Caustic Ammonia is evidently more homoeopathic to croupous inflammation than to any other variety. I suggested this remedy against membranous croup as early as 1846; also Bromine, the credit of which has been assumed by so many other physicians. J.C.P.
In some inflammatory diseases, especially pneumonia and rheumatism, when the violence of the vascular action has been reduced by proper treatment, Ammonia has proved serviceable. In alternation with Senega, Dr. Pereira has found it valuable in chronic pulmonary affections. Although it is a sudorific, it has been recommended in the dominant school against the colliquative sweats of phthisis; also against a dry parchment-like state of the skin; in exanthematic fevers, with suppression of the functions of the skin, and consequent nervous affections. It is said to be homoeopathic to scarlet fever, because it induces a scarlet redness and burning heat of the skin, especially on the superior portion of the body, and upon the thighs and knees; it also causes a scaling off of the epidermis, dropsical effusions, inflammation of the throat and tonsils, and croupous inflammation of the throat and nose. Gerard, of Lyons, used it diluted with water, to prevent the inflammation in cases of burns. Tinea and herpes are sometimes combated happily by ammoniacal lotions; and the faculty of preventing deep-seated inflammations and suppurations has also been attributed to its local application. The linimentum Ammoniae is much used in rheumatic pains, inflammations of the throat, and catarrhal affections of the chest, especially in children. The liquor Ammoniae-fortior is used for its vesicatory effects, when Cantharides cannot be employed, on account of the extreme susceptibility to strangury, or when it is desirable to raise a blister very promptly, as in cases of sudden and great prostration from gouty spasms in the stomach, anginose affections of the heart, the sinking spells of low fever. and intolerable neuralgic or spasmodic pains. It has also been employed to obtain quickly a denuded surface for the endermic application of medicines, in cases of great emergency. Its use is recommended for ring-worm, as being one of the most useful applications; it is advisable to limit the proportion of alkali to the amount of stimulation which it is desired to produce. Three cases of temulentua are reported in Frank’s Magazine as cured by liquor Ammonium-causticum, in twelve to fifteen -drop doses, in sweetened water, every five, ten or twelve minutes. In two cases, the functions of the brain were very much excited, and in one case there was complete absence of sensibility. A case of syncope in a woman, aged seventy-five, brought on by working in the garden during the heat of the sun, in a bent position, was cured, as reported by Frank, by three, four, or five-drop doses of liquor Ammonium-causticum, on a piece of sugar. These attacks came on several times, with trembling, coldness of the limbs, frequent yawning, and vertigo. Sage says he obtained the most astonishing success with the vapor of Ammonia, to animals asphyxiated with Carbonic-acid gas, he thinks it acts chemically, the alkaline gas against the acid one. Still, Ammonia causes its own peculiar form of asphyxia; in fact, in that kind of asphyxia which occurs from Ammonia, the contractility of the muscular fibre is always enfeebled. In cases of atonic apoplexy, in which diffusible, stimulants are admissible, Ammonium-causticum will be found to be one of the best of these. The vapor may be also applied to the nostrils. In epilepsy and congestion of the brain,
arising from debility, Dr. Hope has found the internal use of Ammonium-causticum exceedingly efficacious. In baldness, a stimulating wash, composed of Ammonium-causticum, has been found of great service.
We have long been in the habit of using this remedy against catarrhs of the nose, coryza, and ozoena, both internally and locally. It is quite singular, however, that Nitric acid will relieve some cases in which Ammonia seems indicated, but does not cure. Still, both Ammonia and Nitric-acid are compounds of Nitrogen. J.C.P.
