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solution, which is five or six times the strength of our ordinary tincture, we are to give from four to twenty drops. every five, ten, or fifteen minutes.

If this prove to be the most satisfactory treatment of cholera, we must of course adopt it at all hazards. But that there are hazards cannot be denied. We mean that practice of this kind does not seem homoeopathic. We ourselves know very well that the application of the homœopathic law is altogether independent of dose; and we see in the provings of Camphor a pretty faithful picture of at least the early stage of cholera. But there is no doubt that our use of the material doses of Camphor which seem indispensable looks like a loss of faith in our wonted infinitesimals when real danger confronts us. And, moreover, the general impression prevalent in the old school about Camphor, that it is a "stimulant," to be ranked with Alcohol and Ether, makes it impossible for them to see that its success in the treatment of cholera is a triumph of the law of similars. So that a set of cases cured by Arsenicum or Veratrum would do much more good to the cause of homœopathy, and so to suffering humanity, than another set in which Camphor was the curative agent.

There is, moreover, one condition met with in cholera epidemics in which Camphor could hardly be of any service; it is that in which collapse comes on very rapidly, with little or no premonitory illness, and unattended by copious evacuations. Arsenicum is the medicine generally prescribed in such cases, but again we must say that a mortality of 26 per cent. means that we should seek for better remedies still. We would suggest that Aconite is the right medicine here. The spheres of Aconite and Arsenic, though so widely different, intersect and overlap each other in one spot; and the picture here presented closely corresponds with that of simple choleraic collapse. Let a few cases of acute poisoning by Aconite be read with this thought in the mind, and the resemblance will seem striking. We have the intense chill, even the cold tongue; the blueness; the difficult respiration; the almost imperceptible pulse; the cramps and tendency to tetanus. After death the arterial

system is found empty and the venous full. And if, as far as homœopathicity goes, our choice between Aconite and Arsenic is balanced, the greater rapidity of the action of the former medicine must turn the scale.

This is not the first time that Aconite has been recommended for cholera. A French physician has lately communicated twelve severe cases cured by this remedy alone, in drop doses of the mother tincture. But we desire to call attention to its claims to our notice as one of the most hopeful directions in which to look for the perfecting of our treatment of this deadly malady.

Transactions of the North-Western Provers' Association of Hahnemann College, Chicago, Vol. I. Halsey, Chicago.

The most infallible sign of life in the homœopathic body must always be the putting forth of new provings. To prove a medicine on your own person is a plain testimony of your belief in the doctrines you profess, and of your willingness to make sacrifices on their behalf. At the same time there are conditions under which provings can hardly be expected, and where their absence implies no dormant vitality. Such conditions exist at present in our own country, where the demand for practitioners so far exceeds the supply, that we are all of us hard at work at actual practice, and have no leisure in which to make ourselves ill and note our abnormal sensations. England has nevertheless added two medicines at least-Kali Bichromicum and Naja Tripudians to the list of thoroughly proved drugs.

In America, on the other hand, the conditions are reversed, and we have a right to look for new provings. Nor have we been disappointed. The volume given us by the American Institute, the numerous provings carried on under the auspices of Dr. Hering, and those collected in Dr. Hale's New Remedies, are goodly contributions to the Materia Medica; and now, in the Association whose first year's Transactions head this notice, we have a

new vein

Transactions of the Homœopathic Medical Society. 493

struck which ought to bring in rich returns. The Association consists of students of the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. Under the presidency of their worthy professor, Dr. E. M. Hale, they have arranged to prove systematically several drugs in each year; already experiments have been made with fourteen medicines, most of them plants indigenous to the American soil. The funds of the Association are as yet too meagre to allow the publication of these provings in full in their yearly Transactions; some have been sent to the United States Medical and Surgical Journal, and all but one will appear in the second edition of Dr. Hale's New Remedies, which is now on the eve of publication.

