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

  • Thuja Occidentalis

    Tree of Life; White Cedar. (Coniferae)

    Adapted to hydrogenoid constitution of Granvogl, which is related to sycosis as effect is to cause. Thuja bears the same relation to the sycosis of Hahnemann – fig warts, condylomata and wart-like excrescences upon mucous and cutaneous surfaces – that Sulphur does to psora or Mercury to syphilis. Acts well in lymphatic temperament, in very fleshy persons, dark complexion, black hair, unhealthy skin. Ailments from bad effects of vaccination (Ant. t., Sil.); from suppressed or maltreated gonorrhoea (Med.). Fixed ideas: as if a strange person were at his side; as if soul and body were separated; as if a living animal were in abdomen; of being under the influence of a superior power. Insane women will not be touched or approached. Vertigo, when closing the eyes (Lach., Ther.). Headache: as if a nail had been driven into parietal bone (Coff., Ign.); or as if a convex button were pressed on the part; < from sexual excesses; overheating from tea (Sel.); chronic, or sycotic or syphilitic origin. White scaly dandruff; hair dry and falling out. Eyes: ophthalmia neonatorum, sycotic or syphilitic; large granulations, like warts or blisters; > by warmth and covering; in uncovered, feels as if a cold stream of air were blowing out through them. Eyelids: agglutinated at night; dry, scaly on edges; styes and tarsal tumors; chalazae, thick, hard knots, like small condylomata; after Stapisagria partially > but does not cure. Ears: chronic otitis; discharge purulent, like putrid meat; granulations, condylomata; polypi, pale red, cellular, bleeding easily. Chronic catarrh: after exanthemata; thick, green mucus, blood and pus (Puls.). Teeth decay at the roots, crowns remain sound (Mez. – on edges, Staph.); crumble, turn yellow (Syph.). Ranula: bluish, or varicose veins on tongue or in mouth (Amb.). Toothache from tea drinking. “On blowing the nose a pressing pain in the hollow tooth or at the side of it (Culex).” – Boenninghausen. Abdomen: as if an animal were crying; motion as if something alive; protrudes here and there like the arm of a foetus (Croc., Nux m., Sulph.). Distressing, burning pain in left ovarian region when walking or riding, must sit or lie down (Croc., Ust.); worse at each menstrual nisus. Constipation: violent pains in rectum compel cessation of effort; stool recedes, after being partly expelled (Sanic., Sil.). Piles swollen, pain most severe when sitting. Diarrhoea: early morning; expelled forcibly with much flatus (Aloe); gurgling, as water from a bunghole; < after breakfast, coffee, fat food, vaccinations. Anus fissured, painful to touch surrounded with flat warts, or moist mucous condylomata. Coition prevented by extreme sensitiveness of the vagina (Plat. – by dryness, Lyc., Lys., Natr.). Skin: looks dirty; brown or brownish-white spots here and there; warts, large, seedy, pedunculated (Staph.); eruptions only on covered parts, burn after scratching. Flesh feels as if beaten, from the bones (Phyt. – as if scraped, Rhus). Sensation after urinating, as of urine trickling in urethra; severe cutting at close of urination (Sars.). Chill, beginning in the thighs. Sweat: only on uncovered parts; or all over except the head (rev. of Sil.); when he sleeps, stops when he wakes (rev. of Samb.); profuse, sour smelling, fetid at night. Persipration, smelling like honey, on the genitals. When walking the limbs feel as if made of wood. Sensation as if body, especially the limbs, were made of glass and would break easily. Suppressed gonorrhoea: causing articular rheumatism; prostatitis; sycosis; impotence; condylomata and many constitutional troubles. Nails: deformed, brittle (Ant. c.).

    Relations. – Complementary: Med., Sab., Sil. Compare: Cann. s., Canth., Cop., Staph. Cinnab. is preferable for warts on the prepuce. Follows well: after, Med., Mer., Nit. ac.

    Aggravation. – At night; from heat of bed; at 3 a. m. and 3 p. m.; from cold damp air; narcotics.

