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

  • Calendula

    Marigold (Compositae)

    Traumatic affections: to secure union by first intention and prevent suppuration. In all cases of loss of soft parts when union cannot be effected by means of adhesive plaster. External wounds with or without loss of substance; torn and jagged looking woulds; post-surgical operation; to promote healthy granulation and prevent excessive suppuration and disfiguring scars. Traumatic and idiopathic neuroma (Cepa); neuritis from lacerated wounds (Hyper.); exhausted from loss of blood and excessive pain. Rupture of muscles or tendons; lacerations during labor; wounds penetrating articulations with loss of synovial fluids. Wounds: with sudden pain during febrile heat; constitutional tendency to erysipelas (Psor.); old, neglected, offensive; threatening gangrene (Sal. ac.). Ulcers: irritable, inflamed, sloughing, varicose; painful as if beaten (Arn.); excessive secretion of pus. Calendula is almost specific for clean, surgical cuts or lacerated wounds, to prevent excessive suppuration.

    Relations. – Complementary: Hep., Sal. ac. Similar: to, Hyper. in injuries to parts rich in sentient nerves where pain is excessive and out of all proportion to injury. Similar: to, Arn. in traumatism without laceration of soft tissue. Symp., Calc. p., for non-union of bones. Rhus, Ruta, strains or injuries of single muscles. Sal. ac. prevents excessive suppuration; gangrene. Sulph. ac. in painful, gangrenous wounds; said to destroy septic germs. Acts well in potency as in tincture, applied locally and my be administered internally at the same time.

  • Calcarea Phosphorica

    Phosphate of Lime (Calcium Phosphate)

    For persons of anaemic and dark complexioned, dark hair and eyes; thin spare subjects, instead of fat. During first and second dentition of scrofulous children; diarrhoea and great flatulence. Children: emaciated, unable to stand; slow in learning to walk (Cal., Sil.); sunken, flabby abdomen. Oozing of bloody fluid from naval of infants (of urine, Hyos.). Rachitis; cranial bones thin and brittle; fontanelles and sutures remain open so long, or close and reopen; delayed or complicated teething. Spine weak, disposed to curvatures, especially to the left, unable to support body, neck weak, unable to support head (Abrot.). Girls at puberty, tall, growing rapidly, tendency of bone to soften or spine to curve (Ther.). At puberty; acne in anaemic girls with vertex headache and flatulent dyspepsia, > by eating. Ailments from grief, disappointed love (Aur., Ign., Phos. ac.). Feels complaints more when thinking about them (Helon., Ox. ac.). Involuntary sighing (Ign.). Non-union of bones; promotes callous (Symph.). Rheumatism of cold weather; getting well in spring and returning in autumn. Headache of school-girls (Nat. m., Psor.); diarrhoea. At every attempt to eat, colic pains in abdomen. Fistula in ano, alternating with chest symptoms (Berb.); lack of animal heat; cold sweat and general coldness of body.

    Relations. – Complementary: Ruta. Similar: to Carbo an., Cal. fluor., Calc., Fluor. ac., Kali phos.; to Psor., in debility remaining after acute diseases; to Sil., but sweat of head is wanting. Acts best: before Iod., Psor., Sanic., Sulph.; after Ars., Iod., Tub.

    Aggravation. – Exposure to damp, cold, changeable weather; east winds; melting snow; mental exertion.

    Amelioration. – In summer; warm, dry atmosphere.

  • Calcarea Ostrearum

    Middle layer of Oyster Shell. (Calcium Carbonate)

