POTASSIUM NITRATE-SALTPETRE-NITRE-KNO3.
Introduction
Hahnemann contributed to the symptoms of this remedy and while it has quite an extensive pathogenesis, but little practical application has been made of it.
Allen says: “Like the chlorate, this salt is a violent irritant to the muco;us membranes, causing gastro-intestinal inflammation and ulceration and catarrh of th bronchi with asthmatic breathing. In its action on the kidneys and heart it is similar to the other salts of Potash.” Ringer, in speaking of potassium and sodium nitrates, says: “These salts readily pass form the body through the kidneys with the urine, and in their passage may irritate and inflame the urinary organs, and large doses may even produce bloody urine.”
Let me warn you against allowing mothers to dose their children with nitre whenever they think the youngsters do not urinate freely enough.
Symptoms
Kali nit. is to be thought of in dysentery, with slimy, bloody stools, constant urging (61), debility. small and rapid pulse and cold hands.
Hering speaks of it for “diarrhoea after eating veal.” Bell, in commenting on this, says: “The curability of such cases with Kali nit. needs more confirmation, but no other remedy has had this symptom so well confirmed as yet.”
The fumes of nitre are frequently used to avert a paroxysm of asthma; we use the remedy in those cases (19) where there is great dyspnoea and free expectoration, along with stitches (30) or a sensation of burning in the chest (28).
I use Kali nit. 3d.
