Dioscorea villosa

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Wild Yam Root — Colic Root.) Description — This is a plant with slender twining stem, herbaceous, rising from large, matted, knotty rootstalks. It climbs bushes, old fences, etc. The stem is smooth, rarely villous, green or greenish brown, dying every fall. Leaves, mostly alternate ; sometimes nearly opposite or in fours; 'more or less downy underneath, heart shaped, conspicuously pointed, nine

to eleven ribbed. Flowers, pale greenish yellow, very small, the sterile io drooping panicles; the fertile in simple, drooping racemes. Fruit, a membranaceous, three-angled, or winged pod. Seeds, one or two in each cell, a minute embryo in hard albumen. It grows in thickets, from New England to Wisconsin, and very common in all the Southern States. It flowers in July. The roots should be procured in September in the North, later in the South.

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture of the fresh root; dilutions; Triturations of the pulverized root, and of Dioscorin; Infusion.

Analogues. — Aesculus, Aloes, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Colocynth, Collinsonia, Hyoscyamus, Nux Vomica, Senna, Podophyllum.

Moral Symptoms. Nervous, easily troubled; or nerves uncommonly steady. Feel cross, desire to be alone; company is disagreeable; conversation is troublesome. Feel tired; still keeps walking around the room. Great depression of spirits.

Head.

Dull, stupefying pain in both temples.

Dull, dizzy, confused feeling in head, worse during stool.

Dull pain deep in centre of the head.

Severe dull pain in back of neck, extending to head and

shoulders; worse on left side. Dizzy, severe deep-seated pain in left occipital region. Sharp, deep-seated pain behind right ear. Dull, stupefying pain in both temples, as if from pressure;

relieved at once by pressure, but when the pressure is

removed, the pain is sharper and worse than before. k. pressing pain from front to back of head, as if he would

become unconscious. Pain in front of head and temples, as if the top of the head

were lifted up.

Severe pain in both temples and front of head; head feels cold.

Head feels heavy, with pain between the eyes and near the top of both ears.

Faintness is increased by sitting up in bed; numbness increased by lying down.

Head feels as if a band was tied around it.

Dizzy, inclined to go to the right when walking.

[Head after breakfast, feels tight as if squeezed.

Pulling pain in front of both ears as precedes vomiting. Sharp pain in both temples, not changed by walking, riding,

or shaking the head. Sharp pain in left temple, with nausea and chills, beginning

on back, worse over left scapula. Pulling pain in occiput, causing a stupid sensation; feel con^

fused; call things by wrong names. Belching large quantities of wind, with a sensation as if both

temples were in a vise. Frequent dull, then stabbing, pain in left temple; feel dull and

stupid.

Head feels strange; inclined to fall backwards. Constant, dull, frontal headache, more in the top of the forehead.

°Vertigo and giddiness, with heat in the head; with sharp cutting pains in right side of the forehead, extending to the ears; a remittent pain, aggravated by pressure; fullness in the head, speedily followed by some spasmodic pain in the abdomen. (Cushing.)

Eyes.

Itching of both eyes; smarting of both eyes, right one worse. Internal angle of eyes worse than external. Eyes feel as if some large, smooth substance was in them. Eyes feel as if dust or lashes or sticks were in them. Discharge of hot water from the eyes. Sharp pain in left eye; sharp pain in ball of right eye. Both eyes weak, sore, and smart badly. Eyelids stiff; hard pain just below angle of right eye. Sharp pain in right eye, extending to occipital region. Sore on under lid of right eye, like a stye. Both lids of right eye sore, but do not look sore. Eyes smart badly in the evening; smarting of internal angle of both eyes.

Eyes smart so badly that it seems as if hot air came out of

them, and passed down over the cheeks. Water runs from the right eye, and smarts so bad that he has

to keep it closed most of the time. Eyes gummed up in the morning.

In open air eyes so full of tears he cannot see plainly. "Wants to keep the eyes closed.

Ears.

Hard pain behind left ear; hard pain in front of both ears. Itching of right internal ear, worse than in left. Loud ringing and buzzing in ears.

Small balls of wax drop out of the right ear almost every day. Both ears suddenly feel stopped up, and internally sore to the touch.

Nose.

Irritation of nasal passages, with sneezing. Discharge of water from left nostril, with smarting of fauces. Sore place on nose quite painful, but no redness nor swelling. Discharge of bright red blood from left nostril, followed by

one dark clot, then spitting of blood. Both sides of nose sore and swollen ; inside of nostrils sore. Constant bad smell in nose, as from bilious fever or bilious

dysentery. Dryness of nose, with bad smell. Any offensive smell remains a long time in the nose. Nose inclined to be stopped up.

