TISSUE SALTS


Calc-Fluor

Calc-Phos

Calc-Phos

Ferr-Phos

Kali-Mur

Kali-Phos

Kali-Sulph

Mag-Phos

Nat-Mur

Nat-Phos

Nat-Sulph

Silica

Synonyms. - Sodium Chloride. Chloruretum Sodicum. Natrum Choloratum Purum. Sodii Chloridum. Chloride of Sodium.
Common Names. - Common Salt. Table Salt.
Chemical Properties. - Formula, Na Cl. It occurs abundantly in nature, nearly everywhere. It crystallizes from aqueous solutions in colorless, transparent, anhydrous cubes; it is soluble in three parts of cold water, scarcely more in boiling. It is insoluble in absolute alcohol. Its watery solutions dissolve several bodies insoluble in water, e. g., Calc-phos., etc. One gramme of salt contains Chlorin 0.6 and Natrum 0.4.
Preparation. - One part by weight of pure chloride of sodium is dissolved in nine parts by weight of distilled water. Amount of drug power, one - tenth. Dilutions and triturations should be prepared according to Hahnemann's methods
Physiological - chemical Data. - Prof. Loeb's experiments prove that the various tissue cells will rapidly disintegrate in the absence of the proper proportion of sodium, potassium and brine salts in the circulating fluid, the normal ratio being 100 molecules of sodium, 2.2 molecules of potassium, and 1.5 molecules of lime. Any marked departure from this proportion is followed by a more or less rapid degeneration of protoplasm. While the cell structure contains none of the salts, their presence in the proper ratio in the fluid which surrounds the cell results in a protective action on the cell membrane. This protective process he calls "tanning," and to it he ascribes the maintenance of a stable metabolism within the cell. It seems that the chief factor in maintaining this protoplasmic equilibrium is the antagonistic action between the lime salt and the sodium and potassium.
Whether, in the absence of the lime, the others act as a direct poison, or the deficiency of lime weakens the protection of the cell and so allows a direct attack on the protoplasm by some other toxin, or whether the absence of this tanning process on the cell wall permits of an unstable diffusion of fluids in the cell, has not yet been determined.
Common salt is more widely distributed in nature then any other substance except water. This salt is a constituent of every liquid and solid part of the body. It is the most important of the chemical substances found in the blood plasma, here being present in the proportion of about 0.7 per cent. From the simple constitution, and from the fact that the body cells readily take up Sodium chloride, whereas they do not so readily take up other salts, the phosphates, sulphates, etc., salt is the great regulator of osmotic tension in the organism, and performs by this means one of its chief functions, viz., keeping the blood serum at a uniform specific gravity. The whole quantity of salt in the human body is approximately eleven ounces, and if more than sufficient to counterbalance the daily waste is introduced into the system, it is at once excreted by the kidneys. (T. G. Stonham.)
This function of salt to regulate the degree of moisture within the cells is accomplished by virtue of its property of attracting water, which is imbibed as drink or in the food, and reaching the blood through the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane, whence it may finally reach the various cells, giving them the needful degree of moisture. Every cell contains soda, combining with nascent chlorine, which is formed by the splitting up of the chloride of sodium contained in the intercellular fluids. This chloride of sodium within the cell thus produced has the property of attracting water; in consequence of which the cell enlarges and is divided. Only in this way does division of cells for purposes of cell multiplication take place.
If no chloride of sodium is formed within the cells, the water destined to supply their moisture is retained in the intercellular fluids, and a hydraemia results. The patient then shows a watery, bloated appearance, is languid, drowsy, lachrymose, chilly, especially along the spine and extremities, inclined to watery exudations, salivation, etc. He craves salt. Although a plentiful supply of salt may be offered in the food, the diseased condition is not removed, simply because the cells cannot take up the particles of salt unless offered in a very dilute solution.
An oversupply of salt within the intercellular fluids often occasions a salty taste, due to the irritation of the glossopharyngeal and lingual nerves. Such a condition also causes acridity of secretions of mucous membranes or of open wounds.
Chloride of sodium contained in the healthy epithelial cells of serous membranes regulates the osmosis of water from the arterial blood to the several serous sacs. A disturbance of the functions of these salt molecules is followed by a watery exudation within the sacs. By the therapeutic application of small doses of Natrum mur. the cells are enabled to reabsorb the exudation.
