Myrica


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Myrica, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Myrica cerifera, L. Bayberry. Nat. Ord. Myricaceae.

Provings

1. Dr. H. L. CHASE proved solution of alcoholic extract of bark of root, 10 gr. to 3j of alcohol. October 18th, 1864, at 6 a. m., took 5 dr. 10, very severe pressing pain in left side of nose, lasting about 10 m., then shifting to left axilla, where it was sharp and lancinating. 11, sharp pain in left forehead, smarting in left eye; dull aching in lumbar region. All day sharp darting pain in right maxillary joint; trembling and aching in calves, so that walking is unpleasant; great depression and irritability, does not want to speak or to be spoken to. Prover took drug at four different times, but could obtain no further symptoms. The depression of spirits in the last proving (in March) was followed by very marked irritability, lasting 3 or 4 days (Proc. of Mass. Hom. Medorrhinum Soc., ii, 397.)

2a. Dr. CHARLES CULLIS, aet. 32, sanguine – nervous temp., at 10 p. m. took 10 dr. of same. In 15 m. dull heavy feeling over eyes, soon followed by constriction across nose. Passed restless n., tossing about; woke in m. with dull frontal headache; great and unusual depression of spirits all m; after dinner, loose stool, with pain and tenesmus; dinner caused distress; grumbling pain in bowels all afternoon. 10 p. m., head has ached all day; feel gloomy, terribly depressed. This depression of spirits continued for 3 days, and to such an extent that it was impossible to write; he did not care about anything or for any friends, and was wretched beyond description.

2b. There mos. later took same dose at 10 p. m. Slight headache soon followed. Severe gripings in bowels during night; at 6:30 a. m., loose stool with pain and tenesmus. Headache till and depression of spirits. Eyelids were heavy and swollen; and at 8 both eyes felt quite sore, and face was hot and flushed. 8:30, acidity of stomach (breakfast had been eaten with appetite); headache was severe just over eyes, increased by motion; nausea. 8:45, pain in left upper arm. 9, pain in 3rd and little finger of right hand; sharp pain in left eye; no inclination to move. 11, head ached severely, particularly over left eye; great despondency. 2, pain in back of neck. 8, head better, but depression continued; pain in left lung. Next m. left eye was sore, and looked inflamed. Depression continued, with some constipation; former lasted 3 – 4 day (Ibid.)

3. Miss E -, aet. 30, bilious temp., 9 p. m., took 10 dr. of same. In 5 m. pain at back of left ear and in right occiput. In 1/2 hours nausea; feeling of coldness; severe pain in left shoulder – blade and arm, extending to end of little finger. In I hours sharp shooting pain in right, then in left thigh, followed by dull pain in left shoulder. N. good. Next m. at 7, took 10 dr. In a few m. fulness in left eyelids, approaching to soreness. 10, dull pain under both shoulder – blades. 10:30, pain in hollow of right foot. On following day, at 7 a. m., 10 dr. more. In 1/2 hour severe pain in bowels. Not feeling any other effects of med., repeated dose at 11. Immediately slight pain in left side; heaviness in back of head; pressure in nose. At noon, severe pain in stomach. (Ibid.)

4. Mrs. H -, aet. 31, nervous temperament. April 2nd, at 7:30 p. m., took 10 dr.; soon felt severe pain in both sides, near temples, which settled into heavy grinding feeling in vertex. 3rd. – At 11 a. m., 10 dr. In 5 m., severe nausea, followed by heavy headache. 11:40, sensation as of fermentation towards vertex, very perceptible for 10 m., then gradually subsided; drowsiness followed; nausea continues. 7th. – At 11:40 a. m. took 11 dr. In 10 m., cold chills running over vertex, with tightening of scalp, and slight nausea; these symptoms increased, and in 1/2 hour settled into dull grinding headache. Drowsiness followed, and she soon fell sound asleep in her chair. At 7:40 p. m. took 10 dr. In 10 m. strange feeling in stomach, no nausea; in 1/2 hour was again sound asleep in chair. (Ibid.)

5a. Dr. C. WESSELHOEFT took, Oct. 25th, 1864, 5 dr. at 10 p. m. Had slight feeling of nausea in stomach, and sweetish taste we about palate for 1/2 hour after. 26th. – 5 dr. at 7 a. m. In 1/2 hour weak sinking feeling and pressure in epigastrium, sometimes approaching nausea, increasing after breakfast, and lasting very perceptibly all day, passing off towards evening after rapid walking.

