• THE 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION 
OF 
PICRIC ACID, 
I 
As Shown 
By Experiments upon Animals. 
BY 
LOUIS B. COUCH, M. D. 
Nyack-on-Hudson, N.Y. 
Reprinted from "The Homoeopathic Times," April, 1878. 
New York : 
JOHN J. O'BRIEN, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTER, 
397 Fourth Avenue, bet. 27th &. 28th Sts. 
1878. Physiological Action 
OF 
PICRIC ACID. 
ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF 
PICRIC ACID AS SHOWN BY EXPERI- 
MENTS UPON ANIMALS.* 
and, fearing lest the air contained would destroy 
it before he could examine it, I filled the vacant 
space with water. I did not at that time know 
of the disintegrating action of water upon the 
blood corpuscles, nor did I dream that this 
little mistake would not only lead our Western 
Professor to make a most absurd diagnosis, 
perpetrate a most astounding theory, but con- 
demn his associate as " dishonest," and his re- 
sults as a " false report," because they did not 
tally with his peculiar theories, unsupported as 
they were by any reliable data, and not even 
possessing the first elements of common sense 
to gain them credence. Burdon Sanderson's Text 
Book of the Physiological Laboratory, contains the 
following remarks by Dr. E. Kleine: 
"As regards the action of water in the corpus- 
cles of mammalian blood, there is not much to 
be added to what has been said with reference 
to the newt's blood. The colorless corpuscles 
discontinue their movements, become globular, 
exhibit vesicular nuclei and vibrating granules, 
and finally are disintegrated. The colored disks 
loose their horse-chestnut form, become smooth 
and pale, and finally disappear." 
Among the interesting symptoms observed, 
was anaesthesia of nearly the whole body, so that 
pins could be passed through the skin and limbs 
and into the joints, thorax, and abdomen without 
the animal betraying a consciousness of pain.* 
A highly colored urine was always present dur- 
ing medication, varying from blood-red to almost 
black, according to the amount of Picric acid 
administered. 
It is interesting to state in this connection, 
that this blood-colored urine, was devoid even of a 
trace of albumen, which almost always, if not invaria- 
bly, accompanies blood coloring matters in urinef 
BY LOUIS B. COUCH, M. D., NYACK-ON-HUDSON. N. Y. 
Carbazotic, Nitrophrenesic, or Picric Acid, is a 
yellow crystalline dye. stuff, formed by the action 
of nitric acid on carbolic acid, anilin, indigo, 
coumarin, silk, salycin, and various other com- 
plex organic substances. It has an extremely 
bitter taste, is sparingly soluble in alcohol, 
and still less so in water, requiring about 50 
parts of the former, or about 700 parts of the 
latter for its solution. It combines with various 
bases forming explosive compounds, the potas- 
sium-picrate being the most active. 
In 1874, after my graduation, at the request 
of Dr. Samuel A. Jones, I made a lethal proving 
upon a dog, with the alcoholic tincture of Picric 
Acid, and sent the tissues to him, together with a 
bottle of the dog's blood, for microscopical ex- 
amination. That proving was made as carefully 
and intelligently as my education at that time 
would permit. I found that the pulse, respira- 
tion, and temperature were increased primarily, 
the ratio between the pulse and respiration being 
especially augmented. As larger doses were ad- 
ministered, however, tfAi's ratio fell in a remarkable 
manner, and death took place suddenly, as I 
then supposed, from paralysis of the lungs. 
Owing to the action of the drug upon the diges- 
tive organs, the appetite was poor, and the tis- 
sues failing to receive their proper supply of 
nutriment, wasted away. Of course, under these 
circumstances, we would expect to find a great 
deficiency of that vital fluid, the blood; and so 
the result proved. Failing to secure enough blood 
to fill the bottle I had procured for the purpose, 
* Due partially to the alcohol of the tincture. ? 
t Blood coloring matters when present in urine are always 
accompanied by albumen. Tyson, Pract. Ex. of the 
Urine., p. 66. I say almost invariably. There are a few 
*Read before the N.Y. Med. Soo., March 9th, 1878, 4 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION 
On examining the blood I had sent, the Doctor 
of course found the blood corpuscles destroyed, 
He prepared a paper upon the blood destructive 
properties of Picric Acid, which I believe he 
read before this society in 1875. 
In 1877, Prof. Jones came out in the August 
number of the American Homoeopathic Observer, 
with the following interesting paper, entitled : 
"ON THE INDICATION'S FOR THE USE OF 
PICRIC ACID AS OBTAINED FROM 
ANALYSIS OF THE URINE." 
corpuscle, we should further find an increase of the Phos- 
phoric acid. 
But this destruction of the red blood corpuscles 
diminishes the number of oxygen bearers, and a condi- 
tion of sub-oxidation would ensue. Consequently we 
should not expect so much of an increase of urea as of 
uric acid. Further, from the condition of sub-oxidation 
we should And a decrease of the sulphates and the 
chlorides. 
If, then, this analysis of the action of Picric acid is 
correct, we should And the urinary indications for its 
use to consist in an increase of the uric and the phos- 
phoric acids, and a decrease in the sulphates and the 
chlorides. With these substances there should also be 
an increase of urohaematine. 
Tnis is the speculative side of our subject, and let us 
appeal to experiment to demonstrate its truth. 
Picric acid was recently proven by three persons, 
who collected all the urine passed during three cycles, 
two of which cycles were three periods of nine days 
each, while the remaining one consisted of three periods 
of six days each. The first cycle of each prover showed 
the urine of health, the second the urine of medication, 
the third that of elimination. The last prover was not in 
health. He took Picric acid as a remedy, and he selected 
a cycle of only six days to see how the mean would 
compare wi ll the cycles of a longer period. 
