Category: Materia Medica

PREFACE NINTH EDITION

In preparing the ninth edition of this work, I have followed the lines laid out for all the previous editions, namely, to present in a condensed form the homśopathic Materia Medica for practical use.

The book contains the well known verified characteristic symptoms of all our medicines besides other less important symptoms aiding the selection of the curative remedy, All the new medicines and essentials of the published clinical experience of the school have been added. In its present compact form it contains the maximum number of reliable Materia Medica facts in the minimum space.

I have tried to give a succinct resume of the symptomatology of every medicine used in Homśopathy, including also clinical suggestions of many drugs so far not yet based on provings, thus offering the opportunity to experiment with these and by future provings discover their distinctive use and so enlarging our armamentarium.

I am aware that there is a difference of opinion about the advisability of further introduction of remedies, especially of such as seem obsolete or to some minds illusory. But it is not for the compiler to leave out information about any substance that has received the clinical endorsement from a reliable source.

Our Materia Medica must include all substances which have been proved and which have been used with apparent efficacy. It rests with the individual student to judge for himself the accuracy and, reliability of such observation. In this connection, I cannot forego to avail myself of the high authority of that master of Homśopathy, Dr. Constantine Hering, favoring the introduction of all remedies capable of producing reactions in the body that may guide to their medicinal employment. “Homśopathy is essentially not only many-sided but all-sided. She investigates the action of all substances, whether articles of diet, beverages, condiments, drugs or poisons. She investigates their action on the healthy, the sick, animals and plants. She gives; a new interpretation to that ancient, oft quoted saying of Paul, Prove all things–a new meaning, a new application that acts universally. Elimination of the useless may gradually take place with the growth of accurate physiological and pathological knowledge.”

Again, imperfectly proved remedies necessitate the use of names of diseases at times instead of the component symptoms that alone are the legitimate guide to the choice of the curative remedy. Here, too, I have Hering as pioneer guide for the ligitimacy of this method, which he also followed in his great work, the Guiding Symptoms. He said that he used the disease designations not for the purpose of recommending the particular remedy for that disease, but to show the great variety of remedies that may be used for any form of disease when otherwise indicated. For the same reason I have included nosological terms in the symptomatology and Therapeutic Index, as this is a practical handbook for every-day service, and any aid for finding the curative remedy ought to be utilized. As Dr. J. Compton Burnett expresses it:

“The fact is we need any and every way of finding the right remedy; the simple simile, the simple symptomatic similimum and the farthest reach of all-the pathologic similimum, and I maintain that we are still well within the line- of Homśopathy that is expansive, progressive, science fostered and science fostering.”

The dosage needs some apology. It is, of course, suggestive only; more often to be wholly disregarded. I have followed the lines of the earlier Homśopathists in this regard, and given what was then considered the usual range of potency, to which I have added my own experience and that of many observing practitioners. Every teacher of Materia Medica is constantly importuned by students to suggest the potency–something to start with at least.

The book is in no sense a treatise, and must not be considered or judged as such. It is as accurate and reliable a compilation and the fullest collection of verified Materia Medica facts and clinical suggestions as it is possible to obtain within the compass of the volume. It supplements every other work on Materia Medica, and if used as a ready reminder of the essential facts of our vast symptomatology and as an introduction to the larger books of reference and record of provings, it will fulfill its purpose and prove a useful aid to the student and general practitioner. As such it is again offered with much appreciation of past endorsement to his professional brethren.

I have been aided in seeing this edition through the press by the efficient help of Mr. F. O. Ernesty, who has lightened the labor of making the manuscript more acceptable to the printers, and I desire to express my hearty appreciation of this kind and helpful service.

