Causticum-mistery (excerpt)

Excerpt from PRISMA - Franz Vermeulen

SIGNS
Tinctura acris. Caustic substance.

PREPARATION....

MEDICINAL CONTENT....
....(fin du paragraphe)....In 1989 Grimm, who, like Leeser, claimes to have followed the exact procedure originally
employed and documented by Hahnemann, undertook a new attempt. His anlysis revealed that Causticum contains,
"beyond doubt", potassium ions. Analysis of the specimens of Causticum mother tincture produced by three German
homeopathic manufacturers revealed that all of them contained ammonia, but no potassium. Grimm concludes that
the results raise much doubt about the reliability of producing homeopathic remedies at industrial scale. 5***



MYSTERY : "I have not found as yet a satisfactory answer to why Hahnemann went to so much touble to make this
remedy. What were his intentions ? If the goal was to make potassium hydroxide this method is not very efficient and
apparently unnecessary....Andreas Grimm, who reproduced the original method exactly, speculates that Hahnemann
was trying to isolate and distil the "caustic principle"i.e. the OH- ion which is, unknown to him, and a fruitless task
using this crude method. Perhaps we will never know the truth but the combination of so many alchemical elements
seriously leans towards an experiment with another dimension. The use of the great transforming fire, the meeting of
the two principles masculine [acid] and feminine [base] in equal measure, the hermetically sealed unit and the final
distillation in the alembic are all well known alchemical processes. ...According to the formulas the thickish mixture
in the flask contains only three components: potassium hydroxide, calcium sulphate and water. There are actually no
volatile gases or products which would pass over during distillation except water. Potassium hydroxide dissolves in
water but remains behind as the water boils off. Calcium sulphate is insoluble and remains behind as weak solution.
Grimm also suggests that bumping may also occur, which is common with alklaa white hard mass. So how is the final
product alkaline at all? For many years it was thought that the alkalinity was due to ammonia which is created when
elemental calcium metal reacts with nitrogen, and the resulting calcium nitride reacts with water to form ammonia
gas. This gas then forms ammonium hydroxide, sometimes called ammonium causticum, when it contacts water.
....however reactive elemental calcium metal is not present in our process and calcium oxide, which is, does not
form this liaison with nitrogen and thus ammonia is not formed. It is possible for ammonia to be formed if potassium
hydroxide comes into contact with the protein of the pigs bladder but this is very remote. So how is the potassium
hydroxide present in Causticum? Grimm gives, what I believe, is the most likely explanation. At 350-
400degreesC,temperatures, created by the charcoal fire, potassium hydroxide sublimates without decomposing.
Sublimation means that the solid vaporises into the condenser and is carried over into the receiving vessel by water
vapour thus resulting in a weak solution.Grimm also suggests that bumping may also occur, which is common with
alkalis, creating a spitting effect up the tube. Thus Causticum is a weak solution of potassium hydroxide by these
effects. ... However there is also another subtle dimension which must also be remembered. the starting point was
an impure marble which could have had trace elements of many different elements. Ornamental marble gains its
colour from the presence of impurities such as iron creating red, chlorites the greens and graphites the blues. Quartz
[silica] is also found as an impurity in marble, so there are still many possible trace elements which are unknownand
may be present. ...Putting the three elements together - [potassium, oxygen, hydrogen] - shows the true
polychrest nature of Causticum. Kali bringing the will which is linked to the syphilitic miasm and the search for
truth; Oxygen brings the emotional element linked to the sycotic miasm and the search for love; Hydrogen
represents the mental element linked to the psoric miasm and the search for wisdom"". 6***
........
5*** Grimm, Causticum: Atzstoff oder Phantasieprodukt? Zaeitschrift fur Klass. Hom, 1989 Heft 2
6*** Morgan, The Mystery of Causticum. The Homeopath, Spring 1998
Causticum
- VERMEULEN Frans,

Caust.

Causticum
One man's justice is another man's injustice.
[Ralph Waldo Emerson]
Signs
Tinctura acris. Caustic substance.
