Helonias dioica

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(False Unicorn.)

Botanical Description— This plant is known to botanists, at present, as the Chamaelirium luteum. (Wildenow, Gray.) It is the Veratrum luteum

of Linnaeus, the Melanthivm dioicwn of Walter, and Helonios dioica of Pursh. It is also known by the common names of Devil's Bit, Starwort, etc. The same popular names are applied to the Aletris farinosa.

It ie a herbaceous perennial, with a large, somewhat bulbous, premorse root, from which arises a simple, very smooth, somewhat angular, stem or scape, one or two feet in height. The cauline leaves are lanceolate, acute, small, and at some distance from each other, without petioles; the radical leaves are broader, being from four to eight inches in length, by half-aninch to an inch in width, narrow at the base, and formed into a sort of whorl at the base of the scape. The flowers are small, very numerous, greenish-white, and are disposed in long, terminal, spicate, nodding, dice cious racemes, resembling a plume, and which are more slender and weak on the barren plants.

Male flowers, with white, linear-spatulate, obtuse, one nerved petals; stamens rather longer than the petals. Female flowers, the raceme is gen. erally few-flowered, becoming erect; petals linear; stamens very short, abortive; ovary ovate, sub-triangular, with the sides deeply furrowed; stigmas three, spreading or reflexed. Capsule ovate oblong, tapering to the base, three-furrowed, opening at the summit. Seeds, many in each cell, acute compressed. — (Gray).

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture of the root; dilutions; triturations of the root; and of the active principle, Helonin.

Analogues. — Aletris farinosa, Chelone glabra, Cornus florida, China, Frasera, Ferrum, Hydrastis, Nitrate of Uranium {?), Phosplwric acid, Senecio, Sepia.

Mental Sphere.

The mind is exceedingly dull and inactive.

Irritable; could not endure the least contradiction, or receive any suggestions in relation to any subject; all conversation was unpleasant.

• Desires solitude; fault finding.

Head.

Feeling of pressure from within upwards to the vertex, aggravated by looking steadfastly at any fixed point.

Pain in the occiput, with pulsative pain in the vertex, increased by stooping, attended by vertigo.

.Pain in forehead, as if a band about an inch wide were drawn across from the temples.

Stomach.

Wakes every morning at 5 a. m. (an unusual hour), with the lips, tongue, and fauces dry, and a bitter taste in the mouth.

Soon after taking each dose, sensations of pain, tightness and

pressure were felt in the stomach, which were partiallyrelieved by the eructation of tasteless gas.

Cramp-like pain in the stomach; motion and rumbling in the intestines, as if diarrhoea would come on.

Vomiting and purging, with a griping and burning sensation in the epigastrium, slight.

°A woman suffering with dropsy could not retain her food; the Helonias relieved this condition.

Burning in lower third of the abdomen.

Stool.

Sensation as if each lump of faeces had the shape of a largo Minnie bullet, which passed from the anus the big end first; the anus seemed to be much distended for an in stant, then out flew a fcecal mass; the stool consisted of four lumps, which made their exit separately.

Yellow and mush-like stool.

Urinary Organs.

• Urine profuse and light color.

• Pain in the kidneys, with albuminous urine.

0 Constant aching and extreme tenderness in the region of the kidneys, especially the right; tenderness in region of the bladder; when urinating, intense, cutting, tearing pains in the urethra; very frequent desire to urinate; urine very limpid when first voided, but deposited after a time a lead-colored, flocky sediment, adhering to the vessel.

0 Pain in region of the kidneys; painful stiffness of the back; much burning, scalding pain when urinating; frequent and urgent desire to urinate, with emissions of large quantities of red urine; there was present a condition of complete impotence.

0 Bright's disease.

Involuntary emission of urine, after having emptied the

bladder. 0 Chronic albuminuria. 0 Saccharine diabetes (many cases).

Generative Organs.

Male. — Increase of the sexual desire and power. Unusually strong and frequent erections at night.

