SPASM is the one word characterizing this remedy. Cramps or convulsions, in meningitis, cholera, cholera morbus, whooping cough, scarlatina, etc.

Spasms begin in fingers and toes and spreading from there become general.

Mental or bodily exhaustion from over-exertion of mind or loss of sleep.

Affections arising from suppressed skin troubles, especially from acute exanthemata.

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The grand central characteristic symptom is expressed in one word -spasms. If in brain affections, congestions, meningitis or apoplexy Cuprum is to do any good, spasm will be present in some degree, at least, from a simple twitching of the fingers and toes to general convulsions. If in cardialgia, there is violent spasmodic griping and pressure, followed by vomiting. In cholera, cholera morbus, or cholera infantum the cramping pains are sometimes terrible. Dunham said: "In Camphor collapse is most prominent; in Veratrum album, the evacuation and vomiting; in Cuprum, the cramps." In whooping cough "children get stiff, breathing ceases, spasmodic twitchings; after a while consciousness returns, they vomit and recover but slowly;" or the child coughs itself into a complete "cataleptic spasm with each paroxysm of cough." In all kinds of repercussed exanthematic spasms, Cuprum is the first remedy to be thought of (see comparison with Zincum).

These spasms may also be found in dysmenorrhœa, in child bed, or in after pains. Then, aside from any and all kinds of local affections, Cuprum may be found indicated in epilepsia, chorea, and other purely nervous spasmodic affections of a general nature. There is one thing peculiar in the spasms of Cuprum that I have often observed, and it is a strong indication for the remedy, viz.: The spasm begins by twitching in the fingers and toes, and, spreading from there, becomes general.

There is another symptom which Farrington thought very valuable, viz.: "Mental and bodily exhaustion from overexertion of mind, or loss of sleep." This is similar to Cocculus and. Nux vomica. The other symptoms must decide between them. I have always used the metal instead of the acetate, because I used the potencies, and it acted promptly.

Is another remedy which is characterized by its excessively violent convulsions. With this remedy the patient is thrown into all sorts of odd shapes and violent contortions, but one of the most invariable is the bending of the head, neck and spine backwards, opisthotonos. It is on this account that it was tried for cerebro-spinal meningitis. Dr. Baker, of Moravia, N. Y., cured, during an epidemic of this terrible disease, sixty cases of all degrees of malignancy without the loss of a single case. This is a wonderful record, and he thinks it is as near a specific for this disease as can be.

Cicuta is also one of our best remedies for convulsions during dentition or worms if Cina does not help. It is also a good remedy for the effects of concussion of the brain or spine, if spasms are in the train of chronic effects therefrom and Arnica does not relieve. In the affections for which Cicuta is useful the actions of the patient are as violent as are the spasms -moans and howls, makes gesticulations and odd motions, great agitation, etc.

All sorts of convulsions -tonic, clonic epileptic, cataleptic, worm, puerperal, etc.- if of a very violent character, should call to mind Cicuta.

It is also wonderful for skin affections, "pustules which run together, forming thick, yellow scabs on face, head and other parts of the body". I once had a case of eczema capitis in a young woman -it was of long standing- which covered the whole scalp, solid, like a cap. I gave her Cicuta 200th and cured her completely in a very short time. She had used many local applications without benefit.

Great weakness, faint-like goneness culminating in local paralysis (vocal organs, tongue, muscles of deglution, eyelids, face, bladder and extremities).

Obstinate neuralgias, especially of psoric origin; pains of a cramping, drawing nature.

Sensation of sore rawness (Scalp, throat, larynx and trachea, chest, rectum, anus, urethra and eruptions with burning).

Contractions of the ligaments (arthritis deformans).

Dry cough with pain in hip and involuntary urination. Soreness and rawness in air passages, cannot raise the mucus, < on expiration, > swallowing cold water.

Hæmorrhoids sore and raw < on walking. Constipation frequent, ineffectual desire for stool; passes better on standing.

Modalities: < dry weather, walking (piles), > wet weather, swallowing cold water (cough).

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This is a very unique remedy, proven by Hahnemann and classed among the anti-psorics. Its exact chemical composition is not known but it is supposed to be a kind of potash preparation.

It has quite a long list of peculiar symptoms, which are, nevertheless, very reliable. In the first place it has great weakness, such as characterizes the potash salts generally. It is with Causticum "faint-like weakness, or sinking of strength, with trembling." In this it resembles Gelsemium, and it has another symptom, in connection with its general weakness which resembles Gelsemium, viz.: "Drooping of the lids." Sepia, Causticum and Gelsemium is the trio having this peculiar symptom in a very marked degree. Now, the weakness of Causticum progresses until we have "gradually appearing paralysis," indeed, paralysis is common with Causticum and attacks in a general way the right side (Lachesis the left), but it also has local paralysis; as, for instance, of the vocal organs, muscles of deglutition, of tongue, eyelids, face, bladder and extremities. On the other hand, it has all grades of nervous twitchings, chorea, convulsions and epileptic attacks, even progressive locomotor ataxia. I can only name these diseases here, but will notice further on the symptoms and conditions which appear in connection with them.

Neuralgic affections are also common with this remedy and are generally of an obstinate character. Causticum has helped me out in such cases when other seemingly indicated remedies failed. One of our oldest and most eminent writers on Materia Medica, Charles J. Hempel, sneered at the multiplicity of symptoms of this remedy, as found in the "Chronic Diseases," but the clinical test has proven it to be a remedy of great use and wide range. On the mind it exerts a very depressing influence in keeping with its general action on the nervous system. Melancholy mood; sadness, hopelessness; is apt to look on the dark side of everything. This melancholy may come from care, grief or sorrow. It often comes from long lasting brief or sorrow, and should be remembered here alongside Ignatia, Natrum muriaticum and Phosphoric acid.

This is the preponderant mood of Causticum, but it may alternate with an anxious, irritable or hysterical mood. We have already spoken of the paralysis of the eyelids. The vision is often affected; there is an appearance of gauze before the eyes, or as if a fog or cloud were there. This is often the case in incipient cataract, and Causticum often remedies it.

Upon the ears there is roaring, tinkling, humming and all sorts of noises. It is one of our best remedies in deafness with these noises. Reverberation of sounds, especially the patient's own voice, finds here a remedy. Then the ears (external) burn and are very red. Sulphur also has this symptom very prominently: and right here we may say that there are many resemblances between these two remedies, and they follow each other well, especially in chronic diseases.

Upon the face we have four prominent peculiar symptoms:

1st. Yellowness of the face; sickly yellow (not jaundice).

2d. Paralysis of a rheumatic or psoric origin.

3d. Prosopalgia of the same origin.

4th. Stiffness of the jaws; could not open the mouth.

This latter symptom also seems to be rheumatic and is in keeping with the arthritis deformans, of which we will say more further on.

Upon the tongue we have: 1st. Paralisis; or indistinct speech without complete paralysis (Gels.). 2d. Tongue coated white on the sides, red in the middle, but not so sharply defined as in Veratrum viride.

The throat comes strongly under the influence of Causticum.

"Burning pain in throat, not < by swallowing; pain is in both sides or seems to arise from chest."

"Rawness and tickling in throat with dry cough and some expectoration after long coughing."

This again in similar to Sulphur, which has burning in throat, more on right side. I have found that if Sulphur did not relieve, Causticum given after it, often would.

Intestinal Canal. -Sensation of lime being burned in the stomach, with rising of air. Guernsey praised this symptom and considered it reliable. I have not verified if Causticum is one of our best remedies in anal troubles, and has very peculiar symptoms. "Constipation, frequent but unsuccessful desire to stool." (Nux.) "Frequent ineffectual desire to stool, with much pain and straining, with redness of face." "The stool passes better when standing. Hæmorrhoids impeding stool, swollen; itching: smarting; rawness; moist; stinging; burning; raw and sore, aggravated when walking, when thinking of them, from preaching or straining the voice." All these symptoms have been verified over and over again. There are other symptoms also in this region that are very valuable, but we are not writing a complete Materia Medica and will only say in addition that in all anal troubles we should let Causticum rank among the first in our mind when we are hunting for the simillimum. We do not know in what part the peculiar and characteristic symptom which leads to the simillimum will appear, but must be on the alert to recognize it promptly.

Causticum also has very marked action upon the urinary organs, as is shown by the following symptoms: "Itching of the orifice of the urethra." "Constant ineffectual desire to urinate, frequent evacuations of only a few drops, with spasms in the rectum and constipation."

