to io ,cL-c -,: tPWLJ RIBU ks'u It'1~"i PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE CHIEF IIOM~EOPATHJC REMEDIES,1 BY DR. FRANZ HARTM TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN, WITH NOTES. BY A. HOWARD OKIE, M. D. OF PHILADELPHIA. ACONITE, BRYONIA, MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAUNEMANNI, MERCURIUS SUBLIMATUS CORROSIVUS, MERCURIUS PRECIPITATUS RUBER, MERCURIUS DULCIS AND CHAMOMILLA. PHILADELPHIA: JI DOBSON, 106 CHESTNUT STREET. LONDON: JI B. BAILLIftRE, 219 REGENT STREET. 1841. PREFACE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. THE following work is one of a series which the talented Dr. Hartmann, of Leipsic, has delivered to the homoeopathic profession in Germany, under the title of "Beitraege zur,Angewandten Pharmacodynamik." In presenting it in an English dress, I deem no apology called for, as the want of practical homoeopathic works has been, and is yet, experienced by every American homceopathic practitioner in this country. This little work is moreover strikingly adapted to the wants of such allopathic practitioners as feel desirous of prosecuting homceopathic experiments; that is, of witnessing personally the efficacy of remedies applied homceopathically in many forms of disease which are of daily occurrence. With Aconite, Bryonia, Mercury and Chamomilla, enough 1* vi PREFACE. may be done, in many acute forms of disease, to shake the faith of the most sceptical; it is true Belladonna is wanting; but that, together with Nux Vomica, will be found in series No. 2, which shall be immediately forthcoming, if the reception of the present series will warrant its publication. The indications for each of the remedies in this work, are plainly laid down, and all matter, save that of a practical nature, has been sedulously excluded. With the sincere desire that the progress of the reformed healing art in America, may be somewhat advanced by this humble effort, I commit it to the public. A. H. OKIE, 326 North Sixth Street. Philadelphia, Sept. 1841. viii CONTENTS. PAGE. Exanthemtous Affections, - - 38 Scarlet Rash, - - - - 40 Measles, - - - - 42 Rubeola, - - - - - 42 Urticaria. Nettle Rash, - - - 42 Nettle Rash in Childbed, - - - 43 Nettle Rash in New-born Children, - 43 Rhagades. Chaps, - - - - 43 Congestions, Ebullitions of Blood, and Haemorrhages, 43 Epistaxis, - - - - - 44 Palpitation of the Heart, - - - 45 Suppression of the Menses, - - - 45 Congestion to the Head, - - - 45 Hmemorrhagia Pulmonum, - - - 46 Haematemesis, - - - - 47 Prosopalgia. Tic Douloureux, - - 47 Nervous Excitement, Debility and Prostration, 48 Apathic Mania, - - - - 48 Paralysis, - - - - 49 Inflammatory Period in the Lungs, - - 49 Odontalgia, - - - - 49 Nocturnal Spasmodic Cough, - - - 50 Hooping Cough, - - - 50 Asthma Humidum, - - - - 50 Intermittent Fever, - - - 50 BRYONIA ALBA, - - General Remarks, - - Inflammatory Fevers, Nervous Fever, - - Gastric-Nervous Fever, Gastric and Gastric-Bilious Fever, - Gall Stone, - - Jaundice, - - - Constipation, - - Puerperal Fever, - - Intermittent Fevers, - - 51 - 53 - - 55 - 57 - - 58 - 58 - - 59 - 60 - - 61 - 62 - - 63 CONTENTS. ix PAGE. Inflammatory Diseases, - - - 65 Acute Hydrocephalus, - - - 65 Inflammation of the Thoracic Organs, -. 66 Pneumonia. Inflammation of the Lungs, - 67 Pleurisy, - - - - 67 Pneumonia or Pleurisy with Gastric Symptoms, - 68 Diaphragmitis. Inflammation of the Diaphragm, 68 Hepatitis. Inflammation of the Liver, - - 69 Splenitis. Inflammation of the Spleen, - 70 Acute Rheumatism and Gout, - - 71 Rheumatismus Uteri, - - - 72 Inflammation of the Ovaries, - - 72 Inflammation of the Eyes, - - 73 Inflammation of the Breasts, &c. - - 74 Milk Fever, - - - - 74 Catarrhal Complaints, - - - 75 Spasmodic Cough, - - - 75 Suffocative Cough of Children, - - 75 Eruptive Diseases, - - - 75 Nettle Rash, - - - - 75 Retrocessent Measles, - - - 75 Scarlet Rash and Scarlet Fever, - - 76 Sequele of those Affections, - - 77 Chilblains, &c. - - - - 79 Ulcers on the Feet, - - - 79 Hemorrhages, - - - - 80 Epistaxis. Premature Catamenia, - 80 Metrorrhagia. Morbid Lochia, - - 81 emmoptysis, - - - - 81 Haemorrhoids, - - - - 82 Spastic Affections of the Chest, &c. - 82 Cramp in the Stomach, - - - 84 Hemicrania, &c. - - - 16 Rheumatic and Gouty Odontalgia, - - 87 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHN. - - - 89 General Remarks, - - - - 91 X CONTENTS. PAGE. Criteria for its Application, - - 93 Antidotes, - - - - - 93 Fever, - - - - 95 Lymphatic or Catarrhal Fever, - - 95 Influenza, - - - - 96 Gastro-Bilious Fever, - - - 97 Dysentery and Dysenteric Diarrhoeas, - 98 Diarrhoeas in Children, - - - 99 Diarrhoeas in Adults, - - - 99 Jaundice, - - - -. - 99 Mucous Fever, - - - - 102 Nervous Fever, - - - - 102 Intermittent Fever, - - - 103 Inflammatory Diseases, - - - 104 Glossitis. Inflammation of the Tongue, - 105 Anginose Affections, - - - 106 Stomacace. Aphtha, - - - 109 Inflammations of the Parotid and Sub-maxillary Glands, - - - - 110 Indurations of the Glands of the Throat and Neck, 111 Inflammation of the Mammae, - - 112 Hepatitis. Inflammation of the Liver, - 113 Chronic Hepatitis, - - - 114 Acute and Chronic Hydrocephalus, - - 114 Inflammation of the Eyes, - - 115 Rheumatic Ophthalmia, - - - 115 Inflammation of the Meibomean Glands, &c. 116 Incipient Amaurosis, - - - 116 Gouty and Rheumatic Pains, - - 117 Coxalgia, - - - - - 118 Claudicatio Spontanea, - - - 118 Lumbar Abscess, - - - - 119 Panaritia. Whitlow, - - - 120 Inflammation of the External Labia, - - 121 Prolapsus Vagine, - - - 122 Sterility, - - - - - 122 CONTENTS. xi Acute Cutaneous Eruptions, Caries, - - - Scarlet Fever and Scarlet Rash, Glandular Affections, Dropsical Accumulations, Hydrocele, - - Purulent Otorrhea, Syphilis, - - - Chancre, Phimosis and Paraphimosis, - Buboes, - - Lues Venera, - - Leucorrhea. Whites, Ulcerative Herpes, - Zona, - - - Crusta Lactea, - - Crusta Serpiginosa, Intertrigo, - - - Dry Miliary Itch, Hoarseness, - - Phthisical State, Sweat, - - - Congestions, Apoplexy, &c. - - Heemorrhages, - Discharge of Gravel, Asthmatic Paroxysms, &c. Chorea, - - - Odontalgia, - - MERCURIUS PRJECIPITATUS RUBER, Secondary Syphilis, Lymphatic Swellings, &c. MERCURIUS SUBLIMATUS CORROSIVUS, Dysentery, - Very Malignant Stomacace, Hectic States, &c; - PAGE. - - 122 - - 123 - - 123 - - 124 - - 124 - - 124 - - 124 - - 125 - - 125 - - 127 - - 128 - - 131 - - 131 - - 132 - - 134 - - 135 - - 135 - - 135 - - 135 - - 136 - - 136 - - 137 - - 137 - - 138 - - 138 - - 139 - - 139 - - 139 - - 140 - - 141 - 142 - - 143 - - 146 - - 146 - - 146 - - 147 xii CONTENTS. CALOMEL, - - - Ulcerated Sore Throat, Autumnal Dysenteries, Suppurating Herpes, &c. Primary Chancre, CHAMOMILLA, - - - General Remarks, Febrile Affections, - Gastric Fevers, - Icterus. Jaundice, - Icterus Neonatorum, Typhus, - - - Inflammatory Affections, - Ophthalmia Catarrhalis, Hepatitis, - - Fever during Childbed, Uterine Hemorrhage, &c. After Pains, - - Angina Tonsillaris, &c. - Cramp of the Stomach, Indurated Mammary Glands, Diarrhceas, - - Asthmatic Complaints, Disorders during Dentition, Cephalalgia. Syncope, - Rheumatism, - - Toothache, - - PAGE. - - 149 - - 149 - - 151 - - 151 - - 151 - - 153 - - 153 - - 154 - - 156 - - 157 - - 157 - - 157 - - 158 -158 - - 159 - - 160 - - 160 - - 163 - - 164 - - 164 - - 165 - - 166 - - 167 - - 167 - - 170 - - 170 - - 171 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. THIS is a large and beautiful plant which grows in the mountainous parts of Switzerland, Tyrol and Bavaria, in Austria and in Sweden. The stalk is from two to three feet high, with alternated digitiform lobated leaves. It blooms in.July and August, and at this time the homceopathist collects the plant for the purpose of making a strong tincture, from the expressed juice, mixed with equal parts of alcohol, and then proceeds to raise this, secundum artem, to the thirtieth dilution. This, according to Hahnemann, is the highest possible dilution, and in which he uses all remedies on account of uniformity. Before I proceed farther to speak of this medicament, I must remark, relative to the size of the dose, that all homceopathic physicians do not adopt this opinion and view,* but consider themselves free to make use of any one of the scale of dilutions, in every possible case, and even to proceed beyond the circumscribed bounds. I cannot condemn this pracgce, as I have always entertained the opinion, that as the economy, age, sex, temperament, &c. of the * That is, relative to the thirtieth dilution.- Translator. 20 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. sick differ, there should also exist differences in the doses and in medicaments.* SIn reference to different curatives in disease, apparently similar, homceopathic physicians are of one opinion, for they know that a disease is not identical with that which they had to treat in another subject: as regards the size of the doses, they however differ, in so far, that they follow more or less rigidly the views of Hahnemann, who, as already mentioned, prefers the administration of potence thirty, in all diseases. Medicines differ with regard to their power of supporting attenuation without loss of medical virtue; it is not only probable, but even certain, that some medicaments of the vegetable kingdom, by the dilution being carried too far, must lose their active power. Without dilating farther upon this subject, I refer to the sterling essay of Dr. Schrcen. "Einiges ueber die Groisse homceopathische Gaben und ihre wiederholung."t Another stumbling block is the recommendation tp give the patient only a few pellets, moistened with the highest dilution to smell. Although I have fully tried this method in some cases, I nevertheless cannot state that I am perfectly satisfied with it, simply from the fact that I frequently saw no effect produced by it; which, however, did not prevent me administering the same remedy by * Vid. Aligem. homceop. Zeit. Bd. II. No. 2: Bemerkungen zu dem Aufsatze des Herrn Dr. Kretschmar in No. 22 des 1 Bandes: von Herrn Dr. Trinks in Dresden. t Vid. Algem. horn. Zeitung, B. III. S. 17. ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 21 the mouth, after the smelling had proved ineffectual, if the ensemble of symptoms indicated it, and it then produced the desired effect. The administration of the remedy by the mouth, appears to me to be at least the more certain method,* and is undoubtedly to be preferred to smelling, as a number of odours which the patient is obliged to inhale involuntarily, may readily destroy the effect of the remedy, or at least disturb its action; while the effect after taking the remedy is more permanent and less apt to be interfered with. But if we admit that the remedy acts equally well either way, and the smelling probably milder, and without exciting any exacerbation of the patient's disease, still the latter is so trifling after taking the remedy, that it is scarcely worth any attention. Were it, however, important, the patient would readily support this exacerbation, as from this he could more certainly count on a speedy improvement of his complaint. With one word, I prefer from conviction, the taking of a remedy to smelling it, and this holds good, not only with aconite, but with all other curatives. In regard to the dose of aconite, I have still to remark, that I have used not only the first, but all the succeeding dilutions up to thirty, and have found the criterion for the application of a higher or lower dilution in the violence of the disease, the constitution, age, &c. of the patient. Inflammatory diseases "* This practical remark of Hartmann is confirmed by the experience of most American homceopathists, with whom smelling is but little in vogue.- Translator. 2* 22 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. of adults, are generally cases for the eighteenth dilution of aconite, and similar cases in children require the twenty-fourth and thirtieth. It is occasionally necessary to increase the dose to a drop of one of these dilutions. In many diseases, particularly enteritis, the repetition of the dose every three, four, or six hours, is indispensable; and in these the administration of aconite in the fluid form, appears to me far preferable to globules. The diminution of the pains when moving is worthy of notice in the administration of this remedy. In using this curative, acids and fruits containing acids, but particularly wine and coffee, are to be rigidly prohibited, as they completely destroy its effects. If coma, inordinate perspiration, and dilated pupils, result from the use of aconite, opium acts as an antidote; arnica, where there is wild obstinacy with redness of face, headache, &c. Wine is the best antidote when great fretfulness results from poisoning with it. Aconite particularly indicates a sanguine temperament and robust constitution. Experience, a thousand times repeated, sufficiently attests the distinguished efficacy of aconitum napellus in inflammatory affections; and we can, without contradiction, assert, that this remedy is the greatest antiphlogistic in homceopathy, as it indubitably diminishes the excitement of the vascular system, and lessens the rapidity of the circulation. In inflammatory diseases, particularly when there is dry heat, it undoubtedly benefits more than vene 24 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. their method, not on conjectures and favourable depositions, but on their own experience as well as that of other homceopathists. They, however, do not judge blindly of the result of the allopathic treatment of inflammatory affections-they do not deny their results,-(as the allopathists do those of the homceopathists,)-only they cannot praise the cito and jucunde, and must relate more unfortunate terminations than is in their power to accuse us of. It only requires a single step on the part of the allopathists-let them form statistics of cures of inflammatory affections made without the abstraction of blood, otherwise they must reject the whole treatment of Peschier in inflammations of the chest, and this they not only have not done, but have even made fortunate curative efforts by this means. But let us leave this polemical discussion and come to facts. INFLAMMATORY FEVER.-We often observe this disease unaccompanied by any apparent local inflammatory affection. We find it oftener in children than in adults; in the latter, however, there is an undiscernible inflammatory irritation in some of the organs, while in the former there is connected with it flying stitching pains, which, however, intermit. This form of febrile disease usually appears suddenly, without morbid premonitions, and then often becomes permanent because other complaints are superadded. The following symptoms are characteristic of this form of fever: Constant burning heat over the whole body, with redness of skin; distension and redness of ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 25 the face; eyes glistening and prominent; respiration short and anxious; dry, red tongue, in rare cases it is somewhat coated with mucus; great thirst, constipation and even absence of dejections; inappetence; hot, red urine, which is passed in small quantities; sleeplessness, jactitation, restlessness, anxiety.Slight delirium is present only when there is inflammatory irritation of the cerebrum connected. In children the disease succumbs almost magically to a small dose of the highest dilution of aconite. If this does not occur within four hours it is necessary to repeat the dose. Repeated experience has taught me that a drop of the eighteenth dilution is more effectual in adults than a small dose of the thirtieth. If this fever, namely in children, is united with a constant, short, spasmodic cough, it can seldom be allayed entirely by aconite, but requires the administration of repeated doses of ipecacuanha six, a dose every 2 or 3 hours. Inflammatory fever may be also conjoined with other diseases. In this case the homceopathic physician, by accurately individualising the case at the sick-bed, can readily determine whether this affection requires the prior administration of a dose of aconite, or whether the fever can be allayed by the specific curative indicated by the ensemble of morbid phenomena. Next to inflammatory fever we have aconite as the chief remedy against inflammations proper. If the inflammatory fever accompanying is of the character described, there can be no question that a dose of 26 ACONITUMI NAPELLUS. aconite is required in order to lessen the febrile affection, by which also a simultaneous diminution of the local affection is effected, even if aconite be not the specific for the inflammation itself. Although some criterion for the exhibition of aconite in inflammations has been given by these specifications, I will nevertheless detail more specially those inflammations in which it is almost specific, or which at least without it cannot be readily allayed, they are:PLEURISY.