A HANDY BOOK
OF
DOMESTIC HOM(EOPATHIC PRACTICE.



A HANDY BOOK
OF
DOMESTIC HOM(EOPATHIC PRACTICE;
OR
HINTS HOW TO USE A FEW OF THE PRINCIPAL MEDICINES
IN THE ABSENCE OF PROFESSIONAL ADVICE;
ALSO
DIRECTIONS AS TO DIET AND REGIMEN, WITH SHORT
DISSERTATIONS ON HYDROPATHY AND GALVANISM.

BY GEORGE EDWARD ALLSHORN, M.D.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS OF EDINBURGH; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF EDLNBURGH; MEMBER OF THE COLLEGE OF DENTISTS OF ENGLAND; MEMBER
OF THE HAINEMAIN-N MEDICAL SOCIETY; MEMBER OF THE BRITISH HOMBEOPATHIC
SOCIETY; IEMBE. OF THE NORTHERN HOMOEOPATIOIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION;
MIEBER OF THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY; AND EXTRAORDINARY
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL MEDICAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
LONDON: HOULSTON AND WRIGHT.
EDINBURGH: JOHN MENZIES.
1862.






TO THE

RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD             KINNAIRD,
ROSSIE PRIORY, PERTHSHIRE.
My LORD,
I feel highly honoured by your Lordship's
kind permission to allow me to dedicate this small Volume
to one in such a prominent position as your Lordship, and
whose general approval of Homoeopathy will, I doubt not, go
far to convince many of its superiority to the old system.
I have the honour to be,
MY LORD,
Your Lordship's most obliged and most
obedient humble Servant,

G. E. ALLSHORN.



CONTENTS.
PAGE
PREFACE,......   ix
INTRODUCTION,.... xiii
PART I.-HYGIoNE,.                                     I1
PART Il.-USE OF MEDICINES,....  14
PART II.-DISEASES, THEIR DESCRIPTION, SYMPTOMS, ANI) TREATMENT,....30
APPENDIX.-HYDROPATHY, GALVANISM, ETC.,... 171
GLOSSARY OF UNUSUAL WORDS,.. 181
INDEX,....                    185



X                         PREFACE.
to the subject, as, happily, nature possesses a power of reaction
and correction which requires only to be encouraged, assisted,
and fostered in order to recover the system to its pristine
elasticity and vigour.
In the first portion of the work, will be found directions as
to the preservation of the health. The chapters in this division the author trusts will be found useful, and for these he
begs to bespeak the particular attention of his readers, as he
believes that a careful consideration of them, if carried into
practical operation, will in all probability enable many to
escape the attacks of disease.
In the second part, he has endeavoured to simplify the
knowledge of the nature, action, and uses to a certain extent
of a few of the principal medicines in the Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, with their internal and external applications, and has
also given an account of their antidotes.  This portion of the
work should be thoughtfully studied and referred to in every
instance where a medicine is named for any particular symptoms in the after part of the volume.
In the third division, he has treated of the chief diseases incident to the human frame, giving the characteristic symptoms
of each peculiar affection or disease, the medicine indicated
under particular circumstances, and the way in which it is to
be administered.
This manual is intended for domestic use; at the same
time it must not be supposed that the author imagines it
capable of superseding regular professional advice where it is
possible to obtain it. All that he designs is to furnish a trustworthy guide to intelligent heads of families, instructing them
how to treat sudden illness until the aid of a physician is procured.
The author trusts that the fact of his twenty-two years'
connexion with Homoeopathy will be regarded as a sufficient
passport to the notice of the 'public, and a guarantee for the
correctness of his proffered advice. During the earlier por



PREFACE.

xi

tion of the above period he devoted himself to preparing and
dispensing the medicines for many of the Homceopathic practitioners in England and on the Continent, and he may say
for all of them in Scotland,-as well as for private and family
purposes,-which gave him a more than ordinary acquaintance
with their properties and uses.
Latterly, having exercised his profession extensively and
successfully in its highest department of a physician, and
acted as one of the medical officers in two public institutions,*
the experience thus attained has greatly added to his previously
acquired knowledge; and, indeed, he submits that, taken to-'
gether, they give him  a higher claim to consideration than
those who have not enjoyed the same opportunities can justly
pretend to.
The many thousands of copies sold of his former little work,
" Hints for the use of a few Homoeopathic Medicines," which
he issued about ten years since, has induced him to follow it
up by a more complete work, in the hope of rendering assistance more particularly to his own patients situated at a distance,
or when they may happen to be travelling.
In composing it, he has made occasional reference to able
writers on the subjects treated of, when desirous to confirm
and strengthen his own views.
A few there may be who will, perhaps, consider this work
of a somewhat too elaborate character for ordinary domestic
practice. To such persons the author would say that, during
its compilation, he bore in mind that many Christian ministers
interest themselves not alone in the welfare of the soul, but
also in curing the ailments of the body, and the author ventured
to indulge a hope that the result of his labours might prove
useful to these gentlemen in pursuing their double mission of
Christian benevolence, more especially among the poorer and
less educated members of their flocks; as in doing so they
* The Edinburgh Sonthern Homoeopathic Dispensary for the Diseases of Women
and Children, and the Stirling Homoaopathic Institution.



xiv

INTRODUCTION.

to it, Homceopathic practitioners counted by units, whereas at the
present time they count by thousands, and this is also another
striking proof of its soundness; for, although it is possible that
one or two clever men might be mistaken, yet it is difficult to
conceive of thousands of highly educated men, after a full
practical investigation and thorough inquiry into the subject,
being so deceived. Surely it is more natural to censure those
who in ignorance condemn that, into the truth of which they
resolutely refuse to inquire; and this is the case with those unreasoning opponents of Homoeopathy, as not one of them will
venture to say that he has investigated and practically tested
it, and found it wanting; and until they do so, the thinking
portion of the community must necessarily consider their
opinion to be worthless.
Lest anything the author has said, however, should be construed as a personal attack on his Allopathic brethren, he
would hasten to repudiate such a supposition most emphatically. His observations have been intended solely in justification of what he believes to be truth, and he wishes it to be
understood that he allows his opponents as much credit for
sincerity and conscientiousness in the maintenance of their
opinions as he desires from them in regard to his own views.



PART I.-HYGINE.

LIGHT AND DARKNESS-HEAT AND COLD-CLIMATE--EXERCISECLOTHING-BATHING-DIET,
IHYGIENE is that department of the art of medicine which relates
to the preservation of health by what means soever accomplished,
including, of course, the regulation of the various external agents on
the human body, the chief among which are Light and Darkness,
Heat and Cold, Air, Exercise, Clothing, and Bathing.  It is a most
important branch of medical science, both in a prophylactic or preventive, and a curative point of view.
Medical Jurisprudence, another branch     of the art, and that
which, especially of late years, has been found so serviceable to
governments in carrying on the administration of justice among the
subjects of their rule, in tracking the stealthy escape from a righteously deserved retribution of fiends in human form, who, in total
opposition to the humane objects for which medical practitioners
employ their faculties, even in administering some of the self-same
substances, deal destruction to their innocent and unsuspecting
victims-may be briefly hinted at as being another and most important, though it must be confessed in the view that the preservation of life is of immensely greater consequence than the avenging
of its wanton destruction-somewhat subordinate part of the noble
subject, the science of medicine.
Light and Darkness.-Light is a powerful stimulant, and has a
most beneficial influence on the health both of animals and vegetables. It promotes the development and nutrition of animals in
a marked degree, as many experiments have proved, and acts specifically on the eye as the organ of vision; in excess, and when very
bright, it has caused amaurosis, or blindness from paralysis of the
optic nerve. Some suppose the baneful effect of sun-stroke to be in
part owing to the influence of the light, as well as the heat of the
solar rays; and a case of epilepsy is recorded as produced by gazing
at the sun. A sufficient amount of light in all diseases where
nutrition is weak, or imperfect, is of immense value, especially in
A



HYGIENE.

cases of scrofula, rickets, etc., and in weakly subjects with a languid
circulation; and no doubt exercise is aided in its good effects by
light, as it is also by fresh air. But in inflammatory diseases of the
eye, darkness is advisable; also in affections of the brain, where
there is inflammation or irritation, in mental affections with excitement, and in cases where rest is required, as after severe wounds,
surgical operations, etc. In some fevers, darkness or a subdued
light should be preferred, because aiding quietude and sleep.
Heat and Cold.-Heat and cold are very important agents, and
their action on the body most marked. A certain degree of heat is
necessary for the continuance of life, and. the proper performance of
its various functions. In animals it is self-generated, a considerable
proportion being used in the body for its maintenance; if this temperature be raised above the ordinary standard, it first excites and
increases the ordinary vital manifestations, but its continuance is soon
followed by a proportionate degree of debility and exhaustion: with
cold this is reversed; when it is applied, the primary or direct influence is to diminish the vital powers, but when withdrawn, a reaction
sets in, and there is increased activity.
The diseases produced by long-continued heat operating on the
body, are well exemplified in Europeans long resident in warm
climates. Fevers, liver complaints, diarrhoea, dysentery, and cholera
are especially common; while affections of the lungs, scrofula, consumption, rheumatism, and some others, may be considered almost
special maladies in temperate and cold climates.
As remedial agents, they are very serviceable in a variety of
ways. Heat is used with great advantage to promote secretion and
exhalation, as for instance, warmth and warm baths to promote perspiration, and the inhalation of warm aqueous vapour for sore throats,
irritation and congestion of the air passages. Also to soothe and
alleviate both spasmodic and inflammatory pain, of which, warm
fomentations in toothache, ear-ache, face-ache, colic, strangury, and
spasms of the stomach; and poultices, and warmth applied to painful
ulcers, piles, and suppurating parts, may be taken as examples. It
is also very useful in surgery, to relax parts preternaturally rigid, to
overcome muscular contraction in reducing dislocations.      Cold is
very useful in checking hnemorrhage, inflammation, and nervous
excitement, and to alleviate pain. Cold air, water, and ice will
often arrest bleeding, constringing the vessels, and promoting the
coagulation of the blood; it is serviceable in a similar manner, applied in active inflammation. Sponging with cold water in acute
fevers is generally attended with much relief to the patient, and in
cases of mental affections, with great excitement, cold, locally applied, is now much esteemed for their removal.
Climate.-For the proper consideration of climate and its influence on health, it is necessary to examine its various conditions and
their effects upon the human organism, and therefore indispensable



HYGIENE.                              3
that the purity, temperature, pressure, and humidity of the atmosphere, also the winds, soil, vegetation, and locality, be studied, for
it is well known that a situation and atmosphere suited for one class
of diseases is contra-indicated for another; and on the foregoing
conditions it is that this suitability or its reverse depends.
The most essential requisite of a climate is purity of atmosphere.
Air contaminated by the exhalations from decaying animal or vegetable substances, swamps, marshes, volcanic districts, or chemical
works, is a great and frequent source of disease; large congregations
of persons in a limited space, as in large cities, are also inimical to
health, as is proved by the greater mortality of towns.
On examining the temperature of a climate, it is most necessary
to consider its extremes, equability being of more real importance,
both absolutely and relatively, than its mean temperature; rapid
atmospheric changes are always injurious to health, and climates
subject to them   may generally be considered unhealthy. Sudden
vicissitudes in the temperature, humidity, or pressure of the atmosphere, tell very heavily on constitutions susceptible to, or debilitated
by disease; invalids and persons of delicate constitutions are often
affected by changes in the condition of the air totally unobservable
by the robust and healthy. It is generally considered advisable to
recommend warm climates for consumptive patients, the scrofulous,
the rheumatic, and those generally who suffer from a feeble circulation, but I question very much whether a climate of a much higher
degree of temperature than that customary to a consumptive patient
is an advantage; on the contrary, I am inclined to think the relaxing effects of such a change must be less favourable than otherwise
to a constitution suffering in an especial manner from derangement
of the functions of digestion and assimilation.      Cold, and cool
situations, and bracing air, are best suited for those suffering from
affections of the liver, dyspepsia, bowel complaints, and a relaxed
condition of the system.
Variations in atmospheric pressure influence in some degree the
healthy, but to a much greater extent unhealthy persons, as will be
readily comprehended when we consider that a fall of half-an-inch
in the column of mercury in the barometer, is equal to a reduction
of 500 lbs. atmospheric pressure on the body,* and that this variation is usually conj oined with increased moisture. As a consequence
of the diminished pressure, the superficial vessels become gorged,
and secretion goes on more rapidly, while by the added moisture
evaporation is retarded, so that in bronchitis and other disorders
attended with profuse secretion, a sudden fall in the barometer
greatly increases the danger.
Moisture or damp checks pulmonary and cutaneous evaporations,
while a dry state of the atmosphere promotes them. Hence a dry
* The total amount of atmospheric pressure on a person of ordinary stature is
estimated at about 30,000 lbs.



4

HYGIENE.

climate is fitted for a relaxed constitution, and for such diseases as
asthma, chronic catarrh, and others attended with profuse secretion
or copious expectoration. A moist climate, on the other hand, is
adapted for that kind of chronic bronchitis termed dry catarrh,
and other complaints attended with dry, harsh, and parched skin;
as a general rule, a lower degree of moisture than common is considered advisable. A very moist climate is advocated by some for
consumptives, and it is a fact that, in those districts where intermittents are most frequent, phthisis is most rare. We may, however, set it down as certain, that a more than ordinarily warm   and
moist climate is injurious to the health.
The winds that prevail in a district should be noted, as they
exert a powerful influence, modifying to a considerable degree the
purity and humidity of the air, and the temperature of the body.
Winds that have passed over large bodies of water, or sea-breezes,
are much more humid than those which have passed over extensive
tracts of land, and are also more charged with ozone.
The soil and amount of vegetation also affect the salubrity of a
climate; marshy, swampy soils, woods, jungles, and forests,-the
great situations of decaying matter,-are the prolific sources of
miasmata, and injurious to health.
The electric and magnetic influences of a situation we have yet to
learn, but that they are of much importance, I have little doubt,
as also the development and presence of ozone, with which perhaps
there is some connexion. Ozone indeed has now assumed so important a position as to merit a special notice.
Ozone was first described by Professor Schonbein, who believed it
to be a new elementary substance. It was first discovered in the
neighbourhood of electrical and galvanic apparatus by its odour,
which had often been noticed, but previously unaccounted for. It
is now known to be oxygen in a modified or allotropic form, which
it readily assumes on exposure to the action of electricity and
several other agents. It is chiefly characterized by its increased
power of combination, and its deodorizing and bleaching properties.
Ozone is found in air that has passed over a large tract of ocean, as
also in that which has passed over the open country, though in a
much less quantity; but so soon as it passes over a city or crowded
locality it is lost, and it appears not unlikely that this substance
will have much to do in determining the choice of climate for
invalids. Although no more oxygen can be found in the atmosphere of the country or sea-shore, yet perhaps, as has been suggested, it is owing to the presence of this agent that the exhilarating
effect and lightness of spirits experienced on a change to such places
from cities and crowded districts, are to be attributed; and from
its increased powers of effecting chemical combination, and its deodorizing qualities, it may exert no little influence on the constitution.



IYGIENE.                              5
The British Islands are so situated that perhaps there is no other
climate so liable to be irregular and variable, although, of course,
some parts are much more subject to atmospheric change than
others.   Penzance in Cornwall seems to be the most equable, as
regards temperature, in Great Britain, and is much recommended
for invalids. Lisbon, Minorca, Madeira, parts of Italy, and various
other places on the Continent are also to be placed in the same
category; indeed, they are so well known as suitable resorts for
invalids of this character, that the slightest allusion to them is sufficient; but, hitherto, Torquay in Devonshire, perhaps more from
its being better known than from any absolute superiority, has been
most frequented. But the choice for cases of serious import should
be assisted by the advice of some experienced physician.
Exercise.-Exercise is a most important hygienic agent, and one
which from the earliest times has been employed by physicians for
the cure and prevention of disease; from the time of LEsculapius to
the present day it has had its most strenuous advocates in the
medical profession; for unquestionably bodily exercise is essentially
necessary for the preservation of health; and there can be no doubt
that in its neglect, and in over-indulgence in the pleasures of the
table, the majority of chronic diseases have their origin.
Exercise has a powerfully stimulating effect on the body; the
muscles being called into play, their blood-vessels are additionally
active, and the circulation is accelerated; and as both are governed
and brought into play by the nervous system, it is also no less influenced. Exercise is therefore necessarily calculated, when used in
moderation, to be beneficial in a variety of complaints; while at
the same time, if carried to excess, it exhausts the vital powers, and
produces great debility.
Exercise is generally considered under three heads, viz., active,
passive, and mixed. Walking, running, leaping, etc., belong to the
first class; carriage exercise, sailing, etc., to the second; while
exercise on horseback may be taken as the best example of the
third.
Walking in the open air is the most natural, and at the same
time for the healthy and robust the best exercise that can be taken;
while for invalids, who are not too much reduced, it is of great service, and can be so easily regulated, that for them also, it is perhaps
the most suitable; when this is too fatiguing, carriage exercise is
required. For dyspeptic persons and the like, exercise on horseback
should be specially recommended.
The time to be devoted to exercise, of course requires to be varied;
but it may be stated as a general rule, that not less than two hours,
if possible in the morning or the middle of the day, should be spent
in the open air; and even when the weather is such as to prevent
delicate persons from going out, the windows should be thrown
open, while they walk in the house. It is best not to take exercise



6                            HYGIENE.
immediately after meals, but to wait for two or three hours, until
digestion is completed, when it is much more invigorating and
refreshing.
Clothing.-The covering of the body should not be too heavy in
summer, or too light in winter; but in this country, as the climate
is so variable, it should never be of too slight a nature. It is advisable to wear flannel next the skin, for it slightly stimulates it,
and promotes perspiration, and at the same time does not allow it
to remain on the skin. After great exertion, when profuse perspiration is induced, the cold, clammy sensation felt when linen or cotton is worn, so disagreeable, and withal so dangerous, is never experienced. It is a bad conductor of heat, and therefore assists, to a
great extent, in neutralizing those sudden atmospheric changes to
which we are constantly exposed.
Further than this it is needless to go. Clothing should be invariably suited to the sensations of the individual, for there is no
more mistaken notion than that of endeavouring to inure one's-self
to bear cold by wearing few clothes, under the idea that by so doing
we strengthen the constitution. Naturally all men were intended
to clothe themselves, and although at first sight some instances may
seem to point to a different conclusion, yet, when we consider the
paints, varnish, and the various unguents with which savages, even
in the warmest climates, cover their bodies, which protect them
sufficiently, and prepare them  to meet the various vicissitudes of
temperature they are likely to encounter; any neglect renders them
as liable to those affections of the lungs and bowels as the want of
the clothing proper in our circumstances does their more artificially
clothed and civilized brethren.
Bathing.-The connexion between the skin and the internal organs is intimate, and they so much influence each other, that due
regard to healthy condition of the skin cannot be too forcibly inculcated. Daily experience proves that many and serious diseases
arise from atmospheric changes, and also from the neglect of cleanliness; to counteract the former, it is necessary to suitably clothe the
body, and for the second, bathing and proper ablutions are essential.
Cleanliness is the great essential for preserving a healthy skin,
and nothing will insure this except regular ablutions and bathing.
It is not only conducive to health and comfort, but soon becomes a
positive luxury, and so has been considered from the earliest times.
The temperature of the cold bath should not, as a general rule, be
below 50~ Fah., although the range is generally considered from 33~
to 75~ Fah. The first effect of this bath is to produce a sensation of
coldness, shivering, contraction of the blood-vessels of the skin, and
diminution of the perspiration; the feeling of cold, however, speedily
gives place to one of warmth, and a reaction follows. It is for this
chiefly that cold bathing is employed, especially, when recommended
to give tone and vigour to the system.



HYGIENE.

In the use of the cold bath, it is very necessary that the following
precautionary rules be observed, or more evil than good may result
from its use:First: Never bathe for some time before or after a meal, or late
in the evening; the best time is, perhaps, about two hours after
breakfast, or a little before noon.
Second: The length of time to be spent in the water depends
greatly on the health and vigour of the individual, and may be
stated as a guide for general use at from  two to five minutes; but
it should in no instance be prolonged, so that the glow or reaction
is imperfect, or long in taking place. Whenever the cold bath is
followed for a length of time by coldness of surface, blueness of
skin, feeble pulse, weakness, and headache, its use should at once
be given up.
Third: Persons with disease of the heart or lungs, or tendency
to disease of those organs, or apoplexy, should use the cold bath
with extreme caution, or it may lead to dangerous consequences; it
is not necessary, however, as some people suppose, to wait after
taking exercise until the body be cooled, but if anything, it is more
injurious to do so, if the bath be confined to its proper limits.
The temperature of the tepid bath is 85~ to 92~ Fah., and is the
safest bath for general use. It is more suitable for the purposes of
ablution, as it cleanses the skin more efficiently, and promotes perspiration. Healthy, robust persons should accustom    themselves to
cold bathing, but invalids and delicate persons should use a tepid
bath, avoiding those of lower temperature.
The warm    bath, with a range of temperature from     92~ to 98~
Fah., and the hot bath, from 98~ to 112~ Fah., are chiefly used for
medicinal purposes, differing only in degree. They render the pulse
fuller and more frequent, and generally excite the external circulation, eventually producing languor, faintness, anxiety, and tendency
to sleep.  They are very useful as relaxants, to assist in the reduction of dislocations and ruptures, or the passage of calculi, and are
of much service in many inflammations, and some skin diseases, as
when an eruption has receded, and also in some cases of rheumatism
and paralysis.   But of all others, the Turkish or Roman and
Russian baths seem best suited both for detergent and curative
purposes.
The Turkish or Roman bath is essentially a process for obtaining
copious perspiration, and is effected as follows: There are usually
three chambers; the patient first enters the one called the cooling
room   (frigidarium), which is used for undressing, and after the
bath for dressing and repose. It is a lounging room of the temperature of the season, or about 60~ Fah., in which all the usual enjoyments are allowed to the healthy, as conversation, smoking, coffee,
etc., although, I must say, the two latter are not always to be recommended for indiscriminate indulgence. After undressing, he



8                      HYGIENE.
proceeds into the second chamber, or warm room (tepidariuim),
where, in most institutions of the kind, he puts on wooden clogs or
pattens, and walks, sits, or reclines, as he may think fit.         Here
the bath really begins, the temperature being about 100~ or 110~
Fah., which has the effect of quickening the respiration, and raising
the pulse several beats; gentle perspiration breaks out in a few
minutes, and, when this is sufficiently established, the patient is
conducted into the third chamber (sudatorium), to which it is preparatory.
The sudatorium     is the true hot bath.    Here the temperature is
from 120~ to 150~ Fah., as circumstances may require.*       Perspiration
is here fully established; for a few moments the feeling is uncomfortable, and the respiration oppressed, but this result passes rapidly
away, as the perspiration becomes more profuse.           The patient is
made to recline on a marble slab, on which is placed a hair cover
and pillow: the shampooer then begins operations, byfirst gentlyrubbing down and kneading the limbs and body with his hands; then
he applies a soap of peculiar composition (lentil powder and almond
soap), and, with a hair glove or wisp, washes the whole body. By
this operation an almost incredible amount of incrusted secretion is
removed, even from     the skin which previously appeared perfectly
clean.   This is washed off with warm water, after which, tepid or
cold water is showered upon the patient, and the process is completed.   He is then wiped dry, and returns to the frigidarium, or
first chamber, where he is again rubbed with dry towels.            After
partially dressing, it is usual to bind a moist bandage round the
forehead to moderate the reaction; and, after a quarter of an hour's
repose, he is ready to leave the bath. The whole process, which
occupies from one to two hours, produces the most beneficial results;
the entire nervous system participates in the happy effects; the
sensation of comfort, tranquillity, and cleanliness is indescribably
pleasant; while the elasticity and vigour of the body are increased
* There are two points in connexion with the Turkish bath, which require much
more care and consideration, viz., their temperature, and the plan on which they
are heated. Baths which are not under medical superintendence are often heated
above 1500 Fah., to the great risk of those who use them; for, although most people
with preparation can bear that temperature, some who are not used to the process
cannot, with safety or comfort, support an atmosphere above 120~ or 1300 Fah.,
whereas, in many second-class baths, it often happens that, indiscriminately, all
are submitted to a temperature of 1600 or 170~, or even higher, which is as dangerous to persons liable to determination of blood to the head, or some forms of heart
disease, as a dose of poison could be. The plan of heating baths from flues laid
below the floor is also, to say the least of it, a most objectionable one. Two instances
have come to my knowledge in which injury has arisen from this method: one from
the slipping of a clog, by which a lady left the skin of the sole of her foot on the
stone slab beneath which one of the flues run; in the other case, a debilitated
elderly gentleman fell; before assistance could be given him, he was severely burnt
on one side of the body, and the knee, on which he endeavoured to support himself
while rising. There are many methods of heating a bath much more safe, and quite
as easy of application, to maintain the required temperature being all that is
requisite, whatever plan is followed; but at any rate, the safety of the bathers
should always be the first consideration.



HYGIENE.

incalculably. The Russian bath is essentially the same process, but
hot vapour, instead of air, is used.
The medicinal uses of these baths must be obvious to all, when
we consider the intimate connexion of the skin with the internal
membranes and organs. From the action of the hot air or vapour
on the skin and mucous membranes of the throat and lungs, there is
increased secretion from all these surfaces, which serves to remove
irritability from the great nervous centres and the arterial system,
besides removing from the body effete material, to the presence of
which most diseased actions owe their origin and their progress.
These useless matters may arise either from certain abnormal conditions of the body, in which the organism has the power of forming
and retaining them, or from the continuous use of medicinal substances in large doses, which remain in the system in greater or less
quantities, for lengthened periods after the administration has
ceased, either causing diseased action or preventing its removal
when already present.
Diet.-Nothing is more essential to the welfare and happiness of
man upon earth than a healthy, sound digestion; consequently, it
will at once be seen how necessary it is to consider the conditions
by which it is maintained, and the means of preventing or correcting its derangements.
Every vital action is accompanied by a corresponding waste or
change in the component parts of the body, the more active the
functions, the greater the waste; consequently, without some means
of replacing this lost material by fresh supplies, destruction must
ultimately ensue; but nature has provided an apparatus, which
enables living beings to assimilate or incorporate into the system
various materials taken from the surrounding elements. This apparatus in animals is the stomach, which is undoubtedly the primitive organ of life; for, however rudimentary the others may be, the stomach
is invariably found, animals lowest in the scale of creation being in
reality little more than an apparatus for nutrition. In man, the
stomach is so intimately connected with the whole body, by means
of its nerves and sympathy, that it is almost impossible for disease
to occur in any part without affecting the digestive organs, still less
can they be primarily diseased without the whole system suffering.
The waste in the animal economy is caused by two great processes continually in action-change in the structure of the tissues
of the body, and the functions of respiration. The first, on which
all action depends, is accompanied by a great waste of the element
called nitrogen, while vital heat is maintained by the second through
the expenditure of carbon, both these used-up materials being excreted from  the body by the lungs, kidneys, skin, etc. To supply
these losses effectually food must contain both elements; it is usual
therefore to classify articles of nutrition under two heads, viz.,
nitrogenous, or articles containing nitrogen for building up the tis



10

HYGIENE.

sues, of which animal food, as eggs and flesh, is the best example;
and non-nitrogenous, or articles containing carbon in excess, represented by fat, oils, starch, sugar, etc., chiefly consumed in respiration.
Animal food is sooner digested, and contains more nourishment
in less bulk than vegetables, but is more stimulating to the system.
Boiling makes substances softer and more digestible, but flesh loses
a considerable quantity of its nutritive properties by the process.
Roasting loses less of the juices of the meat, which is consequently
more nourishing, but perhaps more difficult of digestion. Broiling
retains all the juicy parts, by suddenly hardening the surface, and
renders the meat particularly tender, while all the nutritive part is
retained. Frying, in consequence of the quantity of fat used in the
process, is apt to make meat disagree, and to render it much more
indigestible; baking is also objectionable for the same reasons.
Fish is not so nourishing as flesh, but it is of a lighter nature.
The most nutritious of white fish are turbot, cod, whitings, haddocks,
plaice, and soles; salmon, trout, mackerel, eels, etc., are not so easy
of digestion. Fish are best boiled. In some constitutions they are
apt to disorder the stomach, and cause an eruption on the skin;
when out of season they are highly injurious.    Shell-fish are difficult
of digestion, and not very safe articles of food; oysters are the least
objectionable of this class.
Soups are pleasant and useful articles of diet, but should be
thickened with bread, etc., which renders them     easier of digestion.
Milk and eggs form a diet intermediate between animal and vegetable food, containing every requisite for nourishment; eggs should
be lightly boiled or poached; milk, like soup, is more easily digested
when thickened with bread, etc. Butter and cheese should both be
used in moderation.
Farinaceous and vegetable food, though slower of digestion, is
less heating. Bread is the principal article of food among most
civilized nations; it should be well baked, and at least a day old
before being eaten. Biscuits, being made from unfermented flour,
are wholesome, and useful where fermented bread does not agree
with the stomach. Rice, sago, arrowroot, tapioca, are light, nutritive, and useful for invalids, but not sufficient to support life in the
robust without a mixture of other food.
Potatoes, peas, beans, carrots, and turnips are wholesome articles
of food, and may be freely used, requiring only one caution, that
they be well boiled.   Cabbages, cauliflower, and similar vegetables,
should have the water changed several times while cooking. Raw
vegetables, salads, pickles, etc., should be very sparingly used;
cucumbers never, being very unhealthy.
Fruits, when ripe and eaten in moderation, are both agreeable and
serviceable, but are very apt to disagree if taken in large quantities.
Strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, oranges, and grapes are most



.HYGIENE.

11

safe; apples also, especially when roasted. Stoned fruits, such as
cherries,. plums, etc., are not so safe, and should be used with caution, carefully avoiding to swallow the stones.
Of beverages, cold water stands pre-eminent; malt liquors are
sometimes serviceable as stimulants; spirits should never be used
unless diluted well. Tea and coffee, in health, may both be used
with moderation, and are particularly grateful to the system       at
times; tea, of the two, is less apt to affect the nervous system.
Of cocoa and chocolate I shall have to speak further on.
Digestion is that process which assimilates these substances, and
fits their nutritive properties for becoming a part of the body.
The waste being greater some times than at others, and the demand for a fresh supply of nutritive material also variable, nature has
supplied animals with a monitor to warn them as to this, called
Appetite. In the lower orders of creation it is a sufficient guide;
but man, having learned the art of eating to gratify the palate, instead of simply to pacify hunger and replenish the waste of the system,
has habitually neglected it. He has ransacked land and sea for new
means of gratifying himself, very often at the expense of his health.
The stomach, from being over-tasked and over-stimulated, becomes
irritable or relaxed; and the appetite, instead of being a guide, is
a capricious feeling, often craving for food, not suited to satisfy
the wants of the body, but which produces nausea and disgust,
though the system imperatively requires nourishment.
Although it is true that people in health, of every age, temperament,
and constitution of body, can eat of every description of food, and
digestion still remain healthy, it is only by duly regulating the supply
according to the demand; and this merely proves that in healthy,
active persons the kind of food is not so important, provided it contains a sufficient amount of nutritive material, as the proper observance of those laws and conditions necessary for its proper digestion;
nevertheless, it is equally true that any infringement of these laws
will be followed by indigestion and its accompanying train of evils,
and no plan of diet or kind of food which can be given will produce
a cure, unless they be obeyed. Medicine and change of food may
afford temporary relief, but that is all; the evil will continue so long
as nature's laws are neglected. We shall only set down here the
condition under which health may be secured, leaving a more strict
dietary scale for consideration, when speaking of the regimen necessary for the sick.
Eat slowly, and masticate thoroughly. Take the meals as nearly
as possible at the same time each day; man is very much a creature
of habit, and nothing agrees better with the system than regularity.
Never eat beyond the feeling of appetite-it is best to halt within
that limit, and not to partake of too many dishes at one meal, for
that often induces to eat too much; besides, the stomach seems better
able to cope with one kind of food at a time. Much liquid during



12

HYGIENE.

meals is unfavourable to digestion; water is the best diluent, ale
better than porter. Spirits should never be taken while eating.
Tea is a peculiarly refreshing beverage two or three hours after
dinner. Avoid the too free use of condiments; a little salt is amply
sufficient. Three meals a day is a fair average. This allows a proper
interval for the digestion of one before partaking of another, and
prevents that overloading of the stomach likely to occur in the
case of eating but once or twice a day.
Never take exercise immediately before or after a meal, nor eat
immediately before going to bed; let the mid-day meal or dinner be
the most substantial, and be taken five or six hours after breakfast.
For the sick more rigid rules are necessary; food, which in health
can be taken with impunity, may be very injurious to the invalid,
or interfere with the action of medicine. I shall here give a list of
what may be used and what should be avoided.
Allowed:-Plain soups and broth; beef and mutton, lean and not
too much done; poultry and game, except those forbidden; fish
and vegetables, subject to the same restrictions; ripe and preserved
fruits; eggs; milk; butter in moderation; and all the simple preparations of flour, arrowroot, rice, sago, tapioca, etc.
Forbidden:-Highly seasoned meats of all kinds; made dishes,
rich soups, pork, veal, sausages, kidneys, liver, salted meats, geese,
ducks and wild fowls; salmon, eels, and all oily or shell fish; raw
vegetables; onions, leeks, parsley, horse-radish, mint, sage, and all
other herbs used for seasoning. Rich pastry, confectionary, spices,
and most condiments, except salt.
Drinks allowed:-Water, toast-and-water, barley-water, gruel,
cocoa, chocolate, and weak tea, in cases where the latter has previously been habitually used.
Drinks forbidden:-Strong tea, coffee, malt and spirituous liquors,
and all stimulating or acidulated drinks.
This scale is sometimes modified a little under professional advice, to meet the circumstances of particular cases, but it is quite
sufficient for general use. One or two things I may add here,
which will be found of essential service to patients under treatment. Persons of a constipated habit of body will find the homoeopathic digestive food of the greatest use.. It is agreeable
to the palate, easy of digestion, highly nutritious, and above all,
possesses the power of acting on the bowels as a gentle laxative.
For patients under homceopathic treatment, it is particularly
adapted; and, in cases of obstinate constipation, dyspepsia, and
some diseases of the stomach and bowels, it will be found of great
assistance, and a useful adjunct to the medical treatment. The
bowels, in most obstinate cases of constipation, by its continued
use, will be restored to a healthy tone and regular action. For persons requiring nourishing diet, and whose digestive organs, from
disease or other causes, are so weakened as to prevent the possi



HYGIENE.                             13
bility of taking animal food in a solid form, I would recommend
beef essence, to be prepared in the following way:Take a pound of the most juicy part of lean beef, and chop it into
pieces the size of a pea, put these into a hermetically-sealed jarwithout any water, and boil in a goblet or saucepan for three hours.
Two table-spoonfuls of the juice obtained by this process should be
taken with a little bread three times a day. By this means the
digestive organs will be able to take up a great amount of nourishment, without the risk of being overtaxed. With the addition of four
parts of water to one part of the essence, it makes a beef tea far
superior to and cheaper than that which can be made by the ordinary process; and in this form it may be given in acute diseases
without fear of causing dangerous reaction, while in protracted or
sub-acute diseases, it lessens the emaciation and debility, and will
generally be grateful to the palate when other nourishment would
be distasteful.
Cocoa.-The homoeopathic or dietetic cocoa is a preparation containing all the nutritive properties of the nut, without any objectionable admixture, and is by far the most suitable beverage for
invalids and patients under homoeopathic treatment.        Chocolate
when plain is also good, but chocolate with vanilla should not be
used by invalids.
* The registered jars are the best for this purpose, and can be obtained from
Mr. John Millar, Potter to her Majesty, 2, St. Andrew Street, Edinburgh.



14                    MEDICINES.
PART II.-MEDICINES,
THEIR ACTIONS AND USES.
LIST OF MEDICINES-INTERNAL REMEDIES-CAMPHOR-EXTERNAL
REMEDIES.
LIST OF MEDICINES.

Internal Remedies.

Noame.
1. Aconitum Napellus,    '
2. Arnica Montana,
3. Arsenicum Album,      Mb
4. Belladonna,           I
5. Bryonia Alba,
6. Calcarea Carbonica,   B
7. Cantharis,           A
8. Carbo Vegetabilis,
9. Chamnomilla Vulgaris,
10. China Officinalis,
11. Cina.,
12. Cocculus,
13. Coffea Cruda,
14. Cuprum MAetallicum,
15. Drosera Rotundifolia, T
16. Dulcamara,
17. Hepar Sulphuris,
18. Ignatia Amara,        T
19. Ipecacuanha,
20. Lachesis,            A
21. MIVercurius Solubilis,
22. Nitri Acidum,
23. Nux Vomica,
24. Opium,
25. Phosphorus,
26. Pulsatilla,
27. Rhus Toxicolendron,
28. Sepia Succus,
29. Silicea,
30. Spongia Tosta,
31. Sulphur,
32. Veratrum,
Camphor,
1. Aconitum Napellus.
2. Arnica Montana.
3. Arsenicum Album.
4. Belladonna.
5. Calendula Officinalis.