BOERICK MD

  • AURUM METALLICUM

    Metallic Gold

    Given full play, Aurum develops in the organism, by attacking the blood, glands, and bone, conditions bearing striking resemblance to mercurial and syphilitic infections; and it is just for such deteriorations of the bodily fluids and alterations in the tissues, that Aurum assumes great importance as a remedy. Like the victim of syphilis, mental states of great depression are produced by it. Hopeless, despondent, and great desire to commit suicide. Every opportunity is sought for self-destruction. Exostosis, caries, nightly bone-pains, especially cranial, nasal, and palatine. Glands swollen in scrofulous subjects. Palpitation and congestions. Ascites often in conjunction with heart affections. Frequently indicated in secondary syphilis and effects of mercury. This use of gold as an anti-venereal and anti-scrofulous remedy is very old, but has been well-nigh forgotten by the old school until rediscovered and placed on its scientific basis by homeopathy, and now it can never be lost again. When syphilis is implanted on the scrofulous constitution, we have one of the most intractable morbid conditions, and gold seems to be especially suited to the vile combination. Ennui. Ozæna; sexual hyperæsthesia. Arterio-sclerosis, high blood pressure; nightly paroxysms of pain behind sternum. Sclerosis of liver, arterial system, brain. Pining boys; low spirited, lifeless, weak memory.

    Mind.–Feeling of self-condemnation and utter worthlessness. Profound despondency, with increased blood pressure, with thorough disgust of life, and thoughts of suicide. Talks of committing suicide. Great fear of death. Peevish and vehement at least contradiction. Anthropophobia. Mental derangements. Constant rapid questioning without waiting for reply. Cannot do things fast enough. Oversensitiveness; (Staph) to noise, excitement, confusion.

    Head.–Violent pain in head; worse at night, outward pressure. Roaring in head. Vertigo. Tearing through brain to forehead. Pain in bones extending to face. Congestion to head. Boils on scalp.

    Eyes.–Extreme photophobia. Great soreness all about the eyes and into eyeballs. Double vision; upper half of objects invisible. Feel tense. Sees fiery objects. Violent pains in bones around eye (Asaf). Interstitial keratitis. Vascular cornea. Pains from without inward. Sticking pains inward. Trachoma with pannus.

    Ears.–Caries of ossicula and of mastoid. Obstinate fetid otorrhœa after scarlatina. External meatus bathed in pus. Chronic nerve deafness; Labyrinthine disease due to syphilis.

    Nose.–Ulcerated, painful, swollen, obstructed. Inflammation of nose; caries; fetid discharge, purulent, bloody. Boring pains in nose; worse at night. Putrid smell from nose. Sensitive smell (Carbol ac). Horrible odor from nose and mouth. Knobby tip of nose.

    Mouth.–Foul breath in girls at puberty. Taste putrid or bitter. Ulceration of gums.

    Face.–Tearing in zygoma. Mastoid and other facial bones inflamed.

    Throat.–Stitches when swallowing; pain in glands. Caries of the palate.

    Stomach.–Appetite and thirst increased, with qualmishness. Swelling of epigastrium. Burning at stomach and hot eructations.

    Abdomen.–Right hypochondrium hot and painful. Incarcerated flatus. Swelling and suppuration of inguinal glands.

    Urine.–Turbid, like buttermilk, with thick sediment. Painful retention.

    Rectum.–Constipation, stools hard and knotty. Nocturnal diarrhœa, with burning in rectum.

    Male.–Pain and swelling of testicles. Chronic induration of testicles. Violent erections. Atrophy of testicles in boys. Hydrocele.

    Female.–Great sensitiveness of vagina. Uterus enlarged and prolapsed. Sterility; vaginismus.

    Heart.–Sensation as if the heart stopped beating for two or three seconds, immediately followed by a tumultuous rebound, with sinking at the epigastrium. Palpitation. Pulse rapid, feeble, irregular. Hypertrophy. High Blood Pressure-Valvular lesions of arterio-sclerotic nature (Aurum 30)

    Respiratory.–Dyspnœa at night. Frequent, deep breathing; stitches in sternum.

