Aconitum Ferox

A. ferox was proved by Dworzack, who also proved Aconitine. The Ferox

developed burning pains in greater intensity than the alkaloid; more intense mental activity

followed by greater depression. The Aconite note of unendurability of suffering was marked.

Anxiety and fear of suffocation from paralysis of respiratory muscles; obliged to breathe half-

sitting up with head resting on palms of hands. Cold drinks >; sitting up >; warm food <; coffee

oH

Mind very active; sequence of ideas rapid; talked constantly, remembered easily the

minutest circumstances of his former experiment, compared them with present one, and readily

drew conclusions (6 h.). In intervals of relief from distressing symptoms laughed and joked about

his very comical condition; but when the dyspnoea, anxiety, &c., returned, he could not seem to

endure them, and abused heartily Aconite and toxicology in general (4 to 6 h.).—Incapable of any

mental work, even the simplest addition; comprehension and understanding confused (2nd day).

Tongue almost insensible; feels like a piece of raw leather in mouth (6 h.).—Tongue

covered with a thick yellowish-white fur.—Violent burning in mouth (in two minutes), renewed

by eating (2nd day); > by drinking cold water.

Pressure in stomach with pain.—Warmth in stomach.—Violent drawing pain in

region of stomach and sacral region, soon spreading over whole abdomen; < by pressure on

epigastrium.—On pressing in stomach, an internal, dull pressing pain.

Dyspnecea increased to such a degree that he was obliged to breathe

half-sitting up, with head resting on palms of hands; constantly feared suffocation from

respiratory paralysis.

Sleeplessness.—On waking, violent burning in mouth and throat, warmth in stomach,

dull sensation in head.

Icy coldness of body (4 h.), objective and subjective, no amount of wraps and

external warmth relieved. Desire to get warm drove him to get out of bed and sit near stove.

Tottered to stove and warmth was pleasant, but vertigo, trembling, oppression, and nausea

ensued and compelled him to return to bed. This experience was repeated.—Fierce heat (calor

mordax) on forehead, cheek, and hands, with sensation as if numerous glowing hot wires were

stuck into him: > by perspiration (4 to 6 h.).

• ▸Burning pains.
• ▸Cheyne-Stokes breathing.
• ▸Chill.
• ▸Dyspnoea.
• ▸Gastralgia.
• ▸Neuralgia.

Numbness.

Gait tottering; remarkable weakness in lower extremities, esp. r.

24. Generalities —Formication spread over whole body, least noticeable on parts that had been

cold; <, or excited by, change of temperature or motion. Having changed from one nerve to

• ▸another, reached its greatest severity from 7 to 7.
• ▸30 p.
• ▸m.
• ▸It caused a painful unrest so that he

could not possibly lie quietly more than a few minutes. Getting up set up all the train of

symptoms, which were > immediately on lying down.—Benumbed sensation, as if he had on

gloves; on pinching cheeks no pain felt; seemed to walk on woollen carpets (2nd, 3rd, and 4th

d.).