  • Thlaspi Bursa Pastoris

    Shepherds Purse. (Cruciferae)

    Profuse passive haemorrhage from every outlet of the body; blood dark and clotted. Metrorrhagia: with violent cramps and uterine colic; in chlorosis; after abortion, labor, miscarriage; at climacteric; with cancer uteri (Phos., Ust.). Menses: too early; too profuse; protracted (eight, ten, even fifteen days); tardy in starting, first day merely a show; second day colic, vomiting, a haemorrhage with large clots; each alternate period more profuse. Haemorrhage or delaying menses from uterine inertia; exhausting, scarcely recovers from one period before another begins. Leucorrhoea: bloody, dark, offensive; some days before and after menses.

    Relations. – Comare: Sinapsis, Tillium, Viburnum, Ustilago.

  • Theridion Curassavicum

    Orange Spider (Araneideae)

    Time passes too quickly (too slowly, Arg. n., Can. I., Nux m.). Vertigo: on closing the eyes (Lach., Thuja – on opening them, Tab.; on looking upward, Puls, Sil.); from any, even the least noise; aural or labyrinthine (Meniere’s disease). Nausea: from least motion, and especially on closing the eyes; from fast riding in a carriage. Headache: when beginning to move, as of a dull heavy pressure begin the eyes; violent, deep, in the brain; < lying down (Lach.); very much < from others walking on the floor, or from least motion of head. Every sound seems to penetrate through the whole body, causing nausea and vertigo. Chronic nasal catarrh; discharge thick, yellow, greenish, offensive (Puls., Thuja). Toothache: every shrill sound penetrates the teeth. Seasickness of nervous women; they close their eyes to get rid of the motion of the vessel and grown deathly sick. Violent stitches in upper left chest, below the scapula, extending to neck (Anis., Myr., Pix, Sulph.). Pains in the bones all over, as if broken. Great sensitiveness between vertebrae, sits sideways in the chair to avoid pressure against spine (Chin. s.); < by least nose and jar of foot on floor. For extreme nervous sensitiveness; of puberty, during pregnancy and climacteric years. “In rachitis, caries, necrosis, it apparently goes to the root of the evil and destroys the cause.” – Dr. Baruch. Phthisis florida, often affects a cure if given in the early stages of disease. In scrofulosis where the best chosen remedies fail to relieve.

    Relations. – Follows well after, Cal. and Lyc.

  • Terebinth

    Oil of Turpentine (A Volatile Oil.)

    The urine has the odor or violets. Tongue: smooth, glossy, red, as if deprived of papillae, or as if glazed (Pyr.); elevated papillae; coating peels off in patches leaving bright red spots, or entire coating cleans off suddenly (in exanthemata); dry and red; burning in tip (compare, Mur. ac.). Abdomen: extremely sensitive to touch; distention, flatulence, excessive tympanitis; meteorism (Colch.). Diarrhoea: stool, watery, greenish, mucous; frequent, profuse, fetid, bloody; burning in anus and rectum, fainting and exhaustion, after (Ars.). Worms: with foul breath, choking (Cina, Spig.); dry, hacking cough; tickling at anus; ascarides, lumbrici, tapeworm segments passed. Haematuria: blood thoroughly mixed with the urine; sediment, like coffee-grounds; cloudy, smoky, albuminous; profuse, dark or black, painless. Congestion and inflammation of viscera; kidneys, bladder, lungs, intestines, uterus; with haemorrhage, and malignant tendency. Purpurea haemorrhagica; fresh ecchymosis in great numbers from day to day (Sulph. ac.). Ascites with anasarca, in organic lesions of kidneys; dropsy after scarlatina (Apis, Hell., Lach.). Haemorrhages; from bowels, with ulceration; passive, dark, with ulceration or epithelial degeneration. Violent burning and drawing pains in kidney, bladder and urethra (Berb., Can., Canth.). Violent burning and cutting in bladder; tenesmus; sensitive hypogastrium; cystitis and retention from atony of fundus. Albuminuria; acute, in early stages, when blood and albumin abound more than casts and epithelium; after diphtheria, scarlatina, typhoid. Urine rich in albumin and blood, but few if any casts; < from living in damp dwellings. Strangury; spasmodic retention of urine.

