Cocculus Indicus
Cocculus · Clarke - Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica · John Henry Clarke · 18,446 chars · source ↗
General
Cocculus.
Cocculus Indicus. N. O. Menispermaceae. A tincture is prepared from the powdered seeds, which contain a crystallisable principle Picrotoxine (which see), a powerful poison.
Clinical
Anger, effects of. Bones, affections of. Cerebro-spinal meningitis. Chorea.
Colic. Convulsions. Debility. Faintness.
Fear, effects of. Haemorrhoids. Headache. Hernia.
Intermittent fever. Knee, weakness of; cracking in. Memory, weak. Mental excitement, effects of.
Menstrual headache. Menstruation, painful. Overstrain, bodily or mental. Palpitation.
Paralysis. Parotitis. Phthiriasis. Rheumatism.
Riding in carriage, effects of. Sea-sickness. Sleep, affections from loss of. Somnolence.
Spasms. Spinal irritation. Tympany. Vertigo.
Vomiting.
Characteristics
Cocculus has been used from ancient times as a poison for stupefying fish, and making them easy to catch. Correspondingly we find it produces great disturbance of the sensorium in human beings, and all the symptoms of intoxication. It is commonly used as an adulteration of beer to heighten its intoxicating properties. A very characteristic symptom is a sensation of hollowness or emptiness in the head or other parts.
Allied to this is a sense of lightness of body. Another characteristic is an opening and shutting sensation, especially in the occiput. Along with the vertigo is nausea and vomiting which bring it into close relation with sea-sickness and carriage-sickness. Coccul. corresponds perfectly to the sensitive condition caused by loss of sleep and night-watching, and is the first remedy to think of for removing this.
"Irritable weakness" is a leading note in the Cocculus effects. The Cocculus patient is very sensitive to fear, anger, grief, and all mental disturbances; also to noise and touch. Enlargement of liver after anger. Easily startled.
Fear of ghosts and spectres. Stinging pains, stitches, constriction; in the hands a pithy feeling. Many symptoms are < at menstrual period; piles during menses. Cocculus has cured a case of delirium at onset of menses during first and second days; the patient said, "I always see something alive, on wall, floor, chairs, or anywhere, always rolling, and will roll on me." Cocculus is suited to persons of mild and sluggish temperament; light-haired persons; hypochondriacal, timid, fearful, and nervous persons.
Other prominent features of Coccul. are: Paralytic pains, or pains as of dislocation. Paralytic weakness; lax-muscles. "Weakness of neck muscles with heaviness of head." Sensation as if single parts had gone to sleep. Immovability of parts affected.
Of localities, the right hypochondrium (especially liver), inner hypogastrium, inner forehead, back, upper arm, and bones of arm are chiefly affected. This has been verified: "Spasmodic, flatulent colic, about midnight, flatus passed without relief," recurring several nights; promptly cured by Coccul. 3x. Lippe cured a case of enlargement of the liver after parturition, the indication being "the liver was more painful after anger." The sensitiveness to touch is very great and serves to indicate Cocculus in preference to other remedies in many affections where this is pronounced, in articular rheumatism, in ulcers, in neuralgic affections of bones.
The least jar is unbearable (travelling by land or sea). < By touch, pressure, or jar. < From motion generally; moving body; rising from bed; bending over or stooping. < Kneeling; walking; swallowing saliva.
Sitting > some symptoms. Many symptoms are < evening and night, especially about midnight and 1 a.m. Sensitive to air either hot or cold. Longs for cold drinks, but eating or drinking anything cold = tearing in limbs.
< Open air. < From sun. < By warmth of bed. > In a room.
A decoction of Cocculus is a domestic remedy used locally for destroying head- or body-lice.
Relations
Antidoted by: Camph., Cham., Cupr., Ign., Nux v., Staph. It antidotes: Alcohol, Tobacco, Cham., Cup., Ign., Nux v., and the fever of Thuj. Incompatible with: Caust., Coffee. Compatible: Follows well Aco.
(endocarditis with fearfulness); Cham., Nux, Ign. Compare: Aco., Act. r.; Ant. c.
(gastralgia), Agar. (somnolency), Ant. t., Ars., Bell., Calc., Carb. v. (parotitis), Cham., Coff., Cupr., Ign. (headache), Ip., Iod., Lach., Merc., Mosch., Nitr., Nux mos.
