Thuja Occidentalis

In Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura, Metcalf's Homoeopathic Provings, North American Journal of Homoeopathy , Vol. XXV.

What is Thuja ?

The Arbor vitae or Tree of Life , or White Cedar .

From what is the tincture prepared ?

Describe the process. The fresh young twigs, leaves and blossoms are gathered when the tree is just flowering. Chop these finely and weigh. To every three parts add gradually two parts of alcohol, bringing the whole mass into a thick pulp by stirring. Strain through a piece of new linen. Stand eight days in a well-stoppered bottle in a dark, cool place and then filter. Drug power, ½. The tincture is deep orange-brown in color.

What place does Thuja hold in the homoeopathic Materia Medica ?

It is our great antisycotic remedy.

Give the general action of Thuja.

Its main action is on the skin and genito-urinary system. It irritates these and changes their secretions. It also produces wart-like excrescences upon the body.

In what special field is Thuja useful ?

For the bad effects of vaccination, especially for the diarrhoea caused thereby.

Mention two other drugs useful for the bad effects of vaccination.

Silicea and Kali mur .

What is meant by a hydrogenoid constitution ?

First described by Dr. Grauvogl, a noted German Homoeopathist, and characterized by a preponderance of water within all the tissues. Such patients are worse in rainy weather, at the seashore and from water in any form.

Give three drugs especially applicable to that form of constitution.

Thuja, Natrum sulph . and Aranea diadema .

What are the mental symptoms of Thuja ?

The patient is always in a hurry, talks hurriedly, moves hurriedly, is excitable, imagines he is made of glass, and is brittle, and refuses to move for fear of breaking, or imagines himself double or treble and scattered about.

What are the neuralgias and peculiar symptoms about the head ?

Sensation as though a nail were being driven into the vertex of frontal eminences, intense stabbing pains driving patient almost to distraction ; patient must lie down.

What are the symptoms of Thuja in gonorrhoea ?

Thin, greenish discharge, scalding urination, warts and condylomata about the genitals, gonorrhoea suppressed by injections, and complicated with rheumatism or orchitis.

Mention another use of Thuja.

It is a remedy for warts and diseases of the epidermal tissues, such as affections of the nails, etc.

How do the warts calling for Thuja differ from those calling for Causticum ?

The Causticum warts have a solid body and are very horny. Thuja warts are fissured, cut up having cauliflower appearance.

What is the diarrhoea of Thuja ?

Chronic diarrhoea traceable to vaccination forcibly expelled like water from a bunghole ; thirst with same gurgling sound on drinking, worse in the morning after breakfast, from coffee and onions, with rapid emaciation and exhaustion.