Family Name: Fumariaceae

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Chapter from my PhD Thesis
Notes from Eclectic Physician’s

Chapter from my PhD Thesis

Part Used: Tuber when plant is in bloom

Chemical constituents: Significant phytochemicals include berberine, canadine, coptisine, corybulbine, corydaline, corydine, and sanguinary. (13)

History
This small woodland plant flowers very early in the spring, as early as March in some areas. The part used is the root or tuber and it should only be collected when the plant is in flower. It can be found growing in rich soil on hills and mountains, amidst rocks and decaying wood from New York to North Carolina . Whether the Native Americans used the drug is uncertain, but the colonials were aware of it early on. In 1830, Raffinesque said that the root was used for tumours and that a decoction purified the blood. (15) The Eclectics considered the drug one of their discoveries, as King makes clear in his 1854 dictionary. “This agent is peculiar to Eclectics, not being known by any other class of practitioner .” (1) This may or may not be factual, but it is true that the Eclectics worked with the drug extensively, and developed the understanding of the drugs usefulness. It was considered indispensible by some Eclectic physicians.

Eclectic use (1–13)
Actions
Tonic, diuretic, alterative, diaphoretic, antisyphilitic, antiscorbutic, one of the most efficient alteratives, influences elaboration of the blood, improves secondary and tertiary stages of syphilis (removes syphilitic nodes from the shin, removes the pain caused by the deposits, and improves the general condition of the shins, allays hectic fever, banishes eruptions, prevents falling of the hair, and fortifies the tissues of the throat against ulceration), corrects constitutional depravity, influences eliminative organs and stimulates the skin, kidneys, and bowels, increases vitality and influences metabolism.

Indications
“Derangement of the stomach, attended with profuse secretion of mucous, a constantly coated tongue, fetor of the breath and loss of appetite, chronic inflammation of the urinary passage; chronic diarrhoea; erosions and ulceration’s of the mouth and fauces; syphilitic diseases, especially in the secondary stage .” (12)

General
Cachectic diseases, syphilitic affections, syphilis when the general system has become saturated with the disease (syphilitic eruption on the surface, ulceration of the fauces, loss of hair, nodes, nocturnal pains, syphilitic iritis), secondary syphilis, syphilitic skull with nodes and falling hair, yellow skin, syphilitic diathesis, lesions associated with secondary and tertiary syphilis, tuberculosis, systemic tuberculosis, phagedenic ulceration of scrofula, scrofula with feeble digestion, scrofulous diathesis, cachexia following intermittent fever with enlarged spleen or liver, broken down constitutions with ulceration of the soft tissues impaired nutritive processes, cachexia following miasmic fevers, blood dyscrasia, imperfect restoration of function after protracted disease, persistent ulceration with breaking down of the soft tissues.

Digestive
Derangements of the stomach, attended with profuse morbid secretion of mucous, coated tongue with fetor of the breath, loss of appetite and loss of digestive power, chronic diarrhoea, chronic dysentery, ulcers of the throat, atonic digestive troubles with enlarged abdomen, sluggish digestion with deficient glandular secretion of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestinal canal.

Genito-urinary
Chronic inflammation of the kidneys and urinary passages, chronic bladder troubles, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, leucorrhea, in atonic conditions, or associated with scrofula or syphilis, relaxed conditions of the uterus, problems with the uterine supports, prolapse, prolapsus following extreme debility due to severe fevers, or scrofula or blood dyscrasia.

Lymphatic
Enlarged lymphatics, nodular swellings, faulty action of the lymphatic glands, glandular derangements due to general depravity of the system.

Musculoskeletal
Chronic rheumatism, periosteal pain, periosteal nodes, syphilitic conditions affecting the bones of the leg, syphilitic nodes of the skull, affections of the superficial tissues of bone, tendency to the formation of nodes in whatever region, affections of the shin.

