by C.M. Boger — A Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica
rheumatic or gouty pains. Takes cold easily. Tuberculosis. Hyper-plasia. .................... Light, foaming stools. Hydrops ovarii. Nervous asthma. Hives, in flat plaques. Profuse sweat, without relief.
Related: Rhus-t. Urt-u.
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Formica Rufa appears in 6 of the 13 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.
“Formica rufa, Linn. Class , Hymenoptera. Common name (Fr.), Fourmi fauve des bois. Preparation , Tincture of live ants. Authorities.”
“Crushed Live Ants (MYRMEXINE) An arthritic medicine. Gout and articular rheumatism; pains worse, motion; better, pressure. Right side most affected. Chronic gout and stiffness in joints. Acute outbursts of gouty poisons, especially when assuming the neuralgic forms. Tuberculosis, carcinoma, and lupus; chronic…”
“SNOW AIR, Agg.”
“rufa. The Ant. N. O. Hymenoptera. Tincture from crushed live ants. Contains formic acid (HCO, OH). Apoplexy / Brain, affections of / Bruises / Chorea / Cough / Diarrhœa / Dislocations / Dropsies / Eyes, affections of / Facial paralysis / Foot-sweat, checked, consequence of / Gout / Hair, falling out / Headaches /…”
“The Ant. Hymenoptera. "The name Formica was used by Linnæus as a generic name for a large number of species, all of which appear to common people to be ants. Later entomologists had to separate the species and arrange them under different names, as different genera. The genus to which the old name, Formica, was left…”
Kent's Repertory lists Formica Rufa in 451 rubrics. These are the ones where it carries the highest grade — the symptoms Kent treated as most characteristic. Most of them sit in EXTREMITIES (103), HEAD (45), GENERALITIES (31), STOMACH (26), ABDOMEN (24).
