Phosphoricum acidum

Volume I — Main text

ACIDUM PHOSPHORICUM.

Phosphoric acid. H,PO^. Prepared by Hahnemann from action of sulphuric acid on calcined bones. The Brit Horn. Pharm. prefers to bum phosphoru!^ in oxygen, and dilute product to sp* gr, 1*058. The Brit. Pharm. obtains its acid from phosphorus by aid of nitric acia.

1. Provings, — i. Hahnemann, AlaUria Medica Pura^ vol* v of original) vol. ii of English translation. Contains 268 symptoms from author, and 411 from 12 fellow observers.

2. Ibid. Chronic Diseases^ Part v of original, vol. of translation. Augmented by 139 symptoms, mainly credited to Hering, and probably observed on patients mentioned in preface as cured by him with the acid.

3. Dr. Heinigke took, from 24th to 31st May, phos. ac, 3, 5 drops 2 or 3 times daily. During the 7 d., though in normal state bowels were usually loose, he had constipation, with usually ineffectual call to stool. But his sufferings commenced on the 8th d., when he had ceased to take any medicine. Hitherto he had never suffered from any rheumatic or gouty ailments. 31st May, e., an acute pain betwixt scapula, of a boring and drawing character, followed by disturbed sleep, ist June. — On waking in m. pain had gone into L shoulder-joint, and there it remained for 8 weeks. It increased every d*, and on (5th June seemed to have attained its greatest intensity ; it was of a boring, digging, and drawing kind, and was strongly remittent, nearly intermittent in character. It awoke him between 2 and 3 a.m., and then he could not get to sleep again until he had taken an antidote. The axillary and radial nerves seemed to be chiefly affected j transient pressure on shoulder caused no change j lying on 1. side caused aggravation j moving shoulder and arm caused relief; so did raising the left arm above the head V everything that impeded circulation of blood caused aggravation, while all that promoted it gave relief. The pain was worst during absolute rest, t\g, while being shaved. It lasted from 2 a.m. till 8 a.m., then got better. After dinner (2 p.m.) aggravation till 4 p.m., then remission. A fresh aggravation from 7 p.m. till 1 1 p.m. Beer and wine caused aggravation, moving in open air amelioration. When pain had lasted 3 weeks he resorted to remedies. First rhus 12, that at first brought relief, but after 3 d. was of no use, Bry., arn,, and ign. did little good. Con, 12 gave more relief, but brought on spasms in stomach. By loth July pain, though less, was still bad. Fcrr. met. 2 caused material improvement. That and con. alternately reduced pain by middle of August to numbness in course of radial nerve. In lower extremities he noticed slight swelling of feet, with burning in soles ; occasional tearing and painful drawing in course of r, external plantar nerve.

In middle of June he was seized with capillary bronchitis, which he could only ascribe to the medicine. It came on with febrile symptoms that lasted 3 d., with c. exacerbations ; dyspnoea, aching pain under sternum, then frequent sneezing, much thirst, some coryza, the copious expectoration was of purulent character. A few furuncles

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appeared on K side of chest and back. The urine^ which was copioits and clear dunng the proving davf, became in June and July dark and turbid. With all the parn and sleeplessness he felt during June fresh and lively in mind ; in Jul^ there was exhaustion and getter^ depres* sion* {Allg, horn, Z///., Ixxisc, IS?*)

1. Dr. ScHEtLiKG took phos« ac. 12, one drop in three doses, m^ afternoon, and c. Jan, 13th, forenoon, irresistible vawning, also in e, ; vertigo, suggering when walking about \ cold fechng, moreintcmal shuddering than external cold. Exhaustion, dt&like to every occupation ; slight burning in middle of chest after occupation ; burning itching pain in middle of chest and upper abdomen^ with frequent hawking of mucus. In e« great discharge of Hat us smelling of garlic \ frequent yawn* ingand chilliness from 9 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. *, memory for ordinary work nearly lost ; in e. tearing spasmodic pain in h wrist and cold feet, (At n., from 2 — 4 a.m., no sleep on account of thoughts intruding.) 14th, m., exhaustion, uncomfortable, inclined for nothing j took another dose of phos. ac, thereafter constant severe yawning for \ h, (From reading a few lines exhausted, heavy pressive headache, and nausea,) £.^ in bed great discharge of flatus with garlic smelt for \ h. \ cough and hawking of thin mucus ; sleep quiet, woke a few times. 15th, — Very cold weather ; in c, spasmodic drawing in feet, very severe in r, sole and ball of big toe, preventing sleep till after midnight » after i a.m^ pains went off^ quiet sleep j next m. woke feeling well, slept well \ next m, expectoration of salt mucus. (Ihid.^ Ixxxiv, 43.)

2. Dr. Andrew^s took increasing doses, from 20 drops to ^^ss« Within first interval there is increase in force of pulsations, though there is little change in number during whole time of experimentation* Increase is most marked after lapse of from i to 2 h., and it is not till after several h, that pulse returns to its normal condition. The sensations experienced of taking from 40 drops to 511] were those of moderate alcoholic stimulation. There was slight pain through frontal region, and a buoyancy and lightness of feeling rather agreeable* \Vhen a larger dose was taken there w*as a feeling of drowsiness, an inclination to lie down, and an unwillingness to undertake mental labour. This continued for some h. {Amer, Journ. §/ Insanity^ 1869^

3. Dr. A. W. Woodward* 8 a.m. Health sound, pulse 65. Took 10 drops of Ix in water j soon feeling of a lump in stomach with eructations. 8.5. Itching of scalp, hands feel swollen, eructa* ttons again. 8.7. Rumbling in bowels, itching of ear, chest seems bound, breathing oppressed j eyes watery. 810. Drawing in r. hand, cramp in 1. calf; sighing respiration. 8,15. Pulse 76, lump in stomach, perspiration on forehead, yawning. 8,20. Cramp in r hand, eructation, yawning, dull ache in lumbar region. 8.30. Pulse 84, no appetite, much itching on scalp and scrotum, 8.45. Dull headache, sneezing. 9. Lump tn stomach, dull ache in back, itching returns* 9.30* Hazy vision, rubbing eyes relieves \ languid, pulse 92,«veak, lo. Usual stool ; after stool sickening pain about uaibilicus; pitting on walking shoes find feet swollen and sore. 10.30* Fresh air 'invigorated mcj felt strong in mind and body until 5 p.m,.

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as if from stimulants ; no desire for lunch, some thirst. 6. Dull occipital headache, slight nausea, sweat profusely on exertion. 7. Scant stool and scant urine» ate heartily. 11, Very weary, cannot sleep from itching and sexual excitement ; erections weak, attended by salivation and palpitation of heart. 12. Called to urinate, scant and slow, I* Same repeated, slept until 8, 2nd d. — Waked with dull headache between eyes^ irritability of sexual organs, mental depression, languor, pulse 65. 8. Little appetite, more thirst, tongue pasty ; stool after eating, followed by sinking at epigastrium ; felt languid and chilly in open air; called to urinate at 12, scant and irritating ; slimy saliva in mouth during forenoon, 3. Ate heartily, much oppressed after, much flatulence* 5. Watery stool, much Batus ; c., tympanites. 10. General cold sweat and free urine. 3rd d, — Copious urine on rising, slight exercise causes backache, free stool and copious urine at to, free urine at 1, again at 4 and 6, well as usual in e. ( Communicated*)