Physostigma venenosum

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Physostigma Venenosum.)

Botanical Description. — This is an irregular, kidney-shaped bean, about an inch in length and three-fourths of an inch in breadth; the product of the Physostigma Venenosum, a perennial woody creeper of Calabar, Africa, where the bean has been used by the natives as an ordeal test for criminals, witches, etc., since time immemorial.

It contains an alkaloid known as physostiymia, or eserine.

Officinal Preparation. — Tincture with strong alcohol; dilutions.

Analogues. — Agaricus, Belladonna, Gelseminum, Solanum, Conium, Curare, Passiflora.

Head.

A feeling of buoyancy; desire to move and talk continually. Dullness of the mind; sluggishness of the brain. Dizziness, with great fullness of the blood-vessels of the brain. 0 Congestion of the brain, with epileptiform attacks. Constriction of the forehead and eyes, with heaviness of the

lids; numbness and dizziness. Dizziness and sensation of wavering in the brain, when walking, half an hour after tea. {II. L. Chase.) Deep-seated pain in the forehead, with desire to rub it. {Chase.) Dizziness in walking; it requires an effort of the will to keep

from staggering. Severe pressing pain in the forehead, as though something

hard was bound tightly on it, accompanied by dizziness

when walking. Difficulty in concentrating the thoughts. {Chase) Confusion of the head, vertigo with loss of strength in the

legs, as if he had been drinking. (Cullis.) He staggers like a drunken man, and goes to bed with his head

swimming.

Some headache over the right eye, lasting two days. {Cullis.) Strange vertigo at night; she holds to the bedstead to keep

from falling, and makes an effort to shake off that feeling.

Her whole frame seems loosened and powerless. Her thoughts wander and she has difficulty in fixing her

atten tion.

Feeling of constriction around forehead and temples, changing into oppressive pain over the left orbit and extending to the forehead and temples, very troublesome in reading.

Heat and redness of the face.

Dull weight along the vertex, mostly on the left lobe of the brain. ( Wesselhceft.)

Feeling of constriction around the entire top of the head, as if a tight cap were being pressed down as far as the temples, at the same time severe pressure along the sagittal suture, as if from fulness of the longitudinal sinus and dull aching in each temple. ( Wesselhceft.)

Dulness; was obliged to make an extra effort in speaking with

people. ( Wesselhceft.) Pressing from within outwards in vertex and temples. During the forepart of the day he has at times a feeling of

weakness, though there was uncommon mental activity.

(Cullis.)

Sudden attack of headache with nausea and bitter rising, followed by dull pain under the sternum, increased by suddenly turning the head, bending forward or throwing the shoulders forward.

Headache with fullness and a sense of faintness, with a numb feeling down the left arm, pulse 50 to 60 with feeble impulses.

Face and Eyes.

Face hot and red.

Sensation of contraction of eyelids with difficulty of opening them, and a suffusion of tears, when opened wide. (Chase.)

Sensation of contraction of the whole left side of the face, with slight numbness; it required an effort to keep the eyelids open.

Eyes unusually free from black spots, (curative.)

For three days attacks of partial blindness, on attempting to

write he was unable to see a line. Alternation of dilatation and contraction of the pupil from

oscillatory motions of the pupillary muscles, ending in

permanent contraction. (Leven.) Nystagmus. (Leven.)

Severe pain in the right side of the upper jaw, like toothache. Sensation of contraction of the alae nasi and upper lip, with

frequent desire to rub them, which relieved for a time.

20 minutes. (Chase.) Severe sharp darting pains in the right malar bone, aud in the

ramus of the jaw on the right side. Small boil on the inside of the right nostril, very painful, the

pain extending up to the eye and right side of the head.

It broke on the fourth day with very little discharge. It stimulates the sphincter pupillce and the ciliary muscles to

contraction.

It contracts the pupil even in dilatation the result of injury.

A decided tight feeling, referable pretty accurately to the ciliary region of the left eye (to which the solution was applied), as if something were creeping in it, (in five minutes). Ten minutes after, this continued, with occasional rather sharp pain in the ciliary region. An attempt to read with both eyes instantly increased this pain, and the type was confused, as if by a disturbance of the power of accommodation. Type looked smaller with the right eye than the left. I could see Jaeger 17, at 15 feet, but with a remarkable oscillation in the distinctness; the type came and went, at one instant quite clear, then indistinct, as if the ciliary muscles were undergoing irregular contractions.

