Carbo vegetabilis

Volume II — Main text

Carbo vegetabilis. Vegetable charcoal made from the wood of the birch, beech, or any other tree. I. Provings.- 1. HAHNEMANN, Mat. Med. Pura, vol. vi of original (2nd ed.), vol. i of translation. Contains 720 symptoms from self and 3 fellow-provers . 2. IBID., Chronic Diseases, Part iii of original, vol. of translation. Contains 1189 symptoms, additional ones being from self only. 3. THOS. L. BROWN, æt. 26, health good, stout and florid. From Oct. 24th, 1876, to 26th inclusive, took 2 gr. 3 times daily of 2nd. cent. trit. 27th.-Dull, heavy frontal headache,continuing from noon till bedtime ; eyes weak, dry, glassy, wanted to keep them shut. 29th.-Another dose at 3 p.m. Nothing further till Nov. 1st, when he experienced the frontal headache again, most severe over r. eye, boring, with slight dizziness ; violent exercise caused it to extend into eye and become quite sharp ; sense of fulness in brain. Also, sharp pain on outside of hip and thigh, commencing in m. and lasting till e. Pain in hip recurred next d. For some d. r. side ofhead in front was sensitive to strong movement. (Dr. C. WESSELHOEFT's provings, Trans. of Amer. Inst. ofHom. for 1877, p. 198.) 4. J. R. Huss, æt. 23, health good. Took 2 grs. of 3rd trit. 3 times daily Oct. 27th, 29th, and 31st, Nov. Ist and 2nd ; twice daily Nov. 3rd ; once on 4th and 6th. On 10th, had toothache and gumboil ending in abscess over 1. lower wisdom tooth. (Ibid. ) 5. HENRY HANBY, æt. 30, robust and sanguine. Took 2 gr. of 2nd trit. three times a d. from Oct. 23rd to Nov. 10th inclusive. On 26th, general sense of dulness, with indifference to wishes or presence ofthose about him, and feeling weak in every way ; had not slept well at n., turning and tossing all the time, soreness on lying on one side any length oftime, could not find asoft place ; woke at 5 a.m. with constricted feeling at sides of trachea, at 6.30 worse, pain on swallowing (mouth tastes as if there were lime in it) ; got up with pain in back of head, behind ears ; at 7 p.m., constriction in throat returned, and seemed to extend to occiput, drawing head backwards. It continued for next three d., involving cricoid cartilage, which was sore to touch, and returned Nov. 1st, with soreness and dryness of throat. * Dr. Hempel writes :-" From 4 gr. of the drug taken 4 times a d., gradually rising to 24 gr. 3 times a d., Dr. Duplan and others observed a copper-coloured eruption over the whole body, more particularly in the face. Small furuncles, of the size of peas, likewise broke out, smelling like burnt meat when discharging; the excrements spread a similar odour." We are unable to trace this observation, for which no reference is given; so it must stand quantum valeat.- Eds.

