LEADING USES,.-Haemorrhoids, with profuse discharge of blood, great straining, burning, and cutting pains, and rush of blood to the head; Dysentery, with similar symptoms. Diarrhoea like that produced by drastic doses of the drug, having a bilious character and foul smell, and accompanied by an uneasy sensation about the liver, a continual inclination to stool, as if Diarrhoea were about to come on. Menstruation, when profuse, and associated with Haemorrhoids as above described.
Aloes, 6th dil., is reported to have cured falling off of the hair.
Hempel states that Aconite is the best antidote for allopathic doses of Aloes, but Sulphur, which has been rightly called the chronic counterpart of Aconite, is even more effective in this respect.
9. Antimonium Crudum-Crude Antimony.
This mineral is often found combined with small quantities of Lead, Copper, Iron and Arsenic, and consequently requires great care in its preparation for medicinal purposes. We use the crystalline tersulphide, and prepare it for use by trituration.
LEADING USES.-The beneficial action of Antimony is chiefly limited to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, and the skin, more especially when those surfaces are concurrently diseased. The characteristic mental condition of ill-temper and peevishness is a strong additional indication. The ill-temper is aggravated by attempts at consolation.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.-When this remedy is indicated, the lining membrane of the stomach and alimentary canal is loaded with mucus, and there are-foul, bitter eructations, tasting of the food; nausea, and sometimes vomiting; foetid flatulence; loss of appetite, milky white tongue; slow digestion, with drowsiness, loss of strength, etc.; Constipation, alternating with Diarrhoea,. It is an excellent remedy in that morbid condition of the intestinal canal which favours the development of worms.
URINARY ORGANS.-Chronic Catarrh of the bladder, with turbid, foetid urine, and sometimes painful micturition.
SKIN.-Pimples or blotches; Nettle-rash associated with Indigestion; ill-conditioned, unhealthy appearance.
A simultaneous affection of the mucous membranes and the skin, as before remarked, is an additional indication for Ant-Crud.
10. Antimonium Tartaricum-Tartarated Antimony.
-Tartar Emetic.
Though less violent as a poison than was at one time supposed, this salt has, nevertheless, been highly destructive to life, and our chief knowledge of its physiological action has been derived from allopathic experience with it in large doses. For homoeopathic purposes it is prepared by trituration or solution, in the lower potencies triturations are to be preferred.
LEADING USES.-The chief sphere of action of this medicine lies in the mucous membranes, the lungs and the skin.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.-In large doses it produces a kind of catarrhal inflammation, beginning in the lining membrane of the throat, and extending to the trachea and bronchial tubes, and even exerting its irritant influence on the lung tissues themselves. We should, therefore, expect Tartar Emetic to be a valuable remedy in certain inflammations involving these parts, and experience has amply justified this expectation. In Bronchitis, especially Capillary Bronchitis, and Pneumonia and Broncho-Pneumonia, it has proved a most useful remedy; in the wheezing, breathing, and coughs of children and aged persons, where there is much mucus and defective ability to expel it; also in chronic cough, with profuse and easy mucous expectoration. Orthodox authorities now recommend Tartar Emetic for similar conditions.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. The vomiting to which this remedy is homoeopathic is nervous and sympathetic rather than gastric, and is attended by nausea, great straining, pale skin, and much depression and prostration.
SKIN, ETC.-When applied locally to the skin, (* “In the form of ointment, ” Ringers writes, “Tartar Emetic excites in the skin a characteristic inflammation, which at first forms papules, then vesicles, and lastly pustules. The rash thus runs the course of the eruption of Small-pox, and in each of its stages simulates this very closely.”) or during its internal administration, as in allopathic uses of it, Ant-Tart. produces a pustular eruption much resembling Small-pox; and in this disease it has proved to be of great value. “Not only does it cause a specific pustular eruption, closely resembling that of Small-pox, but it has also the vomiting, the pustules of the mouth and throat, the viscid mucus clogging the air-passages, and the initial severe backache, which no less characterise the disease. Correspondingly with this close homoeopathicity, the power of Tartar Emetic as a remedy for Variola is very great. Testimonies to its value are collected in the New Materia Medica; it is said to be especially useful in cases where the respiratory mucous membrane is much affected” (Hughes.) Sycosis (Barber’s Itch) and a variety of cutaneous eruptions, especially Ecthyma, are amenable to this remedy.
