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Leaders For The Use of Sulphur Nash

Dr. Adolph Lippe said in his substance: "The man who has mastered Lycopodium, and it's relations, is well on his way to a practical knowledge of out Materia Medica." Howmany of us have done it? How many hace made the attempt? Along this line I began the study of Sulphur, taking the well-known and verified symptoms and conditions of the remedy, hoping thereby not only to fix in my memory, it's own range, but to understand better how to use it in conjunction with other remedies as an antipsoric,..

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Michael Haskins
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
262 views77 pages

Leaders For The Use of Sulphur Nash

Dr. Adolph Lippe said in his substance: "The man who has mastered Lycopodium, and it's relations, is well on his way to a practical knowledge of out Materia Medica." Howmany of us have done it? How many hace made the attempt? Along this line I began the study of Sulphur, taking the well-known and verified symptoms and conditions of the remedy, hoping thereby not only to fix in my memory, it's own range, but to understand better how to use it in conjunction with other remedies as an antipsoric,..

Uploaded by

Michael Haskins
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SULPHUR

By
E. B. NASH. M. D.

[If you want to get this book, please contact with the Publisher, name & address written at
the end of this book].
LEADERS IN

SULPHUR

"A small farm well tilled is better than a large one slighted.’ — Haymakers.

One remedy well studied is better than several not half understood. One of the
best methods of gaining a practical acquaintance with our Materia Medica is to
master one remedy at a time; both in itself, and its relation to, and correspondence
with, other remedies.

Dr. Adolph Lippe said in substance: "The man who has mastered Lycopodium,
and its relations, is well on his way to a practical knowledge of our Materia
Medica. How many of us have done it? How many have made the attempt? Along
this line I began the study of Sulphur, taking the well-known and verified
symptoms and conditions of the remedy, hoping thereby not only to fix in my
memory, its own range, but to understand better how to use it in conjunction with
other remedies as an antipsoric, complementary, etc., and I hope, old as it is, to
make its study both pleasant and profitable.

I am sure, much as we know already of this substance, that many of us can find
out new things if we will; but the object of this study is more to so fasten upon our
minds
2

SULPHUR

its wonderful power of curing, that we shall not be likely to pass it by in any case
where it is the remedy.

PERSONAL OR CONSTITUTIONAL TEMPERAMENT

To the practical observer, the form, or build, or face of the patient (or person, if
not a patient) will attract attention.

The Sulphur subject is generally "spare stoop-shouldered walks or sits bent. The
face is often delicate, with long, thin eyelashes, veins bluish, brilliant eyes; red
vermilion lips, eyelids, nostrils and meati of ears."

Such a subject may have a dirty, filthy appearance of the skin, is prone to
eruptions; hates bathing, feels generally worse after it —the great unwashed and
unwashable. Observing further, you will notice that such a subject is uneasy,
looks around for a seat, never wants to stand long.

Standing is the worst position for the Sulphur subject; must sit or lie down. Never
stands still, but continually changes from one foot to the other, or walks around
if he cannot find a seat. It tires him so to stand.

They are generally of light complexion, light or red hair, blue or light-coloured
eyes.

Children emaciated, old-looking face, big-bellied, dry flabby skin.


3

SULPHUR

This is a fair picture of the Sulphur subject, and the symptoms in general in such
will often point to this remedy. We will, as we proceed in our study, notice other
remedies that correspond or differ.
Psorinum. — This comes the nearest to Sulphur of any remedy. The Psorinum
subject is also prone to eruptions. The skin looks dirty, dry, like parchment, or is
sweaty and of foul odour. The foul odour is characteristic all through. Psorinum
looks dejected, hopeless, picture of despair, thinks he can never get well. He is
always chilly or cold, wants a fur cap on in the summer. This last is one great
mark of distinction between this remedy and Sulphur, which is predominantly hot
and burning, especially in localities or sections of the body. Psorinum is indicated
in chronic diseases when the seemingly indicated remedy fails. While on this
subject of "Personal" we might notice some other similar remedies.

Bryonia — Is spare, dark hair and complexion {Sulphur opposite), choleric,


bilious tendency, firm fleshy fibre, and when we remember the decided action
each has upon the serous membranes, suppressed or retrocedent eruptions
(Bryonia, acute ; Sulphur, acute and chronic), we might as well class Sulphur the
chronic of Bryonia, as Calcarea ost. is the chronic of Belladonna, and certain it is
that no two remedies work better together as complementaries.

Causticum. — Is also predominantly spare, dark-haired, with rigid fibre, and


especially adapted to delicate, feeble children, who learn late to walk, stub their
toes easily and
4

SULPHUR

tumble down. In semi paralytic affections arising from suppressed eruption of


long ago no remedy will perhaps oftener dispute with Sulphur than Causticum.
One general diagnostic between them is that the burning, so characteristic of
Sulphur, is attended with itching, and that of Causticum with soreness or rawness.
This is especially true of mucous orifices and on the skin.

Lachesis —Is generally thin, emaciated, melancholy, and is especially adapted to


troubles at the climacteric. At this time both have flushings. The Sulphur is the
better remedy in decidedly psoric constitutions.

Iodium — Is dark-haired, eyed and complexioned the typical brunette. Thin,


hungry, emaciated, scrofulous. About the only resemblance between it and
Sulphur is its spareness, and here it surpasses Sulphur. Lycopodium and Nitric
acid come nearer to /odium than Sulphur.

Ignatia and Nux vomica. — Are both spare; active: nervous; choleric. The former
is better adapted to the hysterical affections of females; the latter to the
complaints of men who are of spiteful, jealous, mentally active, and physically
inactive turn. Nux vomica is often well followed or interpolated by Sulphur.

Lycopodium..., .Is dark complexioned, spare, especially in the upper part of the
body, while the lower may be semi-dropsical. The intellect is keen, while the
muscular system is feebly developed. It has strong points of resemblance to both
Nux vom and Sulphur, and complements them
5

SULPHUR

both, of course, when indicated, which is often the case. There is no doubt that it
is a remedy of wide range and deep, long-lasting action and is not well
understood, or much used by the majority of physicians.

Nitric acid. Is lean: of rigid fibre, dark, swarthy complexion, with dark hair and
eyes; decided brunette. It is especially adapted to chronic diseases, with people
who take cold easily and tend to diarrhoea. (Constipation is the exception.) Old
people; syphilitics, sycotics and those who have suffered from the abuse of
Mercury are especially benefited by it.

Phosphorus. Tall persons, sanguine, fair skin, blonde, or red hair, quick, sensitive,
flat-chested, disposed to stoop, nervous, moves all the time when awake :
haemorrhagic diathesis, phthisical tendency. If it had equally the psoric element it
would, at sight, seem a counterpart of Sulphur, so close that one could not tell
them apart. In the incipient stage of phthisis pulmonalis, no two remedies are
oftener found indicated, and it requires nice discrimination sometimes to choose
between them. If the case has a decided presence (evident or historic) of psora in-
it Sulphur must be preferred: but these two remedies may complement each other,
giving each separately, and letting it act as long as it will before changing. Many
cases of this disease may be cured this way. Neither should, according to my
observation, be given lower than the two hundredth potency, and may be given
much higher with remarkable results in many cases.

Tuberculinum. Is fast coming to the front to claim its share of attention with these
two remedies. When fully understood they will be a great trio.
6

SULPHUR

Sepia. Dark hairs, rigid fibre, mild, easy, indifferent disposition, sallow or
yellowish complexion, moth-patched, pot-bellied, subject to pelvic congestion,
cannot stand much better than the Sulphur subject. Everything dragging down,
greatly relaxed. It is as much adapted to women of this description as is
Chamomilla, Ignatia and Pulsatilla to their particular temperament and mind.

Silicea....Is large headed, with open sutures, sweaty headed, large bellied, but
otherwise imperfectly nourished, not from want of food taken, but imperfect
assimilation ; weakly, fine skin, mild disposition (in this respect the chronic of
Pulsatilla), light complexion, lax muscles. All these remedies and a number of
others are of the spare, or, at least, not fleshy build, which resemble Sulphur, in
part or whole, in constitution and temperament.

Now it may not be uninteresting to notice some of the so-called fat or phlegmatic
remedies by way of impressing upon our minds the importance of constitution and
temperament. To be sure this is not all there is of it. If it were so homoeopathic
prescribing would become as routine as that of tonics, anti-periodics, sudorifics,
anodynes, etc. of the old school.

It will occasionally occur that the totality of symptoms or, in other words, the rest
of the case may so cover the constitutional leadings as to rule it out in individual
cases. But, as a rule (which is proven by rare exceptions), the symptoms will
correspond in a great degree with the temperament. Thus, a Pulsatilla
temperament will develop
7

SULPHUR

symptoms calling for Pulsatilla. So with Calcarea ost. Sulphur, Lycopodium, etc.
Calcarea ostrearum. Leads the list of fat remedies. "Fair, fat and flabby," or as H.
N. Guernsey put it in one word, Leucophlegmatic. This remedy is the "Bell-
wether" of the flock of fat remedies. Following closely in its train are Graphites,
the Kalis, Pulsatilla, Capsicum, etc.

We must not stop here to work them out. That belongs to another lecture. We are
here supposed to be doing "specially" work on Sulphur and we'd "be fired by the
union" if we get off our speciality (Dooley).

Let us now notice the leading Sensation of Sulphur.

"One of the chief characteristics of this remedy is found under the head or rubric
of sensation, viz., that of Burning. Burning on vertex (outer and inner head) ,
burning in eyes, painful smarting ; burning water from nose ; burning in face
without redness ; burning pain in tongue ; burning vesicles in mouth ; sore throat
with great burning and dryness, first right then left : burning in stomach ; burning
and pressure in rectum ; burning and itching in haemorrhoids ; burning in anus ;
burning in urethra ; burning in vagina, scarcely able to keep still ; nipples burn
like fire ; burning in chest, rising to face ; burning between scapulae (Phos and
Lycop) ; burning of hands ; burning of feet, puts them out of bed to cool them ;
hot flushes and burning all over ; burning skin of whole body ; itching eruptions
burn after scratching.
8

SULPHUR

After reading such a list of burning in the cured and characteristic symptoms of
Sulphur one does not wonder that hell is represented as being heated by this
substance, for it seems by its pathogenesis as though it were eternally burning.
Arsenicum album, Phosphorus and Sulphur lead the list in our Materia Medica for
burners. These burning sensations are found in both acute and chronic diseases.
Of course there are several other remedies that have this symptom in an intense
degree, and must be chosen if the other symptoms come in to complete the picture
of similarity. Among these of first importance may be named Aconite, Agaricus,
Apis, Belladonna, Cantharis, Capsicum, Carbo animalis and Phosphoric acid. I
think Arsenicum leads all in acute diseases, while Sulphur leads in chronic
affections. We as homoeopathists do not yet fully appreciate the value of
sensations.

We will now consider the remedies we have mentioned as having in a marked


degree this sensation.

