Arnica Montana

[MOUNTAIN ARNICA, MOUNTAIN TOBACCO. NAT. ORDER, COMPOSITE.]

Arnica montana is a perennial plant which flowers in the months of July and August. The root consists of a cylindrical woody rhizoma, terminating abruptly, from which many fibres or radicles arise. It is brown externally, has a disagreeable, yet aromatic odor, and an acrid nauseous, astringent taste. The leaves and flowers have the same smell as the root.

The flower stalk is about a foot high, except in Alpine situations where it often only attains a height of six inches. It is a simple, hardy stem, obscurely angular, leaves entire and ovate. The leaves, arising from the flower peduncles, are of a glossy green color, darker on the upper surface than on the dorsal side. The corolla is com- posed of about sixteen or eighteen single florets, of a bright-yellow color, striated and three-toothed.

The calyx is composed of rough, hairy scales. There are twelve species of arnica, of which we only use the arnica montana, which is found, as the name indicates, on elevated slopes and meadows in the cooler parts of Europe. Teste informs us that some varieties of this species are found in the plains of the north of France ; they are distinguished by the large size of their leaves, the height of the stems, etc. According to Nuttall, it is also found in the northern regions of our country, west of the Mississippi.

The parts used in medicine are the flowers and roots. We may make an infusion or an alcoholic tincture. To make an infusion we digest half an ounce of the flowers with one pound of water. The tincture is prepared by macerating one and a half ounces of the flowers in one pound of rectified alcohol. To make a concentrated tincture of the root, we macerate one pound of the root in a quart of alcohol.

The root which we use for medicinal purposes, should be of the size of a quill ; externally it is striated, black or reddish-brown ; internally it is yellowish-white. The strong aromatic taste of the root grows stronger after drying ; however, if the root is kept too long- exposed to the open air, its medicinal properties become weaker and comparatively inefficient. If possible, a tincture should be made from the fresh flowers or the fresh root. The saturated tincture has a brown-yellow color and a highly penetrating, aromatic odor.

The

424 ARNICA MONTANA.

root may be ordered from Germany in well-stopped bottles, having been dried in a sand-bath and then pulverized.

The flowers of this plant are liable to being visited by an insect which the Germans call the arnica-fly and which has to be carefully removed before using them. No blossoms should be used which are not perfectly uninjured by this parasite.

The use of arnica montana has become so universal at the present period, that some caution has to be used in purchasing the plant from druggists. The spurious arnica root yields a light yellowish tincture, without any marked characteristic odor ; whereas the gen- uine root yields a brownish, yellowish-green tincture having a strong, pungent, aromatic odor which completely masks the odor of the alcohol that is distinctly perceived when the root is derived from a spurious species.

Hahnemann introduced the pathogenesis of this important drug with the following remarks :

" Notwithstanding all its carefully-constructed dogmas, its scho- lastic definitions, and subtle distinctions, the established system of medicine has never succeeded in discovering the specific properties of this plant, nor in finding any certain remedy for that general affection, (often very serious,) which results from severe falls, shock, blows, contusions, etc., or from straining or tearing the solid parts of the human frame. At length, after innumerable attempts and trials, the people discovered for themselves the desired remedy in arnica. Two hundred years ago, a physician named Fehr, commu- nicated to his brethren, for the first time, the discovery of this domestic remedy, since when arnica has been called panacea lapsorum. The case has been similar with regard to all other specifics ; the art of medicine owes the knowledge of them to domestic practice, and has never made a single discovery for itself, because those who prac- tice it, have not taken the trouble to try the pure effect of natural substances on persons in health."

Chevallier and Lassaigne have obtained from arnica a yellow ethereal oil having the order of arnica, and an acrid nauseous sub- stance similar to that which has been discovered in the seeds of the Cytisus-Laburnum, and hence named Cytisin.

Dr. Collin used arnica extensively in the Pazman hospital, Vienna, for four years, from 1771 to 1774, in intermittent and putrid fevers and also in malignant dysentery. Murray states that, when the med- icine was given in too large a dose, it occasioned vomiting, anxiety,

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sweats, an aggravation of the pain around injured parts, (which, however, never lasted long,) sensitiveness of the abdomen, weakness of the senses and nerves, tingling, shooting and burning pains, or shocks resembling those produced by the electric fluid, great anxiety, even dangerous haemorrhages, vomiting, vertigo and coma. Hence arnica was supposed to be contra-indicated by the presence of fever, a predisposition to haemorrhages and internal congestions.

The sternutatory properties of the blossoms of arnica were known at an early period. Hence its name Ptarmica montana instead of arnica, from the Greek verb "ptairo" to sneeze.

There is no doubt that arnica is possessed of very acrid properties, and that it may likewise induce a state of narcosis. Experiments have been made both with flowers and the root, justifying the con- clusion that arnica acts powerfully upon the vegetative sphere and that it stimulates the absorbent powers of the capillaries, particularly in cases where they have been weakened or suspended even by external injuries. Hence we see that the primary action of arnica upon the absorbents must be to depress their activity and to induce precisely such derangements as will naturally flow from functional torpor of the vegetative or reproductive sphere. In this respect arnica acts similarly to Peruvian bark, as we shall perceive at a later period of our course.

The therapeutic range of arnica has been very philosophically and very comprehensively defined by Professor Altschuhl of the Uni- versity of Prague. "According to the observations of old -school physicians, the vegetative nervous system is the focus of the physio- logical action of arnica. In the lower vegetative tissues, where the activity of the lymphatic vessels and veins predominates, arnica excites the irritability and sensibility of the fibre without causing any general exaltation or quickening of the animal functions.

It acts more particularly upon the capillary system, where the capillary ves- sels coalesce in inmost union with the terminal ramifications of the nervous system ; it acts upon the dermoid system, especially among the membranous and fibrous tissues (among which we range the aponeuroses, the ligaments, the synovial membranes, the periosteum, pleura and peritoneum) ; it invigorates the vegetative life of the organism, and counteracts a tendency to colliquation and putres- cence.

It stimulates the activity of the absorbent vessels, especially of the cutaneous, pulmonary and renal absorbents, whence its well

426 ARNICA MONTANA.

known curative virtues in extravasations. This stimulating action is secondarily perceived by the cerebro-spinal axis, especially by the motor nerves ; hence we use arnica with advantage in paralytic con- ditions depending upon spinal irritations. In massive doses it affects the digestive system, causes dyspeptic complaints, nausea, oppression at the stomach, colicky pains, watery or slimy discharges from the bowels, having a fetid smell and accompanied with a good deal of flatulence." Hence we are authorized by the terms of our law, to use it in torpid inflammatory conditions where a typhoid character of the symptoms threatens to set in.

The members of Dr. Joerg's celebrated Provers' Union have sub- jected arnica to several interesting experiments upon themselves.

Dr. Assmann took an infusion of seven grains of the flowers in two ounces of water; he experienced a scratching sensation in the mouth and oesophagus, and soon afterward, a contracting pain in the stomach, lasting one hour and then gradually sub- siding ; these symptoms were succeeded by a sense of confusion in the head, and dull pressing pains below the parietal bones and in the region of the lachrymal fossae ; after perspiring in the night, these pains disappeared ; on the day following he com- plained of general lassitude, heaviness of the head and inability to work continuously or earnestly.

