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

  • ALSTONIA SCHOLARIS

    Dita Bark

    Malarial diseases, with diarrhœa, dysentery, anæmia, feeble digestion, are the general conditions suggesting this remedy. Characteristics are the gone sensation in stomach and sinking in abdomen, with debility. A tonic after exhausting fevers.

    Abdomen.–Violent purging and cramp in bowels. Heat and irritation in lower bowels. Camp diarrhœa, bloody stool, dysentery; diarrhœa from bad water and malaria. Painless watery stools (Phosph ac). Diarrhœa immediately after eating.

    Relationship.–Compare: Similar in action to Alstonia constricta, the bitter bark or native quinine of Australia. Ditain (active principle, is anti-periodic, like quinine, but without unpleasant effects). Cinchona (similar in diarrhœa, chronic dyspepsia and debility). Hydrastis; Fer cit et chin.

    Dose.–Tincture to third potency. Locally, for ulcers and rheumatic pains.

  • ALOE SOCOTRINA

    Socotrine Aloes
    (ALOE)

    An excellent remedy to aid in re-establishing physiological equilibrium after much dosing, where disease and drug symptoms are much mixed. There is no remedy richer in symptoms of portal congestion and none that has given better clinical results, both for the primary pathological condition and secondary phenomena. Bad effects from sedentary life or habits. Especially suitable to lymphatic and hypochondriacal patients. The rectal symptoms usually determine the choice. Adapted to weary people, the aged, and phlegmatic, old beer-drinkers. Dissatisfied and angry about himself, alternating with lumbago. Heat internally and externally. Has been used successfully in the treatment of consumption by giving the pure juice.

    Head.–Headache alternates with lumbago, with intestinal and uterine affections. Disinclination to mental labor. Aches above forehead, with heaviness in eyes, must partially close them. Headache after stool. Dull, pressive pain; worse from heat.

    Eyes.–Compelled to make small during pain in forehead. Flickering before eyes. Redness of eyes with yellow vision. Pain deep in orbits.

    Face.–Marked redness of lips.

    Ears.–Cracking when chewing. Sudden explosion and clashing in left ear. Tinkling as of some thin, shivered, metallic globe in head.

    Nose.–Coldness of tip. Bleeding in morning on awakening. Full of crusts.

    Mouth.–Taste bitter and sour. Tasteless eructations. Lips cracked and dry.

    Throat.–Thick lumps of tough mucus. Varicose condition of veins in pharynx. Dry, scrapy feeling.

    Stomach.–Aversion to meat. Longing for juicy things. After eating, flatulence, pulsation in rectum and sexual irritation. Nausea, with headache. Pain in pit when making false step.

    Abdomen.–Pain around navel, worse pressure. Fullness in region of liver, pain under right ribs. Abdomen feels full, heavy, hot, bloated. Pulsating pain around navel. Weak feeling, as if diarrhœa would come on. Great accumulation of flatus, pressing downwards, causing distress in lower bowels. Sensation of plug between symphysis pubis and os coccygis, with urging to stool. Colic before and during stool. Burning, copious flatus.

    Rectum.–Constant bearing down in rectum; bleeding, sore, and hot; relieved by cold water. Feeling of weakness and loss of power of sphincter ani. Sense of insecurity in rectum, when passing flatus. Uncertain whether gas or stool will come. Stool passes without effort, almost unnoticed. Lumpy, watery stool. Jelly-like stools, with soreness in rectum after stool. A lot of mucus, with pain in rectum after stool. Hæmorrhoids protrude like grapes; very sore and tender; better cold water application. Burning in anus and rectum. Constipation, with heavy pressure in lower part of abdomen. Diarrhœa from beer.

    Urinary.–Incontinence in aged, bearing-down sensation and enlarged prostate. Scanty and high colored.

    Female.–Bearing down in rectum, worse standing and during menses. Uterus feels heavy, cannot walk much on that account. Labor-like pains in loins; extend down legs. Climacteric hæmorrhage. Menses too early and too profuse.

    Respiratory.–Winter coughs, with itching. Difficult respiration, with stitches from liver to chest.

    Back.–Pain in small of back; worse moving. Stitches through sacrum. Lumbago alternating with headache and piles.

    Extremities.–Lameness in all limbs. Drawing pains in joints. Soles pain when walking.

