Secale Cornutum

Secale Cornutum.

Ergot of Rye.

N. O. Fungi.

Secale cornutum.

Spurred Rye.

The black, horn-like spur into which the grains of Rye (Secale cereale, N. O. Gramineae) are changed by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.

Tincture of The fresh spurs collected just before harvest.

Clinical (Secale Cornutum)

Abortion, threatened.

After-pains.

Albuminuria.

Anus, incontinence of ; open.

Asthenopia.

Bladder, paralysis of.

Boils.

Carbuncles.

Cataract.

Chilblains.

Cholera ; infantum.

Chorea.

Convulsions.

Cramps.

Diabetes.

Diaphragm, cramp in.

Diarrhoea.

Distortions.

Dysphagia.

Epilepsy.

Epistaxis.

Feet, cramps in ; burning of ; coldness of.

Fibroma.

Gangrene.

Gastritis.

Glands, swelling of ; suppuration of.

Goitre.

Haematuria.

Haemorrhages.

Haemorrhagic diathesis.

Heart, palpitation of.

Hiccough.

Hysteria.

Impotence.

Liver, enlargement of.

Lochia, fetid.

Lumbago.

Menstruation, excessive.

Metrorrhagia.

Milk, suppressed.

Miscarriage.

Morvan's disease.

Myelitis ; diffusa.

Nails, degeneration of.

Neuralgia.

Night-sweats.

Numbness.

Oesophagitis.

Ovaries, tumours of.

Paralysis ; post-diphtheritic ; spastic.

Placenta, retained.

Post-partum haemorrhage.

Pregnancy, false pains of.

Purpura.

Raynaud's disease.

Small-pox, haemorrhagic.

Spinal irritation.

Stammering.

Stomach, cancer of.

Strabismus.

Stricture, spasmodic.

Thrombosis.

Tongue, biting of.

Typhoid.

Ulcers.

Uterus, inertia of ; neuralgia of ; prolapse.

Characteristics (Secale Cornutum)

Rye and grasses are apt to be affected with the Ergot disease in damp seasons, and when grown on damp, ill-drained lands. If breeding cows are turned on pastures where infected grasses grow they are very liable to drop their calves.

Ergot has been known as a hastener of parturition from remote times. Its other actions have been for the most part learned from the terrible epidemics of "Ergotism" which have occasionally devastated districts in which Rye infected with Ergot has been ground into flour and eaten by the population. Death takes place in convulsions ; or else from gangrene and consequent exhaustion ; or from exhausting haemorrhages or discharges, as diarrhoea.

Many who escape immediate death are reduced to a cachectic state, from which they never recover ; are paralysed, have limbs distorted and senses impaired. In general the sufferer retains a clear intellect and a good, even abnormally good, appetite to the last. The nervous symptoms of Sec. are convulsive. The body is at times rigid ; at times rigidity alternates with relaxation.

This is especially seen in the hands, which are either clenched or have the fingers spread widely apart (a keynote symptom). The muscles of the face and abdomen twitch. There is incontinence or retention of urine. Spasmodic retching, the stomach is violently contracted.

Through the like action on the vaso-motor nerves there is first contraction and then dilatation of blood-vessels ; the fingers turn bluish black. This stagnation leads to dry gangrene of the parts. Sec. shrivels up the skin, makes it dry and harsh ; sallow complexion. It is therefore suited to— thin, scrawny women, feeble and of cachectic appearance ; women of irritable, nervous temperament ; of pale, sunken countenance.

To very old, decrepit persons.

On the other hand, it is also suited to : Irritable, plethoric subjects. Women of very lax muscular fibre ; everything seems loose and open ; no action, vessels flabby : passive haemorrhages, copious flow of thin, black, watery blood. For Sec. lessens the coagulating power of the blood. and produces a haemorrhagic diathesis ; persistent, offensive bleeding. Small wounds bleed persistently. Purpura comes within this category.

One grand characteristic of Sec. , which will determine its selection in many cases, is :

"< By external heat. "

This applies to cholera, purpura, gangrene, and any condition which may present symptoms of Sec. In cholera cases calling for Sec. the patient is cold, almost pulseless ; there are spasmodic twitchings of muscles in various parts (especially spreading of fingers), eyes sunk, features pinched ; surface harsh, shrivelled, dry, as though no moisture were left in the body.

Though cold to the touch, cannot bear to be covered. In spite of this coldness, Sec. has burning among its characteristic sensations : burning in all parts of the body as if sparks were falling on the patient.