PREPARATION When heated in a glowing fire, marble [crystalline calcium carbonate]
turns into burnt lime [calcium oxide]. The red heat allows "an acid of the lowest order"
to escape as a gas [carbon dioxide]. "During this process the marble, as burned lime,
has received [besides the latent heat] another substance into its composition, which
substance, unknown to chemistry, gives to it its caustic property as well as its solubility
in the water, whereby we obtain lime-water. This substance, though itself not an acid,
gives to it its caustic virtue, and by adding a fluid acid [which will endure fire], which
then combines with the lime by its closer affinity, the watery caustic is separated by
distillation. Take a piece of freshly burned lime of about two pounds, dip this piece into
a vessel of distilled water for about one minute, then lay it in a dry dish, in which it will
soon turn into powder with the development of much heat and its peculiar odour, called
lime-vapour."1 Burnt lime is soluble in water, forming calcium hydroxide - Ca[OH]2 -
and generating a large quantity of heat. Calcium hydroxide, called slaked lime, consists
of crystals, soft granules or powder; it is slightly bitter and has an alkaline taste. When
heated it loses water and turns back into calcium oxide. "Of this fine powder take two
ounces and mix with it in a [warmed] porcelain triturating bowl a solution of two ounces
of bisulphate of potash, which has been heated to red heat and melted, cooled again
and then pulverized and dissolved in two ounces of boiling hot water. This thickish
mixture is put into a small glass retort, to which the helm is attached with wet [pigs]
bladder; into the tube of the helm is inserted the receiver half submerged in water; the
resort is warmed by the gradual approach of a charcoal fire below and all the fluid is
then distilled over by applying the suitable heat. The distilled fluid will be about an
ounce and a half of watery clearness, containing in concentrated form the substance
mentioned above, i.e. , Causticum; it smells like the lye [strong alkaline solution] of
caustic potash."2

Potassium Hydroxide
MEDICINAL CONTENT Hahnemann's aim was to obtain the caustic principle as pure as
possible. At first this resulted in 'Tincture acris sine Kali', caustic substance without
potassium. In Chronic Diseases Hahnemann refers to this as a [less pure] preparation of
causticum and changes it in "Caustic substance" or "Causticum". Some think that
Hahnemann introduced it in an effort to combine in one drug the action of calcium and
potassium - "and with more or less success, the potash element seeming to
predominate. It seems to be a hydrated caustic solution of lime and potash, and is a
combination of the two earths in rather uncertain proportions."3 The remedy has been
ridiculed as a fantasy, being laughed off with the argument that the distillate,
chemically, lacked any content of effective substance and could contain nothing but
distilled water. For Hahnemann the new substance, "unknown to chemistry", certainly
carried the caustic principle into effect, for it "tasted very astringent on the back of the
tongue, burned in the throat, and hastened the putrefaction of animal substances
immersed in it." Leeser admits as witnesses for the defence three chemists who found
that causticum contained free ammonia. "A completely insufficient opposition satisfies
many who consider this new finding an error. For this reason at my request the
Johannes-Apotheke of Stuttgart have repeatedly prepared causticum and controlled it
exactly. The method of Hahnemann was followed as closely as possible in respect to his
apparatus. Even a retort of the old form was used. That there is something in the
distillate, which is different from distilled water, one is convinced best through the soda-
like odour and the mildly astringent taste. Furthermore, with Merck's universal
indicator, it shows that the distillate actually has an alkaline reaction. The fresh
preparation has a pH of 8.0-8.5 which decreases gradually after 24 hours to a pH of
about 7.5. Likewise the fresh preparation reacts weakly alkaline to litmus. With
Nessler's reagent it gives a light yellow colour, which colourimetrically determined
corresponds to about the fifth decimal potency of ammonia. Even earlier it was
suggested that the ammonia arises from the lime and indeed from the inclusions of
animal tissues. In the burning, ammonia would become free, be taken into solution by
the water, and be distilled over. Also if chemically pure, apparently nitrogen-free,
original material is employed [calcarea ustae marmore pro analysi and potassium
bisulphuricum crystallisatum], the result remains the same. ... In what form the
ammonia exists in the distillate is still unknown. At any rate, the preparation must be
added to the ammonium compounds."4 The past research done to identify the chemical
composition of Causticum shows controversial results. The researchers were faced with
an unsolvable situation. In 1989 Grimm, who, like Leeser, claims to have followed the
exact procedure originally employed and documented by Hahnemann, undertook a new
attempt. His analysis revealed that Causticum contains, "beyond doubt", potassium
ions. Analysis of the specimens of Causticum mother tincture produced by three
German homoeopathic manufacturers revealed that all of them contained ammonia, but
no potassium. Grimm concludes that the results raise much doubt about the reliability
of producing homoeopathic remedies at industrial scale. 5
MYSTERY "I have not found as yet a satisfactory answer to why Hahnemann went to so
much trouble to make this remedy. What were his intentions? If the goal was to make
potassium hydroxide this method is not very efficient and apparently unnecessary. ...