Female. — Pain in the lower part of the back, through to the uterus, like inflammation, piercing, drawing (primary).

Breasts swollen, nipples tender and painful, and will not bear the pressure of even an ordinary dress.

Aphthous inflammation of the vagina and vulva.

Great uterine hemorrhage came and lasted through the proving.

Intense pruritus of the vulva and vagina, with curdy secretion from vulva.

Amenorrhoea marked by general atony (secondary).

Leucorrhoea, with general atony (secondary).

Congestive amenorrhoea (primary).

Menorrhagia from active congestion (primary).

° Prolapsus uteri, with ulceration, and a constant dark, foetid,

bloody discharge. ° Prolapsus uteri, dependent upon want of muscular tonicity

(secondary). Pain in back, with irritation of the vagina. ° Threatened abortion, especially in cases of habitual abortion. ° Profuse flooding, with profuse serous leucorrhoea at the

climacteric, with much uterine and ovarian pain. ° Useful for many of the consequences of miscarriage. ° Loss of sexual desire and power, with or without sterility.

Back, ftc.

° Feeling of uneasiness and weight in the region of the kidneys. ° Sharp, spasmodic pain in the back, running to the crest of left ilium.

Severe, rheumatic (?) pain in right hip joint, worse during motion.

° Pains in the back, more troublesome during the night. 0 Pains in the back, with lameness, stiffness, etc., located in the sacro-lumbar region.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

It is to be regretted that botanists are frequently changing the generic names of plants. This plant has had four names. The present one, sanctioned by Professor Gray, is Chamcelirium luteum. I propose not to change its name, as it would cause more confusion with physicians than with botanists.

In the first volume you will find an account of its common names, which are, unfortunately, the same as those given to the Aletris farinosa.

Provings have been made by Drs. Burr, S. A. Jones, Clark, and Paine. The latter authority is an eclectic, who gave it in large doses. He says :

When taken in doses of from five to fifteen grains it acts as an emeto-cathartic, producing a griping, burning sensation in the epigastrium, and great activity of the salivary glands. Indeed, I have known the most perfect salivation to follow the use of large doses of Helonin. In doses of from one to five grains it produces an irritability of the stomach, and slight purging, with a burning sensation in the bowels, irritation of the urethra, pain in the kidneys, which is followed by albuminuria, indicating congestion, and large discharges of urine, with slightly increased specific gravity.

It is to be regretted that such vague, general terms were used in the above. Had the symptoms been more minutely described) the observations would have been much more valuable.

The remedies which the Helonias most resembles may be named in the order of their similarity : Aletris, Eupatorium purp., China, Ferrum, Hypophosphites of lime, etc., Hydrastis, Phosphoric acid, Senecio, Sepia, and Lilium.

Although used extensively, and very popular with our school, it has not been sufficiently proven by women, whose organisms are most profoundly affected by it.

Clinical Observations. — This medicine is a peculiar and powerful “ tonic,” or as Headland would have it “ restorative.” It is considered particularly indicated when the disease has proceeded (1) from diseases of the generative organs, (2) or from functional disorders of the stomach ; hence it is considered valuable in anaemia and chlorosis, in alternation with Ferrum ; and in dyspepsia, in alternation with Nux vomica if indicated. It does not belong to the China group, because it has no antiperiodic powers; nor does it cause a hyper-stimulation of the nervous and vascular systems like that powerful drug. Neither does it have much more affinity for the Nux vomica group, for it does not irritate the spinal system. It is more allied to the Phosphates of iron than any other article of the Materia Medica, while at the same time it has some points of resemblance to the members of both groups above referred to. China and N ux vomica, together with their analogues, cause a condition which may be described as increased tonicity of muscular fibre. China brings about this condition through its influence upon the processes by which the blood is formed ; it probably tends to augment the quantity of that fluid and to render it richer. Thus, by its own operation upon the nutrition of the heart, and through the agency of the enriched blood, it gives greater

