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

  • ACONITUM NAPELLUS

    Monkshood

    A state of fear, anxiety; anguish of mind and body. Physical and mental restlessness, fright, is the most characteristic manifestation of Aconite. Acute, sudden, and violent invasion, with fever, call for it. Does not want to be touched. Sudden and great sinking of strength. Complaints and tension caused by exposure to dry, cold weather, draught of cold air, checked perspiration, also complaints from very hot weather, especially gastro-intestinal disturbances, etc. First remedy in inflammations, inflammatory fevers. Serous membranes and muscular tissues affected markedly. Burning in internal parts; tingling, coldness and numbness. Influenza. Tension of arteries; emotional and physical mental tension explain many symptoms. When prescribing Aconite remember Aconite causes only functional disturbance, no evidence that it can produce tissue change–its action is brief and shows no periodicity. Its sphere is in the beginning of an acute disease and not to be continued after pathological change comes. In Hyperæmia, congestion not after exudation has set in. Influenza (Influenzin)

    Mind.–Great fear, anxiety, and worry accompany every ailment, however trivial. Delirium is characterized by unhappiness worry, fear, raving, rarely unconsciousness. Forebodings and fears. Fears death but believes that he will soon die; predicts the day. Fears the future, a crowd, crossing the street. Restlessness, tossing about. Tendency to start. Imagination acute, clairvoyance. Pains are intolerable; they drive him crazy. Music is unbearable; makes her sad (Ambra). Thinks his thoughts come from the stomach–that parts of his body are abnormally thick. Feels as if what had just been done was a dream.

    Head.–Fullness; heavy, pulsating, hot, bursting, burning undulating sensation. Intercranial pressure (Hedera Helix). Burning headache, as if brain were moved by boiling water (Indigo). Vertigo; worse on rising (Nux. Opium) and shaking head. Sensation on vertex as if hair were pulled or stood on end. Nocturnal furious delirium.

    Eyes.–Red, inflamed. Feel dry and hot, as if sand in them. Lids swollen, hard and red. Aversion to light. Profuse watering after exposure to dry, cold winds, reflection from snow, after extraction of cinders and other foreign bodies.

    Ears.–Very sensitive to noises; music is unbearable. External ear hot, red, painful, swollen. Earache (Cham). Sensation as of drop of water in left ear.

    Nose.–Smell acutely sensitive. Pain at root of nose. Coryza much sneezing; throbbing in nostrils. Hæmorrhage of bright red blood. Mucous membrane dry, nose stopped up; dry or with but scanty watery coryza.

    Face.–Red, hot, flushed, swollen. One cheek red, the other pale (Cham, Ipec). On rising the red face becomes deathly pale, or he becomes dizzy. Tingling in cheeks and numbness. Neuralgia, especially of left side, with restlessness, tingling, and numbness. Pain in jaws.

    Mouth.–Numb, dry, and tingling. Tongue swollen; tip tingles. Teeth sensitive to cold. Constantly moves lower jaw as if chewing. Gums hot and inflamed. Tongue coated white (Antim crud).

    Throat.–Red, dry, constricted, numb, prickling, burning, stinging. Tonsils swollen and dry.

    Stomach.–Vomiting, with fear, heat, profuse sweat and increased urination. Thirst for cold water. Bitter taste of everything except water. Intense thirst. Drinks, vomits, and declares he will die. Vomiting, bilious mucous and bloody, greenish. Pressure in stomach with dyspnœa. Hæmatemesis. Burning from stomach to œsophagus.

    Abdomen.–Hot, tense, tympanitic. Sensitive to touch. Colic, no position relieves. Abdominal symptoms better after warm soup. Burning in umbilical region.

    Rectum.–Pain with nightly itching and stitching in anus. Frequent, small stool with tenesmus; green, like chopped herbs. White with red urine. Choleraic discharge with collapse, anxiety, and restlessness. Bleeding hæmorrhoids (Hamam). Watery diarrhœa in children. They cry and complain much, are sleepless and restless.

    Urine.–Scanty, red, hot, painful. Tenesmus and burning at neck of bladder. Burning in urethra. Urine suppressed, bloody. Anxiety always on beginning to urinate. Retention, with screaming and restlessness, and handling of genitals. Renal region sensitive. Profuse urination, with profuse perspiration and diarrhœa.

