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

  • Terebinth

    Oil of Turpentine (A Volatile Oil.)

    The urine has the odor or violets. Tongue: smooth, glossy, red, as if deprived of papillae, or as if glazed (Pyr.); elevated papillae; coating peels off in patches leaving bright red spots, or entire coating cleans off suddenly (in exanthemata); dry and red; burning in tip (compare, Mur. ac.). Abdomen: extremely sensitive to touch; distention, flatulence, excessive tympanitis; meteorism (Colch.). Diarrhoea: stool, watery, greenish, mucous; frequent, profuse, fetid, bloody; burning in anus and rectum, fainting and exhaustion, after (Ars.). Worms: with foul breath, choking (Cina, Spig.); dry, hacking cough; tickling at anus; ascarides, lumbrici, tapeworm segments passed. Haematuria: blood thoroughly mixed with the urine; sediment, like coffee-grounds; cloudy, smoky, albuminous; profuse, dark or black, painless. Congestion and inflammation of viscera; kidneys, bladder, lungs, intestines, uterus; with haemorrhage, and malignant tendency. Purpurea haemorrhagica; fresh ecchymosis in great numbers from day to day (Sulph. ac.). Ascites with anasarca, in organic lesions of kidneys; dropsy after scarlatina (Apis, Hell., Lach.). Haemorrhages; from bowels, with ulceration; passive, dark, with ulceration or epithelial degeneration. Violent burning and drawing pains in kidney, bladder and urethra (Berb., Can., Canth.). Violent burning and cutting in bladder; tenesmus; sensitive hypogastrium; cystitis and retention from atony of fundus. Albuminuria; acute, in early stages, when blood and albumin abound more than casts and epithelium; after diphtheria, scarlatina, typhoid. Urine rich in albumin and blood, but few if any casts; < from living in damp dwellings. Strangury; spasmodic retention of urine.

    Relations. – Compare: Alumen, Arn., Ars., Canth., Lach., Nit. ac. Is recommended as a prophylactic in malarial and African fevers.

  • Tarentula

    Tarantula; Cuban and Spanish. (Araneideae)

    Adapted to highly nervous organisms, especially choleric affections where whole body, or right arm and left leg are affected (left arm and right leg, Agar.). Constant movement of the legs, arms, trunk, with inability to do anything; twitching and jerking of muscles. Restlessness, could not keep quiet in any position; must keep in motion, though walking < all symptoms (rev. of Rhus, Ruta). Hyperaesthesia: least excitement irritates, followed by languid sadness; extreme of tips of fingers. Slight touch along the spine provokes spasmodic pain in chest and cardiac region. Headache: intense, as if thousands of needles were pricking the brain. Absceses, boils, felons, affected parts of a bluish color (Lach.), and atrocious burning pain (Anth., Ars.); the agony of a felon, compelling patient to walk the floor for nights. Malignant ulcers; carbuncle, anthrax; gangrene. Symptoms appear periodically. Headache, neuralgic < by noise, touch, strong light, > by rubbing head against pillow. At every menstrual nisus, throat, mouth and tongue intolerably dry, specially when sleeping (Nux m.). Sexual excitement extreme even to mania; spasms of uterus pruritis vulva becomes intolerable.

    Relations. – Similar: to, Apis, Crot., Lach., Plat., Mygale, Naja, Ther.

    Aggravation. – Motion; contact; touch of affected parts; noise; change of weather.

    Amelioration. – In open air; music; rubbing affected parts. Termini of nerves becomes so irritated and sensitive that some kind of friction was necessary to obtain refief.

  • Taraxacum

    Dandelion. (Compositae.)

    For gastric and bilious attacks, especially gastric headaches. Mapped tongue (Lach., Mer., Nat. m.); covered with a white film with sensation of rawness. This film comes off in patches, leaving dark red, tender, very sensitive spots (Ran. s.). Jaundice with enlargment and induration of liver (mapped tongue). Debility, loss of appetite, profuse night sweats, especially when convalescing from bilious or typhoid fever. Restlessness of limbs in typhoid (Rhus, Zinc.).