energy to the contractions of that organ ; and hence the fuller and stronger pulse not unfrequently resulting from its moderate use. But in anaemia, chlorosis, and some other conditions of the system, China will not improve. Apparently the condition of the blood, or at least the tissues do not respond to the stimulus of the improved blood. Then it is that Ferrum or Nux vomica, given alternately with it, will place the diseased tissues in a condition to be benefited by the circulating fluid, and a cure is soon effected. Nux vomica increases the tonicity of tissues, mainly through its influence upon the spinal system. It is a spinal stimulant, and nearly all its therapeutic effects arise from this action. In a great many cases of atony of any organ or tissue of the body, this medicine will alone effect prompt and permanent cures; but, like China, it will sometimes fail, unless superseded or assisted by the action of China or Ferrum. There are also other instances wherein China, or Ferrum and Nux vomica, will fail to improve the abnormal conditions for which they seem indicated, and the Helonias will here come in play and be found very useful. Helonias enriches the blood through its influence upon the nutritive process ; not as Iron does, for Iron is a metallic substance, and a vegetable substance cannot act in the same manner. But Helonias does not act like China or Quinine, for the latter stimulates by its direct, primary action, while the former does not.

Dr. S. A. Jones says :

Of its efficacy in chlorosis and anaemia I have no positive data ; but there is one condition of blood-degeneration wherein Dr. J. A. Macomber employs it with unequivocal benefit, namely, in that profound debility which follows an attack of true diphtheria.

Helonias has also an affinity for a group of remedies, among which stands prominently Terebinthina, Copaiva, Cantharis, Erigeron, Phytolacca, Mercurius, Mitchella, etc. The point of analogy is its action on the urinary organs, causing, by hyper-stimulation, congestive albuminuria and chronic irritation.

A medicine capable of effecting great changes in the nutritive processes must have some general action on the glandular system.

The specific action of Helonias on this system is undoubted. We find that it causes excessive irritation of the salivary glands;

excites the glandular system of the stomach, increasing its power of digesting and assimilating food; irritates the kidneys to the extent of causing diabetes and albuminuria, and its action on the genital organs of both sexes indicates that it acts not alone on the muscular structure, but increases the action of the ovaries, testicles, and glandular structure of the cervix uteri and vagina. It will probably be found to act on other glands, as the prostate, inguinal, mammary, pancreas, etc.

Its action on the muscular system is not primary, but a result of the increased nutrition brought about by the remedy. The action of Helonias on the nervous system I believe to be generally of a reflex character, or secondary.

It is reflex when we have, from its pathogenetic action, an irritation of the urinary and genital organs. It is secondary when from the hyper-stimulation of those organs the nervous system has been hyper-stimulated so long that it becomes exhausted, and weak and irritable. The same may be said of the mental symptoms of the drug. In its action on the mind and nerves it resembles Sepia, Pulsatilla, Platinum, Lilium, and, perhaps, Cimicifuga. It differs from Lilium in its “ desire for solitude.” It differs from Cimicifuga in not causing choreic movements. You will do well to study its nervous and mental symptoms in comparison with those of the remedies above named. It is a notable fact that the primary mental state caused by all these medicines is one of cheerfulness , followed by a condition of continuous depression (Cim., Sep.), or alternate depression and exaltation (Plat., Lil, Puls.).

The head symptoms remind us of Cimicifuga and Sepia, for the pains press from within upward, while the pains of Platinum and Ignatia are from above downward.

It seems to affect the occipital region, for it has “occipital headache with throbbing in the vertex, increased by stooping, and attended by vertigo.” This form of headache often attends uterine complaints.

In large doses, it causes intense irritation of the stomach, with burning pain, vomiting, and salivation. It ought to prove curative in both idiopathic and reflex gastric irritation. [Subacute inflammation, and vomiting of pregnancy.)