    Male.–Crawling and stinging in glans. Bruised pain in testicles, swollen, hard. Frequent erections and emissions. Painful erections.

    Female.–Vagina dry, hot, sensitive. Menses too profuse, with nosebleed, too protracted, late. Frenzy on appearance of menses. Suppressed from fright, cold, in plethoric subjects. Ovaries congested and painful. Sharp shooting pains in womb. After-pains, with fear and restlessness.

    Respiratory.–Constant pressure in left chest; oppressed breathing on least motion. Hoarse, dry, croupy cough; loud, labored breathing. Child grasps at throat every time he coughs. Very sensitive to inspired air. Shortness of breath. Larynx sensitive. Stitches through chest. Cough, dry, short, hacking; worse at night and after midnight. Hot feeling in lungs. Blood comes up with hawking. Tingling in chest after cough.

    Heart.–Tachycardia. Affections of the heart with pain in left shoulder. Stitching pain in chest. Palpitation, with anxiety, fainting, and tingling in fingers. Pulse full, hard; tense and bounding; sometimes intermits. Temporal and carotid arteries felt when sitting.

    Back.–Numb, stiff, painful. Crawling and tingling, as if bruised. Stiffness in nape of neck. Bruised pain between scapulæ.

    Extremities.–Numbness and tingling; shooting pains; icy coldness and insensibility of hands and feet. Arms feel lame, bruised, heavy, numb. Pain down left arm (Cact, Crotal, Kalmia, Tabac). Hot hands and cold feet. Rheumatic inflammation of joints; worse at night; red shining swelling, very sensitive. Hip-joint and thigh feel lame, especially after lying down. Knees unsteady; disposition of foot to turn (Aescul). Weak and lax ligaments of all joints. Painless cracking of all joints. Bright red hypothenar eminences on both hands. Sensation as if drops of water trickled down the thigh.

    Sleep.–Nightmare. Nightly ravings. Anxious dreams. Sleeplessness, with restless and tossing about (Use thirtieth potency). Starts up in sleep. Long dreams, with anxiety in chest. Insomnia of the aged.

    Skin.–Red, hot, swollen, dry, burning. Purpura miliaris. Rash like measles. Gooseflesh. Formication and numbness. Chilliness and formication down back. Pruritus relieved by stimulants.

    Fever.–Cold stage most marked. Cold sweat and icy coldness of face. Coldness and heat alternate. Evening chilliness soon after going to bed. Cold waves pass through him. Thirst and restlessness always present. Chilly if uncovered or touched. Dry heat, red face. Most valuable febrifuge with mental anguish, restlessness, etc. Sweat drenching, on parts lain on; relieving all symptoms.

    Modalities.–Better in open air; worse in warm room, in evening and night; worse lying on affected side, from music, from tobacco-smoke, dry, cold winds.

    Vinegar in large doses is antidotal to poisonous effects.

    Relationship.–Acids, wine and coffee, lemonade, and acid fruits modify its action.

    Not indicated in malarial and low fevers or hectic and pyæmic conditions, and in inflammations when they localize themselves. Sulphur often follows it. Compare Cham and Coffea in intense pain and sleeplessness.

    Agrostis acts like Acon in fever and inflammations, also Spiranthes.

    Complementary: Coffea; Sulph. Sulphur may be considered a chronic Aconite. Often completes a cure begun with Aconite.

    Compare; Bellad; Cham; Coffea; Ferr, phos.

    Aconitine.–(Heavy feeling as of lead; pains in supraorbital nerve; ice-cold sensations creep up; hydrophobia symptoms. Tinnitus aurium 3x). Tingling sensation.

    Aconitum Lycotonum.–Great yellow wolfsbane.–(Swelling of glands; Hodgkin’s disease. Diarrhœa after eating pork. Itching of nose, eyes, anus and vulva. Skin of nose cracked; taste of blood).

    Aconitum Cammarum.–(Headache with vertigo and tinnitus. Cataleptic symptoms. Formication of tongue, lips and face).

