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

  • MYRISTICA SEBIFERA

    Brazilian Ucuba

    A remedy of great antiseptic powers. Inflammation of skin, cellular tissue and periosteum. Traumatic infections. Parotitis. Fistulas. Carbuncles. Specific action in panaritium. Pain in the finger nails with swelling of the phalanges. Hands are stiff, as if from squeezing something a long time. Coppery taste and burning in throat. Tongue white and cracked. Phlegmonous inflammations. Hastens suppuration and shortens its duration. Often does away with use of the knife. Inflammation of middle ear, suppurative stage. Fistula in ano. Acts more powerfully often than Heper or Silica.

  • MYRICA CERIFERA

    Bayberry
    (MYRICA)

    Marked action on the liver, with jaundice and mucous membranes. Persistent sleeplessness. Jaundice.

    Mind.–Despondent, irritable, indifferent. Gloomy.

    Head.–Scalp feels tight. Headache, with drowsiness; yellow sclerotica; aching in eyeballs. Pressure in vertex and forehead. Dull, heavy aching in temples and forehead on waking in the morning. Pain and stiffness in nape of neck.

    Face.–Yellow, Itching and stinging. Creeping sensation.

    Mouth.–Tongue furred, with bad taste in mouth, and nausea. Tenacious, thick, nauseous secretion. Tender, spongy and bleeding gums (Merc).

    Throat.–Constricted and rough feeling, with a constant desire to swallow. Stringy mucus; detached with difficulty.

    Stomach.–Taste bitter and nauseous, with offensive breath. Complete loss appetite, but with a feeling of fullness in the stomach after a hearty meal. Strong desire for acids. Weak, sinking feeling in the epigastrium, approaching nausea; increased after eating; relieved by rapid walking.

    Abdomen.–Dull pain in the region of the liver. Complete jaundice, with bronze-yellow skin; loss of appetite. Fullness in the stomach and abdomen. Scanty, yellow, frothy urine.

    Stool.–Constant discharge of flatus when walking. Urging to stool, with no other results than the expulsion of a great amount of flatus. Loose, light-colored stool; ash-colored and destitute of bile.

    Urinary.–Dark, frothy, scanty, high-colored, biliary.

    Sleep.–Disturbed, bad dreams and frequent waking; insomnia.

    Extremities.–Staggering gait. Pain under shoulder-blades and back of neck, in all muscles, in hollow of right foot.

    Skin.–Yellow and itching. Jaundice. Creeping sensation, as of insects.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ptel; Cornus cir; Chelid; Lept; Fagop.

    Antidote: Digit (jaundice).

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • MYOSOTIS SYMPHYTIFOLIA

    Forget-me-not
    (MYOSOTIS)

    Chronic bronchitis and phthisis. Night-sweats.

    Respiratory.–Cough with profuse muco-purulent expectoration, gagging and vomiting during cough; worse while or after eating. Bronchorrhœa. Pain in left lung (lower); painful while coughing and sensitive to percussion.

    Dose.–Tincture to second potency.

  • MYGALE LASIODORA

    Black Cuban Spider

    Weakness, palpitation, nervousness, fear, like other spider preparations. Chorea is the principal therapeutic field of this. Sexual symptoms are important.

    Mind.–Delirious, restless, sad; fears death; despondent.

    Face.–Twitching of facial muscles. Mouth and eyes open in rapid succession. Hot and flushed. Tongue dry and parched; put out with difficulty. Head jerked to one side. Grating of teeth at night.

    Stomach.–Nausea, with dim sight. Aversion to food. Excessive thirst.

    Male.–Violent erections. Chordee (Kali brom; Camph).

    Extremities.–Unsteady gait. Constant motion of whole body. Tremulous. Intense redness in streaks, following course of lymphatics. Twitching of limbs. Restless hands. Convulsive, uncontrollable movements of arms and legs. Limbs drag while walking.

    Relationship.–Compare: Agar; Tarant; Cupr, Zizia.

    Modalities.–Better, during sleep. Worse, in morning.

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • MUREX PURPUREA

    Purple Fish
    (MUREX)

    The symptoms of the female sexual organs are most-prominent, and have been clinically verified. Especially adapted to nervous, lively, affectionate women. Patient weak and run down.

    Mind.–Great sadness, anxiety, and dread.

    Stomach.–Sinking, all-gone sensation in stomach (Sep). Hungry, must eat.

    Female.–Conscious of a womb. Pulsation in neck of womb. Desire easily excited. Feeling as if something was pressing on a sore spot in the pelvis: worse sitting. Pain from right side of womb to right or left breast. Nymphomania. Least contact of parts causes violent sexual excitement. Sore pain in uterus. Menses irregular, profuse, frequent, large clots. Feeling of protrusion. Prolapse; enlargement of uterus, with pelvic tenesmus and sharp pains, extending toward breasts; aggravated lying down. Dysmenorrhœa and chronic endometritis, with displacement. Must keep legs tightly crossed. Leucorrhœa green or bloody, alternate with mental symptoms and aching in sacrum. Benign tumors in breasts. Pain in them during menstrual period.