A thorough proving would doubtless show that this medicine produces a long train of symptoms, beginning in /b/per-stimulation and ending in atony. I have found it very useful in idiopathic diseases of the stomach, and especially in those sympathetic gastric disorders which accompany uterine and renal diseases. Loss of appetite, eructations, fulness, cramp, and painful congestion, with lowness of spirits, are the chief indications for its employment.

The gastric symptoms resemble those of Aletris, and it has cured similar conditions. It has arrested the “obstinate vomiting occurring in dropsy;” the dropsy was doubtless the result of Bright’s disease.

The enteric symptoms have not been brought out fully in any proving. It is said to cause catharsis, but the special symptoms are wanting. I think you may find it useful in some diarrhoeas which attend renal and uterine disorders. It caused, in Dr. Jones’s proving, a yellow and mushlike diarrhoea.

The action of Helonias on the kidneys has received much attention and study from eclectic and homoeopathic physicians — the former in a crude, unscientific manner, the latter in a more careful and methodic way. Dr. Paine (eclectic) asserts that it causes congestion of the kidneys with albuminuria, and claims to have cured albuminuria and glycosuria with Helonias.

Some homoeopathic physicians claim nearly the same power for it, and cures of diabetes, albuminuria, and desquamative nephritis have been reported from its use.

In Dr. S. A. Jones’s experiments he observed several facts that are worthy of notice :

(1.) That it is one of the few agents that can render an alkaline urine acid.

(2.) That it increases the daily amount of urine. (This increase he thinks is secondary, and that the primary effect is to diminish the renal excretion. This will explain why diabetes and chronic albuminuria have been safely cured by appreciable (crude) doses.) He says “ that Helonias is a diuretic in the same sense as Apocynum cann., which I am not prepared to affirm ; that it is a renal stimulant I think may be safely assumed. Let not the term stimulant mislead. The Ilelonias stimulation is a condition of debility, venous paresis, the result of previous arterial tonic contraction.” He adds: “When this remedy is in full action the

kidneys have a burning feel , and they ache — evidence, I take it, of venous congestion, retarded blood-flow; hence the urinary plus” If this be true, the Helonias promises well in diabetes insipidus.

The object of Dr. Jones’s proving, he tells us, was, if possible, to cause saccharine or albuminous urine. To his disappointment it caused neither ! He says :

The urine was carefully examined with the microscope throughout the whole research, and the results show that the action of Helonias upon the kidneys is purely functional. There is no evidence of any epithelial desquamation or degeneration, and Helonias as a renal remedy may be classed with Cantharis, and not with Phosphorus and Arsenic. This conclusion by no means negatives the possible usefulness of Helonias in cases of albuminous urine. Eenal hyperaemia alone can give this condition ; hence the possible efficacy of Helonias.

We may find another reason why he did not get albuminuria or desquamation. He did not take “ten or fifteen grains a day for several days,” as Paine gave, but only fifteen grains in all in four days, and not quite three ounces of the tincture during the whole proving of seven days. Had he doubled or trebled the doses he might have got what he desired. Nor is it necessary that we should get albuminuria or saccharine diabetes from proving a drug, in order to use it as a remedy in such affections.

In a paper on Helonias, in the “ N. A. Journal of Homoeopathy,” May, 1875, Dr. S. A. Jones gives, as a result of his recent studies of this remedy, his views of its action in diabetes, as follows :

In the Helonias diabetes this defective “ glycocrypsis ” obtains ; that sugar which should have been stored up in the liver-cells, as a preparation for ultimate heat and force evolution, slips through this gland, escapes organic chemolysis, and accumulating as a purposeless product it blocks the by-ways of life, and yet again the unceasing vigilance and fidelity of the scavenger is shown by saccharine urine.

This is the kind of diabetes in which the adoption of an animal diet and the exclusion of all the starches effect the most remarkable diminution in the quantity of sugar eliminated, and it is the only diabetes mellitus in which I believe Helonias dioica will be found curative.

