NUX VOMICA


NUX VOMICA signs and symptoms from the Characteristic Materia Medica by William Burt of the homeopathic medicine NUX VOMICA …


SPHERE OF ACTION

This is a cerebro-spinal irritant, having a special and most powerful action, upon the spinal cord.

The primary effect being first upon the sentient nerves, through which it is carried to the spinal core, and reflected back upon the motor-nervous system.

Also affects the cerebellum, slightly the cerebrum, and through the spinal cord, and reflected back upon the motor- nervous system.

Also affects the cerebellum, slightly the cerebrum, and through the spinal cord it has powerful action upon the nervo- muscular tissue of the bowels and sexual organs.

Marshal Hall, M. Brown-Sequard, and M.Bonnefin, have shown, against the opinion of M.M.Bernard and Stannius, that Strychnine tetanus results from the primitive augmentation of the excitability of the cord; and we think that the experiments, in which we have directly poisoned the cord, leave no doubt in this regard.

Traumatic tetanus exhibits, usually, the permanent contraction of a certain number of muscles, with exacerbation to general convulsions, in the intervals of which, all the muscles are in repose, and they enter into contraction again, only after some external excitement has provoked a fresh crisis. It is intelligible, from the peripheric character of traumatic tetanus, that a topical agent,

which paralyzes the sensitive extremities of nerves, applied directly on the wound, in the first period of the malady, may cure this, without affording a presumption as to the cure of strychnic tetanus. But even if it should cure both, that would not prove antagonism asserted between. Curare and Nux vomica. We have the similitude of their action, in the facts that they both diminish the excitability of the extremities, and increase that of the cord.

Strychnine, in general, acts upon the cord with more intensity than Curare, and Curare upon the extremities with more intensity than Strychnine. Such is the shade of difference which we arrive at by varying the dose or the mode of administration.

John King, M.D., says: Nux vomica is an energetic poison, exerting its influence chiefly upon the cerebro-spinal system; it is supposed to affect the spinal cord principally, because the division of this cord does not prevent its poisonous influence; and again, when the cord is destroyed by the introduction of a piece of whalebone into the spinal canal, the convulsions immediately cease. In poisonous doses, Nux vomica produces violent tetanic convulsions, with out impairing the functions of the brain, with asphyxia and death. When given in doses sufficiently large to influence the system, a sensation of heaviness is experienced, the spirits become depressed, the limbs tremble, and a slight rigidity or stiffness comes on when attempting to move. Frequently the person cannot stand erect;

he staggers, and if at this time he be suddenly tapped on the ham, while standing, a slight convulsive attack will often ensue, with an inability to stand. In the most severe paroxysms caused by this medicine, the patient retains his mental faculties, and the slightest noise, or even a breath of wind passing over him, will excite convulsions anew every time these occur; sometimes sudden starts resembling shocks of electricity arise.

It is not necessary that Strychnine should reach the organs through the circulation to produce its effects. The encephalon and medulla oblongata being exposed, and a solution of Strychnine introduced within the vertebral canal the animal is soon seized with convulsions, persisting longer in a limb of which the circulation is interrupted, while its nerve communicates with the central system. Strychnine, like Curare, annuls the action which the excitement of motor nerves normally, produces, upon the muscles. If a frog be poisoned by a suitable dose of Nux vomica or Strychnine, injected under the skin, after a variable period, and sometimes without there having been the least convulsion, the nerves subjected to the action of electro-magnetism excite no muscular contraction; but if one limb be so prepared that the poison cannot enter it, its nerve will remain alone excitable.

Paralysis of the extremities of the motor nerves is independent of convulsions and tetanus.

Nux vomica has not so much a paralytic condition the periphery, as violent tetanic contractions; instead of anaesthesia, it has rather excessive hyperaesthesia, with increased reflex action.-BAEHR.

After poisoning by Strychnine, as well as by Curare, galvanism of the pneumogastric does not arrest the beats of the heart. In these cases the motor nerves have lost their excitability, while the muscles preserve theirs. To the Homoeopath, this knowledge is of much practical importance.

