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

  • Sepia

    Cuttle Fish. (Mollusca.)

    Adapted to persons of dark hair, rigid fibre, but mild and easy disposition (Puls.). Diseases of women: especially those occurring during pregnancy, child- bed and lactation; or diseases attended with sudden prostration and sinking faintness (Murex, Nux m.); “the washerwoman’s remedy.” complaints that are brought on by or aggravated after laundry work. Pains extend from other parts to the back (rev. of Sab.); are attended with shuddering (with chilliness, Puls.). Particularly sensitive to cold air, “chills so easily;” lack of vital heat, especially in chronic diseases (in acute diseases, Led.). Sensation of a ball in inner parts; during menses, pregnancy, lactation; with constipation, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, leucorrhoea and all uterine affections. Faints easily: after getting wet; from extremes of heat or cold; riding in a carriage; while kneeling at church. Coldness of the vertex with headache (Ver. – heat of vertex, Calc., Graph., Sulph.). Anxiety: with fear, flushes of heat over face and head; about real or imaginary friends; with uterine troubles. Great sadness and weeping. Dread of being alone; of men; of meeting friends; with uterine troubles. Indifferent: even to one’s family; to one’s occupation (Fl. ac., Phos. ac.); to those whom she loves best. Greedy, miserly (Lyc.). Indolent: does not want to do anything, either work or play; even an exertion to think. Headache: in terrific shocks; at menstrual nisus, with scanty flow; in delicate, sensitive, hysterical women; pressing, bursting < motion, stooping, mental labor, > by external pressure, continued hard motion. Great falling of the hair, after chronic headaches or at the climacteric. Yellowness: of the face; conjunctiva; yellow spots on the chest; a yellow saddle across the upper part of the cheeks and nose; a “tell tale face” of uterine ailments. All the coverings of the neck felt too tight and were constantly loosened (Lach.). Herpes circinatus in isolated spots on upper part of body (in intersecting rings over whole body, Tell.). Pot-belliness of mothers (of children, Sulph.). Painful sensation of emptiness, “all-gone” feeling in the epigastrium, relieved by eating (Chel., Mur., Phos.). Tongue foul, but becomes clear at each menstrual nisus, returns when flow ceases; swelling and cracking of lower lip. Constipation: during pregnancy (Alum.); stool hard, knotty, in balls, insufficient, difficult; pain in rectum during and long after stool (Nit. ac., Sulph.); sense of weight or ball in anus, not > by stool. Urine: deposits in a reddish clay-colored sediment which adheres to the vessel as if it has been burned on; fetid, so offensive must be removed from the room (horribly offensive after standing, Indium). Enuresis: bed is wet almost as soon as the child goes to sleep (Kreos.); always during the first sleep. Gleet: painless, yellowish, staining linen; meatus glued together in morning; obstinate, of long standing (Kali iod.); sexual organs, weak and exhausted. Violent stitches upward in the vagina; lancinating pains from the uterus to the umbilicus. Prolapsus of uterus and vagina; pressure and bearing down as if everything would protrude from pelvis; must cross limbs tightly to “sit close” to prevent it; with oppression of breathing (compare Agar., Bell., Lil., Murex, Sanic.). Irregular menses of nearly every form – early, late, scanty, profuse, amenorrhoea or menorrhagia – when associated with the above named symptoms. Morning sickness of pregnancy: the sight or thought of food sickens (Nux); the smell of cooking food nauseates (Ars., Coch.). Dyspnoea: < sitting, after sleep, in room, > dancing or walking rapidly. Erythism; flushes of heat from least motion; with anxiety and faintness; followed by perspiration over whole body; climacteric (Lach., Sang., Sulph., Tub.); ascends, from pelvic organs. Itching of skin; of various parts; of external genitalia; is > scratching; and is apt to change to burning (Sulph.).

    Relations. – Complementary: Natrum mur. Inimical: to, Lach., should not be used before or after; to, Puls, with which it should never be alternated. Similar: to, Lach., Sang., Ustil., in climacteric irregularities of the circulation. Frequently indicated after: Sil., Sulph. A single dose often acts curatively for many weeks.