-In this affection aconite is always indicated if violent stitching pains in one or the other sides of the chest appear on inspiring, with which, owing to the obstructed inspiration, a discouraged, anxious, fearful state is conjoined. We usually find connected with it a short dry cough, which is excited anew by every inspiration, and the sticking pain is each time experienced more vividly, which the patient endeavours to relieve by counter pressure with the hand on the affected spot. We here exhibit aconite twenty-four, and when very violent repeat it every 3 or 4 hours. PNEUMONIA. INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS.-- When the disease appears with great violence; if the inflammation is preceded by severe chill and conjoined with oppression and stitches in the chest; if the hot stage succeeding this developes a plain picture of synochal fever, (as given above,) with quick, full pulse, which it is difficult to compress; if the patient complains of an oppressive, compressing, dull, sticking pain in the breast, which is increased on inspiration, ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 27 and is united with anxious paroxysms; if the cough is violent, short, dry, only occasionally some little bloody, frothy expectoration; the face red, hot; the eyes shining vividly; then aconite twenty-four is again the chief remedy, which must be repeated as mentioned under pleurisy. NERVOUS INFLAMMATIONS OF THE LUNGS.-The homceopathic physician must accurately note all of the morbid symptoms in order to make no mistake in the selection of a curative. When the pulse is still frequent, somewhat full; when there is dry heat and still some pain in the breast on respiring, which the patient plainly expresses by seizing the breast with his hands, or by the facial expression, a dose of aconite is always requisite in order to insure the favourable effects of the succeeding remedies; bryonia, rhus, pulsat., arnica, conium, lycopod., &c. INFLAMMATION OF THE LARYNX AND BRONCHIA. -Although inflammations of mucous membranes do not properly belong to the cycle of diseases which are curable with aconite, still this disease forms an exception to the rule. Aconite plays an important part in these affections, and must at least at the commencement be administered several times when the symptoms are constituted as I shall mention immediately, and often suffices to remove the whole disease, or in some cases at least to overcome the greatest danger. In inflammation of the larynx the patient complains of a fixedb urning pain in the region of the larynx, which is much exacerbated by touch, speaking, swallowing and coughing, whereby 28 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. the voice is much altered, is usually fine or painfully hoarse, suffocative symptoms very violent, and respiration easier when the head is thrown backwards. A similar, or at least an equally violent state we find in the first stage of angina membranacea, in which case aconite thirty is likewise indicated, which dose must be repeated in 3 or 4 hours in laryngitis, but in angina membranacea it must give way to a remedy better adapted to the then stage of the disease. Inflammation of the bronchia occurs in the same category with laryngitis, or at least it cannot be rigidly separated, and when they occur simultaneously there is no change in the treatment. The former is likewise known by the name angina pectoris. It might not be improper to speak of asthma thymicum or spasmus glottidis. I nevertheless omit mention of it here, as aconite is required but in the minimum of cases, and only then when the inflammatory state predominates in the premonitory stage. This asthmatic affection when developed indicates besides, hepar sulph., spongia, and tart. emet., arsenic, sambucus, mercur., moschus and ammon. carb.* We often find it in children uncomplicated, or in connection with measles and hooping cough it often appears suddenly, and again is preceded by catarrh. Patient complains of a raw, burning sensation, diffused over the whole breast with constriction and * An interesting experience of the cure of asthma thymicum Koppii, with ammon. carb., has been made by Dr. G. Lingen of this city.- Translator. 32 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. which usually continues until early in the morning. If the application of globules, moistened with aconite, does not produce relief, aconite eighteen or twentyfour in a fluid state must be exhibited. A new dose is required as soon as the improvement which has began to take place retrogrades; that is, when the pains begin again to be more acute. HEPATITIS. INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER.-I will admit that another remedy might deserve preference to aconite in this affection, but this, however, is no cause why we should deny to it all sanative power in this disease. I certainly know, for I speak from my own experience, that aconite is a remedy not to be disparaged in hepatitis-it is often even an indispensable curative, particularly if the patient complains of a burning stinging pain in the hepatic region, below the false ribs, on the right side, which renders respiration oppressed, and is made worse by a short dry cough: the part affected is tense, swollen, and feels hot, and is accompanied by very violent synochal fever, with a somewhat hard, full, accelerated pulse and dry heat. ANGINA TONSILLARIS. In this inflammatory affection, occurring in very robust individuals with considerable fever, but without suppurative symptoms, where there is great dryness of the mouth internally, aconite in frequently repeated doses always proves beneficial: the inflammation is often allayed by this remedy alone: in many cases, however, it leaves the disease in such a state, that then a dose of mere. solubilis suffices to completely remove it. I have ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 33 much less frequently found belladonna adapted after aconite. OPHTHALMIA OF VARIOUS KINDs.-The first variety is that which arises from the entrance of a foreign body between the eye-ball and the lids: the albuginea is frequently highly injected from this cause; a pressing, stitching pain diffuses itself over the whole eye; it weeps, and is usually very sensitive to light. When it is possible to remove the foreign body, it is imperative to attempt this and then administer aconite thirty, after which, in the couse of a few hours, every trace of the injury is effaced. If the foreign body cannot be removed, in consequence of the excessive sensibility of the eye, this may be allayed in the course of a few hours by a dose of aconite-and what was previously impracticable may now be performed with ease. If an inflammation of this nature has, through neglect, become chronic, it is nevertheless always advisable before exhibiting a remedy of more permanent effect to precede it by a small dose of aconite. OPHTHALMIA NEONATORUM. INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES OF NEW-BORN CHILDREN. It appears a few days after birth, and is most frequently excited by the impinging of dazzling rays of light on the eye yet unaccustomed to day light.* Sensibility of the eye to light, is the primary symptom, soon after which a slight redness of the * A not unfrequent cause of this ophthalmy is the acrid secretions in the vaginal passages of mothers labouring under blenorrhagic affections; in such cases aconite is of little service. Sulphur will usually be found specific.- Translator. 3* 34 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. palpebral conjunctiva appears, particularly in the internal canthus, and the lids secrete an adhesive mucus. In this stage of the disease, aconite in the smallest dose is always indicated, and always shows its sanative power. If the disease has continued longer, a second dose is sometimes requisite. But even in more aggravated forms of this disease the homceopathist does right to precede the administration of the curative adapted by a dose of aconite. Ignatia, according to the experience of some, proves specific in these cases. TARAXIS and CHEMOSIs. I must suppose the homceopathic physician acquainted with ophthalmic affections, as I do not intend to give the characteristic distinctions of affections of both eyes, but merely to state the symptoms which undoubtedly require the exhibition of aconite. Both these affections occur very frequently and only differ in degree: they belong to the uncomplicated inflammations of the external globe of the eye, and their seat is in the conjunctiva of the ball, in the cornea and sclerotica, particularly in the anterior part. Ophthalmia arising from the entrance of a foreign body into the eye belongs to this section; but still we find it in inflammatory fevers, and as the result of congestion to the head. They must not be confounded with catarrhal ophthalmy in which there is always a far more confirmed blepharophthalmia glandulosa present, for which aconite is but seldom indicated. At first the patient complains of a slight pressure, and the eye begins to redden, particularly in the in ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 35 ternal canthus: the greater the injection, the greater the sensibility of the eye to light-photophobia and weeping of the eyes supervene. (Taraxis.) If the inflammation obtains more the upperhand, the pressing pains and the photophobia become more violent, and a sensitive tension in the eye itself supervenes,-(incipient chemosis.) Repeated experience has taught me, that these inflammations succumb most rapidly to aconite, which in these cases, I have always exhibited in potence twenty-four, without any increase of the morbid phenomena. GOUTY OPHTHALMIA. Although aconite alone is but seldom capable of allaying this disease, it is, nevertheless, an indispensable preparatory remedy to the curatives indicated in such inflammation. If gout has been present, or if it still exists, and ophthalmy supervenes, it is evident that the latter must be influenced by the existing disease. In these cases I have exhibited aconite X, in order not entirely to destroy the effects of the remedy given for the general affection, for I have never had such an ophthalmy to treat without other gouty complaints being present, for which I had previously exhibited tl proper curative. IRITIS. INFAMMATION OF THE IRIS. Iritis, when fully developed, does not succumb to the administration of aconite even if frequently repeated; other remedies which act nmore thoroughly are required for its cure; and it has not yet been sufficiently proven whether it is capable of retarding the super 36 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. vening disorganization in the second stage of the disease. It is applicable in the first stage alone when the patient complains of an obtuse, pressing pain in the depth of the eye, with concurrent contraction of the pupil, and gradual diminution of visual power, the motion of the iris is confined-the photophobia increases-the ring of the iris begins to become coloured, tumifies, and presses toward the cornea: the sclerotic coat is moderately injected: when these symptoms exist, aconite thirty-four, or six globules every four to six hours, is an admirable remedy to prevent the further developement of the disease, and to totally remove the morbid change which has already occurred. The chronic form of this ophthalmy, when the termination of an acute attack, or even if so disposed from its commencement, is allayed by several doses of this curative, if uncomplicated with morbid growth, in which case the cure will not be so readily completed with this remedy alone. ACUTE RHEUMATISM AND ACUTE GOUT.-It is not necessary to mention that violent synochal fever, dry skin, conjoined with the morbid affection of the muscles and joints, always requires at first the exhibition of aconite. But still, when there is but slight febrile excitement, there may exist indications 4or the employment of aconite, and these we shall find in the following symptoms. The patients complain of twitching and bruise-like pain in the part affected, which is increased by motion and touch, and when it has ceased entirely is renewed again: a peculiarity of this is the great sensitiveness at night, and the ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 37 torpid feeling in the morbid part: the painfulness of the whole body to the slightest touch, and feeling of the greatest debility immediately at the commencement of the rheumatic and arthritic attacks, so that the patient is not able to walk as is wont to be the case after a long sick spell, is completely characteristic for the exhibition of aconite. Dry burning heat, which produces inquietude when sleeping, is an additional criterion for its administration. In such cases, in delicate young children, we should use potence X, in adults twenty-four. The homoeopathic physician also acts consistently when he administers a dose of aconite in phlegmonous inflammation, or the so termed inflanmmatio rheumatico-phlegmonosa, where the inflammation affects the muscular parts very violently, with violent stinging, dragging pains, or sometimes shooting pains through the whole limb, accompanied with swelling, which threatens to terminate in suppuration. In such cases it almost always acts favourably, and leaves the disease in a milder state. In cases similar to these, I have convinced myself of the efficacy of the extract of aconite, one grain to four ounces of water, which I gave in teaspoonful doses every two or, three hours, which usually produced a profuse offensive sweat, and therewith amelioration of all the symptoms. An inflammation which frequently proves very harassing to patients, producing much pain, is that which occurs in individuals afflicted with hremorrhoids; it does not succumb to remedies which appear 40 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. myself, will have experienced. Specifics which, unchanged, and under all circumstances, remove the same disease, we are yet in want of, and will be to all eternity; for the human organism is a changeable entity, and as long as it exists as a living thing, in no age or time, or under any circumstances, is it the same-it is always different. Why, then, should it astonish us, that aconite, which is known as a specific in some exanthematous affections, should not be so in all cases. Aconite proves specific in scarlet rash (scharlach friesel) according to the statement of Hahnemann, and the numerous observations of the other homceopathic physicians confirm this claim. But still, aconite is not to be given in this exanthematous disease as such; but here, as in all other diseases, the symptoms must justify its application. It is undoubtedly applicable if a number of the following symptoms exist: violent excitement of the vascular system, which is vividly manifest in the whole head, by the redness of the face, distension and pulsation of the vessels of the head, eyes injected and shining, and even slight delirium; violent stinging, burning over the whole body, with general redness and great desire for internal and external coolness, the utmost excitability, inquietude and anxiety; pulse quick, full and hard, frequent evacuation of urine in small quantities and of a high colour. This orgasmus sanguinis, this congestion of blood to the head, usually the precursor of a dangerous inflammation of the brain, the stagnation of blood in other organs, for instance, the lungs, ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 41 in the pharynx, &c., which very quickly terminate in inflammation of these parts, and all the other phenomena mentioned, which go hand in hand with the developement of an epidemic scarlet rash, or at least announce the irruption of the eruption, cannot be relieved by any remedy sooner than by aconite, which at the same time prevents a termination in a dangerous disease, and insures a mild course of the succeeding stages of the scarlet rash. We but seldom accomplish our object in this disease with a single dose of this remedy-several doses are usually required, the repetition of which depends upon the greater or less violence of the morbid symptoms, and it must be repeated more frequently the more acute and rapid the progress of the disease; and it is possible that it may require repetition every two or three hours, while in other cases, where the disease appears less dangerous, a new dose is not required for from six to eight hours. In patients of strong constitution, I have used the eighteenth or twenty-fourth dilution; in young and sensitive individuals the thirtieth. I would here direct attention to the sterling treatise of Dr. Trinks in Hartlaubs und Trinks.innalen IV. B. S. 1. I dare not omit mentioning that aconite has proved beneficial as a prophylactic in epidemic scarlet rash; but still this is not a confirmed effect, and it can be attested only by future true observations, whether something settled upon this