Synonyms. — Sodium Chloride. Chloruretum Sodicum. Natrium Chloratum Purum. Sodii Chloridum. Chloride of Sodium. IOO THE TWELVE TISSUE REMEDIES. Common Karnes. — Common Salt. Table Salt. Chemical Properties. — Formula, Na CI. It occurs abun- dantly in nature, nearly everywhere. It crystallizes from aqueous solutions in colorless, transparent, anhydrous cubes ; it is soluble in three parts of cold water, scarcely more in boiling. It is insoluble in absolute alcohol. Its watery solu- tions dissolve several bodies insoluble in water, e. g., Calc. flhos., etc. Preparation. — One part by weight of pure chloride of so- dium is dissolved in nine parts by weight of distilled water. Amount of drug power, one-tenth. Dilutions and triturations should be prepared according to Hahnemann's methods. Physiologico-chemical Data. — This salt is a constituent of every liquid and solid part of the body. Its function is to regulate the degree of moisture within the cells. This function of salt to regulate the degree of moisture within the cells is accomplished by virtue of its property of attracting water, which is imbibed as drink or in the food, and reaching the blood through the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane, whence it may finally reach ■ the various cells, giving them the needful degree of moisture. Every cell contains soda, combining with nascent chlorine, which is formed by the splitting up of the chloride of sodium contained in the intercellular fluids. This chloride of sodium within the cell thus produced has the property of attracting water ; in consequence of which the cell enlarges and is divided. Only in this way does division of cells for purposes of cell multiplication take place. If no chloride of sodium is formed within the cells, the water destined to supply their moisture is retained in the intercellular fluids, and a hydremia results. The patient then shows a watery, bloated appearance, is languid, drowsy, lachrymose, chilly, especially along the spine and extremi- ties. He craves salt. Although a plentiful supply of salt may be offered in the food, the diseased condition is not re- moved, simply because the cells cannot take up the particles of salt unless offered in a very dilute solution. NATRUM MURIATICUM. IOI An oversupply of salt within the intercellular fluids often occasions a salty taste, due to the irritation of the glossophar- yngeal and lingual nerves. Such a condition also causes acridity of secretions of mucous membranes or of open wounds. Chloride of sodium contained in the healthy epithelial cells of serous membranes regulates the osmosis of water from the arterial blood to the several serous sacs. A disturbance of the functions of these salt molecules is followed by a watery exudation within the sacs. By the therapeutic application of small doses of Natrum mur. the cells are enabled to reabsorb the exudation. A disturbance of the molecular motion of this salt in the epithelium of the tear glands, or in the salivary glands is fol- lowed by lachrymation or ptyalism. If the dental branch of the fifth nerve is irritated, and the disturbance reaches the lachrymal glands, which is done by means of the secretory fibres of the sympathetic, and which results in a disturbance of the function of the molecules of salt in these cells, we have a toothache accompanied by a profuse flow of saliva. The epithelial cells of the intestinal mucous membrane transfer, by means of their salt, the water taken with the food into the blood contained in the branches of the portal vein. A disturbance of their function through any irritation results in a reverse flow. Serum enters the intestinal canal, and a watery diarrhoea results in consequence. And if the irritation reaches the mucous cells of the intestines, a watery, mucous diarrhoea results. The mucin of the mucous cells appears on the surface as a glairy, transparent mucus. The normal secretion of mucus is decreased if the mucous cells contain too little salt and mucin. It is the sodium chloride particularly which regulates the quantity of water entering into the composition of the blood corpuscles, thereby preserving their form and consistence ; and it seems to perform an analagous office with regard to the other semi-solids of the body. (Dal ton.) 102 THE TWELVE TISSUE REMEDIES. The Natr. mur. molecules contained in the epithelial cells of the peptic glands become split up by the mild action of the carbonic acid of the blood, its chlorine is separated, and the free soda unites with the carbonic acid, and this combination reaches the blood while the chlorine, united to the hydrogen and dissolved in water, reaches the stomach as hydrochloric acid. If on account of the want of salt in the epithelial cells of the peptic glands no HC1 can be formed, there arises an increase of the exudated alkaline mucus from the superficial epithelium of the mucous membrane of the stomach. Diluted hydrochloric acid, given in order to reduce the secretion of the superficial epithelial cell to the proper quantity, is but a palliative procedure ; a rational cure must be effected by re- storing the disturbed motion of the NaCl molecules which are found in the nourishing fluid of the epithelial cells of the peptic glands by means of administering homogeneous mole- cules. This is also the function remedy of mucin, which is con- tained in the epithelial cells of all mucous membranes. It cures catarrh of such when its characteristic exudation is present ; just as the hydrochloric acid formed in the epithelial cells of the peptic glands reduces the increased alkaline mu- cous exudation of the superficial epithelium to the right quan- tity, so can the hydrochloric acid that is formed by splitting up of the chloride of sodium within the mucin of all mucous membranes limit the secretion of the mucus in the formative (nascent) stage. It is a fact that hydrochloric acid is obtained from salt {Natr. mur.