CYCLAMEN EUROPAEUM

(Sowbread.)

(From vol. v, 2^nd edit., 1826.)

(The expressed juice of the fresh root, obtained in autumn, mixed with equal parts of alcohol.)

From the earliest times this valuable plant has lain under the unfounded suspicion of acting violently and uncertainly. Even should we grant that Discorides really referred to this plant, still all he says about it was only from hearsay. The Arabians employed this root under the name of Arthanita as one of the ingredients of a purgative ointment for rubbing in (unguentum de Arthanita), which contains a number of the most powerful remedies, and in this dangerous combination they brought it into the unmerited reputation of a drastic purgative medicine, which it is far from being.

Modern physicians know nothing more respecting it scarcely as much as the ancients romanced about it.

But as our new (homoeopathic) medical art takes nothing on the authority of unintelligent tradition, and neither accepts anything because it has been praised, not rejects it because it has been condemned, without having first subjected it to impartial trial, I undertook the investigation of this much decried root.

Just as the virtue of a man cannot be determined by the deceptive appearance of his outward form, nor by the colour of his coat, nor by the shallow gossip of the multitude, but as it assuredly displays itself in no doubtful manner to the honest observer in the goodness of his conduct, so, truly, the real value of a medicine can be determined neither by its outward appearance, nor by any unfounded reputation it may have obtained. It is only by our own careful proving of medicines on healthy persons that we can truly learn what are the peculiar qualities of a medicine, what changes it can produce in the health, and thence the similar changes in the sick it can cure.

And so from the following few pure symptoms we may learn that cyclamen is one of the most excellent remedies in the most desparate morbid states.

Hitherto I have given it in a very small portion of a drop of the million-fold dilution of the juice, but even this I have found to be a too strong homoeopathic dose for many cases.

[HAHNEMANN (who only contributed five symptoms) was aided in this proving by FRANZ, HARTUNG, HERRMANN, LANGHAMMER.

He only cites one old-school authority of one symptom.

ABANO, PETRUS DE, De Venenis.

The 1^st edition has 200 symptoms, only two more appear in this 2^nd edition.]

CYCLAMEN

The memory is sometimes very obtuse, and he can hardly recollect what has occurred quite recently; but sometimes it is very active – in quick alteration. [Fz.]

His mind is in a constant state of stupefaction, all its powers are in abeyance; he can neither rejoice nor be sad, although he is always as if after some great (though passed) sorrow; only when he is excited his head becomes somewhat clearer, and he behaves like a person wakened up from sleep, having only half understood what has happened about him (2^nd d.). [Fz.]

Obtuseness of the mind; he is neither inclined for, nor capable of any work (3^rd d.). [Fz.]

Vertigo; on standing still when he leans against something, he feels as if the brain moved in the head, or as if he was riding in a carriage with his eyes shut. [Fz.]

5. Dizziness in the head. [Hrr.]

Continual stitches in the fore part of his brain, on stooping.

When lying in bed in the evening, perceptible pulsation in the brain and delay in falling asleep.

Dull pain in the occiput. [Htg.]

Painful drawing in the brain from the left side of the occiput forwards, through the left temple to the forehead, in a line (aft. 1 h.). [Hrr.]

10. Slight pressure in the vertex, as if the brain were enveloped in a cloth, and he were thereby deprived of consciousness (2^nd d.) [Fz.]

Aching pain in the middle of the vertex, that sometimes causes dizziness. [Fz.]

Aching drawing pain from the right side of the forehead to the left, and then back again to the right side; then in the left temple; the pain went off on touching (aft. 9 h.). [Lr.]

Dull stitches in the right temporal region in all position (aft. 3 h.). [Lr.]

Some drawing stitches in the left temporal region, that went off on touching (aft. 16 h.). [Lr.]

15. Twitching stitches, first in the left then in the right temporal region. [Htg.]

Pains in the head with yawning, without drowsiness (aft. 5 h.). [Lr.]

Tearing pressive pain, externally on the head. [Fz.]

Fine, sharp, itching pricking on the hairy scalp, which, when he scratches, always recommences on another spot. [Fz.]