    Aggravation. – In afternoon or evening; from cold air or dry east wind; sexual excesses; at rest; sultry moist weather; before a thunderstorm (Psor.).

    Amelioration. – Warmth of bed, hot applications; violent exercise. Many symptoms, especially those of head, heart and pelvis, are both < and > by rest and exercise. It antidotes mental effects of overuse of tabacco, in patients of sedentary habits who suffer from over-mental exertion.

  • Cyclamen Europaeum

    Sow Bread. (Primulaccae.)

    Best suited for leuco-phlegmatic persons with anaemic or chlorotic conditions; easily fatigued, and in consequence not inclined to any kind of labor; feeble or suspended functions of organs or special senses. Pale, chlorotic; deranged menses (Fer., Puls.), accompanied by vertigo, headache, dim vision. Pains; pressive, drawing or tearing of parts where bone lie near the surface. Ailments: from suppressed grief and terrors of conscience; from duty not done or bad act committed. Great sadness and peevishness, irritable, morose, ill-humored; inclined to weep; desire for solitude; aversion to open air (rev. of Puls.). Headache in anaemic patients, with flickering before eyes or dim vision, on rising in morning. Flickering before eyes, fiery sparks, as of various colors, glittering needles, dim vision of fog or smoke. Satiety after a few mouthfuls (Lyc.), food then becomes repugnant, causes nausea in throat and palate. Saliva and all food has a salty taste; pork disagrees. Menses: too early, too profuse, black and clotted; membraneous (too late, pale, scanty, Puls.); better during the flow (worse, Act., Puls.). Burning sore pain in heels, when sitting, standing or walking in open air (Agar., Caust., Val., Phyt.).

    Relations. – Compare: Puls., Cinch., Fer. in chlorosis, and anaemic affections; Croc., Thuja as if some thing alive in abdomen.

    Aggravation. – Open air; cold water; cold bathing; menses < sitting and lying at night.

    Amelioration. – In a warm room; in-doors; menses > waling (leucorrhoea, < sitting, > walking, Cac., Coc.).

  • Cuprum Metallicum

    Copper (CN)

    Spasms and cramps: symptoms disposed to appear periodically and in groups. Mental and physical exhaustion from over-exertion of mind and loss of sleep (Coc., Nux); attacks of unconquerable anxiety. A strong, sweetish, metallic, copper taste in the mouth with flow of saliva (Rhus). Constant prostration and retraction of the tongue, like a snake (Lach.). When drinking, the fluid descends with a gurgling sound (Ars., Thuja). Cholera morbus or Asiatic cholera, with cramps in abdomen and calves of legs. Bad effects of re-percussed eruptions (of non-developed, Zinc.), resulting in brain affections, spasms, convulsions, vomiting; of suppressed foot-sweat (Sil., Zinc.). Convulsions, with blue face and clenched thumbs. Cramps in the extremeties; pains, soles, calves with great weariness of limbs. Clonic spasms, beginning in fingers and toes, and spreading over entire body; during pregnancy; puerperal convulsions; after fright or vexation; from metastasis from other organs to brain (Zinc.). Paralysis of tongue; imperfect stammering speech. Epilepsy: aura begins in knees and ascends; < at night during sleep (Bufo); about new moon, at regular intervals (menses); from a fall or blow upon the head; from getting wet. Cough has a gurgling sound, as if water was being poured from a bottle. Cough, > by drinking cold water (Caust. – < by drinking cold water, Spong.). Whooping cough: long-lasting, suffocating, spasmodic cough; unable to speak; breathless, blue face, rigid, stiff; three attacks successively (Stan.); vomiting of solid food after regaining consciousness (Can.); cataleptic spasm with each paroxysm. After pains; sever, distressing, in calves and soles.

