A /’/.S' MKLUFICA. 
II. Goullox, J»., M. L>., Weimar. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Altscluil calls Apis mel. “a new remedy investigated with 
great research hy Ilering in North America.” It is then to 
the Nestor of Iloimeopathy in the new world, to Dr. Constan- 
tine Ilering, the indefatigable and thorough student, that we 
owe the introduction of Apis into homoeopathic practice. 
Since the publication of its pathogenesis, the fate of Apis 
has been somewhat peculiar. On the one hand, it has had en- 
thusiastic advocates, who, like Wolf,- ascribed to it curative 
properties almost without limit; on the other hand, it has been 
decried and almost derided as a remedy. 
Repeated unprejudiced experiments, such as have been 
made up to the present time, induce us to assign to Apis a po- 
sition in Materia Medica more limited than that assigned to it 
by Wolf almost twenty years ago. Time and space do not 
permit the presentation of a complete monograph on this sub- 
ject. We shall hope, however, to touch upon all the peculiari- 
ties and remedial relations of the bee-virus, and to exhibit its 
analogies with other important remedies. 
I. 
The clinical results which honueopathy lias gained from 
physiological experiments with Apis concern, as one might 
anticipate from the effects of a sting, first of all, the skin. Or, world’s homoeopathic convention. 
2 
to speak more accurately, sucli diseases were first cured as 
manifested themselves upon the skin ; as, for example, exan- 
themata with burning, smarting or itching pains, nettle-rash 
with red spots or white surrounded by a red areola ; papular 
eruptions on a bluisli-red, hard, hot base; (edematous or ery- 
sipelatous swelling (with red stripes); -or, finally, certain kinds 
of ulcers. 
Before mentioning the other anatomical spheres of action 
of Apis, we may here remark that, during the course of a cure 
by this remedy and especially of the cure of serious ophthal- 
mic diseases, an eruption resembling scabies has repeatedly 
made its appearance; and Jalir pronounces Apis one of the 
best remedies for suppressed exanthemata (scarlatina, measles 
and, above all, nettle-rash). 
In addition to the skin, the eye and its appendages (the lids 
and especially the upper lid) come under the curative influ- 
ence of Apis. It has cured inflammations of these organs with 
aching, itching, burning pains, redness of the margins of the 
lids, copious secretion of tears and mucus, ulcers of the cornea, 
obscuration and leucoma, staphyloma with inflammation, hor- 
deolum, oedema of the eyeball, lachrymal fistula. 
We might infer the influence of Apis upon the hair from 
its action on the skin. It has been used with benefit (gener- 
ally in the form of powder mixed with honey) for baldness 
and falling of the hair. 
The action of Apis upon the mucous membrane is very pro- 
nounced. 
Inflammations of the mucous membrane of the mouth, fau- 
ces aud throat (tonsils, uvula); angina, either tending to sup- 
puration or the smooth, erysipelatous, fiery-red inflammation 
of the fauces, for which Belladonna, Rhus and Caustic, have 
been recommended, come within the curative sphere of Apis. 
The stomach and intestinal canal are likewise within the 
sphere of action of this remedy which seems particularly help- 
ful in a condition of subacute catarrhal irritation with a dry, 
thinly-coated tongue, appearing as if it were varnished (cracked 
lips), burning in the stomach and eructations, tenderness and 
fulness of the stomach, bilious vomiting, watery, mucous, green- 3 
APIS MF.LLTFICA. 
ish-yellow diarrhea (1 h I ions or erysipelatous) ; morning diar- 
rlm*a, tin* hands being bine and cold, the stools frequent, 
bloody and painless. Certain gastric or mucous fevers present 
symptoms much resembling those just recited ; and it may well 
be supposed that single cases or an epidemic might present, in 
addition to these, other striking Apis symptoms (anasarca, 
<edema or erysipelas) which would indicate this as the remedy 
for the ease or the epidemic. 
Another most important portion of the sphere of action of 
Apis is the urinary apparatus, which may be said to be func- 
tionally intermediate between the skin and the mucous mem- 
brane. Strangury, retention of urine from inflammation of 
the bladder and likewise from Cantharides-poisoning, as well 
as Bright’s disease have been cured by Apis. The powder of 
dried bees has been used for diseases of the bladder. In the 
Annua/ Record of Homoeopathic Literature, 1870, incontin- 
ence of urine with great irritability of the parts (worse at 
night and when coughing, It. Gardner) are mentioned as indi- 
cations for Apis. By analogy we infer, from the clinical re- 
sults of Apis in diseases of the female sexual organs, that the 
male genital system must be included within its sphere of ac- 
tion. Apis has cured ovarian dropsy in cases, where the skin 
was uncommonly pale and almost transparent, ovarian dropsy 
of the left side with stitching pains, general anasarca and waxy 
appearance of the skin;* threatening abortion; swelling of 
the labia; amenorrluea; dysmenorrhoea, with scanty discharge 
of blood and mucus; sharp, stitching pains in the uterus (or 
head), sometimes followed by convulsions. 
Independently of the anatomical seat of the disease, a pecu- 
liarly characteristic and reliable indication for Apis is the oc- 
currence of (acute) swelling and watery accumulations, and 
especially tha sudden coming and going of these watery educts; 
the appearance and disappearance of oedema and swellings 
* A. May lander, of Berlin, a warm but not iiuliscrirninating advocate of this rem 
cdy, makes, in his Surgical Experiences, which I strongly recommend to our col 
leagues, the cursory statement that Apis acts only upon pure ovarian cysts not com 
plicated by solid tumors, and that it does this by inducing a congestion which leads 
to inflammation of the walls of the cyst. world’s homoeopathic convention. 
4 
(without thirst) in various parts of the body, especially in the 
face. These sudden changes appear sometimes to he depend- 
ent on changes of weather, the occurrence of rain, etc. Chronic 
dropsical affections may also call for Apis. We have already 
mentioned the cedematons swelling of the skin resembling the 
effects of a bee-sting ; we now mention especially : pale, livid 
oedema of the face and lids, oedema of the glottis, anasarca 
following scarlatina (the general concomitant of the nephritis 
cured by Apis), hydrothorax and ascites, and dropsies with dis- 
charge of hloody urine (without increase of thirst). 