Face.

0 Little pimples with black heads disappear during the proving. Sharp pain in left cheek or lower portion of temporal region. Drawing pain at angle of jaw, left side. Hard aching pain in left side of face, extending to the neck. Neuralgic pain in the temples.

Mouth and Jaws. Sweetish taste in the mouth. Mouth bitter and sticky in the morning. Tongue dry and stiff in the morning, worse on the sides. Mouth dry and sore in the morning. Tongue coated in the morning. Tongue coated heavily brown, and sore on sides. Tip of tongue sore when eating.

Tongue sore on sides near back molar teeth, making talking difficult.

Pain in front teeth, and burning of the mouth and fauces.

Gums on inside of front upper teeth swollen.

Soreness of gums extending to the roof of the mouth.

Corners of mouth sore; sore pain at angle of jaw, left side.

Saliva runs out of his mouth when asleep.

Pain in upper front teeth; pain in lower front teeth.

Spasmodic closing of the jaws, biting the tongue, when

neither eating or talking. Mouth dry, but no thirst. Tongue feels as if it was burnt on the sides. Sharp aching pain in right upper molar tooth (which had been

filled for years), as if he touched a bare nerve. Throat.

Irritation, roughness, burning and smarting of fauces. Posterior fauces smart and burn, and feel as if the skin was off. Burning of left tonsil and left side of throat. Itching and pulling pain in left tonsil. Stinging in right tonsil; both tonsils slightly congested. Throat sore with hoarseness; throat seems sore, but is not. Pain on back and right side of throat, causing a choking sensation.

Pain in both parotid glands, extending to the throat. Irritation of left side of throat, extending to ear and larynx. Irritation of larynx, with inclination to cough. Constant desire to swallow, but it causes nausea. Hard, aching pain in left parotid gland. Difficult swallowing.

Constriction of glottis, as if he were choking, or something

was tied around the throat. Dryness of the fauces, with frequent inclination to swallow

Taste and Appetite. Bitter, sweet, bloody, flat, clammy taste, with disgust for food.

Stomach.

Uneasy feeling at stomach.

Sharp pain in stomach, relieved by eating.

• Sharp pain in epigastrium, extending to left hypochondrium,

lasting one hour. Kara pain and soreness at epigastrium. Very sharp pain in epigastrium, causing me to bend over.

Sharp pain in epigastrium, relieved by standing erect, aggravated by stooping.

• Sharp, cramping pain at pit of stomach, followed by raising,

belching, and gulping enormous quantities of tasteless wind for fifteen minutes, then hiccough, and discharge of flatulence from the bowels; hiccough, with simultaneous, involuntary discharge of flatulence from the bowels, with shuddering, after a light supper.

° Constant, dull, weary pain in cardiac region of the stomach, extending to left side and dorsal region.

Sharp, cutting pain in stomach, extending to umbilicus.

Bad, distressed feeling in stomach all day, at times so sharp he had to walk around the room to get his breath.

During the day very often a dreadful, cutting, cramping, sinking sensation at epigastrium and upper portion of bowels, relieved by standing erect or by pressure.

Sharp, cramping pain across the epigastrium, preventing motion.

Sharp pain in left hypochondrium, and in the liver.

Soreness and pain at epigastrium.

Aching pain at epigastrium and left hypochondrium.

Hard, sharp pain in region of gall bladder; aching pain at

left hypochondrium, and faint feeling at stomach. Belching of large quantities of wind, relieving the distress at

stomach for a minute. Sour stomach, belching of sour water, and belching sour wind,

with shuddering. Distress at stomach, had to unfasten his clothes, which were

quite loose.

Could taste food ten hours after eating, with nausea.

• Distressing pain at epigastrium, relieved by raising sour,

bitter wind, with shuddering. Belching large quantities of wind, with a sensation as if both

temples were in a vise. Belching of wind and bitter mouth; worse on sides and back>

part of tongue. Inclined to raise wind, but cannot. Dull pain in stomach and right hypochondrium.

Heavy feeling at stomach, as of undigested food.

Stomach feels faint and distressed after eating a little

Stomach burns and smarts and is sore, after eating.

Belching of wind and bad taste in the mouth.

Belching of wind, with pain in left knee.

Trembling, with faint feeling at stomach.

Belching of wind slightly sour, accompanied with shuddering.

Distress and faint feeling at epigastrium, partially relieved by

raising wind. Aching pain in left hypochondrium.