Arsenicum —This burning with Arsenicum is generally markedly present in all


inflammations of the acute kind, Suppose we enumerate : In erysipelas in the head
: in ulcers on cornea, on eyelids, at nostrils, in nose (coryza) ; in ulcers in alae
nasi, in upper lip, in cancerous ulcers on the face ; pimples and vesicles in the
face, in gums, on tongue, in mouth (stomatitis), in throat (ulcers or diphtheria), in
epigastrium, in stomach, in abdomen, in region of pylorus (cancers), in region of
liver, in intestines, in haemorrhoids, in bladder, in penis, in ovaries, in uterus,
in genitals, in
9

SULPHUR

mammae (cancer), in larynx and trachea, in chest, about the heart, in ulcers, in
veins, in skin (eruptions), in inflammatory swelling, scirrhus and anthrax. In short,
in almost any affection, acute or chronic, the burning of Arsenicum may be
present. The burnings of Arsenicum are almost invariably relieved by heat, either
warm applications or the heat of a warm stove or room. Again especially in acute
diseases, where there is a strong manifestation of" this sensation, there is with it
marked prostration and excessive restlessness, ail aggravated at 1 to 3 P.M.

The burning of Arsenicum in degree is more intense than that of Sulphur or


Phosphorus, and is more invariably present in acute affections, and is often found
especially efficacious after Aconite, which resembles it in its extreme restlessness
But its greatest sphere is found in those desperate cases of typhoid or low fevers,
and in low grade inflammations, such as ulcers, carbuncles, and malignant or
cancerous diseases.

Phosphorus. The other remedy of our great trio has the same sensation as
universally as the others, and I will only mention especially the burning and heat
in the brain (burning pain), oesophagus, stomach, rectum, between the scapulae,
at anus, in spots along the spine, small of the back (flashes of heat running
upward), in palms (Sulphur soles), and in skin.

Sulphur and Phosphorus come nearer each other in the degree of intensity than
does Arsenicum to either. But these three remedies are so strong in this sensation
that neither of them should be overlooked in a case where it is
10

SULPHUR

markedly present. They all affect nearly every tissue in the body.
Sulphur and Arsenicum stand out especially in skin eruptions and the results of
their suppression, while Sulphur and Phosphorus may oftener, with
Tuberculinum, be the best for those with phthisical tendencies. Of course, these
are only generalizations. The peculiar and characteristic symptoms must decide
between them.

Aconite. Of all the other remedies mentioned as of first importance, Aconite has
burning in internal parts in acute inflammatory affections in their first stage, with
the characteristic fear and restlessness.

Apis mellifica. Has redness and swelling, oedematous in character, with burning
and stinging (like beestings) in menings, eyes, eyelids, ears, face, lips, tongue,
throat, mammae, ovaries, testicles, anus, and especially in erysipelas and other
exanthemata ; but unlike Arsenicum is aggravated by heat, especially radiate heat,
and ameliorated by cold.

Agaricus....Burning, itching and redness of various parts, as ears, nose, face,


upper and lower limbs, like frostbites or chilblains.

Belladonna— In the acute stage of any phlegmonous swelling or inflammation,


but especially of lips, mouth and fauces (which are very dry), and in the skin in
exanthemata.
11

SULPHUR

Skin is so red and hot that it sterns to fairly radiate heat, and imparts a burning
sensation to the hand that touches it.

Cantharis Burns particularly in throat; stomach; intestinal tract; in anus: both


kidneys, and especially in urinary tract on urinating. In erysipelas it forms large
blebs or blisters. The burning on urination accompanies many complaints, and
always reminds of that remedy.

Capsicum. Burns in almost the same parts as Cantharis. The character of it is if


cayenne pepper were sprinkled on the parts. It smarts. It does not blister on the
skin as does Cantharis and does not act so deeply upon the mucous membranes.

Causticum... With its sore rawness with the burning we have already noticed.
Anthracinum and Tarantula cubensis have excessive burning in anthrax
carbuncle, and swellings in general ; but Tarantula has characteristically blueness
of the swollen parts equal to Lachesis, but is not like Arsenicum (which also has
dark colored swelling), ameliorated by heat.

Carbolic acid. Is also a great burner, but its sphere is not so definitely outlined as
the preceding remedies. As a local application for burns in the proportion of one
drachm of the acid to two ounces each of Sulphuric ether, and olive oil, it is
excellent. Other remedies might be added to this list, but these are very positive in
the possession
12

SULPHUR

of this sensation and so are mentioned in connection with Sulphur. Again, Sulphur
still holds its place as the King of Antipsorics—and the symptom Itching stands
next to that of burning as a sensation.

"I do not in this place feel it incumbent upon me to enter into a defense of
Hahnemann's psora theory against those who discard it because they do not
understand it. With those who do understand and profit by it there is no need of
such defense. The truth stands confirmed (with those who have put to the test
Hahnemann's rules for the use of Sulphur), that it has power to meet and
overcome certain obstacles to the usual action of drugs when indicated by the
symptoms, or at least seemingly so. That is the reason why the indication as laid
down in the books reads; 'When seemingly indicated drugs do not cure, use
Sulphur,' because psora is the obstacle to be overcome. If you now ask me, what
is psora? I answer in true Yankee style, what is scrofula? Perhaps psora is
scrofula, or scrofula is psora. Call it either or neither. Yet it is present, a
something named or unnamed which must be recognized and complicates so-
called acute diseases. Now there is nothing so very remarkable about this.
Syphilis does the same. Once contracted or inherited, no matter what ordinary
acute disease appears, we are at times obliged to turn aside from its treatment to
give a quietus to the old enemy before we can overcome the acute affection. So u
is with Sulphur and psora. The orizing and philosophizing, no matter how wise
they sound, must 30 down when facts oppose them."
13

SULPHUR

"Now upon this symptom —'When carefully selected remedies fail to act
favorably, etc.,' as we said when writing of a certain group under Nux vomica—
this is putting it in too wholesale a fashion. Let no one understand that Sulphur is
the only remedy capable of removing psoric complications, but simply that
Sulphur will be likely to be oftener indicated here, because it oftener covers the
usual manifestations of psora in its pathogenesis than any other remedy. There are
antipsorics, like Psorinum, Causticum, Graphites, etc. which may have to be used
instead of Sulphur. And we know which one by the same law which guides us in
the selection of the right remedy any time. Another thing must not be forgotten.
All the antipsoric remedies have their own individual sphere of action outside
their anti-psoric powers; and often a close study of the case in hand, where other
remedies have failed, as we had supposed, on account of psora, will reveal that
the anti-psoric remedy was the true similimum from the start, independent of any
psoric element."— Leaders.
Not all the remedies having anti-psoric properties, or powers, are in Hahnemann's
work on "Chronic Diseases." Instances are—Apis, Aloes, Bryonia, Croton tiglium,
Psorinum and undoubtedly others.
When "psora" works outward, it is well; when inward, dangerous. So ail local
applications which can suppress each outward manifestation should be sedulously
avoided.
Appearances upon the skin, either recent or remote, are valuable leaders to the
choice of the remedy, and this is
14

SULPHUR

especially true of all affections of long-standing or so-called chronic diseases.

We should never omit in the examination of such a case to inquire for a history of
such manifestations on the skin, and as to what became of them, how they were
treated, if treated al all, or what were the; circumstances of their disappearance
and the phenomena following. One of the ablest papers written on the subject of
"The Relation of Skin to Internal Troubles" was by Father Lilienthal in the
Hahnemannian Monthly. Vol, V, Page 257, year 1878. This was in reply to high
authority who had questioned such relationship. To me it seemed an unanswerable
article, and after an experience and observation of over forty years, I am
thoroughly convinced of its truth. Among the remedies besides Sulphur which
have power to influence or control psoric manifestations are notably —

Arsenicum album.-First: I have seen a chronic recurrent case of most intense


gastralgia cured with the reappearance of an eczema (suppressed by an ointment),
which was restored by this remedy. The symptom leading to its prescription was
the burning pain ameliorated by heat and aggravated at midnight. I had no
knowledge of the suppressed eruption when I prescribed, but prescribed on the
three symptoms above named. Second: I have seen marked relief and cure of a
case of pneumonia from retrocedent measles, Arsenicum symptoms leading to the
remedy. Third; I have seen a chronic gastritis of years' standing connected with
eczema on and around the ears getting worse as the eruption
15

SULPHUR

disappeared and better as it re-appeared, promptly relieved eczema and all, by the
same remedy. These are three cases referred to from memory. In these cases the
sixth potency was used in Nos. 1 and 2, and in the last case the 27m, made on a
fluxion potency machine, probably not so accurate as a handmade potency, but
surely a very high one.

Causticum.-First: I have seen a case of lung trouble caused (or at least the
exciting cause) by a scald, by the inhalation of hot steam, greatly ameliorated
by Causticum. In this case there was an eczema upon the lower leg, which
appeared or disappeared as the lung trouble was better or worse. This patient
had also marked anal symptoms that were at the same time covered and
relieved by the same remedy. Second: A case of obstinate neuralgia of the face
(tic douloureux) could not be cured until Causticum was given, which was
quickly followed by relief and also by the re-appearance of an eczema which
had disappeared before the pain came on. Anodynes of several kinds had been
worn out. In both these cases the 200th, B. & T., was used.

Graphites:-First; A case of eczema of the lower legs of twenty years' standing was
cured by a dose of Sulphur followed by this remedy in the cm. (Fincke) potency.
Second; A case of cholera infantum or entero-colitis which long baffled the best
efforts of two regulars was promptly cured by Graphites. 6m. (Jenichen), an
obstinate and long-lasting eczema capitis being restored and cured at the same
time. Third; A terrible case of meningitis occurring in the
16

SULPHUR

Women's Hospital in Philadelphia was cared by Dr. Kent with the cm. (Fincke) of
this remedy. A suppressed eczema was restored and cured at the same time.

Mezereum. — A chronic case of long standing which had resisted treatment was
cured by this remedy after the fact appeared that year before the patient had
suffered from an eczema capitis which was suppressed. The description of the
remote trouble corresponded to this remedy, and its exhibition in the 200th
restored the eruption. This was a case cured by Carrol Dunham.

I might add similar experiences with Lycopodium. Psorinum, Oleander,


Staphisagria, Sepia, Natrum mur, Hepar sulph, Petroleum and others, but fear I
would weary your patience. Let me mention some characteristic symptoms of
some of the remedies above named.

Arsenicum. — Bran-like, dry scaly eruptions, with itching and burning


ameliorated by heat.

Graphites, — Eruptions in various parts, which exude a watery, transparent or


sticky, gluttons fluid, especially in obese people.

Hepar Sulphur. —Eruptions, either dry or humid, which are exceedingly sensitive
to touch and inclined to suppurate.

Psorinum. — Has various kinds of eruptions. They are like Mercurius, greatly
aggravated in the warmth of the bed. Or the skin may have a dry or parchment-
like appearance. Never forget Psorinum when Sulphur, fails.
17

SULPHUR

Petroleum.—In all eczemas that crack and bleed and are aggravated in winter
(Psor.).

Natrum mur. - May be dry or moist, often occurs in bends of limbs (Sepia) and
edges of the hair.

Sepia. — Itching changes to burning after scratching (Sulphur). Soreness of the


skin, humid places in bends of limbs (Nat. m.), brown or claret colored or tetter-
like spots (moth patches), ringworms.