Besides the skin and mucous membrane, with their append- 
and equivalents, the sphere of action of Apis includes 
certain portions of the nervous system. It acts upon the brain 
itself, and is a remedy for the following form of vertigo: ag- 
gravation when rising, amelioration when lying down ; sensa- 
tion of swashing in the brain as if there were water within 
the cranium.f 
Through its influence upon the sensory nerves, it is a rem- 
edy for rheumatalgias. Even psychoses (mania, especially, it 
is said, sexual mania, apathy) have been successfully treated by 
Apis. Nervous headache, megrim in the anterior part of the 
head, conjoined with disturbances of digestion proceeding from 
the abdominal ganglionic centres on the basis of a bilious gas- 
tric constitution, have found their remedy in Apis. 
The intermittent fever, so closely related to the neuroses 
which Apis has cured, is characterized by the chill appearing 
between 3 and 4 i\ m., by sleep after the fever, and by sweat 
alternating with dryness. In typhoid malarial fevers, Apis 
removes.the tenacious mucus from the throat, which is often 
so troublesome. 
A word now concerning its relation to the vascular system. 
Apis corresponds particularly to the fever which is aggravated 
in the evening, with quick, hard pulse, although most of the 
diseases that are cured by it are free from fever; and absence 
* The symptoms of hydrocephalus acutus are suggested by some of the symptoms 
of Apis—the child lies in a kind of stupor, sudden shrill outcry, strabismus, gnashing 
of the teeth, boring of the head into the pillow, one-half of the body twitching, the 
other paralyzed, head wet with perspiration, urine scanty. 5 
Al'IS MELLIFICA. 
of thirst and scanty urine are, ceteris paribus, special indica- 
tions for Apis. It is often employed therefore, in treating 
the results of febrile inflammation, such as ascites following 
abdominal inflammation, or induration and suppuration of 
glands following diphtheritic inflammation of the throat. 
The Annual Record of Homoeopathic Literature, 1870, in- 
forms us of the successful use of Apis in heart affections, with 
feverish excitement, great anxiety, distress and restlessness; 
not relieved by change of position, with or without thirst. 
Among the large glands which stand in relation to the 
luematosis, we mention the thyroid gland, pathological en- 
largements of which have repeatedly been cured by Apis;* 
and we may infer that it has important therapeutic relations to 
the spleen and the liver from its curative power in intermittent 
fever and in erysipelas and gastric bilious affections. 
We conclude our brief summary by citing the maxim which 
experience has established, that Apis is particularly suitable for 
diseases of children and women (especially widows). 
The following chapter is an experiment to detail the thera- 
peutic properties of Apiuin virus in a way that will be useful 
and available for the practitioner. We ask the reader’s indul- 
gence for the inevitable repetitions. And we acknowledge 
its imperfection, inasmuch as no comparison has been made 
with Sepia, Puls., Caust., Lycop., Rhus tox., Merc., Sil., and 
especially with Mez., a gap which we hope at some future pe- 
riod to fill. As regards the repetitions of symptoms, just as 
every man has very many points of analogy with every other 
man, so every drug presents many points of close resemblance 
with every other drug. Or, iu the words of one of the best 
representatives of strictly scientific hoimeopathy, Prof. Imbert 
Gourbeyre, “ Each drug is in fact a real polynome, and those 
who ridicule the multitude of symptoms in the Ilahnemannian 
pathogeneses simply display their ignorance, and show that 
they have never seriously studied a single drug.” 
* See Homoeopathic Observer, July, 18G5, and my Scrofulous Diseases, p. 113. world’s iiomceopathic convention. 
6 
II. 
Apis mel. Compared with Other Drugs. 
Dr. N. Gross deserves the credit of having first made a 
comparison of Apis with a number of other drugs and it is 
gratifying to notice that he regards as most analogous to Apis 
those remedies to which we have been led to assign the same 
position, viz : Belladonna and Arsenic. Besides these, Gross 
has also compared Cantharis, Lachesis, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, 
Pirns and Sepia with Apis. But as he mentions only the 
symptoms in which these drugs differ from Apis, we believe 
our work, which gives in detail the analogous symptoms, is not 
altogether superfluous. 
AVe may add that, after Belladonna, Arsenicum and Can- 
tharis, we regard Graphites and Thuja only as deserving a 
comparison with Apis. 
1.—Apis and Belladonna. 
a. Correspondences.—Both remedies affect the brain, the 
eye, the course of the pneumogastric nerve, the skin and 
mucous membrane and the glandular system ; and these are 
the chief specific affinities of Apis and Belladonna. 
As regards the brain or head, we note under both remedies: 
vertigo, congestion, headache, especially bearing the character 
of megrim, that is onesided headache, sensibility to light and 
noise, nausea. The eye symptoms also present an uncommon 
similarity: Apis lias inflammations of the eye and lids with 
twitching, burning pains, copious secretions of tears and mucus. 
Under Belladonna the inflammation is fully developed ; swell- 
ings of the lids, beat and burning of the eyes, which are red 
and swollen. 
On the skin, Belladonna produces a uniform smooth shining 
scarlet redness on isolated spots or over the whole body ; 
while a miliary (nettle like) eruption with burning heat and 
stinging pains in certain circumscribed locations, like the sting 
of insects, is peculiar to Apis. Both remedies correspond to 
erysipelatous imflainmations, although the full quick pulse 
which accompanies them calls rather for Belladonna. Whether 7 
APIS MELLIFICA. 
the erysipelas appear in the form of a parulis, an angina, a 
paronychia, even a dysentery ; or as a simple erysipelas of the 
face and head, the choice will lie between Apis and Bella- 
donna. 
In as much as pathologists have long recognized the fact 
that many of these forms of erysipelas originate in the liver, 
it is of interest to study the physiological and clinical action 
of these remedies upon that organ. 