(somnolency), Oleand., Petr., Puls. (headache), Rhus, Sabi., Sassafras, Scutel., Silic., Stram., Tab., Val., Ver. In effects from noise, Nux, Nit. ac. Sense of lightness, Asar., Can. ind., Calc., Gels., Sticta, Sil., Thuj.; menstrual sick headache, Lac. def.; fear of ghosts, Aco., Ars., Bro., Carb. v., Lyc., Pho., Pul., Sul., Zn.
Umbilical hernia, Nux (without urging, Bry., Nat. mur., Ver.); < from kneeling, Mag. c., Sep.; nausea constant, Ip., Kali c., Sul., Ign., Acet. ac.; uterine spasm, dysmenia, dark flow, Ign. (Coccul. is distinguished by having weak, lame feeling in small of back; as if about to be paralysed; trembles on beginning to walk); weak from talking, Ver., Sul., Calc.; functional paralysis from fatigue or mental emotions, Ign., Pho., Nat. m., Collins.; in occipital headache, Gels., jug. c.
Weakness of neck muscles, Ant. t.; > putting head back, Seneg. (<, Clem., Cinnab.). Compare also: Picrotoxin and Picric acid in paralytic sensations and effects of fatigue.
Teste places Coccul. in his Causticum group.
Causation
Anger. Fright. Noise. Sleep, loss of. Seasickness. Travelling. Over-strain, mental or bodily. Sun. Tea-drinking.
Mind
Pre-occupation of mind, and sad and melancholy reflections, as if the patient had sustained wrongs
He sits as if wrapped in deep sad thoughts, and does not take notice of anything; anxiety
Loss of will and power to decide on any action
Hypochondriacal humour; despair
Strong, anxious apprehension, inquietude, and fear of death
Disposition to be frightened
Excessive susceptibility
Disposition to take everything in bad part and to be angry
Mania
Mistakes concerning the lapse of time; it passes too quickly.
Head
Confusion of the head, esp. after eating or drinking
Dulness in the head, increased by reading or meditation
Vertigo, as from intoxication, or on rising up in the bed, with inclination to vomit, which forces the patient to lie down again
Fits of vertigo, with nausea and loss of consciousness
Headache, with inclination to vomit or vomiting, and pain as from a bruise in the intestines
The headache is aggravated after sleeping, eating, or drinking (coffee), in the open air, while riding in a carriage; and is relieved in a warm room, or when becoming warm in bed
Violent aching pains, esp. in the forehead
Stupid feeling in the head (cold perspiration on forehead and hands)
During motion, headache, as if the eyes were being torn from the sockets, with vertigo
Pain in the head, which seems, as it were, empty and hollow, or sensation of constriction in the brain
Pulsative pains, sometimes in the crown of the head, sometimes in the temples
Convulsive trembling of the head, caused by weakness of the muscles of the neck; worse after sleeping and in the open air, from coffee and tobacco; better in the warm room.
Eyes
Pressure and pain, as from a bruise, in the eyes, and difficulty in opening the eyelids at night
Pain in the eyes, as if they were torn out of the head (with headache)
Convulsive rolling of the balls of the eyes during the spasms
Pupils very much dilated; or contracted
Dryness of the eyelids
Inflammation of the eyelids
Eyes prominent and glassy
Dim-sightedness (after reading a short time the print is all blurred)
Confusion of sight, with black spots before the eyes
Phantoms before the eyes.
Ears
Buzzing in the ears, with hardness of hearing, and sensation as if the ears were stopped; with noise as from rushing water
The r. ear feels closed
Swelling of the parotids.
Nose
Swelling of the nose, sometimes semi-lateral (r.)
Coryza, with ulcerated nostrils
Very acute sense of smell.
Face
Face of a burning red, puffed and hot
Transient heat in the cheeks
Flushes of heat in the face after drinking
Blue circles round the eyes
Face convulsively contracted
Cramps in the cheek-bone and in the masseters
Swelling and induration of the sub-maxillary glands.
Teeth
Pains in carious teeth, but only when eating.—Looseness of the teeth, with swelling of the gums.
Mouth
Dryness of the mouth (in the night), without thirst
Foam before the mouth, forming bubbles
Tongue loaded with a yellow coating.
Throat
Difficulty of speech, as from paralysis of the tongue
Dryness of the throat
Excessive sensitiveness of the palate; the food seems to be too strong, or too salt
Constriction in the gullet, which seems to be paralysed
Burning pain in the oesophagus, and in the throat, with sulphurous taste in the mouth.
