Stannum

[TIN.]

Of the best English tinfoil we make triturations in the usual proportions.

Stannum acts upon the cerebro -spinal system, causing great bodily and mental prostration ; the patient tires easily and is very sleepy ; great weariness in the legs, which he feels most when walk- ing about slowly, noticed less when moving rapidly ; lameness and feeling of fatigue in the back and in the chest ; paralytic lameness of one side of the body ; paralytic trembling, all over. These sen- satious frequently disappear from moving about, but return, in an aggravated form, when the patient has rested.

Stannum acts also upon the organs of respiration and upon the intestinal mucous membrane. The various chest symptoms are accompanied by sensi- tiveness to cold, shivering, especially along the back, cold hands; internal heat, with a sensation as if the patient were hot all over, particularly on the chest and back, and as if drops of perspiration were standing all over him, but there were no external symptoms of heat; heat and thirst, in the evening, alternating with shiverings.

Hot perspiration and exhaustion upon the slightest exertion, with anxiety and great nervousness ; night sweat. Gloomy, apprehensive state of the mind, with a disposition to weep.

Hahnemann recommends stannum for : Pressive, drawing, tear- ing pains in the limbs, neuralgia, convulsions, epilepsy, hectic fevers with exhausting sweats in the night and morning ; hysteria, hypo- chondria, melancholy, hsematemesis, cardialgia, affections of the liver, tape-worm, seminal emissions, exhausting leucorrhcea, rough- ness in the larynx accompanied with hoarseness, chronic laryngeal catarrh, phthisis laryngea trachealis pituitosa et purulenta.

CEPHALIC GEOUP.

Dizziness and dullness of the head. Pressure in the forehead and occiput from within outward, with drowsiness, diminished by pressure. Stupefying aching pain in the brain, beginning lightly, increasing gradually until it reaches its highest point, then decreas- ing gradually. Beating pains in the temples. Painful jerks through the left temple, forehead and cerebellum, leaving a dull pressure. The

HEADACHE, to which stannum is homoeopathic, occurs usually

808 STANNUM.

in persons who are laboring under serious derangements of the nervous system, and who suffer from lung difficulties which come within the curative range of this remedy. They are usually accom- panied with great prostration. The most valuable indication for stannum is the gradual increase and as gradual decline of the pain after it has reached the climax.

EPILEPSY. — Hahnemann quotes Meyer Abraham who has seen epilepsy caused by tin. On the other hand, tin has cured epilepsy, as may be seen from the following case :

A young savant who led a sedentary mode of life, of delicate constitution and pale complexion, had been attacked for some time past with daily paroxysms of epilepti- form convulsions, without, however, losing his consciousness entirely. In accord- ance with Fothergill's recommendation, he took every day half an ounce of pulverized tin filings. In about four weeks he was entirely cured of his trouble. Other patients likewise took tin filings, coarsely pulverized, for a similar affection, and were cured. {Frank's Magazine.')

CHYLO-FOIETIC GKOUP.

Sour and bitter taste in the mouth. Flow of saliva in the mouth. Insipid taste in the mouth. Increased appetite and hunger.

Fre- quent hiccough. Eructations either of mere air, or sweetish, or sourish, with a sensation of roughness in the mouth. Nausea in the fauces, as if he had to vomit. Hmmatemesis.

She had to vomit after eating a little soup; the vomited substance was as bitter as gall. Frequent retching and vomiting of indigested food, with bitter and sour taste in the mouth. Pressure at the stomach, with a feeling of malaise, after eating a little soup. Spasmodic griping in the stomach and around the umbilicus ; it made her sick at the stomach, and caused anxiety.

Oppression in the pit of the stomach, which feels sore as if ulcerated. Tensive pressing pain in the pit of the stomach. Aching-crampy pain below the short ribs, alternately increasing and decreasing. Cutting pains in the region of the stomach.

Painful distention of the abdomen, which feels sore even when touched. When pressing with his hand upon the umbilical region, he feels a pain even as far as the stomach, and on both sides under the ribs. Stitching in the right side of the abdomen, fol- lowed by a drawing in the right shoulder; she had to lie down; the perspiration broke out in her face and on her arms ; chills crept over her. Every motion of the bowels is preceded by a digging pain.

Crampy colic above and below the umbilicus, passing off by bending double against the edge of the table. Burning pain in the abdomen. Excoriation-pain in the abdomen.

