Indeed, I think most failures are due to a lack of perseverence on the part of both patient and physician.

Most patients soon become discouraged because relief is not prompt and changes form one physician to another so rapidly that the treatment does little or no good; or he totally fails to carry out the doctor's directions, untill finally he finds himself in the hands of some ambitious operator, who advises an operation and promises prompt relief. The patient submits, because relief is promised in short order. And he got it in short order, for it usually lasts only until the weaker muscle regain its strength and the condition is reversed. The muscle then (operated on) is the weaker.

I have examined two cases lately, that had been operated upon. One, a lady, who traveled with her husband and twenty-two years of age.

Tenotomy, graduted, was done in St. Louis on both interval recte eighteen months previous. She came to me stating that the trouble had returned and desired operation interference. The case was then reversed. She stated, however, that she had prompt relief from the operation which continued ten or twelve months. She said that since that time I had read quite a good deal and that she tired quickley and was subject to headaches. I opposed operation in interference and prescribed prsimatic glasses, and corrected 150 D of Hypernutropic astigmatism.

vious he had had the interval recters of his right eye operated on in New York. That two months later he had the exterval of same eye operated on and now I find that operations on interval of left eye is necessary on this line of treatment. He now has only one good muscle. I did not operate, and have not seen him since. I told him to hunt up his New York doctor and that he would accomodate him with a third operation.

He told me that he went on the stage at twenty, and soon after, that his eyes would givg out, and that for three or four years before being operated upon he suffered greatly.

On a slight examination I made out 50 D astigmatism of the right eye.

I give these two cases for two reasons. 1st, to show that the good obtained is not permanent, and 2d, to show that positive injury is done.

It is not necessary to reitirate these cases for if you have followed me, you will have observed both points.

I failed to find in these two cases any good reasons for the operation. In fact, the error of refraction shown in both cases was sufficient reason not to operate.

In most cases of muscular insufficiency there is some error of refraction. And if the doctor will take the pains to search for the cause, he will find it. And then, with the co-operation of his patient, his way is clear. A very large majority of cases are complicated with other troubles, constitutional, local or sympathetic. I

CASE No. II. An actor, aged 28 years, came to me in November, stating that he had had two operations, and wanted a third. He stated that twelve months pre

of congenital (?) insufficiency, or on a case of non-progressive muscular atropyy where permanent damage is done. I do not know that I ever saw a case of purely congenital muscular insufficiency, but I have,

under observation, a family in which the mother, from daughter of three years, all of which suffer more or less from insufficiency, associated with errors of refraction. And this looks as though it is hereditary as well.

In graduated tenotomy, you actually injure, and add permanent damage to a strong muscle simply because its fellow, is in some way impaired and is unable to perform the work imposed upon it. In every case there is a reasonable explanation for such insufficiency, and on that explanation we must act. Tenotomy is about as reasonable for insufficiency as blood-letting and purging is for pneumonia. Operate on a sound muscle for insufficiency, and the relief is prompt,* but only temporary. Bleed and purge pneumonia patients, who are suffering great pains and relief is prompt but in three or four days your patient has gone to that bourne, etc.

It is first of all very necessary to make a thorough examination of every case, no matter how trivial the symptoms appear. This is true not only of ocular insufficiency, but of all eye troubles. There is no eye trouble, even though it be simple, that does not demand full and complete investigation. Many failures are due to the fact that the case was not investigated. In this investigation we are almost sure to discover the cause, the removal of which is three fourths of the battle.

We will also discover that the cause in a very large majority of cases is some error of refraction, and some other of the more frequent causes are over work; use of eyes in bad light, improper position of body at school, lying abed reading, late hours, etc.

Some of the most prominent symptoms

are pain of a dull aching character, referred to the supra-orbital, temporal and occipital region, blurring, tired feeling, and inability to use eyes only for a few minutes at a time.

I neglected to say in speaking of causes that Lasal catarrh often seems to act as a cause, and also otorrhoea, with perforation of drum acted as a cause by reflex action. I now have such a patient under observation.

