Secale Cornutum

Rye and grasses are apt to be affected with the Ergot disease in damp seasons,

and when grown on damp, ill-drained lands. If breeding cows are turned on pastures where

infected grasses grow they are very liable to drop their calves. Ergot has been known as a

hastener of parturition from remote times. Its other actions have been for the most part learned

from the terrible epidemics of "Ergotism" which have occasionally devastated districts in which

Rye infected with Ergot has been ground into flour and eaten by the population. Death takes

place in convulsions; or else from gangrene and consequent exhaustion; or from exhausting

haemorrhages or discharges, as diarrhoea. Many who escape immediate death are reduced to a

cachectic state, from which they never recover; are paralysed, have limbs distorted and senses

impaired. In general the sufferer retains a clear intellect and a good, even abnormally good,

• ▸appetite to the last.
• ▸The nervous symptoms of Sec.
• ▸are convulsive.
• ▸The body is at times rigid; at

times rigidity alternates with relaxation. This is especially seen in the hands, which are either

clenched or have the fingers spread widely apart (a keynote symptom). The muscles of the face

and abdomen twitch. There is incontinence or retention of urine. Spasmodic retching, the

stomach is violently contracted. Through the like action on the vaso-motor nerves there is first

contraction and then dilatation of blood-vessels; the fingers turn bluish black. This stagnation

leads to dry gangrene of the parts. Sec. shrivels up the skin, makes it dry and harsh; sallow

complexion. It is therefore suited to—thin, scrawny women, feeble and of cachectic appearance;

women of irritable, nervous temperament; of pale, sunken countenance. To very old, decrepit

persons. On the other hand, it is also swited to: Irritable, plethoric subjects. Women of very lax

muscular fibre; everything seems loose and open; no action, vessels flabby: passive

hemorrhages, copious flow of thin, black, watery blood. For Sec. lessens the coagulating power

of the blood. and produces a hemorrhagic diathesis; persistent, offensive bleeding. Small

• ▸wounds bleed persistently.
• ▸Purpura comes within this category.
• ▸One grand characteristic of Sec.
• ▸,

which will determine its selection in many cases, is: "< By external heat." This applies to

cholera, purpura, gangrene, and any condition which may present symptoms of Sec. In cholera

cases calling for Sec. the patient is cold, almost pulseless; there are spasmodic twitchings of

muscles in various parts (especially spreading of fingers), eyes sunk, features pinched; surface

harsh, shrivelled, dry, as though no moisture were left in the body. Though cold to the touch,

cannot bear to be covered. In spite of this coldness, Sec. has burning among its characteristic

sensations: burning in all parts of the body as if sparks were falling on the patient. Another

characteristic sensation is numbness; tingling as if ants crawling all over, > from rubbing. This

may accompany hemorrhages, loss of other fluids, debility, or skin affections. In the later stages

of ergotism there is anzesthesia. The discharges are exhausting and offensive. Diarrhoea is

peculiar, involuntary; with wide-open anus. The boils in which Sec. is indicated are small and

painful, with green contents, mature very slowly, heal slowly, and are very weakening. The eyes

are affected in various ways: Pustulous conjunctivitis; suppuration of cornea; dilated pupils,

distortion, and strabismus; ptosis; suppressed tears. Catarrh has been caused in many instances.

"< From warmth" will be the leading indication in many eye cases requiring Sec. Exophthalmic

goitre has been cured with it; the heart being acted on by Sec. as other hollow viscera, and

• ▸violent palpitation induced.
• ▸Sec.
• ▸has a great affinity for the uterus, whether gravid or not.
• ▸Though

its use in ordinary doses in obstetric practice is attended with danger, it may be used on its

homeeopathic indications with perfect safety. It is indicated: (/) In threatened abortion, especially

at the third month; prolonged, bearing-down, forcing pains. (2) During labour when the pains are

irregular, too weak, feeble, or ceasing; everything seems loose and open, but there is no

expulsive action; fainting. (3) For after-pains when too long, too excessive; or when there is

hour-glass contraction of the uterus. (4) For suppression or non-appearance of the milk. The

menses of Sec. are irregular; copious, dark, fluid; accompanied by labour-like pains in abdomen;

there maybe a continuous watery discharge of blood during the whole time between the periods.

