Brachyglottis repens

Volume I — Appendix

When passing urine, pain in the bladder and soreness in the urethra; feeling as if the urine could not be retained.

Urine abundant ; sp. gr., .08 ; full of mucous filaments under the microscope, consisting of mucous corpuscles and epithelium.

Pain in the neck of the bladder.

A large quantity of pale-colored urine voided ; sp. gr., .08 ; boiling and nitric acid test prove albumen.

Passed a large quantity of dark-colored urine, containing long threads, which, when examined microscopically, proved less mucus, but more transparent waxy casts.

Urinary secretion painful in the bladder and urethra, and distinct in the penis.

Passed about 56 ounces of urine in twenty-four hours ; sp. gr., 20; full of white mucous sediment, containing epithelium, triple phosphates, and mucous casts from the kidneys.

Sexual Organs. Throbbing in the penis, and desire to pass urine.

Respiratory Organs. Oppressive breathing.

Chest.

Pain in left side of chest, region of the heart, evening.

Neck and Back. Pain in the neck by moving the head from one side to the other. Weariness in the back from coccyx upwards, and dull pain in

the region of the kidney. Soreness in the lower spine, violent and intense. After riding, the pain in the lumbar region returned with great

intensity, extending also to the pectoral muscles and anus. Feeling as if the whole back would contract backward, and the

muscles of the neck were affected. Great prostration and pain in the lumbar region by walking.

Extremities.

Prostration and weakness in the extremities.

Great inclination to stretch the limbs, and especially the arm, to

give relief to the weariness between the shoulder-blades and

trapeze muscles.

Superior Extremities. Weariness in the arms.

Pain of great intensity in the deltoid of the left arm. Sensation of pain running along left upper arm, becoming stationary.

Inferior Extremities. Great lassitude and prostration.

Except in the spine, where the pain is not constant, it appears as if its action could be traced along the anterior branches of the saphenic nerves, and perhaps along the sciatic nerve.

The pain in the groin is unquestionably due to the crural nerve.

It was some time before the irritability of the bladder and urethra ceased.

The prostration and weakness lasted several days, and the isolated troubles through the arms, legs, and thighs continued several weeks.

THE BROMIDES.

Description. — Bromine unites directly with most metals. The application of heat is necessary to induce the combustion of some of them.

Vapor of bromine passed over ignited. Calcium, potassium, or sodium forms a bromide of the metal. Mercury 'combines with the liquid bromide at ordinary temperatures. Bromide of ethyl is formed by distilling hydrobromic acid or bromide of phosphorus with alcohol. Nearly all the bromides are soluble in water. They strongly resemble the chlorides. Chlorine with the aid of heat readily drives off the bromine and converts them into chlorides. They are rather unstable, some of them giving off part of the bromine on exposure to the air.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

smelling, fluid, with tenesmus and colic in umbilical region at night. It is said to cure ° constipation with sour-smelling flatus.”

Its administration to rabbits is said to cause “congestion of the upper lobes of the lungs, hepatization of the lower and posterior lobes, deposit of tubercles in the lungs, some ecchymosis, and infiltration.” Hering therefore recommends it “ in the first stages of tuberculosis of the lungs, before any or only slight fever has set in, flying, burning, and stitches in the chest, flushing of the face, dry cough, and difficult breathing when moving.” Also for “constriction, stitching, pressing pains in the chest.”

By referring to the provings you will see that it is recommended for rheumatism of the upper and lower extremities, for sciatica, very severe, of both the left and right thigh. The rheumatism seems to be attended with much “cracking of the joints.”

It is further recommended for “ itch, tetter, impetigo, herpes, and other cutaneous eruptions.”

The dilutions may be made by adding to 10 grains of the drug 100 drops of alcohol. It should be kept in a glass or rubberstoppered bottle. Do not try to make triturations.

BE ACHY GLOTTIS EEPENS.

[Puke- Puke, New Zealand .)

