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

  • ARISTOLOCHIA MILHOMENS

    Brazilian Snake Root

    Stitching pains in various parts. Pain in heels, burning in anus and frequent irritation. Flatulence in stomach and abdomen. Pain in back and extremities. Stiffness of legs. Pain in tendo-Achillis. Itching and swelling around the malleoli.

    Relationship.–Compare: Aristolochia Serpentaria-Virginia Snake Root–(Symptoms of intestinal tract; colliquative diarrhœa, meteorism. Flatulent dyspepsia. Brain congestion. Distention and cutting pains in abdomen. Symptoms like those of Poison-Oak).

    Dose.–Lower potencies.

  • ARGENTUM NITRICUM

    Nitrate of Silver

    In this drug the neurotic effects are very marked, many brain and spinal symptoms presenting; themselves which give certain indications for its homeopathic employment. Symptoms of inco-ordination, loss of control and want of balance everywhere, mentally and physically; trembling in affected parts. Is an irritant of mucous membranes, producing violent inflammation of the throat, and a marked gastro-enteritis. Very characteristic is the great desire for sweets, the splinter-like pains, and free muco-purulent discharge in the inflamed and ulcerated mucous membranes. Sensation as if a part were expanding and other errors of perception are characteristic. Withered up and dried constitutions present a favorable field for its action, especially when associated with unusual or long continued mental exertion. Head symptoms often determine the choice of this remedy. Pains increase and decrease gradually. Flatulent state and prematurely aged look. Explosive belching especially in neurotics. Upper abdominal affections brought on by undue mental exertion. Paraplegia Myelitis and disseminated sclerosis of brain and cord. Intolerance of heat. Sensation of a sudden pinch (Dudgeon). Destroys red blood corpuscles, producing anæmia.

    Mind.–Thinks his understanding will and must fail. Fearful and nervous; impulse to jump out of window. Faintish and tremulous. Melancholic; apprehensive of serious disease. Time passes slowly (Cann ind). Memory weak. Errors of perception. Impulsive; wants to do things in a hurry (Lilium). Peculiar mental impulses. Fears and anxieties and hidden irrational motives for actions.

    Head.–Headache with coldness and trembling. Emotional disturbances cause appearance of hemi-cranial attacks. Sense of expansion. Brain-fag, with general debility and trembling. Headache from mental exertion, from dancing. Vertigo, with buzzing in ears and with nervous affections. Aching in frontal eminence, with enlarged feeling in corresponding eye. Boring pain; better on tight bandaging and pressure. Itching of scalp. Hemi-crania; bones of head feel as if separated.

    Eyes.–Inner canthi swollen and red. Spots before the vision. Blurred vision. Photophobia in warm room. Purulent ophthalmia. Great swelling of conjunctiva; discharge abundant and purulent. Chronic ulceration of margin of lids; sore, thick, swollen. Unable to keep eyes fixed steadily. Eye-strain from sewing; worse in warm room. Aching, tired feeling in eyes, better closing or pressing upon them. Useful in restoring power to the weakened ciliary muscles. Paretic condition of ciliary muscle. Acute granular conjunctivitis. Cornea opaque. Ulcer in cornea.

    Nose.–Loss of smell. Itching. Ulcers in septum. Coryza, with chilliness, lachrymation, and headache.

    Face.–Sunken, old, pale, and bluish. Old man’s look; tight drawing of skin over bones.

    Mouth.–Gums tender and bleed easily. Tongue has prominent papillæ; tip is red and painful. Pain in sound teeth. Taste coppery, like ink. Canker sores.

    Throat.–Much thick mucus in throat and mouth causes hawking. Raw, rough and sore. Sensation of a splinter in throat on swallowing. Dark redness of throat. Catarrh of smokers, with tickling as of hair in throat. Strangulated feeling.

    Stomach.–Belching accompanies most gastric ailments. Nausea, retching, vomiting of glairy mucus. Flatulence; painful swelling of pit. Painful spot over stomach that radiates to all parts of the abdomen. Gnawing ulcerating pain; burning and constriction. Ineffectual effort at eructation. Great craving for sweets. Gastritis of drunkards. Ulcerative pain in left side under ribs. Trembling and throbbing in stomach. Enormous distention. Ulceration of stomach, with radiating pain. Desire for cheese and salt.

