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

  • TEUCRIUM MARUM VERUM

    Cat-thyme
    (TEUCRIUM MARUM)

    Nasal and rectal symptoms marked. Polypi. Affections of children. Suitable after too much medicine has been taken. Oversensitiveness. Desire to stretch. A remedy of first importance in chronic nasal catarrh with atrophy; large, offensive crusts and clinkers. Ozæna. Loss of sense of smell.

    Head.–Excited, tremulous feeling. Frontal pain; worse, stooping. Strengthens brain after delirium tremens.

    Eyes.–Smarting in canthi; lids red and puffy; tarsal tumor (Staph).

    Ears.–Hissing and ringing otalgia.

    Nose.–Catarrhal condition of both anterior and posterior nostrils. Mucous polypus. Chronic catarrh; discharge of large, irregular clinkers. Foul breath. Crawling in nostrils, with lachrymation and sneezing. Coryza, with stoppage of nostrils.

    Stomach.–Vomiting of large quantities of dark-green masses. Constant hiccough, attended with pain in back. Unnatural appetite. Hiccough on eating, after nursing.

    Respiratory.–Dry cough, tickling in trachea; moldy taste in throat when hawking up mucus, expectoration profuse.

    Extremities.–Affection of finger-tips and joints of toes. Tearing pains in arms and legs. Pain in toe-nails, as if they had grown into flesh.

    Rectum.–Itching of anus, and constant irritation in the evening in bed. Ascarides, with nightly restlessness. Crawling in rectum after stool.

    Sleep.–Restless, with twitching, choking, and starting up frightened.

    Skin.–Itching causes tossing about all night. Very dry skin. Suppurating grooves in the nails.

    Relationship.–Compare: Teucrium scorodonia-Wood-sage (in tuberculosis with muco-purulent expectoration; dropsy; orchitis and tuberculous epidymitis; especially in young, thin individuals with tuberculosis of lungs, glands; bones and urogenitals, 3x). Cina; Ignat; Sang; Sil.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency. Locally for polypi, dry powder.

  • TEREBINTHINIAE OLEUM

    Turpentine
    (TEREBINTHINA)

    Has a selective affinity for bleeding mucous surfaces. Tympanites and urinary symptoms very marked. Inflammation of kidneys, with hæmorrhages-dark, passive, fetid. Bright’s disease preceded by dropsy (Goullon). Drowsiness and strangury. Coma. Unbroken chilblains.

    Head.–Dull pain like from a band around the head (Carb ac). Vertigo, with vanishing of vision. Disturbed sense of equilibrium. Tired and difficult concentration of thoughts. Cold in head with sore nostrils with disposition to bleed.

    Eyes.–Ciliary neuralgia over right eye. Intense pain in eye and side of head. Amblyopia from alcohol.

    Ears.–Own voice sounds unnatural; humming as of a seashell, talking loudly is painful. Otalgia.

    Mouth.–Tongue dry, red sore, shining; burning in tip, with prominent papillæ (Arg n; Bell; Kali b; Nux m). Breath cold, foul. Choking sensation in throat. Stomatitis. Dentition.

    Stomach.–Nausea and vomiting; heat in epigastric region.

    Abdomen.–Enormous distention. Diarrhœa; stools watery, greenish, fetid, bloody. Pain before flatus with and relief after stool. Hæmorrhage from bowels. Worms; lumbrici. Abdominal dropsy; pelvic peritonitis. Fainting after every stool Entero-colitis, with hæmorrhage and ulceration of bowels.

    Urinary.–Strangury, with bloody urine. Scanty, suppressed, odor of violets. Urethritis, with painful erections (Canthar). Inflamed kidneys following any acute disease. Constant tenesmus.

    Female.–Intense burning in uterine region. Metritis; puerperal peritonitis. Metrorrhagia with burning in uterus.

    Respiratory.–Difficult breathing; lungs feel distended; hæmoptysis. Bloody expectoration.

    Heart.–Pulse rapid, small, thready, intermittent.

    Back.–Burning pain in region of kidneys. Drawing in right kidney extending to hip.

    Skin.–Acne. Erythema; itching pustular, vesicular eruption; urticaria. Purpura, ecchymosis, dropsies. Scarlatina. Chilblains; with excessive itching and pulsative pains. Aching soreness of the muscles.

    Fever.–Heat, with violent thirst, dry tongue, profuse cold, clammy sweat. Typhoid with tympanites, hæmorrhages, stupor, delirium. Prostration.

    Relationship.–Compare: Alumen; Secale; Canth; Nit ac. Terebene 1x; (chronic bronchitis and winter coughs; subacute stages of inflammation of respiratory tract. Loosens secretion, relieves tightened feeling, makes expectoration easy). Neurotic coughs. Huskiness of public speakers, and singers. Cystitis when urine is alkaline and offensive.

