Common name. Bromine. An elementary substances. Preparation. Dilutions made from a solution of one part of Bromine to ninety- nine of distilled water, which corresponds to the 2x dilution. The 3x and 4x dilutions are made with distilled water, the 5x with dilute alcohol, and subsequent dilutions with alcohol.
GENERAL ANALYSIS.
Bromine acts as a powerful irritant to the mucous membranes, especially of the respiratory tract, the larynx being mostly involved. An intense inflammation is established, which tends to the determination of a false membrane, hence its value in the treatment of membranous croup and diphtheria. When taken internally it also acts as a corrosive poison, producing violent gastritis, and the phenomena of depression and collapse, which usually attend the action of corrosive poisons. Bromine also affects the glands producing enlargement and induration.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Head. Migraine, left side, worse from stooping; especially after drinking milk.
Eyes. Lachrymation of right eye, with swelling of the lachrymal gland. Stitches through left eye.
Ears. Hard swelling of the left parotid gland, feeling warm to the touch. Suppuration of left parotid, edges of the opening smooth; discharge watery and excoriating; swelling remaining hard and unyielding; after scarlatina.
Nose. Severe coryza, right nostril stopped up and sore throughout, later the left. Fluent coryza, with sneezing (Aconite, Gelsemium); long continued and obstinate; corrosive soreness under the nose and on margins of nostrils. (Ailanth., Aurum., Cepa, Iodium). Nose sore and swollen with scurfs in it, and pain and bleeding on wiping (Nitr ac.).
Face. Grayish, earthy complexion; old appearance. Sensation as of a spider web on the face (Baryta carb., Carls., Graphites). Strong hard swelling of glands, especially on lower jaw and throat.
Throat. Scraping in the throat. Swelling of mucous membranes of fauces and pharynx.
Abdomen. Tympanitic distension of the abdomen, and passage of much wind (Aloe, Arnica, Cinchona).
Stool and Anus. Blind, intensely painful haemorrhoids, with black stool.
Female Organs. Loud emission of flatus from the vagina (Lycopodium). Menses too early and too profuse (Arsenicum, Calcarea, Nux v.); of bright red blood (Belladonna, Ipecac.); flow passive, with much exhaustion (Carb. an., Cinchona); or membranous shreds may pass off (Cyclamen). Violent contractive spasm before of during the menses, lasting hours, leaving the abdomen sore. Membranous dysmenorrhoea.
Respiratory Organs. Cold sensation in larynx, with cold feeling when inspiring. Constriction in the larynx; tickling, causing cough. Stitch in posterior portion of larynx, with feeling of constriction when swallowing saliva. Scraping and rawness in larynx, provoking cough, as if the pit of throat were passed against the trachea. Voice hoarse, cannot speak clearly; loss of voice. Cough, with sudden paroxysms of suffocation on swallowing; respiration very short; obliged to catch for breath. Tickling in trachea on inspiration, causing cough. Spasmodic closure of the glottis. Stitches in right side of chest. Deep forcible inspiration is necessary from time to time. Difficulty of breathing; cannot inspire deep enough; with anxiety. Sensation as if the air passages were full of smoke (Baryt carb., Natr. ars.). Right lung most affected.
Generalities. Great weakness and lassitude after all the symptoms passed off; in diphtheria. Shivering with yawning and stretching; repeated every other day, as a chilliness and cold feet. Cold and moist hands.
Sleep. Continued yawning and drowsiness, with the respiratory troubles (Ant. tart.).
Skin. Swelling and induration of the glands– thyroid, testes, submaxillary, parotid (Baryta carb., Calcarea c., Coni., Iodi., Graphites, Natr. carb.). Boils on the arms and face (Silicea).
Aggravation. In the evening till midnight; in warm room; left side most affected.
Amelioration. From motion, walking, riding on horseback; after eating; from ammonia gas.
Conditions. More suitable for persons with light hair and blue eyes.
Compare. Iodi., Spongia, Kali bichromicum).
Antidotes. Emetics, followed by tepid demulcents, starch, flour, arrowroot, etc. Inhalations of the vapors of Ammonia, neutralize the effects of Bromine inhalations. Follows Iodine or Spongia well in respiratory diseases.
THERAPEUTICS.
Bromine is an invaluable remedy in the treatment of inflammatory disease of the larynx and trachea. Spasm of the glottis. Laryngitis and croup with paroxysms of suffocation,
12 sensation of constriction in larynx. Rattling of mucus in the throat; hoarseness; inspiration excites cough; in spasm of the glottis and spasmodic croup, the spasmodic constriction is temporarily relieved by a drink of water. Diphtheria when it invades the larynx. In asthma, bronchial catarrh, and pneumonia, Bromine may be indicated by the severe suffocative attacks, apparently from spasmodic constriction, the latter being the most essential feature of the drug in respiratory troubles. It may also, in these conditions, be used by inhalation. Coryza, or nasal catarrh, discharge profuse, watery, excoriating, pressing at root of nose, nose seems stopped up. it is an excellent remedy for enlarged and indurated glands, especially in scrofulous children, goitre, enlarged parotids, with tendency to suppurate. The tonsils, submaxillary glands, testes, ovaries, or mammae may be affected in a like manner. Haemorrhoids which are intensely painful. An excellent remedy in membranous dysmenorrhoea, when there are contractive spasms of the uterus. Chronic Ovaritis. Hypertrophy of the heart, with suffocative paroxysms.
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).