Nitricum Acidum

Where is our pathogenesis of this remedy found ?

Hahnemann's Chronic Diseases .

What is Nitric Acid ?

An acid combination of Nitrogen , Oxygen and Hydrogen (HNO3).

How do we prepare it ?

One part, by weight, of the pure acid (S. G. 1.42) dissolved in nine parts, by weight, of distilled water. Drug power, 1/10.

What is the general action and principal seat of attack of Nitric acid ?

The mucous membranes, especially at the outlets of the body where the join the skin, is the principal seat of action of this remedy. It produces irritation and destructive ulcerations, going on even to gangrene ; it also acts on the glands and bones.

What are four grand characteristic symptoms of Nitric acid ?

2. Splinter-like pains.

4. Ulcerations at junction of skin and mucous membranes.

What are the nasal symptoms of Nitric acid ?

Offensive excoriating discharge from the nose, accompanied by nosebleed and offensive odor, hard plugs in the nose, which detached, leave a raw surface.

Syphilitic ozaena.

What are the throat symptoms ?

Sensation of a splinter, fishbone or piece of glass in the throat, ulcers in the throat with offensive discharges and odor.

What is the character of the ulceration of Nitric acid ?

The ulcers are irregular, deep and filled with exuberant granulations, bleed on slightest touch, have sticking pains in them and burn violently.

They are fetid, exude a greenish fluid, and are worse from cold water.

To recapitulate :

1. They have ragged, zigzag edges, often raised.

2. Are apt to granulate profusely, proud flesh.

4. Sharp splinter-like pains in them.

What is the diarrhoea of Nitric acid ?

The stools are offensive, green and putrid, and are accompanied by a great deal of straining and soreness about the anus ; fissure and ulceration about the anus.

What are the urinary symptoms of Nitric acid ?

The urine smells as strong as a horse's urine ; burning, tenesmus, and a sensation as if sticks were in the urethra when urinating.

Give some indications for Nitric acid in syphilis.

Secondary syphilis ; phagedenic chancres ; soreness of the skin and cranial bones, worse from damp weather ; ulcers in the throat, irregular in outline ; yellowish-brown or copper-colored spots over the body.

What symptoms or Mercury does Nitric acid antidote ?

The restlessness, mental anxiety, periosteal pains, the ophthalmia, ptyalism, ulceration of the mouth and throat, and the caries of bone.

What is the cough of Nitric acid ?

Dry, tickling cough, worse at night on first lying down and often starting from a particular spot in the larynx. Little or no expectoration but great physical depression.

What are the indications for its use in phthisis ?

Compare Calcarea carbonica here.

Pale, light complexion, painless hoarseness, the chest soreness is worse from touch or pressure, dyspnoea and dizziness on going upstairs, morning diarrhoea, and a loose and rattling cough are the characteristics of Calcarea ; while thin, dark complexion, stinging hoarseness, chest soreness not worse from touch or pressure, palpitation and intermittent pulse on going up stairs, evening diarrhoea, and tight dry cough are the characteristics of Nitric acid . Worse in cold weather is characteristic of Calcarea .

When would Nitric acid be indicated in typhoid fever ?

When the stools are green, offensive and slimy, with haemorrhage from the bowels ; fainting from least movement ; threatened paralysis of the lungs, rattling breathing and intermittent pulse.

Give the general differences between mineral and vegetable acids, in regard to their action.

Mineral acids produce a scorbutic state of the system ; with manifest tendency to ulcers and low forms of disease - typhoid diseases.

Vegetable acids cause great debility, but in a less degree than mineral acids and they show a tendency to the production of a membrane in the throat.