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

  • Natrum Muriaticum

    Common Salt (NaCl)

    For the anaemic and cachetic; whether from loss of vital fluids – profuse menses, seminal losses – or mental affections. Great emaciation; loosing flesh while living well (Abrot., Iod.); throat and neck of child emaciate rapidly during summer complaint (Sanic.). Great liability to take cold (Cal., Kali c.). Irritability: child cross when spoken to; crying from slightest cause; gets into a passion about trifles, especially when consoled with. Awkward, hasty, drops things from nervous weakness (Apis, Bov.). Marked disposition to weep; sad weeping mood without cause (Puls.), but consolation from others < her troubles. Headache: anaemic, of school girls (Cal. p.); from sunrise to sunset; left sided clavus; as if bursting; with red face, nausea and vomiting before, during and after menses; as though a thousand little hammers were knocking in the brain during fever; > by perspiration. Headache; beginning with blindness (Iris, Kali bi.); with zig-zag dazzling, like lightening in eyes, ushering in a throbbing headache; from eye strain. Lachrymation; tears stream down the face whenever he coughs (Euphr.). Hay fever: squirming sensation in the nostril, as of a small worm; brought on by exposure to hot sun or intense summer heat. Sensation as of a hair on the tongue (Sil.). Tongue: mapped, with red insular patches; like ringworm on sides (Ars., Lach., Mer., Nit. ac., tarax.); heavy, difficult speech, children slow in learning to walk. Constipation: sensation of contraction of anus; torn, bleeding, smarting afterwards; stool, dry, hard, difficult, crumbling (Am. c., Mag. m.); stitches in rectum (Nit. ac.); involuntary, knows not whether flatus or faeces escape (Aloe, Iod., Mur. ac., Olean., Pod.). Urine: involuntary when walking, coughing, laughing (Caust., Puls., Scilla); has to wait a long while or urine to pass, if others are present (Hep., Mur. ac.); cutting in urethra after (Sars.). Seminal emission: soon after coition, with increased desire; weakness of organs with retarted emission during an embrace; impotence, spinal irritation, paralysis, after sexual excesses. Pressing, pushing towards genitals every morning; must sit down to prevent prolapsus (Lil., Mur., Sep.). Fluttering of the heart; with a weak, faint feeling < lying down (Lach.). The heart’s pulsations shake the body (Spig.). The hair falls out when touched, in nursing women (Sep.); face oily, shiny, as if greased (Plb., Thuja). For the bad effects: of anger (caused by offence); acid food, bread, quinine, excessive use of salt; of cauterization of all kinds with the silver nitrate; to grief, fright, vexation, mortification or reserved displeasure (Staph.). Hangnails: skin around the nails dry and cracked (Graph., Pet.); herpes about anus and on borders of hair at nape of neck (in bend of knees, Hep., Graph.). Warts on palms of hands (sore to touch, Nat. c.). Dreams: of robbers in the house, and on waking, will not believe to the contrary until search is made (Psor.); of burning thirst. Fever blisters, like pearls about the lips; lips dry, sore and cracked, ulcerated (Nit. ac.). Painful contractions of the hamstrings (Am. m., Caust., Guaiac.). Craving for salt (Cal., Caust.); great aversion to bread. Eczema; raw, red, inflamed, especially in edges of hair; < from eating too much salt, at sea shore, or from ocean voyage. Urticaria, acute or chronic; over whole body; especially after violent exercise (Apis, Cal., Hep., Sanic., Urt.). Intermittents: paroxysm at 10 or 11 a. m.; old, chronic, badly treated cased, especially after suppression by quinine; headache, with unconsciousness during chill and heat; sweat > pains.

    Relations. – Complementary: to, Apis, acts well before and after it. Natrum mur. is the chronic of Ignatia, which is its vegetable analogue. Is followed by Sepia and Thuja. Cannot often be repeated in chronic cases without an intercurrent, called for by the symptoms. Should never be given during fever paroxysm. If vertigo and headache be very persistent, or prostration be prolonged after Natrum, Nux will relieve.

