Graphites resembles, in many respects, its chemical sisters, the Carbons; less, however, in its general character, than with reference to certain peculiar symptoms. Its action is very extensive and energetic, affecting, in a marked degree, the entire vegetative sphere. We find, in the effects of Graphites, all the phenomena of a depressed vegetative life, and a diminished assimilative activity, and can only remark, as a specialty, the peculiar tendency to the formation of pus. This specialty will be noted hereafter.
1. Vegetative Life. Almost no remedy attacks this system with so great energy in proportion to the degree of reaction which it excites. In this respect, Graphites stands between Arsenic and the Carbons. The phenomena of general and local excitement induced by it are pretty clear, yet are only to be explained as secondary; and they proceed only from the vascular system, and, in a very slight degree, from the nervous system.
2 Secretions. In general, the secretions are diminished and thickened. The character of decomposition is manifest in a greater or less degree; hence, the secretions are offensive, of unnatural color and repulsive taste. As is always the case when the character of decomposition prevails, the serous secretions are increased.
3. Skin. Here we see, strongly developed, the phenomena furnished by every disease which manifests a tendency to morbid secretions, viz.: itching, formation of pimples; irritation, with bluish-red papules of various size, having an erysipelatous aspect. There is, however, a special tendency to erythema, suppuration, ulceration; hence, serous vesicles, ulcers discharging pus and sanies, moist eruptions, rhagades, scaly ulcers on all parts of the skin, and on its transitions to mucous membrane, especially about the mouth.
4. Mucous Membrane. In the mucous membranes, this character of Graphites is still more distinctly manifested. Their secretion is, for the most part, diminished; hence, they become dry. The secretions assume a thick, tenacious character, are difficult of solution (or excretion), and have a foul, saltish taste.
(1) The Eye becomes turbid and dry, the lids cohere; they burn and are irritated.
(2) In the Ear, a similar condition is manifested; buzzing in the ear, and deafness.
(3) Dryness of the Nose, inclination to sneeze, loss of smell, or a foul odor constantly in the nose.
(4) Mouth and Throat. Coated tongue; sensation as of something fixed in the throat; frequent endeavors to hawk up something; dryness of throat, hoarseness, tickling, burning, rawness; dyspnoea, anxiety, dry laborious cough.
(5) Intestinal Tract. Diminished stools; dryness and burning in the urethra and vagina; difficult and painful micturition.
The tendency to ulceration appears most distinctly in those mucous membranes which are in more immediate contact with the atmosphere; hence ulcerative pain, with vesicles, pustules and ulcers, and corresponding discharges from nose and mouth.
5. The Urinary Secretion is either diminished or increased; more frequently diminished.
6. Menstruation. Diminished, retarded, enfeebled (Hahnemann).
7. The Seminal Secretion is likewise scanty, or fails entirely; hence diminished sexual instinct, and imperfect ejaculation of semen.
8. Assimilation. Graphites diminishes the assimilative action, inasmuch as the part destroyed by its primary, decomposing action is not perfectly restored; while at the same time it enlarges it, inasmuch as it induces abnormal deposits and secretions. The altered blood-crasis does not permit a sufficient regeneration of the removed portions; hence the vital turgor sinks, the tissues lose their elasticity; while the new tissues do not arrive at textual completeness. Hence ensue collapse, flabbiness, discoloration of skin and mucous membranes, loss of epidermis, falling out of the hair.
Circulation is generally, at first, in a state of excitement; hence sometimes a general storm, but more frequently partial congestions present themselves. Soon, however, the circulation loses energy, becomes slow, idle, weak. As everywhere, under such circumstances, so here also appear soon an increased venosity, and then states in the capillary vascular system, which lead to exudations in the form of oedema, ecchymosis, vesicles, etc.
In the lymphatic system, the same process goes on; hence swelling of the glands, induration, and irritation. In this condition, a corresponding fever is evident, in which the cold predominates, the heat being less general and less violent; coldness of greater part of the body, and heat only here and there. Sweat and thirst, especially thirst, are often violent, and, as in all enfeebled conditions, are easily and speedily provoked by slight causes.
