Oniscus asellus

Oniscus asellus

Animal

BoerickeClarke

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
William Boericke
Homoeopathic Materia Medica · 1901

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.

John Henry Clarke
A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica · 1900

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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Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.

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