    Modalities.–Worse early morning; summer; heat; in hot, dry weather; after eating or drinking. Better from cold, open air.

    Relationship.–Complementary: Sulphur; compare: Kali bich; Lycop; Allium sat.

    Antidotes: Opium; Sulph.

    Dose.–Sixth potency and higher. In rectal conditions, a few doses of the third, then wait.

  • ALNUS RUBRA

    Red Alder
    (ALNUS)

    Has some reputation as a remedy for skin affections, glandular enlargements, and indigestion from imperfect secretion of gastric juice. It stimulates nutrition, and thus acts favorably upon strumous disorders, enlarged glands, etc. Ulcerated mucous membranes of mouth and throat. Fingers covered by crust caused by pustules, disagreeable odor. Indigestion from imperfect secretion of gastric juice.

    Female.–Leucorrhœa, with erosions of cervix, bleeding easily. Amenorrhœa, with burning pains from back to pubis.

    Skin.–Chronic herpes. Enlarged sub-maxillary glands. Eczema, prurigo. Purpura hæmorrhagica. Poison-oak. Use locally.

    Dose.–Tincture to third potency.

  • ALLIUM SATIVUM

    Garlic

    Acts directly on intestinal mucous membrane increasing peristalsis. Colitis, with pathological flora. Has vaso-dilatory properties. Arterial hypotension begins usually in 30 to 45 minutes after twenty to forty drop doses of the tincture.

    Adapted to fleshy subjects with dyspepsia and catarrhal affections. High livers. Patients who eat a great deal more, especially meat, than they drink. Pain in hip, pain in psoas and iliac muscles. Pulmonary tuberculosis.

    Cough and expectoration diminishes, temperature becomes normal, weight is gained, and sleep becomes regular. Hæmoptysis.

    Head.–Heavy; pulsation in temples; catarrhal deafness.

    Mouth.–Much sweetish saliva after meals and at night. Sensation of a hair on tongue or throat.

    Stomach.–Voracious appetite. Burning eructations. Least change in diet causes trouble. Constipation, with constant dull pains in bowels. Tongue pale, red papillæ.

    Respiratory.–Constant rattling of mucus in bronchi. Cough in the morning after leaving bedroom, with mucous expectoration, which is tenacious and difficult to raise. Sensitive to cold air. Dilated bronchi, with fetid expectoration. Darting pain in chest.

    Female.–Pain in swelling of breasts. Eruption in vagina and on breasts and vulva during menses.

    Relationship.–Allium Sat according to Dr. Teste, belongs to the Bryonia group, including Lycopod. Nux. Colocy, Digital and Ignatia which affect deeply all flesh eating animals and hardly at all vegetarians. Hence their special applicability to meat eaters rather than to exclusive vegetarians.

    Compare: Capsicum; Arsenic; Senega; Kali nit.

    Complementary: Arsenic.

    Antidote: Lycopod.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency. In tuberculosis, dose, four to six grammes in moderate state of dessication daily, in divided doses.

  • ALLIUM CEPA

    Red Onion

    A picture of coryza, with acrid nasal discharge and laryngeal symptoms, eye secretion bland; singers’ cold, worse in warm room and toward evening; better in open air is presented by this remedy. Specially adapted to phlegmatic patients; colds in damp cold weather. Neuralgic pains, like a fine thread, following amputations or injuries to nerves. Traumatic chronic neuritis. Burning in nose, mouth, throat, bladder and skin. Sensation of glowing heat on different parts of the body.

    Head.–Catarrhal headache, mostly in forehead; worse in warm room towards evening. Thread-like pains in face. Headache ceases during menses; returns when flow disappears.

    Eyes.–Red. Much burning and smarting lachrymation. Sensitive to light. Eyes suffused and watery; profuse, bland lachrymation, better in open air. Burning in eyelids.

    Ears.–Earache, shooting in eustachian tube.

    Nose.–Sneezing, especially when entering a warm room. Copious, watery and extremely acrid discharge. Feeling of a lump at root of nose. Hay-fever (Sabad; Sil; Psor). Fluent coryza with headache, cough, and hoarseness. Polypus.

    Stomach.–Canine hunger. Pain in pyloric region. Thirst. Belching. Nausea.