    Relations. – Compare: Alumen, Arn., Ars., Canth., Lach., Nit. ac. Is recommended as a prophylactic in malarial and African fevers.

  • Tarentula

    Tarantula; Cuban and Spanish. (Araneideae)

    Adapted to highly nervous organisms, especially choleric affections where whole body, or right arm and left leg are affected (left arm and right leg, Agar.). Constant movement of the legs, arms, trunk, with inability to do anything; twitching and jerking of muscles. Restlessness, could not keep quiet in any position; must keep in motion, though walking < all symptoms (rev. of Rhus, Ruta). Hyperaesthesia: least excitement irritates, followed by languid sadness; extreme of tips of fingers. Slight touch along the spine provokes spasmodic pain in chest and cardiac region. Headache: intense, as if thousands of needles were pricking the brain. Absceses, boils, felons, affected parts of a bluish color (Lach.), and atrocious burning pain (Anth., Ars.); the agony of a felon, compelling patient to walk the floor for nights. Malignant ulcers; carbuncle, anthrax; gangrene. Symptoms appear periodically. Headache, neuralgic < by noise, touch, strong light, > by rubbing head against pillow. At every menstrual nisus, throat, mouth and tongue intolerably dry, specially when sleeping (Nux m.). Sexual excitement extreme even to mania; spasms of uterus pruritis vulva becomes intolerable.

    Relations. – Similar: to, Apis, Crot., Lach., Plat., Mygale, Naja, Ther.

    Aggravation. – Motion; contact; touch of affected parts; noise; change of weather.

    Amelioration. – In open air; music; rubbing affected parts. Termini of nerves becomes so irritated and sensitive that some kind of friction was necessary to obtain refief.

  • Taraxacum

    Dandelion. (Compositae.)

    For gastric and bilious attacks, especially gastric headaches. Mapped tongue (Lach., Mer., Nat. m.); covered with a white film with sensation of rawness. This film comes off in patches, leaving dark red, tender, very sensitive spots (Ran. s.). Jaundice with enlargment and induration of liver (mapped tongue). Debility, loss of appetite, profuse night sweats, especially when convalescing from bilious or typhoid fever. Restlessness of limbs in typhoid (Rhus, Zinc.).

    Relations. – Compare: Bry., Hydr., Nux, in gastric and bilious affections.

    Aggravation. – Almost all symptoms appear when sitting; lying down; resting.

  • Tabacum

    Tobacco. (Solanaceae)

    Diseases originating in cerebral irritation followed by marked irritation of functions of vagi. Emaciation of cheeks and back. Complete prostration of entire muscular system. Sensation of excessive wretchedness. Icy coldness of surface; covered with cold sweat. Symptoms occur in paroxysyms – asthma, sick headache, vertigo, sneezing. Great despondency with indigestion, palpitation, intermittent pulse. Vertigo: death-like pallor, increases to loss of consciousness; relieved in open air and by vomiting; on rising or looking upward; on opening the eyes. Sick headache coming on in early morning, intolerable by noon, deathly nausea, violent vomiting; < by noise and light; periodical, lasting one or two days. Sudden pain on right side, of head as if struck by a hammer or a club. Dim-sighted: see as though a veil; strabismus, depending upon brain troubles. Amaurosis, from atrophy of retina or optic nerve. Face pale, blue, pinched, sunken, collapsed, covered with cold sweat (cold sweat on forehad, Ver.). Nausea: incessant, as if seasick; vomiting, on least motion; with faintness; > in open air. Vomiting: violent, with cold sweat; soon as he begins to move; during pregnancy, when Lactic acid fails (Psor.). Seasickness; deathly nausea, pallor, coldness; < by least motion and > on deck in fresh, cold air. Terrible, faint, sinking feeling at pit of stomach. Sense of relaxation of stomach with nausea (Ipec., Staph.). Child wants abdomen uncovered; relieves nausea and vomiting; coldness in abdomen (Colch., Elaps, Lach.). Constipation: inactive bowel or paralysis of rectum; spasms of sphincter; prolapsus ani; of years’ standing; herpes of anus. Diarrhoea: sudden, yellowish, greenish, slimy; urgent, watery; with nausea, vomiting, prostration and cold sweat (Ver.); with extreme faintness; from excessive smoking. enal colic: violent spasmodic pains along ureter left side (Berb.); deathly nausea and cold perspiration. Palpitation: violent when lying on left side; goes off when turning to the right. Pulse: quick, full, large; small intermittent, exceedingly slow; feeble, irregular, almost imperceptible. Hands icy cold, body warm. Legs icy cold, from knees down; trembling of limbs.

