Platina

This metal is found in various countries of Europe and South America, usually in combination with iron, copper and other metals. Pure platina is white, and in appearance resembles silver ; it is harder than copper and softer than iron ; next to gold it is by far the most elastic metal ; it does not rust in the air or in water.

Buchner gives the following directions for the preparation of this metal for medicinal purposes : Dissolve twenty grains of chemically pure platina in aqua regia by the means of heat ; dilute the resultaut golden yellow solution properly, and suspend in it a highly polished rod of steel ; the platina will precipitate on this, forming a crystal-

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line coating. To remove every trace of foreign matter, this precipi- tate is to be washed repeatedly in distilled water, and then dried. The metal, thus obtained, is a spongy, steel-gray, dull, soft, porous substance.

Dr. V. Mayer defines the action of platina as follows: "Platina develops its effects as well in the province of the brain as in that of the spinal cord and of the great nervous branches proceeding from it. The great splanchnic nerves, distributed in the abdomen, and, in particular, the nerves of the uterine system given off from the hypogastric plexus, are espacially affected by platina.

From this specific action no inconsiderable number of symptoms seem to result, which are quite peculiar to this remedy, as well moral affec- tions, as many aches and pains. Hence this remedy, as will be seen, is especially appropriate for diseases of women. Whether platina is suitable only for irritable, excitable women, with predomi- nant activity of the sexual functions, as the majority of writers assume (and among them Stapf and Gross, its provers, who, by the way, made their proving on a very excitable young woman,) I shall leave undetermined.

For myself, I have had frequent occasion to administer platina, and have obtained the very best curative results in appropriate diseased conditions, occurring in phlegmatic women of lax fibre. This observation, too, appears to me to stand by no means in opposition to the totality of the platina symptoms, but rather to accord most clearly with them. For on a critical review of what has been made known concerning the action of the remedy, we find that all or by far the greater part of its symptoms bear the character of depression, but not of erethism.

A lack of energy, of electric tension of the nerves, if I may so express myself, seem to me more clearly manifest in platina, than in any other remedy. And although we find, it is true, isolated phenomena, which seem to indicate a contrary action, yet, we regard these only as reflex or alternate effects ; and, indeed, they occur in so isolated a manner as almost to disappear before the mass of symptoms which justify the view I have taken, f * * In this proving we find, in every sys- tem on which platina acts, the stamp of relaxation, of diminished energy, of depression, of torpor.

As well in the psychical and sen- suous, as in the sensitive, motor and vegetative nervous systems, we see this character manifested by the trembling, the sensations of chilliness, the coldness and paralysis which are so frequently present. * * * Platina presents no phenomena of hypersernia, no inde-

634 PLATINA.

pendent or primary inflammation, no strikingly accelerated circu- lation. Hence, we find no alterations in the pulse such as the provers would certainly have signalized, had they occurred during the proving.

We have gained, then, several general positions with reference to the sphere of action of platina. 1. A negative position, viz. : that it does not directly affect the blood-life. 2. That it exerts its greatest power upon the brain and spinal cord, and especially in several particular provinces of these nervous centers ; and finally, 3. That it depotentizes and depresses the nervous life.

HYSTERIA Platina is a most important remedy in the treatment of hysteria. The following symptoms are pathogenetic : Despondency; thinks she is neglected and stands alone in the world; discontent with the whole world; inclination to weep; ill- humored and disposed to weep; often obliged to weep involuntarily, which relieves her ; very lachrymose, and easily touched by causes quite too trivial ; anxiety with flushes of heat and trembling of the hands ; violent palpitation of the heart ; anxiety as though she would die or lose consciousness, with trembling in every limb, oppressed breathing and violent palpitation of the heart ; great rest- lessness of disposition ; — she can rest quietly nowhere ; melancholy which renders even the most joyous objects disagreeable to her.

