According to Luchsinger, cold retards the poisonous action of picrotoxin. According to Brunton it stimulates. the accelerating center for the heartlessens the secretion of sweat (we have just seen that it will cause profuse sweat). John V. Shoemaker speaks of its local use for vermin, but with caution, as its toxic power is great. He says further: "In small doses it appears to act as a bitter tonic to the digestive tract, and has therefore been advised in atonic conditions of the stomach and intestinal indigestion attended by torpor of the intestinal walls, and constipation. Flatulence and colic are relieved by the use of picrotoxin. The remedy has likewise been successfully used in painful dyspepsia, vomiting, vertigo, and other reflex manifestations dependent upon imperfect digestion. . . It has been found beneficial in epilepsy, especially when the attacks occur by night, or are due to anæmia or onanism. According to the experience of Dr. D'Amore, picrotoxin is of special benefit in advanced cases of the disease. In a number of cases observed by D'Amore its effect was more permanent than that of atropine. Semmola and Gioffredi have recently reported a case in which picrotoxin succeeded in checking profuse hyperidrosis. "It is regarded as an excellent antidote to opium." (Third Ed., p. 349.) Potter, Mat. Med. p. 387 uses much the same language as Shoemaker, affirming its usefulness in epilepsy, paralysis and chorea, in night sweats, colic, dyspepsia, etc., adding that with the vomiting is giddiness, headache, and intolerance of light and sound. He also says, "Dysmenorrhoea is often benefited by Cocculus administered for two days before the period; and leucorrhea, when the discharge is sero-purulent, with lumbar pains, is frequently controlled by it." Sydney Ringer, in his Therapeutics, 12th edition, gives it no place at all. The foregoing extracts serve to show the way in which it is regarded by the leading lights of the old school; they have studied its more obvious effects, slighting its lesser effects, or those reached by more prolonged experimentation upon healthy men and women; then citing its empiric use in sickness, or its fancied resemblance to some other drug, as the only guides to its use, and ignoring, or purposely evading the obvious facts that it will cause and cure epileptic symptoms, paralysis, sweating, nausea, and vertigo. and vertigo. By thus evading the law of similars, which in the above extracts from their own authorities absolutely "stares them in the face," they lose the deductions which the homeopath makes, when he applies his law to every detail of the drug's action. If, for instance, we know that Cocculus will cause epilepsy, we do not straightway attempt to apply it in every case of epilepsy, and so get disappointment or aggravation, as the above quotations from "regular" authorities shows is their would-be method, but we study the drug through the more minute changes of its action, and endeavor to use it only when. the disease to be cured corresponds most closely to the working of the drug upon the healthy. In other words, if the large dose causes a certain form of epilepsy, with certain regularly accompanying symptoms, then we cannot expect its secondary, or homeopathic action to be exerted in healing any other form of epilepsy than that which by its special and general symptoms answers to the Cocculus type. Using the deductions legitimately obtained from the fair statement of the effects of Cocculus, we find it useful in want of vital energy, with syncope, especially in hysterical persons, in paraly sis of lower limbs, with much painful weakness in the back, and general nervous excitement, in epilepsy and convulsions with much nervous erethism, especially with nausea and vertigo as near accompaniments. Hence we derive its use. in seasickness carsickness, and ailments caused by swinging or riding backward, also by a fit of anger, in an antidote chamomile, opium, chloral, or bromide of potash. Also for the abuse of strong coffee and tea, but always with the sense of swaying (in bad cases we have the circus-ring movements) with faintness, nausea, and weakness, the weakness often accompanied with aching. many cases, or to as Given for these cases care must be exercised to use a very small dose, and not to repeat too frequently, lest, as its toxic action shows, we might get an aggravation or at least an unpleasantly exhilirating effect. In syncope, in or after acute disease, such as typhoid, it fills a useful place, and its whole pathogenesis will repay careful study, for its use in varied forms of dis. ease, where, if the homeopathic law is followed, this or any other drug as well studied, may be given in cases wherein it has never yet been tried, and with assurance of benefit. Thus the so-called regular follows no law, while the homeopath, in the certainty of having the key to the only "law" of drug action, proceeds from the known to the unknown in true scientific fashion. How long will the old school continue to dodge the inevitable issue? HOMEOPATHIC CURES. By J. B. S. King, M. D., Chicago, Ill. The great power of Sulphur in curing appropriate chronic diseases and the great variety of cases to which it is applicable, are facts well known to practitioners of the homeopathic art; not so well known is the fact that a single impression upon the system-a single dosemay be and often is, sufficient to effect a complete cure in a chronic disease, unaided by any extraneous hygienic means whatsoever. Michael Seuffert, aged 68. Varicose ulcer on shin of right leg; has existed for many years, with frequent exacerbations; has spent a good many months, at different times, in public hospitals; all kinds of applications, bandaging and treatments have been tried, sometimes with temporary relief, but the then present