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

  • Glonoine

    Nitro-glycerine. (C3H4(NO2)O3)

    Nervous temperament; plethoric, florid, sensitive women; persons readily affected. Bad effects of mental excitement, fright, fear, mechanical injuries and their later consequences; from having the hair cut. (Acon., Bell.). Head troubles: from working under gas-light, when heat falls on head; cannot bear heat about the head, heat of stove or walking in the sun (Lach., Nat. c.). Cerebral congestion, or alternate congestion of the head and heart. Head: feels enormously large; as if skull were too small for brain; sunstroke and sun headache; increases and decreases every day with the sun (Kal., Nat. c.). Terrific shock in the head, synchronous with the pulse. Throbbing, pulsating headache; holds head with both hands; could not lie down, “the pillow would beat.”. Brain feels too large, full, bursting; blood seems to be pumped upwards; throbs at every jar, step, pulse. Intense congestion of brain from delayed or suppressed menses; headache in place of menses. Headache: occurring after profuse uterine haemorrhage; rush of blood to head, in pregnant women. Violent palpitation, with throbbing in carotids; heart’s action labored, oppressed; blood seems to rush to heart, and rapidly to head. Convulsions of children from cerebral congestion; meningitis, during dentition, cases that seem to call for Belladonna. Children get sick in the evening when sitting before and open coal fire, or falling asleep there. Flushes of heat; at the climacteric (Amyl., Bell., Lach.); with the catmenia (Fer., Sang.).

    Relations. – Compare: Amyl., Bell., Ferr., Gels., Melil., Stram.

    Aggravation. – In the sun, exposure to sun’s rays; gas- light; overheating; jar; stooping; ascending; touch of hat; having the hair cut.

  • Gelsemium

    Yellow Jasmine. (Loganiaceae)

    For children, young people, especially women of a nervous, hysterical temperament (Croc., Ign.). Complete relaxation and prostration of whole muscular system with entire motor paralysis. Excitable, irritable, sensitive; for the nervous affections of onanists of both sexes (Kali p.). Bad effects from fright, fear, exciting news and sudden motions (Ign. – from pleasant surprise, Coff.). Fear of death (Ars.); utter lack of courage. The anticipation of any unusual ordeal, preparing for church, theatre, or to meet an engagement, brings on diarrhoea; stage fright, nervous dread of appearing in public (Arg. n.). General depression from heat of sun or summer. Weakness and trembling; of tongue, hands, legs; of the entire body. Desire to be quiet, to be let alone; does not wish to speak or have any one near her, even if the person be silent (Ign.). Vertigo, spreading from the occiput (Sil.); with diplopia, dim vision, loss of sight; seems intoxicated when trying to move. Children; fear of falling, grasp the crib or seize the nurse (Bor., Sanic.). Headache; preceded by blindness (Kali bi.), > by profuse urination. Lack of muscular co-ordination; confused; muscles refuse to obey the will. Headache: beginning in the cervical spine; pains extend over head, causing bursting sensation in forehead and eyeballs (Sang., Sil., begins in the same way, but semi-lateral); < by mental exertion; from smoking; heat of sun; lying with head low. Sensation of band around the head above eyes (Carb. ac., Sulph.); scalp sore to touch. Fears that unless on the move heart will cease beating (fears it would cease beating if she moved, Dig.). Slow pulse of old age. Great heaviness of the eyelids; cannot keep them open (Caust., Graph., Sep.). Chill without thirst, especially along spine, running up and down the back in rapid, wave-like succession from sacrum to occiput.

    Relations. – Compare: Bap. in threatening typhoid fever; Ipecac. in dumb ague, after suppression by quinine.

    Aggravation. – Damp weather; before a thunderstorm; mental emotion or excitement; bad news; tobacco smoking; when thinking of his ailments; when spoken to of his loss.

  • Fluoric acid

    Hydrofluoric Acid. (HF.)

