GENERATIVE SYSTEM (Female).-Premature, profuse and too long- lasting menstruation; acrid, excoriating Leucorrhoea. Its value seems to be due to its general action upon mucous membranes, and was accidentally discovered in several cases in which it was prescribed for various eruptions complained of, and in curing at the same time excessive menstruation and Leucorrhoea, which the patients had not previously mentioned. Its homoeopathicity is further proved by the well-known poisonous action of this mineral in producing inflammation of the sexual organs.
SKIN.-Earthy, bluish, cadaverous colour; burning itching, not removed by scratching; Malignant Variola: red pimples, which break and form spreading ulcers; pustules, obstinate Ulcers, and cancerous affections; foetid secretions and tendency to run into mortification; Psoriasis, chronic Impetigo, prurigo, Urticaria, and Eczema. In Psoriasis, Dr. Ringer states the first influence of the drug is to make the eruption redder and more inflamed, This fact, if not known, would lead to the suspension of the medicine just when it commenced to do good; at the same time, it is unnecessary to give it in doses sufficiently large to do this.
15. Arsenicum Iodatium-Iodide of Arsenic.
This salt of arsenic has been largely used on indications supplied by its two components.
LEADING USES.-Cases of phthisis and chronic bronchial affections, especially where there is tightness of the chest and difficult expectoration. Degenerative change in the heart, whether associated with chronic lung affections or not.(*See “Iodide of Arsenic in Organic Disease of the Heart,” by Dr. J. H. Clarke. The substance of this work is incorporated with “Diseases of the Heart and Arteries,” by the same author.) Cancer, especially cancer of the breast. It has been chiefly used in the 3x potency, either tincture or trituration. If the trituration is used it should be freshly prepared.
16. Aurum Metallicum-Metallic Gold.
This is probably the most widely distributed of all the metals. The Greek are supposed by some, the Arabs by others, to have been the first to use it medicinally. By British physicians it was formerly thought that gold had no curative properties, on the ground that it was not soluble in the gastric fluid; but by the process of trituration, as first adopted by Hahnemann, gold can be so prepared as to become a very active remedy. Of late years the opinion of the orthodox has been considerably modified as to the inertia of gold, and in the “colloidal” solutions of Robin and others, it has been used as a therapeutic agent.
LEADING USES.-Syphilitic and mercurial cachexiae; Caries and Exostosis of bone; Melancholia. The action of Aurum in the male sex resembles that of Platina in the female, but its use is not limited to either sex.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.-Hypochondria, with suicidal tendency, and rush of blood to the head; Religious mania; tremulous agitation and oppressive anxiety. Our provings of gold show that it causes melancholy and great depression of spirits, with congestion of the head and liver.
NOSE, ETC.- Carries of the nasal and palatine bones; herpetic pustules, with thick scabs round the nostrils and on the upper lip; purulent discharge from the nose, with foetid odour; Ozaena. The late Dr. Bayes, who had lived many years in Cambridgeshire, where Ozaena was rather common, reports that he had cured more cases with gold, from the 1st to 12th dilution, than with any other remedy.
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM.-Palpitation of the heart; faintness, insufficient muscular power; pain and discomfort in the cardiac region.
SEXUAL.-Chronic Orchitis, with aching pain; syphilitic Sarcocele; sexual excitement; nocturnal erections and emissions.
OSSEOUS SYSTEM.-Inflammation and ulceration of bone; severe mercurial or syphilitic pains in the cranial bones; nocturnal bone pains. We have often found the later wonderfully relieved soon after commencing a course of this remedy. We have also found Exostosis strikingly under the control of Aurum. (*See “Gold as a Remedy in Disease,” by Dr. J. Compton Burnett.)
17.-Baptisia Tinctoria-Wild Ind..
LEADING USES. – For infections which are accompanied with considerable prostration and signs of septic absorption, e.g., many cases of Enteric fever and Influenza. Particularly when gastric and intestinal symptoms are prominent. Certain forms of “hectic” fever with great prostration in acute Tubercular affections. Some forms of dyspepsia.
