In the female we think of the remedy for disorders associated with scanty and delayed menstruation (136) or suppression in of the senses (134), such as great mental depression (135) and weeping, vertigo worse in the morning on waking or from stooping (207O), eruptions on the face and body and constipation. The menses are delayed, both as regards their original onset and their monthly return. While always late, they may be suppressed with colic in the one case, or severe carrying and bearing-down pains in the other. Sometimes the flow in dark (136), at other times it is of a pale, serous blood.
The l.ovary (147) is, perhaps, the most frequently affected and we have induration and soreness of one or both ovaries, associated with suppression of the menses, due possibly to taking cold or getting the feet wet (134).
The leucorrhoea is profuse (126), thin and mild white in color (126) (126) the discharge coming in gushes (126) during both day and night, We have leucorrhoea instead of the menses (126), or, says Hering, leucorrhoea “before and after the menses” (126).
Graphites is a very valuable remedy for troubles following lacerations of the cervix of the uterus, especially follicular and cystic diseases, for inflammations of the vagina and neck of the uterus, and for the so-called cauliflower excrescences of the uterus (202), with severe lancinating pains and bleeding.
In the breasts it has proved useful for indurations which form from scars of old abscesses and become cancerous (23), and given internally it is claimed that it has caused the absorption of scar tissue, especially after mammary abscesses. Internally and externally it is one of our most valuable remedies for the sore nipples of nursing women, the nipples becoming sore, cracked (23) and bleeding.
For the external application of Graphite to any breaks or cracks in the skin, a very efficient preparation is what we can call Unguentum Grapho-cosmoline, or black saliva. I prefer to prepare this myself and melt the vaseline or petrolatum, to which can be added a little white wax, and to every ounce stir in crude graphites, grains viii.
It has been questioned by some of our school whether the crude graphites could do any good here, and if all the benefit was not derived from the petroleum jelly”? Hahnemann tells us that the crud drug is of value in such cases and says that “the first thought of the medicinal use of plumbago was given to Dr. Wein hold by the fact that he saw workmen use it externally for driving way herpes.” Dr. Wein hold tried it, found it useful and “prescribed its external application either with saliva or with soft fat, or he rubbed in the ointment, or applied a plaster of plumbago” (Chr. Dis.)
Graphites, says Dearborn, “shows a greater affinity for the left side, for the epidermis and the glandular structures derived from it, sometimes extending to the sun-cutaneous tissue. When these tissues have been destroyed and replaced by cicatricial tissue, it is credited with effecting a restoration of the epithelium and great improvement in, or the disappearance if, the scar.”
It is useful for herpes zoster (114), especially if l. sided, wit large blisters and excessive burning.
In addition to the eczematous eruptions in various portions of the body already spoken if, it is of value in eczema is a special indication for this remedy” (Dearborn). The fingers and toe-nails, under Graphites, become thick (141)(, rough (141)., brittle and discolored. Dunham speaks of its value for in growing toe-nails (141).
Graphites is to be thought of in spasmodic asthma (21), where the attacks waken from sleep (24) and are relieved by eating (24), and for chronic hoarseness in persons subject to herpetic eruptions, especially if the eruptions have been suppressed, the voice breaking on attempting to sing (207).
I use Graphites 30th.