    Abdomen.–Colic, with much flatulent distention. Stitchy ulcerative pain on left side of stomach, below short ribs.

    Stool.–Watery, noisy, flatulent; green, like chopped spinach, with shreddy mucus and enormous distention of abdomen; very offensive. Diarrhœa immediately after eating or drinking. Fluids go right through him; after sweets. After any emotion with flatulence. Itching of anus.

    Urine.–Urine passes unconsciously, day and night. Urethra inflamed, with pain, burning, itching; pain as from a splinter. Urine scanty and dark. Emission of a few drops after having finished. Divided stream. Early stage of gonorrhœa; profuse discharge and terrible cutting pains; bloody urine.

    Male.–Impotence. Erection fails when coition is attempted. Cancer-like ulcers. Desire wanting. Genitals shrivel. Coition painful.

    Female.–Gastralgia at beginning of menses. Intense spasm of chest muscles. Organs at night. Nervous erethism at change of life. Leucorrhœa profuse, with erosion of cervix bleeding easily. Uterine hæmorrhage, two weeks after menses; Painful affections of left ovary.

    Respiratory.–High notes cause cough. Chronic hoarseness. Suffocative cough, as if from a hair in throat. Dyspnœa. Chest feels as if a bar were around it. Palpitation, pulse irregular and intermittent; worse lying on right side; (Alumen). Painful spots in chest. Angina pectoris, nightly aggravation. Many people in a room seem to take away his breath.

    Back.–Much pain. Spine sensitive with nocturnal pains, (Oxal acid) paraplegia; posterior spinal sclerosis.

    Extremities.–Cannot walk with eyes closed. Trembling, with general debility. Paralysis, with mental and abdominal symptoms. Rigidity of calves. Debility in calves especially. Walks and stands unsteadily, especially when unobserved. Numbness of arms. Post-diphtheritic paralysis (after Gelsem).

    Skin.–Brown, tense, and hard. Drawing in skin, as from a spider-web, or dried albuminous substance, withered and dried up. Irregular blotches.

    Sleep.–Sleepless, from fancies before his imagination; horrible dreams of snakes, and of sexual gratification. Drowsy stupor.

    Fever.–Chills with nausea. Chilly when uncovered, yet feels smothered if wrapped up.

    Modalities.–Worse, warmth in any form; at night; from cold food; sweets; after eating; at menstrual period; from emotions, left side. Better, from eructation; fresh air; cold; pressure.

    Relationship.–Antidote: Nat mur.

    Compare: Ars; Merc; Phos; Pulsat. Argent cyanatum (angina pectoris, asthma, spasm of œsophagus) Argent iodat (throat disorders, hoarseness, gland affected). Protargol (gonorrhœa after acute stage 2 per cent solution; syphilitic mucous patches, chancres and chancroids, 10 per cent solution applied twice a day; ophthalmia neonatorum, 2 drops of 10 per cent solution).

    Argent phosph (An excellent diuretic in dropsy).

    Argent oxyd (Chlorosis with menorrhagia and diarrhœa).

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

    Best form an aqueous solution 1 to 9, 2 or 3 drops doses. This solution in water preferable to lower triturations; unless fresh

  • ARGENTUM METALLICUM

    Silver

    Emaciation, a gradual drying up, desire for fresh air, dyspnœa, sensation of expansion and left-sided pains are characteristic. The chief action is centered on the articulations and their component elements, bones, cartilages, and ligament’s. Here the small blood vessels become closed up or withered and carious affections result. They come on insidiously, lingering, but progress. The larynx is also a special center for this drug.

    Mental.–Hurried feeling; time passes slowly; melancholy.

    Head.–Dull paroxysmal neuralgia over left side, gradually increasing and ceasing suddenly. Scalp very tender to touch. Vertigo, with intoxicated feeling, on looking at running water. Head feels empty, hollow. Eyelids red and thick. Exhausting coryza, with sneezing. Pain in facial bones. Pain between left eye and frontal eminence.

    Throat.–Raw, hawking, gray, jelly-like mucus, and throat sore on coughing. Profuse and easy morning expectoration.