Lingdom.
egetable,
ineral,
egetable,
ineral,
nimal,
egetable,
lineral,
egetable,
lineral,
egetable,
nimal,
Mineral,
egetable,
Mineral,
Vegetable,
nimnal,
Mineral,
Animal,
Mineral,
egetable,

Antidotes.
Camphor; Nux Vom.
Camphor; Ignatia.
China; Veratrum.
Hep. Sulph.; Puls.; Nux Vom.; Coffee.
Acon.; Cham.; Nux Vom.; Rhus Tox.
Camphor.
Camphor.
Arsen.; Camphor; Lach.; Coffee.
Acon.; Nux Vom.; Puls.: Coffee.
Arnica; Arsen.; Veratrum.
Ipecac.
Camphor: Nux Vomn.
Acon.; Cham.; Nux Vom.
SBell.; China; Coc.; Hep. Sulph.; Ipeo.
Nux. Von.
Camphor.
Camphor; Ipecac.
Bell.; Vinegar.
Camphor; Puls.; Coffee.
Arnica; Arsen.
Arsen.; Bell.; Verat.
Bell.; Camphor; China; Dulc
Camphor; Ipec.; Sulphur.
Acon.; Camphor; Wine.
Camphor; Wine.
Camphor; Coffee; Nux Vom.; Wine.
Chaim.; Ignat.; Nux Vom.; Coffee.
Camphor; Bryon.; Coffee.
Acon.; Vinegar.
Camphor; Hep. Sulph.
Camphor.
Camphor; Aeon.
Aeon.; Camphor; Arsenicum.

VTegetable,  Opium; Spiritus Nitri Dulcis.
External Remedies.
6. Camphora.
7. Cantharis Vesicatoria.
8. Rhus Toxicolendron.
9. Sulphur.



MEDICINES.

15

INTERNAL REMEDIES.
1. Aconitum Napellus.-(Acon.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Nux Vom.-Aconitum           Napellus, Aconite,
Monkshood, or large, blue Wolfsbane, is prepared in the first instance as a tincture, from the root, stem, leaves, and flowers of the
plant. This medicine is indispensable at the commencement, and
during the progress of fevers or inflammatory diseases, attended by
increased circulation. In acute inflammatory affections, its action
is very noticeable, from which circumstance it has not improperly
been designated "The Homoeopathic Lancet."           It restores the
equilibrium of the circulation, and therefore does away with all
necessity for bleeding. Its efficacy is admitted by many of the old
school, not a few of whom have employed it, and still continue to
do so, although in such doses as to endanger the life of the patient.
Its use will be attended with marked benefit in almost all cases
where there is undue heat of the skin, quick feverish pulse, thirst,
trembling of the limbs, chilly feeling in the back, great uneasiness
of the body and restlessness of mind; when the symptoms are attended with severe pain in any one place, an attack of inflammation
may be suspected, and no time should be lost in giving a dose of
aconite every hour, or every half hour even, in alternation with the
medicine specially indicated for the local affection. It may also be
employed with beneficial effects in attacks of dizziness, with darkening, confusion, and indistinctness of vision; in very painful inflammation of the eyes, with discharge of water, red, hard swelling of
the eyelids, fulness and oppressive weight in the forehead; congestion of blood in the head, with heat and redness of the face; in sick
headache; fainting, especially on leaving a recumbent position;
hysterical spasms; in throbbing toothache, attended with swelling
of the cheek; and for retention of urine, particularly in children,
more especially when it is scanty, of a deep, red colour, and hot.
It is most serviceable in the fever accompanying dentition, and for
the restlessness attendant thereon, as it is indeed for inflammatory
diseases of every kind.
2. Arnica Montana.-(Arn.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Ignatia.-Arnica Montana, Mountain Arnica, or Leopard's bane, is prepared as a tincture, from  the roots,
leaves, and flowers of the plant. It is used both internally and
externally.  For internal use the globules are the best form for its
administration. Possessing, as it does so eminently, the power of
stimulating the reparative process in tissues, it is especially useful
in mechanical injuries, or those arising from falls or sprains; after
excessive fatigue from physical exertion; in inflammatory affections, resulting from  other causes; and in cases of discharges of
blood. It is so valuable an agent for external use, that no family



MEDICINES.

17

peculiarly adapted to burning pain in the bowels; loose, slimy,
greenish stools, attended with much pain; burning at the anus and
weakness; also in diarrhoea, and the symptoms which          precede
it, when they consist of a sense of burning, or pressure at the pit
of the stomach; vomiting of food, and likewise of blood and slime,
especially if attended with dryness, and bitter taste in the mouth.
It is one of the principal and surest remedies for cholera. It is of
service in headaches of long standing, when there is throbbing of
one side, and when the patient is worse at night; or when the pain
is of a dull, stunning character, worse in the morning on getting out
of bed, or when it is felt continuously, and is of a chronic character.
Much good is derived from     its use in many chronic diseases, eruptions, ulcerations, etc.; in sores of long standing, and unhealthy
character; affections of the skin of various kinds, such as nettle-rash,
miliary eruptions, vesicles, pustules, pimples, etc.; also in inflammation of the eye, and outer part of the eyeball, known by weakness of sight, dread of light, a net-work of red blood-vessels on the
white of the eye, and swelling of the lids. Arsenicum      is also of
much value to combat the weakness which often follows influenza;
in dropsies, several forms of intermittent fever, hectic typhus, and
fevers of a low character; and in most affections of impoverished
and exhausted constitutions.
4. Belladonna.--(Bell.)
Antidotes.--Hep. Sulph.; Nux Vom.; Coffee; Pulsatilla.-Belladonna, Atropa Belladonna, or Deadly Nightshade. The parts employed medicinally are the lower leaves gathered about midsummer,
and prepared in the first instance as a tincture. This medicine is
frequently and usefully prescribed after Aconite, and is especially
useful in diseases attended by flushing of the surface, generally
called heat of the blood, and for swellings of the different glands,
especially those of the neck. It is a specific in scarlet fever, and
should be given as a preventive against that disease whenever it
occurs in a neighbourhood. It is invaluable in diseases of the head,
in threatened convulsions, and in the spasms of infants. In the
cases of children, when there is a sudden attack, with severe pain in
the head, intolerance of light, startings during sleep, screaming, and
trying to bury the head in the pillow; when the child has a flushed
face and a wild-looking eye, no time should be lost in giving this
medicine in alternation with Aconite.
Belladonna is also useful in inflammation of the eyes, when they
are bloodshot, watery, and feel as if sand or gravel were in them;
and in cases of sore throat, when there is redness, swelling, and
pain on swallowing, alternating with Aconite should the inflammation be very high. When there is severe pain in the bowels, worse
on pressure, of a grinding, griping character, with much distension,
and should vomiting of a greenish matter occur with it, Belladonna
B



18

MEDICINES.

should be used. It is also of service in rheumatism, erysipelas,
neuralgia; and in inflammation of all delicate organs or tissues, such
as the brain, ear, eye, etc., and is of much use to females when the
monthly flow is too abundant.
5. Bryonia Alba.-( Bryon.)
Antidotes.-Acon.; Cham.; Nux Vom.; Rhus Tox.-Bryonia
Alba, or White Bryony. The part of this plant employed medicinally is the root scraped down and made into a tincture. It is very
useful in rheumatism, when there is general pain over the body,
increased on movement; or when there is redness, with heat, pain,
or swelling, of any part; or when it is confined to the joints. Bryonia
is also one of the most useful homceopathic remedies in cases of
gout, when confined to the feet and hands; is of much service in
the treatment of coughs when short and dry, attended with stitch
in the side, and a feeling of tightness behind the breast bone;
for hoarseness, when attended with pain; for relaxed sore throat,
with roughness of the chest; and for most of the inflammatory
affections of the bronchial tubes and lungs. It is of great value in
dropsical conditions, particularly of the feet and ankles, given in
alternate doses with Arsenicum. It is very useful also in chronic
constipation, especially if the stools be large, hard, and passed with
difficulty. It is sometimes very useful in chronic headaches, particularly in females; in painful stiffness of the back of the neck,
and for lumbago, which it will in many instances remove in a few
hours.
Aconite is said to be an antidote to Bryonia. I have not found it
so, and have given it, as do many physicians, in alternation with
Bryonia, for many affections of -a feverish character, with most
happy results.
6. Calcarea Carbonica.-(Calc.)
Antidote.-Camphor.-Calcarea Carbonica, Carbonate of Lime or
Chalk, is prepared by trituration. This is an invaluable remedy
in most forms of chronic diseases, especially those of the bones
and skin, as well as in most scrofulous complaints. It is also beneficial in most cases where the patient has by illness or improper
treatment become prostrated, debilitated, and exhausted; is indispensable in the treatment of rickety children, for chronic and
habitual colds, and for protracted teething, as it assists the development of the teeth. It is useful in chronic swellings, hardening or
ulceration of 'the glands; chronic discharges of humours, and inflammation of the eyelids. When it is administered in obstinate chronic
diseases, it requires to be taken for a considerable time.  It should
therefore be given every morning for a week; having abstained
from medicine for an equal period, it ought to be given again for a
week, and so on, until the symptoms abate and disappear.



20

MEDICINES.

tincture. This is a most useful medicine, and particularly serviceable in many disorders where there is irritability of the nervous
system, and much sensibility to pain; for the different consequences
of excessive mental emotion, for disordered digestion, attended with
pain and looseness of the bowels, the stools being glutinous, frothy,
and of a greenish colour; and when there is nausea, acid eructations,
vomiting of bilious or acid matter, violent oppressive pain at the
pit of the stomach, and great uneasiness, worse in the morning and
after eating; also in looseness and pains in the bowels of infants,
known by their crying and drawing the legs towards the stomach;
in their various teething complaints, and in the feverish affections
of children which do not yield to Aconite; also for nervous and
excitable children in many disorders. It is also useful for severe
bearing-down pains in females, cutting and darting pains in the
bowels, especially when preceding the monthly period, and about
the time it should have occurred but for the existence of pregnancy;
and for excitability in pregnant females. It is valuable for the treatment of various catarrhal affections with or without fever; swellings
of the glands and face from cold; and in catarrhal fever.
We frequently find Belladonna useful after this medicine for pains
during sleep, headache on waking, dragging and throbbing pains in
the teeth, jaws, and face, and for intense toothache confined to one
side, and rendered worse by warmth in bed.
10. China Officinalis.-(China.)
Antidotes.-Arnica; Arsen.; Verat.-China Officinalis, yellow
Peruvian bark, the Cinchona Corona of the Andes, is prepared as a
tincture. Its action in some degree is not unlike that of Arsenicum,
but not quite so intense. It is therefore serviceable in somewhat
similar cases, being especially useful in restoring the system when
exhausted by the loss of the vital fluid, long-continued diarrhoea, or
violent allopathic mis-treatment. When not previously used in excess it is valuable in agues, and for other periodical disorders. It is
used with benefit in various intermittent, rheumatic, and slow fevers;
and in bilious disorders of a certain type, as for instance, the first
signs of yellowness immediately preceding the development of jaundice, which it is calculated to correct. In fact all cases of debility,
attended with excessive sensitiveness of the nervous system, gastric
and bilious derangements, are benefited by it.      It is applied by
homceopathists with a far greater amount of certainty, and wider
range of usefulness, than by allopathists. When this medicine is
administered for periodical disorders, it should only be during the
intermission, and, if possible, a dose should be given immediately
before the expected attack. In chronic cases, or slow convalescence,
the dose should be administered for two days, morning and evening;
then discontinued for the same period; administered again for two
days, and so on.



MEDICINES.

21

11. Cina.-(Cina.)
Antidote.-Ipecacuanha.-Cina, or Wormseed, is prepared as a tincture. It is useful in affections of children, especially when accompanied
by worms in the intestinal canal, as shown by the following symptoms,-picking the nose, fretfulness, great peevishness and agitation
sometimes approaching to delirium, dull earthy complexion, with a
dark colour under the eyes, craving for food, even immediately after
meals, and capricious appetite; griping, distension, heat and hardness of the abdomen, itching of the arms, costive or loose evacuations,
involuntary wetting of the bed, and starting during sleep at night;
also in convulsions and epilepsy from the same cause. It is often
advisable to follow this medicine with a small dose of Sulphur at
night.
12. Cocculus.-(Cocc.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Nux Vomica.-Cocculus, Cocculus Indicus,
or Indian berry, is prepared as a tincture. It is especially useful. in
sea-sickness, sickness from riding in a carriage, cramp in the stomach,
bilious colic, and constant nausea; headaches and dizziness; in
spasms and fainting fits of hysteric females, chorea, angina pectoris,
palpitation of the heart; also in cramps and violent pains in females
during the monthly discharge. Should this be suppressed, causing
pain and other inconvenience, Cocculus is a most valuable agent for
restoring it.
13. Coffea Cruda.--(Cqf.)
Antidotes.-Aconite; Cham.; Nux Vom.-Coffea Cruda, raw
Arabian Coffee. The grains or beans only of this plant are used,
and prepared as a tincture. This medicine is chiefly useful in allaying excitability, with or without pain; in the nervous attacks of
excitable children while teething, or in those of hysterical females;
in cases of derangement from too great or too sudden pleasurable
emotion, and in cases of violent pain when constitutional disturbance
exists. It is also good for pains in the bowels. When Coffea fails,
Chamomilla used in like manner will be found serviceable.
14. Cuprum MIetallicum.-(Oupr.)
Antidotes.-Bell.; China; Nux Vom.; Hep. Sulph.; Ipecac.; Cocculus.-Cuprum Metallicum, or Copper, is prepared by trituration. It is
used in chorea, or St. Vitus' dance, epilepsy, convulsive movements,
and distortions of the limbs, occurring particularly at night; loss of
consciousness, and of speech, with frothing saliva from the mouth;
fits of choking, convulsions commencing with tingling in the fingers
and toes; headache with drawing pains in different parts, and vertigo as of turning round. It is also serviceable in the treatment of
dry spasmodic cough, like hooping cough, with hurried respiration;



22

MEDICINES.

in the nightly violent cough of spasmodic asthma, violent palpitation
of the heart, violent vomiting with diarrhoea, spasms in the belly,
excessive pain in the pit of the stomach, and water-brash. This
remedy has been most successfully used in the treatment of cholera,
and should be taken as a preventive of that disease. (See Article
Cholera).
15. Drosera Rotundifolia.-(Dros.)
Antidote.-Camphor.-Drosera Rotundifolia, or Sun Dew. The
entire plant, gathered at the end of summer when in blossom, is
used and prepared as a tincture. It is useful for inflammatory affections of the throat and windpipe, common colds of which hoarseness is the leading feature, also for the ordinary colds of children,
worse at night, and increased by movement. It is of great service
in hooping-cough, when completely formed; and is of value in some
cases of chronic hoarseness and bronchitis.
16. Dulcamara.-(Dulc.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Ipecacuanha.-Solana Dulcamara, Bitter
Sweet, or woody nightshade. The fresh green stems of this plant
are used and prepared in the form of a tincture. This medicine is
employed to correct the excessive use of drugs prescribed by the old
school practitioners, such as alteratives, diaphoretics, etc., and for
eruptions of various kinds; disorders of the bowels, affections of the
eyes, chest, air-passages, and throat. As it possesses the powerful
property of preventing colds and their results, it is especially useful
if taken after exposure, as soon as chilliness, stupifying headache,
or other usual symptoms of incipient cold are felt, and will save the
patient many days' confinement to the house. It is useful also in
bowel-complaint arising from the same cause, and in fact in most
affections caused or aggravated by exposure to cold or damp.
17. Hepar Sulphuris Calcaream.-(Hep. Sulph.)
Antidotes.-Belladonna; Vinegar.-Hepar Sulphuris, Sulphate of
Lime, Proto-Sulphate of Calcium, or Liver of Sulphur, is prepared
by trituration. This is an invaluable medicine in croup, and a useful medicine in the later stages of hooping-cough. It is a direct
stimulant to the skin and glands, more especially those which
secrete the saliva. It also promotes suppuration. It is often used
with much advantage to stimulate the skin, and induce profuse
perspiration, when from a disordered state it cannot carry out that
important function, and is also of paramount importance in many
of its chronic diseases, especially in all such as have been induced,
aggravated, and confirmed by the old school system      of recklessly
administering mercury and bark. Marked benefit follows its use
in erysipelas, scrofula, and in inflammatory affections of the glands,
likely to be followed by suppuration. For croup, it should be given
alternately with Aconite every hour, should Spongia fail to relieve.



MEDICINES.

23

18. Ignatia Amara.-(Ignat.)
Antidotes.-Pulsatilla; Camphor; Coffee.-Ignatia Amara, St.
Ignatius' Bean. The seed or fruit of this plant is prepared as
a tincture. This medicine is a powerful remedy in nervous affections, for nervous one-sided    headaches; for headaches during
the monthly period in females, accompanied by palpitation of the
heart, and difficulty of breathing; and in most kinds of headaches
of persons having mild and sensitive dispositions; also for females
of a highly nervous temperament, who are liable to be easily excited.
It is also highly beneficial in many forms of spasmodic or convulsive
disorders, such as those attributable to sudden emotions or from
fright, long-continued   mental depression, spasmodic colic, etc.
Cocculus is often beneficially used in combination with Ignatia.
19. Ipecacuanha.- (Ipecac.)
Antidotes.-Arnica, Arsenicum.-Ipecacuanha, or Grey Ipecacuanha. The root of this plant is prepared as a tincture. This
medicine has been found very useful in epilepsy, in cases of active
discharges of blood, and in some forms of cholera, in all of which
diseases it should be given very frequently. It is also of much service in most affections of the chest with much expectoration, coughs
occurring particularly at night, dry cold in the head, with stuffed
nose; hay fever; in cases of indigestion from      eating unsuitable
food; attacks of illness with loathing of food and great prostration;
in cases of squeamishness, surfeit, loose stools, and general derangement of the bowels; and for affections caused by changes of temperature, where a feeling of chilliness occurs, particularly of the
hands and feet, with a tendency to nausea and vomiting.
20. Lachesis.--(Lach.)
Antidotes.-Arsenicum, Belladonna, Veratrum-Lachesis, or Poison
of the Lance-headed Viper. It is usually prepared by trituration,
but if the poison can be obtained fresh, trituration is not required.
It is particularly suitable for patients of sedentary habits taken
alternately with Nux Vomica, for the removal of costiveness; it is
also beneficial after the use of Belladonna in sore throat, where the
mucous membrane is of a dark red hue; and for cough caused by
tickling in the throat. This medicine is peculiarly suited for females
at the critical period of life; also for removing the exhaustion arising
from excessive indulgence in the use of ardent spirits.
21. Mercurius Solubilis.-(Merc.)
SAntidotes.-Camphor; Belladonna; China; Dulcamara.-Hahnemann's preparation, Black Oxide of Mercury, is prepared by trituration. Mercurius as a medicine has the peculiar advantage of being
useful in almost all forms of disease, except in those cases where it



MEDICINES.

25

every second day with Arsenicum. For piles it is very useful, but
it is best to employ Sulphur every other day in conjunction with it
for such cases.
24. Opium.-(Op.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Wine.-Opium, or Black Smyrna Opium,
the juice of the white poppy head. This substance is used as imported, and prepared as a tincture. This is a very useful medicine
in cases of obstinate constipation, and many nervous diseases of a
serious character, especially those which result from  excess in the
use of intoxicating drinks, from over-doses of other medicines, and
from fright, costiveness, and other disorders which generally affect
persons of an advanced age. It is frequently employed, with good
effect, occasionally between doses of other medicines, and paves the
way for a better course of treatment. It is a general antidote to
other medicines, when their administration has been pushed to
excess; while Nux Vomica and Belladonna are antidotes to the
undue use of Opium.
25. Phosphorus.-(Phos.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Coffee; Nux Vom.; Wine.-Phosphorus
is prepared in the first place by otherial solution, and by trituration.
It is a medicine of much service in cases of irritation and threatening attacks of inflammation of the air-passages; inflammation of the
lungs; protracted diarrhoea; hectic, nervous, and consumptive fevers;
determination of blood to different organs, when the general condition is feeble. It is highly beneficial in many disorders of digestion
and respiration, when occurring in scrofulous persons, and when
there is a tendency to the formation of tubercle. It may sometimes
be prescribed with much advantage for boils, chronic ulcers, and
indolent old sores, when the discharge is thin and unhealthy; and
in some chronic rheumatic affections.
26. Pulsatilla.-(P4us.)
Antidotes.-Chamomilla; Coffee; Ignatia; Nux Vomica.-Pulsatilla Nigra, or Meadow Anemone, Pasque or wind-flower. The whole
plant, with the exception of the root, is gathered when in blossom,
and prepared as a tincture. This medicine resembles Nux Vomica
in many of its characteristics, but differs in this respect, that, while
Nux Vomica is applicable to both sexes, of dark hair, hot temper,
and who are keen and irritable, Pulsatilla is more especially suitable to persons who are light-haired, of mild temperament, and
gentle, sensitive disposition. It is of especial service in most disorders of the female sex, particularly those of a relaxed habit, and
soft lineaments; is also very valuable as a corrective to the excessive use of Sulphur; for derangement of digestion from the use of
fatty, rich foods; in measles, and some other eruptive fevers; tooth



26

MEDICINES.

ache; ear-ache of a peculiar kind, with discharge; bleeding from
the nose; stye; diseases of the venous vessels; varicose veins and
ulcers; rheumatism, shifting from one part to another; and in passive congestions and constipation. No medicine is of more service
in the treatment of the general complaints of females and young
children.
27. Rhus Toxicodendron.-(Bhus.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Bryon.; Coffee.-Rhus Toxicodendron, or
Creeping Poison Oak. The leaves gathered before the plant is in
flower are prepared as a tincture. It is used both internally and
externally. Internally, it is employed with marked advantage in
rheumatic affections, lumbago; in typhoid fevers; most affections of
the glands; general derangement of the stomach and bowels; in skin
diseases, and running eruptions, such as appear on the head and
hands of children.    It is particularly useful in nettle-rash and
erysipelas.
For external use, a lotion is prepared by adding twenty drops of
the mother tincture to a wine-glassful of water. This lotion is
found of especial service in cases of sprains, more particularly when
the back or the fibrous tissues of the joints are affected. Warts
may also be removed by applying the undiluted tincture to them
every night and morning for a few days.
28. Sepia Succus.- (S/e.)
Antidotes.-Acon.; Vinegar.-Sepia Succus, or the inky juice of
the Cuttle-fish, is prepared by trituration. This is a very efficacious
remedy in many diseases of a chronic and obstinate nature, in scrofulous affections, and diseases of the skin, such as pimples, tetters,
eruptions with roughness, cracking, and discoloured spots; also for
ringworm, warts, and stinging, painful corns; morbid conditions which
can be traced to venous congestion, and other affections of the circulation. It is particularly useful in the various diseases of females.
29. Silicea.-(Silic.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Hep. Sulph.-Silicea Pura is prepared by
trituration. It has a most powerful specific influence over the
absorbent glandular system; is of much service in many scrofulous
affections, especially such as affect the glands, joints, bones, etc.; in
rickets; discharge from the ears, and dulness of hearing; ulceration
of the cornea of the eye; and protracted or delayed dentition. It
is extremely useful in many chronic affections of the bones and
glands, and in many chronic eruptions, especially such as have an
ulcerative tendency; in ulcers of almost every kind; epilepsy, paralysis; night-sweats; chronic, gouty, and rheumatic affections; worm
fever; and derangements of the appetite.



MEDICINES.

27

30. Spongia Tosta.-(Sporg.)
Antidote.-Camphor.-Spongia Tosta, or Burnt Sponge, is prepared as a tincture. It is a medicine beneficially employed in
various diseases of the lymphatic vessels and glands; for asthma,
and affections of the windpipe, bronchitis, and diseases of the heart.
Administered after Aconite, then alternated with Aconite, and followed by Hepar Sulphuris, it is the most valuable remedy in the
homoeopathic pharmacopoeia for croup.     (See Article Croup.)
31. Sulphur.- (Sul.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Acon.-Sulphur, sublimated Sulphur or
Brimstone, is prepared by trituration, and as an alcoholic tincture.
This medicine is so manifold in its operation, so effective in its curative principle, and withal so harmless, that it may be given in nearly
all cases which do not yield to other medicines previously given.
Therefore, the enumeration of disorders for which it may be usefully
prescribed is unnecessary here; suffice it to say, that it is especially
useful for patients where there is reason to suppose that a constitu-'
tional taint exists; for most cutaneous or skin affections; headaches
of long standing; indigestion, constipation of the bowels, and piles;
constipation in children, and teething spots. For constipation it is
well to give Nux Vomica alternately with it.
32. Veratrur Album.-(Verat.)
Antidotes.-Camphor; Acon.; Arsen.-Veratrum Album, or White
Hellebore. The root is used prepared as a tincture. As an antidote to
Asiatic and British cholera, this medicine has been employed with
the greatest success, and also for cramp in the bowels and extremities.
It is very useful in virulent fevers, especially those of an epidemic
character; for spasms, convulsions, paralysis, and some forms of
epilepsy, and mental affections; for hysterical females in their
various derangements; headache with nausea, vomiting and cold
perspiration on the forehead; fainting fits with great debility, weakness, and cold sweats over the body, or over the back and arms, and
violent insatiable desire for food. It is also a most valuable sedative in the low irritable state accompanying or following exhaustive
diseases.
Camphora.-(Camnph.)
Antidotes.-Spiritus Nitri Dulcis; Opium.-Dryobalanops Camphora, Camphor Officinalis or Camphor, is prepared and generally
used as a saturated tincture, or in the chloroform solution of the
drug, as first prepared by the author, and now very generally used.
Among allopathists, there is no medicine which has been recommended for so great a variety of diseases as Camphor, or for diseases
of a more opposite character; neither is there a medicine which has



28

MEDICINES.,had so many and so contradictory characters assigned to it; some
asserting that it has caused disease, others as confidently saying that it
has cured. Hydrophobia, mania, apoplexy, erysipelas, inflammation,
gangrene, etc. etc., it has both produced and removed; in fact there
is not an article in their Materia Medica on which more contradictory opinions have been hazarded.,A long chapter might readily be
filled with this subject; suffice it for me to say that it is homoeopathy and homoeopathic proof alone, which has extracted from this
mass of confusion, nearly two thousand years old, a proper guide
for the administration of this remedy.
Camphor is especially useful to us from   its power of stimulating
the vital forces when depressed, 'the rapidity with which its action
is evolved and passes away, and from its being an antidote to many
medicines. (Hence its separation from the foregoing list, and special
mention here.) It is exceedingly useful, therefore, in depressed states
of the system, and embarrassments of the respiratory and circulating
functions; in arresting threatened attacks of erysipelas, hysteria,
epilepsy, and Asiatic cholera. It is of especial service in the first stages
of catarrh, diarrhoea, and other more serious diseases. It is of great
value also in cases of suppression and retention of urine, especially
in children, and as an antidote to the injurious effects of Cantharides.
In all cases where there is asphyxia, faintness, cold sweats, cramps,
coldness of the surface and extremities, and general sinking of the
vital powers, Camphor should be at once administered.
For internal use, the dose is one or two drops of either preparation, given on sugar or in cold water, and repeated every five, ten,
or fifteen minutes, according to the urgency of the symptoms and
nature of the case.
EXTERNAL REMEDIES.
1. Aconitum Napellus. -9 -Some have recommended Aconite for local inflammations, applied
externally; more especially in cases where the surface was not
extensive, but the pain very intense; also in cases where a vein was
inflamed. For such cases, saturate a pad of lint, folded two or three
times, with a lotion, made by adding twenty drops of the mother
tincture of Aconite to a wine-glassful of cold water, covered with
oiled silk, and keep this continually moist until the inflammation
and pain are quite abated.
2. Arnica Montana. -6 -(See page 14.)
3. Arsenicum Album. -6 -A lotion made by adding twenty drops of the saturated aqueous
solution to a wine-glassful of water, is a most excellent dressing for
sloughing, gangrenous bed-sores, ulcerations of a similar kind, and
unhealthy sores, with proud flesh. Bathe the parts with the lotion



MEDICINES.

29

three times a day until they take on a healthy appearance, then use
Calendula.
4. Belladonna. -0 -This is a very useful local application in inflammatory affections
of the eye, etc.  (See " Affections of the Eye.")
5. Calendula Officinalis. -6 -Calendula Officinalis, the common Marigold. This medicine has
been chiefly used as an external application for incised wounds,
lacerations, and local injuries which threaten suppuration, for it
seems to possess a specific power of arresting the suppurative process, and of promoting the adhesion of separated tissues, and thus
obviating the contraction which causes the formation of scars,
otherwise so often unsightly. When, from     the incision or division
of large blood-vessels, profuse hsemorrhage occurs, it is of particular
service, facilitating the speedy cohesion of the parts, and immediately, from its action on the fibrin and albumen of the blood acting
as a styptic.
The best lotion to apply is one made in the proportion of thirty
drops of the mother tincture to a wine-glassful of water.      Saturate a piece of lint, several times folded, so as to form a pad, and
keep this constantly moist. As a styptic, the mother tincture should
be used without dilution.
6. Camphor. -0 -As an external application, Camphor is very useful for the bites and
stings of insects, the eruptions sometimes caused by the use of Arnica
and Rhus, and as a local remedy for frost-bitten parts. For external
use, either the camphorated oil mentioned under "Arnica," should
be used, or a lotion made by diluting twenty or thirty drops of the
mother tincture with half an ounce of Spirits of Wine. The latter is
best for frost-bites, the other, perhaps for all other purposes. They
should be used with friction.
7. Cantharis. 1x
This is of service, if immediately applied, to burnt or scalded surfaces, and will often prevent blistering. Make a lotion by adding ten
drops of the first decimal dilution (Cantharis Pl.) to a wine-glassful
of water; saturate and apply a lint pad to the part injured, covered
with oiled silk, and keep it moist until the heat and pain subside.
8. Rhus Toxicodendron. -6 -(See page 25.)
9. Sulphur. -9 -This is suitable externally applied, in some cutaneous affections.
The parts should be bathed with a lotion, made by adding ten or
fifteen drops of the saturated alcoholic tincture to a wine-glassful of
water, three times a day.



DISEASES.

31

by pressure, cold applications, etc., to disperse them without breaking;
but that should an abscess have advanced so far as to point, or that
the fluctuations can be felt, it must be evacuated by opening with the
lancet. This should be done in the manner likely to leave the least
scar. When an abscess is chronic, and not too large, it is best to
attempt its removal by absorption. The local treatment is directed
as occasion may seem to require, either to hasten or retard suppuration, or to relieve the pain. One of the most useful agents for the
dispersion of abscesses without evacuation is certainly Galvanism;
it is also equally useful when, after having been opened, they degenerate to unhealthy ulceration, which is very difficult to heal.
For the first purpose, a weak current of Galvanism should be passed
through the tumour, three times a day for fifteen minutes at a time,
applying cooling lotions in the intervals.
To heal the sore left by a neglected abscess, it is best to apply the
silver and zinc plate, as directed under head " Ulcers."
When an abscess has been opened and the matter evacuated, to
assist the healing process saturate a piece of lint with a lotion of
Calendula, made by adding one part of the tincture to ten parts of
water, and cover it with oiled silk, re-dressing it three or four times
a day.
When an abscess is forming, to hasten the suppurative process,
six globules of Hepar Sulphuris should be dissolved in three tablespoonfuls of water; a table-spoonful three times a day.
When an abscess is very painful, suppurates slowly, the pain is
pinching and aggravated at night, and there is chilliness and thirst,
eight globules of Mercurius should be dissolved in six table-spoonfuls
of water; a table-spoonful every four hours.
When the pain in an abscess is of a burning, stinging character,
the pus cheesy and flocculent, and there is much constitutional disturbance, Belladonna ought to be taken; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water; a table-spoonful every three hours.
When an abscess bleeds readily, there is darting and cutting pain,
also itching in the surrounding parts; and in abscesses after longcontinued inflammation, Pulsatilla should be used in the same dose
as Belladonna.
When the pain is very intense and burning, there is great debility,
and a tendency to gangrene, Arsenicum ought to be preferred; eight
globules in six table-spoonfuls of water; a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When fever runs high, Aconite may be given at intervals, or alternately with the remedy most suitable.
Affections of the Appetite.
Loss of Appetite.-Loss of Appetite is a common symptom of
most diseases, and may be looked upon as an evidence of impaired
power of digestion. Sometimes, though much more rarely, it may



32

DISEASES.

occur as an isolated affection. But from     whatever cause it may
arise, it should never be forgotten that food must not be given in
too large quantities, or too often; when it lies undigested in the stomach, it gives rise to more serious conditions than that it was intended to remove; it should be of a nourishing quality in little bulk,
erring rather by giving too little than too much. When a symptom
of any other disease, it comes under the general treatment of that disease; but when unaccompanied by any other marked derangement
of function, in addition to properly regulated exercise, the following
may be selected from-Sulphur, China, Arsenicum, Chamomilla,
Bryonia.
Excessive Appetite.-Excessive appetite, like its diminution, may
be a symptom of other diseases, or itself the primary derangement;
it may be the result of habit or hereditary predisposition, and extraordinary instances of excessive eating are on record. It may
arise from chronic debility, obstructions of the liver, mesenteric
glands, etc., or a morbidly irritable state of the nerves and coats of
the stomach. It has been noticed in cases of disease of the brain,
and sometimes precedes attacks of insanity, epilepsy, or hydrocephalus; and often occurs in a slight form during pregnancy.
Vitiated or Depraved Appetite (Pica).-Vitiated or depraved appetite is an appetite for articles which are not properly speaking
food, and is often noticed in idiots, from want of the necessary power
of discrimination, and in children from habit or a peculiarly modified state of the secretion, and altered condition of the nerves of the
stomach or some allied organ; it is often met with in hysteric and
in pregnant females from similar causes. The substances fancied are
of the most varied description, and often horribly disgusting. I
need not detail them here. In females it is sometimes induced from
the use of vinegar and other acids, taken originally to improve the
figure and complexion-a habit at once dangerous and useless.
Vitiated and excessive appetite are often combined in the same
person. I shall consider their treatment together.
For the removal of these conditions, a careful inquiry into the
cause should first be instituted, and means for counteracting it
adopted. Regulate carefully the quantity and quality of the food,
exercise, etc., and let the drink be only cold water, in small, often-repeated quantities. A table-spoonful every one or two hours frequently
does much good. Here, I need only give a list of those medicines
which are found of most service in removing the above conditions,
referring the reader for more particular indications to the articles
on Indigestion, Worms, Colic, etc., under which heads most of the
symptoms accompanying deranged appetite are enumerated. For
excessive appetite, Belladonna, Calcarea, Carbo Veg., Cina, Hepar
Sulph., Mercurius, Nux Vomica, Sulphur. For depraved appetite,
Arsenicum, China, Cina, Ipecacuanha, Mercurius, Nitric Acid, Nux
Vomica, Veratrum.



34

DISEASES.

the bed, and for rheumatic pains, two globules of Mercurius should
be taken in a table-spoonful of water three times a day.
Arnica is an excellent remedy in many ear-aches, such as those
resulting from blows, or other violence; it may also be used in cases
where other remedies have failed. Dose, the same as of Mercurius.
Affections of the Eye.
Diseases of the eye are common among scrofulous children, in
gouty and rheumatic persons, and may occur as a sequel to smallpox, measles, fever, etc. In some countries, from the climate, temperature, or soil, affections of the eye are very frequent; and in
many persons the eyes are hereditarily weak, rendering them more
liable to disease.
The chief causes likely to produce affections of the eye, are currents of air, bright light, sudden excessive change from heat to cold,
or vice versa, irritant or acrid substances, and long continued fatiguing employment of them, especially when acting on a plethoric or
otherwise liable constitution, and if conjoined with full rich living,
habitually excessive use of intoxicating liquids, etc.
The chief symptoms of eye affections are pain, a feeling of sand
or grit under the lids, red, bloodshot, turgid, or cloudy opaque
appearance, with profuse discharge of tears or matter, dread of
bright light, and indistinct or extinguished sight. Any of the parts
or tissues may suffer; but when the inflammation is deep seated or
very acute, medical aid should at once be sought.
The local treatment is important; in addition to the regular attention to the proper performance of the bodily functions, the eyes
ought to be bathed frequently with cold or tepid water.
Persons liable to affections of the eyes will find of much benefit
the practice of wearing spectacle-shades, made of smoked or green
glass; they should never read, write, nor in fact do any work requiring
continued ocular care, without them; and when symptoms of irritation appear, the eyes should be rested as much as possible, and washed
with a lotion of Belladonna, made by adding three drops of the Mother
Tincture to half a tumbler of cold water, three times a day. Milk and
water, and a mucilaginous lotion, made by pouring water on quince
seeds, are both useful applications in cases of irritation of the eye.
In all acute inflammatory affections of the eye, with redness of
the eyeball, profuse flow of tears, great dread of light, and much
pain on motion, and when worst in the evening, Aconite should be
used; six globules in six table-spoonfuls of cold water, a tablespoonful every two hours.
When the pain is deep seated, accompanied by vertigo, headache,
appearance of dark or bright spots before the eyes, dread of light,
all the symptoms increased by touching, in the open air, and in the
morning, Belladonna is indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful four times a day.



