LEOPARD’S – BANE.
Introduction
The origin of the word arnica is not known. Another term is the mountains tobacco of central Europe, but it is used as a medicine simply.
Hahnemann advised the making of the tincture from the whole plant when near its flowering time (Mat. Medorrhinum Pura). The Am. Homoeo. Phar. directs that the tincture be made by using two pars of the root and one part each of the leaves and flowers, after having removed from the latter the larvae of the arnica fly.
Hering says that “one of the first provings of Hahnemann was made from the Arnica root” and that the most wonderful results were obtained from the root. He also says, the “many reports so- called poisonings have been given in the journals” that probably” were the result of tincture made from the flowers, containing the arnica fly. Nearly all flowers in the shops contain eggs, worms, or the excrements and other remains of the worms or the pupae; and all this acts similarly to Cantharides.”
Neither the insect nor the eggs have been proved by themselves.
Symptoms
The best known effect of Arnica is its remedies action in mechanical injuries. Hahnemann tells us that this property was known two hundred years before he proved the remedy and that the result of his proving simply corroborated it.
Arnica for injuries (26) is the most prominent symptom and it is of equal value whether the injury is of recent origin or when it is remote, such as affections of the head or mind, appearing long after a blow or fall involving the head, or in children suffering from some paralytic or other condition, due, perhaps, to the application of forceps at the time of birth.
A sore, bruised sensation (166), over the whole body or over a single part, is another pronounced symptom. This sensation is similar to that resulting from an injury, and we would think of Arnica whether it was a sensation simply or a reality.
While the application of Arnica for the results of injuries covers a wide range; a few of the recent conditions only will be mentioned, as a guide in its selection : Blows, concussions and injuries by blunt instruments; muscular soreness; after operations, from manipulation of the parts; muscular pains and soreness after over-exertion and where unused muscles have been brought into play; palpitation and pain about the heart the result of excessive straining; meningitis and meningeal irritation the result of concussion; toothache after a filling or from a wedge; haematuria, uterine disorders and haemorrhages after mechanical injuries, including coition; threatened abortion (13) after a fall or a blow; after childbirth, especially if the forceps have been used, for the sore, bruised sensations and conditions.
Hahnemann says : “The best preparation of this medicine for internal use is the decillionth development of power ” (30th). He also says: ” In severe and extensive contusion-injuries the cure is very much promoted when in addition to a small dose of Arnica taken internally….the parts are also for the first twenty-four hours externally moistened” with a solution of five or ten drops of Arnica 1st to a pint of water. (Ask surgeons concerning the bad effects of a too strong solution of Arnica locally and note if in part it is not due to drug-store tincture.) While it is perfectly right to use a remedy locally that we are giving internally we must keep i mind that if we use Arnica locally and another remedy internally, we are not practicing homoeopathy any more than if we should alternate remedies.
Arnica has a pronounced effect upon the blood where there is a general tendency to disorganization, with the resulting haemorrhage of dark venous blood; and it is to be thought of not only for the condition that will result in easy bleeding, but also as a remedy to hasten the absorption of the blood, for example, in apoplexy (18), haemorrhage in the conjunctive or retina (74), purpura haemorrhagica (158), etc.
Mentally, while we must give Arnica first consideration in conditions that can be traced back to some mechanical injury, recent or remote, we will also find it useful in delirium, with easy fear, especially of being struck by persons coming near him, or with muttering (55), or complete stupor, foul breath 92) and involuntary putrid discharges. It is of especial value when this condition accompanies low types of fever, malarial or typhoid (193).
In apoplexy (18) we have stertorous respiration, involuntary stools, no cerebral excitement, but heavy stupor and foul breath. In any of these conditions, the Arnica patient, if sufficiently conscious, will complain of the hardness of the bed, or of lumps in the mattress, of an aching soreness (166) over the whole body and will dread having anyone touch him or even to have you come near him for fear of being hurt.
