(Yellow Jessamine.)

BY WM. E. PAYNE, M. D., BATH, ME.

The following symptoms were obtained from the fluid extract:

April 7th., 1859. — At 9½ o'clock P. M., 4 drops in a table spoonful of water, were taken. 8th. — 6 o'clock, A. M., 5 drops, and at 11½ o'clock, 6 drops. 9th. — 5 A. M., 6 drops. 10. — 6½ o'clock, A. M., 10 drops. At 2 o'clock P. M.. when lying down, pain under the floating ribs of the left side, suddenly, as if thrust with a sharp instrument. In an instant the pain disappeared, but appeared as suddenly in the left temple, causing an involuntary contraction of the brow. At 2½ o'clock there was a full and crowded feeling in the whole head, and a sensation of feverish heat in the face, nevertheless the temperature of the skin did not appear to be augmented.

At 3 o'clock P. M., 6 drops on sugar. In half hour, pulsative pains in left hypochondrium, continuing for one hour.

11th. — At 9 o'clock A. M., 6 drops. In an hour, while sitting, a sensation as if a galvanic current were passing down the fore arms and hands; the same also in the feet. At 2 o'clock, when lying down, pulsative pains in the left hand and joints of fingers, and at the same time, in the right foot, more severe in the ball of the great toe, continuing for two hours.

12th. — At 6 o'clock A. M., 6 drops. Fullness about the head.

13th. — At 9 o'clock A. M., 10 drops. Erratic pains of a rheumatic character.

14th. — At 3 o'clock P. M., 10 drops. Feverish heat in face; full and crowded feeling in head, with pain as if the brain were bruised, and accelerated pulse. (90) General fatigue; aching in the loins; soreness of trapezius muscles on moving; at 6 o'clock, sensation as if a galvanic current were passing through the fore arms, continuing for half an hour. The sensitive and bruised sensation of the brain continued for two days, and then disappeared. The aching and soreness in the muscles of the neck and shoulders continued for four days.

May 8th. — Twenty-four days after taking the last dose in the above proving, at 9½ o'clock P. M., took 3 drops. 9th. — At 6 o'clock A. M., 5 drops. At 10 o'clock 5 drops, and at 9½ o'clock P. M., 6 drops more.

10th. — At 6 o'clock A. M., took 8 drops. One hour after, confusion of sight; light headed and dizzy, much increased by sudden movement of head and walking; gait staggering and very infirm; full crowded feeling in head, and heat in face. At 9½ o'clock seized with violent cramp-like pains in epigastrium, causing an involuntary cry, lasting but a moment, and then subsided, leaving a constricted sensation for one hour. This was followed by a sensation of heat and burning in the stomach. Light-headed, and dim vision, continuing for one hour. At 2½ o'clock took 8 drops. At 3 o'clock, pressive pains in right temple, with dizziness and blurred vision, such as may follow the use of intoxicating liquor, but without the exhilarating effects. The dizziness and blurred vision were attended by nausea, and continued for three hours. There were also pains in left elbow, wrist and knee, and in both ankles, and the pulse continued accelerated. The sensitiveness of the brain continued for several hours, and it appeared as if every step and sudden movement of the head would excite pain, but this did not occur.

12th. — At 6 o'clock A. M., took 6 drops. At 2½ o'clock P. M., 8 drops. At 3½ o'clock dizziness of head and blurred vision returned, and gradually increased, so that all objects appeared very indistinct, till 6½ o'clock, then as gradually abated. The face was flushed, and hot to touch, and eyes suffused.

In another instance that came within my knowledge, when the Gelseminum was given in repeated 10 drop doses for gonorrhoea, almost total blindness ensued.

It would appear that the Gelseminum, in the above pathogenetic effects, promises to become an agent of considerable curative power in-the hands of homoeopaths, and especially in a form of disease, for the treatment of which we may be said to be somewhat deficient in therapeutic means, viz: Amaurosis, or that form, at least, which depends upon a functional disturbance of the nerves of vision.

The head symptoms were very marked and disagreeable indeed — almost unbearable; and nothing but a desire to develop the pathogenetic, and consequently secure the therapeutic power of such a drug, could induce the prover to repeat the experiments. But however disagreeable, it is designed to pursue the proving still further, both with the tincture and attenuations. The prover would therefore respectfully, but earnestly solicit the co-operation of those of his professional brethren, who are desirous of making the only enduring contributions that can be made, to the medical profession.

The proving and reproving of drugs, until their whole therapeutic powers are understood, is a work devolving upon the medical profession; and a participation in this work, is a duty incumbent upon every member; and no one who has entered the profession, can be in the faithful discharge of the responsibilities thus voluntarily assumed, until he has submitted himself to the self-sacrificing work of proving drugs upon his own person. Such a labor is truly self-sacrificing; but, when faithfully performed, it will subserve the cause of suffering humanity in all coming time; and he who shrinks from it, is unworthy the honors of his alma mater, and the confidence of those who submit their lives to his imperfectly cultivated instrumentality.