Synonym – Strychnos Nux Vomica. Natural order – Loganiaceae. Common name – Poison Nut. Habitat – A tree indigenous to most of India, also found in Burma, Siam, Cochin-China and Northern Australia. Preparation – Tincture or trituration from the finely pulverized seeds.
GENERAL ANALYSIS
Nux vomica acts pre-eminently upon the spinal cord, including the motory and sensory centers at the base of the brain, affecting chiefly that portion of the spinal tract which presides over reflex functions. The condition produced is one of excessive irritation and excitability, giving rise to incoherent muscular action, which, in the extreme, constitutes violent tetanic contractions, and which, finally, may end in entire cessation of muscular movement, or paralysis. These tetanic convulsions, affect particularly the limbs and trunk; the former being rigidly flexed, and the body arched as in opisthotonos, the respiratory muscles rigidly contracted, rendering breathing laborious, even to asphyxia, while at the same time there are present spasmodic conditions of the face, jaws, throat, oesophagus and of the intestinal and urinary tracts. The entire condition thus presents a horrible aspect; but, through it all, the mind is unaffected, though it is probable that little pain is experienced. The paroxysms are usually interrupted “by periods of clam, from which, however, the least noise, a breath of air or the lightest touch may act with suddenness of lightning to renew the scene” (Stramonium). Death finally results, either from asthenia or asphyxia.
In addition to this remarkable action upon the muscular system, Nux vomica affects profoundly the organs and functions of nutrition, the secretions, being altered, the functions perverted and the organic substance changed, giving rise to a long train of symptoms, presenting accurate picture of gastric, hepatic and intestinal affections, which may only be appreciated and understood by a careful study of the pathogenesis of the drug.
The same character of irritation which, in the mucous membrane of the alimentary track, gives rise to dyspeptic symptoms and aids in the production of, constipation, produces in the respiratory sphere a dry catarrhal condition, giving obstruction in the nasal passages, and dry cough. Nux vom also effects prominently the genito-urinary sphere, producing at first an increased activity of these organs, followed by depression and relaxation.
The chief peculiarity of Nux vomica is its adaptation to disorders of digestion, especially when resulting from long-continued errors of diet, from highly seasoned foods, stimulating drinks, hot medicines, and drug mixtures in general and especially when occurring in persons of sedentary habits.
CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS
Mind. Quarrelsome, even to violence; ill-humored; finds fault and scolds; irritable; morose; stubborn (Agaricus, Alumina, Borax, Caps., Bryonia, Cham). Careful, zealous persons inclined to get excited and angry, or of a spiteful, malicious disposition. Over- sensitiveness to external impressions; cannot tolerate noise, music, talking, strong odors or bright light (Belladonna, Colchicum, Stramonium). Over-sensitiveness, every harmless word offends (Caps., Staphysagria); every little noise frightens (Opium); anxious and beside themselves; cannot bear the least, even suitable medicine. Hypochondriac mood, worse after eating; especially in persons of sedentary habits, or in those who dissipate, with abdominal sufferings and constipation. The time passes too slowly (Alum). Great anxiety, with inclination to commit suicide (Aurum, Naja), but is afraid to die; much lamentation and weeping. Anxiety in morning on waking, better on rising, with orgasm of blood, and ill-humor. Great dread of, and incapacity for, literary work (Aloe); cannot think correctly (AEth., Cimic., Gelsemium, Phosphorus, ac.). Disinclination to bodily labor (Cinchona, Phosphorus, Phosphorus ac.).
