Common name – Iodine. Preparation – One part by weight or resublimed Iodine, dissolved in ninety-nine parts by weight of Alcohol, makes the 2x dilution; subsequent dilutions made with Alcohol.
GENERAL ANALYSIS
Iodine has a wide range of action, affecting almost every organ and tissue of the body, but more especially the lymphatic glands and the mucous tissues, having a depressing and atonizing influence, impairing their reproductive energies and producing functional embarrassment, atrophy, and even total destruction of the parts with general emaciation. So, also, in some instances of glandular action, notably upon the thyroid, do we find the loss of reproductive and functional power resulting in cellular hypertrophy, the gland assuming the proportions of a morbid growth, due to the same causes as will at other times produce atrophy. The glandular action of Iodine is especially centered upon the thyroid, the mesenteric, the mammae, ovaries and testicles. On the mucous membranes a catarrhal inflammation is produced, especially of the eyes and nose, and which may involve the entire respiratory tract. The lungs may also become involved in the inflammatory action, as well as other parenchymatous organs. The chief feature of the drug is emaciation, both local and general, which accompanies nearly all Iodine conditions.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS
Mind. Sadness; melancholy mood (Natr. mur., Puls). Excessive nervous excitability (Cinchona, Coffea).
Head Vertigo; throbbing in the head and all over the body (Pulsatilla, Sepia); tremor at the heart, fainting; worse immediately after rising from a seat or bed (Bryonia), or by sitting or lying down after slight exercise. Confusion in head, with aversion to earnest work. Headache, as form a band around the head (Gelsemium, Mercurius, Pulsatilla, Spigelia, Sulphur). Pain in a small spot above root of nose. Pain above the eyes towards evening, worse from noise and talk. Sharp pain in upper part of left side of forehead. Pain in occiput before 11 A.M.; better from rest, worse from motion of body, changing at 4 P.M. to confusion of head.
Eyes. Dirty yellowish color of the sclerotica (Cinchona, Camph., Chelidonium, Plumb.). Protrusion of the balls. Inflamed eyes from taking cold. Pain as from excoriation in the eyes. OEdematous swelling of the lids.
Ears. Difficult hearing.
Nose. Dry coryza, worse evenings, becoming fluent in the open air. Fluent coryza with much sneezing; sudden, violent with lachrymation, pain in eyes; then violent cough and nausea, difficult almost wheezing respiration, feeling as if larynx were constricted externally. Blowing of much yellow mucus from the nose (Pulsatilla).
Face Face pale, yellowish (Argentum nit., Hepar, Sulphur, Sepia), or greenish. Sallow, distressed countenance. Bluish lips, with swelling of the superficial veins. Swelling of the submaxillary glands (Aurum, Baryta c., Coccul., Silicea).
Mouth. Bleeding of the gums (Carb. v., Mercurius, Nitr. ac.). Softening of the gums. Teeth covered with much mucus in the morning; yellow and easily blunted by vegetable acids. Aphthae in the mouth (Borax, Helleborus, Mercurius). Offensive odor from the mouth (Arnica). Salivation (Mercurius). Also after Mercury (Cinchona, Nitr. ac.). Tongue loaded with thick coating.
Throat Constriction in the throat, impeding deglutition (Belladonna, Hyoscyamus, Stramonium). Ulcers in throat, with swelling of glands of neck. Inflammation and ulceration of the oesophagus.
Stomach Ravenous hunger; cannot be satisfied (Bry). Appetite diminished; lost. Nausea; vomiting renewed by eating. Thirst. Heartburn after indigestible food.
Abdomen. Pain between pit of stomach and umbilicus. Inflammation of the liver, with pain, hardness and swelling. Pressure in right hypochondrium; with pain on touch. LEft hypochondrium hard and painful to pressure. Swelling and distension of the abdomen (Antim crud., Graphites, Hepar s.). Incarcerated flatulence (Carb. v., Lycopodium). Swelling of the inguinal glands (Calcarea c., Clem., Mercurius)
Stool and Anus. Burning in anus in evening (Sulphur). Diarrhoea, alternating with constipation (Antim crud., Cimic., Nux v.). Stools watery; foaming, whitish mucus; soft, frequent.