Astigmatism/ the vertical bars of a window were seen clear and sharp at from six to ten feet; the horizontal bars within the same range having their edges slightly hazy, but rendered clear by a concave cylindrical glass of 14 inches focus.

The pupil contracted (to the size of a pin's head) and remains so eighteen hours, then gradually relaxed during four days, resuming gradually its mobility under light whether falling on its own or the opposite retina. With the sudden contraction of the pupil came a sudden twilight gloom, as if an eclipse of the sun, but this gloom soon lessened and gradually disappeared before the pupil dilated.

When applied to the eye of a long-sighted person it restores

vision (temporarily). Short sightedness (in the normal eye). Pain in the eyeballs, over the eyes, and in the head. Profuse lachrymation. ° Dimness of vision.

° Paralysis of the circular fibers of the iris, and of the ciliary muscles of one eye; the dilated pupil and dimness of sight disappeared.

° Prolapsus of the iris, from injuries, even when the whole globe is vascular and irritated, and sight impaired; (under

the topical use of the alkaloid, the proiapsus retracted as the pupil contracted). 0 Prolapsus of iris, from sloughing of the cornea.

Stomach.

Tongue feels as if scalded.

Dryness and smarting at the tip of the tongue all day. {Chase.) Numbness, tingling and smarting of the tongue and lips, with

a constant desire to moisten them. Soreness of the bowels, painful when moving about, aggravated

by riding.

Soreness of abdomen, the spot is not larger than the palm of the hand.

Sense of distension with soreness of abdomen. {Chase.) Colicky pains low in abdomen, succeeded by a copious loose

discharge from the bowels. {Chase.) Small intestines in a state of contraction, showing in places

circular constriction, like internal strangulation. Feeling as if he had bolted a piece of solid food of too large a

size; the sensation gradually increases until it is very

painful.

Burning heat in the stomach, with much belching of wind.

Urine and Sexual Organs. Pain in the back, hips and lower part of the abdomen; thought

the menses were about to appear, but this did not take

place.

Slight stitches on the left side of the abdomen (female). Dull pain and downward pressure in the back, accompanied by

the appearance of the menses. {Mrs. P.) Menses come on at the usual time without the usual unpleasant

premonitory symptoms. {Mrs. JV.)

Chest and Heart. Pulsations through the whole body, particularly at the chest,

each beat of the heart distinctly perceptible in the chest

and temple. ( Wessdhmft.) Heart's action retarded with diminished impulse; rate 56; no

abnormal sounds, the radial pulse irregular and weak. Trembling and convulsive agitation of the heart. {Leven.) Respiratory muscles in oscillatory motion. {Leven.)

° Chronic bronchial catarrh, aggravated by talking. ° Cough, with inability to raise the mucus. Heart's action tumultuous and irregular. Heart's action feeble and irregular.

In some cases the heart goes on beating long after death (in animals).

The heart contained fluid blood and clots in all the four cavities, indicating death from paralysis of the muscles of the heart (in men).

Back and Extremities.

Sharp darting pains in the right elbow-joints, extending down the outside of the arm to the two middle fingers.

A numb pain in the knees and ankles, while sitting, with a desire to move frequently.

The limbs feel weary, as after great fatigue, with a constant desire to move.

Severe cramp-like pain in the left popliteal space; walking was very painful.

Heavy pain in the back, under left shoulder, continuing severe for an hour, and then slowly passing away. {Mrs. S.)

Sharp twinges in the right instep, and various twinging pains about the body. ( Wesselhceft.)

Throbbing pains in the forehead; worse on moving. ( Wesselhceft.)

Sharp darts through the right thumb, at the root of the nail, and several weaker ones through the finger joints of the right hand. (Mrs. -P.)

Dragging pains over the left hip toward the back.

Slight twinging pains in the lower limbs, with sharp momentary twinges in the ankles.

Drawing rheumatic pains through the left shoulder.

Drawing pains low in the back and abdomen, with bearing down, as if the menses were coming.

Feeling of weakness, as though paralyzed, passes downward from the occiput through the back to the lower extremities; the feeling in the legs like that known as being asleep. (Chase.)

Slight exertion causes lameness and weakness of the back.

Sleep.

After falling asleep wakes repeatedly during the night with terrible thoughts. He fears he is becoming crazy, and that he may get up and do some mischief. He dreams that he is a lion. Awakes at 4 a. m., with soreness, not a pain, in the left side of the abdomen, painful to pressure.

Irresistible desire to sleep. ( Wesselhosft.)

Soporific sleep, extremely distressing, paleness of the face, (lb.)

