Part 31

Dr. Huber carefully collated all the symptoms experienced by his provers; he had a great predilection for the mistletoe, which he prescribed in many different ailments. He frequently conversed with me about its healing properties, and often gave it in his hospital and in his private practice. He used it chiefly in the 3d and 6th decimal dilution. According to Dr. Huber, the symptoms of _Viscum album_ are similar to those of _Aconite_, _Bryonia_, _Pulsatilla_, _Rhododendron_, _Rhus_ and _Spigelia_, _i.e._, are in accord with our foremost anti-arthritic and anti-rheumatic remedies. _Viscum_ has symptoms in common with each of these remedies, and is thus particularly useful in gouty and rheumatic complaints, in acute as well as in chronic cases; more particularly in those having _tearing pains_ in no matter what part of the body. It follows well after _Aconite_ in acute rheumatism. It is also very effective in different neuralgias of a gouty or rheumatic origin, as in ischias, prosopalgia, periostitis, and especially in earache, tearing pains in the ears, and otitis. It is a sovereign remedy in rheumatic deafness. As _causa excitans_ of diseases amenable to it may be regarded high winds, _i.e._, all gouty, rheumatic or other ailments which, similarly to _Rhus_ and _Rhododendron_, are aggravated by sharp north or northwest winds, such as we have in winter. For this reason _Viscum_ is more often applicable in the colder season than in summer, or at time when gouty or rheumatic affections or pains are usually aggravated. It has also been found beneficial in asthmatic complaints if connected with gout or rheumatism.

The mistletoe moreover stands in a peculiarly close relation to the female sexual system (uterus), and especially to the climacteric period, when women cease to menstruate and chronic or periodical hæmorrhages are often met with. _Viscum_ also promotes labor pains similarly to _Pulsatilla_ and _Secale_, and is especially efficient in effecting the expulsion of the placenta, also in incarcerated placenta.

When the great army of gouty and rheumatic ailments which may befall all parts of the body are taken into consideration, as well as the manifold sufferings originating in the female sexual system, which manifest themselves as menorrhagias as well as amenorrhoea, but more often are caused by congestive states,--when we consider the powerful influence of the mistletoe on these forms of diseases as brought out by the careful homoeopathic provings on the healthy, is it to be marvelled at that the old Gauls and Germans venerated it, by whose mysterious origin they were overawed, as a sovereign remedy for their ailments and sufferings, as a sacred gift presented by the gods of mankind?

(The following clinical case is from _Hom. World_, 1876, by Dr. Ivatts:)

October 24, 1875.--T. H----, æt. about fifty. Rheumatism for the last six years of ankle, wrists, and knuckle joints, also pains across the lumbar muscles. Extreme distress on motion, with weariness and pain. Great pain in walking. Worse on commencing to move, but after continuing the movement for a time the pain diminishes. No pain when at rest except when warm in bed, when the ankle and wrist joints are occasionally very bad. Patient holds a degree L.R.C.S.I., but has relinquished practice for fifteen years and travelled abroad. Never could get relief from the rheumatism.--_Viscum album_ No. 1, five drops twice a day. November 14.--After taking medicine for ten days the weary feeling gradually diminished, and the muscular motion became free from distress. Has now continued medicine for three weeks, and he says, "I am quite free from rheumatic pains." February 18, 1876.--Saw patient to-day, and he tells me he has continued quite free from the rheumatic pains since November.

(Dr. E. M. Holland wrote as follows concerning the remedy, _Medical Summary_, 1898:)

My first case of child birth in which I used _Mistletoe_ (_Viscum album_) was May 30, 1897. Was called to see Mrs. C.; second confinement; there was but little advancement; I sent the husband to my office, three blocks away, for some _Mistletoe_, and I gave the lady half a teaspoonful with a swallow of water every twenty minutes, and before one hour had passed labor was on in good shape, and in half an hour longer all was over.

I returned to my office, and in less than half an hour I was called to see a colored woman, much of a lady, mother of two children; on examination I found only a slight advancement of the child, mouth of the womb but little dilated. I learned that she had been just about the same for twelve hours. I prepared a mixture and ordered a teaspoonful every twenty minutes; this dose contained 30 drops of the _Mistletoe_. I was not well, and returned to my office, leaving instructions to notify me when labor was well on; my office was four blocks from her residence. I reclined on a lounge, intending to return in about an hour, but dropped into a doze, and in about one and a half hours the husband came on the run, notwithstanding they had sent a little girl for me. He reached my office panting, and exclaimed: 'For God's sake, hurry, for her insides have all come out.' On my arrival, I found the child and afterbirth all in a pile. The confusion was soon calmed down by the assurance that all was well.

