Rhus Toxicodendron appears in 12 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.
- Allen HC — The keynotes that separate this remedy from its nearest neighbours.
“Poison Oak. (Anacardiaceae) Adapted to persons of a rheumatic diathesis; bad effects of getting wet, especially after being overheated. Ailments: from spraining or straining a single part , muscle or tendon (Cal., Nux); overlifting, particularly from stretching high up to reach things; lying on damp ground; too much…”
- Allen TF — The raw proving record — symptoms as the provers reported them, unedited.
“Rhus toxicodendron, Linn. (including its variety R. radicans, L.). Natural order , Anacardiaceæ. Common names , Poison ivy, Poison oak, Mercury vine, Three-leaved ivy, etc., (G.), Gift-sumach, Wurzel-sumach. Preparation , Tincture of the plant. Authorities. "A," Barton's collection for a Materia Medica, 1795, effects…”
- Boericke — The quick clinical read — keynotes, modalities and the conditions it is actually prescribed in.
“Poison-ivy The effects on the skin, rheumatic pains, mucous membrane affections, and a typhoid type of fever, make this remedy frequently indicated. Rhus affects fibrous tissue markedly-joints, tendons, sheaths-aponeurosis, etc, producing pains and stiffness. Post-operative complications. Tearing asunder pains …”
- Boger (GA) — Which general headings this remedy belongs under — the analytical scaffolding.
“ACHING ACRIDITY, excoriations, etc. ADHESIVE, ADHERENT, TORN, LOOSE, ETC. (COMP. STICKY) AIR Open, Amel.:- IN ROOM, agg., air hunger, etc. BALL. BATHING, cold applications, etc., Amel. BLOOD SEPSIS, etc. BONES. BREAKING, broken, brittle, etc. BREATHING, DEEPLY, Agg. BROWNISH, rusty, etc. BURNING, stinging. CALF…”
- Boger (Syn) — Generals and modalities in a short analytical portrait rather than a symptom list.
“SKIN: Face. Scalp. Genitals. Blood. Tissues: Cellular. Ligaments. Fibrous. Joints. Mucous membranes. GLANDS: Pyer's. Parotid. NERVES: CORD. Sciatic. Left side or left to right. EXPOSURE TO: WET; cold. Air. WASHING. Chill or draft. When hot or sweaty. Uncovering; hands, etc. BEGINNING MOTION. REST. Before storms…”
- Clarke — The widest entry — sources, provings, clinical uses, relationships and antidotes in one place.
“Henry CLARKE, M.D. Rhus Toxicodendron. POISON OAK. N. O. Anacardiaceæ. Tincture of fresh leaves gathered at sunset just before flowering time. and Rhus Radicans. POISON IVY. N. O. Anacardiaceæ. Tincture of fresh leaves gathered at sunset just before flowering time. [Under the name Rhus Hahnemann published his proving…”
- Hering — Graded symptoms, each weighted by how often provers and practice confirmed it.
“Poison Oak or Ivy. Anacardiaceæ. Provings by Hahnemann and his provers, R. A. M. L, vol. 2, p. 357 ; Helbig, Heraclides, vol. 1, p. 53 ; Robinson, Br. J. of Hom., vol. 25, p. 330 ; Joslin, Am. Hom. Rev., vol. 1, p. 553 ; Berridge, N. A. J. of Hom., N. S., vol. 3, p. 501 ; and numerous involuntary provings from coming…”
- Kent — The mental and general picture — who the patient is, before what the remedy cures.
“Modalities: The complaints of this remedy come on from cold damp weather, from being exposed to cold damp air when perspiring. The patient is sensitive to cold air and all his complaints are made worse from cold and all are better from warmth. In a general way, the aching pains, the bruised feelings over the body…”
- Lippe (MM) — The strict Hahnemannian reading — the symptom picture without clinical interpretation.
“Restlessness which does not permit one to sit quiet, and compels him to throw himself about in bed. Anxiety and apprehensiveness (at twilight). Fear; that he will die; of being poisoned. Desire to commit suicide (to throw himself into the water). Disgust for life. Absence of mind. Inclination to weep, especially in…”
- Lippe (Red) — Keynotes with the most-trusted ones marked as red-line symptoms.
“Common name: poison ivy. It affects powerfully the skin, mucous membranes and fibrous tissues (viz., aponeuroses, ligaments and tendons of muscles.) (D.). It affects the right side more than the left (A.). Headache, as if a board were strapped on the forehead (as if a rubber band were stretched tightly over the…”
- Nash — The comparisons — the remedy set beside the ones it is most often confused with.
“Dry or coated tongue with a triangular red tip. Great restlessness, cannot lie long in one position, changes often with temporary relief, tosses about continually. Lameness and stiffness on beginning to move after rest; on getting up in the A. M. > by continued motion. Erysipelas or scarlatina with vesicular eruption…”
