joslin.)
The above careful remarks by the astute observer, Dr. Joslin,
are very valuable, and quite practical.
Skin.-Itching in various parts of the body, either in this order:
left portion of the back, left ear, left shoulder, and left loin, or else
principally on the lower extremities. On various, parts a stinging,
itching, or pricking itching; itching on the shoulder in the evening,
with itching in the lumbar or dorsal region; itching on the body,
principally on the lower extremities; itching of the skin when
uncovered and exposed to the air; eruption on the limbs, first perceived in'the evening; itching of the vesicles on undressing in the
evening to go to bed; an itching rash, in which numerous small red
pimples are developed; the eruption itching in the evening, and
worse on exposure to the air.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —For the allopathic use of Rumex, in skin
diseases, see " General Effects."  No clinical records of cures of
skin diseases, treated with Rumex, have yet appeared in our school,
but Dr. H. M. Payne, while experimenting with Rumex, got the
following notable symptoms fiom the crude tincture: " While undressing and for some time after, considerable itching qof the surface
of the lower extremities.'"  This occurred several nights, when he
says:-" There is no appearance of an eruption until after irritating
the skin by sdratching, and then rather a. diffused redness, which
soon disappears. Frequent scratching of the surface has produced
a number of little sores, (which, however, readily heal,) on the calves
of the legs, and about the knees, especially the posterior surfaces;




358      PNEW   HOM(EOPATIICO  PROVINGS.
the rash is not usually troublesome until after the surface is exposed
to the air while undressing at night, or on getting up in the morning; the warmth of the bed soon relieves the itching."  (The
contrary occurs in most cases of skin diseases, the itch especially;
also in the provings of Mercurius, the opposite obtains.) Many
persons are troubled with a peculiar irritability of the skin, like
the condition above described. Exposure to air, working in water,
scratching, wearing flannel or new cloth, will get up considerable
irritation, and even cause erythematous and other eruptions. In
such cases the Rumex will probably form an admirable remedy. I
would also suggest its persevering use in those eruptions which
seem constitutional, and which,.when suppressed, or not appearing
upon the surface, are replaced by cough, hoarseness, and other lung
symptoms. May not the peculiar irritation which Rumex causes
in the bronchial mucous membrane be analogous to the condition
of the skin noted above? The remarks of Dr. C. Dunham are
pertinent to this suggestion. They will be found under the head
of " chest."
Sleep.-Great propensity to sleep in the evening before the
proper time; unquiet sleep at night; restless and uncomfortable in
the bed at night; unquiet sleep, with drcams of danger and trouble
early in the morning; dream of theft or burglary; an unpleasant
dream in the morning between five and six o'clock, just before
waking; unquiet dreamy sleep, followed by headlache, and bitter
taste on waking in the morning.
Fever.-Heat and other symptoms of fever in the morning,
preceded by restlessness at night; increased frequency of pulse;
sensation of heat, followed by that of cold without shivering.
Head.-Sensation  of fulness in the head;  headache after
awaking in the morning, preceded by a disagreeable dream; headache worse by motion; dull pain in the head, between the time
of waking and breakfast, preceded by a disagreeable dream  in
the morning; dull pain  in the head in the forenoon, commencing at 10 o'clock; dull pain in the forehead; frontal headache
on awaking in the morning; pain over the right eyebrow; pain on
the right side of the forehead in the region of causality; pain in
the left temple; darting pain, or sharp, piercing pain in the left
side of the head, for half an hour or less; dull aching pain in the
occiput.
Eyes. —Sore feeling in the eyes, without any external signs of
inflammation.
Ears.-Ringing in the ears; itching in the ears; sensation as if
the ears were obstructed; constant roaring in'the ears, not relieved
by pressing the fingers into the ears.
Nose.-Obstruction of the nose; fluent coryza, attended with
painful irritation in nostril and sneezing; epistaxis; mucus discharge from posterior nares; violent and rapid sneezing; sensation
of great dryness in the nose, day and night; feeling of dryness in
the, posterior nares.
Face.-Sensation of heat in the cheeks, within the first hour;




RUMEX   CRISPUS.                        359
heat and redness of the face in the evening; heat and redness in
the face with dull headache in the evening.
Teeth.-Toothache with aching in the head; grumbling, stinging
toothache in  right superior molars, while riding in cold wind,
attended with dull aching in forehead..Mouth. —Sensation as from  a burn or scald on the tongue;
sensation of excoriation, or slight stinging, at edge of tongue;
flow of saliva within first hour; dryness of the mouth and tongne
at night.
Throat.-Sensation of excoriation in the throat; sore feeling in
the throat on swallowing in the forenoon; sensation as of a lump
in the throat, not relieved by hawking and swallowing; raw feeling
in throat, with secretion of phlegm; mucous secreted in upper part
of throat; aching sensation in the throat, as if a lump were sticking
fast in the cesophagus, aching in the pharynx, with collection of
tough mucus in the fauces.
Gastric Symptoms.-Awoke with bitter taste in the mouth in
morning; flatulency after meals; heaviness, or a sensation of hard
substance in the stomach or epigastrium soon after a meal; after a
meal has a sensation of weight in the stomach, like that produced
by the presence of undigested food in it (the first symptoms in
two provers, with the tincture*). Tasteless eructations; sensation
of fullness or distension in the stomach or scrobiculous cordis, with
eructations on going to bed or in evening; nausea in the morning
and forenoon, also in the evening; nausea with eructations; nausea
either with a sensation of fullness in the abdomen, as if diarrhaea
were forming, or else with moving in the intestines as from  a
cathartic; sharp pain in the pit of the stomach, either worse on
movement, or occurring while riding out in the open air; stitching,
then cutting pain in stomach.
CLINICAL REMARKS. -It has been used with alleged success in
dyspepsia. Many of the above symptoms would seem to indicate
its applicability in some forms of gastric derangement. Dr. Joslin
reports the following cases in the "Review:"-" A  young lady
complained of shootings from the pit of the stomach  into the
chest in various directions; sharp pains in left chest; dull aching
in the forehead and slight nausea; ordered her to take Rumex
thirtieth, morning and evening. She called the next day; all her
symptoms had been removed by a single dose, and her appetite,
which had been defective, improved; having eaten an unusually
full dinner, there is a partial return of the shootings; gave Rumex
thirtieth, evening and morning; there was no further complaint."'A
lady about fifty years of age, who had suffered about three weeks
with pain in the pit of the stomach, aching in the left chest,
flatulence, eructations, pressure and distention in the stomach after
meals; was permanently cured of these dyspeptic symptoms in
two or three hours by one dose of Rumex, two hundredth."-" A
* "Dr. Payne, who experienced this symptom several times, adds, that this sensation of
weight,In the stomach, was accompanied with a pressing sensation as far upward as the throat
pit; it descends towards the stomach upon every empty deglutiIli.n, but immediately returned.
har e clinical conatrmati-a of this, as well as the symptoms of the text."-(Joslin.)




360       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
younag lady has a sensation of fulness and pressure in the pit of the
stomach, extending up towards and to the throat, and afterwards
carried down again towards the stomach when she swallows, and
then rising again to the throat. This curious alternation has been
observed in the proving of Rumex. She was cured by Rumex two
hundredth." "A gentleman, not accustomed to the use of tea, took
a cup of it, very weak, of the'black kind; then followed aching in
the pit of the stomach and aching and shooting above it in the
chest, at, and especially on each side of the lower end of the
sternum.  These symptoms were removed in a few minutes by
one dose of the Rumex, thirtieth."
IHypochondrium.-Pain in the hopochondrium in the afternoon,
after dinner; worse on movement, or occurring while walking;
hypochondrium pained by coughing, rapid walking, or deep inspiration.
Abdomen.-Dull *pain in the abdomen in day time, continuing
two hours; pain in the abdomen in the night; pain in the abomen
in the morning; pain in the abdomen in the morning in bed;
protuberance or hardness, or else sensation of  fulness in the
abdomen; rumbling in the bowels, or much flatus moving obout in
them; pain in the abdomen, occurring or increasing during deep
inspiration; moving in the intestines; flatulent colic near the
umbilicus soon after a meal, mitigated by discharge of flatus;
emissions of flatus in the morning; pain in the umbilical region,
with eructation, soon followed by pain over eyebrow; pain in
the abdomen, in the morning, followed by an evacuation of the
bowels; griping pain in the bowels below the umbilicus, which is
partially relieved by the discharge of very offensive flatus, after
breakfast; sensation in the bowels as if diarrhcea would ensue.
(See clinical remarks under "stool.")
-Stool and Anus. —Dark-colored fieces; stool brown, or else
black; constipation, or else scanty feeces; sensation in the bowels
as if a diarrhceaic evacuation would ensue, the sensation passing off
without subsequent evacuation; liquid diarhceaic stool in the morning; diarrhceaic stool in the morning, preceded by eructations;
diarrhmaic stool in the morning preceded by pain.in the abdonen;
sensation as if from pressure of a stick in the rectum;- itching in the
anus; discharge of offensive flatus,
-CLINICAL REMARBKS.-It is considered by allopathists, as similar
in its action to, Rhubarb, and has been used by that school in
diarrhmea and dysentery. It is hommeopathic to some forms of
intestinal disorder. Dr. A. E. Small informs me that at-one time
he found it very useful in the bowel complaints of children. Dr. C.
Dunham, writes (Am. Hom, Review, vol. ii, p. 533); "I have noticed
in one case the cessation of a brown, watery diarrhoea after the
administration of: Rumex. A boy of five years, had brown, watery
diarrhcea, chiefly in the morning, having five stools from 5 to 9 A.
r., attended with moderate griping pain in the lower part of the
abdomen; this continued several days, notwithstanding two prescriptions which I made for it. Observing that the boy had a
cough, which presented the characteristic features of the rumex




RUMEX  CRISPUS.                      361
cough, I gave that remedy, and both diarrhcea and cough were
speedily cured."  A writer, (" I") in the Hom. Review, reports two
cases. "A lady about the turn of life, had diarrhoca in the morning,
four evacuations, between 6 and 10 A. Mr.; faeces very thin; evacutions painless; nausea on movement in the night, preceding the
evacuations; mouth dry, tongue slightly coated yellow.; the day
previous had dull pain on the right side of the sternum; sharp
pain on the left. Gave Rumex 30th., in solution, once in three hours.
The next day all the symptoms were removed.'"-".Diarrhea in
the morning with cough —a lady about fifty years of age, has had
diarrhea every morning for four days; the evacuations, profuse,
offensive, and thin, and have even become watery; she is also
suffering from a cough, excited by a sensation of tickling in the
throat-pit. It is usually dry, but when expectoration takes place,
this is tasteless; the cough shocks the stomach, and is attended
with a sensation of excoriation in the chest; it keeps her awake at
night. Rumex 30th., every four hours, on 30th of March, in the evening the cough was immediately and decidedly improved, so that she
slept all night. Next morning she awoke with the most severe headache she had ever suffered; it was a continuous aching in the temples,
forehead and eyebrows, and lasted all the morning; the cough and
diarrhcea were removed without any other medicines. All the above
symptoms, except the fRetor of the fbeces, have been observed as
pathogenetic of Rumex."
Urinary Organs, etc. —Urine extremely pale, or colorless; very
sudden and urgent desire to urinate; copious discharge of colorless
urine in- afternoon; complete loss of sexual desire for several days.
Larynx.-Pain in thelarynx; in the second prover in a few
minutes, and the first rumex symptom  in six years; tenacious
mucus in the throat or larynx, detached and removed by an
expiratory effort, or attended with a constant desire to hawk and
raise it; in the first prover it was the first symptom in the second
proving, five years after the first; much mucus in the bronchi, or in
the larynx; expectoration made by coughing and hawking,.or
attempted by hawking, worse at night; scraping and tenacious
mucus in the throat, or else much tough mucus in the larynx,
with a constant desire to hawk and raise it, but without relief;
cough excited by tickling or irritation behind the sternum; cough
excited by irritation in the chest; cough, attended with pain in the
head.  Sudden change of voice at the same hour on consecutive days;- the first and second of the proving, it becomes suddenly hoarse at eleven at night, or else rose several notes in
pitch at two in the afternoon.
CLINICAL  REMARKS. —The Rumex c. seems to have'a specific
affinity for the laryngeal and bronchial mucous membrane; the
recorded clinical experience with this remedy is quite extensive.
Dr. C. Dunham  makes some valuable observations concerning its
therapeutical properties. I copy a portion of his article (see Amer.
Hom. Review, vol. ii., p. 530): "I have used the Rumex chiefly in
acute catarrhal affections of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. In
these cases it seems to me to present a close analogy in its, action to
46




362       NEW   HOMChEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
Belladonna, Lachesis, Phosphorus and Causticum. Without assuming to present an exhaustive analysis of the action of Rumex on the
respiratory organs, I proceed to state the indications for its use to
which my studies of it, thus far have led me. Rumex diminishes
the secretions, and at the same time exalts in a very marked manner, the sensibility of the mucous membrane of the larynx and
trachea, exceeding in the extent of this exaltation, any remedy
known to us. The cough, therefore, is frequent and continuous, to
an extent quite out of proportion to the degree of organic affection
of the mucous membrane. It is dry, occurs in long paroxysms, or,
under certain circumstances, is almost uninterrupted. It is induced
or greatly aggravated by any irregularity of respiration, such as an
inspiration a little deeper or more rapid than usual; by an inspiration of air a little colder than that previously inhaled; by irregularity of respiration, and motion of the larynx and trachea, such as
are involved in the act of speech;and by external pressure upon the
trachea, in the region of the supra-sternal fossa."  The subjective
symptoms, are, rawness and soreness in the trachea, extending a
short distance below the supra-sternal fossa, and laterally into the
bronchi, chiefly the left; and tickling in the suprla-sternal fossa, and
behind the sternum, provoking the cough; this tickling is very
annoying and very persistent, and is often but momentarily, and
sometimes only partially, relieved by coughing. The cough occurs
chiefly, or is much worse, in the evening after retiring, and at the
time the membrane of the trachea is particularly sensitive to cold
air, and to anyirregularity in the flow of air over its surface; so that
the patient often covers the head with the bed clothes to avoid the
cold air of the apartment, and refuses to speak, or even listen to
conversation, lest his attention should be withdrawn from  the
supervision of his respiratory acts, which he performs with the
most careful uniformity and deliberation, and all in the hope of
preventing the distressing tickling and the harrassing cough which
would ensue from a neglect of these precautions. I have frequently
witnessed this state of things during -the last three years, and have
invariably given prompt relief with Rumex. In the group of remedies in which I have placed Rumex (along with Bell., Lach.,
Phos., Caust.), it stands pre-eminent in respect to the extreme
sensibility of the tracheal mucous membrane. All of these remedies
produce symptoms identical in kind: the characteristic of each is to
be found in the relative degree in which each symptom is pronounced in the different remedies, quite as much as in the possession
by any one of them of symptoms not produced by the others. Thus,
Belladonna, Lachesis, and Rumex produce each, a dry cough,
induced by tickling in the larynx or trachea, and provoked by deep
inspiration, by speaking, and by external pressure on the larynx or
trachea.  The cough of each is spasmodic and long continued,
and is worse at night after retiring; but, apart from the
fact that Belladonna and Lachesis act more upon the lower
part of the trachea, we observe that, in the case of Lachesis,
the slightest  external pressure  on the  larynx  or  trachea
produces violent and long-continued, spasmodic cough; the




RUMEX  CRISPUS.                       363
patient cannot endure the least constriction in that region, not even
the ordinary contact of his clothing. There is, moreover, a sense of
fiulness in the trachea and a very painful aching in the whole extent
of the-os hyodes. In the case of Belladonna not only is cough produced to a moderate extent by pressing upon the larynx, but soreness and pain are experienced with a sense of internal fulness and
soreness which at once suggests the presence of Acute Laryngitis
sub-mucosa. In Rumex, on the other hand, there is no sensibility,
strictly speaking, of the trachea, but simply such an instability of
the mucous membrane that cough is produced by the change of position induced in that membrane by external pressure on the trachea.
As regards the extent and intensity of this symptom, Rumex holds
a lower rank than the other remedies named. But the irritability
of mucous membrane by virtue of which cough is induced by hurried
or deep inspiration, or by speaking, while it is common to Bell.,
Lach., Rumex, and Phosphorus is produced in the most exalted
degree, as we have already seen, by Rumex, which, as regards this
symptom, takes first rank. A sensation of rawness or roughness in
the larynx, trachea and bronchia is produced by each of the four
remedies above named, but the locality and the degree in which it
is produced, vary in such a manner as to serve in some measure as a characteristic of each.  It is most marked in Phosphorus and Belladonna, less prominent in Rumex, and least of all
in Lachesis. In Belladonna and Lachesis it is most marked in the
larynx; indeed it is almost confined to that region. Rumex produces it in the trachea and upper part of the bronchia, while
Phosphorus induces it in the whole mucous tract, from the larynx
to the  smaller bronchia, and bronchi; and, moreover, in the
Phosphorus proving this'rawness'  of the  air passages is
accompanied by a no less characteristic  sense of weight and
constriction across the upper part of the thorax, which indicates an affection of the finer air tubes, and of the air vesicles, of
such a character as seriously to impede the function of respiration. In considering this last symptom we must mention Causticumr  also, which  produces'rawness,' extending  the  whole
length of the sternum. All five remedies, again, produce hoarseness: Phosphorus, Causticum, and Belladonna most eminently,
Rtumex less decidedly, and Lachesis in a still less degree.-As
regards complications, Belladonna and Lachesis apply especially
to those which involve the fauces and pharynx, and are acutethe one of a sthenic, the other of an asthenic character:-Phosphorus, those of the pulmonary tisques of a definite inflammatory character; and, Rumex, to certain affections of the lungs
and their envelopes of which their nature is not clearly defined in
the proving. They are indicated by pairs, generally sub-acute, in
the upper part of the lung, near the clavicle and axilla, and more
frequent in the left than in the right lung. The following case from
my clinical record will illustrate the character of the Rumex
cough. M., aged twenty-two of feeble constitution, strumous, subject
for several years to sub-acute rheumatism, has had a severe cold
for several days, and is now confined to the bed. The pulse is




364       NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
quick, not hard, one hundred and ten, skin moderately hot and dry;
face somewhat flushed; respiration embarrased, not so much by
any constriction of the chest as by the violent and long-continued cough, which follows any attempt to make a full inspiration. A physical examination of the chest reveals no abnormal
condition. The patient complains of roughness and soreness in the
lower part of the trachea, and behind the upper third of the
sternum, much more perceptible when she ~coughs.  The cough
is dry, slightly hoarse, very violent and fatiguing to the patient.
It is provoked by a tickling in the supra-sternal fossa-is
induced by pressure on the trachea in that region, and especially
by talking, and by deep inspiration or by the inspiration of cool
air. This irritability of the trachea increases very  markably
after 7 P. Mr., so that' the patient suffers exceedingly from the
constant tickling and violent cough. Can prevent them only by
respiring with very great caution and, deliberation, by avoid
ing all distractions of speech and conversation, and finally, she
draws the bed clothes over the head in order to avoid inhaling
the cool air of the chamber. This patient states that she has fiequently had such coughs as this, and they have proved very
obstinate, although under skilful homceopathic treatment. I gave
Rumex 12th in solution, a teaspoonful every two hours. After
the second dose there was complete relief. The next evening
a very slight disposition to cough. No further symptoms. I supplied the patient with Rumex 30th, and advised her to use it at once
on the occurrence of: such a cough, and I am informed that
she always succeeded in  subduing the: cough within twelve
hours.: The following cases in the practice of Dr. P. P. Wells,
of Brooklyn, were communicated in a letter to Dr. Joslin, some
years since. We regret that these are the only cases of Dr.
W.'s that we can at present report, but hope at some future
time we shall be able to publish more, as the doctor's experience with this remedy has been very satisfactory. Mrs.-,
had been subject to eight miscarriages, all in the early stage
of pregnancy, which in each case was early attended with dry,
shaking, spasmodic cough, in  paroxysms of great  violence,
which was regarded by herself and fiiends as instrumental in
producing the abortions. At the beginning of the ninth pregnancy she came to Brooklyn to be under homceopathic treatment. She had her cough, which was very dry, harsh, loud,
shaking, worse at night, preventing sleep, excited instantly by
pressure on the trachea. The cough was relieved promptly
by Rumex crispus, 30th.  The following marked and rather
important group of symptoms were relieved promptly, in the
treatment of the case of our friend D., by Rumex 200th., Lehrman's preparation.  Thinking a knowledge of the fact might
interest you, to whom  we are indebted. for our knowledge of
this interesting drug, I send it. The cough begins with tickling
behind the top of the sternum, and sometimes in paroxyms of
five to ten minutes duration. Trachea sore to outward pressure;
feels excoriated through its whole extent, as do also the whole




RUMEX  CRISPUS.                      365
fauces; cough excited by pressure on throat pit; cough is violent,
with scanty, difficult expectoration; shocks the head and chest,
as if the head would fly in pieces, and he feels as if he
might raise blood at any minute. He is greatly exhausted after
the paroxysms of coughing; head aches during the cough.
You have the group above in the order as written down for
me by his brother, and upon which I prescribed the medicine, which was followed by the happiest results.  Dr. J. M.
Rhees, reports several cases of Aphonia: one of three months
standing; with sore throat- during deglutition; posterior surface
of pharynx irritated and in places excoriated, edges of soft
palate and uvula red and somewhat swollen, and covered with
an eruption of minute red pimples; slight hacking cough
produced  by  a tickling  in larynx  and' upper part of trachea. Under Carbo veg., Caust., and Mere. she grew worse;
her cough became almost constant; tickling at the root of the
tongue; 1tyos. and Rhus. were given, but gave no relief. Runmex
6th was then given, and she commenced to improve the day after.
On the third day her cough was much better, and the pharynx
looked almost natural.  The eruption on the palate had almost
disappeared, but, there was still some redness on the edges, Rumex
6th as before, cured.  Dr. B. F. Joslin, in the first Vol of
Pthilad. Jou. of IHom.,reported eleven cases of cough, cured with
the 30th dilution of Rumex c. I give a brief abstract of the
cases:- Case 1. Dry cough; tickling in the throat pit; excoriation
in larynx and behind the upper portion of the sternum; cough
worse on working; pain in chest..Rumex 30th cured the case;
three doses only were given. The cough had lasted several weeks
before the Rumex was prescribed.  Case 2. Fluent coryza, with
cough excited by tickling in the throat pit; sensation of excoriation
behind the upper part of the sternum while coughing; Rumex
30th, morning  and evening.  Cured promptly.  Case 3. A
lady: of highly nervous temperament, had confusion of the head;
hoarseness in the evening; cough; excoriation behind the whole of
the sternum  on coughing, and inspiration, and coldness of the
fingers; Rumex 30th, three times a day. Cured in a few days.
Ccase 4. Severe, dry cough, excited by an irritated pressure in the
throat pit; excoriation in the larynx, and chest; Rumex 30th morning and evening. Cured in a few days. Case 5. Cough excited by
pressing, on the throat, and attended with excoriation in the larynx
and chest, and hoarseness, He took one dose of Rumex thirty
drops, in the morning; in afternoon of same day was much better;
no cough next day, nor did it return.  Case 6. Violent cough in
evening, worse about 11 o'clock at night; aggravated by lying
down; excited by a tickling behind the sternum, and attended by
a sprain-like aching near the sternum, and with accumulation of
mucus in the fauces, near the posterior orifice of the nares. One
dose of Ruinex 30th, removed the paroxysm in a few minutes,
and it did not return.  Case'7. A  young lady complained of
shootings from the pit of the stomach into the chest, in various
directions; sharp pains in the left chest; dull aching in the fore



366       NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
head, and slight nausea; Rumex  30th, morning and evening.
Cured in two days. My own experience with Rumex, has been
mainly with the third dilution I have cured many cases -where
Phos. Mere. and Caust., semed indicated, but failed. The remedy
has not been used as much by the profession, as its merits seem
to demand.
Chest.-Pain in the chest, right and left; either aching pain in
the anterior portion of both lungs, which harrassed him day and
night for five days, or else raw pain just under each clavicle while
hawking mucus out of the throat; pain in chest when in bed at
night; pain in outer-superior part of chest near the axillas; near
the left axilla, pain undefined —near the right, sharp; both after the
same dilution; first symptom in two provers; in one, in ten minutes, the first symptom ever produced in any proving of Rumex;
in the other, two minutes, his first symptom —sharp pain in right
chest; a burning pain in the left chest; dull pain in the left chest;
sharp pain in left chest; shootings in the left chest; sticking pain
in the left thoracic region; stitches in the left chest; sharp, cutting
pain at or under the left breast; pain in the chest a little below and
to the right of the left nipple; burning, sticking, or burning, stinging pain in the left chest; burning-smarting, or burning-stinging
pain in the left chest; a very acute stitch, or burning-stinging
pain in the left chest; shootings, or else dull pain in the left
side near the back, a little above th'e seventh rib; pain in the
left chest when recumbent; a sticking or stitch in the left chest
while riding in the open air; painful sensation in the anterior
part of the left chest, immediately after waking, about two o'olock
at night, and between five and six hours after taking a low dilution;
an acute stitch  in the sternal region, or a severe  stinging,
which obstructs the respiration; itching at or near the sternumn;
dull pain in the region of the heart; burning pain in the region of,
or near the heart; palpitation of the heart, or else a sensation in
the left chest, as if the heart suddenly ceased beating, followed by
a heavy throbbing through the chest.
CLINICAL REMARKS. -Some of the provers, especiallyDr: Rhees,
experienced some peculiar, and severe cardiac symptoms, which we
could hardly, at first thought, expect from this remedy. Yet we have
no right to judge, before we prove a remedy thoroughly, of the
probable effect of a drug. It does seem, however, if Rumex thus
affects the heart, that of the thousands who have taken the Dock in
large doses, some of them would have had dangerous heart-disease;
but we hear of no such, instances. Dr. M. J. Rhees, one of the
original provers of; this remedy, furnished the following interesting
case: "Joseph H., aged thirteen years, subject to violent attacks
of Inflammatory Rheumatismrn. In the spring of 1858 I attended
him in a severe' attack, in which the disease concentrated itself on
the heart with so much violence that I almost despaired of his
recovery. Pulsatilla cured the disease at that time. In December,
1858, he was again attacked, but the heart was the principal seat of
the disease from the first. On the 24th of December, his symptoms were: violent palpitation of the heart, with throbbing of the




RUMEX:  CRISPUS.                     367
carotid, and throughout the body, visible to the eye and shaking
the bed; pulse 120; violent aching pain in the region of the heart;
great dyspnmea, especially while lying, so that it was necessary to
prop him up in a sitting posture in bed; face red and:somewhat
puffed up, especially:about the eyes, which were red, heavy, and
lustreless; tongue coated with white fur, with red tip and edges;
excessive thirst; no appetite; bowels costive. I commenced the
treatment by giving Aeon. 3rd., and Puls. 3rd., alternately. Some
relief followed the administration of these remedies, but the improvement was slow. From December 28th to January 9th, 1859,
various other remedies were used, as they seemed to be indicated,
but without decided improvement on the whole. On the latter
date the patient complained of a stinging pain in the region of the
heart, which was increased by lying down and by breathing deeply.
In my arranged proving of Rumex crispus the following symptoms
may be found:-" No. 41, burning, stinging pain in the whole of
the left side of the chest; suddenly, when taking a deep inspiration
while in the act of lying down in bed at night."-" No. 49, burning
stinging pain in the left chest near the heart; came on soon after
lying down in the bed at night. These symptoms were fresh in
my memory, and I accordingly gave Rumnex  crispus 6th, in
water, two tea-spoonfuls every three hours. January 10th, consicerably relieved of the pain in the chest, and otherwise improved;
continued Rumex. January 11th, the pain in the chest is almost
removed. Rumex was continued several days after this, with the
effect of entirely relieving the pain in the chest; but the improvement in other respects ceasing, Rumex was discontinued, and other
remedies substituted. Bell. 30th, and Phos 30th; eventually cured
the case, and there has been no return of the disease." This case is'in many respects a marked one.  But it will require  further
clinical experience to prove satisfactorily, that Rumnex will cure
serious heart-affections..
Spinal Region, —Sore or burning pain at or near the sacroiliac
symphysis; chilliness in the back; sensation of heat in the back;
pressive or aching pain in back'at the inferior angle of scapula;
aching pain in the back, on the left side of the dorsal spine, either
extending from the spine half way to the side, or else situated
under and below the apex of the left scapula; stinging pain in the
left dorsal region near the inferior angle of the scapula; pain in
the back in the evening; itching in the evening.
Superior Extremitles.-Pain in shoulder; either pain in the
left shoulder, and from it along the upper arm to the:: elbow,
including the joint, and leaving the arm with a sensation as if
strained, commencing after four minutes, or else pain in the right
shoulder on waking in the morning, ameliorated by rest, and passing
off in two hours; itching on shoulder. in the morning; pain in
upper arm in the evening; numb sensation in the right hand about
10 P. M., or else in the left upper arm after lying down in bed;
pain at the inner side of the right upper arm; dull, aching pain in.the left upper arm; pain in the upper arm and elbow, undefined or




368        NEW   IIOMCE OPATHLIC   PROVINGS.
dull; pain in wrist, the left aching, or ulnar half of the right,
character undefined.
Inferior Extremities. —A sensation of weakness or fatigue in
lower limbs; aching of the lower extremities; itching on lower
extremities when the'part is uncovered and exposed to cool air;
stinging or prickling itching at an upper part of inferior extremity,
either at the anterior part of the left thigh, or on the nates; pain
in knee when in erect posture; stitch-like pain at the inner part
when stepping, or rending aching in the flexure of the left while
standing; the legs feel weak in the evening, or tired, then, though
he had done but little walking; pain in an anterior part of both
lower extremities, either rheumatic pain at the anterior part of
the tibiae, or rending in the anterior part of the ankle joints,
running down the insteps; aching in the calves, or drawing pain
in the right calf; itching on the calves of the legs; legs densely
covered with a rash, composed partly of small red pimples; itching
worse on exposure to the air in the evening when undressing to
go to bed; aching or reniding in the upper-anterior part of the
tarsus, the instep: sensation of coldness of the feet during the
forenoon.
SANGUINARIA. CANADENSIS.
(Bloocd-root.)
This plant is indigenous, growing in open woods, in light,
rich soils. It, appears early in the spring, and flowers in April.
The tincture for Homnceopathic use should be prepared from  the
green root. The root is from an inch to two inches in length, and
half an inch in diameter, terminating abruptly, as if bitten off.
When the fresh root is broken, a light red fluid exudes, resembling blood; when dried the root becomes dark brown externally,
contracted, wrinkled, breaking with a short waxy fracture, the broken extremities presenting an orange red color. Its odor, is feebly
narcotic and disagreeable, its taste acrid and bitter; the powder is
a grayish red. The active principles of Blood root are said to be
Sanguinarina and Sanguinarin, the former a pure alkaloid, the latter
an alka-resinoid. The Sanguinarin is supposed to represent'the
plant more nearly, and is the one generally  used in practice.
Homteopathists generally prefer the green root tincture and its
dilutions, but triturations of the root or the Sanguinarin are not to
be discarded.
General Effects.-" Blood-root is an acrid emetic, with narcotic
and stimulant properties, it is also expectorant, sudorific, alterative,
emmenagogue, tonic, anti-septic, detergent and escharotic, according to the mode in which it is employed.  It is a very active




