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

  • SALICYLICUM ACIDUM

    Salicylic Acid

    The symptoms point to its use in rheumatism, dyspepsia, and Meniere’s disease. Prostration after influenza; also tinnitus aurium and deafness. Hæmaturia.

    Head.–Vertigo; tendency to fall to left side. Headache; confusion in head on rising suddenly. Incipient coryza. Piercing pain in temples.

    Eyes.–Retinal hæmorrhage. Retinitis after influenza, also albuminuric.

    Ears.–Roaring and ringing in ears. Deafness, with vertigo.

    Throat.–Sore, red and swollen. Pharyngitis; swallowing difficult.

    Stomach.–Canker sores, with burning soreness and fetid breath. Flatulence; hot, sour belching. Putrid fermentation. Fermentative dyspepsia. Tongue purplish, leaden-colored; foul breath.

    Stools.–Putrid diarrhœa; gastro-intestinal derangements, especially in children; stools like green frog’s spawn (Magn carb). Pruritus ani.

    Extremities.–Knees swollen and painful. Acute articular rheumatism; worse, touch and motion, profuse sweat. Pain shifts. Sciatica, burning pain; worse at night. Copious foot-sweat and ill affects where suppressed.

    Skin.–Itching vesicles and pustules; better by scratching. Sweat without sleep. Urticaria. Hot and burning skin. Purpura. Herpes zoster. Necrosis and softening of bones.

    Relationship.–Compare: Salol (rheumatic pain in joints, with soreness and stiffness, headache over eyes; urine violet-smelling); Colch; China; Lact ac. Spiræa and Gaultheria contain salicyl acid.

    Dose.–Third decimal trituration. In acute articular rheumatism, 5 grains every 3 hours (Old school dose).

  • SACCHARUM OFFICINALE

    Cane-sugar
    (SUCROSE)

    According to the great Dr. Hering, a large proportion of chronic diseases of women and children are developed by using too much sugar. Sugar is an antiseptic. Combats infection and putrefaction; has a solvent action on fibrin and stimulates secretion by the intense osmotic changes induced, thus rinsing out the wound with serum from within outward, favoring healing. Leg ulcers.

    Sugar must be considered a sustainer and developer of the musculature of the heart and hence useful in failure of compensation and a variety of cardio-vascular troubles. Acts as a nutrient and tonic, in wasting disorders, anæmia, neurasthenia, etc, increasing weight and power.

    Opacity of cornea. Dim sight. Acidity and anal itching. Cold expectoration. Myocardial degeneration.

    Fat, bloated, large-limbed children, who are cross, peevish, whining; capricious; want dainty things, tidbits, and refuse substantial food. Œdema of feet. Headache every seven days

    Relationship.–Compare: Saccharum lactis-Sugar of milk-lactose–(diuresis; amblyopia; cold pains, as if produced by fine, icy cold needle with tingling, as if frost bitten; great physical exhaustion. Sugar of milk in large doses to develop the Bacillus acidophilus to correct putrefactive intestinal conditions and also constipation).

    Dose.–Thirtieth potency and higher. Locally in gangrene. One ounce of lump sugar morning and evening valuable adjunct in the treatment of obstinate cases of heart failure due to deficient heart muscle without valvular lesion. Epilepsy; blood with reduced sugar content irritates the nervous system with tending to convulsions.

    Sugar as an oxytocic has its most suitable application towards the end of labor when there is no mechanical obstruction and delay is due to uterine inertia. 25 grammes dissolved in water, several times every half hour.

    Compare: Saccharin (hinders both the salivary and peptic ferment actions with consequent dyspepsia. Prof. Lewin believes its action to be on the secretory cells themselves and it has caused pain (right hypogastrium), loss of appetite, diarrhœa and wasting).

