Homeopathic Materia Medica

Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica, James Tyler Kent

The most important feature of this medicine is the inflammatory condition, and the most important characteristic in the inflammation is the rapidity with which it develops into a gangrenous state. inflammation conditions usually follow a definite course for days, but when this medicine is put upon a part or taken internally the inflammatory state terminates in death of the part with great rapidity.

When taken internally it proceeds almost immediately to attack the urinary tract and establish a uraemic state which brings about the mental symptoms; the local inflammatory condition comes on with great rapidity, and this brings the patient down violently sick in a great hurry.

From strong doses in the poisonous effect we get startling and alarming symptoms; the whole economy is in disorder; grievous symptoms commonly of the urinary tract. The parts become gangrenous at an early stage.

Mind: The mental symptoms are striking. Among those that are guiding are sudden loss of consciousness with red face. Suddenly goes into stupor. Confusion of mind. Overwhelmed with strange ideas. Thoughts run riot, and go whatever way they will, as if possessed by outside influence.

Head hot, frenzy, delirium, with great excitement and rage, paroxysms renewed by dazzling or bright objects, by touching the larynx or by trying to drink water as in rabies.

Fear and confusion of ideas. The mind often runs towards subjects that the inflamed parts would suggest.

Bladder and genitals: The bladder and genitals are inflamed and the excitement and congestion of the parts often arouse the sexual instinct, so that there are sexual thoughts and sexual frenzy. Violent amorous frenzy, an excitement such as accompanies inflammation attended with thoughts that correspond. The sexual instinct has gone mad, the erections in the male are painful and violent.

The penis is inflamed and sore and it would be painful to have coitus, yet there is this frenzy. Insolence. Blasphemy. Restlessness ending in rage. Restlessness causing him to move constantly, a rage and delirium intermingled with amorous frenzy.

This kind of mental conduct in Cantharis is similar to what will take place in Hyos., Phos., and Secale; a violent delirious state intermingled with sexual ideas and talk. In some instances he deliriously sings lewd songs and prattles on the subject of human genitals, urine and feces, a wild raving on subjects not talked about in health except among the depraved.

But in disease, chaste and modest persons, virgins, will speak so that it is surprising where they have picked up such language. in such cases it is well to exclude everybody from the room except the nurse and doctor. I have seen a dear old mother weep and wring her hands and say:

"Where did my daughter learn such language?"

The daughter is not to blame.

It is simply a condition of the urinary tract or the menstrual function, brought on from cold or exposure, or through the mother's neglect to tell her daughter what she should know in regard, to her menstrual function, and how there is inflammation of the ovaries or uterus, or outside parts, and the urine burns and causes an inflammatory condition of the outer parts, or the urine is retained and there is frenzy. Such in Cantharis.

Violent, bursting, lancinating headaches as if stabbed with a knife an inflammatory condition that takes hold of the mind violently.

Running all through the remedy there is burning. In the head burning, throbbing and stabbing. Unconsciousness and delirium in the mental state. Burning in the side of the head. Stitches in the side of the head and occiput. Lancinating pains deep in the brain. Hair falls out.

It is seldom indicated in eye troubles alone, except such as come with head and mind symptoms.

Erysipelas of the face with large blisters. Burning in the eyes and the whole atmosphere looks yellow. Burning and smarting in the eyes.

Erysipelas of the eyes, with gangrenous tendency. Eyes hot, scalding tears. Erysipelas of the face, dorsum of the nose, involving the lids.

Rhus is more commonly. used in this condition, but when it is violent Canth. will often be indicated and preferable to Rhus, Rhus has the blisters and the burning, but in Canth. between your two visits the erysipelas has grown black, it is dusky, a rapid change has taken place, and it looks as if gangrene would set in.

Burning in the erysipelatous area and the skin around burns from the touch. In Rhus this is not so. In Cantharis the little blisters even if touched burn like fire.

Eruptions burn when touched, ever so lightly, i.e., those eruptions such as the remedy could produce.

This patient enters into a state of prostration, is pallid, has Hippocratic countenance and dies. It corresponds to the lowest forms of disease, even gangrene and violent inflammation of the bowels, bladder, brain, spine and lungs; sinking and hippocratic countenance.

