Sumbulus moschatus

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Musk-Root)

Description. — The Sumbul is a native of Central Asia; supposed to be an aquatic plant of the order of Umbelliferm. The odor is that of musk; the taste an aromatic bitter.

Officinal Preparations. —Tincture and triturations of the bark of the root; dilutions.

[From provings in Vol. ix., No. xxxvi., of the British Journal of Homozopathy, by Dr. Cattell.]

Analogues. — Arnica, Asafo&tida, Gastoreum, Coffea, Cactus, Camphor, Digitalis, Iberis, Ignatia, Lachesis, Naja, Nux moschata, Pulsatilla, Spigelia, Sulphur, Scutellaria.

Mental Sphere.

Very mirthful disposition; inclined to be gay, witty and

smiling, (p.) Fits of hysterical laughter and tears.

Frequent mistakes of writing or summing; one letter or figure is written for another.

Depression of spirits; provoked and enraged by the least irritation, (s.)

Head.

Dull pain and tension; fullness of the head.

Round, sore elevations of the cuticle, on left parietal bone;

painful when touched; dry, and coming off in dry scabs. Vertigo on stooping, and from using warm water, moving

about, or on rising from a seat; feeling a want of security. Pains in the head relieved by the warmth of the fire.

Face.

Reddish spots on the face, forehead, chin and cheeks, that con

tain either water or white, thick, curdy matter. Numerous black pores on the face.

Eyes and Ears.

Sudden sensation of foreign body in left eye, like dust, obscuring the sight.

Intolerance to light, with aching pain in left eye; worse when

moving it. Swimming before the eyes. Loud ringing and hissing in both ears.

Nose.

Skin peels off the nose in dry patches.

Tenacious yellow mucus in the nose,' worse in left nostril.

[This symptom was prominent and persistent, and resembles the Sambucus catarrh. It ought to prove curative in the worst form of nasal catarrh. — Hale.]

Mouth and Throat.

Erosion, burning heat and rawness in the throat, with tenacious mucus. Brown coating on the tongue in the morning. Tongue feels rough, as if scraped, with heat in the throat.

Tenacious mucus in the throat.

[The same catarrhal condition of the nasal passages extends into the throat and posterior nares. I would advise a trial of it in the catarrhs of children, with great nervous irritation, sleeplessness and even spasms. — Rale.]

Stomach. Burning, dry heat in the stomach.

Shooting pains in cardiac end of the stomach, with nausea. Increased appetite, (p.) Loss of appetite, (s.) Eructations of wind, with taste of food. Pain as if a knife was cutting the stomach. Aching in the stomach, increased by pressure.

Abdomen.

Tensive pain and gnawing in right hypogastrium. Abdomen full, distended and painful.

Rectum and Stool. Constipation for eleven days.

Stool, with great expulsive efforts, preceded by sickliness, commotion of intestines and sickly pain in left inguinal region; rather soft, very long and thin, with sensations as if rectum protruded and anus was not closed.

Frequent inclination to stool, which is likely to be loose.

Liquid and small stool, followed by burning and cutting in the anus.

Thin stools, scanty, with much tenesmus.

0 Ascarides, with bloated, drum-like abdomen and constipation; picking at the nostrils. (Two cases cured by the fifteenth dilution.)

Urinary Organs. (Urine clear, when passed, with white, small threads; after

some hours, a white cloud forms, in which the threads

look like white spots. White sediment; the urine passes freely and painless. Urine clear, yellowish-red, cloud in the bottom, and an oily

pellicle on the surface. Urine deposits a rosy sediment. Frequent desire to urinate.

Sexual Organs. Male. — Heat and burning sensation in the genitals. Increased sexual desire, with frequent erections. Tingling in glans penis; the left scrotum hot and inflamed. Phimosis; excretion of whitish curdy matter abundantly

between glans and prepuce; glans and prepuce bluish-red

and swollen; testes on left side dark red, excoriated. Saltish-smelling semen from genitals, with exudation of

greenish-yellow pus from excoriated surface of scrotum. Violent preputial gonorrhoea, oozing pains, feeling as if drops

were passing from the end of penis. Pains in penis when pendant; relieved by being kept up. Dreams of an emission, at first with, then without, an emission (Dioscorea). Female. — During catamenia, pains around the head, from

cerebellum to frontal region. Leucorrhoea (whites), especially after sitting, which continues. ° " Cork-screw " pains in the left region of the uterus and its

appendages. {Cattell.)

Larynx.

Cough from tickling in the throat.

