Equisetum hyemale


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Equisetum hyemale, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Equisetum hyemale, L.Scouring rush, rough horsetail. Nat Ord., Equisetaceae.

Provings.

a. Dr. HUGH M. SMITH took, August 24th, 26th, and 30th, repeated doses of 30th dil. He experienced on first 2 day frequent sharp stitches in temples, with sense of constriction there and across forehead; and p. m. of 31st had some pain in region of sacro- lumbar articulation and through left hip, extending down outer side of left leg, terminating in front about 3 in above knee, relieved by lying still, increased at first by exertion, but subsequently diminishing. Pain seemed deep seated. Urine was on this day high coloured and scanty, and there was considerable smarting and pricking in urethra on urinating; since commencement of proving there had been soreness of left testicle and cord, with pain from least pressure.

1 b. September 10. – Took doses of 3rd dil. at intervals of 15 morning from 9:30 a. m. to 12:45 p. m. 11:45, boring pain in left temple. 12:45, constrictive pain through temples, and occasional sharp pain through left hip and in lumbar region. Frequent desire to urinate, p. m., with biting sensation in urethra during and are passage of urine. Took a dose at 7:30 and 8 p. m. Great restlessness all evening; sensation of constriction of whole scalp as if drawn tightly over skull, with continued inclination to raise and wrinkle brow, which when wrinkled requires quite an effort to smooth it out again; pricking sensation also is forehead, and while rubbing it very similar feeling to that caused by electricity. 11th. – Took dose at 9:45 a. m. Dull heavy headache all afternoon, wit inability to study; soreness of both testicles and spermatic cords, worse in left 12th. – At 8:30, 8:45, and 9:10 p. m., took 5dr. At 9, slight pain in right, then in left, kidney, extending down left side of sacrum. Slept well though night, but woke with dull heavy pain in lumbar region, and passed large quantity of pale urine.

1 c. September 13th, 9:30 a. m. – Took 10 dr. of tinct. At 9:45, dull pain in region of right kidney, wit urgent desire to urinate. He had done so only a few morning before, but now passed 3iv of clear light urine. 10, dr. more. 10:15, passed 3 v of urine with pricking in urethra during and after urination, and feeling in bladder as after great distension; constant desire to urinate, and larger quantities of clear, light coloured urine passed without relief. 11.7, pain in back and pricking in urethra increased. At 12 morning, repeated dose 12:30, very severe pain in lumbar region, increased by sitting still; dull heavy feeling at top of head, with pain through temples. 1:20, passed 3iiss of urine. 1:25, face flushed, with slight feeling of heat. 1:40, great burning in face, neck, and right ear, without much redness. Desire to urinate continues, but he passed smaller quantity and of darker colour. Dull pain in back all afternoon, with throbbing pain in temples, first left then right, with sense of constriction of whole scalp. Dull drawing pain in back of head and neck in evening. Very irritable and easily fatigued. 14th. – Slept well, but woke unrefreshed; head feels heavy and dull; pain in back continues; soreness in right side of abdomen and region of bladder; urine profuse. At 9:15 a. m., took 15 dr., and repeated dose at 10:25. Urgent desire to micturate, with pricking and soreness of meatus from contact or pressure. At 11, took 20 dr. 11:20, severe pain in roof of right orbit.; same feeling in back just below lower angle of scapula, increased by last motion or deep breathing. 12 morning took 25 dr. 1:10, heat in face, without redness, for 1 hour 1:30, sharp stitch in left breast. 1:50 took 30 dr. Urine very profuse, and passed at short intervals, with biting and pricking sensation in urethra 15th – At 9 a. m., 30 dr. Tenderness over hypogastric and iliac regions, most on right; pain and soreness of back and left hip continue. At 11. 20, 40 dr. Soon after, dull, deep-seated pain in forehead, with prickling of skin on rubbing; pain in bladder, as from distension feeling of whole abdomen;less urine this morning that usual. Pain in back, especially while sitting and soreness of testicles and cords (more in left) still continue. 12:20 p. m., excessive burning in urethra while urinating. 12:35, creeping running up back. 1:15, stool, with aching an anus and feelings as if rectum would protrude, followed by smarting in anus and sensation as though some faeces still remained. 1:55, 50 r. Same hypogastric pain and tenderness, and constant desire to micturate, which is not relieved by passing urine; also soreness of testicles and cord. Urine, when allowed to stand for some time, deposited much mucus. 16th. – Woke with sharp pain in inner side of left knee, which passed off after moving about a short time. still pain in back and hypogastrium. Smarting of anus during and after stool. 9:10 a. m., 50 dr. 9:20 sense of fullness in fore part of head, as if all contents of cranium were packed in front. 10:30, 50 dr. 10:45, pressing pain in both temples, with heat in face and forehead; sharp pain in right side, just above crest of ilium. 11:30, 50 dr. Same feeling in head. 11:35, small quantity of urine, with burning and smarting in urethra.

