Manganum Oxydatum Nativum

[BINOXIDE, peroxide, black oxide of manganese.]

This substance is obtained in large quantities in the mines of England, Saxony, etc. Dierbach informs us that fifty thousand hundred weight are annually obtained in the neighborhood of Ilmenau alone.

The continued action of manganese upon the nervous system causes a paralysis of the motor nerves, commencing with symptoms of paraplegia. According to Dr. Coupar, who has given in the British Annals of Medicine the history of several cases of disease which occurred among the men engaged in grinding it in some chemical works, the manganese paralysis differs from the lead paralysis in not causing colica pictonum or constipation, and from the action of mercury, in first affecting the lower extremities, and in not exciting tremors of the affected part.

CEREBRO-SPINAL GROUP.

The various pains which manganese excites in the head, seem to affect more particularly the scalp, the skull bones and the envelop- ing membranes of the brain. It seems evident that this substance heightens the venosity of these parts as well as of other tissues and organs over which it seems to exert a manifest influence. These pains are of a rheumatic and arthritic character, and more particu- larly affect persons of a strumous habit; it is likewise highly probable that the drug will show its curative influence in these forms of cephalgia, more especially if they are complicated with mercurial or syphilitico-mercurial action. We note the following symptoms :

Dullness and heaviness, first in the occiput, afterward in the fore- head. Hemicrania. A sudden and sharp-pressing pain over the left temple, abating entirely after he sat down. Whenever he went out into the open air, but only at such times, he experienced slowly- drawing stitches, less frequently a stitching pressure, in the sinciput ; the pain ceased after he had been in the room for a while ; it was attended with chilliness over the whole body without goose-flesh, and likewise only in the open air, it passed off in the room.

Oontracting- stitching headache in the whole sinciput, at times in another part, especially in the temple, most severely in the open air.

In the following symptoms, on the contrary, the headache abates in the open air. Hahnemanu considers this as an alternate effect of

336 MANGANUM OXYDATUM NATIVUM.

the drug : A burning-aching pain in the sides of the head and in the occiput, abating during a walk in the open air ; the headache, which continues in the room, passes off in the open air, where the other pains likewise leave him. A stitching shock over the right eye, when walking. Painful shock through the brain, when shaking the head, sometimes accompanied with a hard aching pain in the epigastrium. Tearing jerks at the occiput, for three afternoons in succession ; between these paroxysms the place was simply painful.

A painful stupefying pressure in both sides of the forehead, term- inating in prickings, with a boring sensation on the left side. A dull-aching pain in the occiput, with a feeling of emptiness in the part, depriving one of the power of recollection, and abating by the im- position of the hand. A drawing ache in the occiput, in the orbits and in the forehead ; here it is made worse by stooping, and is relieved by pressing on the part with the hand. Drawing tearing pains in the left side of the head.

A digging-aching pain in the temples, spreading to the eyes and the forehead, not passing off when pressure is made upon the parts with the hands, but returning when he sits up and bends the head backward. Stinging pain under the left parietal bone, or from the right half of the occipital bone to the fifth cervical verte- bra, increasing by turning the neck. Flying stitches above the right temporal region, externally, alternating with a sort of buzzing. Single stitches as with a knife, in the left side of the forehead, during rest and motion ; these stitches are sometimes like prickings.

Feeling of coldness within a small spot on the vertex, the hair standing on end, even while the head is covered.

Many of these pains may be attended with an abnormal increase of temperature about the head, as inferable from the following symptoms recorded by Teuthorn, a very attentive prover : " The blood mounts to his head, whether he is sitting, standing, walking or lying down ; this is attended with a feeling of heat in the face, without any heat or redness being perceptible externally."

ORBITAL GROUP.