    Bones.–Destruction of bones, like secondary syphilis. Pain in bones of head, lumps under scalp, exostosis with nightly pains in bones. Caries of nasal, palatine and mastoid bones. Soreness of affected bones, better in open air, worse at night.

    Extremities.–All the blood seems to rush from head to lower limbs. Dropsy of lower limbs. Orgasm, as if blood were boiling in all veins. Paralytic, tearing pains in joints. Knees weak.

    Sleep.–Sleepless. Sobs aloud in sleep. Frightful dreams.

    Modalities.–Worse, in cold weather when getting cold. Many complaints come on only in winter; from sunset to sunrise.

    Relationship.–Compare: Aur ars (chronic aortitis; lupus, phthisis in syphilitic headaches; also in anæmia and chlorosis. It causes rapid increase of appetite).

    Aur brom (in headaches with neurasthenia, megrim, night terrors, valvular diseases).

    Aur mur (Burning, yellow, acrid leucorrhœa; heart symptoms, glandular affections; warts on tongue and genitals; sclerotic and exudative degeneration of the nervous system. Multiple sclerosis. Morvan’s disease. Second trituration. Aur mur is a sycotic remedy, causing suppressed discharges to reappear. Valuable in climacteric hæmorrhages from the womb. Diseases of frontal sinus. Stitching pain in left side of forehead. Weariness, aversion to all work. Drawing feeling in stomach. Cancer, tongue as hard as leather; induration after glossitis).

    Aur mur kali.–Double chloride of Potassium and gold (In uterine induration and hæmorrhage).

    Aur iod (Chronic pericarditis, valvular diseases, arterio-sclerosis ozæna, lupus, osteitis, ovarian cysts, myomata uteri, are pathological lesions, that offer favorable ground for the action of this powerful drug. Senile paresis).

    Aur sulph (Paralysis agitans; constant nodding of the head; affections of mammæ; swelling, pain, cracked nipples with lancinating pains).

    Also, Asafaet (in caries of bones of ears and nose). Syphilin: Kali iod; Hep; Merc; Mez; Nit ac; Phosph.

    Antidotes: Bell; Cinch; Cupr; Merc.

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency. Latter potency especially for increased blood pressure.

  • ASTRAGALUS MOLLISSIMUS

    Purple or Woolly Loco-weed

    Affects animals like effects of alcohol, tobacco and morphine in man. First stage, period of hallucination or mania with defective eye sight during which the animal performs all sorts of antics. After acquiring a taste for the plant it refuses every other kind of food. Second stage brings emaciation, sunken eyeballs, lusterless hair and feeble movements-after a few months dies as from starvation (U. S. Dept. Agriculture). Irregularities in gait-paralytic affections. Loss of muscular coordination.

    Head.–Fullness in right temple and upper jaw. Pain over left eyebrow. Painful facial bones. Dizzy. Pressive pain in temples. Pain and pressure in maxillć.

    Stomach.–Weakness and emptiness. Burning in śsophagus and stomach.

    Extremities.–Purring sensation in right foot outer side from heel to toe. Icy coldness of left calf.

    Relationship.–Compare: Aragallus Lamberti-White Loco-Weed-Rattleweed; Baryta; Oxytropis.

    Dose.–Sixth potency.

  • ASTERIAS RUBENS

    Red Starfish

    A remedy for the sycotic diathesis; flabby, lymphatic constitution, flabby with red face. Lancinating pains. Nervous disturbances, neuralgia, chorea, and hysteria come within the range of this remedy. Has been used for cancer of the breast, and has an unquestioned influence over cancer disease. Excitement in both sexes.

    Head.–Cannot bear contradiction. Shocks in brain; throbbing; heat in head, as if surrounded by hot air.

    Face.–Red. Pimples on side of nose, chin and mouth. Disposition to pimples at adolescence.

    Female.–Colic and other sufferings cease with appearance of flow. Breasts swell and pain in breasts; worse left. Ulceration with sharp pains, piercing to scapulæ. Pains down left arm to fingers, worse motion. Excitement of sexual instinct with nervous agitation.