    Aggravation. – At 10 or 11 a. m.; at the seashore or form sea air; heat of sun or stove; mental exertion, taling, writing, reading; lying down.

    Amelioration. – In the open air (Apis, Puls.); cold bathing; going without regular meals; lying on right side (on painful side, Bry., Ign., Puls.).

  • Natrum Carbonicum

    Carbonate of Soda (Na2CO3,10H2O.)

    Constitutions with aversion to open air and dislike to exercise, mental or physical; imbecility. Great debility: caused by heat of summer (Ant. c.); exhaustion from least effort, mental or physical; ready to drop after a walk; chronic effects of sunstroke. Chronic effects of sunstroke; now, with the return of hot weather, suffers from headaches. Emaciation with pale face and blue rings around the eyes, dilated pupils; dark urine; anaemic; milky, watery skin and great debility. Inability to think or perform any mental labor, causes headache; feels stupefied if he tries to exert himself; comprehension slow, difficult. Intolerable melancholy and apprehension; is wholly occupied with sad thoughts. Attacks of anxiety and restlessness during a thunder storm (Phos.); < from music (Sab.). Headache: from slightest mental exertion; form sun or working under gaslight (Glon., Lach.); with tension in nape or occiput before menses; head feels too large, as it it would burst. Face pale, with blue rings around eyes; eyelids swollen; catarrh; mucus in throat and posterior nares; constantly hawking to clear throat; dropping into the throat from posterior nares. Catarrh: extends to posterior nares and throat; hawking much thick mucus from throat; profuse discharge during day, stopped at night (Nux). Thick, yellow, green, offensive, musty, hard discharge from nose; often ceasing after a meal. Aversion to milk; diarrhoea from it. Bearing down as if everything would come out (Agar., Lil., Mur., Sep.); heaviness, < sitting, > by moving. Discharge of mucus from vagina after an embrace, causing sterility. Easy dislocation and spraining of ankle (Led.); so weak that it give way; foot bends under (Carbo an., Nat m.).

    Relations. – Compare: Nat s., for yeast-like vomiting; Cal., Sep. Follows well: after, Sep., in bearing down.

    Aggravations. – From music; in the sun; excessive summer heat; mental exertion; a thunder storm.

  • Naja Tripudians

    Cobra virus. (Elapidae.)

    Suicidal insanity, broods constantly over imaginary troubles (Aur.). Simple hypertrophy of heart. For restoring a heart damaged by acute inflammation, or from relief of sufferings of chronic hypertrophy and valvular lesions. Irritating, dry, sympathetic cough in the acute stage of rheumatic carditis, or chronic organic lesions (Spon.). Threatened paralysis of heart, post-diphtheritic. Pulse irregular in force, but regular in rhythm. Inability to speak with choking, nervous, chronic palpitation, especially after public speaking; pain < by carriage riding or lying on side. Severe stitching pain in region of heart.

    Relations. – Compare: Ars., Cac., Crot., Lach., Myg., Spig.

  • Murex Purpurea

    A Mollusk (Muricidae)

    Persons of a melancholy temperament. For the sufferings during climacteric (Lach., Sep., Sulph.). Great depression of spirits. Sinking, all gone sensation, in stomach (Sep.). Least contact of parts, causes violent sexual excitement (excessive sexual irritation driving to self abuse, Orig., Zinc.). Violent excitement in sexual organs, and excessive desire for an embrace (rev. of Sep.). Sore pain in uterus; a distinct sensation of womb (Helon., Lys.). Bearing down sensation, as if internal organs would be pushed out, must sit down and cross limbs to > pressure (but no sexual desire, Sep.). Menses: irregular, early, profuse, protracted, large clots. Leucorrhoea: < mental depression, happier when leucorrhoea is worse.

