Chimaphila Umbellata

Pipsissewa, Princess Pine, Ground Holly. Pyrolacese. Grows in all parts of the United States and in Northern Europe and Asia. The Pyrolacese are very similar to the Ericaceae from which we have the three great medicines, Ledum palustre, proved by Hahnemann ; Rhododendron chrysanthum, by Seidel ; and Kalmia latifolia, by the Allentown College; Arbutus uva ursi (Arctostaphylos officinalis) is still waiting for a prover. Used by the aborigines in various complaints, principally scrofula, rheumatism and kidney affections. It was also a popular remedy with European settlers. Proved by Jeanes, in 1840; by G. Bute, 1856, and later introduced into our literature by E. M. Hale. Dr. H. P. Mitchell (one of the provers of the maculata) has made clinical use of it.

This collection contains a few symptoms by E. P. Scales, Mass. Trans., v. 4, p. 601. Our learned Doctor S. A. Jones has, in his masterly way, given us the history of this plant. We annex the gist of his compilation: In 1578, it was recommended "to heal wounds." In 1633, "fistulas, malignant ulcers, burns, ulcers of the kidneys." In 1640, again for ulcers of the kidneys and neck of the bladder, fluxes of blood, humors, or womens' too abundant courses. " It taketii away inflammation rising upon the pains of the hurt, and hindered any, being presently applied after the hurt received ; useful also for foul ulcers hard to be cured, as also for cankers and fistulas.".

In 1657, it was pronounced a principal herb for the throat. In 1804 and 1814, it was recommended as a useful diuretic. The authorities quoted by Dr. Jones, are Dodoen's History of Plants ; Grade General History of Plants; Parkinson, The Theatre of Plants ; Cole's Paradise of Plants; Tournefort's Compleat Herbal; Barton's Collections for an Essay towards Materia Medica of the United States.

The Huron and other Indian Nations use it as a diuretic and in gravelly complaints.

Pursch, Fior. Amer., says it is useful in hysteria.

Clinical, Authorities. — Toothache, C. Hering, MSS. ; Obstinate vesical irritability, E. M. Hale, Am. Ham. Obs., v. 4, p. 92 ; Constant pain in region of kidneys, Hull, Am. Ham. Obs., v. 4. p. 116; Dysuria, E. M. Hale, New Remedies; Urethral irritation, Taber, Organ., v. 1, p. 223 ; Fellger, MSS. ; Urinary difficulty, Kennel, Am. Ham. Obs., v. 3, 269 ; Stricture of urethra, H. W., v. 7, p. 208 ; Acute proctitis, E. V. Moffat (contributed by Berridge) ; Atrophy of breasts, Organon, vol. 1, p. 223; Tumor ofmammce, Hull, Am. Ham. Obs., v. 4, p. 115; Scirrhous tumor of right breast. Hale, N. E. Med. Gaz., v. 2, p. 4; Cancer of breast, E. S. Coburn, Tr. H. M. S., N. Y., 1870, p. 471.

Inner Head p. 50

Pain in left frontal protuberance.

▌* Outer Head. • Tinea capitis.

Sight and Eyes p. 50

Halo around the lamp flame.

Eyes painful.

TT^Sudden stitch in front part of both eyes, from r. to 1. ; eyes run water.

Stabbing or shooting pain in 1. eyeball.

Itching and smarting of edges of eyelids, and inside of eyelids.

Itching of 1. eye.

Stinging pain in 1. eye ; a colored halo around the candle.

Blue rings around eyes.

Pterygium; cataract.

Nerves p. 50

Pain in r. ear.

Upper Face p. 50

▌ A flushing of cheeks with some general heat, and accelerated pulse.

Pain at lower edge of zygomatic process of 1. superior maxillary bone, above second bicuspid tooth, sore on pressure.

Teeth p. 50

Continuous pain in upper teeth, extending into r.

Drawing in an upper and lower tooth, as if it was being gently pulled.