Breaking out of an eruption of pimples on the hairy scalp of the occiput, without sensation, and painless even when touched (aft. 1.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

20. Dilatation of the pupils (aft. 1.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Extreme dilatation of the pupils, especially of the right eye (aft. 15.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Aching stupefaction of the whole head with dimness of vision; there seemed to be a mist before the eyes and the eyes were as if forcibly closed (aft. 1 h.). [Lr.]

Dimness of vision (Hence this root has proved serviceable in dimness of vision from cold, SIMON PAULLI, JOS, LANZONI, in Misc. nat. Cur., Dec. ii, An. 10, Obs. 133.) (aft. 1 h.). [Lr.]

Swelling of the upper eyelids (without dilatation of the pupils) aft. 1 h.). [Lr.]

25. The eyes lie deep in the orbits and have a dull appearance (aft. 1.1/2 h.). [Hrn.]

Dryness and aching in the eyelids, as if they were swollen, with violent itching pricking in them and in them and in the eye-balls (aft. 7 h.). [Fz.]

Obtuse stitches on the right eye-ball and the upper eyelid (aft. 4 h.). [Hrn.]

In the eyes and lids a fine pricking, penetrating itching. [Fz.]

Fine tearing in the interior of the left meatus auditorious. [Hrn.]

30. Drawing pain in the interior of the right meatus auditorious; he then hears less distinctly with this ear (aft. ½ h.). [Hrn.]

The right ear feels as if stopped up with cotton wool, or as if something were held before the ear, so that the sound cannot properly penetrate into it (aft. 36 h.). [Hrn.]

Itching pricking in the right cheek, that becomes always stronger, then goes off of itself and leaves behind it a burning on the spot. [Fz.]

Diminished power of smelling. [Fz.]

Dry lips, without thirst. [Htg.]

35. In the upper lip, numb sensation, or as if there were an induration in it. [Fz.]

Violent stitches in the farthest back hollow molar of the upper jaw (aft. 15.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Tearing pain in the three left molars, as if the teeth were being drawn out. [Htg.]

(An existing, dull drawing toothache, that had lasted all night, went off in a minute. (Reaction of the organism, secondary action.) ) [Fz.]

Very white furred tongue, for three days (aft. 8 h.). [Lr.]

40. Fine stitches on the tongue (aft. 2 h.). [Fz.]

Drawing bruised pain deep in the muscles of the throat, which spreads internally down to the oesophagus and three causes a feeling of tension (aft. 10 h.). [Fz.]

Aching drawing pain in the submaxillary gland, when he bends his neck forwards. [Fz.]

Nausea, with flow of water into the mouth, like water-brash (aft. 1 h.). [Lr.]

In the evening and all day, very frequently accumulation of water in the mouth and imperfect eructation with taste of food. [Fz.]

45. Nausea and running of water out of the mouth, like water-brash (aft. 5 h.). [Lr.]

In the evening great dryness in the palate, with thirst and hunger. [Fz.]

In the mouth a continual rough, slimy feeling, as if he had not rinsed his mouth out in the morning. [Fz.]

Empty erection, soon after a meal. (aft. 7.3/4 h.). [Lr.]

Frequent, sometimes acid, eructation. [Hrn.]

50. Eructation, in the morning after a meal. That always ended with a hiccup, and during which a fluid with burnt taste rises up into the fauces. [Fz.]

In the morning after the (accustomed) tobacco-smoking, nausea and fulness in the chest, attended by unusual hunger (aft. 3 h.). [Fz.]

Little hunger and little appetite. [Hrn.]

No appetite for breakfast. [Hrn.]

If he takes but a small quantity of food, the remainder is repugnant to him and excites loathing, and he feels nausea in the palate and throat (aft. 27 h.) .[Hrn.]

55. Complete anorexia; he has no relish specially for breakfand supper; as soon as he commences to eat at these times he is immediately satiated [Hrn.]

Fulness in the stomach, as if it were overloaded, and six hours after a meal, incomplete eructation with the taste of the food. [Fz.]

For eight days he could eat but little and felt always satiated. [Hrn.]