This is like Nux vomica and Cantharis, and I once cured a chronic case of cystitis in a married woman, which had baffled the best efforts of several old school physicians, eminent for their skill for years. There was another symptom in the case that was prominent, and that was a sensation of soreness or rawness. More will be said, when we come to write on sensations, of this last symptom. Again, "retention of urine, with frequent and urgent desire, occasionally a few drops dribble away."

"Involuntary passage of urine when coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose; at nigh when asleep; when walking." "He urinates so easily that he is not sensible of the stream, and scarcely believes in the dark that he is urinating at all, until he makes sure by sense of touch." I do not know of any remedy in which this weakness of the neck of the bladder is more prominent. Causticum also affects the urine itself "The urine is loaded with lithic acid and lithates (Hughes), there are thick deposits or sediments of various colors from dark to light" These are a few of the leading urinary symptoms and show its importance here.

Respiratory Organs. -Hoarseness worse in the morning, with rawness and sudden loss of voice. Laryngeal muscles refuse to act; cannot speak a loud word. Chronic hoarseness remaining after acute laryngitis. Hoarseness with deep bass voice (like Drosera). These are all very reliable symptoms, and no remedy removes them oftener than Causticum. All this loss of voice may come from paresis of the vocal chords, or from catarrhal causes. Then following down the respiratory tract, we have great rawness and irritation of the trachea, cough dry, hollow; with sore or raw sensation in a streak down along the trachea. Cough with pain in hip and involuntary urination. Cough with sensation as if she could not cough deep enough to start the mucus. Coughs worse on expiration (Acon.) Cough relieved by a swallow of cold water. Cough with inability to raise the mucus, it must be swallowed; but the most characteristic symptom all through the cough and chest symptoms is the sensation of soreness and rawness accompanying them. Some will express this as a sensation of burning, if so we must remember Iodine and Spongia. In influenza or what is now called La Grippe it disputes for first place with Eupatorium perf. and Rhus toxicod. All three have a tired, sore, bruised sensation all over the body, and all have soreness in the chest when coughing, but if involuntary micturition is present Causticum wins. No homœopath can afford to be without an understanding of Causticum upon the respiratory organs.

Now upon the back and extremities we have -stiffness and pain in neck and throat, muscles feel as if bound, could scarce move the head. Painful stiffness of the back and sacrum, especially on rising from a chair. Paralysis of either or both lower and upper extremities. Dull drawing pain in hands and arms. Drawing and tearing in thighs and legs, knees and feet, worse in open air and better in bed. Weakness and trembling of the limbs. Rheumatic and arthritic inflammations with contractions of the flexors and stiffness of the joints. All these, and many more symptoms, show what a useful remedy this must be in its general action on the back and extremities, but right here I wish to say that if I were to select the three remedies to the exclusion of all others for the treatment of chronic rheumatism and paralysis Causticum, Rhus tox. and Sulphur would be the three. These three remedies studied in their correspondence and relation to each other will more than repay the careful student, and Causticum holds well its own in the comparison. You will remember that I have before alluded to the resemblances of Causticum and Sulphur, and may continue to do so further on. I wish here, although constitutionally opposed to making too much of complementaries and incompatibles (so-called), to state that there are no two remedies that are oftener indicated after each other, and work as well when so indicated, than these two. If Hahnemann had never given to the homœopathic school any remedy but Causticum, the world would still be to him under lasting obligations.

Sensations. -Tearing pains are, characteristic of this remedy. They are often paroxysmal. This is often found in neuralgia of the face. Then again I wish to call particular attention to the sensation of soreness or rawness. This is found in scalp, throat, larynx and trachea, chest, rectum, anus, urethra and eruptions. We observe that the sensation of soreness is not like that of Arnica, which is a soreness as if bruised and mostly muscular, nor of Rhus toxicodendron, which is an aching soreness as if sprained and oftenest found in the tendons and sheaths of muscles, or areolar tissues; but it is a soreness mostly, if not altogether, of mucous surfaces as if the parts were raw. This is important and a very reliable sensation. Then again we have in Causticum much burning. These burnings are found almost everywhere, and in this we again see its resemblance to Sulphur. Now let it be remembered that the burnings of Sulphur are associated with itching, those of Apis mellifica with stinging, and those of Causticum with soreness. So we must always learn to differentiate, because it is only by so doing that we can select the one remedy out of a class, and sometimes a large class, having the same or similar symptoms. The drawing pains that in many cases result in forcing out of shape the extremities so as to cause that terrible affliction known as arthritis deformans are found as prominently under Causticum as under any other remedy, and it is one of the most useful agents for the relief or cure.

Causticum is classed among Hahnemann's anti-psorics. It is certainly one of the prominent remedies for affections arising from the suppression of itch or chronic skin troubles, like eczema. I was once called, in consultation, to a case of prosopalgia which had for a long time baffled the skill of a very good homœopathic practitioner. Not being able to relieve the case, he had become demoralized, and as the pain and suffering were very great he had resorted to anodynes, but with the usual result of making the patient worse, after the anodynes had worn out, than she was before. On looking over the case carefully, I found in addition to the emaciated and greatly debilitated condition of the patient, after so long suffering, that the pains came in paroxysms, that they were of a drawing nature, and that she had suffered from eczema for years, at different times, before this pain appeared. Sulphur had been given, but without relief. So I advised Causticum. It was given, in the 200th, and a rapid and a permanent cure was the result. Whether Causticum could be called an anti-sycotic as well as anti-psoric, or not, I do not know. Certain it is that it is one of our most successful remedies for warts. It stands next to Thuja, if not equal. It is also foremost in old sores originating in burns. I have given more space to Causticum than I otherwise would, for the reason that I am sure that this great remedy is not generally appreciated. I know of no remedy more positive and satisfactory in its action when indicated. Generally < in clear fine weather > in damp wet weather. (Nux vom., asthma < in dry weather > in damp weather.).

Hypersensitive to touch, pain, cold air; fainting with the pain.

General tendency to suppurations; even slight injuries or scratches on the skin suppurate.

Tendency to croupy exudations (larynx and kidneys; and mucous membrane).

Atony; stools passed with great difficulty, even when soft; urine flows slowly, must wait for it, then drops vertically down without force.

Sour diarrhœa; whole child smells sour.

Coughs; croup, bronchitis, consumption; < when exposed to least cold air.

Modalities: < exposure to dry cold air; > in moist wet weather.

Like Sulphur, Hepar is adapted to the psoric, scrofulous diathesis.

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This remedy standing half-way between those two great anti-psorics, Calcarea carb. and Sulphur, has some very strong characteristics which guide to its use in a variety of ailments. Its strongest characteristic is its hypersensitiveness to touch, pain, and cold air. The patient is so sensitive to pain that she faints away, even when it is slight. If there are inflammation or swelling in any locality, or even eruptions on the skin, they are so sensitive that she cannot bear to have them touched, or even to have the cold air to blow upon them. This is like China off., only that while the latter is sensitive to the lightest touch it can bear hard pressure. (Remedies especially < in cold air are Arsenicum alb., Calcarea ost., Hepar sul., Nux vomica, Psorinum, Silicea, Tuberculinum.). This supersensitiveness to pain runs all through the drug. It is mental as well as physical, for the slightest cause irritates with hasty speech and vehemence. Next to this is the power of Hepar sulph. over the suppurative stage of local inflammations. It comes in only when pus is about to form, or is already formed. If given very high in the first case (that is before pus is formed), and not repeated too soon or often, we may prevent suppuration and check the whole inflammatory process. But if pus is already formed, it will hasten the pointing and discharge and help along the healing of the ulcer afterwards. I am not at all sure, as is generally taught, that it is necessary to give it low to hasten suppuration. The most rapid pointing, opening, and perfect healing I ever saw was in the case of a large glandular swelling on the neck of a child, under the action of the c. m. potency. Hepar has a general tendency to suppuration, for even the eruptions on the skin are liable to form matter, and slight injuries suppurate. (Graphites, Mercurius, Petroleum.) This remedy is very valuable in diseases of the respiratory organs. I have found it very useful in cases of chronic catarrh, when the nose stopped up every time the patient went out into the cold air. He says it seems as if I get a new cold every time I get a breath of fresh air (Tuberculinum). It is relieved in a warm room. In croup it has been, ever since Bœnninghausen prescribed his celebrated five powders, one of our standard remedies. We do not use the five powders as Bœnninghausen did in a certain order, but only use them according to indications. Hepar croup is accompanied with rather loose cough, with wheezing and rattling. Cough as if mucus would come up, but it does not. It is seldom indicated at first; but oftener comes in after Aconite or Spongia. Like Aconite it seems most effectual in those cases brought on by exposure to dry cold air; but the Aconite croup comes on in the evening after first sleep and Hepar in the early morning hours. This tendency to croupy exudations on mucous membranes seems characteristic of Hepar and is not confined to the respiratory organs. Kafka uses it on the ground of its ability to control such conditions in post scarlatinal dropsy, to prevent or cure, and claims great success for it. I believe it to be one of the best prophylactics in such cases, for the reason that during and after the desquamative stage the skin is unusually susceptible to the effects of chill in cold air, and this is in accordance with the leading characteristic of this remedy. It fortifies the patient against such atmospheric influence.