▌ Toothache, < after eating and from exertion.

▌ Cannot close the teeth at night, jaws feel stiff", sleeps with open mouth. θ Toothache.

▌ Toothache, > by cold water.

Taste and Tongue p. 50

Pungent, bitter-sweet taste.

Smarting of the tongue.

Tongue sore ; full of little vesicles ; great thirst and desire to cool the tongue.

;tongue furred, more towards the root, no appetite.

Inner Mouth p. 50

Vesicular ulcers in mouth.

Throat p. 50

;palate sore, very sensitive to warm drink or food.

Rawness of upper and back part of palate.

Appetite, Thirst. Desires, Aversions p. 50

Great increase of appetite.

Much thirst ; desire to cool tongue.

Relations p. 50

Poor digestion.

Eating aggravates toothache.

Stomach p. 50

││ Agreeable sensation in stomach, soon after, followed sometimes by an extraordinary increase of appetite.

Hypochondria p. 50

Aching pain below r. hypochondrium whilst writing.

• Plepatitis.

││ Organic disease of liver with ascites.

Abdomen p. 50

▌ Abdominal and renal dropsies, in broken down constitutions and intemperate subjects.

▌ Ascites and swelling of legs.

: Atonic or passive dropsies.

Abdomen bloated.

││ Ascites in consequence of organic affection of liver.

││ Scrofulous swelling of abdominal glands ; enlarged mesenteries.

Worm troubles.

Stool and Rectum p. 51

Griping after stool.

Sticking pain in rectum, 1. side, deep in.

Shooting pain, deep seated, in 1. side of anus; more internal than a pile, which at times protrudes there.

Bloody mucous stools.

│ Diarrhoea.

Inclination to stool either ineffectual or attended with great pain.

▌ Obstinate constipation. θ Renal disturbances. θ Cystitis.

▌ Constipation and hemorrhoids. θ Dysuria.

f Constipation, stool every third day. θ Vesical irritability.

▌ Sensation of swelling in perineum on sitting down, as if a ball was pressing against it. θ Urinary troubles.

▌ Acute proctitis from sitting on a cold, wet stone; pain and dysuria, which increased to complete retention from swelling of prostate; pain and soreness in perineum, with sensation as if sitting on a ball.

▌ Ineffectual urging to stool. θ Dysuria.

Urinary Organs p. 51

▌ Constant pain in region of kidneys; urine scanty, dark colored, fetid, and very thick, depositing a copious sediment ; obstinate constipation.

▌ Frequent desire to urinate, with scanty urine. θ Urinary difficulty.

▌ Vesical tenesmus, from prolapsus or retroversion.

▌ Pressing fulness in region of bladder. θ Nephritis. θ Cystitis.

▌ Strangury.

▌ Constant disposition to urinate; as often as every hour or two ; passes only a small quantity.

Urging to urinate after voiding urine. θ Nephritis, etc.

: Retention of urine.

M Difficult urination, cutting, scalding pain; sometimes stream is split, at other times small as a thread, or drops pass only. θ Stricture.

Inability to pass urine without standing with the feet wide apart and the body inclined forward.

▌ Catarrhal affection of bladder.

▌ Urethritis with purulent or profuse mucous discharge.

Copious, clear, limpid urine.

▌▌ Great quantities of thick, ropy, bloody mucus in urine.

▌ Color of urine changed from that of brick-dust to green tea.

Greenish-black color of urine. (?Ague.

Urine thick, ropy, of brick color.

▌ Urine scanty, frequently voided with much pressing pain before, scalding and smarting during and after, and vesical tenesmus. θ Dysuria.

▌ Burning, pricking pain during emission of urine. θ Obstinate vesical irritability.

▌ Urine high colored, depositing a copious mucous sediment. θ Dysuria.

▌ Tenderness of anterior portion of vagina (bladder) and urethra. θ Dysuria.

▌ Constant urging to urinate without sufficient discharge; catheter will not enter; < when sitting, walks about.