    Relations. – Complementary: Calcarea. Compare: Ars. and Ver. in cholera and cholera morbus; Ipecac, the vegetable analogue. Ver. follows well in whooping cough and cholera. Apis and Zinc. in convulsions from suppressed exanthems.

    Aggravation. – Cold air; cold wind; at night; suppressed foot sweat or exanthema.

    Amelioration. – Nausea, vomiting and cough, by a swallow of cold water.

  • Croton Tiglium

    Croton Oil Seeds. (Euphorbiaccae)

    Affects mucous membrane of intestinal tract, producing transudations of watery portions of blood, a copious, watery diarrhoea (Ver.), and develops an acute eczema over the whole body (Rhus). The bowels are moved as if by spasmodic jerks, “coming out like a shot” (Gamb.); as soon as patient eats, drinks, or even while eating; yellow watery stool. Constant urging to stool followed by sudden evacuation, which is shot out of the rectum (Gamb., Grat., Pod., Thuja). Swashing sensation in intestines, as from water, before stool (rumbling before stool, Aloe). Drawing pain through the chest from breast to scapula, of same side every time the child nurses; nipple very sore. Intense itching of skin, but so tender is unable to scratch; > by gentle rubbing; eczema over whole body. Intense itching of genitals of both sexes (Rhus); vesicular eruption on male; so sensitive and sore is unable to scratch. Cough: as soon as the head touched the pillow a spasmodic paroxysm of cough set in; suffocated, must walk about the room or sleep in a chair.

    Relations. – Compare: Kali br., Phos. in chronic infantile diarrhoea; Sil. pain from nipple through to back when nursing.

    Aggravation. – Diarrhoea; every motion; after drinking; while eating or nursing (Arg. n., Ars.); during summer; from fruit and sweetmeats (Gamb.); the least food or drink.

  • Crotalus Horridus

    Poison of Rattlesnake (Crotalidae)

    Is indicated in strumous, debilitated, haemorrhagic, broken-down constitutions; during zymotic diseases; in inebriates; tendency to carbuncles or blood boils (Anthr.). Diseases caused by a previous low state of the system; low septic typhoid or malarial fever; chronic alcoholism; exhausted vital force; genuine collapse. Apoplexy; apoplectic convulsions in inebriates, haemorrhagic or broken down constitutions. Haemorrhagic diathesis; blood flows from eyes, ears, nose, and every orifice of the body; bloody sweat. Yellow color of conjunctiva; clears up vision after keratitis, or kerato-iritis. Malignant jaundice; haematic rather than hepatic. Purpura haemorrhagica; comes on suddenly from all orifices, skin, nails, gums. Tongue fiery red, smooth and polished (Pyr.); intensely swollen. Malignant diphtheria or scarlatina; oedema or gangrene of fauces or tonsils; pain < from empty swallowing; if vomiting or diarrhoea come on. Prostration of vital force; pulse scarely felt; blood poisoning (Pyr.). Vomiting: bilious, with anxiety and weak pulse; every month after menstruation; cannot lie on right side or back without instantly producing dark, green vomiting; black or coffee grounds, of yellow fever. Diarrhoea; stools black, thin; like coffee-grounds; offense; from noxious effluvia or septic matters in food or drinks; from “high game” (Pyr.); during yellow fever, cholera, typhoid, typhus. Intestinal haemorrhage when occurring in typical septic, or zymotic disease; blood dark, fluid, non-coagulable. Dissecting wounds; insect stings; bad effects of vaccination. Vicarious menstruation; in debilitated constitutions (Dig., Phos.). Menopause: intense flushings and drenching perspirations; faintness and sinking at stomach; prolonged metrorrhagia, dark, fluid, offensive; profound anaemia. Malignant diseases of uterus, great tendency to haemorrhage, blood dark, fluid, offensive.

    Relations. – Compare: Elaps, Lach., Naja, Pyr. In Lach., skin cold and clammy; Crot. cold and dry; Elaps, affections of right lung, expectoration of black blood.

