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Calcarea phosphorica, a study
Calcarea phosphorica, a study D. M.
GIBSON,
M.B., B.S.LOND., F.R.C.S.(EDIN.),
F.F.HOM.
PHARMACOGNOSY The remedy is prepared from a mixture of tribasic and other phosphates of lime, obtained b y the addition of dilute phosphoric acid to lime water; the result is a relatively insoluble tasteless white powder. I t is of note that apatite crystals which form about one-third of the mass of bones are composed mainly of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. PHARMACOLOGY
There is affmity with tissues concerned with growth and cell repair, inducing a tendency to deficient assimilation, impaired nutrition, delayed development, poor memory and brittle bones. PHYSIOGNOMY
A pale, sickly child, rather tall for its age; skin is waxy and dirty-looking. Adenoid facies. Large, unclosed fontaneLles. The child m a y be thin, even emaciated; scarcely able to stand; slow in learning to walk; head inclined to wobble; belly scaphoid; legs tottery; spine seoliotic. Much involuntary sighing; child m a y scream and grasp head with hands. 01d people stagger about on rising from sitting. There is a sour body odour. PSYCHOLOGY
The child is nervy, sensitive, timid. Is a slow starter, but m a y have spurts of brilliance; has a bad temper; wants to be left alone; shows contrariness--when out-of-doors wants to return home, when at home wants to go out. Has a desire for change of scene; requires constant watching as m a y show an almost insane desire to go off alone. Memory is poor; there is difficulty in making sustained mental effort; consequently dreads mental exertion. Is apt to use wrong words in speaking and writing. Mental or emotional strain or stress m a y precipitate an illness. Child m a y become sick as the result of disappointment or vexation. PHYSIOLOGY
The subject is chilly and feels the cold. There is a craving for bacon, ham, especially the rind, also for salted and smoked meats, and savouries. Appetite m a y be ravenous round about 4 p.m. Again appetite m a y be lost just before and during menstruation.
186
THE
BRITISH
HOMG~OPATHIC
JOURNAL
There is a desire for cold drinks but these disagree, as do also ice-cream and fruit. Is drowsy b y day, but sleepless at night up to about midnight; dreams are very vivid; m a y start from sleep in fear; is heavy with sleep at time for rising. Copious sweats occur at night, possibly on single parts.
Modalities. Aggravating factors are cold wet; change of weather; east winds; melting snow; movement and exertion; dwelling upon symptoms. There is amelioration in warm dry weather; when resting; from a really hot bath. PATHOLOGY
There is general weakness, deriving from imperfect nutrition, associated with evidence of delayed development. Pains of rheumatic type are widespread; often located in small areas. Children complain of growing pains in muscles. Symptoms are often left-sided.
Head. Vertigo is worse on rising from sitting, when walking in cold air, from mental or physical exertion. School-childreR complain of a dull headache, which is aggravated by the least jar or jolt, even by the pressure of hat; it is worse when out-of-doors and from physical exertion. I t is better when quiet and alone; washing the face and head in cold water also gives relief. Children develop headache from watching television. A rheumatic type of headache involves the whole head; it is worse in cold air, from a cold wind, when walking, from exertion and at night. A headache on the vertex is associated with a sensation as if a cake of ice were melting on the top of the head. Eyes. There is a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, accompanied by a desire to constantly rub the eye. Finds it difficult to read; light hurts; lachrymation is aggravated by yawning. Ears. Tearing pain in ears is worse when the weather turns cold. Sudden swelling of external ear with associated eczema. Discharge from ear excoriates skin. Tinnitus auri. Respiratory system. Clear fluid runs from the nose in a cold room, but stops in warm air or out of doors. The nasal discharge m a y be blood-stained as with Phosphorus. Blowing the nose m a y cause epistaxis. The nose m a y be swollen with sore nostrils. Large pedunculated nasal polypi m a y be present. E v e r y cold settles in the tonsils, which become enlarged, perhaps chronically so; the throat is sore and relaxed; swallowing is painful; throat feels constricted. Accumulation of mucus in throat causes hawking and hoarseness. A dry hacking cough comes on in fits and starts both b y day and at night; it starts with hoarseness, is aggravated in cold weather and tends to be better when lying down. A feeling of suffocation comes on from even slight exertion, as when going upstairs. Stitching pains occur in the chest, especially at the level of the 5th and 6th ribs and in the cardiac area. There m a y be much rattling in the chest with difficulty in raising sputum, which is yellow. Chest symptoms m a y alternate with fistula in ano.
