Homeopathy LibraryOpium
Reason for use
Acts upon the cerebro-spinal and the sympathetic nervous systems, producing brief excitation, rapidly followed by depression and paralysis of all functional activity.
As a result there is a general torpidity of the entire system.
The cerebral powers are overcome, and stupor ensues ; motion and sensation are destroyed ; the secretions of the mucous membranes are diminished, and the mucous surfaces become dry and congested ; the breathing becomes slow, sighing, and irregular ; the heart's action is retarded, and these evidences of cerebro-spinal paralysis continuing, death results ; or, passing off, leave deranged digestion, headache, sleeplessness, and constipation.
The leading feature of Opium is its depression of the cerebral functions, indicated by great drowsiness and stupor, with stertorous breathing.
Characteristic symptoms.
▲ Worse
From heat; from brandy, wine; while perspiring; during and after sleep
The full Cowperthwaite text, by section
Mind
(Opium)
Complete loss of consciousness ( Bell., Hyos., Laur.), with slow, stertorous breathing ; insensibility to external impressions.
Delirious ; eyes wide open, glistening, face red, puffed up ; sees frightful and distressing visions. (Absinth., Bell., Hyos., Stram .)
Drunkenness with stupor, as from smoke in the brain ; eyes burning, hot, and dry. (Bell.)
Dull and stupid, as if drunk . (Nux m.)
Vivid imaginations, exaltation of the mind. (Can. ind.)
Nervous and irritable ; easily frightened. (Nux v.)
Head
(Opium)
Great confusion, dullness, and heaviness of the head. (Nux v.)
Vertigo as from intoxication . (Cinch., Coccul ., Nux m., Nux v., Puls .)
Congestion of blood to the head, with pulsations in it. (Bell.)
Pressing pains in the temples.
Cold sweat on forehead. (Verat. alb.)
Eyes
(Opium)
Pupils dilated, and insensible to light. ( Bell .)
Pupils contracted . ( Merc. cor ., Phos., Phyt., Physos.)
Eyes glassy, protruded, immovable. (Amyl, Bell ., Hyos., Stram .)
Eyes half closed, red, burning, hot, and dry. (Bell.)
Lids hang down as if paralyzed. ( Caust ., Coni„ Gels .)
Ears
(Opium)
Violent roaring in the ears. (Acon., Bell., Cinch.)
Acuteness of hearing. (Coff., Coca.)
Face
(Opium)
Face bloated, dark-red, and hot ( Acon ., Bell., Hyos ., Stram.) ; flushed ; pale ; earthy.
The face of a suckling was like that of an old man.
Features distorted. (Cic., Cupr.)
The lower lip and jaw hang down. (Lyc.)
Twitching in the corners of the mouth. (Ign.)
Tongue.- (Opium)
Paralysis of the tongue, and difficult articulation. (Caust., Dulc., Nux m., Nux v., Hyos., Gels .)
Tongue : purple ; black (Phos.) ; white. (Ars., Bry., Nux v ., Puls., Sulph.)
Dryness of the mouth. (Ars., Bry ., Dulc., Nux m., Puls .)
Throat
(Opium)
Dryness of the throat. (Apis, Ars., Nux m.)
Inability to swallow, from paralysis. (Nux m.)
Stomach
(Opium)
Loss of appetite. (Alum., Ars., Cinch ., Natr. mur., Phos., Sulph .)
Violent thirst. (Acon., Ars., Bry., Nitr. ac ., Sulph.)
Vomiting of food ; of green substance (Iris, Podo.) ; of blood (Ham., Nux v., Podo., Stan.) ; of fecal matter ; with violent cutting colic and convulsions.
Heaviness and pressure in the stomach. ( Ars., Bry .)
Violent pain in the stomach ; increased by pressure.
Abdomen
(Opium)
Inactivity of the digestive organs. ( Alum .)
Abdomen hard, distended, and sensitive to touch. ( Acon., Bell .)
Accumulation of much flatus, with rumbling in abdomen. ( Carb. v., Lyc .)
Incarcerated umbilical and inguinal hernia ; fecal vomit.
Violent griping and cutting in the abdomen. (Coloc.)
Pressive pain in the abdomen as if the intestines would be cut to pieces.
Stool And Anus
(Opium)
Anus spasmodically closed during the colic, with difficult emission of flatus.
Involuntary stool ( Arn ., Carb. v., Hyos ., Rhus tox.) ; offensive (Ars.) ; after fright. (Gels.)