A disturbance of the molecular motion of this salt in the epithelium of the tear glands, or in the salivary glands is followed by lachrymation or ptyalism.
If the dental branch of the fifth nerve is irritated, and the disturbance reaches the lachrymal glands, which is done by means of the secretory fibres of the sympathetic, and which results in a disturbance of the function of the molecules of salt in these cells, we have a toothache accompanied by a profuse flow of saliva.
The epithelial cells of the intestinal mucous membrane transfer, by means of their salt, the water taken with the food into the blood contained in the branches of the portal vein. A disturbance of their function through any irritation results in a reverse flow. Serum enters the intestinal canal, and a watery diarrhea results in consequence. And if the irritation reaches the mucous cells of the intestines, a watery, mucous diarrhea results. The mucin of the mucous cells appears on the surface as a glary, transparent mucus. The normal secretion of mucus is decreased if the mucous cells contain too little salt and mucin.
It is the sodium chloride particularly which regulates the quantity of water entering into the composition of the blood corpuscles, thereby preserving their form and consistence; and it seems to perform an analogous office with regard to the other semi - solids of the body. (Dalton.)
Salt is excreted again through the urine, sweat, and especially tears. It is found mostly in the fluid parts of the body, while Kali mur. more in the formed tissues.
The Natr-mur. molecules contained in the epithelial cells of the peptic glands become split up by the mild action of the carbonic acid of the blood, its chlorine is separated, and the free soda unites with the carbonic acid, and this combination reaches the blood while the chlorine, united to the hydrogen and dissolved in water, reaches the stomach as hydrochloric acid. If on account of the want of salt in the epthelial cells of the peptic glands no HCI can be formed, there arises an increase of the exudate alkaline mucus from the superficial epithelium of the mucous membrane of the stomach. Diluted hydrochloric acid, given in order to reduce the secretion of the superficial epithelial cell to the proper quantity, is but a palliative procedure; a rational cure must be effected by restoring the disturbed motion of the NaCl molecules which are found in the nourishing fluid of the epithelial cells of the peptic glands by means of administering homogeneous molecules.
This is also the function remedy of mucin, which is contained in the epithelial cells of all mucous membranes. It cures catarrh of such when its characteristic exudation is present; just as the hydrochloric acid formed in the epithelial cells of the peptic glands reduces the increased alkaline mucous exudation of the superficial epithelium to the right quantity, so can the hydrochloric acid that is formed by splitting up of the chloride of sodium within the mucin of all mucous membranes limit the secretion of the mucus in the formative (nascent) stage.
It is a fact that hydrochloric acid is obtained from salt ( Natr-mur. ), not only by means of carbonic acid acting upon the salt in a mass, but similar result is obtained by the action of water. In the former the carbonic acid unites with the sodium which has lost its chlorine, and this combination reaches the blood; in the other cases, sodium hydroxide results, which dissolves the mucin and increases the secretion of mucus. This explains the origin of catarrh in damp atmospheres.
In consequence of a marked disturbance of the function of salt, blood serum may transude into the stomach and vomiting of a watery secretion (Waterbrash) will result. If salt is lacking in a portion of cells (below) the epidermis, their proper amount of water cannot be received, and the epidermis rises in blisters, with clear, watery contents. Similar blisters, from corresponding disturbances, may arise on the conjunctiva.
In consequence of a disturbed function of salt we may find at the same time, though in different places, secretions either increased or decreased. For instance, a gastric catarrh with vomiting of water or mucus may exist, together with a constipation, caused by a lessened secretion of mucus in the colon. Excessive salt taking causes profound nutritive changes, dropsies and edemas, alteration in the blood causing a condition of anemia and leucocytosis, retention of effete materials giving gouty symptoms.
Among the main effects of undue salt - eating we find:
1) A thickening and partial paralysis of the vocal cords and an almost continual sore throat. Fluent coryza.
2) A pale and waxy color, with dryness of the cuticle, which yet perspires too freely upon exertion. Sallow appearance.
3) Constipation or chronic diarrhea.