  • SABINA

    Savine

    Has a special action on the uterus; also upon serous and fibrous membranes; hence its use in gout. Pain from sacrum to the pubis. Hæmorrhages, where blood is fluid and clots together. Tendency to miscarriage, especially at third month. Violent pulsations; wants windows open.

    Mind.–Music is intolerable, produces nervousness.

    Head.–Vertigo with suppressed menses. Bursting headache, suddenly coming and going slowly. Rush of blood to head and face. Drawing pains in masseter muscles. Teeth ache when chewing.

    Stomach.–Heartburn. Desire for lemonade. Bitter taste (Rhus). Lancinating pain from pit of stomach across back.

    Abdomen.–Bearing-down, constrictive pain. Colic, mostly in hypogastric region. Tympanitic distention.

    Rectum.–Sense of fullness. Constipation. Pain from back to pubis. Hæmorrhoids, with bright red blood; bleed copiously.

    Urine.–Burning and throbbing in region of kidneys. Bloody urine; much urging. Bladder inflamed with throbbing all over. Inflammation of urethra.

    Male.–Inflammatory gonorrhœa, with pus-like discharge. Sycotic excrescences. Burning, sore pain in glans. Prepuce painful with difficulty in retracting it. Increased desire.

    Female.–Menses profuse, bright. Uterine pains extend into thighs. Threatened miscarriage. Sexual desire increased. Leucorrhœa after menses, corrosive, offensive. Discharge of blood between periods, with sexual excitement (Ambr). Retained placenta; intense after-pains. Menorrhagia in women who aborted readily. Inflammation of ovaries and uterus after abortion. Promotes expulsion of moles from uterus (Canth). Pain from sacrum to pubis, and from below upwards shooting up the vagina. Hæmorrhage; partly clotted; worse from least motion. Atony of uterus.

    Back.–Pain between sacrum and pubis from one bone to another. Paralytic pain in small back.

    Extremities.–Bruised pains in anterior portion of thighs. Shooting in heels and metatarsal bones. Arthritic pain in joints. Gout; worse, in heated room. Red, shining swelling. Gouty nodosities (Ammon phos).

    Skin.–Fig-warts, with intolerable itching and burning. Exuberant granulations (Thuj; Nit ac). Warts. Black pores in skin.

    Modalities.–Worse, from least motion, heat, warm air. Better, in cool fresh air.

    Relationship.–Complementary: Thuja.

    Compare: Sanguisorba (Venous congestion and passive hæmorrhages; varices of lower extremities; dysentery. Long lasting profuse menses with congestion to head and limbs in sensitive, irritable patients. Climacteric hæmorrhages. Use 2x attenuation). Sanguisuga.–The leech–(Hæmorrhages, especially bleeding from anus. Use 6x). Rosmarinus (menses too early; violent pains followed by uterine hæmorrhage. Head heavy, drowsy. Chilly with icy coldness of lower extremities without thirst, followed by heat. Memory deficient). Croc; Calc; Trill; Ipec; Millef; Erig.

    Antidote: Puls.

    Dose.–Locally, for warts, tincture. Internally, third to thirtieth potency.

  • SABAL SERRULATA

    Saw Palmetto

    Sabal is homeopathic to irritability of the genito-urinary organs. General and sexual debility. Promotes nutrition and tissue building. Head, stomach, and ovarian symptoms marked. Of unquestioned value in prostatic enlargement, epididymitis, and urinary difficulties. Acts on membrano-prostatic portion of urethra. Iritis, with prostatic trouble. Valuable for undeveloped mammary glands. Fear of going to sleep. Languor, apathy and indifference.

    Head.–Confused, full; dislikes sympathy; makes her angry. Vertigo, with headache. Neuralgia in feeble patients. Pain runs up from nose and centers in forehead.

    Stomach.–Belching and acidity. Desire for milk (Rhus; Apis)

    Urinary.–Constant desire to pass water at night. Enuresis; paresis of sphincter vesicæ. Chronic gonorrhœa. Difficult urination. Cystitis with prostatic hypertrophy.

