Kalium carbonicum

ASTHMA.

Kali carbonica has done beautiful work, especially in elderly people, where the patient had to sit bent forward to breathe, and the cough was decidedly < at 3 A. M. Anæmia with bag-like swelling of upper eyelids is strongly corroborative.

PNEUMONIA.

Mercurius, Chelidonium and Kali carb. are a trio that go well in company. These remedies all suit cases of pneumonia with bilious complication.

Kali carbon. also has stitching pains running through lower part of right side, and the cough is worse toward 3 A. M., there is wheezing and rattling breathing, pulse often intermitting. It is often a complementary to Bryonia when that remedy has only partially relieved the stitching pains. Of course Mercurius and Kali carb. cases are of tener the ones in which bilious or pleuritic complications are markedly present.

PLEURITIS.

Mercurius may follow well after, or even be preferred, if in syphilitic or rheumatic subjects we have the pain persisting after the fever is somewhat reduced, the pain continues notwithstanding copious sweats which do not relieve; thirst with moist tongue, which is enlarged, flabby and shows imprint of teeth, gums also swollen and an offensive smell from the mouth. It is especially useful when with the cough there are stitching pains through to the back in region of lower right lung. But if you do not have the Mercurial mouth and the point is in the same locality running through to the back, or it may be in the left side, and the cough is worse at 3 A. M., Kali carbonica will outrank Mercury and is complementary to Bryonia.

PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.

Kalis, viz., bichromicum, carbonicum and iodatum, have each of them very strong characteristics and may be indicated in any stage of the disease. The chief characteristic of the first is the ropy, stringy discharge from all the mucous membranes, especially the expectoration. It will hang down in long strings from the mouth to the floor. The remedy that comes nearest to it and is to be remembered, especially in bronchial consumption of the aged, is Hydrastis Canadensis. In Kali bichromicum cases there are almost always the prominent nose symptoms (see catarrh) present in greater or less degree. Pains from back to sternum or sternum to back, or sharp pain through apex of left lung (Myrtus, Therid., Pix liq., Sulph.). Cough is < 2 to 3 A. M. and when undressing (Hep.). Hoarseness < in the evening.

Kali carb. may be indicated in the first or incipient stage when after pleurisy or pneumonia there remains a pain or soreness in the right lower lobe, the pain may be dull or stitching in character. This remedy comes in particularly well after Bryonia, if that remedy did not remove all the trouble. No two remedies oftener complement. Bryonia in such cases than Sulphur and Kali carb. The stitching pains of Bryonia are relieved by rest and pressure or lying on the affected side. But with Kali carb. the pains are not so relieved, and occur in different parts as well as in the chest. Other remedies having marked action on lower right chest are Merc. and Chelid. (Nat. sulph.—left). The COUGH is at first dry, hard and fatiguing, and characteristically < at 3 or 4 A. M. Later it becomes loose with much expectoration. These are a.few only of the symptoms that may appear in a Kali carb. case. It is certainly a great remedy. Kali carb. and Carbo veg. complement each other well, of course only when indicated.

COUGH.

Character—Dry, hard, exhausting; sometimes with purulent expectorations, mixed with blood and thin mucus; or white masses fly from the mouth (Badiaga).

Aggravation—< warm food, exercise, lying on left side; 3 a. m. all symptoms.

Amelioration—> after breakfast.

Accompaniments—Stitching pains everywhere, but especially in right lower chest through to back. Sac like swelling of upper eyelids. Chilliness at noon, at night heat, weakness of the chest. Much inclined to take cold (Tuberc.). Adapted especially to anæmic or dropsical constitutions.

This remedy, of which Hahnemann said “persons suffering from ulcerations of the lungs can scarcely get well without this antipsoric,” is certainly one of our very best. The location of the pain, lower right chest, is very valuable. Mercury and Chelidon. also act here, while Sanguinaria and Calcarea act on the middle lobe, same side. Arsenicum, upper right to back. Upper left, Therid., Anis., Pix liquida, Sulph. and Tuberculin., etc., of course other indications agreeing. The stitching pains occur everywhere. Even temples, eyes, teeth, etc., but are not necessarily < and by motion as are those of Bryonia, except in pleurisy where they may be. Suppressed or delayed menses in young women, with much pain and weakness in the back, may be saved from consumption by this remedy.