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

  • OXYDENDRON ARBOREUM

    Sorrel-tree
    (OXYDENDRON – ANDROMEDA ARBOREA)

    A remedy for dropsy-ascites and anasarca. Urine suppressed. Deranged portal circulation. Prostatic enlargement. Vesical calculi. Irritation of neck of bladder. Great difficulty of breathing. Tincture. Compare: Cerefolius (dropsy, Bright’s disease, cystitis).

  • OXALICUM ACIDUM

    Sorrel Acid

    Although certain oxalates are constant constituents of vegetable food and of the human body, the acid itself is a violent poison when taken internally, producing gastro-enteritis, motor paralysis, collapse, stupor and death. Influences the spinal cord, and produces motor paralysis. Pains very violent, in spots (Kali bich) worse, motion, and thinking of them. Periodical remissions. Spasmodic symptoms of throat and chest. Rheumatism of left side. Neurasthenia. Tuberculosis.

    Head.–Sense of heat. Confusion and vertigo. Headache, before and during stool.

    Eyes.–Severe pain in eyes; feel expanded. Hyperæsthesia of retina.

    Stomach.–Violent pain in epigastrium, discharge of flatus relieves. Gastralgia, pyrosis, sensation of coldness below epigastrium. Burning pain, extending upwards; slightest touch causes excruciating pain. Bitter and sour eructation, worse at night. Cannot eat strawberries.

    Abdomen.–Pain in upper part and region of navel two hours after eating, with much flatulence. Stitches in liver. Colic. Burning in small spots in abdomen. Diarrhœa from coffee.

    Male.–Terrible neuralgic pains in spermatic cord. Testicles feel contused and heavy. Seminal vesiculitis.

    Urinary.–Frequent and copious. Burning in urethra and pain in glans when urinating. Must urinate when thinking of it. Urine contains oxalates.

    Respiratory.–Nervous aphonia with cardiac derangement (Coca; Hydrocy ac). Burning sensation from throat down. Breathing spasmodic, with constriction of larynx and chest. Hoarseness. Left lung painful. Aphonia. Paralysis of the tensors of vocal cord. Dyspnœa; short, jerking inspirations. Sharp pain through lower region of left lung, extending down to epigastrium.

    Heart.–Palpitation and dyspnœa in organic heart disease; worse, when thinking of it. Pulse feeble. Heart symptoms alternate with aphonia, angina pectoris; sharp, lancinating pain in left lung coming on suddenly, depriving of breath. Præcordial pains which dart to the left shoulder. Aortic insufficiency.

    Extremities.–Numb, weak, tingling. Pains start from spine and extend through extremities. Drawing and lancinating pains shooting down extremities. Backache; numb, weak, Myelitis. Muscular prostration. Wrist painful, as if sprained (Ulmus). Lower extremities blue, cold, insensible. Sensation of numbness. Multiple cerebral and posterior spinal sclerosis. Lancinating pains in various parts; jerking pains.

    Skin.–Sensitive, smarting and soreness, worse shaving; mottled, marbled in circular patches. Perspires easily.

    Modalities.–Worse, left side; slightest touch; light; shaving. Aroused about 3 am with gastric and abdominal pain. All conditions made worse by thinking about self.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ars; Colch; Arg; Pic ac; Cicer arietinum-Chick-pea–(Lithiasis, jaundice, liver affections; diuretic). Scolopendra-Centipede–(terrible pains in back and loins, extending down limbs; return periodically, commencing in head, to toes. Angina pectoris. Inflammation, pain and gangrene. Pustules and abscesses). Cæsium–(Pain in lumber region and testicle. Headache, darting through temples. Diarrhœa and colic. Languor).

    Lime Water-Antidote to poisoning of Oxal acid.

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency.

  • OVI GALLINAE PELLICULA

    Membrane of Egg-shell

    Sudden pains. Bearing-down sensation. Intolerance of bands on wrist, arms, waist, etc. Backache and pain in left hip. Debility. Pain in heart and left ovary.

    Relationship.–Compare: Calc; Naja; Ova tosta-Tosta præparata-Roasted egg-shells-Calcarea ovorum–(leucorrhœa and backache. A feeling as if the spine were broken and wired, or tied together with a string. Pain of cancer. Warts). Also Egg Vaccine for Asthma. Much interest is shown in Dr. Fritz Talbot’s method to cure one form of asthma in children by the use of egg vaccine. Asthma due to susceptibility of the proteid substance in eggs can be cured by immunizing against egg poisons by repeated doses of egg white. After the skin has been cleansed with soap and alcohol the egg-white is rubbed into a slight scratch.