condition was worse than ever. The ulcer was circular, about three and a half inches in diameter, sensitive, looking as if it had been smeared over with dirty lard; very offensive to the nostrils, hard raised edges, with an extensive angry-looking areola, from knee to ankle. The pains were severe, burning in character, worse at night, water applications and bathing always aggravated, restless, sleepless nights, relief from continuous gentle motion. Face flushed, nose red. Habits not good. Tobacco, beer and coffee seemed the mainstays of his diet. Neither the diet nor the surroundings of this patient were favorable to a cure, and owing to poverty and ignorance, not much could be done to improve them. Sulphur, a single done on the tongue, and a bottle of placebo were given. The old man was advised to wash up if he could, but no local treatment was ordered. In spite of filth and poor food, improvement was almost immediate, gradual and continuous. The burning ceased, the tenderness diminished, sleep improved, the sore turned from gray to pink and began to heal around the edges. All was going well. In about two weeks I was requested to call. ficult breathing, so severe as to preclude any exertion or even the erect attitude. The pulse was nearly normal (85 per minute) while lying in bed, but a walk across the room made it alarmingly rapid and weak and produced gasping breath. Taking all things into consideration, I concluded that these symptoms were a part of the curative process, and did nothing to ameliorate them, except to freshen up the placebo and advise strict recumbency in bed. In another week it had subsided. He is now at work again, driving a wagon, lifting heavy loads, and says he feels like a boy. Does not such a case show in strong light the relative value of internal or homeopathic treatment, and external or local treatment? Does it not show that in this case, and by inference in all chronic cases, the essential thing in curing disease is to cure from the inside out, and that external applications, soothing, stimulating or absorptive, are comparatively valueless, extraneous, not to the point? Mrs. E. S., aged 29, presumably in the early months of pregnacy, after a brief residence in the south, returned with chills and fever. Chills began in late afternoon, before supper time. Nose became cold first, then face, then whole body, with rigors. Fever high, lasting Fever high, lasting well into the night, with thirst; prefers hot tea. Delirious, complains that her face is dry or shrunken like parchment. Profuse sweat towards morning. During apyrexia appetite variable, eyes burn, with unnatural lachrymation. Sabadilla every two hours. The result was entirely satisfactory. The paroxysm that followed the administeration of this remedy was a mere phantom of the former ones; its energy was gone. The patient remained pale and sallow for a long time but felt well. The chill beginning in the nose is unique and should be noted for future observation. Sabadilla has chill beginning in the face, but so far as known no remedy has this nose symptom. Sabadilla is a remedy of great usefulness and not infrequently indicated, that is neglected by all except by those who make a systematic use of repertories in practice. The polychrests, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla, Bryonia and Belladonna are undoubtedly too frequently used, both by the profession and the laity in cases to which they are not appropriate, while the remedy (like Sabadilla or Bovista) not of such wide scope, nor so well known, but indisputable to the case in question, escapes notice. The claims of Sabadilla should always be investigated in every case of coryza, hay fever and influenza, and particularly in every case of sore throat (diphtheria, quinsy or pharyngitis) when Lachesis seems to be the obvious remedy." FOREIGN BODIES IN THE LUNGS. By M. W, Kapp, M. D., Akron, Ohio. The subject assigned me will not be fully covered for lack of data to work from. I heard of one eminent authority who looked up the subject, and found there had been about sixty cases reported of foreign substances in lungs. I shall try to report two cases that came under my own observation, one that of a pumpkin seed, and the other that of the closed end of a rubber stomach tube. Miss B., at the age of six years, inhaled a small pumpkin seed. She seemed to grow and thrive until past twelve years of age. After that she dwindled away until her death, at the age of seventeen years. At her death she seemed like one with consumption. The post-mortem revealed the pumpkin seed encysted in the lung. E. S., aged seventeen, six feet tall, weight 153 pounds. Healthy and happy, as was inspecting scrap in one of our rubber factories. He was chewing the closed end of a stomach tube. (I am told that rubber workers chew rubber much many chew gum). Some funny remark of one of his fellow workers caused him to laugh heartily and as he inhaled quickly, the rubber he was chewing flew down his trachea. He was greatly distressed at once and said the first thing he could remember about it was that he was down on his hands and knees coughing violently. After a time the coughing lessened and he again tried to work, and did work for two hours, but felt so badly that he started home, and when he got into the cold air, he again began coughing violently. His parents at once sent him to a doctor, but the doctor laughed at him and told him to go home and he would soon be all right; and that the tube had gone down to the stomach. This was on a Thursday, and the tube was inhaled at about 9 A. M. In the afternoon the boy went to two prominent surgeons-one of more than local renown-but they made light of it, and assured him the distress would soon pass away. He felt very badly all day Friday, had panting breathing and distress