Teste records this case: A lady, 50, fat, very soft flesh, had flooding which nothing could stop.

After several useless attempts, Teste gave large doses of Sec. with scarcely any effect. The

patient asked for infinitesimal doses. At that time Teste had no faith at all in infinitesimals, but

he yielded to the patient's request, and gave one drop of the 6th. The flooding ceased

immediately and permanently. Peculiar Sensations of Sec. are: As if intoxicated while

• ▸undressing.
• ▸As if eyes were spasmodically rotated.
• ▸As of a solid plug in nose.
• ▸As if tongue

paralysed. As if there were some resistance to be overcome in speech. As of a heavy weight in

• ▸stomach.
• ▸Region of stomach as if contracted.
• ▸Anus as if locked up.
• ▸As if testes being drawn up to

• ▸inguinal ring.
• ▸Uterus as if burnt.
• ▸As if contents of uterus would fall forward.
• ▸As if soft air were

creeping through back. As if sacrum would be forced out. As if something alive creeping under

• ▸skin.
• ▸As if fingers asleep.
• ▸As if limbs had been a long time in hot water.
• ▸As if sparks of fire

• ▸falling on different parts.
• ▸As if mice creeping under skin.
• ▸Fuzzy feeling in limbs.
• ▸Sec.
• ▸is indicated

in Suppressions: tears; lochia; milk; sweat. Thirst with dry mouth or burning. Desires lemonade

• ▸and sour things.
• ▸Averse to fat and meat.
• ▸The symptoms are: < By touch.
• ▸> Lying doubled up in

• ▸bed.
• ▸Motion and any exertion <.
• ▸Walking = giddiness.
• ▸Many symptoms (cramps, twitchings) <

• ▸night.
• ▸Sinking spells 3 a.
• ▸m.
• ▸Open air >.
• ▸Wants to be fanned.
• ▸Warm applications <.
• ▸Warm drink

• ▸<.
• ▸Wet bandages > labour pains.
• ▸Cold applications >.
• ▸< After eating.
• ▸All symptoms < just before

menses. The right side is predominantly affected.

Discouragement and timidity —Great anxiety.—Sadness and melancholy.—Great

anguish.—Furor, with desire to jump into the water.—Madness and inclination to bite —Fear of

death —Mania.—Weakness of the intellectual faculties (stupid, half-sleepy condition;

• ▸moaning).
• ▸—Mental alienation.
• ▸—Deliri'um.
• ▸—Loss of consciousness.
• ▸—Consciousness seems to

continue to the last breath; and just before death it seems as though the patient would improve.

For female complaints chiefly, and esp. when occurring in thin, scrawny,

wrinkled females or children.—Skin is cold, but the patient does not wish to be covered

up.—Copious vomiting of a mixture of thick, black, pitchy, bilious, and slimy matter.—Dry

gangrene, particularly on r. side, beginning in toes and running up the limb.—Amaurosis

occurring in patients characteristic of this drug; hard hearing; blue colour around eyes.—< From

• ▸drawing up limbs; esp.
• ▸in troubles of childbed.
• ▸—> From stretching out the limbs.
• ▸—Drawing,

tearing, and tingling in the limbs and joints.—Violent and wandering spasmodic pains.—Cramps

in legs, arms, and chest.—Burning sensation in all parts of the body, as if caused by

• ▸sparks.
• ▸—Tonic spasms; of all extensors.
• ▸—Tetanus.
• ▸—Epileptiform convulsions.
• ▸—General atrophy

and emaciation.—Rapid emaciation of paralysed parts.—Unsteady gait; unsteadiness of the whole

body; trembling; rapid sinking of strength.—Collapse when the patient cannot bear

• ▸covering.
• ▸—Syncope.
• ▸—Great lassitude and indolence.
• ▸—Paralysis.
• ▸—Complete mortification of some

parts by sphacelus.—Affections in general of r. side; crooked limbs; sensation of deadness in any

part.—Loss of sensation throughout the body.

