The male and female Tarantulse used in the provings were collected by Dr. Mariano de la Paz Grsells, at the royal residence of Pardo, Spain, in the month of July, during which time the poison is stronger; dilutions used, 3, 6, 12 and 200; the medicine was prepared from the live spider, all its parts triturated in sugar of milk to complete dryness, and from tliis the alcoholic dilution. The Mygale Cubanensis, which may be called the Cuban Tarantula, also found in South Carolina and Texas, is a larger spider of a dark-brown color, not so pois- onous, and covered with more hairs than the Tarantula Hispanica. Dr. Howard had some specimens sent from Cuba, and the medicine he uses is prepared by macerating the whole spider in alcohol. We have not had a good proving of it. In the Hah. M., vol. 5, p. 8, something has been done in that direction, and some interesting facts were collected by Dr. Howard. Provings made by Monge, del Eio, Tejero, Fejedor, Cuesta, Dubost, Perry, Kos, Iturralde, Gonzales and Chategnier, were reported by Nunez, translated by Terry, see Am. Jour, of Hom., N. S., vol. 2, p. 387. Clinical Authorities. — Insanity, Foote, N. E. M. G., vol. 11, p. 9; Foote, Org., vol. 2, p. 227 ; A. H. O., vol. 13, p. 525 ; Pricking in eye, Berridge, Org., vol 2, p. 320; Diphtheria (16 cases), Martin, T. H. M. S. Pa., 1884, p. 64 ; Diarrhoea Pearson, M. I., vol. 5, p. 430 ; Weakness of sphincter ani, Pearson, M. I., vol. 5, p 430; Urinary difficulty, Pearson, M. T., vol. 5, p 430; Oonorrhcea, Gonzales, N. A J. H., vol. 21, p. 81 ; , Eaue's Eec, 1874, p. 221 ; Nymphomania, Nunez, N A. J. H., vol. 20, p. 486; Utenne neuralgia, Firmat, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 77 Uterine disorder, Swan, N. Y. J. H., vol. 2, p. 406 ; Uterine disorders, Cramoisy, M. I., vol. 4, p. 421 ; Uterine disorder, Nunez, N. A. J. H., vol. 20, p. 488 ; Use in dys- menorrhoea, Bender, Hah. Mo., vol. 7, p. 503 ; Pruritus vulrce, Swan, Eaue's Rec, 1874, p. 237 ; (2 cases). Swan, Org., vol. 2, p. 446 ; Swan, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 282; Catarrh of chest, Valdes, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 79; Affection of heart, Sher- bino, Hom. Phys., vol. 7, p. 339 ; Burning sensation in a mole on neck. Young, Med. Adv., April, 1889, p. 246; Irritable spine, Farrington, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 87 ; Coccygodynia, Gonzales, Eaue's Rec, 1874, p 251 ; Gonzales, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 79; Intermittent nervous affection, Brunn, N. A. J. H., vol. 20, p. 491; Spasms, Holcombe, Org., vol. 3, p. 91 ; Nunez, N. A. J. H., vol. 20, p. 488 ; Hystero-mania, Hendrichs, A. H. Z., vol. 106, p. 46 ; Hysteria, , M. I., vol. 5, p. 419 ; Epi- lepsy and hysteria, Lopez, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 75; Lopez, Eaue's Eec, 1874, p. 269 ; Epileptoid, Eartlett, Hah. Mo., vol. 15, p. 167 ; Chorea (7 cases), Dewilde, Lopez, Gandy, N. A. J. H., vol. 20, pp. 486-494 ; Dewilde, N. A. J. H., vol. 20, p. 489; Firmat, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 76; Valdes, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 79 ; Gandy, N. A. J. H., vol. 21, p. 82 ; Terry, N. A. J. H., vol. 25, p. 309 ; Chacon, Eaue's Eec, 1875, p. 251, from El. Crit. Med., Aug., 1874; , A. H. Z., vol. 78, p. 88; Hendrichs, A. H. Z., vol. 106, p. 46 ; Hofmann, T H. M. S. Pa., 1880, p. 211 ; Firmat, Valdez, Gandy, Eaue's Eec, 1874, p. 262; Gandy, Hom. CI., vol. 3, TARENTULA. . 250 p. 68; Paralysis agiians, Cramoisy, M. I., vol. 4, p. 421 ; Cramoisy, Eaue's Kec, 1874, p. 270 ; Ague, Nunez, N. A. J. H., vol. 20, p. 489 ; Intermittent fever with choreic convulsions, Firmat, B. J. H., vol. 21, p. 85; Carbuncle, Martin, T. H. M. S. Pa., 1886, p. 94; Pruritus, Kent, Horn. Pliys., vol. 6, p. 316. ^ Mind. Complete loss of memory. Great taciturnity and irritability ; desire to strike himself and others. Profound grief and anxiety. Consciousness of unnatural state of mind, hence despon- dency, sadness, moral dej)ression, disgust for everything. I Mental chorea; hypersemia and hypersesthesia of female sexual organs. Hysteria, with bitter belching and repeated yawning, > by lying down and by music ; restlessness of hands and