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

  • VACCININUM

    Nosode-From vaccine matter.

    Vaccine poison is capable of setting up a morbid state of extreme chronicity, named by Burnett Vaccinosis, symptoms like those of Hahnemann’s Sycosis. Neuralgias, inveterate skin eruptions, chilliness, indigestion with great flatulent distension (Clark). Whooping-cough.

    Mind.–Irritable, impatient ill-humored, nervous.

    Head.–Frontal headache. Forehead and eyes feel as if split. Inflamed and red lids.

    Skin.–Hot and dry. Pimples and blotches. Eruption like variola.

    Relationship.–Compare: anti-vaccinal remedies; Variolin; Malandrinum; Thuja, powerful adjuvants in treatment of malignant disease.

    Dose.–Sixth to 200th potency.

  • UVA URSI

    Bearberry

    Urinary symptoms most important. Cystitis, with bloody urine. Uterine hæmorrhage. Chronic vesical irritation, with pain, tenesmus, and catarrhal discharges. Burning after the discharge of slimy urine. Pyelitis. Calculous inflammation. Dyspnœa, nausea, vomiting, pulse small and irregular. Cyanosis. Urticaria without itching.

    Urinary.–Frequent urging, with severe spasms of bladder; burning and tearing pain. Urine contains blood, pus, and much tenacious mucus, with clots in large masses. Involuntary; green urine. Painful dysuria.

    Relationship.–Compare: Arbutin (a crystallized glucoside of Uva; found also in Kalmia, Gaultheria and other genera of the family of Eriaceæ; given in doses of 3 to 8 grains with sugar three times a day. Used as an urinary antiseptic and diuretic). Arctosphylos manzanita (acts on renal and reproductive organs. Gonorrhœa, vesical catarrh, diabetes menorrhagia. Tincture of leaves). Vaccinum myrtillus-Huckleberries–(dysentery; typhoid, keeps intestines aseptic and prevents absorption and reinfection).

    Dose.–Tincture, five to thirty drops. In pyelitis a trituration of the leaves.

  • USTILAGO MAYDIS

    Corn-smut

    Flabby condition of uterus. Hæmorrhage. Congestion to various parts, especially at climacteric. Crusta lactea (Vioia tric).

    Head.–Very depressed. Full feeling. Nervous headache from menstrual irregularities. Aching in eyeballs, with much lachrymation.

    Male.–Uncontrollable masturbation. Spermatorrhœa, with erotic fancies and amorous dreams. Emissions, with irresistible tendency to masturbation. Dull pain in lumbar region, with great despondency and mental irritability.

    Female.–Vicarious menstruation. Ovaries burn, pain, swell. Profuse menses after miscarriage; discharge of blood from slightest provocation; bright red; partly clotted. Menorrhagia at climaxis (Calc c; Lach). Oozing of dark blood, clotted, forming long black strings. Uterus hypertrophied. Cervix bleed easily. Postpartum hæmorrhage. Profuse lochia.

    Fever.–Abundant sweat. Pulse at first accelerated then enfeebled. Palpitations.

    Extremities.–Muscular debility, sensation of boiling water along the back. Clonic and tetanic movements. Muscular contractions, especially of lower limbs.

    Skin.–Alopecia. Tendency to small boils. Skin dry; eczema; copper-colored spots. Pruritus; sunburn. Psoriasis (Internally and externally).

    Relationship.–Compare: Secale; Sabin; Zea Italica (Possess curative properties in skin diseases, particularly in psoriasis and eczema rubrum. Mania for bathing. Impulse to suicide, particularly by drowning. Easily angered. Appetite increased, voracious, alternating with disgust for food. Pyrosis, nausea, vomiting, better drinking wine).

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • USNEA BARBATA

    Tree-moss

    Is a remedy in some forms of congestive headache; sunstroke.

    Head.–Bursting feeling, as if temples would burst, or the eyes burst out of the sockets. Throbbing carotids.

    Relationship.–Compare: Glonoine; Bellad.

    Dose.–Tincture, drop doses.

  • URTICA URENS

    Stinging-nettle

    A remedy for agalactia and lithiasis. Profuse discharge from mucous surfaces. Enuresis and urticaria. Spleen affections. Antidotes ill-effects of eating shellfish. Symptoms return at the same time every year. Gout and uric acid diathesis. Favors elimination.

    Rheumatism associated with urticaria-like eruptions. Neuritis.

