Rhus Glabra

R. carolinensis. R. elegans. R. virginica. Common Smooth Sumach. Pennsylvania Sumach. Upland Sumach. (Rocky or barren soils in North America.) N. O. Anacardiaceæ. Tincture of fresh bark; of root; of berries.

Clinical

Debility / Diarrhœa / Dreams, annoying / Dysentery / Epistaxis / Hæmorrhage / Head-ache / Mouth, ulcers in

Characteristics

Rhus glabra, R. tryphina, and R. coriaria have acid fruit and astringent bark, which is used in tanning. Rh. g. is a deciduous shrub with stem 2 to 12 feet high, and has terminal flowers, and fruit clothed with acid crimson hairs, like the other non-poisonous Rhoes. The tincture of the bark was proved by Dr. A. V. Marshall on himself with very substantial doses. The symptoms of the Schema are his, and they bear out the traditional uses of the remedy. One of these is, "profuse perspiration arising from debility" (Scudder); and Marshall had "profuse sweat during sleep" and such a degree of debility that he was obliged to leave off the proving. Hale mentions that an infusion of the root has a popular repute in diarrhœa and dysentery, especially when the discharges are fetid; and that the berries are used for chronic cough, wheezing cough, and laryngeal asthma. A tincture made of the whole pannicle ("Sumach-bobs") cured a patient of his who had every spring an attack of laryngeal cough with dyspnœa and almost complete loss of voice. Farmers place "bobs" in the mangers of horses who have "heaves." Cooper observed an aggravation in a case of psoriasis: the patient felt irritable and despondent, and the skin became irritable. In the proving there were dull, heavy headaches, > exercise. (Hale says it has cured occipital headaches.) There was < of stomach symptoms by either food or drink. < By touch (abdomen; ulcers in mouth). < After sleep. > movement.

Relations

Compare: Rh. a. and other Anacardiaceæ, and the Xanthoxylaceæ, which are an allied order.

1. Mind

Distaste for society. Stupid; forgetful; indifferent to surrounding objects.

2. Head

Dull, heavy headache on waking, > by exercise. Dull, heavy pain in front and top of head.

5. Nose

Bleeding from l. nostril and mouth. Bloody scabs in l. nostril. L. nostril hot and dry.

8. Mouth

Tongue furred white. Several small, very sensitive ulcers on mucous membrane opposite the bicuspids. Taste flat, alkaline. Taste of drug remains long. Bleeding from mouth.

9. Throat

Expelled two clots of blood from throat soon after waking.

11. Stomach

Loss of appetite Ord d.). Hunger (4th d.). At breakfast could eat but little though feeling as if he had fasted many days (6th d.). Distress in stomach, disturbed, very restless. Pain in stomach much < by all food or drink.

12. Abdomen

Sharp cutting in umbilical region and abdomen. Umbilical region tender to pressure.

13. Stool and Anus

Diarrhœa in afternoon, < towards evening (1st d.); later dry, hard stool; then first part dry, later moist; then natural; and again diarrhœa of short continuance.

14. Urinary Organs

Scanty, high-coloured urine.

20. Back

Pain in small of back.

23. Lower Limbs

Aching and fatigue of lower limbs, can hardly stand.

24. Generalities

Lost two pounds weight in three days. Exhaustion and painful fatigue compelled him to relinquish the proving.

26. Sleep

Sleep: disturbed by annoying dreams; very restless. Dreams of flying through the air.

27. Fever

Sense of coldness while there is actual increase of heat in the skin. Skin hot, dry, with thirst. Sweat, profuse during sleep.