In gonorrhoea and gleet, the injection of a solution of Alum is often productive of benefit. Dr. Friedrich, of Leipsic, also advised its internal use, as well in the inflammatory is in the chronic stage. He states, that under its use, all the symptoms subsided rapidly, and that he never saw any ill effects from its employment. In obstinate cases it may be advantageously combined with Cubebs. In gonorrhoea-praeputialis, a weak solution of Alum, combined with Aloes, proves highly serviceable. It is also sometimes used in conjunction with Sulphate of Zincum met. The decoction of Oak-bark often forms a good vehicle. Dr. Burne found this solution most serviceable when simply applied continuously to the external parts. Dr. Dewees states that in some obstinate cases he has effected a cure by Alum and Nitro. In menorrhagia and uterine haemorrhage, Alum internally has been advised by Lentin, Muller, Hufeland, Dewees, and if often proves effectual in controlling the discharge. Dr. Ferguson regards it as a highly useful styptic, and advises it in small doses with syrup of Ginger, three or four times daily. In purely atonic cases, Alumin solution may be used as a vaginal injection. It is inadmissible if any inflammatory symptoms are present. In morbid growths and ulcerations of the uterine cavity, or of the os- uteri, an Alum hip-bath and vaginal i injection are strongly advised by Drs. Lange and Ashwell, and its utility is confirmed by Delmas, Recamier, and others. Care should be taken that the fluid passes well up into the vagina. In prolapsus-uteri the same measure is attended with the best effects. Dr. Nevins also speaks highly of a pessary, composed of equal parts of powdered gall and Alum, enclosed in a fine muslin bad. It has been recommended internally and locally against hypertrophy, induration, and excoriation of the womb. It will often cure obstinate ulcerated buboes rapidly when applied locally.- F.G.S.
In angina-membranacea, called by Bretonneau, diphtheritis, great importance has been attached to the employment of local applications, and, among others, to promote the expulsions of the false membrane, he recommends the insufflation of finely powdered Alumina The most effectual means of administration is in the form of an impalpable powder, blown through a quill upon the affected part. It is recommended as an emetic in the croup in preference to Antimony or Ipecacuanha. Prof. Meigs states that it acts more certainly and powerfully than those medicines, and produces less prostration of the vital powers. In various anginose affections Alum is found highly useful, applied topically, either in powder or solution. When the affection is attended with membranous exudation, its efficacy has been particularly insisted upon by Bretonneau, applied in solution prepared with vinegar and honey for adults, and in powder by insufflation in the cases of children. Velpeau, in 1835, extended the observations of Bretonneau, and has used Alum successfully, not only in simple inflammatory sore throat, but in those forms of angina dependent on small-pox, scarlatina, – F.G.S.
In the chronic stage of whooping cough no remedy has proved more efficacious is recommended by Dr. Golding Bird, in which he combines it with Conium.
Alum is supposed to exert a sedative power in diseases of the chest by J. Symons, London Lancet, March, 1844, p. 42.
Dr. Simm, of Ripon, first recommended Symonds to use it in whooping cough; he found it to answer his fullest expectations, thence led to use it in other thoracic complaints. It evidently so changed the expectoration as immediately to cause a copious discharge of mucus from the bronchi, and finally checked the superabundant secretion; did not produce thirst or any unpleasant symptoms, and, so far from aggravating the febrile state it often severed materially to alleviate it. It produced neither nausea pain, nor constipation, while it sometimes relieved, colic pains accidentally present.- J.C.P.
In acute and chronic bronchitis, especially when expectoration was ropy. Even in very acute bronchitis in children, with profuse secretion of mucus. In the acute bronchitis of old persons, supervening upon chronic morning cough. In whooping cough, to allay irritation, restrain inflammatory tendency, and diminish superabundant secretion. In nervous asthma; in phthisis. In general it does not interfere with expectoration; the first effect is usually a copious discharge of mucus, expectoration; the first effect is usually a copious discharge of mucus, followed by a diminution in quantity, without any oppression of chest or other indication of improper interference with the secretion.- J.C.P.