point can be confirmed. With the view to its prophylactic effect, I have ad4 42 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. ministered it alternately with belladonna, and of course let it act longer than the latter. MEASLES. Aconite can be exhibited even in the Stad.febrile where the catarrhal state predominates with hoarseness, raw feeling and oppression of the breast, slight ophthalmia, &c.; it is, however, still better adapted to the eruptive stage, (stad. eruptionis,) particularly if the fever is of a synochal character, and is conjoined with great sensation of dulness, with heat in the head, vertigo, eyes much injected, photophobia, distension of the face, debility and prostration. It is not less indispensable, if at this period some local affections terminate in inflammation; the latter is always allayed by this remedy, and the ensemble of the disease rendered much milder and shortened. The more or less frequent repetition of the doses, as in scarlet rash, depends upon the rapid course of the disease. If the excited vascular system has become tranquil, and all of the functions of the patient are in a normal state, neither aconite nor any other remedy is required, even if the eruption still remains; this latter soon disappears without the aid of art. But as long as there exists inflammatory excitement, even after the disappearance of the eruption, aconite must be repeated. RUBEOLA. If it appears with violent fever of a synochal character the application of aconite is required. URTICARIA. This remedy is likewise to be recommended in this cutaneous eruption, when it does ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 43 not appear as the consequence of other diseases, in which case it appears secondarily, and therefore does not always indicate the exhibition of aconite. Nettle rash during confinement, which is often produced by keeping women inordinately warm while in child-bed, by lowering the temperature to a moderate grade, finds a speedy curative in aconite, while the eruption if left to itself continues for a long time, and frequently recurs, even when we have been sure of its disappearance. That aconite must be specifically indicated in this cutaneous eruption, is proved by the itching and burning which it excites in the healthy human body, which we likewise observe in parts affected with nettle rash. Therefore, too, its curative power in the nettle rash of new-born infants, in which cases the great restlessness is an additional criterion for the application of this remedy. INTERTRIGo. Aconite is applicable in these cases, particularly at the beginning of the treatment, if the base of the eruption is much inflamed and the child very restless. In congestions, ebullitions of blood and hemorrhages of various kinds, aconite is a remedy whose place cannot be supplied. It is an undeniable fact, that in all cases where allopathy is accustomed to apply venesection, homceopathia produces the quickest and most permanent relief by the application of aconite. It is namely in those congestions and ebullitions of blood which are often produced by trifling causes and slight mental emotions, which, if not interfered with, frequently pass into acute inflam 44 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. mation of some important organ. How often do we see, after simultaneous anger and fright, those congestions to the head, breast, or uterus in the latter, usually followed by sudden suppression of the catamenia if then present; and it is only by a quick remission of these complaints that we prevent some graver pathological change, and this is by no means so rapidly and permanently effected by copious venesection as by a single dose of aconite thirty. The morbid symptoms after anger, are usually so constituted, that chamomilla indicates them most nearly: but still there are cases where this remedy effects but little, and aconite is much better adapted. I recollect a symptom which patients express by the phrase "it will press my heart out:" (es will mir das Herz abdruecken:) a true stagnation of blood in the heart and large vessels, conjoined with want of air, spasms of the chest, the utmost anxiety, and almost complete loss of pulse, &c. Attacks succeeding excessive joy, are often constituted in a like manner; and although coffea is best indicated in these cases, it nevertheless has often happened to me, that on account of the excessive nervous irritability, causing the remedy to act too powerfully, or else to produce no effect, I have exhibited aconite thirty, either to smell or take internally. Paroxysms of grief, it is well known, find a remedy in ignatia. Aconite, on the other hand, is far superior to this remedy when excessive nervous irritability is produced from long continued grief, which then is often conjoined with congestion to the head, ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 45 cerebral obstupefaction, excessive sensibility of the head, of the eyes to light, epistaxis, &c. Against the latter, when dependent on general plethora, aconite is of much service. Who knows of a remedy better adapted than aconite to palpitation of the heart, often united with pain producing inquietude excited by mental affections, (for instance, anger and various passions,) which by frequent recurrence become carditis, and is frequently conjoined with a sensation of fulness, tension, oppression, with a feeling of rising warmth, or ebullition in the breast, general vascular fever and pains in the limbs: this remedy must be repeated when the disease recurs. The sudden suppression of the catamenia while flowing, after mental emotions, often produces such an orgasm of blood in the womb, as to render the speediest aid desirable. The great inquietude of the whole body, the sensation of fulness in the abdomen, with inclination to syncope, the paleness of face and loss of pulse, require the quick application of aconite in the smallest dose, which should be supported by a positive magnetic stroke. Congestions to the head are characterized by distension of the veins of the head, violent pulsation of the carotids and cephalic arteries, heat, redness, and puffiness of the face, vertigo, violent headache with delirium: under unfavourable circumstances these symptoms may become so aggravated that apoplexia sanguinea supervenes; before its complete developement the patient complains of myopia, roaring in 4* 46 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. the ears, heaviness, inertia and coldness of the limbs; the face is tumefied, appears of a violet colour, and the pulse is full and slow. I do not detail more minutely the symptoms of apoplexia sanguinea, as I take it for granted, that the readers of these essays are sufficiently conversant with them; I will, however, remark, that both for the symptoms specified, and those of confirmed apoplexy, aconite in the highest dilution proves very serviceable, and at first, must be repeated at short intervals. In hemorrhagia pulmonum, (bleeding from the lungs,) I have very often experienced the rapid curative powers of aconite, and, I do not proceed too far, when I place it at the head of the category of the remedies recommended in this disease. Aconite does much in those congestions which precede this hmmorrhage, by which the latter is frequently prevented, which of course, in such cases, I could only know certainly where they were usually succeeded by pulmonary hoemorrhage. Aconite may with certainty be recommended in this form of hemorrhage, when it is produced by slight hawking, accompanied by that anxious ebullition which precedes it, with sensation of fulness, burning, palpitation of the heart, anxiety and inquietude; the latter particularly becoming insupportable on lying down: A weak, thread-like, and scarcely perceptible pulse and pale face, expressive of anxiety, are inseparable concomitants: the blood appears at intervals, and is often expectorated in large quantities. The reader of course understands, without ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 47 being reminded, that the smallest dose of aconite should be exhibited, as all medicinal aggravation must be avoided on account of the incalculable injury which might result. I have often seen, after the lapse of two or three minutes, remission of the most critical symptoms when the proper dose has been exhibited: (the patient must determine whether the twentyfourth or thirtieth dilution is to be preferred:) the anxiety, inquietude, palpitation of the heart and ebullition in the breast subside, so that the momentary danger at least is allayed. On every slight recurrence of the morbid symptoms, a new dose of aconite should be exhibited; but if no relapse occur, still the repetition of the dose of aconite, after five or six hours, is generally advisable. Whether aconite is able to effect anything in hematemesis I cannot decide certainly from want of sufficient experience: its curative power in this disease is certain and indisputable, when it is conjoined with that vehement vascular excitement, which is removed with most certainty by aconite; and by allaying this, much is already gained towards producing a remission of all the symptoms. In prosopalgia I have often applied aconite with effect, chiefly when the pains are of an inflammatory nature, continuous, and appear chiefly in fleshy parts, with inflammatory swelling, throbbing, chill, &c. Aconite is a powerful intercurrent remedy or even curative in pure nervous prosopalgiae, where the pains are of a crawling, burning nature, as if depending on ulceration, appearing paroxysmally and 48 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. affecting the superior maxillary bone, the articulation of the jaw, and the cheeks. In acute diseases, where all remedies which seem to be indicated are ineffectual, or affect too powerfully without improvement, aconite often removes very quickly this hyper-excitation of the nervous system; by this treatment the remedies which are then indicated act more favourably. When sudden debility and prostration supervenes in diseases, so that the patient is scarcely able to walk a few steps, I have likewise always applied this remedy with effect. In apathic mania, aconite deserves attention among the remedies indicated, and is yet more worthy of note if we observe this affection in an individual of a sanguine, lymphatic temperament, and perceive that it arises from a direct effect upon the cerebrum, exciting its sensibility. I have had occasion to treat two cases of this nature in childbed, the patient vividly imagining that she would not survive her confinement, and that she was yet in the first stage of pregnancy, and had been dragged into child-bed; which, when the irritability and sensibility is most aggravated, produces that dangerous state which is recognised by violent fever, with deep redness of the cheeks and delirium, conjoined with almost complete suppression of the lochial discharge. During the day the patient was more quiet, reserved, apathic, not answering any questions, or looking fixedly at the inquirer, and then breaking out into laughing or crying, without partaking of food or drink, with dry lips, ACONITUM NAPELLUS. 49 and full, frequent pulse; in the night, on the contrary, two nurses were amply employed to prevent her jumping from her bed, and gettting out of it, or in appeasing her. If the latter occurred and the patient fell asleep, scarce five minutes elapsed before she was aroused by a violent fright, and the former scene was repeated anew. The whole disease was completely allayed in eight hours, at the extent, by a single dose of this remedy, and the confinement passed quietly. When the symptoms appear thus characteristic of a remedy, the selection is not difficult, and in such cases the practice of medicine, to the homceopathist at least, is productive of the utmost satisfaction. In some kinds of paralysis of particular parts, after being heated, followed by sudden cold, where there is great painfulness of the suffering part to the touch, and great excitation of the vascular system, I have always found aconite twenty-four, indicated, and serviceable without any necessity of repetition of the dose. The frequent recurrence of inflammation in the lungs of phthisical subjects, which is announced by sticking pains in the part affected, increased cough with somewhat bloody sputa, great fever, with deep circumscribed redness of the cheeks, is best met by one or more doses of aconite, without annihilating the effects of the antipsoric remedies previously administered. In odontalgia, of a pulsating and sticking nature, with a feeling of congestion to the head, I several 50 ACONITUM NAPELLUS. times gave aconite with good effect; when the pains were very violent I let the patient merely smell it. Concussive, nocturnal spasmodic cough, (in great smokers,) kept up by a tickling sensation in the larynx, in individuals who otherwise did not complain much of cough, but always had a lively, ruddy complexion, I have frequently allayed by a single globule of aconite. I have given a patient afflicted with asthma humidum, which was made known by shortness of breath, and was much increased by speaking, motion, &c., and scarce permitted any other than a sitting posture, aconite -j six doses, one every three hours. In this case there were febrile phenomena of very obscure character, the pulse was but slightly excited or accelerated, there was sleeplessness, languor, the urine dark, and depositing a reddish sediment, increased thirst. Without farther indications I gave this remedy in order to afford a wider sphere of action for the succeeding remedies, which had hitherto been fruitlessly employed according to similarity of symptoms; by this treatmeant not merely the collateral symptoms, but the asthma itself, was so much improved, that but few remedies were required in order to produce complete restoration, and among them stannum in particular proved efficient. I must not omit that aconite has been, and still is, administered in doses frequently repeated in intermittent fever, on the principle that every particular intermittent attack should be considered as a synocha. In particular cases it has succeeded, in others this method was entirely fruitless. BRYONIA ALBA. The root of this plant, which alone is used for homceopathic purposes, is long, almost spindleform, very large and strong, frequently more than arm thick, blunt at the end, sometimes knotty; externally it is of a greyish-yellow colour, with somewhat elevated annular streaks; internally it is white, pulpy, containing a lactescent juice, particularly in the spring of the year, and when cut transversely, presents annular radii. When fresh it has an extremely unpleasant smell, and a nauseous, acrid, bitter, and somewhat astringent taste. When dry it is spongy, mealy, and of a pale yellow colour. As it grows almost all over Germany, and throughout Europe generally, we are always able to obtain it fresh for our purposes; with this view, however, it should be gathered before blooming; that is, previous to the beginning of June, in order to make a strong tincture from the fresh expressed juice, mixed with equal parts of alcohol, which should be raised to the thirtieth dilution. The reader will find my views respecting the size of the dose in the treatise on aconite; I can, therefore, properly omit repetition of them in this place, and have merely occasion to remark, that I use this 5 BRYONIA ALBA. 55 temperament, I am unable to state with certainty, but believe, from numerous observations, that I am right in concluding that it best answers in the sanguine choleric, for it is adapted to external irritability, irascibility, &c. Among the antidotes in addition to camphor and rhus toxicodendron, mentioned by Hahnemann, chamomilla, aconitum, nux and ignatia are to be noted. Thus much in general. The special consideration of this remedy will show in what particular morbid states it clearly developes its curative powers, which accurate observations and experience ab uso in morbis has taught us. I follow here the same course which governed me in treating of aconite, and will likewise, with this remedy, commence with the febrile affections, in which it has proved beneficial. INFLAMMATORY FEVERS. They differ essentially from those in which aconite is indicated; the internal heat is more developed than the external, and the patients complain much of violent thirst for cold liquids; conjoined, there is frequent alternations of chill and heat, or both exist simultaneously; the latter internally, the former perceptible externally. An inflammatory fever, in which bryonia is indicated, never appears isolated, it always affects another system, either the productive, the reproductive, or the sensitive sympathises: the phenomena at the beginning of the fever are versatile, seldom constant: the developement of heat, and the full bounding pulse, is so vehement, that it leads the physician to believe aconite indicated, which also produces an apparent BRYONIA ALBA. 57 Nervous fever, which character, however, it may assume from the first. I will here give, more in detail, the particular nervous state in which bryonia is indicated. Its chief curative effects are manifested in that variety generally known as Febris nervosa versatilis, or better Febris nervosa cum erithismo, the symptoms always denote a congestion to the brain, a state of excitement which, on the slightest occasioning cause, may terminate in inflammation of the organ of sensibility. The flightiness and delirium of the patient are vivid, but change rapidly; the objects which are taken cognizance of, do not long remain the same; the patient cries out or starts violently while in gentle slumber, and he then complains that something entirely unimportant prevents his sleeping, or has interrupted him, when just fallen asleep. The congestions which exist are characterized by beating, darting, rending, sticking, dissevering pains, with heat in the head, the increasing violence of which is often sufficient to excite the delirium before mentioned. Heat of face is but seldom absent, although the turgescence, so characteristic of belladonna, does not exist, the great thirst which is conjoined is not united with universal heat and dryness of mouth, against which belladonna can almost always be applied with benefit, if no contra-indicatory cephalic symptoms predominate, but it is conjoined with alternate rigours and chills, producing shivering of the whole body. It is well to note the gastric complications with nervous fever to which bryonia is 5-:' 58 BRYONIA ALBA. adapted, and which I shall immediately subject to close consideration, from whence the reader may direct himself to the application of this curative in gastric-nervous fever. I must not omit that in these fevers, I have seldom employed any dilution but the eighteenth, and have subsequently repeated the dose when symptoms indicatory of its application remained. Gastric and gastric bilious fever.