SPECIAL CHARACTERISTICS.- It is said to be chiefly adapted to plethoric persons, disposed to cerebral congestion, and acts but feebly in those of soft flesh or debilitated constitution. Its power over all ailments resulting from injuries is wonderful.
The Hunting field-Hunting men are liable to falls that shake every bone in their bodies; the effects of these concussions, though no bones be broken, are generally painful: one or two drops of the IX dil. in half a wineglass of water repeated once or twice, works wonders in these cases. Next morning in place of being stiff and miserable, the sportsman is ready for renewed engagements.
The Labouring Classes.-Among the labouring classes in agricultural districts, a life of heavy toil often causes a comparatively early old age, with supposed Rheumatic pains, which incapacitate them from further toil. These “miserables” are greatly benefited by Arnica, from Ist to 3rd dilution, in one or two-drop doses, three times a day.
In fact, almost in every ailment traceable to falls, hard knock or blows, or hard work, Arnica becomes an essential part of the treatment. In old-standing cases the treatment may be commenced with a high dilution, and continued by a course of gradually lower dilutions in sequence.
After excessive bodily fatigue the temperature occasionally rises. In such cases Arnica in the lower dilutions may be given with great advantage; it promptly allays aching and weariness.
Apoplexy.-In some cases of active congestion of the head in old persons, threatening Apoplexy, Arnica acts admirably.
Heart.-Hypertrophy of the heart, induced by over exertion, in young men, is often relieved and sometimes cured by Arnica, even after allopathic physicians have pronounced the affection incurable.
Dysentery.-Partly from its relations to Haemorrhage and partly from its influence on muscular fibre, Arnica finds a place in the treatment of Dysentery, and gives marked relief to the abdominal pains (Hughes).
EXTERNAL USES OF ARNICA.- Formula.- A lotion may be made by mixing twenty drops of the strong tincture in about half a teacupful of water; if the skin be broken, the lotion should be some what weaker. The bruised parts may be bathed with this lotion, or it may be applied by linen cloths saturated with it, an covered with dry flannel.
In Bruises. Concussions, etc., the consequent discoloration, stiffness, and swelling may be almost a entirely prevented by the prompt use of Arnica- A black eye may thus be obviated. This action, however, depends very much on the promptitude with which it is applied after the injury.
In cuts and lacerations, if Arnica be used, the lotion should be only half as strong as for bruises, and if there is the slightest tendency to Erysipelas it should not be used at all. (See “Caution,” further on.).
Aching and soreness of the feet from excessive walking may be promptly relieved by a warm foot-bath, in which a spoonful of the strong tincture is mixed. For the muscular fatigue of any part, the internal action of the remedy will be well seconded by the application of a lotion-one part of the strong tincture to about twenty of water.
After the extraction of teeth, the mouth may be rinsed with a little water containing a few drops of Arnica tincture.
Sore nipples are sometimes cured by the use of Arnica lotion. The nipple should be bathed after each nursing, taking care to gently wash the part before again sucking.
To Corns, Chilblains, Chapped hands or lips, and sometimes in Rheumatism, etc., Arnica is also an invaluable application.
In addition to the tincture, there are various useful forms in which Arnica is prepared:-Arnica Cerate and Arnicated Balls, for Chapped hands or lips, and for Chilblains; Arnica Liniment and Opodeldoc, for rubbing the parts in Sprains, Rheumatism, etc. (see Rhus Toxicodendron).
CAUTION.-Arnica is apt to produce in some persons a severe form of Erysipelas, when applied externally. In some instances, it produces Erysipelas by its mere exposure in the room in which susceptible individuals sleep. Indeed, in consequence of this tendency, we but rarely prescribe a lotion of the strong tincture; substituting for it Ruta, Calendula, Hamamelis, or Rhus. It should always be used with caution and in a sufficiently diluted form.
ANTIDOTE.-The Erysipelas produced by Arnica, may be often cured by the application of a Camphor-lotion (forty drops of Spirits- of-Camphor in half a pint of water.) and by the internal administration of the drug at the same time. A too strong Camphor-lotion we have often know to produce unpleasant results. Cantharis is sometimes used as an antidote.
14. Arsenicum Album.-White Arsenic-Arsenious Acid.
Taken into the mouth Arsenious Acid has no immediate decided taste, but it soon occasions and acrid sensation. It is prepared for use by solution and trituration.