From this analysis of an incomplete research I am led to believe that Helonias dioica is homoeopathic to albuminuria and to diabetes mellitus, although the objective pathognomonic of these diseases was not evolved in the research, and although the recorded symptomatology of this remedy does not, at this day, present a similimum of either of these .diseases.

We do not get glycosuria from Nitrate of uranium, yet clinical experience has proved it to be useful in such cases. All that is necessary is to cause a pathological state that is favorable for or will lead to albuminuria or diabetes. Dr. Jones admits as much in his remarks above quoted.

As to its action on the specific gravity, Dr. Jones’s table shows that it lowers it. He thinks its primary effect is to increase the elimination of urea. He believes that if proven in the dilution it would decrease it. “ Taken in equal quantities, Helonias is the direct opposite of tea, coffee, and cocoa. In their primary action they retard the elimination process; Helonias does the same secondarily.”

Dr. Jones is not inclined to believe the Helonias is a true remedy in Bright’s disease, unless it is in a stage which he terms an “ante -desquamation stage.” As an example of such a condition, he gives a case with the following symptoms, which steadily improved under its use: “Lowness of spirits, restlessness, burning aching in the lumbar spine, frequent profuse perspiration, urine pale yellow, sp. gr. 1013, acid, gets up two or three times at night to urinate, debility, palpitation when going upstairs, appetite poor, sleep difficult, and not refreshing.”

He thinks it indicated in diabetes insipidus , dependent upon congestion of the lower third of the medulla spinalis; to which I would add the diabetes nervosa of women with uterine disorder.

We have but a few pathogenetic symptoms of its effects on the organs of generation of women. Dr. Clark, of Portland, Maine, asserts that he has noticed the following train of symptoms follow its use in six or eight cases (from Helonias lx):

Pain in the lower part of the back, through to the uterus, like inflammation, piercing, drawing ; breasts swollen, nipples tender, and will not bear the pressure of even an ordinary dress; nipples very sensitive and painful ; great uterine haemorrhage came during the proving and continued until the medicine was discontinued.

The Helonias is one of those indigenous medicines which, from the earliest days of medicine in this country, has had a peculiar reputation — first with the aborigines, then with the early white settlers, and finally with the medical profession in this country — as being a remedy, even the remedy, for those disorders generally

termed “ uterine,” and which depended upon an atonic condition of the organs of reproduction. I regret exceedingly that I cannot present the profession with a proving upon the organism of women. I have given it to healthy women, but never observed any notable symptoms. Primarily, it always increases the tone and physiological activity of the generative organs. I therefore consider it secondarily homoeopathic to those conditions or diseases for which it has been used so successfully. Were it not so, it could never have been used successfully in the doses usually administered by the opposite school of practice. It would have produced aggravations, and been by them considered contraindicated.

Before giving the clinical experience of our own school, I will quote the opinions and clinical remarks concerning the remedy which I find in the records of allopathic literature.

Professor Lee, an acute observer, says :

Numerous trials have satisfied us that it has a specific action on the uterine organs — an alleviate, regulating influence over their functions. Hence, in amenorrhoea, marked by general atony, and an anaemic and torpid condition of the system, this plant proves of great service — giving tone to the digestive organs, favoring nutrition and sanguification, and promoting the secretions generally. So, in leucorrhoea, associated with similar conditions of the general system, it will be found equally serviceable. Its influence as a uterine tonic is also well marked in cases of atonic or passive menorrhagia. Here by imparting tonicity to the muscular fibres of the uterus, and by a stimulating power over the plexuses of the organic nerves which supply the pelvic viscera, the exudation of blood is checked, and the predisposing as well as the proximate cause of the disease removed. If it has the power of obviating sterility and impotence, as is alleged by some writers, it must be by a similar mode of operation. It may be slightly aphrodisiac, but there are no well-attested facts bearing on that point. It is very probable, however, that it may, in common with Senecio and other uterine tonics, produce such effects ; but if it does I have no proof of the fact, except what may be drawn from analogy. It is very probable, also, that in cases of dysmenorrhoea and liability to abortion, from atony of the reproductive organs, it may prove highly advantageous by a similar mode of action, just as we find in the case of iron and other tonics which improve the general health.

