Leontodon Taraxacum

(Express the juice from the recent plant before it begins to blossom, and mix it with equal parte of alcohol.)

Like many other drugs, this too has been abused in the treatment of disease from mere speculative suppositions, by giving it in excessive quantities in the treatment of disease.

In all cases where the so-called practical look of the physician failed in establishing the fact that the case before him required the remedy indicated in the books, he suspected obstructions of the capillary vessels in the interior of the body, and prescribed Taraxacum to dissolve the viscid and inspissated humors. The milky juice of that plant sufficed to lead to the supposition that it would act like soap, and dissolve the obstructing humors in the same manner as soap dissolves chemically all sorts of substances in a vessel.

If the Taraxacum had been proved upon healthy persons, its pathogenetic effects would have indicated its therapeutic powers, and would have shown that Taraxacum, like any other drug, can only cure diseases to which it is homoeopathic.

(observations of others.)

Head

Vertigo when walking in the open air, as if intoxicated ; the head now inclined to the right, now to the left side, (a. 2^ h.) Unsteady step and vertigo, when walking in the open air, as if he would fall over. (a. 10 h.) Great obtuseness and dizziness of the head, when walking in the open air; he thinks he feels giddy and staggers. At times he feels a contraction and a whirling above the nose in the forehead, like vertigo ; at times a sensation as if the brain were distended in various places ; this sensation gives no pain.

5. Sensation in the head as if the brain were constricted from all sides by a soft pressure. When walking in the open air, he feels a crawling pain in the forehead, with pressure, spreading from the middle of the forehead, as if it contained something alive, (a. 4 h.) Sensation in the head, half pressure, half itching. Pressure in the lowest part of the occiput, and heaviness of the same. Heaviness of the head, with heat and redness of the face.

10. Painful pressure in the sinciput in the direction of the forehead. Oppressive stupefying pain in the forehead, as after an intoxication, (a. 1 h.) Aching pain in the right temple, (a. 35 h.) Burning painful pressure in the head from below upward. Painful pressure in the head from within outward, (a. 2J h.)

15. Heaviness in the occiput, going off when stooping, and coming on again when raising the head and keeping it straight ; in this case it is worst. When sitting, he feels an oppressive stupefying pain in the whole forehead, so that he lost his senses when reading, and did not know where he was, accompanied with nausea ; he felt better in the open air. (a. If h.) Continued painful pressure upon the forehead, (a. 4 h.) Drawing aching pain in the temple. Painful drawing pressure on the frontal bone, when standing.

20. Drawing pani in the left temple avhen sitting, ceasing when walking or standing, (a. 5 h.) Tearing pain in the occiput, when walking, going oil when standing still. Tearing in the outer parts of the occiput, when walking. Lancination in the occiput, behind the right ear. Lancination in the left side of the forehead in quick succession.

25. Continuous sticking pain in the left side of the head (for six hours). Prickings in the left temple when sitting, ceasing when standing, (a. 1^ h.) Violent, continuous pain in the left temporal region, when walking, going oft' when standing, (a. 38 h.) Sharp stitches in the left and outer side of the forehead, not abating to the touch, (a. 13 h.) Dull sticking pressure in the outer parts of the forehead, (a. \ h.)

30. Pimple on the right side of the hairy scalp, above the temples, painful when touched, as if there were subcutaneous ulceration, (a. 15 h.) Tension of the forepart of the scalp, as if it were fastened tight to the skull.

Eyes p. 207

Pimple in the middle of the left eyebrow\v, occasioning a painful pressure when touched, (a. 27 h.) Contraction of the pupils, (a. 4 h.) Dilatation of the pupils, (a. 26 h.)

35. Agglutination of the eyelids, early in the morning when waking, for several days. The eyes do not bear the

i light of day, they water constantly, accompanied with a pressure in the region of the right upper eyelid, as if there were something which he tries in vain to wipe off. Burning in the left eyeball, (a. 11^ h.) Violent burning in the right eyeball, towards the inner canthus.