In croup, as in other affections of Hepar, the cough, difficult breathing and all other symptoms are aggravated by the least of breath cold air, which the little patient must be carefully guarded against. Traveling downward the larynx is attacked, then the bronchia, and even the lungs, and the formation of croupy exudates will take place if not checked by the remedy. The breathing in all these cases becomes rattling, anxious, wheezing, even to threatened suffocation, so that the patient seems asthmatic. In. these cases it is often able to relieve, especially if this condition follows a hard cold and the acute inflammatory symptoms have been controlled by Aconite or some other indicated remedy.

In chronic asthma, Hepar often resembles Natrum sulphuricum, but there is this diagnostic difference, which is very valuable. The Hepar asthma is worse in dry cold air and better in damp, while Natrum sulph. is exactly the opposite, like Dulcamara. There is no other remedy that I know that has the amelioration so strongly in damp weather as Hepar sulphur. One characteristic must not be forgotten, viz.: "Coughs when any part of the body becomes uncovered." (Baryta and Rhus tox.). This is found in croup, laryngitis, bronchitis and consumption, and not only is the cough worse, but the whole case is aggravated. Then, again, it must be remembered that this is one of our strongest anti-psorics, and for that reason should be thought of for all respiratory ailments for which it has such a strong affinity, especially when such ailments have followed a suppressed or retrocedent eruption on the skin.

In accordance with its great power over all suppurative processes, it should come to mind in abscess of the lungs, of course in all cases when indicated by the symptoms in toto. Upon the throat we have 1st, "sticking in the throat, as from a splinter, on swallowing, extending to the ear, also on yawning." "Sensation as if a fish bone or splinter were sticking in the throat" (Argentum nitricum, Dolichos and Nitric acid), but probably the condition where Hepar is oftenest of use in throat trouble is in that distressing complaint, quinsy.

Here, as in croup, it is not generally indicated in the beginning. Having had much success and experience in this disease, I may here give the results of the application of several remedies and their indications:

Belladonna. -High fever, great swelling, and redness, headache, throbbing carotids.

Mercurius vivus. -Either side, fœtid breath, flabby, moist, indented tongue, and sweat without relief.

Mercurius proto-iodatus. -same symptoms, but begins on right side, and tongue thickly coated yellow at the base.

Lachesis. -Left side extending to right, great sensitiveness to touch, and aggravation after sleep.

Lycopodium. -Begins right side, extends to left, with tongue swollen and inclined to protrude from the mouth, and stuffing up of nose.

Lac caninum. -Alternates sides, one day worse on one, and the next on the other.

Hepar sulph. -When notwithstanding all other remedies the case seems bound to suppurate and there is much throbbing pain. Now with each of these remedies I have aborted many cases in old quinsy subjects, who never expected to, and were told by old school physicians that they never could, get well, without suppuration, and in the end have cured them of all tendency thereto. I will add here that Hepar sulphur, is also a good remedy in chronic hypertrophy of tonsils, with hardness of hearing. In these cases which are generally very intractable, Baryta carbonica, Lycopodium, Plumbum, and others are also to be consulted according to indications.

Upon the alimentary canal Hepar has a decided influence. We have already noticed its action upon the throat. The stomach is inclined to be out of order, and there is a "longing for acid things." (Veratrum alb.) This is often the case in chronic dyspepsia and Hepar helps. This condition of the stomach is sometimes found in marasmus of children. It is often accompanied by diarrhœa, and a very important feature is that the diarrhea is sour; indeed the whole child seems to smell sour no matter how much it is bathed. The sour stool is also very prominently under Magnesia carbonica and Calcarea carbonica. Then there is another condition of the bowels, namely, a kind of atony. The stools are passed with great difficulty, even though they are soft and clay-like, as they sometimes are under this remedy. This state of atony is also found in the bladder.

"Micturition impeded, he is obliged to wait awhile before the urine passes, and then it flows slowly for many days." "He is never able to finish urinating; it seems as if some urine always remains behind in the bladder." "Weakness of the bladder, the urine drops vertically down and he is obliged to wait awhile before any passes." This inability to expel makes one think of Alumina and Veratrum album and Silicea. Again, Hepar sulph. is a great "sweat" remedy, either partial or general. It may, for instance, come in after Mercurius in rheumatism, in which the patient "sweats day and night without relief," and Mercurius does not help. So, too, with quinsy, and in large boils and swellings; and by the way Hepar sulph. is one of our best remedies after Mercurius either in homœopathic practice, or as an antidote to old school poisoning so also is it the leading antidote to Iodide of Potassa poisoning from the same source. We could not well do without this valuable remedy.

One of Schuessler's so-called tissue remedies, not well understood as yet, but acting much along the line of Hepar sulphur, so far as we do know. I once had a case in which there was great pain in the region of the kidneys for a day and night. Then there was a great discharge of pus in the urine, which continued several days and weakened the patient very fast. A Chicago specialist had examined the urine a short time before, and had pronounced the case Bright's disease. I finally prescribed Calcarea sulphurica l2th and under its action she immediately improved and made a very rapid and permanent recovery. Since then I have found it a good remedy in profuse suppurations in different kinds of cases. This is all I know about the remedy.

I once had a case like this: A boy eight years of age had several (four or five) abscesses in and around the knee joint. The ulceration had also attacked the tibia, which was half eaten off, so that the ragged necrosed bone protruded through the surface plainly in sight. The little fellow was greatly emaciated, and had no appetite, and was pale as a corpse. I told the mother that I thought this was a case for the surgeon, but I would try to get him in better condition for the operation. I remembered reading years before of the cures of abscesses by this remedy, made by Dr. Searles, of Albany, and empirically concluded to try it in this case.

I put him upon the first trituration, a grain a day. Called in a week and found a great change for the better. The mother exclaimed as I came in: "Ah, Doctor, the boys is eating us out of house and home." Under the continued use of the remedy he made a complete and rapid recovery, except that the tibia was a little bent. I have since used the remedy in some very large swellings where pus had formed, with the effect of complete absorption of the pus and no opening of the abscess on the surface. One was a case of hip disease which had been pronounced incurable by a specialist on ulcerations, (How is that for a specialist, regular at that.) The different combinations of the Calcareas ought to be so thoroughly proven as to enable us to put them each in their exact place. So, also, with the Kalis, Magnesias, Natrums and Mercuries, etc.

Eruption on the skin, oozing out of thick, honey-like fluid.

Mucous outlets; eyelids inflamed, with pustules; ears discharge, moist sore places behind ears; mouth cracked in corners; anus, eruptions, itching, fissured.

Nails grow thick, cracked, out of shape.

Constipation; stools knotty, large lumps, united by mucous threads.

Diarrhœa; stools, brown fluid, mixed with undigested substances, and of an intolerably fœtid odor.

Sad and desponded; inclined to weep; thinks of nothing but death.

Especially adapted to persons inclined to obesity; particularly females who delay menstruation.

Hears better when in a noise; when riding in a carriage or car; when there is a rumbling sound.

Sensation of cobweb on forehead; tries hard to brush it off.

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The chief leading characteristic of this remedy is found in its skin symptoms.

Hoyne had expressed it nearly right. "Eruptions oozing out a thick, honey-like fluid." It may be found on any part of the body, but is especially found on or behind the ears, on head, face, genitals, or eyelids. I once treated a case of eczema of the legs which was of twenty years' standing. It was in an old obese woman, and, by the way, that is the kind of subject in which this remedy is found most efficacious.

