Scrophularia Nodosa

Scrophularia.

Scrophularia nodosa (and S. Marilandica, the American variety introduced from Europe and Asia). Fig-wort. N. O. Scrophulariaceae. Tincture of whole fresh plant.

Appendicitis. Breast, tumours of. Colic. Deafness. Dyspepsia. Enuresis. Eyes, scrofulous affections of. Glands, enlarged. Liver, pains in. Palms, cramp in. Pemphigus. Rheumatism. Sigmoid flexure, pain in. Sleepiness. Stiff-neck. Ureter, pain in.

The plants of the genus Scrophularia "have generally an unpleasant smell. The generic name is derived from the property which the roots were supposed to have of curing scrofula. A decoction of one of the common British species, S. nodosa, is sometimes used by farmers to cure the scab in swine" (Treas. of Bot.). Scrph. was proved by Franz, and later in America by W.

H. Blakeley, who took from 10 to 60 drops of the tincture several times a day. Pareira gives the analysis of the drug, which shows it to be very complex. It contains much oxalate and carbonate of lime, as well as Magnesia and Silica.

The most remarkable of Franz's symptoms were: Excessive drowsiness; in forenoon, in afternoon, and before and after eating; vertigo when in upright position; accumulation of sweetish water in several parts of the tongue; sensation of a soft body in the gullet; constriction of chest; oppression of chest with trembling as after much weeping. Most of these symptoms were confirmed by Blakeley. The chief clinical authority for Scrph is Cooper, who has used it on some old indications.

Gerarde mentions "hard kernels" and painful and swollen piles as indicating it. Cooper gave it to a patient who had been poisoned by an Indian arrow-poison which produced inflammation and suppuration of the glands; Scrph. relieved a most painful condition of the rectum and purulent discharge that had kept up years afterwards. Cooper has reduced strumous glands with it; and cured deafness in a "bullnecked" patient; and also cured a case of sycosis menti, using Scrph. externally as well as giving it internally.

"Nodosities in the breast" is another indication of Cooper's. It has produced, according to Cooper, a sickly, giddy feeling, with a sense of weakness and sinking at pit of chest, too weak to speak; along with pain from forehead to back of head. The provings brought out several symptoms in the lower abdomen. Cooper has seen Scrph. in the form of a poultice relieve peritonitis affecting the lower abdomen.

Colic from slight vexation occurred in Franz's proving. Blakeley had pain in sigmoid flexure. Both had pains in the liver. The symptoms are: < In morning; by study; in cold air; breathing cold air; deep breathing; lying on right side; by rest; after food; by pressure.

> In warm room.

Antidoted by:—Bry. (chest symptoms). Followed well by: Dig. (in enlarged glands.—R. T. C.). Compare: Botan., Dig., Euphr., Grat. Pains in joints < by rest, > in warm room, Rhus. Sleepiness, Nux m., Op., Lup.

Vexation.

Despondency, much troubled about the past, and very apprehensive about the future; passed off in a few days, leaving intellect clear.—Miserable and sluggish feeling in mind when moving about.

Dry coryza with sternutation.

Appetite greatly increased at first; later nausea with weakness and oppression at epigastrium.—Feeling as if he had missed his regular meal.—(Dyspepsia removed by the proving.)

On turning on either side, violent dyspnoea < on r. than l., with cutting in liver on pressure.

Stiff neck with pain and contraction of r. sterno-mastoid muscle.—Pain in whole spinal column, with slight opisthotonos.

Drawing rheumatic pain in all flexors of arms and legs.—Tingling in extremities as from a blow on a nerve.

Weakness; languor; wants to lie down.—Cutting pains in articulations, like those of Rhus, but more intense and longer-lasting, < by rest and in open air, > in warm room; darting from knee to ankle-joints, which feel stiff.—Threatened abscesses that show no sign of disappearing.—R. T. C.)

Strong disposition to sleep: in morning with weariness and fulness in whole body; irresistible before and after a meal, with prolonged afternoon sleep.

Chilliness: on moving about in cool air; after rising in morning, for several hours, passing off with profuse sweat, which was followed by stupor and absence of all the symptoms.—Whole body after first day feels very dry and hot, with burning sensation, followed by profuse sweat.