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

  • RHUS VENENATA

    Poison-elder

    The skin symptoms of this species of Rhus are most severe.

    Mind.–Great melancholy; no desire to live, gloomy.

    Head.–Heavy, frontal headache; worse, walking or stooping. Eyes nearly closed with great swelling. Vesicular inflammation of ears. Nose red and shiny. Face swollen.

    Tongue.–Red at tip. Fissured in middle. Vesicles on under side.

    Abdomen.–Profuse, watery, white stools in morning, 4 am, with colicky pains; expelled with force. Pain in hypogastrium before every stool.

    Extremities.–Paralytic drawing in right arm, especially wrist, and extending to fingers.

    Skin.–Itching; relieved by hot water. Vesicles. Erysipelas; skin dark red. Erythema nodosum, with nightly itching and pains in long bones.

    Relationship.–Antidote: Clematis. The California Poison-oak (Rhus diversiloba) is identical with it. It antidotes Radium and follows it well. Compare: Anacard.

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency.

  • RHUS TOXICODENDRON

    Poison-ivy

    The effects on the skin, rheumatic pains, mucous membrane affections, and a typhoid type of fever, make this remedy frequently indicated. Rhus affects fibrous tissue markedly-joints, tendons, sheaths-aponeurosis, etc, producing pains and stiffness. Post-operative complications. Tearing asunder pains. Motion always “limbers up” the Rhus patient, and hence he feels better for a time from a change of position. Ailments from strains, overlifting, getting wet while perspiring. Septic conditions. Cellulitis and infections, carbuncles in early stages (Echinac). Rheumatism in the cold season. Septicæmia.

    Mind.–Listless, sad. Thoughts of suicide. Extreme restlessness, with continued change of position. Delirium, with fear of being poisoned (Hyos). Sensorium becomes cloudy. Great apprehension at night, cannot remain in bed.

    Head.–Feels as if a board were strapped on the forehead. Vertigo when rising. Heavy head. Brain feels loose and as if struck against skull on walking or rising. Scalp sensitive; worse on side lain on. Headache in occiput (Rhus rad); painful to touch. Pain in forehead and proceeds thence backward. Humid eruptions on scalp; itching greatly.

    Eyes.–Swollen, red, œdematous; orbital cellulitis. Pustular inflammations. Photophobia; profuse flow of yellow pus. Œdema of lids, suppurative iritis. Lids inflamed, agglutinated swollen. Old injured eyes. Circumscribed corneal injection. Intensive ulceration of the cornea. Iritis, after exposure to cold and dampness, and of rheumatic origin. Eye painful on turning it or pressing, can hardly move it, as in acute retrobulbar neuritis. Profuse gush of hot, scalding tears upon opening lids.

    Ears.–Pain in ears, with sensation as if something were in them. Lobules swollen. Discharge of bloody pus.

    Nose.–Sneezing; coryza from getting wet. Tip of nose red, sore, ulcerated. Swelling of nose. Nosebleed on stooping.

    Face.–Jaws crack when chewing. Easy dislocation of jaw (Ign; Petrol). Swollen face, erysipelas. Cheek bones sensitive to touch. Parotitis. Facial neuralgia, with chilliness; worse, evening. Crusta lactea (Calc; Viol tric).

    Mouth.–Teeth feel loose and long; gums sore. Tongue red and cracked; coated, except red triangular space at the tip; dry and red at edges. Corners of mouth ulcerated; fever-blisters around mouth and chin (Nat mur). Pain in maxillary joint.

    Throat.–Sore, with swollen glands. Sticking pain on swallowing. Parotitis; left side.

    Stomach.–Want of appetite for any kind of food, with unquenchable thirst. Bitter taste (Cupr). Nausea, vertigo, and bloated abdomen after eating. Desire for milk. Great thirst, with dry mouth and throat. Pressure as from a stone. (Bry; Ars) Drowsy after eating.

    Abdomen.–Violent pains, relieved by lying on abdomen. Swelling of inguinal glands. Pain in region of ascending colon. Colic, compelling to walk bent. Excessive distention after eating. Rumbling of flatus on first rising, but disappears with continued motion.

    Rectum.–Diarrhœa of blood, slime, and reddish mucus. Dysentery, with tearing pains down thighs. Stools of cadaverous odor. Frothy, painless stools. Will often abort a beginning suppurative process near the rectum. Dysentery.

    Urinary.–Dark, turbid, high-colored, scanty urine, with white sediment. Dysuria, with loss of blood.

    Male.–Swelling of glands and prepuce-dark-red erysipelatous; scrotum thick, swollen, œdematous. Itching intense.