She thinks she is not fit for the world, is tired of life, but has the greatest dread of death, which she believes is at baud. Sad and morose; she sits alone without speaking, and cannot resist sleep; then, inconsolable weeping, especially when spoken to. She is worse in her chamber, better in the open air, She is earnest and silent one day, everything presents itself to her in a ridiculous aspect on the next day. Great cheerfulness, so that she could dance, a half an hour after weeping.

The above symptoms give us a fair picture of the mental symp- toms which usually characterize a case of hysteria. If we add to these symptoms a tendency to profuse menstruation, the menstrual fluid being black and thick, a violent itching or tickling of the genital organs, a sensation of constriction or numbness in the fore- head, or a feeling as if a heavy weight were lying on the top of the head, numbness, tightness and formication, with coldness in the temple, running down into the jaw, we have a case Avhich will yield readily to the exhibition of platina.

The mental symptoms denote the form of hysteria in which it is

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useful. Whereas ignatia corresponds to cases in which there is a disposition to grieve, to brood in melancholy sadness over sorrow, whether real or imaginary, platina, on the other hand, belongs to a variety in which the mind rises in defiant and distorted superiority over the causes of vexation aud sorrow ; becomes, first, demonstrat- ively apprehensive, then alternately demonstratively lachrymose and boisterously merry, and at last absurdly supercilious — a genuine representation of Mrs.

Lofty. But, whatever the frame of mind may be, it is always demonstrative, and this is the character of platina ; the personality of the patient is obtruded on one's notice. (Dunham's Lectures, ii., p. 137.)

NYMPHOMANIA comes within the curative range of platina. "VTe may find here many of the characteristic mental symptoms of the drug ; there will be the same voluptuous tingling in the sexual organs, running up into the uterine region, probably associated with restlessness, even anxiety, and palpitation of the heart; also, sensi- tiveness and pressure in the genital organs. Pruritus vulvas ; nymphomania of lying-in women.

A woman, forty years of age, of phlegmatic temperament, of little, if any, develop- ment of the sexual instinct, mother of several children, and in robust health, was taken, without any appreciable cause, with an uncontrollable excitement and sexual desire. She sought constant gratification of this instinct, whose violence seemed to smother every other feeling. In her dreams she was hunted by lascivious fancies and in her waking-hours these matters were the exclusive topic of her conversation.

With all this she had an annoying, voluptuous titillation in the uterine region. She received one grain of platina3. Every trace of the disorder disappeared in thirty hours. (Stapf in Annal. d.

Ho??i. Klinik, vol. iv., p. 325.)

A girl of twenty-five years and of sensitive organization, had brought on the fol- lowing condition through sexual irregularities : Inordinate excitement of sexual desire ; she is noisy and demonstrative; voluptuous titillation in the uterine region ; restlessness preventing sleep ; alternate moods of despondency and of excessive gaiety ; weeps easily ; has menstruated, for years, every fourteen or sixteen days, the flow continuing from six to eight days, and very profuse. She received one grain of platina3 at 9 a.

M. In fifteen minutes she had, without cause, a crying-spell which lasted two hours. In the evening she had an uneasy nap ; refused sexual approach ; she was quiet during the following days, with very marked relief of the sexual ex- citement. The next menstrual period came on several days later than usual and was moderate. {Ibid.)

INSANITY. — Platina may act curatively in insanity, especially of women who labor under those derangements of the generative apparatus, which come within the curative sphere of the drug; the mental symptoms must, as a matter of course, be taken into careful consideration. It has been observed that in platina, — patient's self- esteem is immoderately active. The remedy has been used success- fully in mental derangements of men.

The following symptoms were removed, in a man, by the admin-

836 PLATINA.

istration of the drug: Pinching in the umbilical region, with a sensation as if he had drunk unfermented beer. Desire for stool, with pressure in the rectum ; the expulsion of the stool, iu pieces, is accomplished by great effort and aid of the abdominal muscles. He is forgetful, absent-minded, seems to listen attentively to con-^ versation, but does not remember one word of it. He is sad, despondent, has great fear of death — considers himself much better than his wife.

(Jahrb. d. Horn. Heilanstalt, vol. ii., p. 212.)

