Causticum

Volume II — Main text

A peculiar preparation of Hahnemann's, probably a solution of caustic potash. 1. Provings.-I . HAHNEMANN, Fragmenta de Viribus. (There called " Acris tinctura.") Contains 30 symptoms from self. 2. IBID., Mat. Med. Pura, vol. ii of first and second editions. (Not included in translation, because omitted in 3rd edition of vol. ii). Contains (2nd ed.) 106 symptoms from self, and 201 from 7 fellowobservers . 3. IBID., Chronic Diseases, Part 3 of original, vol. of English translation. Contains 1505 symptoms, additions being from Hahnemann and Nenning.

Volume II — Appendix

Causticum. For the following note upon the chemistry of this drug we are indebted to Mr. Wyborn. Indescribing it aswe did we followed Dr. Black (Brit. Fourn. ofHom., xxiv, 476). "Asolution of ammonia, with some ammoniacal derivatives such as amides and amines (artificial alkaloids) and oxidised organic matters. If incautiously distilled, traces ofalum, lime, or potassium sulphate may be mechanically carried over into the receiver. At the temperature produced by the slaking of lime water is decomposed, oxygen and hydrogen being being set free in the nascent state. Oxygen in this conditionacting upon organic matter in the air combines with it and forms various

compounds, and, again, nascent hydrogen is by anindirect process or otherwise combined with the nitrogen of the air and thus ammonia is formed. Amides are derived from ammonium salts by abstraction of water. Amines are derived from hydrocarbons by substitution of amidogen (NH₂) for an equivalent quantity of hydrogen by various processes, and from more complex nitrogen compounds by decomposition."