Ammonium Muriaticum

One symptom of this remedy that has proved to be a valuable keynote for its administration is: "Sensation of coldness in the back, between the shoulders." It is generally found in chest affections, such as cough or pains in the chest without cough. I have found it as reliable a keynote as is the burning between the shoulders of Lycopodium or Phosphorus. It is also a remedy for constipation, the stool being hard, dry and crumbling and also very difficult to expel. Sometimes the stool is covered with mucus, something like Causticum, which has stool covered with mucus, shining, as if greased.

There is also a resemblance between these two remedies affecting the muscles and ligaments. Ammonium mur. has pain with a sensation as if the muscles were contracted or too short, while Causticum goes a step further and has actual contraction of these parts, producing what is known as arthritis deformans. (Cimex, Nat. m.).

There are two remedies that have menses, or flow of blood from the uterus, at night. They are Ammonium mur. and Bovista, the other symptoms, of course, deciding the choice between them (Kreosot. menses flow only on lying down, cease when sitting or walking about; Lilium tig. flows only when moving about, ceased to flow when she ceased to walk; Magnesia carb. flows only at night or when lying, ceases when walking).

This remedy is also sometimes useful in sciatica. Here we have the sense of contraction in the tendons and the patient is worse while sitting, some better when walking and entirely relieved when lying down. It also has pains in the heels as if ulcerated. For pains in the heels see also Phytolacca, Cyclamen, Manganum, Ledum and Causticum.

I once cured a case, very severe and long lasting, with Valeriana.

AeTHUSA CYNAPIUM.

Is one of our best remedies for vomiting in children. The milk comes up as soon as swallowed, by a great effort, after which the child becomes greatly relaxed and drowsy; or if the milk stays down longer it finally comes up in very sour curds, so large that it would seem almost impossible the child could have ejected them. if this condition of the stomach is not cured the case will go on to cholera infantum, with green watery or slimy stool, colic and convulsions. The convulsions of this remedy are peculiar, in that the eyes turn downward instead of up or sidewise. If the case still progresses unfavourably there is an appearance of sunkenness in the face with linea nasalis, which is a surface of pearly whiteness on the upper lip, bounded by a distinct line from the outer nasal orifice to the angles of the mouth.

This last symptom is more characteristic of Aethusa than any other remedy. Aethusa has complete absence of thirst. The prostration and anxiety are very marked, but the absence of thirst rules for Aethusa instead of Arsenicum album. Vomiting of large curds (sour) is also found under Calcarea ostrearum, but with this remedy we have at the same time sour stools, and then sweaty head, and open fontanelles as well as Calcarea temperament would generally be found in the case.

There is another very peculiar symptom of Aethusa that has been cured twice to my knowledge by this remedy, viz.: Imagined she saw a rat or mouse run across the room. In both these cases the symptom occurred in hard worked, nervous women, but the symptom was very persistent and annoying. Aethusa not only cured the aberration but improved the general health. I always use it in the 200th potency.