(Sundew.)
(From vol. vi, 2nd edit., 1827.)
(The freshly expressed juice of this lowly plant, which grows on peaty soil [HB. Rorellae, Roris Solis], mixed with equal parts of alcohol.)
This plant, one of the most powerful medicinal herbs in our zone, was used by the older physicians mostly as an external remedy – in cutaneous eruptions – but not with the best effects. They also gave it internally, and sometimes, as it would seem, with advantage. The moderns who, guided by tradition, had no knowledge of any other than large doses, knew not how to employ this uncommonly heroic plant without endangering the life of their patients, hence they rejected it altogether.
I first employed it in the trillion-fold dilution of the juice, but laterly in still higher potency, and at last in the 30th (decillion-fold) dilution (each diluting phial getting only two succussion), and of this I gave as a dose only the smallest portion of a drop, to wit, one, or at most two, globules the size of a poppy-seed (of which from 200 to 300 can be completely moistened with a drop of the dilution) in morbid conditions similar to the characteristic effects produced by the plant on healthy persons.
Thus, for example, a single such dose is quite sufficient for the homoeopathic cure if epidemic whooping-cough, (The cure takes place with certainty in from seven to nine days, under a nonmedical diet. Care should be taken not to give a second dose (or any other medicine) immediately after the first dose, for that would inevitably not only prevent the good result, but do serious injury, as I know from experience.) according to the indications given by symptoms 135, 137, 144, 149, but especially 145 and the second part of symptom 143.
Allopathy, as may easily be understood, could hitherto do nothing for this formidable disease, which does not pass off by itself like other acute diseases, without terminating fatally or tormenting its victim for twenty or twenty-two weeks. In consequence it allowed many children to die of the disease where it did not hasten death by large doses of unsuitable drugs.
He who fails to perceive that in this as in other similar cases homoeopathy is the only perfect, true medical art, let him continue blindly to employ unknown drugs to the injury of sick mankind!
Drosera requires further provings of its pure effects on the healthy human subject.
Camphor alleviates and antidotes its effects.
[HAHNEMANN was aided in this proving by GUTMANN, FRIEDRICH HAHNEMANN, LANGHAMMER, WISLICENUS.
A few symptoms are derived from:
BONFIGLI, in Vicat’s Materie Medicale, i.
HALLER, Ibid.
NICOLAUS, Ibid.
In the Fragmenta, Drosera has 40 symptoms, in the 1st edit. Of the ‘R.A.M.L.,’279, and in this 2nd edit., 287.]
DROSERA
When walking in the open air, vertigo (aft. 4 d.).
When walking in the open air, attack of vertigo; he felt always as if he would fall to the left side (aft. 9 h.). [Lr.]
Whirling and giddy, with disinclination for work (aft. 33 h.). [Gn.]
The head is confused and heavy.
5. Aching pain in the head.
Out-pressing pain in the right temple. [Gn.]
On stooping, headache above the orbits, which goes off on walking.
After strong exercise and when walking, a headache in the forehead, like the confusion of the head that comes from much speaking.
Out-pressing pain in the forehead and zygomatic processes (aft. 7.1/2 h.). [Gn.]
10. Aching pain above the right temple (aft. 3.1/2 h.). [Gn.]
Pain boring out at the forehead, only on stooping while writing (aft. 7 h.). [Gn.]
A dull drawing pain in the left side of the brain towards the temple (aft. 28 h.0. [Gn.]
In the right half of the brain, drawing pain towards the occiput (aft. 9 h.). [Gn.]
Tearing tensive pain in the forehead, more violent on stooping (aft. 11 h.). [Gn.]
15. Sharp cutting needle-pricks in the right side of the forehead (aft. 33 h.). [Lr.]
Tearing pain in the brain, more towards the forehead, worse on moving the eyes, but relieved by supporting the head on the hand (aft. 10 h.). [Gn.]
Heaviness of the head when held upright, but not when stooping (aft. 37 h.). [Gn.]
Painfulness of the whole brain; he feels every step in it (aft. 8 h.). [Gn.]
Burning sore pain on the right side of the hairy scalp; it went off each time it was touched (aft. 6.1/2 h.). [Gn.]
20. Smarting burning pain in the hairy scalp at the crown (aft. 10 h.). [Gn.]
Sore pain on the hairy scalp, above the right side of the forehead (aft. 32 h.). [Gn.]
Sore pain on the left frontal protuberance. [Gn.]
Sore sensation in the skin of the right temple. [Gn.]
Hahnemann's three major publications chart the development of homeopathy. In the Organon of Medicine, we see the fundamentals laid out. Materia Medica Pura records the exact symptoms of the remedy provings. In his book, The Chronic Diseases, Their Peculiar Nature and Their Homoeopathic Cure, he showed us how natural diseases become chronic in nature when suppressed by improper treatment.