The cattle which eat the leaves of the Brachyglottis repens appear to get paralyzed in the lower extremities and fall on the hind quarter; after a few days they seem to sink; sometimes they recover, but regain their strength very slowly. The natives of New Zealand use it as a medicine to produe c perspiration.

In its effects (see provings) it certainly produces symptoms of albuminuria and disturbances of the urinary organs. It has been a very reliable remedy in Bright's disease, and rarely failed to produce a satisfactory result.

PROVING.

( September 7th to September 25 th, 1868.)

1st day, Sept. 7th. — C. F. F., 46 years old, with no illness, took, 10 a.m., 10 drops Tincture puke-puke in water. Pulse 60, pleasant taste. Immediately after taking it, soreness in the stomach. One hour' afterwards, pain in the right

knee, a soreness and throbbing sensation, pain in the back and in the right side, cold and chilly for 1} hours ; slight soreness in the throat and soreness on the nostrils exteriorly ; pain in the arm — as if full, pressing pain in the forehead. 1 p.m. Heavy pain in the occiput and forehead ; isolated sore throbbing in the right side, back, and left side ; isolated sore throbs under the right armpit and in left groin ; chilly ; pulse 50. Pain in the thigh by walking.

2d day, Sept. 8th, 11 A.M. — 20 drops. 12 noon. Weary pain in the upper arm, transitory pain in the left side of the head, weariness in the arms; faceache — left side, zygomatic process of the face, also lower jaw, submaxillory glands; pressure and soreness in the neck of the bladder, transitory pains in the thighs, similar to those felt yesterday ; transitory throbs in the thighs ; heat in the mouth ; soreness in left wrist. 1 p.m. Severe pain around the loins, tingling itching in the cheeks and nose, with much sneezing repeatedly. Evening. Nausea, with eructations tasting of the food taken.

3 d day, Sept. 9th, Morning. — Soreness in the groins, left groin especially ; throbbing pain in the left elbow, weariness in the limbs.

4th day, Sept. 10th, 10 A.M. — 40 drops. Eructations soon after taking it, fluttering in the stomach, soreness in the zygomatic process of the right side, shivering and chilliness immediately after taking the dose; frequent eructations of the taste of the medicine ; excitement in the nostrils, more particularly left nostril, like yesterday, as if the air was too sharp. 10.30 A.M. Urine clear, but mucous streaks and filaments — (microscopic examination yielded numerous cells and epithelium) ; some time after voiding the urine the same soreness and pain in the neck of the bladder and anterior base of the penis as yesterday ; sensation as if the urine could not be retained ; rawness of the throat. 12 noon. Toothache in right side, extending to the ear ; irritation as if the urine could not be retained, and slight soreness in the urethra ; specific gravity of urine passed at 11 a.m., 1008 ; passed urine again 12.30 p.m., specific gravity 1004 ; urine acid, eructations. 1.30. Inclination to pass urine almost constant, soreness in the groin, weariness in the limbs, soreness in the kidneys, pressure in the chest, nausea, eructations, weariness in the arms, scraping sensation in the throat, painful throbs in left shoulder about the region of the collar-bone, soreness in the fingers and lower joint of the left thumb, weariness in the fingers by writing. 2.30 p.m. Passed a great quantity of colorless urine. 9 p.m. Evacuation of the bowels with severe constrictive and sore pain in the arms, weakness in the legs and groin by walking. All symptoms seem to last only three or four hours. A reaction seems to set in ; passed no urine all the evening and night, then passed urine the next 24 hours 58 ounces, of specific gravity 1020, with mucous sediment.