Appetite
Metallic, copperish taste
Acid taste, esp. after a meal, or when coughing
Acid taste of bread
Bitter taste of tobacco
Desire for cold drinks, and esp. for beer
Thirst during a meal
Excessive loathing of all food and drink
Repugnance to all acids
Bulimy.
Stomach
Risings, with pain in the stomach and in the epigastrium
Risings with inclination to vomit
Frequent empty eructations, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth and throat
Eructations with nausea and sticking pains in the pit of the stomach
Empty, or fetid and putrid risings
Attacks of nausea inducing syncope
Inclination to vomit on rising up in the bed, which compels the patient to lie down again
Inclination to vomit during a meal, or in consequence of a chill, with abundant accumulation of saliva
Vomiting and nausea from the motion of a carriage, or of the sea
Sensation of fulness in the stomach, with difficulty of respiration
Violent cramp-like pains, squeezing, as if from a claw and cramps in the stomach, sometimes a short time after a meal
Anxious oppression and pinchings in the epigastrium, with difficulty of respiration.
Abdomen
Pain in the hypochondria as from a bruise
Pressive pain in the hepatic region, aggravated by coughing or stooping
Shootings in the hepatic region
Abdominal pains, as if the intestines were bruised, or as from an internal abscess, when moving
Pressure, as from a stone, in the umbilical region, and in the abdomen
Sensation in the abdomen, as if it were hollow and empty
Inflation of the abdomen
Contractive pinchings in the upper part of the abdomen, with suspension of respiration
Burning pains, pullings and tearings in the abdomen
Cramp-like pains in the abdomen
Hysterical spasms in the abdomen, in women
Flatulent, cramp. like colic, esp. at night, aggravated by coughing, or by stooping forwards
Tendency to protrusion of inguinal hernia.
Stool And Anus
Constipation, with tenesmus
Evacuation hard and difficult
Ineffectual desire for stool, with constipation
Contractive pain in the rectum, preventing sitting (in the afternoon)
Diarrhoea, with emission of flatulency before the stool
Loose evacuation of a putrid smell
Faeces soft and yellow, which cause burning in the anus.
Urinary Organs
Aqueous urine with urgent inclination
Frequent want to make water, even in pregnant women
Frequent desire to urinate, with small discharges.
Male Sexual Organs
Itching in the scrotum
Pulling pains as from a bruise in the testes, on their being touched
Great sensibility and excitability of the genital parts, with desire for coition.
Female Sexual Organs
Premature catamenia, with cramps in the abdomen
Painful catamenia, with abundant discharge of coagulated blood, followed by haemorrhoids
Suppression of catamenia, with spasmodic and pressive colic, flatulency, paralytic debility, oppression, anxiety, cramps in the chest, fits of nausea, even to fainting, and convulsive movements of the limbs
Catamenia too scanty and irregular, with leucorrhoea in the intervals.—(Metrorrhagia.)
Discharge of sanguineous mucus from the uterus, during pregnancy
Leucorrhoea like blood
Leucorrhoea, similar to water in which meat has been washed, intermixed with a sanious and purulent serum
Cramps in the uterus.
Respiratory Organs
Fatiguing cough, from oppression of the chest, which manifests itself only during the cough
Oppressed breathing, from contractive sensation in the trachea, as if irritated by smoke, causing constant coughing
Periodical cough, every fourth night, towards midnight, or about two o'clock in the morning, with constriction in the throat which brings on coughing.
Chest
Suspension of respiration, which stops in the pit of the throat, as if from constriction of the throat
Tightness and constriction of r. side of chest
Stitches in the chest (sternum) when walking
Short, intermittent respiration
Pressure on the chest, as if from a stone
Hysterical spasms in chest
Cramps in chest, with sighs and groans
Tensive constriction in the chest, sometimes on one side only, with difficulty of respiration
Gurgling and sensation of emptiness in the chest
Fatigue of the chest, from reading aloud
Congestion in the chest, with anxiety
Red spots on the chest.
Heart
Palpitation of the heart; nervous, with anxiety.
Neck And Back
Cracking of the vertebrae of the neck, during movement
Weakness of the muscles of the neck, which are inadequate to the support of the head
Red spots on the neck
Paralytic tearings (in the back and) in the loins
Pullings and tearings in the back, esp. when speaking, walking, and stooping
Tremor in the back
Shootings between the shoulder-blades, and in the loins.
