Rhamnus catharticus. Buckthorn. *N. O. Rhamnaceae. Tincture of fluid extract of ripe berries.
Clinical
Appendicitis. Colic. Constipation. Diarrhoea. Tympanites. Typhlitis.
Characteristics
The common Buckthorn produces black, shiny, four-sided berries, with an acrid taste. From these a syrup is made, and forms the *Rhamni succus of the old school. It produces “copious watery stools and occasions a good deal of nausea and severe tormina. Was formerly given in dropsy, but owing to the severity of the drug is now little used’ (Milne). The Schema is made up of symptoms observed in a boy poisoned by eating the berries. The ileo-caecal symptoms seem to point to it as a possible remedy in cases of appendicitis. Homoeopaths have found *Rham. *cath. O in doses of a few drops a useful palliative in cases of constipation.
Relations
*Compare: Cascara, Cean. In appendicitis, Ir. t.
Eyes
Eyes glistening and injected.
Face
Trembling of lips. Commencing trismus.
Mouth
Coated tongue. Extremely bitter taste.
Throat
Scraping in throat.
Stomach
Complete loss of appetite.
Abdomen
Violent rumbling and griping, especially cutting pains in ileo- caecal region and in transverse colon. Colic. Abdomen hard, tympanitis.
Stool
Diarrhoea. Liquid stools.
Urinary Organs
Urine highly coloured.
Respiratory Organs
Respiration short, anxious.
Heart
Pulse variable.
Limbs
Weakness and prostration in all limbs.
Generalities
Unable to rise, seemed to desire to press his head against the wall.
Fever
Violent chilliness. Skin at one time warm, at another cold.