HORSE WEED-STONE ROOT.
Introduction
In 1735 a specimen of this plant was sent from this country to Peter Collinson, an English botanist. He forwarded it to Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist, who named the specials Collinsonia, in honor of his friend. As if was indigenous to this country, it was natural for it to receive the first proving here, and Dr. William H. Burt, of Illinois, made it for us.
All authorities agree that we know but little concerning this remedy, and Allen says: “From our scanty information, it seems to act upon the hemorrhoidal sphere similar to Aloes, Sulphur, etc.”
Collinsonia has been prescribed in ascites (11), both from cardiac and hepatic disease, but the keywords of the remedy are piles and constipation, the first letters of the two words being the same as his for whom the plant was named.
Symptoms
It is of value for haemorrhoids, non-bleeding, or bleeding almost incessantly (85), with a sensation of stand or of sharp sticks in the rectum, and general aggravation of the pains late at night. Associated with this we have obstinate constipation (88), the stools sluggish, hard, and in the form of balls.
It is of value for pruritus during pregnancy, with swelling and dark redness of the genitals, and inability to sit down or walk on account of the protrusion and soreness of the parts, and with haemorrhoids as an accompaniment, and it is “adapted” says Hughes, “to women who have haemorrhoids either during (153) or as a sequel to pregnancy ” (153).
I use Collinsonia 3d.
