PROMINENT USES.-Aconite is useful in all recent affections, accompanied by, or depending upon raised arterial tension and the nervous excitement that accompanies it. It is not a remedy for chronic arterial tension, although useful in temporary exacerbations of such a condition, nor is it a remedy for inflammatory processes where the natural resistance is poor and the signs of septic absorption prominent. It is very serviceable in some reactionary conditions-exhaustion after excitement, etc. It surpasses all other known remedies in its power of controlling the circulation, and triumphantly supersedes the lancet and the leech. “To enumerate the diseases for which it is suitable would be to mention the acute inflammation of every possible order and tissue of the body; and if it be not for all of these the sole remedy, it is almost always useful either previous to, or in alternation with another remedy which has perhaps a more specific relation to the part affected” (Dudgeon).
Although it may be often greatly abused, it is probably more frequently indicated than any other single remedy, especially at the commencement, and often during the course, of nearly all affections marked by pain; a rapid strong pulse; dry heat of the skin; chills, followed by burning heats; restlessness; scanty and high-coloured urine; Constipation; aggravation of the symptoms towards night; notably, Acute Rheumatism, commencing catarrhs, Erysipelas, Haemorrhage from internal or external surfaces, especially of an arterial character, with full, bounding pulse. It acts by moderating and equalising the circulation, and so removing local congestion, especially when affecting mucous surfaces. Cases within the sphere of Aconite are generally benefited at once; if, therefore, relief does not follow after a few doses, other means should be tried.
Aconite has, however, no power to control bacterial invasions, such as Enteric, Typhus, and Intermittent fever, and most cases of influenza. Even in many cases of Scarlatina its use is limited. Again, as Hughes remarks, Aconite does little for a fever which is symptomatic of an acute local inflammation. In Pneumonia, the pulse defies Aconite, but goes down quickly when Bryonia or Phosphorus touches the local mischief, “Indeed,” writes the same author, “it may be laid down that unless a fever has greatly abated within twenty-four hours of commencing Aconite, it is one for which the remedy is unsuited.” But although it cannot abridge specific fevers, its administration exerts a beneficial influence by favouring perspiration, inducing sleep, and soothing the nervous system. “In some inflammations, however, Aconite alone may effect a cure, as being a specific irritant of the part affected.” In the use of Aconite, the general recognition of these observations is necessary to prevent disappointment.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.-Neuralgia accompanied by arterial excitement of the affected part, such as occurs in persons debilitated by anxiety, over-excitement tends to local congestions. Neuralgia depending upon diseased bone, carious teeth, or tumours pressing on nerves are only temporarily, or not at all, benefited by Aconite Apoplexy with bounding pulse; recent paralysis such as facial paralysis, with numbness and congested skin, and painful pricking sensations, as from needles; infantile convulsions; spasmodic Croup’ Congestive Headache when the sensorium is not involved; nervous tremors in sensitive and weakly persons, etc.
EYES, EARS, FACE, ETC.-Acute Ophthalmia, with shooting pains, and frontal headache; pain or inflammation in the eyes after injuries or operations; acute Otitis, Otalgia, and Deafness from cold; Catarrh in the invasive stage (see “Respiratory System”); over sensitiveness of smell; Epistaxis from cerebral congestion. Facial Neuralgia (see “Nervous System”)
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.-Recent Rheumatic affections of the heart; Palpitation from nervous, hysteric, or febrile excitement, or occurring in plethoric or sensitive persons; Congestion of the heart, with anguish, heat, depression of spirits; the paroxysms of Angina Pectoris; fainting-fits, with collapse of pulse; and the deadly collapse of Cholera.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.-Catarrh and Influenza in their invasive stages-dryness and burning of the air-passages, sneezing, burning and fulness over the eyes, headache, chills, weariness, and soreness; fluent Coryza; chronic Catarrh with thick mucus; acute Sore Throat; Laryngitis; Bronchitis; spasmodic, dry hard cough; Pleurisy; Pneumonia, Congestion of the lungs; Haemoptysis; the paroxysms of spasmodic Asthma.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.-Teeth.-Rheumatic and congestive tooth and face- ache, especially from exposure to cold and draughts of air; throbbing, pressing pains in the teeth or side of the face, relieved by cold water; fever attending dentition. Tongue, Throat, etc.-Dryness and swelling of the tongue; white or yellow- furred tongue; soreness and dry heat in the throat; Quinsy (often curative in the early stage); swollen, elongated uvula; rising of sweetish or acid water in the mouth. Stomach, etc.-Continual formation and eructation of flatulence; bilious nausea, vomiting of blood, with feverish symptoms (if due to injury Arnica should be thought of, but Aconite may supplement its action), inflammation of the stomach, bowels, or peritoneum; constipation, with fever; profusely bleeding Piles; Diarrhoea during teething, the little patient’s cheeks being flushed, with other febrile symptoms; acute Congestion of the liver (Mercurius may be subsequently required).