Stools had been loose and frequent on 24th, but a hard and dark one came on 25th, as also to-day (very unusual) ; abdomen was sore and hard, painful when lying on 1. side. Similar stool on 3rd, with great straining ; head feels full, with soreness ofcondyles of lower jaw ; sharp shooting pain in chest while lying on 1. side. On 4th this continued, so that he had to lie all the time on r. side, heart felt pressed down, so that he could hardly feel its action, with faintness and shortness of breath. * On 10th pain in glenoid fossa, with swelling at back of neck, gone by 14th. On 23rd feeling as if a stone were in abdomen below umbilicus, and on 26th soreness from thence through the spine and up to shoulders. Dec. 2nd.-Fulness and pressing down at vertex, sense of distension in parietal regions, pressure over eyes as if head were bound with band, itching all over scalp. 3rd.-Stitching pains in region of heart. 7th .-Tenderness over apex of heart, worse on coughing, increased on lying down, relieved on rising. 10th.-Return of constriction of throat, with much yellow thick mucus therefrom and from posterior nares ; general soreness and tenderness over abdomen, which feels full and hard, though he has had no appetite for several d.; darting pains as if a knife were running through stomach ; pain in testicles for several d., also at end of penis, with tearing and stinging ; urine of dark colour, scanty, and passed with stinging pain. 13th.-Constriction of throat continues, only worse, with feeling as if tonsils were swelled, difficulty in swallowing, and pain on coughing. 17th.-Fulness in head, with pressure from within outwards, as if it would burst, relieved at 5 p.m. 21st.-Same fulness and bursting feeling about sides of head, pressure on forehead relieved by counter-pressure ; hardness of hearing ; pain increased in r. (?) side ; shortness ofbreath. (Ibid.) 6. D. M. DYSENT, æt. 24, stout and florid, health good. Took two-grain doses of 2nd trit. 3 times daily from Oct. 23rd. to Nov. 10th. Oct. 28th.-Urine dark ; severe temporal headache ; cold hands and feet at noon. 29th.-Vertigo aggravated by stooping ; perspired freely ; weakness in lower limbs. 30th.-At 8 a.m. intense headache, sharp pains in temporal regions, nausea, loss of appetite, cold hands and feet. At 2 p.m. felt warm, perspired freely ; urine dark and scanty ; bowels loose but regular. 31st.-On waking very severe headache ; nausea, without vomiting. At 2 p.m. diarrhea, cold hands and feet, no appetite. Nov. Ist.- Bowels moved in n.; at 2 a.m. some headache through temples. 2nd.-Aching in lower limbs, m.; dark brown coat on tongue ; scalp sore to touch ; bowels moved 3 times. 3rd.- Feel better ; slept well ; urine dark, scanty ; bowels moved twice. 4th.- Nothing worthy of notice ; bowels not moved. 5th.-Slight headache ; bowels moved once ; urine dark and scanty. 6th and 7th.-Tongue coated, bitter taste, flatulence. (Ibid.) 7. W. E. GILL, æt. 24, fair and slender, health good. Took grain doses of 3rd trit. 3 times daily from Oct. 23rd. to Nov. 15th. Oct. 25th.-Gulping up sour and bitter stuff, belching of bitter fluid I h. after eating ; mind clear and in rather happy frame. 27th. Still some gulping ; urine free and light coloured, continuing so (no other * It is noted on 21st that " heart symptoms continue," but nothing is said of them during the interval.-EDS.