    Respiratory.–Hoarseness Aphonia. Raw, sore feeling when coughing. Total loss of voice of professional singers. Larynx feels sore and raw. Easy expectoration, looking like boiled starch. Feeling of raw spot near supra sternal fossa. Worse from use of voice. Cough from laughing. Hectic fever at noon. On reading aloud, must hem and hawk. Great weakness of chest; worse left side. Alteration in timbre of voice. Pain in left lower ribs.

    Back.–Severe backache; must walk bent, with oppression of chest.

    Urine.–Diuresis. Urine profuse, turbid, sweet odor. Frequent urination. Polyuria.

    Extremities.–Rheumatic affections of joints, especially elbow and knee. Legs weak and trembling, worse descending stairs. Involuntary contractions of fingers, partial paralysis of forearm; writer’s cramp. Swelling of ankles.

    Male.–Crushed pain in testicles. Seminal emissions, without sexual excitement. Frequent micturation with burning.

    Female.–Ovaries feel too large. Bearing-down pain. Prolapse of womb. Eroded spongy cervix. Leucorrhœa foul, excoriating. Palliative in scirrhus of uterus. Pain in left ovary. Climateric hæmorrhage. Sore feeling; throughout abdomen; worse by jarring. Uterine disease with pain in joints and limbs.

    Modalities.–Worse from touch, toward noon. Better in open air; cough at night when lying down (opposite Hyoscy).

    Relationship.–Antidotes: Mercur; Puls.

    Compare: Selen; Alum; Platina; Stannum; Ampelopsis (Chronic hoarseness in scrofulous patients).

    Dose.–Sixth trituration and higher. Not too frequent repetition.

  • ARGEMONE MEXICANA

    Prickly Poppy

    Colicky cramp and spasm of bowels. Painful neuro-muscular conditions, preventing sleep. Rheumatic disease associated with Bright’s disease (D. MacFarlan).

    Head.–Throbbing headache in eyes and temples. Head hot. Throat very dry, pain on swallowing.

    Stomach.–Feels sick, like vomiting. Griping in pit of stomach. No appetite. Belching and passing gas.

    Urinary.–Passes less urine. Changing color.

    Female.–Menses suppressed. Diminished sexual desire with weakness.

    Extremities.–Left knee stiff and painful. Feet swollen.

    Modalities.–Worse at noon (weakness).

    Dose.–Sixth potency. Fresh juice is applied to ulcers and warts.

  • ARECA CATECHU

    Betel Nut
    (ARECA)

    Of use in Helminthiasis. Its alkaloid, Areolin Hydrobrom contracts the pupil, acting more promptly and energetically but of shorter duration than Eserine. Serviceable in glaucoma. Acts also as a salivatory like Pilocarpin. Also increases the amplitude of pulsations of the heart and promotes the contractility of the intestines.

  • ARBUTUS ANDRACHNE

    Strawberry Tree

    A remedy for eczema associated with gouty and rheumatic symptoms. Arthritis; especially larger joints. Urine rendered more clear. Lumbago. Symptoms shift from skin to joints. Vesical symptoms.

    Relationship.–Arbutin; Ledum; Bryonia; Kalmia.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency

  • ARANEA DIADEMA

    Papal-Cross Spider

    All spider poisons powerfully affect the nervous system (See tarentula, Mygale, etc).

    All symptoms of Aranea are characterized by periodicity, and coldness, and great susceptibility to dampness. It is the remedy for the constitution favorable to malarial poisoning, where every damp day or place favors chilliness. Patient feels cold to the very bones. Coldness not relieved by anything. Feeling as if parts were enlarged and heavier. Wake up at night with hands feeling twice their natural size. Spleen swollen. Hydrogenoid Constitution, i.e, Abnormal sensitiveness to damp and cold, inability to live near fresh water, lakes, rivers, etc, or in damp, chilly places (Nat. Sulph. Thuja).

    Head.–Pain in right trifacial nerve from periphery inwards. Confusion; better by smoking in open air. Heat and flickering in eyes; worse in damp weather. Sudden violent pain in teeth at night immediately after lying down.

    Female.–Menses too early, too copious. Distention of abdomen. Lumbo-abdominal neuralgia.

    Chest.–Pain in intercostal nerve from nerve endings to spine. Bright red hæmorrhage from lungs (Millefol; Ferr phos).

