Rumex crispus

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Yellow Dock.)

Botanical Description. — This plant was introduced into this country from Europe, but may now be considered indigenous to this continent. It has a deep, spindle-shaped, yellow root, with a stem two or three feet high, angular, furrowed, somewhat zigzag, smooth to the touch, panicled, and Leafy.

The leaves are lanceolate, acute, strongly undulated, and crisped at the edges, of a light-green color; the radical ones are long petioled, truncate or sub-cordate at the base ; the uppermost are narrower and nearly sessile. Flowers numerous, pale-green, drooping, disposed in a large panicle, consisting of many wand-like racemes, of half whorls, interspersed with leaves below. The root, as found in the shops, is in slices, cut transversely and dried; and occasionally the root is divided longitudinally into halves and quarters. This species is sometimes called Sour-dock, Narrow-dock, or Curled-dock. The root is the officinal portion.

There are thirteen species of Dock growing in this country, about half of which are indigenous.

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture of the root; dilutions.

Analogues. — Belladonna, Calcarea carb., Causticum, Cistus, Dulcamara, Eryngium, Hepar sulph., Iris, Juglans, J odium, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Lobelia, Mercurius, Nuphar, Rheum, Sanyuinaria, Spongia, Sulphur.

Head.

Headache after awaking in the morning, preceded by a disa greeable dream.

Dull pains on the right side; pain in the left temple. Darting pain, or sharp piercing pain in the left side of the head.

Headache worse from motion. Dull aching pain in the occiput.

Eyes.

Sore feeling in the eyes, but without inflammation.

Ears.

Ringing in the ears, itching in the ears. Constant roaring in the ears, they feel as if obstructed.

Nose.

Obstruction of the nose; with sensation of dryness, even in the posterior nares. (p.)

• Fluent coryza, with sneezing; mucous discharge from the

posterior nares. (s.)

• Epistaxis — with violent sneezing, and painful irritation of

the nostrils.

° Influenza with violent catarrh, followed by bronchitis.

Face.

Heat and redness of the face in the evening; with dull headache.

Mouth.

Sensation as of a burn or scald on the tongue.

Dryness of the mouth and tongue, tongue feels as if burnt.

° Ulceration of the mouth and throat.

Throat.

• Excoriated feeling in the throat, with secretion of mucus in

the upper part of the throat.

Sensation as if of a lump in the throat, not relieved by hawking or swallowing.

Aching sensation in the throat, as if a lump were sticking fast in the oesophagus.

• Aching in the pharynx, with collection of tough mucus in

the fauces.

° Catarrhal affections of the throat and fauces.

Stomach.

Heaviness in the stomach or epigastrium, soon after a meal Flatulency after meals, and nausea with eructations.

Stitching, cutting pain in the pit of the stomach, worse on movement.

• Shootings from the pit of the stomach into the chest; sharp

pains in the left chest; dull aching in the forehead, and slight nausea. (Joslin.) Pain in the pit of the stomach, aching in the left breast, flatulency, eructations, pressure and distension in the stomach after meals.

• Sensation of fullness and pressure in the pit of the stomach,

extending up to the throat, and then back to the stomach (cured by the 200th). (lb.) Hypochondrium pained by coughing, rapid walking, or deep inspiration.

° Aching and shooting in the pit of the stomach, and above it,

on each side of the sternum. ° Dyspeptic ailments, of various kinds. (Hale.)

Abdomen.

Sensation of hardness, and fullness in the abdomen, with rumbling in the bowels.

Pain in the abdomen, occurring or increasing during deep inspiration.

Flatulent colic near the umbilicus soon after a meal, mitigated by a discharge of flatus.

• Pain in the abdomen in the morning, followed by a stool. Griping pains near the umbilicus, partially relieved by discharge of very offensive flatus.

° Colic from a cold, with cough.

Stool and Anus.

• Dark-colored fasces ; stool brown or black.

• Liquid diarrhoeic stool in the morning.

• Diarrhoeic stool in the morning, preceded by pain in the

abdomen.

Sensation as if from the pressure of a stick in the rectum. Itching in the anus with discharge of offensive flatus. ° Brown, watery diarrhoea, chiefly in the morning. {Small.) 3 Diarrhoea in the morning with the rumex-cough. {Dunham, Joslin, et al.)

Urinary Organs.

Copious discharge of colorless urine in the afternoon. Very sudden and urgent desire to urinate.

Larynx.

• Pain in the larynx, with excoriating cough. (Joslin, Dunham, and others.)

• Much tough mucus in the larynx, with a constant desire to

hawk and raise it, but without relief. Cough excited by tickling or irritation behind the sternum. ° Acute catarrhal affections of the larynx, trachea and bronchi. ° Cough which is dry, harsh, loud, shaking, worse at night,

excited instantly by pressure on the trachea. ° Dry cough, tickling in the throat pit; excoriation in the

larynx, and behind the upper portion of the sternum.

