General Action.
Acts principally on the upper digestive tract and the respiratory mucosa. Characteristic is a hard, indigestible sensation lodged at the cardia or lower œsophagus, as of a boiled egg; relieves dyspepsia due to tea or tobacco; eases cough with or without haemoptysis when this sensation as if a hard substance must be expectorated is present.
Mind.
Melancholic, depressed; easily nervous and unable to concentrate or think clearly when the gastric symptoms predominate.
Head.
Vertigo; sensation of malaise or heaviness in the head with flushed, hot cheeks; headache aggravated after eating and accompanied by epigastric distress.
Eyes.
Vision sometimes disturbed by black specks; burning smart in eyes as from smoke; conjunctiva may be mildly injected.
Ears.
Dull aching pain in the left external meatus; hearing easily fatigued when digestive disorder is marked.
Nose.
Frequent coryza with crusting; nasal mucosa dry or alternately congested and runny; nostrils cracked.
Face.
Cheeks flushed or red with concurrent dyspeptic head-symptoms; complexion may appear sallow when chronic.
Mouth.
Tongue coated; eructations of sour or bitter fluid; frequent belching relieves pressure pain.
Throat.
Sensation of choking or constriction low in the throat; as though something is sticking in the lower œsophagus at swallowing.
Appetite.
Great hunger at night with inability to sleep; complete loss of appetite on rising, with ravenous hunger at midday and in the evening; craving for cold drinks.
Stomach.
Pain always appearing after eating; sensation of a hard lump or “egg” in the epigastrium which must be “coughed up” though nothing is expelled; frequent eructations; constant gnawing sense of discomfort, worse when weak.
Abdomen.
Distension and fullness of epigastrium; sensation as if food remains undigested at cardia; flatulence and griping when debilitated.
Stool.
Constipation with atonic rectum; may alternate with occasional semi-fluid evacuation.
Urinary Organs.
No prominent urinary symptoms unless secondary to general weakness; urine normal or slightly scanty.
Female Sexual Organs.
Menstruation delayed by several months; uterine hypochondriasis with dyspeptic headache and epigastric distress.
Respiratory Organs.
Shortness of breath on slightest exertion; cough dry or loose when the “hard body” sensation descends into chest, with or without haemoptysis.
Cardiac.
Pulse slow and heavy; heart-beats laborious, with occasional sharp, cutting pains.
Back.
Tensive or bruised pain in the lumbar region; occasional sensation of coldness across sacrum.
Extremities.
Rheumatic, aching pains in bones and muscles; alternation of heat and chilling in limbs; general weakness.
Generalities.
Marked prostration; tendency to chill around the stomach region even when body otherwise feels cold.
Sleep.
Daytime somnolence yet restless, wakeful night; vivid, unpleasant dreams.
Fever.
Chilliness after meals or when epigastric sensation is severe; overall chill greatly relieved by ingestion of food.
Modalities.
Worse after eating; worse on lying down; ameliorated by external warmth around the stomach.
Relations.
Compare: Abies canadensis, Cupressus species, Thuja, Sabina (all with painful dyspepsia); Nux vomica, Bryonia, Pulsatilla, Kali carbonicum, Natrum muriaticum (for tea and tobacco effects).
Causation.
Symptoms often follow excessive tea or tobacco; aggravated by eating.