(The latter part of the foregoing communication was addressed to Messrs. Boericke & Tafel, homoeopathic pharmacists. This was followed by a second communication reading as follows):
Since the few lines written for the last issue of _Recorder_ on _Gaultheria_ in treatment of neuralgia, I have been asked to write my experience with it in inflammatory rheumatism.
It has never failed me in this terrible disease to give relief. My experience with it dates back to the fall of 1884, in Ross county, Ohio, where I was called to treat a very stubborn case, then under the treatment of one of my old school friends. The patient, a lady about fifty years old, had suffered with two previous attacks, lasting about three months each time. At the time I was called to treat her she had been confined to bed about four weeks. She was suffering intensely, the joints of upper and lower limbs being swollen and extremely tender; in fact, so sensitive that one could scarcely walk about the bed without causing great suffering; temperature, 103; pulse weak and intermittent. At my first visit, 2:30 P.M., I ordered all of the joints to be wrapped with cotton, to exclude all air. I then gave her _Bry._ On my return, next day, I did not find much improvement, excepting the nausea, which was due to heroic drugging she had been subjected to. Continued _Bry._ The next day the appetite some better, but joints still very tender; temperature and pulse about the same; some difficulty in respiration. I then resolved to try _Gaultheria_. I left one drachm vial of the remedy and ordered the same to be divided into two equal doses, one-half at one o'clock P.M., the balance at five o'clock P.M.
At about 7:30 of the same evening a messenger came into town in great haste, saying my patient was failing very fast, and requested me to come out as soon as possible. On my arrival at the home I found the patient sitting by the fire. The husband informed me that he thought she was losing her mind. I asked her why she was out of bed; she said she saw no reason for staying in bed after a patient was well, and further said that about one hour after taking the first dose she began to move easily, and after taking second dose all of the soreness and swelling left the joints. She also said she was all right; that we need not feel alarmed about her. I made only one visit after; continued the same remedy; there were no relapses.