Another characteristic sensation is numbness ; tingling as if ants crawling all over, > from rubbing. This may accompany haemorrhages, loss of other fluids, debility, or skin affections. In the later stages of ergotism there is anaesthesia.

The discharges are exhausting and offensive. Diarrhoea is peculiar, involuntary ; with wide-open anus. The boils in which Sec. is indicated are small and painful, with green contents, mature very slowly, heal slowly, and are very weakening.

The eyes are affected in various ways : Pustulous conjunctivitis ; suppuration of cornea ; dilated pupils, distortion, and strabismus ; ptosis ; suppressed tears. Catarrh has been caused in many instances. "< From warmth" will be the leading indication in many eye cases requiring Sec.

Exophthalmic goitre has been cured with it ; the heart being acted on by Sec. as other hollow viscera, and violent palpitation induced. Sec. has a great affinity for the uterus, whether gravid or not. Though its use in ordinary doses in obstetric practice is attended with danger, it may be used on its homoeopathic indications with perfect safety. It is indicated : (1) In threatened abortion, especially at the third month ; prolonged, bearing-down, forcing pains.

(2) During labour when the pains are irregular, too weak, feeble, or ceasing ; everything seems loose and open, but there is no expulsive action ; fainting. (3) For after-pains when too long, too excessive ; or when there is hour-glass contraction of the uterus. (4) For suppression or non-appearance of the milk. The menses of Sec. are irregular ; copious, dark, fluid ; accompanied by labour-like pains in abdomen ; there maybe a continuous watery discharge of blood during the whole time between the periods.

Teste records this case :

A lady, 50, fat, very soft flesh, had flooding which nothing could stop. After several useless attempts, Teste gave large doses of Sec. with scarcely any effect. The patient asked for infinitesimal doses. At that time Teste had no faith at all in infinitesimals, but he yielded to the patient's request, and gave one drop of the 6th. The flooding ceased immediately and permanently.

Peculiar Sensations of Sec. are :

Anus as if locked up.

As if contents of uterus would fall forward.

As if eyes were spasmodically rotated.

As if fingers asleep.

As if intoxicated while undressing.

As if limbs had been a long time in hot water.

As if mice creeping under skin.

As if sacrum would be forced out.

As if soft air were creeping through back.

As if something alive creeping under skin.

As if sparks of fire falling on different parts.

As if testes being drawn up to inguinal ring.

As if there were some resistance to be overcome in speech.

As if tongue paralysed.

As of a heavy weight in stomach.

As of a solid plug in nose.

Fuzzy feeling in limbs.

Region of stomach as if contracted.

Uterus as if burnt.

Sec. is indicated in Suppressions : tears ; lochia ; milk ; sweat.

Averse to fat and meat.

Desires lemonade and sour things.

Thirst with dry mouth or burning.

The symptoms are :

< After eating.

< By touch.

> Lying doubled up in bed.

All symptoms < just before menses.

Cold applications >.

Many symptoms (cramps, twitchings) < night.

Motion and any exertion <.

Open air >.

Sinking spells 3 a. m.

The right side is predominantly affected.

Walking = giddiness.

Wants to be fanned.

Warm applications <.

Warm drink <.

Wet bandages > labour pains.

Relations (Secale Cornutum)

Antidoted by :

Camph. , Op.

Compatible : Chi. (Teste classes Sec. with Chi. in his Ferrum group), Ars. , Aco. , Bell. , Merc. , Pul.

> Uncovering, Aco. , Calc. , Camph. , Fer. , Iod. , Lyc. , Pul. , Sul. , Ver.

Anus wide open, Apis, Phos.

Burning feet, cramp in calves, Sul.

Cholera morbus, Colch.

Cold skin, cannot bear to be covered, Camph.

Cold surface, sunken, pale face, blue lips, tingling in limbs, speech stuttering, Lach. Action on blood-vessels, Bar. c.

Diabetes, Plb.

Diarrhoea discharged with great force, Samb. , Crot. t.

Exophthalmic goître, Lpus. , Scut. , Thyr.

Eyes < from warm applications (Asar. > cold washing).

Follicular pharyngitis, K. bi.

Labour-like pains, Pul. , Sul. , Bell. , Calc. , Caul. , Gossyp. , Lil. t. , Sep. , Vib. o.

Old persons, Con. Twitching, coldness, chilblains, cholera, also botan. , Agar.

Spastic paralysis, Lath.

Threatened abortion at third month, Sabi.