I gave her, on account of much burning of the feet, a dose of Suphur c. m. In two or three weeks an eruption was developed all over the body which exuded a glutinous, sticky fluid. One dose of Graphites c. m., dry on the tongue, cured this as well as the eczema of the legs and left her skin as smooth as that of a child. This was years ago. Erysipelas sometimes takes this form, and in such cases recurs again and again. It will naturally occur to the physician that, because of this recurrence, there is some psoric taint which must be met by Sulphur. But we must not make the too common mistake of thinking that Sulphur is the remedy on account of its great antipsoric powers, or on the often misleading indication "when seemingly indicated remedies don't act," because Sulphur is not the only anti-psoric and where Graphites is indicated is not at all the anti-psoric for the case in hand. In short, we must not prescribe for psora (which is only a name after all) without indications any more than we would prescribe for the name scarlatina or diphtheria. Graphites is a powerful anti-psoric, as are also Psorinum, Lycopodium, Causticum and many others. Symptoms must decide here, as elsewhere. In order to still further show the wonderful anti-psoric powers of this remedy I will give another case from practice.

A child three years of age had eczema capitis. Under allopathic local treatment the eczema disappeared; but soon entero-colitis of a very obstinate character set in. Then the regulars could not "do" that as they had the eczema, and after they had given up the case, pronouncing it consumption of the bowels, the homœopath (myself) was called in on the ground that he could do no harm if he could do no good (so they said).

Case. -Child greatly emaciated, little or no appetite, very restless, and "stools brown fluid mixed with undigested substances, and of an intolerably fœtid odor." Taking into the account the history of the suppressed eczema I prescribed Graphites 6m. (Jenichen) and in a short time a perfect cure was the result. Psorinum has a similar stool as was present in this case, but the eruptions of the two remedies are different and this one corresponded to Graphites, hence Psorinum was ruled out. If this case of so long standing had not had the eruption I might have thought of China on account of the extreme weakness from long-continued drain or loss of fluid, for China is another remedy that has brown, loose, fœtid stools. So we must take into consideration all the case, psora and all. In chronic cases, in which Graphites is likely to be the remedy, we may look for affections of the eyelids, of the same eczematous character as that found on the head, behind the ears, etc.

Notice. -Eczema of lids, eruptions moist and fissured margins of lids covered with scales and crusts. In Sulphur lids the margins are very red. All the orifices under Sulphur are very red. Graphites leads all the remedies for eczematous affections of the lids, Staphisagria stands next, but of course special indications, local or general, or both, must decide.

Graphites is one of our best anal remedies. We have given the kind of loose stool characteristic of the drug. This is, however, exceptional, for it generally tends to constipation instead of diarrhœa. The stools are knotty and large, the lumps sometimes united by mucous threads and mucus often follow the stool. There is often eczema around the anus, and it is one of our best remedies for fissura ani. There is in these cases apt to be much pain after stool, and much soreness in anus on wiping it. Now if all this should occur in subjects of this tendency to sticky eruptions, we should not hesitate to give Graphites with expectations of success.

Another very characteristic calling for this remedy is found in the nails. Both finger and toe nails become thick, grow out of shape. Never forget Graphites when you find this state of nails present. Again, Graphites has cracks or fissures in the ends of the fingers (Sarsaparilla), nipples, labial commissures, of anus, and between toes (Petroleum). It is one of our best remedies for wens found in persons of herpetic dyscrasia. Old, hard cicatrices soften up and go away under its action, especially those left by abscesses of the mammæ. Lumps in the breast of suspicious appearance also go away under the action of this remedy. In menstrual troubles it resembles Pulsatilla, but there are plenty of points to differentiate them. In temperament it resembles Calcarea ostrearum; but in Graphites the menses are mostly scanty and delayed, in Calcarea too soon and too profuse; Graphites cures complaints of many kinds when you have present two things:

1st. The peculiar tendency to obesity.

2nd. The characteristic glutinous eruptions.

Very sad, hopeless, despondent; "bluest of the blue."

Great debility; sweats on slightest movement; wants to give up and lie down.

Eruptions on the skin, dry, or moist; or skin scaly and dry as parchment; dirty, the great unwashed, unwashable.

Intense itching of skin < in warmth of bed.

Discharges and exhalations exceedingly offensive.

Very sensitive to cold air; wears a fur cap in summer.

Modalities: < in cold air, < in warmth of bed (itching); sitting up or motion; > bringing arms down close to the body, > lying down (even the dyspnœa); wrapping up warm; psoric manifestations.

Great weakness and debility; from loss of fluids; remaining after acute diseases; without any organic lesion or apparent cause.

Cough and dry, scaly eruptions return every winter.

Quinsy; to eradicate the tendency.

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The disease products are powerful remedies, and when used in the potentized form have made many wonderful cures. It is believed by some that in the potentized form they are so changed that they become homœopathic to the disease which produced them, especially in any other person than the one in whom the original disease existed.

I have experimented more or less with these so-called nosodes, since they were so widely proclaimed by Dr. Swan. I never found them markedly efficacious in such cases, but I have seen remarkable results from them in cases resembling, for instance, gonorrhœal, syphilitic or psoric troubles, without any history of pre-existing trouble of the kind. I have cured eruptions on the skin resembling itch with Psorinum, rheumatic troubles that were very obstinate under our usual remedies with Medorrhinum and a long-standing case of caries of the spine with Syphilinum, but in not one of these cases had the patient, that I could trace, itch, gonorrhœa or syphilis. The experience of many others seems to be different. I give only my own. The each nosode seems capable of producing the same or similar symptoms when given by mouth in proving as when inoculated the usual way seems well proved in the case of Psorinum. I do not see why the constitutional symptoms appearing after inoculations should nor be considered a proving as well as those following a bee sting, Cantharis blistering, or the local external poisoning of the varieties of Rhus. If Rhus, very high, will cure rhus poisoning, why should not Syphilinum, etc., cure syphilis? Who will answer?

All nosodes are as capable of curing as they are of poisoning. If not, why not? We must not let prejudice hinder honest investigation. As if in corroboration of the theory that the potentized disease product will cure the disease producing it, the provings of Psorinum indicate that the chief action and curative power of the poison is upon the skin. And is it not remarkable that Psorinum should so strongly resemble Sulphur, the old-time remedy for itch, and again that they follow or complement each other in curing skin troubles? Notice some of the leading skin symptoms.

"Itching when the body becomes warm."

"Itching, intolerable in warmth of bed." (Merc. sol.)

"Itching scratches until it bleeds."

"Itching between fingers and in bends of joints." (Sepia).

"Dry, scaly eruptions which disappear summers and return winters."

"Repeated outbreaks of eruptions."

"Skin has a dirty dingy look, as if the patient never washed, and the body has a filthy smell even after a bath." These and many other symptoms, too numerous to mention here, show what an invaluable remedy this should be in skin troubles, and abundant experience and observation corroborate the truth of our law of cure in the curative power of disease poisons, as it also does in vegetable, and mineral and insect or animal.

Psorinum is also found useful in the consequences of suppressed eruptions, and in such cases should never be forgotten when other anti-psoric fail. Dr. Wm. A. Hawley, of Syracuse, N. Y., once made a brilliant cure of a very bad case of dropsy in an old woman, being led to prescribe this remedy by the appearance of the skin. One dose of Fincke's 42m. potency, dry on the tongue, cured the whole case in a very short time. It was a case of long standing. Now, if we examine we will also find that this remedy resembles Graphites in many points. A close comparison will pay the earnest student of Materia Medica. Psorinum is very depressed in mind. "Greatest despondency, making his own life and that of those about him almost intolerable." This state of mind, following acute diseases, like typhus, is especially benefited by this remedy. When writing of Graphites we mentioned the resemblance of the two remedies in the "stools, dark-brown, watery, and of intolerably offensive odor." This is found in bad cases of cholera infantum or chronic diarrhœa. There is one valuable diagnostic difference between them, although the remedies are so much alike, and that is that the Graphites moisture from the eruption is glutinous or sticky and not markedly so with Psorinum.

Again, Psorinum is very useful for weakness or debility during convalescence from severe acute diseases. The patient sweats profusely when taking the least exercise. Notwithstanding, as a rule, the skin is generally dry, inactive, and rarely sweats. Here, again, as in the stool symptom, choice may have to be made between Psorinum and China. Loss of fluids, blood, suppuration, etc., would decide in favor of the latter and itching eruptions or tendency thereto, before or during the sickness, the former. One thing I forgot to mention in connection with the offensive stool. "All excretions, diarrhœa, leucorrhœa, menstrual flow and perspiration, have a carrion-like smell, even the body has a filthy smell, notwithstanding frequent bathing." The Psorinum subject is very sensitive to cold air, or change of weather (Hepar), wants to wear a fur cap, overcoat or shawl, even in the hottest weather.

