Rheum

Rheum officinale, Baillon.

Natural order, Polygonacese.

Common names, Rhubarb, Rhabarber.

Preparation, Trituration of the dry root.

Authorities (Nos. 1 to 14 from Hahnemann). 1, Hahnemann ; 2, Gross; 3, Homburg; 4, Ricker; 5, Teuthorn ; 6, Baker, in Murray, p. 396 (“Observations”); 7, Brocklesby, in Murray, p. 396 (“Observations”); 8, Fallopius, “not accessible,” Hughes; 9, Force, in Murray, “Observations;” 10, Wenzel and Tilling, in Murray (“Observations”); 11, Murray, App. Med., IV, p. 392 (“Observations”); 12, Pallas, Reise, III, p. 235; 13, Sims, Paulli (“Observations”); 14, Pulling, Observations; 15, Schneider, Wien. Zeit., I. K. K. Gesell., 2, 2, p. 400, 1846, provings with aq. ext., 2 to 38 grain doses.

Mind

Delirium

Mental excitement

* The child impatiently desires many different things and cries

Moaning, anxiety, ill-humor

Morose, absorbed in himself

He is silent, nothing makes any impression upon him

Gloomy; he cannot continue long at one occupation

He is indolent and taciturn

She is unable to collect her senses for a long time after waking

A state of mind as if half asleep (after one hour and a half)

Head

Confusion and Vertigo. Confusion of the head

Paroxysm of vertigo as if one would fall to the side, while standing

Vertigo

General Head. Dull headache

Head quite dull, as after intoxication

Heaviness in the head, with a sultry heat rising into it

A sensation of heaviness in the head and intermittent tearing in it (while walking), (after one hour)

Obscuration of the head, with puffy eyes; followed by pressive headache above one orbit, with dilated pupils (after one to four hours)

A dull, tense, dizzy headache, that spreads over the whole brain, but is worse on the crown and in the temples

Headache as if stupefied, and distorted in the head, and anxiety as if he had committed a crime, though worse during motion and on stooping

Pressive headache on the right side, especially on the crown and in the temples (after half an hour)

Headache at first pressive, then tearing, extending into the occiput

Hammering mounts from the abdomen into the head (after six hours)

On stooping it seems as though the brain moved

Beating headache

Forehead and Temples. Obscuration of the forepart of the head; a drawing about in it

Indolence and a violent pinching and tensive pain transversely across the whole forepart of the head, in the morning after sleeping

Pressive headache over the whole forepart of the skull

Drawing pain deep behind the frontal eminences

Dull beating headache in the forepart of the head, mostly while standing

Pulsative pinching headache, now in left, now in the right temporal bone and over the crown (after fifteen hours)

Slight stitches above the temples

Crawling in the temporal region

Occiput and External Head. Pressure as with a finger at the point where the head unites with the neck

Inclined to contract and wrinkle the muscles of the forehead

Itching rash on the forehead and arm) after thirty-six hours)

Eyes

The eyes seem dull, and on looking long at anything aching and pressure in them as if they were weak

A biting pain in the left eye as from a foreign substance or an insect, with lachrymation, before falling asleep

Beating pain in the eyes

Eyes agglutinated with matter, after sleeping

A small gland on the margin of the upper lid, causing a pressive and burning pain

Drawing in the lids

Pressure in the lids, even when they are closed

Lachrymation in the open air

Contraction of the pupils associated with internal uneasiness, lasting sixteen hours

Pupils at one time more, at another less contracted

Ears p. 304

Aching, with some itching in the left ear, compelling to bore in with the finger

Pressure in the meatus, as if pressed from without by the finger

Throbbing in the ears at times, especially on stooping, while writing

Crackling and bubbling in the ears and in the muscles in the side of the neck, perceptible even to the hand

Roaring in the right ear, and a sensation as if the drum were relaxed, with dulness of hearing (as if there were something before the ears), the roaring and relaxed sensation in the drum (the hearing also) were relieved always on violent swallowing, though only for a moment

Nose p. 304

Drawing stupefied pain along the root of the nose, causing crawling in the tip of the nose

Face p. 304

Tensive sensation in the skin of the face

From time to time one cheek is pale, the other red, or both are quite pale

Drawing swelling sensation in the right lower jaw, extending into the right temple

Mouth p. 304

Bluntness of the teeth

Burrowing pain in the (hollow) teeth, which are elongated and seem to be loose (after twelve to twentyfour hours)