5b. No. 12th. – At 11 a. m.,. took 10 dr. of a tinct. Immediately after taking it, stinging cramp – like sensation in l. precordial region and under ribs. In 10 m., while walking, slight stinging and pressure in epigastrium. 2 p. m., colicky pain in umbilical region, in small spot, with accumulation, rumbling, and frequent passing of very offensive flatus. (Two pears had been taken in forenoon, and these always cause flatus with him, but it is inodorous and painless.) In afternoon and e frequent sensation as of approaching diarrhoea, but without result save in a slight costive evacuation in e. Griping continued at intervals all afternoon. At 10 p. m. 10 dr. Good n. 13th, 7 a. m., 15 dr. Slight heat and burning in stomach just after taking it, soon changing into painful griping pressure from left epigastric region straight to left of navel. Soon after, drawing sensation in vertex and empty feeling in head; 2 hours later, on stooping, dizziness and rush of blood to head and face; in afternoon and evening, until bedtime, dull oppressive headache in right forehead, at juncture of parietal and frontal bones, with fulness in head. At 10 p. m. 25 dr. Slept well all n., and had no symptoms following day save slight colicky pressure in stomach, which would hardly have been noticed had no attention been drawn to it previously in the proving. (Ibid.)

6. Dr. F. H. KREBS, Nov. 9th, 1864, at 11 a. m., took 5 dr. of tinct. In 7 m., sensation of warmth along whole spine, especially between shoulder – blades, followed by slight chill and gentle perspiration, mostly perceptible over dorsal vertebrae. I p. m., slight nausea, pain in stomach, heartburn, with increased salvia, which had to be frequently expectorated; pain in occiput; tearing pain in left arm, principally between shoulder and elbow, but sometimes extending to forearm, with darting pain in middle and ring fingers. 4, again took 5 dr., and felt same symptoms, only somewhat less marked. 10th. – Awoke in a gloomy state of mind – an unusual one for him; felt very irritable, and had constant desire to find fault; everything went wrong; looked upon this world as a place not fit to live in any longer; considered himself better than the rest. At noon took 5 dr. Symptoms of day before returned, nausea and pain in stomach were less marked. In afternoon felt very low – spirited; condemned himself for various imaginary faults. Towards n., a severe attack of coryza appeared, and the miserable feelings in general prevented the taking of any more med. Some of the above symptoms lasted for 4 weeks. In Feb., 1865, took same doses with same results. Proving was continued for 2 days, when another attack of coryza obliged him to omit the medicine. (Ibid.)

