Ranunculus sceleratus

Volume III — Main text

BannXlClllllS BceleratOS) marsh crowfoot, celery-leaved buttercup.

I. Provings, — I. a. Dr. Y — took, Oct. i6th and 17th, 2 dr. of tinct., fasting j on 20th, 3 dr. ; on 25th and on Nov. 5th, 4 ; on 30th, 6; on December 29th5 12; and on Jan. 4th, 15 dr. (The greatest number of symptoms and the most disagreeable occurred from the small doses, the larger affecting him but little.) The following symptoms were observed : — Vertigo while sitting ; vanishing of thought, giddiness (3 h.) ; heaviness and sense of fulness in whole head ; head feels distended from within and enlarged ; contraction in scalp ; head feels as if in a vice ; dull pain in occiput, whole head feeling painful externally (4th d.) ; drawing-clawing pressure over vertex i drawing stitching on skin of vertex; painful pressure as from a blunt instrument on vertex (5th d.) ; burning pain on vertex for a few m. ; longcontinuing, dull, pressive-gnawing pain on one spot of 1. vertex ; jerking in vertex region ; pain as of a suddenly coming and speedily going gnawing on one spot in vertex ; boring pain behind r. ear (5th d.) ; gnawing, with pressure, in r. temple ; stitches in I. temple (10 h.) ; pressure in temples from within outwards {\ h.), same from without inwards; itching and biting in scalp. Slight drawing and sense of coldness above r. eyebrow, down cheeks to corner of mouth, for ^ h., e. ; feeling of coldness in face ; sensation as if face were covered with cobweb (2nd d., e.) } slight pressure in eyeballs and smarting in canthi, immediately, recurring periodically for several d. ; burning of margins of lids (10 h.) ; stinging smarting of r. canthus (J h.) ; pain of eyeballs when moving them quickly ; hard blotch beneath r. eyebrow, which does not suppurate ; long stitches and continued drawing and pressure in r. meatus and stitches in front of r. ear (2nd d., e.) ^ otalgia of r. ear, with headache and drawing in all teeth ; pricking externally at tip of nose. Drawing and tearing pain in molar teeth ; stinging gnawing in incisors (2nd d., e.) j transient jerking in same ; stingingdrawing and drawing-jerking in all teeth j teeth are sensitive all 2nd d. i flying stitches in tip of tongue (3rd d.) j smarting there (10 h.) ; flow of saliva (J^ h.) ; white-coated tongue and sweetish taste in mouth, early, on several d. ; uncommon dryness of mouth at n. j want of appetite in e. ; little appetite at dinner, followed by a turn of nausea % frequent empty eructations immediately after taking drug, returning for many d. in m. fasting ; after eating, frequent eructations tasting of ingesta \ rancid sour eructations, e. ; hiccup (^ h.) 3 stinging pains in soft palate ; smarting-d rawing pain in palate (3rd d.) ; burning in pharynx ; nausea, especially after midnight ; desire to vomit, returning periodically in early m. j stitches in tonsils ; swelling of tonsils, with flying stitches in same (e. of 2nd d.) \ heartburn ; contractive feeling in throat, frequent in m. fasting, increased while eating bread ; scraping in throat immediately ; choking sensation in throat at n. ; pressure and sense of fulness in pit of stomach, increased by external pressure, worst in m. } sensitive stitches in pit of stomach, or in skin over it ; burning soreness behind xiphoid cartilage ; troublesome sensation of fulness in stomach j constriction of stomach ; rumbling and pinching in abdomen (immediately) ; cutting in intestines (2nd d., at n.) ; screwing pressure

