Chamomilla

Where is the pathogenesis of this drug found ?

In Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura. British Journal of Homoeopathy , Vol. VI.

An excellent study is also found in Hartmann's Practical Observations .

Where do we obtain this drug ?

It grows in Europe, our tincture is made from the whole plant in flower, and in the same manner as described under Aconite , and imported.

What is the general action of the drug ?

Chamomilla seems to act on the sensory nerves given off from the spinal cord, producing a state of excessive hyperaesthesia. This over-sensitiveness is accompanied y a corresponding mental state, a snappish irritability. It acts prominently also on the digestive tract, and is especially suitable for many complaints of children during the teething period.

What are three pervading characteristics of the drug ?

1. The mental state, intolerance of pain, etc.

What are the great mental characteristics of the drug ?

Crossness and irritability ; the child is impatient and restless ; wants to carried about and petted ; wants and cries for things and when it gets them it throws them away ; children that are especially sensitive to pain, snappish, short and cannot be civil, consequences of anger.

Mention two other drugs for the bad consequences of anger.

Staphisagria and Bryonia .

Give the indications for Chamomilla in the sleeplessness of children.

They start during sleep, the muscles of the hands and face twitch, there may be colic, and the face is red, especially one cheek.

What should be given if in addition there is delirium ?

Belladonna .

Give symptoms of Cypripedium in sleeplessness.

Children awake in the night and are lively and full of play ; this indicates impending cerebral trouble.

What of Passiflora incarnata in sleeplessness ?

What is there characteristic about the rheumatic pains ?

They drive the patient out of bed and compel him to walk about ; the pain almost drives him crazy.

Three other drugs, Rhus toxicodendron, Ferrum metallicum and Veratrum album, have rheumatic pains relieved by moving about ; how are they distinguished from Chamomilla ?

The rheumatic pains relieved by moving about ; how are they distinguished from They all lack the feverishness, excitement and irritability of Chamomilla .

What are the nasal symptoms of Chamomilla ?

The nose is stopped up yet runs a watery mucus ; sneezing and inability to sleep ; a dry, teasing cough, keeping the child awake, or else a rattling cough, as if the bronchi were full of mucus.

What other drugs should be thought of in children's colds with stuffed up nostrils ?

Nux vomica, Sambucus and Sticta .

What is the diarrhoea of Chamomilla ?

Stools of yellowish green, slimy mucus, looking like chopped eggs and spinach, of foul rotten-egg odor, occurring in teething children, or after taking cold, accompanied by colic ; the anus is sore, caused by the hot stools.

When should Chamomilla be given during labor ?

When the pains begin in the back and pass off down the inner side of the thighs, and when the patient is intolerant of the pain, makes a great fuss, is impatient and spiteful, the os being rigid.

When is Chamomilla indicated in suppression of milk ?

When it is the result of a fit of anger.