NAT. ORD., Umbeliferae.
COMMON NAMES, Button Snakeroot. Water Eryngo.
PREPARATION.--The fresh root is pounded to a pulp and macerated in two
parts by weight of alcohol.
(Although a well-known remedy, the following concerning
its early history may not be out of place here. It is
from Thomas' _Additions_.)
"For spermatorrhoea properly so called, or emission of semen without
erections, there is no remedy which has yet received the sanction of
experience."--_Repertory._
"We have one, however, to propose for trial--it is the _Eryngium
aquaticum_, which has two remarkable cures, reported by Dr. Parks
(Pharmacentist, Cin.), to recommend it.
"CASE I.--A married man injured his testicles by jumping upon a horse;
this was followed by a discharge of what was considered semen for
fifteen years, during which time he was treated allopathically and
homoeopathically. Dr. Parks exhibited a number of the usual remedies
without permanent benefit. He then gave a half-grain dose, three times a
day, of the third decimal trituration of the '_Eryngium aquaticum_.' In
five days the emissions were entirely suppressed, and have not returned
to this time (over two years ago). The emissions were without erections
day or night, and followed by great lassitude.
"CASE II.--A married man, not conscious of having sustained any injury,
was troubled for eight or ten years with emissions at night--with
erections. The semen also passed by day with the urine. The loss of
semen was followed by great lassitude and depression, continuing from
twelve to forty-eight hours. There was also partial impotence. Had been
treated allopathically. Dr. Parks gave him Phos. acid for two weeks,
without material benefit. He then exhibited the _Eryngium aquaticum_, as
above, with the like excellent and prompt result."[I]
[I] Drs. Hill and Hunt, Homoeopathic Surgery.
I used this remedy with a patient who was quite broken down from
spermatorrhoea; the emissions left him, but he suffered from vertigo
and dim-sightedness whenever he took a dose of the medicine. He is now
well through the use of other medicines. Our English _Eryngo_--the _E.
maritimum_, is noted as an aphrodisiac, and is very similar in
appearance to the _Eryngium aquaticum_.