Soon after this I was called to see Mrs. M., the mother of seven children. I had been with her in six of the seven confinements, and knowing that she had always been tedious I gave the messenger a small vial of the same mixture and same dose, labelled it teaspoonful every twenty minutes, stating that I would be there in an hour or two, and I was; but the child was born about fifteen minutes before.

On the 14th day of July of the present year I was called to attend Mrs. B. in her third labor, some two miles in the country. I left home at 3:30 A.M. When I arrived at the house I found nothing to indicate that I would be permitted to return home sooner than--I will say a number of hours. I found presentation all right, some dilatation, but there was but little advancement. The pains seemed to be of excruciating character, but not the kind to do more than wear the patient out. She told me that the same kind of pains had been on for a day and night, so I continued with the _Mistletoe_ in half-teaspoonful doses every twenty minutes. Pains came on; in just one hour her extreme agony ceased. Labor came on, and in half an hour more the child was born.

In all these cases the placenta came readily and everything progressed well after birth. I said I left my office at 3:30 A.M., and I was at home again by 7 A.M. It may be that four cases are not sufficient to decide on the merits of a remedy, but the change was so decided and prompt that I am satisfactorily convinced that in _Mistletoe_ we have an oxytocic that is superior to all remedies hitherto tried.

* * * * *

After the foregoing was compiled, Dr. George Black's exceedingly interesting brochure of 79 pages, _Viscum album, the Common Mistletoe_, etc., etc., appeared, and anyone wanting a complete history of the drug should procure a copy.

Dr. Black (Torquay, England) publishes all the known provings, and in addition some very thorough ones conducted by himself; from these we select the following striking symptoms:

Proll experienced a sensation as if a large spider were crawling over his hands; a glow rising from feet to head, and he seemed to be on fire, though his face was pale, this repeatedly; also violent aching pain in right foot recurring frequently. Proving with the tincture in increasing doses up to 40 drops.

Two women took the drug to produce abortion; every muscle of the body was paralyzed, including bowels, save those of the eye, and both died on the 8th and 9th day, starved to death.

The provings by Dr. Black. A well-built woman, aged twenty, took repeated doses of the drug from [Greek: theta] up to 30th. The most striking symptoms were: Sudden, severe thumps of the heart that then went on beating at a tremendous rate; it slowed down and was followed by trembling in the limbs; after this was very marked jerking of the limbs, and twitching; hot feeling, though not actually hot. "A feeling as if I should bite some one if I did not keep my teeth clenched. A wretched feeling as if I should do something awfully wrong if I did not keep myself under control." Several months later the effect of the drug was still strongly in evidence; "thinks she will go out of her mind, feels as if she would have an epileptic fit, says she would feel far happier in an asylum."

A second prover, Mrs.---- æt 37, experienced jerking and twitchings of the muscles, shooting pains in left ovarian region, and, on movement, lumbar pain and stiffness. Proving made with 3d dilution.

Third prover, æt 27, a woman. First marked symptom was a shooting pain in left ovary; then pain and twitching in leg, when aching stopped it felt very hot; aching repeated, and only relief was shifting the position of the leg to a cool place in the bed; again a dreadful pain in the region of the left ovary--"a fearful aching" "it was a pain you couldn't have put up with long without doing something;" later: "I have had no pain, but a great twitching in my hands and legs for a long time, just like a person with chorea--first my left hand jumped, then both legs, my heart seemed to beat very fast." "When hands were held it seemed to alleviate the jerking and twitching." The pain in ovaries, also in other parts of the body at times, the twitchings and jerkings, and the frequent hot feeling continued during all the proving. It was made with the 3d and [Greek: theta].

The fourth proving was made by Dr. Black himself, chiefly with the 3x and [Greek: theta].