    Aconitum ferox.–Indian Aconite.–Rather more violent in its actions than A. napellus. It is more diuretic and less antipyretic. It has proved valuable in cardiac dyspnœa, neuralgia, and acute gout. Dyspnœa. Must sit up. Rapid respiration. Anxiety, with suffocation from feeling of paralysis in respiratory muscles. Cheynes-Stokes breathing. Quebracho (cardiac dyspnœa) (Achyranthes.–A Mexican drug–very similar to Aconite in fevers, but of larger range, being also adapted to typhoidal states and intermittents. Muscular rheumatism. A great diaphoretic. Use 6x). Eranthis hymnalis–(Winter Aconite–acts on solar plexus and works upwards causing dyspnœa. Pain in occiput and neck).

    Dose.–Sixth potency for sensory affections; first to third for congestive conditions. Must be repeated frequently in acute diseases. Acon is a rapid worker. In Neuralgias tincture of the root often preferable, one drop doses (poisonous), or again, the 30th according to susceptibility of patient.

  • ACETANILIDUM

    Antifebrinum

    Depresses heart, respiration and blood pressure, lowers temperature. Cyanosis and collapse. Increased susceptibility to cold. Destroys red blood corpuscles; pallor.

    Head.–Enlarged sensation. Fainting. Moral depravity.

    Eyes.–Pallor of optic discs, contracted visual field and shrinking retinal vessel; mydriasis.

    Heart.–Weak, irregular, with blue mucous membranes, albuminuria, œdema of feet and ankles.

    Relationship.–Compare: Antipyrin.

    Dose.–Used as a sedative and antipyretic for various forms of headache and neuralgia in doses of one to three grains. For the homeopathic indications use the third potency.

  • ACETICUM ACIDUM

    Glacial Acetic Acid
    (ACETIC ACID)

    This drug produces a condition of profound anæmia, with some dropsical symptoms, great debility, frequent fainting, dyspnœa, weak heart, vomiting, profuse urination and sweat. Hæmorrhage from any part. Especially indicated in pale, lean persons, with lax, flabby muscles. Wasting and debility. Acetic acid has the power to liquefy albuminous and fibrinous deposits. Epithelial cancer, internally and locally (W Owens). Sycosis with nodules and formations in the joints. Hard chancre. The 1x solution will soften and cause formation of pus.

    Mind.–Irritable, worried about business affairs.

    Head.–Nervous headache, from abuse of narcotics. Blood rushes to head with delirium. Temporal vessels distended. Pain across root of tongue.

    Face.–Pale, waxen, emaciated. Eyes sunken, surrounded by dark rings. Bright red. Sweaty. Epithelioma of lip. Cheeks hot and flushed. Aching in left jaw-point.

    Stomach.–Salivation. Fermentation in stomach. Intense burning thirst. Cold drinks distress. Vomits after every kind of food. Epigastric tenderness. Burning pain as of an ulcer. Cancer of stomach. Sour belching and vomiting. Burning waterbrash and profuse salivation. Hyperchlorhydria and gastralgia. Violent burning pain in stomach and chest, followed by coldness of skin and cold sweat on forehead. Stomach feels as if she had taken a lot of vinegar.

    Abdomen.–Feels as if abdomen was sinking in. Frequent watery stools, worse in morning. Tympanitic. Ascites. Hæmorrhage from bowels.

    Urine.–Large quantities of pale urine. Diabetes, with great thirst and debility (Phos ac).

    Female.–Excessive catamenia. Hæmorrhages after labor. Nausea of pregnancy. Breasts painfully enlarged, distended with milk. Milk impoverished, bluish, transparent, sour. Anæmia of nursing mothers.

    Respiratory.–Hoarse, hissing respiration; difficult breathing; cough when inhaling. Membranous croup. Irritation of trachea and bronchial tubes. False membrane in throat. Profuse bronchorrhœa. Putrid sore throat (gargle).

    Back.–Pain in back, relieved only by lying on abdomen.

    Extremities.–Emaciation. Œdema of feet and legs.

    Skin.–Pale, waxen, œdematous. Burning, dry, hot skin, or bathed in profuse sweat. Diminished sensibility of the surface of body. Useful after stings, bites, etc. Varicose swellings. Scurvy; anasarca. Bruises; sprains.

    Fever.–Hectic, with drenching night-sweats. Red spot on left cheek. No thirst in fever. Ebullitions. Sweat profuse, cold.

    Relationship.–Acetic acid is antidotal to all anæsthetic vapors. Counteracts sausage poisoning.