Cough, hacking, detaching sweet mucus into the throat.

Chest.

Dull pains through the left chest, worse on moving the left

arm or leaning forward. A jerking, inspiratory murmur, very distinct, below left nipple,

over seat of pain ; not so on right side. Prickings in left chest, in a line with nipple, externally. Tensive pain, like a string pulling, in right breast. Tightness, tensive, stretched feeling across chest, between left

breast and sternum, and in left breast, worse on inspiration.

[It corresponds to the symptoms of spasmodic and hysterical asthma. It is used as a "patent medicine specific" for asthma, and with some popularity. A Dr. Weaver, in Investigator, says it works like a charm in asthma, and that it arrested the paroxysm in an " old case." I think it will prove useful in cardiac-asthma.— Hale.]

Heart and Circulation.

[In the North American Journal of Homoeopathy, May, 1872, I published

the following "Heart Symptoms of Sumbul," as a study, illustrative of

the best plan of studying the cardiac symptoms of our medicines. — Hale.] Motor Symptoms.

Palpitation of the heart, with transient flushes of heat, irregular and weak pulse.

The heart beats softly, as if in water, with " sinking " of the heart, sickliness and faintness all over.

Palpitation of the heart, from the least exertion; going up stairs; increased by paying attention to it.

Violent and irregular palpitation, with bellows sounds.

Palpitation and jerking of the heart, at intervals, worse during the flushes of heat, after drinking " stout," and in the evening.

Intermittent palpitation, uneasiness over the heart, jerking

whilst lying down or sitting. Pulse: irregular pulse; at times weak, at other times strong,

ranging from 100 to 70 per minute; always compressible,

and attended with transient flushes of feverish heat; skin

moist.

Pulse very irregular, strong, then " narrow," or weak, low, with occasional full, quick beats, 100 to 60, compressible; with coldness of the body.

Physical Signs.

The action of the heart full and sharp, strokes at times irregular, beating rapidly eight or ten times, then slowly, (like Arnica and Spigelia.)

Heart's impulse strong, jerking, especially after exertion, or when ascending stairs, and during digestion.

Posteriorly, over left scapular region, an indistinct viscid murmur and purring sound, similar to that which has been

supposed to depend on muscular contraction, and often associated with rheumatism (like Spigelia); this sound ii not heard at all, anteriorly.

Bellows sound of the heart, with violent and irregular palpitations, and flushes of heat in floods from the back. [These last two symptoms were removed by Spigelia 3d.] Sensory Symptoms.

Lancinations and biting pains in left breast, increased by a deep inspiration.

Sharp pains, like a knife, in the left chest, every day.

Tightness — a tensive, stretched feeling across the chest, between left breast and sternum, and in left breast; worse on inspiration.

Oppression in left chest, clogged sensation, as if it were difficult to force the blood through that lung; (s.) worse on stooping.

Chest on left side feels loaded and oppressed, with choking

constriction (in chest). (?) Dull, tensive pains and pricking in left chest, under armpit

and near nipple, in a line with it externally. Dull pains through the left chest, worse on moving the left

arm or leaning forward. Dull, tightened pain in left chest, on blowing the nose. Pain like a knife darting through left chest, from a spot a

little below the breast, with flashes of heat; worse after

meals; with irregular pulse. Pricking as of needles in left chest.

Concomitant Symptoms. Near. — Aching, bruised, beaten sensation in the muscles of

the left arm.

The hand (left) was ruddy, with distended veins, flushes of heat, and very irregular pulse.

The left hand red, with painfully distended veins; the veins become empty when raising the arm, but painfully distended on depressing it.

Left arm numb, heavy, and weary, with sharp, wiry, shooting of the fingers, laterally, and in the joints of second and fourth fingers.

The left arm easily numbed by the slightest cold, or by resting it on anything; causing tingling, pricking numbness; the lateral surfaces of the fingers felt sore, and the arm felt bruised. The left arm and hand is easily chilled and numbed in the cold, despite gloves and friction; the fingers, especially the third and fourth, are then bluishwhite; the nails blue, with a sensation as if they were being rooted up; when brought into the warmth, this hand is slow in recovering itself, and held near a fire, or in a heated room, its vessels become distended much more than those of the right, and in a cool temperature this is some time in disappearing. (The left suspender is inclined to slide off the shoulder.)

The whole left side of the body is similarly affected, easily benumbed, with loss of elasticity in the blood vessels.

