Oniscus
by John Henry Clarke — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica
asellus. O. armadillo. Armadillo officinalis. Sow-bug. Sow-louse. Cellar-worm. N. O. Isopoda (Class Crustacea of the Articulatæ). Tincture of living animals.
Clinical
Colic / (Epilepsy.) Hæmoptysis / Strangury / Toothache
Characteristics
In Germany Onis. has a popular reputation as a remedy for epilepsy. Hering proved a tincture, and Wolff recorded the effect of swallowing three "cellar-worms" in a glass of brandy before an attack of fever. This experience has provided the most characteristic symptoms of the remedy, showing it to be related to Cantharis, Apis, and their cognates. These symptoms were noted: Pale face, wild expression, constant vomiting. Very severe colic with meteorism and tension of abdomen. Tenesmus of bladder and rectum. Cutting burning in urethra. The symptoms of Hering's proving showed pains in the head, over the eyes, and down the nose. Constriction of gullet and stomach. Burning in anus. Many erections with disinclination to work. Hawking up of blood-streaked mucus. The last two symptoms again recall Canth. Frequent yawning and desire to stretch.
2. Head
Dull heaviness of the head. Boring pain from behind r. ear on mastoid process, with violent pulsation in the arteries. Painful pressure above eyebrows and on margin of nose, first l. side, afterwards r. Painful pressure above the root of the nose.
4. Ears
Boring behind the r. ear, with increased arterial action.
6. Face
Pale face; wild expression.
8. Mouth
Toothache, which had disappeared, returned. Pressure on soft palate, posteriorly as if it would close.
9. Throat
Cramps in the gullet, as if it were about to close. Hawking up of mucus streaked with blood.
11. Stomach
Nausea, with continued pressure at the orifice of the stomach. Continual vomiting.
12. Abdomen
Very severe colic, with meteorism and tension of abdomen.
13. Stool and Anus
Urgent and sudden want to evacuate, with prompt and liquid evacuation. Burning pain in anus.
14. Urinary Organs
Tenesmus of bladder and rectum, with absence of stool and urine. Cutting boring in urethra with excessive bodily restlessness.
15. Male Sexual Organs
Frequent erections, with aversion to labour.
24. Generalities
In. young patients hæmoptysis is induced by the salt with which these insects abound. Inclination to stretch.
26. Sleep
Frequent yawning.