    Male.–Prostatic troubles; enlargement; discharge of prostatic fluid. Wasting of testes and loss of sexual power. Coitus painful at the time of emission. Sexual neurotics. Organs feel cold.

    Female.–Ovaries tender and enlarged; breasts shrivel (Iod; Kali iod). Young female neurotics; suppressed or perverted sexual inclination.

    Respiratory.–Copious expectoration, with catarrh of nose. Chronic bronchitis (Stann; Hep).

    Relationship.–Compare: Phosph ac; Stigmata maydis; Santal; Apis. In prostatic symptoms: fer pic; Thuja; Picric acid (more sexual erethism). Populus tremul; (prostatic enlargement with cystitis).

    Dose.–Mother tincture, ten to thirty drops. Third potency often better. The tincture must be prepared from the fresh berries to be effective.

  • SABADILLA

    Cevadilla Seed. Asagræa Officialis

    Action on mucous membrane of the nose and the lachrymal glands, producing coryza and symptoms like hay-fever, which have been utilized homeopathically. Chilliness; sensitive to cold. Ascarides, with reflex symptoms (nymphomania; convulsive symptoms). Children’s diarrhœa with constant cutting pains.

    Mind.–Nervous, timid, easily startled. Has erroneous notions about himself. Imagines that he is very sick; that parts are shrunken; that she is pregnant; that she has cancer; delirium during intermittents.

    Head.–Vertigo with sensation as though all things were turning around each other, accompanied by blackness before eyes and sensation of fainting. Dullness and oppression. Over-sensitiveness to odors. Thinking produces headache and sleeplessness. Eyelids red, burning. Lachrymation. Difficult hearing.

    Nose.–Spasmodic sneezing, with running nose. Coryza, with severe frontal pains and redness of eyes and lachrymation. Copious, watery, nasal discharge.

    Throat.–Sore; begins on left side (Lach). Much tough phlegm. Sensation of a skin hanging loosely; must swallow it. Warm food and drink relieve. Empty swallowing most painful. Dry fauces and throat. Sensation of a lump in throat with constant necessity to swallow. Chronic sore throat; worse, from cold air. Tongue as if burnt.

    Stomach.–Spasmodic pain in stomach with dry cough and difficult breathing. No thirst. Loathing for strong food. Canine appetite for sweets and farinaceous food. Pyrosis; copious salivation. Cold, empty feeling in stomach. Desire for hot things. Sweetish taste.

    Female.–Menses too late; come by fits and starts. Intermit (Kreos; Puls). (due to transient and localized congestion of womb alternating with chronic anæmic state).

    Fever.–Chill predominates; from below upwards. Heat in head and face; hands and feet icy cold, with chill. Lachrymation during paroxysm. Thirstless.

    Extremities.–Cracking of skin under and beneath toe; inflammation under toe-nails.

    Skin.–Dry, like parchment. Horny, deformed, thickened nails. Hot, burning, creeping, crawling sensation. Itching in anus.

    Modalities.–Worse, cold and cold drinks, full moon. Better, warm food and drink, wrapped up.

    Relationship.–Complementary: Sepia. Compare: Veratrina (is alkaloid of Sabadilla, not of Veratrum, locally in neuralgias, and for removal of dropsy. Five grains to two drams Lanolin, rubbed on inside of thighs, causes diuresis). Colch; Nux; Arundo and Pollatin. Phleum pratense-Timothy-Hay-fever-Potentized-12-specific to many cases and evidently acts in a desensitizing manner (Rabe). Cumarinum (hay-fever).

    Antidotes: Puls; Lycop; Conium; Lach.

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • RUTA GRAVEOLENS

    Rue-bitterwort

    Acts upon the periosteum and cartilages, eyes and uterus. Complaints from straining flexor tendons especially. Tendency to the formation of deposits in the periosteum, tendons, and about joints, especially wrist. Overstrain of ocular muscles. All parts of the body are painful, as if bruised. Sprains (after Arnica). Lameness after sprains. Jaundice. Feeling of intense lassitude, weakness and despair. Injured “bruised” bones.

