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

  • EUPHRASIA OFFICINALIS

    Eyebright
    (EYEBRIGHT)

    Manifests itself in inflaming the conjunctival membrane especially, producing profuse lachrymation. Patient is better in open air. Catarrhal affections of mucous membranes especially of eyes and nose. Profuse acrid lachrymation and bland coryza; worse, evening. Hawking up of offensive mucus.

    Head.–Bursting headache with dazzling of eyes. Catarrhal headache, with profuse discharge from eyes and nose.

    Nose.–Profuse, fluent coryza, with violent cough and abundant expectoration.

    Eyes.–Catarrhal conjunctivitis; discharge of acrid matter. The eyes water all the time. Acrid lachrymation; bland coryza (Opposite: Cepa). Discharge thick and excoriating (Mercur thin and acrid). Burning and swelling of the lids. Frequent inclination to blink. Free discharge of acrid matter. Sticky mucus on cornea; must wink to remove it. Pressure in eyes. Little blisters on cornea. Opacities. Rheumatic iritis. Ptosis (Gels; Caust).

    Face.–Redness and heat of cheeks. Stiffness of upper lip.

    Stomach.–Vomiting from hawking mucus. Nausea and bitterness after smoking.

    Rectum.–Dysentery. Prolapse ani. Pressure down in anus when sitting. Constipation.

    Female.–Menses painful; flow lasts only an hour or day; late, scanty, short. Amenorrhœa, with ophthalmia.

    Male.–Spasmodic retraction of genitals, with pressure above pubic bone. Condyloma and sycotic excrescences. Prostatitis. Nocturnal irritability of bladder; dribbling urine.

    Respiratory.–Frequent yawning when walking in open air. Profuse, fluent coryza in morning, with much cough and expectoration. Influenza. Gags when clearing the throat in morning. Whooping-cough only in day-time, with profuse lachrymation.

    Skin.–First stage of measles; eye symptoms marked. Consequence of external injuries.

    Sleep.–Yawning when walking in open air. Sleepy during day.

    Fever.–Chilly and cold. Sweat mostly on chest, at night during sleep.

    Modalities.–Worse, in evening, indoors, warmth; south winds; from light. Better, from coffee, in dark.

    Relationship.–Antidotes: Camph; Puls. Compare: Hydrophyllum-Burr -flower–(catarrhal inflammation of eyes; hot lachrymation with itching, swollen lids, dull headache; also for effects of Poison-Oak); Cepa; Ars; Gels; Kali hyd; Sabadilla.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • EUPHORBIA POLYCARPA

    (GOLONDRINA)

    An antidote to snake-poison. Its use also renders the body immune to the influence of the snake venom, and thus as a prophylactic (Indigo).

    Relationship.–Compare: The Euphorbias. Euphorbia Prostata–(Used by Indians as an infallible remedy against bites of poisonous insects and snakes, especially the rattle-snake). Plumeria cellinus Tincture internally and locally every 15 minutes for snake poisoning (Dr. Correa). Cedron. Micania guacho, a Brazilian snake cure. Selaginella–(Macerate in milk, locally and internally for bites of snakes and spiders). Iodium, tincture for rattle snake bites externally and one drop doses every 10 minutes. Gymnema sylvestre (will abolish the taste of bitter things; sense of taste altered; powdered root for snake-bite); Sisyrinchium-Blue-eyed grass-Ten to fifteen drop doses of tincture (rattlesnake bites).

  • EUPHORBIA LATHYRIS

    Gopher-Plant, Caper Spurge

    The fresh milky juice is exceedingly acrid when applied to the skin and the fruit is highly purgative and poisonous. The juice causes redness, itching, pimples, sometimes gangrene. The symptoms point to its use in erysipelas. Poison Oak, etc. Rheumatic pains during rest. Paralytic, weakness in joints.

    Mind.–Delirium and hallucinations. Stupor, coma.

    Eyes.–Almost closed from œdema of lids.

    Nose.–End of nose very much inflamed externally. Very sensitive and œdematous mucous membranes with ulceration.

    Face.–At first ruddy glow on cheeks, afterwards death-like pallor. Cold perspiration in beads on forehead. Red, puffed, and in spots suppurating. Erythema, beginning on face, gradually extending into the hair parts, and then spreading over whole body, taking eight days to do so; eruption glossy, rough œdematous, with burning and smarting; aggravated by touch and cold air; ameliorated by close room and sweet-oil applications. Fine bran-like desquamation. Sensation of cobwebs. Stinging, smarting, and burning of face when touched.