Sensation as of a stone in the stomach; twisting pain in stomach.

Vomiting (from very large doses).

° Dull, heavy, wearing pain in stomach, worse after eating,

relieved by copious eructation of air. Severe, cutting, tearing pains in region of stomach and gall

bladder, sometimes spasmodic. Burning distress in stomach, with sharp pricking pains in it,

and faintness. ° Stomach painful on pressure, with faintness. 0 Pyrosis in pregnant women. 0 Gastralgia; cramps in the stomach.

Abdomen.

Dull pain in region of liver, aggravated by inhalation, relieved by exhalation.

Heavy, distressed feeling in region of gall bladder when lying

on the right side. Pain in bowels, as if a diarrhoea would come on. Griping, and sharp pain in umbilical region. Griping pain in hypogastric region, as if a diarrhoea would

come on, relieved by passing flatulence. Twisting sensation in region of liver; also squeezing pain. Sharp pain in liver, extending to nipple. Wringing, twisting pain at hypogastrium. Frequent, cutting, cramping in epigastrium, extending to the

umbilicus, with a faint, distressing sensation, as if a

diarrhoea would come on. Bowels feel sore on stooping.

Dreadfully troubled with incarcerated flatulence.

Distress in bowels, with raising bitter wind.

Immediately after lying down a hard pain in left hypochondrium, aggravated by lying on the right side, not changed

by lying on the left. Dull pain in left hypochondrium when lying on left side. Dull pain in liver when lying on right side. Digging pain in left hypochondrium.

Pain in left inguinal region and inguinal glands in the even

ing; left inguinal glands swollen and painful. Aching pain in left hypochondrium, with a faint feeling at

stomach, with chills in the back. Constant dull pain in epigastric and umbilical region, with

frequent colic-like pains of a cutting, tearing character. Sharp, cutting pains around the umbilicus, aggravated by

walking.

Severe cutting colic pains awaking him at night. Uneasy feeling in umbilical region with eructations. Rumbling in the bowels, with bloating and soreness on pres sure.

Abdominal pains which intermit, aggravated by lying down.

• Spasmodic, very sharp pains in umbilical and right iliac

regions, not modified by pressure, although pressure

caused a rumbling. Severe, griping abdominal pain, followed by diarrhoea. Continued pain in abdomen, as if the point of a finger was

placed upon the naval and pressed upward and backward,

followed by soreness on pressure. Severe spasmodic pains in abdomen, preceded by fullness in

the head, and attended by burning sensation in abdomen

in the intermission of the pains.

• Intense, cutting, twisting, agonizing pains in the abdomen,

commencing in the umbilical region, radiating all over the abdomen, relieved or not by pressure, attended with distension, soreness and sensitiveness of the abdomen; vomiting, cramps, etc.

• Bilious colic; flatulent colic; spasmodic colic.

• Spasmodic pains in the abdomen, with severe tenesmus Ie

dysentery.

• Violent, cutting, lancinating pain in the bowels, eliciting

shrieks.

• Intense agonizing pains, day and night, occurring in paroxysms.

• Constant pains, worse in paroxysms, of a violent twisting

character, with constipation, thirst, and sensitiveness of the right side of the abdomen.

• The pains are steady and twisting, aggravated in lying down,

and in the morning; pressure does not usually relieve.

0 Severe cramping pains beginning just below the umbilicus, extending into the back, thence flying to the fingers and toes, where the pain was intense (in a pregnant woman).

0 A crampy, spasmodic pain, commencing near the crest of the ilium (right side) extending into the lumbar region, and hypogastrium ; gradually increasing for days; ending in an attack of vomiting or headache; aggravated by physical or mental labor, and by lying on the affected side; relieved by lying on the back and left side; ahv ays leaving suddenly.

° Hyperesthesia of the abdominal nerves; neuralgia of the bowels.

0 Flatulent colic, occuring every night.

Stool.

Dark, costive stool.

Diarrhoea, with white slimy stools; light colored, jelly-like stools.

• Loose stools, with much straining.

• Painful diarrhoea, with much straining; diarrhoea early in the

morning, driving one out of bed in a hurry.

Discharge of large quantity of very offensive flatulence.

Very offensive stools ; flatulence has copper odor.

Sharp darting, hard aching, and pinching pain in rectum.

Occasional pulling, twisting pain in rectum.

Itching of rectum and moisture around the anus.

During the morning several stools; each one has more straining than the preceding one, and is more slimy.

Discharge of flatulence, with great desire for stool. Great desire for stool, driving him out of bed early in the morning.

