SPHERE OF ACTION
Through the organic nervous system, this remedy especially affects the vascular system, first to produce contraction of the blood vessels in all parts of the system, and second dilatation. I cannot do better than to give the excellent resume of the action of this remedy by Dr. E. M. Hale, as found in the transactions of the American Institute of Homoeopathy, for 1870.
On the circulation. The heart’s action is destroyed at a late stage, and its contractions are frequently the only evidence of the vitality of the animal. (PELVET).
The minute blood-vessels contract immediately in the region of injection, and later throughout the organism, and this contraction is succeeded by dilatation. (Ibid).
It lessens the amount of blood circulating within the cranium, and produces a shrinking of the brain from this cause.
(HAMMOND).
Flushed face, throbbing of the carotid and temporal arteries, suffused eyes, and fullness in the head, all disappear as if by magic under its influence (30 to 50 grains.) It appears from the above experiments, that the primary effect of the Bromide of Potassium is to cause contraction of the blood-vessels everywhere, not only in the brain, but throughout the whole organism, and that this contraction is followed by dilatation.
It is assumed by the above eminent pathologists, and we see no reason for doubting them, that the power possessed by the Bromide of Potassium on causing paralysis of the nerves of the spinal cord, and to lesson the reflex excitability of the nervous centres, also to diminish the vascularity of the great nervous centres, etc., is due to its power of contracting blood- vessels everywhere.
To this primary action is due its power to prevent certain kinds of spasms, pain, epilepsy, etc., and to cause sleep.
The secondary effect of this drug, however, is equally important, namely, the dilatation following the contraction.
What is the result of this secondary action? According to Brown-Sequard, when the blood-vessels of the spinal cord and brain have been unduly contracted (primary), the muscular fibres of the blood-vessels are soon exhausted, and (secondary) become paralyzed, allowing a considerable degree of congestion to take place; sensibility and the reflex faculty become morbidly increased, and convulsions occur.
From these facts and deductions it appears that the Bromide of Potassium is homoeopathic to all the morbid conditions and symptoms in which it has been found by the allopathic School.
Muscular System.–It is not a poison of any special tissues or system. It kills all nerves and muscles, and it may therefore, be defined as a general nervo-muscular poison.– MARTIN, DAMOURETTE and PELVET.
It affects the sensory and motor nerves, and spinal cord before the muscles. (Ibid.) It appears that the primary weakness and final paralysis of the muscular system is due to the contraction of the blood- vessels, and consequent weakness and paralysis of nerves.
The secondary cramps, twitchings, contractions and spasms of the muscles is due to the dilatation of the blood-vessels.
Glandular System.–The secretions of the glands are diminished in proportion to the contraction of their blood- vessels.–PELVET.
If the primary effect of this drug is to cause contraction of the blood-vessels supplying the glands, the secondary effect must be dilatation with congestion.
It is a general rule that congestion, however caused, Excessive action in a gland diminishes secretion.–HEADLAND.
The ultimate primary and secondary action of Bromide of Potassium, both tend to diminish secretion of glands, but there must be a medium action of Bromide of Potassium which will increase secretion. (See mouth.) This medium action is just enough dilatation of vessels to cause stimulation, and to fall short of over stimulation.
On the Nervous System.–It paralyzes the nerves of the spinal cord.–PLETZER.
It diminishes the reflex excitability of the nervous centres.–B. SEQUARD.
The sensory nerves loose their properties before the motor, the latter are affected before the spinal cord, and the spinal cord before the muscles.
To a condition of cerebral anaemia, most of the obvious phenomena should be ascribed.–HAMMOND.
It has no especial action on the encephalon, heart, muscles or nerves, but it mainly influences the spinal cord, and that by suspending its reflex functions.–LABORDE.
It appears that it is not a direct poison to the nerves, but acts on them by and through the blood-vessels.
Upon the skin it produces acne, boils and anthrax.
It has a special action upon the fauces.
GRAND CHARACTERISTICS
Compare anaesthesia of the throat so that the finger may be carried to the base of the tongue, touch the amygdala or posterior nares, and even tickle the uvula, without inducing any effort at vomiting or deglutition, This may facilitate the use of the laryngoscope in operating on the throat.
Profound melancholy.
Loss of memory.
Great despondency, with insanity.
Remarkably depressed in spirits.
Delirium tremens.
Profound, and yet disturbed sleep, always awakens with a mental struggle, not knowing at first where I was, or what had become of me.
Great difficulty in getting and keeping the right word, although the right idea is present to the mind. This is caused from anaemia of the frontal lobe of the brain.
Epilepsy from cerebral congestion, with vascular fulness of the retina as shown by the ophthalmoscope, is cured with the Bromide of Potassium, but if there is anaemia of the brain the Bromide of Potassium aggravates.–R.C. VANCE, M.D.
Sexual Organs of Men.–Nocturnal emissions, with amorous dreams and erections.
Excessive sexual desire.
Impotence, with diminution of sexual desire.
Spermatorrhoea from irritation of the spinal cord with paralytic symptoms. This is a precious remedy in spermatorrhoea.
The anaphrodisiac power of the Bromide of Potassium is due to contraction of minute afferent vessels of the corpus cavernosus.–PELVET.
Women.–Induration and enlargement of the womb.
Excessive sexual desire during the menses.
Menstrual ailments; before the menses, headache; during the menses, epileptic spasms, nymphomania, itching, burning and excitement in the vulva, pudenda, and clitoris; after the menses, headache insomnia and heat in the genitals.–HALE.
Scanty menstruation.
Pruritus of the vulva, arising from irritation of the uterus, or ovaries, or any hyperaesthesia of the veins of that locality, no remedy can equal the Bromide of Potassium.–HALE.
Vaginismus, it has acted favorably.
Morning sickness, large doses by injections into the rectum.
Chest.–Has acted finely in whooping-cough, spasmodic form; also in nervous, dry, hysterical cough.
Large, indolent, painful pustules.
It is a great value in long-lasting scrofulous ulcerations, given in the crude form.
Adapted to fleshy people, and to diseased organs that are in a hypertrophic condition; loss of flesh counter indicates this remedy.
(1836-1897)
Characteristic materia medica Published 1873
Physiological materia medica, containing all that is known of the physiological action of our remedies; together with their characteristic indications and pharmacology. Published 1881