4) Abnormal appetite. Incessant thirst.
5) Plethora and corpulence.
6) Retarded endosmosis and exosmosis.
7) Thinning of the blood, slow circulation and lowered temperature. Constant feeling of coldness, especially down the back.
8) Dandruff, cutaneous affections, deposits and abscesses. Irritating, papular rash.
General Action. - Natr-mur. promotes the activity of tissue change and increases the excretion of urea, hence its use in chronic scrofulous ailments affecting the glands, bowels and skin. It acts upon the blood, lymphatic system, the mucous lining of the digestive tract and upon liver and spleen. It causes a deterioration of the blood and other vital fluids, partaking of a scorbutic nature, giving rise to inflammation, going on to ulceration and producing distinct dyscrasiae. It also produces, and hence cures, cachexia like that resulting from ague plus quinine. Malnutrition and emaciation. Great emaciation, even while eating enormously. [Hawkes.] Anemia, leukemia, hydraemia, chlorosis and scrobutus. The atom of common salt is the basement on which the blood - globule is built up, and this fact assigns place and function to this cell - salt. Hence its use in these nutritive defects with their profound blood poverty. A serous discharge is the leader to this drug. It causes pains in any part of the body when they are accompanied by salivation, increased lachrymation, or by vomiting of water or mucus. Mucous membranes everywhere are affected, producing sponginess and swelling with venous hyperemia, bleeding and increased mucous secretion; hence, catarrhs of all mucous membranes, with secretions of transparent, watery, coarse, frothy mucus. Vesicles with watery contents, which burst and leave a thin scurf. Watery vomiting, increased aqueousness of any part of the body, hydrocephalus, etc. The tongue has a clean, shiny appearance, or bubbles of frothy saliva extend along its sides, or is broad, pallid, puffy, with a pasty coat. Diminished secretions of any part of the body, salty taste.
Dr. Leon Rosenbusch, of Lemburg, reports a most favorable experience in the use of Natr-mur. by subcutaneous injections in cases marked by danger of failing circulation. The following is a resume by the author of the indications for injection and the amounts to be used:
1. Sudden collapse (five to eight drams of a six per cent. solution).
2. Paresis of the heart muscles from any acute disease (five to eight drams at once, and then one to two drams daily).
3. Acute gastro - enteritis, great weakness after severe vomiting and diarrhea (eight to twenty ounces of a tepid solution of six per thousand).
4. Hemorrhage from lungs, stomach or bowels (five drams, then one and a half drams daily).
5. Heart - failure in consequence of chronic disease and cachectic conditions (one and a half drams daily for several days.)
The balneological uses of salt as salt water baths, rubs, etc., are especially useful in chronic rheumatism, scrofulous conditions and to free the system from effects of inflammatory internal diseases. Be careful in the use of these measures in cardiac diseases as insomnia and nervousness is apt to follow.
Salt might be taken by the ounce daily and yet the affected tissue - cells will suffer from a "molecular deficiency" thereof, so that there will occur a suspension of their functions whereby the Serous and watery fluids of the cells and intercellular spaces are no longer equally distributed throughout the organism, thus leading to a watery or serous exudation, containing a large amount of unabsorbed Sodium chloride and other salts in solution.
If, however, Sodium chloride be subjected to the proper "trituration - process," by which means its molecules are rendered infinitely more active through the unlocking of a hitherto latent force within them, the starved and shrunken blood - and tissue - cells will once again absorb their wonted quantum of serum and so be enabled to continue their division and sub - division into new cells, whilst in the intercellular spaces of that marvellous labyrinthine network, the connective - tissue, the watery fluid or serum will be once more so equally distributed throughout, that its deficiency (leading to dryness ) in one part and excess (leading to exudation ) in another will result in complete, normal, fluidic equilibrium.
The importance of this cell - salt cannot be too highly estimated, for it is one of the chiefest of "antidotes," seeing that whenever it or any of the other cell - salts are thrown out of the blood, etc., owing to some irritating drug or other cause, the watery fluids of the body are abnormally called into play, and as Natrum muriaticum is the regulator of the distribution of such fluids, a molecular or dynamised dose thereof will set matters right so far as the fluidic disturbance is concerned. [C. S. Saunders, L. R.C. P.]
Guiding Symptoms and Characteristic Indications.

