COCCULUS INDICUS
Indian Cockle
(COCCULUS)Within the sphere of action of Cocculus are many spasmodic and paretic
affections, notably those affecting one-half of the body. Affects the cerebrum, will not
cure convulsive seizures proceeding from the spinal cord (A. E. Hinsdale) Painful contracture of limbs and trunk; tetanus. Many of the
evil effects of night-watching are relieved by it. It
shows a special, attraction for light-haired females,
especially during pregnancy, causing much nausea and backache. Unmarried and childless
women, sensitive and romantic girls, etc. All its symptoms are worse riding in a carriage or
on shipboard; hence its use in seasickness. Sensation of hollowness,
or emptiness, as if parts had gone to sleep. Feels too weak to talk loud.
Mind.–
Capricious. Heavy and stupid. Time
passes too quickly; absorbed in reveries. Inclination to sing irresistible. Slow
of comprehension. Mind benumbed. Profound sadness.
Cannot bear contradiction. Speaks hastily. Very anxious about the health of others.
Head.–
Vertigo, nausea, especially
when riding or sitting up. Sense of emptiness in head. Headache in occiput and nape; worse, lying on back of head. Sick
headache from carriage riding, cannot lie on back part of head. Pupils contracted. Opening
and shutting sensation, especially in occiput. Trembling of head. Pain in eyes as if torn
out of head.
Face.–
Paralysis of facial nerve. Cramp-like pain in masseter
muscle; worse, opening mouth. Prosopalgia in afternoon,
with wide radiations of pain.
Stomach.–
Nausea from riding in cars, boat, etc, or looking at
boat in motion; worse on becoming cold or taking cold. Nausea, with faintness and vomiting. Aversion to food, drink, tobacco. Metallic
taste. Paralysis of muscles preventing deglutition. Dryness of śsophagus.
Seasickness (Resorcin. 1x). Cramp, in stomach during and
after meal. Hiccough and spasmodic yawning. Loss of appetite. Desire for cold drinks,
especially beer. Sensation in stomach as if one had been a long time without food until
hunger was gone. Smell of food disgusts (Colch).
Abdomen.–
Distended, with wind, and feeling as if full of sharp stones when moving; better, lying on one side
or the other. Pain in abdominal ring, as if something
were forced through. Abdominal muscles weak; it seems as
if a hernia would take place.
Female.–
Dysmenorrhśa, with profuse dark menses. Too early
menses, clotted, with spasmodic colic. Painful pressing in uterine region, followed by hćmorrhoids.
Purulent, gushing leucorrhśa between menses; very weakening,
can scarcely speak. So weak during menstruation, scarcely able to stand.
Respiratory.–
Sensation of emptiness and cramp in chest.
Dyspnśa as from constriction of trachea, as if irritated by smoke. Choking constriction in
upper part of śsophagus, oppressing breathing and inducing cough.
Back.–
Cracking of cervical vertebrć when moving head. Paralytic pain in small of the back. Pain in shoulder and arms as if bruised. Pressure in scapula and
nape. Stiffness on moving shoulders.
Extremities.–
Lameness; worse by bending. Trembling and pain in limbs. Arms go to sleep. One-sided
paralysis; worse after sleep. Hands are alternately hot and cold; numbness and cold sweat
now of one, now of the other hand. Numb and unsteady. Knees crack
on motion. Lower limbs very weak. Inflammatory swelling of knee. Intensely
painful, paralytic drawing. Limbs straightened out, painful when flexed.
Sleep.–
Spasmodic yawning. Coma vigil. Constant drowsiness.
After loss of sleep, night-watching, nursing.
Fever.–
Chill, with flatulent colic, nausea, vertigo, coldness
of lower extremities, and heat of head. Sweat general. Nervous form of low fever. Chilliness, with perspiration, and heat of skin.
Modalities.–
Worse,
eating, after loss of sleep, open air, smoking, riding, swimming, touch, noise, jar;
afternoon. Menstrual period. After emotional disturbance.
Relationship.–
Antidotes:; Coffee;
Nux.Compare: Picrotoxin-alkaloid of
Cocculus–(epilepsy, attacks in the morning on leaving horizontal position, hernia,
locomotor ataxia, night-sweats); Symphoricarpus (morning
sickness); Petrol; Puls; Ignat.
Dose.–
Third to thirtieth potency.
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