Stellaria media. Chickweed. N.O. Caryophyllaceae. Tincture of whole fresh plant in bloom.
Clinical
Gout. Liver, *inflammation of. *Rheumatism. *Psoriasis.
Characteristics
The first mention of *Stel. appeared in H. W., xxviii. 284 (June, 1893). F. H. Brett gave an experience with the tincture applied externally, in the case of his wife to enlarged, inflamed gouty fingers-joints, and in his own case to painful, aching great toes. In each case a few applications removed the trouble. Brett was led to this use by having heard a rumour that “chickweed poultices” were good for gouty joints. In the same volume, p. 560, F. Kopp published a proving of the tincture on himself. The symptoms of the proving make up my Schema. Kopp took frequently repeated doses of the tincture, and also chewed some of the weed. The pains induced were of a rheumatic character, and were so severe that they had to be antidoted with *Nux and *Bryonia Kopp confirms Brett’s observations in the value of external applications of *Stel. Internally he gave the 2x. The most prominent symptom, apart from the rheumatic effects, was the pain, swelling, and soreness of the liver. The pains were better by motion, and were accompanied by soreness. Bellairs (H. W., xxi. 24), published this case: “E.B., 18, had rheumatic fever which had left him in a hopeless state of chronic “shifting” rheumatism: pains now a ankle, now in knee, now in arm, wrist or fingers. *Stel. 2x, taken three times a day, completely cured in a month. Bellairs suggests that “shifting-pains” may be a keynote, and Kopp confirms this. Brett (H. W., xxxiv. 93) cured himself with *Stel. 1 of a violent attack of sickness, with sharp pains in stomach, increasing in violence and culminating in an explosive vomit. The liver was much enlarged, hard to the touch. The pain began in the region of the gall bladder. Vomiting ceased after the first dose, and the liver enlargement quickly subsided. Cooper gave much relief with a single dose of in the case of a woman, 55, who had psoriasis, dating from twenty-one years back, with irritation in the spots, chiefly on flexures of joints, with much irritation of scalp and soreness of eyeballs.
Head
Rheumatic pains over right side of head, especially at back, sore to touch. Rheumatic pains, darting through whole head worse right side, through left half of forehead, over eye, sore to touch.
Eyes
Right eyeball sore to touch. Flushes of heat below right lid. Darting pain in right eye. Vision dim.
Nose
Dryness of nostrils.
Face
Neuralgic pains right side of face. Burning on lower lips.
Mouth
Persistent taste of the drug with slight acrid feeling. Heat and dryness of mouth, numbness of lower gums and tip of tongue. Sensation as if incisors set on edge.
Throat
Numbness and dryness in throat, followed later by sharp stitches in left tonsil.
Stomach
Slight nausea with frequent eructations, tasting of the drug.
Abdomen
Stomach and bowels sore, worse by touch. Navel sore to touch. Soreness and dragging pains in lower bowels. Wandering pains around navel, settling between navel and liver. Sensation as if liver too large for body. Burning pains all over liver. Liver sore to touch. Burning pressure in region of liver. Bilious feeling. Pains in right groin.
Stool
Stools loose, dark brown, attended with slight pain.
Urinary Organs
Kidney region sore to touch.
Respiratory Organs
Short cough from tickling on upper chest, worse deep inspiration. Hawking of viscid, saltish mucus.
Chest
In chest: tickling, upper part, constricted, oppression, heat.
Back
Rheumatic pains across small of back, worse bending. Loins stiff and sore. Dull pain under right scapula.
Extremities
Joints stiff.
Upper Limbs
Darting, rheumatic pain: down right arm, and in middle of index finger of left hand.
Lower Limbs
Rheumatic pains: in right hip, left foot, ankle, left knee, gradually extending along thigh, below right knee-cap, in calves which are sensitive.
Generalities
Pains worse on motion, parts sore to touch. Symptoms come on rapidly after taking the drug, next morning on rising bruised feeling all over thighs as from over-exertion.
Sleep
Sleeps well but unrefreshed on waking.
Fever
Pulse slightly raised but temperature normal.