[Rumex diminishes the secretions, and at the same time exalts in a very marked manner the sensibility of the larynx and trachea; the cough is frequent and continuous; it is dry and occurs in long paroxysms; aggravated by respiration more rapid or deeper than usual, and by cold air; attended by rawness and soreness in the trachea and bronchia, especially the left, where the tickling is very annoying and persistent; worse in the evening after retiring, or upon talking, or irregular respiration. {Dr. G. Dunham^ in Amer. Homceop. Review, Vol. II, page 530.)]

Chest.

Aching pain over the anterior portion of both lungs. Raw pain under the clavicles while hawking mucus out of the throat.

Sharp pain near the left axilla.

Burning and shooting pain in the right chest.

Shooting in the left side, sometimes sticking pains.

Burning, sticking, or burning stinging pain in the left chest.

Dull pain, also burning pain, in the region of the heart.

Sensation as if the heart had suddenly ceased beating, followed by a heavy throbbing through the chest.

° Stinging pain near the heart, increased by lying down, and by breathing deeply. {Dr. Hughes.)

° Violent aching pain in the heart, with throbbing of the carotids, and throughout the body, visible to the eye, and shaking the bed, pulse 120; great dyspnoea especially when lying; had to sit up in bed; face red and puffed,

especially about the eyes, which were red and lustreless. (Ib.)

" It is a most useful remedy in that protean symptom, ' cough.' *s It greatly relieved a dry cough, in a medical friend, commencing at 2 a. m.

" A useful indication for Rumex is ' clavicular pain.' This is borne out by the proving: 'Raw pain just under each clavicle while hawking mucus out of the throat."' Dr. Massy, " Notes on New Remedies.'''' Back.

Sore or burning pain near the sacro-iliac symphysis. Pressing aching pain in the back, at the lower border of the scapula.

Upper Extremities.

Pains in the shoulder, down to elbow, arms feel as if strained.

Dull aching pain in the left upper arm.

Pains in the wrist: (character of the pains undefined.)

Lower Extremities. Aching of the lower extremities.

Itching of lower extremities when exposed to cool air. Stitch like pain in the knee joint when standing. Rending like pains in the lower limbs.

• Legs densely covered with a rash, small red pimples. Feet cold in the forenoons.

Skin.

• Itching in various parts of the body, especially the surface

of lower extremities, while undressing.

• Stinging, itching, or prickling itching of the skin.

• Itching of the vesicles when uncovered and exposed to cool

air.

Eruption on the limbs, of small red pimples. The eruption is produced by scratching.

° Vesicular eruption; " psoric itch," eruption from wearing flannel. (Hale.)

Sleep.

Desire to sleep before the proper time.

Unquiet sleep with dreams of danger and trouble.

Fever.

• Increased frequency of pulse, and afternoon fever. Sensation of heat, followed by that of cold, without shivering.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

This plant has been in common use among physicians and laymen for hundreds of years It has a reputation which has outlasted many more powerful drugs.

Allopathists have decreed the Rumex crispus to be alterative, tonic, astringent, and discutient. Dr. Joslin comments on the allopathic use and statements concerning this medicine. He remarks :

Its only definite and well-ascertained property was its power of curing the itch, when administered internally and applied externally. This was as well known to the laity as to the profession.

He goes on to say that the allopathist confounds the medicinal properties of the different varieties of Rumex, and would have us consider their effects nearly the same. Ignoring, as they do, the necessity of proving each drug, in order to ascertain its true action, they grope in the dark. They reverse the true order of investigation. He remarks : “ But these are not specially the fault of the professor (Wood); they are almost inseparable from the school.” Dr. Wood remarks:

We have placed together the three officinal species of Dock (i. e., R. aquaticus, R. britannica, and R. obtusifolius), because their virtues are so nearly alike that a separate consideration would lead to unnecessary repetition. All the other species may be used indiscriminately with those which are considered officinal. The medical properties of Dock-root are those of an astringent and- mild tonic. It is also supposed to possess an alterative property, which renders it useful in scorbutic disorders and cutaneous eruptions, particularly the itch. It is said to have been useful in scrofula and syphilis. The roots of some species unite a laxative with a tonic and astringent property, resembling Rhubarb somewhat in their operation.

