Solanum nigrum

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Black Nightshade.)

Botanical Description. -Solanum Nigrum belongs to the natural order Solanacece (Night-shade Family). It has a low stem, much branched spreading, angular, nearly smooth, with ovate, wavy-toothed or sinuate leaves, and perforated, the edges erased, as if gnawed by insects. Flowers white, small, with yellow anthers, lateral umbels, drooping, five parted on bractless pedicles. The berries are black when mature, globose and of a sweetish taste. The flowers begin to appear in June, and September and m Octobor we find tipe berries, green berries, and flowers appearing on the same plant. The whole plant has a disagreeable narcotic odor resembling in some degree the tomato; the root is white and has little taste

It seems to prefer a shady locality, though I have seen specimens grow- •ing in the sun, but always of a dwarfy, unhealthy appearance. Owing to the fact that this is often mistaken for the Belladonna, and used by many

physicians under the impression that it is the Belladonna plant, I here give the botanical difference:

Belladonna. — Stems strong, branched, purple colored, from three to five feet high— hair}-. Leaves of an equal size, oval, pointed, in pairs, on short foot stalks. Flowers, dark or brownish-purple color, large, pendant, bell-shaped, furrowed, cut in five segments. Berries ripe in September, of a shining black.

Solanum Nigrum. — Stem low, much branched, spreading, rough on the angles. Leaves, ovate, many-toothed, almost always perforated by insects. Flowers white, very small, in small and umbel-like lateral clusters, drooping, five parted. Berries small, globular, black, ripe in September; ripe berries, green berries and flowers found on the same plant at the same time.

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture from equal parts of the fresh leaves and berries, with strong alcohol ; dilutions.

Analogues. — Agaricus, Aethusa, Belladonna, Cicuta, Hyoscyamus, Helonias, Lachnanthes, Stramonium, Lachesis, Cimicifuga, Cuprum, Gelseminum.

Sensorium.

Vertigo, with headache, nausea, colic and tenesmus.

Moaning as in hydrocephalus.

Fullness in the head accompanied with vertigo.

Vertigo on rising and moving about, with dimness of sight.

Vertigo after retiring; as if the bed was turning in a circle

Vertigo on stooping; everything seemed moving in a circle.

Great weariness and vertigo from bodily exertion.

When standing a feeling as if the body would fall backward.

While sitting the body seems to rock in different directions.

Mental Sphere. Confused and anxious expression of the countenance. Complete cessation of the mental faculties. Drowsy all day with indisposition to study. Rage, imbecility, delirious raving. ° Sadness and anguish; ° absence of mind. ° Restlessness, inducing one to roam about without sense or object.

Head.

Horrible headache, with red, bloated face.

Severe pain in supraorbital region, in the morning on waking,

aggravated by the slightest motion. Severe pain over the eyes, aggravated by motion or stooping. A misstep sends violent pains through the temples. Sensation in forehead after headache, as if it had been bruised

Sensation in the forehead as if from a blow. Severe pains through the temples, as if the head would split. On moving1 the head, the brain feels as if moving about. Pain in a small circumscribed spot on top of the head. Headache with throbbing of the carotid arteries, and swimming

sensation in the brain. Sensation of heat in the head, and of lightness in the head. Sharp gnawing pain in the right temple, causing him to grasp

his head and shut his eyes. Stitches in the temple, and then in the ear. Headache with throbbing of the temporal and carotid arteries;

increased heat and redness of the face; countenance looks

as though he had been intoxicated. Violent, throbbing pain in the left temple, aggravated by the

least misstep, or on stooping. Violent, throbbing pain in the fore part of the head. On the least motion, after sitting quietly, a feeling as if the

brain would burst from the forehead. Scalp feels sore on moving the hands through the hair. Pressure in the centre of the forehead.

Forehead heavy; pressure in the forehead and dullness; gait staggering, heavy and uncertain. The head feels very dull and heavy (after three hours and a quarter).

Pressure in the vertex and forehead; dullness when walking; body inclined to the left side.

Head feels as if expanded, heavy and hot.

Pressure through the temples, drawing toward the forehead through the depth of the brain (several times).

Pressing, aching pain in the depression behind the right ear; head dull, pulse slower, weakness of the thighs, and contracted pupils.

• Very severe headache, of years standing.