Skin
Cutaneous disease, skin diseases arising from scrofulous or syphilitic conditions of the system regardless of eruptive nature, eczema and other skin conditions based on relaxed tissues, skin diseases with marked cachexia, eczema with relaxed tissues and general plethora.
The drug from Selye’s perspective

State of Resistance
The drug was used to raise resistance to infectious disease (syphilis, malaria, and tuberculosis) and autoimmune disease (rheumatoid arthritis).

State of Exhaustion
The drug was used when resistance to syphilis, malaria, and tuberculosis could no longer be maintained and State of Exhaustion began. Symptoms of State of Exhaustion treated with the drug included phagedenic ulceration, cachexia, broken down constitutions with ulceration of soft tissues, chronic rheumatism with bony nodes, hair loss, digestive abnormalities, skin disease, relaxed tissues, cachexia with fever, loss of appetite and digestive power, kidney disease, and uterine prolapse.

Adaptation Energy
From Selye’s perspective, the drug was used to augment the GAS, which suggests it increases adaptation energy. Evidence to this effect includes the following. The drug was used to raise resistance to malaria, tuberculosis, and syphilis. When the body was no longer able to maintain resistance and State of Exhaustion set in, the drug was administered. In fact, the drug was used in the most severe cases of constitutional collapse.

Brekhman’s Adaptogen Criterion
An adaptogen should be innocuous and cause minimal disorders in the physiological functions of an organism.

Eclectic literature reports the drug to be innocuous. (1–12)

The action of an adaptogen should be non-specific i.e. it should increase resistance to adverse influences of a wide range of factors of physical, chemical, and biological nature.

Clinically, the drug was used to raise resistance to syphilis, tuberculosis, and malaria. (1–12)

Experimentally, compounds found in the drug have been shown to increase resistance to infectious disease. They have been shown to be amoebecide, antibacterial, antibiotic, antichlamydial, anticholera, anticonjunctivic, antiendotoxic, antienterotoxic, antiesherichic, antigiardial, antigonorrhea, antiherpetic, antileishmanic, antimalarial, antiplasmodial, anti-pneumonia, antisalmonella, antishigellic, antistaphylococcic, antistrep, antisyphilitic, antitrachomic, antitrypanosomic, antitubercular, antiviral, candidacide, fungicide, protisticide, trichomonicide, vermifuge, and vibriofuge. Compounds have been shown to stimulate immune function, which in turn offers non-specific defence against microbial infections. Lastly, compounds have been determined to increase resistance to cancer, tumours, Carcinogenesis, and free radical damage. (13)

An adaptogen may possess normalising action irrespective of the direction of the foregoing pathological changes.

Clinically the drug was used to normalise physiological abnormalities associated with State of Exhaustion . This included mucous membrane abnormalities, skin abnormalities, metabolic abnormalities, glandular perversions, joint abnormalities, and wasting. (1–13)

Experimentally, compounds found in the drug have been shown to normalise perverted physiological function including pain, platelet stickiness, abnormal inflammation, hyper, auto, and hypo immune function, ischemia, hypertension, temperature abnormalities, and arterial plaque formation. (14)

Discussion
The drug exhibits properties consistent with Brekhman’s definition of an adaptogen. It is innocuous, it raises resistance to various biological threats, and it normalises physiological function.

Corydalis formosa was one of the Eclectics favourite tonic drugs. They considered it one of their discoveries and took great pride in its efficacy. On the surface, one could read the Eclectic literature and conclude the drug was used to treat kidney disease, joint disease, and skin disease. But, upon closer examination, the drug was used when these conditions were but symptom of a greater problem, State of Exhaustion . When resistance to chronic disease could no longer be maintained, and physiological abnormalities resulted, Corydalis was a preferred drug.

At the moment, when chronic disease results in wasting, night sweats, and chronic diarrhoea, the end is thought to be near and medical treatment shifts to palliative care. The Eclectics, on the other hand, said that when chronic disease had worn a person down to the point of constitutional collapse, it was time to administer tonics like Corydalis formosa .
Potential clinical applications

The drug may be of use in-patients having entered into State of Exhaustion .

