8
it was exhausted. The resulting tincture was evaporated to an
extract, which was of a dark-brown color and a bitter, acrid
taste. One drachm of this extract was washed with alcohol,
which dissolved out a small quantity of a soft resin, which was
very acrid to the taste. The same part of the extract was
washed with ether; this dissolved a portion of it, and on
evaporation yielded a brittle resin, which was odorless and
almost tasteless. The part which remained after being washed
with the alcohol and ether was principally bitter, extractive
matter, and which had none of the acrimony of the extract."
MEDICAL HISTORY. - The first mention of the Ptelea in the
medical literature of this country is found in Rafinesque's Medical Botany.  He observes that "the leaves are vulnerary, used
for poultices, good for worms." In Louisiana "it is called Boispuant." He makes no mention of the bark of the root. It is
mentioned in Griffith's Medical Botany: " The native species
P. trifoliata. is said by Schcepf to be anthelmintic, for which
purpose the leaves and young shoots are used in strong
infusion.  The fruit is aromatic and bitter, and is stated to be a
good substitute for hops."
In Howard's Botanic Medicine, 1836, it is described under
the vulgar names of Heal-all, Ague-bark, Pickaway, Anise, and
Wing-seed.' The bark of the root is an excellent stimulant,
expectorant, tonic; useful in all cases of debility, and particularly
in agues.  It has been highly extolled as a remedy in consumption of the lungs, having been sold as a nostrum at a high price.
in this instance it was tinctured in whiskey."
In Dr. J. G. Jones's Eclectic Practice (first edition), it was
erroneously mentioned under the name of Staphylea trifolia, the
name of another shrub in no way resembling it. In the second
edition it was properly designated as Ptelea trifoliata, and
extolled as "' a pure, unirritating tonic, having rather a soothing
influence when applied to irritated mucous membranes." He
advises it " in the convalescence after fevers, and in debility con



9
nected with gastro-enteritic irritation.  It promotes the appetite, enables the stomach to endure suitable nourishment, favors
the early re-establishment of digestion, and will be tolerated by
the stomach when other tonics are rejected."   He prescribes
the cold infusion, half a fluidounce every two or four hours.
In the various eclectic medical journals have appeared, from
time to time, short articles alluding to its powers as a tonic.
(See Eclectic Mcd. Jour., Cincinnati, 1867, p. 159.)  King's
Dispensatory describes it, and, in addition to the above medicinal uses, says: "A tincture made of Ptelea in whiskey is reputed to have cured several cases of asthma, and it is said to
cause, in many instances where it has been used, a troublesome, ex
ternal ery.sipelatous inflammation, either general or local, but which,
if the use of the tincture be persisted in, finally disappears, and the
patient becomes at the same time cured of the disease for which he
was treated."
Jones and Scudder, in their Eclectic Materia AMedica (1858),
add: "We have found a saturated solution of it beneficial in
chronic rheumatism."  They asseru it to be "alterative, tonic,
stomachic, diaphoretic, excitant," etc.  Svudder has "known it
to be employed in epilepsy with decided advantage."
Dr. Kost (Mat. AMed., p. 631) has an article on Ptelea.
These crude uses and unscientific recommendations comprise
all that can be gleaned from eclectic sources up to this time.
It has formed the basis of many nostrums, "ague-cures,"
"tonics," and even I" expectorants."  In 1866, Mr. Chapman, of
Hudson, Michigan, manufactured a preparation of " Pepsin and
Wafer-ash," in which the pepsin was united with the tincture of
Ptelea, pure anhydrous glycerine being used as the menstruum.
This preparation is very extensively used by some physicians as
a chemico-dynamic remedy in dyspepsia, and very highly valued
for its curative virtues. In my own practice, and under my
observation, cases of atonic dyspepsia, with deficiency of gastric
uice, have been cured by this preparation, when the usual rem
2



13
This attack, which resembled acute dyspepsia, lasted from one
till five, A.M., followed by sleep until seven, A.M.; languid and
tired on awaking.  During the whole forenoon, sharp pains in
the right hypochondriac region
Half past three, P.M. - Twenty drops in water. At four, P.M.,
had sour risings from the stomach; heat of skin; pulse 96,
small and fluttering. Nausea all the afternoon and evening,
with splitting headache, incapacitating for mental exertion.
April 21, half past ten, A.M.-Thirty drops. Extraordinary
inclination to sleep. Bitter taste in the mouth; the tongue,
which had hitherto been clean, was coated with a yellowish fur,
and the nausea was persistent. No stool today (an unusual
occurrence).  Up to this date, the medicine had had no effect
on the temper, but to-day it produced fretfulness and irritability
without the slightest exciting cause.  Sleepiness excessive; went
to bed at eight, P.M. At a quarter past nine, was roused to go and
see a patient, and on awaking was attacked with a kind of nightmare; quite conscious, but unable to stir on account of a pressing weight in the stomach and whole front of the trunk.
April 22.-On rising, giddiness, with piercing pain through
the brain, accompanied by severe aching pain in the stomach.
Quarter past six, A.M. - Thirty drops. All day, from six, A.M.,
till three, P.M., urging to stool, with rumbling in the bowels.
Three, P.M. - Thirty drops. The sickness of the stomach less
to-day.
April 23, half past seven, A.M. - Thirty drops. Hard and difficult stool, with smarting of the anus after the passage. Three,
P.M. Tenderness of the splenic region, with soreness to the touch.
Four, P.M.- Thirty drops. Giddiness, with vertigo at five, P.M.;
vertigo long-continued, and, after it, increase of abdominal tenderness.
April 24, seven, A.M. - Forty drops.  The abdominal pain
extending more toward the umbilical region, and worse on
motion. On drawing a long breath, a sharp stitch proceeds