STANNUM. 809

SPASMS — Hahnemann appends a note to the last thirteen symp- toms, where he informs us that these symptoms represent a certain class of hysteric and hypochondric spasms, and pains in the ahdomen and region of the diaphragm, to which stannum is homoeopathic ; the existence of these specific virtues was known even to Albrecht and Geischlaeger. (Huf eland's Journal, vol. x., p. 165.)

Soreness of the abdomen when touching it, or aggravated by pressure or respiration, is reported by several provers ; likewise the presence of flatulence with various pains, such as pinching, cutting, rumbling, sensation as if flatulence had become incarcerated, etc.

TAENIA. — Many of these symptoms denote the presence of taenia, and their presence would probably induce us to exhibit stannum, more particularly if the head symptoms should likewise correspond with the phenomena indicating the. presence of this parasite. These phenomena are chiefly paroxysms of vertigo, pain at the top of the head, occasional loss of memory.

The alterations which stannum causes in the above secretions, likewise afford more or less important and characteristic indications for the employment of stannum in taenia, lumbrici, or in other affections of the bowels. The chief effect of small doses of stannum from one-half of a grain to several grains, seems to be to constipate the bowels, and to produce a burning sensation and a feeling of excoriation at the anus, which the prover experiences either during, or immediately after, the passage of the feces.

COSTIVENESS— Dr. Gross reports this symptom : Sudden in- clination to stool, the first part of the discharge being of a natural consistence, afterward it becomes papescent, and lastly thin ; it is accompanied by a shuddering sensation through the body from above downward, and by a drawing from the small of the back through the thighs ; after the evacuation the sensation 'continues as though the bowels desired additional relief. This symptom was experienced by a person who was habitually costive; hence we may conclude that in certain cases of costive ness, if the other symptoms corre- spond, stannum may prove useful. In some cases the discharge may be scanty and of a greenish color; in other cases it may be accompanied by vermiform shreds of mucus, or followed by expul- sion of mucus.

An effect similar to that on the intestinal mucous membrane, is manifested by small doses of tin upon the lining membrane of the urinary and sexual apparatus.

810 STANNUM.

UEINAKY GEOUP.

We find recorded symptoms like the following: Suppression of the urinary secretions. No real urging to urinate ; a mere sensa- tion of fulness in the abdomen seems to indicate the necessity of voiding the urine ; yet, upon attempting it, only a small quantity of badly-smelling urine is voided ; the emissions of urine take place very seldom, but without pain. Burning in the fore part of the urethra; he felt an inclination every few moments and voided a large quantity of urine. Frequent urging to urinate ; he is waked every night by a desire to urinate ; this continued for three days ; at the end of this period there was less urging and consequently a diminished quantity of urine.

A keenly-felt pressure at the neck of the bladder and along the urethra, after urinating; he imagines that some more urine is to flow, and if a few drops are discharged, the pressure becomes still worse, for ten minutes.

SUBACUTE CATAERH.— These symptoms seem to show that tin may be used in conditions of the urethral mucous membrane which might be regarded as a form of subacute catarrh of the urethra in the first or irritative stage, existing probably in connec- tion with a corresponding condition of the bowels, which we have delineated in the preceding paragraph, and arising from a similar cause, a constitutional diathesis, helminthic irritations of the bowels, and, by a continuous process, of the lining membrane of the urinary organs. In such a state of things we may feel authorized to exhibit stannum for

ENURESIS NOOTURNA, to which children afflicted with worms are so often subject.

SEXUAL GKOUP.

In the sexual range we shall find stannum producing symptoms of irritation similar to those in the urethra. We have here a similar sensation of burning, accompanied by an increased intensity of the sexual instinct. Hahnemann reports : Erection, immediately after swallowing the drug ; subsequently the erections ceased completely. Jerking through the penis as if an emission were to take place.

Burning in the sexual organs, a sort of violent desire for the sexual act. Intense orgasm in the sexual organs and in the whole body, as though a discharge of semen were to take place. Burning prick- ing in the glans.

These intense sensations in the sexual sphere most probably exist

STANNUM. 811

as results of sympathetic irritation ; they may set in as a conse- quence of inordinate sexual enjoyments, but it is doubtful whether they ever exist independently of morbid conditions of the lining membrane in other organs, such as the urinary apparatus, the bowels, and lungs.

LEUCORRHOEA. — Hahnemann informs us that, in the case af a female prover who was afflicted with leucorrhoea, the discharge ceased ; he regards this as a curative effect.

