It causes a sensation of congestion to the end of the nose, blowing out of blood from, and bleeding from the nose after eating. We do not see that it causes vomiting of blood, and
doubt whether it has any specific tendency to do this; it may, however, act chemically and corrosively upon the stomach, and thus cause haemorrhage from it, as it induces inflammation of the stomach, even when introduced into the cellular tissue. As for haemorrhoids, it causes great swelling and protrusion of piles, with pain, discharge of blood from the rectum during and after stool. As for haemoptysis, it causes cough, with mucous or muco- sanguineous expectoration, coughing up of blood, with burning and heaviness upon the chest, shortness of breath, redness and heat of the face, nausea, anxiety and trembling of the whole body. As for apoplexia-pulmonum, it causes congestion to the chest. great heaviness upon the chest with pain, heaviness upon the chest, as if from accumulation of blood. It is very decidedly homoeopathic to purpura-haemorrhagica.
Heart and Arteries. By its action on the nervous system, it augments temporarily the muscular force of the entire organism. Through its local action upon the solar plexus, it stimulates into increased activity the heart and arteries. This augmented action is of but short duration, not excessive, and therefore not usually followed by any reaction of a depressing character. This effect of Ammonia upon the circulation is accomplished in- dependently of any action upon the brain.
FEVER Frequent chilliness towards evening, frequent paroxysms of feverish chilliness, blueness of the hands and nails, chattering of teeth, and shaking; sometimes these symptoms are followed by nightly heat, with sensitiveness to cold; nausea, thirst, oppression of the chest, with stitches in the left side, tearing in the forehead, and dullness of the head, alternate redness and paleness of the cheeks, pressure at the stomach, with disposition to eructations, accompanied by a violent coryza and sleeplessness, for several days, during the catamenia. Feverish heat in the head, with cold feet. Continual night-sweats.
CLINICAL REMARKS
In scarlet fever, the Sesqui-carbonate is a very valuable remedy. It has been strongly advised by Mr. Wilkinson, who has employed it successfully in above two hundred cases. He does not depend, he states, upon its diuretic, nor diaphoretic qualities, but believes that it possesses the power of increasing the strength of the arterial action, at the same time that it diminishes its frequency; that it supports the vis-vitae, without increasing the heat and irritability of the system, and by such means counteracts the tendency in scarlatina-anginosa and scarlatina-maligna, to ulceration and sloughing, and all the other evils attending it.
In Austria, during an epidemic of scarlet-fever, commencing in April, 1841, Dr. J. Fischer treated 112 cases by Ammonium-carb., aided by occasional applications of cold water to the head; of which 105 recovered, and 7 cases terminated fatally. The seven fatal cases were: two of hydrothorax, one case of angina gangraenosa; the four remaining came under treatment at a very late date, suffering from violent disturbance of the brain.
In acute glanders, it proved successful in a case which came under the care of Mr. Wilkinson. Ammonia is evidently homoeopathic to some varieties of fever and ague, and also to hectic fever, when the chills and sweats are predominant.
In lepra and psoriasis, Mr. Cazenave successfully employs this salt. In syphilitic eruptions, Dr. Schedel states that he has seen this salt succeed when mercurials have failed. The remedy, he adds, is certainly disagreeable at first, and often causes nausea, but with a little patience the stomach is soon brought to bear it. In erysipelas, occurring in debilitated subjects, it proves highly useful. Dr. Watson observes that, after a preliminary purgation, he commences its uses and, generally speaking, a large proportion of his cases recover.
In rubeola, urticaria, roseola, erythema, and in other diseases of the same class, Mr. Wilkinson also bears witness to the value of the Sesqui-carbonate. He states that for the last seventeen years he has administered this remedy, and that he has not only never lost a patient in the above diseases, but has never had a case of the kind that has even appeared dangerous, or that has given him a moment’s anxiety.
In scrofula, the late Dr. Armstrong found that those cases attended by much debility, a languid state of the circulation, and deficient cutaneous secretions, were much benefitted by the use of this remedy.
In puerperal insanity, when great debility exists, together with defective subcutaneous circulation and cold extremities, the Carbonate of Ammonium, in alternation with Camphor, may be given every third hour with advantage.
In mercurial erethism no internal remedy is more to be trusted than the Sesqui-carbonate, in conjunction with Camphor and other stimulants.
In the nervous, excitable, anxious, and tremulous conditions which often follow abuses of alcoholic stimulants and opiates, this is a remedy of considerable power. It is also useful in similar conditions arising from undue mental excitements, such as grief, excessive anxiety,. Cases of delirium tremens have been said to have been cured with Carb-ammon. alone, but Wood says, over absolute drunkenness it has no control whatever; but, in slight disorder from alcoholic drinks, it occasionally gives relief. In sick headache with excess of acid in the stomach it is often useful. In those sudden cases of collapse, and loss of consciousness, which, if the patient survive, must be followed by febrile reaction or inflammation, it is admirably adapted; and, from the absence of and special stimulating action on the brain, to those cases in which the reaction is likely to be attended with inflammation or greater vascular excitement of the brain. Instances of this kind not unfrequently occur in the cold stage of febrile diseases, in collapse from concussion of the brain, and prostration from any sudden shock.- J.C.P.
In typhoid and scarlet fever, accompanied by a general prostration of the forces, with a dull and stupid intellectual state, alternating occasionally with transient flushes of mental exhilaration, this medicine is quite appropriate. Under such circumstances we are in the habit of prescribing the first trituration.
A case of epistaxis is related by Dr. Chapman, in a young woman, represented as anaemic, reduced in flesh, very pallid, and very dejected. She was twenty-two or twenty-three years of age, and had been subject for several years to repeated and copious bleedings from the nose. The only characteristic symptom that was mentioned in the letter of consultation, for the choice of a remedy for epistaxis, was, that it was brought on by washing the face and hands in the morning. Ammon-carb., 3, was sent to her, and, after a few doses, the bleeding ceased and recurred no more; she also recovered strength, flesh, spirits, and color. The cure was permanent.- F.G.S.
Dr. Chapman also relates a case of critical epistaxis, caused, it was supposed, by latent measles, to which the patient had been exposed some three months previously. The epistaxis continued to occur daily for a few days to an alarming extent. On the fourth day he complained of a severe pain in the forehead, and a sensation as if the brain was forcing itself out just above the nose. About a grain of the third trituration of Ammon-carb. was administered. One of his serious bleedings had occurred just before. In three or four hours after he was covered with measles, and a few doses of Pulsatilla sufficed to effect a cure.- F.G.S.
Mr. Wallace states that he has seen some very severe cases of cancrum-oris cured by the internal use of this remedy. He advises the strong Nitric-acid as a local application at the same time. A liberal diet should be allowed.
In acidity of the primae-viae, heartburn, and flatulence, particularly when occurring in cases of atonic dyspepsia, or in hysterical females the Carbonate of Ammonia proves very efficacious. It may be repeated if necessary.
In drunkenness, after the stomach has been emptied, the Sesqui carbonate may be given internally with advantage. Its application to the nostrils is also beneficial.
In dyspeptic complaints, accompanied by preternatural acidity of the stomach, and flatulence, without inflammation, a properly- diluted solution of Ammonia may be employed, with a two-fold objects that of neutralizing the free acid, and of stimulating the stomach. It must be remembered that the healthy secretions of the stomach are of an acid nature, and that the constant use of Ammonia, or any other alkali, must ultimately be attended with injurious consequences, more especially to the digestive functions. While, therefore, the occasional employment of alkalis may be serviceable, their long-continued use must ultimately prove deleterious.
It has a specific action upon the lining membrane of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra.
