(It is not fair to quote further from Burnett, but we may add that in his book,Gout and Its Cure, there are given a number of clinical cases in which the remedy acted brilliantly in those addicted to tippling, or drinking hard. It is not so much that the remedy extirpates the habit, but it enables those afflicted to easily control their appetite and drink "like other people," without that insatiable craving. The dose is about ten drops in water three to four times a day.)
Nat. Ord., Compositæ.Common Name, Golden RodPreparation.—The fresh blossoms are macerated in twice their weight of alcohol.
(The following is to be found on p. 131 of Dr. Gallavardin's "Homœopathic Treatment of Alcoholism:")
(The following is to be found on p. 131 of Dr. Gallavardin's "Homœopathic Treatment of Alcoholism:")
"A lady, by administering, morning and evening, an infusion of the dry leaves and flowers of Golden Rod (Solidago virga-aurea) tells me that she cured her husband of an affection of the bladder which had compelled him to use a catheter for a year or more. A friend of Homœopathy, not a physician, desired to test the efficaciousness of this plant. Hecaused the first dilution of its tincture to be taken three times a day by seven patients of from forty-two to seventy-four years of age, who had been obliged to catheterize themselves for weeks, months and years, and cured them so thoroughly that they had no relapses. Surgeons who spend much time in catheterizing such patients for months and years could often cure them much more rapidly by prescribing for them the remedy just mentioned."
(Dr. A. E. White,Homœopathic Recorder, July, 1891, relates the following case:)
(Dr. A. E. White,Homœopathic Recorder, July, 1891, relates the following case:)
Mrs.——, age 37, married, has had seven children. Came to me December 10, 1890, with the following history: "Had not had her menses for four months. Thought she was in a family way. Abdomen bloated up everyp.m.; sick at her stomach all of the time; frontal headache,p.m.; felt better when first getting up in the morning, at which time her abdomen was almost normal in size.
"Her water she complained of more than anything else. Had to pass it every half hour during day and several times during night.
"Backache all of the time, which was not decreased by passing water. Urine had a white, slimy deposit on standing a short time.
"Requested an examination, but could not discover that she was in a family way. Found her back very sensitive in region of kidneys, trace of albumin in urine.
"I gave her a vial ofSolidago1x, told her to take two disks every four hours and report in three or four days. She came back December 13th, 'the medicine went right to the spot.' From the second dose her water became natural and she did not bloat so much inp.m.Her stomach did not bother her any more. I gave her a bottle ofPuls.3x to take with theSolidago, and she reported December 17th, that her menses had come on.
"I have used it in several other cases where it seemed indicated by the tenderness in kidney region and the inability to control the water from whatever cause, always with perfect satisfaction to patient and myself."
(The following paper on the use ofSolidago virga-aureais by Dr. M. Gucken, of Eupen, Germany:)
(The following paper on the use ofSolidago virga-aureais by Dr. M. Gucken, of Eupen, Germany:)
The Golden Rod is in Homœopathy, according to my opinion, not as much made use of as it deserves. Foh. Gottfr. Rademacher, who has many admirers among us, says, in hisJustification of Experience in Medicine, aboutVirga-aurea: "This herb is a very old and good kidney medicine. It is a specific for kidneys, and brings the patients back to the normal condition." I have used the Golden Rod for a long time, and have to make favorable reports. The results of extensive homœopathic proving of this remedy on healthy persons cannot be found in our literature, but a Würtemburg physician, Dr. Buck, has given us a list of cures with the Golden Rod in the popular homœopathic paper edited by Dr. Bolle, which wholly confirms the statements of Rademacher, besides the cases reported by Dr. Buck.
According to this last,Virga-aureais especially adapted for scrofulous subjects; at the same time other constitutions do not exclude the use of this remedy. In the first place,the condition and the action of the kidneys and the quality of their secretionsare to be considered in the selection of this remedy. The symptoms on the part of the kidneys and the urinary organs, which point toVirga-aurea, are as follows:
Pains in the kidneys; region of kidneys painful upon pressure; feeling of enlargement and tension in the kidneys, also pains in the kidneys which extend forward to the abdomen and to the bladder. Dysuria, difficult and scanty urination; urine dark, red-brown, with thick sediment; stone and gravel, albumen, blood or slime in the urine; urine dark, with sediments of phosphates; slightly sour, neutral or alkaline; urine with numerous epithelial cells or small mucous particles. Epithelial cells with gravel of triple phosphates, or phosphate of lime. Bright's disease.
Side symptoms which point to this remedy:
Skin.—Scrofulous rash; little blotches on hands and feet, itching very much; very obstinate, itching exanthemas; exanthema of the lower extremities without swelling of the inguinal glands, but with disturbance in urinating (catarrh of the kidneys).
Sleep.—Insomnia.
Fever.—Rheumatic fever; very frequent pulse; high fever.
Head.—Headache.
Eyes.—Scrofulous, herpetic inflammation.
Ears.—Sudden deafness, with ringing in the ears and albuminous urine.
Nose.—Dry; the inner surface of the nose covered with blood crust; scalding and very scanty brown urine.
Mouth.—Flat ulcers in the mouth and throat.
Gastric: Stomach, Abdomen and Stool.—Continuous bitter taste, disturbing the rest, especially nights; heavily covered tongue, which does not become clean in spite of the use of anti-gastric remedies, and only cleanses itself at the return of abundant urinating; chronic catarrh of the bowels; diarrhœa, with scanty, dark urine; dysentery; costiveness; sensation of pain in the abdomen on both sides of the navel, upon deep pressure; physconia of the abdomen by gases; severe pricking in both hypochondria to the region of the kidneys, reaching to the lower extremities, with continued bitter taste in the mouth, especially at night, with very scanty brown and sour urine.
Female Parts.—Hæmorrhage, chronic leucorrhœa, in connection with copious, watery urine and sediments of mucous particles and uriniferous tubules; epithelium.
Respiratory Organs.—Heavy expectoration in coughing; croup, with little blotches on the hands and diminished urine; chronic catarrh of the lungs; continuous dyspnœa; periodical asthma, with nightly dysuria.
Trunk and Lower Limbs.—Rheumatism of the intercostal muscles; chronic pains in the loins; limping, dragging gait;rheumatic pains in the legs; pains in the thighs; the legs can be moved horizontally, but when moved perpendicularly they feel lame.
In connection with these symptoms the description of a few cases of sickness, in whichVirga-aureaproved itself, might be of some interest.
CLINICAL.