    Relations. – Compare: Bry., Hydr., Nux, in gastric and bilious affections.

    Aggravation. – Almost all symptoms appear when sitting; lying down; resting.

  • Tabacum

    Tobacco. (Solanaceae)

    Diseases originating in cerebral irritation followed by marked irritation of functions of vagi. Emaciation of cheeks and back. Complete prostration of entire muscular system. Sensation of excessive wretchedness. Icy coldness of surface; covered with cold sweat. Symptoms occur in paroxysyms – asthma, sick headache, vertigo, sneezing. Great despondency with indigestion, palpitation, intermittent pulse. Vertigo: death-like pallor, increases to loss of consciousness; relieved in open air and by vomiting; on rising or looking upward; on opening the eyes. Sick headache coming on in early morning, intolerable by noon, deathly nausea, violent vomiting; < by noise and light; periodical, lasting one or two days. Sudden pain on right side, of head as if struck by a hammer or a club. Dim-sighted: see as though a veil; strabismus, depending upon brain troubles. Amaurosis, from atrophy of retina or optic nerve. Face pale, blue, pinched, sunken, collapsed, covered with cold sweat (cold sweat on forehad, Ver.). Nausea: incessant, as if seasick; vomiting, on least motion; with faintness; > in open air. Vomiting: violent, with cold sweat; soon as he begins to move; during pregnancy, when Lactic acid fails (Psor.). Seasickness; deathly nausea, pallor, coldness; < by least motion and > on deck in fresh, cold air. Terrible, faint, sinking feeling at pit of stomach. Sense of relaxation of stomach with nausea (Ipec., Staph.). Child wants abdomen uncovered; relieves nausea and vomiting; coldness in abdomen (Colch., Elaps, Lach.). Constipation: inactive bowel or paralysis of rectum; spasms of sphincter; prolapsus ani; of years’ standing; herpes of anus. Diarrhoea: sudden, yellowish, greenish, slimy; urgent, watery; with nausea, vomiting, prostration and cold sweat (Ver.); with extreme faintness; from excessive smoking. enal colic: violent spasmodic pains along ureter left side (Berb.); deathly nausea and cold perspiration. Palpitation: violent when lying on left side; goes off when turning to the right. Pulse: quick, full, large; small intermittent, exceedingly slow; feeble, irregular, almost imperceptible. Hands icy cold, body warm. Legs icy cold, from knees down; trembling of limbs.

    Relations. – Antidotes, for abuse of tobacco, are: Ipec., for excessive nausea and vomiting. Ars., for bad effects of tobacco chewing. Nux, for the gastric symptoms next morning after smoking. Phos., palpitation, tobacco heart, sexual weakness. Ign., for annoying hiccough from tobacco chewing. Clem., or Plant., for tobacco toothache. Sep., neuralgic affections of right side of face; dyspepsia; chronic nervousness, especially in sedentary occupations. Lyc., for impotence, spasms, cold sweat from excessive smoking. Gels., occipital headache and vertigo from excessive use, specially smoking. Tabaccum, potentized (200 or 1000) to relieve terrible craving when discontinuing use.

    Amelioration. – Open, fresh, cold air; uncovering.

  • Selenium

    Selenium. (The Element.)