-If bryonia is the proper remedy, some of the following phenomena must present themselves to the notice of the physician. Before treating more specially, I will premise that chilliness and coldness of the whole body, conjoined with inordinate irritability, are characteristic symptoms in this state for the exhibition of bryonia. Besides this, foul, coated tongue, bitter taste in the mouth, nausea, retching without emesis, water flowing out of the mouth, inappetence, after every ingestion of food or drink great desire to vomit, which even terminates in absolute vomiting of food and afterwards of bile, succeeded by unquenchable thirst. After taking food, in addition to qualmishness, the patient complains of insupportable oppressive sensation of fulness in the epigastric and hepatic regions, with which there becomes united a troublesome, pressing head-ache, which increases the inquietude and anxiety of the patient. The face is unusually red and hot, but the patient complains of chilliness, and the pulse is full and accelerated; constipation, or at least difficult evacuation of stool, is a constant symptom. It is but seldom that overloading the stomach BRYONIA ALBA. 59 occasions this fever; we see it supervene much more frequently after mental disturbances, particularly after violent and long continued paroxysms of anger. We apply the remedy as before directed. Similar morbid symptoms are developed in affections of the liver and gall bladder, as I have several times observed them in the same patient, whose previous medical attendant attributed the origin of her disease to biliary calculi, and for six weeks strove ineffectually to overcome it by remedial agents, until finally, the administration of an emetic, soon allayed the complaint. I undertook the patient when labouring under symptoms of cramp in the stomach, and treated it with the usual remedies: the disease was allayed for more than six months, when my patient became pregnant, and in about two months afterwards was suddenly afflicted with her old complaint, which was constituted as follows: very violent pains in the gastric region, which obliged her to bend forwardappearing without any known exciting cause. The patient describes her pains as a complication of tensive feeling, stinging and burning, which, after the lapse of one hour, were experienced less in the gastric than in the hepatic region, at which part there is tension, plainly visible externally. The-point at which the gall-bladder is situated, is very sensitive to external pressure, even the slightest, producing a recurrence of the pain, which had hardly abated, and aggravates it to such a degree, that the patient throws herself about in bed, crying loudly "kill me;" and after enduring the pain from a quarter to half an 60 BRYONIA ALBA. hour, sinks into a state of syncope. The patient moreover, frequently vomited greenish-yellow bilious matter, mixed with mucus, which always occurred together with the pain after eating a mouth full or two, and after which she complained of unquenchable thirst. Her alvine dejections were tolerably regular: the pulse was small and contracted, but not too quick. The longer the pain continued, the more her skin assumed a jaundiced hue; and the more rapidly this latter symptom occurred, the sooner could the complete disappearance of pain be prognosticated. The appearance of jaundice, which I saw three times during these attacks, rendered the presence of gall stones not improbable. The disease recurred in spring and autumn. The effects of remedies ad-ministered, in consequence of the violence of the disease, were but transient: the proper curative had, therefore, to be repeated at short intervals. The first time that I was called to this patient, I believed I could relieve her by waiting for the effects of the remedies, and by changing them; but by this method I consumed fourteen days before a complete cure. The second time I applied large doses, but still the disease did not succumb until the eleventh day. The third time I removed it in seven days; at this time longer intervals of rest were obtained; and although the pains were still very violent, they were much milder than during the preceding attacks. The chief remedy, while the gastralgia existed, was ipecacuanha II every half hour: during the remission I sometimes gave nux, sometimes china, and BRYONIA ALBA. 65 Lower dilutions of bryonia are here of more benefit than the higher. IN INFLAMMATORY DISEASES, bryonia, as well as aconite, is of the utmost importance, and often removes (after the previous exhibition of aconite, and also when entirely unaided by it) diseases extremely harassing to both the patient and his relatives: this is amply confirmed by numerous published cases. I shall likewise here proceed to give accurate statements of confirmed, characteristic symptoms, which in the various inflammatory affections, indicate the application of bryonia. In these forms of disease also, I apply this remedy in the various dilutions from the twelfth to the thirtieth. If children, during an inflammatory disease constantly chew, (a motion of the jaw as if there was something in the mouth to chew,) like the ruminating animals, the homcoopathic physician discovers in this unusual symptom, a good criterion for the application of bryonia, and will therefore not deny to this remedy a curative effect in hydrocephalus acutus or febris hydrocephalica, which is moreover founded on the following symptoms: constant slumber with slight delirium on awaking; fixed look with dilated pupils, which scarcely contract even when bright rays of light impinge: individuals speaking to the patient awaken him with difficulty from his lethargy, and his answers to questions, conjoined with his simple facial expression, plainly denote his inability to think, his imbecility: the pulse is accelerated, but weak; the patient partially passes his urine involuntarily, 6 66 BRYONIA ALBA. besides which, he very often passes it in small quantities. I have often observed conjointly with these symptoms, slight general spasms, with blueness of the face, and pulsation of the carotids, after the cessation of which, a continued coma supervened. In short, all the morbid symptoms present, point to a cerebral disease dependent on mechanical causes. The disease is too far advanced to exhibit belladonna or aconite, mercury likewise does not appear to be indicated. The numerous published observations point to arnica and digitalis where there are certain signs of cerebral effusion; but still neither of these two remedies has done as much for me as bryonia 18, which in several doubtful cases afforded relief in the course of a few days,.where it was scarcely to be anticipated. The majority of observations confirm the curative power which this remedy possesses in inflammations of the thoracic organs, but still I cannot gainsay the remark of that astute and accurate observer, Dr. Knorre,* "it appears to be next in importance to aconite in pneumonia," although Dr. Gross, in an annexed note, says that depends entirely on the pe. culiarity of the case. It is undoubtedly true, that in the most violent inflammation of the lungs and pleura, accompanied by fever of the synochal form, aconite should be preferred to all other remedies as the orgasm of the vascular system is allayed with the most certainty by it, which no other remedy accomplishes in the same degree: and this, according to * Vid. Allgem. Horn. Zeitung. B. 5, No. 5. BRYONIA ALBA. 67 my views, is the chief object in most violent inflammatory diseases: the removal of the local affection which remains, by the remedy next adapted is accomplished with far more facility. Inflammatory diseases of less violence, or such as do not appear with such turbulent symptoms of excited vascular action, succumb to specific remedies without the prior administration of aconite. And these particularly are the cases in which bryonia is indicated from the commencement. PNEUMONIA. INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. I do not here speak of those morbid symptoms which unquestionably require the administration of aconite; the reader will find them specially given in the treatise on aconite, and from these will be able to determine whether aconite or bryonia is indicated. The symptoms to which bryonia is adapted are: sticking, burning pains, not over acute in one or the other sides, or the middle of the chest, or between the shoulders, when inspiring; more violent when coughing: the cough is not at this time entirely dry, but begins to become loose: the sputa is mostly mucous, streaked with blood, but not frothy; yellowish masses are ofteir expectorated, after which relief is experienced: the pains in the breast are often aggravated by motion of the chest and arms, a sign that the pleura and pectoral muscles are conjointly affected. (Pleuritic affection.) Asthma, dyspncea, with great sense of anxiety in the chest, are seldom wanting. Bryonia will always be found in the category of remedies indicated, if there exist rheumatic pains in BRYONIA ALBA. 69 thises with every motion of the thorax, whether from change of position or deep inspiration: coughing, or even swallowing aggravates it It is immaterial as regards the exhibition of this remedy, whether only a part or the whole diaphragm be inflamed, if the pains and symptoms previously mentioned be present. Where the inflammation is diffused over the whole diaphragm, the symptoms are more acute and extended, the pains are experienced in the sides, in the lower ribs, in the vertebra, and below the shoulder blades. There becomes united to this, violent and painful sobbing, various spastic symptoms, trembling, laughing, &c. Respiration is short, with sighing and groaning. The violence of the fever depends upon the greater or less extension of the inflammation, the pulse is always small, quick, and hard, sometimes intermittent. The urine is of a dark red colour, it is passed often, but in small quantities. The thirst is excessive, and although the patient drinks but little each time, it is always succeeded by painful hiccough. In such cases I have of late found bryonia 10 a specific, and have never been obliged to repeat the dose, but still the repetition may become indispensable in cases where the disease was not clearly pronounced, or was not recognised by the physician, before it had been treated with other remedies with a view to its relief. It is likewise possible that in chronic cases of this nature, we must have recourse to lower dilutions. HEPATITIS. INFLAMMATION OF THE LIVER.. The symptoms of hepatitis are sufficiently known. I have 6* 70 BRYONIA ALBA. only to speak here of those particular states to which bryonia is adapted. It is particularly applicable where there are burning, sticking pains in the right hypochondrium, in the hepatic region, united with a sensation of fulness? a distension of this part, which extends up between the shoulder blades, and excites spastic paroxysms in the heart, as the hepatic symptoms are aggravated by inspiration. Motion of the body, change of position, pressure on the swollen liver likewise increasing the pain. Collateral symptoms are: distension and tension of the abdomen, constipation, symptoms of jaundice, vomiting, or at least retching, pressing headache, namely, in the forehead, &c. The accompanying fever is more or less violent: the former depends on the greater degree of extension of the inflammation; the latter, where this is more confined in partial inflammation. When the fever is very violent, one or more doses of aconite are indispensable. If the fever requires no more attention, and the phenomena above mentioned exist, bryonia is immediately applicable and should here be applied in the 12th and 24th dilution, which does not excite any medicinal symptoms; indeed I have treated cases with still lower dilutions. SPLENITIS MUSCULARIS. INFLAMMATION OF THE SPLEEN. Sticking, pressing pains in the left hypochondrium above the region of the kidney, with perceptible tumefaction, which is increased to the highest degree by motion and touch, and is almost always accompanied by constipation. Bryonia 18, a small BRYONIA ALBA. 71 part of a drop is the specific remedy for this affection. ACUTE RHEUMATISM AND GOUT. In both diseases bryonia 18 is a very celebrated remedy, if the morbid phenomena are as follows: tensive sticking, rending pains in the affected parts, which are swollen and of a shining red colour: in isolated cases I found this redness but partial, in spots, and these extremely sensitive to the touch, in which the patient complained of a far more acute pain, and it is likewise experienced on the slightest motion of the part affected. When the disease has progressed far, the voluntary motion of the patient is restrained-all the parts affected are as if paralysed, torpid, or stiff, and even the unaffected parts must be kept quiescent in order not to excite the pain anew. When the patient is quiet at night, a very profuse sweat of an acidiferous odour is secreted, as if the patient had been taken out of a bath. Constant heat with great thirst, with a full frequent pulse; urine reddish, thick, without depositing any sediment, or of a fiery red colour, the latter generally at the commencement of the disease: tongue coated, of a dirty yellow colour, which requires frequent moistening, and readily becomes dry; complete inappetence; constipation; sleeplessness, owing to internal inquietude, pain, and perspiration: the characteristic headache so often mentioned is frequently present, particularly when there is rheumatic disease of the nape. In such cases, preceding the bryonia by several doses of aconite, affords to it a more favourable subsequent influence. 