Stannum does cure leucorrhoea in women who have a weak chest, who are tired out easily from talking and have a cough with char- acteristic expectoration. Dr. H. N. Guernsey advises one dose of stannum200 in such cases. (Halm. Monthly, February, 1869.)

EESPIEATOEY GROUP.

"We have : Hoarseness ; roughness in the throat. Weakness in the chest. Mucus in the trachea, easily thrown off. Dry, concuss- ing cough.

Cough excited by reading, talking or singing. Scraping in the throat, with greenish expectoration of a disagreeably sweetish or salty taste. Yellow expectoration from the trachea, having a putrid taste. Difficulty of breathing.

Oppressive weight in the upper part of the chest; he is frequently obliged to take deep breath, accompanied with a feeling of great emptiness in the pit of the stomach. Constriction in the chest, in the evening, with anguish. Stitches in the chest and shoulder-joint when taking breath. Pressive pains in the chest.

Bruised and sore pain in the chest. Dyspnoea and want of breath from the slightest motion and from going up stairs. We may add : Copious sweat in the night. Profuse perspiration toward morning, especially about the neck,, throat and forehead.

These symptoms justify the use of stannum in

ASTHMA, brought on by common exercise, attended with the usual pathognomonic symptoms, rattling in the chest, cough with characteristic expectoration, tasting salty, sweetish, putrid. In con- sumptive subjects.

COUGHS, dry, racking, concussive, with weakness in the chest, provoked by laughing, talking, singing; great want of breath, aggravated by the least exertion; characteristic expectoration and general languor.

MUCOUS PHTHISIS, with feeling of constriction across the chest ; paroxysms of hard, racking cough which causes soreness in the pit of the stomach ; scraping in the windpipe, with soreness ; stitches in the shoulder and chest; great weariness and want of

812 STANNUM.

breath; desire to lie down, emaciation, night sweats and character- istic expectoration.

Says Hartmann (Hartm.'s Therapie, vol. ii., p. 118), stannum is less adapted to tubercular than it is to mucous phthisis. Charac- teristics : The great dullness of the patient, who wants to sit about or lie down; with it, great weakness in the chest with anxiety; exhaustion of bodily and mental strength ; emaciation with active appetite ; flushing of the face, which is usually pale and haggard ; violent, shaking cough, which seems to proceed from the lower chest, with soreness in the pit of the stomach and profuse expecto- ration of mucus or green, pus-like matter. I have never found stannum of service during expectoration of blood; in fact, I have suspected it of favoring haemorrhage. The patients complain also of annoying pressure in the upper chest, with a feeling of emptiness in the lower thorax.

M., thirty-seven years old, has been sickly for two years; inherits a tendency to consumption. The following symptoms existed March 13th: Pallor and emaciation of the patient ; short, hurried breathing ; cough, at first dry, soon followed by copious greenish-yellow expectoration of sweetish taste, especially in the morning and even- ing; stabbing headache, particularly in the forehead, aggravated by coughing. Increased appetite with pressure in the stomach after eating and scantiness of stool, heaviness, coldness and slight bloating of the hands and feet.

Flashes of heat and fever in the evening. Prescribed stannum18. After an aggravation lasting several days marked improvement showed itself, terminating at last in perfect recovery within one year. (Schulert in Praktische Beitraege, i., 119.)

A tall, slender man, fifty years old and consumptive, had carditis and pneumonia some ten years ago. A few weeks ago he was again taken sick. Symptoms : General dullness; pain in the whole body; constant inclination to cough ; repeated chilliness during the day and profuse perspiration early in bed ; is confined to the bed ; constant, continuous cough ; expectoration of enormous amounts of tasteless, white mucus. Intense thirst, great desire for sour milk.

Had received no relief from previous treatment. Prescribed stannum6; cured the case. (Gross in Archiv., xviii., 2, 61. j

Instead of tin filings, the muriate of tin has sometimes been used. Muriate, or chloride, of tin is a violent poison. A cook salted food with it by mistake for salt. It caused violent colic and diarrhoea, which lasted two days, and was finally checked with milk, water and sugar, mucilaginous drinks and emollient injections.

OHOKEA. — Frank reports a case of chorea which seems to have come on in consequence of a fright, in a little girl of eleven years, and was attended with irritation of the lower cervical vertebrse. After a good deal of fruitless medication with counter-irritants and antispasmodics, she was cured in a few days by the chloride of tin, given in doses of one-sixteenth of a grain.

