Equisetum hyemale

Volume II — Main text

EQUISETUM. Equisetum hyemale, L. Scouring rush , rough horsetail. Nat. Ord., Equisetacee. I. Provings.- 1 . a. Dr. HUGH M. SMITH took, August 24th, 26th, and 30th, repeated doses of 30th dil. He experienced on first 2 d. frequent sharp stitches in temples, with sense of constriction there and across forehead; and p.m. of 31st had some pain in region of sacro-lumbar articulation and through 1, hip, extending down outer side ofl. leg,terminating in front about 3 in, above knee, relieved bylying still, increased at first by exertion, but subsequently diminishing. Pain seemed deep.

550 EQUISETUM. seated. Urine was on this d. high coloured and scanty, and there was considerable smarting and pricking in urethra on urinating ; since commencement ofproving there had been soreness of I. testicle and cord, with pain from least pressure. b. Sept. 10th.-Took doses of 3rd dil, at intervals of 15 m. from 9.30 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. 11.45, boring pain in 1. temple. 12.45, constrictive pain through temples, and occasional sharp pain through 1. hip and in lumbar region. Frequent desire to urinate, p.m., with biting sensation in urethra during and after passage of urine. Took a dose at 7.30 and 8 p.m. Great restlessness all e.; sensation of con. striction of whole scalp, as if drawn tightly over skull, with continued inclination to raise and wrinkle brow, which when wrinkled requires quite an effort to smooth it out again; pricking sensation also in forehead, and while rubbing it very similar feeling to that caused by electricity. 11th.-Took dose at 9.45 a.m. Dull heavy headache all afternoon, with inability to study; soreness of both testicles and spermatic cords, worse in l. 12th.-At 8.30, 8:45, and 9.10 p.m., took 5 dr. At 9, slight pain in r., then in l., kidney, extending down 1. side of sacrum. Slept well through n., but woke with dull heavy pain in lumbar region, and passed large quantity of pale urine. c. Sept. 13th, 9.30 a.m.-Took 10 dr. of tinct. At 9.45,dull pain in region of r. kidney, with urgent desire to urinate. He had done so only a few m. before, but now passed ziv of clear light urine. 10, took 10 dr. more. 10.15, passed zv of urine, with pricking in urethra during and after urination, and feeling in bladder as after great distension ; constant desire to urinate, and large quantities of clear, lightcoloured urine passed without relief. 11.7, pain in back and pricking in urethra increased. At 12 m., repeated dose. 12.30, very severe pain in lumbar region, increased by sitting still; dull heavy feeling at top of head, with pain through temples. 1.20, passed ziiss of urine. 1.25, face flushed, with slight feeling of heat. 1.40, great burning in face, neck, and r. ear, without much redness. Desire to urinate continues, but he passes smaller quantity and of darker colour. Dull pain in back all afternoon, with throbbing pain in temples, first 1. then r., with sense of constriction of whole scalp. Dull drawing pain in back of head and neck in e. Very irritable and easily fatigued. 14th.-Slept well, but woke unrefreshed ; head feels heavy and dull; pain in back continues; soreness in r. side of abdomen and region of bladder; urine profuse. At 9.15 a.m., took 15 dr., and repeated dose at 10.25. Urgent desire to micturate, with pricking and soreness of meatus from contact or pressure. At 11, took 20 dr. 11.20, severe pain in roof of r. orbit ; same feeling in back, just below lower angle of scapula, increased by least motion or deep breathing. 12 m., took 25 dr. 1.10, heat in face, without redness, for 1 h. 1.30, sharp stitch in 1. breast. 1.50, took 30 dr. Urine very profuse, and passed at short intervals, with biting and pricking sensation in urethra. 15th.-At9 a.m., 30 dr. Tenderness over hypogastric and iliac regions, most on r.; pain and soreness of back and 1. hip continue. At 11.20, 40dr. Soon after, dull, deep-seated pain in forehead, with prickling of skin on rubbing ; pain in bladder, as from distension; distended feeling of whole abdomen; less urine this m. than usual. Pain in back, especially while sitting, and soreness of testicles and cords (more in 1.) still continue. 12.20 p.m., excessive burning in urethra while urinating. 12.35, creeping running up back. 1.15, stool, with aching in anus and feeling as if rectum would protrude,followed by smarting in anus and sensation as though some fæces still remained. 1.55, 50 dr. Same hypogastric pain and tenderness, and constant desire to micturate, which is not relieved by passing urine; also soreness of testicles and cord. Urine, when allowed to stand for some time, deposited much mucus. 16th.-Woke with sharp pain in inner side of l. knee, which passed off after moving about a short time. Still pain in back and hypogastrium. Smarting of anus during and after stool. 9.10 a.m., 50 dr. 9.20, sense of fulness in fore part of head, as if all contents of cranium were packed in front. 10.30, 50 dr. 10.45, pressing pain in both temples, with heat in face and forehead; sharp pain in r. side, just above crest of ilium. 11.30, 50 dr. Same feeling in head. 11.35, small quantity ofurine, with burning and smarting in urethra. Feeling ofdistension of bladder continued for some d. after stopping drug. Appetite very much increased all through proving, at times excessive. (Trans. of N. Y. State Hom. Med. Soc. , 1876-7, p. 104.) 2. F. L. DE KORTH, man of 21, Sept. 14th, 9 a.m., took 10 dr. of tinct. 9.25, pain in r. temple. 9.30 and 10, repeated dose. 9.35, frontal headache, with sense

