CALCAREA


Homeopathic remedy CalCarea from A Manual of Homeopathic Therapeutics by Edwin A. Neatby, comprising the characteristic symptoms of homeopathic remedies from clinical indications, published in 1927….


      Calcarea carbonica, carbonate of calcium. Triturations made with the pure carbonate or the inner scaly layer of oyster shells (calc. ostrearum).

INTRODUCTION

      THE SALTS OF CALCIUM are relatively insoluble and are therefore but slowly absorbed, and when administered in bulk are largely passed out with the faeces. A small quantity is absorbed, some of it being re-excreted into the bowel, some into the urine, and a portion being appropriated by the tissues. Lime salts form a very large much smaller extent in the soft tissues In some not very obvious way they are necessary to the healthy activity, if not to the life, of animal tissues.

It is doubtful if any other single element plays a more varied role in out bodies than does calcium. Any deficiency or excess can affect bones, muscles, blood and nerves. it is present to a greater or less extent in all foods mainly as salts of oxalic, phosphoric and carbonic acid, but some of it in complex organic compounds. Oatmeal, cabbage and milk are particularly rich in assimilable calcium. When such food has been digested the calcium circulates in the blood and there are normally 10 mg. of every 100 c.c. of normal blood-serum. Deficiency of calcium in the blood leads to insufficiency of that substance in growing bones causing rickets, to insufficiency in the walls of the small blood vessels causing them to break down under excessive changes of temperature, with the formation of chilblains, to an inability of the blood to clot on exposure to air as in haemophilia, and to other derangements in the physiology of the body, such, for example, as tetany, laryngo-spasm, carpo-pedal spasms, eclamptic spasms and similar nervous and convulsive affections. Cardiac and nervous tissues are extremely sensitive to the calcium-potassium-sodium balance of the body.

Deficiency of calcium salts in the blood is due to an inability of the blood-stream to absorb them from the intestines; though present n the food they pass out unused. Experiments have proved that the power of the gut to absorb calcium is diminished as the intestinal contents become more alkaline and increased as they become more acid (or less alkaline), so that the administration of sodium carbonate or lime water, though containing calcium, by increasing the alkalinity of the intestinal contents lessens the absorption of calcium into the blood, thereby causing a deficiency and therefore predisposes to rickets. It has been shown that vitamin D and ultra-violet light also, in some way not understood, make the intestinal contents more acid, and to this their beneficial effects in rickets is probably due. The parathyroid glands are the controllers of calcium metabolism and when they are too active or when the hormone is administered calcium is extracted from the tissues and the bones and is found in excess in the blood, the calcium is mobilized, and hence the value of parathyroid in haemorrhages, as calcium lessens the coagulation time of the blood and so favours the formation of clot.

Muscular tissue paralysed by washing it out with sodium chloride (” normal saline solution”) regains its contractile power if a trace of calcium salt be added to the solution, and ciliated epithelium reacts in a similar manner.

PATHOGENESIS.

      The pathogenesy of calcarea (the carbonate only is referred to here, reference will be made to the phosphate later) is made up of the effects of lime starvation, of the genuine results experienced by provers, and of the symptoms noted as being cured by or developed during the administration of calcarea as a homoeopathic remedy, In spite of this mixed origin the results of a properly chosen prescription are amongst the most certain and successful of drug therapeutics. The chief general effect is weakness felt in a variety of spheres, e.g., the walking powers, especially when mounting stairs or ascending hills (due probably to shortness of breath); general muscular weakness; fatigue felt from exertion, excitement or excesses. In spite of the weakness the face remains plump.

Reduced general body-resistance induces liability to take cold and special sensitiveness to damp cold, readiness to perspire, tendency to develop faulty metabolic states, leading to tuberculosis, or chronic disease with emaciation. The emaciation often begins with the neck which becomes thin and “scraggy” and extends to the limbs and trunk with the exception of the abdomen, which is prominent and distended.

Mind.-The mental condition, too, is one of lowered resistance, shown by apprehension, fears, depression, weeping, inability for sustained mental exertion. Precocious young children are melancholy and say they want to die. A calcarea patient may be very nervous, especially in twilight, may be afraid he is losing his reason, or that some misfortune is about to happen to himself or his friends. He is liable to be in a state of nervous tension and feels he must scream to relieve his feelings. Children’s intellectual development is retarded and they are irritable and obstinate.

