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

  • POLYGONUM HYDROPIPEROIDES

    Hydropiper – Smartweed
    (POLYGONUM PUNCTATUM)

    Metrorrhagia, also Amenorrhœa in young girls. Varicosis; hæmorrhoids and rectal pockets. Burning in stomach followed by feeling of coldness in the pit of the stomach.

    Abdomen.–Griping pain, with great rumbling, nausea, and liquid feces. Flatulent colic.

    Rectum.–Interior of anus studded with itching eminence. Hæmorrhoids. Liquid feces.

    Urinary.–Painful constriction at neck of bladder.

    Female.–Aching pains in hips and loins. Sensation as if hips were being drawn together. Sensation of weight and tension within pelvis. Shooting pains through breasts. Amenorrhœa.

    Skin.–Superficial ulcers and sores on lower extremities, especially in females at climacteric.

    Relationship.–Compare: Carduus mar (ulcers); Hamam; Senecio; Polygonum persicaria (renal colic and calculi; gangrene); Polygonum sagitatum-arrow-leaved. Tear-thumb–(2x for pains of nephritic colic; suppurative nephritis; lancinating pains along spine; itching of hard palate; burning inner side of right foot and ankle. C. M. Boger); Polygonum aviculare-knot-grass–(in material doses of tincture, found useful in phthisis pulmonalis and intermittent fever, and especially in arterio-sclerosis. Erythema).

    Dose.–Tincture.

  • PODOPHYLLINUM

    May-apple
    (PODOPHYLLUM)

    Is especially adapted to persons of bilious temperament. It affects chiefly the duodenum, small intestines, liver, and rectum The Podophyllum disease is a gastro-enteritis with colicky pain and bilious vomiting. Stool is watery with jelly-like mucus, painless, profuse. Gushing and offensive. Many troubles during pregnancy; pendulous abdomen after confinement; prolapsus uteri; painless cholera morbus. Torpidity of the liver; portal engorgement with a tendency to hæmorrhoids, hypogastric pain, fullness of superficial veins, jaundice.

    Mind.–Loquacity and delirium from eating acid fruits. Depression of spirits.

    Head.–Vertigo, with tendency to fall forward. Headache, dull pressure, worse morning, with heated face and bitter taste; alternating with diarrhœa. Rolling of head from side to side, moaning and vomiting and eyelids half closed. Child perspires on head during sleep.

    Mouth.–Grinding the teeth at night; intense desire to press the gums together (Phytol). Difficult dentition. Tongue broad, large, moist. Foul, putrid taste. Burning sensation of tongue.

    Stomach.–Hot, sour belching; nausea and vomiting. Thirst for large quantities of cold water (Bry). Vomiting of hot, frothy mucus. Heartburn; gagging or empty retching. Vomiting of milk.

    Abdomen.–Distended; heat and emptiness. Sensation of weakness or sinking. Can lie comfortably only on stomach. Liver region painful, better rubbing part. Rumbling and shifting of flatus in ascending colon.

    Rectum.–Cholera infantum and morbus. Diarrhœa of long standing; early in morning; during teething, with hot, glowing cheeks while being bathed or washed; in hot weather after acid fruits. Morning, painless diarrhœa when not due to venous stasis or intestinal ulceration. Green, watery, fetid, profuse, gushing. Prolapse of rectum before or with stool. Constipation; clay-colored, hard, dry, difficult. Constipation alternating with diarrhœa (Ant crud). Internal and external piles.

    Female.–Pain in uterus and right ovary, with shifting noises along ascending colon. Suppressed menses, with pelvic tenesmus. Prolapsed uteri, especially after parturition. Hæmorrhoids, with prolapsus ani during pregnancy.

    Extremities.–Pain between shoulders, under right scapula, in loins and lumbar region. Pain in right inguinal region; shoots down inner thigh to knees. Paralytic weakness on left side.

    Fever.–Chill at 7 am, with pain in hypochondria, and knees, ankles, wrists, Great loquacity during fever. Profuse sweat.

    Modalities.–Worse, in early morning, in hot weather, during dentition.

    Relationship.–Compare: Mandragora-also called mandrake–(must not be confounded with Podoph. Great desire for sleep; exaggeration of sounds and enlarged vision. Bowels inactive; stools large, white and hard). Aloe; Chelid; Merc; Nux; Sulph. Prunella-Self-head–(Colitis).

    Dose.–Tincture to sixth potency. The 200th and 1000th seem to do good work in cholera infantum, when indicated.

