by E. A. Farrington — A Clinical Materia Medica
differs somewhat from the others. Like them, it produces an erythematous and vesicular eruption. Its chief value, however, arises from its action on the bones. It is used in diseases of these structures with burning pain, especially after the abuse of mercury.
Access 21 classic materia medica books, 7 classical repertories, AI semantic search, and basic case management — free.
Euphorbium officinarum appears in 12 of the 21 classic books on Similia. Each was written to do a different job — here is what each adds on this remedy, with the opening of its entry.
“Gum Euphorbium. The resinous exudation or juice of Euphorbia resinifera, Berg., exported from Morocco. Preparation , Tincture. Authorities. 9 ); 15 , Pyl. Aufsätze, etc., effects of external application to the abdomen, ibid.; 16 , Veitch, effects of repeated doses of from 3 to 10 grains, Edin. Med. and Surg. Journ…”
“Spurge-The resinous Juice of Euphorbia Resinifera (EUPHORBIUM) An irritant to the skin and mucous membranes. Burning pain in bones. Pains in limbs and paralytic weakness in the joints. Important respiratory and skin symptoms. Terrible burning pains. Pains of cancer . Everything appears larger than it really is. Acute…”
“ERYSIPELAS FLATULENCE, Left LYING, Agg. MOTION, beginning, Agg., continued, Amel. SIDE, Left SITTING, AGG.”
“Mucous membranes. Bones. Skin. Teeth. Sitting. Rest. Beginning motion. Mercury. Internal burning; in bones at night. Caries. Much secretion, with a sense of dryness. Paralytic weakness; in joints. Slow inflammation. .................... Much abortive sneezing. Coryza, with swelling. Ozœna; acrid. Mouth feels coated…”
“officinarum. Gum Euphorbium. The resinous exudation or juice of Euphorbia resinifera. exported from Morocco. Euphorbia resinifera is a cactus-like plant of the Euphorbiaceæ. Bone, diseases of / Cancer / Cataract / Coccygodynia / Cough / Crusta lactea / Erysipelas / Eyes, inflammation of / Gangrene / Hay-fever /…”
“Affections of the teeth, left side; left abdominal ring; sensation in the lumbar region or joints, as if paralyzed; biting and stinging on the skin; biting exanthema; red inflammatory swelling; sensation of burning heat on either cheek, generally left side. Cough almost constant, day and night, accompanied by stitches…”
“This gum resin contains about two-fifth of genuine resin. It is the juice of a thick-stemmed perennial plant which exude, when the plant is ripped open. Formerly it was chiefly obtained from the Euphorbia officinarum growing in the hottest part of Africa, now it is brought to us more frequently from the Canary Isles…”
“Gum Euphorbium. Euphorbiaceæ. The acrid resinous exudation of a plant native to Morocco. Was strongly recommended by Mesue in diseases of the joints, and for noises in the ears. CLINICAL AUTHORITIES. Headache , Berridge, Raue's Rec., 1875, p. 208 ; Cataract , Bojanus, Allen & Norton, Ophth. Therap. ; Crumbling of…”
“Rheumatic pains of a tearing, pressing, and stinging character, but only during rest. Paralytic weakness in the joints and mostly when beginning to move. Burning pain in internal parts. Vesicualr erysipelatous eruption upon the face. Diseases of the mucous membranes. Aggravation during rest, especially while sitting…”
“Earnest quietness, driving one to occupy himself. Serious and taciturn. Vertigo when standing or walking in the open air. Sensation of soreness (as if beaten) in the back part of the head; worse in the morning; when lying; from heat; relieved by motion and cooling the head. Smarting of the eyes, with lachrymation…”
“Common names: wolf's milk; gum euphorbium; gopher plant. Rheumatic pains of a tearing, pressing, and stinging character, but only during rest. Paralytic weakness in the joints and mostly when beginning to move. Burning pain in internal parts (Ars., Carb-V., Phos., Sec., Sulph.). Diseases of mucous membranes. VESICULAR…”
Kent's Repertory lists Euphorbium officinarum in 804 rubrics. These are the ones where it carries the highest grade — the symptoms Kent treated as most characteristic. Most of them sit in EXTREMITIES (163), GENERALITIES (126), HEAD (66), SKIN (58), EYE (35).
