TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introductory

Early in the year 1903 the scientific world was stirred to its depths by the announcement of a discovery which bade fair to revolutionise every accepted canon of physics. M. and Madame Pierre Curie had been for some time engaged in the study of Uranium and other radiant elements. Their labours resulted in the isolation of the mineral Polonium, and later on of another element which vastly eclipsed every other in radiating power, and to which they very appropriately gave the name of Radium.

The wonderful properties of this substance, which gives out light, heat, and gases without apparent diminution in weight, was at once seized upon by investigators in the world of physics, and medical investigators took it up in their turn.

The X-ray and coloured light treatment of affections of the skin and of cancer was already established when Radium was covered, and it was natural enough that Radium rays should be tried in cases similar to those in which X-rays had been employed. A number of successes, more or less complete, were reported, and for a time Radium-ray treatment was so much in vogue that the supply could hardly meet the demand, in spite of the extremely high price of the salt. In addition to the trials on patients, experiments were made on animals by a number of observers, and some were made on plants.

But these observations were one and all concerned with the effect of the rays of Radium. As yet there were no data for its internal administration. In order to supply this want, early in 1904 I instituted some experiments on healthy human beings with a homoeopathic preparation of the most active of the Radium salts, Radium bromide, or in homoeopathic terminology, Radium bromatum.

The results of my experiments and the subsequent confirmations in clinical cases are detailed below. But I may be allowed to say a word as to the difference between the homoeopathic and the allopathic methods of studying drug action. And, first, as to the results : In allopathic practice Radium took an immediate place. Every practitioner who could possibly manage it either procured or borrowed a bit of Radium to try on some case or other. Some were successful, but most were not. Soon the Radium fever subsided, and now it is only here and there a specialist among the allopaths who uses Radium at all.

This is precisely the same fate which has befallen hundreds of good remedies in the allopathic school. Why is this? The reason is obvious enough to one who knows. The allopath school looks at drug action from one side only - the side of clinical results: whereas the homoeopathic looks at it from the side of experiment on the healthy as well. It would be just as sensible to expect to people the earth with a vigorous race of people of one sex only as it is to furnish the materia medica with living curing remedies which have only been observed in one side of their action. Experiment on the healthy and testing on the sick are the counterpart of one another, as Hahnemann has shown in the drugs he has made to live in the pharmacopoeia. Thus Aconite, Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Thuja, which stepped out of his materia medica, are creatures which were new to the world of his day, and which are more living and vigorous now than they were when he introduced them. The reason is that they were well-begotten children of the masculine art of drug-testing on the healthy and the maternal art of their use in the cure of the sick.

I do not wish it to be understood that I put my setting of Radium forth as a model of its kind or as anything to compare with the masterpieces of Hahnemann; but I do put it forward to show what may be done by anyone who will follow in his foot-steps; and slight and imperfect as the work may be, I nevertheless maintain that as a result of Hahnemann's method we have now for homoeopathic use a living and growing entity in Radium bromatum such as did not exist hitherto. It is now open to all to use it in medicine intelligently, and every clinical observation will add to our sum of knowledge and to the efficiency of Radium as an agent in the cure of the sick. It is open to all to repeat the provings already made in other preparations and potencies. All will help; and I most cordially invite the homoeopathic body to do their utmost to develop this potent remedy.

Before proceeding to give the details of the provings, I will briefly summarise the facts that had been ascertained up to the time that the provings were made.

A priori it would seem exceedingly unlikely that such a potent physical agent as Radium has proved itself to be should be anything other than a great power when used internally as a remedy. But how were the indications for its use to be found, and the best preparations in which to administer it? For the homoeopath there is but one answer to these queries - try. Thanks to the enterprise of Mr. Armbrecht, all workers with Radium, be they homoeopathists or physicists, have an opportunity of carrying out their experiments. Mr. Armbrecht prepared homoeopathic attenuations of Radium bromide, and the 30th potency of this salt is the one I decided to put to the test first of all both for provings and curative work.

