Tellurium metallicum

Volume IV — Main text

TELLURIUM.

The element so called.

I, Provings. — i. Hering, after triturating T, on October l6th, 1850, at 7.45 p.m. washed off with some alcohol what adhered to mortar and pestle, mixed with water the blackish-grey fluid thus produced, and swallowed it. Immediately pressure upon a small pUcc behind vertex. Soon violent pressing through metacarpal bone of f. 4th finger, increasing; confusion in head posteriorly; disagreeable sensation in stomach ; something seems to come up in pharynx, but nothing results, till at last there is difHcult retching, and then accumulation of water in mouth, followed by yawning. 8,3, at outside of r, knee, interiorly, burning aching. 8.5, peculiar pain m head above cvet, deeply within in a long line, like pressure from within outwards, worse on r. side. 8.20, pain in r. metatarsal bones, pressive. 8.30, dulness of head ; headache has ceased ; has at times a strange sensation as round waves pushed against the pharynx below. Feels strange in whi body, but cannot describe the sensation. 8.44, violent linear pain in %m spot above 1. eye, behind brow. Towards m., when waked up, same

ICS9

huduche deep in 1. sinciput, in a small spot, pressing there like a hazel

nut, continuing slightly through m. Next m. once again same pain in

f. metatarsus very distinctly. This m., and several subsequent m.,

tensive headache externally over whole i. head when lying on r. side,

passing off when lying on 1. Every d. for a week a second stool

kiidcs his usual one. On 5th and 6th d., at anterior margin of 1.

Miliary cavity sensation as if it were thicker, as if there were a round

lumour internally, the spot painful on pressure and motion i it went

iviy without coming to anything. During this time he forgets and

neglects much, finding things too much trouble to him. (An habitual

cough at first became more violent, especially towards m., but then

ceased altogether.) For one week a much more excited and powerful

iMual instinct, with subsequent prolonged reaction. For six weeks

continued sweat of feet, somewhat ill-smelling. During first week,

and now and then during following, a peculiar twitching and distortion

of 1. facial muscles, often when speaking, 1. angle of mouth being

drawn to I. and upwards. {Amer, Horn, Rev.^ v, 125.)

L^ 2. Raue took, Jan. l8th, 1851, at )0.30 p.m., a few gr. of 3rd

^■Irit, It caused only a little rough scratching sensation in throat, not

^Ppissing off by swallowing, and coolness in mouth on inspiring as from

B peppermint, rgth. — At 10 am. repeated dose. P.m., prickling itching

~ « scrotum, thence visiting other neighbouring parts. Towards e. dull

1 ache over whole head. At 10 p.m. repeated dose. 20th. — In m. much

^fctaltish mucus from post, nares. 12.30 p.m., I gr. 21st. — l gr., fasting.

^" Early in m. painful pressure or pain as if beaten in sacrum, worse when

Hooping, but not abating on rising again ; it extends, after a time, in'o

renal region ; is relieved by walking in open air, but returns after a

short time when sitting down. P.m., headache, worse on I. side and

in front ; nausea before e. meal, ceasing on eating, together with the

headache. 22nd. — Prickly dry feeling in fauces, worse on I. side; [.

nostril stopped, much mucus from r. posteriorly, prickly feeling went

^^off after breakfast, but state of nares continued same all forenoon.

^fePam in sacrum began again on first stouptne, and continued all d.,

^^wtier when walking, worse while lying on bick, but when lying on 1.

Ne worse towards r. 5 pm,, very tired from knees downwards,

t^pecially r. side ; whole e. drawing in r. leg posteriorly from ilium to

I Calf, 10 p.m., heaviness and numbness in 1. forearm and hand. Pains p sacrum and leg are so severe after lying down (11.30 p.m.) that they [iinder sleep, and make him very restless. 23rd. — Again sacral pain pi stooping, almost intolerable if this position is maintained ; increased piso by pressure to stool, coughing and laughing ; relieved as before by talking ; when aggravated, pain extends from sacral plexus along iciatic into thigh, worse r. side. Dryness in fauces in m,, as yesterday ; ■ 1—12 a.m. it ceases, and r. side instead becomes painful, worse on tnipty swallowing, pain extending into r. ear, making it feel stopped ;

|thi» last sensation recurred more than once in one or other car. 24th. ►-Wakened with sweat about 4 a.m. Much mucus in post, nares, ihstTucrion of r. nostril, dryness and prickling in fauces. While Fslking in open air a fluent coryza develops itself, with hoarseness, **teting of eyes, short cough, pressure behind sternum ; but it soon

goes away again. 25th. — Recurrence of symptoms of nares, throit, and sacrum. 26tli and 27th. — Same, also uccasiotial catching of air in I. Eustjchian tube. {Ihid.)