[The cerebral symptoms are fully as important as those of belladonna. It is certainly homoeopathic to congestion of the brain, incipient meningitis, acute hydrocephalus, basilar meningitis, cerebro-spinal meningitis, and irritation of the brain from teething, or during cholera morbus, and, finally, in sick and nervous headaches. — Rale.']

Eyes.

Pupils dilated more than usual, and general heaviness in the

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body very soon after taking it and disappearing after one hour.

Very marked dilatation of the pupils, preceded by dullness of the head; pulse slow and small; trembling of the legs, especially of the muscles of the thighs, like short jerks following in quick succession.

Alternate contraction and dilatation of the pupils, (vv.)

Black rings before the eyes with dilated pupils.

Pupils somewhat widened next day, with uncertainty in walking.

Pupils very much contracted; many black spots and strips floating before the eyes when reading; alternately very wide pupils, which finally remain dilated.

Pupils more contracted than usual; everything appears too bright.

Contracted pupils, head feeling dull, and weakness in the thighs.

Darkness before the eyes with white spots and strips; also black rings around the eyes; pupils very large after three fourths of an hour.

Mistiness and dimness before the eyes, with vertigo.

Sparks before the right eye; with nausea.

Black spots and a network (gauze) before the eyes.

The amaurotic symptoms are attended by dullness and heaviness of the head.

Ordinary light seems too bright.

Pressure above and in the depths of the eyes, especially when looking at an object by daylight.

Things at a distance look blurred; pressure in the forehead.

Photophobia, with pressure above and in the eyelids.

After a quarter of an hour the pupils much dilated.^ The inner rim of the iris appears a bright yellow, as if illuminated; bright spots and black network float before the eyes; sometimes a fog before the eyes.

Black rings before the eyes and dilated pupils.

Flickering before the eyes; 0 before the headache.

Great weakness of sight, aggravated by bright sunlight; watery eyes.

3 Erethic amaurosis.

Eyes very sensitive to the light, and while reading [all day].

Sensation as if too much light shining in the eyes; biting sensation in the borders of the eyelids; pressure above the eyes and in the depths of the eye, especially when looking at an object by daylight; things at a distance look blurred ; pressure in the forehead, lasting half an hour.

Staring, humid and glistening eyes.

Pain over the left eye, with pain in the bowels.

Shooting pains over the right eye.

Pain in the inner can thus of the left eye.

Severe pain over the eyes, almost unbearable when looking at

a bright object. Eyes feel dull and heavy.

Burning in the eyes and nose, also redness of the eyes.

Sensation as if there was sand in the eyes.

Biting sensation in the edges of the eyelids.

Stinging in the inner angle of the right eye, lasting one hour.

Muscse volitantes.

Fullness and extension in the eyes.

Burning sensation in the eyelids, and redness of the eyes.

[These symptoms are notable and important. Its action on the pupils is peculiar; the rule appears to be dilatation, but contraction sometimes occurs, and an alternate contraction and dilatation is frequent. With the dilated pupil occurs the majority of the amaurotic symptoms, the dimness of sight, black spots, etc. In this respect it resembles belladonna. With the contracted pupils we find photophobia, light spots, sparks, etc. It would seem that a condition of cerebral congestion was present with the contraction of the pupils. With nearly all the eye symptoms there occurs dullness and heaviness of the head, or severe pains over the eyes. The homoeopathic occulist will doubtless find this remedy a valuable one in internal affections of the eyes, especially in amaurosis. — Hale.]

Nose.

Discharge during the day of thin, watery fluid, with considerable sneezing.

Copious, watery discharge from the right nostril and obstruction of the left.

Face.

Bed, bloated face, with a look of fatigue. Feverish flashes across the face.

Shooting pains from the lower jaw up into the left ear, coming

suddenly and going as suddenly. * Erysipelas of the face.

Face hot, congested, with heat in the hands and along the back.

Ears.

Stitches in the ears; buzzing before the ears. Every sound he hears seems as if coming from a great distance.

Mouth and Teeth.

Insipid taste in the mouth.

Mouth very dry; lips dry and blistered, (v.)

Tongue sore, as if burned.

Dryness of back part of tongue and roof of the mouth. Constant stinging in the fauces when swallowing.

Throat.

Left tonsil feels swollen, with soreness on swallowing.