Meningitis has been very successfully treated with Apis and 
Belladonna. Acute Hydrocephalus furnishes special indica- 
tions for A pis; as do the acute initiatory stage of cerebral 
inflammation and the active congestion and convulsions and 
delirium connected with it for Belladonna. Finally, we men- 
tion the value of these remedies in peritonitis. When it 
occurs with sudden attacks of acute pain, great prostration and 
prospect of sudden death, Apis is indicated, according to the 
observation of American physicians; and, under similar cir- 
cumstances, Kafka warmly recommends Belladonna, parti- 
cularly Atropinum Sulphuricum. Indeed every hoimeopathic 
physician would be apt to think of Belladonna, in commencing 
pent >nitis 
}>. Differences.—The chief difference between Apis and 
Belladonna has been intimated viz : that Apis corresponds 
to the later (therefore rather to the products) and Belladonna 
to the earlier stages of a series of pathologically related dis- 
eases ; although many affections throughout their whole 
course correspond to only one of these remedies. We must 
bear in mind first of all the difference already mentioned, viz: 
that dropsies (of the abdomen, ovary or cerebral cavities) are not 
likely to be relieved by Belladonna, but often find their re- 
medy in Apis ; and that convulsions (epilepsy, complications 
of whooping cough or of dentition, spasm of the eyelid, etc.) 
come rather under the curative sphere of Belladonna than of 
Apis.* The absence of thirst, which has been repeatedly 
mentioned as a characteristic of Apis, corresponds to a stage of 
disease in which the first (purely inflammatory) disturbance 
* Apis has been occasionally recommended for hysterical spasms and cramp of the 
stomach. world’s homceopathic convention. 
8 
has subsided. If tin's were not so, Apis would hardly be re- 
commended foi “ chronic constipation, when the other symp- 
toms correspond.” Indeed u habitual constipation ” seems to 
be a direct indication for Apis, as it is for Graphites ; audit is 
interesting to notice that the latter, like Apis, is a dropsy 
remedy. We do not deny that Apis, under certain conditions 
is also a diarrluea remedy; but the diarrhoea to which it cor- 
responds is rather an expression of weakness and paralysis and 
might either be included under the term dysentery (“frequent 
bloody painless stools”), or among typhoid processes in their 
advanced and passive stage.* The Apis diseases may be said 
to be more intense than those of Belladonna. They not only 
affect viscera which nature lifts well protected: the brain, 
spinal cord, liver, ovaries, uterus, bladder, fibrous and synovial 
tissuesf and even the bones (periostitis); but the character of 
the disease is more malignant. Thus the angina for which 
Apis is indicated takes the form of diphtheria; the diarrluea 
that of dysentery or typhoid, etc. Apis is not a cough remedy, 
whereas Belladonna ranks among the remedies for spasmodic 
cough. I have never read of a tooth&che cured by Apis ; but 
what honueopathic physician would undertake to cure tooth- 
aches without Belladonna? 
The reason of this difference is simply that most pains of 
this character depend upon an active, though local and tran- 
sient, congestion ; a condition which does not call for Apis. 
We find among Apis symptoms, hands blue and cold, skin un- 
commonly white and almost translucent (oedema or dropsy); 
white, fair appearance of the affected limb (in phlegmasia alba 
dolens). 
Although we believe that we have pretty clearly stated the 
essential points of difference, we admit that it is not always 
easy to draw the distinction between the indications for these 
two remedies respectively. This is especially so at different 
periods of the same disease, when we are not always certain 
* The proposition that Apis corresponds rather to the results of inflammations is 
confirmed by the fact that Apis is recommended for opacities, etc. resulting from in- 
flammation of the cornea, for staphyloma, for lacrymal fistula and for ovarian and 
uterine hypertrophy. 
f Maylander's “Catarrhal Synovitis ’ 9 
AIMS MELLIFICA. 
whether we have before us the active stage or the stage of re- 
action. We therefore cite the following comparison from Dr. 
(1ross : “ Al >is affections (like those of Lachesis) affect the left 
side (those of Bellad. the right); external parts rather than in- 
ternal. They improve in the open air (for which there is an 
inclination) and by cold and wet applications ; the reverse of 
all this is observed under Bellad. The anxiety which accom- 
panies Apis symptoms seems to proceed from the head, that of 
Bellad. (and Arsenic.) from the heart or pnecordia.” I think 
it very questionable whether, as Dr. Gross affirms, sensitive- 
ness indicates Apis, and predominant insensibility (paralysis) 
Bellad.; clinical testimony does not confirm this assertion. 
2. Apis and Arsenicum. 
a. Correspondence*.—Who does not know the manifold phy- 
siological or pathogenetic effects of Arsenic, on the skin, which 
is likewise the part of the organism on which Apis preemi- 
nently acts? Referring to the masterly treatise of Prof. Im- 
bert-Gourbeyre, on the “ Action of Arsenicum on the Skin,” 
we find that there is an arsenic-erythema, erysipelas, urticaria, 
papular, vesicular and bullous eruption, eczema and ulcera- 
tion ; and, above all, an arsenic-oedema. Does not the patho- 
genesis of Apis present all those cutaneous affections ? The 
Apis-urticaria, with its biting, itching pain is as well known 
as the Apis-oedema; and the action of Arsenic, on the hair and 
nails finds a parallel in that of Apis which, under certain con- 
ditions, cures baldness, and causes and arrests the falling out 
of the hair. 
We know the influence of Apis on the eye, especially in 
scrofulous ophthalmia and its sequel*, opacities of the cornea, 
chronic irritation of the tear-passages, swelling of the lids and 
redness of their margins. Arsenic, exhibits a singular corre- 
spondence ; witness the arsenical conjunctivitis, which is 
often the first symptom of poisoning, e. g., by green dresses or 
lamp-shades containing Arsenic. Syncope is often one of the 
first indications of such a poisoning, and is often observed also 
after the sting of a bee (still oftener after that of a wasp). world’s homoeopathic convention. 