HERPES CRUSTACEUS.— A case of herpes crustaceus is like- wise reported as having beeu cured with the chloride of tin after

STAPHYSAGRIA. 813

the starvation-cure, mineral springs and a host of drugs had failed. A lady of thirty-eight years had this breaking out on the hands and face during the menses ; it was attended with fever, scarlet-redness, tension of the skin, violent itching. After a previous exacerbation she remained permanently cured.

STAPHTSAGEIA.

[DELPHINIUM STAPHYSAGRIA, STAVE'S ACRE. NATURAL ORDER, RANUNCULACE^.]

This bush grows to a height of one to two feet ; the leaves are broad and palmated; the flowers form bluish, purplish racemes. It is found in the south of Europe, in the Levant, on the Canary islands. The seeds, which are the part used by homoeopathic physi- cians, are irregular, triangular, of a blackish-brown color ; we make a tincture of them, of a deep straw-yellow color.

The seeds have a disagreeable taste and smell ; both the shell and the kernel are acrid and bitter, causing heat in the mouth, and an increased secretion of saliva. An alkaloid, delphinine, has been discovered in them.

These seeds are an irritant poison, causing local inflammation by contact, pain in the stomach and bowels, desire to vomit, vomiting, diarrhoea and even death. When absorbed into the system, the poison of staphysagria acts upon the brain and spinal marrow, caus- ing vertigo, insensibility, weakness, convulsions, paralysis.

CEREBROSPINAL GROUP.

We find this drug indicated in nervous headaches by the following symptoms recorded by Hahnemann : Headache which is alternately stupefying and boring. Violent headache on waking, as if the brain were torn ; this pain passes off with frequent spasmodic yawnings. Headache when moving about, as if the brain would fall out; during rest, the sensation is as if the compressed brain were detached from the skull and lying loose within its cavity. When shaking the head, there is a sensation, at a small spot in the middle of the frontal region, as of something heavy lying there, like a ball of lead which cannot be detached.

Stitching pain in the head, the whole day. Sharp, burning prickings in the left temple. Dull pinching pain in the forehead, with stitches in the temples ; it abates by walking, but returns again when sitting or standing.

814 STAPHYSAGRIA.

OEBITAL GROUP.

Staphysagria modifies to a considerable extent the action of the retina ; our provings have shown that it may be useful in certain amaurotic conditions of the eyes, especially when the following symptoms are to be removed : When looking at an object, a white gauze seems to cover the object, which renders it invisible. Sensa- tion, when reading, as if small black flashes intruded between the letters, after which whole lines disappeared; these black flashes sometimes appeared when looking in the light.

Scintillations flash before the eyes, in the night, in bed. The sight is dim, as if the eyes were full of water. Smarting, excoriating pain in the inner canthi ; smarting and burning in the eyes immediately after begin- ning to read or write, with secretion of a few scalding tears ; the light excites this difficulty so much sooner, hence it has to be avoided. Agglutination of the inner canthi, in the morning.

The eyes feel as if full of sand. The eyes feel as if oppressed by sleep ; they feel very dry in the morning. Pressure and contractive sensa- tion in the upper lid ; this sensation causes a flow of tears. The sclerotica looks inflamed.

The inflamed eye is surrounded by pimples. The pupils are very much dilated.

AMBLYOPIA — This interesting group of symptoms points to staphysagria not only in amblyopia induced by straining the eyes, but likewise in

SCROFULOUS SORE EYES, when the difficulty seems owing to rheumatic exposure.

HORDEOLA. — Staphysagria has cured hordeola and steatoma. Says Dr. Hering: "When styes appear repeatedly upon the lids, or if circumscribed hardness remains, or when they do not break, but become hard, particularly when there is much agglutination of the lids with biting and burning, especially in the canthi, which are filled with dry gummy matter, staphysagria is the remedy." (Horn. Hausarzt, 152.)

A man, forty-four years old, used to have frequent attacks of ophthalmia. During the last nine weeks the following condition developed : The lids of the right eye are somewhat swollen and purple. The albuginea is reddened and injected, es- pecially at the inner canthus. Both lids are covered with a number of styes, in their first stage of development.

Formation, during the night, of hard, yellow scurf, causing agglutination of the lids. Complains of pressing pain, unless the eye is ban- daged ; also burning in the lids. Pulse somewhat hard, frequent ; bowels consti- pated. Three closes of staphysagia16 cured.

