Terebinthina

Terebinthina, or turpentine, is a drug which has been much abused by old-school physicians, and has therefore been greatly neglected by homoeopaths. In the revulsion from the misconceptions of the old- school physicians, we often avoid a drug altogether. All that I have time to say concerning Terebi?ithi?ia is that its main action is on the kidneys and bladder. When you find metritis, peritonitis, pneumonia, hydrocephalus, typhoid fever, scarlatina, or, in fact, any serious dis- ease of low type, with the following renal symptoms, Terebinthina comes in as your remedy: dull pains in the region of the kidneys; burning in the kidneys; pains extending from the kidneys down through the ureters; burning during micturition; strangury and albu- minous urine.

The urine is characteristically dark, cloudy and smoky- looking, as though it contained decomposed blood, which in fact it

306 A CUNICAI, MATKRIA M^DICA.

does. It also has the odor of violets like Cantharis, Copaiva, Osmium and Selenium. The real pathological condition of the kidneys in these cases is not one of acute Bright' s disease, nor one of croupous forma- tion in the kidneys, but one of renal congestion, with oozing of blood into the pelvis of the kidney. The condition is not infrequently the result of living in damp dwellings.

When the above urinary symp- toms are present, you may give Terebinthina with confidence, no mat- ter what the patient's disease may be.

Other symptoms characterizing these low states are feeble heart in pneumonia; intense burning in the uterus in metritis with typhoidal symptoms; burning in peritonitis; and tympany from paresis of the bowels.

Terebinthina often acts powerfully on mucous membranes. It pro- duces burning in the air-passages, with thin expectoration, very diffi- cult of detachment. It also is occasionally of use in humid asthma with the urinary concomitants of the drug.

Worms have been removed by Terebinthina. The child starts and screams out in sleep; picks at its nose; has a choking sensation and a dry, hacking cough; there may even be convulsions.

Alcohol favors the action of Terebinthina.

PlX IylQUIDA.

Pix liquida has but two symptoms worthy of note. One proceeds from its action on the lungs. You may give it with confidence in sup- purative processes affecting the left lung, with pain at the third left costal cartilage.

Anisum stellatum has the same pain, but here it is referred to the right third costal cartilage. The above symptoms of Pix and Anisum have stood the test of experience over and over again.

Remedies having pains in the left side of the chest, which are here worthy of mention, are: Myrtus commwiis (upper part), Sumbul (many pains), Fluoric acid, Oxalic acid, Actea rac. (under the nipple), Lilium tigrinum (through the heart or through the mamma to the back), Kali carb.} Sulphur (through to the back), Sarsaparilla (from the back through to the left chest), Pulsatilla nuttaliana (on the left side, under the arm near the back), Guaiacum (stitches at about the upper three ribs; purulent sputum), Theridion, Phosphorus and Silicea.

Pix liquida also causes an eruption, especially on the dorsum of the hands, which cracks, itches intolerably at night, and bleeds when scratched.

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