Synonym. Lachnanthes Tinctoria. Natural order. Haemodoraceae. Common names. Red Root. Spirit Weed. Habitat. A plant growing in sandy swamps from Rhode Island to New Jersey southward, near the coast. Preparation. Tincture from the fresh plant.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Acts upon the cerebro-spinal system, affecting particularly the sensorium and muscular system, its tendency being to the production of an active congestion and inflammation.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Mind. Became much excited over a trifle. Delirium, with brilliant eyes (Belladonna, Stramonium
Head. Dull headache, particularly frontal. Tearing in forehead from left to right side. Scalp painful to the touch. Vertex feels enlarged and extended upward.
Eyes. Yellow spots before the eyes. Bright, sparking eyes with delirium (Belladonna, Stramonium). Pressing as from dust in the eyes, with secretion of white mucus. Twitching of upper eyelids (Agaricus); worse on closing them tightly. sight became obscured.
29
Ears. Itching or tingling in ears; relieved by boring with the finger, but again returns. Singing in the ear.
Face. Circumscribed redness of the face (Sanguinaria), with delirium and brilliant eyes (Belladonna).
Mouth. Pain in all the teeth, aggravated by warmth.
Throat. Sore throat, with short cough. Sensation of swelling in pharynx, with stiffness of neck, and head drawn to one side, diphtheria. Dryness of throat; afterwards soreness.
Stomach. Aversion to meat (Arnica, Carb. v., Graphites, Pulsatilla).
Abdomen. Continuous rumbling and rolling in abdomen, as of as (Aloe, Lycopodium).
Stool and Anus. Frequent stool; passes much wind.
Respiratory Organs. Cough dry as from larynx, with sore throat, Stitches in chest under right breast and under the clavicle. Heat in chest (Aconite, Arsenicum, Sanguinaria).
Heart and Pulse. Pulse slow, irregular (Digit). Sensation of heat in region of heart.
Neck and Back. Stiffness of the neck (Rhus tox). Pain in nape of beck as if from dislocation. Burning in the sacral and lumbar region,
Generalities. Very restless; throws herself about (Aconite, Arsenicum); feels weak (Cinchona, Coccul.).
Skin. Pimples appear here and there, containing a watery fluid (Graphites). Stinging, itching and tingling on thighs, legs, feet, arms, etc. (Aconite, Apis, Urt. ur.).
Sleep. Sleepless, or restless sleep., with distressing dreams. Cannot go to sleep easily.
Fever. Flashes of heat alternating with chilliness. Burning in palms of hands and soles of feet (Sulphur). Heat with redness of face; after heat circumscribed redness of both cheeks. worse on right side (Sanguinaria). Perspires freely, especially after midnight. During cold sensation the skin is moist and sticky.
Compare. Agaricus, Belladonna, Camph., Cicuta, Cimic., Gelsemium, Hyoscyamus, Lachesis, Rhus tox., Sanguinaria, Stramonium
THERAPEUTICS
Has been used principally for wry-neck (Lyc). Also in diphtheria, scarlatina and cerebro-spinal meningitis, when there is a stiff neck, the head being drawn to one side. Pneumonia, especially typhoid pneumonia.
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).