Category: Materia Medica

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.

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.

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).

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.”

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.

Wild Yam. (Dioscoreaceae.)

Persons of feeble digestive powers, old or young. Flatulence after meals or after eating, especially of tea-drinkers; are often subject to violent colic. Griping pains in abdomen about umbilicus. Violent twisting colic, occurring in regular paroxysms, as if intestines were grasped and twisted by a powerful hand. Colic pains: < from bending forward and while lying; > on standing erect or bending backwards (rev. of Col.). Emissions during sleep; vivid dreams of women all night (Staph.); knees weak; genitals cold; great despondency (Staph.). Felons; early when pains are sharp and agonizing, when pricking is first felt; nails brittle. Disposition to paronychia (Hep.).

Relations. – Compare: Col., Phos., Pod., Rhus, Sil.

Aggravation. – Lying; sitting; bending double.

Amelioration. – Motion; walking difficult, compelled to walk even though tired.

Foxglove. (Scrophulariaceae)

Sudden flushes of heat, followed by great nervous weakness and irregular intermitting pulse, occurring at the climacteric; < by least motion. Weak heart without valvular complications. Sensation as if heart would stop beating if she moved (Cocaine – fears that unless constantly on the move, heart will cease beating, Gels.). Faintness or sinking at the stomach; exhaustion; extreme prostration; feels as if he were dying. Night emissions, with great weakness of genitals after coitus. Great weakness of chest, cannot bear to talk (Stan.). Stools: very light, ash-colored; delayed, chalky (Chel., Pod.); almost white (Cal., Cinch.); pipe-stem stool; involuntary. Pulse full, irregular, very slow and weak; intermitting every third, fifth or seventh beat. Face pale, deathlike appearance and bluish-red. Blueness of skin, eyelids; lips and tongue. Respiration irregular, difficult, deep sighing. The fingers “go to sleep” frequently and easily. Dropsy: post-scarlatinal; in Bright’s disease; with suppression of urine; of internal and external parts; with fainting when there are organic affections of the heart (with soreness in uterine region, Conv.). Fatal syncope may occur when being raised to upright position.

Relations. – Cinchona antidotes the direct action of Digitalis and increases the anxiety.

Aggravation. – When sitting, especially when sitting erect; motion.

Peruvian Bark (Rubiaceae)

For stout, swarthy persons; for systems, once robust, which have become debilitated, “broken down” from exhausting discharges (Carbo v.). Apathetic, indifferent, taciturn (Phos. ac.); despondent, gloomy, has no desire to live, but lacks courage to commit suicide. Ailments: from loss of vital fluids, especially haemorrhages, excessive lactation, diarrhoea, suppuration (Chin. s.); of malarial origin, with marked periodicity; return every other day. After climacteric with profuse haemorrhages; acute diseases often result in dropsy. Pains: drawing or tearing; in every joint, all the bones. Peristeum, as if strainted, sore all over; obliged to move limbs frequently, as motion gives relief; renewed by contact, and then gradually increase to a great height. Headache: as if the skull would burst; intense throbbing of head and carotids, face flushed; from occiput over whole head; < sitting or lying, must stand or walk; after haemorrhage or sexual excesses. Face pale, hippocratic; eyes sunken and surrounded by blue margins; pale, sickly expression as after excesses; toothache while nursing the child. Excessive flatulence of stomach and bowels; fermentation, borborygmus, belching gives no relief (belching relieves, Carbo v.); < after eating fruit (Puls.). Colic: at a certain hour each day; periodical, form gall-stones (Card.m.); worse at night and after eating; better bending double (Coloc.). Great debility, trembling, aversion to exercise; sensitive to touch, to pain, to drafts of air; entire nervous system extremely sensitive. Unrefreshing sleep or constant sopor; < after 3 a. m.; wakens early. Haemorrhages: of mouth, nose, bowels or uterus; long continued; longing for sour things. Disposition to haemorrhage from every orifice of the body, with ringing in ears, fainting, loss of sight, general coldness, sometimes convulsions (Fer., Phos.). Pains are < by slightest touch, but > by hard presure (Caps., Plumb.). One hand icy cold, the other warm (Dig., Ipec., Puls.). Intermittent fever: paroxysm anticipates from two to three hours each attack (Chin. s.); returns every seven or fourteen days; never at night; sweats profusely all over on being covered, or during sleep (Con.).