The first prover, Dr. George A. Tabor, took the 
equivalent of thirty grains of the crude acid. The 
second prover, Mr. Frank N. White, had the equivalent 
of twenty-four grains of the crude acid. The last 
prover, myself, took the equivalent of six grains of the 
crude acid. 
Tiie resu'ts as shown by daily analysis of all the 
urine pissed, were as follows • * 
The homoeopathic physiologist must learn to take more cogni- 
zance of the substantial stuff of which the body is composed, and 
py the coming and going of which it is sustained.-Dr, Samuel 
Bbown on The Theory of Small Doses. 
Previous studies of the action of Picric Acid have 
led to the conclusion that it is a drug which retards oxi- 
dation. 2his is effected through the blood, that composite 
tissue being its chief point of attack. The oldest living 
element of the blood, the red blood-corpuscle, succumbs to the 
deleterious influence of Picric acid; fatty degeneration of 
its contents ensues, its coloring matter is set free, and it 
is no longer capable of bearing oxygen to the tissues ; then 
the body temperature falls, tiie energy fails, and death 
from asthenia results.* 
As a poison it is one which is rapidly recovered from 
when its exhibition is arrested before a lethal condition 
is induced. This speedy recovery is believed to be due 
to a replenishing of the system with red blood-corpus- 
cles ; and from experiments with this drug on rabbits 
we can learn how quickly bodies are reprodu ed. 
Our studies of the action of this drug have led to the 
belief that Picric acid destroys the oldest of the red 
Name. 
Time and Dose. 
Av. daily D 
Urea 
Uric A. 
Phos. 
Sulph. 
Chlor. 
Tabor. 
9 days. ? 
30 grs. 
grs. 
4-3.5 grs. 
4-0.6 grs. 
4- 1-2 grs. 
-0.8 grs. 
- 14. grs- 
White. 
18 days. 
24 grs. 
1X grs. 
-|~3.5 grs. 
4-2.8 grs. 
4-27.7 grs. 
-2 grs. 
-65.5 grs- 
Jones.. 
6 days. 
6 grs. 
1 gr- 
4-31 grs. 
-2.7 grs. 
- 0.8 grs. 
4-12.6 grs. 
4-32.8 grs- 
blood-corpuscles first, including the younger ones as the 
blood stream becomes saturated with the acid. The result 
of this should be a more rapid disin tegration of red blood- 
corpuscles. The product, if properly conducted by the 
liver, would give an Increase in the urea-elimination. 
Beside this we should also have an increase of urohse- 
matine. As the sodic phosphate is found in the red blood- 
In both of the healthy provers we find a striking 
agreement in their results. (? L. B. C.) In both, the urea, 
uric, and phosphoric acid is increased, and both show 
a decrease in the sulphites and chlorides. In the 
prover who was out of health nearly an exact opposite 
occurs, namely, the uric, and phosphoric acid are de- 
creased, while the sulphates and chlorides are increased. 
In regard, then, to these four substances, the results 
are direct opposites. So far as the urea is concerned a 
discrepancy seems to exist, in that in both the healthy 
and the unhealthy provers an increase of this substance 
occurs. A moment's reflection, however, shows that 
this is as it it should be, because while Picric acid 
retards oxidation in health it should accelerate it in 
disease. In thehealthy provers the urea was increased not 
quite three-tenths of a gramme per diem, and this small gain 
is accounted for by the extra 150 c.c.'s of urine in the daily 
isolated cases in which blood corpuscles have been detected 
in urine by the microscope, and yet the ordinary tests failed 
to show the presence of albumen. See London Practitioner, 
April, 1875. This may possibly be caused by some pecu- 
liar quality or condition of the urine. For instance, the 
aqueous solution of Picric Acid has been recommended 
as a test for albumen. With it, I myself have detected one 
part of albumen in 15,000 of water. On substituting 
human urine for aqua pura, the addition of Picric Acid 
gave no result whatever. Subsequent experiment proved 
that the sulphates had prevented the success of the test. 
The method used was as follows : Put 200cc., or 7 oz. of the 
aqueous solution of albumen (1 to 15,000) in a glass jar 1x9, 
then add 30cc., or 1 oz. of the sat. sol. of Picric Acid. 
After a few hours, flakes of coagulated albumen are found 
in suspension and finally are precipitated. 
* Frof. Jones uses the French or Metrical system in giving his re- 
sults. For the benefit of those as yet unfamiliar with the metrical 
system, we will change these results from grammes into grains, which 
will enable us to more easily get at the "milk of this theoretical 
cocoanut." 
* The italics are my own, OF PICRIC ACID. 
5 
excretion ! in the prover who was out of health the urea-gain 
was over two grammes daily-a good evidence of increased 
oxidation. 
This im. 'ease leads us to call attention to the lesson 
which it tt hes namely; the diseased condition calling 
for Picric acid must present not an increased but a dimin- 
ished excretion of urea. 
it will aid the purpose of this paper to state the con- 
dition of the prover in whom this marked increase of 
urea was observed. He was markedly indisposed to 
either physical or mental exertion; easily fatigued ; 
readily " blown " by walking up hill; inclined to day- 
sleepiness, and he felt as if in a state of semi torpidity. 
This apathy also pervaded the sexual system. His ap- 
petite was so poor that he seldom ate anything with a 
relish; he became faint rather than hungry, and this 
faint feeling induced a craving for stimulan's. He al- 
ways felt best towards the close of the day, and could 
sit up o'nights like an owl. He slept late in the morn- 
ing, waking up thoroughly "played out," and with all 
his milk of human kindness in a strong acetous fermen- 
tation. The results of taking Picric Acid were, an im- 
proved appetite, a general feeling of well-being, a re- 
newed vigor in the morning, and an ability to rise 
much earlier than usual. 