5 th day, Sept. 11th, 11 a.m. — 80 drops. The effects on the urinary organs are decidedly exciting. Soon after taking the dose eructations, soreness under the shoulders, neck, and arms ; prick in the ear, pain in the forehead, urine contains albumen and spermatozoa. 1 p.m. Weariness and weakness in the back, region of the coccyx, and dull pain in the kidneys ; confusion in the head ; all the morning excited in mind ; a kind of cold tightness about the scalp, weakness in the limbs ; toothache, heat in the mouth and soreness in the tongue, pain in the neck, and by rocking the head from one side to the other soreness in the attachment of the sterno-mastoid muscle to the neck ; soreness in the right wrist, extending upward ; pressive pain in the left side of the forehead, soreness in the throat, weakness and soreness in the biceps and isolated thrills about the wrists ; by walking weakness in the lower extremities, and pain like last night in the groin, left side particularly. No appetite ; after dinner heat and itching in the nose. Passed urine of a dark-amber color, and containing several long threads, which by microscopic examination indicated waxy casts ; acute stinging pains in the groins ; the prostration in the extremities is more prominent, isolated throbs, pain in the forehead (it rained heavily all the day) ; driving during the afternoon felt slight headache ; soreness and stinging on the tongue, pain in the back, and weariness in the extremities ; a few stinging pains in the urethra. Soon after tea desire to urinate, rather a pressure in the neck of the bladder and stinging in the glans penis. The urine has been much less in quantity to-day than yesterday. 7 p.m. The urine specific gravity 1024, darker in color, and long threads floating in it. 9 p.m. Stool of papescent evacuation, attended with severe pain in the anus, pain also in the neck of the bladder ; since the stool constant smarting and burning in the urethra and the glans penis. 10 p.m. Aching weariness in both arms, aching in the nape of the neck, muscles feel sore to touch, pressure under the sternum, the cervical muscles are sore by moving and bending the head, soreness in the left groin by walking, also in both calves ; microscopic examination of the urine — threads, tubes, or casts, consisting of a regular mass of epithelic cells adhering to each other, which, on account of their length, come probably from the urethra and bladder ; a feeling of rawness and soreness is clearly perceptible, and especially in the glans penis ; passed urine again and feel great soreness in the urethra ; the dull pain in the back and region of the kidneys is increasing, pain in the neck continues, soreness and rawness about the pharynx ; the soreness extends from the neck to the shoulder and shoulderblade, attended with muscular prostration ; passed 48 ounces of urine in 24 hours ; examination yielded triple phosphate , oxalate of lime, and (cystine?) ; during the night slept heavily. Was awoke very early to go to a patient ; pain and great weakness in the limbs.

6th day, Sept. 11 th. — Took 80 drops. Half an hour afterwards headache; passed a large quantity of urine, not so painfully as yesterday, but after passing it desire to pass more and irritation in the neck of the bladder as if the bladder was not emptied ; pain in the kidneys as yesterday ; flushed face and headache around the forehead, pain in the back, continued all the afternoon, with soreness and weakness in the thighs and lower extremities, also prostration in the arm ; was obliged to void urine three times, with pain in the urethra. 3 p.m. An inclination for an evacuation of the bowels, which, after long sitting and pressing, proved ineffective. Evening. Pain and soreness in the groins, both sides, as if in the spermatic cords, and a thrilling sensation, by sitting, through the penis and testes ; an acute throbbing in the right hypochondriacal region ; soreness under the shoulderblades.

1th day, Sept. 12 th. — This morning, by walking, excessive prostration in the legs and soreness in the lower part of the spine ; the weakness and the pain are more perceptible in the left thigh than in the right. The action of the drug influences evidently the sciatic nerve. The effect of the drug is decidedly on the spinal nerves ; the pains are transitory, scarcely shooting, but short, sore throbbings, influencing the motor power more than the nerves of sensation. Except in the lumbar region of the spine, where the pain is more constant, aching and sore to pressure. The loss of appetite was great yesterday, but to-day a sinking sensation in the stomach. Although I felt a few times desire to evacuate the bowels, when attempting to do so no effect after long straining.

8th day, Sept. 13th. — Was well, comparatively ; could walk a distance of six miles. The only perceptible effect of the medicine still remaining was the soreness in the urethra, and an excoriation internally at the corners of the mouth.