    Urinary.–Urine frequent at night; smells like Valerian constant urging (Kreos).

    Modalities.–Worse, least touch.

    Relationship.–Compare: Plat; Lil; Sep (the latter lacks sexual erethism of Murex).

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • MURIATICUM ACIDUM

    Muriatic Acid

    This acid has an elective affinity for the blood, producing a septic condition similar to that found in low fevers with high temperature and great prostration. Patient becomes so weak she slides down the bed. Decomposition of fluids. Involuntary stools while passing urine. Hæmorrhages. Mouth and anus chiefly effected.

    Mind.–Irritable and peevish; fretful Loud moaning. Great restlessness. Sad, taciturn; suffers in silence.

    Head.–Vertigo; worse lying on right side; occiput heavy as if filled with lead. Sound of voice is intolerable. Pain as if brain were crushed.

    Nose.–Hæmorrhage; much sneezing.

    Face.–Lower jaw fallen; pimples and freckles; lips raw, dry, cracked.

    Mouth.–Tongue, pale, swollen, dry, leathery, paralyzed. Deep ulcers on tongue. Hard lumps in tongue. Epithelioma; edges bluish-red (Carbol ac). Aphthous mouth. Gums and glands swollen. Fetid Breath. Sordes on teeth.

    Throat.–Uvula swollen. Ulcers and false membrane. Œdematous, dark, raw. Attempted swallowing produces spasm and choking.

    Stomach.–Cannot bear sight or thought of meat. At times, ravenous appetite and constant desire to drink. Achlorhydria and fermentation of food.

    Rectum.–Tendency to involuntary evacuations while urinating. Hæmorrhoids most sensitive to all touch; even sheet of toilet paper is painful. Anal itching and prolapsus ani while urinating. Hæmorrhoids during pregnancy; bluish, hot with violent stitches.

    Heart.–Pulse rapid, feeble, and small. Intermits every third beat.

    Urine.–Cannot urinate without having bowels move at same time.

    Female.–Menses appear too soon. Leucorrhœa. During menses, soreness of anus. Ulcer in genitals.

    Extremities.–Heavy, painful, and weak. Tottering gait. Pain in tendo-Achilles.

    Skin.–Papular and vesicular eruptions, with great itching (Rhus). Carbuncles; foul-smelling ulcers on lower extremities. Scarlet fever, livid, with petechiæ; scanty eruption. Eczema on back of hands.

    Fever.–Cold extremities. Heat without thirst. Typhoid types, stupid. Hæmorrhages. Restlessness. Involuntary discharges. Bed-sores. Pulse rapid and feeble. Excessive prostration.

    Modalities.–Worse, in damp weather, before midnight. Better, lying on left side.

    Relationship.–Compare: Phos ac; Ars; Bapt. Follows well after Bry and Rhus.

    Antidote; Bryonia.

    Dose.–First to third potency.

  • MOSCHUS

    Musk

    A remedy for hysteria and nervous paroxysms, fainting fits and convulsions, catalepsy, etc. The characteristic condition being aggravation by cold; there is great sensitiveness to air. Much nervous trembling and frequent fainting. Great flatulence. Diseases do not follow a normal course. Coldness. Tension in muscles, skin and mind.

    Mind.–Uncontrollable laughter. Scolding. Anxiety with palpitation; starting as if frightened. Sexual hypochondriasis.

    Head.–Compressive pain over root of nose. Pressure on top of head. Vertigo on least motion; sensation as if falling from a great height. Scalp sensitive. Sounds in ears as from the report of a cannon.

    Stomach.–Desire for black coffee, stimulants. Aversion to food. Everything tastes flat. With stomach symptoms, anxiety in chest. Distended. Faints when eating. Abdomen greatly distended. Spasmodic, nervous hiccough (Hydrocy ac; Sulph ac; Ignat; Cajap).

    Male.–Violent desire; involuntary emissions. Impotence, associated with diabetes (Coca). Premature senility. Nausea and vomiting after coition.

    Female.–Menses too early, too profuse, with disposition to faint (Nux m; Veratr). Sexual desire, with intolerable titillation in parts. Drawing and pushing in the direction of the genitals; sensation as if menses appear.

    Urine.–Profuse urination. Diabetes.

    Respiratory.–Tightness of chest, is obliged to take a deeper breath. Sudden constriction of larynx and trachea. Difficult respiration; chest oppressed; hysterical spasm of chest; asthma. Spasm of glottis. Impending paralysis of lungs. Asthma, with intense anxiety, fear, and smothering sensation. Cough ceases, mucus cannot be expectorated. Globus hystericus.

    Heart.–Hysterical palpitation. Trembling around heart. Weak pulse and fainting.

    Modalities.–Better, in open air, rubbing. Worse, cold. The open air is felt very, very cold.

    Relationship.–Compare: Nux mosch; Asaf; Valer; Sumbul; Ign; Castor.