Future research
• Corydalis and its effects on the GAS. The drug should be tested out in the animal model to determine its effects on the GAS.
• Corydalis and State of Exhaustion . The drug was used to bolster the body when it was no longer able to resist chronic infection. In the Eclectic day, this involved syphilis, malaria, and tuberculosis. Today, the debilitating infections causing problems are HIV and hepatitis C. The drugs’ role in raising resistance to State of Exhaustion should be examined.
• Corydalis and infection. Historically, the drug was used to raise resistance to infection. Contemporary research has validated this use. Its role in raising resistance to infection should be examined.
• Corydalis and abnormal bone deposition. The drug was used specifically when autoimmune disease manifested in the deposition of bony deposits. The drug should be reviewed for the ability to raise resistance to this phenomena.

Eco-availability
The drug is abundant in the wild and is readily grown.

References
• King, John. The American Eclectic Dispensatory. Moore , Wilstach, and Keys. Cincinnati . 1854. P. 405.
• Scudder, J. M. the American Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics. Published by the Author. Cincinnati . 1883. P. 479.
• Scudder, J. M. the Eclectic Family Physician. Twenty first edition, fifth revision. Two volumes in one, with appendix. John K. Scudder. Cincinnati . 1887.
• Watkins, Lyman. An Eclectic Compendium of the Practice of Medicine. John M.Scudder’s Sons. Cincinnati . 1895. P. 432.
• Webster, HT. Dynamical Therapeutics—A work devoted to the Theory and Practice of Specific Medication with special references to the newer remedies. Webster Medical Publishing Company. Oakland . Second Edition. 1898. P. 67, 100, 309, 545.
• Felter, Harvey Wickes and Lloyd, John Uri. Kings’ American Dispensatory. Volume one and Volume two. Ohio Valley Company. Cincinnati . 1898. P. 610.
• Felter, Harvey. Syllabus of Eclectic Materia Medica and Therapeutics. Compiled from notes taken from the lectures of F.J.Locke. Edited with pharmacological additions by H.W.Felter. Second edition, with appendix. Scudder Brothers Company. Cincinnati.1901. P. 356.
• Peterson, F.J. Materia Medica and Clinical Therapeutics. Published by the Author. Los Olivos , California . 1905. P. 78.
• Ellingwood, Finley. A Systematic Treatise on Materia Medica and Therapeutics with reference to the most direct action of drugs. Fifth Edition thoroughly revised and greatly enlarged. Chicago Medical Times Publishing Company. 1905. P. 462.
• Fyfe, John William. Pocket Essentials of Modern Materia Medica and Therapeutics. The Scudder Brothers Company. 1911. P. 100.
• Ellingwood, Finley. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Ellingwood’s Therapeutist. Chicago . 1919. P. 376.
• Lloyd Brothers. Dose book of Specific Medicines. Lloyd Brothers, Cincinnati . 1930.
• Dr. DukesPhytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Agricultural Research Service. USDA.
• Erichson-Brown, Charlotte . Medicinal and other uses of North American Plants. Dover . New York . 1979. P. 368.

Notes from the Eclectic Physicians

1854: JOHN KING – CORYDALIS FORMOSA – TURKEY CORN
Properties and Uses – This agent is peculiar to Eclectics, not being known by any other class of practitioners. It is tonic, diuretic, and alterative. In all syphillitic affections, it is one of the best remedies we have; and will likewise be found valuable in scrofula, and in all cases where tonics are indicated. As a tonic, it possesses properties similar to the Gentian, Colombo , or other pure bitters; its alterative properties, however, render it of immese value. In syphillis it seems to be possessed of magical powers. The corydalia possesses all the alterative properties of the bulb in an eminent degree, and will be found useful in all scrofulous and syphilitic affections, as well as in many cutaneous diseases.