Carbolic acid 30th. —Eruption on skin all over the body, itching intensely
(cured).

We call attention to these seven remedies to impress the fact that even in different
remedies having decided action upon the same organ or tissues each one acts
differently from ail the others, and these differences, whether they be marked, or
ever so light, cannot be ignored if good prescribing is to be done, and they are
generally psoric in character.

Sulphur has some strong and some peculiar.

MIND SYMPTOMS

It has weak memory, particularly for names, or no memory for what transpired
lately ; wants to introduce a couple but is embarrassed by not being able to recall
the names ; or while he remembers with remarkable perfection the events of long
ago, forgets things of yesterday or even of a few hours ago.
18

SULPHUR

In comparison on defective memory we call to mind such remedies as:

Anacardium.-Which is particularly useful in old people of broken constitution,


etc.

Lycopodium. - Forgets the meaning of letters, uses wrong words for correct ideas
or wrong syllables and letters makes mistakes in writing, spells words wrong or
omits parts of words. It is also adapted to senile cases, though it may often help in
the prime of life.

Nux Moschata.-Weakness or loss of memory, with great dulness of intellect and


sleepiness; forgets what he is reading about and falls asleep.

Phosphoric acid. -Loss of ideas, weakness of memory, listless, apathetic,


indifferent, don't want to speak, generally weak, with depressed sensorium;
especially useful in young people who grow too fast and tall, or are suffering from
self-abuse or both.

There are several other remedies that might be named in this connection, but these
are very prominent ones, and other things being equal ate very efficacious in
practice. Again, Sulphur has this set of symptoms:

First: “Seems stupid, senseless, confused, avoids conversation."

Second: "Dulness, difficult, misplaces or cannot find proper words when talking
or writing."
19

SULPHUR

Third: "Indisposed to everything; work; pleasure; talking or motion; indolence of


mind and body."

Fourth: "Too lazy to rouse himself and too unhappy to liver.

Fifth: "Hypochondriacal mood through the day, merry in the evening."

Sixth: "Hypochondriasis after suppressed eruptions."

Seventh: "Melancholy mood, dwelling on religious, or philosophical speculations;


anxious about his soul's salvation; 'ragged philosophers; dirty, scaly looking, lazy
acting; always inclined to brood and speculate or think, but not to work."

Such mind symptoms, when prominent, are great leaders to the right
remedy. For instance.

The suicidal tendency of Aurum.

The haughtiness and pride of Platina.

Tearfulness of Pulsatilla.

The loquacity of Stramonium.

Taking these symptoms of Sulphur and massing them indicates a condition of


mind, which. summed up in one word, would spell hypochondriasis.

Now let us see what remedies have been found particularly useful in this mental
disease.

Turning to Knerr's Repertory, we have double-barred: Aurum, which is suicidal.


20

SULPHUR

Cactus, with heart disease.

Natrum mur, with different complaints, but, notably in old malarial subjects who
have been abused by Quinine.

Nux vomica and Anacardium, with gastric, liver and heamorrhoidal troubles.

Pulsatilla, with nervousness, tearfulness and menstrual irregularities.

Conium, with sexual excess or abstemiousness.

Staphisagria, self-abuse and mind dwelling too much on sexual subjects.

These are only leaders to a more thorough study for the complete picture in any
case where the similimum is to be chosen. And these are only a few of the
remedies that might be studied, but very important ones.
For instance, the Aurum mood might be found in connection with liver or uterine
disease, and here the combination of gold and salt, Aurum muriaticum
natronatum, is well worthy of our attention. I have seen remarkably good results
from it, and Cactus is not the only remedy having marked lowness of spirits with
heart disease; but Sulphur must be especially remembered in connection with
each and all of these remedies as the great anti-psoric. for it may, along that line,
itself, cure- the case alone, or help out the other seemingly indicated remedy.
This is not only so in mind diseases, but in all others
21

SULPHUR

Nearly forty years ago I cured a chronic case of gastritis of fourteen year's
standing. Many remedies, good, bad, and indifferent, had been tried. I was the
tenth physician in the case. My first preceptor, Sir George Roberts, of Greene, N.
Y., who was the last before me, had so far relieved her that she could take and
retain graham bread and milk to keep her from actual starvation. There had been a
lime that she could only retain a few drops of milk, except as she was sustained
by rectal alimentation. Sulphur 200th restored an eczema behind her ears and
upon the nape of the neck, which had been suppressed with an ointment, and was
followed by the stomach trouble.

Sulphur has another frame of mind quite characteristic, as expressed in the words:

"Foolish happiness and pride; thinks himself in possession of beautiful things;


even rags seem beautiful."

"Fantastic illusions; monomania, fancies."

We might go through a long list of remedies, having illusions of various kinds.


Here are a few of them:

Baptisia. — "Thinks he is scattered about, cannot get the pieces together."

Petroleum. — "Thinks he is double, or that some one is in the bed with him or
that one limb is double.

Lachesis. — "'Thinks he is dead and wants to be buried."

Calcarea ost. — "Thinks she is, or will become insane, and that other people will
observe her and think her insane.
22

SULPHUR

Has horrid visions every time he closes his eyes.

Platina -"Thinks she is a queen or some superior person. Looks down upon
others; even objects seem small to her."

Hyoscyamus.-'"Men appear as boys" (that is not always an illusion).

Cannabis Indica.-"A few rods seem an immense distance."

Lac caninum.-"Thinks all she says is a lie" (it may be in some cases).

Natrum mur, — "Delusion of robbers in the house, hard to convince her to the
contrary, awakens with such delusion."

Anacardium. — “As if he had two wills, one commanding what the other
forbids."

Here are twelve delusions belonging to as many different remedies, and they have
all been verified by cures. There are many more and Hahnemann made no mistake
when he estimated mind symptoms of first importance.

We must now leave this part of our subject and proceed to an examination and
comparison of the leading or characteristic symptoms of Sulphur under the
different rubrics of the schema adopted by the master, and so we come to the.

HEAD

"Heat on top of head, flushes in the face, feet cold."


23

SULPHUR

This is only one instance of the power of this remedy to cause and cure local
congestions, and a chronic tendency thereto. In other words, it seems to have the
power to equalize the circulation in persons subject to such local congestions or
inflammations. These either acute or chronic congestions may manifest
themselves in boils, swellings, felons, abdominal or portal congestions, and
inflammations (and here it is especially indicated if caused by suppressed
haemorrhoids). Congestions of the head may result from the same cause ; the
chest may become congested when there is great difficulty of breathing, feels so
oppressed that he wants doors and windows open ; this rush of blood seems to fill
the whole chest and the heart feels as it too full, palpitates and labors as if trying
to rid itself of a burden ; the orifices of the body are red, as if pressed full of blood
; the lips are red as vermilion ; ears very red ; eyelids red ; anus red ; urethra red;
all these are manifest indications for Sulphur. , Especially is this true if these
symptoms are consequent upon the suppression or retrocession of some eruption
of the skin. Now, what other remedies may be compared as having especial power
over congestions prone to localize. Notably—

Ferrum. — Especially in anaemic persons who flush easily and intensely in the
face and are subject to sudden and severe congestions to lungs, head, or other
organs, and especially if strongly disposed to haemorrhages. This is especially
true of Ferrum Phos., both the elements of this remedy have the congestive and
haemorrhagic power; the lips and other mucous surfaces, unlike Sulphur, are
generally pale and
24

SULPHUR

bloodless. Aside from the congestions, which come in spells, Belladonna seems
intent on pumping everything movable into the head, with its purple red face,
blood-shot eyes, and throbbing carotids, and, notwithstanding, Belladonna
congests the pelvis, lungs, and other organs as well as local inflammations, as
boils and inflammatory swellings of all kinds, even rheumatic, yet the symptoms
of the head above enumerated must be present to strongly indicate the remedy
especially in acute affection.

Melilotus. —Comes very near to Belladonna so far as head symptoms are


concerned, and has very strongly the modality, amelioration from nosebleed. This
remedy when better understood, will cover a wide range of usefulness.

Glonoin. — Was well known to us in its action on the circulation in head and
heart long before the allopaths had dreamed, of it. Now they are abusing it, as
they do all remedies of which they know anything, because they ignore our law to
guide them in its use.

Aconite. — Congests the chest, heart and respiratory organs as positively as do


Belladonna, Melilotus and Glonoin the head, and has positive symptoms to
diagnose it from other remedies.

Cactus grand. — With its constricting sensations it is also a remedy causing and
curing local congestions, especially when connected with heart troubles.
25

SULPHUR

Sepia. — In chronic affections comes nearer Sulphur, perhaps, than any other
remedy, but notwithstanding its frequent flushings, so like those of Sulphur,
centralizes its action in female pelvic organs in a way that makes it a boon to both
the women that suffer that way and the physician who is trying to relieve or cure
them.

The next head symptom of Sulphur to which we call attention is:

"Pressing Pain in vertex as from a weight on top of the brain,"

This kind of pain is found under Cactus, and is again found in persons suffering
with heart troubles, cerebral congestions, profuse epistaxis, haemorrhages from
anus, haemoptysis or haematemesis.

In any haemorrhages in connection with heart (especially organic) troubles think


of Cactus. The presence of this vertex pain is additional indication for its use.

Lachesis — Weight and pressure on vertex, also heat. This occurs frequently at
the climacteric, for which this is so excellent a remedy.

Naja. — Weight and pressure on vertex, with cold feet and flushes in face. This
may come with weak heart, whether as sequelae of diphtheria or otherwise.

Crotalus.—Pressure and heavy pain on top of head from 6 A.M. till evening
26

SULPHUR

Here are three serpent poisons, all of them having a well-known depression of the
action of the heart, and also the vertex pain and pressure.

Lycopodium. - Has pressing headache on vertex aggravated from 4 to 8 P.M.,


from stooping, lying down and exerting the mind, followed by great weakness.

Lachesis and Lycopodium complement or follow each other well.

Gelsemium.—Pressure on vertex so great as to extend into shoulders, head feels


heavy. Now look at the action of Gelsemium on the heart: "Heart's action slow
and feeble, beats cannot be felt." "A peculiar action of the heart, as though it
attempted its beat, which it failed fully to accomplish, the pulse intermitting each
time; aggravated especially when lying on left side." "Fears that unless constantly
on the move her heart will cease beating, with fear of death."

It will be noticed that all these remedies, producing in a great degree that vertex
pain or pressure, corroborate the statement made under Cactus, viz., that it is
frequently-found in connection with heart troubles, and is confirmed by curing
such conditions.

"Brain affections of children, who do not like to be washed, have pimples, boils
and other eruptions on the head, face and everywhere, pick at the nose, have red
lips, crave sour things, feel faint in the forenoon, may have diarrhoea early in
27

SULPHUR

the morning, sleep restless, start m hen falling asleep (Bell.) cry out during sleep
(Cina), or murmur, moan, whine or snore ; feet cold in the morning and hot in the
evening ; they run about, but do not like to stand; sit hunched and walk stooping".
— Guiding Symptoms.

