Verification
of Nux vomica with cases.
By C.
B. Stauffer, M. D.
Presented by
Dr. Sayeed Ahmad D. I. Hom. (London)When we come to discuss such a kingly drug as Nux
Vomica, every physician of every kind, whatever he may be, must
acknowledge its majesty. It has a long train of symptoms, and too many
physicians who do not know what to give turn with gracious hearts and
give Nux Vomica, thinking there might be a ray of hope of cure in this
drug. A homoeopathic physician would no more think of equipping his
medicine case and leave out Nux Vomica in some potency than a surgeon
would leave out his needles from his case were he called to suture a
wound. Every physician here could give verifications of it without
number. It is so useful and efficacious that it is prescribed in all
potencies, from the mother tincture to the many mths. We all know, when
indicated, it acts, it matters not what its potency might be. There is
scarcely a tissue in the body but that is responsive to its action. Of
all drugs, probably this one is used oftener by the beginner in the
practice of medicine than any other. The efficiency of Nux is debased
when put in combination with others and dispensed as “combination
tablets.” It is then neither master nor slave.Nux Vomica has been known since 1540 A. D. A
remarkably accurate description was given of it in that year by one V.
Cordus. Farrington says : “The fruit of the tree is about the
size of an orange and contains a bitter, gelatinous pulp. This pulp, it
is said, is eaten by some birds of India, although it is well known to
contain Strychnine. The Nux itself is the seed deprived of the pulp and
shell. This seed is disc-shaped and about one inch in diameter and
one-fourth inch in thickness. Its surface is satiny by reason of a thick
covering of a depressed radiating hairs.”Strychnia has a well described symptomatology, being
poison, not uncommonly used for suicidal and homicidal purposes, and
also for the extermination of the lower animals, cats, rats, etc.The smallest fatal dose of Nux Vomica is said to be 3
grains ; that of Strychnia, 1/2 grain.Nux Vomica, while not having so wide a range of
action as Mercurius and possibly some other remedies, is nevertheless
more often prescribed than any other, because the ailments are such as
are very commonly met within practice. This is very largely due to the
fact that Nux Vomica is more often indicated for indigestion and various
consequences arising from errors in diet and digestive habits, and if
often required by certain persons who are so engrossed in business that
they pay little attention to their physical requirements.Nux Vomica is best suited to rather thin, spare
patients. It does not seem to act so well on the fleshy. Generally you
will find it indicated in patients who suffer from strain on the mind,
particularly if this over taxing of the mental powers is intensified by
sedentary habits. It is good for those who deprive themselves of sleep
and exercise in pursuance of their studies ; in individuals who
have headaches and are tired in the mornings when they awake. These
patients will have a bitter taste in the mouth, tongue coated and
symptoms that point to a wearing out of the system from overwork.With individuals, who become too enthusiastic over
the outcome of some great victory and imbibe too frequently in
spirituous liquors, always have a clouded mind and a big head the next
morning. Frequently these individuals will have Nux Vomica prescribed
for them when the celebration is over, and the next morning they will be
able to pursue their usual work with little or no discomfort. They are
put right on their feet.Now the stomach is in great distress. The trouble
begins with a headache either in the occiput or over one eye, usually
the left one ; begins in the morning and increases until night,
accompanied with a sour taste in the mouth, flatus and retching. Bowels
are constipated, with an ineffectual urging to stool. This is not atony
of the rectum but due to irregular fitful action.Gastralgia : worse from eating, sometimes
relieved when the stomach is empty. Pain in epigastrium, radiating in
all directions. Hot drinks will often relieve.Think of Nux Vomica in children who are very
excitable and men who have eaten or drunk too much.In cases of debauch, when Nux Vomica fails, Carbo
Veg. is a good remedy, although Sulphur may be required.In stomach troubles when there are marked
aggravations an hour after eating, think of Nux Vomica. Great hunger 24
hours before the attack comes on. Patients crave gravies, pies, fat
foods, have great thirst, but water causes distress. There are sour,
bitter eructations.Students frequently eat to excess rich foods, pies,
gravies, fat foods and particularly if of inactive habits, their stomach
gives them trouble. These things are interdicted together with coffee
and the patient soon rallies. When Nux Vomica is prescribed, it is given
in one-half glass of hot water before meals. Here one gets the benefit
of the heat as well as the drug. When there is eructation of a sour,
bitter fluid in the throat, known as waterbrash, Nux is the
remedy ; when there is a burning pain about the heart, “heart
burn,” Pulsatilla is the remedy.Nux Vomica in haemorrhoids is called for in cases not
bleeding, with a feeling of dryness in the rectum, like little sticks or
splinters were pricking the folds of the mucous membrane.
CASE :
A student, son of a regular, came into college at its opening session a
year ago, and presented symptoms of urticaria together with hemorrhoids.
The student’s father said no relief could be obtained by the son
unless he was operated upon. Apis 30x was prescribed and the skin
conditions abated markedly. It also relieved the hemorrhoids. The
student was a user of cathartics, thinking his bowels were not acting as
they should. The cathartics aggravated the hemorrhoids and Nux 30x was
then given. His condition immediately improved, and today feels good.Nux in the eyes : The lid-edges itch and burn
without discharge ; in ecchymoses of the sub-conjunctival membrane,
where blood is effused beneath the conjunctiva ; These often follow
debauches or sitting up late at night to study, in persons subject to
dyspepsia.Nux Vomica intensifies the action of Sepia.
Nux Vomica is well suited for thin, “dried
up,” nervous patients. There is a stiffness and a numbness of the
fingers. Hands go to sleep. Holding a pencil makes little impression
upon the nerve endings of the fingers.
CASE :
A
student was putting himself through college by doing short-hand and
stenographic work. On account of the sedentary life he was leading, lack
of exercise and indiscretions in diet, he began having a numbess of the
fingers of the right hand. The condition became so marked, he could not
feel the presence of a pencil in fingers. Nux 30x was prescribed and
regulating diet and exercise, the student improved rapidly.
CASE :
A
lady school teacher, 33 years of age, lifted a box and strained her
back ; with this back condition she had a numbness of the left arm.
Always worse at night, she would be awakened by this
“sleeping” arm. She was fearful that she would be paralysed,
since her father died from results of paralysis. Rhus 30x was prescribed
and relieved the back, but the arm still slept. Nux 30x was then given
and regulations in diet and prohibiting the use of coffee, of which she
was very fond, the case cleared up. Very seldom does she complain, and
when she does, she responds readily to the Nux treatment.In headaches, Nux Vomica is a valuable remedy. These
often occur in conjunction with the gastric disorders. The modalities
more than the character of exertion decide the choice of the drug.
CASE :
A
young dancing teacher, a man, aged 40, taught his classes until late at
night, then drank beer and ate a lunch. He was a sufferer from sick and
nervous headaches, frontal region, over the eyes. Great user of coffee
and cathartics. A few doses of Nux 30x cleared up the case after
eliminating the coffee, cathartics and night eating.The aggravations are : Mental exertion, anger,
open air, on awakening in the morning, after eating, abuse of spirits,
sour stomach, in the sunshine, on opening the eyes, from coughing, high
living or highly seasoned foods, after drugging, from constipation, in
stormy weather. Pains are not definitely localized, and he says,
“It feels badly and aches all over.”
Courtesy :
“The
University Homoeopathic Observer”, January 1915, Vol. XV, pp.
14-17.Copyright © Dr. Sayeed Ahmad
2004