9th day, Sept. 14th. — Mixed 20 drops of the tincture in 20 spoonfuls of water. Took 4 spoonfuls at 12. Immediately after taking the medicine gnawing pain in the spine, region of the kidneys, the same isolated throbs or shootings in arms, dryness and rawness in the throat, severe pain in left jaw, submaxillary glands (of very short duration), tingling sensation in the ears. The soreness in the lower part of the spine, which had left me entirely, in the course of the sciatic nerve ; throbbing in the left temple and headache, prostration and weakness in the right arm by writing, weakness in left arm, cracking of the joints of left arm, rigor, and chills. During the afternoon the symptoms subsided except weakness in the extremities. Urine, specific gravity 1023.

10 th day, Sept. 15th. — The sleep during the night was good ; no particular uneasiness during the day except constipation.

11<A day, Sept. 16th. — A very restless and sleepless night, but whether attributable to the medicine is doubtful, having been much engaged during the day; the meals were irregular, and I could only take dinner late at night. However, after my ride this evening the severe pain in the lumbar region returned with great violence and is continuing. A great deal of pain in the upper arm, aching and severe pain in chest and back.

12 th day, Sept. 17 th. — Sleep during the night good and undisturbed. Took 4 spoonfuls of solution containing 4 drops. 10 A.M., after breakfast, pain and weariness in the back, headache ; very sleepy and heavy ; during the day constant yawning. Depressed in spirit and vexed mood.

13<A day, Sept. 18th. — Since taking the medicine, from the commencement, tingling in the ear, and secretion in and from the ear increased, with which I have never been troubled. Very sleepy and heavy, yawning all day.

14 th day, Sept. 19 th. — Healthy sleep. Took, at 10 a.m., 1 spoonful of the solution. After breakfast immediate eructations. The sense of general lassitude predominates. Shooting, short, isolated throbs in the arms. Sensation of pain in the dorsum of right foot; confusion in the head; a degree of nausea. 11 a.m. One spoonful. Immediately sharp throbs in both knees at the internal and inferior attachment of the triceps ; internal pain in the back returns, with great intensity in the lumbar region ; the confusion in the head and pain in the forehead worse, the same throbs as in the knees are now in the sternum ; with the pain in the sternum increasing nausea, pains flying about the chest and under the right shoulder ; the headache concentrates itself more on left eye ; stiffness of neck, as on former occasion, with pain. 12 noon. The weakness about the lower extremities is increasing in the same positions as before (in left leg more prominent), extending from the hip to the knee. In urinating flattening sensation in the bladder ; pain in the neck as if I could not hold the head erect ; weakness

and prostration in the arms, also right wrist ; confusion of the head, great depression of spirits, soreness in the zygomatic process, left side ; pain and soreness in the forehead, soreness in the neck anteriorly, sterno-mastoid process ; pain in back continues, 8 p.m. During the afternoon, by walking, great weariness ; when returning from my visits violent headache, pressing and throbbing about the forehead, beating, throbbing, and pressing ; a painful twitch about the left side of the face ; the evacuations of the bowels were small and knotty, and unsatisfactory ever since taking the medicine ; the form of the faeces has been like balls — sometimes soft, as if diarrhoeic, but always required a certain amount of effort to expel the faeces. This evening, with the evacuation, returned the soreness in the penis, as experienced by former provings, and a feeling as if the bladder had not been emptied. The headache lasted till midnight, with great intensity ; felt very heavy, but no inclination to sleep ; reading till 2 a.m., when retired to bed.

