Iodoformum


Proving Symptoms of homeopathy medicine Iodoformum, described by Richard Hughes in his book, A Cyclopedia of Drug Pathogenesis, published in 1895….


Introduction

Ter – iodide of formyl, CHI3.

Provings

1. a. Dr. UNDERWOOD, Jan. 23rd, 1871, experienced following symptoms while triturating drug up to 3rd potency:

Feeling of warmth in abdomen and rectum, with slight nausea and desire for stool (on four occasions); neuralgic pains in forehead (sharp, worse on stooping), in temples, also sharp, extending to behind ears, and in left knee; dull pains in forehead; aching in decayed teeth (coming and going quickly); dryness of throat, with rawness on swallowing; rheumatic pain in right arm, worse when using it; pain along course of left crural nerve; stitch pain on right side of throat and in right ear; flatulent colic; easy perspiration on motion; pain in back, along spine; dryness and stinging of lips; fine sharp pains all over; pain in left elbow and along left median nerve, stitches in left shoulder; dryness of throat with bitter taste; pain in nerves of left hand, worse on touching, and in left chest; rumbling in bowels; nausea; toothache in sound teeth; sore pain in right inguinal region; cough from dryness of throat. Next m., pain in left arm as if bruised, worse when touched. 1b. Same, June 13th, took 1 gr. of 2nd trit at 10 a. m. Sense of stiffness in zygomatic muscles, with slight pain, increased by motion and bending forward; dull pain in malar bones; sharp pain in upper teeth; stitches in temples (pain seems to sharply define course of nerves); weakness of knees on going upstairs; desire as for liquid stool. at noon repeated dose. Neuralgic pains in various parts of body, worse from thinking of them; continued pains in lumbar region, with weakness when straining; weakness and pain in knees, worse when standing; rheumatic pains in both gastrocnemii and in flexors of legs; stitching pains in head and left ear; pain along right side of dorsal vertebrae; urine very yellow; stitch in right instep and head, and in right chest through to lower angle of scapula; sharp pain in left hand and right inguinal region; pain in inside of knees; flatulent colic and cutting pain in bowels; rheumatic pain in right arm. During siesta, confused dreams of accident, &c.; better after sleep; cutting pain in left ankle when walking in open air; pains renewed when riding in cars, and again in bed, then also cough and wheezing from, mucus in throat; restless sleep, tossing, turning, full of dreams; headache on waking, pain in eyes, which are bloodshot, objects appear tessellated red (this disappeared after rising); violent itching of occiput. Took 1 dr. of 3rd dil. Sharp cutting in r, inguinal region, with desire for stool; sharp pain in nerves of left arm and back; confusion in head, with slight nausea, feeling of faintness, drawing and pressing in malar bones, perspiration on head; dull pain in forehead, with shooting in right ear, worse on descending stairs; wakefulness, jerks and shocks in nerves when trying to sleep; unusual susceptibility to heat of weather. (Trans. of N. Y. State Hom. Medorrhinum Soc., ix,237.)

2. J. hours – – -, aet. 24, proved 2x and 3x dils. Took first (1 dr.) at 11 a. m. From time of taking it till evening, sensation as of smelling fumes of iodine, though none had been about him. In 2 hours, dull aching, increasing to heavy pain as from strong pressure, in right lower maxillary bone, lasting 20 m.; then same sensation in both temples. In 4 hours severe aching in left humerus; muscles around bone felt as if severely bruised. in 41/2 hours dull sore pain in apex of right lung; on breathing, lung felt as if two ulcerated surfaces were in contact. Took 1 dr. of 3x at 5 p. m. In 3 hours heavy feeling in head and dull aching at vertex. At n. slept soundly till 1:30 a. m., then woke suddenly, and felt as though he were smothering; room felt too close, though freely ventilated; head very heavy, so that he could not lift it from pillow; left arm pained severely, also left leg, particularly at lower half of tibia and fibula, extending into foot. This became less in 1/2 hours, gradually becoming less intense, and as it did so appearing to diffuse itself in extremities again; herewith also pain in left breast, very severe, at first as if a deep ulcer had formed there, then like hand grasping base of heart; pulse 88. Restless and unable to sleep any more till 4:30, then slept about 11/2 hours, and later heavily, so that on walking he could hardly get roused. In m. head still felt heavy, aching now and then; pain seemed in bones of skull and mainly on left side; right eye sore and as if bruised. Metallic taste in mouth for most of day, teeth feel sore and as if too long; aching in left breast at times, but less severe than last night; left arm and leg pain as if bruised, and as pain increases muscles feel as if ulcerated. Took another dose at 11 a. m.; after 2 hours, very drowsy and remained so for 2 hours; after 9 hours both lungs feel as if a heavy cold had been taken and had settled there, – – – soreness lasting 2 day after this. For 3 day, flying neuralgic pains at times. (J. W. HAINES, M. day, Ohio Medorrhinum and Surg. Rep., x, 175.).