    Nodes and indurations of mammary gland, dull aching, neuralgic pain in this region (Conium).

    Chest.–Breasts swollen, indurated. Neuralgia of left breast and arm (Brom). Pain under sternum and in muscles of præcordial region. Left breast feels as if pulled inward, and pain extends over inner arm to end of little finger. Numbness of hand and fingers of left side. Cancer mammæ even in ulcerative stage. Acute, lancinating pain. Axillary glands swollen hard and knotted.

    Nervous System.–Gait unsteady; muscles refuse to obey the will. Epilepsy; preceded by twitching over whole body.

    Stool.–Constipation. Ineffectual desire. Stool like olives. Diarrhœa, watery brown, gushing out in jet.

    Skin.–Destitute of pliability and elasticity. Itching spots. Ulcers, with fetid ichor. Acne. Psoriasis and herpes zoster worse left arm and chest. Enlarged axillary glands, worse, at night and in damp weather.

    Relationship.–Antidotes: Plumb; Zinc.

    Compare: Conium; Carbo; Ars; Condurango.

    Incompatible: Nux; Coffea.

    Modalities.–Worse, coffee, night; cold damp weather, left side.

    Dose.–Sixth potency.

  • ASTACUS FLUVIATILIS

    Crawfish
    (CANCER ASTACUS)

    Skin symptoms most important. Urticaria.

    Skin.–Nettle-rash over whole body. Itching. Crusta lactea, with enlarged lymphatic glands. Erysipelas, and liver affections with nettle-rash. Swelling of cervical glands. Jaundice.

    Fever.–Inward chilliness; very sensitive to air, worse uncovering; violent fever, with headache.

    Relationship.–Compare: Bombyx-Caterpillar-Itching of whole body (Urticaria). Apis; Rhus; Nat m; Homar.

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • ASPARAGUS OFFICINALIS

    Common Garden Asparagus

    Its marked and immediate action on the urinary secretion is well known. It causes weakness and cardiac depression with dropsy. Rheumatic pains. Especially about left shoulder and heart.

    Head.–Confused. Coryza, with profuse, thin fluid. Aching in forehead and root of nose. Migrainious morning headache with scotoma. Throat feels rough, with hawking copious tenacious mucus throat.

    Urine.–Frequent, with fine stitches in orifice of urethra; burning; of peculiar odor. Cystitis, with pus, mucus and tenesmus. Lithiasis.

    Heart.–Palpitation, with oppression of chest. Pulse intermits, weak, pain about left shoulder and heart, associated with bladder disturbances. Great oppression in breathing. Hydrothorax.

    Extremities.–Rheumatic pain in back, especially near shoulder and limbs. Pain at acromion process of left scapula under clavicle and down arm, with feeble pulse.

    Relationship.–Antidote: Acon; Apis.

    Compare: Althae-Marshmallow–(contains asparagin; irritable bladder, throat and bronchi). Physalis Alkekengi. Digital; Sarsap; Spigelia.

    Dose.–Sixth potency.

  • ASCLEPIAS TUBEROSA

    Pleurisy-root

    Its action on the chest muscles is most marked and has been verified. Sick headache, with flatulence in stomach and bowels. Dyspepsia. Bronchitis and pleurisy come within its range. Catarrhal states from cold and damp weather. Irritation of larynx with huskiness; grip, with pleuritic pain.

    Respiratory.–Respiration painful, especially at base of left lung. Dry cough; throat constricted; causes pain in head and abdomen. Pain in chest; shooting downward from left nipple. A general eliminative remedy, acting specially on the sudoriparous glands. Chest pains are relieved by bending forward. Spaces between ribs close to sternum tender. Lancinating pain between shoulders. Catarrh, with frontal headache, and sticky yellow discharge.

