Galla quercina

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(The astringent principle of Nut. Gall) Description. — It is said that Gallic acid differs from Tannic acid only in the latter containing more water. Gallic acid forms white, satiny, needle-like crystals, odorless, of a sweetish, acid, styptic taste. It dissolves in one hundred parts temperate water; much more readily in hot water and alcohol. Exposed to the atmosphere it absorbs oxygen, decomposes, and becomes dark colored. Officinal Preparation. — Triturations.

Analogues. — Geraniwm, Rhatany, Kino, Tannin, Plumbum, etc. [The symptoms marked " K," are from provings by Dr. D. S. Kimball, in Observer, Vol. IX.]

Eyes.

• Photophobia, and burning itching of the eyelids.

Throat.

• Roughness, and great secretion of phlegm in the throat. (iT.) 0 Mucus in the posterior harp fauces, and throat, especially on

washing, in morning. (-5T.) At night, dryness in the mouth and throat, and bad taste.

Chest.

In the morning, aching in the right side of the chest and shoulders, and muscles of the neck.

Abdomen.

Flatulency and pain in the bowels, at night. (JT.) Sensation of contraction in the anus, with large, bulky stool. (IT.)

• After stool, a smarting, aching, faint, sick, hungry and

gnawing sensation in the bowels, extending to the stomach, with nausea, with an astringent sensation there.(JT.)

6 Irritable condition of haemorrhoids, after stool. (j5T.)

° Swelling, smarting and soreness in the haemorrhoidal tumors. (*.).

Uneasy distension of the bladder, with greatly increased flow

of pale, tasteless, limpid urine. {K.) ° Haemorrhage from the kidneys. {Hale.) Frequent itching of the skin in various places, (if.) {See Therapeutics*)

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

This substance forms six per cent, of the astringent principle of nut-galls.

The first notice of the remedy appeared in the “ New Materia Medica,” published as an appendix to the Nortli American Journal, by Drs. Marcy and Peters. No proving appeared until 1872, when a brief one was published in the “ American Observer/’ communicated by Dr. Kimball, and it will be found in Vol. I of this work (Symptomatology).

By referring to my lecture on Geranium, you will find my explanation of the homoeopathic action of “ astringents.”

In common with all that class, its primary action is to cause contraction of all the tissues with which it comes in contact. As it is absorbed into the blood, it may reach any tissue of the body if it is taken in large quantities for a sufficient length of time. It is said to be much less powerful than Tannic acid, but we are informed that Tannic is almost wholly changed to Gallic acid in the body ; it follows that as a remedial agent the Gallic acid answers for both.

Gallic acid is eliminated from the body by the kidneys. We should naturally expect, then, that in diseases of the urinary organs this medicine would prove curative, if anywhere.

The clinical experience which I have been able to collect from both schools, together with my own use of it, confirms this idea.

In haematuria, especially of the non-inflammatory variety, it has been highly praised by Dr. Garrod, an eminent allopathist, author of a work on “ Diseases of the Kidneys,” and by our Dr. Marcy.

The haemorrhages of the kidneys in which it is most useful are those which occur after scarlatina , in Bright's disease, and after injuries to those organs. I have used it myself with decided advantage in many cases in which Millefoil, Turpentine, Hamamelis, and similar remedies failed. Dr. Garrod gave three grains three or four times a day ; but I have had good effects from grain doses of the first decimal trituration.

In albuminuria , after the inflammatory stage has passed, it has been known to change the urine to a healthy standard.

You must bear in mind that it is secondarily homoeopathic to these affections. If I should prescribe it in active haemorrhage from active congestion, or albuminuria from the same cause, I would prescribe it in the 6th or 12th, and probably in alternation with Cantharis 6th or 12th.

A number of excellent cures of nephritic maladies are reported by the late Dr. Redman Coxe, of Philadelphia. He employed it in the lx trit.

Dr. Marcy says : “ In many cases of chronic nephritis, one-grain doses of the first trituration, repeated every three or four hours, has effected prompt cures. It removes pain from subacute nephritis more speedily than any remedy we have ever employed.”

In certain cases of pyrosis, when every other remedy has been tried ineffectually, it has been known to cure. “ It not only checks the secretion with certainty and rapidity, but it gives general tone to the stomach, increases the appetite, and even removes constipation in many cases.” Its power to cure constipation is due to its, primary action. The small quantity not eliminated by the kidneys acts dynamically upon the intestines, and performs a veritable primary homoeopathic cure. Even Tannic acid will cure constipation, according to Dr. J. G. Wilkinson, of London.

Gallic acid has been recommended for haemorrhages of other organs, but I doubt its efficacy. We have so many specific haemorrhagic remedies that we need not resort to this.

Dr. Marcy quotes many authorities in favor of its power in checking colliquative perspirations. He gives his own experience with it in cases of advanced phthisis with copious expectoration of purulent matter, profuse nightsweats, diarrhoea, and other hectic symptoms, and alleges that in some cases remarkable palliative effects resulted from its use in the first trituration. It seems to check the disease for a time, and even prolong life and give comfort, when there is no hope of a cure.

I once had a case of disease of the prostate, probably ulceration, in which profuse haemorrhages appeared very often. The only remedy which appeared to have the power of checking it was Gallic acid in the lx trituration.