Flushes of heat, with dry or moist skin; palpitation of the heart, and irregular compressible pulse; sensation of throbbing in neck, head, (left side most.)

Remote. — Vertigo on stooping, or using warm water; fainting, swimming before the eyes, loud singing and hissing in both ears, weakness and trembling; worse in evening.

Faint feeling, and tendency to faint on slightest exertion, after excitement, and on hearing music.

Hysterical mood (even in men); alternate laughter and tears; easily excited; emotional; irritable; fidgety; at first the spirits are exalted, then depressed.

Dreams of falling from a great height.

c5 O O

An oily pellicle on the urine, and a tenacious, ropy, rosecolored sediment.

Rheumatic pains in various parts of the body, joints, muscles, especially of the left side.

Neck.

Pressive feeling on nape of neck, left side, which is swollen and hot.

Sensation of throbbing in neck and nape of neck, on left side, increased by heat.

Back.

Aching pain across the lumbar region of the back.

Pains in left lnmbar region of back, and pricking in right side

under the ribs. Frequent chills through the back, with debility. Frequent feeling as if hot water passed through the lumbar

vertebrae.

Tensive pains and pulsations in swelling, extending down left side of spinal column, not tender to touch or pressure. Extremities.

Aching, beating sensation in muscles, chiefly triceps of left arm.

Rheumatic pain from right knee to ankle, when walking. Tensive pain in left shoulder.

Aching pain down left arm, and in knuckle joint of the fore finger.

Debilitated muscular power.

Jerking in the limbs and starts in the muscles, even to contortion of the whole bod}7. Aching in knee joints, worse from heat.

Sensation (painful) as if internal ligaments of right knee were

loosened, on stepping. Shooting pain from back of ring finger to wrist of left hand,

(ulnar nerve). Twitching pain in left iliac region. Numbness of left arm.

Sleep.

Sleep, with prolonged amorous dreams. Unpleasant dreams, not frightful. Sleeplessness, from nervous excitation.

Fever.

Dry, transient heat over the body, increased by exertion. All the symptoms accompanied by heat. Flushes of heat in the throat, mouth and head. Sensation of cold wind blowing on the lumbar region. Heat and profuse sweat at night in bed. Coldness of the body; pulse 66.

° Marked benefit in low and nervous fevers succeeding typhus. * Typhoid fever, with cerebral excitement. "Numbness and coldness of the tips of the fingers.

Skin.

Itching in the skin; miliary spots on back, especially right shoulder blade and hip, which provokes scratching till they bleed.

Skin dry, as if washed in acid water.

Coldness, and dry, white shrunken skin.

• Porrigo in infant, on the left scalp; spots round and dry,

slightly raised and reddened at the edges, with bran-like

scales in the centre. {Dr. Cattell.)

Generalities. 0 Dropsy, dependent on impaired nervous vitality. 0 Hysteria and hysterical spasms.

° Epilepsy; she falls suddenly forward, foaming a+ the mouth; unconsciousness. {Dr. Cattell.)

° Chorea, with ravenous appetite, constant jerking of limbs and head, with protrusion of the tongue; happy disposition, with continued and inappropriate smiling; constipated bowels; vomiting of food; idiotic expression; fears she shall go mad. {Ib.)

• Tendency to faint from the slightest cause. {Ih.) A want of elasticity in the blood vessels.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

This medicine is prepared from a singular root found growing in Central Asia. It has an odor so similar to musk that it is largely used in the adulteration of that expensive perfume. We here have one of those strange similarities between the animal and vegetable which baffles the curiosity of investigators. Are the ultimate atoms of the perfume of Sumbul and Moschus identical? Are the dynamic effects of those atoms the same? Is their curative power similar? These and many more questions arise and confront us when we contemplate the strange similarity of their perfume.

Old Professor Tully asserts that their odor as well as taste gives us a clue to the curative power of drugs. I believe it is partly

true. The odor of Aralia and Eryngium are very similar, and both are useful in asthmatic affections.

Sumbul is useful in many disorders for which Moschus is recommended. Both have symptoms strikingly similar, and their action on the nervous system is quite analogous. Sumbul also resembles in effects many other odoriferous substances, namely, Castoreum, Nux moschata, Ambergris, and Asafoetida.

The pathogenesis of Sumbul shows it to be homoeopathic to hysteria and those mental aberrations peculiar to nervous women. Vertigo is a prominent symptom. It ought to cure acne in young persons. It causes a peculiar, persistent, nasal, and pharyngeal catarrh, which closely resembles the Sambucus catarrh. I believe it will prove one of our best remedies for those catarrhal affections of children, attended with great nervousness, sleeplessness, and tendency to spasms. The discharge consists of tenacious yellow mucus, like that of Hydrastis and Cubebs.