40. Burning, fine pricking in both eyelids of the left eye. (a. ^ h.) Stinging-burning pain in the left eyeball, (a. 20 h.) Burning pricking in the left eyeball toward the outer canthus. (a. ^ h.) Sharp sticking pain in the right eye. Sharp pressure as of a grain of sand, in the inner canthus of the right eye, with sensation as if the eyelids were swollen.

Ears p. 208

45. Hardness of hearing ; in the evening his hearing is dull. Pressure in the interior of the left ear from without inward. Chirping in the left ear, as of grasshoppers, (a. 33 h.) Tearing in the outer meatus auditoiius, and sharp pressure behind the ramus of the lower jaw. Stitches behind the ear, with tearing along the side of the neck.

50. Sticking in the right ear from within outward, which ended with being felt from without inward. Itching-burning stitching in the right ear. Drawing pain in the outer jjarts of the right ear. (a. 5 h.)

Face, mouth and teeth p. 208

Sharp pressure in the right cheek, (a. -J- h.) Stitch with pressure iu the cheek.

55. Pustule on the upper part of the left cheek, with a red area, occasioning a gnawing pain when touched, (a. 24 h.) Pustule on the right wing of the nose. (a. 8 h.) He twice bleeds from the left nostril, before dinner, (a. 30 h.) Cracking of the middle of the upper lip. (a. 6 h.) Pustule near the right corner of the mouth, (a. 49 h.)

60. Sudden itching below the chin. (a. 1 h.) Acute pain when moving the jaw and neck, in the region of the loM^er part of the parotid gland and in the muscles of the neck, and extending from the sternum up to the mastoid process. Jerking in the lower part of the side of the neck. (a. 15 h.) Sharp, boring stitches in the left side of the neck from within outward, for a few minutes (immediately). Jerking, with pressure, in the posterior cervical muscles, behind the left ear. (a. y h.)

65. Sticking in the left side of the nape of the neck, as of a somewhat dull pin., when standing, going off when sitting down. (a. 1; h.) Sticking, with pressure, in the nape of the neck. Painful pressure, like two shocks, in two incisores, rather in the crown. Sour-tasting blood flows out of the hollow teeth of the right side. Sensation in the teeth, when chewing, as if they had been made dull by eating some fruit, (a. 37 h.)

70. Drawing pain in the hollow teeth of the right side, extending along the cheek as far as the eyebrows. Burning pricking in the left side of the tongue, (a. 9 h.) Tongue coated white, (a. 2| h.) White-coated tongue, peeling off here and there gradually, (a. 11^ h.) The tongue is coated with a white ski?i, xvith a sensation of rawness in the outer parts of the tongue ; it then peels off in patches and leaves dark-red, delicate, sensitive places, (a. 34 h.)

75. Dry, brown-coated tongue, early in the morning, when waking. Confluence of saliva in the mouth, and sensation as if the larynx were closed by pressure, (a. 31 h.) Difficult deglutition ; a kind of pressure as from an internal swelling of the throat. Sharp pressure in the anterior wall of the pharynx and larynx, between the acts of deglutition, inducing cough, but going off when swallowing. Confluence of sourish water in the mouth.

80. The phlegm tastes sour, and sets the teeth on edge, (a. 3, 4 h.) Dryness and stinging in the throat. Feeling of dryness in the throat, and a bitter phlegm in that region, making the speech sound hoarse.

Taste and gastric symptoms p. 209

At the tip of the tongue the butter has a repulsive, saltish-sour taste ; when reaching the palate, it has the usual taste. Meat, especially gravy, tastes sour to him, when it touches the tongue.

85. Bitterish taste in the mouth, before a meal ; food however has a natural taste. Bitter taste rises into the mouth from the oesophagus. Tobacco has no good taste, it occasions a burning in the throat, almost like heartburn, and arrests the breathing, goes off" again by drinking. Bitter eructations and hiccough. Empty eructations, continuing for several days, and came on especially after drinking, (a. I h.

90. Nausea, accompanied with anxiety, when sitting, going off' when standing, (a. 2-^ h.) Nausea, as if the stomach were overloaded with fat things ; he felt as if he should vomit, with an oppressive stupefying pain in the forehead, he felt relieved in the open air. (a. If h.) qualmishness and nausea in the pharynx, (a. 2f h.) Great chilliness after eating, and especially after drinking.

