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

  • PERTUSSINUM

    Coqueluchin
    (PERTUSSIN)

    Taken from the glairy and stringy mucus containing the virus of whooping-cough. Introduced by John H. Clarke for the treatment of whooping-cough and other spasmodic coughs.

    Relationship.–Compare: Drosera; Corallium; Cuprum; Naphthal; Mephitis; Passiflor; Coccus Cacti; Magnes phos.

    Dose.–The thirtieth potency.

  • PENTHORUM SEDOIDES

    Virginia Stonecrop
    (PENTHORUM)

    A remedy for coryza, with rawness and wet feeling in nose. Throat feels raw. Chronic disorders of mucous membranes, with irritability. Chronic post-nasal catarrh; chronic pharyngitis, mucous membrane purple and relaxed. Posterior nares feel moist and raw; nose and ears feel full. Aphonia, hoarseness, relaxed vocal cords. Hypersecretion of mucous membranes. Itching of anus and burning in rectum. Trouble in pharyngeal vault and Eustachian tube.

    Nose.–Constant wet feeling in nose, which no amount of blowing will relieve. Discharge thick, pus-like, streaked with blood. Post-nasal catarrh of puberty.

    Dose.–Not very active, and better adapted to chronic affections; its use should be persisted in for some time. Lower potencies.

    Relationship.–Compare: Penthororun often follows Pulsat. Sang; Hydr.

  • PASSIFLORA INCARNATA

    Passion-flower

    An efficient anti-spasmodic. Whooping-cough. Morphine habit. Delirium tremens. Convulsions in children; neuralgia. Has a quieting effect on the nervous system. Insomnia, produces normal sleep, no disturbance of cerebral functions, neuroses of children, worm-fever, teething, spasms. Tetanus. Hysteria; puerperal convulsions. Painful diarrhśa. Acute mania. Atonic condition generally present. Asthma, 10-30 gtt every ten minutes for a few doses. Locally, in erysipelas.

    Head.–Violent ache as if top of head would come off-eyes felt as if pushed out.

    Stomach.–Leaden, dead feeling after or between meals; flatulence and sour eructations.

    Sleep.–Restless and wakeful, resulting from exhaustion. Especially in the feeble, infants and the aged. Insomnia of infants and the aged, and the mentally worried, and overworked, with tendency to convulsions. Nocturnal cough.

    Dose.–Large doses of mother tincture are required-thirty to sixty drops, repeated several times.

  • PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS

    Bitter-broom
    (PARTHENIUM – ESCOBA AMARGO)

    A Cuban remedy for fevers, especially malarial. Increased flow of milk. Amenorrhœa and general debility. Cheyne-Stokes breathing. After Quinine.

    Head.–Aches, extending to nose; feels swelled; pain in frontal eminence. Eyes heavy; eyeballs ache. Ringing in ears. Pain at root of nose; feels swollen. Aching in teeth. Teeth feel on edge; too long. Disordered vision. Tinnitus and pain in ears.

    Abdomen.–Pain in left hypochondrium. Spleen affections.

    Modalities.–Worse, after sleep, sudden motion. Better, after rising, and walking about.

    Relationship.–Compare: China; Ceanoth; Helianth.

  • PAREIRA BRAVA

    Virgin-vine
    (CHONDRODENDRON TOMENTOSUM)

    The urinary symptoms are most important. Useful in renal colic, prostatic affections, and catarrh of bladder. Sensation as if bladder were distended, with pain. Pain going down thigh.

    Urinary.–Black, bloody, thick mucous urine. Constant urging; great straining; pain down thighs during efforts to urinate. Can emit urine only when he goes on his knees, pressing head firmly against the floor. Feeling of the bladder being distended and neuralgic pain in the anterior crural region. (Staph.) Dribbling after micturition. (Selen.) Violent pain in glans penis. Itching along urethra; urethritis, with prostatic trouble. Inflammation of urethra; becomes almost cartilaginous.

    Relationship.–Compare: Parietaria (renal calculi; nightmare, patient dreaming of being buried alive); Chimaphila (chronic catarrhal congestion following cystitis; acute prostatitis; feeling of a ball in perineum when sitting); Fabiana, see Pichi (dysuria; post-gonorrhœal complications; gravel; vesical catarrh); Uva; Hydrang; Berber; Ocim; Hedeom.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • PARAFFINUM

    Purified Paraffin
    (PARAFFINE)

    Valuable in uterine affections. Particularly serviceable in constipation. Knife-like pains. Pains extend from one part to another, and alternate. Pain in stomach alternates with pain in throat and spine.

