Natrium nitricum

Volume III — Main text

Sodic nitrate, NaNO,. Nitrau of toda, cubic nitre.

1, Provings. — i. Weidner, act. 22^ tall and robust, arterial constitution, took from June 25th to July 2nd ^ij ^vj without any peculiar symptoms except that whereas the venesection wound before taking the drug healed in 12 h,, that made after taking the drug was still suppurating on 3rd d., and that on the last 3 d., when taking Jss daily, large quantities of urine were discharged, — on June 30th ^IfjfOD July ist ^Ixxxij, on July 2nd ^Ixxxiv, whilst on same days only 3xxxix, Ij, and xlij water were ^unk. His pulse, which berore the proving was 65, fell on 2nd d. of the proving to 62, on 7th d. to 52, and was always under 60. Soon after leaving off drug it rose again, and on the 5th d. was at its normal velocity. The blo^ drawn on June 3!st and July 2nd eave the following result:

1 000 parts blood showed —

Before taking drag. After taking dnig. Serum .... 4S6'3 ... 44^7

47-2 ... 48*4

S'9 •• 6-8

491 "3 ... 5oo'o

207*8 ... 1687

18*9 ... 14-8

52-4 ■•• 57'3

321 ... 314

73i"6 ... 8oi"6

205-2 ... 195-3

31 ... 17

Before taking drug, blood dark red, viscid ; few colourless corpuscles, many elementary corpuscles i coagulated in 8 m.; separation of serum very rapid, so that after I h. the clot seemed to be not much larger than 15 h. later. Clot very firm, bufFy coat. After taking drug, blood in colour and consistency looked like expressed cherryjuice, many colourless corpuscles. Time given to coagulate 3' 3^', separation of serum slower, clot firm, bufFy coat thinner. Dunng Cut days face thinner and paler. [Zeitsch,/, Erfahrungshellk^y i, pt. 4, p. 41* ; in Frank's Mag.)

1. A. LoHR, set. 29, very robust, arterial constitution, took at same time as W — in 8 d. same quantity. The first bleeding did not a£fect him. After that of July 2nd, when walking, felt exhausted and weak, especially in knees. Slight derangement of digestion in latter d. of proving. From June 28th tongue whitish, head slightly confused, painless rumbling in bowels occasionally; stool retarded. Little efiect on quantity of urine, though more fluid was drunk than before. The sp. gr. increased from 1005 gradually to 1020, 1015, 1020 up to X025. I'he colour at first became lighter, but soon as dark as before. Pubc before taking drug rose above 60, once only 54, afterwards never above 50, on 30th only 40. Six d. after leaving off drug it was 54, on lOth

Dry residuum

Ash Clot

Dry residuum

Ash . Red sediment Fibrin Water

Dry residuum Fat

435'5

444*2

49-5

7'5

528-9

. 507-« •.

1996

171-9

n-o

. 567 ...

26*9

2-12

2- 16

. 735-8 .. 262- 1

772-9

224-9

1-9

d. 58. Before taking drug the difference of pulse when sitting and standing was 10 — 15, whilst taking it 4 — 8 only. Towards end of proving face paler and thinner. Examination of blood on June 2ist and July 2nd showed the following result : 1000 parts of blood showed—

Before taking drug. After taking dnig. Serum

Dry residuum Ash Clot

Dry residuum Ash Red sediment Fibrin Water . Dry residuum . Fat . Before, blood dark red and viscid, a good number of white corpuscles; time taken to coagulate 8 m., clot hard and elastic. After, blood like expressed cherry-juice, many and large white corpuscles, time taken to coagulate 4' 59", clot pretty firm. (Ibid.)