11. Apis Mellifica-Honey bee.
The medicine is prepared either by macerating the part containing the sting, or triturating the whole bee after drying.
LEADING USES.-Rapid acute oedema of various parts; it also affects the mucous membrane of the genito-urinary organs, producing inflammation, etc. In all affections for which this remedy is prescribed, the presence of urinary difficulties- retention irritability of the bladder, etc.-furnishes additional indications for its administration.
THROAT, ETC.- Sore throat, with oedematous swelling of the tonsils, uvula, and palate, and stinging pains when swallowing; Hoarseness and dry cough; acute oedema of the tongue, (*There is scarcely a remedy that has such marked symptoms of Glossitis as Apis. In one case of poisoning, the inflammatory swelling was not the result of a sting in the lining membrane, or of the introduction of the poison in the stomach, so that the inflammation might be accounted for upon the ground of local action; but the inflammation occurred after a sting in the temple, showing that the virus has a specific effect upon the tongue.”-British Journal of Homoeopathy.) etc.
URINARY ORGANS.-Apis has a direct action on the mucous lining of the kidneys and neck of the bladder (compare Cantharis); inflammatory affection of these organs, with frequent urging, but inability to urinate.
SKIN.-Erysipelas with rapid swelling, without the inflammatory redness pointing to Belladonna, or the formation of vesicles characteristic of Rhus: Urticaria, for which it is a prime remedy, especially if there be itching with stinging and burning and acute oedema; Carbuncles, with extensive erysipelas blush; and other skin affection, in which burning, stinging, and itching are prominent symptoms.
12. Apocynum Cannabinum-Indian Hemp.
LEADING USES. -The value of this remedy, as far as at present ascertained, is chiefly restricted to Ascites, Anasarca, and nearly every form of Dropsy. Its beneficial action seems to be due to its power of restoring and increasing the urinary secretion, and in some cases it proves rapidly curative, even after the ineffectual use of Apis, Arsenicum, Helleborus, Digitalis, etc. In Dropsy resulting from advanced organic diseases, as Cirrhosis, Tubercular Meningitis, etc., this like all other remedies, must prove inadequate for its removal. Nevertheless, it is a drug we should administer in the face of the most disheartening symptoms. It belongs to the same family as Strophanthus, which closely resembles it in action.
ADDITIONAL USES.-Nasal Catarrh; distention and oppression after meals, with some difficulty of breathing. Sinking at the pit of the stomach is also a prominent symptom, Menorrhagia, and in some varieties of passive uterine haemorrhage; the indications are debility, quick feeble purse, palpitation, irritability of the stomach, and suppressed urine. For Dropsy, one to four or five drop doses of the O tincture, or better still, of the freshly prepared infusion; for Catarrh, the IX dilution.
13. Arnica Montana-Mountain arnica-Leopard’s bane.
This plant is indigenous to the mountainous plains of a great part of continental Europe; also to America and Siberia; but it flourishes particularly in Switzerland. Its medicinal properties are more especially concentrated in the flowers and root. The strong alcoholic tincture is of a brownish-yellowish-green colour, yielding a strong characteristic odour, which predominates over that of the alcohol.
LEADING USES.-Injuries, immediate or remote, local or general, from falls, or blows, severe concussions, such as often occur in railway accidents, without leaving external marks of violence; concussion of the brain; physical fatigue; backache, stiffness and soreness from walking, riding etc.; the so-called Rheumatism of the intercostal muscles (false Pleurisy) from over-exertion; spasmodic Cough, the violence of which causes aching and soreness of the sides, and even Haemoptysis.
Aching of the eyes through over-use, Epistaxis or Haematemesis, from severe exertion or a blow. After pains are often quickly relieved by Arnica; Angina Pectoris, when the pains are brought on by slight exertion; sores of bedridden patients; Chilblains; small Boils, etc.
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."