legs ; constant motion, cannot remain in one place ; heat in epigastrium. Fits of nervous laughter. Desire to joke, to play and to laugh ; extreme gayety. Great excitement caused by music ; one hour after it, copi- ous and general perspiration. Singing until hoarse and exhausted. ■ Nervous excitement; hysteria and mania; restlessness and dreaming. I I Sudden foxlike destructive efforts, requiring utmost vigi- lance to prevent damage; followed by laughter and apologies. Cross, tendency to get angry and to speak abruptly ; is obliged to move limbs. Paroxysms of insanity ; restlessness of legs ; threatening words of destruction and death. I 1 Suddenly sprang away from her attendants and swept ornaments from mantelpiece ; said she was sorry, but could not help it; very mischievous and destructive, amusing and cheerful ; at times j)ain in 1. ovary. I I Attacks of hystero-mania appearing daily about same hour, beginning with great nervous irritability, despon- dency and quarrelsome mood; sudden transition from this state to one of great exaltation, hits and abuses every one, destroys whatever she can lay hold of, tears her clothing, sings and laughs ; mocks aged people with their old age, if restrained becomes violent ; attacks end in a comatose sleep, during which she answers questions correctly; after waking remembers but little of what has occurred ; during first part of attack pulse is slow, artery greatly contracted ; during second stage pulse frequent and full ; thirstlessness and loss of appetite ; pressure and confusion of head. 251 TARENTULA. I I While in a highly nervous state from too close applica- tion to musical studies, was operated upon to remove lens of eye by absorption ; this was followed by great nervous depression and prostration, with occasional symptoms of mental aberration ; was then treated sev- eral months for a retroverted and inflamed uterus, with- out mental improvement; severe pain through r. eye extending to occiput and nose; restlessness; cold feet; mahogany-colored and large papular eruption upon face, particularly large in region of malar bone ; sleepless and nervous and very troublesome; retroversion, with swollen uterus ; finally violent, soils bed with feces and urine; furious; sings loud and continuously, with laugh- ter; no sleep for five days; thirst; suddenly springs from bed destroying whatever she could get hold of, this was done so quickly that she could not be pre- vented. /^Insanity. ^ Sensorium. Vertigo : falls to ground without losing con- sciousness; malaise, belching, nausea, bloating of stom- ach, gagging and efforts to vomit, with vomiting of food ; after breakfast, with a bad taste in mouth ; when fixing sight on any object, with headache, severe pain in cere- bellum, accompanied by incomplete erection of penis, and formication in soft palate. ^ Inner Head. Headache, as if a large quantity of cold water were poured on head, and body, > by pressure and rubbing head against pillow; great distress in cardiac region. Migraine ; cannot open eyes ; tendency of head to incline backward. Frontal headache, pain in vertex and parietal bones ; > by pressure and fresh air. Compressive headache, with lachrymation and heaviness of upper lids. Intense headache with restlessness, compelling to move from place to place. Pain flies to forehead and occiput, with photophobia. Neuralgia in temples. When waking in morning, headache as if head were knocked, < to 9 a.m., afi'ecting throat and neck ; stifi"- ness of neck. Intense headache, as if thousands of needles were pricking into brain. Severe headache, < by touch. Pain in occiput as if struck with a hammer, extending to temples. Burning, scorching heat in occiput ; pricking and itching over whole body ; convulsive trembling of body ; con- TARENTULA. 