AMYL NITRATE-AMYL ALCOHOL AND NITRIC ACID.
Symptoms
Amyl nit., even in small doses, paralyzes the vasomotor nerves, with the resulting relaxation, and dilatation of all arterioles and capillaries. It relaxes the whole arterial system, causing flushing of the upper part of the body, and rapid tumultuous action of the heart (112).
The action of Amyl. nit., is rapid, beginning in half a minute after being inhaled or swallowed, and it is soon over with, so when we give it homoeopathically it must be repeated frequently. it is very volatile and on exposure loses its efficacy.
It can be obtained in any drug store in glass beads or “pearls” containing from 3-5 drops, and I always carry a 3 droop pearl packed in cotton in may medicine bag.
Some of the uses to which we put these pearls are for temporary relief in epileptiform convulsions, attacks of angina pectoris and for sunstroke, with surging of blood to the head and face, staring eyes, oppressed respiration and choking in throat. If it was not for its volatile character, and its fruity odor, as of over ripe pears or bananas, I believe we would be more inclined to have Amyl nit. with us and see more frequent indications for its use than we do at present.
It is of value in violent neuralgic headache, with great flushing and heat of the face, dyspnoea and gasping for breath, and tremulousness, or the flushing and heat alternating with paleness and coldness, especially of one side of the face. Also of value for flushing of the face from “slightest emotion” (Hering), for “the effect of mental emotions, joy” (Hale) or grief, with hysterical symptoms, flushing, palpitation, etc., as well as in exophthalmic goitre (83) the result of grief, with the characteristic flushing of the remedy and irregular tumultuous action of the heart (112).
It is useful when the menses are delayed for a few days, or when they have been suppressed, or after the cessation of the menses at the climacteric, with throbbing headache (32), or surging of blood to the head and general hot flushes (32) of the face and upper part of the body, the hot flushes often attended with perspiration of the face and neck. It has been used in metrorrhagia, the blood bright red and hot (136) and it is said to be of value in hour-glass contraction of the uterus.
In the heart the prominent feature of Amyl nit. is the rapid
and violent action. It is in cardiac anxiety and oppression (110), with pain and sensation of constriction around the heart (113), along with tumultuous action of the heart (112) and violent pulsation in the carotids.
It is of value and a palliative in hypertrophy of the heart (110), with insufficiency of the aortic valves and actually associated with severe congestive headache.
I have never used Amyl nit. higher than the 3rd.