Stomach and abdomen p. 209

Painless motion and grunting in the abdomen.

95. Rumbling in the umbilical region, toward the left side. Sudden continuous movement in the abdomen, as if bubbles burst in it. (a. b h.) Tension in the pit of the stomach, and pressure on the xiphoid cartilage, when stooping. Pressure below the ribs of the left side. Aching pain in the left side of the abdomen.

100. Pinching in the abdomen, (a. li h.) Pinching in the abdomen, followed by emission of flatulence, (a. 3, 16 h.) Continuous stitches with pressure in the left side of the abdomen, (a. 24, 30 h.) Boring pain in the region of the umbilicus, from within outward, toward the right side.

105. Single, violent and sharp stitches partly in the left portion of the epigastrium, partly in the left or right side of the abdomen, partly in the hypogastrium. (a. 14, 31 h.) Severe stitch in the side of the abdomen, continuing for a minute. Burning stitches in the left portion of the hypogastrium, in the direction of the genital organs, (a. twenty-five hours.) Pressure in the left lumbar region from within outwards. Itching-stinging pain in the right abdominal muscles.

110. Painless bubbling in the muscles of the left iliac region. Feeling of pain in the left groin when walking, as if sprained, somewhat relieved by standing and touching the part. (a. 6 h.) Titillation in the perinaeum, between the anus and the genital organs, obliging him to scratch, (a. 14 h.) Voluptuous itching of the perinaeum ; after scratching a corrosive pain was felt in the part scratched, lasting for hours, (a. 32 h.)

Stool p. 210

Two soft stools on the first day, difficult and requiring much pressing, (a. 8J h.)

115. Third evacuation on the first day, hard, and requiring a good deal of pressing, (a. 16 h.) The stool comes on sooner than usual, and is papescent ; the urging continued, without any thing being passed.

Urinary and genital organs p. 210

Desire to urinate, without pain. (a. 1 h.) Frequent desire, with copious emissions, (a. 3 h.)' Frequent desire with scanty emissions, (a. 25 h.)'

120. Ticking of the prepuce, (a. 7^ h.) Continuous boring pain in the glans. Fine stitch in the left testicle. Burning stinging in the right testicle. Nocturnal emission every other night.

125. Long-lasting, involuntary erections, (a. 9 d.)

Respiratory organs p. 210

Frequent sneezing when walking in the open air. (a. 4, 28 h.) Titillation in the region of the pit of the stomach, inducing a hacking cough ; he felt it coming a few seconds previous, but was not able to prevent it. (a. 40 h.) Boring and digging pain in the right chest, more violent and continuous when walking, (a. 3 h.) Pressure in the left side of the chest, below the axilla.

130. Pressure in the internal surface of the ribs, during an expiration, when standing, in the right side of the chest, from the hepatic region into the chest, in a place of the size of the hand. Burning pressure

' These two symptoms, the former of which is the primary, the latter the secondary effect, show how wrongly the common physicians proceed in endeavoring to cure dropsical swelhngs, with diminished secretion of urine, by Taraxacum. It will be found useful in some kinds of diabetes, provided they do not depend upon a chronic miasm, as they often do. in the sternum, more violent during an expiration than during an inspiration, (a. ^ h.) Stitch, with pressure, in the right chest, going off during expiration or inspiration ; when pressing upon the part, the stitch returned and spread as a continuous stitch, (a. 2 h.) Stitch into the right side of the chest, (a. 4 h.) Dull sticking in the left chest, (a. 1 h.)

135. Sticking in the left side toward the back. When standing, during an inspiration, he experiences stitches in the chest from without inward. Continuous sticking in the right side of the chest when walking. Violent sticking in the sternum, (a. 6 h.) Stitch in the right chest, directly below the axilla, (a. 11 h.)

140. Three violent stitches, one at every inspiration, below the last rib of the left side, posteriorly. Severe stitch in the region of the sixth rib. Violent sticking in the left side of the chest, in the region of the lowest rib. Boring-sticking drawing in the region of the acromial extremity of the right clavicle.

145. Jerking in the left intercostal muscles. Jerking in the right intercostal muscles, (a. 14 h.) Tensive pain in the region of the diaphragm, during a deep inspiration.