    Head.–Left side of head and face suffer most; pains stinging and twisting. Pain as if a nail were driven in left side of vertex. Twisting in left ear.

    Eyes.–Vision dim; black specks before. Lids red. Sensation as if there were fat on the eyes.

    Mouth.–Tearing, twisting pain in teeth down to lower jaw. Full of saliva; feels sticky; bitter taste.

    Stomach.–Hungry all the time. Pain across stomach. Pain in stomach alternates with pain in throat and spine, extends to chest with belching. Fixed pain in left hypochondrium, as if parts were being twisted. Palpitation with stomach pains.

    Abdomen.–Pain in lower abdomen, extending to genitals, rectum and coccyx; better, sitting.

    Rectum.–Frequent desire for stool. Obstinate constipation in children (Alumina; Nyctanthes). Chronic constipation, with hæmorrhoids and continual urging to stool, without result.

    Female.–Menses too late, black, abundant. Milky leucorrhœa. Nipples pain when touched, as if sore inside. Stabbing pain in mons veneris. Very hot urine with burning pains in vulva.

    Extremities.–Pain in spine extending to inguinal region and in both loins, when ascending the stairs. Feeling of electric shocks in all joints. Wrenching pain in calves, extending into toes, in joints. Feet swollen with tearing in ankles and soles.

    Skin.–Burns, even of third degree, with sloughing and sepsis. Wash with sterile water and dry and spray with paraffin, and cover with thin layer of cotton. Useful also in frost bites.

    Relationship.–Compare: Naphthalin; Petrol; Kreos; Eupion.

    Dose.–Lower triturations and thirtieth potency.

  • PARIS QUADRIFOLIA

    One-berry

    Head symptoms marked and verified. Sensation of expansion and consequent tension. Coldness of right side of body, left hot. Catarrhal complaints, stuffed feeling at root of nose. Disorder of sense of touch.

    Mind.–Imaginary foul smells. Feels too large. Garrulous, prattling, vivacious.

    Head.–Sensation as if scalp were contracted and bones scraped. Soreness of top of head; cannot brush hair. Aches, as from pulling a string from eyes to occiput. Occipital headache, with a feeling of weight. Head feels very large, expanded. Scalp sensitive. Numb feeling on left side of head.

    Eyes.–Affections of the eyebrows. Eyes feel heavy, as if they were projected; sensation of a string through eyeballs. Expanded, as though lids did not cover.

    Face.–Neuralgia; hot stitches in left malar bone, which is very sore. Has relieved in inflammation of the antrum, where eye symptoms co-existed.

    Mouth.–Tongue dry when awaking-Coated white, without thirst, with bitter or diminished taste.

    Respiratory.–Stuffed condition and fullness at root of nose. Periodical, painless hoarseness. Cough as from vapor of sulphur in trachea. Constant hawking, on account of viscid, green mucus in larynx and trachea.

    Extremities.–Sense of weight and weariness in nape of neck and across shoulders. Neuralgia, beginning in left intercostal region, and extending into left arm. Arm becomes stiff, fingers clenched. Neuralgia of coccyx; pulsating, sticking, when sitting. Fingers often feel numb. Numbness of upper limbs. Everything feels rough.

    Relationship.–Compare: Pastinaca-Parsnip–(Loquacity; delirium tremens; illusions of vision; intolerance on milk; Roots used dietetically, cooked in water or as broth or as salad for consumptives and “kidney stones”). Sil; Calc; Nux; Rhus.

    Incompatible; Ferr phos.

    Antidote: Coff.

    Dose.–Third potency.

  • PALLADIUM METALLICUM

    The Metal
    (PALLADIUM)

    An ovarian remedy; produces the symptom-complex of chronic Oophoritis. Useful where the parenchyma of the gland is not totally destroyed. Acts also on mind and skin. Motor weakness, averse to exercise.

    Mind.–Weeping mood. Love of approbation. Pride; easily offended. Inclined to use violent language. Keeps up brightly when in company, much exhausted afterwards, and pains aggravated.

    Head.–Feels as if swung backward and forward. Temporo-parietal neuralgia with pain in shoulder. Pain across top of head from ear to ear; worse after an evening’s entertainment, with irritability and sour eructations. Sallow complexion.