    Leucophlegmatic, blond hair, light complexion, blue eyes, fair skin; tendency to obesity in youth. Psoric constitutions; pale, weak, timid, easily tired when walking. Disposed to grow fat, corpulent, unwieldly. Children with red face, flabby muscles, who sweat easily and take cold readily in consequence. Large heads and abdomens; fontanelles and sutures open; bones soft, develop very slowly. Curvature of bones, especially spine and long bones; extremities crooked, deformed; bone irregularly developed. Head sweats profusely while sleeping, wetting pillow far around (Sil., Sanic.). Profuse perspiration, mostly on back of head and neck, or chest and upper part of body (Sil.). Difficult and delayed dentition with characteristic head sweats, and open fontanelles. During either sickness or convalescence, great longing for eggs; craves indigestible things (Alum.); aversion to meat. Acidity of digestive tract; sour eructations, sour vomiting, sour stool; sour odor of the whole body (Hep., Rheum.). Girls who are fleshy, plethoric, and grow too rapidly. Menstruation too early, too profuse, too long lasting; with subsequent amenorrhoea and chlorosis with menses scanty or suppressed. Women: menses too early, too profuse; feet habitually cold and damp, as if they had on cold damp stockings; continually cold in bed. The least mental excitement causes profuse return of menstrual flow (Sulph., Tub.). Fears she will lose her reason or that people will observe her mental confusion (Act.). Lung diseases of tall, slender, rapidly growing youth; upper third of right lung (Ars. – upper left, Myr., Sulph.); oftener the guide to the constitutional remedy than Phosphorus (compare, Tub.). Diseases: arising from defective assimilation; imperfect ossification; difficulty in learning to walk or stand; children have no disposition to walk and will not try; suppressed sweat. Rawness of soles of feet from perspiration (Graph., Sanic.); blisters and offensive foot sweat. Longing for fresh air (when in a room) which inspires, benefits, strengthens (Puls., Sulph.). Coldness: general; of single parts (Kali bi.); head, stomach, abdomen, feet and legs; aversion to cold open air, “goes right through her:” sensitive to cold, damp air; great liability ot take cold (opposite of Sulph.). Sweat: of single parts; head, scalp wet, cold; nape of neck; chest; axillae, sexual organs; hands, knees; feet (Sep.). Pit of stomach swollen like an inverted saucer, and painful to pressure. Uraemic or other diseases brought on by standing on cold, damp pavements, or working while standing in cold water; modelers or workers in cold clay. Feels better in every way when constipated. Stool has to be removed mechanically (Aloe., Sanic., Sel., Sep., Sil.). Painless hoarseness < in the morning. Desire to be magnetised (Phos.).

    Relations. – Complementary: to Bell., which is the acute of Calc. Calcarea acts best: before Lyc., Nux., Phos., Sil. It follows: Nit. ac., Puls., Sulph. (especially if pupils are dilated); is followed by, Kali bi. in nasal catarrh. According to Hahnemann, Calc. must not be used before Nit. ac. and Sulph.; may produce unnecessary complications. In children it may be often repeated. In aged people should not be repeated; especially if the first dose benefited, it will usually do harm.

    Aggravation. – Cold air; wet weather; cold water; from washing (Ant. c.); morning; during full moon.

    Amelioration. – Dry weather; lying on painful side (Bry., Puls.).

  • Calcarea Arsenica

    Arsenite of Lime

    Great mental depression. The slightest emotion causes palpitation of heart (Lith. c.). Rush of blood to head and left chest (Amyl., Glon.). Epilensies, from valvular diseases of the heart. Complaints of drunkards, after abstaining; craving for alcohol (Asar., Sul. ac.). Complaints of fleshy women when approaching the menopause.

    Relations. – Compare: Con., Glon., Lith. c., Puls., Nux. Follows well: after Conium, in lymphatic, psoric or tubercular persons.

  • Caladium

    American Arum. (Araceae.)

    Very sensitive ot noise; slightest noise startles from sleep (Asar., Nux, Taren.). Eructations, frequent, of very little wind, as if stomach were full of dry food. Impotence: with mental depression; relaxed penis, with sexual desire and excitement (Lyc., Sel.). No erection, even after caress; no emission, no orgasm during an embrace (Cal., Sel.). Prutius vaginae; induces onanism (Orig., Zinc.); during pregnancy; with mucous discharge. Falls asleep during evening fever and wakes when it stops. Sweet sweat attracts the flies. Mosquito and insect bites burn and itch intensively. Aversion to motion; dreads to move (Bry.). Destroys craving for tabacco.

  • Cactus Grandiflorus

    Night-blooming Cereus. (Cactaceae)

    Sanguineous congestions in persons of plethoric habit (Acon.); often resulting in haemorrhage; sanguineous apoplexy. Fear of death; believes disease incurable (Ars.). Haemorrhage: from nose, lungs, stomach, rectum, bladder (Crot., Mill., Phos.). Headache, pressing like a heavy weight on vertex ( > by pressure, Meny.); climacteric (Glon., Lach.). Headache and neuralgia; congestive, periodic, right-sided; severe, throbbing, pulsating pain. Whole body feels as if caged, each wire being twisted tighter and tighter. Constriction: of throat, chest, heart, bladder, rectum, uterus, vagina; often caused or brought on by the slightest contact. Oppression of chest, as from a great weight; as if an iron band prevented normal motion. Sensation of a cord tightly tied around lower part of chest, marking attachment of diaphragm. Heart feels as if clasped and unclasped rapidly by an iron hand; as if bound, “had no room to beat.”. Pains everywhere; darting, springing like chain lightening, and ending with a sharp, vise-like grip, only to be again renewed. Menstrual flow ceases when lying down (Bov., Caust.). Palpitation: day and night; worse when walking and lying on left side (Lach.); at approach of menses. Fever paroxysm returns at 11 a. m. and 11 p. m.