Five days after, he took an infusion of twenty-two grains in four ounces of water ; in addition to all the above sensations, he was attacked with diarrhceic stools and some cutting pains in the bowels.

This proving show»s that arnica first acts upon the nervous tissue of the alimentary canal, before the brain perceives the effects of the drug. By this I mean that the functional disturbances caused in the mucous surfaces of the alimentary canal preceded the cerebral en- gorgement. It would seem, from the character of these effects of arnica, that they were superinduced by a primary irritation of the capillary nervous network ramified over the mucous expanse of the alimentary canal.

Hence we infer that arnica may prove adapted to derangements of the gastric functions characterized by a sensation of roughness in the oesophagus and throat, crampy pains in the stomach, cutting pains in the bowels, and diarrhoea. Headache accompanies the attack, which finally terminates in perspiration. In cardialgia and gastrodynia, where these symptoms occur, arnica will prove valuable.

Another prover, Engler, took an infusion of seven grains of the flowers in four ounces of water. In an hour after, his pulse became irregular and accelerated ; his sleep was restless and disturbed by dreams. Two days after, he took the same dose with the same results, but preceded by a scraping sensation in the mouth, about the ro°t of the tongue and in the oesophagus, lasting for half an hour. Fifteen grains

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in eight ounces of water produced the same sensations; fifteen grains in four ounces of water were followed immediately by burning and scraping in the mouth and oeso- phagus, frequent eructations, and irregular pulse in the evening; the following night was disturbed, and on the next morning he had a peculiar painful sensation down the spine, as if produced by long-continued stooping. A repetition of the same dose produced the same scraping in the throat, followed by an aching, but superficial, pain between the shoulders ; his night was restless.

The same dose on the next day was followed by less irritation in the throat, while the dull, aching muscular or tendinous pains were felt more under the right shoulder-blade ; the pulse was quick and irregu- lar. The same resnlts were obtained from twenty grains two and five days afterward. Thirty grains, taken two days later, produced a very violent scraping in the throat, followed in ten minules by a painful pressure apparently in the posterior wall of the stomach, and extending between the shoulder-blades to the dorsal vertebrae.

During these experiments he expectorated much bright, transparent, glassy mucus punctated with black spots, and his stools seemed harder and less frequent.

This proving yields important results. The action of the drug was particularly perceived in the region of the spine, in the gastric sphere and in the pulse. The peculiar pains down the spine show that in irritation of the spinal nerves, such as may be induced by rheumatic exposure, arnica may prove valuable : a form of rheu- matism where the muscular and tendinous tissues may receive the first counter-shock of the nervous irritation.

The gastric symptoms lead us to infer venous congestion of the stomach, superinduced by an irritation of the spinal nerves. Eheuma- tism, a strain, a concussion of the middle portion of the spinal chord might give rise to such symptoms. We likewise meet with functional derangements of the gastric sphere, where these hard, aching pains in the region of the stomach, hawking up of glassy, black-dotted mucus, and irregularity of the pulse are characteristic symptoms. If the characteristic roughness in the oesophagus is present, together with hard stool, or, in other cases, loose, watery stool with cutting pain in the bowels, we may depend upon arnica as a remedy in the case.

Such a group of symptoms we might desig- nate as nervous dyspepsia.

Heisterbugk took fifteen grains in eight ounces of luke-warm water, followed in ten minutes by a gradually increasing pain in the stomach, as if the walls of the stomach were spasmodically contracted ; it lasted an hour, and was then relieved by eating. He also noticed increased activity of the skin, and a pricking pain in the chest and in- ternal surfaces of the arms, such as occur after a sudden overheating ; pulse seventy- five to eighty. Four days after, he took the same dose with slighter results and no pricking; fifteen grains in four ounces only produced a slight sensation in the stomach ; the same dose, two days after, produced, in a few minutes, a considerable distention of the abdomen, lasting for one hour ; the same dose, two days after, pro- duced the same bloating of the abdomen, followed by moderate heaviness and con-

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fusion of the head, lasting for two hours ; thirty and forty grains in six ounces of water only produced the swelling in the abdomen and confusion of the head.

This proving confirms the specific action of arnica upon the nerves of the stomach. Here we have a well-marked group of cardialgia. If I were called to a case where the patient complained of contracting spasmodic pains in the stomach, with bloating of the bowels, con- fusion of the head, and slightly irritated pulse, I should prescribe arnica. The pricking which this prover experienced would afford additional proof of the homceopathicity of arnica in a given case of gastric disturbance; in cardialgia or gastralgia this symptom may be present.

It may likewise be present in rheumatic affections of the tendons and muscles. In rheumatism of these parts, if pricking pains are present, together with the previously-mentioned aching pains, arnica will be found useful.#

Kneschke took fifteen grains of the flowers ; half an hour after taking the drug, he experienced a peculiar scraping and burning in the throat and oesophagus, followed in a few minutes by a troublesome aching in the stomach, lasting for a full hour. Twenty-two grains in four ounces of water caused a scraping in the throat, immedi ately, and violent aching in the stomach, lasting for one hour ; he had a good night, but awoke with violent piercing pains in the forehead and occiput, lasting the whole day, attended with loss of appetite, constipation and depression of spirits; he did not recover until the fifth day. Another trial with the same dose yielded nearly the same results, except that the piercing pains in the forehead came on sooner and passed off over night.

This proving reveals the depressing effects of arnica upon the nerves of the stomach, followed by a violent irritation of the cerebral nerves and dejection of spirits. Hence we may consider arnica in- dicated in hypochondria depending upon gastric derangements or dyspepsia, attended with frontal headache.

Strcefer experienced, from seven grains of the flowers, a burning-scraping in the throat, nausea, increased secretion of saliva, boring, unpleasant movements in the stomach, followed by a painful pressure in the forehead for two hours ; twenty-two grains caused a remarkable increase of all these symptoms, especially the salivary secretions and the pain in the head. The pulse was fuller and quicker.

These symptoms again indicate the use of arnica in cardialgia and gastrodynia.

A most interesting proving is that of Winkler, who took fifteen grains of the flowers in four ounces of water. Immediately after taking the drug he experienced a violent burning in the throat, gradually descending the oesophagus down to the stomach, lasting for three-quarters of an hour, and followed by griping and aching in the stomach, which extended to the small intestines where a great deal of rumbling and frequent uneasy contractions were experienced, followed by an almost tympanitic

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distention of the abdomen ; at the end of two hours almost all these effects had passed away, but there was a sensation of gnawing, canine hunger without the least appetite; he awoke the next morning with a violent headache, which lasted for four hours, and was so severe at 8 o'clock that he almost fell down from pain and vertigo ; the nausea and the sense of prostration lasted till noon. Seven grains in two ounces of water caused a scraping in the throat and oesophagus, with a sensation as if the walls of the pharynx were swollen ; this feeling only lasted one-fourth of an hour, and was fol- lowed by heaviness and aching in the stomach for half an hour. These experiments were repeated with large and small doses, with three, five, seven, ten, fifteen and twenty grain doses, always with the same results ; the smaller doses seemed to affect him as powerfully as the larger ones.

