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The object of this paper is to fix in our minds the great value
of this remedy in its application to disease, and to fasten upon
our memories similar remedies.
Argentum nitricum is an ancient remedy in the "Old School". The
sticks of lunar caustic were called "lapis infernalis"', which
Hering speaks of as a prophetic name indicating the horrible abuse
of it in our age. It is an irritant poisoning, causing violent inflammation
and ulceration of the throat, stomach and mucous membranes generally.
It is destructive to red blood corpuscles, causing general malnutrition;
produces violent titanic convulsions, followed by paralysis. Pains
in all mucous membranes are sharp and splinter-like, and the discharge
mucopurulent.
The Argentum nit patient is irrational; has all sorts of imaginations,
illusions, and hallucinations, all of which are< at night; extremely
anxious, which puts him in a hurry; he goes for a walk, and walks
faster and faster; walks until he is fatigued. He fears he is going
to have a fit or have a sickness. There is an inflowing of strange
thoughts that in crossing a certain bridge or high place he might
kill himself, or perhaps might jump off; or the actual impulse comes
to jump off a high bridge into the water. Pulsatilla also has fear
of high places, as has Nux vomica, although the temperaments are
entirely different; the Pulsatilla being slow and phlegmatic, while
the Nux vomica is irritable and impatient rather than hurried.
The fear of death of Argentum nit is also present in other remedies,
notably Aconite and Arsenicum, although here again the differentiation
is quite pronounced. Arsenicum does not hurry; it is weak and exhausted;
and it its aggravation comes shortly after midnight. Fear of death
is connected with this remedy, which is quite different from the
fear of death as described in Argentum nit. There is no suicidal
tendency to Argentum nit; only a fear that he might do himself harm,
which differentiates it from Aurum met.
Aconite has fear of death, but is accompanied by high fever in
acute diseases with restlessness, anxiety and thirst. Argentum nit,
also like Aconite, predicts the time of his death. When going anywhere
it is attended with anxiety, fear and diarrhoea. This is similar
to Gelsemium. Gelsemium has general weakness but it is mostly in
the spine and back of the head. Gelsemium does not have the sign,
which is present in Argentum nit.
Fear when alone is present in Arsenicum, Clematis and Valeriana.
Depression of spirits and general aggravation after eating. Nux
vomica is irritable and depressed soon after eating. Natrum carb.
is distressing two or three hours after eating, with relief by eating.
China distresses soon after eating relieved by loosening of clothing.
Sepia is also worse after eating, distress being mostly in the pelvis
with its characteristic bearing down.
Argentum nit has cured epilepsy, the attacks being < at night
with great restlessness or tremulousness before or after the attack,
and it is especially useful for attacks brought on by fright, or
associated with menstruation. Artemisia V. has epileptic seizures
with irregular or deficient menstruation. Bufo attacks< at menstrual
periods. Causticum mostly at puberty. Calcarea carb has epilepsy
following fear, in the characteristic fat, waxy individual with
profuse menstruation and sweaty head. Hyos has epilepsy with stupor,
alternated with periods of great mental activity, while Ignatia
has the hysterical type, now laughing, now crying, and is seldom
a true epileptic seizure.
Argentum nit anticipates all sorts of dreadful things; will not
consult a physician for fear he may be told he has a serious ailment.
Like Gelsemium it has diarrhoea as a result of stage fright or mental
emotion.
Irresolute and memory poor.
Argentum nit is of great advantage in hemicrania. Deep-seated, periodic,
with boring pain, > from tight bandages, and may be brought on by
any depressing emotions. Cactus, periodic hemicrania the right side
and vertex. Cannabis ind, a sensation as if the head were opening
and shutting. Glonoinum, hemicrania with a sensation as if the skull
would burst. Sanguinaria, right-sided, coming and going with the
sun. Sepia, mostly left-sided. Argentum nit has a sensation as if
the head were too large, with relief from binding the head tightly.
The pain is described as pressing or boring. The sharp stitching
pains of Argentum nit call to mind. Hepar; yet the discharge is
different than Hepar with extreme sensitiveness to touch. Nitric
acid has also sharp stitching pains in the throat, but the mucus
is tough and stringy and he bites the tongue on chewing; much salivation.
Argentum nit. also differs from Nitric acid in that it has rawness.
Ignatia has sensation of fish bone in throat, better by swallowing
anything solid.
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