Dr. Paine, in his judicious compend of the allopathic Materia Medica, comes to the conclusion that Rumex is similar, but inferior to Rhubarb. Our school, after a comparison of the provings, would consider the difference to be more qualitative than quantitative. The eclectic school estimates the Docks more highly than their allopathic brethren. Jones and Scudder, in their “ Materia Medica,” say :

The Dock appears to exert its silent, alterative action upon the constitution in many chronic cutaneous eruptions, as scabies, the different varieties of herpes, syphilis, when it has assumed a constitutional form, attended with an ulceration of the fauces, eruption or ulceration upon the surface ; also in Mercurio-syphilitic disorders, Mercurial cachexy, cancerous tumors or ulcers, scrofula, whether manifested by a general depravation of the system, enlarged glands, or foul and indolent ulcers, or

in any other form of ulcer, especially if dependent upon any constitutional taint. In caries, necrosis, or other morbid conditions of the osseous system ; in scurvy or scorbutic affections, and in numerous other abnormal states, its resolvent, depurative, and detergent qualities render it an excellent auxiliary and corroborant. And the agents desired under this class (alterative) are either associated or alternated -with other remedies, and not relied upon as individual curative agents.

This last sentence contains the elements of all the errors of allopathic therapeutics. They mix a number of drugs together and then affirm certain curative properties of one of these, because the compound seemed to cure. It is in this manner that the estimate of Rumex, quoted above, is made up. It is generally given in combination with Stillingia, Iodide of potassa, or some other drug. Nearly all the curative effects above named may be due to the latter medicines. It is also recommended for “ dyspepsia, debilitated states of the intestinal canal, diarrhoea, and dysentery.”

Dr. J. Williams says : “ Boiled in milk and taken in licematemesis it is an infallible remedy.” It is said to be useful as a wash or gargle, in spongy states of. the gums, ulceration of the mouth, throat, etc. How much of value there may be in the above statements will be shown by the provings. To the late lamented B. F. Joslin, M.D., of New York, the homoeopathic profession owes the valuable and accurate provings of this medicine. He first called the attention of the profession to it in the first and second volumes of the “ Philadelphia Journal of Homoeopathy,” afterwards in other journals, and finally in the “American Homoeopathic Review,” in which he published the verified symptoms of Rumex crispus. The original provings and clinical contributions were made by some of the best men in our school, namely, Drs. Joslin, Sr. and Jr., Bowers, Bayard, Kellogg, Houghton, Payne, Rhees, and others. We may implicitly rely upon the accuracy of their observations. I cannot omit, in this place, to render my tribute of respect and reverence for the genius, virtues, and sterling qualities of Dr. B. F. Joslin. He was one of those representative men of our profession and school, ranking with Hartmann, Hempel, Neidhard, Hering, and a few others, whose “ mighty footsteps ” will ever

“ Echo down the corridors of Time.”

Among his many excellent qualities, the most to be admired

were his industry, honesty, and consistency. In the domain of materia medica and therapeutics, no man has done more in this country. He has given us some exact and reliable provings, and a volume on “ Epidemic Cholera,” which is one of the finest monographs ever published in our school. He was rigorously honest, in that he allowed no prejudice to sway his judgment, but examined carefully the testimony relating to drugs, from any and all sources, selecting the reliable, no matter from what source it emanated or how obtained. He also recorded his observations with that truthfulness and candor which commands our highest regard. Although a stanch champion for the “high potencies,” he did not allow his enthusiasm to degenerate into bigotry, or his preference into prejudice. He was thoroughly consistent, always relying upon the higher dilutions, even in cholera, and his success in their use was something astonishing, but probably owing to his carefulness in selecting his remedies. We can admire such a man, as much as we can despise others who, constantly harping upon the highest potencies, habitually resort to the lower, and even cruder drugs. For myself, allowing the largest latitude, I can sincerely respect the consistency of a Joslin, even though I cannot adopt his practice altogether.

According to Dr. Joslin’s enumeration of “ verified symptoms,” and clinical experience, the Rumex crispus is closely analogous to Sulphur, Phosphorus, Causticum, Calcarea, Mercurius, and Spongia. In fact, it has many symptoms which are to be found in the pathogeneses of these remedies. This may partly be accounted for by a fact too little heeded by our school, namely, that the chemical analysis of a plant is some clue to its pathogenetic effects. Rumex crispus contains, besides starch, mucilage, lignin, etc., Sulphur, and various salts, among which are the Phosphate of lime.

Here we have three of our best remedies represented indirectly in the Yellowdock, namely, Calcarea, Phosphorus, and Sulphur. Its use in the old school for diseases of the skin and other obstinate affections, all of which are covered by the symptoms of the medicines above named, and its undoubted success, should have led us, without any proving, to decide nearly the sphere of action of this plant. The published provings, however, show its real properties, and prove the reliableness of the above assertion. The

provings were made with the mother tincture, lower and higher dilutions ; the thirtieth causing the same or similar symptoms that were aroused by the crude drug.

Its following characteristics are thus specially enumerated by that careful observer, the late Dr. Joslin :

The left chest has more verified symptoms than any other region ; they are generally sharp pains. The other regions which afford a considerable and nearly equal number of symptoms, as compared with each other, are the head, stomach, abdomen, and inferior extremities. The symptoms of the head are, generally, dull pains in the frontal region. The symptoms generally appear to he either in a mucous membrane or in a muscular locality, and to be about equally numerous in both. I leave it for others to decide whether the latter are neuralgic. They present about the same number as the former.

