Neck and Back. Stitches in and between the shoulder blades. Stiffness of the nape of the neck. Drawing in lumbar region, as if stiff. Pain in back, and small of back. Swelling of the glands of the neck and axillae (Baryta c., Calcarea c., Iodium, Staphysagria). Pain between the scapulae.
Upper Limbs. Drawing pain in both arms. Bruised pain in arm. Pressive pain in the shoulders. Cold hands. Offensive sweat in axillae. Falling asleep of the hands.
Lower Limbs. Bruised pain, as from excessive fatigue (Cinchona, Calcarea c.). Digging, gnawing pains in the flesh and bones. Tensive pain in right hip-joint. Tearing in lower extremities, especially at night. Violent cramp in calf at night (Calcarea c., Nux v., Sulphur) Chilblains on the toes (Agaricus, Pulsatilla, Zincum met.). Offensive, profuse perspiration on feet (Baryta c., Sepia, Silicea), causing soreness, with sticking pains, as if he were walking on pins. Constant coldness of feet. Stiffness and stitches in the knees. Cracking in the ankles while walking.
Generalities. Excessive emaciation (Arsenicum, Ferrum, Graphites, Iodium, Phosphorus, Natr. mur.). Much inclined to take cold. Jaundice, with constipation. Pains in bones. So weak almost constantly obliged to lie down (Silicea). Frequent drawing pains in almost all parts of the body, suddenly appearing and disappearing. Epileptic attacks after midnight, beginning like a mouse moving up and down left side, then loss of consciousness. Stitches and sticking pains as form splinters, especially on touch, in all parts of the body. Glands inflamed, swollen, suppurating (Hepar s., Graphites)
Skin. Skin dry and scaly (Arsenicum); yellowness of the skin. Rhagades, deep, bleeding. Dark freckles. Comedones. Ulcers, with stinging and pricking pains, as of splinters; edges irregular; exuberant granulations; after Mercury, or in secondary syphilis. Condylomata moist, like cauliflower, hard, rhagadic, or in thin pedicles.
Sleep. Difficulty of going to sleep in evening; wakens too early in morning, or difficult waking. Sleepiness during the day. REstless, disturbed sleep, and frequent waking with a start. Anxious sleep, with throbbing. Anxious dreams.
Fever. Chill afternoon and evening, on lying down (Nux v.). Flushes of heat, with perspiration on the hands. Dry heat, especially at night, with excessive thirst. Frequent heat in face and hands. Profuse, offensive night sweats, every other night. Perspiration in the morning (Calcarea c., Cinchona, Rhus tox.).
Aggravation. In evening and at night; from change of temperature or weather; while walking; on rising from a seat; on lying down.
Amelioration Most symptoms disappear when riding in a carriage (Graphites; reverse, Coccul).
Conditions. Especially useful in dark-complexioned persons; old people.
Compare Aurum, Calcarea, Graphites, Hepar s., Iodium, Kali bichromicum, Kali iod., Lycopodium, Mercurius, Mez., Acid Muriaticum, Silicea, Thuja. Nitric acid follows well after Calcarea c., Hepar s., Kali carb., Natr. carb., Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Thuja. After Nitric Acid are often indicated Calcarea c., Pulsatilla, Sulphur
Antidote. Calcarea, Camph., Hepar s., Mercurius, Mez., Sulphur To large doses: Alkalies, Soap, Magnesia, etc.
Nitricum Acidum Antidotes. Calcarea c., Digit., Mercurius
THERAPEUTICS.
Nitric Acid is a valuable remedy in syphilitic and sycotic diseases and in Mercurio-syphilitic affections, in which latter it is the chief remedy, and only second to Hepar s. in the abuse of Mercury in non-syphilitic subjects. A valuable remedy in catarrhal and other conditions of mucous membranes, especially of the muco-cutaneous outlets of the body, mouth, lips, eyelids, nostrils, vulva and anus. It should be remembered that all the secretions and exudations under Nitric Acid are offensive and corrosive, frequently purulent, dirty, yellowish-green, not laudable. The characteristic pains are like splinters sticking into the parts. Nitric Acid is a valuable remedy in skin diseases, especially when resulting from syphilis or sycosis. Eczema. Deep, bleeding rhagades. Crusta lactea. Ulcers, with sticking pains, exuberant granulations, readily bleeding, etc. condylomata on muco-cutaneous outlets. Warts on hands. Bleeding warts. Carbuncles. Urticaria. Said to remove freckles. A valuable remedy in affection of bones and glands, especially of syphilitic or mercurial origin. Noting the more special affections in which Nitric Acid is useful in the usual order: Syphilitic iritis; old cases spoiled by Mercury; frequent relapses; syphilitic ophthalmia; ulcers of the cornea; opacities of the cornea. Herpetic pannus. Fistula lachrymalis. Chronic inflammation of the middle ear, Eustachian tubes obstructed, auditory canal nearly closed, especially after abuse of Mercury. Caries of the mastoid process, and of the bones of the face, especially of the malar bones, syphilitic or mercurial. Syphilitic ozoena, nostrils ulcerated. Nasal catarrh. Especially useful in diseased conditions of the gums, teeth, tongue and mouth in general, resulting from the abuse of Mercury; characteristic ulcers, etc., as described in pathogenesis. Tonsilitis or pharyngitis with splinter-like pains. Syphilitic ulceration of throat, diphtheria, also involving the nose with very offensive excoriating discharge; terrible foetor; intermittent pulse; swollen parotids. Dyspepsia. Chronic enlargement of liver, clay-colored stools; jaundice. Frequently a valuable remedy in dysentery with symptoms noted in pathogenesis. Diphtheritic dysentery. Ulceration of rectum with sticking pains; also after dysentery, from irritating local treatment. Haemorrhoids, old pendulous. Fissures in rectum. Ulcers in urethra, bloody, mucous or purulent discharge. Oxaluria. Cystitis. The urine usually has a very strong odor (Benz. ac.). Haematuria. Syphilitic ulceration of the genitals of sexes; superficial chancre-like, or deep and ragged; bleeding easily; chancres after Mercury, with exuberant granulations. Condylomata, exuding an offensive moisture. Phymosis. Herpes of the prepuce. Inflammation and ulceration of vulva and vagina. Cervicitis. Erosions and ulcerations of cervix. Watery excrescences in cervix. Tendency to uterine haemorrhages. Cancer of uterus, profuse, brown, offensive discharge. Cough from secondary syphilis. Empyema with profuse muco-purulent expectoration. Laryngeal phthisis, with extensive ulceration, in syphilitic subjects. Pneumonia of old people, pain suddenly abates, but pulse becomes smaller and quicker. Phthisis, hectic fever, bright-red haemorrhages; dyspnoea; exhausting diarrhoea; offensive, purulent, expectoration. May be useful in typhoid fever, with offensive, purulent, bloody stools; ulceration; great prostration; intermittent pulse; sometimes threatened paralysis of the lungs. Chronic intermittent fever, liver diseased, patient anaemic; general cachectic condition.
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).