    Stomach.–Fullness, pressure, weight. Flatulence after meals. Sensitive to tobacco.

    Rectum.–Catarrhal dysentery, with rheumatic pains all over. Stools smell like rotten eggs.

    Extremities.–Rheumatic joints give sensation as if adhesions being broken up on bending.

    Relationship.–Compare: Asclepias Incarnata-Swamp Milk Weed (Chronic gastric Catarrh and leucorrhœa. Dropsy with dyspnœa) Periploca groeca-One of the Asclepiades–(Cardiac tonic, acts on circulation and respiratory center, accelerating respiration in a ratio disproportionate to pulse). Bryonia; Dulc.

    Dose.–Tincture and first potency.

  • ASCLEPIAS CORNUTI

    Silk-weed
    (ASCLEPIAS SYRIACA)

    Seems to act especially on nervous system and urinary organs. A remedy for dropsy, hepatic, renal or cardiac and post-scarlatinal; causes diaphoresis and augments the urinary secretion. Acute rheumatic inflammation of large joints. Intermittent, pressing-down uterine pains.

    Head.–Feels as if a sharp instrument were thrust through from temple to temple. Constriction across forehead. Nervous headache, after suppressed perspiration, followed by increased urine, with increase of specific gravity. Headache from retention of effete matters in system.

    Relationship.–Compare: Asclepias Vincetoxicum.–Swallow-wart.–Cynanchum–(A gastro-intestinal irritant, producing vomiting and purgation).–(Useful in dropsy, diabetes, great thirst, profuse urination).

    Dose.–Tincture.

  • ASARUM EUROPAEUM

    European Snake-root
    (ASARUM EUROPUM)

    A remedy for nervous affections, loss of energy, with excessive erethism. Scratching on silk or linen or paper unbearable. Pains and spasmodic muscular actions. Nervous deafness and asthenopia. Cold shivers from any emotion. Feels as if parts were pressed together. Tension and contractive sensations. Always feels cold.

    Mind.–Thoughts vanish, with drawing pressure in forehead. Sensibility increased, even from mere imagination.

    Head.–Compressive pain. Tension of scalp; hair painful (China). Coryza, with sneezing.

    Eyes.–Feel stiff; burn; feel cold. Better, in cold air or water; worse, sunlight and wind. Darting pains in eyes after operations. Asthenopia.

    Ears.–Sensation as if plugged up. Catarrh with deafness. Heat of external ear. Noises.

    Stomach.–Loss of appetite, flatulence, eructation, and vomiting. Desire for alcoholic drinks. Smoking tobacco tastes bitter. Nausea; worse after eating. Clean tongue. Great faintness. Accumulation of cold, watery saliva.

    Rectum.–Strings of odorless, yellow mucus pass from bowels. Diarrhœa of tough mucus. Undigested stools. Prolapse.

    Female.–Menses too early, long lasting, black. Violent pain in small of back. Tenacious, yellow leucorrhœa.

    Respiratory.–Nervous, hacking cough. Short respiration.

    Back.–Paralytic pain in muscles of nape of neck. Weakness, with staggering.

    Fever.–Chilliness, single parts get icy cold. Easily excited perspiration.

    Modalities.–Worse, in cold dry weather; penetrating sounds. Better, from washing; in damp and wet weather.

    Relationship.–Asarum Canadensa-Wild Ginger (Colds, followed by amenorrhœa and gastro-enteritis. Suppressed colds). Compare: Ipecac, especially in diarrhœa; Silica; Nux; China.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • ASAFOETIDA

    Gum of the Stinkasand
    (ASAFOETIDA)

    The flatulence and spasmodic contraction of stomach and œsophagus with reverse peristalsis are the most marked symptoms. In its selection, its relation to the hysterical and hypochondriacal patients, must be borne in mind. Besides these superficial symptoms, it has been found to affect favorably deep ulcerations, caries of bones, especially in the syphilitic organism; here the extreme sensitiveness and terrible throbbing, nightly pains, guiding to its use.

