HOMŒOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA
by William BOERICKE, M.D.
Presented by Médi-T
NUX VOMICA
Poison-nut
Is the greatest of polychrests, because the bulk of its symptoms correspond in similarity with those of the commonest and most frequent of diseases. It is frequently the first remedy, indicated after much dosing, establishing a sort of equilibrium of forces and counteracting chronic effects.
Nux is pre-eminently the remedy for many of the conditions incident to modern life. The typical Nux patient is rather thin, spare, quick, active, nervous, and irritable. He does a good deal of mental work; has mental strains and leads a sedentary life, found in prolonged office work, overstudy, and close application to business, with its cares and anxieties. This indoor life and mental strain seeks stimulants, coffee, wine, possibly in excess; or, again, he hopes to quiet his excitement, by indulging in the sedative effects of tobacco, if not really a victim, to the seductive drugs, like opium, etc. These things are associated with other indulgences; at table, he takes preferably rich and stimulating food; wine and women play their part to make him forget the close application of the day. Late hours are a consequence; a thick head, dyspepsia, and irritable temper are the next day's inheritance. Now he takes some cathartic, liver pills, or mineral water, and soon gets into the habit of taking these things, which still further complicate matters. Since these frailties are more yielded to by men than women. Nux is pre-eminently a male remedy. These conditions, produce an irritable, nervous system, hypersensitive and over-impressionable, which Nux will do much to soothe and calm. Especially adapted to digestive disturbances, portal congestion, and hypochondrical states depending thereon. Convulsions, with consciousness; worse, touch, moving. Zealous fiery temperament. Nux patients are easily chilled, avoid open air, etc. Nux always seems to be out of tune; inharmonious spasmodic action.
Mind.--Very irritable: sensitive to all impressions. Ugly, malicious. Cannot bear noises, odors, light, etc. Does not want to be touched. Time passes too slowly. Even the least ailment affects her greatly. Disposed to reproach others. Sullen, fault-finding.
Head.--Headache in occiput or over eyes, with vertigo; brain feels turning in a circle. Oversensitiveness. Vertigo, with momentary loss of consciousness. Intoxicated feeling; worse, morning, mental exertion, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, open air. Pressing pain on vertex, as if a nail driven in. Vertigo in morning and after dinner. Scalp sensitive. Frontal headache, with desire to press the head against something. Congestive headache, associated with hæmorrhoids. Headache in the sunshine (Glon; Nat carb). Feels distended and sore within, after a debauch.
Eyes.--Photophobia; much worse in morning. Smarting dry sensation in inner canthi. Infra-orbital neuralgia, with watering of eyes. Optic nerve atrophy, from habitual use of intoxicants. Paresis of ocular muscles; worse, tobacco and stimulants. Orbital twitching radiating towards the occiput, Optic neuritis.
Ears.--Itching in ear through Eustachian tube. Auditory canal dry and sensitive. Otalgia; worse in bed. Hyperæsthesia of auditory nerves; loud sounds are painful, and anger him.
Nose.--Stuffed up, at night especially. Stuffy colds, snuffles, after exposure to dry, cold atmosphere; worse, in warm room. Odors tend to produce fainting. Coryza: fluent in daytime; stuffed up at night and outdoors; or alternates between nostrils. Bleeding in morning (Bry). Acrid discharge, but with stuffed up feeling.
Mouth.--Jaws, contracted. Small aphthous ulcers, with bloody saliva. First half of tongue clean; posterior covered with deep fur; white, yellow, cracked edges. Teeth ache; worse, cold things. Gums swollen, white, and bleeding.
Throat.--Rough, scraped feeling. Tickling after waking in morning. Sensation of roughness, tightness, and tension. Pharynx constricted. Uvula swollen. Stitches into ear.
Stomach.--Sour taste, and nausea in the morning, after eating. Weight and pain in stomach; worse, eating, some time after. Flatulence and pyrosis. Sour, bitter eructations. Nausea and vomiting, with much retching. Ravenous hunger, especially about a day before an attack of dyspepsia. Region of stomach very sensitive to pressure (Bry; Ars). Epigastrium bloated, with pressure s of a stone, several hours after eating. Desire for stimulants. Loves fats and tolerates them well (Puls opposite). Dyspepsia from drinking strong coffee. Difficult belching of gas. Wants to vomit, but cannot.
Abdomen.--Bruised soreness of abdominal walls (Apis; Sulph). Flatulent distension, with spasmodic colic. Colic from uncovering. Liver engorged, with stitches and soreness. Colic, with upward pressure, causing short breath, and desire for stool. Weakness of abdominal ring region. Strangulated hernia (Op). Forcing in lower abdomen towards genitals. Umbilical hernia of infa