The points supplied by those who had worked with Radium as an external remedy were not many, but they were distinctive enough. In the first place M. Curie himself supplied a leading indication. It may be said, indeed, that he was actually its first prover. "If there is one thing I know about Radium," says M. Curie, "it is that it will burn." In the Pall Mall Magazine of October 17, 1903, is an account of a visit paid to M. and Madame Curie by Mr. F. Lees, and in the course of the interview M. Curie made the following remarks : -

"The doctors think that they can cure lupus and polypus - perhaps cancer - with it, but I know nothing about that it is their business, not mine. But it will burn. I can testify to that. I put a tiny bit of a salt of Radium in an India rubber capsule, fastened it on my arm and left it there ten hours. When I took it off the skin was red, and the place soon turned into a wound, which took four months to heal." He pulled up his sleeve and showed a white cicatrice the size of a shilling, with the skin round it puckered and discoloured. "Another time I tried it for half an hour only. A wound appeared at the end of fortnight, and took another fortnight to heal. On a third occasion I tried it for eight minutes only. Two months later the skin became red and a bit sore, but it soon passed off.

The lateness of the appearance of the symptoms, and the long time it took for the ulcers resulting from the burns to heal, are noteworthy points in these experiments. Many important symptoms of the provings appeared a long time after the dose was taken.

The tremendous energy thrown out by Radium will naturally suggest to the homoeopath a centrifugal action - an anti-psoric effect - in throwing central diseases out upon the skin. Hence homoeopaths will not be surprised to find in it a remedy in many affections appearing on the skin. The use of Radium among allopaths has been confined to its employment as an external agent in external affections, notably epithelial cancer, lupus, naevi, port-wine stains or naevi-flammei; and Mr. Armbrecht informs me that he had frequently seen warts disappear after a few applications of the rays. I shall be able, I think, to show homoeopathic warrant for many of these "allopathic" uses.

It was a saying of the late Dr. R. T. Cooper that "the allopaths" externals are our internals." It will be apparent later on that the external use of a remedy does not preclude an internal action; but the cases in which Radium has been used successfully as an internal remedy proves that Dr. Cooper was right. Dr. Cooper had another saying which evinced much practical insight - "The allopaths' crude doses are the homoeopaths' infinitesimal doses." He meant by this that the allopath often worked on correct indications but spoiled his work by the crudity of his dosage. Homoeopaths would obtain certain results by infinitesimal doses where allopaths often failed with the crude drug.

In addition to M. Curie's experiments on himself many observations have been made on animals and some on patients. Plants have also come under experiment. Under the action of Radium rays plant growth and development are checked, ferments lose their power, protozoa are first stimulated and then die. Culture growths are arrested and then die. Shelled organisms are more resistant than those containing chlorophyll. In animals, development and regeneration are retarded. Red corpuscles lose their haemoglobin and salts into the serum. The central nervous system is peculiarly sensitive to the action of Radium and young animals are more susceptible than the older ones. 1

Dr. Roux made experiments on animals early in 1904. When a tube containing Radium was placed near the skull of a small animal (e.g., mouse) paralysis and death followed. If it was hung above a cage containing the animals the same effect followed, but at longer intervals. Among the effects noticed by Roux were redness and irritation of the conjunctive of the animals.

The first effect of Radium held near the human skin is to cause an intense erythema, which leaves behind a brownish pigmentation, unless it has been severe enough to lead to ulceration.

The first effect of Radium held near the human skin is to cause an intense erythema, which leaves behind a brownish pigmentation, unless it has been severe enough to lead to ulceration.

These were the data available from general medical literature. I will now proceed to give an account of the provings.

Provings of radium bromatum

Radium bromatum

It may not be out of place to say a word or two on the subject of "provings." The word "proving" is a technical word in homoeopathy. It means a record of effects produced in a healthy person by one or more doses of a given drug. The word is adopted from the German word "Prufung," which means trial or test, rather than our word "proof". In testing a drug on the healthy it is necessary for the person making the test to be absolutely neutral. He must note exactly what happens - he has no other say in the matter. He cannot tell the drug he is about to take which organ it is to act on; he cannot even ask it what effect it will have on any particular organ : he must wait and see whether it will condescend to act on the organ at all. The prover, or tester, must record the new sensation he experiences, and he must further note the peculiar circumstances and conditions under which the sensation appears or disappears, or increases or diminishes. Unless a symptom is clearly characterised it is of comparatively little use as an indication for prescribing.