0 72 BRYONIA ALBA. The dose must be repeated if the improvement is not permanent. I must here mention a peculiar complaint in which I found bryonia 12 beneficial. It is a sensation when stepping, as if the knee was too short, and would not reach the ground, and yet externally there is not the slightest perceptible change; neither is there pain when feeling or moving the part. It is likewise beneficial in pale, tense, hot swellings, unaccompanied by fever or other symptoms, or at most with slight stinging pains. RHEUMATISMUS UTERI. I have frequently observed this form of disease during gestation, towards its latter period particularly, and have often found bryonia 18 beneficial, when it depended upon wet feet, producing congestion of blood to the uterus, and exciting that state which is well known by the name of false labour pains (falsche wehen). This last expression is not properly adapted to this complaint, for although the pain is more violent periodically, the painfulness of the whole abdomen is never entirely lost, on the contrary, it is aggipvated by every motion, and by the touch. The pain in the small of the back united therewith, is often insupportable, particularly on turning in the slightest degree. The longer this state continues, the colder the extremities become, and the head more manifestly sympathises. Constipation is a never-failing symptom. There is no remedy better adapted to inflammation of the ovaries than bryonia 12, which appears to rank as a specific in this affection; this idea I can BRYONIA ALBA. 73 announce with some certainty, as it is founded upon numerous observations. Of late this remedy appears to have been unjustly neglected in this disease, and other curatives which act less specifically upon the affected organs have superseded it. The symptoms which point to the exhibition of bryonia, are, violent sticking pain in the region of the loins, vividly increased by motion of the leg on the side affected, and by external pressure; at this part a hard swelling is sometimes plainly perceptible: the whole abdomen is often sensibly affected, the secretion of urine is diminished, the alvine dejections stopped: the fever is violently pronounced, and of the synochal form, on which account it is proper to precede this curative by a dose of aconite; but this can be dispensed with in a chronic inflammation of these organs. INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES, PARTICULARLY RHEUMATIC AND GOUTY. Characteristic symptoms are: palpebram reddened, inflamed and swollen; agglutination of the lids early in the morning, as if with purulent matter, the margins of them are sore, and when opening and shutting them, the eyes pain as if excoriated: the conjunctiva is softened and surrounds the cornea; stooping.forward excites an outward pressing pain in the affected eye, and a similar sensation in the forehead and temples, which the patient strives to relieve by counterpressure with the hand. Congestion to the head is always conjoined with this affection, and is manifested by the redness, heat, swelling and tension of the face, and by the pains in the head. If the dis 74 BRYONIA ALBA. ease is not entirely unaccompanied by febrile symptoms, still they are so trifling as not to affect strikingly the organism generally. If this latter should occur, it is always advisable to exhibit a dose of aconite four hours before the bryonia. INFLAMMATION OF THE BREASTS AND MILK DUCTS. This disease usually appears during lactation, or when weaning. The exciting cause is often entirely unknown: but still it cannot be denied that these organs in the female are frequently the resting point of psora existing in the system, which then gives occasion to obstinate and chronic suppurations. Bryonia eighteen is indicated if a sudden stoppage of milk in the breasts occur, from which they become hard and feel knotty: these hard points then begin to inflame, they become red, and the patient experiences pain; a complication of tension, pressure, burning and stinging, which becomes more acute as the disease progresses. If medical advice is sought at the commencement, one dose is sufficient to allay the disease in a short time: if it has made some progress, a perfect cure is not always affected by a single dose, but a repetition is necessary, although even this cannot always arrest its progress, which can then usually be prevented by other remedies adapted to the case. The milk fever, which sometimes appears a few days after delivery, composed of slight rigours, heat, anxiety, constrained respiration, increased thirst, usually dependent on the great quantity of milk forced into the lactiferous vessels, and favoured by suppression of the cutaneous transpiration, frequently succumbs BRYONIA ALBA. 75 in the course of a few hours to a single dose of bryonia thirty, particularly if the patient complains of a violent outward pressing headache in the forehead and temples, which can only be supported when very quiet in a recumbent position. Vide Dr. Gross on the care of lying-in women and nursing infants. CATARRHAL COMPLAINTS, ifexcited by a sore pain in the epigastric region, and a loose cough, which affects the system generally, does not remit much, and excites a bruise-like pain in the upper abdominal region, and from this cause produces in pregnant women a very perceptible inquietude in the fcetus, often find a curative in bryonia twenty-four. Other kinds of cough, as dry spasmodic cough in adults, if excited by eating and drinking; suffocative cough of children, excited particularly in the evening and at night, as well as by eating and drinking, which is often so violent that the patient vomits the food he has eaten, are frequently cured with bryonia: a lower dilution, six or twelve, is required in such cases. In eruptive diseases we likewise find bryonia indicated; namely, in collateral symptoms of those affections which indicate it, and in their various sequelae. It should be preferred to all other curatives if the patient is harassed by a gasping, sighing respiration, accompanied with anxiety, oppression in the proecordia, and the utmost general inquietude, from which we often can prognosticate a nettle-rash. Ipecacuanha is likewise indicated in these cases. It is also a powerful remedy in retrocessent measles, in reproducing the eruption on the surface, or in ren BRYONIA ALBA. 81 nia, even when it is constituted as absolute metrorrhagia, when the blood discharged is of a dark red colour, and appears to be forced out by violent pressing pains in the small of the back, while the patient suffers from the headache already so often mentioned. During child-bed, when the lochial discharge contains pure blood after the sixth day, which is a state allied to that just described, and is therefore very readily changed by this remedy into a discharge of a sero-sanguineous character, which it should assume after the time specified. HaEMrPTYSIS. I have often removed a peculiar variety of haemoptysis with bryonia twelve, when I repeated the dose at intervals of eight days. I was not led to administer this remedy where there was copious expectoration of blood, but rather where coagulated blood was expectorated by frequent tickling cough, which made its appearance only in the morning early, soon after rising; preceded by oppressive weight on the chest and shortness of breath, which disappeared after expectorating several times. Even the first dose diminished the tickling cough, and after the third, it had almost entirely disappeared; but still the bloody expectoration continued, although diminished in quantity, and always made its appearance at the usual time, but gradually disappeared after the fourth, fifth, sixth, and sometimes even the eighth dose. The subsequent return of the expectoration of blood, if the patient did not delay too long before consulting his physician, usually gave 7* BRYONIA ALBA. way to a single dose of the remedy, and the cure was then permanent.* Before antipsoric remedies were known, bryonia twelve to eighteen was a remedy which I valued very highly in hemnorrhoids, from which even now I cannot be weaned in treating these affections, although many of the remedies of the antipsoric class appear to be better indicated in numerous cases. Its favourable effect is not easily to be mistaken, and not to be denied by any homoeopathist when a patient affected with heemorrhoids complains of an excoriating, burning sensation in the lower part of the rectum, after the evacuation of very hard faeces, which only disappears gradually, and leaves sensations of it for a considerable time. The indication is still more certain if the patient experiences a sensation of fulness in the left lumbar region, which becomes a sticking, pressing pain on moving, is relieved by rest alone, and leads us to suspect an accumulation or stagnation of blood in the spleen. Bryonia is to be recommended in spastic affections of the chest, asthmatic complaints, less in those which continue long, than in those which recur periodically. The patients complain of constriction of the chest, * I treated a case of habmoptysis of the character above described, with various homoeopathic remedies, but with transient effect only, as the disease always recurred: having read the above practical hint of Dr. Hartman, I administered the bryonia, a dose every other night; about six doses entirely cured my patient, who has had no return for eight months; a longer respite than he has enjoyed at any one interval since first attacked.- Translator. 84 BRYONIA ALBA. eighteen, which should supply the place of the second dose of bryonia. Two or three doses of each remedy are frequently sufficient to remove an obstinate asthmatic affection of this character. Cramp in the stomach appears under such Protean forms that there are but few remedies with which we are acquainted, which will not, under certain circumstances, allay the affection. It is true that it is not always to be considered a primary affectionit is more frequently secondary: where this disease is the chief one present, the symptoms are so expressed, and present such a characteristic picture, that one of the remedies which is well known, and has often been successfully employed in this disease, will certainly be adapted: but in these cases, as in many other chronic diseases, disappointments occur, and the physician often finds himself deserted by the remedy, which appeared to be most accurately adapted to the picture of the disease in the ensemble of its symptoms. Why is this? I here may ask. Answer: because we are not sufficiently conversant with the characteristics of the remedies, with their pure effects on particular systems and organs, which we can attain only by accurate and circumspect observation from their application in diseases, on which acccount I do not consider this treatise on homceopathic remedies, as I have undertaken it, superfluous. Bryonia likewise deserves to be known as a curative in some kinds of cramp of the stomach, and the criteria for its application are as follows: every ingestion of food or drink excites a contracting pain in the BRYONIA ALBA. 87 quietude: notwithstanding this the pains increase in the afternoon and evening, so violently, that they appear to be scarcely endurable. The eyes are conjointly affected, are dull, appear smaller, so that from this alone we could premise the existence of cephalalgia, and sensitive to light: the auditory nerves are sensitive to noise. Belladonna thirty might likewise be indicated, particularly when the vessels of the eyes are turgescent. As the pains become aggravated, the fretful tone of mind, and the inclination to scold increases: palpitation of the heart, anxious inquietude, qualmishness, even vomiting of muco-bilious matter, great thirst, fever, orgasm of the vascular system supervenes, and constipation is always united. After the exhibition of bryonia twelve to eighteen, the patient generally falls asleep, and awakes free from pain, or only with dulness and confusion in the head, as if after a debauch. If this does not soon disappear, the mere olfaction of nux. vom. thirty suffices to allay it in a short time, and in general the alternate application of these two remedies, I know, from experience, relieves this sensitive head ache. IN RHEUMATIC AND GOUTY ODONTALGIA I have very often applied bryonia fifteen as the proper curative, and sometimes merely as an assistant intercurrent remedy. It is chiefly in the twitching, sticking tooth-ache that recurs periodically, and is always reproduced by warm food and drink, with flush over the whole body, that bryonia is usually indicated. In 88 BRYONIA ALBA. many cases, but more rarely than in the former, I found it beneficial in sensibility of one or more teeth on drawing in cold air, with the sensation as if the teeth were too long: nux vomica claims precedence to it in such cases. MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. BLACK OXIDE OF MERCURY. I will not, in this place, occupy time and space uselessly, by specifying the mode of making this preparation of mercury, and the less so, as the reader will find this given in detail in the Materia Medica Pura of Hahnemann, and in my Pharmacopeia. This remedy too, according to the ideas of some physicians, should be applied in diseases in doses of a small portion of potence thirty. I seldom proceed beyond the twelfth potence, when I employ the trituration, which I generally do when I can administer the remedy at my own residence. I do not on this account deny the power of the solutions of mercury; I apply them likewise according to my individual ideas from the third to the thirtieth potence; but always with the silently fostered opinion that they possess less active power than the triturations. Formerly, before all medicaments were screwed up to the thirtieth dilution, when Hahnemann himself recommended the application of the twelfth trituration, I made many cures with this without any injury resulting to my patients: who can now blame me if I 92 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMIANNI. do not immediately give up my faith in the former mode of preparing this curative? Mercury and hepar sulphuris are two substances which, according to my views, should not be prepared like the antipsoric remedies generally, if we would not weaken or even change their active power. Why then should we thus adopt one mode of preparation? if we confess it, it is only for the sake of our convenience. Why should we set aside the former effectual mode of preparing mercury and hepar sulph., probably in order to introduce uniformity into our pharmacy, or to be rid the sooner of a labour somewhat troublesome. If we wish to prepare hepar in a more simple manner, why do we not prefer the tincture of this remedy as well as that of sulphur; which every homceopathist recognises as the most powerful preparation of sulphur? But let us leave this, let every one proceed according to his conviction and what his own experience has taught him on the subject. Mercury excites a number of symptoms in the healthy human body, which indisputably so closely resemble diseases of frequent occurrence, that we are led to expect their cure from it: but still, according to the assertions of Hahnemann, this is not the case, "but it proves one of the most deceptive palliatives in chronic diseases, and the symptoms which had disappeared from its exhibition, not only recur, but return after the reaction of the organism in a much more violent degree."-' According to his views, it can be used only as an antisyphilitic remedy, and - * See Chronic Diseases, Vol. II. pp. 12. MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMIANNI. 93 therefore in such chronic diseases alone as are complicated with syphilis. If this were really the truth, its circle of effects would be very limited, and yet I consider it, and many homoeopathic physicians with me, one of the most active, nay, indispensable remedies; from the judicious application of which, I have never witnessed any injury of importance, still less any remaining bad effects. Rummel* considers the perspiration in particular, as a criterion for its application: "it is, says he, for the sub inflammatory, or so termed, rheumatic catarrhal state, if the dryness of skin be absent, what aconite is in the inflammatory." It is beyond question, one of the greatest antiphlogistic remedies in homoeopathy after aconite, namely, where profuse debilitating sweats, particularly at night, and inordinate weakness predominate. If it is applied by the physician in acute diseases, when not accurately indicated, he must blame himself if he sees a sudden prostration of strength supervene. Its effects on the lymphatic system and salivary glands are striking, and its favourable influence in diseases of the bones is undeniable. Its power of promoting the secretion of pus is worthy of attention. This remedy is particularly indicated by the phlegmatic temperament, and the lax, flaccid, torpid constitution. Antidotes to unfavourable effects, and too prominently collateral symptoms of mercury, are: * See his practical remarks in der Allg. horn. Zeitung, Bd. IV. Nr. 3, ~ 27. 