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

  • JUNCUS EFFUSUS

    Common Rush

    A diuretic. Urinary affections. Dysuria, strangury, and ischuria. Asthmatic symptoms in hæmorrhoidal subjects. Bubbling sensations. Abdominal flatulence. Arthritis and Lithiasis.

    Dose.–Tincture, and first potency.

  • JUGLANS REGIA

    Walnut

    Skin eruptions are prominent.

    Head.–Confused; feels as if head were floating in air. Occipital sharp pain. Styes.

    Female.–Menses early, black, pitch-like coagula. Abdomen distended.

    Skin.–Comedones and acne of the face. Crusta lactea, with soreness around ears. Itching and eruptions of small red pustules. Scalp red, and itches violently at night. Chancre-like ulcer. Axillary glands suppurate.

    Relationship.–Compare: Juglans cinerea.

    Dose.–Tincture, and lower potencies.

  • JUGLANS CINEREA

    Butternut

    A faulty elimination that produces jaundice and various skin eruptions, is pictured by this drug. The sharp, occipital headache, usually associated with liver disturbances, is very characteristic. Pain in chest, axilla and scapula, with suffocative sensation. Feeling as if all internal organs were too large, especially those of left side. Cholelithiasis.

    Head.–Dull, full head. Eruption on scalp. Sharp, occipital headache. Head feels enlarged. Pustules on lids and around eyes.

    Nose.–Tingling in nose; sneezing. Coryza, preceded by pain under sternum, with threatening suffocation. Later, copious, bland, thick mucous discharge.

    Mouth.–Acrid feeling in mouth and throat. Soreness in region of tonsils externally. Dryness of root of tongue and fauces.

    Stomach.–Atonic dyspepsia with much eructation and flatulent distention. Soreness in region of liver.

    Back.–Muscles of neck rigid, lame. Pain between scapula and under right. Pain in lumbar vertebræ.

    Skin.–Red, like flush of scarlatina. Jaundice, with pain about liver and right scapula. Itching and pricking when heated. Pustules. Eczema, especially on lower extremities, sacrum and hands. Erythema and erysipelatous redness.

    Stool.–Yellowish-green, with tenesmus and burning at anus. Camp diarrhœa.

    Modalities.–Better, getting heated, exercise, scratching, on rising in morning. Worse, walking.

    Relationship.–Compare: Juglandin (duodenal catarrh; bilious diarrhœa); Chelidon; Bryon; Iris.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • JOANESIA ASOCA

    Bark of an Indian Tree, introduced by Dr. ND Ray, Calcutta
    (JONOSIA ASOCA)

    Has extensive sphere of action on female organs. Amenorrhœa and metrorrhagia.

    Head.–Unilateral headache; reflex uterine, congestive headache, better open air and by free flow. Pain in eyeballs; supraorbital pains, photophobia. Nasal catarrh, profuse, watery discharge. Loss of sense of smell.

    Gastric.–Desire for sweets, also acid things. Thirsty, excessive nausea; obstinate constipation, hæmorrhoids.

    Female.–Delayed and irregular menses; menstrual colic; amenorrhœa, pain in ovaries before flow; menorrhagia, irritable bladder; leucorrhœa.

    Sleep.–Disturbed. Dreams of travelling.

    Back.–Pain along spine radiating to abdomen and thighs.

    Dose.–Tincture.

  • JATROPHA CURCAS

    Purging Nut
    (JATROPHA)

    Of value in cholera and diarrhœa. The abdominal symptoms are most important. Suppressed measles (H. Farrington).

    Stomach.– Hiccough, followed by copious vomiting. Nausea and vomiting, brought on by drinking, with acrid feeling from throat. Great thirst. Very easy vomiting. Heat and burning in stomach, with crampy, constrictive pain in epigastrium.

    Abdomen.–Distended, with gurgling noises. Pain in hypochondria. Pain in region of liver and under right scapula to shoulder. Violent urging to urinate.

    Stool.–Sudden, profuse, watery, like rice-water. Diarrhœa; forced discharge; loud noise in abdomen like gurgling of water coming out of a bung-hole, associated with coldness, cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

    Extremities.–Cramps in muscles, especially calves, legs, and feet. Coldness of whole body. Pain in ankles, feet and toes. Heels sensitive.

    Modalities.–Better, by placing hands in cold water.

    Relationship.–Compare: Camph; Verat; Gambog; Croton; Jatropha urens–Sponge-nettle–(œdema and cardiac paresis).

