HAHNEMANN gives " symptoms, which can only be regarded as a commencement of a thorough proving of the peculiar effects of this powerful plant, in altering the human health." He says, " further and more complete provings will show that it is useful in rare cases where no other remedy is homoeopathically suited, and particularly in chronic cases. . . " Traditional medicine has never made any internal use of Cicuta ; for when Cicuta was prescribed, as it was very often some years ago, it was actually Conium maculatum that was meant by that name. . . . " The juice of the fresh root (for it has little action when dried) is so powerful that ordinary practitioners did not dare to give it internally in their accustomed big doses, and consequently had to do without it and its curative power. " Homoeopathy alone knows how to employ with advantage this powerfully remedial juice in the decillion-fold dilution (30th)." GUERNSEY says, " Think of this remedy for convulsions which are excessively violent — whether epileptic, cataleptic, clonic or tonic ; eclampsia." NASH . " Another remedy characterized by its excessively VIOLENT convulsions. The patient is thrown into all sorts of odd shapes and violent contortions, but one of the most invariable is the bending of head, neck and 'spine backwards, opisthotonos. It is on this account that it was tried for cerebrospinal meningitis. Dr. Baker , of Moravia, N.Y., cured, during an epidemic of this dreadful disease, sixty cases of all degrees of malignancy without the loss of a single case. . . , . He thinks it is as near a specific for this disease as can be. . . ." Also a good remedy for the effects of concussion of brain or spine, if spasms are in the train of chronic effects, and Arnica does not relieve. In the affections for which Cicuta is useful the actions of the patient are as violent as the spasms ; moans and howls, makes gesticulations and odd motions, great agitation, etc. Also wonderful for skin affections, " pustules which run together, forming thick yellow scabs on face, head, and other parts of the body. I once had a case of eczema capitis in a young woman — it was of long standing--which covered the whole scalp, solid, like a cap. I gave her Cicuta 200th and cured her completely in a very short time." BLACK LETTER SYMPTOMS (Hahnemann, Allen, and Hering) Absence of thought, difficulty of recollecting himself, deprivation of the senses. Anxiety : violently affected by sad stories. Moaning, whining and howling. Tranquility of mind ; he was extremely satisfied with his position and with himself, and very cheerful (curative secondary effect). Likes childish toys : jumps from bed in a happy, childish state. Very violent in all his actions. Anxious thoughts of the future : feels sad. Anxiety : excessively affected by sad stories. Mistrust and shunning of men : despises others. Vertigo : staggering. Pressive, stupefying headache, externally on the forehead, more when at rest. Concussion of brain and chronic effects therefrom, especially spasms. Head bent backwards with convulsions. Violent shocks through head, arms and legs, which cause them to jerk suddenly : head hot. Pupils first contracted, then very dilated Dilated and insensible. Convergent strabismus in children, if periodic or spasmodic, or caused by convulsions — blow or fall. Convulsions of facial muscles distortions either horrible or ridiculous. Lockjaw. After swallowing a sharp piece of bone, or other injuries to oesophagus the throat closes, and there is danger of suffocation. Inability to swallow. Hiccough. Burning, pressure in stomach, and abdomen. Throbbing in pit of the stomach, which is swollen as large as a fist. Sudden shock in it of stomach which causes opisthotonos. Distension and painfulness of abdomen. Colic with convulsions and vomiting. Frequent call to urinate. Trembling palpitation of heart. Feels as if heart stopped be - citing ; sometimes faint feeling therewith. Tension or cramp in muscles of neck : if he turns head, cannot easily turn it back again. Pain in nape, spasmodic drawing of head backwards, with tremor of hand. The back bent backwards like an arch. Painful sensation on inner surface of scapula. Complete powerlessness of limbs, after spasmodic jerks. Frequent involuntary jerking and stitches in arms and fingers. A red vesicle on right scapula, very painful when touched. General convulsions. Epilepsy. Frightful epilepsy. Frightful distortion of the limbs and whole body. Convulsions with wonderful distortion of limbs ; head turned backwards, back bent as in opisthotonos. Frightful convulsions. (Epileptic fits, with swelling of stomach, as from violent spasm of the diaphragm.) Hiccough : screaming : redness of face : trismus. Loss of consciousness, and distortion of limbs. Tonic spasm renewed from slightest touch : opening door ; loud talking. An elevated eruption over whole face (and on both hands, as big as peas) which causes a burning pain when touched.* [" Hahnemann says, " I have cured chronic pustular, conflent eruption on the face, with only a burning pain, with one or two doses of a small portion of a drop of the juice, but did not venture to administer a second dose under three or four weeks, if the first was not sufficient."] Vivid dreams about events of day. Vivid unremembered dreams. Frequent waking out of sleep, in which he perspired all over, but from which he felt strengthened. They all wish to come near the warm - stove. IMPORTANT ITALIC SYMPTOMS : QUEER SYMPTOMS Aberration of mind, singing, performing most grotesque dancing steps, shouting. Represented to himself as dangerous everything that would happen to him. Feels as if he were in a strange place. (Opium — Comp. Bry.) He did not think he was living in ordinary conditions : everything appeared strange and almost frightful. . . . Depreciation and contempt of mankind : fled from his fellows : was disgusted with their follies. Want of trust in people and anthropophobia : suspicious. Or, — he felt like a child of seven or eight years old, objects were very dear and attractive to him, as toys are to a child. Keeps staring : at the same place ; cannot help doing so. Has not full command of her senses . . . if she compels herself forcibly, by turning away her head, to cease having her eyes directed on the object, she loses consciousness, and all becomes black before eyes. Staring look. Stares with unaltered look at one and the same place. Suddenly consciousness returns and she remembers nothing of what has occurred.