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. - Silica. Silicea Tera. Silex. Decarbonized white pebble. Acidium Silicicum. The proper name is Silicic Oxide.
Common Names. - Pure Flint or Quartz. Silicious Earth.
Chemical Properties. - Formula, SIO2. Prepared by fusing silica and carbonate of sodium; dissolving residue filtered and precipitated by hydrochloric acid. It is a white powder, having neither taste nor smell.
Preparation. - Pure Silicea is tritutrated according to the rules of the homeopathic pharmacopeias. Dr. P. Wilde uses preferably the silicate of soda known as "liquid glass," which is freely soluble in water. (See "Administration.") Dr. J. J. Garth Wilkinson preferred the Silica obtained from the Bamboo. Found it better in acute conditions.
Physiological - chemical Data. - Although this inorganic salt is found very abundantly throughout the vegetable kingdom, especially in grasses, grain, palms, etc., it is found comparatively little in the animal kingdom, notably so in the higher orders, the vertebrae. Traces of Silicea, however, are found in the ashes of blood, bile or urine, and larger quantities ( 7 per cent.) In the white of egg, and even more in the ashes of the epidermis, hair and nails. It is also found in the connective tissue, especially embryonic, and hence its action on the spinal cord, brain and nerves must be referred to the investing membrane, the connective tissue, of the nerve - fibres. Disturbance of the function of the Silicea molecules causes a turgescence of the cells of the connective tissues involved. This swelling may remain stationery for a time, then disappear or occasion suppuration. Prof. Schultz, of Griefswald University, found this salt also in the lens, in pus and in ovarian cysts.
General Action. - Silicea acts more upon the organic substances of the body, involving prominently bones, joints, glands, skin and mucous surfaces, producing malnutrition and corresponding to the scrofulous diathesis. Its action is deep and long - lasting. It is especially suited to imperfectly nourished constitutions, owing to deficient assimilation.
It is the remedy for ailments attended With pus - formation, and is closely related to all fistulous burrowings. Wherever pus is formed in an inflamed part of connective tissue or skin, Silicea may be used. Deeply seated scrofulous cachexia and some forms of septic infections (vaccine) find in it a valuable general remedy. Like Calc-sulph., Silicea corresponds to the process of suppuration, with the following distinguishing features: Silicea ripens abscess, since it promotes suppuration. Calc-sulph., by restraining the suppurative process heals suppurating wounds. As long as infiltration, which can only disappear by suppuration, lasts, Silicea is the remedy, and should be continued until all the infiltrated parts have disappeared. If then the wound fails to heal, give Calc-sulph. Ailments affecting the periosteum. Deep - seated suppurations, pus thick and yellow; also in certain reflex affections connected with the nerves. After suppuration has ceased to be active, but the process lingers and the pus forms chronic deposits, small or large, fistulous or otherwise; also, where the general organism is both irritable and weak, and the nervous system is easily aroused to exhausting agitation (as Dunham says, it is contraindicated by general nerve torpor), this is a specific remedy. In localized exhaustion, when the symptoms resemble paralysis - e. g., rectal distention, dilated and irritable heart, great general debility, as after lying in - it should always be thought of. In general hyperaesthesia and exaggerated reflexes.
Silicea has also the power to reabsorb a bloody or sero albuminous exudate, existing with in the tissues by means of the lymphatics. Here it often follows Calc-phos.
Silicea cures chronic gouty rheumatic affections by means of its stimulating effects of the involved connective tissue cells, compelling these to throw off the accumulated rates through the lymphatics.
Silicea can restore suppressed foot - sweats, and in this way be an indirect remedy for diseases resulting from suppression of foot - sweat, for instance: Amblyopia, cataract, paralysis, etc.
If the cells of any part of the connective tissue show a lack of Silicea molecules, they atrophy in consequence. The central and peripheral nervous system are definitely affected by Silicea, as seen in the languor, sleepiness, anxious dreams, nervous irritability, depression, headache, trembling and paretic symptoms.
Guiding Symptoms and Characteristic Indications.

Mind
Mental Symptoms. Thought difficult, attention difficult to fix, can be aroused but tires easily, stronger mentally than physically; he has grit. Desponding, peevish, disgust of life. Oversensitive to noise, etc. and with anxiety. Great irritability. A peculiar mental abstraction, marked by a propensity to toy by the hour with pins and needles. Brain - fag, school girls become confused during recitations because they cannot concentrate their thoughts; want to think but are unable to do so.