    Head.–Irritable; complains of her troubles; sensitive. Boring above eyebrows. Pressive pain from within outward.

    Eyes.–Orbital neuralgia; better, pressure and rest. Iritis and intraocular inflammations, with boring, throbbing pains at night. Stitches under left frontal eminences. Boring pains in and around eyes. Syphilitic iritis. Superficial corneal ulcer with digging pains; worse at night.

    Ears.–Offensive otorrhœa, with boring pains in mastoid bone. Mastoid disease with pain in temporal region with pushing out sensation. Offensive, purulent discharge.

    Nose.–Syphilitic ozæna, with very offensive purulent discharge. Caries of nasal bones (Aurum).

    Throat.–Globus hystericus. Ball rises in throat. Sensation as if peristaltic motion were reversed, and œsophagus were driven from stomach to throat.

    Stomach.–Great difficulty in bringing up wind. Flatulence and regurgitation of liquid. Hysterical flatulence. Great distention. Sensation of emptiness and weakness, with distention and beating in stomach and abdomen. Forcible eructation of gas. Pulsation in pit of stomach. Violent gastralgia; cutting and burning in stomach and region of diaphragm. Gurgling and rolling of wind, which escapes afterwards with loud and difficult eructation.

    Female.–Mammæ turgid with milk in the unimpregnated. Deficient milk, with oversensitiveness.

    Rectum.–Distended, griping, with hunger. Obstinate constipation. Pain in perineum, as if something dull pressed out. diarrhœa, extremely offensive, with meteorism, and regurgitation of food.

    Chest.–Spasmodic tightness, as if lungs could not be fully expanded. Palpitation more like a tremor.

    Bones.–Darting pain and caries in bones. Periosteum painful, swollen, enlarged. Ulcers affecting bones; thin, ichorous pus.

    Skin.–Itching, better scratching; ulcers painful on edges. Suppressed skin symptoms produce nervous disorders.

    Modalities.–Worse, at night; from tough; left side, during rest, warm applications. Better, open air; from motion, pressure.

    Relationship.–Antidotes: China; Mercur.

    Compare: Moschus; China; Mercur; Aurum.

    Dose.–Second to sixth potency.

  • ARUNDO MAURITANICA

    Reed
    (ARUNDO)

    A remedy for catarrhal states. Hay-fever.

    Head.–Itching; falling off of hair; roots of hair painful. Pustules. Pain in occiput, extends to right ciliary region. Deep seated pain in sides of head.

    Ears.–Burning and itching in auditory canals. Eczema behind ears.

    Nose.–Hay-fever begins with burning and itching of palate and conjunctiva. Annoying itching in the nostrils and roof of the mouth (Wyethia). Coryza; loss of smell (Nat mur). Sneezing, itching of nostrils.

    Mouth.–Burning and itching; bleeding of gums. Ulcers and exfoliations in the commissures. Fissures in tongue.

    Stomach.–Coldness in stomach. Longing for acids.

    Abdomen.–Movement as from something alive. Flatulence pain at pubic region.

    Stool.–Greenish. Burning at anus. Diarrhœa of nursing children (Cham; Calc phos).

    Urine.–Burning. Red sediment (Lyc).

    Male.–Pain in spermatic cord after embrace.

    Female.–Menses too early and profuse. Neuralgic pains from face to shoulders and pubis. Desire with vaginal pruritus.

    Respiratory.–Dyspnœa; cough; bluish expectoration. Burning and pain in nipples.

    Extremities.–Itching, burning; œdema of hands and feet. Burning and swelling of soles. Copious and offensive sweat of feet.

    Skin.–Eczema; itching and crawling, especially of chest, upper extremities. Fissures in fingers and heels.

    Relationship.–Compare: Anthoxantum-sweet vernal grass (a popular medicine for hay-fever and coryza). Lolium; Cepa; Sabad; Silica.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.