Mind
Mental Symptoms. - hopeless feeling about the future. Dejection of spirits, consolation aggravates; fluttering of the heart follows. Depression with tendency to dwell on disagreeable and depressing subjects. Past injuries are called to mind and dwelt upon. Readiness to shed tears. Delirium with starting, wandering delirium with frothy appearance of the tongue. Hypochondriacal mood, with constipation. Excitement, excessively frolicsome, with inclination to dance and sing; angry irritability with passionate outbursts. Delirium tremens; most cases will be cured by this remedy. Melancholia at puberty. Brain - fag. Memory weak. All intellectual labor fatigues.

Head
Head and Scalp. - Headaches mainly in forehead and temples and semi - lateral; congestive type, worse in morning, relieved by sleep, often associated with the menstrual period. Dull, heavy headache, with profusion of tears, drowsiness and unrefreshing sleep. Head nods forward involuntarily from weakness of muscles of neck. Headaches with constipation, from torpor and dryness of a portion of the intestinal mucous tract, when the tongue is clean or covered with bubbles of frothy saliva. Headache with vomiting of transparent phlegm or water, also sick headache with this symptom ( Calc-phos. ). Hemicrania, loss of consciousness and twitching of limbs. Hammering headache, generally worse in the morning. Headache of school girls during menses, with burning on the vertex. This is the chief remedy in sunstroke. Engorged venous sinuses with tendency to extravasation, temporary cerebral congestion. Itching eruption on margin of hair at the nape of neck with glutinous moisture. Dandruff, white scales on scalp sometimes co - existing with watery secretions from the mouth, nose or eyes. Falling off of hair.

Eyes
Eyes. - Dimsightedness. Blisters on the cornea, white spots on same. Useful for involvement of the vitreous humor. Gauze before the eyes, letters run together when reading. Headache with eye - strain. Sunstroke. Frontal sinus inflammation. Scrofulous ulcers of the cornea with photophobia. Especially in scrofulous or tubercular patients. Discharge of clear mucus from the eyes, or flow or tears with obstruction of tear duct, worse after use of nitrate of silver. Great dryness of lids with pricking, itching and burning; margins red. Conjunctivitis with white mucous secretion and acrid lachrymation. Granulated eyelids with or without secretion of tears. Tarsi much thickened and red. Useful in blepharitis, the thick and inflamed lids smart and burn, with acrid lachrymation. Lachrymation with eruption of small vesicles causing scalding of the parts. For muscular asthenopia we have no better remedy. Neuralgic pains in the eyes, periodical, with flow of tears and reddened conjunctiva. Ciliary neuralgia coming and going with the sun. Stricture of lachrymal ducts. Opacity of the crystalline lens.

Ears
Ears. - Deafness from swelling of the tympanic cavity, with characteristic tongue. Catarrh of tympanic cavity and Eustachian tube ( Kali sulph. ) Roaring in ears. Purulent discharges from ears. Cracking when chewing. Itching and burning in the ear, stitches in the ear.

Nose
Nose. - old nasal and pharyngeal catarrhs with loss of smell and taste. Colds causing vesicular eruptions with watery contents, which burst and leave thin scurfs or crusts. Scabs in the nose. Influenza, hay fever. Chronic catarrhs of bloodless patients, mucus having a salty taste. Coryza with clear, watery discharge or alternating with dry coryza, with loss of smell and taste, posterior nares feel dry. Much sneezing. Epistaxis from stooping and from coughing. General morning aggravation of catarrhs. Redness of nose with pimples, vesicles and painful nodules. Nose on one side numb. Cold commencing with sneezing, and fluent colds are cured by Natrum mur. 30. Nose sore with sensation of great dryness and feeling of obstruction and discharge like clear white of eggs. May be on one side only.

Face
Face. - Sallow complexion, leaden. Faceache with constipation, with characteristic tongue or vomiting of clear water. Periodical neuralgia after quinine, with lachrymation. Greasy appearance of skin. Sweating while eating. Sycosis, whiskers fall out, with much itching, vesicles with watery contents. Pustular eruption on forehead.

