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

  • Carbo Vegetabilis

    Vegetable Charcoal

    For the bad effects of exhausting diseases, whether in young or old (Cinch., Phos., Psor.); cachetic persons whose vitality has become weakened or exhausted. Persons who have never fully recovered from the exhausting effects of some previous illness; asthma dates from measles or pertusis of childhood; indigestion from a drunken debauch; bad effects of a long ago injury; has never recovered from effects of typhoid (Psor.). Ailments: from quinine, especially suppressed intermittents; abuse of mercury, salt, salt meats; spoiled fish, meats, or fats; from getting overheated (Ant. c.). Bad effects from loss of vital fluids (Caust.); haemorrhage from any broken down condition of mucous membranes (Cinch., Phos.). Weakness of memory and slowness of thought. Epistaxis in daily attacks, for weeks, worse from exertion; face pale before as well as after a haemorrhage. Haemorrhage from any mucous outlet; in systems broken down, debilitated; blood oozes from weakened tissues; vital force exhausted. Hippocratic face; very pale, grayish-yellow, greenish, cold with cold sweat; after haemorrhage. Looseness of teeth, easily-bleeding gums. Patients crave things that make them sick; old topers crave whiskey or brandy; want clothing loose around abdomen. Weak digestion; simplest food disagrees; excessive accumulation of gas in stomach and intestines < lying down; after eating or drinking, sensation as if stomach would burst; effects of a debauch, late suppers, rich food. Eructations give temporary relief. Diseases of the venous system predominate (Sulph.); symptoms of imperfect oxidation (Arg. nit.). Deficient capillary circulation causes blueness of skin and coldness of extremities; vital powers nearly exhausted; desire to be constantly fanned. Hoarseness: < evenings; damp evening air; warm, wet weather; fails when exerted (< morning, Caust.). Awakens often from cold limbs and suffers from cold knees at night (Apis). Frequent, involuntary, cadaverous-smelling stools, followed by burning; soft stool voided with difficulty (Alum.). In the last stages of disease, with copious cold sweat, cold breath, cold tongue, voice lost, this remedy may save a life.

    Relations. – Complementary: Kali carb. Want of susceptabilty to well-selected remedies (Opium, Val.). Compare: Cinch., Plumb., in neglected pneumonia, especially in “old toppers;” Ant. t. in threatened paralysis from inability to expectorate loosened mucus. Opium: with lack of reaction after well-selected remedies fail to permanently improve (Val.). Phos. in easily bleeding ulcers. Puls., bad effects from fat food and pastry. Sulph., acrid-smelling menstrual flow and erysipelas of mammae.

    Aggravation. – From butter, pork, fat food; abuse of quinine, bark and mercury; from singing or reading aloud; in warm, damp weather.

    Amelioration. – From eructation; being fanned.

  • Carbo Animalis

    Animal Charcoal

    Headache: as if a tornado in head; as if head had been blown to pieces; has to sit up at night and hold it together. Diseases of elderly persons with marked venous plethora, blue cheeks, blue lips, and great debility. Circulation feeble, stagnated, and vital heat sinks to a minimum; cyanosis (Ant. t., Carbo v.). Glands: indurated, swollen, painful; in neck, axillae, groin, mammae; pains lancinating, cutting, burning (Con.). Benign suppurations change into ichorous or malignant conditions. Easily strained from lifting, even small weights; straining and overlifting easily produce great debility; ankles turn when walking. Joints weak; easily sprained by slight exertion (Led.). Aversion to open, dry, cold air. After appearance of menses so weak she can hardly speak (Alum., Coc.); menses flow only in the morning. Hearing confused; cannot tell from what direction a sound comes. A stitching pain remains in chest after recovery from pleurisy (Ran. b.); Menstruation, leucorrhoea, diarrhoea are all exhausting (Ars. – are all offensive, Psor.).

    Relations. – Complementary: Calc. phos. Similar: to, Bad., Brom., Carbo v., Phos., Sep., Sulph. Carbo animalis is often useful after bad effects from spoiled fish and decayed vegetables (Carbo v., Cepa).

    Aggravation. – After shaving ( > after, Brom.); slightest touch, after midnight.