10 
Bearing in mind the importance of Arsenic, in typhoid and 
related morbid processes, and remembering the beneficial re- 
sults of the use of Apis in gastric-bilious inflammations with 
diarrhoea resembling that of typhoid, we must admit the thera- 
peutic resemblance of the remedies. This, however, is still 
more striking in dropsical affections, from simple palpebral 
oedema to collections of water in the large cavities. 
Both Arsenic, and Apis are remedies for intermittent. We 
read in Bering’s Pathogenesis of Apis, the prover becomes 
chilly between 3 and 4 p. m. daily; she shivers and is worse 
in the warmth ; chills run over the back, the hands are as if 
dead. After about an hour there is feverish heat of the 
cheeks and hands without thirst, with a rough cough. This 
passes away gradually but she feels heavy and prostrate. Dr. 
Stens cured a quotidian with Apis8; there was no affection of 
the liver or spleen. 
Burning pain is often an indication for Arsenic. So it is 
for Apis, e. g., the burning pains of nettle-rash, the burning 
and hot risings from the stomach, the burning and fulness in 
the stomach, with the greenish-yellow diarrhoea peculiar to 
Apis and the burning haemorrhoids. But burning liaeinor- 
rlioidal tumors (haemorrhoides furientes) yield quite as often 
to Arsenic.; burning pains, internally and externally, being 
the most characteristic symptom of that drug. Such pains 
characterize the strangury of both Arsenic, and Apis. Arsen, 
cures retention of urine and haematuria; and Apis has cured 
retention of urine from cystitis (also from abuse of Cantharis) 
and dropsy with haematuria. 
The heart-symptoms of Arsenic, are so numerous that Im- 
bert-Gourbeyre has devoted to them a pamphlet of seventy- 
four pages. Apis has cured heart affection with febrile ex- 
citement, great anxiety, restlessness and distress. This affec- 
tion was sometimes, like those of Arsenic., accompanied by 
thirst, an exceptional fact for Apis. 
As already mentioned, both Apis and Arsen, cure erysipelas. 
The form for which Apis is appropriate is thus described: 
“Erysipelas of the face or scalp with typhoid tendency and 
gangrenous spots here and there ; ” a description which at once 11 
APIS MELLIFICA 
suggests Arsen, also. So do the burning, sticking pains which, 
according to Guernsey, accompany the sties and whitlows 
which Apis cures. 
Apis and Arsenic, both have aggravation in cold weather. 
b. Differences.—Absence of thirst for Apis, and burning 
unquenchable thirst for Arsenic; this is the most striking dif- 
ference between these remedies; it explains the clinical simi- 
larity which Dr. Gross affirmed to exist between Puls, and 
A pis. The cholera infantum curable by Arsenic, and the as- 
sociated dropsy, whether a concomitant symptom of liver dis- 
ease or not, are always characterized by thirst. So is the dia- 
betes for which Arsenic, is suitable. Indeed, in this disease, 
since it is always accompanied by thirst which is often intense, 
Apis, for this very reason, can hardly he a remedy, although, 
it must be confessed, many of its symptoms resemble those of 
glycosuria. One of these is furunculosis, which is almost path- 
ognomonic of diabetes mellitus. Dr. Stens cured with Apis", 
a chronic furunculosis with loss of appetite and emaciation. 
Another is the chronic catarrh of the stomach and intestine, 
with heartburn and yellow diarrhoea, a condition so uniformly 
observed in diabetic patients that Dr. von During, of Ham- 
burg, in his excellent treatise on that disease, attributed dia- 
betes to this saburral condition alone. Finally, we must not 
forget that Bright’s disease, a frequent accompaniment, or, 
according to Scluenlein, the second stage of glycosuria has cer- 
tainly been cured by Apis (Lorbaeher, Leipzig). But, as we 
have said, considering the absence of thirst which character- 
izes Apis, we dare not hope that this remedy will play an im- 
portant part in the treatment of diabetes. 
Apis has been used with success in softening of the stomach 
(gastro-malacia) when the abdomen is large, the extremities 
emaciated, there are painless diarrhoeas, the face and feet are 
(edematous, and there are typhoid symptoms. It must be con- 
fessed that the so-called cholera infantum resembles the affec- 
tion just described; in which, however, we find no mention 
of the thirst, which is a constant symptom of true cholera in- 
fantum. 
The burning pain is a more pure and constant symptom of world’s homoeopathic convention. 
12 
Arsenic, than of Apis. With the burning of Apis there is as 
sociated a sticking or stinging pain. And under some circum- 
stances this pain is absent under Apis, when it certainly would 
he present under Arsenic. Thus the erysipelatous or (edema- 
tous swellings of the eyelids, curable by Apis, are often pain- 
less. So are the doughy swellings of the ankles or of one side 
of the body, of the head or abdomen. E\ren the pruritis which 
Apis cures is not called burning so much as itching (as if 
pierced with needles), and makes one desire to rub it with a 
cloth; or as pricking and sticking, or, finally, as burning heat 
with stinging. 
According to Gross, Apis acts particularly on the left side 
and on external parts, and is characterized by somnolence in 
contra-distinction to the insomnia of Arsenic.; the pulse is 
quick and full, while under Arsenic, it is quick but small and 
weak. Apis affects the upper eyelids more especially, and Ar- 
senic. the lower. Arsenic, corresponds to affections of the in- 
ternal, Apis to those of the external ear.* Apis increases, 
Arsenic, diminishes the secretion of saliva. The Apis symp- 
toms are aggravated, and the Arsenic, symptoms are relieved 
by covering, by warmth, in a warm room, by movement espe- 
cially of the part affected, and after sleep. On the other hand, 
the cases which Apis cures are relieved by cold, uncovering, 
alcoholic drinks, perspiration and assuming the upright posi- 
tion. 
Another difference, not particularly important from the 
clinical standpoint, is that the bodies of those who have died 
from arsenical poisoning decompose very slowly, while those 
of persons who have died from bee-stings decompose remarka- 
bly quickly. 
