Case II. – A widow had an attack of bronchitis, accompanied by a very violent and persistent cough. Nervous prostration was very great, attended by apprehension, inability to get her breath, palpitation, etc., but there was no marked weakness of the cardiac impulse. Convallaria was prescribed, and the benefit which followed was even more marked than that shown in the first case.
To these two cases I add one of my own out of several similar ones:
Case III. – Mrs. B. had rheumatism when a girl, which left her with a mitral insufficiency. During her first pregnancy she suffered severely from dyspnoea and oedema of the legs. This was controlled by quiet and Digitalis, aided by Cactus and Hyoscyamus. Her child is six years old, and she has had occasional attacks of cardiac trouble, owing to deficient compensation. The last attack was the severest she had known. The dyspnoea was excessive. She could not walk across the room, or turn quickly in bed, without want of breath. Going up-stairs was nearly impossible. I had to forbid all exercise and keep her in bed. Her face was pinched and haggard; lips blue – cyanotic; pulse very feeble and irregular. Heart-sounds noisy, tumultuous, and showing all the characteristics of mitral insufficiency with thinning of the left ventricle. The urine was scanty and infrequent. I thought I would test the value of Convallaria, and prescribed 30 drops tincture of the flowers, in half a glass of water, a teaspoonful every two hours. The effect surpassed my expectations. She said she observed the good effects after the third dose, and at the end of twenty-four hours the heart’s action had become regular, and the pulse regular and firmer. the urine had notably increased from 3vii to 3xx. On the third day I allowed her to sit up and walk around the room, which she could do without the previous dyspnoea. After a week the medicine was suspended. She was comfortable for a few days, when some unusual exertion brought the old symptoms back in a less degree. I gave her the tincture of the root in the same quantity as before, but she got no beneficial effects after forty-eight hours. A return to the tincture of the flowers brought prompt amelioration.
I mention this case on account of the prompt action the drug had on the dyspnoea. These cases prove that it removes this symptom in cases where the heart is to blame and where it is not.
My case also proves that the tincture of the root is not reliable as an agent to control dyspnoea or cardiac failure. I am aware that more favorable results have been got from it, but not in my hands.
Emphysema. – In this condition Convallaria is reported to have given relief. In one case which came under my care, its administration was attended with some amelioration, but not as promptly or satisfactorily as with Naphthalin. If with the emphysema we find a thinned and paretic heart, we may expect good results. If the heart is enlarged – concentric hypertrophy – Naphthalin will give the best results.
In the provings we find some symptoms which directly indicate Convallaria in dyspnoea, namely, “Dyspnoea, caused by a sensation as if she were filling up in the abdomen; desire to take a deep breath when sitting,” and “dry suffocating sensation as if she could not get her breath.” While these symptoms do not closely simulate dyspnoea from cardiac trouble, they do closely resemble hysteric dyspnoea.
The head symptoms point to cerebral anaemia, with neuralgic pains.
The eye symptoms to an anaemia of the blood vessels of the eye; also some special symptoms of interest to the oculist.
The gastric symptoms reminds us of Pulsatilla, and also of Viburnum opulus. Both have symptoms resembling the morning sickness of pregnancy. Both have the following symptoms: Gastric symptoms, relieved by eating, returning soon again.
The gastro-enteric symptoms simulate a condition common in gastro-enteric catarrh, and it may be found one of our best remedies in such states, especially if we find a condition very common in that affection, namely, sympathetic cardiac irritation.
The symptoms of the urinary organs are meagre in these provings, but the “dull, colic-like pain in the left iliac region, relieved by micturition,” is suggestive of irritation of the ureters.
The genital symptoms show a decided affinity for the uterus. We may account for this on the theory of botanical affinity, for Convallaria belongs to the Lily family, among which are the Lilium tigrinum, the symptoms of which are closely imitated by those of Convallaria. A careful study of these symptoms will convince any one that if they are trustworthy and are verified, the Convallaria will prove to be an excellent remedy in many uterine disorders. It is quite probable that when all the genus Lilium are proved, we shall find they are all genito-urinary and cardiac remedies.
