Conditions. Ailments after west or northwest winds.
Compare Ant. tart., Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Calcarea c., Iodi., Kali bichromicum, Lycopodium, Mercurius, Nitr. ac., Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Silicea, Spongia, Sulphur; after Hepar may be indicated: Belladonna, Nitr. ac., Spongia and Silicea; while these may precede it; Belladonna, Lachesis, Silicea, Spongia and Zincum met.
Antidote. Vinegar, Belladonna, Chamomilla, Silicea
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Hepar Sulphur Antidotes. Mercurial and other metallic preparations; Iodine, and particularly the Iodide of Potash.
THERAPEUTICS.
Undoubtedly the most generally acknowledged therapeutic value of Hepar is in its power to promote suppuration, whether in abscesses, glands or elsewhere. For this purpose it has long been used in homoeopathic practice, and has since been adopted by all schools of medicine. In all inflammations with threatened suppuration after Belladonna has failed to bring abut resolution, and Mercurius to cause absorption, or when no remedies have been employed, Hepar may be given in a high potency and prevent suppuration, but its chief use is in those cases where suppuration is inevitable, and it is desirable to hasten the process, under which circumstances the drug should always be given in a low potency. In all inflammations, whether suppurative or otherwise, in which Hepar is indicated there is always extreme sensitiveness of the affected part to the touch, and usually sharp, splinter-like pains. As this suppurative power of Hepar is universal, affecting all tissues and parts of the body, it is unnecessary to recapitulate the various localities or name the individual suppurative diseases in which it is useful. In a line with this suppurative action of Hepar comes its useful in cases where form impurity of the blood the skin becomes unhealthy, and e very cut or hurt suppurates. It is also useful in moist eruptions, especially eczema, which are sore, have foetid discharges, and bleed easily. Ulcers, sensitive to touch, foetid discharges, easily bleeding, etc. Skin diseases and suppurative processes resulting from the abuse of Mercury. Secondary syphilis. Probably the most important clinical use of Hepar is in croupous inflammations, especially of the respiratory tract. In laryngitis, and bronchitis, with loose rattling cough. In croup with great hoarseness, whistling breathing, and hard barking cough, accompanied by a rattling of mucus, the latter differentiating from Spongia, and the absence of a dry, hot skin, from Aconite, the Hepar patient being usually moist Spongia well. The respiratory troubles of Hepar usually arise from exposure to dry, cold west or northwest winds. A very characteristic general symptom of Hepar, and which is quite prominent in respiratory diseases, in a great sensitiveness to the slightest cold air, which, with a tendency to easy and profuse sweating, indicates the drug in many diseases. Often indicated and very valuable in pneumonia, especially chronic with profuse purulent expectoration. Late stage of pleuritis. Pulmonary phthisis; abscess of the lungs. Hepar is useful in a variety of eye diseases, especially of a scrofulous nature, and when there is a suppurative tendency, with general Hepar symptoms. Conjunctivitis with profuse muco-purulent discharge. Blepharitis. Inflammations of margins of lids and the meibomian glands. Ulcers of the cornea. Kerato-iritis. Otitis, with discharge of foetid, bloody pus; especially after Mercury. Nasal catarrh, with offensive bloody discharge. Ozoena, bones of nose very sensitive; inflamed and swollen nostrils. Aphthous ulcers on mouth and jaws. Unhealthy gums, bleed easily. Tonsilitis in suppurative stage, with characteristic splinter-like sticking pains, and other Hepar symptoms. Atonic dyspepsia, especially after Mercury, with desire for sour pungent things, etc. Chronic intestinal catarrh, with inactivity of rectum, soft stools requiring great effort (Alumina); stools sour and usually of a greenish color. Liver troubles, with clay-colored stools. Atony of the bladder, micturition slow, cannot empty the bladder thoroughly; enuresis. In the genital system Hepar is seldom useful except when its characteristic eruptions or suppurative process are present, such as have already been mentioned. Often a valuable remedy in marasmus of children with the characteristic diarrhoea above mentioned, weak digestion, sensitive to cold air, etc. Very useful in catarrhal fever, without high temperature, and with sensitiveness to slightest cold, easy and profuse sweating, etc.
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).