  • PLUMBUM METALLICUM

    Lead

    The great drug for general sclerotic conditions. Lead paralysis is chiefly of extensors, forearm or upper limb, from center to periphery with partial anæsthesia or excessive hyperasthesia, preceded by pain. Localized neuralgic pains, neuritis. The blood, alimentary and nervous systems are the special seats of action of Plumbum. Hematosis is interfered with, rapid reduction in number of red corpuscles; hence pallor, icterus, anæmia. Constrictive sensation in internal organs.

    Delirium, coma and convulsions. Hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Progressive muscular atrophy. Infantile paralysis. Locomotor ataxia. Excessive and rapid emaciation. Bulbar paralysis. Important in peripheral affections. The points of attack for Plumbum are the neuraxons and the anterior horns. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis, posterior spinal sclerosis. Contractions and boring pain. All the symptoms of acute. Nephritis with amaurosis and cerebral symptoms. Gout (Chronic).

    Mind.–Mental depression. Fear of being assassinated. Quiet melancholy. Slow perception; loss of memory; amnesic aphasia. Hallucinations and delusions. Intellectual apathy. Memory impaired (Anac; Baryta). Paretic dementia.

    Head.–Delirium alternating with colic. Pain as if a ball rose from throat to brain. Hair very dry. Tinnitus (Chin; Nat salic; Carbon sulph).

    Eyes.–Pupils contracted. Yellow. Optic nerve inflamed. Intraocular, suppurative inflammation. Glaucoma, especially if secondary to spinal lesion. Optic neuritis, central scotoma. Sudden loss of sight after fainting.

    Face.–Pale and cachetic. Yellow, corpse-like; cheeks sunken. Skin of face greasy, shiny. Tremor of naso-labial muscles.

    Mouth.–Gums swollen, pale; distinct blue lines along margins of gums. Tongue tremulous, red on margin. Cannot put it out, seems paralyzed.

    Stomach.–Contraction in œsophagus and stomach; pressure and tightness. Gastralgia. Constant vomiting. Solids cannot be swallowed.

    Abdomen.–Excessive colic, radiating to all parts of body. Abdominal wall feels drawn by a string to spine. Pain causes desire to stretch. Intussusception; strangulated hernia. Abdomen retracted. Obstructed flatus, with intense colic. Colic alternates with delirium and pain in atrophied limbs.

    Rectum.–Constipation; stools hard, lumpy, black with urging and spasm of anus. Obstructed evacuation from impaction of feces (Plat). Neuralgia of rectum. Anus drawn up with constriction.

    Urinary.–Frequent, ineffectual tenesmus. Albuminous; low specific gravity. Chronic interstitial nephritis, with great pain in abdomen. Urine scanty. Tenesmus of bladder. Emission drop by drop.

    Male.–Loss of sexual power. Testicles drawn up, feel constricted.

    Female.–Vaginismus, with emaciation and constipation. Induration of mammary glands. Vulva and vagina hypersensitive. Stitches and burning pains in breasts (Apis; Con; Carb an; Sil). Tendency to abortion. Menorrhagia with sensation of string pulling from abdomen to back. Disposition to yawn and stretch.

    Heart.–Cardiac weakness. Pulse soft and small, dichrotic. Wiry pulse, camp-like constriction of peripheral arteries.

    Back.–Spinal cord sclerosed. Lightning-like pains; temporarily better by pressure. Paralysis of lower extremities.

    Skin.–Yellow, dark-brown liver spots. Jaundice. Dry. Dilated veins of forearms and legs.

    Extremities.–Paralysis of single muscles. Cannot raise or lift anything with the hand. Extension is difficult. Paralysis from overexertion of the extensor muscles in piano players (Curare). Pains in muscles of thighs; come in paroxysms. Wrist-drop. Cramps in calves. Stinging and tearing in limbs, also twitching and tingling, numbness, pain or tremor. Paralysis. Feet swollen. Pain in atrophied limbs alternates with colic. Loss of patellar reflex. Hands and feet cold. Pain in right big toe at night, very sensitive to touch.

    Modalities.–Worse, at night, motion. Better, rubbing, hard pressure, physical exertion (Alumen).