To those in his coniition an increased elimination of 
urea is an essential to improvement; it indicates a 
completer oxidation, and denotes a status which Picric 
Acid will always produce when it acts homoeopathi- 
cally in disease. 
Let us now examine more closely the contrasts 
afforded by these analyses, and we will compare the 
results in Mr. White's case with those in our own." 
an obscure case clear to him who for the first time per- 
uses them. 
We have reverted to this because it indicates the di- 
rection in which Picric Acid does its work. 
Far this side of " Progressive Pernicious Angemia" 
is a condition wherein the physician finds a marked 
loss of strength, and yet no detectable organic lesion 
to account for it. Then let the test for urohsematine 
be applied, and the significant color obtained will at 
once put the attendant in possession of the secret, and 
at work in the right direction. The trouble is too rapid 
a destructive metamorphosis of the red blood-corpus- 
cles-a condition wherein Picric Acid, in the higher 
potencies, is indicated, and one in which this remedy 
will win some of its proudest laurels. (?L. B. C). 
S. A. Jones. 
This theory is briefly, that Picric Acid pro- 
duces " fatty degeneration of the red blood cor- 
puscles." 
2d.-That the amount of " fatty degeneration " 
depends upon the degree of blood saturation 
with the acid. 
3d.-That the coloring matter of the red blood 
corpuscles is " no longer capable of bearing 
oxygen to the tissues," and is, therefore, elimin- 
ated by the kidneys as " uroheematine." 
4th.-That his urinary analyses prove blood 
destruction. 
5th.-That animals poisoned with this drug 
die from " asthenia." 
Now I propose to prove that Picric Acid does 
not produce "fatty degeneration of the red blood 
corpuscles." 
2d.-That it has no destructive action whatever 
upon the blood corpuscles. 
3d.-That the oxygen bearing function of the 
hfematin is unimpaired. 
4th.-That the coloring matter in the urine 
which Dr. Jones calls " urohaematine," is nctf uro- 
luematine, but a vegetable coloring matter, a pro- 
duct of the decomposition in "Nature's labora- 
tory" of a portion of the Picric Acid administered. 
5th.-7'+// f/ic Doctor's own urinary analyses by 
which he endeavors very ingeniously to prove blood 
destruction, actually disprove such action.', 
6th.-And lastly, that animals poisoned with 
this drug, do nof die from " Asthenia," but from 
an entirely different cause. 
For several months past, I have been experi- 
menting upon animals with pure Picric Acid 
crystals, and my results have been so uniform 
and satisfactory, as to leave no doubt in my mind 
that I have learned the true action of this drug. 
Uric Acid. 
Phosphates. 
Sulphates. 
Chlorides 
White, +2.8 
+27.7 
2. 
-.65.5 
Jones, -2.7 
- 0.8 
+12.6 
+32.8 
These marked differences and their significance will 
be readily apparent to the reader, and on them we base 
the indications for the use of Picric acid as obtained 
from an analysis of the patients urine, namely: aphis 
of uric, and phosphoric acid, and a minus of sulphates 
and chlorides as compared with the normal standard. 
To fix the patient's " normal standard " is the one 
difficulty, but Hassell, Vogel, Parkes and Harley give 
mean quantities, 'and a marked plus or minus must serve 
as our criterion in a given case. When Picric acid is 
needed the reader may rest assured that excesses and 
deficiencies will readily be found to exist, and it is 
hoped that the data here furnished may aid in giving 
precision to the choice of the remedy, and a firmer re- 
liance on a choice which is made from a consideration 
of both the subjective and objective symptoms. 
Would that every practicing physician would " read 
and inwardly digest" Harley's Lecture YI.\ His re- 
marks on the pathology of urohaematine will make many 
'Mr. White introduced the drug into his system slowly. Dr. 
Tabor took larger doses sooner, and thus established renal elimina- 
tion, escaping so full an action as might have been had with more 
care and smaller doses. Mr. White's results are selected as giving 
truer indications of drug action. 
]The Urine and its Derangements, p. 96. The first edition is out of 
print, but a second is forthcoming. 6 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION 
To ascertain if Picric acid produced the 
wonderful action upon the blood corpuscles so 
accurately described by Professor Jones, I pre- 
pared 45 or 50 specimens of blood in various 
stages of the poisonings, and even after death. 
In none of them, however, was there the least change 
in the blood corpuscles from the normal condition.* 
I went further. Procuring some healthy blood, 
I mixed with its serum as large a quantity of the 
acid as possible without coagulating the albumen 
it contained, but even then the blood corpuscles 
were unchanged. 
A highly colored urine was always present 
during medication, varying from blood red, to al- 
most black, according to the amount of the acid ad- 
ministered. This urine also was unaccompanied 
even by a trace of albumen, which as before 
stated, almost invariably accompanies blood color- 
ing matter in urine.f 
Just what this coloring matter was, is an in- 
tensely interesting matter to me, for upon this 
point all the theories advanced by my learned 
opponent concerning the physiological action of 
the drug, must either stand or fall. 
