Lappa arctium

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Burdock.)

There are two species of the Burdock, formerly known as the Lappa Major, having large leaves ; and the Lappa Minor, with small leaves. The Arctium L. is the one used, having the large leaves.

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture of the root and seeds.

Analogues. — Iris, Lycopodium, Calcarea carb., Phytolacca, Graphites, Hepar sulph., Sulphur, Viola tricolor.

Head.

• Eruptions of the head, face and neck.

° Headaches from suppressed eruption on the scalp.

° Tinea capitis — the head completely covered with a grayishwhite crust, and most of the hair gone: the eruption extends to the face; cured rapidly and permanently by a weak infusion of the root, after a long and useless trial of Sulphur, Iris, Mercurius, Graphites, Calcarea carb., and Lycopodium. {Dr. Burt. See U. S. Medical and Surgical Journal, Jan. 1872.)

0 Crusta lactea, various forms of eczema. {Ib.)

° Chronic erysipelas of years standing. {Ib.)

° Moist, bad smelling eruptions on the heads of children. Face and Eyes.

° Boils on the face and eyelids.

0 Styes, and ulcerations on the edges of the eyelids.

Urinary Organs.

• Profuse and frequent urination.

° Pain in the bladder after urinating.

0 Dropsy from non-malignant renal disease.

General Symptoms. 0 Swelling and suppuration of the axillary glands. ° Boils all over the body, painful and slow to heal. 0 Fetid sweat of the axillae.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

From time immemorial this plant has been used as a “ blood

purifier” in domestic practice. It grows in nearly every country, and its popularity is almost universal.

Dr. Burt observed that its continued use in the form of decoction or syrup was quite successful in curing obstinate cutaneous eruptions, and it occurred to him to use it in practice. He claims to have cured several cases of tinea capitis “ when the head was completely covered with a grayish-white crust, and most of the hair gone ; the eruption extended to the face.” These cases were cured by the Burdock after Sulphur, Iris, Merc., Graph., and Lyc. had been tried faithfully without benefit.

Orusta lactea has also been cured by this remedy.

Chronic erysipelas is said to be removed permanently by its persistent use.

My observations have been mainly confined to its use in furunculi, when crops of boils persistently occur. In such instances I have known its use to be followed by an apparent removal of the furunculous tendency. Hordeolum and ulcerated eyelids are benefited by it, and Old Culpepper recommends it in fetid sweat of the axil Ire. Abscesses of the axillary glands have been cured by it. It appears to me to be an analogue of Hepar sulphur, Graphites, Phytolacca, and Sulphur. A proving may show this affinity ; also its real value in dropsy , dysuria, and other disorders of the urinary organs, for which it has been recommended.