Carboneum Hydrogenisatum

Carburetted Hydrogen. Ethene. Olefiant gas. C 2 H 4 . Solution in alcohol.

Clinical

Apoplexy / Eyes, convulsions of / Tetanus / Whooping-cough

Characteristics

This gas, which was experimented with by Sir Humphrey Davy, produces a condition almost resembling an apoplectic attack. Stupefaction: comatose; surface cold and completely insensible. Spasm as in lock-jaw. Arms flexed at elbows. One mental symptom is peculiar: an extraordinary sensation of contentment, so that life seems exalted; all his thoughts appear in a moment as if seen in an inner mirror. Many eye symptoms were noted: steady and extreme oscillation of the eyeballs. Eyes distorted. Lids half closed. Dark bodies moving before eyes. > By open air (vertigo, convulsions). It is a popular custom to take children suffering from whooping-cough to breathe the air at a gas-works. A case has been recorded in which an accidental escape of gas in a child's bedroom affected a prompt cure of its whooping-cough. Illuminating gas is a complex gas, carburetted hydrogen being the leading ingredient. In the Schema are included some symptoms produced by illuminating coal gas.

Relations

Compare: Chloroform, Æther, Amyl nit., Carboneum.

1. Mind

Contentment; life seems exalted; all his thoughts appear in a moment as if seen in an inner mirror. Answers questions slowly. Fell unconscious. Coma.

2. Head

Vertigo; < going into open air; with nausea, loss of memory and sensation. Excruciating pain in forehead and between eyes. Pressure in brain.

3. Eyes

Eyes distorted; half closed. Eyeballs oscillate steadily; synchronously with breathing (illuminating gas). Dark bodies moving before eyes.

6. Face

Staring look. Face turgid. Cheeks flap. Some degree of trismus; interrupted by yawning.

11. Stomach

Violent cramps in stomach. Nausea and vomiting.

13. Stool

Involuntary passage of stool and urine. Stools: rice-water; thin fæces mixed with dark blood and mucus.

17. Respiratory Organs

Voice feeble and indistinct. Paroxysms of cough. Dyspnœa. Violent tearing pains in thorax.

19. Heart

Beating of heart scarcely perceptible. Pulse: strong, rapid, regular; or small and extremely weak.

20. Back

Violent spasm in the extensors of the back.

21. Limbs

Spasmodic stitching and trembling of limbs; felt paralysed.

24. Generalities

Rapid fluctuation of symptoms (coal gas). Immovable; later regained power in l. arm and hand, but r. arm and leg remained paralysed (coal gas). Lying as if dead cold and pale, as soon as the windows were open violent convulsions set in. Anæsthesia.

26. Sleep

Sleep prolonged and very deep, interrupted by cramps in jaws and toes.

27. Fever

Skin icy cold. Sweating copiously; sweat smells of gas (coal gas).