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

  • ANAGALLIS ARVENSIS

    Scarlet Pimpernel
    (ANAGALLIS)

    Marked action on skin, characterized by great itching and tingling everywhere. Favors expulsion of splinters. An old medicine for hydrophobia and dropsy. Possesses power of softening flesh and destroying warts.

    Head.–Great hilarity; headache over supra-orbital ridges, with rumbling in bowels and eructations; better from coffee. Sick headache. Pain in facial muscles.

    Extremities.–Rheumatic and gouty pains. Pain in shoulder and arm. Cramp in ball of thumbs and fingers.

    Urine.–More or less irritation in urethra, inclining to coition. Burning pain on urinating, with agglutination of orifice. Urine passes in several streams; must press before it passes.

    Skin.–Itching; dry, bran-like eruption, especially on hands and fingers. Palms especially affected. Vesicles in groups. Ulcers and swellings on joints.

    Relationship.–Anagallis contains Saponin, q. v.

    Compare: Cyclamen; Primula obcon.

    Dose.–First to third potency.

  • ANACARDIUM ORIENTALE

    Marking Nut
    (ANACARDIUM)

    The Anacardium patient is found mostly among the neurasthenics; such have a type of nervous dyspepsia, relieved by food; impaired memory, depression, and irritability; diminution of senses (smell, sight, hearing). Syphilitic patients often suffer with these conditions. Intermittency of symptoms. Fear of examination in students. Weakening of all senses, sight, hearing, etc. Aversion to work; lacks self-confidence; irresistible desire to swear and curse. Sensation of a plug in various parts-eyes, rectum, bladder, etc; also of a band. Empty feeling in stomach; eating temporarily relieves all discomfort. This is a sure indication, often verified. Its skin symptoms are similar to Rhus, and it has proved a valuable antidote to Poison-Oak.

    Mind.–Fixed ideas. Hallucinations; thinks he is possessed of two persons or wills. Anxiety when walking, as if pursued. Profound melancholy and hypochondriasis, with tendency to use violent language. Brain-fag. Impaired memory. Absent mindedness. Very easily offended. Malicious; seems bent on wickedness. Lack of confidence in himself or others. Suspicious (Hyos). Clairaudient, hears voices far away or of the dead. Senile dementia. Absence of all moral restraint.

    Head.–Vertigo. Pressing pain, as from a plug; worse after mental exertion-in forehead; occiput, temples, vertex; better during a meal. Itching and little boils on scalp.

    Eyes.–Pressure like a plug on upper orbit. Indistinct vision. Objects appear too far off.

    Ears.–Pressing in the ears as from a plug. Hard of hearing.

    Nose.–Frequent sneezing. Sense of smell perverted. Coryza with palpitation, especially in the aged.

    Face.–Blue rings around eyes. Face pale.

    Mouth.–Painful vesicles; fetid odor. Tongue feels swollen, impending speech and motion, with saliva in mouth. Burning around lips as from pepper.

    Stomach.–Weak digestion, with fullness and distention. Empty feeling in stomach. Eructation, nausea, vomiting. Eating relieves the Anacardium dyspepsia. Apt to choke when eating or drinking. Swallows food and drinks hastily.

    Abdomen.–Pain as if dull plug were pressed into intestines. Rumbling, pinching, and griping.

    Rectum.–Bowels inactive. Ineffectual desire; rectum seems powerless, as if plugged up; spasmodic constriction of sphincter ani; even soft stool passes with difficulty. Itching at anus; moisture from rectum. Hæmorrhage during stool. Painful hæmorrhoids.

    Male.–Voluptuous itching; increased desire; seminal emissions without dreams. Prostatic discharge during stool.

    Female.–Leucorrhœa, with soreness and itching. Menses scanty.

    Respiratory.–Pressure in chest, as from a dull plug. Oppression of chest, with internal heat and anxiety, driving him into open air. Cough excited by talking, in children, after fit of temper. Cough after eating with vomiting of food and pain in occiput.

    Heart.–Palpitation, with weak memory, with coryza in the aged; stitches in heart region. Rheumatic pericarditis with double stitches.

    Back.–Dull pressure in the shoulders, as from a weight. Stiffness at nape of neck.

    Extremities.–Neuralgia in thumb. Paralytic weakness. Knees feel paralyzed or bandaged. Cramps in calves. Pressure as from a plug in the glutei. Warts on palms of hands. Fingers swollen with vesicular eruption.

    Sleep.–Spells of sleeplessness lasting for several nights. Anxious dreams.

    Skin.–Intense itching, eczema, with mental irritability; vesicular eruption; swelling, urticaria; eruption like that of Poison-Oak (Xerophyl; Grindel; Croton). Lichen planus; neurotic eczema. Warts on hands. Ulcer formation on forearm.