252 vulsions, paralysis, complete retention of urine and feces. ^Meningitis cerebro-spinalis. ^ Sight and Eyes. Right pupil much dilated. I I Feeling of a hair in 1. eye, which pricked it ; pricking made her rub it ; < on waking. ^Chronic opacity of cornea. ^ Upper Face. Pain in angles of inferior maxilla, so severe as to think he is going crazy. Pain in inferior maxilla, as if all teeth were going to fall out ; neither cold nor heat relieves. Pain in direction of r. inferior maxillary nerve, with a tickling sensation in stomach. '^ Inner Mouth. Great dryness of mouth and teeth. ^'Throat. I l Tonsillitis ; high fever, delirium, red face, ton- sils so swollen, suffocation was feared. I i Tonsils greatly swollen, membrane covering both, also uvula ; neck much swollen, excessive fetor oris, high fever and cerebral congestion. ^Diphtheria. I I High fever, delirium, vomiting, great prostration ; throat swollen externally on both sides, internally entire fauces red, both tonsils covered by a firm membrane, color of pearl ; both sides equally affected ; offensive odor from mouth. ^Diphtheria. I I Hot, fiery-red face, pungent heat of surface of body, drowsy with starting in sleep, throat swollen internally, both tonsils slightly covered with membrane, distinct odor of diphtheria. I I Tonsils much swollen and well covered with membrane ; violent onset of disease ; high fever ; tendency to vomit. ^Diphtheria. I I High fever and delirium for two nights; throat swollen externally and both tonsils covered by a yellowish mem- brane ; fetor oris. ^Diphtheria. " Appetite, Thirst. Desires, Aversions. ' i Loss of appe- tite, intense thirst ; general prostration; vomiting after eating and getting out of bed ; craving for raw food. ^Disorders of pregnancy. Opium habit. ^^ Scrobiculum and Stomach. Gastric disturbance; mouth dry ; gums bleed ; tongue ulcerated ; throat sore, swol- len, inflamed, constricted ; great thirst ; flat, bad taste ; appetite lost, with anguish, nausea and vomiting. '^ Hypochondria. Hepatic region painful to touch. I I Severe burning pain in cancer of liver (relieved). '^ Abdomen. ' l Sharp pain in umbilical region ; violent burn- ing in abdomen and rectum ; stools profuse, dark, fetid, bloody, Avith violent urging; constipation. ^^ Stool and Rectum, i Constipation. 253 TARENTULA. Stools three or four times daily, very dark, fetid, partly formed, containing much mucus, expelled with difficulty and followed by smarting and burning in anus, but no tenesmus; stools occur immediately on having head washed. I I Nausea and vomiting; diarrhoea; pain and tenderness in bowels; constant thirst; tongue red; pulse 140; posi- tion on back, limbs flexed ; sleepless and restless ; in- flammation of bowels, probably caused by eating baked beans. I i Fainting, sinking, chill; great nervousness; vomiting; purging ; severe cramps in bowels and pain in bladder ; pulse weak, 100; no thirst; tongue dark as if stained with nitrate of silver ; excruciating pain in bowels, < at night ; evacuations frequent, eight to ten every night, and four or five by day ; frequent and painful micturi- tion, patient seemed unable to locate pain or to distin- guish whether it was < in bladder or bowels ; stools thin and brown, with very little odor ; great restlessness; desire to change position or to get out of bed and walk floor; face pale and haggard, with perceptible diminu- tion of flesh and strength from day to day. ^After in- jecting nitrate of silver for gonorrhoea. I I Headache, pain in back and limbs; tenderness in region of liver and bowels; pulse 96; tongue brownish and dry ; bilious diarrhoea ; fifteen evacuations, not painful, in twenty-four hours, over half of these at night; stools dark-brown and thin, with some lumps of feces of same color; abdomen sore; no nausea, but disgust of food. I I Weakness of sphincter ani, feces appeared to be natural but passed as fast as accumulated. ^' Urinary Organs. Diabetes; profound grief and anxiety; great prostration and pain as if whole body were bruised ; loss of memory and dimness of sight ; constant craving for raw articles ; intense thirst ; disgust for meat and general wasting away; constipation; polyuria, with violent pains in lumbar region and paralysis of lower extremities ; miliary eruptions and furuncles. Involuntary emission of urine when coughing, laughing, or making any effort whatever. I I Pain in region of bladder; urination frequent, very pain- ful ; extremely nervous ; could get no relief in any po- sition ; pulse somewhat quickened from pain ; tongue only slightly coated; all symptoms < at night; sleep disturbed. Cystitis, with high fever, gastric derangement, excruciat- ing pains, and impossibility to pass a drop of urine; bladder seems swollen and hard ; great tenesmus from TARENTULA. 