CALCAREA
PHOSPHORICA,
A STUDY
187
Alimentary system. Delayed dentition is associated with teething complaints. Teeth are very soft; easy caries. Upper lip becomes swollen, painful, indurated and burning. Tongue is swollen, stiff, covered with little pimples or tiny blisters which burn. There is a disgusting taste in the mouth. The child vomits milk persistently, whether breast milk or artificially prepared milk. I t suffers from colic after every feed. The stools are green, slimy, lienteric, accompanied by the passage of much foetid flatus. Cholera infantum m a y supervene. E v e r y a t t e m p t to eat is followed b y belly-ache, which is worse if cold food is taken; there is relief b y belching and by the passage of flatus. The belly wall is soft and flaccid. Heartburn comes on about one hour after a meal; nausea can be induced b y taking coffee or by smoking. Epigastric pain m a y spread to the spine. Vexation m a y bring on an attack of diarrhoea with hot watery stools or spluttery green stools, possibly containing offensive pus. Diarrhoea can be brought on by cold drinks or accompany dentition. Constipation m a y occur with very hard stools. Piles are present in the elderly patient. Anal fissure or fistula m a y occur; this m a y alternate with chest symptoms. Lymphatic and glandular systems. Involvement of lymph nodes is common in children; it m a y become chronic.
Nervous system. Numbness m a y be a feature, either localized n u m b areas or a more general n u m b feeling all over. The tongue m a y feel numb. This sensation of numbness is likely to be accompanied b y a feeling of paresis. Urinary system. Enuresis is associated with debility. Urine passed m a y be copious and pale. Cutting sensation is felt in the urethra before and after urination. Genital system. There is premenstrual pain with uterine cramps. Menses are early, copious, with bright red blood. Leukorrhoea occurs both day and night; the discharge resembles egg-white; is worse in the morning after rising; has a sweetish odour. Libido is increased in both sexes. Locomotor system. Pains in neck and back are worse in cold, stormy weather, worse in the morning, from getting in a draught, from lifting or other strain. Rheumatic pains in limbs are worse from wet weather and are aggravated by movement; they occur especially in spring and autumn. They are accompanied b y a cold or numb sensation in the joints. The pains shoot along the muscles into the joints. W a r m t h and rest afford relief. Sacroiliac pain as if "broken" spreads to the lower limbs, accompanied by sensations of cold and numbness; it is worse at any change in weather or when snow is melting. Mention is also made of pain at the root of the finger nails; fingers feel paralysed; hands tremble. Skin. Acne is common in adolescents, especially young girls. Eczema m a y occur on scalp and external ear.
188
THE
BRITISH
HOM(EOPATHIC
JOURNAL
POSOLOGY
The remedy is of special value in complaints of children and adolescents. I t has been used for a tonic effect in asthenia. I t vies with Symphytum in relation to non-union of fractures. Complementary remedies are Carbo animalis, China, Natrum muriaticum,
Ruta, Sulphur, Suk2hur iodatum.
Calcarea fluorica, a study D . M. G I B S O N ,
M.B., R.S.LOr~D., F . R . C . S . ( E D I N . ) , r'.r.HOM.
PHARMACOGNOSY This remedy is prepared from calcium fluoride, fluorspar. I n the body, crystals of this very insoluble salt are found in masses in the Haversian canals. These increase the hardness and brittleness of bone. I t also occurs in the enamel of teeth, in elastic tissues and in the epidermis. PHARMACOLOGY
The affinity with the above-mentioned tissues carries a liability to the formation of exostoses, enlargement of glands and lymph nodes with stony hard induration, and the development of varicosities and distended veins. PHYSIOGNOMY
There are no special appearances apart from the presence of an obvious swelling in the jaws or other site. PSYCHOLOGY
The patient is likely to be obsessed with the fear of financial ruin and consequent poverty. Indecision is characteristic, with inability to come to a decision about anything, more so in relation to insignificant matters than to important issues. PHYSIOLOGY
The only matter referred to in this category is sleep, which is frequently disturbed by nightmares; the subject is awoken suddenly with a feeling as if threatened by immediate danger.
Modalities. There is aggravation of symptoms when at rest; as the result of a change in the weather; in d a m p humid conditions; from cold; in a draught.