SANGIUINARIA   CANADENSIS.                   369
agent, and is capable of exercising a powerful influence on the system. When given in small doses it stimulates the digestive organs,
accelerates the circulation; in larger doses it occasions nausea and
consequent depression of the pulse; in a full dose it produces
active vomiting; in overdoses it chuses violent emesis, a burning
sensation in the stomach, tormenting thirst, faintness, vertigo, dilmness of vision, alarming prostration and even death. (ting's Disp.)
"'Sanguinaria is emetic, expectorant, diaphoretic, acro-narcotic,
sedative, alterative, and in small doses, tonic and stimulant; in full
doses it induces nausea and vomiting, with a sensation of warmth
in the stomach, acceleration of pulse, and slight headache. It acts
on the fauces, producing an acrid impression, and in some cases it
proves cathartic. The leaves and seeds possess similar properties.
The seeds however are said to exert a marked influence upon the
brain and nervous system, occasioning torpor, languor, disordered
vision and dilatation of the pupils; in large doses the emesis is
violelt, there is a burning sensation in the stomach, i:aintness vertigo, dimness of vision and alarming prostration.  (Jones  and
Scudder's Mat. Med.)  Wood,, Tdaly, Eberle and other writers use
about the same language in describing the general toxical effects
of the Sanguinaria. It is undoubtedly one of the most powerful
agents in the vegetable materia medica, and ranks as an anallogue
of such potent medicines as Arsenicum, Phosphorus, Tartar'emetic
and Veratrumn viride.
SPECIxAL EFFECTS.-Nervous System.-The toxical and pathogenetic effects of Sanguinaria indicates that it has a profound effect
upon the nerves of sensation and motion, but the exact nature of
this action has not been sufficiently investigated.  Among the
symptoms we find-" a quickly diffused and transient, but at the
same time a very peculiar nervous thrill, which is often extended
to the minutest extremity." In large doses it causes " torpor, languor andl dilatation of the pupils."
Mucous Membranes. -There are a'few drugs, like Pulsatilla,
which seem to affect the mucous tissues of the whole system;
others, like Squills, have a specific affinity for the pulmonary mucous
membrane; Sanguinaria is -an analogue of the latter to a certain
degree, although it more nearly approaches the action of Tartar
emetic. It was known as an expectorant, long before the allopathic
profession brought it- into use, and now, both that and the eclectic school value it highly for that purpose.  (See Respiratory
Organs.)  Blood -root does not seem  to notably increase the
mucous secretions from the intestinal or other mucous tissues.
Serous Membranes.-Said to be useful in pleuritis, synovitis.
Muscular and Fibrous' Tissues.-Sanguinaria seems to cause
pains of a rheumatic or myalgic character. It is difficult to decide
which of the two affections were cured by this medicine in the
reported curative symptoms. I am inclined to the opinion, however, that Sanguinaria, although it may cure some neuralgias, will
not, like Colchicumn and Cimicifuga, act specifically in rheumnatic
affections.  (For cases cured see " Extremities.")
Vasculnar System.-Ileart.-Pressing pain in the regions of the
47




370 o      NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
heart; palpitation of the heart, with great weakness, (large doses;)
extreme reduction in the force and frequency of the pulse, together
with great irregularity of action, and palpitation of the heart.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We have no clinical record of any disorders of the heart treated.with this medicine. The symptoms
would seem to indicate that it was more adapted to venous haemorrhages and congestions than arterial, (secondarily).
Fever, rulse. —In the evening in bed, chill and shivering in the
back; shaking chill with pain under the shoulder blade on motion;
chill with headache; chill and nausea; heat flying tiom head to
stomach; burning heat, rapidly alternating with chill and shivering; fever and delirium  (from the seeds); pulsations through the
whole body; a gradual increase in the force and frequency of the
pulse, (from small doses); during the vomiting the pulse is frequent;
slow pulse with the extreme nausea; strength and fiequency of the
pulse extremely reduced, with irregularity, and with insensibility,
coldness, etc.; (fromn very large doses) suppressed pulse with fainting,
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Sanguinaria has not been used in fevers,
generally; but it has been administered  successfully in Hectic
fever. In the pathogenesis of no other medicine, except perhaps,
Phosphorus and Lycopodium, do we find the hectic poroxysm as
perfectly delineated; generally the hectic is associated with cough
and other symptoms of lung affection, but there are exceptions.
Dr. Bute, cured-(1.) In a lady, coldness of the feet in the afternoons, at the same time the tongue was painful and sore upon being
touched, like a boil, and there was stiffness of the knee and finger
joints." (2.) "Burning of the palms of the hands and soles of the
feet, compelling him to throw the bedclothes off the feet for the
purpose of cooling them. These paroxysms generally come on in
the P. M., or evening." (3.) Paroxysmn of fever in P. M., with circumscribed redness of the cheeks; cough and expectoration."
HUemorrhages. —Dr. Morrow relied on Sanguinaria as a remedy
for hemorrhages in general, because of "its power of quieting
excessive, or depressing the natural circulation," he advises it
particularly in hcemoptysis; It has also been used in menorrhagia,
epistaxis, etc.
General Symptoms.-Great weakness; great prostration of muscular strength, (bv large doses); extreme weakness and debility
in the limbs, whilst walking in the open air, during the evening of
the first day; debility with vertigo and pain in the hypochondria;
great weakness, with vomiting; great weakness, with suppression
of the pulse-with irregular pulse; weakness and palpitation of the
heart; a quickly diffused and transient, but at the same time a
very peculiar nervous thrill, which is often extended to the ininutest extremity; a slowly shooting pain, with long continued thrill,
ending in a grumbling aching in a carious molar tooth of the
upper jaw; fainting weakness; general sensitiveness and weakness;
torpor and languor from the seeds. *Paralysis of the right side, of
fourteen years duration, cured by the tincture, in the dose of a




SANGUINARIA  CANADENSIS.                    371
small tea-spoonful every three or four days; (verbally from Dr. B.
Becker,) convulsive rigidity of the limb.
REMAIRKS. — We can sometimes comprehend the sphere of action
of a drug, by comparing the ensemble of its symptoms with that
of other drugs; a careful analysis-of the symptoms and toxical
effects of Sanguinaria show its marked resemblance to those of our
most important medicines, namely: Arsenicum, Phosphorus and
Tartar emetic; more remotely it resembles Belladonna, Verat.
viride and Iris versicolor; Lycopodium, Sulphur, Kali carbonicumn
and Rumex c., have some symptoms in common with Sanguinaria.
Sleep.-Sleeplessness at night; he awakens at night with affright
as if he would fall; dreams two nights in succession of sailing on the
sea; dream of a fiightful and disagreeable character; he awakens
earlier than common.
Skln. —Heat and dryness; increased itching of an old tuberclelike eruption on the skin; itching and nettle rash before the nausea.
CLINICAL  REMARKS.-The blood-root has been used successfiully for scaly eruption; old indolent ulcers; ill-conditional ulcers
with callous borders and ichorous discharge; the powdered root is
escharotic, and when applied to fungous growths causes their rapid
disappearance. Iconsider it the best application we have for this
purpose; it has also cured warts, and polypi, when given internally
and applied topically. Dr. Sholl uses it externally and internally
for carbuncle with alleged success.
Mind and Disposition. —Extreme moroseness; anxiety before
the vomiting; hopefulness; sanguine of recovery from illness.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —The last two symptoms were observed
by me several times, from the blood root. Every physician is
aware of the peculiarly hopeful condition of mind in phthisis. Sanguinaria is quite honmeopathic to that mental state.
Sensorium.-Vertigo, with singing in the ears; flatulent eructation, and then tickling in the throat, which excites cough (immediately after taking it); frequent vertigo, and diminished vision before
vomiting, after large doses; vertigo with nausea, long continuing,
with debility and with headache; *vertigo on quickly turning the
head, and looking upward.
CLINICAL  REMARKS. — It has cured,'vertigo on  quickly
turning the head and looking upward."
Read.-Confused and dull feeling in the head, which became
better after eructation; determination of the blood to the head,
with whizzing in the ears, and a transitory feeling of heat; then a
sensation as if vomiting was about to take place, but instead of this
there succeeded slight cutting drawings in the abdomen, and then
a stool; heaviness in the head; pressing drawing in the forehead;
pain of a short duration in the right side of the forehead, like a
pressing, only while standing still, better while walking; at the
same time a pain deep in the ear; headache as if the forehead
would split, with chill and with burning in the stomach; a pain
occurs suddenly in the interior angle of the right eye, and thence
to the forehead; about five o'clock in the evening a severe quickdarting pain in the forehead and temple on the right side, which




372       NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
continued for about five minutes; this pain re-appeared in the
evening about seven o'clock; about eleven o'clock at night a sudden pain through the forehead, like an electric stroke, of short
duration; a slowly-shooting pain in the forehead; periodic stitches
in the left temple; pain in all the upper part of the head; in
the abdomen, pain, like fulness; pain in the fore part of the head;
pressing in the upper part of the head, in the region of the anterior
fontanelle, disappears while walking; boring pain above, in the fore
part of the head; severe pain above, on all the left side of the head,
especially in the eye; at the same time similar pains in the left foot;
nausea, disposition to vomit without being able to do so; then
headache with rheumatic pains and stiffness in the limbs and neck;
beating headache and bitter vomiting; headache in the evening,
with tickling in the throat; headache, with chill; headache, with
nausea and chill, then flying: heat from, the head to the stomach;
headache, with vertigo and pain in the ear; the headache occurs
paroxysmally; feeling as if the head is: drawn forward; soreness
of the scalp, on being touched; feeling of looseness of the scalp on
the right side; sensation of looseness, and drawing in one side of the
scalp, on raising the eyes.
CLINICAL REMARKS. -Dr.. Bute found blood - root curative in
headaches with " distention of the temporal veins which were painfully sensitive to the touch," also with "feeling of soreness on small
spots on the head, especially in the temples." Other physicans
have cured cephalalgias with " pains in the head, in rays drawing
upward from the neck."  Dr. Hering considers it. homceopathic to
the so-called North American sick headache. He has cured with
the high dilutions the following symptoms: "Severe pains in the
head, with nausea, and vomiting, frequently with bilious vomiting,
in attacks, with hebdomadal or longerintervals, from very different
inducements, commonly beginning in the morning, increasing in
violence through the day, only diminished by lying quiet, and when
possible, by sleep."  (Tran. nAmer. Ins. vol. 1.) Dr. Hering also
gives (New Archives, vol. 2, part 2, p 132,) the following indications
for Sanguinaria: "It is the best remedy in most cases of Migrana
or sick headache. Still, it must prove most useful when the attacks
occur paroxysmally, viz; every week, or at longer intervals; or
when the pains begin in the morning, increase during the day, and
last till evening; when the head seems to feel that it must burst,
or as if the eyes would be pressed out, or when the pains are
digging, attended with sudden piercing, throbbing lancinations
through the brain, involving the forehead and top of the head in
particular, and being most severe on the right side, followed by
chills, nausea, vomiting of food, or bile, forcing the patient to lie
down and preserve the greatest quiet, as every motion aggravates
the sufferings, which are only relieved by sleep.  Case 1. A man
Was attacked with frightfully severe headache; the only relief he
could obtain was from pressing the back of his head against the
head-board of the bed. An infusion of Rad. Sanguinaria removed
the headache permanently.  (Bering.)  Case 2.-A lady suffered
with frequent and severe attacks of headache, with such sensitive



SANGUINARIA   CANADENSIS.                    373
ness during the paroxysm, that no one dared to walk across the
room. Sanguinaria 6th, was given, but the first dose produced
such an aggravation that, the patient became almost beside herself;
after the second dose, she fell into a pleasant sleep, from which she
awoke refieshed. Dr. Helfiig always gave Aconite and Belladonna
during the paroxysm of sick headache, and used Sang. thirty, during
the interval, unless some other remedy was more indicated. (ibid).
Many of the symptoms of Sanguinaria, are similar to those pains
which Inman discribes as belonging to Xliyalgic headaches; particularly  the superficial sensitiveness, and drawing  pains.  Congestions of the head are controlled by this medicine, when the
temporal veins are distended.  It is probable that it is also
homceopathic to some of the varieties of Apoplexy. Its known
carative influence over hmmorrhage from  congestions, would
suggest its use in Sanguineous apoplexy. The symptoms would
seem to imply  that venous congestions (if the term  may be
allowed) are most under the control of Salguinaria.
Face.- Feeling of fulness in the face; distention of the veins
of the face, with excessive redness, and a feeling of stiffness;
severe burning, heat and redness of the face; paleness of the
face, with disposition to vomit; twitching of the cheeks,
towards the eves.
CLINICAL REMArKmrs.-It has caused the following symptoms
when occurring during other affections:  " A  red cheek, with
burning of the ears;" "redness of the cheeks, with cough," "cheeks
and hands livid in typhoid pneumonia."  These symptoms are
also found in the provings of Phosphorus, Lycopod., Sulphur,
and Lacnanthes tinctoria.
Nose.-Heat in the nose; smell in the nose like roasted onions;
dislike to the, smell of syrup; much sneezing; fluid coryza, with
frequent sneezing; severe fluid  coryza in the  right nostril;
watery, acrid  coryza, which  renders the nose sore; copious
watering of the right eye; the eye painful, especially on being
touched; and soon afterwards there occurred a copious watery
discharge from  the right nostril; in the evening two diarrhceic
stools, and then all the  symptoms disappeared; fluid  coryza,
alternating with stoppage of the nose.
CLINIcAL  REMARKS. —No drug  so surely  produces intense
irritation  of the nasal mucous  membrane, when inhaled, as
the Sanguinaria.  Even its internal administration causes coryza;
It is not strange, therefore, that homceopathists have found it
curative for acute and chronic coryzas, also for "loss of smell."
It has cured "Influenza, with rawness in the throat, pain in
the breast, cough, and finally, diarrhboea.  This last is a characteristic peculiarity of the drug, and as many catarrhal affections
tend to end in intestinal irritation, or diarrha-a, the Sanguinaria
should be remembered in each instance. Dr. Barton (ailopathic)
says he has "heard of the application of the powdered root
to a fungous tumor within the nostril, with the effect of producing detumescence, and bringing away frequently, small pieces
of the fungous, which, in  the  first instance,. impeded the




374    NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
progress of the air through the nostril, and was supposed  to
be a polypus."  Dr. Smith (botanic) says:  "Applied to fungous
flesh it proves eseharotic, and several polypi of the soft kind
were cured by it." Dr. Becker (homceopathist) states that a
polypus of the nose ceased to grow from the time the powder
of the root was snuffed. Several physicians of my acquaintance
claim  to have cured nasal polypi by the internal administration of the tincture of blood-root. It was used in the lower
dilutions, in some cases. The finely powdered root forms one
of the ingredients, of many, of the "catarrh snuffs " sold in the
shops.  It is often  used as a domestic remedy for chronic
catarrhal affections of the nose. Dr. Powers, late of Coldwater,
Mich., was very successful in the treatment of obstinate nasal
catarrhs, and ozcena.  He prescribed the  2d trit., of blood.
root, as a':snuff," to be forcibly inspired up the nose, and
gave at the same time Sanguinaria 3rd, or Nitric acid, internally. It has cured in my hands, many cases of ulcerative
ozaena, also epistaxis.
Eyes.-Pain in the right eye; pressing pain in the left eye;
stitch in the upper eyelid; watering and burning of the right eye,
which is painful on being touched-then coryza; feeling as if the
eyes were affected by sour smoke, afternoons about two o'clock; in
the afternoons dimness of the eyes, and a feeling as if hairs were in
them; very great glimmering before the eves; diminished power
of vision; dilation of the pupils (by the seeds).
CLINICAL REMARKS. —It is homceopathic to catarrhal ophthalmia, granular lids, and even ulcers on the cornea. I once cured a
case of the latter, very happily, by the use of Sanguinalia 3rd.,
internally and topically. The case had proved obstinate under
ordinary treatment, and I bethought me of the beneficial effect of
blood-root in indolent ulcers. A wash of about the strength of the
third dilution was prepared in distilled water, and used as a collyrium. Under its use the ulcers healed in a week, leaving but a
slight opacity.
Ears.-Beating under the ears at irregular intervals, frequently
only a couple of strokes; * burning of the ears, with redness of the
cheeks; pains in the ears, with headache; singing in the ears, with
vertigo; humming in the ears, with determination of blood; slow
stitches in the left ear during the pain in the forehead; beatinghumming in the left ear; painful sensitiveness to sudden sounds; a
crackling in the right ear when he draws his fingers lightly over his
right cheek; on the left side this is not the case.
Jaws.-Stiffness of the jaws; pain in the upper teeth; pain in a
hollow tooth, especially when touched by the food; toothache from
picking the teeth; pain in one or more of the incisor teeth, and in
a carious molar tooth; shooting and thrilling pain in a carious
molar tooth of the upper jaw, which passes away gradually in that
form of pain which is often termed a "grumbling toothache;" on
awaking, toothache in an upper carions tooth oin the right side, at
the same time headache in the same side; the toothache is made
worse by cold water, and better by drinking warm drink; pain in




SANGUINARIA   CANADENSIS.                     375
a carious molar after cold drinking, two mornings in succession;
looseness of the teeth; salivation and looseness of the teeth; he
supposes himself able to take them all out; spitting, with nausea;
feeling of dryness of the lips.
CLINICAL RErMAnRs.-IBlood-root is useful in expulsive gingivitis,
in cases where the gums become very spongy, bleeding, and fungous.
Throat.-Feeling of dryness in the throat, not diminished by
drinking; heat in throat, alleviated by the inspiration of cool air;
a long-continuing impression in the fauces; a transitory, but
marked sensation in the fauces, as if he had swallowed something
acrimonious; burning in the fauces after eating sweet tilings; burning in the cesophagus; a feeling in the throat as if it were swollen
up, and would suffocate him, with pain in the throat when swallowing, and with aphonia; in the evening a pain with a feeling of swelling in the throat; worse on the right side, and mst perceptible
on swallowing; feeling of swelling in the throat when swallowing.
CLINICAL   EMARRKS. — Angwia, in several'cases, particularly a
species of pharyngitis. Ulcerated sore throat. I was once informed
by intelligent persons, that they had been permanently cured of
recurring quinsy with ulceration, by using a gargle of blood-root.
Upon testing it in practice, I found it quite equal to Hepar sulphur
in its power of preventing attacks of tonsillitis; also in actual ulcerations of the throat. The lower dilutions were used.
Moouth.-A prickling sensation on the tongue and roof of the
mouth, as after chewing mezereum, but slighter; crawling on the
point of the tongue, after which an acerb feeling extends itself over
the whole tongue, in the morning on awaking; prickling on the
point of the tongue; tongue feels as if burned; a feeling of dryness
and rawness, as after acrid things; begins on the right side qf the
tongue, and spreads over the whole tongue, mornings on awaking;
* tongue sore; pains like a boil; stitches on the left side of the
tongue; white-coated tongue, with loss of appetite; loss of appetite, with uncertain cravings; * increase of appetite; loss of smell
and taste; a piece of sugar-cake tastes bitter, followed by bulning
in the fauces; fatty taste in the mouth; slimy taste in the mouth;
disinclination for butter, which leaves a disagreeable after-taste;
dislike to the odor of syrup; craving for he knows not what, with
loss of appetite; craving for piquant food.
Stomach.-Pressing in the stomach; soreness in the epigastrium,
aggravated by eating; feeling of warmth and heat in the stomach;
barnin, in the stomach from large doses; buruimzig in the stomach,
with headache; jerking in the stomach, as if from something alive;
great weakness of digestion; loss: of appetite; * strengthens the
stomach; excites the appetite, and aids digestion; soon after eating
a feeling of emptiness in the stomach; * inflammation of the
stomach.
CLINICAL REMARKs.- -By reference to the " gastric symptoms,"
as well as the above, it will be seen how closely the symptoms similate those of Arstnicum, Phosphorus, and Tartar emetic. It will
cure, according to Dr. Tully, " atonic, sub-acute, and chronic inflam



376        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
mations of the stomach."  No remedy, however, is more decidedly
homoeopathic to acute gastritis. We have the terrible burningq, the
unquenchable thirst, the pain, vomiting and prostration which
mark that disease. In acute gastritis, the sixth or thirtieth should
be used. In chronic gastritis, the lower dilutions may be as useful.
It ought to be useful in zulceration of the stomach.
Gastric Symlptoms.-Severe nausea friom large doses; nausea as if
vomiting would succeed; nausea after eating; nausea which is not
diminished by vomiting; loss of appetite and periodic nausea; nausea
by stooping; nausea with much spitting; extreme nausea with
great salivation; nausea, with flow of saliva, and constant spitting;
long continued nausea, with chill; nausea without vomiting, then
headache; nausea with headache, with chill and heat; nausea
before the nettle rash; heartburn and nausea; regurgitation and
disposition tovornit; flatulent eructation; spasmodic eructation of
flatus; hiccough while smoking tobacco; frequent flatulent eructations of unpleasant odor, with disposition to vomit, and paleness of
face; after the eructation of flatus, the dullness of the head becomes
better. Vomiting with severe, painful burning in the stomach, and
intense thirst; many unpleasant feelings previous to vomiting;
before vomiting, great anxiety; before vomiting, slight pressure to
stool; vomiting of bitter water; bitter vomiting, with headache;
vomiting, with craving to eat in order to quiet the nausea; vomiting and diarrhea; causes vomiting, without nausea or perceptible
weakness.
CLINICAL RrEMAIRKs.-Blood-root is fully indicated for nausea or
vomiting from irritation of the coats of' the stomach. Allopathists
have cured vomiting of food and bilious vomiting with small doses
of the tincture. It is doubtless homceopathic to many functional and
organic diseases of the stomach, and I would suggest its use in gastric disorders not amenable to the ordinary remedies. Dr. F. W.
Hunt in an article on "Dyspepsia, or Diseases of the Stomach,"
(U. S. Journal of Homceopathy, vol. i. p. 190,) thus speaks of the
virtues of Sanguinaria canadensis: "This is one of the most important remedies for various diseases of the stomach, throat, liver,
lungs, etc. In almost every form of indigestion, for many years, it
has given me satisfactory results. It is especially useful in deficient
gastric secretion, with loss of appetite and periodic nausea; heartburn, nausea, and irregular chills; torpid state of the liver; dyspeptic headache, terminating by regurgitation, and vomiting of bitter,
greenish fluids; soreness in the abdomen, increased by eating; feel-.
ing of heat in the stomach; chronic gastritis; red tongue, which
burns as if fiiom contact with something hot; lips red and dry;
throat hot and dry; tickling at the entrance of the larynx, which
excites cough; cough peculiarly severe, not relieved by expectoration, with pain in the chest and redness of the cheeks. When
digestion is imperfect from deficiency of the true gastric fluid;
when the food undergoes chemical decomposition, and gas is evolved
in large quantities, Sanguinaria will generally change the action of
the stomach, and digestion becomes more complete. When the




SANGUIINARIA   CANADENSIS.                   377
mucous membrane is congested, the flatus formedl by fermentation
is retained by a spasmodic constriction of the cardia. Its irritation
is reflected through the pneutnogastric nerve upon the lungs, exciting a feeling of' tickling' in the entrance of the trachea, with sympathetic coughl. This peculiar, dry cough does not yield to expectorants, but often persists for hours, and is only relieved by eructations. Aromatics and stimulants fail to expel the gas: they only
increase the erethism  of the coats of the stomach. The Sanguinaria affords a better resource. It not only relaxes the constricted
cardia, permitting the flatus to escape, but excites a healthy, homceopathic reaction on the whole surface of the fauces, msophagus,
and stomach, superseding the morbid state by a healthy one. Dr.
Coe and others (allopathists) caution against the use of blood-root
when there exists " gastritis and enteritis, and whenever we have
occasion to suspect ulceration or abrasion of the mucous surfaces of
the bowels."  This caution suggests to the homceopathist that the
medicine will cure such conditions, if administered in dynamic
doses.
Abdomen.-Severe and continual pain in the hypochondria;
vertigo and debility; *pain in the left hypochondrium, worse by
coughing, better by pressure and lying on the left, side; diseases of
the liver; torpor and atony of the liver; inflammation of the
abdominal viscera; hot streamings from the breast towards the
liver; beating in the abdomen; cramps in the abdomen, which
passes from one place to another; sensation as if hot water poured
itself frora the breast into the abdomen, followed by diarrhcea;
discharges of flatus upwards and downwards by raising himself up
on account of th'e cough, which then ceases; bellyache; paroxysmal
pain in the abdomen; slight cutting drawings in the abdomen;
colic, with torpor of the liver; in the night digging pain in the
sacrum; an hour after taking it severe cutting pain in the bowels,
followed by a single watery stool; in the morning, colicky pain in
the upper part of the abdomen, and then a diarrhreic stool.
CLINICAL REr.IARIKs.-Eclectic physicians claim  that Sanguinaria has a specific action on the liver. The hepatic symptoms in'
this proving were collected from  allopathic sources.-(Barton
McBride and Tally). It is doubtful if they should have a place in
the proving at all, as by reference to the original, (Trans. Amer.
Ins.) it will be seen that they were mere assertions of the above
named physicians, and Inot pathogenetic symptoms. It may not
be amiss, however, to quote the statements of eclectics on this
point. Icling says it has been used successfully in "jaundice, and
other hepatic affections. In torpid conditions of the liver it is
very valuable."  Jones asserts that it "a arouses the liver and glandular system in general."   Coe admires it in " all cases of hepatic
torpor, jaundice, biliary concretions, chronic hepatitis, etc." The
first curative symptom  above noted would seem to point to the
spleen as the diseased organ, although it may have been the lung,
or even a myalgic affection, accompanied with cough. It is said
to have cared "indhtrations of the abdomen," but no details are
48




378       NEW   HIOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
given, nor the name of the observer, and consequently we are at a
loss to know their character.
Stool. —Pressure to stool without evacuation, with the sensation
of a mass in the lower part of the rectum; this sensation recurred
frequently during the day, without stool; inoperative pressure to
stool, then vomiting; feeling to pressure to stool; in the afternoon
frequent pressure to stool, but only discharges of flatus; frequent
discharges of very offensive flatus; in the morning a hard stool;
diarrhoeic stools with great flatulence; purging; after cutting pains,
stools; after severe pains, stool like water; diarrhoea in the evening, with disappearance  of the coryza and  catarrh; diarrhcea
terminated the pain in the breast; dysentery; the food passes
away undigested in the stool; five natulal stools in the day; two
small but not fluid stools the first day; the first days the stools
more laxative and frequent, afterwards rather costive; hemorrhoids,
a twisting pain on the left side above the groin, equi-distant from
the symphysis pubis, and the crest of the ilium; worse whilst sitting, standing, or bending towards the right side, increased by
pressure; better whilst walking erect; afterwards this pain passed
towards the hip, around and upwards until it reached posteriorly
on the short ribs and remained peculiarly sensible by bending to
the right.
CLINICAL REMARKs. —The blood-root does not generally purge
unless given in large doses, hence it will not be found often indicated in diarrhoea. There is one variety of diarrhoea, however, in
which it has been found curative, by Dr. Bute, namely:' With
the diarrhea, termination of the coryza and catarrh," also, "The
affection of the breast always ended with the feeling as if hot water
were poured from the chest into the abdomen, which was followed
by diarrhceic stool."  The "D )ysentery," marked as curative in the
original proving, is merely an observation of Rafinesque, (botanist).
Some dysenteric symptoms, however, are found in the pathogenesis, which may be made use of. Dr. Bute asserts its curative power
in hemorrhoids, but gives no special indications, nor do we find any
in the proving. The last symptoms under "Stool," would seem to.
be misplaced. It denotes either an affection of the left ovary, or
was simply a myalgic pain. (Take it all in all, the so-called proving *of Sanguinaria, as made up  for the "Transactions of the
American Institute,"' cannot be considered a commendable production. Some of the most notable of the symptoms marked *
(curative) were the mere assertions, or theoretic deductions of
allopathic observers, not verified hy homceopathic physicians. I
would advise the student or physician, before he attempts to use
this drug upon the information obtained in that proving, to study
the original, and judge of its merits for himself.)
Urine. —*Frequent urination, also at night; large and frequent
discharges of urine, as clear as water; frequent and copious nocturnal urination; seminal emissions during sleep, two nights in succession, after which he feels very well; *gonorrhcea.
CLiNICAL REMARKs.-The first curative symptoms belonged
originally to the following group reported cured by Dr. Bate,




SANGUINARIA  CeANADENSIS.                    379
namely: "In a lady, pain in the left hypochondria, which was
rendered worse by coughing, but was better fiom being pressed,
and by lying  on the left side; very copious irritation  at
night."?' The whole group of symptoms may have been of renal
origin. According to Dr. Coe, Sanguinaria is very useful in many
functional disorder of the kidneys. Our provings are, however,
too meagre to give us any clue to its action on those organs. I
cannot ascertain who reported the curative observation " Gonorrhoea."  Dr. Coe advises it for chancres, buboes, secondary and
tertiary syphilis, but says nothing of its use in gonorrhcea, nor does
any other writer. I can readily imagine it might be useful in
phagadenic chancre, used internally and as a topical application.
Generative Organs of Women.-Abdominal pains, as if the
menses. would appear; abdominal pain the whole night, like the
menstrual; at times it increases menstruation; the menses appear
a week too early, with a discharge of black blood; abortion on
account of too strong operation on the uterus; causes uterine hemorrhage; amenorrhcea; the menses appear at the proper time, but
still much more freely than at other times, with less pain and weakness in the sacrum, but with pain in the right side of the head and
forehead, and a feeling as if the eyes would be pressed out of the
head, worse on the right side.
CLINICAL REMARKs. — Rafinesque used it successfully in Amenorrhoea. Dr. O' Connor, (allopathist), writes: —"  For the last
twelve years I have used the tincture of Sanguinaria exclusively,
in the treatment of amenorrhoea, and have recommended it to others,
who speak favorable of its effects. In that time I have treated as
many cases of this disease, as usually falls to the lot of a village
practitioner, and, as yet, have no cause to find fault with the
efficiency of the remedy. I consider it superior to Eberle's great
remedy, the tincture Polygonum. hydropiper. I commence a fortnight before the expected return of the menses, and give teaspoonful doses of the tincture three times a day, and a teaspoonful on
going to bed (preceded by a warm foot-bath). If the secretion is not
restored at the time, I remit the use of the remedy for a fortnight,
and proceed as before. When the full effect of the remedy is
produced, it is characterized by slight nausea, pains in the loins,
extending through the hypogastric and iliac regions, as well as
down the thighs. These symptoms sometimes manifest themselves
once or twice before the discharge is completely established."
(Cin. Lancet and Observer.) The symptoms which I have placed
in italics are worthy of being noticed, as purely pathogenetic. I
esteem the blood-root a good remedy in suppressed menses, but
chiefly indicated when the suppression has been Jfollowed, or preceded by pulmonary disease. Its use in such cases has generally
been attended with good results. Dr. Miller, (eclectic), advises it in
dysmenorrhoea, when occurring in torpid subjects, but says it is
"' contra-indicated in patients of plethoric habit." This would indicate
to us that it would be useful in dynamic doses in dysmenorrhcea,
when menses too frequent in such patients, when there is a tendency
to congestion of the brain or lungs. It is hoomceopathic to threatened