Manganese seems to diminish the visual power ; this agent, gene- rally, depresses the action of the cerebral nerves, and of the vegetative nervous system, a depression which is represented anatomico-physiologically by an excessive venosity of the affected organs. The following symptoms are worthy of note : The pupils are unusually dilated ; the primary effect of the drug, however, in the case of most of our provcrs, seems to be an increased contraction

MANGANUM OXYDATUM NATIVTJM. 337

of the pupils. He is short-sighted, for many days: at a short distance even, he was unable to discern objects distinctly. On look- ing at objects steadily, his eyes pain him, he has to close them. While reading at candle-light, he experiences a pressure in the eyes attended with an irresistible drowsiness. The eyes feel hot and dry. The eyelids are swollen. Darting stitches in both upper eyelids. Throbbing in the right upper lid.

These symptoms may be met with in individuals tainted with the scrofulous miasm, more especially if their constitutions have been subjected to a long and deleterious course of mercurial treatment. The remarks which we have offered concerning the action of man- ganese upon the eyes, likewise bear upon the sense and organ of hearing.

AUKICTJLAE GEOUP.

In the forenoon, during a rapid walk, he feels a violent stitching- drawing pain from the forehead to the ear, terminating in the region of the tympanum as a continuous stitch from within outward, and continuing as long as the walking continued. Whenever he laughed, he felt a violent, drawing-stitching pain from the stomach to the left ear, in the neighborhood of the tympanum ; a similar stitch was felt when talking, or when swallowing food ; in the latter case the stitch proceeded from each side of the larynx.

A scraping-stinging sensation in the region of the tympanum. Cramping pain with pressure, behind the left ear, disappearing by contact ; during a walk in the open air. Kinging and quaking in the ears. Buzzing in the ears, after stooping, with diminution of hearing, as if the ears were closed.

Sensation as if the ears were stopped up with cotton, caus- ing hardness of hearing. Darting-pinching pain in the external left ear, only passing off very gradually by hard rubbing. A sort of otalgia in the left ear. The inner ear is suddenly invaded by an acute pain, shifting to that part from the teeth.

Crawling sensa- tion in the neighborhood of the tympanum, repeatedly. Feeling of coldness in the right ear, as from a current of cool air penetrating into it.

DENTAL GEOUP.

AKTHRITIC TOOTHACHE.— Manganese may prove a remedy for some forms of arthritic toothache, when characterized by the following symptoms elicited by Hahnemann and Stapf : When strik- ing the teeth against each other, he experiences a stitch in the upper teeth, now in one and then in another. A drawing pain in one of

VOL. II. — 21.

338 MANGANUM OXYDATUM SATIVUM.

the right molars ; it frequently disappears quite suddenly, being replaced by drawing pains in other parts, in the face, neck, right arm. A sudden most acute pain in two molars opposite each other in the two jaws ; it suddenly passes into the arm, malar bone, neck, ear, and then flies back to the tooth, attended with prostration ; he has to lie down, feels uneasy and oppressed ; the pain was somewhat mitigated by coffee; the pupils were somewhat dilated; the pain was also relieved by biting upon something elastic ; sucking at the teeth with the tongue causes a painful jerk in the teeth, after which the pain ceases for a while ; the toothache continues for four or five days, and is particularly violent from ten to twelve o'clock.

PHARYNGEAL GEOUP.

Our provers report the following symptoms which seem to show that manganese may be adapted to the treatment of certain cases of

CHRONIC SORE THROAT, when resulting from an engorged condition of the venous capillaries. During empty deglutition he feels a dull stitch in the throat ; he did not feel any pain when swal- lowing food. On both sides of the throat he feels a dull stitch, during empty deglutition; the stitch was likewise felt, at times, during the deglutition of food or drink, and darted to the left ear. Early in the morning his throat was dry, but ho did not feel thirsty.

Dry and scraping feeling in the throat which frequently obliged him to hawk.

CHYLO-POIETIC GROUP.

This group comprehends a few interesting symptoms : An oily taste in the mouth. Bitter taste, early in the morning, on wakino-, the lips being dry, but without thirst; the food, however, had a natural taste as long as he held it in his mouth. A feeling 0f hunger in the throat, with pressure. No appetite at dinner, as if he were satiated; food was averse to him, yet it had a natural taste.