Sudden bad, putrid taste in the mouth. [Fz.]

He has dislike to bread and butter; warm food goes down better. [Hrn.]

60. His food has a good taste, but whilst eating and some time thereafter he gets hiccup – a hiccuping eructation. [Fz.]

Food has for him a flat, almost no, taste. [Hrn.]

Adipsia, for four days. [Hrn.]

After four days the thirst returned and was sometimes more intense than in his normal condition [Hrn.]

After dinner and supper nausea with inclination to vomit, squeamishness and qualmishness in the gastric region, as from eating too much fat.

65. Drowsiness after a meal (aft. 6.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

After dinner great drowsiness and weariness. [Fz.]

Hiccup after a meal (aft. 14.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

All day long, pressure and fulness in the scrobiculus cordis, as from overloaded stomach. [Fz.]

Tearing stitches penetrating through and through in the epigastrium below the stomach, on moving. [Fz.]

70. Immediately after a meal rumbling in the hypogastrium, and this recurred every day (aft. 24 h.). [Hrn.]

Discomfort in the hypogastrium with some nausea therein. [Hrn.]

Bellyache (aft. 14 h.). [Lr.]

Pinching pain in the hypogastrium (aft. ½ h.). [Hrn.]

Pinching, cutting pain in the hypogastrium; it comes on suddenly at various periods and goes off quickly (aft. 2 h.). [Hrn.]

75. Obtuse shooting pains in the bowels under the hepatic region. [Htg.]

In the epigastrium a paralytic, aching sensation, as if one portion of the bowels were loose and a tension occurred in the neighbouring parts. [Fz.]

Squeezing and pressive pain from without inwards in the hypogastrium. [Htn.]

Single stitches dart through the abdomen, when he moves (4^th d.). [Fz.]

Pinching in the epigastrium, as if diarrhoea would ensue, and shortly afterwards a yellow, soft stool, with recurring persistent pinching in the abdomen (aft. ¼ h.), whereupon constipation lasting three days ensued. [Fz.]

80. The right side of the abdomen beneath the navel seems to him swollen and distented in the morning; an illusory sensation. [Fz.]

The hypogastrium is painful on the slightest touch, sometimes with an aching, sometimes a pinching pain, sometimes with a mixture of the two. [Hrn.]

After discharge of flatus, rumbling in the hypogastrium (aft. 1 h.). [Lr.]

Pappy stool (aft. 15 h.). [Lr.]

Frequent evacuation of hard stool (aft. 10 h.). [Lr.]

85. No stool the second day. [Fz.]

Inside and outside the anus and in the perineum drawing aching pain, as if a part there gathering, when walking and sitting. [Fz.]

Frequent call to urinate, without pains (aft. 1 h.). [Lr.]

Frequent copious copious discharge of a whitish urine (aft. 4 h.). [Fz.]

The second day he only urinated twice. [Fz.]

90. Frequent urging to urinate with scanty flow of urine (aft. 15 h.). [Lr.]

Shooting pain in the front of the urethra when urinating (aft. 7.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Sneezing from the smell of the juice (aft. ½ h.). [Lr.]

Sudden violent fluent coryza (aft. 1.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Fluent coryza and several times sneezing therewith (aft. 7 h.). [Lr.]

95. Short cough (aft. ½ h.). [Lr.]

Oppression of chest with difficult respiration. [Htg.]

Suffocation, strangulation. [PETRUS DE ABANO, de Venenis, cap. 22. (In original “Hartmann,” but this is apparently a misprint for Hartung or Herrmann, as Hartmann is not credited with any other symptom.) ]

In the evening great exhaustion and shortness of breath; he feels as if he had not strength enough to draw a full breath (aft. 8.1/2 h.). [Fz.]

Pressive pain in the left side of the chest, especially about the precordial region, as if too much blood had accumulated there, with perceptible palpitation of the heart. [Htg.]

100. When sitting still, paralytic pressure on the chest, upper arm and tibia (aft. 8 h.). [Fz.]

On the upper part of the sternum sharp, board stitches, recurring at irregular intervals (aft. 32 h.). [Hrn.]