Tyson says: J 
" The coloring matter of plants, especially 
chrysophanic acid,§ found in rhubarb and senna 
leaves, contributes to alkaline urine a reddish 
yellow to a deep red color. It can be recog- 
nized by the fact that red alkaline urine by the 
addition of an acid becomes yellow, and by the 
addition of an excess of ammonia, again takes on 
the red color.* 
" Precautions. Such precipitation by heat and 
potash, might possibly be taken for blood coloring 
matters ; but the absence of Albumen in the urine, 
the production of the red color by an excess of 
ammonia, and its paling on the further addition 
of an excess of acid, serve to distinguish this vege- 
table coloring matter from blood coloring mat- 
ters and uroerythrin. " 
In every case the urine responded perfectly to 
this test, thereby showing conclusively that its 
beautiful tint was due, not to " urohsematine," 
as our Ann Arbor friend so positively declares, 
but to a vegetable coloring matter f 
I next endeavored to find if Picric Acid as 
Picric Acid was eliminated by the kidneys, as sta- 
ted in the former experiment in 1874, and which 
Dr. Jones doubted. To determine this point, 
I evaporated about lOOcc. of urine upon a water 
bath, and treated the residue with Alcohol to ex- 
tract the red coloring matter and Picric Acid, if 
any were present. After filtering, a few drops 
were placed upon a slide and examined with a 
microscope, when the beautiful crystals of Picric 
Acid, tinged with the reddish chrysophanic acid 
came into view. J (? L. B. C.) 
Wishing to place this matter beyond the pos- 
sibility of a doubt, I sent specimens of the urine 
to Professor James Tyson, of Philadelphia, the 
author of that excellent work, Practical Exam- 
ination of the Urine, for his opinion of the col- 
oring matter it contained. Here is his answer: 
* A specimen of the blood of Dog No. 3 was here sub- 
mitted, showing the blood corpuscles to be in a perfectly 
healthy condition. The specimen was obtained during the 
fourth medication when the dog was receiving 66 grs. of 
Picric Acid per day. 
f In the N. Y. Journal of Homoeopathy, June and July, 
1875, may be found the following comments by the general 
editor, Samuel A. Jones, M. D., on the work of an under- 
graduate who failed to make exhaustive analysis of his 
provers' urine : 
"As the 'gold medal' proving of a graduate in medicine, 
we feel that we are doing true editorial duty in calling 
attention to it as being the most truthful, the severest, and 
the most unanswerable comment upon the existing system 
of medical education. We beg leave to add that these 
remarks are applicable not only to the latitude and longi- 
tude of New York." 
These remarks on " medical education " are by a profes- 
sor, who four years afterwards saw " fatty degeneration of 
the red blood corpuscles " of watered blood, and discovered 
urohaematine in a urinary solution of chrysophanic acid. 
We beg leave to add that these remarks are applicable 
only to the ' 'latitude and longitude " of Ann Arbor. 
J Pract. Ex. of Urine, p. 68. 
§The picrates of sodium and calcium give similar reac- 
tions, and have been recommended as tests for acidity or 
alkalinity of urine, in place of litmus.-New Remedies, 
July, 1876. 206. 
*Like Picric acid, Santonine, or more properly, Santonic 
acid, also of vegetable origin, is decomposed in the system, 
forming a remarkable coloring matter which is eliminated 
by the kidneys, and which Falk of Marburg calls Xantbop- 
sin, from its supposed property of producing Xanthopsia, 
("yellow vision.")-(See British Journal of Hom., xxvii., 
214). This coloring matter also reddens or pales according 
as an excess of ammonia or acid is added. 
t We take this opportunity of commending our physiolo- 
gico, sanguino urochemico scientific critic to a study of the 
rudiments of the histology of the blood, and of the chem- 
istry of the urine. We suggest besides, that he cultivate a 
little more respect for the opinions and reputations of his 
fellow-men. A reform in this direction would be very 
desirable, and our Western friend would, we doubt not, 
soon be respected most where known best. 
J Chemists have lately discovered that Picric Acid may 
be easily and profitably prepared from plants containing a 
large proportion of chrysophanic acid, as for instance, the 
" goa powder," which Attfield has found to contain 85 per 
cent, of this drug. OF PICRIC ACID. 
7 
"Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1877. 
Dear Sir .--Extreme occupation has prevented 
my giving attention earlier to your note of the 
11th ult. I have indeed not had the time to test 
the fluid you sent to me personally, but placed it 
in the hands of my assistant, Dr. B. F. Lauder- 
back, who declares it to be Chrysophanic Acid, 
and I have every confidence in his results. 
Respectfully yours, James Tyson." 
I also sent specimens of the urine to Profs. 
T. F. Allen and S. P. Burdick of this city. Prof. 
Allen placed his specimen in the hands of Prof. 
O'Connor for his examination. Both these gen- 
tlemen examined the urine with the spectroscope, 
and declared it to be devoid of hcernatin, but that 
it did contain Picric Acid. 
Prof. Burdick's letter reads as follows: 
" New York, Nov. 25th. 
ALg Dear Sir .--Yours of the 21st received. I 
find the specimen you sent me gives absorption 
bands of Picric Acid and no haematin bands. 
Fraternally yours, S. P. Burdick." 
As an evidence that the " oxygen bearing func- 
tions of the hgematin " is unimpaired, I will 
state that during the experiments upon the vari- 
ous canine provers, even while they were elimin- 
ating a prodigious amount of this " urohsematine 
of Jones," there was a decided increase in the 
animal heat, as the temperature records of all the 
poisoned dogs will show. 
Dr. Jones informs us that Tabor " took larger 
doses sooner and thus established renal elimina- 
tion, escaping so full an action as he might have 
had with more care and smaller doses." This, 
however, does not seem to agree with the state- 
ment previously made, that "the larger the doses" 
and greater degree of blood " saturation," the 
more blood destruction, and consequently the 
larger production of urea and phosphates. 
Tabor then took doses sufficient to " saturate " 
the blood and establish " renal elimination." As 
a result of this blood destruction (?) we find an 
increase of 3| grains of urea in over 330, or 
about 1 per cent, of increase, which is far less 
than the differences that occur from day to day 
in a state of health; while White, who " took 
small doses," "introducing the drug into his 
system slowly," had the same increase of urea, 
and I doubt not, the same amount of blood 
destruction. 