1. <7. Oi-CAR TiETZE toolc 3rd trlt. (manner not stated), ist d,— Drawing and dull pressure at r. scapula, soon afterwards at L ; <luU headache and dulness of head ; Sensation between roughness and pressure in region of larynx, which generally provokes cough, passing gradually into pure tickling; slight stitches in chest, transient, more on I. side ; internal chilliness with single shudderings \ pressure it tonsils i drawing cutting pain around and in 1. nipple, extending towards scapula , single pressive stitches at forehead. The stitches in side (I.) became more pronounced, lasting 3 — 10 m. ; so also beadache, feeling like the pressure over eyes felt after being awake for several n. Unpleasant drawing in r. hand, later involving whole forearm ; sometimes tearing pains towards elbow and in palm towards thumb; sensation as if skin of hands, especially r., were contracted] from tips of fingers downwards ; at same time at ends of fingers feeling of deadncss. and d. — Pains in head have for the roost pa disappeared, but a stuffy cold has set in; it ran a natural course during some d. more.

b. After about 5 d. appeared on I. hand small red points, shining through skin, which sometimes itch ; feet also itch, especially 1. After several d. more similar points appear on calves, and extend to thighs, then to epigastrium and over 1. breast to axilla. On rubbing itching spots these points become more visible. The itching now came in b>ick, and later in head posteriorly and superiorly, not ante riorly. While sitting with head bent forwards a sudden rush of blood towards head, recurring irregularly, but almost daily twice. Itching head lasted about r4 d., and rush ot blood recurred for about the same period. At same time every n., while getting to sleep, sensation as if he were wafted or drawn forth very quickly in the direction of his legi. He is always wakened by it, but it never returned later in m. [Ibid.)

1. A female school teacher, xt. 40, took 3rd trit. Jan. lijth, ai 10 p.m. After i h. dull pain deep internally in whole length of r< thigh, later for a short time in head above and behind 1. ear, then i pelvis at 1. side (pain in thigh continuing). A sharp pain passed quick 1 over toes of r. foot, then into heel. She got to sleep, lying on 1. side, and woke once in n., with dull pain in region of heart, passing away oa, turning on back. No change of position had any influence upon pait in thigh, igth. — Very frequent urging to pass water, and unpleasant' sensation if she cannot yield to it. She walked to>day 8 or 9 m ' and felt the effects so sensibly that she stopped the T. until the fatigue should have passed over. 20th. — Menses appeared p.m., one d. t early. She still felt effects of her walk. 25th. — Again took 3rd trii in e. First noticeable symptom was pain in upper sacrum, whici extended upwards. 26th, — Repeated dose. There is either pain sense of weakness in back all d. At 10 p.m. another dose. After lyi down, throbbing on r. side of pelvis superiorly. 27th. — About loa.i pain above I. eye, coming suddenly and going as quickly ; it seemed have been caused by a sudden rush of blood thither. As it was piiti:

JqT

off, there was indescribable sensation along I. neck, as if blood there

hid been suddenly retained in one of the large veins, or had streamed

iuciiirards. Next followed weakness and faintness in stomach, and

pain in I. chest. All through d. constant pain in chest, anteriorly, in

middle, sometimes extending backwards between the shoulders ; and

dull unpleasant feeling in head, especially above eyes. Weakness and

p*ifl in back continued. 2Xth. — P»ins change about more than

yesterday — mostly on I. chest, now and then in r. chest and over r.

e^c, once or twice in r. shin. These pains (which were quite unusual)

were so continuous and violent that they compelled prover to remain

at home p.m. 29th. — After going out in m., pain above r. eye towards

temple, then in Hanks, r. pelvis and shin, over 1. eye and ear, last in r.

cye i at same time she is chilly. On 30th there was return of earlier

symptoms but with less severity, and later constant pain in region of

hurt, and occasionally over 1. eye. (The heart pain, which seemed to

be in the apex, is like something she had had 5 — 6 years ago, but then

raore severely.) While having this she had great disposition to bend

Forward, even so as to lie on face, without, however, experiencing any

rtlief from it. {Ibid.)

