SILVER.
Introduction
Metallic silver, as a drug, is but little used and seldom thought of, but it has some prominent symptoms, making it an easily remembered remedy.
It was first proved by Hahnemann.
Symptoms
Its chief action is on mucous membranes, including most of the digestive tract, the genito-urinary and the respiratory tracts, with special reference to the last two.
Sharp pains are mostly lacking in Argentum met. (prevalent
in Argentum nit.), but general weakness is common, with tendency to emaciation and pale, sallow complexion.
There is a general anaemic condition (16), with oedematous feet, loss of power in the lower extremities, with weakness of the knees (125), and we may have hectic fever coming on every day at 11 A.M. and lasting for one or two hours.
There is vertigo in Argentum met. (which amounts to epilepsy in its relative Argentum nit.), attacks of vertigo, with crawling and whirling in head as if intoxicated (207), also vertigo on looking at running water (207), as in a brook.
In the eye Argentum met. has proved useful in blepharitis, with itching, and it is especially indicated when the edges of the lids are much thickened.
In the mouth there is much sticky, tenacious saliva and from the pharynx and bronchi there is expectorated much gelatinous or jelly-like mucus that is aptly described as looking like boiled starch (70).
As a catarrhal remedy Argentum met. is of frequent use, being of value in chronic conditions of the pharynx, larynx and bronchi, with hawking or raising of this gelatinous mucus looking like boiled starch.
It is to be thought of in acute or chronic laryngitis of speakers or singers (118), with hoarseness or even aphonia; here we find soreness, or a feeling of rawness (118) either in the larynx or extending down as far as the bifurcation of the bronchi.
Rawness and soreness in larynx when coughing and not when swallowing, is quite characteristic of Argentum met.
We can think of the remedy for the sensation, noticed especially when eating fruit, as if a piece stuck in the throat when swallowing, with inability to remove it by coughing.
The catarrhal cough is easy (soft), is caused by a sensation of mucus in the larynx or trachea, or from laughing (41), and the mucus is often removed by a single cough.
Argentum met. is useful for polyuria (199), a diabetes insipidus, with very profuse and turbid urine.
It is to be thought of in chronic gleet (83), the discharge thick, but not burning and perhaps associated with pain in the testicle as if it were being crushed (188), and for seminal emission with out excitement (167) or loss of power.
In the female sexual organs, we find that Argentum met. has an especial affinity for the l. ovary(147).
There is a sensation as if the l. ovary were too large, or there is pain there, extending up the back and down the l. thigh, associated with prolapsus of the uterus (203) and with yellow, excoriating leucorrhoea (126) of offensive odor (126).
It has been used with success for ulceration of the cervix, with much swelling and foul discharge, and it may act as a palliative in scirrhus of the uterus (202).
I have used Argentum met. 3rd.