Conditions. — Headache worse on movement ; sensation of weight, or of a hard substance in the stomach or pit of the stomach after a meal; liquid diarrhoea, evacuation in the morning ; pain in the chest when in bed at night ; unquiet sleep, with dreams of danger or trouble, early in the morning; itching of the skin, worse on uncovering and exposing it to the air, especially on going to bed in the evening, or at night.

No clinical records of cures of skin diseases, treated with Rumex, have yet appeared in our school ; but Dr. H. M. Payne, while experimenting with Rumex, got the following notable symptoms from the crude tincture : “ While undressing, and for some time after, considerable itching of the surface of the lower extremities.” This occurred several nights, when he says :

There is no appearance of an eruption until after irritating the skin by scratching, and then rather a diffused redness, which soon disappears. Frequent scratching of the surface has produced a number of little sores (which, however, readily heal) on the calves of the legs and about the knees, especially the posterior surfaces ; the rash is not usually troublesome until after the surface is exposed to the air while undressing at night, or on getting up in the morning ; the warmth of the bed soon relieves the itching.

The contrary occurs in most cases of skin diseases, the itch especially ; also in the provings of Mercurius the opposite obtains. Many persons are troubled with a peculiar irritability of the skin, like the condition above described. Exposure to air, working in water, scratching, wearing flannel or new cloth, will get up considerable irritation, and even cause erythematous and other eruptions. In such cases the Rumex will probably form an admirable remedy. I w7ould also suggest its persevering use in those

eruptions which seem constitutional, and which when suppressed, or not appearing upon the surface, are replaced by cough, hoarseness, and other lung symptoms. May not a peculiar irritation which Rumex causes in the bronchial mucous membrane be analogous to the condition of the skin noted above?

It has been used with alleged success in dyspepsia. Many of its symptoms would seem to indicate its applicability in some forms of gastric derangement. Dr. Joslin reports the following cases in the “ Review : ”

A young lady complained of shootings from the pit of the stomach into the chest in various directions ; sharp pains in the left chest ; dull aching in the forehead, and slight nausea ; ordered her to take Rumex 30th, morning and evening. She called next day ; all her symptoms had been removed by a single dose, and her appetite, which had been defective, improved ; having eaten an unusually full dinner, there is a partial return of the shootings ; gave Rumex 30th, evening and morning ; there was no further complaint.

A lady, about fifty years of age, who had suffered about three weeks with pain in the pit of the stomach, aching in the left chest, flatulence, eructations, pressure and distension in the stomach after meals, was permanently cured of these dyspeptic symptoms in two or three hours by one dose of Rumex 200th.

A young lady has a sensation of fulness and pressure in the pit of the stomach, extending up towards and to the throat, and afterwards carried down again towards the stomach when she swallows, and then rising again to the throat. This curious alternation has been observed in the proving of Rumex. She was cured by Rumex 200th.

A gentleman, not accustomed to the use of tea, took a cup of it, very weak, of the black kind ; then followed aching in the pit of the stomach, and aching and shooting above it in the chest, at and especially on each side of the lower end of the sternum. The symptoms were removed in a few minutes by one dose of the Rumex 30th.

It is considered by allopathists as similar in its action to Rhubarb, and has been used by that school in diarrhoea and dysentery. It is homoeopathic to some forms of intestinal disorder. Dr. A. E. Small informs me that at one time he found it very useful in the bowel complaints of children. Dr. C. Dunham, writes (Am. Horn. Review, vol. ii, p. 533) :

I have noticed in one case the cessation of a brown, watery diarrhoea after the administration of Rumex. A boy of five years had brown, watery diarrhoea, chiefly in the morning, having five stools from 5 to 9 A.M., attended with moderate griping pain in the lower part of the abdomen ; this continued several days, notwithstanding two prescriptions which I made for it. Observing that the boy had

a cough which presented the characteristic features of the Rumex cough, I gave that remedy, and both diarrhoea and cough were speedily cured.

A lady, about the turn of life, had diarrhoea in the morning, four evacuations between 6 and 10 a.m. ; faeces very thin ; evacuation painless ; nausea on movement in the night, preceding the evacuations ; mouth dry, tongue slightly coated yellow ; the day previous had dull pain on the right side of the sternum ; sharp pain on the left. Gave Rumex 30th, in solution, once in three hours. The next day all the symptoms were removed.

Diarrhoea in the Morning with Cough. — A lady, about fifty years of age, has had diarrhoea every morning for four days ; the evacuations profuse, offensive, and thin, and have even become watery ; she is also suffering from a cough, excited by a sensation of tickling in the throat-pit. It is usually dry, but when expectoration takes place, this is tasteless ; the cough shocks the stomach, and is attended with a sensation of excoriation in the chest ; it keeps her awake at night. Rumex 30th, every four hours, on the 30th of March. In the evening the cough was immediately and decidedly improved, so that she slept all night. Next morning she awoke with the most severe headache she had ever suffered ; it was a continuous aching in the temples, forehead, and eyebrows, and lasted all the morning ; the cough and diarrhoea were removed without any other medicines. All the above symptoms, except the fetor of the faeces, have been observed as pathogenetic of Rumex.