14
from the umbilicus, toward the back-bone, and the tenderness
on pressure is increased. Half past eleven, A.M. Sharp, cutting pains through the front of the brain, alleviated by pressing
it with the hands. Three, P.M. - Forty drops.
April 25. —Sleep last night restless and uneasy, awaking
unrefreshed and languid.  The abdomen much swollen, and
tender over its whole extent, especially over the splenic region.
Six, A.M. - Forty drops. Nine, A.M. Hard and difficult stool.
Ten, A.M. - Forty drops. Persistent nausea and vomiting,
with giddiness of the head, and a feeling as if unsteady in the
legs. Unfit for mental exertion all day, and toward the afternoon had to give up exertion of every kind.
Five, P.M. - Forty drops, and again at ten.
April 26, half past six, A.M. -Fifty drops. The giddiness of
head and reeling in walking much increased.
Three, P.M. - Fifty drops. Four, P.M. The pain in the splenic
region much increased, and the swelling evidently greater. Constant feeling of weight in the hypochondria when walking:
a dragging pain, which affects the right as well as the left side.
Six, P.M. — Fifty drops. Head confused and giddy when
retiring to bed, at half past ten.
April 27. —Head weak and confused.  Seven, A.M. -Fifty
drops.  Nine, A.M.  Attacked with too much giddiness and
vertigo to keep up.  Nausea and vomiting soon followed,
although no relief came after the vomiting; bitter taste in the
mouth; tongue dry and coated brownish-yellow; splenic pain
much aggravated. Hot and feverish all day.
I was obliged to discontinue the proving, as the effects were
so severe. I have had attacks before, but nothing of such a
bilious character. I insert the symptoms for the reasons given
by Dr. Dudgeon, on page 209 of Lectures on the Theory and
Practice of Homceopathy: "He (the prover) should be in
a good state of health, - not necessarily absolutely healthy, for
that is a rare property.  He may possess what is called an



15
idiosyncrasy, a weak point, and yet be perfectly capable of
physiological experimentation, and the symptoms developed in
him by virtue of this idiosyncrasy may still be received as part
of the action of the medicine; for what is this idiosyncrasy but
a tendency to be acted on by a specific with more than usual
severity? It is in fact only the predisposing cause heightened
in sensitiveness; and for the action of the medicine, as well as
of the morbific agent, a predisposing cause is always requisite."
SECOND PROVING.
Oct. 21, 1867, quarter to seven, A.M. - Ten drops of tincture.  Half past seven, A.M.  Slight nausea rising from the
stomach upwards, accompanied by roughness of the back part
of the tongue. A very mild nausea —by no means unpleasant- lasted during the whole forenoon.
Eleven, A.M. - Fifteen drops. At dinner the appetite not as
good as usual, though, before beginning the proving, it had
been keen.  Throughout the course of the meal, tile same
faint nausea persisted.  One, P.M. Aching pain at the base of
the brain, though the intellectual powers were as active as usual.
At four, P.M., ate a bunch of somewhat tart grapes, and all
the symptoms disappeared; the nausea and headache were
entirely removed in a few minutes.
Quarter past eight, P.M. -Twenty drops. At half past nine,
nausea, with rumbling in the bowels, accompanied by discharge
of flatus, with desire for stool. Nausea, and pressing pain in
the forehead; the pain presses from  within outwards.  No
passage from the bowels to day, - a very unusual occurrence.
At eleven, P.M., went to bed. Nausea aggravated by lying
down. Restless and tossing, and some difficulty in falling asleep.
Oct. 22. —The dreams during the niglht were so vivid and
lifelike as to seem, on' waking, as if he had been up all night.
In the morning, weak and languid; hands and feet hot and feverish; pulse 72, weak and fluttering.



19
"yellowish-red " of Neubauer and Vogel. At supper, voracious
appetite, followed by pain in the epigastlric region; despondency.
Slight swelling in the region of the liver.
Ten, P.M. - Twenty drops.
Oct. 27. — Sleep uneasy and unrefreshing, and with more
annoying dreams than before.  Awoke with dry heat over the
whole body, especially on the face and hands. The tongue was
coated yellow, and the papillae were red and prominent. Bitter
taste in the mouth, with dryness.
Quarter to nine. - Twenty drops. This morning the headache is so severe that mental exertion is a burden, and the
pain is materially aggravated by any attempt at study.  The
face is yellowish, and the slin feels dry and harsh. The diy
heat over the body continues, though the feet are cold. The
appetite is now voracious; food has not its natural taste; and
pain at the stomach follows every meal. The liver is perceptibly swollen, and sore on pressure, which causes a dull and
aching pain.
Nov. 1. - Has taken none of the drug since Oct. 27. Thle
effects mentioned in the proving have gradually declined. The
only new phase consists in a number of thoracic symptoms, which
have come on very gradually, and which now cause considerable
pain.  As the various gastric and hepatic symptoms declined,
uneasiness and difficulty in breathing came on, with dull pain,
especially in the right infra-clavicular region, accompanied by
hacking cough without expectoration. This has come on very
insidiously, and now the right lung is dull on percussion, especially in the right infra-clavicular region.  On auscultating the
region over the bifurcation of the trachea and the upper part of
the sternum (with Cammann's stethoscope), the respiration was
found to be tubular, the sound was higher ill pitch than the normal vesicular sound, and more rapidly evolved.  Expiration
and inspiration were of equal length, with a slight interval
between them. On making a full inspiration, sharp pains shot



