THE seed of a large tree, a native of the Phil- ippine Islands. It contains strychnine, and in poisonous doses its effects are regarded as identical with those of Nux vomica. The seeds are used in medicine. They are bruised and triturated. By allopathic writers Ignatia is classed among the spinants, as acting exclusively upon the spinal cord. Containing strychnine, it is regarded as identical in action with Nux vomica. We shall see that, however great the similarity, there are yet great, and to us, as therapeutists, most valuable differences between these drugs. This is not the first instance in which a superficial use of chemistry has led to error. GENERAL ANALYSIS. Much of what was said of Nux vomica is cer- tainly applicable also to Ignatia. Yet it appears IGNATIA AMARA. 1 23 that Ignatia acts less than Nux vomica upon the organic substance of the body, producing appre- ciable changes in the tissues, and much more exclusively upon the vital power. Upon the vital power its action is not so much exalting or depressing, although in certain organs each of these varieties of action is distinguishable ; but rather disturbing, destroying the harmony of action between different portions of the organism, perverting the co-ordination of functions. Thus, where we find heat of the body, and should anti- cipate such a condition of the nervous system as would make cool air agreeable, the contrary condi- tion obtains ; where we should, from the fever existing, expect thirst, we find none, and vice versa. The great sensitiveness of the surface, instead of being aggravated by contact and by pressure, is relieved by it, etc., etc. Now, it would seem as though such results from provings might be fanciful, were they not corroborated by too many witnesses to admit of the idea being entertained. And yet, singular as this state of things is, it finds its analogy in the natural history of disease. For if you analyze the phenomena of hysteria, you will find this "perversion of the co-ordination of functions " to be the fundamental principle of the malady. And of all our remedies none so com- pletely corresponds to hysteria, and so often cures it, as Ignatia. In the words of Dr. Wurmb the whole charac- 124 IGNATIA AMARA. ter of Ignatia may be expressed in two words: " Entgegengesetzte nebenbeschwerdeny Accessory or concomitant phenomena which are contradictory to or inconsistent with each other. SPECIAL ANALYSIS. Head, The headache of Ignatia is aggravated by talking or listening or paying close attention to anything, but not by independent mental action. It is a sensation of heaviness, as if congested, relieved by stooping and leaning forward, not therefore a real congestion (here is a contradic- tion). There is sometimes a semi-lateral throbbing, sometimes a throbbing over the orbits. The most characteristic pain is that as if a nail were driven into the head. It is generally in the parietal or vertical region. Thuja has a similar pain in the occiput. This calls to mind the clavus hystericus, in which Ignatia is very useful.