Synonym. Ustilago Maidis. Natural order. Fungi. Common names. Corn Smut., Maize Smut. Preparation. Tincture from the fresh ripe fungus.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Through the cerebro-spinal system, Ustilago affects primarily the circulation, producing long-lasting contraction of the arterial capillaries, and dilatation of the venous capillaries, arresting arterial circulation, and producing passive venous congestion. The especial local action is upon the female generative system, producing uterine contractions, abortion, haemorrhage, and a general atonic condition.
Mind. Irritable, and depressed in spirits (bry., Nux v.).
Head. Feeling of fullness of the head. Dull, pressive frontal headache, Nervous headache. Scald head; scalp a mass of filthy inflammation; hair falls out; watery serum constantly oozing from the scalp (Mez).
Eyes. Aching distress in eyeballs (Cimic., Ruta., Spigelia).
Nose. Dryness of nostrils, as from taking cold.
Mouth. Toothache. Saliva very abundant, of slimy bitter, taste. Slimy, coppery taste in the mouth (Mercurius).
Throat. Tonsils painful, sore and dry. Feeling as of a lump in throat, with dry, burning sensation all along the esophagus, to the stomach (caps.).
Stomach. Hungry and thirsty. Constant distress in region of the stomach. Acid eructations. Burning pain in stomach (Arsenicum, Belladonna, Colchicum, Phosphorus)
Abdomen. Fine cutting, colicky pains in abdomen.
Male Organs. Depression of sexual system profound (Agaricus, Agn., Coni.). Severe neuralgic pain in one or both testicles (Staphysagria). Irresistible tendency to masturbation. Seminal weakness, melancholy, etc. (Cinchona, Phosphorus ac.).
Female organs. Constant aching distress in the mouth of the uterus. Tendency to miscarriage (Sepia). Yellow, offensive leucorrhoea. Tenderness of left ovary, with pain and swelling. Menses copious, bright-red, not coagulating easily. Menses copious, bright- red, not coagulating easily. Os uteri dilated an relaxed; pains feeble (Caulophyllum)., Cinchona(. Blood dark and clotted (Croc., Cyclamen, Ignatia, Sabina). Postpartum haemorrhage from a flabby, atonic condition of the uterus (Caulophyllum). Pain in left mammary region.
Aggravation. From motion; better during rest.
Compare. Caulophyllum, Cinchona, Croc., Croc., Cyclamen, Hamamelis, Ignatia, Sabina.
THERAPEUTICS
Ustilago is used chiefly in uterine haemorrhage, especially from atony of the uterus; discharge sometimes bright-red-red, sometimes dark and clotted. Post-partum haemorrhage. Haemorrhage from fibroid tumors; seems to cure the tumors, as they sometimes disappear under its use. Ovarian neuralgia, left side, menses profuse; yellow, offensive leucorrhoea. Ovarian congestion. Amenorrhoea. Membranous dysmenorrhoea. Said to be especially useful during the the climacteric period, and tall, slender women (Phosphorus), with clear, white skin.
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).