Momordica

Momordica balsamina. Balsam Apple. N, 0, Cucurbitaceae. Tincture of fresh ripe fruit.

Clinical

Colic. Dysmenorrhoea. Flatulence. Leucorrhoea. Menorrhagia.

Characteristics

Momordica was introduced by Dr. Mercur, whose wife made the proving with twenty-four drops of the tincture, producing some very well characterised symptoms. Griping and colic declared its relationship to Colocynth. and ElaUr., as also severe pains in back and hypogastrium with painful and excessive menses. A peculiar sensation is : "As if the whole contents of the head had greatly diminished in weight." Farrington gives as a keynote (though it does not appear in the proving) " distension and rumbling in splenic flexure of colon," which he compares with the effects of Lyc.

Head p. 496

Dizziness, lightness in head ; sensation as if whole contents of head had greatly diminished in wdght — Slight headache.

Eyes p. 496

Sensation of occasional mist or cloud passing before eyes.

Face p. 496

Face at times red ; but generally very pale.

Stomach p. 496

Slight sickness at stomach.

Abdomen p. 496

Griping, general colic pains, starting from back and spreading over whole abdomen ; piercing, labour-like pains in hypogastrium. --Accumulation of flatus in splenic flexure of colon ; rumbling.)

Stool and Anus p. 496

-Two or three healthy stools [daily ?] for several days. Id. Female Sexual Organs. — Painful stnd too profuse menses> but lasting only usual time. — Labour puns during menses followed by gushes of blood. — White, light mucous discharge between periods.

Heart p. 496

Pulse quick and weak.

Neck and Back p. 496

Pain at small of back at time of menses, sometimes very acute, beginning at sacrum and coming towards front of pelvis. S4« Generalities.-* Weak feeling, sometimes faintness.