    Relations. Compare: Lil., Plat., in nymphomania; Sep. in bearing down sensation, but has no sexual erethism.

  • Muratic Acid

    Hydrochloric Acid. (HCl)

    Adapted to persons with black hair, dark eyes, dark complexion. Irritable, peevish, disposed to anger and chagrin (Nux); restlessness and vertigo. Diseases of an asthenic type, with moaning, unconsciouness, fretfulness. Ulceration with fungus-like growths and pseudo-like membranous deposits of intestinal tract. Great debility: as soon as he sits down his eyes close; lower jaw hangs down; slides down in bed. Mouth and anus are chiefly affected; the tongue and sphincter ani are paralyzed. Malignant affections of mouth; studded with ulcers, deep, perforating; have a black or dark base; offensive, foul breath; intense prostration; diphtheria, scarlatina, cancer. Cannot bear the thought or sight of meat (Nit. ac.). If the anus be very sensitive either with or without haemorrhoids; anus sore during menses. Haemorrhoids: swollen, blue, sensitive and painful to touch; appear suddenly in children; too sore to bear least touch, even the sheet is uncomfortable. Prolapse while urinating. Diarrhoea: stool involuntary while urinating; on passing wind (Aloe); cannot urinate without having the bowels move at the same time. Urine passes slowly; bladder weak, must wait a long time; has to press so that the anus protrudes. Cannot bear least touch, not even of sheet on genitals (Murex). Typhoid or typhus; deep stupid sleep; unconscious while awake; loud moaning or muttering; tongue coated at edges, shrunken, dry, leather- like, paralyzed; involuntary fetid stools while passing urine; sliding down in bed; pulse intermits every third beat. Palpitation of heart is felt in the face. Freckles; eczema solaris.

    Relations. – Follows well: after, Bry., Mer., Rhus. Cures the muscular weakness following excessive use of opium and tobacco.

  • Millefolium

    Yarrow. (Compositae.)

    Ailments: from over-lifting, over-exertion, or a fall. Vertigo; when moving slowly, but not when taking violent exercise. Haemorrhages: painless, without fever; bright red, fluid blood (Acon., Ipec., Sab.); from lungs, bronchi, larynx, mouth, nose, stomach, bladder, rectum, uterus; of mechanical origin (Arn.); of wounds (Ham.). Wounds which bleed profusely, especially after a fall (Arn., Ham.). Haemoptysis: after injury; in incipient phthisis; in haemorrhoidal patients; from a ruptured blood vessel. Painless drainage, from nose, lungs, uterus; after labor or abortion; after great exertion; after miscarriage. Preventive in post- partum haemorrhage. Menses: early, profuse, protracted; suppressed, with colic pain in abdomen. Leucorrhoea of children from atony (Cal.). Cough: with raising of bright blood; in suppressed menses or haemorrhoids; with oppression and palpitation; after a fall from a height (Arn.); after violent extertion; with blood, daily at 4 p. m. (Lyc.).

    Relations. – Compare: Erecht. in epistaxis and haemoptysis, blood bright red. Follows well: after, Acon., and Arn., in haemorrhages.

  • Mezereum

    Daphne Mezereum. (Thymelaceae.)