Urinary Organs. Copious and frequent micturition (Apis, Argentum nit., Argentum met., Cepa). Involuntary.
Male Organs. Swelling and induration of the testicles (Aconite, Argentum nit., Coni).
Female Organs. Induration and swelling of uterus and ovaries (Coni). A wedge- like pain from right ovary to uterus. The mammae dwindle away and become flabby; atrophy (Coni.). Uterine haemorrhage renewed after every stool. Leucorrhoea acrid, corroding the limbs; worse at time of menses.
Respiratory Organs. Hoarseness (Aconite, Hepar s., Phosphorus). Pain in the larynx with desire to cough; frequent pain and stitches in larynx and sublingual glands. Smarting in region of trachea, with frequent lancinations. Croupy cough. Tightness of respiration, difficult, especially inspiration. Membranous croup (Bromium, Kali bichromicum), with wheezing and sawing respiration; dry barking cough (Spongia); child grasps throat with the hand (Aconite). OEdema glottidis (may be used by inhalation). Dry cough, with stitches and burning in chest. Cough, with expectoration of large quantities of mucus, frequently blood-streaked. Sensation of weakness in chest (Stannum). Constriction of the chest. Sharp, quick piercing pains. Tendency to bronchial and pulmonary congestion and haemorrhages. Hepatization; worse upper part of right lung; sometimes rapid; tightness across chest.
Heart and PUlse. Violent palpitation; worse from the least exertion. Constant, heavy oppressive pain in region of heart (Cact., Lilium tigrinum), with sharp, quick, piercing, movable pains. Great praecordial anxiety, obliging him to constantly change his position (Aconite, Arsenicum, Rhus tox.). Pulse rapid, small, weak, with tumultuous, irregular, at times intermittent action of heart.
Neck. Goitre, with marked hardness. Swelling and induration of the cervical glands (Baryta c., Calcarea c., Kreosotum).
Limbs Subsultus tendinum of both hands and feet. Trembling of the limbs. Tearing pain in left elbow (Arsenicum, Ferrum). OEdematous swelling of feet. Acrid, corrosive foot sweat.
Generalities. Emaciation (Natr. mur., Phosphorus); ending in marasmus; of glandular tissues (mammae, testicles, thyroid gland, etc.). Great debility and prostration (Arsenicum, Bryonia, Ferrum, Phosphorus). Twitching of muscles (Agaricus, Cicuta, Ignatia, Stramonium). Swelling and induration of glands (Baryta c., Calcarea c., Graphites, Natr. carb.). Profuse night sweats (Cinchona, PHos., PHos. ac. Silicea) Chronic arthritic affections, with violent nightly pains in the joints; no swelling. Rapid failing of strength. OEdematous swelling of the whole body. Plastic exudations. Marked fever; restlessness; thirst; throbbing headache; circumscribed red cheeks (Sanguinaria); apathetic.
Skin. Dirty-yellow, clammy, moist skin (Ferrum, Mercurius). Rough, dry skin.
Conditions. Especially suitable to persons, particularly children, with dark hair and eyes. To scrofulous persons, old people.
Compare Aconite, Arsenicum, Bromium, Causticum, Coni., Digit., Hepar s., Kali bichromicum, Mercurius, Nitr. ac., Phosphorus, Spongia, Sulphur
Antidote. Ant. tart., Arsenicum, Belladonna, Camph., China sulph., Cinchona, Coffea, Hepar s., Opium, Phosphorus, Spongia, Sulphur To large doses : Starch or wheat flour in water.