Inflammation of the lungs, gangrenous type, prostration and the lung that is affected burns like fire, and immediately he expectorates cadaverous smelling expectoration, thin, bloody, watery; it has come on in an astonishingly rapid manner, and in a little while he will die; the nose is contracted, there is the hippocratic countenance, and the urine is suppressed.

I remember one patient who had just come out of a prolonged drunk. I left the patient in the evening in just such, a state as I have described.

He was drooling a bloody saliva from his mouth and be was dying. He had had this condition come on in one night from being nearly frozen in a drunk.

It would be Cantharis or death before morning, but by morning he was expectorating a rusty sputum and went on to good recovery.

Arsenic has the burning in the lungs and he spits up black sputum, pneumonia signs are present, with the restlessness and anxiety, and other symptoms of Arsenic, and Arsenic will stop it at once. These violent remedies are needed in those cases that will die.

Burning in the throat. Great thirst, with burning in the throat and stomach. Thirst, with aversion to all fluids, that is, the craving of the mouth and throat are antagonized by the mental state. Thirst in the throat and an aversion to water in the mind. Violent, burning in the stomach, pylorus, abdomen.

The abdomen is swollen and tympanitic; lancinating pains cutting and stabbing. Wherever there is a rapid inflammation in the bowels there is diarrhoea of bloody mucus or serum, watery, bloody fluids from the bowels and stomach.

The same watery bloody fluid from the eyes. And wherever this watery fluid comes in contact with the skin it burns and excoriates. Bloody urine.

Desire for stool while urinating. The patient will sit on the commode with violent tenesmus to pass urine and stool, feels that if he could only pass a few more drops of urine or a little more bloody stool he would get relief, but no relief comes. All the parts are inflamed and on fire. Tenesmus and urging not only when the bladder is empty, but often when the bladder is full.

Retention of urine. Passes none or only a drop or two. Violent tenesmus of the bladder. Cutting pains with tenesmus, lancinating, stabbing like knives, in neck of bladder.

Pains shoot off in different directions. Violent pains with frequent urging. Constant tenesmus. An anxious state and frenzy come on; most violent suffering and be has urging to pass urine and stool with sexual erethism tantalizing in the extreme.

The whole urinary organs and genitalia are in a state of inflammation and gangrene. Burning when urinating. This bloody urine burns like fire in the bladder and about the genitals. Retention or suppression of urine.

It is rare that one suffering from gonorrhea has this violent inflammation, with burning and tenesmus of the bladder and rectum, but in such a case this remedy is indicated. The intensity and rapidity are the features of this remedy. It brings on pain and excitement found in no other remedy. Next to it comes Merc. cor.

In the female there is oversensitiveness of all parts. Inflammation of the ovaries and uterus. Burning in the vagina. Membranous dysmenorrhoea. Menses too early, profuse, black.

Puerperal convulsions. Retained placenta. Burning pains. When there have been no expulsive pains present to expel the afterbirth, with the symptoms running all through this remedy, after it has been given, normal contractions of the uterus have come on with expulsion of the membranes.

Violent lancinating pains through the kidneys and back. Pains in the loins and abdomen. Pain on urinating so that he moaned and screamed on passing a drop.

A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, John Henry Clarke

Cantharis vesicator. Lytta vesicator. Spanish fly. N. O. Insecta, Coleoptera. Tincture or trituration of living insects.

Clinical.─Bladder affections. Burns. Chordee. Diphtheria. Dysentery. Eczema. Emissions. Erotomania. Erysipelas. Eyes, inflammation of. Gastritis. Gonorrhoea. Herpes zoster. Hydrophobia. Kidneys, affections of. Mania. Neuralgia. Nymphomania. Ovaries, affections of. Peritonitis. Pleurisy. Pregnancy, disorders of. Retained placenta. Satyriasis. Scarlatina. Spermatorrhoea. Strangury. Thirst. Throat, sore. Tongue, inflammation of. Urine, abnormal. Vesication of skin.

