[Read before the Hom. Med. Society of Cayuga Co., October, 1885.]

By AD. Lippe, M. D., Philadelphia, PA.

Dysentery has prevailed to a great degree in this city and its vicinity, as well as in other parts of this continent.

Again, has true Homoeopathy been successful in quickly curing most of the cases whenever the selection of the remedy was made accurately; the individualization of each single case was quickly rewarded by a speedy cure.

The remedy most frequently indicated was Mercurius corr. The violent tenesmus continuing after the evacuation, the discharges of blood and mucus, and the aggravation during the night, were its indications, many cases were cured by one single dose administered in the 200 and higher potencies. In former years Nux vom. and Colocynth were the remedies most called for; the first was indicated by the frequent small discharges of blood and mucus, with violent pains about the navel, and much fever and thirst; the latter by violent cutting pains in the abdomen, compelling one to bend double. Other remedies were at times called for, according to the characteristic symptoms of the patient.

If the pain in the intestines was increased or provoked by the least motion of the body, Bryonia was the remedy; but if the discharges and pains were more frequent during the night or when lying down and at rest, Rhus. tox. cured rapidly, but especially when the tongue became very red and dry.

In a protracted and desperate case the patient suffered much from tenesmus vesicae; the desire to pass urine was urgent and continuous but unsuccessful, except during an evacuation from the bowels; also accompanied by violent tenesmus. Cantharides, Camphor, Aconite, Mercurius corr., Capsicum and Sulphur had been given without any good result. Alumina has the following symptoms (vide Hahnemann's Chronic Diseases):

Sympt.567. While pressing to stool, which is passed with much difficulty, the urine escapes involuntarily. 792. Loose evacuations with tenesmus in the rectum, e. o. Alumina²⁰⁰ relieved the patient at once, and confirmed former observations, when under similar circumstances Alum. had been the curative remedy.

Trombidium mus. dom.¹⁰⁰⁰⁰ one dose (of Dr. Fincke's preparation) cured two cases. First, a consumptive old lady who was suddenly attacked with great tenesmus, straining to stool, prolapsus ani, discharges of mucus and soft feces, was soon relieved.

An old gentleman, about seventy-five years old, much emaciated but of nervous temperament, had dysentery for three weeks. The aggravation was from 4: p. m. to 4: a. m.; the straining and tenesmus violent, rectum and hemorrhoidal tumors protruded constantly when he was urged to evacuate; discharges consisted principally of pus, blood and mucus, with occasional very small pieces of feces. The skin was dry, tongue coated, thirst moderate, pains in the bowels very moderate.

The most carefully selected remedies had but a very short effect in relieving him. Mercurius corr. had been given in a single dose in various potencies and in water, but it did no permanent good. Trombidium mus. dom.¹⁰⁰⁰⁰ (Dr. Fincke's preparation) dissolved in water, and a spoonful administered every few hours, at once removed all symptoms of dysentery. There was a profuse discharge of fecal matter without straining, tenesmus or prolapsus ani.