8* 94 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. hepar sulph. calc., acidum nitric. dulcamara, clematis, staphysagria, rhus, chiefly after its long continued application in allopathic doses, if ptyalism, chancrelike ulcers in the mouth or on the genitals, rheumatic affections and osseous swellings are the results of its misuse: sometimes china, sulphur, ferrum, belladonna, and asaf. are required, the first particularly if an hepatic affection, jaundiced hue, disturbances in the functions of the abdominal viscera are present: China is likewise to be considered, if, when using mercury, swelling and painful hardness of the testicles appear when complete loss of excitability supervenes, opium in doses frequently repeated is indispensable. In pains, painful glandular swellings and indurations, resulting from the abuse of this remedy, cicuta virosa is one of the most celebrated antidotes, at the side of which conium maculatum and mezereum should be placed; if thickening of the periosteum, nocturnal pains in the bones, foul ulcers of a circular form are conjoined. In the latter case asaf. and silicea are also indicated; where there are suppurating lymphatic ulcers, phosphoric acid, and if they are of a burning nature, carbo animalis is to be recommended. If haemorrhage from the organs of respiration is produced by a somewhat large dose of mercury, small doses of arnica act as an antidote. Profuse sweat produced by this remedy succumbs most readily to china, salvia, &c. Copious evacuations in general, after mercury, must be soon checked if we wish to experience a favourable effect from it. Where the impressibility of the organism to the MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 95 action of homceopathic remedies has been so blunted by allopathic doses of sulphur, that no reaction results after their exhibition, an intercurrent dose of mercury twelve is indispensable, which is yet more beneficial if preceded by a dose of pulsatilla twelve. After this, even sulphur will act, and may again become beneficial, where without this practical caution, it would have proved entirely useless. The class of fevers in which mercury proves serviceable, differs essentially from those which are mentioned under the two preceding remedies. Here the indication is less for an affection of the vascular, than for that of the lymphatic system; not so much the acuteness of the febrile phenomena, as their slow and lingering course: with this, great debility and prostration prevails. These symptoms belong to the characteristic peculiarities of this fever, and form at the same time the chief indications for the choice of the remedy of which we are speaking. Simple forms of fever unaccompanied by particular collateral phenomena, do not indicate mercury, unless we consider the lymphatic or catarrhalfever as simple fever; to which, however, as such, mercury is not adapted; but only when it is complicated with an inflammatory affection. We can also justly assume that mercury in every potence, is applicable in some kinds of inflammatory catarrhal fever, where an affection of the mucous membrane prevails. Whether it is of equal benefit in all of this class of fevers, whether produced by taking cold or change of the weather, if they are constituted as I shall immediately specify, or if it be 96 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. only adapted to that epidemic which we know by the name of influenza, I will not yet venture to determine with certainty, as my experience is not sufficient to speak decidedly upon the subject. All simple catarrhal fevers (which it is true, since the appearance of that epidemic, have been much more acute than before,) are now called influenza, without being it, as they are produced by the usual influences of climate and changes of weather. Mercury is not a specific in such cases, although I have found it applicable when they were very violent, or presented, from their commencement, phenomena like influenza, namely: great languor and dejection suddenly attack the patient, with rigours and intercurrent flushes of heat, and at night give way to a copious sweat of a sourish odour, conjoined with much thirst. If the organs of respiration were not prominently affected immediately from the commencement, one could easily be misled to prognosticate a nervous fever, and the more so, as slight delirium is conjoined to the febrile symptoms. This form of fever, with local affection, always appears most violently in individuals who have a weak breast, or a disposition to pulmonary diseases, in a word, who are of a phthisical habit. The cough in such catarrhal fevers is for the most part dry, but continued, with a painful dissevering sensation through the whole chest, and when it continues a long time, in the head likewise: this is the prominent sensation, although I have seen it in some few cases united with sticking pains through the middle of the thorax, when not respiring. An in 100 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. gress and restores the force of the sinking powers. Mercury is always indicated when the exciting cause of the disease is unknown, or at least when it can scarcely be ascribed to slight, passing anger, or cold. Although mercury is not excluded as a curative in any form of jaundice, still its favourable effect as readily understood, is the most plain and decided in icterus spasticus, which is only produced by transitory causes. The change of colour of the skin and secretions is well known. Mercury, however, is more indicated, if the urine is less of a yellow than a dark red, colour, and yet produces yellow spots on the linen. Collateral symptoms are: nauseous taste when the tongue is but slightly coated with yellow mucus, loss of appetite, fulness in the praecordia with shortness of breath, viscid stools, restless sleep, frequently complete sleeplessness. I have always applied the sixth trituration of mercury in these cases, in some the twelfth, but I have likewise found the dilutions of this potence effectual. If vexation gave rise to the jaundice, I first gave chamomile, and forty-eight hours after, mercury. In other cases I gave mercury immediately, or when the symptoms of disturbed digestion were vividly prominent, china. Both remedies are indispensable in the cure of jaundice, and in chronic cases where the disease is more developed, sulphur should succeed them. A similar disease, but of peculiar character, improves only after the application of mercury. A man in his sixtieth year, the colour of whose skin was MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 101 always of a yellow tinge, which increased as he ad. vanced in years, particularly in the face, suddenly complained of great languor and prostration, with which the yellowish tint became more developed, and the other parts of the body were likewise affected with it. Rheumatic pains in the muscles of the chest, were gradually developed, which at length became so violent on moving, that he frequently complained loudly; the pulse was full and hard. Aconite eighteen always afforded relief, but still it was unable to entirely prevent a relapse, which, however, was each time slighter. The yellowish tint remained in the mean time unaltered, and on the appearance of the rheumatic pains, an asthmatic state supervened, which was in no wise diminished by the removal of the first, but rather continued to increase, and finally was so much aggravated by every motion, with the feeling as if he must die, particularly when getting into bed, that he was obliged to sit immovable for a long time, before he could recover his breath: when he kept himself quiet, and did not speak much, the asthma was less marked, although respiration was never so free as when he was healthy, even with the utmost quietude. The hepatic region was neither hard, nor swollen, but extremely sensitive to external pressure. Dejections occurred every other day, and only then after using lavements: the faeces were viscid, of a dark brown or almost black colour: the urine, which was evacuated in small quantities, bore a close resemblance to beer, and deposited a dirty, thick sediment. The temperament which had for9 102 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS IIAHNEMANNI. merly been choleric, was changed into a quiet, inanimate listlessness. The state resembled a kind of hydrothorax, which, however, would not succumb to bryonia, arsenic, colchicum, china, digitalis, 8yc.; not even a change was produced by any of these remedies. A single dose of mercurius solubilis, 3 gr. 1, removed the whole disease in the course of a few days. Mucous FEVER. In incipient mucous fever, the homceopathist applies this remedy with benefit, particularly if the following symptoms appear as premonitions of it: the appetite daily diminishes, with white coated tongue, and great painful dryness in the throat and oesophagus when swallowing: the taste in the mouth, and the odour from it, is mostly putrescent, and frequently excites qualmishness and nausea: if this state continues for a length of time, a rending, burning headache becomes united with it, particularly in the temples, which depends upon congestion to the head, and is conjoined with vertiginous attacks and flushes of heat. Even a slight meal excites pressure and tension in the epigastrium, the gastric and hepatic regions, with which an acrid fluid is often eructated, which is succeeded by soreness of the mouth. The urine is turbid, wheyish, depositing a mucous sediment; the alvine dejections are irregular, patient evacuates frequently, but in small quantities, and is often urged to stool. The appearance of the patient is pale and cadaverous, he becomes enervated, phlegmatic, morose. NERVOUS FEVER. There are but few forms of this MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 103 disease which require the application of this remedy, but these few are so characteristic that the homceopathist who knows accurately the symptoms of the remedies which would be brought in question, would not readily miss this remedy when indicated. Besides the gastric complaints, such as sensitive pressure and tension in the epigastrium and hepatic region, with disagreeable, putrid taste, inappetence, nausea and vomiting of bitter mucus, and diarrhoea, with yellowish-green evacuations, vertigo, with confusion in the head, and rending, burning pains, particularly in the temples, which prevent sleep and produce inordinate watchfulness, irritability, inquietude, anxiety, and even delirium, which draw in their train other symptoms, but particularly a burning heat over the whole body, conjoined with much thirst. The most characteristic of all is the blanched livid appearance of the whole internal mouth, a sign that aphthe threaten to supervene, the spongy, bleeding gums which have fallen away from the teeth, the dark urine of putrid odour, cadaverous face, the stupidity, the listlessness, with absence of thought, and constant position on the back. Mercurius solubilis, twelfth potence, removes such a nervous state with certainty. INTERMITTENT FEVER. Even this disease (febris intermittens tertiana,) succumbed to this remedy, but I forgot to give a second dose, and a relapse occurred after eight or ten days, which did not yield to a new dose of mercury, because the peculiar, characteristic symptoms did not appear with the recurrence of the 104 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. disease. Every other day, chill of from one hour and a half to two hours duration, followed by burning heat of four to five hours continuance, with thirst which could not be satisfied, which appeared soon after the supervention of the chill; for many hours after this, profuse debilitating sweat. During the whole continuance of the fever, putrid, cadaverous, offensive odour from the mouth. Besides the fever, the following symptoms, which were exacerbated during the paroxysms: great prostration, vertigo when rising up in bed, which increases to syncope on getting up, particularly soon after the attack, sensation in the throat as if a plug was sticking there, remarked when swallowing; inflammation and the utmost painfulness of the whole gums, particularly at the incisores, where they are separated from the teeth, copious expectoration of viscid saliva. INFLAMMATORY DISEASEs. Mercury plays a prominent part in the cure of these affections: this was likewise known to the old school, and they have with entire justice recommended it in asthenic inflammations of the lymphatic system, of the glands, of glandular organs, and surfaces studded with many glands, and in all asthenic inflammations of the cutaneous surface: moreover in all asthenic inflammations of a catarrhal, rheumatic, gouty, venereal or scrofulous form: therefore in this kind of inflammation of the liver, of the cerebral ventricles, of the eyes, the bones, throat, lungs, bladder and diaphragm; in asthenic inflammations complicated with exanthematous affec. tions, or that supervene after their disappearance. MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 105 Allopathy considers this curative more adapted to inflammations of the asthenic than those of the sthenic form. The numerous observations of allopathic practitioners give us a good hint, founded upon experience, in those cases where mercury is indicated: the decision that it is better adapted to asthenic than sthenic inflammation seems to confirm that characteristic symptom, sudden sinking of strength, and thus unwittingly applies it on homceopathic principles. She would, likewise, find it beneficial in sthenic inflammations if she could only in a measure depart from the large doses, even if she did not diminish them to the homceopathic sense. Let us leave the old discussion until the partisans of allopathic medicine learn that the principle similia similibus, is found in nature, and is not a mere chimera. That the conjecture that mercury is not so well adapted to sthenic forms of disease is incorrect, we prove to them by recommending this remedy as the first specific in GLOSSITIS. Inflammation of the tongue, with synochal fever which may always be cured by it when it presents the following symptoms. At first the patient complains merely of a sensation of paralysis of the tongue, which is more manifested by the unwieldiness of the tongue in articulating than as pain, and the patient refers it to unimportant causes, on which account in this stage of the disease he does not consider it necessary to seek medical aid. In the mean time, the disease becomes aggravated, in a few hours, the tongue occupies the whole cavity of the mouth, its motion is attended with extreme pain, the swelling 9* MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNE MANNI. 107 affection is likewise not unknown to the more astute physicians of the old school, but they would do still better if they employed merc. solub. which they usually use in syphilitic angina, in the common forms of inflammation of the throat,* in preference to calomel, whose power is so readily lost by the ptyalism which supervenes after several doses, by which the inflammation is often aggravated, or even ulcers in the throat, aphthae, ulceration of the gums, looseness, and loss of the teeth are produced. Mercurius sol. is best indicated in those inflammatory affections of the throat which appear on the slightest change in the weather, and occur in individuals who have often suffered, and thus have a disposition to angina. (To this class belong those anginose affections which appear after acute cutaneous eruptions which generally depend upon a slight cold. They generally appear in spring and autumn in young, robust individuals; where catarrhs are frequent, such subjects are exempt: but on the other hand, are affected with angina catarrhalis, which assumes the character of angina faucium et tonsillarum. I still have a very vivid recollection of this anginose affection in my own person, from which I suffered after taking the slightest cold, and which never disappeared until the tonsils ruptured sponta* I lately saw a case in which the whole veil and soft portion of the palate was corroded by the administration of calomel in this affection. The patient's food and drink passed through the nose, and articulation was completely altered.Translator. 