Prof. Houghton, in the American Journal of the Medical Sciences, Says: It is generally believed that Strychnine exerts a specific action upon the lower or lumbar portions of the spinal column, exciting the muscular system, (at least the voluntary muscles) into a state of tetanic contraction, and ultimately producing death, indirectly, by rendering respiration mechanically of the pectoral muscles, and not, as was supposed, by its action on the heart.

Prof. Hempel says: Nux vomica affects, primarily, the spinal column, motor and sentient nerves; it also affects the brain; we infer this from the injurious action upon the brain, in patients who are attacked with apoplexy, attended with softening of the brain; we infer it from the fact that it has caused stupor, buzzing in the ears, sleeplessness and turgescence of capillaries of the face.

Upon the alimentary canal, Prof. Hempel says: Nux vomica has caused inflammation of the stomach and intestines, but this sort of inflammation seems to be incidental to a complete- disorganization of the nervous life of the organs, rather than the result of a temporary depression of the nervous energy.

Inflammations of this kind seem always to be attended with convulsive paroxysms.

Dr. R. Hughes says: Nux vomica has little or no influence upon the mucous membranes of the secreting organs, without it is some irritant action upon the respiratory mucous membrane; it acts here is elsewhere upon the nerves and muscles.

Dr. C. Dunham says: Nux vomica does not diminish the action of the intestine; it rather increases it, but at the same time renders it inharmonious and spasmodic-a hindrance therefore, and not a help to evacuation. This is the reason why the constipation characteristic of Nux vomica is accompanied by frequent, ineffectual desire for stool, the action of the intestine being ineffectual desire for stool, the action of the intestine being irregular and spasmodic and the constipation is the result of irregularity, and not from inaction.

Upon the sexual organs, both male and female, Nux vomica has a powerful influence. It first excites their action, which is soon followed by depression.

GRAND CHARACTERISTICS.

Especially adapted to people with choleric, sanguine, malicious, irritable temperament, and to those who make great mental exertions.

Symptoms aggravated in the early morning.

The patient cannot sleep after 3 a.m; ideas crowd upon the mind so as to to keep him awake for hours.

Diseases caused by high-lying, stimulating drinks, highly seasoned food, or a too sedentary life.

After aromatics in food, or as a medicine; particularly finger, pepper, &c., and after almost any kind of so-called hot medicine.-GOULLON.

Will always benefit persons who have been drugged by mixtures, bitters, herbs, vegetables pills, and all kinds of nostrums.-RAUE. If indicated, this nonsense of giving Nux vomica to a patient because an allopathic physician has treated him is unscientific, and a great waste of important time.

The patient caused by Nux vomica are tingling, hard, aching, sticking pains, aggravated by motion and especially by contact.

Head.-Headache, feels as if it would split open with sour vomiting caused by a sour stomach.

Sick headache, brought on by wine, coffee, close mental application, sedentary habits; commences in the morning, increases through the day, growing milder in the evening; with dimness of vision, sour, bitter. vomiting; constipation; worse from noise, light, in the open air, or after eating.

Headache in the forehead as if the eyes would be pressed out, or in the occiput.-RAUE.

Sensation as if his head were immensely larger than his body; as large as a church.-F.

Over-sensitiveness; every harmless word offends, every little noise frightens; anxious and beside themselves; they cannot bear the least, even suitable medicine.

Cannot keep from falling asleep in the evening, while sitting, hours before bedtime.

Very particular, careful, zealous persons, inclined to get angry and excited, or of a spiteful malicious disposition.

Complaints from the open air; longing to sit or lie down; ill-humored and resisting obstinately the wishes of others.

Loses the connection of ideas, and fears she will lose her reason.

Vertigo from excessive use of coffee or liquor.

Very irritable, and wishes to be alone.

Hypochondriac, with an irritable temper, arising from liver complaint, or in drunkards.

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