KALI MURIATICUM.

BY MARGARET H. BEELER, M. D.

HIS IS A REMEDY of such possibilities and depth of action that my own experience with it has been that it never disappoints.

Some of the books tell us not to confuse the chloride with the chlorate of potash, but that the formulæ differ considerably, the symptoms are certainly very similar and this is the necessary point for consideration. Pure chloride of potash, triturated, is the official preparation.

Schuessler compares kali mur. with sulphur, and it seems to occupy just such a place as the latter among the tissue remedies. Perhaps this is the reason for general improvement so often following its administration where no special indications seem to call for other drugs.

We find its principal action is upon the mucous membranes of different parts of the body; thus its best indications and results are in the second stage of inflammatory conditions of mucous surfaces, that is, the stage of exudation. This is white and fibrinous.

It is one of the important remedies, in fact, should always be thought of in stomatitis, and will frequently clear up most obstinate cases; also those in which the child or mother objects to keeping the mouth clean, though, as we all know, cleanliness is of the greatest importance in any disease affecting the mouth, nose or throat. In this condition we find the mouth very greatly inflamed and swollen with many ulcers, white or gray in color. There is usually nuch swelling of the various glands; breath is fetid; the tongue may be coated white or gray, and throat sore and swollen with white or grayish patches. This also suggests its use in ordinary tonsilitis and in diphtheria. In these conditions the same medicine may also be used as a mouth wash and gargle.

Kali mur. is frequently indicated in catarrhal inflammation of the nose, where the discharge is thick and white; the patient has the sensation of a "stuffy cold" in the head. Stubborn "colds" will frequently yield to the continued use of the medicine, especially when such a "cold" has been general, that is, affecting ears, nose and throat, and has, perhaps, left some deafness. Improvement in such cases will be gradual and permanent; the patient with ordinary care not being so susceptible to "colds" as before taking this medicine.

"Colds" affecting the lungs also find relief from kali mur, in the second stage, when the expectoration is difficult to raise, thick and white. There may be hoarseness and hard cough, also more or less wheezing and rattling in chest or throat. Thus we may find it indicated in such conditions as croup, asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis or pleurisy, all having more or less effusion.

The action of kali mur. on the skin is such as to have it frequently indicated, and it should often be given when it is forgotten. From its depth of action we may expect to find its greatest use in eczema and psoriasis, especially in obstinate cases, and if there seems to be some relation to any digestive disorders also, or the eruption may have been willingly or unwillingly suppressed. The skin may be dry and scaly or eruption may be vesicular with a thick, white exudation.

It is recommended for vesicular erysipelas, also for smallpox and for the ill effects of vaccination.

The use of kali mur. in cases of burns is perhaps not well understood, but it is found to be beneficial in those of every degree, and seems to modify any case favorably, quite often causing healing without a scar.

In the field of gynecology and obstetrics kali mur. also does excellent work, and is to be relied upon. Menstruation may be late and suppressed, or too earily and excessive in amount. There may or may not be pain.

The writer has found that in cases of non-malignant abdominal growths (refusing operation), where the flow is usually great, this medicine, faithfully continued, controls

the condition better than any other, also regulates the time. If there is leucorrhoea, it is thick, white and non-irritating.

When kidneys and bladder are affected, it is in the second stage that this remedy does its best work, and it should be remembered in cases of albuminuria during pregnancy.

There are many other points about this excellent drug which the writer hopes to have brought out in the discussion.-From Materia Medica Bureau, Journal A. I. H. 坐坐坐

SENATOR OWEN AND HIS BILL.

ENATOR OWEN defended his bill in a paper in Good Health, a periodical published by Kellogg, of Battle Creek, Mich. Among other things he said: ""If the department succeeds its only function will be to prevent disease and deprive the medical profession of patients and of income.'

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"To this assertion Frank B. Livesey replied (though in what journal we do not know, as this is quoted from the Journal of Osteopathy):

"If that be so, the 80,000 physicians that are ranked with the American Medical Association in fighting for the department or bureau will drop it like a hot potato. It is to retrieve their fallen fortunes that they have grasped the opportunity presented by the bureau. Professor Irving Fisher, of Yale, has settled this point, however, most conclusively, and Senator Owen appears to be blissfully ignorant of the fact. As president of Roosevelt's "Committee of One Hundred," he circularized the physicians of the country with the special object of showing them that millions of dollars would be accessible to them through the various offices and opportunities that the bill would create. He covered it thus: "Within a decade it will surely cost millions upon millions." So there you are, Senator Owen.'

"The present seaboard medical service, together with state health departments, as in Pennsylvania, for instance, have ample power to protect the public from disease and, incidentally, as large an army of salaried employes as the taxpayer cares to put up for."-Homeopathic Recorder.

CONTRIBUTED

F

A. I. H. MATTERS.

DITOR THE CRITIQUE, Denver, Colorado.

DEAR SIR: The Transportation Committee, after careful consideration, believes that the side trips for this year would be a disadvantage, as it would require many from the West and South to leave their work too early to reach the train leaving here in Chicago at an earlier date than Friday, and that the profession generally would be unable to join us en route at an earlier date.

It will be of interest to those who contemplate attending the next meeting of the American Institute of Homeopathy at Narragansett Pier to know that arrangements have been practically consummated to provide a palatial special train for their accommodation from the West, the tentative plan being to have the Western members assemble at Chicago then go in a body on a special train to leave the LaSalle Street Station via Lake Shore-New York Central Lines about 10 A. M. Friday, June 23rd, making a daylight trip most of the distance to Buffalo, and enabling delegates from points East of Chicago to board the train at Toledo about 3 P. M.; Cleveland, 5:30 P. M.; also those from Buffalo and Rochester can be taken on later. The schedule further provides for a stop of several hours in New York and arrival at Narragansett Pier in time for evening dinner Saturday.

The equipment of the train will be especially selected to include every possible travel comfort and luxury; standard sleepers of the most modern type, containing sections and drawing rooms, also a compartment car with a commodious observation parlor which will especially be appreciated by the ladies; a buffet-library car; diner, serving meals a la carte. The entire train will be electrically lighted and otherwise complete in every appointment. The leaving time, 10 A. M., from LaSalle Street Station, will allow ample time for connection

with all important trains from the West, as such trains will arrive at Chicago from 7 to 9 A. M.

While it is yet too early to definitely announce fares, as negotiations with the Traffic Association are still pending, we confidently hope to secure the usual concessions of one fare and three-fifths for the round trip on the certificate plan, from some sections and from localities where such fares will not be granted the railroads will undoubtedly have in effect their customary summer excursion fares to New York and return with limit thirty days from the date of sale, which were available from practically the entire Western territory last summer, based on the following round trip fares from the principal gateways:

The local fare from New York to Narragansett Pier is $3.70; round trip, $7.05.

Everything indicates that this will be one of the most interesting and largely attended meetings in the history of the organization as the normal attendance will be greatly augmented, due to the opportunity to visit New York and the sea shore under such favorable conditions.

Dr. J. P. Southerland, chairman of the International Congress of Homeopathy, is very desirous that a large number shall make the trip abroad.

The success of the Congress will be to the lasting credit of Homeopathy and will afford an excellent opportunity for a trip abroad. Arrangements have already been made, whereby parties of ten and twenty may enjoy the Congress and also make special tours to the most historic points in Great Britain, Prussia, the Netherlands, etc.

The Canadian Pacific Steamship Company is working