380        NEW  HOM(IEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
abortion, when the symptoms mentioned by Dr. O'Connor are
present, accompanied with some hemorrhage. It is used for this
criminal purpose in domestic practice, and by unprincipled physicians. Dr. Bute reports the following case cured with the bloodroot, " a female who had distention of the abdomen in the evening,
and flatulent discharges per vaginum, from the os uteri, which was
constantly open, at the sametime a pain passing in rays from the
nape of the neck to the head.'? This was probably an instance of
that rare disease in which the lining membrane of the uterus
secretes a gas. Dr. Bute also reports cases of affections of women at
the climacteric period, characterized by "burning of the palm of the
hands and soles of the feet, compelling her to throw the bed clothes
off the feet for the purpose of cooling them."  Used internally and
topically, (by injection), it has cured. ulcerations of the os uteri,
corrosive and fetid leucorrhmea, and polypi of the uterus.
Catarrhal symptoms. —Much sneezing; fluid coryza, with frequent
sneezing; severe fluid coryza in the right nostril; watery, acrid
coryza, which renders the nose sore; copious watering of the right
eye; the eye painful, especially on being touched; and soon
afterwards there occurred a copious watery discharge from  the
right nostril; in the evening two diarrhoeic stools, and then all the
symptoms disappeared, (five hours after taking it);' fluid coryza
alternating with stoppage of the nose; aphonia, with swelling
in the throat; tickling irritation to cough; influenza; coryza;
rawness in the throat; pain in the breast; cough, and finally
diarrhea.
Respiratory Organs, —Slight cough, especially whilst eating;
tickling in the throat in the evening, with slight cough  and
headache;  a slight cough from  tickling  in the throat, many
evenings after lying down; a dry cough, awakening him  fiom
sleep, which will not cease until he sat upright in bed, and flatus
was discharged both upwards and downwards; *chronic dryness in
the throat, and sensation of swelling in the larynx, and expectoration of thick mucus. —(Dr, Neidhcarcd.)  *Continued severe cough,
without expectoration, with pain in the breast, and circumscribed
redness of the cheeks. —(Dr. -Burt.)  *Feels stronger and freer in
the breast in the mornings, and in the, afternoon, and in the
evening the customary dyspncea does not appear.-(Dr. ilusnman.)
A hot, burning, streaming in the right breast, begins under the
right arm and clavicle, and draws itself downwards towards the
region of' the liver, (afternoon of the third day,) acute stitches
in the right breast in the region of the nipple.
CLINICAL RIEMARKS.-Sanguinaria has always had an extensive
regutation in the cure of coughs. The aborigines of the Eastern
States often astonished the early settlers by the cures they
effected with this remedy. It is said that the most obstinate
coughs disappeared  during  the use of the blood-root.  The
physicians of an early day seem to have used blood-root more
fiequently than their successors. Rafinesque, Barton, Tully and
others, all assert its great curative power in many varieties of
cough. They even assert its power to cure pulmonary consump



SANGUINARIA   CANADENSIS.                     381
tion. Besides the above curative symptoms the  following are
reported: "Cough, with coryza; then diarrhcea;" "tormenting
cough, with  expectoration  and  circumscribed  redness of the
cheeks. " Several instances have come under my observation,
where the blood root really appeared to cure phthisis.
Breast.-Whooping cough; hydro-thorax, (a); asthma, (a);
pneuilonia, (a); typhoid pneumonia, with very difficult respiration,
cheeks and hands livid, pulse full, soft, vibrating and easily compressed, (a); diseases of the lungs, (a); pain in the breast, with
periodic cough, (h); pain in the breast, with cough and expectoration, (h); pain in the breast with dry cough, (h); burning and
pressing in the breast, then  heat through the abdomen, with
diarrhcea, (h); slowly shooting pain in the right side of the chest
about the seventh rib; acute stitch in the right breast; slowly
shooting pain in the left side of the chest near the axilla; stitches
fiom  the lower part of the left breast to the shoulder; pressing
pain in the region of the heart; stitches in the left side in the region
of the short ribs, by moving and turning the body; continued
pressure and heaviness in the whole of the upper part of the chest,
with difficulty of breathing; slowly shooting pain under sternum
numb pain the whole length of the scapula, along the inner edges,
which is also increased by breathing; pressing pain in the breast
and back; palpitation of the heart, from immoderate doses, with
great weakness; stitches in both breasts; severe soreness under
the right nipple, aggravated by being touched; the nipples are
sore and painfill.
CLINICAL REMA:RRS.-The "curative" symptoms above, which
are designated (a) are from  allopathic sources; (h) from  homceopathic sources. Eclectic physicians use it in thoracic diseases where
the allopath censiders Tartar emetic indicated. In this they are not
far fi'om  the truth.  Sanguinaria, in affections of the lungs,
occupies a place midway between Phosphorus and. Tartar emetic.
It has many symptoms in common with both, and others possessed
by neither. I have used the blood-root for many years in bronchitis, pneumonia, and other diseases of the respiratory organs,
and have obtained from it some very satisfactory results. In the
massive doses of the old school given to nausea and emesis, it was
productive  of great injury, but in  dynamic doses its use is
never attended with any aggravations; a few drops of the mother
tincture may be used in some chronic affections of the pulmonary
organs, while in acute diseases, with a high grade of irritation,
the 30th is the safest and best attenuation. In the majority of
cases of pneumonia, there occurs a group of symptoms for which
we have generally used phosphorus or sulphur, with good results,
although the convalescence under those remedies is apt to be
lingering.  But when those symptoms and conditions are met
with, under Sanguinaria, 2nd dil. (decimal), or Sanguinarin, 4th
trit., a rapid subsidence of the diseased action occurs. At the
second, and during the ekistence of the third stage of the inflammation, we have as physical signs: dullness on percussion,
bronchial respiration, etc., denoting the presence, of red, or even




382    NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
gray hepatization, and purulent infiltration of the pulmonary
parenchyma. Watson considers it doubtful whether recoveries take
place from the third stage of pneumonia; but under homceopathic
treatment, I do not believe such recoveries impossible. The general
symptoms indicating Sanguinaria  are extreme dyspncea, short,
accelerated, constrained breathing, the speech ceases to be free,
the sputa becomes tenacious, rust-colored, and is expectprated
with much difficulty. The position of the patient is upon the
back; there is not much pain in the chest, unless the pleura are
involved, and then it is of a burning, stitching character. The
pulse is quick and small-the face and extremities inclined to be
cold, or the hands and  feet burning hot, with circumscribed
redness and burning heat of the cheeks, especially in the afternoon.
Under the use of this remedy, the dyspncea subsides, the bronchial
breathing disappears, we hear afresh the small crepitation, and
first, alone, then mixed with the natural respiratory murmur, which
in its turn becomes alone audible. The sputa becomes again less
tenacious, less red and yellow, and more like the expectoration of
catarrh, and is expectorated in large, heavy masses; the febrile
symptoms gradually abate, and a favorable convalescence is established. I give the medicine every two hours, generally alone, but
occasionally in alternation with Phosphorus or iTartar emetic. In
its power over chronic, bronchial or laryngeal coughs, it rivals
Lycopodium and Sulphur. It relieves, and often cures, "coughs
with chronic dryness in the throat, and sensation of swelling in
the larynx; continual severe cough without expectoration, with
pain in the breast, and circumscribed redness of the cheeks;"
C' cough, with coryza, then diarrhcea." This last symptom is an
important indication for the use of Sanguinaria. After a severe
cold, or undue exposure, some persons are attacked with coryza,
catarrhal headache, severe pains in the chest, with  tightness
of breathing, and  dry harrassing cough, all of which subsides
upon the recurrence of diarrhoea. In such cases Sanguinaria is
eminently indicated, as it causes a similar group of symptoms.
Dr. Morrow praises it very highly in hcemoptysis. In one case
which  came under my observation it seemed to correct the
bleeding, promptly. Cases have been reported to me, where the
tincture of blood-root, cured spitting of blood, which had resisted
other means. It will undoubtedly be found useful in some cases
of Asthma, Croup, Larygnitis, and perhaps Pleurisy, but we have
no homceopathic testimony of its effects in those diseases.
Back.-Pain in the nape of the neck; soreness of the nape of
the neck on being touched; pain in the left side of the nape of the
neck; pain in the right side of the neck, as if sprained; stiffness of
the nape of the neck; -pain in the back; pain in the sacrum and
bowels —(Dr. Bute); * painin the sacranm from lifting; pain in the
sacrum, which is alleviated by bending forward; rheumatic pains
in the nape of the neck, shoulders and arms; pain in both shoulders; severe pains in the left shoulder, in the evenings; pain under
the sholder-blade, with chill; pain from  the left breast to the
shoulder; rheumatic pain in the right shoulder, worse in the fore



SANGUINARIA CANADENSIS.                      383
noon when she has retained the arm for a long time in the same
position, drawing itself downwards to the elbow; pain on the top
of the right shoulder; sudden rheumatic pains in the shoulder
joints; in the upper part of the shoulder joint, severe pain on every
motion; * rheumatic pain in the right arm and shoulder, worse at
night, in bed; cannot raise the arm, —(Dr. Bute); * pain in the right
shoulder, and in the upper part of the right arm, worse at night on
turning in bed. —(Dr. Jeanes).
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Nearly all the symptoms of the back,
etc., are purely nzyalgic, and are easily mistaken for rheumatism;
in prescribing this medicine, this distinction should be made. The
curative symptoms appear to have been rheumatic, all but the
"pain in the sacrum from lifting."
Superior Extremities.-Rheumatic pains in the arms and hands;
rheumatic pains in the right forearm, in the evening; severe pain
in'the hand, with aching in the arm when lying quiet and warm in
bed; it is al:o often felt in the left foot, now above, then in the
instep, and then in the tocs; in the right palm near the index
finger, a severe pain as from a boil; *burning of the palms redness of the hands, and severe burning; *lividity of the hands in
pneumonia; numb pain in the ball of the right thumb; cutting
pain on the left joint of the left middle finger; sticking in the
point of the right small finger; stiffness of the finger joints; pain,
as fiom a boil, at the root of the right thumb nail, then in the left,
fiom this to all the fingers, one after another, from  the thumb to
the small finger, alike on both hands; * ulceration of the roots of
the nails on all the fingers of both hands.
Inferior Extremities.-Rheumatic pain in the left hip; pain as
from a bruise in the left hip joint, whilst walking, but worse on
rising from a seat; *a rheumatic pain on the inside of the right
thigh; *a bruise-like pain in the thigh, alternating, with burning
and pressure in the breast; * stiffness of the knees; stiffness and
tightness in the bend and sides of the knees; cramp and pain in
the calf of the left leg; drawing in the calves and into the instep,
worse right than left; sticking pain in the right ankle; continual
stitches under the right exterior ankle bone, as from the sting of a
bee; pain in the left fbot, with headache, and during the pain in
the right arm; sticking as from  a needle in the instep, in the
morning in bed, and in the afternoon; coldness of the feet; * burning in the soles of the feet, worse at night; burning of the hands
and feet in the night; pain in the corns; great weakness of the
limbs, with pains in the sacrtumrn whilst walking; *acute swelling of
the joints of extremities.
Limbs.-Rheumatic' pains in the limbs; acute, inflammatory,
and arthritic rheumatism; acute swelling of the joints of the
extremities; stiffness of the limbs and rheumatic pains, with headache; pain in those places where the bones are least covered with
flesh, but not in the joints; on touching the painful part, the pain
immediately vanished and appeared in some other part.
CLINICAL REu{ARKs. —Tne clinical symptoms above, are mostly
firom  homceopathic sources.  The physician can  draw his own
deductions fromn them.




384        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
SARRACENIA PURPUREA.
(Ituntsman's Cup.)
A perennial plants indigenous to the United States, with leaves
of a singular character. The curious pitcher-shaped leaves," are
usually half filled with water and drlowned insects; the inner face
of the hood is clothed with stiff bristles pointing downward." Dr.
C. H. Cleaveland, of Cincinnati (Journal of -Rational iMedicine),
says: "Of the Sarracenia, there are several varieties. As long
since as the writer's earliest recollection, an aged female living near
his father's residence, was famous for the syrup which she made for
the cure of chlorosis and other derangements of the uterine organs,
and for the relief of dyspepsia and other gastric difficulties. Not
all the ingredients of the syrup were made known to those who
purchased of her; but, after a time, it was discovered that it owed
all its active properties to the Siarracenia, with perhaps the mucilage
of the Osmundia regalis. Within the last five years, I have again
had my attention called to the side-saddle plant, from learning that
it was used by a Canadian French doctor as a regulator of uterine
derangement; and, for several years, I have, with satisfactory success, prescribed it in many cases of gastric disease, in the form of
an infusion, or in that of a syrup, made from the leaf or the root.
During the year 1847, Dr. F. P. Porcher, of South Carolina, experimented with the root, or that portion of the stem which is below
the surface of the ground. He thinks the bitter and astringent
principles of the plant are imperfectly extracted by water, and that
the decoction is even more destitute of these properties than the
cold infusion. lie made trial of the root, in a recent state, as well
as of the dried root, on his own person, and gives the following, as
the result of one of his experiments:'Dec. 4th.-We again commenced experimenting with it. It had become dry, having been
rolled into pills of three grains each. Of these we took sixty (180
grs.) between ten and twelve o'clock p. M., upon a comparatively
empty stomach, swallowing them at intervals, six or eight at a time.
Its diuretic action in this instance was frequently repeated, the
secretion being increased in quantity-pure, limpid, and colorless,
with scarcely any sediment after several hours' standing. Its action
on the stomach resembled that following its first employment, being
attended with the same phenomena. A feeling of emptiness was
produced in the course of an hour. After retiring to bed, the
whole abdominal region was in a state of commotion, extending
along the track of the ascending and descending colon, all of which
appeared to participate in a kind of rolling motion produced by it.
To these were added involuntary rumbling sounds, as if the entire
alimentary tube was stimulated, and apparently forewarning a
cathartic effect.  We are led to believe that its astringent property
prevented this result. There was, also, tenderness on pressure of
the epigastrium. The feeling of congestion about the head, with
irregularity of the heart's actionj which lasted several days, was




SARRACENIA PURPUREA.                       385
again observed. Before morning, the pulse rose to 100 by the
watch, resuming its usual frequency after a time. We were prevented by sleep, which was much disturbed, from ascertaining positively the co-existence of strange impressions on the sensorial functions. The general vigor of the digestive apparatus was increased.
The appetite following, the next day, was unusually active, seeming
to demand much more to satisfy its requirements; but there was a
sense of pain about the stomach like that following inflammation,
or that felt in the muscular tissue after a limb has been overtasked.'
In the first experiment, in which Dr. Porcher took 140 grains of
the fresh root, the symptoms produced were very similar to those
detailed in the above quotation, pointing distinctly to the parts of
the system influenced by the drug; namely, the gqastric filaments.
of the gcnglionic or organic system of nerves. This produced an
increased action of the circulatory system, and drove the blood to
the head. It also increased the peristaltic motion of the entire
alimentary canal, and promoted the renal and other glandular secretions, without any apparent effect upon the nerves of animal life.
As the experiments of Dr. Porcher are directly corroborative of
those made by the writer, and confirmatory of the utility of the
plant in all cases where there is a sluggish or torpid condition of
the stomach, the intestines, the liver, the kidneys, or the uterus —
producing co&tiveness, dyspepsia, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhcea, and
the various functional derangements which are so commonly to be
met with-it must be evident that this plant possesses valuable
properties, which render it well worthy the attention of the enlightened practitioner. Within the past year, several articles have been
published in regard to it, of such a nature as to attract considerable attention; and, although some of the statements made in
regard to it are certainly erroneous, and others may prove to be too
strong and positive, it seems entirely proper to place them on
record, and in the way of repeated and thorough tests."
The Am. Medical Times has the following letter by Fred. W.
Morris, M. D., Resident Physician of, the Halifax Visiting Dispensary: "Sir-You have by this time, in all probability, heard something of an extraordinary discovery for the cure of small-pox, by
the use of' Sarracenia purpurea,' or Indian cup, a native plant of
Nova Scotia. I would beg of you, however, to give full publicity
to the astonishing fact, that this same humble bog-plant of Nova
Scotia is the remedy for small-pox, in all its forms, in twelve hours
after the patient has taken the medicine. It is also as curious as it
is wonderful that, however alarming and numerous the eruptions,
or confluent and frightfuill they may be, the peculiar action of the
medicine is such that very seldom is a scar left to tell the story of
the disease. I will not enter upon a physiological analysis now; it
will be sufficient for my purpose to state, that it cures the disease
as no other medicine does-not by stimulating functional re-agency,
but by actual contact with the virus in the blood, rendering it
inert and harmless; and this I gather from  the fact that if
either the vaccine or variolous matter be washed with the infusion
of the Sarracenia, they are deprived of their contagious properties.
49




386        NEW  HIOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
The medicine, at the same time, is so mild to the taste, that it may
be mixed largdly with tea or coffee, as I have done, and given to
connoisseurs in these beverages to drink' without their being
aware of the admixture. Strange, however, to say, it is scarcely
two years since science and the medical world were utterly ignorant
of this great boon of Providence; and it would be dishonorable in
me not to acknowledge that had it not been for the discretion of
Mr. John Thomas Lane, of Lanespark, County Tipperary, Ireland,
late of Her Majesty's Imperial Customs of Nova Scotia; to whom
the Mec-Mac lIndians had given the plant, the world would not now
be in possession of the secret. No medical man before me had ever
put this medicine upon trial, but in 1861, when the whole Province
of Nova Scotia was in a panic, and patients were dying at the rate
of twelve and a half per cent., from May to August, Mr. Lane, in
the month of May, placed the' Sarracenia' in my hands to decide
upon its merits; and, after my trials then and since, I have been
convinced of its astonishing efficacy. The only functional influence
it seems to have, is in promoting the flow of urine, which soon
becomes limpid and abundant, and this is owing perhaps to the
defecated poison or changed virus of the disease exclusively escaping through that channel. The'Sarracenia,' I have reason to
believe a powerful antidote for all contagious diseases, lepra,
measles, varicella, plague, contagious typhus, and even syphilis,
also a remedy in jaundice.  I am strongly inclined to think it
will one day play an important part in all these."
Report by Dr. Herbert Miles, of the British army:-" Early
in the last winter a small coasting vessel landed a portion of her
crew at an obscure seaboard village a few miles from Halifax, N. S.
These persons were sick with small-pox, and the disease soon
spread, first among the cottagers, with whom the fishermen mixed,
and subsequently among those friom the capital, who resorted to the
village for purposes of trade. Through the early weeks of spring,
rumor constantly asserted that vast numbers of the seafaring population were attacked with the, complaint; but it was not until early
in March that the large Civil Hospital of Halifax, by the number
of its weekly admissions for variola, began to corroborate rumor,
and to authenticate the justice of public anxiety. The disease, in
process of time, extended to the troops in the garrison, but the
proportion of attacks to those among the civil population, was singularly small. While certain portions of the inhabitants of Halitax
were suffering from the epidemic, alarming accounts reached that
place, relative to the terrible ravages of the scourge among the
Indians, and colored people generally. Variola is the special plague
of the Indians; and when they are invaded by this pestilence, it
sweeps them off by scores. Like the fire of the prairies, it passes
over their encamping grounds, destroying all of human kind in its
path. On this occasion the most painful details were given of whole
families being carried off by this loathsome disease. After some
time, however, it was said that the pestilence had been stayed.
One of the Indian race, it was asserted, had come into the diseasestricken camp, possessed of a preparation which had the extraordi



SARRACENIA  PURPUREA.                      387
nary power of curing the kind of cases that had hitherto proved so
fatal. This remedy was believed by the Indians to be so efficacious, that if given to them  when attacked with small-pox, they
looked forward with confidence to a speedy and effectual cure. An
old weird Indian woman was the fortunate possessor of the remedy
in question.  She had always been known as the Doctress of her
tribe, and had enjoyed celebrity for many years in consequence of
her reputed knowledge of Medicine, and wonderful acquaintance
with the herbs and roots of the woods. So well established was
hler fame.among the Indians, that when sick they resorted to her
in preference to the white doctors, whom they considered to be'No good.' Captain Hardy, of the Royal Artillery, an accomplished and int(elligent officer, who has been for years among the
Indians, says that' the old squaw's remedy had long been known
to them  as an infallible cure for small-pox,' and that' the Indians
believe it to be successful in every case.'  From the inftormation
gathered from  the Indians, the following observations have been
carefully sifted: 1. In the case of an individual suspected to be
under the influence of small-pox, but with no distinct eruption upon
him, a wine-glassful of an infusion of the plant,'Sarracenia purpurea,' or pitcher-plant is to be taken. The effect of this dose is to
bring out the eruption. After a second and third dose, given at
intervals of from four to six hours, the pustules subside, apparently
losing their vitality. The patient feels better at the end of each
dose, and in the graphic expression of the' Mec-Mac,''knows there
is a change within him at once.' 2. In a subject already covered
with the eruption of small-pox in the early stage, a dose or two
will dissipate the pustules, and subdue the febrile symptoms. The
urine from being scanty and high-colored becomes pale and abundant, whilst fi-om the firlst dose the feelings of the patient assure him
that' the medicine is killing the disease.' Under the influence of
the remedy, in three or four days the prominent symptoms of the
constitutional disturbance subside, although as a precautionary
measure, the sick person is kept in the camp until the ninth day.
No marks of the eruption (as regards pitting, etc.,) have been left
in cases examined, if treated by the remedy, 3. With regard to
the medicine acting (as is believed by the Indians) in the way
of a preventive, in those exposed to infection, it is curious
to note, that in the camps where the remedy has been used,
the people keep a weak infiusion of the plant prepared, and
take  a dose  occasionally during  the day, so as to'keep
the antidote in the blood.'"
We find  also that the'following result of a trial of the
Sarracenia  has  been  communicated  to  the  London  Times
by Mr. Cosmo G. Logie, Surgeon-MIajor Royal Horse Guards
(Blue). Eleven men of Mr. Logie's regiment, which is stationed at
Windsor, contracted the disease..After expressing his disbelief in
the perfect protecting power of vaccination, he writes: "Some
time ago, seeing a paper written by Assistant Surgeon Miles, of
the Royal Artillery, on the efficacy of the North American plant,
called the Sarracenia purpurea, or pitcher-plant, in the treatment




388       NEW  HOM(CEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
of small-pox among the Indians, my colleague (Mr. Agnis) and
myself have given this remedy. Four of the cases in my hospital
have been severe confluent cases; they have, throughout the disease,
all been perfectly sensible, have had excellent appetites, been free
fiom pain, and have never felt weak. The effects of this medicine
which I have carefully watched, seemed to arrest the development
of the pustules, killing, as it were, the virus fiom within, thereby
changing the character of the disease and doing away with the
cause of pitting, and thus avoiding the necessity of gutta percha
and India rubber applications, or opening the pustules. In my
opinion, all anticipations of disfigurement fiom pitting may now be
calmed, if this medicine is given from the commencement of the disease."
A  proximite analysis of the Sarracenia by Theobald Frohwein, of New York, gave: " Organic elements-traces of volatile
oil, gum, starch, vegetable albumen, tannin, resin, bitter principle,
with acid reaction and extractive matter. Inorganic elementssulph. lime, carb. acid, sulph. acid, phosph. acid, traces of lime,
magnes., potass. and soda, iron and silicic acid." A committee of
the New York Med. Society (Allopathic) made a report on Sarracenia, which will be found in fill, pages 7 and 19, American Mled.
Times, Jan., 1864. They thus close their report: " Your committee
has endeavored to lay before the Society the history and recorded
experience thus far in the use of the Sarracenia purpurea, for the
treatment of small-pox; and, in conclusion, would respectfully submit the following as their deductions from  the testimony here
accumulated: —st. That the analyses already made of the plant do
not give any active principle or elements which would indicate any
great medicinal potency. 2d. That the discoverers and advocates
of the specific remedial power.of the Sarracenia purpurea over
variola have given, apparently, too great credit to the'post hoc'
circumstances, as being'propter hoc' influences, (one reason for
this latter inference being suggested by the loose, unscientific, and
eulogistic style of the communications). And, 3rd, that the reliable
experience thus far, appears to preponderate against the remedial
efficacy of this plant in those forms of disease which do not generally recover under the administration of ordinary remedies."
From these allopathic deductions we dissent. 1. The analysis
showing the presence of sulph. lime, carb. acid, sulph. acid, phosph.
acid, and traces of lime, magnes., potass. and soda, and silicic acid,
also tannin, bitter principle, etc., would evince that it is a remedy
of considerable power, rather than an inert substance. 2. Although
the reports have been exaggerated in many instances, the recommendations, homceopathic and allopathic, are too numerous to be
discarded.
The testimony relates to the empirical use of the plant.
Until we obtain a thorough proving, we shall not have any reliable data for its homceopathic application.




SCUTELLARIA L  ARIA  LATERIFOLIA.           389
SCUTELLARIA  LATERIFOLIA.
(Scull Cap.)
This is an indigenous plant, growing in most parts of the United
States, in woods, meadows, and near small streams and ponds.
There are several varieties of this plant, and they should not be
confounded with each other by our pharmaceutists. The whole plant
is ( ficinal; it should be gathered while in flower. The tincture is
best when made firom the green herb. For my estimate of the general therapeutic and pathogenetic effects of this plant, I would refer
the reader to my notice of the Cypripedium pubescens; not that I
consider these two remedies as possessing identical properties, but
they are such close analogues, and affect the system in such a similar manner, generally, that many of my remarks applied to Cypripediuml, will be applicable to Scutellaria. I have used the latter in
diseases of children, and offections of the nervous system, similar to those in which I recommended the former, and with like
good results. That a careful proving would elicit dijferent symptoms, I do not doubt. If I were to attempt a differentiall estimate
of the two remedies, I should say that the Scutellaria afected the
spinal cord more, and the brain less, than the Cypripedium. I
believe this statement will be verified by experience and observation. As substantiation, in part, of this opinion, I quote the following from Jones and Scudder's Materia Medica:  "It has been
found remarkably efficacious in Chorea, or St. Vitus' dance. Dr.
Beach states that he has cured a great number of cases with it. We
have used it in several instances with apparent benefit. In cases of
great nervous excitement, with severe tremors, also in attacks of
delirium tremens, it has in several cases afforded prompt relief." It
has been highly extolled in many of the- nervous and spasmodic
affections so very common among women. It has attracted much
attention in Hydrophobia, and at one time it enjoyed a high reputation in the treatment of. that formidable disease, although the
same reliance is not now placed on it that was some years ago; still,
it is resorted to, both as a prophylactic and curative agent, in
cases of canine madness. Testimony is not wanting to establish
the fact that many persons have been bitten by rabid animals, and
avoided the development of the disease by the free use of Scutellaria; while others, bitten at the same time, by the same animal,
became hydrophobic. So many circumstances may concur to prevent the inception of the canine virus at the time of the bite-as
the interference of clothes, or the speedy removal of it from the
parts bitten and thus preventing it from being absorbed-that we
must view many of the cases said to have been cured by the exhibition of this article, as highly equivocal. "A physician, bitten
by a mad dog, has assured me," says Rafinesque, " that himself,
alone, had avoided the disease by using it, while others bitten by
the same dog, died.? Dr. Vandesveer, who is said to have introduced it to the notice of the profession in 1772, or, rather, to have




390        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIO PROVINGS.
discovered its prophylactive powers against hydrophobia, is said to
have prevented 400 persons, and  1000 cattle firom  becoming
hydrophobic; and his son is said to have relieved or cured forty
persons who had been bitten, by the use of the same agent. These
favorable reports of its efficacy are strorngly questioned, and even
denied by eminent physicians, while many of the reformed school
report very favorably of its efficacy in that disease.  It would
seem that there ought to be some grains of truth among so much
testimony. My observations have not fallen upon any such cases; but
in one patient to whom I gave the Scutellaria, first dec., for a nervous affection, its administration was always followed by the svmyptom —" spasmodic or constrictive closing of the jaws, and a tightness of the muscles of the face." A proving might elicit symptoms
which would account for its efficacy in hydrophobic conditions. I
have used it successfully in several cases of tremors, and twitchings
of the limbs, in typhoid fever; also in mild form  of hysteric
spasms, nervous irritation in pregnant females, etc.; doses same as
recommended for Cypripedium.
SENECIO  GRACILIS.
(life Root. Unkum. Female Regulator.)
This plant is indigenous, growing in rocky, poor ground, in many
parts of the United States.  The S. aureus and some other species
possess similar properties, though not, near as active. The whole
herb is medicinal. The root grows just below the surface of the
ground, and runs along horizontally. It is from half an inch to six
or eight inches in length, and about two lines in diameter; reddish
or purplish externally, purplish - white internally, with an aromatic
taste, and having scattered fibers. It is found in the shops, mixed
with the leaves, etc. It yields its best properties to alcohol. The
Senecin is the concentrated, active principle of the Senecio graci.
lis. It is a greenish brown powder, of a peculiarly pungent smell and
taste. We can use the dilutions firom the tincture, prepared fiom
the green plant, and triturations from the Senecin.
GENERAL EFFECTS.-This medicine belongs peculiarly to the
eclectic practice, or did, until I introduced it to the notice of the
homceopathic school a few years since. It has been decreed to be
emmenagogue, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, alterative, tonic,
and is said to have a peculiarly specific, regulating influence on the
functions of the fenmale generative organs. We have not been able
to obtain any reliable proving, but present the following clinical
suggestions and experience.