Why this group of well-known characteristics should have been thus massed and
double-barred by Hering is not easy to understand, unless it is a fact that
sometimes they may be found in such a combination in children suffering from
brain affections. Indeed, I have seen some cases that manifested several of them
where Sulphur accomplished much. However, it must not be supposed that it
is necessary for all these symptoms to be present to make a good case for
Sulphur. There may be only one or two of them present in a case and other
symptoms of the remedy, not here mentioned, come in to make a very good case.
If we could only make our cases “to order," what a beautiful time we would have
in "spotting" the similimum. But we cannot. The cases come to us God given, like
our relatives, and we can't help it. But while only few cases come that we can
cover in every symptom with any one remedy, yet they do come in such form
that many times they will present several symptoms that are peculiar to both
disease and drug so that a choice is possible, and the result justifies it.
Mathematical precision is not possible in the art of prescribing, but with our law
of cure to guide us we may come much nearer to it than those who have no law.
28

SULPHUR

EYES

In studying the eye of Sulphur we are overwhelmed at first sight with the array of
symptoms recorded. Alien"? "Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica" uses over
six pages of closely printed matter in the record of eye symptoms alone. Hering's
"Guiding symptoms," seven. In Alien's over forty symptoms are dignified with
the dress of black-faced type, while many more are starred or italicized. This
would provoke an incredulous smile on the face of one who did not understand
our system.

Let us examine a little closer. In over one-quarter of the leading symptoms the
characteristic burning of Sulphur, upon which we placed so much stress in the
beginning of this study, is present. This action on the eyes goes to prove the
genuineness of this almost universal sensation. The other great subjective
symptom, viz., itching, is also found present almost as many times, proving its
right to be termed the King of Antipsorics, The sensation of dryness of the
mucous surfaces of the ball and lids, as if the parts rubbed against each other, or
of sand or grit in the eye, is also a marked symptom, The dimness of vision of
different shades and intensity is also to be marked. Redness of the eyes, and
especially of the eyelids, corresponding to the redness of all the orifices, already
noticed, is here markedly present. In the light of such study the incredulous smile
fades away, and the conviction of truth forcing itself upon the honest investigator,
changes the expression into one of thoughtfulness. But here we must not forget
that although the eye
29

SULPHUR

symptoms in themselves are very important the choice of the remedy rests not in
them alone, but the whole patient in his totality must be considered in making the
homoeopathic prescription. Indeed, notwithstanding all these symptoms of the
eye, both caused and cured by Sulphur, I am quite sure we are oftener led to its
use in eyes as well as other local manifestations by psoric, constitutional and other
general indications than by the local symptoms. This, being true, goes to illustrate
the genius of our system of therapeutics, which treats patients instead of so-called
disease.
We will now, for a few moments, compare some of the remedies having similar
action on the eyes. First those that covers the sensation of burning.

Allium cepa.—"Burning, biting and smarting of the eyes as if from smoke, wants
to rub them."

We all know that this is generally in connection with acute coryza, where there is
also much lachrymation, sneezing and watery discharge, for which this remedy is
so useful.

Apis mellifica. —"Burning, stinging, shooting pains." This combination is found


in conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc., and especially when conjoined with erysipelas or
oedematous swelling of the lids. We need not dwell long upon this. Every
physician, general as well as special, knows the virtues of Apis here.

Arsenicum album. — Is not surpassed by any remedy for this sensation, either
local or general, but there is one thing
30

SULPHUR

that marks it here, as else-where, viz., the burning is ameliorated by heat, and is
aggravated at night, especially at 1 to 3 A.M. Apis and Pulsatilla, on the other
hand, are ameliorated by cold.

Belladonna.-Has burning in the eyes and as a marked accompaniment a sensation


of dryness similar to that in the throat, so characteristic of this remedy. The pains,
like those of the head, are aggravated by lying down. It is oftener found useful in
acute affections.

Pulsatilla. - Has burning, itching in the eyes, aggravated in the evening,


ameliorated in the open air and by cold applications.

Euphrasia.-Has much burning in the eyes, with acrid, and frequently, profuse
lachrymation, it is in other ways a great eye remedy when indicated.

Alumina, Carbo veg., Conium, Natrum mur., Causticum, Ruta and Zincum might
be added without giving special indications.

To give all the remedies in the repertories that have this symptom in lesser degree
would be more confusing thaw helpful.

Remedies comparing with the of Sulphur are.

Pulsatilla.-Again, which has “Itching and burning aggravated in the evening,


ameliorated in the open air."
31

SULPHUR

This itching and burning of Pulsatilla is in both the eyes and lids and the
discharges, if any, are not, as a rule, excoriating like those of Arsenicum and
Euphrasia. There is also a tendency to styes with this remedy.

Alumina—Is a remedy that certainly ought not to be omitted, especially as it has


all three of the subjective symptoms so strongly pronounced under. Sulphur, viz.,
itching, dryness and burning; not only this, but the eyelids thicken, become
granular, and sometimes agglutinate at night (Puls.).

This condition of the eyes and lids, especially in chlorotic or anaemic subjects, is
a strong indication for the remedy.

Argentum metal.—Has violent itching in the corners of the eyes in blepharitis.

Mangan acet.-With which in the 200th I greatly benefited a chronic case, where
the sense dryness was very persistent and distressing, is also to be remembered.

DIMNESS OF VISION

as expressed in the words, "as of smoke, a veil, fog," etc., we have among others,
markedly.

Causticum.—"As of a fog or veil."

Cina. - "As if looking through gauze, ameliorated by wiping the eyes."


32

SULPHUR

Santonine, — Is said in several cases to have caused cataract.

Cyclamen. — Smoke, fog, veil, colors, flickering especially on waking in the


morning and with headache. It is especially to be remembered in anaemic women,
who have Pulsatilla symptoms, but are ameliorated in warm air instead of cold.

Gelsemium. - Dimness, with vertigo, drooping of the eyelids, after diphtheria


(paralysis of accommodation.).

Lycopodium.—"Vision dim, sees only left half of objects."

Pulsatilla. — "Like a veil, ameliorated by rubbing the eyes or wiping them,


aggravated in evening."

Of course, the pathological condition, whether of cataract, retinitis, albuminuria,


paralysis, etc., must be considered, both for prescribing, and especially for
diagnosis and prognosis. This goes without saying with all scientific physicians.

EARS

Sulphur has "Roaring in the ears for several days. Roaring in the ears in the
evening in bed, with rush of blood to the head."

Other remedies having, prominently, roaring, or noises in the ears are—

Causticum.—Which has "persistent roaring in the ears; words and steps re-echo in
the head," I think it
33

SULPHUR

is more frequently found in rheumatic subjects than elsewhere, though it may be


purely nervous.

China.-We all know of the noises, from roaring to fine ringing, in the ears of this
drug. It may occur in connection with profuse haemorrhage especially flooding,
or in subjects so depleted; acute or chronic effects, or as a consequence of the
abuse of its alkaloid. It is often an accompaniment of hard hearing from the same
cause.

Graphites. - Has humming or roaring in the ears; hearing is better in a noise, like
riding in a carriage or the hum of machinery.

Phosphoric acid. Deafness and roaring in the ears, in nervous debility or in


onanists.

Petroleum. Pain in the Eustachian tubes, with roaring ringing or cracking. Both
Petroleum and Graphites are prone to eruptions or eczemas in and around the
ears.

Kali phos... Roaring in the ears from nervous exhaustion.

Salicylic acid or Salicylate of Sodium have great roaring in the ears, but for lack
of proving their exact place is not yet known.

DEAFNESS
(Sulphur)

"Deafness, especially for the voice, from repeated catarrhs."


34

SULPHUR

This is, of course, the natural consequence of imperfect recovery from the attacks,
and if the Sulphur was oftener given in the role of its capacity of an absorbent, or,
as old Father Hering used to call it, "a finisher" of the case, there would be fewer
intractable or incurable cases of this kind. We shall say more of this property of
Sulphur when we come to "tissues."

Other remedies called to mind for deafness are, in those cases caused by repeated
attacks of catarrhs or colds: Pulsatilla, if at the same time there is the
characteristic nasal or bronchial catarrh of this remedy; Mercury. especially Merc,
dulc, if the Eustachian tube is involved; also Kali muriaticum and Graphites Of
course, other indications will decide between them.

For deafness remaining as sequelae of measles we often have to choose from such
remedies as Pulsatilla, Carbo vegetabilis or Mercurius sol. Scarlatina:
Belladonna Hepar sulph, Lycopodium or Nitric acid. Always in prescribing for
such a case a history of the original disease will help to the choice of the remedy.
Was it of the old Sydenhamian type, with red, smooth skin, etc.? Then
Belladonna will most likely be the remedy. If it was of the vesicular variety with
typhoid symptoms, Rhus tox.

For congestive hardness of hearing, Belladonna, Sulphur, Silicea and Nux vomica.
Especially after the suppression of ulcers or discharges, Arsenicum, Sulphur,
Causticum, with hypertrophy of the tonsils, Baryta, Mercury and Nitric acid.
35

SULPHUR

Many other things might be mentioned as causing, or complicating deafness; or


some peculiar symptom, such as the hardness of hearing, especially of the human
voice of Phosphorus, or the hearing better in a noise of Graphites. But we notice
that in the repertories in all these phases, Sulphur is apt to be seen, and it is true
that it will oftener be found useful than any other one remedy. There are two
reasons for this, viz., badly treated or unfinished cases of acute disease and psoric
complications.

OTITIS
(Sulphur)

"Especially where other remedies fail in psoric cases" with general Sulphur
symptoms. Also Otorrhoea.

Again, "in psoric patients with tendency to skin eruption coryza, and cerebral
congestion from a furuncle in meatus ; in children who suddenly cry out with pain
while they appear listless and unobservant; and, where it seems doubtful, whether
the irritation is in the brain or intestinal canal; in meningitis or eruptive fever ;
extending to head and throat ; lancinating, stinging and tearing in ear aggravated
by disturbance, musical sounds, and all noises, and human voice is heard
imperfectly ; chronic with a purulent discharge."

Here is another of Hering’s groupings doubled-barred. In reading these in the


“Guiding Symptoms,” it is to b remembered that the colon or semicolon takes the
place of the word that leads at the beginning of the group.
36

SULPHUR

This saves space and shows that each paragraph between these punctuation marks
is to be read separately. I take occasion to explain this for the benefit of those who
may not understand, or be Jed into the error of supposing that all must be found in
a case to make Sulphur the similimum. Taking the indication—"in psoric subjects,
etc;" we have tried to insist upon the importance of the word indicated antipsoric,
according to the general manifestation of psora in the preceding pages.

Taking the next indication, "in children who suddenly cry out with pain,''' etc., we
will first call attention by comparison to Apis mellifica, which cannot be
overestimated in any stage of meningeal irritation or inflammation, and our
records of so many cures by this remedy. Cina has the sudden crying out, and it is
not always easy to tell where the pain is, especially in young children, but other
Cina or Apis symptoms will often appear to help us to make the choice. In ear
troubles the little patients will often throw their hands to the ear. This is not
always so, and otitis has been mistaken for brain trouble. Of course, if in con-
junction with meningitis or exanthemata, no one would forget Sulphur, and there
are few, if any, such troubles where it will not help the other remedies.