By the rational treatment of ocular insufficiency is meant treatment on reason and good judgment. And this is done by removing the causes and supporting and strengthening the weaker muscles. The first is done by correcting all errors of refraction, correcting all errors of patient's habits, seeing that his general health is good, correcting all local ailments. And prescribe such rest as the individual case demands.

The second or supportive treatment is effected by prisms and tonics, both local and general.

Prisms should be worn not constantly. Each patient should have two pair of prisms, one for the correction of the error caused by the weak muscle, which should be a little less than the amount of error. The second pair should have their basis reversed to those for reading and used to exercise the weaker muscles, and should on the full amount of error. These should be used two or three times a day. I usually direct the patient to begin by wearing them two or three minutes the first day, each time, and to add one minute for each day following. If there is much pain I use a galvanic current of electricity, and I also use the Faradic current as a local tonic. Both currents act well.

With complete co-operation of the patient

and systematically following the line of treatment, failure is unnecessary.

The object of this paper is not to show anything new, but to support my position that all cases of insufficiency of the ocular muscles can be cured by other more reasonable means than tenotomy, either graduated or complete, with the possible exceptions of those cases where permanent atrophy has taken place and in those that may be congenital. And I also contend that although the result is more satisfactory in the beginning where tenotomy is done, it is also of short duration, while the result by the other is permanent if you have permanently removed the

cause.

The rational treatment is based on reason and good judgment, while tenotomy has nothing to commend it. The successful and conscientious physician of the day has a reasonable explanation for every prescription. He is successful by reason. of his theoretical knowledge of medicine together with his good judgment and com

mon sense.

It does not require much thought to tell what will give quick relief to a patient suffering from the "belly-ache;" but as there are many cases of "belly-ache," it requires an investigation and treatment, by reason of that investigation to permanently cure your patient of his "bellyache." And so in eye troubles.

The Board of Trustees of the Southern Homœopathic College at Baltimore, have purchased a large 3 story double building, 50 x 150 ft., near the centre of the city, which is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it is intended. The necessary improvements are being rapidly pushed to completion, and we predict a most successful opening next October 5th.

Materia Medica.

Contributed to the JOURNAL.

INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS OF TEXAS.

BY T. G. EDWARDS, M. D. BLANCO CITY, TEXAS.

STILLINGIA SYLVATICA.

Common

names; Queen's Root, Squaw Root, Silver Leaf, Yaw Root, Queen's Delight.

This valuable addition to our Materia Medica is found growing in sandy soils from Virginia to Texas.

In our own State it is found growing luxuriously on the praries of the Northern part of this State, in the central portion, and also in the mountainous regions of Texas. Though in the latter locality all the specimens I have examined were dwarfted and stunted.

Stillingia is a perennial plant, with a herbaceous stem growing from two to three feet high.

The stem when broken exudes a milky juice. The leaves are alternate, nearly oblong, or lanceolate, obtuse, senulate, tapering at the base and accompanied with stipules. It is in flower from April to July. Flowers in form of a spike.

The root, which is the part used in medicine, is large, thick, woody, in long cylindrical pieces one-third of an inch and upwards in thickness, wrinkled when dried; externally of a yellowish brown color, when cut into shows an interior soft yellowish woody portion, covered by a pinkish colored bark. The root has a strong, acid, pungent taste unpleasantly irritating the mouth and gums.

The tincture should be made from the fresh root, as the root when dry is perfectly inert.

Stillingia's sphere of action is on mucous membranes, causing inflammation with increased secretion.

It has been used successfully in ropy muco-purulent leucorrhea. Muco-purulent discharge from the nose, excoriating the lips and ale nasi.

In gonorrhea with burning and itching during micturition. In gleet in chordee. In laryngitis syphilitica, with hoarseness, dry spasmodic cough or loose cough.

Stillingia has a marked action on the

fibrous tissues. Hence it has been found curative in rheumatic affections. Nodes, periostitis, exostitis. In diseases of bones of a scrofulous or syphilitic character. In bones, pains arising from the abuse of Mercury or from syphilis.

The bone pains calling for Stillingia are worse at night and in damp weather, similar to those of Mercurius.

It has rendered efficient service in mercurial periostitis of the bones of the skull, and in sciatica of syphilitic patients.

Stillingia, assails the lymphatic system causing enlarged cervical glands, and acrid secretions.