Head
Head and Scalp. - Vertigo, patient inclines to fall forward or to the left. Labyrinthine vertigo. Headaches with vertigo with small nodules on scalp, from hunger, from abdominal irritation, from over study, from nervous exhaustion. Headache is throbbing, beating, pressing asunder and coldness of head, with constant need for wrapping it up. Headache from nape to vertex, more on right side, aggravated by noise, exertion, light, study, and relieved by warmth. Pressive headache from above downward, with intermittent itching of vulva. Cerebral apoplexy, preceded by deep - seated stitches in the right parietal region and dull, heavy, crampy pains in arms. Scalp very sensitive and sore; itching. Painful pustules. Supprurating wounds. Sweat on head of children, like to keep the head wrapped up warm; large, open fontanelles. Offensive eruption on occiput. Hair falls out. Cephalhematoma. Nodules on scalp.

Eyes
Eyes. - A remedy of great importance in diseases of the lachrymal apparatus, especially the lachrymal sac. Lachrymal fistula. Styes. Blepharitis. Tarsal tumor. Boils and cystic tumor around eyes and lids. Pustular keratitis. Ulcers of cornea, especially the small round variety with a tendency to perforate; also the sloughing ulcer with sticking pains. ( Hepar. ) Cataract. Amblyopia after suppressed foot - sweat or eruptions. Affections appearing in the angles of the eye. Corneal scars and opacities after small - pox. Ciliary neuralgia, especially over right eye. Pressure and soreness in the orbits. Muscae volitantes. Letters run together when reading or writing. Caries of the orbit.

Ears
Ears. - Sensitive to loud sound. Roaring in ears. Inflammation of middle ear, especially chronic suppuration. Inflammatory swelling of external meatus. Dullness of hearing with swelling and catarrh of the Eustachian tubes and tympanic cavity otitis suppurativa. Otorrhea curdy and ichorous, with caries of the mastoid cells. Inflammation of ear after bathing. Deafness, ears open at times with a loud report.

Nose
Nose. - Tip of nose red. Itching of nostrils. Sneezing; coryza. Nasal catarrh. Ozaena, with fetid offensive discharge when the affection is seated in the submucous connective tissues or in the periosteum. Chronic coryza with swelling of the mucous membrane, dryness, excoriation, with crusts and loss of smell. Caries of the nasal bones from syphilis or scrofulosis. Intolerable itching of the tip of the nose. Inveterate ulceration producing acrid, corroding discharge. Herpetic eruption around nostrils and lips.

Face
Face. - Faceache with small lumps or nodules on the face. Induration of cellular tissue of the face following gumboil. Sycosis menti, acne and lupus. Skin of face cracks. Caries and necrosis of the jaw. Tumors on the lips. Pale, earthy complexion.

Mouth
Mouth. - Suppuration of the salivary glands. Mouth gangrenous with perforating ulcer of the palate. Chronic pharyngitis with constipation. Ulceration of the corners of the mouth.
Tongue. - Induration of the tongue; ulcer on the tongue; sensation of a hair on tongue.
Teeth. - Gums painful on slight pressure, teeth loose. Very violent toothache at night, when neither heat nor cold gives relief, and when caused by chilling of feet. Toothache when the pain is deep - seated in the periosteum, or fibrous membrane covers the root of the teeth and an abscess forms (fistula dentalis.) Difficult dentition; gums sensitive and blistered; gumboils

Throat
Throat. - Enlarged thyroid glands. Tonsillitis when the suppurating gland will not heal. Periodical quinsy. Paralysis of the velum pendulum palati.

Stomach
Gastric Symptoms. - Child vomits as soon as it nurses. Intolerane of alcoholic stimulants. Induration of the pylorus. Chronic dyspepsia with acid eructations, with heartburn and chilliness; vomiting in the A.M. Disgust for meat and for warm food. Extreme hunger.

Abdomen
Abdomen and Stomach. - Large abdomen in children. Enlarged inguinal glands. Constipation associated with spinal affections due to semi - paralysis of the rectum; particularly if stools recede after having been partly expelled, due to irritable sphincter ani. Hepatic abscess with induration. Infantile diarrhea, cadaverous - smelling, after vaccination, with much sour perspiration about head, with hard, hot, distended abdomen. Diarrhea, cadaverous odor. Stools yellow, watery, mushy. Shifting of flatulence. Intensely painful hemorrhoids. Worm colic Fissura ani and fistula in ani. Meteorism.

