This remedy produces in the individual a group of symptoms so similar to the effects of common diseases, that it is one of the most frequently used remedies. Some prescribers would classify it as our most valuable and most frequently indicated medicine. The diseases which present this similarity to the symptoms of Bryonia are, bronchitis, pleurisy, pneumonia, rheumatism, constipation, typhoid fever, headache and influenza. There are many others, but perhaps these are the diseases for which it is more commonly prescribed.

The following are among the most prominent and characteristic effects of the drug:

1. Large doses act as a hydragogue cathartic; this effect is soon displaced by the opposite symptom - constipation.

2. The pleura and lungs become involved; the former tissue undergoes a pleuritis and in the latter are produced many of the pathological and symptomatic expressions of a pneumonia.

3. Symptoms of articular rheumatism; the joints are swollen, hot and shining.

4. All serous membranes with their contained viscera, are congested or inflamed. The liver is congested and is the seat of stitching pains.

5. All mucous membranes become dry. This is expressed by thirst for large amounts of water, and by constipation.

6. The synovial membranes are inflamed, a mild delirium may develop, an intense dull, "splitting" headache appears, gastric distress is present, the heart and kidneys become congested and a typhoidlike condition is manifested. Arterial ten sion and the frequency of the pulse are lessened.

7. Bryonia produces pains and in general they are sharp, stitching in character. All of the pains or symptoms of Bryonia are intensely aggravated by motion and many of them are ameliorated by warmth. Rest and pressure relieve.

Therapeutics

Bryonia: The keynote of this remedy is found in the statement, "all symptoms are aggravated by even the least motion," and this characteristic will be found running through all complaints needing this medicine. Bryonia affects the serous membranes, producing dryness and inflammation, hence sharp, stitching or cutting pains are common. Such symptoms are found in pleurisy and pneumonia or in peritonitis, in all of which diseases, this great remedy is of paramount importance. Anything which limits or inhibits motion, will, therefore, relieve the pain to some extent, consequently the Bryonia patient lies upon the affected or painful side, or seeks to make pressure upon that side. This is an observation of great value in the selection of Bryonia and will serve to differentiate it from numerous, more or less similar remedies.

Mentally, the patient is irritable when sick, dislikes to be disturbed, feels greater discomfort when the room temperature is at all too high, hence likes and feels better in the cool open air. In the early stage of typhoid fever this remedy is often needed, when dry cough is present, constipation, aversion to any effort or attempt at motion, dry mouth and lips, tongue thickly coated white or yellow, decided thirst for large amounts of water, at infrequent intervals. The patient may be mildly delirious and then asks to be taken home, or talks indefinitely about the business of the day.

In pneumonia, especially croupous, with or without an accompanying pleurisy, Bryonia is often indicated and frequently follows Aconite. The patient has a dry hard, painful cough, which he seeks to suppress as much as possible; his breathing is shallow and quick, each effort at deep inspiration causes intense cutting pain, which the sufferer tries to minimize by lying upon the painful or affected side.

The sputa are scanty, mucopurulent and rust colored.

Headaches which are caused by overheating and in which there are bursting, throbbing or shooting pains aggravated by any motion, but relieved somewhat by cold applications or firm pressure, will be helped by the remedy. In acute rheumatic arthritis, Bryonia is very often needed. The joints are swollen, red, extremely painful, especially from the least attempt at motion. Dry mouth and lips and the typical thirst and tongue already mentioned, will be present, as well as constipation with little or no desire for stool. Attempting to sit up, causes faintness and vertigo. The pulse will be found to be full, quick and hard.

In repercussed eruptions or in those which appear slowly, as may be found the case at times in measles, this medicine is of signal service; also in vicarious menstruation when nosebleed takes the place of the normal monthly flow.

Many gastric ailments will require Bryonia, especially when bitter taste, thickly coated white tongue, dry mouth, thirst and a sensation of a lump in the epigastrium are complained of.

Mastitis finds a useful remedy in Bryonia. The breast is stony hard, red, inflamed, with sharp cutting pains, worse from respiratory movement, or any motion of the patient.

Characteristic Symptoms Of Bryonia

1. Very irritable, inclined to be angry.

2. Sensation when in bed as though he were sinking deep down.

3. Headache from ironing, or from washing the perspiring face in cold water.

4. Parched and dry lips, likes to moisten them often, mouth dry and thirsty for cold water.

5. Delirium about his business, worse at night, after 3 A. M.

6. Anxiety about the future; she fears she has not the wherewithal to live.

7. Frequent drinking of cold water relives the bitter taste and the inclination to vomit.

8. Sitting up in bed causes nausea and fainting.

9. Gastric affections, dry mouth and tongue, tongue coated white, giddy when stooping or rising, forehead heavy, taste bitter, food lies heavy, pit of stomach sore to touch, constipation, etc.

10. Constipation, stools hard and dry as if burnt.

11. Coming into warm room from cold air excites cough.

12. Joints red, swollen, stiff, with stitching pains from slightest motion.

13. Complaints when warm weather sets in after cold days.

14. Sharp stitching pains in the chest, cannot bear to move or draw a deep breath.

15. Sore, bruised pain in muscles of nape, as from taking cold, also in lumbar region or small of back.