We now know that other members of the Liliaceae are cardiac remedies. Squilla is a powerful stimulant of the heart; so is the genus Allium. The symptoms of Lilium tigrinum show it to be a cardiac irritant, indicated when the heart symptoms are connected with uterine or ovarian irritation.
My own experience with this remedy has been as large, if not larger, than most of our school, probably owing to the fact that many cases of cardiac disease come to me from the profession.
My comments on the scanty symptomology of the drug have been made with the hope that they may stimulate my colleagues to make more extensive provings, and to enlarge our therapeutic knowledge of Convallaria by a wider clinical experience.
DIGITALIS.
Below I have reprinted a paper I read over twenty years ago, and I reprint it because it was severely criticised at that time by several prominent members of our school. But time, instead of having disproved my views, has confirmed them in every respect. Nothing really new concerning this great remedy has been discovered since that time.
ON THE ACTION OF DIGITALIS* *Read before the Illinois State Homoeopathic Medical Society, 1867.
At the last meeting of this Association, I was appointed to discuss the “Action of Medicines.” A subject, however, of such extensive scope cannot be properly discussed in the limits of a single paper.
I have, therefore, thought best to present, for your consideration, a single medicine, an discuss its method of pathogenetic and curative action.
The medicine I have selected is Digitalis, on account of the interest which has of late been felt in its action, as well as the importance which a knowledge of its action on the system may have in assisting to the recognition of the Homoeopathic law of cure.
Ever since the discovery and use of this plant in medicine, it has been considered an agent extremely depressing in its effects, particularly as relates to its effects on the heart. This depressing action was believed to be its only effect, primary as well as secondary; and it was not until the announcement by Dr. Hanfield Jones, in 1859, that Digitalis had a “tonic” effect on the heart, that the medical profession would look upon it in any other light.
In the Homoeopathic school, Digitalis has been considered indicated only when the heart action was weak, irregular, slow or intermitting,. Hahnemann says, in a note to Digitalis; “It is the most ordinary and certain characteristic property of Digitalis to depress the pulse in its primary action. This depression is then permanently followed by a much smaller and more frequent pulse, which shows how great a mistake is committed by Physicians of the Allopathic school, who imagine that they can permanently retard the pulse by Digitalis.”
It is not strange that Hahnemann should fall into the same error as all his contemporaries, when we consider the universal belief in its depressing action, prevalent at that time. But there were some points about the action of Digitalis which evidently puzzled Hahnemann; for, in another note, he remarks that “A large dose of China will increase the anxiety caused by Digitalis to deadly anguish.”
How China could have this effect will be explained hereafter.
Before we enter into this discussion, there are certain propositions which should be laid down.
1. There are certain medicines known as having a “stimulating” or “irritating” power.
2. These medicines, given in small but material quantities, to healthy persons, have the effect to increase the force and frequency of action of the heart, or to cause increased action in any organ or tissue.
3. In larger quantities, or massive doses, this increased force becomes tetanic, in which all action and nutrition are, for the time, arrested.
4. Following distinctly after this acme (if death does not occur) comes paralysis, or else debility, with slowness and feebleness, or quickness and feebleness of action, ending, if not arrested, in fatal exhaustion.
Familiar illustrations of this method of action may be found in Nux vomica and China, or Strychnine and Quinine, which, in small doses, excite and irritate; in massive doses, tetanize and destroy, and whose secondary action is to enfeeble almost every tissue in the organism.
Hale wrote Lectures On Diseases Of The Heart, Materia medica and special therapeutics of the new remedies Volume 1, Materia Medica And Special Therapeutics Of The New Remedies Volume 2, Saw Palmetto: (Sabal Serrulata. Serenoa Serrulata), The Medical, Surgical, and Hygienic Treatment of Diseases of Women, New Remedies: Their Pathogenetic Effects and Therapeutic Application, Ilex Cassine : the aboriginal North American tea, Repertory to the New Remedies with Charles Porter Hart, The Characteristics of the New Remedies, Materia Medica and Special Therapeutics of the New Remedies, The Practice of Medicine, Homoeopathic Materia Medica of the New Remedies: Their Botanical Description etc.