The pathological character of these symptoms is the same as in the former provings. Gastrodynia is strikingly delineated by the results of this proving. Griping and pressing pains in the stomach ; uneasiness and spasmodic contractions in the small intestines ; tym- panitic distention of the bowels and afterward a sensation of craving hunger like bulimia, constitute a group of symptoms eminently characteristic of peculiar forms of gastrodynia.

Eleven other experimenters made trials with an infusion of arnica and obtained more or less similar results. The first effect of the drug is perceived in the throat aud oesophagus, where it causes a scraping and burning sensation ; these symptoms are followed by nausea, increased secretion of a watery saliva, loss of appetite, crampy pains in the stomach, and lastly headache, the pain being mostly experienced in the right half of the occiput, whence it shifts to the right half of the forehead. The nausea caused by arnica may be accompanied by shuddering, followed by warmth over the whole body and breaking out of a warm sweat, with full and quick pulse, followed in two hours by a sudden violent urging to stool, with scanty and natural feces as if the muscular coat only of the bowels had been excited. In one case the prover experienced crampy pains in the stomach and colicky pains in the bowels, with a sensation as if the stomach had been over-loaded ; as the cramps in the bowels lessened, the whole abdomen became swollen, with frequent emissions of urine and urging to stool ; this symptom was followed by an aching pain in the right half of the vertex, and easy expectoration of bronchial and pulmonary mucus.

In some provers the pressure and pain in the epigastric region were accompanied with a feeling of anxiety. Bleeding from the nose likewise occurred in some cases.

The symptoms obtained with a tincture of the root, are exceedingly characteristic of the action of arnica. Some experimenters took

430 ARNICA MONTANA.

from six to fifty drops without experiencing any perceptible effects except eructations, a little confusion of the head and emission of flatulence. In one prover, however, six drops excited distention of the abdomen, cutting pains in the bowels and discharges of much offensive flatulence without relief. Seventy-two drops caused a feel- ing as if the xiphoid process were pressed violently inward, with piercing pain under the sternum, vertigo, aching pain in the tem- poral bones and orbits, palpitation of the heart, quick pulse and disturbed sleep at night ; the bowels were rather constipated, the sense of hunger increased, but the appetite considerably lessened.

This is a remarkable group of symptoms, showing that arnica may prove useful in pulmonary congestions. These symptoms may be present in haemoptysis. The sensation as if the sternum were pressed in, the piercing pain under the sternum, and the consensual symptoms of palpitation, full and quick pulse, vertigo and pain in the head, may constitute a precursory group in haemoptysis caused by a blow or sprain, or even by rheumatic exposure.

The other symptoms which were elicited by these provings with the root, may be generalized as follows : Aching pains along the spine, and in the region of the stomach and liver, such as are felt when suddenly raising one's self from a stooping position, Orampy pains in the stomach ; also (in the female provers) a feeling of empti- ness in the stomach, with canine hunger, but entire loss of appetite, loathing of food ; sometimes a sensation of repletion was experienced, although the stomach was empty.

Having obtained from these exceedingly interesting provings a preliminary knowledge of the physiological character of arnica, of its specific relation to the nerves of the alimentary canal and to the capillary vessels, and more particularly of its power to excite engorge- ment of the capillaries, and consequent effusion and haemorrhage, we are now prepared to present the symtomatology of this drug under general categories.

CEREBRO-SPINAL GROUP.

VERTIGO AND HEADACHE.— The provings show that arnica may induce vertigo and headache. These may arise from an injury, such as a blow or a fall upon the head, or from gastric disturbances. The pain in the brain is severe ; there is sharp pressure in the fore- head and temples or in the right side of the occiput, shifting from there to the same side of the forehead ; the patient frequently com- plains of a pain in the forehead, as if a nail were piercing the temple ;

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cutting pain in the head ; burning and heat in the head ; bilious vomiting.

A man, thirty-five years old, experienced the following, constantly increasing symptoms after receiving a blow upon the head : Pressive pain in the forehead ; painful, dull pressure upon the right supra-orbital arch ; heat in the head, the rest of the body being cool; aggravation from eating; heat in the face; buzzing in the ears; contraction of the pupils ; nausea early in the morning ; smoking is distasteful ; desire for stool, without an evacuation from the bowels ; anxious dreams ; feverish condition toward evening; peevishness.

Arnica6 cured the entire train of symptoms in two days. (Baudis in Archiv. f. d. Horn. Heilkunst, Vol. i., 68.)

APOPLEXY. — Arnica has been used in the treatment of apoplexy with paralysis of the limbs, especially on the left side ; involuntary discharge of the excretions ; loss of consciousness ; muttering ; pulse full, but intermitting ; dropping of the lower jaw ; gastric disorders ; abuse of alcoholic stimulants.

A man, fifty-three years old, with a short, thick neck, usually in good health, addicted to brandy, was taken with an apoplectic fit, for which he was bled. A few days after, he had the following symptoms : Frequent awaking during the night, gulping up of much fluid, then shuddering, yawning, stretching, repeated every half hour, without being conscious of it. During the day, pressure in the forehead, buz- zing in the ears, vertigo, sparks before the eyes and illusions of sight, as if somebody were trying to put something into his mouth ; malaise, coldness of the legs, shivering; the pulse was tolerably strong, sixty per minute, irregular ; burning and itching of the skin.

He received arnica30, two drops, which were repeated after two days and cured him by the third. After five months he had a similar attack. There were gulping and empty swallowing, with rumbling and tumbling in the bowels ; rigidity ; feeble, staring look and an almost entire absence of all signs of life for an hour ; then a renewal of respiration, cough; later, bad odor from the mouth, cold sweat, repetition of the attack, less violent. On the following day, pressure in the forehead, eructa- tions, thirst, itching and burning of the skin.

Pulse small, slow. One drop of arnica3 cured permanently. (Kaesemann in the Hygea, Vol. iii., 139.)

HYDKOCEPHALTJS. — Arnica is indicated in hydrocephalus. " It is in place when there is serous exudation or sanguineous extra- vasation ; wlien the patients are inclined to drowsiness, but start in their sleep, have frequent and vivid dreams and cry out in their sleep, with heat and redness of the face and coldness of the lower extremi- ties ; there is also boring with head into the pillow, staring and anxious looking around upon waking and contraction of the pupils. This remedy may also be used later, when the increasing effusion causes amblyopia, buzzing and roaring in the ears, deafness and involuntary evacuation from the bowels during sleep." (Kafka.)

