Kalium sulphuricum

CATARRH.

CHRONIC NASAL CATARRH.

Pulsatilla and Kali sulphuricum. The former is first to be considered in a chronic catarrh, which has followed one or several acute attacks. The thin watery discharge of the first stage has changed to thick green, bland, sometimes offensive, with loss of taste and smell. The nasal mucus becomes offensive as of old catarrh, it is worse in the evening and in a warm room, as is the patient generally, or, in other words, it is better in the open air. The—

Kali sulphuricum is so like the Pulsatilla that it deserves the name of its “chronic,” and if Pulsatilla does not cure such a case, and it tends to get worse instead of better, Kali sul. will complement it very nicely. This is so, not only in catarrh of the nose, but also where the process continues downward to bronchi and lungs. It is especially useful where there is much rattling of mucus remaining. Of course—

BRONCHITIS.

ACUTE BRONCHITIS.

If so far under the.preceding remedies the case has improved until the inflammatory symptoms are mainly gone, but there is still considerable cough with loose rattling of mucus which needs clearing up, there are these two remedies that often will do it.

Pulsatilla or Kali sulphuricum. The former, if the expectoration is green and bitter, there is bad taste in the mouth, the appetite is poor and the patient is very hungry for cold air, wants cool room or open air. If this does not do all, Kali sulph. is its chronic and often follows well on the same indications, of course there are other remedies which may come in according to indication, we cannot tell which one, but the whole materia medica is our armamentarium, and the true homœopath knows how to draw upon it, and use it. When Bronchitis has settled into the chronic form, there may be acute exacerbations that may at times call for the foregoing line of treatment, but a long list of remedies claims our attention; prominent among them are Sulphur, Calcarea carb. and Lycopodium, which Jahr considers a great trio in the order here mentioned, at long intervals apart. Sanguinaria, Kali hydrod. and Stannum form another trio where the expectoration is profuse. Arsenicum, Ipecac and Natrum sulph., where there are asthmatic complications, will often be very useful. Kali bich., Hydrastis and Coccus cacti, in profuse stringy expectoration. Ammonium carb., Cinchona and Carbo vegetab. are often of use in weakened constitutions, especially in aged people. Hepar sulph., Silicea and Tuberculinum are great in those cases which are profuse and purulent (the expectoration), and especially if every little exposure to cold aggravates the existing conditions. We will mention a few of the many more without attempting to classify them, such as Alumina, Ambra gris., Amm. mur., Iodine, Kali carb., Phosphorus, Phos. acid., Sepia, Lachesis, Spongia, Drosera, Eupat. perf., Balsam peru., Calc. sulph., Grindelia, Gummi am., Kreosot., Myosotis, Scilla, Senega, Yerba santa, etc., and refer for indications first to the articles on cough and tuberculosis, then to the repertory and the materia medica, “last and best of all the game.”

PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough).

Kali sulph. is useful in those cases in which, after the case is well along, there remains a persistent rattling of mucus, which reminds one of Pulsatilla, but it. does not finish up the case. Sulphur is of course never to be forgotten in any stage, especially in psoric complication, and also in this convalescent stage which we wish to prevent running into a chronic condition leading to permanent lung trouble. For indications see Cough and Tuberculosis. If the case goes on to a pronounced Bronchitis, Pneumonia or Broncho-pneumonia, the sections on those diseases must be consulted.

PNEUMONIA.

Kali sulph. where the expectoration is like that of Pulsatilla, and the aggravations and ameliorations are similar. It seems to be what we call the “chronic” of Pulsatilla.

COUGH.

Kali sulph.—Much rattling of mucus in the chest.