    Compare: Ammon acet (Profuse saccharine urine, patient is bathed in sweat). Benzoin oderiferum–Spice-wood (night sweats). Ars; China; Digitalis; Liatris (General anasarca in heart and kidney disease, dropsy, and chronic diarrhœa).

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency. Not to be repeated too often, except in croup.

  • ACALYPHA INDICA

    Indian Nettle

    A drug having a marked action on the alimentary canal and respiratory organs. It is indicated in incipient phthisis, with hard, racking cough, bloody expectoration, arterial hæmorrhage, but no febrile disturbance. Very weak in the morning, gains strength during day. Progressive emaciation. All pathological hæmorrhages having notably a morning aggravation.

    Chest.–Cough dry, hard, followed by hæmoptysis; worse in morning and at night. Constant and severe pain in chest. Blood bright red and not profuse in morning; dark and clotted in afternoon. Pulse soft and compressible. Burning in pharynx, œsophagus, and stomach.

    Abdomen.–Burning in intestines. Spluttering diarrhœa with forcible expulsion of noisy flatus, bearing down pains and tenesmus. Rumbling distention, and griping pain in abdomen. Rectal hæmorrhage; worse in morning.

    Skin.–Jaundice. Itching and circumscribed furuncle-like swellings.

    Modalities.–Worse in morning.

    Relationship.–Compare: Millefol; Phosphor; Acetic acid; Kali nit.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • ABSINTHIUM

    Common Wormwood

    A perfect picture of epileptiform seizure is produced by this drug. Nervous tremors precede attacks. Sudden and severe giddiness, delirium with hallucinations and loss of consciousness. Nervous excitement and sleeplessness. Cerebral irritation, hysterical and infantile spasms come within range of this remedy. Poisoning by mushrooms. Chorea. Tremor. Nervousness, excitement, and sleeplessness in children.

    Mind.–Hallucinations. Frightful visions. Kleptomania. Loss of memory. Forgets what has recently happened. Wants nothing to do with anybody. Brutal.

    Head.–Vertigo, with tendency to fall backward. General confusion. Wants head low. Pupils dilated unequally. Face blue. Spasmodic facial twitching. Dull occipital headache (Gelsem, Picric ac).

    Mouth.–Jaws fixed. Bites tongue; trembles; feels as if swollen and too large; protruding.

    Throat.–Scalded sensation; as of a lump.

    Stomach.–Nausea; retching; eructation. Bloated around waist and abdomen. Wind colic.

    Urine.–Constant desire. Very strong odor; deep yellow color (Kali phos).

    Sexual.–Darting pain in right ovary. Spermatorrhœa, with relaxed, enfeebled parts. Premature menopause.

    Chest.–Sensation of weight on chest. Irregular, tumultuous action of heart can be heard in back.

    Extremities.–Pain in limbs. Paralytic symptoms.

    Relationship.–Compare: Alcohol; Artemisia; Hydrocy acid; Cina; Cicuta.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency.

  • ABIES NIGRA

    Black Spruce

    A powerful and long-acting remedy, in various forms of disease, whenever the characteristic stomach symptoms are present. Most of the symptoms are associated with the gastric disturbances. In dyspeptic troubles of the aged, with functional heart symptoms; also after tea or tobacco. Constipation. Pain in external meatus.

    Head.–Hot, with flushed cheeks. Low-spirited. Dull during the day, wakeful at night. Unable to think.

    Stomach.–Pain in stomach always comes on after eating. Sensation of a lump that hurts, as if a hard-boiled egg had lodged in cardiac end of stomach; continual distressing constriction just above the pit of the stomach, as if everything were knotted up. Total loss of appetite in morning, but great craving for food at noon and night. Offensive breath. Eructations.

    Chest.–Painful sensation, as if something were lodged in the chest and had to be coughed up; lungs feel compressed. Cannot be fully expanded. Worse coughing; waterbrash succeeds cough. Choking sensation in throat. Dyspnœa; worse lying down; sharp, cutting pain in heart; heart’s action heavy and slow; tachycardia, bradycardia.

    Back.–Pain in small of back. Rheumatic pains and aching in bones.

    Sleep.–Wakeful and restless at night, with hunger. Bad dreams.

    Fever.–Alternate heat and cold; chronic intermittent fever, with pain in stomach.

    Modalities.–Worse after eating.

    Relationship.–Compare: (Lump in stomach–China, Bryon, Pulsat); also other Conifers–Thuja, Sabina, Cupressus (painful indigestion) also Nux vom, Kali carb.