During the spring of 1886 scarlet-diphtheria appeared in this place. On March 28th I was called to attend the 8-year old son Matthias, of Wernerus, a weaver, in the hamlet of Niepert, that showed symptoms of the above disease. Cynanche was at high degree, and the throat was filled with diphtheritic coating, so much so that I had reason to fear the worst, on account of the accompanying fever and of the choked-up condition and weakly (scrofulous) habit of the patient. But the well-known remedy of Viller, given alternately withBelladonna, proved itself also in this case, and the symptoms in the throat assumed, after a few days, a less dangerous character. Not so with the fever, which gradually assumed the form of typhoid, and ran very high, while the scarlet-rash grew quite pale. On the morning of April 5th, his temperature was 42.5°, the patient unconscious, the pulse weak and intermittent, the feet swollen. Upon inquiry the parents told me that the boy urinated very little. His urine, of which I had taken a quantity the day previous for examination, contained a considerable amount of albuminous sediments. I prescribedKali arsenicosumin the fourth centesimal potency, which had been recommended in similar cases by Dr. Hock in the international homœopathic press; but, although the temperature decreased after using this remedy, the dropsical swelling of the feet increased more and more, and after a few days the entire body of the patient was swollen very much. The discharge of urine grew continually less. Under these circumstances I examined the patient again thoroughly, and found great sensitiveness of the kidneysagainst pressure, in spite of his otherwise apathetic condition. These symptoms reminded me ofVirga-aurea. This remedy was immediately applied, and I had no reason to regret it. Within one day the urinal discharge became profuse, the general condition improving at the same time; the peeling off took place without further trouble, and after the patient had takenVirga-aureafor two weeks, and, on account of anæmia, for one week three times a day, a dose ofFerrum peroxydatumin the 2d trituration, he had so far recovered that I did not consider it necessary to give further medicine.
In 1885 a 45-year-old Belgian mine official (his work was office-work) consulted me on account of sleeplessness and pain in the back. The patient had no other complaints, only he carelessly added it sometimes took him a long time to urinate, because of want of the necessary pressure. He considered this weakness as the result of gonorrhœa, from which he had suffered years ago. The sleeplessness, for which he had tried all remedies possible, would make itself known from the time he went to bed until 3 o'clock in the morning, at which time he could get sleep, but not a refreshing one, and on arising he would feel very tired, especially in the upper part of the thighs, and then would commence the pain in the back, which extended to the loins, and lasted until he went to bed in the evening, without being prompted by external influences (warmth, cold, rest, motion). Also sleeplessness nights, pain in the back daytimes. At first I consideredNux vom.proper, and I prescribed the same for the patient, in the 3d decimal potency, four drops twice a day. At the same time I requested the patient to bring a sample of his urine at his next visit. After some time he came back with the sample, and declared that the prescribed remedy had not shown the least effect.
The urine was dark and slimy, reddish, slightly acid, and had at the bottom of the bottle brick-dust settlings. Heat did not show albumen, but by heating it the dark urine became clearer, and contained also salts of uric acid. I examined the kidneys of the patient, found them sensitive against pressure, and the diagnosis pointed to chronic catarrh of the kidneys. Sleeplessness, pain in the back and the tired feeling in the upper parts of the thigh were additional symptoms of this malady, and I determined to useVirga-aurea. The patient took this for three months three times a day, after which he wrote me that he was entirely well. About a year afterwards he had a relapse, but not in the form of former symptoms, but in the form of ischias, against which disease Golden Rod proved itself beneficial.
In conclusion, may be mentioned a double case of the curative power ofVirga-aurea, which also contributes to the heredity of disease. Some time ago, the wife of a farmer, 53 years old, asked me for a prescription for a trouble which she had had for twenty-six years, since her first confinement. The patient, a stout and fresh-looking person, made the following statement: After the confinement, which was very laborious, and which was followed by prolapsus uteri, the latter still existing, her legs began to swell, and an itching rash broke out by degrees. Menstruation had always come at the proper time, but suddenly stopped six months ago.
Since that time the itching had become almost intolerable, the legs more swollen and always cold, but she did not feel a continuous heat in her head. The appetite was very poor; she had always a bitter taste in the mouth, and the tongue was thickly coated. At the same time she had rising from the stomach, as if she should suffocate, and at the least exertion she lost her breath. She urinated very little, and this mostly at night. My question, if there were pains in the back, was answered in the negative, but the kidneys of this patient were also sensitive against pressure. The appearance of the lower limbs of the patient frightened me. From knee to heel they formed a bluish-red mass in the shape of a stove-pipe, which were covered with little blotches and crusts. This kind of an eruption, together with the other symptoms, led me to the use ofVirga-aurea, the prolonged use of which,although it did not affect a cure, produced a mitigation of the whole body, so that the lady induced her eldest son to come to me for help. This man had also trouble in his lower limbs not unlike his mother. He had a year ago passed through a severe throat difficulty, after which his lower limbs began to swell and to itch; they were also tainted bluish-red and covered with vesicles; he also complained of scanty urine, and his kidneys were sensitive against pressure. What better could I, under the circumstances, prescribe thanVirga-aurea?
The result was good. After a few months the patient had no more difficulty.
In the cases above mentioned, I prescribed the 3d decimal dilution of the tincture of the whole plant of Golden Rod. The water of Golden Rod, recommended by Rademacher and others, I have never tried.
Nat. Ord.—Caryophyllaceæ.Common Name.—Common Chickweed.Preparation.—The whole fresh plant in bloom is macerated in twice its weight of alcohol.
(Frederick Kopp proved this remedy and the results were published in theHomœopathic World, 1896, as follows:)
(Frederick Kopp proved this remedy and the results were published in theHomœopathic World, 1896, as follows:)
"It has proved to me a matter of impossibility to answer all the letters that have been sent to me by readers of theHomœopathic Worldon the subject of the use ofStellaria mediain the treatment of rheumatism, but I trust that the information given below will satisfy all the correspondents. It will be remembered by my readers that the new drug was first proved by me in 1893, consequent on my attention being drawn to the weed by our esteemed friend, the Rev. F. H. Brett. I made a thorough proving of the drug, not only once, but several times, so as to satisfy myself beyond a doubt as tothe symptoms peculiar to it, and the excruciating rheumatic-like pains developed at the time are still vividly remembered by me; in fact, they were so severe and intense as not to be easily forgotten when once experienced. There is no mistaking therheumaticsymptoms of the drug. They come on very rapidly, and the sharp, darting pains so peculiar to rheumatism are experienced, not only in almost every part of the body, but the symptoms of soreness of the parts to the touch, stiffness of the joints, and aggravation of the pains by motion are also present. These pains may be described as follows:
"Rheumatic-like pains over the right side of the head; especially towards the back, with the parts sore to the touch; rheumatic-like pains darting through the whole head, worse on right side; rheumatic-like pains left half of forehead, over the eye, with the parts sore to the touch; rheumatic-like pains in the left foot; rheumatic-like pains in the ankles; sharp, darting, rheumatic-like pains in the left knee, gradually extending above along the thigh; rheumatic-like pains below the right knee-cap; rheumatic-like, darting pains through various parts of the body, especially down the right arm and the middle and index fingers of the left hand; stiffness of the joints in general; rheumatic-like pains in the calves of the legs, which are sensitive to the touch; rheumatic-like pains in the right hip; rheumatic-like pains across the small of the back, aggravated by bending or stooping; stiffness in lumbar region with soreness; darting, rheumatic-like pains through right thigh; rheumatic-like pains in right groin.