SENECIO   GRACILIS.                     891
Nervous System.-Although its influence on the nervous system
is not mentioned by any writer, yet my observations have convinced
me that it ranks with Coffea, Chomomilla, Valerian, and Ambergris, and is in many respects a i" nervine." It has been suggested
by those familiar with its use, that it acts as a nervine, by subdue
ing the irritation of the uterine organs, and thus prevents the nervous irritation, which might have been of a reflex character. This
may be the true explanation of its action. It has a great reputation
among the country people, who, under the name of "Unkum" (a;name
borrowed from  the Aborigines) and  " Wild Valerian," use it
extensively for nervousness, hysteria, lowness of spirits, and sleep.
lesness, especially when these conditions occur in femnales. Under
the head of "Organs of Generation," will be found a case which
illustrates its action in this regard.
Mucous Membranes.-I am strongly impressed with the idea that
this remedy acts upon the mucous tissues similarly to Pulsatilla.
It causes increased secretion from the bronchial, intestinal, and vaginal mucous membranes, and has been found curative in abnormal
conditions characterized by mucous discharges. It seems to me to
be indicated when a catarrhal affection has appeared in one organ,
and catused, or is consequent, upon, the suppression of a natural
discharge in another; thus, profuse leucorrhcea, or a bronchial, and
even a nasal catarrh will set in upon the suppression of the menses,
or appear in place of the menses. A catarrhal diarrhoea often
appealrs at such times. It is in these conditions that Pulsatilla and
Senecio prove so successful as curative agents, by curing the
catarrhal discharge, and permitting the natural functions to go on.
The Senecio has also proved useful in hcemorrhages fioro   mucous
surfaces, appearing upon the suppression of habitual discharges.
Skin. —It causes,.in large doses, free perspiration.
Sleep. —Has proved curative in obstinate sleeplesness, or restless, uneasy sleep.
Fever.-Is considered by some as a "febrifuge,' but probably
is not indicated in any but catarrhal fever, in which condition it
seems indicated.
iead, etc.-From some experience with this remedy I would
suggest its use in catarrhal headache; also in catarrhal affections of
the eyes, nose, and ears, particularly if these occur after suppressed perspiration, or menstrual discharge.
Gastric and Intestinal.-It may prove useful in certain nervous
affections; also catarrhal conditions of the bowels. It is said to
have been used successfuly in dysentery and diarrAces (catarrhal).
Urinary organs.-Increased flow of urine; clear, limpid urine;
frequent and profuse urination.
CLINICA'L RREaARKS. —This medicine has long had an extensive
reputation in domestic practice as a diuretic, and used as such in.
cases of dropsy, suppression of urine, and irritable bladder; " As a
diuretic it has been employed withl advantage in calculous affections to subdue the irritation.'" (I. S.) "'It is said to be diuretic and
specific in strangury."  (K.)  In those anasarcous states which
attend chlorosis, or attacks of women at the climacteric age, and seem




392        NEW   IHOM(EOPATHlIC  PROVINGS.
to be caused remotely by some disorder of the generative organs,
the Senecio gracilis may prove a very efficient remedy; also in
ovarian dropsy, or dropsy occurring after suppression of the
menses. The Senecio aureas is soid to possess more specific action
on the renal organs than the S. gracilis. Dr. Small has used it
with benefit in some affections of the kidneys and bladder; also
in diabetes.
Generative Organs of Men. —It is recommended by some
physicians for the cure of gonorrhcea, in which it is asserted
to have been used with benefit.
Generative Organs of Women.-It is upon these organs that
the Senecio is reputed to exert its peculiar and specific curative
influence. In accordance with the plan I proposed in the preface
to this work, I shall proceed to give the suggestions, clinical
experience, etc., of the eclectic and allopathic schools, and then
that of our own school, together with  my own. From  the
testimony thus adduced, the reader can come to some conclusion as to the value of the remedy. "It exerts an especial
influence  upon the feumle reproductive  organs. In Amenorrhcez, not connected with some structural lesion, it has proved
very efficacious. In dysmenorrhcea it has also proved valuable.
It is serviceable in menorrhagia, administered both at the time
of the discharge and during the interval."-(King). "It appears
to exert a specific influence upon the uterine organs, and may
with propriety be termed a uterine tonic. We have employed
it in many cases of Amenorrhoea, both in retention and suppression, and almost invariably with the most gratifying results;
indeed, so certain is it to restore the uterine secretion, when
suppression  does not depend upon organic disease, that we
almost view it as a specific. Its action is peculiar; it seems to
possess the power of restoring the secretion when suppressed;
of promoting it when deficient; of alleviating pain in dysmenorrhcea, and of controlling or lessening the secretion when redundant; hence one of its common names, "fernale regulator."  "We
have employed it to check free and too long continued lochial
discharges, after other remedies had failed, and with the most
gratifying results. It has proved a valuable remedy in leucorrhea, and in displacements of the uterus, attended with dragging  pains in the lower part of the  abdomen  and pelvic
region, and with leucorrhmeal discharges, when combined with
Trillium."  (,Jones & Scudder's, Mat. Med.)  " Senecin has proved
eminently successful in the treatment of Amenorrhcea.  When
the obstruction has arisen from  cold, this remedy in connection
with warm alkaline pediluvia is generally sufficient. When the
affection is uncomplicated, we know of no remedy so generally
reliable. It operates kindly and without excitement, and the
catamenial flow  is restored in a manner so natural that the
patient is scarcely aware of being under the influence of medicine."
"We have derived equally happy effects fromn the employment
of Senecin in the treatment of  Dysmenorrhcea.  The most
beneficial results are  obtained  by exhibiting  it during  the




SENECIO  GRACILIS.                      393
intermenstrual period.  It acts as a special tonic upon the
uterine system, invigorating the menstrual function, and restoring
equilibrium of action. If the menstrual secretion be profuse use
Trillin in combination. If scanty, Macrotin or B tptisin may be
employed." (alternated). "'We  have  been  equally successful
with the Senecin in the treatment of Moenorrbhagia. It may
seem  somewhat paradoxical to the reader that we should
prescribe the same remedy in what are  generally  conceived
to -be opposite states of the system. (Here Dr. Coe, launches
out into a verbose explanation of the reason why this remedy
is thus indicated, but his logic is lame, and based upon in.
correct physiological doctrines.)'"No matter in which direction
the scale may be turned if we can but restore and equalize
the functional activity of the parts, we shall effect a cure. For
this purpose we employ the Senecin simply because it possesses
the power of recalling or restoring lost or healthful action.
This then explains the seeming paradox of giving the same
remedy in dissimilar derangement of the same organ."  Chiorosis
is another of those incidental female affections in which the
Senecin will be found an excellent remedy. It is particularly
servicable when the chlorosis occurs in a strumous diathesis."
(Coe's concent org. med).  The following  case treated  with
Senecio gra,, is reported to-me by Dr. A. R. Smart: A lady, aged
forty-eight, presented the following symptoms: inability to sleep,
nervous irritability, loss of appetite, coated tongue, bowels constipated, constant feeling of lassitiude, disinclined to move about,
wandering pains in the back and shoulders; had been in this
condition six months, during which time the catamenia, which,
previous to  this, had been regular in appearance, have not
appeared; has been treated allopathically for the last three
months, with no permanent benefit. I gave iMiacrotin,  Sepia,
Secale cornutum, Zincum  val., Pulsatilla,  Cypripedium  etc.,
with but little or no success. At last the Senecio was given in
doses of twenty drops, three times per day; this was followed
by a marked improvement, and after the lapse of one week
she reported herself able to sleep well all night. Under the
continued use of the remedy all the symptoms disappeared in
the space of two weeks longer. A relapse presenting the same
phenomena, which occured about six months later, was in like
manner cured by the Senecio. The following case was reported
by me to the Amer. Iiom. Observer (Vol. 1, No 3). A lady, the
mother of one child, had had an abortion three years ago, and
another-at the second month of pregnancy-four months since.
Since the date of the last abortion she had suffered much from painfulmenstruation, which had not been the case previously. The
menses came on too soon —every three weeks; were very profuse,
lasting eight or nine days; and were accompanied with a great deal
of pain, of a cutting, grinding character, referred to the region of
the sacrum, hypogastrium and groins. She was pale, weak, and
"nervous," and had a slight cough, generally at night. Thinking
this a good case in which to test the vaunted virtues of the Senecio
50




394       NEW  ItOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
gracilis, I prescribed five drops of the mother tincture three times
a day, and continued its use until the next menstrual period. To
the patient's gratification and my own, the menses appeared at
their proper time (in 29 days), and were normal in quantity, and
unaccompanied with pain or suffering of any kind. Sinme reporting
the above case I have treated several cases of a similar nature, and
with success. In one case the first dec. dilution was used; in
another the first of Senecin, and in still another the second decimal.
I have used it in but one case of Amenorrhbcea; Pulsatilla failed to
restore the discharge, but Senecin second, apparently had the
desired effecte
Respiratory f rgans.-Increased secretion from  the bronchial
mucous membrane; loose cough; rattling in the chest.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It affects the respiratory  organs in  a
manner somewhat similar to Asclepias tub., Dulcamara and Pulsatila. "In coughs, colds, and other complaints of the chest, Senecin
in one of the most valuable remedies we possess. It is especially
serviceable in mucus coughs." (Dr. Coe.)  "It has acquired considerable reputation in chronic coughs, catarrhal affections, hbemoptysis, incipient phthisis, attended with troublesome cough, the
result of obstructed 2nenstr uation, with unequivocal advantage.
(J. & S. fMat. Med.) I have used it in a few  cases of cough
occurring in females, according to the indication given above. It
seemed to act admirably. These suggestions may seem bare and
valueless, unless backed up by more pathogenetic symptoms. But
it must be recollected that many of our best remedies started from
just such small beginnings.
The following case reported by Dr. Thomas Irish, to the
American Homceopathic Observer, seems to prove that it ranks
high  as a remedy in pulmonary  affections.'"In the year
1822, in the State of New York, I was taken suddenly with
profuse hcemorr]hage fromr the left lung.  Physicians were sent
for; consultation took place; they manifested much wisdom  in
endeavoring to stay the red current of life  by  tapping my
arm.  The blood refused. to flow in that direction, but the lung
continued to perform its office in opposition to these endeavors to
change its current, by cutting the cephalic vein. All to no purpose;
the life current continued to flow until it would hardly stain a white
cloth. They gave me up as lost without hope, and then gave
rules and ordered medicine taken. I refused to take medicine.
I became a living skeleton; the dry, hacking cough,. the hectic
flush and sleepless nights were my companions for day and night
for about five months, and still living in opposition to the
wisdom of the prophets, I was in the daily habit of wandering
about the fields on my father's farm, and pulling and testing of
roots and herbs. The Sernecio was before me, near a small stream,
I tasted and was impressed to try its virtues. I had it gathered,
roots and tops-a pailful, and prepared a strong decoction, of
which I took half a table-spoonful four times a day. Improvement set in soon after commencing the use of the Senecio.
In six weeks the cure seemed complete. This was in the fall. I




SILPHIUM   LACINIATUM.                   395
continued well through the winter; in the spring went to work;
in a month was prostrated by hemorrhage from the lung again;
continued to work until fall. A(gain the life root was taken, chewing
the root and drinking a tea of the same. Again, contrary to the
expectation of all, health was mine in the spring of 1824. I came
to Michigan; worked hard all summer; in fall was taken sick;
continued feeble until spring  At every attack of the disease the
lungs would sympathize, so as to have it terminate in a lung fever
with bloody expectoration. I employed no physician, but always
used the Cure-All, as I often called it. In the too free use of the
green root it proved a laxative, which was not favorable to the
healing process. At every attack, for eleven years or more, of lung
fever, which were many, I always used the same remedy with the
same success. I have never known it used in such attacks without
some benefit, and the number would be hundreds. I saw.the
blood spirt the size of a common straw from a cut in the leg. The
Senecio, roots and tops bruised and applied, immediately stopped
the blood; it was the only dressing. The person was not kept fromL
his work an hour in all. It was a bad cut, and healed in a few days.
It is the best dressing for cuts, bruises and sores, known to me.
It has more power over diseases of the LUterine Organs than any
other medicinal plant, in my opinion. In Erysipelas it has with
me proved a useful remedy, internally and externally."
It would seem by the last paragraph to have a general clrative influence over hmmorrhage, making it analogous upon some
points with Erigeron, Trillium, and Lycopus. With this I leave
the consideration of the plant, and hope my colleagues will
prove it, and at the same time collect clinical data, illustrating the
sphere of the remedy.
SILPHiIUM  LACINIATUM,
(Compass Weed.)
This is an indigenous, perennial plant, found on the prairies of
the United States, from Michigan southward to Texas. The lower
leaves present their edges north and south, hence the name " compass-plant."
Dr. King, speaking of the S. gummiferum and S. laciniatum,
says: " They are emetic in' decoction.  They have effected cures
in intermittent fever, and are beneficial in dry, obstinate coughs.
Said to have cured heaves in horses,"
Dr. A. E. Small, uses and advises it in asthma and moist coughs
with dyspncea. Its present use in our school is quite limited, and
until we have a thorough proving of the plant, we do not expect it




396       NEW  I HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
will be much favored. The testimony, however, of homeopathic
physicians, in regard to its curative power in gleet, is unequivocal.
In the acute stage of gonorrhcea it does not appear to be of much
service, but in the chronic stage, as well as in blennorrhcea, leucorrhbea, and vesical catarrh, it is of great value.
We hear of its use in allopathic practice in nasal catarrh,
asthma, and other diseases of the respiratory organs.
It is doubtless an analogue of Copaiva, Thuya, etc., and possesses
similar properties. The peculiar range of action of the Silphium
remains to be developed by future provings.
STICTA  PULMONARIA.
(Lungwort.)
*Nov. 9th, 1859, I commenced proving this plant, having previously prepared a strong tincture. At 7 o'clock, A. M., I took
ten drops of tincture. About one hour after I had sharp, darting
pains in the arms, legs, and shoulders, commencing first in the
muscles of the arms, then in the finger-joints and shoulders; next
in the thighs, knee-joints, and toes; also dull sensation in the head,
with sharp, darting pains through the vertex, side of the face, and
lower jaw. There was a feeling of fulness at the root of the nose
and in the left hypochondriac region. These symptoms were well
marked; they continued for two or three hours, and were followed
by a general feeling of dullness of two or three hours duration.
Nov. 10th, 7 o'clock, A. M., took ten drops. The symptoms
which followed were similar to those produced by the first dose.
There was also, a dull, oppressive pain in the cardiac region; slight
oppression of the lungs; dull pain in the right hypochondrium.
Duration from three to four hours.
Nov. 11th, took at 7 o'clock, A. ii., twenty  drops of the
tincture. About one hour after, I experienced the previous
dull sensation in the head, with dull, heavy pressure in the
forehead and roots of the nose;, darting pains in the temporal region; burning in the eyelids, with soreness of the ball on
closing the lids, or turning the eyes. There were burning, biting,
sticking pains all over the body; lancinating pain in the second
joint of the middle finger; inability to concentrate the mind upon
any one subject; a general confusion of ideas. The above symptoms continued to increase in intensity during the entire day,
and most of them continued until the 13th, without repeating the
drug.
* Partial proving and clinical observations by S. P. Burdick, IM. D., from the North American Journal of Ilomceopathy. (Sticta Sylvatica.) 




STICTA, PULMONARIA.                     397
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS.-1. A few weeks previous to the
above experiments, I was attacked with catarrh of the head, to
which I was subject, and had been for five years; at times it was
very severe, obliging me to keep my room for a week at a time.
The above attack was one of the severest I had ever experienced.
I discharged quantities of bloody pus from the nose and throat, and
it left me with a distressing cough, and oppression of the lungs,
causing the feeling of a hard mass collected in them. The cough
was at first dry and hacking, fiom tickling in the larynx, which
finally extended to the lungs. During the day I was comparatively
fiee from cough, but it returned every evening about 6 o'clock, and
would continue the entire night, being almost incessant. I could
not sleep nor lie down. All treatment failed to afford the slightest
relief, and I had become completely worn out from the cough and
want of sleep. I now prepared a tincture from Sticta, and put a
few drops in a tumbler of water. At I o'clock, p. Mr., I took a teaspoonful, and continued to repeat it every hour during the afternoon. At 10 o'clock, P. M., my cough had not returned, as I had
coughed but once or twice during the evening, but on retiring that
night there was a slight return, lasting perhaps for a half hour,
after which I slept quietly all night. The next day I took of the
medicine several times, and had no return of cough.
2.-Some two weeks after, I took a slight cold, which brought
on catarrh in the head again. There came with it a slight cough,
which increased, and in the evening it was quite troublesome. I
took of Sticta two or three times during the evening; and, to my
great surprise, I awoke the next morning perfectly free from
catarrh and cough. These results of trials of Sticta on myself in
disease, induced me to attempt the proving above reported. The
following notes of cases treated by this remedy may show its ordinary operations in the forms of disease in which its powers have
been most frequently tested.
3.-Dec. 12th, Mrs. S  -— had taken a severe cold, had a
hard, racking cough, aggravated by every inspiration, and there was
considerable oppression of the chest. At 6 o'clock, P. M., I gave
her Sticta tincture, a few drops in a tumbler of water, a tea-spoonful to be taken every half hour. The next morning she coughed
but very little, said she was well, and the medicine was discontinued. A few days after she was caught out in the rain, got her
feet wet, took a severe cold, and coughed worse than before. In
the evening I gave her Sticta as before; the cough ceased after she
had taken a few doses; and the next morning she was feeling
quite well.
4.-January, 1860, Mr. B —, aged fifty-six years, was suffering from soreness of the throat of long standing, I gave Mercurius
third, with favorable results. A few days after, I found him suffering from coryza, I gave him Sticta tincture, a few drops in a tumbler
of water, a teaspoonful to be taken every hour. But a few doses
had been taken when great relief was experienced. He had been
subject to frequent attacks of a similar character for ten or fifteen
years. I continued the remedy, night and morning, for a week or




398       NEW   HIOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
more, as it appeared to affect his throat favorably. While taking
the remedy, he was exposed a good deal, and took a severe cold;
but he was entirely free from those distressing symptoms of coryza,
which had for many years accompanied the slightest cold. He had
been treated by several homceopathic physicians, besides taking
quantities. of allopathic medicines; but he had never experienced
any decided benefit from any of them. In February following, he
had a slight attack, and I gave him Sticta tincture as before. He
said the first dose gave him great relief. This was in the evening.
The next morning he was entirely free from all traces of the
troubles of the previous evening. I met him almost daily for
two years after, during which time he had no return of the
disease.
5.-The next case was that of a young lady who was' subject to
coryza. During one of these attacks, which came on in the morning, I was requested to see her. In the afternoon I found her
sneezing almost incessantly, with a feeling of fulness in the right
side of the forehead, extending down to the root of the nose, with
tingling in the right side of the nose. Sticta tincture was given
as in previous cases. Two doses effected the cure, and the next
day she was feeling perfectly well. Previous attacks lasted from
three days to a week.
6.-August 21st, 1862. Mr. F, aged fifty years, came to
me, saying he had rheumatism all over him, and could get no relief,
he said he had tried everything, had been to two or three allopathic physicians, but was getting worse every day. His troubles
commenced about six months ago, with sharp, darting, lancinating
pain, first in the knee-joints, then in the elbow and shoulder. The
finger-joints were next involved, and it gradually extended to every
joint in the body; the pain in the neck and head were intense. At
the present time the joints are all swollen and stiff. He cannot
sleep for the pain, and can scarcely walk. iBy comparing the above
with the provings of Stictapulmonaria, I found a perfect type of the
disease before me in this drug, and I at once determined to test its
curative power; the following are the results:-I gave Sticta 1st,
five drops.to a tumbler of water, a table-spoonful to be taken every
hour. August 23.-Mr. F   - reports himself greatly improved;
pains not so severe-has slept better. Sticta 1st, as before. Aug.
26th —-Reports a great deal better; can walk better than at any
time during the past five months; pain in the head and neck gone;
all the pains are less severe, and the joints are not so much swollen.
Continued Sticta, 1st, as before. Aug. 28'Sth.-Reports himself
entirely well; has no pain; swelling all gone; says he feels better
than at any time during the past nine months; stiffness of the
joints all gone; he is getting young again, and walks as sprightly
as a young man.
7. —At the time the above was under treatment, I was.also
treating a Mrs. G, aged about forty, for rheumatism of the
wrist-joints. She had been under treatment for nearly three
months, with very little, if any, improvement. The wrists and
hands, with little if any redness; very painful on moving them. I




STICTA  PULMVONARIA.                    399
had given her nearly all the remedies that are usually given in rheumatic troubles; none of them had afforded relief to any extent.
After the results produced in the last case by Sticta, I determined
to try it in the case of Mrs. G...  I accordingly gave her five
drops, first, in a tumbler of water, a tablespoonful every two hours.
On the second day after, I called, and on entering the room, she
exclaimed, "Doctor, you have done it this time!"  To my great
surprise, I found her sewing. The pain and swelling were nearly
gone. Sticta, first, was continued for a few days, and the cure was
permanent. (This last case is reported from memory.)
8.-Aug. 20th. Mrs. M       - came to me, complaining of
headache with severe pain in the eyes, which felt very sore on
closing the lids or turning the eye-bail. The pains and soreness as
she described them, were very similar to those I experienced while
making the above provings, and I prescribed Sticta, first, five drops
to a tumbler of water, a tablespoonful to be taken every two hours.
Aug. 27th.-Reports greatly relieved soon after taking the medicine. Sticta continued as before. Aug. 28th-Reports perfectly
well.
9.-In the month of February, 1862, while treating a patient
very susceptible to the influence of medicine, I had administered
Sticta one-tenth. Very soon after taking it she said, "Doctor, I
feel that medicine all over me." In a few months after, she said
her leg felt as though it was floating in the air, feeling light and
airy, without any sensation of resting upon the bed; this continued
for some time, and gradually passed off.
10. —.Mrs. F, age about forty years, had hemorrhage of
the bowels. She had lost large quantities of blood during the previous weeks, looked pale and ghastly, and could scarcely walk, she
had become so reduced. I gave HIamamelis, which arrested the
hemorrhage; but she could not sleep, and had not for over a week;
saying that as soon as it came night, her feet and legs would dance
and jump around in spite of her; so that she was compelled to
either hold them down on the floor with her own hands, or have
some one hold them for her; and as soon as she would lie down,
her limbs felt as though they were floating in the air as light as
feathers. This brought to mind what had happened to the last
patient, and I administered Sticta, first, a few drops in a tumbler of
water. To commence taking a tablespoonful as soon as the above
symptoms should re-appear, and repeat every hour. The next
morning at about six o'clock, the dancing commenced. The medicine was repeated every hour until eleven o'clock, when she slept
for the first time in over a week, did not awaken until seven next
morning. Medicine discontinued during the day. Next evening
symtoms returned, but not so severe. Medicine repeated every
hour. Fell asleep at 10, P. ni. Slept quietly until awakened next
morning. Next evening slight recurrence. Two or three doses of
Sticta were given, and she slept quietly all night. Next evening
no recurrence; Sticta one or two doses; slept at 7 P. ai., did not
awaken until the next morning. Medicine discontinued. Recovery
rapid without any further medication.




400       NEW  TOM(EO3PATH[IC  PROVINGS.
11.-A lady about fifty years of age, complaining of attacks of
great anxiety about the heart. Very nervous. Had had a good
deal of' mental trouble. Ignatia and Digitalis afforded great relief;
but after two or three months she called, saying that she was
troubled at night by awaking with a strange sensation about the
heart, and for a few moments after she would feel as though she
was floating in the air. A few doses of Sticta first, effected a complete cure. In coughs and colds, it has proved very efficient. And
I have never used a remedy which has been so efficacious in procurilg quiet, refreshing sleep as Sticta. I have given it when all
other remedies have failed, and have never, save in one or two
cases, had it disappointed me; and now if I have a patient who
cannot sleep, it is my first resort. I have reported two cases of
rhematism which it has cured almost by magic. I have also given
it in several cases in which it produced not the slightest effect; but
in these cases there was not a perfect representation of the drug in
the disease. The following cases are from the Case Book of the
Northern Hiomoeopathi c -Dispensary, New York, where this remedy has acquired some reputation:
1. —Ellen Murphy, aged nineteen, scrofulous; had hoemoptysis
three years ago. Every cold, damp spell brings on cough with
expectoration of dark blood. Suffers now with loose cough in
the morning, expectoration less free during the day; pain in left
side below the scapula, foul taste in the mouth, tickling in the
larynx and bronchia; costiveness; courses regular.  Bry. 3rd.
Aug. 5-Pain in the left side less, other state the same. Sticta
first. Aug. 8-Great relief. Aug. 12-Nervous headache which
she complained of in the temples improved.'Cough steadily
improving. Sticta. Aug. 20-Cured.
2.-Anna Ernst, aged fifty-one, oppression in the pit of the
stomach; great thirst, no appetite, tongue clean, disgust for food;
soft cough with expectoration. Vertigo, restless at night. Bry.
third. Aug. 5.-Some relief. Bry. twelfth. Aug. 9-Cough the
same. Morning cough. Symptoms of change of life. Sticta first.
Aug. 19-Cough improving. Raises more easily, especially mornings. Sticta first. Aug. 29-Cough well. Only some vertigo
yet. Puls. sixth. Aug. 31-Cough all right. Vertigo the same.
Cyclamen third.
3.-Joseph Weidner, aged forty. Dyspepsia. Cannot bear
anything tight on the stomach. Vomits phlegm. Hemorrhoids.
Nux. Aug. 8-Cough raw and sore. Better otherwise. Sticta.
Aug. 11-Cough only after meals. Bry. Aug. 16-Cough easier,
but very hoarse. Puls. Aug.' 20-Cough worse, expectoration
tighter. Bry. Aug. 24-Morning cough continues. Well every
other way. Bryonia.
4.-Ellen Minaman, aged twenty-five. Cough for six weeks.
Hoarseness; nightly expectoration of whitish phlegm. Sticta.
Aug. 12 —Greatly improved.  Does not cough near so much.
Sticta.
5.-Ida Hatfield, eighteen months old. Tussis morbillosa.
Had measles two weeks ago. Sticta. Aug. 8-Greatly improved.




STICTA  PULMONARIA.                      401
Sticta. Aug. 17-l-as whooping cough. Sticta. Aug. 19 —State
the same. Worse at night. Corallia thirtieth. Aug. 24 —State
the same. Bell., Ipec. Aug. 29 —Improving. Bell., Ipec.
6.-mKate Winkler, aged fourteen. Nasal catarrh. Nose'always
dry and stuffed up; swollen with tickling in it. Constant dripping
down throat, which feels and looks raw. Tongue clean. Sticta.
Aug. 9-:-Improving. Sticta. Aug. 12-Discharges a great deal of
phlegm, with great improvement. Sticta. Aug. 19-Is getting
well. Sticta.
7. -Martin Wyman, aged two years, febris catarrhalis. Aeon.
Aug. 15-Less fever. Rattling in the chest, coryza. Sticta. Aug.
18-Improving. Sticta. Aug. 21 —Cured. We cured a great
many such cases with Sticta.
8.-Magd. Hauser, aged forty-two. Influenza. Sticta. Sept.
29-Cough gone; pressure in the chest and abdomen, more in the
left side. Caught cold when her courses were on. Sticta. Oct.
1 — Cured.
9.-Emma Russ, aged sixteen years, Otalgia, noise and beating
in the back part of the head. Pimples on the face. Sticta. Sept.
11-Well, except the pimples. Sepia thirtieth.
10.-Louis Walker, aged thirty-six. Influenza with bilious
diarrhcea. Sticta. Sept. 7-Improving. Sticta. 9th, cured.
11.-Anne Wiebold, thirty-five years old. Loose cough with
fiee expectoration. Worse from  midnight to morning. Sticta.
Sept. 9-Cured.
12.-William  Coleman, aged sixty-six. Coryza, the result of
sunstroke, comesback every middle of August, when not exposed;
if exposed to the sun in July, it comes on then. Itching in the
nose. When careless, it goes to the chest. Suffers now severely
with it in the chest and head. Sticta. Aug. 31-No better.
Aeon. 3rd. Greatly improved. Aeon. Sept. 5-Cured; never
cured in so short a time before.
13.-Stephen McCue, aged four years, had measles five weeks
ago, which never came out well. Cough worse night and morning;
some emaciation; restless sleep on account of the cough. Sticta.
Sept. 15-19-Steady improvement and cure. Sticta first.
14.-John Holt, aged seven years. Barking cough like whooping cough, from catching cold. Cured by Sticta in a few days.
15.-Rose Caen, aged thirteen years. Sept. 23 —IHad small-pox
a few weeks ago, and has ophthalmia varilosa yet. Conjunctiva
inflamed. Says she cannot see plainly. Pains worse when shutting
the eyes. Sticta. Sept. 26 —Great improvement. Ball clearer;
vessels in the lower part of the eye full yet. Sticta. Sept. 29Improvement continues.  Sticta.  Oct.   - Caught fresh -cold.
Ker,atitis and conjunctivitis with great photophobia. Aeon. followed by Apis. Oct. 4-Improving. Apis. Nov. 6. Was nearly
well, till she caught cold again; has now  conjunctivitis, burning
pains, photophobia, hepatic eruption on the face. Apis during the
day, Tr. Sulph. at night. Oct. 12 —Improvement. Sulph. Nov.
4 —Cured.
16.-Peter Weidman, aged forty-three.  Oct. 1 —Influenza,
51




402        NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
when cough comes on he can hardly breathe; choking sensation in
the throat, free expectoration; slime coated tongue with indigestion. Sticta. Oct. 2-State  the same.  Sticta.  Oct. 4-No
improvement. Bry., AIerc. Oct. 6-Cured.
17.-Philip  West, aged  seven months.  Oct. 3 —Diarrhcea
mucosa, and loose cough. Sticta. Oct. 5-6 -Some rattling in the
throat yet. Cough and diarrhcea improving. Sticta. Oct. 7Only restless at night now. Oct. 9-Cured.
18.-Julie Eitler, aged nine months. Oct. 22 —Diarrhea, dentition, cough, and rattling in the chest. Passages green, like
chopped eggs.  Oct. 24-Diarrhea improving, but cough the same
still. Sulph. Nov. 4-Slimy  diarrhea again. Cough abating.
Sulph. Nov. 12-Cured.
19.-Charles Bennet, aged twelve years. Oct. 26-Catarrh of
the head for four years. Sneezing mornings with greenish discharges; firontal headache and epistaxis. Sticta. Oct. 25-Less bleeding firom the nose.  Left foot and right arm often benumbed and
cold.  Sticta.  Nov. 4 —Free from  catarrh, but full of boils.
Sticta. Nov. 20-Entirely well.
The following brief' references to the Sticta are found in the
American I[oileopathic Observer, for July, 1864:
Dr. F. W. Bathlrick cured a case of Catarrh with Sticta, after
failure with the ordinary remedies. tIe proposes trying it in the
form of inhalation.
Dr. B. M. Pettitt, finding that an epidemic Influenza prevailing
in Cayuga county, New York, would not yield to the usual remedies, resorted to Sticta, and had the most gratifying success.
Timothy Baker, Esq., says, "that Mrs. Baker has been very
much benefitted by Sticta, used for her cough, (character of cough
not reported.)
Dr. Jno. C. Fall, says, " I have used the Sticta pulmonaria with
very happy effect. I wish I had time to write of the r emedy ih
extenso, but may in future."
Dr. C. W. Boyee writes, July 16th, 1864: —"Dr. Lodge,Dear ASir:-In  the July number of your'Observer,' I notice a
reference to Stieta, in Catarrh. This remedy has been of the
greatest value in this vicinity, in that troublesoine disease. During
the past spring, there was an epidemic influenza which affected
nearly every one, and which produced symptoms quite unusual
here. These consisted of an extensive dryness of the nasal mucous
membrane, which became painful. The secretions were so quickly
dried, that they were discharged after great effort, in form as hard
as scabs; the soft palate felt like dried leather; deglutition became
painful from  the same cause. Often, the catarrh extended to the
chest, leaving an irritation lasting for weeks. There was, usually,
a distinct exacerbation in the latter part of the day, and fore part
of the niglht; the morninmg hours were nearly free from  distress.
Sticta was the only remedy thiat relieved."