Dose of the infusion, from one to four fluidounces, three or four times a day; of the saturated tincture, from half a fluidrachm to two fluidrachms; of corydalia, from one half of a grain to one grain, three or four times a day. The infusion to be made by adding four drachms of the powdered bulb to one pint of boiling water.

Corydalia may be advantageously combined with berberin, hydrastin, ptelein, etc, as a tonic, and wil podophyllin, xanthoxylin, stillingin, iridin, and phytolaccin, etc, as an alterative.

1883: Scudder (alterative)
(The root of Corydalis Formosa )

Preparation – Tincture of Corydalis.

Dose – From two to twenty drops.

Therapeutic Action -Corydalis is alterative, tonic, diuretic and diaphoretic; it is principally used as an alterative, it being one of the most efficient of the vegetable class.

We have employed it principally in the treatment of syphilis, in which is has exerted a good influence. We have used it in cases where the general system has become (if we may so speak) saturated with the disease, as manifested by a syphilitic eruption upon the surface, ulceration of the fauces, loss of hair, nodes, nocturnal pains, syphilitic iritis, etc., with entire success.

In scrofula and other cachectic diseases, it is employed with much advantage; in fact some report that this agent alone, given in decoction, has provided more serviceable in their practice than any of the many alterative syrups.

We have found it exceedingly valuable in certain derangements of the stomach, attended with profuse morbid secretion of mucus, there being always a coated tongue, with fetor of the breath, loss of appetite and loss of digestive power.

It has also been employed with chronic inflammation of the kidneys, and in fact of all the urinary passages, and in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery.

1887: Scudder: CORYDALIS: COMPOUND TINCTURE OF CORYDALIS (SCUDDER’S ALTERATIVE)
This is prepared of equal parts yellow dock, turkey pea, tag alder and may apple. It is an excellent alterative in scrofula, secondary syphilis, and other diseases of like character. The dose is one or two teaspoonfuls four times a day.

1895: Watkins: CORYDALIS FORMOSA
Chronic rheumatism, enlarged lymphatics, nodular swellings, yellow skin, scrofulous or syphilitic diathesis.

Scrofulous or syphilitic diathesis, enlarged lymphatics, nodular swellings, yellow skin. Ten drops to one drachm of tincture three times a day.

1898: Webster(The Lymphatic System)
Turkey corn, though not a remedy which visibly influences the lymphatic glands, evidently affects their functions, if we are to juge from the results obtained from its use in syphils and scrofula. Its specific action in syphilitic nodes has already been refered to, but it evidently infuences the elaborations of the blood, when this is faulty, in scrophula or syphilis.

Hale suggests that the actio of corydalis resembles that of iodide of potassium, mercury, and other mineral influences on the lymphatic glands. However this may be, I am quite positive, from my experience, that this is one of our most reliable funcitonal remedies to correct faulty action of the lymphatic system, and that it has few equals in this group of remedies. The dose and form of administration have been given in another place.

1898: Webster: (antiseptics,antizymotics ,correctives.)
Turkey corn is one of our old indigenous remedies which deserves notice for some pronounced properties. These are in the correction of syphilitic and scrofulous states. The prominent lesions of both the secondary and tertiary stages of syphilis have yielded promptly to this agent. I have know it to remove syphilitic nodes from the shin in a few months time. In case of failure to effecta a removal, the pain caused by the deposits is appreciably lesseded, and the general condition of the shins much improved. It is caluabe in secondary syphilis to allay hectic cever, baish eruptians, precent alling o the hair, and fortify the tisses of the throat against ulceration. It combines well with berberis here.

In phagedenic ulceration of scrofulous origin, it has proven a satisfactory agent for me several times, by corracting the cosntitutional depracity. It chould not be forgotten where an antisyphilitic or antiscourbutic agent is demanded.

