22 
PRINCIPLES OF IIOMCEOPATIIY. 
been much annoyed by this disease. 1 had exhausted all the 
medicines recommended for these affections, but each had 
only ended in my disappointment. I resolved in my distress 
to give the homoeopathic theory a trial. As the creature 
could not swallow when in a state of insensibility, and as 
ether was peculiarly volatile, I determined to test its virtues 
when given by injection. I dissolved some in water, and 
soon had an opportunity of trying its effect. On the first 
trial it cut the fit short as with a knife. 
Shortly after this, a dog was brought to me suffering from 
internal hemorrhage. I employed acetate of lead, and the 
known remedies, without benefit. The animal died. I was 
subsequently sent for to prescribe for a dog labouring under 
an attack of haematuria. I went home having promised to 
send some medicine, though at the time I knew not of what 
it was to consist. I consulted books to no advantage. In 
the midst of what are termed authorities, I was in want of a 
director. In my difficulty I fell back upon the homoeopathic 
theory. I dropped a little tincture of cantharides into a two- 
ounce vial, filled the bottle up with water, and having labelled 
it, sent it to the proprietor. 
The next day I called again to see my patient, with no 
very bright hopes as to the advantage derived from my 
medicine. I knew how tedious cases of this nature usually 
prove, and had little confidence in the new agent I had 
employed. To my surprise I met smiling faces. The third 
dose had changed the colour of the urine. The animal, as I 
then saw, v r as lively, having recovered its spirits ; nor have I 
since been requested to attend upon the same dog. 
I was mentioning this case to Mr. George Austin, V.S., of 
Pimlico, when he asked me if I had ever used cantharides in 
cestrum upon the mare ? Its effects, he informed me, were 
almost magical. I knew how anxious many horse-owners 
were to check this annoyance in the spring, and it was not 
long before I had an opportunity of putting Mr. Austiffis 
assertion to the proof. A gentleman living near me had a 
fine grey mare, and he applied to me to stay the annoyance 
which rendered her alike offensive and unsafe. I mixed one 
ounce of the tincture of cantharides with twelve ounces of 
water, and directed a wine-glassful to be given thrice daily. 
Having sent the medicine I took no further notice ; but a few 
days afterwards met the proprietor driving the animal. I 
purposely hailed him, being anxious to learn the action of 
this, to me, novel application of cantharides. His replies 
w^ere short, but perfectly conclusive. The “ physic” had 
done all he could wish, and if it would keep there was left 
