GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS.

Conducted by S. S. Smythe, M. D.

Urtica Urens for Agalactia.

The symptom in the provings reads: "A woman who has had no children for three years and a half, and nursed none of her children, had at first excessive swelling of the breasts, which discharged at first serum, afterward perfect milk. A very copious secretion lasted for eight days."

On this symptom backed up by Farrington's statement that Urtica urens is the best remedy for the non-appearance of the milk, without other symptoms, and with no apparent reason, Dr. J. L. Nottingham based his use of the drug in the course of this interesting case, reported in the "Homœopathic Recorder :"

Mrs. M. applied to me January 15, 1897, for opinion of a lump in left mammary gland, which I informed her was scrofulous, or possibly malignant. She wished me to prescribe for her. Because of a desponding disposition, aching in cervical region, sometimes extending to cerebrum, tenderness of right ovary, aching in sacral region extending down into thighs, worse at menstrual periods. "Seemed as if a dark cloud hung over me which could not be removed, or I could not get through." Cimicifuga r. was given.

On February 6 much brighter mentally, with relief from all the symptoms except the lump in the gland, which showed no sign of improvement, but rather more sensitive. She "fretted only about the lump." "I am dizzy if I move my head quickly toward one side, either lying down or when walking, and things look unnatural-red-like sometimes." Conium m. was given.

She permitted a woman to apply some kind of a caustic to the lump, and I did not see her again until February 13, 1900, about six weeks after a childbirth, when she complained of stinging pains in that breast, an entire absence of milk, stinging pains in right lower extremity its entire length, with general soreness and stinging pains accompanying movements involving

the muscles of the left side of head, cervical vertebræ, sacrum and upper extremities, across chest involving both mammary glands, the left one (with the lump) most painful. The former symptoms of despondency, etc., prevailing, gave her Cimicifuga r. again, and this was followed by great relief from the despondency and phlegmasia alba dolens of which she was suffering most, but after one week improvement ceased. She was then given Conium mac., which was followed in one week by much improvement of the difficulty in moving the head; the left breast was more painful, yet relaxed, or quite flabby; burning, stinging pains. All pains were burning, stinging, biting, itching. Gave Urtica urens.

Three days after Urtica, the breasts filled with milk, and all the pains were relieved; and she could now move herself about in the bed without severe suffering. Breasts were not so tender, and a bandage was applied to prevent weight (full of milk), which seemed to cause a soreness of a different kind. The breasts were drawn until milk was relieved, which lasted two weeks, and during this time the swelling and tenderness of the right lower extremity became almost natural. At this time, through some carelessness, patient took a severe cold, nephritis occurred, but that, with some phlegmasia in the lower left extremity, cleared up under Rhus tox., and recovery followed without further interest.-N. A. Journal of Homeopathy

Bellis Perennis.

Dr. L. L. Danforth has been having a very interesting experience with the English daisy which is worth keeping in mind. He has been conning Burnett's little work on "Organ Diseases in Women" and ran across the recommendation for use of bellis in traumatism of the pelvic organs. Burnett places bellis along with arnica as a traumatic remedy and cites quite a number of cases in which it relieved the sore bruised feeling remaining in the reproductive organs after they had been subjected to severe strains. Burnett also calls attention to the prompt and efficient

action of bellis in those cases where women cannot walk in the latter months of pregnancy because it hurts them and tires them. Dr. Danforth noted that in most cases where prescribed the "sore bruised feeling in the pelvic organs was the predominating symptom upon which the remedy was prescribed." With this thought in mind he tested the action of the remedy as follows:

"I attended a primipara whose labor was normal except that the second stage was unusually painful. The child's head was large, and as it descended and pressed upon the pelvic floor, and later upon the perineum, it caused an unusual degree of distension of the tissues between the margins of the vulvar orifices and the bones on either side. The pain was excruciating, and chloroform was administered. The perineum was badly torn in spite of the greatest care, but it was immediately repaired and good union obtained. After the usual time the patient began to get up, but convalesence was retarded and walking delayed, indeed was quite impossible for a time on account of extreme soreness, a bruised sensation referred to the whole pelvis, more particularly of the muscles of the pelvic floor and perineum. Naturally, arnica was given, but the patient did not improve. Different potencies of arnica were tried in succession, but improvement did not take place. It seemed as if the patient never would be able to walk. I then recalled the suggestion of Dr. Burnett, and gave bellis perennis-five drops of the tincture every three hours -when, mirabile dictu, the bruised sensation disappeared like magic, and the woman was soon able to walk as well as ever.