Pain associated with a sensation of coldness in the left upper incisors

Pain associated with coldness in the left molars, that caused accumulation of saliva

There was entire loss of sensibility of the tongue and of taste, all day,12.f

Mouth covered with offensive mucus, alter sleeping

Offensive exhalation from the mouth (offensive breath), after sleeping

Dryness and sensation of dryness in the mouth, without desire to drink

Insipid taste

Bitter taste, only of food, even of sweet things, not otherwise in the mouth (after ten hours)

Bad taste in the mouth, after sleeping

Sour taste in the mouth

Throat p. 304

Frequent hawking and spitting

Contraction of the pharynx,12.]

Stomach p. 304

Appetite and Thirst. Great appetite, yet the food that was relished soon became repulsive

Hunger, but no real appetite

* Food is riot relished, though there is a tolerably good appetite; it soon becomes repulsive

Appetite diminished

Loss of appetite

Coffee is repulsive to him unless very sweet

* Aversion for certain things (for example, fat insipid food), yet desire for various things, of which, however, he cannot eat much, because they soon become repulsive

Increased thirst

Eructations. Violent eructations

Nausea. Nausea, with frequent eructations

Nausea, with efforts to vomit (from large doses)

* Nausea, colic

Nausea in the epigastric region

Qualmish sensation (after half an hour)

He becomes qualmish

Stomach. Fulness in the stomach, as if he had eaten to satiety, sometimes followed by sleepiness (after eight to twelve hours)

Pressure in the pit of the stomach, that on inspiration extended over the sternum and changed to a bruised pain, after sleeping

Pressure in the stomach, as if filled with food (after half an hour)

Contractive sensation in the stomach, associated with nausea (after half an hour)

Dull stitches in the left side near the pit of the stomach

A stitch in the pit of the stomach

Violent throbbing and rhythmical painless gurgling in the pit of the stomach (after one hour aud a half)

Abdomen p. 305

Pressure in the region of the spleen

Griping in the umbilical region

Pressure in the umbilical region ; the intestines seem to press outward

Pressure in the umbilical region (immediately)

* Cutting in the umbilical region

Distension of the abdomen

Distension ot the abdomen, alter eating

Rumbling and gurgling in the abdomen,3. Rumbling in the intestines

Emission of flatus

Flatulence

Emission of much offensive flatus, with relief

Twitching of the abdominal muscles (after twenty hours)

Flatus in the abdomen seems to rise up to the chest and to cause there tension and pressure

Colic and emission of flatus, in the morning, in bed, after waking, on uncovering (after fourteen hours)

Griping colic, followed by the emission of flatus (after twenty-four hours)

(Colic, aggravated by eating plums)

Colic; distension of the abdomen

* Colic before and daring a stool, relieved after a stool

* Cutting colic a quarter of an hour after dinner; he was obliged to sit bent over in order to obtain relief; worse while standing

* Griping in the abdomen, with great urging to stool (the large intestine is greatly excited to evacuate); he is, however, unable to accomplish anything; the rectum is inactive (after twenty-four hours),hf

Griping in the intestines

Pressure in the intestines on inspiration, as if full of liquid

Tension in the abdomen

Increased warmth in the abdomen, with painfulness to pressure

Isolated cutting pains in the abdomen, without stool

Sensation of nausea in the abdomen (after ten minutes)

Dull twinging-cutting pains transversely across the abdomen

A swelling-bubbling sensation, which seemed as if it could be heard, in the abdominal muscles

A pressive pain in the abdominal ring, as if a hernia would protrude, while walking

Tension in the left side of the lower abdomen, just above the pubis, after a meal (after three hours)

Pressure in the pubic region, like a hard pressure with the tip of the thumb

Frequent fine itching stitches in the inguinal glands

Rectum and Anus p. 305

A painful sensation in the region of the anus, as after long-continued diarrhoea

A kind of tenesmus (after five hours)

* The desire for stool is aggravated on moving about and on walking

* Frequent desire for stool, followed by a thin, pasty, offensive evacuation, with colic, and immediately succeeded by tenesmus, during which nothing could be evacuated, in spite of all his efforts, although the desire continued; after some time another evacuation resulted; at last, after rising from stool, the urging, which had gradually subsided, returned more violent than ever, also the pains in the abdomen, which accompanied the evacuation, became worse