7. Dr. J. E. LINNELL, aet. 42, nervous temp., subject to occasional rheumatic and neuralgic pains, now suffering somewhat from influenza. Oct. 18th, 1864, at 9 p. m., took 5 dr. of tinct. Almost immediately slight dizziness, with repeated yawning; frequent itching and stinging in various parts. In 1/2 hours smarting in left conjunctiva, followed by aching in right eyeball; quivering sensation in left upper lid; dull pain in right eyebrow; feeling of pressure in both malar bones; dull pain in middle of right lung for a few m.; dry sore feeling in pharynx, and when one has taken cold, succeeded by difficult deglutition. 10, smarting with dryness in both eyes, and feeling as of sand in them, making it difficult to close lids; smarting in larynx and trachea; pressure and dull pain in forehead and vertex, with throbbing synchronous with the pulse. When lying upon left side in bed, feeling of constriction in chest, with increased impulse of heart, so that its pulsations were audible; symptoms were increased by warmth of bed, disturbing sleep; burning in soles. 19th – Woke at 6:30 with dull pressure in forehead, headache, and feeling as though he had not slept enough. Took 5 dr. at 7 a. m. Same evanescent itching, like flea – bites, occurred in a few m., followed by smarting in eyes, dry throat, sight dizziness with nausea, ringing in left ear, and aching excoriated feeling in posterior nares as if a fresh cold has been taken. General chilliness on going out of doors, with slight lumbar aching; dizziness all n. with feverish acceleration of pulse, reaching its height about 4 p. m. At 9 p. m. took 10 dr.; same itchings 10 m. afterwards in different localities; fulness about face and head, with throbbing; heart’s impulse increased, but pulse, ordinarily 75 – 80, now 60 only; hot feeling in eyes; sight griping about umbilicus, with tumbling; empty eructation; the itching of the face gave way to formication; repeated yawnings. 10, excited feverish feeling, alternating with chilliness; pain in back, lumbar region. 20th. – Sleep disturbed by bad dreams, and broken by frequent wakings; did not feel refreshed in morning; lassitude, with pain in back; indescribable bad taste in mouth, with fulness about head. Took 10 dr. at 7 a. m. Appetite for breakfast considerably impaired; pain in umbilical region immediately after. 8, general malaise and feeling of unfitness for duty; heaviness of head and confusion of intellect, could not concentrate thoughts; depression of spirits; frontal headache; nausea; shifting pains; bruised pain in left heel. Felt through forenoon as though diarrhoea would occur, but nothing came; general languor and depression; burning about face and head, especially after being in open air; feverish feeling, yet pulse (at noon) was 60. 3 p. m., 10 dr. Soon, 3 or 4 sharp plunging pains in left renal region; heaviness and pressure in head; ringing in ears; dull heavy pain in umbilical region; flatulence and eructations; soreness and pain in left tendo Achillis, worse upon pressure and when in motion. 21st. – Slept very soundly until towards m., when sleep was interrupted by frequent wakings; felt dissatisfied with amount of sleep, desiring more. No stool for 48 hours, very unusual. At 7 a. m. 15 dr. In 1/2 hours pressure in all parts of head, nausea, dryness of mouth and fauces, smarting in eyes; felt irritable and easily provoked. 10, copious soft stool, with tenesmus and crampy sensation in umbilical region; much latitude; weak, sick feeling; every kind of exertion was irksome, and required a special effort. 4 p. m., face and head felt hot; eyes burned, and tires easily on reading; fulness in digestive organs, as if food were lingering there. 22nd. – Sleep much disturbed by ugly dreams; woke with pressive frontal headache, bruised pain in back, and feeling as if a severe illness had seized him; mental state as yesterday; nausea; thick yellow coat on tongue; indifferent appetite. Took a dose of nux vomica. At 9 p. m. 20 dr. 23rd. – Same state at n. and in m. At 7 a. m. 25 dr t. In I hours pressure with dull pain in head, worst in right temple; ringing in ears; slight vertigo; exceedingly irritable, the s; lightest thing put him out; throbbing of cerebral vessels; dulness of intellect, loss of energy; dull pain in stomach. At 8 p. m. 30 dr. 24th. – Frequent waking during n., and could not sleep after 5; bruised feeling of head. At 7 a. m. 40 dr. In a few m. nausea and dizziness. In I hours severe pain midway between knee and ankle, outer side, it was contractive, occasionally burning, worse on movement; soreness to touch. Noon, general attitude, with soreness of muscles of both thighs; right arm felt lame and heavy, especially about wrist; in afternoon muscular lameness and soreness had become quite general, affecting chiefly; however, lower limbs. Stool about 11 a. m. (50 hours since last); excessive flatulence in afternoon, with frequent rumbling, as though diarrhoea would set in, and urging to stool, without result save in flatus. 7 p. m., pains about limbs now centered in muscular part above knees; continual soreness there, with occasional darting pains. took 60 dr. at bedtime. 25th. – N. as last, and in m. head, back, and thighs the same. At 7 a. m., 60 dr. Symptoms to – day as yesterday, though perhaps less intense. In addition there was severe chill, with quivering sensation in left calf, also numb feeling in right temple, as if some hard substance was strongly pressed against it. At 9 p. m. a teaspoonful. In 1/2 hours pleasant exhilaration, followed by excited state of nervous system, precluding sleep for several h. This was accompanied by restlessness, requiring frequent change of position. Pain in back; sleep disturbed by dreams; difficulty in urinating, bladder seeming to lack expulsive power. 26th. – At 7 a. m. a teaspoonful. Same exhilaration as last n., succeeded by depression and pressure about head. In afternoon quite severe frontal headache; semi – lancinating pain in right throat, near tonsil. 27th. – Irritable, worried by little things, everything seemed to go wrong; soft stool this m., with effort. 10:30 a. m., 120 dr. Noon, severe griping at stomach, followed by empty eructations; weak faintish feeling about bowels; copious flow of impede urine; ringing in ears, with pressure about head. 28th. – Whole buccal; cavity including roof of mouth, was lined with an adhesive coating, very difficult to detach. Offensive breath and foul taste. Pressure about head much increased, causing confusion of thought and staggering gait. Bowels lose; appetite very much impaired. 29th. – Same symptoms as yesterday, though less in degree; 2 or 3 loose stools. Nov. 2nd. – Several pimples in different parts, one quite painful on nose; symptoms generally have disappeared. 3rd. – Restless towards m. No other symptoms. (Ibid.)

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

Hughes was a great writer and a scholar. He actively cooperated with Dr. T.F. Allen to compile his 'Encyclopedia' and rendered immeasurable aid to Dr. Dudgeon in translating Hahnemann's 'Materia Medica Pura' into English. In 1889 he was appointed an Editor of the 'British Homoeopathic Journal' and continued in that capacity until his demise. In 1876, Dr. Hughes was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Organization of the International Congress of Homoeopathy Physicians in Philadelphia. He also presided over the International Congress in London.