"It will be seen by the above symptoms that almost every part of the body in which it is possible for rheumatic pains to occur is affected, the rheumatic-like pains darting from one part to another. My correspondents all being readers ofThe Homœopathic Worldwill remember a case reported in the January number of the journal (1896), by Mr. R. H. Bellairs, in which the pains were 'now in ankle, now in knee, now in arm, wrist, or fingers.' This case fully illustrates the symptoms borne out in my proving of the drug, and it but naturally followed, according to the law of similars, that the disease should yield to the month's treatment withStellaria media. Mr. Bellairs says he thinks that possibly 'shifting pain' is a key-note, and I am glad that I am able to inform him that he is correct in his supposition. I am pleased to hear that he has often givenStellaria mediain chronic rheumatism, and now looks upon it as a specific. It is these things that gladden the heart of the prover of new drugs—the news of the practical triumph of a new drug over symptoms of disease similar to those it is itself capable of developing in a healthy body—and one feels amply repaid for the hours and days of pain and suffering that one has inevitably to put up with in the vocation of 'proving.' I heartily congratulate Mr. Bellairs on his success in curing the above case.
"I have been asked by one correspondent whether a changeable climate—one with sudden changes of temperature occurring every day, for instance—would prevent the drug from taking effect in the treatment of rheumatism. To this question I can promptly return an answer in the negative. I have proof upon proof lying before me to testify thatStellaria mediais just as efficacious in a changeable climate as in any other. Reports of cases cured have come to me from various parts of the world, under varying changes of climate, and the result has always been the same, namely, 'the cure of the case.'
"Forinternaladministration I have always found the 2x tincture the most efficacious, given in from one to two drop doses every two, three, or four hours, according to the severity of the symptoms. Forexternalpurposes I strongly advise the θ tincture. It may be employed either in the form of a lotion (20 to 60 minims of θ tincture to a tumblerful of water), the ointment or the liniment (30 to 40 minims of the θ tincture to ǯj of pure olive oil). Cloths steeped in the lotion and renewed when dry may be applied to the painful parts, or the ointment or liniment may be rubbed well in. Experience has taught me that external treatment combined with internal greatly assists in hastening the cure. In the treatment of rheumatismStellaria mediais a very active drug, acting very promptly; a low dilution of the mother tincture of the drug taken internally is very apt, therefore, to intensify the pains, and these should therefore be avoided and the 2x dilution used."
A Tincture of the Fresh Corn Silk.Nat. Ord.—Gramineæ.Common Name.—Corn Silk.Preparation.—One part of fresh corn silk is macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.
(A great deal has been published lately concerning this remedy. The following by Dr. Dufan,London Medical Record, seems to give the best outline of its uses:)
(A great deal has been published lately concerning this remedy. The following by Dr. Dufan,London Medical Record, seems to give the best outline of its uses:)
1. The stigmata of maize have a very marked, though not always a favorable, action in all affections of the bladder, whether acute or chronic.
2. In acute traumatic cystitis, and also in gonorrhœal cystitis, they have a very marked diuretic action, but, at the same time, increase the pain; hence they should not be employed in these cases.
3. The best results have been obtained in cases of uric or phosphatic gravel, of chronic cystitis, whether simple or consecutive to gravel, and of mucous or muco-purulent catarrh. All the symptoms of the disease, the vesical pains, the dysuria, the excretion of sand, the ammoniacal odor, etc., rapidly disappear under the influence of the medicine.
4. The retention of urine dependent on these various affections often disappears as improvement progresses, but the use of the sound must sometimes be continued, in order to empty the bladder completely.
5. The stigmata maize have very often produced a cure after all the usual internal remedies had been tried in vain, or with only partial success. In other cases, the ordinary methods of treatment, which had at first proved more or less entirely useless, became efficacious after stigmata had been administered for a time, and had, as it were, broken the ground for them. Most frequently the stigmata alone sufficed for the cure, but still in some cases the effect was incomplete, and it was found that the treatment could be varied with benefit. Injections and irrigations of the bladder also proved useful adjuncts to the maize.
6. As the stigmata of maize are a very powerful, though at the same time entirely inoffensive diuretic, they have also been employed with the best results in cases of heart disease, albuminuria, and other affections requiring diuretics. Cases have been reported in which the urinary secretion was tripled and even quintupled in the first twenty-four hours, and others where the exhibition of the drug was continued for two or three months without the slightest untoward effect.
(Though Dr. Dufan condemns the use of the remedy in gonorrhœa, other practitioners have commended it for that very purpose. Dr. Leo Bennett,Therapeutic Gazette, 1893, having had "unusual success" in the treatment of that disease with theStigmata maidis.)
(Though Dr. Dufan condemns the use of the remedy in gonorrhœa, other practitioners have commended it for that very purpose. Dr. Leo Bennett,Therapeutic Gazette, 1893, having had "unusual success" in the treatment of that disease with theStigmata maidis.)
Preparation.—The pure chemical is triturated in the usual way.
(The following is by Dr. Morris Weiner, of Baltimore, 1892:)
(The following is by Dr. Morris Weiner, of Baltimore, 1892:)
About twelve years ago I decided to proveSuccinic acid(Acidum succinicum).Agricolamentions this acid, 1546, asSalt of amber.Boyle, towards the close of the 17th century, was the first who pronounced it to be acid, andStecker de Neuformconfirmed this statement, after repeated investigations, calling it atrueacid.Berzeliuspublished its elementalcomposition, C4H2O3.
This acid was long ago laid aside as obsolete, and not without good reason, because since the Puritans in chemistry commenced to rule over every laboratory of pharmacy, by trying to redistill this crude acid and changing its yellowish color to snowy whiteness, they drove out every trace of theoily matterwhich alone constitutes its medical action. The whiter this acid becomes the larger doses can be taken without any action on the human system. Knowing that thisoil of amberis driven out totally by redistillation I was compelled to prepare the crude acid myself.
The expense is considerable. One pound of amber yields about half an ounce of crude acid, and the glass retort, after dry distillation, must be broken to collect the acid.
The fumes ofAcidum succinicum crudumare inflammable, producing asthma, cough, sneezing, weeping, dropping of watery mucus from the nostrils, pain in chest and headache.
None of our remedies gives a truer picture of hay fever, and since theoil of ambermust be securely inclosed in the amber itself, it was but natural to conclude that by trituration I may receive all the virtue of the remedy.
At the same time I remembered that necklaces and earrings of amber are considered a popular protection agent against neuralgia, colds, and even hay fever.
Since that time I prescribed in cases of hay fever the third decimal trituration, one or two grains dissolved in twelve teaspoonfuls of distilled water, one teaspoonful every two hours, with the best results, and have cured more than thirty persons, who were formerly obliged to go to the mountains to get temporary relief. Already after the first week most of them experienced decided relief.
Nat. Ord.—Borraginaceæ.Common Name.—Comfrey, Healing Herb.Preparation.—One part of the fresh root gathered just before blooming is macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.