symptoms mentioned) till Nov. 13th. 14th.-R. hand inclined to go to sleep. 15th, 9 p.m., twitching ofr. thumb ; legs and arms inclined to go to sleep, with beating and bubbling sensation in r. deltoid. 16th. -Soreness of small ofback coming on gradually, fine darting pains at times ; small watery blisters on lips ; have not cared to take as much exercise as usual ; going to sleep about 5-6 p.m. 17th.-Sleepy feeling in legs and arms ; feeling in l. foot when put down as if bones were pressed apart ; dull pain at internal condyle of l. femur. 18th.-Woke with stiffness of 1. sterno-mastoid, sore to touch ; cervical glands enlarged behind 1. ear ; sensation as if meatus were swollen and sore. 19th.- Same condition, with hands and feet sweaty ; sensation as if meatus were closing up ; throbbing headache through temples. 22nd . -Glandular swelling begins to go down. 24th.-Chilliness in back ; dry cough at I p.m. 25th.-Hoarseness this m., lasting all d.; dull pain under upper sternum ; dry cough, painful, raising a little tenacious mucus ; sensitive to air ; urine often light coloured ; somewhat constipated for several d. past. 26th.-Coughing on talking ; sense of swelling in trachea, with soreness and sickish feeling in upper chest. Dec. Ist. Discharge from 1. ear ; coughing still quite frequent ; worse in the house. 2nd.-Coughing up saltish phlegm, with gagging ; cough increasing during d.; nose stopped up with thick yellow matter ; burning of cheeks and anterior nares ; headache from 3-5 p.m.; sensitiveness of scalp on small spot of vertex. 3rd.-Felt feverish in m., coughed most of n., at 3.30 had to get up to avoid choking, sputa thick and viscid ; headache in temples ; weak, cannot walk without getting tired, and trembling of legs ; in e. nares dry and hot. 4th.-Tickling in larynx, causing cough : took ipecac. with relief. ( Ibid.) 8. W. OWENS, jun., æt. 19, good health, stout and florid. Took 2 gr. of (probably) Ist trit. 2 or 3 times daily from Oct. 24th-28th inclusive. 25th.-Headache (at noon) on rising or making any exertion ; sleepy 3-4 p.m. 28th.-Dull headache 3-6 p.m. 29th.- Constipation ; sensation as if hæmorrhoids would come down, with sharp cutting pains in anus. 31st.-Feeling as if sphincter ani would give way. Nov. 3rd.-At 3 p.m. some headache ; eyes felt pressed back in sockets as far as a line drawn from ear to ear, worse 1. side ; pain increased on rising or starting to move. 4th.-Very restless n.; head aches still, m. , the pain in 1. side darting and shooting towards parietal bone. 15th.-Still sleepy 3-5 p.m.; legs and arms become numb, as ifgoing to sleep ; still constipated; involuntary muscular movements of hands and feet ; urine greatly increased, of natural colour. 19th.- Headache better, appetite extraordinarily good. ( Ibid.) 9. W. H. PAINE, æt. 25. After first dose of Ist trit. in e. slept well, but on waking next m. found heavy white coating on tongue ; complete loss of taste ; confusion of ideas ; frontal headache extending to occiput ; nausea, but not great ; urine profuse, and often white ; feet cold ; unsteady gait, especially on going upstairs ; some internal heat ; slight constipation. The above symptoms lasted a week, save the coated tongue. [Observer does not say if he took any more medicine.-EDS.] ( Ibid.) 10. E. E. HOLMAN. Took 8 doses of 3rd trit. at 2 h. intervals

from 7 a.m. After dose at II slight pain in 1. temple ; which after next dose increased much and rapidly extended over top and sides of head, continuous, very excruciating in character, but dull. At2 feeling of " goneness " in stomach, and general lassitude. After dose at 3, with these symptoms hard sensation in stomach, as ifsomething foreign were there, with sour and bitter eructations which relieve it. After dose at 7, symptoms all increased ; lungs and throat feel raw, as if scraped ; watery discharge from nose. Was kept half awake all n., and in m. felt tired, cross, sleepy, mouth having peculiar feeling as if painted or coated over with something, and tasting as he remembers it doing in measles . Has tried drug since, with similar results, but no new ones . A room-mate took one dose, which caused a " terrible " headache similar to that described. ( Ibid. ) II . S. S. ALDRICH, æt. 40, in fair health . a. Took 2 powders of Ist trit. before dinner (of milk) on Tuesday ; felt slight stimulating effect on brain and urinary organs. On Wednesday 3 powders before breakfast ; effect as on previous d., a little stronger. On Thursday, 4 powders at same time ; general headache, as if in brain, with contraction ofgenital organs . b. On another occasion took 5 powders at I h. intervals. After 3rd, symptoms of flatulency and slight stimulation in front brain, which after 5th increased to a slight headache. (Ibid.) 12. а. Mrs. Wнітсомв , M.D., took a gr. of Ist trit. on Nov. 19th 4 times. Between 6 and 7 p.m. had pain in 1. side, followed by dull, heavy ache in splenic region. 20th.-Same doses. From 4 to 6 p.m. heavy pain and pressure in l. ovary, also in bladder, with frequent urging to micturition but scanty result ; much flatulence ; tendency to rush of blood to head ; cold feet ; dull pain in region of kidneys, extending to scapula. 21st.-Same doses. From 1 to 5 p.m. pain in iliac region and sacrum ; pressure in bladder ; same desire to urinate d. and n. 22nd. No medicine, but bladder symptoms continued, with similar pressure in rectum . b. Dec. 3rd, took 4 gr. before breakfast. At 9 a.m. dull pain in splenic region ; in l. lumbar region colicky pain, with a good deal of flatulence. 7th.-In e. 4 gr., repeated on morning of 8th. At noon of latter d., splenic pain again ; severe pain in l. side of head, in temple, ear, and down neck, sharp and lancinating ; sick feeling in stomach. M. evacuation lumpy with mucus. 9th and 10th.- Icy cold hands ; chill if she leaves fire ; p.m., painful pressure to urinate. c. Jan. 16th, took I gr. of 2nd trit. at noon ; 2 p.m., excitement in system generally ; e., unusual chilliness ; slight splenic uneasiness . Repeated dose on going to bed and next m. 17th. At noon, some uneasiness in stomach ; at 4 p.m. dull pain in left parietal bone ; at 6 heavy, dull pain in stomach ; some pain in region of bladder ; passes urine more frequently than usual and more of it. d. April 17th, took at noon I gr. 3rd trit. 5 p.m., faint, sinking feeling in stomach ; sense of confusion in occiput. At 5.30 2 gr. At 8.30 dull pain, quite severe by spells, in region of spleen and 1. ovary ; pressure in bladder ; desire to urinate, but little is passed ; faint feeling