Small, light colored stools, with much straining, and pain in the bowels ; desire for stool, with a faint burning pain in rectum.

Stools passed with much force, followed by straining.

Frequent stools, each one more slimy and more straining, with less pain before and more pain after stool.

Stools like the white of an egg, but lumpy, with unavoidable straining and burning in rectum, and a sensation as if the faeces were hot.

During the stool, faintness; came near complete syncope.

Hurried, almost irresistible desire for stool while eating.

Sudden, great desire for stool at 8 p. m., two evenings in succession, with small stools and much flatulence.

Involuntary, unconscious discharge of slimy mucus from the anus.

Darting pain from old, haemorrhoidal tumor to the liver. Old haemorrhoidal tumor quite sore.

° Haemorrhoidal tumor of nearly four years' standing entirely disappeared during the proving, and has not returned.

Haemorrhoidal tumor larger, and more soreness on moving than for a long time.

Black, hard, dry, lumpy stool, last part of it soft, white and mushy.

Dark, black stool, followed by prolapsus of the anus.

Four haemorrhoidal tumors protrude, as large as cherries; three are of the color of the normal mucous membrane, the other is of a livid dark blue color.

Obstinate constipation, followed by bilious diarrhoea.

Very profuse, deep yellow, thin stools, followed by a very weak, faint feeling, and without relieving the pain in the bowels; this continued for two days, in the morning, and was followed by constipation ; the haemorrhoidal tumors were prolapsed all the time, with pain and distress.

0 Cholera morbus; cholera infantum; dysentery; diarrhoea.

' All the abnormal alvine discharges are attended by the c7)aracteristic twisting, writhing, severe pain around and extending from the region of the umbilicus.

0 Very severe tenesmus, with the colic and dysentery.

Urinary Organs.

No morbid sensations observed by any prover.

No change in the quality or quantity of the urine.

0 Spasmodic stricture of the urethra, with cutting, severe, remittent colic pains around the umbilicus.

Hepatic Region.

Sharp, cutting pains in the hepatic region ; also in the region of the gall bladder.

Dull, heavy, aching pains in the right lobe of the liver.

Stools first yellow (bilious), afterwards too light colored.

° Supposed to be useful in neuralgia and spasmodic affections of the liver and gall ducts; said to facilitate the passage of gall stones, and relieve the pain.

Genitals (Male.)

Strong smelling perspiration of the genitals.

Constant excitement of the genital organs, with frequent erections day and night.

Erections all night, with amorous dreams.

Emissions of semen during sleep.

Genitals cold, relaxed, and almost insensible; no erections for many days.

Sexual desire greatly diminished, or entirely absent. Pain in the lumbar and both inguinal regions, extending to the testicles.

In afternoon, pain In left inguinal region, extending to the

testicles and penis. Nocturnal emissions, with erections and amorous dreams.

(Cushing: Several cases cured with the 2nd and 7th

dilutions.)

° Nocturnal emissions, without erections, sensation, or dreams, but with great weakness of the knees, depression of spirits. (Several cases cured by Dr. Pease with the 2nd decimal trituration of Dioscorein.)

"Nocturnal Emissions Treated by Dr. Cushing. — Mr. L., aged 35, above medium size, dark eyes, black hair and

beard, married, father of three children. When twenty years of age, commenced having nocturnal emissions of semen. "Was troubled badly; was under treatment some two or three years, with no relief. By advice of physicians was married, but no change of symptoms. Now, after 15 years, is as follows: During 15 years, thinks he has been once three weeks without an emission. A. very few times has been two weeks, usually not over four days at the longest, considerable of the time every other night, at times every night for some time. At times he feels so badly in the morning that he sits up nearly all night to avoid it. Rich or spare diet, excessive labor or rest, make no difference. Has had all kinds of treatment, the last from a traveling physician, to whom he paid fifty dollars a few months since to have the urethra cauterized the whole length, but it gave him no relief. He feels dull and bad; backbone and knees weak. September 12. — Gave Dioscorea 20th decimal, dose every night.

September 19. — Has had no emissions; Dioscorea 20th every other night.

October 3. — Has had two emissions; Dioscorea 15th every night.

October 10. — No emissions; Dioscorea 15th every night. October 22. — No emissions ; Dioscorea 20th every other night.

November 5. — Has had two emissions; Dioscorea 20th every night.

November 18. — No emissions; Dioscorea 20th every third night.

December 5. — No emissions; Dioscorea 20th, to take an occasional dose at night. He feels well; back is not lame, and considered cured.

Female. — u Dysmenorrhoea; uterine colic; after pains; false pains during pregnancy.