DYSMENORRHEA — You will find this remedy of great value in dysmenorrhcea with profuse menstruation ; the menstrual fluid is very dark and thick ; bearing-down to the genitals ; constipa- tion [7] ; characteristic mental symptoms ; convulsive twitchings ; precordial anguish.

Miss P., aged nineteen years, features sallow, blue borders around the eyes, is brought to me by her mother, who fears that her daughter suffers from mental dis- order. She has a timorous look, speaks in monosyllables and does not answer any of my questions. Her mother states that menstruation set in regularly when she was seventeen years old; appearing every four weeks and continuing for eight days, but accompanied with such excrutiating pains in the uterine region, that the girl acts then more like a crazy woman.

The pain begins on the second day, increases on the third, and continues on the fourth. The pains are drawing, pulling labor-pains, increasing to convulsions in the form of continual twitching, so that she cannot be kept from screaming; the severity of the pains is so great, that the girl begs to be killed, and this idea follows her through the free intervals, taking away her former good humor, so that she looks worn out and melancholy. Prescribed platiria2, a few grains morning and evening; light diet, fresh air and luke-warm sitz-baths were recommended, in order to remove the stagnation in the circulation and the nervous irritation resulting from it.

It took fully four months to eradicate the disease ; but then she was also another person ; her bright and blooming face, the smiling and pleasing expression of her countenance showed that she enjoyed life once more and that all its functions were in a normal state. (Dr. Hirschel, Klinik, Am. Jour.

Horn. Mat. Med., vol. iii., p. 127.)

MENORRHAGIA AND METRORRHAGIA with very profuse flow of dark, thick blood ; pressing pain downward, at times exceed- ingly severe ; tenderness of the genital organs to pressure ; a feeling as if the limbs and body were growing larger ; after miscarriages or confinement; after great mental emotions ; nymphomania.

A woman, twenty-nine years old, who had been married twelve weeks, was taken six days ago with metrorrhagia, commencing moderately at first, but constantly increas- ing, so that she has now a hard bleeding spell every five minutes. Secale, crocus, et al., had not relieved her. Throughout the haemorrhage she has had the sensation, as if her body, and especially the lower extremities, were growing larger and longer. Prescribed platina30.

Within an hour and a half, after taking three doses, this sen- sation and the haemorrhage left her. (Liedbeck in the Hygea, vol. xiii.)

PROLAPSUS UTERI.— In cases of prolapsus uteri, with a steady pressure from the small of the back downward, without the extreme, painful sensation as if the back were broken in two,

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and a with tendency to mental and other conditions as repeatedly described, platina may prove very useful.

PUERPERAL FEVER. — Lying-in women are exposed to dis- eases which may call for the exhibition of platina. Beside nympho- mania, already spoken of, we may mention puerperal fever with sexual excitement, violent, pressive pain in the forehead, painful bearing down toward the genital organs, with anxiety, restlessness, great thirst, moodiness, fear of death ; profuse discharge of dark, thick blood.

VAGINISMUS comes within the curative range of platina, when the sensitiveness is not confined to the vaginal opening, but extends to the vulva and even to the mons veneris. There is twitching of the muscles in various parts of the body, and characteristic symp- toms of hysteria.

Platina has : cramp-like feeling of constriction, darting suddenly through the head from the right temple to the left ; then, feeling of fulness, as if too tightly bound. Cramps in the cervical muscles, in the hands and fingers. Chilliness. Yawning.

Cramp-like jerk- ing and throbbing in the limbs. Trembling sensation in the hands and feet, then chilliness and violent trembling of the whole body, as if in the most violent chill, with chattering of the teeth, the face at the same time being warm and the hands cold. Heaviness, weariness and weakness in the arms, thighs, knees and legs ; worse when pressing against any hard body. Tottering when walking, as if the limbs had no footing.