3. Apis and Cantiiarides. 
a. Correspondences.—We are invited to a comparison of 
these two remedies by their marked physiological relation to 
the urinary apparatus. Apis, like Canth., affects the bladder 
* It is uncertain whether Dr. Gross includes in the internal car the eustachian tube 
and the tympanum. The curative relations of Apis to the brain being undeniable, we 
question whether the internal ear should be excluded from its sphere of action. 13 
AIMS M KLLIFIOA. 
and kidneys, yet their antagonistic relation is such that the 
retention of urine (cystitis) caused by Canth., is cured by Aj)is, 
a striking proof of the law of similars. Other forms of stran- 
gury and ischury are also cured by Apis, and the symptoms, 
frequent desire to urinate, with burning in the urethra, pain- 
ful micturition with scanty discharge of dark, turbid urine, or 
urine with brick-dust sediment, are met with in the pathoge- 
nesis of Apis as well as that of Canth. 
Almost the same is true of the symptoms of the fauces and 
apparatus of deglutition; indeed, under Canth. these symp- 
toms reach such a height as to present a picture of hydropho- 
bia,* for which disease Canth. has been recommended as a 
remedy. It has been also warmly recommended in malignant 
inflammations of the throat in scarlatina, and in inflammations 
of the mouth, but especially in diphtheria (“in the beginning 
almost specific ”). 
There is no lack of clinical evidence of the value of these 
two remedies in burns and in dysenteric diarrhceas. It is re- 
markable, also, that inflammation of the ovary, in which Apis 
has proved of so great therapeutic value, finds its remedy like- 
wise in Canth. 
Dr. llirschel (Arzneischatz, sixth edition, p. 85) mentions 
(after Hellebore) Apis as a remedy in encephalitis for the later 
symptoms which indicate effusion (pressure, heaviness of the 
brain, boring into the pillow, starting up in fright, muttering 
delirium, paleness, constipation), and proceeds to say: others 
speak of good results from Glon., Canth., Iod., Antim. tart. 
Here then we have another pathological correspondence be- 
tween these two remedies. It was known to physicians before 
Hahnemann’s day that large quantities of Canth. (one-half to 
two drachms of the tincture, or eight to twelve grains of the 
powder) produced nervous excitement, headache, delirium, 
stupor with accelerated pulse and respiration, heat and dryness 
of the skin. Larger quantities (one ounce of the tincture, 
twenty-four grains of the powder) produce syncope, vertigo, 
spasms, loss of consciousness. 
* Not only the symptom, burning thirst with dread of drinking, but also the follow 
ing, renewal of the attacks every seven days, drew the attention ol the homoeopathic 
practitioner to rabies canina world’s homoeopathic convention. 
14 
b. Differences.—The organs to which Cantli. is especially 
related are not many; being chiefly the urinary and sexual 
organs and the apparatus of deglutition. For, the cases in 
which Cantli. is recommended in encephalitis are very few 
as compared with those which call for Apis. Cantli. is by no 
means so universally a remedy for dropsy as Apis; we can 
recall only a few instances of pleuritic exudation in which 
French physicians have given this remedy.* 
While Apis affects the diphtheritic process and the parts 
concerned therein (tonsils, uvula, etc.) Canth. is of value in 
croupous inflammation, as Dr. Blau was the first to show (two 
clinical cases, A. II. Z., vol. xc.). These results are not sur- 
prising when we reflect that anxiety, dyspnoea, constrictive 
sensations in the oesophagus and the respiratory organs are 
among the physiological effects of Canth. 
Canth. acts especially upon the right side. The heat which 
characterizes Canth.-affections is (as with Arsenic.) accom- 
panied by thirst. There is a remission early in the morning 
and in the evening (until midnight). The Apis remission oc- 
curs during the day. Apis symptoms are aggravated by 
warmth, after lying down and becoming warm in bed. The 
opposite is true of Canth. 
4.—Aims and Graphites. 
a. Correspondences.—In my monograph on Graphites the 
clinical observations are comprised under the following ru- 
brics : 
1. Cutaneous pathological processes. 
2. Disturbances of the female sexual sphere. 
3. Affections of digestive organs. 
4. Affections of the sensorium. 
5. Nervous affections; convulsions, paralysis, neuralgia. 
(>. Hydrocele and dropsy. 
7. Specific scrofulous affections. 
* We must not forget, however, that because of its diuretic properties Canth. has 
long been used in dropsy with torpor and inactivity of the kidneys—especially after 
scarlatina. This, however, is not a homoeopathic action like that of Cantli. when it 
does good in diabetes. 15 
AI’IS MKLLIFICA. 
The therapeutic relationship of Graphites and Apis is so 
dose and so complete that the same rubrics might be used, and 
would suffice, for a monograph on Apis. 
Not only is the central action of Apis exerted upon the skin 
(erysipelas first of all), but this remedy moreover, like Graph- 
ites, exhibits elective relations to the female sexual organism 
and we may add, to the age of childhood. If Graphites is par 
excellence the remedy for herpes, herpetic spots are likewise a 
valuable indication for Apis. The same is true of erysipe- 
latous inflammations in which both of these remedies do 
excellent service. We mention in this connection the influence 
which both remedies exert on the growth of the hair. Bald 
spots upon the scalp call for Apis; moist eruption and scabs 
on the scalp, turning grey and falling out of the hairs even on 
the sides of the head, require Graphites. 
Both drugs are rich in symptoms relating to the sexual 
organs and functions. The efficacy of Apis in diseases of the 
ovaries has been already mentioned ; experience shows that 
Graphites likewise cures inflammatory enlargements of these 
organs. The value of Apis in menstrual disturbances has been 
shown; that of Graphites in suppressed, delayed, too scanty 
and too pale menstruation is not inferior. 
As regards the digestive organs the characteristic similarity 
of the two remedies seems to consistin this, that both may be 
serviceable in habitual constipation as well as in chronic diar- 
rlne. Nevertheless, Apis is most suitable for diarrhoea or 
chronic diarrhoea especially in bilious or erysipelatous subjects; 
while constipation is a predominant indication for Graphites. 
We should add that cramp of the stomach is a much more fre- 
quent symptom in cases cured by Graphites. 
