Category: Materia Medica Hans-Heinrich Reckeweg

The attenuations are prepared from Methylene-blue, C₁₆H₁₈ClN₃S · 3 H₂O, MW: 319.9.

It is a redox dye and also changes to the colourless (reduced) stage. Also, it is only by means of methylene blue that the dehydrogenation of succinic acid may be achieved through the widespread succinodehydrogenation of fumaric acid. Thus Methylene Blue is indicated in numerous cellular phases, and also in neoplasm phases, as an aid to respiration.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Methylenum caeruleum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for methylene blue: inflammations of the urinary tract.

The attenuations are prepared from Mercuric(II)-chloride, HgCl₂, MW: 271.5.

Characteristic mercurial action in tonsillitis, affections of the mucosa, salivation, dysentery, acute glomerulonephritis with albuminuria, haematuria, tenesmus, fluent coryza, liver problems, cholangitis, keratitis, iritis(!), gingivitis, gonorrhoea, primary syphilis (with antibiotics). Influenza, leucorrhoea of little girls. Offensive night- sweats. Shivering, trembling of the limbs, brain symptoms, fear, restlessness, erethism. Unquenchable thirst.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hydrargyrum bichloratum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for mercurius sublimatus corrosivus: highly acute inflammations of the mucosae of the eyes, the oral cavity, the tonsils, the large intestine, the rectum, the kidneys, the urinary tract collection system, and the vagina.

The attenuations are prepared from mixture consisting essentially of mercury(II)- amidonitrate and metallic mercury.

Of the great range of various Mercury preparations, produced both from native quicksilver (Mercurius Vivus) and from its salts, the one which has earned itself a

special reputation is Mercurius Solubilis Hahnemanni, although others are in use, such as Mercurius Cyanatus, e.g. in throat conditions and diphtheria, Mercurius Bi- iodatus in mucosal conditions, and Mercurius Sublimatus Corrosivus and Mercurius Praecipitatus Ruber in conditions of the periosteum and bones.

All Mercury preparations have a certain common symptomatology, e.g. the aggra- vation at night, foetid mouth-odour, glandular swellings, sensitivity to cold air, tongue coated and taking imprints of the teeth, and copious sweat, which is found to a particularly marked extent in Mercurius Solubilis.

In particular the swollen, flaccid tongue, showing imprints of the teeth (cf. Cheli- donium, Podophyllum, Arsenicum and Rhus Toxicodendron), may be found with al- most unfailing regularity in febrile illnesses. The Mercurius tongue is moist, with vi- olent thirst, and in many cases there is salivation which can be viscous, like soft soap, and there is a repulsive mouth odour which infests the whole sick-room. How- ever, it is not necessary for there to be any illness of the mouth present, such as stomatitis or gingivitis, or of the throat, such as tonsillitis, or either a sinus condition or a disease of the liver or gall-bladder. The state of the tongue or the mouth odour may be present or suggested in such conditions as hydronephrosis, for which Mer- curius Solubilis is likewise an important remedy. Usually the characteristic sweats of Mercurius Solubilis are also present, which are copious and do not relieve.

The main indication for Mercury preparations of any kind, but especially for Mer- curius Solubilis, is suppuration, particularly abscesses, boils, impetigo, moist and suppurating eczemas, carbuncles, inflamed swellings, pyuria, empyema, sinusitis with purulent discharge, purulent otitis media, bronchitis with tendency to yellow- ish, purulent expectoration, and influenza with severe fluent coryza and purulent se- cretion. Also an indication for Mercurius Solubilis are acute inflammatory condi- tions of the mucosa, such as dysentery with mucous, bloody stools, cutting pains and tenesmus, the latter also being an indication for Mercurius Sublimatus Corrosivus. Mercurius Solubilis is also indicated for styes and Meibomian cysts, if there is a strong sensitivity to touch and photophobia, likewise an aggravation at night and from warmth. Here it is best prescribed in alternation with Hepar Sulphuris.

Serious eye conditions such as scleritis with atrophy and possibly also glaucoma, react especially well to Mercurius Solubilis. Further indications include appendici- tis, bleeding haemorrhoids with inflammatory symptoms, liver conditions with foetid mouth odour, imprints of the teeth on the yellow-coated tongue and a tenden- cy to empyema of the gall-bladder. Also cystitis with mucous urine, gonorrhoea and consequences of gonorrhoea with violent inflammatory symptoms, orchitis, epi- didymitis, ophoritis, salpingitis, whitlow, and especially eczemas, both chronic and acute and those of a scrofulous kind.