36

DISEASES.

always be felt by those who have reason to dread predisposition or
liability from other causes.
The action of the heart is not ordinarily felt in health, but it
often happens that exertion, indigestion, fright, etc., forces it on the
attention; and when its action becomes inordinately strong, and this
easily or frequently induced, it is a most annoying and distressing
affection, both in itself, and also from  the alarm  it causes the sufferer and others. Besides increased force and rapidity of action, it
is often irregular or intermittent; the beats vary in strength and
rapidity; sometimes, after a few full and slow pulsations come, at
uncertain intervals, three or four feeble rapid beats, or after a pause
of one or two pulsations, the heart resumes its action with a strong
throb or bound; a fluttering, trembling, and excessively disagreeable sensation is generally felt in the chest in these cases, which
adds not a little to the uneasiness of the person who experiences it.
These variations may generally be felt in the pulse at the wrist, but
it is possible for the pulse to intermit without the heart being
affected.
Although the above symptoms are common in organic disease of
the heart, they are also very common where no such disease exists;
excitement, loss of blood, weakness, indigestion, and the use of
substances which disagree. In particular, tea and spirituous liquors
will cause it; it is also very common in pregnant, hysterical, nervous,
and weak females.
Persons who are often troubled with palpitation of the heart
should certainly consult a physician; but in all cases great attention
should be paid to the proper performance of digestion, and all
articles which are apt to disagree should be carefully avoided, as
also all undue excitement or exertion.
When palpitation, with a feeling of constriction or oppression of
the heart occurs, with great anxiety, fainting, weariness, worse on
going up stairs, or from exertion; when occurring in hysterical
young women, or full-blooded persons, Aconite ought to be administered; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every two hours till relieved, when the intervals may be
increased to four or six hours.
In palpitation and trembling of the heart, oppression of the chest,
short, rapid breathing, and when the head is likewise affected,
Belladonna should be employed; six globules in four table-spoonfuls
of water, one table-spoonful every two hours.
In palpitation and pain of the heart, suffocative feeling in the
chest, great anxiety, cough, particularly in young females, and cases
of long standing, Lachesis is to be preferred; four globules in three
table-spoonfuls of water, one table-spoonful every six hours.
In cases of violent palpitation, with constriction of the chest and
throat, oppressed, difficult, or impeded respiration, cramp-like or
anxious feeling in the chest, with frequent eructations, Veratrum



DISEASES,

37

ought to be administered; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of
water, one spoonful every hour.
When palpitation of the heart occurs after a meal, or with derangement of the digestive organs, or great nervous irritability,
Nux Vomica should be used; six globules in four table-spoonfuls
of water, one spoonful every two hours.
When palpitation occurs in delicate females, conjoined with shooting pains in the chest, and shortness of breath, Pulsatillc is indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, one spoonful
every three hours.
For palpitation of the heart, in nervous excitable persons, brought
on by excitement, Coffea will be found useful; when arising from
weakness, loss of blood, etc., Arnica; four globules in two table-spoonfuls, one spoonful night and morning of either, as the case may be.
Affections of the Mind.
Mental emotions, when suddenly induced or indulged for a length
of time, or when very intense, re-act upon the body in various ways,
sometimes with such violence that death instantaneously ensues,
while in many others insanity or epilepsy is left behind; and in
milder cases, a sudden fit of anger or fright will cause bodily
ailment, which may last for a considerable time. Hence it is necessary that they should not be neglected, especially when occurring in
young children, females, or delicate persons.
The following are a few of the most usual mental causes, producing ailments, and the remedies most suitable for them:When a person has been frightened, and when fright causes the
patient to faint, followed by epileptic fits, or diarrhoea, Opium
should be administered immediately. Should it fail to relieve, or
should the fright be followed by headache, feverishness, and rush of
blood to the head, or should it prevent sleep, Aconite should be
preferred.
When neither opium nor aconite have relieved the symptoms,
and should fright cause insensibility, constant anxiety, and aberration of mind, also when it causes violent fits of crying in children,
Belladonna will prove of great advantage.
When a fit of anger is followed by chills and shuddering, nausea,
and loss of appetite, Bryonia should be used.        Should colic or
diarrhcea, cough, or difficulty in breathing, follow fright or anger,
Chamomilla, which should also be given in convulsions of children
from the same cause; when Bryonia or Chamomilla fail to relieve,
Nux Vomica.
When fright or anger causes intestinal disturbance in persons of a
mild disposition, Pulsatilla ought to be employed in preference to
Chamomilla or Bryonia.
When sudden joy causes trembling, disposition to faint, restlessness and want of sleep, especially in women, children, and delicate
persons, Coffea is the most efficient remedy.



38

DISEASES.

When grief, mortification, chagrin, unhappy love, the loss of a
friend or relation, cause headache, vertigo, convulsions, or gastric
sufferings, Ignatia should be taken.
When the liver is principally affected from violent mental emotions, Mercurius is most suitable.
Should any of the above causes produce hysterical symptoms, or
violent diarrhcea, Veratrum should be preferred.
The dose for the above remedies is six globules dissolved in four
table-spoonfuls of water, and repeated every two or three hours
until the symptoms begin to abate, then every six hours.
Affections of the Mouth.
Offensive breath depends either on foulness of the mouth, frbm
want of cleanliness, decayed teeth, or mercurial salivation. It is a
consequence of disordered digestion, sometimes follows long fasting,
and is a common accompaniment of consumption.
Bad taste in the mouth is generally found conjoined with offensive breath, and depends upon the same causes.
Bleeding of the gums, accompanied by a swollen spongy state,
and sometimes by ulcerated spots, often occurs from    the excessive
use of mercury; sometimes also from indigestion, or general unhealthiness of the system, as in scurvy; it is invariably conjoined
with offensive breath, and bad taste in the mouth, to a greater or
less degree, and requires for its treatment the observance of the same
rules.
At all times, whether the above symptoms arise from      decayed
teeth, want of cleanliness, or not, the mouth should be regularly
cleansed with water. It is best always to brush the teeth on rising
in the morning and at bed-time; when the gums are spongy,
swollen, and easily bleed, it will be better to use a sponge instead of
the brush, and a gargle made of a mixture of one part of the Tincture
of Calendula to ten of water, after each meal. A dentist should be
consulted when decayed teeth cause the mischief, when such a
course is practicable; if not, the teeth affected should be thoroughly
cleaned out with wadding or blotting-paper, and stuffed with white
wax or gutta percha, which will preserve them      and remove the
annoyance for a considerable time.
When offensiveness of the breath arises from other causes, and is
most perceptible in the morning on rising; also when it can be
traced to derangement of the digestive functions, two globules of
Mercurius should be taken fasting, dry on the tongue every morning, and two globules of Nux Vomica in a table-spoonful of water
every night at bed-time.
When it is most perceptible after a meal, Nux Vomica ought to
be used in the morning, and Chamomilla at night in the same doses
as above. When most perceptible at night, Pulsatilla and Sulphur
should be employed in the same way.



DISEASES.

39

When offensive breath and bad taste in the mouth are conjoined
with the presence of small pustules or ulcers in the mouth, which
easily bleed, Arnica should be administered every alternate day
with Sulphur. Dose of each, four globules dissolved in three tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful three times a day.
When affections of the mouth proceed from the abuse of mercury,
the bad state of the gums being the most prominent symptom,
Carbo Vegetabilis ought to be given; eight globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful twice a day.
From whatever cause affections of the mouth may arise, great attention must be paid to diet and regimen.
Affections of the Nose.
The nose is subject to a variety of affections, for many of which
the aid of a surgeon is indispensable, as in fractures of the nasal
bones, calculi, etc.  Many too are conjoined with, or are symptoms
of other complaints, such as common cold, influenza, worms, etc.,
which are mentioned under their respective heads, but some few of
the others may be treated of here.
For affections of the sense of smell, the principal remedies are
Belladonna, Phosphorus, Sepia, and rNux Vomica.
Inflammation of the nose may arise from a variety of causes,
blows, cold, scrofula, syphilis, excessive use of ardent spirits, etc.,
and cause pain, swelling, ulceration, discharge or the formation of
tumours. The best remedies for these affections are:For shooting, pricking pains in the nose, with thick, yellowish,
fcetid, or corrosive mucous discharge, ulcerations or scabs in the nose,
especially if occurring in scrofulous subjects, or arising from the use
of mercury, Nitri Acidum should be used. Dissolve six globules in
four table-spoonfuls of water, one spoonful every six hours.
For inflammation, swelling, and pain, as if in the bones of the
nose; pustules; discharge of fcetid matter, or dryness and obstruction; or for profuse corrosive thin discharge from    the nose, Mercurius ought to be employed; eight globules in half a tumblerful of
water, a table-spoonful every four hours.
For violent throbbing pain in the nose as if from a bruise; dryness; the sense of smell being very acute and sensitive, Belladonna
should be administered; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the nose is red and swollen, painful to the touch, with
either dryness and obstruction, or continuous discharge from the
nostrils of a yellow or greenish mucus, the sense of smell being
either very acute or much diminished, Phosphorus is the most
efficient remedy; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every six hours.
For inflammation, ulceration, and scabs in the nostrils, obstruction,
or discharge of thick, yellowish mucus or pus, streaked with blood,



40

DISEASES.

Sulphur should be given; four globules in two table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every night and morning.
Tumours in the nose vary much in character, some being of much
more serious nature; therefore, a surgeon should be consulted whereever practicable.
Ozena is an unhealthy condition of the lining membrane of the
nose, often involving the bones, attended with profuse offensive
discharge, having a much greater tendency to spread than to heal,
and often greatly affecting the general health. It is a most obstinate affection, and often requires for its cure a long course of
constitutional treatment. From its annoying character, in no complaint is patience more called for, many judging from its apparently
simple nature, changing from one plan of treatment to another, or
entirely giving up medical aid at a time when a favourable termination might with confidence be expected, allowing the disease to get
a much more extensive and firm     hold, often involving the bones,
sometimes, to a very great extent, causing great deformity, and
totally destroying the beauty of the countenance. Medical aid is
essential for a proper guidance in its treatment, and the following are
the medicines most likely to be serviceable:-Aurum, Arsenicum,
Silicea, Hepar o Sulphuris, Acid. Nitricum, Calcarea, Iodine, and
Sulphur.
This intractable disease has frequently succumbed to homoiopathic
remedies, after resisting for several years the old treatment without
any amelioration.
Affections of the Skin.
Under the term " Affections of the Skin," are included maladies of
very different degrees of intensity, duration, and importance, some
being attended with high fever, endangering life, and running their
course with great rapidity. Many of them are in the highest degree
contagious, and sometimes epidemic; while others are chronic, disfiguring and troublesome, but attended with little or no peril.
The more important skin affections are separately mentioned.
In the medicinal treatment of various rashes and eruptions, that
need not be specially classified in a work of this kind, which,
generally speaking, would fall under domestic treatment, the following rules will be found sufficient:Rashes and eruptions of various kinds and appearances, and
attended by a variety of disagreeable sensations, often arise from
some derangement of the digestive organs; in cases which can be
traced to this source, all that is necessary will be to remove that
cause, and the eruption will soon disappear, being careful in these,
as in all other cases, to avoid catching cold.
When an eruption appears on the skin characterized by small red
pimples, itchiness, feverishness, and when they give forth a thin
discharge which dries and comes off in scales, leaving the skin red



42

DISEASES.

rub much together, they are liable to become galled or chafed, the
parts becoming red and inflamed, and sometimes very much excoriated. They are very often met with between the rolls of fat in young
children. The free use of the ordinary starch powder, with attention to cleanliness, will often prevent them; but where they occur
Calendulated Gold Cream ought to be employed, and Sulphur taken
internally, or, if much inflamed, Belladonnac should be substituted.
Dose of either, two globules night and morning.
Affections of the Teeth.
In young people, the second or permanent teeth are often disfigured by the appearance of a dark green colour on the part nearest
the gum, extending more or less on the surface, especially in persons
who neglect to clean the teeth regularly. It may often be removed
by the use of tooth-powder; if not, it may be rubbed off with finely
pulverized pumice-stone, either applied with a toothbrush, or better
still on a piece of soft wood.
Tartar is a concretion of yellow, green, or blackish colour, found
at the roots of the teeth; it is a deposit of the salts contained in the
saliva; and, if neglected, often accumulates in great quantity, disfiguring the teeth, and in course of time irritating and inflaming the
gums, causing them to recede and bleed easily, allowing the teeth
to loosen and decay, besides rendering the breath foul and offensive
in the extreme.
Proper attention to cleanliness and careful brushing will usually
prevent the accumulation of Tartar in a quantity likely to do harm;
if not, it should be removed from time to time by a dentist.
Decay or caries of the teeth is very common in this country,
chiefly from the use of very hot or very cold articles of food, acrid
substances, predisposition, fractures, and stomach derangements. It
is not usually attended with much pain until the pulp cavity is
reached, and the pulp, or nerve as it is popularly called, is involved
in the inflammation, when it gives rise to the worst form of toothache, usually terminating its acute form   in the destruction of the
pulp, gradually mouldering or breaking away until nothing but a
stump is left imbedded in the gum. These ought to be extracted,
as they only render the breath foul by their own decay, and the
accumulation of food, etc., which is retained around them..
Decay of the teeth can be arrested for a long period in the majority of cases by stuffing. This should be done by a dentist or
other competent person, but never while toothache or other active
signs of inflammation are present. Where it is not practicable
to get the tooth stuffed professionally, it is advisable to fill the
cavity with ordinary white wax, which, by keeping it from exposure
to the atmosphere, retards the decay very considerably.
Odontalgia, or toothache, besides being a result of decay, is often



44

DISEASES.

cum; from gravel, Calcarea, Phosphorus, and Nux Vomica; from
excessive use of ardent spirits, Nux Vomica, Lachesis, Nitric Acid,
and Sulphur, choosing the particular medicine as the other symptoms
present may indicate.
Wetting the Bed in children is the result of habit, irritation, or is
caused by worms, etc., and is best treated by Belladonna, Pulsatilla,
Sepia, Silicea, Cina (especially if caused by the irritation of worms),
Sulphur, Arsenicum, Hepar Sulphuris, or Nitric Acid. Little liquid
food or drink should be given before going to bed; it is also advisable to wake the child once or twice in the night, for the purpose
of emptying the bladder; moral treatment is valuable, but chastisement, in many cases, is of very doubtful utility.
Retention of urine (ischuria), and difficulty in discharging the
urine, or strangury (dysuria), may arise from many causes, the chief
among which are gravel, passage of calculi, spasm of the neck of the
bladder, irritation produced by piles, excessive use of ardent spirits,
morbid state of the urine, suppression of an eruption, habitual discharge, gout, etc., or inflammation of the kidneys, bladder, urethra,
etc. Hsematuria, or discharge of blood by the urinary passages,
often arises from  similar causes; also from falls, blows, irregular
menstruation, etc., and is attended with similar manifestations.
The symptoms are-frequent urgings to urinate, pain, heat, and
smarting, with difficult discharge of urine, either in a thin stream or
drop by drop; the urine either being natural, dark coloured, acrid,
cloudy, or mixed with blood, etc.; there is a feeling of distention in
the region of the bladder, often a sharp pain at the point of the
penis or in the loins, sometimes also there is nausea and vomiting.
A careful inquiry into the cause of the complaint must be instituted, and as far as possible removed; all salt, acrid, and acid substances avoided, while warm     baths and fomentations, demulcent
drinks, such as linseed tea or thin gruel, do good and often considerably alleviate the pain.
When inflammation exists with strangury, when caused by a cold,
absorption of Cantharides, or from  the suppression of a discharge,
Aconite should be administered; dissolve eight globules in six tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every hour or so until relieved.
Belladonna or Mercurius may often be given alternately with Aconite with great advantage, should Aconite alone prove insufficient.
For retention of urine, or discharge drop by drop, with or without admixture of blood, when the urine is cloudy or when the calls
to urinate are urgent, frequent, and ineffectual, or attended with
much pain of a burning, smarting character, Cantharides should be
taken; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of cold water, a tablespoonful every three hours.
When retention of urine occurs with pain and spasm of the
bladder, the urine passing in drops, and when brought on by the use
of ardent spirits, wine, or by indigestion, worse in the evening, Nux



DISEASES.

45

Vomica should be employed; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every four hours.
When it occurs with symptoms similar to those detailed above
under Nux Vomica, in females and children or during pregnancy,
Pulsatilla should be administered in the same dose.
For paralysis which causes retention of urine, or when caused by
chills, worse in the open air or in the morning, Dulcamara is the
best remedy; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every four hours.
For strangury and affections of the urinary organs caused by the
undue use of Cantharides, Camphor should be taken. Dose, one
drop on sugar every four hours.
For discharge of urine mixed with blood, attended with burning
pain in the passages, Arsenicum    ought to be used. Dissolve six
globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, and give a table-spoonful
every three hours.
For discharge of pure blood, Arnica should be preferred. Dose,
the same as Arsenicum.
For sanguineous urine, pain in the bladder and kidneys, accompanied with nausea and vomiting, Ipecacuanha will often prove of
great advantage. Dissolve six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, and give a table-spoonful every three hours.
Amaurosis, Blindness-(Gutta Serena.)
Amaurosis is an affection of the nervous apparatus of the eye,
causing partial or total blindness. It is met with in all ages, but
chiefly in the middle and decline of life, and may arise from     an
infinite variety of causes; the principal of which are hereditary predisposition, gouty, rheumatic, or scrofulous habit of body, excessive
passion, errors of living, the abuse of spirituous liquors, suppression
of eruptive diseases, or habitual discharges, particularly of the nose
and ears, fevers, excessive use of snuff, various poisonous substances,
long-continued grief, and oftener than any others, overworking and
straining the eyes by glaring light, their too long continued use on
small objects, or any of those causes which tend to diminish the
sensibility of the optic nerve.
It may affect different parts of the nervous structure of the eye,
either the portion in the brain, the branches leading from     it, or
that part spread over the inner surface of the ball called the retina.
The symptoms also vary like its causes and seat; its accession may
be gradual or sudden, the pain of various kinds, throbbing, acute,
dull, continuous, or in paroxysms; it may be felt either directly in
the eye, the head, or in both; the sight may be variously obscured
either by dimness or flashes of light; one half of the object may be
seen, or it may be distorted or changed in a variety of ways. The
appearance of the eye is changed more or less, and presents different
appearances of colour, form, and mobility in different cases; one



46

DISEASES.

eye may be more affected than another, or escape altogether; the
eye may be unusually dry, the iris paralysed, or the eyelids themselves partially or totally paralysed; in fact, in a treatise of this
kind, it is impossible to give anything like an account of the
varieties of form which this disease may assume.
In the treatment, the first thing to be done is to search for and
remove the cause as early and completely as possible; and to see
that the whole of the bodily functions are properly performed. The
following should be selected from, according to the symptoms:If the attack is sudden, the pupils are dilated, and there is mistiness or black spots before the eyes, Aconite should be given.
For confused or weak sight, when objects appear double or are
reversed, altered in colour or surrounded by a halo of mist, and the
pupils are immovable, dilated, or contracted, Belladonna is the most
efficient remedy.
When the sight is obscured by mistiness, which seems as if it
might be removed by rubbing the eyes, and when they have a cloudy,
dull appearance with dilated pupils, Pulsatilla ought to be employed.
When there is night-blindness, paralysis of the eyelids, loss of
sight, sparks or black spots appearing before the eyes on getting up
or on motion, the pupils being either contracted or dilated, Veratrum will be found very useful.
When the eyesight is confused; when there are short attacks of
sudden blindness; when the letters when reading get confused and
dim and seem to run into one another, and the eyes are dazzled by
strong light, Silicea should be preferred.
For confused misty sight, spasmodic closing of the eyelids, momentary loss of sight, black spots floating before the eyes, and the
letters appear to move when reading, Mercurius ought to be employed.
When there is confused and misty sight, with greatly dilated
pupils, worse after eating or reading; and when on reading there is
a dark spot before the eyes, which easily dazzle with light, Calcarea will be found of great advantage. Dose for all the above, two
globules in half a wine-glassful of cold water, night and morning.
Apoplexy.
Apoplexy and determination of blood to the head is a disease
chiefly confined to the middle and advanced periods of life, rarely
occurring in the young, or before the age of twenty. Stout, plethoric,, short,' thick-necked persons, are most liable to suffer from it,
although (especially where there is a hereditary tendency) persons
of every conformation may be attacked, in consequence of disease
of the heart, suppression of usual discharges, excessive passion,
intense study, or any of those circumstances likely to cause a determination of blood to the head.
It is often brought upon those of the physical conformation above



DISEASES.

47

described as peculiarly liable, by overloading the stomach, especially
at night before retiring to rest, by the excessive use of stimulants,
such as alcohol, opium, etc., sudden and violent passion, pressure on
the neck, stooping, over-exertion, straining at stool, etc.
Almost all cases of apoplexy are preceded by certain premonitory
symptoms, of which the most usual are-headache, drowsiness,
noises in the ears, and a feeling of weight and fulness in the head;
the memory is weakened, sight and hearing is occasionally obscured,
articulation is indistinct and faltering, the mental faculties depressed, and there may even be a degree of paralysis.
After the premonitory symptoms have continued for a longer or
shorter time, the patient is suddenly struck down as from a blow,
falling completely insensible; the breathing is slow, laboured, and
stertorous, the pulse full and slow, and the face flushed. In other
cases, the pain in the head is severe and suddenly felt, the patient
becomes sick and faint, and usually vomits, complete syncope often
following, the skin being cold and clammy, and the pulse imperceptible; this passes off, but is speedily followed by a state of
stupor passing into complete coma. It is the worst form of apoplexy, generally ending in death, the patient rarely becoming again
sensible.
The terminations of apoplexy are three, viz., complete recovery,
partial recovery, and death. When death takes place, on examination there is generally found extravasation of blood or fluid in some
part of the cranium; more rarely there is to be found no abnormal
appearance, and in such cases it is probable that it arises from some
poison developed or contained in the blood. When recovery is only
partial, the body paralysed and enfeebled, and sensation benumbed,
it may always be inferred that the same extravasation has occurred,
though to a less extent, and when these symptoms disappear gradually, as they sometimes do, it is from the absorption of the effused
matter.
There is also a class of cases in which apoplexy and paralysis are
found conjoined, and in which the paralysis is dependent on cerebral
heemorrhage, but it does not require special notice here.
When any of the premonitory symptoms are discovered in persons
likely to be subjects of apoplexy, they should be carefully watched,
and the proper means adopted for their removal.
When there is determination of blood to the head, the countenance is flushed, the eyes bloodshot, the blood-vessels of the head
and neck are full, turgid, and pulsate strongly, the pulse is full,
strong, and quick, the patient complains of shooting pains in the
head, noises in the ears, affections of the sight, and weakness and
heaviness of the limbs, Aconite and Belladonna should be administered alternately; eight globules of each in separate half-tumblers of
water, a table-spoonful from them every two hours alternately.
When the threatening symptoms attack persons subject to indi



DISEASES.

49

with which it is charged, nor obtain that oxygen so necessary for
the support of life; it is therefore carried again into the circulation,
and in a few minutes all the before-mentioned phenomena result.
Suffocation, when it occurs as a consequence of strangulation,
drowning, mephitic gases, etc., if neglected is generally fatal should
many minutes elapse, but fortunately even when animation is entirely suspended, life appearing extinct, if proper means are speedily
used, the respiration may often be re-established, the circulation renewed, and life restored.   The best means to employ for this purpose
are those proposed by Dr. Marshall Hall, whose own words I here
quote:RULES.
1. Treat the patient instantly, on the spot, in the open air, freely
exposing the face, neck, and chest to the breeze, except in severe
weather.
2. Send with all speed for medical aid, and for articles of clothing,
blankets, etc.
I.-To Clear the Throat,3. Place the patient gently on the face, with one wrist under the
forehead;
[all fluids and the tongue itself then fall forwards, and leave the entrance
into the windpipe free.]
II.-To Excite Respiration,--
4. Turn the patient slightly on his side, and
(i.) Apply snuff or other irritant to the nostrils, and
(ii.) Dash cold water on the face previously rubbed briskly until
it is warm.
If there be no success, lose no time; but,III.-To Imitate Respiration,5. Replace the patient on his face;
6. Turn the body gently, but completely, on the side and a little
beyond, and then on the face, alternately; repeating these measures
deliberately, efficiently, and   perseveringly, fifteen  times in the
minute, only;
[when the patient reposes on the thorax, this cavity is compressed by the
weight of the body, and expiration takes place; when he is turned on the
side, this pressure is removed, and inspiration occurs.]
7. When the prone position is resumed, make equable but efficient pressure along the spine; removing it immediately before rotation on the side;
[the first measure augments the expiration, the second commences inspiration.]
I V.-To Induce Circulation and Warmth,continuing these measures:



DISEASES.

51

passage of air is unbearable. This may continue one, two, or more
hours, when the cough, which before had been difficult, becomes
more easy, and brings up a quantity of thin frothy mucus, with
which the symptoms gradually abate; this may be repeated several
nights in succession, and then not trouble the sufferer again for
months.
When an attack of asthma is experienced, waking the patient
suddenly, causing great anxiety from dread of suffocation, the breathing is laborious, wheezing, and gasping, the cough short and dry, and
there is coldness and paleness of the face and extremities, Ipecacuanha ought to be administered; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every hour.
When the difficulty of breathing occurs in the evening, increasing
towards midnight, rendering it impossible to lie down, and there is
dry annoying cough, also flatulence, heartburn, and other symptoms
of indigestion, Nux Vomica should be employed; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every hour.
When asthma is particularly characterized by a feeling of weight,
oppression, and constriction, under the breast-bone and middle of
the chest, frequent cough with frothy expectoration, and it is increased by speaking or any other exertion, Bryonia is to be preferred;
six globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
two hours.
Should asthma be combined with any affection of the stomach or
bowels, Nuix Vomica and Bryonia should be used alternately.
When the patient is weak and debilitated, the attack is characterized by wheezing, laboured breathing, oppression at the chest,
palpitation of the heart, there is cough with difficult expectoration
of tough mucus, and it is impossible to rest in a recumbent position, the use of China is indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
In acute asthma, with violent spasmodic constriction of the chest
and throat, red engorged face, the eyes being bloodshot and protruding, Veratrum will prove of great service; six globules in six tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
In confirmed asthma, and in cases occurring in old people, or
when accompanied by the following symptoms: constriction of the
throat and chest, great difficulty of breathing during exertion, cough
with expectoration of tough yellowish mucus, feeling of burning
heat in the chest, cold sweats, and great debility, Arsenicum will be
found of much advantage; four globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When asthma comes on during sleep or after a meal, with a feeling of pressure as from  a weight on the chest, suffocative feeling,
with thirst, nausea, and faintness, and when it is worse at night or on
lying down, Lachesis should be administered; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.



DISEASES.

53

Should the sores be sloughing, or mortified, before using the
lotion, a poultice of one part of scraped carrots to two parts of
linseed meal, made with hot water, should be used, and two globules
of China in a table-spoonful of water, taken four times a day.
Should they be very large, putrid, and attended with a feeling of
burning pain, Arsenicum should be taken in the same way as China,
at the same time using also the Arsenical lotion, applied as the
Calendula one above.    (See External Remedies.)
Biliousness.
This is a popular term    for almost all kinds of indigestion, in
many of which the liver is little if at all affected. Indigestion will
therefore include most of the effects ascribed to biliousness. All
bilious disorders or derangements embrace most of the following
symptoms, which in many instances are the result of intemperance,
(the habitual use of spirituous liquors, or indulgence in the pleasures
of the table).
There is generally a yellowish colour of the skin, especially observable about the eyes, nose, and mouth, oppression and feeling of
fulness in the pit of the stomach, eructations of a bitter offensive
character, very little or no appetite, great thirst and longing for
acid drinks, headache, and floating of motes or specks before the
eyes, with alternate constipation and looseness of the bowels, producing dark offensive stools.
Persons liable to bilious attacks should live very carefully, eat at
regular times, and avoid all articles of food likely to provoke the
complaint. When an attack threatens, and while suffering from
biliousness, the abdominal compress should be worn.
In attacks of this exceedingly common complaint, the tongue invariably is yellow-coated, the breath foetid, and there is a bitter
taste in the mouth, with a severe and oppressive headache, conveying to the sufferer the idea as if the blood-vessels of the brain were
full even to bursting. So acute and distressing, indeed, are the
symptoms at times, that the patient is often able to denote the
pulsation of the vessels of the brain, by counting the number of the
beats as his head rests on the pillow. There is also a mist or an appearance of black spots or flies floating before the eyes, a yellow
complexion, violent thirst, and longing for cold drinks, nausea and
vomiting, the appetite sometimes voracious, sometimes entirely
absent, and there are shooting pains in the region of the liver, the
symptoms being aggravated at night. In most instances Miercurius
will be found equal to the removal of these symptoms. It should
be taken as follows: Dissolve eight globules in six table-spoonfuls
of water; a table-spoonful three times a day.
When this acute headache is accompanied by constipation of the
bowels, and by a bad taste in the mouth, as also when it has been
the result of indulgence in spirituous liquors, Nux Vomica is the



54

DISEASES.

appropriate remedy. Dissolve six globules in four table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every six hours.
When the tongue is whitish, furred, and there are offensive eructations, aversion to food, longing for acid drinks, flatulence, chilliness,
and diarrhoea; also when the complaint has been produced by eating fatty or rich food, it will be advisable to employ Pulsatilla;
six globules dissolved in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When there is great prostration of strength, relieved by lying
down, and when shuddering and coldness of the extremities exist,
with confusion in the head, throbbing headache, spots and specks
before the eyes, the countenance being pale and yellow, the eyes
sunk with dark-coloured rings, accompanied by loss of appetite and
dislike to food, frequent nausea, and vomiting of yellowish or dark
matter, with burning in the stomach, Arsenicum should be administerecl; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every two hours.
If biliousness is produced by change of climate, or hot weather,
and if there is vomiting, with dizziness, dry, coated tongue, bitter
taste in the mouth, or rheumatic pains, Bryonia and Rhus Toxicodendron ought to be taken alternately. Twelve globules of each
dissolved in separate half-tumblerfuls of water; a table-spoonful
from  them  alternately every two hours until relieved, when the intervals between the doses should be increased.
Mercurius and Nuz     Vomica taken alternately for a few    weeks
will remove the tendency to bilious attacks in most instances; two
globules of the former, dry on the tongue in the morning, and two
globules of the latter at night, in a table-spoonful of water. This
ought to be continued for a week, then, after an interval of another
week, repeat these remedies as before, and so on three or four times.
Bites and Stings of Insects.
The bites and stings of insects are rarely attended with serious
results, except in hot climates, or where their situation on important
parts make them dangerous. Nevertheless they are very annoying,
and often distressingly painful, and in the case of wasps, etc., especially, produce very unsightly swellings.
Arnica is calculated to reduce and relieve these injuries. The
best way to administer this is, two globules dissolved in a table-spoonful of water, to be taken as soon as possible after the sting; the
wounded part being at the same time bathed with the Arnica Lotion, in the proportion of one part of the mother tincture to twenty
parts of cold water. I have also used the following remedy with
much success for many years, " Arnicated Glycerine" (made by adding a teaspoonful of the mother tincture of Arnica to an ounce of
Glycerine). This, applied to the injured part every two or three
hours, will destroy the effects of the bite or sting in a very short time.



58

DISEASES.

Severe cases, in addition to treatment locally, require to be guarded
against those constitutional symptoms already mentioned, and an
imperfect reaction with quick jerking pulse, excitement, and even
delirium, which may present themselves during the first few days.
The sympathetic fever, which follows, always requires to be most
judiciously watched, and, when suppuration begins, must be kept
within due bounds if possible, or it may so exhaust the patient that,
if not directly fatal, it weakens the constitution, and lays a foundation for the most serious diseases.
Should feverishness or the distressing reaction, often threatened,
actually occur, Aconite is the most reliable remedy; and, indeed,
should be used, and will be found of great service even in mild cases;
eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful
every three hours.
Should the sloughing or severity of the injury cause the fever to
degenerate, and assume a typhoid character, Arsenicuim     and Rhus
Toxicodendron should be taken alternately, in the same proportions
as the Aconite, every two hours.
When the suppuration threatens to be very extensive and profuse,
it will be proper, in order to assist the reparative process, to use
Hepar Sulphuris Calcarea; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful four times a day.
The ulcers left by burns are often very difficult to heal. A Calendulca lotion will be found a most certain aid to this end; in which
case its employment internally is also advisable; two globules every
six hours.
Cancer.
Cancer is a disease of a most dangerous character, and undoubtedly,
like scrofula, a blood disease, and also like it, hereditary. It is much
more common among females than males, and is very rarely met
with until advanced life, oftenest appearing after the cessation of the
menses. Its local manifestations are most frequently excited by
blows or irritation, unwholesome, insufficient food, indulgence in
spirituous liquors, depression, anxiety, and distress of mind. It is
not contagious, nor will inoculation produce it in another individual.
It manifests itself by the formation of one or more tumours,
in the softer parts of the body, such as the breasts, lips, glands,
ovaries, uterus, etc., but it may appear in any organ or tissue.
The tumour (there being generally but one at first) commences
with a hard, unequal, circumscribed formation, resembling cartilage.
It is of a light colour, and an undefined border. This is what is
called the scirrhous stage. It may remain in this stage for a varying
time, even for years, after which it begins to soften, matter is formed,
and it ulcerates. This is the true carcinoma or cancer. It makes
rapid progress after this, gradually more and more contaminating
the system; other tumours form      in various internal or external



DISEASES.

59

parts, and the whole body is vitiated, the patient, at length, sinking
from universal cachexia.
Fungoid disease is the most malignant class of tumours to which
the body is subject. It consists of a pulpy, soft substance, resembling that of the brain, degenerating into large vascular growths,
often of an enormous size. These tumours may appear singly, or in
several and distant localities at once. Like cancer, to which it is
allied, though they are by no means identical, it is constitutional,
contaminates the whole system, and generally proves fatal.
Cancer is very liable to be mistaken by inexperienced persons, and
as it is so dangerous a disease, tumours of a suspicious nature should
invariably be submitted to the eye of a surgeon. Operations for
their removal are, however, of doubtful virtue, and in Fungus
Hcemactodes, indeed, entirely useless, formations generally larger or
more numerous than the original, often occurring in place of that
which may have been extirpated.
I shall merely mention the names of the remedies which have
proved most serviceable in the hands of homceopathists, whose
practice in combating this virulent disease has at least been as
successful as that of their allopathic brethren.
Thuja, Aurum, Arsen., Merc., Phos., Silic., Sulph., Bell., Sepia,
Lycop., Nux Vom., Carb. An. The more particular indications and
choice must be left to the physician.
Carbuncle.-(Anthrax.)
Carbuncle is a circumscribed inflammation of the true skin, oval
or irregular in shape, varying from the size of a hazel nut to that of
the hand. Their most common situation is the back, but they may
appear on any part of the body. They are invariably solitary, and
are most generally met with in elderly persons, or in those whose
constitutions are enfeebled, and whose blood has been deteriorated
by hardships, debauchery, or by severe privations.
A carbuncle begins with a small red spot, spreading rapidly, the
skin becoming thickened, and forming a flat, dull, red swelling,
surrounded by a distinct line of demarcation, attended with heavy,
aching, tingling pain. Suppuration commences at various spots on
its surface, which ulcerate and give out a thin ichorous fluid. These
ulcers spread, and eventually coalesce; the affected skin and subsidiary tissue are sloughed, after which, in favourable cases, the sore
slowly heals.   Carbuncle is attended with great irritation of the
system, and fever of a low type. The anxiety, restlessness, and exhaustion superinduced are very great; in severe cases, as the disease
progresses, the fever frequently assumes a typhoid character, and the
prostration becomes extreme.
A carbuncle somewhat resembles a boil, but is easily distinguished
from it, by its usually appearing singly, ulcerating in more than one
spot (which boils never do), and by the great constitutional disturbance which attends it.



60

DISEASES.