Hale, in his new remedies, declares that corydalis will cure syphilitic nodes. He cites two cases coming under his own observation, where massive doses of iodide of potassium had been use for nearly a year without beneit, in which the swelling slowly but permantly disappeaed under the influence of tend drop doses of tincture of corydalis, four times a day. The same writer refers to what he considers trustworthy testimony, that the drug has cured syphilitic nodes of the skull with faling of the hair, and also syphilitic and scrofolous eruptians on the scalp. He considers it as better adatpated to secondary, than to primary syphilis. There is considerable resemblence between this drug and berberis aquifolium, in many respects, the later drug relieving periosteal pain.

Goss, of all modern Eclectic authors, is the only one to write enthusiastically of this agent as a remedy for syphilis, as though he had actually observed its good effects. Scudder usually mentions it in his Reproductive and Veneral Diseases, but omits mention of it in Specific Medication, where, it is to be supposed, all his favorite remedies are to be found. How seems not to possess knowledge of antisyphilitic virtue among any of the vegetable remedies. With the old Eclectics it was evidently a favorite, and it is to be hoped that modern writers will ot permit our old remedies to be discovered anew by our homeopathic neighbours.

Form of administration: the tincture of the recent root may be given in ten drop dose three or four times a day. This agent will recieve further notice under remedies for the skin.

1898; Webster; (Skin) – Corydalis Formosa
Turkey-corn possesses an affinity for the skin, and is a favorite with many of our school in the treatment of this organ. Its best effects are found in skin diseases arising from scrofulous or syphilitic conditions of the system, without so much regard to the particular character of the eruption.

1898; Webster; (Periosteum) – CORYDALIS
Corydalis formosa is an old Eclectic remedy of established value as an alternative?, and with the early Eclectics the term covered a vast extent of therapeutical ground. Having already noticed it as a corrector of the syphilitic dyscrasia, it only remains to here call attention to its value in the treatment of syphilitic nodes.

The drug seems to exert a plastic influence upon the bones of the leg, especially upon the shin, influencing the nutrition and formative power here to correct perversion manifested in the nodular enlargements which often occur in tertiary syphilis. Where these have been long established we cannot expect as much as in recent cases, but where they are recent, or in process of formation, the remedy may be administered with good prospects of success. I have seen syphilitic nodes aborted by it in two instances after both shins had become swollen, shiny and painful, within a few weeks.

Hale, who has been very free in appropriating our remedies, while he has abused our authors at the same time, makes some very positive statements as to the value of corydalis in syphilitic nodes. He asserts ( New Remedies ) that he remembers two cases of syphilitic nodes on the tibia which had been treated for nearly a year, with large doses of the iodide of potassium without benefit, which recovered, slowly, but permanently, afterward, upon ten-drop doses of tincture of corydalis, administered four times a day.

I have found this remedy to act nicely in relieving the shin pains of syphilitics, when galvanism and other local remedies failed. Here it should be the first remedy.

Hale states further that the remedy will cure syphilitic nodes of the skull, associated with falling of the hair. In short, the remedy seems to possess a marked affinity for the superficial tissues of bone, correcting tendency to new formations of this part in whatever region occurring, with its most positive affinity directed to the shin. This field is one that has been almost entirely neglected by modern Eclectics, but now that the spirit of investigation is abroad it is hoped that more light will be thrown upon some of the possibilities of our own peculiar materia medica.

Scudder mentions corydalis as a remedy for nodes, in his Materia Medica.

Form for Administration. – The specific medicine or the mother tincture of homeopathy. Where the fresh root can be obtained, a tincture made by bruising and covering it with alcohol, before drying, will give the best satisfaction.

Dose. – From five to ten drops three or four times daily.

1901: Locke
This is a native plant having a tuberous root, about one fourth inch in diametr, of a yellow or brown color, and an aromoatic odor. The tuber is the part used and is a good remedy in scrofolous conditions, having a tonic influence over the eliminative organs and stimulating the skin, kidneys, and bowels. In cachexia following intermittent fever, with enlarged spleen or liver, it is a very useful drug. in the treatment of syphilis in broken down constitutions, iwth ulcerations of the soft tissues, emply this drug both locally and internally, using a decoction.

