HYDRASTIS CANADENSIS IN CANCER.
By DR. BAYES, of Cambridge.
IN the British Journal of Homœopathy for January, 1861, I published a few remarks embodying my experience of the effects of Hydrastis in cancer. I then stated that the success of the remedy had been variable in my hands, but that it had been sufficient to lead me to form an opposite conclusion to that expressed by Dr. Hastings in the April, 1860, number of the Journal, in which he said, "in no single instance has it effected a cure, nor even appeared to check the disease."
I also stated that I had found the Hydrastis exercise a marked influence in relieving the pain of cancer, while, at the same time, it had improved the general health of the patient. I further mentioned that very sudden prostration of strength had accompanied the continued use of the remedy beyond a certain point.
Subsequent and extended experience confirms me in the correctness of the views I then expressed as to the value of the Hydrastis in cancer. Its varied success shows that this remedy is not to be looked on as the specific for cancer; although it is equally clear that, in certain cases, its use is strongly indicated, and that it is a very valuable addition to our means of treating this most distressing class of disease.
VOL. XX., NO. LXXIX.-JANUARY 1862.