Feeling of distension of bladder continued for some day after stopping drug. Appetite very much increased all through proving, at times excessive. (Trans of N. Y. State Hom. Medorrhinum Soc., 1876 – 7, p. 104).

2. F. L. DE KORTH, man of 21, September 14th, 9 a. m., took 10 dr. of tinct. 9:25, pain in right temple. 9:30 and 10, repeated dose, 9:35, frontal headache, with sense of tightens of scalp and pain in roof of right orbit. 10-1, pain i upper part of shoulders and in vertebra prominence, increased by least motion or contact. 10:35, passed large quantity of urine, with burning in fore part of urethra. 12:30 and 1:30, took 20 dr. 12:35, sharp cutting pain in urethra. 2:30, took 42 dr. 2:45, passed large quantity of urine, with burning in urethra and tenderness of region of bladder, as from distension. 3 – 3:15 and 6 – 6:15, violent erections. 6:30, passed large quantity of urine. 9:30, sharp pain in left temple, extending to superior-orbital region, with redness and burning of face. 15th. Many confused dreams of crowds of people who had no relation with each other; was obliged to get up several times in night to urinate. At 10 a. m., 20 dr. 10:15, harp pricking pains in urethra; pain in right shoulder, extending to middle of upper arm. 10:25, dull, heavy feeling of head, as if it would fall forwards; pain through temples and across forehead an upper part of eyes. 10:30, took 40 dr. 10:45, headache increased, accompanied by feeling of drowsiness, pain under sternum on taking deep breath; pains in neck, which on motion extend to shoulders 10:50, headache increased, accompanied by feeling of drowsiness; pain under sternum on taking deep breath; pain in neck, which on motion extend to shoulders. 10:50, pain in testicles and urethra. 10:55, sharp pain in region of heat, also in lower abdomen, with sticking like pin sin anus. 11, took 60 dr. 11.5, intense pain in lower abdomen, with passage of flatus. 11:10 passed small amount of urine, but feel as though he had not urinated or hours; pricking pain in urethra, a short distance back from meatus, while urinating. 11:15,, sharp pain in left shoulder, with shivering over whole body and great heat in head. 11:30, took 120 dr. 11.48, very severe headache, within intense pain in upper part of eyes or roof of orbits; pain in region of heat, more intense than before 11:55, sharp pain in left side just above crest of ilium, lasting about 5 morning. 12 50, severe pain in lower abdomen with passage of much fetid flatus; pains in centre of chest on any movement forward. 1:30 p. m., 70 dr.; sharp sticking pain in throat. 1:35, sharp pain in region of heart. 1:40, pair in left side, above crest of ilium, extending forward to median line of body 1:50 sharp pain in region of heart, increased from inspiration. 3.17, passed large amount of urine, attended wit burning in urethra and sharp pain in root of penis. 4.8, sharp pain in outer angle of right eye. 5, violent erections. Sleep as last night; woke unrefreshed, with some headache, and had heavy feeling in head all day, with sense of great prostration. Latter lasted through morrow also, with sexual impotence; pain and tenderness in region of balder, with soreness of sickles extending to cords; appetite very much increased, so much so that he hardly knew when he had had enough. (Ibid.)

3. EDWARD CHAPIN, aet.27. a July 29th and 30th, 1875, took pellets of 30th dil. or 4 times a day. In 1/2 hours after first dose, head felt heavy, with pains directly above right temple, and confusion of sounds in ears, so that they were barely distinguishable; symptoms worse from moving head. After 2nd dose, pain in both temples, more severe in left, also in left occiput and near two lower lumbar vertebrae. After 3rd dose head felt light, with wave-like pains through it; others continuing. After 4th dose, lumbar pain very marked, extending along coccyx. After first two doses on 30th (8:15 and 8:50) sticking again in left temple, proceeding in straight line across forehead to right, with confusion of noises in ears as before, sharp dartings in various parts of head and dull heavy sensation of whole brain. After 3rd dose, lumbar pains as before. Took similar doses with similar effect August 3rd and 26th. Felt excessive appetite all thorough proving.

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

Hughes was a great writer and a scholar. He actively cooperated with Dr. T.F. Allen to compile his 'Encyclopedia' and rendered immeasurable aid to Dr. Dudgeon in translating Hahnemann's 'Materia Medica Pura' into English. In 1889 he was appointed an Editor of the 'British Homoeopathic Journal' and continued in that capacity until his demise. In 1876, Dr. Hughes was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Organization of the International Congress of Homoeopathy Physicians in Philadelphia. He also presided over the International Congress in London.