• ▸Passive, congestive pain (rises from back of head), with pale face.
• ▸Head drawn back.
• ▸Falling of hair; dry and gray.
• ▸Nosebleed, dark, oozing.

Head confused and stupefied (unconsciousness with heavy sleep, preceded by tingling

in head and limbs; in hemorrhages from the uterus).—Sensation as from intoxication while

undressing.—Vertigo as from intoxication.—Stupefaction, with tingling in head and pain in limbs,

which are < from motion.—Diminution and loss of senses, sight, hearing, &c.—Peculiar feeling of

• ▸lightness of head, esp.
• ▸in occiput.
• ▸—Attacks of vertigo of different kinds, also chronic.
• ▸—Headache

• ▸with dull and painful confusion, esp.
• ▸in occiput.
• ▸—Semilateral headache (1.
• ▸).
• ▸—Hair falls

out.—Scalp sore.—Twisting of head to and fro.

Pupils dilated. Incipient cataract, senile especially in women. Eyes sunken and surrounded by a blue margin.

Eyeballs sunk deep in the sockets; and surrounded by blue margins.—Pupils

spasmodically contracted or else dilated—Convulsed eyes —Squinting.—Pain in eyes, with

feeling as if spasmodically rotated —Fixed, wild look.—Cataract, hard or soft; with headache,

vertigo, and roaring in ears.—Suppuration of cornea; < from warm applications.—Suppressed

• ▸secretion of tears.
• ▸—Eyes yellow.
• ▸—Complete blindness.
• ▸—Double or triple vision.
• ▸—Mist, spots and

a veil before the sight—Weakness of sight.—Sparkling before the eyes and cloudiness of

sight.—Exophthalmic goitre.

Humming and roaring in ears; and hardness of hearing.—Undue sensitiveness of

hearing, even slightest sound re-echoed in head and made her shudder.—Transient deafness.

• ▸Sneezing.
• ▸—Nose feels stopped yet watery discharge runs from it.
• ▸—Nose stopped I.
• ▸side

as with a solid plug.—Nose-bleed: blood dark, runs continuously, with great prostration, small,

thread-like pulse; in old people or drunkards; in young women; from debility.

• ▸Pale, pinched, sunken.
• ▸Cramps commence in face and spread over whole body.
• ▸Livid spots on face.
• ▸Spasmodic distortion.

Face discoloured, pale, yellow, wan, with eyes hollow and surrounded by a blue

• ▸circle.
• ▸—Distorted features.
• ▸—Livid spots on face.
• ▸—Face of a deep red.
• ▸—Swelling of

• ▸face.
• ▸—Tingling in face.
• ▸—Forehead hot.
• ▸—Muscular twitchings, usually begin in face and then

spread all over body, sometimes increasing to dancing and jumping.—Lips bluish or deathly

pale—Lips and mouth painfully contracted (spasmodic distortion; risus sardonicus).

Tongue dry, cracked; blood like ink exudes, coated thick; viscid, yellowish, cold livid. Tingling of tip of tongue, which is stiff. Tongue swollen, paralyzed.

Very offensive breath.—Increased secretion of saliva.—Dryness of mouth, with

thirst —Hzemoptysis.—Sanguineous or yellowish green foam before mouth.—Tongue discoloured,

brown or black; or else loaded with a thick coating (of mucus).—Painful tingling in tongue and

throat —Swelling of tongue.—Stammering, embarrassed, indistinct, weak speech; as if the tongue

were paralysed; or there were resistance to be overcome.—T witching of tongue.—Frequently bites

tongue.

Lockjaw.—Grinding of teeth —Loosening and falling out of teeth —Bleeding from

gums.—Difficult dentition.

Dryness of throat——Burning sensation or troublesome tingling or crawling in

throat —Follicular pharyngitis; hawks up little follicular exudation.—Paralysis of muscles of

swallowing and speaking; in danger of choking.—Inflammation of the cesophagus.

