Limbs. Weakness; paralyzed sensation of all the limbs. Limbs “go to sleep.”
Upper Limbs. Violent sticking and tearing in left shoulder. Skin of hands hard and cracked in places (Hepar s.). Arthritic nodosities on the fingers. Rheumatic tearing in hands and fingers. Raw, moist places between the fingers. The finger nails become thick.
Lower Limbs. Excoriation between the legs; between toes. Smarting soreness between the nates (Mercurius). Herpes in the hollow of knees. Numbness and stiffness of the thighs. Restlessness in the legs. Bruised pain in knee at night. Cramp in the calves (Calcarea c., Camph., Ferrum, Nux v.). Heat and crawling in the heels, worse mornings in bed. Rheumatic tearing in the feet and toes. Thick and crippled toe nails (Antim crud.).
Generalities. Weak, exhaustion of the whole body (Arsenicum, Cinchona, Phosphorus). Great emaciation (Arsenicum, Iodi., Natr. m.), especially of suffering parts (Ledum). Sudden sinking of strength (Arsenicum, Camph., Secale c.). Violent pulsation of blood in the whole body. Tremulous sensation through the whole body. Burning pain in old cicatrix. Symptoms disappear when walking in the open air. Swelling and induration of the glands (Calcarea carb., Baryta c.).
Skin. Itching eruption, from which oozes a corrosive, watery, sticky fluid, in many parts of the body (Clem., Petrol., Rhus tox.). Itching over various parts of the body (Rhus tox., Ruta., Sulphur). Excoriation of skin, especially in children (Hyoscyamus, Ignatia). Unhealthy skin; every injury tends to ulceration (Borax., Hepar s., Silicea, Sulphur). Old ulcers, with foetid pus (Carb. v.), proud flesh, itching, stinging (Silicea). Skin dry, inclined to crack. Old scars from ulcers.
Fever. Chilliness in the morning, in bed. Sweats from slightest motion; very sour, offensive, perspiration. Offensive foot sweat (Silicea).
Sleep. Great agitation at night, with anxious, frightful dreams (Arsenicum). Sleepiness during the day; after mid-day meal.
Conditions.] Especially8 adapted to persons inclined to obesity, particularly females with disposition to delayed menstruation.
Compare. Arsenicum, Calcarea c., Carb. an., Carb. v., Hepar s., Kali. bi.,, Lycopodium, Mercurius, Natr. m., Nitr., ac., Petrol., Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Silicea, Sulphur
Antidotes. Aconite, Arsenicum, Nux v., Vinum.
Graphites Antidotes. Arsenicum, Iodi., Rhus tox.
THERAPEUTICS.
The chief use of Graphites is in the treatment of skin diseases, especially moist eczematous eruptions, which may occur upon any part of the body, more especially the scalp, face and genitals; tinea capitis; herpes zoster; impetigo; ulcers; excoriations; has removed old cicatrices after ulcers and abscesses; skin, especially on back of hands, becomes dry, hard, thick and fissured; unhealthy skin, injury tend to ulcerate (Hepar s); sometimes useful in vesicular erysipelas. Rhus poisoning. A clinical indication for Graphites in skin disease is that the itching remedy in the enlargement of the lymphatic glands of the neck and axillae, and also of the inguinal and mesenteric glands. From this prominent action upon the skin and glands may be inferred the value of Graphites in scrofulous affections. It is especially useful in scrofulous ophthalmia, particularly when, with the inflammatory condition, there exist pustules or ulcers on the cornea and conjunctiva; thickening and inflammation of the margins of the lids, especially at the external canthi, which are covered with scurfs or scales; there is always great photophobia, agglutination of the lids, and dryness, burning and itching; styes; tumors; especially on margins of lids; ectropion and ectropion. Purulent discharges from the ears, with humming and cracking in the ears, and moist eczema about and especially behind them. Nasal catarrh in scrofulous subjects; nose sore, cracked and painful, nostrils ulcerated, covered with dry scabs, purulent discharge. Frequently in scrofulous patients the nails become thick, hard and fissured, for which Graph, is the remedy. Inflammation of the roots of the nails, with tendency to exuberant granulations. Sore throat, with swollen painful glands, sensation of a lump in throat; worse on empty swallowing. Often a remedy for chronic catarrh of the stomach; chronic gastritis of drunkards; gastralgia, periodical coming on some hours after a meal, always immediately after eating; better from warm milk, worse from cold drinks; always more or less heartburn, rancid eructations and nausea, with the gastric troubles, very much resembling Pulsatilla. Complaints from fat food (Pulsatilla). Useful in intestinal catarrh characterized by excessive mucous discharges; constipation, faeces lumpy and covered with mucus; or containing shreds of mucus, especially with fissures, cracks and ulcers in the anus. Nocturnal enuresis in children who have eczema; urethritis, with burning and biting in urethra, and a gluey, sticky discharge. In the male genital system, in addition to the characteristic eczema of the organs, Graphites has been used in hydrocele, and also in impotence, want of sensation during coition, and no ejaculation. In its action on the female genitals Graphites again resembles Pulsatilla. It has been found useful in scanty and delayed menstruation, especially in scrofulous subjects who are inclined to obesity, and who have eczema; frequently with a profuse thin, white mucous leucorrhoea, occurring in gushes, which sometimes take the place of the menses. Nausea and weakness during menses. Membranous dysmenorrhoea. Enlargement and induration of left ovary, very hard and sensitive. It is claimed that Graphites has cured ovarian cysts. It is also recommended for follicular and cystic disease following a laceration of the cervix. May be useful in local indurations about the cervix. Has cured cauliflower excrescences, with severe lancinating pains. Also useful in tumors of the mammae. An invaluable remedy, both locally and internally, for sore nipples, cracked, bleeding and painful. Morning sickness of pregnancy. Farrington recommends Graphites for anteflexion and anteversion. It is sometimes a useful remedy in chlorosis with the characteristic menstruation and leucorrhoea just mentioned, and when pimples break out on the face. A useful remedy at the climacteric, especially in women who have grown fat rapidly. Has been termed the “Pulsatilla of the climacteric.” An important differentiating symptom between Graphites and Puls, is that with the former constipation is the rule with nearly all menstrual troubles, while with Pulsatilla the opposite is more often the case. Neither has Pulsatilla the skin symptoms and other evidences of dyscrasia.
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).