of tightness of scalp and pain in roof of r. orbit. 10-1, pain in upper part of shoulders and in vertebra prominens, increased by least motion or contact. 10.35, passed large quantity of urine, with burning in fore part of urethra. 12.30 and 1.30, took 20dr. 12.35, sharp cutting pain in urethra. 2.30, took 42 dr. 2.45, passed large quantity of urine, with burning in urethra and tenderness in region of bladder, as from distension. 3-3.15 and 6-6.15, violent erections. 6.30, passed large quantity of urine. 9.30, sharp pain in 1. temple, extending to supra-orbital region, with redness and burning of face. 15th.-Many confused dreams of crowds of people who had no relation with each other; was obliged to get up several times in n. to urinate. At 10 a.m., 20 dr. 10.15, sharp pricking pains in urethra; pain in r. shoulder, extending to middle of upper arm. 10.25, dull, heavy feeling of head, as if itwould fall forwards; pain through temples and across forehead and upper part of eyes. 10.30, took40 dr. 10.45, headache increased, accompanied by feeling of drowsiness ; pain under sternum on taking deep breath; pains in neck, which on motion extendto shoulders. 10.50, pain in testicles and urethra. 10.55, sharp pain in region of heart, also in lower abdomen, with sticking like pins in anus. 11,took 60dr. 11.5, intense pain in lower abdomen, with passage of flatus. 11.10, passed small amount of urine, but felt as though he had not urinated for hours; pricking pain in urethra, a short distance back from meatus, while urinating. 11.15, sharp pain in 1. shoulder, with shivering over whole body and great heat in head. 11.30, took 120dr. 11.48, very severe headache, with intense pain in upper part of eyes or roof of orbits ; pain in region of heart, more intense than before. 11.55, sharp pain inl. side, just above crest of ilium, lasting about 5 m. 12.50, severe pain in lower abdomen, with passage of much fetid flatus; pains in centre of chest on any movement forward. 1.30 p.m., 70 dr.; sharp sticking pain in throat. 1.35, sharp pain in region of heart. 1.40, pain in 1. side, above crest of ilium, extending forward to median line of body. 1.50, sharp pain in region of heart, increased from inspiration. 3.17, passed large amount ofurine, attended with burning in urethra and sharp pain in root of penis. 4.8, sharp pain in outer angle of r. eye. 5, violent erections. Sleep as last n.; woke unrefreshed, with some headache, and had heavy feeling in head all d., with sense of great prostration. Latter lasted through morrow also, with sexual impotence; pain and tenderness in region ofbladder, with soreness of testicles extending to cords ; appetite very much increased, so much so that he hardly knew when he had had enough. (Ibid.) 3. Edward CHAPIN, æt. 27. a. July 29th and 30th, 1875, took pellets of 30th dil. 3 or 4 times a d. In h. after first dose, head felt heavy, with pains directly above r. temple, and confusion of sounds in ears, so that they were barely distinguishable; symptoms worse from moving head. After and dose, pain in both temples, more severe in l., also in 1, occiput and near two lower lumbar vertebræ. After 3rd dose head felt light, with wave-like pains through it ; others continuing. After4th dose, lumbar pain very marked, extending along coccyx. After first two doses on 30th (8.15 and 8.50) sticking again in 1. temple, proceeding in straight line across forehead to r., with confusion of noises in ears as before, sharp dartings in various parts of head and dull heavy sensation of whole brain. After 3rd dose, lumbar pains as before. Took similar doses with similar effect Aug. 3rd and 26th. Feltb.excessive Commencedappetite all through August proving. 30th to take pellets of 3rd dil. After 4 doses at short intervals fearful rumbling sensation in ears, with dulness and heaviness in head. After 2 doses Sept. 2nd, rumbling in 1. ear, followed by confusion of noises in same, and slight boring pain from 1. to r. in temporal and occipital regions. After a 3rd dose at 9.45 a.m., pains in head continued all forenoon. 7th.-" Continued with 3rd dil." Pain in r. hip-joint, also near knee-joint; severe frontal headache ; heavy weight on top of head; stitching pain near lambdoidal suture, also darting pain in each temple ; stupefying headache about 4 p.m. c. Sept 18th. At 1.30 and 1.45 p.m. took 10 dr. of tinct. Severe pain in r. Jumbar region. 22nd.-Took 15 dr. at 1.30 p.m. About 2.15 severe pain directly over r. temple. Heavysensation, as ofa lump, inr. lumbar region, directly over hipjoint; severe vertigo ; skin over frontal bone very tight, and feeling as if continuing to contract; great desire to urinate, but only a small quantitypassed each time; some pain in peniswhile micturating. 27th.-Took 15 dr. at 8.45 a.m.; 25 dr. at 9.45 ; 50dr. at 11.30; 55 dr. at 12.30. During 24 h. after taking drug passed 45 oz. of