    Relations. – Antidotes, for abuse of tobacco, are: Ipec., for excessive nausea and vomiting. Ars., for bad effects of tobacco chewing. Nux, for the gastric symptoms next morning after smoking. Phos., palpitation, tobacco heart, sexual weakness. Ign., for annoying hiccough from tobacco chewing. Clem., or Plant., for tobacco toothache. Sep., neuralgic affections of right side of face; dyspepsia; chronic nervousness, especially in sedentary occupations. Lyc., for impotence, spasms, cold sweat from excessive smoking. Gels., occipital headache and vertigo from excessive use, specially smoking. Tabaccum, potentized (200 or 1000) to relieve terrible craving when discontinuing use.

    Amelioration. – Open, fresh, cold air; uncovering.

  • Selenium

    Selenium. (The Element.)

    Adapted to light complexion; blondes; great emaciation of face, hands, legs and feet, or single parts. Very forgetful in business, but during sleep dreams of what he has forgotten. Headache: of drunkards; after debauchery; after lemonade, tea, wile; every afternoon. Hair falls off, on head, eyebrows, whiskers, genitals. Coryza ending in diarrhoea. Hungry: at night (Cina, Psor.); longing for spiritous liquors, an almost irresistible maniacal desire. Constipation: stool large, hard, impacted so that it requires mechanical aid (Aloe, Cal., Sanic., Sep., Sil.); after serious illness, especially enteric fevers. Urine: red, dark, scanty; coarse, red, sandy, sediment; involuntary dribbling while walking. Impotence, with desire; lewd thoughts, but physically impotent (sudden impotence, Chlor.). Erections slow, insufficient, too rapid emission with long-continued threill; weak, ill-humored after coitus, often involuntary dribbling of semen and prostatic fluid which oozes while sitting, at stool, during sleep; gleet (Calad.). Priapism, glans drawn up (Berb., – drawn down, Canth.). Aphonia: after long use of voice; husky when beginning to sing; obliged to clear the throat frequently of a transparent starchy mucus (Arg. m., Stan.); tubercular laryngitis. Weak, easily exhausted; from either mental or physical labor; after typhoid, typhus, debauchery. Irresistible desire to lie down and sleep; strength suddenly leaves him; especially in hot weather. Very great aversion to a draft of air either warm, cold or damp. After typhoid, great weakness of spine, fears paralysis. Emaciation of affected parts.

    Relations. – Compare: Phos. in genito-urinary and respiratory symptoms; Arg. m. and Stan. in laryngitis of singers or speakers; Alum. hard stool, inactive rectum. Follows well: after, Calad, Nat., Staph., Phos. ac., in sexual weakness. Itch checked by Mercurials or Sulphur often requires Selenium.

    Aggravation. – Draught of air; in the sun; from lemonade, tea or wine.

    Amelioration. – Taking cold water or cold air into mouth.

  • Secale Cornutum

    Spurred Rye; Ergot. (A Fungus; a Nosode.)