Compare also : Ergotinum, which sometimes acts when Sec. is indicated and fails (see case under Ergotinum).

Causation (Secale Cornutum)

Lifting (= abortion).

Injury (= gangrene).

Sexual excess.

Symptoms

Mind (Secale Cornutum)

Consciousness seems to continue to the last breath ; and just before death it seems as though the patient would improve.

Delirium.

Discouragement and timidity.

Fear of death.

Furor, with desire to jump into the water.

Great anguish.

Great anxiety.

Loss of consciousness.

Madness and inclination to bite.

Mania.

Mental alienation.

Sadness and melancholy.

Weakness of the intellectual faculties (stupid, half-sleepy condition ; moaning).

Head (Secale Cornutum)

Attacks of vertigo of different kinds, also chronic.

Diminution and loss of senses, sight, hearing, &c.

Hair falls out.

Head confused and stupefied (unconsciousness with heavy sleep, preceded by tingling in head and limbs ; in haemorrhages from the uterus).

Headache with dull and painful confusion, esp. in occiput.

Peculiar feeling of lightness of head, esp. in occiput.

Scalp sore.

Semi lateral headache (left).

Sensation as from intoxication while undressing.

Stupefaction, with tingling in head and pain in limbs, which are < from motion.

Twisting of head to and fro.

Vertigo as from intoxication.

Eyes (Secale Cornutum)

Cataract, hard or soft ; with headache, vertigo, and roaring in ears.

Complete blindness.

Convulsed eyes.

Double or triple vision.

Exophthalmic goitre.

Eyeballs sunk deep in the sockets ; and surrounded by blue margins.

Eyes yellow.

Fixed, wild look.

Mist, spots and a veil before the sight.

Pain in eyes, with feeling as if spasmodically rotated.

Pupils spasmodically contracted or else dilated.

Sparkling before the eyes and cloudiness of sight.

Squinting.

Suppressed secretion of tears.

Suppuration of cornea ; < from warm applications.

Weakness of sight.

Ears (Secale Cornutum)

Humming and roaring in ears ; and hardness of hearing.

Transient deafness.

Undue sensitiveness of hearing, even slightest sound re-echoed in head and made her shudder.

Nose (Secale Cornutum)

Nose feels stopped yet watery discharge runs from it.

Nose stopped left side as with a solid plug.

Nose-bleed : blood dark, runs continuously, with great prostration, small, thread-like pulse ; in old people or drunkards ; in young women ; from debility.

Sneezing.

Face (Secale Cornutum)

Distorted features.

Face discoloured, pale, yellow, wan, with eyes hollow and surrounded by a blue circle.

Face of a deep red.

Forehead hot.

Lips and mouth painfully contracted (spasmodic distortion ; risus sardonicus).

Lips bluish or deathly pale.

Livid spots on face.

Muscular twitchings, usually begin in face and then spread all over body, sometimes increasing to dancing and jumping.

Swelling of face.

Tingling in face.

Teeth (Secale Cornutum)

Bleeding from gums.

Difficult dentition.

Grinding of teeth.

Lockjaw.

Loosening and falling out of teeth.

Mouth (Secale Cornutum)

Dryness of mouth, with thirst.

Frequently bites tongue.

Haemoptysis.

Increased secretion of saliva.

Painful tingling in tongue and throat.

Sanguineous or yellowish green foam before mouth.

Stammering, embarrassed, indistinct, weak speech ; as if the tongue were paralysed ; or there were resistance to be overcome.

Swelling of tongue.

Tongue discoloured, brown or black ; or else loaded with a thick coating (of mucus).

Twitching of tongue.

Very offensive breath.

Throat (Secale Cornutum)

Burning sensation or troublesome tingling or crawling in throat.

Dryness of throat.

Follicular pharyngitis ; hawks up little follicular exudation.

Inflammation of the oesophagus.

Paralysis of muscles of swallowing and speaking ; in danger of choking.

Appetite (Secale Cornutum)

Burning, insatiable thirst.

Dullness of the taste.

Insatiable hunger, esp. for acid things.

Unnatural appetite, even when dying from exhausting discharges from bowels.

Stomach (Secale Cornutum)

Burning sensation in scrobiculus and epigastrium.

Continuous nausea ; < after eating.

Cramp in stomach.

Disgust, esp. for meat and fatty things, and nausea.

Easy vomiting.

Excessively painful sensibility, distressing oppression (as from a weight), and anguish in pit of stomach, with ineffectual want to vomit.

Frequent risings.