  • OVININUM

    Ovarian Extract
    (OOPHORINUM)

    Suffering following excision of the ovaries. Climacteric disturbances generally. Ovarian cysts. Cutaneous disorders and acne rosacea. Prurigo.

    Relationship.–Compare: Orchitinum-Testicular Extract–(after ovariotomy, sexual weakness, senile decay).

    Dose.–Low triturations.

  • OSTRYA VIRGINICA

    Ironwood

    Of great value in anæmia from malaria. Bilious conditions and intermittent fever.

    Gastric.–Tongue yellow; coated at the root. Loss of appetite. Frequent nausea, with dull, frontal headache. Sickening pains.

    Dose.–First to third potency.

  • OSMIUM

    The Element

    Irritation and catarrh of respiratory organs. Eczema. Albuminuria. Pain in trachea. Increases and gives odor to local perspiration. Causes adhesion of the nail fold.

    Head.–Feels as if a band around head. Falling off of hair (Kali carb; Fluor ac).

    Nose.–Coryza, with full feeling in nose. Nose and larynx sensitive to air. Small lumps of phlegm from posterior nares.

    Eyes.–Glaucoma; with iridescent vision. Violent supra and infra-orbital neuralgia; violent pains and lachrymation. Green colors surround candle-light. Conjunctivitis. Increase in intra-ocular tension, dim sight, photophobia.

    Respiratory.–Acute laryngitis; cough and expectoration of tough, stringy mucus. Convulsive cough; feels as though membrane were torn from larynx. Noisy, dry, hard, cough, in violent short bursts, coming from low down, shaking the whole body. Talking causes pain in larynx. Hoarse; pain in larynx; sore sternum. Twitching of fingers, with spasmodic cough.

    Skin.–Eczema, with pruritus. Irritated skin. Itching pimples. Bromidrosis, sweat in axilla smelling of garlic, worse evening and night. Fold remains attached to growing nail.

    Relationship.–Compare: Argent; Iridium; Selen; Mangan.

    Dose.–Sixth potency.

  • ORNITHOGALUM UMBELLATUM

    Star of Bethlehem

    To be considered in chronic gastric and other abdominal indurations, possibly cancer of intestinal tract, especially of stomach and Cæcum. Center of action is the pylorus, causing painful contraction with duodenal distention.

    Depression of spirits. Complete prostration. Feeling of sickness keeps patient awake at night.

    Stomach.–Tongue coated. Agonizing feeling in chest and stomach, staring from pylorus with flatus that rolls in balls from one side to the other, loss of appetite, phlegmy retchings and loss of flesh. Gastric ulceration even with hæmorrhage. Pains increased when food passes pyloric outlet. Vomiting of coffee-ground-looking matter. Distention of stomach. Frequent belching of offensive flatus. Painful sinking across epigastrium.

    Dose.–Single doses of mother tincture and await action.

  • ORIGANUM MAJORANA

    Sweet Marjoram
    (ORIGANUM)

    Acts on nervous system generally, and is effective in masturbation and excessively aroused sexual impulses. Affections of the breasts (Bufo). Desire for active exercise impelling her to run.

    Female.–Frotomania; powerful lascivious impulses; leucorrhœa; hysteria. Lascivious ideas and dreams.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ferula glauca (in violent sexual excitement in women; icy coldness in occiput); Plat; Valer; Canth; Hyos.

    Dose.–Third potency.

  • OREODAPHNE CALIFORNICA

    California Laurel
    (OREODAPHNE)

    Neuralgic headache, cervico-occipital pain, cerebro-spinal meningitis, atonic diarrhœa, and intestinal colic.

    Head.–Dizziness; worse on stopping or moving. Head heavy, eyelids heavy, twitching. Intense aching, with pressure at inner angle of either orbit, generally left, extending through brain and across scalp to the base of the occiput; worse light, noise; better, closing eyes and perfect quiet. Constant, dull ache in cervical and occipital region, extending to scapula down spine, into the head; pain into the ears. Great heaviness of head, with constant desire to move the head, which does not relieve. Drooping eyelids. Twitching. Atonic diarrhœa.

    Stomach.–Eructations, with nausea and shuddering.

    Dose.–First to Third potency. Olfaction of the tincture.

  • OPUNTIA FICUS

    Prickly Pear
    (OPUNTIA-FICUS INDICA)

    Diarrhœa, with nausea. Feels as if bowels were settled down in lower abdomen. Sick feeling in lower third of abdomen. Enteroptosis with loose and frequent evacuations.

    Relationship.–Compare; Chaparra amargosa (which Mexican physicians laud as a specific in chronic diarrhœa). Ricinus communis (diarrhœa, dysentery, obstinate chronic diarrhœa).

    Dose.–Second attenuation.