If the ulcers be in the throat use cholrate of patassium(dissolved in the decoction only) or sluphate of zinc iwth it as a gargle. In scofulous conditon, with feeble digestion, iron may be fiven with it. Use it in amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and leucorrhea, in atonic conditions, associated with scrofulous or syphilitic diathesis. Corydalis is a good remedy in osme chronic bladder troubles. It is a good tonic to the digestive organs ; give it when there is an enlarged abdomen, the result of atony. It is excellant in diarhea and dysentery, when th tongue is coated, the breath fetid, an the digestion poor. Make the infusion, one ounce to water one pint. Dose, a tablespoonful several times a day. Use specific corarydailis as follows.

C.canadensis: The tuber is the part used and is a good remedy in scrofulous conditions, having a tonic influence over the eliminative organs and stimulating the skin, kidneys, and bowels. Corydalis is a good remedy in some chronic bladder troubles.

1905: Peterson
Properties: Tonic, alterative, antisyphilitic,mildly diuretic.

Use: An alterative of great value where indicated. Increases the vitality and influences metabolism. Especially indicated in all glandular derangements with general depraved conditions of the system, where the nutritirve oreces are impiared. It increases waste and improves nutrition. More especially indicated in above conditions where there is an enlarged abdomen, the result of atony, or where there is a persistantly coated tongue and fetid breath. In diarrhea and dysentery where tongue is coated, breath fetid, and digestion poor, it is a good remedy. In amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and leucorrhea where there is a relaxed condition of the uterine supports it is a valuable adjunt to other indicated remedies. In eczema and other skin diseases with relaxed conditions it is curative. It is an antisyphilitic and can be used in all stages of syphilis, strumous conditions, nodular swelling, enlarged glands, with good results.

1906: Ellingwood
It has marked influence, also, upon the kidney function which, while beneficial in its direct action upon general elimination, is hardly sufficient to enable it to be depended upon as curative of kidney or bladder troubles to the exclusion of the use of more direct agents.

1909: Felter and Lloyd: CORYDALIS – TURKEY-CORN
History -This beautiful little plant has been considerably employed in medicine. It flowers very early in the spring, in this section of the country as early as March; and the root or tuber, which is a small, round ball, should be collected only while the plant is in flower. It grows in rich soil, on hills and mountains, among rocks and old decayed timber, and is found westward and south of New York to North Carolina. It must be distinguished from the Dicentra (Corydalis) Cucullaria, which flowers at the same time, and very much resembles it.

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage -This agent is peculiar to Eclectic practitioners, and was formerly much employed by them. It is tonic, diuretic, and alterative. In all syphilitic affections, it is an excellent tonic and alterative; and will likewise be found valuable in scrofula, and in many cases where tonics are indicated. As a tonic, it possesses properties similar to gentian, calumba, or other pure bitters; its alterative properties, however, render it of much value. In syphilis, especially in the constitutional form, when occurring in debilitated or broken-down constitutions, its efficacy is not equaled by any other agent as an alterative tonic; but from considerable experience with it, I am by no means satisfied that it exerts any real influence as an antisyphiltic, properly so-called, as has been heretofore believed (King). On the other hand, Webster an dothers regard it as a very valuable remedy in the disorders depending upon syphilis and scrofula, in the former comparing its action to that of Berberis aquifolium. It is claimed to be a remedy for syphilitic nodes, and particularly when they are recent. The tibia and the skull bones seem to be chiefly impressed but it. The periosteal shin pains of syphilitics are said to be promptly alleviated by corydalis. In syphilitic ulcerations the drug should be given internally, and an infusion used locally. Prof. Locke recommends it in amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, and leucorrhoea in atonic cases with a scrofulous or syphilitic diathesis. Also as a tonic to the digestive organs with enlargement of the abdomen due to atony, and declares it excellent in dysentery and diarrhoea with coated tongue, fetid breath, and poor digestion. It is likewise of value in the cachexia following miasmatic fevers. Dose of the infusion, from 1 to 4 fluid ounces 3 or 4 times a day; of the saturated tincture, from 1/2 to 2 fluid drachms; of corydalin, from 1/2 to 1 grains 3 or 4 times a day. The infusion to be made of 4 drachms of the powdered bulb and 1 pint of boiling water. Specific corydalis, 10 to 60 drops. Webster expresses the hope that the Eclectics will not let the homoeopaths discover this remedy anew.