20
from the sternum towards the nipples, especially that of the left
side. Pressure on the intercostal spaces close to the sternum
caused pain of a dull, aching nature. These thoracic symptoms
were better in the house, and aggravated by exposure to the
keen air.
Nov. 7. - The thoracic symptoms had gradually declined.
THIRD PROVING.
November 29, 1867, half past seven, A.M. —Took twenty
drops sixth dec. dil.  Ate a light breakfast at a quarter to
eight. Weight and fullness at the stomach in an hour afterwards, with dull headache, pressing from  within outwards.
The headache does not incapacitate for mental exertion, but
causes a languor and indisposition to work. At twenty minutes
past eleven, A.M., griping in the stomach, with sharp pain on
slight pressure. At dinner appetite very poor, after driving
in the cool air all the forenoon.   Twenty minutes past
two, P.M.  Rumbling in the umbilical region, with swelling
accompanied by slight vertigo, with sweat on the forehead.
At three, P.M., eructations of a bitter taste, with slight nausea.  Marked indisposition for mental work.  Ten minutes
past three.  Straining at stool, with increase of the vertigo.
Twenty-five minutes past three, P.M.  Increase of the headache, with marked forgetfulness.  In writing a letter, felt a
curious and unusual disposition to hurry through with it as
quickly as possible, hardly taking time to write the words. The
headache and vertigo were aggravated  by even a moderate
warmth of the room; all the symptoms agg ravated in a hot room,
and ameliorated in the cool air.
Quarter to nine, P.M. Twenty drops. At nine, P.M., involuntary discharge of flatus, with urging to stool.
November 30. -Sleep unusually deep and heavy.  Racking
frontal headache on waking, aggravated by rolling the eyes
upward. Weight in the stomach, with bloating of the abdomen.



27
Dec. 15. - Slept from midnight till about seven, A.M. The
pain in the forehead is deeper in the brain than it has been.
Pressure, as of a stone at the pit of the stomach, aggravated by
a light meal. Dry heat over the body, with sweat on the forehead. Eleven, AxM. A dull, aching pain in the small of the back,
aggravated by motion. Thirty-five minutes past eleven, A.M.
Acute, cutting pain in the spleen. Forty minutes past two,
P.M. Aching, drawing pains in the left scapula and shoulderjoint. Ten, P.M. All day had felt extremely weak. Remembered having heard Dr. Constantine Hering in his famous morning lectures, which, with characteristic kindliness, were without
money and without price, lay down the position that "provers
generally indulge in superlatives."  Nevertheless, felt entirely
justified in writing "extremely weak."  Felt weak in every
limb,- weak in brain, weak in memory, thouglht, and will, as
if a powerful and all-pervading disease had fastened upon him.
Dec. 16. —Slept all night, though the sleep was dreamhaunted, as before. Became conscious of a dull, aching pain in
the small of the back; motion adds a sharp, sticking pain to the
dull one. Heavy, aching pain inl the liver, with deficient appetite. Half past eleven, A.M. Copious stool of fluid consistence
and bilious smell, with a very copious expulsion of ascarides.
Stool followed by tenesmus, and succeeded by itching and smarting of the anus. Had to work a good deal to-day, though weak
in body and mind.
Dec. 17. - Slept fi-om ten, P.M., till four, when he was awakened
by the severity of the lumbar pain, worse than yesterday morning. Weight and pain in the liver relieved by lying on the right
side; aggravated by lying on the left, which causes a dragging
pain.  Griping in the epigastric region, with dryness of the
mouth, yellow-coated tongue, and bitter taste. Weak and irritable all the forenoon, and with the frontal headache incessant
through the proving. Legs weak during the forenoon, with
drawing pains in the knees and the flexor muscles.



28
Dec. 18. -One long and remarkably vivid dream all night,
till four. Awakened by hepatic and gastric symptoms, all of
which are aggravated towards morning. The urine, all through
the proving, of deep reddish-yellow, and small in quantity. No
stool all day. Appetite better than on former days.
Dec. 19. - Last night sat up till half past eleven, with a view
of testing whether the early waking was a result of the
remedy, or a mere accident. Was very sleepy when he went to
bed, but, nevertheless, awoke about half past three. The gastric
and hepatic symptoms were milder than they had been. Forty
minutes past seven. A stool of natural consistence, smell, and
appearance. Appetite at breakfast very poor, with muddled
feeling in the head. Ten, P.M.  All the symptoms have declined to-day, especially the headache.
PROVINGS BY DRS. FISH AND TRAIN.
Prover, twenty-five years old, with nervo-sanguineous temperament; light hair, blue eyes, and light build; weight one hundred and thirty-five pounds; in excellent health, having been
free from sickness of any serious character for years; appetite
good; diet temperate, using coffee once a day; continued the
same during the proving as before; never used intoxicating
liquors in any shape, nor tobacco.
FIRST PROVING.
March 30, 1867, ten, A.M. -Took ten drops of the tincture.
Soon experienced a sensation of nausea, with a nervous pain
alternating from the left arm to left eye and parietal region.
Noon. —Ten drops. Dinner in half an hour, followed by
an empty feeling in the stomach.
Two, P.M. —Fifteen drops. Great lassitude and weariness
throughout the afternoon. Unusual fatigue after slight exertion.
Half past six, P.M. - Twenty drops. Nausea for a few minutes. In about an hour began to be feverish, thirsty, lips cracked