Urinary organs
Urinary and Sexual organs. - Suppuration of kidneys, urine loaded with pus and mucus. Chronic catarrh of bladder with pus and blood. Prostatitis. Red sandy deposit, uric acid. Enuresis from worms or in chorea. Chronic syphilis with suppurations and indurations. Chronic gonorrhea, with thick, fetid, purulent discharge. Sexual erethism, with persistent sexual thoughts, often nocturnal emissions also with paralytic disease. Impotence. Weakness after coition, easily exhausted. Itching and much sweating about scrotum. Hydrocele. Seminal emissions. Menses are associated with icy coldness over whole body and constipation and fetid foot sweat. Menses early, but scanty; rarely profuse. Burning and itching of pudenda. nymphomania. Leucorrhea acrid, profuse, itching. Menses during lactation. Bloody discharge between periods. Hydrosalpinx and pyosalpinx with copious watery discharge. Serous cysts of vagina. Sterility. Abscess of labia, with tendency to fistulous openings. Metrorrhagia due to standing in cold water.

Female
Pregnancy. - Breasts very hard and painful, as if gathering. Inflammation of the breasts, mastitis, to control the formation of the pus, and to absorb the remaining induration. Scirrhus. Nipples crack and ulcerate easily, fistulous ulcers of the mammae, hard lumps in the mammae threatening suppuration. Soreness and lameness of feet from instep to sole during pregnancy.

Respiratory
Respiratory Symptoms - Pneumonia, stage of suppuration. Empyema. Suppurative, rattling, loose, copious expectoration of thick, yellow - green pus, accompanied with hectic fever; profuse night - sweats and great debility. Chronic bronchitis and phthisis. Cough of sickly children with nightsweats. Hoarseness, irritative cough of sickly children with nightsweats. Hoarseness, irritative cough, with feeling of a hair on tongue, provoked by tickling in throat and suprasternal fossa, by cold drinks; worse at night when lying down. Sputa abundant thick, pus - like, with weakness and deep - seated pain in chest. Phthisical abscess of lungs. Cough and sore throat, with expectoration of little granules smelling bad.

Heart
Circulatory Organs. - Palpitation after violent motion or when sitting quietly. Chronic heart disease.

Extremities
Back and Extremities. - Soreness between shoulders. Spinal curvature, rachitis, spinal irritation. Coccyx hurts after riding. Carbuncles along the spine. Spina bifida. psoas abscess. Hip - joint disease, to prevent or control suppuration. Suppurating wounds of the extremities discharging thick, yellow matter, and the suppuration is deep - seated. Whitlow, felon, sensation in tips of fingers as if suppurating, assisting and controlling formation of pus and stimulating growth of new nails Potts' disease. Proud flesh and caries; old ulcers with burning and lancinating pains. Chronic synovitis of the knee, with great swelling and anchylosis. Pain in bones, especially shin bones; not worse by pressure. Trembling of hands. Caries of bone, with fistulous openings, discharging thin pus and bony fragments. Ingrown toe - nails. Habitual fetid perspiration of the feet, smelling horribly, suppression causes other ailments. Offensive sweat in the axillae. Nails crippled and brittle, with white spots. Ingrown toe - nails. Pains through foot from ankle to sole. Weak ankles. Feel insufferably tender. Nervous affections following injuries to spine. Tonic spasm of the hand when writing. Arms and hands feel heavy and paralyzed. Pain in shoulder and arm at night, relieved by warm wrappings. Limbs and feet very tired and as if paralyzed. Knees given out. Joints pain, especially hips and knees and shoulders. Begins when sitting. Painful tonic spasm in the feet and toes during a long walk. Diseases brought on by exposure of back to draught of air.

Nerves
Nervous Symptoms. - Epilepsy occurring at night, the aura begins in the solar plexus. Pain in various parts of the body, as if ulcerating. Irritability and sensitiveness of the spine, with numerous reflex pains. Spasmodic closure of the sphincters. Hysteria and obstinate neuralgia. Suffering parts feel cold, are sensitive to dampness. Weakness with desire to lie down. Trembling of limbs and paretic symptoms. Tabes dorsalis. Spasms from slight provocation. Exhaustion with erethism.

Sleep
Sleep. - Sleepiness from orgasm of blood. Palpitation, rapid pulse, heat. Talking in sleep. Jerking of limbs during sleep. Bad dreams.

Fever
Febrile Symptoms. - Hectic fever during long suppurative processes. Chilliness all day, on movement, want of animal heat. Sensitive to cold air. Heat in afternoon and all night with burning in feet. Sweat at night, with loss of appetite and prostration. Copious sweat about the head. Offensive sweat of feet.

