Equisetum

Equisetum hyemale, Linn.

Natural order , Equisetaceæ.

Common name , Scouring Rush.

Preparation , Tincture of whole plant.

Authorities.

Provings of Hugh M. Smith, M.D., Thesis, N. Y. Hom. Med. Coll., 1876.

1 , H. M. S., took 30th dil., frequently repeated doses on first, third, and seventh days; 1 b , same, took 3d dil., first and second days, took tincture, repeated doses of 5 drops third day, 10 drops fourth day, 15, 20, 25, and 30 drops fifth day, 25, 30, 40, and 50 drops sixth day, 50, three times seventh day; 2 , F. L. De Korth, took repeated doses of tincture first and second days, doses of 10 to 150 drops; 3 , E. Chapin, took 30th dil., repeated dose first, second, and sixth days; 3 b , same, took (three weeks later) repeated doses of same; 3 c , same, took, four days later, 3d dil., first, second, third, and eighth days; 3 d , same, took tincture, two months later, 15 to 55 drops at a dose, first day; 4 , C. C. P., female, took 30 dil., first and second days; 4 b , same, took, three months later, 3d dil.

MIND

• Very irritable and easily fatigued (fourth day), 1b.

HEAD

• Confusion and Vertigo.
• Heavy and confused feeling in head at 11.20 A.M., continuing several hours after I ceased taking the medicine, 3.
• Vertigo when moving head (after second dose, second day), 3.
• Some vertigo and at intervals head felt light, this was accompanied by wavelike pains in head; when walking would feel like falling (after third dose, first day), 3.
• Severe vertigo (fifth day), 3c.
• General Head.
• The whole brain had a dull and heavy sensation, at 9.10 A.M. (second day), 3.
• Dull heavy feeling of head, as if it would fall forward, at 10.25 A.M. (second day), 2.
• A dull heavy feeling of head, with a sense of constriction through temples and feeling of weakness from the slightest exertion, at 10.15 A.M. (seventh day), 1.
• Dull heavy headache the whole afternoon, with inability to study (second day), 1b. [10.]
• Head felt heavy, accompanied with pains directly above right temple (half an hour after first dose, first day), 3.
• Heavy feeling in head all day, with sense of great prostration (third day), 2.
• Very severe headache, with intense pain in upper part of eyes or roof of orbit, at 11.48 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Dull headache all the morning (second day), 4.
• Some dull headache with inclination to scowl, but no relief from it (after half an hour, second day), 4.
• Stupefying headache, about 4 o'clock (eighth day), 3b.
• Headache increased and accompanied by feeling of drowsiness, at 10.30 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Forehead.
• Constant heavy dull feeling in forehead and through temples, at 11.30 A.M. (seventh day), 1b.
• Sense of fulness in forepart of head, as if all the contents of the cranium were packed in front, at 9.20 A.M. (seventh day), 1b.
• Full feeling in frontal region, with dull pain, and integument of forehead feels as if drawn tight , especially on looking up, with heat in the face, no redness (half an hour after first dose, first day), 4b. [20.]

EYE. [60.]

• Some pain in left eye (after third dose, sixth day), 3.
• Slight pain over right eye (after third dose, second day), 3.
• Severe pain in roof of right orbit, at 11.20 A.M. (fifth day), 1b.
• Sharp pain in outer angle of right eye, at 4.08 P.M. (second day), 3.
• Heavy sleepy feeling in eyelids, continuing an hour (half an hour after first dose, first day), 4b.
• Soreness of left eyeball in evening (first day), 1.

EAR

• Dull transient pain and stiff feeling just back of left mastoid process, at 12.40 P.M. (first day), 1.
• A marked confused feeling in each ear, or rather sounds seemed to intermingle in such a manner as could not be distinguishable (after first dose, first day), 3.
• Confusion of sounds in the ears, more marked in left ear (fifteen minutes after second dose, sixth day), 3.
• Confused noises in each ear again appear, rather more acute in left (after second dose, second day), 3. [70.]
• Rumbling in left ear, followed by confusion of noises in same ear (soon after second dose, third day), 3b.
• Fearful rumbling sensation in ears, much more marked than at any other time, accompanied by dulness and heaviness in the head (soon after fourth dose, first day), 3b.
• The ear and head symptoms continued for three hours after taking third dose (sixth day), 3.

FACE

• Face flushed, with slight feeling of heat, at 1.25 P.M. (fourth day), 1b.
• Feeling as if blood pressed into face, especially forehead, worse (first day), 4.
• Heat in face, without redness, lasting about an hour, at 1.10 P.M. (fifth day), 1b.
• Great burning in face, neck and right ear, without much redness, at 1.40 P.M. (fourth day), 1b.

