Arsenicum Iodatum

Before leaving arsenicum permit me to call your attention to the iodide of arsenic, a compound of arsenic, which has become popular with the profession. Its indications are very much like those of arsenicum album, but it is claimed that, owing to the iodine, which it contains, it becomes of particular value when there exists a well- marked scrofulous taint in addition to a set of symptoms, which would usually call for arsenicum album. In an article published in the Medical Investigator, 1867, Dr. Sanford uses the following Ian-

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guage : " This remedy will be found particularly efficacious in active and passive inflammation of these membranes, whenever the promi- nent and active symptoms indicate arsenic; and the constitutional indications point to iodine. In severe coryza with a strong catarrhal tendency in the system (almost invariably denoting scrofula) when there is a feeling of pungent irritation about the nose and eyes (and, in severe cases, throat and bronchial tubes) with a discharge of irritating watery secretion ; with smarting about the eyes, and a morbidly active secretion of the membraneous glands ; often with some enlargement and inflammation of the tonsils and posterior part of the uvula, the iodide will almost invariably relieve at once.

So also, in many cases of chronic nasal catarrh it is invaluable. In acute diseases of the alimentary canal and digestive organs, such as eholera-infantum, tabes mesenterica, sub-acute gastritis, diarrhoea and dysentery, it will often prove very efficacious. In most of these diseases I have found cases that I could cure with this salt when everything else had failed. I have been called, not unfrequently, in the last three years to see cases of eholera-infantum that had been "given over" by other physicians, where the little sufferers were almost in articulo mortis; where there was intense irritation of the gastro- intestinal membrane, with nearly constant, and often copious wateiy discharges, distressing nausea and vomiting, intense thirst, with uncontrollable desire for cold water, which would be almost imme- diately ejected, great emaciation and prostration, cadaverous counte- nance, with a purple livid hue of the skin, and all of the accessory symptoms indicating the severity of the disease.

In these cases, where the children were the offspring of scrofulous parents, especially where there had been previous mistreatment, I have, so far, been able to save every patient with the iodide of arsenic. And to me it is, under these circumstances, invaluable. No other remedy we possess, with which I am acquainted, would be an efficient substitute. So, also, in the other diseases mentioned, when the symptoms indicate arsenic and there is evidence of a strumous constitution either in the symptoms present or in the history of the parental branches, the ibove remedy may be unhesitatingly prescribed.

The same may be iaid in many diseases of the urino-genital organs, especially in women. " In a very large proportion of skin diseases, for which arsenic is so nearly a specific, the beneficial result will often be much more speedily attained by their combination. I have treated, within the last few weeks, a severe form of psoriasis in a child, four months old,

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who had been treated both alloeopathically and homceopathically, but which had gradually increased in extent of surface diseased aud in the violence of constitutional symptoms, until the little sufferer was almost entirely covered with the inflamed and scaly eruption. In a few days after commencing treatment with iodide of arsenic, the improvement commenced, and within fifteen or eighteen days the entire surface of the skin was as smooth as a " baby's," and the con- stitutional symptoms were entirely removed."

Dr. Miller, at a meeting of the New York Central Horn. Med. Society, 1874, reported a case of pulmonary consumption, of three years standing, with terrible, hoarse, racking cough, day and night, and profuse, purulent expectoration ; hectic fever, rapid pulse, night sweats, gradual emaciation, dullness of the whole chest on percussion, rattling respiration, great soreness in the larynx.

The patient had tried almost everything, wTith but little relief. This remedy was finally tried empirically. The relief far surpassed expectations. The cough soon became loose, the fever and night sweats diminished and a general improvement had continued for a month, when pleu- ritic pains required bryonia.

In another case of phthisis the same remedy failed.

SCIBRHUS. — The following case of scirrhus cured by arsenicum jod.6, is related by Dr. Wells in the Med. Investigator, March, 1874:

Mrs. B., aged forty-nine years; sanguine temperament. At the cessation of the catamenia, two years since, had uterine and vaginal leucorrhcea, yellow and san- guinolent, with intense irritation of the parts, and a hard swelling of the labia, which had existed for several months. Lycopodium, sepia, caladium, and other remedies were given without benefit.