Back p. 211

Pressure in the small of the back. Soft pressure in the small of the back, when standing.

150. Painless creeping in the small of the back. Tensive sticking in the back towards the right side. Sticking pain, with pressure, in the whole of the spine towards the right side, when lying down, with difficult breathing, especially violent in the small of the back. Continuous dull stitch in the right scapula, from within outward, (a. 21 h.) Rumbling and htihbling in the right scapula.

Upper limbs p. 211

Throbbing on the top of the left shoulder for one minute. Jerking in the top of the left shoulder. Painless rumbling on the top of the left shoulder, with chilliness all over. Jerking in the external muscles of the left upper arm. (a. 4 h.) Twitching in the upper arm.

160. Paroxysmal throbbing in the internal surface of the upper arm. Aching pain in the muscles of the left upper arm. (a. 30 h.) Aching pain in the internal side of the left upper arm. Pain in the outer side of the left upper arm, resembling electric shocks. Itching pain in the internal side of the left upper arm.

165. Sharp stitching in the outer side of the left arm. A series of painful, and partially violent prickings in the posterior surface of the upper arm, going off by friction. Intermittent stitches in the outer side between the elbow and the middle of the right upper arm, in rest. Sticking in the right elbow-joint. Stinging in the left forearm, in rest and motion, (a. 13 h.)

170. Sharp stitches in the right forearm, going off by contact, (a. 13 h.) Jerking in the muscles of the left forearm, (a. 10 h.) Burning in the right forearm. Aching pain in the internal side of the right forearm. Frequently returning drawing pains in the forearm.

175. Tearing drawing in the left wrist-joitit, extending into the three last fingers. Pimples on the hands, especially on the sides of the fingers, also on the dorsum of the hand, itching somewhat. Burning pain in the third and fourth fingers of the left hand. Sticking pain in the fourth finger of the left hand. Aching pain in the three last fingers of the right hand.

180. The tips of the fingers are cold as ice. (a. 6 h.)

Lower limbs p. 212

Jerking in the left glutei muscles, inferiorly. Itching of the left glutei muscles. Twitching in the upper part of the muscles of (he thighs, (a, 2 h.) Sticking pain in the whole of the left thigh, (a 9^. 10^ h.)

185. Boring stitches in the internal side of the thigh when sitting. A spot in the upper and front part of the the thigh feels painful as if bruised, more so when touched than when walking. Pressure on the inner side of the right thigh, when sitting or standing, but not when walking, (a. 2 h.) Gnawing itching of the left thigh, obliging one to scratch, (a. 7\ h.) Tearing in the outer hamstring when sitting.

190. Drawing-sticking pain in the outer side of the right knee, in rest and motion, (a. 3 h.) Sticking pain in the whole of the knee-joint. Sharp pressure in the outer side of the knee, when bending the leg. Burning pain in the left patella. Continuous burning pain in the front part of the right knee.

105. Burning pain in the outer side of the right leg. Burning pain in the lower part of the right leg. Burning in the front part of the tibia. Violent stinging in the right leg, extending from below upward, when standing, going off when sitting, (a. 30 h.) Prickings in the outer side of the left leg, extending from below upwards, when standing, going off when sitting, (a. 31 h.)

200. Drawing pains in the legs, when sitting and walking. Weakness of the legs, especially when going up stairs. When walking, the right leg is weaker than the left, and nevertheless this leg feels as if the muscles were stretched the most. Corrosive pain in the outer parts of the right leg (when standing), (a. IJ h.) Tearing pain in the outer border of the left leg (when standing), (a. 2 h.)

205. Beating, dull stitches in the surface of the right calf, below the bend of the knee. Slinging in the right calf. Continuous burning stitches in the calf (when sitting). Aching pain in the left calf (a. f h.) Darting pain in the right calf going off speedily when touching the part. (a. 1 h.)