    Complaints of old age, or of premature old age; in syphilitic mercurial dyscrasia; young people look old. Increased ability to exercise without danger (Coca.); is less affected by excessive heat of summer or cold of winter. Old cicatrices become red around edges, and threaten to become open ulcers (Caust., Graph.). Varicose veins and ulcers, obstinate, long standing cases, in women who have borne many children. Caries and necrosis, especially of long bones, psoric or syphilitic, abuse of mercury or silica (Angus.). Naenuv, flat, of children (r. temple); capillary aneurism (compare, Cal. fl., Tub.). Ulcers: red edges and vesicles; decubitus; copious discharge; < from warmth, > from cold; violent pains, like streaks of lightning, confined to a small spot. Rapid caries of teeth; fistula dentalis or lachrymalis; exostosis of bone so face (Hekla).

    Relations. – Complementary: Coca, Sil. Follows well: after, Ars. in ascites of drunkards; after, Kali c. in hip disease; after, Coff., Staph. in sensitive teeth; after, Phos. ac. in diabetes; after Sil., Symph. in bone diseases; after, Spong. in goitre.

  • Ferrum Metallicum

    Iron. (The Element.)

    Persons of sanguine temperament;; pettish, quarrelsome, disputative, easily excited, least contradiction angers (Anac., Coc., Ign.); > mental exertion. Irritability: slight noises like crackling of paper drive him to despair (Asar., Tar.). Women who are weak, delicate, chlorotic, yet have a fiery red face. Extreme paleness of the face, lips and mucous membranes which becomes red and flushed on the least pain, emotion or exertion. Blushing (Amyl., Coca.). Erethitic chlorosis, worse in winter. Red parts become white; face, lips, tongue and mucous membrane of mouth. Vertigo: with balancing sensation,, as if on water; on seeing flowing water; when walking over water, as when crossing a bridge (Lys.); on descending (Bor., Sanic.). Headache: hammering, beating, pulsating pains, must lie down; with aversion to eating or drinking. For two, three or four days every two or three weeks. Menses: too early, too profuse, too long lasting, with fiery red face; ringing in the ears; intermit two or three days and then return; flow pale, watery, debilitating. Haemorrhagic diathesis; blood bright red, coagulates easily (Fer. p., Ipec., Phos.). Regurgitation and eructation of food in mouthfuls (Alum.). without nausea. Canine hunger, or loss of appetite, with extreme dislike for all food. Vomiting: immediately after midnight; of ingesta, as soon as food is eaten; leaves table suddenly and with one effort vomits everything eaten, can sit down and eat again; sour, acid (Lyc., Sul. ac.). Diarrhoea: undigested stools at night, or while eating or drinking (Crot. t.); painless with a good appetite; of consumptives [Compare Kent’s Lectures]. Constipation: from intestinal atony; ineffectual urging; stools hard, difficult, followed by backache or cramping pain in rectum; prolapsus recti of children; itching on anus at night. Always feels better by walking slowly about, although weakness obliges the patient to lie down. Cough only in the day time (Euphr.); relieved by lying down; > by eating (Spong.). Dropsy; after loss of vital fluids; abuse of quinine; suppressed intermittent (Carbo v., Cinch.).

    Relations. – Complementary: to, Alum., Cinch. Cinch.: the vegetable analogue follows well in nearly all diseases, acute or chronic. Should never be given in syphilis; always aggravates the condition.

    Aggravation. – At night; at rest, especially while sitting still.

    Amelioration. – Walking slowly about; in summer.

  • Euphrasia

    Eyebright. (Scrophularaceae.)

    Bad effects from falls, contusions or mechanical injuries of external parts (Arn.). Catarrhal affections of mucous membranes, especially of the eyes and nose. Profuse acrid lachrymation, with profuse, bland coryza (reverse of All. c.). The eyes water all the time and are agglutinated in the morning; margins of lids red, swollen, burning. Profuse fluent coryza in morning with violent cough and abundant expectoration, < from exposure to warm south wind. When attempting to clear the throat of an offensive mucus in the morning, gagging until he vomits the breakfast just eaten (Bry.). Profuse expectoration of mucus by voluntary hawking, < on rising in morning. Amenorrhoea, with catarrhal symptoms of eyes and nose; profuse acrid lachrymation. Menses: painful, regular, now lasting only one hour; or late, scanty, short, lasting only one day (Bar.). Pertussis: excessive lachrymation during cough; cough only in day time (Fer., Nat. m.).