for air. He stayed at home all day. On Saturday the mother went to still another doctor, but he laughed at the idea of the rubber being in the air passage. He told the mother to give the boy a big dose. of salts and the tube would soon pass his bowels. On Sunday the patient was still worse, so another doctor was called in. This doctor reports that the patient's temperature was 101 1-2, with a pneumonic condition. The temperature at no time went above 101 1-2, and for seven weeks ran a regular septic course. At the end of the seven weeks there was a sudden discharge of pus from the left. lung. (I should here state this doctor be lieved that the tube was in the lung and pronounced the trouble pneumonia due to the obstruction of the air passage to the left lung.) From the seventh week to the time I took the case-a little more than a year there was a constant discharge of blood and pus―as much some days as from one to two pints. The patient at one time. weighed less than one hundred pounds. When he got able to sit up he weighed 105 pounds, and weighed that when I took the case. When I took the case I found the patient the very picture of consumption, almost constantly coughing and hacking and expectorating a bloody, pus-looking matter. The odor of the matter was something like phosphorus, only vastly more vile. The patient's fingernails had the "consumptive curve," he also had the hectic flush of the cheeks. The left lung was perfectly useless. There was much pain at intervals in the left thoracic space, especially in the lower part. The appetite was poor. Bowels stagnant. (I should here state that the patient had had no doctor for some time before I was called.) Under treatment of such remedies as Hepar, Phos., Sang. and Chin. Ars., the patient improved, the cough grew less, the bloody discharge disappeared from the expectorations, though the discharge of pus and mucus never let up entirely, but lessened much and the odor grew less vile. Patient slept better, the appetite improved, and his general appearance and spirits improved. When warm weather came he got out, and a short time before he died he weighed 136 pounds. A few days before he died he was taken with a severe toothache. He had two teeth extracted. The pain did not stop. It extended to his head and he suffered most excruciating pains in fron tal and occipital portions of the head. No treatment seemed to relieve him in the least. Outside of the severe pain no important symptoms appeared, only that he seemed "bilious." I saw him the morning of the last day. His right lung seemed good, only a little roughness or irritation in the lower part of it. The pain was severe, but apparently no worse than the day before. At 6 P. M. I was called hurriedly. That pain was much worse. I did not get to the patient until 7 P. M. I found him in a comatose state-one pupil dilated, the other contracted; pulse not bad; breathing about 36, but the right lung filling rapidly. To me the most peculiar part was the comparatively good pulse-about 120-and the slow breathing for the condition. The patient died at 9:30 P. M. The post-mortem revealed the liver one-third larger than normal, the kidneys congested, spleen enlarged and congested, the right lung hypostatically congested. The left lung was a solid mass -no air cells apparent-filled with pus and mucus. The adhesions of the left thoracic cavity were severest I ever saw. After removing the left lung mass and trachea, I carefully followed the trachea, cutting it open with scissors to the bifurcation. I followed the bifurcation and one inch from the bifurcation I found the piece of rubber tubing not so very much the worse for its two years' stay in the lung. The closed end of the tube was downward. I now present the tube for inspection for those who care to see just what kind of obstruction and trouble we had to contend with. A few questions arise in my mindWhy did not these first four doctors believe that the tube was in the boy's air passage? And again, supposing they had, what could have been done to have relieved the boy? Would an operation have been possible? The first four doctors who attended or were consulted about the case, were of the dominant school. We told what they did. What would a homeopath have done? Would he have made up his prescription from the keynotes-getting on hands and knees to cough, aggravation from cold. air, phosphoric odor of the breath and sputum? What would you have done in the case? DISCUSSION. Dr. Biggar.-It should have been operated. It might have been discovered had you used the X-ray. I have had some little experience in regard to foreign bodies in the lungs. In the early sixties a child swallowed a seed of a watermelon and it lodged in the bronchial tube. The doctor extracted a seed but the child died. The post-mortem revealed that the seed had not been removed, but that the doctor carried a dry seed in his pocket and had extracted it. It is always well to see the seed extracted and note whether it is moist. I will relate a case that came under my own observation. A little fellow living in Monroeville was playing with coffee and put a kernel in his nose. He was brought to Cleveland and the doctor gave him Ipecac 3x. The father had heard of me and wanted to know if I would operate before the class. It was not my clinic day, but I said if he would bring him between twelve and two I would operate. There had been great feeling in regard to the case, and the doctors who had examined the patient were present at the clinic. There was only one man who coincided with me in my opinion that an operation was necessary. The father did not know what to do for there were eight or ten doctors opposed to an operation and only two in favor of it. So I went to him and said, "You must decide at once either for an operation or against |