Under the head of stool and rectum few remedies have stronger symptoms. I quote verbatim from “Guiding symptoms;”– ” constipation;obstinate retention of stool;stools irregular, hard, unsatisfactory; during menses;stool in large masses;stools like sheep dung;from inactivity of rectum;anus contracted, or torn, bleeding, smarting, or burning afterwards;stitches in the rectum causing hypochondriasis or ill humor;great torpor without pain from want of moisture, dryness of mucus linings, with watery secretions in other parts;difficult expulsions, fissure in anus with flow of blood, leaving sensation of much soreness, with uterine displacements; haemorrhoidal;in Addison’s Disease. Now to read this rightly we must entirely separate this symptom, here separated by the semicolon and put the word constipation before each one. That saves the error of supposing that all the symptoms here quoted must be present in a single case of constipation to make NAT-M., the proper remedy.
One of the best possible exercise for a student of Materia Medica is to compare this different symptoms as follows;Stools dry, crumbling, is also found under AMM-M., and MAG-M.,Constipation from the inactivity of the rectum,ALUM., vERAT., sIL., etc.,Anus contracted, torn, bleeding, smarting and pain after stool, nIT-AC., From want of moisture, dryness of mucus linings,BRY., and OPIUM. Leaving sensation of much soreness, iGN., nIT-AC.,ALUMEN., then again NAT-M., may become the only curative for cholera infantum, chronic diarrhoea, and other conditions where LOOSE STOOLS predominate. I will not wait to specify all the symptoms. Emaciation, hunger and thirst are present, especially in cholera infantum, emaciation being most noticeable in the neck.(ABROT., in the legs, also AMM-M., and ARG-N.,).Emaciation, NAT., SARS., and IOD., on the urinary organs I will only call attention to the increased secretion already spoken of, and the involuntary escape of urine, which is also found under CAUST., pULS., zINC., and others, and a burning and cutting in the urethra AFTER urination. SARS., has the nearest to this last symptom, and we remember here the resemblance of these two remedies as to emaciation in cholera infantum. This cutting in the urethra may be found in chronic cases of gleet, and in these cases the discharge is almost always, as it is under NAT-M., in all mucus membranes, clear and watery. This remedy is one of the best for bearing-down pains in women, which are worse in the Morning. The patient feels as if she must sit down to prevent prolapsus. This is like the pains of the SEPIA patient, who feels as if she must cross her legs for the same purpose. Now if we had the stool and anal symptoms of NAT present, and especially the hypochondriasis, we would have almost a sure thing in NAT., these uterine symptoms of NAT are often accompanied by back pains, which are relieved by lying upon the back, like RHUS., i have already spoken of the headaches accompanying, and especially following the menses. They are throbbing and accompanied by great soreness of the eyes, especially on turning them. I have a patient now who has these headaches occasionally. She is inclined to anaemia. She is always relieved by this remedy in 250m. potency, and under it is regaining color and general health.
NAT-M., has strong action upon the heart and circulation, as the following marked symptoms indicate: “FLUTTERING OF THE HEART WITH WEAK FAINT FEELING, wORSE LYING DOWN. IRREGULAR INTERMISSION OF BEATS OF HEART and PULSE, WORSE ON LYING ON LEFT SIDE. VIOLENT PULSATIONS OF THE HEART WHICH SHAKE THE BODY.” (SPIG.,).All these symptoms are more markedly present in anaemic subjects, with constitution generally weakened by grief, sexual excess, loss of blood and other debilitating causes. It is especially efficacious in subjects suffering from abuse of QUININE. In fevers it is among Hahnemannians too well known to need much space here. In intermittents it is especially useful in cases suppressed, not cured, by QUININE, and its leading characteristic is in the TIME of the appearance of the chill.
NAT., appears characteristically at 10 to 11 A.M.
EUPAT PER at 7 A.M.
APIS MEL at 3 P.M.
LYC at 4 P.M.
ARS ALB at 1 to 2 P.M. or A.M.
Without fixing the time just to the hour, there are many remedies which have chills in the morning in the evening etc. Now in regard to the time of worse in fevers, they occur quite as characteristically in other than intermittents. For instance the NAT at 10 A.M., the ARS at 1 P.M. or A.M. etc.
The fever, headache and all other symptoms of NAT are RELIEVED BY SWEATING, as are those of ARS., also. There are some strong symptoms found in the extremities.”HANG NAILS.”The NAT., subject is always having them. Again, NUMBNESS and TINGLING IN FINGERS and TOES, like that also found in lips and tongue, should make one think of NAT., the ankles are weak and turn easily, especially in children who are late in learning to walk. PAINFUL TENSION IN THE BENDS OF THE LIMBS, as if the cords were too short. This may amount to actual deformity, like CAUST., GUAC., and CIMEX. Then the spine is very irritable, sensitive to touch, yet relieved BY HARD PRESSURE, with weakness of the limbs, fluttering of the heart, even half paralyzed extremities. As far as this spinal weakness is concerned it may take on a form of general debility, for which there is no better remedy then NAT-M., The mental and physical powers seem greatly relaxed, and physical and mental labor equally prostrating. This condition may gradually progress to paralysis, and may be the result of badly treated intermittents, sexual excess, diphtheria, depressing emotions or other causes of nervous exhaustion. The action of NAT upon skin must not be overlooked. First and foremost is its eczema, which is raw, inflamed, and ESPECIALLY WORSE AT THE EDGES OF HAIR. Next for tetters at the bends of the joints. They crack and crust over and ooze an acrid fluid. Finally in urticaria it ranks with APIS., hEPAR., sULPH and CALC., i have used more space for this remedy, as I did for LACH., and CAUST., than for most other remedies, for the following reasons:First, they are all remedies more efficient in high potencies. Second, they are not appreciated by the general profession. Third, i hope to induce those who do not use them to investigate them. I have found that those who highly value these three remedies are generally good Homoeopathic prescribers.