Turning now to the Phosphates, we find that 
Tabor, as a result of blood destruction, had a 
daily increase of 1.2 grains of Phosphates, which 
is ecpiivalent to 0.6 gr. of Phos. Acid; while 
White, who took "small doses," had a plus of 
27.7 grs. of phosphate, or an equivalent of 13.9 
grs. of Phos. Acid in the daily excretion. 
White, then, as a result of this blood corpus- 
cular destruction, had a plus of 3.5 grs, of urea 
and 27-7 grs phosphates, which clearly proves 
that the " red blood corpuscles " contain 89 per 
cent of phosphates to 11 per cent of urea pro- 
ducing material. This result completely upsets 
all preconceived ideas of the chemistry of the 
blood. 
According to the theory of my learned oppo- 
nent, " oxidation " is retarded in direct propor- 
tion to the amount of Picric Acid administered, 
and he cites his provers' uric acid increase to 
prove that point. Yet Tabor, who took by far 
the largest doses, had the smallest increase of 
uric acid," 0.6 gr.while White, who took " small 
doses," had a plus of 2.8 grs. Either of these 
results, however, are less than the fluctuations 
which may occur from day to day in a state of 
health. 
As the decrease of the sulphates is very small 
and that of the chlorides of comparatively little 
importance, we will pass them over and take up 
the Doctor's own proving. Here we find a 
daily increase of 31 grs. of urea, and as he took 
within 1-3 gr. as large a daily dose as White, 
who got such remarkable results, we conclude 
that this great increase is also due to "fatty 
degeneration of the red blood corpuscles," " the 
product of which if properly converted by the 
liver," we are told would give this increase. 
Then, " as the sodic phosphate is found in the 
red blood corpuscles, we should further find an 
increase of phos. acid." Turning now to the 
phosphates, we find that instead of gaining he 
has lost 0.8 gr. 
1 was at a loss to account for this, and still 
save the theory, but the Doctor evidently was not; 
such knotty little points as this he glides over 
with the greatest ease and quietness. He in- 
forms us that he was " not in health " when he 
made that "proving," so "he took Picric Acid as 
a remedy" ? 
A remedy for what ? " Fatty degeneration of 
the red blood corpuscles ?" I cannot for a 
moment entertain such an idea, for I feel cer- 
tain that at no time during the past five years, 
has the proportion of water in the erudite 
Doctor's liquor sanguinis, exceeded the normal 
standard. At any rate, the proportion has never 8 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION 
been so great as to make him at all liable to 
become a victim to the " fatty degeneration of 
Jones." 
A daily increase of 31 grs. urea for a period of 
six days, then, " is a good evidence of increased 
oxidation."-Granted. The other provers who 
were victims of " fatty degeneration of the red 
blood corpuscles," and whose heematin was " no 
longer capable of bearing oxygen to the tissues," 
had during the period of medication, (18 days,) a 
daily increase of grs. of urea, which our Scien- 
tific Physiologist would have us understand is 
an evidence of " sub-oxidation." 
This is indeed " an elastic kind of logic." We 
beg leave to differ with our sapient friend. He 
is entirely wrong. His " logic " may do for Ann 
Arbor, but it will never do for the " latitude and 
longitude of New York." 
In view of the fact that this drug has no 
action whatever upon the blood corpuscles, it 
will be interesting to know how Dr. Jones came 
to discover that " the oldest of the red blood cor- 
puscles are destroyed first, including the younger 
ones, as the blood stream becomes saturated with 
the acid." Then, too, this would imply a chemi- 
cal* rather than a physiological action, and if 
chemical, how homoeopathic to " Progressive, 
Pernicious Anaemia?" "a condition," he informs 
us, " wherein Picric Acid in the higher potencies 
is indicated, and one in which this remedy will 
win some of its proudest laurels." 
Although at first declaring positively " fatty 
degeneration of the red blood corpuscles " as an 
effect of Picric Acid, and citing his provers in- 
crease of urea as evidence of such action, he for- 
gets that before he is done with his article, and 
says that Tabor's and White's urea increase is not 
due to blood destruction, but "to the extra 
150cc. of urine in the daily excretion." In his own 
case, he again discards the blood destruction 
theory by declaring his urea increase to be an 
evidence of " increased oxidation," which it un- 
doubtedly is. 
In closing this interesting paper, the author I 
says: "Would that every practicing physician 
would read and inwardly digest Harley's Pec- 
ture VI. His remarks on the pathology of uro- 
haematine would make many an obscure case clear 
to him who for the first time peruses them." 
And I would add, would that Dr. Jones himself 
i had studied well the pathology of the hlood, and 
its coloring matters in the urine. Had he done 
so, he would not have recognized " fatty degen- 
eration of the red blood corpuscles " of watered 
blood, nor discovered " uroheematine," where 
none existed. 
Dr. Richard Hughes, in commenting on Dr. 
Jones' paper, presented to the World's Homoeo- 
pathic Convention in 1876, " On the Erythrae- 
malysis produced by Picric Acid," said:* "Fin- 
ally, Dr. Jones suggests the remedy as promising 
something for the hsemastosic diseases, among 
which he specifies, Morbus, Addisoni, Idiopathic 
Antemia and Intermittent Hiematuria." Morbus 
Addisoni? Idiopathic Anaemia? and Intermit- 
tent Haematuria ? Indeed ? 
Picric Acid does dye the skin of a dingy yel- 
low hue, which is probably the reason that our 
far-sighted friend regarded it as homoeopathic 
to 'Addison's disease;' "but such logic as 
that "f would also lead him to give the Silver 
Nitrate to a ' blue baby,' because a dark hued 
skin is a characteristic of both. 
