, the
typhoid alteration of the internal mucous membrane of the whole
alimentary canal and of the respiratory organs, the disorganizing and
paralyzing action upon the blood and nerves, the inclination to
dropsical effusion, the affection of the cervical glands with tendency
to suppuration, the appearance of otorrh[oe]a,--we have a group of
symptoms which resemble very accurately the prevailing type of epidemic
scarlatina. I know, from abundant experience, that the hom[oe]opathic
law has been brilliantly confirmed in this disease. Thanks to the
curative powers of Apis, scarlatina has ceased to be a scourge to
childhood. The dangers to which children were usually exposed in
scarlatina, have dwindled down to one, which fortunately is a
comparatively rare phenomenon. It is only where the scarlet-fever poison
acts at the outset with so much intensity, that the brain becomes
paralyzed at once, and the disease must necessarily terminate fatally,
that no remedy has as yet been discovered. In all other cases, unless
some strange mishap should interfere, the physician, who is familiar
with Apis, need not fear any untoward results in his treatment of
scarlatina.

In all lighter cases, where the disease sets in less tumultuously, and
runs a mild course, it is proper, as soon as the disease has fairly
broken out, to give a globule of Apis 30, and to watch the effects of
this dose without interference. The immediate consequence of this
proceeding, is to bring the eruption out in a few hours, all over the
skin, with abatement of the fever and general perspiration, after which
the eruption runs its course in a few days, with a progressive feeling
of convalescence, the epidermis peels off from the third to the fifth
day, and, at the latest, to the seventh day, with cessation of the
fever, so that the process of desquamation is generally terminated
within the next seven days, after _which the patient may be fairly said
to be convalescent, and the patient may be said to be absolutely freed
from all danger of consecutive diseases_.

The same result is obtained by nature in cases of mild scarlatina,
without the interference of art. But the experience which I have had an
opportunity of making during my long official employment as
district-physician, has convinced me that Nature accomplishes her end
far more easily, more speedily and satisfactorily, if assisted by art in
accordance with the law of hom[oe]opathy. The sequelae especially are