Every homoeopathist of experience knows of the other remedies for inflammation


of the external or internal ear, such as Aconite when it is the result of exposure to
cold, dry winds, with the characteristic fever, restlessness, anxiety and
lancinating pains ; or Belladonna when the throbbing
37

SULPHUR

carotids, delirium, semi-stupor with twitching, and the paroxysmal character of


the pains, coming and going suddenly, etc., are present; Mercurius with creeping
chilliness, indicating the formation of pus, and the characteristic mouth
symptoms, and sweat without relief; Hepar sulphur, if suppuration is imminent or
impossible to prevent, the person or part is very sensitive, to touch, and weakness
or fainting with the pain.

"Ears very red (with or without swelling and burning)”.


Not only the meatus, in common with redness of all the orifices, but redness of
the whole ear in keeping with local congestion generally.

Causticum. — Comes nearest to Sulphur in this general external redness of the


ears. The ears are what we might call habitually red, unnaturally so, and they burn
as with Sulphur.

Agaricus. - Has redness, burning and itching of the ears, as if they had been
frozen, like chilblains.

Apis mellifica....The ears are swollen, red, sting and burn. The redness and
swelling is decidedly oedematous; of an erysipelatous character.

China off.—Tearing pains in the ears aggravated upon least touch or lying on it.
Ear red.

Pulsatilla. —In otitis externa, when the external ear is very red and swollen.
38

SULPHUR

NOSE
(Sulphur)

"Smells of old catarrh," -'Frequent sneezing," ''Redness and swelling" are


symptoms that appear under this remedy, but are not set down as characteristic, so
that the leading symptoms for Sulphur in a case would have to be found elsewhere
than in the nose.

FACE
(Sulphur)

"Comedones, black pores of the skin particularly in the face."

"Bright, vermilion redness of lips, particularly children; the lips seem as if pressed
full of blood."

These are strong indications for Sulphur, the other general symptoms
corresponding.

Graphites. — May be better in Graphites subjects, especially where there is the


moist, glutinous eruption in other parts of the body.

The redness of the lips of Sulphur is not equaled by any other remedy.

Arum triphyllum.—The lips are very red, raw, cracked and bleeding, but it is not
so much a constitutional condition as it is an accompaniment of acute diseases
like scarlatina, typhoid, etc.
39

SULPHUR

MOUTH AND THROAT


(Sulphur)

1. "Tongue white with red tip and edges."

Arsenicum has red edges of tongue, taking imprint of the teeth.

Chelidonium also, but with this remedy there is generally yellow coating instead
of white.

2. Stomachache and aphthae.


The aphthae or stomachache is nothing very peculiar but if other remedies like
Mercurius, Borax, Hydrastis, etc., fail, there is reason to suspect psoric
complication, which Sulphur may remedy, either curing the patient or assisting
the other remedies.

3. Sore throat with great burning and dryness, first, right, and then left side.

This sore throat is often of the recurrent type, and if the burning is markedly
present, may decide between Sulphur and Lycopodium, the latter also a well-
known right-sided sore throat remedy.

APPETITE AND STOMACH


(Sulphur)

Faintness or great hunger and weak, gone feeling at stomach at 11 a.m.


40

SULPHUR

This is very characteristic and is distinguished from other remedies having the
same or similar sensation by the exact time of occurrence, 11 A.M.

Other remedies having strongly a similar sensation are

Iodine. — And the patient is ameliorated by eating, especially while eating.


Wants to eat all the time and still emaciates all the time. It is especially useful in
brunettes.

China offic.—Is hungry and satisfied alternately.

Lycopodium. — Y&-hungry, but the first few mouthfuls fill him up; the alternate
satiety is also Lycopodium.

Cina. - Also wants everything in sight one day and nothing the next (nursing
children).

Ignatia.—.The weak, empty gone feeling is not connected with any vagaries of
appetite or digestion, but is a purely nervous or hysterical manifestation (hence
eating does not relieve it). Both it and Sepia are in connection with uterine
troubles ; the former with what might be termed hysteralgia, or irritable condition
of the womb and general nervous system ; the latter with a generally relaxed or
prostrated state, as' shown' by the bearing down, prolapsus and generally
weakened slate.

Phosphorus.—Has this weak, gone or empty feeling very markedly and the
sensation extends throughout the whole abdomen aggravated by night; must get
up and eat something.
41

SULPHUR

Hydrastis.-Has the goneness very strongly and in various affections even


carcinoma. I believe if given early and not too high it may prevent cancerous
ulcerations or degeneration of gastric affections into the malignant form.

The second symptom:

2. “Drinks much, eats little" might be criticized, for there are many remedies that
have thirst without appetite, especially in acute inflammatory diseases, but with
Sulphur the thirst, as compared with the appetite, is a chronic state so positive as
to be very important. It is especially so in marasmic states and it may be the
diagnostic between it and Natrum muriaticum, which has both thirst and appetite
in excess, for with Natrum mur. "He emaciates even while living well."

The third symptom:

3. "Desires sweets and candies," is surpassed by Argentum nitricum, which is


irresistible in the desire for sugar. China officinalis and Lycopodium also have it
strongly.

In regard to the desire for alcoholics (No. 4) Galivardin claims to have cured
many apparently hopeless cases of drunkenness with Sulphur 1m., and why
shouldn't it, for the sinking, empty, or all-gone sensation is a common symptom
in the dyspepsia of drunkards. Sulphuric acid, Asarum europoeum and
Medorrhinum may also be remembered in this connection.
42

SULPHUR

Nux vomica is useful for the effects of brandy drinking: Kali bichromicum for
beer drinking; Sulph and Sul. ac. for whiskey drinking: of course the symptoms
indicating, which is apt to be the case, being present.

ABDOMEN
(Sulphur)

"Inflammation of the abdomen with wind; rumbling and gurgling in bowels."

"Emission of flatus, especially in the evening and night; having the odour of bad
eggs."

"Rumbling and gurgling in the bowels; painless diarrhoea, driving the patient out
of bed at 5 a.m."

"Big belly and emaciated limbs; children who dislike to be washed."

"Portal stasis, heamorrhoidal congestion, constipation," etc.

This list of symptoms is selected not to represent that it by any means exhausts
the abdominal symptoms of this great remedy, but to bring out one important
feature in its action, viz.: That in a general way Sulphur is to be classed high, as
one of our leading flatulent remedies. It ranks with Carbo vegetabilis,
Chamomilla, Cinchona, Lycopodium, Magnesia carbonica, Natrum sulphuricum
and Nux vomica and Asafoetida.
43

SULPHUR

To know that all these are preeminently flatulent remedies goes but a little way
toward enabling us to use them to advantage in curing the sick. This is only one
feature in which they resemble each other. It still remains to differentiate between
them. Let us try.

Carbo vegetabilis. — The flatulence collects more in the upper part of the
abdomen and in the stomach, causing gastralgia, the wind mainly all pressing
upwards (Asafoetida, hysterical cases). It is often associated with acidity, or
pyrosis. It is a dyspeptic remedy. The stomach is easily disordered by various
things and this flatulent condition is the consequence. It is especially useful for
disorders arising after fat foods, pastries, etc, which Pulsatilla fails to, relieves and
follows well after it.

Chamomilla... Called by Hempel "the catnip of Homoeopathy," finds-its place


oftenest in the flatulence of children. "Wind colic," abdomen distended like a
drum, wind passing in small quantities without relief, ameliorated by warm
clothes. This is very often found in the entero-colitis of children ; when there are
with the very painful colic, green watery, corroding stools, like chopped eggs ;
hot, smelling like rotten eggs, etc. The mad, ugly disposition is generally present
in Chamomilla colic, whether it occurs in connection with diarrhoea of children,
in bilious colic, menstrual, or in labour pains. In fact, the mental condition is its
strongest diagnostic.

Cinchona officinalis...-No remedy is more flatulent. It seems as if the abdomen


was “packed full” and eructations afford no relief.
44
SULPHUR

With Carbo veg. and Asafoetida the pressure is upward, with Lycopodium and
Nux vomica downward, but with the Cinchona the pressure is both ways. Splenic
and liver engorgement or hypertrophy is often present to complicate and
aggravate. Fermentation, slow digestion, dyspepsia is commonly present and
periodicity is frequently a marked element in the case. The patient is aggravated
every other day, oftener than with any of the other remedies. This state will often
be associated with weakened vitality consequent upon haemorrhages or other
losses of vital fluids.

Teas, fruit, milk, particularly cause, or aggravate.

Lycopodium. This remedy, classed in the trio of flatulent remedies in "Leaders


in Horn. Therapeutics" is not one "whit" behind the others. The pressure 'is
downward toward the rectum, and only exceptionally upward. The flatulence is
generally accompanied with constipation with ineffectual urging to stool, like
Nux vomica, but the stool is prevented by spasmodic constriction of the anus. This
constriction may also follow an evacuation and is sometimes very painful.
Urinary or liver complications are as common with this remedy as are splenic and
hepatic with China. Lithiasis in greater or less degree is almost always present
with this remedy. The 4 P.M. aggravation is almost positive indication for its
use.

Magnesia carbonica....Stands nearest to Chamomilla in flatulent colic, green


stools, and in children; but the
45

SULPHUR

stools are more of the mucous variety, like green scum on a frog pond, and the
pains are ameliorated by the stool, like Nux vomica. Again the stools or
eructations may be sour, like Calcarea ost. and Rheum, or like the latter remedy
the whole child smells sour.

Natrum sulphuricum....''Guiding symptoms" puts it : "Abdominal flatulence ;


much rolling and rumbling, incarcerated especially in the right side ; collects at
night, causing great pain; grumbling and rolling with sudden pinches, as after a
purgative; then diarrhoea; loud rumbling followed by very foetid flatus; after
confinement; cutting pains with congestion of liver; tearing pains around the
umbilicus; aggravated before breakfast." As I have said before, each paragraph
between the semicolons must be read with "Abdominal flatulence" preceding it.

The diarrhoeic tendency is as strong or even stronger with Natrum sulphuricum


than with any other in this list of flatulent remedies. With this remedy, instead of
driving out of bed at 5 A.M., like Sulphur, the diarrhoea, while worse in the
morning, comes only when the patient begins to move around. Nux vomica,
closing our list, is particularly adapted to persons of the well known habits and
temperament of that remedy. The flatulent conditions are mostly associated with
constipation, with the frequent ineffectual desire for stool. The flatulent colic is as
if the bowels, bladder and rectum were pressed upon. The aggravations are after
eating and drinking and in the morning.
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SULPHUR

As regards symptom for "big belly," etc., it means chronic cases in children
generally termed scrofulous. Hering has linked to this pathological condition —
"in those who dislike to be washed or bathed," and it is a valuable diagnostic, but
the symptoms—"drinks much, eats little, red lips and orifices, flashes of fever,
skin eruptions," etc., are just as much so, and all together complete the picture of
the Sulphur case. Other remedies having the "large belly" in such subjects are

Baryta carb., Calcarea ost., Sepia and Silicea. Baryta — the children are
dwarfish? Mind and body weak, marasmic, swollen glands especially mesenteric,
inclined to tonsillitis, taking cold easily, etc. Calc. ost., while having many of the
symptoms of Baryta, differs entirely from the others in its Leucophlegmatic
temperament, "Fair, Fat and Flabby,’ is Calcarea and irregular bone development
is phenomenal. Sweaty head, open fontanelles, etc. We cannot do better here than,
to quote from "Leaders" as follows:

"Mal-nutrition is one of the disorders calling for the exhibition of this remedy."