Specific Indications and Uses – Syphilitic or scrofulous diathesis; yellow skin with lymphatic enlargements; syphilitic nodes. Increases waste and improves nutrition.

1911: Fyfe
Derangement of the stomach, attended with profuse secretion of mucous, a constantly coated tongue, fetor of the breath and loss of appetite, chronic inflammation of the urinary passage;chronic diarrhea;erosions and ulcerations of the mouth and fauces;syphilitic diseases, especially in the secondary stage. Corydalis formosa is tonic, diuretic,and alterative.

1919: Ellingwood
Synonyms – Turkey corn, squirrel corn.

Constituents – Corydalin, furmaric acid, bitter extractive, acrid resin, starch, volatile oil.

Preparations – Corydalia (hydro-alcoholic extract). Dose, from one-half to one grain.

Extractum Corydalis Fluidum, Fluid Extract of Corydalis. Dose, from half a dram to one dram.

Specific Medicine Corydalis. Dose, from five to forty minims.

Physiological Action – In overdoses it has produced biliousness, deranged stomach, an excessive secretion of mucus, or catarrh of the stomach and intestinal canal, loss of appetite, indigestion, fetid breath, irregular bowels and colic, with malaise and general indisposition to exertion.

This agent was in great repute among very many of our older physicians as an alterative of special value. Tonic properties are so evident in it that the patient’s vitality is increased while the metabolism of the system is influenced. In this particular it will operate in harmony with echinacea. In some cases it acts well with berberis, hydrastis, and stillingia. In syphils, scrofula, and in all glandular derangements with general depravity of the system, marked blood dyscrasia an dgeneral impairment of the nutritive functions, this agent is indicated.

Its influences are demanded in these cases more especially if there be tumidity and enlargement or distention of the abdominal structures with general atonicity, or in some cases in which there are persistently coated tongue and fetid breath. This is often the condition in which a patient is found following a protracted attack of intermittent fever – ague, and since the entire glandular system has become sluggish from the disease the tonic effects of this agent are here indicated. Its influence can be greatly heightened by the direct nerve tonics and calisaya in such cases as these.

Therapy – When blood dyscrasia is present, sluggishness of the digestive apparatus, deficient glandular secretion, impaired secretion of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestinal canal, this agent is indicated, as, in these cases, its tonic properties are plainly manifested.

It is of value in imperfect restoration of these functions after protracted disease, on which it operats with the tonic and restorative stimulants to an excellent advantage.

Amenorrhoea, leucorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea, with relaxed condition of the uterine supports and prolapsus, sometimes occuring from the extreme debility following severe fevers,a nd common, also, with scrofula an dother blood dyscrasias, are all materially benefited by corydalis formosa.

In chronic skin disorders with marked cachexia, this agent is speedily curative. It will be found superior to other agents in overcoming eczema with great relaxation of the tissue and general plethora.

It has been used in all cases of syphilis and scrofula with marked results. In syphilitic nodules of the bones, in syphilitic and scrofulous ulcerations, its influence is direct, immediate and permanent. If there is persistent ulceration with general breaking down of soft tissue, a strong infusion has been applied externally with good results. This is in part due to its stimulating influence upon the emunctories of the skin, facilitating elimination through the glands of this structure.

It has a marked influence, also, upon the kidney function which, while beneficial in its direct influence upon general elimination, is hardly sufficient to enable it to be depended upon as curative of kidney or bladder troubles to the exclusion of the use of more direct agents.