This proving is quite long. From it we note the following symptoms: Severe pain in right shoulder joint. Muscular twitching in right leg. Dull pain under left false ribs. Neuralgic pain in sciatic nerve. Back, lumbar region, stiff and weak. Pain in right knee joint, painful to move and tender to the touch. Weight and oppression of the heart, with gripping feeling as if a hand were squeezing it; the load seemed to lift, with great relief, but came back again. A curious sensation of tickling about the heart. Twinges of pain in the great toes. The last record some days after ceasing the proving reads as follows: "I think it was the same night as the previously recorded symptoms that I went to bed between 12 and 1 o'clock, and after lying down experienced a curious general tremor through my body, as if all the muscles were in a state of fibrillary contraction; not a single involuntary jerk, nor the continued twitching of the muscle or a portion of one, but a general state affecting the whole body. It lasted until I fell asleep."

Therapeutically the drug has been used for palsy, "incompetency and tumultuous distressing cardiac action," mitral disease, chorea, epilepsy, retention of placenta, catarrhal deafness, menorrhagia, sciatica, rheumatism, periostitis, hydrothorax, and transient deafness.

The Druids sweepingly asserted that it would "heal all diseases."

WYETHIA HELENIOIDES.

NAT. ORD., Compositæ.

COMMON NAME, Californian compass plant.

PREPARATION.--One part of the fresh root is macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(The following, by Dr. J. M. Selfridge, Oakland, Cal., was published in _Pacific Coast Journal of Homoeopathy_, April, 1899:)

There is probably no State in the Union where there is a greater number of valuable remedies to be found than in the State of California. These remedies are waiting to be proved by those of us who have sufficient enthusiasm and who are willing to take the trouble and make what sacrifice is necessary to accomplish so desirable a result. I know it has been said that we have too many remedies which have not been properly proven. While this is doubtless true, it is equally true that many of the new remedies which have been introduced within the memory of some of us are absolutely indispensable in the treatment of certain forms of disease.

There is another reason why these California remedies should become a part of our armamentarium. It is claimed by Teste and others that where certain forms of disease prevail there, or in that vicinity, the curative remedy may be found.

Again, it has been said that there is a remedy somewhere in nature for every ill to which flesh is heir.

Whether this be true or not, we know there are certain diseases, which, so far as we are aware, are incurable, for the simple reason that we know of no remedy that will control the abnormal conditions. This being true, the incentive ought to be sufficiently great to urge us forward in the line of knowing more than we now know of the wealth of those remedies that lie at our very doors. All we know of these drugs, so far, are mere hints which have been given us by the older inhabitants of the Coast.

Thus, the _Eriodictyon Californicum_ or "Yerba Santa," has been suggested for the cure of "poison oak" and for certain bronchial affections. A partial proving of it was made some years ago under the supervision of the late Dr. Pease, which can be found in "Allen's Encyclopædia," Vol. iv., page 218.

The _Micromeria Douglassi_, or "Yerba Bueno," is another plant which should be proved. Many years ago a friend of mine was suffering with a series of boils, when an old "Spanish woman" directed him to make a tea of this plant. This he did, and cured his boils; but, as the tea had an agreeable taste, he continued to drink it, believing, as some do, "that if little was good, more was better," until finally he became so weak he could not continue his work.

It was one of these hints that induced me some years ago to make a proving of _Wyethia Helenioides_, or "poison weed." Like many other provings, it was only partial. A schema of it was published in "Allen's Encyclopædia," Vol. x., page 168.

Two years ago an attempt was made to secure additional symptoms, which are given below in the language of the provers, who at that time were members of the "Organon and Materia Medica Club of the Bay Cities."

At the time of the proving, the potency and the drug were unknown to the provers.

I. "June 9th, 1896, began taking----, of which I took a drop in a teaspoonful of water before each meal. First dose 7:35 (did this for four days); 7:45, feels in nose as if about to sneeze; 7:50, sitting quietly, a momentary pain on inside of right foot from instep to the sole; 8:35, stretching and yawning, itching on the left side of the chin; 4:10 P.M., dry sensation in throat, although mucus is abundant; 5:30 P.M., sensation of dryness and tickling on the edges of eyelids, such as I felt when a sty was about to appear; sensation of dryness in throat; 5:35 P.M., a small itching spot on right side of neck; 8 P.M., dryness in throat with abundant mucus.

"June 7th.--7:30 A.M., throat sore; 8:35, tingling in right foot when standing; 11, while in church, sensations of formications in eyelids with lachrymations; 11:25, pain in the right testicle; 3 P.M., despondent; P.M., pain on top of right shoulder midway between neck and point of shoulder; motion does not affect it.

