> remedy, by Dr. G. W. Bowen, that appeared in the

Transactions of the Indiana Institute of Homoeopathy,

1895):



In the summer of 1862 vegetable matter of different forms was decomposed

in my office in glass jars, and malaria was freely generated. Persons

were hired to inhale the gas evolved in its different stages of

decomposition, and a careful observation of its effects on them was made

that gave me a clue to its future use, and the only reliable guide for

combatting its effect when acquired naturally.



Not only did the gaseous form demonstrate, but subsequent use of the

liquid product proved it capable of producing not only the three leading

types that the past years had made me conversant with, but also others

of a minor grade yet of unsuspected parentage.



The miser made delight of added gain,

Was like a pebble on the shore again,



In comparison to the satisfactory consolation that came as a realization

of the comprehension of the producing cause. Henceforth the battle need

not be carried on mid the gloom of the night.



The decomposition of the vegetable matter passed through three stages or

degrees. The first gave off gases freely, yet of not so offensive odor

as later. After ten days or two weeks the expense of securing inhalers

was more than doubled, even for one moment of time. After three or four

weeks not much gas was generated, for it seemed only capable of lying

still and sending its fearful odor heavenward. Inhalation of the gases

evolved produced for the first week or ten days a headache, nausea,

distress in the stomach, coated the tongue white, and this in from one

to two hours time generally; and there, if not carried too far, would

generally pass off in two or three days. Inhalations after ten days or

two weeks did not produce results in less than twelve or twenty-four

hours, according to time and amount inhaled. Then there was fearful

headache, nausea, aversion to food, distress through the hypochondriac

region, first in the spleen, the liver and stomach, and on the third day

chills that would doubtless have continued on indefinitely if not

interfered with.



After decomposition had gone on for three or four weeks it was ascetic

and simply fetid to a fearful degree, and no results except nausea were

apparent in any one exposed to it in less than three or four days. The

first was extreme lassitude and loss of appetite, and apparently a

continued fever, with an unlimited amount of pains and aches and a

lassitude that limited locomotion.



Three vials of the watery tincture were saved, one each from the various

stages of decomposition, and from these an attempt was made to make

provings and find out what were the reliable antidotes to them, and thus

be able to cope with my invisible foe in my daily avocation. Their

provings were not carried far enough, or continued long enough to be

justified in placing them in our Materia Medica, but are ample to aid

and guide the future steps that ought to be taken. Its discontinuance

was rendered rather necessary by my enthusiasm that led too far in a few

cases, but the antidotal effects of certain remedies amply compensated

me for my financial and reputational loss.



Bilious colic, nausea, cramps, diarrhoea and headaches were readily

secured from a few drops of the first vial, in many cases, while the

second vial gave me a large number of cases where the liver, spleen,

stomach and kidneys were apparently seriously involved, and not them

alone, but fair types of intermittent fever with its attendant shakes,

some daily, some tertian.



With the third vial trouble came, as it did reduce many that had been

able to be up and around to their beds, and unmistakably cause them to

get worse, and cause them to degenerate into a typhoidal or

semi-paralytic condition. In a few cases I was deprived the liberty of

finding my antidotes and helping them out of the dilemma.



(Among the experiments made with these strange tinctures,

if they may be so called, was the following, which is

strangely confirmatory of a speculation advanced by

several old physicians that consumptives are benefited,

or even cured, by being exposed to malaria):



It was a lady, the last of a family of five, all others had died of

consumption, and three in her preceding generation of the same disease.

I doubted the probability of saving her, yet theoretically decided

that as the primitive action of malaria was, first, the spleen, next the

liver and stomach, that I would develop an artificial or drug disease

there, in hopes that her chest would be relieved and doubtless be

benefited. She was given the tincture from second vial, and on the fifth

day she had a fairly perceptible chill, and a harder one the sixth and

seventh. On the eighth I saw her shake for one hour, and her fever

lasted over six hours. Out of pity my drug was neutralized and her

health was restored, with no more cough distress in her lungs or heart.

She was cured of her tendency and certainty of dying with consumption.

She remained well for twelve years when she was lost to my call.



(In his search for remedies, or antidotes, for the

malarial poisons, Dr. Bowen was disappointed in

Eupatorium perf. In his experience the following

remedies are best):



For the first or primitive effects, the remedies that did act most

promptly and effectually were Nux vomica and Bryonia, thus calling

to mind the effect of those remedies that experience had led me to use

in the attacks that come in the summer, that are usually designated as

of a bilious nature.



In the secondary form, or where my malaria seemed to be the result of

the decomposition of the material or vegetable fiber, its effects were

more permeating, as different symptoms were developed by it. Then a

change of remedies (or chemical antidotes, if you please), became

necessary, and far the best results were secured by the use of Bryonia

and Arsenicum. China did not act well or give any reasonable

satisfaction.