Great anxiety and pressure in pit of stomach, with great sensibility to touch.

Haemorrhage from stomach.

Hiccough.

Inflammation and cancer in stomach.

Inflammation and gangrene of stomach.

Nausea and inclination to vomit.

Retching and vomiting of bilious, crude matter.

Stomachache.

Vomiting of black bile.

Vomiting of dark brown, coffee-grounds fluid ; of all food and drink.

Vomiting of food, with great debility.

Vomiting of lumbrici.

Vomiting of mucus.

Abdomen (Secale Cornutum)

Abdomen excessively inflated and tight.

Borborygmi.

Burning (or coldness) in abdomen.

Burning sensation in abdomen.

Colic, with pains in sacrum and thighs, frequent risings, and vomitings.

Cuttings and tearing pains in abdomen.

Fixed, burning pains in splenic and lumbar regions.

Inflammation and gangrene of the liver.

Liver enlarged.

Painful colic, with convulsions.

Pains in hypogastric region.

Pains in the loins as from false labour pains.

Sensation of excessive coldness in abdomen and back.

Strong pulsation in umbilical region.

Stool and Anus (Secale Cornutum)

Anus wide open.

Cholera ; diarrhoea after the cholera.

Constipation, with continued and ineffectual want to evacuate.

Diarrhoea : frequent brown discharges, dark-coloured ; very offensive ; thin, olive green ; very exhausting ; pernicious.

Diarrhoea of a putrid smell.

Diarrhoea, with sudden prostration of strength.

Expulsion of worms.

Haemorrhage from the bowels.

Involuntary (very watery) evacuations.

Loose, frequent evacuations, with serous, slimy, or else discoloured or brownish faeces.

Offensive, watery diarrhoea (in child-bed).

Paralysis of rectum and anus.

Urinary Organs (Secale Cornutum)

Bladder paralysed.

Emission of urine, drop by drop, difficult, scanty, with continued want to urinate.

Enuresis : of old people ; pale, watery, or bloody urine.

Haematuria ; bloody, albuminous urine ; thick black blood.

Increased secretion of urine.

Scanty, hot, burning urine.

Suppressed secretion of urine.

Urinary deposit like white cheese.

Urine retained.

White urine, clear like water.

Male Sexual Organs (Secale Cornutum)

After lightness in occiput, strong dragging in spermatic cord, so that testes seemed drawn up to inguinal ring.

After sexual excess palpitation of heart.

Chronic spasmodic stricture of urethra.

Numerous erections, even after coition.

Weak memory after exhausting coition ; impotence.

Female Sexual Organs (Secale Cornutum)

Cancer and gangrene of uterus.

Catamenia too profuse and of too long duration, sometimes with violent spasms.

Defective contraction of uterus after miscarriage.

Discharge of blood during pregnancy.

Gangrene of vaginal mucous membrane, with a dark, slate colour.

Labour ceases, and instead twitchings and convulsions.

Lochia scanty and fetid, or of too long duration and sanguineous (followed by fever and inflammation of uterus).

Metrorrhagia of a black, liquid blood, flowing esp. during a slight movement, sometimes with tingling in legs and great debility.

Miscarriage (esp. in third month).

Offensive discharge from uterus causing her to vomit (Ussher).

Prolapse of uterus.

Puerperal convulsions.

Sanguineous congestion in uterus.

Suppression of milk.

Swelling and warts on the cervix uteri, which is partially open.

Too long and too painful after-pains.

Vagina hot or cool.

Respiratory Organs (Secale Cornutum)

Anxious and obstructed respiration, with sighs and sobs.

Expectoration of blood during violent efforts to breathe.

Feeble voice, inaudible, stammering.

Heavy, anxious breathing, with moaning.

Spitting of blood, with or without cough.

Voice hoarse and hollow.

Chest (Secale Cornutum)

Dyspnoea and oppression of chest.

Suffocating oppression of chest, with cramp in diaphragm.

Heart (Secale Cornutum)

Painful sensation over heart.

Praecordial anxiety.

Praecordial tenderness.

Pulse small, very rapid, contracted ; frequently intermittent ; fluttering, slow, depressed.

Violent spasmodic palpitation of heart.

Neck and Back (Secale Cornutum)

Lumbago.

Pain in back and small of back.

Profuse miliary eruption on nape of neck and chest.

Sensation of coldness in back.

Stiffness of nape of the neck.

Tingling and insensibility in back (extending to tips of fingers and toes).