FEVERS. – In Influenza, Enteric, etc., Baptisia is most useful at the commencement, when there is much aching of the limbs, nausea, sore throat, and prostrating headache. In advanced Enteric cases, Arsenicum is a better remedy. But if given early, the nausea and pains are quickly relieved, and the patient often makes a rapid recovery. It is of less value when bodily resistance is more evident, but if grave symptoms of toxaemia appear in Scarlet fever or other fevers, Baptisia should be administered as soon as the danger is threatened. Its power in these diseases resembles that which Aconite exerts in simple fever. We have repeatedly roved its value in fevers apparently simple, but which failed to yield to Aconite It should be given in a low dilution- the IX, or even the strong tincture.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM. – It is also recommended for chronic Dyspepsia with great sinking at the epigastrium, and a dry brown tongue in the morning. In Dysentery, especially in aged persons, with dark evacuations, or mucus and blood, colicky pains before stool, typhoid tendency, brown tongue, etc., it has been used successfully in almost hopeless cases.
18. – Baryta Carbonica – Carbonate of Baryta.
LEADING USES. – Quinsy-if administered early, the disease may then be checked; chronic enlargement of the tonsils; relaxed and easily-inflamed throat, with hoarseness; facial paralysis; paralytic and other affections of old persons, especially men (for aged women Coni. is generally more suitable); Wens, and Steatoma; Aneurism; depression of the sexual functions – Nocturnal Emissions, and Impotence.
Baryta Muriatica is used for tubercular affections. – enlargement of the Glands, Eruptions, Exophthalmic Goitre, Aneurism, etc.
19. – Belladonna – Deadly Nightshade.
This is an indigenous plant, of common growth throughout Europe and most temperate latitudes, flourishing upon a dry soil and on the slopes of hills. The leaves of the wild plant are considered more valuable than those of the cultivated.
It has been employed by Italian and Spanish women as a cosmetic for the face, to dilate the pupils, and give expression to the eye, – hence the name, which signifies “beautiful lady.” It is scarcely necessary to add that its use in this fashion is injurious to the eye.
For medical purposes, the stems, leaves and flowers are used, from is prepared.
POISONOUS EFFECTS. – The following are the symptoms produced by a poisonous dose:- Dryness and heat of the mouth and fauces, attended with thirst; difficulty of swallowing and articulation; constrictive spasms of the throat; nausea, sometimes vomiting, and at times swelling and redness of the face; dilatation of the pupils; obscurity of vision, or absolute blindness; optical illusions; suffused eyes; singing noises in the ears; numbness of the face; confusion of the head; giddiness; delirium, simulating intoxication which may be combined with, or followed by, profound sleep; scarlet cutaneous eruption; and if the dose has been very large, complete coma, and death.
LEADING USES. – Delirium, or perverted brain function, from active congestion; congestive headache, with scarlet flushings of the face; Infantile convulsions, etc. Scarlet fever, of the red, smooth, shining variety (Belladonna is of little or no use in the other forms of the so-called scarlet fever, in which the eruption is not smooth or bright red). As a possible prophylactic against simple Scarlet fever, its application was first announced by Hahnemann, and afterwards confirmed by Hufeland. Our own experience, both in private families and schools, amply illustrates the value of this application of Belladonna Erysipelas with bright-red flush and great heat, especially if there be head symptoms, dilated pupils, etc. (Vesicular Erysipelas with dull eruption indicates Rhus; and excessive swelling Apis.). It has a special and powerful action upon the brain and its membranes; the mucous lining of the throat is also remarkably sensitive to its action, its chief characteristics are – stinging or burning pains, aggravated by movement; swelling and shining redness of the affected parts. It is especially adapted to persons of active intelligence, to persons of amiable dispositions, inclined to become fat, with light hair, blue eyes, and delicate, easily inflamed skin. Women and children, therefore, are specially amenable to its action.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BELLADONNA AND ACONITUM. – Belladonna resembles the action of Aconite in some points, but differs from it in the following : – (1) It produces much more intense congestion; the inflammations occasioned by it attain a higher form, and are marked by symptoms of a much more dangerous character – Delirium, Convulsions, etc. (2) Aconite is adapted to simple fevers, or to the feverish reaction of the arterial system generally; Belladonna to fevers with symptoms indicating active congestion or disturbance of the functions of the brain. Belladonna has also a special affinity for inflammatory affections of delicate organs or tissues-the eye, the ear, the testicle, etc. and to individuals of a highly refined organism.
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."