THE NERVOUS SYMPTOMS AND THERAPEUTICS OF THE TISSUE REMEDIES.*

Calcarea fluorica.

By W. A. DEWEY, M.D.,

Ann Arbor, Mich.

This remedy produces, so far as we know, very little effect on the nervous system. It has the general weakness and fatigue of the calcarea patient, and it has been found to be a very useful remedy in backache simulating spinal irritation, a pain in the lower part of the back with fullness or burning pain, relieved like rhus, by continued motion. It produces a depressed mental condition with many groundless fears, but nothing especially characteristic.

Calcarea phosphorica.-Here we have also the general weakness and weariness of the calcarea patient. It is especially the remedy in nervous affections due to defective nutrition or where. as in old age the regenerative function of the nerve tissues is decreased. As an example of its use in this case, we have senile cutaneous and vulval itching, sensations of formication, coldness and numbness. In the mental sphere we have impairment of memory and slow comprehension. After grief, vexation and disappointment, it also becomes useful. Headache in nervous schoolgirls is often benefited by calcarea phosphorica. Crawling, numbness and coldness are characteristic sensations in the neuralgias calling for the remedy. The pains are deep-seated, tearing in character and recur at night.

In spasms it may become a useful remedy, correcting the faulty nutrition when such is the underlying cause. We have in its pathogenesis, convulsive starts when the child lies on its back, which cease when lying on the side, trembling of the arms and hands. It is well known to be a remedy in hydrocephalic conditions, the wide open fontanelles will be found. It is also a useful remedy in neurasthenia with great depression and loss of virile power.

nomena.

Calcarea sulphurica. This remedy is lacking in nervous pheIt has a few neuralgic pains, some twitchings, and the general calcarea weakness and languor. It is said to occupy a ground between the very acute pains of magnesia phosphorica and

*Read before Kings County Homeopathic Medical Society.

the paralyzing ones of kali phosphoricum and to correspond more to aged persons.

Ferrum phosphoricum.-This remedy has in the first place no grand characterizing or distinctive mental symptoms; in fact, this is an easy way of settling the choice between it and aconite in a given case. There is more or less malaise, general weakness and prostration that sort of prostration that one feels when in need. of a stimulant, but even this is not marked. Clinically, it has been found useful in convulsions of teething children where fever is present, great restlessness at night; also clinically ferrum phosporicum has been demonstrated to be an excellent remedy in sleeplessness due to hyperæmia of the brain. Congestive or inflammatory neuralgias with pain as if a nail were being driven into the parts, accompanied by flushed face, will also call for the remedy. It has also been recommended in epilepsy-what drug has notand in the first stage of meningitis.

Kali muriaticum.-The only indications for this remedy in nervous affections are from Schüssler. He claims that it is the chief remedy in epilepsy especially if due to suppressed eruptions. It may be that because it is chemically allied to kali bromatum he thinks it should act similarly. Schüssler also recommends the remedy in locomotor ataxia.

Kali phosphoricum.-This is the great nervous tissue remedy. It affects the whole nervous system and its uses according to Schüssler cover nearly all of the nervous ailments met by homœopathic remedies and to describe its Schüsslerian field of action, would be to write a complete essay on the remedy. Therefore I will only mention what it has done clinically. In neurasthenia it has certainly won laurels; case after case has been published showing brilliant results obtained from its use. Its symptoms seem to cover the whole field of neurasthenia, and in its application it seems to promptly restore lost nervous energy. It is a remedy in any condition due to a nervous cause; thus it may be used in spinal anæmia from diseases which exhaust the nervous system, such as diphtheria, the pains are aching, aggravated by rest and commencing motion. Nervous asthma, nervous dyspepsia and headaches due to an enervated nervous system will call for the remedy. It is also a great hysterical remedy. It corresponds to the globus hystericus the alternations of moods, now laughing, now crying, and to the hysterical spasms with unconsciousness or delirium.

In recent cases of paralysis from scarlet fever, measles or diphtheria depenclent upon exhaustion of nerve power, it is an excellent

remedy, there is debility with nervousness and irritability, starting on being touched or at sudden noises. Paralysis with atrophy, paralyzing pains in the limbs made worse by external warmth and motion. The mental condition is one of depression. Hypochondriasis and melancholy are the chief features, the patients make "mountain out of molehills." Troubles due to disturbances of the emotional sphere, such as suppression of the menses from fright or grief or convulsions, will call for kali phosphoricum. Its neuralgic pains are paralyzing or numbing, and are relieved by cold.

Its sciatic pains are dragging and occur in those who are nervously exhausted.

All varieties of paralysis will call for the remedy, hemiplegia, paraplegia, facial, ptosis; in fact, it is the remedy for exhaustion of the nervous system, so says Schüssler, and many of its uses have been verified by physicians of our school.

Kali sulphuricum.-The only important use of this remedy as pertains to the nervous system is its use in neuralgic pains, which shift about, resembling pulsatilla closely in this respect as in many others. The pains are worse in a warm room and better in the open air.