Limbs (Secale Cornutum)

Burning of hands and feet.

Cold gangrene of the limbs ; the dead part separates at the joints and drops off.

Contraction of hands, feet, fingers, and toes.

Cramps in legs, calves, arms, hands, and toes.

Disagreeable sensation of sleep and formication in limbs.

Distortion of limbs.

Drawing, crawling, tearing, and tingling in limbs and joints.

Fuzzy feeling in limbs.

Jerks and convulsive movements in limbs, which manifest themselves esp. at night, often also periodically, and which are > by stretching the parts violently.

Limbs become cold, pale, and wrinkled, as after being a long time in hot water.

Numbness, insensibility, and coldness of limbs, esp. tips of fingers and toes.

Trembling of limbs.

Weakness, heaviness, and torpor of limbs.

Upper Limbs (Secale Cornutum)

Burning sensation in the hands.

Contraction, distortion, and turning back of the fingers.

Degeneration of pulp of nails, the nails are raised.

Distortion of the hands.

Oedematous swelling in the wrist.

Peculiar prickling in tips of fingers that are very sensitive to cold after awhile they began to suppurate, and later the nails separated from their matrix and fell off one after another, leaving an unhealthy granulating surface.

Spasmodic curvature of the arm, with drawing in the part.

Spasms with fingers spread apart.

Swelling of the hands, with black pustules.

Tingling, crawling, with numbness and insensibility in finger-tips.

Lower Limbs (Secale Cornutum)

Burning sensation in (swollen) feet.

Contraction of the legs and toes.

Distortion of feet.

Distressing cramps in calves and soles, esp. at night.

Feet seem asleep and stiff.

Gangrena senilis.

Lassitude and soreness in the legs.

Mortification of toes.

Swelling of feet, with black pustules.

Tingling in toes.

Generalities (Secale Cornutum)

< From drawing up limbs ; esp. in troubles of childbed.

> From stretching out the limbs.

Affections in general of right side ; crooked limbs ; sensation of deadness in any part.

Amaurosis occurring in patients characteristic of this drug ; hard hearing ; blue colour around eyes.

Burning sensation in all parts of the body, as if caused by sparks.

Collapse when the patient cannot bear covering.

Complete mortification of some parts by sphacelus.

Copious vomiting of a mixture of thick, black, pitchy, bilious, and slimy matter.

Cramps in legs, arms, and chest.

Drawing, tearing, and tingling in the limbs and joints.

Dry gangrene, particularly on right side, beginning in toes and running up the limb.

Epileptiform convulsions.

For female complaints chiefly, and esp. when occurring in thin, scrawny, wrinkled females or children.

General atrophy and emaciation.

Great lassitude and indolence.

Loss of sensation throughout the body.

Paralysis.

Rapid emaciation of paralysed parts.

Skin is cold, but the patient does not wish to be covered up.

Syncope.

Tetanus.

Tonic spasms ; of all extensors.

Unsteady gait ; unsteadiness of the whole body ; trembling ; rapid sinking of strength.

Violent and wandering spasmodic pains.

Skin (Secale Cornutum)

Anthrax becoming gangrenous.

Black, gangrenous pustules.

Blackness of outer parts ; crawling on the skin as of insects.

Ecchymosis.

Furunculi.

General desquamation of epidermis.

Heat, with thirst and want of perspiration.

Miliary eruption, esp. on chest and nape of neck.

Petechiae.

Purpura haemorrhagica.

Sanguineous vesicles, which turn to gangrene, in the limbs.

Skin rough and dry.

Skin sallow, lead-coloured, flaccid, and shrivelled.

Subcutaneous tingling.

Swelling and pain without inflammation ; coldness, blue colour, gangrene.

Torpor and insensibility of the skin.

Ulcers that turn black ; skin withered and gangrenous.

Sleep (Secale Cornutum)

Coma with delirium, starts, and fright.

Deep, lethargic sleep.

Sleeplessness, with agitation and dry heat.

Strong inclination to sleep and coma.

Fever (Secale Cornutum)

Cold perspiration.

Cold, clammy sweat all over, esp. above waist-line.

Coldness of surface of body ; esp. of extremities and face ; dryness.

Dry heat, with quick pulse, agitation, and sleeplessness.

Excessive coldness in back, abdomen, and limbs.

Pulse unchanged, even with the most violent attacks.

Small, suppressed pulse (generally slow and contracted, sometimes intermittent, only slightly accelerated during the heat).

Violent shivering, followed by violent internal burning heat, with violent thirst.