behind umbilicus at n. ; sensation as if a plug were lodged behind umbilicus for several d., especially in m.; abdominal walls are painful ; stitches in hepatic region ; under r. false ribs continued pressure as of a dull instrument, increased by deep inspiration ; sensitive stitches in region of gall-bladder ; while walking in open air sudden violent jerks in lumbar region, arresting breathing ; long stitches in splenic region, worse on deep inspiration ; continual pressure in r. lumbar region \ aching in groins ; titillating burning in region of anus ; delaying stool (after 2 dr.) ; three watery evacuations in rapid succession (5 h. after 4 dr.) j frequent loose stools on one d. ; nearly liquid and very foetid stools for 3 — 4 d.; frequent urging and loose stools for several d. ; frequent sensation as if diarrhoea would set in, while only a natural evacuation comes. Sudden stitches in forepart of glans ; drawing pains in penis; smarting about scrotum. Dry and hacking cough, rarely and without straining ; tight and deep breathing (7 h.) ; sense of great weakness in chest for several d. ; chest feels bruised in e. ; oppression of chest immediately, continuing whole d. ; whole chest feels weak and bruised (several e.) ; frequent involuntary sighing ; frequent but slight stitches in r. chest (2 h.) ; painful shooting there^ nut increased by inspiration ; continued dull shooting in 1. chest below false ribs ; stitches in region of heart ; violent contractive pinching pain in chest behind r. nipple (several e. in succession) ; shooting-clawing in region of heart, making breath tight, n. ; violent continued gnawing behind lower sternum, arresting breathing (3rd d., e.) ; long frequent stitches behind xiphoid cartilage, in space size of palm (ist d., m.) ; continued shooting in skin over throat*pit ; great sensitiveness of integuments of chest ; painful drawing and frequent stitches in pectoral muscles ; itching stinging below r. nipple ; very painful pinching together around 1. nipple i external painfulness of sternum, pressure upon it causes painful stitches through chest ; prickling and formication on chest and back ; bruised pain in sacrum, paralytic pains there (6 h.). Itching betwixt scapulae j drawing in r. and stitches in 1. shoulder ; compressive drawing on scapulae ; stinging itching in some parts of upper arm ; paralytic drawing in forearm (immediately) ; stitches in forearm ; long-lasting boring stitching all along 1. forearm to tip of index, where it is most violent ; stinging burning in one spot of forearm ; gnawing in r. elbow, long stitch there; frequent stitches in dorsa of hands; continued gnawing in 1. palm, e. (4th and 6th d.) ; transient drawing shooting in ball of r. hand ; drawing with pressure in metacarpal bones of r. hand, boring in those of thumbs ; swelling of fingers (2nd d.) ; titillating sensation in skin between fingers (immediately, and at 7 p.m.) ; aching in middle of 1. middle finger ; violent long stitch between 1. middle and index fingers (5th d.) ; gnawing and boring in phalanges of r. fingers (7 h.) i darting in I. index ; gnawing and stitching-boring in last phalanges, with also flying stitches. Drawing-gnawing pressure in r. lower extremity ; itching of legs, not relieved by scratching, e. ; biting in hams ; gnawing and boring pains in 1. knee ; painful drawing with pressure along leg j stinging burning in a small spot on calf ; twitching of muscles of r. calf; gnawing on r. outer malleolus ; prickling and furious smarting of soles, and of dorsum of r. foot^ itching-stinging of VOL. ui. 45

]. ; stinging boring in ball of r. foot ; gnawing on balls and (5th d.) in 1. heel ; itching-priclclingin r. heel ; stitching-boring pains along r. sole ; sudden stitches in forepart of r. big toe, as if a needle were thrust in deep, recurring at short intervals (i h.) ; same after 10 h., passing into a burning ; boring and gnawing in r. big toe, tingling and jerking in 1. (7 h.) ; itching stitches in 1. toes ; intolerable itching and prickling in feet. Sleeplessness from 3 a.m. the first nights, with anxiety, uncommon debility, gloominess, brooding reverie of mind, limbs feeling bruised, in m. mind feels worn out, and he is not able to fix his thoughts upon one subject ; half-slumber after midnight, frightful anxious dreams about corpses, battles, serpents, &c.^ constant tossing about in bed, — this many n. in succession, head confused in m. Heat in head and face, e., when entering room on coming out of open air ; he wakes after midnight many n. in succession with heat over whole body and violent thirst, pulse full, soft, 80, afterwards sweat over whole body, especially forehead ; dry skin and mouth without thirst at n. (16 h.) ; chilliness while eating. Laziness, want of disposition to perform any mental labour, m. ; sad mood, grief, e.* [Jrckiv^ vii, 3.)

1. Dr. ScHRETER took. May 8th, 2 p.m., a dose (amount not stated). After i h. scrapy-scratchy feeling in throat ; frequent urging to urinate about every ^ h. 5 successive times, only a small quantity of light yellow urine passed. After 2 h. the scratchy feeling becomes rather boring. After 3 h. drowsiness, eyelids inclined to close, it requires an effort to keep them open. After 3I h. urging to stool at an unusual time, but as he was prevented going, some flatus was discharged. After 4 h., on going to stool, to which he has an urgent call, only a little wind is passed ; occasional flying heat of face. After 6 h. tightness of chest, he must sometimes breathe deeply ; it is as if something lay on sternum ; heart's beats quickened, sometimes more, sometimes less ; eructation after taking bread and butter. After 6 J h. confusion of head and slight pressure on both temples towards one another. Under r. shoulder downwards, sensation as if muscles were fatigued from prolonged upright sitting. Occasional shivering and thirst, and pressive pain from without inwards in forehead. Sleepy, discouraged, disinclined for work. After 7 h. weary in feet as after a long walk. After 7i h. tickling crawling sensation at orifice of urethra. Thick mucus in throat, difficult to hawk up. Pressing pain in both inferior tuberosities of occipital bone, going off when pressed, but returning. \ h. after falling asleep woke suddenly without cause, then fell asleep and slept soundly all n. After 15 h. on rising very cold feeling, especially from nape down back. Scraping in throat as if raw, with dry but rare cough which increases the sore pain ; he has to swallow repeatedly. Tongue furred white. — 9th, 5.30 a.m., 10 dr. After \ h. pressure as from a blunt piece of wood on region of heart. After | h. earache, transient nausea. In addition to usual stool, two others in a short time, softer than usual ; with the last some forcing in rectum. After 3 h.,80on after urinating, burning pains in forepart of urethra* After 8 h. toothache,

