They are beyond its legitimate field, and one no more so than the other. Should we attempt to correct the constitutional derangement which has for a result torpor of the alimentary canal, by cathartics, we should be following the precept "contraria," while remedies like Nux vomica would be according to the opposite theory. Pepsin from the stomach of animals is used where it is found to be deficient in that of a patient. In wasting diseases, in addition to the proper therapeutic agents, it is necessary to furnish to the system a pabulum which will most certainly restore the loss; and if oil from the liver of a fish is the best known available article of food for the purpose, the disciple of Hahnemann uses it; if in anæmia the system is deficient in iron, it is supplied in the form found best adapted for assimilation, not as a medicine perhaps, but as an aliment.

In none of these cases has the practitioner betrayed his trust; he has neither been dishonest nor inconsistent. Some doubtless believe that he is so; but it is because they are not correctly informed, and fail to make the proper distinction.

PARVULES.

UNDER this name, derived from the Latin parvulum ("not much"), Messrs. Warner & Co., pharmacists, of Philadelphia, are issuing minute pills, sugar-coated or otherwise attractive. Their announcement is very funny, accompanied as it is by constant protestations that "they are not homoeopathic." "Oh, no, per

haps not neither," as the younger Mr. Weller would say. They are indorsed by sundry allopathic physicians, who are evidently beginning to find great advantage in their employment. They have at last made the astonishing discovery that "a small dose frequently repeated will very often be crowned with more brilliant success than a single large dose." The authority of Dr. S. Henry Dessau, of New York City, is given. Referring to his recent address before the New York Medical Journal Association, they say, "The statements are not entirely new. It has long been known to some medical practitioners that there is great potency in small doses given at short intervals. Dr. Dessau has really done a service to the practice of medicine by giving prominence to some of the advantages of diminished doses, and has shown that they should be frequently repeated, so that their effect may be sustained until a cure of the patient has been secured. He strongly disavows homeopathic tendencies; is a believer in large as well as moderate doses, and has seen the advantage of each."

Parvules must not be regarded as homoeopathic, because, " for instance, a parvule of Morphia containing of a grain, given

Evidently the

hourly, would amount to a grain per diem." writer supposes the sole difference between the allopathic and homoeopathic schools of medicine to consist in the size of their respective doses. But the last quotation is from the " Pharmacist"; Dr. Dessau knows better. Let us hear him further: —

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"Upon the appearance of that now indispensable little work, Ringer's Hand-Book of Therapeutics,' my attention was particularly attracted to the frequency with which he recommends small doses of medicines that we have been accustomed to use in much larger doses for entirely different diseases. [The italics are not in the original.] Some of these medicines were recommended so strongly that I was induced to give them a trial, more especially as my practice among children impels me for many reasons to administer as little unpleasant-tasting medicine as possible. Their use with children having been found satisfactory, my position in connection with the New York Dispensary afforded me the opportunity to further test their value in numerous cases of adults.

"Parvules of Cor. sub. (10 grain), given in a form of diarrhoea in children likely to be mistaken for dysentery, when there are mucous stools, with or without blood, will be found to render most satisfactory service in effecting a cure.

"In that form of 'sick headache' due to disturbance of the gastric functions, great benefit is to be derived from parvules of Nux vom.

"There is a form of bronchitis seen among children, where a large number of mucous rales produce loud wheezing, with an asthmatic quality of cough. The wheezing is the symptom the mother is most likely to complain of, and together with the cough, is most intense at night, both almost entirely disappearing during the day. Such cases may readily yield under the use of Tart. em., given in solution in proportion of a grain to a pint of water. . . Parvules of Tart. em. contain grain."

"Minute doses" of Merc. are recommended by Dr. Dessau in obstinate syphilitic headaches; and of Ergot in retarded menstruation, the latter in "drop doses" of fluid extract, given hourly.

"Aconite receives the highest recommendation, especially for the purpose of reducing_temperature and checking inflammatory processes, from both Ringer and Bartholow. The latter speaks of this medicine as a powerful agent, which will produce manifest results in small doses.'

Finally, while vehemently disavowing "homœopathic tendencies," Dr. Dessau says:

"If I am asked to explain on what principle these small doses act in certain diseases, I reply, On the principle, as far as known, of actual experience. This is all we know about it. [!!]

"Trousseau and Bartholow attribute it to a substitutive action, or as the latter writer expresses it, the therapeutical action is the physiological antagonist of the disease action. It will, I think, be found that the frequent repetition of the small doses will be in direct ratio to the acute or chronic character of the complaint. Hourly doses will be indicated in acute cases, both to impress the disease quickly and maintain the effect of the remedy; while in chronic cases a more chronic treatment is advised." F. N. P.

[The above facts, so clearly set forth, speak so forcibly for themselves that no comment could strengthen the effect they must produce upon any just and intelligent mind. We cannot refrain, however, in this connection, from calling attention to an editorial in the New York " Medical Record" of Jan. 21, 1882. The recent resolution by the Royal College of Physicians of England is under consideration, and the comment is made that if the "resolution means anything, it means that a man may believe in homœopathy and practise it to his heart's content, but he may not call himself a homoeopath, etc." It is further said:

"What could have induced the Royal College to adopt a resolution so contrary to all its precedents for the last thirty years, it is not easy to say. Is this concession to liberty of opinion and practice due to the influence of Ringer, whose writings contain not a little clandestine homoeopathy? Is it due to the influence of Phillips, who for fifteen or twenty years was a professed homœopath, and whose writings clearly indicate his special training in homœopathic therapeutics? These questions we cannot answer."

