Thehomeopathicremedyismadefromthewhole
plantwhichisdriedandpowderedthenmixedwith
alcoholandleftforeightdays;theclearliquoristhen
decantedandsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Painswandering. Betterforcoldbathing. Worseforheat;formovement;fortouch;forwalking;
forwine. Ledumiseffectiveintreatingacuterheumaticand
goutyafflictionsofthejoints,aswellaspreventing
sepsisdevelopinginaparticulartypeofinjury.The
injuredorpainfulpartpuffsup,becomesnumbandis
sensitivetobeingtouched. Itmaylookmottledor
bluish,orcanbecomepale.AlthoughLedumtypesare
chilly,andalthoughthepainfulpartmayfeelcold
(bothinternallyandexternally),thepainsareactually
relievedbycoldcompressesorbybeingbathedincold
(andevenicy-cold)water.Thepainsaregenerally
worseformovementandwarmthandtherewillbea
generalaggravationafterdrinkingwine. Therearenomarkedemotional/mental symptoms. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Bites/stings
Betterforcold. Worseforheat. Causesinsects/animals. Ledumpreventsasepticstatesettinginandshould
alwaysberoutinelyadministered afterapersonhas
beenbittenbyanyanimal,poisonousornot.Givealso
foranyinsectbiteorstingunlessanotherremedyis
stronglyindicated,andusetheappropriateexternal
remedyatthesametime. 108•Lycopodium(Lye.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Bruises/blackeye
SymptomsBlackeye.Withdiscolouration*. Causesinjury. IfArnicahasbeengivenbutthebruisingcomesout,
thengiveLedum. Eyeinjury
SymptomsWithbruising;discolouration. Betterforcold. Injuries
SymptomsCutswounds:lacerated;punctured;to
palmofhandsoleoffoot. Betterforcoldcompresses. Worseforheat. Causessplinter;nails. Ifprescribedearly,Ledumwillpreventsepsisfrom
developinginwoundswheretheskinispuncturedby
asharp,pointedinstrumentsuchasaknife,nail,
splinterorneedle,orbyaninsectstingoranimalbite. Theforeignobjectmayhavepenetrateddeeplyinto
theflesh,sopressgentlyaroundthewoundtoencour-
agebleedingandtoexpelit. 'Ledumwounds'feelcold
internallybutaremadeworsebywarmth-theyare
actuallyimprovedbvcoldcompresses. Hypericum isabetterchoiceofremedyifthewound
isinanerve-richarea;ifthewoundisinanarea
aroundajoint,thenRutamaybebetterindicated. Jointpain
SymptomsJoints:hot;icycold;stiff.Pains:inhands
andfeet;inrighthip;inleftshoulder. Betterafteracommoncold;forbeinguncovered;cold
compresses;coldbathing. Worseformovement;forheat;forwarmthofbed;at
night;forwine. Painsmaystartinthelowerlimbs,especiallyinthe
smalljoints,andmoveupwards,forexamplefrom
thefeettothehands.Althoughthepatientsfeelcold,
thewarmthofbedisunendurable. LYCOPODIUM (Lye.) Familyname:Lycopodiaceae
Othernames:wolf'sclaw;clubmoss;staghorn;witch
meal;vegetablesulphur;muscusterrestrisrepens
Lycopodium isanevergreentrailingplantfoundon
heaths,moors,pasturesandinwoodsthroughout
GreatBritain,northernEuropeandNorthAmerica. Theplant'srootsresembleawolf'sfoot-henceits
name.Theusefulpartoftheplantisthespores,or,more
specifically,thepollencollectedfromthespores.This
fine,odourlessandtasteless,paleyellowpowderhas
beenusedinternallysincetheseventeenthcenturyin
treatingdiarrhoea,dysentery,rheumatism,andexter-
nallyforwoundsanddiseasesoftheskinsuchas
eczema.Beforethattimethewholeplantwasused
mainlyasaherbalremedyforkidneycomplaints.The
powder'spowertorepulsewaterissostrongthatifthe
handiscoveredwiththepowderitcanbedippedin
waterwithoutbecomingwet;ithasbeenusedasa
coveringforpillsinordertopreventthemstickingto
oneanotherinthebox.Thepollenishighlyinflam-
mable,anditwasatonetimeusedtoproducefalse
lightningintheatresaswellasinthemanufactureof
fireworks. Thepowderorsporesaregatheredtowardstheend
ofsummerandarepotentisedbytrituration. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Dischargesyellow.Facepale;sickly.Expression
confused.Likes:sweets;chocolate.Painsinglands. Sweat:cold;profuse;clammy;smelly;sour;from
slightestphysicalexertion;betterforuncovering. Taste:mouthtastessour.Symptoms:right-sided;
startsrightsideandmovestoleft. Betterforfreshair;forwarmthofbed. Worsearound4-8p.m. ;duringtheafternoon;during
theevening;forpressure;instuffyrooms;fortight
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Lycopodium(Lye. )•109
clothes;wind;foronions;forflatulentfood(beans;
cabbage,etc.). AdultLycopodiumtypesarebrightintellectuallybut
tiredandweakphysically:theclassicprofessorwho
livesasedentary life.Theirhairgreysearlyandthey
maylookolderthantheiryears,withadeeplyfur-
rowedforeheadandapale,sicklycomplexionwith
darkringsaroundtheireyes.Thesetypeshavealotof
troublewithfood;theyeitherfeelfullupanddis-
tendedaftereatingverylittleortheyhavenoappetite
atalluntilthevstarteating,andthentheybecome
ravenous(andinthiscasethefeelingofemptinesswill
notbehelpedbveating).Thesearebigsweetcravers,
ofteneatingseveralbarsofchocolateaday.Theymay
feelsleepyaftereating.Theyarebloatedwithgas,
withacidityandsournessandfeelworseforthepress-
ureofclothesespeciallyaroundthewaist.Theyare
oftencalled'thin,brainyandwindy! Lycopodiumsymptomsarepredominantly right-
sided,ortheymaystartontherightandmovetothe
left.Thesymptomsarealwaysworsebetween4and
8p.m.Despitebeingchillyandworseforextremesof
heatandcold,thesepeoplefeelgenerallybetterfor
freshair.Babiesmaysleepwellatnightbutcryallday. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Angryfromcontradiction.Anxious:generally;
indoors;anticipatory.Complaintsfrom:humiliation;
mentalstrain.Concentration poor.Depressedon
waking.Desirescompany.Dislikesbeing
contradicted;beingalone;companyExamnerves. Fearfulofpublicspeaking.Forgetful.Indecisive. Irritableonwaking.Moody(changeable).Restless. Lackofself-confidence. Screaming:duringsleep;on
waking.Sensitive.Sluggish:betterforfreshair.Shy. Tearful.keentohavecompany,either;theiridealistoknow
thatthereissomeoneelseinthehouse-inanother
room! Whensicktheybecomedullandsluggishmentally
andunabletoconcentrate.Thesementalsymptoms
arealwaysworseinastuffyroomandbetterforsome
freshair.Afterabigeffortlikeanexamorthefirst
nightofanewplay,orhavingtomakeadecision,
whichisalsohardforLycopodiums ,theycanbecome
exhaustedandgodownwithaminoracuteillness. Lycopodiumchildrenareirritableanddictatorialand
willhaveatantrumifcontradicted.Theykickand
screamafteranaporonwakinginthemorningsand
aregenerallydifficulttolivewith. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback.Withstiffness. Betterformovement;forpassingwind;forurinating. Worseonbeginningtomove;whilepassingastool;on
gettingupfromsitting. Causeslifting. Thelowerbackfeelssore,oftenbecauseofwindthat
cannotescape. Blisters
SymptomsBlisters:burning;ontipoftongue. Commoncold
SymptomsNasalcatarrhyellow.Nose:blocked;
dry.Sinuses:blocked.Withheadache(seebelow). Worseontherightside. Thenoseandsinusesbecomequiteblockedsothatthe
personhastosleepwithhismouthopen.Nursing
infantscannotbreathe;thisisoneofthemainrem-
ediestoconsiderfornewbabieswiththesnuffles. EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Lycopodiumcharactersaregenerallyanxiousandwill
worryaboutmostthingsbecauseofanessentiallackof
self-confidence. Theirbiggestworriesareinanticipa-
tionofaneventwheretheyeitherappearinpublic
(actingorpublicspeaking)oraretested(exams,driv-
ingtest)-theydreadtakingonnewthings.Exams,
interviews,newjobsandpublic-speaking engage-
mentsmakethemextremelynervousandtheypre-
pareforthemmeticulously.Whenthetimecomes,in
spiteofcreatingasceneaboutnotbeingabletodoit,
theyactuallyshine,andsucceedintheirexamswell
andeasily.Theyareextremelysensitive,shyindivid-
ualswhoserude,difficultbehaviour isafrontfortheir
lowself-confidence.Theyhatetobealone,butarenotConstipation
SymptomsDesiretopassstoolineffectual.Stools:
hard;knotty. Corns
SymptomsCornsinflamed.Pains:pressing;sore;
tearing. Cough
SymptomsCough:constant;dry,irritating;painful;
disturbssleep.Breathing: difficult;fast.Mucus:
yellow;copious;white;green;tastessalty. Betterforhotdrinks. Worseongoingtosleep;atnight;intheeveningin
bed. NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 110•Magnesiumcarbonate(Mag-c.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Thiscoughisaggravatedbyanoverpowering tickling
inthelarynx,asifthelarynxwerebeingtickledbya
feather.Itisworseintheeveningongoingtobedand
canpreventthepatientfromfallingasleep.Thechest
infectionisaccompaniedbyafeelingofconstrictionor
tightnessinthechest.Thesputumisyelloworwhite. Cramp
SymptomsCrampincalf. Worseatnight. Cystitis
SymptomsDesiretourinate:frequent;ineffectual. Pains:aching;cutting;pressing;stitching.Uri-
nation:frequent;slow(waitsalongtimeforitto
start). Betterafterurination. Thepersoncanpassonlyafewdropsoradribbleof
urineatatime.Achildwillscreambeforeurinating
becauseshecannoturinateandbecauseofthepain. Earache
SymptomsEarsfeelblockedup.Painstearing.With
NOISESINTHEEAR. Eyeinflammation
SymptomsDischargepurulent.Eyes:sensitiveto
light;watering.Eyelidsgluedtogether. Fever
SymptomsFever:one-sided;ontheleftside. Worseintheevening. One-sidedsweating,orfeelinghotononesideofthe
bodyandcoldontheother,isacommonsymptom. Flatulence
SymptomsBelly/stomach: bloated;intolerantof
tightclothing;rumbling. Betterforpassingwind. Worseaftereating;beforeandafterpassingastool. Thebelly(belowthenavel)isbloatedanduncomfort-
able;andthepersonhastoloosenclothingaroundthe
waist.Headache
SymptomsPains:inforehead;intemples;pressing;
throbbing. Betterforfreshair. Worseforcoughing;duringmenstrualperiod;for
overheating; forwarmthofbed;forwrappingup
head. Causeseyestrain;mentalstrain. Indigestion •
SymptomsBelches:acrid;empty;sour.Belly/
stomach:feelsempty;feelsfullveryquickly.Pains:in
stomach;pressing;cramping.Withheartburn. Betterforbelching. Worseaftereating;foronions;forwearingtight
clothing. Jointpain
SymptomsPains:tearing. Betterformovement;forwalking;forwarmthofbed. Worseonbeginningtomove;duringafever;for
sitting. Therheumaticpainsmayoccurinanyofthejointsof
thebody,butthekneeandfingerjointsareespecially
soreandstiff.Thepainswilloftenhavestartedonthe
rightsideofthebodyandmovedovertotheleft. Mouthulcers
SymptomsUlcersunderthetongue. Mumps
SymptomsGlandsswollen/painful.Withfever(see
above);sorethroat(seebelow);typicalLycopodium
generalandemotional/mental symptoms. Thepainsmovefromtherightsidetotheleftside. Sorethroat
SymptomsThroat:dry;withlumpsensation.Pains:
raw;sore.Tonsilsswollen. Betterforwarmdrinks. Worseatnight;onrightside. Thethroatissoreandinflamed,andfeelsfullofdust. Thepatientmaychokewhiledrinkingeventhough
warmdrinksactuallysoothethepains. Foodpoisoning
Causesshellfish(especiallyoysters). Hairloss
SymptomsHairfallsout. Causeschildbirth.Magnesiacarbonica(Mag-c.)