Prior and later experience give ample satisfactory proof of the utility

of the use of Arsenicum in all types of an intermittent nature, yet

not to discredit the fact that other remedies can and will cure this

form. But that a pernicious case can, or will, be as readily restored by

any other remedy, I reserve to myself the liberty to doubt.

Opportunities and time have demonstrated that these two remedies are

able to restore the system and remedy a majority of the diseases that

are wont to make their advent in the early autumn or late in the spring.



Later, after the total decomposition of my vegetable matter had taken

place, and it almost seemed to possess a demoniacal potency or power to

undermine the humblest human form, then to my surprise Bryonia seemed

to hold prestige and give splendid results, but needed a different

assistant, one that could and would permeate the muscular system, yet

slowly, and for this Rhus tox was called into requisition, and from

that day to this it has not been the means of causing me a single

disappointment.



(Again, and as a last quotation from this interesting

paper, we quote):



Many years of observation have demonstrated one more important fact in

relation to the means that will render the system less liable to its

absorption, at least to that extent that it will give evidence of its

presence, and that is, by the liberal use of coffee.



(In 1897 Dr. Bowen sent the following to the

Homoeopathic Recorder concerning Malaria off.):



Messrs. Boericke & Tafel prepared me a new supply of it, and I have used

so far only one form of it and in the one attenuation.



It was prepared in three degrees of strength:



No. I is the water that stood on decomposed vegetable matter for one

week at a temperature of 90 degrees.



No. II is the water that decomposed vegetable matter for two weeks.



No. III is the water that decomposed vegetable matter for three

weeks, and it is fearfully offensive.



I have only used the No. II, or that that had only partially decomposed

the vegetable fibres.



In preparing it for use I put ten drops of the water to ninety drops

of alcohol and then medicated my pellets (No. 30), and it does not

soften them up. This is the only form I have used it in, and give from

three to ten of these pills for a dose two, three or four hours apart.



I have been confined to my home for three months this year, and hence

will only report a few of the most marked cases.



CASE I. Mrs. R., aged 45, weighing 245 pounds, could scarcely walk or

get into a buggy for two years, from the effects of rheumatism in her

back and limbs. I gave her last March two drams of No. 30 pills

medicated with the first decimal, or No. 2 preparation, with orders to

take ten pills three or four times a day. In one week she could walk

as well as ever and has no rheumatism or lameness since.



CASE II. Mr. S., foreman in a large saw mill, has been afflicted with

rheumatism for years. He came to me in April with a stiff neck and his

right arm and shoulder helpless and painful. He wished me to keep it

from his chest and heart. I gave him two drams No. 30 pellets, first

decimal, and a vial of neutral globules, with orders to take two hours

apart, changing, when better, three hours apart. In three days he was

better and could turn his neck and use his arm fairly well. One week

later gave him two drams more of Malaria, to be taken six hours apart.

He has not had any rheumatic troubles since that time.



CASE III. Mr. C., proprietor of two large saw mills, one in Arkansas,

where he passes part of his time (and frequently gets wet), has been

afflicted with what some doctors called gout. I found it was of a

rheumatic nature (caused from malaria) and made worse by Quinine and

external applications. I gave him Malaria, two drams, No. 30 pills.

In three days he assured me he was better and did not have half as many

pains or aches. He took only four drachms, at from three to six hours

apart, and has not had any rheumatic or gouty pains since. I saw him

last week and he says he is fully ten years younger than he was last

spring.



CASE IV. I was called to see I. S., aged 55, a veteran and pensioner of

the last war. He was poor and bronzed in color. Had not been able to

walk for years. After repairing his heart, chest, stomach and curing his

piles and regulating his bowels he was content, yet he could not walk.

Being assured that his back had been injured while in the army, and as

his limbs would not move at his will and he could not walk alone or get

out of a chair, I gave him for a week Ruta graveolens and Rhus tox.,

of each the first cent., three hours apart. This enabled him to get up

and down two steps alone to the kitchen. Then, concluding his trouble

was due to rheumatism, and that was caused by malaria, I gave him two

drams of No. 30 pellets of No. 2 form of Malaria, first decimal, with

orders to take ten pills three or four times a day. In one week he rode

to my house and came up and down steps alone. I gave him two drams more

and in five days he came to my office, having walked nearly three miles

that morning alone. I need not say I was deeply surprised and could

hardly believe it was all due to Malaria. It certainly was, as nothing

else was taken or applied. He has gained flesh and seems to be at least

ten years younger than he was.



These are a few of the surprising results that have been obtained from

Malaria this year. I much wish that others would try it and help to

obtain its proper place as a medicine and healer when used where it

should be given.



(Dr. W. A. Yingling contributed the following to the same

journal):



On the day I received from Boericke & Tafel Malaria off. 30, I was

foolishly led to try Hahnemann's inhalation. The thought just occurred

to me on the spur of the moment, and without stopping to think I took

three strong inhalations, with both sorrow and a proving resulting. None

of the symptoms were distressing, yet marked and clear cut. The remedy

commenced its work very promptly and in the order following:



Aching in both elbows.



