Artemisia Abrotanum

Artemisia abrotanum, or Southernwood, has an intensely bitter taste, is suited to cases of suddenly appearing spinal inflammation and to chronic myelitis. There are sudden aching pains in the back which are relieved by motion ; numbness and paralysis. It is especially called for in rheumatic patients with lameness and stiffness of the joints. It is useful in patients of the class who are suffering from the

COMPOSITE. 245

effects of suppressed conditions. There is a strong tendency to metas- tasis. Thus rheumatism, either spontaneously or from meddlesome local treatment, leaves the extremities and goes to the heart. After the extirpation of haemorrhoids or the checking of diarrhoea, gastric symptoms supervene.

Abrotanum is one of the remedies which is applicable in the metas- tasis of mumps to the testicle or mammary gland, and should be studied along with Pulsatilla, Carbo vegetabilis and perhaps Arsenicum.

We also find it indicated in marasmus occurring in weak children who are emaciated, wrinkled, pale, with blue rings around the eyes, gnawing hunger and bloated abdomen. You may distinguish it from other drugs that have like symptoms, especially by the fact that the emaciation is first noticed in the lower extremities.

LECTURE XXIII.

CINA AND CHAMOMILLA.

ClNA.

The medicinal virtues of Cina are largely, although not entirely, due to a poisonous active principle which it contains; that active principle is Sa?itoni?ie, the central point of action of which is the abdominal ganglia, whence are reflected nervous impressions to all other parts of the body, but principally to the brain and spine. As a result of this primary action on the abdominal ganglia, we have as reflex symptoms, convulsive twitchings and jerkingsof the limbs and even violent spasms, these latter usually being of a tonic character.

Strabismus also is present. Under the influence of Cina, the face is pale, and it con- tinues so, even if there be fever. Ipecacuanha and Bryonia also have this symptom. With the pale face of Cina, there are usually associated dark rings about the eyes.

The pupils are dilated. The child grinds its teeth during sleep. It also picks or bores at the nose with its finger. The sleep is restless and attended by crying out.

This is the general action of Cina. You now know what you may expect of the drug. Taking these symptoms into account, we are led to the use of Cina for the presence of worms in the alimentary tract. The most careful analysis of clinical experience has demonstrated that Cina is most powerful for the elimination of round worms.

The sickly appearance of the face, the blue rings about the eyes, and the grinding of the teeth, associated with canine hunger, give a perfect picture for the drug. Cina so far corrects the abdominal organs and so far tones up the abdominal ganglia, that the mucous membrane of the alimen- tary tract pours forth a normal secretion, and the worms, no longer having a proper pabulum on which to subsist, die and are expelled. This, then, is the use of Cina.

With the oxyures, those little worms which appear about the anus and get into the rectum, Cina is of no avail, because the symptoms caused by them are not symptoms of Cina. For these, we have another group of remedies.

Aconite, when the child is feverish and cannot sleep.

When the child is simply much excited, you may give Ig?iatia.

CINA AND CHAMOMIIXA. 247

Indigo is the best remedy when convulsions result from the worms.

If all these fail, think of Quassia.

Caladium seguinu?n is the best remedy in little girls when the worms travel over the perinseum and get into the vagina. The irrita- tion they produce may thus excite masturbation.

We may also make use of Cina in affections of the eyes, especially in asthenopia from defective accommodation. When the patient at- tempts to read, the eyes begin to ache, the letters become blurred and a cloud comes over the field of vision. Relief is obtained by rubbing the eyes. The same condition I have already told you is found under Artemisia vulgaris. It is also a symptom of Euphrasia, being due to the mucus which gathers in a film over the cornea.

A very peculiar effect on the eye produced by Santonine is, that objects look yellow.

Cina being a spasmodic remedy, we may expect it to be useful in whooping-cough, in which disease it is indicated when the paroxysms come regularly through night or day and are accompanied by tonic convulsions. Just after a paroxysm, a gurgling sound is heard. Cina may also be used in cough reflex from the irritation of worms.

As a concomitant of all these conditions, we find the temperament of Cina. It is indicated in children who are irritable, nervous and peevish ; who resent being touched or even looked at. They are obstinate and permit no one to approach them.

Cina seems to have some effect on the bladder, producing wetting of the bed at night, usually during the first sleep. The urine is pale and turbid and sometimes has a very strong odor. This latter symp- tom would remind you of Phosphoric acid, which also has enuresis in the fore-part of the night.

Probably the remedy most frequently called for in enuresis during the first sleep is Sepia, although it will also be found voider Benzoic acid and Kreosote.

Cina is not often used in intermittent fever, but it is sometimes in- dicated by thirst during the chill and occasionally during the fever also. Pale face is present even during the hot stage. There are also vomiting, canine hunger, and clean tongue.

Like many of the other members of the order Composite, the Cina patient finds relief from moving about.

248 A CLINICAL MATERIA MEDICA.