Othernames:lightcarbonateofmagnesia;magnesite
Magnesiacarbonicaisawhite,grey,brownoryel-
lowmaterialthatoccursasacrystalinsedimentary
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Magnesiummuriaticum(Mag-m.) •111
bedsorasveinsinotherrocks,mainlyinsouthern
California,MexicoandVenezuela. Itisalsomade
commercially. Itsnamecomesfrom'Magnesia',the
nameofthecityinThessalynearwhichthedepositsof
nativemagnesiumcarbonateoccur. Itisusedintheproductionofrefractorybricks,in
themanufactureofchemicals,cement,fertilisersand
artificialstoneflooring,rubberpigments,inks,glass,
pharmaceuticals, toothpastes,cosmetics,mineral
waters,free-runningtablesalts,andinothermag-
nesiumsalts. Itwasknownmedicinallyfromtheeighteenthcen-
turyonwardsanditbecamerenownedasthe'terrorof
thenursery7asitwasusedextensivelyasalaxative.It
hasbeenwidelyusedasanantacidandananticithii
(amedicinetoaidthedissolvingofkidneystones). Thehomeopathicremedyispreparedbymixinga
solutionofepsomsaltswithsodiumcarbonate;thisis
thensuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Insomniaafter3-a,m. ;sleepunrefreshing.Sweat:
oily;sour.Taste:mouthtastessour. Betterforfreshair. Worseduringtheevening;atnight. Theseareoftenpuny,sicklychildren,orworn-out
individualsofanyagewhoaredebilitatedfromtoo
manycaresandnotenoughgoodfood.Theysnackfor
comfortonjunkfoodandsocompoundthissituation. Theyhavean'unloved'lookaboutthem.Theyare
generallyworseatnight,whentheycannotsleep;they
wakemoretiredinthemorningthanwhentheywent
tosleep.Awalkinthefreshairhelpsalittle.Children
whoneedthisremedymayhaveanaversiontoveg-
etablesandacravingformeat;theystaythin,have
delicatedigestivesystems,andwillhavesourper-
spiration.Nursingchildrenmayrefusethebreast. Milkpassesthroughundigested. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Anxiousinbed.Irritablechildren. Magnesiacarbonicachildrenareirritable,andare
anxiousinbed,particularlyduringafever.Theysleep
restlesslyandhavedisturbeddreams(aboutfiresand
deadpeople). PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Diarrhoea
SymptomsPains:colicky;cramping.Stools:frothy;
green;slimy;soursmelling. Worseinthemorning;beforepassingastool.Milkispoorlytolerated,andpassesthroughthebody
undigested;nursingbabiesmayevenrefusethe
breast.Stoolsarelikethescumofafrogpond. Flatulence
SymptomsBelly/stomach bloated.Withrumbling
beforepassingastool. Headache
SymptomsPains:recurringatregularintervals;spas-
modic;shooting;tearing. Betterforpressure;forwalking. Worseforlyingdown. Thepainsofthisheadachearebetterforwalking;and
thepersonmaybeobligedtowalkaboutallnight
becausethepainsreturninforceassoonashestopsto
rest. Indigestion
SymptomsBelching:greasy;sour.Belly:bloated;
rumbling.Withheartburn;nausea. Worseaftereatingcabbage;afterdrinkingmilk. Toothache
Worseforcold;atnightinbed. Causesoccurswhilsttravelling;duringpregnancy. Thetoothachecomesonwhilsttravellingandforces
thepersontogetupandwalkabout,asrestingaggra-
vatesthepains. MAGNESIAMURIATICUM(Mag-m.)
Commonname:chlorideofmagnesium
Magnesiamuriaticumoccursnaturallyinseawater
andincamallite,acombinationofpotassiumchloride
andmagnesiumchloride. Itisaby-productofthepotashindustryandits
industrialusesaremany-fromitsuseasacatalystin
organicchemistry,formakingothermagnesiumcom-
pounds;inthemeltingandweldingoffluxes;asacell
foodinmetalproductionandasadentalcement. Thehomeopathicremedyismadefromhydro-
chloricacidwhichisneutralisedwithmagnesia,mixed
withammoniumcarbonateandthenheated. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Discharges:sour;ofstools;ofsweat. Betterforfreshair;forpressure. Worseafterdrinkingmilk;atnight;forswimmingin
thesea. 112*Magnesiaphosphorica(Mag-p.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Thisisasmallremedythatisusefulforbabies'colicor
digestiveupsetsthatareworseformilkorcausedby
drinkingmilk.Thesepeoplearegenerallybetterfor
somefreshair,andthepainsarebetterforpressure. Thesweatandstoolssmellsour. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Anxious.Restlessinbed. Peoplefeelrushedandhurried:theyfeeltheymustbe
doingsomethingallthetime.Thoughpresentduring
theday,theanxietyisalwaysworseinbedatnight,
causinginsomnia. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Colic
SymptomsPains:cramping;sore,bruised.With
constipation (seebelow);diarrhoea(seebelow);
INDIGESTION. Worseafterdrinkingmilk. Causesdrinkingmilk;teething. Commoncold
Causesswimminginthesea. Constipation
SymptomsStools:passedwithdifficulty;crumbling;
smallballs;likesheep'sdung/droppings;knotty. Strainingineffectual. Causesdrinkingmilk. Diarrhoea
SymptomsInchildren.Stoolsgreen. Causesdrinkingmilk. Headache
SymptomsPains:intemples;spreadingtoeyes.With
belching;thirst. Worseforpressure;forwrappinguphead. Insomnia
SymptomsSleepunrefreshing. Thepersonfeelsrestlessandanxiousinbed,es-
peciallyonclosinghiseyes,andhemaybeover-
sensitivetonoisethen,andunabletogettosleep. Teething
SymptomsPainfulinchildren.Withcolic;green
stools.MAGNESIAPHOSPHORICA (Mag-p.)
Othername:magnesiumphosphate
Magnesiumphosphate isformedinhexagonalcrystals
whicharesweettothetasteandaresolubleinwater. Thissaltispresentinvariousbodytissuesandinthe
grainofcertaincereals.Ithasanaffinitywithboththe
nervousandthemusculartissues,causingandcuring
neuralgicpains"andcramps.Iftoomuchistaken,
numbnessandparalysiscanensue. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadefrommag-
nesiumsulphateandsodiumphosphatewhichis
mixedinwaterandlefttocrystalliseintoprismsand
needles.Theremedyisthenpreparedbytrituration. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Painscramping. Bettertorheat;forfirmpressure. Worseforcold;forswimmingincoldwater;fortouch;
forbeinguncovered;forwalkinginfreshair. Magnesiaphosphoricahasbeennicknamed 'the
homeopathicaspirin'becauseofitssuccesswithcur-
ingminorachesandpains.Thesemaybeperiod
pains,headaches,earaches,teethingpainsoreven
neuralgicpainsoftheface.Forthisremedytobemost
effective,thegeneralsymptomsthatcharacterise it
mustbepresent. Thepainsaregreatlyrelievedbyheat,bytheap-
plicationofahotwaterbottleorahotcompress,and
aremuchworseforcold-forwalkingoutinthecold,
forswimmingincoldwaterand'orforgettingcoldand
wet.Firmpressurehelpsalthoughlightpressuremay
aggravate(likeLachesis). NB.Thisremedyisbestgivendissolvedinwarm
water.Addfourpillstoaglassofboiledandpartially
cooledwaterandstirvigorously.Sipfrequentlyuntil
thepainseaseoff.Repeatasandwhenneeded.Scald
theglassandspoonwhenyouhavefinishedwith
them,otherwisethenextpersontousethemmayget
aninadvertentdoseoftheremedy. Therearenomarkedemotional/mental symptoms. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Colic
SymptomsPains:cramping;drawing. Bettertorwarmth;bendingdouble. Cramp
SymptomsCramp:inarms;infingers;inhands;in
wrists. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Mercuriuscorrosivus(Merc-c.)•113
Betterforheat. Causesprolongeduseofhands. Forwriters,pianistsandviolinists,andotheroccu-
pationsthatinvolveprolongeduseofthefingersand
hands. Earache
SymptomsPains:spasmodic;shooting. Betterforheat;forfirmpressure. Worseforcold;forturningthehead. Causescoldwind. Thisisanearachethatcancomeonafterawalkina
coldwind;thecharacteristicMagnesiaphosphorica
generalsymptomswillalsobepresent. Headache
SymptomsPains:onrightsideofhead;spasmodic;
shooting. Betterforheat;forfirmpressure. Worseforcold. Causesgettingchilled. Theseheadachesareoftenright-sidedandmaybe
accompaniedbypainsinthefacethatcomeandgo
throughouttheday. Periodproblems
SymptomsPeriodpainful.Painscolicky;cramping. Betterfordoublingup;forheat;forpressure. Worseforcold. Thepersonwillgotobedandcurlupwithahotwater
bottle,withafistkneadingtheabdomenortheback
(forthefirmpressure).Thisisawonderfulremedyfor
non-seriousperiodpainsbutitisextremelyimportant
thatyouseekprofessionaladviceifitdoesnothelp. Sciatica
Betterforheat. Worseforcold. Thiscanbesciaticaoranycramping,neuralgicpainsin
theback.Thepainsareoftencausedbycold,andare
muchbetterforhotapplicationsandfirmmassage. Teething
SymptomsPainfulinchildren. Bettertorexternalwarmth. Ahotwaterbottle(wrappedinatowel)relievesthe
pains.Magnesiaphosphoricainabottleorcupwillthen
alsohelp. Toothache
Betterforheat;forwarmcompresses. Causesteething. Anythingcold(air,drinks,waterandfood)aggravatesthepains,andwarmthinalmostanyshapeorform
helpsthem.Thisisforthoseteethingbabieswhose
gumsaremadeworsebybitingoncoldthingsandare
betterforchewingonawarmfinger!Teethingbabies
bitehardontheirfists-oronanythingtheycangetin
theirmouths-andareactuallyworseforbeingoutin
thecoldair. MERCURIUSCORROSIVUS (Merc-c.)