On the chest, while moving and when at rest, tearing stitches, with tightness of the chest and dyspnoea, the second day. [Fz.]

Tearing stitches on the last true rib on bending the body forwards. [Fz.]

Rheumatic drawing in the left side of the nape, only whenever he bends back his head (aft. ½ h.). [Fz.]

105. Externally and internally on the nape, sore excoriated sensation. [Fz.]

Aching paralytic pain in the nape, which goes off on bending back the head. [Fz.]

In the evening, drawing (rheumatic) pain on the left side of the neck, on moving the head, whilst there was a sensation of heat in the cervical muscles and on the left ear. [Fz.]

Some deep penetrating, pinching, obtuse stitches which recur in equal periods of a few seconds (on the right side near the spine, betwixt the os innominatum and the last false rib), in the renal region, more severe on inspiration, which is impeded by the excessive pain (aft. 28 h.). [Hrn.]

When sitting stitch-like pains in the back on the left side in the region of the false ribs, which go off on touching (aft. 15 h.). [Lr.]

110. Drawing down the back, which is alleviated by drawing back the scapulae, but increased by drawing the shoulders forwards (aft. 7 h.). [Fz.]

Rheumatic drawing in the left gluteus maximus, at its superior insertion in the os ilii towards the sacrum, when sitting, which goes off on standing up (aft. 7 h.). [Fz.]

Tearing ending in a stitch over the scapulae with paralytic pain in the arm. [Fz.]

A kind of paralytic, hard pressure on the right upper and forearm, feeling as if in the periosteeum and quite in the interior of the muscles; it extends thence into the fingers and hinders him in writing (aft. 37 h.). [Hrn.]

Drawing pain on the left arm extending into the fingers.

115. Pain over the outer aspect of the elbow-joint, as from a blow, or contusion, or as if bruised, still more painful when moving the arm and when touching the part, for three days (aft. 25 h.). [Lr.]

Painful drawing in the inner aspect of the shaft of the ulna and in the wrist joint (aft. 38 h.). [Hrn.]

A kind of paralytic, hard pressure, which commences only feebly in the forearm, but thence extends into the fingers, where it becomes so violent that it is only with the greatest effort he can write. [Hrn.]

Stitch-like pain in the muscles of the right forearm, during rest and motion (aft. 2 h.). [Lr.]

Fine tearing on the left radius near and in the wrist-joint, feeling as if in the periosteum (aft. ¾ h.). [Hrn.]

120. Aching on the back of the left hand. [Fz.]

Tearing in the little, middle and ring fingers of the left hand, feeling as if in their periosteum (aft. ¾ h.). [Hrn.]

Spasmodic slow bending of the right thumb and index, the points of which approach one another, and which must be extended by force (aft. 5.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Between the fingers a quick and fine pricking itching as with needles, which goes off immediately by scratching entirely and without any after-sensation (aft. 6 h.). [Fz.]

After severe itching a red vesicle appears on the middle joint of the little finger of the left hand (aft. 15.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

125. After violent itching that compelled him to scratch, there appeared a red pimple on the proximal joint of the ring-finger, which soon became white like a blister, surrounded by a red areola (aft. 1.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Weakness in the thighs and legs; on standing a long time they totter hither and thither (aft. ½ h.) [Hrn.]

Cramp-like pain in the thigh posteriorly above the right hough (aft. 8 h.).[Hrn.]

Spots half an inch in diameter of deep red colour, like burns, on both thighs (aft. 10.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Internal twitching under the left knee. [Fz.]

130. Sometimes on one knee, sometimes on the other, a pressive bruised pain, which goes off on moving the knee (aft. 11 h.). [Fz.]

In the ligaments of the knee-joint a stretching, aching drawing, when sitting and standing. [Fz.]

In the evening, heat in the whole of the left leg and drawing pain in it when sitting. [Fz.]

Stitch-likpain in the muscles of the right calf, when at rest and when moving (aft. 2 h.). [Lr.]

Itching in the skin of the calf (aft. 6 h.). [Lr.]