Andreas Grimm, who reproduced the original method exactly, speculates that
Hahnemann was trying to isolate and distil the 'caustic principle' i.e. the OH- ion which
is, unknown to him, and a fruitless task using this crude method. Perhaps we will never
know the truth but the combination of so many alchemical elements seriously leans
towards an experiment with another dimension. The use of the great transforming fire,
the meeting of the two principles masculine [acid] and feminine [base] in equal
measure, the hermetically sealed unit and the final distillation in the alembic are all well
known alchemical processes. ... According to the formulas the thickish mixture in the
flask contains only three components: potassium hydroxide, calcium sulphate and
water. There are actually no volatile gases or products which would pass over during
distillation except water. Potassium hydroxide dissolves in water but remains behind as
the water boils off. Calcium sulphate is insoluble and remains behind as a white hard
mass. So how is the final product alkaline at all? For many years it was thought that the
alkalinity was due to ammonia which is created when elemental calcium metal reacts
with nitrogen, and the resulting calcium nitride reacts with water to form ammonia gas.
This gas then forms ammonium hydroxide, sometimes called ammonium causticum,
when it contacts water. ... However reactive elemental calcium metal is not present in
our process and calcium oxide, which is, does not form this liaison with nitrogen and
thus ammonia is not formed. It is possible for ammonia to be formed if potassium
hydroxide comes into contact with the protein of the pigs bladder but this is very
remote. So how is the potassium hydroxide present in Causticum? Grimm gives, what I
believe, is the most likely explanation. At 350-400o C, temperatures, created by the
charcoal fire, potassium hydroxide sublimates without decomposing. Sublimation means
that the solid vaporises into the condenser and is carried over into the receiving vessel
by water vapour thus resulting in a weak solution. Grimm also suggests that bumping
may also occur, which is common with alkalis, creating a spitting effect up the tube.
Thus Causticum is a weak solution of potassium hydroxide by these effects. ... However
there is also another subtle dimension which must also be remembered. The starting
point was an impure marble which could have had trace elements of many different
elements. Ornamental marble gains its colour from the presence of impurities such as
iron creating red, chlorites the greens and graphites the blues. Quartz [silica] is also
often found as an impurity in marble, so there are still many possible trace elements
which are unknown and may be present. ... Putting the three elements together -
[potassium, oxygen, hydrogen] - shows the true polychrest nature of Causticum. Kali
bringing the will which is linked to the syphilitic miasm and the search for truth; Oxygen
brings the emotional element linked to the sycotic miasm and the search for love;
Hydrogen represents the mental element linked to the psoric miasm and the search for
wisdom."6
CAUSTIC The name Causticum derives from Gr. kaustikos, from kaiein, future, and
kausein, to burn. As substances with corroding or burning properties, four caustics are
chiefly used: caustic ammonia, caustic lime, caustic potash, and caustic soda. Caustic
potash - potassium hydroxide - is used as an emulsifier in hand lotions, as a cuticle
softener, and as an alkali in liquid soaps, protective creams, shaving preparations, and
cream rouges. Caustic soda - sodium hydroxide - is largely employed for similar
purposes: as an alkali and emulsifier in liquid face powders, soaps, shampoos, cuticle
removers, hair straighteners, shaving soaps, and creams. All caustics are extremely
irritating to the skin and mucous membranes, and can cause burns. Ingestion may be
fatal. Being considered peculiar to homoeopathy and of indefinite composition,
Causticum should be prepared in strict accordance with Hahnemann's instructions. Allen
states that "the distillate contains potassium hydrate, but no lime nor sulphuric acid."
For that reason, he includes some effects of caustic potash - sources 13 and 14 - in the
materia medica of Causticum.
PROVINGS [1] Hahnemann - 10 provers; method: unknown.