'Tardy development of the bony tissues with lymphatic enlargements."

"Curvature of the bones; especially spine and long bones."

"Extremities deformed, crooked,"


47

SULPHUR

"Softening of the bones; fontanelles remain open too long and skull very large."

These symptoms are quoted from "Hering's Guiding Symptoms," and show the
lack of, or imperfect, nutrition of bones. They are nourished irregularly, or
unevenly. One part of a bone, the vertebrae for instance, is nourished, while the
other is starved. While all this irregular bone development is going on the soft
parts are suffering from over-nutrition. Thus we have recorded in the
pathogenesis: "Tendency to obesity, especially in children and young people."

"Nutrition impaired, with tendency to glandular enlargements."

"Granular vegetations; polypus (in nose, ear, bladder, uterus, etc.).

This is a fair picture of the general or constitutional use of Calcarea ost., and it
remains to give some of the characteristic or peculiar symptoms guiding to its
selection.

When writing of Sulphur we called particular attention to the sensation of burning


under that remedy. Calcarea has characteristically the opposite, viz., Coldness.

"Cold, damp feet."

"Sensation in feet and legs as if she had on cold, damp stockings.


48

SULPHUR

"Coldness of legs with night sweats,"

"Internal and external sensation of coldness of various parts of head as if a piece


of ice were lying against it ; with pale puffed face."

"She feels a sort of inward coldness."

"Aversion to open air, the least cold air goes right through her."

All this is so directly opposite to Sulphur that any confusion between them seems
impossible.

This is, of course, not all that may come into the Calcarea case, but it would be a
very poor prescriber that would be at loss between Sulphur and Calcarea ost.

Silicea is just as positive in its general make up, for it, ''Silicea," is another of our
invaluable constitutional remedies, and also one which is of little or no use except
as developed by Hahnemann's process of potentization. Like Calcarea, it is
especially useful in sweaty headed children with defective assimilation. It is not in
the fat, torpid, obesic patients; over-nourished in one part and insufficiently so in
another, like Calcarea, that Silicea is indicated, but the over-sensitive, imperfectly
nourished (generally), not from want of food but from imperfect assimilation. The
Silicea child is not larger ' anywhere than natural except in its "big belly," which
is due to diseased mesentery. Its limbs are
49

SULPHUR

shrunken, its eyes sunken and its face pinched and old looking. It does not
increase in size or strength, learns to walk late ; in short, if not actually sick in
bed, everything seems to have come to a standstill so far as growth or
development is concerned. Now if this state of things continues the
bowels become very constipated, and a peculiar constipation it is too. The
little fellow strains and strains the stool partly protruding and then slipping back,
as though the general weakness of the patient affected the expulsive
power of the rectum, or else the bowels become very persistently
loose, especially during dentition or the hot weather of summer. The
stools are changeable, but Pulsatilla does no good, almost every kind and color of
loose stool appearing. The child takes nourishment enough but, whether vomited
or retained, goes on emaciating and growing weaker and weaker until it dies of
inanition, unless Silicea checks this process. Many such cases have I saved with
this remedy and made them healthy children. I have always used the 30th and
upwards, hence cannot speak of the lower preparation." (Leaders).

Sepia - Is one of the "pot bellied" remedies, but it is found oftener indicated in
adult women than elsewhere though there are children who may need it, for they
are pale, yellow faced, and even in exceptional cases, moth-patched. Though they
are not far enough along to present the portal stasis that goes with the uterine
symptoms, of the Sepia woman. One of the characteristic symptoms for its use in
children is the enterocolitis which is intolerant of milk.
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SULPHUR

Portal stasis (No. 5) is merely a leader to a pathological condition that may be


found under many remedies, and even the "with indigestion, constipation etc.”
does not better it much for purposes of prescribing. For portal stasis with
indigestion is found just as strongly under such remedies as China, Nux vomica,
Pulsatilla and Lycopodium and several other remedies, and with constipation we
might add to these such as Bryonia, Antimony, Natrum mur„ and others. We
might also have put into this group of portal stasis complaints, those that are
connected with uterine troubles where Aloe, Sepia, etc., would claim recognition.
We must not stop to differentiate here, as the same diagnostics, and mode of
differentiation, and many of the same symptoms would be rehearsed as was done
under the head of the flatulent remedies and those of "big belly," for flatulence,
distention and indigestion all go more or less with porta. We will now go on to.

ANUS AND STOOL

Sulphur is here a very important remedy, not only in its specific action, but as a
"helper" to the curative powers of many other remedies. The first.

"Symptom we will take up is; "Diarrhoea after midnight, painless, driving out of
bed in the morning (5 A.M) as if the bowels were too weak to retain their
contents."

The other remedies having characteristically morning diarrhoea are.


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SULPHUR

Bryonia, Natrum sulph, Phosphorus, Podophyllum and Rumex. Bryonia true to its
general modality, "aggravated on motion," is here the same, and it is also
aggravated in hot weather.

Natrum sulph. is also aggravated as soon as the patient begins to move in the
morning, and it is generally accompanied with much flatulence.

Phosphorus is more apt to be chronic and in persons of phthisical tendencies.

Podophyllum hangs out longer into the forenoon, and is apt to be in conjunction
with liver troubles; prolapsus ani is a frequent accompaniment.

Rumex has dark or brown watery stools in the morning and is also liable to be
associated with the dry tickling cough to characteristic of this remedy.

Second - Now the kinds and conditions of stool that may occur under Sulphur.

"Stools soft and very thin, frequent, pasty (Bapt, Gambog, Lept, Nat. sul, Pic.
ac.): semi-liquid, brown (Arn, Graph, Psor. Scill.); watery, fecal, green mucous
(Arg. nit.. Calc ph, Cham, Ipec, Mag. Carb, Merc. v.); bloody mucous {Ars.t
Caps., Coloc, Colch, Merc. cor., Merc. v., Nux vom.); undigested {China,
Oleander, Ferrum); frothy (Ipec, Mag. c); sour (Calc ost., Mag. carb, Rheum);
52

SULPHUR

changeable (Puls); fetid or putrid {Asaf, Bapt, Carb. Veg, Podo, Psorin, Graph.);
leaving green stain on diaper (Arg. nit); corrosive (Ars alb, Merc. v,); sometimes
painless [China, Ferr, Podo.); driving out of bed in the morning (Aloe, Psor,
Rumex) as if the bowels were too weak to retain their contents (Aloe). Now we
might mention other phases of anus and stool that are liable to occur under
Sulphur, but these are leading ones and show not only how widely useful this
remedy may be in and of itself, but also how often it may seem to help other
remedies having the same or similar symptoms. In these latter cases it will often
be found that a general psoric condition lies at the root of the evil, hindering the
action of the seemingly indicated remedy.

Third: The accompaniments occurring before, during and after stool are
important.

BEFORE STOOL

Sulphur has sudden and violent urging (driving out bed in the morning, without
pain).

The similar remedies are notably Aloes, perhaps as like Sulphur any remedy, for it
has not only the violent and quick and also the 5 o'clock time characteristic, but
the feeling of fulness and weight in the pelvis, as if the rectum were full of fluid,
which feels heavy as if it would drop out; and the feeling of weakness and loss of
power of sphincter ani; or sense of insecurity in the rectum, as if the stool would
escape when passing flatus is more prominent in Aloes than in Sulphur, or any
other remedy.
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SULPHUR

Cistus Can. has irresistible urging before stool, also Coloc, but here the cutting or
cramping colic is often present.

Gamboge has it with hot pinching through abdomen.

Of course the Mercuries, cor., viv. and sol., has it, and are almost always present
in dysentery.

Nux vom. also has it, but the urging is ineffectual, whether in light or loose
bowels.

Rheum has both the urging and colic. This latter remedy with Colocynth and
Falapa form a trio well worth comparing.

Sulphur also has cutting colic before stool, like Coloc, Gamb., Falapa, and Mag.
carb. and Mag phos.

DURING STOOL
Sulphur has prolapsus ani.
Other remedies having this markedly are Ignatia. This and the faint or gone
feeling at the stomach are about the only resemblances between the two
remedies and that of Sulphur occurs at 11 A.M. while that of Ignat. occurs any
time, is not ameliorated by eating, and generally in nervous hysterical persons.

Podophyllum has it markedly; and in cases of diarrhoea in the A.M, as well as


cramps in the calves, it resembles Sulphur.
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SULPHUR

It is sometimes difficult to choose between them and they complement each other
well.

Thrombid. may have it but it is more apt occur after the stool with the tenesmus.

AFTER STOOL

Sulphur has tenesmus especially in dysentery. Several remedies have this. Such as

Merc, viv., with its ''never get done feeling."

Merc. cor., before, during and after.

Colch., with its nausea at smell of cooking food.

Nux., with its ineffectual urging

Coloc, Gamboge. Nux vom. and Rhus tox., all have amelioration of the colic,
tenesmus and urging after a stool.

Excoriation about the anus is marked under Sulphur. This is in keeping with the
redness of all the orifices and is more on that account than of the acridity of the
stool itself.

The prolapsus ani which occurred during the stool lasts after.

One other and very characteristic symptom occurring under Sulphur is - the child
falls asleep as soon as the tenesmus ceases.
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SULPHUR

Colchicum is exactly similar and Nux moschata is remarkable not only for
drowsiness after stools, but generally.

Now we come to notice –

Sensations in the rectum and anus. Sulphur has markedly.

1. Burning (AEsc, Ars., Aloes, Berb, Caps., Carb. v., Graph., Iris., Nit. ac, Nux v.,
Sil.).

2. Itching (Ars., Aloes, Carb. v., Caust., Fluor ac, Graph., Lycop., Nit ac, Nux v.,
Puls.).

3. Pressing (even to bearing down). AEsc., Caust., Ign., Lil tig., Pod. (Lack., not
from stool).

4. Stitching, sometimes shooting upward (Ignat.), (aggravated evening, lying or


sitting), AEsc, Ars. Caust., Ign., Kal. c, Each., Sep., Sil, Nux v. (aggravated after
eating).

5. Crawling (AEsc, Ignat., Sabad., Teuc).

We notice that of all these five sensations occurring markedly under Sulphur only
one of these remedies named has them all, viz., AEsculus; but AEsculus has also
more markedly than Sulphur, or any other remedy, two other symptoms - severe
pain in the lumbar region aggravated by walking or stooping, and a sensation of
FULNESS in the rectum as if full of sticks, or foreign bodies. So there is not often
any excuse for confounding these two pile or anal remedies, and less still for
alternating them. There might be more difficulty in choosing between Aloes and
Sulphur
56

SULPHUR

for burning and itching inasmuch as both have both symptoms prominently, and
also A.M. diarrhoea, but the Aloes haemorrhoids are very large, prominent and
tender and are especially ameliorated by cold applications.