    Relations. – Compare: Acon., Dig., Gels., Kal., Lach., Tab.

  • Bryonia Alba

    White Bryony, Wild Hop. (Cucurbitaceae.)

    Is best adapted to persons of gouty or rheumatic diathesis; prone to so- called bilious attacks. Bryonia patients are irritable, inclined to be vehement and angry; dark or black hair, dark complexion, firm muscular fibre; dry, nervous, slender people (Nux). Pains: stitching, tearing, worse at night; < by motion, inspiration, coughing; > by absolute rest, and lying on painful side (Ptel., Puls. – stitching pain, but < and > are opposite, Kali c.). Excessive dryness of mucous membranes of entire body; lips and tongue dry, parched, cracked; stool, dry as if burnt; cough, dry, hard, racking, with scanty expectoration; urine, dark and scanty; great thirst. Vicarious menstruation; nosebleed when menses should appear (Phos.); blood spitting, or heamoptysis. Ailments from chagrin, mortification, anger (Col., Staph.); violence, with chilliness and coldness; after anger chilly, but with head hot and face red (Aur.). Complaints: when warm weather sets in, after cold days; from cold drinks or ice in hot weather; after taking cold or getting hot in summer; from chilling when overheated; kicks the covers off; from exposure to draft, cold wind (Acon., Hep.); suppressed discharges, of menses, milk or eruption of acute exanthema. One of the chief characteristics of Bryonia is, aggravation from any motion, and corresponding relief from absolute rest, either mental or physical. Desires things immediately which are not to be had, or which when offered are refused. Children dislike to be carried, or to be raised. Delirium: talks constantly about his business; desire to get out of bed and go home (Act., Hyos.). Constant motion on left arm and leg (Apoc., Hell.); Patient cannot sit up from nausea and faintness. Great thirst for large quantities at long intervals. Headache: when stooping, as if brain would burst through forehead; from ironing (Sep.); on coughing; in morning after rising or when first opening eyes; commencing in the morning, gradually increasing until evening; from constipation (Aloe, Colin., Op.). Pressure as from stone at pit of the stomach, relieved by eructation (Nux, Pul.). Constipation: inactive, no inclination; stool large, hard, dark, dry, as if burnt; on going to sea (Plat.). Diarrhoea: during a spell of hot weather; bilious, acrid with soreness of anus; like dirty water; of undigested food; from cold drinks when overheated, from fruit or sour krout; < in morning, on moving, even a hand or foot. Mammae heavy, of a stony hardness; pale but hard; hot and painful; must support the breasts (Phyt.). Cough: dry, spasmodic, with gagging and vomiting (Kali c.); with stitches in side of chest; with headache, as if head would fly to pieces; < after eating, drinking, entering a warm room, deep inspiration.

    Relations. – Complementary: Alumina, Rhus. Similar: to, Bell., Hep., for hasty speech and hasty drinking. To Ran. in pleuritic or rheumatic pains of chest. To Ptelea, in aching heaviness in hepatic region; > lying on right side, greatly < lying on left side; turning to the left causes a dragging sensation. After Bryonia; Alum., Kali c., Nux, Phos., Rhus, Sulph.

    Aggravation. – Motion, exertion, touch; cannot sit up, gets faint or sick or both; warmth, warm fold; suppressed discharges of any kind.

    Amelioration. – Lying, especially on painful side (Ptel., Puls.); pressure; rest; cold, eating cold things.

  • Bromium

    Bromine. (The Element.)