1. C. GiLLMEisTER, act. 23, Strong, venous constitution, took in 12 d. from July loth to 22nd 3v jiij ; in first 2 d. ^ij, on 3rd d. 3iij, and after that ^ss daily. The analysis of blood drawn on July 6th and 23rd gave following result :

I 1 000 parts blood showed — Before taking dru^. After taking drug. I

403-1

44"5

5-8

492-2

200*9

104*8

680-9

317-6

3'5

415-8

34-1

5-8

5437 158-6

28-4

40-5

2' J

787-4

2105

1-2

Serum

Dry residuum Ash . , . Clot

Dry residuum Ash . . . Red sediment .

Fibrin Water

Dry residuum Fat . Before taking drug, blood dark red ; many white corpuscles j time taken to coagulate 7' 4" ; clot moderately firm and elastic. After taking drug blood like cherry-juice ; fewer but very large colourless corpuscles; time taken to coagulate 6' 23" ; clot very soft and friable. General sensations : Afterwards, for some d. occasional extreme exhaustion ; from July zist this became permanent ; every d. this exhaustion increased, it was aggravated by every movement, he had the greatest difEcuIty in going upstairs. At same time great psychical laziness ; head confused, appetite lost, the pulse, which was previously large and full, became daily smaller and softer, face paler, features sunken. This state reached its climax on July 24th after a small venesection the previous e. \ it was less on 25th ^ and on 27th only felt after

bodily exertion ; head free, appetite restored, but pulse still smaH and weak. Pulse grew fuller on 38th, when the vein wound made 2 d. previously was healed. Occasionally during the last 2 d. some pain in bowels. Urine not increased in quantity was, while talcing drug, much lighter, sp. gr. increased, sometimes turbid and depositing a slimy sediment. {Ibid.)

1. W. De£Tz^ set. 20, rather tall and thin, nervous constitution, with tendency to ebullitions of blood, took in 8 d. from July 2nd to 9th i|iij 5ij. Pulse fell once to 63, normal pulse 75, diminished in fulness and tension.

General sensations : On 4th d. such exhaustion he could not take a long walk without repeated rests ; it increased the following days, and on 9th became so great that he could hardly walk. At same time peculiar painful sensation in ankles and adductors of thigh. On 13th the exhaustion was still so great that after a short walk, e., he had a fainting fit.

Urinary organs : In spite of profuse perspiration in the warm weather while taking the drug more urine was present than fluid drunk, whereas before and after the opposite state occurred. Sp. gr. increased. On letting it fall on paper there remained behind very iridescent, crystalline scales. There was also frequent, often anxious, urging to urinate and increased mucous secretion, shown by turbid urine and copious mucous sediment. The great loss of water was also. shown by a tiresome burning dryness in mouth and throat.

Analyses of blood drawn June 29th and July 9th gave following results :

1000 parts blood showed —

Before talcing drug. After taking drug. Serum .... 410*7 ... 448'4

Dry residuum 445 ... 471

Ash . 7-2 ... 8*4

Clot 5iS'6 ... Sii'2

Dry residuum 2595 ... 2369

Ash .... 198 ... 270

Red sediment 737 ... 404

Fibrin .... 29 ... 25

Water .... 7357 ... 7576

Dry residuum . 2614 •-• ^399

Fat 3*6 ... 2'6

Before taking drug, blood dark ; a good number of white corpuscles, scarcely larger than the red corpuscles; time taken to coagulate 13' 5", clot firm. After taking drug, blood brighter ; many large white corpuscles and very pale red corpuscles ; time taken to coagulate y' 1 5", clot soft, friable. {Ibid,)

1. W. Lambert, aet. 20, tall and strong, nervous constitution, very excitable vascular system, very apt to perspire, took from July loth to 20th 3iv 5ij, after a small venesection on June 25th. Normal pulse between 75 and 80, while taking drug almost always below 75, repeatedly 70 and less, down to 66. Pulse grew softer in latter days. General sensations : Exhaustion and disinclination for mental Mid

bodily exertion, increasing quicklv the next 2 d., constant drowsiness, sleep not refreshing. Health and strength gradually returned some d. after leaving off drug. No alteration in urinary secretion or digestion j from 14th to l8th the stool, whatever its consistence, occurred with great straining ; in the last days there was continual urging to stool.

