Natrum Salicylicum.
Salicylate of Sodium. (NaC7H5O3)2H2O. Trituration. Solution.
Clinical.─
Abscess. Boils. Debility. Depression. Ears, noises in. Fever. Ménière’s
disease. Noises in the head. Œdema. Periostitis. Rheumatism. Stammering.
Strabismus divergens.
Characteristics.─
The introduction of Salicylic
acid and Nat. sal. into general practice as remedies in
rheumatism led to much overdosing, the records of which are found in Allen and C. D. P., and I
have arranged them below in the Schema. The most marked and persistent of the symptoms
produced by Nat. sal. is giddiness, < on rising from lying, and intense tinnitus aurium with
deafness. This combination of symptoms has led to the successful homœopathic use of Nat. sal. in Ménière’s disease and similar conditions. In some
of the overdosings high fever with delirium was produced. Nat. sal.
has been used freely in the manufacture of beer to prevent fermentation, and this has caused
poisoning symptoms, notably sweating and tenderness of the feet with dark coloured and
enlarged veins (H. W., xxv. 500, 566). Nat. sal. has evidently an affinity for the joints, since it
causes many of its poisoning symptoms simultaneously with the removal of the joint pains of
gout and rheumatism. It has been used with success in homœopathic practice in the treatment
of periosteal rheumatism. Divergent strabismus and stammering were marked pathogenetic
effects in one case, and should lead to homœopathic uses. It has caused irritation of
inguinal glands, and has cured abscess in axilla. Having given Nat.
sal. 3 to a patient recovering from influenza who had symptoms of vertigo with
noises in the head, the patient was so much relieved by the medicine of her weakness and
depression that she named the remedy her “tonic.” W. R. Rice published a case in
the Brit. Med. Jour., November 30, 1897, in which he
gave a lady 10-gr. doses of Nat. sal. every four hours.
After the third dose “most alarming prostration, mental and bodily,” set in. Pulse
became weak and compressible, fell to 35 per minute, and the temperature became subnormal.
On stopping Nat. sal. the symptoms rapidly passed off.
Ebstein has claimed for Nat. sal. in ordinary dosage a
controlling power over glycosuria, and R. T. Williamson (B. M. J.,
March 30, 1901) has confirmed this in some cases.
Relations.─
Compare:
Gaulth., Salix mol., Salix nig., Sal. ac., Salol. In Ménière’s disease, Chi., Kali i.,
Carb. sul.
SYMPTOMS.
1. Mind.─
Vomiting, unconsciousness, at times wild
delirium, from which she recovered with loud cries.─Weariness and
depression.─Highly nervous dread.─Sometimes has
hallucinations; sometimes half-asleep; sometimes rational.─Apathetic.
2. Head.─
Giddiness, deafness, noises in ears.─Giddiness,
> lying down, <
raising head or sitting up; objects all seem to move to r.─Burning pains
on skin of forehead.─Severe headache as though head would burst.
3. Eyes.─
Amblyopia.─Pupils
dilated, very slightly sensitive to light; marked divergent strabismus.─Eyes
have a peculiar sparkle.─Does not see distant objects; mydriasis.
4. Ears.─
Constant noises in ears, deafness;
direct and perosseous.
6. Face.─
L. face red; both eyelids, upper lip
œdematous.─Anxious expression, red face.
8. Mouth.─
Speech hoarse, indistinct, stammering,
some words she cannot pronounce.─Dryness in mouth and throat with great
thirst.
11. Stomach.─
Great thirst.─Appetite
lost.─Vomiting; unconsciousness.
12. Abdomen.─
Inguinal glands swollen, sensitive.
13. Stool and Anus.─
Diarrhœa; great thirst.
15. Male Sexual Organs.─
Absolute but temporary
impotence.
17. Respiratory Organs.─
Dyspnœa; with great
heat.─Breathing so noisy it was heard in street; > when supported in half-sitting posture; gasps for air;
respiration exceedingly forcible.─Breathing shallow.─Respiration
60, not superficial.─Panting respiration like that of a hunting-dog.
19. Heart.─
Pulse stronger, arterial pressure
increased.─Pulse irregular, sometimes very quick, sometimes nearly
normal velocity, small, weak.─Pulse weak, compressible, falls to 35
beats a minute.
22. Upper Limbs.─
(Axillary abscess.).─Strong
itching on back of r. hand.
23. Lower Limbs.─
Feet swollen, soles tender,
veins of dorsa much congested (from drinking ale containing Nat.
sal.).
24. Generalities.─
Alarming prostration, mental
and bodily.─L. side of face, lower limbs, r. chest diffusely reddened,
both eyelids, upper lip, great part of legs slightly œdematous.─Eyelids,
hands, face, and legs swollen.─Dull and heavy.─Tingling
over whole body.─Very restless; condition constantly changing.
25. Skin.─
Soon after first dose, intense tingling
and itching of skin; diffuse redness; œdema.─Urticaria over greater
part of body, esp. legs and abdomen, with œdema of arms.─Intense
erythematous rash.─Pemphigoid eruption on, hands and other parts of
body.─On forehead, face, and legs skin very red in circumscribed
patches, redness disappearing on pressure.
27. Fever.─
Wild delirium, great heat, dyspnœa.─Temperature
107°, with intense thirst.─Fever and rash come only with disappearance
of rheumatic pains.─Temperature became subnormal, pulse 35.® 2000
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