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

  • MILLEFOLIUM

    Yarrow

    An invaluable remedy for various types of hæmorrhages; blood bright red. Incarcerated hernia; smallpox, with great pain in pit of stomach. After operations for stone. Bad effects from fall from a height; overlifting. Continued high temperature. Hæmoptysis.

    Head.–Vertigo when moving slowly. Sensation as if he had forgotten something. The head seems full of blood. Convulsions and epilepsy from suppressed menses. Piercing thrusts of pain.

    Nose.–Nosebleed (Erecht). Piercing pain from eyes to root of nose.

    Stool.–Hæmorrhage from bowels. Bleeding hæmorrhoids. Urine bloody (Senec aur).

    Female.–Menses early, profuse, protracted. Hæmorrhage from uterus; bright red, fluid. Painful varices during pregnancy.

    Respiratory.–Hæmoptysis in incipient phthisis. Cough, with bloody expectoration, in suppressed menses or hæmorrhoids. Violent palpitation.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ficus venosa (Pakur). Hæmorrhage from bowels and lungs. Acalypha and Helix tosta-Snail–(in hæmoptysis, diseases of chest, consumption); also, Secale; Ipec; Erecht; Geran; Hamam.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • MICROMERIA DOUGLASII

    Yerba Buena
    (MICROMERIA)

    A California mint-like plant acting on stomach and bowels. Used as a tea to cure colic and relieve flatulence. Is a pleasant beverage and febrifuge, blood purifyer and tonic.

    Stomach.–Nausea; pain in stomach and bowels; flatulence.

    Dose.–Tincture.

  • MEZEREUM

    Spurge Olive

    Skin symptoms, affections of bones, and neuralgias most important, especially about teeth and face. Bruised, weary feeling in joints, with drawing and stiffness. Pains of various kinds, with chilliness and sensitiveness to cold air. Bone pains. Eruptions after vaccination. Burning, darting sensation in the muscles; subsultus tendinum. Pains shoot upward and seem to draw patient up out of bed. Semi-lateral complaints. Patient is very sensitive to cold air.

    Head.–Hard work to talk. Headache; worse from talking. Stupefying headache in right side. Affections of external head; scaly eruption, white scabs. Head covered with thick, leathery crusts, under which pus collects, Violent neuralgia about face and teeth, running towards ear, at night; worse, eating; better near hot stove. Roots of teeth decay. Teeth feel elongated.

    Nose.–Sneezing, coryza, interior of nose, excoriated. Post-nasal adenoids.

    Ears.–Feel too much open, as if tympanum was exposed to the cold air and it blew into the ear. Desire to bore fingers in.

    Eyes.–Ciliary neuralgia after operations. Especially after removal of eyeball. Pains radiate and shoot downward, with cold feeling and stiffness of bone.

    Face.–Red. Eruption around mouth, with coryza.

    Stomach.–Desire for ham-fat. Burning in tongue, extending to stomach. Mouth waters. Nausea felt in throat; better, eating. Chronic gastritis; burning, corroding pain; nausea, vomiting, chocolate color. Gastric ulcer with much burning.

    Abdomen.–Swelling of glands with large abdomen in children. Pressure in inguinal ring. Flatulent colic, with shivering and difficult respiration.

    Rectum.–Constipation after confinement. Prolapse of rectum. Diarrhœa, with small, white particles. Green discharges. Constipation, with hepatic and uterine inertia. Constriction of anus; stitches and prolapse of rectum.

    Urine.–Red flakes float on top of urine. Hot, bloody Biting, burning in forepart of urethra at the close of micturition. Hæmaturia preceded by cramp pain in the bladder, After urinating, a few drops of blood are passed.

    Female.–Menses too frequent, soon, profuse. Leucorrhœa like albumen; very corroding.

    Male.–Enlargement of testicles. Violent sexual desire. Gonorrhœa, with hæmaturia.

    Respiratory.–Soreness and burning in bones of thorax. Constriction across chest. Cough; worse; eating, irritation lower than can be reached, on taking a warm drink.

