“The cases were one of caput medusae following renal tumor and a case of long-standing dilatation of the veins of the inner aspect of the thigh in a patient with cardiac disease.
“No beneficial effect was obtained. It is, however, probable that by extended observation on physiological principles some valuable therapeutical uses may be found for Barium.”
CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS.
This cardiac remedy was first used by our school, and for twenty years or more we were the sole prescribers of it.
For the last five years other schools have used it, first the eclectic, and now the regular. The late Austin Flint, in his Clinical Medicine, mentions Cactus as “a valuable cardiac nervine and tonic, in five minim doses.” Dujardin Beaumetz, of France, quotes from Dr. Goss (Mat. Medorrhinum) and Dr. Kunze (New Preparations) several cases of palpitation, hypertrophy, etc., in which Cactus proved of value.
It is singular that F. Lauder Brunton did not appropriate it, together with his wholesale teachings from our Materia Medica. It is now used very extensively by all schools, but I doubt if it has come up to the expectations of some members of our school of practice.
It was heralded by the most fulsome laudations of its great value, not only in diseases of the heart, but in all other acute inflammations. I do not remember, however, to have seen any recent record of diseases other than disorders of the heart cured by the Cactus.
It is my opinion, from careful observation and study of its action, that all the symptoms and conditions caused and cured by Cactus are due to its affinity for the heart and its pathogenetic action thereon.
It appears to me that its action on the heart is that of an intense irritant of the ganglia of that organ. It may thereby cause the several conditions of hyperaesthesia, irritability, neuralgia, spasm, irregular action, and, finally, inflammation. It differs from Digitalis in this, that it seems to have an action on the spiral fibres of the muscular tissue of the heart, while Digitalis acts on all the muscular fibres alike.
Cactus is capable of causing carditis and pericarditis; Digitalis is not. Cactus resembles Bryonia, Aconite and Spigelia more than it does Digitalis. In only one condition does it resemble Digitalis, namely, cardiac failure, and in both the failure is a secondary effect.
I wish to call your attention particularly to the haemoptysis of Cactus. It is not indicated in spitting of blood, unless it is caused by an excited action of the heart acting on pulmonary vessels weakened by disease.
In haemoptysis, with weak small pulse, it is not indicated; but if the heart’s action is hard, tumultuous, and the pulse similar, then Cactus will arrest it. The blood must be bright and fluid (arterial).
It is recommended in pneumonia and pleuritis, but has not attained any popularity in those diseases. In the few cases reported the pulse was hard, vibrating, 120.
I suspect in all cases where it is useful some cardiac inflammation or abnormal excitement must be present as a complication or as a cause. The bronchitis and asthma in which it is indicated are, without doubt, always a cardiac complication.
The characteristic symptom of Cactus heart trouble is “a sensation as if the heart was constricted as by an iron band.” This sensation is very distressing, and whenever felt is a pretty sure indication for this remedy, or for Iberis, Arnica and sometimes Digitalis, but, in a less degree, valvular diseases of the heart may be palliated by Cactus in a large proportion of cases, unless the disorganization is too far advanced, when Digitalis will be of greater service.
Hypertrophy with enlargement is more under the control of Cactus than is hypertrophy with dilatation, which is just the reverse of Digitalis, Iberis or Lycopus.
For the numerous cases cured or relieved by Cactus, see the extended collection made in the fourth edition of Symptomatology of New Remedies, which I copy: Sensation of constriction in the heart, as if an iron ban prevented its normal movement. This sense of constriction seems to affect all portions of the body.
Dr. Farrington writes me that “A very intelligent lady, who for years has used Homoeopathy, took many doses of Cactus 30. She complained of irresistible inclination to cry. She felt as if her whole body was in a wire cage, and that each wire was being twisted tighter and tighter.” Dr. F. also sends me a case of rheumatism of the diaphragm, cured by Cactus 30 and 200th.
The symptoms were “constriction around the lower part of the chest, as from a cord, the constriction marking the periphery of the diaphragm; jerking breathing; sharp pains shooting through the body toward the back and upward into the chest, with sensation of rush of blood to the chest.” The C. bonplanti and another species have lately been used successfully in place of C. grand.
Palpitation of the heart continues day and night, worse when walking and at night, when lying on left side.
Functional disorder of the heart from mental emotion, aggravated at the menstrual period.
Angina pectoris.
Palpitation acute and chronic, even in organic diseases of the heart.
Acute inflammatory affections of the heart, idiopathic, and even from rheumatism.