• ▸Unnatural ravenous appetite; craves acids.
• ▸Thirst unquenchable.
• ▸Singultus, nausea; vomiting of blood and coffee-grounds fluid.
• ▸Burning in stomach and abdomen; tympanites.
• ▸Eructations of bad odor.

Dulness of the taste ——Burning, insatiable thirst——Unnatural appetite, even when

dying from exhausting discharges from bowels.—Insatiable hunger, esp. for acid things.

Frequent risings.—Disgust, esp. for meat and fatty things, and

nausea.—Continuous nausea; < after eating.—Nausea and inclination to

• ▸vomit.
• ▸—Hiccough.
• ▸—Retching and vomiting of bilious, crude matter—Easy vomiting.
• ▸—Vomiting

• ▸of food, with great debility.
• ▸—Vomiting of lumbrici.
• ▸—Vomiting of mucus.
• ▸—Vomiting of black

bile—Vomiting of dark brown, coffee-grounds fluid; of all food and drink.—Hzemorrhage from

• ▸stomach.
• ▸—Stomachache.
• ▸—Cramp in stomach.
• ▸—Excessively painful sensibility, distressing

oppression (as from a weight), and anguish in pit of stomach, with ineffectual want to

vomit.—Burning sensation in scrobiculus and epigastrium.—Great anxiety and pressure in pit of

stomach, with great sensibility to touch.—Inflammation and gangrene of stomach.—Inflammation

and cancer in stomach.

Abdomen excessively inflated and tight.—Cuttings and tearing pains in

abdomen.—Inflammation and gangrene of the liver—Liver enlarged.—Burning (or coldness) in

abdomen.—Fixed, burning pains in splenic and lumbar regions.—Pains in the loins as from false

labour pains.—Colic, with pains in sacrum and thighs, frequent risings, and vomitings.—Painful

colic, with convulsions.—Sensation of excessive coldness in abdomen and back.—Burning

sensation in abdomen.—Strong pulsation in umbilical region —Borborygmi.—Pains in hypogastric

region.

Cholera-like stools, with coldness and cramps. Olivegreen, thin, putrid, bloody, with icy coldness and intolerance of being covered, with great exhaustion. Involuntary stools; no sensation of passing feces, anus wide open.

Constipation, with continued and ineffectual want to evacuate—Loose,

frequent evacuations, with serous, slimy, or else discoloured or brownish feeces.—Diarrhcea of a

putrid smell.—Diarrhoea, with sudden prostration of strength —Involuntary (very watery)

evacuations.—Offensive, watery diarrhoea (in child-bed).—Cholera; diarrhoea after the

cholera.—Diarrhcea: frequent brown discharges, dark-coloured; very offensive; thin, olive green;

• ▸very exhausting; pernicious.
• ▸—Hzmorrhage from the bowels.
• ▸—Expulsion of worms.
• ▸—Paralysis of

rectum and anus.—Anus wide open.

Suppressed secretion of urine.—Scanty, hot, burning urine.—Emission of

urine, drop by drop, difficult, scanty, with continued want to urinate —White urine, clear like

• ▸water.
• ▸—Increased secretion of urine.
• ▸—Urine retained.
• ▸—Bladder paralysed.
• ▸—Enuresis: of old

people; pale, watery, or bloody urine.—Hzematuria; bloody, albuminous urine; thick black

blood.—Urinary deposit like white cheese.

• ▸Paralysis of bladder.
• ▸Retention, with unsuccessful urging.
• ▸Discharge of black blood from bladder.
• ▸Enuresis in old people.

• ▸Menstrual colic, with coldness and intolerance of heat.
• ▸Passive haemorrhages in feeble, cachectic women.
• ▸Burning pains in uterus.
• ▸Brownish, offensive leucorrhoea.
• ▸Menses irregular, copious, dark; continuous oozing of watery blood until next period.
• ▸Threatened abortion about the third month (Sab).
• ▸During labor no expulsive action, though everything is relaxed.
• ▸After-pains.
• ▸Suppression of milk; breasts do not fill properly.
• ▸Dark, offensive lochia.
• ▸Puerperal fever, putrid discharges, tympanitis, coldness, suppressed urine.