TRILLIUM PENDULUM.                        403
TRILLIUM PENDULUM,
(Birth Root).
This is but one of eight species of Trillium, growing in' the
Northern States. Few of our indigenous plants surpass them  in
elegance and beauty, and they are all endowed with active medicinal properties. The root of the T. atro-purpureum, or purple
species, is generally believed to be the most active. "The Trillium
has somewhat tuberous roots, having a faint, slightly terebinthinate
odor, like cedar, and a peculiar, aromatic taste. Tannin, and a
bitter extractive, however, form two of its active ingredients, to
which its medicinal effects are doubtless owing."  (Lee.)  Nothing
seems more ridiculous and puerile to the rational physician, particularly the homceopathist, than the senseless reiteration, that
"certain drugs owe their medicinal power to the tannin, or other
chemical principle, which they happen to contain."  Thus, they
(the allopaths) decree that Trillium arrests flooding, etc., because
it is an aostringent, and the tannin is the curative principle; they
blindly deny the specific (dynamic) action of drugs, and, therefore,
are obliged to take up with all such absurd subterfuges. Geranium
mac. contains more tannin than any other plant, yet possesses no
specific control over hemorrhages, which the Trilliumn undoubtedly
does. (H.)  Prof. Lee says:-" From all I have observed, and can
gather from  others, I am led to believe that the Trillium is one
of our most valuable tonics, astringents, alteratives, and especially
beneficial in most cases of passive, atonic hemorrhages, as menorrhagia, etc. Less astringent than many other plants, it is far more
alterative and tonic, yet it has decided efficacy, as an astringent,
when this indication is present."  The late Dr. Williams used the
powdered root in all kinds of active hemorrhages, in doses of one
drachm  to an adult, repeated according to the urgency of the
symptoms. Dr. Stone, of Mass., has nmade very extensive use of
it, in all forms of bleeding, especially from the womb and lungs,
and, as he thinks, with great and decided benefit. In the various
forms of scrofula and cutaneous diseases, he has also seen great
advantage from its use. In popular practice, the -Birth-root is used
in parturition, and is believed to facilitate the birth of the child,
hence its name. -Dr. _Lee found it employed extensively for this
purpose, among the Chippewa Indians, on Lake Superior. They
also believed it to be a certain specific for the bite of the rattlesnake.  It seemed to be their favorite remedy in all female
complaints, especially those attended with discharges; indeed the
evidence in its favor, in cases of vaginal and uterine leucorrhcea, is
very strong and satisfactory; also in passive bronchorrhcea and
hemroptysis.")  Dr. Coe (Concentrated Organic Med.) says: " Its
dynamic influences are chiefly directed towards the mucous surfaces, over which it seems to exercise a special control. Though
mostly employed in affections of the uterine system, it is neverthe



404       NEW  HEOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
less, of great utility in the treatment of all diseases involving the
mucous membranes. It is decidedly antiseptic, and is useful in
correcting a tendency to putrescency of the fluids, and the fretor of
the critical discharges. Slight hemorrhages occurring from wounds,
cancerous ulcerations,  etc., may be corrected  by its  local
application."
Skin. —Applied to erysipelatous and other ulcers, it is said to
restrain the profuse discharges; slight hemorrhages, occurring
from wounds, cancerous ulcerations, etc., may be arrested by the
same means.
Nose,-" A  solution of the Trillin, or the dry powder, snuffed
up the nostrils, will immediately check an epistaxis." (Coe.)
This use of Trillium  is quite common in domestic practice. It is
asserted, on good authority, that epistaxis may be arrested by
smelling of the recent root. I found it to act promptly in a case of
obstinate passive epistaxis, after other remedies had failed; it was
given in five drop doses of the first dilution and a solution of the
same strength, was snuffed up the nostrils.
Teeth.-A small quantity of the powder, or cotton saturated
with the tincture, introduced into the cavity from which a tooth has
been extracted, will effectually arrest the hemorrhage.
Mouth. —" It is useful in cancrum oris; putrid sore throat, etc.,
and as a wash or gargle."  (Coe.)
Stomach, etc.-Heat in the stomach; burning in the stomach;
thirst; increase of appetite; heat rising up from the stomach into
the msophagus.
CLINICAL REMARKE.-The above symptoms were noticed in
several cases from the 1st dec. trit. It is recommended in dyspepsia
by eclectic physicians. Theoretically, I would suggest it in "G gastric catarrh;" erosion of the mucous coat, with hmematemesis.
Abdomen, Stool, etc$-Constipation; hard, dry stool.
CLINICAL RIEMARKS.-It is undoubtedly  useful in chronic
diarrhcea, where the discharges are mainly of mucus, or of bloody
mucus; in dysentery, when the amount of blood is considerable,
and the discharges are fcetid, after the acute stage, and when the
disease threatens to become chronic. It is evident that a remedy
which exercises such specific power over passive discharges from
nearly all mucous membranes, should be useful in chronic intestinal
discharges of that character.
Urinary Organs.-It is highly recommended in hbematuria. Its
action on the urinary organs is similar to that of IUva ursi, Chimaphila, and Copaiva. Dr. Kifng says: "An infusion of equal parts
of Trillium and Lycopus v. has been highly recommended for the
cure of diabetes."  Dr. Jones (Mat. Med.) asserts: "I have used it
freely in diabetes, and from the advantages derived from its use in
those diseases, we think it merits a conspicuous place among the
list of our therapeutical agents, and one upon which much reliance
can be placed in that formidable disease."  Judging from its curative action in other diseases, it should prove useful in chronic
catarrh of the bladder, chronic urethritis, gleet, and even in some
conditions found in chronic nephritis. Dr. E. G. Wheeler reports




TRILLIUM PENDULUM.                       405
the following cases illustrative of its effects in flooding, menorrhagia,
and leucorrhbea. (Jour. of ]fat. Med., vol. ii., p. 448.)  CASE 1.Mrs. G., at the third month of pregnancy, was taken at 6 o'clock,
A.'A., with a bloody discharge from the uterus, with pain in the
back, considerable sickness at the stomach, and occasional chills.
I was called in at 9 o'clock; the flooding had greatly increased
during the last hour, and the patient fainted as I entered the room.
The pains had ceased-os uteri dilated to the size of a twenty-five
cent piece, but rather tense; loss of blood very great. I made a
strong infusion of the Trillium root, and gave her two table-spoonfuls every ten minutes; in half an hour the bleeding had greatly
diminished; the infusion was continued, but given at rather longer
intervals, and in two hours from the time I was called in, the
hemorrhage had ceased altogether; pains returned during the
following night, and the f~etus was expelled with but very trifling
loss of blood."  CASE 2. —" Was called in at 4 o'clock, P. M., to see
Mrs. S., at the full term of pregnancy; os uteri dilated to the size
of a half dollar; no pains; flooding excessive. Administered the
Trillium as in the preceeding case; it acted promptly, so that in an
hour from the time of giving the first dose, the bleeding had
entirely ceased. In about four hours more, labor pains came on,
and she was shortly delivered of two healthy children, with no
more than the usual amount of hemorrhage."  CASE 3. —" Mrs. M.,
at about the third month of pregnancy, had had slight uterine
hemorrhage, for two or three days previous. At 8 o'clock in the
evening of the third day, she became alarmed by sudden and
excessive flooding. I was immediately called in, but her fainting
turns were so frequent and so protracted, that I could not give the
remedy as fast as I desired; and notwithstanding I brought all the
means to my aid, that I could command, I greatly feared I should
lose my patient; in about three hours, however, she had taken an
infusion, made with about three drachms of the bruised root as
nearly as I could judge, and the hemorrhage was perfectly controlled. Thirty-six hours after this, pains came on, and the fcetus
was expelled without further trouble. It may not be amiss to
state, that I think I have found this remedy of decided utility in
facilitating labor. I have treated cases of leucorrhema, satisfactorily.
The plant I made use of is the Trillium atro-pururzreum."  This is
allopathic testimony, and better than the average; it is surprising
that the medicine was given alone. According to their general
usage, the physician should have given it in combination with Kino,
Plumbum aceticum, or some,powerful drug, and then claimed it as a
cure with the Trillium. The medicine was given in; large doses,
yet not inordinately so-not more than two or three drachms of the
mother tincture in each case. The specific curative action was
promptly manifested, apparently without inducing any pathogenetic
effects, showing that no injury was done by the material doses. In
the'cases which follow, it will be seen that more minute doses act
just as well. It is decreed by some writers, that the Trillium is
most useful in passive hemorrhages, but the cases above reported
were of an opposite character. We have no proving of this remedy,




40.6      NEW   HOMIEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
showing its pathogenetic action upon the generative organs of
women, nor can we decide with any certainty, as to the pathological
states which it would induce in the uterine tissue. To say it acts by
giving tone to the uterus would not convey any exact idea, although
it actually has that effect; it stimulates the uterine nerves to
healthy action, and as a consequence, we have muscular tonicity,
and a healthy condition of the mucous membranes. Hemorrhages
from the uterus, either arise from relaxation, or laceration of the
blood-vessels of that organ, or from abrasion or relaxation of its
mucous coats. Any drug, therefore, whose symptoms correspond,
will possess the power of causing just such pathological changes,
and will, therefore, cure similar lesions. The analogues of Trillium
are Terebinthina, Sabina, Pulsatilla, and Erigeron canadensis. The
following clinical cases occurred in my own practice:-CASE 1.Menorrhagia-Mrs. M., aged twenty-eight, had been subject for
several years, tofrequent and profuse menstruation. The menses
came on every fourteen days, and lasted seven or eight. In the
intervening periods, there was profuse leucorrhcea, of a yellowish
color, and creamy consistence. The blood was once bright red, and
but lately, owing to her anaemic condition, has been pale and
mixed with a leucorrhceal discharge. She took Crocus, Platina
and Sabina, but with no apparent benefit. Trillium second dec.
was then given, in doses of one grain, four times a day. The first
effect noticed was a diminution of the leucorrhcea, then the menses
delayed one week. The medicine was continued, and the next
menstrual period came on at the end of four weeks, and was not
followed by leucorrhcea. She was then put upon the use of Ferrum
met. 1st dec. and Helonin 1st dec., one grain of the former
after meals and a similar dose of the latter, before eating; and in a
few weeks the strength and color returned. Several other similar
cases were treated with the same medicine, and all recovered.
CASE 2.-3-ietrorrhagiaS-Mrs. S., aged forty-six, passing through
her climacteric, had occasional attacks of profuse flooding, at irregular times, so profuse as to bring her down very low; the blood
was thick, dark, and clotted, and would continue several days.
The attacks had been partially controlled by the use of Sabina, and
Crocus, but being called during the first day of a seizure, I determined to test the Trillium. Ten drops of the 1st dec. dilution
was given every half hour; in a few hours the flooding had
decidedly diminished, and subsided completely in two days. This
was continued, in alternation with Sanguinaria 3d., and she had no
more attacks, but menstruation ceased normally. CAsE 3. —Mrs. T.,
aged fifty, had been subject to attacks, similar to the above, but
ansemic, dropsical, and much debilitated.  Apis. 2, relieved the
dropsy promptly; Helonin gave her more strength, and better
digestion than she had had for months; and when an attack of
"flooding"  came on, Trillin 2nd decimal arrested it in two days.
These attacks were of a peculiar character; the discharge was pale,
watery, only slightly tinged with blood, but very profuse, accompanied with prostration, vertigo, dimness of sight, palpitation of the
heart, and a painful sense of "sinking at the pit of the stomach."




TRILLIUM  PENDULUM.                      407
All these symptoms, which usually lasted eight or ten days under
allopathic treatment, with Sulphuric acid, and Mur. tine. Iron,
subsided in two days, under the action of minute doses of Trillin.
In this case the discharge was really blood as much as though it
had been red; but such was her anmemia, that the red globules
were very deficient. She had become jaundiced, but under the
use of Leptandria 2nd decimal, the liver resumed its normal functions, and her increased appetite and digestion, soon
brought some color to her hitherto pallid cheeks. CASE 4.Iienzorrhage after abortion-The fcetus and placenta came away
properly, but imprudence kept up the hemorrhage, which was dark,
sanious, and accompanied with pain in the back, dragging in the
loins, and soreness in the hypogastric region. All these symptoms
subsided after using Trillin  2nd decimal for a few days.  "In
the treatment of vaginal and uterine leucorrhcea, particularly when
of an atonic character, the Tiillin will be found one of the most
reliable remedies."  In fretid discharges from the vagina and uterus,
it may be employed in the form of injection, one drachm  of the
powdered root to one quart of hot water-used when cool.'But
among the most valuable of its haemostatic properties, is its power
of restraining profuse lochial discharges. * * * We have found the
Trillin exceedingly valuable in the treatment of prolapsus uteri,
particularly when of an asthenic character, and dependant upon
an atonic condition of the uterine supports. In engorgements of
cervix uteri, chronic vaginitis, passive hemorrhages of the uterus, it
is an efficient remedy.'  The above is extracted from Dr. Coe's
article "Trillin," and is in the main correct, for it has been used
in similar conditions, in minute doses, and with success. I have
found the 1st dec. or even the 3d trit. as successful as he
claims massive doses are. Dr. Chamberlain (N. A. Jour. of Hom.,
p. 438) recommends the "Trillium, in cases of uterine hemorrhage, and profuse flooding after confinement."  He prescribes half
a tea-spoonful of the powdered root, in molasses, repeated every
ten or fifteen minutes..Dr. Freeland has used it for thirty years,
with success.
Catarrhal Affections.-It is recommended generally for chronic
catarrhal affections, especially for cough when dependent upon
chronic bronchitis, or larygnitis. In such cases it would seem to have
a'n effect similar to Copaiva, Stannum, or Pulsatilla.
Respiratory Organs.-Dr. Coe says: "In chronic cough, accompanied with spitting of blood, the Trillin is useful, and may be
combined with Lycopin."  It has quite a reputation in hbemoptysis, in the eclectic school. "Trilliuml  has been found by us, a
vaiuable agent in haenoptysis, also in the incipient stages of
phthisis, with bloody expectoration; even in the more advanced
stages, with  copious,  purulent expectoration,  hectic  fever,
troublesome cough, etc., we have found it useful."  (Jones & Scudder, Mat. Med.) It has even been recommended in asthma (humid) and whooping cough, but upon rather unsatisfactory data.
REMARKS.-I would  recommend my colleagues to test this
remedy in their practice, carefully noting its pathogenetic symp




408       NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
toms, and curative results. The above is mainly suggestive and
clinical, but may serve as the basis upon which to build a proving.
Mode of administration.-It may be used in the dilutions from the
mother tincture, triturations of the root, or the Trillin. I have
usually used the 2nd decimal trituration of Trillin.
VERATRUM  VIRIDE.
(American Hellebore).
This plant, known also by the names of Swamp Hellebore
Indian Poke, and Itch Weed, is indigenous to many parts of the
United States, usually growing in swamps, wet meadows, and on
the banks of mountain streamlets, flowering from May to July. For
homceopathic use a tincture is made of the green root. The root is
said to contain a principle nearly identical with Veratria, but Dr.
King thinks it is like Colchicia, a distinct, though analagous principle. From old school and eclectic sources, we glean the following
estimate of the properties and uses of this medicine. We have no
regzular and exhaustive proving, only fragmentary ones, but enough
to guide us pretty correctly. Dr. W. C. Norwood, who has done
much to bring this plant into notice, states that actual experiments
made by himself, have proved. I.- "It is slightly acrid, and confining
this action mostly to the mouth and fauces. 2. —Expectorant, and
unsurpassed by any other remedy for which this property is
claimed. 3.-Diaphoretic, being one of the most curative belonging
to the materia medica; often exciting great coolness or coldness of
the surface; sometimes rendering the skin merely soft and moist,
and at others, producing free and abundant perspiration, without
reducing or exhaustingc the system. 4.-Adenagic, deobstruent or
alterative, far surpassing Iodine, and from which much advantage
may be expected in the treatment of Cancer and Consumption.
5.-Nervine, and never narcotic. This property renders it of great
value in the treatment of painful diseases, and such as are accompanied with spasmodic action, convulsions, morbid irritability, and
irritative mobility, as in chorea especially, epilepsy, pneumonia,
puerperal fever, neuralgia, etc. And it produces its effect in this
respect, without stupefying and torpifying the system, as opium is
known to do. 6. —Emetic; it is slow but certain in its operation,
efficient, rousing the liver to action during its operation, and vomits
without occasioning the prostration or exhaustion which follow
the action of most other emetics. It is also superior to most other
emetics in not being cathartic. It is peculiarly adapted as an
metic in hooping cough, croup, asthma, scarlet fever, and in all




VERATRUM  VIRIDE.                       409
cases when there is much febrile or inflammatory action. 7.-Arterial sedative.  This he considers its most valuable and interesting
property, and for which it stands unparalleled and unequalled as a
therapeutic agent. 8.-In small doses it creates and promotes
appetite beyond any agent with which we are acquainted." Dr.
Norwood was doubtless too enthusiastic in his praises of this medicine, just as the ancients too highly estimated the value of the
Veratrum alb., its nearest analogue.  He has reduced the pulse by
use of the tincture to thirty-five beats per minute, without exciting
the least nausea or vomiting. The antidotes to its excessive action,
are morphine, ginger, brandy, and laudanum. Dr. Osgood says it is
an emetic, and its action violent and long continued. HIe denies its
cathartic action. It increases most of the secretions, and when
freely taken, exercises a powerful influence on the nervous system,
indicated by faintnes, somnolency, vertigo, headache, dizziness of
vision, and dilated pupils. Prof. Tully regarded it as an excellent
substitute for C(olchicum, in gquty, neuralgic and rheumatic affections, to which diseases it seems best adapted. Prof. Wood classes
it among the "nervous sedatives" along with Digitalis, Aconite,
Verat. alb, etc., and records many symptoms resulting from its use,
which will be found recorded in the pathogenesis. We present
the bold and heroic proving of this powerful drug, by Dr. Burt.
It is a faithful record of the symptoms caused by large doses. In a
note to the proving, Dr. B., writes. " I am confident that had I not
assumed the horizontal posture when on the point of fainting, the
syncope would have proved fatal," he intimates that a "' heart-clot"
would have formed, but it is doubtful if that effect would have
happened: paralysis of the heart would have been the most probable
result.
PHYSIOLOGICAL EXPERIMENT WITH VERAiTRUI'L VIRIDE.
By Mltn. I. Blurt,.M. D., of Lyons, Iowa.
Dec. 21st. —In perfect health; bowels regular, once a day; pulse
seventy-four; respiration twenty; took thirty drops of the 3d dec.
dilution of fluid extract of Veratrum viride, prepared in water.
At 10 A. i., ten minutes after, sharp drawing pain over the left eye,
with a contracted feeling of the skin of the forehead; one-half
after ten, constant, dull, frontal headache, with neuralgic pains in
the right temple, close to the eye; eleven A. M., dull pains over the
eye with quite severe drawing pains in the umbilical region-pulse
sixty-seven, took fifty drops; 12 M., slight frontal headache with
prickling pains in the region of the heart, frequent drawing pains
in the umbilical region; pulse seventy, took sixty drops; 2 P. M.,
dull drawing pains in the forehead, natural stool, took one hundred
drops; 3 rP. r., dull, heavy, frontal headache, with prickling pains in
the praecordial region; took 150 drops; 5 P. r., slight frontal headache,  neuralgic  pains in the region of the heart and cardiac
portion of the stomach; took 200 drops; 7 P. ir., very frequent
neuralgic pains in the cardiac portion of the stomach; took 175
drops; slight, dull, frontal headache, neuralgic pains in the right
side of the umbilicus, passing down to the groin; slight drawing
52




410       NEW   IiOMEOPATEItC  PROVINGS.
pains in the right elbow and calves of the legs; sharp flying pains
in the epigastric and umbilical regions, pulse sixty-six.
Dec., 22d. —Slept well, but had frightful dreams of being on the
water, feeling well, pulse 79; 9 A. 31., took three drops of fid. ext.
one-half after nine, pulse seventy-six; slight, dull, firontal headache,
with a contractive feeling of the skin of the forehead; 10 A. 3M.,
respiration twenty; took four drops; 11 A. M., dull frontal headache
with neuralgic pains in the temples; sharp pains in the epigastric
and umbilical regions, passing down to the pubes; pulse seventyone; 12 M., took five drops; 2 P. ri., very severe frontal headache,
with dull aching pains in the umbilical region; pulse seventy-four;
took six drops; 4 P. x., constant dull headache, pulse seventy;
took six drops; 9 P. Mr., dull frontal headache, with neuralgic pains
in the right temple; tongue feeling as if it had been scalded; dull
aching pains in the epigastrium; very sleepy, took eight drops.
Dec. 23rd.-Had a restless night, frightful dreams of people
drowning; flat taste in the mouth; tongue coated yellow along the
centre; soft papescent stool, at 9 A. M., took ten drops; pulse
seventy; 10 A. M., there has been constant and severe cutting,
aching pains in the umbilical region with rumbling in the bowels,
with a soft stool; took twelve drops; dull heavy aching pains in the
region of the gall-bladder, with dull pains in the umbilical region;
arms ache; 12 3i., took twelve drops; 1 P. ai., very severe aching
in the back of the neck; very difficult to hold my head up; constant burning distress in the region of the heart; am very weak
and tremble all over; pulse forty-six, soft and very weak; can
hardly be felt; mushy stool without pain; 2 P. xr., dull frontal
headache; face is very pale; nose looks pinched and blue; constant hiccough with violent and constant spasms of the upper
part of the (esophagus; cannot swallow; profuse vomiting of
thick  glairy  mucus and water;  profuse secretion  of tears,
and mucus from the nose, also saliva; neck aching severely, pulse
forty-four, soft and very weak; twenty minutes after 2, violent vomiting; with severe frontal headache  and  hiccough;
cannot walk; if I attempt it, I am very faint and completely blind;
obliged to  keep in  the horizontal position;  4 P. r., pupils
dilated; neck and arms ache severely; dull aching pains in the
umbilical region with rumbling; cannot walk across the room
without becoming blind; pulse forty-four, soft and very weak;
5 P. M,, constant dull  aching  pains in the urmbilicus, with
sharp neuralgic pains in the left groin; can walk about ten
rods, when I become blind, and am  compelled to sit down;
pulse forty-six; 8 P. xr., feeling much better, pulse sixty-one,
soft and weak, constant dull pain in the umbilicus, and pain in
the region of the gall-bladder, took eight drops and retired.
Dec. 24th.-Slept sound, frightful dreams of the water as
usual; flat, bitter taste in the mouth; tongue coated yellow
along the centre; slight dull pains in the bowels; pulse sixtyfour, soft and full; took ten drops; at 8 A. M., dull aching
pains in the umbilicus; by spells they are very sharp and
shooting, dull pains in the region of the gall-bladder, tongue




VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      411
feeling as if it had been scalded; took ten drops at 10 A. M.;
12  f., dull frontal headache; dull pains in the urnbilicus; natural stool, followed by aching in the rectum; pulse fifty-five,
soft -and very weak; took ten drops; 1 P. M., very severe frontal headache; hiccough with constant and severe spasms of the
upper part of the  msophagus; violent vomiting of my dinner,
and then a thick glairy mucus;-the secretion of saliva; mucus
from the nostrils, and tears is profuse; dull aching pains and distress in the umbilical region; back of the neck and arms ache
severely; almost impossible to hold my head up; pulse forty-four,
soft and very weak; can just be felt; can walk about'four rods,
then I become blind and faint, but can, sit up without any
trouble; 2 P. x., hiccough lasted two hours, also the spasm of
the cesophagus; dull frontal headache; severe aching in the neck
very much worse by moving; dull pain in the bowels; pulse
forty-six sitting or lying down; constant dull aching, burning
pain in the region of the heart under the sternum; ringingin
the ear; moving quickly makes me very deaf; 3 P. M., dulls hot
aching pain in the region of the heart, dull pain in the umbilical
region, pulse forty-six, soft and very weak; 5 P. hr., pulse fiftyseven, soft and  weak, burning distress in the region of the
heart; dull pains in the umbilicus; 6 P. -I., pulse sixty, burning
distress in the region of the heart; dull pains in the bowels;
10 P. mi., pulse sixty-six; dull pain in the umbilicus, with desire
for stool, mushy stool, followed by an aching sensation in the
rectum.  Morning, feeling well; pulse sixty-six, small, quick and
hard.
Nervous System. —Wood  places the Verat v., among the
"nervous sedatives," and nearly all writers contend that its sedative
action on the heart is through the nervous system.
Nerves of Sensation.-Its action on these nerves is quite similar
to that of Aconite and Verat alb.; yet, there are points of difference
worthy of being noticed. It does not actually produce anaesthesia,
but allays pain and hyper-catharsis. When given in rheumatism
and neuralgia the pain abates as soon as the system is under the
influence of the medicine. An external application of the tincture
to painful swellings, eruptions, etc., is said to mitigate the painful
sensations.
Nerves of Notion. —-We have observed as a result of- the
administration  of  Veratrin very singular  contortions of the
muscular system, particularly of the muscles of the face, neck,
fingers and toes; the head would be drawn to one side, the
mouth drawn down at one corner, and the facial muscles affected
with convulsive twitchings; at times these contortions would take
the form of' tonic spasms, while at other times the action would
simulate a series of galvanic shocks, frequently of such violence as
to precipitate the patient out of bed; during all this time the
intellect of the patient remained undisturbed, and he was conscious
of all that was going on."-(Coe Con. Org. Med.) It would certainly seem that the Veratruin was homceopathic to chorea in some
of its forms. The Veratrum  viride seems to exert a sedative




412       NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
influence over the nerves, as specifically as Nux vomica and its
analogues irritate them. Its primary action is the opposite of the
primary action of Strychnine. It is secondarily homoeopathic to
convulsive affections. As a prompt and reliable remedy I prefer it
to Aconite in hysterical, epileptiform, or puerperal convulsions;
also in the convulsions of children. I have succeeded with the first
decimal dilution, rarely having to resort to the mother tincture, and
then only giving it in one and two-drop doses. The following
allopathic experience with the Verat. v. in nervous and spasmodic
affections, is worthy of place here: It is stated that animals
poisoned with the Veratria from Verat. viride " lost the power over
the locomotive muscles, and after death the galvanic current did not
exercise the same convulsive movements as in cases of death from
other causes."-(Amer. Mi/ed. Times.) Experimenters all notice a
peculiar " weakness and inability to move the muscles;" also,
stiffness of the voluntary musles.  Dr. Baker, in the Southern
Medical and Surgical Journal, gives an account of the value of
the drug in the  treatment of  certain  neuroses.  Case 1:-'The patient was a stout, healthy man of sober habits. I found him
sitting on the side of the bed, seemingly well and perfectly intelligent, unaware, however, that he had had convulsions. All that I
could ascertain of his previous history was, that he had been
similarly affected in childhood. While conversing with him he was
suddenly, and without apparent premonition, seized with a frightful
convulsion, occasioning frothing at the mouth, and the most
violent jactitations of all the voluntary muscles. I immediately
opened a vein and bled him  profusely, but without the desired
result; for, after the lapse of a certain period, with as perfect a
return of consciousness as before, there occurred another convulsion of equal severity. In this emergency, the- excessive muscular
relaxation capable of being produced by the Veratrum  viride
occurred to my mind, and I reflected that such an effect could only
be produced by an influence primarily exerted upon the cerebrospinal system  of voluntary nerves. I administered the Veratrum
in full and repeated doses, desiring, and confidently expecting to
produce the same train of distressing symptoms that so alarmed
me. some years previously; these were nausea, vomiting, purging,
(rarely observed) muscular relaxation, and coldness of the surface.
In this I was disappointed; for, though the convulsions were arrested,'
there occurred no other symptom than a relaxed skin, with profuse
perspiration. Since then I have administered  the Veratrum  in
numerous cases of eclamsia of children, with such satisfactory
results as to establish beyond all doubt, the power of this agent to
arrest convulsions."  Dr. Baker, in June, 1858, undertook the cure
of a case of chorea in a young lady. It had been gradually coming on
for two months. When first visited, her symptoms were distressing
to the last degree, the entire muscular system being in continuous
and tumultuous motion. The case passed on from bad to worse,
notwithstanding. the- most assiduous  attention  and  energetic
treatment. Tonics, anti-spasmodics, and anodynes were exhausted
without avail; the spine and nucha were cupped and blistered,




VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      413
without benefit; chloroform  was administered internally and by
inhalation; opium and its preparations seemed to make her worse;
so, after all the family had given up all expectation of recovery,
upon the suggestion of a medical friend, who had twice used the
Verat. viride, in three cases of chorea, with the most satisfactory
results,' I at once commenced its administration. And as she was
gradually brought under its influence, the turmoil began to cease;
the face, which had been worked by its muscles into the most ludicrous and horrible distortion, became placid and intelligent; the
head ceased its everlasting jerking, the extremities lay still,
the body left off writhing, and the patient quietly passed into a
peaceful and profound slumber. This sleep was deep and long, as
it was the first, with few and slight exceptions, that she had had in
nearly two weeks; and the quiet that the muscles now received
was all that had  occurred, save during  those few and short
slumbers. At a subsequent visit, I found the family cheerful and
hopeful, and the patient quiet and sleeping, the pulse but little
depressed; there had occurred no vomiting-I roused her, and to
my great satisfaction, when awake, there was no jactitation of the
extremities, and but very little twitchings of the muscles of the
face.  The Veratrum  was continued, and for the first few days,
if withheld, the commotion began to return; under the quiet
induced, the sleep was so continuous at the outset, that the family
called the preparation'the laudanum mixture.' After a time the
convulsions ceased altogether, and the patient was restored to
health under a course of tonics."  Dr. Terry reports three cases of
chorea, in which the Verat. v. was employed. r he first was a child,
cet. twelve. "It had been confined to bed for three weeks, and
was reported to have been under treatment for about six weeks;
first, for worms, with spigelia, worm-seed, etc., and subsequently,
for chorea, with cimicifuga rac., iron, quinine, and the usual routine
treatment, until the child was apparently dying. It is not in the
power of language to convey a proper conception of the truly
pitiable state in which I found this child. It had slept none,
neither taken any nourishment for days. It was evidently dying
from  exhaustion  and inanition. The muscular commotion was
violent, universal, and unaffected by sleep; the lips embossed
with  foam, worked up by a continued champing of the teeth.
Three drops of the tincture of Verat. viride were administei'ed
every three hours, the vehicle being gum water. In twenty-four
hours, I had the gratification to  see the  symptoms greatly
improved; the muscles were much quieter, and the child could
swallow without difficulty. The trouble in this respect had constituted the greatest embarrassment in the treatment. At the end of
the fourth day, all convulsive action had ceased. Clacse 2, was an
ordinary one, in a girl of fifteen.  After purging, four drops of
the Verat. v. were given every three hours. Prompt convalescence ensued.  Case 3. —A  womian vet. thirty-six, childless, and
subject to menorrhagia, immediately after an attack of which, she
had a continual nodding of the head, and violent convulsive action
in one arm, together with jactitation of one leg. In this case




414      -NEW   IIOMCEOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
six drops of the tincture of Verat. v. were given every three hours.
The fourth dose occasioned slight nausea, and after the fifth
dose, the convulsive action ceased, when the Veratrunm was withheld.  In eight or ten hours the symptoms returned.  Upon
resuming the medicine, they again disappeared-the doses were
then reduced. The case recovered. Dr. Baker also mentions a
case of puerperal convulsions in which Chloroform by inhalation,
copious bleeding and forceps were employed; child dead; weighed
eleven and a half pounds. Patient was left quiet and comfortable.
Seen after four or five hours had elapsed; she was found in a most
violent convulsion, which was said to be the seventh, since delivery.
Fifteen drops of the tincture of Verat. viride were given, and ten
more were directed to be given in two hours, after which the
intervals should: be prolonged to three or four hours.  There
occuirred no more convulsions, and the woman recovered perfectly,
She was not even nauseated, though the medicine was given at
regular intervals during the whole night. -Dr. Woodward, of
Galesburg, Illinois (Philadelphia MI. and S. Reporter), writes: —
"In a late case of puerperal convulsions, I did not resort to the
Veratrum, but used the lancet twice, taking. away forty-five ounces
of blood before the convulsions ceased; but in about four hours
after the last convulsion, the lady became furiously delirious,
requiring to be held on the bed. Two doses, of ten drops each, of
tincture Verat., v., quieted her so completely that she slept for
hours, and had no return of the delirium."
Skin.-Coldness of the skin, which is usually perspiring; the
sweat is often warm, but sometimes cold and clammy; it causes
vesication of the skin, when applied externally; tingling  and
prickling of he skin.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We harve no proof in our proving, or in
the cases of poisoning on record, that it causes any eruptions when
taken internally; externally it causes erythema and vesications.
Prof. Lee says it is an 1" epispastic;'" it causes perspiration; not
like -Opium, which stimulates the skin, but like Tartar Emetic. In
other words, the sweating is passive from depression of function.
In Tilden's Journal we read  that the Verat. v. has been used
externally in local inflammations. The tincture should be combined
with Glycerine two parts to six. Apply by saturating lint, and putting
it on the inflamed spot. It is reported to have cured a case of
shingles, applied externally in the form of diluted tincture.  In
chronic skin diseases, it has been used according to Prof. Lee,
with much benefit. A  popular ointment for the cure of scabies,
tinea capitis, etc., is made from this plant, but its external use in
such cases is not devoid of danger.
S1eep.-Sound sleep every night, but has frightful dreams of
being on the water; restless night, with frightful dreams of being
drowned.
CLINICAL RrEMARKS.-The above symptoms, are quite commonly
experienced in cerebral congestions. In the incipient stages of
meningitis, or hydrocephalus, dreams of' being on the water are
not unusual. Dr. Coe says it is a "soporific," but decrees that it