    Relations. – Similar: to, Puls. in affections of the eyes; reverse of All. c. in lachrymation and coryza.

    Aggravation. – In the evening, in bed, indoors, warmth, moisture; after exposure to south wind; when touched (Hep.).

  • Eupatorium Perfoliatum

    Boneset. (Compositae.)

    Adapted to diseases of old people; worn-out constitutions, especially from inebriety; cachexia, from prolonged or frequent attacks of bilious or intermittent fevers. Bruised feeling, as if broken, all over the body (Arn., Bellis, Pyr.). Bone pains affecting back, head, chest, limbs, especially the wrists, as if dislocated. The more general and severe, the better adapted (compare, Bry., Mer.). Painful soreness of eyeballs; coryza, aching in every bone; great prostration in epidemic influenza (Lac. c.). Pains come quickly and go quickly and go away quickly (Bell., Mag. p., Eup. pur.). Vertigo; sensation as if falling to the left (cannot turn the head to the left for fear of alling, Col.). Cough: chronic; loose with hectic; chest sore, must support it with hands (Bry., Nat. c.); < at night; following measles or suppressed intermittents. Fever: chill to 9 a. m. one day, at noon the next day; bitter vomiting at close of chill; drinking hastens chill and causes vomiting; bone pains, before and during chill. Insatiable thirst before and during chill and fever; knows chill is coming because he cannot drink enough.

    Relations. – Is followed well: by, Nat. m. and Sep. Compare: Chel., Pod., Lyc., in jaundiced conditions. Bryonia is the nearest analogue, having free sweat, but pains keep patient quiet; while Eup. has scanty sweat and pains make patient restless.

  • Equisetum Hyemale

    Scouring Rush. (Equisetaceae.)

    Sever dull pain in the bladder, as from distension, not > after urinating. Frequent and intolerable urging to urinate, with severe pain at close of urination (Berb., Sars., Thuja). Constant desire to urinate; large quantity of clear, watery urine, without > (scanty, a few drops, Apis, Canth.). Sharp, burning, cutting pain in urethra while urinating. Paralysis of bladder in old women. Enuresis diurna et nocturna: profuse watery urine, where habit is the only ascertainable cause.

    Relations. – Compare: Apis, Canth., Fer. p., Puls., Squilla.

  • Dulcamara

    Bitter-sweet. (Solanaceae.)

    Adapted to persons of phlegmatic scrofulous constitutions; restless, irritable. Catarrhal rheumatism or skin affections, brought on or aggravated by exposure to cold, damp, rainy weather, or sudden changes in hot weather (Bry.). Increased secretions of mucous membranes; perspiration being suppressed from cold. Patients living or working in a damp, cold basement, or a milk dairy (Aran., Ars., Nat. s.). Mental confusion; cannot find the right word for anything. Skin is delicate, sensitive to cold, liable to eruptions, especially urticaria; every time patient takes cold or is long exposed to cold. Anasarca; after ague, rheumatism, scarlet fever. Dropsy: after suppressed sweat; suppressed eruptions; exposure to cold. Diarrhoea: from taking cold in damp places, or during damp, foggy weather; change from warm to cold weather (Bry.). Catarrhal ischuria in grown-up children, with milky urine; from wading with bare feet in cold water; involuntary. Rash before the menses (Con. – during profuse menses, Bell., Graph.). Urticaria over whole body, no fever; itching burns after scratching; < in warmth, > in cold. Thick, brown-yellow crusts on scalp, face, forehead, temples, chin; with reddish borders, bleeding when scratched. Warts, fleshy, large, smooth; on face or back of hands and fingers (Thuja.).

    Relations. – Complementary: to, Baryta carb., Kali s. Incompatible: with, Acet. ac., Bell., Lach., should not be used before or after. Follows well: after, Cal., Bry., Lyc., Rhus, Sep. Similar: to, Mer., in ptyalism, glandular swellings, bronchitis, diarrhoea; susceptibility to weather changes; night pains; to, Kali s. the chemical analogue. For the bad effects or abuse of Mercury.

    Aggravation. – From cold in general; cold air; cold wet weather; suppressed menstruation, eruptions, sweat.

