THERAPEUTICS.
Agaricus has been found chiefly useful in the treatment of chorea, neuralgia and epileptiform spasms, due to spinal irritation or anaemia. It is especially useful in muscular twitchings of a choreic nature, but where chorea has not fully developed. The drug is of very little use in true epilepsy. Headaches of those subject of chorea; also when resulting from prolonged desk work, and in drunkards. According to T. F. Allen it is an exceedingly valuable remedy in asthenopia from prolonged strain spasm of accommodation (Physos.), twitching of eyes and lids; weakness of the muscles, with swimming of the type; myopia; with chronic choroiditis. Dr. Allen also mentions spasms of the muscles of the pinna of the ear, especially of the attoliens, persistent spasms, so that they attracted attention. (Opium cit.). Hering recommends Agaricus in the delirium of typhus, and also in delirium tremens. Farrington says that in delirium the drug seems to stand between Stramonium and Lachesis, having some similarities to both. (Clin. Mat. Medorrhinum, p. e82). Agaricus may be indicated in a primary diarrhoea or dysentery, but its gastro- enteric symptoms are usually associated with nervous complaints. Neuralgic dysmenorrhoea. Rheumatism. Spasmodic nervous complaints. Neuralgic dysmenorrhoea. Rheumatism. Spasmodic nervous cough. Allen says Agaricus is a valuable remedy for irregular tumultuous palpitation of the heart. “especially for the irritable heart of tea and coffee drinkers, and of tobacco smokers.” It has proved an excellent remedy, both internally and locally, for chilblains, and complaints from frost-bites.
ALLEN CORSON COWPERTHWAITE was born at Cape May, New Jersey, May 3, 1848, son of Joseph C. and Deborah (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite. He attended medical lectures at the University of Iowa in 1867-1868, and was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1869. He practiced his profession first in Illinois, and then in Nebraska. In 1877 he became Dean and Professor of Materia Medica in the recently organized Homeopathic Department of the State University of Iowa, holding the position till 1892. In 1884 he accepted the chair of Materia Medica, Pharmacology, and Clinical Medicine in the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan. He removed to Chicago in 1892, and became Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. From 1901 he also served as president of that College. He is the author of various works, notably "Insanity in its Medico-Legal Relations" (1876), "A Textbook of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" (1880), of "Gynecology" (1888), and of "The Practice of Medicine " (1901).