Dr. J. F. Edgar, [Gin. Med. Advance, Jan., 1880,) reports two cases cured by arnica30. The following symptoms were present : "Intense thirst for large quantities of water and often, except after nursing, when he always wanted a drink of water and in a few minutes vomited up the watery portion, the solids of the milk were retained ; hands and arms from elbow down were death-like cold, with clammy sweat (this condition was prominent from the first)

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with slight warming up for a few hours each morning at day-break. Lay in a soporous state picking at the bedclothes ; eyes half open ; wants the head low, rolling it when lying, turning it from side to side when being carried ; restless, but does not want to be carried only for a few moments, and yet his couch does not seem com- fortable to him when down; head hot, body and lower limbs normal, the arms below the elbow only being so death-like cold ; stools gen- erally watery and fetid, sometimes more consistent, averaging four a day. An ecchymosed spot appearing on the face, then on the limbs, then on the body, remaining but a few hours in one place, disappear- ing of itself, leaving scarcely a trace, and a peculiar fetid smell about the whole body ; conjunctival injection ; worse and more fretful awaking from a short sleep; inclination for the open air, much brighter when out in the open air."

SPURIOUS VERTIGO.— There is a peculiar form of irritation of the cerebral nerves which Marcus Herz describes under the appel- lation of spurious vertigo.

A tall and rather cachectic man, aged forty-nine, who had been in the habit of taking ten or twelve drinks a day, was attacked with weakness of the arms and legs, glimmering before the eyes and noises in the ears. During the last week the debility had increased so much that he could scarcely walk ; his sleep was disturbed with phantoms and formications, and he was attacked with the following paroxysms of vertigo, sometimes several in one hour; without any warning, and in any situation, all objects would seem to move with a shaking motion either toward him, or from side to side, or they would seem to fall over ; he would soon begin to stagger about with them, unless he seized hold of something ; in a few minutes he recovered him- self, his illusions of sight disappeared, but he felt as if intoxicated; all his functions were normal, but his face was red, his eyes were injected, pupils dilated, but his sight was good. He was restored by taking an infusion of arnica in increasing doses for six weeks.

RHEUM ATO SIS. — The pathogenesis of arnica, as furnished by Hahnemann, contains several symptoms showing that arnica may be useful in cerebral derangements of a rheumatic nature. One marked symptom is "a burning in the brain, though the rest of the body remained cool." This symptom may occur in rheumatosis or rheu- matic irritation of the brain ; it may also set in as an element in the train of symptoms which often develop themselves after cerebral concussions.

Another prominent symptom is " & painful pressure above the eyes in the direction of the temples, with sensation as if the frontal integuments were spasmodically constricted." This symptom may likewise be characteristic of a rheumatic affection of the head with engorgement of the frontal sinus, and probable irritation of the peri- cranium and muscular coverings of the forehead.

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ARTHRITIC AND RHEUMATIC HEADACHE.— Stitching and tearing pains in the head and formicating pains in the forehead are also frequently met with among the head symptoms of arnica. These pains likewise point to arnica as a most important agent in arthritic and rheumatic headache.

ORBITAL GROUP.

Among the eye symptoms of arnica in Hahnemann's pathogenesis there are many which reveal in unmistakable characters the curative virtues of this agent in inflammatory conditions of the eyeball and lids. Itching, stinging, and burning pains in the eyes ; painful feeling of dryness under the lids ; secretion of burning tears; pro- trusion of the eyeball from the socket ; these symptoms distinctly show that arnica is homoeopathic to inflammatory conditions of the eyes, more particularly if they arise from external injuries.

WOUNDS OF THE EYE which, under other treatment might lead to loss of sight, or at any rate to partial disorganization of the organ, are healed quite readily, and without any disfiguring loss of substance, by means of the internal and external use of arnica. Our works are filled with cases illustrating the healing virtues of arnica in contusions and wounds. In applying arnica to a wounded eye, a strong watery infusion is sometimes preferable to the alcoholic tincture in consequence of the smarting and excoriating sensation which is caused by the alcoholic ingredient.

AMAUROSIS. — In Duncan's Medical Commentaries nine cases of amaurosis are reported which were successfully treated with arnica after all other remedies had failed. Scarpa, the eminent Italian oculist and pathologist, thinks that arnica can only be depended upon in amaurosis resulting from gastric irritation. A characteristic indication for the use of arnica in this affection is "contraction of the pupil."

CATARACT. — Neumann reports a case of fully developed cata- ract which was completely cured by means of the internal and external use of arnica. The probability is that this cataract was caused by contusion of the eyeball.

AURICULAR AND FACIAL GROUPS.

Among Hahnemann's provings of arnica there are several symp- toms which lead us to infer that in contusions of the ears and nose, and in inflammations resulting from such contusions, arnica must be an excellent remedy. One prover reports the symptom ('contusice

VOL. I. — 27.

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pain in the cartilages of the left ear, interiorly." A similar symp- tom was experienced in the nose: "Pain in the nose, from above downward, as from a violent fall." Besides these symptoms, other symptoms are recorded such as are generally present when muscular , and cartilaginous tissues have been contused by a fall or blow. Such symptoms are, stitches shooting through the ears ; swelling of the part (among other provings we find "swelling of the nose"; "swell- ing of the cheek with throbbing and twitching pains, swollen lips and heat in the head" ; also "hard, tensive, shining-red swelling of the left cheek.") The lips likewise seem to be affected by arnica as they would be from a blow ; we have such symptoms as these : "cracked lips," "swelling of the lips" ;

"burning heat in both lips" ; "formication in the lips as if they would go to sleep."

One prover observed frequent Needing from the nose as one of the effects of arnica, another proof of the homoeopath icity of arnica to the consequences of a blow or fall upon the face.

Another prover, Dr. Gross, experienced a peculiar abnormal sensa- tion of crawling by the side of the nose. The symptom as recorded, reads : " Sensation as if an insect were crawling by the side of the nose ; this sensation cannot be removed by wiping." Another prover, Dr. Wislicenus, experienced a similar sensation, except that in his case it yielded to rubbing with the finger.

I have quoted these two symptoms simply for the purpose of showing that arnica deranges the functional harmony of the sentient nerves in a very delicate and yet characteristic manner. These abnormal sensations may likewise be present during, or precede, epistaxis.

DEAFNESS has likewise been cured by arnica. This drug causes buzzing, whizzing and ringing in the ears, with decrease of hearing. Frank reports several highly interesting cases of deafness in his magazine, all of which were cured with an infusion of arnica used internally, and likewise externally by injecting it into the ears.

DENTAL GROUP.

ARTHRITIC TOOTHACHE.— Arnica is not without decided therapeutic powers in cases of toothache. It causes "formicating sensation in the gums as if they would go to sleep, and a pain in the teeth as if their roots were being scraped with a knife" In arthritic toothache, when the pains are tearing and stitching, and the face burns and looks swollen, arnica will afford relief.

Ruckert reports the case of a lady whose gums were inflamed and swollen ; she complained of a drawing and stitching pain in the teeth of the right upper jaw, ex-

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tending up to the ear ; her face was red and burning-hot, cheek swollen ; the pain was worse in the air and when warm fomentations were applied. She had had two teeth plugged a few days ago. Arnica30 relieved her very speedily.