A kind of slight concentration of feeling at root of nose, and just

above, as though I should have a severe cold, similar to that complained

of by hay-fever patients.



Aching in the wrists.



A tired ache in the hands.



A tired ache in the knees, and for a distance above and below.



A feeling as though I should become dizzy.



Pain in top of left instep.



A tired feeling in wrists.



Aching in an old (cured) bunion on left foot.



Sensation on point of tongue as though a few specks of spice or pepper

were there.



Itching on right cheek over molar bone; ameliorated by slight rubbing or

scratching.



When leaning face on left hand, elbow on the table, perceptible feeling

of the heart beats through upper body and neck.



Slight itching on various parts of the face and extremities; ameliorated

by slight rubbing.



Sense of heat in the abdomen.



Chilly sensation in left forearm. Soon followed by chilly feeling in

hands and fingers; feet are cold with sensation as if chilliness was

about to creep up the legs. A few moments later knees feel cold. A sense

of coldness ascending over body from the legs.



Arms feel tired.



Belching several times, easy; no taste.



A drawing pain in right external ear.



Lumbar back feels tired as though it would ache.



Neck feels tired, with slight cracking in upper part on moving the

head.



Shallow breathing which seems from languor, with a desire to take a deep

inspiration occasionally.



A kind of tired feeling through abdomen and chest.



A general sense of weariness.



A feeling about head as though I would become dizzy.



Pain in upper left teeth.



A sensation as though I would have a very loose stool (passed away

without a stool).



Feeling rather stupid and sleepy.



A sensation in the spleen as though it would ache.



Saliva more profuse than usual; keeps me swallowing often.



Pain in abdomen to right of navel.



Dull aching through forehead.



Face feels warm as if flushed, also head; becomes general over body, as

if feverish.



Aching across upper sacral region.



Legs very weary from short walk.



Pain at upper part of right ilium.



General sense of weariness from a very short walk, especially through

pelvis, sacral region and upper thighs. I feel strongly inclined to lie

down and rest.



Qualmishness at stomach, as though I should become nauseated.



General sense of malaise and weariness becoming quite marked.



Aching above inner angle of right eye.



A kind of simmering all through the body.



Felt impelled to lie down, and on falling to sleep a sense of waving

dizziness passes all over me, preventing sleep.



At times I feel as though I should become cold or have a chill, then I

feel as though I should become feverish or hot, though neither is very

marked.



Eyes feel heavy and sleepy.



Uneasiness in lower abdomen.



Gaping, yawning and desire to stretch.



Legs are restless; feel like stretching and moving them.



I feel very much as I did one time before having the ague, twenty-five

years ago.



Odor from cooking is pleasing, but I have no desire for dinner. Yet when

I sit down I eat a good dinner with relish.



Dizziness on rising from a reclining position.



Feel generally better after eating dinner.



Aching in the occiput.



During the afternoon leg weary.



Unusual hearty appetite for supper (the good appetite keeps with me for

some days).



A good night's rest following, and have felt much brighter and generally

better ever since the first day. (Healing.)



I have no doubt had I repeated the inhalations several times I should

have been very sick. It is not necessary to push a proving to extremes.

I think Hahnemann did not as a rule. If I were strong I should push this

proving, but I dare not. Who will take it up?



(Apropos of the foregoing Dr. G. Hering, of England, made

the following suggestions which hint at a possible use of

the remedy in tuberculosis):



What curious discoveries are made by the observant! Witness the

following remarks of Dr. Casanova, as recorded in the Homoeopathic

Review of over thirty years ago:



"I know several localities in South America, Africa and

Spain where the marsh miasma has unquestionably arrested

and cured that fatal scourge of the human race, phthisis

pulmonalis, without any other treatment or restriction in

food or drink. And why should not the climate of the fen

lands of Lincolnshire, in the neighborhood of Spalding,

prove as curative an agent for this disease as the climate

of so many foreign regions where patients go and die,

deprived of all the comforts of a home? Penzance, among

the British localities, is reported to be superior to

nine-tenths of the places to which patients are sent.

Penzance, then, and Spalding should be particularly

studied by medical men and recommended to consumptive

individuals who wish to enjoy the benefits and advantages

of a national place of relief, if not of cure."



Upon reading this I began to reflect upon the limitless nature of

science. We never seem to find either beginning or end to it. Circles

within circles, and no one can tell what communications there are

between those circles. We cannot trace them. We are lost in infinity.



Miasmatic places are the most healthy places--for some of us at least.



Now, I think of it, I find I can give some support to this statement of

Dr. Casanova. I was once on board a Liverpool steamer which put into

Aspinwall, on the swampy Isthmus of Panama, for nine days. Upon our

return home several of the sailors, otherwise healthy fellows, were

prostrated by what was called Panama fever, whilst I myself, who had

formerly suffered from tubercular disease of the lungs, was totally

unaffected.