Synonym. Ter-sulphuret of Antimony. Preparation. Triturations made from the crude antimony after it has been pulverised under water. General Analysis Acts powerfully upon all the mucous membranes and upon the skin, but its intensity seems to be upon the intestinal mucous lining, which it tends to disorganize. Its action does not go on to inflammation, but seems to produce a depressed vitality. The mucous membranes are loaded with mucus, thus interfering with digestion as its pathogenesis indicates. A thick, milky-white coating on the tongue is its chief characteristic. The fretful, peevish disposition is also important. Characteristic Symptoms Mind Child delirious, drowsy, with nausea; hot and red face; pulse irregular; feverish heat; cries when washed in cold water; better washed in warm water. Child is fretful and peevish; does not wish to be touched (Cina.) or looked at. Great sadness and woeful mood; in intermittent fever; loathing of life. Sulky; does not wish to speak with anyone. Head Heaviness of the forehead; vertigo; nausea (Lobelia); nosebleed (Bryonia). Slight, dull headache, and vertigo, increased by ascending stairs (Calcarea c.). Violent headache after bathing in the river, with weakness of the limbs and aversion to food. Eyes Eyes red, inflamed, with itching and nightly agglutination; morning photophobia (Lycopodium, Sulphur, Natr. m.). Redness and inflammations of eyelids (Argentum nitricum, Graphites, Mercurius, Lycopodium, Sulphur). Soreness of outer canthi. Gum in canthi. Nose Sore, cracked, and crusty nostrils (Ailanth., Graphites Kali bichromicum, Nitr. ac., Pulsatilla). Nose painful when breathing, as if from inspiring cold air (Hydras., Psorinum), or inhaling acrid vapors. Face Sore places with honey-colored granules here and there Cracks in corner of mouth; painful-like sores (Arum Graphites, Lycopodium, Mercurius, Nitr. ac., Zincum met.) Suppurating an Anacardium is a remedy for insanity, in its various degrees, from hypochondriasis to mania, also for various nervous disorders accompanied by the characteristic mental condition. It is an excellent remedy for the bad effects of over use of the mind, or brain-fag. Headache associated with great mental irritability. Also for alcoholism, restlessness and sleeplessness, other symptoms corresponding. Especially useful in melancholia and hypochondriasis. The patient is irritable and inclined to swear, or feels himself possessed of two wills. Has been found useful in the morning sickness of pregnancy, which is better while eating but returns soon after. The latter is characteristic of all the gastric symptoms of the drug. Rheumatic pericarditis with deep stitches through the cardiac region, and mental oppression. Palpitation of the heart in the aged, associated with slight disturbances, such as coryza. Is useful in diseases of the spinal cord where there is a feeling of a plug in the spine, or a band tied around the body, and the knees feel paralyzed, and as if bandaged tightly. Very valuable in eczema, especially when there is also great mental irritability. The skin symptoms are very similar to those of Rhus tox.
THERAPEUTICS
Antimonium crudum is particular useful in affections of the mucous membranes characterized by an excessive secretion with a depressed, torpid state of the membranes rather than an irritated inflamed condition. A mucous flux without fever; this may appear as a nasal, bronchial, gastric or enteric catarrh, though gastric catarrh predominates, a milky-white coating on the tongue being the most characteristic symptom, also a loathing of food and continual nausea and tendency to vomit. In the gastro- enteritis of nursing children with the above symptoms, the child vomits curdled milk after nursing (Aethusa) and refuses to nurse again; is very peevish and cross. It is an excellent remedy for indigestion from overloading the stomach, also from fat or indigestible foods, sweet things, sour wines, etc. Alternate diarrhoea, and constipation of old people. Mucous piles. Antimony is also of great service in some forms of skin disease, when pustules or pocks arise, and when there is pricking and itching of the skin; eczema of face, ears, nose, cheeks, etc. Corns and callosities which are thick and horny. Nails grow in splits and like warts with horny spots. Split hoof in horses. Farrington reports a case of diphtheria cured by Antimony, the child being peevish and having the characteristic crusts about the nostrils and corners of mouth. Menses suppressed from cold bathing, with other symptoms agreeing. Suppression of menses with characteristic gastric and mental symptoms. Leucorrhoea, watery, containing lumps. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea during pregnancy. Acute rheumatism in fingers, with gastric symptoms; also chronic arthritis, Chronic blepharitis with soreness, eyes red and agglutinated at night. Obesity, especially in young people.
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).