    Amelioration. – From moving about (Fer., Rhus).

  • Drosera Rotundifolia

    Sundew. (Droseraceae.)

    Whooping-cough with violent paroxysms which follow each other rapidly, is scarcely able to get breath (wakes at 6-7 a. m. and does not cease coughing until a large quantity of tenacious mucus is raised, Coc. c. – profuse epistaxis during every paroxysm, Ind.; “minute gun” during the day, whooping at night, Cor. r.). Deep sounding, hoarse barking cough (Verb.), < after midnight, during or after measles; spasmodic, with gagging, retching and vomiting (Bry., Kali c.). Constant, titillating cough in children, begins as soon as head touches pillow at night (Bell., Hyos, Rum.). Nocturnal cough of young persons in phthisis; bloody or purulent sputa. Cough: < by warmth, drinking, singing, laughing, weeping, lying down, after midnight. During cough; vomiting of water, mucus, and often bleeding at the nose and mouth (Cup.). Sensation of feather in larynx, exciting cough. Diseases prevailing during epidemic pertusis. Clergyman’s sore throat; with rough, scraping, dry sensation deep in the fauces; voice hoarse, deep, toneless, cracked, requires exertion to speak (Arum.). Constriction and crawling in larynx; hoarseness, and yellow or green sputa. Laryngeal phthisis following whooping-cough (bronchial catarrh following, Coc. c.).

    Relations. – Complementary: to, Nux vomica. Follows well: after, Samb., Sulph., Ver. Is followed: by, Cal., Puls., Sulph. Compare: Cina, Coral, Cup., Ipec., Samb. in spasmodic coughs. Often relieves the constant, distressing night-cough in tuberculosis. Hahnemann says (Mat. Med. Pura.): “One single dose of the 30th potency is sufficient to cure entirely epidemic whooping cough. The cure takes place surely between seven and eight days. Never give a second dose immediately after the first; it would not only prevent the good effect of the former, but would be injurious.”

  • Diphtherinum

    Homeopathic Antitoxin. (A Nosode.)

    Especially adapted to the strumous diathesis; scrofulous, psoric or tuberculous persons, prone to catarrhal affections of throat and respiratory mucus membranes. Patients with weak or exhausted vitality hence are extremely susceptible to the diphtheritic virus; when the attack from the onset tends to malignancy (Lac. c., Mer. cy.). Painless diphtheria; symptoms almost or entirely objective; patient too weak, apathetic or too prostrated to complain; sopor or stupor, but easily aroused when spoken to (Bap., Sulph.). Dark red swelling of tonsils and palatine arches; parotid and cervical glands greatly swollen; breath and discharges from throat, nose and mouth very offensive; tongue swollen, very red, little coating. Diphtheritic membrane, thick, dark gray or brownish black; temperature low or subnormal, pulse weak and rapid; extremities cold and marked debility; patient lies in a semi-stupid condition; eyes dull, besotted (Apis, Bap.). Epistaxis or profound prostration from very onset of attack (Ali., Apis, Carb. ac.); collapse almost at very beginning (Crot., Mer. cy.); pulse weak, rapid and vital reaction very low. Swallows without pain, but fluids are vomited or returned by the nose; breath horribly offensive. Laryngeal diphtheria, after Chlor., Kali bi., or Lac c. fail; post diphtheritic paralysis, after Caust., Gels. fail. When the patient from the first seems doomed, and the most carefully selected remedies fail to relieve or permanently improve. The above are cured symptoms, verifications which the author has found guiding and reliable for twenty-five years. The remedy is prepared, like all nosodes and animal poisons, according to the Homeopathic Pharmacopoea, and like all homeopathic remedies is entirely safe when given the sick. Like all the nosodes, it is practically worthless in potencies below the 30th; its curative value also increases with increase of potency from the 200th to the m. and c. m. It need not and should not be repeated too frequently. It will cure in every case that crude antitoxin will and is not only easy to administer, but safe and entirely free from dangerous sequellae. Besides, it is homeopathic. The author has used it for twenty-five years as a prophylactic and has never known a second case of diphtheria to occur in a family after it had been administered. The profession is asked to put it to the test and publish the failures to the world.