Collinsonia
is native to North America. It has a very tough, hard, knotted root. It has been proved
twice, first by Burt and later by Dowla. The former took the tincture, the latter the
powder. Both experienced headache, the former in connection with abdominal and rectal
disturbance, the latter with flushing, sensation of heat, numbness, feeling of enlargement.
The legs felt light, as if he could run like a deer. Nux vomica
relieved the sensations, the symptoms passing off from above downwards. In Dr. Burt's case
the symptoms generally passed from above downwards. As a domestic remedy, and among the
eclectics, it is known as a remedy for chronic catarrhal conditions, especially of stomach,
bowels, and bladder; also of nose, pharynx, and larynx, and in tubular and capillary
bronchitis. It is, according to Hammond, "a stimulant, a most valuable tonic, a
positive diuretic and mild laxative." Hammond also commends it in the palpitation of
the menopause. F. S. Smith mentions that it has a domestic reputation in rheumatism. He
records a case (subacute) in a woodsman of 30. It began in foot and ankle, and travelled
over nearly every joint in the body. A few drops of Collins. Ø was mixed in a tumbler of
water, and a teaspoonful given every two hours. Rapid cure resulted. He utters a caution
against using low potencies where there is organic heart affections. It is useful in heart
affections alternating with suppressed hæmorrhoidal bleeding; sensitiveness about the
heart, fulness, oppressed breathing, faintness. Dewey mentions that it cured a case in which
there was severe constrictive pain about the heart in a man who habitually passed blood by
stool, the heart symptoms coming on when the bleeding ceased, and disappearing when it was
re-established. Collins. cured both. It has cured
inveterate cases of dyspepsia with weight in epigastrium and piles.
Neuralgia and rheumatic pains were experienced by the provers in many
parts: upper jaw, arms, hands, knees, joints. The greatest number of Dr. Burt's symptoms
were experienced in the bowels and rectum: Pains in umbilicus and hypogastrium, constipation
with hard light stools, great straining, faintness; stools of mucus and blood. These
symptoms suggested the use of the remedy in cases of piles, where it has proved most
efficacious. Piles during the catamenia. Prolapse of the rectum with piles. The heart was
markedly affected: irritation of cardiac nerves; palpitation, faintness, oppression. Nash
has cured cases of the most obstinate constipation with Collins.
In one there was severe colic, which had recurred for several years, the concomitant
symptoms being great flatulence and hæmorrhoidal troubles. He differentiates between Æsc. h. and Collins. (both
of which have sensation as if rectum was full of sticks) thus: Æsc.
has sense of fulness in rectum, which Collins. has not. Æsc. piles
do not bleed as a rule; those of Collins. bleed
persistently, Æsc. has pain, soreness, and aching in
the back [and, I may add, < by walking.─J.
H. C.]. Collins. has more persistently constipation,
with colic on account of it. Æsc. may have constipation
or may not. Collins. has shown marked power of
disturbing the circulation and causing hæmorrhages, and also of disturbing cutaneous
sensation. The symptoms are < evening and night, and > in morning. < By
slightest emotion or excitement.
