HOMŒOPATHIC MATERIA MEDICA
by William BOERICKE, M.D.
Presented by Médi-T
CAMPHORA
Camphor
Hahnemann says: "The action of this substance is very puzzling and difficult of investigation, even in the healthy organism because its primary action, more frequently than with any other remedy, alternates and becomes intermixed with the vital reactions (after effects) of the organism. On this account it is often difficult to determine what belongs to the vital reactions of the body and what to the alternating effects due to the primary action of the camphor."
Pictures a state of collapse. Icy coldness of the whole body; sudden sinking of strength; pulse small and weak. After operations, if temperature is subnormal, low blood pressure, 3 doses camph. 1x, 15-minute intervals. This condition is met with in cholera, and here it is that Camphor has achieved classical fame. First stages of a cold, with chilliness and sneezing. Subsultus and extreme restlessness. Cracking of joints. Epileptiform convulsions. Camphor has a direct relationship to muscles and fascia. In local rheumatic affections in cold climates necessary. Distention of veins. As a heart stimulant for emergency use of Camphor is the most satisfactory remedy. Drop doses on sugar as often as every five minutes.
It is characteristic of Camphor that the patient will not be covered, notwithstanding the icy coldness of the body. One of the main remedies in shock. Pain better while thinking of it. Very sensitive to cold and to touch. Sequelæ of measles. Violent convulsion, with wandering and hysterical excitement. Tetanic spasms. Scrofulous children and irritable, weakly blondes especially affected.
Head.--Vertigo, tendency to unconsciousness, feeling as if he would die. Influenza; headache, with catarrhal symptoms, sneezing, etc. Beating pain in cerebellum. Cold sweat. Nose cold and pinched. Tongue cold, flabby, trembling. Fleeting stitches in temporal region and orbits. Head sore. Occipital throbbing, synchronous with the pulse.
Eyes.--Fixed, staring; pupils dilated. Sensation as if all objects were too bright and glittering.
Nose.--Stopped; sneezing. Fluent coryza on sudden change of weather. Cold and pinched. Persistent epistaxis, especially with goose-flesh state of skin.
Face.--Pale, haggard, anxious, distorted; bluish, cold. Cold sweat.
Stomach.--Pressive pain in pit of stomach. Coldness, followed by burning.
Stool.--Blackish; involuntary. Asiatic cholera, with cramps in calves, coldness of body, anguish, great weakness, collapse, tongue and mouth cold.
Urine.--Burning and strangury, with tenesmus of the neck of the bladder. Retention with full bladder.
Male--Besire increased. Chordee. Priapism. Nightly emissions.
Respiratory.--Præcordial distress. Suffocative dyspnœa. Asthma. Violent, dry, hacking cough. Palpitation. Breath cold. Suspended respiration.
Sleep.--Insomnia, with cold limbs. Subsultus and extreme restlessness.
Extremities.--Rheumatic pain between shoulders. Difficult motion. Numbness, tingling and coldness. Cracking in joints. Cramps in calves. Icy cold feet, ache as if sprained.
Fever.--Pulse small, weak, slow. Icy coldness of the whole body. Cold perspiration. Congestive chill. Tongue cold, flabby, trembling.
Skin.--Cold, pale, blue, livid. Cannot bear to be covered (Secale).
Modalities.--Worse, motion, night, contact, cold air. Better, warmth.
Relationship.--Camphor antidotes or modifies the action of nearly every vegetable medicine--tobacco, opium, worm medicines, etc. Laffa acutangula (whole body ice-cold, with a restlessness and anxiety; burning thirst). Camphoric acid--(a prophylactic against catheter fever; cystitis 15 grains three times a day; also for prevention of night sweats).
Incompatible: Kali nit.
Complementary: Canth.
Antidotes: Opium; Nitr sp dulc; Phos.
Compare: Carbo; Cuprum; Arsenic; Veratr.
Dose.--Tincture, in drop doses, repeated frequently, or smelling of Spirits of Camphor. Potencies are equally effective.