Chest.

Very sharp pain in right lung at the right of the nipple, arresting breathing; relieved by pressure.

Sharp pain in lower portion of right lung, commencing in back side and darting through to the front.

Aching pain in right lung; sharp pain in left lung at the side of the nipple.

Sharp cutting pain in region of heart, arresting breathing and motion.

Pain through from back to front of both lungs.

Very sharp, cutting pain from left axilla to nipple, and down

on side and deep into the lung. Sharp pain in region of right nipple, with difficult respiration. Dull pain through right scapula and lung. Sharp pain in region of heart; had to stop when walking on

the street.

Sudden, sharp, cramping pain in right lung just below the nipple, arresting motion and breathing for a few seconds. Sharp pricking pain and distress in region of heart. Burning pain behind top of sternum.

Violent attack of cough from tickling low down in throat; can with difficulty get his breath, with frothy expectoration, seeming to come from the head.

Profuse frothy expectoration seeming to come from posterior fauces.

° Cough, with pain at epigastrium; dull pain in both temples, brownish yellow tongue, and weak knees. {Cushing.)

° Pains through the sides of the chest, with headache in the temples. (Cushing.)

Back and Neck.

Chills on back, commencing over left scapula.

Dull pain in back of neck, extending to head and shoulders.

Violent itching over right scapula every evening, with no eruption.

Very sharp, sudden pain in back, left side, at tenth rib. Dull, lame pain in lumbar region, extending to legs. Sharp pain in lumbar region, extending to the testicles. Sharp pain in sacral region, hindering walking or movement. Sharp, deep pain in lower portion of left scapula, followed by sharp pain through centre of right lung.

Sharp pain in lumbar region that pulled him over back and sidewise, so sharp that it made him groan out loud.

Itching over both hips, extending down the legs, aggravated by getting cold.

Back in region of liver so lame it is almost impossible to turn in bed; relieved by motion.

Soreness of sacral region.

• Hyperesthesia of the spinal cord (?). {Paine.)

• Reflex irritation of the spinal cord. [Hale.)

Dull pain on top of left shoulder, extending to neck and head.

Superior Extremities. Numbness of left hand and forearm, as if asleep; worse at little finger.

Hard, aching pain in lower third of left forearm, extending to little finger.

Dull, grinding pain in middle of left forearm; quite severe,

which returned at intervals during the evening. Arms and hands numb.

Frequent, sharp, jerking pains in left shoulder. Frequent, sharp pains in right shoulder.

Hard, pulling pain all day on top of left shoulder, extending

to neck and head. Pain in left lung, extending to back and down inside of left

arm.

Pain and soreness in right axilla.

Pain and soreness in left axilla, extending down the arm,

aggravated by walking. Pain in both shoulders; left elbow lame and stiff. Grinding pain in elbow joints.

Aching pain in elbow, alternating with pain in knees, same kind.

Left thumb, between first and second joints, quite painful for two days, but no swelling, soreness, nor redness.

Pain in right forearm, and hard pain in right wrist.

Frequent, severe, but not very sharp pains between the third and fourth metacarpal bones of left hand.

Hard, aching pain in left forefinger and right hand.

Severe itching of palm of right hand.

Nails on toes and fingers very brittle.

0 Severe pains, with cramp in the flexor tendons of the fingers and toes in a pregnant woman, alternating with false labor pains. {Hale.)

Inferior Extremities.

Dull, drawing pain from hip to knee in right leg.

Pain in back side of right leg as if gluteal muscles were too short.

Cramping pain in back side of legs; dull pain whole length of right leg on back side, worse at buttock and heel.

Sharp pain in right hip joint, also dull pain.

A sharp pain went from left hip to head like an electric shock while lying down.

Dull pain in both hips.

Pain in front side of right hip down to the knee Pain in left thigh.

Sudden, stinging itching over right hip.

Dull, cramping pain in back side of both legs, worse above the knees.

Dull, tearing pain in right hip, hindering walking.

Left leg feels numb and heavy, and goes to sleep easily.

Right hip lame, as if the gluteal muscles were too short, aggravated by walking.

Cramping pain all day in back side of right thigh, as if the muscles were too short.

Dull pain in right groin, extending down inside of leg, causing lameness.

Pain in left popliteal space, hindering walking.

Sharp pain in right popliteal space.

Pain in left popliteal space, then right knee, then right popliteal space.

Both knees very weak, lame and painful, aggravated by walking; continued walking cured it.

Pain in right knee at head of tibia, relieved by motion.

Pain in right knee and ankle; pain in right leg, back side, near the knee.