▌ Causes mucous sediment to disappear from urine. θ Cystitis. θ Nephritis. θ DrojDsy, etc.

▌ Scanty urine, with muco-purulent sediment.

│ Lessens the lithic acid or lithates, while it increases the renal secretion. θ Urinary difficulty.

││ Albuminuria occurring during Bright's disease,

│ Advanced stages of albuminuria.

▌ Hgematuria from long lasting gonorrhoea.

▌ Clots of coagulated blood pass with the urine.

': Chronic nephritis ; diabetes ; gravel.

││ Dropsy from renal disease.

Male Sexual Organs p. 52

▌ Smarting pain from neck of bladder the whole length of urethra to meatus.

▌ Excessive itching and painful irritation of urethra from end of penis to neck of bladder. θ Urinary difficulty.

Burning in urethra.

Atrophy of testicles.

▌ Sensation of swelling in perineum, as if in sitting down a ball was pressing against it.. 6'Urinary difficulty.

▌ Disease of prostate with waste of prostatic fluid.

: Gonorrhoea ; chronic gleet ; syphilis.

Female Sexual Organs p. 52

Prolapsus and slight uterine leucorrhoea. θ Dysuria.

│ Leucorrhoea.

Vaginal prolapsus.

▌ Rapid atrophy of breasts.

││ Atro^hy or tumors of mammae.

▌ Lump in left breast broke leaving small, irregular ulcer with ragged, everted edges, sloughing and discharging fetid pus. θ Cancer of breast.

▌ Scirrhous tumor of r. breast, about an inch in diameter ; hard, but movable ; nipple drawn in ; a good deal of sharp pain in tumor and in axillse.

Taken as tea for cancer on breast, three years after the cessation of menses, she had soon a slight return, three weeks later a copious flow, and another two weeks later.

▌ Painful tumor of mammae in a young unmarried woman

Relations p. 53

Undue secretion or suppression of milk.

Inner Chest and Lungs p. 53

Dull pains under middle of sternum.

Pain in r. side, ribs, and integument below axilla.

Tuberculosis of lungs.

\ Hydrothorax.

Neck and Back p. 53

│ A most uncommon sensation in small of back, in region of kidneys ; sometimes on one side of spine, sometimes on other, as if something were fluttering within, without occasioning pain or uneasiness of any sort.

On back and thighs painless dark red pustules which do not suppurate.

Upper Limbs p. 53

Acute rheumatism of shoulder.

Pain in r. arm about upper half of biceps and shoulderjoint.

Pain in lower part of 1. arm.

Oedematous swelling of r. arm as in dropsy.

Stinging in swelling on arm.

Swelling in arm feels better when uncovered.

Fistulous ulcer on r. forearm, with stinging and crawling.

Paronychia.

Lower Limbs p. 53

An opening and shutting pain, slow pulsatory in middle of anterior part of right thigh, very singular, and leaving a severe aching and a tenderness on pressure, whilst lying down.

Pain in flexors of left knee, extending around thigh, immediately above patella ; pain as if limb were severely grasped.

Bruised sensation in calves and thighs.

Cold feet in evening,

│ Ischias.

^▌' Rest. Position. Motion. On sitting down : as if a ball were pressing against perineum.

Writing: aching below r. hypochondrium.

Exertion: < toothache.

Nerves p. 53

Inward trembling without mental disturbance. θ Toothache.

▌ Strength improved. θ Liver complaint,

│ Torpor and debility with kidney affection.

Hysteria.

Sleep p. 53

▌ Would have slept well if he had not been constantly waked by calls to make water. θ Vesical irritability.

Great drowsiness.

▌ Sleeps with open mouth, cannot close the jaws. θ Toothache.

Time p. 53

At night: cannot close teeth.

Worse in evening.

Temperature and Weather p. 54

Worse in damp weather.

Shivering after washing with cold water.

Cold water : > toothache.