    Mouth.–Tongue coated, slimy; acrid taste. Breath cold, musty odor.

    Stomach.–Nausea and vomiting of copious clear water, intermingled with white, gelatinous lumps.

    Stool.–Drastic purgation from large doses; mild laxative condition from smaller doses; followed several weeks afterwards by obstinate constipation. Stools of white, transparent, gelatinous mucus; later mingled with blood.

    Urine.–Copious flow of urine.

    Male.–Inflammation of scrotum resulting in deep acrid ulcers, with intense itching and burning; worse, touching the parts from washing.

    Respiratory.–Labored breathing. Breath cold, musty odor. Cough; first, a hacking, as from inhalation of sulphur; later on, paroxysmal, like whooping-cough, in regular paroxysms, ending in diarrhœa and vomiting, with sleepiness between each paroxysm.

    Heart.–Weak and fluttering heart-action. Pulse 120, full, bounding, somewhat irregular.

    Sleep.–Restlessness at night. Sleep disturbed, anxious dreams.

    Fever.–Temperature increased. Body bathed in profuse perspiration, standing out like beads on forehead; later, cold, clammy perspiration on forehead.

    Skin.–Erythema, beginning on uncovered parts, on face, and spreading over whole body; glossy, rough, œdematous, with burning and smarting. Fine bran-like desquamation following in the wake of the erythema. Eruption rough, scaly, smarting, and burning; when scratched forms deep, ragged ulcers; skin where ulcerated remains red.

    Modalities.–Worse, touch and cold air; better, close room and sweet-oil application.

    Relationship.–Antidoted by Rhus tox (skin symptoms); Veratr alb (vomiting, purging, cough and coma).

    Dose.–Third to thirtieth potency.

  • EUPHORBIUM OFFICINARUM

    Spurge-The resinous Juice of Euphorbia Resinifera
    (EUPHORBIUM)

    An irritant to the skin and mucous membranes. Burning pain in bones. Pains in limbs and paralytic weakness in the joints. Important respiratory and skin symptoms. Terrible burning pains. Pains of cancer. Everything appears larger than it really is.

    Head.–Acute mania. Violent, pressive headache.

    Face.–Erysipelas; yellow blisters. Burning in cheek; worse, left. Eyes inflamed and agglutinated in morning; Red swelling of cheeks. Nasal pruritus with mucous secretions from naso-pharynx.

    Stomach.–Great hunger. Sialorrhea (profuse salty saliva). Waterbrash. Thirst for cold drinks.

    Abdomen.–Sunken; spasmodic, flatulent colic. Stools fermented, profuse, clayey. Feels hollow.

    Respiratory.–Breathing oppressed, as if chest were not wide enough. Spasmodic, dry cough, day and night, with asthma. Violent, fluent coryza, with burning and cough. Constant cough, with stitches from pit of stomach to sides of chest. Croup, dry, hollow, cough. Warm feeling in chest, as if hot food had been swallowed.

    Extremities.–Paralytic pains. Pain in hip-joint and coccyx.

    Skin.–Erysipelatous inflammation, especially of the cheek. Biting and stinging, red, swollen. Vesicular erysipelas. Carbuncle; old, torpid, indolent ulcers with biting, lancinating pain. Old torpid ulcer, pustules; gangrene (Echinac; Secale). Ulcerating carcinoma and epithelioma of the skin.

    Relationship.–Compare: Euphorbia amygdaloides-Wood Spurge (in pain in antrum, illusion of smell, odor of mice. Sense of taste blunted. Diarrhœa; stools difficult, with painful anal spasm).

    Euphorbia corollata-Large Flowering Spurge–(a diaphoretic expectorant and cathartic of the old school in gastro-enteric disturbance, with deathly nausea. Vomiting of food, water, and mucus and copious evacuations. Attacks recur after short intermissions. Feeling of clawing in stomach; cold sweat) (Verat alb).

    Euphorbia marginata-Snow on the mountain–(Honey from the flowers is poisonous, detected by the hot, acrid taste. The milky juice produces skin symptoms like Rhus).