    Abdomen.–Shooting pain from navel to pelvis. Sensation as if intestines were bitten off. Intestines feel strangulated. Soreness of abdomen, swelling in right groin. Flatulency.

    Female.–Uterine prolapse and retroversion. Subacute pelvic peritonitis, with right-sided pain and backache; menorrhagia. Cutting pain in uterus; relieved after stool. Pain and swelling in region of right ovary. Shooting or burning pain in pelvis and bearing-down; relieved by rubbing. Soreness and shooting pain from navel of breast. Glairy leucorrhœa. Menstrual discharge while nursing. Stitches in right breast near nipple. It is indicated in that gynæcological condition where the disease had its inception in the right ovary, the uterine prolapse and retroversion, the subacute pelvic peritonitis and concomitant symptoms being secondary (F. Aguilar, M. D).

    Extremities.–Pruritus. Tired feeling in small of back. Fleeting, neuralgic pains in extremities, Heavy and tired in limbs. Darting pain from toes to hips. Rheumatic pain in right shoulder; in right hip. Sciatica.

    Relationship.–Complementary; Plat.

    Compare: Arg; Helon; Lil; Apis.

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency.

  • PAEONIA OFFICINALIS

    Peony
    (PAEONIA)

    The rectal and anal symptoms are most important. Chronic ulcers on lower parts of body, leg, foot, toe, also breast, rectum.

    Head.–Rush of blood to head and face. Nervous. Vertigo when moving. Burning in eyes and ringing in ears.

    Rectum.–Biting, itching in anus; orifice swollen. Burning in anus after stool; then internal chilliness. Fistula ani, diarrhœa, with anal burning and internal chilliness. Painful ulcer, oozing offensive moisture on perineum. Hæmorrhoids, fissures, ulceration of anus and perineum, purple, covered with crusts. Atrocious pains with and after each stool. Sudden, pasty diarrhœa, with faintness in abdomen.

    Chest.–Sticking pain in left chest. Heat in chest. Dull shooting from front to back through heart.

    Extremities.–Pain in wrist and fingers; knees and toes. Weakness of legs, inhibiting walking.

    Sleep.–Terrifying dreams, nightmare.

    Skin.–Sensitive, painful. Ulcers below coccyx, around sacrum; varicose veins. Ulcers in general, from pressure, bedsores, etc. Itching, burning, as from nettles.

    Relationship.–Compare: Glechoma-Ground Ivy–(rectal symptom). Hamam; Sil; Aesc; Ratanh (great constriction of anus; stools forced with great effort).

    Antidotes: Ratanh; Aloe.

    Dose.–Third potency.

  • OXYTROPIS LAMBERTI

    Loco-weed
    (OXYTROPIS)

    Marked action on nervous system. Trembling, sensation of emptiness. Walks backwards. Congestion of spine and paralysis. Pains come and go quickly. Sphincters relaxed. Staggering gait. Reflexes lost.

    Mind.–Desires to be alone. Disinclined to work or talk. Worse, thinking of symptoms (Oxalic ac). Mental depression. Vertigo (Granatum).

    Head.–Vertigo. Full, warm feeling about head. Feeling of intoxication, with loss of vision. Pain in maxillary bones and masseter muscles. Mouth and nose dry.

    Eyes.–Sight obscured; pupils contracted; do not respond to light. Paralysis of nerves and muscles of eyes.

    Stomach.–Eructations with colicky pains. Epigastrium tender.

    Rectum.–Sphincter seems relaxed. Stools slip from anus, like lumps of jelly, mushy.

    Urine.–Urging to urinate when thinking of it. Profuse flow. Pain in kidneys (Berberis).

    Male.–No desire or ability. Pain in testicles and along spermatic cord and down thighs.

    Extremities.–Pain along ulnar nerve. Numb feeling about spine. Staggering gait. Loss of co-ordination. Patellar tendon reflex lost. Pains come and go quickly, but muscles remain sore and stiff.

    Sleep.–Restless, dreams of quarrel.

    Modalities.–Worse, thinking of symptoms (mono-maniac tendency). Worse, every other day. Better, after sleep.

    Relationship.–Compare: Astrag; Lathyr; Oxal ac; Baryta (Loco plant is rich in Baryta). Lolium.

    Dose.–Third potency and higher.