Homeopathy LibraryKalium Bromatum
Kali Br · Farrington - A Clinical Materia Medica · Ernest Albert Farrington · 1,928 chars
General
>Amon. c.
Fluorine.
f Merc, Phos., Sulph., Calc. ostr. | >Sulph.
Iodine. -{
Ars., Calc, Arg. n.
Spong., Hep., Kaolin. [ Ant. tart.
>Starch. >Hepar. >Arsen.
Chlorine.
To-day we begin the study of the chemical elements termed halo- gens; Iodine, Bromine, Fluorine and Chlorine are the elements in this group. As a group the halogens may be remembered by this great characteristic symptom, they all act upon the larynx and bronchial tubes, and in fact upon mucous membranes generally. They are de- cidedly irritating to the mucous membranes, producing violent inflam- mation, rawness and excoriation, as anybody can testify who has once inhaled the fumes of Chlorine, Iodine or Bromine.
They all produce spasms of the glottis and this is most marked in Chlorine, although they all have it. They all tend to produce pseudo-membranous forma- tions on the mucous membranes. All excepting Chlorine tend to pro- duce croupous membranes; Chlorine tends more to diphtheritic than pure croupous membrane.
All of the halogens act upon the glandu- lar system, producing enlargement, induration and even abscess in
502 A CLINICAL MATERIA MEDICA.
Glands
Thus we find them all useful in scrofulosis, especially Iodine, which leads the list.
Cyanogen also belongs to this group chemically, although it is properly considered as belonging to organic chemistry.
It has many similarities to these drugs, and, like Chlorine, is useful in diphtheritic deposits.
Thus we use Hydrocyanic acid and Amygdala Per ska (which contains Hydrocyanic acid) for diphtheritic so re- throat, and we may use the Cyanide of Mercury, for some of the worst forms of diphtheria.
The same is true to a less degree of Cyanide of Potassium.
These general characteristics of the halogens lead you at times to say: "This patient needs one of the halogens, which shall it be?" To answer that question we must study these four elements separately and by comparison.