The nervous system partakes very little in the action of Graphites, since this action is not excessive, rapid, nor violent. The phenomena that do occur are chiefly those of depression; hence the cerebral activity is markedly impaired.
The general sensation, according as it does with the condition of the vegetative life, is depressed; hence general weakness, lassitude, relaxation of the tissues. Syncope is easily induced, together with great anxiety. On this account the feeling of lassitude is altogether the predominant general sensation; the other varieties of pain not being constantly produced by Graphites, but being due to the local conditions induced by it. The activity of the motory functions is impaired; these function lack energy, but their debility never amounts to more than a very slight degree of paralysis; while, on the other hand, convulsive jerkings, tremblings, and spasmodic phenomena are not unfrequently present.
Particular Functions. 1. Digestion is impaired. Graphites has an especial relation to this process; for several symptoms are peculiar to Graphites, viz.: salt, sour, foul taste in the mouth, aversion, especially to meat and salt food, and disinclination to other articles of food; unpleasant sensation before eating; during a meal, immediate unpleasant effects, especially abdominal distension, borborygmi; after eating, many sufferings, burning sticking, and stomach cramp, singultus, nausea; many marked secondary symptoms.
2. Intestinal Canal. At the same time with above digestive phenomena, great meteorismus, discharges of flatus, and cramps.
Liver and Spleen. Pain; bilious vomiting. Stool generally retained solid, of a horribly offensive character; seldom watery.
Anus. Burning and pinching. Prolapsus, discharges of blood; haemorrhoidal tumors.
Urine. The urinary and genital systems are markedly affected.
APPLICATION.
Graphites is applicable, according to special indications, in both acute and chronic diseases; more frequently in chronic. The acute conditions in which it is indicated cannot be strictly and purely such, but rather be conditions growing out of a chronic diseased state, corresponding in general character to Graphites. Its province is the more highly developed affections of the vegetative sphere, and we might in this view call Graphites a high potency of sulphur; for no small number of symptoms is common to both remedies; in Graphites, however, they reach a higher grade of development. This intermediate position of Graphites between Sulphur and Arsenic and Carbon, indicates its very extended sphere of action, which, however, is distinct from that of the others, inasmuch as Graphites has so marked a tendency to the ulcerative and corresponding processes.
Diseases in General. 1. Cutaneous Affections. Those which are disposed to suppuration. Ulceration with a peculiar scanty discharge, and formation of fungous granulation (hence panaritis). This ulcer is not easily healed presents, however, a certain degree of vitality, even of irritation; hence granulations form, or at least there is an evident tendency to their formation. Scrofula and tubercle do not generally correspond to Graphites, yet may do so in individual forms, which are not infrequent.
Arthritis. Graphites is one of the very first remedies, especially where there is no deposit, or a very slight one, when it is probable that the scro-fibrous tissues, by their dryness, aggravate the condition.
Diseases in particular. 1. Skin is especially the province of Graphites. Its distinctive character is this: a product forms, the epidermis is removed, pustules and vesicles form and re-form, or disappear, and are succeeded by scales; the pustules or scales fall away, and leave a raw place, difficult to heal, and generally covered by a certain amount of secretion, which, in the air, dries to a scab, scale, or membrane, and covers the spot. Moreover, cutaneous secretions are produced, which thicken and elevate the epidermis, and form granulations of various kinds (horny, panaritic fungi). Finally, to Graphites belong those skin diseases which are followed by successive crops of little vesicles, which scab over and so gradually cover large surfaces. In this category belong eczema, herpes, impetigo, lichen (?), in the lower grades; psoriasis, pityriasis, ichthyosis, scaly eruption on the head, and falling out of the hair. Among the maladies not herein included, and in which Graphites is indicated, is erysipelas, which frequently returns, or has so slow a migration that gradually almost the whole body is covered by it.
Dr. Dunham graduated from Columbia University with Honours in 1847. In 1850 he received M.D. degree at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. While in Dublin, he received a dissecting wound that nearly killed him, but with the aid of homoeopathy he cured himself with Lachesis. He visited various homoeopathic hospitals in Europe and then went to Munster where he stayed with Dr. Boenninghausen and studied the methods of that great master. His works include 'Lectures on Materia Medica' and 'Homoeopathy - Science of Therapeutics'.