Rhus Toxicodendron

Where are studies of Rhus tox. to be found ?

In Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura ; American Homoeopathic Review , Vol. I ; Hughes' Pharmacodynamics .

What is Rhus tox. ?

It is the common three-leaved poison Ivy , the middle leaf being stalked.

What part is used, when gathered and how is the tincture prepared ?

The fresh leaves collected after sunset on cloudy, sultry days from shady places, in May and June before the period of flowering. The tincture is prepared in the same manner as that of Gelsemium . It is of dark brown color, of biting and astringent taste and strong acid reaction.

What are some other varieties of Rhus ?

Rhus radicans , which is the same as Rhus tox ., being a creeping variety clinging to trees.

Rhus glabra , or the common Sumach , less poisonous.

Rhus venenata , very poisonous and large, growing in swamps, Poison Elder , or Swamp Dogwood . Leaves 5 to 12 inches long with 6 to 13 leaflets.

Rhus diversiloba , or Californica , or the Poison Oak .

Rhus aromatica , an aromatic species. Distinguished from Rhus tox ., by red berries. Is non-poisonous, useful in enuresis.

What are the characteristics of the whole family ?

They all produce an intense irritation of the skin, from mere itching redness to erysipelatous inflammation, with vesicles and pustules.

Mention five drugs which antidote the poison of the Rhus.

Large watery blisters on non-inflamed base with swelling of various joints.

Fine vesicular rash or small boils.

Give the general action of Rhus tox.

What is its grand prevailing characteristic ?

Aggravation from rest and relief from motion.

What is the peculiar head symptom of Rhus ?

Headache as if a board were strapped on the forehead ; vertigo, with heaviness in the limbs, in the aged. Aching in occipital protuberances and soreness of scalp.

Give eye symptoms.

Conjunctivitis and iritis, when of traumatic or rheumatic origin, with severe pains worse at night ; scrofulous ophthalmia and orbital cellulitis ; ptosis and stiffness of the lids in rheumatic subjects. Oedematous swelling and acrid discharge.

What other drugs have this stiffness of the lids ?

Causticum, Gelsemium and Kalmia .

What symptoms have we about the jaw ?

It cracks on every chewing motion and dislocates easily.

What is the characteristic tongue of Rhus ?

It is cracked and coated, all except a triangular space at the tip, which is very red.

In what disease about the throat is it often indicated ?

Mumps or swelling of the parotid glands, with sticking pains when swallowing ; they are dark red and worse on the left side.

What is the diarrhoea of Rhus ?

A bloody, slimy diarrhoea, or an involuntary stool of cadaverous odor in typhoid fever.

What are its symptoms in the respiratory system ?

It is useful in influenza, with aching in the bones, sneezing and coughing ; dry cough ; bronchial coughs of old people ; typhoid pneumonia.

In what heart affection is Rhus indicated ?

What other drugs have numbness of the left arm with heart troubles ?

Actea rac., Aconite and Kalmia .

What are the rheumatic symptoms of Rhus and what tissues does it act on specially ?

On the fibrous tissues, aponeuroses, ligaments and tendons of muscles. The great keynote for Rhus in rheumatism is the relief from motion and the aggravation in damp weather ; patients cannot bear cold air ; the pain and stiffness is worse on commencing to move, but continued motion relieves ; warmth also ameliorates.

In what other affections of these tissues is Rhus useful ?

Wrenching, sprains or over-exertion of the same.

How does Causticum compare ?

In Causticum the restlessness occurs only at night, whereas Rhus is restless all the time.

How does Arnica compare here ?

Arnica acts more on the muscular tissue than on the ligaments ; there is great soreness of the muscles.

Compare also Rhododendron.

Worse from changes of weather, especially cold ; aggravation from rest, but the keynote is aggravation before a storm .

Give the indications for Rhus in lumbago.

Pain in back on attempting to rise ; rheumatic pains in the back and stiff neck from sitting in a draft ; the lumbago is a condition which may not be relieved by motion and still indicate Rhus .

What drugs have backache worse while sitting ?

Cobalt and Zincum .

What in brief are the symptoms that would indicate Rhus in typhoid fever ?

Mild delirium, with desire to escape ; great restlessness, with apparent relief from motion ; answers questions slowly ; frontal headache ; dry, brown, cracked or red tongue, with triangular red tip ; yellowish, brown, cadaverous and sometimes involuntary diarrhoea ; pains in the limbs and a tympanitic abdomen. Hydroa on upper lip.

What is the characterizing indication for Rhus in intermittent fever ?

A dry, teasing cough during the chill, and hydroa.

What are the skin symptoms of Rhus ?

What variety of erysipelas does it correspond to ?

The vesicular variety, where the skin looks dark and is covered with vesicles.

When should Rhus be given in scarlet fever ?

When the child is drowsy, restless, has a red and smooth tongue, oedematous fauces and enlarged glands ; eruption does not come out well and is miliary ; great depression and weakness.

How does Ailanthus compare here ?

The rash is dark-bluish, the throat is swollen, there is an acrid nasal discharge, and the child is drowsy and stupid.

Give indications for Rhus in cellulitis and carbuncle.

There is formation of pus, intense pain and dark red swelling, with the general prostration of the remedy.

It is one of our best remedies in septicaemia.

What remedy complements, and what remedy is inimical to Rhus ?

Bryonia complements and Apis is inimical.

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