The method of cure resembles that of boils, so far as it can be
left to unprofessional treatment. I may add that the diet ought to
be generous; but as a carbuncle often assumes a severe aspect, it is
best, when at all possible, to consult a physician. The principal
remedies, however, are Arsenicum, Silicea, Rhus Toxicodendron, and
Acidum Nitricum.
Chilblains.-(Pernio.)
Chilblains are generally produced by suddenly raising the temperature, and restoring the circulation in the extremities, after
exposure to cold. They are generally first noticed on account of a
burning itching sensation, felt in one or more circumscribed spots on
the parts affected, the spots being inflamed, and of a deep red or
purplish hue, which, as they mature, become darker, and the burning and itching so intense as to be almost unbearable. Small
blister-like spots sometimes form, containing a thin fluid, which,
when they burst, degenerates into sores which are very irritable
and difficult to heal.
Many persons, especially those in whom the blood has but a
languid and weak circulation, are constitutionally liable to them in
the winter season. In such constitutions, chilblains which do not
reach the ulcerating stage, will often disappear spontaneously during the summer, to re-appear again in cold weather on the slightest
exposure.
Those who are subject to chilblains should avoid, above all things,
sudden changes of temperature in the parts liable to be affected,
such as holding the hands near the fire, or putting the feet on the
fender immediately upon coming in from the open air. They should
also wear thick shoes or boots, and warm woollen gloves and stockings, and by every means protect those parts likely to suffer from
the action of cold.
For the treatment of chilblains as above described, Arnica is an
excellent remedy, twenty drops of the tincture, to be added to a
table-spoonful of simple spirits of wine.    The part to be bathed
with this lotion three or four times a day, or what is even better,
the painful parts may be rubbed with Arnicated Glycerine three or
four times a day.
If the surface of the chilblain be red, hard, and glossy, and accompanied by painful itching, two globules of Arnica should be
taken every night in a table-spoonful of water.
If the itching is very intense, and the exacerbations occur mostly
at night, the chilblains being much swollen, and of a copper or lurid
hue, Pulsatilla should be employed; two globules at night in water.
If the inflammation is very intense, and there is throbbing pain
in the parts affected, Belladonna will be found very useful; two
globules taken in the same way.



62

DISEASES.

westward from   Russia across Germany, generally reaching Britain
from the city of Hamburgh.
It is supposed to result from  the effects of some peculiarly deleterious miasma pervading the atmosphere, acting on a debilitated or
otherwise predisposed state of the body. This miasma being absorbed into the system by the lungs, acts on the blood, causing certain changes, which remain still open to investigation. A great cischarge from the mucous membrane lining the alimentary canal, and
certain other abnormal symptoms, develop themselves with more or
less intensity in proportion to the predisposition to receive its
influences.
This predisposition is called into active operation, chiefly from a
residence in low, damp, badly drained, and crowded localities, by disordered digestive organs, poor living, unwholesome or insufficient
food, drunkenness, debauchery, and neglect of personal cleanliness,
inadequate clothing, sudden exposure to cold or heat, checking the
perspiration, excessive fatigue of mind or body, dread of the disease,
and, in short, whatever tends to interfere with the healthy action
of the animal system; but the danger does not seem to be increased
by attendance on persons suffering from the disease, although on this
point there is considerable diversity of opinion. I cannot allow, however, this to pass, without making one additional observation. In my
opinion, there exist strong doubts as to the correctness of the notion.
An attack of cholera may come on without any warning, but it
is much more frequently preceded by looseness of the bowels, as
also giddiness, headache, noises in the ears, and by weight and oppressive feeling in the stomach and chest. Thirst, nausea, loss of
appetite, and chilliness, too, are often experienced before the disease
is fully developed. In some cases, the vomiting and purging are
entirely absent, nothing presenting itself but a cold livid hue of the
skin, accompanied by chilliness, cold sweats, feeble pulse, and sudden and great debility.
The above symptoms, especially the diarrhoea, should never be
neglected while cholera is prevalent, for they may, and not unfrequently they do, precede an attack.
When cholera becomes confirmed, the previous symptoms are
increased, the purging and vomiting especially becoming very violent, consisting at first of the usual contents of the stomach and
bowels; but the character being soon changed to that of a peculiar
fluid, with very little or no smell, much resembling whey or ricewater, as it is usually termed. The thirst is excessive, violent
cramps rack the extremities, and thence extend to the trunk of the
body. As the disease progresses, the pulse sinks rapidly, and the
respiration becomes exceedingly faint, until in the last stage the
surface of the body, the breath, and tongue, become quite cold, the
skin assuming a bluish livid appearance, most noticeable in the lips
and extremities. The body appears shrunken, the pulse becomes



DISEASES.

63

imperceptible, and respiration ceases, death taking place as early as
the third, and rarely being deferred until the fifteenth hour after
the disease has first manifested itself.
As cholera is so fatal in its results, and runs its course so rapidly,
it must be obvious to all that too much attention cannot be paid to
such defences as it may be in our power to erect against it. During
the time this disease prevails, it is necessary in the highest degree
to pay strict attention to the laws of health. Cases of cholera are
notoriously more numerous and fatal where there is a great neglect
of cleanliness. All vegetable and animal matter in a putrid or decomposing state, foul drains, cesspools, and stagnant water, which
renders the air impure, are highly dangerous, and ought to be at
once removed. Free ventilation should be established, and a sufficiency of warm clothing worn to prevent chilliness or a sudden
check to the perspiration.     The food should be wholesome and
nourishing without overtaxing the digestive organs.        Unripe, uncooked fruit or vegetables, tainted meat, and spirituous liquors,
should be carefully avoided; and if fish, vegetables, or beer are used
at all, it should be in very sparing quantities. Excessive fatigue
either of mind or body, and passionate emotions, as they tend to derange the system, are equally dangerous.
Cases of diarrhcea are usually numerous while cholera prevails,
and are its most constant precursor.      They, therefore, require the
most prompt attention, for if neglected or allowed to continue any
length of time unnoticed, the more formidable disease may follow,
the danger and difficulty of treatment being very much increased.
In all cases, where there is a looseness of the bowels, immediate
steps should be taken to arrest its progress. The best medicine for
this purpose is Camphor, taking a drop of the Homceopcthic Tincture
on a small piece of white sugar, or in a table-spoonful of cold water,
every ten minutes. This will generally be sufficient to restore the
proper tone to the bowels, if resorted to in time, without having recourse to any other medicines.    It is also the most effectual remedy
for the first stage of cholera, when characterized by pain, heaviness,
uneasiness, and burning heat in the pit of the stomach, nausea, and
vomiting, distention of the bowels with flatulence, urine diminished
in quantity or altogether suppressed, roughness or hoarseness of the
voice, burning in the palate and throat, excessive thirst, oppressive
and suffocating feeling in the chest, with difficult respiration, headache, noises in the ears, confusion of ideas, shuddering, chilliness,
blueness of the skin, coldness of the general surface, and cramp in
the legs, toes, hands, etc. It is most speedy in its effects when
taken in drop doses every five minutes, in a table-spoonful of water.
But when the disease still progresses, and there is rapid sinking
of the strength and excessive debility, anxiety, and fear of death,
the skin being cold and covered with clammy perspiration, sunken,
pale, bluish, death-like, or shrunken countenance, bluish lips and



66

DISEASES.

throat, Mkercurius should be used; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful three or four times a day.
But if, in addition to the above symptoms, there should be also
pain in the back, sneezing, and flow of tears from the eyes, the nose
also being very hot and inflamed, and the discharge from it profuse,
Arsenicum ought to be employed instead; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the nose is much irritated, and there is a thick discharge
from it, slightly bloody, with loss of smell, the eyes being, at the
same time, on exposure to the light, painful, inflamed, and watery,
Pulsatilla will be found of advantage; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the discharge is abundant, and there is heaviness, shivering, and continued thirst, Ohamomilla is the most effective remedy;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When the nose is sore, and the lips chapped, and when headache,
nervousness, intolerance of noise, impatience, and irritation, are prominent symptoms, six globules of Ignatia are very suitable, and will
be found serviceable in three table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful three times a day.
When the feverish symptoms run high, and the cold becomes suppressed, and there appear symptoms indicating congestion, and probable inflammation of some of the organs of respiration, Aconite
must be used; eight globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every two hours, alternately with any of the other
medicines, which the existence of others of the symptoms above
mentioned may indicate as proper.
Colic.-( Colica.)
There is no more common accompaniment of derangement of the
digestive organs than colic. It has consequently for its exciting
causes the same circumstances, such as eating indigestible food,
drinking acid and cold liquids, constipation, worms, catarrh, etc. It
is a symptom of many diseases, and is usually divided into two kinds,
viz., flatulent and spasmodic. The flatulent is caused by distention
of the intestines from the accumulation of gas; the spasmodic through
spasm  of their muscular coat. There is a third variety called
painter's colic (Colica Pictonum) which arises from the absorption of
lead into the system.
The most common forms of colic are characterized by shooting or
griping pains in the abdomen, chiefly about the middle region and
loins, flatulence, spasms, vomiting, costiveness, or diarrhcea, the
pains generally recurring in paroxysms, and becoming easier on
pressure.
When it arises from a chill, and there is flatulence, rumbling in
the bowels, the surface of the abdomen feeling sore on being touched,



DISEASES.

67

while the extremities are cold, and the pain becomes worse on the
person moving, Nux Vomica should be taken; eight globules in six
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the pain is severe, and felt especially in the loins, is
mitigated by motion, and has arisen from      eating rich and greasy
food, the use of Pulsatilla is indicated; eight globules in six tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three or four hours.
When there is a feeling of anxiety, nausea, with bilious evacuations, and vomitings of bitter taste accompanying colic, also when
occurring in children, with this complaint, Chamomillc is the most
suitable remedy to be employed; six globules in fourtable-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every three hours; for children, half this dose.
When colic is attended with lassitude, hunger, looseness of the
bowels, and recurs at stated periods, also when it arises from the
presence of worms, Mercurius should be taken; eight globules in
four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When thirst, faintness, coldness of the general surface, and of the
extremities, prostration of strength, anxiety and restlessness, accompany it, the pain being intense, and there is also diarrhoea, Arsenicum
is to be preferred; eight globules in four table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every two hours.
Consumption.- (Phthisis Pulmonalis.)
This dire disease is unhappily but too common in this country,
and unfortunately also, it is one of the most difficult to bring to a
satisfactory termination, being so insidious in its advances, and progressing so gradually, that often, before aid is sought, it reaches a
stage beyond the power of any medical treatment to effect a radical
cure. The utmost that can often be done is to check its progress,
and so prolong to its extreme limit the period preceding its fatal
termination. But, at the same time, as I shall hereafter show, it is
possible in very many cases to retard the advance of the worst forms
of the disease, for a very considerable period, and when it has not
too seriously involved the system, to effectually check its progress,
and by the use of proper remedial agents to remove in a great
measure the tendency to a recurrence.
Consumption is an effect of deficient and unhealthy nutrition,
characterized by the deposit of a matter called tubercle in various
parts of the body, more especially in the lungs, which undergoes
various changes, giving rise to an inflammatory action, from which
results the various symptoms by which it is known; for the investigations which. have been made go to prove beyond all doubt,
that tubercle is never deposited while digestion is sound, but that
derangement of the digestive organs invariably precedes its approach.
All parts of the body bear evidence of their imperfect or irregular
nutrition; there is some change in the composition of the blood, and
in consequence, the deposit in various parts of the body, of a hastily



DISEASES.~

69

After a varying time the pulse, which was natural, or only a little
quicker than usual, becomes full, hard, and frequent. The cough is
also more harassing, sometimes being followed by expectoration of
a quantity of thinnish, fluid, frothy blood.  The breathing is more
and more embarrassed and difficult. The emaciation and weakness
are much increased, hectic fever, having well-marked remissions, sets
in, being worst at noon and midnight. The face flushes, and on each
cheek-bone is generally seen a circumscribed red spot, most observable after eating or any physical exertion. The palms of the hands,
and the soles of the feet are affected with burning heat, profuse
night-sweats set in, causing great debility. There are invariably
also dyspeptic symptoms, with slight headache. Attacks of profuse
diarrhoea come on suddenly, and as suddenly cease, the intervals
between becoming shorter as the disease progresses.
In the last stages of the complaint the emaciation is extreme, the
fagged appearance of the patient being plainly observable. The hair
falls off, the sweats and diarrhoea become more profuse, and the hectic
fever more marked; the eyes are hollow and languid, the finger-nails
become livid and convex, the feet and ankles and sometimes also the
hands swell; the pulse is very rapid, feeble, and irregular, and the
vital powers of the patient, after a more than usually severe fit of
coughing, after a convulsive fit or two, are compelled to succumb to
the virulence of the disease; the appetite, however, often remaining
good to the last, the mind being also at the same time confident and
full of hope as to a favourable termination to the illness.
The explanation of the foregoing symptoms is as follows. Tubercle, as before stated, is a deposit from the blood, and occurs in
various parts of the body.   At first liquid, it becomes shortly afterwards, from   the absorption of its more watery particles, a paleyellow, opaque substance, assuming the shape of the part in which it
may be placed. It continues to increase in size by fresh deposits;
irritation and inflammation, from its increasing bulk, are set up in
the surrounding tissues, and suppuration follows (hence the attendant hectic fever, cough, etc.); the tuberculous matter is sloughed,
and when this occurs in the lungs, is coughed up, causing the peculiar expectoration before mentioned. By the irritation and cough,
the ulcerous cavities are liable to bleed, from the rupture of some of
the smaller blood-vessels, hence the blood sometimes found following
the cough.   In cases which have been arrested by appropriate treatment these ulcers may and do heal, cicatrizing as do other sores; but
in cases where the disease has been allowed to advance unchecked,
the tuberculous matter is still thrown out, and in increased quantities, as the constitution gradually weakens and gives way to the
virulence of the complaint.
The mere deposit of tuberculous matter is of itself harmless. So
long as the surrounding tissue remains uninflamed it can do no
mischief; but, as this deposit increases in quantity, or some local



70

DISEASES.

irritation is set up, inflammation and its concomitant train of evils
quickly follow. Hence the urgent necessity for avoiding sudden
changes of temperature. It is that, and the colds and chest complaints it occasions, which gives rise to the active forms of the disease.
Let it be particularly remembered that there never yet was tubercular deposit in conjunction with sound digestion. Tubercle is never
thrown out unless there is imperfect assimilation of food, and in consequence alteration and deteriorated quality of blood. Therefore,
the principal objects to be achieved are the restoration of the digestive system to healthy action, to afford healthy and good material
for the nourishment of the body, and to remove or palliate the particular symptoms which may be present, to prevent them from interfering to the hindrance of that result.
The diet must, in the first place, be strictly attended to. The
food must be of an easily digested character; it must contain a
sufficiency of nutriment in little bulk, and be of that kind and
quality which will assist in restoring the balance to the deranged
nutritive process. Animal food, with a fair proportion of fat, codliver oil, eggs, milk, etc., are all suitable articles, and the beef
essence prepared, as directed in a previous part of the work,* will
be found of immense service. The appetite is generally not only
variable and capricious, but insufficient. There is often present a
repugnance to that kind of food which would be most serviceable,
dislike and loathing of animal food being very common; sometimes
from the irritability of the stomach there is a morbid, craving appetite, therefore the quantity must be carefully regulated. To give more
than the stomach can comfortably digest is only adding to the mischief. Often too, nausea and vomiting interfere, particularly if the
disease has made some progress, and until they be removed little
improvement can be looked for. There is present in addition a
more than natural state of acidity in the stomach and bowels, which
would greatly retard the assimilation of food, especially of those
kinds which have a tendency to take on such a state when improperly digested. These must be avoided; in many articles for
which sugar is usually employed to flavour for the palate, a little
salt may advisably be substituted with the best results. It often
happens that, from   the lassitude and debility present, proper exercise, unless enforced (which, however, should be done with the
utmost gentleness), is neglected, and one great means of improvement lost.    In fact, all those rules laid down    under the head
" Hygiene" must be judiciously employed if favourable results are
to follow.
I do not think warm climates have that powerful effect for good
which they have long received credit for.   On the contrary, the evidence in my opinion goes to prove the reverse. Warm climates and
hot rooms are not the aids required to overcome that fundamental
* See article " Diet," page S.



DISEASES.

71

error in the digestive system which lies at the root of the mischief.
The relaxation of system it causes, more especially in those who are
native to colder climates, rather accelerates than retards the progress
of consumption. A sea voyage, and the excitement caused by the
novelty of a foreign country and strange sights, apparently do good;
but this effect speedily passes away, and the disease advances more
rapidly than ever. A climate which is dry, bracing, and not liable
to sudden changes of temperature, is best.
To set down all the indications for medicines, which may be required during the progress of a case of consumption, in a work like
the present, would be impossible, as it would include nearly all in
our list. We shall only therefore here mention particularly a few,
which will be found of great service, and to be very often required.
It will be necessaryto consult also the articles on Cold, Cough, Hoarseness, Pneumonia, Indigestion, Diarrhoea, etc. etc., as circumstances
may require.
But I need hardly say that this is a disease beyond most others
in which the assistance of a physician is so obviously called for, as
to admit of no doubt as to the invariable propriety of adopting such
a course. Amedical man should therefore in all cases, more especially
of confirmed consumption, be early called in; and where there is a
reasonable amount of confidence felt in his ability and experience,
his advice ought to be implicitly followed.
When there is great tendency to take cold on the slightest exposure,
and there is much sensitiveness to cold or damp, want of strength,
fatigue being felt on the least exertion, with slight attacks of feverishness, chiefly in the evening, with flushes of heat; night sweats,
especially over the chest, deficient appetite, unpleasant tastes in the
mouth, dislike to animal food, weakness of digestion, eating being
followed by heartburn, acid eructations, and cramp-like pain in the
stomach; there is hoarseness, cough, with expectoration of purulent
matter, yellowish thick mucus or blood; obstructed breathing, oppression, and feeling of constriction in the chest, Calcarea is the
remedy that should be resorted to; two globules in the morning,
also at noon, and again at night.
Should there be great and sudden bodily weakness following a cold,
with feverish symptoms, and these worse about noon, with desire
for rest and repose, night sweats, capricious appetite, but continued
dislike to animal food, milk, or fat, distention and pain in the region
of the stomach after eating, sour eructations, water-brash, nausea,
continued hoarseness, and that worst in the morning and evening,
cough, which causes pain or vomiting, with expectoration of a
yellowish or greenish matter, great difficulty of breathing, oppression of the chest especially while walking, and pain in the chest, as
if it was raw, the use of Carbo Vegetabilis is strongly indicated; two
globules every four hours.
When there is emaciation, and there.are also hectic spots on the



72

DISEASES.

cheeks, flying heats and sweats, night sweats, loss of appetite, violent thirst, pressure and pain at the pit of the stomach after eating
even the smallest quantity of food, whitish, clay-coloured, or greenish
diarrhoea discharges, with sour smell, dry, hollow cough, accompanied
by profuse expectoration of mucus, spitting of blood, fcetid or sour
breath, anxious, difficult respiration, which is still worse on lying
down, hoarse, weak, and rough voice, pain in the throat and chest,
Hepar Sulphuris should be employed; two globules three times a day.
In the event of the emaciation being excessive, and there is great
lassitude and weakness, every symptom being aggravated at night and
by change of weather, also great liability to suffer from chills or cold,
chilly disposition of body, feverishness, profuse night sweats of an acid
character or smell, apathy and incapacity of mind, loss of appetite,
dislike to animal diet, hot or cooked foods, continuous thirst, waterbrash, sour taste of food, pressure at the pit of the stomach or
vomiting after eating, nausea and vomiting in the morning, deep
hollow  cough, hoarseness, expectoration    of pus or blood, fcetid
breath, obstructed respiration and shortness of breath, Silicea ought
to be taken; two globules night and morning.
When there is great weakness, exhaustion, and indolence of body
and mind, frequent faintness, with nausea, dizziness, and cold perspiration, light, uneasy sleep, or entire sleeplessness, burning and
dry heat in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, feverishness, and this generally worse at night, and attended with great
prostration of strength; irregular appetite, indigestion, and thirst,
all these symptoms being aggravated after eating; diarrhcea, with
evacuations of fcetid, slimy, bloody, or undigested matter; weak, hollow voice, and continued hoarseness, dry, short, suffocating cough,
which becomes worse at night, spitting of blood, pains in the sides
and chest, palpitation of the heart, and suffocating shortness of
breath, Lachesis is the most effective and suitable remedy; two
globules three times a day.
When the fever is high, Aconite is required; Arnica or Drosera
when the cough brings up bright red, clear, or frothy blood; Arsenicum when indigestion, diarrhoea, and difficulty of breathing are prominent; and Ipecacuanha for great nausea and vomiting.
In cases where, although it may be that no absolute indications
have shown themselves of the existence of consumption, there is
yet room for reasonable apprehension as to a predisposition to
it, Cod-liver Oil should be administered. This course should invariably be followed where there is the slightest evidence of a tendency to the complaint. Where it is known to have existed previously in members of the same family, that is of itself a sufficient
reason for so doing. Where signs of weakness, emaciation, or debility are seen, also if any otherwise unaccountable dislike to exertion, with languor, slight cough, etc., occur in delicate subjects,
who are liable to take colds on slight occasions, who have an aver



74

DISEASES.

found (between the toes) not so much an increased secretion of
cuticle as a thickening and swelling of the true skin underneath.
Hence they are generally more sensitive and painful than the
former.
Bunions are generally found above the joint of the big toe, and
are enlargements of the bursa or sheath of the tendon situated
there, generally in a state of irritation or sub-acute inflammation
from pressure and motion.
It is useless to attempt the permanent removal of corns and
bunions if the pressure which originally caused them  be continued.
To do so, it is imperatively necessary that an easy-fitting boot or
shoe should be worn, that the feet should be frequently bathed with
warm water, the corn carefully pared down, and painted over with
a lotion of the Tincture of Arnica, two globules of which may be
taken internally when the pain is aggravated by the pressure of the
boot, or from walking, and then covered with Arnica plaster spread
on soft leather. When the pressure of the boot causes pain, Arnica
should be taken internally. If painful when touched or pressed,
and exquisitely sharp twitches are felt in them, worse on change of
weather, Silicea is more indicated. When the pain is severe, of a
burning, boring nature, Calcarea ought to be used; in either case,
two globules every night.
When a bunion becomes painful, it should be frequently bathed
with the Rhus lotion, and the bunion plaster applied, Bryonia being
at the same time taken internally; two globules night and morning.
Corns appear in some persons from much slighter causes than
suffice to produce them in others. In order to remove such a tendency, Sepia and Rhus should be taken alternately every second
night, for a week or two at a time; of each of these, two globules.
Costiveness, Constipation.
Costiveness or constipation is a common symptom in many diseases, and is very often found in conjunction with dyspepsia. It is
caused by a deficiency in the proper secretions of the bowels, or
from want of sufficient stimulus, the peristaltic motion not being
perfectly performed. It may be the consequence of eating improper
food, want of exercise, or deficiency of bile. It may result from
mechanical obstructions, or general torpidity of the bowels, and is
often a result of an indiscriminate or continued use of purgative
medicines.
Constipation manifests itself by a feeling of pressure in the region
of the stomach, pulsation or pain in the bowels, headache, feverishness, uneasy respiration, and disturbed sleep. If it continue long,
it is apt to be attended with vomiting, and by frequent but ineffectual
efforts to procure passage in the bowels.
Sponging with cold water, and the abdominal compress, are very



DISEASES.

75

useful in constipation. For internal use, the subjoined medicines
should be selected from, as follows:When constipation results from the sudden stoppage of looseness
of the bowels, or is recent and. not habitual, showing itself by a sensation of weight in the stomach, pulsation in the belly, dryness of
the mouth, thirst, loss of appetite, etc., the use of Opium is indicated;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
six hours.
Opium is particularly adapted to old people, and those of nervous,
torpid, or plethoric temperament, and when there is determination
of blood to the head, with flushed face and headache.
When constipation is caused by overloading the stomach, or from
a too free indulgence in spirituous liquors, and is attended with
feverishness, nausea, headache, unfitness for exertion, heaviness,
pressure, and shooting pains in the belly, with frequent and ineffectual efforts to procure evacuations of the bowels, and when it occurs
in persons of an ardent, hasty temper, in the hypochondriacal, or
those subject to piles, Nux      Vomica ought to be taken; six
globules in three table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful three
times a day.
When the above symptoms occur in persons of a mild phlegmatic
disposition, and when constipation has been caused by taking rich
food, Pulsatillac will be found a very suitable remedy, in the same
proportion as that just stated.
When constipation is troublesome during warm weather, or occurs
in rheumatic persons of an irritable, passionate disposition, in consequence of a disordered state of the stomach, and is attended with
pain in the region of the liver, Bryonic should be employed; eight
globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful twice
a day.
In cases of constipation, with frequent ineffectual urging to relief
by the motion of the bowels, and when the feces are hard and
knotty, with pain in the region of the liver, colicky pains, nausea,
want of appetite, headache, fulness in the head, cloudiness of sight,
and roaring in the ears, Mercurius will be found particularly serviceable; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every three hours.
When constipation is habitual, and there is liability to piles,
Sulphur will be found advantageous; two globules night and
morning in a wine-glassful of water, continuing the treatment for a
week or two at a time; but when piles are actually present, it is
better to give Sulphur one day and Nuz       Vomica the next, in the
same doses, continuing them alternately for a few weeks.
Persons of habitually constipated habit will be much benefited
by a tumbler of cold water every morning on rising; also at night
immediately before getting into bed. The " digestive food"* can* See page 12.



76

DISEASES,

not be too strongly recommended for all such cases. Its use has
invariably been attended with the best results.
Coughs.-( Tussis.)
Coughing generally indicates some derangement of the respiratory
organs, and may be the result of irritation acting directly on the
parts; or sympathetic, as in what is called stomach-cough, in which
case it is caused by derangement of the digestive organs.
A cough is essentially a violent expiratory effort, and an attempt
to get rid of some irritation in some of the air-passages. In its
treatment it is very necessary to discriminate carefully the accompanying symptoms.
When the cough is short and dry, worse in the evening, and the
face is flushed, with fever and frequent pulse, also feeling of tightness in the chest and throat, Aconite should be used; eight globules
in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
For dry cough, worse at night, and in the evening or when sitting,
also for cough with acrid or bitter expectoration of mucus streaked
with blood, Arsenicum    ought to be taken; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
For dry cough, with shooting pains in the head, cough with
expectoration of pale blood, and attended with pain in the region
of the stomach, Belladonna should be employed; six globules in
four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When there is dry spasmodic cough, with constriction of the
chest, headache, and expectoration of brownish mucus, becoming
worse after eating, Bryonia will be found of great service; six
globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
two hours.
In chronic cough with hoarseness, and yellowish purulent expectoration, Calcarea is the most suitable remedy; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
In dry suffocating cough, with tickling in the throat, and that
worse in the morning and evening, Chamomilla should be taken;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When the cough is dry, short, and violent, with little expectoration, but there is irritation of the throat, nausea, and vomiting,
Ipecacuanha ought to be used; six globules in four table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
For dry, short cough, accompanied by hoarseness, difficulty of
breathing, mucous expectoration, and sore throat, and particularly,
should worms or diarrhoea be present, lMercurius will be found an
effective remedy; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every three hours.
For dry, spasmodic     cough, with    headache, thirst, defective
appetite, weakness, oppression of the chest, nausea, lassitude, and



DISEASES.

77

constipation, Nux Vomica is to be preferred; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours, until
improvement sets in, then every six hours.
For cough, with bloody, frothy, sour, or yellowish expectoration,
a feeling of rawness, and tickling in the chest, and particularly for
cough, with    purulent expectoration, Phosphorus should be administered; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every three hours.
For violent, dry cough, with expectoration of dark blood, or
bitter, greasy, thick, yellowish mucus, worse at night, and when
accompanied by pain in the chest, Pulsatill. is the most suitable
remedy; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every two hours, until the cough is easier, then every four
hours.
For violent, spasmodic cough, with obstructed respiration, suffocative, cramp-like feeling in the chest, and pain in the side, Veratrum  ought to be employed; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
Cramps or Spasms.
Cramps or spasms are of two kinds, clonic and tonic. Clonic
spasms are characterized by rapid muscular contractions and relaxations, as in epilepsy, etc. Tonic spasms to be considered here
are slow, continued, muscular contractions, with slow following
relaxations. They occur in all parts of the body, and with different
degrees of severity, from simple cramp in the limbs, or stitch in the
side, to that frightful malady, known as tetanus or locked-jaw.
Spasms which affect the limbs are termed cramps. They are
characterized by contraction of the muscles, attended with severe
cutting constrictive pain, usually of short duration, but occasionally
of frequent occurrence. Many suffer from them while in bed, at a
particular time, as in the morning, or in drawing up the legs.
These may generally be prevented by taking two globules of
Mercurius, dry on the tongue, every night at bed-time.
Stitch in the side is cramp affecting some of the muscles concerned
in respiration. It may arise from    derangement of digestion or be
of a neuralgic character. Its recurrence may generally be prevented
by taking two globules of Bryonia, in a little water, and repeating
the dose every four hours, two or three times. Should it fail, use
Aconite or Veratrum in the same way.     Bryonia will be found very
useful, should it occur frequently while walking.
Cramp in the Chest, Suffocative Breast Pang.-(Angina Pectoris.)
Angina Pectoris is a disease of obscure origin, very dangerous in
its effects, when of habitual occurrence. In persons liable to its
attacks, death frequently takes place during one of its paroxysms.
It generally affects persons of middle age or in the decline of life,



78

DISEASES.

being of very rare occurrence in the young, and is, in the majority
of cases, connected with a gouty or rheumatic constitution.
The causes of this disease are various, but not very distinctly defined. Among the principal may be mentioned, continued anxiety
and distress of mind, an indolent, sedentary, or studious mode of
life, indulgence in the pleasures of the table, or in spirituous liquors,
especially in the case of rheumatic or gouty subjects.
An attack is often preceded by symptoms of indigestion, the
most strongly marked being flatulence, eructations of acid or acrid
taste, heartburn, torpidity of the bowels and constipation. It is
oftenest excited by rapid exertion, such, for instance, as that of
walking up hill or up stairs, mental emotions, etc., and when of a
chronic nature and frequent occurrence, the least trifle may induce
an attack.
The feeling is excessively painful and oppressive, being a constrictive suffocating sensation in the chest and over the region of the
heart. There is extreme anxiety, and a feeling as though instant
death must ensue. A most marked symptom is a benumbing,
tingling, or lacerating pain, extending more or less down the left
arm, sometimes, but much more rarely, affecting the right, or
extending to the throat. In some cases, the pulse is little, if at all
affected; in others, there is marked palpitation at the heart.
When the disease is of short standing, the attacks are of short
duration and generally follow muscular exertion; if the patient
should be walking, causing to stop suddenly, from     a feeling that
another step would be followed by instant dissolution, rest alone
often causes its entire cessation, and the health continues good
until another attack, which may not occur for a considerable time.
But where the disease has become confirmed, its attacks are much
more frequent, of longer duration, and induced by the slightest cause,
even coming on when the patient is at rest or asleep. The symptoms
in chronic cases differ only in degree, being of a less acutely painful
nature.
Its true nature is doubtful. There is generally, but not invariably,
found either disease of the heart itself or of the large blood-vessels,
but whether a cause or effect of the disease is not so certain. The
best ascertained fact regarding its nature being its relation to the
gouty or rheumatic diathesis, which seems to be nearly universal.
Persons liable to attacks of angina pectoris should regulate their
diet with the utmost care, a strict regimen being one of the surest
safeguards against its attacks.
The chief remedies are: for stoppage of the breath, Arsenicum,
Bryonia, Calcarea, Pulsatilla, Sulphur; for suffocative paroxysms,
Aconite, Arsenicum, Carbo Vegetabilis, Ipecacuanha, Lachesis, Spongia; when aggravated by walking fast, Bryonia and Nunx Vomica;
to be taken as the symptoms indicate.



DISEASES.

79

Cramp in the Stomach.--(Gastralgia.)
Cramp in the stomach is known by acute pain in the region of
the stomach, occurring usually shortly after a meal. It is a symptom and effect of dyspepsia, and may be produced by any of the
causes which give rise to indigestion, such as sudden mental emotion,
abuse of the use of tea, coffee, and ardent spirits, over-eating, too
long fasting, exposure to cold, etc. It is generally relieved by
pressure, and sometimes by vomiting, eructations, and water-brash.
When it is characterized by constriction of the chest, extending
between the shoulders and lower part of the back, with constipation,
and when it is aggravated after eating, especially if caused by indulgence in the use of ardent spirits, tea, or coffee, iNx Vomica is
the appropriate remedy; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the constrictive pain is great, the pit of the stomach feeling
swollen to bursting, and should Nux Vomica have failed to relieve,
Chamomilla ought to be administered; ten globules in six tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When it is increased by motion, or arises from eating rich, greasy
food, suppressed menstruation, and in delicate persons, Pulsatilla
will be found of great service; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every four hours.
When brought on by too long fasting, and when there is pressure
and constrictive pain in the stomach, Ignatia should be used in the
same doses as Pulsatilla.
When Nux Vomica has relieved for a time, but the complaint
again occurs, and there is a contractive spasmodic pain, and heartburn, Calcarea should be taken; six globules in four table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every six hours..
When cramp-like pains occur in the stomach, which eructation
fails to relieve, burning heat and excessive pain in the pit of the
stomach, shortly after a meal or during the night, and there is great
nausea and vomiting, the use of Arsenicum is clearly indicated;
eight globules in six   table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful
every two hours.
Croup.-( Cynancle Stridula.)
This disease, which under allopathic treatment is very fatal to
children, has not proved so severe in the hands of the skilful homoeopathic physician. It is most frequently met with between the ages
of one and five years, but has sometimes even attacked adults; is
most prevalent in low, damp situations, and in the neighbourhood
of large bodies of water; and it occurs oftener in winter and spring
than in the other seasons of the year.
It generally commences as a common cold. The child has a sore
throat, discharge from the nose, coughs, and is hoarse; the face is



80

DISEASES.

flushed, and the whole surface of the body hot, the pulse is hard
and quick; great thirst, feverishness, and restlessness exist. As
the complaint progresses, the cough becomes more frequent and
changes its character, gaining a peculiar, brassy, ringing sound, followed by the crowing, croupy inspiration from which the common
name of the disease is derived.
The matter coughed up contains a substance greatly resembling
boiled white of egg. If this is freely expectorated, and the fever
does not run high, a favourable issue may be expected; but sometimes the symptoms become much aggravated, the patient holds
back its head, and experiences great difficulty in breathing, a look
of anxiety is apparent; the expectoration is scanty, the respiration
becomes more laboured, the skin grows cold and blue, death sometimes closing the scene with all the appearances of suffocation.
The above symptoms are caused by inflammation of the windpipe,
and the effusion from the blood-vessels of its lining membrane of a
fluid which solidifies and covers it, narrowing the aperture, and
sometimes, when it terminates fatally, entirely closing it.
Croup generally attacks children during the night, and as it runs
its course rapidly, a common cold, especially if accompanied with
feverishness and hoarseness, ought to be carefully watched, and the
necessary steps taken for its removal.
During the inflammatory period when there is feverishness,
restlessness, anxiety, quick pulse, hot skin, thirst, dry, short cough,
and the respiration is short and accelerated, Aconite is required;
eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful
every half-hour.
If Aconite has not relieved the most prominent symptoms, or
when it fails to relieve after a few doses have been given, and when
the breathing is difficult and causes a loud wheezing sound, and
there is a hollow, ringing, hoarse cough with paroxysms, which occasionally threatens suffocation, Spongia should be administered;
eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
half-hour.
When Aconite has partially relieved the violence of the attack,
the skin is moist, the breathing easier and the cough not so severe;
also, in cases where there is a deep, hollow cough, with accumulation
of phlegm, which expectoration has proved ineffectual to relieve,
Hepar Sulphuris ought to be administered; eight globules in six
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every hour.
In many cases it is advisable to employ the above three remedies
alternately, commencing with three or four doses of Aconite, then
giving Spongia and Hepar Sulphuris every half-hour alternately.
Ipecacuanha, Phosphorus, and Bryonia are sometimes required
after the acute stage of the complaint has been passed. For their
application it is only necessary to refer to the articles Cough,
Hoarseness, Sore Throat, etc.



DISEASES.