A mother and daughter, aged respectively about thirty-five and twelve years, had for four days a “diarrhoea in the morning with cough.” The diarrhoea occurred in the latter half of the night and early morning — three to five evacuations, which were liquid, dark, copious, and offensive. The evacuations were preceded by a violent dry cough, provoked by a tickling in the throat-pit, and sensation of excoriation under upper end of sternum ; nausea on movement ; severe griping in the lower part of the abdomen ; tongue slightly coated, and of a yellowish tinge. Having with me Rumex c., 2d dil., I gave to each one drop in a teaspoonful of water, the dose to be repeated every two hours, till 9 o’clock P.M., discontinued during the night, and resumed in the morning, to be taken as on the preceding day, and so on till I saw them. Called again in two days, and found that after the first dose the diarrhoea had disappeared, and seemingly taken with it the dry cough and its accompaniments, the nausea and the abdominal pain. Appetite had returned and convalescence was established.

Was called to see a lad about fourteen years of age, who had been ill already ten days. Had aching pain of the scalp, darting pain of the neck, the integument of which was reddened and the muscles swollen and rigid ; lancinating pain of a shifting character, affecting the walls of the chest ; a dull or pungent pain affected the hips and extremities, all of which were aggravated by pressure or movement ; pulse 100 and upwards; skin hot and dry; thirst considerable ; dry cough excited by a sensation of tickling in the sternal extremity of the trachea, which was annoying at night ; several thin, brownish, free evacuations towards morning, preceded by nausea on moving, and cutting pain in the lower abdomen ; tongue coated and yellow, with bitter taste.

Under the use of Aconite, Bryonia, and Mercurius, the fever, rheumatism, and abdominal pain were removed in due time. But there remained a slight disposition to scrape, and the occasional expectoration of a little whitish tenacious

mucus ; a painless diarrhoea ; the evacuations now having a considerable consistence, were dark and offensive. After making two or three prescriptions for the diarrhoea without avail, I gave Rumex c., 2d dec. dil., a drop every two hours in a teaspoonful of water — the remedy to be omitted during the night. The patient took the same dose every three hours on the second and third days. After the first dose he had no evacuations from the bowels for three days, and his laryngeal and tracheal irritation passed off at the same time. On the third day, after taking the first dose of Rumex c., he had a good appetite and was fairly convalescent.

The Rumex crispus seems to have a specific affinity for the laryngeal and bronchial mucous membrane. The recorded clinical experience with this remedy is quite extensive. Dr. C. Dunham makes some valuable observations concerning its therapeutical properties. I copy a portion of his article (see “ American Homoeopathic Review/’ vol. ii, p. 530) :

I have used the Rumex chiefly in acute catarrhal affections of the larynx, trachea, and bronchi. In these cases it seems to me to present a close analogy in its action to Belladonna, Lachesis, Phosphorus, and Causticum. Without assuming to present an exhaustive analysis of the action of Rumex on the respiratory organs, I proceed to state the indications for its use to which my studies of it have thus far led me. Rumex diminishes the secretions, and at the same time exalts, in a very marked manner, the sensibility of the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea, exceeding in the extent of this exaltation any remedy known to us. The cough, therefore, is frequent and continuous, to an extent quite out of proportion to the degree of organic affection of the mucous membrane. It is dry, occux-s in long paroxysms, or, under certain circumstances, is almost uninterrupted. It is induced or greatly aggravated by any irregularity of respiration, such as an inspiration a little deeper or more rapid than usual ; by an inspiration of air a little colder than that previously inhaled ; by irregularity of respiration, and motion of the larynx and trachea, such as are involved in the act of speech ; and by external pressure upon the trachea, in the region of the suprasternal fossa. The subjective symptoms are, rawness and soreness in the trachea, extending a short distance below the suprasternal fossa, and laterally into the bronchi, chiefly the left; and tickling in the suprasternal fossa, and behind the sternum, provoking the cough. This tickling is very annoying and very persistent, and is often but momentarily and sometimes only partially relieved by coughing. The cough occurs chiefly, or is much worse, in the evening after retiring, and at the time the membrane of the trachea is particularly sensitive to cold air and to any irregularity in the flow of air over its surface ; so that the patient often covers the head with the bedclothes to avoid the cold air of the apartment, and refuses to speak, or even to listen to conversation, lest his attention should be withdrawn from the supervision of his respiratory acts, which he performs with the most careful uniformity and deliberation, and all in the hope of preventing the distressing tickling and the harassing cough which would ensue from a neglect of these precautions. I have frequently witnessed

