Lythrum petiolatum. Wax weed. Flux weed. Red Penny royal. *N. O. Lythraceae (Loose strifes). Decoction or tincture of fresh plants collected in July or August.
Clinical
Cholera infantum. Dysentery.
Characteristics
This is a popular remedy in some parts of U. S. for summer diarrhoea and dysentery, as one of its names, “Flux weed,” would imply. The entire plant has a clammy, sticky feel, and contains tannin. It was first introduced to homoeopathic practice by Dr. ***A.A. Roth, of Frederick, Maryland, who was induced to try it in his practice by a lady patient (*H. R., iii. 242), and his experience has been confirmed by S. ***G.A. Brown (*Medorrhinum *Cent.) Dr. Roth gave from 5 to 10-drop doses, according to age. The two chief forms on which it is successful are: (I) Cases arising from acidity of milk or food, vomiting of undigested food or curdled milk, with frequent green, watery, acid stools, varying in number from five to thirty a day, child fretful and feverish, can retain nothing on stomach, food seems to pass right through the child. (2) Stools decidedly dysenteric, small frequent, bloody, with tenesmus and great pain, high fever, restlessness, and sleeplessness. Dr. Roth considers it has “tonic” properties, as children rally rapidly under it. In ordinary diarrhoeas, especially diarrhoea from cold, he found it useless. Brown says: “If you have a child that is fretful and feverish, vomits curdled milk, from a hyperacidity of the stomach, has frequent green, watery, acid stools, or even if the stools are dysenteric, with great tenesmus and colic, high fever and restlessness, give *Cuphea.” *Compare: AEthusa.
