Melia Azadirachta. Nim or Neem. Margosa. *N. O. Meliaceae, Tribe, Meliaceae. Tincture of the bark.
Clinical
Constipation. Diarrhoea. Intermittent fever. Quinine, effects of. Spleen, congested.
Characteristics
This is an Indian remedy of very ancient date. All parts of the tree are intensely bitter, and the separate parts are said to have different effects. The bark, known as *Margosa *Bark, is the best-known medicinal portion, and the tincture for the provings was made from this by Dr. P. C. Majumdar, who is our chief authority for its effects. It contains *Azadirin, *Margosin and *Catechin. It is popularly used in a great variety of complaints, especially of the eyes, digestive derangements, and skin affections. The most peculiar feature of the proving is the fever, which commences with a very slight chill or none at all, about 3 to 4.30 p-m., and abates about 7.30 p-m. Glowing heat and burning, especially in face, eyes, palms of hands and soles of feet in open air, sweat copious, commencing on forehead, gradually extending towards trunk, no sweat on lower part of body. It is especially useful in cases previously maltreated with quinine. Worse in open air, in afternoon.
Relations.
*Compare: Cedron, China, Arsenicum, Natrum mur. Also Guarea which belongs to the same botanical order.
Mind
The mind is depressed and forgetful, uneasiness, desire to lie down.
Head
Giddiness as if head were moving to and fro, worse rising from sitting. Much throbbing headache, worse right side, with much pain in right eyeball, worse in open air. The scalp is painful and sensitive to touch, even the hair is painful.
Eyes
Burning in eyes and coryza.
Ears
A buzzing in ears (recalling the effect of Peruvian bark). A peculiar crackling sound in the ear like tickling with a feather, worse on opening the mouth.
Mouth
Clammy mouth, but water tastes good. Sensation as if scalded on side and surface of tongue. Salty tasting saliva.
Throat
Bitter taste in throat.
Appetite
Very keen appetite. There may be no thirst, or very great thirst for large quantities of cold water. Great thirst at long intervals. Craving for sweets.
Abdomen
In the abdomen there are twisting pains in the epigastrium, and clutching pains in umbilical region. Burning in the bowels.
Stool and Anus
Insufficient, constipated, hard, small, and knotty stool. Diarrhoea with no satisfaction after stool. Passing of offensive flatus.
Male Sexual Organs.
Great sexual excitement.
Respiratory Organs
Troublesome cough after bathing. Sputa white, in small lumps, expelled with difficulty.
Chest
Cramping pains in chest. Breathing deep and at long intervals, or rapid and hot breath. Burning sensation in chest.
Limbs.
Numbness of hands and feet.
Skin
Much itching of body, burning and prickling, sudamina on back.
Sleep
Dreams of quarrels.
Fever
Chill slight or absent, fever continues from 3 or 4.30 p-m. to 7.30 p-m. Glowing heat and burning, especially in face, eyes, palms of hands and soles of feet in open air. Sweat copious, commencing on forehead, gradually extending towards trunk, no sweat on lower part of body.
