Part 83

POTHOS FOETIDA, HYSTERIA.

November 6, 1889, was called in haste to see Miss N----, aged 19 years. Found her lying upon the floor, exhibiting all the phenomena of epilepsy, clenched hands, frothing at the mouth, clonic spasm, etc.

On questioning the family, I learned that she had been subject to such seizures for about two years, and that they were increasing in frequency. She had been dismissed from the various cotton mills in which she had been employed because of them. The father had been informed that she had epilepsy, and she had been treated accordingly by three old school physicians.

The sister informed me that although she had frequently fallen near the stove she had never struck it. Further questioning elicited the fact of her never having injured herself more seriously than to bite her tongue. It was then I became suspicious, and later felt convinced that it was hysteria and not epilepsy with which I had to deal.

I remembered having read in The Recorder an article by Dr. S. A. Jones, of Ann Arbor, on Pothos foetida, with the record of a case in some respects similar to mine. After again reading it up, I made a tincture of the roots and tendrils gathered at the time, of which I gave her a two drachm phial, directing her to take ten drops three times per day.

On the second day she had a slight seizure while at dinner. After two months she again resumed her place in the mill, where she has since been steadily employed, and is strong and well in every way.

Have used Pothos in epilepsy, also in dropsy, with negative results.

PRIMULA OBCONICA.

NAT. ORD., Primulaceae.

COMMON NAME, Primrose var. obconica.

PREPARATION.--The entire fresh plant in flower with root is macerated in twice its weight of alcohol.

(Dr. E. V. Ross, of Rochester, N. Y., thus summarizes the various papers that have appeared on this remedy--sources of papers named in his article:)

The following summary of the pathogenetic effects of Primula were produced from handling and in otherwise coming in contact with the plant, and so far as known the poisonous properties are wholly confined to the leaves.

The effects bear a close resemblance to Anacardium, Euphorbium, Ranunculus, Rhus, etc. It is evidently deserving of a thorough proving, and it is our intention to attempt one as soon as a reliable preparation can be had.

References: (1) Syme, British Medical Journal; (2) London Lancet; (3) Homoeopathic World, March, 1892; (4) American Homoeopathist, 1897, p. 429; (5) New York Medical Journal, January, 1898, p. 68.

(1) 1. Eczema on face.

2. Eczema on face and arms.

3. Moist eczema on face and forearms, papular and excoriated.

4. Severe cracking over joints and fingers as from frost.

5. Great itching of the skin.

6. Eruption appears at night.

7. Eruption and itching worse at night.

8. The itching was intolerable at night.

(2) 9. Irritable papular eruption on both hands, followed by desquamation.

10. Papular eruption on chin.

11. Eruption of small papules on a raised base with intolerable itching.

(3) 12. Papular eruption (eczematous) on hands, wrists and fingers.

13. Skin red and swollen and itching violently.