URINARY SYSTEM.-Retention or suppression of the urine form inflammation or congestion; high coloured urine, with or without brick-dust sediment; burning and tenesmus of the neck of the bladder; inflammation of the kidneys; Urethritis; Acute Orchitis, etc.
SKIN.-Dry, hot, harsh, and yellow colour; ephemeral itching and burning of the skin. Aconite is well indicated in the dry, burning heat of children, or red rash, with thirst, etc. Perspiration occurring after this remedy marks its favourable action, and is the token for its discontinuance.
6. AEsculus Hippocastanum.- Horse-chestnut.
This remedy has been well proved in America, and considerably used both there and at home.
LEADING USES.-Our own experience with this drug, and our prescription of it in this Manual, have been chiefly restricted to affections of the rectum and anus.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.-Haemorrhoids, with small discharges of blood, but much pain, swelling, and rigidity of the rectum; Constipation, with very distressing sensations-aching, constriction, fulness, pricking, itching, and protrusion-in the rectum and anus, the pains also extending to the back. It is inferior to Nux Vom. and Sulph. when there is much abdominal congestion, and to Hamamelis when the haemorrhage is copious, and there exists a general varicose condition of the system. The chief symptoms, then, for AEscul. are piles, with Constipation, severe pain, and but little haemorrhage; and for these it is a precious remedy.
GENERATIVE SYSTEM.-Leucorrhoea with the characteristic pains and lameness in the small of the back. Lumbar and sacral pains which accompany Leucorrhoea or Haemorrhoids, erroneously supposed to be of a rheumatic character, are specially under the control of Aesculus. The provings and clinical reports collected in the latest edition of Dr. Hale’s New Remedies are both interesting and satisfactory.
7. Agaricus Muscarius (Fly agaric).
Agaricus is a poisonous member of the mushroom family, and is used by Kamskatkans for making an intoxicating drink.
LEADING USES.-Nervous disorders, neuralgia, St. Vitus’ dance, spinal irritation; also in skin affections, especially chilblains and frost-bite.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.-Offensive smell from mouth, offensive tasting, empty eructations; heavy sensation at stomach; stitches in liver and spleen; Rumbling in bowels; Diarrhoea, mostly in the morning, after rising, with much rumbling; passing much inodorous flatus.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.-Twitchings; spasmodic movements of eyelids and eyeballs; Chorea; movements ceasing during sleep; symptoms worse at approach of thunderstorm; spine sensitive to touch; every motion causes pain.
SKIN.-Burning, itching, redness, swelling as in frost-bite.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.-Offensive smell from mouth, offensive tasting, empty eructations; heavy sensation at stomach; stitches in liver and spleen; Rumbling in bowels; Diarrhoea, mostly in the morning, after rising, with much rumbling; passage much inodorous flatus.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.-Twitchings; spasmodic movements of eyelids and eyeballs; Chorea; movements ceasing during sleep; symptoms worse at approach of thunderstorm; spine sensitive to touch; every motion causes pain.
SKIN-Burning, itching, redness, swelling as in frost-bite and chillblains. Agaricus patients are very sensitive to cold air.
8. Aloe Socotrina-Aloes.
This remedy, so much used by our “orthodox” brethren, is also very valuable to us; but we use it with much greater precision of aim and specific curative results.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."