The " anaemia " of Picric Acid is the anaemia 
of starvation; the effect of the drug upon the 
appetite. How then it can be homoeopathic to 
" idiopathic " or " progressive pernicious, anae- 
mia," is more than I can see. 
And now we come to " Intermittent Haema- 
turia! " 
Dr. Jones himself does not claim for Picric 
Acid the power of producing haematuria. The 
blood corpuscles he declares are destroyed by 
"fatty degeneration," and then converted into 
urea by the liver, the haematine only, being of no 
further use in the system, is eliminated by the 
kidneys. But this " uroluematine of Jones " we 
have proved to be a vegetable coloring matter. 
Just how then Picric Acid is homoeopathic 
to " intermittent haematuria " I leave for our hyp- 
ercritical author of " Master Work " | to deter- 
mine. 
The effect of Picric Acid upon the optic nerve 
and retina is very interesting. 
The eyes of the different animals were ex- 
amined with an ophthalmoscope before medica- 
tion, and all were found to be normal. 
* That this acid may chemically convert an animal tissue 
into fat, may seem almost incredible to some, but we ven- 
ture to predict that the Doctor will yet add this to bis many 
important discoveries of the wonderful action of this drug. 
* British Hom. Review, Dec., 1877. 
tAmerican Hom. Observer, Oct., 1877, p. 493. 
£See American Hom. Observer, Jan. 1878, p. 12. OF PICRIC ACID. 
9 
When thoroughly under the influence of the 
drug the eyes were again examined; venous con- 
gestion existed in every case. 
The eyes of dogs No. 3 and 4 were also ex- 
amined, to see if any marked change in the in- 
tra occular circulation occurred during the 
spasms, which will afterward be described, but 
none was detected. 
Being anxious for a thorough diagnosis, I sent 
dog No. 3 to Dr. G. S. Norton, of this city, who 
kindly gave me his written opinion concerning 
the lesions found. 
" Oct. 12th. This morning I examined the eyes 
of a dog chronically poisoned with Picric Acid, 
that Dr. Couch had sent me. Pupils dilated with 
atropine. Ophthalmoscopic appearances of the 
two eyes are similar, refractive media clear,,op- 
tic nerve apparently slightly hyperaemic, retinal 
vessels, especially the veins, enlarged; thin 
streaks of reddish color in choroid, probably 
physiological, and due to want of pigment; 
above optic nerve in particular, immense white 
patches of exudation are observed, with some 
haemorrhagic spots. It is impossible to say 
whether they are in the retina or choroid, as 
there are several points in favor of each." 
" Oct. 22d. This morning the dog's eyes were 
sent to me for microscopical examination. Op- 
tic nerve entrance much swollen and infiltrated; 
masses of yellowish white exudation are ob- 
served, extending from the nerve into the vari- 
ous portions of the retina; others are uncon- 
nected with the nerve entrance. In some places 
these points have a white glistening look, but 
generally partake of the appearance noted above. 
The whole retina appears as if infiltrated; small 
extravasations are found on the optic nerve and 
in the retina. The choroid was normal as far as 
examined. Owing to an accident the different 
retinal layers could not be seen " 
Picric Acid also produces spasms, both tonic 
and clonic, which have a striking resemblance to 
those produced by strychnine. Like that potent 
drug it exerts its poisonous effects mainly upon 
the spinal cord, the brain functions being to all 
appearances unimpaired. When thoroughly un- 
der the influence of the drug the animals betray 
great weakness and lassitude; especially is this 
noticable of the hind legs, they being scarcely 
able to support the already attenuated body 
which sways constant1 y from side to side; the 
tail too is as limp as a wet rag, and cannot be 
made to either wag or curl. As more of the drug 
is absorbed these symptoms became more and 
more prominent, the animal falls over at the 
slightest push and seems unable to rise. Its 
whole aspect is now one of the greatest, terror: 
the fur on the neck is erect and bristling, the 
eyes are prominent and staring, the head is 
turned quickly from side to side as if fearing a 
deadly attack from some dreadful unseen enemy; 
the gait too is peculiar, resembling somewhat 
that of locomotor ataxia. This is due to sudden 
spasms of individual muscles during the act of 
walking. On being urged to run three or four 
feet, he seems as if suddenly pulled back upon 
his haunches by some unseen force. The spasms 
now become general, involving all of the volun- 
tary and some of the involuntary muscles, the 
whole body becomes convulsed, respiration is 
stopped, opisthotonos sets in; after one or two 
minutes the muscles relax and respiration is 
slowly established. 
A slight rustling, a jar, or other noise is suffi- 
cient to produce a recurrence of the above 
phenomena. If rest and quiet are allowed, the 
animal may perfectly recover. If however too 
large a dose has been administered, the spasms 
recur more and more frequently, till death fin- 
ally occurs from prolonged spasms of the mus- 
cles of respiration. During the later stages of 
the poisonings, clonic spasms of the jaws occur 
with sufficient force to cause the sound of clash- 
ing teeth to be heard fifty feet or more away. 
It should be remembered that in the proving 
made in 1874, the alcoholic tincture which con- 
tains less than 5 per cent of Picric Acid was 
used, while the later experiments were made 
with pure Picric acid crystals. Some persons 
might ask why dog No. 1 did not die in spasms 
as did the later cases ? I answer that he was ' too 
drunk' to properly complete the proving, and from 
subsequent observations I am satisfied, that this 
is not the only case wherein alcohol has inter- 
fered seriously with a proper knowledge of a 
drug's physiological action. 
Another very interesting and important symp- 
tom, anesthesia of the posterior extremities, also 
existed to such an extent that pins could be 
passed into the joints, and even through the 
limbs themselves, without the animal betraying 
a consciousness of pain. These symptoms occur 
in both, posterior extremities and in them alone. 
