Cadmium


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


Introduction

Including C. bromatum, bromide of C., Cd Br2; C. sulphuratum, sulphide of C., CdS; and other preparations.

Provings

1. At 10 a.m., being in good health, took gr. ss. It had a peculiar metallic taste. At 11 a.m., frequent flow of saliva into mouth that was constantly spat out, recurring every 2 to 3 m., and retching with much effort bringing up viscid mucus. This continued till 2 p.m., when, with violent pains in stomach and umbilical regions and urging to stool, violent vomiting of food, mucus, and bile, came on. Then these symptoms declined, leaving him exhausted. Next m. pains in cervical muscles, probably owing to the violent retching. (BURDACH, Hufeland’s Journ., xxiv, 1, 130.).

Poisonings

1 a. A lady put less than a teaspoonful of the bromide into two thirds of a tumbler of water, and divided solution between herself and her mother. Dr. Wheeler found both ladies vomiting severely, and complaining of extreme pain and burning in stomach. Mother was also freely purged, though daughter was not. Vomiting and purging lasted fully 5 hours and during part of this time pulse was imperceptible in either patient. After this period symptoms ameliorated, and both feel asleep. For several d. both were confined to bed, and were obliged to be extremely careful as to diet. Mother has since suffered from cerebral symptoms which betoken tendency to apoplexy. 1 b. Attending physician took as much of powder as would adhere to his wet finger, and had severe burning in mouth, oesophagus, and stomach, lasting about 1 h. (WHEELER, Boston Medorrhinum and Surg. Journ., xcvii, 434.)

2. A grain of bromide of cadmium suffices to bring about evident results, to reduction of pulse are added vomitings, and prostration even to stupor. The nervous system, however, is only indirectly attacked. (BELGRAVE, Bull de Theridion, lxxi, 92.).

Experiments on animals

The following are the principal results of Dr. Marme’s researches on the toxic properties of the compounds of cadmium: 1 a. The sulphuret is not poisonous; the other compounds are. 1 b. Locally, they act as simple irritants, going as far as ulceration in stomach and bowels, but never causing perforation, even when given as chloride in strong solution.

1 c. The remote action of these compounds produces symptoms similar to those observed by Loret in men poisoned by the carbonate; these were – vertigo, vomiting, diarrhoea, slowness of circulation and respiration, loss of strength, unconsciousness cramp. The last symptoms are sometimes followed in animals by death. In sucking animals, birds, and amphibia, the heart’s action generally outlasts the respiration, though it may be for a short time only.

1 d. If quantities sufficiently large to be poisonous without causing death directly be injected into the subcutaneous cellular tissue or the blood-vessels, they excite an inflammatory irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, and frequently even haemorrhage, erosion, and ulceration.

1 e. The continued absorption of small doses of the soluble salts of cadmium causes chronic poisoning, which in animals is characterised by disturbed digestion and emaciation, and ends in death. At the autopsy may be found gastro-enteritis more or less extensive, sometimes subpleural ecchymosis and partial congestion of lungs, and frequently fatty degeneration of liver and cardiac muscular tissue, and diffuse inflammation of kidneys. (RANKING’S Abstract, Xlvi, 117.).

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.