Othernames:corrosivesublimate;mercuricchloride
Mercuriuscorrosivus,achlorideofmercury,isasalt
whichoccursintheformofaheavy,colourless,trans-
parent,glistening,rhombicprism.Ithasanacrid,
disagreeable, metallictaste.Itissoluble,andisex-
tremelypoisonous:whenswallowed itproducesa
suffocating,constrictingsensationaswellasburning
inthethroatalongwithviolentpainsinthestomach. Duringtheseventeenthandeighteenthcenturies it
wasusedexternallybyorthodoxdoctorsasadisinfec-
tantorantiseptic.Thetreatmentswerefraughtwith
dangerasmanydeathsoccurredbeforethecorrect
dosagewasascertained. Mercury'sindustrialusesarenowcarefullycon-
trolledbutthepoisoningsfrommercurywereonce
commoninsometrades,includingthepreparationof
felt:'madasahatter'isareminderoftheeffectof
mercuryonthenervoussystem. Thehomeopathicremedyispreparedbysuccussing
asolutionofmercuricchlorideinrectifiedspirit. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Exhaustion.Likescolddrinks.Sweatcold.Thirst
extreme.Tonguecoatedyellow. Worseforpressure. ThisremedyhasasimilarsphereofactiontoMercurius
solubilisbutitspictureisstronger: ithasmorepainsand
moreburningthanMercuriussolubilisandismoreviol-
ent,moreactive.Thereisanunquenchable thirstand
increasedsalivainthemouth. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Mercuriuscorrosivusisdifferentfromitsgoodfriend
Mercuriussolubilisinthatitdoesnothavemarked
emotionalsymptoms.However,thephysicalsymp-
tomsarenearlyalwaysaccompaniedbyageneral
feelingofnervousexhaustion,and,inviewofthe
seriousnessofthephysicalsymptoms,youwillsee
someanxiety,irritabilityand/ordepression,anda
generalsluggishness. NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 114•Mercuriussolubilis(Merc-s.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Cystitis
SymptomsDesiretourinate:constant;painful;fre-
quent.Pains:burning;severe.Urine:burning;dark;
green;red;scanty.Urination:dribbling;frequent;
difficult. Worseduringurination. Thisisforveryseverecystitiswhereterriblepainsare
feltbothinthebladderandintherectum.Urineis
passedindropsonlyorinafeeblestreaminspiteofa
constant,extremelypainfulurgetourinate.The
patienthastostraintopassurineandthisisalso
excruciatingly painful.Theurineitselfburnsandmay
havebloodinit.Seekprofessionalhelpimmediately. Diarrhoea
SymptomsPainssevere.Stools:bloody;frequent;
green;slimy;smelly;yellow.Straining:frequent;
painful. Worsebefore/during/after passingastool. Thisisforanextremelyseverediarrhoea(dysentery)
wherethereisaconstant,incessant,excruciatingly
painfulstrainingthatisnotrelievedbypassingastool. Itmaybeaccompaniedbyvomiting,andifsothe
patientwillvomitbileandendupwithabruised
stomach. Sorethroat
SymptomsGums:bleeding;swollen.Pains:burning;
raw.Salivaincreased.Withulcersinthroat. Betterforeating. Worseforpressure;forswallowingliquids. Thepatienthasachokingsensationinthethroatand
anincreaseofstickysalivainthemouth,whichcreate
aconstantdesiretoswallow.Thebreathissmellyand
thegumsmaybeswollenandmaybleedeasily. Mercuriussolubilis(Merc-s.)
Othername:ammonio-nitrate ofmercury
Mercuryisminedfromtheorecinnabar. Itistheonly
metalthatisliquidatroomtemperature; ifitisspilton
aflatsurfaceitformssmall,scattereddroplets,andfor
thisreasonitisalsoknownasquicksilver.Mercurius
solubilisisapowderedimpureoxideofmercurypre-
paredaccordingtoHahnemann's originalformula. Despitethefactthatmercuryincompound isex-
tremelytoxic,ithashadalonghistoryinmedicine
becauseofitsabilitytopromotebodysecretions,in-
cludingsalivaandperspiration-iwoelementsof
'heroicmedicine'alongsidebloodlettingandpurging.Itwaslongusedasaspecificinthetreatmentof
syphilisandinHahnemann'stimethesideeffects
fromoverdosingwithmercurywerewellknown.Itis
usedindentalamalgamforfillings,whereitismixed
withothermetals,andisaningredientofcommercial
herbicides,fungicidesandwater-based paints,
andconsequently accidentalpoisoningremainsa
problem. Thehomeopathicremedyispreparedbytrituration. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Breathsmells.Complaintsfrom:gettingchilled. Discharges:burning;blood-streaked; smelly;yellow;
watery.FacepastyGlandsswollen.Likes:breadand
butter;colddrinks.Mouthdry.Pains:inbones;
pressinginglands.Saliva:increased;duringsleep. Sweat:cold;profuse;smelly;frompain.Taste:mouth
tastesbad;bitter;metallic.Thirstextreme.Tongue:
cracked;coatedyellow. Worseforcold;duringtheevening,forheatandcold;
forlyingdown;atnight;forlighttouch. Mercuriuspatientsaresmelly!Alltheirdischarges-
stools,urine,saliva,catarrh,etc.-smellstrongly. Whentheyareverysickwithafevertheirsweatcan
usuallybesmelledonenteringtheroom.Theysweat
profusely,withoutrelief,especiallyatnightwhen
theyfeelgenerallymuchworse. Theyaresensitivetoextremesoftemperatureso
thattheydislikebothheatandcold.Theymayfeel
chillyandwantahotwaterbottle,thenfeelover-
heatedsoopenthewindow,whichchillsthem
quickly,whereuponthecyclebeginsagain.Achange
oftwodegreeseitherwaywillmakethemfeelworse. Restinginbedinamoderatetemperatureaffordsthem
thegreatestrelief. Theyhavealotoftroublewiththeirmouths-ulcers,
abscesses,painintheteethandaburning,intense
thirst,inspiteofhavingalotofsaliva.Infacttheyare
constantlyswallowingandmaydribbleontotheir
pillowsatnight.Theyhaveabitter,metallictastein
themouthandtheirflabbytonguestaketheimprints
oftheirteethsothattheyareindentedaroundthe
edges. Alltheirsymptomsareworseatnightgenerallyand
especiallyinbediftheybecomehot.Theyareproneto
catchingcolds,torecurringabscesses(anywhere)and
swollenglands.Theseareallextremelypainful. EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Confused.Depressed.Discontented. Forgetful. Restless. Thesearenervous,anxious,restlesstypeswhofind
itdifficulttostaystill.Thevdoslowdown,both
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Mercuriussolubilis(Merc-s.)•115
mentallyandphysically,whentheybecomesick,
althoughthevwillalwaysfeelhurriedinside.Inthis
slowed-down statetheirmemoriesweakenandthey
maythenbecomeconfusedandhavetroublethinking. Theymayfeeldepressedandweepybuttheircrying
willalternatewithlaughter-theyarerestlessevenin
theiremotions! ChildrenwhoneedMercunusaremischievousand
arealwaysgettinguptonogood.Theyarerestlessand
alwaysrushingfromonethingtoanother. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Abscesses
SymptomsAbscesses:ofglands;ofrootsofteeth. AbscessesaccompaniedbyMercunussolubilisgeneral
symptoms-i.e.increasedsaliva,foultasteandsmelly
breath. Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback;burning;shooting. Worseforbreathing;forcoughing;ongettingupfrom
sitting;forsweating. Breastfeedingproblems
SymptomsBreastabscesspainful. Chickenpox
WithtypicalMercs,generalsymptoms-i.e.worseat
night,weakandsmelly.Therashsuppuratesandis
smelly. Commoncold
SymptomsNasalcatarrh:bloody;burning;green;
yellow;yellow-green;smelly;watery.Withlossof
smell,fever(seebelow);headache(seebelow);fre-
quentsneezing;sorethroat(seebelow);voice
HOARSE. Worseforcold;atnight;forheat. Thenasaldischargeburnstheupperlip,andthe
nostrilsmaybecomeulcerated.Thenosemaybleed
duringsleep. Cough
SymptomsCoughracking;mucusgreen. Worseduringtheeveninginbed;atnight;forlyingon
rightside. Cystitis
SymptomsDesiretourinate:constant;ineffectual. Painsburning.Urine:dark;scanty.Urination
frequent. Worseatbeginningofurinating;whennoturinating.Thepainsareterribleandurinatingisveryslowand
difficult. Diarrhoea
SymptomsInchildren.Painsburning.Stools:
bloody;green;slimy;smelly;yellow.Sweating:
beforeduringafterstool. Worseforcold;duringtheevening;atnightafter
passingastool. Theburningpainscomeonwhenpassingastooland
remainforatimeafterwards,whenthepersonalso