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • JALAPA

    Jalap
    (EXOGONIUM PURGA)

    Causes and cures colic and diarrhœa. The child is good all day, but screams and is restless and troublesome at night.

    Gastro-intestinal.–Tongue, smooth, glazed, dry, smarting.–Pain in right hypochondrium. Flatulence and nausea. Pinching and griping. Watery diarrhœa; thin, muddy stools. Abdomen distended. Face cold and blue. Anus sore.

    Extremities.–Aching in arms and legs. Pain in large joint of great toe. Smarting at root of nail. Burning of soles.

    Relationship.–Antidotes: Elater; Cann sat.

    Compare: Camph; Colocy.

    Dose.–Third to twelfth potency.

  • JACARANDA CAROBA

    Brazilian Caroba-tree
    (JACARANDA)

    Has reputation as a remedy in venereal diseases and rheumatism. Morning sickness. The urinary and sexual symptoms are important. Rheumatic symptoms.

    Head.–Vertigo on rising, with heavy forehead. Eyes pain; are inflamed and watery. Coryza with heavy head.

    Throat.–Sore, dry, constricted. Vesicles in pharynx.

    Urinary.–Urethra inflamed; discharge of yellow matter.

    Male.–Heat and pain in penis; painful erections; phimosis. Prepuce painful and swollen. Chancroid. Chordee. Itching pimples on glans and prepuce.

    Extremities.–Rheumatic pain in right knee. Weakness of lumbar region. Morning soreness and stiffness of muscles. Gonorrhœal rheumatism. Itching pimples on hands. Gonorrhœal and syphilitic arthritis.

    Relationship.–Compare: Thuja; Corallium; Jacaranda Gualandai (in syphilitic symptoms, especially of eye and throat. Chancroids; atonic ulcers. Dark, painless diarrhœa).

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.

  • JABORANDI

    Jaborandi
    (PILOCARPUS MICROPHYLLUS)

    Pilocarpus is a powerful glandular stimulant and the most efficient diaphoretic. Its most important effects are diaphoresis, salivation and myosis. Hot flushes, nausea, salivation and profuse perspiration. The face, ears and neck become in a few minutes after a dose of Jaborandi deeply flushed, and drops of perspiration break out all over the body whilst at the same time the mouth waters and saliva pours out in an almost continuous stream. Other secretions, lachrymal, nasal bronchial and intestinal also but in less degree. The sweat and saliva produced by a single dose is often enormous in quantity, not infrequently half a pint.

    Is homeopathic to abnormal sweats, and has achieved great success in night-sweats of consumptives. Acts upon the thyroid and its sudorific action may possibly be due to it. Exophthalmic goitre, with increased heart’s action and pulsation of arteries; tremors and nervousness; heat and sweating; bronchial irritation. A valuable remedy in limiting the duration of mumps.

    Eyes.–Eye strain from whatever cause. Irritability of the ciliary muscle. Eyes easily tire from slightest use. Heat and burning in eyes on use. Headache; smarting and pain in globe on use. Everything at a distance appears hazy; vision becomes indistinct every few moments. Retinal images retained long after using eyes. Irritation from electric or other artificial light. Pupils contracted; do not react to light. Staring eyes. Near-sighted. Vertigo and nausea after using eyes. White spots before eyes. Smarting pain in eyes. Lids twitch. Atrophic choroiditis. Spasm of the accommodation while reading.

    Ears.–Serous exudation into the tympanitic cavities. Tinnitus (Pilocarpin 2x).

    Mouth.–Saliva viscid, like white of egg. Dryness. Free salivation, with profuse sweating.

    Stomach.–Nausea on looking at objects moving; vomiting; pressure and pain in stomach.

    Abdomen.–Diarrhœa, painless; during day with flushed face and profuse sweat.

    Urinary.–Scanty; pain over pubes with much urging.

    Heart.–Pulse irregular, dicrotic. Oppression of chest. Cyanosis; collapse. Nervous cardiac affections.

    Respiratory.–Bronchial mucous membrane inflamed. Much inclination to cough and difficult breathing. Œdema of lungs. Foamy sputa. Profuse, thin, serous expectoration. Slow, sighing respiration.

    Skin.–Excessive perspiration from all parts of the body. Persistent dryness of skin. Dry eczema. Semi-lateral sweats. Chilliness with sweat.

    Relationship.–Compare: Amyl nit; Atrop; Physos; Lycop; Ruta. Pilocarpin mur, (Meniere’s disease, rapidly progressive phthisis, with free hæmorrhages, profuse sweating, 2x trit). Atropine is the antagonist to Pilocarpin, in dose of one one-hundredth grain for one-sixth of Pilocarpin.