"June 8th.--Before breakfast, lips feel dry, back of throat (posterior wall of pharynx) sore, increased flow of tasteless saliva; 10:30, pain in left ear, itching in left external canthus; 1:30 P.M., mouth full of sweetish saliva; at lunch bit tongue severely; 9:30 P.M., mouth feels dry and as if scalded, with desire to drink frequently in order to moisten it.

"June 9th.--Scalded mouth continues.

"June 12th.--6 A.M., lips feel scalded and swollen.

"June 17th.--Itching in rectum.

"July 4th.--10 A.M., headache in left anterior part of brain, as if radiated from left inner canthus; 12:30, headache in left occipital protuberance.

"For several nights waken frequently and too early in the morning, without any disagreeable consequences.

"July 7th.--A sore hang-nail on third finger of right hand.

(Signed) "A. MCNEIL."

Dr. McNeil took the first decimal dilution. (S.)

II. "June 5th.--Began at 1 P.M., taking a drop before each meal.

"June 6th.--Depressed all forenoon, languid feeling of mind and body; despondent almost to desperation; irritable, cross, easily angered about trifles; melancholy about the future, with no reason for it; seemed that I was forsaken by all my friends and was on the verge of insanity; bodily uneasiness, unfitting me for any work; felt that I could 'fall all down in a heap;' muscles seemed to refuse to respond to the will.

"June 7th.--Entire incapacity for mental work; could not follow a line of thought twenty seconds; forehead cold to touch, with heavy feeling over the eyes as though the skin and flesh of forehead would come down over the eyes; intense drowsiness all day, worse after meals; irresistible sleepiness after lunch; accustomed cup of coffee was not relished.

"June 8th.--Dreams were vivid and real; was discovered talking in my sleep; the thoughts and work of previous day were on my mind on waking as though I had not gone to sleep.

"June 9th and 10th.--Aversion to company, did not wish to see anyone, not even intimate friends; great aversion to my work; had to punish myself to even visit a patient; quarrelsome, impatient, irritable.

"M. F. UNDERWOOD."

Dr. Underwood took the fifteenth decimal dilution. (S.)

III. "June 8th, 1896, commenced taking remedy given by Dr. Selfridge, one drop three times a day before meals.

"June 13th.--After a restless night, awakened at 7:30 A.M. with severe, sharp pain in the right tonsil; throat felt swollen and sore; tonsil red and inflamed; glands on right side of neck swollen and sore to touch.

"At 9:30, neuralgic pains commenced in left arm and hand, then in back, limbs and all over the body; skin felt sore to touch; was quite ill all day, with no appetite whatever.

"At 7:30 P.M. commenced to feel chilly; upon the slightest movement chills would creep up the back, with increase of pain; grew colder and colder; was very ill, and went to bed. At 9:30 fever commenced with desire for food; head very hot; cheeks very red and burning; temperature 102°, but still very chilly. Passed a very restless night, with chill, fever and sweat all at the same time, with constant twinges of pain all over the body, particularly in back and limbs; could not bear the slightest touch.

"June 14th.--Temperature 101-1/2° at 8 A.M. Right tonsil and glands of neck still very sore, in fact, worse; pains over body less, though back quite sore and lame; felt very weak and unable to remain out of bed.

"Still continued the remedy. All symptoms gradually improved, and was entirely well in a few days.

"June 20th.--Stopped taking the remedy on advice of Dr. Selfridge.

"June 21st.--Very depressed, both mentally and physically; menses commenced at 2:30 P.M., with slight uterine pain. Retired at 10 o'clock, when the pain became intense and burning. Suffered all night, the pain being constant, though increasing in paroxysms with sensation as if the uterus expanded in order to keep all the pain within its walls. Could distinctly outline the contour of the uterus. Never had such a pain before.

"June 22nd.--Pain much better, but still a paroxysm every little while. Felt very weak all day and mentally depressed.

"When menses ceased, observed no further symptoms.

"July 4th.--Commenced the remedy again.

"July 18th.--At 11 A.M. commenced to feel chilly, with aching pains all over the body, which gradually grew worse until 12 o'clock, when a most severe chill took place; shook all over; aching over body and headache intense. Took no more of the remedy; went to bed, and as I was growing worse, was given _Aconite_ at 1 o'clock. There was great thirst for ice water during the entire chill, which lasted until 2:30 P.M., when fever came on; temperature, 101°; no thirst. In about fifteen minutes commenced to sweat. Temperature at 4 o'clock 100°; still sweating. At 10 P.M. menses commenced; no uterine pain, but still aching all over body which continued all night, preventing sleep; pains worse in limbs and back; at times jerking in character, making me start with every twinge; profuse sweating all night.