(The following concerning this remedy, which dates back to Dioscorides, we find inAmerican Journal of Homœopathy, 1846:)
(The following concerning this remedy, which dates back to Dioscorides, we find inAmerican Journal of Homœopathy, 1846:)
The Homœopathic Examiner for August contains a paper entitled "Connection of Homœopathy with Surgery," byCroserio, translated by P. P. Wells, M. D. It is there stated that "injuries of the bones are healed most promptly bySymphytum officinale30 internally once a day. This remedy accelerates the consolidation of fractures surprisingly." The translator adds a note as follows: "I have had repeated opportunities of verifying this declaration of Croserio. A boy, fourteen years old, broke the bones of the forearm, at the junction of the lower and middle thirds, two years ago. He had twice repeated the fracture by slight falls. The ends of the fragments are now slightly movable on each other, and the arm is weak and admits of little use. Three doses ofSymphytumeffected a perfect cure. The lad became more robust, and has since had better general health than ever before."
A boy, eight years old, fractured the humerus, near the junction of the condyles and shaft.Arnica30 immediately arrested the spasmodic jerks of the muscles of the injured arm. This remedy was continued the first three days, when the traumatic fever had entirely subsided. He then hadSymphyt. Ê’, gtt. i., in half a tumbler of water, a teaspoonful every morning and evening. The splints were removed theninth day, and the bone was found consolidated. The cure was entirely without pain. How much earlier than this the fragments ceased to be movable is not known. Well may the author say it heals broken bones surprisingly. Let it be remembered that the discovery of this specific is but one of the many rich fruits ofHahnemannism.
(The following appeared in theHomœopathic World, 1890, under the signature F. H. B.:)
(The following appeared in theHomœopathic World, 1890, under the signature F. H. B.:)
In none of the Homœopathic treatises that I possess do Ifind any mention of the above remedy. I am surprised at this, for I believe it to be a very valuable one in certain cases. Its common name ofknitboneseems to point to popular experience of one of its uses; but I believe its knitting, or uniting, power extends to muscular and other tissues of the body, as well as to the bones. Let me give two instances of my own personal experience. Many years ago I had an inguinal rupture on each side, not extensive ones, but causing a protrusion about the size of half a small walnut. After wearing a truss for some time, I bethought me of what I had heard of the uniting power of Comfrey, and made some tincture from the root, and rubbed it in. After doing so two or three times, the signs of rupture quite disappeared, and the parts remained sound for about three years; when, from some cause or other, the right side broke out again, but as it did not give much trouble I neglected it for some time, and then tried the Comfrey tincture again, but this time without success. I suppose the ruptured edges had got too far asunder. The left side, however, which originally was the worse of the two, has kept sound ever since. I think this shows that a rupture, if not too extensive, and if taken in time, may often be cured by this remedy. The other case I have to relate was of a different kind. Five weeks ago I had a fall on my back, the whole force of which was concentrated on a small portion of the lower spine, through the intervention of the back pad of my truss. I thought for the moment my back must have been broken, the pain was so excessive; and not only the back, but diaphragm and all the organs below it suffered acutely for three or four weeks after the fall. But a fortnight after the fall I was for the first time conscious of a pain and tenderness higher up the spine, at a point, I think, where ribs commence, and on feeling I found a protuberance there, as if a partial dislocation had taken place there. I again thought of Comfrey, and had some of the tincture applied. The tenderness at the point subsided after two or three applications, and in a few days the protuberance disappeared. * * * On more careful examination I find that the point of secondary disturbance was higher up than I have described—two or three inches higher than the first insertion of the ribs in the spinal column.
(Dr. Gottweis, inHom. Zeitung, vol. vii., says:)
(Dr. Gottweis, inHom. Zeitung, vol. vii., says:)
An old and very valuable remedy. This plant is found all over Europe (and in some parts of North America), in wet fields and ditches. We make a tincture out of it which has marvelous healing and cicatrizing properties.Symphytummust be a very old popular remedy; its reputation is well established, and it is mentioned in all the old medical "tomes." The decoction acts as an effective demulcent and pain-killer in severe bruises. It diminishes the irritation in wounds and ulcers, ameliorates and lessens too copious suppuration and promotes the healing processes. In homœopathic practice the tincture diluted with water is used with great success in fractures and bruises or other injuries of bones. Its effect is really extraordinary in injuries to sinews, tendons and the periosteum.
A few days ago a colleague consulted me about a horse with a stab wound in the fetlock which would not heal, do what he would, and which rendered locomotion impossible. (The doctor is by no means a young or inexperienced veterinarian.) I examined the wound, and at once recommendedSymphytumθ. Within two weeks the animal was cured. This remedy really cannot be overestimated.
(Dr. W. H. Thompson, President of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, in an address reported in LondonLancet, 1896, reports a case of which the following is the gist:)
(Dr. W. H. Thompson, President of Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, in an address reported in LondonLancet, 1896, reports a case of which the following is the gist:)
Early in 1895 he saw a man who was suffering from a malignant growth in the nose—"a malignant tumor of the antrum, which had extended to the nose." An exploratory operation confirmed this diagnosis. "He refused the larger operation. The exploration was made by Dr. Woods. Wefound that the tumor did extend from the antrum, into which I could bore my finger easily. Dr. O'Sullivan, Professor of Pathology in Trinity College, declared the growth to be a round-celled sarcoma. Of that there is no doubt. The tumor returned in a couple of months, and the patient then saw Dr. Semon, in London, who advised immediate removal. He returned home, and after a further delay he asked to have the operation performed. I did this in May last by the usual method. I found the tumor occupying the whole of the antrum. The base of the skull was everywhere infiltrated. The tumor had passed into the right nose and perforated the septum so as to extend into the left. It adhered to the septum around the site of perforation. This was all removed, leaving a hole in the septum about the size of a florin. He went home within a fortnight. In a month the growth showed signs of return. It bulged through the incision and protruded upon the face. Dr. Woods saw him soon afterwards, as I had declared by letter that a further operation would be of no avail. The tumor had now almost closed the right eye. It was blue, tense, firm, and lobulated, but it did not break. Dr. Woods reported the result of his visit to me, and we agreed as to the prognosis. Early in October the patient walked into my study after a visit to Dr. Woods. He looked in better health than I had ever seen him. The tumor had completely disappeared from the face, and I could not identify any trace of it in the mouth. He said he had no pain of any kind. He could speak well when the opening remaining after the removal of the hard palate was plugged, and he was in town to have an obturator made. He has since gone home apparently well."
The patient told Dr. Thompson that he had applied poultices ofComfrey(orSymphytum) and that was all.
"Now this was a case of which none of us had any doubt at all, and our first view was confirmed by the distinguished pathologist whom I have mentioned and by our own observation at the time of the major operation. Here, then, was another 'surprise.' I am satisfied as I can be of anything that the growth was malignant and of a bad type. Of course, we know in the history of some tumors that growth is delayed and that in the sarcomata recurrence is often late. But this is a case in which the recurrence occurred twice—the second time to an extreme degree; and yet this recurrent tumor has vanished. What has produced this atrophy and disappearance? I do not know. I know nothing of the effects of comfrey root, but I do not believe that it can remove a sarcomatous tumor. Of course, the time that has so far elapsed is very short; but the fact that this big recurrent growth no longer exists—that it has not ulcerated or sloughed away, but simply, with unbroken covering, disappeared—is to me one of the greatest 'surprises' and puzzles that I have met with."