It should also be borne in mind that Mercurius Solubilis can be a good remedy for disorder of brain function. Pink disease is well-known. Thus Mercurius will influ- ence slow, awkward speech as well as the familiar mercurial tremor with trembling of the tongue (Hatter’s shakes). Mercurius Solubilis will also have a beneficial effect on rheumatism of the joints, and muscular rheumatism with night sweats and red-

ness of the joints, as well as on measles with violent fluent coryza, eye inflamma- tions and diarrhoea.

A particularly important modality is the aggravation at night and from the warmth of the bed, which applies not only to suppurations but also to a wide variety of skin diseases.

Mercurius was formerly regarded as one of the most important preparations in the treatment of syphilis. With the recent availability of the abortive treatment with mega-doses of penicillin, this has receded into the background. In spite of this, it is recommended to supplement treatment of syphilitic conditions with Mercurius Sol- ubilis; in secondary and tertiary syphilis, however, mercury preparations are particu- larly recommended (with or before penicillin treatment).

Apart from Mercurius Solubilis, Mercurius Cyanatus is also frequently used, par- ticularly in diphtheritic conditions; likewise Mercurius Iodatus Flavus, which is characterised by a thick yellow coating at the base of the tongue, which is also often found in liver diseases as well as in diphtheria.

Mercurius Sublimatus Corrosivus, the sublimate, is particularly effective in dis- eases of the mucosa and skin, and also especially in dysentery with violent intestin- al tenesmus. Mercurius Sublimatus Corrosivus is also the remedy of preference in gonorrhoeal sequelae, especially a thin, greenish discharge, and also in discharging fistulas of every kind.

The beneficial action of Mercurius Praecipitatus Ruber on bone conditions and on periosteal affections, such as exostoses, including those of the heel, should also be mentioned and also where cerebral abscess or arachnoiditis is suspected.

Note should also be made of the tendency, peculiar to the mercury preparations, towards shivering, which is found in incipient influenza and infectious diseases, as well as in the early stages of suppurations such as tonsillitis and tonsillar abscess, and possibly also in whitlows etc. This symptom is just as typical of Mercurius as are the sweats which do not relieve and the aggravation from warmth of the bed.

Also in use is Mercurius Biiodatus, which is recommended (like Kalmia) in syphilitic iritis, and also in chronic suppurations of the middle ear and in chronic nasal catarrh, in psoriasis, acne rosacea and chronic eczemas with significant hyper- keratosis.

Further Mercury preparations which may be mentioned are Mercurius Dulcis (Calomel), recommended in otitis media, liver and gall-stone problems and in mas- sive occurrences of ascarides; and also Cinnabaris (Mercurius Sulphuratus Ruber).

Cinnabaris has a special reputation in post-syphilitic conditions and is recom- mended in corneal affections, syphilitic iritis and in ulcerative destruction of the nasal septum, chronic blepharitis, ulcer of the lower leg and sycosis barbae.

Mercurius Nitrosus is particularly suited as a skin and eye remedy, e.g. in tubercu- lar conjunctivitis and keratitis, also in blepharitis with stabbing pains and sore edges of the eyelids, and also in stubborn condylomata.

If we sum up the most essential symptoms of Mercurius, the following character- istics emerge:

1. Tendency towards suppurations of all kinds. Tonsillitis. Sinusitis. Appendicitis. Empyema thoracis. Suppuration of the bones. Osteomyelitis. Periosteal affec- tions. Scleritis. Iritis. Conjunctivitis. Ulcer of the lower leg. Hydronephrosis, cys- titis, pyelitis. Otitis media. Acne vulgaris.
   1. Aggravation of all complaints at night, especially from warmth of the bed. Copi- ous sweats which do not give relief.
   1. Tongue has a thick mucous or yellowish coating, showing the imprint of the teeth, with severe thirst. Glandular swellings. Foetid mouth-odour.
   1. Sensitivity to cold air.
   1. All reaction phases, which extend, and in which Belladonna, initially indicated, does not act sufficiently, or there is a tendency towards suppurations or superficial inflammations of the mucosa.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Mercurius solubilis Hahneman- ni, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for mercurius solubilis Hahnemanni: mucosal inflammations of the respiratory passages, the gastrointestinal tract, and the urinary and reproductive organs; skin diseases; inflammations of the tonsils, lymph glands, liver, and kid- neys; inflammations of other glandular organs; ostealgia and rheumatism; enervating diseases; cerebral angiosclerosis.

The attenuations are prepared from Mercurous(II)-salicylate Hg(C₆ H₄ (OH)COO)₂,

MW: 474.7.

The main indications are:

Polyarthritis with unpleasant-smelling sweat. Chronic skin diseases.

The attenuations are prepared from red Mercuric(II)-oxide, HgO, MW: 216.6.

The main indications are:

Periostitis and nocturnal pains in the bones. Pemphigus neonatorum. Nocturnal at- tacks of asthma and suffocation, occurring during sleep and necessitating hasty ris- ing. Palpitations violent, as if the chest would burst.

