Laurocerasus
By Constantine Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of our Materia Medica
Cherry Laurel. Rosaceæ.
An evergreen tree native to Persia ; the fresh leaves are aromatic and taste like the bitter almond.
The alcoholic is prepared from the leaves.
Provings by Jörg, Hartlaub, Nenning, etc.
CLINICAL AUTHORITIES.
- Threatened apoplexy , Elwert, Rück. Kl. Erf., vol. 1, p. 92 ; Attacks of unconsciousness , Billig, Rück. Kl. Erf., vol. 5, p. 33 ; Cholera infantum , Martin, Trans. Hom. Med. Soc. Pa., 1882, p. 172 ; Retention of urine , Orth, B. J. H., vol. 34, p. 161 ; Dysmenorrhœa , Osborn, Raue's Rec., 1871, p. 157 ; Cough , Hirschel, Raue's Rec., 1873, p. 101 ; Whooping cough , Williamson, Trans. Hom. Med. Soc. Pa., 1873, p. 96 ; A. R., Rück. Kl. Erf., vol. 5, p. 723 ; Cardiac cough , Hirschel, B. J. H., vol. 31, p. 247 ; Affection of heart , Martin, Hom. Clin., vol. 4, p. 11 ; Palpitation of heart , Martin, Raue's Rec., 1870, p. 199 ; Spasmodic pains about heart , Martin, Raue's Rec., 1871, p. 106 ; Cyanosis , Guernsey, Guernsey's Obs., p. 880 ; Asphyxia neonatorum , Farrington, Raue's Rec., 1874, p. 248 ; Heart disease , Martin, Hom. Clin., vol. 1, p. 119 ; (aqua amygd. amar.), Knorre, Rück. Kl. Erf., vol. 4, p. 579 ; Clonic convulsions during typhoid , Trinks, B. J. H., vol. 29, p. 319 ; Chorea , Lilienthal, Hom. Clin., vol. 1, p. 27.
MIND [1]
Loss of consciousness, with loss of speech and motion.
Insensibility ; complete loss of sensation.
Dulness of senses.
Weakness of mind and loss of memory.
Inability to collect one's ideas.
Fear and anxiety about imaginary evils ; despondency.
SENSORIUM [2]
Vertigo : with stupefaction ; with disposition to sleep ; < in open air.
Sudden bloating of face, vertigo, distortion of mouth, twitching of muscles of face ; loss of speech, with perfect consciousness. θ Threatened apoplexy.
Coma, looks more like a deep, quiet sleep. θ Apoplexy.
Apoplexy, with paralysis.
INNER HEAD [3]
Coolness on forehead as from a draft of air.
Periodical paroxysms of aching pain under frontal bone.
Boring headache, particularly above eyelids.
Oppression on top of head, as from a weight.
Beating in head, < stooping.
Stupefying pain in whole head.
Pulsation in head, with heat or coldness.
Stitches in head.
Headache : > after eating ; lacerating, in evening in bed ; from nervous prostration, with dragging pain, accompanied by pain and swelling in hypochondrium and yellow spots on face.
Sensation of looseness of brain, as if it were falling into forehead when stooping, without pain.
The brain feels contracted and painful.
OUTER HEAD [4]
Sensation of coldness in forehead and vertex, as if a cold wind was blowing on it, descending through neck to back ; < in room, > in open air.
Itching of hairy scalp.
SIGHT AND EYES [5]
Obscuration of vision ; sensation of a veil before eyes.
Objects appear larger.
Eyes : staring, wide open ; lightly closed ; distorted.
Pupils dilated, immovable.
HEARING AND EARS [6]
Hardness of hearing.
Tingling in ears ; itching.
SMELL AND NOSE [7]
Nose feels stopped up ; no air passes through.
UPPER FACE [8]
Face : yellow spots ; sunken, with livid grey yellow complexion ; blue, with gasping ; bloated ; idiotic.
Twitching and convulsions of facial muscles.
Titillation, as if flies and spiders were crawling over skin.
