by those who excel in more
thorough knowledge and ability.

THE AUTHOR.

_Berlin, Oct., 1857._

APIS MELLIFICA.

"The bee helps to heal all thy internal and external maladies, and
is the best little friend whom man possesses in this world."--More
in Cotton's _Book of the Bee_, p. 138.

Since Hahnemann's successful attempt to develop the medicinal nature of
Aconite, no other discovery has been made in the domain of practical
medicine, as comprehensive and universally useful as the discovery of
the medicinal virtues of the poison of the bee. It is of the utmost
importance to the interests of humanity to become as intimately
acquainted with the efficacy of this poison as possible. It is the
object of these papers to contribute my mite to this work.

As soon as Dr. Hering had published the provings of the bee poison, in
his "American Provings," I at once submitted them to the test of
experience in an extensive practice. I prepared the drug which I used
for this purpose, by pouring half an ounce of alcohol on five living
bees, and shaking them during the space of eight days, three times
a-day, with one hundred vigorous strokes of the arm. From this
preparation, which I used as the mother-tincture, I obtained
attenuations up to the thirties centesimal scale. So far, the effects
which I have obtained with this preparation, have been uniformly
satisfactory. It has seemed to me that the lower potencies lose in power
as they are kept for a longer period; hence, I consider it safer to
prepare them fresh every year. As a general rule, I have found either
the third or the thirtieth potency, sufficient.

Day after day I have obtained more satisfactory results, and now I look
upon Apis mellifica as the greatest polychrest, next to Aconite, which
we possess.

The introduction of this poison to the medical profession, will be
looked upon as the most brilliant merit of one of the most deserving
apostles of hom[oe]opathy, and will secure immortality to the honored
name of Constantine Hering. The following statements will show how far
this faith of a grateful heart is founded upon facts:

_Apis mellifica is the most satisfactory remedy for acute hydrocephalus
of children._

The more acute and dangerous the attack, the more readily will it yield
to the action of Apis. Sudden convulsions, followed by general fever,
loss of consciousness, delirium, so