Mouth
Mouth. - Copious salivation with salt taste. Blisters like pearls around the mouth, humid sores in the commissures. Thrush with salivation. Cracks in lips, burning and painful. Relaxed uvula. Follicular catarrh of pharynx. Lips swollen. Eruptions on chin.
Tongue. - Coating slimy, clear and watery, sero - mucous, and when small bubbles of frothy saliva cover the sides. Loss of taste. Vescicles on the tip of the tongue. Mapped tongue. Tongue numb; stiff. Children are slow in learning to talk. Sensation of a hair on tongue. Dryness of tongue and mouth, more a sensation.
Teeth. - Sensitive, easily bleeding, ulcerated gums. Toothache with involuntary flow of tears or salivation. Looseness of teeth. ranula, chronic inflammation of the salivary glands. Teething with dribbling saliva. Gumboils with throbbing and boring pains.

Throat
Throat. - neck emaciated. Diphtheria, if the face be puffy and pale, with drowsiness, watery stools, flow of saliva, or vomiting of water. Post - diphtheritic paralysis when food goes the wrong way and only liquids can be swallowed. Sore throat with transparent mucus covering the tonsils. Relaxed uvula, chronic sore throat, with feeling of plug or lump, and great dryness of the throat. Sensation extending up the Eustachian tube as if ears were plugged. Glazed dry appearance of throat. Constriction and stitches in throat. Follicular pharyngitis, especially in smokers and after Nitrate of silver treatment. Swelling of sub - maxillary glands, lips, cervical glands and tonsils. Goiter with watery secretions (chief remedy, Calc-phos. ). Mumps with salivation and frequent coughing of mucus, tasting salty. Uvula elongated. Inflammation of uvula. Offensive breath.

Stomach
Gastric Symptoms. - Hiccough. Indigestion with vomiting of clear, frothy water or stringy saliva, or with pain and salivation. Offensive breath. Stomachache with above symptoms. Heaviness and fullness. Waterbrash, water coming up into the throat, not acid. Pressure and distention of the stomach, with longing for salt food. Longing for salty and bitter things. Violent thirst for large quantities. Ravenous hunger. Heartburn after eating. Sour taste. Aversion to bread. Loss of desire for smoking. Jaundice with drowsiness. Feeling of great weakness and sinking at stomach. Red spots on pit of stomach.

Abdomen
Abdomen and Stool. - Constipation when arising, from want of moisture; dryness of the mucous linings with watery secretions; in other parts, watery vomiting, watery eyes, salivation, etc. Pain in region of liver and spleen. Hemorrhoidal constipation. Constipation accompanied with much weakness of the intestines. Great torpor but without pain. Dry stool producing fissure, burning pain in the rectum. Stinging hemorrhoids. Herpetic eruption around anus. Torn, bleeding, smarting feeling after stool, which is hard, difficult and crumbling, with stitches in the rectum. Proctalgia. Pain in abdominal ring. Diarrhea with watery, frothy stool. Diarrhea alternating with constipation. Excoriating watery diarrhea involuntary, knows not whether flatus or feces escape. Great weakness of abdominal muscles and viscera.

Urinary organs
Urinary and Sexual organs. - Polyuria, especially is accompanied with waterbrash and with much emaciation. Haematuria from scurvy; cutting and burning after urination. Cannot pass urine in presence of others. Must wait before urine will start. Aching in testicles. Violent itching on scrotum. Loss of hair from pubes. Spermatic cord and testicles painful, swollen and infiltrated. Catarrh of bladder with characteristic discharge. Involuntary urination while walking, coughing, etc. Gonorrhea with scalding. Chronic gonorrhea, transparent, watery slime, intensely itching; urethra painfully sore to pressure; cutting in urethra after urination. Chronic syphilis, serous exudation, loss of hair from pubes. Seminal emissions followed by chilliness and lassitude with increased sexual desire. Scrotal edema. Impotence. Discharge of prostatic fluid. Female. Abundant leucorrhea of transparent, white, thick mucus or unnatural dryness of vagina with smarting and burning rendering coition painful. Burning and soreness of vagina after urinating. Incontinence of urine. Menstruation, discharge thin, watery, bloody; delayed menstruation, with headache. Pruritus vulvae. Terrible sadness during menses. Leucorrhea watery. Copious catamenia with slimy, corroding leucorrhea; watery, smarting discharges, after or between periods. Scalding, irritating discharges, causing itching and falling off of hair on the pubes. Before menses sad and melancholic; during and after menses, headache. Prolapsus, must sit down to prevent it. Great dryness of the vagina. Chlorosis, dirty look to the skin with palpitation, delaying catamenia. Uterine troubles relieved by lying on back, on a pillow. Pressing and pushing towards genitals in the morning.

