And its effects upon Polypi of the Mucous Membranes.</span>

BY DR. HERMEL.

(Translated from the Allgemeine Homoeopatische Zeitung.)

BY M. J. RHEES, M. D., MOUNT HOLLY. N.J.

Among the pathogenetic symptoms of Teucrium marum verum are to be found manifestations which are very similar to those produced by a nasal polypus, viz:

“Violent titillation in the right nostril with weeping of the right eye.” “Titillation in the nose soon after taking the medicine, recurring frequently.” “The right nostril feels as if it were half closed; the obstruction cannot be removed by blowing the nose or sneezing.” “Brief lancinations in the upper part of the right nasal cavity.” “Fluent coryza in the open air.” “The nose is much obstructed, several times during the day, and particularly in the evening while reading aloud.” (Archiv. V.) The following remarks, are also to be found in the same Journal ( XX.) “A thickening of the mucous membrane of the nose, the sequence of an erysipelas of the face, was removed in six days by the use of the powdered leaves of Teucrium.” Again-“A recent nasal polypus, was cured in a short time by the powdered Teucrium.” A nasal polypus which had already been removed three times by the operation, did not reappear after Teucrium had been administered, in the dose of one drop every evening for several months. At the same time, the sense of smell returned, which the patient had been deprived of for 20 years. (Nusser's Allgem. Ztg. I.) A mucous polypus which entirely filled one nostril, was cured in a few weeks by the use of Teucrium. (Hygia V.)

In consequence of these positive results, the writer applied the remedy in the following case.

Mrs. S. aged 25 years, consulted me on the 14th of July 1854 in regard to a polypus in the right nostril. In the course of three years, this unnatural growth had twice been extracted by Dr. Le Breton and had reappeared each time. Six months, since, it began to form for the third time in consequence of a coryza. The polypus fills the upper part of the left nostril. The patient feels titillations and painful prickings in the root of the nose, and in the left frontal protuberance. The eye weeps much, and the effected nostril discharges much mucus. Blowing the nose is attended by great pain, and at times by hemorrhage; respiration through the diseased nostril is impossible. Dr. Timbert and the author, ordered Teucrium ⁶, 2 drops in 200 grammes of water, one spoonful to be taken morning and evening. But as no improvement had occurred at the end of 14 days, we prescribed the 1st attenuation for one week, the 3rd att. for the next week and returned to the 1st att. the third week. Three weeks after the commencement of this treatment, the circumference of the polypus and the secretion of mucus had sensibly diminished, and air could again pass through the nose. The same prescription was continued for three weeks longer. On the 8th of Sept. 1854, nothing more could be seen of the polypus, and the patient experienced only a slight inconvenience in the left nostril during respiration. The writer could not discover whether the polypus had dropped off or had been dispersed. When he saw the patient in subsequent years, there was not the least trouble existing. The case had continued nearly four years, when on the 7th of May 1858, the patient feared a relapse in consequence of a coryza, as the same nostril appeared to be obstructed, and she felt, at intervals, pricklings in the root of the nose. Nothing could be discovered on examination. Nevertheless, she received Teucrium⁶ as above. Immediately after the first dose of this remedy, all morbid sensation again disappeared, but she continued the use of the medicine for some time afterwards, that she might be secure against any relapse.

This is the third case as far as we know, in which the cure of a polypus without relapse, is at length acknowledged to have been the result of the internal administration of small doses of Teucrium; and it is difficult to conceive, why the discussion of this subject of small doses is always renewed so zealously especially when we consider that as the majority of physicians generally practice in a circle of definite and circumscribed extent, and in a definite sphere, tiny are therefore totally unable to deduct conclusions and rules from the conditions of one class of society or one climate, which will invariably apply to all other climates and classes. This question requires no further consideration. As has been frequently remarked heretofore, we must continue in use, the whole scale of the attenuations of our medicines, from the crude substance to the 30th;*[The 30th is to be understood in this connection, as the representative of the value of all neighboring dilutions; there is certainly no greater difference between them, than there is between two shocks of electricity, one given after 20 and another after 40 revolutions of the disk of the machine.] it always has been and must continue to be, a very useless and impracticable proposal, to confine ourselves to either the lower or higher dilutions, as the use of the latter at one time, and of the former at another is not only desirable but absolutely necessary. Aside from all discussions as to the preference, we might consider this as conclusive, that, Each attenuation must be chosen according to its peculiar sphere of action, and according to the experience obtained with it in that sphere.

