General Action
The chief characteristics of this drug are found in the mental and skin symptoms. The prevailing sensation is that of “a plug.” Botanically, chemically and symptomatically allied to Rhus tox. and Ailanthus.
Generalities
Weakness or faintness with restlessness. Paralyses. Pain as from a plug in various parts. “Symptoms disappear during the mid-day meal.”.
Mind
Memory feeble or lost. Mental work is extremely difficult; can scarcely comprehend ordinary conversation. Suspicious. Seems to be pursued. Melancholia. Hypochondria. Hysteria. Seems isolated from the whole world. Mental dullness and gloom after sexual indulgence. Extraordinary desire to swear.
Head
Violent pain, as from a plug in left side, near vertex. Pressure in temples. Pain in the occiput from a false step or noises. Headaches, often ameliorated by eating, but always aggravated by mental effort.
Eyes
Dull pressure, as with a plug on the eye-ball. Vision dim, as if looking through mist.
Ears
Dull pressure on the tympanum. Canal seems plugged up, aggravated by biting teeth together. Deafness, especially with defective memory.
Nose
The posterior nares seem plugged up. Soreness in the nostrils. Illusions of smell or loss of smell. Smells (illusion) burning tinder or dung.
Face
Pale, with sunken eyes. Tetter around the mouth.
Mouth
Foul odor, not noticed by the patient. Gums bleed very easily. Vesicles in the mouth. Speech difficult, on account of stiffness and swelling of the tongue. Taste lost.
Throat
Tough mucus, obstructing the posterior nares. Catarrh of the Eustachian tubes, with a feeling of blunt plugs.
Stomach
Feeble digestion; melancholy after eating. A shattering sensation in the pit of the stomach on every step after eating.
Abdomen
Flatulence. Thrusts. As if a blunt plug were squeezed into the intestines.
Stool
Urging, with inability to expel the feces; “the rectum seems plugged up.” Painful internal piles.
Sexual Organs
Discharge of prostatic (or seminal fluid) at stool, or after urinating.
Respiratory Organs
Cough at night, shattering, spasmodic, arresting the breath.
Chest
Pressing pain as from a plug in the chest. Stitches in the region of the heart, extending to the small of the back.
Back
Feeling of a heavy weight on sides of neck and back. Nape stiff. Feeling of a plug in the spine. Lumbago with painful stiffness.
Extremities
Dull pressing in ward pains. Cramp-like pains in wrist and finger joints. Legs stiff as if bandaged, restless. Trembling. Paralytic weakness. Ankles feel sprained.
Skin
Eczema with intense itching, mental depression, etc.
Fever
Chilliness, even in a warm room; chilliness internal with external heat. “Night sweats.”.