The rubric : affection of the sensorium, and the related ru- 
bric : specific scrofulous affections, offer many interesting 
points of resemblance between these two remedies and exhibit, 
in many particulars, their therapeutic equivalence. Opacities 
and great thickening of the cornea, obscured vision, etc., have 
been cured most remarkably by both Apis and Graphites. 
We know from the physiological experiments of Dr. Genzke 
how remarkably Apis acts upon the eye in general and parti- world's HOMOEOPATHIC CONVENTION. 
16 
cularly upon the cornea. Photophobia, so peculiarly charac- 
teristic of scrofulous ophthalmia, and sties, which are not less 
pathognomonic, are indications for Apis as well as for Graph- 
ites. “ The unhealthy skin,” the glandular enlargements and 
the hydrajmic condition of the blood which are peculiar to 
scrofulosis, are very characteristic pathogenetic and therapeutic 
features of Apis and of Graphites. A word should be said of the 
anti-dropsical qualities of the two remedies. Those of Graph- 
ites have been shown in the cure of anasarca, hydrocele, 
hydrarthrosis of the knee and oedema of the feet (accompanying 
amenorrlioea). Those of Apis in the cure of ovarian and 
uterine dropsy, ascites, pale swelling attending facial erysipelas, 
hydrocephalus, hydrothorax and hydrooericardium, or finally 
oedema of the eyeball. 
We pass over the rheumatic-gouty affections, simply referr- 
ing to the fact that Graphites is indicated by “ tension as from 
shortening of the muscles” and by contraction of a single 
limb ; while Apis shows a specific relation to rheumatic-gouty 
affections of the eye, and has also cured podagra, gout of the 
knee, the rheumatic pains of trichinosis as well as real gouty 
concretions. When we come to compare Apis and Thuja we 
shall see that Apis is an anti-sycotic in the Hahnemannian 
sense. The same is true of Graphites, not only by virtue of 
the characteristic shortening of muscles but also of the fact that 
the subjects whom the remedy suits take cold very easily (very 
sensitive to the open air), a well known feature of the so-called 
hydrogenoid constitution (v. Grauvogl). Not only then do 
both Apis and Graphites exhibit anti-herpetic, emmenagogue, 
anti-scrofulous, anti-dropsical, anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic and 
anti-sycotic properties, both belonging to the category of re- 
medies which counteract the injurious influence of hydrogen 
upon the organism ; they resemble each other also in another 
line of action. They have the property of compensating me- 
tastatic morbid processes. 
There can be no doubt of this theory for those who have 
the power to see ; even though, to the myopic eye and the 
limited vision of a pathological professor (Virchow) the essence 
of metastasis should be looked for exclusively in the material 17 
APIS MELLTFIOA. 
transport into the circulation of a foreign pathological pro- 
duct.* While cramp of the stomach and ear affections of me- 
tastatic origin call for Graphites; eye affections (as well as 
those of the stomach and intestines) require Apis. After the 
use of Apis during the cure of the secondary affection, pre- 
viously existing scabies or papular exanthems reappear; pure 
herpes more frequently reappears nnder Graphites. Dr. Bolle 
narrates a case in which, in a girl of eleven years, a complete 
opacity of the cornea disappeared after six powders of Apis; 
and at the same time an itch-like eruption appeared oil the 
hack of the neck. The patient had formerly had itch.f And 
I)r. Altschul relates that, in the case of a young man who had 
deafness after suppressed herpes, Graphites brought back the 
herpes and gradually cured the deafness.:}: 
b. Differences.—The difference in origin of these drugs 
from the animal and vegetable kingdoms respectively, would 
preclude their pathogenetic and therapeutic identity. Let us 
now examine in detail the intimate nature and extent of the 
similarities we have described. The herpes of Graphites has a 
different appearance from that of Apis. The former is well 
represented in herpes labialis and in zoster; therefore in 
what the dermatologist understands by herpes. The herpes of 
Apis is either the eczema impetiginodes of modern nomen- 
clature or a form of urticaria. Again, the erysipelas of Graph- 
ites runs a more chronic course, is liable to relapses, occurs in 
women during the climacteric years and generally occurs in 
the region of the zygoma ; it is usually accompanied by 
evidences of a general herpetic (or bilous) constitution, such as 
herpes in other parts of the body, anomalies of the growth of 
the hair, sensitive skin, irritable, peevish disposition and ha- 
bitual obstinate constipation. 
* We can give an example of a cure of even this kind of metastasis by Apis. Dr. 
Maylander operated on a chronic abscess behind the mammary gland. After a heavy 
chill, inflammation of the foot occurred (from thrombus in a thoracic vein.) It was 
successfully treated with Apis. The same author gives Apis and Sulphur for so called 
catarrhal synovitis. To the same class belong the secondary inflammations of the 
ankle in osteo-myelitis. 
t See Goullon’a Scrofulous Diseases, page 112. 
t Goullon’s Monograph on Graphites, page 67. world’s HOMOEOPATHIC CONVENTION. 
18 
Apis, on the contrary, is most appropriately used in the 
course of an acute erysipelas.* Graph., which is closely an- 
alogous in value to Ferr., Arsenic, and Sulph., affects the blood- 
composition and life much more profoundly than Apis. 
Both remedies have especial affinities for the female sexual 
organism ; but the purely eminenagogue action belongs rather 
to Graph., while Apis corresponds rather to threatening abor- 
tion, to metrorrhagia and to hysterical difficulties (except the 
clavus hystericus), which we find likewise in the pathogenesis 
of Graph. Finally Apis is more closely related to ovarian 
diseases, at least to such as do not involve amenorrhcea. 
Both remedies act upon the digestive organs. The dysen- 
tery or the typhoid which Apis cures, runs at least a subacute 
course; while the disorders which Graph, cures, the cramp of 
the stomach, the constipation or the diarrhoea (gastric and in- 
testinal catarrh) are thoroughly chronic. The same is true of 
the tape-worm symptoms which indicate Graph, (or Carbo 
veg.) blit not Apis. 