    Extremities.–Pain in neck and back; worse, motion and at night; intolerant of all touch. Pain and burning in tibia and long bones. Legs and feet go to sleep. Pain in hip and knee.

    Skin.–Eczema; intolerable itching; chilliness with pruritus; worse in bed. Ulcers itch and burn, surrounded by vesicles and shining, fiery-red areola. Zona, with burning pain. Bones, especially long bones, inflamed and swollen; caries, exostosis; pain worse night, touch, damp weather (Merc; Syph). Eruptions ulcerate and form thick scabs under purulent matter exudes (Chrysophanic acid).

    Modalities.–Worse, cold air; night, evening until midnight, warm food, touch, motion. Better, open air.

    Relationship.–Compare: Dirca palustris-Leather wood–(a gastro-intestinal irritant inducing salivation, emesis and purgation; cerebral hyperæmia; neuralgic pains, with depression, palpitation, and dyspnœa); Merc; Phyt; Rhus; Guaiac; Syph.

    Antidotes: Kali hyd; Merc.

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency.

  • METHYLENUM COERULEUM

    One of the Aniline Dyes
    (METHYLENE BLUE)

    A remedy for neuralgia, neurasthenia, malaria; typhoid, here it diminishes the tympanites, delirium, and fever; pus infection. Tendency to tremor, chorea and epilepsy. Nephritis (acute parenchymatous), scarlatinal nephritis. Urine acquires a green color. Bladder irritation from its use antidoted by a little nutmeg. Surgical kidney with large amount of pus in urine. Gonorrhœal rheumatism and cystitis. Backache, sciatica. Later states of apoplexy (Gisevius).

    Dose.–3x attenuation. A 2 per cent solution locally, in chronic otitis with foul smelling discharge.

    A 1 per cent aqueous solution for ulcers and abscesses of cornea.

  • MERCURIALIS PERENNIS

    Dog’s Mercury

    Great exhaustion and drowsiness. Tumor at ensiform appendix, very sensitive. Affections of the muscular fibers of stomach, intestines, bladder.

    Head.–Vertigo on going down stairs. Head confused. Pain as from a band tightly across forehead. Nostrils sore, conscious of nose, feels as if she had two noses.

    Mouth.–Great dryness of mouth and throat, tongue feels heavy and dry, numb. Burning blisters of tongue, lips and cheeks. Ulcers on palate, tonsils and back of pharynx. Dryness of throat.

    Female.–Amenorrhœa, scanty menses, accompanied with orgasms. Pains and swelling of breasts. Dysmenorrhœa.

    Relationship.–Compare: Borax; Croton; Euphorb.

    Dose.–Third potency.

  • MERCURIUS IODATUS RUBER

    Bin-iodide of Mercury

    Diphtheria and ulcerated sore throats, especially on left side, with much glandular swelling. Chronic suppurating buboes. Hard chancres. Old cases of syphilis in scrofulous patients. Early stages of cold, especially in children.

    Throat.–Fauces dark red; swallowing painful. Phlegm in nose and throat. Disposition to hawk, with sensation of a lump in throat. Stiffness of muscles of throat and neck.

    Nose.–Coryza and dull hearing; right side of nose hot. Hawks mucus from posterior nares. Turbinated bones swollen. Boggy mucus membrane of nose and throat; closure of Eustachian tube, opening with a pop.

    Mouth.–Gums swollen; toothache; glands swollen. Scalded feeling on tongue. Aphthć. Profuse saliva. Tongue feels stiff at base, and pains on moving.

    Throat.–Diphtheria; submaxillary glands painfully engorged, fauces dark red; worse on left tonsil. Parenchymatous tonsillitis. Will often abort peritonsillitis if given frequently. Cough form elongated uvula, with sore throat, Laryngeal troubles with aphonia.

    Skin.–Small fissures and cracks; hard papules; Hunterian chancre; syphilitic ulcers. Bubo. Sarcocele.

    Dose.–Third trituration. Mercuric iodide is far more active as a bactericide than the other mercurials, including the chloride.