THROAT

• Sharp sticking pain in throat, at 1.30 P.M. (second day), 2.

STOMACH

• Appetite very much increased (first day), 2.
• Appetite very much increased all through the proving, and was excessive at times, 1b. [80.]
• Appetite very much increased; hardly know when to stop eating (third day), 1 ; (fourth day), 2.
• Excessive hunger during the whole proving, 3.

ABDOMEN

• Distended feeling of the whole abdomen, at 11.30 A.M. (sixth day), 1b.
• Dull heavy pain in either side of lower abdomen and bladder, with frequent desire to urinate; the desire to urinate, which is constant, is not relieved by passing urine (sixth day), 1b.
• Slight pain in bowels, with desire for stool, not urgent, early in the morning; three stools during the morning, quite thin; during the whole day frequent inclination for stool with slight pain in bowels; no diarrhœa (second day), 4b.
• Severe pain in lower abdomen, with passage of much fetid flatus, at 12.50 P.M. (second day), 2.
• Hypogastrium and Iliac Regions.
• Intense pain in lower abdomen, with passage of flatus, at 11.5 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Sharp pain in lower part of abdomen, with sticking-like pains in anus, at 10.58 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Soreness in right side of lower abdomen, and region of bladder (fifth morning), 1b.
• Sharp pain in right side, just above crest of ilium, at 10.45 A.M. (seventh day), 1b. [90.]
• Pain in left side above crest of ilium, extending forward to median line of body, at 1.40 P.M. (second day), 2.
• Sharp pain in left side, just above crest of ilium, at 11.55 A.M.; lasting about five minutes, at 12.40 P.M. (second day), 2.

ANUS

• Smarting of anus during and after stool, in the morning (seventh day), 1b.

STOOL

• Stool, with great flatulence, at 12.25 P.M. (first day), 2.
• Stool, with aching in anus and feeling as if rectum would protrude, followed by smarting in anus and a sensation as though some fæces still remained, at 1.15 P.M. (sixth day), 1b.

URINARY ORGANS

• Kidneys and Bladder.
• Slight pain in right kidney, then in left, extending down left side of sacrum, at 9 P.M. (third day), 1b.
• Dull pain in region of right kidney, with urgent desire to urinate , at 9.45; had urinated only a few minutes before, and now passed four ounces of clear light-colored urine (fourth day), 1b.*
• *Pain in bladder, as from distension , at 11.30 A.M. (sixth day), 1b.
• The feeling of distension of bladder continued for some days after I stopped taking the drug, 1b.
• *Severe and dull pain in bladder; this pain did not seem to abate after urinating (first day), continuing for some two days after taking drug; it was to such an extent as to cause me to fear inflammation of the bladder, 3d. [100.]
• *Tenderness in region of bladder, and right side of lower abdomen, extending upward from the groin; same in left, but more on right , in the forenoon (sixth day), 1b.
• *Pain and tenderness in region of bladder , with soreness of testicles, extending up spermatic cords (fourth day), 2.
• The pains in region of bladder , with tenderness on pressure and soreness of testicles and cords, are continuous (sixth day), 1b.*
• Urethra.
• Excessive burning in urethra , while urinating, at 12.20 P.M. (sixth day), 1b.*
• Sharp cutting pain in urethra , at 12.35 P.M. (first day), 2.*
• Pricking pain in urethra a short distance back from meatus, while urinating, at 11.10 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Sharp pricking pain in urethra, at 10.15 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Considerable smarting and pricking in urethra on urinating, extending back about an inch from meatus (eighth day), 1.
• Biting-itching in meatus urinarius, increased by scratching, at 2.25 P.M. (fourth day), 1b.
• Frequent desire to urinate , during the afternoon, with biting sensation in the urethra during and after urinating (first day), .* [110.]

SEXUAL ORGANS

• Violent erection, at 5 P.M. (second day), 2.
• Violent erections from 3 to 3.15 P.M., and from 6 to 6.15 P.M. (first day), 2.
• Some pain in penis while urinating (fifth day), 3c.
• Severe burning and aching pain in penis while urinating (first day), 3d.
• Pain in testicles and urethra at 10.50 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Just before urinating, sharp pain in right testicle at 2.05 P.M. (fourth day), 1b.
• Soreness of testicles and cords, more in left, still continue (sixth day), 1b. [140.]
• Soreness of both testicles and spermatic cords, worse in left; cords seem gone the whole length (second day), 1b.
• Have had, since commencing the proving, soreness of left testicle and spermatic cord, with pain from the least pressure (eighth day), 1.
• No sexual desire whatever; tried to have intercourse, but could not get up an erection (fourth day), 2.