Hard pain at head of right tibia, extending into the knee joint. Pain in left knee, as if out of joint, and could not be moved, but relieved by motions.

Sharp, tearing pain in left knee, which is weak and painful. Right knee very lame and stiff; knees weak and trembling. Right tibia seemed sore, with pain extending to left side of

knee at edge of patella, producing lameness; then the

pain moved to lower portion of fibula, same leg. Both knees lame, as if they could not be moved. Pain alternates from one knee to the other; right leg from

knee to foot feels weak. Cramping and grinding pain in both knees. Right tibia quite sore and painful when walking, but not to

the touch ; is better by contact. Pain in bones of legs, and is chilly.

When walking, severe cramping pain at head of left fibula,

making walking painful. Dull pain in both sides of right leg below the knee. Sharp pain in left tibia, near the ankle, that made him limp;

then pain at right tibia; then right hand. Frequent hard, dull pain in left tendo achilles. Violent itching on front side of left ankle when walking. Violent itching of right ankle, extending above the joint,

while walking. Sharp pain in right tendo achilles. Hard pain at middle of right tibia. Hard, sharp pain in left ankle. Feet and legs to knees feel numb and strange. Sharp pain in left tendo achilles that makes him hold his

breath.

Sensation as of a bee sting on outside of left ankle. Burning, aching pain in right little toe.

Very sharp, severe pain in right little toe, relieved by pressure Corns on second toe of each foot very painful and sore. Jumping, darting pain in old corns on second toe of each foot;

they become very painful and sore. Sharp pain underneath right great toe, as if a pin were driven,

in.

Sharp pain in bottom of feet and toes. Constant dull pain in ankles, feet and toes. Toes are very stiff, especially in the morning.

° Great weakness of the knees (in several diseases), (dishing.) 0 Pain and soreness in fourth toe of right foot. (Ib.)

Sleep.

Falls asleep late at night; restless, cannot sleep.

Went to sleep in his room in the afternoon, very uncommon;

awoke with bitter mouth and pain in bowels. Housed suddenly from sleep with slow but hard beating of the

heart.

Sleep full of lascivious dreams, with emissions of semen. Housed from sleep early in the morning by great desire for stool.

Fever.

Feels as if he had a cold; chilly, bones and back ache.

Chilly, yet perspires easily.

Several severe chills during the evening.

Chilly, then perspiration, no fever, no thirst.

Pain in bones of legs, and is chilly.

Characteristics.

Pains all relieved by motion; symptoms worse about eight a. m. and ten p. m. ; pain in stomach and bowels, relieved by standing erect; chilly in a warm room; frequent sharp pains darting from one part of the body to another; sudden stinging in various parts of the body.

General Symptoms.

Faintness; came near syncope.

Itching of various parts of the body and limbs.

Sudden stinging in various parts like a bee sting.

Violent itching over right scapula (every evening), and over various parts of the bod}7, without eruption.

Headache, worse in temples.

Cramping, cutting pains in stomach and bowels.

Sharp darting pains in lungs, worse in region of heart.

.Restless sleep, with bitter, sticky mouth in the morning.

Back lame, with soreness in inguinal regions, and pain in hips; knees weak, lame and painful.

Sexual desire increased (p.), or nearly all gone, (s.)

Special Indications.

Pain in either temple, worse in right; also in back or front of head; one or both eyes sore.

Mouth dry, bitter or sore, worse in the morning.

Sharp pain in either lung, worse in region of the nipple, arresting motion or breathing.

Pain in the stomach, either sharp, dull, cramping or twisting, worse by stooping, relieved by standing erect.

Severe pain in either hypochondrium, either sharp, dull, cramping or twisting.

Bowels sore and distressed; sharp, cutting, cramping pain in bowels.

Back in dorsal or lumbar region lame; aggravated by stooping. Sexual desire increased, or greatly diminished. Genitals cold and relaxed.

Emissions of semen during sleep, or no erections for many days.

Knees quite lame, weak or painful. Cramping pain in legs, whole length.