    Head.–Vertigo, headache with spleen pains.

    Abdomen.–Diarrhœa chronic disease of large intestine characterized by large secretion of mucus.

    Male.–Itching of scrotum, keeps him awake; scrotum swollen.

    Female.–Diminished secretion of milk. Uterine hæmorrhage. Acid and excoriating leucorrhœa. Pruritus vulvæ, with stinging, itching, and œdema. Arrests flow of milk after weaning. Excessive swelling of breasts.

    Extremities.–Pain in acute gout deltoid; pain in ankles, wrists.

    Skin.–Itching blotches. Urticaria, burning heat, with formication; violent itching. Consequences of suppressed nettlerash. Rheumatism alternates with nettle-rash. Burn confined to skin. Urticaria nodosa (Bov). Erythema, with burning and stinging. Burns and scalds. Chicken-pox (Dulc). Angioneurotic œdema. Herpes labialis with sensation of heat and itching. Itching and stinging of scrotum.

    Fever.–General heat in bed with soreness over abdomen. Fever of gout. Tropical fever.

    Modalities.–Worse, from snow-air; water, cool moist air, touch.

    Relationship.–Compare: Medusa; Nat mur; Lac can; Ricin (diminished mammary secretion); Bombyx; Rhus; Apis; Chloral; Astac; Puls (urticaria); Boletus luridus and Anacard (urticaria tuberosa); Lycop and Hedeoma (uric acid conditions); Formica.

    Dose.–Tincture and lower potencies.

  • UREA PURA

    Carbamide
    (UREA)

    Tuberculosis. Lumps. Enlarged glands. Renal dropsy, with symptoms of general intoxication. Gouty eczema. Albuminuria, diabetes; uræmia. Urine thin and of low specific gravity. A hydrogogue diuretic in the treatment of dropsies. 10 grains every 6 hours.

    Relationship.–Compare: Uric acid (gout, gouty, eczema, rheumatism, lipoma); Urinum (acne, boils, scurvy, dropsy); Urtica; Tubercul; Thyroid.

  • URANIUM NITRICUM

    Nitrate of Uranium

    Causes glycosuria and increased urine. Is known to produce nephritis, diabetes, degeneration of the liver, high blood pressure and dropsy. Its therapeutic keynote is great emaciation, debility and tendency to ascites and general dropsy. Backache and delayed menses. Dry mucous membranes and skin.

    Head.–Ill-tempered; dull, heavy pain. Nostrils sore, with purulent, acrid discharge. Mental depression.

    Eyes.–Lids inflamed and agglutinated; styes.

    Stomach.–Excessive thirst; nausea; vomiting. Ravenous appetite; eating followed by flatulence. Boring pain in pyloric region. Gastric and duodenal ulcers. Burning pain. Abdomen bloated. Gas, second only to Lycop.

    Urinary.–Copious urination. Diuresis. Incontinence of urine. Diabetes. Emaciation and tympanites. Burning in urethra, with very acid urine. Unable to retain urine without pain. Enuresis (Mullein oil).

    Male.–Complete impotency, with nocturnal emissions. Organs cold, relaxed sweaty.

    Relationship.–Compare: Syzygium; Phos ac; Lact ac; Arg nit; Kali bich; Ars; Phloridzin (a glucosidal principle obtained from the bark of the root of the apple and other fruit trees. Produces diabetes and fatty degeneration of the liver; intermittent fever. Daily doses, 15 grains. Phlorizin causes glycosuria. No hyperglycemia results. It compels the secretory epithelium of the kidney to break down serum albumin into sugar. There is no increase in blood sugar).

    Dose.–Second trituration.

  • UPAS TIEUT

    Upas-tree-Strychnos Tiente
    (UPAS TIENTE)

    Produces tonic spasms, tetanus, and asphyxia.

    Head.–Disinclined for mental work. Irritable. Dull headache deep in brain.

    Eyes.–Pain in eyes and orbits, with conjunctivitis. Dull sunken eyes. Styes.

    Mouth.–Herpes on lips. Burning on the tongue. Pain in mouth, as from a splinter (Nit ac).

    Male.–Desire increased, with loss of power. Dull backache, as after excessive coitus.

    Chest.–Lancinating pain throughout right lung toward the liver, stopping breathing. Violent palpitation; sensation of heaviness in stomach.

    Skin.–Numb hands and feet. Hangnails inflamed; itching and redness of roots of nails.