    Adapted to light complexion; blondes; great emaciation of face, hands, legs and feet, or single parts. Very forgetful in business, but during sleep dreams of what he has forgotten. Headache: of drunkards; after debauchery; after lemonade, tea, wile; every afternoon. Hair falls off, on head, eyebrows, whiskers, genitals. Coryza ending in diarrhoea. Hungry: at night (Cina, Psor.); longing for spiritous liquors, an almost irresistible maniacal desire. Constipation: stool large, hard, impacted so that it requires mechanical aid (Aloe, Cal., Sanic., Sep., Sil.); after serious illness, especially enteric fevers. Urine: red, dark, scanty; coarse, red, sandy, sediment; involuntary dribbling while walking. Impotence, with desire; lewd thoughts, but physically impotent (sudden impotence, Chlor.). Erections slow, insufficient, too rapid emission with long-continued threill; weak, ill-humored after coitus, often involuntary dribbling of semen and prostatic fluid which oozes while sitting, at stool, during sleep; gleet (Calad.). Priapism, glans drawn up (Berb., – drawn down, Canth.). Aphonia: after long use of voice; husky when beginning to sing; obliged to clear the throat frequently of a transparent starchy mucus (Arg. m., Stan.); tubercular laryngitis. Weak, easily exhausted; from either mental or physical labor; after typhoid, typhus, debauchery. Irresistible desire to lie down and sleep; strength suddenly leaves him; especially in hot weather. Very great aversion to a draft of air either warm, cold or damp. After typhoid, great weakness of spine, fears paralysis. Emaciation of affected parts.

    Relations. – Compare: Phos. in genito-urinary and respiratory symptoms; Arg. m. and Stan. in laryngitis of singers or speakers; Alum. hard stool, inactive rectum. Follows well: after, Calad, Nat., Staph., Phos. ac., in sexual weakness. Itch checked by Mercurials or Sulphur often requires Selenium.

    Aggravation. – Draught of air; in the sun; from lemonade, tea or wine.

    Amelioration. – Taking cold water or cold air into mouth.

  • Secale Cornutum

    Spurred Rye; Ergot. (A Fungus; a Nosode.)

    Adapted to women of thin, scrawny, feeble, cachetic appearance; irritable, nervous temperament; pale, sunken countenance. Very old, decrepit, feeble persons. Women of very lax muscular fibre; everything seems loose and open; no action; vessels flabby; passive haemorrhages, copious flow of thin, black, watery blood; the corpuscles are destroyed. Haemorrhagic diathesis; the slightest wound causes bleeding for weeks (Lach., Phos.); discharge of sanious liquid blood with a strong tendency to putrescence; tingling in the limbs and great debility, especially when the weakness is not caused by previous loss of fluids. Leucorrhoea; green, brown, offensive. Boils: small, painful with green contents, mature very slowly and heal in the same manner; very debilitating. Face: pale, pinched, ashy, sunken, hippocratic; drawn, with sunken eyes; blue rings around eyes. Unnatural, ravenous appetite; even with exhausting diarrhoea; craves acids, lemonade. Diarrhoea: profuse, watery, putrid, brown; discharged with great force (Gamb., Crot.); very exhausting; painless, involuntary; anus wide open (Apis, Phos.). Enuresis: of old people; urine pale, watery, or bloody; urine suppressed. Burning; in all parts of the body, as if sparks of fire were falling on the patient (Ars.). Gangrene; dry, senile, < from external heat. Large ecchymosis; blood blisters; often commencement of gangrene. Collapse in cholera diseases; skin cold, yet cannot bear to be covered (Camph.). The skin feels cold to the touch, yet the patient cannot tolerate covering; icy coldness of extremeties. Menses: irregular; copious, dark, fluid; with pressing, labor-like pains in abdomen; continuous discharge of watery blood until next period. Threatened abortion especially at third month (Sab.); prolonged, bearing down, forcing pains. During labor: pains irregular; too weak; feeble or ceasing; everything seems loose and open but no expulsive action; fainting. After pains: too long; too painful; hour-glass contraction. Suppression of milk; in thin, scrawny, exhausted women; the breasts do not properly fill. Pulse small, rapid, contracted and often intermittent.

    Relations. – Compare: Cinnmon in post-partum haemorrhage; it increases labor-pains, controls profuse or dangerous flooding, is always safe, while Ergot is always dangerous. Similar: to, Arsenicum, but cold and heat are opposite. Resembles Colchicum in cholera morbus.

    Aggravation. – Heat; warmth from covering, of all affected parts; in all diseases worse from heat.

    Amelioration. – In the cold air; getting cold; uncovering affected parts; rubbing.