31
Passed seven ounces clear urine, natural stool. At ten, P.M.
urinated five and a half ounces. Uneasiness in the bowels,
with flatulence; unusual quantity of saliva, thin and watery.
Retired at quarter past ten.  Sleep disturbed by dreams.
Driveling.
April 4, six, A.M. - Awoke feeling much refreshed; no pains
or aches; urinated nine ounces. Took no medicine during the
day. The day passed with scarcely a recurrence of symptoms
till evening, when the feeling of uneasiness in the bowels (umbilical region) came on, increasing in severity until nine, when
it was almost intolerable. It was of a peculiar character, bearing down, sometimes spasmodic, and griping; sometimes sharp
and throbbing. Ten, P.M. Some relief, but a headache set in,
confined to the temporal regions. Urinated seven and a half
ounces. This really severe attack passed off by midnight, and
sleep brought entire relief.
April 5, half past five, A.M. —Awoke with the same pain in
the bowels as the night before.  Appetite poor; ate a light
breakfast, which seemed to afford some relief.
Nine, A.M. - Twenty drops. At quarter past ten, pain in the
bowels came on with redoubled vigor; headache also set in;
obliged to lie down; great increase in the amount of saliva;
urinated eight ounces.  One, P.M. Pain less; headache less;
appetite pretty good; ate a light dinner. Two, P.M. No pain for
an hour and a half. Three, P.M. A slight touch in the umbilical
region, disappearing in half an hour. Drowsiness succeeded, and
the slightest effort seemed to weary.  Five, P.M. But little
change; no prominent symptoms.  Retired at half past ten.
Urinated during the evening eight and a half ounces; stool
natural.
April 6. - Slight headache in the morning.  No trouble in
the stomach or bowels until after dinner, when, immediately
after eating, the stomach seemed perfectly empty; very troublesome sensation of goneness. Somewhat feverish; pulse natural,



32
rather full.  During the preceding days the fever-symptoms
had been absent. Some headache during the evening. Urinated
during the day twenty-five ounces. Stool natural.
April 7, half past five, A.M. - Headache set in upon waking;
continued during the forenoon.  Pulse 85, full.  Feverish;
thirsty, with a dry feeling all over the system.  Voided
twenty-seven ounces of rather clear urine.  No further symptoms.
April 8. —No symptoms during the entire day, except the
same nervous weakness of the eyes, experienced during the
early part of the proving.  Whole system  seems relieved.
Urinated twenty-two and a half ounces. Pulse natural; stool
natural.
April 9.- Slight headache in the morning.  Feels perfectly
well.
During the above proving, the appetite was generally good,
the bowels natural; respiration unchanged; pulse, first full
and hard, but, during the severe symptoms, quiet; again feverish and full at the close. Urine greatly increased in quantity,
in quality unchanged. Saliva very abundant; almost constant
driveling during sleep.
SECOND PROVING.
April 16, 1867.-  One week from the last record of the first
proving. During the past few days the prover has felt unusually well.
Seven, A.M.- Forty drops of tincture.  Slight nausea.
One, P.M. - Forty drops. Quick, sudden starts of headache
during the afternoon; malaise.
Seven, P.M. - Forty drops. A general change in the system
seemed to have taken place, and the former weary feeling
supervened, with tenderness of the abdominal viscera,- i.e.,
readiness to become painful. Retired at ten. Felt a strange
uneasiness in the bladder and prostate.  Smarting sensation



33
in the urethra upon urinating, rising out of bed for the purpose. Nearly ten ounces were passed. Smarting in urethra
continued for twenty minutes after urinating.
April 17, morning.- Felt well. Eight, A.M.- Sixty drops.
An immediate feeling of heaviness in the stomach; eructation of
wind; nausea; felt well in an hour.
Ten, A.M. —Sixty drops. Repetition of former symptoms.
Well again an hour after.
Three, P.M. - Sixty drops. Headache now set in. At about
five, the old pain in the umbilical region became a prominent
symptom. The headache and pain continued without intermission; both rather severe.
Ten, P.M. - Took sixty drops and retired. Passed a restless
night. Arose twice to urinate. Passed during the day and
night thirty-one ounces. Stool natural.
April 18, five, A.M. — Arose, feeling sore, tired, and sick.
Headache soon set in. Urinated nine ounces.
Eight, A.M. —Sixty drops. Appetite not very good. Umbilical region very tender; and seemingly on the point of aching.
Noon, ate a light dinner. Urinated eight and a half ounces.
One, P.M. - Sixty drops. During the afternoon noticed an
increase in the amount of saliva. Spitting became frequent,
though unusual in health. Headache severe.
Three, P.M. - Sixty drops. Pain in the umbilicus and stomach set in with vigor. Throbbing headache in the frontal and
temporal regions; very painful. Pain in the abdomen, very
severe. Nervous irritability of the eyes. Urinated six ounces.
Stool natural.
Seven, P.M.-Feeling very sick. Took sixty drops, and retired. Restless, and in pain all over the head, stomach, and
bladder. At eight, was obliged to get up and urinate; passed six
and a half ounces. Considerable burning in the urethra. Heat
in the region of the prostate. Pulse full, hard, tense, but not
rapid.  Skin dry and parched; lips cracked, although the
5