  • Crocus Sativus

    Saffron (Iridaccae)

    Frequent and extreme changes in sensations; sudden, from the greatest hilarity to the deepest despondency (Ign., Nux m.). Excessively happy, affectionate, wants to kiss everybody; next moment in a rage. Haemorrhage from any part, blood black, viscid, clotted, forming into long black strings hanging from the bleeding surface (Elaps). Headache; during climacteric, throbbing, pulsating, < during two or three days of accustomed menstrual flow; nervous or menstrual headache before, during, or after flow (Lach., Lil., Sec.). Eyes: sensation, as if room were filled with smoke; as if had been weeping; as of cold wind blowing across the eyes; closing lids tightly gives >. Nosebleed: black, tenacious, stringy, every drop can be turned into a thread; with cold sweat in large drops on forehead (cold sweat, but wants to be fanned; with bright red blood, Carbo veg.); in children who develop too rapidly (Cal., Phos.). Dysmenorrhoea: flow black; stringy, clotted (Ust.). Sensation as if something alive were moving in the stomach, abdomen, uterus, arms or other parts of the body (Sab., Thuja, Sulph.); with nausea and faintness. Chorea and hysteria with great hilarity, singing and dancing (Tar.); alternating with melancholy and rage. Spasmodic contractions and twitchings of single sets of muscles (Agar., Ign., Zinc.).

    Relation. – Nux, Puls. or Sulph. follow Crocus well in nearly all complaints. Compare: In menstrual derangements (Ust.).

  • Conium Maculatum

    Hemlock Poison (Umbelliferae)

    The “Balm of Gilead” for diseases of old maids and women during and after climacteric. Especially for diseases of old men; old maids; old bachelors; with rigid muscular fibre; persons with light hair who are easily excited; strong persons of sedentary habits. Debility of old people; complaints caused by a blow or fall; cancerous and scrofulous persons with enlarged glands; rigid fibre. No inclination for business or study; indolent, indifferent, takes no interest in anything. Memory weak, unable to sustain any mental effort. Morose; easily vexed; domineering, quarrelsome, scolds, will not bear contradiction (Aur.); excitement of any kind causes mental depression. Dreads being alone, yet avoids society (Kali c., Lyc.). Glandular induration of stony hardness; of mammae and testicles in persons of cancerous tendency; after bruises and injuries of glands (compare, Aster. rub.). Breasts sore, hard and painful before and during menstruation (Lac c., Kali c.). Vertigo: especially when lying down or turning in bed; moving the head slightly, or even the eyes; must keep the head perfectly still; on turning the head to the left (Col.); of old people; with ovarian and uterine complaints. Cough: in spasmodic paroxysms caused by dry spot in larynx (in throat, Act.); with itching in chest and throat (Iod.); worse at night, when lying down, and during pregnancy (Caust., Kali br.). Great difficulty in voiding urine; flow intermits, then flows again; prostratic or uterine affections. Menses: feeble, suppressed; too late, scanty, of short duration; with rash of small red pimples over body which ceases with the flow (Dul.); stopped by taking cold; by putting hands in cold water (Lac d.). Leucorrhoea: ten days after menses (Bor., Bov.); acrid; bloody; milky; profuse; thick; intermits. Bad effects: of suppressed sexual desire, or suppressed menses; non-gratification of sexual instinct, or from excessive indulgence. Aversion to light without inflammation of eyes; worse from using eyes in artificial light; often the students’ remedy for night work; intense photophobia (Psor.). Sweat day and night, as soon as one sleeps, or even when closing the eyes (Cinch.).

    Relations. – Patients requiring Conium often improve from wine or stimulants, though persons susceptible to Conium cannot take alcoholic stimulants when in health. Compare: Arn., Rhus in contusions; Ars., Aster, in cancer; Cal., Psor. in glandular swellings. Is followed well: by, Psor. in tumors of mammae with threatening malignancy.

    Aggravation. – At night; lying down; turning or rising up, in bed; celibacy.