Catamenia too profuse and of too long duration, sometimes with

violent spasms.—Metrorrhagia of a black, liquid blood, flowing esp. during a slight movement,

sometimes with tingling in legs and great debility.—Discharge of blood during

pregnancy.—Labour ceases, and instead twitchings and convulsions.—Too long and too painful

• ▸after-pains.
• ▸—Suppression of milk.
• ▸—Miscarriage (esp.
• ▸in third month).
• ▸—Defective contraction of

uterus after miscarriage.—Swelling and warts on the cervix uteri, which is partially

open.—Gangrene of vaginal mucous membrane, with a dark, slate colour—Vagina hot or

cool.—Sanguineous congestion in uterus —Offensive discharge from uterus causing her to vomit

(Ussher).—Lochia scanty and fetid, or of too long duration and sanguineous (followed by fever

and inflammation of uterus).—Puerperal convulsions.—[Female genital organs in general; pains

like labour pains, which are protracted for a long time, skin cold and no wish to be covered, &c.;

labour pains ceasing; labour pains too weak; abortion in the characteristic patients.—H. N.

G.].—Cancer and gangrene of uterus —Prolapse of uterus.

Numerous erections, even after coition.—After lightness in occiput,

strong dragging in spermatic cord, so that testes seemed drawn up to inguinal ring.—After sexual

excess palpitation of heart—Weak memory after exhausting coition; impotence.—Chronic

spasmodic stricture of urethra.

Heavy, anxious breathing, with moaning.—Spitting of blood, with or

without cough.—Feeble voice, inaudible, stammering.—Expectoration of blood during violent

efforts to breathe.—Voice hoarse and hollow.—Painless aphonia in morning, as the day goes on

• ▸he gets hoarse (produced.
• ▸—R.
• ▸T.
• ▸C.
• ▸).
• ▸—Anxious and obstructed respiration, with sighs and sobs.

• ▸Angina pectoris.
• ▸Dyspnoea and oppression, with cramp in diaphragm.
• ▸Boring pain in chest.
• ▸Praecordial tenderness.
• ▸Palpitation, with contracted and intermittent pulse.

Dyspncea and oppression of chest.—Suffocating oppression of chest, with cramp in

diaphragm.

• ▸Preecordial tenderness.
• ▸—Painful sensation over heart.
• ▸—Preecordial anxiety.
• ▸—Violent

spasmodic palpitation of heart—Pulse small, very rapid, contracted; frequently intermittent;

fluttering, slow, depressed.

• ▸Spinal irritation, tingling of lower extremities; can bear only slightest covering.
• ▸Locomotor ataxia.
• ▸Formication and numbness.
• ▸Myelitis.

Stiffness of nape of the neck.—Profuse miliary eruption on nape of neck

• ▸and chest.
• ▸—Sensation of coldness in back.
• ▸—Pain in back and small of back.
• ▸—Tingling and

insensibility in back (extending to tips of fingers and toes).—[Severe pain in (lower) back < when

• ▸walking much or sitting long in same position.
• ▸—R.
• ▸T.
• ▸C.
• ▸].
• ▸—(Lumbago.
• ▸)

Spasmodic curvature of the arm, with drawing in the part.—Burning

sensation in the hands.—Swelling of the hands, with black pustules—(Edematous swelling in the

wrist.—Distortion of the hands.—Tingling, crawling, with numbness and insensibility in finger-

tips.—Contraction, distortion, and turning back of the fingers—Spasms with fingers spread

apart.—Peculiar prickling in tips of fingers that are very sensitive to cold after awhile they began

to suppurate, and later the nails separated from their matrix and fell off one after another, leaving

an unhealthy granulating surface —Degeneration of pulp of nails, the nails are raised.

