Synonym. Collinsonia Canadensis. natural order. Labiatae. Common names. Stone-root. Horsebalm. Rich Weed. Habitat. An indigenous plant growing in rich, moist woods from Canada to Florida, and west to Michigan. Preparation. Tincture from the fresh root.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Acts predominantly upon the gastro-intestinal canal, especially the rectum and affects in a marked degree the heart and generative organs. Its special sphere of usefulness is in the treatment of haemorrhoids, caused by inertia and congestion of he portal system, and also in functional troubles (especially cardiac) arising therefrom.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS
Head. Dull frontal headache. Headache from suppressed haemorrhoids.
Mouth. Tongue coated, low along the center or base, with bitter taste in the mouth. Nausea, with cramp-like pains in the stomach.
Abdomen. Sharp, cutting pains in the hypogastric region
Stool. Constipation, stools light-colored and lumpy, with hard straining, followed by dull pains in he anus and hypogastrium; stool in form of balls. diarrhoea, mucous and bloody discharges or thin yellow matter, or watery, accompanied by violent tenesmus, and sharp cutting pains in the bowels. (Mercurius)
Haemorrhoids, either blind or bleeding (AEsc.); sense of weight in rectum; itching, feeling as of sticks or sand; caused by congestive inertia of the lower bowels; also for obstinate cases.
Male Organs. Varicocele, with characteristic rectal symptoms.
Female Organs. Violent itching of the genitals; parts badly swollen, dark-red and protruding during pregnancy. dysmenorrhoea and other affections resulting from haemorrhoids and constipation.
Heart. Irritation of he cardiac nerves; cardiac hyperaesthesia. Functional disturbances. rapid pulse; fullness and oppression of the chest; difficult breathing and faintness (Acon).
Compare. AEsc., Aloe., Dioscorea, Digit., Hamamelis, Nux v., Podophyllum, sulph.
THERAPEUTICS
The clinical range of Collinsonia has already been outlined. it is especially useful in haemorrhoids and constipation, and in functional disorders arising therefrom, especially functional disturbances of the heart, dysmenorrhoea, pruritus of the vulva, prolapsus uteri, etc. The haemorrhoids may be either blind or bleeding, though probably the latter predominate. the constipation is usually every obstinate, with painful protruding haemorrhoids. Has also proved useful membranous dysmenorrhoea, and pruritus during pregnancy, with the Symptoms above given. Varicocele with rectal symptoms. May be useful in organic disease of the heart, and in ascites resulting therefrom. Has also been used in ascites from hepatic diseases, with constipation and haemorrhoids. diarrhoea and dysentery with stool as above described, violent tenesmus, and sharp cutting pains in the bowels.
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).