Among the organs of special sense, the eye alone comes mark- 
edly within the sphere of Apis, which, as we have seen, has a 
manifold action on this organ, and may be indicated whether 
the disease be of scrofulous, rheumatic or gouty origin. Graph, 
on the other hand, has a special action upon the ear, although 
claims in this relation have been made for kpis, which are 
without scientific value (Dorfdoctor, Zurich, December 18, 
1875). 
VJ e do not know of any cures by Apis in diseases of the nose, 
although theoretically wre might expect them. Ileringsays: 
“ Apis is indicated for dryness of the nose and throat, and for 
* We refer to the Surgical Experiences of Dr. A. Maylander, p. 128, for an exam- 
ple of the use of Apis in the sequelae of wounds. An officer received, at Gravclotte, 
a comminuted wound of the leg from a chassepot ball. After the extraction of sixty- 
eight fragments of bone, a completely new tibia was formed, without shortening or 
flexion. Says Maylander, “This is the first case, so far as I know, in which, after so 
serious a comminution, conservative surgery has gained so signal a triumph.” Of 
course mechanical and other medicinal expedients besides Apis were employed. But 
it is instructive to know that this remedy was given—at first with Aconite on account 
of great vascular excitement then—in the course of the disease, when the granula- 
tions were covered with diphtheritic formations, and subsequently for a catarrhal- 
synovitis of the knee, complicated with a severe traumatic erysipelas. 19 
APIS MF.LLIFICA. 
symptoms of hydrocephalus, but never in coryza.” On the 
other hand, the various other organs of the mouth furnish a 
number of indications for Apis, in contradistinction to Graph., 
which, at the most, cures some herpetic rhagadesof the corner 
of the mouth, or a form of chronic pharyngeal catarrh (with a 
sensation of a plug on swallowing). Apis has been approved 
in neuralg’a of the lips, tongue and gums, as well as in swell- 
ing, inflammation, suppuration and cancer of the tongue; in 
(erysipelatous) inflammation of the palate and tongue.* And 
although anti-diphtheritic properties have been freely ascribed 
to our remedies, no one would include Graph, in this category ; 
whereas, Apis, properly prepared, has eminent claims as a 
remedy for croup of the fauces (besdes being specific for ulcers 
and erysipelatous inflammation of the throat). Diphtheria, or 
at least a certain form of it, seems to me to be of a sycotic na- 
ture, or at least it attacks by preference sycotic subjects (its 
local manifestations involve the same regions in which sycosis 
is wont to be localized, tonsils, uvula, larynx, pharynx, choanay; 
finally the diphtheritic ulcer resembles a chancre in form). 
Though, as we have said, Graph, (like Iron) may be used in 
sycosis, there is a difference here between Apis and Graph. 
Apis is a much more powerful anti-sycotic, standing between 
Thuja and Graph.f 
Some authors regard sycosis as identical with the hydroge- 
noid constitution. Then, in so far as Apis has the symptom 
“ taking cold readily M in a less degree than Graph. (Gross says 
the Apis symptoms are relieved, by cold and wet), Apis is 
not so certain a remedy as Graph, for the hydrogenoid con- 
stitution. This peculiarity seems to be explained by the fact 
that Apis (like Graph.) is an anti-dropsical remedy, and there- 
fore modifies a too watery condition of the blood (which is 
manifestly a result, and one of the surest evidences, of the hy- 
drogenoid constitution). 
5. Apis and Thuja. 
a. Correspondences.—We know that Thuja not only cures 
* Viigina with swelling of the tongue, ami burning, sticking pains in the throat 
—Dr. Charge. 
t My views on sy cosis are stated A. H. Z., February 21, 1876. world’s Homoeopathic convention. 
20 
the simple consequences of acquired gonorrhoea, but is of ser- 
vice also in the legion of maladies supposed to be connected 
with preexisting “ bleimorrhceic ” syphilis, and which can be 
diagnosed only with probability. Jahr speaks of a pronounced 
modification of the original chancre-virus giving rise to the in- 
dependent appearance of condyloma, mucous tubercle and sy- 
cotic growths; and he regards this modification as the specific 
curative sphere of Thuja. We look for the point of contact 
between Thuja and Apis in the first-named category, i. e., in 
the efficacy of both against the inherited results of a specific 
poison.* But the modifications above mentioned are not lo- 
cated in the parts affected by the original poison, but often in 
distant parts, e. g., mouth, tonsils, uvula, tongue, salivary 
glands, corresponding with the manifestations of blennorrliceic 
syphilis on the mucous membrane. This is the focus of our 
comparison ; from this stand-point a wride range of clinical an- 
alogies between Apis and Thuja opens before us. Whoever 
is not content with our theory may continue to class these 
among “ scrofulous affections.” 
Apis and Thuja are particularly serviceable in affections of 
the mucous membrane of the mouth, of that of the rectum and 
urethra and their immediate neighborhood ; and of that of the 
eye. Also the glandular tissues, from the simple lymphatic 
glands, which so uniformly sympathize with affections of the 
mucous membrane, to the more important and complicated 
glands, e. g., the liver, spleen, ovary, testes, etc., stand in al- 
most the same pathological relation to Apis and to Thuja. 
Even before Hahnemann’s day, Thuja vras esteemed as a rem- 
edy for dropsy; and our homoeopathic literature furnishes 
many credible instances of cures of ascites by Apis. 
It would be a mistake to suppose that Apis surpasses Thuja 
in anti-diphtheritic power. 
Dr. Ortleb, of Gotha, an excellent practitioner, has long 
treated his diphtheritic patients with Thuja, and with most 
excellent results.f 
* Jahr mentions persistent gonorrhoeal (lischarge.as a positive indication for Apis, 
t The treatment consists in local application of the undiluted tincture prepared by 
himself. 21 
APIS MFXLIFICA 
Another competent authority, Dr. Rentsch, of Wismar, has 
used Thuja (as a prophlactic as well as a remedy) in small pox. 
Even here, there is an analogy with Apis. For, although the 
the latter has not, to our knowledge, been used in small pox, 
it has been used in malignant pustule.* 
We have spoken already of the general utility of both reme- 
dies in affections of the eye ; they often agree in the special 
form which they relieve. Thus both have cured desperate 
cases of amaurosis; and obstinate scrofulous ophthalmia with 
excessive photophobia, opacity of the cornea and copious blen- 
norrhoea of the lids. 