    Relationship.–Compare: Plumb acet (painful cramps in paralyzed limbs; severe pain and muscular cramps in gastric ulcer; locally, as an application (non-homeopathic) in moist eczema, and to dry up secretions from mucous surfaces. Care must be used, as sufficient lead can be absorbed to produce lead poison, one to two drams of the liquor plumbi subacetatis to the ounce of water; also in pruritus pudendi, equal parts of the liquor plumbi and glycerin). Plumb iodat (Has been used empirically in various forms of paralysis, sclerotic degenerations, especially of spinal cord, atrophies, arterio-sclerosis, pellagra. Indurations of mammary glands, especially when a tendency to become inflamed appears; sore and painful. Indurations of great hardness and associated with a very dry skin. Lancinating pains of Tabes). Compare: Alumina; Plat; Opium; Podoph; Merc; Thall. Plectranthus (paralysis, spastic, spinal form); Plumb chromicum (convulsions, with terrible pains; pupils greatly dilated; retracted abdomen;); Plumb phosph (loss of sexual power; locomotor ataxia).

    Antidotes: Plat; Alum; Petrol.

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • PLATANUS OCCIDENTALIS

    Sycamore-Buttonwood

    Tarsal tumors. Apply the tincture. Both acute and old neglected cases, where destruction of tissue occurred and cicatricial contraction caused marked deformity of lid, restored to practically normal conditions. Acts best in children. Must be used for some time. Ichtyosis.

  • PLATINUM METALLICUM

    The Metal
    (PLATINA)

    Is pre-eminently a woman’s remedy. Strong tendency to paralysis, anæsthesia, localized numbness and coldness are shown. Hysterical spasms; pains increase and decrease gradually (Stannum). Tremulousness.

    Mind.–Irresistible impulse to kill. Self-exaltation; contempt for others. Arrogant, proud. Weary of everything. Everything seems changed. Mental trouble pressed menses. Physical symptoms disappear as mental symptoms develop.

    Head.–Tense, pressing pain, confined to a small spot. Cramplike, squeezing pain. Constriction about forehead and right temples. Numbness, with headache.

    Eyes.–Objects look smaller than they are. Twitching of lids (Agar). Eyes feel cold. Cramp-like pain in orbits.

    Ears.–Feels numb. Cramp-like twinges. Roaring and rumbling.

    Face.–Prosopalgia, with numb feeling in malar bones, as if the parts were between screws. Pain at root of nose, as if squeezed in a vise. Coldness, creeping, and numbness, in whole right side of face. Pains increase and decrease gradually (Stann).

    Stomach.–Fermentation, much flatulence; constriction; ravenous hunger; persistent nausea, with anxiety and weakness.

    Abdomen.–Painter’s colic. Pain in umbilical region; extending through to back. Pressing and bearing down in abdomen; extending into pelvis.

    Stool.–Retarded; feces scanty; evacuated with difficulty. Adheres to rectum, like soft clay. Sticky stool. Constipation of travelers, who are constantly changing food and water. Stool as if burnt.

    Female.–Parts hypersensitive. Tingling internally and externally (Kali brom; Orig). Ovaries sensitive and burn. Menses too early, too profuse, dark-clotted, with spasms and painful bearing-down, chilliness, and sensitiveness of parts. Vaginismus. Nymphomania. Excessive sexual development; vaginismus. Pruritus vulvæ. Ovaritis with sterility. Abnormal sexual appetite and melancholia.

    Extremities.–Tightness of thighs, as if too tightly wrapped. Numb and weary sensation. Feel paralyzed.

    Sleep.–Sleeps with legs far apart (Chamom).

    Modalities.–Worse, sitting and standing; evening. Better, walking.

    Relationship.–Compare: Rhodium; Stann; Valer; Sep. Compare, also: Platinum muriaticum (this remedy has achieved beneficial results after Iodide of Potash failed to cure in syphilitic affection; violent occipital headaches, dysphagia, and syphilitic throat and bone affections; caries of bones of feet); Plat mur nat (polyuria and salivation); Sedum acre (sexual irritability, relieves irritation of nerve centers and gives rest).

    Antidote: Puls. Platina antidotes the bad effects of lead.

    Dose.–Sixth trituration to thirtieth potency.

  • PLANTAGO MAJOR

    Plantain

    Has considerable clinical reputation in the treatment of earache, toothache, and enuresis. Sharp pain in eyes, reflex from decayed teeth or inflammation of middle ear. Eyeball very tender to touch. Pain plays between teeth and ears. Pyorrhea alveolaris. Depression and insomnia of chronic Nicotinism. Causes an aversion to tobacco.

    Head.–Periodical prosopalgia, worse 7 am to 2 pm, accompanied with flow of tears, photophobia; pains radiate to temples and lower face.

    Ears.–Hearing acute; noise painful. Sticking pain in ears. Neuralgic earache; pain goes from one ear to the other through the head. Otalgia, with toothache. Loud noises go through one.

    Nose.–Sudden, yellowish, watery discharge.

