PANACEA.
We regret to say that we lost the drawings and the notes which we had collected about the tree called by the Brazilians “panacea” on account of the many ailments for which they use it. It is called in Brazil, azougue dos pobres (mercury of the poor), cabedula, and erva carneira. This tree is exceedingly common in Brazil; knowing its name, foreign homœopathists will find it perhaps easier to procure the plant.
First day.—1. Heaviness in the forehead, worse when drowsy, at 10 in the evening. Heat followed by considerable cold, at half past 10.
Second day.—Bitter mouth, in the morning after rising, at 5. Pain at the shoulder-blade by turning the head to the left side. 5. Nausea. Spasmodic yawning arrested suddenly. Cramp from the index-finger to the elbow. Violent headache, worse when inclining to the left side, at 6. Pain at the forehead and temples. 10. Pain at the loins as if bruised, at 6. Globus hystericus at the pit of the stomach, she cannot lace herself. Hunger, with loathing of food. Fainting turn. Pain from the right wrist to the elbow. 15. Vertigo with increase of the headache, at 6. Heaviness of the head. Drowsy. Tearing, from the chest to the throat, at 7. Pain like a blow with a hammer, at the left shoulder. 20. Dizziness, she inclines backwards as if she would fall, at half past 7 in the evening. Pain at the navel as if cut by a penknife, all around the abdomen and terminating in the loins. Heat at the tongue, with sensation as if little drops of ice-water were upon it, at 9 in the morning. Pain at the temples as if in a vice. Very drowsy at noon, with heaviness of the eyes. 25. Cramps from the feet to the bends of the knees. Empty feeling in the stomach, with desire to eat. Hunger causing a burning at the stomach. The knees give way, at 4 in the evening. Desires to be alone. 30. Shuddering in the open air, at 7 in the evening. She cannot kneel for any length of time. Pain in the chest, rising upwards, with pulling. Pain above the orbits as if a rusty saw were rapidly moved across the part. Sensation as if the toe-nail were torn off. 35. Weariness as after a long journey, at 8 in the evening.
Third day.—Numbness of the left hand, it cannot be stirred, at 6 in the morning. Pain as if stabbed with a knife, in the sides and navel. Pain in a decayed tooth, as if a penknife were thrust in, at 7 in the morning. Aching pain at the vertex, with dizziness; this pain shifts to the left eye, followed by sensation as if a rocket were rushing out of it, at half past 7. 40. Sense of choking at 9 in the morning. Trembling of the right hand. Dissatisfied with herself, every thing is unpleasant to her. Headache which increases her dissatisfaction. Shuddering all over.