That we may sometimes (although it is seldom) administer the crude substance with success, and even cannot dispense with it, is known to all of us, and Hahnemann also has availed himself of it in some instances. The following example has recently occurred in my experience, with a medicine which is generally administered, only in the higher attenuations.

A scrofulous child 12 years of age, was effected with a rheumatic ophthalmia with the following symptoms, viz; Phlyctaenae and slight dimness of the cornea, yet without congestion; excessive photophobia and contraction of the eyelids which had entirely closed the left eye for three months, and the right eye was sympathetically affected to such an extent that it could only be opened for a minute at a time; frequent raging, burning, stinging pains &c. This case had been fruitlessly treated for three months with Calc. c.²⁰ .,⁶ .,⁴ then with Sulph., Graph., Caust., Ars., Phos., with Acon., Bell. Con., as intercurrent medicines. It was perfectly cured in five days by the use of a wineglass full of freshly prepared lime water, twice a day, so that the dimness of sight only, continued for a few days afterwards. It is remarkable that, four lymphatic glands at the inner edge of the lower jaw, which were enlarged to the size of beans and as hard as cartilage, and which had been felt for a long time, disappeared simultaneously with the other symptoms.

We would not by any means discard, or condemn as useless, the thirtieth attenuation; and particularly would we not in the case of those medicines, which in their crude state are inert, and must undergo preparation to develop their powers. The efficiency of the thirtieth requires no additional proof, because our literature contains abundant and important evidence of it. To insist on its use in every case would be an error; to reject it altogether would be a crime.

If we could bring this part of the homoeopathic doctrines to a definite conclusion, and finally look upon each attenuation as equally authorized according to circumstances, one of the principal obstacles to a universal union among us would be removed; this is very necessary just now, and is pressingly recommended to the attention of all Homoeopathists.

We will now return to the consideration of Teucrium.

The following case was observed by Dr. Gabaldo:-

Jos. D., 42 years of age, has felt an obstruction during respiration for a long time, which increases daily. On the 9th of May 1854 Dr. G. discovered some mucous polypi in the left nostril and advised the patient to draw into the nose several times a day, some water in which a few drops of Thuja tincture had been mixed. On the 24 of May, as no change had taken place during the last two weeks, Dr. G. ordered Calc. c.²⁰ glob.; j, in 120 grammes of water, one spoonful every morning. June 9th the respiration is less difficult; the right nostril, which previously seemed the most obstructed although no polypus could be discovered in it, is at present the most free. In the left nostril a small polypous mass can still be seen. Ordered Teucrium¹² gtt. IV, in 120 grammes of water, one spoonful every morning. July the 25th Considerable amendment; respiration is free, and the polypus is very much diminished. Ordered Teucrium marum²⁰, glob. IV, in water as before. On the 5th of September Dr. G. saw the patient again : there had been no obstacle to respiration for some time, and there was no trace of the polypus. There has been no relapse.

ROTH has observed the following case.

A single woman 25 years of age, complained of a difficulty while walking. On examination R. found a perfect hymen, and protruding from the small orifice of the vagina, a soft and smooth polypus, 5 inches long and having the form of a pear. The tincture of Teucrium was applied in the form of fomentations, lotions and injections, for 6 weeks. The polypus had already began to shrink, when R. was compelled by the impatience of the parents, to consult with BLANDIN The preparations for the operation were scarcely completed, when an accidental pull detached the polypus. The patient subsequently married and bore several children. There has been no relapse.

The different modes of administering this medicine, sometimes locally, sometimes internally, and its prescription in low and high dilutions, prove conclusively that it possesses true specific properties against the disease under consideration. Nevertheless it would be hazardous to assert that it is an in fallible specific against all kinds of mucous polypi, as our literature exhibits several cases in which it has failed of success. It is therefore impossible to furnish at present, certain indications for its administration.