254 spasmodic action, debilitating patient, who passes only by drops a dark-red, brown, fetid urine, with gravel-like sediment. lUrine hot, thick, much sediment; difficult micturition, incontinence, and pain in kidneys. ^Septic diseases. ^^ Male Sexual Organs. Extreme sexual excitement, lascivi- ousness, almost to insanity. ■ Onanism, followed by prostatic ailments and hypochon- driasis. ■ Seminal emissions after onanism; imbecility, stupid laughter, progressive wasting. I i Gonorrhoea ; five different injections, producing great irritation in urethra, particularly when urinating, with smarting, unbearable pains ; redness on tip and edges of tongue, anorexia, dyspepsia and pyrosis, flatulence and stubborn constipation ; emaciation in face, eyes sunken and without expression; dizziness when moving, dyspnoea, and alarming palpitation ; loss of memory so great, he failed to recognize persons with whom he was intimately acquainted ; little perception, inertia and weakness for any mental labor ; full of deep sadness, shy, shuns his friends; nervous agitation, restlessness, in- ability to find a comfortable position ; if sleep was ob- tained, it only lasted for three or four hours ; pains ; getting weaker ; felt a general burning, more in palms and soles, with shaking, twitching and incessant move- ment of lower extremities, especially when quiet ; gon- orrhoea, though not so profuse, stains shirt a light yel- low ; seminal emissions two or three times a week ; want of appetite. ^'Female Sexual Organs. ■ Extreme sexual excitement: menses too early and profuse; pains and spasms of uterus; pruritus vulvee ; leucorrhoea. I I Violent nymphomania; could not suppress lascivious inclination ; < from sexual intercourse ; has suffered since her twentieth year; woman, set. 45. ■ Nymphomania; reflex chorea ; hypersemia and hyperses- thesia of sexual organs. Fibrous tumors of uterus, with bearing-down pains. Displacement of uterus, with retention of urine and diffi- cult defecation. Sensation of great weight, with burning in hypogastrium and uterus, as if there were not sufficient space, with upward pressure. Pruritus vulvae; frequent hemorrhages; pale face, con- stant fatigue. Profuse menstruation accompanied by frequent erotic spasms; crossness, ennui, and deep dissatisfaction; cata- 255 TARENTULA. menia too early, pain in lumbar region as soon as menses commence and ceasing with it ; great pruritus in vulva after menses ; hysteria. I 1 After a fall down stairs complains of pain in lower part of abdomen and hij)s; very sensitive to manipulation, some hardness and swelling in h3^pogastric region and in uterus, which was seat of burning, crampy pains, < by every movement; sanguineous leucorrhcea, constant desire to pass water, which was clear but difficult to void, falling drop by drop, with burning pain ; prsecor- dial anguish, sadness, weeping and fear of death {Conium improved, Tarentula cured). ^Uterine neuralgia. I 1 Strong bearing-down pelvic pains for nearly a week pre- vious to catamenia ; severe backache extending to hypo- gastric region ; wearying fidgetiness of legs, pains felt more from knees to feet, compelling patient to move about, > by riding horseback ; pains < as menses ap- proach, severest at greatest flow, violent enough to pro- duce convulsive movements; chorealike restlessness, twitching and trembling of muscles, which worked pain- fully from side to side ; draws herself together, legs close to abdomen and head bent forward, hands clutching at bedclothes, immediately afterward seizing something else; motion of inferior extremities almost incessant; hands and feet cold and moist; pains and spasms kept pace with menstrual flow, increasing or decreasing with it; menses usually regular except for last four months, when they were delayed, owing to a slight sanguineous intermenstrual discharge, lasting two days and generally appearing at fifteenth day, which was painless ; flow nearly right in quantity, light-colored and with small dark clots when patient was recumbent, darker and more profuse when rising to chamber; on first day usually a slight frontal headache, increasing second day