Stitches in right side of the throat.

Sensation as of a splinter in the right tonsil.

Raw sensation in the throat, painful on swallowing.

Dryness of the throat and fauces.

Stitches from the fauces to the internal right ear.

Pharynx and (Esophagus. Burning in the oesophagus, arising from the stomach. Cramp-like sensation in the oesophagus.

Gastric Symptoms.

Loathing, vomiting of ingesta.

Copious vomiting of a greenish colored matter, accompanied by thirst, dilated pupils, stertorous respiration, convulsions and tetanic stiffness of the limbs.

Frequent vomiting, first of mucus, afterward of a bluish or grey blackish fluid.

Empty eructations, with burning in the stomach.

Violent heartburn, after eating and after retiring.

Nausea with sparks before the eyes.

Stomach.

Severe burning in the stomach, with vomiting. Sharp, cutting pains in and across the stomach, better on pres. sure or on bending over.

Burning in the stomach (vv), with yellow, watery diarrhoea.

Severe pain in the region of the stomach, extending to the region of the heart and left shoulder.

Severe cramps in the pit of the stomach, aggravated by walking, relieved by eating.

Pains in the region of the stomach, accompanied by madness, delirium and convulsions of the limbs.

Great pressure in the stomach, by spells.

Continued pain in the scrobiculus.

° Inflammation of the stomach and bowels.

Abdomen.

Sharp pains in the intestines, as if cut with knives; relieved by eating.

Violent cutting in the umbilical region.

Stool and Anus.

Diarrhoea next day after the dose. Stools loose, semi- solid.

Loose evacuations, of a yellow color, somewhat watery, followed by burning pain in the stomach, accompanied with nausea.

Constipation, dry, hard stools, small in quantity, (secondary effect.)

Frequent, ineffectual urging to stool; at last nothing but wind

escapes. Tenesmus of the anus.

Urinary Organs.

It has great diuretic power, (secondary action.} The quantity of urine increased.

Sudden urging to urinate every ten minutes. {Bute.)

0 Dropsy, from suppression of intermittent fever. (Ruckert.)

° Ardor urinae. (Eberle.)

° Dropsy, with previous obstruction of absorbent system.

(Hahnemann.)

Respiratory Organs.

Difficulty in breathing; constriction of the chest.

Tickling sensation in throat, causing him to cough frequently.

Yellow, thick expectoration.

Beating pain in the left chest, in which there is a pain, as if sore, when touched.

Pressure on the sternum and tenth vertebra. Anxious feeling in the region of the heart.

Back and Extremities. Dull, heavy pain in the right arm extending to the fingers. Pain in the right knee, extending upward toward the hip. Lancinating pain extending down the left arm. Bruised feeling in the back and limbs; the neck feels stiff and

sore, as if it had been bruised, (vv.) Wandering pain; first in the shoulder, then down the arm,

then in the lower extremities. Cutting pain in the left side. Legs feel sore, as if bruised, from walking. Stiffness of the limbs.

Extraordinary convulsions of the limbs (in poisoning). Great weakness in both knees, which scarcely allows walking. Tearing on the dorsum of left foot, with creeping sensation in left calf.

Pain in left shoulder and right wrist joint. Arms heavy as if beaten, especially the left. Crampy convulsions in the left calf. Painful drawing in the arms and feet. Painful and itching sensation in the ulcers on the feet.

Skin.

0 Obstinate herpetic eruptions. Copious perspiration.

Red, scarlet-like spots on the skin of irregular form, nearly

over the whole skin. Great sensitiveness of the cutaneous surface. Spasms excited by touching the skin (in poisoning). Eruptions of small red pimples on the forehead, sore to the

touch and very hard. A few small pimples on the back of the hand, itching violently. Pustular eruptions. Ulcers. Desquamation of the skin. 6 Foul and painful chronic ulcers. {Eberle.) * 0 Scorbutic eruptions and ulcers of a cancerous nature. ° Syphilitic eruptions and nocturnal pains. 0 Erysipelas (when the swelling is in small spots).

[* Eberle used for the cure of the above conditions doses of two grains of dried leaves, night and morning. — Hale.]

Sleep.

Coma, alternating with convulsions and moaning.

Sleep disturbed by dreams of falling from a great height.

Dreams of snakes; frequently awaking in fright.