In in-growing nails the local application of burnt Alum will often effect a cure in three weeks, and that after extirpation of the nail must be raised up, so as to expose the whole of the sore and ulcerated part, which must then be dried, and the Alum applied; the crust formed by this application must be renewed every day, and a fresh quantity applied.- F.G.S.
In rupia, Mr. Erasmus Wilson states that, in one very obstinate case, he succeeded in healing the ulcerations after other applications had failed, by injecting a strong solution of Alum beneath the undermine edges. To the ill-favored ulcers left by ecthyma, he advises the application of a solution of Alum, with or without Opium. To flat naevi, Dieffenbach recommends the use of a compress of lint, to be firmly bandaged on the morbid structure, and to be frequently wetted with a solution of Alumina The lint should be disturbed as little as possible, and the compression maintained, if necessary, for several weeks. When the naevus becomes white, flat, and firm, its speedy cure may be expected. To chilblains, an Alum poultice is stated to be an excellent application. It is only admissible in unbroken chilblains. To indolent and other ulcers, whether of the skin or mucous membrane, Alum has been found serviceable. It is particularly recommended by Dalmas. As it causes much irritation, he advises it to be combined with Opium, and made into an ointment with lard: used thus. it quickly determines the cicatrization of ulcers. It occasionally gives rise to great irritation. To repress the growth of fungous granulations, burnt Alum sprinkled over the surface is very effectual.- F.G.S.
In intermittent fever, Alum was at one time much used, it having been prescribed by Ettmuller, Lindt, Muller, and others. Lange and De Haen recommend it with aromatics, or Sulphuric-acid, or Ether, and Adair with Cinchona. It is rarely used at the present day.- F.G.S.
PATHOLOGY.
From doses sufficiently large to cause death in animals, the stomach was found filled with a large quantity of fluid; its internal surface, throughout all its extent, was covered with a greyish substance, intermixed with greenish and bilious-looking particles; the mucous membrane was extensively reddened or inflamed, especially in the greater cul-de-sac, which was dark brown in color; near the pylorus, there was an extravasation of blood, and the mucous membrane was very red; the coats towards the pylorus were extraordinary thick and hard, as if they been tanned, and were very firm under the knife; the walls of the small bowels were bowels were slightly thickened, and coated with a yellowish-white granular substance; the large bowels were filled with a yellowish, offensive fluid.
As Alum has been but little used by homoeopathic physicians, a large portion of the clinical remarks must be derived from allopathic sources; this is not to be regretted, because we take it for granted, that homoeopathists claim to know, not only all that is contained on old-school writings and experience, but a great deal more. Hence we must take heed that our old-school brethren are not in possession of now or old facts with which we are not acquainted.- J.C.P.
MOUTH.
Very severe pain, burning sensation, and dryness of the mouth.
THROAT.
Very severe pains in the pharynx. Burning in the mouth, pharynx, and stomach.
STOMACH.
Burning heat, and tearing pains in the stomach. Nausea and vomiting. Distention of the stomach. Intense thirst.
When confined in the stomach, Alum cases inflammation of the entire mucous membrane, worse near the great cul-de-sac, where it is of a deep brown color. The walls of the stomach are much thickened at the pyloric extremity, and hardened as if tanned. The walls of the small intestines are slightly thickened, and lined with a light yellowish substance. Traces of Alum may be found in the stomach long after it has been taken.
Taken internally, in large doses, Alum excites nausea, vomiting, griping, purging, and even an inflammatory condition of the intestinal canal,- effects which may perhaps be induced by small qualities in persons endowed with unusual or morbid sensibility of the stomach and bowels; as in the case of the lady in whom dangerous gastro-enteritis was apparently induced by a single dose of a solution containing between ten and twenty grains of burnt Alumina Ordinarily, however, tolerably large doses of Alum may be given without any unpleasant effects; thus Prof. Dumeril has given a drachm, properly diluted, in chronic diarrhoeas, within twenty-four hours; Prof. Marc, two drachms in passive haemorrhages, within the same period of time, and MM. Kapeler and Gendrin have administered three drachms at one dose in colica-pictonum.