  • MERCURIUS IODATUS FLAVUS

    Proto-iodide of Mercury

    Throat affections, with greatly swollen glands and characteristic coating of tongue. Worse, right side. Chancre; induration remains long time. Swollen inguinal glands, large and hard. Mammary tumors, with tendency to much warm perspiration and gastric disturbances.

    Tongue.–Coated thickly; yellow at the base. Tip and edges may be red and take imprint of teeth.

    Throat.–Lacunar tonsillitis. When only the superficial part of the tonsil is involved. Cheesy exudates with offensive breath. Swelling begins on right side. Small ulcers on posterior pharynx. Easily detached patches on inflamed pharynx and fauces; worse on right tonsil; much tenacious mucus. Sensation of a lump. Constant inclination to swallow.

    Relationship.–Compare: Plum iod (in mammary tumors).

    Dose.–Second trituration.

  • MERCURIUS DULCIS

    Calomel

    Has marked effect on catarrhal inflammation of ear, and useful in Eustachian catarrh, deafness. Diarrhœa, with soreness of anus. Prostatitis. Remittent bilious attacks. Pallor, flabby bloatedness, and turgid flaccidity. Inflammation with plastic exudate. Especially indicated in systems disposed to remittent bilious fevers; in peritonitis and meningitis with plastic exudate. Dropsies due to combined renal and cardiac diseases, especially with jaundice (Hale). Cirrhosis of the liver, especially in the hypertrophic form. Use 1x (Jousset).

    Ears.–Otitis media; closure of Eustachian tube; ear troubles of scrofulous children; membrana tympani retracted, thickened and immovable.

    Mouth.–Offensive breath; salivation; sore gums. Ulcers. Tongue black. Constant flow of dark, putrid saliva; very offensive. Ulceration of throat, with dysphagia. Granular pharyngitis.

    Stomach.–Nausea and vomiting. Cyclic vomiting of infants (Cup ars; Iris).

    Stool.–Scanty, bloody mucus, with bile, and constant desire, without tenesmus. Dark-green, watery, with griping. Anus sore and burning. Dysentery; small stools of mucus and blood, covered with bile.

    Skin.–Flabby and ill nourished. Swollen glands. Phagedenic ulcers. Copper-colored eruptions.

    Relationship.–Compare: Kali mur.

    Dose.–Third to sixth trituration. For palliative (non-homeopathic) purposes, to secure evacuation of bowels, two or three-grain doses of first decimal trituration, repeated several times every hour.

  • MERCURIUS CYANATUS

    Cyanide of Mercury

    Acute infections, pneumonia, nephritis. Its action is similar to that of the toxines of infections diseases. Great and rapid prostration, tendency toward hćmorrhages, from the different orifices, of dark fluid blood, cyanosis, rapid respiration and heart action, albuminuria and twitching and jerking of muscles. Typhoid pneumonia.

    Livid states from great struggling, where suffocation is imminent and paralysis of lung threatening; great sweat.

    Affects most prominently the buccal cavity. This, together with marked prostration, gives it a place in the treatment of diphtheria, where it has achieved unquestioned great results. Malignant types, with prostration. Coldness and nausea. Syphilitic ulcers when perforation threatens.

    Head.–Great excitement, fits of passion; fury; talkativeness. Atrocious headache. Eyes sunken; face pale.

    Mouth.–Covered with ulcerations. Tongue pale. Free salivation. Fetor of breath. Pain and swelling of salivary glands. Astringent taste. Ulcerations of mouth have a gray membrane.

    Throat.–Feels raw and sore. Mucous membranes broken down, ulcerated. Looks raw in spots, especially in public speakers. Hoarseness, and talking is painful. Necrotic destruction of soft parts of palate and fauces. Intense redness of fauces. Swallowing very difficult. Dark blood from nose. Diphtheria of the larynx and nose (Kali bich).

    Stomach.–Nausea, vomiting, bilious, bloody; hiccough; abdomen painful, tender to pressure.

    Rectum.–Intolerable pain. Redness around anus. Frequent hćmorrhage; stools with tenesmus. Discharge of fetid liquid with gangrenous odor. Black stools.