This fact would lead us to regard the lumbar 
portion of the cord as the seat of lesion. 10 
PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION 
it is possible, and very probable, that exuda- 
tion occurs into the connective tissue of the 
cord, similar to that described by Dr. Norton as 
existing in the optic nerve and retina. This ex- 
udation if permanent would tend to produce at- 
rophy of the nerve substance, and if only tempo- 
rary will readily account for the ataxic symp- 
toms which occurred in every one of the poi- 
soned animals. 
Although exerting its poisonous effects mainly 
upon the spinal cord, Picric Acid does possess 
a marked action upon the pneumogastric nerve, 
just how this brought about we cannot at present 
say, but the symptoms and pulse respiration 
ratio, show a marked similarity to the phenomena 
following section, and consequent paralysis of 
both pneumogastric nerves. 
Flint says: * 
" When both nerves are divided, an experiment 
which we have often tried, the effect upon the 
respiratory organs is very marked. The inspi- 
rations become unusually profound and are at- 
tended with unusual dilation of thorax. The 
animal is generally quiet and indisposed to move. 
We have seen under these conditions the num- 
ber of respirations fall from 16 or 18 to 4 per 
minute. " 
"When the animal is in this condition, the 
beats of the heart are very much increased, at 
least doubled; but they are insufficient and 
tremulous." 
Let us now turn to the pulse respiration ratios 
of the poisoned dogs and see how they will com- 
pare with the above description. 
ish stools giving acid reaction is a constant symp- 
tom during medication. It is important to state 
that aside from a slight softening of the intesti- 
nal mucous membrane no lesions in any of the 
viscera were found. 
The bile was black in all cases, and contained 
a generous amount of chrysophanic acid, as did 
the urine. Picric and chrysophanic acids then 
are eliminated by the liver and kidneys. When 
therefore the quantity of Picric Acid is ab- 
sorbed faster than eliminated, the nervous sys- 
tem becomes poisoned, and death from convul- 
sions ensues. 
The convolutions of the brain are beautifully 
injected, but if any other abnormality or tissue 
change exists, we cannot at present say, as the 
microscojlical part of the work has yet to be per- 
formed; the person to whom it was intrusted 
being too busy at present to give it the proper 
attention. 
As is well known this drug possesses a power- 
ful action upon the male sexual organs. Even 
in dogs the same marked erethism, so prominent 
a symptom in the human provers, was present. 
It is an interesting fact that small doses only 
are capable of producing sexual excitement; 
medium or massive doses producing a directly 
opposite effect. A knowledge of this action will 
enable us to control habits of self-abuse very 
effectually. I have used this drug in several such 
cases, and can recommend it as very efficient. 
I was once consulted by a widower, who had 
practiced onanism ever since the death of his 
wife, a period of 12 years. He freely confessed 
his faults, and begged for " something to cool 
his blood." I gave him 12 powders of Picric 
Acid™, one to be taken every night. In 
about two weeks a crest-fallen, anxious looking- 
individual appeared at my office door, the very 
picture of despair. In answer to my inquiries 
as to whether he had continued his vile habits he 
reproachfully exclaimed. " I-I cant." 
" Do you want any more of that cooling medi- 
cine," I asked ? 
"No, no-no! I don't want any more of that 
stuff-it is altogether too cooling." 
I gave him phos. acid, and advised him to get 
married, which he did shortly afterward. If 
the dilutions fail in such cases, I should not 
hesitate to give the drug in material doses. 
Picric Acid also exerts a remarkable effect 
upon the urine and its constituents, as will be 
Dog. No. 1, 1874. 
Alcoholic Tine, of Picric Acid. 
No. 3.- -Pure Crystals. 
Health 
RESP. P 
19. | 
ULSE. 
100 
Health 
RESP. 
1 25 | 
PULSE. 
100 
1st Medication. 
25. | 
100 
1st 20 days. 
1 20 | 
100 
1st Elimination 
14.2 | 
100 
Last 4 days. 
1 9-4 | 
100 
2d Medication. 
15.2 | 
100 
No. 2.-Pure Crystals usel. 
2d Elimination 
12- I 
100 
3d Medication. 
9.4 | 
100 
Health 
RESP. 
1 23.4 I 
PULSE. 
100 
4 th Medication 
8.9 | 
loo 
Medication. 
1 31.4 | 
100' 
No. 4.-Pure Crystals. 
*Primary action 
Health 
RESP. PULSE. 
18.6 j 100 
Small Doses. .. 
13.7 | 
100 
Medium Doses. 
14.4 | 
100 
Elimination. . . 
11.1 | 
100 
The action upon the abdominal viscera gener- 
ally is of little importance, and will be passed 
over in a very few words. 
The appetite is poor; vomiting ensues immedi- 
ately after taking the drug; loose scanty bro wa- 
*Flint's Physiology -Nervous System, pp. 235 and 224. OF PICRIC ACID. 
11 
seen by the following analytical records of the 
poisoned animals. 
ture, while the urea and phosphates are greatly 
diminished. Also that the urea, phosphates, 
sulphates and chlorides are diminished in direct 
proportion to the amount of the drug adminis- 
tered. These are important facts, and they bear 
directly upon the truth or falsity of the blood 
destructive theory of Prof. Jones. 
Dog No. i.-Alcoholic Tine Picric Acid. 
Doses. Resp. Pulse. Temp. 
Health | - | 22 5 | 88. | 101.5° 
First 20 days. | ? | 20. | 109. | 102. 0 
Last 4 days.. | ? j 12 2 | 129. 101.5° 
Reap. 
Pulse. 
Temp. 
Urine 
LT rea. 
Phosphates. Sulphates. 
Chlorides. 
