of the terms. Such, however, is not invariably the case. Some of our most valuable remedies are compounded of hæmatinics and spanæmics.

POLYGONUM PUNCTATUM.

BY W. A. GROVE, M. D., MAQUOW, ILE

As a valuable medicinal agent, capable of fulfilling numerous indications, I have learned from experience to regard the water pepper with the highest favor. Having used this remedy in various morbid conditions wherein experience and observation taught its administration, I can speak confidently of its merits as a stimulant, anti-spasmodic, calmative and emmenagogue, with feeble action as a diuretic and diaphoretic. It is also antiseptic and vesicant. This agent was a favored remedy with Prof Eberle, and to him belongs the credit of first bringing it into favorable notice as a remedial agent. He reported twenty cases of amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea which were treated with this remedy alone, with complete success. Dr. Ogier, of Charleston, South Carolina, in a paper published in the Southern Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy, praises it in the strongest terms. He knew of no medicine that had so decided an action on the uterus. Many others have tested its value as a therapeutic agent, and advocated its claims to a more prominent place in the United States Dispensatory than it now occupies in the appendix.

AMENORRHEA. -I do not favor the indiscriminate use of emmenagogues as such. Such practice I very heartily condemn. As. amenorrhoea may result from various pathological changes or conditions, the cause of the suppression should be dilligently sought for, and upon its discovery and removal, the function will usually be resumed of its own accord. I believe the reason this class of remedies so often disappoint the practitioner to be that they are too often prescribed empirically, without thought or adaptation to the case, and in cases wherein this kind of medication is inadmissible. But in cases where the menstrual aberration depends upon.

functional inactivity of the uterus and the case demands stimulation of the uterine system, then this class of remedial agents can confidently be expected to accomplish the mission for which they are prescribed. As an emmenagogue in such cases, I consider polygonum punctatum as nulli secundus. I have used it in consecutive amenorrhoea and various uterine derangements, wherein emmenagogues were indicated, with more gratifying results than ever attained by the use of any other remedy. Of several cases treated with this agent, I select the following:

E. A. K. First seen February 12th, 1868. States that eight months ago, whilst menstruating, she was desirous of attending a party, and with a view of freeing herself from a temporary inconvenience had recourse to tight lacing. The experiment unhappily succeeded and she saw nothing from that time until she came under my treatment. States that she had repeatedly practiced the same experiment on former occasions previous to June, 1867, completely arresting the menstrual discharge each time, with no inconvenience, except that at the succeeding menstrual molimen, the menstrual flux would be more scant and difficult. Present condition-Pulse 80 and weak; melancholy and dejected; anorexia; bowels inclined to be costive; somewhat anæmic; darting pains through hips and mamma at what should be the menstrual period. Ordered a mild cathartic to be taken at bed time, and the following mixture to be taken thrice daily :

B. Tincturæ polygoni punctati saturatæ
Tincturæ ferri. chloride

3 iss.

3 ss.

Misce et signa: A teaspoonful thrice daily. Diet to be generous; gentle horseback exercise and the lumbo-sacral douche every night before retiring.

February 20th. The lumbo-sacral douche discontinued after its first application, the patient unable to bear it. No other change in treatment.

March 2d. No perceptible change. Continued treatment.

March 14th.. The menstrual discharge appeared on the 5th, and continued till the 9th. From this time the patient improved rapidly, and is now in the enjoyment of good health.

LEUCORRHOEA.-I have successfully treated a great many cases of leucorrhoea with the water pepper. I sometimes use it in con

nection with the muriate tinct. of iron. Either alone or in combination, I prefer it to any other remedy.