From sitting on a cold, wet stone: acute proctitis.

Fever p. 54

Great heat, irritation and redness, followed by such sharp pain that profuse sweat over whole body ensued.

││ Hectic fever and night sweats. θ Cystitis, or renal disease.

▌ Flushing of cheeks, with some general heat and accelerated pulse.

│ Intermittent or low fevers, typhus.

Attacks p. 54

Every third day, constipated stool.

Locality and Direction p. 54

Left : pain in frontal protuberance; stabbing or shooting pain in eyeball; itching of eye; stinging in eye; pain in superior maxillary bone; pain in rectum and anus.

Right: pain in ear; pain from upper teeth into eye; aching below hypochondrium.

Right to left: sudden stitch in eyes.

Sensations p. 54

As if tooth was being gently pulled ; as if a ball were pressing against perineum ; as if sitting on a ball.

Pain: in 1. frontal protuberance; in eyes; in r. ear; at

- lower edge of zygomatic process of 1. superior maxillary bone ; continuous in upper teeth ; extending into r. eye ; in region of kidneys.

Stitch : in front part of both eyes from r. to left.

Stabbing: in 1. eyeball.

Sticking : in 1. side of rectum.

Shooting in 1. eyeball ; in 1. side of anus.

Stinging: in 1. eye; in ulcer.

Smarting: of edges of lids and inside of lids; of tongue.

Soreness : of palate ; of tongue.

Aching: below r. hypochondrium.

Drawing: in an upper and lower tooth.

Griping: after stool.

Pressing fulness: in region of bladder.

Stiffness: in jaws.

Crawling: in ulcer.

Itching: of edges of eyelids and inside of lids; of 1. eye.

Swelling: in perineum.

Tissues p. 54

Acts in a very prominent degree on the kidneys.

Abnormal elimination of solid matters in the urine, with atrophy of glandular structures.

Dropsy from renal diseases.

Anasarca and ascites following intermittents.

│ Glandular enlargement, especially of lymphatics; enlargement of mesenteric glands. θ Scrofulosis.

Scrofula, with ulcers of an indolent or flabby character.

Tumors in mammae.

Useful in scrofula and chronic, rheumatic, and nephritic affections.

In strangury, chronic gonorrhoea, and catarrh of the bladder ; and as antilithic, it is said to diminish lithic acid in urine.

In dropsy it is better adapted to cases accompanied with weakness and loss of appetite.

Enlargement of lymphatic glands in neck.

▌ Enlarged lymphatic and mesenteric glands.

Skin p. 55

Redness, vesication, or desquamation of skin.

Ulcers of an indolent and flabby character.

Malignant ulcers.

Ulcer, discharging yellowish ichor.

Crawling and stinging in ulcer.

││ Jaundice and dropsy.

Eruption of dark red spots without sensation.

Anasarca following intermittents.

▌ Scarlet fever. ^

▌*^ Stages of Life, Constitution. Cachectic and scrofulous individuals.

Broken down constitutions in intemperate subjects; abdominal and renal dropsies.

A woman, ait. 21 ; cancer of breast.

A man, £et. 38 ; stricture of urethra.

Plethoric, hysterical young woman ; dysuria.

Sir James C. ; organic disease of liver with ascites.

Married lady, set. 34, suffering formerly from uterine troubles ; obstinate vesical irritability.

Woman, set. 26 ; in a cachectic condition, menses always scant ; scirrhous tumor of breast ; the mother of patient had also had scirrhous tumor of breast, necessitating extirpation of the gland.

Old gentleman; suffered for years with "the gravel," so called by his physicians.

Relations p. 55

Compare: Apocynum; (^Chimaph. cured ascites and swelling of legs, where Apoc. had been of benefit but did not cure), Coffea {Chimaph. cured toothache, relieved by cold water, when Coffea failed). Ledum, Rhodod. and Kalmia, all Ericacese.

: Recommended as a substitute for Uva ursi.