Rheumatic symptoms, worse at night and early in the morning. At first the pains are aggravated by motion, afterwards motion

relieves. Morning diarrhoea.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

This plant, which is found in the Middle, Western, and Southern States, climbing over fences and shrubs, is known by the common names of Wild Yam and Colic-root. The former name is given to it from its apparent resemblance to the edible yam of the West Indies ; the latter on account of its virtues in abdominal pain. I have often speculated on the manner in which the curative power of the root was discovered. It is easy enough to imagine why it should have been dug up under the idea that it might be used as an article of food, for its leaves and manner of growth closely resemble the yam used as a substitue for the potato. The root, however, is woody, and very tough and hard, so much so that when dried it is very difficult to pulverize it. How did the first colic patient ascertain its power in that disorder? It must have been by some accident, for it has no aromatic taste, like ginger or calamus, but is intensely bitter, with an acridity like that of Iris versicolor. But however discovered, it had a reputation among the aborigines for curing pains in the abdomen. You will hear the most enthusiastic praises of its power, and country nurses will narrate almost miraculous cures from its use in bilious colic after the patient was given up to die by the attending physician. It is generally given, in domestic practice, in hot infusion, and in quantities only limited by the patient’s ability to swallow.

The allopathic school have always ignored it. The eclectics have valued it highly, and homoeopathic physicians who have used it speak well of it in severe and peculiar cases.

It has been proved by Burt, Nichol, and Cushing. The provings by Burt were somewhat surprising. It seemed to affect the whole system in a manner reminding one of rheumatism, but a close study of its action will show that although the pains resembled rheumatism they were really nerve-pains , and generally of a reflex character. It also caused cutting pains in the umbilical region. Dr. Nichol’s proving developed the same abdominal pains, with a good many head and mental symptoms. Dr. Cushing’s provings

were heroic, and evolved very many peculiar symptoms. Some eclectic students also proved it, and got severe colic.

I am inclined to the belief that its sphere of action embraces the spinal cord and, the reflex nervous system (generally), the umbilical plexus of nerves (specially), and by exalting the reflex excitability of the spinal cord it causes pains in portions of the body remote from the seat of the primary irritation. An eclectic writer says it causes hyperassthesia of the spine, brain, uterus, and abdominal nerves.

Its chief clinical use in all schools is for that condition commonly known as bilious colic. This name, however, is not the correct one for all the cases designated bilious colic, for many careful observers assert that the liver is not at fault in the majority of cases, the vomiting of bile being only a symptom resulting from the spasmodic retching.

It is only in cases where the pain is caused by the passage of biliary calculi, or other obstruction in the gall-duct, that the name is at all appropriate.

It is only another illustration of the law of similars, that the abdominal symptoms caused by Dioscorea resemble the colics cured by it. Both start in the umbilical region and radiate all over the abdomen.

All who have written of the value of Dioscorea, outside of our school, coincide in their description of the colic cured by it. They say it is a “ constant pain , aggravated at regular intervals by paroxysms of intense suffering f’ the pain is located at first in the centre of, but is gradually diffused all over the abdomen, attended by vomiting, retching, furred tongue, distended and sensitive bowels, etc.

Now it is evident that no one distinct disease is here represented, but a definite disturbance of the abdominal nervous system, commencing at a given point (the umbilicus) and radiating all over the abdomen, extending to the stomach, uterus, bladder, and even to the extremities, and affecting both the nerves of sensation and motion, causing pain and spasm. _

The fact is that any kind of colic may be cured by Dioscorea, provided the symptoms have any similarity to its pathogenetic symptoms. More than this, it has cured, and will continue to

cure, many abdominal and gastric pains not found in the provings. But if you find in any painful affection of the abdomen, stomach, uterus, or even the heart or head, that the pain, though constant, is aggravated in paroxysms; is attended by spasmodic symptoms (vomiting, cramps), or sympathetic pains in distant parts of the body, you can prescribe the Dioscorea with advantage. For instance, it has cured headache, remittent, paroxysmal, attended by spasmodic pain in the abdomen ; facial neuralgia; cardialgia; spasmodic and flatulent colic; painful tenesmus ; spasm of the bladder and uterus ; spasm of the g all- ducts ; sciatic neuralgia — the pain running from the hip to the ankles.

In addition to these purely neuralgic affections, it has been used successfully in many other disorders, among which are various kinds of headache. (For the indications refer to symptoms in Volume I.)

The headaches of Dioscorea resemble those caused by iEsculus, Bryonia, Nux vomica, and Cimicifuga.

The eye symptoms are quite notable, and Dr. Woodyatt predicts it will prove valuable in some affections of the eye and its appendages.

Acne punctata (comedones), according to Cushing, disappeared during the provings.

I have used it very extensively in many disorders of the stomach, such as accompany dyspepsia, namely, a dull, wearing pain in the cardiac region of the stomach ; inordinate belching of gases; cramps of the stomach and acute lancinations in the stomach. It seems to resemble in its action on the stomach Bismuth, Bryonia, and Nux. It is of value in the vomiting, pyrosis, and gastralgia of pregnant women, or when occurring during the menses.