Iodine Antidotes. Effects of Arsenicum, Argentum nit., Calcarea c., Mercurius
THERAPEUTICS.
Iodine is especially useful in scrofulous affections, where rapid emaciation, notwithstanding a ravenous hunger, is characteristic, the patient being hungry all the time, and eating immoderately, yet continually, and sometimes very rapidly, losing flesh. Marasmus. Wasting disease in scrofulous subjects. Atrophy of glands. Enlargement and induration of glands; usually painless. According to Farrington, “there is a characteristic of Iodine which is universal, and that characteristic is torpidity and sluggishness. The very indolence of the disease is suggestive of Iodine.” This is especially true of the glandular enlargements. Most prominently useful in goitre (Spongia) given internally; its external application will often dissipate the goitre, but may be followed by serious pulmonary complications. Enlargement of the parotids; mammae; testicles, etc. Hydrocele. Enlargement of lymphatic glands. Tabes mesenterica. Often indicated in chronic enlargement and induration of the tonsils. Also in ulceration of the throat with swollen glands, either from syphilis or Mercury. Iritis, especially of syphilitic origin. Chronic catarrh of the middle ear, also of the Eustachian tube, with deafness, roaring in ears, etc. Acute coryza, especially scrofulous subjects, with sneezing. hot mucous discharge, headache at root of nose and over nose, fever, etc. Inflammation of the spleen with salivation. Acute and chronic inflammation of the livers, cirrhosis; jaundice, hard, painful swelling. Acute and chronic disease of the pancreas, with salivation; fatty diarrhoea; watery. foaming stools; or constipation. Diabetes with characteristic hunger and emaciation, yellow skin, etc. Has been found useful in some female diseases in scrofulous subject, especially when associated with atrophy of the mammary glands. (See Clinical Symptoms already given.) Many cases of ovarian cysts reported cured by Iodine. Cancer of the uterus wit profuse haemorrhages, and other characteristic Iodine conditions. Iodine is often a valuable remedy in scrofulous ulcers, especially with swollen glands; the ulcers have spongy edges, and discharge a bloody, ichorous or even purulent matter. Iodine is an extremely valuable remedy in croupous inflammation of the larynx and trachea, either acute or chronic. Great hoarseness and hard croupy cough, difficult in inspiration, etc. Allen says (Hand Book of Materia Medica, p. 570): “A large number of cases of membranous croup have been curd by the lower dilutions; our experience is that it is indicated in cases in the early stage, with more or less fever, with dry skin and a very dry cough, great difficulty in respiration; it follows closely after Acon; if Aconite has been given and the patient is not improving, or if Aconite has relieved only the restlessness and extreme anxiety, but not the cough, the patient is still dry and hot and the cough is still croupy, then give Iodium It is, however, rarely useful after febrile excitement has disappeared, or if the patient perspires freely (this stage, together with the attacks of suffocative cough, indicate Bromium instead of Iodium)” (See Respiratory Symptoms.) Whooping cough. A valuable remedy in pneumonia when, after Aconite, exudation as occurred, the anxiety and stitching pain being relieved, but a high fever remaining. Especially when the apex of the lung is involved, and when occurring in scrofulous subjects. Laryngeal and pulmonary phthisis, with characteristic symptoms. Sometimes indicated in cardiac disease, with great praecordial anxiety, palpitation, sharp pain, and general Iodine conditions; valvular insufficiency with dilatation; pericarditis, especially when complicating pneumonia, with Iodine indications. Hypertrophy of the heart. Iodine has been found useful in certain forms of articular rheumatism, specially when occurring in scrofulous subjects, or resulting from syphilis or Mercury. The symptoms are usually worse at night, and the patient presents thee general Iodine conditions already mentioned. Rheumatism of the heart. Synovitis, subacute, with fistulous openings with bloody ichorous discharges. Scrofulous affections of joints. Gonorrhoeal rheumatism. Mollitis ossium.
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).