Chronic complaints following or dating back for years to some imperfectly cured or suppressed acute disease. (Carbo veg.) I advise everyone to buy a copy of Allen's "key-notes," which has a very good rendering of the nosodes. So we see in Psorinum when proven a great remedy for very grave conditions. I have no doubt that all nosodes are equally valuable when as well understood.

Wants to commit suicide; thinks he is no good in the world.

Nodes and bone pains, caries and necrosis with great depression of mind.

Abuse of Mercury, in syphilis, in massive doses.

* * * * *

"Looks on the dark side, weeps, prays, thinks she is not fit for this world, longs for death, strong inclination to commit suicide." Strange that this noble metal, for which mankind strives for its pecuniary value, should, when taken into the organism, cause the greatest unhappiness.

The Aurum patient is plunged into the deepest gloom and despair. Life is a burden, he desires death. Suicide dwells constantly in his mind. In men, I have observed it oftenest in connection with liver troubles. In women, with womb troubles, especially when enlarged, indurated or prolapsed. In both these cases, the result, so far as local conditions are concerned, seems to be from repeated attacks of congestion to the parts, which ends in hypertrophy. The liver in enlarged the womb also, and prolapsus occurs from the very weight of the organs. These congestions, so characteristic of the remedy, take place also in head, heart, chest and kidneys; but, whenever they come, the peculiar mind symptoms are always present to furnish the chief indication for Gold. The Gold patient is also at times "peevish and vehement, the least contradiction excites his wrath." He will exhibit these outbreaks occasionally, even when the more characteristic depression and gloom greatly preponderate. Other remedies have a similar depression and tendency to suicide, like Naja and Nux vomica, but none in anything like the degree of Aurum. I once cured a young lady who tried to commit suicide by drowning. After she was cured she laughed at the occurrence, and said she could not help it. It seemed to her she was of no use in the world. She felt so.

Aurum has been found efficacious in curing some bone affections of syphilitic origin, especially if such cases had been the subjects of old school dosing with Mercury. There would be a great falling off of business for physicians if the old school could learn to cure their patients without poisoning them with their drugs. The locality where Aurum has made its best record in these syphilitico-mercurial affections is in caries of the bones (caries of long bones, Fluoric acid, Angustura), of the nose and palate, also of the mastoid process. In these nasal troubles it is sometimes of great use in the catarrh, or ozœna, before the trouble has progressed to actual caries. The nostrils are agglutinated, ulcerated, and nose obstructed and filled with crusts, or there are excessively fetid discharges, and the patient is melancholy and disposed to suicide. Aurum is one of the few remedies that has hemiopia or half-sight, and has cured it even in the 200th potency. Lycopodium and Lithium carbonicum also have half-sight, but Aurum sees only the lower, while the other two see only the left half of objects.

Aurum not only causes and cures indurations of the womb in the female, but indurations also of the testicles in the male, and in both cases de ever-present mental symptoms of Aurum or the syphilitico-mercurial history furnish the chief indications for its use. In fatty heart, in ruddy, corpulent, old people it is one of our best remedies. In these cases there is much vascular disturbance. "Violent palpitation, with anxiety and congestion in the chest and visible beating of the carotids and temporal arteries". Belladonna may relieve the attack, but Aurum goes deeper and is more lasting in its effect. Aurum is one of our best remedies for bone pains. Never forget it. It ranks with Kali iodide, Asafœtida and the Mercuries in periostical affections

Impulsive: time goes too slow; must walk fast.

Apprehension, on getting ready for church, opera, etc., has an attack of diarrhœa.

Vertigo, with buzzing in the ears and weakness and trembling.

Canthi, as red as blood; swollen, standing out like a lump of red flesh.

Irresistible desire for sugar; gastric ailments, with violent loud belchings.

Stool; green, mucous, like chopped spinach in flakes; turns green on remaining on diaper; expelled with much spluttering.

Profuse, sometimes purulent, discharges from mucous membranes, generally.

Dried-up, withered patients, made so by disease.

Craves fresh air.

* * * * *

Guernsey says: "We think of this remedy on seeing a withered and dried up person, made so by disease." This especially in children. "He looks like a little withered old man." (Fluoric acid, young people look old.) Argentum like Gold profoundly affects the mind. Like Gold it is one of the best remedies for hypochondriasis. The symptoms are so many in this trouble that we can only call attention to them as found in Guiding Symptoms. I will only mention a few more prominent and peculiar symptoms that have been frequently verified. "The sight of high houses makes him dizzy and causes him to stagger. It seemed as if the houses on both sides of the street would approach and crush him."

"When walking in the street he dreads to pass a street corner, because the corner of the house seems to project and he is afraid he will run against it." Impulsive, must walk very fast, always hurried. (Lilium tigrinum.) "Apprehension when ready to go to church or opera; brings on diarrhea." (Gelsemium).

The hurried feeling of both Argentum nitricum and Lilium tigrinum have occurred mostly in uterine troubles; while the diarrhœa on excitement seems to depend upon a general nervous condition. Unless the indications pointed strongly to one in preference to the other remedy it might be well to try the vegetable first. The minerals are generally longer and deeper in their action, and would perhaps be preferable the more chronic the case.

Some of the very curious symptoms found under this and other remedies are not found in everyday practice, but when found are all the more valuable because the cases presenting them are rare and not easily understood or cured by the ordinary remedies. Some of our most brilliant cures have been made in just such cases, and they are very gratifying to both physician and patient.

Argentum nitricum is sometimes the best remedy for hemicrania; this kind of headache is often very distressing and hard to cure. One peculiar symptom belonging to Argentum nitricum in headache is a feeling of expansion, feels as though head were enormously enlarged, and like Pulsatilla and Apis, feels better when tied up tight. This feeling of expansion is also a general symptom, feels as though the whole body or part of it were expanding, some express it as a feeling of fullness. (Æsculus hipocastanum). It is found under other remedies also, but very prominently under this.

Argentum nitricum has a great deal of vertigo, which is often accompanied with buzzing in the ears, general debility and trembling. Cannot walk with the eyes closed; the sight of high houses makes him dizzy. These symptoms call to remembrance Gelsemium. Both remedies have much vertigo; great tremulous weakness, accompanied with general debility, actual trembling and tremulous sensation, and both have been found useful in locomotor ataxia. I should, other things being equal, give the preference to Gelsemium in recent cases, or in the beginning, and Argentum nitricum further along. But there are generally diagnostic indications which enable us to choose between them. In eye affections Argentum is one of our most valuable remedies, and like all remedies which are very valuable for anything has been woefully abused by the old school. It is a pity that they do not know enough to get the good and to avoid the bad effects of such valuable agents, for many times the disastrous results of their misuse brings the remedies into such disrepute that others are afraid to use them at all. It was for this reason that the old botanics rejected all mineral remedies. Mercury had so scared them. It falls to the Homœopath to teach how to use all such a way as to get the good, while avoiding the bad effects. In eye troubles Allen & Norton write as follows: "The greatest service that Argentum nitricum performs is in purulent ophthalmia. With large experience, in both hospital and private practice, we have not lost a single eye from this disease, and every one has been treated with internal remedies, most of them with Argentum nitricum of a high potency, 30th or 200th. We have witnessed the most intense chemosis, with strangulated vessels, most profuse purulent discharge, even the cornea beginning to get hazy and looking as though it would slough, subside rapidly under Argentum nitricum internally. The subjective symptoms are almost none. Their very absence, with the profuse purulent discharge, and the swollen lids from a collection of pus in the eye, or swelling of the sub-conjunctival tissue of the lids themselves, indicates the drug. (Apis; Rhus.)", Later Norton writes: "I do believe that there is no need of cauterization with it except in the gonorrhœal form of purulent conjunctivitis." Such testimony from such sources ought to shame the abuse of this agent in the hands of old school physicians, and sometimes bogus Homœopaths. In ophthalmia neonatorum in my own practice as a general practitioner I have had very often better success with Mercurius solubilis, especially where there was much purulent matter pouring out on opening the eyes. In blepharitis Graphites and Staphisagria have served me oftener than Argentum nitricum, but this may not be the experience of others, for in eye troubles, as in all others, the indications are to be studied and carefully recognized in their entirety. (Borax must not be forgotten in blepharitis.) Specialists are apt to lose sight of this and be led to local treatment when constitutional would be infinitely better. The symptom, "red, painful tip of the tongue, papillæ erect, prominent," has guided to the cure of many different kinds of cases. There are also some valuable symptoms in the digestive organs; for instance, "Irresistible desire for sugar; fluids go right through him; most gastric ailments are accompanied by belching; belching after every meal, stomach as if it would burst with wind, belching difficult; finally air rushes out with great noise and violence." All of these are characteristic, and there is no doubt that this remedy is sometimes indicated when Carbo veg., China or Lycopodium are given because they are generally so much better understood. Dyspepsia, gastralgia and even gastric ulcer have sometimes found a powerful remedy in Argentum, and it has also done great good in very obstinate cases of diarrhœa of various kinds.