    For light-haired, irresolute persons of a phelgmatic temperament. Eczema and itching eruptions after vaccinations. Hypochondriacal and despondent; indifferent to everything and every one; angry at trifles and perfectly harmless things, but is soon sorry for it. Toothache: in carious teeth (Kreos.); feel elongated, dull pain when biting on them and when touched with tongue, < at night; > with mouth open and drawing in air; roots decay (rev. or Mer.). Headache, violent after slight vexation; painful on the slightest touch; right sided. The head is covered with thick, leather-like crust, under which thick and white pus collects here and there; hair is glued and matted together; pus after a time is ichorous, becomes offensive and breeds vermin. Ulcers with thick, yellowish-white scabs, under which thick, yellow pus collects. Vesicles appear around the ulcers, itch violently, burn like fire (Hep.); shining, fiery-red areola around. Linen or charpie sticks to the ulcers, they bleed when it is torn away. Eczema: intolerable itching, < in bed and from touch; copious, serous exudation. Neuralgic burning pains after zona. Bones, especially long bones, inflamed, swollen; nightly pains going from above downwards; after abuse of Merc., after venerial diseases; caries, exostosis, tumors soften from within out. Pain in periosteum of long bones < at night in bed, least touch, in damp weather (Mer., Phyt.). Child scratches face continually, which is covered with blood; eruptions moist; itching worse at night; inflammatory redness of face.

    Relations. – Compare: Caust., Guaiac., Phyt., Rhus.

    Aggravation. – Cold air; cold washing; at night; touch or motion; bad effects of mercury or alcohol. Epidemics occurring in January or February often call for Mezereum.

  • Mercurius Sulphuricus

    Sulphate of Mercury. (HgSO4.)

    Hydrothorax, if occurring from heart or liver diseases; dyspnoea, has to sit, cannot lie down. Extremities swollen; stool loose, watery, causing severe burning and soreness; burning in chest. “When it acts well it produces a profuse, watery diarrhoea with great relief to the patient; it is as important as Arsenicum in hydrothorax” – Lippe.

    Relations. – Compare: Ars., Cinnab., Dig., Sulph.

  • Mercurius Biniodide

    Biniodide of Mercury. (HgI2.)

    Diphtheritic and glandular affections of left side; fauces dark red; solids or liquids painful when swallowing; exudation slight, easily detached; cases attending epidemic scarlet fever, ulcers on fauces or tonsils; glands enlarged; greenish tough lumps from pharynx or posterior nares. Tubercular pharyngitis. Mercurius Solubilis. Hahnemann’s Soluble Mercury. Nervous affections after suppressed discharges especially in psoric patients (Asaf.). Glandular and scrofulous affections of children. Otorrhoea: bloody, offensive discharge, with stabbing tearing pain; < right side, at night and lying on affected side. Furuncles and boils in external meatus (Pic. ac.). Polypi and fungous excresences in external meatus (Mar. v., Thuja). Acrid nasal secretion, having odor of old cheese; nostrils, red, raw, ulcerated. Epistaxis: when coughing; at night during sleep; hangs in a dark clotted string from the nose, like an circle. Gonorrhoea: with phymosis or chancroids; green discharge, < at night; urging to urinate; intolerable burning in for part of urethra when passing last few drops; prepuce hot, swollen, oedematous and sensitive to touch; of a torpid character, with threatening or suppurating bubo. Chancre: primary; regular indurated Hunterian, with lardaceous base; with cheesy bottom and inverted red edges; with phymosis or paraphymosis; deep, round, penetrating, eating through fraenum and prepuce; bleeding, painful, yellowish fetid discharge. Hahnemann’s remedy for syphilis and diseases of the genito-urinary tract. Is rarely indicated if the tongue is dry. Disease of the skin; intolerable biting, itching, over body, as from insect bites, < in evening and from warmth of bed; becomes pleasant on scratching. Weakness and weariness of limbs; sore, bruised.

  • Mercurius Proto Iodide

    Iodide of Mercury. (Hg2I2.)

    Diphtheritic and throat affections where the cervical and parotid glands are enormously swollen; membrane begins on or is < on right side; < by warm drinks, and empty swallowing (Lach.). Tongue: thick, yellow coating at base (Kali bi. – golden yellow coating at base, Nat. p.; dirty or greenish-gray coating at base, Nat. s.); tip and edges red; right side of throat and neck most affected. For Hunterian (hard) chancre, secondary symptoms rarely follow if given in proper dose; great swelling of inguinal glands, no disposition to suppurate.