Upper Limbs
Lancinations in the shoulder-joint, and in the arm, during repose
Lancinating pains in the arm, proceeding from a wounded finger
Convulsions of the arm, with retraction of the thumbs
Paralysis of the arms
Palpitation of the muscles of the arm
Pain, as from a bruise, in the bones of the arm, during movement (when lifting them up, and when touching them)
Lameness of the arm (cannot write)
Hot and arthritic swelling of the hands
Numbness, or heat and cold alternately, of one or other of the hands
Tingling of hands and paralytic trembling
Torpor of the hands
Cramp-like contractions, and starting of the fingers.
Lower Limbs
Paralysis of the lower limbs, proceeding from the loins
Drawing tearings in the knees, feet, and toes
Pain as if from a bruise in the thighs, during movement
Pain in the heel (os calcis) as if bruised
Cracking in l. hip-joint
Cracking of the knees, during movement
Inflammatory swelling of the knee, with transient lancinations
Burning sensation in the feet
Hot and itching swelling of the feet, sometimes in the evening
Numbness in the feet
Cold and perspiration of the feet.
Generalities
Pullings and paralytic tearings, by fits, or continuous, in the limbs and in the bones Paralytic immobility of the limbs, with drawing pains in the bones Convulsive movements of the muscles in different parts Aching, digging pains in the limbs
Pains, as from a bruise, even in the internal organs Sensations of hollowness; as if bruised in outer parts; same in bones; numb feeling of outer parts; sensation as if single parts had gone to sleep Affections of the r. hypochondrium (particularly of the liver); inner hypogastrium, inner forehead, back, upper arm, bones of the arm Aversion to open air; hysterics; paleness of the skin, red spots; shuddering in general
Sensation of hollowness or of constriction in the internal organs Painful sensibility of the limbs to the slightest touch Painful stiffness and crackings in the joints Semi-lateral sufferings
Rheumatic pains, with hot swelling of the parts affected Attacks of gout, with swelling of the affected parts Shooting pains in lymphatic swelling Engorgement and induration of the glands
Haemorrhage Cramps and convulsions of the limbs, and of the whole body, sometimes induced by ulcers, or by wounds, painfully sensitive to the touch, or on using the parts affected Convulsive movements of the limbs and of the muscles, as in St. Vitus' dance
During the convulsive fits, face red, puffed, and hot Trembling of the limbs Attacks of epilepsy Paralysis, chiefly semi-lateral, with insensibility of the parts affected
Aggravation of the sufferings by sleep, speech, drinking, and eating, but esp. on taking coffee or smoking tobacco, as well as by cold air Hysterical spasms, with anguish Weakness and loss of strength, after the least bodily fatigue, movement, or the interruption of sleep Want of vital energy
Fainting fits Numbness, sometimes of the hands, sometimes of the feet, in transient fits The open air is insupportable, whether it be warm or cold Emaciation.
Skin
Great itching, esp. in the evening, or when undressing, or at night in bed
Red pimples, like grains of millet, with itching in a warm temperature
Eruption of hard and knotty pimples, with red areolas and burning pain
Induration, cold swelling of the glands, with stinging pains
Ulcers very sensitive to contact
Red spots in the chest and on the side of the neck
Pale (chlorotic) colour of the skin.
Sleep
Obstinate inclination to sleep in the morning
Sleeplessness on account of anxiety and bodily restlessness
Spasmodic yawning
Sleep retarded in consequence of a great flow of ideas
Half sleep, like coma vigil
Sleep interrupted by frightful anguish and inquietude
During sleep, starts, cries, convulsive movements of the hands, of the eyes, and of the head
Vivid dreams, exciting fear
Anxious, frightful dreams, dreams of death, of disease, &c
Fear of ghosts at night
Sleep unrefreshing, with frequent waking.
Fever
Shivering, and sensation of cold, with trembling
In the evening, shivering and shuddering in the back
Chill in the afternoon and evening, principally on the legs and in the back; not relieved by heat
Dry heat during the night
Perspiration during the night, which is only cold on the face
Morning sweat, esp. on the chest
Intermittent fever, with colic and lameness of the small of the back
Fever, with tendency to become chilly, though the skin is hot to the touch
Chilliness alternating with heat
Burning heat and redness of the cheeks, often with cold in the feet
Fever with cramp-like pains in the stomach, and paralytic weakness in the loins
Easy perspiration during movement, with great fatigue
Sweats night and morning
Pulse full, hard, and frequent
Pulse small and spasmodic; sometimes it cannot be felt.