Health... . 
... | - | - | 25.5 | 
108 | 
101.0" 
182cc. 
| 106. 
| 28. | 4.4 
1 3.0 
Medic. .. . 
. . . | 6 days. | 15 tjrs. | 38. | 
124 | 
102.8" 
1 96ce. 
| 55. 
| 16.6 | 2.6 
| 0 6 
No. 2.-PURE CRYSTALS USED. 
No. 3.-PICRIC ACID CRYSTALS. 
itessp. 
Puise. 
iciup. 
Oriue. 
U reu. 
Pnosptiales. 
salpuates. 
Jiii* irides. 
Health.. . . 
• 1 
1 1 
19. | 
99 | 
102.1° 
I 195cc. 
i 95. 
| 29.2 
| 12.0 ' 
2.4 | 
1st Med... . 
. | 6 days. 
1 15 grs. | 
30. | 
121 
102.3° 
| 95cc. 
| 61. 
| 17.2 
| 2.8 
0.3 | 
1st Elim.. . 
. I 5 days. 
1 ~ 1 
19 | 
134 | 
103.3° 
134cc. 
61. 
I 9-'2 
| 5.6 
2.1 | 
2d Med.. . . 
. | 9 days 
1 15 grs. | 
21. | 
121 | 
102.1° 
| 130cc. 
| 55.8 
| 14.0 
| 6 8 
1 0.7 | 
2d Elim.... 
. | 6 days. 
1 1 
15. | 
129 | 
101°+ 
| 140cc. 
| 60. 
| 25.2 
'| 9.0 
1 <7 | 
3d Med.. . 
. | 8 days. 
I 22 grs. | 
12.6 | 
128 | 
101.4" 
i41cc. 
| 62 
| 28.6 
| 17.0 
1 1-7 | 
4th Med... . 
. | 5 days. 
i 66 grs. | 
11.1 1 
126 | 
100.9° 
| 88ce. 
| 42.7 
| 15.2 
| 8.3 
0.8 | (1) 
Reap. 
Pulse. 
Temp. Urine. 
Urea. 
Phosphates. 
Sulphates. 
Chlorides. 
Health... . 
•• 1 - 
1 - 
I 18 6 
99 | 
102.2" . 200CC. 
1 112. | 
22.1 
11.8 
1 15 | 
1st Med .. 
. . | 11 days. | 
5 grs. 
1 16 -'2 | 
112 | 
102.6° | 320ec. 
188.2 | 
25.2 | 
13.4 
1 2.9 1 
2d Med. . 
.. | 9 days. 
i U grs. 
1 15-4 i 
113 | 
102.6" | 219ce. 
| 113.4 | 
9.4 | 
4.5 
1 2.2 | 
Elim 
.. | 5 days. 
1 - 
1 15.5 | 
138 | 
102.1" | 3O0cc. 
1 loi. | 
9 9 | 
7.5 
| 3.2 | (2) 
No. 4.-P. A. CRYSTALS. 
Daily Doses. 
Reap 
Pulse. 
Temp. 
Uriue. 
Urea. 
Phosphates. 
Sulphates. 
Chlorides. 
No. 2 | 
15 grs. 
1 +12 5 | 
+18 
| +9.9® 
| - 86cc. 
1-51. | 
-11.4 
1 -l-« 
-2.4 
No. 3. 1st Med. j 
15 grs. 
l+H- 1 
+22 
| +0 2®_ 
| - lOOcc. | -34. | 
-12. 
1 -9-2 | 
-2.1 
" 2d Med~~ 
14 grs. 
r+ 3- i 
+25 
| 0® 
| - 65ce. | -39.2 | 
-15.2 
| -5.2 
-1.7 
" 3d Med.. | 
22 grs. 
1 r-- 6.4 I 
+ 29 
| -0.7® 
| -- 54cc. | -33. i 
- 0.6 
1 +5- - I 
-0.7 
" 4tti Med. | 
66 grs. 
1-791 
+27 
| -1.2® 
| -107. 
| -52 3 | 
-14. 
1 -3.7 | 
-1.6 
No. 5. 1st Med. | 
5 grs. 
1 - 2.4 | 
+ 13 
1 +'»-4® 
1 +120. 
1 +76-2 | 
+ 3.1 
1 +1-6 | 
+1.4 
" 2d Med.. | 
14 grs. 
| - 3.2 | 
+ 14 
1 +9.4®+ 
1 + 19- - 
■1 + 1-4 i 
-12.7 
I -7.3 | 
+0.7 
GENE UAL RESULTS. 
It will be seen that the primary effect of small 
doses is to increase markedly the amount of the 
urine, as well as the urea, phosphates, sulphates 
and chlorides; secondarily however an exactly 
opposite condition is induced. 
The primary effect of large doses is to de- 
crease in a remarkable manner the amount of 
the urine, together with the urea, phosphates, 
sulphates and chlorides; the cessation of the drug 
however is followed by a marked increase of 
each and all of the above constituents. 
It will be seen that the primary effect of even 
15 grain doses is to increase the animal tempera- 
In closing, I predict for this drug a brilliant 
future; it is as you have seen a close analogue of 
strychnine; and will be at no distant day as 
often and successfully employed. 
Note.-(1) It will be seen that dog No. 3 took doses 
much larger than those which proved fatal to No 2. This 
was owing to the fact that No. 2 vomited less after the ad- 
ministration of the drug than No. 3, and his kidneys also 
were less active in eliminating the acid from the system; 
a glance at the records will show this. (2.) After waiting 
five days for the drug to be thoroughly eliminated from the 
system, 30 grs. were given at 9 a. m., and about the same 
quantity at 1.30 p. M. Death occurred about 4 p. m. from 
tetanic spasms.