  • Sarsaparilla

    Wild Liquorice. (Smilaceae)

    For dark-haired persons, lithic or sycotic diathesis. Great emaciation: skin becomes shriveled or lies in folds (Abrot., Iod., Nat. m., Sanic.). Headache and periosteal pains generally from mercury, syphilis or suppressed gonorrhoea. In children; face like old people; enlarged abdomen; dry, flabby skin (Bar. c., Op.). Herpetic eruptions on all parts of body; ulcers, after abuse of mercury, in syphillis. Rash from exposure to open air; dry, itch-like eruptions, prone to appear in spring; become crusty. Severe, almost unbearable pain at conclusion of urination (Berb., Equis., Med., Thuja). Passage of gravel or small calculi; renal colic; stone in bladder; bloody urine. Urine: bright and clear but irritating; scanty, slimy, flaky, sandy, copious, passed without sensation (Caust.); deposits white sand. Painful distention and tenderness in bladder; urine dribbles while sitting, standing, passes freely; air passes from urethra. Sand in urine or on diaper; child screams before and while passing it (Bor., Lyc.). Gonorrhoea checked by cold, wet weather, or mercury, followed by rheumatism. Neuralgia or renal colic; excruciating pains from right kidney downwards (Lyc.). Intolerable stench on genital organs; fluid pollutions; bloody seminal emission (Led., Mer.). Retraction of nipples; nipples are small, withered, unexcitable (Sil.). Rheumatism, bone pains after mercury or checked gonorrhoea; pains < at night, in damp weather or after taking cold in water. Itching eruption on forehead during menses (Eug. j., Sang., Psor.). Rhagades: skin cracked on hands and feet; pain and burning particularly on sides of fingers and toes; skin hard, indurated.

    Relations. – Complementary: Merc., Sep., either of which follows well. Compare: Berb., Lyc., Nat. m., Phos. Frequently called for after abuse of Mercury.

  • Sanicula

    Mineral Spring Water. (Ottawa, Ill.)

    Dread of downward motion (Bor.). Child headstrong, obstinate, cries and kicks; cross, irritable, quickly alternates with laughter; does not want to be touched. Constantly changing his occupation. Head and neck of children sweat profusely during sleep; wets the pillow far around (Cal., Sil.). Profuse, scaly dandruff on scalp, eyebrows, in the beard. Soreness behind ears with discharge of while, gray, viscid fluid (Graph., Psor.). Tongue: large, flabby; burning, must protrude it to keep it cool; ring- worm on tongue (Nat. m.). Nausea and vomiting from car or carriage riding. Thirst; drinks little and often; is vomited soon as it reaches the stomach (Ars., Phos.). Symptoms constantly changing (Lac. c., Puls.). Incontinence of urine and faeces; sphincter unreliable (Aloe); urging from flatus, must cross legs to prevent faeces from escaping. Constipation: no desire until a large accumulation; after great straining stool partially expelled, recedes (Sil., Thuja); large evacuation of small dry, gray balls, must be removed mechanically (Sel.). Stool: hard, impossible to evacuate; of grayish-white balls, like burnt lime; crumbling from verge of anus (Mag. m.); with the odor of limburger cheese. Diarrhoea: changeable in character and color; like scrambled eggs; frothy, grass-green, turns green on standing; like scum of a frog pond; after eating, must hurry from table. The odor of stool follows despite bathing (Sulph.). Excoriation of skin about anus (Sulph.); covering perinueum and extending to genitals. Leucorrhoea with strong odor of fish brine (oozing from rectum smelling like herring brine, Cal.; fish brine discharge from ear, Tel.). Weakness, bearing down as if contents of pelvis would escape; < walking, misstep, or jar, > by rest, lying down; desire to support parts by placing hand against uvula (Lil., Mur.); soreness of uterus. Foot sweat: between the toes, making them sore; offensive (Graph., Psor., Sil.); on soles as if he had stepped in cold water. Burning of soles of feet; must uncover or put them in a cool place (Lach., Med., Sang., Sulph.). Child kicks off clothing even in coldest weather (Hep., Sulph.). Emaciation, progressive; child looks old, dirty, greasy and brownish; skin about neck wrinkled, hangs in folds (Abrot., Iod., Nat. m., Sars.).

