Materia Medica

Spigelia

Pinkroot

Has marked elective affinity for the eye, heart, and nervous system. Neuralgia of the fifth nerve is very prominent in its effects. Is especially adapted to ancmic, debilitated, rheumatic, and scrofulous subjects. Stabbing pains. Heart affectiors and neuralgia. Very sensitive to touch. Parts feel chilly; end shudder through frame. A remedy y for symptoms due to the presence of worms.( Child refers to the navel as the most painful part. [Granat.; Nux mosch.]

Mind

Afraid of sharp, pointed things, pins, needles, etc.

Head

Pain beneath frontal eminence and temples, extending to eyes. [Nos.] Semi-lateral, involving left eye; pain violent, throbbing; worse, making a false step. Pain as if a band around head. [Carbol. ac.; Cact.; Gels.] Vertigo, hearing exalted. 693

Eyes

Feel too large; pressive pain on turning them. Pupils dilated; photophobia; rheumatic ophthalmia. Severe pain in and around cyes, extending deep into socket.( Ciliary neuralgia, a true neuritis.

Nose

Forepart of nose always dry: discharge through posterior nares. Chronic catarrh, with post- nasal dropping of bland mucus.

Face

Prosopalgia, involving eye, cygoma, cheek, treth. temple: worse, stooping, touch, from morning until sunset.

Mouth

Tongue fissured, painful. Tearing tooth- ache; worse. after eating and cold. Foul odor from Offensive taste.

Rectum

Itching and crawling. Frequent inef- fectual urging to stool Ascarides.

Heart

Violent palpitation. Frequent attacks of palpitation, especially with foul odor from mouth. I'uls weak and irregular. Pericarditis, with sticking pains, palpitation, dyspncea. Neuralgia extending to arm or both arms. . Angina pectoris. Craving for hot water which relieves. Rheumatic carditis, trembling pulse; whole left side sore. Dyspnaa: must lie on right side with head high.

Fever

Chilliness on the slightest motion.

Modalities

Worse, from touch, motion, noise, turn- ing. washing, concussion. Better, lying on right side with head high; inspiring.

Relationships

Compare: Spigelia Marylandrica (maniacal excitement, paroxysmal laughing and crying, loud, disconnected talking, vertigo, dilated pupils, con- gestions) ; Acon.: Cact.: Cimif.; Arnica (Spigelia is a chronic Arnica) ; Cinnab. (supra-orbital pain); Naja; Spong. (heart); Sabad.; Teucr.; Cina (worm symp- toms). Antidote: Pulsat.

Dose

Sixth to thirtieth potency for neuralgic symptoms; second to third potency for inflammatory symptoms.