Elow of bitter saliva. Earthy smell from his mouth, early in the morning, on rising. Sensation in the stomach as if he should vomit. Feeling of satiety aud fulness which passed off by eating.

Sensation like heartburn, from the stomach to the mouth. Sensation of heat ascending from the stomach to the head, where a stinging-jerking, and sometimes a tensive-stinging pain is felt. Burning and feelinc of soreness from the pit of the stomach, under the sternum, as far as the palate, with great uneasiness. Pressure on the right side of the stomach as if a stone were lying upon it.

MA.NGANUM OXYDATUM SATIVUM. 330

DYSPEPSIA. — This series of symptoms may represent a form of dyspepsia, which it is unnecessary to delineate more circumstantially since we should have to reiterate a description of the symptoms. The following symptoms may be regarded as embodying the char- acteristic features of a case of

GASTEODYNIA OR CAEDIALGIA, always of a chronic nature, for manganese is not adapted for acute cases : Uncomfortable feel- ing from the abdomen to the head, as is experienced by those who are not used to smoking ; a sensation composed of nausea, warmth and a contractive feeling. Stitches in the pit of the stomach, near the left lower rib, when raising up the body. Sensation of rough- ness from the epigastrium to the sternum. A drawing sensation in flie region of the stomach, with nausea, as if the pit of the stomach would suddenly expand from within.

Pressure in the region of the stomach, while eating, disappearing from placing the hand upon the part. A drawing-aching pain in the bowels, while eating, which dis- appears after eating. A pressing or rather tensive pain around and above the umbilicus, followed by a sort of flatulent pain, with emis- sion of flatulence. Cold food increases the pressure in the bowels.

Cutting in the bowels, in the evening. Sensation as if the bowels were shaking. In the evening the abdomen is painful as if ulcerated. A stitch in the left renal region, followed by a contracting, jerking pain.

Frequent rumbling along the rectum to the anus.

In prescribing manganese for gastric affections with which it seems to be in homoeopathic rapport, we have, of course, to consider the character of the alvine evacuations and, perhaps, of the urinary secretions. We have seen, in describing the results of Dr. Lembk's provings of the black oxyde, that it constipates the bowels, and causes a dry, hard and scanty stool. This is the primary action of the drug.

The organic reaction determined by this primary action, is liquid stool preceded by pinching pain, or a soft, yellow or pale- colored stool, attended with tenesmus and constriction of the anus. It is not probable that manganese can ever be prescribed as a cor- rective of the abnormal character of the alvine evacuations.

URINAKY GEOUP.

This remark will probably likewise apply to the action of the urinary organs, where manganese may manifest a curative influence, but most probably only in connection with other abnormal conditions. Manganese causes, by its primary action upon the urinary apparatus, an increased urging to urinate, with scanty discharge ; the reaction

340 MANGANUM OXYDATUAI SATIVUM.

is characterized by a copious discharge of urine. Some pro vers likewise report a cutting distress in the urethra, or in the region of the bladder, unaccompanied by a desire to urinate.

The sexual apparatus seems also involved in these manifestations of increased action, for our provers report : Occasionally a burning- jerking sensation from the region of the seminal vesicles to the glans. Voluptuous itching at the corona glandis. Premature menstruation.

RESPIRATORY GBOUP.

The pains which this drug excites in the respiratory organs are generally of a stitching and cutting character. We read : Catarrhal obstruction of the nose. Toward evening he feels chilly internally without feeling cold externally ; this is followed by a sensation of moderate warmth in the chest, and catarrhal obstruction of the nose, at the same time the breath is heated and feels hot in the throat as it passes in or out. In the morning, after rising, his throat feels rough, his voice is hoarse and has no resonance.

In the open air, his throat at once becomes dry, and his voice rough, with cutting- pressure in the bowels and a feeling of nausea on the chest. Dry coryza, with an inflamed nose and upper lip, in the evening ; these parts pain him as if raw. A stitch in the left chest, continually moving up and down. Bloody expectoration.