Analyses of blood of 25th June and 20th July gave following results :

1000 parts blood showed

Before taking drug. After taking drug.

Serum

404-8 ...

486-1

Dry residuum

44-5

38-2

Ash

7'S

Clot

540-5

476-8

Dry residuum

»79'3

146-9

Ash

22-6

25-8

Red sediment

37*»

Fibrin

2-8

1*9

Water

. . 744'« ■..

751-5

Dry residuum .

252*4

246-6

Fat .

2-5

ore taking drug, bloc

d bright red ; along with

deeply

corpuscles many white ones ; time taken to coagulate 12' 36"'; clot firm, elastic. After taking drug, blood like cherry-juice ; along with slightly coloured corpuscles, many white ones ; time taken to coagulate 6' 50", clot soft, easily broken up. (Ihid,)

1. fiEUDER, labourer, aet. 43, very strong. Five years ago got severe ophthalmo-blennorrhcea, treated by 2!blood-Iettingsand mercurial ointment with extract of belladonna ; was able to resume work in 14 d. There remained a thin spot on cornea. Sight generally worst in spring and summer. He got himself bled when his sight was bad and it improved. The last 2 years the sight was good ; he was bled no more. The last 24 d. the sight has been weaker^ and he had exhausting painful diarrhoea. In 2} d. he took 6 powders, each containing } gr. of opium. After 14 d. he felt quite well.

1000 parts of the blood contained :

Solid matter of the defibrinated blood

Water thereof

Solid matter of the serum

Water thereof

Blood-corpuscles

Albumen (dry) of serum .

Extractive matter and salts thei

Fat

Fibrin, a. Moist

A. Dry

Coagulum

Serum

Sp. gr. of serum

The total quantity of blood taken amounted to 77 grms. ; the

first examination was on July 28th at

eof

205'000

795'ooo

88'4oo

9[i'6oo

'i3'5i9

75-140

13-260

0-265

7-570

3081

487-160

512-820

10267

0.17 a.m.

A moderate bufly coat was formed. After 2| h. the serum decanted off; it was clear and the colour of urine. Coagulum very black) commences after 4 m. to redden slightly. After 8 m. the colour becomes light brown with some black places. The redness becomes gradually more intense. He took, July 31st, a tablespoonful every h. of the following mixture : — Natri nitrici 3^^^> Sacch. alb, 5J, Aq. dest. ^viij* Soon after commencing this he had pains in abdomen difficult to describe. This was speedily followed by 3 diarrhcsic stools, when the pains ceased. Next m. a normal stool. On August 1st at 10.15 3in., 832 grms. of blood were drawn. 1000 parts blood contained :

Solid matter of defibrinated blood

Water thereof

Solid matter of serum

Water thereof

Blood-corpuscles

Albumen (dry) of serum .

Extractive matter and soluble salts thereof

Fat

Fibrin, a. Moist b. Dry

Coagulum

Serum

Sp. gr. of defibrinated blood

Sp. gr. of serum The blood had a buIFy coat. The serum is clear and wine-3rel!ow coloured. After 2^ h. it was separated from clot. More dissolved colouring matter than in first bleeding. The reddening of the clot went on quicker than in the former case. The black places fewer and much smaller. (Boecker, Allg» 'Lett,/. Horn,, Suppl. 7, 44.)

1. Carl Steikberg, set. 24, clothworker, of athletic build, rosv colour, dark brown hair. Had been suffering for more than a week from rheumatic pains in limbs. July nth, 10.15 a.m., was bled to 91*2 grm.

1000 parts blood contained :

Solid constitutents of defibrinated blood

Water thereof

Solid matter of serum

Water thereof

Blood corpuscles

Albumen of serum .

