Synonym. – Caulophyllum Thalictroides. Natural order. Berberidaceae. Common names. Blue Cohosh. Papoose Root. Habitat. A perennial herb growing in rich woods in most parts of the United States. Preparation. Tincture from the fresh root.
GENERAL ANALYSIS
Acts upon the muscular tissues of the female generative organs, and especially upon the uterine motor nerves, also upon the small muscles and joints.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Head. Rheumatic or neuralgic headaches, especially in females (Cimic.). Headaches, dependent upon uterine disorder (Cimic).
Eyes Pressure behind the eyes; profuse flow of tears.
Face. “Moth spots” on forehead, with leucorrhoea.
Mouth. Teeth feel sore and elongated. Tongue coated white. Sensation of heat and dryness in the mouth.
Throat Distress in fauces, which causes frequent inclination to swallow.
Stomach Empty eructations. Frequent gulping up of sour, bitter fluid, with vertigo. Spasmodic vomiting, cardialgia, excessive nausea, spasms of the stomach attending uterine irritation. Dyspepsia, with spasmodic symptoms; from uterine irritation.
Abdomen. Spasmodic action of the muscular tissues of the intestines, from irritation of motor nerves, and from rheumatism.
Female Organs. Sensation as if the uterus were congested, with fullness and tension in hypogastric region (Aloe, Belladonna, Cimic., Pulsatilla). Spasmodic pains in uterus, and various portions of hypogastric region. Menstrual colic; retroverted uterus. Suppression of menses, with spasms of uterus, or great atony (Cimic.). Dysmenorrhoea; with aphthae in vagina; with hysterical convulsions. Threatened abortion; pains feeble, irregular, spasmodic. Deficient, spasmodic labor pains (Gelsemium); they seem to fly in all directions, but do not press down. Deficient labor from spasmodic rigidity of os uteri (Belladonna, Cimic., Gelsemium); sharp pricking pains. Passive hemorrhage after abortion or confinement (Cinchona). Protracted lochia from atony of the uterus. Intermittent uterine contractions (Secale corn.). After pains, after exhausting lengthy labor. Sub-involution after abortion or confinement.
Respiratory Organs. Spasmodic affections of chest and larynx.
Limb. Rheumatism of the small joints (Actea spic., Led). Constant flying pains in arms and legs, remains only a few minutes in any one place. Drawing pains in joints of arms and legs, hands and feet.
Upper Limbs. Severe pain in wrists and joints of fingers. Fingers very stiff; shutting hand produces severe cutting pains in finger joints.
Conditions. Especially adapted to women.
Compare Actea spic., Cimic., Pulsatilla, Sabad., Secale
THERAPEUTICS
As has been detailed in the foregoing list of clinical symptoms, Caulophyllum has been found most useful in diseases of the female generative system, including important abnormal puerperal conditions which need not be repeated. It has also been used in hysteria; spinal anaemia from uterine irritation; chorea at puberty; hysterical or epileptiform spasms at puberty. It is a valuable remedy in rheumatism of the small joints (Actea sp., Ledum), especially of the wrists and fingers.
ALLEN CORSON COWPERTHWAITE was born at Cape May, New Jersey, May 3, 1848, son of Joseph C. and Deborah (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite. He attended medical lectures at the University of Iowa in 1867-1868, and was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1869. He practiced his profession first in Illinois, and then in Nebraska. In 1877 he became Dean and Professor of Materia Medica in the recently organized Homeopathic Department of the State University of Iowa, holding the position till 1892. In 1884 he accepted the chair of Materia Medica, Pharmacology, and Clinical Medicine in the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan. He removed to Chicago in 1892, and became Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. From 1901 he also served as president of that College. He is the author of various works, notably "Insanity in its Medico-Legal Relations" (1876), "A Textbook of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" (1880), of "Gynecology" (1888), and of "The Practice of Medicine " (1901).