so that a surgical operation is sometimes the only way of escape from results more serious.

Ointments and salves are not curative. They seldom do anything more than soothe the external and exposed parts, while they almost certainly inflame the cellular membranes of the rectum. The drug stores are full of quack medicines for piles, hernia, &c., not one of which is likely to accomplish more than temporary relief. One of the best palliative treatments is that of our hydropathic establishments-correct diet, frequent bathing, and cold water syringes. But the cure, whenever accomplished, occurs by and through the restoration of the primeval equilibrium between the nervous and the venous systems, or, more properly speaking, by establishing a balance of the spiritual forces (dynamics,) in the circulatory organism, which includes every possible ramification of the veins and arteries, beginning in the brain, pouring through the moderator, called the "heart," and diffusing its life-principles to the minutest bounds of the structural economy.

Recently our attention was arrested by the assertion of a scientific gentleman in this city-one of our first inventors— who declared that, without being able to give a philosophical reason, he had been cured of piles by simply carrying a horsechestnut in his pantaloons' pocket. The discovery of this peculiar power in the horse-chestnut was accidental on the part of another gentleman, who had been previously cured. It was found that, so long as he carried the chestnut about his person, the piles, although exceedingly annoying and painful before, were kept in subjection, and at last entirely overcome.

We have examined the emanations of the horse-chestnut since the above fact came to our knowledge, and do not hesitate to prescribe the experiment to our patients. Indeed, we do not recommend it as an "experiment," but as a remedy; inasmuch

as the active principle of the nut is friendly to the removal of hemorrhoidal swellings; but it is not a remedy under violations of by-laws and conditions already specified.

The subtile penetrations of certain metals and plants are exceedingly curious and magnetical. Much superstition and folly have been developed by too much reliance upon the virtues of various herbs and mineral bodies. And yet, there is a scientific truth at the bottom of all mythology, alchemy, and astrology. The ancients were peculiarly, but often erroneously, impressed with the spiritual properties of salts and herbal preparations. Alchemists, for example, found much spiritual (i. e., dynamic and psychologic force or) energy in what they termed the "Volatile Salt of Vipers." One writer says: "To judge well of the effects which this Volatile Salt can produce in our bodies, we must know its manner of operation, which is to open, to comminute, to pierce, to attenuate, and to drive to the extreme parts of the body, and through the pores of the skin, all the impurities and all the strange bodies that can get out by those ways. Further, it is an enemy to all corruption-very friendly and very agreeable to our nature, which it assists and fortifies, enabling it to expel, not only by the pores of the skin, but by siege, and by all the emunctories of the body, the superfluous humors which molest it; whence it comes to pass, that it produces admirable effects upon a thousand occasions, curing a great number of sicknesses, or, at least, giving great relief therein, even in those that are most refractory and most difficult to cure-such as apo. plexies, lethargies, convulsions, agues, and many other maladies, believed to have their source in the brain.”

With this singular quotation from one of the ancient alchemists, who was evidently impressed with the aural powers and odyllic energies of mineral bodies, we will conclude-hoping to hear from correspondents after carrying the horse-chestnut for

a few weeks. It seems to us that the constant presence of the chestnut for the cure of particular diseases, will arouse and coneentrate your pneumogastrical powers.

Piles Cured by Horse-chestnuts.

FREMONT, Ind., June, 1861.

TO A. J. DAVIS: Recently, in conversation with a gentleman (a mason by trade,) he stated that, some years since, he was attacked with the piles; which readily disappeared, in consequence (as he verily believes,) of carrying a horse-chestnut in his pocket, and continued well for about five years; during which time he carried it (the chestnut,) in his pocket; becom ing worn out, he threw it away. The disease returned in a few weeks, but was again promptly removed by resorting to the same remedy, which he still uses.

He also informed me that an acquaintance of his (also a mason,) related to him a similar experience respecting the sanative influence of this apparently very simple remedy.

The Cause and Cure of Hydrophobia.