    Euphorbia pilulifera-Pillbearing Spurge–(Humid asthma, cardiac dyspnœa, hay-fever, and bronchitis. Urethritis, with intense pain on urinating, and much urging. Acrid leucorrhœa; worse least movement. Hæmorrhages from sunstroke and traumatism).

    Compare, also: Psoralea-A Columbian plant–(Pain of cancer, ulcers. Leucorrhœa fetid. Pruritus. Uterine tumors). Croton; Jatropha; Colchic.

    Antidotes: Camph; Opium.

    Dose.–Third to sixth potency.

  • EUPATORIUM AROMATICUM

    Pool-root

    Nervous erethism; restlessness and morbid watchfulness. Hysteria and chorea. Low fevers, with extreme restlessness.

    Aphthous disease. Sore nipples. Sore mouth in infants. Vomiting of bile, pain in stomach, headache, and fever.

    Relationship.–Lapsana communis-Nipple-wort-useful in sore nipples and piles. Hyosc; Passiflor; Hydr mur.

    Dose.–Tincture, locally, in sore mouth and sore nipples. Internally, tincture to third attenuation.

  • EUONYMUS ATROPURPUREA

    Wahoo, Burning Bush

    Brunettes more easily affected, producing headache, mental disturbances and much distress in hepatic and renal region; albuminuria. Migraine. Passive Congestion and torpor of liver; chronic catarrhal affections of stomach and intestines. Weak heart. Chronic rheumatism and gout.

    Mind.–Mental confusion, despondent, irritable; loss of memory, unable to recall familiar names.

    Head.–Heavy frontal headache. Sore, tired feeling; bruised feeling of scalp. Pain over right eye extending back through the head. Bilious headache; coated tongue, bad taste, constipation. Vertigo, obscure vision and gastric derangement, associated with albuminuria. Headache over eyebrows.

    Stomach.–Mouth dry, pasty taste; thirsty, stomach full and uncomfortable.

    Abdomen.–Flatus and pain. Anus very sore and burning. Constipation with hćmorrhoids and severe backache. Diarrhśa; stools variable and profuse, bloody. Pain about umbilical region.

    Urinary.–Urine scanty, high-colored; acidity increased, poured out rapidly.

    Back.–Dull pain between shoulders and about renal and splenic region; pain in lumbar region better lying down.

    Extremities.–Aching in all joints, especially ankles. Feet feel swollen and tired.

    Modalities.–Better cool draught, pressure. Worse evening.

    Relationship.–Euonymus Europoea-Spindle-tree (Liver disorders, biliousness, lumbago, gastric derangements with albuminuria. Cutting pains in malar bones, tongue, penis up to bladder); Podophyl; Ammon pic; Chel; Euonymin 1x trit (albuminuria).

    Dose.–Tincture and lower attenuations.

  • EUGENIA JAMBOS

    Rose-apple
    (JAMBOSA VULGARIS)

    Eugenia produces a state of intoxication like alcohol. Everything appears beautiful and larger; excitement soon changing to depression. Acne, simple and indurated. The pimples are painful for some distance around. Acne rosacea. Nausea, better smoking. Comedones.

    Head.–Headache as if a board were lying on right side. Talkative. Hot lachrymation.

    Extremities.–Nightly cramp in soles of feet (Cupr; Zing). Skin cracks about toes. Fissures between toes. Skin recedes from the nails, forming pus.

    Relationship.–Compare: Eugenia chekun-Myrtus chekan (chronic Bronchitis); Antim; Berb aquif.

  • EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS

    Blue Gum-tree

    Eucalyptus is a powerful antiseptic and destructive to low forms of life, a stimulating expectorant and an efficient diaphoretic. Atonic dyspepsia, gastric and intestinal catarrh. A remedy with marked effects on catarrhal processes, malaria, and intestinal disturbance. Influenza. Fevers of a relapsing character. Produces diuresis and great increase of urea. Hæmorrhages internally and locally (Hamam). Typhoid. Symptoms of exhaustion and toxæmia. Conditions of the mucous surfaces of the air passages, genito-urinary organs and gastro-intestinal tract. A gastro-intestinal irritant with pain in stomach and upper intestines several hours after eating.

    Head.–Exhilaration. Desire for exercise. Dull congestive headache. Coryza; sore throat. Eyes smart and burn.

    Nose.–Stuffed-up sensation; thin, watery coryza; nose does not stop running; tightness across bridge. Chronic catarrhal, purulent and fetid discharge. Ethmoid and frontal sinus involved.

