This medicine is prepared from roasted Turkey sponge. It may be used either in the form of the tincture or trituration. Chemical analysis of a reliable preparation should reveal the presence of small amounts of iodin, to which substance Spongia owes its chief action.

Because of the small amount of iodin in Spongia, this remedy does not have a pronounced physiological action, even when given in large doses. Whatever action of this kind it does possess, is presumably the same as results from equivalent doses of iodin alone. However, aside from those symptoms which result from its physiological action, in the ordinary meaning of this term, the two substances do not in all respects act similarly; each has an action peculiar to itself. This fact is determined by giving the medicine in equal amounts as to weight. In this experiment, some symptoms of iodin will appear common to both drugs, yet effects which would otherwise be identical are somewhat obscured and modified, by the organic constituents of the Spongia. This modification by the organic constituents, plays a greater part in causing differences of action, than the mere discrepancy in the iodin content alone.

The physiological action of Spongia, according to Prof. Cowperthwaite, is as follows: "It affects chiefly the larynx, trachea, thyroid gland, heart and testicles, producing irritation, inflammation, swelling, and sometimes fibrous exudations. Its action upon glandular structures, enlargement and induration, as well as its inflammatory effects upon the larynx and trachea, resembles closely the action of iodin." The statements made in this quotation for the most part have been confirmed and verified by laboratory experimentation, an example of which is as follows: "A rabbit was given five drops of the tincture of Spongia, three times a day, for nine days, then ten drops for nineteen days, when the animal died. Microscopical examination of a section of the bronchus revealed great congestion; the large and small blood vessels were distended and packed with blood elements; some exudate covered the lining epithelium; round-celled infiltration appeared in some portions of the mucosa and muscular layer; some congestion and exudation were apparent in the surrounding lung tissue." The human would undoubtedly be affected in a similar manner, as the symptoms caused by the provings of the drug are such, as would indicate this kind of a pathology, to account for their presence.

Therapeutics

Spongia: This remedy has not a wide range of action, but in its own peculiar sphere is of importance and use. It probably depends very largely upon the iodin which it contains, for much of its usefulness; but at the same time differs from the latter remedy, in certain important particulars. Thus while iodin, in a general way, is more suitable to patients of dark hair and complexion, Spongia seems to relate more particularly to the light-haired and blue-eyed. Of course, this differential in-dictation is intended to be suggestive only. In spasmodic croup, Spongia is especially apt to be required, coming into play after the exhibition of Aconite. As in the latter, the paroxysms of hard, ringing and barking cough are likely to be worse before midnight. The cough becomes tighter and tighter, so that suffocation actually seems imminent. The breathing is hard and sawing or harsh in character and has indeed been aptly compared to the sound producd by a saw, when driven through a pine board. Expectoration, as may be inferred, is extremely scanty. The Spongia patient is often roused from a deep sleep by a hard, ringing cough, or by a sense of suffocation. The latter symptom, together with palpitation, will occasionally suggest this remedy as a palliative in old cases of valvular disease with hypertrophy.

In glandular diseases Spongia will be of service, when the glands are enlarged and of considerable hardness, and in the treatment of goitre this remedy should not be overlooked, especially when pressure symptoms are pronounced. Even in exophthalmic goitre the remedy may be of decided value, and in this condition rapid pulse, palpitation and tremor, will be further indications.

Characteristic Symptoms Of Spongia

1. Thyroid gland swollen and hard,'with suffocative attacks at night.

2. Swelling of the testicles, with pressive bruised pain; stitches from testicles into spermatic cords, which are swollen and painful.

3. Croup; dry, barking, hollow cough, with wheezing, whistling, sawing, anxious breathing; worse during inspiration and lying down. 4. Cardiac palpitation; wakes from sleep as though suffocating. Hypertrophy of the heart.