Characteristics.─Cantharis belongs to the animal kingdom and finds its most prominent sphere of action in exciting the animal passions. There is anger in a very acute degree amounting to paroxysms of rage; and a corresponding condition of the bodily tissues. The word "irritation" best expresses the totality of the Cantharis effects. The pains are burning, and sharp, lancinating along the course of a nerve. Neuralgia of head and face from taking cold, with loud screams and jerking of muscles. The slightest touch or approach aggravates the mental symptoms. Violent spasms reproduced by touching larynx. There is also < from dazzling objects and by water─completing the hydrophobia picture. It may be well to remember in this connection the violent erotic action of Canth., for many have maintained that rabies only arises among domesticated animals where sexual functions are under more or less abnormal conditions. Guernsey gives as the special indications in hydrophobia: "Moaning and violent cries, interspersed with barking." Canth. produces amorous frenzy, unbounded sexual desire; also sexual erethism and excitability. It acts on the brain, producing inflammation of the tissues. The eyes are bright, pupils widely dilated. Erysipelas commencing in nose. The face is generally pale or yellowish, with an expression of deep-seated suffering. There is diphtheritic inflammation of throat, severe burning, constriction; thirst, with aversion to drinking. The stomach is inflamed. Pain in abdomen colic-like, doubling the patient up, cutting, burning, lancinating. Dysenteric stools with tenesmus. In the genito-urinary region the most intense action is developed. There is extreme superficial sensitiveness in hypogastrium (especially when the bladder is full), attended with unbearable tenesmus vesicae. Cutting, burning pains from the kidney down to urethra. Strangury. Can pass only a few drops, like molten lead. Irritation of all grades. The sexual appetite is aroused to the point of mania. Coitus does not always reduce it. On the skin and serous membranes the irritating effects of the remedy are equally pronounced. Pleurisy with effusion has been cured by the remedy given internally. Burning, stitches, shooting pains and exudation are the indications. So the fly-blister treatment of olden days had more to say for itself than those who used it knew. Vesication is the note of its effects on the skin and indicates its use in burns of the first degree, erysipelas, blisters. In burns the part may be treated with a lotion containing a few drops of the tincture to the ounce of water, a dilution being given internally. An ointment made with the 3x is a good application for herpes zoster. H. N. Guernsey observed that Canth. is almost always the remedy for whatever other sufferings there may be, when there is as well frequent micturition with burning, cutting pain; or if cutting burning pain attends the flow, even when micturition is not very frequent. Guernsey also pointed out that Canth. should be studied in treating affections of the air-passages when the mucus is tenacious. Nash records a case in which this observation led him to make a pretty cure. Kali bich. had completely failed to relieve a lady who had suffered long from bronchitis. The mucus was profuse, tenacious, and ropy. One day the patient mentioned that she had great cutting and burning on urinating, which she was obliged to do very frequently. Canth, made a rapid cure. Canth. has cured a case of malarial cachexia in which the symptoms were always < when the urine was scanty. "Burning" runs through the Canth. pathogeneses in a very striking way. Another marked feature of the remedy is its effect in increasing the secretions of membranes. Canth. "expels moles, dead fetus, placentae; promotes fecundity" (Guernsey). The < is: from drinking; from coffee; from drinking cold water; whilst urinating; after urinating; from touch. > From rubbing; from warm applications.

Relations.─Antidotes: Camph. antidotes the strangury and retention of urine of Canth., Apis the cystitis, Kali nit. the renal symptoms. For its throat symptoms it is nearest to Capsicum. Other antidotes: Acon., Lauro., Puls. Canth. is antidote to: Camph., Vinegar, Alcohol. Compatible: Bell., Merc., Pho., Pul., Sep., Sul. Incompatible: Coffea. Compare: Doryph., Coccus cact., Coccionella, Apis, Bell., Bry., Can. s. (more burning and smarting; Canth. more tenesmus); Petros. (sudden urging); Caps; Puls. (retained placenta); Ars. (delayed urination after parturition); Thuja (erections; those of Canth. prevent urination; those of Thuja do not); Merc. (semen mixed with blood); Sarsapar. (urine burns like fire, shreddy particles and blood in it); Arum, Arn., Rhus, Ranunc. scel. (Teste classes Canth. with Senega and Phos. ac. in his Conium group.)

SYMPTOMS.

1. Mind.─Dejected and lachrymose humour.─Anxious inquietude, with agitation, which necessitates constant motion.─Want of confidence in one's self.─Pusillanimity and timidity.─Disposition to be angry, and to fly into a rage.─Paroxysms of rage, with cries, blows, and barkings, renewed on feeling the gullet, and at the sight of water.─Delirium.─Insanity.─Mania, with extravagant acts and gestures.─Constantly attempting to do something, but accomplishing nothing.