PATHOGENETIC EFFECTS.-Its injudicious or prolonged use occasions a general sinking of the vital powers, with derangement of the digestive and nervous systems, a small, quick, often irregular pulse, sleeplessness, and oedema of the face and extremities. Hence, in appropriate doses it is admirably adapted to feeble and impoverished persons, and to a great number of their maladies. Mr. Hunt states the effects of medicinal doses to be-I, irritation of the conjunctiva; * (Dr. Ringer says he has not found it necessary to produce smarting of the eyes and swelling of the lids in order to obtain those good results of the remedy in cutaneous disease which Mr. Hunt says should be kept up throughout the treatment.) 2, swelling of the face; 3 desquamation of the skin, only observable under a magnifying glass; 4 portions of the skin, protected from light, assume a dirty-brown appearance. Sir Thomas Watson mentions a peculiar silvery whiteness of the tongue as one of the symptoms. The deleterious properties of Arsenious Acid are widely known, and the foul deeds which have been committed with it have excited prejudices against its employment as a therapeutic agent. Poisonous doses produce violent vomiting, Diarrhoea burning pain in the stomach thirst, constricted state of the mouth and throat, flushed, swollen anxious countenance, quick pulse, extreme debility, and usually, convulsions before death.
LEADING USES.-Affections of persons debilitated by excesses, innutritious diet, endemic diseases of low and marshy districts, abuse of Quinine, etc. It is especially indicated by great, rapid depression of the vital energies, prostration and emaciation, irritability of the intestinal tract, and a pale, sunken, or bloated countenance, with hippocratic expression. Asiatic cholera with cold breath, paralysis of the bladder, etc. General dropsical swellings, including the swollen feet of aged and feeble persons; many chronic skin-affections, especially Eczema and Psoriasis, and malignant diseases.
In Cancer it gives wonderful relief improves the general health, and often checks the rapid development of the disease. The pains that call for it are of burning character, worse at night.
Intermittent Fever, the three stages not being well-marked, occurring irregularly, or when one of the stages has predominated or been absent. It ranks next to Quinine in its power over Intermittent fever. Severe infections such as Enteric, etc., with rapid prostration, dry, burning skin, or cold clammy perspiration; intense thirst; red, irritated tongue; extreme weakness and trembling; rapid, wiry, feeble, intermittent pulse.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.-Intermittent Neuralgia, with burning pains (some patients compare the pains to a red-hot wire along the nerve); the symptoms are generally worse at night, with mental effort, not relieved by cold water, and accompanied by great restlessness and anguish. Persons who have become weakened through long-continued anxiety, over-work, impoverished dietary, etc., are those in whom the Arsenic Neuralgia is most liable to occur. Depression of spirits; hypochondriac dejection; great weariness and restlessness. Periodic headache; great weight in the head, and stupefaction; Chorea.
EYES.-Ophthalmia, with burning pains and soreness, dread of light, and swelling of the lids.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.-Angina Pectoris; some organic affections of the heart; Hydrothorax, small, accelerated, and feeble pulse.
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.-Swelling, dryness, stoppage, or burning of the nose, with profuse acrid discharge; Influenza; suffocative paroxysms, especially after lying down at night; chronic Bronchitis, with oppressive, anxious, and laboured breathing, and great debility; difficult expectoration, the mucus being sometimes streaked with blood; dropsy of the chest; shortness of breath, especially on ascending a hill, with constitutional debility; inability to lie down, except partially propped up in bed.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM.-Dryness and bitter taste in the mouth; thirst for small quantities frequently repeated; disagreeable odour from mouth; Aphthae; ulcerated, coated, cracked, red, and tremulous tongue; dryness and burning in the throat; throat affections of a serous or gangrenous character. Chronic nausea and vomiting, with heat and burning in the stomach and epigastrium, from laceration; indigestion, water brash, and vomiting after food; vomiting of drunkards, which usually occurs in the morning, and is generally accompanied with much distress; sensation of weight and anguish, with cold and chilly feeling; great tenderness or violent colic; Cancer of the stomach; chronic affections of the liver; diarrhoetic stools, with frequent foetid discharges; tenesmus, and burning at the anus; Diarrhoea from too rapid peristaltic action, hurrying the contents of the canal too much for proper absorption. As however, the Diarrhoea caused by Arsenicum chiefly depends upon “intestinal inflammation, this remedy is not called for in merely functional diarrhoea, even if severe. In the various forms of chronic Diarrhoea where there is general inflammation, ulceration, or some other kind of disorganization, Arsenicum is a glorious remedy” (Hughes). Arsenic has a special affinity for the mucous membrane of the intestinal canal, and its effects are nearly as great when introduced by injection, or through a wound, as when swallowed.
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."