When there is a good deal of throbbing and pressing or lancing pain, sometimes involving the whole jaw ; attended with swelling and heat of the cheek and swelling of the submaxillary gland, arnica may be given, provided there are no signs of inflammatory fever. In this case aconite and belladonna may be required.

An infusion of arnica is an excellent soothing wash after extrac- tion of the teeth. It is likewise useful in arresting the bleeding which sometimes sets in after such an operation.

CHYLO-POIETIC GROUP.

GASTRODYNIA OR CARDIALGIA Arnica is an important

remedy in several gastric derangements. Mention may be made of gastrodynia or cardialgia with great nervous exhaustion, dryness of the mouth, yellow coating of the tongue, bad taste in and bad odor from the mouth, spasmodic-contracting pains in the region of the stomach, qualmishness, desire for sour things, foul eructations, form- ication and pricking about the chest, face and arms, vertigo.

The symptoms which have been obtained by Hahnemann and his friends in their provings of arnica, point to a number of interesting pathological conditions to which arnica would seem eminently homoe- opathic.

DYSPHAGIA. — One symptom clearly indicates the homceopath- icity of arnica to dysphagia ; it is this : " The act of deglutition is impeded by a sort of nausea as if the food would not go down.

The taste in the mouth and the quality and natural intensity of the appetite are considerably altered by the action of arnica. This drug seems to cause a bitter, foul taste in the mouth ; bitter and foul eructations ; it also causes loss of appetite, nausea, disposition to vomit, heartburn. This desire to vomit sometimes amounts to vio- lent retching, vomiting, even vomiting of coagulated blood. These symptoms, in connection with other effects of arnica, constitute an interesting and important pathological tableau.

The effects to which I allude are the feeling of nauseous repletion which some provers have experienced in a marked degree. A lady-prover complained of a sen- sation as if the pit of the stomach was filled up with a lump ; this feeling was accompanied with ineffectual retching. Another prover complained of a similar sensation of pressure in the pit of the stomach ; this was followed by qualmishness, retching, rising of water

436 ARNICA MONTANA.

to the mouth ; this sensation passed off when lying down, after which the pressure shifted to the bowels. Another prover complained of a digging pain hi the pit of the stomach, as if the parts were twisting themselves into a ball.

Gentlemen, these symptoms are important indications for the use of arnica in

DYSPEPSIA, with foul and bitter taste in the mouth, eructations of a similar character, loss of appetite, a qualmish feeling of repletion after eating ;

WATERBRASH, more particularly in the case of hysteric women

who complain of the globus hystericus ;

CARDIALGIA or gastrodynia, with twisting and digging pain in the epigastric region.

The sense of fulness after eating, especially when attended with qualmishness, is eminently characteristic of "arnica in dyspepsia and cardialgia, especially in the case of nervous, hysteric women ; in one of the lady provers this feeling of repletion was accompanied by a keenly-painful pressure behind the os pubis (apparently in the region of the bladder), especially when standing, and inducing a constant desire to urinate.

This sense of fulness is characteristic in other respects. We have seen that arnica causes vomiting of coagulated blood. It moreover causes all the other symptoms which precede or accompany vomiting of blood, such as a sensation of oppression, weight and repletion in the region of the stomach, throbbing in this region, bitter and very fre- quently sour eructations, heartburn, tympanitic distention of the pit of the stomach, and various consensual symptoms such as, oppressive pain in the frontal region, vertigo, obscuration of sight. Hence we conclude that arnica may be a most important remedy for

ELEMATEMESIS, brought on by a blow on the stomach or occasioned in consequence of a peculiar dyspeptic dyscrasia by over- eating, or by a strain, by the excessive action of emetics, etc. In cases of haematemesis where arnica is indicated, the febrile excite- ment is rather slight ; at first a burning sensation may be felt in the face ; but if the vomiting is violent, the face will soon look pale, pinched up, and it will feel cold ; the extremities may likewise be icy-cold.

If the inflammatory type prevails, with full, strong, rapid and bounding pulse, glistening eyes, flushed face, aconite may have to be given instead of arnica.

ARNICA MONTANA. 437

In Hirschel's Archiv, a case is reported, where a servant girl was attacked with haiinateniesis in consequence of ill-treatment; she complained of general malaise and a feeling of soreness through her whole body, with almost constant nausea, pain in the stomach, and vomiting of everything she took into the stomach ; the ejected substance was always mingled with blood. After having been treated allceopathically for six weeks without deriving the least benefit from the treatment, she was cured in four days, perfectly, by means of arnica, sixth trituration, through the agency of Dr. 11. B. Harris.

Arnica may likewise relieve the pains and soreness which some- times remain in consequence of the violent straining of the muscular tissue of the stomach and abdominal Avails. It may be used both in- ternally and externally.

SPLENETIC STITCHES come within the curative province of arnica. These stitches have been experienced by several provers, in some cases accompanied with a feeling of pressure, and arresting the breathing. They are sometimes induced by walking too fast or by long running.

The effect of arnica upon the bowels is decidedly characteristic. One prover ex- perienced colic as in dysentery ; a digging sensation in the hypogastric region on each side, close to the hips, attended with nausea and drowsiness.

Hahnemann experienced flatulent distention of the abdomen after supper, especially of the lower part, with dull pressure in this region ; the limbs felt hot ; emission of flatulence afforded no relief.

Another characteristic symptom experienced by Hahnemann is " hardness and dis- tention of the right side of the abdomen; " the distended part was painful inside as if there had been a sore ; when coughing, blowing the nose or stepping, the part felt as if torn or cut ; this pain was even felt externally on making the least pressure.

Another symptom showing the influence of arnica upon the abdominal ganglionic system is " violent shooting pain striking from the abdomen to the vertex like an electric shock." Similar sharp shocks were experienced by another prover from one side of the abdomen to the other.

Retraction of the umbilicus and burning-stinging pains in the epigastric region were observed by Dr. Collin.

Fine tearing pains were observed by Dr. Wislicenus in the abdominal muscles.

ENTERALGIA. — Now, Gentlemen, look at these striking: effects of our drug, and see whether you may not derive important advan- tages from its use in enteralgia, cohcodynia, neuralgic and rheumatic affections of the bowels and abdominal integuments. The symptoms experienced by Hahnemann, more particularly the distention, pressure and soreness in the right side, may characterize an attack of colico- dynia or abdominal neuralgia, where you might fail in effecting a cure unless you give your patient arnica. Of course, the other gastric symptoms, appetite, taste in the mouth, eructations, flatulence, stools, and more particularly constipation, and the condition of the circula- tory apparatus have to correspond with the known effects of arnica.

438 AKNICA MONTANA.

NEURALGIA, or neuralgic rheumatism of the abdominal walls is indicated by the fine tearing pains experienced by one of the provers.

How does arnica affect the alvine evacuations ? Its effects in this direction are likewise of the utmost importance. It causes "fetid flatulence" ; "frequent urging to stool" ; "papescent stool, and even discharges of blood and pus" ; it causes "frequent evacuations con- sisting of mucus," "painful pressure in the rectum," also "tenesmus of the rectum and anus." In some cases the discharges have been watery and mixed with undigested food. One prover reports, "passage of stool during sleep without knowing it."