    Modalities.–Worse, on application of hot water. Better, from eating. When lying on side, from rubbing.

    Relationship.–Antidote: Grindeleia; Coffea; Juglans; Rhus; Eucalyptus.

    Compare: Anacard occidentale (cashew nut) (erysipelas, vesicular facial eruptions), (anæsthetic variety of leprosy; warts, corns, ulcers, cracking of the skin on soles of feet). Rhus; Cypriped; Chelidon; Xerophyl.

    Platina follows well. Cereus serpentina (swearing).

    Dose.–Sixth to two hundredth potency.

  • AMMONIUM VALERIANICUM

    Valerianate of Ammonia

    A remedy for nervous, hysterical people, suffering with neuralgia headaches and insomnia. Great nervous erethism is always present.

    Heart.–Pains in cardiac region. Functional disturbances, tachycardia.

    Dose.–Lower triturations.

  • AMMONIUM PICRICUM

    Pictrate of Ammonia
    (AMMONIUM PICRATUM)

    A remedy for malarial fever and neuralgias and so-called, bilious headaches. Pain in occiput and mastoid region. Whooping cough.

    Head.–Periodical neuralgia in right side of occiput; boring extends to ear, orbit, and jaw. Vertigo on rising. Periodic bilious headaches (Sanguin).

    Dose.–Third trituration.

  • AMPELOPSIS QUINQUEFOLIA

    Virginia Creeper
    (AMPELOPSIS)

    Renal dropsies, hydrocele, and chronic hoarseness in scrofulous patients have been benefited by this drug. Choleric symptoms. Generally worse about 6 pm. Dilated pupils. Left costal region sore and sensitive. Elbow joints pain, back sore. Soreness of all limbs. Vomiting, purging with tenesmus. Rumbling in abdomen.

    Dose.–Second to third potency.

  • AMMONIUM PHOSPHORICUM

    Phosphate of Ammonia

    A remedy for chronic gouty patients uric acid diathesis, indicated in bronchitis and nodosities of the joints of the fingers and backs of the hands. Facial paralysis. Pain in shoulder-joint. Tightness around chest. Heaviness of limbs, unsteady, tottering gait. Coldness from least draft of air.

    Head.–Sneezing with excessive running from nose and eyes, only in morning.

    Respiratory.–Deep rough cough with greenish expectoration.

    Urine.–Rose-colored sediment.

    Dose.–Third decimal trituration.

  • AMMONIACUM GUMMI

    Gum Ammoniac
    (AMMONIACUM-DOREMA)

    A remedy for the aged and feeble, especially in chronic bronchitis. Ill humor. Sensitive to cold. Sensation of burning and scratching in neck and úsophagus.

    Head.–Catarrhal headache due to closure of frontal sinuses.

    Eyes.–Dim sight. Stars and fiery points float before eyes. Easily fatigued from reading.

    Throat.–Throat dry; worse inhaling fresh air. Full feeling, burning and scraping sensation. Immediately after eating, sensation as if something stuck in úsophagus, causing swallowing.

    Respiratory.–Difficult breathing. Chronic bronchial catarrh. Large accumulation of purulent matter and feeble expectoration; worse cold weather. Mucus tough and hard. Heart beats stronger, extends to pit of stomach. Coarse rattling of chest in old people.

    Relationship.–Antidotes: Bry; Arnica.

    Compare: Senega; Tart emet; Balsam Peru.

    Dose.–Third trituration.

  • AMMONIUM MURIATICUM

    Sal Ammoniac

    A state of prostration bordering on a typhoid state is produced by this remedy. All mucous secretions are increased and retained. It is especially adapted to fat and sluggish patients who have respiratory troubles. Coughs associated with catarrhs and affections of liver. A tendency to irregular circulation, blood seems to be in constant turmoil, pulsations, etc. Many groups of symptoms are accompanied by cough, profuse glairy secretions. Its periods of aggravations are peculiarly divided as to the bodily region affected; thus the head and chest symptoms are worse mornings, the abdominal in the afternoon, the pains in the limbs, the skin and febrile symptoms, in the evenings. “Boiling” sensation.

    Mind.–Melancholy, apprehensive; like from internal grief. Desire to cry, but cannot. Consequences of grief.

    Head.–Hair falls out, with itchings and dandruff. Feels full, compressed; worse mornings.

    Eyes.–Mist before eyes, optical illusions in incipient cataract; capsular cataract.

    Nose.–Free acrid, hot watery discharge corroding the lip. Sneezing. Nose sore to touch; ulcerative pain in nostrils. Loss of smell. Obstructed, stuffy feeling; constant and unavailing efforts to blow it out. Itching.

    Face.–Inflammatory face-ache. Mouth and lips sore and excoriated.

