If the Neuralgia is periodical, coming on at regular intervals, Arsenicum and China are the remedies, and they should be used externally as directed for the others, both at the first dilution, and given internally at intervals, in proportion to the violence of the symptoms, the Arsen. at the 3d and the China at the first dilution. If the patient has used alcoholic drinks to excess, Nux is to be used in place of Arsenicum.
Periodical Neuralgia generally requires the same treatment as ague. In females when there is uterine disease, Pulsatilla and Macrotin are the remedies to be used, as directed above.
Jaundice.
This disease depends upon derangement of the liver. The skin and whites of the eyes become yellow; the patient grows weak, loses his appetite, is dull and sluggish in all his actions, melancholly and discouraged in his moods.
TREATMENT.
Mercurius and Podophyllin given in alternation, each twice a day, will nearly always effect a cure. If the patient is costive, Nux should be taken at night, until his bowels become regular.
Bathing the surface daily, or oftener, is a very important measure in the treatment of this affection. As often as once in two or three days, an alkaline bath should be taken. If the patient has fever every day, or once in two days, ever so slight, China should be used with Podophyllin. If he has been drugged with Mercury in any form, in large doses, even six months or a year before, give Hydrastin in place of Mercurius.
Itch.
I shall say but little about this very common and very obstinate affection. Everybody has a "cure for itch" yet nobody cures it short of the use of Sulphur in some form. Though the attenuations of Sulphur may sometimes cure itch, it must be acknowledged that such cures are so rare in this country, and the time requisite to accomplish it is so long, as a general rule, that few will trust them.
The most successful remedy, and the one that will always cure quickly, if at all, is Hepar Sulphurus Potassium, the common Hepar Sulphur (sulphuret of Potassa) of the shops. To succeed with it most certainly, let the patient be thoroughly bathed with warm soap suds, quite strong, in a room at the temperature of 90 to 100°, continuing the bathing and rubbing for an hour or more, then dry off the surface with soft cloths, and apply the Hepar sul. with water, at the strength of thirty drops of the strong alcoholic solution, with a gill of water, wetting every eruption on the whole surface and let it dry on. This causes some smarting, but it is effectual; it kills the acarus, (itch animalcule) and in a few days the sores heal, the itching all subsides immediately. If every pustule has not been touched, those left may continue to itch, in which case, a second application is necessary. Hepar Sul. should be given internally at the third dilution, for a month, once a day, after the baths. Avoid greasy food. For the