this state of things during the last three years, and have invariably given prompt relief with Rumex. In the group of remedies in which I have placed Rumex (along with Bell., Lach., Phos., Caus.), it stands pre-eminent in respect to the extreme sensibility of the tracheal mucous membrane. All of these remedies produce symptoms identical in kind ; the characteristic of each is to be found in the relative degree in which each symptom is pronounced in the different remedies, quite as much as in the possession by any one of them of symptoms not produced by the others. Thus Belladonna, Lachesis, and Rumex produce each a dry cough, induced by tickling in the larynx or trachea, and provoked by deep inspiration, by speaking, and by external pressure on the larynx or trachea. The cough of each is spasmodic and long-continued, and is worse at night after retiring ; but apart from the fact that Belladonna and Lachesis act more upon the lower part of the trachea, we observe that in the case of Lachesis, the slightest external pressure on the larynx or trachea produces violent and long-continued spasmodic cough ; the patient cannot endure the least constriction in that region, not even the ordinary contact of his clothing. There is, moreover, a sense of fulness in the trachea, and a very painful aching in the whole extent of the os hyoides. In the case of Belladonna not only is cough produced to a moderate extent by pressing upon the larynx, but soreness and pain are experienced, with a sense of internal fulness and soreness, which at once suggests the presence of acute laryngitis submucosa. In Rumex, on the other hand, there is no. sensibility, strictly speaking, of the trachea, but simply such an instability of the mucous membrane that cough is produced by the change of position induced in that membrane by external pressure on the trachea. As regards the extent and intensity of this symptom, Rumex holds a lower rank than the other remedies named. But the irritability of mucous membrane by virtue of which cough is induced by hurried or deep inspiration, or by speaking, while it is common to Bell., Lach., Rumex, and Phosphorus, is produced in the most exalted degree, as we have already seen, by Rumex, which, as regards this symptom, takes first rank. A sensation of rawness or roughness in the larynx, trachea, and bronchia is produced by each of the four remedies above named, but the locality and the degree in which it is produced vary in such a manner as to serve in some measure as a characteristic of each. It is most marked in Phosphorus and Belladonna, less prominent in Rumex, and least of all in Lachesis. In Belladonna and Lachesis it is most marked in the larynx ; indeed it is almost confined to that region. Rumex produces it in the trachea and upper part of the bronchia, while Phosphorus induces it in the whole mucous tract, from the larynx to the smaller bronchia and bronchi ; and, moreover, in the Phosphorus proving, this “ rawness ” of the air-passages is accompanied by a no less characteristic sense of weight and constriction across the upper part of the thorax, which indicates an affection of the finer air-tubes and of the air-vesicles, of such a character as seriously to impede the function of respiration. In considering this last symptom, we must mention Causticum, also, which produces “ rawness,” extending the whole length of the sternum.

All five remedies, again, produce hoarseness; Phosphorus, Causticum, and Belladonna most eminently, Rumex less decidedly, and Lachesis in a still less degree. As regards complications, Belladonna and Lachesis apply especially to

those which involve the fauces and pharynx, and are acute — the one of a sthenic, the other of an asthenic character ; Phosphorus those of the pulmonary tissues of a definite inflammatory character, and Rumex to certain affections of the lungs and their envelops, of which their nature is not clearly defined in the proving. They are indicated by pains, generally subacute, in the upper part of the lung, near the clavicle and axilla, and more frequent in the left than in the right lung.

The following case from my clinical record will illustrate the character of the Rumex cough: M - , aged twenty-two, of feeble constitution, strumous, subject for several years to subacute rheumatism, has had a severe cold for several days, and is now confined to her bed. The pulse is quick, not hard, one hundred and ten ; skin moderately hot and dry ; face somewhat flushed ; respiration embarrassed, not so much by any constriction of the chest as by the violent and long-continued cough which follows any attempt to make a full inspiration. A physical examination of the chest reveals no abnormal condition. The patient complains of roughness and soreness in the lower part of the trachea and behind the upper third of the sternum, much more perceptible when she coughs. The cough is dry, slightly hoarse, very violent, and fatiguing to the patient. It is provoked by a tickling in the suprasternal fossa, is induced by pressure on the trachea in that region, and especially by talking, and by deep inspiration, or by the inspiration of cool air. This irritability of the trachea increases very remarkably after 7 p.m., so that the patient suffers exceedingly from the constant tickling and violent cough. Can prevent it only by respiring with very great caution and deliberation, by avoiding all distractions of speech and conversation, and finally she draws the bedclothes over her head, in order to avoid inhaling the cool air of the chamber. This patient states that she has frequently had such coughs as this, and they have proved very obstinate, although under skilful homoeopathic treatment. I gave Rumex 12th, in solution, a teaspoonful every two hours. After the second dose there was complete relief. The next evening a very slight disposition to cough. No further symptoms. I supplied the patient with Rumex 30th, and advised her to use it at once on the occurrence of such a cough, and I am informed that she always succeeded in subduing the cough within twelve hours.