    Dose.–Third potency.

    Non-Homeopathic Uses.–Chiefly as a powerful and rapid diaphoretic. It is of most service in renal disease, especially with uræmia, eliminating both water, and urea. Scarlatinal dropsy. Contra-indicated in heart failure, and in post-puerperal uræmia, and in senile cases.

    Dose.–One-eighth to one-fourth grain hypodermically.

  • IRIS VERSICOLOR

    Blue Flag

    Thyroid, pancreas, salivary, intestinal glands, and gastro-intestinal mucous membrane, are especially affected. Increases the flow of bile. Sick headaches and cholera morbus are a special therapeutic field for its action.

    Head.–Frontal headache, with nausea. Scalp feels constricted. Right temples especially affected. Sick headache, worse rest; begins with a blur before eyes, after relaxing from a mental strain. Pustular eruption on scalp.

    Ears.–Roaring, buzzing, ringing in ears, with deafness. Aural vertigo, with intense noises in ears.

    Face.–Neuralgia after breakfast, beginning in infra-orbital nerve, and involving whole face.

    Throat.–Mouth and tongue feel scalded. Heat and smarting in throat. Burning. Profuse flow of saliva; ropy. Goitre.

    Stomach.–Burning of whole alimentary canal. Vomiting, sour bloody, biliary. Nausea. Profuse flow of saliva (Merc; Ipec; Kali iod). Deficient appetite.

    Abdomen.–Liver sore. Cutting pain. Flatulent colic. Diarrhœa; stools watery, with burning at anus and through intestinal canal. Periodical night diarrhœa, with pain and green discharges. Constipation (give 30th)

    Extremities.–Shifting pains. Sciatica, as if left hip-joint were wrenched. Pain extends to popliteal space. Gonorrhœal rheumatism (use Irisin).

    Skin.–Herpes zoster, associated with gastric derangements. Pustular eruptions. Psoriasis; irregular patches with shining scales. Eczema, with nightly itching.

    Modalities.–Worse, in evening and at night, from rest. Better, from continued motion.

    Relationship.–Antidote: Nux.

    Compare: Iris florentina-Orris-root–(delirium, convulsions, and paralysis); Iris factissima (headache and hernia); Iris germanica-Blue Garden Iris–(dropsy and freckles); Iris tenax-I. minor–(dry mouth; deathly sensation at point of stomach, pain in ileo-cæcal region; appendicitis. Pain from adhesions after). Pancreatinum-a combination of several enzymes–(Indicated in intestinal indigestion; pain an hour or more after eating. Lienteric diarrhœa. Dose.–3-5 grains, better not given during the active period of stomachic digestion). Pepsinum–(Imperfect digestion with pain in gastric region. Marasmus of children who are fed on artificial foods. Diarrhœa due to indigestion. Dose.–3-4 grains) (Diseases of pancreas, gout, diabetes); Ipec; Podoph; Sanguin; Ars; Ant cr.

    Dose.–Tincture to thirtieth potency. Favorable reports from the very highest potencies.

  • IRIDIUM METALLICUM

    The Metal
    (IRIDIUM)

    Intestinal putrefaction and septicćmia. Anćmia, increases red corpuscles. Epilepsy; lupus. Rheumatism and gout. Uterine tumors. Spinal paresis. Exhaustion after disease. Children who are puny, weak-limbed, and grow too fast. Nephritis of pregnancy.

    Head.–Difficult concentration of thought. Sensation as if mind were void. Though confused. “Woodeny” feeling in right side of head. Right side of scalp sensitive. Profuse, watery coryza, better indoors. Ozćna.

    Respiratory.–Hoarse cough, worse talking; posterior nares feel raw, inflamed, profuse, thick, yellowish discharge. Chronic laryngeal catarrh.

    Back and extremities.–Weakness in the kidney region. Spinal paresis, especially for the aged and after disease. Pressing in groin and left thigh. Tension in both thighs, especially left. Dislocated feeling in left hip-joint and dull pain toward left gluteal region.

    Relationship.–Compare: Iridium chloride (Produces salivation and stiffness of jaws followed by head and nervous symptoms. Congestion of nares and bronchi. Dragging pain in lower back. Headache worse right side, heavy feeling as of liquid lead).

    Compare: Platina; Palladium; Osmium.

    Dose.–Sixth and higher.