"Green mucus like chopped spinach in flakes."

"Stool turning green after remaining in diaper."

"Stool expelled with much spluttering."

"Stool shreddy, red, green muco-lymph, epithelial substance."

"During stool emission of much noisy flatus."

Now there are other remedies which have some of these symptoms in a marked degree, notably: Calcarea phos., which has the spluttering stool with much noisy flatus, and it is also a fact that both remedies are very valuable ones in hydrocephaloid consequent on the long-continued drain from intractable cases of entero-colitis. If the bone development should be slow with open fontanelles and sweaty head of course Calcarea phos., would win. Then in Calcarea phos. the child wishes smoked meats, bacon, etc., in Argentum nitricum sugar or sweets. Yet both have great emaciation, the child looking old and wrinkled, and it will sometimes be close individualizing to choose between them. Argentum nitricum has its place in the treatment of throat affections. There is thick, tenacious mucus in the throat obliging him to hawk and causing slight hoarseness. Rawness, soreness, scraping in throat, causing hawking and cough. Sensation as of a splinter lodged in the throat (Nitric ac., Hepar sulph., Dolichos). and wartlike excrescences, which feel like pointed bodies when swallowing. This kind of throat may extend downward until it involves the larynx, especially in singers, clergymen, or lawyers who are using their voice very much. Then it is doubly indicated. When we come to the back and extremities we again find our remedy in the field for a share of the honors. "Pain in the back (small of) relieve when standing or walking, but severe when rising from a seat," is a condition often found in practice. I have often relieved it with Sulphur or Causticum, but remember also Argentum nitricum. If in back troubles we find great lassitude (Kali carbonicum), with weariness, especially in forearms and lower legs, especially calves, or if in addition to this we find vertigo and trembling of the extremities, we may be sure Argentum nitricum will do us good. In paraplegia from debilitating causes or paralysis after diphtheria we may find this remedy indicated. Also in epilepsy or convulsions; in the former (epilepsy) one characteristic symptom is that for hours or days before the attack the pupils are dilated; in the latter the convulsions are preceded for a short time by great restlessness.

Cuprum metallicum has great restlessness between the attacks. Finally Natrum muriaticum is the best antidote for the abuse of Argentum nit., especially upon mucous surfaces.

Anæmia with great paleness of all the mucous membranes; with sudden fiery-red flushing of the face.

Profuse hæmorrhages from any organ; hæmorrhagic diathesis; blood light with dark clots; coagulates easily.

Local congestions and inflammations, with hammering, pulsating pains; veins full, flushed face, alternates with paleness.

Canine hunger, alternates with complete loss of appetite.

Regurgitations or eructations, or vomiting of food at night that has stayed in the stomach all day; undigested painless diarrhœa.

Red face during chill.

Modalities: < after eating and drinking; while at rest, especially sitting still; > walking slowly around.

This is another one of the abused remedies. It stands with the old school for anæmia, as does Quinine for malaria. Each can and does cure its kind of both conditions, but can cure no other; and each, when it is the true curative, is capable of doing its best work in the potentized form. Dr. Hughes writes "The treatment of anæmia by Iron is one of the few satisfactory and certain things in modern medicine. From whatever cause this condition may arise, whether it be the chlorosis of defective menstruation, or the simple poverty of blood induced by hæmorrhages, deficiency of air, light, and suitable food, or by exhausting diseases, Iron is the one great remedy." I must say that I think that a man who would write like that of any remedy is not to be blamed for talking of the few satisfactory and certain things in modern medicine. Iron is no more of a panacea for anæmia than is Quinine for malaria or Phosphate of Lime for deficient bone development. My experience has taught me that there are several other equally efficient remedies for these conditions and that when they are not indicated they not only cannot cure but do injure every time they are prescribed, especially in the material doses in which they are generally recommended by such teachers. I must here state my experience founded on abundant practice and observation that such prescribing is not only un-Hahnemannian, but in every sense un-homœopathic, and I warn all beginners not to practice along that line or they too will come to talk of the few satisfactory and certain things in modern medicine. Now we have given this quotation from Dr. Hughes, it is only fair to him to quote him again, inasmuch as he, in this latter quotation, talks more sensibly. Talking about anæmia, he says "The malady does not ordinarily arise from any failure of the quantity of iron supplied in the food. If the element is deficient in the blood the fault lies in the assimilative processes. But Reveil has ascertained that in anæmia there is no change whatever in the amount of iron present in the blood. However few the corpuscles they contain within them the full proportion of the metal normal to health, and though under the influence of iron itself they increase to double and triple their number they yield no more iron." Then Cowperthwaite adds: "It is also true that when irons is introduced into the system in large quantities with a view to supplying a deficiency of iron in the blood that it is not assimilated, but may be almost entirely obtained from the fæces, having been eliminated by the intestines. It is evident, therefore, that iron does not act as a curative agent by virtue of its absorption as a constituent of the blood, but rather, as we are led to conclude, from its physiological effects upon the organs and tissues of the body, that it owes its therapeutic virtues to the same essential dynamic agency possessed by other drugs, and its application is subject to the same therapeutic law." Sound words, these; then let no man prescribe Iron or any other remedy for anæmia, or any other disease, without indications according to our therapeutic law of cure. I have seen better cures of bad cases of anæmia by Natrum muriaticum in potentized form than I ever did from Iron in any form, although Iron has its cases, as have also Pulsatilla, Cyclamen, Calcarea phos., Carbo veg., China and many other remedies. We will now call attention to the symptoms that indicate Iron in anæmia or any other condition where Iron is the remedy.

"Ashy, pale or greenish face, with pain or other symptoms the face becomes bright red." (Raue). "The least emotion or exertion causes a red, flushed face." (Guernsey.) "Rush of blood to head; veins of head swollen; flushes of heat in the face." "Hammering, beating, pulsating pains in the head." (Bell, China, Natrum mur., Glon.)

"Great paleness of mucous membranes, especially that of the cavity of the mouth." (Raue.) "Always better from walking about, notwithstanding weakness obliges patient to lie down." (Guernsey.) "Menses too soon, too profuse, too long lasting, with fiery red face, ringing in the ears (China), flow pale, watery and debilitating." Now if in addition to these symptoms you have, notwithstanding the general anæmic condition of the patient, frequent rushes of blood to the head, chest, face, or other local congestions you have a typical Iron case and may confidently expect a cure if given in potency and at proper intervals. But if your patient has been already "loaded up" with Iron on the theory that the blood must be "fed" with it, the fact is, generally that she is suffering from the over-dosing more than from the original disease and you will proceed to find the best antidote, guided by the symptoms here as elsewhere, and, in adapting such remedy to the case as it is, will often be able to cure both the natural and drug disease together.

It is a blessed thing that this is so, for if the Quinine, Iron and other medicinal cachexia stalking about in our midst were not curable, we would be a sorry spectacle as human beings if allopathic dosing were allowed to go on. Now while we are talking about this so-called blood remedy we will speak about its general hæmorrhagic tendencies.

These local congestions so characteristic of Iron are attended by hæmorrhages from nose, lungs, womb, kidneys, etc., hence it becomes one of our best remedies for hæmorrhages in anæmia or debilitated subjects with the peculiar symptoms before mentioned. In the form of Ferrum phos., of which we have already written, taking the fact that both remedies entering into the combination have decided hæmorrhagic tendencies, it becomes doubly effective in this sphere.

But Iron is not by any means confined in its usefulness to blood troubles, and we will notice briefly some other uses of this valuable curative agent. In disorders of stomach and bowels it becomes sometimes the only remedy, and has some peculiar and characteristic symptoms indicating it here.

"Canine hunger (China), alternating with complete loss of appetite." "Regurgitation of food, or eructations after eating." "Wants bread and butter; meat disagrees (opposite Natrum mur.) Beer or tea also disagrees. Food lies in the stomach all day and is vomited at night." "Bowels feel sore as if they had been bruised, or as if he had taken cathartics; undigested, painless stools at night, or while eating or drinking." (Croton tig., China). These and many other symptoms show its value here, and it is noticeable, the resemblances of this remedy to China. There is sometimes difficulty in choosing between them, but there is more flatulence with China. Both remedies have, markedly, lienteria and painless diarrhœa. These two remedies both antidote and complement each other under certain circumstances. They should be studied in comparison as debility remedies.