The following cases in the practice of Dr. P. P. Wells, of Brooklyn, were communicated in a letter to Dr. Joslin, some years since. We regret that these are the only cases of Dr. W.’s that we can at present report, but hope that at some future time we shall be able to publish more, as the doctor’s experience with this remedy has been very satisfactory.

Mrs. - had been subject to eight miscarriages, all in the early part of

pregnancy, which in each case was early attended with dry, shaking, spasmodic cough, in paroxysms of great violence, which was regarded by herself and friends as instrumental in producing the abortions. At the beginning of the ninth pregnancy she came to Brooklyn to be under homoeopathic treatment. She had her cough, which was very dry, harsh, loud, shaking, worse at night, preventing sleep, excited instantly by pressure on the trachea. The cough was relieved promptly by Rumex crispus 30th. The following marked and rather important group of symptoms were relieved promptly, in the treatment of the case of our friend D.,

by Eumex 200th, Lehrman’s preparation. Thinking a knowledge of the fact might interest you, to whom we are indebted for our knowledge of this interesing drug, I send it :

The cough begins with tickling behind the top of the sternum, and sometimes in paroxysms of from five to ten minutes’ duration. Trachea sore to outward pressure ; feels excoriated through its whole extent, as do also the whole fauces ; cough excited by pressure on 'the throat-pit ; cough is violent, with scanty, difficult expectoration ; shocks the head and chest, as if the head would fly in pieces, and he feels as if he might raise blood at any minute. He is greatly exhausted after the paroxysms of coughing ; head aches during the cough. You have the group above in the order as written down for me by his brother, and upon which I prescribed the medicine, which was followed with the happiest results.

Dr. J. M. Rhees reports several cases of aphonia , one a

Case of three months’ standing, with sore throat during deglutition ; posterior surface of pharynx irritated, and in places excoriated ; edges of soft palate and uvula red and somewhat swollen, and covered with an eruption of minute red pimples ; slight, hacking cough, produced by a tickling in the larynx and upper part of the trachea. Under Carbo veg., Causticum, and Mercurius she grew worse ; her cough became almost constant ; tickling at the root of the tongue ; Hyoscyamus and Ehus were given, but gave no relief. Eumex 6th was then given, and she commenced to improve the day after. On the third day her cough was much better, and the pharynx looked almost natural. The eruption on the palate had almost disappeared, but there was still some redness on the edges. Eumex 5th, as before, cured.

Dr. B. F. Joslin reported eleven cases of cough cured with the 30th dilution of the Rumex crispus. I give a brief abstract of the cases :

Case I. — Dry cough; tickling in the throat-pit; excoriation in the larynx and behind the upper portion of the sternum ; cough worse on working ; pain in the chest. Eumex 30th cured the case ; three doses only were given. The cough had lasted several weeks before the Eumex was prescribed.

Case II. — Fluent coryza , with cough, excited by tickling in the throat-pit; sensation of excoriation behind the upper part of the sternum, while coughing. Eumex 30th, morning and evening, cured promptly.

Case III. — A hoarseness in the evening ; cough; excoriation behind the whole of the sternum on coughing and inspiration, and coldness of the fingers. Eumex 30th, three times a day, cured in a few days.

Case IY. — Severe, dry cough, excited by an irritated pressure in the throatpit ; excoriation in the larynx and chest. Eumex 30th, morning and evening, cured in a few days.

Case V. — Cough excited by pressure on the throat, and attended with excoriation in the larynx and chest, and hoarseness. He took one dose of Eumex,

thirty drops, in the morning ; in the afternoon of same day was much better ; no cough next day, nor did it return.

Case VI. — Violent cough in the evening, worse about 11 o’clock at night; aggravated by lying down ; excited by a tickling behind the sternum, and with accumulation of mucus in the fauces, near the posterior orifice of the nares. One dose of Rumex 30th removed the paroxysm in a few minutes, and did not return.

Case VII. — A young lady complained of shootings from the pit of the stomach into the chest, in various directions ; sharp pains in the left chest ; dull aching in the forehead and slight nausea. Rumex 30th, morning and evening, cured in two days.

My own experience with Rumex has been mainly with the third dilution. I have cured many coughs where Phos., Merc., and Caust. seemed indicated but failed. The remedy has not been used as much by the profession as its merits seem to demand. Dr. Hughes, of England, writes concerning Rumex :

I would call attention to the remarks of Dr. Carroll Dunham on the action of this substance on the air-passages, cited bv Dr. Hale, in “ New Remedies.” It is a model of delicate application and discriminative comparison. Nor is it fanciful ; for I have never seen any curative action so prompt and certain as that of Rumex crispus over the cough described by Dr. Dunham. Twice already have I seen an incessant racking cough of days’ duration extinguished by one or two doses of the sixth dilution of this drug. I give it thus high, because the provings of the drug which have led to this use of it were instituted with very small doses.

