Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-12-25

selves are then covered by crust Of
serum, which filters outward and dries
In the air; they change to crusts, which
fall of after two or three weeks, and
which, sometimes after one injection
only, leave a clean red cicatrix behind.
Generally, however, several injections
are required for the complete removal
ofthe lupus. But of this more later on.
l must mention, as point Of special
Importance, that the changes described
are exactly confined to the parts of the
affected with lupus. Even the smallest
nodules, and those most deeply hidden
In the lupus tissue, 60 through the pro-
cess, and become visible in consequence
of the swelling and change of color,
while the tissue itself, in which the
lupus changes have entirely ceased, re-
mains unchanged The observation Of
lupus case treated by the remedy is so
instructive, and is necessarily 80 con-
vinciDg, that those who wish to make a
trial of the remedy should, If at all pos
sible, begin with case of lupus.
THE LOCAL AND GENERAL REACTION
t TO THE REMEDY.
The specific action of the remedy in
these cases is less striking, blt Is per-
ceptible to eye and touch, as are the
local reactions In cases of tuberculosis
of the glands, bones, joints, etc. In
these cases swelling, increased sensi-
bility, and redness of the superficial
parts are observed. The reaction of the
internal organs, especially of the lungs,
Is not at once apparent, unless the in
creased cough and expectoration of
consumptive patients after the first in
jections be considered as pointing to a
local reaction. In these cases the gen.
eral reaction is dominant; nevertheless,
we are justified in assuming that here,
seen in lupus cases.
THE DIAGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE
METHOD.
The symptoms of reaction above de.
scribed occurred without exception in
all cases where tuberculus process was
present in the organism, after dose of
0.01 cubic centimetre, and think 1 am
justified in saying that the remedy will
therefore in future form an indispensa-
BILE aid to diagnosis. By its aid we shall
be able to diagnose doubtful cases of
phthisis; for instance, cases in which it
Is impossible TO obtain certainty as to
the nature of the disease by the discov-
cry of bacilli or elastic fibres in the
sputum, or by physical examination.
Affections of the glands, latent tuber-
culosis of bone, doubtful case of tnber-
culosis of the skin, and such like cases,
will be easily and with certainty rec
ognized. In cases of tuberculosis ofthe
lungs or joints which have become ap-
parently cured we shall be able to make
sure whether the disease has really fin
ished its course, and whether there be
not still some diseased spots from which
1t might again arise, as fame from
spark hidden by ashes.
THE CURATIVE EFFECT OF THE RENE
OF much greater Importance, howev-
er, than its diagnostic use is the thera-
peutic effect of the remedy. In the de-
scription of the changes which SUBJ
cutaneous injection of the remedy pro-
duces in portions of skin changed by
lupus, mentioned that after the subsi-
dence of the swelling and decrease of
redness the lupus tissue does not return
to its original condition, but that 1t is
destroyed to greater or less extent,
and disappears. Observation shows
that in some parts this result is brought
about by the diseased tissue becoming
necrotic even after one sufficient iniec-
ton, and at later stage it is thrown
off as a dead mass. In other parts a
disappearance, or, as 1t were, melting
of the tissues, seems to occur, and in
such case in the injection must be re-
peated to complete the cure.
IT'S ACTION ON TUBERCULoUs TISSUE.
In what way this process occurs can
not as yet be said with certainly, as the
necessary astrological investigations
are not complete. But so much is GER
tain, that there is no question of de-
struction of the tubercle bacilli in the
tissues, but only that the tissue enclos-
ing the tubercle bacilli is affected by
the remedy. Beyond this there is, as is
shown by the visible swelling and red
ness, considerable disturbance of the
circulation, and, evidently in connec-
ton Herewith, deeply seated changes
to die off more or less quickly and deep
ly, according to the extent of the action
Of the remedy.
To recapitulate, the remedy does not
kill the tubercle bacilli, but the tuber-
culous tissue; and this gives us clearly
and definitely the limit that bounds the
action of the remedy. 1t can only in
fluence living tuberculous tissue; it has
no effect on dead tissue, as, for instance,
necrotic cheesy masses, necrotic bones,
etc., nor has 1t any effect on tissue
made necrotic by the remedy itself. In
such masses of dead tissue living tuber-
Gle bacilli may possibly still be present.
and are either thrown off with the
necrosed tissue, or may possibly enter
the neighboring still living tissue. un-
certain circumstances. If the thera-
peutic activity of the remedy is to be
rendered as fruitful as possible, this
popularity in its mode Of action must
of about three weeks, be increased to
five hundred times the original amount,
tolerance can no longer be accepted as
an explanation, as we know of nothing
analogous to such rapid and complete
adaptation to an extremely active
remedy. The phenomenon must rath-
er be explained in this way, that in the
beginning of the treatment there Is a
good deal of tuberculous living tissue,
and that consequently small amount
of the active peinciple suffices to cause
a strong reaction, but by each injection
a certain amount Of the tissue capable
of reaction disappears, and then COM
paratively larger doses are necessary to