Cinchona Officinalis

Where are the original studies on Cinchona found ?

In Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura, British Journal of Homoeopathy , Vol. XXIV, Hughes' Pharmacodynamics .

What special interest does this drug possess to the Homoeopathist ?

It was while studying this remedy that Hahnemann made the discovery of the law of Similia Similibus Curantur , or nature's law of healing.

From what does it take its name ?

It was named after the Countess of Cinchon, wife of the Viceroy of Peru, in which country it was first discovered and carried to Spain. It is also known as China .

What is its common name and what are the principal varieties of it ?

Peruvian bark , of which there are over fifty varieties ; but three are common, the pale bark, the red bark and the yellow bark ; the latter is called Cinchona flava , or Cinchona calisaya , and it is from this variety that we obtain our tincture, it being made from the dried bark.

How is our tincture prepared ?

He dried bark is coarsely powdered and the procedure is the same as described under Colocynthis .

What are the alkaloids of Cinchona ?

Cinchonine, Cinchonidine, Quinine Quinidine and Quinamine .

What is the usual allopathic dose of Quinine ?

From 1 to 30 grains.

Give briefly the general action of Quinine.

In small doses it stimulates, and in large doses it depresses the activity of the cerebro-spinal system - hence its homoeopathicity to states of atony. Weakness, especially from any drain on the system, is the general sphere of action calling for this drug. The element of periodicity also is most characteristic.

Give the symptoms of the affection known as cinchonism.

This is a name given to a group of nervous symptoms produced by overdosing with Quinine . The first warning is usually a buzzing in the ears, with more or less deafness, headache and vertigo, and dimness of sight. Heart's action weakened ; sometimes an intoxication not unlike that of Alcohol is produced, followed by delirium, stupor with difficult respiration and convulsions.

What are the principal drugs to antidote the evil effects of Quinine ?

Arsenic, Ipecac, Lachesis, Pulsatilla, Ferrum and Veratrum .

Give the indications calling for Arsenicum.

Profound prostration ; patient is tired and languid in the morning ; great thirst, swollen spleen, dropsical swelling and recurring neuralgias.

What is the grand effect of Cinchona upon the blood ?

It produces a condition of anaemia ; a condition of bloodlessness, both in quality and quantity.

What is the great characteristic in cases of debility ?

Weakness, debility and diseases resulting from the loss of vital fluids, such as blood, semen, milk, or in exhausting diarrhoeas.

When is Cinchona indicated in haemorrhages ?

Dark clotted haemorrhages, from any part of the body, with coldness of face, collapse, gasping for breath, and the patient wants to be fanned ; ringing in the ears.

Does the Cinchona patient usually like cold air ?

No ; Cinchona patients are aggravated by drafts of air, and haemorrhage is the only condition where they want it.

What other drug has a copious passive haemorrhage and where the patient wants to be fanned ?

Carbo veg .

What is a marked amelioration of Cinchona ?

Warmth and a warm room.

What is the headache of Cinchona ?

Headache with violent throbbing of the carotids ; head feels as though skull would burst ; sensation as if brain beat in waves against skull. Anaemic headache.

How does this compare with the Belladonna headache ?

The headache and throbbing of carotids so characteristic of Belladonna is due to hyperaemia, while under Cinchona it is an anaemic condition.

Give the symptoms of Cinchona in digestive disturbances.

It has a sense of satiety after a few mouthfuls of food, and a painful distension which is only momentarily relieved by belching ; there is a sensation as if the food had lodged in the oesophagus behind the sternum ; the food is apt to lay a long time in the stomach and finally be vomited undigested. The distension after eating a little is characteristic.

What other drugs have this full feeling ?

Carbo veg ., which has relief from belching, and Lycopodium , which has the symptom that after a few mouthfuls there is a feeling as if a full meal had been eaten.

What is the diarrhoea of Cinchona ?

Painless diarrhoea, which is slimy, bilious, blackish, of a cadaverous odor, and mixed with undigested food, worse at night and after eating, with rapid exhaustion and emaciation ; the child is hungry and soon after it eats, its bowels move. Worse after eating and from fruit.

What are two other drugs having an undigested stool coming on after eating ?

Ferrum met . and Arsenicum .

How does the stool of Phosphoric acid differ from that of Cinchona ?

It lacks the debility of Cinchona .

What are the symptoms of Cinchona in intermittent fever ?

Restlessness before the chill, absence of thirst during chill and heat, but marked thirst during the sweat, during the chill wants to be covered, but has no relief therefrom ; during heat wants to uncover, but becomes chilly on doing so ; sweat is profuse and debilitating ; yellow, sallow face ; no characteristic time, perhaps occurring more in the afternoon and evening ; all stages well marked, anticipating chill every second day. During apyrexia patient feels well ( Arsenic , feels sick and miserable). It is seldom of use in inveterate cases, where the liver and spleen are hypertrophied and where much Quinine has been taken, though an enlarged spleen does not contraindicate the remedy.

How does this differ from Chininum sulph. or the sulphate of Quinine ?

Here the chills return with great regularity, clear intermissions, regular paroxysms, nearly clean tongue and profuse sweats.

When would Ipecac be given ?

When the case is mixed up ; there is a short chill, long fever, a predominance of gastric symptoms, and marked nausea.

Give indications for Cornus florida, another remedy useful in intermittents.

Sleepy before chill ; dullness, drowsiness, headache and exhaustion ; very weak between paroxysms, with diarrhoea and jaundiced skin.

What are the indications for Chinchona in hectic or suppurative fevers ?

Hot cheeks, patient nervous and prostrated, very sensitive, diarrhoea and copious night sweats.

When is Cinchona indicated in neuralgia ?

Periodical infra-orbital neuralgias of malarial origin, where the slightest draft makes the patient worse.

When is Chininum sulphuricum indicated in spinal irritation ?

Where there is great sensitiveness of the spine in the dorsal region ; the last cervical and first dorsal vertebrae are very sensitive to pressure.

What is the action of Quinine on the spleen ?

It enlarges it, hence may be useful in enlargement of that organ.

What is the action of Ceanothus on the spleen ?

It enlarges it, producing a persistent pain in the left hypochondrium, under the short ribs, with intense dyspnoea. Acute and chronic splenitis, patient is worse in damp cold weather, is chilly and dreads the cold.

Give symptoms of Grindelia robusta, another spleen remedy.

Sore, aching or cutting pain in region of spleen extending as low down as hip ; spleen large and tender ; sallow complexion.