Arsenicum has the burning and stitching, which latter is sometimes compared to
red hot needles, but instead of being like Aloes ameliorated by cold, they are
ameliorated by warmth, or warm applications. There is also the characteristic
restlessness in Arsenic cases.

Nux vomica has four of the five sensations, and all but the crawling, but the Nux
case is almost always suffering from the characteristic frequent, ineffectual desire
for stool, and is generally aggravated after eating and in the A.M.

Causticum has three of the five and is one of our greatest anal remedies. It also
has a sensation of SORENESS or RAWNESS which is not surpassed by any
remedy. This is why the Causticum anus is so intolerably aggravated from
WALKING. This soreness or rawness is a general characteristic of Causticum. It
is found in throat, larynx, trachea, lungs, urethra and every other mucous
membrane as well as in the anus.

Graphites has the burning and itching and is generally eczemic, having the moist
glutinous discharge characteristic of the remedy everywhere,

Nitric acid has added to its burning and itching the cracks and rhagades common
in the mucous outlets and the great and long lasting pain after, even a soft, stool.
57

SULPHUR

And so we might go through the whole list we have named, as having one or more
characteristics in common with Sulphur.

For instance

Capsicum.—Burning in anus and urethra both, especially in dysentery.

Carb. veg. and Flour acid, with their varices which burn like fire.

Ignatia, with its sharp "shooting upward pains" given us by Carrol Dunham.

Iris, with its "twenty-five feet of intestinal burning" (Deschere).

Kali carb., stitching, in keeping with its stitching everywhere and we have not yet
mentioned the whole list of anal remedies, but these are noticed because having
prominently more or less resemblance in this one rubric to our great psoric
polychrest.

While we have already written of Sulphur in its relation to diarrhoeic troubles, it


also like many other remedies has its uses in the opposite condition, viz.
constipation. It is generally of the chronic kind, coming in haemorrhoidal and
hypochondriac person, in pregnant women and new born children, and often
alternates with diarrhoea and skin troubles.

This is much like Nux vomica, and the two remedies are complementary and
helpful to each other in such cases.
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SULPHUR

Sulphur sometimes has the frequent unsuccessful attempt or desire for stool like
Nux vom. Stools knotty, hard, dry as if, burnt like Bryon. (and here is another
remedy which works well with Sulphur). The shooting, burning, itching sore
pains are found here also.

Now we have said much about the wonderful action of this remedy on the
abdomen, intestines, rectum and anus and for fear undue prominence may be
given to the remedy for local troubles, we must enter our solemn protest against
such prescribing. The constitutional, psoric, concomitant, and symptoms remote
from these localities, as well as perhaps above all, the modalities, must receive
due consideration or many miserable failures and disappointments will be the sure
result. A suppressed eruption on the skin, acute or chronic, or the abuse of some
local application to haemorrhoids may be the leading indication for our remedy.

Upon the

URINARY ORGANS

We have very much the same phenomena as upon those over which we have just
passed.

Redness, burning and itching of the urethra, especially of the orifice, as of all
other mucous outlets so characteristic of Sulphur. So our drug comes to be a very
valuable one in all inflammations of the urinary tract, and especially in chronic
ones, or those complicated with psora. If Cannabis sat., Cantharis, Merc. sol. or
corrosivus, etc., do not promptly and
59

SULPHUR

satisfactorily act in your case of gonorrhoea look out for Sulphur. Of course, I
have not pretended to mention all the remedies that might be indicated in this so
common and sometimes intractable affection, but whatever the seemingly
indicated remedy, if it does not act, presumptively, psora is the obstacle and an
examination of the patient in all his case will confirm it. Hering gives: "Both flow
of urine and discharge of faeces are painful to the part over which they pass."

This, we repeat, is generally on account of the red, raw, or sore condition of the
parts rather than the quality of the discharges.

So far as the urine itself is concerned, we do not find our indications for Sulphur
there, so much as elsewhere.

Many cases of enuresis in Sulphur subjects have been cured by it. It has
succeeded with me as often as any one remedy. On the

MALE ORGANS

It is particularly useful in a state of weakness, as evidenced by "Involuntary


discharge of semen, testicles relaxed and hanging down and sweating of the
scrotum and between scrotum and thighs.

For this condition other remedies are Lycopodium, Selenium, Sepia, Staph, and
Thuja. We will not take the space here to individualize them.
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SULPHUR

They are all excellent and Sulph. may help each one.

Again as a general proposition in any affection, whether gonorrhoea], syphilitic or


psoric, if the chancre, urethra, or glans penis is excessively red with the burning,
soreness and itching of Sulphur present, it will be very strong indication for other
remedies that will enable us to do without it. Sulphur upon the

FEMALE ORGANS

In regard to the menstrual function it may be indicated in amenorrhoea,


dysmenorrhoea, menorrahgia or metrorrhagia, and the indications will generally
be found outside the local manifestations. This shows again how little names of
diseases have to do with the selection of the remedy for patients.

I want to call attention particularly to its great usefulness at the climacteric.

"Guiding symptoms" has it this way - Hot flushes at climacteric period," with hot
head, hands and feet, and great goneness in stomach.

Now Sepia has the flushes and goneness at the pit of the stomach as prominently
as Sulphur, but not the hot head, hands and feet in so marked degree. There are
many other points of resemblance between these two remedies for
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SULPHUR

this period, but the points of difference here are even more distinct. Of course, if
the hemorrhagic tendency, with the fulness of the pelvic organs, and distress from
any compression of the abdomen, aggravated after sleep and all temporarily
ameliorated by the flow, should appear in such a patient, Lachesis would
outweigh either of the two preceding remedies.

Again the choice might fall upon Glonoine, Sanguinaria, Amyl nit., Sulac, etc., all
having hot flushings at the climacteric, but there are few cases of this kind where
Sulphur will not at some stage of the game be of great value.

"Burning in the vagina, scarcely able to keep still”, is a valuable indication and
may come in connection with different pathological states. No remedy has it so
strongly. Of course cancerous affections might demand such remedies as
Arsenicum, Kreosot., or Phosphorus, but even here the burning could not surpass
that of Sulphur. The rest of the affections of the genitalia are so covered up with
the general indications of the remedy that it will be better to wait until we come to
other rubrics to give them, and we will pass on to —

RESPIRATORY ORGANS

Here there is no remedy more generally useful, or in a wider range of pathological


states. It is of course oftener found indicated in the second stage of inflammatory
affections of these organs and in lingering convalescence and
62

SULPHUR

chronic diseases, the outgrowth of such acute affections, badly treated or


obstructed by psora. Laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, incipient or
even well advanced phthisis; all find in Sulphur a powerful remedy. In pneumo-
nia it is, when used directly after Aconite or Bryonia have controlled the
congestive or active inflammatory symptoms, able to cut short the whole process,
preventing hepatization and promoting absorption of what little of the
products of inflammation are present. This I know from abundant experience and
observation. Unfortunately we are not often called in early enough to give our
patients the abortive treatment and as a consequence the case has to list of
remedies run through its stages, modified by the still very efficacious we have,
but even here, after Aconite, Ferr. phos., Bryon, Phos, Rhus tox. and other
remedies have performed according to indications their part of the cure, Sulphur
comes in beautifully to put on the "finishing touch" to clear up the case and
prevent chronic disease. It may even during the course of treatment of the above
remedies be interpolated with great advantage if the "seemingly indicated
remedy does not act satisfactorily." This is often found necessary where there is a
history of psora or psoric manifestations appear. But aside from psoric
complications, or in confirmation with it, this remedy is especially useful after the
stage of effusion has set in, or even later, when this stage is passed and the
results of the inflammatory process is to be gotten rid of, like exudations into the
serous sacs everywhere, or in the joints, etc. Many cases, and indeed most cases
of phthisis, may be prevented by a timely and skillful use of Sulphur at the end of
inflammatory diseases of the respiratory organs.
63

SULPHUR

Now I have written this in a general way without giving special indications for the
use of the remedy, because there are many symptoms liable to be found in such
cases that come within the range of Sulphur, and many of the most important ones
will lie entirely outside of the special chest or respiratory symptoms. I will give,
however, some of the "leading" symptoms in these organs such as "Oppression in
The chest with a sense of heaviness.”Feels suffocated, wants doors and windows
open, particularly at night;” "Sense of weakness in chest when talking" (Stann.);
"Stitches or shooting through left chest (upper) towards hack or into left
scapula (Myrtus com., Pix liq., Therid., Anise) aggravated by lying on back,
motion, or breathing deeply;" "Burning in chest rising to face;" "Great orgasm
of blood as of congestion to the chest, with burning in hands." These are a few
of its chest symptoms that are characteristic, but in the treatment of Sulphur cases
the fitful flushings of heat, the white coated tongue with red edges, the burning
feet and hands, the psoric constitution, and tendency to relapse, are fully as
important and as often if not often if not oftener found than the local
characteristics, and here I am led to remark that no man is imbued with the spirit
of Homoeopathy who is not on the alert to profit by the so-called
concomitants, aggravations and ameliorations in general that appear in the
course of any so-called disease. Having thus in a very general way spoken of the
action of Sulphur on the respiratory organs we come to notice some of the
characteristic symptoms of
64

SULPHUR

BACK AND EXTREMITIES

1. "Pain in the small of the back, could not walk erect, was obliged to walk
bent over; especially on rising from a seat.”

2. "Finds himself in the night lying on the back (Puls., with arms over the
head).

3. "Perspiration in the armpits offensive."

4. "Tremulous sensation in hands when writing, cold trembling hands;" or

5. "Burning hands."

6. Stiffness in knees and cracking, (Caust., Petrol.).

7. Cramps in calves, particularly at night; looseness of the bowels.

8. "Burning in feet, wants to find a cool place for them,


sticks them out of bed to cool them off"

These eight symptoms are all "leaders", and especially the last one, which will
appear in many complaints.

The elder Lippe related a case to me snowing how valuable is this indication. He
was called to a case or cardiac dropsy, where no less an authority than "Da
Costa." of Philadelphia, had in consultation pronounced the case hopeless. The
doctor (Lippe) was called in as a last resort and noticed that the patient had his
enormously swollen feet and legs uncovered on his foot rest.
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SULPHUR

He asked the reason, and was told that the patient could not bear them covered on
account of the burning. He found, in addition, that the patient had the
characteristic flushings of heat all over the body. Of course, there were other
symptoms, but mainly covered by the remedy and especially these two. Sulphur
c.m., was prescribed, and in a short time the dropsy all disappeared. Then Dr.
Lippe sent the patient around to Da Costa to be examined for heart disease. He
diagnosed no heart disease, and when the man told him who he was and of his
unfavorable prognosis a short time before Da Costa asked him what cured him.
The man answered Dr. Lippe. Humph 1 said Da Costa. Mistaken diagnosis.
"Having eyes they see not and having ears they hear not" the things that pertain to
the only scientific art of medicine.
In regard to Sulphur for these states, which might be attributed to an abnormal
condition of the

NERVES

We find Sulphur adapted to what would be called, or what used to be, "nervous
debility" as pictured in these symptoms:

1. "Great debility and trembling; talking fatigues."

