Links to some intermediate locations
In constructing the Mnemonic Similiad I have endeavoured to introduce a scheme for aiding the memory in grasping and retaining in mind groups of remedies having a general indication in common.
To what extent I have succeeded must be determined by a fair trial, made by those who may feel disposed to test it.
The principle of association is a faculty native to the human mind, exercised in acquiring and retaining the various things stored up in the memory.
We may not at all times be aware of this or observe it, but, nevertheless, it is a spontaneous process in perpetual operation in our mental organism.
Therefore, there can be nothing more acceptable and agreeable to the rational mind than a well-constructed system of mnemonics; not because of its essential reasonableness, but because of its ready and adequate suitableness for the use to which it is applied.
It must be evident to anyone who considers the matter that there has been in the mind of the author a considerable degree of evolving schemes before the most suitable should be forthcoming.
I tried and abandoned one plan after another, and I was about ready to give up in despair when at last I hit upon a scheme set forth in this brochure.
The first thing that occurred to my mind was the indication of letters, but this did not cover all the ground.
The personation of remedies and introduction of personal acts and qualities, though evidently most requisite, was the last suggestion to my mind. When this came clearly into view, then the rest in complete arrangement came, rank and file, into becoming order, and lo! here you have it.
The introduction of versification is in keeping with the rest of the mnemonic scheme. Who has not been assisted in remembering the number of days in the months of the year by this familiar verse:
Thirty days hath September, April, June and November, All the rest have thirty-one, Saving February alone, To which we twenty-eight assign, 'Til Leap year gives it twenty-nine.
On this same principle it seemed to me that a ditty might be of use in memorizing the leading indications of our remedies. So, then, this is my apology for encroaching upon the realm of poesy with my Similiad. I beg the pardon of all the Muses of pathetic and sentimenatal song for introducing upon the rhythmic stage my plain domestic Muse, whose cognomen is Use. She is, indeed, plain and simple, but withal a most sincere and honest dame.
Showing Personation of Remedies
Abrotanum-Abro.-Abbot. Acetic Acid-Acet a.-Achsa. Aconite-Aco.-Actor-1st J. Actea race.-See Cimicifuga. Aesculus-Aes. -Esra. Aethusa-Aeth.-Ethel. Agaricus-Agar.-Hagar Agnus cast.-Agn. Agnus. Ailanthus-Ail.-Alien. Aletris-Alet. Aloes-Alo.-Alonzo. Alumina-Alu.-Alfred-Clay.-2nd W.
Ambra-Amb.-Ambrosa. Ammoni. c.-Am. c.-Amanda. Ammon. m.-Am. m.-Amas. Ammon. b. and Ammon. i.-Ammonites. Amyl.-Amy.-Amy. Anacard.-Ana.-Ana. Anthrax-Anthra. Antimony c.-Ant. c.-Aunt. Antimony tart.-Tartar e. (see Tartar Emetic) Apis mel.-Apis-Apollis-2nd Y. Apocynum c.-Apoc.-Apollo.
Argentum m.-Arg. m.-Silvester, Silver. Argentum nit.-Arg. n.-Knight-2nd J.
Arnica-Arn.-Arnold-1st Y. Arsenic-Ars.-Arab-1st W. Arsen b. and Arsen. io.-The Arabs. Arum t.-Aru.-Turnip. Asafoetida-Asa.-Asa.-Asia Asarum-Asar.-Asher. Asterius-Aster.-Esther. Arum-Aur.-Aubrey-Gold-Rich.
Baptisia-Bap.-Baptist. Baryta c.-Bar. c.-Barber. Belladonna-Bell.-Belle-1st B. Bellis-Billis. Benzoic acid-Ben. a.-Ben. Berberis-Berb.-Bertha-BB. Bismuth-Bis.-Bishop. Blatta-Blatant. Borax-Bor.-Boer. Bovista-Bov.-Bully. Bromine-Brom.-Broker,Brother. (Brom. and Iod. = Brothers) Bryonia-Bry.-Bryon-2nd B. Bufo-Buff.
Cactus grand.-Cact.-Cato-Grand. Calcarea c.-Cal. c.-Calvin-1st C. Calcarea p.-Cal. p.-Caliph. Calendula-Calend. Camphor-Camp.-Camper-Camp.
