Repertory › Remedies in the repertory

Mezereum (Mez.)

Mezereum (Mez.) appears in 425 rubrics in the Repertory. Of these, 18 are single-remedy rubrics in which only this remedy is listed, and 21 are small rubrics with at most two other remedies. The emphasis lies on Anxiety, Anguish, Indifference, Speech, and Delusions. From these emerges the picture of a person who is beset by physical distress and at the same time withdraws inwardly.

Anxiety with a Physical Basis

The anxiety is tied to the body. Anguish arises from an abscess of the maxillary sinus, with vomiting, and with stomach carcinoma, and it compels the person to lie down; in addition there are anxiety about eating, anxiety after suppressed eruptions, and anxiety that improves after eructation. Neuralgia after frost and facial pain until midnight with moaning belong here as well. The skin plays a role of its own: a single-remedy rubric names sadness from a history of skin eruptions, another the delusion of having warts.

Indifference and Rapture

The indifference is directed toward all people; there is the notion that everything appears dead and lifeless, and thoughts of death go so far that everything is taken to be dead. A single-remedy rubric describes gazing out of the window for hours without being aware of the objects around. Added to these are indifference while reading and weak memory, which does not allow what was learned by heart to be reproduced. This line carries the confusion of mental activity that appears with interruptions.

Irritability and Speech

The irritability has a turn of its own: the person wants to vex others with words, which is recorded in two single-remedy rubrics ("Speech – vex, wants to vex others with words"), and alternates in irritability with remorse. Speech is difficult, with dyspnea, lack of air, and lack of saliva. Anger, sadness, and restlessness are also broadly represented.

The delusions are unremarkable: the brain is hard, the person expects unpleasant news or feels as after a night of carousing. The wish for rest in the afternoon and joy after eating appear alongside as small counterweights. In coma the Repertory records insensitive pupils, in children snoring.

Summary

The Repertory draws an anxiety that comes from the suffering body, and a rapture in which everything seems dead and the gaze hangs in emptiness. Against this stands an irritable desire to hurt others, which is followed by remorse.

A reference work for professionals; it does not replace diagnosis or treatment.