2. "Unsteady gait; tremor of the hands."

3. "Weak faint spells during the day especially at 11 a.m.”

4. "Easily fatigued."
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SULPHUR

5. "Sits bent forward.”

6. "Walks bent."

7. "Standing is the worst position," etc,

We have mentioned in different ways most of the symptoms before, but they
stand together in a picture as general condition which may exist alone as a form of
nervous prostration or debility, or in connection with many other complaints.
There is one thing that may be noticed in this connection, viz.: With this debility
there is great sensitiveness to cold air or cold bathing; and takes cold easily.

But you say under respiratory organs you gave wants doors and windows open.
So I did, but it was because she felt suffocated. She would take cold just the same
if the windows were opened if she was not properly protected. But about, the
flashes of heat and the burning feet? These are the local congestions for which the
remedy is famous, and the body must be covered even if the feet do burn. The
sensations of coldness or susceptibility to cold and cold bathing alternate with the
opposite burnings so characteristic of the remedy and must not be lost sight of in
order to get at the true genius of the remedy.

This remedy has very strong influence over -

SLEEP

Many cases of chronic sleeplessness will be greatly relieved by Sulphur.


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SULPHUR

"The night is full of unrest, tossing, nervous excitement and orgasm of blood," but
the characteristic symptom is burning, especially of the feet, which she must stick
out of bed or she can not sleep. The "child kicks off the clothes or sticks out its
feet," even involuntary. Like Nux vomica, she "wakes up at 3 o'clock" or
thereabout and cannot sleep again. "Finds himself lying on his back," has
nightmare and all sorts of bad dreams. If he does sleep it is heavy and
unrefreshing, sometimes with sighs and groans and half-open eyes. Sulphur 200th
will often correct this and the patients will accuse you of giving them an anodyne,
only they don't feel as they do after taking an anodyne. The cause of the
sleeplessness seems to be uneven circulation of the blood, which the Sulphur
corrects.

The

FEVER

symptoms of Sulphur and the same disturbed circulation obtain here, as


elsewhere, as evidenced by these leading symptoms,

"Great orgasm and violent burning in the hands." Flushes of heat in the face with
febrile shivering on the body." "Heat in the head prevents falling asleep."
"Burning heat of the palms of the hands." "Heat of the feet, with a burning sensa-
'tion in the evening in bed, so that she was obliged to uncover them for several
hours, followed by uneasiness, itching and crawling in them, was obliged to rub
them." "Hot flushes with spells of faintness, or passing off with a little moisture,
faintness or debility."
68

SULPHUR

All these symptoms have been produced in proving and cured many times. All
except the last, which has been clinically corroborated, until it becomes a
"keynote," the

CHILLS AND CHILLINESS

is more variable and therefore not so well defined. One thing is, however, to be
noticed. In accord with its power to cause local congestions, if one part
becomes hot and burning other parts become correspondingly cold; for instance,
if the head and face are hot and burning the feet or hands, or both, will be cold.
Although Sulphur has many forms of chilliness in different localities, it is
predominantly as hot as Calcarea carb. is cold. I know of no rubric under which
the characteristics of remedies are more pronounced and may be more profitably
studied and committed to memory than those found under that of Chill, Fever and
Sweat. This is, perhaps, because there is hardly any complaint, acute or chronic,
where they are not found in some degree.

The

SWEATS

are mostly local or partial, though they may become general. One kind that seems
characteristic is that "he sweats after waking in the morning." This is peculiar and
Sulphur promptly ameliorates it. So far as the partial sweats are concerned it is
not hard to choose between Sulphur and Calcarea, because of very different
temperaments of the
69

SULPHUR

two remedies; and, again, with the former heat symptoms predominate the case,
and with the later cold. Sulph., hot, dry, burning feet, Calc, cold, damp feet, with
sensation of damp stockings, even up the calves. The wide range of usefulness of
Sulphur, Calcarea ost. and Lycopodium would, probably, never have been known
but for the system of provings adopted by Hahnemann and his colaborers, and the
only law of application for cure taught by him.

TISSUES

There is no tissue from the ends of the hair, which is dry and falling off, to the
fingers and toes, with hand nails, chilblains and corns that does not come under
the power of this remedy. Emaciation, atrophy and marasmus is common. Even
the odor of the body is offensive, especially to the patient himself (Psorinum to
everyone), despite frequent washings, to which he is averse. Serous exudations
occur in every locality: also, glandular swellings: also, pimples, swellings,
abscesses and ulcers, with raised, swollen edges, discharging fetid pus.

Scrofulous chronic diseases resulting from suppressed eruptions.

Discharges in every outlet excoriate the parts with which they come in contact.
Even the urine and faeces are painful to the parts over which they pass.

Congestions to single parts. Head, eyes, nose, ears, chest, abdomen, anus, arms
and legs, hands and feet. This may be repetition, but if repetition will serve to
fasten on
70

SULPHUR

the mind such important conditions it is well worth the time and space.

Upon the

SKIN

no remedy has more positive action, and with or without eruption, itching and
burning are, as elsewhere, the characteristic sensations. "So strong is this affinity
of Sulphur for the skin that it seems bent on pushing everything internal out on
the surface."

I have in the forepart of this work described the anti-psoric powers of this and
other remedies deserving to rank with it. If I were to indicate any particular skin
symptoms as being peculiar to the remedy I would put it down—

Itching of the skin everywhere.

Burning of the skin everywhere.

Formication of the skin everywhere.

"Voluptuous itching; scratching relives; after it burning, sometimes little


vesicles,"

"After violent scratching, aching, numbness of skin, swelling or even ulceration."

"Skin rough, scaly, scabby"

Soreness in the folds of the skin."

"Rhagades aggravated after washing."


71

SULPHUR

"Comedones black pores of skin particularly in face."

These are all of the chronic nature, but the existence of them, either outward or
suppressed, may complicate any acute affection and especially the exanthemata,
in such a way as to make the use of Sulphur imperative.

Now, to recapitulate.

If I were to placard upon the memory, never to efface the leading symptoms of
Sulphur I would place:

1. Lean, sloop-shouldered persons, who walk and sit stooped; standing, is


the most uncomfortable position.

2. Dirty, filthy people, prone to skin affections.

3. Children (and adults, too) who do not like to be washed or bathed ;


emaciated, big-bellied; restless, hot, kicks off clothes at night.

4. Persons of scrofulous diathesis, subject to venous, especially portal


congestions.

5. Melancholy dwells on religious or philosophic subjects or speculations,


anxiety about Saul’s salvation (Ragged philosopher type).

6. Heat on crown of head, cold feet, frequent flushing.

7. Burning heat in eyes? Painful smarting.

8. Ears very red and burning.

9. Red nose, swelling, heat and inflammation.


72

SULPHUR

10. Bright redness of the lips (red as vermilion).

11. Tongue white with red lip and edges.

12. Sore throat, great burning and dryness, first right side, then left.

13. Drinks much, eat little.

14. Desires sweets • bad effects following.

15. Faint, gone or empty feeling at the pit of the stomach aggravated at 11
a.m.

16. Rumbling and gurgling in bowels; diarrhoea, driving out of bed, painless.

17. Diarrhoea after midnight ; painless, driving out of bed at 5 a.m.

18. Dysentery with tenesmus; child falls asleep after stool.

19. Urine and faeces are painful as they pass over the parts.

20. Testicles relaxed, hang down; offensive sweat on genitals.

21. Hot flushes at climacteric.

22. Burning in vagina; can’t keeps still.

23. Feels suffocated; wants doors and windows open.

24. Great weakness of chest when talking.

25. Burning in chest, rising to face.


73

SULPHUR

26. Pain through upper left chest to back.

27. Fullness of chest; sense as if heart were enlarged.

28. Pain in small of back, walks bent, aggravated on rising from a seat.

29. Cramps in calves and soles; aggravated at night looseness of the bowels.

30. Burning of the feet, must stick them out of bed; to coot them.

31. Weak, faint spells, frequently during the day.

32. Wakefulness at night; drowsy during the day; child kicks the clothes off.

33. Finds himself lying on the back.

34. Hot flushes with spells of faintness, or passing off' with a little moisture,
faintness and debility.

35. Complaints continually relapsing.

36. BURNING everywhere, vertex, palms, eyes, nose, face, throat, stomach,
abdomen, urethra, anus, haemorrhoids, feet, soles, skin, etc.

37. Offensive odor of the body despite frequent washing.

38. Redness and burning of all the orifices.

39. Congestion to single parts, with burning.

40. Voluptuous itching, scratching relives, but burning


afterwards, or numbness, swelling, even ulceration.
74

SULPHUR

Now, I am very well aware that these forty leaders do not yet compass all the
sphere of this polychrest and anti-psoric. Yet it shows to what a wide range of
usefulness a drug may be developed which in the dominant school is
comparatively little used.

If I were to select three remedies for the purpose of convincing those who were
open to conviction of the curative power of remedies carried by our process of
potentization far beyond the demonstrable divisibility of drug matter I would,
perhaps, choose Sulphur, Natrum muriaticum and Lycopodium.

It seems to me, beginning as I did with low preparations, having the strongest
prejudices against the high, that no scientific observer could witness and
experience in his own person the benefits of potencies as high as the two-
hundredth, with each and all of these substances, and give a reasonable excuse for
unbelief.

It is noticeable that those who stickle for demonstrable drug matter, as proof of
drug presence or power, seem to have no desire or even willingness to admit the
testimony of the finest of all tests —the physiological.

This is neither scientific nor fair and there is no use of discussion or argument
with anyone' no matter what their claims to science; who will only admit a part of
the testimony.
75

SULPHUR

They are materialists pure and simple and are bound to deny power in anything
that they cannot weigh in their scales, chemically analyze or microscopically
discern.

With exhibitions of power in the imponderables, heat, tight, electricity and


magnetism, in evidence all round them; they still demand material in drugs.

Though I take more Sulphur in every egg I eat without medicinal effect and am
cured of many ailments with the 200th potency it is of no account with them.
Though I eat daily material quantities of salt without any apparent effect on the
intermittent fever, with which I am shaken every day at 10 A.M., and am cured
with Natrum mur., 200th or higher, as has been done hundreds of times, that also
is ruled out. Though Lycopodium performs marvels of healing (being a
comparatively inert substance in its crude form) in many more cases, in the same
potency, it is not testimony either. Why? The microscope cannot detect matter.

There is no use trying to convince such men, they are not open to conviction.

Sulphur is efficacious as a remedy from the 6th to the cm. or mm. potencies.

I have produced in my own person the characteristic burning and itching of


Sulphur repeatedly with Fincke's
76

SULPHUR

55m. I have cured many times ailments with the same or higher.

So we leave the doubters to their doubts and go on our way rejoicing in the
privilege of availing ourselves of the benefits of the whole range of potencies,
from the lowest to the highest, and especially of this-one of the monuments to the
genius of Hahnemann—Sulphur.

Published by:

B. Jain Publishers Pvt. Ltd.


1921, Street No. 10, Chuna Mandi
Paharganj, New Delhi – 110055 (INDIA).

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