Lappa


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


Introduction

Arctium Lappa, Lappa major, Gaertner, officinalis, Allioni. Burdock. Nat. Ord. Composite.

Provings.

1a. Dr. JEANES, aet. 45, took about 11 a. m. 2 or 3 dr. of 2nd dil. in 3j of water. There followed tickling in rima glottidis, with loose-sounding cough, but no expectoration; pain about left 6th and 7th ribs; chilliness; pain in lower extremities, as if fatigued; severe tingling, with acute cutting pain under sternum, about insertions of 4th and 5th ribs, and extending across chest; oppression of chest, especially in sternal region, with shortness of breath on exertion.

1b. “Wishing to take a drink of water before retiring to bed, I took the tumbler which had contained my forenoon dose, and rinsed it well. I then drew and drank one or two tumblers of water. I had not taken it a. m. before I was affected with the chest symptoms already described, with (in addition) aching of throat and violent constrictive feeling; pain in head, extremely rapid pulse, with intermission about every 2nd or 3rd pulsation; pain in region of heart, and at same time in anterior muscles of right thigh, also in back about 8th dorsal vertebra. the pulse became fuller and slower, but seldom went more than 2 or 3 pulsations without an intermission; bowels were opened 2 or 3 times, as if purged, with some abatement in violence of symptoms; mind much agitated, more from the distressing feelings than from fear of death, which nevertheless is present. Symptoms continued violent and distressing through greater part of n.” (Hahn. Monthly, iv, 51.)

2a. Dr. R. P. MERCER, July 2nd, 1860, took 10 dr. of a strong tinct. in water on rising from bed in m. and before bedtime. During greater part of day slight uneasiness in abdomen, with rumbling and rolling about in bowels. 3rd. -20 dr. m. and evening as before. During day slight numbness and tingling in dorsum of left foot. 4th. -30 dr. m. and evening same sensation in foot. 5th. -Much dreaming in n. (unusual); woke with dull gnawing pain in left hand, extending from wrists to ends of fingers, also intermittently in knee-joint. These pains were relieved by motion, but came on again during rest. took 30 dr. in m. during day pains in hand and he continued, involving right hand; also at times sharp sticking pain in right elbow and over left eye, sometimes extending to top of head. 6th. -Woke in m., after a n. of dreaming, with white-coated tongue. took 30 dr. in m. Pains continue, and affect also both feet and hip-joints; pain in abdomen is still felt shortly after each dose; tearing down in bowels, before stool. 7th. -N. as last. took 40 dr. No fresh symptoms. 8th. -Discontinued drug, being called away from home, but symptoms continued as before, those of head being somewhat aggravated. At times though day sharp, shooting, stunning pain, as if struck by a hammer, at base of occiput immediately behind ear. After a few day pains gradually subsided, lingering longest in hands and lower extremities.

2b. On 16th, 10 dr. m. and e. Shortly after first dose usual abdominal uneasiness. Pains in hands, knees, and ankles, which had not entirely left, were slightly aggravated by noon, and again after evening dose. 17th. -10 dr. in m. Pains in hands, and in knees extending to ends to toes, quite annoying; pain in forepart of head, sometimes subsiding, then coming on again with sharp shooting stitches, and gradually settling down into its former dull, heavy ache. In evening, 15 dr. 18th. -At 6 a. m. 20 dr. In 1/2 hours slight pain in abdomen; pain in hands and feet continues; sharp shooting pains in elbow-joints, extending down to hands; darting pain in shoulder; heavy laming pain in right groin. Sharp shooting pain in base of occipital bone, extending up into head; ear-ache; pain in hypogastric region. AT 9 p. m. took 25 dr., and retired for n. Pain worse for a time after going to bed, but subsided after an hours or two, and sleep was good. 19th. -At 6 a. m. 30 dr., and at 11 a. m. 35 dr. Nausea and pain in abdomen after taking food; sharp sticking pain in shoulder, extending along clavicle and sterno-mastoid; sharp constrictive pain in and above elbow. At 9 p. m. 40 dr. Acute colicky pains in abdomen and in region of liver. 20th. -At 5 a. m., and at 2 and 9 p. m., 50 dr. Symptoms as yesterday, with addition of twitching pain at times in muscles of chest. Appetite increased. 21st. -No medicine. Symptoms as therefore. 22nd. -Symptoms considerably relieved, some altogether subsided. Pains in joints still quite perceptible, especially in hands and feet. These were the last to leave, continuing still for several day (Ibid., xviii, 147.)

3. Mrs. H-, aet. 24, mother of 3 children, now nursing one of 2 mo., leucophlegmatic temperament, mild and good-hearted disposition. Took 5 day of first dil. every 4 hours, with idea that it might benefit infant’s crusta lactea. Next day headache set in, principally over left eye; she described it as a full, pressing feeling as if eye would be pushed out of head; also pain in whole frontal region, constant, worse on stooping. After taking drug for 4 day, at 10 p. m. chilly sensation as if cold water had been poured over her, with continued thirst; next day felt chilly all over, particularly in back, abdomen, chest, and head; great thirst, feels as if ague would set in. The following n. sweat over entire body, with exception of head; during sweat feels chilly internally, surface being warm. She now discontinued medicine. Next n. sweat again; and following day discharge of bright red blood from vagina took place, and lasted all day next day was free from all symptoms; and being assured that medicine was innocuous took all left (about 60 dr.) at a single dose. This was followed immediately by continuous chilliness lasting all day, with great thirst and soreness in whole region of liver, and severe frontal headache; also great pain in right shoulder, so that it was impossible to lift arm. In evening slight fever and at n. sweat. Next m., still headache and pain in shoulder, and liver so sore she could not lie on right side. Between 1 and 2 p. m. a regular paroxysm of chills and fever set in, with increase of same symptoms, followed by excessive perspiration; thirst during all stages. In evening., pain in right shoulder being extreme, sanguinaria was given, which relieved; and next day she was quite well. (UHLEMEYER, St. Louis Clinical Review, ii, 370.).

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.