    Head.–Pain as from a nail; after excessive intoxicating drinks. Periosteum sore. Epistaxis.

    Eyes.–Eyes-strain followed by headache. Eyes red, hot, and painful from sewing or reading fine print (Nat mur; Arg nit). Disturbances of accommodation. Weary pain while reading. Pressure deep in orbits. Tarsal cartilage feels bruised. Pressure over eyebrow. Asthenopia.

    Stomach.–Gastralgia of aching, gnawing character.

    Urinary.–Pressure in neck of bladder after urinating; painful closure (Apis). Constant urging to urinate, feels bladder full.

    Rectum.–Difficult feces, evacuated only with straining. Constipation, alternating with mucous, frothy stools; discharge of blood with stool. When sitting, tearing stitches in rectum. Carcinoma affecting lower bowel. Prolapsus ani every time the bowels move, after confinement. Frequent, unsuccessful urging to stool. Protrusion of rectum when stooping.

    Respiratory.–Cough with copious, thick, yellow expectoration; chest feels weak. Painful spot on sternum; short breath with tightness of chest.

    Back.–Pain in nape, back and loins. Backache better pressure and lying on back. Lumbago worse morning before rising.

    Extremities.–Spine and limbs feel bruised. Small of back and loins pain. Legs give out on rising from a chair, hips and thighs so weak (Phos; Con). Contraction of fingers. Pain and stiffness in wrists and hands. Ganglia (Benzoic ac). Sciatica; worse, lying down at night; pain from back down hips and thighs. Hamstrings feel shortened (Graph). Tendons sore. Aching pain in tendo-Achilles. Thighs pain when stretching the limbs. Pain in bones of feet and ankles. Great restlessness.

    Modalities.–Worse, lying down, from cold, wet weather.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ratanhia; Carduus. Rectal (irritation); Jaborandi; Phyt; Rhus; Sil; Arn.

    Antidote: Camph.

    Complementary: Calc phos.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency. Locally, the tincture for ganglia and as a lotion for the eyes.

  • RUMEX CRISPUS

    Yellow Dock

    Is characterized by pains, numerous and varied, neither fixed nor constant anywhere. Cough caused by an incessant tickling in the throat-pit, which tickling runs down to the bifurcation of the bronchial tubes. Touching the throat-pit brings on the cough. Worse from the least cold air; so that all cough ceases by covering up all the body and head with the bedclothes. Rumex diminishes the secretions of mucous membranes, and at the same time exalts sensibility of the mucous membranes of the larynx and trachea. Its action upon the skin is marked, producing an intense itching. Lymphatics enlarged and secretions perverted.

    Stomach.–Tongue sore at edges; coated; sensation of hard substance in pit of stomach; hiccough, pyrosis, nausea; cannot eat meat; it causes eructations, pruritus. Jaundice after excessive use of alcoholics. Chronic gastritis; aching pain in pit of stomach and shooting in the chest; extends towards the throat-pit, worse any motion or talking. Pain in left breast after meals; flatulence.

    Respiratory.–Nose dry. Tickling in throat-pit causes cough. Copious mucous discharge from nose and trachea. Dry, teasing cough, preventing sleep. Aggravated by pressure, talking, and especially by inspiring cool air and at night. Thin, watery, frothy expectoration by the mouthful: later, stringy and tough. Rawness of larynx and trachea. Soreness behind sternum, especially left side, in region of left shoulder. Raw pain under clavicle. Lump in throat.

    Stool.–Brown, watery, diarrhœa early in morning, with cough, driving him out of bed. Valuable in advanced phthisis (Seneg; Puls; Lycop; Ars). Itching of anus, with sensation as of a stick in rectum. Piles.