    Ononis spinosa-Rest Harrow–(Diuretic, Lithontriptic. Chronic nephritis; diuretic effects like Juniper; calculus nosebleed, worse washing face).

    Antidote: Phos.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency.

  • TELLURIUM METALLICUM

    The Metal Tellurium
    (TELLURIUM)

    Marked skin (herpes circinatus), spinal, eye and ear symptoms. Very sensitive back. Pains all over body. Offensive discharges. Slow development of symptoms (Radium) Sacral and sciatic pains.

    Head.–Neglectful and forgetful. Pain in left side of head and in forehead above left eye. Distortion and twitching of left facial muscles; when speaking left angle of mouth drawn upwards and to left. Fear of being touched in sensitive places. Congestion to head and nape of neck, followed by weakness and faintness in stomach. Itching of scalp; red spots.

    Eyes.–Lids thickened, inflamed, itching. Pterygium; pustular conjunctivitis. Cataract, following ocular lesions; aids the absorption of infiltrations in iris and choroid.

    Ears.–Eczema behind ear. Catarrh of middle ear, discharge acrid, smells like fish-pickle. Itching, swelling, throbbing in meatus. Deafness.

    Nose.–Coryza, lachrymation and hoarseness; better in open air (Cepa). Obstructed; hawks salty phlegm from posterior nares.

    Stomach.–Craving for apples. Empty and weak feeling. Heartburn.

    Rectum.–Pruritus ani et perinei after every stool.

    Back.–Pain in sacrum.–Pain from last cervical to fifth dorsal vertebra, very sensitive; worse touch (Chin s; Phosph) Sciatica; worse right side, coughing, straining, and at night, with sensitive vertebral column. Contraction of tendons in bends of knees.

    Skin.–Itching of hands and feet. Herpetic spots; ringworm (Tuberc). Ring-shape lesions, offensive odors from affected parts. Barber’s itch. Stinging in skin. Fetid exhalations (Sulph). Offensive foot-sweat. Eczema, back of ears and occiput. Circular patches of eczema.

    Modalities.–Worse, while at rest at night, cold weather, from friction, coughing, laughing, lying on painful side, touch.

    Relationship.–Compare: Radium; Selenium; Tetradymite-crystals from Georgia and North Carolina containing Bismuth, Tellurium and Sulphur–(coccygodynia, ulceration of nails; pains in hands, in small spots, ankles, heels, and tendo-Achilles); Sep; Ars; Rhus.

    Dose.–Sixth potency and higher. Takes long time to develop its action, which is very prolonged.

  • TAXUS BACCATA

    Yew

    In pustular diseases of skin and night-sweats. Also in gout and chronic rheumatism.

    Head.–Supra-orbital and temporal pain on right side, with lachrymation. Pupils dilated. Face puffy and pale.

    Stomach.–Saliva hot, acrid. Nausea. Pain in pit of stomach and region of navel. After eating, cough. Feeling of pins and needles at pit of stomach; of emptiness, must eat frequently (compare the coniferæ).

    Skin.–Large, flat, itching pustules. Badly smelling night-sweats. Podagra. Erysipelas.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • TARTARICUM ACIDUM

    Tartaric Acid

    Found in grapes, pineapple, sorrel and other fruits. It is an antiscorbutic antiseptic, stimulating the mucous and salivary secretions.

    Dullness and lassitude. Great weakness, with diarrhœa, with dry and brown tongue. Pain in heels (Phytol).

    Stomach.–Excessive thirst, continued vomiting burning in throat and stomach. Dyspepsia with copious secretions of mucus.

    Abdomen.–Pain around umbilicus and region of loins. Stool color of coffee-grounds (worse at night), with brown and dry tongue, and dark-green vomiting.

    Dose.–Third trituration. The pure acid 10-30 grains dissolved in water.

  • TARENTULA CUBENSIS

    Cuban Spider

    A toxæmic medicine, septic conditions. Diphtheria. Adapted to the most severe types of inflammation and pain, early and persistent prostration. Various forms of malignant suppuration. Purplish hue and burning, stinging pains. Bubo. It is the remedy for pain of death; soothes the last struggles. Pruritus, especially about genitals. Restless feet. Intermittent septic chills. Bubonic plague. As a curative and preventive remedy especially during the period of invasion.

    Head.–Dizziness after heat and hot perspiration. Dull ache on top of head. Shooting pain through left eye across frontal region.

    Gastric.–Stomach feels hard, sore. Loss of appetite, except for breakfast.

    Back.–Itches across kidney region.

    Extremities.–Hands tremble, turgid with blood.

    Urinary.–Retention. Cannot hold urine on coughing.