    Abdomen.–Rumbling, offensive flatus. Pains in left hypogastrium. Colic sitting, moving about.

    Rectum.–Diarrhúa with very offensive flatus. Stitches in rectum; itching and rhagades in anus. Glowing heat in rectum.

    Urinary.–Sensation of weakness in bladder and urethra. Increased secretion of urine with coryza. Urine red with much pressure and burning in urethra.

    Respiratory.–Hoarseness. Hacking cough on inspiring cold air. Tickling in larynx. Sensation as if larynx is split or torn. Oppressed breathing from pressure in middle of chest. Constricted feeling in region of epiglottis. Pain extending to ear.

    Extremities.–Lame joints. Ulcers on heel. Painful affections of fingers about nails neuralgia of stump. Bad effects from getting feet wet. Limbs, especially arms, feel sore and tired.

    Sleep.–Yawning with headache and drowsiness. Gaping in deep sleep. Dreams. Wakes at 2 am.

    Modalities.–Worse, in the evening, in warm room. Better, in open air, and in cold room.

    Relationship.–Compare: Gels; Euph; Kali hyd; Aconite; Ipecac.

    Complementary: Phosphor; Thuja; Puls.

    Antidotes: Arn; Cham; Verat.

    Dose.–Third potency.

  • ALFALFA

    Medicago Sativa, California Clover or Lucerne

    >From its action on the sympathetic, Alfalfa favorably influences nutrition, evidenced in “toning up” the appetite and digestion resulting in greatly improved mental and physical vigor, with gain in weight. Disorders characterized by malnutrition are mainly within its therapeutic range, for example, neurasthenia, splanchnic blues, nervousness, insomnia, nervous indigestion, etc. Acts as a fat producer, corrects tissue waste. Deficient lactation. Increases quality and quantity of milk in nursing mothers. Its pronounced urinary action suggests it clinically in diabetes insipidus and phosphaturia; and it is claimed to allay vesical irritability of prostatic hypertrophy. The rheumatic diathesis seems especially amenable to its action.

    Mind.–It induces mental exhilaration of buoyancy, i.e, a general feeling of well being; clear and bright, so that all blues are dissipated. Dull, drowsy, stupid (Gels); gloomy and irritable, worse during evening.

    Head.–Dull, heavy feeling in occiput, in and above the eyes, worse toward evening. Pain in left side of head. Violent headache.

    Ears.–Stuffed feeling in eustachian tubes (Kali mur) at night; patulous in morning.

    Stomach.–Increased thirst. Appetite impaired, but chiefly increased even to bulimia. He must eat frequently, so that he cannot wait for regular meals; hungry in forenoon (Sul). Much nibbling of food and craving for sweets.

    Abdomen.–Flatulence with distention. Shifting, flatulent pain along colon several hours after meals. Frequent, loose, yellow, painful stools, with burning of flatulence. Chronic appendicitis.

    Urine.–Kidneys inactive; frequent urging to urinate. Polyuria (Phos ac). Increased elimination of urea, indican and phosphates.

    Sleep.–Slept better than usual, especially in early morning; it induces quiet, reposeful and refreshing sleep.

    Relationship.–Compare: Avena sat; Dipodium punct; Gels; Hydr; Kali phos; Phos ac; Zinc.

    Dose.–The best results are elicited with material doses (5-10) drops of tincture, several times daily. Continue its use until tonic effects ensue.

  • ALETRIS FARINOSA

    Stargrass

    An anæmic, relaxed condition, especially of the female organism, is portrayed by this remedy. The patient is tired all the time, and suffers from prolapsus, leucorrhœa, rectal distress, etc. Marked anæmia. Chlorotic girls and pregnant women.

    Mind.–Power and energy weakened. Confused feelings. Cannot concentrate mind. Fainting, with vertigo.

    Mouth.–Much frothy saliva.

    Stomach.–Disgust for food. Least food causes distress. Fainting spells, with vertigo. Vomiting during pregnancy. Nervous dyspepsia. Flatulent colic.

    Rectum.–Loads up with feces-paretic condition. Stool large, hard, difficult, great pain.

    Female.–Premature and profuse menses, with labor-like pains (Bell; Cham; Kali c; Plat). Retarded and scanty flow (Senecio). Uterus seems heavy. Prolapse, with pain in right inguinal region. Leucorrhœa due to weakness and anæmia. Habitual tendency to abortion. Muscular pains during pregnancy.