Cannabis Indica-Can. i.-Indian-India. Cannabis Sativa-Can. s.-Canadian. Cantharis (Spanish fly)-Cant.-Spaniard, Spanish, Spain Capsicum-Cap.-Captain. Carbo an.-Carb. a.-Carba. Carbo veg.-Carb. v.-Carver-Carbo-Car. Carduus m.-Cardu-Card. Caulophyllum-Caul.-Caller. Causticum-Caus.-Caucasian-Coast-Cost. Cepa-Cepa. Chamomilla-Cham.-Child-Children. Chelidonium-Chel.-Chief. Chenopodium-Cheno. China-Chin.-Chinaman-2d C. Cicuta-Cic.-Greek-Sick. Cimicifuga (Squaw root)-Cimi.-Squaw,Cim. Cina (Santonin.)-Con.-Santo. Cistus c. (Rock Rose)-Cis.-Rose. Clematis-Clem.-Clement-Clem. Cocculus-Coc.-Cook. Coffee-Coff.-Caffee-Cafe. Colchicum-Colch.-Coachman-Coach-CC. Collinsonia-Collin. Colocynth-Colo.-Colonel. Conium-Con.-Consol-Old. Copaiba-Copa. Crataegus oxy.-Crat.-Crate. Cundurango-Cundu. Cuprum met.-Cup.-Cooper-Cup. Cyclamen-Cyc.-Cycler. Cypripedium-Cypress.
Digitalis-Dig.-Ditcher-2d D. Dioscorea-Dio.-Dido. Dolichos-Doll. Drosera-Dro.-Drover. Dulcamara-Dul.-Duke-1st D.
Echinacea-Echi. Eucalyptus-Euca.-Eunuch-Euchre. Epiphegus-Epicure. Euphrasia-Euph.-Eugene.
Ferrum p.-Ferr. p.-Fop. Ferrum m.-Ferr.-Irene-Iron. Fluoric acid-Flu. a.-Flora-(Cal. f)
Gambogia-Gambo. Gelsemium (Yellow Jessamine)-Gel.-Jesse,Yellow-2d G. Glonoine-Glo.-Glora-GG. Graphites-Graph.-Grace-Gray-1st G.
Hamamelis-Ham.-Ham-Hama. Helka lav.-Hec.-Hector. Hellebor. nig.-Hell.-Negro-2d H. Heloderma horridus-Helo.-Horace. Helonias-Helen. Hepar s.-Hepr.-Hebe-1st H. Homarus-Homar. Hydrastis-Hyd.-Hiram-Hide-Hider-Hiding. Hyoscyamus-Hyo.-Hyson-Twin.-X. (Hyos and Stram. = Twins.) Hypericum (St. John's Wort)-Hyper.-John.
Ichthyol (fish fossil)-Ich.-Fisher-Fish. Ignatia-Ign.-Saint. Indigo-Indg.-Blue. Iodine (Iodium)-Iod.-Jo.-Ida-Idea-Ideal. Ipecacuanha-Ipe.-Imp-Qu. Iris v.-Iris-Ira.
Jaborandi-Jack.
Kali bi.-Kal. b.-DeKalb-Kalb. Kali c.-(Potash)-Kal. c.-Potter-1st K. Kali i.-Kal. i.-Kid. Kali p.-Kal. p.-Kipling-Kip. Kali s.-Kal. s.-Kaiser Kalmia-Kalm.-Kalmi-Laurel. Kreosotum-Kre.-Creole.-2nd K.
Lachesis-Lach.-Lackey-2d L. Lactic acid-Lact. a.-Milk. Lappa maj.-Lap. Laurocerasus-Lau.-Laura. Ledum-Led.-Lena.-lead-leader-leading. Leptandra-Lep. Lilium t.-Lil.-Lily-LL. Lobelia-Lob.-Loafer Lycopodium-Lyc.-Lydia-1st L.
Magnesia carb.-Mag.-c.-Maggie-Mag. Magnesia phos.-Mag.-p.-Magnate.-Magnet-Madge. Magnesia m.-Mag. m.-Mag. mur. Marum v.-Teucrium-Teucr. Melilotus (sweet clover) Meli.-Melissa,-Sweet. Mercury cor.-Mer.-c., Mercy-Mc. Mercury sol.-Mer.-Merchant-1st-M. Mezereum-Mez.-Miser-2d-M. Millefolium-Mill.-Milly. Moscus-Mos.-Mose-Mosque-Moss. Muriatic acid-Mur. a.-Mute--Sour. (Mur. a. and Nit. a. = Sour.)