  • Colocynthis

    Squirting Cucumber. (Cucurbitaceae)

    Agonizing pain in abdomen causing patient to bend double, with restlessness, twisting and turning to obtain relief; > by hard pressure (> by heat, Mag. p.). Pains: are worse after eating or drinking; compel patient to bend double (Mag. p. – < by bending double, Dios.); menses, suppressed by chagrin, colic pains. Exteremely irritable, impatient; becomes angry or offended on being questioned. Irritable; throws things out of his hands. Affections from anger, with indignation – colic, vomiting, diarrhoea and suppression of menses (Cham., Staph.). Vertigo: when quickly turning head, especially to the left, as if he would fall; from stimulants. Sciatica: crampy pain in hip, as though screwd in a vise; lies upon affected side. Shooting pain, like lightening-shocks, down the whole limb, left hip, left thigh, left knee, into popliteal fossa.

    Relations. – Complemenatary: Merc. in dysentry, with great tenesmus. Compare: Graph. intense pain along right sciatic never, darting, cutting, from right hip joint down to foot; < lying down, motion, stepping; > by sitting. Compare with Staph. in ovarian or other diseases from bad effects of anger, reserved indignation or silent grief.

    Aggravation. – Anger and indignation; mortification caused by offense (Staph., Lyc.); cheese < colic.

    Amelioration. – From doubling up; hard pressure.

  • Collinsonia Canadensis

    Stone Root. (Labiatae)

    Pelvic and portal congestion, resulting in dysmenorrhoea and haemorrhoids. Congestion of pelvic viscera, with haemorrhoids, especially in latter months of pregnancy. Dropsy from cardiac disease. Palpitation; in patients subject to piles and indigestion; heart’s action persistently rapid but weak. After heart is relieved old piles reappear, or suppressed menses return. Chronic, painful, bleeding piles; sensation as if sticks, sand or gravel had lodged in rectum (Aesc.). Haemorrhoidal dysentery with tenesmus. Alternate constipation and diarrhoea; congestive inertia of lower bowel; stools sluggish and hard with pain and great flatulence. Constipation. Pruritus in pregnancy with haemorrhoids, unable to lie down.

    Relations. – in heart disease complicated with haemorrhoids consult Collinsonia when Cac., Dig., and other remedies fail. Has cured colic after Col. and Nux had failed. Compare: Aesc., Aloe, Cham., Nux, Sulph.

    Aggravation. – The slightest mental emotion or excitement aggravates the symptoms (Arg. n.).

  • Colchicum Autumnale

    Meadow Saffron. (Liliaceae)

    Adapted to the rheumatic, gouty diathesis; persons of robust vigorous constitution; diseases of old people. External impressions, light, noise, strong odors, contact, bad manners, make him almost beside himself (Nux); his sufferings seem intolerable. Ailments: from grief or misdeeds of others (Staph.). Pains are drawing, tearing, pressing; light or superficial during warm weather; affect the bones and deeper tissues, when air is cold; pains go from left to right (Lach.). Smell painfully acute; nausea and faintness from the odor of cooking food, especially fish, eggs or fat meat (Ars., Sep.); bad effects from night watching (Coc.). Aversion to food; loathing even the sight of still more the smell of it. The abdomen is immensely distended with gas, feeling as if it would burst. Burning, or icy coldness in stomach and abdomen. Autumnal dysentery, discharges from bowels contain white shreddy particles in large quantities; white mucus; “scrapings of intestines” (Canth., Carb. ac.). Urine: dark, scanty or suppressed; in drops, with white sediment; bloody, brown, black, inky; contains clots of putrid decomposed blood, albumin, sugar. Affected parts very sensitive to contact and motion. Arthiritic pains in joints; patient scremas with pain on touching a joint or stubbing a toe.

    Relations. – Compare: Bry. in rheumatic gout with serous effusions; in rheumatism in warm weather. Often cures in dropsy after Apis and Ars. fail.

    Aggravation. – Mental emotion or exhaustion; effects of hard study; odor of cooking food. Motion: if the patient lies perfectly still, the disposition to vomit is less urgent. Every motion renew it (Bry.).