"Pressure in both temples alternately, harder on one side than on the other?"
"Bellyache, here and there, in single spots?"
Brevity of duration and recurrence "in single spots, now here, now there," are phenomena at once spasmodic and erratic. It must be admitted that the trend of its pathogenetic action and the lines of its therapeutical application are parallel, and, therefore, that the latter are confirmatory of the former.
With such an anti-hysterical reputation as the empirical use had given to Pothos fœt., it might fairly be anticipated that its pathogenesis would be distinguished by a paucity of objective data, for only a tyro in pharmacodynamics, or a "Regular," would expect to find a full-lined picture of hysteria in any "proving." And so we have in the "abstract" a flux of subjective symptoms, "erratic" enough for hysterical elements, and still further characterized by an apparent evanescence, as if its phenomena of sensory disturbance were as fleeting and unsubstantial as those of an hysterical storm.
The will-o'-the-wisp-like character of its subjective symptoms, and its physometric property (hinted at in the pathogenesis and emphasized in Thacher's case) are the features that will chiefly impress one in studying this distinctively American remedy.
That the "abstract of symptomes" evinces a cautious trial of this drug, and that more heroic experiments will add to our knowledge of its pathogenetic properties, are plain deductions from the absence in the "abstract" of such pronounced effects as Bigelow observed and also from the evidence of the usus in morbis. The remedy needs an efficient proving, especially in the female organism.
FOOTNOTES:
[M] Literalness rather than elegance has been sought in the translating.
An Application of Pothos Fœtida.
Miss B——, æt. 20; a tall, spare brunette, and a good specimen of Fothergill's Arab type, brainy and vivacious. General health has been good, but she was never robust; could not go to school regularly. Between her thirteenth and fifteenth years grew rapidly in stature, and then she was easily wearied on walking; knees tired and limbs ached. Had good digestion through the growing period, but subsequently became subject to "bloat of wind" in abdomen. These meteoristic attacks came when lying down. A "weight rises from the abdomen up to the heart." She must at once spring up. This condition is relieved by eructating, by liquor, and by drinking hot water. The night attacks of meteorism are by far the worst. She is now subject to them.