2. Head.─Vertigo, with loss of consciousness, and mist before the sight, chiefly in the open air.─Headache, which interrupts sleep at night.─Pressive lancinations in the head, which disappear on walking.─Acute drawing pains in the head, with vertigo.─Congestion in the head.─Throbbing in the brain, and heat, which ascends to the head.─Sensation of burning in the head, as if the interior were raw, with inflammation of the brain.─Drawing, jerking, and gnawing in the bones of the head.─Headache, as if the hair were pulled.─Hair standing on end.─Headache, as if coming from the nape of the neck, and wishing to escape by the forehead.─Burning in the sides of the head, ascending from the neck, with soreness and giddiness; < in the morning and afternoon; when standing or sitting; > when walking or lying down.

3. Eyes.─Pain in the eyes, with sensation as if the eyelids were excoriated, chiefly when they are opened.─Inflammation of the eyes, with burning smarting.─Yellowish colour of the eyes.─Prominence, and convulsive movements of the eyes; fiery, sparkling, staring look.─Objects seemed to be tinged with a yellow hue.

4. Ears.─Inflammation and burning heat of the ears.

5. Nose.─Swelling of the nose, even in the interior, with redness and burning heat.─Erysipelatous inflammation of the dorsum of the nose, extending to the cheeks (r.) with hardness and subsequent desquamation.─Fetid and sickly smell before the nose.─Coryza of long duration, and catarrh, with copious flow of viscid mucus from the nose.

6. Face.─Paleness of the face.─Face hollow, hippocratic, with features which express anguish and despair.─Yellowish colour of the face.─Erysipelatous inflammation and desquamation of the cheeks.─Burning redness and swelling of the face.─Swelling at one side of the face (r.), with tension.─Swelling and inflammation of the lips.─Fissure and exfoliation of the lips.─Trismus.

7. Teeth.─Toothache, generally drawing, < by eating.─Fistula in the gums.─Ulceration of the gums.

8. Mouth.─Taste of cedar pitch in the mouth.─Inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth.─Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx.─Inflammation and suppuration of the tonsils, with inability to swallow.─Burning in the mouth, extending down the pharynx, oesophagus and stomach; < from drinking cold water.─Phlegmonous inflammation of the interior of the cheek.─Aphthae in the mouth.─Frothy salivation, with streaks of blood.─Foam at the mouth.─Coagulated blood coming from the mouth.─Inflammatory swelling and suppuration of the tongue.─Suppuration of the gums.─Fistula dentalis (suppurating) (upper incisors).─Weakness of the organs of speech, and languid diction.

9. Throat.─Sore throat, on swallowing.─Difficult deglutition, with strangulation in the throat, and nocturnal regurgitation of food.─Impeded deglutition, esp. in the case of liquids.─Burning in the throat, on swallowing.─Inflammation and ulceration of the tonsils and of the throat; with inability to swallow.─Burning pains in the throat, < by drinking water.

10. Appetite.─Loss of taste.─Taste of pitch in the mouth and in the throat.─Thirst, from dryness of the lips, with repugnance to all drinks.─Want of appetite, with disgust and repugnance to all sorts of food.

11. Stomach.─Risings, with burning sensation, as if from pyrosis, aggravated by drinking.─Sob-like risings, which seem to take an inverse direction and to return towards the stomach.─Vomiting of undigested food.─Vomiting of bilious and slimy substances, or of blood.─Great sensitiveness of the precordial region.─Pressive fulness, with anxiety and inquietude in the stomach.─Smarting and burning pains in the stomach.─Inflammation of the stomach.

12. Abdomen.─Pains in abdomen, after taking coffee.─Inflammation of the liver.─Shootings and contraction in r. hypochondrium.─Great sensibility of the abdomen to the touch.─Burning pain in the abdomen, from the gullet to the rectum.─Burning pain above the navel, on coughing, on sneezing, on blowing the nose, with yellowish spots on the part affected.─Inflammation of the intestines.─Dropsical swelling of the abdomen.─Incarceration of flatulency under the hypochondria.

