Synonym. Menyanthes Trifoliata. Natural order. Gentianaceae. Common names. Buck Bean. Bitterworm. Habitat. A perennial plant growing in North America, Europe and Asia, in swamps, etc. Preparation. Tincture from the fresh plant.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Acts upon the mucous surfaces, producing some irritation and congestion. It likewise acts primarily upon the brain and optic nerve, resulting in headache and obscuration of sight, and upon the ganglionic system, developing symptoms which simulate certain forms of fever and ague. Teste claims that it is closely analogous to Drosera, except that the effect of the latter are more intense. He also claims that there are few diseases where Menyanthes is indicated which could not be cured much better with Drosera-a statement that is not generally accepted.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Head. Confusion and heaviness of the head. Pressure in head from above downward, relieved during hard pressure with the hand; on ascending steps as if at every step a weight pressed upon the brain. Pressive stupefying headache, mostly in the forehead. Stitch-like tearing pain in right side of forehead, near temporal region. Stitches in left side of brain extending toward vertex.
Eyes. Obscuration of sight; mist and flickerings before the eyes (Agaricus, Cyclamen, Mercurius, Phosphorus, Sulphur).
Stomach. Sensation of coldness extending up the oesophagus, with great nausea, following pressure in stomach. Empty eructations.
Abdomen. Distension and dullness of abdomen, as if overloading by food, with undiminished appetite, together with a sensation as of incarcerated flatulence, and frequent ineffectual efforts to emit flatus (Carb v., Cinchona, Lycopodium); fullness much increased by smoking tobacco (Ignatia).
Stool. Constipation.
Urinary Organs. Hoarseness; discharges.
Respiratory Organs. Hoarseness; dyspnoea. Pressure on both sides of chest, with sharp stitches, greatly aggravated on inspiration.
Back. Dull, boring sticking in left scapula, extending across the spine. Painful tearing pains between scapulae, extending downward, especially on deep breathing. Pressive, bruised pain in small of back and sacral region.
Limbs. Muscular twitches in right upper arm. Cramp-like pain in muscles of left forearms, extending to palm of hand, almost like paralysis. Cramp-like pain in muscles of right leg, extending from below upward, like paralysis. Cramp-like pains in all the limbs.
Sleep. Vivid unremembered dreams.
Fever. Sensation of chilliness, especially in fingers. Feet cold up to knees, as if in cold water. Icy coldness of hands and feet (Tabac.), with warmth of rest of body. Shivering over upper part of body, with yawning.
Compare. Aranea, Cact., Drosera, Natr. mur.
THERAPEUTICS.
Hahnemann recommends Menyanthes in some forms of ague when the chill predominates, and forms a very pronounced part of the paroxysm as above described. Catarrhal affections. Amaurosis. Neuralgic headaches with symptoms above described. Sciatica. 13.
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).