Synonym. Magnesia phosphate. Common name. Phosphate of Magnesium. Preparation. Triturations.
GENERAL ANALYSIS AND THERAPEUTICS.
This is one of the most important tissues of Schuessler. From his chemical data he assumed it to be the remedy for cramps, convulsions and other nervous phenomena, especially neuralgic pains. Clinical experience, in the absence of proving, has proved the assumptions of Schuessler to have been well founded, and the drug is now highly prized as an antispasmodic and for the relief of neuralgic pains. The latter are darting, lightning- like in character and are relieved by warmth and pressure (Coloc.). Said to be especially suited to tired, languid, worn-out subjects.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS.
Head. Neuralgic and rheumatic headaches, better from warm applications.
Eyes. Supra-orbital pains; worse, right side; relieved by warmth applied externally. Increased lachrymation. Twitching of lids. Nystagmus, strabismus, ptosis. (Gelsemium).
Ears. Severe neuralgic pains; worse behind right ear; worse by going into cold air and washing face and neck with cold water.
mouth. Toothache; better by heat and hot liquids. Ulceration of teeth; with swelling of glands of face, throat, neck, and swelling of tongue. Complaints of teething children. Spasms without febrile symptoms.
Throat. Soreness and stiffness, especially right side; parts seem puffy, with chilliness and aching all over.
Stomach. Hiccough, with retching day and night.
Abdomen. Enteralgia. Flatulent colic, forcing patient to bend double (Coloc.); relieved by rubbing, warmth, pressure; accompanied with belching of gas; which gives no relief. Bloated, full sensation in abdomen; must loosen clothing, walk about and constantly pass flatus.
Female Organs. Menstrual colic. Membranous dysmenorrhoea. Menses too early, dark, stringy. Swelling of external parts. Ovarian neuralgia. Vaginismus.
Respiratory Organs. Asthmatic oppression of chest. Dry, tickling cough. Spasmodic cough, with difficult in lying down. Whooping -cough (Coral.).
Heart. Angina pectoris. Nervous spasmodic palpitation.
Fever. Chilliness after dinner, in evening. Chills run up and down the back, with swelling, followed by a suffocating sensation.
Limbs. Involuntary shaking of hands. Paralysis agitans. Cramps in calves. Sciatica; feet very tender. Darting pains. Twitching. Chorea. Writers’ and players’ cramp. Tetanic spasm.
Aggravation. On the right side. From cold touch.
Amelioration. From warmth; bending double; pressure; friction.
Compare. Belladonna, Gelsemium, Kali phos., Pulsatilla, Silicea, Zincum met.
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).