ACALYPHA INDICA

General Action.
Acts chiefly on the respiratory and alimentary tracts of adults and children. The principal sphere of action is in the mucous membranes of the bronchi, producing a violent dry cough followed by haemorrhagic expectoration; and upon the digestive canal, causing burning, weight at the stomach, profuse flatus, and explosive diarrhoea.

Mind.
Patient is markedly weak and restless; disinclined to move or exert oneself; emotional state low, with tearfulness and melancholy accompanying the physical exhaustion.

Head.
Slight headache, with giddiness and nausea accompanying the pulmonary haemorrhage.

Eyes.
Vision may become blurred during paroxysms of cough and haemoptysis.

Ears, Nose, Throat.
Epistaxis may occur in conjunction with pulmonary bleeding; throat and larynx feel raw, with an urgent inclination to cough.

Stomach.
Burning in the stomach; sense of weight; eructations with acidity; nausea, especially when coughing or with haemorrhagic vomiting.

Abdomen.
Marked flatulence with audible borborygmi; colic-like pains preceding stools; diarrhoea of thin, watery stools, often sudden in onset. Progressive emaciation ensues.

Stool and Anus.
Sudden, explosive diarrhoea; stools watery or semi-fluid; sometimes streaked with blood.

Respiratory Organs.
Severe, dry, convulsive cough, most violent at night; initial paroxysm unproductive, then followed by expectoration of bright red blood in the morning and dark blood with clots in the evening. Chest dull on percussion, with constant severe chest pain.

Generalities.
Profound weakness and progressive emaciation; patient often prefers to lie still. Symptoms < at night and during paroxysms of cough; > by spitting blood.

Relations.
Compare: other Euphorbiaceae (e.g., Mercurialis annua, Manihot); in pulmonary haemorrhage: Hamamelis, Ipecacuanha, Millefolium, Phosphorus, Aconitum.

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