These indications not only reveal the use of arnica in specific dis- eases of the bowels, but they likewise enlighten us concerning the use of arnica in gastric disorders of a general character, such as low gastric fevers, saburral derangements with foul tongue, bad taste in the mouth, foul breath. In

CHRONIC DIARRHCEA, with watery discharges or discharges of mucus, pus and blood, having a fetid smell and attended with slight febrile excitement, soreness and tympanitic distention of the bowels, borborygmi and emission of fetid flatulence, arnica will prove beneficial. If this condition of the bowels should be accompanied with frequent urging to urinate, discharge of watery and at other times saturated, brown or deep-yellow urine, (arnica causes these alterations in the urinary secretions,) we may depend upon the curative virtues of arnica in all such cases with so much more certainty.

A girl of two years and a half has had, for several weeks, liquid, foamy, acrid and very offensive evacuations from the bowels, coming on several times a day and ac- companied with emissions of flatus. There is bloating of the abdomen, loss of appetite, frequent eructations of offensive odor; restless and frequently-interrupted sleep, changeable temperature of the body, now cool, again warm ; cachectic appear- ance with earthy color of the countenance. Weariness, peevishness, hacking cough.

Six drops of the tincture of arnica (root) in three ounces of water, a dose every four hours cured in five days. (Schmid, from Ruckert's Klinik, Vol. i., 822.)

DYSENTERY. — A superficial perusal of these symptoms shows that arnica may afford decided and permanent relief, not only in chronic diarrhoea, but also in dysentery, especially when the dis- charges are slimy and purulent, with distressing tenesmus in the rectum and anus, cutting and sore pains in the bowels, and even tenesmus of the urinary bladder (in several cases of proving, arnica has been known to have this effect).

URINARY GROUP

has already been alluded to. Arnica may cause both frequent dis- charges and also retention of urine. In

ARNICA MONTANA. 430

PAEALYSIS OF THE NECK OF THE BLADDER, with inability to discharge the urine, arnica has been found eminently useful in the case of old people. If this weakness should have arisen from concussion of the spine, arnica will be found service- able.

Professor Gross, in his work on Diseases of the Urinary Organs, recommends arnica for paralysis of the bladder consequent upon low typhoid fevers, onanism and other debilitating causes. He gives from forty to fifty drops three times a day, cautioning, however, against the medicinal effects which such heroic doses may produce, such as : vertigo, headache, purging, vomiting, spasmodic twitchings, etc. In

HEMATURIA, caused by a blow, fall or other mechanical in- jury, arnica in infusion or tincture form may prove indispensable.

NEPHRITIS has been treated with arnica. It is of particular use when excretions from the kidneys irritate and wound the renal tubules in their passage through them.

Dr. A. E. Small relates the following case [U.

S. Med. and Surgical jfour.y April, 1871,) : N. D. H., a merchant of Louisville, Ky., was suddenly taken with in- tense colicky pains, affecting the stomach and bowels.

These pains were preceded by a chill and were attended with nausea and vomiting, which afforded no relief, but, on the contrary, the vomiting produced the most excrutiating and agonizing pains in the epigastric region, extending to the right hypochondrium and downward to the groin. There was also some pain in the region of the lumbar vertebrae. Urination was diffi- cult and urine scanty ; the urine was of a dark color and deposited a thick, brown sediment A distinguished professor of the allceopathic school pronounced the disease "bilious colic, caused by concretions in the gall duct," and to allay the pain he pre- scribed large doses of morphine.

But as this accomplished but little, another eminent physician of the same school was called in who diagnosticated the disease " inflam- mation of the stomach " and prescribed opiates in massive doses. After the lapse of several days, no relief having been obtained, the last-named physician was superseded by one of the homoeopathic school, who pronounced the disease a renal inflammation, for which he prescribed tincture of arnica in drop doses in water, to be given at inter- vals of thirty minutes.

The first dose was followed by relief from pain, and after the third dose the patient was completely at ease, and soon fell into a quiet slumber. The friends of the patient, however, attributed the relief to the effects of the opiates which had previously been administered. Three days later the pain returned, and arnica, as before, was administered, and complete relief followed in less than one hour. The patient being convinced that arnica produced the relief, resorted to no other remedy, and convalescence took place rapidly.

Four months have elapsed, and but two or three indications of a return of the suffering have occurred since, and these were quickly subdued by arnica. The patient, who is sixty-three years of age, is now in comparatively good health.

SEXUAL GROUP.

Arnica seems to excite the sexual organs. It causes erections, in- voluntary nocturnal emissions; in the case of a young girl of twenty years who had not menstruated for a year past, it caused immediately the discharge of a coagulum from the vagina, attended with nausea. Arnica also causes stitches through the testicles, hence we give it in

440 ARNICA MONTANA.

ORCHITIS, with hardness, pain and swelling of the testicle, when this affection is the result of a blow or fall.

In Ruckert's Clinique it is stated that a man of thirty-six years received a severe blow on the right testicle. The scrotum was very much relaxed ; the right testicle enlarged about three or four times its natural size, hard, hot, very painful during mo- tion and when touching it ; during rest a sharp pain was experienced all the time along the chord as far as the inguinal region ; the chord was swollen and very pain- ful; consensual symptoms were : stitching pain in the forehead; bitter taste in the mouth; tongue coated white; frequent shuddering over the body; pulse sluggish and small. The scrotum was supported by a suspensory bandage ; arnica6 was given internally, and the tincture applied externally; the patient was cured in a week.

ABRASIONS. — In abrasions of the prepuce, caused by sexual in- tercourse, a lotion of arnica will speedily restore the integrity of the parts ;

METRORRHAGIA, when masses of dark, coagulated blood are discharged; also when mechanical injuries, such as a blow, fall or strain, are the cause of the accident. In

AMENORRHCEA, resulting from over-exertion, a cold, etc., when symptoms of abdominal plethora are superinduced, arnica may prove the best means of restoring the discharge.

MISCARRIAGE. — Griesselich informs us .that arnica has been used to produce miscarriage; we may use it as a preventative of mis- carriage, especially in cases of accidents.

Dierbach informs us that Frenchwomen use arnica for the disturb- ances, abnormal conditions of the nervous and sanguineous system incidental to the critical age.

SEVERE LABOR. — Arnica may prove eminently useful in cases of severe labor. An infusion of arnica applied to the pudendum will facilitate the restoration of this organ to a normal condition; the in- ternal use of arnica after parturition may likewise prevent severe after-pains. An arnica-lotion, applied to the head of the infant, will favor the absorption of extravasations that may have taken place under the scalp in consequence of the pressure made upon the head during its passage into the vagina.

SORE NIPPLES, in consequence of nursing, may sometimes be successfully treated with arnica. A lotion of arnica may be applied which has to be washed off previous to nursing. The use of arnica in this affection will however fail in many cases, and the physician will have to resort to other means of relief.

CATARRHAL AND RESPIRATORY GROUPS.

