Sub-nitrate of Bismuth. Preparation. Triturations.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Acts especially upon the organs and functions which are under the control of the pneumogastric nerve, more especially upon the stomach, where it produces symptom resembling those of gastralgia, and in general produces irritation and catarrhal inflammation of the whole alimentary tract.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Mind. Morose, discontented and complaining about his condition.
Head. Pressing, drawing now here, now there. Confusion, Vertigo, in attacks as if anterior half of brain were turning in a circle. Cutting above right orbit, extending to occiput. Pressive pain and sensation of heaviness in the frontal region, worse on motion; also in occiput.
Eyes. Pressure in the right eyeball, from before backward, and from below upward. Thickened mucus in both canthi.
Mouth. Toothache, relieved by taking cold water in the mouth (Coffea). Tongue coated white, evenings (morning, Sulphur), without heat or thirst. Taste nauseous metallic (Pulsatilla); metallic, sweetish-sour, on back of tongue; bitter.
Stomach. Thirst for cold drinks in evening, without heat (Pulsatilla). Eructations of wind after drinking water. Frequent empty eructations and feeling of discomfort in the stomach (Pulsatilla). Nausea after eating or nursing. Vomiting of all fluids; water vomited as soon as it reaches the stomach (Phos). Pressure like a load in the stomach after eating (Bryonia, Nux v., Pulsatilla). Distressing pressure and burning in region of stomach (Arsenicum). Gastro-enteritis. Vomiting; convulsive gagging and inexpressible pain in the stomach. Crampy, spasmodic pains in the stomach; burning, alternating with pressure; pressure on the spine; must bend backward.
Abdomen. Frequent passage of flatus. Pinching pressure on lower abdomen, and rumbling, with desire for stool.
Urine. Copious; frequent; watery.
Respiratory organs. Crampy, pressive pain though the chest, in the region of the diaphragm, when walking. Pain in the chest and back, with boring and burning.
Upper Limbs. Paralytic weariness and weakness in the right arm. Laming, tearing pressure on right forearm; more toward outer side; passes off by motion and touch. Tearing in metacarpal bones of right fore and middle fingers. Fine tearing in finger tips of right hand; particularly under the nails.
Skin. Corrosive itching on side of tibia, and on back of both feet near the joints; worse from scratching; must scratch until it bleeds.
Sleep. Cannot get his accustomed morning nap. Frequent waking at night, as from fright. Restless sleep, through lascivious dreams, with (sometimes without) seminal emissions.
Compare. Antim crud., Arsenicum, Argentum, Belladonna, Calcarea c., Colchicum, Hydroc. ac., Kali, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Nux v., Pulsatilla, Rhus tox., Sepia, Sulphur
Antidotes. Calcarea c., Caps., Nux v. To large doses: Emetics followed by albuminous and emollient drinks, such as milk.
THERAPEUTICS.
Bismuth is often the homoeopathic remedy in gastralgia, especially when occurring in connection with gastric catarrh. According to Farrington, Bismuth is “the remedy for pure gastralgia, that which is not associated with any catarrh, or with any symptoms of indigestion.” The pain is usually of a severe, pressive, burning character, the pressure seeming to extend back to the spine. There is usually also considerable nausea and vomiting, especially after taking fluids; they are at once ejected. Allen says it is “very valuable for inflammation of the stomach occurring during the progress of chronic diseases, for instance, schirrhus.” Cholera-infantum with gastric symptoms prominent, white coated tongue, vomiting, etc. Neuralgic headaches alternating with gastralgia.