Fistulae in bones. Cerebral abscess. Pustular acne.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hydrargyrum oxydatum rubrum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (Ger- man Federal Gazette) for mercurius praecipitatus ruber: suppuration of the skin and mucosae.

The attenuations are prepared from Mercurous(I)-iodide, Hg₂ I₂, MW: 655.0.

The main indications are:

Thick, yellow coating at the edge of the tongue: tip and edges red and showing im- print of the teeth. Tonsillitis. Diphtheria, beginning on the right-hand side. Keratitis.

Leucorrhoea of little girls. Liver and biliary illnesses. Specific iritis. Corneal ulcer. Indurated glandular swellings in syphilis and tuberculosis.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hydrargyrum jodatum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for mercurius iodatus flavus: suppurative inflammations of the tonsils and pharynx.

The attenuations are prepared from Mercuric(II)-cyanide, Hg(CN)₂, MW: 252.6.

The main indications are:

Diphtheria. Necrosis of the soft parts of the pharynx. Foetid breath, rough, painful throat. Dark haemorrhages from the nose. Vomiting of stomach contents. Collapse. Dysentery. Syphilitic ulceration of the cornea, with danger of perforation.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hydrargyrum bicyanatum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for mercurius cyanatus: diphtheroid inflammations of the tonsils, the gums, the pharynx, and the larynx; inflammations of the large intestine and of the rectum.

The attenuations are prepared from Mercuric(II)-iodide, HgI₂, MW: 454.4.

The main indications are:

Left-sided diphtheria, acute and chronic tonsillitis. Acute fluent coryza. Blepharitis with chronic granulations. Cracks in the palm of the hand, moist and painful. Papular eruptions on the hand. Primary syphilis (with antibiotics). Rheumatism moving to and fro. Orchitis. Epididymitis. Glandular swellings which may suppurate.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Hydrargyrum biiodatum, pub- lished the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for mercurius biiodatus: suppurative inflammations of the mucosae of the nose, the pharynx, the tonsils, and the eyes.

The attenuations are prepared from Aurum metallicum and Hydrargyrum metal- licum both according to the current Pharmacopoeia.

The main indications are:

Indurated glandular tumours. Tertiary syphilis with gummas.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Aurum amalgamum, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for mercurius auratus: suppuration of the facial bones and nasal mucosae.

The mother tincture is prepared from the whole fresh plant, gathered when coming into flower, of Mercurialis perennis (L.), which is frequently found growing in fairly damp, shady woodlands in Europe. N.O. Euphorbiaceae.

The active constituents are methylamine, volatile oil, bitter principle, saponin and flavonol glycoside.

This remedy embraces exhaustion, tiredness and sluggishness, as well as a gener- al indisposition, with pulsating, twitching and stitching sensations in a wide variety of regions of the body. There is also restless sleep with drowsiness during the day,

melancholia, irritability and a violent manner, as well as itching, prickling and pus- tules on the face and on the skin generally.

The symptoms of colds and catarrh are evident in stabbing, tearing headaches with a feeling of tension, a flushed, hot face, red-rimmed eyes and conjunctival irri- tation with lachrymation, photophobia and seeing as if through a gauze. Stabbing and tearing pains in the auditory canal, and itching, crawling and burning in the nose followed by coryza. Likewise there is a dry cough, difficult respiration, palpi- tations, and hot flushes with thirst, hot palms and soles.

There may also be inflammatory conditions with a feeling of great dryness in the oral mucosa, heat and burning, the tongue having a white, mucous coating; quanti- ties of mucus accumulate on the palate and there are difficulties in swallowing.

The taste is abnormally bitter or sour. There may also be heartburn, eructations and nausea, with stomach pains, sensation of pressure and susceptibility to cold, cutting pains in the intestines with growling and rumbling, and frequent discharge of flatus.

There may also be frequent urging for urination with only small quantities passed, strangury and burning in the urethra, as well as crawling in the prepuce, whilst in the female sex the menses are of short duration, but in the pelvic organs cramping com- plaints set in (regressive effect).

Mercurialis Perennis is used in rheumatic illnesses of an acute or chronic nature, especially when the pericardium or endocardium is involved, or when influenzal states are present, with “gastric flu” and bladder-complaints. Headaches are mostly associated with disturbances of vision or with melancholic and hypochondriacal moods.

Whilst Mercurialis Perennis has a typical therapeutic scope, in practice it has not come into such prominence as the great polychrests, and is mostly employed only as a supporting remedy in combination with others.

The German Monograph-Preparation Commission for the Homoeopathic Field of Therapy has, under the Preparation Monograph for Mercurialis perennis, published the following indication(s) in the German Bundesanzeiger (German Federal Gazette) for mercurialis perennis: infrequent menstruation; amenorrhoea.