Relations. – Complementary: Ferrum. Follows well: Cal. p. in hydrocephaloid. Compare: Chin. s. in intermittent fever, anticipating type. Incompatible: after, Dig., Sel. Is useful in bad effects from excessive tea drinking or abuse of chamomile tea, when haemorrhage results.

Aggravation. – From slightest touch; draft of air; every other day; mental emotions; loss of vital fluids.

Amelioration. – Hard pressure; bending double.

Worm Seed. (Compositae)

Adapted to children with dark hair, very cross, irritable, ill-humored, want to be carried, but carrying gives no relief; does not want to be touched; cannot bear you to come hear it; averse to caresses; desires many things; but rejects everything offered (compare, Ant. t., Bry., Cham., Staph.). Constantly digging and boring at the nose; picks the nose all the time; itching of nose; rubs nose on pillow, or on shoulder of nurse (Mar. v.). Children, suffering from worms; pitiful weeping when awake, starts and screams during sleep; grinding of teeth (Cic., Sulph.); ascarides (Mar. v.). Face is pale; sickly white and bluish appearance around mouth; sickly, with dark rings under the eyes; one cheek red, the other pale (Cham.). Canine hunger: hungry soon after a full meal; craving for sweets and different things; refuses mother’s milk. Urine; turbid when passed, turns milky and semi-solid after standing; white and turbid; involuntary. Cough: dry with sneezing; spasmodic, gagging in the morning; periodic, returning spring and fall. Child is afraid to speak or move for fear of bringing on a paroxysm of coughing (Bry.).

Relations. – Compare: Ant. c., Ant. t., Bry., Cham., Kreos., Sil., Staph., in irritability of children. In pertusis, after Drosera has relieved the severe symptoms. Has cured aphonia from exposure when Acon., Phos. and Spong. had failed. Is frequently to be thought of, in children, as an epidemic remedy, when adults require other drugs. Santonie sometimes cures in worm affections when Cina seems indicated, but fails (Mar. v., Spig.).

Water Hemlock (Umbelliferae)

Women subject to epileptic and choreic convulsions; spasms of teething children, or from worms. Convulsions: violent, with frightful distortions of limbs and whole body; with loss of consciousness; opisthotonos; renewed from slightest touch, noise or jar. Puerperal convulsions: frequent suspension of breathing for a few moments, as if dead; upper part of the body most affected; continue after delivery. Epilepsy: with swelling of the stomach as from violent spasms of the diaphragm; screaming; red or bluish face; lockjaw, loss of consciousness and distortion of limbs; frequent during the night; recurring, first at short, then at long intervals. When reading, the letters seem to turn, go up or down or disappear (Coc.). During dentition, grinding of teeth or gums; compression of the jaws as in lockjaw. Abnormal appetite for chalk and indigestible things; for coal or charcoal; child eats them with apparent relish (Alum., Psor.). Suffer violent shocks through head, stomach, arms, legs, which cause jerkings of the parts; head hot. Injurious chronic effects from concussions of the brain and spine, especially spasms; trismus and tetanus from getting splinters into flesh (Hyper.). Pustules which run together, forming thick, yellow scabs, on head and face. Sycosis menti. Eczema: no itching; exudation forms into a hard lemon-colored crust. Brain disease from suppressed eruptions.

Relations. – Compare: Hydr. ac., Hyper., Nux, Strych.

Aggravation. – From tabacco smoke (Ign.); touch.