81

Dentition.
In healthy children, when dentition is favourably accomplished,
there is usually slight salivation, the gums are hot, and somewhat
swollen, the patient is restless, fretful, and slightly feverish, the
thirstis increased, and the child endeavours to thrust things into
the mouth, to allay itching, or irritation in the affected gums. When
the teeth are cut or fairly through, these symptoms disappear, and
the child is healthy as before; but it not uncommonly happens, that
this irritation goes far beyond the above description, in delicate, unhealthy, overfed, or plethoric children, and often gives rise to considerable danger when not well managed.
In such subjects the symptoms above detailed run higher. There
is great feverishness and sickness; the gums are red, swollen, and
very tender; the child becomes restless, and very often has fits of crying, and starts during sleep; diarrhoea being also present with enlargement of the glands, eruptions on the skin, obstinate cough, etc.; or,
in other cases it may be that the face is flushed, the head'hot and painful, and every evidence existing that the brain is directly affected.
The sympathetic fever runs high, the urine is scanty, the bowels constipated; there is nausea, vomiting, great thirst, stupor, or excessive
irritability, restlessness, broken sleep, fits, or convulsions frequently
occur, and the little sufferer's life is not unfrequently placed in great
danger. It may be either the digestive or respiratory organs, or the
brain which is chiefly involved, from hereditary tendency, weakness,
or other causes. Dentition, however, is only the exciting cause of
the complaint. The primary origin must be sought in some fault in
the previous state of the system.
When the gums are hot, tender, and swollen, and the irritation is
great, it will be better in most cases to lance the gums, and so remove the pressure and pain. This will often prevent the necessity
for any further treatment.
When the gums are very much swollen, and there is dribbling of
the saliva in considerable quantity, the throat being affected, and
the stools thin and of a greenish colour, Mercurius should be administered; two globules in six tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful every two hours.
When the child starts out of sleep suddenly, is frightened, the
eyes being fixed, staring, and the pupil enlarged; the face flushed,
the head, hands, and skin also being hot, Belladonna should be given;
two globules in six tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful every hour.
Should the child be very restless and uneasy, and there be starting, jerking, and twitching of the limbs, the breathing short and
quick, with other feverish symptoms; and especially should diarrhoea and griping be present, Chamomilla ought to be employed;
two globules in six tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful every hour.
When restlessness is the most prominent symptom, and the exciteF



82

DISEASES.

ment is considerable, while the fever is of a moderate character,
Coffea should be used; two globules in six tea-spoonfuls of water,
a tea-spoonful every two hours.
When the fever is great, the mouth much irritated, and the restlessness marked, Aconite is required; two globules in six tea-spoonfuls
of water, a tea-spoonful every hour.
In cases where nausea and vomiting are present, and when eruptions appear during dentition, Ipecacuanha ought to be used. Dose,
same as of Chamomilla above.
Sulphur may be given with great advantage when the stools
excoriate the nates, or cause much local irritation; two globules in
four tea-spoonfuls of water, a spoonful every six hours.
In cases of delayed dentition, and also when there is cough, Calcarea will be found of great advantage; a globule every night.
Diabetes.
Diabetes, or excessive secretion of urine, is a diseased condition
which may or may not be hereditary. It is oftener met with among
males than females, and it almost always occurs in the middle or
decline of life, and is most common in those who live much on a
vegetable diet. Suppression of perspiration, exposure to cold and
wet, the inordinate use of malt, fermented, or acid liquors, undue
sexual excitement, violent depressing passions, such as anxiety,
grief, and disappointment, great bodily and mental exertion, or any
other influence which tends to lower or exhaust the powers of life,
may cause it.
Its true nature is not very well explained, and much obscurity
prevails regarding its origin. We may, however, safely conclude
that it is a consequence of the imperfect assimilation of food, insufficiently-elaborated chyle being produced, forming blood of a deteriorated quality, great quantities of the fluid and solid matters of which
are eliminated by the kidneys.
The urine in diabetes is usually of a pale straw or greenish colour,
and voided very frequently, and in enormous quantities. It has a
peculiar odour, best compared to that of hay or violets, of a specific
gravity ranging from   1. 020 to 1 050 according to the quantity of
solid matter it may contain. The specific gravity of healthy urine
is about 1-018.
The disease is usually said to consist of two varieties: Diabetes
mellitus, or that in which a large proportion of sugar is found; and
Diabetes insipidus, in which that substance is wanting. Diabetes
proper, however, consists not only of the discharge of great quantities of fluid by the kidneys, but fluid changed in quality; the relation of its constituent parts to each other being altered; its
specific gravity increased, sugar also being found either replacing
other ingredients, or being superadded to them.
Diabetes may and doubtless does often exist for some time before



84

DISEASES.

might easily occur in consequence of the morbidly increased appetite.
The patient must abstain from liquids of all kinds to the utmost of
his power. What is given should be tepid toast-water in very small
quantities. Great attention ought to be given to the bowels and skin.
Cold water affusions are useful, but all sudden changes of temperature
should be sedulously avoided. The disease is heightened by cold, moist
weather; it is best, therefore, to wear flannel next the skin. Moderate
exercise also should be regularly taken.
Dropsy.-(Hydrops.)
Dropsy is the name given to any collection of watery fluid in the
body. When generally diffused, it is called cansarca; when in the
head, hydrocephalis; in the chest, hydrothorax; in the abdomen,
ascites; in the extremities, oedema; etc.
The causes which give rise to dropsy are various and sometimes
very obscure; neither, I believe, is its true pathology determined;
while its treatment is in many cases most difficult. It may generally
be referred to stoppagp   of the free circulation of the blood from
disease or mechanical obstruction. It is a sequel to inflammation,
especially of the more important viscera, and to some fevers. It
may also arise from disease of the heart and kidneys. It is generally
described as of two kinds, acute and chronic.
Acute dropsy is generally a consequence of sudden stoppage of
perspiration, from exposure to cold and wet, or from     drinking cold
water during profuse perspiration.     It seems to result from    direct
serous exudation from    the veins, proceeding very rapidly, in a few
hours the swelling often becoming very great. This form of dropsy
usually soon disappears, after the cause is removed, from       the absorbents and veins resuming their proper action, and the consequent restoration of the different organs to their various functions.
If it be allowed to go on unchecked, the swelling continues to increase,
the breathing becomes much oppressed, and, if not arrested, death
often results in periods varying from a few weeks to several months.
use of a brush to pass it through; that which does not pass through at first must
be ground and sifted again until the whole is soft and fine.
" Take of this bran-powder 3 ounces troy, 3 fresh eggs, 1- ounce of butter, rather
less than half a pint of milk; mix the eggs with a part of the milk, and warm the
butter with the other portion; then stir the whble well together, adding a little
nutmeg and ginger, or any other agreeable spice; immediately before putting it into
the oven, stir in first, 35 grains of sesqui-carbonate of soda, and then, 3 drachms of
diluted hydrochloric acid. The loaf thus prepared should be baked in a basin, previously well buttered, for about an hour or more.
" Biscuits may be prepared as above, omitting the soda and hydrochloric acid and
part of the milk, and making them of the proper consistence for moulding into shape.
"If properly baked, the loaves or biscuits will keep several days, but should
always be kept in a dry place, and not be prepared in too large quantities at a time.
" This bread, when properly made, contains only about one per cent. of starch, and
must consequently be the most suitable form for use in diabetic cases, and is worthy
of the most earnest recommendation."
Although giving this, I may properly state, that I disapprove of the condiments
recommended for flavouring, and consider that they had best be left entirely out, and
this especially in the case of those persons undergoing homieopathic treatment.



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Chronic dropsy, on the other hand, advances slowly and gradually.
It appears to be due to defective absorption, and is generally a consequence of debility, or it arises from disease of the heart or kidneys.
I shallnot examine here, separately, dropsy as occurring in the different
cavities of the body, but consider the rules for its general treatment.
Anasarca or general dropsy is an accumulation of watery fluid in
the tissue immediately under the skin. It usually commences in
the lower extremities; the feet are found slightly swollen in the
evening; this increases as time advances; the swelling reaches
higher and higher until, in some cases, the entire surface is distended.
The watery swelling, which is known by pitting (as it is technically called) on pressure, during the time of its formation is generally accompanied by the following symptoms and appearances: dry,
pale skin, sickly, parchment-like complexion, general derangement of
digestion, characterized by red, parched, unnaturally clean tongue,
constipation and occasionally looseness of the bowels, loss of appetite, great thirst, irregular pulse and palpitation of the heart, rapid
loss of strength, debility, languor, and very often feverishness. Any
injury to the skin in dropsy is liable to put on a malignant ulcerative form, and sometimes to result in gangrene.
In acute dropsies and anasarca, when the swelling is general or
confined to the limbs only, the languor, debility, and prostration of
strength being excessive, the skin is pale, the tongue dry and red,
the thirst very intense, palpitation of the heart and suffocative feeling in the chest also being felt, Arseniczum  should be administered;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When the swelling is chiefly confined to the feet and legs, and there
is at the same time constipation, but no great amount of thirst, and if
the chest suffers, known by cough and shortness of breath, Bryonia
is the appropriate remedy; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
Should the dropsy appear suddenly, either in the body or extremities, as an effect of cold or a chill, and be attended with constipation, great lassitude, and difficulty in passing urine, Dulccmara will
be found of the greatest advantage; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
In cedematous swelling of the limbs, involving the abdomen, when
the face is pale and bloated, the hands are swollen, the breathing
oppressed, the urine scanty, and there is cough with great emaciation
and weakness, Ccantharides is the remedy; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the patient feels hot, thirsty, very weak, and there is
hacking cough, and the digestive organs are much disordered, Mercurius ought to be taken; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
In dropsy traceable to skin affections and suppressed eruptions,



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87

globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When there is colic, pain in the region of the rectum, and ineffectual urging to evacuate, discharge of mucus, with a feeling as if
fmces remained behind, cutting pain in abdomen and stomach, which
are sensitive to pressure, also vomiting and headache, the use of
Nux Vomica is distinctly indicated; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the evacuations are green, fcetid, frothy, covered and accompanied by mucus streaked with blood, and there is pain and
great uneasiness in the stomach and abdomen, with nausea, and
vomiting, Ipecacuanha is to be preferred; six globules in four tablespoonfulsgof water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the bearing down and inclination to stool is constant, or
when passage of the bowels takes place involuntarily during the
night, and there is violent throbbing in the abdomen, Rhus Toxicodendron should be administered; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
In cases where the feverish symptoms run high, and when the
urine is scanty, and the urinary organs are irritable, the use of
Aconite is indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every hour or two.
When the disease has been of somewhat long standing, Sulphur
should be given after the other medicines; two globules in a tablespoonful of cold water every morning and night.
Erysipelas.
This disease is a diffused inflammatory affection of the skin,
having a tendency to spread, and often following wounds or other
injuries, or surgical operations. It may arise from stomach derangements, sudden suppression of perspiration, or other causes, and
sometimes occurs during menstruation, from eating certain kinds of
food, or indulgence in spirituous liquors.
Erysipelas is known by a puffy redness of the skin of more or
less intensity, which, except in the more severe cases, will disappear
on pressure, returning again gradually. When it is removed, it
sometimes involves the tissue immediately below the skin, when it
is termed " phlegmonous," or wanders from one place to another, in
which case it is termed "erratic." It may also affect by sympathy
some of the mucous or serous membranes, hence its danger, in cases
affecting the head, from the participation of the coverings of the
brain. Smarting, burning, tingling pain is felt in the affected part,
which, when it arises from constitutional causes, is usually the face
and head, and, less frequently, the extremities; but it affects any
part of the body that is injured or wounded, and sometimes occurs
round the navel of newly-born infants.
The constitutional symptoms attending erysipelas are generally



88

DISEASES.

shiverings, headache, and febrile excitement of greater or less
severity, nausea, pains in the back, vomitings of bilious matter,
delirium, and coma, especially in cases where either the scalp or
face is affected.
It may terminate by resolution, in which case the symptoms abate,
gradually the skin desquamates, or comes off in scurf or scales. In
other cases, vesicles form, discharging a serous fluid, or abscesses,
sloughing, or even gangrene supervenes, in the old, enfeebled, or
intemperate, and it becomes then a most serious matter requiring
the utmost skill, knowledge, and experience of the physician to
bring it to a favourable termination. Homceopathy possesses most
valuable resources in all such cases, and the treatment of erysipelas
pursued by homceopaths has obtained the approval of many allopathic practitioners, among whom may be mentioned the celebrated
surgeon, Liston.
In the treatment of cases of erysipelas, affecting the face, scalp,
and throat, with delirium, pains of a severe character in the head
and ears, shooting pain in the skin, difficulty of swallowing, and obstructed respiration, also in the erysipelas of newly-born children, the
use of Belladonna is indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
In erratic erysipelas, erysipelas of the face, or vesicular erysipelas,
when it affects the feet, and there are symptoms present which
indicate that the brain is involved, Rhus Toxicodendron should be
employed alternately with Belladonna, and in the same doses. Aconite
also will be found of advantage, given alternately with Belladonna,
especially when the febrile symptoms are well marked, in the same
way.
When it occurs in the neighbourhood of any of the joints, and is
accompanied with great pain on motion, Bryonia should be administered after Belladonna; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every two hours.
When the disease arises from eating improper food, and in
erysipelas of the extremities, Pulsatilla should be taken; dose same
as Belladonna.
When erysipelas is likely to degenerate, and ulceration or gangrene supervene, and there is great prostration of strength, and
diarrhoea, Arsenicum ought to be used; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful four times a day.
Lachesis is useful in many cases of simple and phlegmonous
erysipelas, and may be given after Belladonna in the same doses.
Fainting.- (Syncope.)
Fainting or swooning is a state resembling death, caused by suspension of the heart's action of respiration and circulation, either
entirely, or to such an extent that the blood is not sent to the brain
in sufficient quantity. The nervous energy and sensation are ar



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DISEASES.

The causes of epilepsy are most varied, congenital formation, injuries to the skull, such as fractures, etc.; it may follow or be conjoined with apoplexy, disease of the brain or spinal cord; from
tumours, inflammation, etc.; the suppression of eruptions, excessive
loss of blood, too prolonged or long-continued want of sleep, terror,
rage, alarm, grief, disappointment, anxiety, excessive mental labour,
difficult dentition, worms, habitual excessive use of spirituous
liquors, various poisons, and some diseased conditions of other
organs, as the digestive canal, liver, heart, etc.; but hereditary
predisposition, excessive venereal indulgence, self-abuse, and depression of nervous energy from any cause, are its most common
sources.
The fit of epilepsy is generally, but not invariably, preceded by
certain premonitory symptoms. These are of the most varied description, such as numerous dyspeptic feelings, vomiting, nausea,
vertigo, headache, anxiety, fainting, cramps, difficulty of articulation, distorted, imperfect, or altered vision, sensation of peculiar
odours, tastes, or colours, irritability, depression or exaltation of
mind, spectral illusions, a sense of formication or creeping on the
body and limbs, and more especially the "Aura epileptica," or a
sensation as of a warm or cold current ascending from     some limb
or part of the body towards the head, which is the most common
precursor of all. It happens in some cases, however, that the patient is at once struck down, without the slightest premonition.
Immediately on the aura reaching the head, if it precedes the
attack, the patient utters a shriek or exclamation and falls to the
ground, either at once, after running forwards a step or two, or on
turning round. The body then becomes rigid, the muscles contracted, and the respiration impeded; insensibility is most profound.
The patient then becomes rapidly convulsed, the teeth are gnashed
together, the tongue protruded and swollen, and often much lacerated. The head is tossed about in all directions, and the muscles
of the head and face contorted and twisted in every way, the eyes
being either shut, rolled about, fixed, turned up, or squinting. The
blood-vessels of the head and neck are turgid and swollen, and the
face either swollen, livid, or effused with blood, respiration being
laboured and suffocative until partial asphyxia ensues. The expirations force out a white frothy foam, often discoloured with
blood; sometimes also the nose bleeds, the patient often moans or
utters other unnatural sounds. The limbs are violently moved up
and down by the muscular spasms, the hand being shut and opened,
the thumbs are turned into the palms of the hands, and the toes
bent downwards; flatus, the feces, and urine are often passed involuntarily.
As the convulsions subside, perspiration, often having a disagreeable odour, breaks out, deep sighs are uttered, there is trembling of
the limbs, and sometimes hiccough, eructations, and vomiting. The



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91

patient at the cessation of the convulsive movements, gradually
falls into a deep sleep, with snoring, stertorous breathing. The
perspiration generally becomes more profuse, and respiration easier,
the patient waking after a varying period perfectly conscious, without the slightest recollection of what has happened, but feels
wearied and exhausted, accompanied by more or less headache, and
great disinclination to exertion.
The above general description will give a fair idea of a fullyformed epileptic seizure. Details of course may vary in particular
cases.   Sometimes one side is more violently affected than the
other, the patient naturally feeling more weakness and weariness of
that side on recovery.
The duration, frequency, and severity of epileptic attacks vary
very considerably. A fit may last from five minutes to five hours;
but when long-continued, they are generally of slighter character,
and interrupted as it were, or consist of two or more short fits with
indistinct intervals between.
The period between different seizures also varies according to the
severity and cause of the disease. Years may elapse, or one or
more fits may occur every day. Sometimes they return periodically,
on a certain day or hour in females when connected with disorders
of the sexual functions; they often occur monthly; but in almost
all cases, where neglected, or in which the cause continues to operate, they appear more frequently and with increasing severity.
The intensity of the complaint is as varied as the duration and
frequency, sometimes being very slight and imperfect, so much so
as to escape particular notice for a considerable time. In females
they sometimes resemble or are confounded with hysterical affections; in some cases consciousness is not entirely suspended, and
perhaps only a part of the body is affected; but in the fully developed fit consciousness and recollection are entirely absent, and
consequently pain is not felt, however severe. It is a disease often
feigned by impostors, but these signs, and the fact of the thumb if
straightened being immediately retracted to the palm, are sufficient
to distinguish it. It is a well-known fact that some persons who have
commenced by feigning the disease have ended by bringing it on in
reality, and sometimes highly susceptible individuals have contracted
the disease from seeing others suffering under an epileptic fit or
seizure.
By the continuance of epilepsy, the bodily and mental powers
gradually fail. Idiocy, mania, insanity, paralysis, amaurosis, deafness, loss of speech or memory, may all result. The individual acquires a peculiar look and gait, the muscles of the face and limbs
are subject to convulsive twitchings, emaciation or obesity accrues,
while vertigo, dyspepsia, torpor of the bowels, vitiated appetite, and
hypochondriasis make the condition still more miserable and unhappy.
Of the nature of epilepsy it is not necessary to say much. All



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Fever.
The word Fever is usedito denote,-first, a primary diseased condition, in which most of the important vital functions are more or
less simultaneously deranged; and, secondly, a general derangement of the system arising from some local affection. The first
variety is termed idiopathic; the second, symptomatic fever.
Idiopathic Fever.-Idiopathic fever is an affection of the general
system, which may be defined briefly to be a diseased condition
of the body, arising from exposure to contagion, or some other deleterious agent, in which the secretions, circulation, and animal heat,
are altered from their natural state, and both the mental and bodily
powers are weakened and depressed.
No definition of fever, beyond what I have just given, will cover
all the variations it may present, for though many kinds of fever
are described, and many varieties of each kind, yet all are found,
when analysed, to pass through three stages, viz., the cold or period
of invasion, the hot or period of excitement, and the sweating or
period of crisis; the great difference among fevers depending upon
the duration and recurrence of these stages. Thus, in the simplest
form of fever, the ephemeral (enduring a day), all these stages are
passed through in about twenty-four hours, and the patient is well.
In ague also, a paroxysm, as the three stages together are called,
usually takes place in twenty-four hours, but recurs again, having
well-defined intermissions or periods of health between the paroxysms. In another form, the middle stage is prolonged, and has
marked aggravations and remissions at stated periods, but without
the fever being ever entirely absent; and in a third form, the middle
stage continues without marked periodical change until the third
stage sets in.
Classes.-From these differences, fever has been divided into three
great classes,-the intermittent, remittent, and the continued. And
first, of ephemeral fever:Ephemeral Fever.-The mildest form in which fever presents itself to us, is usually called ephemeral fever, and commonly occurs
after some such cause as excessive exercise or bodily fatigue, exposure to sudden changes of temperature or a hot sun, mental excitement, protracted mental labour, or derangement of the digestive
organs. It generally commences in the afternoon or evening, with
lassitude, a feeling of weariness and restlessness, but there are no
marked rigors; the pulse becomes more frequent, the skin hot, the
tongue and mouth dry, and the head aches, sleep being either absent,
or uneasy, and interrupted. It usually passes off in from eight to
forty hours, by gentle perspiration.
Continued or Inflammatory Fever.-Fever in a more severe form
is called either simple continued fever, or inflammatory fever, as
certain symptoms predominate. It commences without much warn



94

DISEASES.

ing, but the patient usually complains of pains in the head, back,
and limbs, loss of appetite, nausea, lassitude, and incapacity for
bodily or mental exertion, a feeling of cold especially running down
the spine. There is chilliness and shivering, which usually passes
off in a few hours, the skin then becomes hot and dry, the countenance flushed, the headache increases, there is great thirst, and restlessness, furred and dry tongue, the pulse is small and quick, or
full and hard, beating from 100 to 130 in a minute, constipation is
present, and the urine is small in quantity, and of a deep colour.
These symptoms generally continue for a few days, being more
urgent at night, remitted somewhat towards morning; profuse perspiration eventually follows, and the fever passes off with it, leaving
the patient languid and weak for some time, but otherwise well, if
relapse do not occur, which is by no means an uncommon circumstance. The health and strength gradually return, with a rapidity
proportionate to the constitution of the patient, and the severity of
the attack. This is a form of fever neither contagious nor very
dangerous, and usually terminates favourably, but it sometimes
becomes very acute or degenerates into a severe and fatal form.
The milder cases are perhaps more liable to a relapse.
Brain and other Fevers.-According to the organs most seriously
involved, fever is often subdivided into brain, catarrhal, gastric, or
bilious, and mesenteric fever. I shall allude to these complications
further on.
Epidemic and Contagious.-Fever is often epidemic and contagious,
and sometimes of a very fatal character. Different epidemics, however, show considerable variations, and perhaps no two cases of
fever are exactly alike, being modified by the previous condition
and constitution of the patient, his situation and treatment, also by
the nature of the miasma or other causes of the disease, for a contagious fever may arise from a bad or poisonous atmosphere, infection, mental, or bodily depression, improper or insufficient food, and
a variety of other causes of a similar kind, and is found to prevail
very frequently in cold, unhealthy seasons, and periods of scarcity,
particularly among the lower orders, who are more exposed to suffer
from such influences. It is usually accompanied by great prostration of the vital powers, and is generally known as low, nervous, or
typhus fever.
Typhus.-Typhus may make its onset in two distinct ways, either
so insidiously that it is impossible to say exactly at what time it commenced, or it may suddenly come on with overwhelming force and
rapidity. In the first form, the patient commences by complaining
of a little weakness, the appetite is bad, there is great disinclination
for exertion, flying or creeping pains are felt in the back and loins,
he sleeps little and uneasily, there is but slight headache, and the
tongue is coated. However, the symptoms go on increasing until
in from a week or ten days after the first symptoms of illness



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95

attracted notice, the patient becomes delirious, and all the other
symptoms of a bad fever appear. In the other variety, a few hours
after the first feeling of indisposition, the whole appearance changes,
the countenance becomes livid, anxious, and heavy or sunken, the
eyes congested, the breathing laboured, the pulse quick, weak, and
small, and the worst signs of fever are developed.
Symptoms.-The symptoms of typhus fever are lassitude, the muscular and nervous energy are both reduced, there is weakness both of
the corporeal and mental faculties, the circulation is more or less
quickened, and the respiration accelerated, the pulse rising as the
strength diminishes, the bowels are generally relaxed, the urine is
scanty, high-coloured, and of lower specific gravity than natural;
the appetite is gone, and if at first thirst is increased as secretion is
retarded, it soon falls off. The tongue is first grey and coated, then
brownish down the centre and over the surface, feeling dry and
hard to the touch; brown sordes accumulate on the teeth and lips,
the skin is perhaps not much hotter than natural, but it is dry, and
communicates a disagreeable pungent sensation to the hand from
suppression of the ordinary insensible perspiration. There usually
appears on the body and limbs, from the fourth to the tenth day, a
pinkish rush, at first scarcely distinguishable from the skin, but
soon becoming more perceptible; these macule, as they are termed,
may be either few or numerous, and mixed with petechioe or minute
stains of blood, which vary in size and deepness of colour. Sleeplessness and delirium are present, also starting and trembling of the
limbs, and various complications may arise from some organ or
function becoming more particularly involved.
Stages.-A case of fever seems to go through the following course:
first, a formative or precursory stage, the period of incubation, during which the patient loses appetite, sleeps badly, is feeble, listless,
and looks ill; next, the stage of invasion or onset, in which, perhaps, after a shivering fit, headache or heaviness and vertigo set in,
there is stupor and inability for either mental or physical exertion,
the pulse becomes more frequent, perhaps, also, there is nausea and
diarrhoea; the third, or period of excitement, is characterized by
the pulse becoming quicker, weaker, and softer, the tongue gets
dry, hard, and brown, the system weaker, the characteristic eruption appears, also the delirium; next the period of crisis, when
some critical discharge occurs, or the symptoms gradually abate;
next the period of decline, during which the fever passes off; and
the period of convalescence, during which the patient gathers strength
after the fever has left him. The duration of these periods, also
the severity of the symptoms which they may present, vary in every
case, and are of the utmost value, when properly understood, to
direct the treatment, and therefore require to be more carefully
noticed.
Pulse.-If the pulse in strong healthy adults does not rise above



DISEASES.

97

being clear and calm, the skin not much hotter than natural, and
without that pungent feel so common in bad cases, the attack promises to be mild, and a return to such a state in the advanced
stage of fever betokens a favourable change. Should the countenance be injected, dark, and lurid, or sunken, anxious, earthy, or
livid, the eye be wild, suffused, congested, terrified, or muddy, with
a puzzled expression, the skin dry, harsh, burning, aud communicating a sharp, disagreeable sensation to the touch, the case is
dangerous.
Extent.-The extent of the eruption varies much, and is of no
particular significance, but the brighter the colour the better the
symptoms.
Maculce.-These macula do not come out all at once, but disappear in a few days, and fresh ones form. This eruption is much
more marked in some epidemics than in others.
Petechice.-Mingled with these macule are often petechise or specks
of effused blood, showing a congested state of the circulation. Like
the maculae, the brighter the colour the better the symptom.
Sudamince.-Sometimes there also occur small, clear blister-like
spots, called sudamine; they are chiefly found about the neck, chest,
and arm-pits. In a few days they shrivel up and disappear, the cuticle
coming off in white scales where they have formed. In some epidemics they have been common, in others entirely absent.
Tongue and Teeth.-The tongue, when only moderately coated, of
a lightish colour, and moist, is indicative of a mild form of fever;
but, in severe cases, it becomes dry, hard, and brown; sordes collect
about the teeth, mouth, and lips; this, with the absence of thirst, is
a symptom    of suspended secretion.     If, when other favourable
symptoms appear, the tongue begins to clear about the edges and
the tip, and becomes moister, it is a most favourable omen.
Attitude.-The attitude in which the patient lies is full of meaning: If on the back, with the legs drawn up, or, better, if he can
turn on the side, it shows the system still retains some vigour; but
if the patient sinks or slips towards the foot of the bed, the stools
pass involuntarily, the voice is feeble, and there is inability to
swallow, there is evidence of the greatest prostration.
Sleep.-If sleep is absent, or restless and uneasy, disturbed by
frightful dreams and sudden startings, being frequently interrupted,
it indicates great excitement of the brain. Continued sleeplessness
in fever will generally be followed by violent delirium. A sound
refreshing sleep is often one of the first and best signs of amendment. A state of stupor, conjoined with sleeplessness, is one of the
worst omens.
Delirium.-Delirium, when mild; occurring chiefly in the evening,
is not a bad sign, and, if it follows a state of stupor, is often indicative of a more favourable turn to the disorder; when it is furious
or low and muttering, the symptoms are not so good.



98

DISEASES.

Stages.-In the advanced stages of fever, there are often sudden
startings and twitchings of the limbs (subsultus tendinum), and the
patient attempts to pick at specks or spots which appear to float or fly
before the eyes (muscce volitantes), or to pick them from off the bedclothes (floccitatis), which are serious symptoms; as is also the loss of
sight, showing how much the nervous system      is overcome by the
poison. Deafness is more common in fever and less to be dreaded.
Termination, Amendment.--The terminations of fever are various.
Amendment may commence at any time during its course, and often
comes on so gradually and without crisis that it is impossible to say
when it began; but the patient notices what passes around, listens
when spoken to, and attends to the calls of nature, the countenance
clears, the eyes brighten, the tongue becomes moist, and the pulse
frequent. In other cases, the crisis is preceded by a decided aggravation of all the symptoms; the patient becomes more restless, wild,
and agitated, and the delirium more violent, followed by profuse discharges of heavily charged urine, and sleep is obtained, or else a profuse perspiration effects the same purpose, amendment commencing
from that time. Certain particular days are mentioned as critical;
but it is impossible to prove that any are so, the progress and termination of fever depending on so many different circumstances, and
in most cases the date of its commencement cannot be determined
positively.
Death.-Death, like amendment, may occur in any stage of fever,
and from various causes. Cases are occasionally found in which the
patient falls into a state of stupor or coma, the pulse grows weak,
the extremities cold, and death follows, the system being unable
to rally against the overwhelming force of the poison; in other cases,
death seems to result from asphyxia, the breathing is laboured and
difficult, the blood imperfectly arterialized, the face is livid and the
lips blue. In such cases, there is generally direct disease of the
lungs, which will be found congested and inflamed, or the heart may
be so debilitated by the poison that death occurs from syncope, the
pulse is weaker, thinner, and gradually imperceptible, the eyes grow
dim, the face pale and sunken, cold sweats break out, and the heart
ceases to beat; or it may be, there has been uneasiness and tenderness of the abdomen from the first, and diarrhoea, with thin, yellowish,
watery discharges, often likened to pea-soup, sets in, then follows
hmemorrhage, showing that ulceration of the bowels to a serious extent has occurred; or hemorrhage takes place in connexion with
what are called putrid symptoms, large petechin, or bruise-like
spots form on various parts of the body, large, sloughing sores break
out on any part exposed to pressure, the body exhales a fcetid odour
and passive haemorrhage generally from the bowels follows from depression of the vital powers and deterioration of the quality of the
blood.
Although death may arise in these various ways, still recovery



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99

may and does occur in the most threatening cases, and hope may
be entertained to the very last in all cases of fever.
Divisions.-The tendency fever has to take on one or other of
these forms has given rise to its division into-Cerebral typhus, as
the first form is called, in which the brain and nervous system are
principally involved; pneumo typhus, affecting chiefly the organs of
respiration; typhus abdominalis, when the bowels are mostly involved; and typhus putridus, when there is strong tendency to
decay and disorganization. These complications will be further men -
tioned in the treatment.
Rules to be observed.-The absolute necessity for medical treatment in cases of fever need scarcely be insisted upon, as it must be
obvious to every one. The following rules must be carefully observed by those who attend cases of fever, being very essential for
the wellbeing and comfort of the patient; but they are often in some
degree neglected, either through ignorance or thoughtlessness.
The room should be well ventilated, the light neither too bright
nor too much subdued, the temperature should be between 60~ and
700 Fahr., and maintained as equably as possible. Let the bed be a
soft mattress, lightly covered; feather-beds and heavy bed-clothes
are very objectionable. The diet must be regulated according to
the necessities of the case; farinaceous food may be given in the first
stages in small quantities; too much should not be forced on the
patient; but should there be great and rapid prostration of strength,
or much weakness arise during the course of fever, the pulse being
weak, thin, and fluttering, beef-tea and brandy in water should be administered in small, often repeated quantities. It is impossible to lay
down any particular rule for their use, but a teaspoonful of diluted
brandy every hour, and a table-spoonful of beef-tea, slightly thickened
with bread crumb or biscuit powder, every two hours may be taken as
the standard, to be modified as circumstances may demand. When
convalescence is established, the craving of the patient for food must
be controlled, being careful that the weak and often irritable stomach
is not overloaded, or a dangerous relapse may follow. Water, the
best of beverages, is generally demanded by the patient when thirst
is present, and may be given in small, oft-repeated quantities, and
as cold as possible. Fruits, especially grapes and a portion of a
roasted apple, are useful for allaying thirst and softening the mouth.
These may be given to the patient occasionally, as they tend to
cleanse and refresh the palate very much. When sordes collect about
the lips and teeth, they should be cleaned away, as much as possible
without inconveniencing the patient, once or twice a day. Cold applied to the head is very grateful, as is also sponging occasionally with
cold water. Cleanliness cannot be too much insisted upon; and, in
all severe cases, the state of the bladder should be often examined,
and, if necessary, a catheter passed to draw off the urine, which, for
many reasons, is apt to be retained. Sleep is an essential too often



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interfered with by nurses; more harm than good is done by constantly disturbing the sufferer to give food, medicine, etc.; if the
patient doses or sleeps, this should be allowed to continue without
interruption.
The question is often asked, Can fever be cured with medicine?
Perhaps the simpler, non-contagious forms can, but those which depend upon the presence of some morbific agent in the blood can only
terminate by its elimination from the system. In such cases, medicine
properly directed is most valuable, controlling and expediting the process, and counteracting those untoward circumstances which may
arise in its course, and jeopardize the life of the patient. For such a
purpose homoeopathy holds the first rank.
Aconite should be given when the following symptoms predominate: fever of an acute, inflammatory kind, characterized by general
dry heat of surface, great thirst, redness and injection of face;
dry, clean, red tongue, or coated with creamy mucus; quick, full, hard
pulse; congestion of blood to the head, great nervous and vascular
excitement, nocturnal delirium, scanty urine of a red colour, and
when chest symptoms are prominent. In gastric or bilious fever,
when the thirst is incessant, there is loathing of food of every kind,
violent headache, bilious symptoms, and yellow-coated tongue.
Arsenicum is indicated in cases where there is great debility, prostration, and rapid sinking; depression of mind, dull, glassy eye, pulse
exceedingly small and thready; cold perspirations, diarrhoea, with
black, foetid evacuations; earthy, pale, or livid countenance; burning
thirst, pneumo-typhus, with rattling, gurgling respiration, foetid
breath; and when petechioe are numerous, dark, and large, and sores
form, the symptoms being worse in the evening and at night.
Belladonna in fever characterized by loaded tongue, aversion to
liquids or thirst, violent headache, red, congested face, wild eyes,
fright, startings, violent delirium, and well-marked cerebral symptoms, bright-red maculne, and scanty urine of a deep red colour.
Bryonia when there is moderate thirst, aversion to food, much
surface heat, quick, vibrating pulse, aching pains in the body and
limbs, oppressive headache, vertigo, stupor, uneasiness, sudden starting
and sleeplessness, yellow-coated tongue, nausea, constipation, brown
or bright yellow urine, and petechi.e.
China, when there is dry, parched mouth, much diarrhoea, with
yellowish watery evacuations; dulness and stupor; great debility;
putrid or chest symptoms; picking at the bed-clothes, or at specks
before the eyes; and for weakness during convalescence.
Ipecacuanha in slight simple gastric fever, with aversion to food;
yellow-coated tongue; nausea and vomiting.
Mercurius, white-coated tongue; vomiting prominent; gastric
and bilious symptoms; stupor; muttering delirium; dimness of the
eyes; deafness; diarrhoea; brownish maculae; subsultus tendinum;
grasping at flocks floating before the eyes; and dark turbid urine.