The sensitiveness of different individuals to any given remedy varies enormously. In some it will produce many symptoms, whilst in others it will produce few or none. Hence the necessity for a considerable number of provers of any remedy, though any definite symptom - even if it is only one - is of value.

The dosage of the drug proved should be varied. In some the potencies will evoke more symptoms than the crude drug, whilst the opposite will be the case with others. In any case the drug should not be given in poisonous doses, which over whelm the organism and preclude the evolvement of its finer characteristics. The records of poisonings are of value in making up the picture of a drug for homoeopathic use, but their value is much less than that of provings, and the risk to life involved is not warranted. However, accidental or criminal poisonings may be laid under contribution for curative indications.

For my experiments I made use of the 30th centesimal potency of Radium bromatum, and this proved sufficiently effective.

Proving I

Mr. A.B., aged about 50, blue eyes, clean-shaven, nervous, sanguine temperament, good health.

April 22nd, 1904 - Took six globules, of Radium bro. 30.

April 26th (fourth day). - Discovered two white patches on penis, one at root, one on right side. These patches were covered with fine scales and proved to be of the nature of psoriasis. They cleared off and others appeared on other parts of the organ; had circular or serpiginous edges. This recurred for many months. There was absolutely no abnormal sensation in them.

May 2nd (eleventh day) - Shivery; bilious feeling; stools paler than normal and more frequent. This condition lasted three days, when the shivering departed.

May 5th (fourteenth day). - More mucus in nose without having taken cold.

May 7th (sixteenth day). - Bowels very relaxed still, stool in loose bits, parts almost watery, darker in colour. (This condition lasted many days; sometimes the stools were light, sometimes there were tags of mucus. The did not become normal till July 27th.) This morning tongue very sore, right side, about the middle. A callosity or corn on the inner border of right foot, which had been present at least twenty years, was found to be almost gone; it disappeared completely soon after and has not returned.

May 19th (twenty-eight day). - Eyes smart and look red; this was noticed by others. This passed off and reappeared with greater intensity later. Passed away about June 7th.

June 5th (forty-fifth day). - For a few days the skin of the face has been irritable; this day is very much so. This condition gradually became worse, and lasted altogether over two months. The skin became thickened and, when scratched, which gave the greatest relief, exuded a clear moisture. It was worse after washing (which caused oozing) and after shaving (shaving could only be done, in consequence, every second day); relieved by washing with very hot water; worse at night when warm in bed. It prevented sleep, and a pocket-handkerchief had to be kept applied to absorb the exudation. The sensation was an intense itching, and scratching was intensely delightful, but could only be sparingly indulged in, as it was followed by burning and stinging along with oozing.

June 12th (fifty-second day). - For several days past has had pain under left scapula. It appeared to have passed off upon 11th, but was felt on waking on 12th; worse on moving and putting shoulder back, better after rising.

August 5th (eighty-eighth day). - A small naevus (of the canceroderm variety) about centre of chin to the right of middle line has turned black. In a few days this scalded off and the naevus was cured.

August 7th (ninetieth day). - After several vain attempts to arrest the march of the proving, which was becoming well-nigh intolerable, Tinct. Rhus venenata 3x was given as a possible antidote. This it proved to be. The next day the face was decidedly better, and, under the continuance of this remedy, the skin gradually became normal, after scaling.

August 9th (ninety-second day). - The skin could be rubbed and scratched without causing any oozing. In a few days it was possible to resume the daily shave.

August 29th (112th day). - A slight recrudescence occurred, and again Rhus ven. was taken. The same thing occurred the following spring after motoring. At times during the proving there was slight inflammation at the umbilicus.

Proving II

Miss X., aged 34, rather dark, bilious temperament, somewhat athletic build. Took Radium bro. 30, six globules, on June 3, 1904, at 10 p.m.

June 4th (second day). - Dry mouth in morning. Headache in occiput in the morning; a tight feeling increasing on motion. In evening indefinite toothache.

