Ipecacuanha

In Hahnemann's Materia Medica Pura, L'Art Médical , 1868, British Journal of Homoeopathy , Vols. XXVI and XXVIII.

What is Ipecac ?

A small shrub growing in Brazil, whose common name is Vomit root , and our tincture is prepared from the dried root in the same manner as Colocynthis and Cinchona are prepared.

What conditions does Ipecac powder frequently produce in pharmacists ?

Conjunctivitis, and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nose and bronchial tubes.

What is its general action ?

Its chief action is on the ramifications of the pneumo-gastric nerve, producing spasmodic irritation in chest and stomach. Gastric symptoms, especially a persistent nausea and vomiting predominate.

Besides these, the symptoms of Ipecac reveal distinctly an intermittent character, and hence its great use in malarious states.

What is the grand characteristic of Ipecac ?

Distressing and intense nausea and inclination to vomit, and after vomiting there is immediate inclination to do again.

Constant nausea with a clean tongue is the watchword.

What are the indications for Ipecac in headache ?

Sensation as if the bones of the head were crushed or bruised ; there is an unilateral sick headache over one eye, with deathly nausea and very pale face ; there is a drawn, nauseated expression about the mouth.

Give the stomach symptoms.

Intense nausea and vomiting, which are followed by exhaustion and sleepiness. Troubles arising from fat food, pork, pastry, candy, etc. The stomach has a hanging down, relaxed feeling.

What distinguishes it from Antimonium crud. in stomach troubles ?

The tongue is clean, whereas in Antimonium crud . it is thickly coated white.

What other drugs have a relaxed hanging down feeling at the stomach ?

Staphisagria, Tabacum and Sepia .

How is Pulsatilla distinguished in gastric troubles ?

The distress in Pulsatilla comes on while the food is still in the stomach ; with Ipecac it is while the stomach is empty ; the tongue, too, with Ipecac is clean, in Puls . coated.

What are the stools of Ipecac ?

Green, bloody or fermented, looking like molasses, accompanied by griping about the umbilicus, worse by motion.

What is the action of Ipecac on the respiratory system ?

In the nose there is a coryza ; there is a dry spasmodic cough, ending in choking and gagging, and a tickling which extends from the larynx to the extremities of the bronchi ; coarse râles all over the chest, with violent paroxysms of coughing and retching, face pale and great dyspnoea ; incessant cough with every breath.

How do these symptoms compare with Antimonium tart. ?

This has fine râles, very little cough, increased dyspnoea, weakness and drowsiness ; the chest seems full of mucus, but they cannot cough it up.

What are the symptoms of Ipecac in asthma ?

Spasmodic asthma, with weight and anxiety about the chest ; sudden wheezing dyspnoea, threatening suffocation ; aggravated by motion ; the cough causes gagging and vomiting.

What are the symptoms of Lobelia inflata in asthma ?

There is a weak sensation in epigastrium extending up into chest ; nausea ; profuse salivation ; great oppression of chest, relieved by moving about ; sensation of lump in stomach.

What is the whooping cough of Ipecac ?

Convulsive cough, where the child stiffens and becomes pale or blue and loses its breath ; great nausea and relief from vomiting.

What remedy is complementary in whooping cough and convulsions ?

Cuprum .

What are the haemorrhages of Ipecac ?

In haemoptysis, where the blood is bright and in gushes, with nausea and gagging. In haemorrhages of bright red blood, which flows steadily ; nausea, etc.