feelsfaintandweak(seeExhaustion).Theremaybea
frequentdesiretopassastoolthatisworseafterthe
stoolhasbeenpassed. Earache
SymptomsEarfeelsblocked.Dischargefrom
ears:blood-streaked; smelly.Pains:boring;burning;
pressing;tearing. Worseatnight;forwarmthofbed. Theeardrummayperforateandthedischargewill
thenbesmellyandblood-streaked. Exhaustion
SymptomsHeavinessinlimbs. Worseaftersweating;afterpassingastool. Causessweating. Thisexhaustionmaywellaccompanyafeveroran
attackofdiarrhoea,andawaveoftirednesswitha
feelingofheavinesswillcomeonafterpassingastool
orafteraheavyboutofsweating.Thepatientwill
tremblewithexhaustion. Eyeinflammation
SymptomsDischargepurulent.Eyes:sensitiveto
light;watering.Withsymptomsofcommoncold(see
above). Worseforheatofafire;warmthofbed. Fever
SymptomsHeatalternatingwithchills.Withsweat
(seeGeneralSymptoms). Worseforfreshair;atnightinbed. Thepersonfeelschilledoutinthefreshair,butcanfeel
overheatedinastuffyroom.Thefevermayprecedea
commoncold. Headache
SymptomsPains:inforehead;burning;pressing;
sore,bruised. Worseatnight;forbendingdown. Causescommoncold;rheumatism. Theheadfeelsasthoughthereisabandaroundthe
116•Natrumcarbonicum(Nat-c.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
foreheadorasthoughtheheadisinavice.Therewill
usuallybeanincreasedamountofsalivainthemouth
aswellasotherMercuriusgeneralsymptoms. Indigestion
SymptomsWithheartburn. Causespregnancy. Thestomachfeelsemptyandoutofsortsandthe
personwillalsohiccupandburp. Jointpain
SymptomsPains:burning;tearing. Worseinbed;atnight;forwetweather. Therheumaticpainsaresevereandalwaysworseat
nightinbed,whentheydrivethesuffereroutofbed. Mouthulcers
SymptomsUlcers:ongums;inmouth;ontongue. Pains:stinging;throbbing. Thisisthemajormouthulcerremedy,butyoushould
takethegeneralsymptomsintoaccountaswellasthe
ulcersthemselves;theincreaseinsalivaandthe
flabby,indentedtongueusuallypointtoMercuriusas
theremedythatisneeded. Mumps
SymptomsGlands:hard;swollen/painful;worseon
rightside.Withfever(seeabove);copioussaliva;
PROFUSESWEATING. Worseforblowingnose;atnight;onrightsideof
body. ThetypicalMercuriussolubilistongueandsmelly
breatharealsopresent.Thebonesinthefacemay
ache. Sorethroat
SymptomsPains:spreadinguptoearsandneck;sore;
stitching.Tonsils:swollen;ulcerated. Worseatnight;onrightsideofbody;forswallowing. Theseareverypainfulsorethroatswithulcersonthe
tonsilsandswollenglands.Thepainsshootupinto
theearorintotheneckonswallowing. Thrush(genital)
SymptomsDischarge:burns;greenish;smelly. Worseatnight. Thrush(oral)
SymptomsInbabiesandchildren.Withexcess
SALIVA. Thecharacteristicsmellybreathisusuallypresent. Theremaybesomeulceration.Toothache
SymptomsCheeksswollen.Pains:spreadingupto
earsandface;pressing;sore,bruised;tearing. Betterforwarmcompresses;forrubbingcheeks;heat. Worseforcoldair;fordrawingincoldairbetween
teeth;atnightinbed;whileeating;warmthofbed;
winter. Causesabscess;cold,dampweather. Thesetoothachescanindicatethepresenceofan
abscess,andpersistenttoothacheshouldalwaysbe
takentoadentist.Mercuriuswillprovidereliefinthe
meantime,however, ifthesymptoms fit. Natrumcarbonicum (Nat-c.)
Othernames:sodiumcarbonate;sodaash
Sodiumcarbonate isanimportantcommercialchemi-
calandisknownvariouslyas'soda','salsoda'or
'washingsoda' .Itoccursnaturallyasamineraldeposit
leftbehindbytheevaporationofancientsalinelakes
andseasascanbeseenintheextensivedepositsthat
occurindesertareas.Itisalsoproducedcommercially. Thelargestconsumersofsodaasharetheglassand
chemicalindustries. Itisalsousedinthemanufacture
ofsoap,paper,water-softening agents;andinthe
formofsodacrystalsitservesasacommoncleanser. UntilHahnemannprovedit,itwasusedchieflyas
anexternalapplicationforburns,eczemaandasa
douchefornasalandvaginalcatarrh. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadebydissolving
purifiedcommonshopsodaintwopartsboilingdistil-
ledwater,andfilteringthesolutionthroughblotting
papertoformcrystals.Onegrainofthesecrystals
driedontheblottingpaperistakenforthetrituration. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Anklesweak.Complaintsfromsunstroke.Dislikes
milk.Facepale.Sweat:fromslightestphysical
exertion;frompain.Taste:mouthtastesmetallic. Betteraftereating;formassage. Worsebeforeeating;duringastorm;forfreshair;
mid-morning; forphysicalexertion;forsun. Natrumcarbonicumtypeshavepalefaceswithblue
circlesaroundtheeyes,andtheireyelidsmaybe
puffy.Theyareaggravatedgenerallybyexcessive
summerheatandexposuretothesun(especiallythe
head),butthereisalsoanaversiontofreshair.Once
rundown,anyexercisewillaggravatetheirgeneral
condition.Theyareextremelysensitivetothunder-
stormsandcansensethemcoming,oftengettinga
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Natrummuriaticum(Nat-m.) •117
headachethen.Thesepeoplearebetteraftereating,
whenthevfeelwarmer.Thevdislikemilk-thiscan
causediarrhoea.Massagealsohelps. Thisremedvisespeciallyvaluablefornervouschil-
drenwhocannottoleratesunshineandwhosuffer
fromweakankles.Iftheyfallillwith,say,asevere
headacheoracold,thenSatrumcarbonicumwillnot
onlvhelptheacutesymptombutwillstrengthentheir
wholebodv,includingtheemotionalpart'
EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Anxious.Cheerful.Complaintsfrom:mentalstrain. Confused.Depressed.Fearful.Forgetful.Gloomy. Jumpy.Lively.Sensitive:generally;tomusic.Shy. Sluggish. Thesepeopleputonabravefacewhenreallytheyare
feelingmiserable.Theyaresensitivegenerallybut
especiallytoemotionalhurtswhichthevharbour
quietlvinside,thoughwithoutthebitternessof
Satrummuriaticum.Theyavoidconflictbyappearing
cheerful,butthismasksafeelingofbeingcutoff,
depressedandanxiouswithpersistentsadthoughts. Listeningtomusicincreasestheirsenseofmelancholy
inacomfortingbutnegativeway.Theirsensitivity is
suchthattheyareeasilystartledbynoise. Theybecomementallyweakenedfromemotional
pressureandfinditdifficulttothink.Complaints
comeoninthisweakstate,andaftermentalstrain
(overwork),whenapersonhasbeenfeelingsadand
depressed. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Commoncold
SymptomsNoseblocked.Nasalcatarrh:drips
downbackofthroat;smelly;thick. Thisisthesortofcatarrhthatrunsdownthebackof
thethroat,constantlymakingthepersonwantto
hawkup.Thenosealsobecomesblocked.Theremay
beasourormetallictasteinthemouth. Exhaustion
SymptomsLegs:heavy;weak.Nervousexhaustion. Withicy-coldextremities;heavinessinlimbs. Worseforheatofsun;formentalexertion;forslightest
exertion;forsun. Causesmentalstrain;sun. Thisnervousexhaustionfollowsaperiodofoverwork
wherethecirculationgrindstoahalt:thefeetand
handsbecomecoldandthelegsfeelheavyandweak. Itcanalsobecausedbyanoverdoseofsunshine
(whichisnotagreatdealforaNatrumcarbomcumtype);
likePulsatillathesetypesaremorepronetobecomingtiredinhotweather,andanythinking,sunshineor
exertionwillmakethistirednessworse. Headache
SymptomsHeadfeelsheavy.Painspressing.Sweat-
ingonforohead. Worse3tiereating;forthinking. Causesmentalstrain;mentalexertion;summer;sun-
stroke. Althoughthepersonfeelsgenerallybetteraftereat-
ing,theheadacheitselfmayactuallybeworse.The
headachemaybearesultoftoomuchstudyormental
strain,andthepersoncan'tthinkanymorebecause
thebrainiswornout.Itmayalsobeahot-weather
headache;thesearepeoplewhoaresensitivetotoo
muchsun.Thepersonmayfeeldizzywiththis
headache,especially ifthestressismental. Indigestion
SymptomsBelchessour.Pains:instomach,sore,
bruised.Withnausea. Thepersonfeelsnauseousinastuffyroomandhas
troubledigestingfoodbecausethenervoussystemis
rundown. Insomnia
SymptomsAnxiousdreams.Wakingearly. Thepersonwakesearlyinthemorningafteranightof
anxiousdreamsandcannotgetbacktosleepagain. Natrummuriaticum (Nat-m.)
