A Text-Book of
Materia Medica.
(Characteristic,
Analytical, and Comparative.)
By Pr.
Allen Corson Cowperthwaite, M. D., PH. D., LL. D.
LACTUCA VIROSA.
(Lactuca Faetida.)
Natural order.- Compositae.
Common names.- Poisonous Lettuce. Lettuce Opium.
General Analysis.-
The physiological action of this drug is chiefly upon the brain and
nervous system, diminishing the force and frequency of the pulse, and
disposing to sleep ; unlike opium, producing no excitement either of
brain or circulation.Secondarily, it affects the vegetative sphere, as is shown by its
symptoms, very few of which, however, have been verified in practice.Characteristic symptoms.
Mind.- (Lactuta virosa)
Ill-humored ; fretful ; peevish.
Disinclination to mental labor ; mind confused ; power of thought
diminished. (Gels.,Nux v., Phos. ac.)
Head.- (Lactuta virosa)
Confusion of the head ; vertigo.
Dull headache.
Eyes.- (Lactuta virosa)
Pupils very much dilated. (
Bell., Hyos., Stram.)
Stomach.- (Lactuta virosa)
Pit of stomach retracted, with slight pain in stomach ; aggravated
by pressure.Feeling of warmth in stomach, accompanied by nausea rising into the
throat, and flat taste at root of tongue, soon changing to icy
coldness of stomach and throat.Tightness in pit of stomach, followed by true precordial anxiety.
Abdomen.- (Lactuta virosa)
Feeling of fullness in abdomen, especially in right side, which
impedes respiration ; relieved by discharge of flatulence upward or
downward.Urinary Organs.- (Lactuta virosa)
Increased secretion of urine. (Ambr., Phos. ac.)
Respiratory Organs.- (Lactuta virosa)
Incessant spasmodic cough, which threatens to burst the chest
; always caused by a
peculiar tickling in fauces, which, in turn, seems to be produced by a
sensation of suffocation in the throat.Dry cough in short paroxysms, with shaking of the chest and
occiput.Tightness of chest wakens from sleep, with anxiety. (
Acon.)
Cramping, pressive pains in various parts of the chest.
Pinching, dull, sticking pain in upper left side of chest.
Sharp stitches beneath short ribs of left side.
Generalities.- (Lactuta virosa)
Great weariness and exhaustion.
Unusual feeling of lightness of the body.
Slight shivering.
Sleep.- (Lactuta virosa)
Sleepiness ; sound,
refreshing sleep.Stupid sleep at night.
Restless sleep at night.
Therapeutic Range.- (Lactuta virosa)
Has been used but little in homoeopathic practice.
Dr Hughes.According to
Hughes it seems indicated in some
forms of hepatic and pulmonary congestion, of clavus, and of cerebral
weakness, with somnolence.Compare.- (Lactuta virosa)
Op., Coff.