Arnica causes a train of symptoms in the air passages which ren- der it eminently useful in many catarrhal affections. It causes:

ARNICA MONTANA. 441

"Dry hacking cough, every morning after rising, as if caused by tickling in the larynx." It also causes: "cough at night, during sleep." It also causes hoarseness, sneezing and catarrhal symptoms in the head. Taking all these indications together, we may say that arnica is indicated in

COUGH, with tickling in the larynx. There are many symptoms which characterize this cough, such as: "foul-smelling breath"; "sensation during an expiration of painful coolness in the trachea, as if the walls were too thin"; "stitches in the side of the chest, and in the sternum, when coughing" (this symptom has been experienced by a number of provers).

Here then we have a number of symptoms such as may be developed in consequence of a cold. If these symp- toms are not accompanied by inflammatory fever, and the patient exhibits signs of a gastric dyscrasia and depressed activity of the vegetative sphere, we may give arnica with the firm hope of affording relief. This drug has likewise caused

HAEMOPTYSIS ; among the provings we notice most of the char- acteristic symptoms which accompany bloody cough. It causes: " Cough with sensation as if all the ribs were bruised"; "short, panting breathing"; "anxiety and pain, in the chest"; excessive dyspnoea";

"frequent and long inspirations, with oppression under the chest"; "aching-stitching pains in the region of the sternum, especially when walking"; "his chest feels as if raw, he spits up blood with the saliva, especially when walking." Some jDrovers have experienced an "oppression, on waking in the morning, as if the lungs were very much engorged with blood," and in others this anxious oppression was accompanied with nausea, as it is very apt to be previous to an attack of haemoptysis.

Tensions across the chest, and great soreness in the region of the costal articulations, especially during a coughing fit, are likewise characteristic symptoms among the provings of arnica. Dierbach even informs us that arnica causes a reddish looking perspiration on the chest, probably a san- guineous exudation. All these symptom may arise from a blow or fall upon the chest, wTith haemorrhage from the lungs, in which case the internal and external use of arnica would become indis- pensable.

A man of sixty-two years of age, robust, of sanguine-bilious temperament, cured of the itch, in his twentieth year, with sulphur, at no previous time suffering with any chest trouble, was suddenly taken with haemoptysis. (On the day before, he had taken half a bottle of wine.) Symptoms: During the last half hour he has raised bright foamy blood, mixed with clots and mucus, accompanied with moderate vomiting, which seems to be caused by an irritating tickling in the right lung, near the insertion

442 ARNICA MONTANA.

of the right bronchus into the trachea. He can breathe deeply ; there is a periodical increase of heat and a rush of blood to the chest, accompanied by increased action of the heart. The pulse is small, contracted, slow ; the countenance looks pale, hands and feet are cold ; occasional attacks of faintness. Prescribed arnica', repeated on the second day.

Soon after taking the first dose, the amount of blood raised, lessened ; all the symptoms disappeared and he was discharged cured on the third day. (Trinks in Annalen d. Horn. Jtlin., Vol. i., 286.)

A man had fallen from a tree ; on the following night he had a violent attack of haemorrhage from the lungs, with some oppression on the chest. Symptoms : Short, spasmodic cough with expectoration of blood, at first dark, then bright red, amounting to half a pound. During the night loss of one pound of very dark blood. He com- plained of burning under the sternum, as if a burning coal were lying there; pulse somewhat full.

Prescribed arnica6, one drop every two or three hours. The raising of blood and the burning ceased on the next day, February 28th, but there is occa- sional expectoration of mucus, tinged with blood. Arnica, two doses each day. Discharged cured on March 6th.

(Heichelheim in Hygea, Vol. vii., 143.)

Even the action of arnica upon the heart shows that it influences the circulation, causing congestions and irregularities. This effect of arnica is proved by such symptoms as these : " Sensation as if the heart were compressed, or as if it received a shock ; the beating of the heart is more like a jerking "; "the beating of the heart is at first very rapid, and then all at once very slow." These and similar symptoms may precede or accompany an attack of haemoptysis, more particularly when the disease has assumed a chronic form.

PLEURODYNIA is an affection characterized by stitching pain in the side. It resembles pleurisy, but is not pleurisy, and is some- times designated as false or spurious pleurisy. The pain is seated in the intercostal muscles, and is attended with soreness of the affected region. It may be caused by rheumatic exposure, by strain in con- sequence of lifting a heavy weight, by running, etc.

The fibres of the intercostal muscles being alternately relaxed and put upon the stretch during the act of respiration, the pain is necessarily increased when the thorax is expanded. The affection may be accompanied with slight signs of vascular irritation.

Among the symptoms of Hahnemann's provings of arnica, we find several which seem to indicate arnica as a good remedy in this affec- tion. "Stitches and prickings in the side," were experienced by several pro vers. One prover experienced "hurried and difficult inspirations, and slow expirations." Arnica may be used both inter- nally and externally.

Arnica is recommended by some homoeopathic physicians in pneumonia. It is never indicated in the acute stage of idiopathic pneumonia. In some forms of chronic pneumonia, arising originally from rheumatic exposure, with rheumatic irritation of the muscular covering of the chest, soreness of the lungs, stitches darting through

ABKTCA MONTANA. 443

the lungs or seated, sticking pain in the chest, with foul breath, frothy and bloody sputa, hectic flushes on the cheeks, slight creeping chills followed by increase of warmth and corresponding vascular excite- ment; gastric derangements such as nausea, loss of appetite, foul tongue, bloating of the bowels and constipation, dark urine : arnica may prove eminently useful. In traumatic pneumonia, characterized by similar symptoms, much may be expected from the use of arnica.

INFLAMMATORY GROUP.

We have seen that arnica causes slight symptoms of inflammatory action, when taken by persons in health. Under the influence of arnica the pulse becomes rather more irritable, the temperature of the skin is slightly raised, the patient may even experience a stinging sensation in the skin ; the face may likewise become hot and flushed.

Arnica does not seem homoeopathic to inflammations of an acute character ; but in inflammation of a chronic type, whether arthritic or rheumatic, we may derive benefit from its use. In these affections, its sphere of action seems to be the muscular and tendinous tissues.

You will recollect that several of our arnica-provers experienced pains down the back, along the spinal column ; others felt pains in the region of the stomach and liver similar to what we feel when suddenly rising from a stooping position. The character of these pains is rheumatic. These rheumatic pains in the back, along the spinal column, might be mistaken for spinal irritation. You may establish the absence of irritation by pressing with the point of the linger between the vertebrae.

Characteristic constitutional symptoms are likewise wanting.

In this species of chronic rheumatism of the muscular and tendinous tissues of the back and other parts, it is proper to use arnica internally and externally ; internally, a few drops of the lower attenuations or even of the tincture in a tumblerful of water, and externally, a lotion of thirty or forty drops to half a pint of water.

The characteristic pains of arnica are generally present in rheu- matic irritations of the muscular and tendinous tissues. These pains are: sore and aching pains; pains as if bruised and sprained; pricking pains as if pricked with needles ; crampy pains ; sharp tearing and lastly formicating pains. If these pains are present in rheumatism, we may prescribe arnica with success, even if the part is swollen. In

CHRONIC ARTHRITIS, when similar pains occur, arnica may likewise help. Vogt recommends it even after exudations and effusions have occurred.