    Female.–Swelling, with intense itching of vulva. Pelvic articulations stiff when beginning to move. Menses early, profuse, and prolonged, acrid. Lochia thin, protracted, offensive diminished (Puls; Secale), with shooting upwards in vagina (Sep).

    Respiratory.–Tickling behind upper sternum. Dry, teasing cough from midnight until morning, during a chill, or when putting hands out of bed. Hæmoptysis from overexertion; blood bright red. Influenza, with aching in all bones (Eup perf). Hoarseness from overtraining voice (Arn). Oppression of the chest, cannot get breath with sticking pains. Bronchial coughs in old people, worse on awaking and with expectoration of small plugs of mucus.

    Heart.–Hypertrophy from overexertion. Pulse quick, weak, irregular, intermittent, with numbness of left arm. Trembling and palpitation when sitting still.

    Back.–Pain between shoulders on swallowing. Pain and stiffness in small of back; better, motion, or lying on something hard; worse, while sitting. Stiffness of the nape of the neck.

    Extremities.–Hot, painful swelling of joints. Pains tearing in tendons, ligaments, and fasciæ. Rheumatic pains spread over a large surface at nape of neck, loins, and extremities; better motion (Agaric). Soreness of condyles of bones. Limbs stiff paralyzed. The cold fresh air is not tolerated; it makes the skin painful. Pain along ulnar nerve. Tearing down thighs. Sciatica; worse, cold, damp weather, at night. Numbness and formication, after overwork and exposure. Paralysis; trembling after exertion. Tenderness about knee-joint. Loss of power in forearm and fingers; crawling sensation in the tips of fingers. Tingling in feet.

    Fever.–Adynamic; restless, trembling. Typhoid; tongue dry and brown; sordes; bowels loose; great restlessness. Intermittent; chill, with dry cough and restlessness. During heat, urticaria. Hydroa. Chilly, as if cold water were poured over him, followed by heat and inclination to stretch the limbs.

    Skin.–Red, swollen; itching intense. Vesicles, herpes; urticaria; pemphigus; erysipelas; vesicular suppurative forms. Glands swollen. Cellulitis. Burning eczematous eruptions with tendency to scale formation.

    Sleep.–Dreams of great exertion. Heavy sleep, as from stupor. Sleepless before midnight.

    Modalities.–Worse, during sleep, cold, wet rainy weather and after rain; at night, during rest, drenching, when lying on back or right side. Better, warm, dry weather, motion; walking, change of position, rubbing, warm applications, from stretching out limbs.

    Relationship.–Complementary: Bry; Calc fluor. Phytol (Rheumatism). In urticaria follow with Bovista.

    Inimical: Apis.

    Antidotes: Bathing with milk and Grindelia lotion very effective. Ampelopsis Trifolia-Three-leaf Woodbine–(Toxic dermatitis due to vegetable poisons-30 and 200. Very similar to Rhus poisoning). Desensitizing against Ivy poisoning by the use of descending doses of the tincture by mouth or by hypodermic injections is recommended by old school authorities, but is not as effective as the homeopathic remedies especially Rhus 30 and 200 and Anacard, etc. Anacard; Croton; Grindelia; Mezer; Cyprip; Plumbago (eczema of vulva); Graph.

    Compare: Rhus radicans (almost identical action); characteristics are, burning in tongue, tip feels sore, pains are often semilateral and in various parts, often remote and successive. Many symptoms are better after a storm has thoroughly set in, especially after an electric storm. Has pronounced yearly aggravation (Laches). Rhus radicans has headache in occiput even pain in nape of neck and from there pains draw over the head forwards. Rhus diversiloba-California Poison-oak (antidote to Rhus; violent skin symptoms, with frightful itching; much swelling of face, hands and genitals; skin very sensitive; eczema and erysipelas, great nervous weakness, tired from least effort; goes to sleep from sheer exhaustion); Xerophyllum (dysmenorrhœa and skin symptoms). Compare, also; Arn; Bapt; Lach; Ars; Hyos; Op (stupefaction more profound). Mimosa-Sensitive Plant–(rheumatism, knee stiff, lancinating pains in back and limbs. Swelling of ankles Legs tremble).

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency. The 200th and higher are antidotal to poisoning with the plant and tincture.

  • RHUS GLABRA

    Smooth Sumach

    Epistaxis and occipital headache. Fetid flatus. Ulceration of mouth. Dreams of flying through the air (Sticta). Profuse perspiration arising from debility (China). It is claimed that this remedy will so disinfect the bowels that the flatus and stools will be free from odor. It acts well in putrescent conditions with tendency to ulceration.

    Mouth.–Scurvy; nursing sore mouth (Veronica). Aphthous stomatitis.

    Relationship.–Said to be antidotal to the action of Mercury, and has been employed in the treatment of secondary syphilis after mercurialization.

