ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM


ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM signs and symptoms from the Characteristic Materia Medica by William Burt of the homeopathic medicine ANTIMONIUM TARTARICUM…


SPHERE OF ACTION

This remedy we are compelled to place in the cerebro-spinal group, but its more proper place, would be to put it in a class heading the pneumogastric groups. Its great centre of action being upon all those organs under the control of the vagi, that is, the mucous membrane of the stomach, lungs and liver. Also affects the base of the brain, skin and blood.

The action upon the pneumogastric nerve causing vomiting according to Hughes is sympathetic or nervous, not gastric. The emetic influence of Tartar emetic appears to be purely neurotic in its modus operandi.

The numerous muscular movements, whose harmonious play produces the complex act called vomiting, are under the control of the nervous centres at the base of the brain, and in the medulla oblongata, and are especially affected through the medium of the pneumogastric nerves. That Tartar emetic acts directly on these centres and through these nerves is shown positively by the fat that it causes vomiting, when injected into the veins, or rectum, or rubbed into the skin, as well as when introduced into the stomach, and in the latter mode of administration is emetic in doses too small to irritate the mucous membrane; negatively by the experiment of dividing the vagi on both sides, when neither Antimony nor any other remedy will act.

Mucous Membranes.–It produces a pustular inflammation in the mouth, throat, oesophagus, stomach, and small intestines.

Upon the respiratory mucous membrane the inflammation is of a catarrhal character, though pustules have been seen in the larynx.

The nares escape untouched, but the inflammation beginning in the larynx becomes intense in the trachea and bronchi. In the lungs the pneumonia induced never goes beyond the second stage (i.e. that of red hepatization); that it is always accompanied by bronchitis, and that the inflammation of the bronchial tubes is observed in cases where the animals die before the pneumonia has time to be developed.-.

Skin.The action upon the skin would indicate that this remedy has the power, so to say, of reaching over the cerebro- spinal system, and action upon the ganglionic nerves, as shown by the pustulation of the skin, which so closely resembles that of variola. Also the blood would indicate this by its liquefaction.

GRAND CHARACTERISTICS

Respiratory Organs. Large collections of mucus in the bronchial tubes; expectorated with great difficulty; indicating approaching paralysis of the pneumogastric nerve.

When the patient coughs, there appears a large collection of mucus in the bronchial tubes, and it seems as if much would be expectorated, but nothing comes up.

In broncho-pneumonia, second stage, with bronchi loaded with mucus, it is specific.

Rattling or hollow cough; worse at night, with suffocation, throat full of phlegm, sweat on forehead, vomiting of food.-.

Coughing and gaping constantly, particularly children, when crying or dozing, and twitching in the face.-.

Paralysis of the lungs, with great dyspnoea and fits of suffocation.

Cough when we have partial paralysis of the pneumogastric nerve; short, scarce, weak, nearly suffocating breathing, with whistling nose; thorax expands with great difficulty; head thrown backwards, with great anxiety and prostration; face livid and cold; forehead and sometimes the whole body covered with cold perspiration; pulse feeble and accelerated.

Acute oedema of the lungs.

Upon the respiratory mucous membrane the influence of Tartar emetic is almost purely catarrhal, although pustules are said to have been found in the larynx.– HUGHES.

The nares escape untouched, the inflammation beginning in the larynx becomes intense in the trachea and bronchi.-. Digestive Organs.–Pustular and catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes.

The pustular inflammation occurs in the oesophagus, mouth, throat, larynx, stomach and small intestines.-.

Much nausea and vomiting day and night with drowsiness. Vomiting of large quantities of mucus.

Tongue coated thinly, white, with reddened papillae, red edges, particularly with whooping-cough.-. Red in streaks.

Colliquative diarrhoea, with meteorism.

Very great thirst day and night.

He could lie on his right side only, any change from this position was sure to produce vomiting.–J.H. WOODBURY, M.D.

Variola, with vomiting of viscid mucus clogging the air passages; pustules in the larynx, mouth, throat and digestive organs.

Urinary Organs.–Painful, urging to urinate; scanty discharge, dark red, or the least bloody, with stitches in the bladder, and burning in the urethra.

Head.–The head trembles, particularly when coughing with an inward trembling; teeth chattering, and drowsiness, more in the evening and in warmth.-.

Vertigo with drowsiness.-.

Beating and throbbing through the whole body, particularly in the belly or pit of the stomach, with great concern about the future.–RAUE.

Skin.–Ecthymatous eruption.–E. WILSON, M.D.

The breast and interior surface of the arms, wrists, hypogastrium and inner surface of the thighs were thickly covered with an eruption of bright red, small conical distinct hard pimples, having an inflamed base, resembling lichen, itching intolerably.–J.H. WOODBURY, M.D.

The child wants to be carried, and cries if any one touches it.-. Desire for acids.

Tartar emetic is of great service in variola.

William Burt
William H. Burt, MD
(1836-1897)
Characteristic materia medica Published 1873
Physiological materia medica, containing all that is known of the physiological action of our remedies; together with their characteristic indications and pharmacology. Published 1881