And yet the "answer," surely more than suggested in the questions themselves, does not seem to us far to seek.]

HOMEOPATHY: ITS PROGRESS AND THE MEANS OF ITS PERPETUATION.

BY J. C. BUDLONG, M. D.

[The Annual Presidential Address delivered before the Rhode Island Homœopathic Society.]

WHAT is homœopathy? Who was the originator of this peculiar and startling science? Homoeopathy is a law of cure discovered by Samuel Hahnemann, who was born A. D. 1755, at Misnia, in Upper Saxony. He was a man of great learning and thoroughly scientific attainments, exhibiting at an early age traits of a superior genius.

After obtaining a thorough academic training, he studied medicine at Leipsic and other universities. He also became a thor

ough chemist, and soon proved himself a most accurate observer, a skilful experimenter, and an indefatigable searcher after truth. He appeared formed by nature for the investigation and improvement of medical science. Soon after commencing its study he became disgusted with the mass of contradictory assertions and theories which then prevailed respecting therapeutics. He found everything in this department obscure, hypothetical, and vague, and at one time resolved to abandon the profession; but while engaged in the translation of the materia medica of the illustrious Cullen in 1790, in which the febrifuge virtues of Peruvian bark are described, he became animated with the desire of ascertaining its mode of action. Whilst in the enjoyment of the most robust health he commenced the use of the substance, and in a short time experienced the symptoms of intermittent fever, similar in every respect to those which that medicine was known to cure. Being struck with the identity of the two diseases, he immediately descried the great truth which has become the foundation of the doctrine of homoeopathy, Similia similibus

curantur.

Continuing his experiments, he investigated the effects of the mercurial preparations. Comparing them with the symptoms of secondary syphilis, he found again a remarkable similarity. The action of Nitric acid resembled certain cutaneous diseases; of Nitrate of potash some urinary diseases and fever; of Hyoscyamus niger, vertigo, delirium, stupefaction, somnolency; and thus the relation to disease of a host of other drugs was indicated, until we see the structure which he commenced rapidly advancing towards completion. The history of homoeopathy commences under the experiments of Hahnemann about 1794. His experiments, according to his biographer, extend from about 1794 to 1810, when homoeopathy may be said to have fairly entered into life. It now remains for us to go on adding to the structure of which our noble leader laid the foundation, and for which we surely shall be held accountable.

Has this strcuture progressed as rapidly as might be expected? Let us examine the facts for a moment. Its progress was, and is indeed, very slow in Europe, not because the Old World did not investigate, but because of the difference in the institutions of the Old and the New.

The lamented Dr. Carroll Dunham, in that masterly address delivered before the World's Homoeopathic Convention, held in Philadelphia, June 26, 1876, said :

"Things identical or analogous hindered, and still hinder, the advancement of homoeopathy.

"Reforms are not favored or furthered by governments, and venerable corporations. These institutions are, from the nature of

things, conservative and repressive. Reforms of a practical nature are received first by the people, adopted and cherished by the people, and, if governmental acceptance be necessary, forced on the government by the people.

"The history of homoeopathy shows that in countries in which the government is absolute, in which education and the exercise. of the liberal professions, and the arts connected therewith, are under the control of self-perpetuating boards or corporations, there our colleagues have found it difficult to obtain freedom to practise and wellnigh impossible to gain liberty to teach.

"In proportion as the government, whether of the realm or of corporations, being in a degree representative, stands nearer to the people to whom the reform is a matter of vital interest, do our colleagues enjoy comparative freedom to practise and to

teach.

"In our own land, where the liberty of the individual is limited only by the liberty of his neighbors, where order is maintained by a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,' we practise and teach without hindrance; and the advancement of homœopathy has been rapid and solid beyond precedent, because the people have willed it.”

This is the reason why her progress was slow in other lands, but not slow when she reached America's more genial clime.

Homœopathy was introduced on this continent about 1825, by Dr. Gramm. Since that time, it has made most wonderful progress. To-day the doctrines of Hahnemann and Gramm are followed and taught by thousands and patronized by millions. Our colleges and institutions are known and honored throughout the length and breadth of the land.

There is hardly a town in the country which has not at least one popular and respected homoeopathic practitioner. We have nearly 6,oco homoeopathic physicians. We have many dispensaries and hospitals supported by private charity; fourteen or fifteen medical colleges enjoying equal privileges with any medical institutions in the land; two State universities and several State hospitals, in which we have representatives in the faculty and on the staff respectively.

This rapid growth of our science in this country, which is unparalleled in any, was made possible by the freedom to practise and to teach secured by our grand and noble institutions.

Thus we may say that the tiny spark kindled in the humble home of Hahnemann at Leipsic, and brought over to this country by Gramm, has become a great beacon, illuminating every quarter of the earth.

Having now considered homœopathy and its progress, what shall I say of the means to preserve and perpetuate it? Will this