Synonym. Aurum Metallicum. Common name. Metallic Gold. Preparation. Triturations of the precipitated metal. General Analysis Aurum affects especially the osseous and glandular systems, most prominently the nasal and palatine bones, and the oculo-nasal mucous membrane, giving rise to conditions quite analogous to those which, in these parts, result from a syphilitic mercurial or scrofulous disease, the drug having a general tendency to destruction of tissue in the parts affected (especially on connective tissue in parenchymatous organs. Allen). Aside from its local action, the distinguishing feature of Aurum is its desponding melancholy, with suicidal tendency. Characteristic Symptoms Mind Disgust for life; suicidal tendency (Naja, Nux-v.). Religious mania, imagines herself irretrievably lost. Melancholy; imagines he is unfit for this world, never can succeed (Argentum nit.). Despondent, dejected, unhappy, weeping (Lycopodium, Natr. mur., Nux moschata, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox.). Great anguish, coming from the praecordial region, driving him from place to place (Arsenicum); palpitation. Apprehensive; full of fear (Aconite, Belladonna, Cinchona, Ignatia, Phosphorus); a mere noise at the door makes him anxious. Peevish and vehement; the least contradiction excites his wrath (Bryonia, Chamomilla, Ferrum, Nux-v.). Ailments from grief, disappointed love (Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Phosphorus ac.). Head Vertigo when stooping, as if turning in a circle, better on raising the head (Bryonia, Coni., Nux-v.); as if drunk (Stramonium); as if he would fall to the left when walking in open air (Agaricus, Calcarea c., Gloninum, Sepia, Sulphur); must lie down, but returning even then on slightest motion. Rush of blood to the head, with sparks before the eyes and glassy, bloated face; worse from mental exertion. Skull bones painful as if broken, when lying down. Fine tearing from the right side of the occiput through t Asparagus has proved useful in functional cardiac troubles, rheumatism dropsy, and other ailments dependent upon kidney disease. Cystitis, with much mucus and pus. An excellent article of diet in rheumatism and in renal dropsy.
THERAPEUTICS.
The chief therapeutic application of Aurum is in the treatment of syphilitico-mercurial affections and scrofulous diseases, especially caries of the nasal, palatine, mastoid and ossicular bones; ozaena; otorrhoea; nasal catarrh; angina; exostoses of skull and other bones. The nightly aggravation of the pains, and their boring nature is characteristic. Bones usually very sensitive to the touch, and ulcerated tissues give forth horribly offensive discharges. Allen says that the drug “is always to be thought of in interstitial changes of heart, liver and kidneys, and in gouty diathesis.” Fatty degeneration of these organs (Phosphorus). Cardiac hypertrophy without dilatation. Acute inflammation of the eye in syphilitic subjects, great photophobia; tendency to corneal ulcers; iritis with sore bruised sensation around the eye (Asafoetida); glaucoma; scrofulous ophthalmia, great vascularity, scalding lachrymation, eyes sensitive to light and touch. Orchitis, especially on right side. Chronic enlargement and induration of the testes. Hydrocele. Aurum has also been used in chronic inflammation, induration and prolapsus of the uterus. Sterility, causing great melancholy. Vaginismus. Hysteria. Hypochondriasis. Melancholia. In all mental states there is a very low spirited condition, and disgust for life. Religious melancholia, with weeping and crying.
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).