On the skin the provings show it has given rise to ulcerations with profuse discharge of excoriating unhealthy pus.

Has been used with marked benefit in primary, secondary and tertiary syphilis.

In Eczema. In torpid scaly obstinate skin affections. In cases that have been treated unsuccessfully with Mercury or Iodide of Potash. Brown moist eruptions on the scalp. Tubercular eruptions.

Ulcerations with profuse purulent discharge. In torpid liver. In jaundice with white pasty fetid stools.

Those desiring a fuller acquaintance with this remedy will find its pathogenesis

given in Allen's Hand-Book of Materia Medica.

Societies.

Contributed to the JOURNAL.

FLORIDA STATE SOCIETY.

BY H. R. STOUT, M. D., JACKSONVILLE, FLA.

THE Homœopathic Medical Society of Florida met in Ocala June 3d, 1891, circumstances combined to render the attendance small.

The meeting was called to order by the president, Dr. T. J. Williamson, of Eustis, who, after the transaction of the usual routine business, delivered an eloquent address.

Papers were read as follows: Dr. Ida F. Bruce, of Tampa, on the Progress of Homœopathy; Dr. W. H. Marcau, of Ocala, on Schuessler's Tissue Remedies; Dr. H. R. Stout, of Jacksonville, a Study of Bryonia, and a case in practice of Congenital Gastric Catarrh, with an autopsy.

The following were the officers elected for the next year: Dr. W. H. Marcau, of Ocala, president; Dr. C. H. Lutes, of Sanford, vice-president; Dr. Ida F. Bruce, of Tampa, secretary and treasurer.

The Society was delightfully entertained in the evening by Dr. Marcau and his accomplished wife, the wellknown authoress, whose late work, "A Tragedy of Oak Hurst," a novel exceedingly well written, and containing several powerful scenes, has attracted widespread attention.

The Society will meet next year at Eustis.

Contributed to the JOURNAL.

THE SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION.

PRESIDENTIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA.
August 3, 1891.

TO the members of the Southern Homœopathic Medical Association, and to the Homœopathic physicians of the South;

Brethren

I beg to remind you that our Association will hold its annual meeting at Nashville, Tenn., on November 11th, 12th and 13th. There is none too much time to prepare for it. Let your papers be well digested, practical, comprehensive, and not above fifteen minutes in length. We want no text book articles, but facts in practice that may be useful in the future. Inspired by the success of our meeting at Birmingham last year and our late Congress at Atlantic City, the greatest event in the history of our school, let us by united effort make our meeting at Nashville a memorable one for our school in the South.

Fraternally yours,

H. R. STOUT, M, D.,
President.

SOUTHERN ASSOCIATION

ANNOUNCEMENT.

THE Southern Homœopathic Medical Association will meet in its twelfth annual session at Nashville, Tenn., in conjunction with the Homœopathic Medical Society of Tennessee, on November 11th, 12th and 13th, 1891.

The excellent work done by the Association at Birmingham last year evinced its

power for the general good of our cause as well as the benefit derived by those in attendance. It is very much desired that its membership shall be increased and that the interest along all lines of the profession, and especially in the department of Materia Medica, shall be intensified at the approaching meeting.

The following Chairmen were appointed to the different bureaux and are reporting excellent progress in their work. If you have anything interesting to the profession or for the good of Homœopathy, you will confer a favor by reporting it to the chairman of the bureau under which it

Orificial Surgery: A. L. Monroe, M. D., Louisville, Ky.,

Sanitary Science: W. W. Clapp, M. D., Birmingham, Ala.,

Gynecology: Lizzie Gray Gutherz, M. D., St. Louis, Mo.,

Obstetrics: Sarah J. Millsop, M. D., Bowling Green, Ky.,

Pedology: A. L. Southgate, M. D., Clarksburg, Tenn..

Ophthalmology: F. P. Green, M. D., Memphis, Tenn.,

Registration, Statistics and History: C. E. Fisher, M. D., San Antonio, Texas.,

Wells Le Fevre, M. D., Cor. Sec. Ten minutes only will be allowed for the reading of any paper except by unanimous consent. Boil it down,-No Kali Bichromicum papers please.