Part 99

It was one of these hints that induced me some years ago to make a proving of Wyethia Helenioides, or "poison weed." Like many other provings, it was only partial. A schema of it was published in "Allen's Encyclopaedia," Vol. x., page 168.

Two years ago an attempt was made to secure additional symptoms, which are given below in the language of the provers, who at that time were members of the "Organon and Materia Medica Club of the Bay Cities."

At the time of the proving, the potency and the drug were unknown to the provers.

I. "June 9th, 1896, began taking----, of which I took a drop in a teaspoonful of water before each meal. First dose 7:35 (did this for four days); 7:45, feels in nose as if about to sneeze; 7:50, sitting quietly, a momentary pain on inside of right foot from instep to the sole; 8:35, stretching and yawning, itching on the left side of the chin; 4:10 P.M., dry sensation in throat, although mucus is abundant; 5:30 P.M., sensation of dryness and tickling on the edges of eyelids, such as I felt when a sty was about to appear; sensation of dryness in throat; 5:35 P.M., a small itching spot on right side of neck; 8 P.M., dryness in throat with abundant mucus.

"June 7th.--7:30 A.M., throat sore; 8:35, tingling in right foot when standing; 11, while in church, sensations of formications in eyelids with lachrymations; 11:25, pain in the right testicle; 3 P.M., despondent; P.M., pain on top of right shoulder midway between neck and point of shoulder; motion does not affect it.

"June 8th.--Before breakfast, lips feel dry, back of throat (posterior wall of pharynx) sore, increased flow of tasteless saliva; 10:30, pain in left ear, itching in left external canthus; 1:30 P.M., mouth full of sweetish saliva; at lunch bit tongue severely; 9:30 P.M., mouth feels dry and as if scalded, with desire to drink frequently in order to moisten it.

"June 9th.--Scalded mouth continues.

"June 12th.--6 A.M., lips feel scalded and swollen.

"June 17th.--Itching in rectum.

"July 4th.--10 A.M., headache in left anterior part of brain, as if radiated from left inner canthus; 12:30, headache in left occipital protuberance.

"For several nights waken frequently and too early in the morning, without any disagreeable consequences.

"July 7th.--A sore hang-nail on third finger of right hand.

(Signed) "A. MCNEIL."

Dr. McNeil took the first decimal dilution. (S.)

II. "June 5th.--Began at 1 P.M., taking a drop before each meal.

"June 6th.--Depressed all forenoon, languid feeling of mind and body; despondent almost to desperation; irritable, cross, easily angered about trifles; melancholy about the future, with no reason for it; seemed that I was forsaken by all my friends and was on the verge of insanity; bodily uneasiness, unfitting me for any work; felt that I could 'fall all down in a heap;' muscles seemed to refuse to respond to the will.

"June 7th.--Entire incapacity for mental work; could not follow a line of thought twenty seconds; forehead cold to touch, with heavy feeling over the eyes as though the skin and flesh of forehead would come down over the eyes; intense drowsiness all day, worse after meals; irresistible sleepiness after lunch; accustomed cup of coffee was not relished.

"June 8th.--Dreams were vivid and real; was discovered talking in my sleep; the thoughts and work of previous day were on my mind on waking as though I had not gone to sleep.

"June 9th and 10th.--Aversion to company, did not wish to see anyone, not even intimate friends; great aversion to my work; had to punish myself to even visit a patient; quarrelsome, impatient, irritable.

"M. F. UNDERWOOD."

Dr. Underwood took the fifteenth decimal dilution. (S.)

III. "June 8th, 1896, commenced taking remedy given by Dr. Selfridge, one drop three times a day before meals.

"June 13th.--After a restless night, awakened at 7:30 A.M. with severe, sharp pain in the right tonsil; throat felt swollen and sore; tonsil red and inflamed; glands on right side of neck swollen and sore to touch.

"At 9:30, neuralgic pains commenced in left arm and hand, then in back, limbs and all over the body; skin felt sore to touch; was quite ill all day, with no appetite whatever.

"At 7:30 P.M. commenced to feel chilly; upon the slightest movement chills would creep up the back, with increase of pain; grew colder and colder; was very ill, and went to bed. At 9:30 fever commenced with desire for food; head very hot; cheeks very red and burning; temperature 102 deg., but still very chilly. Passed a very restless night, with chill, fever and sweat all at the same time, with constant twinges of pain all over the body, particularly in back and limbs; could not bear the slightest touch.

"June 14th.--Temperature 101-1/2 deg. at 8 A.M. Right tonsil and glands of neck still very sore, in fact, worse; pains over body less, though back quite sore and lame; felt very weak and unable to remain out of bed.

"Still continued the remedy. All symptoms gradually improved, and was entirely well in a few days.

"June 20th.--Stopped taking the remedy on advice of Dr. Selfridge.