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that have been sent to me by readers of the Homoeopathic World on

the subject of the use of Stellaria media in the treatment of

rheumatism, but I trust that the information given below will satisfy

all the correspondents. It will be remembered by my readers that the new

drug was first proved by me in 1893, consequent on my attention being

drawn to the weed by our esteemed friend, the Rev. F. H. Brett. I made a

thorough proving of the drug, not only once, but several times, so as to

satisfy myself beyond a doubt as to the symptoms peculiar to it, and

the excruciating rheumatic-like pains developed at the time are still

vividly remembered by me; in fact, they were so severe and intense as

not to be easily forgotten when once experienced. There is no mistaking

the rheumatic symptoms of the drug. They come on very rapidly, and the

sharp, darting pains so peculiar to rheumatism are experienced, not only

in almost every part of the body, but the symptoms of soreness of the

parts to the touch, stiffness of the joints, and aggravation of the

pains by motion are also present. These pains may be described as

follows:



"Rheumatic-like pains over the right side of the head; especially

towards the back, with the parts sore to the touch; rheumatic-like pains

darting through the whole head, worse on right side; rheumatic-like

pains left half of forehead, over the eye, with the parts sore to the

touch; rheumatic-like pains in the left foot; rheumatic-like pains in

the ankles; sharp, darting, rheumatic-like pains in the left knee,

gradually extending above along the thigh; rheumatic-like pains below

the right knee-cap; rheumatic-like, darting pains through various parts

of the body, especially down the right arm and the middle and index

fingers of the left hand; stiffness of the joints in general;

rheumatic-like pains in the calves of the legs, which are sensitive to

the touch; rheumatic-like pains in the right hip; rheumatic-like pains

across the small of the back, aggravated by bending or stooping;

stiffness in lumbar region with soreness; darting, rheumatic-like pains

through right thigh; rheumatic-like pains in right groin.



"It will be seen by the above symptoms that almost every part of the

body in which it is possible for rheumatic pains to occur is affected,

the rheumatic-like pains darting from one part to another. My

correspondents all being readers of The Homoeopathic World will

remember a case reported in the January number of the journal (1896), by

Mr. R. H. Bellairs, in which the pains were 'now in ankle, now in knee,

now in arm, wrist, or fingers.' This case fully illustrates the

symptoms borne out in my proving of the drug, and it but naturally

followed, according to the law of similars, that the disease should

yield to the month's treatment with Stellaria media. Mr. Bellairs says

he thinks that possibly 'shifting pain' is a key-note, and I am glad

that I am able to inform him that he is correct in his supposition. I am

pleased to hear that he has often given Stellaria media in chronic

rheumatism, and now looks upon it as a specific. It is these things that

gladden the heart of the prover of new drugs--the news of the practical

triumph of a new drug over symptoms of disease similar to those it is

itself capable of developing in a healthy body--and one feels amply

repaid for the hours and days of pain and suffering that one has

inevitably to put up with in the vocation of 'proving.' I heartily

congratulate Mr. Bellairs on his success in curing the above case.



"I have been asked by one correspondent whether a changeable

climate--one with sudden changes of temperature occurring every day, for

instance--would prevent the drug from taking effect in the treatment of

rheumatism. To this question I can promptly return an answer in the

negative. I have proof upon proof lying before me to testify that

Stellaria media is just as efficacious in a changeable climate as in

any other. Reports of cases cured have come to me from various parts of

the world, under varying changes of climate, and the result has always

been the same, namely, 'the cure of the case.'



"For internal administration I have always found the 2x tincture the

most efficacious, given in from one to two drop doses every two, three,

or four hours, according to the severity of the symptoms. For external

purposes I strongly advise the [Greek: theta] tincture. It may be

employed either in the form of a lotion (20 to 60 minims of [Greek:

theta] tincture to a tumblerful of water), the ointment or the liniment

(30 to 40 minims of the [Greek: theta] tincture to [Latin: ezh]j of

pure olive oil). Cloths steeped in the lotion and renewed when dry may

be applied to the painful parts, or the ointment or liniment may be

rubbed well in. Experience has taught me that external treatment

combined with internal greatly assists in hastening the cure. In the

treatment of rheumatism Stellaria media is a very active drug, acting

very promptly; a low dilution of the mother tincture of the drug taken

internally is very apt, therefore, to intensify the pains, and these

should therefore be avoided and the 2x dilution used."