    Stomach.–Cramps after eating a little; epigastrium painful to pressure.

    Abdomen.–Enlarged spleen. Colic returns same hours. Heaviness in lower abdomen, as of a stone. Diarrhœa. Arms and legs feel as if asleep.

    Extremities.–Bone-pains in extremities. Pain in os calcis. Sensation of swelling, and of parts going to sleep.

    Sleep.–Restless and waking, as if hands and forearms were swollen and heavy.

    Fever.–Coldness, with pain in long bones, and feeling of stone in abdomen at the same hour daily. Chilly day and night; always worse during rain.

    Modalities.–Worse, damp weather; late in afternoon, and at midnight. Better, smoking tobacco.

    Relationship.–Tela aranearum-Spider’s web.–Cardiac sleeplessness, increased muscular energy. Excitement and nervous agitation in febrile states. Dry asthma, harassing coughs; periodic headaches with extreme nervous erethism. Obstinate intermittents. Acts immediately on arterial system, pulse full, strong, compressible.

    Lowers pulse rate frequency. Masked periodical diseases, hectic, broken down patients. Symptoms come on suddenly with cool, clammy skin. Numbness of hands and legs when at rest. Continued chilliness.

    Aranea Scinencia-Grey Spider–(constant twitching of under eyelids. Sleepiness. Worse in warm room).

    Heloderma; Cedron; Arsenic.

    Dose.–Tincture to thirtieth potency.

  • ARALIA RACEMOSA

    American Spikenard

    This is a remedy for asthmatic conditions, with cough aggravated on lying down. Drenching sweat during sleep. Extreme sensitiveness to draughts. Diarrhœa, prolapse of rectum. Aching in rectum extending upwards; worse lying on side lain upon.

    Respiratory.–Dry cough coming on after first sleep, about middle of night. Asthma on lying down at night with spasmodic cough; worse after first sleep, with tickling in throat. Constriction of chest; feels as if a foreign body were in throat. Obstruction worse in spring. Hay-fever; frequent sneezing. Rawness and burning behind sternum.

    The least current of air causes sneezing, with copious watery, excoriating nasal discharge, of salty acrid taste.

    Female.–Menses suppressed; leucorrhœa foul-smelling, acrid, with pressing-down air. Lochia suppressed, with tympanites.

    Modalities.–Worse about 11 pm (cough).

    Relationship.–Compare: Pecten-Scallop (humid asthma. Quick, labored breathing. Constriction of chest, especially right side. Asthma preceded by coryza and burning in throat and chest. Attacks ends with copious expectoration of tough, frothy mucus. Worse at night). Ars iod; Naphthaline; Cepa; Rosa; Sabad; Sinapis.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • ARAGALLUS LAMBERTI

    White Loco Weed-Rattle Weed

    Acts principally on nervous system, producing a bewildered, confused state. Symptoms of incoordination and paralysis. Locomotor ataxia. Tired in the morning.

    Mind.–Great depression; worse in morning or evening. Cannot study. Cross, irritable, restless. Bewildered. Mental confusion and apathy. Desires to be alone. Difficulty in concentrating mind, absent-minded. Lack of ambition. Defective expression in writing. Restlessness and aimless wandering. Must concentrate his mind on walking.

    Head.–Diplopia. Burning in eyes. Cracking of lower lip.

    Throat.–Aches. Feels dull. Sore with nausea. Pharynx dark, swollen, glazed.

    Respiratory.–Weight on chest in region of ensiform cartilage. Constriction as of a wide band. Soreness of chest under sternum. Oppression.

    Extremities.–Weakness of limbs. Pain in left sciatic nerve. Cramps of muscles on front of leg while walking.

    Relationship.–Compare: Astragallus and Oxytropis, two varieties of Loco Weed; also Baryta.

    Dose.–Sixth and two hundredth potencies.

  • AQUILEGIA VULGARIS

    Columbine
    (Aquilegia)

    A remedy for hysteria. globus and clavus hystericus. women at climaxis, with vomiting of green substance, especially in the morning. sleeplessness. nervous trembling of body; sensitive to light and noise. dysmenorrhœa of young girls.

    female.–Menses scanty, with dull, painful, nightly increasing pressure in the right lumbar region.

    dose.–First potency.