GIBSON,
M.B., B.S.LOND., F.R.C.S.(EDIN.),
F.F.HOM.
PHARMACOGNOSY The remedy is prepared from a mixture of tribasic and other phosphates of lime, obtained b y the addition of dilute phosphoric acid to lime water; the result is a relatively insoluble tasteless white powder. I t is of note that apatite crystals which form about one-third of the mass of bones are composed mainly of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate. PHARMACOLOGY
There is affmity with tissues concerned with growth and cell repair, inducing a tendency to deficient assimilation, impaired nutrition, delayed development, poor memory and brittle bones. PHYSIOGNOMY
A pale, sickly child, rather tall for its age; skin is waxy and dirty-looking. Adenoid facies. Large, unclosed fontaneLles. The child m a y be thin, even emaciated; scarcely able to stand; slow in learning to walk; head inclined to wobble; belly scaphoid; legs tottery; spine seoliotic. Much involuntary sighing; child m a y scream and grasp head with hands. 01d people stagger about on rising from sitting. There is a sour body odour. PSYCHOLOGY
The child is nervy, sensitive, timid. Is a slow starter, but m a y have spurts of brilliance; has a bad temper; wants to be left alone; shows contrariness--when out-of-doors wants to return home, when at home wants to go out. Has a desire for change of scene; requires constant watching as m a y show an almost insane desire to go off alone. Memory is poor; there is difficulty in making sustained mental effort; consequently dreads mental exertion. Is apt to use wrong words in speaking and writing. Mental or emotional strain or stress m a y precipitate an illness. Child m a y become sick as the result of disappointment or vexation. PHYSIOLOGY
The subject is chilly and feels the cold. There is a craving for bacon, ham, especially the rind, also for salted and smoked meats, and savouries. Appetite m a y be ravenous round about 4 p.m. Again appetite m a y be lost just before and during menstruation.
186
THE
BRITISH
HOMG~OPATHIC
JOURNAL
There is a desire for cold drinks but these disagree, as do also ice-cream and fruit. Is drowsy b y day, but sleepless at night up to about midnight; dreams are very vivid; m a y start from sleep in fear; is heavy with sleep at time for rising. Copious sweats occur at night, possibly on single parts.
Modalities. Aggravating factors are cold wet; change of weather; east winds; melting snow; movement and exertion; dwelling upon symptoms. There is amelioration in warm dry weather; when resting; from a really hot bath. PATHOLOGY
There is general weakness, deriving from imperfect nutrition, associated with evidence of delayed development. Pains of rheumatic type are widespread; often located in small areas. Children complain of growing pains in muscles. Symptoms are often left-sided.
Head. Vertigo is worse on rising from sitting, when walking in cold air, from mental or physical exertion. School-childreR complain of a dull headache, which is aggravated by the least jar or jolt, even by the pressure of hat; it is worse when out-of-doors and from physical exertion. I t is better when quiet and alone; washing the face and head in cold water also gives relief. Children develop headache from watching television. A rheumatic type of headache involves the whole head; it is worse in cold air, from a cold wind, when walking, from exertion and at night. A headache on the vertex is associated with a sensation as if a cake of ice were melting on the top of the head. Eyes. There is a sensation of a foreign body in the eye, accompanied by a desire to constantly rub the eye. Finds it difficult to read; light hurts; lachrymation is aggravated by yawning. Ears. Tearing pain in ears is worse when the weather turns cold. Sudden swelling of external ear with associated eczema. Discharge from ear excoriates skin. Tinnitus auri. Respiratory system. Clear fluid runs from the nose in a cold room, but stops in warm air or out of doors. The nasal discharge m a y be blood-stained as with Phosphorus. Blowing the nose m a y cause epistaxis. The nose m a y be swollen with sore nostrils. Large pedunculated nasal polypi m a y be present. E v e r y cold settles in the tonsils, which become enlarged, perhaps chronically so; the throat is sore and relaxed; swallowing is painful; throat feels constricted. Accumulation of mucus in throat causes hawking and hoarseness. A dry hacking cough comes on in fits and starts both b y day and at night; it starts with hoarseness, is aggravated in cold weather and tends to be better when lying down. A feeling of suffocation comes on from even slight exertion, as when going upstairs. Stitching pains occur in the chest, especially at the level of the 5th and 6th ribs and in the cardiac area. There m a y be much rattling in the chest with difficulty in raising sputum, which is yellow. Chest symptoms m a y alternate with fistula in ano.