to a violent, throbbing pain, < from light and motion ; dur- ing headache exacerbation, a remission of pelvic pains, latter reappearing soon with original force, but not re- maining so long ; on third day a brief relief, followed by a return of old pains, lasting a shorter time; mean- time urinary tenesmus, nausea, and bad taste in mouth; occasionall}^ globus hystericus and dry hacking cough; with convalescence great weakness and shooting, grasp- ing pains at heart with occasional interruption of its rhythm, and with increased action ; preceding and fol- lowing menses, j^ellowish leucorrhcea; in morning,hawk- ing up brown mucus, often tinged with blood ; breathing short, painful ; occasionally, at long intervals, a sudden waking from dreamless sleep, under a feeling of suflb- TARENTULA. 256 cation; violent palpitation and acute pains through heart, compelling upright position ; pulse regular, quick, irritable ; r. heart- ventricle slightly dilated ; infracla- vicular pain in r. side of chest, penetrating to back, so as to catch breath ; since childhood has wanted sand, cuttlefish, ashes, etc., highly spiced food, cigarettes ; > during warm weather, when outdoors; < during cold. ^Dj^smenorrhoea. I I Engorgement of cervix uteri, with granulations, extend- ing to vagina, whose mucous membrane was highly in- jected ; violent convulsions of whole body during rest. I I Chronic vaginitis, granulations and excrescences in va- gina and neck of uterus; cancerous ulcer on os destroyed its 1. lateral part ; induration of neck and body of uterus; flushes of heat to face, perspiration, congestion to head, menorrhagia; severe pains in region of sacrum, extend- ing to hips and terminating in uterus; menstruation lasted twelve to fifteen days, followed by pressive, shoot- ing pains in uterus and a fetid, bloody discharge; nausea, anorexia, great thirst, slow and difficult digestion, ob- stinate constipation, general malaise; at 2 a.m., some days after, severe, violent, tearing pains in uterus, ex- tending to sacrum, and along vertebral column, with rigidity of trunk and convulsive movements in head and legs ; icy coldness, chattering teeth, trembling, anxiety and uneasiness; small^ contracted pulse, oppression of chest, dryness of mouth without thirst, and pale face. Burning smarting leucorrhoea and painful uneasiness in coccyx, > by standing, < by slightest movement, sitting or lying on bed, or by least pressure. Leucorrhoea: alternating with bloody discharge; follow- ing hemorrhage, with great weakness. Expulsion of gas from vagina. I I Sensation of motion in uterus, like a foetus; singing, like a tea-kettle in 1. ear ; obstinate constipation ; stop- page of urine, which is high-colored, with red sediment; pain in region of kidneys; palpitation; sensation of something crawling up legs, under skin, from feet till it reaches uterus, causing great sexual desire, intense pruritus and rubbing, which it is impossible to resist, makes her almost crazy. ^Pruritus vulv£e. I I Intense, unbearable pruritus vulvae, extending into va- gina, < at night, with dryness and heat of parts ; white, thin leucorrhosa ; thick white sediment in urine ; pain in r. side of abdomen ; nausea ; accumulation of mucus in throat; mouth parched and dry; thirst often and for large quantities ; very restless at night. ^Pruritus vulvae. 257 TARENTULA. ^* Pregnancy. Parturition. Lactation, i i Loss of appe- tite ; intense thirst; general prostration ; vomiting after eating, and getting out of bed ; craving raw food. ^Dis- orders of pregnancy. ^^ Inner Chest and Lungs. Great oppression ; panting per- spiration. I I Chronic suffocative catarrh. ^^ Heart, Pulse and Circulation. Prsecordial anxiety, tumul- tuous beating of heart. Murmurs and palpitation ; alternate acceleration and sus- pension of movements of heart. Trembling and thumping of heart as from fright. Prsecordial anguish ; movements of heart not felt ; suffo- cation. Constant want of air ; heart suddenly ceases to beat and patient fears to die. Sensation as if heart turned and twisted around, with pain in chest and general perspiration. Pain in heart as if squeezed or compressed ; also in aorta, under 1. clavicle and in carotids, with violent throbbing of heart and arteries ; rheumatic pains in chest extend- ing to umbilical region. ■ Angina pectoris. I I Nervous spells with pain in 1. ovary, pain seems to affect her heart and she becomes unconscious, seems to stop breathing; as spell comes on again she begins to breathe short and to call for more air; pulls her dress away from her heart; gasping for air; pulse intermits, weak and slow ; many times she is reported dying. ^*' Outer Chest, l l Brown-colored mole about the size of a grain of wheat on back of neck ; burning, no inflamma- tion ; when touching it complains of needles sticking in it. I I Carbuncle as large around at its base as a silver dollar, apex studded with small openings on side of chest; no pus discharging; intense burning and stinging extend- ing to mamma and down arm ; had not slept for forty- eight hours. ^^ Neck and Back, l l Abscess in back of neck, burning, ex- cruciating pain, completely banished sleep for six or seven nights; fever, with great thirst and prostration. ^Anthrax. I I Anthrax in interscapular region, with severe burning pain ; unable to sleep from excessive pain. I I Anthrax in back of neck; local applications, first emol- lient, then caustic, at last knife was resorted to with stimulants internally, and hydrate of chloral and mor- phine to relieve burning, agonizing pain, all to no effect; VOL. X. — 17. TARENTULA. 258 muscular and cellular tissues destroyed from neck to waist, and from shoulder to shoulder, leaving a cavity about six inches long and four wide, at bottom of which several dorsal vertebrae were plainly visible; infiltra- tion of surrounding tissues ; quotidian fever and diar- rhoea ; on third day after Tarantula Cub. line of demar- cation was formed, and two days afterward surrounding mortified tissues came off; with continuance of this remedy and an occasional dose of Sulphur, patient was entirely cured in seven weeks. I Urritable spine; excessive hypersesthesia, a slight touch along spine provokes spasmodic pain in chest and inde- scribable distress in cardiac region, at times heart feels as if twisted (spiral fibres) ; intense headache, as if thou- sands of needles were pricking into brain; body burned all over; trembled so she could hardly talk ; headache > by rubbing head against pillow, termini of nerves become so irritated that some kind of friction is resorted to in order to obtain relief. J I Multiple sclerosis in consequence of fright and rheuma- tism ; trembling commenced in 1. hand, always < by mental trouble; after fright it affected all limbs; intense pain during night prevents her rest and sleep, and an itching and crawling of 1. leg make her rise and walk about; bathing < pain, but fresh air >, even at night; intelligence and memory considerably diminished ; trembling and pricking prevent from doing any fine work ; motilit}' and sensibilit}^ unaltered ; neither pa- ralysis, ansesthesia nor hypersesthesia ; head trembles as much as 1. hand and foot, and a slight tremor could be observed on tongue when opening mouth ; no appetite, chronic constipation; since menopause acne in face; slight hypersemia of retina. 1 1 Difficulty of moving legs, they do not obey will ; weak- ness of legs. ^Tabes dorsalis. I I Burning, smarting leucorrhoea, and painful uneasiness in coccyx, > by standing, < by slightest movement, sitting or lying on bed or by least pressure. ^Coccygo- dynia after confinement. ^^ Lower Limbs. Uneasiness in legs with necessity of con- stantly moving them. ■ Weakness of legs not allowing feet when walking to be placed squarely on ground; difficult walking; inability to kneel down ; difficulty of moving legs, tiiey do not obey will. I 1 Large hard abscess in r. thigh, exceedingly painful and inflamed, no fever, glands in groin swollen, indurated and j)ainful. 259 TARENTULA. ^' Limbs in General. Rheumatism checked by putting ex- tremities in cold water, panting respiration, anxiety, cramps in heart or twisting pains; pulse full, hard, fre- quent; aorta feels full, tense, stretched, with stitching pains ; morning and night cold extremities. ^^ Rest. _ Position. Motion. Cannot keep quiet in any posi- tion. Lying : hysteria > ; on back limbs flexed. Sitting or lying: uneasiness in coccyx <. Standing : > uneasiness in coccyx.