Salicylate of Sodium. (NaC7H5O3)2H2O. Trituration. Solution.
Clinical
Abscess. Boils. Debility. Depression. *Ears., *noise in. Fever. *Meniere’s disease. *Noises in the head. Oedema. Periostitis. Rheumatism. Stammering. Strabismus divergens.
Characteristics
The introduction of Salicylic acid and *Nat.sal. into general practice as remedies in rheumatism led to much overdosing, the records of which are found in *Allen and *C.D.P., and I have arranged them below in the Schema. The most marked and persistent of the symptoms produced by *Nat.sal. is giddiness, worse on rising from lying, and intense tinnitus aurium with deafness. This combination of symptoms has led to the successful homoeopathic use of *Nat.sal. in Meniere’s disease and similar conditions. In some of the overdosings high fever with delirium was produced. *Nat.sal. has been used freely in the manufacture of beer to prevent fermentation, and this has caused poisoning symptoms, notably sweating and tenderness of the feet with dark coloured and enlarged veins (*H. W., xxv. 500, 566). *Nat.sal. had evidently an affinity for the joints, since it causes many of its poisoning symptoms simultaneously with the removal of the joints pains of gout and rheumatism. It has been used with success in homoeopathic practice in the treatment of periosteal rheumatism. Divergent strabismus and stammering were marked pathogenetic effects in one case, and should lead to homoeopathic uses. It has caused irritation of inguinal glands, and has cured abscess in axilla. Having given *Nat.sal. 3 to a patient recovering from influenza who had symptoms of vertigo with noises in the head, the patient was so much relieved by the medicine of her weakness and depression that she named the remedy her “tonic.” ***W.R. Rice published a case in the *Brit. *Medorrhinum *Jour., November 30, 1897, in which he gave a lady 10-gr. doses of *Nat.sal. every four hours. After the third dose “most alarming prostration, mental and bodily,” set in. Pulse became weak and compressible, fell to 35 per minute and the temperature became subnormal. On stopping *Nat.sal. the symptoms rapidly passed off. Ebstein has claimed for *Nat.sal. in ordinary dosage a controlling power over glycosuria, and ***R.T. Williamson (*B.M.J., March 30, 1901) has confirmed this in some cases.
Relations
*Compare: Gaulth., Salix mol., Salix nig., Sal-ac., Salol. In Meniere’s disease, Chi., Kali. I., Carb. Sul.
SYMPTOMS.
Mind
Vomiting, unconsciousness, at times wild delirium, from which she recovered with loud cries. Weariness and depression. Highly nervous dread. Sometimes has hallucinations, sometimes half- asleep, sometimes rational. Apathetic.
Head
Giddiness, deafness, noises in ears. Giddiness, better lying down, worse raising head or sitting up, objects all seems to move to right Burning pains on skin of forehead. Severe headache as though head would burst.
Eyes
Amblyopia. Pupils dilated, very slightly sensitive to light marked divergent strabismus. Eyes have a peculiar sparkle. Does not see distant objects, mydriasis.
Ears
Constant noises in ears, deafness, direct and perosseous.
Face
Left face red, both eyelids, upper lip oedematous. Anxious expression, red face.
Mouth
Speech hoarse, indistinct, stammering, some words she cannot pronounce. Dryness in mouth and throat with great thirst.
Stomach
Great thirst. Appetite lost. Vomiting, unconsciousness.
Abdomen
Inguinal glands swollen, sensitive.
Stool and Anus
Diarrhoea, great thirst.
Male Sexual Organs
Absolute but temporary importance.
Respiratory Organs
Dyspnoea, with great heat. Breathing so noisy it was heard in street, better when supported in half-sitting posture, gasps for air, respiration exceedingly forcible. Breathing shallow. Respiration 60, not superficial. Panting respiration like that of a hunting-dog.
Heart
Pulse stronger, arterial pressure increased. Pulse irregular, sometimes very quick, sometimes nearly normal velocity, small, weak. Pulse weak, compressible, falls to 35 beats a minute.
Upper Limbs
(Axillary abscess.) _ Strong itching on back of right hand.
Lower Limbs
Feet swollen, soles tender, veins of dorsa much congested (from drinking ale containing Nat. sal.).
Generalities
Alarming prostration, mental and bodily. Left side of face, lower limbs, right chest diffusely reddened, both eyelids, upper lip, great part of legs slightly oedematous. Eyelids, hands, face, and legs swollen. Dull and heavy. Tingling over whole body. Very restless, condition constantly changing.
Skin
Soon after first dose, intense tingling and itching of skin, diffuse redness, oedema. Urticaria over great part of body, especially legs and abdomen, with oedema of arms. Intense erythematous rash. Pemphigoid eruption on hands and other parts of body. On forehead, face, and legs skin very red in circumscribed patches, redness disappearing on pressure.
Fever
Wild delirium, great heat, dyspnoea. Temperature 107o, with intense thirst. Fever and rash come only with disappearance of rheumatic pains. Temperature became subnormal, pulse 35.