Skin
Skin. - Skin very sensitive; itching, burning, papules, nodules, ulcers, boils, carbuncles, felons and malignant pustules. Chilblains. Crusta lactea with an offensive oozing. Eczema squamosum. Acne. Pustules are extremely painful. Great tendency to boils in any part of the body. Abscesses and carbuncles and subsequent indurations. Ulcers, with proud flesh, putrid, acrid ichor, edges elevated and bluish, fistulous ulcers, and around nails. Skin heals with difficulty and suppurates easily. Scrofulous eruptions. Rhagades. Deep - seated, phlegmonous erysipelas. bursa. Glandular swellings. Variola, suppurative form. Impure vaccination. Lepra, especially for the nasal ulceration, nodes and coppery spots. Promotes expulsion of foreign from the tissues, sphincters, etc.
Tissues. - Fungi, easily bleeding abscess with fistulous openings, inflammatory swelling, ulceration and necrosis of bone. Rachitis. Cellular suppuration with slow course and subsequent induration. Malignant and gangrenous inflammations. Enlarged suppurating glands, especially cervical glands neglected cases of injury if suppuration threatens. Discharges and excretions offensive. Dropsy. Suppurations of the sebaceous glands, scrofulous diathesis. Enchondroma. Tumor albus.

Aggravation
Symptoms are always worse at night and during full moon. Worse in the open air, cold air and in winter, worse from suppressed foot - sweat or chilling the feet or from cold. Worse before storm. Worse from nerve stimuli. Worse in the morning. All his troubles are made worse by cold.

Amelioration.
Amelioration by heat and warm room and in the summer. Headache relieved by wrapping the head up warm. Abdominal pains, cough, rheumatic pains all relieved by warmth.

Text
Homeopathic Data. - This drug was proved by Hahnemann. The first record of it appeared in the Chronic Diseases, vol. iii, in 1828.
Administration. - Schuessler recommends the 6x and the 12x potencies, but in the homeopathic school the most brilliant results have followed the use of the higher attenuations (See Clinical Cases, Part III). Its external application is also recommended by Schuessler and others, in carbuncles, ulcers, ulceration of womb, abscess, ozaena as a spray, etc. massive and repeated doses are indicated in scrofulous, glandular swellings without suppurations. But where there is actual suppuration or even a tendency thereto, high potencies (30th) help in chronic cases, one dose daily, or even less often, in subacute cases, morning and evening - in acute cases from two to three hours. An effective method of using Silicea locally is to make a strong decoction of hay. This contains a large percentage of Silicea. The silicate of soda should be given in free solution. Percy Wilde, M. D., who introduced this valuable preparation of Silicea, given three to four drops three times daily and each dose is given in one - third of a tumbler of water, or, better still, in milk. The effect of the remedy must be watched, as it is apt to cause active changes in the tumor within forty eight hours (see Tumors, Part III).

Relationship
Relationship, - In suppuration compare Calcarea sulph., the difference being that Silicea promotes suppuration and brings the process to maturity, whereas Calc-sulph. heals the process by checking it and promoting the healthy granulation. For results from impure vaccination we have, besides Silicea and Thuja Kali mur., which according to Schuessler, is the one remedy necessary. The Silicea headache is similar to Spiegel., Paris, Picric acid, Coccul., Gelsem and Sanguin. In fistula lachrymalis compare Natr-mur. and Petrol. In whitlow and ingrown toe - nail, when Silicea fails Graphit. often succeeds. In caries and periostitis compare Asaf., Graphit., Conium., Platina mur. In tabes compare Alumina, Ruta. Silicea is a chronic Pulsat., it corresponds to the chronic form of such diseases as Pulsat. cures when acute. Pulsat. grows on sandy bottom, and probably contains Silica as one of its constituents. In bone disease it resembles closely Mercur., but it should not be given after Mercur., as it may much complicate the case.
In Moleschott's Kreislauf des Lebens, he says that the ashes of Equiset-hyem. consist nearly wholly of Silica. The cures of bladder troubles reported by Equiset. are probably due to the Silica it contains. The mineral springs of Bareges, in the Pyreness, contain an unusually large amount of Silicea in a soluble form, and this spa has been singled out by empirical experience as most value in the class of cases for which Silicea is homeopathically indicated., (Percy Wilde, M. D.)
In labyrinthine vertigo compare Natr-salicy. In ulceration around the nails, Psorinum is invaluable. Allied remedies: Fluroic acid, picric acid, Hypericum, Ruta, Mercur., etc.