Drowsiness in the forenoon, even while riding or working.

Profuse perspiration, partly dispelling the drowsiness.

Great drowsiness after dinner; sleeps good, and sleeps just as well at night as if he had not slept in the afternoon.

In the evening not drowsy as usual, but wakeful.

Nervous System.

° Chorea in a boy of fourteen; the disease had lasted several months, and resisted Ferrum, Arsenic and Zinc; (cured in nine weeks by eighteen drops a day of the tincture).

° Progressive muscular wasting, (lieynolds.)

(It did no service in a case of paralysis agitans.)

° Chorea in a girl of twenty; (a rapid cure) with the tincture

° Chorea, of the right side ; the tongue seemed too large.

General paralysis of the insane. (Crichton-Browne.)

"Traumatic tetanus, several cases; (cured).

0 Epileptiform convulsions.

° Cerebro-spinal meningitis, in the tetanic stage. (Hale.) General Symptoms.

Increase of secretion, particularly of the perspiratory, salivary and intestinal glands ; the discharges that follow are occasionally free, producing severe sweating, insalivation, and catharsis.

The operation of the drug is spinal, not cerebral, acting upon the anterior or motor column, so as to suspend or deaden its energy or reduce the activity of its functions.

die powerless parts are those that receive their nervous supply from the spinal cord and its nerves. The muscles of the extremities and of respiration are most enfeebled; and the paralysis is primarily and always seated in the striped muscles.

There is no failure of volition; the will is strong, but a diffi

culty lies in the way of carrying out its purpose. Unable to move, though he makes the attempt. The mind exhibits no defect.

Suspension of the functions of the motor tract, by which it does not conduct the impulses of the will through the cord to the muscles.

The paralysis is not exclusively owing to poisoned blood, as the lower limbs are first paralyzed, then the upper, then the trunk, then the neck.

A cramp-like condition in organs that are supplied with involuntary muscular fibres.

Pain ceases during rest, but commences again during motion; but by continued motion it is relieved.

Muscular trembling in different degrees; from a mere tremor up to a jerking of the muscles.

The muscles retain their normal contractility unimpaired, and still respond to direct irritation when artificial stimuli are applied.

The paralysis is commonly preceded by twitching or trembling of the muscles; in the lower animals these are often convulsive.

When movements occur, they have sometimes been uncoordinated; again, the palsy has been found to include the unstriped muscles; and furthermore, the functions of the brain may be disturbed. The first is only met with after entire loss of exercising the will. The second is, perhaps, due to extension of the poisonous influence to the sympathetic system.

Trembling, dizziness, and loss of power in the limbs in half an hour.

Fatal syncope, from paralysis of the heart.

Stupid and giddy; a sense of feebleness over the whole body,

rendering progression difficult. Sharp pains, shifting quickly from one place to another. When the pain remained in any place for a short time the

spot became disagreeably sore. A sensation of heat, accompanied with sweat, extending from

the fourth or fifth cervical vertebrae to the last lumbar.

{Beckioith.)

0 Dyspepsia, with great pain immediately after eating. {Beckwith.) *Also, Arg. nit. and Dioscorea. {Hale.) Constriction of the intestinal canal (general). c Constipation of years duration, from atony of the bowels.

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

This powerful and unique medicine has not been sufficiently proven by our school to enable us to arrive at any definite conclusion as to its special symptomatic indications. There are certain pathological conditions which it has been known to cause, and these afford us trustworthy data for its use in some peculiar cases.

According to the best observers of its effects in large and poisonous doses, its operation is spinal , not cerebral ; it acts on the anterior or motor column, so as to suspend or deaden its energy, or reduce the activity of its functions. The powerless parts are those which receive their nervous supply from the spinal cord and its nerves. The muscles of the extremities and of respiration are most enfeebled ; the paralysis is primary and always seated in the striped muscles; there is no failure of volition; the will is strong, but a difficulty lies in the way of carrying out its purpose. The paralysis is commonly preceded by twitching or trembling of the muscles (in animals convulsions).

In rare cases the unstriped muscles and brain are involved (secondarily).

Death occurs from paralysis of the heart, or fatal syncope. (Digitalis from the opposite, or tetanic contraction.)

To sum up its effects, as I conceive them : (1) General paralysis of motor nerves, or voluntary muscles (primary) ; (2) paralysis of involuntary muscles (secondarily).