A feeling in the morning on waking as of great loss of sleep

Deep apoplectic stupor; coma and torpor, attended with fever

Lassitude of the whole body without inclination to sleep.

° Night terrors in children.

Fever.

Dry, burning heat, with small frequent pulse. Heat in the face, hands, and down the back. Hot skin covered with sweat. Excessive thirst.

Slightly feverish, with flashes of heat in the face.

High fever on retiring, lasting half an hour, followed by very profuse perspiration of short duration.

Great thirst, causing him to drink often and in large quantities, accompanied with feverish heat and redness of the face.

High fever, with great pain in back of the neck, shoulders and lower extremities.

Flashes of heat running up and down the back.

Fever all the afternoon, with violent beating of the carotid arteries, headache, pulse ninety-five.

Circulatory System.

Small frequent pulse; quick, irregular pulse; pulse 90 to 95.

Circulation generally excited, violent throbbing in the head.

Pulse full and irregular; pulse small and slow.

Anxious feeling in the region of the heart.

Increased distension and prominence of the varicose veins. Spasmodic Symptoms.

Convulsions and spasms; they stretch their hands during the spasms, as if they would grasp something. After this the hands are carried to the mouth, and the boys (of twc or three years) chew and swallow (in poisoning).

Tetanic rigidity of the whole body.

Great restlessness; violent, convulsive restlessness. {Hahnemann.}

° Tremor; trismus; violent subsultus tendinum. (H.)

0 [Raphania.] Characterized by painful creeping in the limbs, with distortion of the hands, convulsions, tonic spasms, occasional attacks of tetanus, epilepsy, imbecility, rage.

° Convulsions, with moaning and coma.

c Tingling in the extremities; preceding the convulsions.

0 Contractions of the flexor tendons as though they would hop about.

° Spasmodic contortion of the extremities. ° Tonic spasms; epileptic attacks; rage. ° Imbecility, risus sardonicus; contraction of the hands. ° Drawing in the fingers; cramps in the calves; inversion of the feet.

Generalities.

Violent pain in every muscle and joint of the body, on waking in the morning.

Severe pains, apparently in the muscles of the neck and between the shoulders, (w.)

Shooting pain in left arm and wrist.

General muscular soreness.

Whole surface of body tender to the touch, {w.)

General torpor of the whole system.

General inflammatory swellings.

External swelling, from external application.

Heat diffused in a few hours over the whole body; a profuse

sweat succeeding this heat, and a purging next day (from

three grains of the leaves). If a sweat does not follow the heat, profuse urination occurs,

followed by purging. Tremors with great debility.

Complete insensibility, with relaxed muscles, flushed face;

free,' irregular pulse. General, violent, convulsive restlessness. Great sensitiveness to cold air.

Increased distension and prominence of the varicose veins. Excessive fatigue from bodily exertion, with vertigo.

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Volume II — Special Therapeutics

In my “Symptomatology of New Remedies” I have given a full pathogenesis of this valuable medicine. My attention was first called to it by the statement of several country practitioners that they had been using for years an indigenous Belladonna, and with better results than they ever got from the foreign. I found, on investigation, that, misled by the name “Nightshade,” they had been using the Solanum. I then studied all the authorities attainable concerning the effects of this remedy. Dr. Ilering aided me materially. I was surprised at the richness of its pathogenesis. The symptoms are clear-cut and characteristic. Many of them bear a remarkable resemblance to Belladonna. (It may be possible that Hahnemann got some Solanum symptoms mixed with those of Belladonna.)

In meningitis (cerebral and cerebro-spinal) I value it very highly.

In headache it gives me and my patients better satisfaction than Belladonna.

In angina it often acts admirably. Amaurosis and ophthalmia are under its powerful curative influence.

It is valuable in spasms, especially the convulsions of teething children, or those who suffer from severe intestinal irritation. Puerperal convulsions may be warded off by its timely use.

In scarlet fever you will find it will often give you prompter curative results than Belladonna, especially when the eruption is not smooth and diffuse, but in spots, large, red, and livid.

I think it will prove very useful in chorea, insanity, typhoid fever, and many serious disorders of the nervous system.

I advise you to study the pathogenesis carefully, and carry the remedy side by side with Belladonna. I have generally used the

2* dilution, but it has been used successfully by German physicians in the 30th.