Nat. Ord., Caprifoliaceæ.Common Name, Snow Berry.Preparation.—One part of the fresh ripe berries is macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.
(In 1882 Dr. Edward V. Moffat read the following paper on this remedy before the Homœopathic Medical Society of New York:)
(In 1882 Dr. Edward V. Moffat read the following paper on this remedy before the Homœopathic Medical Society of New York:)
Let us go back about fifteen years and sketch a history of this drug. At that time Prof. S. P. Burdick investigated the medicinal of many plants hitherto unused by the profession, among others chanced to be the snow berry, orSymphoricarpus racemosus. He gave some of the drug to the first prover, an intelligent lady, who on feeling the marked nausea, which it soon produced, exclaimed: "Doctor, this is precisely like the morning sickness I always experienced during pregnancy." Dr. Burdick became more interested, repeated the experiment with other provers, obtained almost uniform results, viz., a feeling varying from qualmishness to intense vomiting. Itwas given to female provers only and merely tested far enough to verify that symptom.
Upon this clue Dr. Burdick gave it in the higher potencies to patients suffering from the vomiting of pregnancy with most satisfactory results. Indeed, after a trial of many years, he has found it so far superior to other remedies that he now relies on it altogether with rarely any but entirely satisfactory results.
He mentioned the drug in his course of lectures, so I bore it in mind waiting for a test case. Soon that came in the person of a young lady three months advanced in her first pregnancy who was suffering from a deathly nausea, with vomiting and retching so prolonged and violent as to produce hæmatemesis. The smell or thought of food was repugnant in the extreme. An examination disclosed no malposition or apparent cause for the trouble, so I procured someSymphoricarpus(200) from Dr. Burdick and gave her one dose in the midst of a violent paroxysm. In a few minutes she stopped vomiting and said she felt soothed and quieted all over. In half an hour the nausea began again, but a few pellets checked it promptly and she fell asleep. Once during the night she awoke distressed and took a dose, but slept again quite soon. For a month or so she felt very well until after over-exerting herself she became nauseated once more; but it was promptly checked, nor did it return during her pregnancy.
After this I had the opportunity of prescribing it in a number of cases with such gratifying results that I gave some of the drug to a number of physicians, requesting a faithful trial. Among them were my father, brother, Dr. Danforth, Dr. McClelland, of Pittsburg, and several others. All reported favorably and some enthusiastically, and so I have been led to bring this subject before this society. The indications as far as I have observed them in cases of pregnancy are a feeling of qualmishness with indifference to food. In more severe cases, like the above, there is a deathly nausea; the vomiting is continuous violent retching, but it covers every graduationbetween these extremes; it does not seem to be confined to any particularmorningaggravation; a prominent symptom is the disgust at the sight, smell or thought of food. One case I remember where the patient was comparatively comfortable while lying on the back, but would be nauseated by the slightest motion of the arms, particularly raising them. The case was completely relieved by a few doses. And so the cases might be multiplied.
Thinking that if the irritation of pregnancy were thus subdued, that of menstruation might be as well, I have given it repeatedly in such cases of nausea or vomiting just before, during or after catamenia, with admirable results.
Common Names, Spider's Web, Cobweb.Preparation.—Triturate in the usual way.
(The following paper is by Dr. S. A. Jones, it was published in theAmerican Observer, 1876):
(The following paper is by Dr. S. A. Jones, it was published in theAmerican Observer, 1876):
Dr. Gillespie, of Edinburgh, "cured an obstinate intermittent with cobweb after other means had failed." Dr. Robert Jackson was led from this to try it himself. He told his success to Dr. Chapman, of Philadelphia, who requested one of his pupils, Dr. Broughton, to investigate the subject, which he did, and wrote his Inaugural Thesis thereon in 1818. From these and other authorities we can gather enough testimony to show that it is well worth while to make a systematic proving of this animal product, thereby predicating its sphere and precisioning its employment.
In a work on fevers—which particular edition I have not been able to consult—Dr. Jackson writes: "I think I may venture to say that it prevents the recurrence of febrile paroxysms more abruptly, and more effectually, than bark or arsenic, or any other remedy employed for that purpose withwhich I am acquainted: that, like all other remedies of the kind, it is only effectual as applied under a certain condition of habit;but that the condition of susceptibility for cobweb is at the same time of more latitude than for any other of the known remedies."
If we bear in mind Grauvogl's constitution-classification ofDiadema araneaas an hydrogenoid remedy, and recall how generally the hydrogenoid constitution is induced by intermittent fever, we shall be ready to acknowledge the truth of the passage which I have placed in italics, and with this evidence of a truthful beginning we shall be more ready to accept the subsequent testimony.
"If the cobweb," continues Dr. Jackson, "was given in the time of perfect intermission, the return of paroxysm was prevented; if given under the first symptoms of a commencing paroxysm, the symptoms were suppressed, and the course of the paroxysm was so much interrupted that the disease, for the most part, lost its characteristic symptoms. If it was not given until the paroxysm was advanced in progress the symptoms of irritation, viz.: tremors, startings, spasms, and delirium, if such existed as forms of febrile action, were usually reduced in violence, sometimes entirely removed. In this case sleep, calm and refreshing, usually followed the sudden and perfect removal of pain and irritation. Vomiting, spasms, and twisting in the bowels, appearing as modes of febrile irritation, were also usually allayed by it; there was no effect from it where the vomiting or pain was connected with real inflammation or progress to disorganization."
"In cases of febrile depression, deficient animation, or indifference to surrounding objects, the exhibition of eight or ten grains of cobweb was often followed by exhilaration: the eyes sparkled; the countenance assumed a temporary animation, and, though the course of the disease might not be changed, or the danger averted, more respite was obtained than is gotten from wine, opium, or anything else within my knowledge."
"In spasmodic affections of various kinds, in asthma, in periodic headaches, in general restlessness and muscular irritabilities its good effects are often signal. The cobweb gives sleep, but not by narcotic power;—tranquillity and sleep here appear to be the simple consequence of release from pain and irritation."
"The changes induced on the existing state of the system, as the effect of its operation, characterize it as powerfully stimulant: 1. Where the pulses of the arteries are quick, irregular, and irritated, they become calm, regular, and slow, almost instantaneously after the cobweb has passed into the stomach: the effect is moreover accompanied, for the most part, with perspiration and perfect relaxation of the surface. 2. When the pulses are slow, regular, and nearly natural they usually become frequent, small, irregular, sometimes intermitting. 3. When languor and depression characterize the disease, sensations of warmth and comfort are diffused about the stomach, and increased animation is conspicuous in the appearance of the eye and countenance."
Dr. J. likewise "effected perfect cures with it in some troublesome spasmodic affections, and gave it with the most marked benefit in dry, irritating coughs, usually termed nervous. In the advanced stage of phthisis it procured a respite beyond his expectation. He also found it useful in restraining a troublesome hiccough."