Natrum carb.-Nat.-c.-Nancy-Nan Natrum mur.-Nat. m.-Nathan-Nate-Salt-2d N. Natrum s.-Nat. s.,-Nason. Nitric acid-Nit.-a.-Nick-Night-Dark. Nux mos.-Nux. m.-Nun-NN. Nux vom. (Quaker button)-Nux-v.-Quaker-1st-N.
Oleander-Ole.-Ole. Opium-Op.-Opie-Stupid. Ova test.-Ova. Oxalic Acid-Ox.-Oxa.
Passiflora-Passi.,-Pastor. Petroleum-Pet.-Peter-Pete-Pet. Phosphorus-Pho.-Philip.-Foe-2d-P. (Phos and Ph. a. = Foes.) Phosphoric acid-Ph. a.-Phebe-Foe Physostigma-Physician. Phytolacca (Poke)-Phyt.-Phyllis-Fight-Fighter-Fighting. Picric acid-Pic.-Picket-Pick-Picking. Pilocarp.-Pilo. Plantago-Plant.-Planter. Platina-Plat.-Plato-Plat. Plumbum-Pb.-Plumber-Plum-Lead. Podophyllum (May apple)-Pod.-Poet-Poetess-Apple-PP. Pulsatilla-Pul-Lady-1st-P. Pyrogen-Pyro.
Ranunculus b.-Ran.-b.-Ranchman-Ran Rheum-Rheu.-Reuben. Rhododendron-Rhod.-Rodger-Road-Rhodes-RR.. Rhus tox.-Rhus-Russian-1st-R. Robinia-Rob.-Robert-Rob. Rumex c.-Rum.-Roman-Rum (? 2d-R.-Rex.) Ruta-Rut.-Ruth-Root-Route.
Sabadilla-Saba.-Sabilla. Sabal ser.-Sabal. Sabina-Sabi.-Sabina. Sambucus-Sam.-Sam. Sanguinaria (Bloodroot)-Sang.-Redman--Red-Sang. Sanicula-San.-Sani Sarsaparilla-Sars.-Sarsa. Secale-Sec.-Secelia-Seek-Sea. Sepia (Cuttle-fish ink) -Sep.-Septa-Black-SS. Silicea-Sil.-Silas-Sand-Sandy-2d-S. Spigelia-Spi.-Spy. Spongia-Spo.-Sport-Sponging. Stannum (Tin) -Stan.-Tinner-Stanley-Stand-Standing. Staphisagria-Stap.-Stephen-Staff-Staffa. Sticta p.-Stic.-Stick. Stramonium-Stram.-Stranger-Stray-Twin. Sulphur-Sul.-Sultan-1st S. Sulphuric acid- Sul. a.-Sultana.
Tabacum (Tobacco)-Tab.-Toby. Tarentula-Tar.-Taren. Tellurium-Tell.-Teller. Theridium-Theri.-Thebian-Thebes. Trifolium-Trif.-Trilby. Tartar Emetic-Tart.-E.-Tartary.-Tartar. Terebinthina-Tere.-Terence-2d T. Thuja-(Arbor vitae)-Thuj.-Thug-Arbor-1st-T.
Urtica urens-Urti.-Urchen. Ustilago Maydis-Ust.-Ustil-Maid.
Valeriana-Val.-Valet-Vale. Veratrum alb.-Ver.-a.-Vera--1st-V. Veratrum v.-Ver.-v.-Vesta-2d-V. Viburnum op.-Vibo. Viola t.-Viol.-Viola. Viscum alb.-Vis.-Visitor.
Zinc m.-Z. m.-Zeno-1st Z. Zinc p.-Z. p.-2d Z.
Arsenic brom. and Arsenic iod. = Arabs. Ammon. bro. and Ammon. iod. = Ammonites. Hyoscyamus and Stramonium = Twins. Phosphorus and Phosphoric acid = Foes. Muriatic acid and Nitric acid = Sour. Pulsatilla = The Lady. Ipecacuanha = The Imp.
(Vowels do not indicate, nor letters in words necessary for the construction of a sentence, as in the words an, the, he, she, it, him, her, them, and, or, for, from, with, in, on, to be, at.)
Illustrations.
A (1)-There are two orders of indications- each single consonant has two indications.
Indications of the First Order.
B stands for Belladonna. C stands for Calcarea c. D stands for Dulcamara. F stands for Ferrum m. G stands for Graphites. H stands for Hepar s. J stands for Aconite. K stands for Kali c. L stands for Lycopodium. M stands for Mercurius sol. N stands for Nux vom. P stands for Pulsatilla. Qu stands for Ipecacuanha R stands for Rhus t. S stands for Sulphur. T stands for Thuja. V stands for Veratrun alb. W stands for Arsenic. X stands for Hyoscyamus. Y stands for Arnica. Z stands for Zinc met.