13. Stool and Anus.─Constipation and hard faeces.─Diarrhoea, with evacuation of frothy matter, or of greenish mucus, with cutting pains after the evacuation and burning pains in the rectum.─During stool, burning in the anus; prolapsus ani.─After stool, chilliness and tenesmus.─Dysenteric diarrhoea, with nocturnal evacuation of whitish mucus, and of solid pieces, like false membranes, with streaks of blood.─Sanguineous evacuations.

14. Urinary Organs.─Retention of urine, with cramp-like pains in the bladder.─Urgent and ineffectual efforts to make water, with painful emission, drop by drop.─Difficult emission of urine, in a weak and scattered stream.─Increased secretion of urine.─Urine, pale yellow, or of a deep red colour.─Flow of sanguineous mucus from the bladder.─Emission of blood, drop by drop.─Purulent urine.─Burning smarting, on making water.─Incisive pains in the front part of the urethra, during the emission of urine, and afterwards.─Sharp, tearing, and incisive pains, successive pullings and pulsations in the urinary organs.─Burning, stinging and tearing in the kidneys.─Pressing pain in the kidneys, extending to the bladder; along the ureters; relieved by pressing upon the glans.─Inflammation and ulceration of the kidneys, of the bladder, and of the urethra.─Exceedingly painful sensibility of the region of the bladder on its being touched.

15. Male Sexual Organs.─Draggings in the spermatic cord, on making water.─Inflammation and gangrene of the genital parts.─Painful swelling of the testes.─Sexual desire greatly increased, with painful, frequent erections (with gonorrhoea), of long continuance, as in priapismus.─Ready emission, during amorous caresses.─Spermatorrhoea.─After coition, burning pain in the urethra.

16. Female Sexual Organs.─Catamenia premature and too copious, with black blood and pains during the flow.─Voiding of moles, of foetus, and of placentae.─Inflammation of the ovaries.─Swelling of the cervix uteri.─Corrosive leucorrhoea, with burning sensation on making water, and excitement of sexual desire.

17. Respiratory Organs.─Hoarseness, with painful rattling of viscid mucus, copious, and coming from the chest, and with incisive shootings in the trachea.─Oppression of breathing, with sensation of constriction of the pharynx.─Stitches in the chest during air inspiration. (Inflammation of the lungs.).─Inflammation of the larynx.─Sensation of excessive weakness in the organs of respiration, on speaking and on breathing deeply.─Voice feeble, timid, and trembling.

18. Chest.─Respiration rendered difficult and oppressed by constriction of the throat, and dryness of the nose.─Suspension of respiration in going up a hill, with rattling in the chest and nausea.─Shootings in the chest, and in the sides.─Burning pains in the chest, from whence small clots of blood are at times detached.─Palpitation of the heart.

20. Neck and Back.─Stiffness in the nape of the neck, with tension when bending it over.─Acute drawing pains in the back.─Tearing in the back (after rising from a seat).─Sensation of constriction in the spine.─Emprosthotonos and opisthotonos.

21. Limbs.─Weakness and swelling of limbs.─Dropsical swelling of hands and feet.─Cold sweat of hands and feet.

22. Upper Limbs.─Acute tractive pains in the arms.─Want of strength in the hands.─Eczematous eruption on dorsum of hand and between fingers, itching and burning fearfully, < from cold water, > from warmth.

23. Lower Limbs.─Pains in the hips, with spasmodic sufferings in the urinary passages.─Acute tractive, piercing pains, in the legs, from the feet to the hips.─Trembling of the legs.─Darting pain from r. foot to r. side of h cad in paroxysms.

24. Generalities.─Burning pains, as from excoriation, in all the cavities of the body.─Acute shootings towards the interior in different parts.─Drawing, arthritic pains in the limbs, with affection of the urinary ducts, mitigated by rubbing.─Violent pains, with groans and lamentations.─Sensation of dryness in the joints.─Want of flexibility of the whole body.─Dejection and weakness, with excessive sensibility in all parts of the body, trembling, and desire to lie down.─Prostration of strength, proceeding even to paralysis.─Convulsions, tetanus.─The sufferings show themselves chiefly on the r. side, and are mitigated in a recumbent posture.─The symptoms are renewed every seven days.

