Materia Medica de A a Z

CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES (caul)

"I do not propose to adopt the usual way by beginning with /Aconite/ and ending with /Zincum/, but to follow the bent of my inclinations, or, as it is sometimes expressed, the movings of the spirit; and may I not here invoke the aid of the spirits of the immortal Hahnemann, Boenninghausen and the galaxy of bright names that adorn the fair page of the history of Homoeopathy to help me."

First: NUX VOMICA (nux-v)

Previus: SECALE CORNUTUM (Sec)

Next: ACTAEA RACEMOSA (Cimic)

Is another very valuable "woman remedy," because of its specific action upon the uterus. It deserves a thorough reproving. I cannot better show its virtues than by reporting a case.

A married lady, aged 40, with wry neck of long standing, was seven months' pregnant. She was attacked with severe pains and swelling of all the finger joints. The only way she could get relief from the intense pain so that she could rest or sleep at all was by enveloping her fingers in mustard. I prescribed Caulophyllum 3d, which relieved the finger pains, but brought on such severe labor pains that I was obliged to discontinue it for fear of premature labor. Then the bearing-down pains ceased, and the finger pains returned and continued in full force until she was delivered of her child, when they also ceased for two or three days. Then the lochia, instead of decreasing, gradually or normally, increased until it amounted to a metrorrhagia. The flow was of a passive nature, dark and liquid. There was great sense of weakness and internal trembling (not visible externally) and now, to crown her suffering, the terrible finger pains returned again. I was afraid of the Caulophyllum, although it seemed indicated, because it brought on the bearing-down pains when I gave it before. But after giving Arnica (Arn), Sabina (Sabin), Secale (Sec) and Sulphur (Sulph) without the least improvement, I concluded to try Caulophyllum high. I did so in the 200th potency and cured the whole case promptly and permanently. Now this was a perfect Caulophyllum case, and if I had given it properly in the first place I have no doubt I would have saved that woman all unnecessary suffering.

I have given this remedy in long continued passive hæmorrhage from the uterus after miscarriage when I had the characteristic weakness and sense of internal trembling present. It has often regulated irregular spasmodic labor pains, and has also often relieved pains of the same character in dysmenorrhoea. I repeat, this remedy deserves a careful reproving.