loth day, Sept. 20th. — Slept very heavy; coffee for breakfast; great lassitude and confusion this morning ; stretching in the limbs, pain running in the kidneys and lower part of spine, transitory pains in the neck and left upper arm. At 12 noon, 20 drops in 8 spoonfuls of water, 1 spoonful of this solution ; soon after taking the dose confusion, pain in the left side, lower maxillary ; pricking in the ears ; a sensation of pain gradually running down the left upper arm ; the same sensation in right arm ; the pain is remaining stationary in the left arm ; a slight sensation of pain under the right axilla, extending to the sterno-mastoideus and great pectoral muscle. Sudden short pain right side (teeth), sudden but severe pain in the left temple ; pain, as formerly, repeated in the left groin ; muddled confusion in the head increasing, light rawness in the. throat, severe aching in the lumbar region, nauseatic sensation in the stomach, cracking in the left shoulder. This has never been experienced before the proving. Greater inclination to stretch the limbs, and particularly the arms, as to give relief to an uneasiness between the shoulderblades, evidently in the trapezius and clavicular muscles, also increased desire to stretch the head downward, as if the whole back would contract backwards ; the desire for stretching the muscles and limbs is rapidly increasing in intensity ; increased painful sensation in the neck. This muscular influence is proved by pain felt when the face is turned sideways ; colic and inclination to stool ; a slight nervous rigor all over the frame. All these symptoms occurred in succession during the first fifteen minutes. Hands feel cold and rigor is increasing, pain in left jaw, headache across the forehead, pain in right forearm and upper arm, soreness under the submaxillary glands. The evacuation of the bowels was small and ineffective, although the stools were neither hard nor knotty. 1.15 p.m. A sore throbbing in the glans penis. This is the same kind of pain as experienced all throughout the proving of the drug. Pain in the ears, both sides ; chilliness* heat in the face and flushed ; oppression in breathing, as if a deep inspiration would afford relief ; pain in the dorsal muscles, particularly under the right thigh ; shoulderblade ; eructations and yawning. 2 p.m. Itching of the skin ; itching and soreness of right buttock, near the course of the anus, which is tender and sore as if an eruption would appear; itching of right forearm; soreness now felt in both interior corners of the mouth, which has relieved itself externally by a swelling of the lips. These are the first symptoms of the skin since the commencement of the medicine. Painful itching; burning, by walking, under the

big toes ; itching in the dorsum of the right foot ; sensation as if the ears were stopped up, lasting for a short time ; pain and soreness in the upper arm ; severe sore pain in the left wrist ; the same kind of pain also in the knees, not exteriorly. All pains are throbbing or sore throbs ; cracking in the joints of the lower extremities when walking; great inclination to stretch. Was told by Mr. B. that the cattle and horses which eat the poison fall to the ground, as if the back was affected, and appear to suffer across the loins. Just now, while writing, feel a severe pain in the spine, first dorsal vertebra, which is painful and sore to the touch ; pains in the calf from the knee downwards, exterior side of leg. 7.15 P.M. About one hour after tea same kind of sore throbs in the region of the stomach and liver, position of the duodenum. Took 1 spoonful, containing 5 drops. Rawness in the throat, right side, same as in the morning; pricking in the ears, frontal headache, nauseatic sensation in the stomach, pain of greater intensity than usual in the upper arm, near the insertion of the deltoid muscle. 8.30 p.m. Pricking and numbness of the tongue, pain in left ear, sensation as if the ears are discharging, slight twitches in the left side of the face ; first time pain in chest, left side prominently, about the region of the heart ; oppressed breathing, deep breath seems to give relief ; great fatigue in the arms ; more nausea ; headache not so severe as last night ; sudden pain in the spine about fourth to fifth dorsal vertebra, extending to right side of chest and shoulders. Passed 48 ounces of water on the 20th.

1 6th day, Sept. 21sf. — The sleep was disturbed; awoke in the middle of the night twice and had difficulty to go to sleep again ; dreams confused and wild ; during the night itching and burning in the nostrils, with urinating burning in the urethra. Two spoonfuls. Immediately afterwards pain in left lower maxillary and face ; throbbing in chest, region of the heart ; pain under the right arm, rawness of the throat, giddiness, flushed face, itching and pricking in the ears ; pain in the neck very prominent, affecting the upper or cervical part of the trapezius muscle and the splenius, lower jaw, right side ; when moving tingling in right ear ; again great prostration in the arms ; forehead painful, and some pricking sensation in the skin of the forehead. During the afternoon when visiting my patients, great weakness ; at one time, while sitting, a very severe pain in the bladder ; pains of short duration in the region of the heart ; soreness rather under the soles of the feet. All pains and sensations are worse when at rest (like Rhus tox.). Stiff soreness still in the neck. I am told by people that I do not look so well as prior to taking the drug. Certainly I am much thinner than I was a fortnight ago. By sitting the lumbar pain is more intense ; soreness and stiffness in the neck ; pain is flying about, now in the hands, fingers, then in the forearm and feet. At the commencement of the proving the symptoms appeared to have the character of nervous pains, while now they are decidedly muscular. Took one dose late, at 12, before going to bed.

17 th day, Sept. 22 d. — Sleep full of dreams, but was told that I talked in my sleep almost the whole night, which has never happened before, nor have I been subject to it. The urine passed during the 24 hours and saved amounts to 48 ounces ; that which was secreted in twice voiding may be calculated at 8 ounces m6re; the urine is of specific gravity 1020, mucous sediment, white, flocky, more than any previous secretion. Bowels costive. Pains in the various parts were

felt all day; by walking great prostration ; in the evening a settled, lasting rheumatic pain ; moving, aching about the left knee, very soft diarrhceic stool this evening; pain in the arm. — C. F. Fischer, M.D., Sydney, N. S. W.

THE BROMIDES.

The introduction of the Bromine salts into allopathic practice marked an era of improvement in the therapeutics of that school. It occurred just about the time that the influence of homoeopathy, acting through public opinion, obliged the relinquishment of bloodletting. The Bromides took the place of the lancet, and were an incalculable improvement upon that instrument of destruction, for, notwithstanding the very general abuse of these salts, they rarely caused notable injury to the patient, and never, I believe, caused death. On the contrary, they have been of vast benefit in the treatment of disorders of the brain and nerve-centres. The amelioration of one disease, epilepsy, by their use, is enough to give them claim to a high place in the Materia Medica of any school.

Before taking up each salt I propose to make some general remarks relative to their mode of action, and explain how such action may be made to agree with our law of cure, and how our school may use them as homoeopathic remedies.

I. The primary effect of the usual medicinal doses of any of the Bromides is to contract all the bloodvessels, notably those of the brain and spinal cord. Under their primary influence all the organs sleep, or are placed in that condition of quietude which leads to sleep. They arrest reflex action and diminish muscular irritability.

II. The secondary effect of the Bromides, which may occur during their prolonged use, or after their suspension, is just the opposite, namely : the contracted arteries dilate, congestion occurs, either passive or active; sleeplessness, nervous erethism, hypenesthesia of the reflex nervous system, and abnormal muscular irritability results.

These pathogenetic effects are those which occur when the Bromides are administered to healthy animals or men.

Now in choosing a homoeopathic remedy we cannot ignore, but

I

must take into account both actions of a drug. Herein we differ from the allopathic school, which, until very lately, made use of the primary effects of drugs only. The latter prescribes a drug to cause its primary action (the Bromides in fulness of the cerebral bloodvessels), and usually give unnecessarily large doses, which are apt to lead to secondary symptoms. In homoeopathy we can prescribe the Bromides for cerebral and spinal aneemia, etc. (primary effects), using very minute doses, and thus aid in restoring the normal equilibrium of the circulation. In congestion, spasm, erethism, etc., we can prescribe the Bromides, for the latter belong to their secondary effects. According to the only rational laic of dose we give appreciable doses, but not enough to lead to an aggravation of the malady.

The homoeopathic physician, using the Bromides according to these rules, becomes possessed of a class of valuable remedies, without which his success in the treatment of many severe and dangerous disorders would be greatly diminished.