Commonnames:sodiumchloride;tableorcommon
salt
Commonsaltis,nexttowater,themostwidelydistrib-
utedsubstanceinnature.Itoccursnaturallyinthe
formofrocksalt,ascrystalsofthemineralhalite,andit
isalsoextractedfromseawater.Hugedepositsofsolid
saltarefoundthroughouttheworld,someofthem
severalthousandfeetthick.Theseareformedbythe
evaporationofancientlakesandseas,andarefound
bothundergroundandexposedontheearth'ssurface
througherosion. Salthasbeenwidelyvaluedasamajoritemoftrade
throughouthistory'-Theword'salary'isderivedfrom
theLatinwordSolariumwhichreferredtothemoney
allottedtoRomansoldiersforthepurchaseofsalt.Itis
anessentialelementinthedietofallmammalsandhas
beenusedwidelytopreserveandflavourfood.Com-
mercialsaltisalsoimportantinthepreservationof
hidesintheleatherindustry.Atonetimeitwasused
invariousrefrigerationoperations,anditstillplaysan
NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 118•Natrummuriaticum(Nat-m.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
importantpartinkeepingourstreetsice-freeinthe
winter. Unfortunately, theexcessiveintakeofsaltinthe
moderndietiscontributing tomuchillhealth,and
homeopathsfrequentlyseepatientswhoareconduct-
ingtheirownaccidentalprovingbytakinganexcess-
iveamountofsaltdaily,sothattheybecome,for
example,gloomyanddepressedandsufferfrom
headaches,coldsoresofthelipsandotherNatrum
muriaticumsymptoms.Saltwasusedtraditionallyasa
remedyinsomediseaseslikemalaria,butbyandlarge
itwasthoughttohavelittlevaluemedicinallyuntil
Hahnemannconductedhisprovingsinthe1820s. Nowadays itisusedinsolution(oftenintravenously)
inorthodoxmedicinetopreventdehydrationofbody
fluids. Forthehomeopathicpreparation,puresodium
chlorideisdissolvedinboilingdistilledwater,then
filteredandlefttocrystallisebyevaporationat122°F. Itisthendissolvedinwaterortrituratedbefore
succussion. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Anaemia.Catchescoldseasily.Dischargeslikeegg
white.Dislikesbread.Drynessgenerally.Face
pasty.Lipscracked.Mouth:dry;withthirst.Taste:
mouthtastesbitter.Thirst:extreme;forlarge
quantities. Betterforlyingdown;afterarest;afterswearing. Worse10a.m. ;aftereating;forexposuretosun";before
menstrualperiod;forheat;mid-morning; forphysical
exertion;forsun. ThewaterbalanceofpeopleneedingNatrummuriati-
cumisdisturbed.Theysufferfromdrynessandex-
tremethirst,especiallywithafever.Theirlipsdryup
andbecomechappedandcracked,andthelowerlip
oftenhasacentrecrack.Lookalsoforhangnailsas
peoplewhoneedthisremedyoftensufferfromthem. Theirdischargesareprofuseandwatery(oftenlike
eggwhite)orthickandwhite.Theywillsweatalot
whenillandfeelbetterfordoingso. PeopleneedingNatrummuriaticummayfeelchillyin
theirbodiesbuttheydislikehotweatherandalways
feelworsefortheheatofthesunorforbeingincarcer-
atedinstuffyrooms.Theymaysufferfromexhaustion
andheadaches iftheysitinthesunwithoutahat.In
thewintertheymaywellhavecoldhandsandfeet,but
theydonotmindfeelingcold. Theirsymptomsandgeneralconditionareoften
worseinthemorningaround10or11a.m.Theyalso
feelworseforexerciseandbetterforlyingdown. Womenwithpre-menstrual tensionmayneed
Natrummuriaticum iftherestofthesymptompicture
agrees.Anuncommonsymptomthatwillleadyoutopre-
scribeNatrummuriaticum isthatthesepeoplearecom-
pletelyunabletopassurineinthepresenceofothers. Childrenwillwantthetoiletdoorclosed.Adult
Natrummursfinditdifficulttourinateinapublictoilet. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Absent-minded. Angry.Complaintsfrom:
disappointedlove;grief;humiliation;suppressionof
emotions.Confused.Depressed:butcannotcry;
fromsuppressedgrief.Desirestobealone. Discontented.Dislikesconsolation.Introverted. Irritable.Sensitivegenerally.Tearful:withdifficulty
crying;criesonown. Worseforconsolation;beforeamenstrualperiod. Despitebeingemotionaltypes,Natrummuriaticum
charactersappearverycoolastheyfinditdifficultto
expresstheiremotions.Theyclosethemselvesawayto
avoidbeinghurt,andsuppresstheirgrief,andso
appearquitehardtotheworld.Theirfeelingscan
burstoutuncontrollablyundercertainconditions,
especially iftheyhaveaverysensitive,sympathetic
ear,andthentheymaycryinspiteofthemselves.In
thatstatetheyhatetobeconsoledandactuallyfeel
worseforanycomforting.Theyfinditverydifficultto
cryandwouldmuchprefertocryalone,infactitisrare
toseeaNatrummuriaticumcryinginpublicandthey
willfeelhumiliated ifthatactuallyhappens.Theyare
pricklytypes. Theirdepressionandtheirirritabilityareworse
pre-menstrually,whentheybecomediscontented
witheverythingandeveryone,andindifferenttohav-
inganyfunorexcitement.Theyprefertobealone
whendepressedandwillrefuseallinvitations.These
typeshatepartiesandsmalltalkandwouldmuch
ratherstayathomeontheirown. Ifhurt(whichisveryeasy! )theydonotshowit;they
harbourhurtsinsideandbecomebitteraboutpeople
andlifeingeneral.Theyarehauntedbypersistent,
unpleasantthoughts,ofpastwrong-doings,andtheir
mindsdwellonthesepastdisagreeablecircumstances
andmakethemill. Thechildrenareseriousanddisliketoomuch
physicalcontact.Theyhatetobeteased,anditmaybe
besttoignorethemiftheygetupset,leavingthemto
comeroundintheirowntime.Theyarealsooftenvery
slowtotalk,notutteringwordsuntiltheirsecondor
eventhirdyear,and,likeCalcareaphosphoricachildren,
theymaybeslowlearningtowalk. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback;aching;backfeelsas
ifitwerebroken;sore,bruised. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Natrummuriaticum(Nat-m.) •119
Bettertorlyingonahardsurface. Causesmanuallabour. Thebackfeelsweakandtiredafterexertionorafter
bendingdownforalongtime(aftergardening,for
example). Blisters
SymptomsBlistersontipoftongue. Coldsores
SymptomsSores:onlips;aroundmouth. Causessun;suppressedgrief. Thisisourmajorcoldsoreremedy,butitwouldbea
mistaketoprescribe itonthissymptomalone:the
generalsymptomsandtheemotionalpictureareboth
important.ANatrummuriaticumpersonwilloften
producecoldsoresafteradisappointment oragrief
thatwasn'texpressed.Thesoresareusuallysited
aroundthemouthonthelipsandwilloftenbefound
atthecornersofthemouth. Commoncold
SymptomsDischargefromeyeswatery.Nasal
catarrh:dripsdownbackofthroat;profuse;white;
wateryalternatingwithblockedupnose;likeegg
white.With:lossofsmell;lossoftaste. Thedischargeisprofuseandresembleseggwhite;it
maybepostnasal(thatis,itmaydripdownthebackof
thethroat).Thereisabitter,saltytasteinthemouth
whichfeelsdry,andabigthirst.Thepersonmay
sneezealot,andthelipswillbedryandcracked. Constipation
SymptomsStools:crumbling;smallballs;likesheep
dung.Strainingineffectual;withunfinishedfeeling. Worseduringamenstrualperiod. Cough
SymptomsCough:dry;hacking;irritating;tickling. Mucus:likeeggwhite;transparent;white. Worseduringfever;eveninginbed;fromticklingin
larynx. Thecoughisexcitedbyaticklinginthelarynxand
airpassages.Theeyeswaterwhencoughing(or
laughing). Diarrhoea
SymptomsBelly/stomach bloated.Diarrhoeadur-
ingthedayonly.Stools:gushing;painless;smelly;
watery. Worseaftereatingstarchyfood. Theremaybepainsbeforepassingthestool.Exhaustion
SymptomsWithheaviness. Worseduringtheevening. Theperson'senergymaywellincreaseforashort
whileaftereating,butheorshefeelstiredandheavy,
especiallyintheevenings. Eyeinflammation
SymptomsEyes:gritty;sensitivetolight;watering. Fever
SymptomsHeatburning.Withnausea. Betterforbeinguncovered. Worsemidmorning;intheautumn. Thepatientwilllookdazedandsleepyandwillfall
asleepwhenhot,althoughthefeelingofburningheat
mayalternatewithagreat,intensechilliness.Sweat-
ingwillhelp.Therewillbeanextremethirstforlarge
quantitiesofliquidsduringthefever. Hayfever
SymptomsWithcoldsores(seeabove);symptomsof
commoncold(seeabove). TheNatrummuriaticumgeneralsymptomswillalsobe
present. Headache
SymptomsEyes:sore;watering.Pains:inforehead;in
temples;hammering;pressing;splitting;throbbing. Betteriorfirmpressure. Worsearound10a.m.-3p.m. ;aftereating;for
coughing;duringmenstrualperiod;foremotions;for
excitement;duringafever;onwaking;forreading/
writing;talking;thinking. Thepatientmayhavetroubleseeing,withflickering
andzig-zagsappearingbeforetheeyesduringthe
pains.Thisisinfacttypicalofmigraines;these
headachesshouldalwaysbetakentoaprofessional. Indigestion
SymptomsBelches:incomplete,ineffectual;sour;
tastingoffoodjusteaten.Mouth:tastesbitter;salty. Pains:cramping;pressing;instomach.Withviolent
hiccups. Worseafterearingstarchyfood. Aftersuppressingemotionsthestomachcanbecome
'disordered',andstodgyfoodsarenolongereasily
digested.Thepatientwillburpaftereatingbutwith
difficultyandthisdoesnotrelievetheindigestion. Mayalsohaveviolenthiccups. 120•Natrumphosphoricum (Nat-p.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Insomnia
SymptomsDreams;anxious;vivid. Causesgrief. Thepersonmayfinditverydifficulttogettosleep
afteralossordisappointmentandmaythenwakein
thenightandbeunabletogetbacktosleep.Mayhave
anxious,vividdreams. Pricklyheat
WithNatrum-mur.generalandemotional/mental
symptoms. Retentionofurine
Causespresenceofstrangers. Canonlypassurinewhenonown. Sorethroat
SymptomsPainsburning.Throatdry;withlump
sensation.Voicehoarse. Canonlyswallowliquids;solidscomeupafterthey
reachacertainpointandthepersonmaychoke(may
alsochokewhendrinking).Thevoiceishoarse,and
whenswallowingthereisasensationofalumpinthe
throatwhichrisesup.Hawksupegg-whitemucus
fromthebackofthethroat. Thrush(genital)
SymptomsDischarge:white;likeeggwhite. Thrush(oral)
SymptomsGums/tongue:coatedwhite. Withcharacteristicdrymouthandthirst. Natrumphosphoricum (Nat-p.)