210. Violent itching of the left calf, in the evening when lying down, obliging one to scratch ; the itching continues after the scratching ; after the scratching the place became red and humid, (a. 17 h.) Stitch in the dorsum of the left foot, toward the big toe. (a. 37 h.) Stitch in the internal malleolus of the right foot, when sitting, (a. 32 h.) Itching stinging in the region of the internal malleolus. Drawing fain in the dorsum of the right foot when standing, going off when sitting, (a. 1 \\.)—'^\5. Drawing-aching pain in "the dorsum of the left foot, when standing, (a. f h.) Tearing drawing in the left tarsal-joint. Burning pain in the right foot, externally. Burning drawing in the dorsum of the left foot. (a. 37 h.) 'Pressure in the dorsum of the right foot. (a. 22 h.)

220. Itching in the dorsum of the right foot, going off by scratching, (a. If h.) A few itching vesicles on the dorsum of the foot. Stitches extending from the dorsum into the bottom of the foot. (a. \\ h.) Boring pain in the bottom of the right foot. Burning boring in the bottom of the left foot, toward the little toe.

225. Sticking pain in the bottom of the right foot, from within outward, when sitting, at times violent, at times fine. (a. 10, 21 h.) Itching stinging in the bottom of the right foot. (a. 32 h.) Burning-aching pain in the bottom of the right foot, in the direction of the toes, when sitting. Continuous traction along the tibia, coming from the little toe, when sitting. Paroxysms of burning in the toes, especially in the dorsum of the right big toe.

230. Sticking in the right big toe, in the direction of the second toe. Burning stinging in the right big toe, when walking, (a. 9 h.) Lancinations in the toes. Violent itching in the dorsum of the fourth toe of either foot, (a 25 h.) A good deal of sweat between the toes, especially those of the right foot.

General symptoms p. 213

235. He moves all his limbs with ease, but he feels as if the moving forces were tied up. Weak feeling of the whole body ; a languor, during which he would like to sit or lie down ; when doing either he is in a middling state of consciousness and unconsciousness, like one who is on the point of falling asleep. Internal sensation as if he were very sick ; all his limbs ache when touched or when placed in a forced position. Almost all the symptoms appear when sitting ; they disappear when walking.

Sleep p. 213

Frequent yawning when sitting, as if he had not slept enough, (a. 5^ h.)

240. Drowsiness in the daytime (when reading) ; his eyes closed, he had to lie down ; the drowsiness passed off during motion, (a. 5 h.) Irresistible drowsiness after a meal ; when waking he felt a desire to urinate, with some burning ; this was felt only before and I after the emission of urine. He falls asleep when listening to scientific objects, in spite of his efforts to the contrary, and he fell at once into vivid dreams. Anxious, vivid dreams, which he is unable to recollect.

245. Dreams full of dispute at night. Voluptuous dreams. Frequent waking from sleep, and tossing about in the bed ; he had no rest in any position. Frequent waking from sleep, as if he had slept enough. When waking from sleep his whole body was covered with a light sweat, exciting a biting in the skin all over, which induces him to scratch, (a. 23 h.)

250. In the evening when on the point of falling asleep, his whole body was covered with sweat, which continued the whole night; in the morning he felt bright. He began to sweat all over when on the point of falling asleep ; the sweat woke him frequently ; every time he woke he felt a heat all over his body, and a more glowing heat on his cheeks ; he was drenched with sweat, but he felt bright in the morning.

Fever p. 214

Slight sweat over the whole body. (a. 22 h.) Sudden warmth of the face when walking in the open air ; also of the rest of the body, without thirst, (a. 37 h.) Heat in the face, to himself and others, ivith redness, (a. 1^ h.)

255. Face, hands and the rest of the body are hot, without thirst, (a. 6^ h.) Chilliness through the whole body. (a. 26 h.) Chilliness for some hours, with continuous, oppressive headache. Violent chilliness when walking in the open air, as in a paroxysm of fever, without being followed by either thirst or heat. (a. 2\ h.)

Moral symptoms p. 214

Irresoluteness ; dread of labor, although the work progresses satisfactorily as soon as commenced.

260. He feels quite gloomy when unoccupied ; he knows not what to do with himself, and is nevertheless imable to make up his mind as regards doing any thing. Ill-humored in the morning, and not disposed either to business or talking, (a. 25 h.) Disposed to laugh. Loquacious to excess. Firm, religious courage and confidence ; cheerfulness ; he is content with himself and his situation.

Notes p. 209

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