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103

As the symptoms abate, and between the changes of medicines,
Sulphur may be given, in doses of one globule at night.
Aconite will be useful if the fever shows inflammatory symptoms,
and is very acute in character; and may often be given advantageously with Belladonna in the same dose as of the latter given above.
Intermittent Fever may be defined as a diseased condition in which
the febrile phenomena run their course rapidly, in a certain succession, terminating in a crisis, but recurring again after an interval of
variable but regular duration.
The stages of the disease are well marked, and follow each other
in regular succession. There is first the cold stage, in which a feeling of cold along the spine, -listlessness, yawning, and uneasiness,
receding of blood from the skin, shrunken countenance, blueness of
the lips and nails, coldness of the surface, violent shiverings, with
chattering of the teeth, and trembling of the limbs; pains in the
head, back, and loins; small, frequent pulse; short oppressed respiration, and diminished secretion are found.   Sometimes there is
nausea and vomiting, the urine is pale and limpid, the bowels being
generally constipated.
After a period varying in duration from about thirty minutes to
three hours, the hot stage succeeds, in which the blood returns to
the surface, which becomes flushed, hot, and pungent to the touch,
the countenance is congested, and the pulse is full and hard; there
is severe headache, throbbing of the temples, and much thirst; the
urine in this stage is hot, scanty, and high coloured.
Lastly, after the second period has continued from two to five or
six hours, perspiration breaks out on the forehead and chest, but
soon becomes general over the surface, and profuse; the urine becomes more abundant, and deposits a sediment, all the symptoms
being thereby relieved, somewhat of exhaustion and a disposition to
sleep alone remaining.
These three stages, the cold, the hot, and the sweating, usually
occupy a period varying from five to fifteen hours, and constitute
what is called a paroxysm. The period between one paroxysm and
another is termed an intermission, and that between the commencement of one paroxysm and another an interval. When a paroxysm
takes place within twenty-four hours, recurring at the same time
next day, it is called a quotidian ague; if on the second day, a tertian ague; and if on the third, a quartan ague.
Usually (though of course like everything else in fever liable to
variation), a quotidian paroxysm  commences in the morning and
lasts about ten hours; a tertian paroxysm usually commences about
noon and lasts until evening, about six or eight hours; and a quartan in the afternoon, being also finished the same evening, occupying a period of from four to six hours.
It will be seen that the quotidian is the most severe form, and
approaches nearer in character to a remittent fever, and in hot



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DISEASES.

more particular notice. Hectic Fever, as it is called, generally occurs
in connexion with chronic inflammation, irritation, or excessive action of some organ or surface of the body, or arises from some predominating, depressing mental or moral cause. Thus it is always
found conjoined with the last stages of consumption; after great loss
of blood; profuse suppuration and other diseases, which seriously
affect the system; it is often found to occur in weak, susceptible,
nervous persons, from disappointed love, grief, anxiety, heavy pecuniary losses, etc., and in the young from immoral practices.
It commences insidiously, generally with deranged appetite, pallid complexion, increased frequency of pulse, hurried respiration on
the least exertion, increased heat of surface, and slight emaciation.
These symptoms in course of time become more marked, with exacerbations at noon, and in the evening aggravation being most prominent. These aggravations are preceded by a slight chill and
shivering, followed by dry, hot surface, especially noticeable in the
feet and hands, subsiding by perspiration; the sleep is unrefreshing;
the bowels are perhaps at first costive, but afterwards they become
relaxed, and diarrhoea is frequent; the urine varies, but is generally
pale, without deposit, occasionally deep in colour, and with a sediment; there is now constantly seen a circumscribed bright-red spot
on each cheek-bone, more especially noticeable after exertion, and
during the periods of increased excitement; the tongue is red,
smooth, and glazed, apthee form   in the mouth and lips, the breath
is foetic or sour; the eyes bright, but sunken, their whites remarkably
clear and pearly; the diarrhoea and perspiration, of a sour smell,
become more frequent and profuse; the respiration is accelerated, and
the debility great; the emaciation is extreme, the hair falls out, the
extremities become swollen and dropsical, the nails curved, and the
points of the fingers clubbed; the mind generally remains serene
and hopeful to the last, and the senses clear, but sometimes towards
the end slight delirium occurs.
It is perhaps possible for hectic fever to arise as an idiopathic affection, but it is exceedingly rare, and some organic cause will generally be found. The treatment must be directed as much as possible
to remove this influence, as well as. to moderate the hectic it has
produced for this purpose, when arising from mental causes. Change
of air, scene, and diversion of the thoughts into other channels, must
be steadily attempted; when from immoral practices, strict moral
discipline must be enforced; when from some local disease, it must
be carefully considered in the selection of the medicines. See
articles Consumption, Scrofula, etc., and other diseases of organs
which may be involved.
The medicines likely to be principally required are Nux Vomica,
Mercurius, Hepar Sulphuris, Arsenicum, Calcarec, Carbo Veg., Silicea, Sulphur, and Belladonna.



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DISEASES.

stage of other fevers, viz., vomiting and pain in the back. So characteristic are they that their severity and continuance are valuable prognostics of the intensity of the disease; for it is generally
found, that if vomiting continue long, say until the eruption commences to show itself, or longer, the pain in the back being acute,
and felt especially in the loins, the case will be severe, and vice
versa.
The amount of the eruption is also very characteristic. It is a
certain rule that the more profuse it is, the greater the danger.
When the pustules are single and separate, constituting what is
called the discrete or distinct variety of small-pox (variola discreta),
the case will be mild, and is scarcely ever dangerous; whereas if
the pustules are so numerous as to run into each other, the confluent
variety (variola confluens), it shows the amount of the poison to have
been great, and causes such derangement of the system that danger
is always to be apprehended.
The pustules have a marked character. They first make their
appearance as small red points or pimples; next they are surmounted
by a small vesicle or blister-like spot, containing a thin watery fluid,
the whole surrounded by an inflammatory aura or flush, and are
somewhat depressed in the centre; by the fifth day, the pustules
are fully formed, plump, and full of yellowish matter, having a
black spot on their summit, at which spot they burst; the matter
oozes out, and a scab forms, which eventually falls off. From the commencement of the suppurative process, a peculiar, greasy, disagreeable
odouremanates from the body, so characteristic that the disease might
be distinguished by it alone. In the confluent variety, the skin, where
it can be seen between the pustules, is of a deep, dusky, red colour,
and the scabs often appear in cakey masses of considerable size.
The fever which precedes the eruption generally moderates on its
appearance, but in a much more marked manner in the distinct
variety than in the confluent; in the latter form of the disease, the
fever is always much more severe. After the eruption has lasted
seven or eight days, the feverish symptoms become again prominent.
This, the fever of maturation, as it is called, is what most distinctly
marks the two forms of disease. In variola discreta, it is slight
and mild, passing away in two or three days; whereas, in variola
confluens, it is very severe and intense, and most dangerous. This
is, indeed, the most perilous period of the disorder. During its
course, various troublesome complications may arise, or from the
profuse suppuration and its severity, the strength of the system may
become entirely exhausted.
Sore throat and salivation are often present, and regarded as
diagnostic signs of value in some cases; occasionally also there is
diarrhoea, particularly in children. The complications which arise
are usually erysipelatous inflammation, glandular swellings, and
suppuration, also affections of the respiratory organs, causing great



DISEASES.

111

to this stage; in which case I have used the Sulphur night and
morning, and a dose of Rhus in the middle of the day; two globules
of each.
Whenever the fever runs high, Aconite should be used alternately
throughout the whole course of the disease, along with any of the
other medicines indicated by the peculiar symptoms.
Thuja is a remedy which has been found of much benefit in very
severe attacks of small-pox, particularly when the pustules run into
each other, and are large and full, and difficult to disperse. It is
also said to have been employed with great advantage in preventing
the unsightly vestiges so often left as a consequence of this disfiguring disease; two globules three times a day.
Measles (rubeola), like small-pox, is contagious, and often epidemic,
has a period of incubation, an introductory stage of fever, and a
characteristic eruption. It goes through its course by stages, and
usually occurs but once in the same individual. It is most usual
in childhood.
The period of incubation usually occupies from ten days to a fortnight; the fever then commences with lassitude, shivering, heat of
skin, thirst, loss of appetite, and acceleration of pulse; there are
also marked catarrhal symptoms, such as suffused, watery eyes, intolerance of light, dry cough, hoarseness, difficulty of breathing,
sneezing, and profuse mucous discharge from the nose, drowsiness,
and often diarrhoea, and vomiting.
The eruption never appears before the fourth day, and often as
late as the seventh or eighth day from the commencement of the fever
and of the catarrhal symptoms; but the fever does not abate with
its appearance, on the contrary, often increases, neither is the quantity of the rash at all indicative of the severity of the disease. The
eruption commences with small pimples, which coalesce to form
blotches of a dusky-red colour and horse-shoe or crescent shape,
slightly raised above the level of the skin. Showing first on the
forehead and face, gradually extending downwards to the extremities,
it becomes browner, and commences to fade on the sixth or seventh
day, the cuticle coming off in bran-like powdery scales.
The eruption in measles is not so important as the catarrhal affection, and the chest complications to which it may give rise, such as
pneumonia and bronchitis. However, the eruption is so far important
that, if it stands well out, is persistent and does not recede, the chest
symptoms being mild, and the strength not much reduced, the case
is likely to proceed favourably; but should it be livid in colour, indistinct in outline, or recede, the fever being typhoid in character, it
is dangerous, both directly and for the germs of pulmonary and tuberculous disease which it may leave behind. The diarrhoea which
often appears during the decline of the rash is beneficial when kept
within proper bounds; but the catarrhal and chest symptoms must
be carefully watched and considered in the treatment.



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113

tongue is dry, hard, and brown; the teeth and lips are covered with
sordes, and the breath fcetid; the throat, and root of the mouth
are of a dusky red colour, covered with a dark-grey coating, and
there is often sloughing ulceration present. The eruption peculiar
to scarlet fever is generally scanty and livid, and mingled with petechice, similar to those of typhus fever.
But the after consequences of scarlet fever are as much to be
dreaded as the disease itself, especially if the patient should by any
accident be exposed to cold during the period of convalescence, when
either anasarca, general dropsy, or an acute inflammation of the
kidneys is almost sure to result, and will be very dangerous in their
effects. Scarlatina maligna in itself is a most dangerous disease,
destroying with great rapidity, sometimes as early as the third day
from its commencement, but the milder forms are more likely to be
followed by troublesome sequelce.
Flatulence.
Flatulence is one of the symptoms of indigestion, and commonly
follows eating vegetables, fruit, or other of the less digestible articles
of food, in improper quantities. It occurs chiefly after long fasting,
and many suffer from it after exposure to cold or damp.    It is often
accompanied by difficulty of breathing, palpitation of the heart,
colic, vertigo, or dizziness.
When it arises from indulgence in tea, coffee, or ardent spirits,
with sensation of tightness or pressure in the abdomen, causing
difficulty of breathing; also when there is headache, Nux Vomica
should be taken; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every two hours.
In flatulence with violent eructations, rumbling in the bowels,
waterbrash, pressure in the stomach, distention of the abdomen,
cramplike pain, and constipation, being felt immediately after dinner,
or being brought on soon after partaking of food, at other times
easily digested, Carbo Vegetabilis ought to be administered; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three
hours.
When flatulence is brought on by eating fatty substances, rich or
greasy food, and there is rumbling in the bowels, colicky pains, and
nausea, Pulsatilla is the best remedy; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
For other remedies when it occurs as a symptom of indigestion,
see article "Indigestion."
Gout.-(Podagra.)
Gout chiefly attacks the male sex, and principally those who live
high, lead a sedentary, indolent, studious, or dissipated life, and
who are of gross, plethoric habit of body. It is, however, also occaH



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DISEASES.

sionally met with in females of middle age, who are robust and fullblooded, sprung of families in which it is hereditary.
The exciting causes of gout are, first, those which give rise to
corpulency, and a full habit of body, high living, free use of animal,
rich, or spiced food, and spirituous and fermented liquors, especially
wine and beer, together with an indolent inactive life; or, on the
other hand, those which tend to weaken, such as intense application
to study, sexual excess, intemperance, fatigue, want of rest, exposure to cold or wet, local injuries, grief, rage, etc., which may all
induce an attack in those predisposed or subject to the disease.
It is generally ushered in by symptoms of a premonitory kind,
but not invariably so. These are derangements of the digestive
functions, such as heartburn, acidity of the stomach, flatulence, irregularity of appetite, oppression after eating, costiveness, irritability,
or constipation, pain or sensation of coldness in the abdomen, etc.,
depression of spirits, drowsiness, yawning, hiccough, nightmare,
restless sleep, cramps and twitchings of the limbs, itching of the
skin, scanty deep coloured urine, palpitation of the heart, and agitation of mind. In others, a first attack especially may come on without any warning. Gout most frequently occurs in spring and the
beginning of winter.
When the attack commences, which is usually in the night, after
the patient has been asleep a few hours, he is awakened by severe
pain in the great toe, heel, or other part of a foot or ankle, of a
crushing, burning, grinding character, which becomes excessively
acute and torturing. The tenderness in the affected part is frequently so great that the sufferer cannot bear even the weight of
the bed-clothes upon it, nor the slightest motion, and there is generally conjoined shivering and other febrile symptoms, also great
restlessness; after some hours the pain remits, a gentle sweat breaks
out, and the patient falls asleep. The same symptoms of pain and
fever occur for a few nights successively, till at length the disease
goes off, not to return for a considerable interval. The part affected
during the attack becomes swollen, tense, red, and shining. These
go gradually away after it has passed off, the cuticle peeling off,
often attended with an annoying itching.
At the commencement of the disease a fit may only occur once
in two or three years, but it gradually becomes more severe, and
attacks other joints, frequently shifting from one to another, involving two or more at a time, rendering them        eventually stiff,
weak, and distorted. Sometimes the fit of gout recurs periodically
with the greatest regularity.
The urine which is voided during a fit of gout is usually very
scanty, high-coloured, and turbid, depositing a pink or red-coloured
precipitate. Gouty persons are very subject to urinary complaints,
especially gravel and calculi, which are chiefly lithates or urates of soda
and lime; and those who have long suffered from gout in a chronic



DISEASES.

115

form, are liable to deposits of the same material round the affected
joints, forming what are called tophi (tophaceous deposits or chalkstones), lying immediately below the skin, which eventually gives
way, leaving them bare. A fit of gout often passes away also by
the excretion in large quantities of the same material by the kidneys, from  which there can be no doubt that the phenomena of
gout are in a great measure due to the development and presence of
these lithates in the system, in undue quantity, which are most
likely produced by some error in the digestive system; females of
gouty families are also more than usually subject to urinary affections of the same character.
A regular fit of the gout is not usually attended with any imminent danger; but it sometimes happens that the inflammatory attack
of the joint does not develop itself well, but goes back and settles
on some internal part, which is usually the stomach, when it gives
rise to nausea, vomiting, sensation of coldness and pain there; or
goes to the head, causing pain, giddiness, apoplexy, or palsy; or to
the heart, causing faintness, palpitations, etc.; or the lungs, when
it produces a kind of asthma, etc., etc. Retrocedent gout, as it is
called, is often attended with much danger. In other cases, although
there is every proof that the patient is gouty, yet it does not cause
the usual characteristic local inflammation, but other symptoms,
often those of indigestion and hypochondriasis. It is then called
masked or irregular, or it may cause inflammation of an internal
organ, a very rare form termed misplaced gout.
The only disease with which gout could be confounded is rheumatism. Although there is often a combination of the two diseases,
called rheumatic gout, there are differences easily recognised. Gout
generally attacks the small joints, causing more redness and swelling, is less inclined to shift from one joint to another, and when it
attacks an internal organ, it is generally the stomach. The digestive
derangement is also much more marked in gouty cases. In chronic
cases there is often deposited a white fluid at the joint affected; by
absorption of the watery particles it becomes more consistent and
clayey, afterwards hard and friable; these are the tophi or chalkstones before mentioned, which never occur in rheumatism.
In general, the pain is so acute that few persons having it in their
power to get medical aid go without it. A physician should therefore always be sent for where at all possible.  As gout is generally
caused, and always strengthened by sensual indulgences, and by
sedentary and indolent habits, it is hardly requisite to point out the
urgent necessity for regular, even abstemious living, regular exercise,
and strict mental and bodily regimen. It often happens that after
a regular fit of gout has passed, the patient feels so much better
than he has done for a lengthened period previously, that he follows
old habits with greater zest than ever, and for some time with even
greater apparent immunity from disagreeable consequences; but



116.

DISEASES.

such a course only gives additional powers to an enemy sure to return to the attack with redoubled vigour and frequency, and
will eventually make life one course of pain and discomfort, in
spite of all medical treatment, if these objectionable habits be persisted in.
It would only lead to needless repetition to say more of the
treatment of gout here than what follows. It is only necessary to
consult in addition the articles on Indigestion, Rheumatism, and
other articles on affections of organs which may be affected.
When the part affected is hot, shining, red, and swollen, and
when it throbs and feels numb, excessively sensitive to the touch
or motion, the use of Aconite is indicated.
When the pain is acute, pricking, crawling, or like that of a bruise,
and the great toe is affected, hot, red, and shining, the pain being
aggravated towards evening and during night, and by the least
motion, yet there is inquietude and desire continually to move the
affected part, Arnica should be taken.
When the head symptoms are well marked, and the part affected
is scarlet-red and very hot, and when it attacks the joints of the
hands and wrists, Belladonna ought to be administered.
When it attacks the knees or feet, and leaves nodes or hard circumscribed swellings or contractions of the joints, Bryonia is to be
preferred.
When the premonitory symptoms are those of indigestion, and
when the complaint is acute in character, and has been brought on
by undue use of spirituous liquors, Nux Vomica will be found of
essential service.
When caused by the use of rich food, and the pains have a tendency to shift from one joint to another, Pulsatilla is required.
In chronic gout, also, after the acute symptoms have passed, and
when the affected joint itches much, while the cuticle is peeling off,
Sulphur should be used; in the same doses as those mentioned as
suitable in Rheumatism.
Gravel and Stone.
When the urine deviates from the composition it has in the
healthy state, it is very apt to deposit some of the earthy salts it
contains in the urinary organs, giving rise to what is called gravel
when the particles remain separate, and when they unite to form
larger bodies, calculi or stones.
The tendency to this form of disease is often hereditary, and very
common in gouty subjects. It often occurs in those who habitually
use fermented liquors, or wines abounding in acid, is much more
usual in the young from infancy to about the age of fifteen, and in
old age, than it is in the middle and prime of life, also among males
than females, and is very seldom met with in warm climates.
The formation and presence of gravel and calculi often cause



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121

If bleeding from the nose should occur in a red-faced plethoric
subject, attended with headache and giddiness, it should not be
stopped too suddenly; but should it continue long, or the quantity
discharged be considerable, the application of cold water to the
head, face, and between the shoulders, and the maintenance of an
upright position of the body, will be found very effective. At the
same time, should the blood be of a bright-red colour, or the discharge brought on by a blow, Arnica ought to be employed; six
globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every half
hour until it ceases.
If hemorrhage arises from stooping, or great exertion, or at night
in bed, Rhus Toxicodendron is likely to be found serviceable; six
globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
night and morning.
When it arises from congestion, and a rush of blood to the head,
the pulse being full and quick, Aconite will prove of great advantage; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful
every two hours.
Should it occur in females during the monthly period, Pulsatilla
should be administered, or should it follow sudden suppression of
the menses, the use of Bryonia is indicated; dose for each, two
globules in half a wine-glassful of water. This ought to be repeated
every night and morning.
If bleeding from the rectum occur while straining at stool, unaccompanied by piles or dysentery, Arnica is the remedy required;
four globules of Arnica in three table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful three times a day.
Should it occur in females at the menstrual period, and in consequence of derangement of the uterine functions, China should be
employed; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every six hours.
Passive Hcemorrhages.-In passive hsmorrhage, the blood effused
generally passes through some part of a mucous membrane, such for
instance as those of the stomach, bowels, kidneys, or bladder, rarely
occurring from a serous membrane except as a result of inflammation. It is probably the consequence of a thinning and deterioration of the blood, and relaxation of the capillaries and mucous
membranes, from   any of the many causes which impoverish the
system.
In all passive hemorrhages, from    whatever cause, and when
haemorrhage has continued so long that it has caused debility, and
when accompanied by symptoms indicating weakness, paleness of
the face, coldness of the extremities, and occasionally convulsions,
China should be taken. This will generally succeed in removing
the danger, but should it fail, Arsenicum should be used; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.



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DISEASES.

disease advances, it becomes more copious and thicker, while, in the
same ratio, the cough generally becomes easier, and of shorter duration.
When the paroxysm is over, there is generally some fatigue or
weakness; in other respects, the health seems little disturbed, and
the child proceeds with its usual amusements until another attack
comes on, which is usually in three or four hours after, or sooner
in severe cases; but as the disease abates, the paroxysms occur at
longer intervals, until they gradually cease.
In the first stage of the complaint, the remedies required are
those recommended for attacks of common cold or cough, according
as the symptoms proper to such happen to predominate.
When the febrile symptoms are well marked, the throat is sore, and
the cough dry, Aconite should be administered; four globules in six
tea-spoonfuls of cold water, a tea-spoonful after every fit of coughing.
When, in addition to harsh, dry, barking cough, worse at night,
there is determination of blood to the head, headache and sore throat,
Belladonna should be employed; four globules in six tea-spoonfuls
of water, a tea-spoonful every three hours.
Should the chest appear to be implicated, as indicated by pain
and the character of the cough, Bryonia will be found of great
service; four globules in six tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful
every four hours.
When the second stage of the complaint has been reached, and
the cough is suffocative, protracted, and violent, followed by vomiting, Nux Vomica should be given; four globules in eight teaspoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful three times during the day.
When the characteristic whoop is heard during inspiration, and
the vomiting of fluid or food occurs, Drosera should be administered;
four globules in six tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful three times
a day..Nux Vomica and Drosera may be given alternately, in many
cases, with much advantage.
When the paroxysms are followed by great weakness, the vomiting is excessive, and the thirst great, Veratrum should be used;
six globules in four tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful every
three hours.
Should there be bleeding from the mouth or nose, from the
severity of the cough, or the child cry immediately before or after
the paroxysm, Arnica ought to be taken; six globules in four teaspoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful every three hours.
For attacks of spasmodic cough, with suffocative signs, bluish
face, causing bleeding at the nose and mouth, and vomiting, Ipecacuanha should be administered; four globules in six tea-spoonfuls
of water; a tea-spoonful every hour or two, according to the severity
of the case.
Pulsatilla and Hepar Sulphuris are useful in the convalescent



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stage, when a cough, with profuse mucous expectoration, only
remains, six globules of each in separate half tumblers of water, a
dessert-spoonful three or four times a day alternately.
Hysterics.-(Hysteria.)
Hysterics is' a nervous disorder, affecting females between the
time of their attaining the age of puberty, and the cessation of the
catamenial discharge. It does occur occasionally in the male sex
from excitement and general debility, but with them it is exceedingly
rare. Its causes are various, as are also the appearances it puts on.
Violent mental emotions, suppression of the usual evacuations, or
excessive augmentation of them, costiveness and indigestion, in
nervous females, in whom it usually occurs. It may be brought on
by sympathy, from seeing others suffering under an attack of a
similar kind.
It occurs in paroxysms, and is often prefaced by dejection of
spirits, and involuntary shedding of tears.      The symptoms are
so varied, and simulate so many diseases, especially epileptic, and
other spasms, that the principal only can be mentioned here.
These are flushing of the face, alternated by paleness, pain in
the left side, laboured and difficult respiration, there is a feeling
of distention of the abdomen, which, extending upwards to the
throat, produces that peculiar sensation known as the " globus
hystericus," and is likened to the lodgment of a ball or some other
body there.    There is convulsive movements of the limbs, but
differing from those of epilepsy, being generally less severe. The
insensibility is not total, and the emotions are controllable by the
will; the respiration is not suspended, but is a strange compound
of sobs and sighs, alternating with shrieks and laughter.
The fit as it subsides is often attended with eructations of wind
from the stomach, and although the insensibility may not have been
total, there often remains but a confused recollection of what has
taken place. Occasionally these symptoms are less strongly marked,
presenting only laboured respiration, flushing of the face, and loss
of consciousness. After an attack of hysteria, there is a feeling of
general soreness of the body, and often pain in the head.
Too much sympathy should not be shown to the patient, as such
a course generally makes the symptoms more violent. The bodyclothes should be loosened, and cold water applied to the head, the
patient being made to smell of camphor. Dipping the feet in cold
water will generally stop the severest paroxysms.
When the spasms are violent, and cold perspiration breaks out
on the patient, there is shrieking and crying, Coffea should be
administered; but if in daily use, Pulsatilla ought, in that case,
to be employed. It is also indicated, when the symptoms are worse
in the evening, and there is chilliness and a tendency to shed tears,
and otherwise high susceptibility to nervous excitement. Of either,



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eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When there is distention of the abdomen, chilliness, nausea,
faintness, and pain, Ignatia should be administered; six globules in
four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When there is paleness, with a dejected, sad appearance, the features
being distorted, and the jaws contracted spasmodically, a feeling of
constriction in the throat, and obstruction of articulation being likewise present, Cuprum should be employed; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
If hysterics is accompanied with excessive weakness, coldness of
the extremities, faintness, cold perspirations, and exhaustion, Veratrum is the best remedy; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of cold
water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
Indigestion.-(Dyspepsia.)
Every act of irregularity in living, or neglect of the laws of health,
causes more or less derangement of the digestive organs. Hence
the frequency of this complaint. Too much, too little, or improper
kinds of food, eating much after long fasting, want of exercise, excessive use of spirituous liquors, opium, or tobacco, hot drinks,
diseases of the stomach, liver, spleen, etc., may all induce it.  The
symptoms also vary considerably, but they generally include loss of
appetite, heartburn, water-brash, flatulence, a feeling as though a
piece of the food remained in the throat and could not be swallowed,
oppressive feeling of fulness after eating, nausea and vomiting, irregularity of the bowels, and derangement of the functions of the
liver.  The tongue is furred and the breath foul; also there is often
palpitation of the heart, irregular and intermittent pulse, dimness of
vision, vertigo, headache, lowness of spirits, melancholy, anxiety
about trifles, and other symptoms of mental depression are usually
met with in chronic cases.
The first thing to be recommended in the treatment of indigestion
is a strict attention to the quantity and quality of the food, and to
regularity in the times of taking it, to eat slowly, and carefully to
avoid any article which is likely to disagree, however much it may
be relished; to drink but little at meals, and a moderate quantity
of cold water immediately on rising, and also before going to bed.
Exercise should never be neglected in cases of indigestion, but should
never be to the extent of inducing fatigue-all that tends to exhaust
the system increases the disorder. The abdominal compress is a
most useful agent in most cases, and may be worn day and night
when indigestion is chronic or severe; in milder cases it may only
be worn at night, in cases where its use does not at all interfere
with the rest or sleep. (See article " Hydropathy," in Appendix.)
When there is heartburn, distention of the bowels, vertigo, heavy
feeling at the back of the head, and when indigestion is caused by



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the abuse of tea, coffee, or fermented liquors, also in headache
arising from indigestion, Nux Vomica is a very efficient remedy;
two globules in a table-spoonful of water, three times a day.
When there is restlessness and sleeplessness, the countenance
being flushed and heated, and there is soreness of the eyes, bitter
taste in the mouth, and vomiting of bilious matter, Chamomilla
should be taken; two globules in a table-spoonful of water, every
three hours.
When Chamomilla fails to relieve, or if the symptoms are caused
by eating rich, fatty food, Pulsatilla ought to be taken; eight globules
in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
If indigestion be attended with loss of appetite, a desire for strong
acidulated drinks, or if the derangement be caused by a miasmatic
state of the atmosphere, the use of China will be found of essential
service; nine globules in six table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every three hours.
When there is aversion to food, nausea, retching, and vomiting,
alternate constipation and looseness of the bowels, heat in the pit
of the stomach, with thirst, headache, unpleasant taste in the mouth,
and unrefreshing sleep, Bryonia may be preferred; two globules
dissolved in a table-spoonful of water, three times a day.
When there are unpleasant eructations, nausea, a vomiting sickly
feeling, with pain in the stomach and flatulent colic, Ipecacuanha
ought to be taken; dose, same as of Bryonia.
If there be rumbling in the bowels, disagreeable and acrid sensation in the pit of the stomach after eating, Hepar Sulphuris Calcarea
should be employed; six globules in three table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful twice a day.
When there is gnawing pain in the region of the stomach, and a
threatening of heartburn, with regurgitations of sourish taste in the
mouth after eating, two globules of Lachesis should be used, in a
table-spoonful of water, twice a day.
See also Biliousness, Flatulence, Heartburn, Waterbrash, etc.
Inflammation.
Inflammation may occur in any part of the body, in one or other of
its various modifications, and is the most common form of diseased
action. It is but natural, therefore, that it should have attracted a
great share of the attention both of physicians and surgeons in all
time, and that more has been advanced and written, together with
more discussion in regard to many of the opinions brought forward
on its essential nature, action, and cure, than on any other subject
in all the wide range of medical literature.
It is readily, and most commonly excited by any undue action of
the external influences which affect the human body, so much so
that it meets us at every turn. Sudden changes of temperature
bring it before us in the form of colds, cough, and sore throat, in



128

DISEASES.

which the membrane lining the nose and throat is inflamed; or, in
other instances, it attacks the lungs and membrane which lines the
cavity of the chest, and gives us the more serious complaints known
as pneumonia and pleurisy. Indigestible, acrid, or poisonous substances often produce it in the stomach and bowels. Nature also
employs it in many cases for salutary purposes, such as to heal
wounds and fractures, or to remove some irritant substances from
the system, and besides it is often actively excited in surgery usefully, to lessen deformities, and for other purposes.
No definition of inflammation could be advanced which will suffice
to cover all the forms under which it presents itself. Pain, heat,
redness, and swelling, are the signs given for its presence, but this
is only partially true. One or more of these signs may be absent
even in external inflammations, or may be present when no inflammation exists, internal organs giving other signs for its detection.
Of the essential nature of inflammation, there is great difference
of opinion among the medical faculty; however, it would be out of
place in a work like this to discuss such a subject, so I shall merely
say, for the benefit of the curious, that it is evidently a modification
of the same process by means of which the tissues of the body are
built up and nourished, and I shall at once point out some of its
more prominent characteristics, their action and remedies, before
proceeding to the consideration of inflammations of particular
organs.
When a part is inflamed there is pain, with more or less of heat,
redness, and swelling; although, as before said, the absence of one
or more of these appearances does not unfrequently happen.
The pain varies in kind, being sometimes of a dull, aching character, of which toothache is an example; sometimes sharp tingling
or pricking, as in erysipelas; or it is piercing and darting, which is
the case in pleurisy. It also varies greatly in intensity, being much
more acute in dense, unyielding tissues, such as bone, cartilage,
tendon, etc., than in soft, yielding parts, like the brain, liver, lungs,
bowels, etc. Sometimes it is felt in paroxysms, and when suppuration has set in, and matter is forming, the pain is generally of a
throbbing character, felt with every beat of the pulse.
The heat of an inflamed part is never higher than that of the
blood in the internal parts of the body, though an increase of temperature is perceptible to the touch, and often a sensation strongly
felt by the patient.
The redness is due to the greater quantity of blood present in the
vessels of an inflamed part, is well marked in most soft tissues, and
especially noticeable in inflammation of the conjunctiva membrane
or external covering of the eyeball.
The swelling is caused by this enlargement of the vessels, and effusion of fluid from their smaller branches, to which there is always a
great tendency in inflammation; to the hardness and density of struc



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129

ture, preventing swelling and causing pressure on the extreme fibrils
of the nerves. To this may be attributed the intensity of pain found
in inflammation of hard parts.
Inflammation may terminate in various ways: by dispersion or
subsidence of the symptoms, effusion of fluid from the vessels of the
affected part-the common termination in inflammation of the lungs,
pleura, etc.; suppuration, the formation of matter or pus, as seen in
abscesses; ulceration, the absorption or eating away of a part; and
by gangrene or mortification, the absolute destruction of the tissue
inflamed. These are all modifications or different stages of the same
process, and are each of them more likely to be found in certain susceptible organs or tissues, if I may be allowed the term; but I need
not particularize them here. Such as are at all intelligible to unprofessional persons will be found mentioned elsewhere under their respective headings.
Besides these local manifestations, where inflammation runs high,
or involves a large surface, there are certain constitutional symptoms
present. The sufferer complains of weakness and chills, the skin
becomes hot and dry, the mouth is parched, the tongue furred, thirst
increased, appetite'diminished, and all the secretions are scanty and
deranged; the pulse is more frequent, full, and hard, there is headache and wandering pain in the limbs, restlessness, but at the same
time also unwillingness for exertion. These symptoms are modified
by the severity and nature of the case. In serious cases, the chills
are frequent, and followed by flushes of heat and perspiration; and
in the worst form, this hectic or inflammatory fever degenerates into
actual typhoid, with all its alarming concomitants.
Another form of inflammation is often met with in practice, termed
specific, of which syphilis, cancer, and some other blood diseases may
be given as examples. These owe their origin to certain deleterious
mineral, animal, vegetable, or gaseous substances introduced into the
system.
It is in the treatment of inflammation, in all its various modifications and stages, that the effects of homoeopathy have been more
especially striking; and its wondrous success in acute cases has perhaps brought it greater credit, and converted more to its belief than
any other of its marvellous powers. Nor is this to be wondered at,
when it is considered that, formerly, not only when inflammation
was actually present, but even when only suspected or its occurrence
dreaded, it was usual to bleed, blister, and purge until the unhappy
sufferer was often reduced to the verge of inanition, when, if he
survived the original disease and sometimes more dangerous attempts
for its removal, it was months, perhaps years, before he regained
the amount of vigour he previously possessed, and not unfrequently
have these depletive measures left traces of their ravages which no
time could obliterate. Whereas, with homceopathy, not only is the
original disease sooner removed, and convalescence established, but
I



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131

cum is a most suitable and effective remedy; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
In cases of inflammation where it is wished to promote the suppurative process, in ulceration and suppuration of glands, scrofulous
inflammations, whitlows, etc., Hepar Sulphuris will be found preferable; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
In inflammations of glands, bones, mouth, tongue; in scrofulous,
rheumatic, and some specific inflammations, characterized by the
formation of foul, unhealthy sores; in inflammation of the liver, inflammatory skin affections; and especially in cases should the pain
be deep-seated, or feel as if in the bones, the use of MIercurius is indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every four hours.
When inflammation occurs in tainted constitutions, and inclines
to put on an unhealthy aspect; in chronic inflammations of all kinds;
chronic ulcerous inflammations, with formation of thin, ichorous or
fetid matter; inflammations of scrofulous persons which progress
slowly, and any inflammation attended with itching, and pustular
eruptions, Sulphur is often of much advantage; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful twice a day.
Inflammation of the Brain.- (Encephalitis.)
Inflammation of the brain is fortunately a very rare disease except among young children under five years old, in whom it is by
no means rare.
Any irritation acting directly on the brain may cause it, such as
external injuries of the head, concussion, contagious diseases, eruptions, etc., or mental emotions, sexual or other excesses, exposure to
cold or heat, etc. It may be either acute or chronic. When it attacks the substance of the brain, it is called phrenitis; when the
membranes which cover it, meningitis; but there are no means of
distinguishing the one from the other during life with any degree of
certainty.
The symptoms of acute inflammation of the brain are very various.
The most usual are fever, acute headache, flushed face, wild, bright
eye, the pupil much contracted, excessive sensibility, and intolerance
of light and sound, loss of sleep, nausea, vomiting, violent delirium,
and convulsions. This marks the first stage. In the second, or
period of collapse, which may set in at any time, from ten hours to
two or three days after the commencement of the attack, the patient
is in a state of stupor, the delirium instead of being violent is low
and muttering, he ceases to complain of headache, light, or sound,
the pupil of the eye is dilated, the face ghastly and livid, coma increases, cold sweats burst out, and death not unfrequently follows.
It sometimes commences gradually with slight headache, or suddenly with convulsions.



132

DISEASES.