Othernames:phosphateofsoda;sodiumphosphate
Sodiumphosphate ismadecommercially invarious
formsbycombiningphosphoricacidandsodiumcar-
bonate.Itisusedinthemanufactureofceramics,in
fireproofingandasadetergent,inthemakingof
bakingpowder,inphotographicdevelopers,asan
emulsifyingandcleansingagentandinboiler-scale
treatment. Itemulsifiesfattyacidsandregulatesthe
productionofbileandtheabsorptionofwaterinthe
body. Thehomeopathicremedyismadefrompurephos-
phateofsodabytrituration.GENERALSYMPTOMS
Dischargessour.Nervousexhaustion.Tongue
yellowatback. Worseduringtheevening. TheNatrumphosphoricumpictureisfullofsourness. It
hasbeencalledtheacidneutraliser-thesepeople
havesoursweat,stools,urine,andsoon.Ayellow-
coatedtongue(usuallythebaseonly)accompanies
nearlyallthesymptoms.Patientsareweak;theyhave
acidicdigestions,andtheymayhaveweakanklesand
coldextremities(likeNatrumcarbonicum). EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Apathetic.Indifferent. Thesepeopleareapatheticanddull,likePhosphoric
acid. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Colic
SymptomsVomitsour. Babiessufferfromcolicwithacidity,vomitingor
curdledmilkandsour-smelling, green,watery
diarrhoea.Thisisagoodremedyforsimplecolicwith
acidity(andsourness)wheretherearenootherguid-
ingsymptomsthatwouldleadyoutoprescribe
anotherremedy. Headache
SymptomsFacepale.Painsinforehead. Causesmentalexertion. Belly/stomach bloated.Indigestion
SymptomsBelchessou*
WithHEARTBURN. Acidity,sourburpsandpainswillcomeontwohours
aftereating.Natrumphosphoricum willneutralisethis
acidity.Theheartburnofpregnancy isoftenrelieved
bytakingthisremedy. Natrumsulphuricum (Nat-s.)
Othernames:sodiumsulphate;Glauber'ssalt
Thismineralsaltisfoundcombinedwithcalcium
sulphateinthemineralglauberite,inseawater,inthe
watersofmostsalinesprings(mineralspawaters)and
inmanysaltlakesinRussia.Itisalsofoundinthe
mineralsmirabiliteandthenardite. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Natrumsulphuricum(Nat-s.)•121
Sodiumsulphatewasfirstisolatedbyseventeenth-
centuryGermanchemistJohannGlauber(hencethe
nameGlauber'ssalt,andthemineralnameglauber-
ite).Hecalledthesalt'salmirabilis'andextolledits
medicinalqualitiesaswellasitspotentialforbenefitto
industry.Glauberwasinadvanceofhistimeinfore-
seeingthelikelybenefitsoftheapplicationofchem-
istrytoindustryandpublishedmanyofhisforty
publishedworkstothatend. Commercially, thesaltisusedinthemanufactureof
certainpapers,paperboard,glass,indyeingandtan-
ningprocesses,inthemanufactureofdetergentsand
asarawmaterialfortheproductionofvariouschemi-
calsandmedicines.Medically, itisusedmainlyasa
laxativeandexternallyforinfectedwounds. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadefromsodium
sulphatebytrituration. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Complaintsfromaccident/injury tothehead.Hot
flushes.Likescolddrinks.Sweatfrompain.Taste:
mouthtastesbadinthemorning;bitter.Tongue
green. Betterforfreshair. Worsefordamp;forhumidity;forwetweather;for
lyingdown;duringthemorning;aftereatingstarchy
food. Thosebenefitingmostfromthisremedyareextremely
sensitivetodamp,tocoldandwet,ortohotandwet. Theircomplaintsmayresultfromlivinginadamp
houseforalongperiodoftime.Theydislikehot,stuffy
atmospheresandalwaysfeelbetterforsomefreshair. Theyareattheirworstinthemornings. Natrumsulphuricum istheremedythatismostoften
neededforcomplaintsthatariseafteraheadinjury. EMOTIONAL/MENTAL SYMPTOMS
Depressed.Jumpy.Wearyoflife. Theseindividualsfeelconfusedanddepressed,es-
peciallyafteraheadinjury.Theybecomeutterlysick
andtiredoflife(havingbeenquitehappybeforethe
injury)andmayalsobecomeover-sensitive tonoisein
thisstate. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPainssore,bruised. Causesinjurytospine. Colic
SymptomsWithindigestion(seebelow).Cough
SymptomsCoughduringthedayonly.Mucusgreen. Worsefordamp,wetweather. Diarrhoea
SymptomsBelly/stomach: gurgling;rumbling. Stools:smelly;thin;watery.Wind:loud;smelly;
spluttering. Betterforpassingwind. Worseaftergettingup;duringthemorning;after
eatingfruit/starchyfood. Causeseatingfruit. Thediarrhoeamaycomeonaftereatingstarchyfood
likepotatoesandbreadorafterfruitorvegetables.The
personfeelsexhaustedafterthediarrhoea,andpasses
windwithitorwantstopassastoolbutonlymanages
topasswind.Itisworstinthemorningafterfirst
gettingupandmovingabout. Flatulence
SymptomsWind:loud;loudduringstool;smelly. Withdiarrhoea(seeabove);rumbling. Betterforpassingwind. Worseafterbreakfast. Thereisanurgeforastoolbutonlysplutteringwindis
passed. Headache
SymptomsEyessensitivetolight. Causesheadinjury. GiveafterArnicaifthatremedyhasnotworkedand
thepainsremain. Headinjuries
Symptomsofheadache(seeabove). IfArnicahasbeengivenforaheadinjuryandthe
swellinghassubsidedbutpainremains,orifthereare
anyothersymptomsafterabangorafall,thena
courseofNatrumsulphuricumwillclearthesesymp-
toms.Sometimessmallchildrenchangecharacterafter
abadfall,frombeingcheerfulandeasy-goingto
obnoxiousandscreamingallthetime,anditisposs-
ibletomistakethisforteethingandgiveChamomilla,to
noavail.Dobecarefulwithheadinjuries,especially
withsmallchildren,whoareaccidentprone. Indigestion
SymptomsBelching:bitter;sour.Belly/stomach
bloated.Flatulence:windafterbreakfast. Betterafterpassingastool. Worseaftereatingstarchyfood. Thepersoncannotdigeststarchyfood,suchaspota-
toes,andthetonguemaylookgreenishbrownordirty
NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 122•Nitricumacidum(Nit-ac.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
green.Thiscolicorrumblinginthestomachisbetter
forpassingastool. Nitricumacidum(Nit-ac.) Othernames:aquafortis;nitricacid
Nitricacidisanimportantmineralacid.Itisoneofthe
earliestnitrogencompoundstobepreparedandused;
inthethirteenthcenturyitwasknownasaquafortisor
eauforte,anditwasusedasatonic. Purenitricacidisacolourless,extremelycorrosive
liquidwhichfumesstronglyoncontactwithmoistair. (Freenitricacidisfoundinmoistairinthedischargeof
atmospheric electricity,orlightning. )Thefumescan
causenitrousgaspoisoning,andspillageoftheacid
causessevereburnsandstainstheskinvellow. Poisoningsproducegastro-enteritis withburning
painsintheoesophagusandabdomen,bloodv
diarrhoea,collapseanddeath. Commercially, itisusedprimarilyinthemanufac-
tureofammoniumnitrateforfertilisersandexplos-
ives,although itisalsousedindyesanddrugs,
plastics,lacquersandsyntheticfibres.Medicinally,
itspowerfullycorrosiveactionisusedtoremove
warts,althoughmuchcareneedstobetakeninits
application. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadefrom"nitric
acidpreparedbymixingpure,pulverisednitrewithan
equalamountofphosphoricacid;thisisthendistilled
andsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Anaemia.BreathsmellyDischargeslikeammonia. Likesfatfattvfoods.Pains:inbones;flyingaround;
needle-like;splinter-like;appearanddisappear
suddenly.Sweat:onsinglepartsofthebody;smelly;
sour;fromslightestphysicalexertion.Tongue
cracked. Betterforlyingdown. Worseforcold;forfreshair;atnight;onwaking;for
lossofsleep;fortouch;forjarringmovement;for
walking. NitricumacidumisverysimilartoHeparsulpllwith
offensivenessonbothphysicalandemotionallevels. Theirurinesmellsstrongly(itisoftencomparedtothat
ofhorses)andtheirsweatisalsofoulsmelling.They
willoftenhavesmellybreathandacrackedtongue. Theylovefatty,friedfoodsandwilleatthefaton
meat. Nitricumtypesareweakandchillyandworseforcoldandatnight.Thisisoneofthe'coldest'remedies
intheMateriaMedica. Theirpainscomeandgoandaredeepinthebones. Thesepeopleareverysensitivetobeingtouchedor
jarred,whichaggravatestheirsplinter-likepains. Theyalwaysfeelgenerallybetterforlyingdown. Theysufferfromnervousexhaustioncausedby
insufficientsleeporfromhavingbrokennights. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Violentlyangry.Anxious.Depressed.Fearfulof
death.Irritable.Sensitivetonoise;topain.Sluggish. Tantrums.Unforgiving. Thesepeoplefeelanxiousanddepressed,especiallyin
theevenings.Theyhavealotofanxietyabouttheir
healthandmaywellconsultdoctorafterdoctorin
ordertofindoutwhatiswrong,notbelievingthe
diagnoses,particularly iftheyaretoldtheyarenot
seriously ill.
