I diagnosed prolapsus and flexion of the uterus, caused by her enforced too early getting up after her confinements; and I considered the displacement to be the cause of the disorders of the stomach and digestive organs (particularly on account of her clean tongue), and also the constipation, as I have always observed that when the stool is regular only during the menses, or even too frequent then, that the cause of the constipation is to be fouud in displacement of the uterus.

I gave her Sepia, 3d trit., twice a day, guided by the symptoms which I have designated by italics. The result which followed quickly confirmed the correctness of the selection, as two days after, the stool began to be regular; and after Sepia, 6th potency, the gastric complaints, which for years had resisted all treatment, were considerably improved; and after Sepia 10x entirely disappeared. Even the weakness of the legs, which I traced to the pressure of the displaced uterus, disappeared gradually, and now, after some months, the highly rejoicing patient declares herself entirely well.

In many other cases I obtained the same result, i. e., decrease or cure of the complaints of the stomach and digestion as well as the constipation with Graphites, 6th or 10th potency, in women and girls in whom I could find no prolapsus or flexion of the uterus; in whom the following symptoms guided my choice: itching of the skin; soreness of the nostrils, the angle of the mouth and between the legs; redness of the nose; heavy coating of the tongue; rancid heartburn; bloated abdomen; frequent passage of flatus; scanty or very hard stool; burning in the anus; delayed or suppressed menses; burning leucorrhoea; great mental irritability, and easily frightened.

I often give nothing but Graphites 5x, morning and evening, for half a month.

DR. G. S. NORTON, of New York, read a paper at the recent International Congress, on "The Relative Importance of Small Degrees of Astigmatism as a Cause of Headache and Asthenopia."

A CASE OF TRIGGER JOINT.-SULPHUR.*

PHOEBE D. BROWN, M. D., Hilton, N. J.

Doight á ressort is the name given by Nélaton to a peculiar inhibition of motion occurring in fingers otherwise normal.

Pathologists differ as to the nature of this affection, some considering it of a surgical nature, while others class. it among the neuroses. But, nearly all authors agree upon the existence of a nodosity in the course of the tendon, at some distance from the articulation, in which the arrest of motion takes place. Various experiments have been made upon the cadaver, and the results lead to the conclusion that a thickening of the tendon, accompanied by a constriction of the sheath, is essential to the production of this phenomenon.

The etiology in most cases is found in rheumatism; next in frequency is traumatism; while some cases appear without any known cause. Women are more subject than men. The thumb and ring finger are most frequently affected.

The case to which I call your attention was of five months' standing; was treated homoeopathically and cured by the use of the indicated homoeopathic remedy alone.

In April, 1886, a lady, aged 56, applied to me for relief from a painful and peculiar arrest of motion in her right thumb. She could flex the thumb voluntarily and without pain, but on attempting to extend it the segments of bone became arrested in their movement upon each other and she could not, without the help of the other hand, overcome this arrest of motion, and fully extend the thumb. The extension always caused severe pain, and so great was her dread of this that she would go about with her thumb flexed for hours rather than endure the suffering of extending it. It was also accompanied by a short, sharp snapping sound which could be heard across my office. She located the pain in the interphalangeal joint, but on

N. J. State Hom. Med. Society.

examination the only point sensitive to pressure was the metacarpo-phalangeal articulation.

Both hands were stiff, and that she could not extend She suffered great pain

The history of the case was as follows: She had had vague rheumatic pains in her hands for four or five years, but no severe or acute attack. the flexor muscles contracted so fully any finger of either hand. at times, especially in the fingers and palm of left hand. There was no other abnormal appearance, neither did she complain of rheumatic pains in any other part of her body. She suffered from a dull, heavy pain in forehead (over eyes) when she awoke in the morning; this came on daily and usually disappeared during the forenoon. Also from a long continued habitual constipation, for which she hadtaken the usual list of cathartics, with the usual temporary relief and permanent injury. Her complexion was sallow. Mentally she was discouraged and anxious, as she was obliged to earn her living by manual labor, and it was because of her inability to do this that she sought help from me.

I left my diagnosis blank, prescribed Sulphur and forbid all lotions, poultices, cathartics, etc,, etc.