Desire for stool, partly ineffectual, partly with evacuation of soft faeces

Great desire for stool

* Desire for stool after a meal

Stool p. 305

* Diarrhoea-like stool, with mucus

* Stools frequent, pasty, semiliquid, brown, followed by tenesmus, pain in the back, and great burning in the rectum

* Stools frequent, soft, semi-liquid, evacuated with great force, and followed by tenesmus and great burning in the ann&j°. Stool at first soft, then hard, preceded and accompanied by violent cutting pains (after twenty-four hours)

The first part of the stool was hard, the last liquid

* Pasty sour-smelling stool; the evacuation accompanied by shivering, and followed by renewed urging (constriction) in the intestines (after six hours)

Stool consisting of grayish mucus

Stool mingled with mucus

Constipation after the proving

Urinary Organs p. 306

Burning in the kidneys and bladder

Weakness of the bladder; was obliged to make great pressure while urinating, else the urine could not be completely evacuated

Prickling in the urethra during micturition

During micturition a kind of tenesmus, tickling in the urethra, and dragging towards the bladder

Burning micturition (after twenty hours)

Desire to urinate every half hour (iu one prover)

It expels the urine

Urine increased (in one case)

(Frequent and profuse discharge of urine)

Urine increased iu quantity and of a light color (in one prover)

Urine dark-colored, of an agreeable benzoic odor

Urine dark-red, almost brown, thickish, warmer than usual, and of an agreeable odor

Urine bright-yellow, with a tinge of green

Urine reddish-yellow, as in jaundice and in high fever

Sexual Organs p. 306

Unusual emissions (in one case)

Respiratory Organs p. 306

Dry cough, in the evening (after five hours)

Cough, with expectoration of mucus, lasting five minutes (after thirteen hours)

Dyspnoea; on taking a deep breath the chest cannot sufficiently expand, as if a weight were pressing down upon the chest, below the throat

Snoring inspiration during sleep (after one hour)

Chest p. 306

Rush of blood to the chest

(Oppression on the chest)

Some isolated stitches in the chest (after six hours)

Sudden dull stitches below the last ribs during inspiration and expiration (lasting a long time)

Pressive-tightening pain across the sternum, at times also single stitches

A burning pain in the left side of the sternum

A crackling bubbling, as of little vesicles, that is even audible, first in the left, then also in the right pectoral muscles, persistent

Stitches in the right side

Yellow bitter milk in a nursing woman

Simple aching in both nipples, seeming to be caused by flatulence in the abdomen

A long-continued stitch in each nipple

Heart and Pulse p. 306

Rapid pulse

Accelerated pulse

Each p. 306

Tension in the back and small of the back

Stiffness in the small of the back and in the hips; cannot walk straight

Violent cutting pains in the region of the lumbar vertebrae, as if in their substance, aggravated by stool

Cutting drawing in the left lumbar region, beneath the short ribs, and in the forepart of the left side of the lower abdomen, just above the pubis; a digging in the intestines

Cutting in the left lumbar region (sharp)

Upper Extremities p. 306

Simple pain in all the joints during motion (after twelve, and several hours)

The limbs upon ivhich he lies fall asleep

Superior Extremities p. 306

Twitching ill the arms and hands, also in the rest of the body, in the morning, two days in succession

Tearing in the upper arms and iu the finger-joints

Some stitches in the arms

A swelling-bubbling sensation in the elbow-joints during rest and motion

Sensation of twitching in the right elbow

The muscles of the forearms seem contracted, with a tremulous motion of the hands

Sensation as if the lower side of the forearm were about falling asleep

Tearing in the forearms

Before falling asleep he involuntarily stretches the hands above the head

Veins of the hands swollen (after two hours)

Tearing transversely across the hand from the thumb to the little finger,3. Violent sticking-tearing pain in the thumb (after three hours)

Inferior Extremities p. 307

Twitching, externally visible and perceptible, of various muscular fibres on the posterior portion of the thigh, especially when the muscles were extended, while sitting and on drawing up the knee while lying down

Weariness of the thighs, as after very great exertion -Stiffness of the knee, which is painful on motion

Tensivepressive pain in the hollow of the left knee, extending to the heel

Weary tension in the hollow of the right knee

A drawing wear pain in the hollow of the left knee while standing

A bubbling-swelling sensation in the hollows of the knees; it seems as though it could be heard