• There are also several symptoms observed while expressing the juice, but as these simply denote local irritation we have omitted them. — Eds.

digging under some roots of lower molars as though they would be pushed out from below. Repeated yawning, discharge of flatus after a moderate meal. Pricking from r. temple to r. upper orbital border. — loth, 7.30 a.m., 10 dr. After 1 h. urging to stool without result ; scraping in throat as if sore. After ^ h. pinching in belly, especially about navel, as ftom a chill. After i h. itching at anus and forcing out at it like piles, worse when walking. After 2 h. frequent micturition of scanty, light-coloured urine. After 3^ h. hunger without appetite. After 5 h., after eating urgent call to stool, but only a little wind and some soft faeces passed after great straining. After 6 h. flying heat in face. After II h. feeling or hunger, with eructations, after eating. Itching and forcing in rectum for some h., c. Itching under r. lower eyelid, relieved by cold. Near r. ala nasi a red spot the size of sixpence ; it became white when pressed, which causes some pain. Some pricks into anus. After urinatine some drops come out later and wet the shirt. Soreness in r. axilla. Moisture at anus. After 13 h. heat, particularly of face, with thirst, e. ; ^ h. afterwards sweat with prostration. Disinclination for work, cross. Great distraction, destroys papers without knowing it, fidgets with fingers, forgetful. After 21 h. dryness in throat, m. Eyelids stick together, the white has a yellowish tinge and fine vessels visible. — nth. On the red spot on r. ala nasi a vesicle with some pain. — 12th. Haemorrhoidal symptoms, especially itching in anus. (ifrfA/v, iii, 3, 183.)

1. a. The leaves when chewed cause burning of tongue, lasting a long time, much saliva ; if the chewing is persevered with, or repeated several times in d., the tongue becomes inflamed, excoriated, the papillae red and elevated, very painful, fissures appear on tip of tongue, taste is lost, the whole anterior part of tongue feels rough, as if from an astringent ; these symptoms are aggravated by all food. Teeth painful and on edge, gums red, painful, bleed easily when touched. These symptoms last 8 to 10 d., especially the loss of taste and astringent feeling on tongue.

b. If the whole flower is chewed the burning pain of tongue lasts longer.

c. If the leaves are crushed and applied to the sides of the fingers, after ^ h. itching commences which increases gradually, the skin becomes red ; after 12 h. blisters appear where the redness had been. The crushed flowers produce the same effect, only quicker. The blister, when opened, gives exit to a yellowish acrid serum. Beneath the blisters is a superficial but obstinate ulceration, which does not heal under 3 or 4 weeks.

d. The green plant, if pounded in a mortar in a confined space, irritates nose and eyes, causes sneezing and lachrymation.

#. The bruised leaves swallowed after dinner caused severe pains in various parts of abdomen, with faintness ; the internal parts of the abdomen were affected with spasmodic agitations long continued, coming on about 4 h. after the drug was swallowed.

y. On taking 2 dr. of the juice after dinner there was burning all through cesophagus, and the spasmodic pain, even worse. The pain in oesophagus lasted 6 d., and was aggravated by salt food, wine, vinegar

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or sugar in tea or coffee. (Krapf, Exptrlm. dt nonnuHontm Ranuncvbrum venenata gualitate^ 17^61 H*)

II, Pohoningi. — I. ScHARF relates that two Italians, who had eaten the plant as salad, had pains in stomach, anxiety, inactivity of intestinal canal, distortion of eyes, twitchings in face and limbs, risus sardonicus, cold sweat, and death. (Ephem. nat. cur.^ dec. 3, ann. 2, obs. 87, p. 106, in tPlbrmry /. c.)

1. TissoT relates that a carter applied the plant externally, and after a few h. large blisters rose, involving the whole arm, with fever, talking nonsense, cerebral inflammation, a kind of canine rabies ; and at last mortification of the arm ensued. (Epist. ff«//., 3i7,in ^Vibmer^Lc)