Remembering the fame ofMygale aviculariain chorea we may well expect this other spider to be of use "in some troublesomespasmodicaffections."
Dr. Chapman writes of it: "I have cured some obstinate intermittents, suspended the paroxysms of hectic, overcome morbid vigilance from excessive nervous mobility, and quieted irritation of the system from other causes, and particularly as connected with protracted coughs and other chronic pectoral affections. * * * * Some consider it as highly stimulant, invigorating the force of the pulse, increasing the temperature of the surface, and heightening excitement generally—others,witnessing no such effects, are disposed to assort it with those remedies which seem to do goodchiefly by soothing the agitations of the system. I confess that I concur in the latter view of its properties."
How unconsciously the Philistines of Old Physic bear testimony to the truth of our therapeutic law. Given where "heightened excitement" obtained, Chapman saw it "do good chiefly by soothing the agitations of the system," and to him, of course, cobweb was a sedative.
Dr. Broughton, in his Thesis, says: "In all the cases of disease in which I have seen or heard of the exhibition of the web, no sensible, or at least no uniform, operation could be observed. Some patients were sensible of none, others of a slight sudorific, and some a nauseatic effect; and one or two thought it proved cathartic after remaining in the system for the space of twelve or fifteen hours. These accounts being so incorrect and various, I determined to ascertain (if possible) the correct operation by giving the web to healthy persons."
"I found from these experiments that the operation of the web appeared principally to be upon the arterial system; and perhaps in less time than any article already known: the force and frequency of the pulse being uniformly reduced in some cases ten, in others fifteen strokes in a minute; and in one case, the pulse, from being strong and full, became soft, small, and very compressible; all which operation took place within the space of two hours, after which time the artery gradually regained its former force and frequency. This has been the only invariable effect I could observe, all others appearing but anomalous."
Dr. Thacher cites the following case from a paper of Dr. Jackson's: "W. Sands has been afflicted for many years with a distressing asthma, which has proved fatal to his father and two sisters. The complaint being hereditary, and aggravated by malformation of the thorax, no remedy gave any permanent relief, nor did change of climate procure any alleviation of symptoms. For a considerable time back he has never been able to lie down in bed on account of a sense of suffocation, but is obliged to be supported half sitting by pillows, and is seldom able to sleep. He swallowed nearly a scruple of the spider's web, he swallowed it at bed time, and to his utter astonishment enjoyed sound and uninterrupted sleep all night; a blessing to which he had been an entire stranger above six years. Since he began with the cobweb thinks his health is improved; the cough has certainly abated, but whenever the remedy is omitted the complaint returns."
Dr. Oliver found that "by the use of this remedy a patient laboring under organic disease of the heart and hydrothorax obtained great relief and refreshing sleep, who had not before slept for three nights. Another, under similar affection, experienced uncommon relief from the same prescription. To one suffering much pain from cancer it afforded ease and comfortable sleep. A patient in phthisis pulmonalis being affected with distressing agitation of mind and nervous irritation, it answered like a charm, and soon induced great sleep like a moderate dose of opium."
Preparation.—Triturate the pure metal in the usual way.
(The following is from theHomœopathic World, 1893):
(The following is from theHomœopathic World, 1893):
In the "French News" column of theChemist and Druggistwe came across a note on the effect ofThallium, which we have no doubt homœopaths will soon turn to good account. Here is the paragraph:—
Curious Effect of a Remedy.
"Dr. Huchard read a paper at the last meeting of the Paris Academy of Medicine onAcetate of Thallium, whichwas formerly advocated by Dr. Combemale, of Lille, as a medicament against profuse perspiration in certain cases of serious illness. It appears, however, that its useful influence is counterbalanced by the fact that it causes the hair to fall off with great rapidity. Dr. Huchard exhibited at the meeting several photographs of patients who had become quite bald in several days. He was consequently very emphatic against the use of the remedy."
There is all the difference between the two schools in this note. To the allopath this is a "curious effect" merely, and serves to condemn the drug. To the homœopathic it brings to light a new remedy for a troublesome affection which is by no means too well provided for.
Thalliumis a rare metal, whose atomic weight is 204.2, its symbol being Tl. It receives its name (θαλλόϛ, a green shoot) from the green line it gives on the spectrum, through which it was discovered by Crookes in the residuum left from the distillation of selenium.Thalliumhas a bluish white tint and the lustre of lead; is so soft that it can be scratched by the finger nail. Specific gravity, 11.8. It belongs to the lead group of metals, but has peculiar reactions of its own. It is used in the manufacture of glass of high refractive power.
Nat. Ord., Cruciferæ.Common Name, Shepherd's Purse.Preparation.—Three parts of the fresh plant in flower are macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.
(The following paper on this remedy is by Dr. E. R. Dudgeon and appeared in theMonthly Homœopathic Review, 1888):
(The following paper on this remedy is by Dr. E. R. Dudgeon and appeared in theMonthly Homœopathic Review, 1888):
TheArt Médical, for July, 1888, contains a paper on this plant by Dr. Imbert Gourbeyre, displaying all his well-known ability and erudition. Although an unproved remedy, itssphere of specific action is pretty accurately known, and in former days it was frequently employed by many eminent medical authorities. In our own days, though almost unknown to "scientific" medicine, it enjoys a considerable reputation in popular medicine, chiefly for hæmorrhages, and profuse menstruation, and metrorrhagia.
According to Dioscorides, it is emmenagogue and abortive, anti-hæmorrhagic, and a remedy for sciatica. In Salmon'sDoren Medicum(1683) it is said: "The seed provokes urine and the courses, kills thefœtus, resists poyson, breaks inward apostems, and, being taken in ǯij, it purges cholera." In Vogel'sHistoria Materiæ Medicæwe read of the seed: "Ischiaticis infusum prodesse, et menses ciere (Dioscorides). Sudorem pellere, et ad scorbutum posse, si eb vius teratur, adiecto saccharo (Bœrhaav)." It was called by the old herbalistssanguinaria—"quia sanguinem sistet." Murray, at the end of last century, pronounced it useless; but De Maza, arguing against this opinion, relates a case of metrorrhagia cured by it, applied as a cataplasm to the loins, on the recommendation of an old woman, after the doctor had tried several medicines without effect. Lejeune (1822) says he has seen good results from its employment in hæmoptysis.