\ not only by means of carbonic acid acting upon the salt in a mass, but a similar result is obtained by the ac- tion of water. In the former the carbonic acid unites with the sodium which has lost its chlorine, and this combination reaches the blood ; in the other case, sodium hydroxyd results, which dissolves the mucin and increases the secretion of mucus. This explains the origin of catarrh in damp atmos- pheres. In consequence of a marked disturbance of the function of NATRUM MURIATICUM. 103 salt, blood serum may transude into the stomach and vomit- ing of a watery secretion (waterbrash) will result. If salt is lacking in a portion of cells (below) the epidermis, their proper amount of water cannot be received, and the epidermis rises in blisters, with clear, watery contents. Similar blisters, from corresponding disturbances, may arise on the conjunctiva. In consequence of a disturbed function of salt we may find at the same time, though in different places, secretions either increased or decreased. For instance, a gastric catarrh with vomiting of water or mucus may exist, together with a con- stipation, caused by a lessened secretion of mucus in the colon. Among the main effects of undue salt-eating we find : 1) A thickening and partial paralysis of the vocal cords and an almost continual sore throat. 2) A pale and waxy color, with dryness of the cuticle, which yet perspires too freely upon exertion. 3) Constipation or chronic diarrhoea. 4) Abnormal appetite. 5) Plethora and corpulence. 6) Retarded endosmosis and exosmosis. 7) Thinning of the blood, slow circulation and lowered temperature. 8) Dandruff, cutaneous affections, deposits and abscesses. — Medical Argus, Sept., '96. General Action — Natr. mur. promotes the activity of tissue change and increases the excretion of urea, hence its use in chronic scrofulous ailments affecting the glands, bowels and skin. It acts upon the blood, lymphatic system, the mucous lining of the digestive tract and upon liver and spleen. It causes a deterioration of the blood and other vital fluids, par- taking of a scorbutic nature, giving rise to inflammation, going on to ulcerations and producing distinct dyscrasiae. It also produces, and hence cures, cachexia like that resulting from ague plus quinine. Malnutrition and emaciation. Anaemia, leucaemia, hydraemia, chlorosis and scorbutus. A serous dis- charge is the leader to this drug. It causes pains in any part 104 THE TWEEVE TISSUE REMEDIES. of the body when they are accompanied by salivation, in- creased lachrymation, or by vomiting of water or mucus. Mucous membranes everywhere are affected, producing sponginess and swelling with venous hyperemia, bleeding and increased mucous secretion ; hence, catarrhs of all mucous membranes, with secretions of transparent, watery, coarse, frothy mucus. Vesicles with watery contents, which burst and leave a thin scurf. Watery vomiting, increased aqueous- ness of any part of the body, hydrocephalus, etc. The tongue has a clean, shiny appearance, or bubbles of frothy saliva extend along its sides, or is broad, pallid, puffy, with a pasty coat. Di- minished secretions of any part of the body, salty taste. Dr. L,eon Rosenbusch, of Iyemburg, reports a most favora- ble experience in the use of Natr. mur. by subcutaneous in- jections in cases marked by danger of failing circulation. The following is a resume by the author of the indications for injection and the amounts to be used : i. Sudden collapse (five to eight drams of a six per cent, solution). 2. Paresis of the heart muscles from any acute disease (five to eight drams at once, and then one to two drams daily). 3. Acute gastro-enteritis, great weakness after severe vomit- ing and diarrhoea (eight to twenty ounces of a tepid solution of six per thousand). 4. Hemorrhage from lungs, stomach or bowels (five drams, then one and a half drams daily). 5. Heart-failure in consequence of chronic disease and ca- chetic conditions (one and a half drams daily for several days). Grinding- Symptoms and Characteristic Indications Mental Symptoms. — Hopeless feeling about the future. De- jection of spirits, consolation aggravates ; fluttering of the heart follows. Delirium with starting, wandering delirium with frothy appearance of the tongue. Hypochondriacal mood with constipation. Excitement, excessively frolicsome, with inclination to dance and sing ; angry irritability with passion- NATRUM MURIATICUM. 105 ate outbursts. Delirium tremens ; most cases will be cured by this remedy. Melancholia at puberty. Brain-fag. Head and Scalp. — Dull, heavy headache, with profusion of tears, drowsiness and unrefreshing sleep. Head nods forward involuntarily from weakness of muscles of neck. Headaches with constipation, from torpor and dryness of a portion of the intestinal mucous tract, when the tongue is clean or covered with bubbles of frothy saliva. Headache with vomiting of transparent phlegm or water, also sick headache with this symptom {Calc. phos.). Hemicrania, loss of consciousness and twitching of limbs. Hammering: headache, generally worse in the morning. Headache of schoolgirls during menses, with burning on the vertex. This is the chief remedy in sun- stroke. Engorged venous sinuses with tendency to extrava- sation, temporary cerebral congestion. Itching eruption on margin of hair at the nape of neck with glutinous moisture. Dandruff, white scales on scalp sometimes co-existing with watery secretions from the mouth, nose or eyes. Falling off of hair.