    Relationship.–Compare: Helonias; Hydrastis; Tanacet; China.

    Dose.–Tincture to third potency.

  • AILANTHUS GLANDULOSA

    Chinese Sumach

    This remedy shows by its peculiar skin symptoms its pronounced power of disorganizing the blood, causing conditions we meet with in low fevers, low types of eruptive diseases, diphtheria, follicular tonsillitis, Streptococcus infection, Hæmorrhagic diathesis, etc. The skin appears livid or purplish; face dark as mahogany, hot; sordes; throat swollen, purple, livid; semi-conscious, delirious; weak pulse, general torpor and prostration. Symptoms remarkably alike to malignant scarlatina. Diarrhœa, dysentery and great weakness are very marked. Adynamia characterizes all its conditions. Lividity, stupor and malignancy. Mucous membranes hæmorrhagic and ulcerative (Lach. Ars).

    Head.–General stupor, with sighing. Confused mind, mental depression. Headache, frontal, with drowsiness. Passive congestion headaches. Suffused, dilated eyes; photophobia. Face dusky. Thin, copious, ichorous, bloody nasal discharge.

    Throat.–Inflamed, œdematous, dusky red. Much swelling, internal and external. Dry, rough, scraping, choking feeling. Neck tender and swollen. Hoarse, croupy voice. Tongue dry and brown. Teeth covered with sordes. Pain in swallowing extends to the ears.

    Respiratory.–Hurried breathing; irregular. Dry, hacking cough. Lungs sore and tired.

    Sleep.–Drowsy, restless. Heavy, disturbed, unrefreshing.

    Skin.–Miliary, livid rash, returns annually. Large blisters filled with dark serum. Irregular, patchy, livid eruption, disappearing on pressure. Cold. Raynaud’s disease.

    Relationship.–Antidotes: Rhus; Nux.

    Compare: Ammon carb; Bapt; Arn; Mur ac; Lach; Rhus.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency.

  • AGRAPHIS NUTANS

    Bluebell

    A relaxed condition of the system generally and a proneness to take cold on exposure to cold winds.

    Catarrhal conditions; obstruction of nostrils. Adenoids, throat deafness. Enlarged tonsils. Mucous diarrhœa from cold. Chill from cold winds. Throat and ear troubles with tendency to free discharge from mucous membranes. Mutinism of childhood unconnected with deafness.

    Relationship.–Compare: Hydrast; Cepa; Calc phos; Sulph jod; Calc jod.

    Dose.–Third potency. Single doses of tincture (Dr. Cooper).

  • AGNUS CASTUS

    The Chaste Tree

    The most effective point of attack of Agnus upon the organism is the sexual organism. It lowers sexual vitality, with corresponding mental depression and loss of nervous energy. It shows this distinctive influence in both sexes, but is more pronounced in men. Premature old age from abuse of sexual power. History of repeated gonorrhœa. A prominent remedy for sprains and strains. Gnawing itching in all parts, especially eyes. Tachycardia caused by tobacco in neurotic young men.

    Mind.–Sexual melancholy. Fear of death. Sadness with impression of speedy death. Absentminded, forgetful, lack of courage. Illusion of smell-herrings, musk. Nervous depression and mental forebodings.

    Eyes.–Pupils dilated (Bell). Itching about eyes; photophobia.

    Nose.–Odor of herring or musk. Aching in dorsum better pressure.

    Abdomen.–Spleen swollen, sore. Stools soft, recede, difficult. Deep fissures in anus. Nausea with sensation as if intestines were pressed downwards; wants to support bowels.

    Male.–Yellow discharge from urethra. No erections. Impotence. Parts cold, relaxed. Desire gone (Selen; Con; Sabal). Scanty emission without ejaculation. Loss of prostatic fluid on straining. Gleety discharge. Testicles, cold, swollen, hard, and painful.

    Female.–Scanty menses. Abhorrence of sexual intercourse. Relaxation of genitals, with leucorrhœa. Agalactia; with sadness. Sterility. Leucorrhœa staining yellow; transparent. Hysterical palpitation with nose bleed.

    Relationship.–Compare: Selenium; Phosph ac; Camphor; Lycop.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency.