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
Arsenite of Antimony
Found useful in emphysema with excessive dyspnœa and cough, much mucous secretion. Worse on eating and lying down. Catarrhal pneumonia associated with influenza. Myocarditis and cardiac weakness. Pleurisy, especially of left side, with exudation and pericarditis, with effusion. Sense of weakness. Inflammation of eyes and œdema of face.
Dose.–Third trituration.
Anise
(ILLICIUM)
Should be remembered in the treatment of flatulent conditions. So-called three-months’ colic, especially if it recurs at regular hours; much rumbling in abdomen. One symptom is worthy of special remembrance-pain in region of third rib, about an inch or two from the sternum, generally on right side, but occasionally on left. Frequent cough with this pain. Purulent tracheal and gastric catarrh of old drunkards. Old asthmatics. Vomiting, epileptiform convulsions with biting of tongue.
Nose.–Sharp stitches beneath lip. Acute catarrh. Burning and numbness of inner lower lip.
Respiratory.–Dyspnœa. Pain near third intercostal cartilage. Cough, with pus-like phlegm. Palpitation, with aphthæ. Hæmoptysis.
Dose.–Third potency.
Coal Tar Product-Amidobenzene
Marked giddiness and pain in head; face has a purple hue. Pain in penis and scrotum with swelling. Tumors of the urinary passages. Profound anæmia with discoloration of skin, blue lips, anorexia, gastric disturbances. Swelling of skin.
Relationship.–Compare: Arsenic; Antipyrin.
Mescal Button
(ANHALONIUM)
Mescal is a strong intoxicating spirit distilled from Pulque fuerte. Pulque is made from the Agave Americana of Mexico, locally known as Maguey and is the national beverage of Mexico. Indians call it Peyote. It weakens the heart, produces insanity. Its most striking effects appear in the auditory nerve for it makes each note upon the piano a center of melody which seems to be surrounded by a halo of color pulsating to the rhythm of the music” (Hom. World).
Causes a form of intoxication accompanied by wonderful visions, remarkably beautiful and varied kaleidoscopic changes, and a sensation of increased physical ability. Also visions of monsters and various gruesome forms. A cardiac tonic and respiratory stimulant. Hysteria and insomnia. A remedy for brainfag, delirium, megrim, hallucinations, with colored brilliant visions. Motor inco-ordination. Extreme muscular depression; increased patellar reflex. Paraplegia.
Mind.–Loss of conception of time. Difficult enunciation. Distrust and resentment. Lazy contentment.
Head.–Aches, with disturbed vision. Fantastic, brilliant, moving colored objects. Affected by beating time. Pupils dilated, vertigo, brain tired. Polychrome spectra. Exaggerated reverberation of ordinary sounds.
Dose.–Tincture.
Relationship.–Compare Agave. The intoxication of Anhalonium is similar to that of Cannabis Indica and Oenanthe.
Bark of Galipea Cusparia
Rheumatic and paralytic complaints-great difficulty in walking. Crackling in all joints.
The greatest craving for coffee is a characteristic symptom. Caries of long bones. Paralysis. Tetanus. Stiffness of muscles and joints. Oversensitive.
Principal action on spinal motor nerves and mucous membranes.
Head.–Oversensitive. Headache, with heat of face. Acute pain in cheeks. Drawing in facial muscles. Pain in temporal muscles, when opening the jaws. Pain in articulation of jaw, in masseter muscles, as if fatigued by chewing too much. Cramp-pain on the zygomatic arch.
Stomach.–Bitter taste. Irresistible desire for coffee. Pain from navel into sternum. Atonic dyspepsia. Belching, with cough (Ambra).
Abdomen.–Diarrhœa and colic. Tenesmus with soft stool; chronic diarrhœa, with debility and loss of flesh. Burning in anus.
Back.–Itching along back. Pain in cervical vertebræ. Drawing in the neck. Pain in spine, at nape of neck and sacrum, worse on pressure. Twitching and jerking along back. Bends backward.
Extremities.–Stiffness and tension of muscles and joints. Pain in limbs on walking. Arms tired and heavy. Caries of long bones. Coldness of fingers. Pain in knees. Cracking in joints.
Skin.–Caries, very painful ulcers which affect the bone.
Relationship.–Compare: Nux; Ruta; Mercur; Brucea. -Bark of Nux vomica or angustura falsa (Tetanic spasms with undisturbed consciousness, worse noise, liquids, paralyzed lower extremities, worse least touch, cries for fear of being touched. Painful jerking of legs; cramp-like pain in knees; rigid and lame limbs of paralytics. For pain in the passing of calculus).
Dose.–Sixth potency.
Yerba Mansa-Household Herb
A mucous membrane medicine. Chronic forms of inflammation of the Schneiderian membrane with considerable relaxation and profuse discharge. Chief value in catarrhal states, with full stuffy sensation in head and throat. Useful in cuts, bruises and sprains; and as a diuretic and in malaria. Not yet proven, but found useful in profuse mucous or serous discharges; in nasal and pharyngeal catarrh, diarrhúa and urethritis. Recommended in heart disease, as a quieting agent when unduly excited. Flatulence; promotes digestion.
Relationship.–Compare Piper meth.
Dose.–The tincture internally and locally as a spray.
Cuscus-An East Indian Grass
(ANATHERUM)
A skin remedy of high order.
Painful swelling of various parts, going on to suppuration. Glandular inflammation.
Head.–Pains pierce brain like pointed arrows; worse in afternoon. Herpes, ulcers, and tumors on scalp. Wartlike growth on eyebrows. Boils and tumors on tip of nose. Tongue fissured, as if cut on edges; copious salivation.
Urine.–Turbid, thick, full of mucus. Constant urging. Bladder cannot hold smallest quantity. Involuntary. Cystitis.