Poisonings

1. FRANZESKA B – -, aet. 26, prostitute, entered hospital 1876; she is of medium size, well built, but greatly reduced in her nutrition. Physical examination shows no abnormity in heart, lungs, or abdomen. Between and above the frontal eminences an ulcer denuding the pericranium. Suppurating gummata on both sides of the clavicles and on the humerus. On the right clavicle a necrotic bone protrudes. Large suppurating gummata on the tibia. Prescription: four iodoform pills twice daily (every pill 0.1 grm.) and ungu. iodoform. The result was very satisfactory; she took the pills regularly with the exception of a few day when they were omitted on account of gastric troubles, so that after having taken 278 pills (27.8 grm.) the dose was reduced to six pills daily. By the close of March all the gummata were healed with the exception of the large one of the forehead, this necessitating a continuance of the iodoform. Suddenly on April 9th (since entering the hospital she had taken 42 grm. iodoform in 80 d.), after a hot bath she felt very dizzy and weak in legs, and felt unable to knit, as diplopia had set in. This lasted 2 1/2 day; a clysma of vinegar and water brought no amelioration; the pills were left off. She then began to vomit, followed by deep sleep, from which she can be roused only with difficulty to take her meals or to answer the physician; all appetite gone. This again lasted 2 d. On afternoon of 2nd day transient state of irritation interrupted the somnolence. She screams out, leaves her bed, but falls down after walking a few steps, talks nonsense unconnectedly, is unable to hold anything, and sees everything double, a state which already Rhigini designated as ebrietas iodi. After a few hours she becomes more quiet and returns to her somnolence. In 2 day these paroxysms had reached their acme; the patient complained through the whole night of headache, vertigo when sitting up in bed. The talkativeness steadily increased, and fear of death with anguish was very pronounced. She holds fast to any person near her bed, and bemoans her approaching death. Her body is in constant spasmodic motion; twitching of facial muscles, deep inspirations alternating with apnoea; towards evening patient is more quiet and conscious, but in n. is restless and sleepless, complaining of headache. Next m. she felt decidedly better, only weak, and Diplopia was still present. The functions of the other senses were normal, and the pupils reacted normally. There is not a paralytic symptom, only every movement is made slowly and without energy. When she closes her eyes she cannot stand straight, but oscillates, nor can she walk well. Thus she remained from the 9th to the 15th, when a second attack set in with vertigo, vomiting, severe headache, and exquisite diplopia; but this paroxysm lasted only 1 day, and by the 21st she could walk alone, and had a good appetite. (OBERLAENDER, Deutsch. Z. f. pr. Medorrhinum, 1878.)

2. A woman of nearly 70 suffered for several years from syphilitic ulcers of fauces with a considerably extensive necrosis of the hard palate. After entering the hospital pil. iodoform 4 twice a day and pencilling the necrotic parts with tinct. cantharidium (Dieffenbach) were ordered June 6th. On 14th, after having taken 5 grm. iodoform, the first symptoms of somnolence shower themselves. She does not know what she talks, walks with difficulty, like a person drunk. The preceding n. was sleepless, with excruciating pains in whole circumference of the skull. 16th. – Perfect coma, patient sleeps quietly in bed, arms when raised up fall back in a relaxed condition, eyelids hardly offer any resistance to finger. She reacts promptly to cutaneous irritation, trying to ward it off. With great exertion is she roused at the hour of meals, and swallows mechanically the fluid nourishment poured in her mouth; pulse 80, respiration 20; stools regular, some incontinentia urinae, the urine showing slight iodine reaction. During n. she is more restless, delirious, gets up and runs about room and must be brought back into bed. This comatose state lasted 5 d. After that, when shaken and loudly spoken to, she tries to open her eyes and slowly answers after some time. The next 5 day her state remained the same; after that her mind became more clear, she complained of headache, and after many questions she described her state thus: “I always felt tired and worn out; every motion was difficult. I saw all persons and all objects as through a veil. I recollect the visits of my physician (but not that of my relations); always suffered severe occipital pains and scratching sensation in throat, and thirst” (even touching the occiput and neck was disagreeable to her through all her somnolence). “During the night I always slept quietly” (when, in fact, she was very restless). No diplopia was observed in this case. For a long time afterwards she complained of vertigo and lassitude. (Ibid.).

Richard Hughes
Dr. Richard Hughes (1836-1902) was born in London, England. He received the title of M.R.C.S. (Eng.), in 1857 and L.R.C.P. (Edin.) in 1860. The title of M.D. was conferred upon him by the American College a few years later.

Hughes was a great writer and a scholar. He actively cooperated with Dr. T.F. Allen to compile his 'Encyclopedia' and rendered immeasurable aid to Dr. Dudgeon in translating Hahnemann's 'Materia Medica Pura' into English. In 1889 he was appointed an Editor of the 'British Homoeopathic Journal' and continued in that capacity until his demise. In 1876, Dr. Hughes was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Organization of the International Congress of Homoeopathy Physicians in Philadelphia. He also presided over the International Congress in London.