    Relationship.–Compare: Upas antiaris-resinous exudation of Antiarus toxicaria, (a deadly poison to the muscular system. It suspends both voluntary muscular action and that of the heart without causing convulsions. Used in Java as an arrow poison (Merrell). Differs in producing clonic spasms, violent vomiting, diarrhœa, great prostration). Oxal ac. Upas when Bryonia fails (typhoid).

    Antidote: Curare.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • TUSSILAGO PETASITES

    Butter-burr

    Has some action on the urinary organs, and found useful in gonorrhœa. Affections of pylorus.

    Urinary.–Crawling in urethra.

    Male.–Gonorrhœa; yellowish, thick discharge. Erections, with urethral crawling. Pain in spermatic cord.

    Relationship.–Compare: Tussilago fragrans (pylorus pain, plethora and corpulency); Tussilago farfara (coughs); as an intercurrent medicine in phthisis pulmonalis (See Tuberculinum).

    Dose.–Tincture.

  • TUBERCULINUM

    A Nucleo-protein, a Nosode from Tubercular Abscess

    Tuberculinum is indicated in renal affections, but caution is necessary, for where skin and intestines do not perform normally even high potencies are dangerous. In chronic cystitis, brilliant and permanent results (Dr. Nebel Montreux).

    Of undoubted value in the treatment of incipient tuberculosis. Especially adapted to the light-complexioned, narrow-chested subjects. Lax fiber, low recuperative powers, and very susceptible to changes in the weather. Patient always tired; motion causes intense fatigue; aversion to work; wants constant changes. When symptoms are constantly changing and well-selected remedies fail to improve, and cold is taken from the slightest exposure. Rapid emaciation. Of great value in epilepsy, neurasthenia and in nervous children. Diarrhœa in children running for weeks, extreme wasting, bluish pallor, exhaustion. Mentally deficient children. Enlarged tonsils. Skin affections, acute articular rheumatism. Very sensitive, mentally and physically. General exhaustion. Nervous weakness. Trembling. Epilepsy. Arthritis.

    Mind.–Contradictory characteristics of Tuberculinum are mania and melancholia, insomnia and sopor. Irritable, especially when awakening. Depressed, melancholy. Fear of dogs. Animals especially. Desire to use foul language, curse and swear.

    Head.–Subject to deep brain headaches and intense neuralgias. Everything seems strange. Intense pain, as of an iron band around head. Meningitis. When critical discharges appear, sweat, polyuria, diarrhœa, exanthema, repeating the dose only when crises come on. Nocturnal hallucinations, awakes frightened. Plica polonica (Vinca). Crops of small boils, intensely painful, successively appear in the nose; green, fetid pus.

    Ears.–Persistent, offensive otorrhœa. Perforation in membrana tympani, with ragged edges.

    Stomach.–Averse to meat. All-gone, hungry sensation (Sulph). Desire for cold milk.

    Abdomen.–Early-morning, sudden diarrhœa (Sulph). Stools dark-brown, offensive, discharged with much force. Tabes mesenterica.

    Female.–Benign mammary tumors. Menses too early, too profuse, long-lasting. Dysmenorrhœa. Pains increase with the establishment of the flow.

    Respiratory.–Enlarged tonsils. Hard, dry cough during sleep. Expectoration thick, easy; profuse bronchorrhœa. Shortness of breath. Sensation of suffocation, even with plenty of fresh air. Longs for cold air. Broncho-pneumonia in children. Hard, hacking cough, profuse sweating and loss of weight, rales all over chest. Deposits begin in apex of lung (Repeated doses).

    Back.–Tension in nape of neck and down spine. Chilliness between shoulders or up the back.

    Skin.–Chronic eczema; itching intense; worse at night. Acne in tuberculous children. Measles; psoriasis (Thyroid).

    Sleep.–Poor; wakes early. Overpowering sleepiness in daytime. Dreams vivid and distressing.

    Fever.–Post-critical temperature of a remittent type. Here repeat dose every two hours (MacFarlan). Profuse sweat. General chilliness.

    Modalities.–Worse, motion, music; before a storm; standing; dampness; from draught; early morning, and after sleep. Better, open air.

