Colocynthis

Where are the pathogenesis of Colocynthis found ?

Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura and Chronic diseases, Metcalf's Homoeopathic Provings, Monthly Homoeopathic Review , Vol. XII.

What is Colocynthis ?

It is a gourd-like fruit, growing in Asia Minor, from which we prepare a tincture ; its common name is the Bitter Cucumber . Its taste is intensely bitter.

How is the tincture prepared ?

The dried fruit, freed from the outer yellow rind, is powdered coarsely and weighed. Then five parts, by weight, of alcohol are poured on it. It is then set aside in a well-stoppered bottle in a cool, dark place for eight days, being shaken twice a day. Decant, strain and filter. Drug power, 1/10.

Give its general action.

Colocynth . develops most of its symptoms in the abdomen and head, causing intense neuralgias. The nerves around the hip-joint are also a marked centre of action.

What is its greatest characteristic ?

A violent, agonizing abdominal colic ; relieved by bending double and by pressing something hard into the abdomen.

How does the colic of Dioscorea differ from that of Colocynth. ?

The pains are apt to radiate from the abdomen to other parts of the body, as to the back, arms, etc. It is relieved by walking and throwing the body backwards.

What other species of colic is Colocynth used for ?

Ovarian colic ; sharp pains in the ovarian regions, relieved by bending double and by pressure.

What is necessary for Colocynth to be of use in any form of colic ?

That the nervous elements predominate over the inflammatory symptoms.

What mental conditions has Colocynth ?

Disturbances caused by mental emotions, violent anger or fright, vexation or mortified feelings.

Give symptoms of Colocynth in sciatica.

Sharp, spasmodic attacks of pain shoot down the sciatic nerve to the feet ; crampy pains as if the parts were screwed in a vise ; it is worse on the right side and tends to be paroxysmal ; relieved by warmth and rest ; aggravated by motion. The nerves around the hip-joint and acetabulum suffer most severely.

How does Gnaphalium compare here ?

Intense pains along sciatic nerve, with numbness which sometimes alternates with the pains ; pains extend to toes. Rheumatic pains in toes.

Give briefly characteristic indications for Kali bichromicum, Kali iodatum, and Phytolacca in sciatica.

Kali iodatum . Darting pains in left side relieved by motion .

Kali bichromicum . Pains worse at night from lying on affected side, and especially when of mercurial or syphilitic origin.

Phytolacca . Pains darting and tearing ; aggravated by motion .

What drug has sciatic pains worse while sitting, somewhat relieved by walking, and entirely relieved by lying down ?

Ammonium muriaticum .