[1-2] Hahnemann, Chronic Diseases. [3] Chase, Causticum; Transactions of the New
York Hom. Society, 1909-1910. [4] Leeser, Textbook of Hom. MM, Inorganic Medicinal
Substances. [5] Grimm, Causticum: tzstoff oder Phantasieprodukt?; Zeitschrift fr
Klass. Hom., 1989 Heft 2. [6] Morgan, The Mystery of Causticum; The Homoeopath,
Spring 1998.
Affinity
NERVES [motor; sensory]. MUSCLES [BLADDER; LARYNX; limbs]. Skin. Respiration. *
Right side; face. * Left side.
Modalities
Worse: Air [DRY, COLD; raw; WINDS; drafts]. Extremes of temperature. Stooping.
Coffee. Suppressions. 3-4 a.m. or EVENING. Exertion. Clear weather. Motion of
carriage. While perspiring. New moon. Getting wet. Entering a warm room from the
open air.
Better: COLD DRINKS. Washing. Warmth; of bed. Gentle motion. Warm air. Damp, wet
weather.
Main symptoms
* GRADUAL PARALYSIS, on three levels: EMOTIONAL, MENTAL and PHYSICAL.
c EMOTIONAL: ailments from GRIEF [many or long]. Internal suffering, kept in.
Suffer from injustice in society, with the following reactions:
1. Religious fanaticism.
2. Anarchistic opposition to "Big Brother".
3. Idealistic fight for a "better world", fighting for a cause.
Helps actually the oppressed, the poor, and not only talks about it.

"He has passion for ecology
compassion for minorities
he carries printed placards
to put an end to war
he is a hero, he is a rebel
with a half a hundred causes
he peddles his petitions door to door
he is at home among the homeless
singing 'Set my people free'
he will march with total strangers
but he will not walk with me.
He writes letters to his congressmen
on Indian indignities
black men are his brothers
he bears collective guilt
he's a prophet, he's a pacifist
put to peace is his objective
he has no fear to see his own blood spilt
his roots are with the rootless
that's where he needs to be
he will die with total strangers
but he will not live with me. 1

c MENTAL: Immovable points of view, indifference to dictates of conscience.
Fear something will happen.
Weakness of memory with the characteristic feeling as if he had forgotten something
[has to go back and check].
" ... while doing one thing, he always felt as if he had to do something else, more
important, and yet he knew not what." [Hahnemann]
c PHYSICAL: Paralysis, facial paralysis [mainly RIGHT-sided], paralysis of bladder,
paralysis of vocal cords, drooping of upper eyelids.
M WEEPING FROM SYMPATHY WITH OTHERS.
Suffering with others.
"Excessively compassionate; at the relations of others and of the cruelties inflicted
upon them, she is beside herself for weeping and sobbing, and cannot content herself."
"... and when she saw boys climbing she was very uneasy lest they might get hurt."
[Hahnemann]
M CANNOT STAND INJUSTICE.
Sensitive to AUTHORITY.
"Although [e.g., political] disputes were started with him, he remained pretty calm; he
felt himself excited indeed, but avoided speaking of it, or getting into a passion
[curative action, the first hours]." [Hahnemann]
c Dictatorial.
"Causticum is often overbearingly present. They like to be able to pull all the strings.
You will not often find them in subordinate positions. If you do, then you will hear from
them how difficult it is to work under such superiors. In general they are born leaders
who can inspire others. In a relationship they are usually the dominant partner. They
think they know what is best for the other and will let them know in no uncertain terms,
even though it may be the wrong moment to pass comment. Frequently they will play
the role of therapist towards their partner. They need to know exactly what the other is
thinking, feeling and experiencing and are more likely to criticise their partner than
themselves, let alone stand open for discussion. In reality these are all expressions of
the heart of the matter of Causticum, namely an extreme vulnerability and a very deep
fear. Many of their survival mechanisms, such as being dictatorial, are a means of
controlling their irrational, vague anxiety feelings."2
"They are definitely irritable people, and often slightly difficult to deal with. They have
a fairly good opinion of themselves - if their wishes are not carried out accurately and
rapidly they are apt to become irritable and fly into violent passions. It is always an
aggravation of their present complaint. These bursts of temper always aggravate their
complaint." [Borland]
M Anxious FOREBODINGS [felt in head], < twilight. M Fear of DARK. M STAMMERING
[on account of excitement or anger]. M Obsession and introversion. "It is important to
remember that Causticum is a potassium salt, and it is thus not surprising that the
more introverted Causticum individual shares many traits with the other Kalis. One of
these shared traits is obsessiveness. The more introverted a Causticum individual, the
more liable he is to become obsessive. This obsessiveness may be in the form of
fastidiousness, as seen in Arsenicum and Natrum. Some Causticum people are
extremely tidy, and will straighten pictures on the wall in strangers' houses. Others are
perfectionists in their work. The potassium salts all have a certain mental rigidity. In the
more extrovert Causticum this takes the form of doggedly pursuing various causes. In
the introverted Causticum there may be a problem with repetitive negative thoughts.