Viewing its action in this light, you will see that it is primarily homoeopathic to such maladies as :

Chorea, of which there are several cases reported as cured by ten to eighteen drops a day. (a) A boy of fourteen, the disease had lasted several months; had resisted Ferrum, Arsenicum, and Zinc; cured in nine weeks. (6) A girl of twenty, cured rapidly, (c) Chorea of right side, the tongue seemed too large (paralyzed). The symptoms are not fully recorded, as they should have been.

Paralysis agitans, if no structural lesion, as softening of nervous tissue, exists. Several observers (allopathic) mention that it did no service in such cases. Hammond (“Diseases of Nervous System”) says: “Under the term paralysis agitans several affections have been included, which are very different in character.” He classes them : (1) multiple cerebral sclerosis ; (2) cerebro-spinal sclerosis. “These two are usually met with in old persons and depend on organic wasting changes in the nervous centres, are incurable, and known as ‘ shaking palsy.’ ” (3) A form of tremors occurring in younger persons, is more curable, and therefore is presumably not dependent on organic change. The causes of this variety are emotional disturbance, continuous or severe muscular exertion, exhausting diseases, rheumatism, blows, falls, etc.

The Calabar bean in small doses (lower dilutions, possibly the high) will doubtless prove curative in this form of tremors. It may have to be preceded or followed by Arnica, Ignatia, Scutellaria, Cocculus, and Phosphorus. The “ constant primary electrical current,” according to Hammond, is very useful in all cases.

The heart may partake of this variety of tremors. 1 have met with several cases due to emotional disturbance. In one case I used Calabar 3X with good results. It is certainly homoeopathic to cardiac debility, and ought to be useful in that peculiar condition I have named cardiac chorea.

I recently cured with Calabar a case of tetanic spasms, where the heart was affected by the disease. (See “N. A. Jour. Horn.,” May, 1875.)

Cerebro-spinal meningitis. It was first used in that terrible disease by some eminent allopathic physicians of Chicago. Their successful use of it coming to my knowledge, I ascertained that they used it, as they thought, antipathically, or for the tetanic contractions of the spinal, cervical, and other voluntary muscles, which commonly occur during the progress of that malady. This condition, however, is only apparently tetanic in many cases; it is really a paralysis of the opposing or antagonistic muscles. In such cases the Calabar is primarily homoeopathic to the condition. If, however, the condition is really tetanic, it is secondarily indicated, for I believe a primary paralysis is often followed by a secondary tetanus.

In the former condition the attenuations (2X to 3X) would prove most useful; in the latter five to ten drops of the mother tincture every three or four hours, either in alternation with or followed by Secale 0 in similar doses. I speak from my own experience, for I have the records of several cases, pronounced incurable, which recovered under the use of Calabar. A primary symptom indicating Calabar is contraction of the pupils; a secondary, dilated pupils. The heart’s action is tumultuous, feeble, and irregular.

Idiopathic tetanus has been successfully treated with Calabar in

large closes. Many severe cases have been reported. It has also been efficient in tetanic spasm from Strychnia poisoning.

Certain epileptiform spasms have been cured by this medicine, but the details of the cases were given with that peculiar indefiniteness which belongs to allopathic reports, and I cannot give you the specific indications.

The action of Calabar on the eye is specific and unvarying. It is the opposite of Belladonna. It causes contraction of the pupils to the size of a pin’s head, attended at first by a “ twilight gloom,” which wears off before the pupils dilate.

It causes short-sightedness in healthy eyes, and restores, temporarily, normal vision in long-sighted persons.

Astigmatism is a condition caused by Calabar. It has proved curative in several cases of paralysis of the circular fibres of the iris and ciliary muscles of one or both eyes.

In prolapsus of the iris from injuries, its topical application caused the retraction of the prolapsed portion and contraction of the pupil.

Oculists make extensive use of it locally when it is desirable to cause contraction of the pupil.

The provings of Beckwith, Chase, and Wesselhoeft give some peculiar symptoms, but they did not use sufficient quantities to cause those distinctive characteristic symptoms which we require.

Beckwith found it to cause and cure a form of dyspepsia marked by great pain (pressure) immediately after eating. In this it is analogous to Dios., Arg. nit., and Bismuth.

I have cured many obstinate cases of constipation with Calabar. Also the trouble flatulence which so greatly annoys women at the “ change of life.”

It resembles somewhat, in its action, Agaricus, Gelseminum, Solanum, Conium, and Arnica, but no remedy is very closely analogous to it. It is one of those medicines which you will find have a narrow but decided action, and when indicated will act promptly and profoundly.