MENORRHAGIA.-Case 1. M. A. R., æt. twenty years; mar

ried; first seen June 18th, 1868. States that five weeks previous, abortion was induced by over-exertion from lifting, she being then near three months advanced in pregnancy; has suffered from uterine hæmorrhage more or less ever since, the physician there in attendance failing to arrest the flow. Present condition :-Delicate constitution; anæmic; profuse uterine hæmorrhage, with marked periodicity occurring every afternoon at about four or five o'clock, and usually lasting till one or two o'clock, A. M., during the remaining portion of the twenty-four hours the hæmorrhage would almost entirely cease; appetite moderately good; bowels regular; at times complains of intense headache; no pain except in head. After prescribing in turn the tinct. ferri chlor., quiniæ, acid sulph.,. ergota, oleum erigeron, etc., etc., without scarcely any perceptiblebenefit, I was induced, July 2d, to prescribe the tinct. polygonum punct. in teaspoonful doses every three hours. On the first day of its administration the hæmorrhage ceased entirely. The remedy was continued a day or two longer, and then tonics completed the cure. As regards its modus operandi, in this case I have no thoughts to offer. All I know is the results, which are sufficiently encouraging to induce me to try it again in similar cases, should favorable opportunities present.

DYSMENORRHŒA.—I have seen the beneficial effects of this remedy more strikingly displayed in dysmenorrhoea than in any other morbid manifestation. Under its influence I have known patients pass from a state of untold suffering and torture to a state of comparative comfort and tranquility in a few hours. I sometimes combine it with gelseminum. In the congestive form I usually combine it with veratrum viride. I have, however, used it alone with surprisingly happy results. Its anti-spasmodic and calmative properties are often very happily displayed in hysteria.

RETROVERSION UTERI.-Although incapable of effecting a radical cure, it frequently removes the rectal tenesmus, and the aching and numbness in the lumbo-sacral region. Also in paraplegia from undue pressure of the fundus upon the sacral plexus of nerves, its administration has been temporarily attended with very decided benefit. Of course, with the view of a radical cure, the

malposition of that organ must be corrected by instrumental manipulation or cauterization of posterior lip. I have, not a few times, prescribed it in spasmodic and painful affections of the stomach and bowels, with seemingly very good results. In the long train of nervous symptoms following frequent abortions, excessive venery, etc., etc., I have a few times known the water pepper accomplish what all other remedies usually prescribed in such cases failed to do. As a topical application it.is a very common and popular remedy in ill-conditioned and gangrenous sores, and in sore mouth from mercurial ptyalism. Its vesicant properties are very prompt and energetic.

PRACTICAL NOTES.

BY THEODORE C. MILLER, M. D.

BRONCHITIS, CHRONIC.-I have used the following prescription with entire satisfaction in two cases of chronic bronchitis, occurring in old persons

B. Musk,

Aqua Dist.,

Gum Arab.,

M. S. One tablespoonful every hour.

gr. xx.

3 viij.

3j.

ANJINA PECTORIS.--Musk administered as above is an excellent remedial agent in this disease.

HYDROCEPHALUS. Nothing is superior to musk in some types of this disease.

DIGITALIS IN VERTIGO.-A professional gentleman who had labored for several years under a troublesome and obstinate vertigo, and who had tried almost every physician within his reach, called upon me for medical aid. Examining the patient, I discovered the capillar-vessels only in a diseased state. The veratrum viride had been given with no benefit. I placed him upon digitalis and made a cure.

B. Digitalis,
Aqua,

Decot. and give a tablespoonful every hour.

gr. vi.
3 viij,

APOCYNUM CANNABINUM IN HYPERTROPHY OF THE SPLEEN.I cured a case of this kind in five weeks, after a fruitless use of iodine and iron, by giving the fluid ext. of apocynum c. in doses of fifteen drops five times a day in water. The primary action of this agent appears to me to be spent on the spleen.

ASCARIS.--In this affection I give cuprum oxydatum or santonine the preference; but in the oxyuris vermicularis, I have found the oxyode of copper with aloes more effective than any other medicine.

M. et. in puilu. xii. diodide. Four powders a day is sufficient

MENORRHAGIA.-The fluid extract of squills in quantities of 6 drops five times a day, in my experience, produces the desired ef fect in menorrhagia.

DYSMENORRHEA.—In severe cases of dysmenorrhoea, and those of long standing, I rely upon the fluid ext. of savin. It seldom disappoints. I give it in doses of 20 drops five times daily.

ACONITE IN MEASLES.I think aconite superior to veratrum, particularly in measles. Am in the habit of giving two drops in water five times a day.

BROMIDE OF POTASSIUM IN HERPES SQUAMOSUS.--The following is an excellent local application:

B. Bromide of Potassium,

Lard,

Di-3 ss.

3j.