MY DEAR SIR: Please inform me, as soon as you possibly can, what is the best medicine for preventing or curing Hydrophobia. Mad dogs have been lately very numerous through this neighborhood. Do, for humanity's sake, inform your readers what is the most efficacious treatment of Hydrophobia, and you will, I assure you, be instrumental in saving many of your fellow beings from misery and an untimely grave."

ANSWER.-The best known natural prevention of the disease called "Hydrophobia" is, a wholesale destruction of all dogs in Christendom. But the pound of "cure" is more popular. Of the symptoms of Rabies in the human being we need not say anything. They are, unhappily, familiar to thousands. The poison may remain latent in the human body for days, weeks, months, and even years, and then break forth with all its terrible symptoms of paroxysmal destruction.

TREATMENT.—The wound just made by the bite of a rabid animal, should be thoroughly and instantly cut open, so that the vessels will bleed freely, and all the parts should be immediately syringed or soaked with diluted aqua ammonia (spirits of hartshorn.) This remedy will give much pain, but it is of utmost importance. It is a good precaution to bind the upper portion of the wounded limb firmly with a strong ligature, in order to prevent the absorption of the subtile vapor into the circulatory system. This bandage may be safely removed. in a few hours. After thoroughly drenching the wound with weak spirits of hartshorn (spirits of camphor will sometimes act as a substitute,) the parts may be drawn together, and then carefully covered with arnica court-plaster. This plaster can be obtained of any homeopathic physician, and of most druggists. (Better get the ammonia and the plaster at once, for 'tis said that "a wise man foreseeth an evil and hideth himself.") One thing is necessary-i. e., a free discharge of venous blood from the parts bitten. If there is tardiness in this respect, apply a suction force to the wound without delay. All this will act as a preventive.

REMEDY IN LAST STAGES.-In case the system is contaminated with the Rabies, and the premonitory symptoms of the culmination begin to appear, then have nothing whatever to do with drugs. Tinctures of scull cap, musk, elecampane, chick weed, &c., &c., ad infinitum, are worse than nothing; let calomel, and all the myriad forms of recommended drugs, entirely alone; and instead, put the sufferer into a very hot vapor bath, as near 150° Fahrenheit as possible, and continue the sweating process for nearly twenty minutes. After which astonish the patient with a shower of cold water, and immediately cover him with blankets in bed. This will be followed by a desire to drink some cold fluid. Instead, give a tumblerful of strong red

pepper tea containing one tea-spoonful tincture lobelia. (Pro cure a bottle of this tincture now.) Perhaps a paroxysm will immediately come on; if so, repeat the sweating process, with even more heat, if possible, for ten minutes; then, as before, give the tumbler of cayenne tea and the tincture of lobelia.

It may be necessary to put the patient four times through this terrible ordeal. But as soon as the system is excessively weakened by the steam process, and the sickness at the stomach is succeeded with copious vomiting, the crisis is passed, and all danger of a fatal termination is removed. While vomiting, it is well to give a little spearmint or sage tea. If, however, the paroxysmal indications reappear, let nothing deter you from administering, still more vigorously, complete repetitions of the course above prescribed.

In some incorrigible temperaments the virus of the animal Rabies resists the most energetic remedies for several hours, and even days, especially after the final symptoms have been fully developed. The snake-stone of most countries, and the mad-stone, also, will neutralize the psychological vapor of Rabies, but not unless the individual is aware that the charm is within his possession. For it should be borne in mind that one-half of the deaths by hydrophobia, as by cholera, owe their origin to the erroneous belief of the patient that death is inevitable.

Vapor Baths for Hydrophobia.

Some twenty years ago the following case was stated in the Boston Transcript: A gentleman suffering from hydrophobia conceived the idea of suicide by means of a hot vapor bath. He entered the room when the temperature was about two hundred degrees, expecting to be suffocated, but soon fell into a profuse perspiration, and was permanently cured. Sometimes a sudden plunge in cold water will break the paroxysm