  • Capsicum

    Cayenne Pepper (Solanaccae)

    Persons with light hair, blue eyes, nervous but stout and plethoric habit. Phlegmatic diathesis; lack of reactive force, especially with fat people, easily exhausted; indolent, dreads any kind of exercise; persons inclined to be jovial, yet angry at trifles. Children; dread open air; always chilly; refractory, clumsy, fat, dirty, and disinclined to work or think. Desires to be let alone; wants to lie down and sleep; Homesickness (of indolent, melancholic), with red cheeks and sleeplessness. Constriction: in fauces; throat; nares; chest; bladder; urethra; rectum. Burning and smarting sensation, as from cayenne pepper, in throat and other parts, not > heat. Tonsillitis: with burning, smarting pain; intense soreness; constriction of throat with burning; inflamed, dark red, swollen. The burning spasmodic constriction and other pains, worse between acts of deglutition (Ign.). Painful swelling behind ear (mastoid), extremely sore and sensitive to touch. Every stool is followed by thirst and every drink by shuddering. As the coldness of the body increases, so also does the ill-humor. Nervous, spasmodic cough; in sudden paroxysms; as if head would fly to pieces. With every explosive cough (and at no other time) there escapes a volume of pungent, fetid air. Pain in distant parts on coughing (bladder, knees, legs, ears).

    Relations. – Compare: Apis, Bell., Bry., Calad., Puls. Cina follows well in intermittent fever. The constricting, burning, smarting pains differentiate from Apis and Belladonna.

  • Cantharides

    Spanish Flies (Cantharideae)

    Oversensitiveness of all parts. Haemorrhages from nose, mouth, intestines, genital and urinary organs. Pain; raw, sore, burning in every part of the body, internally and externally; with extreme weakness. Disgust for everything; drink, food, tabacco. Drinking even small quantities of water increases pain in the bladder. Constant urging to urinate, passing but a few drops at the time, which is mixed with blood (sudden desire to urinate and intense itching in urethra, Petros.). Intolerable urging, before, during and after urination; violent pains in bladder. Burning, cutting pains in urethra during micturition; violent tenesmus and strangury. Stool: passage of white or pale, red, tough mucus, like scrapings from the intestines, with streaks of blood (Carb. an., Colch.). Bloody, nocturnal emission (Led., Mer., Petr.). Sexual desire: increased both sexes; preventing sleep; violent priapism, with excessive pain (Pic. ac.). Tenacious mucus in the air passages (Bov., Kali bi.); compare Cantharis if vesical symptoms correspond. Skin: vesicular erysipelas; vesicles all over body which are sore and suppurating. Erythema from exposure to sun’s rays (sunburn). The burning pain and intolerable urging to urinate, is the red strand of Cantharis in all inflammatory affections.

    Relations. – Similar: to, Apis, Ars., Equis., Mer. Burns before blisters form and when they have formed. In the skin be unbroken, apply an alcoholic solution of any potency and cover with cotton; this will promptly relieve pain and often prevent vesication. If the skin be broken use in boiled or distilled water, and in each case give potency internally.

  • Cannabis Sativa

    Hemp. (Urticaccae)

    Sensation as of drops of water falling on or from single parts; on the head, form the anus, stomach, heart. Obstinate constipation, causing retention of the urine; constriction of anus. Contraction of fingers after a sprain. Dislocation of patelly on going up stairs. Dyspnoea or asthma, where the patient can only breathe by standing up. Choking in swallowing, things go down “the wrong way” (Anac.). Acute, inflammatory stage of gonorrhoea (second stages, burning after urination, discharge thick, yellow, pus-like, Cub.). Urethra very sensitive to touch or pressure; cannot walk with legs close together, it hurts the urethra. Pain extending from orifice of urethra backward, burning-biting, posteriorly more sticking, while urinating. Tearing pains along urethra in a zigzag direction.

    Relations. – Similar: to, Canth., Caps., Gels., Petros., in early stages of specific urethritis.

  • Cannabis Indica

    Indian Hemp. (Urticaccae)

    Very forgetful: forgets his last words and ideas; begins a sentence, forgets what he intends to speak; inability to recall any thought or event on account of other thoughts crowding the brain (Anac., Lac. c.). Constantly theorizing. Laughs immoderately at every trifling word spoken to him. Full of fun and mischief, then perhaps moaning and crying. Great apprehension of approaching death. Delirium tremens; excessive loquacity; exaggeration of time and distance. Time seems too long (Arg. n.); a few seconds seem ages. Distance seems immense; a few rods seems miles. Sensation as it the cavarium was opening and shutting (Act.). Sensation of swelling in the perineum or near the anus, as if sitting on a ball (with great quantities of ropy mucus in urine, Cinch.).