34
saliva is greatly increased in quantity, and keeps up a constant
driveling while lying on the face. Rolled around till after
midnight, when sleep gave some intermission to the constant
pain.
April 19, nine, A.M. - Arose with headache, feeling very sore,
tired, and disgusted with everything. Urinated about six ounces.
Pulse more rapid (90). Took one hundred drops, followed in
an hour by thirty-five more. Nothing experienced from  the
fresh doses until about half past eleven, when, on a sudden
movement, the headache became violent, and the whole abdominal region began to ache and pain. Rumbling in the bowels, followed at half past twelve by a diarrhleic stool, very
dark in color, and sulphurous in smell. Pulse much more natural than on the preceding day. Saliva very abundant. Appetite all gone; eyes sensitive to light; general malaise. Pain in
the bowels was eased but a moment by the stool. Three, P.M.
Symptoms unchanged. Half past fours Headache confined to
the left side. Abdominal pain settled to a steady, dull pain,
not so severe as before. Diarrhceic stool. Headache passed
off after the stool.  Abdominal pain the same.  Six, P.M.
Headache resumed. Relieved at nine, feeling better than the
night before, yet in much pain. Urine not measured during the
day; about the same in amount as the day before; saliva not
very troublesome.
April 20. -Same general feeling of malaise, tenderness and
pain in the umbilicus, and dull headache continued all day.
Slept most of the afternoon.  Three stools during the day,
rather diarrhceic; urine nearer the normal amount; pulse rapid,
-- from 80 to 90; saliva troublesome.
April 21. —Occasional headache; bowel pains continue.
Stools diarrhoeic. Diarrhceic stools continued a full week, when
the unnatural condition was removed. In a week more, the
tendency to headache had passed off, but it was full three weeks
before pressure on the abdomen could be endured without pain.



38
joints, especially in the knees, ankles, and feet. All the evening
had a drawing, aching distress in the right hypochondrium.
April 28, seven, A.M. -Half an ounce, half an hour before
breakfast.  A number of times through the forenoon had a
feeling in the forehead as if it was being pressed together
from temple to temple, with severe distress in the region of
the spleen and right side of umbilicus; stool rather constipated.
Very languid all the afternoon, with severe. aching distress in
the wrists, knees, ankles, and feet. Fine, sharp pains in the fingers. Dull, aching distress in the small of the back.  Constant
aching distress in the whole abdomen.  The pressive headache
has troubled me more than any other symptom to-day, with the
aching in the back and legs.
April 29. - Awoke with severe backache, which passed off in
one hour. Seven, A.M. - Half an ounce, an hour before eating.
Several times through the forenoon had pressive pains from one
temple to the other; natural stool. Very languid from noon
until six, with flushed face and a feeling as if I had fever; but
the pulse was two beats below the natural standard. Constant
frontal headache, with severe pressive pains in the temples, from
one temple to the other, every ten or fifteen minutes.  Almost
constant cutting pains in the left umbilical and epigastric region,
with aching distress in the right hypochondrium.  Frequent
rumbling in the bowels, with desire for stool. Dull backache.
April 30. - Awoke with severe pain in lumbar region.
Seven, A.M. - Half an ounce, one hour before eating. Had constant pressive headache, with aching distress in the bowels, back
and legs, with great languor, all the forenoon. Natural stool.
Head, back, knees, and calves of the legs continued aching
severely all day, with rheumatic drawing pains in the elbows
and bowels. Fauces feel sore. Atmosphere quite damp.
May 1, 1867. - Languid all day, with aching distress in
the small of the back, knees, and calves of the legs. A number
of times through the day had hard, pressive pains in the temples.



40
May 10. -Awoke with severe backache, which lasted about
half an hour.  Six, A.M. - Two ounces first dec. dil. one and a
half hours before eating. At eight, A.M., natural stool. Several
times in the forenoon had severe cutting pains in the right temple. Noon. For the last hour has had constant distress in
the right hypochondrium and epigastric region, with drawing
pains in the fingers and ankles.  Three, P.M. Very languid
and feverish; pulse 88.   Has had frequent cutting pains in
the umbilicus.
May 11. - Same symptoms as yesterday, but not so strongly
marked.
Had a few rheumatic symptoms for several days, similar to
the above noted.
FOURTH PROVING.
May 27, 1867, six, A.M. - Feeling well. Took forty grains
of the solid extract, prepared by myself from the bark of the
root of a Ptelea tree six inches in diameter.  In twenty minutes, sharp neuralgic pains in the right temple. In forty minutes,
dull distress in the stomach, with fine stitches in right temple.
Seven, A.M. Frequent darting pains in right temple, with constant distress in stomach (probably mechanical).  In one hour
and ten minutes after taking the medicine, ate breakfast, which
relieved the distress in the stomach. At nine, A.M., natural but
lumpy stool. Same pains in the temples. Tongue feeling as if
it had been scalded; the whole upper surface feels as after
taking Aconite.  Noon.   Has had, a number of times, fine,
sharp pains of a pressive character in the left temple.  Tongue
still has fine, sticking pains all over the upper surface. Frequent
distress in the stomach.  Aching distress in the calves of both
legs. Hands hot and dry.  Three, P.M.  Feeling  feverish,
hands are hot and dry, and ache constantly. Pulse 80. Occasional
pains in the left temple. At five, P.M., hard, dull, aching pains
in the wrists, hands, fingers, and ancles.  Nine, P.M. Tongue