1. Dr. Kitchen took 3rd trit. Pain in 1. flank within ilium ; lin in sacrum, sometimes stabbing, worse on stooping or on rising up, auing down r. sciatic, and making it almost impossible for him to res) at stool ; restlessness ; fulness in upper abdomen. He had erec-

ns all n. long — z. thing which had never before happened to him. f/W.)

1. Dr. Gardiner took same, e. and m. While sitting, a.m., turning in r. hypochondrium and, later, heavy pressure there. (Next *n., while dressing, a very violent attack of vertigo, becoming much 'VuiM after walking out ; he could hardly stand, and was compelled to lie down and remain at home several d. The vertigo caused nausea, after eating rice he was obliged to vomit ; it recurred at every move- ■ncnt of body or even head. At same time pulse was more frequent, He had previously had similar attacks, — one, severe, after glonoin. Another occasions aconite had always helped him, but this time it did *ot; nor did glonoin or belladonna. The vertigo gradually passed awy after 3—4 d.) {Ibid.)

2. Dr. Whitev took and trit., several gr. n, and m. In fauces sbove larynx, itching and a kind of burning, as if he had scalded him- »tlf with hot drink, lasting several d. After 2 — 3 d, an eruption Wilkes its appearance, such as he had never had. Small red pimples, very ''right red and sharply defined, with minute vesicles upon them, appeared ^rtt outside calves, then inside forearms above wrist, and spread from these points, causing very severe itching, worst at n. in bed. (Ibid.)

3. Dr. GosEwiCH took 12th dil. at 4 p.m. Next m., when lying <% 1. ear, a kind of sharp pressing pain from neck into I. ear. After > Itw d. small red papules, itching much, appear on abdomen, inside 'iighs, and on perinxum. Temper during and after proving much quieter than usual. (Almost every drug he had hitherto proved gave

_him headache ; this did not.) {Ibid.)

1. Same gave 6th dil. to two persons.

29+

a. A man took i dr. at 5 p.m. (He was hardly in normal state when beginning, for he speaks of "■sleepy, heavy condition" as then

existing.) While lying on sofa after supper numbness in abdominal wails ; slight feeling of suffocation in upper throat ; palpitation of heart and general throbbing through whole body, with full pulse; after this had lasted an h., copious sweat for i| h. Metallic earthv taste in mouth ; feels empty and weak in stomach ; dull pain between shoulders ; numbness in occiput and nape ; sense of warmth, as alter spirituous drinks. Next m., customary stool is lacking ; urine difit. Some pain in mid-sternum, abdomen, and clavicle. On returning from a walk after supper, large joints of limbs felt as if sprained and beaten; on every movement brain felt as if bruised. In m., after deep sleep with bad dreams, felt heavy and dull ; skin was hot and dry ; seniacion as if overstrained, as if bruised, as if he had taken cold after severe exertion. At close of urination, burning in orifice of urethra.

b. A woman took drop doses (how often is not stated), and made following report : — Lassitude and weakness^ then pains in elbuws, ajikles, and various parts, sharp and quick ; singular contracting sensation in epigastrium as if parts were folded together; when this sensation passed away, there remained pain and soreness in 1. side ; very quiet mood (opposite of usual state). After she had for some time remarked nothing further, pain and soreness began in renal region, extending downwards and over to abdomen, with pressing down as if from a weight, which increased during whole n. Nightmare during n. Inm., kidney pains were still worse, especially sense of soreness. She was abo attacked in r. abdomen, and still worse low in back, with gnawing rubbing pains, which continued several d. Head heavy, full, and sleepy; constipation, with much flatulence ; blind haemorrhoids \ pimples on face. {Ibid)