Sexual.–Chancre-like sores. Scirrhus-like swelling of cervix. Breasts swollen, indurated, nipples excoriated.
Skin.–Diseased and deformed nails. Offensive foot-sweat. Abscesses boils, ulcers. Erysipelas. Pruritus, herpes.
Relationship.–Compare: Staphisag; Mercur; Thuja.
Dose.–Third potency.
Scarlet Pimpernel
(ANAGALLIS)
Marked action on skin, characterized by great itching and tingling everywhere. Favors expulsion of splinters. An old medicine for hydrophobia and dropsy. Possesses power of softening flesh and destroying warts.
Head.–Great hilarity; headache over supra-orbital ridges, with rumbling in bowels and eructations; better from coffee. Sick headache. Pain in facial muscles.
Extremities.–Rheumatic and gouty pains. Pain in shoulder and arm. Cramp in ball of thumbs and fingers.
Urine.–More or less irritation in urethra, inclining to coition. Burning pain on urinating, with agglutination of orifice. Urine passes in several streams; must press before it passes.
Skin.–Itching; dry, bran-like eruption, especially on hands and fingers. Palms especially affected. Vesicles in groups. Ulcers and swellings on joints.
Relationship.–Anagallis contains Saponin, q. v.
Compare: Cyclamen; Primula obcon.
Dose.–First to third potency.
Marking Nut
(ANACARDIUM)
The Anacardium patient is found mostly among the neurasthenics; such have a type of nervous dyspepsia, relieved by food; impaired memory, depression, and irritability; diminution of senses (smell, sight, hearing). Syphilitic patients often suffer with these conditions. Intermittency of symptoms. Fear of examination in students. Weakening of all senses, sight, hearing, etc. Aversion to work; lacks self-confidence; irresistible desire to swear and curse. Sensation of a plug in various parts-eyes, rectum, bladder, etc; also of a band. Empty feeling in stomach; eating temporarily relieves all discomfort. This is a sure indication, often verified. Its skin symptoms are similar to Rhus, and it has proved a valuable antidote to Poison-Oak.
Mind.–Fixed ideas. Hallucinations; thinks he is possessed of two persons or wills. Anxiety when walking, as if pursued. Profound melancholy and hypochondriasis, with tendency to use violent language. Brain-fag. Impaired memory. Absent mindedness. Very easily offended. Malicious; seems bent on wickedness. Lack of confidence in himself or others. Suspicious (Hyos). Clairaudient, hears voices far away or of the dead. Senile dementia. Absence of all moral restraint.
Head.–Vertigo. Pressing pain, as from a plug; worse after mental exertion-in forehead; occiput, temples, vertex; better during a meal. Itching and little boils on scalp.
Eyes.–Pressure like a plug on upper orbit. Indistinct vision. Objects appear too far off.
Ears.–Pressing in the ears as from a plug. Hard of hearing.
Nose.–Frequent sneezing. Sense of smell perverted. Coryza with palpitation, especially in the aged.
Face.–Blue rings around eyes. Face pale.
Mouth.–Painful vesicles; fetid odor. Tongue feels swollen, impending speech and motion, with saliva in mouth. Burning around lips as from pepper.
Stomach.–Weak digestion, with fullness and distention. Empty feeling in stomach. Eructation, nausea, vomiting. Eating relieves the Anacardium dyspepsia. Apt to choke when eating or drinking. Swallows food and drinks hastily.
Abdomen.–Pain as if dull plug were pressed into intestines. Rumbling, pinching, and griping.
Rectum.–Bowels inactive. Ineffectual desire; rectum seems powerless, as if plugged up; spasmodic constriction of sphincter ani; even soft stool passes with difficulty. Itching at anus; moisture from rectum. Hæmorrhage during stool. Painful hæmorrhoids.
Male.–Voluptuous itching; increased desire; seminal emissions without dreams. Prostatic discharge during stool.
Female.–Leucorrhœa, with soreness and itching. Menses scanty.
Respiratory.–Pressure in chest, as from a dull plug. Oppression of chest, with internal heat and anxiety, driving him into open air. Cough excited by talking, in children, after fit of temper. Cough after eating with vomiting of food and pain in occiput.
Heart.–Palpitation, with weak memory, with coryza in the aged; stitches in heart region. Rheumatic pericarditis with double stitches.
Back.–Dull pressure in the shoulders, as from a weight. Stiffness at nape of neck.
Extremities.–Neuralgia in thumb. Paralytic weakness. Knees feel paralyzed or bandaged. Cramps in calves. Pressure as from a plug in the glutei. Warts on palms of hands. Fingers swollen with vesicular eruption.
Sleep.–Spells of sleeplessness lasting for several nights. Anxious dreams.
Skin.–Intense itching, eczema, with mental irritability; vesicular eruption; swelling, urticaria; eruption like that of Poison-Oak (Xerophyl; Grindel; Croton). Lichen planus; neurotic eczema. Warts on hands. Ulcer formation on forearm.
Modalities.–Worse, on application of hot water. Better, from eating. When lying on side, from rubbing.
Relationship.–Antidote: Grindeleia; Coffea; Juglans; Rhus; Eucalyptus.
Compare: Anacard occidentale (cashew nut) (erysipelas, vesicular facial eruptions), (anæsthetic variety of leprosy; warts, corns, ulcers, cracking of the skin on soles of feet). Rhus; Cypriped; Chelidon; Xerophyl.
Platina follows well. Cereus serpentina (swearing).
Dose.–Sixth to two hundredth potency.
Valerianate of Ammonia
A remedy for nervous, hysterical people, suffering with neuralgia headaches and insomnia. Great nervous erethism is always present.
Heart.–Pains in cardiac region. Functional disturbances, tachycardia.
Dose.–Lower triturations.