    Relations. – Related to: Abrot., Alum., Bor., Cal., Graph., Nat. m., Sil., and others of our great antipsorics.

  • Sanguinaria

    Bloodroot. (Papaveraceae.)

    The periodical sick headache; begins in morning, increases during the day, lasts until evening; head feels as if it would burst, or as if eyes would be pressed out; relieved by sleep. American sick headache, > by perfect quiet in a dark room (“tired headache” from over mental or physical exertion, epigea; sick headache < during rest > by rubbing, pressure, motion, Indigo). Headache begins in occiput, spreads upwards and settles over right eye (Sil., – over or in left orbit, Spig.). Headaches, return at the climacteric; every seventh day (Sabad., Sil., Sulph. – eight day, Iris). Neuralgia of face > by kneeling down and pressing the head firmly against the floor; pain extends in all directions from the upper jaw. Circumscribed red cheeks in afternoon; burning in ears; in bronchitis, pneumonia, phthisis. Rheumatic pain in the right arm and shoulder (left, Fer.); cannot raise the arm, < at night. Pains in places where the bones are least covered, as tibia, backs of hands, etc (Rhus ven.). Burning in pharynx and oesophagus. Laryngeal or nasal polypi (Sang. n., Psor., Tuec.). Climacteric ailments: flushes of heat and leucorrhoea; burning of palms and soles; compelled to throw off bedclothes; painful enlargement of breasts; when Lachesis and Sulphur fail to relieve. Asthma after the “rose cold,” < from odors. Cough: dry, waking him at night and not ceasing until he sits up in bed and passes flatus; circumscribed red cheeks; night sweats; diarrhoea. Severe cough after whooping-cough; the cough returns every time patient takes cold. Eruption on face of young women, especially during scanty menses (Bellis, Cal., Eug. j., Psor.).

    Relations. – Compare: Bell., Iris, Mellil., in sick headache; Lach., Sulph., Ver. v., in chronic bronchitis or latent pneumonia. After Bell. fails in scarlatina. As a dynamic remedy for the narcosis of Opium.

  • Sambucus Nigra

    Elder. (Caprifoliaceae.)

    Adapted to diseases of scrofulous children, which affect the air passages specially. Persons formerly robust and fleshy, suddenly become emaciated (Iod., Tub.). Bad effects of violent mental emotions; anxiety, grief, or excessive sexual indulgence (Phos. ac., Kali p.). Oedmatous swelling in various parts of the body, especially in legs, instep and feet. Dry coryza of infants (sniffles); nose dry and completely obstructed, preventing breathing and nursing (Am. c., Nux). Dyspnoea: child awakens suddenly nearly suffocated, face livid, blue, sits up in bed; turns blue, gasps for breath, which it finally gets; attack passes off but is again repeated; child inspires but cannot expire (Chlorine, Meph.); sleeps into the attack (Lach.). Compare: Aurum drac. in Miller’s asthma. Attacks of suffocation as in last stage of croup. Cough: suffocative, with crying children; worse about midnight; hollow, deep whooping, with spasm of chest; with regular inhalations but sighing exhalations. Cough deep, dry, precedes the fever paroxysm. Fever: dry heat while he sleeps; on falling asleep; after lying down; without thirst, dreads uncovering (must be covered in every stage, Nux). Profuse sweat over entire body during waking hours; on going to sleep, dry heat returns (sweats as soon as he closes his eyes to sleep, Cinch., Con.).

    Relations. – Compare: Cinch., Chlor., Ipec., Meph., Sulph. Relieves ailments from abuse of Arsenicum. Compare: Aurum drac. in Miller’s asthma. Follows well: after, Opium, in bad effects of fright.

    Aggravation. – During rest; after eating fruit.

    Amelioration. – Sitting up in bed. Motion; most of the pains occur during rest and disappear during motion (Rhus).