were used already by Caelius Aurelianus,[17] and recently re-introduced into practice, by Drs. Daene and Schneemann,[18] in Germany, and by Dr. Lindsley,[19] in America. Even hydriatic physicians[20] have tried them with some success. However, notwithstanding the strong recommendations of the remedy on the part of the above named practitioners and others, the efficacity of it as a general remedy for scarlet-fever has not been confirmed. On the contrary, Berend[21] and Hauner[22] found that it did not prevent desquamation, as it had been asserted, and even Richter restricts his commendations to the vague assertion "that it seemed to him as if the cases when he used the lard were made milder than they would have been without it." 41. BELLADONNA. The remedy which has attracted and still attracts in a very high degree the attention of physicians and parents, is _Belladonna_. This remedy was first introduced as a specific and prophylactic by Hahnemann, and soon recommended not only by his own disciples, but by some of the best names of the "regular" school.[23] But soon after, as many physicians of standing declared themselves adversaries to Hahnemann's discovery,[24] and whatever may be the merits of belladonna as a specific and prophylactic in some quarters, it is certain that it never answered the expectation raised by its promulgators in others. As far as my own experience extends, I have seen very little or no effect from it. I have restricted myself, it is true, to homoeopathic doses, being afraid of the bad consequences of larger quantities in children; but from what I have seen in my own practice and that of some other physicians with whom I was familiar, I cannot but advise my readers not _to rely_ either on the prophylactic or the curative power of belladonna, when a safer and more reliable remedy is offered to them. A remedy may be excellent in certain cases and certain epidemics, and many an honest and well-meaning physician may be deceived into the belief that he has a general remedy in hand, whilst others, or himself, on future occasions discover that he has allowed himself to be taken in. Had not belladonna and aconite proved beneficial in many cases, they would scarcely have acquired their reputation, but with all due respect for Father Hahnemann and his system, I must deny belladonna to be a general, safe and reliable remedy in the prevention and cure of scarlet-fever. 42. THERE IS NEITHER A SPECIFIC NOR A PROPHYLACTIC TO BE RELIED ON.