135. Severe itching in the skin of the right calf, so that he must scratch till the blood came, whereupon the part remained red and bloody (aft. 23 h.). [Lr.]

In the morning, great itching of the right calf, with swelling of its blood-vessels down to the foot; he must scratch till the blood came, whereupon the part remained red and bloody (aft. 23 h.). [Lr.]

When moving, tearing, aching, paralytic pain on the tibiae, with powerlessness and unsteadiness in the knees (2^nd d.). [Fz.]

Drawing pressure in the tibiae, sometimes when sitting, sometimes when walking; it goes off by walking if it came on when sitting, and goes off by sitting if it came on when walking; but the pain is more frequently felt when sitting (aft. 9 h.). [Fz.]

Drawing pressure on the dorsum of the feet when sitting, which goes off on rising up. [Fz.]

140. A pain, like dislocation, in the foot, especially beside the heel and in the ankles, when sitting and standing, but increased when walking (aft. 3 h.). [Lr.]

In the ankle-joint, aching, dislocation pain, when walking and standing, which goes off on sitting down (aft. 4.1/2 h.). [Fz.]

Dislocation pain in the right foot, which, however, goes off when touched and when walking (aft. 4.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

A dislocation pain in the foot only when walking (aft. 6 h.). [Lr.]

Itching above the ankles and on the toes, which recommences suddenly with a fine prick, is sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker, and when it has ceased leaves behind it a sensation sometimes of warmth, sometimes of numbness of the skin on the part (aft. 3 h.) [Fz.]

145. Violent itching on the dorsum of the right big toe, which compels him to scratch, after which white pustules break out that itch still more violently; the itching only declines when he has rubbed the toe raw (aft. 5 h.). [Hrn.]

When walking in the open air, a burning sore pain on the heels, which was also still perceptible when standing and when sitting (aft. 24 h.). [Lr.]

Violent itching, not only on the skin, but also as it were on the bones of the toes of the left foot, in the evening (aft. 16.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

After walking the toes are as if dead, and yet when walking, and still more when leaping, he feels a sore pain on them. [Fz.]

Ill-smelling perspiration between the toes of the left foot, for several successive days (aft. 16 h.). [Lr.]

150. Hard pressure on the left big toe. [Hrn.]

Drawing pain on the big toe. [Hrn.]

Hard, drawing pressure on the left little toe, towards the outside – feeling as if in the periosteum. [Hrn.]

A drawing from without inwards where the left little toe, towards the outside – feeling as if in the periosteum. [Hrn.]

A drawing from without inwards where the left big toe is connected to the metatarsal bone (aft. 30 h.). [Hrn.]

Itching on various parts of the body , consisting of a rapidly occurring, sharp, throbbing continued prick, and when it went off a numb sensation remained for some time. [Fz.]

155. Itching erosion on many parts of the body; it excites scratching, whereby it is removed for some time, but then recurs. [Hrn.]

On various parts of the body, where the bones are immediately covered by the skin, e.g. on the tibiae and clavicles, pressive, drawing or tearing pains, more when moving than when at rest. [Fz.]

In the evening, in bed, he can scarcely bear the pricking itching on all parts of the body. [Fz.]

Itching (sometimes in the forenoon) on various parts of the body, consisting of coarse pricks, which then changes into drawing and tearing pain there (2^nd d.). [Fz.]

The child always wants to go to bed and lie down.

160. As long as he is moving he feels nothing but exhaustion; but on sitting down there occurs an itching and many other sufferings (towards evening). [Fz.]

Sometimes great peevishness and lethargy of the mind, with bodily exhaustion, which latter only goes off as soon as he moves about. [Fz.]

Great weakness of the body, especially in the knees, though hr feels strong in his mind and is lively (aft. 1.1/2 h.). [Fz.]

He is fatigued in all his limbs, as if their mobility were hindered. [Fz.]

Relaxed feeling of the whole body; it was a trouble to him to move even one limb. [Htg.]

165. In the evening extraordinary fatigue; he must lie down and slumber; on rising up again the lower extremities are as if bruised and stiff, with drawing aching pains in the thighs and knees. [Fz.]