Tensive, numb feeling in the sinci- put, as after a blow, extending as far as the nasal bone ; digging pain in the head, with heat, especially in the head, as if the sweat of anguish would break out ; in the evening, when in the cool air, he feels an unusual heat, and, when beginning to walk, a painful shak- ing of the brain, as if a ball were knocking against the skull ; after- ward, the same sensation is felt when lying in bed, accompanied with a slight roaring in the ears ; when the pain abates, he falls asleep.

Coldness, creeping and numbness in the whole right side of the face. Feeling of numbness, at times with pressure, in the zygomata and mastoid processes, coccyx (when sitting), nape of the neck, knees, feet and lower legs.

Pktina is also a useful remedy in the treatment of the following:

NERVOUS SICK-HEADACHE when there is a cramp-like, pressive pain in the sinciput and above the root of the nose ; heat in the head, with a feeling as if the brain were loose within the skull,

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and would strike against it ; trembling in the hands ; general chil- liness ; characteristic mental symptoms.

PROSOPALGIA with similar symptoms and a feeling of numb- ness in the mastoid process and in the zygomata ; the pain is cramp- like, boring ; the parts often feel as if they were between screws.

A young woman, twenty years old, has had most violent prosopalgia for two years ; it has been worse since she recovered from an attack of typhus, and of late it doe-; not cease at all. Usually it appears at night. The pain is tearing, boring, on the right side of the face, near the orbit, and follows the course of the nasal branch of the fifth pair. There is profuse lachrymation and usually swelling of the face ; general health good.

She received each day three doses of platina, 12th solution. In eleven days she had but one attack, which lasted her four hours. The patient complains at times of slight dizziness and trembling. She made an almost complete recovery under the continued use of this remedy. {Allg.

Hot>i. Zeitg., vol. xxxix.)

TETANUS, where the patient is fully conscious and the history of the case points to platina (uterine, mental and other symptoms).

A girl, twenty years old, suffered with eclampsia and had Deen under medical care for ten months. The peculiar features of the case were : an utter exhaustion of vitality, as found after violent convulsions ; she would lie hours and days without moving ; loss of speech, partly from lockjaw, partly from aphonia ; the eyes turned upward ; full con- sciousness ; dyspnoea ; stubborn constipation. Hyoscyamus and menyanthes helped her very much, but the least thing, such as cold, appearance of menses, heavy food, loud noise, much and loud talking, bright sun-light, caused a return and an aggrava- tion of the attacks.

There were now present : Perfect exhaustion of vitality from the spasm, during which every nerve seemed to be on tension, with constant motion of the eyelids and turning upward of the eyes, so that the white of the eye could only be seen ; roaring in the head as of a windmill ; short, dry cough ; labored, deep, anxious respiration ; stitching, pressive pain in both sides of the chest, obliging her to lie on her back during the eclampsia; aphonia; lockjaw; stiffness of the neck with pain from motion ; pain in the bowels ; constipation and difficult expulsion of the stool ; after eating, pressure in the stomach; dislike of meat; at times stretching of the arms, fingers and feet ; sleep at night ; the cramps set in by day-break.

Pulse weak, small. Prescribed platina*. On the fifth day improvement commenced ; the appetite and bowels became more normal ; she became stronger, and could be up all day ; on the eleventh day she recovered suddenly the use of her- voice ; on the twelfth day the menstrual flow appeared without an unpleasant symptom, the first time in years ; on the thirteenth day she felt perfectly well and remained so. (Kam- merer in Archiv. fuer d.

Horn. Heilkunst. vol. viii., page ioi.)

CATALEPSY with full consciousness, in persons who are labor- ing under violent sexual erethism.

CONSTIPATION.— Finally, let me call your attention to the use of platina in constipation with intestinal torpor and flatulence ; the stool is expelled with much difficulty and is composed of small pieces after the evacuation ; weakness in the abdomen and shudder- ing, with itching at the anus ; and in

COLIC in the umbilical region, running into the back ; pressing and bearing down in the abdomen ; the pain is excessive, causing the patient to turn in all directions, vainly trying to get relief. Constipation. Painter's colic.

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