    Skin.–Red spots and pimples. Feels puffed all over. Carbuncles, burning, stinging pains. Purplish hue. Gangrene. Abscesses, where pain and inflammation predominate. Scirrhus of breasts. “Senile” ulcers.

    Sleep.–Drowsiness. Sleep restless. Sleep prevented by harsh cough.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ars; Pyrog; Crotal; Echin; Anthrac; Bellad; Apis.

    Modalities.–Better, smoking. Worse, night.

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency.

  • TARENTULA HISPANICA

    Spanish Spider

    Remarkable nervous phenomena; hysteria with chlorosis; chorea, dysmenorrhœa, spinal irritability. Bladder tenesmus. Constriction sensations. Formication; Extreme restlessness; must keep in constant motion even though walking aggravates. Hysterical epilepsy. Intense sexual excitement.

    Mind.–Sudden alteration of mood. Foxy. Destructive impulses; moral relaxation. Must constantly busy herself or walk. Sensitive to music. Averse to company, but wants some one present. Ungrateful, discontented. Guided by whims.

    Head.–Intense pain, as if thousands of needles were pricking into brain. Vertigo. Wants hair brushed or head rubbed.

    Male.–Sexual excitement; lasciviousness reaching almost to insanity; seminal emissions.

    Heart.–Palpitation; præcordial anguish, sensation as if heart twisted and turned around.

    Female.–Vulva dry and hot, with much itching. Profuse menstruation, with frequent erotic spasms. Pruritus vulvæ; nymphomania. Dysmenorrhœa, with very sensitive ovaries.

    Extremities.–Weakness of legs; choreic movements. Numbness of legs. Multiple sclerosis, with trembling. Twitching and jerking. Yawning with uneasiness of legs, must move them constantly. Extraordinary contractions and movements.

    Modalities.–Worse, motion, contract, noise. Better, in open air, music, bright colors, rubbing affected parts. Worse, seeming others in trouble.

    Relationship.–Compare: Agar; Ars; Cupr; Mag phos.

    Antidotes: Lach.

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency.

  • TARAXACUM OFFICINALE

    Dandelion

    For gastric headaches, bilious attacks, with characteristically mapped tongue and jaundiced skin. Cancer of bladder. Flatulence. Hysterical tympanites.

    Head.–Sensation of great heat on top of head. Sterno-mastoid muscle very painful to touch.

    Mouth.–Mapped tongue. Tongue covered with a white film; feels raw; comes off in patches, leaving red, sensitive spots. Loss of appetite. Bitter taste and eructations. Salivation.

    Abdomen.–Liver enlarged and indurated. Sharp stitches in left side. Sensation of bubbles bursting in bowels. Tympanites. Evacuation difficult.

    Extremities.–Very restless limbs. Neuralgia of knee; better, pressure. Limbs painful to touch.

    Fever.–Chilliness after eating, worse drinking; finger tips cold. Bitter taste. Heat without thirst, in face, in toes. Sweat on falling asleep.

    Skin.–Profuse night-sweats.

    Modalities.–Worse, resting, lying down, sitting. Better, touch.

    Relationship.–Compare: Choline, a constituent of Taraxacum root, has given encouraging results in the treatment of cancer. Choline is closely related to Neurin, it is the “Cancronie” of Prof. Adamkiewicz (E. Schlegel). Bry; Hydrast; Nux. Tela aranea (nervous asthma and sleeplessness).

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency. In cancer 1-2 drams fluid extract.

  • TANNICUM ACIDUM

    Tannin – Digallic Acid
    (TANNIC ACID)

    Mostly used locally against excessive secretion of mucous membranes, to contract tissue and check hæmorrhage. In Osmidrosis, corrects fetor of the perspiration. Obstinate nervous coughs. Hæmaturia. Obstinate constipation. Pain in abdomen, sensitive to pressure. Intestines can be felt like cylindrical enlargements. One-half per cent solution.

    Relationship.–Gallic acid q. v.

  • TANACETUM VULGARE

    Tansy

    Abnormal lassitude. Nervous and tired feeling. “Half dead, half alive feeling” all over. Of use in chorea and reflex spasms (worms). Said to be a specific against effects of poison ivy.

    Head.–Heavy, dull, confused. Headache with least exertion.

    Mental.–Irritable, sensitive to noise. Mental fatigue, nausea and vertigo, worse in a closed room.

    Ears.–Roaring and ringing; voice sounds strange; ears seem to close up suddenly.

    Abdomen.–Pain in bowels; relieved by stool. Desire for stool immediately after eating. Dysentery.

    Female.–Dysmenorrhœa, with bearing-down pains, tenderness, drawing in groins. Menses suppressed; later, profuse.

    Respiratory.–Hurried, labored, stertorous respiration. Frothy mucus obstructs the air-passages.

    Relationship.–Compare: Cimicif; Cina; Absinth. Nux follows well.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.