After one year or more, I saw the case. She had a swelling of a gland in the left axilla, of the size of an hen's egg, hard, and exuding a fluid, which formed a hard, brown crust. This tumor was very painful and sensitive to the touch. The breast of the same side was also enlarged, indurated and very sore.

Prescribed arsenicum iodatum6. She took a dose morning and evening for a week, then once a day for a week, then once in two days for a while with a gradual diminution of both swellings, until they entirely disappeared ; the swelling of the labia also disappeared, and now there is not the least symptom of the disease.

In several instances I have used the medium potencies in the treat- ment of skin diseases, especially of children, with excellent success, prescribing it usually when there was a well marked scrofulous diathesis. The following case is related by Dr. Benham, Am. Jour, of Horn. Mat. Med., Jan., 1868 :

Miss F. T., aged eighteen years, of general good health, but from her infancy she had been troubled with an eruption of the scalp. At times it would show itself on the face, hands, arms, chest and other parts of the person, but the scalp had never been free from it since its first appearance. Various remedies had been used, but with no relief, and the patient and her friends had settled down-in the belief that the disgusting condition would attend her through life.

In September, 1866, when my attention was called to the case, I found the scalp completely covered with a thick.

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white, scaly crust, which, on being rubbed up with the comb, would crumble off in a white powder, leaving a raw, red surface, inclined to bleed. Arsenicum iodatum, 2d trituration, a powder three times a day, and in four weeks not a trace of the disease was left, and a year after, there was no indication of a return.

Like arsenicum album, whose usefulness in scrofulous ophthalmia and other diseased conditions of the eye has been pointed out, the iodide of arsenic has proved curative in such affections. The follow- ing case is related by Dr. Prowse {Horn. World) :

E. H., a lad aged seven years, born in India, where on more than one occasion he had been the subject of the low fever of that country, was brought to me on June 12, 1876, suffering from a chronic ophthalmia. The disease had hitherto proved of an intractable nature. For the last twelve months he had been residing with his rela- tions in England, at first in an healthy suburb of London, and latterly in this country, whither he had been ordered by his London physician for the benefit of the change of air, which it was hoped would cure him of a rheumatic ophthalmia, which had become chronic ; but when he was brought to me, there had not been any improve- ment for some weeks.

There was then much suffusion of the conjunctiva of the lids, and also of the ball in both eyes; great intolerance of light, necessitating the constant use, even on dull days, of a shade ; and some glutinous discharge, which prevented the opening of the lids on awakening in the morning, but there was very little if any, purulent matter secreted. The little fellow's appetite was very good, and much animal food was daily consumed by him, but bread was sparingly taken, and milk and vegetables entirely refused.

In prescribing for the patient, who was undoubtedly suffering from a scorbutic affection, it was most needful to insist on the importance of a mixed diet, and in various ways to overcome his objection to other than animal food. He was therefore ordered to take, in addition to the medicine, cocoa made with milk at his morning and evening meals, fruit ripe or dressed, with a daily allowance of water-cresses or other seasonable salads. The iodide of arsenicum in the sixth dilution three times a day was the one remedy given, and persisted in until the cure was com- pleted in about five weeks.

My advice was strictly complied with. After eight days trial, the patient was able to open them mornings with very little difficulty, and there was but little discharge at any time ; there remained however a little more fulness of the lids than was natural, and he shrank from a strong light ; he was also reported as looking better, and having gained a little flesh. At the end of three weeks of treat- ment the eyes were clear, bright and open, and the patient did not then complain of light, unless very strong.

He was not allowed to go out of doors without his shade, but great hope was entertained that he might soon do without it altogether. The greatest inconvenience he now felt was when reading, and that he could not continue to do long, as the eyes watered and became painful. The medicine was ordered to be continued, and again, nine days later, I heard that my patient's eyes appeared to be quite well, that he had left off his shade, and had not complained of the light ; moreover, he could then read with comfort.

We make use of the triturations of arsenicum iodatum, prepared from the crude in the usual manner.