in stomach ; general depression ; pulse 80, weak. At 9.30 2 gr.; during n. pressure on bladder with scanty result as before ; pain in both ovaries ; from 5 to 6 a.m. sinking feeling and prostration ; eructations. At 7 a.m. 2 gr.; between II and 12 dull splenic pain ; at 2 p.m. irresistibly sleepy ; some pain in r. hypochondrium ; several times during d. itching, on arms especially, no rash or redness ; sinking feeling by spells during d.; constipation ; frequent tasteless eructations and some flatulence. A 5 p.m. 6 gr. In 15 m. dull pain in frontal region ; lids so heavy she could hardly open eyes, sight dim, but no pain ; same splenic pain, also in small of back and stomach ; empty eructations ; very depressed. Pains passed off in th., but depression lasted into next d., and for several d. there was thick white mucous sediment in urine, no change in quantity. e. Dec. 27th, 4 gr. of Ist trit. on retiring, and again on 28th, h . before breakfast. Between 10 and 12 a.m. splenic pain.; at 12, transient roaring in 1. ear, followed by ringing in r.; very chilly though near fire ; very cold feet, hands look purple, shrunken, and cold, very cold feeling in back between shoulders ; same bladder symptoms ; dull pain in l. iliac region. Took 8 gr. on going to bed ; on rising next m. felt nauseated, dull pain in r. hypochondrium. On 29th, 16 gr. No perceptible symptoms that d., but next m. severe constriction of sphincter ani ; though stool was small there was sharp pain at first attempt to pass it, and difficult relaxing of muscle. (Ibid.) 13. Three persons proved under direction of Dr. Whitcomb a. S. M. W-, a young man of 18, took increasing doses of3rdtrit. , till by 4th d. he had consumed 47 gr. That d. he had (for first time in life) piles, protruding half an inch, and very sore ; they troubled him about 3 d. No other symptom. It should be mentioned that for 10 d. before proving S. M. W-, ordinarily in good health, had felt unusually depressed and weak.-EDS.] b. W. B. W- took Ist trit. for 3 d. in Nov., with no symptom save boring pain along urethra. In April took for 4 d. 3rd trit. in large and increasing doses, without any effect. On Dec. 28th took 4 gr. of Ist, m. and noon ; very cold feet ; in e. unusually depressed. At n. 8 gr. Had to rise to void urine twice (unusual), a quantity passed. On 29th took 8 gr. m. and n., with same result during the n., but no other symptom. с. Т. А. HAMMOND, a young man of 23, of good health, fleshy, eats a good deal of rich food. Took powder of 3rd trit. at 10 p.m. on April 18th. Slept well. 19th.-At 5.50 a.m. another ; at 6 weary feeling in small of back. At 7 repeated dose; pain increased, urinates. 8, dull pain in or through temples ; also dull darting or running pain in 1. side, especially in small of back. 8.40, sneezing, with stringy transparent mucus from nose. 9.15, full or pressing sensation through bowels ; extremities cold; pain through temples. 9.40, throat sore on 1. side ; sharp pain in or through 1. temple. 10.30, pain nearly gone from temples, but quite severe in l. cheek ; soreness in throat increased. 11.35, face, throat and side all better, but not quite free from pain. At I p.m. another powder ; same pain in head ; throat quite sore. 3, very sore across bowels, especially lower part ; frequent sneezing. 4,