41
has felt as if it were scalded all day; occasional pains in the
bowels. Languid feeling. Thermometer 62. Rainy day.
May 28. - Slept well; awoke very languid. Tongue coated
yellow, and feeling rough. Urine high-colored. Lumpy, darkcolored stool.
Six, A.M.- Took eighty grains. Ate breakfast an hour and
a quarter after. Eight, A.M. Dull headache, with a feeling
as if he had fever; breath seems to burn the nostrils. Tongue
feeling as if it had been burned. Nothing tastes natural. Distress in the epigastrium; had constant dull headache all the forenoon, with frequent paroxysms of pain in the right temple, as if
it would be pressed to the left side. Noon. Smarting of the
eyes.  Acrid feeling in the tongue.  Languid and feverish.
Rheumatic pains in the wrist, hands, fingers, knees, and ankles.
Four, P.M. Languid, with dull feeling of the head. Several
times through the afternoon and evening had sharp, colicky pains
in the umbilical region. Thermometer 70. Cloudy day.
May 29.- Slept well. Rough, flat taste in the mouth; tongue
yellow. coated along the centre and base. Natural stool.
Six, A.M. - One hundred and fiftv grains. In half an hour, hard,
pressive pain in right temple. Breakfast at half past seven.
Nine, A.M. Severe, dull headache, aggravated by walking upstairs. Stinging, biting sensation all over the tongue. Teeth
all ache and feel sore; increased flow of saliva that tastes saltish. Hands and fingers ache constantly. Ten minutes before
noon. Severe nausea for two minutes, with efforts to vomit.
Has had a severe dull headache all day, aggravated by walking. Increased secretion of saliva, with biting sensation in the
tongue.  Burning distress in the epigastrium  (not severe).
Slight colicky pains in the umbilical region. Dull, aching distress in the hands, fingers, knees, and ankles. Breath seems so
hot that it irritates the nostrils; pulse 74. Languid. At two,
P.M., soft stool. Nine, P.M. Same symptoms as in the forenoon,
but not so strongly marked.
6



43
pain in right side of head; pain behind right ear.  From  two
to six, slight burning in face, followed by rheumatic pains in
right leg and arm.  Nine, P.M. Pain in back of left breast
near the axilla; feeling rather languid; appetite somewhat increased.
April 9. - [lad dreams of food and awoke hungry. Dull,
rheumatic pain in anterior muscles of right femur and humerus,
which disappear after getting up.  Twenty-four ounces of rather
red urine. Afternoon. Some pain ini left biceps muscle. Six,
P.M. Pain behind right ear, in left temple and in back of neck.
Ten, P.m. Hard pain in left side of head, and behind right
ear.
April 10.- Slept pretty well, but had some dreams of food.
Awoke towards morning, feeling somewhat feverish.  Awoke
having hard, sticking pain in left temple, followed by a dull
headache, and cords of the neck lame on the right side; occasional stitches behind the right ear; pulse 104, quick, small, and
somewliat intermittent; mouth and throat dry; a faint feeling
in stomach.  About noon, headache, worse in left temple;
pain in back of neck; whole neck feels swollen; pain in right
mastoid process of temporal bone.  Two, P.M.  Pulse 84;
head aches, and feels large.  Three, P. M. Pulse 96; hot
flushes and pain iu top of head and eyes. For three days has
had no stool till to-day. Stool nearly natural. Rainy by spells
to-day. Feels sick all over and indifferent to duties. Went to
bed in the afternoon and soon to sleep. Awoke at five, P.M.,
with pain behind r-ight ear and in shoulder, near the spine of
right scapula; a lame spot on the inside of right knee as large
as a penny; otherwise quite well.
April 11.-  A cool night after the rain.  Had ten hours of
sound, refreshing sleep. Feels quite well; pulse 80; twenty-eight
ounces of clear urine in the last twenty-four hours. Lame spot still
felt; back somewhat lame on waking. Eleven, A.M. A few minutes after taking drug, had a very severe pain in the right ear;



45
The second experiment was with the sixth decimal attenuation. During the seven days of proving, took ten drops regularly three times a day. Weather warm and pleasant. No
epidemic.
No symptoms on the first day, except a slight headache after
a long walk.  During evening took slight cold.
May 8.- Thirty ounces of clear urine during last twentyfour hours. Soft stool at seven, A.M. Eight, A.M. Pulse 88.
Three, P.M. Pulse 82. No symptoms.
May 9. - Slept soundly all night, but dreamed of dead animals. Twenty-six ounces of' clear urine in twenty-four hours.
Nine, A.M. Felt a sharp pain behind the right ear; has not
felt one since the last proving, and never any before that. Increasing appetite. No stool to-day.
May 10.- Slept well and feels well. Twenty-six ounces of
urine in twenty four hours; pain behind the right ear at half
past eight, A.M. Increasing appetite. At seven, P.M., soft stool,
with tenesmus.
May 11.- Twenty-eight ounces of urine in twenty-four hours.
Slept very soundly. Hungry all the time; unusual energy to
work; in fact, feels better than before commencing the proving.
At night had a slight headache. Retired at eight, and slept
soundly all night.
May 12. - On awaking, had a pain in the small of the back,
which ceased after rising, leaving, for a while, a tired feeling.
Eight, A.M. Soft stool. At nine, A.M., felt a hard pain in the epigastrium, with slight feeling of nausea for about five minutes
and afterwards, three or four times during the day. Bowels
slightly distended at night, and feeling like diarrhoea. During
the day would be startled at slight, unusual sounds. Went to
bed early, and slept soundly all night.
May 13. - Feels lame in the region of the kidneys, on waking.
Soon after rising and taking drug, felt sharp stitches through
the right lung, which is sound. Soon after, had a pain behind