    Dose.–Tincture. Usually locally to soft, spongy gums, aphthæ, pharyngitis, etc. Internally, first potency.

  • RHUS AROMATICA

    Fragrant Sumach

    Renal and urinary affections, especially diabetes. Enuresis due to vesical atony; senile incontinence. Hæmaturia and cystitis come within the range of this remedy.

    Urine.–Pale, albuminous. Incontinence. Severe pain at beginning or before urination, causing great agony in children. Constant dribbling. Diabetes, large quantities of urine of low specific gravity (Phos ac; Acet ac).

    Dose.–Tincture, in rather material doses.

  • RHODIUM METALLICUM

    Metal Chemical Element
    (RHODIUM)

    (Proved by MacFarlan with the 200th potency).

    Nervous and tearful. Frontal headache; shocks through head. Fleeting neuralgic pains in head, over eyes, in ear, both sides of nose, teeth. Loose cold in head. Lips dry. Nausea especially from sweets. Dull headache. Stiff neck and rheumatic pain down left shoulder and arm. Itching in arms, palms and face. Loose stools with gripings in abdomen. Hyper-active peristalsis, tenesmus after stool. More urine passed. Cough scratchy, wheezy. Thick, yellow mucus from chest. Feels weak, dizzy and a tired feeling.

  • RHODODENDRON FERRUGINEUM

    Snow-rose
    (RHODODENDRON)

    Rheumatic and gouty symptoms well marked. Rheumatism in the hot season. The modality (worse before a storm) is a true guiding symptom.

    Mind.–Dread of a storm; particularly afraid of thunder. Forgetful.

    Head.–Aching in temples. Tearing pain in bones. Headache; worse, wine, wind, cold and wet weather. Pain in eyes before a storm. Ciliary neuralgia, involving eyeball, orbit, and head. Heat in eyes when using them.

    Eyes.–Muscular asthenopia; darting pains through eyes from head, worse before a storm.

    Ears.–Difficult hearing, with whizzing and ringing in ears. Hearing better in the morning; noises come on after patient has been up a few hours.

    Face.–Prosopalgia; violent jerking pain involving dental nerves, from temple to lower jaw and chin; better, warmth and eating. toothache in damp weather and before a storm. Swollen gums. Stumps of teeth are loosened.

    Chest.–Violent pleuritic pains running downward in left anterior chest. Breathless and speechless from violent pleuritic pains running down the anterior chest. Stitches in spleen from fast walking. Crampy pain under short ribs.

    Male.–Testicles, worse left, swollen, painful, drawn up. Orchitis; glands feel crushed. Induration and swelling of testes after gonorrhœa. Hydrocele (Sil).

    Extremities.–Joints swollen. Gouty inflammation of great toe-joint. Rheumatic tearing in all limbs, especially right side; worse, at rest and in stormy weather. Stiffness of neck. Pain in shoulders, arms, wrists; worse when at rest. Pains in bones in spots, and reappear by change of weather. Cannot sleep unless legs are crossed.

    Modalities.–Worse, before a storm. All symptoms reappear in rough weather, night, towards morning. Better, after the storm breaks, warmth, and eating.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ampelopsis (hydrocele and renal dropsy); Dulc; Rhus; Nat sulph.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency.

  • RHEUM PALMATUM

    Rhubarb
    (RHEUM)

    Of frequent use in children with sour diarrhœa; difficult dentition. Whole child smells sour.

    Mind.–Impatient and vehement; desires many things and cries (Cina).

    Head.–Sweat on hairy scalp; constant and profuse. Cool sweat on the face, especially about mouth and nose.

    Mouth.–Much saliva. Sensation of coolness in teeth. Difficult teething; restless and irritable. Breath smells sour (Cham).

    Stomach.–Desire for various kinds of food, but soon tires of all. Throbbing in pit. Feels full.

    Abdomen.–Colicky pain about navel. Colic when uncovering. Wind seems to rise up to chest.

    Rectum.–Before stool, unsuccessful urging to urinate. Stools smell sour, pasty, with shivering and tenesmus, and burning in anus. Sour diarrhœa during dentition. Colicky, even ineffectual urging to evacuate altered fecal stools.

    Modalities.–Worse, uncovering, after eating, moving about.

    Relationship.–Compare: Mag phos; Hep; Pod; Cham; Ipec.

    Antidotes: Camph; Cham.

    Complementary: Mag carb.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • RHAMNUS CALIFORNICA

    California Coffee-tree

    One of the most positive remedies for rheumatism and muscular pains. Pleurodynia, lumbago, gastralgia. Vesical tenesmus; dysmenorrhœa of myalgic origin; pain in head, neck, and face. Inflammatory rheumatism, joints swollen, painful; tendency to metastasis; profuse sweat. Rheumatic heart (Webster).