    It acts best, but not exclusively, on persons with light blue eyes, flaxen hair, light eyebrows, fair, delicate skin; blonde, red-cheeked, scrofulous girls. Sensation of cobweb on the face (Bar., Bor., Graph.). Fan-like motion of the alae nasi (Ant. t., Lyc.). Sailors suffer with asthma “on shore.”. Stony, hard, scrofulous or tuberculous swelling of glands, especially on lower jaw and throat (thyroid, submaxillary, parotid, testes). Diphtheria: where the membrane forms in pharynx; beginning in bronchi, trachea or larynx, and extending upwards; chest pains running upwards. Membranous and diphtheritic croup; much rattling of mucus during cough, but no choking (as in Hepar.); sounds loose, but no expectoration (Ant. t.). Croupy symptoms with hoarseness during whooping cough; gasping for breath. Dyspnoea: cannot inspire deep enough; as if breathing through a sponge or the air passages were full of smoke or vapor of sulphur; rattling, sawing; voice inaudible; danger of suffocation from mucous in larynx (in bronchi, Ant. t.). Hypertrophy of heart from gymnastics in growing boys (from calisthenics in young girls, Caust.). Physometra; loud emission of flatus from the vagina (Lyc.); membranous dysmenorrhoea (Lac. c.). Cold sensation in larynx on inspiration (Rhus, Sulph.); > after shaving (< after shaving, Carbo an.).

    Relations. – Compare: in croup and croupy affections, Chlor., Hep., Iod., Spong. Hard goitre cured after Iod. failed. Brom. has cured in croup after failure of Iod., Phos., Hep., Spong.; especially in relapses after Iod. “The chief distinction between Brom. and Iod. is the former cures the blue-eyed and the latter the black-eyed patients.” – Hering.

  • Bovista

    Puffball (Fungi.)

    Persons who suffer from tettery eruptions, dry or moist. Adapted to old maids; with palpitation. Stammering children (Stram.). Discharge from nose and all mucous membranes; very tough, stringy, tenacious (Kali bi.). Usually deep impression on finger, from using blunt instruments, scissors, knife, etc. Intolerence of tight clothing around the waist (Calc., Lach., Sulph.). Sweat in axilla, smells like onions. Haemorrhage: after extraction of teeth (Ham.); from wounds, epistaxis. Great weakness of joints and weariness of hands and feet. Awkwardness, inclined to drop things from hand (Apis); objects fall from powerless hands. Menses: flow only at night; not in the daytime (Mag. c. – only in the day, ceases lying, Cac., Caust., Lil.); every two weeks, dark and clotted; with painful bearing down (Sep.). Intolerable itching at tip of coccyx; must scratch til parts become raw and sore.

    Relations. – Compare: Am. c., Bell., Calc., Mag. s., Sep., in menstrual irregularities. Bovista antidotes, effects of local applications of tar; suffocation from gas. When Rhus seems indicated, but fails to cure, in chronic urticaria.

  • Borax

    Biborate of Soda

    Dread of downward motion in nearly all complaints. Great anxiety from downward motion; when laying the child down on a couch or in the crib, cries and clings to the nurse; when rocking, dancing, swinging; going down stairs or rapidly down hill; horseback riding (compare Sanic.). Children awake suddenly, screaming and grasping sides of cradle, without apparent cause (Apis, Cina, Stram.). Excessively nervous, easily frightened by the slightest noise or an unusual sharp sound, a cough, sneeze, a cry, lighting a match, etc. (Asar., Calad.). Hair becomes frowsy and tangled; splits, sticks together at eh tips; if these bunches are cut off, they form again, cannot be combined (Flour. ac., Lyc., Psor., Tub.). Eyelashes: loaded with dry, gummy exudation; agglutinated in morning; turn inward and inflame the eye, especially at outer canthus; tendency to “wild hairs.”. Nostrils crusty, inflamed; tip of nose shining red; red noses of young women. Stoppage of right nostril, or first right then left with constant blowing of nose (Am. c., Lac c., Mag. m.). Aphthae: in the mouth, on the tongue, inside of the cheek; easily bleeding when eating or touched; prevents child from nursing; with hot mouth, dryness and thirst (Ars.); cracked and bleeding tongue (Arum.); salivation, especially during dentition. Aphthous sore mouth; is worse from touch; eating salty or sour food; of old people, often from plate of teeth (Alumen). Child has frequent urination and screams before urine passes (Lyc., Sanic., Sars.). Leucorrhoea: profuse, albuminous, starchy, with sensation as if warm water were flowing down; for two weeks between the catamenia (compare, Bov., Con.). Skin: unhealthy, slight injuries suppurate (Calend., Hep., Mer., Sil.).

    Relation. – Borax follows: Calc., Psor., Sanic., Sulph. Is followed: by, Ars., Bry., Lyc., Phos., Sil. Incompatible: should not be used before or after, Acetic acid, vinegar, wine.

    Aggravation. – Downward motion; from sudden, slight noises; smoking, which may bring on diarrhoea; damp, cold weather; before urinating.

    Amelioration. – Pressure; holding painful side with hand.