1. Dr. Metcalf took, Aug. 14th, 1851, at 5 p.m., I gr. ofjfd^ trit. After 15 m. drawing cramp-like pain in supinator longus of " arm, just below bend of elbow, lasting \ h. General warm sweat ov whole body when sitting writing (afternoon was cool). Fincstickii prickling in various parts of skin whole e., very annoying; it compels him immediately to rub the spots. 9 P-m-> a second gr. 15th. — At 6.30 and 10.30 a.m. repeated dose. Already at 10.20 prickling returned ; it was tike flea-bites here and there for whole d., and continud off and on for some weeks, though no more T, was taken. On the 24ih there appeared on forehead a small group of round vesicles on a red areola. The vesicles dried up into small scabs and extended gradually at the circumference ; there was only a little itching and prickin 31st. — The spot is now Completely circular, and in centre is a desquamating spot without vesicles. Urine is in smaller quantity (l" oz. in 24 h.), dark red, sp. gr. 1030. Sept. ist. — Itching and sting ing in " herpes" became very troublesome, and wandered over whc body. A similar spot, with intolerable itching, appeared on J. flant forming about | circle, and not so regular as that on forehead. 2nd.— Ufine 22^ oz., characters same. Analysis gave —

19S

Fluids . .

Solids :

Urea

Uric acid ... Incombustible salts Organic matters

930-10

30*06

•80

19-40

19-64

69.90

looo-oo

Colouring matter in marked excess. Hydrochloric acid produced sCrilcing changes in colour. 25th. — During last week (6th from first <iose) the sticking pain in skin was much less, but it was followed by constant itching on scalp compelling continual scratching. There are line vesicles there upun small reddish spots, drying up in a few d. and leaving little white scales behind ^ they are most abundant at margins of hair and on neighbouring skin, Ring on forehead is diminishing, but a smaller one is forming above it. Oct. ist. — Eruption and itching on head almost gone, and the two original rings quite \ but third is on the increase. Urine normal. By 8ih the last ' herpes " had dis appeared. {Ibid.)

It. a. Dr. Carroll Duvham took 1 gr. of 4th trit. every n. for 5 d.* About 12 — 20 d. after first dose 1. ear began to itch, burn, and swrell. There were aching and throbbing pains in external meatus, and, in course of 3 — 4 d. there was copious watery discharge from ear, smelling like fish-pickle. Discharge was offensive and acrid, and caused vesicular eruption on lower lappet of ear and on neck wherever it touched the skin. The inflammation of the ear generally was not vesicular ; the colour was a bluish red, and the ear had the appearance of being infiltrated with water. It lasted nearly 3 mos.f

b. During second month the spine, from last cervical to about fifth dorsal vertebra, became very sensitive and seat of peculiar irritability, which made prover dread having part touched or even approached. This dread was disproportioned to the actual sensibility of the part when pressed or rudely touched, for this was not really very great. From the vertebra above mentioned a peculiar irritation seemed to radiate upwards into neck, outwards into shoulders, and forwards through thorax to sternum. The distress caused by this sensation was aggravated by fatigue, but only partially relieved by repose. It was great and very annoying, and lasted nearly l mos.

On two subsequent provings, with same preparation, being made within two years after the above, the same symptoms substantially were reproduced. {Ibid.)

1. Dr. X. Hansen took for 7 d.,each d. an h. before dinner, a dose of bitelluriteof potash^dissolved in water by aid of some potash (therefore

• The original records of thii proving have been lost. The jibovc i» a simnmary (from memory and a few imperfect notes) of the most strilcing effect*. The notes of time must be regarded as only approximately accurate. — C. D.

t " An examination which I made after the proving shovrcd the membrana tympani to be irregular, thickened in parts, thin m other portions, the result of perforation and cicatriMtion." (Dr. Houghton, Amer. Obt., Feb., 1881.)

strictly a neutral salt). During the first 4 d. 004 grm. was taken, on the two following 005 grm., and on the last 0'o8 grm. On the first 2 d. sleepiness set in, which compelled him, contrary to his custom, to sleep for J h. after eating. In subsequent course of expcrimenl he no longer felt this sleepiness. During first ^ d. he thought he noticed increased appetite, but subsequently this diminished more and more. After last dose there occurred oppression in cardiac region, disposition to vomit without actual vomiting, and uncommonly copious secretion of saliva. Tongue was coated white and somewhat swollen, so that on its margin impressions of teeth were strongly mailccd. Appetite was lost. These gastric phenomena did not cease till after 14 d. } and garlic-like odour which breath assumed in first minutes after commencing dose was still perceptible even 7 weeks afterwards. (/ixV., p. 426.)