CHEST

• Pains in centre of chest on any movement forward at 12.50 P.M. (second day), 2.
• Pain under sternum on taking deep breath at 10.30 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Sharp stitch in left breast, about one inch to left and over the nipple, at 1.30 P.M. (fifth day), 1b.

HEART

• Sharp pain in region of heart (second day), 2.
• Sharp pain in region of heart, increased from inspiration, at 1.50 P.M. (second day), 2.

NECK AND BACK

• Neck.
• Pain in neck, which extends to shoulders from motion, at 10.30 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Back.
• Pain in back, especially while sitting (sixth day), 1b. [150.]
• Pain and soreness of back and hip continue in the forenoon (sixth day), 1b.
• Pain in back as before, relieved by lying on back and walking, and increased by sitting, in the morning (seventh day), 1b.
• Dull pain in back all the afternoon, with throbbing pain in temples, first left, then right, with sense of constriction of whole scalp (fourth day), 1b.
• Dorsal.
• Lame feeling in back, just below lower angle of scapulæ, increased from least motion or deep breath (fifth day), 1b.
• Lumbar.
• Heavy sensation, feeling like a lump in right lumbar region, directly over hip-joint (fifth day), 3c.
• Pains in lumbar region, more on right side (after third dose, second day), 3.
• Severe pain in right lumbar region (first day), 3c.
• Very severe pain in lumbar region, increased by sitting still, at 12.30 P.M. (fourth day), 1b.
• Pains very marked in lumbar region, extending along the coccyx (after fourth dose, first day), 3.
• Rather dull pain near two lower lumbar vertebræ (after second dose, first day), 3. [160.]
• Awoke with dull, heavy pain in lumbar region (fourth morning), 1b.
• Sacral.
• Severe rheumatic pain in region of sacro-lumbar articulation and through left hip-joint, extending down outer side of left leg, terminating in front about three inches above the knee, at 2.30 P.M.; this pain was relieved by lying on back and keeping perfectly quiet, but increased when beginning to move, and relieved somewhat by continued motion; the pains in the back and hip seemed deepseated and of a dull gnawing character, but not continuous; they increased gradually to a very severe extent, and then gradually diminished again (eighth day), 1.

SUPERIOR EXTREMITIES

• Pain in upper part of shoulders and in region of vertebra prominens increased by least motion or contact from 10 A.M. till 1 P.M. (first day), 2.
• Pain in right shoulder extending to middle of upper arm at 10.15 A.M. (second day), 2.
• Sharp pain in left shoulder, with shivering over whole body and great heat in head, at 11.15 A.M. (second day), 2.

INFERIOR EXTREMITIES

• Hip.
• Pain in right hip-joint, also near knee-joint (eighth day), 3b.
• Occasional sharp pain through left hip and in lumbar region at 12.45 P.M. (first day), 1b.
• Knee.
• Knees feel very weak on least exertion (third day), 2.
• Dull, heavy pain under left patella, lasting some minutes, at 12.15 P.M. (seventh day), 1.
• Awoke this morning with sharp pain in inner side of left knee, which passed off after moving about for a short time (seventh day), 1b.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS. [170.]

• Feeling of great prostration all day (fourth day), 2.
• Exceedingly restless the whole evening (first day), 1b.

SKIN

• Prickling sensation in the forehead during the evening and while rubbing, very similar to feeling caused by electricity (first day), 1b.

SLEEP AND DREAMS

• Sleepiness.
• Very sleepy, with headache and tenseness of integument of forehead at 5 P.M. (second day); wearing off during following day, 4b.
• Very sleepy, eyelids feel very heavy, almost impossible to keep them open at 2 P.M. (first day), 4.
• Very sleepy during morning till noon (second day), 4.
• Slept well, but awoke unrefreshed (fifth morning), 1b.
• Sleeplessness.
• Sleep very much disturbed and full of tiresome dreams of many persons, places, and things (first night), 4.
• Awoke unrefreshed, with a severe headache (third morning), 2.
• Dreams.
• Sleep during the night was crowded with confused dreams of many people (second night), 2. [180.]
• Since taking the drug, have had many confused dreams of great crowds of people, who had no relation with each other, and awoke very much fatigued (second day), 2.

FEVER

• Creeping chills beginning below and running up the back at 12.35 P.M. (sixth day), 1d.