Acute carditis, with blueness of the face; oppression of breathing; dry cough; pricking pain in the head; cannot lie on left side; pulse quick, throbbing, tense and hard.
Chronic carditis, with oedematous and cyanotic face, suffocating respiration, continued dull pain in the heart, dropsical effusion throughout the body; cannot drink or speak; hands and feet cold, pulse intermittent.
Hypertrophy, with dilatation; patient is pulseless, extremely exhausted, panting and sad; cannot lie down or speak; has scarcely slept for fifteen days; forgetful; feet oedematous. (Is soon relieved, lies down and sleeps twelve hours.)
Organic diseases of the heart; valvular diseases (an invaluable palliative for many distressing symptoms.)
A constant fluttering sensation in the stomach over the location of the coeliac axis, in a spot about the size of a dollar; a burning line extends down from it to the lower ribs on either side; a hot flash shoots downward frequently (cured by a few doses).
Rheumatic inflammation of the heart with severe pains in the apex of the heart, and pain shooting down the left arm to the ends of the fingers; dyspnoea, pulse feeble, 120, etc.
Palpitation of the heart from any exertion, with excessive pain over the left side, between the scapulae and sacral region. A whizzing to and -fro sound, or bruit desoufflet.
Endocardial bruit, increased praecordial dulness, excessive impulse of the heart’s action, and evident enlargement of the right ventricle.
Great irregularity of the heart’s action – intermittent at times and of varying character – great frequency of action, alternating with slowness. (Enlargement of left ventricle, with great irritation of the cardiac nerves. – Sandford.)
Irregularity of the heart’s action from reflex irritation.
Palpitation, with vertigo, dyspnoea, loss of consciousness.
The following is Dr. Hughes’ estimate of the drug: “Dr. Rubini, after observation of the physiological and therapeutical effects of the Cactus for ten or twelve years, published a pamphlet containing the results of his experience.
“It was translated by Dr. Dudgeon for the British Journal of Homoeopathy, in whose twenty-second volume it may be found. It contains numerous symptoms observed on the healthy (subjects and doses not specified), and as many cured in the sick. Some later provings from four sources are incorporated with Dr. Rubini’s results in Allen’s Encyclopedia; and Dr. Hale, in the article on the drug in the second edition of his New Remedies, has collected all the clinical experience with it, which has appeared in print up till that time (1867).
“From Dr. Rubini’s provings it would appear that Cactus has a very powerful action upon the heart and arteries, closely resembling that of Aconite. General rigor, followed by much heart and sweat, even recurring daily at the same hour, and symptoms – as pain and haemorrhage – of acute congestion in the head and chest, attest its action on the arterial system; while the heart gives evidence, in pain, palpitation, oppressed breathing and constriction about the chest, of being unusually affected. The pulsation in the scrobiculus cordis so characteristic of cardiac disorder is markedly produced by Cactus. It causes also painful pressure on the vertex; acid risings from the stomach, with sense of weight there; severe twisting colic, with heat (external and internal) of the abdomen, bilious diarrhoea, with pain before the stools; inflammatory strangury, followed by copious urine, loaded with lithates, and painful menstruation. There is great prostration, and the mental condition is one of profound melancholy.
“From such a pathogenesis as this brilliant results might be anticipated. Dr. Rubini assigns to it a wide range of curative power. The characteristic feature of the Cactus consists in this, that while it develops its action specially in the heart and its bloodvessels, dissipating their congestions and removing their irritations, it does not weaken the nervous system like Aconite;’ so he writes in the preface to his provings. I must differ from him about Aconite weakening the nervous system. It need never do so, if the dose be not too large. But, if Cactus acts in this manner, it may be a formidable rival to Aconite, as it would obviously be used in the same class of cases.
Hale wrote Lectures On Diseases Of The Heart, Materia medica and special therapeutics of the new remedies Volume 1, Materia Medica And Special Therapeutics Of The New Remedies Volume 2, Saw Palmetto: (Sabal Serrulata. Serenoa Serrulata), The Medical, Surgical, and Hygienic Treatment of Diseases of Women, New Remedies: Their Pathogenetic Effects and Therapeutic Application, Ilex Cassine : the aboriginal North American tea, Repertory to the New Remedies with Charles Porter Hart, The Characteristics of the New Remedies, Materia Medica and Special Therapeutics of the New Remedies, The Practice of Medicine, Homoeopathic Materia Medica of the New Remedies: Their Botanical Description etc.