Rademacher has a great opinion of it. He says: "This plant was held to be an anti-hæmorrhagic medicine by the ancients. The superior wisdom of later physicians has pronounced it to have no such power,because it contains no astringent principle! (Carheuser'sMat. Med.) A second property attributed to it was that of stopping diarrhœa; a third, that of cutting short agues. I have lately used it repeatedly in chronic diarrhœa, when this is purely a primary affection of the bowels, with surprising benefit; but it is useless in consensual diarrhœa. I have not yet used it in ague, but would not dissuade others from trying it. But the most important remedial power of this common innocuous plant I learned from no medical author; the knowledge of it was actually forced upon me by the following case: I was calledto see a poor woman from whom, eight or ten years before, I had brought away a large quantity of urinary sand by means of magnesia and cochineal, and thereby cured her. Now, the tiresome sand had again accumulated in the kidneys, and the patient was in a pitiable state. The abdominal cavity was full of water, the lower extremities swollen by œdema, and the urine of a bright red color, which formed, on standing, a sediment unmistakably of blood. I prescribed tincture ofBrusa pastoris, 30 drops, 5 times a day, solely with the intention of stopping the hæmaturia as a preliminary; but imagine my astonishment when I found that the tincture caused a more copious discharge of renal sand than I had ever witnessed. Paracelsus's words occurred to me: 'A physician should overlook nothing; he should look down before him like a maiden, and he will find at his feet a more valuable treasure for all diseases than India, Egypt, Greece or Barbary can furnish.' I should certainly have been a careless fool had I, with this striking effect before me, changed to another medicine. I continued to give the tincture; I saw the urinary secretion increase with the copious discharge of sand; the water disappeared from the abdomen and extremities, and health was restored. I went on with the tincture until no more sand appeared in the urine, and I had every reason to suppose that the deposit of sand was completely removed. Since then I have used this remedy in so many cases with success that I can conscientiously recommend it to my colleagues as a most reliable remedy. Among these cases was one which appeared to me very striking. It was that of a woman, aged 30, who came to me for a complication of diseases. I examined the urine for sand, but found none. I gave her the tincture ofBrusa pastoris, and a quantity of sand came away. On continuing the tincture much more sand came away, and her other morbid symptoms disappeared."
It was stated some time ago that Mattei'santi-angioiticowas a tincture ofThlaspi bursa pastoris, but, if we are tocredit the statement of a periodical lately published, entitledGeneral Review of Electro-Homœopathic Medicine, this is not so, foranti-angioiticois there stated to be a medicine compounded ofAconite,Belladonna,Nux vomica,Veratrum album, andFerrum metallicum. I mention this inadvertently, but I do not suppose it is of much consequence, and my first experience of the remedial action ofThlaspiwas anterior to the information that it was one of Mattei's remedies.
In the 3d volume of theBritish Journal of Homœopathy, page 63, there is an observation taken from the BerlinMed. Zeit., to the effect that Dr. Lange found the greatest benefit from "a decoction of the whole plant in cases of passive hæmorrhage generally, and especially in too frequent and too copious menstruation." In theZeitsch. f. Erfahrungsheild., the periodical published by the followers of Rademacher, Dr. Kinil relates the case of a woman who, three weeks after accouchement, was affected with strangury. She could not retain her urine, which dribbled away, drop by drop, with constant pain in the urethra. The urine was turbid and had a deep red sediment. She got 30 drops of thetincture of Thlaspifive times a day. The strangury disappeared at once, the urine could be retained after a few days, and after eight days it became clear and without sediment.
Dr. Hannon (Presse Med. Belge, 1853) mentions that he had foundThlaspivery useful in hæmorrhage when the blood was poor in fibrine. Dr. Heer (BerlinMed. Zeit., 1857) foundThlaspiefficacious in the dysuria of old persons, when the passage of the urine is painful and there is at the same time spasmodic retention of it. On giving the medicine, a large quantity of white or red sand is discharged, and the troublesome symptoms disappear. Dr. Joussett (Bull. de la Soc. Hom. de France, 1866) had a case of hæmorrhage, after miscarriage, at three months. He triedSabina,Secale,Crocus, tampons soaked in chloride of iron, but all in vain. He consulted Dr. Tessier, who recommended him to tryThlaspi, 20 drops of the mother tincture in a draught; at the secondspoonful the hæmorrhage ceased. He found it useful in hæmorrhage with severe uterine colic, with clots of blood, in that following miscarriage, in the metrorrhagias at the menopause, and in those associated with cancer of the neck of the uterus. He found good effects from the dilutions in some of these cases. Dr. Jousset, in hisElements de Med. Prat., repeats his recommendation ofThlaspiin hæmorrhages.
My own experience ofThlaspiis very small. In one case Dr. Rafinesque, of Paris, cleverly "wiped my eye," to use a sporting term, with this medicine. A young French widow was treated by me for a severe attack of jaundice, from which she made a good recovery. But after this she suffered for a couple of months from a very peculiar discharge after the catamenial flux. It had the appearance of brownish, grumous blood, and was attended with obscure abdominal pains. The cervix uteri was swollen and soft, but not ulcerated. I tried and tried to stop this discharge, but without success. She went back to Paris and put herself under the care of Dr. Rafinesque, who was her ordinary medical attendant. He tried several different medicines without any effect on the discharge. At last he gaveThlaspi, 6th dilution, and this had an immediate good effect. Afterwards he gave the mother tincture, 10 drops in 200 grms. of water, by spoonfuls, and again in the 6th dilution, and after keeping her on this medicine for some weeks the discharge was completely cured. The full details of the case will be found in theBrit. Journ. of Hom., vol. 32, p. 370.
One other case I have had illustrative of its action in the presence of excessive quantities of uric acid in the urine: A lady, æt 76, was under my care for a very curious affection. She had considerable rheumatic muscular pains in various parts, and constant profuse perspirations day and night. Along with this she had the most abundant secretion of uric acid, which passed away with every discharge of urine. Sometimes the uric acid formed small calculi, which gave much pain in their passage down the ureter, but it generally appeared in the form of coarse sand, which formed a thick layer at the bottom of the utensil. This sand continued to pass after the cessation of the sweats and rheumatic pains, which lasted six or seven weeks. I tried various remedies—Pulsatilla,Picric acid,Lycopodium, etc., but without effect. At last I bethought me of Rademacher's recommendation ofThlaspi, and after a few doses of the 1st dilution the sand diminished very much, and, indeed, sometimes disappeared altogether, and when it did return, it was in insignificant quantity.
On the whole, I think this medicine deserves a thorough and complete proving. It is evidently a powerful anti-hæmorrhagic, and its influence on the urinary organs, more particularly in bringing away and in curing excess of uric acid in the urine, is very remarkable.
I have elsewhere mentioned the power of this substance to affect the secretion of uric acid, and then I have seen several cases corroborative of its medicinal virtues in this direction. One, a gentleman, æt. 57, who, in addition to other dyspeptic symptoms, had occasionally large discharges of coarse uric acid, coming away in masses the size of a good big pin's head, but curiously enough without pain. I prescribedThlaspi, which he said soon stopped the uric acid. Nearly a year after this he called on me for a different affection, and informed me that the uric acid had reappeared several times in his urine, but that a few doses ofThlaspi1 stopped it, and it never came to the height it attained when I first gave it to him. A lady, nearly eighty years of age, was suffering from the pressure of a calculus in the left ureter, which I knew to be of uric acid, as she had previously passed much 'sand.' The urine showed no sand, and was very scanty. I tried several remedies, among the rest the Borocitrate of magnesia, but it was not till I gaveThlaspi1 that a great discharge of coarse brick-colored sand took place, with speedy relief to her pain. At the same time, indeed, I made her drink copiously of distilled water, which has a powerfully disintegrating effect on uric acid sometimes, but, as she had already been taking this for several days without effect, I am inclined to give the whole credit of the cure toThlaspi.