Extractive matter and salts thereof

Fat

Fibrin, a. Moist

*. Dry . . .

Coagulum ....

Serum .....

Sp. gr. of defibrinated blood

Sp. gr. of serum

190-500

809-500

8r6oo

916-400

103-487

69-305

14295

0*250

8-000

458*910

541 '090 1053- 1025-2

203*000

797*000

85*200

914*800

115*908

72*420

12*780

0*213

3'3'2

1-892

487'394 512*606

1056*0

1025*1

The scrum was turbid and reddish. It was decanted from clot

after 2j h. The clot reddened quickly, in 5' was already bright red,

• Very few black spots. Took, July i ith, a tablcspoonful every 2 h. of following mixture: — Natr. nitr. 3iji Sacch, alb. 5J, Aq. dest. ^vij. By July 14th the pains were much relieved. During the 2 d. whilst taking mixture the stools were increased. No other symptoms could be observed. — July 14th, 10.15 a.m., 887 grms, of blood were drawn.

I This removed all remaining pain. XOOO parts blood contained : I

■ Solid matter of deHbrinated blood . . z84'000 I

■ Water thereof ..... 8i6'000 I

H Solid matter of serum .... 70*400 I

I Water thereof 929-600 I

■ Blood-corpuscles ..... 111*984 I

I Albumen of serum 5^*344 I

■ Extractive matter and salts thereof . 12*056 I

■ Fat 0176 I

I Fibrin, a. Moist 3*232 I

■ ^. Dry .... . I -6 1 6

■ Coagulum 423*730 I

I Serum 576-270 I

■ Sp. gr. of defibrinated blood 1050

Sp. gr. of serum i022'i The serum is reddish and turbid but soon clears, and its red matter is deposited on surface of coagulum. After 2^ h. the serum was decanted. As soon as the clot came into contact with the air it

k became intensely red, very few melanotic spots to be seen. (Ibid.^ 49.) 8, Dr. E — took m., tasting, i drm. in substance. After 2 h. no appetite for usual coffee, this lasted 2 d. — ist d. Cold feet up to knees. Occasional rigor all over. — 2nd d. Sour taste and sour eructations almost

I like heartburn for a short time. In-pressing pain on malar bone. — No time staud. Confusion of head as after prolonged thinking. Abdominal muscles painfully drawn towards spine. (^rchiv^x'xW^ *790 9. Dr. H — took \ h. after rising, m., l\ drm. dissolved in 2 oz, water. After ^ h. distension and heavy feeling in hypogastrium, with discharge of much flatus. A cold feeling streams through upper part of body and arms followed by increased warmth. — After j h. prcssivc bruised pain in joints of feet, toes, shoulders and fingers. — After g h. flatulent sufferings which cause pressive pains in scrob. cordis and higher up under sternum as if in chest, aggravated by bodily exercise, relieved by discharge of flatus or eructation. — After 48 h. very dilatory

i evacuation of large faeces after great straining, leaving behind sensation of more to come, at 2 p.m. — Mo time statea. The whole 1. concha becomes burning hot, whilst the r. remains cold ; this hot feeling soon spreads over 1. temple, ajid after some time changes into in-pressing pain there ; after some time longer, this hot feeling goes into r. side of head,

■ especially the outer ear, and goes thence into general feeling of heat and pressive pain in 1. frontal protuberance, p.m. In r. ear, as if in membrana tympani, pain, a kind of earache, with warm feeling in internal _ ear, e. Peculiar, almost coppery taste on lips and tongue, all forenoon. I When lying in bed, e., some obtuse stitches in back of throat on drawing H VOL. UI, 26

in air by nose. On breathing deeply, and at every inspiration when sitting bent forward, pressive pain as if between and on ribs under arm end of r. pectoral muscle. Asunder-pressing pain in first joints of r. index and middle fingers. Icy coldness of 1. foot halfway up leg, in warm room and when walking. (Ibid,)