Hughes gives six aspects of lead poisoning. (I) the COLIC, to which we have drawn attention: “always relieved by pressure, and the more, the firmer this is made.” (2) The PARALYSIS, beginning with wrist-drop. This is partial rather than general. He says it has been noted that muscles were paralysed, whose nerve supplied others that were not paralysed. There is always a marked atrophy of the affected muscles sometimes this condition becomes so general that the patient resembles a walking skeleton. (3) The NEURALGIC and SPASMODIC pains: often lightning-like: suggesting the lightning pains of locomotor ataxy. (4) The ENCEPHALOPATHY:- its cerebral symptoms:-sometimes uraemic, more commonly primary. they start with violent headache and amaurosis, then maniacal or melancholic conditions may supervene, but most frequently eclampsia: the convulsions may supervene, but most frequently eclampsia: the convulsions are quite epileptiform in character, and coma or delirium may fill up their intervals. In regard to epilepsy Hughes says,. “I agree with Bahr ion ranking Plumbum with Cuprum as the remedy from which most is to be expected in confirmed cases of the disease.” (5) Its action on the URINARY ORGANS. There is increase of mucus in the urine, with irritation of the lining membrane of the bladder. Plumbum is claimed to have cured chronic affections of the urinary organs. Its action on the kidneys leads to the small, granular, contracted kidneys which constitutes the most serious form of Bright’s disease. During life, albuminuria is an evidence of the mischief being set up. (6) The AMAUROSES; “secondary to the renal mischief, or, apparently an poetic neuritis, with its central scotoma”
Evidently, from the cases given, Plumbum may do its magnificent healing work whether prescribed in the single doses of high potency, or after the manner of the “low potency people”. It is the remedy of similar symptoms that is imperative: its exhibition is a matter to some extend of dispute. Both will work: but in our experience the highest potencies, when we dare to use them, are the greatest of miracle-workers. But an occasional contretemps has inspired one with a lively respect for what some would consider these fantastic nothingnesses. And it was Dr. H. C. Allen who was reported to have said, “Gentlemen, the potencies can kill.”
Plumbum has, “Paralysis preceded by mental derangement, trembling, spasms or shooting, darting, intense tearing pains in tracks of larger nerves: the parts emaciate: wrist drop, caused by apoplexy, sclerosis of brain, or muscular atrophy, alternating with colic; after apoplexy rapid emaciation, atrophy and loss of sensation of affected apart; or arms, with pain, dryness, deathly paleness and coldness of hands.
DR. BOERICKE says of Plumbum: “The greatest drug for general sclerotic conditions, Lead paralysis is chiefly of extensors, forearm or upper limb, from centre to periphery, with partial anesthesia or excessive Hyperesthesia, preceded by pain;localized neuralgic pains: neuritis.
The blood, alimentary, and nervous systems are the special seats of action of Plumbum. Haematosis is interfered with, rapid reduction in number of red corpuscles; hence pallor, icterus, anaemia. Constrictive sensation in internal organs.”
BLACK LETTER SYMPTOMS
Slow of perception.
Loss of memory, so that while talking he was often unable to find the proper word.
Headache.
Complexion sallow. Sallow pale face.
Distinct blue line along the margins of gums. Dark blue line on the gums.
Gums pale, swollen;l show a lead coloured line; blue, purple or brown painful, with hard tubercles. Breath fetid.
Constrictions of the throat.
Loss of appetite.
Nausea.
Vomiting. Frequent vomiting. Constant vomiting.
Vomiting of food.
Extremely violent pains in the umbilical region, that shoot to other parts of the abdomen, somewhat relieved by pressure.
The navel seems to adhere to the spine.
Violent colic.
Excessive pain in abdomen, radiating thence to all parts of the body.
Constipation: stools hard, lumpy, like sheep’s dung; with urging and terrible pain from constriction or spasm of anus.
Difficulty micturition.
Urine albuminous.
Urine dark coloured and scanty, evacuated drop by drop.
Morbus Brightii; contracted kidney.
Violent pains in the extremities: especially in the evening and night: especially in the muscular parts of the thighs.
Neuralgic pains in the limbs.
The pains in the limbs are worse by paroxysms, which are so severe that he cries out.
Jerking, trembling, numbness of limbs,.
Pains in the extremities.
Pains in the limbs aggravated at night.
Wrist-drop.
Very sharp neuralgic pains
Extremely acute and paroxysmal pains.
Lightning-like pains in the lower limbs.,
Emaciation.
Anaemia.
Convulsions.
Paralysis
General prostration.
Lassitude.
Faintness.
Uneasiness.
Excessive hyperaesthesia.
Anaesthesia.
Arthralgia.
Pain in trunk and limbs.,
Emaciation extreme, with anaemia and great weakness; of paralyzed parts followed by swelling.
Muscular atrophy: from sclerosis of spinal system.
Dry skin.
Yellow skin.
Sleeplessness (entire sleeplessness).
Some footnotes, Allen’s Encyclopedia.
“Microscopic examination of the brain showed granular fatty degeneration of the walls of the vessels and deposition of large quantities of amyloid corpuscles.”:
“The heart was fatty, the walls thicker and paler than normal. The capsule of the kidneys was found adherent to its substance: the kidney showed interstitial inflammation. The brain was softened.”.
ITALICS, OR QUEER, NOTEWORTHY SYMPTOMS
His delirium turned on the idea that his life was in danger from assassination or poisoning, and that everyone about him was murderer.
As if something were working at top of head.
Eyelids as if paralysed.
A ball rises from throat into brain
Eyes feel too large.
A plug in throat.
Everything weighted down.
As if abdominal walls pulled inwards: abdomen and back too close together; As if abdomen were drawn to spine by a string. (Plat)
A sensation in abdomen at night in bed, causes her at stretch violently for hours together. Feels she must stretch in every direction: the will to do so alone cannot accomplish it; as if from paralysis.
Sphincter en feels drawn in
As if not room enough in uterus for foetus. A bad not quite filled with fluid lay in bowels.
As if feet were made of wood.
Violent, loud motion of lower jaw and frightful grinding of teeth.
Paralysis of throat, with inability to swallow.
Sweet taste: gulping up of sweetish water.
Anaesthesia, or excessive hyperaesthesia.
Inclination to take the strangest attitudes and positions in bed. May be absolute absence of sweat. Or cold sweat with pallor.
Fetid foot sweat-on soles-smelling like old cheese.
Nash gives an interesting Plumbum case, which we will condense. Man, over seventy, was attacked, with severe abdominal pain. Finally a large, hard swelling developed in the ileo-caecal region very sensitive to contact or to the least motion. It began to assume a bluish colour, and on account of his age and extreme weakness it was thought that he must die. In Raue’s pathology, however, the indications for Plumbum were found given as therapeutic hints for typhlitis. It was administered in the 200th potency, which was followed by relief and perfect recovery.