Indications of the Second Order.
B stands for Bryonia. C stands for China. D stands for Digitalis. F stands for Ferrum p. G stands for Gelsemium. H stands for Hellebor. J stands for Argentum n. K stands for Kreosote. L stands for Lachesis. M stands for Mezereum. N stands for Natrum m. P stands for Phosphorus. Qu stands for Ipecacuanha R stands for Rumex c. S stands for Silicea. T stands for Terebinth. V stands for Veratrun v. W stands for Alumina. X stands for Hyoscyamus. Y stands for Apis mel. Z stands for Zinc p.
Note: Qu and X have the same meanings in both orders.
B (2) Double consonants have the same indications in both orders.
BB stands for Berberis. CC stands for Colchicum. DD stands for Drosera. FF stands for Fluoric acid. GG stands for Glonoine. LL stands for Lilium. MM stands for Mercury bin. NN stands for Nux mos. PP stands for Podophyllum. RR stands for Rhododendron. SS stands for Sepia. TT stands for Tartar e. ZZ stands for Zinv v.
The Three Tables of Letters. Indications Under One View.
For Convenience of Memorizing.
1st B = Bell. 2d B = Bry. BB = Berberis. 1st C = Cal. c. 2d C = China. CC = Colchicum. 1st D = Dul. 2d D = Dig. DD = Drosera. 1st F = Ferr. m. 2d F = Ferr. p. FF = Fluoric acid. 1st G = Graph. 2d G = Gel. GG = Glonoine. 1st H = Hep. 2d H = Hell. 1st J = Acon. 2d J = Arg. n. 1st K = Kal. c. 2d K = Kreos. 1st L = Lyc. 2d L = Lach. LL = Lilium. 1st M = Mer. 2d M = Mez. MM = Mer. bin. 1st N = Nux v. 2d N = Nat. m. NN = Nux mos. 1st P = Pul. 2d P = Phos. PP = Podophyl. Qu = Ipecacuanha 1st R = Rhus. 2d R = Rum. RR = Rhododendron. 1st S = Sul. 2d S = Sil. SS = Sepia. 1st T = Thuj. 2d T = Tereb. TT = Tartar e. 1st V = Verat. a. 2d V = Verat. v. 1st W = Ars. 2d W = Alu. X = Hyoscyamus. 1st Y = Arn. 2d Y = Apis. 1st Z = Zinc m. 2d Z = Zinc p. ZZ = Zinv v.
C(3)-Single consonants, repeated in a word, or sentence, indicate a remedy in each order.
As in the word, Baby, one B stands for Bell, and the other for Bry.
And in the word Fifer, one F stands for Ferr. m., and the other for Ferr. p.
D (4)-Only consonants indicate, and only those in the first syllable of a word indicate.
As in the word Major, only the M and the J in the first syllable indicate; the M stands for Mer. and the J for Acon.
In the word Woman, only the W and the M in the first syllable indicate; the W stands for Ars. and M for Mer.
In the word Mountain, only the M, the N and the T in the first syllable indicate; the M stands for Mer., N for Nux v., and T for Thuj.
E (5)-Y at the beginning of a word or following a vowel indicates, not otherwise.
As in the word Youth, Y stands for Arn (1st order).
In the word youthful, Y stands for Apis (2d order) because the word ends with ful.
In the word obey, Y stands for Apis (2d order) because the word begins with a vowel.
In the word boy, Y stands for Arnica (1st order) because the word begins with a consonant and the Y follows a vowel.
In the words baby, only, manly, the Y has no indications because it does not follow a vowel.
F (6)-Words of the first order begin with a consonant, and never end in ing, ful or less.
As in the words boy, joy, glad, woman, Major, fountain.
G (7)-Words of the second order begin with a vowel, or, beginning with a consonant, end with ing, ful or less.
As the words own, end, oak, eels, hoping, helpful, needless.
In the word own, W stands for Alu. and N for Nat. m. In the word end, N stands for Nat m. and D for Digi. In the word oak, K stands for Kreosote. In the word eels, L stands for Lach. and S for Sil. In the word hoping, H stands for Hell. and P for Phos. In the word helpful, H stands for Hell., L for Lach., and P for Phos. In the word needless, N stands for Nat m. and D for Digi.
Samples of Translations.