It seems to homoeopathic to some varieties of canker sore mouth, nursing sore mouth, ulceration of the tongue and gums, and may prove useful in cancrum-oris. Pringle used it against angina, as a resolvent,.but it is more especially homoeopathic to the pseudo-membranous affections of the throat and oesophagus, such as the diphtheritis of Bretonneau. For chronic hoarseness, dryness of the throat from deficiency of secretion, and chronic asthma, the inhalation of it has been advised, top promote the secretion of a watery vapor from the mouth, fauces, trachea, and bronchi. I have found a few drops of Ammonia, largely diluted with water, and the doses repeated several times a day, the best remedy against catarrhal and paralytic aphonia. Although it has caused vomiting of blood, yet Pinel used it diluted in four parts of water, as a haemostatic, and Gerard has checked with it the haemorrhage from, cancerous ulcers. Noack advises it against violent spasms of the stomach and heartburn; also against nervous dyspepsia and gastrodynia, although it would seem far more homoeopathic to gastric disorders when arising from congestion or inflammation. During the cholera season in Halle, in 1848-49, Dr. Reil used liquor Ammonium-causticum with great success, in the third stage of cholera-asphyxia, where other remedies had failed. This treatment in cholera is corroborated by Dr. Kurtz, who gave the liquor Ammonium-causticum with success, in cases where but little purging or vomiting occurred, or where this had almost ceased, with rapid sinking of the temperature of the skin and falling pulse, dyspnoea, threatening paralysis of the lungs and heart, and asphyxia.
In amenorrhoea and chlorosis, Dr. Ashwell states that he has derived great benefit from mixture of Ammonium-causticum and milk, thrown into the vagina daily. It has also been very successfully employed by Lavagna in amenorrhoea. Dr. Dewees relates a very obstinate case of pruritus in a female, which completely yielded to injections into the vagina of a mixture of 3ss.-3j. of the solution in z3ss. of water. “It succeeded like a charm,” He adds that he has since successfully employed in numerous cases. It should be freely injected into the vagina.
Rayer advises its application to the velum-palati in cases of simple idiopathic asthma. He dips a roll of lint, a few inches long, into a mixture of four parts of the solution and one of water, presses out the superfluous fluid, and immediately applies it for a few seconds to the velum-palati. This at first causes a feeling of suffocation, with cough and much expectoration; but this soon passes off, and great relief is experienced. It should be applied weak, a t first, and may be repeated if necessary. Great care should betaken not to apply the mixture to the back part of the pharynx, as such an application may prove serious or even fatal. Rayers states that, in one hundred cases, he had employed this treatment with success, and without unpleasant consequences. In chronic bronchitis, an embrocation of Ammonium- causticum is advised as efficacious, and, in fact, in many pulmonary affections, such as chronic pleuritis, phthisis. it will be found of permanent advantages. It is recommended for violent spasm of the stomach and heartburn; also membranous croup.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS.
Affections of the mucous membranes and organs of the chest; contraction of the flexor muscles; contraction of the oesophagus and of the colon. Excessive exhaustion and muscular debility; debility which scarcely permits him to stand violent trembling on making the least effort. Skin hot and dry afterwards moist, even sweating. Restless sleep. Chilliness; fever evening; towards evening; the pulse is at first small and not much accelerated, afterwards it becomes more rapid from hour to hour. Great tendency to start.
HEAD
Dullness of the head; pressure in the forehead, with sensation as if the head would burst; pressure in the temples. Entire stoppage of the nose, with discharge of a watery fluid. Pale countenance, with features expressive of pain; disfigured countenance. Burning in the oesophagus, or else violent pains; white-coated tongue; scraping and burning in the throat; difficult deglutition; dark redness of the velum-pendulum- palati, tonsils, and the posterior wall of the pharynx; the uvula is drawn up and covered with white mucus.
STOMACH
Burning thirst. Vomiting of the contents of the stomach through the nose mouth, with violent burning in the parts which are touched by expelled substance; vomiting of mere mucus. Painfulness and swelling of the pit of the stomach. Rumbling in the abdomen. Several diarrhoeic stools after the vomiting, with burning at the anus, sphincter, and colon.- The menses appear a fortnight too soon and too profusely.
CHEST.
Cough and expectoration of mucus; the voice if low and feeble; broken speech. Violent oppression of the chest; want of breath; desire to draw a deep breath, which is prevented by a pain in the region of the oesophagus; hurried, heavy, rattling, breathing.