In the mean time a list is given of the drugs proved, with a brief mention of the most characteristic effects induced. Among these we get such symptoms as "blowing sound of the heart," "jaundice," and "purpuric patches,” which look as if the experiments had been carried fairly far. We are glad to see that auscultation and chemical analysis have been brought to bear when needed. Altogether, the new Association seems to have been as fruitful in action as it is hopeful in character; and we look for much new information at its hands. May we suggest that, besides the vegetable treasures of their own country, the members should unite at least once a year to re-prove one of the medicines already much in use, but whose pathogenesis is either imperfect or unreliable? We would instance the mineral acids-Muriatic, Nitric, Phosphoric, and Sulphuric, -Aurum, Conium, Guaiacum, Kali Chloricum, Kali Hydriodicum, Kali Nitricum, Millefolium, Dulcamara, and the whole series of "anti-psorics," save, of course, Sulphur.

Transactions of the Homœopathic Medical Society of the State of New York for the year 1864. Albany.

This volume also comes from America, but does not consist of provings. It is made up in the main of a series

Many of these have which we have not

of papers, theoretical and practical, read before the County Medical Societies of New York State. appeared in periodicals; a few cases seen elsewhere we have transferred to our "Clinical Record" in the present number of the Journal. Altogether, the articles are of a high order of merit, and do credit to American Homœopathy.

It

We notice in a paper on Invermination, by Dr. M. M. Gardner, a course of Santonine, Ipecacuanha, Veratrum, and Lycopodium in succession strongly recommended. would have been only fair had the author mentioned to whom he owed (omitting the Santonine) this curious course of medication. It is one of Teste's eccentric prescriptions, and certainly has a marvellous effect in many obstinate cases of trouble from ascarides.

CLINICAL RECORD.

Secondary Syphilis affecting the Anus, &c.
By WILLIAM V. DRURY, M.D., M.R.I.A.

Cases treated successfully by one medicine are generally considered the most instructive and attract the greatest number of readers; but others treated by several remedies are not without their value. As there may be reasons for each selection that will bear investigation, or should the treatment not meet with general approbation, the very criticism it provokes may prove of value.

The following case, whether rightly or wrongly, was treated by more than one remedy. It did well, and the improvement followed the last medicine, though how far those given before it may have secured a better action for it is difficult to determine.

Mr. B—, æt. 35, first consulted me December 11th, 1863. He had been out of health for the previous three months. The symptoms were-itching and soreness of anus, the last being less after a good action. Stools at times loose, at other times lumpy; the looseness he attributed to having taken rhubarb pills, as he

suffered from habitual constipation. He complained of debility and aching in the back. There was acidity of stomach and nausea, which was worse after a meal. Tongue furred and dry of a morning. Painfulness of scalp. Was suffering, the day before his visit, from debility, violent headache, and chilliness.

Had taken some Nux vomica with benefit. Ignatia 3-12 (small pilules), 1-9th every four hours. To continue for a few days.

1864, March 31st.-After taking the Ignatia he got much better, and did not feel it necessary to call till this date.

Is now suffering from a dry scabby soreness of lips; at one side there is an appearance of an almost warty-looking eruption. Round the anus there is an eruption of pimples, attended with much irritation and redness, There is nausea, heat in forehead, and vertigo. Urine thick; stools light-coloured. Thuja 7-30 (globules), 1-9th four times a day.

April 7th.-Lips much the same; still very sore. The eruption around anus causes much irritation. Merc. 2-12 (pilules), 1-6th twice a day for six days; then a pilule night and morning, dry on the tongue.

15th.-Much the same. He informs me that three years ago he had the venereal disease, and took Mercury. Acid. Nit. 3-12 (pilules), 1-9th three times a day.

25th.-Lips better; soreness of anus continues. Acid. Nit. as

before.

May 21st.-Lips much better. No improvement of anus.

Continue Acid. Nit.

June 18th.-Lips much the same as at last visit. No improvement; if anything, indeed they are sorer and more disposed to crack. Anus the same. Dizziness of eyes, which he has felt coming on for the last six months. Acid. Nit. 7-200 (globules), 1-7th three times a day, and continue.

In about a fortnight felt better, and in three weeks considered himself well.

On the 15th of January this year I had a visit from my patient, who came up to town about a member of his family who was ill; this gave me the opportunity of hearing of his own recovery. On closely questioning him (at a subsequent visit), I found that, unless some slight itching about anus felt occasionally, and which may be due to any accidental circumstances unconnected with his former ailment, he has continued well.

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