Diarrhoeic stools, whitish, pasty, frothy, causing burning in anus ( Aloe, Ars., Sulph. ) ; black, fetid. ( Ars., Lept .)
Constipation from inactivity of the bowels (Alum., Camph., Plumb.) ; from spasmodic retention in small intestines.
Stool composed of hard, round, black balls . ( Alum ., Kali carb., Plumb .)
Cholera infantum with stupor, snoring, convulsions.
Urinary Organs
(Opium)
Involuntary micturition. (Bell., Hyos.)
Retention of urine from paralysis of fundus of bladder ; from spasm of sphincter ; from nursing after passion of nurse.
Urine scanty, dark-brown, cloudy. (Canth.)
Male Organs.- (Opium)
Increased sexual desire, with frequent erections and pollutions. ( Phos ., Nux v.)
Respiratory Organs.- (Opium)
Dry cough, with tickling and scraping in the larynx ( Rumex ) ; with gaping, drowsiness ( Ant. tart .), yet cannot sleep.
Deep snoring respiration, with open mouth.
Frequent involuntary deep breathing ; long and sighing respiration.
Respiration irregular, slow, and stertorous.
Laryngismus stridulus.
Cough, with dyspnoea and blue face.
Cough, with profuse sweat on whole body.
Pulse
(Opium)
Full and slow (Digit.), with snoring , slow and soft ; small and weak (Ferr.) ; irregular.
Back
(Opium)
Back spasmodically curved, like an arch. ( Cic .)
Limbs
(Opium)
Trembling of all the limbs, especially arms and hands ; after fright.
Numbness and sensation of swelling in hands and forearms.
Spasmodic jerkings and numbness of limbs.
Convulsive movements of limbs. (Cic., Bell., Hyos.)
Coldness of the extremities . (Camph., Verat. alb.)
Generalities
(Opium)
Twitching, trembling of head, arms, hands ; now and then jerks of flexors ; body cold ; inclination to stupor ; motion of body and uncovering of head relieves.
Tetanic spasms ; opisthotonos ; begin with loud screams, foam at mouth, trembling of limbs, eyes half open, pupils dilated and insensible to light ; face dark-red and hot (Hyos.) ; from fright, anger, etc.
General insensibility of the nervous system ; no reaction. (Carb. v.)
Paralysis after apoplexia ; in drunkards ; in old people.
Bed feels so hot she cannot lie on it.
Emaciation and debility.
Sleep
(Opium)
Great drowsiness, can hardly keep awake. (Nux m.)
Unrefreshing soporous sleep (Arn., Laur., Physos.), with eyes half open and snoring. (Sulph.)
Sleepy, but cannot go to sleep. (Cham., Bell., Lach.)
Restless, uneasy sleep ; full of visions and imaginations.
Sleeplessness (Cimic., Coff.), with acuteness of hearing ; clock striking and cocks crowing at a great distance keep her awake.
Fever
(Opium)
Body cool, head warm.
Head hot , cheeks red and burning.
Whole body burning, even when bathed in sweat ; wants to uncover ; complains that bed is too hot.
Cold perspiration over whole body, especially on the head and forehead.
During lucid intervals, complains head is too hot.
Typhoid type of fever, stupor, can scarcely be aroused ; speechless ; eyes half open ; mild delirium or loud talking, fury, singing, desire to escape ; the darker red the face the more it is indicated ; impending cerebral paralysis from profound congestion.
Aggravation
Therapeutic Range.- (Opium)
Ailments from fright (Acon., Gels.), or emotion ; after fright, fear of the fright still remaining ; ailments from charcoal vapors ; ailments from lead in paints, pipes, and otherwise-lead colic ; delirium tremens ; apoplexia ; cerebral paralysis ; convulsions ; trismus ; epilepsy ; constipation ; diarrhoea ; typhoid fevers ; dry cough.
Conditions
(Opium)
Especially suitable for children and old persons ; for drunkards.
Compare
(Opium)
Acon., Ars., Bell ., Bry., Camph., Can. ind ., Coff., Digit., Hyos., Lyc., Merc., Nux v., Puls., Rhus tox., Stram., Sulph., Verat. alb.
Antidotes
(Opium)
Bell., Coff., Coni., Camph., Ipec ., Merc., Nux v., Plumb., Vinum.
To large doses : very strong coffee ; Camph., Bell., emetics ; warm baths.
Opium Antidote.-
Ant . tart., Bell., Digit., Lach., Merc., Nux v., Strych., Plumb., Stram.
Charcoal vapors.
Copyright © Robert Séror 2003
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