    Compatible: Ambra.

    Antidotes: Camph; Coff.

    Dose.–First to third potency.

  • MORPHINUM

    An Alkaloid of Opium

    Morphine bears the same relation to Opium as Atropine to Belladonna-i.e, represents its nervous side. It is less stimulating, less convulsant, and more decidedly hypnotic. Constipates less and affects contractility of the bladder more. It is less diaphoretic and more pruritic.

    Mind.–Profound depression. Irritable, fault-finding, hysterical. Shock induced by terror. Dream-like state.

    Head.–Vertigo from the least movement of the head. Headache with sensation of being “wound-up”. Bursting pain; head drawn back.

    Eyes.–Bluish, drooping lids. Itching of eyes. Delusion of vision on closing eyes. Starting, injected; diverging strabismus. Pupils unequally contracted. Look unsteady. Ptosis. Paresis of recti interni.

    Ears.–Left ear throbs painfully; better, heat. Seems to hear circulation all over body.

    Face.–Dusky red or pallid lividity of face, lips, tongue, mouth or throat.

    Nose.–Sneezing in paroxysms. Itching and tingling on end of nose.

    Mouth.–Very dry. Tongue dry, brown violet in middle. Thirst. Loss of appetite, with aversion to meat.

    Throat.–Dry and constricted. Pharynx paralyzed, swallowing almost impossible; better hot drinks, worse solids.

    Stomach.–Nausea incessant and deathly, faintness, constant retching. Vomiting of green fluid. Nausea and vomiting on rising up.

    Abdomen.–Distended. Acute pain in abdomen and along spinal column. Tympanitis.

    Rectum.–Diarrhœa watery, brown, or black with horrible tenesmus. Constipation; stools large, dry knotty, with tendency to bruise and fissure.

    Urinary.–Paresis of bladder. Strangury. Slow and difficult urination. Retention of prostatic hypertrophy. Uræmia, acute and chronic.

    Male.–Impotency. Pain in right spermatic cord, (Oxal ac).

    Heart.–Alternation of tachycardia and bradycardia. Cardiac muscular tissue is intact, even if severely exhausted. Pulse small, weak, dicrotic.

    Respiratory.–Faint and struggling for breath diaphragmatic paralysis; hiccough; dyspnœa, paroxysmal, on first falling asleep (Lach; Grindel). Cheyne-Stokes respiration. Chest tight. Pain in middle of sternum. Dry, hard, teasing, exhausting cough, worse at night. Strangling cough, with viscid mucus sputum; thin, scanty, but sounds loose and abundant.

    Back.–Pain along spine. Weakness of loins. Aching across lumbo-sacral region; cannot walk erect (Cimicif).

    Extremities.–Staggering gait. Numbness.

    Skin.–Livid; purple spots; zoster-like herpes. Itching. Skin lost its elasticity. Urticaria appearing at climaxis.

    Nervous.–Restlessness and hyperethesia; trembling, twitching, jerking, convulsions. Extremely susceptible to pain. Pain causes twitching and jerking of limbs. Violent and sudden neuralgic pains and sudden fainting. Delirium, melancholic in character. Neuralgias intensely painful, left supraorbital; right intercostal, better from heat; multiple neuritis. Sore feeling all over. Bed feels too hard. Aggravation after sleep (Lach). Neuralgia after zoster (Mezer).

    Sleep.–Yawning, drowsy; prolonged, deep sleep, Sleepless; restless sleep, with frequent startings. Sleepy, but cannot sleep.

    Fever.–Chills. Icy coldness. Burning heat; profuse sweat.

    Dose.–Third to sixth trituration.

  • MOMORDICA BALSAMICA

    Balsam Apple

    Griping, colic, pain in back and hypogastrium with painful and excessive menses. Accumulation of flatus in splenic flexure of colon. Dropsy.

    Head.–Dizzy, contents of head feel lighter; mist before eyes.

    Abdomen.–Rumbling, griping, colicky pains, starting from back, spreading over abdomen.

    Female.–Painful and profuse menses; labor-like pains, followed by gushes of blood; pain at small of back coming towards front of pelvis.

    Relationship.–Momordica charantia-Indian variety–(more sever symptoms-intestines full of yellow watery fluid, discharged explosively-cramps, thirst, prostration. Choleraic symptoms. Similar to Croton, Elaterium. Use 3x).

    Dose.–Tincture. Used also externally as a liniment and poultice for burns, chapped hands, etc.

  • MITCHELLA REPENS

    Partridge-berry
    (MITCHELLA)

    Bladder symptoms accompany complaints, especially uterine congestion.

    Urinary.–Irritation at neck of bladder, with urging to urinate (Eup purp; Apis). Dysuria. Catarrh of bladder.

    Female.–Cervix dark red, swollen. Dysmenorrhœa and uterine hæmorrhage; blood bright red.

    Relationship.–Compare: Chimaph; Senecio; Uva; Geran; Gossyp.

    Dose.–Tincture.