Magnesia phosphorica.-This is Schüssler's second best nervous remedy, and one whose use has been largely verified in practice. Its special sphere is spasms, neuralgias, and paralyses. In spasms and convulsions it corresponds to cramps, spasm of the glottis, tetanus, epilepsy, and spasmodic retention of the urine. In chorea it has been proved a useful remedy corresponding well to the involuntary movement and contortions. Obstinate cases of hiccough may call for the remedy; writers' cramp, occupation neuroses or in any condition of spasm it will often do good.

In neuralgias with excruciating spasmodic pains which are relieved by warmth its use has been repeatedly verified. In ovarian neuralgia and in enteralgia it is specially indicated, the relief from warmth is an indicating feature, especially from dry heat. Periodical neuralgias brought on by exposure to dry cold winds also call for magnesia phosphorica. Aconite has no periodicity.

In paralysis agitans magnesia phosphorica is the chief Schüsslerian remedy, also in motor paralysis, where the patient is weak and languid. This remedy corresponds more to spasmodic affections, while kali phosphoricum suits better paretic conditions.

Natrum muriaticum.-The nervous symptoms of this wellproven homœopathic remedy are familiar to all. Its mental conditions of hypochondriasis, dejection and helplessness, with the

aggravation from consolation are familiar. It finds a special adaptation to that condition known as brain fag, and it is one of the remedies useful for that class on the borderland of insanity. It is a remedy for spinal irritation, with the backache relieved by lying on something hard; the spine is oversensitive, has a paralyzed feeling in it, which is worse in the morning on rising. It is especially indicated in conditions arising from anger. Paralytic conditions are found, calling for the remedy, especially those arising from fatigue or emotional disturbances. It is useful in neuralgic pains, periodical, darting, shooting pains, ciliary neuralgia, brow ague. It has also numerous spasmodic symptoms, and is useful in chorea, chronic cases occurring in chlorotic and anæmic subjects, with fever and thirst. In hiccough after abuse of quinine and in certain hysterical conditions, it will also be the remedy. The sadness, fears, delaying menses, the spasms and debility, and the fact that all the symptoms are relieved as soon as she gets into a perspiration will characterize the choice.

Natrum phosphoricum.-This remedy has in general similar symptoms to natrum muriaticum, but it has not as yet proved of any special use in nervous affections. Schüssler recommends it in reflex nervous irritation from worms, but it lacks sufficient verification in this field. Some of our physicians, however, have found it useful in worm conditions.

Natrum sulphuricum.-Mental troubles brought on by injuries to the head are said to be benefited by this remedy. It produces a suicidal tendency in which the patient must use great restraint and self-control to prevent shooting himself. Dr. J. T. Kent places his main reliance on natrum sulphuricum in spinal meningitis, claiming that it will modify the attack and save life in the majority of cases. It is indicated by violent pains in the back of the neck and head, drawing back of the neck and spasms of the back, together with mental irritability and delirium. It relieves the violent determination of blood to the head in this disease.

Silicea. This is another of our well-proven homoeopathic remedies and it has quite a train of nervous symptoms. Epilepsy occurring at night with the aura starting in the solar plexus, has long been a characterizing symptom of silicea. In chronic cases where the nervous system is exhausted by mental overwork or worry, and there is present great hyperæsthesia. The reflexes are exaggerated. In chorea it becomes the remedy when due to the presence of worms, or when the well-known general symptoms of the remedy are present. It is a remedy for a tendency to over

nutrition, an overgrowth of neuroglia with its resulting contraction and sclerosis. In locomotor ataxia it is to be prescribed for these symptoms, fulgurating pains, incoördination, weakness of the lower extremities with a tendency toward destruction of tissue, particularly ulceration of the feet and toes about the nails-the tabetic foot of the French writers. It is also an intercurrent remedy in this affection. In neurasthenia where the patient dreads exertion of mind or body it may be well indicated.

MALARIA VS. HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES.

THE

By G. HOFFMANN PETERS, M.D.,

Peekskill, N. Y.

HERE has been of late so much written in the various journals on the subject of quinine and malaria, that I feel it my duty to add my little experience to the right side. Living as I do in the clay regions on the lower banks of the Hudson, I, of necessity, come in contact with malaria in all its forms. First of all, I wish to say that I don't believe malaria is ever found in localities where clay is not known to exist. A careful study of this has fully convinced me of that fact. The reason of this seems very obvious. I will now proceed to illustrate by citing a few unusual cases to bear out my assertion that quinine is not necessary, but harmful in the treatment of this disease.

Last August a tall, slim, bony-looking young woman walked into my office with the question upon her lips, "Can you cure chills?" I did not reply at once, but took in her general appearance. and said to myself, sepia will cure her. She informed me that for six months previous to her coming her chills began sometimes in the morning and sometimes at night, and, in fact, at most any time. The reason for this irregularity was undoubtedly due to the fact that she had taken ten grains of quinine immediately after her first chill. Quinine will produce chaos out of regularity in malaria every time. After having the chills for several days, she sought advice from her physician, who gave her more of this wonderful(?) quinine all to no purpose. He kept on with the quinine, to which he added. iron and arsenic, and still the chills came. She left him to graze in pastures still more bitter with the only satisfaction that instead of one chill a day, she was now pestered with two. She then decided