Burning-stinging pain under the second left rib, increased by the act of expectoration and motion, but abating somewhat during rest and during an in- spiration. He feels warm internally, especially in the chest. Flying stitches at the upper portion of the sternum. Violent stitches in the right chest, following each other in rapid succession, near the sternum, from the second to the fourth or fifth rib, as if penetrating from without, continuing for half an hour, and neither affected by motion nor rest.

Loud reading or talking causes a painful dryness or roughness in the larynx; this is accompanied by a painful con- striction of this organ, and causes a keenly-painful cough which, after considerable hawking, results in the expulsion of a little phlegm. The little balls of phlegm which he raises in the morning, without scarcely any cough, have a faintish-grecn, yellow appearance. A deep cough which lasted all day, but ceased in a recumbent posture; it returned the next day, with expectoration of tenacious phlegm, and a pain in the pit of the stomach and chest as from a shock; at noon the cough suddenly disappeared.

A dry cough which rcverbrates in the sides of the head.

OLIRONIC LARYNGITIS AND BRONCHITIS.— These drug

UANGANUM OXYDATUM SATIVUM. 341

eifccts point to chronic affections of the laryngeal and bronchial mucous membrane, more especially chronic laryngitis and bronchitis, when characterized by a feeling of dryness, and an abnormal sensa- tion of warmth, with flying stitches ; the symptoms show that the cough is dry, and, at most, resulting in the expectoration of small quantities of tenacious mucus. In determining whether manganese is specifically homoeopathic to these affections, we should always recollect that they must arise primarily from passive engorgements of the venous capillaries, and that this origin imparts to them a different character from those forms of chronic laryngitis and bronchitis which emanate from primary and direct irritations of the arterial capillaries.

Manganese does not even act primarily upon the venous system, but, as in the case of mercury, its influence is first perceived by the mucous lining generally, and by the lymphatics, and the venous capillaries are only reached secondarily; the engorg- ments of this system result from the fact that the quickening stim- ulus which should be furnished to them by the lymphatics, is in a great measure withdrawn. Thence, all the phenomena which are peculiar to these derangements of the respiratory passages, are more moderate during the first period of their existence ; the pulse is only moderately accelerated and preserves a certain softness; the fever is not very high, the cough not as racking and tearing as in the ordinary cases of this disease.

These venous engorgements may likewise affect the pulmonary lining membrane, and may give rise to a series of degenerations representing a form of

CHRONIC PNEUMONIA and even pulmonary phthisis, to which the remarks which we have offered in the case of chronic laryngitis and bronchitis likewise apply, and for which manganese may prove an adequate remedy. According to our provings, the action of the heart is somewhat disturbed by this drug, for it causes "palpitation," and likewise "a shock from the upper part of the left chest to the last true rib." These symptoms, however, are only of secondary importance.

FEVEE-GEOUP.

Ahner who is a very careful and successful prover, states that, under the influence of manganese his pulse went down to 50, 42 and at times to 62 beats; at other times it exhibited the following irregularities: 70, 60, 55 and 49 in the minute.

The venous congestion which manganese causes, is generally attended with chilliness, as may be inferred from the following and

342 MANGANUM OXYDATUM NATIVUM.

other similar records : " A chill in the evening, and in the room ; he was unable to get his feet warm; this was accompanied by a stitching pain, with pressure, in the sinciput ; and the chill ceased in the room but the headache continued." "A shuddering along the back, with the stitches in the head." A sudden turn of flying heat and redness of the face, especially when standing, without thirst, passing off soon. Perspiration all over, at night, on waking.

