Thallium

A Rare Metal. Tl. (A. W. 203.7). Trituration. Solution of the Sulphate.

Clinical

Baldness / Conjunctivitis / Locomotor ataxy / Paraplegia

Characteristics

Thallium is a rare metal discovered by Crookes in the residuum left from the distillation of Selenium and named Thallium (θαλλός, a green shoot) from the green it gives in the spectrum (H. W., xxxiii. 242). It has been experimented with by Lamy and Marme. Some symptoms of Thal. sul., which is an energetic poison, are included (and distinguished) in the Schema. The symptoms observed on animals were from the sulphate, with which Lamy experimented (H. W., xxxiv. 82). Combermale, of Lille, used Thal. with success in the night-sweats of phthisis, but this treatment had the effect of causing profuse falling of the hair, so serious as to contraindicate its use. Huchard had patients become quite bald in several days. Hansen says Thal. relieves the violent pains of tabes dorsalis.

Relations

Thal. belongs to the Lead group of metals, and approaches Plumb. closest in its symptoms. Compare: Baldness, jabor., Pilo., Petr. Baldness and phthisis, Pho.

2. Head

Hair falls off with great rapidity.

3. Eyes

Very frequent conjunctivitis with abundant production of mucus.

8. Mouth

Ptyalism.

11. Stomach

Loss of appetite. Nausea. Vomiting. Pain in stomach and bowels, terribly severe lancinations, following each other with the rapidity of electric shocks (Thal. sul.).

12. Abdomen

Gall-bladder distended (dog). Coating of liver white and granular-looking (duck). Pain in intestinal canal. Retraction or depression of abdomen (Thal. sul.).

13. Stool

Diarrhœa; bloody stools. Constipation (Thal. sul.)

17. Respiratory Organs

Slow and difficult breathing.

19. Heart

Diminished frequency of pulse.

23. Lower Limbs

Pain of tabes dorsalis. Trembling and more or less complete paralysis in lower extremities (Thal. sul.). Great lassitude. Paraplegia (dog).

24. Generalities

Emaciation. Hyperæmia, swelling, and excessive secretion. Anomalies of motion, chorea-like movements.

27. Fever

Remedies profuse sweating in some cases of severe illness. Night-sweats of phthisis.