SODIUM CARBONATE-SAL SODA-WASHING SODA-Na2CO3 plus 10H2O.
Introduction
Natrum carb. was first proved by Hahnemann and five others, Hering being one of the provers.
I must agree with Hughes when he says that ” in spite of ” an “extensive pathogenesis, Natrum carbonicum has found very little employment,” although Farrington says, “:in our practice the drug claims a high place, being something of a polychrest.” While in many conditions, especially in those of a catarrhal nature, it is similar to Natrum mur., m and usually supplanted by it as a remedy, still it has an individuality of its own, will frequently do its work more effectively than any other remedy, and if we refuse t employ it, we must put the blame where it belongs, on ourselves, rather than on the remedy.
Symptoms
It is of first importance for troubles arising from hot weather and from the direct rays of the sun. We occasionally meet people, especially women, who, while they have never been “overcome by the heat” are in constant fear of it and have to remain indoors throughout the heated term as the sun has such an exhausting effect upon them. More frequently we meet with those who are suffering from the secondary effects from exposure to the sun, including sunstroke, with great debility.
Both these classes of people want Natrum carb, and will bless you if you will give it to them; one lady was so extravagant in the use of her words as to say that the remedy has saved her life last summer and that she wanted another bottle for the coming hot weather.
Natrum carb. is useful for vertigo from exposure to the sun’s rays (207), for headache from exposure to the sun(98) or from working under gaslight and with aggravation from the heat of the room (95), or fro hot applications (95)
The Natrum carb, patient is melancholy and apprehensive, m thus society, and music has a bad effect upon her, even, as Hering hastens to add, “by plains o the piano a shot time” There is loss of memory (133) and great mental impairment, with inability to perform and mental work, especially when this is the result of overstudy (93).
It is a remedy of value in acute, fluent coryza (37), with violent sneezing, and aggravation of the sneezing from the slightest draft of air, even when undressing. In nasal catarrhs we have profuse discharge through the day and stoppage of the nose at night (40), with aggravation from and draft; and here as well as in the coryza, loss of smell and taste (171).
Natrum carb. should occupy a more prominent position with us in reference to acid dyspepsia (178). We find sour eructations (178), heartburn (179) after fat food (177) and heartburn (179). According to Hering, we have “indigestion from vegetable diet, particularly starchy foods” (6) he also says, in reference to the sensation of goneness in the stomach or abdomen (179), that this remedy has, that it is noticed ‘about 10 or 11.A.M. (179), better after eating” (174).
Associated with the distress in the stomach, as previously spoken of, which comes on directly after eating (177), we find mental depression (131), palpitation a d violent beating of the heat (111).
The diarrhoea is watery and sour smelling (59), worse after eating (57) and especially from drinking milk (6). There is sudden urging, with gushing on expulsion (59), preceded by cutting person in the abdomen a and followed by burning (61) and soreness in anus and great weakness and sinking in hypogastrium (179).
About the only thing that will interest us in reference to he respiratory organs is the cough, which is associated with burning in r. chest, and with greenish, salty expectoration (70); also cough on entering a warm room (41).
In the lower extremities we have weakness of the ankles (71), pain in tendo Achillis and soreness of he sole of the feet (72), with swelling. Coldness of the feet (71) is prominent and Natrum carb. is one of two remedies having coldness between the scapulae (168).
I use Natrum carb.3d.