Just as Lachesis must find an outlet for his powerful sexual energy, or become anxious,
so Causticum seems to become anxious when he does not have an external focus for his
mental energy. One expression of this is obsessive-compulsive disorder. After prolonged
stress Causticum may start to obsessively check that doors are locked. He may also
suffer from obsessive cleanliness and hand-washing, a syndrome more frequently
associated with Syphilinum." [Bailey] M Fanaticism - rigidity. Immovable points of view,
indifference to dictates of conscience. "Causticum has very voiced and clear-cut ideas
of what is good and what not. For them things are either black or white. For Causticum
to come to a compromise is very difficult. You will rarely see them in a political party
with mild ideas. They are more likely to be seen in an outspoken left or right wing party.
They will put themselves out to pursue these ideals and can go a long way in this. ...
The ideals of Causticum are always combined with great power and perseverance. They
radiate self-confidence and admire people who appear strong. They are very ambitious
and wish to make a successful career for themselves. ... Causticum has the tendency to
exaggerate everything, is quick to become emotional and to dramatise little things."3 G
Constitutional effects of burns [physical and emotional]. G Local PARALYTIC affections,
gradually developing after an initial stage of irritability and overexcitability; esp. right-
sided. G CHILLY. < Cold air; < cold dry weather. G Aversion to sweets; desires smoked
meat; coffee <. Yet a craving for sweets is not uncommon in Causticum patients! G >
WET weather.
> Bathing. > Bathing affected part.
G < HEAT and COLD. G < 3-4 A.M. G > SIPS of COLD WATER.
Also > facial twitching, and hysterical or epileptic convulsions.
G BURNING pains, like "raw flesh", "as from an open wound"; sensation of RAWNESS or
SORENESS of scalp, throat, respiratory tract, rectum, anus, urethra, vagina, etc.
BURNING pain in parts grasped with the hand.
G Sensation as if MUSCLES and TENDONS were TOO SHORT.
G Menses flow only during the day and cease at night; leucorrhoea reversed: flows at
night, not during the day.
P STOMACH EASILY UPSET.
"As if the stomach refuses everything." [Hahnemann]
Heartburn; indigestion; burning eructation.
Eructations after fat food, coffee, farinaceous food, [fresh] meat, sweets.
Heartburn after sweets, fat food, farinaceous food.
Fulness and pressing pain after bread.
P INVOLUNTARY URINATION.
When SNEEZING, COUGHING, WALKING, BLOWING the NOSE, during FIRST SLEEP,
from becoming COLD; > sitting.
Or PARALYSIS of the BLADDER after forcible retention or over-distension of bladder.
P Dry, deep cough, CAN'T COUGH DEEP ENOUGH to raise mucus; mucus slips back
again; < warmth of bed, stooping, cold air, > sips of cold water.
P WARTS around nails, on eye lids, face, tip of nose.
[1] Dory Previn, The Altruist and the Needy Case; from the album Taps, Tremors and
Time Steps. [2-3] Sneevliet, Causticum: The often forgotten Polycrest; HL 4/95.
Rubrics
Mind
Want of amativeness in women [1]. Anarchist [2]. Anxiety, about future, in evening,
twilight [1/1]; from night watching [1]. Full of cares about relatives [1]. Checking, must
check twice or more [1]. Content with himself [1]. Delusions, sees black images [1].
Inclined to discuss political issues [1/1]. Excitement, during debate [2], while talking
[1]. Fear, of being alone, at night [2], that something will happen > warmth of bed [2],
from noise, at night [2]. Feels constantly as if he had forgotten something [2]. Cannot
support injustice [1]. Laughing, before epileptic convulsions [1], during [1], after [1].
Loss of self-control [1]. Sensitive when hearing of cruelties [2], to crying of children [1].