112 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS IHAHNEMANNI. which have been gradually formed and developed in scrofulous individuals, and which obstruct the motion of the neck very much, from their stone-like hardness, but except this, prove of no great inconvenience to the patient, and do not produce any other disturbances in the other organs, or of the organism and its functions. Small doses of the higher potences I have seen act very powerfully in these cases. INFLAMMATION OF THE MAMnlz. The connection of ideas leads us here to speak of inflammation of the breasts of the female during lactation. The frequency of its occurrence creates a disposition to relapse. The disease is easily recognised as the pain accompanying it directs our attention, even if the premonitions have been overlooked. Fright, vexation, or cold, appear to be the chief exciting causes, after which the disease becomes developed rapidly, being preceded by general excitement of the vascular system. Even when the chill is present, there exists a sensitive feeling of tension in the breasts, which becomes more and more developed in the succeeding hot stage, and attacks more the swollen milkducts, which are hard and acutely painful, in which likewise there is an evident feeling of incipient suppuration. Several points which are slightly reddened and in which the pain is most acute, are recognisable externally; the pains begin towards evening, with slight febrile indications, and become aggravated hourly to such a degree, that the patient would rather die; about midnight remission sets in, and rest is immediately experienced. Under such circumstances 118 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. COXALGIA. Some varieties of these affections, as they often appear in children without any other cause apparently than cold, are closely allied in character to these pains, and always appear with violent sticking pains in the hip joint of the side affected, which not only prevent every motion, but are rendered more acute by it. Bryonia is but seldom indicated, for the fever is either of a synochal character, "and then aconite is indispensable, or it is less acute, and denotes more an affection of the lymphatic system and the glands, and then mercur. six or twelve, according to the individuality of the case, is entirely in place, and a few doses often cure the morbid state. It is likewise applicable where, on account of the violent fever, aconite must precede it; but still belladonna sometimes contends for, and deserves preference to it, if a striking over excitement of the nerves, an inability to support the pain, predominates. CLAUDICATIO SPONTANEA. In this disease mercury should always be considered. It depends on a greater or less degree of inflammation of the capsular ligament of the hip joint and of the neighbouring glands. This voluntary limping is a disease peculiar to childhood, and appears particularly during the years of developement, and usually only in scrofulous individuals. Mercury is here an invaluable curative, and in many cases a proper adjuvant after the previous exhibition of belladonna. Of many cases, I have yet a vivid recollection of one, that of my own child, which was cured by mercurius solub. alone. My boy was at that time four years of age, and had 120 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. rion for the exhibition of mercury. The pain in the lumbar region is an obtuse sticking, which at first merely prevents decided flexion of the thigh, gradually, however, it produces an unsteady gait, with the sensation as if the whole leg was palsied and trembled, which is likewise perceptible even when lying down. The muscles on the side affected gradually become pale and flaccid, and even the whole body sympathises. Febrile symptoms are noticed for a long time; they become more apparent daily, and finally develope a regularfebris suppuratoria, which is more of a continua than remittens. It is characteristic, that on coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose or talking loud, or in general in every concussion of the abdominal organs, an acutely painful sensation is experienced in the part morbidly affected. The appetite diminishes, the thirst on the other hand increases; alvine dejections are stopped, and if they occur without injections, it is with extreme pain. The patient feels worse at night; the fever, thirst, and pains are far more acute, and conjoined with very great inquietude and anxiety. If this remedy alone is not able to effect a cure in these cases, it is nevertheless very salutary where suppuration has commenced, and promotes this process as well as relieves the pain: silicea is the only remedy which ranks with it. Its curative powers are in such cases manifested only when given in the lowest potences, as the first, second, or third trituration: the repetition with every exacerbation of pain is indispensable. PANARITIA. WHITLOW. In this affection I have MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 123 of the mouth and the intestinal canal in general participates, which may be judged from the copious secretion of mucus from the nose and the organs ofdeglutition, from the flow of saliva and the ulceration of the eye-lids. In the period of maturation, when the pocks are confluent, with enormous swelling of the part on which a number of pocks are situated, with violent febris suppuratoria, mercury in the second, third, or sixth trituration will never fail to afford relief; it must, however, be repeated daily, and in bad cases it should be given twice in that time. The patients, who, before taking it, were very restless, in a state of excitement, become quiet, feel relieved, and even the sensibility of the external skin is no more so perceptible. Caries sometimes succeeds small-pox in scrofulous subjects, which proves very destructive if not speedily arrested, but mercury is in such cases also an admirable remedy, which soon stops the progress of the disease, and in a short time cures it. This is likewise the case with caries after injury of the bone. SCARLET FEVER AND SCARLET RASH when somewhat virulent are but seldom, fortunately overcome without this curative. The eruption itself does not indicate its application, but the affection of the throat, which is conjoined, the stinging pains when swallowing, the vivid redness of the soft palate, fauces, and tonsils, and the increased secretion of saliva, which is in some instances united. A small portion of the twelfth dilution often suffices in these cases, which, 124 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMIANNI. however, acts more favourably if it be preceded by belladonna, which moreover is always first indicated by the general morbid state. GLANDULAR AFFECTIONS, which appear during scarlet fever as mentioned above, (see Angina,) often find a curative in mercury. The dropsical accumulations after scarlatina in many cases, require the application of mercury, which likewise proves beneficial in dropsies dependent on hepatic affections, which is confirmed by Dr. Knorr, of Pernau.* As the age of childhood is often subjected to diseases of the lymphatic vessels, the formation of a leucophlegmatic state after scarlatina, is not of such rare occurrence, and this is a disease to which mercury is particularly adapted, less, however, in those cases where collections of serous fluid occur. We can suppose with some probability that the swellings depend upon an exudation of lymph, if they are hard, immovable, and the skin insensible and cold. Hydrocele, which sometimes supervenes as a sequele, belongs here, in which, as a primary medicine, mercury might not improperly be applied. PURULENT OTORRHEA succeeding acute cutaneous affections, is often curable with this remedy. We come now to a disease in which mercury is specific, which is indeed peculiar in its character, but still it can be best introduced with eruptive diseases. Otherwise I lay but little stress, whether it * Vide Allgem. homaeop. Zeitung. Band V. Nr. 15, ~ 232. MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 125 properly belongs here or not, as I have in this work to treat of practical and not systematic subjects. It will truly be a source of joy to me if my practical remarks, drawn from experience, shall prove serviceable, and if the homceopathist shall be able to use them in particular cases. SYPHILIS is a disease which appears in such manifold forms that it is necessary to state those varieties accurately in which the soluble mercury is chiefly applied; for gonorrhcea,* sycosis, &c., which likewise originate from impure connection, are in many cases cured by it: but still these are merely exceptions, as it is not specifically adapted to those affections last named. ULcus VENEREUM. CHANCRE. This primary sore, which is well known as the immediate result of local infection of the genitals, which appears on the inner surface of the prepuce, and on the scrotum of males, on the inner surface of the external labia, on the nymphme and the entrance of the vagina in females, * The gonorrhcea which depends on the miasm of sycosis, as well as the condylomatous excrescences, that is the whole sycotic disease, is most certainly and effectually cured by the internal use of the juice of the thuya occidentalis in the thirtieth dilution, which should be alternated with a similar small dose of nitric acid after the lapse of fifteen, twenty, thirty, or forty days, the effects of which should he awaited for the same length of time, and in the most chronic and difficult cases, the morbid growths should be touched once daily with the tincture of thuya, made of one half expressed juice, and as much alcohol. Vide Chronic Diseases, Vol. I. p. 106. - Translator. 11 126 MERCUTRIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. in the form of a vesicle which breaks and forms an extending ulcer, the edges of which are hard, sharp, irregular, thrown outwards, and painful, the base lardaceous, or covered with matter, is the principal local symptom of syphilis, and which is curable with mercury. This ulcer, which rapidly increases in size, and never heals by the natural efforts alone, unaided by medical treatment, is quickly cured by proper doses of merc. solub. The longer or shorter period of duration of the disease depends on the impressibility of the individual to the action of medicaments generally, and hence it arises, that one subject is cured early, while another requires a much longer time:* but still the cure of primary chancre can almost always be affected in from two to six weeks. In the treatment of this disease I have for a long time used from the first to the fourth trituration of mercury, and have even been obliged to have recourse to still larger doses, particularly in very flaccid torpid individuals, and have never had occasion to regret this seeming rashness. The cure of these syphilitic ulcers is likewise affected by far smaller doses of this mercurial preparation; this I have witnessed in several instances: but still in many * This is undoubtedly one cause of cures being more prolonged in some cases than in others; there are, however, various others, as the conduct of the patient, his dietetic regulation, observance or nonobservance of physical and mental quietude, for I doubt not that in many instances the moral shock is a cause of our success being for a time deferred.Translator. MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 129 arisen during the treatment of the primary affection, or even afterwards, which at first appeared as if I had produced them by too large doses of mercury, which I was the more inclined to believe, the greater the resemblance was to the syphilitic ulcers existing on the genitals. I therefore administered an apparently proper antidote, but effected no cure. Having repeatedly made this observation, conjoined with the fact of the same having occurred to many other homceopathic practitioners, induced me to conjecture it might be merely a translocation, which is not of such unfrequent occurrence in nature, and has probably been noticed by most physicians who have observed the translation of a disease from one organ to another by metastasis, &c. Small and repeated doses of soluble mercury produced no change in the disease, it often extended and appeared as if it would prove very destructive. In order to prevent this I had recourse to large doses; I gave the one-sixteenth, one-eighth and quarter of a grain, and repeated it several times through the day. By such means a cure sometimes slowly occurred; I was frequently, however, obliged to learn that my patients had secretly left me, and had applied to allopathic physicians for advice, who then did not speak in friendly terms of homceopathy. This experience, unfavourable for myself, but particularly so for homceopathy, spurred me on to reflect more fully on the subject; from this time I mistrusted the general firm belief of most homceopathists that 11* 136 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. HOARSENESS. In this disease, unaccompanied by any other particular symptoms, mercury is one of our principal remedies: besides this, however, we have sulphur, manganum acetatum and pulsatilla. PHTHISICAL STATE is connected with this, and in its treatment a dose of mercury must frequently be interposed. Its application is indispensable in phthisis trachealis (bronchitis) which has been developed after repeated syphilitic attacks. If this remedy alone is not able to perform a cure, still its intercurrent use as it is indicated by the exciting cause, always checks the progress of the disease, and favours the sphere of action of the remedy next adapted. Its effects in phthisis tuberculosa, (tubercular consumption,) are not less favourable, even when the disease is far advanced. It should, however, be given alternately with hepar. sulph. calc. in very low potences, the third or fourth. Some experience, and repeated trials, induced me to give the remedies in these low triturations, and I first attained fortunate results by this means. This remedy is indicated by the prevalence of inflammatory symptoms, (sub-inflammatory state,) of tubercles, passing into a state of suppuration, and it should therefore be repeated as soon as such symptoms manifest themselves. I have become more certain of this treatment of this morbid state since I have perused the remarks of Dr. Schmid* on this disease. I applied this remedy with the most unqualified benefit when * Vide Allgem. Zeit. Band VI. No. 18. ~ 273. MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. 139 the patient very much, they often disappear after a single dose of mercury three, which should be repeated when the disease recurs. The discharge of gravel, the passage of which through the urethra excites so much pain, which is known from the sensation in the loins as if something heavy was being dragged towards the genitals, is often much relieved by giving this remedy; the pains in some instances suddenly disappear after it. I have made this observation in two instances. ASTHMATIC PAROXYSMS AND THORACIC SPASMS, originating from the inhalation of the vapours of arsenic, are removed by no remedy with more certainty than by mercury three, in repeated doses. CHOREA STI. VITI. The dance of St.Vitus, although a rare disease,* has nevertheless been successfully treated by mercury twelve in the case of a young girl aged ten years, who had likewise suffered from scrofula since her earliest childhood, and who inherited a syphilitic taint from the parents. She was much debilitated, her muscles hung flaccid and wasted on her bones, which were softened and crooked, the child's face was emaciated and her countenance stupid. The hopping and dancing motions appeared to arise more from the prevailing restlessness which did not permit her to remain in one place for any length of time, and ended with twitchings of the limbs if she strove to remain in a state of quiescence. This * It cannot be said to be rare in this country. I have now two cases of it under treatment.- Translator. 140 MERCURIUS SOLUBILIS HAHNEMANNI. remedy was given alternately with stramonium, hyosciamus, and ignatia. The kinds of odontalgia curable with mercury are so characteristic that the homceopathist somewhat conversant with routine practice, could not well mistake it. I give all the symptoms here indicative of mercury, but will mention that all collectively are but seldom met with in the same subject, but still those specified are of practical worth. Rending, sticking pains along the whole row of teeth on the one side or the other is the principal sensation; the very sensitive periodical jerking pains, extending from the fang of the tooth to its crown, which appear at night only, and continue for a long time, is the next in importance: we next have rending pains in the teeth themselves, not in the jaw, particularly at night, with great sensibility of the teeth to touch, conjoined with profuse ptyalism. Odontalgia with ulcers on the gums; likewise sensitive pains in the teeth as if they were situated in fistulous openings; loose, painful teeth; odontalgia with swollen livid gums which have fallen away from the teeth, are also curable with mercury six or twelve. In conclusion, I must mention a disease which falls in the psychologic sphere, the cure of which was affected by mercury two alone, in a man already advanced in years. At first the disease appeared as slight, transient vertigo, which afterwards occurred more frequently, and continued a longer time; in the periods intervening the attacks, he laboured under loss of memory, weakness of understanding, and 144 MERCURIUS PRJECIPITATUS RUBER. indurations formed on the corona glandis, and in the prepuce; the lymphatics along the penis, in the groins, and down the- thighs, felt like knotted cords, and the patient experienced much pain from every motion, but particularly during an erection. On the frenum, where these indurations were likewise situated, lymph oozed out on each side from small openings, which did not appear unlike chancrous ulcerations, but still they did not increase but remained the same as at the commencement, there likewise appeared to be no loss of substance. Similar symptoms may probably occur in the throat, which can be assumed from the difficulty of deglutition, from dryness of the throat, which occurs readily, and which is followed by excoriation; this symptom is relieved by drinking water, all other liquids produce more pain. These are the complaints in which I now employ mercur. precipitatus ruber. In the first trituration, a grain morning and evening, and in the course of six or eight days, (being always governed by its earlier or later perceptible effect,) omit it for some days. The disease mentioned under 1 is readily cured by this treatment; 2 requires a long continuation of this remedy, only omitting it for a few days at intervals; and in 2 b. I was obliged to give the onesixth of a grain at a dose three times a day, before I could check the disease, which then, however, soon improved, and required.ut the one-sixth of a grain every fourth day. Even in these large doses I have but seldom seen any medicinal symptoms arise, ex MERCURIUS PR1ECIPITATUS RUBER. 