25. Skin.─Itching vesicles, with burning pain on being touched.─Blisters, from burns.─Erysipelatous inflammations.─Acute drawing pains in ulcers, with increased suppuration.

26. Sleep.─Great drowsiness, esp. in the afternoon, with yawnings and stretching.─Sleeplessness without apparent cause.─At night, half sleep, with frequent waking.

27. Fever.─Pulse hard, full and rapid.─Fever, which manifests itself only by cold.─Cold and shivering, with cutis anserina and paleness of the face.─Thirst only after the shivering.─Perspiration; cold, esp. on the hands and feet; on the genitals.─Sweat, of the smell of urine.─Pulsation through the trembling limbs.

Keynotes and Characteristics with Comparisons of Some of the Leading Remedies of the Materia Medica (Allen's Keynotes), Henry Clay Allen

Spanish Flies (Cantharideae)

Oversensitiveness of all parts. Haemorrhages from nose, mouth, intestines, genital and urinary organs. Pain; raw, sore, burning in every part of the body, internally and externally; with extreme weakness. Disgust for everything; drink, food, tabacco. Drinking even small quantities of water increases pain in the bladder. Constant urging to urinate, passing but a few drops at the time, which is mixed with blood (sudden desire to urinate and intense itching in urethra, Petros.). Intolerable urging, before, during and after urination; violent pains in bladder. Burning, cutting pains in urethra during micturition; violent tenesmus and strangury. Stool: passage of white or pale, red, tough mucus, like scrapings from the intestines, with streaks of blood (Carb. an., Colch.). Bloody, nocturnal emission (Led., Mer., Petr.). Sexual desire: increased both sexes; preventing sleep; violent priapism, with excessive pain (Pic. ac.). Tenacious mucus in the air passages (Bov., Kali bi.); compare Cantharis if vesical symptoms correspond. Skin: vesicular erysipelas; vesicles all over body which are sore and suppurating. Erythema from exposure to sun's rays (sunburn). The burning pain and intolerable urging to urinate, is the red strand of Cantharis in all inflammatory affections.

Relations. - Similar: to, Apis, Ars., Equis., Mer. Burns before blisters form and when they have formed. In the skin be unbroken, apply an alcoholic solution of any potency and cover with cotton; this will promptly relieve pain and often prevent vesication. If the skin be broken use in boiled or distilled water, and in each case give potency internally.

Leaders In Homoeopathic Therapeutics, Eugene Beauharnais Nash

Frequent urging to urinate, with straining and cutting, burning pains.

Small unsatisfactory quantity passed at a time, or bloody urine.

Excessive burning pains (eyes, mouth, throat, stomach, intestinal tract; all the mucous surfaces and skin).

Stringy and tenacious discharges from the mucous membranes.

Nearly all complaints accompanied with the characteristic urinary symptoms.

Erysipelas, with blebs or large blisters filled with water and burning pain; useful for surface burns (locally).

Uncontrollable anguish, furious rage, frenzied delirium; strong sexual desire, both sexes.

Disgust for everything; drink, food, tobacco.

Dysenteric stools, bloody and shreddy, like scrapings from intestines, with tenesmus in rectum and bladder.

* * * * *

If I were to select the one remedy with which to prove the truth of the formula similia, etc., I think this would be the one. There is no remedy that so surely, and so violently, irritates and inflames the urinary organs, and no remedy so promptly cures such irritation when it puts on, the Cantharis type or form, which it often does.

H N. Guernsey wrote: "It is a singular fact, though known to most practitioners, that there be frequent micturition attended with burning, cutting pain, or if not so frequent and the cutting, burning pain attends the flow, Cantharis is almost always the remedy for whatever other suffering where may be, even in inflammation of the brain or lungs." He might have added in the throat, and mucous membranes all through the intestinal tract, even to the rectum and anus, and in the pleura or on the skin.

He also wrote: "Cantharis should always be remembered and studied in treating affections of the air passages when the mucus is tenacious." (Hydrastis, Kali bichrom. Coccus cacti, etc.) I had the pleasure of verifying the truth of this in the case of a lady who had suffered a long time with bronchitis.