Sentimental, during drunkenness [2]. Talking, desire to talk to someone [1]. Weeping,
from sympathy with others [1].
Vertigo
As if falling from a height [2]. People seem larger during vertigo [1].
Head
Pain, after epileptic attacks [2], > frowning [1]. Perspiration, scalp, before epileptic
attack [2/1].
Vision
Colours, green halo around light [2], white spots, then green [2/1]. Dim, morning on
waking [2], > washing [1], on blowing nose [2/1]. Diplopia, when looking sideways, to
right [1], to right > [1/1], when looking upward [2/1]. Flickering, when looking long
[1]. Foggy, when standing [2]. Light points in a dark circle [1/1]. Sparks, on winking
[2/1].
Ear
Noises, reverberating [3], every sound with difficult hearing [3], own voice [2].
Hearing
Acute, her own voice seems very loud [2/1].
Face
Distortion of mouth when talking [1].
Stomach
Eructations, after coffee [2], after fats [2], after sweets [2]; sour, after farinaceous food
[2], sour, after sugar [2]. Sensation of fulness, after bread [3/1].
Rectum
Constipation, passes stool easier when standing [3]. Constriction, after coition [1/1].
Diarrhoea, from cold air on abdomen [2/1].
Bladder
Urging, frequent, without passing any, then while sitting involuntary flow [2/1].
Urination, involuntary, during first sleep [3], when blowing the nose [3], on becoming
cold [3], during exertion [1], from laughing [3], from sudden noise [1], while sitting
[2].
Male
Sexual desire increased, during drunkenness [2].
Female
Aversion to coition, after menses [2]. Menses, daytime only [2], cease when lying [2],
only on motion [1]. Sexual desire increased, during drunkenness [2].
Respiration
Difficult, on kneeling [1/1], when speaking rapidly [1/1].
Chest
Anxiety, heart region, > moving about [1].
Limbs
Sensation of enlargement, fingers, when touching something [2/1].
Sleep
Falling asleep in society [1], talking [1].
Generals
Pain, burning, in parts grasped with the hand [3; Bry.].
Food
Aversion: [2]: Coffee; fruit; sweets. [1]: Cold water; fish [*]; meat; vegetables; water.
Desire: [3]: Smoked meat; smoked things. [2]: Beer; cold drinks; refreshing; salt. [1]:
Cheese; eggs; fish; pungent; sour; sweets [*]; tonics; yoghurt.
Worse: [3]: Coffee. [2]: Bread; bread and butter; butter; farinaceous; fat; fruit; heavy
food; meat, fresh; veal. [1]: Chocolate; cold food; fish; honey; meat; pork; sour;
sugar; sweets; vinegar; warm food.
Better: [3]: Cold drinks. [1]: Bread; cold food.
* Repertory additions.
- TESTE A, GROUP REMEDIES, GROUP VII,CAUSTICUM

Causticum
- According to Hahnemann, the active principle of quick-lime.
- This substance which owes its introduction into the Materia Medica, to the author of
homoeopathy, had not only never been employed, before him, as a drug, but was even
unknown to chemists.
- It is obtained by distilling a mixture of quicklime, bisulphate of potash and water.
- That which, after the operation, remains in the retort, is, of course, a mixture of the
neutral sulphate of lime and sulphate of potash ; but as regards the product of the
distillation, which is nothing else than a concentrated solution of causticum, we are
entirely ignorant concerning the constituent elements of this substance, (Hahnemann,
at any rate, has not apprised us what they are, and, probably, did not know.)
- All that we know of this liquid is, that it is colorless and clear like distilled water, that
it smells like ley, causes a smarting on the tongue, a pungent heat in the throat,
congeals, like water, at a low temperature, favors to a great degree the putrefaction of
animal matter suspended in it, does not redden vegetable blues, as other acids do ; and
that sulphuric acid is not detected in it by means of the chloride of barium, nor lime by
means of the oxalate of ammonia.
- Be this as it may, causticum which, together with the caloric, is spontaneously
disengaged from the moistened quicklime, and is no longer present in hydrated lime,
possesses therapeutic properties very different from those with which the Hahnemann
causticum is endowed : this is one of the most valuable drugs known to me.
- Its action is well defined, characteristic ; and although the provings of this drug seem
to have been instituted with high potencies, yet the symptoms are pretty clearly marked
and easily studied and remembered.