(Tietze, Arch., xix., 3, 170.)

A little girl, aged three years, had her eyeslids ulcerated and covered with styes and nodosities, until they looked like a mass of corruption. Upon the face, also, were many sore places and ulcerated spots, seemingly caused by the irritating discharge

STAPHYSAGRIA. 815

coming in contact with the face. Staphysagria500 cured perfectly in a very short time. (Dr. E. B. Nash in Am. Homceopathist, November, 1878.)

W. S. J. had been afflicted with a tumor of the lower lid for several years. Had often been advised to have it removed by the knife, but declined.

The margin of the upper lid was much thickened by nodules of torsal tumors. Was frequently subject to styes, which always left an enlarged gland after it suppurated. Dark hair, blue eyes. Did a large amount of office work by night, by gaslight.

I gave him staphysagria80, to be taken night and morning for a week, then every morning for a week, when, if any improvement was noticed, medicine was to be discontinued. At the end of two weeks the large tumor was nearly gone, medicine was discontinued, and in a month the borders of the lids were cleared up and tumor gone. This occurred over two years ago. There is no appearance of a new crop of styes and no more tumors.

(Dr. H. C. Allen in Am.

Homaopathist, August, 1878.)

FACIAL GROUP.

Staphysagria is adapted for a peculiar form of prosopalgia, as may be seen from the following series of symptoms recorded by Hahnemann : Throbbing, aching pain in the whole face, from the teeth to the eye, lasting sixteen days. Tearing with pressure, in the left malar bone, involving the teeth. Burning prickings in the left cheek, inviting one to scratch.

H. v. B., thirty years old, suffers, for several days, each January, from rheumatic- gastric troubles, tearing pains in the left side of the face, etc., and was taken, during the winter, with rheumatism, which at last assumed the form of prosopalgia. Symp- toms : Tearing pain, starting from a decayed tooth in the left upper jaw, running through all the left upper teeth, causing the most violent pain, increased by touch and slightly relieved by hard pressure. When more than usually severe, the pain extends behind the left ear and runs into the left arm.

Sensation of swelling in the cheek, spasm of the oesophagus, drawing colic in the lower bowels. From the severity of the pain weeping-spells, difficult breathing, coldness of the hands and cold perspiration on the face. The paroxysms are often of daily occurrence, without coming on at the same time or lasting equally long each time. Staphysagria30 cured the prosopalgia.

(Neumann in Prakt. Beitraege, i., p. 186.)

SCKOFULOTJS SOEE NOSE. — Among the symptoms of sta- physagria occurs: Sore nose, ulcerated within the meatus; this and other symptoms show that in scrofulous sore nose this agent may prove of service.

BUCCAL GROUP.

Staphysagria may be of some use in the lighter forms of stomati- tis in scrofulous subjects ; for it causes ulceration and bleeding of the gums,- and hard tubercles in the substance of the gums.

We find also : Tearing pain in the gums ; looseness of the teeth ; the teeth seem to penetrate more deeply into their sockets when pressed upon ; the gums look white.

MERCURIAL PTYALISM.— It is evident from these symptoms that staphysagria may prove a useful antidote to mercurial ptyalism.

TOOTHACHE. — The following symptoms indicate its use in toothache : G-nawing pain in the four lower front teeth, especially at

816 STAPHYSAGRIA.

night. Painful drawing sensation in the teeth every now and then, followed by beating in the gums ; this drawing pain is attended with swelling of the cheeks, headache on the same side, and heat in the face. Tearing pain in the gums and in the roots of the lower molars. Toothache when eating ; the teeth are not firm, they are loose ; the teeth seem to penetrate more deeply into their sockets when pressed upon ; the gums look white. Titillating stinging in the molars of the right lower jaw.

CHYLO-POIETIC GROUP.

Staphysagria causes : Flow of water in the mouth. Nausea every morning as if vomiting would come on. Pressure in the stomach, as from a load, early in the morning. Tension across the epigas- trium, with anxiety and oppression of breathing, early in the morn- ing.

Tension and pressure in the abdomen as from over-eating, with nausea and confluence of saliva. Cutting in the bowels, after every meal, with nausea and flow of water in the mouth, languor ; the cutting pain is followed by heat in the face, rush of blood to the head, swelling of the veins of the hand. Cutting pain in the bowels, with diarrhoeic stool, the last discharge being simply mucus. Cut- ting in the bowels, with violent urging to stool, which results in the passage of a small quantity of thin feces, attended with chilliness in the head; after the evacuation a sort of tenesmus is experienced.