Lassitude and soreness in the legs.—Contraction of the legs and

• ▸toes.
• ▸—Distressing cramps in calves and soles, esp.
• ▸at night.
• ▸—Burning sensation in (swollen)

feet.—Distortion of feet—Swelling of feet, with black pustules——Feet seem asleep and

stiff—Mortification of toes.—Gangrena senilis —Tingling in toes.

• ▸Cold, dry hands and feet of excessive smokers with feeling of fuzziness in fingers.
• ▸Trembling, staggering gait.
• ▸Formication, pain and spasmodic movements.
• ▸Numbness.
• ▸Fingers and feet bluish, shriveled, spread apart or bent backwards, numb.
• ▸Violent cramps. Icy coldness of extremities.
• ▸Violent pain in finger-tips, tingling in toes.

• ▸Shriveled, numb; mottled dusky-blue tinge.
• ▸Scleraema and oedema neonatorum.
• ▸Raynaud's disease.
• ▸Blue color.
• ▸Dry gangrene, developing slowly.
• ▸Varicose ulcers. Burning sensation; better by cold; wants parts uncovered, though cold to touch.
• ▸Formication; petechiae.
• ▸Slight wounds continue to bleed.
• ▸Livid spots.
• ▸Boils, small, painful, with green contents; mature slowly.
• ▸Skin feels cold to touch, yet covering is not tolerated.
• ▸Great aversion to heat. Formication under skin.

Skin sallow, lead-coloured, flaccid, and shrivelled.—Skin rough and dry.—Torpor and

• ▸insensibility of the skin.
• ▸—Miliary eruption, esp.
• ▸on chest and nape of neck.
• ▸—Petechize.
• ▸—Purpura

• ▸heemorrhagica.
• ▸—Ecchymosis.
• ▸—Furunculi.
• ▸—Swelling and pain without inflammation; coldness,

blue colour, gangrene.—Black, gangrenous pustules —Blackness of outer parts; crawling on the

skin as of insects.—Subcutaneous tingling —General desquamation of epidermis.—Ulcers that

turn black; skin withered and gangrenous.—Heat, with thirst and want of

perspiration.—Sanguineous vesicles, which turn to gangrene, in the limbs.—Anthrax becoming

gangrenous.

Profound and long. Insomnia with restlessness, fever, anxious dreams. Insomnia of drug and liquor habitudes.

Strong inclination to sleep and coma.—Deep, lethargic sleep.—Sleeplessness, with

agitation and dry heat—Coma with delirium, starts, and fright.

Coldness; cold, dry skin; cold, clammy sweat; excessive thirst. Sense of internal heat.

Violent shivering, followed by violent internal burning heat, with violent

• ▸thirst.
• ▸—Excessive coldness in back, abdomen, and limbs.
• ▸—Coldness of surface of body; esp.
• ▸of

extremities and face; dryness.—Dry heat, with quick pulse, agitation, and sleeplessness —Small,

suppressed pulse (generally slow and contracted, sometimes intermittent, only slightly

accelerated during the heat).—Pulse unchanged, even with the most violent attacks.—Cold

perspiration.—Cold, clammy sweat all over, esp. above waist-line.

• ▸Abortion, threatened.
• ▸After-pains.
• ▸Albuminuria.
• ▸Anus, incontinence of; open.

• ▸Asthenopia.
• ▸Bladder, paralysis of: Boils.
• ▸Carbuncles.
• ▸Cataract.
• ▸Chilblains.
• ▸Cholera; infantum.

• ▸Chorea.
• ▸Convulsions.
• ▸Cramps.
• ▸Diabetes.
• ▸Diaphragm, cramp in.
• ▸Diarrhoea.
• ▸Distortions.

• ▸Dysphagia.
• ▸Epilepsy.
• ▸Epistaxis.
• ▸Feet, cramps in; burning of; coldness of.
• ▸Fibroma.
• ▸Gangrene.