50
right side; soft palate and uvula inflamed. Dorsum of tongue
sore on right side, causing painful mastication and deglutition.
April 23.- Throat ulcerated on right side; right side of
tongue inflamed, not swollen.
April 24. - Throat better. Throbbing pains in left temple.
April 27. -- No symptoms, except a dull frontal headache.
April 28. - Severe throbbing headache on rising; weakness
of the whole body; at times cold streaks run up and down the
spine; great hoarseness of the voice; breath hot, eyes heavy;
throbbing pains over left eye, also in right temporal region;
throat sore; when coughing, head feels as if it would burst.
April 29. - Headache seems to be more in the cerebellum.
In the afternoon, the nape of neck grows stiff, causing painful
tension when moving.
April 30. - Sweat all last night. In the morning everything
tastes and smells sour. Some throbbing pain in right temple.
Swelling of lymphatic gland under right ear.
May 1, 1867. -Felt better generally; some pains in head on
left side, but by evening the symptoms were all gone.
May 2. - In evening, intellse itching of right ear.
May 3. — Ear swollen, little white vesicles rising under epidermis. Shooting and throbbing pains in right hypogastrium.
A boil began to make its appearance on right side of forehead,
(the first in his life).
May 4. — Swelling of ear increasing. Steady pain in left
hypogastrium, continuing several hours.
May 5. - The white vesicles in ear assumed a purple tinge.
Swelling of lymphatics was disappearing.
May 6. - Ear not so much swollen.
May 7. - Desquamation of cuticle of right ear; the blisters
discharged water.
May 8. - A feeling of weakness through the whole body.
Nausea, and bitter taste in the mouth; tongue coated yellow;
headache; eyes heavy. Frequent eructations of wind from the



59
April 18.-Rose with a headache; brassy taste in mouth;
stomach sour; bowels costive. anid not so sore as yesterday.
The soreness or lameness of the lumbar region is worse. Same
doses. Pain in the lower part of each lung in the evening.
April 19. - Rose with a headache and general soreness of
the body, and wandering pains about the limbs. Pain in lumbar region most of the time, and sometimes in the right hip.
April 22. - Symptoms similar to those on the 19th, except
there is less energy and less appetite.
April 25. - The symptoms have gradually worn away.
May 1, 1867. - For some days has felt free from the influence of the drug. Has no acquaintance with it, except from
these provings.  Would think it might be of use in treating
certain rheumatic cases in aged people, in which there is a
general soreness of the body and limbs; and especially of the
abdominal and lumbar regions, with alternate diarrhoea and
constipation.  Possibly it may be of use in some forms of
skin disease.
PROVING BY E. PARSONS, M.D.
Jan. 12, 1867, ten, A.M.-Commenced the proving by taking
fifty drops of the tincture. Noon. —Took fifty drops. After
this, experienced slight nausea and giddiness. Sharp, darting
pains through the forehead and temples.
Half past two, P.M.- Fifty drops. Half past three.  Confusion of ideas, and drowsiness.
Half past four, P.M.- Fifty drops.
Jan. 13, nine, A.M.- Fifty drops. Ten, A.M. A severe pain
in the region of the heart, lasting several minutes.  Eleven,
A.M. Severe pain in the left leg, three inches below the knee.
Half an hour after, severe darting pain in the right temple, and
throbbing pains in the left supra-orbital region. Fifty drops at
half past one, half past five, and at nine, P.M. Retired about
half past ten. Severe, sharp, darting pains in the right thigh;



64
April 19, 1867. - Took five doses of thirty drops each of
the saturated tincture of the fresh root, commencing at half past
ten, A.M.
April 21. - Took six doses of thirty drops each.
April 22, eleven, A.M.- Took eighty drops, which was all
he had prepared.  He took in all four hundred and ten drops.
Could not say that he felt the slightest unusual symptom during
the time or since.  Concluded  that either his tincture was
worthless, or that he was not a good subject for proving it.
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS ON PTELEA.
PTYRIASIS VERSICOLOR. A middle-aged man was covered with
this eruption on all parts of the body except hlands and face. I-le
had all the usual characteristics of the disease.  Eie had tried
Arsenicum, Kali iod. and Sarsaparilla, with no good results.
Ptelea, second dil., ten drops three times daily, cured the case in
six weeks.                                   E. M. HALE.
CHRONIC GASTRITIS.-A middle-a(ed woman had for several
years a constant sensation of corrosion, heat, or burning in the
stomach; occasional vomiting of ingesta, constipation; fever every
afternoon; lowness of spirits, and debility. She had taken Nux
vom., Carbo veg., Phosphorus, and several other remedies, with
only temporary benefit. Ptelea, second dil., ten drops in a spoonful of water before each meal, effected a permanent cure in five
weeks.                                       P. H. HALE.
ERYSIPELAS. -Two cases of erysipelas came under my treatment, in which quinia and iron had been used in large doses
without success, and rather with injury to the patient.  A rapid
recovery ensued after the use of Ptelea.      DR. MILLER.
ICTERUS, WITH HYPERXEMIA OF THE LIVER.-In severe cases of
this disease, I have found Ptelea an excellent remedy. Ptelea
primarily affects the liver; the stools are generally of a brown
or gray color, with considerable odor.        DR. MILLER.



