For many years the fluid extract of rosin-weed has been known in my family as a remedy for rose-cold and hay fever. This use of it was discovered by my father, Dr. Alexander H. Laidlaw, in the epizoÖtic days of 1872, when horses were dying by the thousands all over the United States and Canada. Though he knew it first as a horse medicine, its use seems to be forgotten in veterinary practice, for I find no mention of it in available veterinary books, old or new.

In my father's practice this remedy acquired considerable fame, and I still receive a letter or two every summer from distant cities from some one who has heard of the miraculous medicine. For many years it was his intention to give this remedy to the world in proper form, supported by competent testimony; but, in a busy life, with many projects unfulfilled, this was never done. During my own professional life I have been interested in many things that seemed more important than hay fever and have not heretofore taken up the matter of publishing our experiences with the drug. Realizing that there were many hay fever victims both in this country and in Europe who might just as well be getting the relief that this drug would give them if they only knew about it, and having no desire to profit by my possession of the secret of this remedy, I made the announcement last summer, first to the American Institute of Homoeopathy and next to the United States Hay Fever Association. I announced it first to my old society, the Institute, believing that my friends there, who have known me many years, would credit my statements as made in good faith and give the drug a fair trial.

The Dose. Beginning ten days before the expected attack, give ten drops of the fluid extract of rosin-weed in a little water four times daily, after meals and on retiring. To children, give five drops. If the symptoms of hay fever appear, increase the dose to twenty and even thirty drops and continue this dose through the entire hay fever season.

It is better to begin ten days before the expected attack, for, in hay fever, as in all periodic diseases, prevention is better than cure, requires smaller doses, and is more certain. However, few patients are wise enough to anticipate trouble. Most patients apply for treatment when, literally, the disease is in full blast, and most of my observations have been made on the latter class. In case the disease has already begun, start with the same dose, ten drops. If not relieved in three days, increase the dose by five drops every third day up to thirty drops. If the symptoms should be relieved by the smaller dose, it is unnecessary to increase it.

Cure or Palliation? In regard to the permanence of the cure, most patients require it for several seasons. Some need it every season for many years. A few are permanently cured in one season.

For further information about the plant, rosin weed, its preparation and use in medicine, the reader is referred to Chapter XIV.