145 cept soreness of the gums and some loose teeth, which disappeared when the remedy was given less frequently. The disease specified under 3, likewise requires the continued use of this curative, but here I have never been obliged to give lower doses. 152 CALOMEL. but gave it twice a day; at the expiration of five days the sore was much worse, had extended both in length and depth; I nevertheless repeated the soluble mercury, and now in the first trituration, but as before, fruitlessly. I now gave calomel three, six powders, two a day; my patient returned on the fifth day, and I was really surprised at the change which had occurred; the sore had granulated, contracted, and commenced skinning; I gave four powders, to take one every other night, which perfected the cure.- Translator. 156 CHAMOMILLA. with the same violence, and was allayed as quickly the second time, by the same remedy; a slight angry fit produced it the third time, but now chamomilla only partially removed it, on which account a small dose of nux, and subsequently mercurius, was required. GASTRIC FEVER. In uncomplicatedfebris gastrica, chamomilla is not so often applicable as nux vomica, but certainly fully as frequently as it is infebris gastrica biliosa. In general we may be certain that chamomilla deserves preference to all other remedies in the febrile form just mentioned, when it is the result of a violent fit of anger, for anger, with all its oppressive, morbid sequele, is removed by this remedy alone. This, however, only holds good where it is applied soon after the angry fit; if, on the other hand, a long time has elapsed, and the disease has become fully developed, chamomilla does not always suffice, and it often happens that we must have recourse to pulsatilla, ignatia, bryonia, or nux vomica, according to circumstances. It is likewise different when there are no ebullitions of the paroxysm of anger, where it is concealed, and excites silent indignation, grief, or shame; ignatia is preferable to chamomilla in such cases. In the case previously mentioned, bryonia may also sometimes be indicated, and this is particularly the case, where, in addition to the irritability, chill and coldness of the body exists. If indignation is united with vexation, staphysagria proves most effectual. CHAMOMILLA. 157 ICTERUS. JAUNDICE. I could not easily find a more suitable place than this, to introduce this disease, as I have just spoken of symptoms which frequently accompany it, particularly if it appears in an acute form. This disease succumbs to this curative when it has been produced by transient causes, as errors in diet, mental emotions, taking cold, &c. under which circumstances we may place it under the head icterus spasticus. ICTERUS NEONATORUM. JAUNDICE OF NEW-BORN INFANTS. This disease is often ascribed to causes, which it is by no means fully proven, may excite this affection of children; the hypothetical assumption on the part of authors, that it depends upon a stoppage of the ductus choledochus, is the least worthy of credence. Its origin much more frequently depends upon the foolish use of chamomile tea during the latter periods of gestation, and in the abuse of it in administering it to the young infant. It is of course understood that in such cases chamomilla should not be exhibited; antidotes to it can alone be applied, or such remedies as indicate the ensemble of symptoms of which 'china, mercury, and sulphur may be particularly mentioned. The complication offebris biliosa et gastrica with rheumatic complaints, where the former precedes the latter, or the reverse, dependent on transitory causes, often succumbs to this remedy, if dulcamara, pulsatilla, and other remedies, do not better indicate the morbid state prevailing. TYPHUS. Even in a dangerous variety of this dis GHAIMOMILLA. 159 brile symptoms, and experience confirms the views, that even violent ophthalmy may often be merely an accompanying symptom, not the primary affection. An habitual ophthalmia catarrhalis, which is produced by the slightest atmospheric changes, yields radically neither to chamomilla or any remedies which were formerly known to us, because a permanent cause, either of psoric or syphilitic origin keeps it up, as it does all other chronic diseases, and of course it can only be overcome by such remedies as operate powerfully against this cause and destroy it. SHEPATITIS. This remedy may be administered as an intercurrent curative, both in acute and chronic hepatitis. In the acute form of this disease, particularly when it is still recent, and has originated from a fit of anger, or from taking cold, chamomilla usually effects considerable amelioration of the pains in five or six hours; but according to my own experience, I find it advisable, in such cases, to exhibit first a dose of aconitum, and administer the chamomilla subsequently; after which, according to circumstances, either belladonna, mercury, nux vomica, or pulsatilla are applicable. In chronic inflammation of this organ, chamomilla is likewise to be given as an intercurrent remedy. In this and in all other chronic affections of the liver, we can cure radically by the exhibition of antipsorics, and of these in particular with natrum muriat., magnes. and lycopodium. The very excellent remarks of Dr. Kammerer, when 160 CHAMOMILLA. speaking of the efficacy of this remedy, in fever during childbed, where there is great inquietude and excitability of the nervous system, the breasts free of milk, diarrhoea, with milky evacuations, lochial discharge inordinately profuse, with labour-like pains extending from the loins anteriorly, headache, and thoracic constriction, coincide with my own experience as not merely palliative only, but absolute cure is effected with it, and prove that it might be beneficial in some varieties of metritis, as scarcely any puerperal fever is induced without greater or less inflammation of the womb, which is first developed at this point, as plethora is frequently the exciting cause, while during childbed a trifling cause may give origin to an inflammatory irritation of that organ. UTERINE HLEMORRHAGE AND AFTER PAINS. The power which chamomilla possesses of allaying these affections is well known, and also that it produces this haemorrhage, and pains, like those of parturition. It therefore does not astonish us when we see these pains supervene, where large quantities of chamomile tea have been taken during labour, which are often so violent that the aid of art is required to complete the delivery. We are just as little surprised when we see a patient shortly after delivery, who has been thus treated, suffer immense loss of blood, which threatens a fatal termination; or from harassing afterpains, which occur periodically for eight, ten or twelve days, which, in conjunction with the determination of blood to the uterus, produced by the frequent use of the chamomile tea, gives rise to 164 CHAMOMILLA. joined with acute pains in the abdomen, chamomilla affords all possible momentary relief. A per. manent cure can, however, only be obtained from long continued antipsoric treatment. ANGINA TONSILLARIS ET PHARYNGEA. Where chamomilla is indicated, it appears to be more a collateral symptom, manifested by sensitive stinging, burning pains in the larynx, with which there is generally some roughness of the voice, constriction of the chest, cough, excited by a ticklish irritation; the tonsils and sub-maxillary glands frequently sympathise, and likewise manifest inflammatory irritation, denoting a catarrhal state. Chamomilla is one of our chief remedies in catarrhal complaints in general, whether accompanied by fever or not, and it therefore proves of great benefit in fevers accompanied by cough, which arise from taking cold. I found this remedy beneficial in several instances where the cervical and submaxillary glands were swollen, and often very sensitive, when administered immediately after the appearance of tumefaction, but still, according to my experience, dulcamara proves still more efficacious in these cases. CRAMP OF THE STOMACH. This disease may often be allayed by chamomilla. In my treatise on nux vomica, (page 77,) I have spoken of this disease in detail, and I therefore refer the reader to those remarks. I will here only mention that chamomilla is to be recommended in this affection, when the patient is of an irritable nervous temperament, and of a morbid tone of mind; it is also applicable where this CHAMOMILLA. 165 affection has been produced by a violent fit of anger. A good criterion for its application is a pressing pain in the epigastrium and below the false ribs on the left side, as if from a stone. This pain is always united with shortness of breath and anxiety, frequently worse at night, so that the patient has no rest from the anxiety, inquietude, and jactitation, to which a pulsating headache, affecting the vertex, is frequently conjoined, which obliges him to get out of bed, by which he hopes to obtain relief. It is important to mention that this gastric affection is usually relieved by drinking coffee, while those which nux vomica cures, is aggravated by it, but chamomilla proves still more efficacious in such cases. If Dr. Kammerer found the chamomilla so extremely serviceable in induration of the mammary glands of new born infants, the observation corresponds with what I have observed. My observations were, however, not in the cases of children, but in adults, and generally only in cases where sore breasts resulted from taking cold, or from mental emotions while nursing, after which hard knots remained in the breast for a long time. Chamomilla sometimes did something without completely curing these cases, and again no improvement resulted, which was particularly the case in mothers who had borne many children, and had drank liberally of chamomile tea. Chamomilla is adapted to but few diseases which are united with constipation; in this respect it is diametrically opposed to nux vomica. DIARRH(EAS. It is applicable in this class of af14* 166 CHAMOMILLA. fections, both in children and adults, particularly if the stools are aqueous and mucoid, and where there are violent lancinating pains in the belly below the umbilicus before every stool, which disappear after the evacuation. It is not less serviceable in painless diarrhoeas of children during dentition, where the stools are greenish, aqueous frequently, continuing for a long time, and very debilitating. Those diarrhoeas which appear with spasms during dentition, I shall mention below. Chamomilla is of no less importance in many other spasmodic complaints; for instance, cramps of the abdomen, particularly in a kind of flatulent colic, which we sometimes find after taking cold. It has this peculiarity-that the flatus appears to collect in different parts of the abdomen, as if it would escape at these points; conjoined therewith, there is general distension in the hypochondria and epigastrium, with indescribable anxiety, inquietude, and clammy perspiration. If these cramps appear very violently, they are accompanied by a feeling as if the patient must go to stool, and this is announced by loud rumbling, which accompanies it, and disappears after a small evacuation, consisting of watery mucus. This is also the kind of colic in which the muscular power of the abdominal ring appears to be weakened, which is manifested by the sensation as if the intestine would protrude at this point, which leads the patient to anticipate a hernial protrusion. In cases where this symptom has been frequently conjoined with this kind of colic, the appearance of hernia is not impro CHAMOMILLA. 167 bable, and chamomilla is therefore a good intercurrent remedy in disposition to, and the premonitory symptoms of, inguinal hernia. Besides chamomilla, we have coccul., nux., aurum and magnes artificial. arct. and others, as proper intercurrent remedies in such cases. It is with justice that I call these remedies intercurrent, as a radical cure of this affection can in most cases be effected by antipsorics alone. A disease which closely resembles flatulent colic, is the so termed verfangen der kinder in very windy weather; a state in which chamomilla is almost specific. This complaint is known by the distension in the epigastrium and abdomen of children, previously healthy, which is so great, that no impression can be made on the skin by pressure; the children are usually very restless, throw themselves about, contract the lower extremities, are anxious and asthmatic; indeed respiration is even interrupted, a kind of thoracic oppression. ASTHMATIC COMPLAINTS. This remedy is often applied with benefit in these affections, particularly where accumulations of flatus appear to produce it. This is the reason why it does so much in children who become asthmatic with suffocative paroxysms after taking cold. Dentition in children is accompanied by many distressing complaints, among which convulsions, or even epileptic attacks are not unfrequent. These attacks are not always dangerous, but if they occur in very debilitated subjects when teething, if they succeed each other rapidly, or are united with suffo 168 CHAMOMILLA. cative paroxysms, they are never free from danger, while cases of an opposite character we may term harmless. But I will give somewhat specially the particular cases in which chamomilla is indicated. (If dentition in children is accompanied by a short cough, which, though loose, is incessant, chamomilla is of the greatest service; it is also useful in catarrhal coughs in general.) There is frequently, on the appearance of the first teeth, if the children are yet nursing, an increased activity of the vascular system, which is manifested by the burning heat over the whole body, the child, moreover, frequently carries its hand to its mouth, which is likewise burning hot. The vascular fever is always more acute where the mother or nurse is a devoted coffee drinker. It may often be relieved by their abstinence from coffee; in most cases it may be entirely cured by observing this rule, and administering a dose of aconite to the child. It is, however, quite different where, in addition to the febrile phenomena just mentioned, nervous symptoms become united, which are made known by the anxious restless state of the child, which starts at the slightest noise; or by the convulsive twitches of the limbs when sleeping. If these symptoms appear in a child who has been allowed coffee to drink, or has imbibed it with its mother's milk, it is of course understood that this exciting drink must be entirely avoided, if we wish chamomilla twelve, which is adapted to such cases, to effect a cure in a short time. If, however, this excited state of the nervous system is met with CHAMIOIMILLA. 169 in children who have seldom or never drank coffee, we will often find a small dose of the tincture of coffee an effectual remedy. These are the slightest cases, they are more serious when the disease is not combined to such isolated convulsions, but the whole body becomes affected, and convulsions resembling epilepsy occur. This state often begins with the symptoms first mentioned; it is sometimes preceded by diarrhoea for several days; or all these symptoms are wanting, and for several days previous the child exhibits no other symptoms than unusual paleness, dulness of the eyes, little appetite, the head hangs, is much inclined to lie down. Chamomilla often allays these symptoms, which are the precursors of no affection in particular, and are all to be found in the primary effects of this curative. If these complaints are not noticed by the relatives, the epileptic paroxysm frequently supervenes suddenly with great violence; the child lies completely rigid and stiff for several minutes, and is then seized with distortion of the eyes and facial muscles, twitching of the limbs, which are thrown about while the thumbs are press. ed into the palms, the whole body is bent posteriorly or laterally, stertorous, rattling respiration, with froth at the mouth; in short, all the signs of true epi. lepsy. If we administer in such cases a dose of chamomilla immediately after the attack, we may often cut the disease short; sometimes, however, a second, or even third paroxysm occurs soon after the exhibition of this remedy, but which is each time weaker, under which circumstances we must be S 90A5 02006 1133 FinmWd by Preservation 1390;j I i ~ i: ~ AI A 57607 3