These various symptoms interest us in so far as they may charac- terize a derangement of the gastric functions which may be more or less habitual, characteristic perhaps of an incipient irritation of the mesenteric ganglia, of helminthiasis, or of a general scrofulous taint of the system. The last of the foregoing symptoms shows that staphysagria may be useful in

DYSENTERIC DIAKRHCEA, some forms of which may be characterized by the pains, discharges, attending chilliness, and the tenesmus after the discharge as indicated.

COSTIVENESS Staphysagria is likewise in homoeopathic rap- port with costiveness, as may be seen by the following symptoms : Erequent urging to stool, without colic; only a small quantity of hard stool being passed each time, with pain in the anus as if it would fly to pieces. Repeated urging, after stool, without accom- plishing anything. Hard stool, followed by soft stool ; he had great trouble in pressing it out, as if the rectum had been constricted ; after stool, more urging was felt.

Costiveness for three days. Cos- tiveness which seems to be the result of organic reaction.

STAL'HYSAGRIA. 817

URINARY GROUP.

Frequent and copious urination. Burning in the whole length of the urethra, when urinating, for many days. Frequent urging, with scanty discharge of red-looking urine.

HELMINTHIASIS. — These symptoms may occur incidentally to the irritation of the intestinal mucous membrane, as symptoms of helminthiasis, catarrh of the bladder, or irritable bladder, and as found in hysteria of women.

SEXUAL GROUP.

This drug has caused : Sticking pain in the right side of the glans, when standing or walking. Itching of the interior of the scrotum, which can only be alleviated by pressing the scrotum be- tween the fingers. Nocturnal emission, accompanied by lascivious dreams, followed by weakness and heaviness in the arm. Itching of the outer parts of the scrotum, increasing by rubbing, becoming a sore pain externally, while the itching continues internally, and finally occasions an involuntary emission of semen.

Violent draw- ing-burning stitches from the right abdominal ring, apparently in the spermatic cord, as far as the right testicle (which is painless to the touch), most violent when stooping. Drawing (tearing) with pressure in the right testicle, as if it were violently compressed. Aching pain in the outer parts of the left testicle when walking, also after every friction ; the pain is more violent when touching the part.

ATROPHY OF THE TESTICLE.— Staphysagria is used in atrophy of the testicle.

Mr. B., aged about fifty, of robust constitution, called upon me February 7, 1870, to be treated for atrophy and pain in the left testicle. About twenty-five years ago he had the mumps on the left side. The mumps ran their regular course; but on exposure to cold the left testicle commenced swelling, and continued until it reached nearly the size of a goose egg.

Castration was proposed, but he obstinately refused to comply. As the swelling went down, the testicle gradually dwindled to the size of the little finger, very soft and flabby. Nearly ever since, he has suffered from an aching pain in the testicle, especially in the outside ; very sensitive to the touch. More violent pain is felt after touching it or after any friction, with sharp shooting pain up the cord into the abdomen.

Even walking upon frozen ground often causes much uneasiness. At times it is so sore at night that he cannot sleep without keeping his knees widely separated. There does not seem to be any inflammation in it. In connection with the above he has an unpleasant feeling or sensation in the cere- bellum.

To use his own language : " I can hardly describe it. It extends from the occipital protuberance to the left ear, as if it was hollow, and yet there is a dull ache ; not a severe pain — a feeling as if the brain was not large enough to fill the space." When he happens to hurt the testicle his trouble in the head becomes worse. The region of his head, alluded to, is tender on pressure. He says sexual intercourse rather relieves than otherwise.

When the testicle is painful, the head leels bad. At times he is forgetful ; for instance, if he is reading and some one demands his attention suddenly, he forgets where and what he was reading. The scrotum on that side contracts, itches and he often has to pinch it and rub it between

VOL. II. — 51.

818 STAPHTSAGKIA.

his thumbs and fingers. Prescribed staphysagria, 3d centesimal, one dose twice per day, for one week. Reported testicle much freer from pain. Head felt better. Pre- scribed staphysagria, once each day, for a week. The patient took occasional doses of the same remedy and was discharged on May 7th, free from pain and apparently cured. (Dr. Levi Hubbard.)