    Provings of students. 2x potency.

    Mind.–Nervous, restless, irritable. Lassitude; mentally dull and dazed; unable to concentrate mind on studies.

    Head.–Dizzy full feeling. Heavy bruised sensation; better from pressure. Bursting feeling with every step. Soreness, especially in occiput and vertex, worse, bending over. Dull pain in left temple. Dull aching in frontal region (left), extending backwards and over forehead. Deep, right-sided frontal headache. Twitching eyelids.

    Ears.–Dullness of hearing. Soreness, deep under right tragus on swallowing.

    Face.–Flushed, hot and glowing. Outward pressure from malar processes.

    Mouth.–Canker sore between gums and lips. Tongue coated, with clean, pink central patch.

    Throat.–Dry, rough. Soreness on right side and tonsil.

    Bowels.–Constipation with some flatus. Tenesmus and dry stool. Flatulent diarrhœa.

    Genito-urinary.–Increased urination. Tickling in anterior urethra, small morning drop (no previous gonorrhœa). Sexual desire increased.

    Respiratory.–Substernal oppression. Tenderness on pressure of right intercostal muscles.

    Heart.–Variation of pulse. Slow pulse.

    Extremities.–Unable to control muscular action. Legs sore. Walked like a drunken man.

    Modality.–Symptoms worse in evening.

    Relationship.–Rhamnus cathartica or Rhamnus Frangula-European Buckthorn-a rheumatic remedy–(abdominal symptoms, colic, diarrhœa; hæmorrhoids, especially chronic). Rhamnus Purshiana-Cascara Sagrada–(palliative in constipation, as an intestinal tonic, and dyspepsia dependent thereon. 10-15 drops of tincture).

    Dose.–Tincture in 15-drop doses every four hours.

  • RATANHIA PERUVIANA

    Krameria-Mapato
    (RATANHIA)

    The rectal symptoms are most important, and have received much clinical confirmation. It has cured pterygium. Violent hiccough. Cracked nipples (Graph; Eup ar). Pin worms.

    Head.–Bursting in head after stool, and when sitting with head bent forward. Sensation as if scalp from nose to vertex were stretched.

    Stomach.–Pain like knives cutting the stomach.

    Rectum.–Aches, as if full of broken glass. Anus aches and burns for hours after stool. Feels constricted. Dry heat at anus, with sudden knife-like stitches. Stools must be forced with great effort; protrusion of hæmorrhoids. Fissures of anus, with great constriction, burning like fire, as do the hæmorrhoids; temporarily relieved by cold water. Fetid, thin diarrhœa; stools burn; burning pains before and after stools. Oozing at anus. Pin-worms (Sant; Teuc; Spig). Itching of anus.

    Relationship.–Compare: Paeon; Croton (rectal neuralgia); Sanguin nit (diseases of rectum); Macuna prurens-Dolichos-piles, with burning; hæmorrhoidal diathesis; Silico-sulphocalcite of Alumina; Stag-blast iron furnace cinder–(anal itching, piles, and constipation; housemaid’s knee); abdominal flatulent distension and lumbago. Analogue to Lycopod.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency. Locally, the Cerate has proved invaluable in many rectal complaints.

  • RAPHANUS SATIVUS

    Black Garden Radish
    (RAPHANUS)

    Produces pain and stitches in liver and spleen. Increases of bile and salivary secretion. Symptoms will not appear if salt is used with the Radish. Great accumulation and incarceration of flatulence. “Globus” symptoms. Seborrhœa, with greasy skin. Pemphigus. Hysteria; chilliness in back and arms. Sexual insomnia (Kali brom). Nymphomania. Post-operative gas pains.

    Head.–Sadness, aversion to children, especially girls. Headache, brain feels tender and sore. Œdema of lower eyelids. Mucus in posterior nares.

    Throat.–Hot-ball feeling from uterus to throat, stopping there. Heat and burning in throat.

    Stomach.–Putrid eructations. Burning in epigastrium, followed by hot eructation.

    Abdomen.–Retching and vomiting, loss of appetite. Distended, tympanitic, hard. No flatus emitted upward or downward. Griping about navel. Stool liquid, frothy, profuse, brown, with colic, and pad-like swelling of intestines. Vomiting of fecal matter.

    Female.–Nervous irritation of genitals. Menses very profuse and long-lasting. Nymphomania, with aversion to her own sex and to children, and sexual insomnia.

    Urine.–Turbid, with yeast-like sediment. Urine more copious, thick like milk.

    Chest.–Pain in chest extends to back and to throat. Heavy lump and coldness in center of chest.

    Relationship.–Compare: Momordica (worse, near splenic flexure); Carbo; Anarc; Arg nit; Brassica.

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.