Next to the easily flushed and red face as a characteristic symptom stands this -"Walking slowly about relieves." (One other remedy has this general characteristic almost, if not equally strong, viz., Pulsatilla). This is true of the general restlessness, of the great weakness also; he feels better walking slower about, even though he is so weak he has to sit down every little while to rest; pain in the hip joint drives out of bed and is only relieved while walking slowly. I once had a rather pale lady come to me for treatment for pains in the forearms; after prescribing for her for a week, she let drop this symptom, that the only way in which she could get relief nights (when the pain was almost unbearable) was by getting right up out of bed and walking slowly about the room. Ferrum metal. 1000th cured her promptly and she never had a return. Some people think that metals cannot be potentized, but when I make numerous cures like this with Iron, Stannum, Zinc and Platina I don't believe it. Palpitation of the heart, hæmoptysis and asthma are also relieved in the same way by walking slowly about. It would seem hardly possible that such complaints could be so relieved, but there are many such curious and unaccountable symptoms in our Materia Medica which have become reliable leaders to the prescription of certain remedies.

Ferrum is one of our best remedies for cough with vomiting of food. It is also one of the very few remedies having a red face during chill, and has more than once led to the cure of intermittent fever on that symptom. Again it is one of the remedies found in intermittents that have been abused by Quinine. In these cases we often find the splenic region sore on pressure and much swollen.

Abdomen retracted toward the spine, as if drawn in by a string; both objective and subjective.

Distinct blue line along margin of the gums.

"Wrist-drop" paralysis of the extensor muscles.

* * * * *

Notwithstanding the very extensive provings, this remedy has not been so useful as it would seem it should be. One symptom has proved to be very characteristic and has led to its successful administration in different diseases, viz.: "Abdomen retracted to the spine as if drown in by a string." In this symptom there is both, or either, actual retraction and sensation of retraction in the abdomen. Excessive pain in abdomen radiating to all parts of the body (Dioscorea). It is found mostly in colic, but may be found in uterine troubles, such as menorrhagia, etc. Also in constipation. H. N. Guernsey claimed great powers for it in jaundice; whites of eyes, skin, stool and urine all are very yellow, and I have prescribed it with success. Its power to produce paralysis is well known, and it is owing to this power that lead colic is induced, which is one of the most distressing and dangerous of diseases. I cured one case of post diphtheritic paralysis with it. It was a very severe case in a middle-aged man. His lower limbs were entirely paralyzed, and there was at the same time a symptom which I never met before, nor have I since, in such a case, viz., excessive hyperæsthesia of the skin. He could not bear to be touched anywhere, it hurt him so. After much hunting I found this hyperæsthesia perfectly pictured in Allen's Encyclopædia, and that, taken together with the paralysis, seemed to be good reason for prescribing Plumbum, which I did in one dose of Fincke's 40m. with the result of bringing about rapid and continuous improvement until a perfect cure was reached. He took only the one dose, for a repetition was not necessary.

The father-in-law of Dr. T. L. Brown, over seventy years of age, was attacked with a severe pain in the abdomen. Finally, a large, hard swelling developed in the ileo-cæcal region very sensitive to contact or to the least motion. It began to assume a bluish color, and on account of his age and extreme weakness it was thought that he must die. His daughter, however, studied up the case, and found in Raue's Pathology the indications for Plumbum as given in therapeutic hints for typhlitis. It was administered in the 200th potency, which was followed by relief and perfect recovery.

Plumbum has excessive and rapid emaciation; general or partial paralysis; "wrist drop." Distinct blue line along margin of gums.

Fixed pain (dull or sharp) under the lower inner angle of the right shoulder blade.

Yellow eyes, face, skin, hands, stool clay colored or yellow as gold; urine yellow. Tongue thickly coated yellow, with red edges.

Right-sided remedy; supra-orbital; hypochondriac; lungs; hip; foot cold as ice, etc.

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The center of action of this remarkable remedy is in the liver, and its most characteristic symptom is a fixed pain (dull or sharp) under the lower inner angle of the right shoulder blade. This very characteristic symptom may be found in connection with general jaundice, cough, diarrhœa, pneumonia, menses, loss of milk, exhaustion, etc., in fact, no matter what the name of the disease this symptom present should always bring to mind Chelidonium and close scouting will generally reveal hepatic troubles or complications as would be naturally expected with such a remedy. Chelidonium is like Lycopodium, by preference, a right-sided remedy, right supra-orbital neuralgia, right hypochondrium and scorbiculum cordis tense and painful to pressure; right-sided pneumonia and shoulder painful; shooting pain in right hip extending into abdomen; drawing pain in hips, thighs, legs, or feet, more right-sided; right foot cold as ice, left natural. Further study will show that Chelidonium not only is a right-sided remedy, but in many other points stands close to Lycopodium, and in my experience one is often found indicated after the other. Although this characteristic infra-scapular pain is as reliable as any in the Materia Medica, there may be cases in which it does not appear at all, which can only be cured by Chelidonium, especially liver and lung trouble. If we should find pressive pain in the region of the liver, whether it be enlarged and sensitive to pressure or not, bitter taste in the mouth, tongue coated thickly yellow, with red margins showing imprint of the teeth, yellowness of whites of eyes, face, hands and skin; stools gray, clay colored, or yellow as gold, urine also yellow as gold, lemon colored or dark brown, leaving a yellow color on vessel when emptied out, loss of appetite, disgust and nausea, or vomiting of bilious matter, and especially if patient could retain nothing but hot drinks on the stomach, we would have a clear case for Chelidonium even though the infra-scapular pain were absent. All these symptoms might be found in either a chronic or acute case. If in a chronic case, some anti-psoric like Lycopodium might have to be called in, according to indications, of course, to help complete a cure, but Chelidonium would be the chief reliance.

These liver troubles range from simple congestion and inflammation of the organ, to the more severe and deep-seated affections like fatty liver, gall stones, etc. Chelidonium is one of the leading remedies in pneumonia, which is complicated with liver symptoms. Sometimes in coughs which are persistent with much pain through right side of chest and into shoulder, Chelidonium helps us out and saves the patient from what might easily terminate in consumption.

When writing of Aurum metallicum we might have said something of this combination as a remedy for jaundice or liver troubles. Several years ago I was troubled with frequent attacks of derangement of the liver characterized by, first, a white fæcal stool for several days in succession, with dullness of the head, bad tasting mouth, coated tongue, fullness and pain in right side and shoulder, and jaundiced skin. This would either culminate in an attack of bilious vomiting and diarrhœa, or in fæcal stools as black as tar, for several days in succession, with gradual relief of the general bilious symptoms. I tried various remedies, as well as I was able to choose them, among which were Mercurius, Leptandra, Podophyllum, Lycopodium and others, with nothing more than temporary relief, and sometimes not even that. While on a visit to New York City, I called upon Dr. M. Baruch, partly to see the man who had been reported to me as both very skillful as a prescriber and eccentric as a man. During my call I stated to him my case. He prescribed for me a dose of Aurum muriaticum natronatum 1000th, followed by a powder each of Veronica officinalis 500th, 200th and 30th, and directed me to take them in the order named once in sixty hours and said: "In three months you will be well." I took the powders as directed and have never been troubled in that way since. Since then I have prescribed the Aurum muriaticum natronatum for some obstinate cases of jaundice, with the alternating white and black stools, and have been successful in relieving them.

While writing on Aurum muriaticum natronatum I mentioned Veronica with which Dr. Baruch followed that remedy in the cure of my own case. After returning home I tried to find the two remedies. Found Aurum muriaticum natronatum in Hering's Guiding Symptoms, and, although meager, had something to go by in treating other cases, with the result there mentioned. But I could find no Veronica proven unless it was the Leptandra, which is one of the Veronica tribe. So the next time I saw Dr. Baruch I asked him if it was the Leptandra that he gave me, and he said, "No, it was the Veronica officinalis" (common Speedwell). It is not found in our Materia Medica as yet. There is no doubt the Veronicas and especially the Leptandra are good liver remedies, but aside from the alternate ashy and black stools we have nothing very definite to guide us to their selection. The only two provings made were with the alkaloid, and that in too low preparations to be of much value. I once succeeded with Leptandra in curing, or at least she improved until she was well, a lady very sick with what was called by her former physician typhoid fever. The following indications which I found in Jahr's Clinical Guide (by Lilienthal, first edition) led to its prescription. Symptoms: -"Great prostration, stupor, heat and dryness of skin, calor mordax or coldness of the extremities, dark, fetid, tarry, or watery stools mixed with bloody mucus, and a jaundiced skin." Otherwise I have never seen any marked benefit from this remedy in any case. Still I believe it to be capable, with scientific proving, in potency, of developing great curative powers. If I might, in this short notice, inspire some young physicians to thoroughly prove it I should not have written in vain.