    Adapted to women of thin, scrawny, feeble, cachetic appearance; irritable, nervous temperament; pale, sunken countenance. Very old, decrepit, feeble persons. Women of very lax muscular fibre; everything seems loose and open; no action; vessels flabby; passive haemorrhages, copious flow of thin, black, watery blood; the corpuscles are destroyed. Haemorrhagic diathesis; the slightest wound causes bleeding for weeks (Lach., Phos.); discharge of sanious liquid blood with a strong tendency to putrescence; tingling in the limbs and great debility, especially when the weakness is not caused by previous loss of fluids. Leucorrhoea; green, brown, offensive. Boils: small, painful with green contents, mature very slowly and heal in the same manner; very debilitating. Face: pale, pinched, ashy, sunken, hippocratic; drawn, with sunken eyes; blue rings around eyes. Unnatural, ravenous appetite; even with exhausting diarrhoea; craves acids, lemonade. Diarrhoea: profuse, watery, putrid, brown; discharged with great force (Gamb., Crot.); very exhausting; painless, involuntary; anus wide open (Apis, Phos.). Enuresis: of old people; urine pale, watery, or bloody; urine suppressed. Burning; in all parts of the body, as if sparks of fire were falling on the patient (Ars.). Gangrene; dry, senile, < from external heat. Large ecchymosis; blood blisters; often commencement of gangrene. Collapse in cholera diseases; skin cold, yet cannot bear to be covered (Camph.). The skin feels cold to the touch, yet the patient cannot tolerate covering; icy coldness of extremeties. Menses: irregular; copious, dark, fluid; with pressing, labor-like pains in abdomen; continuous discharge of watery blood until next period. Threatened abortion especially at third month (Sab.); prolonged, bearing down, forcing pains. During labor: pains irregular; too weak; feeble or ceasing; everything seems loose and open but no expulsive action; fainting. After pains: too long; too painful; hour-glass contraction. Suppression of milk; in thin, scrawny, exhausted women; the breasts do not properly fill. Pulse small, rapid, contracted and often intermittent.

    Relations. – Compare: Cinnmon in post-partum haemorrhage; it increases labor-pains, controls profuse or dangerous flooding, is always safe, while Ergot is always dangerous. Similar: to, Arsenicum, but cold and heat are opposite. Resembles Colchicum in cholera morbus.

    Aggravation. – Heat; warmth from covering, of all affected parts; in all diseases worse from heat.

    Amelioration. – In the cold air; getting cold; uncovering affected parts; rubbing.

  • Sarsaparilla

    Wild Liquorice. (Smilaceae)

    For dark-haired persons, lithic or sycotic diathesis. Great emaciation: skin becomes shriveled or lies in folds (Abrot., Iod., Nat. m., Sanic.). Headache and periosteal pains generally from mercury, syphilis or suppressed gonorrhoea. In children; face like old people; enlarged abdomen; dry, flabby skin (Bar. c., Op.). Herpetic eruptions on all parts of body; ulcers, after abuse of mercury, in syphillis. Rash from exposure to open air; dry, itch-like eruptions, prone to appear in spring; become crusty. Severe, almost unbearable pain at conclusion of urination (Berb., Equis., Med., Thuja). Passage of gravel or small calculi; renal colic; stone in bladder; bloody urine. Urine: bright and clear but irritating; scanty, slimy, flaky, sandy, copious, passed without sensation (Caust.); deposits white sand. Painful distention and tenderness in bladder; urine dribbles while sitting, standing, passes freely; air passes from urethra. Sand in urine or on diaper; child screams before and while passing it (Bor., Lyc.). Gonorrhoea checked by cold, wet weather, or mercury, followed by rheumatism. Neuralgia or renal colic; excruciating pains from right kidney downwards (Lyc.). Intolerable stench on genital organs; fluid pollutions; bloody seminal emission (Led., Mer.). Retraction of nipples; nipples are small, withered, unexcitable (Sil.). Rheumatism, bone pains after mercury or checked gonorrhoea; pains < at night, in damp weather or after taking cold in water. Itching eruption on forehead during menses (Eug. j., Sang., Psor.). Rhagades: skin cracked on hands and feet; pain and burning particularly on sides of fingers and toes; skin hard, indurated.

    Relations. – Complementary: Merc., Sep., either of which follows well. Compare: Berb., Lyc., Nat. m., Phos. Frequently called for after abuse of Mercury.