Ammonium muriaticum


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Ammonium Muriaticum, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Sal ammoniac, Ammoniac chloride, NH4Cl.

Provings

1. HAHNEMANN, Chronic Diseases, Part II of original, Vol. I of translation. Contains 397 symptoms from self and three fellow- observers. 2a. Dr. GUMPERT commenced [ Gumpert’s subjects were seven patients, one with adiposis, the second with some urinary catarrh, the other five maladies unmentioned. As the symptoms were uniform in all, we have felt justified in inserting them as pathogenetic from the drug.-EDS.] by administering 3ss or 3j in 24 hours, increasing doses by 3j every 3 or 4 day, until 3iv-3vj were taken only. When about half a pound had been used in the course of 4 weeks, the following complex of symptoms would appear:-There was a state of things exactly resembling a status pituitosus, attended with the most invincible repugnance to the remedy, so that even the thought of it would nausea. The eyes became dull and prostration over-powdered whole body; tongue became coated white; patient experienced a constant shivering, horripilation between skin and flesh; he hawked constantly and cleared his throat because there was an incessant tickling there, although he did not get up much mucus; there was sense of emptiness in stomach, but she could not bring himself to take food. Perspiration was generally increased; sweat broke out from slightest movement. Much urine was excreted, of a strong ammoniacal or even mouldy odour, though generally quite clear. Glassy and viscid mucus [ “Of these effects, the increased secretion of mucus has been confirmed by all other observers; it seems therefore to be well founded.” (NOTHNAGEL and ROSSBACH)]. was occasionally evacuated by stool, but diarrhea occurred only rarely.

2b. This state of things did not last long before a formal attack of fever would prostrate patient upon his bed. The paroxysm commenced with chill and heat, and ended with profuse perspiration. It resembled that of an ordinary intermittent, and was followed by relief from the premonitory symptoms recorded above, and from some of those of the disease for which it was given. In the course of 18 months G. has observed five cases of the kind, all of which followed the seven-day type quite accurately; the paroxysms recurred regularly as long as the organism was sufficiently saturated with the salt; ceased or became slighter as the saturation decreased, and could be reproduced at pleasure by resuming remedy. In one case the febris septimania set in after sal ammoniac had been taken 6 weeks, and recurred every Thursday for 4 weeks; 5th paroxysm was slight, and the 6th omitted, but a 7th occurred on fresh dosing with the drug. [This was the patient with adiposis: he was much benefitted by the treatment.] (Medorrhinum Ztg. vom Verein f. Heilk. in Preussen, vii, 179.) 3. Dr. RABUTEAU took 2 1/2 grm. twice daily for 5 d. For 5 day previously urine showed average of 1027 grm. and urea of 21:40, for 5 day subsequently average was 1078 and 21.62 respectively; while during medication it was 1343 for urine and 24.41 for urea. [ “According to the recent researches of Knieriem (Zeitsch. f. Biologie, 1875), the major part of the ammonia taken into the system is transformed into urea, in which form it appears in the urine” (BOEHM, in Ziemssen’s Cyclopedia, xvii, 357).] The secretion also, ordinary clear, was on these days turbid with urates on cooling. He did not take his temperature, but it seemed to him elevated, -his hands being nearly always hot, -and his pulse averaged 66 instead of 61.8 and (61.2 (the figures before and after medication). There was no diaphoresis, neither did digestive or nervous disturbance occur. (L’Union Medorrhinum, 1871, ii, 330.) 4. WIBMER, on Aug. 18th, took at 12:30 gr. v in water without effect. On 19th, pulse 68, took gr. x at 7 and again at 8 a.m. Between 9 and 10 increased call to urinate, warmth in stomach, mouth and fauces very moist, loose cough. At noon a stool, softer than usual. At 12:30, pulse 73, took gr. xv. After 1/2 hours warmth and discomfort in stomach, some headache in temples and forehead for 10-15 m. only. At 2 ate with appetite. At 5:45 gr. xx. In 1/4 hours again warmth and weight in stomach, headache in forehead, thinking power unaffected. In 1 hour increased secretion of urine. Ate supper with appetite. On 20th quite well save for pressure in stomach for a few minutes and slight nausea. (Wirkkung der Arzn. u. G., sub voce.) 5a. Increase in excretion of urine seems to be a constant effect of sal ammoniac administered internally. Bocker always found in experiments on himself that he excreted from 250-600 grm. more under these circumstances. 5b. According to Bocker the absolute quantity of the expired carbonic is considerably increased at the outset, while the percentage in the expired air is slightly diminished. After long- continued use both absolute and relative amounts are very much lessened. (NOTHNAGEL and ROSSBACH, op. cit.) 6a. Sundelin says that in large doses it purges like other salts, but in small ones rather constipates. 6b. Kraus says that a slight miliary eruption and very painful aphthae have been produced by large doses of it. (PERREIRA, op. cit.) 7. RECHNITZ gave sal ammoniac to a patient suffering from some injury and from a perineal fistula, commencing with 3ss and going to 3j per diem. Soon there occurred such disgust at the remedy that he could not even look at the drawer where it was kept without vomiting. He had prostration and weakness of limbs; violent boring pains in lower extremities; drawing in jaws; pulse quick, small, soft; tongue white-furred; thirst great; neither stool nor urine increased; frequent vomiting of green fluid. No intermitting fever noticed. (Medorrhinum Jahr. der. k. k. OEST St., xxxi, 224.)