When collecting its symptoms I was impressed with the idea that it would prove a good remedy in verminous affections, particularly the reflex nervous symptoms. I afterwards found the record of several cases of u ascarides, with bloated, drumlike abdomen and constipation, picking at nostrils, etc.,” cured by the 15th dilution.

Sumbul causes that peculiar appearance of the urine due to the presence of Urate of soda, namely, an oily pellicle (scum) on the surface (Sulphur, Pulsatilla, Petroleum).

Its primary effect upon the generative organs of both sexes appears to be that of a powerful excitant. It causes an inflammation of the male organs similar to the effects of the gonorrhoeal poison. It may prove a useful remedy in spermatorrhoea.

Its sphere of action doubtless includes the uterus and ovaries, but the provers were nearly all men, and the only clinical record we have is a reported cure of pains in the left uterine region, which may have been in the left ovary.

It is said to be one of the constituents of a popular nostrum used for asthma. One homoeopathic physician, a Dr. Weaver, praises it in that disease.

If useful in asthma, it is indicated in the catarrhal, but more especially in the spasmodic (hysterical), perhaps also the cardiac.

The cardiac symptoms are so unique and characteristic that I have carefully arranged them in the pathogenesis in systematic order. I believe it will be found a superior remedy for many functional disorders of the heart which are not amenable to ordinary medicines. I doubt its power to cause or cure structural lesions, — although the prover got “ murmurs, bellows’ sounds, and purrings,” — but, as Dr. Cattell observes, they may have been due to “ muscular contractions.” I think I have observed in many cases “murmurs” and various abnormal sounds, which were caused by irregular contractions of muscular fibres of the heart.

I expect to use it successfully in nervous 'palpitation, occurring in hysterical patients, or at the change of life. It is homoeopathic to the flushings of that period. It seems to affect the left side in preference to the right. The venous system is more under its control than the arterial. (Its action on the heart may be mostly on the venous side.)

Dr. Cattell, the original prover, found it useful in typhoid fever, as an intercurrent remedy; in prurigo in an infant; also in epilepsy , fainting , dropsy, and chorea.

Sumbul is a drug of which we probably as yet only very partially know the value. In Russia it is used in low fevers of a typhoid type; also in asthenic cases of dysentery and diarrhoea; and it has even been said to have proved successful in cholera. It is considered by Thielmann, of St. Petersburg, the most trustworthy remedy in delirium tremens. Dr. Granville, who introduced it into England, recommends it in cases of gastric spasm, hysteria, dysmenorrhoea, epilepsy, and nervous disorders. Mr. Murawieff, a Russian physician, recommends it in chronic bronchitis, moist asthma, occurring in old anaemic and scorbutic subjects, in atonic dyspepsia, leucorrhoea, hypochondriasis, and hysteria. I can bear witness to its decided efficacy in chronic bronchitis, and in certain stages of phthisis.

As a remedy for neuralgia of a certain type, Sumbul has probably more value than any known drug. It is sometimes very surprising to observe the rapidity with which a severe facial, sciatic, or ovarian neuralgia will yield to a few doses of Sumbul, though it had resisted very powerful remedies. It is difficult to say exactly what are the characteristics of the neuralgias which

prove thus amenable to Sumbul, but certainly this kind of pain is most frequently found in women, particularly those of a quick and lively nervous constitution. On the other hand, the dull migraine of hysterical women, who have a phlegmatic constitution and a great tendency to obstinate constipation, does not yield readily, if at all, to Sumbul.

A prominent Russian physician recommends Sumbul very highly for a peculiar form of neuralgia, which attacks the left hypochondriac region, or the region under the left breast, and is so severe as to simulate angina pectoris. It occurs in nervous, lymphatic women who are suffering from uterine disorder, and is often attended with palpitation of the heart. In such cases a few drops of the tincture often act magically. In this respect Sumbul resembles Cimicifuga, Pulsatilla, and Lilium.

In the restlessness of pregnancy, an affection which is exceedingly distressing to some women, though others do not suffer from it, Sumbul is often invaluable ; a draught of thirty to forty minims of the tincture, with a little Chloric ether, giving quiet nights for a long time together without losing its power. — Phillips’s “ Materia Medica.”

In the insomnia of chronic alcoholism Sumbul often serves a similar purpose very efficiently.