1. Von Roeder took before dinner 0*04 grm. of same salt. Already, after a few m., breath assumed peculiar alliaceous odour, evident to all who conversed with him. There occurred frequently light eructation ; he could, however, cat (as he thought) with more than usual appetite, then felt unusual sleepiness, and actually fell asleep. No further effects. Next d. he took a dose of 0-05 grm. There resulted eructation and (he thought) increased appetite, without further effects ; but after 3 d. his breath betrayed the T. oaour. {Ibid., p. 427.)

2. Prof. WcEHLER, while busied with investigations of telluric ethyl, had in his breath for some weeks the above-mentioned odour of garlic; and, it happening once during this period that in consequence of taking cold he got into a very profuse perspiration during n., the sweat gave out this offensive T. odour to so great an extent that it was hardly tolerable. He had an opportunity of observing this symptom a second time durmg course of his work.* [Ibid.)

III. Experiments on animals. — 1. Gmelin introduced 3 gr, of »n oxide into stomach of a medium-sized and lively dog, with some meit. After 22 m., vomiting of a watery mucus ; the animal lost its liveliness and would not cat, but drank much water and passed much urine. After 4 h. the vomiting was repeated several times. After 8 h. appetite returned, and next d. animal was quite well, [Ibid.., p. 78.)

1. Same gave a rabbit, which had 2 d. previously taken 4 gr. with impunity, 10 gr. made into pills with gum-arabic. Immediately after swallowing these the animal lost its liveliness for a time, but soon recovered and ate with appetite. It seemed well for remainder of ihitj and through following d., but on 3rd m. was found dead. Intestinal canal showed externally, except distended blood-vessels, nothing pir ticular. On opening stomach, a thick, white, frothy mucus made its appearance, in which the mucous membrane — which everywhere came off with the greatest facility — seemed to be, as it were, dissolved. Inflammation proper had not occurred. Near the pylorus a quantit of black ink-like mucus was found, and the same filled all the sm/ and large intestines as far as the rectum. It was washed off with

• For similar experiences itc Pharm. Joutn.,n'}V, 376; Pacific MeJ. atbi Swri, Journ., 1869 (Bunscn). ~

nam

cfifficulty. The rectum itself was empty and contracted. The liver Mris bestrewn with red inflamed spots ; gall-bladder was full of green biJcj rcntricles of heart were filled with a polypus-like coagulum ; Jungs showed, save some red spots, nothing particular ; serum, wherever pment, was violet-coloured.* {Ibid.)

J. Havshm introduced into stomach of such a dog as No. I C3grm. of bitellurite of potash dissolved in water by aid of a few dr, of liquor potassse. The animal immediately lost his liveliness, seemed to be stupefied, and Jay down quietly. Garlic-like odour appeared in fcrath after I m. In 20 m. vomiting set in, which was frequently

i repeated in course of first h. ; appetite was lost. On following d. animal had recovered, but still gave out strongly the odour of T. Two rrpetitions of the dose produced the same stupefaction and vomiting ; ttf ejecta were black mucus, excrements were of same colour. [liil, p. 366.)

1. Another dog received during 4 d., in 3 doses, i grm. of tcllurous acid and i'4 grm. of bitellurite of potash, with 110 other results. On the 7th d. 0-5 grm. of the salt, in sol., was injected into the jugular. There followed a few convulsive movements, txoneratio ahfi^ and death in 4 m. Save for a blue-black coloration of intestinal canal and of all glands, even parotids, nothing abnormal was found ; but in both eyes cataract had formed, apparently due to deposition of ^X*., as granules — black by transmitted light — were found in lenses, and ^Buids of eve gave out the alliaceous odour. T. was also found in the ^»ine. [Ibid.)