Mention has been made of cures by Apis of intermittent 
fever and acute rheumatism, two diseases that have been like- 
wise cured empirically by Thuja; and certainly, so far as the 
arthritis is concerned, they were not always cases of the so- 
called gonorrlueal rheumatism. On the other hand Apis has 
cured gonorrhoeal rheumatism of the knee. Even this, how- 
ever, does not exhaust the clinical analogy between these 
drugs. We know that an important indication for Thuja is 
the sensation of “ having grown fast ” (adhesion). This sen- 
sation often depends upon the actual formation of neoplastic 
conditions; and we meet with the same under Apis likewise. 
In other words, Apis and Thuja cure new products, tumors, 
cutaneous tubercles (condylomatous affections and the Apis- 
tubercular exanthema). 
If the reader has kindly read, between the lines, that we re- 
gard Apis as an anti-sycotic, like Thuja, we have only now to 
draw his attention to those properties by which it agrees with 
the hydrogenoid constitution. Its symptoms are aggravated 
by moisture, cold and bathing, a fact of which my experience 
has satisfied me, notwithstanding the assertion of Dr. Gross, 
that cold and moisture mitigate the Apis symptoms. More- 
over, the affections cured by Apis exhibit a certain periodicity 
most marked in intermittent fever, in which Apis and Thuja 
are very useful. 
* Maylander cured a very malignant carbuncle on the left side of the neck. Inci- 
sion down to the fascia, anti-septic treatment, Apis 6th internally, and, the effects not 
being satisfactory at first, Apis 2d. A pis 1st in dilute alcohol as an external applica- 
tion after disinfecting applications with the syringe, twice daily to the wound. world’s homceopatiiic convention. 
22 
b. Differences.—The physiological and therapeutic action of 
Apis in relation to the erysipelatous process is well known; 
we do not know that Thuja has ever been used in erysipelas. 
The form of dysentery which is analogous to erysipelas (urti- 
caria extending to the intestinal mucous membrane) calls for 
Apis; we have no evidence of any cure by Thuja, although 
not disposed to deny its possibility, particularly inasmuch as 
the malignancy of certain cases of dysentery—like that of cer- 
tain diphtherias—seems to depend upon a complication with 
sycosis. 
Tne usefulness of Apis in acute hydrocephalus and kindred 
pathological processes has been abundantly proved ; of Thuja 
we can only make the general statement that it has cured 
dropsy empirically. Bright’s disease which is so frequently 
accompanied by dropsical symptoms has been repeatedly cured 
with Apis by Dr. Teller, of Prague, who used the second dilu- 
tion, and by Dr. Lorbaeher, of Leipzig, who used the 30th 
potency. We have no record of a cure of this disease by 
Thuja. A case of hydrothorax was cured by Apis (in combi- 
nation, however, with Arsenic.) by Dr. Kirsch, of Wiesbaden 
(the allopathic physician previously in charge had regarded 
the case as one of incurable spinal degeneration). Thuja has 
played no part in the treatment of trichinosis, which is usually 
accompanied by oedema of the face; Apis, according to Riick- 
ert, is a prominent remedy. 
As regards those medicinal properties which Thuja possesses 
in a greater degree than Apis, we mention first its anti-condy- 
lomatous properties; indeed, as an anti-sycotic or an anti-syph- 
ilitic, Apis cannot compare with Thuja; hence the immediate 
sequelm of these specific diseases, such as secondary gonorrhoea 
and certain forms of leucorrhoea, are cured exclusively by 
Thuja. Prosopalgia also, if it spring from the same etiologi- 
cal root, is rarely cured by Apis but frequently, even in despe- 
rate cases, by Thuja. Only one remedy competes with it in this 
field and this, according to Gallivardin’s observations, is Cin- 
chona. The same is true of sycotic sweats and headaches. In 
the cases described by von Grauvogl, as “precursors of a high 
grade of sycosis” and characterized by paroxysms of severe 23 
APIS MF.LLIFICA. 
neuralgic ]>ain (e. tj., in the knee-joint) or in eases of the so- 
called muscular ataxia of Eisenmann, Thuja and Natrum 
sulpli., render inestimable service; nothing similar is known 
of Apis. Besides warts and condylomata, Thuja has repeat- 
edly cured ranula; but the new formations in which Apis has 
induced absorption or retrograde metamorphosis have a differ- 
ent anatomical seat and histological character. 
Chlorosis, that had very profoundly affected the organic life, 
has been cured by Thuja, by Drs. Riickert and Kunkel; we 
know nothing similar of Apis. (In passing, I remind the 
reader of the anti-chlorotic properties of Nitric acid, which is 
so closely related to Thuja.) describes a pernicious 
form of diabetes cured by Thuja—in connection, however, 
with Natrurn sulpli. But Jahr cites not only albuminuria 
but also glycosuria as an indication for Apis. 
Atrophy of the longissimus dorsi muscles, as well as of the 
muscles of the lower extremities (paresis) has been cured by 
Thuja, not by Apis. The same is true of a series of spasmodic 
affections: chorea, epilepsy, asthma with sudden sense of suf- 
focation and whooping-cough; wdiile spasm in the sphincters of 
the bladder and rectum is again a common field for Thuja and 
Apis. 
For completeness’ sake, we must refer to the relation which 
Thuja bears to the sequelae of vaccination and revaccination, 
a complex of pretty constant symptoms to which we have else- 
where given the name of vaccinosis. We refer those who 
are interested in this subject to the observations of Dr. Kun- 
kel, of Kiel, published in the Internationale Ilomoeopathisclie 
L’resse. 
We have thus completed our comparison of the therapeutic 
relations of Thuja and Apis. Success in the art of healing 
requires us to seek out and define these resemblances and shades 
of difference; and, for this reason, the comparative study of 
drugs deserves our most diligent attention. Our efforts in 
this direction are commended to the indulgent judgment of 
the audience to which they are respectfully addressed.