Female
Pregnancy. - Morning sickness with vomiting of frothy, watery phlegm. Loss of hair during childbirth or lactation. Mammary glands waste.

Respiratory
Respiratory System. - Acute inflammation of the wind - pipe, with clear, frothy, watery phlegm, loose and rattling, sometimes raised with difficulty. Dry, short cough day and night from irritation at pit of stomach. Bronchitis with cough from tickling behind sternum; cough causes bursting headache, involuntary micturition, pain in abdominal ring and spermatic cord, lachrymation and palpitation and stitches in chest. Chronic bronchial catarrh, "winter cough," cough with bursting headache, tears stream down the cheeks, and involuntary urination. Asthma with profuse watery mucus. Whooping cough with same conditions. Inflammation of the lungs with much rattling phlegm, serous and frothy, coughed up with difficulty. Pleurisy when serous exudation has taken place. Edema of the lungs with characteristic expectoration.

Heart
Circulatory Organs. - Pain in region of heart's apex. Worse any movement and deep inspiration. Pulse rapid and intermittent, worse lying on left side, felt all over the body, especially in the epigastrium, in hyperemic and scorbutic conditions. Fluttering motion of the heart. Sense of constriction. Palpitation with anxiety and sadness, in anemic conditions. Hypertrophy of the heart, must lie down frequently, has cold hands and numb extremities.

Extremities
Back and Extremities. - Emaciated neck in children. Backache relieved by lying on something hard, spine and extremities oversensitive. Feeling of coldness in the back. Periodical attacks of gout. Great weakness and weariness. Chronic rheumatism of the joints. Joints crack; rheumatic gouty pains, involuntary jerking of legs, fidgets or jerkings during sleep. Stiffness and arthritic swellings, ankles weak. Pain in small of back on rising up. Blistering festers on the fingers, containing watery fluid. Hangnails. Skin of hands, especially about nails, dry and cracked. Warts in palms of hands. Pain in hip. Coxalgia. Sciatica - painful contraction of hamstrings. Involuntary jerkings of legs. Weakness in knees and calves. Cracking of joints on motion. Synovitis, herpes in bend of knees. urticaria about joints. Cracks between toes. Frequent falling asleep of the legs and feet, with weakness of ankle joints.

Nerves
Nervous Symptoms. - Marked weakness and relaxation of the muscular system; always tired and disinclined for any exertion. Sensation of numbness in suffering parts. Paretic weakness in various muscular groups of the trunk and limbs. Spine oversensitive to touch or pressure. Spinal irritation. Restlessness and twitching of muscles. Paralytic pain in small of back. Paralysis. Neuralgic pains, especially biliary and infra - orbital, recurring at certain times, with flow of saliva or tears. Shootings along the nerve - fibre with watery eruptions. Chorea. Hysterical debility, worse in the morning. Hysterical spasms and debility. Takes cold easily. Easily fatigued. Singultus ( Magnes-phos. ). Epilepsy when frothing at the mouth occurs.

Sleep
Sleep. - Excessive sleep if traced to an excess of moisture in the brain. The natural amount of sleep is unrefreshing, and he feels tired in the morning on waking. Constant and excessive desire to sleep. Dreams of robbers in the house. Frequent starting during sleep. Sleep very restless and setting in late. Insomnia, with unusual general animation.

Fever
Febrile Symptoms. - Natrum mur. is a chilly remedy. Different portions of the body feel cold, spine, stomach, hands, feet, etc. Chilly and thirsty at same time. Scarlet fever with drowsiness, twitching or vomiting of watery fluids. Profuse perspiration, also night - sweats. Often the second remedy in rheumatic fever with chilliness and characteristic symptoms. Hay fever with watery discharges from the eyes and nose. Typhus fever when stupor and sleepiness are great. Intermittent fever after abuse of quinine, living in damp regions, or newly turned ground. Chill from morning till noon, about 10 A.M., preceded by intense itching, heat with increased headache and thirst, sweat sour and weakening, much backache and throbbing headache, great languor, emaciation, sallow complexion and fever - blisters on the lips. Typhoid or malignant symptoms when such accompaniments as twitchings, drowsiness and watery vomiting occur.

Skin
Skin. - All affections with watery blisters or vesicles and thin whitish scales.