Ammoniacum gummi

is a gum obtained from a very large tree growing in Arabia. It has gained quite a reputation as a cure for diseases of the eye. I have used it successfully in asthenopia, when the eyes smart and burn, especially if used at night by artificial light. The eyes become injected, and often throb, especially in the inner canthus of each eye. It thus stands between Belladonna, which is used for affections of the eyes from overwork when there is great congestion, and Ruta, which is indicated for irritability of every tissue of the eye from overwork or from using the eyes on fine work.

Asafoetida is a gum having a decided odor of an alliaceous kind. It is especially useful in two classes of disease: First, in nervous diseases developing a perfect type of hysteria; it acts upon the muscular fibres, producing a reverse peristaltic action in the oesophagus and intestines. Thus, it causes a sensation as though a ball started in the stomach and rose into the throat; this being provoked by over-eating, by motion, or by anything that can excite the nerves. It produces a bursting feeling, upwards, as though everything in the abdomen was coming out at the mouth. This is common in colic from hysteria, after belching of wind of a strong rancid taste, and is associated with an empty gone feeling in the stomach at 11 a.m.

The second action of Asafoetida is upon the bones. It produces periosteal inflammations, resulting in ulcers, especially upon the shin bones. A characteristic of these ulcers is an intolerance of all dressings. All the parts around it wince under the application of even charpie.

We find Asafcetida curing hysteria arising from the sudden suppression of discharges.

Asafcetida produces inflammations of the eye. Thus it may be indicated in iritis after the abuse of mercury, especially when it is of syphilitic origin, with burning, throbbing pains, and soreness of the bones around the eyes. The nearest remedy here is Aurum, which has relief by warmth. Asafoetida has relief from pressure on the eyeball itself, which Aurum has not.

Phellandrium aquaticum we find to be indicated in headache which involves the nerves going to the eye. There is a crushing feeling on the top of the head, with burning of the eyes and lachrymation.

Phellandrium also causes sharp pains in the course of the lactiferous tubes.

Petroselinum comes into use in urethral disease, especially in gonorrhoea, when the inflammation has travelled back, and the patient complains of pain at the root of the penis. There is a sudden irresistible desire to urinate.

Conium causes chronic cystitis, with intermittent urination. The urine flows and stops. That symptom of the drug I have utilized in the treatment of enlargement of the prostate in old people.

Aethusa cynapium is a frightful poison, having narcotic properties as well as paralyzing effects. The principal use we make of the drug arises from its action on the stomach. It produces a deathly nausea and sickness, with vomiting. In the case of a child the vomit consists of curdled milk, which is often green. After vomiting, the child falls back exhausted and goes to sleep. It awakens hungry, it eats and then vomits. The face is pale, and there are dark rings about the eyes. The analogue here is Antimonium crudum, which differs from Aethusa in having a white-coated tongue. Another remedy is Calcarea ostrearum or Calcarea acetica, which has vomiting of curdled milk, and the child is apt to have diarrhoea with sour-smelling stools.

Cicuta virosa, another member of the order, when taken in any quantity produces congestion at the base of the brain and in the medulla oblongata. At first, the patient is rigid, with fixed staring eyes, bluish face and frothing at the mouth. Next, there passes a shock, or series of shocks, from the head through the body. The patient is often unconscious, the jaws are locked, the patient bites the tongue. These spasmodic symptoms are followed by profound exhaustion. These symptoms indicate Cicuta in epilepsy, spasms from worms, and also in some forms of puerperal spasms.

We notice, too, that Cicuta, in addition to these symptoms, develops phenomena which resemble the remote effects of concussion of the brain. The pupils are dilated; there are also vertigo and headache.

Cicuta also attacks the skin, producing a pustular eruption, with yellowish honey-colored scabs, particularly about the mouth, and matting the whiskers. It has even cured two cases of epithelioma when the cancerous growth was covered by these honey-colored scabs.

Next, we will study the

Berberidaceae.

Of this order we have time to study but two drugs, namely, Berberis vulgaris and Podophyllum peltatum.