There may be amenorrhoea or the menses may appear at irregular intervals, or the menses may be too profuse and too long lasting (135), with flushed face, ringing in the ears and followed by great debility (1388). After severe uterine haemorrhage it is of value when we have congestive headache, bloating, coldness of the skin and great prostration.
In anaemia and chlorosis the menses (17) are pale, watery and acrid and the patients are usually troubled with an acrid (126) and milky leucorrhoea. (In anaemia and chlorosis, Manganum is extremely useful, taking the place of Ferrum when there is early and scanty menstruation, with haemorrhage from other parts (138), as from the nose, lungs, or even rectum.
There is under Ferrum great sensitiveness of the vagina to coition (205), due either to dryness of the mucous membrane, or to soreness from the acrid leucorrhoea.
Allen tells us that “the use of the various preparations of iron for febrile and inflammatory states has been greatly neglected” and that “it is very probable that Ferrum has been overlooked as a valuable remedy for inflammation of the thoracic organs, for it certainly may be indicated when there is marked febrile excitement.”
We have in Ferrum dyspnoea and oppression of the chest (29), as from pressure of a hand, with marked febrile excitement, and it is especially indicated when these symptoms seem to occur from a kind of surging of blood to the chest (27).
The cough is dry and spasmodic and may be accompanied by expectoration of bright-red blood (69) and there is especially apt to be haemoptysis (27) if we have the sensation of rush of blood to the chest.
In the heart we find palpitation (111), worse from movement, with a full but soft pulse. In anaemic conditions we have, of course, palpitation.
Ferrum is useful in lumbago that is relieved by walking about (10) and in rheumatic and neuralgic pains in the lower limbs when there is relief from moderate motion. It seems to have an especial affinity for the left deltoid (161) and it is of value for rheumatism about the left shoulder-joint, extending to the elbow, or to the left deltoid, with inability to move the arm of fingers.
In intermittent fever Ferrum may be useful after the abuse of quinine (158). During the chill there is general coldness, especially of the extremities, the hands and feet cold and numb, while the head may be hot and the face red, particularly from the least emotion or exertion. During the fever there is is burning heat of the palms and soles. The sweat is profuse and long- lasting and all the symptoms are worse while sweating (121).
I use Ferrum 3d.