It is not alone in such cases thatThlaspiis useful. Its ancient use as a hæmostatic has been confirmed in modern times and in my own experience, and my friend, Dr. Harper, related to me lately a most interesting cure he had effected by its means of a very prolonged and serious affection. The case was that of an elderly lady who for years had suffered from a large discharge of muco-pus, sometimes mixed with blood, sometimes apparently nearly all blood, which poured from the bowels after each evacuation. She had been many months under the medical treatment of the late Dr. D. Wilson, who at last told her he considered her disease incurable. She then put herself under the treatment of a practitioner who relies chiefly on oxygen gas for his cures; but she was no better—rather worse—after his treatment. She then came to Dr. Harper, who worked away at her with all the ordinary remedies without doing a bit of good. At last he bethought him ofThlaspi, led thereto by my remarks on its anti-hæmorrhagic properties in my "therapeutic notes" inThe Monthly Homœopathic Reviewof October, 1888, and he found that, from the time she commenced using this remedy, the discharge from the bowels gradually declined and ultimately ceased, and there has been no return of it.
No doubtThlaspiis a great remedy, and until it is satisfactorily proved, we may employ it with advantage in cases similar to those I have mentioned. But it is to be hoped that some of our colleagues endowed with youth, health and zeal, will ere long favor us with a good proving of it, whereby its curative powers may be precisionized. At present we only partially know these from the less satisfactory results of clinical experience.
(The following is from a paper by Dr. Millie J. Chapman in Transactions of American Institute of Homœopathy, 1897:)
(The following is from a paper by Dr. Millie J. Chapman in Transactions of American Institute of Homœopathy, 1897:)
The provings are brief and do not furnish very full indications for its use. However, from them we learn of its effectiveness in expelling accumulations of sand and uric-acid crystals from the kidneys and bladder, also in controlling hemorrhage from the nose, kidneys, or uterus.
My attention was first called to this remedy in cases of sub-involution following either abortion or labor at full term, where it many a time induced recovery.
I have since witnessed equal success in hemorrhage from uterine fibroid where the flow was controlled, and the growth was greatly reduced in size before the age of the individual would naturally produce these changes. Also uterine hemorrhage, attended with cramps and expulsion of clots, has been relieved by it after curetting had failed.
A member of the Women's Provers' Association took five drops of the tincture three times a day for ten days. This was followed by a great increase of urine and a menstrual flow lasting fifteen days. She became alarmed and could not be persuaded to continue the proving.
Another took ten drops, three times a day, for five days, when the quantity of urine and brick dust deposit were so unusual that her interest in scientific investigation suddenly ceased.
About a year since, there came for treatment a patient who had suffered long from both disease and treatment of the bladder.Thlaspi2x and later five drop doses of the tincture expelled great quantities of sand, and was followed by complete relief of the bladder symptoms and the disappearance of rheumatic pains that had been supposed incurable.
Another case of similar bladder irritation and marked evidences of gout was promptly relieved.
Thlaspialso has a reputation in the cure of urethritis.
Preparation.—The dried thyroid gland of the sheep is triturated in the usual way or an extract may be prepared from the fresh gland.
(The following paper on the effects ofThyroidwas written by Dr. F. G. Å’hme, Roseburg, Oregon:)
(The following paper on the effects ofThyroidwas written by Dr. F. G. Å’hme, Roseburg, Oregon:)
TheThyroid, especially if used continually or in large doses,causesthe followingsymptoms:
1. Elevation of the temperature.
2. Increase of the heart's action and of the frequency and volume of the pulse, which, however, is more compressible. Walking, even standing, after taking a dose is apt to cause a feeling of faintness and even complete syncope. The heart may become so weak that it cannot endure any overexertion without danger, even death may result.
3. Shortness of breath.
4. Increase or decrease of appetite, sometimes nausea, less frequently vomiting, still less diarrhœa.
5. Improvement in body nutrition generally, more complete absorption of nitrogenous food. But later on nitrogen is excreted in excess of that taken in the food.
6. Loss of weight.
7. Increase of sexual desire.
8. Menses profuse, prolonged or more frequent, rarely amenorrhœa.
9. Increased activity of the mucous membrane, kidneys and skin, which becomes moist and oily, sometimes exfoliation of the epidermis.
10. Rapid growth of the skeleton in the young with softening and bending of those bones which have to bear weight.
11. A disease closely resembling exophthalmic goitre. A cataleptic improved under large doses ofThyroid, but when the dose of 75 grs. a day was reached symptoms like those ofexophthalmic goitre developed with a pulse of 160, but no glandular swelling. When theThyroidwas discontinued the catalepsy grew worse, the exophthalmic goitre better; when resumed the catalepsy better, the exophthalmic goitre worse.
A patient, while underThyroidtreatment for myxœdema, took, through a misunderstanding, in eleven days nearly 3 ounces of the dessicatedThyroid, whereupon tachycardia, pyrexia, insomnia, tremor of the limbs, polyuria, albuminuria, and glucosuria, in short, a disease similar to exophthalmic goitre developed.
Thyroidhas beenusedwith benefit in the followingdiseases:
1. Arrested development in children, cretinism, idiotism.
2. Myxœdema. [The extirpation of the entireThyroidproduces a disease resembling myxœdema.]
3. Simple goitre.
4. Excessive obesity with tendency to weakness and anæmia.
5. Melancholia functional insanity, where improvement has taken place up to a certain point and then remains so.
6. Defective secretion of milk during lactation when connected with reappearance of menses.Thyroidwill suppress the latter and increase and enrich the milk.
7. In fractures of the bones in which consolidation does not promptly occur.
8. Hypertrophy of cicatricial tissue resembling keloid, possibly true keloid.
Doses:Either the fresh gland of the sheep prepared like food or the extract, or in the dessicated state, of the latter may be given from 2-3 grs., or more or less, once a day (at night) or oftener.
TheThyroidiscontra-indicatedin tuberculous persons, as they are apt to lose quickly in weight, over two pounds in twenty-four hours.
Rheumatic and anæmic symptoms are more frequently aggravated than improved.
As theThyroidis a powerful remedy, the following should be always remembered:
There is a decided difference with regard to individual toleration, some are very susceptible.
The pulse should be watched regarding frequency and quality. The least effort or exertion will increase it even to 160, hence some cases should be kept in bed or at least very quiet and tranquil even for a time after the remedy has been discontinued. Deaths have taken place after a few days' treatment.
IfThyroidis not taken for myxœdema the patient should be weighed at least every two weeks, and if pathogenetic symptoms, called thyroidism, appear the remedy should be discontinued or reduced.
If softening of the bones has been caused it may be necessary to restrict the use of the legs or to use splints.
Thyroidseems to have a cumulative effect.
In many cases a liberal diet should be prescribed to avoid injurious consequences.