    Relation. – Compare: Bell., Hyos;, Stram.

  • Camphora

    Camphor (Lauraccae)

    Pain better while thinking of it (Hell. – worse, Cal. p., Helon., Ox. ac.). Persons physically and mentally weak and irritable. Exceedingly sensitive to cold air (Hep., Kali m., Psor.). Bad effects of shock from injury; surface of body cold, face pale, blue lips livid; profound prostration. Surface cold to the touch yet cannot bear to be covered; throws off all coverings (Med., Sec.). Entire body painfully sensitive to slightest touch. Tongue cold, flabby, trembling. Sudden attacks of vomiting and diarrhoea; nose cold and pointed; anxious and restless; skin and breath cold (Ver., Jatr.). In first stages of cholera morbus and Asiatic cholera; severe, long- lasting chill (Ver.). Great coldness of the surface with sudden and complete prostration of the vital force; often a remedy in congestive chill; pernicious intermittent (Ver.); pulse weak, externally small, scarcely perceptible. Measles and scarlatina when eruption does not appear; with pale or cold blue, hippocratic face; child will not be covered (Sec.). All sequelae of measles.

    Relations. – Camphor antidoes nearly every vegetable medicine; also tabacco, fruits containing prussic acid, poisonous mushrooms; should not be allowed in the sick room in its crude form; Compare: Carbo veg., Opium, Verat., Sec.

    Amelioration. – When thinking of existing complaint; warm air; drinking cold water. Note for thought. – All our progress as a school depends on the right view of the symptoms obtained by proving with Camphor and Opium. – Hering.

  • Calendula

    Marigold (Compositae)

    Traumatic affections: to secure union by first intention and prevent suppuration. In all cases of loss of soft parts when union cannot be effected by means of adhesive plaster. External wounds with or without loss of substance; torn and jagged looking woulds; post-surgical operation; to promote healthy granulation and prevent excessive suppuration and disfiguring scars. Traumatic and idiopathic neuroma (Cepa); neuritis from lacerated wounds (Hyper.); exhausted from loss of blood and excessive pain. Rupture of muscles or tendons; lacerations during labor; wounds penetrating articulations with loss of synovial fluids. Wounds: with sudden pain during febrile heat; constitutional tendency to erysipelas (Psor.); old, neglected, offensive; threatening gangrene (Sal. ac.). Ulcers: irritable, inflamed, sloughing, varicose; painful as if beaten (Arn.); excessive secretion of pus. Calendula is almost specific for clean, surgical cuts or lacerated wounds, to prevent excessive suppuration.

    Relations. – Complementary: Hep., Sal. ac. Similar: to, Hyper. in injuries to parts rich in sentient nerves where pain is excessive and out of all proportion to injury. Similar: to, Arn. in traumatism without laceration of soft tissue. Symp., Calc. p., for non-union of bones. Rhus, Ruta, strains or injuries of single muscles. Sal. ac. prevents excessive suppuration; gangrene. Sulph. ac. in painful, gangrenous wounds; said to destroy septic germs. Acts well in potency as in tincture, applied locally and my be administered internally at the same time.

  • Calcarea Phosphorica

    Phosphate of Lime (Calcium Phosphate)

    For persons of anaemic and dark complexioned, dark hair and eyes; thin spare subjects, instead of fat. During first and second dentition of scrofulous children; diarrhoea and great flatulence. Children: emaciated, unable to stand; slow in learning to walk (Cal., Sil.); sunken, flabby abdomen. Oozing of bloody fluid from naval of infants (of urine, Hyos.). Rachitis; cranial bones thin and brittle; fontanelles and sutures remain open so long, or close and reopen; delayed or complicated teething. Spine weak, disposed to curvatures, especially to the left, unable to support body, neck weak, unable to support head (Abrot.). Girls at puberty, tall, growing rapidly, tendency of bone to soften or spine to curve (Ther.). At puberty; acne in anaemic girls with vertex headache and flatulent dyspepsia, > by eating. Ailments from grief, disappointed love (Aur., Ign., Phos. ac.). Feels complaints more when thinking about them (Helon., Ox. ac.). Involuntary sighing (Ign.). Non-union of bones; promotes callous (Symph.). Rheumatism of cold weather; getting well in spring and returning in autumn. Headache of school-girls (Nat. m., Psor.); diarrhoea. At every attempt to eat, colic pains in abdomen. Fistula in ano, alternating with chest symptoms (Berb.); lack of animal heat; cold sweat and general coldness of body.

