Synonym. Rhododendron Chrysanthemum. Natural order. Ericaceae. Common names. Dwarf Rosebag. Habitat. An evergreen shrub, native of Siberia, growing on mountain heights. Preparation. Tincture from the dried leaves. General Analysis Acts upon the muscular and fibrous tissues, producing arthritic and rheumatic conditions, and upon the testes and epididymis, producing inflammation, swelling and induration. Its chief characteristic is the aggravation of all symptoms in cold, stormy weather, and before and during a thunder storm. Characteristic Symptoms Mind Forgetfulness of what he is talking about. Head Headache, almost depriving him of his senses, better on rising. Confusion. Pain in forehead and temples, when lying in bed, in the morning; worse from drinking wine (Nux v., Zincum met.), and in wet weather, cold weather; better after rising and on moving about. Tearing, boring pains in left temporal region. Eyes Sensation of dryness and burning in the eyes; worse in bright daylight, and from intent looking; on reading or writing. Ears Violent pain in the right outer ear, commencing in morning, and continuing all day. Humming before ears, with ringing. Buzzing and sensation as if water running into the ears. Loud sounds re- echo long. Nose Obstruction of left nostril, sometimes alternating with right; best in open air. Mouth Toothache, drawing, tearing pains; worse in stormy weather or before a storm (Rhus tox.); in cloudy or windy weather, with cutting. Throat Scraping and scratching sensation in the throat, as if lined with mucus. Stomach Empty eructations. Contractive pressure in pit of stomach evenings when walking, with tight breath. Stool Soft stool, evacuated slowly, and with much urging (Carb. v., Cinchona). Diarrhoea; in damp weather; from fruit; food passes undigested. Urinary Organs Frequent urging to u Ranunc. has been found most useful in neuralgic, arthritic and rheumatic conditions. Always worse from damp weather or from change of temperature. Rheumatic neuralgia Intercostal rheumatism, chest feels sore and bruised, as from subcutaneous ulceration. Pleurodynia. Pleurisy. Diaphragmitis. Peritonitis. A very valuable remedy in herpes zoster; dark-blue, transparent vesicles, with characteristic neuralgic pains. Also herpes frontalis, with violent pains in and above the eyes Vesicular eruptions, with burning and itching. Pemphigus. Malignant and rapidly spreading ulcers. Hay fever, with smarting, burning and tingling in eyes and nose, nostrils dry and obstructed, worse evenings. Has been found useful in delirium tremens and for the effects of intoxicating liquors in general.
THERAPEUTICS.
Especially useful in arthritic and rheumatic pains in various parts, aggravated before a storm, or in cold, damp, rough weather. Chronic rheumatism of small joints (Actea. sp., Caulophyllum, Ledum). Rheumatoid arthritis. According to Allen, Rhododendron is useful in threatening glaucoma, always worse at the approach of a storm, better after the storm broke, patient strongly rheumatic. Muscular asthenopia, with darting pains through the eye, worse before a storm. Ciliary neuralgia. Otalgia. Facial neuralgia and neuralgic toothache, with characteristic aggravation. Diarrhoea in damp, cold weather; from fruit. Catarrh of the bladder. Hydrocele. A valuable remedy in orchitis (see symptoms). Induration of testicles.
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).