pain in bowels subsiding, in both temples quite severe ; throat better. 5, throat and bowels well, some pain in 1. side. 6, this also gone ; occasional pain still in l. temple. On another occasion took same at 1, 2, 3.10, and 4 p.m. At 2.30 languid feeling ; pain through temples, changing in 25 m. to back of head. At 3.40 this pain more severe ; sense ofweight in stomach ; thirst, which water does not appease. 4.10, pain more severe, extending to back of neck, like neuralgia (worse r. side of head and 1. of neck) . 5, sick all over ; pain same, also (slight) in r. arm. 6, same ; little appetite ; nothing tastes good ; pain rather less . 6.30, less sick ; appetite returning. 9.20, pain almost gone ; feels thirsty and sleepy. (Ibid.)* 14. a. Mrs. FLORA H. STANFORD, married 13 years, two children, health fair. Took blank powders from Oct. 29th to Nov. 26th, a long array of symptoms being recorded. From Nov. 29th to Dec. 4th took gr. doses of Ist trit. 3 times a d. In n. of30th felt cross all the time, and had slight hacking cough, raising some white mucus ; throat slightly sore. That afternoon loose stools with tenesmus ; next m. gushing watery evacuations, with same. Dec. 2nd.- Legs tired, especially calves ; abdomen bloated all e. 3rd.-Same bloating in e. ; can bear no pressure on thyroid gland, which feels tightened. 4th.- Feet cold in warm room at noon ; 1.30, burning of fauces, with desire to cough. 8th.-For last few d. continuous tingling in 1. Scarpa's triangle, seat of old abscess. b. From April 2nd-20th took 1-3 doses daily of 2nd trit. On 7th same feeling deep in sciatic notch, while standing and walking, more on r. side than 1., extends across sacrum. 8th . Thirst alternating with slight salivation ; frequent desire to micturate after even slight exercise ; pressure between scapulæ, this last repeated next d., with soreness in throat and tickling causing cough. In e. so tired in hips and sacrum she had to lie down, which relieved. 10th.- Pressure in sacral region continues,though slight ; urine light, nearly colourless, urging to micturate almost constant. 17th .- 11.15 a.m., secretion of viscid then watery saliva ; 2 p.m., alternate dryness of mouth with salivation ; in e. pressive pain in epigastric region. 18th.-Again dryness of mouth, with thirst, alternating with salivation. 20th.- After getting up pressure returned between shoulders. ( Ibid.) 15. Mr. R. R. TROTTER, æt. 28, health good. Oct. 20th-Nov. 13th took blank powders, with but few symptoms. Nov. 20th-Dec . 1st took Ist trit. of drug in frequent and increasing doses. Only new symptoms were :-On 23rd, slight constipation ; on 24th and 25th fluent coryza ; on 27th and 28th sleeplessness early in n.; on 29th ‫دو‬ " canker sore on inside of lip. Dec. 4th. Posterior cervical muscles painful to touch, pain along spine. 16. Mrs. J. H. MARSHALL, æt. 37, catarrhal and dyspeptic. Took blank powders for 6 d. from Oct. 30th, and recorded a good many * The above provings (3-13) were communicated to Dr. Wesselhoeft by others. In the remainder, made under his own superintendence, the provers first took (unknowingly) blank powders, and noted their symptoms while doing so. Only those appearing for the first time while the drug was being taken will appear here.-EDS.