    Skin.–Intense itching of skin, especially of lower extremities; worse, exposure to cold air when undressing. Urticaria; contagious prurigo.

    Modalities.–Worse, in evening, from inhaling cold air; left chest; uncovering.

    Relationship.–Compare: Caust; Sulph; Bell; Rumex contains chrysophanic acid to which the skin symptoms correspond. Rumex acetosa-Sheep sorrel–(Gathered in June and dried, used locally for Epithelioma of face (Cowperthwaite). Dry, unremitting short cough, and violent pains in the bowels; uvula elongated; inflammation of œsophagus; also cancer); Rumex obtusifolius-Lapathum-Broad-leaf dock–(nosebleed and headache following; pain in kidneys; leucorrhœa).

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • ROSA DAMASCENA

    Damask Rose

    Useful in the beginning of hay-fever, with involvement of Eustachian tube.

    Ear.–Hardness of hearing; tinnitus. Eustachian catarrh (Hydr; Merc dulc).

    Relationship.–Compare: in hay-fever: Phleum pratense–Timothy grass–(Hay-fever with asthma; watery coryza, itching of nose and eyes; frequent sneezing, dyspnœa. Use 6-30 potency. Rabe). Succin acid; Sabad; Euph; Psor; Kali hyd; Naphth.

    Dose.–Lower potencies.

  • ROBINIA PSEUDACACIA

    Yellow Locust
    (ROBINIA)

    The remedy for hperchlorhydria. In cases where albuminoid digestion is too rapid and starch digestion is perverted. The gastric symptoms with the most pronounced acidity are well authenticated, and are the guiding symptoms. The acidity of Robinia is accompanied by frontal headache. Intensely acrid eructations. Acrid and greenish vomiting, colic and flatulence, nightly burning pains in stomach and constipation with urgent desire.–Acidity of children. Stools and perspiration sour. Incarcerated flatus.

    Head.–Dull, throbbing, frontal pain; worse, motion and reading. Gastric headache with acid vomiting.

    Stomach.–Dull, heavy aching. Nausea; sour, eructations; profuse vomiting of an intensely sour fluid (Sulph ac). Great distention of stomach and bowels. Flatulent colic (Cham; Diosc). Sour stools; child smells sour.

    Female.–Nymphomania. Acrid, fetid leucorrhœa. Discharge of blood between menstrual periods. Herpes on vagina and vulva.

    Relationship.–Magnes phos; Arg nit; Orexine tannate. (Hyperchlorhydria; deficient acid and slow digestion; 14 hourly doses)

    Dose.–Third potency. Must be continued a long time.

  • RICINUS COMMUNIS

    Yellow Locust
    (ROBINIA)

    The remedy for hperchlorhydria. In cases where albuminoid digestion is too rapid and starch digestion is perverted. The gastric symptoms with the most pronounced acidity are well authenticated, and are the guiding symptoms. The acidity of Robinia is accompanied by frontal headache. Intensely acrid eructations. Acrid and greenish vomiting, colic and flatulence, nightly burning pains in stomach and constipation with urgent desire.–Acidity of children. Stools and perspiration sour. Incarcerated flatus.

    Head.–Dull, throbbing, frontal pain; worse, motion and reading. Gastric headache with acid vomiting.

    Stomach.–Dull, heavy aching. Nausea; sour, eructations; profuse vomiting of an intensely sour fluid (Sulph ac). Great distention of stomach and bowels. Flatulent colic (Cham; Diosc). Sour stools; child smells sour.

    Female.–Nymphomania. Acrid, fetid leucorrhœa. Discharge of blood between menstrual periods. Herpes on vagina and vulva.

    Relationship.–Magnes phos; Arg nit; Orexine tannate. (Hyperchlorhydria; deficient acid and slow digestion; 14 hourly doses)

    Dose.–Third potency. Must be continued a long time.