444 ARNICA MONTANA.

EHEUMATIC PARALYSIS.— In this connection we may recom- mend arnica for rheumatic paralysis, when the brain is in no wise disturbed, except perhaps a "little frontal or lateral headache, with formicating, aching, stinging or tearing pains in the paralyzed extremity, creeping chills in this part followed by occasional flashes of heat, nausea, loss of appetite, foul tongue, repletion after eating, constipation or foul-smelling mucous diarrhoea.

Frequently severe muscular pain occurs after over-exertion, especially in persons who are debilitated. These pains, frequently bearing upon their very surface the characteristic indications of arnica, may be taken for inflammatory conditions of various organs, and give rise to much anxiety. The term of myalgia has been applied to them. Arnica relieves promptly.

I was consulted while in Melbourne, by a young man aged twenty-two years, who belonged to a phthisical family, and had come out to Australia, hoping thereby to escape the fate of those who had died of consumption in England. He had never himself manifested any signs of the disease. For two years before I saw him he had been living in New Zealand and had gradually lost his health ; he had decreased in weight and strength, and complained much of pains in the left side of his chest; his appetite had gone off; his sleep was unrefreshing, and he had become nervous about himself. * * * Making a careful examination of his case I failed to detect any well-marked signs of tuberculosis.

At the same time I ascertained that the painful spots exactly corresponded to the insertion of the greater and lesser pectorals, and, upon careful inquiry, I learned that he had not been successful in New Zealand, and hence became depressed and lost heart ; then his appetite failed and he became lan- guid ; then he accepted a situation where he had to lift heavy weights in such a position that the left arm was most exerted ; then came the pains, which increased until he could no longer retain his situation ; and lastly, the despondency and con- viction of approaching death. * * * I prescribed arnica6, and at once improve- ment set in, and within a month he felt quite well and returned to New Zealand to resume his labors.

He had also a very irritable cardiac condition, which likewise ceased as his strength returned. (Dr. H. R.

Madden in Brit. your, of Horn., Jan- uary, 1867.)

TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATIONS In these inflammations of muscular tissues, arnica is specifically appropriate. If you consider the specific manner in which arnica depresses the capillary vessels and the absorbent system, you have the proof of its homoeopathicity to bruises, contusions, wounds and sanguineous extravasations. Arnica relaxes the contractility of the capillary vessels, hence it favors effusion from the capillaries into the surrounding cellular tissue ; at the same time the action of the absorbents is checked by arnica ; hence the effused blood forms a more or less permanent extrava- sation ; and hence the homoeopathicity of arnica to the consequences of external injuries.

Contusions and lacerations of the muscular fibre seem to constitute the chief sphere for the therapeutic action of arnica in traumatic diseases.

ARNICA MONTANA. 445

FEVER GROUP.

In truly inflammatory fevers, by which I mean fevers characterized by heat and dryness of the skin, full, hard and bounding pulse and the other symptoms generally inherent in an inflammatory type, arnica is not indicated. But it is indicated in so-called

ASTHENIC FEVERS, by which we mean, low, torpid fevers with little inflammatory action. The character of these fevers is typhoid. In

TYPHOID FEVERS to which arnica is homoeopathic, the signs of deep-seated gastric derangement are predominant characteristic indications : thick and foul coating on the tongue, slimy or mucous ; tympanitic distention of the abdomen, with rumbling and perhaps a dull soreness, or else the opposite condition of diarrhoeic stools having a foul smell, attended with tenesmus and softness of the abdominal walls. Other symptoms of gastric derangement, nausea, vomiting of an acrid or foul fluid, even vomiting of blood may be present. Arnica is generally homoeopathic to a low type of fever with the character of dissolution. It has even been used in

INTERMITTENT FEVER where the cold stage commences in the morning or in the fore part of the day ; there is much thirst during the cold stage, and even before the chill comes on ; the chill is felt especially in the pit of the stomach ; during the hot stage the general temperature is not much increased, but the head and face are hot ; the patient cannot rest comfortably and changes his position continually; the urine is dark and has a copious red sediment ; offen- sive, sour, cold sweat ; listlessness ; stupor ; offensive odor of the breath. Arnica is said to be well indicated after the abuse of quinine.

H. felt badly for several days, had an attack of fever on June 9th, and again on June nth. Symptoms: yawning, shivering, aching of bones, great thirst. In about an hour the shivering culminated in an hard shake with cold hands and heat in the head and face. The craving for water was less violent.

After about an hour, there was great heat of the entire surface of the body, but the slightest motion in bed, turn- ing or uncovering, caused a return of the shake. Gradually the hot stage terminated in a copious, sour-smelling perspiration. He had also pains in the extremities, as if they were bruised; loss of appetite; desire for stool with scanty evacuation, pain in the left hypochondrium upon deep pressure ; restless and unrefreshing sleep, peevish- ness and an anxious, troubled state of mind.

Prescribed four doses of arnica6 during the apyrexia. On June 13th he had a slight paroxysm, without any aching in the limbs, no attack on June 15th. He remained well. (Hencke in Allg.

Horn. Zeitg, Vol. liv., 126.)

EX ANTHEM ATOUS GROUP.

Arnica has caused in pro vers: reddish, blue or yellow spots, like contusions ; redness of the skin, followed by a small, vesicular erup- tion, attended with itching ; an eruption on the skin, like pin-heads,

446 ARSENICUM ALBUM.

with redness of the skin ; redness of the skin, small, miliary eruption, small semi-transparent vesicles with a red base, great heat and exces- sive itching. It may be prescribed in

ERYTHEMA NODOSUM with the pathognomonic spots, rheu- matic pains, fever, headache, vertigo ; white coating on the tongue ; thirst, loss of appetite, vomiting ; toils, and in certain bastard forms of varioloid, measles and scarlet fever.

BURNS Arnica is also recommended in the treatment of burns. When after twenty-four or seventy-two hours the primary symptoms of a burn have disappeared, and, during the third stage, the gangren- ous parts seem shrunken and superficially dried and a well-defined line of demarkation has formed, I have seen the use of arnica followed by glorious results. I use an infusion of one drachm of each, the flowers and the root, in one quart of boiling water.

Pieces of linen dipped into this infusion, are placed, warm, upon the seat of injury ; pieces of flannel, also saturated with the warm tea, may be laid outside, and the whole should be covered with cotton ; the flannel must be changed every two or three hours, the linen every six to twelve hours. (Traub in Allg. Horn. Zeitg, xxxvii., 107.)

HYGROMA PATELLAE has been successfully treated with arnica, when the enlargement on the knee is characterized by much tender- ness and great sensitiveness to touch ; the pain resembles that of a bruise or that which is caused by a severe blow. Oases are on record, cured by the exclusive internal use of the lower attenuations.

ANTIDOTAL TREATMENT.— Hahnemann recommends vin- egar as an antidote to the effects of large doses of arnica. Camphor is also recommended.