Theyoftenbecomesickinthefirstinstancebecause
theyhaveaveryunforgivingstreakandfeelanenor-
mousamountofangertowardsthosewhohave
offendedthem.Theymayusetheword'hate'when
describingtheobjectoftheirderision.Theirangercan
explodeandcausethemtoswearandtremble.They
are(inthisunforgivingstate)notmovedbyapologies
andcarrythishatredaroundwiththem.Thiseats
awayatthemlikeanacid,andtheythenbecome
sensitive. Theymaythrowthemselvesintotheirworkand
thenbecomewornoutmentallyandswingtothe
oppositeextremeofnotwantingtoworkatall.Inthis
statetheybecomeover-sensitive tonoise,especially
shrillnoises,whichwillmakethemjump. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Commoncold
SymptomsNasalcatarrh:bloody;burning;dirty
yellow;thin;wateryinthefreshair. Worseforfreshair;atnight. Thenoseisblockedandfeelssoreandbruisedand
sensitivetotouch.Theremaybeulcersinthenostrils. Earache
SymptomsCracklinginearswhenchewing.Pains
splinter-like;throbbing.Withsymptomsofsore
throat(seebelow). Worseonrightside,forswallowing. Thepainsareusuallysplinter-likeandthehearing
becomesacute-moresensitivethannormal. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Nuxvomica(Nux-v.) •123
Exhaustion
SymptomsNervous. Worseafterpassingastool;forwalking. Causesdiarrhoea;lossofsleep;nursingthesick. Thisweaknessresultsfromlossofsleepandaccom-
paniesorfollowsanattackofdiarrhoea. Itisworse
afterpassingastoolorfortakingawalk. Eyeinflammation
SymptomsIn
swollen. Itisimportanttotakegeneralsymptoms-suchas
chillinessandsmellyurine-intoaccount,aswellas
thesore,waterveves.Piles
SymptomsPains:burning;splinter-like. Piles:
bleeding;large. Worseafterastool. Thepainsmaylastforonetotwohours,evenaftera
softstool. Sorethroat
FlatulenceSymptomsPains:burning;pressing;raw;splinter-
infants.Eyeswatering.Eyelids like;stitching;spreadingtoear.Tonsils:swollen;
ulcerated. Worseforswallowing. Thepainsaresevere-itfeelsasifsomethingsharp
werestuckinthethroat-andthevextendtotheearon
swallowing.Swallowing isextremelydifficult;even
tinyamountsoffoodseemtolodgeinthethroat. SymptomsWind:smellv;obstructed(difficulttoex-
pel). Headache
SymptomsHeadfeelsconstricted.Pains:spreading
toeyes;inbones;recurringatregularintervals;
pressing. Worseforjarringmovement;formovement;atnight;
fornoise;forpressure;onwaking;forwalking. Thisisasevereheadachethatisworseatnight.The
bonesofthefacearesore,andtheslightestpressure,
eventhatofahat,makesitworse(theheadfeels
constricted,asifitwerebandageduptightly)The
pressingpainsintheheadextendtotheeyeswhich
alsofeelsore.Theymaycomeandgosuddenly(see
GeneralSymptoms); iftheydo,thismayfollowa
pattern,forexampletheheadachemayreturnevery
eveningornight. Insomnia
SymptomsDreamsanxious.Sleepunrefreshing. Worseafter2a.m. Thepersonwakesaround2a.m.andisunabletoget
backtosleep. Jointpain
SymptomsPains:inbones;inlegs;splinter-like;
stitching;tearing. Worseatnight. Mouthulcers
SymptomsUlcers:onedgesoftongue;painful. Thesearepainfululcersorpimplesontheedgeofthe
tongue.Thereisanincreaseofsalivainthemouth,
andthegumsmayalsobleedeasily.Thebreathisvery
smelly.Thrush(genital)
SymptomsDischarge:burning;smelly;itching;thin. NUXVOMICA(Nux-v.)
Familyname:Loganiaceae
Commonnames:poisonnut;Quakerbuttons;semen
strvchnos
124•Nuxvomica(Nux-v.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Nuxvomicaseedsareproducedbyalargeevergreen
treenativetocertainpartsofIndia,Burma,Thailand,
ChinaandNorthernAustralia. Itproducessmall,un-
pleasant-smelling flowers,andbeautifulorange-
colouredfruitthesizeoflargeapples,whichcontaina
softwhitejelly-likepulpandfiveseedscoveredinsoft
hairs;theseseedshavenosmellbuttasteextremely
bitterowingtothestrychninecontainedinthem. Theplantwasknownasthe'Vomitingnut'andwas
thoughttohavelimitedmedicinalvalueonaccountof
theseeds'poisonousnature,althoughinGermany it
wasusedasanantidotetotheplague,totreatworms,
mania,rabies,hysteria,rheumatismandgout. Asapoison,smalldosespromotetheappetite,aid
digestionandincreasethefrequencyofurination. Largerdosescauselossofappetite,anincreasedsen-
sitivitygenerally,depression,anxiety,disordered
muscularsystemwithtrembling,rigidityorstiffness
ofthelimbsandstaggeringwhenwalking.Stilllarger
dosescauseconvulsionsanddeathfromasphyxia
(suffocation). Theseedsarepowderedfinelyinaheatedmortar
andtrituratedwithsugarofmilk. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Catchescoldseasily.Complaintsfrom:getting
chilled;cold,drywind.Likesspicyfood.Pains
cramping.Senseofsmellacute.Sweat:hot;
one-sided;smellySymptomsright-sided.Taste:
mouthtastesbitter;sourinthemorning. Betterforheat;forlyingdown;forsittingdown;for
hotdrinks. Worseafterdrinkingalcohol/coffee; aftereatingcold
food;fortobacco;forcold;cold,dryweather;cold
wind;freshair;forlossofsleep;duringthemorning;
inthewinter;touch;forbeinguncovered;forwalking. Theseareextremelychillyindividualswhohatethe
coldinanyshapeorform;theycatchcoldeasily,
especially ifexposedtodraughtsorafterbecoming
chilled,andtheyhatedry,windyweather.Theyare
alwaysbetterforwarmthandifsickwillnotwantany
partoftheirbodiestobeuncovered;theybecomeso
sensitivetocoldthattheslightestdraughtunderthe
bedclotheswillupsetthem.Alltheywanttodowhen
sickistositorliedownandkeepwarm-thisiswhat
helps. Nuxvomicaisusefulforallsortsofdisturbancesthat
followover-indulgence infood,alcohol,coffeeor
tobacco.Oncesick,anyfurtherindulgenceswillmake
themworse,buttheyfindithardtostopandwilloften
carryondrinkingandsmokinginspiteoffeeling
ghastly. Morningsaretheirworsttimeofday,especially
afteradisturbednight,whichisnotunusual.They
willbeirritableandfeelgenerallyattheirworstthen.Losingsleepalwaysaffectsthem.TheNuxvomica
motherwithanewbabyhasanawfultime. EMOTIONAL/MENTALSYMPTOMS
Angry:violently;whenhastoanswer.Complaints
fromanger;angerwithanxiety.Concentrationpoor. Excitable.Impatient.Impulsive.Irritable. Quarrelsome.Sensitive:generally;torudeness;to
light;tomusic;tonoise.Spiteful.Stubborn.Tidy. Nuxvomicatypesareself-indulgentworkaholics!They
overdoeverything:theyworktoohard,stayouttoo
late,takenoexercise,eattoomuchrichfood,drinktoo
muchalcohol,becometoowounduptosleepandthen
consumevastquantitiesofcoffeeinordertogetgoing
thenextday.Thentheyfinditdifficulttoconcentrate
andloseinterestintheirwork.Theybecomeabagof
nerves.Inthisstatetheyareextremelysensitiveto
bothlightandnoise;evensmallnoiseswillirritate
them. Theseareextremelyimpulsive,quarrelsome,
stroppyindividualswhoknowwhattheywantand
who'wantitnow'!Theyareextremelyimpatientand
donotliketobekeptwaiting.Theyarecritical,fussy
andexacting,easilyfrustratedbyanylimitations. Theycanbetidybutnotfanaticallyso(likeArsenicum). Theyhatetobecontradicted,areirritableifques-
tionedandthenenragediftheyareobligedtoreply
whentheydonotwantto.Theirirritabilitymusthave
anoutletanditusuallydoes-theytendnottokeep
theirangerinandwillalwaysfeelbetterforagood
row.Iftheydosuppresstheirangertheyfeelawful
andoftengetsick. Nuxvomicachildrenaremischievousandfullof
contradictions.Theycanbespiteful,stubbornand
irritableontheonehand,andextremelysensitiveand
veryeasilyoffendedontheother.Astheygrowup
theybecomedifficultandeasilymoroseifthingsare
notgoingtheirway. SomehomeopathsbelievethatNuxvomicaworks
moreeffectivelyonmeateatersthanonvegetarians,
whohavebeenobservedtobelessaggressive.Inter-
estingly,theoldhomeopathsthoughtofNuxvomica
mainlyasaremedyformen.Anxiouswivesputitin
thesoupofthosehusbandswhoweregettingoutof
handwithworkingallhours,drinkingandsmoking
toomuchandbecominggenerallyabusive.Sincethe
adventofwomenassertingthemselvesmoreand
more,thisdivisionisnolongertrue-Nuxvomicais
nowneededasoftenforwomenasitisformen. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Backache
SymptomsPains:inlowerback;aching;pressing;
sore,bruised. INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Nuxvomica(Nux-v.) •125
Worseinbed;duringthemorning;formovement. Causesgettingcold. Thepersonhastositupinordertoturnoverinbed. Thepaincomesonafterbeingchilled,andisoften
accompaniedbyadesiretopassastool. Colic
SymptomsPains:cramping;griping;pressing;sore,
bruised. Betterforpassingastool;forhotdrinks;forwarmthof
bed;forpassingwind. Worseaftereating;forcoughing;duringthemorning;
duringafever;forwearingtightclothing. Thesepainscomeonafterover-indulging.Theymay
accompanythenauseaortheindigestion(seebelow)
butthebasicpatternisverysimilar.Childrenwho
havestomach-ache afterapartywheretheyhaveeaten
alotofjunkfoodmaywelldevelopthissortofcolic. Thepersonfeelsfullandbloatedaftereating,andthe
pressureoftightclothesaroundthewaistis
excruciating. Commoncold
SymptomsEyeswatering.Nasalcatarrh:burning;
watery.Nose:runsduringtheday,blockedatnight. WithHeadache(seebelow);frequentsneezing;sore
throat(seebelow). Betterforfreshair. Worseaftereating;aftergettingup:duringthe
morning. Causesdraughts. Thecoldmaystartwithanirritatedspothighupatthe
backofthenose/nostril.Breastfeedingbabieswhose
nosesblockupatnightandwhothenfinditdifficultto
feedwillbenefitfromNuxvomica,particularly ifthey
arealsoverysensitivetowhattheirmotherseat. Constipation
SymptomsAlternateswithdiarrhoea.Desireto
passstoolineffectual;constant.Stools:hard;large. Withunfinishedfeeling. Causesalcohol;over-eating;pregnancy;sedentary