    Mouth.–Teeth ache and are sensitive and sore to touch. Swelling of cheeks. Salivation; teeth feel too long; worse, cold air and contact. Toothache, better while eating. Profuse of saliva. Toothache, with reflex neuralgia of eyelids.

    Stool.–Wants to defecate; goes often, but cannot bad, can hardly stand. Diarrhœa, with brown watery

    Urine.–Profuse flow; nocturnal enuresis (Rhus arom; Caust; Bellad).

    Skin.–Itching and burning; papulæ. Urticaria, chilblains (Agar; Tamus).

    Relationship.–Compare: Kalm; Cham; Puls.

    Dose.–Tincture, and lower potencies. Local use in toothache in hollow teeth, otorrhœa, pruritus, and Poison-oak. Incised wounds.

  • PIX LIQUIDA

    Pine-tar

    Tar and its constituents act on various mucous membranes.

    Its skin symptoms most important. A great cough medicine. Bronchial irritation after influenza (Kreosot; Kali bich). Scaly eruptions. Much itching. Constant vomiting of blackish fluid, with pain in stomach. Alopecia (Fluor ac).

    Chest.–Pain at a spot about the third left costal cartilage where it joins the rib. Rales through the lungs, and muco-purulent sputum; offensive odor and taste. Chronic bronchitis.

    Skin.–Cracked; itches intolerably; bleeds on scratching. Eruptions on back of hands.

    Relationship.–Compare its constituents: Kreosol; Petrol; Pinus; Eupion; Terebinth; Carbolic acid.

    Dose.–First to sixth potency.

  • PITUITARIA GLANDULA

    (PITUITARY GLAND)

    Pituitary exercises a superior control over the growth and development of the sexual organs, stimulates muscular activity and overcomes uterine inertia. Its influence over unstriped muscular fiber is marked. Cerebral hæmorrhage. Will check hæmorrhage and add absorption of clot. Uterine inertia in second stage of labor where os is fully dilated. High blood pressure, chronic nephritis, prostatitis. Ten drops after meals (Dr. Geo. Fuller). Vertigo, difficult mental concentration, confusion and fullness deep in frontal region. Use 30th potency.

    Relationship.–Pituitrin–(Is a vaso-constrictor and parturient. Used chiefly for its action on the uterus either to aid in childbirth or to check bleeding after delivery. In doses of 1 c.c.m. intravenously to stimulate labor pains, expulsive period only. Contra indicated in myocarditis, nephritis and arteriosclerosis. A watery solution made from the posterior portion of the gland is put up in ampules containing about 15 minims each and is considered the hypodermic dose. No effect per os).

  • PIPER NIGRUM

    Black Pepper

    Sensation of burning and pressure everywhere.

    Mind.–Sad, apprehensive. Unable to concentrate; starts at any noise.

    Head.–Heavy headache, as if temples were pressed in; pressure in nasal and facial bones. Eyes inflamed and burning. Red burning face. Bursting aching in eyeballs. Nose itches; sneezing; nosebleed. Lips dry and cracked.

    Throat.–Sore, feels raw, burns. Burning pain in tonsils.

    Stomach.–Gastric discomfort. Full feeling. Great thirst. Flatulence. Tympanites. Colic and cramps.

    Chest.–Dyspnœa, cough with pain in chest in spots, feels as if spitting blood. Palpitation, cardiac pain slow intermittent pulse. Great flow of milk.

    Urinary.–Burning in bladder and urethra. Difficult micturition. Bladder feels full, swollen; frequent inclination without success. Priapism.

    Dose.–Low attenuations.

  • PIPER METHYSTICUM

    Kava-kava

    The intoxication produced by Kava is of a silent and drowsy character with incoherent dreams, loss of muscular power.

    Urinary and skin symptoms have been verified. Marked modality. Arthritis deformans. Colic with flatulence.

    Mind.–Very sensitive. Exaltation of mind. Amelioration of pains for a time by diverting attention. Restless desire to change position.

    Urine.–Increased. Burning during micturition, gonorrhœa, and gleet. Cystitis. Chordee.

    Skin.–Scaly. Fall of scales leaves white spots, which often ulcerate. Leprosy. Ichthyosis.

    Extremities.–Pain in right arm. Hands feel paralyzed. Pain in thumb-joint.

    Relationship.–Compare: Chaulmoogra-Taraktogenos–(The oil and its derivatives are to a certain extent effective in the treatment of leprosy, especially in early cases).

    Bixa orellana, a South American plant related to Chaulmoogra, recommended for leprosy, eczema and elephantiasis.

    Modalities.–Better, by turning mind to another topic; changing position.

    Dose.–Tincture, and lower potencies.