Head Intoxicated confusion in the head (Cinchona, Graph); stupefaction (Opium). Vertigo after dinner, as if the brain were turning in a circle (Alumina, Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia,Coni.(, with momentary loss of consciousness; dizzy, reeling while walking, as if he would fall to one side or backward (Belladonna). Intoxicated, dizzy heaviness in the head in the morning (Kreos). Headache in the morning in bed (Kali bichromicum, Natr. mur., Nitr. ac.); in the middle of the brain, felt before opening the eyes; in forehead; in occiput as if the skull would burst (Bryonia, Natr. mur.); as if the head had been beaten with an ax; as if he had not slept; makes him stupid; disappears after rising. Pressive boring pains in the head commencing in the morning; worse after eating, with nausea and sour vomiting, toward evening, after lying down. Drawing, tearing, jerking, burning or pinching pains in the head, especially in morning and after eating. Heaviness and pressure in the head after dinner, especially on moving the eyes. Pressing as if something heavy were sinking forward in the head, on stooping. Headache, as if the brain were bruised or beaten (Acid Muriaticum). Pressing pain, as if a nail were being driven deeply into the side of the bran (Arnica, Coffea, Ignatia). Violent jerking or dull stitches in left side of brain, from orbit to parietal bone or occiput. Tension in the forehead, as it were pressed in, at night and in the morning; worse on exposing head to cold air. sensation as from a bruise in back part of head. Small painful swelling on the forehead. Scalp sensitive to the touch (Aconite, Baryta c., Cinchona, Mercurius, Mez., Natr. mur., Natr. carb., Nitr. ac.), or to wind; better from being warmly covered. Head symptoms worse in the morning, from mental exertion, exercising in the open air after eating, and from wine (Zincum met.) and coffee; better in the warm room and from sitting quietly or lying down.
Eyes. Photophobia; much worse in the morning. Vision cloudy (Causticum, Gelsemium); sensitive. Inflammation, with swelling, red streaks in the whites, and pressive, tensive pain. Painless injection of the whites of the eyes; ecchymoses (Arnica). Burning and smarting, as form salt, with lachrymation (Natr. mur.); worse in external canthus. Margins of lids and canthi itch and burn, as if rubbed sore, especially in the morning. Itching better from rubbing. Smarting, dry sensation in inner canthi, in the morning in bed. Movement of lids difficult on account of stiffness of muscles.
Ears. Itching in the ear and through the Eustachian tube, which compels frequent swallowing. Ringing, roaring and hissing in the ears (Belladonna, Cinchona, Mercurius, Sulphur). Tearing, sticking pains in the ears (Pulsatilla); worse in the morning in bed.
Nose. Profuse discharge of acrid mucus from the obstructed nostrils. Coryza; fluent in the morning; fluent during the day, and stopped at night (Ammonium carb., Nitr. ars.); in the morning and after dinner; with scraping and crawling in the nose and throat, with frequent sneezing especially in morning in bed; with headache, heat in the face, chilliness (Aconite). Coryza, worse in the warm room, better in the cool air (Pulsatilla). Nostrils internally painful, as if ulcerated; also margins.
Face Paleness of the face. Twitching and spasmodic distortion of the facial muscles (Agaricus, Bell, Cicuta, Ignatia). Tearing and drawing pains in the face, extending into the ear. Drawing in masseter muscles, with stiffness. Tetanic contraction of the jaws; trismus (Absinth., Cicuta, Hyoscyamus, Laur.). Itching pimples on chin. Pimples on the face, from excessive use of spirituous liquors. Ulcer on inside of lower lip, painful to touch. Painful desquamation of the lips. Intermittent neuralgia; worse in infra-orbital branch or trifacial; always worse in morning; better sometimes when lying in bed, especially after abuse of coffee or liquors.
Mouth. Drawing, tearing toothache; worse from mental exertion, from cold or cold things, after eating (Antim crud., Lachesis, Staphysagria); from coffee or wine; relieved by warmth (Bryonia). Stinging in decayed teeth; in whole row of teeth. tongue coated thick white (Aconite, Antim crud., Bryonia, PUls.). Painful blisters on tongue (Borax, Mercurius, Nitr. ac.). Painful blisters on tongue (Borax, Mercurius, Nitr. ac.). Heaviness of the tongue, with difficult speech (Causticum, Gelsemium, Lachesis). Internal mouth, tongue and palate are slimy, and feel raw and sore. Dryness of the mouth, without much thirst (Apis, Nux moschata, Pulsatilla), but with much accumulation of saliva (Mercurius) in the fauces. Bad taste in the mouth in the morning (Pulsatilla), though food and drink taste natural; taste sour (Calcarea c., Cinchona, Mag., Nitr. ac.); bitter (Bryonia, Coloc., Cinchona, Pulsatilla, Sulphur). Offensive odor from the mouth (Arnica, Aurum, Iodi., Kreosotum, Nitr. ac.); mornings; after dinner; sour. Small aphthous ulcers in the mouth and throat, with putrid smell; bloody saliva runs out at night; gums scorbutic; spits coagulated blood.
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).