Dr. Coe is very enthusiastic. He says:

No agent of the Materia Medica better deserves the name of uterine tonic. The remarkable success attending its administration in the diseases peculiar to females, has rendered it an indispensable remedy to those acquainted with its peculiar virtues. Like the Senecin, it is alike appropriate in the treatment of diseases apparently calling for dissimilar properties, as, for instance, amenorrhoea and

menorrhagia. Its alterative and tonic influence will account in a measure for its utility in those complaints. In the treatment of amenorrhoea, it will be found most beneficial in those cases arising from or accompanied with a disordered condition of the digestive apparatus, and an anaemic habit. It has an especial influence on the organs of generation, independent of its general constitutional influence. For this reason it has proved of eminent value in the cure of prolapsus uteri, tendency to miscarriage, and atony of the generative organs ; sterility and impotence have also been relieved and cured by this remedy.

Certain writers have classed it as an aphrodisiac, and stated that its continued use induces an abnormal desire for sexual indulgence. Such a statement could only have been made in the absence of actual knowledge, and as the legitimate fruit of a prurient imagination. We have probably used Helonin quite as extensively as any other practitioner, and we must confess to a want of sufficient penetration to discover any such results from its employment. The only aphrodisiac we recognize is the natural proclivity of a sensual mind. That the Helonin is a special tonic to the organs of reproduction we are well aware, but only to a normal and healthy extent. Did its action extend further than this, it would be a disease-producing and a not a disease- curing remedy. When a medicine so acts upon a diseased organ as to restore it to a physiological condition, we very naturally conclude that said organ will manifest the fact of its restoration by the resumption of its functional activity. This is precisely the case when the Helonin is employed. If administered for the cure of indigestion, the appetite improves, the food is digested, absorbed, and assimilated, and thus the curative action of the remedy is manifested. If, on the other hand, the case be one of amenorrhoea, sterility, menorrhagia, or impotency, secretion is restored, tone imparted, and the healthful flow of returning stimulus is manifested bv the usual physical signs. The sexual appetite is sequent, and not the antecedent of the restoration of the ability of the organs to perform the functions assigned to them by nature.

A portion of Dr. Coe’s remarks, namely, that which relates to the effects of curative doses of medicines, is in the main correct ; but his general statement contains one great fundamental error, which has ever been the glaring fault of allopathic therapeutics. He states that Helonin is a special tonic to the organs of reproduction but only to a normal extent ; did it extend beyond this, he remarks, it would be a disease-creating remedy. The old school of medicine has always been wilfully blind to the truth that all medicines may be disease-producing. That a medicine is a “special tonic” to any particular organ is the strongest proof that it is capable, if long continued, even in small doses, of causing disease in that organ. If, then, the Helonias be given for uterine atony, and acts curatively, when that organ has regained its tone, if the remedy be continued, it will urge or elevate the physiological functions of

that organ, and induce an abnormal condition, the result of hyperstimulation. If Helonias is a special tonic to the organs of reproduction, we do not doubt that, if given to a healthy individual, it would cause an excess of sexual desire, congestion of the uterus, ovaries, etc., and even amenorrhoea or menorrhagia depend on active congestion ; then, after a time, the irritability of these organs would be worn out, and according to a well-known physiological law we shall have exhausted or atonic conditions of the tissue previously over-stimulated. The conditions and diseases enumerated by Dr. Coe as within the curative range of Helonias are those which it would cause by its secondary action. It is capable of producing an almost equal number by its primary action. My theory of dose accounts for the curative operation of the material doses of the allopathic school ; the curative action in the lower attenuations is chiefly directed toward those atonic states which it causes secondarily. But if given for its primary effects, it must be given in the middle or higher attenuations, else we should get up injurious medicinal aggravations.

