Chimaph.
umb. is a medicine used by many North American Indians in gravel and urinary
disorders. It has also been used as a vulnerary. Among the eclectics it is used as an
"alterative" in skin affections, e.g., acne,
herpes, eczema, in enlarged lymphatic glands, in articular rheumatism. It is said by them to
act mainly as an eliminative through the bowels and kidneys. They use it in cases of
chyliferous urine, cystitis, strangury, smarting, burning pains on urination, turbid urine
and frequent micturition, and diabetes. Also in passive renal, uterine and intestinal hæmorrhages,
leucorrhœa and gonorrhœa. From its property of increasing the renal secretion they give it
in cases of calculus and prostatic irritation. Catarrhal states, with mucus, muco-pus, pus
and blood, offensive or not, indicate its use. Chim. u.
has been proved by Jeanes, G. Bute, and H. P. Gatchell. It causes flushing of cheeks with
some general heat and accelerated pulse. Toothache <
after eating, and from exertion; > by cold water.
Cannot close jaws at night; jaws feel stiff; sleeps with mouth open. Palate sore; very
sensitive to warm drink or food; rawness of upper and back part of palate. Increase of
appetite. It has been used with success in cases of: inflammation of liver with ascites;
abdominal and renal dropsies; enlarged mesenteric glands; obstinate constipation and hæmorrhoids.
A peculiar symptom is: shooting pain, deep-seated, left side of anus. The symptom:
"Sensation of swelling in perineum on sitting, as if a ball was pressing against
it," shows its appropriateness in prostatic disorders. There is also loss of prostatic
fluid. Constant pain in region of kidneys, as if something fluttering in kidney region,
first one side, then the other. Pressing fulness in region of bladder. Vesical tenesmus;
strangury. Constant desire to urinate; must rise several times in the night. Great
quantities of thick, ropy mucus in urine. Blood in urine. Smarting pain (also painful
irritation) from neck of bladder, whole length of urethra to meatus. Bruised pain in
testicle is a leading indication in stricture. Leucorrhœa. Rapid atrophy of breasts or
tumours. Acute rheumatism of shoulder. Œdema of arms (right). Inward trembling without
mental disturbance. In homœopathic practice Coburn reports the following cures: (1) Stricture: Man, 30, dysuria, severe pain, scalding and
burning. At times urine voided in a large gush; at others in thready stream, and, towards
the end, drained off drop by drop. (After Merc. c. and Canth. had relieved temporarily.) (2)
Prostatitis after sitting on cold stone: Pain and a sensation in the parts, as if he had
bruised one of the testicles. (3) Cancer of breast:
Patient, 2l. Tumour in left breast, hard, movable; sharp pains at site. For four months,
under Arn., Ars., Cicut., Thuj., the tumour increased,
skin became contracted, nipple drawn in. In eight months it broke out into an irregular
ulceration with lacerated edges, fetid discharge. Axillary glands swollen. Chim. umb. Ø gtt. x. every four hours was given, and the same
locally applied. The pains diminished, swelling decreased, and in six months the patient was
well. The symptoms of Chim. u. are < In damp weather; after washing in cold water; from sitting
on a cold, wet stone. (Though evergreens and "winter-lovers"─hence
the name─the Chimaphilas are generally <
by cold). Suited to cachectic, scrofulous individuals and broken-down constitutions.