8. FISCHER gave to a man with enlarged prostate of amm. mur. every 2 hours After 3 weeks of this treatment patient reported that he had a severe miliary fever. (Friesel). “This Friesel, ” Rechnitz writes, “is well known to me; it never fails to appear during prolonged use of large doses of sal ammoniac.” (Casper’s Wochenschrift, 1833, p. 820.) 9. 3rd March. -Of 3iij amm. m. in 3vij water, took at 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 a.m., 2:35, 3:10, 3:40, 2 tablespoonfuls, at 4.5 p.m. 1 tablespoonful; of 1/2 oz. in 8 oz. water, at 6 a.m. 1 tablespoonful, 11:10 p.m., 2 tablespoonfuls. No symptoms. -4th. Of last solution, at 6:45, 7:30, 8.5, 9:10, 10, 11, 12 a.m. 2 tablespoonfuls. -5th. 1/2 oz. amm. m. in 6 oz. of water. At 8, 10, 11, 12 a.m., 3:40, 4 p.m., 2 tablespoonfuls. 1/2 oz. amm. m. in 8 oz. of water. At 5, 1 tablespoonful; at 5:30, 6,35, 11 p.m. 2 tablespoonfuls. At 6 a.m. some pinching in belly below navel. On rising from bed pappy taste. At 10:30 a.m., expectoration of mucus from throat and slight nausea. Afternoon and evening easy expectoration of mucus. -6th. At 7:45, 9:40, 10:40, 11:25 a.m., 12 noon, 4, 7:35 p.m., 2 tablespoonfuls, 11:15 p.m., 3 tablespoonfuls. Diminished appetite. At 6 p.m. pinching in abdomen below navel, soon passing off. 8 p.m., feeling of roughness in chest, inclination to breathe deeply, and cough with scanty mucous expectoration. Sleep restless, twice awoke by noise but soon fell asleep. On rising in m. a pappy taste, furred tongue, and little appetite-7th. At 7:30, 9, 10:15, 11, 11:35 a.m., 4:30, 10:30 p.m., 2 tablespoonfuls. During day coughing and hawking of mucus. On rising in m., tongue more furred, little appetite for breakfast. 10 a.m. Tongue clean, occasional expectoration of mucus. At 11 a.m. repeated expectoration of mucus. 2:45 p.m. Hard stool covered with mucus. Afternoon, coughed and hawked mucus. Feeling of fulness in abdomen. -8th. On waking, left nostril stopped up with mucus, removed by sneezing. On blowing nose some drops of brownish blood mixed with mucus. – 8th. 1/2 oz. amm. m. in 6 oz. water. At 8 a.m., 3 tablespoonfuls, 9, 10:10 a.m. 2 tablespoonfuls, 11 a.m. 3 tablespoonfuls, 12 noon 2 tablespoonfuls, 3:30 p.m. 2 tablespoonfuls, 9 p.m. 2 tablespoonfuls. On rising in m. tongue slightly furred, appetite diminished. M., felt weak and expectorated mucus frequently, also afternoon and e. At 12:30 p.m. copious normal stool, feces enveloped in mucus, but compact. Afternoon, frequent discomfort in belly, especially below right and left of navel. All afternoon from 3:30 p.m. onwards, uncomfortable fulness in abdomen lasting till bedtime. Evening, very tired but not sleepy. At 10:45 felt as if the bowels twisted about. At 9 p.m., on taking the last dose, extreme loathing. -9th. 1/2 oz. amm. m. in 8 oz. water. At 8.16, 9:20, 10:10, 11, 11:50 a.m., 2:30, 3:55, 4:45 p.m. 2 tablespoonfuls, 5:45 p.m., 3 tablespoonfuls. Diminished appetite and disgust at medicine. Stool first firm, then soft. Coughed up some mucus. -10th. 3iij amm. mur.. in 5 oz. water. At 8:10, 10 a.m., 3:30, 6:30, 11:45 p.m. 2 tablespoonfuls. On rising in m., tongue cleaner than usual. 9:45 a.m. copious soft stool, expectorated a little mucus. -11th. 1/2 oz. amm. m. in 5 oz. of water. 8:20, 10, 10:35, 11:15, 11:45 a.m., 3:20 p.m. 2 tablespoonfuls, 4:10 p.m. 3 tablespoonfuls. On washing face m. some bleeding from nose. Sneezed before breakfast. After rising, till 9 a.m., expectorated thick phlegm, also a little during d. No stool. During the proving the salts in urine were slightly diminished. The nitrogenous constituents of the urine were increased except the urates, which were diminished. (BOECKER, Beitrage zur Heilk., ii, 150.).

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

Hughes was a great writer and a scholar. He actively cooperated with Dr. T.F. Allen to compile his 'Encyclopedia' and rendered immeasurable aid to Dr. Dudgeon in translating Hahnemann's 'Materia Medica Pura' into English. In 1889 he was appointed an Editor of the 'British Homoeopathic Journal' and continued in that capacity until his demise. In 1876, Dr. Hughes was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Organization of the International Congress of Homoeopathy Physicians in Philadelphia. He also presided over the International Congress in London.