65
ASTHMA. —In two cases of asthma, Ptelea was of more service
than any other remedy.                          DR. MILLER.
AsCITES. —I found Ptelea to cure a case of ascites of very
severe type after many agents had been employed without success.                                           DR. MILLER.
PHTHISIS.-Several cases of hectic fever, with purulent expectoration of a sweetish taste, but without any other chest symptom than a slight mucous rhonchus, and sibilant rate, were cured
completely with Ptelea.                         DR. MILLER.
RESUME OF PTELEA TRIFOLIATA.
[Explanation of Symbols. - (') A pathogenetic symptom not confirmed by
clinical experience. (*) Confirmed by clinical experience.  (o) Curative,
but not observed as pathogenetic.  (v) Verified by one or more other
provers. The symptoms in Italics denote the persistence of a symptom in
all the provings. With in Italics couples symptoms of two classes.]
MIND AND DISPOSITION.
1    ~ Great languor and indisposition for either mental or
physical labor (vvvv).
* Malaise of body and mind (vv); desire to lie down and
think of nothing at all.
Inability to concentrate the thoughts; they seem chasing
each other through the brain.
~ Complete incapacity for mental exertion, with headache (vv).
5     ~ Fretful and irritable at very slight causes (vv)... Compelled to give up any attempt at exertion in P.M.
Petformed his duties in a perfunctory manner.
~ Great mental confusion (vv).
~ The mind moves slowly and heavily; with difficulty in
remembering familiar things.
9



67
*Sharp, cutting pains through the front of the brain,
alleviated by pressure.
* Racking frontal headache, with heat of the face and head,
and great desire to hurry his business.
30    ~ Heaviness in the occiput, with a gloomy feeling in the
forehead.
* Heavy, pressive frontal headache, worse at night, pressing from within outwards, and aggravated by stooping.
Stunning, pressing headache (a similar one was cured
by Rhus).
~ Head feels languid and heavy, with inability to follow a
connected train of thought.
* Persistent headache, with sharp pains shooting from the
frontal to the left parietal region.
35    - Frontal headache, aggravated by moving the eyes, and
by noise.
~ Frontal headache deep in the brain.
Sudden, pressive pains in the temples, worse in the
right (vvv).
Fine, neuralgic pains in the temples, worse in the right.
Constant dull headache (vv), aggravated by going upstairs, and by walking.
40    - Sharp, darting pain over the left eye, extending deep into
the brain.
* Throbbing pains over the eyes, from right to left.
-Shooting pains in the head, before rising in the morning (vv).
~ Throbbing pains over the temples, from left to right.
* Severe throbbing headache on rising, with great weakness.
45    -Dull, frontal headache, with depression and sour stomach.
- Headache intermitting with pain in the hypogastrium,
dizziness, and nausea.



75
180   ~ Frequent drawing pains in the epigastric and umbilical
regions (vvv).
* Stitches in the abdomen, relieved by pressure (v).
* Pain in the epigastrium, with nausea (vv).
* Severe pains in the left iliac region, changing to the
right; worse on motion.
* Severe, bearing-down pains in the bowels; spasmodic
and griping, or sharp and throbbing.
185   - Pain in the hypogastrium (vv) and bladder, with headache, intermitting during the paroxyms.
* Retraction of the abdomen (vvv), with pulsations isochronous with the heart.
~Soreness of the abdomen, aggravated by motion, and
relieved by carrying it with the hands (vv).
* Abdomen tender on pressure for three weeks after the
proving.
STOOL AND ANUS.
* Sudden and unexpected urging to go to stool, which was
diarrhoeic, with slight tenesmus, accompanied by sweat on
the forehead and head (vv).
190   ~ Urging before stool, with straining during a diarrhoeic
stool.
* Constipation (vvvv), with a continual urging in the rectum.
- Constant urging to stool, with rumbling in the bowels all
day (vvv).
* Small, hard stool, with much straining (vvv).
Hard and difficult stool, followed by smarting of the
anus (vv).
195   * Stools of usual consistence, with slimy coating, accompanied with straining and vertigo.
~ Involuntary discharge of flatus, with ineffectual urging
to stool.



83
warm room; inability to keep warm at the stove (after
taking five hundred drops).
325   - Pulse 104, an increase of 32 beats in fifteen minutes.
* Shivering in a warm room, with heat of the head; shivering over the legs from the hips downwards.
* Pulse 126, small and thready, seventy minutes after the
large dose; shivering, with chattering of the teeth; scarcely
comfortable near a large fire; but all the symptoms ameliorated in the open air.
* Shivering and horripilation, with eructations tasting of
Ptelea.
- Aching distress in all the joints, with great languor (v).
330   * Very languid and faint, with flushed face and feverishness (v).
- Rheumatic, drawing pains in all the joints.
* Pulse 72, weak and fluttering.
- Pulse increased twelve beats, soft and weak.
- Pulse accelerated (vvvv) and intermittent.
335   ~ Hot and feverish all day (vvvvv).: Hot breath, which seems to burn the nostrils.: Hot flashes, with pain in the top of the head and in the eyes.
- Profuse night sweats.
Pulse slow, strong, and irregular.
GENERALITIES.
340   - A curious malaise, with such oppression and weakness
at the stomach as to discourage all attempts at work.
- Great lassitude and weariness, with a disposition to
hurry through duties (vvv).
~ Extreme weakness of limbs, brain, memory, thought, and
will (v), as if from a powerful and all-pervading disease.. Aching of all the limbs, especially of the flexor muscles.
~ A fine, violent agitation of all the muscles of body and
limbs.