- Causticum is one of our most frequently used drugs.*
- According to Hahnemann, the following symptoms have been principally cured with
causticum :
- ``Hypochondriac depression of spirits ; melancholy ; saddening thoughts at night,
and weeping in the day time ; anxiety ; mistrust in the future ; despair ; tendency to
start ; disposition to anger, chagrin, ill-humor ; vertigo ; dull pressure in the brain ;
stitches in the head ; stitches in the temples ; stitches at the top of the head ;
lachrymation ; ophthalmia ; suppuration of the eyes ; incipient amaurosis ; black spots
hovering before the eyes ; buzzing in the ears ; eruption at the tip of the nose ; old
warts on the nose or in the eye-brows ; painful teeth, starting out of their sockets ; old
suppuration of a spot in the gums ; dental fistula ; mucous affections of the throat and
velum palati ; phlegm in the throat ; aversion to sweet things ; malaise resembling a
state of fainting ; vomiting of a sourish liquid ; heaviness at the stomach after eating
bread ; pressure and griping in the stomach ; pressure at the epigastrium ; pressure in
the whole lower abdomen, after eating ; large abdomen of children ; swelling of the
lower abdomen ; shifting of flatulence, with chronic constipation ; light-colored and
white stools ; cutting pain in the rectum and at stool ; discharge of blood during stool ;
itching at the anus ; protrusion of the piles ; fistula ani ; urging to urinate, with thirst
involuntary discharge of urine day and night ; involuntary discharge of urine during
cough, when sneezing, walking ; frequent emissions ; deficient erections ; aversion to
an embrace in females ; delaying menses ; scanty menses ; excoriations between the
thighs ; discharge from the vagina ; stoppage of both nostrils ; constant stuffing of the
nose ; chronic hoarseness ; braking cough ; inability to spit up the phlegm in the throat
; asthma ; stitches in the region of the heart ; painful stiffness of the back, especially
when rising from a chair ; stiffness of the neck and lions ; pulling and tearing in the
shoulder-blades ; goitre-shaped swelling of the cervical glands ; rheumatism in the
arms ; eruption on the arms ; pressive pain under the elbows ; sense of fulness in the
hands, when grasping any thing ; stitch in the fingers, striking to the elbows ; pains in
the soles of the feet, ankles and big toes, when walking ; cold feet swelling of the feet ;
pain in the varices, vacillating gait of a child that is in the habit of stumbling forward ;
restlessness in the body ; palpitation of the heart ; weakness, even unto trembling ;
disturbing dreams ; disposition to feel cold ; night-sweat.''
- This picture of symptoms is doubtless drawn by the hand of a master, and there is
scarcely a drug, the effect of which Hahnemann has more happily condensed in a similar
synoptical arrangement.
- Nevertheless, I beg leave to add to this synopsis an interesting observation from my
own practice ; it is this ; ``Causticum frequently proves wonderfully efficacious in the
treatment of small-pox.''
- ``In my treatise of the diseases of children, I have stated that Merc. corr., in
conjunction with causticum, is a most powerful remedy for variola.
- Prescribe, for instance, as soon as the first pocks break out, or in the course of the
second or third periods, if we should bot have been called sooner, 8 globules of
causticum 30, in four ounces of water, and give two table-spoonfuls in the morning, at
three or four hours' intervals ; and 7 globules of Merc. corr., in the same quantity of
water, and to be taken at the same dose and interval ; and in the vast majority of the
cases, the exanthem and all the accompanying symptoms, will, under the influence of
these two drugs, be found to disappear as by enchantment.''
- Several physicians, among whom I have the privilege of mentioning my friend, Dr.
Delavallade, have tried this treatment to their highest satisfaction.
- The cutaneous action of corrosive sublimate is somewhat analogous to that of
causticum, but these two action, so far from neutralising, strengthen each other.
- Before giving these two drugs together, I had given them separately in small-pox,
and I did not resort to the former method of using them conjointly, until I have become
perfectly satisfied, first, that either of these drugs extinguished the small-pox exanthem
form its commencement with surprising rapidity ; secondly, that they neutralised each
other no more than did causticum and coffee, or causticum and cocculus ; bryonia and
ipecacuanha, etc., etc.*
- Laurocerasus is, in most cases, the antidote of causticum.