Head.-calcarea produces frontal weight and pressure, worse from using eyes and mind together; general headache from mental and physical exertion; an icy cold sensation on the right side of the head, or heat with flushes, throbbing and palpitation. The head (scalp) may be hot to the touch but feel cold to the patient.

Vertigo comes in sudden attacks, possibly induced by the effort of ascending stairs or some other exertion, or on first rising in the morning. It may arise as a result of mental effort or strain or from shock.

The Scalp Sweats Profusely.-The fontanelles are late in closing, the hair falls out and the skin is scurfy and itchy.

Eyes.-Lachrymation may be a physical as well as a mental symptom of calc;. the eyelids itch and stick together the eyes burn and shoot, worse in the evening and in artificial light. Photophobia and dimness (like a mist before the eyes) are due partly to corneal hyperaesthesia, partly to mucus and partly to weakness of the ciliary muscle (accommodation).

The nose becomes sore and the nasal mucous membrane swollen and ulcerated, causing offensive discharge and, subjectively, unpleasant feeling of swelling in the nostrils.

Face.-The face is usually puffy, fat, yellowish or pale and chalky-looking, with dark rings under the eyes.

Mouth and Throat.- Pains in the mouth and teeth come on and are worse from cold air, water or food. The tongue tends to b dry, the gums spongy, and the taste in the mouth sour.

There are nervous, choky feelings, as if the food would not go down, cracking noises on swallowing, and the submaxillary glands are large, tender and painful, worse from movement of the jaw and from touch.

Digestive Organs.- There may be excessive hunger or anorexia, but always thirst, and this is often worse at night.

Vomiting of sour food or water (worse at night) and a sore, swollen feeling and tumefaction of the epigastrium are very prominent calcarea symptoms. Eructations, tasteless or sour or tasting of the food, go with nausea and vomiting.

The provers experience aversion from meat, milk and tobacco. They may desire eggs (which agree), sweets and party, or their tastes may be perverted, craving chalk or egg shells (children), coal, &c. The abdomen feels distended, and the epigastrium swells, and in children has been described as “like an inverted saucer”; even light clothing is not well borne and colic is frequent.

Haemorrhoids or prolapsus recti, with a crawling feeling like worms moving in the anus, and burning in the rectum during stools, are produced. The stools are chiefly loose, pale and partly undigested, and often of sour odour.

Sexual Organs.-In men increased desire with lessened sexual power is noticed, progressing to impotency.

In women menstruation is early, profuse, bright in colour and is easily brought back after a period is over by excitement or emotions, good or bad news, &c. Prostration after intercourse is a common feature. Perverted sexual may develop.

Respiratory System.-Hoarseness, worse in the morning, and a violent, dry cough occur, the latter worse at night and from deep breathing. Tickling in the throat and a feeling of a plug there may seem to cause the cough. Deep breathing causes stitches in the side and hypochondria. The cough may be accompanied by profuse yellow or purulent, offensive expectoration.

Heart, &c.- Palpitation often accompanies the cough, especially at night. Eating and effort easily induce it.

Neck and Back.-The neck is stiff and cracks on movement, the back aches, the cervical glands are often enlarged. Extremities.- The limbs are weak and weary, with trembling, especially the legs. Varicose veins may be present. Rheumatic shooting pains are felt and the parts are sore to the touch. There is cramp in the calves and soles.

A cold, damp condition of the feet extending up to the knees is a very striking calcarea symptom, but there may be burning along the course of varicose veins.

Skin.-The skin itches, worse in cold air; nettle rash, ulceration, warts and condylomata are caused.

Edwin Awdas Neatby
Edwin Awdas Neatby 1858 – 1933 MD was an orthodox physician who converted to homeopathy to become a physician at the London Homeopathic Hospital, Consulting Physician at the Buchanan Homeopathic Hospital St. Leonard’s on Sea, Consulting Surgeon at the Leaf Hospital Eastbourne, President of the British Homeopathic Society.

Edwin Awdas Neatby founded the Missionary School of Homeopathy and the London Homeopathic Hospital in 1903, and run by the British Homeopathic Association. He died in East Grinstead, Sussex, on the 1st December 1933. Edwin Awdas Neatby wrote The place of operation in the treatment of uterine fibroids, Modern developments in medicine, Pleural effusions in children, Manual of Homoeo Therapeutics,