Drowsiness when sitting (aft. 3.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

Great inclination to slumber all the forenoon. [Fz.]

In the evening great inclination to sleep; he cannot resist it. [Fz.]

In the evening, he had scarcely fallen asleep when he had nightmare; he could not cry out even when he was awake. [Fz.]

170. Restless sleep, dreams about money (aft. 22 h.). [Lr.]

Frequent waking at night, as from sleeplessness. [Lr.]

Sleep towards morning, with slight dreams. [Fz.]

The sleep at night is broken, only towards morning many dreams and a seminal emission (3^rd night). [Fz.]

In the morning he awakes very early; he cannot get to sleep again, and when he wishes to get up he cannot do so on account of weariness and sleepiness. [Fz.]

175. In the evening he cannot refrain from sleep, with constant chilly feeling. [Fz.]

All the forenoon continued chilliness and coldness of the whole body, renewed by every dose; after the chill had passed off and the normal warmth had ensued, at first only the nose still remained cold, but when it again got warm the hands, which had previously got warm., became again cold (aft. ½ h.). [Hrn.]

In the evening sometimes, along with chilly feeling, sudden shuddering. [Fz.]

Shivering all through the body, with yawning, without coldness of goose-skin, in the morning (aft. 24 h.). [Lr.]

Towards evening, great chill, without thirst; at the same time great sensitiveness to cold, during which he often shakes and shivers, then heat on various parts, with anxiety , as if some misfortune threatened him. [Fz.]

180. Coldness of the hands, whilst the face and hands were warm, without thirst, in the morning (aft. ¾ h.). [Lr.]

Towards evening, first for some minutes chilliness and great sensitiveness to cold, then heat in some parts of the body, the backs of the hands and the nape, but not in the face. [Fz.]

In the morning hot feeling on the hands, face and whole body without particular elevation of temperature, and without thirst (aft. ¾ h.). [Lr.]

Heat of single parts of the hands, nape, and neck under the jaw, and an hour afterwards dryness of the palate and thirst. [Fz.]

Feeling of heat, and externally perceptible heat of the hands, with swelling of the veins; whilst the rest of the body and the forehead are only warm, the cheeks are cold. (aft. 15.1/2 h.). [Lr.]

185. Each time he wakes from sleep at night, slight sweat all over the body (aft. 10 h.). [Lr.]

Out of the febrile chill and coldness, gradually occurring thirstless heat of the body, especially in the face, with redness, that was increased after a meal. (aft. 2 h.). [Hrn.]

All day long ha had no thirst, but in the evening, when the face and hands became warm, thirst came on. [Fz.]

He is always in a reverie, and not inclined to speak. [Hrn.]

In fits of two hours and longer, disinclination to speak; talking is a trouble to him. [Hrn.]

190. Disinclination for all work, until towards evening; he cannot make up his mind to do the least thing. [Fz.]

In fits of two hours and longer, disinclination to work, and then, again, inclination for it. [Hrn.]

Previously cheerful, he suddenly became very grave, and to a certain degree peevish (aft. 2 h.); after some time he again became cheerful, and then again peevish. [Hrn.]

Peevish, morose disposition; he easily takes every trifle in bad part, and gets angry over it. [Lr.]

195. Deep thought about the present and future, so that he almost wept (aft. 12 h.). [Lr.]

Inward grief and anxiety of conscience, as if he had not done his duty or had committed a crime (aft. 1 h.).[Lr.]

Excessive sadness, as if he had done something bad and had neglected his duty (aft. 10 h.). [Lr.]

Calm, contenwith himself. (Secondary and curative action.) (aft. 3 h.). [Lr.]

Tranquillity of mind. (Secondary and curative action.) [Htg.]

200. Sometimes he is quite peevish and ill-humoured; but soon there occurs again a strange happy feeling, which shows itself by a slight trembling in the joints. [Fz.]

All day long he is peevish, not disposed to talk, and insensible, so that he feels little in his body. [Fz.]

Towards evening there suddenly occurs a strange happy feeling and lively fancy, which conjures up agreeable picture. [Fz.]

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