The mucus was so profuse, and tenacious, and ropy, that I thought of Kali bichromicum, and thought it must be the remedy; but it did not even ameliorate, and she got worse all the time, until one day she mentioned that she had great cutting and burning on urinating, which she must do very frequently.

On the strength of the urinary symptom, for I knew nothing of its curative powers on the respiratory organs at that time, I gave her Cantharis. The effect was magical.

It is needless to describe the mutual delight of both physician and patient in such a case, for it was astonishing the rapidity with which the perfect and permanent cure of the case was accomplished.

Let us notice still further the effects of this remedy upon the urinary organs by calling attention to a few symptoms that have been both produced in proving and cured ab usu in morbis.

I have learned to place the highest estimate upon such symptoms. To be sure there are many symptoms in our great Materia Medica that have come to us through clinical sources only, and very valuable ones, too. But they cannot be received with such implicit confidence on short acquaintance as those that are both pathogenetic and clinical. They should always be separated when possible, as they were in "Hull's Jahr" of old. Here are a few of them. "Violent pains in bladder, with frequent urging to urinates with intolerable tenesmus." "Violent burning cutting pains in the neck of the bladder." "Before, during and after urinating fearful cutting pains in the urethra" "Constant urging to urinate; urine passed drop by drop with extreme pain." "Urine scalds him; it is passed drop by drop."

No homoeopathist meeting these symptoms in a case would fail to think of Cantharis at once, no matter what else ailed the patient, as it has cured the most diverse and varied diseases when occurring in conjunction with these urinary symptoms. How any physician of any school can deny the truth of similia similibus curantur in the light of such testimony of proof can only be accounted for on the principle of "none so blind as those who will not see".

Cantharis has also very decided action upon the skin. In erysipelas it is sometimes the best remedy, and choice has to be made between it and Apis, which also sometimes has great urinary irritation in such cases. In the Apis cases there is apt to be more oedema; in Cantharis more blistering. In Cantharis the burning is more intense than under the Apis, while in the latter there is more stinging. The urinary symptoms, if present, are very much more intense under Cantharis.- Again, the mind symptoms of the two remedies are quite different. In the Apis cases, aside from the stinging pains which make the patient cry out sharply at times, especially if the eruption inclines to "go in" and attack the membranes of the brain, the patient may not be so very restless and complaining; but in the Cantharis case the patient is uneasy, restless, dissatisfied, distressed, sometimes moaning or violently crying; wants to be moved about constantly. The mind symptoms actually make one think of Arsenicum album, and when we take into account the intense burning it is doubly so. So that it would be very easy to get confused between these two remedies, as well as Cantharis and Apis. If great thirst is also present it would make us think of Arsenic, And now we are upon the skin, Cantharis is a great remedy for burns, both locally as an application and internally for the more chronic conditions and sequelae. In all skin troubles where blebs or watery vesicles form, which burn and itch, or when touched burn and smart, we do well to remember Cantharis, and look further to find more symptoms, if present, to corroborate it. Hering used to challenge skeptics to burn their fingers, and then cure them by dipping the fingers into water medicated with Cantharis. So great was his faith in it.

I will call attention to a sensational symptom of Cantharis which I believe is underestimated in practice. It is the sensation of Burning. If any remedy deserves to be placed alongside Arsenicum for burning it is this one. I will quote so as to bring all together, in a way to impress upon our memory the burnings of Cantharis. "Inflammation of the eyes particularly when caused by a burn." "Burning in mouth, throat, and stomach." Great thirst, with burning pain in throat and stomach. "Violent burning pain in stomach in region of pylorus." "Violent burning pain and heat through whole intestinal tract." "Passage of white or pale-red tough mucus with the stool like scrapings from intestines, with streaks of blood; after stool colic relieved, burning, biting, and stinging in the anus." "Great burning pain in the ovarian regions." "Peritonitis with burning pain, abdomen sensitive and tenesmus of the bladder." "Burning and stinging of the larynx, especially when attempting to hawk up tough mucus." "Burning in the chest."

We have already spoken of the burnings connected with affections of the urinary organs, and also of the burnings of the skin in erysipelas and other eruptions upon the surface.

This seems to me to be sufficient to impress upon the reader the value of this symptom belonging to this remedy. I will close by calling attention to its effect upon the membranes to increase their secretion. This action is positive and is a valuable indication for its use.