Painless bubbling in the hollows of the knees, extending to the heels

Sticking in the left knee while walking

The legs go to sleep when riding one over the other

A bubbling extending outward in the leg, associated with stitches

(A sensation as if the left ankle had been sprained, painful on stepping upon it, in the morning, after rising)

An intermittent burning pain between the inner malleolus and tendo Achillis, as if glowing coals were from time to time held to it (after five hours)

A pain consisting of tearing and sticking transversely across the instep

Sticking itching in the hollows of the soles of the feet

Stitches in the sole of the left foot, on the margin of the foot above the little toe

Bubbling-crackling sensation in the ball of the left great toe

Sticking itching in the root of the little toe, almost as after being frozen

Generalities p. 307

Prostration

Weakness

Weakness of the whole body while walking

Weakness of the whole body

Heaviness of the whole body, as after waking from deep sleep

Heaviness of the whole body, as though one had slept too little

The whole body feels heavy after sleeping

Discomfort

Sleep p. 307

Frequent yawning

It causes sleep

Sleepiness

Ravings in sleep, at night; afterwards he walked about in an unconscious state, half dreaming and half awake

Raving, in the evening, while asleep; he tosses about the bed with closed eyes, without talking, with great heat

The child tosses about at night, frequently begins to cry out, and says tremblingly “there are men

During sleep he stretches the hands above the head

During sleep he was restless, moaned, and bent the head backward

The child is pale; she seems to be quarrelling in her sleep, with convulsive drawing of the fingers, facial muscles, and of the eyelids

* Restless sleep f.

Vivid, sad, anxious dreams

Anxious dreams of dead relatives

Vexatious, offensive dreams, at night

Fever p. 307

Chilliness. Chilliness

(Slight chill, in the morning)

Shivering, without external coldness (after half an hour)

Chill and heat alternating for only two minutes, with great weariness and anxiety; she is averse to everything, even that of which she is usually most fond

Heat. He felt hot all over, without being thirsty (after two hours)

Heat of the body and uneasiness

Warmth over the whole body, without thirst

Heat and sensation of heat in the cheeks

Warmth, especially about the nose

Heat of the hands and feet, without heat of the arms and legs, with coolness of the face

Heat and a sensation of heat in the palms of the hands

Sweat. Yellow perspiration, smelling of rhubarb

Perspiration on the forehead and scalp after slight effort

* Cold perspiration on the face, especially avoid the mouth and nose (after three hours)

Sweat in the palms when the hands are pressed together

Cold sweat in the palms of the hands, while the backs of the hands and the rest of the body were warm (after twenty hours)

Conditions p. 308

Aggravation.

(Morning), After sleeping, pain across forepart of head; colic and emission of flatus; twitching in various parts of the body ; on stepping upon part, pain in left ankle.

(Night), Ravings in sleep.

( Open air), Lachrymation.

(Eating plums), Colic.

(After eating), Distension of abdomen.

(On inspiration), Pressure in intestines.

( While lying down), On drawing knee up, twitching in posterior portion of thigh.

(Motion), Headache; desire for stool; pain in all the joints.

(During micturition), Prickling and tickling in urethra.

( While sitting), Twitching in the posterior portion of thigh.

(During sleep), Snoring inspiration.

(After sleeping), Eyelids agglutinated ; mouth covered with offensive mucus; offensive exhalation from mouth ; bad taste in mouth ; pressure in pit of stomach; heaviness of whole body.

(While standing), Vertigo; headache in forepart of head; colic; pain in hollow of left knee.

(Before and during stool), Colic.

(Stool), Pain in region of lumbar vertebrae.

(Stooping), Headache.

( While walking), Pain in abdominal ring; sticking in left knee; weakness of the whole body.

(Walking), Desire for stool.

( While writing), On stooping, throbbing in ears.

Amelioration p. 308

(After a stool), Colic.

(Violent swallowing), Roaring in ears.

Footnotes p. 304

† From chewing the stem.—Hahnemann.

† Easy, thin, copious stools, or painless diarrhoea, do not seem to he the primary effect of Rhubarb so much as fecal stools with colic and frequent ineffectual efforts to evacuate. Since the evacuations are usually fecal, it is not adapted to autumn dysentery (although pains in the abdomen are in part similar), especially as the other symptoms of Rhubarb differ for the most part from the symptoms of this epidemic disease.—Hahnemann, vol. VIII.—20