    Relationship.–Compare: Koch’s lymph (acute and chronic parenchymatous nephritis; produces pneumonia, broncho-pneumonia, and congestion of the lungs in tuberculous patients, and is a remarkably efficacious remedy in lobular pneumonia-broncho-pneumonia); Aviare-Tuberculin from birds–(acts on the apices of the lungs; has proved an excellent remedy in influenzal bronchitis; symptoms similar to tuberculosis; relieves the debility, diminishes the cough, improves the appetite, and braces up the whole organism; acute broncho-pulmonary diseases of children; itching of palms and ears; cough, acute, inflammatory, irritating, incessant, and tickling; loss of strength and appetite); Hydrast (to fatten patients after Tuberc); Formic acid (tuberculosis, chronic nephritis, malignant tumors; pulmonary tuberculosis, not in third stage, however; lupus; carcinoma of breast and stomach; Dr. Krull uses injections of solutions corresponding to the third centesimal potency; these must not be repeated before six months). Compare: Bacil; Psorin; Lach. Kalagua (tuberculosis; garlicky odor of all secretions and breath). Teucrium scoradonia. Compare: Thuja (Vaccinosis may block the way of action of Tuberculin-until Thuja has been given and then acts brilliantly (Burnett).

    Complementary: Calcarea; China; Bryon.

    Dose.–Tuberculin needs more frequent repetition in children’s complaints than nearly every other chronic remedy (H. Fergie Woods). Thirtieth and much higher, in infrequent doses. When Tuberculinum fails Syphilinum often follows advantageously, producing a reaction.

    “The use of Tuberculinum in phthisis pulmonalis demands attention to the following points: In apyretic purely tubercular phthisis results are marked, provided the eliminative organs are in good order, but nothing below the 1000th should be used, unless absolutely necessary. With patients where streptostaphylo-pneumococci are in the bronchi; where also after washing the sputum, a pure “t b. ” bacilli-mass remains, the same treatment is indicated. With mixed infection-found in the majority of cases-where the sputum swarms with virulent micro-organisms in addition to the “t b. “, other procedure is necessary. If the heart is in good shape, a single dose of Tuberculinum 1000-2000 is given, provided there are no marked indications for other remedies. With due attention to temperature and possible excretions, the dose is allowed to work until effects are no longer observed, eight days to eight weeks. Usually a syndrome then presents, permitting the accurate choice of an antipsoric Silica, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, etc. After a while the picture again darkens and now a high potency of the isopathic remedy corresponding to the most virulent and prominent micro-organism found in the sputum is given: Staphylo-Strepto-, or Pneumococcin. The accurate bacteriological analysis of the sputum is absolutely essential; the choice of the ison again clears the picture, and so, proceeding on the one side etiologically (where these isopathica have not yet been proved); on the other side symptomatically with antipsoric remedies, the disease is dominated.

    My own experience warns, in the case of mixed infection, against the use of Strepto-, Staphylo-, or Pneumococcin below the 500th. I use them only from 2000 to 1000, having seen terrible aggravations from the 30, 100, 200, with a lowering temperature from 104 to 96. Hence the admonition, which need not concern scoffers, but those alone who wish to avail themselves of a potent weapon. The toxins used as remedies are, like Tuberculinum, prepared from pure and virulent cultures.

    And cases, seemingly condemned to speedy death, are brought in a year or two back to normal temperature, though, of course, sacrificing a large portion of lung tissue. This result is sure when the patient can and will take care of himself, where the heart has withstood the toxin and the stomach and liver are in good function. Further, climatic variations must be avoided. With the great mineral metabolism of the phthisic, diet regulation is imperative, and should be preponderately vegetable, together with the addition of physiological salts in low potency, Calcarea carb, 3x, 5x, Calcarea phos, 2x, 6x, and intercurrently according to indications organ-remedies as Cactus Tr. 30, Chelidonium Tr. 30, Taraxacum Tr, Nasturtium Tr, Urtica urens Tr, Tussilago farfara Tr, Lysimachia numularia Tr, for short periods.

    The first dose of Tuberculinum in any difficult case is, however, the most weighty prescription. The remedy should not be given without a most careful cardiac examination. As the surgeon before the anæsthetic, so must the physician know the heart before administering this drug, especially to children, and seniles-and to young seniles. He who observes this rule will have fewer clinical reproaches on his conscience. When Tuberculinum is contraindicated, recourse must be had to the nearest antipsoric.

    The above caution applies also to asthma, pleuritis, peritonitis in scrofulous (tuberculous) subjects. ” (Dr. Nebel Montreux)