Chronic inflammation of the brain is attended with most varied
symptoms, chief among which may be mentioned, slight headache,
loss of appetite, low spirits, constipation, and deterioration of the general health. As it progresses it is better marked by loss of memory,
loss or impairment of sight, hearing, etc.; it terminates generally by
softening or induration of the brain, causing insanity and death.
Not only from its serious character, but also from the difficulty of
distinguishing clearly its nature, cases with the above symptoms
should be immediately placed under the care of a physician. The
principal medicines are, Aconite, Belladonna, Opium, Bryonia, Camphor, Arsenicum, Lachesis, Mercurius, Nux      Vomica, and Stramonium.
Inflammation of the Larynx.-(Laryngitis.)
Acute laryngitis.-Inflammation of the larynx, or the cartilaginous
box at the top of the windpipe, in its acute form, is a very dangerous affection, running its course very rapidly, sometimes causing
death, by suffocation, as early as twelve hours from  the commencement of the attack.
It usually commences with the symptoms of slight sore throat,
and the appearance of slight inflammation at the back of the mouth,
soon followed by a sense of tightness and pain about the larynx, in
both acute and chronic cases. The patient, if asked to touch the
part, places the finger on the prominence at the top of the throat
called the Pomum Adami, or Adam's apple; inspiration is long and
difficult, accompanied with a sonorous hoarse expiration. The voice
is rough and hoarse, also the cough; if not arrested, these symptoms
increase rapidly; there is great distress, restlessness, and all the appearances of approaching suffocation. The pulse is small, the face
pale or livid, and the patient sometimes dies of asphyxia, through
the closing of the glottis by the inflammation and swelling. The
treatment is best connected with that of bronchitis.
Chronic laryngitis.-The chief symptoms of chronic laryngitis are
difficult respiration, accompanied with a hoarse sound, hoarse cough,
difficulty of swallowing, with increase of cough on attempting it.
A feeling of soreness or constriction is felt in the larynx. There
is great hoarseness, and sometimes complete loss of voice. For treatment, see "Hoarseness and Loss of Voice."
Tracheitis or Inflammation of the Windpipe cannot be separated
from Bronchitis.
Inflammation of the Bronchial Tubes.-(Bronchitis.)
Bronchitis is of two kinds, acute and chronic; it is produced by
the same causes as common cold, sore throat, etc., such as exposure
to cold or wet, or it may be the result of other diseases.
Acute Bronchitis usually commences with feverish symptoms,
headache, nausea, lassitude, and anxiety; there is not any distinct



134

DISEASES.

weight in the chest, laboured, oppressed respiration, and should
other symptoms appear to cause a dread of the inflammation extending to the lungs, Phosphorus may be usefully administered; six
globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two
hours.
When there is great soreness of the larynx, attacks of spasmodic
constriction in the top of the windpipe, voice weak, hoarse, or
entirely suppressed, dry, spasmodic, exhausting cough, preventing free respiration; when there is rattling, or feeling of accumulation of phlegm or mucus in the chest, oppression, and short, rapid,
and obstructed breathing, headache made worse by the cough, dry
burning skin, red face, and thirst, the use of Belladonna is strongly
indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every two hours.
When the voice is thick and hoarse, and there is a burning irritating pain in the throat, extending downwards into the chest,
aggravated by the cough, which is dry and fatiguing, worse at night,
and when it is followed by expectoration of blood, Mercurius will
be found of essential service; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When there is cough with difficult expectoration of tough mucus,
which seems accumulated in the larynx in large quantities, and
when cough is excited by a feeling of irritation and constriction in
the larynx, causing intense suffocative feeling, the breathing is
short, difficult, and oppressed, a feeling of heat and burning in the
chest, which feels constricted and compressed, causing great weakness, all the symptoms being worse after eating, and at night,
Arsenicum should be preferred.; six globules in four table-spoonfuls
of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
For Chronic Bronchitis, consult also the articles Cough and
Hoarseness, pp. 76, 122.
Inflammation of the Lungs.-(Pneumonia.)
Pneumonia is a very common disease in this country, arising
from the same class of causes as cold, sore throat, bronchitis, etc.
It is a common complication in consumption from the irritation set
up by the tuberculous matter. It is usually accompanied by the
following symptoms:There is generally felt, first, a pain in one side of the chest, often
preceded by shivering, and other feverish signs; cough is present at
first with little or no expectoration, and there is shortness of breath.
This is the first stage, that of congestion or engorgement, as it is
termed.
In two or three days, although the pain is perhaps not so acute
as before, the cough increases, and is attended with much greater
expectoration, which is viscid, and of a varying reddish hue (not
streaked but tinged), the difficulty of breathing is increased, the



136                             DISEASES.
Inflammation of the lungs without more or less of bronchitis
never occurs.    Pleurisy also is often present to a variable extent. I
shall therefore describe pleurisy before proceeding to the treatment
of pneumonia.
Inflammation of the lungs may terminate, in all its stages, in a
variety of ways, the symptoms gradually abating, but probably
never without leaving some traces of its former presence, and always
with a tendency to return, on exposure to any of its exciting causes.
Inflammation of the Pleura.-(Pleuritis.)
Pleurisy, inflammation of the serous membrane, which lines the
cavity of the chest, and covers the external surface of the lungs, is,
like inflammation of the substance of the lung itself, of common
occurrence; and arises from similar causes, and from mechanical
injuries, such as fractures of the ribs, wounds penetrating the chest,
etc.
The symptoms of pleurisy are shivering, and feverishness, with
pain in the side, generally a little below the nipple. It is a kind of
stitch, as it is called, of an acutely painful character, catching the
breath, when the inspiration reaches a certain length, with a feeling
three times as many die under the allopathic mode of treatment as under the
homoeopathic.
Now this is the average in all diseases, but a still more favourable result is
obtained when we compare the treatment in the most fatal diseases.  For this
purpose I shall again quote from the statistics collected by Dr. Routh:PNEUMONIA (Inflammation of the Lungs.)
Allopathic hospitals,                   Mortality, 23 per cent.
Homoeopathic do.,..                   do.    5
PLEURISY (Inflammation of the covering membrane of the Lungs).
Allopathic hospitals,....    Mortality, 13 per cent.
Homceopathic do.,.....      do.    3
PERITONITIS (Inflammation of the Peritoneum).
Allopathic hospitals                    Mortality, 13 per cent.
Homceopathic do.,.....      do.,    4
DYSENTERY.
Allopathic hospitals,....    Mortality, 22 per cent.
Homoeopathic do.,....       do.,    3
FEVER (excluding Typhus.)
Allopathic hospitals,....    Mortality, 9 per cent.
Homoeopathic do.,....      do.,    2
TYPHUS.
Allopathic hospitals,....   Mortality, 16 per cent.
Homoeopathic do.,....      do.,    14 per cent.
In addition to the above, I shall quote from statistics collected from various
sources to the same effect, and would direct special attention to the results in
pneumonia, which is admitted by allopathists to carry off 20 to 25 per cent., or one
in every four or five of those attacked by it in their hands.
In Glasgow Infirmary the mortality from this disease is 27 per cent., or more than
one in four; while in Edinburgh Infirmary a report before me gives no less than 36
per cent. or more than one in every three cases. Now, under homceopathic treatment the mortality is only five per cent., or one in every twenty cases.
Again, with regard to pleurisy, let us compare the following figures:Edinburgh Infirmary,...   Mortality nearly 13 per cent.
Homoeopathic Hospital (Vienna),,,          l



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DISEASES,

bloody mucus, the spitting or cough followed by blood, Aconite
should be administered; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every hour.
When respiration is impeded by darting, shooting pain in the
chest, causing to lie on the back, aggravated by the least movement,
cough making the pain in the chest worse, and causing pain in the
head, and there is expectoration of yellowish matter, Bryonia
ought to be taken; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every hour.
When there is difficult, obstructed respiration, congestion, heaviness, fulness, tension, and lancinating pain in the chest, particularly
if felt on the left side, cough, with expectoration of greenish purulent
matter of saltish taste, and there is also rapid prostration of strength,
with small, frequent pulse, Phosphorus will be of great advantage;six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
two hours.
When there are flying pains in the body, pain in the chest, increased by pressure, and the breathing is rattling, the expectoration
from the cough also copious, but not bloody, and there are marked
symptoms of stomach derangement, Pulsatilla should be preferred;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When there are violent and painful stitches in the side, increased by
the cough, a strong, full, and quick, or small and weak pulse, short,
quick, and anxious breathing, and the head is congested, the face
bloated and red, the lips and tongue cracked, coated, and dry, delirium,
and much fever, Belladonna is the most effective remedy; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When the breath and expectoration are fcetid in chronic cough
following pneumonia, and when there appears to be a cessation of
amendment, Sulphur should be used; eight globules in six tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When there is great weakness, with palpitation of the heart on
breathing and coughing, and also stitches in the side, the use of China
is indicated; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every three hours.
Where there is great prostration of strength, which comes on
rapidly, cold sweats, and the eyes are sunk, the skin cold and bluish,
low delirium, oppression of the chest, and cough, with expectoration
of tenacious mucus, Arsenicum     is required; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
Aconite may be given alternately with most of the above, and in
many cases it will be required. It will also be well to consult the
articles on Cough, Bronchitis, and Fever.
Inflammation of the Heart.-(Carditis.)
Inflammation of the heart (Carditis), of the membrane lining the



DISEASES.

139

heart (Endocarditis), or of the membrane covering the heart (Pericarditis), are rare forms of disease, unless when connected with
rheumatism. All that is necessary to be known by unprofessional
persons is mentioned in the article Rheumatism.
Inflammation of the Peritoneum.- (Peritonitis.)
Inflammation of the peritoneum, or serous membrane lining the
cavity of the abdomen, is a disease which may occur either in an
acute or chronic form. It arises from the usual causes of inflammation, such as exposure to cold or damp, mechanical injuries, and from
perforation of the stomach and bowels by ulceration or the bursting
of abscesses in the liver, spleen, etc.
The symptoms usually ushering in acute peritonitis are the ordinary signs of fever, chills, flushes of heat, etc., with pain commencing at one part of the belly, rapidly spreading over its whole surface,
in cases following perforation of the bowels or stomach, etc. The
attack comes on suddenly and without warning, is very violent,
runs its course very rapidly, and is very fatal in its results. The
pain in peritonitis is generally most acute, aggravated by the least
pressure or movement; so much so, that the patient generally lies
on the back, with the legs drawn up to avoid all pressure or motion
of the bed-clothes even, and because the abdomen is most relaxed in
that position. The pulse is rapid and soft, the respiration much
quickened, and carried on as far as possible by the action of the ribs
alone. There is nausea, vomiting, faintness, and thirst, the bowels
are constipated, the skin hot and dry, and the face expressive of
anxiety and suffering. Should the case turn out unfavourably, the
pulse becomes quicker and weaker, the surface cold, the countenance
pallid and death-like, and the abdomen much distended, death occurring from gradual sinking.
Chronic peritonitis may either be a sequel to the acute form, or a
separate affection, but it is then allied to the deposit of tubercle in
consumptive persons.
The symptoms are not easily distinguished. The patient generally
complains of uneasiness, fulness, and tension of the belly, although
there may be no great increase in its size. The pain is generally
slight, worse on pressure; there are usually feverish symptoms, the
bowels are often irregular; nausea, vomiting, and defective appetite
are often present; in course of time, the sufferer becomes weaker
and more emaciated, the abdomen is distended and tympanitic, the
case generally ending in ascites or abdominal dropsy.
There is another and most fatal form of peritonitis following
childbirth, treated of in another work. (See Diseases peculiar to
Women.)
Inflammation of the Stomach.-(Gastritis.)
Acute inflammation of the stomach is a very rare disease, unless



140

DISEASES.

when it is the effect of irritant poisonous substances taken directly
into the stomach.
The symptoms present may be briefly enumerated; such as great
thirst, constant nausea, and vomiting, even cold water being rejected
as soon as swallowed, pain in the region of the stomach, increased
by pressure, feeble pulse, pale anxious countenance, coldness of the
extremities, faintness and other signs of exhaustion. As the disease
continues, constipation is present, the urine is deep in colour and
small in quantity, the exhaustion gradually increases in unfavourable
cases, and death follows.
In these cases as in all others, the call for nourishment is imperative, nutritive enemata should be given, the smallest quantities of
mucilaginous food such as arrow-root, sago, etc., being tried, even
in teaspoonfuls at a time. If only part is retained it is doing good,
and should be repeated every now and then. Food had better be
given at about blood-heat, as less liable to excite the sensitive surface. The medicine can be given dry, or dissolved in a few drops of
water.
In chronic inflammation of the stomach, the symptoms are exactly those of some forms of dyspepsia, and are generally due to the
same causes.   I, therefore, refer to that article.  (See Indigestion.)
Inflammation of the Bowels.-(Enteritis.)
Exposure to cold, damp, obstructed perspiration, etc., may bring
on inflammation of the bowels, or it may arise from obstructions, or
irritating substances contained in them, and often follows neglected
constipation.
Enteritis, like other inflammations, is often preceded by the feverish symptoms so often described. There is severe pain, especially
round the navel, duller in character than that of peritonitis, increased
by pressure, augmenting in paroxysms, with dull, continuous pain in
the intermissions. There is nausea and vomiting, often to a fearful
extent in severe cases, and usually of a most distressing character.
There is great restlessness, but the patient lies on the back, and
avoids moving the abdomen as much as possible, as in peritonitis.
There is in the first stage often strong pulse, with great fever,
anxiety, and in some cases, delirium, but the pulse soon becomes
small, wiry, and weak.
This disease may occur in all degrees of severity, sometimes proving fatal, even in a few hours.    In such cases, as the disease advances, the pulse becomes weaker, irregular, or intermittent, the
belly is distended, the extremities cold, face deathly pale, or livid,
the pain ceases, cold sweats break out, hiccough comes on, mortification generally being the cause of death, which speedily follows.
The difference between these cases and colic is obvious.          In
colic the pain is generally relieved by pressure; in peritonitis it is
always increased; and even when colic is conjoined with enormous



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flatulence, the uneasy pain caused by pressure is very different from
the acute pain which even a touch will produce in acute enteritis
and peritonitis.  The pulse in colic is little affected, while it is invariably so to a considerable extent in the more serious disorders;
in these also coughing, vomiting, etc., is attended with much more
severe suffering, and however agonized or restless the patient may
be, it is impossible to throw or twist the body about in the reckless
manner indulged during severe colic pains.
In acute cases of inflammation of the intestinal canal, the diet
must be carefully regulated, and be similar to that recommended
for fever and all serious inflammations. In sub-acute or chronic cases
the food should be nourishing but light, stimulating articles being
avoided, and the quantity small. The drink should be mucilaginous, as gum-water, or toast or barley water; all vegetables being
strictly prohibited. But all these diseases are so serious, that the
aid of a physician should be sought as early as possible. When
this is not attainable, the following indications will assist in choosing the medicines.
When the feverish symptoms are well marked, if there is hard,
frequent pulse, anxiety, great thirst, loss of appetite, furred tongue,
or delirium, and when there is a feeling of constriction in the
stomach, pain and tension in the abdomen, the feces are scanty and
whitish, the urine small in quantity, of a deep red colour, and burning when discharged, Aconite should be administered; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every hour.
When there is headache, nausea, vomiting, feverish symptoms,
slow or small and quick pulse, insatiable thirst, vomiting after eating even the least food, excessive sensibility, and pain of a cutting,
burning character in the belly, obstinate constipation, or diarrhoea,
with  dark-coloured evacuations, Veratrum     is the most suitable
remedy; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every hour.
When the countenance is pale, hollow, and livid, the lips bluish,
dry, or chapped, the tongue brown and trembling, and there is vomiting, with excessive agonizing pain in the stomach and bowels,
the whole surface of the abdomen being very painful, tense, and
swollen, the evacuations of a burning, slimy, or acrid character,
of brown, green, yellow, or whitish colour; the urine scanty and
turbid, Arsenicum should be employed; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
Aconite and Arsenicum, or Arsenicum and Veratrum, may often be
given alternately, with much benefit; and, in most cases, it is well
to begin by giving Aconite and Arsenicum alternately every hour,
same dose as before.
When the constipation is very obstinate, and the pain in the abdomen is of an aching, cutting, or burning character, the belly tense
and distended, also sensitive to the least pressure, Lachesis will be



142

DISEASES.

found of great service; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every hour.
When the abdomen is much distended, and very painful, even to
the slightest touch, and there is great thirst and prostration of
strength, frequent attempts at stool, with evacuations of foetid diarrhoea of a burning, corrosive character, attended with nausea and
shudderings, Mercurius' should be preferred; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every hour.
These medicines may often be followed with the use of Bryonia,
and Nux Vomica, especially if the disease has followed the use of
improper food; Pulsatilla in females when occurring after the stoppage of the menses; Chamomilla is very useful when it occurs in
children; Phosphorus, China, and Acidum Nitricum       are often also
useful; Sulphur may always be given after the disease has abated,
or between the change of medicines.
See also articles Dysentery, Diarrhcsa, Cholera, Constipation, etc.
Inflammation of the Liver.-(Hepatitis.)
Inflammation of the liver is a much more common disease in hot
countries than in this. It does, however, occur here occasionally,
as a result of mechanical injuries, blows on the side, etc., or through
habitually inordinate indulgence in the use of spirituous liquors.
The symptoms are feverish pain in the right side, extending to
the right shoulder, and sometimes to the left also. It is worse on
coughing, drawing a long breath, or pressure.   There is inability to
lie on the left side, shortness of breath, cough, vomiting, and sometimes jaundice. It may terminate in resolution, or go on to suppuration.   When abscesses form, increasing sometimes to           an
enormous size, they may form adhesions, and burst in various places,
either externally, through the side, or internally, into the stomach,
bowels, chest, etc. Abscesses of the liver very often occur in connexion with dysentery, and other irritation of the bowels, bladder,
etc. Sometimes, though very rarely, the disease terminates in gangrene.
Chronic hepatitis may follow as a sequel to the acute form, or
arise from other diseases of the organ, such as tubercular deposit,
cancer, etc. Intemperance is a most frequent cause.       The symptoms are like those of the acute form, but milder.
Inflammation of the liver is often followed by an alteration of its
size and condition. It may become smaller, paler, and harder, forming the diseased condition called cirrhosis, a common result of immoderate spirit-drinking, and ending generally in incurable dropsy,
or it may become enlarged often to a considerable extent, and softer
and altered in colour. This form is called fatty degeneration of the
liver, from the quantity of fat deposited in the organ, and is often
found conjoined with pulmonary consumption.
The symptoms are very obscure in many cases of liver disease,



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DISEASES.

should be administered; nine globules in six table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every three or four hours, according to the
severity of the symptoms.
After a few doses of Arsenicum    have been given, if the patient
does not appear to improve, and there are severe pains of a rheumatic
character in the head or other part of the body, the eyes being red
and watery, or when there is profuse perspiration, loose cough, or
bowel complaint is present, the use of Mercurius should be resorted
to; two globules dry upon the tongue, every three hours.
If the cough is dry and hard, and there is hoarseness, pain, and
tightness of the chest, with a suffocating sensation, and painful
stitches in the side, Bryonia should be taken; nine globules in six
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three or four hours.
When the fever runs high, and the patient is restless, Aconite
will be required. It may be given alternately with any of the above;
two globules in a table-spoonful of water.
Itch.-(Scabies.)
Itch is a disease of the skin, characterized by more or less redness
of the skin, and the formation of little conical watery pimples,
which in some cases, from    irritation by scratching or rubbing, or
a bad state of the system, become pustular. It is attended by an
almost incessant itching, and hence its popular name. It is caused
by the burrowing under the skin of a minute animal called the
Acarus scabiei, or itch insect. The places it most frequents, and
consequently where these signs of its presence are most generally
met with, are in the thin skin between the fingers and toes at their
junction, and the bend of the joints. It may spread to almost all
parts of the body and extremities, but it is rarely or never met with
on the face or head.
Many diseased conditions of the skin are confounded with this
complaint, but the true itch is caused by the presence of the acarus,
and its presence alone will characterize the complaint. It is communicable by contagion from      one person to another, but not so
readily as is generally imagined.
For its cure, all that is required is cleanliness and the use of some
material which will destroy the obnoxious little animal. Of these
Sulphur is the most certain. Wash well with soap and water, and
use the Sulphur Vapour Bath daily. At the same time, Sulphur
should be taken internally; two globules night and morning.
Jaundice.--(Icterus.)
Jaundice is the name given to an affection in which the liver is
principally concerned. This complaint is characterized by a yellow
discoloration, very perceptible in the skin and white of the eye,
varying in hue from pale straw-colour to deep brown-yellow, and
by general derangement of the digestive functions, the presence of



DISEASES.

145

a bitter taste in the mouth, with high-coloured urine, which stains
the linen yellow. The bowels are sometimes constipated; at other
times there is diarrhcea, the evacuations being generally of a clay
colour, but sometimes like the urine, of a deep yellow-brown. There
is often pain in the region of the liver, worse on pressure, with headache, and feverish symptoms.
It is difficult sometimes to trace the causes producing jaundice;
but the most usual are irregularity of living, the habitual use of
purgatives and of spirituous liquors, excessive mental emotion, longcontinued indigestion, and inflammatory affections of the liver.
Mercurius is of itself generally sufficient to cure this disease, or
Mercurius and China may be given alternately; but when mercurial
preparations have already been much used, or where jaundice is
intermittent, China should alone be given; two globules in a wineglassful of water every four hours.
For jaundice in children, especially if it has been brought on by
rage or anger, Chamomilla should be administered; six globules in
four table-spoonfuls of water, a dessert-spoonful every three hours.
When jaundice follows a fit of passion in adult subjects, Bryonia
should be employed; eight globules in six table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every three hours.
When jaundice is associated with much derangement of the
bowels, or is caused by over-study, by want of exercise, or indulgence in ardent spirits, Nux Vomica ought to be used; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful four times a day.
Sulphur may always be given with advantage, after the above
remedies, to complete and confirm the cure; two globules night and
morning in a little cold water.
Looseness of the Bowels.- (Diarrhoea.)
Looseness of the bowels, or diarrhoea, is the term applied to an
affection of the bowels, in which the evacuations are frequent, loose,
and liquid. The causes are usually exposure to cold or wet, and
eating too much, or of indigestible food. Passionate emotions, such
as fright and grief, will often bring it on. It is also an accompaniment of or sequel to many diseases.
The symptoms which accompany looseness of the bowels are
colicky pains, violent griping, flatulence, nausea, and thirst; the
tongue is furred, and the breath foul; in bad cases, cramp often
seizes the extremities, and there is rapid exhaustion of strength.
Diarrhea differs from dysentery by the absence of fever, the constant straining and bloody stools, the evacuations being usually
copious, of a fcecal, bilious, or mucous character.  Cases are often
met with, however, which approximate in their character to either
complaint; for in this, as in most diseases, there is no definite line
of demarcation.
Diarrhoea will often cease spontaneously, when the irritation or
K



146

DISEASES.

offending matter has passed from the system; and, in mild cases,
attention to the digestion, the use of mucilaginous or farinaceous
food, such as tapioca, sago, arrow-root, etc., will often be sufficient
to stop it. Other cases of a more violent character require the use
of some of the following medicines:
When diarrhoea is very obstinate, attended with great pain, loss
of appetite, much thirst, nausea, loss of strength, shivering, and
anxiety, Arsenicum   should be taken; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the diarrhcea is of long continuance, the pain not so severe,
but there is continual thirst and loss of appetite, the stools being of
a mucous character, Veratrum should be administered; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every six hours.
When the evacuations are watery and thin, of a yellow or greenish  colour, accompanied by pain in the pit of the stomach and
abdomen, there is flatulence, and cutting, burning pain in the rectum, also in the diarrhoea of children during dentition, Chamomilla
should be taken; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every three hours; in the case of children, four globules in six tea-spoonfuls of water, a tea-spoonful every three hours.
Should the diarrhoea be caused by cold, or attended with violent,
cutting pain in the abdomen, with nausea, great thirst, and smarting
of the anus and rectum, Dulcamara should be employed; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
In all diarrhoeas, attended or caused by liver derangement, known
from the colour of the stools, yellowish hue of the skin, pain in the
region of the liver, bad taste in the mouth, foul tongue, and sometimes bilious vomiting, Mercurius ought to be used; six globules in
four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
In violent diarrhoeas with cramp, also in some cases to give with
Mercurius, when brought on by excessive eating or drinking, Nux
Vomica is the most efficient remedy; dose, same as Mercurius.
In diarrhoea from indigestion, with nausea, sickness, sensation of
fulness at the pit of the stomach, when the stools are mucous or
slimy, and the patient shivers, also when the diarrhoea is worse
after eating, Pulsatilla will be found of great advantage; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
Chronic diarrhoea, with more than usually offensive stools, attended
by violent pain, thirst, and feverish symptoms, may often be relieved by Sulphur; dose, two globules every four hours in cold water.
Camphor will often prevent, or cut short the duration of diarrhoea
in its earlier stages, and is one of the most suitable remedies for
looseness of the bowels occurringwhen cholera, dysentery, or diarrhoea
of an epidemic character is prevalent. The Tincture, or what is
better, the Chloroform    Solution of Camphor should be given in
doses of one or two drops, repeated every fifteen minutes, when
often nothing further will be required. It can be given either in a
little water or on lump-sugar.



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DISEASES.

glands and causing pain in swallowing. By the fourth or fifth day
the symptoms generally begin to abate, and the swelling to disperse.
It generally terminates by resolution, suppuration rarely occurring.
Sometimes the breasts or testicles are sympathetically affected.
In almost all cases of mumps when caused by cold, whether the
swelling be large or not, when the appetite is gone and deglutition
is difficult, Mercurius should be administered; eight globules in six
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three or four hours.
If mumps assume a severe type, the inflammation being very high,
the swelling large and red resembling erysipelas, and there is severe
headache and sometimes delirium, Belladonna should be used; eight
globules in six table-spoonfuls of water; a table-spoonful every two
hours.
When it is more chronic, the glands become harder, and the
swelling does not easily disperse, being in some cases hard; also,
should mumps arise from or follow a course of mercurial treatment,
Carbo Vegetabilis ought to be preferred; six globules in two tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful morning and night.
When the feverish symptoms are prominent and well marked,
Aconite is required, alternately with the medicine most suitable to
the symptoms, and in the same dose.
Nausea and Vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting may either occur as a direct affection of the
stomach, or as a symptom of disease in some other organ, such as
the brain, kidneys, etc. It is most common in dyspepsia, and often
the most distressing symptom, occurring generally after eating, the
matter vomited being generally of a sourish or bilious nature.
In both recent and chronic cases of vomiting an inquiry should
first be instituted into the cause, for the purpose of having it removed
as far as possible; and most careful attention should be given to the
quantity and quality of the food, which ought to be nourishing and
of the least irritating nature, such as underdone roast-meat, milk,
rice, etc., and whatever is found to agree best. The quantity given
at one time should be small, for it can be repeated the oftener, and
the stomach will often retain a spoonful or two when it would instantly reject more. The following medicines may be selected from,
according to the symptoms:When there is nausea and excessive uneasiness in the stomach,
with accumulation of saliva in the mouth, eructations and vomiting
of food, bilious, greenish, acid, or slimy matter, conjoined with
diarrhoea, Ipecacuanha should be taken; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When nausea is constantly present with a desire to vomit, especially after eating, or in the morning; when the vomiting is very violent, of mucous, bilious, or sourish character, arising from the use of
tea or coffee, ardent spirits, etc., and accompanied with constipation,



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149

Nux Vomicc will be found useful; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When nausea and vomiting occur principally at night, or after the
use of rich food, wine, etc., and after eating and drinking, accompanied with pains in the stomach, the employment of Pulsatilla will
prove of much advantage; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When nausea is excessive, causing to lie down, faintness, shuddering, cold sweats, and violent vomiting after eating or drinking, or
at night, attended with great pain and heat in the stomach; and
when the matter is dark in colour, greenish, blackish, or brown,
causing dryness and burning in the mouth and throat, also, when
violent diarrhoea is present, Arsenicum should be used; six globules
in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When there are nausea, hiccough, and desire to vomit, with feeling of disgust and putrid taste in the mouth, when vomiting is
periodical and violent, and when drinking relieves it, when the
matter is bilious, watery, slimy, or bloody, and it is attended with
violent cramps in the stomach, and with diarrhoea, Cuprum ought
to be taken; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a tablespoonful every two hours.
When nausea is accompanied with violent eructations of bitter or
sour taste, great faintness, exhaustion, and excessive thirst, vomiting following the least motion or food, and there are burning sensation
in'the pit of the stomach and coldness of the extremities, painful
diarrhoea, the matter vomited and the stools being of a dark colour
and frothy, Veratrum should be taken; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
Arsenicum and Veratrum are also most useful, given alternately,
when vomiting and diarrhoea are epidemical, and in most cases when
affections of the stomach and bowels are prevalent, as in summer
and autumn; dose, two globules of each alternately every two or
three hours.
Nettle-rash.-(Urticaria.)
This disease, although not contagious, and perhaps never accompanied by danger, is nevertheless excessively tormenting, the irritation accompanying it equalling and sometimes surpassing that
produced by the stings of nettles. The eruption occurs in long
streaks or wheals, irregular in their shape, sometimes appearing on
one part of the body, sometimes on another, and generally having a
white line in the centre of a red margin, the white centre being
elevated and becoming more apparent on scratching or rubbing. It
is accompanied by a burning and tingling of the parts, and great
itching and smarting. It is generally worse in the evening, and
particularly when acted upon by the air, or changing the day for the
night-clothes at bed-time.



150

DISEASES.

There are two forms of this disease, the acute and the chronic.
It may attack the same individual a great many times, in some cases
lasting only three or four days, in others as many years. It is produced by derangement of the digestive organs.
In the acute form, it is attended with feverish symptoms, the
general disturbance sometimes preceding the eruption a day or two.
To remove this, Aconite will be found serviceable; eight globules
in six table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two or three
hours until the feverish symptoms are abated.
When produced by eating bitter almonds, or the kernels or pips of
certain fruits (a common cause of this complaint), and it is accompanied by nausea and headache, oppression of the chest, and difficult
respiration, Ipecacuanha should be employed; eight globules in six
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
If accompanied by bowel complaint, distention of the stomach,
and loss of appetite, Pulsatilla will be found of great advantage;
eight globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful
every three hours.
In the chronic form, it is frequently aggravated by some irregularity of diet, strict attention to which, and the careful avoidance of articles known to excite the disease, will, in some cases, be
sufficient to arrest its progress.
Should it appear after eating shell-fish, or be produced by eating
any particular article of food, Rhus Toxicodendron should be taken;
eight globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful
every four hours.
If the eruption is caused by exposure to wet or damp weather,
Dulcamara will prove particularly useful; eight globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful three times a day.
Nux Vomica has proved most useful when the eruption has been
caused by indulgence in malt or spirituous liquors, and most cases
will yield to a course of Nux Vomica and Mercurius; three
globules of Mercurius ought to be taken every morning, fasting,
dry upon the tongue, and three globules of Nux Vomica in half a
wine-glassful of water at bed-time. This course should be continued
for two or three days.
If these remedies fail, however, Arsenicum and Sulphur should
be administered in the same way.
Neuralgia.
Neuralgia is the term used to denote pain in a nerve and increased sensibility, without inflammation, and perhaps without
change of structure in the part affected.     The pain varies in
intensity, in some cases, being excruciatingly severe, in others, a
mere unpleasant sensation. Occasionally, it follows exposure to
cold, wounds, and other injuries, indigestion, or the use of improper
food, and sometimes occurs during pregnancy. Its cause is often



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151

involved in obscurity. It may occur in any part of the body, but is
oftener met with in the nerves of the face and hips than in any other.
The principal remedies for neuralgia are Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Coffea, Ignatia, Mercurius,
Pulsatilla, Nux Vomica, and Veratrum.
See also " Tic Doloureux" and " Sciatica."
Nightmare.- (Incubus.)
Nightmare is generally produced by eating heavy suppers, or
otherwise overloading the stomach shortly before going to rest.
Lying on the back also causes it very frequently. It consists of a
feeling of heavy pressure or weight on the chest and stomach, and is
attended with fanciful dreams, usually of a distressing or horrible
character. It occurs generally during the first hours of sleep, and
causes much annoyance. When of frequent occurrence it requires
careful attention. Remedial means should be adopted, otherwise
the health will be likely to suffer; great care should be taken that
the diet is light, and easy of digestion, and suppers should be
abstained from; only a small quantity of cold water being taken
before going to bed, and the abdominal compress should be worn
all night.
Should the respiration be impeded or stertorous, the sufferer experience great anguish, and awakes bathed in cold perspiration,
Opium ought to be taken; four globules in two table-spoonfuls of
water, a table-spoonful two hours before, and another at bed-time.
When it causes feverishness, thirst, restlessness, and is followed
by sleeplessness, Aconite is required; two globules in a table-spoonful of water, taking it at bed-time. Aconite is also the most appropriate remedy when it occurs in children; dose, one globule at
bed-time, repeated again, if necessary, during the night.
When it arises from derangement of digestion, through eating
rich heavy food, or overloading the stomach, Pulsatilla will be found
of much advantage; six globules in three table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every two hours until sleep is obtained.
When it arises from indulgence in spirituous liquors, tea, or coffee,
Nux Vomica should be used; two globules in a table-spoonful of
water, taken at bed-time.
When these medicines are not sufficient, recourse may be had to
Sulphur; two globules in cold water at bed-time.
Piles.-(Hemorrhoids.)
These troublesome tumours may arise from various causes, constipation, sedentary habits, exposure to cold, stimulating food and
drink, stoppage of long-continued discharges, etc., and they are not
unfrequently caused by taking large doses of aloes, and other purgative medicines. They are more common among females (especially while pregnant), than among males.



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DISEASES.

Piles are found both within and without the anus, and immediately around it. When external, they may be merely hard, round,
flattish tumours, slightly painful, but when irritated or inflamed
they enlarge, become tensive, and excessively painful, occasionally
ulcerating and discharging blood. Internal piles are mostly of the
bleeding variety, more especially emitting blood on going to stool,
when the quantity passed may be excessive, but even should little
at a time be lost, when long continued it may be of serious consequence.
It is highly requisite, in the treatment of piles, to pay due attention to cleanliness. For this purpose they should be well bathed
with cold water, and a lotion of Calendula should be applied, in the
proportion of one part of the Mother Tincture to ten of cold water,
several times a day; keeping the recumbent position as much as
possible, and avoiding all stimulants, either in food or drink.
When piles are inflamed and painful, but do not bleed, and when
the urinary organs are sympathetically affected, a very common accompaniment, Nux Vomica should be taken; nine globules in six
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful three times a day.
For bleeding piles, attended by burning pains, sensation of bearing down, and frequent desire to evacuate the bowels, Arsenicuzm
ought to be used; nine globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every three hours.
When the inflammation runs high, and extends to the surrounding gut, and there is feverishness, Aconite is required; six globules
in three table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When there is debility from loss of blood, and to assist in restoring the strength, China should be employed; six globules in two
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful night and morning.
Nux Vomica and Sulphur will in many cases, if taken alternately, eradicate the tendency to piles. For this purpose they should be
taken, time about, every night for a week; a week should be allowed
to elapse, the same course being resumed, continuing thus for four
or five weeks; two globules of each, night and morning, day about.
Rheumatism.
Rheumatism, which is often hereditary, is a peculiar inflammation
attacking the fibrous tissue in the neighbourhood of the arm-joints, and
is very liable to move from one joint or limb to another, and often
involves the membranes covering the heart. It depends on the presence of some poisonous material in the blood, very probably lithic
or lactic acid. It is of two kinds which insensibly run into each
other, viz., acute and chronic. Acute rheumatism is often followed
by the chronic variety.
Acute rheumatism generally commences with the symptoms of
fever. There is languor, debility, slight chills, uneasiness and restlessness, one or more of the larger joints usually begin to swell, to



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153

be painful, red, and hot, the fever increases, there is thirst, coated
tongue, accelerated pulse, alternate heats and chills, frequent excessive perspiration of sour, disagreeable smell, and the urine is scanty,
high-coloured, and deposits a sediment.     The local inflammation
may shift its seat several times during the course of an attack, going
from joint to joint; the knee, ankle, shoulder, wrist, etc., may all suffer
alternately or together, and occasionally it shifts to the heart, giving
rise to the most serious danger. The pain in rheumatism is of varying character, often very severe; it may be sharp, dull, shooting,
gnawing, boring, or throbbing, and is aggravated by the slightest
movement or touch.
Acute rheumatism generally occurs between the ages of fifteen
and forty-five, but it may occur at an earlier period in those who
are hereditarily predisposed to be attacked by it.       Its exciting
causes are usually exposure to cold or wet, sudden suppression of
perspiration, and other debilitating influences. It is exceedingly apt
to recur in those who have once suffered from it.
Chronic rheumatism differs from the acute variety in several ways,
viz., in the absence of fever and constitutional disturbance, the pain
being not nearly so severe, and the joints affected being but slightly
swollen. The pain is increased by pressure, movement, and warmth,
hence it is often felt most severely in bed. It is very obstinate and
apt to recur. When it attacks the small joints, it eventually distorts them, and all joints, when frequently involved, become stiff
and weak.
Another form it may take is what is sometimes called passive.
The pain is alleviated by warmth, friction, and perspiration. It is
always felt worse in a cold damp atmosphere, and is much benefited
by summer weather, and by a warm climate and comfortable clothing.
Rheumatic affection of the heart is an exceedingly dangerous form
of the disease, and very apt to occur in the young, and those with
whom rheumatism is hereditary. When pain in the region of the
heart, increased by pressure, palpitation, inability to lie on the left
side, stiffness and pain in the left shoulder and arm, or delirium, or
strange wild look, occur during the course of a case of acute rheumatism, not a moment should be lost in obtaining medical aid, as a
metastasis or shifting of the inflammation to the pericardium   is to
be dreaded..
Rheumatic gout seems to unite many of the characteristics both of
gout and rheumatism. It does not, however, require separate mention; this article and reference to that on "CGout" being sufficient.
In all cases of acute rheumatism at their commencement, when
the fever is high, especially should the parts inflamed be red and
shining, and the pain be worse after the use of wine or stimulants,
and the heart become affected, Aconite is required; six globules in
four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every two hours.
When the pains are shifting, worse on the slightest motion, the



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DISEASES.

muscles most involved, and when it affects the loins, and there is
bilious derangement and headache, Bryonia should be administered;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When the pain is of a wrenching, tingling character, worse while
at rest and at night, the parts affected beingistiff, numb, and weak,
relief being experienced during motion, Rhus Toxicodendron ought
to be employed; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a
table-spoonful every three hours.
When the pain is gnawing and benumbing, and there is cramp
in the muscles, constipation, and derangement of digestion, and
especially when rheumatism    affects the back, chest, neck, and
shoulders, Nux Vomica should be used; six globules in four tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
When rheumatism follows a cold, or exposure to cold or damp, is
worse at night, while at rest, and without fever, Dulcamara will be
found of much service; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the part affected feels bruised and weak, is very sensitive
to the touch, trembling, and numb, and there is drawing and tearing pain, aggravated by cold and damp, Acidum Nitricum will prove
of great advantage; six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water,
a table-spoonful every three hours.
When the pains shift, are worse in the evening, on change of
weather, and in warmth, the use of Pulsatilla is indicated; six
globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three
hours.
When the pain is of a burning character, worse at night and in
cold air, but relieved by warmth, Arsenicum should be administered;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
When the pain is of a shooting and burning character, and is felt
chiefly in the bones and joints, there being also swelling and a
sensation of cold in the part affected, with profuse perspiration,
which does not relieve, Miercurius is required; six globules in four
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every three hours.
Other remedies might be required in obstinate and chronic cases,
but a physician should be called in to all that re serious and of
long continuance. I need not insist on the necessity for guarding
against vicissitudes of temperature, etc. Much relief from pain may
often be obtained from the use of the wet bandage, and other
adjuncts. (See articles on Hydropathy, Galvanism, etc.)
Ringworm and Scaldhead.
Ringworm   is an eruption which generally appears on the scalp
(but it may occur on any other part) in circular patches, destroying
the hair, and forming unsightly accumulation of scabs. It com



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159

extremities; ulcers form, which discharge a thin sanious fluid
mixed with blood, and frequent haemorrhage occurs from the mouth,
nose, bowels, etc., the difficulty of breathing and prostration of
strength continually increasing.
It appears to be caused by the absence of some essential ingredient in the food, which consequently forms blood deteriorated in
quality, or wanting in some necessary article, and facts point
strongly to the circumstance that potass is the principle deficient.
The first object naturally is to restore this absent ingredient, for
which purpose lemon juice has been deservedly held in the highest
estimation; but fresh vegetables and fruit, potatoes especially,
with nourishing food generally, will answer equally well.
The principal remedies areWhen the gums are separate and recede from the teeth, are
spongy, ulcerate, and bleed easily; the tongue and mouth swell and
ulcerate; the breath is very fcetid, and the saliva offensive and
bloody; the bowels are much affected, and other scorbutic symptoms are present, MIercurius should be taken; four globules in three
table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful three times a day.
When mercury has been much used; when the gums are white,
swollen, and bleed; when the teeth are loose, and when the breath
has a putrid smell, Nitric Acid should be administered; two globules
in a table-spoonful of water, night and morning.
This is one of the best antidotes to Mercury when it produces a
similar affection of the mouth.
When the gums recede from the teeth, ulcerate, and bleed easily,
if much common salt or mercury have been used, Carbo Vegetabilis
will be found of great advantage; two globules in a table-spoonful
of water, night and morning.
When the gums throb, swell, and are painful; when the teeth
are loose; when vesicles and small ulcers form in the mouth; when
the breath is offensive and sour; and when ulcers form in the extremities, etc., Sulphur should be taken; two globules in a tablespoonful of water, night and morning.
Sea-Sickness.
This affection, which is caused by the motion of a vessel at sea, is
too common and too often experienced, to require much explanation.
The symptoms are nausea, uneasiness in the stomach, and giddiness,
followed by vomiting, first of the food previously taken, afterwards
of bilious matter. The vomiting is worse and continues longer
when the sea is rough; it may cease in a day or two, or continue
for weeks. When long continued, the bilious vomiting is succeeded
by. violent retching and straining, though rarely anything is ejected
by the stomach during these efforts. The patient becomes apathetic
and careless of every surrounding danger or circumstance; the
physical prostration is very great at the same time; and, if this



160

DISEASES.

state is of long continuance, there is danger of serious consequences
ensuing, though generally the symptoms gradually subside without
such following.
All these symptoms may be prevented in general by taking two
globules of Nux Vomica in a little water on the night before embarking; with a light meal two or three hours before sailing;
and by taking as much exercise on deck as possible when first
at sea.
It is always advisable for those liable to suffer from sea-sickness
to take on board the medicines recommended, already prepared, as
it is not usually very convenient to do so afterwards. Dissolve
nine globules of Cocculus in six ounces of water, and take a tablespoonful on the first sensation of sickness, repeating it every half
hour while any tendency to or feeling of sickness remains.
Should the vomiting be very violent, and Cocculus fail, Ipecacuanha should be taken; two globules in a table-spoonful of water,
every hour, or even oftener, if the symptoms are very severe.
If the patient becomes greatly prostrated, and the retching is very
violent, Arsenicum should be employed; eight globules in six tablespoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful after each attack of retching.
If the smell of the vessel causes increased uneasiness, Pulsatilla
will prove very serviceable; two globules in a table-spoonful of
water every hour, or oftener, if required.
Shingles.-(Zona.)
Shingles is an eruption of the skin somewhat resembling nettlerash, but usually embracing one-half of the body, stopping abruptly
at the medium line. It is generally found on the trunk, but sometimes extends to the neck or extremities. It is not a serious disease, in the young or middle-aged of good constitution, generally
disappearing in from six to ten days, leaving only a slight crust and
redness of the skin; but when it occurs in elderly, weak persons, it
is often difficult to remove, and attended with a burning, tingling
pain, which seems of a neuralgic character, sometimes leaving
behind small sores difficult to heal. It seems to prefer the right
side of the body, and is commonly believed (without any foundation) to be fatal, if it should embrace the whole body, which, however, it rarely does.
The causes are usually irregularity in living, and the use of improper food; but when it has once occurred, it may return on very
slight occasions; hence the necessity for attention to the diet and
avoidance of what is likely to disagree. Fish, or shell-fish especially, ought never to be tasted. The principal remedies are Rhus
Toxicodendron, Arseniczum, Mercurius, Pulsatilla, Sulphur.    See
also " Nettle-rash" and  Affections of the Skin."