Eruption around mouth.
LOWER FACE [9]
Lockjaw.
TASTE, SPEECH, TONGUE [11]
Tongue : dry, rough ; dry and white ; cold or numb, as if burnt ; left side stiff and swollen, with loss of speech.
INNER MOUTH [12]
Foam at mouth. θ Epilepsy.
Dryness in mouth.
PALATE AND THROAT [13]
Spasmodic deglutition. θ Chorea.
Spasmodic contraction in throat and œsophagus.
Drink rolls audibly through œsophagus and intestines.
APPETITE, THIRST. DESIRES, AVERSIONS [14]
Hunger after eating, with feeling of emptiness.
Loss of appetite, with clean tongue.
Disgust for food during pregnancy.
Violent thirst, with dry mouth.
HICCOUGH, BELCHING, NAUSEA AND VOMITING [16]
Hiccough.
Nausea : on approaching a stove ; and vomiting of ingesta.
Eructations, tasting like bitter almonds. θ Pregnancy.
Vomiting of food with cough.
SCROBICULUM AND STOMACH [17]
Violent pain in stomach, with loss of speech.
Burning or coldness in stomach and abdomen.
Contractive feeling in region of stomach, and cutting in abdomen.
HYPOCHONDRIA [18]
Sticking pains in liver, with pressure.
Region of liver distended, pain as from subcutaneous ulceration, or as if abscess would burst.
Indurated liver ; atrophic nutmeg liver.
ABDOMEN AND LOINS [19]
Pinching about umbilicus.
Colicky pains in afternoon, and tearing pains in vertex at night.
Sensation like falling of a heavy lump from just above umbilicus to small of back, produced by talking or overexertion, also with spasmodic pains in cardiac region.
Coldness and audible rumbling in whole abdomen.
STOOLS AND RECTUM [20]
Diarrheic stools : with tenesmus ; of green, liquid mucus, with suffocative spells about heart, forcing her to lie down ; involuntary.
Constipation, stools hard, firm, passed with much straining ; obstruction.
Ineffectual urging to stool, with emission of flatus only.
Green, watery stools ; drinks roll audibly through œsophagus and intestines ; suppression or retention of urine ; dilated pupils ; slow, feeble breathing ; irregular, imperceptible pupils ; slow, feeble breathing ; irregular, imperceptible pulse. θ Cholera infantum.
Frequent, greenish, mucous stools ; entire loss of appetite, but thirsty ; child would not take anything but water, which could be heard gurgling down œsophagus to stomach ; respiration very slow and weak ; pulse almost imperceptible ; extremities cold as death, with coldness of entire body. θ Cholera infantum.
Absence of vomiting and stools ; asphyxia ; coldness of body, pulselessness ; cloudiness of brain, fainting ; tetanic spasms ; suppression or retention of urine ; sensation of constriction in throat when swallowing. θ Cholera.
Complete paralysis of sphincter ani.
URINARY ORGANS [21]
Suppressed urine. θ Cholera.
Retention of urine from paralysis of bladder, or urine is voided slowly.
Involuntary urination.
Urine : pale yellow ; thick, reddish or mahogany colored sediment, with floating jellylike flocks.
Pain in region of stomach when urinating.
Burning in urethra, and pressing after urinating.
Itching in forepart of urethra.
Acrid urine, corroding labia.
Urinary difficulties, with palpitation of heart and gasping for breath, coming on by spells.
MALE SEXUAL ORGANS [22]
Gangrene of penis.
FEMALE SEXUAL ORGANS [23]
Menses : too early and too profuse ; blood thin ; with nightly tearing in vertex.
Menorrhagia, blood dark, in large clots, during climaxis.
Severe pain in sacral region, extending to pubis ; frontal headache, with dizziness and dimness of vision ; coldness of extremities ; icy coldness of tongue ; great melancholy. θ Dysmenorrhœa.
Burning and stinging in and below mamma.
PREGNANCY. PARTURITION. LACTATION [24]
Attacks of suffocation, with palpitation and a sort of gasping for breath ; must lie down sometimes to find relief. θ Pregnancy.
She is conscious of a shock passing through whole body before spasm. θ Puerperal convulsions.
VOICE AND LARYNX. TRACHEA AND BRONCHIA [25]
Scraping in larynx, with increased secretion of mucus ; hoarseness.
Spasmodic constriction of trachea.
Laryngismus stridulus ; heart affected.
RESPIRATION [26]
Breathing : slow, feeble, moaning or rattling ; almost imperceptible ; panting ; very difficult.
Dyspnœa, with sensation as if lungs would not be sufficiently expanded, or as if pressed against spine.
Spasmodic oppression of chest.
Gasping, suffocating spells ; clutches at heart ; palpitation.
COUGH [27]
Cough : short, titillating, nervous, from heart disease ; cannot lie down ; whizzing, with sensation as if mucous membranes were too dry ; < towards evening, from motion, stooping, eating and drinking, or warmth ; with copious, jelly-like sputa, dotted with bloody points.
Dry, almost constant, titillating cough ; throat and mouth feel as if burnt.
Cough, with whistling sound.
Whooping cough, dry, whistling, no sputum ; impending paralysis of lungs.
Cough, with evening aggravation, severe cramps in chest, and rapid sinking of vital forces. θ Whooping cough.
Coughed continuously for several nights as soon as he laid down. θ Mitral stenosis.
INNER CHEST AND LUNGS [28]
Spasm of chest ; veins of hands distended.
Threatening paralysis of lungs.
Pleurisy in drunkards and melancholic persons ; at beginning of diseases, if small bronchi are irritated ; suffocative cough, pain in pleura severe and localized, pulse soft, but quick.
Coughs and spits a great amount of phlegm, sprinkled over and through with distinct clots of blood. θ Typhoid pneumonia. θ Pulmonary affections.
HEART, PULSE AND CIRCULATION [29]
Heart's action irregular, pulse slow ; palpitation.
Stitches in region of heart.
Beating, fluttering sensation ; gasps for breath ; dry cough.
Sitting posture causes gasping for breath.
Pulse scarcely perceptible ; cold, moist skin ; convulsions of muscles of face.
Spasmodic pain in cardiac region, fears sudden death ; sensation as if something heavy, like a lump of lead, had fallen from pit of stomach to back, whenever she attempted to rise from a recumbent posture.
Attacks of suffocation, with gasping for breath ; stitches in precordial region ; excessive weakness. θ Angina pectoris.
Continual cough at night, as soon as he lies down. θ Mitral stenosis.
Pulse extremely irregular ; at times small and slow, often imperceptible, at others somewhat accelerated, seldom full and hard. θ Apoplexy.
Cyanosis neonatorum ; face blue, with gasping.
A little exercise produces gasping for breath and increased blueness ; ends of fingers and toes knobby, and larger than any portion of these extremities ; > when lying still. θ Cyanosis.
OUTER CHEST [30]
Pains in external parts of thorax on moving.
Burning in chest on taking an inspiration.
NECK AND BACK [31]
Painful stiffness in left side of neck, nape and small of back.
Pressure in nape of neck, particularly in open air, compelling him to bend head forward.
Severe pain in sacral region, extending to pubis.
UPPER LIMBS [32]
Pressure on right shoulder or in shoulder joint.
Pains as from lameness, also stitches, in right shoulder.
Pimples on right upper arm.
Stitch in both elbows.
Pain, as if sprained, in right wrist joint.
Distension of veins on hands. θ Heart disease.
Rough, scaly skin between fingers, with burning when touched by water.
LOWER LIMBS [33]
Pain, as if sprained, in left hip joint.
Sticking in left knee.
The feet go to sleep when crossing legs or sitting.
Ulcerative pains in lower part of heels.
Stiffness of feet after rising from a seat.
Cold, clammy feet, up to knees. θ Chorea. θ Heart disease.
LIMBS IN GENERAL [34]
Ends of fingers and toes enlarged, knob-like. θ Heart disease.
Stinging and tearing in limbs.
Painless paralysis of limbs.
REST. POSITION. MOTION [35]
When lying down : coughs continuously ; ends of fingers and toes knobby.
Must lie down : suffocating spell about heart.
Cannot lie down : heart disease.
When she attempts to rise from a recumbent posture, sensation as of a heavy lump falling from pit of stomach to back.
Stooping : beating in head < ; cough <.
Compelled to bend head forward : pressure in nape of neck.
Sitting posture : gasps for breath ; feet go to sleep.
After rising from seat : stiffness of feet.
Crossing legs : feet go to sleep.
Motion : cough < ; causes pain in external thorax.
A little exercise produces gasping for breath.
NERVES [36]
Want of energy of vital powers and want of reaction, especially in chest and heart affections.
Rapid sinking of forces : long lasting fainting spells.
Clonic spasms of limbs, with paralytic weakness ; no loss of consciousness. θ Typhoid.
Much gasping for breath before, during, or after spasm, with bluish tint of skin ; after fright ; emaciation. θ Convulsions.
Emotional chorea, fearful contortions and jactitations when awake ; restless sleep ; gasping for breath.
Want of nervous reaction ; the well chosen remedy does not act.
Chorea, with constant jerks, cannot keep still ; speech indistinct, gets angry when not understood ; gasping ; emaciation ; after fright.
On day of burial of mother, ten years ago, sudden loss of consciousness, from which he did not recover for a long time ; since then, attacks more frequent and severe, finally, one or two a week, one lasting as long as nine hours ; before attack, paleness of face ; dropping of lower jaw ; sinking of arms to side ; wide open, staring eyes ; loss of consciousness ; respiration suspended ; pulse weak, scarcely perceptible ; face pale ; limbs stiff ; hands clenched, thumbs not drawn in ; eyes closed ; mouth slightly open, no foaming ; in beginning of attack grinding teeth ; after one half hour to nine hours changes position of limbs and stretches, then, between long intervals, takes deep breaths, opens eyes, trembles all over and complains of great lassitude and severe headache.
Epilepsy ; tetanus.
Apoplexy, with paralysis.
After feeling ill eight days, during which time several attacks of vomiting of tasteless water occurred, paroxysm sets in ; great anxiety, eyes turned up and fixed upon one spot, pupils dilated, vanishing of sight, roaring and ringing in ears, trembling and twitching of muscles of face, distortion of face, rush of blood to head, heat and redness of face, chattering teeth, first trembling of upper then of lower limbs, followed by shaking of body as in a severe chill, but with heat and sweat of body ; twitching and spasmodic distortion of whole body and extremities ; palpitation ; moaning and groaning ; partial loss of consciousness ; paroxysms last several minutes ; during interval, confusion of head, pain in epigastrium, great lassitude, debility, anxiety and restlessness ; occasional short slumber disturbed by dreams of fire, startled awaking, or twitching of whole body ; occasionally delirium, cries for help ; no fever.
SLEEP [37]
Irresistible sleepiness, especially after dinner and in evening.
Soporous condition ; deep, snoring sleep.
TIME [38]
Afternoon : colicky pains ; chill, coldness and shivering.
After dinner : irresistible sleepiness.
Evening : headache > ; cough < ; irresistible sleepiness ; chill, coldness and shivering.
Night : tearing in vertex ; when lying down, coughs continuously.
TEMPERATURE AND WEATHER [39]
Open air : vertigo < ; coldness in forehead and vertex > ; pressure in nape of neck <.
In room : coldness in forehead and vertex <.
On approaching stove : nausea ; cold.
External warmth : does not > coldness.
When touched by water : burning between fingers.
FEVER [40]
Chill and external coldness.
Cold, moist skin ; apoplexy.
Chill, coldness and shivering in afternoon and evening, not > by external warmth.
Patient feels cold and gets sick on approaching warm stove.
Chill, alternating with heat ; want of animal heat.
Heat after chill, from evening till midnight.
Heat descending back.
Sweat : after eating ; during and after heat, till toward morning.
ATTACKS, PERIODICITY [41]
One or two a week : attacks of loss of consciousness.
From evening till midnight : heat after chill.
LOCALITY AND DIRECTION [42]
Right : pressure of shoulder ; in shoulder joint ; pains as from lameness in shoulder ; pimples on upper arm ; pain as if sprained in wrist joint.
Left : painful stiffness of side of neck ; pain as if sprained in hip joint ; sticking in knee.
SENSATIONS [43]
Coolness of forehead as from a draft of air ; as of a weight on top of head ; as if brain was loose and falling into forehead when stooping ; as of a veil before eyes ; nose as if stopped up ; as if flies and spiders were crawling over skin ; tongue as if burnt ; as if abscess in region of liver would burst ; as of a heavy lump falling from just above umbilicus to small of back ; as if lungs would not be sufficiently expanded ; as if lungs pressed against spine ; as if mucous membranes were too dry ; throat and mouth as if burnt ; pain as from lameness in r. shoulder ; pain as if sprained in right wrist joint.
Pain : in hypochondrium ; as from subcutaneous ulceration in region of liver ; in region of stomach when urinating ; in external parts of thorax ; as if sprained in wrist joint ; as from lameness ; in epigastrium.
Painfulness : of brain.
Violent pain : in stomach.
Severe pain : in head ; in sacral region to pubis ; in pleura.
Tearing pains : in vertex ; in limbs.
Cutting : in abdomen.
Lacerating pain : in head.
Pinching : about umbilicus.
Stitches : in head ; in region of heart ; in precordial region ; in right shoulder ; in both elbows.
Sticking pains : in liver ; in left knee.
Stinging : in and below mamma ; in limbs.
Beating, fluttering sensation : about heart.
Beating : in head.
Boring pain : in head.
Stupefying pain : in whole head.
Ulcerative pain : in lower part of heels.
Dragging pain : in head.
Colicky pains : in abdomen.
Spasms : of chest.
Spasmodic pains : in cardiac region.
Aching pain : under frontal bone.
Burning : in stomach and abdomen ; in urethra ; in and below mamma ; in chest ; between fingers.
Painful stiffness : in left side of neck, nape and small of back.
Pulsation : in head, with heat or coldness.
Spasmodic constriction : of trachea.
Oppression : on top of head ; of chest.
Pressure : in nape of neck ; in right shoulder.
Constriction : of throat.
Contractive feeling : in region of stomach.
Stiffness : of feet.
Scraping : in larynx.
Tingling : in ears.
Contraction : of brain.
Dryness : of mouth.
Coldness : in forehead and vertex ; of extremities ; of entire body ; of tongue.
Itching : of hairy scalp ; in ears ; in forepart of urethra.
STAGE OF LIFE, CONSTITUTION [47]
Child, æt. 8 months, sick some time ; cholera infantum.
Two boys, æt. between 10 and 12 ; clonic convulsions during typhoid.
Girl, æt. 12, very nervous, continually twitches muscles of face, after fright ; chorea.
Boy, æt. 13, had rheumatism ; disease of heart.
Three women, æt. 20 ; clonic convulsions during typhoid.
Woman, suffering five years ; spasmodic pains about heart.
Man, æt. 36, medium height, suffering appearance, compelled to do hard work ; attacks of loss of consciousness.
Man, psoric taint, suffering from cramps, after great fright ; spasms.
Woman, æt. 50 ; palpitation of heart.
Woman, æt. 59 ; unmarried, one year ago had apoplexy cured by Hyosc. and Bellad. ; threatened apoplexy.
RELATIONS [48]
Antidoted by : Camphor, Coffea, Ipec., Opium .
Compatible : Bellad., Phosphor., Pulsat., Veratr .
Compare : Bar. carb., Bellad., Bryon., Calcar., Hydr. ac., Ipec., Nux vom., Opium, Phosphor., Pulsat., Rhus tox., Sepia, Sulphur, Veratr .