urine, sp. gr. 1028 ; great desire to micturate about 11.30, and quite a large amount passed; in a short time again great desire, but while this increased, amount passed grew less each time ; severe burning and aching in penis while urinating, also severe dull pain in bladder, not relieved immediately by emptying it; urine had very cloudy appearance after standing in a vessel a short time. Bladder pain continued for 2 d. after taking drug, to such extent as to make him fear impending inflammation. (Ibid.) 4. C. C. P-, female, took repeated doses of 30th, with same action as displayed in former cases in temporo-frontal region-headache there and contractive feeling of integument, also heaviness of eyelids and sleepiness; sleep disturbed by confused dreams of many people present together, but quite unconnected, as in No. 2. (Ibid.) 5. a. J. H. CARMICHAEL, M.D., Jan. 3rd, 1876, at 2.30 p.m. took 6 dr. oftinct., 10 dr. at 5.30 and 12 at 10.30. After taking and dose slight uneasiness in epigas. trium and r. hypochondrium, more decided after 3rd ; much wind in stomach, constantly changing position ; slight neuralgic pains in head, most frequent in 1. temporal regions. During n. fitful sleep; increased saliva, causing frequent desire to swallow; pain in both scapular regions,worse in l., and great soreness over kidneys, worse on r. 4th. At 7 am , 5 dr. More or less stiffness in muscles of neck ; 1. scapular pain continues; pain about pyloric orifice of stomach; decided heavy pain over r. kidney ; urine diminished; pulse quicker by 10 beats per m.; general feeling of malaise. At 5 p.m., 10 dr. Pain in 1. pectoral muscles ; dull,heavy headache; epigastric and umbilical regions painful; pain in l. kidney still. At 9 p.m., 10 dr. Very severe pain in r. lung between 4th and 5th ribs. 5th .-Pain still in r. lung, but not so severe as last n.; frequent calls to urinate ; urine has ammoniacal smell; decided stiffness of all muscles of trunk ; soreness still on pressure over r. kidney ; 1. scapular region very sore on movement of arm. Very severe pain in r. pectoral region all d., worse in e., cannot fill lung with air for pain ; pulse 100, but do not feel feverish. Later, both lungs feeling as if becoming congested, and respiration difficult ; took veratrum viride with relief. 6th.-Restless n., could only lie on back till midnight, after that on affected side; it felt as if a spot beneath 1. nipple were inflamed, worse on inspiring, stooping to r. or elevating r. arm. 7th.-Pain continues, but not as bad as yesterday. In e., frequent desire to pass water, with severe cramp-like pain in hypogastric region, somewhat relieved on micturition, but recurring, for about 2 h . b. April 24th.-Took 4 doses of 10 to 12 dr. each, and on 25th 4 doses of 10 dr. The drug had a decided diuretic effect, with slight pressure in vesical region, decided burning over epigastrium, and more or less uneasiness indifferent parts of the body also (on 25th) dull heavy aching over 1. kidney with sharp pain inl. hypochondrium. 26th.-At noon, 20 dr. Diuretic action of remedy continues ; 1. kidney has been more painful during last 6 h.; soreness in r. subscapular region, also uneasiness in r. kidney. 27th.-Could not sleep first part of n. on account of dull, heavy pain over both kidneys, which is still severe this m.; occasional sharp shooting pains through both lungs ; great acidity of stomach for last 2 d. On pressing hypogastric region, much soreness; in forenoon much uneasiness about stomach,bowels feeling as though diarrhoea were about to set in. 28th.-Kidneys still feel sore; frequent calls to urinate, quite a large quantity passed each time ; heavy pressing pain in stomach commencing about 1 h. after each meal and continuing about 2 h.; much soreness about thorax. 29th.-Feeling somewhat better, but often reminded ofback by pain on movement. (U. St. Med. Investigator, Aug. 15th, 1878.)