DYSMENORRHEA.— The action of staphysagria upon the female sexual organs is well marked. We have : Spasmodic pains in the pudendum and in the vagina. Stinging itching of the pudendum. Eeappearance of the menses, with colicky pain, rumbling in the bowels, after having ceased a whole year. This symptom may lead us to prescribe staphysagria in dysmenorrhoea with rumbling, colicky pains in the bowels, with irregular appear- ance of the menses at prolonged intervals.

Staphysagria is of particular service, when the patient suffers from neuralgia.

Mrs. A., aged thirty, never pregnant; menses irregular, uncertain, always late, sometimes wanting, but profuse, continuing a week or longer, consisting at first of pale blood, which became dark and clotted; occasionally spasmodic uterine contrac- tions. Ten days previous to the menses, sharp pains during motion, extending from the point of egress of the crural nerve on the thigh, down over the inner surface of the knee to the great toe ; a constant aching of the whole limb, with great heaviness during rest.

Right leg affected. After the first sense of pain, paralysis of the leg until the flow fully appeared, when it gradually became normal. This is of six years' duration. Dull aching of the nates while sitting, and extending to the sacral and hip-joint regions and small of the back.

Dull stitches during movement, and drawing sensation about the knee and patella. Paroxysms of stinging pain aloncr the fibula, near the malenlus; sweat at night; great general prostration ; sinking feeling in the stomach and abdomen; complete amelioration of all the pains during rest at night. Staphysagria cured in three months. (Dr.

M. Preston, from Dr. Hoyne's article in the Am. Homaopathist, August, 1877.)

MENORRHAGIA. — Staphysagria is also recommended in the treatment of menorrhagia with tenderness in the ovarian region, pains in the vagina, smarting of the pudendum, and characteristic mental symptoms.

EXANTHEMATOUS GEOTJP.

HERPETIC ERUPTIONS.— Staphysagria has caused, and may therefore prove useful for, an herpetic eruption on the lower ribs, consisting of small, densely-crowded, red pimples, with burning-itch- ing stinging ; friction causes pain ; attended with chilly creepings in this part and over the epigastrium ; itching blotches over the whole body and on the thighs, emitting a humor when scratched open, in which case a burning pain is felt; violent burning, tearing and stinging pains in an existing ulcer.

Besides these eruptions, staphysagria causes an itching and a burning pricking in various parts of the body, on the skin, on the

STAPHYSAGRIA. 8l9

toes and fingers ; tinea capitis humida, with a gnawing itching of the hairy scalp, and excessive formation of vermin, even when constitut- ing the so-called pedicular disease, or phthiriasis. for which this drag was formerly used in the shape of an ointment; a rather dangerous practice unless the ointment or wash is mild and the internal use of the drug accompanies the external. Itch-like eruptions have like- wise been successfully treated in some cases with staphysagria ; likewise secondary eruptions arising from the violent suppression of the itch.

Five persons, of whom one had been treated, in the Charite, for two years, one for one year, one for six months, and one for four months, were covered on their entire person with pustules, sores, scars and boils, accompanied by terrible itching. They received staphysagria3 and were so thoroughly freed in five days, that even Hufeland pronounced them cured. (Stapf, Archiv., xiii., I, 152.)

Wahle recommends staphysagria for sycosis which has been lying dormaut in the system, but has been developed by mercurial, scrofu- lous and other specific influences, the syphilitic excepted. He insists upon the frequent growth of condylomata under such circumstances ; they are soft, greasy and flat ; are relieved more promptly by staph- ysagria than by thuja.

FEVER GROUP.

Staphysagria has yielded to our provers a variety of rheumatic pains, such as : Stitches and a powerful tearing in the calves and knee-joints. Torpid swelling of the dorsum of each foot, lasting a long time. Painfulness of the bones. These and similar symptoms show that staphysagria may prove useful in arthritic and rheumatic affections characterized by such pains, more particularly when the pains are accompanied by chilliness rather than heat, or when such pains can be traced to, or are accompanied by, mercurial taint.

MENTAL GROUP.

HYSTERIA. — Staphysagria seems to cause a peculiar depression of spirits, with irritability of disposition, a certain refractory and repulsive mood. It also causes a silent sadness, a melancholy and dissatisfied state of the mind. Hence it may be adapted to certain, forms of hysteria and hypochondria, with a taciturn mood, restless- ness and anxiety, indifference, a disposition to push things out of one's way, to throw them down out of one's hands.

820 STRAMONIUM.