I hope that these few notes may stimulate others toward the clinical verification of the provings of the new remedies, while they serve in themselves as a slight contribution toward this object.

Rumex has been an admirable remedy in my hands in many cases of acute bronchial affections. I recall one case in which there was dry, tickling, spasmodic cough, with tenderness in the larynx and trachea, rendering the cough quite painful. I have used it only in the 30th potency.

Dr. M. A. Tinker sends us the following cases of cough:

Case I. — Charles S., aged twenty-six ; nervous, sanguine temperament ; dry cough ; tickling in the throat-pit ; continued desire to cough on breathing cold air, worse after retiring to bed ; obliged to cover the mouth with bedclothes, and use every effort to prevent coughing; has occasional pains through both lungs, extending up into the trachea ; feels weak and exhausted in the morning ; very frequently a rawness of the throat in the morning ; Rumex 6th relieved in two days, and no return.

Case II. — Augustus D., aged twenty-three ; nervous temperament, been subject to severe, dry cough at times for several years, and thinks himself consumptive ; cough worse in the evening ; unable to breathe the cold air of his sleeping-room, and has a severe coughing spell in the morning, on rising, and at times during the day, and especially on taking a deep inspiration ; is thin and rather emaciated ; has nightsweats frequently ; tickling in throat and down at the top of the sternum ; after coughing for some time, a rawness in the throat of a very disagreeable character, extending from the pharynx down beneath the upper portion of the sternum, accompanied by a burning sensation through the upper lobes of botli lungs (the clavicular region), with loss of appetite, and considerable prostration of general strength. After a long and careful physical exploration of the chest, I could find no indication of actual presence of tubercles. I am fully satisfied on this point. I prescribed Rumex 3d. In twenty-four hours much improved, and has continued to progress, and is now at his usual occupation, and considers himself about well, coughing only occasionally.

I find Rumex, in this form of irritation, is the great remedy ; it succeeds when Phosphorus and many other remedies have failed with me. I have used it with unbounded success where these dry titillating symptoms occur.

Some of the provers, especially Dr. Rhees, experienced some peculiar and severe cardiac symptoms, which we could hardly, at first thought, expect from this remedy. Yet we have no right to judge, before we prove a remedy thoroughly, of its probable effect on the body. It does seem, however, if Rumex thus affects the heart, that of the thousands who have taken the Dock in large doses, some of them would have had dangerous heart disease. But we hear of no such instances. Dr. M. J. Rhees, one of the original provers of this remedy, furnishes the following interesting case of cardiac disorder :

Joseph II., aged thirteen years, subject to violent attacks of inflammatory rheumatism. In the spring of 1858 I attended him in a severe attack, in which the disease concentrated itself on the heart with so much violence that I almost despaired of his recovery. Pulsatilla cured the disease at that time. In December, 1858, he was again attacked, but the heart was the principal seat of the disease from the first. On the 24tli of December his symptoms were : violent palpitation of the heart, with throbbing of the carotid, and throughout the body, visible to the eye, and shaking the bed ; pulse 120 ; violent aching pain in the region of the heart ; great dyspnoea, especially while lying, so that it was necessary to prop him up in a sitting posture in bed ; face red and somewhat puffed up, especially about the eyes, which were red, heavy, and lustreless ; tongue coated with white fur, with red tip and edges ; excessive thirst ; no appetite ; bowels costive. I commenced the treatment by giving Aconite 3d and Pulsatilla 3d alternately. Some relief followed the administration of these remedies, but the improvement was slow. From December 28th to January 9th, 1859,

various other remedies were used, as they seemed to be indicated, but without decided improvement on the whole. On the latter date the patient complained of a stinging pain in the region of the heart, which was increased by lying down and by breathing deeply. In my arranged proving of Rumex crispus the following symptoms maybe found: “No. 41, burning, stinging pain in the whole of the left side of the chest, suddenly, when taking a deep inspiration while in the act of lying down in the bed at night.” “ No. 49, burning, stinging pain in the left chest near the heart; came on soon after lying down in the bed at night.” These symptoms were fresh in my memory, and I accordingly gave Rumex crispus 6th, in water, two teaspoonfuls every three hours. January 10th, considerably relieved of the pain in the chest, and otherwise improved ; continued Rumex. January 11th, the pain in the chest is almost removed. Rumex was continued several days after this, with the effect of entirely relieving the pain in the chest ; but the improvement in other respects ceasing, Rumex was discontinued, and other remedies substituted. Belladonna 30th and Phosphorus 30th eventually cured the case, and there has been no return of the disease.

This case is in many respects a marked one. But it will require further clinical experience to prove satisfactorily that Rumex will cure serious heart affections.