We have already stated that manganese does not occasion, and cannot therefore be in homoeopathic rapport with any form of acute inflammation. It causes venous capillary engorgements which fit it for the treatment of

CHRONIC ARTHRITIS and rheumatism, more especially if the following symptoms characterize the existing attack, in which drawing-stitching or darting-stitching or tearing-stitching pains, or likewise a cram py- tearing or a drawing-tensive, or finally a crampy- drawing pain, constitute prominent features of the present disorder. Drawing and tearing, from the shoulder through the whole arm. Tearing in the muscles of the left scapula, when sitting. A tear- ing pain at the lower extremity of the left radius, not altered by any change of position.

A crampy drawing in the left glutei muscles, aggravated by standing on this extremity. A drawing-tensive pain from both shoulders across the nape of the neck, as if tightly ban- daged. A drawing- tensive pain in the bones of the right hand and in the wrist-joint, almost as if the parts had been bandaged ; after this pain had passed off, a heat spread over the whole hand. A boring-stitching pain from within outward, on the inside of the right upper arm, for fifteen minutes.

Stitches in the right carpus, followed by a sensation as if the capsule were to expand, and as if the bones were seized and pulled out. A sudden feeling of weak- ness in the upper arm, so that he has to let it hang down ; attended with a drawing in the biceps muscles. A horrible ache shifts sud- denly from the tooth to the arm, where he then feels a laming pain. A hard pressure in the muscles of the forearm, at times in one, at other times in' the other arm, close to the carpus, in any situation ; a similar pressure is felt in the legs, near the carpus.

A feeling of lassitude in both lower extremities, with drowsiness. A feeling of lassitude in all the joints, they feel as if stretched out; attended with a feeling of tremor in the limbs, and a tremulous sensation in the knee and the arm-joints, and with a feeling of anxiety as if it were to be over with him.

UANGANUM OXYDATUM NATIVUM. 343

The following symptom, reported by Hahnemann, points more specifically to the use of the manganese in chronic arthritis or rheu- matism : " Swelling and inflammation of the malleoli of the left leg ; when walking he felt a stitch darting from the external mal- leolus up the leg ; when the part was kept quiet, he only felt a stinging in it every now and then."

EXANTHEMATOUS GROUP.

Some of the provers report a burning itching along the edge of the thumb ; scratching raises a bulla containing a moisture. Others (Hahnemann and Langhamer,) a suppurating pimple on the lower lip, in the corner of the mouth and on the chin, surrounded by a red areola, and causing a burning-tensive pain, both of itself and still more when touched.

Hornburg reports : A burning point in the left glutei muscles, as if a pustule were about to form, most intensely felt when he is sitting down. How far these eruptions may justify the use of man- ganese in cutaneous affections characterized by the breaking out of similar efflorescences and suppurating pimples, experience must decide. The following symptoms, reported by Hahnemann, show with a certain degree of evidence the specific relation of manganese to the dermoid tissue: "An eruption of papula? on the thigh; they become covered with a scurf at their tips, and cause a burning itching early in the morning and in the evening; after rubbing the skin, it felt sore like an ulcer.

Itching in the bend of the knee, depriving him of his night's rest. On leaving the bed, in the even- ing, a violent burning is experienced over the skin of the whole body, which passed off as soon as he had got into bed again. A slight crack at the posterior joint of the little finger gives rise to a malignant-looking sore, full of pus, surrounded by a blue border, and causing stinging pains, especially at night."

ULCEROUS HERPES.— From these symptoms we infer that in some forms of ulcerous herpes, or papulous eruptions, or in

CHRONIC EFFLORESCENCES of the skin, with much burn- ing, though perhaps without much redness, manganese may prove a valuable remedy. In some of these cases it may be necessary to accompany the internal use of the drug by the application of a mild ointment of the same substance.

Sundelin professes to have cured a case of moist and badly-smell- ing herpes on the cheek w7hich had developed itself in consequence of the violent suppression of a leucorrhoeal discharge, by means of a

344 MENYANTIIES TRIFOLIATA.

solution of the muriate of manganese applied externally. It should be stated, however, that he combined the remedy with a decoction of sarsaparilla, menyanthes and senna. The herpes disappeared in a fortnight.