Gelsemium Sempervirens

Low Type Of Thirstless Fever

5. Complaints arising from emotional disturbances.

How does it dilate the pupil ?

By paralyzing the third nerve, which supplies the circular fibres of the iris ; there being no longer any resistance to the action of the radiating fibres, the pupil dilates.

How does Belladonna dilate the pupil ?

By stimulating the sympathetic, which supplies the radiating fibres of the iris, so that they overcome the action of the circular fibres.

When will Physostigma contract the pupil ?

As this drug contracts the pupil by stimulating the third nerve, it will only contract the pupil dilated by the action of Belladonna , and not that dilated by the action of Gelsemium .

What are some other eye symptoms of Gelsemium ?

It causes paralytic symptoms, such as diplopia or double vision from paresis of the eye muscles. Ptosis and strabismus ; all from its action on the third nerve.

What drug is useful for ptosis of rheumatic origin ?

Rhus tox .

What is the mental condition of Gelsemium ?

Dull, stupid and apathetic ; ailments, diarrhoeas, etc., from emotional excitements, as bad news, fright, grief, etc.

What is the headache of Gelsemium ?

Dull, heavy ache with heavy eyelids. It commences in the nape, passes over the head and settles in an eye ; worse in the morning ; the patient is listless and stupid, the face is dark red, appears as if under the influence of liquor ; there is also a feeling of a band around the head.

Mention some other drugs having this last symptom.

Iodine, Mercury, Carbolic acid and Sulphur .

What are the indications for Gelsemium in cold in the head and catarrhs ?

First stage, where there is fullness of the head, fever and chilliness ; chills run up and down the back, with a marked inclination to hug the fire ; there is a watery excoriating discharge from the nose, and sneezing ; there is a predisposition to take cold from any change of the weather, especially if the weather be warm and relaxing.

What are the indications for Gelsemium in Influenza or La grippe ?

Almost specific in beginning cases with fever. Muscular aching. Mental dullness, a dark flushed face and complete apathy and physical weakness. Eyes dull, lids heavy.

What of Aspirin, the popular remedy ?

Probably 90 per cent. of all deaths from Influenza are due to this dangerous drug. It devitalizes the blood, greatly weakens the heart as shown by the cyanosed lips, and robs the patient of the assistance of the only organ than will bring him through the attack. It leads almost inevitably to pneumonic complications.

What of the throat symptoms ?

Aphonia from paresis of the muscles, sore scraped throat accompanying nasal symptoms ; pain extends into ears ; worse right side ; post-diphtheritic paralysis.

What are the characteristic respiratory and heart symptoms ?

On dropping asleep there is a sensation as if the heart had stopped beating, forcing the patient to move to stimulate it into action.

What is the diarrhoea ?

Sudden, copious, yellow, cream-colored or papescent diarrhoea, which is caused from fear or fright or other emotional excitement ; whitish or yellowish tongue.

What other drugs have diarrhoea from fright ?

Opium, Veratrum alb., Argentum nitr . especially chronic, and Pulsatilla .

What are the male sexual symptoms of Gelsemium ?

Prostration and loss of tone in the sexual organs ; coldness, spermatorrhoea without erections, impotence, involuntary emissions resulting from masturbation ; gonorrhoea in the beginning, with marked soreness at the mouth of the urethra, discharge scanty, little pain but much heat.

What are the female symptoms ?

Sensation as if the uterus were squeezed with a hand ; neuralgic dysmenorrhoea, with scanty flow ; aphonia and sore throat during menses.

What is the chief indication for Gelsemium in labor ?

Rigid os uteri from tardy dilatation ; uterus soft and flabby ; does not contract or expel ; patient drowsy ; premonitory stage of puerperal convulsions.

Give some of the nervous disturbances of Gelsemium.

Loss of power of muscular control, cramp in muscles of forearm ; professional neuroses, such as writers' cramp, violin players' cramp, etc. Excessive trembling of all limbs, ptosis and other paralyses.

The fevers of Gelsemium, what characterizes them ?

Five Ds. - Drowsiness, Dullness, Dizziness, Diplopia and Downward tendency ; soreness of muscles and absence of thirst ; great prostration and remission of symptoms.

What in addition characterizes the intermittent fever ?

The chill runs up the back ; there is aching all over the body ; the patient wants to be held so that he won't shake so ; noise and light are intolerable ; sweat is partial, but it relieves all the pains ; copious urination also relieves.

What of its use in typhoid fever ?

Sore, bruised sensations all over the body ; early stages, dread of motion, drowsy, red face.

What are its indications in measles ?

The catarrhal symptoms, great prostration, stupor and absence of thirst ; itching and redness of the skin.

What are the characteristic pains of Gelsemium ?

Deep-seated muscular pains and dull aching pains.