Bruised pain, with numbness, stiffness and lameness in region of kidneys < in bed in the morning.

Soreness in the region of the kidneys; bubbling sensation, < stepping or jarring motion.

Rheumatism or pains, like gouty pains in the joints; the pains radiate from a center.

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"Bruised pain, with stiffness and lameness in the small of the back." "Rise from a seat with difficulty." "Backache worse when sitting or lying, especially when lying in bed in the morning." "Sensation of numbness, stiffness and lameness, with painful pressure in lumbar and renal regions." These pains sometimes extend all through the hips. Guernsey says: "A great many old troubles in the back. Sufferings in the back aggravated by fatigue." One might say all these symptoms are found under Rhus tox. True, but in the Berberis cases they all come from or are in connection with kidney or urinary troubles, Rhus tox. seldom so. The pains extend often into the bladder and urethra, and the urine itself is changed. It may have a turbid, flocculent, clay-like, copious, mucous sediment, or a reddish, mealy sediment, or be blood-red, but the persistent pains in the back are the leading indications. It is especially to be thought of in arthritic and rheumatic affections, when these back symptoms connected with urinary alterations are present. One very characteristic symptom is a bubbling sensation in the region of the kidneys. Another is soreness in region of kidneys when jumping out of a wagon or stepping hard downstairs or from any jarring movement. There is almost always, in the back troubles of Berberis a great deal of prostration or a sense of weakness across the back, and the face looks pale, earthy complexion, with sunken cheeks and hollow eyes, with blue circles under them. No matter what ails the patient, if he has persistent pain as above described in the region of the kidneys do not forget Berberis.

Burning and smarting on passing urine; urine red, brown, black or smoky in appearance.

Tongue smooth, glossy, red, with excessive tympanites (typhoid).

Hæmorrhages from all outlets, especially in connection with urinary or kidney troubles.

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Terebinthina ought to come in here, because it, like Berberis, has much pain in the back with kidney and bladder troubles. Painters working under the smell of Turpentine are often seriously affected by it. Some are unable to work in it. In the Turpentine kidney troubles there is apt to be more strangury than with Berberis and more blood in the urine. The urine becomes brown, black, or smoky in appearance from more or less admixture of blood. For burning and smarting on passing urine, Turpentine stands nearer to Cantharis or Cannabis sativa than it does to Berberis. All four may be found useful in the first stage of albuminuria, Turpentine taking the lead, and it may sometimes require considerable study to choose between them. Mercurius corrosivus generally comes in a little later. Terebinth. is one of our best anti-hæmorrhagic remedies. Hæmaturia, hæmoptysis, and hæmorrhage from the bowels, especially in typhoid, and even in purpura hæmorrhagica it may do splendid work. One of the chief characteristics for its use is the smooth, glossy, red tongue (Crotalus, Pyrogen); another is excessive tympanites. These two symptoms are often found in typhoids, and then Terebinth. is the remedy. Dropsy after scarlatina, with smoky urine, may find its remedy here, but Lachesis, Apis, Helleborus niger, or Colchicum will often dispute claims with it. The old school make great use of it in many other affections as a local application. I have seen some bad effects from its use in that way for the chest in pneumonia in their hands. I would not recommend it.

Is another remedy having a strong action on the urinary organs, particularly upon the urinary tract or urethra. It is the remedy par excellence with which to begin the treatment of gonorrhœa unless some other remedy is particularly indicated, and such cases are very few. The most characteristic symptom is that the urethra is very sensitive to touch or external pressure. The patient cannot walk with his legs close together because any pressure along the tract hurts him so. If the disease has extended up the urethra, or into the bladder, there will often be severe pains in the back every few minutes and the urine may be bloody. I used in my early practice to put five drops mother tincture into four ounces of water (in a four-ounce vial) and let the patient take a teaspoonful three times a day. After about four days the inflammatory symptoms would have subsided, and the thin discharge have thickened and become greenish in appearance. Then Mercurius solubilis 3d trituration, a powder three times a day, would often finish the case. Or if a little, thin, gleety discharge remained, I cured that with Sulphur, Capsicum or Kali iodide. I have cured many cases in from one to two weeks this way. Later I have used the c. m. potency in the first stage, and sometimes never have to use the second remedy. If I do, Mercurius corrosivus c. m. is generally the remedy. Sometimes Pulsatilla, Sulphur or Sepia to finish up de case. There are exceptions, but the rule is that cases get well promptly under this treatment. After Cannabis sativa, Mercurius corrosivus, if the discharge is thick and green, if the burning continues. Pulsatilla or Sepia if the discharge is thick and bland. Sulphur for gleet. Of course I have not mentioned all of the remedies that are necessary in this disease. I used them all in the c. m., and I know, having. tried both, that they cure better than the low potencies. There is one curious symptom I have several times removed by this remedy, namely, a sense of dropping, around, or in the region of the heart. I do not know its pathological signification, but it is very annoying and the patient is very grateful to be rid of it.

The grand central characteristic of this remedy is found in the urine, which is scanty, of a dark brown color (like French brandy), the urinous odor being highly intensified. This odor comes at the time of passing and remains afterward. One need not wait on a long-standing specimen to find it. It is found in connection with rheumatism, quinsy, dropsy, diarrhœa, headache and other diseases. Of course many other remedies have offensive urine, like Nitric acid urine offensive like horse urine, Berberis, but the deposit is turbid, Calcarea ostrearum, but the deposit is white. Benzoic acid often smells horribly, with no deposit at all. Both Benzoic acid and Berberis are great remedies for arthritic troubles with the urinary symptoms. Lycopodium and Lithium carb. also claim attention in this affection, the concomitants deciding the choice. I have seen wonderful relief from Benzoic acid in nephritic colic with the characteristic offensive urine. In dribbling of urine of old men with enlarged prostrate it has also done good service. The urine in the clothing scents the whole room. Menstrual difficulties and prolapsus uteri with the characteristic urinary symptoms are. also relieved by it. Heart troubles of rheumatic origin also. So we have a widely diversified list of diseases in which this remedy is the one, and all seem to be connected with this one strong characteristic symptom.

White sand in urine; also slimy or flaky urine.

Much pain at the conclusion of passing urine; almost unbearable.

Marasmus; neck emaciates and skin lies in folds.

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Sarsaparilla is another remedy which has excruciating neuralgia of the kidneys. Renal colic and passage of gravel and formation of vesicle calculi. Dr. Hering gives many testimonials to the efficacy of this remedy to relieve the sufferings attendant on gravel, especially with rheumatic symptoms. Lycopodium has red sand with clear urine; Sarsaparilla white sand with scanty, slimy or flaky urine. They may both be very useful in chronic rheumatic troubles, with these urinary complications. The most characteristic symptom of Sarsaparilla is "much pain at the conclusion of passing urine; almost unbearable." (Berberis, Equisetum, Medorrhinum, Thuja.). There is often in this case great tenesmus of the bladder at the same time. No remedy has this symptom so strongly as Sarsaparilla. Pulsatilla has something similar, so far as tenesmus is concerned, in connection with enlarged prostrate. Natrum muriaticum has also, -"After urination burning and cutting in the urethra; spasmodic contraction in abdomen, etc." So we must be careful about prescribing on one symptom alone, be it ever so prominent. In marasmus Sarsaparilla stands alongside of Iodine, Natrum mur., and Abrotanum. In Sarsaparilla the neck emaciates and skin (in general) lies in folds. (Sanicula, Natrum mur. and Lycopodium emaciate from above downward. Abrotanum from below upward.) Iodine, general emaciation, wishes to eat all the time. Natrum mur. eats and emaciates all of the time, neck particularly. Abrotanum, general marasmus, legs most. Argentum nitricum, child looks old, dried up, like a mummy. Sarsaparilla is one of the best remedies for headache or periosteal pains generally, from suppressed gonorrhœa. I have seen great results from the 200th. It is also a good remedy for syphilitic eruptions, with great emaciation; cracks on hands and feet, especially on sides of fingers and toes.

Retractions of nipple (Silicea).

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