"I have given the remedy to women who suffered in the latter weeks of pregnancy from soreness of the abdominal walls of the uterus, with most excellent results, when arnica had been insufficient to accomplish a cure.

"I recently recommended this remedy to Dr. F. W. Hamlin, of this city, for one of his patients who was very uncomfortable on account of abdominal and uterine soreness, which arnica did not relieve. Dr. Hamlin informed me that bellis did its work well, and the patient was quickly relieved."-Hahnemannian Monthly.

Conducted by J. W. Mastin, M. D.

80 Remedies in Menstrual Disorders.

Berberis-Too scanty and painful.

Bovista-Too early and too profuse; flowing for most part only at night.

Bromium-Too early and too profuse; violent contractive spasm before or during menses, lasting hours, leaving abdomen

sore.

Bryonia-Too early, too profuse; suppressed with bleeding

at nose.

Cactus-Too early; ceases while lying.

Calcaria Phosphorica-Too early; blood bright with girls; too late, blood dark-or first bright then dark, in women. Cantharis-Too early and too profuse; blood black and

scanty.

Carbo Animalis-Too early, too profuse; during flow patient is so exhausted she can hardly speak. (Alumina and Coculus have same symptoms).

Carbo Vegetabilis-Too early and too profuse; blood too thick and of a strong odor.

Caulophyllum-Menstrual colic; suppression with spasm of uterus, or great atony.

Causticum-Menses too late; no discharge at night.

Cicuta Virosa-Menses delayed; spasmodic state if the menses do not appear; tearing and drawing in the os coccygis during menses.

Cimicifuga Menses irregular, delayed or suppressed; hysterical or epileptical spasms at time of menses,

Cocoa-Menses, after being delayed, comes in gushes. Cocculus-Menses too early, with cramps in the abdomen, distention and colic pains.

Collinsonia-Dysemenorrhea and other affections, resulting from hemorrhoids and constipation.

Crocus Sativus-Sensation as if menses would appear, with colic and pressing toward genitals.

Crotalus Horridus-Flow profuse for two days, then lingers, on and off, for four more; heart weak, feet cold.

Cuprum Metallicum-Before, during or after suppression, violent unbearable cramps, in abdomen, extending up into chest, causing nausea, vomiting and sometimes convulsions of limbs and piercing shrieks.

Dulcamara-Rash before menses.

Erigeron-Very profuse flow of bright red blood; slightest movement increases flow.

Flouricum Acidum-Too early and too copious; discharge thick and coagulated.

Glonoine-Instead of menses congestion to head; face pale; worse in warm room; fainting, throbbing.

Graphites-Menses too late, too scanty, too pale; pain in epigastrium during period as if everything would be torn to pieces.

Hepar Sulphur-Discharge of blood between menses.

Hyoscyamus-During menses convulsive throbbing of the hands and feet; headache, nausea and profuse perspiration; flow excessive.

Ignatia-Menses too early; discharge of black blood, putrid odor, comes in clots.

Ipecacuanha-Too early and too profuse; blood bright red; with colic and nausea.

Kali Bichromicum-Too early, with giddiness, nausea and headache.

Kali Carbonicum-During menses cutting in abdomen; aching and pressure in back. Great soreness about the genitals during and after menstruation.

Kali Iodatum-Frequent urging to urinate when the menses

appear.

Kali Nitricum-Menses suppressed; too early, too profuse. Menstrual blood as black as ink; pains in abdomen, small of back and thighs.

Kreosotum-Too early, too profuse and last too long.