CONDITIONS

• Aggravation.
• ( Open air ), Pain in temples.
• ( Deep breathing ), Feeling in back.
• ( Contact ), Pain in shoulders, etc.
• ( Movement ), Pain in temples; feeling in back; pain in shoulders, etc.
• ( Beginning to move ), Pain in region of sacro-lumbar articulation, etc.
• ( Moving head ), Vertigo.
• ( Sitting ), Pain in back; pain in lumbar region.
• Amelioration.
• ( Eating ), Pain in temples.
• ( Lying on back ), Pain in back; pain in region of sacro-lumbar articulation, etc.
• ( Continued motion ), Pain in region of sacro-lumbar articulation, etc.; pain in left knee.
• ( Walking ), Pain in back.

SUPPLEMENT: EQUISETUM. Authorities.

5 , J. H. Carmichæl, M.D., U. S. Med. Invest., New Ser., vol. viii, 1878, p. 162, took 6 drops tincture at 2.30 P.M., 10 drops at 5.30, and 12 drops at 10.30 (first day); 5 drops, then 10 drops twice (second day); 8 drops Verat. vir. to half a glass of water, fifteen minutes apart, at 9 P.M. (third day); 6 , second proving, took two doses of 10 drops each, and two of 12 drops each (first day); four doses of 10 drops each (second day); 20 drops (third day).

HEAD

• Slight neuralgic pains in different parts of the head, more frequent in left temporal region (first night), 5.
• Dull heavy headache (second day), 5.

MOUTH

• Increased flow of saliva, causing frequent desire to swallow (first night), 5.

STOMACH

• Great acidity of the stomach for the last two days (fourth day), 6.
• Much wind in stomach (first night), 5.
• Slight uneasiness in epigastric and right hypochondriac region (after second dose); more decided (after third dose), 5.
• Great deal of uneasiness about stomach (fourth day), 6.
• Decided burning over the epigastric region (second day), 6. [190.]
• Epigastric and umbilical regions painful (second day), 5.
• Pain in region of pyloric orifice of the stomach (second day), 5.
• Heavy pressing pain in stomach, commencing about one hour after each meal, and continuing about two hours (fifth day), 6.

ABDOMEN

• Bowels feel as though diarrhœa were about to set in (fourth day), 4.
• On pressure in hypogastric region, I find much soreness (fourth day), 5.

URINARY ORGANS

• Decided heavy pain over right kidney (second day), 5.
• The most prominent symptom is great soreness over the region of the kidneys, worse upon the right side (second morning); continues (third day), 5.
• Partial suppression of urine (second day), 5.
• Frequent calls to urinate; urine has an ammoniacal smell (third day), 5.
• While at a sociable, had frequent desire to pass water, with severe cramplike pain in hypogastric region, which was somewhat relieved on passing water, but soon returned, lasting about two hours from its commencement until it disappeared (fifth evening, 5. [200.]
• Decided diuretic effect, with slight pressure in vesical region; dull heavy aching over the region of the left kidney, with sharp pain in the left hypochondrium; could not sleep the first part of the night on account of dull heavy pain over both kidneys (second day); uneasiness in right kidney (third day); kidneys still feel sore; frequent calls to urinate, quite a large quantity passed each time (fifth day), 6.

CHEST

• Very severe pain in right lung between fourth and fifth ribs (second day); not so severe (third day), 5.
• Have had very severe pain in right pectoral region all day, but much worse this evening; cannot fill my right lunch with air, it causes such severe pain; worse in morning; 9 P.M. it seems as though both lungs were becoming congested; very difficult respiration, 8 drops of Verat. vir. to one-half glass of water, three doses fifteen minutes apart; can respire much easier (third day); passed a restless night; had to lie on my back till about midnight, as I could not lie, on my side; after midnight rested easiest on affected side partly curled up; seems as though about thirty-six square inches of surface beneath right nipple was very much inflamed; worse on inspiring, causes pain in stooping to right side to lift anything from the ground, also in putting my right arm over my head; think it is the pleura that is affected (fourth day); pain on inspiration continues in right thorax between fourth and fifth ribs; worse on bending to the left, but not as bad as yesterday (fifth day), 3.
• Occasional sharp shooting pains through both lungs (fourth day), 6.
• Much soreness about thorax (fifth day), 6.

PULSE

• Pulse accelerated about 10 beats per minute (second day); pulse 100 (third day), 5.

NECK AND BACK

• More or less stiffness of muscles of the neck, (second day), 5.
• Pains in both scapular regions, worse through the left (first night); continues in the left (second day), 5.
• Left scapular region very sore on movement of left arm (third day), 5.
• Soreness in right scapular region (third day), 6. [210.]
• Feeling much better, but am reminded I have a back quite often by the pain caused by movement, 6.

GENERALITIES

• More or less uneasiness in different parts of the body (second day), 6.
• General malaise (second day), 5.
• Decided stiffness of all the muscles of the trunk (third day), 5.

SLEEP

• Constantly changing position; intermittent sleep (first night); restless night (third night), 5.