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161

Sleeplessness.-(Insomnia.)
Sleeplessness, without being a symptom of any disease, or attendant on any perceptible derangement of health, is by no means uncommon, and very annoying.         Intense and too long continued
mental application, want of exercise, sedentary habits, drinking tea
or coffee shortly before retiring to rest, mental emotions, and nervous excitement, will all cause it.
When it occurs as a symptom of disease, sleeplessness will cease
on the removal of the cause by the use of suitable medicines; but
in cases where uncomplicated, the following will be generally found
sufficient.
For sleeplessness caused by mental application, intense study,
drinking strong tea or coffee, Nux Vomica. When it arises from
over-eating, Pulsatilla.  When caused by fear, Opium; by joy,
Coffea; by anxiety, and when it occurs in young children, Aconite.
When it is caused by grief, care, sadness, and depression of spirits,
Ignatia.
When sleep is light, disturbed by frightful visions, dread, restlessness, and a feeling as though awake, Belladonna.
The dose in all these cases, two globules every hour until sleep is
procured; one globule being the dose suitable for infants.
Quinsey, or Inflammatory Sore Throat.-(Cynanche Tons.)
Sore throat is a very common complaint, and generally arises
from exposure to cold, wet, or damp. It occasionally occurs as an
epidemic, and then, in addition to the above causes, it probably depends on some peculiar state of the atmosphere.        Some have a
decided predisposition to attacks of inflammatory sore throat, and
in these it generally occurs periodically, as in the spring and fall of
the year, or on the least exposure to cold. Those who have suffered
from one or two severe attacks are extremely liable to a recurrence
on the slightest occasion.
The symptoms of quinsey are a feeling of soreness, dryness, and
tightness about the throat, with pain and difficulty of swallowing,
and hoarseness. On examination, the throat is found red and inflamed, the uvula and one or both tonsils more or less swollen and
covered with viscid mucus, and a few opaque whitish spots. The
constitutional symptoms are usually well marked. Feverishness,
headache, pain in the limbs and back, rapid pulse, and white,
creamy-coated tongue exist. When the inflammation is severe, the
pain in swallowing is very great, the speech thick and inarticulate,
and should the tonsils be very much swollen, and the root of the
tongue involved, the breathing will be somewhat impeded.
The usual termination of sore throat is by subsidence of the
swelling, pain, and other inflammatory symptoms, the disease gradually abating; but, occasionally, when the swelling and inflam



164

DISEASES.

the bowels invariably torpid and constipated; pain is a rare accompaniment, though headache and vertigo are often present; the sleep
also is often restless, but while it lasts the characteristic motions
are suspended.
Chorea usually makes its attacks between the ages of eight and
sixteen years, and is about three times more common among the
female sex than amongst males. Its cause has been variously attributed, and dissection has detected various lesions, chiefly of the
brain and spinal marrow, which were supposed to account for it, but
with doubtful truth. This much, however, may be relied on, viz.,
that it arises from debility, allowing or causing irritation of the
nerves of voluntary motion. It is often immediately produced by
fright, worms, second dentition, mental emotions, and morbid accumulation of matter in the digestive canal. In young females it is
often connected with the condition of the sexual functions, allied
to or associated with hysteria, and with much of the hysterical character. It is often complicated with rheumatic affections, especially
when affecting the membranes of the spine or of the heart.
In simple cases, it is not a dangerous disease, and may be removed by strict attention to the proper performance of digestion,
of the sexual functions when they seem concerned, the regulation of
the various deviations from health, which may be present, and the
administration of the proper medicines. The principal of these are
Belladonna, Cocculus, Cuprum, Ignatic, and Nux Vomica. Aphysician,
however, should have charge of the case where at all practicable.
Stye.
The glands which are situated at the edge of the eyelids sometimes become clogged, and form what is popularly known as the
stye. It is a very annoying complaint, but usually of short duration. Many persons are exceedingly liable to it.
The principal remedy for stye is Pulsatilla, which will generally
suffice to remove the affection if taken immediately on its first appearance; two globules in cold water, three times a day, and a
lotion being at the same time applied, made by adding eight drops
of the mother-tincture to a wine-glassful of cold water, applied on a
pad of lint and covered with oiled silk.
But if there is great inflammation and pain, Aconite is required;
six globules in four table-spoonfuls of water, a table-spoonful every
three hours.
Should any induration or swelling remain, Hepar Sulphuris should
be administered, in doses of two globules twice a day.
Mercurius should be taken if ulceration takes place. Dose same
as Pulsatilla.
To remove a tendency to stye, Pulsatilla should be employed; two
globules every second night for a week, and after waiting a week,
Sulphur should be taken in the same way, repeating both several
times.



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165

'Ulcers.- ( Ulcus.)
Ulcers are open secreting sores, and a result of inflammation.
They may be divided into healthy and unhealthy.
A healthy ulcer has a tendency to cicatrize and heal. It is seen
to be covered with bright red, minute, conical granulations, not elevated above the surface of the skin. These granulations are highly
sensitive, bleed easily, and are usually covered and protected by a
layer of thick, healthy pus, which disappears as the cicatrization
advances.
Unhealthy ulcers may either be irritable and inflamed, when the
surface is more or less red and angry-looking, the margin red and
inflamed; or they may be sluggish and indolent, either having pale,
flabby, high granulations, the margin being bluish and unhealthylooking, or else the surface is smooth and depressed, having thick,
hard edges.
There are other varieties of ulcers, which from some peculiarity
of situation or constitution have a tendency to spread rapidly, or to
remain open and difficult to heal, but I need not particularize them.
The great requisite in the treatment of all ulcers is rest, without
which in very many cases nothing can be done; with it, most will
yield to treatment.
Healthy ulcers will rarely require more than the application of
the Calendula Lotion or Calendulated Cold Cream, by means of a piece
of lint, when they rapidly become well; but, for unhealthy ulcers,
other treatment is required, according to their situation, extent, and
nature.
If ulcers are red and angry, surrounded by a red margin, they
should be frequently bathed with a lotion made by adding twenty
drops of the Mother Tincture of Aconite to a wine-glassful of cold
water, and they should be covered by a pad of lint saturated with
the same, and finally covered with oiled silk. When they are still
worse than this, and are dark in colour, and threaten to become
gangrenous, instead of the foregoing a lotion should be used made
by adding twenty drops of the first dilution of Arsenicum to a
wine-glassful of cold water; apply it on a pad of lint, covered with
oiled silk, and renew it every four hours.
All ulcers that are indolent and unhealthy, when the granulations
are pale and flabby, or the surface smooth and glassy, and the edges
hard and raised, may be stimulated by galvanism to take on a
healthy, healing condition. For this purpose proceed as follows:Take a thin plate of silver (copper will do, but not so well) larger
than the sore, and a plate of zinc thicker and larger than the silver,
connect them together with a wire five or six inches in length, after
carefully cleaning the surfaces. The silver plate should be applied
to the skin immediately below, and close to the edge of the ulcer;
then the zinc plate should be placed on the skin above, so that the



DISEASES.

167

extremities than in any other part of the body. They generally
occur on the inside of the leg. Piles is also a varicose state of the
hlemorrhoidal veins.
The causes which give rise to this affection are blows, strains, and
any cause which prevents the free passage of blood through them,
such, for example, as a tight garter, tumours, etc.; sometimes they
are hereditary, and perhaps are occasionally met with in debilitated
persons in consequence of a relaxed and weakened state of the venous
coats. They are more common among women than men, and often
arise during pregnancy.
The veins affected become dilated, tortuous, and at different points
bulge considerably. Sometimes they are accompanied by a tense,
heavy pain, and the limb is generally weaker, tires sooner, is numb,
and its power of motion is somewhat impeded. Sometimes they inflame and suppurate, and sores form difficult to heal.  Occasionally
hmemorrhage occurs, giving rise to considerable danger if not speedily
stopped. An cedematous condition of the limb is frequently found
in connexion with varices.
Elastic bandages or stockings are very useful for a varicose state
of the veins of the extremities, and should be constantly worn, as
they support the oppressed vessels, and prevent their continued enlargement, and obviate much of the inconvenience to which they
might otherwise give rise.
The principal medicines are Arnica, Pulsatilla, and Arsenicum.
Commence by giving two globules of Arnica every night for a
week; pause for four days, then give Pulsatilla in the same way.
Should they become painful and inflamed, give Arsenicum      in the
same doses.   Two globules of Sulphur may often be advantageously
given for two or three days between the changes of medicines.
Varicose ulcers require nothing special in their treatment, therefore I refer to article " Ulcers." Operations for the cure of varicose
veins are both useless and dangerous.
Warts.-( Verruca.)
A wart is an affection of the true skin, in which the papille or
elevations become preternaturally elongated, and cause a similar
growth and elevation of the scarf-skin which covers them. They
are oftenest met with on the hands, and sometimes arise without
obvious cause. Generally, however, they can be traced to some irritation of the external surface, hence they are very common among
those who habitually neglect the care of the hands, such as schoolboys, servants, etc. In some cases, however, there seems to be a
constitutional liability. Many absurd remedies are in popular use,
numbers of which are disgusting, and nearly all are perfectly useless.
All that is required in the majority of cases is cleanliness, and the
use of Arnica, as directed under Corns. Silicea may be taken internally, in doses of two globules every second night. Should this



170

DISEASES.

tated sleep, with starting and grinding of the teeth, dreams and
nightmare, wetting the bed, delirium, convulsions or epilepsy, most
of the symptoms being aggravated by fasting, and in the morning.
A greater or less number of the symptoms above enumerated may
be present, but the only sure proof of their existence is to see them,
as similar symptoms might arise from other causes.
Worms, it may safely be said, do not inhabit the healthy intestines, and, therefore, one great object in the treatment is to restore
that condition as well as to expel the worms which are present.
For this purpose regular exercise should be taken, the food be nutritious and easy of digestion, such as well-cooked beef and mutton,
no vegetables, fruit, pastry, or sweetmeats should be allowed, using
a sufficiency of common salt; tea and milk should be very sparingly
used.
When it is known that worms are present in children, commence
by giving Cina and Sulphur.
TAPE-WORM.-Two varieties of tape-worm have been enumerated
which inhabit the human intestines, viz., the common tape-worm
(Tcenia solium) found in this country, Germany, Holland, etc., and
the broad tape-worm     (Tcenia lata or Bothriocephalus latus) met
with in Russia, Poland, Switzerland, and the north.
This parasite often attains an enormous length, and occasions
much annoyance, being very difficult to expel. The symptoms to
which it gives rise are similar to those already detailed; pain and
uneasiness in the abdomen, itching of the nose and anus, variable
appetite, slight emaciation, lassitude, and various nervous symptoms
which seem to increase with its length, but in this, as in the other
cases, the only sure proof of its existence is the passing of fragments
in the stool.*
Wounds.
See article "Bruises and Wounds," page 56.
* Modern research and experiments have proved the strange fact that the tapeworm is a further stage of development of a parasite found in animals supplying the
food of the creatures they inhabit, thus the Cysticercus fasciolaris, a parasite found in
the mouse, becomes the Tcenia crussicollis of the cat; the Cysticerczs pisiformis of
the hare and rabbit, the Tcenia crassiceps of the fox; the Cysticercus tenuicollis of
ruminants, the Tcenia serrata of the dog (which is perhaps identical with the Tcenia
soliumc of man); the Cysticercus cellulosa of the pig, sheep, etc. becomes the Tcenia
soliusm of man. While a species of Ligula found in certain fishes of the north, seem
to become developed into the Tcenia lata of those regions. Measly pork is said to
produce Tcenia in dogs fed upon it, and it is said that those who are in the habit
of eating raw or insufficiently cooked meat are very liable to be troubled with tapeworm. Hence its great frequency among the Abyssinians.



172

APPENDIX.

and discipline there observed, much assisting the return of health,
especially in those who have suffered from intense study, the toil
and cares of business, and active public life. But it is always advisable to select one as far from a town as possible, for the purpose
of securing purer air than near a densely populated locality, and
obtaining the advantage of a thorough change of air and scenery.*
Of bathing, I have already spoken as a hygienic agent, for curative purposes. It may be applied in many various ways, but not
without medical advice and careful preparation. The same may be
said of wet-sheet packing, etc.; but there are some of the hydropathic processes which may be usefully resorted to in domestic practice, and which I shall briefly describe.
Compresses will be found most valuable in a number of ways in
many abdominal complaints, especially, the various forms of indigestion, and in constipation. The compress should be made in the
following manner:-Take a piece of cotton or linen, about six or
eight inches in breadth, and long enough to go round the body
several times, dip it in cold water, and after wringing it well out,
apply it round the body over the seat of uneasiness, either embracing the whole trunk, or folded in such a length that it will reach to
the edge of the spine on both sides, but not cover it, place over it a
piece of oiled silk, the thin gutta-percha sheeting, or other waterproof
sheeting, so as to entirely cover it, and wear it, in severe cases,
night and day, in milder ones, or where it causes much uneasiness,
during the day or night only, redipping it in cold water two or
three times a day, or sufficiently often to prevent it from   getting
dry in a variable time; if constantly warmed it often causes an
eruption to appear, sometimes also an aggravation of the symptoms,
soon followed by marked benefit; it will often produce a copious
defluxion from the bowels when applied for constipation, in the
course of a few hours, and its use, if persevered in, seldom fails to
relieve. Cold water may be taken internally pretty freely during
the same period; frequently sipping cold water is most useful in all
forms of indigestion; and, in habitual constipation, a tumbler of
cold water on going to bed, and another taken on rising in the
morning, is always attended with good results.
Compresses wrung out of water, placed across the lower part of
the loins and spine, protected by oiled silk, and kept continually
moist, will often abate the pain of sciatica and lumbago, and a similar application round the throat, when sore and inflamed, will
always be attended with benefit.
Sprains, whether old or recent, rheumatic pains of the joints, and
nerve pains, will always be benefited by the liberal application of
* The establishment of my friend Dr. Gully, at Malvern in Worcestershire, I can
recommend with great confidenee, as I amn personally cognizant of cures having
been effected by his skilful treatment in cases which were almost hopeless.



APPENDIX.

173

cold water, either applied as above, by frequent bathing of the
parts affected, or both.
Electricity.
It has long been known that the nervous force and electricity,
both in development and propagation, greatly resemble each other;
so much so, indeed, that at one time many physiologists considered
them identical.   This notion, however, more recent researches have
exploded, and there being so many marked differences, the position
is no longer tenable.
This similarity quite early in the investigation of electrical phenomena, led to the belief that it might be made a most useful addition
to our curative forces, and although it has not disappointed us, its
effects have not proved so valuable as the most sanguine of its supporters imagined.    Still it is a most useful agent in a certain class of
cases, and its employment is attended with very satisfactory results.
Electricity is generally spoken of in two conditions-statical,
when in a state of rest or of equilibrium; and dynamical, when in a
state of motion or of progressive action. Statical electricity doubtless influences man, but it is not perceptible, or only to a very small
extent; for opposite electrical states of the atmosphere are not
taken cognizance of by the feelings. Dynamical electricity, on the
other hand, produces most marked effects on the system, when
transmitted along an ordinary nerve, exciting both sensation and
muscular contraction.*     So powerfully does it act, that a strong
electrical current, passing through the brain, will cause instant
death; a lightning stroke being the best example of this action on
the nervous system.
Dynamical electricity is the form employed medicinally, three
methods being used for its development, viz., friction by the common electrical machine, chemical action by the voltaic and other
batteries, and magnetism by coil machines, and permanent or electromagnetic machines. The electricity generated by the ordinary frictional machine differs from that of the voltaic battery by being of
very much higher intensity.
Its method of cure is not fully understood; but it seems to act as
a peculiar specific stimulus to the nerves, and is most usefully employed in nervous affections, such as paralysis, chorea, etc. In
local paralysis, where only one limb, or set of muscles are affected,
and that through a torpid condition of the nerves, its good effects
are most marked. In paralysis, from apoplexy, it sometimes does
good, after the active symptoms of the attack have ceased; in stiffness, paralysis, numbness and weakness in any part of the body,
arising from   chronic rheumatism, dislocations, fractures, bruises,
* When electricity is transmitted along the nerves of touch it excites pain; when
along the optic nerve, the sensation of light; when along the gustatory nerve, it
causes a peculiar taste; when along the auditory nerve, sound: and when along the
olfactory nerve, the sensation of smell.



174

APPENDIX.

sprains, etc., it is often of great service. In some forms of amaurosis
or paralysis of the optic nerve, tetanus or lock-jaw, asphyxia, to
stimulate indolent sores, and in some diseases of females, it is also a
useful adjunct to the other treatment; perhaps also it might be
found to prove of service in some forms of deafness.
It is best, however, only to use electricity under medical supervision; for many cases have not only failed to improve, but have
been made decidedly worse through its unskilful application.*
Plasters.
It is a usual and very good practice in most households, especially
where there are children, to keep a supply of plaster-lint and other
etceteras, for immediate use, in case of accidents. Both the Arnica
and Calendula plasters, which may be obtained from any homceopathic chemist, are of service in cases of slight incised wounds, to
keep the edges in apposition to each other, and facilitate their
union. It is impossible to give directions for their further application to all cases, than that it is best, if the wound is at all lengthy,
to cut the plaster into narrow strips, and apply it in such a manner
that, while keeping the edges together, it will leave a space for the
escape of any matter which may form, especially at the more dependent part. In some cases it is necessary that stitches be applied
instead; but all such require the aid of a surgeon.
In more severe cases it may happen that an artery or vein is
injured; the hwemorrhage being profuse, and if allowed to continue,
dangerous. To prevent this, until surgical aid can be obtained: if
the blood is bright-red in colour, escaping in jerks, agreeing with
the beat of the pulse, showing that an artery is wounded; or in a
continuous stream, the blood being darker and venous, if the orifice
is small, apply pressure with the point of the thumb until it ceases,
and afterwards a bandage over a pad pressing perpendicularly on
the wounded spot. In cases where the injury is too extensive to be
so treated, and occurs on a limb or in the extremities, tie a hankerchief, or something similar, round the limb, a couple of inches or so
above the wound, and by means of a piece of wood, twist it tight
enough to stop the flow, retaining it thus until the arrival of a surgeon, or till, on gradually loosening it, the bleeding does not recur.
* I have seen total paralysis supervene by the perseveringly injudicious use of a
common coil machine in a case of partial paralysis of the arm. The power, however,
returned under a more skilfully applied course of electrical treatment. I simply
state this to show the necessity for consulting a person acquainted both with the
structure of the part, and with the nature of the agent employed.
The electro-chemical bath is a method of applying electricity which I can confidently recommend, having used it with the greatest success in many cases, especially those arising from the action of mercurial and other mineral drugs remaining
in the system after their excessive use under allopathic treatment, and also in the
treatment of skin affections, scrofula, lumbago, sciatica, and other rheumatic and
neuralgic affections. It will generally at once alleviate the pain, and thus remove
one of the severest symptoms, and greatly assist a cure.



APPENDIX.

175

Calendula may also be used, as directed under articles " Calendula"
and "Wounds."
Bandages.
Bandages are made of strips of linen, calico, flannel, etc., of varying length and breadth as required, and are used to support sprained
or swollen joints or limbs, varicose veins, etc.; or to retain dressings
on injured or wounded parts. They are best applied in the following manner:-First, roll the bandage evenly and firmly upon itself,
and apply the free end to the part to be bandaged, drawing it
moderately and equally tight, overlapping each fold about one-third
of its breadth by the one following. If, as in the case when applied
to a limb, the bandage increases in thickness, it must be bound on
itself so as to lie evenly in its whole course; and, if applied near the
extremity of a limb, the points of the toes and fingers must be
included, to prevent interference with free circulation otherwise
likely to occur. To secure it, tear the end into strips and tie round
the part.
The breadth of a bandage for the arm is about two or two and a
half inches, that for the leg about an inch broader; the length from
two to four or five yards.
To keep poultices or other dressings in their places, all that is
required is a piece of calico, each end being torn into two or more
tails, according to its breadth, long enough to go round the part and
to tie, leaving a piece in the centre, whole and large enough to cover
the dressing. For the head, it should be about a yard and a half
long, and about nine inches broad, and be slit into two at each end,
leaving the centre whole for about ten inches, or as much as may be
necessary. To secure it, carry the two front ends on either side back
to the nape of the neck, and round it to tie in front, and the two tails
from behind to tie under the chin. This bandage may easily be
arranged so as to apply to any part of the head.
Poultices.
Poultices are very useful to hasten the process of suppuration,
lessen pain, and relax tense parts. Many kinds are employed, but
all the good effects may be obtained from two or three. The most
generally useful is theLinseed-meal Poultice, which is best made in the following manner, viz., To a little finely ground linseed meal add a sufficient quantity of boiling water to make a mass of the consistence of thick
porridge. Stir it well until it is thoroughly mixed, and no lumps
are found, then spread it on a piece of soft linen in a layer about
half an inch thick, and sufficiently large to cover the whole of the
affected part, applying it directly to the surface.
Bread Poultice is made by boiling the crumb of stale bread with
water for two or three minutes, stirring it the while, and adding a



176

APPENDIX.

small quantity of fresh butter or lard immediately before spreading
on the linen. This is a moister poultice than the linseed meal, and
is more useful to apply to parts which require fomentation between the times they are applied. Bread poultices are often modified by the addition of a quantity of mutton suet, which is grated
and mixed with the bread crumb and water by heat. These are
useful to apply to excoriated and very irritable surfaces.
Carrot Poultices are made by boiling carrots until they are soft,
and bruising them to a pulpy consistence. They are then to be applied like the others. They are most useful applied to scrofulous
and other unhealthy sores, with offensive or acrid discharges. Very
finely powdered charcoal may be added, with benefit, when the discharge is very fcetid.
Poultices should be covered with oiled silk, and secured with the
tailed bandage already described.
For a Gumboil, split a fig, and apply one half with the cut surface
to the affected gum, and retain there as well as possible. See also
"Affections of the Mouth."
Poultices must be changed at least every night and morning, and
oftener if there is a discharge of offensive matter.
Fomentations.
Fomentations, either cold or hot, are applied in similar cases with
poultices, and have a similar effect.  The hot fomentations can often
be most serviceably superseded by having a flannel bag made large
enough to cover the affected part, and loosely filled with bran. Dip
it into boiling water for two or three minutes, wring dry in a towel,
and apply as hot as it can be conveniently borne, renewing it as it
cools. This is by far the best way of applying hot water, where
the patient is confined to bed, and when a large surface, such as the
abdomen, has to be covered. An improvement on the old plan of
applying a bran poultice is to take a piece of dry flannel, and lay it
on the affected part; then place the poultice on the flannel, in a short
time withdrawing the latter, and allowing the poultice to exert its
full effect next the skin. This is equal to a double application, as
we are able to apply the poultice with greater heat, and more
promptly with the flannel between it and the skin, and afterwards
to apply it alone with as great heat as can possibly be borne by the
patient. This process may be renewed again and again as often as
may be necessary.
Enemata, Clysters, or Injections
Are very useful, in cases of constipation, to relieve the bowels, and
when piles are present, while the proper internal homoeopathic remedies are acting. They should consist of warm       water only, about
blood heat. In cases of loss of tone in the lower bowels, cold water



APPENDIX.

177

enemata are best. Not more than a pint should be injected at one
time, and only repeated once every two or three days.
Disinfectants.
Apartments, furniture, clothing, etc., used by patients who have
had contagious or infectious disorders should be submitted to the
action of some agent which has the power of destroying the contagious matters that may still linger about them. The most powerful disinfectant is Chlorine, but as its bleaching and irritant properties are equal to its disinfectant powers, it is not applicable except
to empty apartments, which it may be employed to cleanse in the
following manner, viz.--Take an earthenware dish, and put into it
one part of the black oxide of manganese with three parts of common salt, add to this sulphuric acid diluted with an equal quantity
of water, and close the room. Allow it to remain some hours, then
admit fresh air, keeping both door and windows open until the
chlorine has been removed. Or, the black oxide of manganese may
be placed in a retort, and muriatic acid added, a gentle heat being
applied, and the preparation closed in as before. Chlorine is also
evolved, but in a much more limited quantity, from chloride of lime,
when hot water, with which a few drops of muriatic or sulphuric
acid has been mixed, is added. There are also to be had other disinfectants, such as M'Dougall's "Disinfecting Powder," or Sir
William Burnett's " Disinfecting Fluid," both of which are supplied
with directions for use by all chemists. The latter I believe to be
the best.
Water which is suspected of being contaminated with animal or
vegetable matter, should be filtered through a thick layer of finely
powdered charcoal, which will remove all such unpleasant ingredients, and render it pure and sweet. Charcoal, coarsely powdered,
from its power of absorbing gases, may be kept with much advantage in the sick-rooms of persons suffering from contagious diseases.
It may be again purified by exposure to a high temperature.
Foreign Bodies.
Foreign bodies often find their way into the eye, ears, nose, etc.,
causing great annoyance and pain.     Means should, therefore, at
once be taken for their removal.
Foreign bodies in the eye are best removed with the corner of a
pocket handkerchief; or, if firmly adhering from their rough or sharp
nature, by a clean pointed quill pen, toothpick, or similar instrument.
Sometimes bodies under the upper lid may be removed with much
facility by taking the upper eye-lash between the fingers and drawing it downwards over the other lid, and then allowing it to return
to its proper place. In other cases, especially should any irritant
fluid, mortar, lime, or acrid matter get into the eye, it is best to
place the head of the patient on one side, and opening the eyelids
M



178

APPENDIX.

wide, separating them well from the eye-ball, allow water to trickle
over it, when the offending matter will generally be washed out.
Should, however, the eye still continue irritable, or the offending
matter remain, an application should be made to a surgeon. Should
the effort for the removal of the substance be successful, to counteract any irritation which may still remain, see " Affections of the Eye."
Foreign Bodies in the Nose.-Children occasionally introduce substances into the nostrils which they are unable to remove. First,
try the effect of breathing forcibly through the affected nostril, with
the other one, and also the mouth, closed. If that is unsuccessful,
try a pinch of snuff or other irritant to cause sneezing; but if all
these fail, it is better at once to apply to a surgeon, for fear of something worse accruing.
Foreign bodies are sometimes introduced into the ear in the same
way, or otherwise enter and cause annoyance. All efforts for their
removal must be most carefully and delicately directed. If the substance cannot be removed after using a bent wire well oiled, and
syringing with hot water, a surgeon ought to be applied to. The
after treatment will be found under "Affections of the Ear."
Foreign Bodies in the Throat require the most immediate attention,
or death by suffocation may speedily ensue. An attempt should be
made at removal, failing which a surgeon should be sent for. I
give the plan recommended by Dr. Marshall Hall, quoting his own
words, merely adding an explanation of some of the terms used.
" Pressure being made on the abdomen to prevent the descent of
the diaphragm, a forcible blow should be made by the flat haiid on
the thorax (chest). The effect of this is to induce an effort similar
to that of respiration; the larynx being closed, cesophagal vomiting takes place, and the morsel is dislodged.
"If this plan fail, not an instant being lost, the pressure should
be kept up upon the abdomen; the finger should be introduced into
the throat, and the same smart forcible blow made on the thorax as
before. By the irritation of the fauces (back of the throat), the
cardia (the orifice opening into the stomach) is opened, and by the
blow on the thorax (firm pressure being made on the abdomen), an
effort similar to that of expiration, with a closed larynx, is made, and
a direct vomiting occurs, and the morsel of food is carried away.
Should these means fail, and danger become imminent, an attempt
should be made to remove it either by displacing or pushing it
downwards. For this purpose anything flexible, having the end
blunt and protected, will do, such as a piece of whalebone or cane,
or the thin end of a riding whip, etc.
Apposition as to Wounds.
In the healing of wounds or abscesses occurring in any particular
part of the body, or wounds left from abscesses and otherwise, one
of the most essential things to bear in mind during the treatment of



APPENDIX.

179

them is, that a condition of absolute rest should be enjoyed, that the
limb or parts be so held together by means of bandages, straps, or
otherwise, so that they cannot be easily moved about, as most frequently in the case of old injuries of this kind irritation is kept up
and matter formed by the rubbing of one muscle against another,
and thus the healing process is constantly being interfered with.
See article "Bruises and Wounds," page 56.
Poisons.
Poisonous substances are often taken accidentally or intentionally,
and it is essential that something be said regarding the proper method
of proceeding in such cases until efficient medical assistance can be
obtained. When we know that a poison has been taken, and are
acquainted with its nature, the course to be followed is comparatively
plain; but it unfortunately happens that in many cases, except for
certain suspicious circumstances, such as dangerous symptoms appearing suddenly, shortly after eating, after unusual kinds of food,
etc., there is no direct evidence that any poisonous substance has
been taken, or of its nature. However, there are certain indications
which, being followed, will preserve from going far astray.
In all cases of suspected poisoning, endeavour to excite vomiting
by tickling the throat with a feather, administering tepid water, or
mustard and water very frequently. If from the stupor, or in consequence of the shock to the system, the patient cannot be made to
swallow or vomit, the stomach-pump must be used by a professional
person, both to clear the stomach and inject tobacco smoke into the
bowels. When the nature of the poison is unknown, and the pain
violent, give the white of an egg beat up with cold water; but
should stupor occur, as though from some narcotic, give strong black
coffee, without sugar or milk.
The following substances are generally most available in cases of
poisoning:White of Eggs.-Beat up the white of eggs in water and give to
drink in all cases of metallic poisoning, when there is violent pain in
the stomach and bowels, with vomiting and purging; in poisoning
by corrosive sublimate, salts of copper, tin, lead, and other metals,
oil of vitriol, or other strong acids, alum, arsenic, etc. Starch and
water, or flour and water, should be given in similar cases, when eggs
are not to be had.
Soap dissolved in hot water should be given every four minutes,
in wine-glassfuls, in poisoning by arsenic, lead, nitric, sulphuric,
muriatic, or acetic acids, alum, etc.
Vinegar, diluted with water, is useful against alkaline poisons,
such as salts of soda or potass; also in cases of poisoning by opium,
laudanum, poisonous mushrooms, fish, or sausages.
Sugar, or sugar and water, is a useful antidote for arsenical and
other mineral poisons, such as verdigris, salts of tin, lead, etc.



INDEX.

191

ULCERS, 165.
Ulcerated Sore Throat, 161.
Urine, Disorders of- Bloody (Hsematuria), 45.
-    Incontinence of (Enuresis), 44.
-    Retention of (Ischuria), 44.
Urinary Organs-     Affections of the, 43.
-    Inflammation of the, 44.
Urticaria (Nettle Rash), 149.
VARICOSE VEINS, 166.
Variola (Small-pox), 107.
Varix (Varicose Veins), 166 -Verruca (Warts), 167.
Vegetable Charcoal, 19.
Veratrum Album, 27.
Vertigo, 90.
Vomiting, Nausea and, 148.

WANT OF APPETITE, 31.
Warts, 26, 167.
Water, how to Purify, 177.
Waterbrash (Pyrosis), 168.
Weakness of Sight, 34.
Wet Bandage for Sore Throat, 162.
Wetting the Bed in Children, 44.
Whitlow (Panaris), 168.
Winter Cough (Catarrhus Senilis), 133.
Worms, 169.
Worm, Tape, the, 170.
-    Round, the, 169.
-    Thread, the, 169.
-    Long Thread, the, 169.
Worm Fever of Children, 101.
Wounds, 170.
Wounds, Apposition as to, 178.
-     Incised, 56.
- Lacerated, 56.
-- Punctured, 56.
IRATA.

Page 73, line 16 from the top,.for emunction read inunction.
Page 83, last line, for is read are.
Page 160, line 19 from foot, for medium read median.
EDINBURGH: T. CONSTABLE,
PRINTER TO THE QUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITY.