Part 57 (1/2)

Dr. J. likewise ”effected perfect cures with it in some troublesome spasmodic affections, and gave it with the most marked benefit in dry, irritating coughs, usually termed nervous. In the advanced stage of phthisis it procured a respite beyond his expectation. He also found it useful in restraining a troublesome hiccough.”

Remembering the fame of _Mygale avicularia_ in ch.o.r.ea we may well expect this other spider to be of use ”in some troublesome _spasmodic_ affections.”

Dr. Chapman writes of it: ”I have cured some obstinate intermittents, suspended the paroxysms of hectic, overcome morbid vigilance from excessive nervous mobility, and quieted irritation of the system from other causes, and particularly as connected with protracted coughs and other chronic pectoral affections. * * * * Some consider it as highly stimulant, invigorating the force of the pulse, increasing the temperature of the surface, and heightening excitement generally--others, witnessing no such effects, are disposed to a.s.sort it with those remedies which seem to do good _chiefly by soothing the agitations of the system_. I confess that I concur in the latter view of its properties.”

How unconsciously the Philistines of Old Physic bear testimony to the truth of our therapeutic law. Given where ”heightened excitement”

obtained, Chapman saw it ”do good chiefly by soothing the agitations of the system,” and to him, of course, cobweb was a sedative.

Dr. Broughton, in his Thesis, says: ”In all the cases of disease in which I have seen or heard of the exhibition of the web, no sensible, or at least no uniform, operation could be observed. Some patients were sensible of none, others of a slight sudorific, and some a nauseatic effect; and one or two thought it proved cathartic after remaining in the system for the s.p.a.ce of twelve or fifteen hours. These accounts being so incorrect and various, I determined to ascertain (if possible) the correct operation by giving the web to healthy persons.”

”I found from these experiments that the operation of the web appeared princ.i.p.ally to be upon the arterial system; and perhaps in less time than any article already known: the force and frequency of the pulse being uniformly reduced in some cases ten, in others fifteen strokes in a minute; and in one case, the pulse, from being strong and full, became soft, small, and very compressible; all which operation took place within the s.p.a.ce of two hours, after which time the artery gradually regained its former force and frequency. This has been the only invariable effect I could observe, all others appearing but anomalous.”

Dr. Thacher cites the following case from a paper of Dr. Jackson's: ”W.

Sands has been afflicted for many years with a distressing asthma, which has proved fatal to his father and two sisters. The complaint being hereditary, and aggravated by malformation of the thorax, no remedy gave any permanent relief, nor did change of climate procure any alleviation of symptoms. For a considerable time back he has never been able to lie down in bed on account of a sense of suffocation, but is obliged to be supported half sitting by pillows, and is seldom able to sleep. He swallowed nearly a scruple of the spider's web, he swallowed it at bed time, and to his utter astonishment enjoyed sound and uninterrupted sleep all night; a blessing to which he had been an entire stranger above six years. Since he began with the cobweb thinks his health is improved; the cough has certainly abated, but whenever the remedy is omitted the complaint returns.”

Dr. Oliver found that ”by the use of this remedy a patient laboring under organic disease of the heart and hydrothorax obtained great relief and refres.h.i.+ng sleep, who had not before slept for three nights.

Another, under similar affection, experienced uncommon relief from the same prescription. To one suffering much pain from cancer it afforded ease and comfortable sleep. A patient in phthisis pulmonalis being affected with distressing agitation of mind and nervous irritation, it answered like a charm, and soon induced great sleep like a moderate dose of opium.”

THALLIUM.

PREPARATION.--Triturate the pure metal in the usual way.

(The following is from the _h.o.m.oeopathic World_, 1893):

In the ”French News” column of the _Chemist and Druggist_ we came across a note on the effect of _Thallium_, which we have no doubt h.o.m.oeopaths will soon turn to good account. Here is the paragraph:--

CURIOUS EFFECT OF A REMEDY.

”Dr. Huchard read a paper at the last meeting of the Paris Academy of Medicine on _Acetate of Thallium_, which was formerly advocated by Dr.

Combemale, of Lille, as a medicament against profuse perspiration in certain cases of serious illness. It appears, however, that its useful influence is counterbalanced by the fact that it causes the hair to fall off with great rapidity. Dr. Huchard exhibited at the meeting several photographs of patients who had become quite bald in several days. He was consequently very emphatic against the use of the remedy.”

There is all the difference between the two schools in this note. To the allopath this is a ”curious effect” merely, and serves to condemn the drug. To the h.o.m.oeopathic it brings to light a new remedy for a troublesome affection which is by no means too well provided for.

_Thallium_ is a rare metal, whose atomic weight is 204.2, its symbol being Tl. It receives its name ([Greek: thallos], a green shoot) from the green line it gives on the spectrum, through which it was discovered by Crookes in the residuum left from the distillation of selenium.

_Thallium_ has a bluish white tint and the l.u.s.tre of lead; is so soft that it can be scratched by the finger nail. Specific gravity, 11.8. It belongs to the lead group of metals, but has peculiar reactions of its own. It is used in the manufacture of gla.s.s of high refractive power.

THLASPI BURSA PASTORIS.

NAT. ORD., Cruciferae.

COMMON NAME, Shepherd's Purse.

PREPARATION.--Three parts of the fresh plant in flower are macerated in two parts by weight of alcohol.

(The following paper on this remedy is by Dr. E. R.

Dudgeon and appeared in the _Monthly h.o.m.oeopathic Review_, 1888):

The _Art Medical_, for July, 1888, contains a paper on this plant by Dr.

Imbert Gourbeyre, displaying all his well-known ability and erudition.