Restless with burning heat.-Who? The Actor Apollis, who is a wayward rambler.
Actor = Aconite. Apollis = Apis. Wayward = Ars., Arn. W = Arsenic. Y = Arnica. Rambler = Rhus, Mer., Bell. R = Rhus tox. M = Mercury s. B = Belladonna.
Restlessness with burning heat.-Group: Aco., Apis, Ars., Arn., Rhus, Mer., Bell.
Delirium,-Who? Bell Bryon, who is on the train, with sour Hagar, and the evil Spanish twins.
Belle = Belladonna. Bryon = Bryonia. Train = Thuj., Rhus., Nux v. T = Thuj. R = Rhus. N = Nux v. Sour = Muriatic acid and Nitric acid. Hagar = Agaricus. Evil = Verat. v., Lach. (2) V = Verat. v. (2) L = Lach. Spanish = Cantharis. Twins = Hyoscyamus and Stramonium.
Delirium.-Group:Bell., Bry., Thuj., Rhus, Nux v., Mur. a., Nit. a., Agar., Verat. v., Lach., Canth., Hyos., Stram.
Itching eruptions on the skin.-Who? The Sultan, who is at Rome, with the Romal Ole and Miss Phyllis Plat, his creole pet.
The Sultan = Sulphur. Rome = Rhus and Mer. R = Rhus tox. M = Mercury. Roman = Rumex c. Ole = Oleander. Miss = Mez. and Sep. M = The 2d M-in the sentence. SS = Sepia. Phyllis = Phytolacca. Plat = Platina. Creole = Kreosote. Pet = Petroleum.
Itching eruptions on the skin.-Group: Sul., Rhus, Mer., Rum., Ole., Mez., Sep., Phyto., Plat., Kreo., Pet.
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| Abro. | Abbot. |
Abrotanum is wrinkled, thin, From constant drain, his bowels are in. His stools in undigested plight, Alternately play loose and tight. Keen cramping pains his joints beset, Whereby his limbs contracted get. His disposition, when a child, By cruelly, was much defiled.
The Abbot. has Marasmus.
The Abbot, San-jo Sarsa, is a coward in the dark, he owns up to it.
This Abbot, who is inclined to be cruel, is in Arabia, with his lackey man Hyos.
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| Acet. a. | Achsa. |
Acetic acid leads the way When Phthisis hold oppressive sway: With hot dry skin and hectic flush, Nocturnal sweats and faecal gush, And loss of blood. And when o'erflow Of urine hold the vitals low, And when Anaemia shows its blight By countenance of deathly white. And when the operator's knife, With anaesthetics threaten life. And veritable croup we find, With breathing of a hissing kind. And drooling, while the stomach turns With acid, that within it burns. And ease from pain is only known By lying on the belly prone.
Ascha has Consumption.
Achsa, Phos., the Creole Baptist Maid, and her brother Jo, the drover, sang for the Caliph and the Arabs.
This Achsa, who is subject to death-like pallor, is in China with Bishop Plum, dying of fever.
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| Aco. | (1st J) | Actor |
Aconite, as in fright, First with chill thou art ill, Then with burning, tossing, turning, Tissues sore, thirst galore, Twitching in beneath the skin, Head bedazed when upraised, Pain severe, anxious fear Prophesying date of dying.
The Actor has restlessness, with burning heat.
The Actor, Apollis, is a wayward rambler.
This Actor, who is subject to fear and dread, is at Camp Xantho, on Lara Plat, with the weeping Saint, Secal Stramo, and the Arab Vala.
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| Aes | Esra. |
Aesculus declares for piles With their dire attendant wiles. Lumber pains in full array, Falling bowel, and feces dry, Feeble back, that soon gives out, Pains Rheumatic, too, and Gout.
Esra has Piles.
Esra Collin joins the sour Captain, Alo, and crew on the coast.
This Esra, who is subject to a lame back, is at the zoo, with old Ham Berbe, the black snob.
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| Aeth. | Ethel. |
Aethusa, thou of bilious ilk, Of such intolerance of milk, That babies vomit it in curds, Becoming drowsy afterwards -- Hath spasms, clenching thumbs and teeth, And lips drawn tight to mouth beneath And pain in occiput and nape, And slimy stools of bilious type. With undeveloped mind the while, Betokening the imbecile.
Ethel is an imbecile.
Ethel Bar and her negro mate, Bella Plat, are with the twin nuns at Bacil.
This Ethel, who is subject to vomiting milk in curds, is on the settle with Sam, the valet.