    Throat.–Throbbing in, and swelling of tonsils, can scarcely swallow. Sore spot behind uvula, relieved by eating. Internal and external swelling of throat with viscid phlegm. So touch, it cannot be hawked up. Tonsillitis. Stricture of œsophagus.

    Stomach.–Thirst for lemonade, regurgitation of food, bitter waterbrash. Nausea. Gnawing in stomach. Epigastric pain immediately after eating. Cancer of stomach.

    Abdomen.–Splenic stitches, especially in the morning, with difficult breathing. Pain around navel. Abdominal symptoms appear during pregnancy. Chronic congestion of liver. Excessive fatty deposit around abdomen. Much flatus. Strained feeling in groin.

    Rectum.–Itching and hæmorrhoids, soreness with pustules. Hard, crumbly stool, or covered with glairy mucus. Stinging in perineum. Green mucus stools alternate with constipation. During and after stool, burning and smarting in rectum. Hæmorrhoids after suppressed leucorrhœa.

    Female.–Menses too early, too free, dark, clotted; flow more at night. Pain as if sprained in left side of abdomen during pregnancy. Diarrhœa, greenish mucous stools, and navel pain during menses. Leucorrhœa, like white of an egg (Alum; Bor; Calc p); with pain about the navel; brown, slimy after every urination.

    Respiratory.–Hoarseness and burning in larynx. Dry, hacking, scraping cough; worse lying on back or right side. Stitches in chest. Cough loose in afternoon, with profuse expectoration and rattling of mucus. Oppression of chest. Burning at small spots in chest. Scanty secretion. Cough with profuse salivation.

    Back.–Icy coldness between shoulders; not relieved by warm covering, followed by itching. Bruised pain in coccyx when sitting. Backache, as if in a vise when sitting.

    Extremities.–Pain as from ulceration in finger tips. Shooting and tearing in tips of finger and toes. Ulcerative pain in heels. Contraction of hamstring tendons. Sciatica, worse sitting, better lying. Neuralgic pain in amputated limbs. Offensive sweaty feet. Pain in feet during menses.

    Skin.–Itching, generally evenings. Blisters on various parts. Intense burning better cold applications.

    Fever.–Chilliness evenings after lying down and on awakening, without thirst. Heat in palms and soles. Sub acute, low fevers due to unhealthy climate. Lowest potencies.

    Modalities.–Better, open air. Worse, head and chest symptoms in the morning; abdominal symptoms in the afternoon.

    Relationship.–Antidotes: Coffea; Nux; Caust.

    Compare: Calcarea; Senega; Caustic.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • AMYLENUM NITROSUM

    Amyl Nitrite
    (AMYL NITROSUM)

    On inhaling this drug, it rapidly dilates all arterioles an capillaries, producing flushings of face, heat, and throbbing in the head.–Superficial arterial hyperæmia. Palpitation of the heart and similar conditions are readily cured by it, especially the flushings and other discomforts at climacteric. Hiccough and yawning. Often relieves temporarily epileptic convulsions. Seasickness.

    Head.–Anxiety, as if something might happen; must have fresh air. Surging of blood to head and face; sensation as if blood would start through skin, with heat and redness. Flushings, followed by sweat at climacteric. Ears hyperæmic. Throbbing.

    Throat.–Constriction; collar seems too tight.

    Chest.–Dyspnœa and asthmatic feelings. Great oppression and fullness of chest; spasmodic, suffocative cough. Præcordial anxiety. Tumultuous action of heart. Pain and constriction around heart. Fluttering at slightest excitement.

    Female.–After-pains; hæmorrhage associated with facial flushing. Climacteric headache and flushes of heat, with anxiety and palpitation.

    Fever.–Much flushing of heat; sometimes followed by cold and clammy skin and profuse sweat. Throbbing throughout whole body. Abnormal sweat after influenza.

    Extremities.–Constant stretching for hours. Veins of hands dilated; pulsations felt in tips of fingers.

    Relationship.–Compare: Glonoine; Lachesis.

    Antidotes: Cactus; Strychn; Ergot.

    Dose.–Third potency.

    For palliations. In all conditions where the blood-vessels are spasmodically contracted, as in angina pectoris, epileptic seizure, megrim, accompanied by cold, pallor, etc, also in paroxysms of asthma, chloroform asphyxia, inhalation of the Amyl nit will give immediate relief. For this non-homeopathic application, two to five minims (put up in pearls) dropped on a handkerchief and inhaled may be required.

  • AMMONIUM IODATUM

    Iodide of Ammonia
    (AMMONIUM JODATUM)

    Indicated when iodine has but partially relieved its cases of laryngitis and bronchitis, catarrhal pneumonia, śdema of lungs.

    Head.–Dull headache, especially in young people, face stupid, heavy; vertigo, Meniere’s disease.

    Dose.–Second and third trit.

    Compare: Ammonium tartaricum (Dry hacking cough after every cold).