    Dose.–First to thirtieth potency.

  • ABROTANUM

    Southernwood

    A very useful remedy in marasmus, especially of lower extremities only, yet with good appetite. Metastasis. Rheumatism following checked diarrhœa. Ill effects of suppressed conditions especially in gouty subjects. Tuberculous peritonitis. Exudative pleurisy and other exudative processes. After operation upon the chest for hydrothorax or empyæmia, a pressing sensation remains. Aggravation of hæmorrhoids when rheumatism improves. Nosebleed and hydrocele in boys.

    Great weakness after influenza (Kali phos).

    Mind.–Cross, irritable, anxious, depressed.

    Face.–Wrinkled, cold, dry, pale. Blue rings around dull-looking eyes. Comedones, with emaciation. Nosebleed. Angioma of the face.

    Stomach.–Slimy taste. Appetite good, but emaciation progresses. Food passes undigested. Pain in stomach; worse at night; cutting, gnawing pain. Stomach feels as if swimming in water; feels cold. Gnawing hunger and whining. Indigestion, with vomiting of large quantities of offensive fluid.

    Abdomen.–Hard lumps in abdomen. Distended. Alternate diarrhœa and constipation. Hæmorrhoids; frequent urging; bloody stools; worse as rheumatic pains abate. Ascarides. Oozing from umbilicus. Sensation as if bowels were sinking down.

    Respiratory.–Raw feeling. Impeded respiration. Dry cough following diarrhœa. Pain across chest; severe in region of heart.

    Back.–Neck so weak cannot hold head up. Back lame, weak, and painful. Pain in lumbar region extending along spermatic cord. Pain in sacrum, with hæmorrhoids.

    Extremities.–Pain in shoulders, arms, wrists, and ankles. Pricking and coldness in fingers and feet. Legs greatly emaciated. Joints stiff and lame. Painful contraction of limbs (Amm mur).

    Skin.–Eruptions come out on face; are suppressed, and the skin becomes purplish. Skin flabby and loose. Furuncles. Falling out of hair. Itching chilblains.

    Modalities.–Worse, cold air, checked secretions. Better, motion.

    Relationship.–Compare: Scrophularia; Bryonia; Stellaria; Benzoic acid, in gout. Iodine, Natr mur in marasmus.

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • ABRUS PRECATORIUS — JEQUIRITY

    Crab’s Eye Vine
    (JEQUIRITY – ARBRUS PRECATORIUS    )

    Epithelioma, lupus, ulcers, granular lids.

    Eyes.–Purulent conjunctivitis; inflammation spreads to face and neck. Granular ophthalmia. Keratitis.

    Relationship.–Compare: Jequiritol (in cases of trachoma and pannus to engraft a new purulent inflammation. The proteid poisons contained in Jequirity seeds are almost identical in their physiological and toxic properties with the similar principles found in snake venom).

    Dose.–Mother tincture diluted locally and 3x internally.

  • ABIES CANADENSIS-PINUS CANADENSIS

    Hemlock Spruce

    Mucous membranes are affected by Abies can and gastric symptoms are most marked, and a catarrhal condition of the stomach is produced. There are peculiar cravings and chilly sensations that are very characteristic, especially for women with uterine displacement, probably due to defective nutrition with debility. Respiration and heart action labored. Wants to lie down all the time; skin cold and clammy, hands cold; very faint. Right lung and liver feel small and hard. Gleet.

    Head.–Feels light-headed, tipsy. Irritable.

    Stomach.–Canine hunger with torpid liver. Gnawing, hungry, faint feeling at the epigastrium. Great appetite, craving for meat, pickles, radishes, turnips, artichokes, coarse food. Tendency to eat far beyond capacity for digestion. Burning and distention of stomach and abdomen with palpitation. Flatulence disturbs the heart’s action. Pain in right shoulder-blade, and constipation, with burning in rectum.

    Female.—Uterine displacements. Sore feeling at fundus of uterus, relieved by pressure. Prostration; wants to lie down all the time. Thinks womb is soft and feeble.

    Fever.—Cold shivering, as if blood were ice-water (Acon). Chills run down back. Cold water feeling between shoulders (Ammon mur). Skin clammy and sticky. Night-sweat (China).

    Dose.—First to third potency.