VERATRUM  VIIDE.                        415
is not a narcotic. Drs. Tully and Ives proved to their own satisfaction, that it was possessed of narcotic properties.
Fever.-Chilliness with nausea; coldness of the whole body with
cold perspiration, especially upon the hands, feet and face; coldness,
with pale skin, flabby muscles, and quick weak pulse; excites great
coolness or coldness of the surface, sometimes renders the slin
merely soft and moist, at other times causes profuse, cold perspiration; cool skin, pulse reduced from 100 to 60 in fever; coldness of
the whole body, with cold sweat; pulse 35 slow and soft, with
nausea and vomiting. When given in fever it does not always
cause slowness of the pulse, but will render a pulse of 140, softer
and weak without diminishing its fiequency; weak, scarcely perceptible pulse, and reduced from 68 to 52; feeble, irregular, searcely perceptible pulse, with cold clammy perspiration.
CLINICAL REMAIxrs.-The  Veratrum  viride belongs to  the
group of remedies of which Aconite, Veratrum  alb. Gelseminum
semp., etc., are members. The primary action of all these remedies
when given in medicinal doses, is to depress the circulation, through
the agency of the nervous system. With this depression, there is
always present coldness or coolness of the skin, warm or cold
perspiration, chilliness or coldness, and, in short all the symptoms
which generally characterize the cold stage of fevers. I have not
been able to find, in any of the cases of poisoning by Verat. v., any
general reaction following this cold stage. The same may be said
of the other members of this group. It is only in careful and
exhaustive provings, with small and repeated doses, that we get continuous febrile symptoms. But we may properly accept this statement, namely:-that it is with medicinal, as with natural diseases,
a fact that a febrile reaction always follows the cold stage, if the
vital powers do not prevent. Any cause capable of depressing the
nervous and vascular system (primarily) will cause excitation and
irritation of the same systems (secondarily). The secondary (reactive) symptoms will vary in nature, symptoms, and intensity, with
the cause. Thus~ the  secondary febrile symptoms following the
primary febrile symptoms of Aconite are very different from those
of Gelseminum  or Veratrum. In fevers in general, Veratruml
viride enjoys the confidence of a great portion of the allopathic
and eclectic schools of medicine. But like, all other powerful
medicines, it has its enthusiastic adherents, and its bitter opposers.
Some very high authorities are extravagant in their laudations of
its safety, efficiency, and curative power over many other diseases
besides fevers; at the same time, other authorities equally high,
denounce it as a dangerous drug. Prof. Lee says:- "The same
objections will apply to it, as has been brought against Aconite,
namely; the difficulty of regulating its effects, and its dangerously
depressing effects, even in small doses. From what we have seen
and know of its use, we have little doubt that it has caused more
deaths in one year than chloroform, has since its discovery."  I am
sorry for the sake of humanity, that I can agree with Prof. Lee in
his estimate of its danger, bat only when used in the recklessly
large doses of his school. Aconite, Tartar emetic, and Mercury,




416       NEW  HOM3EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
are equally dangerous and fatal when used by the dominant school;
yet, in the hand of the homceopathist, these poisonous agents
become potent instruments for the removal of disease. He regulates the dose to suit the over-sensitive, diseased organism, and the
result is that Veratrum viride, as well as Verat. alb., Aconite,
Tartar emetic, Gelseminum, and others, become invaluable to
suffering humanity. In  simple Ephemeral fever, without local
inflammation, but accompanied by vertigo, headache, dimness of
sight, nausea, weakness, and restlessness, this remedy is as useful as
any. (Drop doses of the first'decimal dilution.)  In Irritative fever
it may sometimes be of great utility. In this disease the pulse
often runs as high as 140, or even 160. It differs not less in
strength and fulness than in frequency. Sometimes it is strong,
full, and moderately accelerated, and sometimes small and feeble;
and the latter is most apt to be the case when the frequency is the
greatest. When the fever is accompanied with a tendency to
drowsiness, throbbing of the temporal arteries, a full, frequent,
hard pulse, vomiting of mucus and  bile, constipation, tendency
to spasms, (as is frequently the case in the Inrfantile remittent of
children), the Veratrum viride in suitable doses will soon effect a
favorable change. To a person over ten years, may be given five
or ten drops of the first decimal dilution, every hour or two; to
children from one drop to five drops will suffice, although in cases
of cerebral congestion large doses may be used. When this fever
is caused by teething, the irritation of worms, or any cause acting
through the nervous system, this remedy is the best we can use.
As stated above, the pulse is often quick, febrile, and very feeble.
This may arise from an affection of the nervous centres, and the
pulse may be the pulse of oppression and of weakness. In the
former case the Verat. viride in the doses above recommended will
often cause the pulse to become less frequent, fuller, and softer.
When debility is the cause of the small pulse, Phos. ac. and China
are indicated. Intermittent fever is not controlled by any remedy
of the Aconite group. They do not seem to possess the antiperiodic power, which is essential.  I cannot subscribe to the
doctrine taught in our school, that " any medicine will cure ague
if indicated by the symptoms." I practiced in a malarious district
over twelve years, and my experience in the, treatment of miasmatic
fevers led me to adopt this conclusion, namely, that there is a
certain class of remedies which possess antidotal virtues, or are
capable, when introduced into the system, of antidoting the
malarious poison. I believe this poison to be a specific miasm, and
not a mere " correlated force," as some teach. Not all intermittents
are due to the action of this poison, and some such fevers may be
cured by others than members of the China-group, namely: —
Quinine, Nux vomica, Arsenicum, Salicine, Cornus florida, etc.
Veratrum viride, although not indicated for the disease itself, is
often of great use in the hot stage, when the reaction is intense,
and the vascular system is excited strongly. In such Qases, in
adults, we may have congestion of the brain, delirium, powerful
action of the heart, and a hard, rapid pulse, and in children




VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      417
severe spasms and convulsions. In these cases this remedy is
superior to Aconite or Belladonna. Under its use the intensity of
the paroxysm will soon subside, and the threatened convulsions be
arrested. I have sometimes given one or two drops of the mother
tincture every half hour to an adult, and half as much to a child,
with the happiest results. Remittent or bilious fever, when not
dependent on miasmatic influences, will often be amenable to the
therapeutic influence of Veratrum viride; but will have to be
alternated with other remedies like Bryonia, Mercurius, Podophyllum or Leptandria, as the symptoms and conditions demand.
When the gastric symptoms are predominant, this remedy will
have to be used in smaller doses (2nd or 3rd dil.) than when the
stomach or bowels are irritated. When this form of fever assumes
the character of a pernicious remittent, the Verat. v. is to be used
with extreme caution. It is still indicated, but primarily, for the
primary action of the drug is to cause conditions very similar to
a pernicious fever; namely, prostration of the vital forces, with
typhus symptoms, etc. My experience in such fevers has taught
me that the best and safest treatment is to use Baptisia, Verat.
viride, Aconite, or Verat. alb., 3rd, in alternation with a remedy
secondarily indicated; namely, China, Quinine, Nitric acid, etc., in
material doses. Indeed, it is often necessary in those low conditions which occur during pernicious fevers, to give Quinine in five
or ten glain doses, repeated in brandy, every hour. Those who
have had to combat with these terrible malarious diseases will
know and appreciate the necessity of resorting in some cases
to such doses; and those who know the least, practically, of these
diseases, are they who are loudest in denouncing what they
term  "gross medication."  In Yellow Fever, the Veratrum  has
been used by the dominant school, with alleged success. Drs.
White and Ford of Charleston, S. C., treated many cases with
Verat. v. In the Charleston Medical Journal and Review they
give the results of their treatment. They gave from eight to ten
drops to adults, and from  one to six drops to children, repeated
every hour or two. "By the administration of the Veratrum in
this manner, the pulse was sooner or later subdued, and as it
sank, became somewhat irregular. The first doses were often
vomited, in severe cases, but the succeeding ones were commonly
retained, and the patient did not vomit again until the pulse was
reduced, when the effect of the remedy was occasionally marked
by emesis. This vomiting was rarely severe, ceasing of itself
upon a temporary discontinuance of the medicine, or yielding
readily to common restoratives. The reduction of the pulse was
accompanied by a notable cooling of the body, by a well-marked
diminution of the;headaches, pain in the back aid limbs, of the
restlessness and anxiety, of the frequency of the respiration, of the
congestion of the skin, flushing of the face, tumefaction of the
tongue, and injection of the conjunctiva. The patient felt much
relieved, and slept tranquilly as soon as the vomiting had ceased;
nor would the symptoms tend to recur for some hours, as they
would always do, however, if the drug were not again prescribed."
53




418    NEW  HOMCEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
The pulse was kept by the Veratrum fifteen beats below the
normal range. If the pulse was small and frequent, it was given
in small doses; if black vomit supervened, and the pulse was slow,
the Veratrumn plainly was not required; if, however, the pulse
was rapid, the Veratrum was continued in doses proportioned to
its frequency, which were usually small, and repeated every two
or three hours. Without regard, therefore, to the ordinary accidents of the disease, whenever it was required, and only then, the
Veratrum was uniformly, or specially administered, until convalescence was declared."  Together with the Veratrum, however,
Mercury was given, pushed to salivation and catharsis; also, saline,
diuretic and refrigerent mixtures; so that the results are anything
but satisfactory to the investigator, who would ascertain the pure
effects of drugs in disease. Of the whole number treated with
Veratrum; namely, 117, there recovered 102; died 15.  Adults,
80, recovered 66; died 14. Children 37, recovered 36; died 1. The
subjoined table shows the mean range of the pulse under the
Veratrum viride, as compared with its mean range before the
Verat was given:
Mean Fiequency.       ) Adult Males. | Adult Females. Children.
When Veratrum v. was first given-... —..- 1  102.5  114.2  137.5
Sevenhours after - --------.. —---     61.3  65.2      71.0
Remainder of disease - ----         52.8       64.7       74.8
This table shows the power which the medicine exercises over
the pulse and the heart's action in disease, and by it we can judge
pretty correctly of its action on the healthy organism.
In Typhoid fever, the Veratrum viride has not been used much
in bomceopathic practice; not as much, as in our opinion, it is
entitled to. Many of its symptoms strongly resemble the symptoms of typhoid, particularly the abdominal and cerebral varieties.
The only cure on record in our literature, illustrating the action of
this remedy in typhoid fever, is reported in the Philadelphia Jour.
of Hom., by Dr. Henry. He says: " It is the best remedy I have
ever used in the treatment of those diseases which have a tendency
to assume a typhoid form of fever. As far as I have been able to
test this remedy, in fever of all descriptions, I must say I am
better pleased with it than with Aconite." Case 1. —A little girl,
aged thirteen, had been suffering with continued fever for ten days.
She complained of violent pain in the back; inclined to sleep most
of the day; very sick at the stomach, but not so as to produce
vomiting; black diarrhcea; pulse varying from ninety-eight to one
hundred and ten during the day;. pain and weakness in the lower
limbs. I took the case to be a mild form of typhus. I immediately
put five drops of the mother tincture in a tumbler half full of water,
and ordered a tea-spoonful to be taken every half hour, until perspiration was produced. I called in two hours, found the pulse
down to eighty-four; the patient was in a general perspiration;
she recovered without any other remedy, in two days.; Case 2. —
Mr. H., a young man, aged eighteen, sick two weeks. Found him




VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      419
with a very high fever; pulse 120; face very much flushed; fulness, with slight pain, and great buzzing in the head; gnats and
bugs fly before the eyes; inclined to jumnp out of bed; talking at
random; slight bearing down pains in the bowels, attended with
black diarrhoea; great weakness of the lower extremities, with
general prostration. Six drops of the mother tincture of Verat. v.
was mixed with twelve tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful to be
taken every half. hour. In three hours found the pulse down to
ninety-five; before the day was out he was in a fine perspiration;
no fever for three days; has now a slight fever, which lasts two
or three hours a day; every other symptom right." There is no
question in my mind, but that a continuance of the pathogenetic
action of Verat. v. would result in such lesions of the intestinal
canal, as result in the typhus process. Rubbed on the skin, or
held in the mouth, it causes erosions and vesicular eruptions, and it
will probably affect, similarly, the whole intestinal tract. I regard
it as secondarily indicated in all fevers of the synochal or inflammatory type, and even in some typhoids. The above cases have many
symptoms which resemble those caused by Verat. v.; but Baptisia,
Belladonna, Phosphoric acid, and Mluriatic acid, are more generally
indicated. A large amount of testimony could be produced from
allopathic sources, in regard to the value of Verat. v. in typhoid
fevers, and many grains of truth gleaned from the chaff, but we
cannot give the space. In Small Pox, or VcTriola, when the fever
is intense, with excessive pain and restlessness, the Verat. viride
will prove as reliable as Aconite, and in some cases, even more satisfactory. I have used it in but one case of variola-four drops of
the 1st dec. were given every hour, with the effect of mitigating
the severity of the fever, and hastening the occurrence of the
eruption. The recent use of the &Sracenia pur., in this dreaded
disease, now attracts much attention, and bids fair to supersede all
other remedies. In feleasles, during the febrile stage, and especially
if pulmonary congestion is feared, the Verat. v. is a most useful
remedy. Under its use the dyspncea, cough, and pain, rapidly
subside.  In children, convulsions often precede the outbreak of
the eruption. If Verat. v. is given at the outset, this accident will
generally be prevented. The next most useful remedies in this
disease are, Gels., Puls., Euphr., and Mere. iod. In Scarlatiza, it is
infinitely superior to Aconite, Gelseminum, or any other remedy,
except Belladonna. I allude to the Scarlatina simplex, and S.
Anginosa, during the first, or febrile stage. It controls the pulse,
even when given in the low dilutions, better than any other remedy,
and hastens the normal appearance of the eruption. The testimony
of some of the most prominent physicians of the homceopathic
school sustain this assertion. Dr. Small prefers it to any other
remedy, when the arterial excitement is intense, and there is danger
of cerebral congestion, or irritation of the spinal centres. It is well
known that in this disease the arterial excitement is more severe,
the pulse more frequent, and the heat of the skin greater than in any
other; the Verat. v. will sooner modify this condition than Aconite
or Gelseminum. It should be given in alternation with Bella



420        NEW  HOMUgOPATHIC PRO VINGS.
donna; the doses must be varied to suit the severity of the case.
For children, the dilutions from the 1st to the 3d (dec); for adults,
drop doses of the mother tincture may be required. The best
is, to give enough to control the arterial excitement. It is useful in
certain Sequelce of scarlatina, acute rheumatism, dropsy, etc., when
febrile symptoms are manifested. In Erysipelas, it is often useful.
Besides its specific action in controlling the arterial excitement, it
appears to be homceopathic to the vesicular variety; for the application of Verat. v. to the skin often causes an eruption closely
resembling that form of the disease, and even its internal administration is said to have caused a similar eruption all over the body.
When cerebral symptoms occur from a supposed metastasis of the
inflammation to the brain, and we find the pulse hard and full, or
hard and small, we may expect much benefit from this remedy, in
alternation with Belladonna, Apis, or Arnica. If the febrile symptoms assume a low, or asthenic type, Rhus tox., Arnica, Muriatic
acid, or Baptisia, will be more applicable. The Verat. v. has been
used as an external application, with alleged benefit in cases of
erysipelas-a weak solution-one drachm  to one pint of water,
may be applied with soft cloths.
Ilead.-H-eadache, with vertigo; dimness of vision, and dilated
pupils; headache, proceeding from the nape of the neck; heaviness
of the head; sharp, drawing pain over the left eye, with a contracted feeling of the skin of the forehead; dull, frontal headache,
with neuralgic pains in the right temple, close to the eye; dull,
drawing pains in the forehead, with drawing, dull pains in the
umbilical region; very severe, frontal headache, with vomiting;
constant, dull, heavy headache.
CLINICAL REMARKS. —The Veratrum v. acts upon the brain,
similarly to Aconite, and Gelseminum; yet, its effects are far from
identical. The therapeutic range of Veratrum  over affections of
the brain is far greater than that of the latter. I know  of no
drug, not even Belladonna, so useful in affections of the head,
when they are of a congestive character. In Cerebral Congestions,
it is immensely superior to' any known drug. This assertion is
made understandingly, and based upon an experience of six years
with the medicine. It is most useful when the congestion arises
from plethora, vascular irritation, coup cde soliel, alcoholic stimulants, teething in children, and especially when it occurs from
suppressed discharges. When the congestion occurs from rheumatic
irritation, Cimicifuga, or Aconite are better indicated. The symptoms calling for Verat. v. are, a sense of fulness; heaviness;
weight, or distention of the head; giddiness; intense headache,
with fulness and throbbing of the arteries, sometimes with stupefaction; increased sensitiveness to sound, with buzzing, roaring,
etc.; double, partial, luminous, painful, dim, or otherwise disorered vision; nausea and vomiting; tingling, numbness, etc., in the
limbs; mental confusion; loss of memory; convulsions, or paralysis
of motion. For these congestions of the head in young children,
from  teething, I have for several years given this medicine the
preference over Belladonna, or Aconite; also in cerebral oppres



VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      421
sion, occurring during the progress of a pneumonia. I consider it
as perfectly hommeopathic to these before-mentioned congestive
conditions, as any other drug in our materia medica, for it has
caused all the symptoms of such morbid states. It does not cure
by " depressing the action of the heart," as bleeding does. Those
who denounce the use of Verat. v. in vascular irritation, fever, etc.,
might as well denounce Aconite and Gelseminum, for they all act in
a similar manner. The increased action of the vascular system is
a secondary effect of these medicines. In.feningitis, the Verat.
v. should be used promptly, and in the lowest dilutions, alternated
with Belladonna, when the latter remedy seems indicated. I
believe it to be more useful in this disease, as well as Cerebritis,
than Aconite. In Tubercular meningitis, or Hydrocephalus, it can
do no good, except in the stage of active inflammation, if that
stage exists; but it may be palliative in preventing or arresting
spasms in the later stages.
Face and Nose.-Pale, cold face; face cold, bluish, and covered
with cold perspiration; convulsive twitching of the facial muscles;
mouth drawn down at one corner; paleness of the lips, and around
the alke of the nostrils; nose looks pinched, cold, and blue; profuse
secretion of mucus from the nostrils;'singular contortions of the
muscles of the face. (See spasmodic symptoms.)
CLINICAL REMARKS.-We have in the above facial symptoms
these conditions indicated, namely: collapse of the general system,
spasmodic or chorectic states, and a congested or apoplectic condition of the brain. It has cured several cases of chorea, and is of
great value in cerebral congestion. The "drawing down of a
corner of the mouth " would point to a sanguineous effusion into the
brain substance.
Ears. —Ringing in the ears; moving quickly produces complete
deafness; dull roaring in the ears; the ears are cold and pale.
CLINICAL REMXRKSs. —Most of the effects of Veratrum upon the
ears and eye arise from a depressed state of the circulation. The
same condition is present, as after excessive bleedings, or loss of
any of the vital fluids. In high potencies it may prove useful in
similar affections. But Veratrum v. causes, secondarily, congestion
of the brain, with ringing of the ears. In low dilutions, it is one
of the best remedies for the latter condition. It is well known
that anemnia and plethora will produce nearly the same array of
brain symptoms, although opposite pathological states are really
present.  Thus, acute hydrocephalus is often simulated by the
hydrocepkhaloid disease, which arises from sheer debility.
Eyes.-Profuse secretion of tears; dimness of sight; walking
brings on blindness with faintness; dimness of vision with dilated
pupils; immense circles of a green color appeared around the candle,
which, as vertigo came on, and I closed my eyes, turned to red;
double vision.
CLINICAL REXMARKS.-It is primarily hommeopathic to Amaurosis
from anwmia, or from loss of fluids, or from debility during convalescence (should be alternated with China, Phoe. acid 1st), and
given in the 6th dilution). It is also indicated in amaurosis from




422       NEW   HOMCEOPATHIC   PROVINGS.
imitation or congestion of the optic nerves, when the symptoms
correspond with its pathogenesis.
Mouth, Fauces, and (Esophagus.-Tongue feels as if it had been
scalded (constant symptom); tongue coated yellow along the
centre; flat, bitter taste on the tongue; copious secretion
of  saliva; intense  burning  in  the  fauces, with  constant
inclination to swallow; burning  in the (esophagus; spasms
of the cesophagus; burning and spasm of the cesophagus,
with rising of frothy, bloody mucus into the mouth (this symptom  was intensely disagreeable, lasted  several days, and was
relieved by Phosphorus 3d, after several remedies had been tried
in vain); sensation as of a ball rising in the eesophagus.
CLINICAL REMARKs.-The yellow coating on the tongue, and
the bitter taste, were both noticed in the morning, and point to
irritation of the liver.  The Veratrum  v. produces undoubted
inflammation of the mucous membrane of the (esophagus, with
superficial erosion, spasm, etc. We have here a truly homaeopathic
remedy for cesophagitis. It is also homoceopathic to spasmodic stricture of that tube.
Stomach.-Uneasy constriction of the stomach, with tendency
to sickness; excruciating pain in the lower part of the stomach, the
pain extending to about the size of the hand; the constrictive pain
is increased by warm drinks, which seem to go under the pain;
violent nausea and vomiting; vomiting of glairy mucus with blood,
with running from the nose and eyes; excruciating pain in the pit
of the stomach, with heat and constriction of the throat; vomiting
of, first food, then mucus, finally a small quantity of blood; painful,
empty retching; sensation of dryness and heat in throat, extending to the stomach, with disposition to hiccough; severe hiccough
of fifteen or twenty times per minute; violent vomiting, coming on
in about ten or fifteen minutes; great irritability of the stomach, the
smallest quantity of food or drink is immediately rejected-this
irritation continued for three weeks (from thirty drops); great
uneasiness, followed by intense pain in the stomach; the pain was
drawing, twisting, and pressing; the stomach felt as if drawn
tightly against the spinal column, causing pain in the back, in the
dorsal region; the stomach seemed to press against the spine when
lying upon the back; the pain in the stomach would culminate
every five or ten minutes, with powerful and expulsive vomiting;
the pain was aggravated by the least noise; vomiting; not preceded by nausea.-(Various sources.) Vomiting of bile and blood;
hiccough before and after vomiting; very frequent neuralgic (?)
pains in the cardiac portion of the stomach; sharp, flying pains in
the epigastrium and umbilical region, passing, down to the pubes.
-(Dr. Burt's proving.) Dr. Osgood —an allopathic observer —
noticed in his, own case, that the vomiting was effected by a spasmodic contraction of the stomach itself without participation of the
diaphragm, and abdominal muscles; and in another individual was
preceded by a sensation as of a ball rising in the aesophagus —the
result no doubt of spasmodic contraction of the tube. Dr. Norwood says: " We have seen it produce emesis in very susceptible




VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      423
persons, and the contractions of the stomach were so rapid as to be
almost continuous, and uninterrupted"  He also remarks that:
"' there need be no danger apprehended of causing inflammation of
the stomach; we have given especial attention to that particular.
It is peculiar, and at the same time interesting in its effects, from
the fact of its acting as a sedative on almost every other portion of
the system, diminishing the vascular and muscular action and
motion of every other part, and increasing that of the stomach."
Dr. N. asserts that it increases the appetite and desire forfood.
CLINICAL REMARKMs.-We have in the above a notable array of
symptoms, pointing to excessive gastric irritability. Its action on
the stomach is quite similar to that of Verat. alb., Tartar emetic, or
Arsenicum. It is evidently homceopathic to cardialgia, gastralgia,
and neuralgic or spasmodic affections of the stomach, when accompanied by vomiting, retching and excessive irritation. Dr. Burt
considers it the best remedy in such cases-better than the V. alb.
He uses it at the 3rd or 6th. It should not be given lower. It
should prove curative in gastritis, erosion of the stomach, and
ought to palliate the pain and vomiting in cancer of the stomach.
It causes all the symptoms of pyrosis, water-brash, and many of the
symptoms of " dyspepsia."
Bowels, Stool, etc.-Frequent drawing pains in the umbilical
region; neuralgic (?) pains at the right side of the umbilicus, passing down to the groin; sharp, flying pains in the epigastrium and
umbilical regions, passing down to the pubes; dull, heavy, aching
pains in the umbilical region (constant symptom); cutting, aching
pains in the umbilical region, with rumbling in the bowels, and
desire for stool; soft, mushy stool preceded by cutting pains in the
bowels, and followed by cutting pains in the rectum  and anus.
"At three different times, on the second day of the proving, I had
severe neuralgic and long-lasting pains in the rectum; neuralgic
pains in the left groin; I never had such pains before." — Dr. Burt.
"'The first day after I left off proving the Verat. v. I had neuralgic
pains in the anus and rectumn. They came on twenty or thirty
times a day for three weeks, when there appeared a large tumor
which pained me constantly. One-half the tumor was very red,
the other half dark blue. I never had piles before in my life. My
alvine evacuations were natural all the time."-B.urt.
CLINICAL REEMARKs.-It is agreed by all allopathic medical
writers who speak of this plant, that it irritates the bowels much
less than the Veratrum alb. Som'e, however, claim that it should
not be used in diseases where any intestinal irritation exists.
Wood, however,, does not mention it as a purgative. Dr. Coe
remarks: " The employment of Veratrum v. in the treatment of,
diarrhcea and dysentery affords occasion for some remarks in regard
to the action of this remedy upon the bowels. We have seen it
stated by some writers, that Veratrum is objectionable on account
of its irritating influence upon this organ. Such has not been our
experience.  We have employed it much in the treatment of
bowel complaints, and with the most happy results."  Yet he
admits that it has an "' emeto-cathartic" action, and says it is con



424    NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
tra-indicated in " intestinal ulcerations."  He says it is useful in all
cases of "torpor and debility of the abdominal organs," and is of
utility in mania, epilepsy, hysteria, convulsions, melancholy, etc.,
when arising from  " functional obstructions" of the abdominal
viscera, and disturbed and discordant action of the abdominal
nervous plexus."  All this, however, is quite conjectural, although
it is apparently indicated in abdominal congestions. Dr. Norwood
says, " it is not cathartic," but he speaks of "' avoiding its drastic
effect," and mentions that " the only cases in which we have seen
it purge, were when given in combination with Tartar emetic. In
most of these cases it excited a violent cholera morbus. Concerning its therapeutic effects, he states: " We have found it of great
value in the treatment of typhoid dysentery, and would feel unable
to combat that disease without it, or some other remedy of equal
power." It seems homzeopathic to about the same condition of the
bowels as Verat. alb.; also to hemorrhoids.
Kidneys, Urine, etc.-Profuse urine; increased secretion of pale
urine.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-Its action on the kidneys has been pretty
well investigated by allopathic observers. Prof. Lee says: "its
diuretic action has been established by numerous experiments. It
is worthy of particular note that it does not act as a mere renal
hydrlagogue, but like colchicum it increases the solid constituents of
the urine. While it increases the amount of organic and inorganic
solids, it is not positively established that it augments the quantity
of uric acid. Like colchicum it increased the amount of urine, as well
as the total amount of solids eliminated, but it is pretty certain that
this is mainly dependent on an increase of organic matter. Its
curative influence in gout and rheumatism  may thus be explained.
It is said to eliminate lithic acid through the kidneys." Dr. Abbott
made some experiments which proved that it causes a considerable
increase in the amount, and a corresponding decrease in the
specific gravity, of the urine. It would seem to be honceopathic
primarily to certain forms of diuresis, enuresis, and perhaps diabetis. It is curative in acute inflammation of the kidneys and
bladder.
Male Generative Organs.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-It is used successfully in severe inflammatory diseases of these organs. Dr. Osgood considered it almost
specific for Orchitis. It will probably prove as useful as Aconite
in affections of these tissues.
Generative Organs of Women.-We have yet no symptomatic proving of Veratrum viride upon the female organism. It is said to
have caused abortion in numerous instances, yet Drs. Ford and
White, who used it so freely in yellow fever, thought it prevented
that accident. It may not cause abortion directly, as Sabina or
Cimiciftiga, but indirectly, by the great prostration of the general
symptoms, the severe efforts to vomit, etc.  In the same way
it would cause hemorrhage from  the uterus.  It is probably
homneopathic primarily to passive congestions of that organ.
Mya experience:with the VeratrumT  viride in this class of dis



VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      425
eases, is confined  principally  to  acute inflammation  of the
uterus, or puerperal metritis, in  which I place a high  estimate upon its value. I think I have arrested  the inflammation, or materially modified it, by the use of the lower dilutions.
There are certain conditions attending uterine disorders, in which
the Verat. v. has proved very successful in my hands. I allude to
those congestions of the head or lungs which occur during uterine
disorders, such as menstrual corgestions of the head (menstrual
headache), also congestion of the head or lungs from suppressed
menses, suppressed lochia, etc. In these accidents a few drops of
the lowest dilutions has never failed to prove promptly curative
in my practice. It is highly recommended by Dr. Miller (eclectic),
in Dysmenorrhcea, occurring in plethoric subjects (i. e. congestive
dysmenorrhoea). In anenmic subjects he pronounces it decidedly
injurious. It is probably indicated in this affection, for similar
symptoms to Aconite and Belladonna. It has been found useful
in palliating violent attacks of hysterical convulsions.  Many
allopathic writers, among them Dr. Simpson, of Edinburg, extols
it highly in puerperal fever. It may prove useful in the vomiting.q,
pyrosis, and other symptoms occurring during pregncancy. Many
of the symptoms occurring during the change of' ife, are simulated by this medicine. In acute mastitis, with high febrile action,
and great tumefaction of the breasts I have used it alternately with
Belladonna with very satisfactory results. It has been used boldly
-recklessly-by the allopathic school, in puerperal convulsions
(eclamsia) as a substitute for blood-letting, but in such doses as to
be nearly as injuriously pernicious as the abstraction of blood. I
have never used it in that affection, but I have administered it in
cases where I thought convulsions would ensue if not warded off,
and with the apparent result of preventing that terrible array of
symptoms. In puerperal marnia it -has proved curative.  (See a
case reported by Dr. Woodward.)  Dr. Atlee reports a case as
fnllows: "The labor had been preternatural, child delivered dead,
by podalic version. She did well until ten days after confinement,
when she became silent, suspicious, and distrustful of those about
her, without any obvious cause. In the hope that the change was
temporary, opium  and perfect rest, with careful watching was
enjoined. Two days after, symptoms of puerperal mania were still
more developed; it was impossible for the doctor to come near
her; his presence seemed to terrify her, and her husband told him
that since the previous visit, she expressed strong apprehensions that'the doctor had poisoned her and meditated her destruction. She
had slept little or none, and it was difficult to keep her confined to
her bed and her room. In the hope that some benefit might result
by'controlling the general circulation and diminishing the'nervous
excitement, five drops of the tincture were given every three hours,
as long as it did not produce nausea, vomiting, or prostration. On
the following morning, on entering -the room, he found his patient
lying quietly and calmly on the bed, with a total absence of the
sinister expression of the day before.  She answered him  slowly
but in a whisper, put out her tongue, and let him  feel her pulse
54




426       NEW   IHOl/I(EOPATHIC  PRO VINGS.
without resistance. Upon inquiry he found that soon after the
administration of the third dose of Veratrum  on the previous
evening, she had become calm, had rested quietly, and had
remained so. Pulse fifty-six. She was cheerful and obedient, conversed rationally and freely, and without allusion to her previously
unhappy condition. She recovered perfectly in a few days. Dr.
Coe (Art. Veratrin, Cone. Org. IMbed.) states that a majority of the
cases of mental aberration arise from and are dependent upon a
morbidly increased activity of the nervous structure of the abdomen."  "This," he says, "would seem to explain why Veratrin is
of utility in the treatment of mania, melancholy, and mental weakness." (Very doubtful, H.)  "In cases of mental aberration, accompanied with torpor and debility of the abdominal organs, Veratrum
will be found serviceable."  (Mere theory, H.)
Chest. —Oppression of the chest; sensation as of a heavy load
on the chest; anxious oppression of the chest; constant, dull,
burning pain in the region of the heart, under the sternum; burning pain in the region of the heart; oppression of the chest with
nausea. The respiration decreases from 30 and 40 to 16 and 12 (in
pneumonia;) respirations 12 to 14 (in healthy persons under the
influence of the drug).
RiAtARxs. —The symptoms of oppression enumerated above are
due principally to the debility caused by the drug; the oppression
comes on just before the vomiting, and with nausea. Dr. Burt's
experiments with the Veratrum v. on cats, seem to show that it
causes intense engorgement of the lungs. We would refer the
reader to his paper, published herewith. In Dr. Burt's proving,
made on himself, he makes no mention of any pains which may be
termed pneumonic, or pleuritic; the pain in the heart, only, was
noticed. It is a notable fact, however, that in the proving of
Tartar emetic, we have the same absence of acute thoracic pain;
yet the latter drug has a high reputation, even in the homreopathic
school, in the treatment of pneumonia. It is well known by all
practical physicians that severe cases of pneumonia may run their
course with little or no pain at any time being present. The
Veratrum v. has not been extensively used by homceopathists in the
treatment of thoracic diseases.  Satisfied with that time-honored
remedy, Aconite, they prefer to adhere to that drug. But many
of my colleagues, both East and West, agree with me in considering
the Verat. v. as superior to Aconite, in pneeunonia in particular.
MIy own experience with it has, so far, been satisfactory. In the
incipient stage of that affection, when simple engorgement only
exists, I believe it has the power of arresting the disease, and in
the later stages it proves a valuable auxiliary to such remedies as
Bryonia, Phosphorus, Tartar emetic, and Sanguinaria. I usually
give the lowest dilution, ten or fifteen drops of the 1st dec. every
thirty or sixty minutes to adults, and half the quantity to children.
In a few cases only have I been obliged to resort to the mother
tincture. In one case, that of a strong, robust man, five drops were
given every two hours; after ten hours, profuse vomiting with
sweating set in; the previously intense fever subsided, and did not




VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                     427
return, and a rapid convalescence followed. It was given on the
third day of the fever, when there was bloody sputa, severe oppression and pain in the chest (left side), and all the physical signs of
the first stage of pneumonia. I deem it my duty, in this place, to
give some of the large amount of allopathic testimony, for and
against, the use of this remedy; for, as with their experience with
Tartar emetic, we may gain valuable hints from their observations.
Dr. Davidson  (Nashville Journal of Medicine), says:'"I have
followed no other particular treatment for the last two years in
pneumonia and pleurisy, than this medicine, and I am  happy to
say I have never seen a case terminate unfavorably under the
treatment. I look upon the Veratrum as being worth all the other
treatments combined, for pleurisy, pneumonia, and all other diseases
of an inflammatory character."  Dr. Wood, in his Therapeutics,
does not give you his personal experience, but says: " The testimony
in its favor is so strong, and from so many sources, that it is
impossible to refuse it credence." Dr. A. F. Patton (Tilden's
Journal of Mat. Mled., vol. i., p. 369,) writes: "' Pneumonia is the
disease in which Veratrum  viride is particularly indicated.  It
seems to have more controlling power in this than any other
disease, reducing the inflammation, and favoring the expectoration
in a very few hours; in some instances, vomiting is induced, which
is generally of tough, viscid mucus; the pulse now rapidly
declines, if not affected before; the breathing becomes very easy,
and the patient falls into an easy sleep, with, perhaps, a gentle
perspiration-the dose, now, is to be managed so as to sustain the
depressed circulation. I find that, in pneumonia, it is better to
reduce the pulse as soon as possible. The inflammation being in a
degree arrested, the lung is saved from the more severe consequences of the second stage, or that of red hepatization, for the
concrete fibrinous exudation being caused by a peculiar inflamma.
tory action-thus, the cause being in part removed-this exudation
is, in a great degree, arrested, and the patient, in a majority of
cases, enters. into a favorable convalescence."  I have quoted the
first authorities that came to hand, but I have looked on the
immense amount of material, which is to  be found scattered
through the various periodicals, etc., and the opinions expressed
above coincide with a majority of physicians who have written
concerning the use of this medicine in pneumonia. There are,
however, many of the most enlightened minds in the allopathic
profession, who sturdily and rationally oppose its indiscriminate
use. Among the most prominent of these, is Prof. Charles A. Lee.
His objection can also be aptly applied to the use of Taltar emetic,
an article so much abused by his school in the (mal) treatment of
pneumonia. That dirug, and the Verat. v., act in a similar manner.
In poisonous or pathogenetic doses, both cause engorgement andt
passive congestion of the lungs (primarily), and inflammation of
those organs (secondarily).  The allopath who uses Veratrumn
viride for pneumonia, in the doses usually prescribed by his school,
brings about the very conditions which caused the disease, namely,
congestion. The homropath who administers this remedy, in the




428        NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
first stage of pneumonia, in minute doses, —a drop of 1st or 2d dec.
-gives it upon the law  of Similia, and arrests the disease, or
notably modifies it. In the second stage, when the inflammation is
fairly established, it should be given in alternation with Phosphorus,
or Sanguinaria; but, the moment the pulse ceases to be the pulse
of sthenic action, that moment the Verat. must be omitted. The
same may be said concerning the use of Aconite or Gelseminum;
or, if these remedies are administered at all, in such conditions,
only the highest potencies should be selected. No greater error
can be made, than to give Aconite, Bryonia, Gelseminum, or
Veratrum, in the low potencies, because the pulse is qeuick. A
quick pulse must have many other qualities, to be the pulse of
active inflammation, and to indicate these medicines. In Pleuritis,
the Veratrum, will probably never be a very useful remedy. Like
Tartar emetic, it does not seem to affect the serous tissues, as does
Aconite or Bryonia.
Cardiac Symptoms. —Prickling pains in the region of the heart;
dull, aching pains in the region of the heart; constant, burning
distress in the cardiac region; faintness after rising from  the
recumbent position; syncope when walking, only relieved by
lying down. (Burt.) The heart's pulsations reduced from sixtyeight to twenty-four (in health); and from one hundred and forty
to thirty-three, in fevers; beats of the heart, low  and feeble,
scarcely perceptible (primary symptoms); palpitation of the heart;
fluttering sensation in the region of the heart; palpitation on taking
the least exercise; strong, loud beating of the heart, with quick
pulse; palpitation with dyspncea (secondary effects).
CLINICAL REiMARKS.-It is generally believed that the Veratrum viride acts upon the heart, through the nervous system.
paralysing the nerves of motion. It is supposed that Aconite and
Verat. alb. act in a similar manner. (Gelseminum, I believe, to
act more directly upon the muscular structure of the heart.) The
Verat. viride is primarily indicated in cardiac oppression, with
passive congestion; cardiac debility, with fainting and collapse
therefrom. In those heart affections, occurring during prostrating
diseases, after hemorrhages, etc., it may be used, but always in
the minutest doses. No remedy exercises a more depressing action
on the heart, than the Verat. v. in large doses. It is secondarily
indicated in increased activity of the heart, after previous depression. In carditis, and pericarditis, it has been used with alleged
success by allopathic practitioners. In rheumatic affections of the
heart, it is especially lauded, but may do as much injury as bleeding, if used in large doses. Having a similar action to Aconite, it
will, perhaps, be found as useful as that medicine in heart affections.
It does not, however, cause that intense cardiac anxiety, with fear
of death, which Aconite does. It will be found palliative in many
organic diseases of the heart, but should be used with great caution.
It is not a " cardiac tonic," in material doses, as the Digitalis is said
to be. It will alleviate, according to my experience, those palpitatioils, attended with faintness, or dyspnea, which occur in many
diseased conditions of the heart, or attend the " change of life " in




VERATRUM   VIRIDE.                      429
women. Some of the symptoms felt by Dr. Burt, resemble those
found in the pathogenesis of Spigelia. It may be a matter of doubt,
whether the "burning  sensation," experienced by Dr. Burt, was
really in the heart; the cesophagus may have been the seat of the
sensation.
Back. —Very severe, and constant, aching pains in the back of
neck and shoulders, so that it was almost impossible to hold the
head up.
CLINICAL REMARKS.-By some practitioners it is valued very
highly, as a remedy for Lumbago, also for neuralgic pains in the
back. It may prove valuable for some forms of spinal irritation,
and even myelitis. We do not know what pathological changes
it effects in the spinal cord.
Extremities.-Drawing pains in the right elbow, and calves of
the legs; cramp of the legs (Burt); the fingers and toes cramped
as in cholera; galvanic shocks in the limbs, frequently'of such
violence as to precipitate the patient out of bed (Coe); coldness,
blueness, and dampness of the hands, feet, and limbs, with cramps
of the extremities; weakness and loss of power in the extremities;
paralysis of the lower limbs; prickling, and partial loss of sensation in the extremities.
XANTIIOXYLUM FRAXINEUM.
(Prickly Ash.)
* Nat. Ord. Xanthoxylaceme.-This shrub  is known by the
various names of Yellow-wood, Toothache-bush, Northern Prickly
Ash, etc. It is an indigenous shrub, ten or twelve feet in height,
with alternate branches, which are armed with conical, brown
prickles, at the insertion of the young branches. The leaves are
alternate and pinnate; the leaflets about five pairs with an odd
one, nearly sessile, ovate, acute, with slight vesicular serratures,
somewhat downy underneath. The common petiole is round,
usually prickly on the back. The flowers are in small, dense,
sessile ulmbels and have a somewhat aromatic odor. The Prickly
Ash is a native of North America, growing from Canada to Virginia, and west to the Mississippi, in woods, thickets, and the river
banks, flowering in April and May before the appearance of the
leaves. The entire plant contains medicinal properties. The fragrance is due to a volatile oil which may be extracted by ether or
alcohol. Both the bark and berries are officinal. The bark from
which the tincture was prepared for proving, comes in fragments
* A Report of the Committee on Materia Medica of the Massachusetts Medical Society.
By Charles Cullir3, M. D., Boston, and contributed to this work by him.




430        NEW  HIOMEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
of various sizes, quilled, light or ash-colored externally, internally
white and glossy; it is faintly odorous, and has a slightly aromatic
taste. The bark of the Prickly Ash has been found to contain a
fixed oil of a greenish color, volatile oil, resin, coloring matter,
gum, and a crystallizable matter, which has been named Xanthoxylin. Dr. King, in his Dispensatory, speaks of Prickly Ash as
"a stimulant, tonic,' alterative and sialagogue.  Taken into the
stomach, it causes a feeling of warmth, slightly accelerates the
pulse, and determines to the skin, causing a gentle moisture. It
is used as a stimulant in languid states of the system, and as a
sialogogue in paralysis of the tongue and mouth. It has proved
highly beneficial in chronic rheumatism, colic, syphilis, hepatic
derangements, and wherever a stimulating alterative treatment is
required."
FIRST PRovING. —Mr. S., aged twenty-nine, light hair, nervous
temperament, July 9th, 1862, took at 10 P. Ai., fbur drops of Xanthoxylum tinct.. Immediately a smart peppery taste in mouth and
fauces; slept hard all night; on the morning of the 10th, took ten
drops followed by the same smarting or prickly sensation in the
mouth and throat, which soon extended to the stomach, followed
by an increased pulse and a degree of heat all over the body. In
five minutes a dull headache in space not larger than half a dollar
over the nose; in fifteen minutes, sharp, shooting pains in right side
(like pleurisy pains) occasionally extending through to the shoulder
blade; these pains increased in severity and lasted half an hour,
during this time there was a continual desire to take a long breath;
in one hour a'dull pain in the right ear, seeming to affect the jaw
socket, the kind of pain which one has when he doen't know
whether it is his tooth or ear that aches; this pain lasted two
hours and then gradually wore away. Two days after, took twelve
drops at 8 o'clock in the evening, followed by dryness of both
nostrils, constant desire to take a long breath; flatulence; gaping;
one half hour after, throbbing headache over right eye with nausea;
sharp pains in right side, of a neuralgic character; severe pain in
the right arm, commencing just above the bend of the elbow;
severe pain in the wrist and extending to the thumb; in three
quarters of an hour, ringing in ears, more particularly in right
ear; throbbing headache, pulse 100; slept hard all night; awoke
in the morning, languid and depressed; no appetite. July 14th,
3 P. M., same prover took twenty drops; in five minutes severe
frontal headache, with dizziness; continual desire to take long and
deep respirations; terrible, nervous fiightened feeling; head feels
full; pain over right eye; pain in right side; sharp, shooting pain;
decided catarrhal symptoms; watering of the eyes and nose;
tightness of the head, with the pain increasing over the eyes; in
fifteen minutes increased desire for long respiration; flatulence;
pain in right arm; pain in right knee; drowsiness all the evening;
urine at night, and the next morning, scanty and high colored.
September 3d, 8 P. m., took twenty-five drops, almost immediately
experienced the same desire for deep and long respirations; in
five minutes, pulse 100; frontal headache; nausea; twenty minutes




XANTHOXYLTUM FRAXINEUM.                       431
after, pulse still at 100, but more feeble; one hour after, pulse
82, feeble and irregular.
SECOND  PROVING.- Mr. A., twenty-seven  years of age,
dark  brown  hair, fair  complexion, phlegmatic  temperament.
July 9th, took three drops at bed-time; slept hard and heavy;
dreamed of flying about over tops of houses; in the morning, felt
pain in right leg; bowels constipated; took three drops, felt
sleepy all the morning; great depression; after dinner felt a bunch
in the left side of the throat when swallowing; after supper, discharge from bowels; on going to bed bunch in throat shifted to
right side. July 11th, at 6.30 A. M., took five drops; in fifteen
minutes discharge fiom  bowels; also another after breakfast;
sleepy feeling all the morning with headache. At 6 P. x., another
discharge from bowels; flatulence; slight hacking cough. July
11th, took twelve drops, strong, peppery sensation in mouth and
throat; five minutes after, had a darting pain under and back of
the right ear; right nostril seems filled up; sensation of soreness
in right side of throat; fifteen minutes after, had a darting pain in
the left temple, recurring again and again; drowsy symptoms
appear prominent; also, about the upper part of the cranium an
achy feeling accompanied by flashes of throb-like pain, as if the
top of the head were about being taken off; flatulency; slight
pain inside right arm, just above elbow; one hour after felt
a good deal of tightening about the chest, which continued with
much inclination to gape. At 10.30 1,. m., or two hours after,
some pain in right side below ribs; continued gaping; head dull,
and aching; a flash of pain in right thumb, extending to hand;
another in calf of right leg; legs and feet feel tired. July 12th,
had a discharge from bowels before breakfast, and one after; soreness of throat with expectoration of tough mucus.
TIIuRD PROVING.-Prover, light complexion, sanguine-nervous
temperament, active habit, uniform health, age thirty-three. Took
two drops of tincture followed by these symptoms: burning and
dry feeling in the mouth and tongue; diffused pain inl the upper
part of the forehead; worse in the right side; pain extends to the
base of the brain, with soreness; shaking the head produces a
feeling of looseness or quivering of the brain followed by dizziness;
rumbling of the abdomen, with soreness on pressure; discharge of
mucus friom the nose with congested feeling, as if it were about to
bleed; dull, heavy, grinding pain in the left eye; feeling of fulness
or pressure at the epigastrium; empty eructations with slight taste
of ingesta; slept soundly without dreaming, but soon after waking
at 7 o'clock next morning, had severe griping abdominal pains
with thin brown, diarrhoeic dischar!ge, mixed with some mucus;
anorexia, could eat but a few mouthfuls at breakfast, and could
only drink a half cup of coffee, which was vomited soon afterwards
griping pain continued at intervals, with a general feeling of incli
ference and malaise; discharge of dry and bloody scales of imucus
from the nose; hoarseness with some husky feeling in the throat;
obliged to clear the throat frequently. This hoarseness and obstruce
tion of the throat continued some days after the other symptosIB
had subsided.




432        NEW  HOMCE OPATHIC PRO VINGS.
PROVINGS BY WoMEN. —lst. Miss D., aged twenty-six; black
hair; active habit; good health. Took twelve drops of the tincture. In five minutes felt pressure in the head, with fulness of the
veins. In ten minutes, dull pain in right knee. In fifteen minutes,
pain in both elbows, and back of the head, also a bewildered sensation; pain in the lid of the right eye. Half an hour after sense of
heat all over the veins, with a desire to be bled; flash of heat from
head to foot. One hour after taking the medicine, pain in ankle;
flash of heat; pain in left heel; a feeling of enlargement of the
throat; pain in right side of the throat; dull pain in left elbow,
passing to the palm of the hand, then to the shoulder; pain in left
side; heavy feeling in the top of the head; pain in the left leg
between the hip and knee; pain in left elbow and left side of the
head; dull pain in left knee, also in left elbow, extending to the
hand, then in left side and top of the left foot; a feeling of numbness through the whole of the left side of the body from head to
foot, the division made perceptible in the head, affecting half of
the nose-this feeling lasted two or three minutes; pain in left
knee. Two hours after, pain in left knee, very severe; slight pain
in left side, and under the left shoulder-blade, alo the left hip; the
pain in the left knee has lasted, without cessation, a little more
than half an hour; pain in lower jaw and left side; the whole left
arm and shoulder numb; pain in both feet, shooting up to the
knees.
2nd. Mrs. H., aged 30. Took ten drops of the tincture at 9:20
P. M.; pulse, 80. Soon after taking it began to experience a feeling
of depression and weakness; weakness of the lower limbs, with
pain in the knees. At 9:30 P. M., pulse 74 soft; slight nausea,
with sense of oppression at the stomach; nausea increased as did
the pains of the extremities, accompanied with frequent chills.
Next evening same prover took twenty drops of the tincture; did
not experience the feeling of depression inso great degree as the
night before; the weakness of the limbs and pain in the knees
about the same; some pain in the left side; menses appeared
next morning, being one week before the usual time; was attended
with a good deal of pain.
3rd. Mrs. J., aged twenty-eight; light complexion; sanguine
temnperament; good health. Took twenty drops of the tincture at
8 o'clock P. xr. In about twenty minutes noticed a tightening of
the scalp, and heavy pains in temples, with a twitching in left
knee, and trembling in right. On the following day took at 11
o'clock A. M., twenty drops; felt same feelings in head; did not
notice lower limbs. 2 o'clock P. A., took twenty-two drops;
felt the same headache, or severe pain and tightening.  3 o'clock
P. Ml., took twenty-five drops; increase of head difficulties, with.a
great heat and a quiet flowing (menstrual), being two days in
advance of proper time. 8 o'clock p. xr., took twenty drops; some
headache; all the system quiet, with an unnatural forcing of nature;
went to sleep as usual, and in dreadful distress and pain, baffling
description; profuse flowing; the pain (or agony) continued until
noon of next day, when it gradually subsided.




XANTHOXYLUM FRAXINEUM.                       433
CLASSIFICATION OF SY.APTOMS. — lead.-Head ache over both
eyes; throbbing headache; pressure over nose; grinding pain in
head with nausea; head feels heavy, particularly the right side;
pressure in the forehead; pressure and pain over the eyes; severe
pain in the top of the head; pain directly over the root of the nose;
feeling of fulness in the head; head seems as if divided-the division seeming to extend to the nose; pain in the top of the head as if
the top would come off.
Sleep.-Hard; unrefreshed in the morning; drowsiness; sleeps
heavy, and dreams of flying about over tops of houses; annoying
dreams.
SkiIII.-Skin feels hot and sore.
Fever.-Fever, followed by great depression; flashes of heat
from  head to foot; nausea followed by chills; pulse quick; face
flushed and hot.
Moral Symptoms. -Great despondency; irritability; anguish
about the chest; fearfulness.
Sensoriuam.-Heaviness of the head; head feels full; vertigo;
bewildered feeling; insensibility.
Eyes.-Lachrymation; pain in the lid of the right eye; dull,
heavy pain in the left eye.
Ears. —Dull pain in the left ear; ringing in the right ear.
Nose.-Pressure in the nose; fluent coryza; discharge of bloody
mucus from the nose, particularly from the right nostril.
jaw.-Pain in the right jaw socket; dull pain in the left side of
the lower jaw.
Mouth.-Ptyalism; tongue coated yellow; foul taste in the
mouth; tongue and mouth feel hot.
Throat.-Throbbing in the throat; right. side of throat feels
sore; sensation of swelling; hoarseness; soreness of throat, with
expectoration of tough mucus.
Stomaeh.-Flutte'ring in the stomach; a feeling of heaviness in
the stomach; eructations with.-nausea.
Abdomen.-Colic pain in right iliac region; fulness and pressure
at the epigastrium; griping in the bowels; rumbling,with soreness
on pressure.
Stool.-Inodorons discharges, with tenesmus; thin, brown discharges, with mucus.
IJrine.-Profuse and light-colored.
Chest.-Oppression of the chest, with desire to take deep inspirations; shortness of breath; tightness of the chest; difficulty to
inflate the chest; pain in the left side under fourth rib.
Arms.-Pain in the right shoulder and arm; pain inside the arm
just above the elbow; pain in right elbow; pain and pricking feeling in right arm, extending to the third finger; pain in little finger
of right hand; numbness of the left arm; pricking and throbbing
sensation in left arm and fingers.
Legs.-Excessive weakness of the lower limbs; pain in the
calf of right leg; pain in left leg between hip and knee; pain in
the top of the left foot; pain in the third toe of the left foot.




4:34.     NEW   HOM(EOPATHIC  PROVINGS.
~Generative Organs of Women.-Appearance of the menses too
s;oo(n. Profuse menses with violent pains. Leucorrhbea.
CLINICAL REM~Ars. —Clinically, I have used this remedy in
]Dysmenorrhcea and Amenorrhcea with marked success. One or two
cases will serve for illustration: Miss A., aged twenty-five; brunette; has suffered from menstrual irregularities since their first
appearance; the catamenia appearing in three, four, or five months,
ind at that time her sifferings were excruciating. Her general
health otherwise was good. At the time of consulting me, she had
iot had her catamenia for two months. I gave her Xanthoxylum
1st dilution, five drops three times a day. In three days her menses
appeared, and much to her joy, with little pain. Miss B., light
complexioned, nervous temperament, aged twenty-five, consulted
lle for suppression of menses received by getting her feet wet, she
being then about one week past her time. I gave her Xanthoxyluin 1st dec., five drops every three hours. Her menses appeared
the next day. Mrs. C., aged thirty-two, mother of ten children,
a large, fleshy woman, had not menstruated for five months, and
previous to that time had not for three or four months. Gave
Xafnthoxylum 1st, to be taken three times a day. Menses appeared
in four days.
In Dysmenorrhcea, I have used this drug with very satisfactory
results. I will quote one marked case: Mrs. D., aged twenty-six;
spare habit; scrofulous diathesis; had suffered for years from dysnienorrhcea. Her sufferings were so great that she would be confined to her bed for two or three days. She had tried all sorts of
treatment, but without any relief. She came under my care, saying the only way she could live through her menstrual period was
to drink whisky or gin until she was intoxicated. For several
months I treated her with the usual remedies, but without any beneficial result. I then gave her Xanthoxylum  3rd dec.; this completely cured her. She was extravagant in the praise of this remedy. It has'never failed to relieve her.
I think Xanthoxylum more especially indicated in females of
spare habit, nervous temperament, and delicate organization. In
some cases of plethoric habit it has failed me. In Leucorrhcea with
Amenorrhcea, it has proved very successful. In after-pains in obstetric practice, I have found it of inestimable value; also, in profuse
flowing and threatened abortion. I have used it in Opthalmia,
both locally and internally, with excellent results.




DIOSCOREA  VILLOSA.                    4.35
APPEN DIX.
DIOSCOREA VILLOSA,
[This was received too late for insertion in its proper place.]
DR. W. H. BURT'S PROVING.
May 5th, 1864, 10 A. M. —Took 30 drops of the fluid extract of
Dioscorea. Half an hour after taking the medicine, commenced to
have pain in the whole epigastrium, and region of the gall-bladder,
quite severe, of a cutting, tearing character, at times spasmodic.
3 P. M.-Slight distress in the stomach; took forty drops. 5 r. M.Slight, dull, frontal headache; frequent empty eructations, constant
dull pain in the epigastric and umbilical regions, with frequent
colicky pains of a cutting, tearing nature; great depression of
spirits. 8 P.. -Slight frontal headache; frequent, sharp pains in
the stomach and region of the gall-bladder; frequent, sharp, cutting
pains in the umbilical region, aggravated by walking; frequent
drawing pains in the left shoulder and neck; drawing pains in the
knees and ankles, the knees are very weak when walking; constant
dull pain in the lumbar region, aggravated by stooping or walking;
took fifty drops.
May 6th.-Awoke three times in the night with severe
cutting pains in the umbilicus.  There is constant dull aching
pains in the umbilicus, with occasional colicky pains; severe frontal
headache; thick yellowish-white coating on the tongue; rough, flat
taste in the mouth; black, dry lumpy stool; dull heavy pain in the
lumbar-sacral region, very much worse by stooping; fingers ache
and are quite stiff; drawing pains in the ankles and feet. Took
sixty drops, 9 P.. —Slight, dull headache; rough feeling in the
fauces, with constant inclination to swallow; constant aching
distress in the umbilicus; dull aching pains in the back; drawing
pains in the calves of the legs and ankles.  Took 100 drops, 11 A.
m.-Dull, frontal headache; dry, rough feeling in the fauces, with
frequent inclination to swallow; constant, dull, aching pains in the
whole umbilical region, with frequent, sharp, cutting pains all
through the small intestines; dull drawing pains in the fore-arms
and wrists; drawing pain between the shoulders; constant, severe
drawing pains in the calves of the legs and ankles; knees are




436       NEW  HOIOaEOPATHIC PROVINGS.
feeling very weak; disposition to yawn and stretch. 3 p. r. —The
pains are all the same, only more mild, took 200 drops. 5 P. xr.Slight frontal headache; rough feeling in the fauces, with frequent
inclination to swallow; constant distress in the umbilical and
hypogastric regions, with severe cutting, colicky pains every few
minutes in the stomach  and  small intestines; bearing  down
prolapsed feeling of the anus; feeling very weak, hands and legs
tremble constantly, can hear my heart beating after walking a little.
Pulse 80; sharp pulsating pain just at the top of the sternum,
lasting an hour; severe drawing pains in my elbows, wrists and
fingers, at times the pain in the fingers is very sharp; constant
dull aching pain in the lumbar sacral region, very much worse by
bending the spine; dull drawing pains in the knees and ankles, very
sharp cutting pains in the bottom of the feet and toes; the right
ankle and foot has the most pain init. 9 P.. —Slight frontal headache, with occasional sharp pains in the right temple; dryness of
the fauces; constant aching distress in the whole of the bowels,
with frequent sharp cutting pains in the stomach and small intestines. Three hemorrhoidal tumors have made their appearance,
and are partially prolapsed; there is constant dull pain and distress
in the anus; the pulsating pain at the upper part of the sternum
is still there, it is very distressing; flying pains all through the
chest and back (cervical portion); constant dull pain in the small of
the-back, and hips, cannot bear to stoop down, it is so painful;
constant, dull, drawing pains in the elbows, wrists, hands and
fillgers; the pain in the fingers is very severe, of a cutting, tearing
nature; constant, dull, aching pain in the ankles, feet and toes; the
pain the toes is of a tearing, cutting character; took 150 drops.
May 7th, A. M.-Slept soundly, but perspired a good deal, awoke
at 2 A. M., with great burning distress in the stomach; dull frontal
headache, tongue coated white; flat pappy taste; tonsils slightly
congested; constant aching distress in the stomach and bowels;
stomach is quite painful when pressed upon; stool, first part black,
very dry and.hard, last part mushy and white. The stool was
followed by the protrusion of four hemorrhoidal tumors, the size of
large red cherries, with great pain and distress in the anus; constant dull backache; hands and fingers ache and are very stiff;
closing the hands is very painful; ankles, feet, and toes are also very
stiff, and ache constantly. After exercising two hours my hands
and feet felt quite free from pain. Took 100 drops, at 10 A. f.i —
Slight headache; constant distress in the umbilicus. The hoemorrhoidal tumours are constantly prolapsed, which is very distressing
and painful; dull aching pains in the wrists, hands, and fingers,
ankles, feet and toes; they are feeling quite stiff. Took 200 drops.
12 m.-Slight frontal headache; constant aching, burning distress
in the epigastric and umbilical regions; dull, heavy aching distress
in the right lobe of the liver; constant, dull, aching pain in the
whole lumbar region; bending the spine produces sharp, cutting
pains all. along the lumbar region; dull pains in the hands and
feet; three of the hnmorrhoidal tumors are of the color of the
mucous membrane of the anus, and are the size of very large red




DIOSCOREA  VILLOSA.                       437
cherries; the other one is not so large, and is of a very dark, livid,
blue color. 4 P.. —Very severe frontal headache; feeling very
faint and weak; hands and legs tremble constantly; vertigo with
great faintness; have to lie down to keep from fainting; seems to
all centre at the stomach; great distress in the stomach, with frequent, sharp, prickly pains in it; sharp, cutting pains every few
minutes in the umbilical region; dull, aching distress in my wrists,
hands, fingers, ankles, feet and toes. Fearing that I would have,
spasms, I took three doses of camphor with no relief. I then
inhaled chloroform every few minutes until 7 P. m. The chloroform
gave great relief, but would last only a short time, when the great
faintness would come on again; at 7 P. M., the faintness left me.
9 i. m. —severe frontal headache; constant and very severe burning
distress in the whole of the epigastrium; distress in the umbilicus,
and desire for stool; very hard, dry, lumpy stool, followed by prolapsus of the anus, with great pain and distress in the hiemorrhoids;
feeling very weak in the knees; constant, aching distress in the
hands and feet; very weak in the knees, can just walk; constant
trembling of the arms and legs; very severe backache.
May 8th. —Slept well until midnight, after that, was very restless until morning; skin dry and hot; pulse 62, while lying down;
dull, frontal headache; great distress in the stomach, but not so
much of the burning; tongue coated yellowish white; flat, rough
taste; stomach is very tender, cannot bear to have it pressed upon;
very severe pain in the upper portion of the lumbar region, when
bencling the spine; soft mushy stool, very yellow, at 8 A. M., followed by a very weak, faint feeling; hands and fingers ache all the
time; fingers are very stiff; dull pain in the ankles and feet, 8 P. 3r.;
felt quite well until 2 P. M., when the great burning distress came
on again in my stomach; dull headache; very lame back; the hemorrhoids are very troublesome; my hands and feet have been feeling quite easy all day after the first hour; exercise relieves all of
the rheumatic symptoms.
May 9th. —Slept well; awoke at 5 A. M., with severe pain in the
umbilical and hypogastric regions, and great distress for stool;
very profuse thin, yellow stool, that did not relieve the pain in the
bowels; feeling very faint at the stomach, and weak; 7 A. M.,
another very thin deep yellow stool, which relieved the pain a good
deal, followed by the great faintness at the stomach; eating would
not relieve it; 9 P. M., have been feeling quite well all day, but
since 6 p. n., the great burning distress in the stomach has been
constant; severe neuralgic pain in the left groin all the evening.
May 10th.-Slept well; this morning have the great burning in
my stomach; slight distress in the bowels, with a deep yellow
diarrhceic stool; hands and feet are quite stiff; dull back-ache; the
hemorrhoidal tumors are free fiom pain and are getting smaller.
The backache lasted one week after taking the remedy.
Characteristic  Peculiarities.-The  rheumatic  symptoms are
worse at night and early in the morning; first hour the pains are
very much aggravated by motion, after that, motion relieves them;




438    NEW  HOM(EOPATHIC PROVINGS.
diarrhcea early in the morning; all the pains are worse while.
sitting still; relieved by motion.
Mind. —Great depression of spirits; no desire to move; very sad.
Nervous System. —Great weariness and loss of strength; constant trembling of the hands and legs; pain and spasms of the
bowels; slowness of the heart's action; vertigo with great faintness
at the stomach; disposition to faint; disposition to yawn and
stretch.
lead. —Constant, dull, frontal headache, more in the top of the
forehead; very severe frontal headache; sharp cutting pains in the
right temple.
Mouth and Tongue.-Tongue coated white and y'ellowish-white;
flat pappy taste in the mouth; dryness of the fauces with frequent
inclination to swallow; rough feeling of the fauces; tonsils slightly
congested.
Stomach.-Frequent empty eructations; constant distress in the
stomach, more in the afternoon and evening; severe cutting, tearing pains in the stomach and region of the gall-bladder; at times
the pains are of a spasmodic character; constant dull pain in the
stomach; great burning distress in the stomach, with sharp prickling
pains in it and faintness;;great faintness at the stomach; stomach
very painful on pressure.
Liver. —The appearance of the alvine evacuations shows that
it has a marked effect upon the liver; sharp, cutting pains in
the region of the gall-bladder; dull, heavy, aching pains in the
right lobe of the liver; the stools are very black, dry and hard;
large, deep, yellow, papescent stools, showing an increased secretion
of bile, then light-colored stools.
Urinary and Genital organs. —No special effects observed.
Abdomen. — Constant, dull pain in the epigastric and umbilical
regions, with frequent colicky pains of a cutting, tearing character;
frequent sharp, cutting pains in the umbilicus, aggi-avated by walking; awoke three times in the night with severe colicky pains in
the umbilicus; constant, dull pains in the umbilicus, with frequent
sharp, cutting pains all through the intestines.
Stool and Anus.-Black, dry, hard, lumpy stool, last part of it
soft, white and mushy; dry, black stool, followed by prolapsus of
the anus; the anus has four hemorrhoidal tumours on it as large as
red cherries; three are the color of the mucous membrane of the
intestine; the other is of a livid, dark, blue color, the prover never had
hoemorrhoidal tumors in his life, excepting one tumor after proving the Veratum v. and strong symptoms of it while proving Aesulus. IHe considers these hemorrhoidal tumors truly a pathogenetic
symptom of the Dioscorea; obstinate constipation followed by
bilious diarrhcea; severe pain in the umbilical and hypogastric regions,
with great desire for stool; very profuse, deep yellow, thin stool,
followed by a very weak, faint feeling. and without relieving the
pain in the bowels. This continued two days, in the morning, then
was followed by constipation.  The hemorrhoidal tumors were
prolapsed all the time, with great pain and distress in them.




AESCULUS  HIPPOCASTANUM.                   439
Chest.-Sh'arp pulsating pain in the top of the sternum; sharp
stitches all through the chest and cervical portion  of the back;
drawing pain between the shoulders.
Back.-Constant dull pain in the lumbar region; dull aching
pain in the lumbar-sacral region very much aggravated by bending
the spine; dull pain in the small of the back; bending the spine
produces sharp cutting pains in all of the lumbar vertebra; back is
quite stiff, especially in the morning.
Arms.-Frequent drawing pains in the elbows, wrists, hands and
fingers; severe, cutting pains in the elbows, wrists and fingers;
constant dull pains in the wrists, hands and fingers, with frequent
sharp pains in the fingers; fingers are very stiff, can hardly close
them, they are so painful.
Lower Extremities. —Dull drawing pains in the knees and
ankles; very sharp pain in the bottom of the feet and toes; constant dull pains in the ankles, feet and toes, with sharp pain in the
toes; the toes are very stiff, especially in the morning.
1ESCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM.
PROVING BY C. H. LEE, M. D.
(Received too late for insertion with the other:Provings of same Medicine.)
Prover healthy; temperament nervous-sanguine.
December 26, 1863. Took- one drop of the third attenuation.
December 27. - Felt drowsy; tongue coated white.
December 28. Very dull and stupid; disposition to sleep all the
time; felt weak; very severe lancinating headache at the base of
the brain as if too full; white coating on the tongue; borborygmus
and fiatus which was fcetid; abdomen swollen and tympanitic;
took two drachms.
December 29. Same symptoms as yesterday, with sore throat,
which was inflamed; throat felt hot; worse on left side; left
tonsil very much swollen and painful on deglutition; stools, of a
light brown color and very soft-frequent, but not to extent of
a diarrhoea; no appetite; no more of the drug taken.
December 30. Same symptoms as above, but worse; about 4
o'clock, r. M., severe chill which lasted three hours; heat of the
fire relieved me; from  7 to 12 at night, very high fever; pulse
about 130; no thirst during the chill or fever, but rather an
increase of saliva; head aches all over as if it would burst; photophobia; profuse hot perspiration with the fever; dyspncea with
rapid breathing; lungs feel heavy and as if they were engorged;




440       NEW   HOM(EOPATIHIC  PROVINGS.
heart's action very rapid and heavy-would jar me while lying
down, and could feel the pulsation all over the body; my stomach
felt as if it would tall down into the intestines; urine scanty and of
a mahogany color, and as it passed through the urethra it burned
like hot water; a sore spot on the right parietal bone, which upon
pressure, felt as if a knife was piercing through; took no medicine
to-day.
December 31. Fever gone; pulse about ninety; neck very stiff
and swollen; both tonsils swollen and of a fierv red color; difficult
deglutition; head not aching so much, but is worse on stooping
or getting up from a chair; breathing more natural; spitting of
blood on getting up in the morning; no cough; stools hard and
dark brown; urine not so high colored, with a brown sediment;
took none of the drug.
January 1, 1864. I have severe shooting pains in the left
temple; eyes of a pinkish hue; dull pain in the region of the
spleen; stools hard; no other symptoms.
January 2. Stools soft; urine yellow, with a thick, white
mucus sediment; took four drops of the tincture.
January 3 and 4. Appearance c.f hmumorrhoids like gr ound nuts,
of a purple color; very painful, and with sensation of burning(the prover never had hmmorroids before).
January 6. Felt a dryness in the soft palate; a fulness in the
head; stools natural; urine dark, some little sediment; took
eight drops.
January 8. Throat dry as if it was scraped, and swollen; borborygmus; flatus feetid; took one drachm.
January 10. Dryness of the back part of throat; severe headache as if the head would split; desire to pass water often, but
little at a time.
January 11. Symptoms same as above; a dry, burning sensation
of the fauces and palate; a quantity of thick, yellow phlegm in the
mouth; tongue coated yellow; bowels loose; stools brown; urine
scanty, and dark brown, no sediment; pulse hard and frequent;
dull, aching pain in elbow joint of left arm; took no more of
the drug.
January 12. Symptoms begin to diminish.
January 14. No symptoms.




CLINICAL INDEX.
ABORTTS —                                ARDOR URIN: —
Aletris far. 35, 36.  Asclbpias syr. 63.  Asclepias s. 63.
Helonias d 241. Sanguin. can. 380.  ASTHMAErigeron canad. 153. Trillium p. 407.     Baptisia. 80. Eupatorium. perfol. 164.
Cimicifuga, 118. Veratrum  vir. 424.      Arum triphyllum, 58.
Gossipium, 217.                      ASTHENOPIA-.AFTER PAINS —                                Gelseminum, 193.
Pod. pelt. 348. Cautophyllum, 88i 89.  ASCARIDESCimuicifuga,. ll7.                       Apocynum androsemifolium, 39.
ALBUMINURIA-                            ASCITESEupator. purp. 166.  Chimaphila, 99.      Apocynum cannabinun, 46.
AMAUROSIS-            -
Gelseminum, 194.  Cimicifuga, 110.  BRAIN, AFFECTIONS OFVeratrum v. 421.                          Cypripedium, 145. Gelseminum, 191.
AMENORRIIEiA-                             BILIARY DERANGEMENTSAletris farin. 35. Helonias dioieo, 41.   Leptandria, 290, 289.
Senecio, 392. Sang. 378. Gelsem.(206.  BILIOUS FEVERCimicifuga, 114.  Xanthoxylum, 434.       Podophyllum, 333.
Gossipium, 217.                       BILIOUS COLICANEMIA-                                       Dioscorea, 147.
Helonias, 244. Hydrastis can. 255.    BRONCHIAL ABFFECTIONSANGINA —                                      Eupator. perfol. 164.:Eriger. can. 155.
Arum triphyl. 57. Sanguinaria, 375.  BRONCTHITISRHydrastis, 254.' Sanguinaria, 381. Gelsemitum, 211.
ANOREXIA-                                     Eupatorium perf. 164.
Eupatorium perfoliatum, 163.         BRONCHOCELEANURY-                                        Phytolacca, 300.
Apocynum cannabinum, 48.
ANOSMIAGelseminum,:195.                    CATARRHAPPETITE, EXCESSIVE-                          Arum  tr. 58. Apocynum cannab. 45.
Collinsonia canadensis, 126.              Hydrastis, 253,- 261. Phytolacca, 313.
APTH.-E-                                      Gelseminum, 195. Rumex crisp, 361.
Euphorbia cor. 171. Eupat. arome. 157.    Cimicifuga, ll. Baptisiatinctoria, 76.
Caulophyllum, 87.  Cormus for. 135.       Sanguin. 373, 380. Eupatorium, 164.
Hydrastis, 255.                           Sticta pulmonaria, 401. Trillium, 407.
APHONIA-                                      Aselepias, 68.
Gelseminum, 198, 211.  Rumex e. 365.  CANCERSIBaptisia, 80.                            Phytolacca, 313. Hydrastis, 248, 249.
APOPLEXY-                                 CAMP DIARRHGCEAGelseminum, 192. Sanguiinaria, 373.       Leptaudria, 294,




442                   CLINICAL INDEX.
CARDIALGIA —-                             CONSTIPATIONIris versicolor, 288. Gelsemin. 199.     _Asculus, 18. Apocynum andros. 40.
Dioscorea, 149. Caulophyllum, 87.         Hydras., 256. Phy., 319. Collins., 129,
CARDITIS-                                     Gelseminum, 201. Ramamelis, 225.
Veratrum viride, 428.                     Chimaphila, 100..
CANINE HUNGER —                           CORNEA, OPACITY OFEupatorium perf. 163.                     Hydrastis, 252.
CANCRUM  ORIS (See Hydrastis)-            COUGH, DRYTrillium, 404.                            Podophyllum pel., 350. Rumex, 362.
CACHEXIA-                                     Sanguin. can.,' 380.  Asclepias, 68.
Hydrastis, 252.                           Cimicifuga, 120.
CEREBRITISCOUGH, LOOSE —
Veratrum viride, 421.
Podo, 350.  Sen., 394.  Silph., 395.
CEREBRAL CONGESTION-            -
Sticta, 400. Apocynum, 55.
Aletris farin. 35. Sanguinaria, 373   COUG    HECTICferatrum v., 420.
eC3IVeratru-BlNm ~v., 420.,~NZN -     -Leptandria v., 164.
CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS-                COUGH, WHOOPINGCOUGH, WHOOPING —
Baptisia tinctoria, 75.                   Pod. pelt., 350.
OEPH ALALGIA —
CRAMPS OF STOMACH —
IEsculus glabra, 18. Apocy. andr. 39.     Dioscorea, 148.
Asclepias syriaca, 61. Phytolacca, 311.  CRAMPS OF PREGNANCYNuphar lutea, 304. Cimicifuga, 109.       Gelseminum, 206.
Nuphar 1., 304. Baptisia tinctoria, 75.  CROUPCaulophyllum. 87.                    I    Gelseminum, 179.
CHANCRE, PHAGADENIC-                      CUTANEOUS AFFECTIONSSanguinaria can. 379.                      Cornus cir., 133.
CHOREA-                                    CYSTITISGelseminum, 178.  Cimicifuga, 112.         Hydrastis, 259.  Erigeron can., 153.
Veratrum viride, 411,414, 421.             Veratrum viride, 424.
CHLOROSISSenecio gracilis, 393.
CHRONIC COUGH-.                           DEBILITYNI~Escu us, 24.3=                         Iris, 272. Helonias, 237.
CI~RCOCEL~E-                              DELIRIUM A POTUHamamelis avirginica., 233.                Cimicifuga, 102, 103, 106. Gels., 216.
COUP DE SOLEIL —                             ARRH
Gelseminum, 191. Veratrumn vir. 420.       Apocynum  andro., 40. Baptisia  78.
CROffLERA M~ORBUS-,            Cornus c., 137. Collinsonia can., 127.
Podophyllum peltatum, 347. Iris, 281.      Euphorbia, 170.  Erigeron can., 152.
Dioscorea, 148. Veratrum viride, 424.      Gelseminum, 200, 201. Hamam., 228.
CHOLERA INFANTUM-                             Iris, 273, 280. Lept., 293. Nuph., 305.
Pod. pelt. 347.  Leptandria virg. 297.    Phyt., 319. Pod. pelt., 346. Rum., 360.
Euphorbia, 170. Cornus cir. 137, 135.     Sang., 378.  Trill., 404. Verat., 423.
COLIC-  DIABETESAletris, 35. Iris, 280. Phytolacca, 319.  Senecio,  392.  Erigeron can, 153.
Gelseminum, 200.  Leptandria, 291.        Eupatorium per., 166. Trillium, 404.
Dioscorea, 147, 438.  Xanthoxyl. 433.     Veratrum viride, 424.
Podophyllum, 340.                     DIURESI SCOMA_-                                        Veratrum, 424.
Gelseminum, 192.                      DIPHTHERIACONJUNCTIVITIS-                               Phytolacca, 314, 324. Baptisia, 71, 77.
Hydrastis canadensis, 253.                Hydrastis, 253, 254.
CONGESTION' OF BRAIN-                     DIPLOPIAGelseminum, 191.                          Gelseminum, 193.'
CORYZA-                                   DROPSYPhytolaeca, 313.  Sanguinaria, 380.        Apocy. an., 40. Apocy. c., 43, 49, 51.
Eupatbrium perfoliatum, 164.              Ascelpias syr., 61 Chimaphila umrn 98.




CLINICAL INDEX.                                      443
Helonias, 240. Eupatorium per., 166. EYES, NEURALGIA OFLept., 298.                              Gelseminum, 196.
bUODENTITISIris, 278.                           FEVERSDYSENTERY-                                 Bilious
Apocynum andro., 38.  lBaptisia, 79.     Apocynum andro., 38. Baptisia, 74.
Collins., 127. Cornus cir., 132, 137.    Lept., 287. Gels., 187.
Catarrhal —
Euphorbia cor., 170. Erigeron, 152.
Gelseminum, 201.  Iris, 273. 281         Apocynum  andro., 43. Baptisia, 74,
amarmelis, 257. L~eptan., 292, 297.      Asclepias, 68. Gelseminum, 211.
Hamnamelis 257. tl~eptan.,RgfZ~    297.
HecticPhyt., 319. Pod., 346. Trillium,404.     Snguinaria can.
Sanguinaria can., 370.
Veratrum v, 423.                       Irritative —
DYSMENORRH(EA-ve~~DYSME:I~ORR~Ea-       ~         Gelseminum, 182.
Asclepias, 63. Bapt., 79, Cimi., 114.    itlerminent-1
IntermittentCauloph. thal., 88, 90. Coil., 129, 132.  Leptandria, 286.  Gelsemnum, 181.
6elseminum, 205. Hamamelis v., 232       Eupat. per, 159. Veratrum  v, 416.
XIel., 241.  Sen., 392.  Sang. c., 378.  Cornus c., 33. Cornus f., 140.
Xanthoxylum, 434.                      RheumaticDYSPEPSIA-                                   Cimicifuga, 105. Baptisia, 74.
Phytolacca decan., 318. Asciepias, 69.   Remittent —
HEydras. 252, 254. Helonias dio.j 240.   Gelseminum, 181. Veratrum v., 416.
Caulophyllum, 87.  Leptandria, 288.      Cornus c., 133. Podo. pelt., 333.
Phytolacca, 318. Podoph. pelt., 339.    ScarletRumex, 359. Sanguinaria, 376.            Gelseminum, 187.
DYSPEPTIC PHTHISIS-                        TyphoidCimicifuga, 121.                         Baptisia, 72, 73. Veratrum  v., 418.
DYSURIA-                                      Dioscorea v., 273.  Leptandria, 286.
Erigeron can., 152.  Chimaphila, 99.    YellowDYSPNCEA-                                    Apoci andro, 38.  Cimicifuga, 105.
Eupatorium perf., 164. Silph., 395.      Gelseminum, 186. Veratrum  v., 417.
FISTULA LACHRYMALISEOCHYMOS:BES ON  EYE-BALLS —
ECCHYMOSES ON  EYE-BALLS-         Phytolacca decandra, 312.
Erigeron can., 150.
ECZEMA-        -
IEuphorbia c., 172.                  GALL STONES, EXPULSION OFENURESIS —                                    Podophyllum peltatum, 342.
Podo. pelt., 39.  Eupat. purp., 166.  GASTRODNIAGelseminum, 202.                          Gelseminum, 206.
ENT E RO-COLITIS- 
Nuphar lutea, 305.                       Leptandria, 288. Gelsem., 199, 205.
jENTERITIS-                                  Dioscorea, 149.
Phyt., 319. Iris, 281.  Euphor., 172.  GASTRIC DERANGEMENTGels., 200. Lept,, 291. Sang., 378.      Aletris farinosa, 35. Leptandria, 288,
Gels. 7.200.  Lept,, 291, Sang., 378.
Rumex, 359. Trill. 404, Sang., 375.
Veratrum viride, 423.
Gelseminum 178. Veratrum v;, 412.
]tEP1STAXIS —
EPiSTAXIS-                              GASTRITISHa3mamelis vir., 235. Erigeren, 50-.      Euphorbia, 172. Iris versicoe1or, 278.
Trillium, 404.                           Podo. pelt., 339. Sang., 376, 377.
Trilliumrn,404. 
RERYSIP]LAS —
CERYSIPE:LAS-                            GINGIVITISEuphorb, 172. Gels., 196, i88.           Sanguinaria, 375.
ERYTHIEMA-                                GLEETGelseminum, 195, 196, 215.               Hydrastis can., 259. Collinsonia, 131.
EUSTA~CHIIAN TUBHE,                          Hamamelis vir., 234.  Erigero,-156.
Obstructions  of-                           Siiphium, 396. Eupat. pur., 166.
Phytolacca, 312.                     GONORRH('EA —
EXCORIATIONS —                                Caulophylum, 93. Hydrastis can., 289.
Hydrastis, 251, 258.                     Hamamelis v., 233, Iris vens. 282.




444                    CLINICAL INDEX.
Erigeron c., 156. Gelseminum, 204.  IHIYDROCEPtIALUS —
Senecio, 392.                             Apocynum can., 44. Verat. v., 421.
GRAVEL-                                   HYDROPHOBIAEupatorium purpureum, 166.                Gelseminum, 178. Scutellaria, 389.
GRANULARk CONJUNCTIVITIS-                 HYPOCHONDRIASISPhytolacca decandra, 312.                 Podophyllum pelt., 335. Helonias, 239.
GONITIS-                                      Senecio gra., 391. Xanthoxylum, 433.
Phytolacca decandra, 326.                 Cornus c.,, 134.
GOITRE-                                   HYSTERIAPodophyllum peltatum, 338.                Gelseminum, 178, 190. Senecio, 391.
GOUTY AFFECTIONS-                             Veratrum v., 412. Caulophyllum, 90.
Eupat, pur., 165. Eup. pur., 166.
GUMS, INFLAMMATION  OF-                   INDURATION OF OS UTERICimicifuga, 111.                          Podophyllum peltatum, 349.
INFLUENZAGelseminum, 195. Eupatorium p. 164.
rIEMORRHOIDS-                                 Sticta pulmonaria, 401. GelJemin. 211.
Asesu., 18, 29. Collins., 126, 128, 129.  IMPOTENCEDiosco., 438. Erig, 152. 1Ham., 225.      Nuphar 1. 306. Gelseminum, 203.
Hiydrastis c.,228.  Leptandria v., 296.  INSOMNIAPhytolacca, 319. Podophyl, pel., 347.     Cypripedium pub. 144.  Senecio, 391.
Polygonum, 354. Veratrum v., 423.          Caulophyllum, 87. Sticta, 399, 400.
LEMIIATURIA —  Gelseminum, 215.
Eupatorium pur., 166. Ham v., 230.   INTERMITTENT FEVERHAEMORREHAGES —                                Podophyllum, 332. Gelseminum, 183.
Erigeron can., 150. Gelseminum, 199.       Cornus f. 140.  Eupatorium perf. 159.
Ham., 234.  Sen., 391.  Tril. p., 404.  IlNTERTRIGOH[.EMATEMESIS-                                Hydrastis, 251.
Erigeron oenadensis, 151.
E[.3MOPT~YSIS-                            JAUNDICESanguinaria, 382. 1Hamamelis v., 234.      Gelseminum, 202. Podoph. pelt. 337.
Seneeio, 394.  Trillium, 403, 407.
LARYNGISMUS STRIDULUS —
Collinsonia, 131.
Gelseminum, 179.
HEART AFFECTIONSLeptandria, 299.  Gelseminum, 180.
Rumex, 367. Cim., 123. Sang., 870.   -   Aletris far. 35. Apocynum andros. 40.
HEAVESa IN  HORSES-;-                         )Baptisia tinctor. 80.  Cimicifuga, 114.
Silphium laciniaturm, 395.                Collinsonia, 130. Hamamelis vir. 230.
HECTIC FEVCER~-                               Helonias dioica, 241. EIydrastis, 260.
Sanguinaria, 370.                         Phytolacca d. 321.  Trillium p. 403.
HEMICRANIA-                                    Xanthoxylum, 434.
Eupatorium perfoliatum, 162.          LIVER AFFECTIONSHEPATIT'IS —                                  Iris versicolor, 279.
Phytolacca, 318.  Podoph. pelt., 341.  LOCHIA, UNHEALTHY —
HEPATIC DIFFICULTIES-                         Baptisia, 80.
Baptisia, 78. Podophyllum pelt., 371.   Profse —
HEPATIC  ERUPTIONS-                           Erigeron canad. 155. Trillium,
Eupatorium perfoliatum, 164.  Suppression of —
HERIES CIRCINATA-                             Cimicifuga, 118.
Euphorbia corrollata, 172.            LUMBAGO —
HERNIA, STRAI4GULATED —                       Cimicifuga, 124. Hamamelis vir. 235.
Gelseminum, 200.                          Phytolacca d. 325. Veratrum vir. 429.
HOARSENESS-                               MAMM2E, INFLAMMHATION OFIris versicolor, 283. Rumex., 363.       Phytolacca d. 319, 321. Helonias, 240.
Baptisia, 80.                             Veratrum viride, 425.
IHYDRO-PERICARDIUM —                        Suppuration ofApocynum eannabinumr, 55.                 Phytolacca decandra, 321.




CLINICAL IND:EX.                                       445
MEASLES-                                   (EDEMA OF THE GLOTTISGelseminum, 188. Veratrum v. 419.          Arum triphyllum, 58.
iSTELiEN-A-                                ORCHITISHamamelis virginica, 225.                  llamamelis, 234. Veratrum vir. 434.
MENORRHAGIA-                               OVARIAN DISEASEAletris far. 35. Apocynum andros. 40.      Phytolacca, 321. Podophyl. pelt. 349.
Baptisia, 79. Apocynum  cannab. 53.       IHamamelis, 231. Cimicifuga r. 118.
Erigeron canadens. 155. Senecio, 393.  OZ.ENATrilli~um  403, 405, 4016.                 Phytolacca d. 313.  Baptisia tinct. 76.
METRORRIHAGIA —                                Sanguinaria, 374. IHIydrastis c. 253.
Trillium, 406P.                       PALPITATION OF HEARTMENSES, PREMATURE —                               anguinaria, 370.
Aletris farinosa, 35.                  PARALYSISM~ENINGIITIS-                                  Gelseminum, 178, 213.
Aletris farinosa, 35. Cimicifuga, 11       Gelemnum, 178, 213.
Of Lowcer Extremities —
Veratrum'viride, 421.                    f Lowe EtremitiesMERCURIAL PTYALIMride, 421sculus,18. Cuulophyllum, 92.
Of Sphincters of BladderArum triphyllum, 58. Phytolacca, 313.    Oelseminurs, 203.
Gelseminum, 203.
~Cadt~wi~-    ~PARALYTIC DYSPHAGIAIris versicolor, 277.                      Gelseminum, 197.
MUSC[ULAR DEBILITY- 
Podophyllum peltatum, 351.                 Phytolacca decandra, 309.
ML~YALGIA —       -PARTUR1ENT EFFECTSPodophyl. pelt. 351. G~elsem. 180,213      Caulophyllum, 88. Gossipium, 219.
Hamamelis, 235.  Sanguinaria, 383.  PERIOSTITISMYALGIC HEADACHES-                             Phytolacca decandra, 326.
Sanguinaria, 373.                     PERITONITISGelseminum, 200.
NECK, STIFF-                               PERIODI(CAL HEMICRANIAPhytolacca, 325.                           Eupatorium perfoliatum, 162.
NEPHRITIS-                                 PERICARDITISErigeron can. 153. Veratrum vir. 424.      Veratrum viride, 428.
NERVOUS SICK  HIEADACHE-                   PETECIIIAGelsemninum, 191. Cimicifuga, 103.         Hamamelis virginica, 235.
NEURALGIA-                                 PHTHISIS P.Phytolacca, 327. Cimicifuga, 109, 122.     Cimicifuga, 122. Sanguinar. 371, 381.
Cypripedium, 145. Gelseminum, 177.  PHLEGMASIA ALBA DOLENSNEURALGIA, FACIAL —                            Hamamelis 236. Cimicifuga, 120.
Gelseminum, 195, 196.                 PLEURODYNIA —
NEURALGIC HEMICRANIA-                          Cimicifuga, 122.
Apocynum androsem. 39. Iris, 274.    PNEUMONIA —
NIGHTMARE-                                     Sanguinaria, 381. Eupator. perf. 164.
Iris versicolor, 272,                      Gelseminum, 212. Asclepias tub. 68.
NIPPLES, SORE-  Veratrum viride, 426.
Hydrastis, 251.                        POLYPINODES-                                         Sanguinaria, 371:
Phytolacca, 326.                       PROLAPSUS AN IAletris 36. Podophyllum pelt. 346.
OPTHALMIA-                                PROLAPSUS UTERI —
Apocynurn can. 45. Phytolacea d. 311.      Helonias, 242. Podophyllum pelt. 348.
Baptisia, 75. Podophyllum  pelt. 337.      Collinsonia, 130. Cimicifuga, 114, 118.
Hydrastis can. 252. Xanthoxyl, 434.  PROSOPALGIAODONTALGIA —                                   Phytolacca decandra, 313.
Phytolacca, 313. Rumex crispus, 359. PSORIASISGelseminum, 197.                           Apocynum can. 43. Nuphar lut, 303,
(ESOPHAGITIS-                              PSOrAIris versicolor, 278. G(elseminum. 197.    Phytolacca decandra, 310.




446                   CLINICAL INDEX.
PRURIGO-                                 SLEEP, UNREFRESHINGApocynum andr. 39.  Collinsonia, 30.     Cornus cire. 134. Xanthoxylum, 433.
PUERPERAL                                SPASMS OF STOMACHPeritonitis-                               Gelseminum, 199.
Podophyllum pelt. 340. Verat. v. 425.  SPASMS OF UTERUSConvulsions-                               Gelseminum, 203.
Veratrurn viride, 412. Gels. 206, 209.  SPLEEN, DISEASES OFMania -                                    Podophyllum peltatum, 344.
Cimicifuga, 119.  Veratrum vir. 425.  SPERMATORRHI(EAPUSTULAR ERUPTIONS-                          Hydrastus can. 239. Erigeron, 156.
Iris versicolor, 272.                    Collinsonia, 131. Iris, 281. Gels. 203.
PTOSIS-                                      Nuphar, 306.
Gelseminum, 193.                     SPINAL IRRITATIONPTYALISM-                                    Cimicifuga, 123. Phytolacca, 325.
Podophyllum peltatum, 338.           STRANGURYPYROSIS-                                     Apocynum can. 48. Eupator. p. 166.
Leptandria virginiea, 2889.          STRABISMUSGelseminum, 194,
RECTUM, ULCERATION OF-                   STRICTUREHydrastis canadensis, 258.
Hydrastis canadensis, 259.
RHEUMATISM-                              STOMATITISApocynum and. 39. Phytol. 325, 326.      Arum tr. 58. Eupatorium aron. 157.
Hainamelis v. 236. Gelseminum, 189.      Iris versicolor, 277.
Cimicifuga, 125. Sanguinaria, 383     MaternaEupatorium, 165. Cauloph. 86, 93.        Cornus c.136. Eupatoriumarom. 157.
REHEUMATICO-NEtURALGIC PAINS-                Podophyllum peltatum, 338.
CiRaicifuga, 125S. sUPPRESSED DISCHARGESGREUMATIC                                  Veratrum viride, 420.
Gout —
Apocynum androsemifolium, 39.        SYNOFITISPFever-                                    Apocynum cannabinum, 56.
SYPHILIS —
Cimicifuga- 105.                         Apocynum androsemifolium, 40..Hremicrania —
Apocynum andr. 39. Cimicifuga, 109.  SYPHILITIC ANGINAYessrcli-  -ydrastis canadensis, 254.
XreuralgiaApocynum androsemifolium, 40.
RINGWORM'-                               TEETH, LOOSENESS OFPhytolacca decandra, 310.                Sanguinaria, 375.
TETANUSRIGIDITIESGelseminum, 178.
Gelseminum, 179, 209.                TEA        i
TINEA CAP1TISSALLOWNESS OF SKIN-                          Phytolacca, 321.
Podophyllum peltatum, 335.           TONSILLlTISCARLATINA-                                  Phytolacca, 309.  Gelseminum, 197.
Asclepias syr. 61. Gelsem. 187, 197.     Podophyllum, 338. Sanguinaria, 375.
Veratrum viride, 419.                TRISMUSSCROFULOUS AFFECTIONS-                      Gelseminum, 196.
Iris versicolor, 272,  Chimaphila, 97.  TUBERCULOSISSCABI;ESC- Cimicifuga, 121. Sanguinar. 371, 381.
Phytolacca decandra, 310.            TYPHOID FEVERSCIATICA-                                   Podophyllum p. 333. Baptisia, 72, 73.
Phytolacca dec. 326. Cimicifuga, 125.   Veratrum v. 418. Iris, 273. Lept. 286.
SEA SICKNESS-                           TYPHUS ABDOMINALISE~uphorbia, 171.                        Iris, 281. Leptandria, 291.
SICK HEADACHE-             -
Iris, 274. Cirnicifuga, 113.        ULCERATIONS"SINKING AT THE STOMACH"'-                   Baptisia tinctoria, 71. Hydrastis, 251.
Apocynum cannabinum, 45.                 Sanguinaria, 371L




CLINICAL INDEX.                                      447
Syphilitic-                             VARICOSESPhytolacca, 313.                           Imamamelis, 222, 235.
UJLCERATION OF MOUTH -                    VARICOCELEBaptisia tinct. 76.  Sanguinaria, 375.    Collinsonia, 131
Hydrastis, 255.                       VARIOLAStomag arach-    376.                      Cimicifuga, 106.  Gelseminum, 108.
Of Intestines- I                            Sarracenia, 385. Veratrum viride, 419.
Eupatorium  p. 166. Hydrastist 259.  VERTIGOOf Bladder —.AFsculus, 18. Euphorbia coroll. 171.
Eupatorium purp. 166. HIydrastis, 259  VESICAL CATARRH —
Of Legs-                                    Eupatorium purpureum, 166.
Hydrastis, 261. Phytolacca, 326.        TenesmusOf Bucecal cavity-                          Chimaphila, 100.
Phytolacca, 313. Bapt. 77. Hyd. 255.  VICARIOUS MENSTRUATIONOf Os Uteri-                                Collinsonia, 130. Hamamelis, 232.
Baptisia tinctoria, 80. Helonias, 242.
VOMITINGPhytolacca, 321.                         SEupatorium perf. 163. Iris vers. 277.
URINARY DIFFICULTIES —                        Snguinaria 376.
Collinsonia, 129. Cimicifuga, 114.       f PrgnanyUTERINE HEMORRtHAGE-                          Euporbia 171
Euphorbia, 171.
I:amamelis v. 233. Apocynum c. 53.
Erigeron canaden. 153. -'Senecio, 395.
Trillium, 404.
UTERINE CONGESTION-                      WARTSTVeratrum viride 4-24.                   Phytolacca, 326. Sanguinaria c. 371.
Veratrum viride 424.
UTERINE CANCER-                          WHITLOWPhytolacca, 321.                         Phytolacca, 326.
UTERINE SCIRROUS-                        WORMSPhytolacca, 321.  Euphorbia, 172. Gelseminum, 201.




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