June 5th (third day). - Still headache, increased on moving about. No appetite for lunch, feels sick, cannot eat meat (this symptom lasted many months). Tongue white. Chest feels tight, as if she could not get air enough. Hands cold.

June 6th (fourth day). - Still feels sickish. Unable to eat bacon for breakfast. Can only eat fish for dinner. Weight, 9 st. 3 1/2 lbs.

June 24th (twenty-second day). - Still of appetite for meat; gets a stuffed-out feeling after food. Cannot smoke (the prover, as a rule, smoked cigarettes and inhaled). Bowels confined.

I now began to treat her for the condition, and ordered Sulph. 30 night and morning.

July 6th (thirty-fourth day). - Got indigestion after the Sulph.; symptoms continue. The period, which is due, has not appeared. Skin of face very dry. An eruption which she had n the chest before taking Radium had disappeared. Tendency to piles last three weeks. Earache in right ear tonight. Pulsatilla 30 was given, and afterwards Merc. viv. 1m.

July 13th (forty-first day). - Much pain in ear, stitching, throbbing. The ears were syringed, and much wax removed from both and Hydrastis 30 given.

The ear continued to give trouble, though in a less degree, and she was deaf off and on. The indigestion and stuffed-up feeling alternated with earache or pain in the chest. The period now came on, and was no different from ordinary.

July 20th (forty-eighth day). - Has been able to smoke the last two days. Weight 8 st. 13 3/4 lbs. That patient looked very ill all this time.

July 27th (fifty-fifth day). - Feeling very seedy, as if going to be ill; as if she could hardly crawl about. Throat sore ear aching; feels as if bruised inside. Aversion to meat; continues.

I was getting anxious about this prover, and as soon as I found an opportunity, after I had discovered in Rhus ven., an antidote to Radium, I gave that medicine on August 27th (eighty-sixth day).

August 29th (eighty-eighth day). - This morning, for the first time, ate bacon for breakfast. Had no indigestion to-day. Period rather less painful than usual. An old boil on the thigh became active. Corns which have given no trouble for years became very painful.

Proving III

Mrs. W., aged 48, tall, grey eyes, nervous. Much troubled with neuralgia and headaches after influenza, but at the time of the proving free from them.

June 3rd (first day). - 10 p.m. Radium bro. 30, six globules.

June 4th (second day). - Pricking and peppery sensation in left nostril in evening.

June 5th (fifth day). - Generally seedy to-day. Much headache.

June 10th (eighth day). - Has been off appetite, especially for meat.

Old symptoms now returned, and the prover had to be treated for them, thus the proving had to be considered at an end.

Proving IV

Dr. T.G. Stonham has kindly given me the overleaf account of a proving made on himself.

"On February 24th, 1906, I took five drops of Radium 30x before breakfast and again before lunch.

"February 26th (third day). - Noticed some secretion on the lashes of the right eye on waking.

"February 27th (fourth day). - Right eye began to feel sore, with occasional sticking pains and increased secretion. There was some general malaise. The eye symptoms continued through the week. The eyes were agg reading and artificial light; amel closing the eyes. The eyes were injected as to the sclerotic vessels traversing it up to the cornea both from the inner and outer sides. Occasional itching of the lids (agg upper lid).

"March 3rd (fifth day). - Examined by Dr. Macnish, who reports : Blenorrhagia of right eye; injection of sclerotic and slight injection of the lower part of the cornea; the eye looks watery; tension the same in the right as in the left eye; pupil of right eye dilates less actively than that of the left; it also contracts more sluggishly. Slight patchy erythema diffused over the forehead.

"March 4th (tenth day). - Woke with right eye very painful; with a feeling as if there was a foreign body in it; better after going out into the air. For the rest of the day felt it very little.

"March 5th (eleventh day). - Right eye much better. Left eye has had a sensation as if a loose eyelash were in it on several occasions, not very painful; slight soreness of ball of left eye. A few injected vessels run over the sclerotic to the cornea in the left eye.

"March 6th (twelfth day). - Both eyes much better. All symptoms rapidly cleared off from this date."