symptoms. Nov. 11th-24th took occasional 3-gr. doses of Ist trit. Only new symptoms were :-On 12th feeling of tight band round waist, relieved by passing (very offensive) flatus ; darting pains in r. great toe. On 15th, urgent desire to urinate, with passage of large quantity of pale urine ; on 16th, same, with constipation, at n. palpitation and horrid dreams. On 20th, dry, cracked swollen lips ; fissures of tongue, with vesicles around edges that smart as though burned. On 24th, hot, constricted feeling in chest, causing dyspnea and short dry cough, passing off in about 1 h. Heart's action disturbed all through proving. ( Ibid.) 17. Miss M. MASON. General health good ; seldom has an ache or pain of any description, even at period. Oct. 26th-Nov. Ist took blank powders, and had a variety of morbid sensations. April 23rd.- Feeling well, took 3-5 gr. of Ist trit. daily (often more than once) up to 28th and similar doses of 2nd to May 2nd. On 25th, continuous, rather sharp pain in r. shoulder, worse on motion, later going through to chest. On 28th, creeping pains in knees, and burning heat in l. foot. On 29th, menses appeared, preceded by several quite sharp pains through uterus ; through e. wretched nervous feeling, originating in uterine region and culminating in inner thighs. 30th.-Feet feel as though dipped in coldwater ; doleful feeling ; ine. crazy feeling in r. head, and steady pain in r. orbital region, tired-out sensation in front and top of brain ; feeling of weight in uterus and r. ovary ; nervous fidgety feeling down r. thigh . May Ist.-Heaviness in uterus ; feet like ice, and feel damp; in e. stitching pain through r. parietal region. (Ibid. )*

Volume IV — Appendix

CARBO VEGETABILIS.

(See vol. ii, p. ij.)

II. I. May 20th, 1875, Mrs. J. L. C. came to mc very much alarmed about herself, with a remarkable train of symptoms. Her first complaint was of an alarming numbness in all the external pans, which she feared threatened paralysis ; also a peculiar mental weak, ness and confusion, as well as general weak and faint condition of body, especially in m,, preventing rising till late. She complained of rheumatic pains and lameness, worse in arms and thighs ; stopping ot breath ; palpitation, and anguish in all vital regions. I soon saw that there was no paralysis, or danger of it ; but probably some drugaction. I therefore went through a systematic examination of the case, with the following result : Great anguish, especially in e. ; restlessness ; irritability. Ideas slow ; confusion ; memory lost periodically. Oppres sive headache above eyes, with nausea -, vertigo on slightest motion of head. In eyes itching, smarting, burning j near vision ; twitching of eyelids. In ears, ringing, humming, pressure. Face pale; drawing and tearing in facial bones ; twitching of upper lip. Drawing and tearing pain in teeth ; looseness of teeth, soreness of gums, also of tongue. Difficult deglutition ; pain in throat when coughing. Avcrsing to meat, very marked and continued ; appetite lost ; taste bitter ; simplest food causes distress ; heartburn ; constant nausea, with tremulous feeling. Pain in hypochondria, as if from a bruise ; pressure and cramp in lower abdomen ; constipation, with soft stool. Urine diminished ; frequent urging to micturate. Oppression in lungs and heart; palpitation. Painful stiffness from neck down entire spinal column ; feeling as if wrists were too short ; feeling of numbness in hands and feet, and these, with knees (which are stift), " go to sleep" all the time Formication all over skin ; burning ; chilliness, with (lashes of heat. Very drowsy in d. ; falling asleep very late at n. j frequent starting in sleep, with strange fancies.

After getting this remarkable train of symptoms, I said : " You have been taking carbo vegetabilis to excess ; your symptoms present a complete picture of it." She then acknowledged that she had been doing so. She had begun with eating bits of charcoal for heartburn, and " to sweeten the stomach " ; but latterly she had been in the habit of triturating it in a mortar to an impalpable powder, and taking it in that form, about half a teaspoonful 2 or 3 times a d. On discon* tinuing the charcoal the symptoms all disappeared in a few d. (G. Nelson Smith, /fm. J. of Horn, Mat. Mtd.^ ix, 183,)