    Relations. – Complementary: Ruta. Similar: to Carbo an., Cal. fluor., Calc., Fluor. ac., Kali phos.; to Psor., in debility remaining after acute diseases; to Sil., but sweat of head is wanting. Acts best: before Iod., Psor., Sanic., Sulph.; after Ars., Iod., Tub.

    Aggravation. – Exposure to damp, cold, changeable weather; east winds; melting snow; mental exertion.

    Amelioration. – In summer; warm, dry atmosphere.

  • Calcarea Ostrearum

    Middle layer of Oyster Shell. (Calcium Carbonate)

    Leucophlegmatic, blond hair, light complexion, blue eyes, fair skin; tendency to obesity in youth. Psoric constitutions; pale, weak, timid, easily tired when walking. Disposed to grow fat, corpulent, unwieldly. Children with red face, flabby muscles, who sweat easily and take cold readily in consequence. Large heads and abdomens; fontanelles and sutures open; bones soft, develop very slowly. Curvature of bones, especially spine and long bones; extremities crooked, deformed; bone irregularly developed. Head sweats profusely while sleeping, wetting pillow far around (Sil., Sanic.). Profuse perspiration, mostly on back of head and neck, or chest and upper part of body (Sil.). Difficult and delayed dentition with characteristic head sweats, and open fontanelles. During either sickness or convalescence, great longing for eggs; craves indigestible things (Alum.); aversion to meat. Acidity of digestive tract; sour eructations, sour vomiting, sour stool; sour odor of the whole body (Hep., Rheum.). Girls who are fleshy, plethoric, and grow too rapidly. Menstruation too early, too profuse, too long lasting; with subsequent amenorrhoea and chlorosis with menses scanty or suppressed. Women: menses too early, too profuse; feet habitually cold and damp, as if they had on cold damp stockings; continually cold in bed. The least mental excitement causes profuse return of menstrual flow (Sulph., Tub.). Fears she will lose her reason or that people will observe her mental confusion (Act.). Lung diseases of tall, slender, rapidly growing youth; upper third of right lung (Ars. – upper left, Myr., Sulph.); oftener the guide to the constitutional remedy than Phosphorus (compare, Tub.). Diseases: arising from defective assimilation; imperfect ossification; difficulty in learning to walk or stand; children have no disposition to walk and will not try; suppressed sweat. Rawness of soles of feet from perspiration (Graph., Sanic.); blisters and offensive foot sweat. Longing for fresh air (when in a room) which inspires, benefits, strengthens (Puls., Sulph.). Coldness: general; of single parts (Kali bi.); head, stomach, abdomen, feet and legs; aversion to cold open air, “goes right through her:” sensitive to cold, damp air; great liability ot take cold (opposite of Sulph.). Sweat: of single parts; head, scalp wet, cold; nape of neck; chest; axillae, sexual organs; hands, knees; feet (Sep.). Pit of stomach swollen like an inverted saucer, and painful to pressure. Uraemic or other diseases brought on by standing on cold, damp pavements, or working while standing in cold water; modelers or workers in cold clay. Feels better in every way when constipated. Stool has to be removed mechanically (Aloe., Sanic., Sel., Sep., Sil.). Painless hoarseness < in the morning. Desire to be magnetised (Phos.).

    Relations. – Complementary: to Bell., which is the acute of Calc. Calcarea acts best: before Lyc., Nux., Phos., Sil. It follows: Nit. ac., Puls., Sulph. (especially if pupils are dilated); is followed by, Kali bi. in nasal catarrh. According to Hahnemann, Calc. must not be used before Nit. ac. and Sulph.; may produce unnecessary complications. In children it may be often repeated. In aged people should not be repeated; especially if the first dose benefited, it will usually do harm.

    Aggravation. – Cold air; wet weather; cold water; from washing (Ant. c.); morning; during full moon.

    Amelioration. – Dry weather; lying on painful side (Bry., Puls.).