    Urinary.–Amber color, painful, albuminous, scanty. Nephritis with great debility and chilliness. Suppression of urine.

    Skin.–Moisture, with icy coldness.

    Dose.–Sixth to thirtieth potency. Aggravation is apt to occur from potencies below the sixth.

  • MERCURIUS CORROSIVUS

    Corrosive Sublimate

    This salt leads all other remedies in tenesmus of the rectum, which is incessant, and is not relieved by the stool. The tenesmus often involves the bladder as well. Bright’s disease. Gonorrhœa; second stage, with continuous tenesmus. Destroys the secreting portions of the kidneys. This process is slow, but sure. Albuminuria in early pregnancy (Phosph later and at full term).

    Head.–Delirium, stupor. Frontal pain, congestion of head with burning in cheeks. Drawing pain in periosteum of skull.

    Eyes.–Pain behind eyeballs, as if forced out. Phlyctenulæ; deep ulcers on cornea. Excessive photophobia and acrid lachrymation. Iritis, ordinary or syphilitic (Give in association with atropin locally for prevention of adhesions). Pain severe at night; burning, shooting, tearing. Little tendency to pus formation. Iris muddy in color, thick, and neither contracts nor dilates. Retinitis albuminuric, ophthalmia neonatorum. Lids œdematous, red, excoriated. Severe burning. Soreness of the eyes.

    Nose.–Excessive coryza. Ozæna, with perforation of septum nasi (Kali bich). Rawness and smarting in nostrils. Post-nasal swelling, mucous membrane dry, red, and covered with bloody mucus.

    Ears.–Violent pulsations. Fetid pus.

    Face.–Swollen. Red, puffy. Lips black, swollen. Sordes. Facial neuralgia within the bones.

    Mouth.–Teeth loose. Gums purple, swollen, and spongy. Tongue swollen and inflamed. Salivation. Pyorrhea. Ptyalism. Taste salty and bitter.

    Throat.–Red, swollen, painful, intensely inflamed. Uvula swollen. Swallowing painful. Most pain in post-nasal with sharp pains to ears. Burning pain, with great swelling; worse, slight external pressure. All glands about thorax swollen.

    Stomach.–Incessant, green, bilious vomiting. Epigastrium very sensitive.

    Abdomen.–Bruised sensation; cecal region and transverse colon painful. Bloated; very painful to least touch.

    Stool.–Dysentery; tenesmus, not relieved by stool; incessant. Stool hot, bloody, slimy, offensive, with cutting pains and shreds of mucous membrane.

    Respiratory.–Pain in larynx as cut with knife. Aphonia. Cough, with bloody expectoration. Pulse rapid and intermittent. Stitches through side of chest.

    Urine.–Intense burning in urethra. Urine hot, burning, scanty or suppressed; bloody, greenish discharge. Albuminous. Tenesmus of bladder. Stabbing pain extending up urethra into bladder. Perspiration after urinating.

    Male.–Penis and testes enormously swollen. Chancres assume phagedænic appearance. Gonorrhœa; urethra orifice red, swollen; glans sore and hot. Discharge greenish, thick.

    Fever.–Chilly from slightest exposure. Profuse perspiration; surface cold.

    Modalities.–Worse, evening, night, acids, Better, while at rest.

    Relationship.–Compare: Ars; Lach; Leonurus-Mother-wort (Influences pelvic organs, allays spasm and nervous irritability, promotes secretion and reduces febrile excitement. Valuable in suppressed menses and lochia; dysentery; vomiting, frightful pains in abdomen, violent thirst. Tongue dry and cracked). Monsonia–An African plant belonging to the Geraniaceæ–(Used for dysentery in material doses).

    Antidote: Calcium sulphide is antidotal to Bichloride poisoning. Use intravenous injection of 7 1/2 grains in 7 1/2 ozs boiled water.

    Dose.–Sixth potency. In solution 1:1000, hypodermically injected under conjunctiva in choroditis with progressive myopia. Stops immediately the severe aching pain behind eye-balls (Dr. G. D. Hallet).