Résum — The Helonias is 'primarily homoeopathic to the following diseases, when occurring in women of plethoric habit, strong digestion, and great muscular power : Active congestion of the uterus, causing, besides the usual symptoms of that condition, suppression of the menses (congestive amenorrhoea) ; menorrhagia, from active congestion ; prolapsus or retroversion from congestion ; abortion from undue afflux of blood to the uterus. The special symptoms which would indicate it in these diseases can only be obtained by a thorough proving. Helonias is secondarily indicated and has proved eminently curative in diseases of the reproductive organs occurring in persons of a lax or aneemic habit, and in whieh there is a loss of normal tone. As diseases of the same name may be caused by opposite states, so the primary amenorrhoea of Helonias may be due to congestion, while the secondary is due to lack of blood and normal activity of the uterus, etc.

My own clinical experience coincides with that of my colleagues, especially in its power of preventing miscarriages. It is useful even in those cases which arise from ulceration of the os, with or without a bloody discharge therefrom. But its principal usefulness is in those cases which arise from a uterine atony, which cannot hold on to the fruit of conception, but allows it to escape at the periods coinciding with the previous menstrual flux ; or when the slightest overexertion, or irritating emotion, tends to cause loss of the foetus. In this respect it resembles Aletris, and is just the opposite of Caulophyllum and Viburnum, which correspond to the irritable uterus , with such a sensitiveness of that organ that it is thrown into spasmodic and expulsive action upon the slightest occasion. Sabina, Secale, Ustilago, and Cimicifuga stand midway between the two classes just mentioned.

As a remedy for sterility and impotence it is held in high estimation. In the absence of such an extended series of provings as to establish such conditions, we may judge from its primary symptoms that the above conditions would result. No remedy causes, primarily, an exalted state of the sexual organs without causing, secondarily, a corresponding depression. Moreover, if you will look over the causes of diabetes cured by Helonias, you will observe that in every case impotency existed. There seems to be a direct connection between abnormal secretion of urine and loss of sexual power. Loss of blood, or of any other secretion, does not seem to have so decided an effect. Now, the drugs which cause the one will pretty certainly cause the other. Phosphorus, Phos. acid, Eupatorium purp., Mercurius, Nitrate of uranium, as well as Helonias, all have this effect, and all are useful in impotency.

Nearly a\ functional causes of sterility and impotency have their origin in the ovaries or testicles. Helonias must cure such conditions by its homoeopathic relation to the functional activity of those glands.

We have seen that it stimulates glands to an unnatural a(jtivity, which must be followed by unnatural inactivity. This inactivity would induce loss or deficiency of desire, by acting on the mind in a reflex manner. We see in the mental symptoms a picture of the state in which we find most impotent persons.

With my peculiar views of its action, I would recommend Helonias in the high dilutions in those cases of precocious sexual development into which so many young girls are stimulated by the improper methods of education, diet, and amusements, so much in vogue at the present day. Of course, a persistence in such pernicious modes of life would have to be abandoned to allow Helonias to exert its curative action. It may prove to be equally useful in the abnormal irritability of the female sexual organs which occurs at the change of life.

Worn-out debauchees cannot expect to be restored to renewed virility by this or any other remedy, but, when used in a low attenuation, it will aid in restoring to a debilitated system its normal power of reproduction.

As an exciter of venereal desires and powers it should never be used, even if it possessed such powers.

Dr. Holcombe believes it is useful in prolapsus, retroversion , and anteversion, and that it strengthens the uterine ligaments by invigorating the general system. But I do not see why it may not have a purely local toning action. The displacements of the uterus may all be due to local weakness, while the general system is strong enough. I think it acts curatively in both cases.

It has been found very beneficial in those pains in the back, with lameness, stiffness, and weight, which are found in many renal and uterine diseases.