"July 19th.--Very weak; aching still continued, but less; cords of neck, right side, quite painful. Passed a restless night, still sweating profusely.

"July 20th.--Much better, but still very weak; some aching and sweating; did not go to sleep until 3 A.M.; was nervous and restless.

"July 21st.--Much improved in every way, and was all right in a day or two. Did not take any more of the remedy.

"July 26th.--At 1:30 P.M. commenced to feel chilly, with intense headache and aching all over the body. The chilliness rapidly increased until at 2 o'clock had a worse chill than ever, which lasted until 4 o'clock, when fever came on, temperature soon reaching 103°; sweating commenced almost simultaneously with the fever; headache was the most prominent symptom, which was terrific; intense, congestive headache; eyes extremely sensitive; bones of the face sensitive to touch; could not move the head a hair's breadth without intense agony; thought I should go mad from the intensity of the pain. This lasted until 10:30, when there was a sensation of faintness, due evidently to lack of food, and which passed away after eating some cream toast; the headache then also began to grow less, and I passed a fairly good night.

"July 27th.--Was much better, but was too nervous to remain in bed; felt very weak all day; retired early, but did not sleep a moment all night long.

"July 28th.--Arose at 6 A.M.; was weak and dizzy all day; had to lie down every little while. Slept well this night.

"Have been fairly well ever since. (August 7, 1896.)

"ELEANOR F. MARTIN."

Dr. Martin took the thirtieth decimal dilution. (S.)

THERAPEUTIC INDEX.

NEW, OLD AND FORGOTTEN REMEDIES.

Abscess, 320 Acne, 116 Alcoholism, 328 Albuminuria, 97 Amblyopia, 16 Amenorrhoea, 16 Angina, 111, 113, 174, 187 Anteversion, 32 Arthritic rheumatism, 4 Arthritis, 5 Asthma, 65, 352 Axilla, abscess of, 320

Backache, 331 Back, pain in, 16, 335 Baldness, 354 Bellyache, 325 Bilious, 38, 63, 207 Bites of snakes, Sisyrinchium, 314 Bladder troubles, 330, 340 Bladder, inflammation of, 311 Blepharitis, 8 Bloat, wind, 299 Boils, 38, 61, 116, 118, 377 Bones, injuries to, 343 Brain, pain at base of, 37 Breast, growth on, 319 Breasts, inflamed, 218 Bright's disease, 46, 332 Bronchitis, 51, 56, 58, 224 Broncho pneumonia, 52 Bruises, 345

Calculi, 131 Calculus, 359 Cancer, 16 Carbuncle, 116 Carcinoma, 22 Cataract, 16 Catarrh, 38, 193, 275, 320 Catarrh, lungs, 6, 52 Catheterism, 321 Cervical glands enlarged, 172 Cervix induration, 30 Chilblains, 219 Cholera infantum, 114 Chordee, 309 Chorea, 225, 269 Coccygodinia, 272 Coldness of extremities, 162, 244 Colic, bilious, 207 Colic, renal, 82 Congestions, 133 Conjunctivitis, 8 Constipation, 22 Consumption, 2, 16, 208 Convulsions, 243, 271, 286, 322 Cornea, spots, 16 Coughing, 1, 224 Coughs of consumptives, 310 Cramps, 207, 243 Cretinism, 52 Cystitis, 52, 340

Deafness, 99, 215 " vascular, 192 Debility, 37 Delirium, 243 " tremens, 269, 272 Dentition, 52 Dermatitis, chronic, 216 Diabetes mellitus, 26 Diarrhoea, 52, 207, 365 Digestion, tardy, 22 Diphtheria, 118, 170, 334 Dropsy, 16, 97, 161, 202, 283, 327 Drunkard's sickness, 326 Dyspepsia, 5 Dyspnoea, 26, 27, 52 Dysuria, 332

Earache, 217 Eczema, 96 " of nose, 319 " plantaris, 318 " of scalp, 319 Emissions, nocturnal, 36, 132 Enuresis, 217 Epilepsy, 225, 243, 322, 367 Erysipelas, 61, 267, 268 Exanthemata, 21 Expectoration purulent, 49 Exophthalmic goitre, 140 Eyes, inflammation of, 214