Synonym. Ambra grisea, Common name. Ambergris. Probably a nosode, or morbid product of the sperm-whale-found floating on the sea. Preparation. Triturations are mostly employed, though Hering says the alcoholic tincture is the best preparation. The substance readily dissolves in alcohol.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Ambra acts directly upon nervous system, producing superficial functional disturbances; affecting especially the generative organs of the female, producing irritation of these parts, and giving rise to various forms of nervous and hysterical affections.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Mind. Anguish in the evening. Despair.
Head. Must lie down on account of vertigo and feeling of the vertex; in right frontal eminence and behind the left ear. Extremely painful tearing on top of head, and apparently in whole upper part of brain; with paleness of face and coldness of left hand. Dullness and confusion in occiput. Falling off of the (Graphites Hepar s., Natr. mur., Lachesis, Phosphorus, Sepia).
Eyes. Pain in the eyes as if they had been closed too firmly. Itching to the eyelids as if stye would form.
Ears. Roaring and whistling in the ears, in afternoon. Hearing decreases.
Nose. Bleeding at the nose, worse in the mornings (Agaricus, Bryonia). Dried blood collects in the nose.
Face. Jaundiced color of the face (Chelidonium, Croton tiglium, Podophyllum).
Mouth. Foetid odor from the mouth (Arnica, Hepar s. Iodi., Kreosotum, Nitr. ac., Mercurius). Drawing pain in the teeth.
Throat. Accumulation of grayish phlegm in the throat, which is difficult to hawk up; accompanied by rawness. Sensation of rawness in region of velum palati.
Stomach. Frequent empty or sour eructations (Carb. v., Nux v., Phosphorus, Sulphur). Frequent eructations, with violent, convulsive cough. Sensation every evening as of a spoiled stomach, and acrid risings up to the larynx.
Abdomen. Sense of coldness in the abdomen (AEthus., Camph.). Coldness of one side of the abdomen. Aching in region of liver. Pressure deep in hypogastrium after stool.
Stool. Frequent ineffectual desire for stool (Nux v.); this makes her very anxious; at this time the presence of other persons becomes unbearable. Constipation (Alumina, Bryonia, Calcarea c., Nux v., Opium, Phos).
Urinary Organs. The urine is turbid, even while being emitted, depositing a brown sediment, the urine above being clear and yellow (Arsenicum). Frequent micturition at night (Borax, Phosphorus ac.).
Female Organs. Violent itching of the pudendum (Cantharis, Kreosotum, Mercurius, Sulphur); has to rub the parts (Kreosotum). Soreness and itching, with swelling of the labia. Stitches in the ovarian region, when drawing in the abdomen or pressing upon it. Discharge of blood between the periods (Cact.), at every little accident, as after every hard stool, or after a walk. Menses too early too profuse (Aloe. Ammonium c., Calcarea c. Nux v.).
Respiratory Organs. Violent spasmodic cough, with frequent eructations and hoarseness. Cough only at night, from irritation in throat (Hyoscyamus). Cough very evening, with pain under the left ribs, as if something were torn loose there. Whooping cough, paroxysmal, but without crowing inspiration. Very saltish expectoration (Carb. v., Lycopodium, Phosphorus Sepia). Sensation of pressure in the chest as from a lump or an obstruction (Phosphorus). Rawness in the chest (Phosphorus, Rumex). Wheezing in the chest. Tearing pain in the left side of the chest.
Upper LImbs. Tearing pain in the left shoulder joint with a sprained and paralyzed feeling. Drawing in the fingers and thumbs.
Lower Limbs. Heaviness of the legs. Cramp in the legs, and in the calves, nearly every night (Sulph). Tearing pains in the legs every morning.
Generalities. Spasms and twitches in the muscular parts (Agaricus, Cicuta). Great weakness and lassitude (Arsenicum, Cinchona). Symptoms better while waling in the open air, but return while sitting.
Sleep. Uneasy sleep, with vexation, anxious dreams.
Conditions. In old people and children. In those debilitated by overwork. IN nervous persons, who are anaemic, sleepless, etc. in thin, persons of very nervous temperament.
Compare. Agaricus, Arsenicum, Asafoetida, Camph., China s., Coccul., Coffea c., Ignatia, Lycopodium, Mosch., Phosphorus, Staphysagria, Valer., Zincum met.
Antidotes. Camph., coff. c., Nux v., Pulsatilla, Staphysagria
Ambra Antidotes. Nux v., Staphysagria
THERAPEUTICS.
Ambra has only been been found useful in the treatment of diseases of a nervous or hysterical nature, such as asthma, spasmodic cough (with eructations), whooping cough, pruritus, oophoritis and nymphomania. It is also useful in constipation, especially in nervous women, and particularly in the lying-in room, where the patient cannot have a stool or urinate when anyone else in the room.
ALLEN CORSON COWPERTHWAITE was born at Cape May, New Jersey, May 3, 1848, son of Joseph C. and Deborah (Godfrey) Cowperthwaite. He attended medical lectures at the University of Iowa in 1867-1868, and was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1869. He practiced his profession first in Illinois, and then in Nebraska. In 1877 he became Dean and Professor of Materia Medica in the recently organized Homeopathic Department of the State University of Iowa, holding the position till 1892. In 1884 he accepted the chair of Materia Medica, Pharmacology, and Clinical Medicine in the Homeopathic Medical College of the University of Michigan. He removed to Chicago in 1892, and became Professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College. From 1901 he also served as president of that College. He is the author of various works, notably "Insanity in its Medico-Legal Relations" (1876), "A Textbook of Materia Medica and Therapeutics" (1880), of "Gynecology" (1888), and of "The Practice of Medicine " (1901).