Oniscus asellus
Animal
Oniscus Asellus suits patients with dropsical conditions requiring diuresis or asthmatic complaints with bronchial catarrh. There is a striking combination of strangury, meteorism, and severe colic. The popular German use for epilepsy has a historical basis through Hering's proving.
Key symptoms
- Distinct diuretic action used in dropsies
- Asthmatic conditions with bronchial catarrh
- Boring pain behind right ear in mastoid process
- Violent pulsation of arteries in the head
- Meteorism with very severe colic; distended abdomen
- Cutting, burning in urethra; tenesmus of bladder and rectum with absence of stool and urine
- Persistent pressure in cardiac orifice of stomach; vomiting

Wood-louse (MILLEPEDES)
Has distinct diuretic properties; hence its use in dropsies. Asthmatic conditions, with bronchial catarrh.
Head
Boring pain behind right ear in mastoid process (Caps). Violent pulsation of arteries (Pothos; Glonoine). Painful pressure above the root of nose.
Stomach
Persistent pressure in cardiac orifice. Vomiting.
Abdomen
Distended; meteorism; very severe colic.
Urine
Cutting, burning in urethra. Tenesmus of bladder and rectum, with absence of stool and urine.
Relationship
Compare: Pothos foet; Canth.
Dose
Sixth potency.

Oniscus asellus. O. armadillo. Armadillo officinalis. Sow-bug. Sow-louse. Cellar-worm. N. O. Isopoda (Class Crustacea of the Articulatæ). Tincture of living animals.
Clinical
Colic. (Epilepsy.) Hæmoptysis. Strangury. Toothache.
Characteristics
In Germany Onis. has a popular reputation as a remedy for epilepsy. Hering proved a tincture, and Wolff recorded the effect of swallowing three "cellar-worms" in a glass of brandy before an attack of fever. This experience has provided the most characteristic symptoms of the remedy, showing it to be related to Cantharis, Apis, and their cognates. These symptoms were noted: Pale face, wild expression, constant vomiting. Very severe colic with meteorism and tension of abdomen. Tenesmus of bladder and rectum. Cutting burning in urethra. The symptoms of Hering's proving showed pains in the head, over the eyes, and down the nose. Constriction of gullet and stomach. Burning in anus. Many erections with disinclination to work. Hawking up of blood-streaked mucus. The last two symptoms again recall Canth. Frequent yawning and desire to stretch.
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