    Throat.–Relaxed, aphthous condition of mouth and throat. Excessive secretion of saliva. Burns, feels full. Constant sensation of phlegm in throat. Enlarged, ulcerated tonsils and inflamed throat (Use tincture locally).

    Stomach.–Slow digestion. Much fetid gas. Beating and goneness with pulsation in epigastric arteries. Spleen hard and contracted. Pain in epigastrium and upper abdomen ameliorated by food. Malignant disease of stomach with vomiting of blood and sour fluid.

    Abdomen.–Acute diarrhœa. Aching pains in bowels with feeling of impending diarrhœa. Dysentery, with rectal heat; tenesmus; hæmorrhage. Diarrhœa; stools thin, watery, preceded by sharp pains. Typhoid diarrhœa.

    Urinary.–Acute nephritis complicating influenza. Hæmaturia. Suppurative inflammation of kidneys. Urine contains pus and is deficient in urea. Bladder feels loss of expulsive force. Burning and tenesmus; catarrh of bladder; diuresis; urethral caruncle. Spasmodic stricture; gonorrhœa.

    Respiratory.–Asthma, with great dyspnœa and palpitation. Moist asthma. Expectoration white, thick mucus. Bronchitis in the aged. Bronchorrhœa (Bals. Peru). Profuse expectoration of offensive muco-pus. Irritative cough. Whooping-cough in rachitic children. Fetid form of bronchitis, bronchial dilatation and emphysema.

    Female.–Leucorrhœa, acrid, fetid. Ulcer around orifice of urethra.

    Extremities.–Rheumatic pains; worse at night, walking or carrying anything. Stiff, weary sensation. Pricking sensation, followed by painful aching. Nodular swellings over metacarpal and metatarsal joints.

    Skin.–Glandular enlargements and nodular swelling over joints. Foul and indolent ulcers. Herpetic eruptions.

    Fever.–Elevation of temperature. Continued and typhoid fevers. Scarlet fever (protective and curative). Discharges show a tendency to foulness, high temperature, accelerated but not strong pulse. Use the tincture.

    Relationship.–Compare: Oil of Eucalyptus.–(Produces remarkable bodily exhaustion, no desire for any motion, unable to do any real mental work, study, etc. The volatile oil possesses, in common with other terpenes, the property of converting water, in presence of air and sunlight, into hydrogen peroxide, or to convert oxygen into ozone, which is the explanation usually given of its deodorizing and antiseptic properties (Merrel). Locally, in catarrhal affections, especially when of a suppurating or putrid nature). Eucalyptus tereticoris (menstrual cough and prostration). Eucalyptol (depresses temperature of healthy body more than Quinine; acts on kidneys like Terebinth); Anacard; Hydrast; Kali sulph. Eucalyptus neutralizes ill effects of Strychnin. Angophora-Red Gum–(dysentery, pains, tenesmus; better lying flat on face; obstinate constipation). Eucalyptus rostrata; Kino.

    Dose.–Tincture in one to 20 drop doses, and lower potencies. Also Oil of Eucalyptus in five-drop doses.

  • ESCHSCHOLTZIA CALIFORNICA

    California Poppy

    Experiments upon animals showed it to act more powerfully than morphine which is contained in the plant. It causes general weakness, torpor, accelerated respiration, complete paralysis of the limbs. Slowing of circulation.

    A soporific remedy which is harmless. Use the tincture.

  • ERYNGIUM AQUATICUM

    Button Snake-root

    A remedy for urinary disorders. Strangury, etc, with nervous erethism. Thick, yellow mucous discharges. Influenza. Uridrosis, sweat of urinous odor in evening.

    Respiratory.–Cough, with sense of constriction. Smarting in throat and larynx.

    Urinary.–Tenesmus of bladder and urethra. Difficult and frequent micturition. Pain behind pubes. Spasmodic stricture. Renal colic (Pareira; Calc). Congestion of kidneys with dull pain in back, running down the ureters and limbs. Irritable bladder from enlarged prostate gland, or from pressure of uterus.

    Male.–Discharge of prostatic fluid from slight causes. Seminal emissions without erections, with lassitude (Dioscor; Phos ac).

    Relationship.–Compare: Conium; Cannab; Dios; Ocim; Clemat.

    Dose.–Tincture, to third potency.