Baryta iodata

Volume I — Special Symptomatology

(Baric Iodide.)

Pharmacology. — This compound may be formed by double decomposition, by adding native carbonate of baryta in powder to a boiling solution of iodide of iron. Iodide of Barium crystalizes in small, colorless needles, which deliquesce slightly, and are very soluble in water. The solution promptly undergoes decomposition by exposure to air, carbonate of baryta being precipitated, and iodine set. free, which colors the solution.

Officinal Preparations. — Tincture (made by adding one hundred grs. to one thousand drops of aqua distillata, and kept in colored glass bottles, hermetically sealed) ; triturations (with dry, pure sugar of milk, and kept like the tincture).

(No provings.)

° All scrofulous, glandular enlargements. (Lugol.)

0 Chronic enlargements and indurations of the tonsils. (Hale.)

° Ovarian tumors — in strumous subjects.

"Swellings of the lymphatic glands; it often prevents suppuration.

0 Scrofulous ophthalmia; especially swellings of the meibomian glands.

0 Obscure brain affections in old persons. (?) 0 Old swellings and indurations of the testicles.

(See Therapeutics, Vol. II.)

Volume II — Special Therapeutics

In your studies of the old remedies you will remember the recommendation given for the Carbonate of baryta, namely, “ Scrofulosis : swelling and induration of the glands, especially the cervical glands, even after suppuration has set in.” Of the Muriate, it is said to be the best remedy for “stonelike induration of the glands,” and a “tendency to tonsillitis.” This last recommendation has been verified by a great many practitioners who are enthusiastic in its praises, not only as a preventive, but as the best remedy in acute quinsy, which it is said to arrest in the forming stage, preventing suppuration.

Allopathic authorities, especially the older writers, claim that Baryta “resolves and liquefies abnormal accumulations wherever found.” It is eminently a glandular remedy, and possesses specific power over the absorbents equal if not superior to Iodine and others of that class. Its use, except by homoeopath ists, has been

greatly neglected until of late Dr. Hammond has recommended the muriate in sclerosis of the 'posterior columns of the spinal cord, a condition better known as “ locomotor ataxia,” the morbid anatomy of which consists of an atrophy of the cord, with hypertrophy of the connective tissue. The same pathological condition may occur in the brain. It is then known as cerebral sclerosis or atrophy of the brain. For these conditions, Hammond recommends the Chloride of barium in doses of one-half or two-third grains three times a day.

If you will refer to Hahnemann’s recommendation for Baryta, you will find that he mentions many of the symptoms caused by cerebral and spinal atrophy, such as the diseases of old age, imbecility, paralysis, loss of co-ordination of motion, etc.

It appears to me that Hammond has hit upon the pathological keynote for the use of Baryta, namely, a hypertrophy of connective tissue. The atrophy of nerve substance is a necessary result of such a condition.

The difference between Iodine and Baryta appears to be this, that whereas the former is curative in soft hypertrophy of glandular or connective tissues, the latter is useful in hard indurations. In this respect it is analogous to Conium.

Several years ago it occurred to me that the chemical union of Iodine and Baryta would form a medicine whose effects would be just what we desire in the treatment of cases of glandular enlargement with a tendency to induration. I therefore procured some freshly prepared Iodide of baryta, and prescribed it in hypertrophy of the tonsils. The result was very gratifying. It effected a rapid diminution in the size of the glands, even when they had been indurated for some years.

In one case it not only had this effect, but it greatly relieved the symptoms arising from an enlargement of the prostate gland, with which the patient had suffered for some time.

It will not act as well as the Muriate or Carbonate in acute tonsillitis, but it is better adapted to the resulting hypertrophy with induration.

I would strongly urge you to test its powers in enlarged and indurated testicles and ovaries, also in goitre. In one case of indurated testicles it diminished their size quite notably. In another

it evidently aided the action of the galvanic current in reducing the hypertrophy.

I would also advise its use in enlargement of the mesenteric glands in scrofulous children. It may prove useful in some cases of mammary hypertrophy.

Dr. Liebold, of New York, a celebrated oculist of our school, has been successful in its use for certain diseases of the eye. You will find his paper in the “Transactions of the American Institute,” 1873.

In the “New York Transactions” for 1873-4, you will find a paper by our Professor of Ophthalmology, Dr. Woodyatt, on its use in syphilitic keratitis interstitial. He reports a case complicated with enlarged cervical glands, which was cured by this remedy. He advises it in suppurative inflammation of the middle ear, phlyctenular conjunctivitis, and scrofulous ulcers. He does not give the dose. I usually prescribe the 2X or 4th trit. several times a day.