The following week, reports less pain in hands. Constipation same, less headache; sleeps much better. Placebo.

Twelve days later: Less severe and less frequent pain in hands. Complexion clearer, and movement from bowels every other day. Continued placebo.

Two weeks later: Not improved since last call. Sulphur. Three weeks later: Bowels more regular than they have been in five years; headache gone; hands do not feel so stiff, and can extend the thumb without the aid of the other hand; though attended with pain, feels better every way, and begins to think that there must be power in the sugar pellets.

Two weeks later: A little more than eight weeks from beginning of treatment, can extend thumb easily and without pain or sudden quick movement, and no snap while extending. There is tenderness on pressure, but no actual pain. The fingers are not entirely free from stiffness, but

she can work without suffering, earning her own living by performing all the duties included in general housework. Complexion clear, headache gone, and no constipation unless imprudent in diet. It is now one year since the cure and there has been no return of the symptoms, and when I meet her she is so anxious to give a demonstration of the efficacy of sugar medicine that my hands ache instead of hers.

REPORTS OF CURES, FROM WHICH WE LEARN

NOTHING.

S. LILIENTHAL, M. D., San Francisco, Cal.

1. Dr. Hansen, of Copenhagen, reports a case of ischias, where the pain was diminished by continued motion, but increased at the beginning of motion. After the failure of Rhus-tox, Lycopodium 30 cured the patient.

Is Lycopodium the only drug which has as a characteristic symptom, pain diminished by continued motion, though increased at first when moving about? Do we not find the same symptom under Rhus, where Dunham teaches, these rheumatic symptoms come on with severity during repose, and increase as long as the patient keeps quiet, until they compel him to move. Now, on first attempting to move, he finds himself very stiff, and the first movement is exceedingly painful. By continuing to move the stiffness is relieved, but by continued motion the paralytic symptoms interpose their exhausting protest, and the patient enjoys the grateful rest, till the pains come on again and the patient is forced to move again as before.

Slow and enfeebled primary and secondary digestion is the character of Lycopodium, hence waterbrash, heartburn, the production of flatus in the intestines, stools thin, brown, liquid, or pale fecal, mixed with hard lumps; constant sensation as if the bowels were loaded, with torpor of bowels. It will be far more indicated in chronic cases of ischias, with complete intermissions. There are no more difficult cases of loose stools to heal than where the liquid

drains off and leaves the fecal matter to harden or by its pressure on the sciatic plexus produces the sciatica. Continued motion moves the fecal matter, and thus gives relief for the time being. Dr. Hansen forgets the necessity of the totality of symptoms, and thus his case loses its value.

2. Dr. Glotz, of Ulm, reports a case of ichthyosis cornea cured by Phosphorus and Arsenicum in alternation. A young woman of 23 years, in good health and strength consulted the doctor on account of a congenital horny eruption in the nasal region, upper lip, eyelids and especially on the extensor side of the knees and feet. Upper lip and nose were greatly swollen, covered with thin whitish scales, the scales at the margin of the eyelids were somewhat more compact. At the extremities the scales were larger, rather of a bluish color and could be pulled out without causing any great pain. She took for a whole month Arsenicum and Phosphorus in alternation, and her face was now free from swelling and scales. Continuation of the same treatment cured her entirely. She had been treated before from other physicians with Graphites, Clematis, Hepar, etc., without the least benefit.

Ichthyosis consists in an excessive proliferation of the cells of the epidermis, together with more or less hypertrophy of the papilla of the corium; there is diminution or total absence of perspiration from faulty development or early atrophy of the sudoriferous glands. Treatment of the old school is merely palliative, mostly hydropathic packs, though Jaborandi and Ustilago are put down as having greatly ameliorated such cases.

Teste in his Materia Medica, p. 257, groups togethe Silicea, Calcarea ost, Graphites, Phosphorus and Hepar. In all these drugs we find more or less capillary engorgement and diminution of the vital heat and action; red papulous blotches on the skin, especially on the sides of the head, on the face, on the back, chest, and we see that Graphites and Hepar failed, while Phosphorus and Arsenicum succeeded. Kafka (Hom. Therapie. II. 481) recommends Phosphorus internally and externally, as in acne indurata, as the remedy possessing the nearest physiological