habits. Wantstopassastoolbutcannot,orjustpassessmall
amountseachtime. Cough
SymptomsBreathingdifficult.Cough:distressing;
dry;racking;suffocative; tickling;inviolentfits. Larynxraw.Mucustastessour.Withvomitingwhen
hawkingupmucus. Betterforhotdrinks. Worseforgettingcold;forcoldair;duringtheearlv
morning;onwakingup;forslightestmovementof
chest;aftereating;duringafever.Thepersonhasdifficultybreathingbecauseofthe
cough.Thecoughisdryduringthefever;itisalsodry,
andworse,aftermidnightuntildaybreak.Theperson
maycoughupsour-tastingmucus.Ticklinginthe
larynxexcitesthecough. Cystitis
SymptomsDesiretourinate:frequent;ineffectual;
urgent.Painsburning;pressing.Urination: fre-
quent;ineffectual.Urine:burning;scanty. Worseduringurination. Thereisaconstanturgetourinate,andslightin-
continence;thepatientwantstopeebutcan't. Earache
SymptomsPainsstitching.Withitching. Worseforswallowing. TheEustachiantubesitchandforcethepatientto
swallowtorelievethis,eventhoughitmaymakethe
painworse.Hearingisveryacute. Exhaustion
SymptomsExhaustionnervous. Worseonwakinginthemorning. Fever
SymptomsHeat:alternatingwithchills;dry;one-
sided.Withbackache;extremechilliness;shiver-
ing;sweating(seeGeneralSymptoms). Worseforfreshair;fordraughts;formovement;for
beinguncovered;fortheslightestmovementofthe
bedclothes. Thepatientwantstobecompletelycoveredwith
warmbedding;hewillbecomechilledifheturnsover
inbedorputsahandoutofbed.Thefevermaybeon
onesideofthebodyonlyandthepatientwillfeeldry
heatexternally,andchillyinternally.Limbsfeelheavy
andtired.Isusuallythirstv. bloated;intolerantofFlatulence
SymptomsBellystomach:
tightclothing;rumbling. Betterforpassingwind. Worseforeating. Flu
SymptomsPainsinbones;injoints;sore,bruised. Withsymptomsofcommoncold(seeabove);
chilliness;fever(seeabove). Betterforwarmcompresses;forwarmthofbed. Worseinbed;forcold;duringthemorning. NBSEEALSOPAGES203-26FORGENERALADVICE,DOSANDDON'TS. 126•Opium(Op.) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
TheNuxvomicafluissimilartothecommoncold.The
personwillbeextremelychillyandunabletoget
warm.ThetypicalNuxvomicageneralsymptoms
shouldbepresent. Gastricflu
Symptomsofflu(seeabove). Hayfever
SymptomsWithcommoncoldsymptoms(see
above). Nuxvomicatypessufferingfromhayfeverwithcom-
moncoldsymptomswillbenefitfromthisremedy. Thishayfevermaylasttheentireyear,withnoreliefin
winter. Headache
SymptomsHeadfeelsheavy;pains:inbackofhead;
inforehead;pressing;sore,bruised;stupefying;tear-
ing.Withbiliousness;dizziness. Bettertorexcitement;ongettingupinthemorning;for
pressure;forwrappinguphead;duringtheeveningin
bed. Worseaftereating;forcold;formovingeyes;for
shakinghead. Causesalcohol;coldwind;commoncold;damp
weather;lossofsleep;mentalstrain;over-eating. Thisisthetypical'hangover'headachethat.cofneson
themorningafteranightofexcessiveeatingand
drinking.Theeyesoftenfeelsore. Indigestion
SymptomsBelches:bitter;sour.Belly/stomach:
bloated;empty.Pains:instomach;cramping;
pressing;sore,bruised.Withheartburn. Betterforhotdrinks;forwarmthofbed. Worseaftereating;forwearingtightclothing. Causesalcohol;coffee;mentalstrain;over-eating;rich
food. Foodlieslikeaknotinthestomachfor1-2hoursafter
eating,andthestomachfeelsfull,heavyandtender. SeealsoColic. Insomnia
SymptomsWaking:early;late;around3a.m. Causesalcohol;excitement;mentalstrain;overwork;
over-activemind. Thepersonissleepyongoingtobedbutcannotsleep,
orgetstosleepbutwakesintheearlyhoursofthe
morning,whenanxiousthoughtspreventherfrom
gettingbacktosleep.Mayfallintoadeepsleepjust
beforethealarmgoesoff,andsowaketiredandworn
out.Nausea
SymptomsNauseaconstant. Worseaftereating;morninginbed;forsweating;for
tobacco. Causespregnancy;travelling. Thenauseamaymakethepersonfeelfaint.Itmay
occurwithapainfulperiod. Periodproblems
SymptomsPeriods:heavy;painful.Pains:aching;
cramping;inlowerback. Betterfordoublingup. Worseduringtheperiod. Piles
Causespregnancy. Sorethroat
SymptomsPains:spreadinguptoears,raw;stitching. Withlumpsensationinthroat. Worseforcoldair;forswallowing;foruncovering
throat. Swallowing isdifficult;thethroatfeelsroughandthe
painsradiatetotheearsonswallowing.Therawness
mayhavebeencausedbycoughingandtheair
passagesmayfeelirritated. Toothache
Betterforexternalwarmth;forwrappinguphead;for
heat;winter. Causesafterafilling/extraction. Thetoothacheisbetterforlyingonahotwaterbottle
wrappedinatowel. Travelsickness
SymptomsWithfaint-likefeeling;nausea. Betterforlyingdown. Worsefortobacco. Vomiting
SymptomsVomit:bile;mucus;bitter;sour;smelly. Worseforexpectorating(hawkingupmucus). Causesalcohol;anger;pregnancy. Thisbiliousness(withorwithoutvomiting)occurs
afterover-eatingorindulginginrichorunusualfoods. Itcanfeellikefoodpoisoningandiscommonwhen
travelling. OPIUM(Op.) Familyname:Papaveraceae
Othernames:whitepoppy;Papaversomniferum;maw-
seed
INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA Opium(Op. )•127
Theopiumpoppyisaherbaceousannualnativeto
AsiaMinor.Itsdelicateflowersvaryincolourfrom
whitetoreddishpurple,andinthewildtheyarepale
lilac.Theyareeasilybentandbrokenbywindand
rain,andquicktodroptheirpetals. TheplantisextensivelycultivatedintheEast-in
Turkey,IranandIndia-foritsnarcoticproperties(the
redpoppymorefamiliarintheWestdoesnotpossess
theseproperties).Opiumisinfactthedriedjuice
extractedfromthegreenunripeseedcapsules,hence
theword'opium'whichderivesfromtheGreekoposor
'juice'.Thejuicecontainstwoacidsandtwenty-one
differentalkaloids,ofwhichmorphine,opium's'ac-
tiveingredient', isthemostimportant.Morphine is
namedafterMorpheus,thegodofsleep,whoissaid
tohavediscoveredthesleep-bringingandpain-
reducingpowerofthepoppy. ThepoppywassacredtoCeres,thegoddessof
harvestandfertility,becauseoftheabundanceof
seedscontainedinthecapsules.Theseedscontainno
morphia,onlypaleyellowoilwhichartistsuseasa
dryingoil.Theyarealsousedinthekitcheninpastry
andbreadmaking. Theplantandpreparationsfromitwereemployed
inmedicineasearlyasthedaysofHippocrates,
thoughitwasrecognisedaspoisonousandgreatcare
wastakeninitsadministration. Itwasusedasa
sedativeandapainreliever,externallyforgoutand
earacheandheadaches,internallyfordysenteryand
certaintypesofcough.Insmalldosesopiumactsasastimulant;ideasflow,exhilaration isexperienced,as
wellasacapabilityofgreaterexertionandagreat
abilitytoendure,butthisisfollowedbyalossof
mentalandphysicalpower,anirresistibledesireto
sleep,anddependency. Thehomeopathicpreparation ismadebydissolving
opiuminalcoholandsuccussing. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Eyesglassy.Facedarkredorblue.Faintness:after
excitement;afterfright.Painsabsent.Pupils
contracted.Shockfrominjury.Sweat:profuse;hot;
onsinglepartofthebody;fromfright. Worseforalcohol;duringsleep;ongettingup;for
warmthofbed.
The_Complete_Homeopathy_Handbook_by_miranda_castros.txt
Summarize the following text section accurately and concisely. Maintain specific details and numerical information, and use anti-repetition mechanisms:

        Thehomeopathicremedyismadefromthewhole
plantwhichisdriedandpowderedthenmixedwith
alcoholandleftforeightdays;theclearliquoristhen
decantedandsuccussed. GENERALSYMPTOMS
Painswandering. Betterforcoldbathing. Worseforheat;formovement;fortouch;forwalking;
forwine. Ledumiseffectiveintreatingacuterheumaticand
goutyafflictionsofthejoints,aswellaspreventing
sepsisdevelopinginaparticulartypeofinjury. The
injuredorpainfulpartpuffsup,becomesnumbandis
sensitivetobeingtouched. Itmaylookmottledor
bluish,orcanbecomepale. AlthoughLedumtypesare
chilly,andalthoughthepainfulpartmayfeelcold
(bothinternallyandexternally),thepainsareactually
relievedbycoldcompressesorbybeingbathedincold
(andevenicy-cold)water. Thepainsaregenerally
worseformovementandwarmthandtherewillbea
generalaggravationafterdrinkingwine. Therearenomarkedemotional/mental symptoms. PHYSICALCOMPLAINTS
Bites/stings
Betterforcold. Worseforheat. Causesinsects/animals. Ledumpreventsasepticstatesettinginandshould
alwaysberoutinelyadministered afterapersonhas
beenbittenbyanyanimal,poisonousornot. Givealso
foranyinsectbiteorstingunlessanotherremedyis
stronglyindicated,andusetheappropriateexternal
remedyatthesametime. 108•Lycopodium(Lye. ) INTERNALMATERIAMEDICA
Bruises/blackeye
SymptomsBlackeye. Withdiscolouration*. Causesinjury. IfArnicahasbeengivenbutthebruisingcomesout,
thengiveLedum. Eyeinjury
SymptomsWithbruising;discolouration. Betterforcold. Injuries
SymptomsCutswounds:lacerated;punctured;to
palmofhandsoleoffoot. Betterforcoldcompresses.
Ledum
What is the remedy made from the whole plant, which is dried and powdered, mixed with alcohol and left for 8 days?
Merc-c.
What is the typical remedy for a child who has a fever and is having trouble sleeping, and has a constant, severe pain in the bladder?
Merc-c.
What is the common cold remedy that is caused by swimming in the sea?
Nat-m.
What is the remedy that is made from a combination of magnesium chloride and sodium phosphate?
Nat-m.
What is the remedy that is prepared by dissolving pure, pulsed nitric acid in water and then heating?
Opium
What is the remedy that is made by dissolving opium in alcohol and then succussing?