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Materia Medica by John Henry Clarke

Materia Medica by
John Henry Clarke
Materia Medica by John Henry Clarke
The Materia Medica by John Henry Clarke was written in 1902. You can read the full book here.
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Lemna Minor.

Duckweed. N. O. Lemnaceae or Pistiaceae. Tincture of the whole fresh plant.

Clinical.-Asthma. Nose, affections of. Ozaena. Polypus. Rhinitis atrophica.

Characteristics.-We owe this remedy, the common duckweed, with its brilliant green leaf and bladder-like float, to Dr. Cooper. Some tentative clinical experiments proved to him that Lemna had a very definite affinity for the nose, acting beneficially in cases of nasal obstruction and catarrh with or without polypus. Foul smell from the nose and foul taste in the morning on waking are indications; also < in damp weather, and especially in heavy rains. Burnett has recorded several cases of polypus in which immense relief was given by Lemna by shrinkage of the swelling, but not actual cure. On this Cooper remarks: "In bad cases of nasal polypi the tendency is to the growths filling up the cavities formed by removal, and, consequently, relief often appears temporary, when the case only requires repetition of the Unit Dose." Asthma from nasal obstruction < in wet weather has been cured by it. I removed with Lemna 3x four times a day a very chronic catarrh in a lady, and at the same time made her tolerant of the smell of strong-scented flowers, which she could not bear before. In a man I cured with Lemna 3x, given three times a day, an aggravated nasal catarrh. In the morning he filled two pocket-handkerchiefs with yellow defluxion before he could get his nose clear. Cooper gave in all his cases single doses of the Ø tincture, allowing them to expend their action before repeating. In three of his cases diarrhoea was set up. Shearer (Hom. Eye, Ear, and Throat Jour., 1895) found Lemna the best remedy in atrophic rhinitis, when crusts and muco-purulent discharge were very abundant. The Schema is made up of cured symptoms, and symptoms produced in patients.

Relations.-Compare: Cepa, Agraph. nut., Chlorum, &c., in nasal catarrh; Teucr., Calc. c. and Thuja in nasal polypus; Pso. (which it follows well), Cadm. s., Aur., K. bi., and Syph. in ozaena; Anac. in bad smell in nose. Follows well: Calc., Merc., Pso.

SYMPTOMS.

1. Mind.-Spirits braced up.

2. Head.-Flitting pains about head and legs, with pains in eyes during heavy rain, drowsy by day, restless at night.

4. Ears.-Improvement in hearing.

5. Nose.-Foul smell in nose, or loss of smell.-Smell of strong-scented flowers before intolerable can now be borne.-Feeling of cold in nose better, sense of obstruction nearly gone.-Nose blocked with polypi became almost cleared with Lemna Ø after Calc. 2000, followed by Merc. 3 (given for faceache);-previously Lemna Ø had been given without effect.-Nasal polypi in man, 60; markedly < in wet weather; after taking Lemna 3x gtt. v three times a day for a month said, "That is the best tonic I have ever taken"; and he could breathe quite comfortably.-Polypi which swell in wet weather.-Nostrils plugged by swollen turbinates.-Ozaena since childhood in girl of sixteen; odour most offensive; bad taste; takes cold easily in night air or damp; bowels and catamenia irregular, greatly relieved by Lemna.-Post-nasal ulceration high up, dry feeling at top of throat with flatulence, much catarrhal pharyngitis; two weeks after dose of Lemna Ø nose less blocked and better in every respect; colic and diarrhoea followed.-Stuffiness of nose relieved; simultaneously an attack of diarrhoea.-Turbinate bones swollen.-Crusts form in r. nostril, pain like a string extends from r. nostril to r. ear, which is deaf (greatly relieved).-Excessive catarrh with frequent sneezing attacks.-Profuse yellow defluxion.-Atrophic rhinitis; crusts and muco-purulent discharge very abundant, with fetor.

6. Face.-Pallid, dullish, sickly look changed to a healthy complexion.

8. Mouth.-Foulness of mouth, putrid teeth.

9. Throat.-Sensation of intense dryness in pharynx and larynx (if given too low in atrophic rhinitis).-Dropping of foul secretion from posterior nares.

12. Abdomen.-Twisting pains in bowels, followed by diarrhoea.-Rumbling and disturbance in bowels.-Diarrhoea with pains across bowels as from flatus < after eating; with very putrid teeth.

13. Stool.-Diarrhoea.-Bowels acted freely with much heat in anus.-Disposition to morning diarrhoea.

17. Respiratory Organs.-Asthma, attacks coming on in rainy weather.

24. Generalities.-Diminishes sensitiveness to wet weather.

26. Sleep.-Snoring cured after an aggravation in the shape of diarrhoea.