My experience accords with that of Dr. Helmuth, who says it is most successful in enteralgia when the pains are twisting, aggravated by lying down, relieved by pressure, unless the abdomen is tender. The abdominal pains have a remarkable resemblance to those of Colocynth, and you will often find it impossible to decide which is the remedy. You can only try the one which seems the best indicated for a reasonable time, and then use the other, but never alternate them.

It is just as useful in renal colic from passage of calculi as in

hepatic colic. In fact, renal colic is often mistaken for bilious colic by superficial observers.

You will find it an excellent remedy in diarrhoea, which, like the sulphur-diarrhoea, occurs in the early morning, driving the patient out of bed. The stools are slimy, jellylike, like white of egg, attended by straining, burning in the rectum, and generally, not always, by the peculiar twisting, lancinating colic in the umbilical region, offensive flatus, and often nausea and vomiting.

This kind of diarrhoea often runs into dysentery, or may be called the first stage of dysentery, especially when the disease is a catarrhal mucous enteritis. In the Dioscorea dysentery the stools are not bloody, i. e., the symptoms do not indicate it for bloody stools, but it will remove its characteristic colics, pains, and tenesmus without arresting the sanguineous discharge, which may call for Ipecac, or some remedy more homoeopathic to that condition.

Cholera morbus, when attended by excruciating abdominal pains, has been greatly palliated by Dioscorea; but as it is not indicated for the watery evacuations, it should be alternated with Camphor or Veratrum. Even in cases of cholera infantum I have often given it for the excessive pain in the bowels which causes the children to scream in agony. In this respect it resembles Cuprum in all but the cold extremities caused by that medicine.

Dr. Burt had haemorrhoids and yellow, thin, bilious stools, with prolapse of the rectum when proving Dioscorea, but no other prover had piles. No clinical experience proving its value in this affection has been recorded, except one observation, by the same prover, that a “ haemorrhoidal tumor of nearly four years’ standing disappeared during the proving.”

A medicine that can cause tenesmus can cause haemorrhoids, and you may possibly find it a good remedy in the latter disease.

In Cushing’s provings it developed a decided action on the male organs of generation, and, fortunately for practitioners, its primary and secondary action were noted. It first caused strong-smelling perspiration of the genitals ; constant excitement, with strong and frequent erections day and night ; and amorous dreams with emissions. Afterwards came the reaction, — the genitals became cold and relaxed ; no erections ; desire absent, and emissions in sleep without erections.

Now to prove that my law of dose is trustworthy, I cite Dr. Cushing’s several cures of nocturnal emissions, having the primary symptoms of Dioscorea, which he cured with the dilutions above the 15th ; also Dr. Pease’s case of spermatorrhoea, having its secondary symptoms, which he cured with the 2X trit. of Dioscorea. In respect to its action on these organs, Dioscorea resembles Phosphorus, Cannabis indica, and Nux vom., and is the opposite of Caladium, Camphor, Agnus castus, and Nuphar, which cause depression of the genital functions primarily.

Dioscorea will be found valuable in pain and spasm of the spermatic cord, when the pains commence in the inguinal region, and extend to the testicles and penis.

No provings have been made on women, but it has been found useful in dysmenorrhcca, uterine colic, after-pains, and some of the false pains of pregnancy.

The symptoms indicate that it may be a good remedy in inter>'~ costal neuralgia, and one physician claims to have cured with it a case of angina pectoris, with “ sharp, cutting pain in the region of the heart, arresting breathing and motion.” Dr. Cushing has cured “ cough, with pain in the epigastrium and temples, brownish-yellow tongue, and weak knees.”

You may find it of value in some of the protean forms of spinal irritation. It has been recommended in felons and neuralgic rheumatisms of the extremities.

It is a remedy which ought to be still further studied, proven, and used in practice.

Much depends on the preparation which is prescribed. I rarely got good effects from the tincture, probably because it was made from the dried root. Others have failed to get the desired results from the tincture. The triturations of the dried root, or of Dioscorein, have acted satisfactorily. In the colic for which it is so useful you may fail with the ordinary preparations, while the infusion of the root, made with hot water, will act magically. (One drachm of the pulv. root to Siv of boiling water. A teaspoonful or two every 15 or 20 minutes in the worst cases.)

Dr. Scudder (“Specific Medicine,” p.128) says the article sold for Dioscorea by most of our druggists for the past ten years, and from which Dioscorein has been prepared, is the root of a species of

Smilax. This will probably account for the unreliable quality of some of the homoeopathic preparations.