CALCAREA
PHOSPHORICA,
A STUDY
187
Alimentary system. Delayed dentition is associated with teething complaints. Teeth are very soft; easy caries. Upper lip becomes swollen, painful, indurated and burning. Tongue is swollen, stiff, covered with little pimples or tiny blisters which burn. There is a disgusting taste in the mouth. The child vomits milk persistently, whether breast milk or artificially prepared milk. I t suffers from colic after every feed. The stools are green, slimy, lienteric, accompanied by the passage of much foetid flatus. Cholera infantum m a y supervene. E v e r y a t t e m p t to eat is followed b y belly-ache, which is worse if cold food is taken; there is relief b y belching and by the passage of flatus. The belly wall is soft and flaccid. Heartburn comes on about one hour after a meal; nausea can be induced b y taking coffee or by smoking. Epigastric pain m a y spread to the spine. Vexation m a y bring on an attack of diarrhoea with hot watery stools or spluttery green stools, possibly containing offensive pus. Diarrhoea can be brought on by cold drinks or accompany dentition. Constipation m a y occur with very hard stools. Piles are present in the elderly patient. Anal fissure or fistula m a y occur; this m a y alternate with chest symptoms. Lymphatic and glandular systems. Involvement of lymph nodes is common in children; it m a y become chronic.
Nervous system. Numbness m a y be a feature, either localized n u m b areas or a more general n u m b feeling all over. The tongue m a y feel numb. This sensation of numbness is likely to be accompanied b y a feeling of paresis. Urinary system. Enuresis is associated with debility. Urine passed m a y be copious and pale. Cutting sensation is felt in the urethra before and after urination. Genital system. There is premenstrual pain with uterine cramps. Menses are early, copious, with bright red blood. Leukorrhoea occurs both day and night; the discharge resembles egg-white; is worse in the morning after rising; has a sweetish odour. Libido is increased in both sexes. Locomotor system. Pains in neck and back are worse in cold, stormy weather, worse in the morning, from getting in a draught, from lifting or other strain. Rheumatic pains in limbs are worse from wet weather and are aggravated by movement; they occur especially in spring and autumn. They are accompanied b y a cold or numb sensation in the joints. The pains shoot along the muscles into the joints. W a r m t h and rest afford relief. Sacroiliac pain as if "broken" spreads to the lower limbs, accompanied by sensations of cold and numbness; it is worse at any change in weather or when snow is melting. Mention is also made of pain at the root of the finger nails; fingers feel paralysed; hands tremble. Skin. Acne is common in adolescents, especially young girls. Eczema m a y occur on scalp and external ear.
188
THE
BRITISH
HOM(EOPATHIC
JOURNAL
POSOLOGY
The remedy is of special value in complaints of children and adolescents. I t has been used for a tonic effect in asthenia. I t vies with Symphytum in relation to non-union of fractures. Complementary remedies are Carbo animalis, China, Natrum muriaticum,
Ruta, Sulphur, Suk2hur iodatum.
Calcarea fluorica, a study D . M. G I B S O N ,
M.B., R.S.LOr~D., F . R . C . S . ( E D I N . ) , r'.r.HOM.
PHARMACOGNOSY This remedy is prepared from calcium fluoride, fluorspar. I n the body, crystals of this very insoluble salt are found in masses in the Haversian canals. These increase the hardness and brittleness of bone. I t also occurs in the enamel of teeth, in elastic tissues and in the epidermis. PHARMACOLOGY
The affinity with the above-mentioned tissues carries a liability to the formation of exostoses, enlargement of glands and lymph nodes with stony hard induration, and the development of varicosities and distended veins. PHYSIOGNOMY
There are no special appearances apart from the presence of an obvious swelling in the jaws or other site. PSYCHOLOGY
The patient is likely to be obsessed with the fear of financial ruin and consequent poverty. Indecision is characteristic, with inability to come to a decision about anything, more so in relation to insignificant matters than to important issues. PHYSIOLOGY
The only matter referred to in this category is sleep, which is frequently disturbed by nightmares; the subject is awoken suddenly with a feeling as if threatened by immediate danger.
Modalities. There is aggravation of symptoms when at rest; as the result of a change in the weather; in d a m p humid conditions; from cold; in a draught.