• ▸Gastritis.
• ▸Glands, swelling of; suppuration of.
• ▸Goitre.
• ▸Heematuria.
• ▸Hemorrhages.
• ▸Hemorrhagic

• ▸diathesis.
• ▸Heart, palpitation of.
• ▸Hiccough.
• ▸Hysteria.
• ▸Impotence.
• ▸Liver, enlargement of.
• ▸Lochia,

• ▸fetid.
• ▸Lumbago.
• ▸Menstruation, excessive.
• ▸Metrorrhagia.
• ▸Milk, suppressed.
• ▸Miscarriage.

• ▸Morvan's disease.
• ▸Myelitis; diffusa.
• ▸Nails, degeneration of.
• ▸Neuralgia.
• ▸Night-sweats.
• ▸Numbness.

• ▸(Esophagitis.
• ▸Ovaries, tumours of.
• ▸Paralysis; post-diphtheritic; spastic.
• ▸Placenta, retained.
• ▸Post-

• ▸partum hemorrhage.
• ▸Pregnancy, false pains of.
• ▸Purpura, Raynaud's disease.
• ▸Small-pox,

• ▸hemorrhagic.
• ▸Spinal irritation.
• ▸Stammering.
• ▸Stomach, cancer of.
• ▸Strabismus.
• ▸Stricture,

• ▸spasmodic.
• ▸Thrombosis.
• ▸Tongue, biting of.
• ▸Typhoid.
• ▸Ulcers.
• ▸Uterus, inertia of; neuralgia of;

prolapse.

• ▸Antidoted by: Camph.
• ▸, Op.
• ▸Compatible: Chi.
• ▸(Teste classes Sec.
• ▸with Chi.
• ▸in his

• ▸Ferrum group), Ars.
• ▸, Aco.
• ▸, Bell.
• ▸, Merc.
• ▸, Pul.
• ▸Compare: In labour, Cinnamon ("In post-partum

haemorrhage, Cinnamon increases labour-pains, controls profuse or dangerous flooding, is

• ▸always safe, while Ergot is always dangerous.
• ▸"—H.
• ▸C.
• ▸Allen).
• ▸Labour-like pains, Pul.
• ▸, Sul.
• ▸, Bell.
• ▸,

• ▸Calc.
• ▸, Caul.
• ▸, Gossyp.
• ▸, Lil.
• ▸t.
• ▸, Sep.
• ▸, Vib.
• ▸o.
• ▸Cold skin, cannot bear to be covered, Camph.
• ▸>

• ▸Uncovering, Aco.
• ▸, Calc.
• ▸, Camph.
• ▸, Fer.
• ▸, Iod.
• ▸, Lyc.
• ▸, Pul.
• ▸, Sul.
• ▸, Ver.
• ▸Hemorrhages, Bovist.
• ▸(flow

between periods; menses flow mostly or only at night or early morning; puffy condition of body;

parts feet enormously large), Mitchella (less passive, blood brighter, dysuria with the

• ▸hemorrhage), Trill.
• ▸p.
• ▸(bright red and profuse, faint feeling, rapid, feeble pulse), Ham.
• ▸(with

hammering headache), Erig. (flow in fits and starts; with dysuria), Ust. (flow bright red, partly

• ▸clotted).
• ▸Fer.
• ▸ph.
• ▸, Chi.
• ▸Hemorrhagic diathesis, Lach.
• ▸, Phos.
• ▸Cholera, shrivelled up, gangrene,

• ▸burning sensation, Ars.
• ▸(but Ars.
• ▸is > by heat).
• ▸Cholera collapse, Camph.
• ▸(sudden), Ver.
• ▸(cold

• ▸sweat on forehead).
• ▸Follicular pharyngitis, K.
• ▸bi.
• ▸Cold surface, sunken, pale face, blue lips,

• ▸tingling in limbs, speech stuttering, Lach.
• ▸Action on blood-vessels, Bar.
• ▸c.
• ▸Diarrhoea discharged

• ▸with great force, Samb.
• ▸, Crot.
• ▸t.
• ▸Anus wide open, Apis, Phos.
• ▸Threatened abortion at third month,

• ▸Sabi.
• ▸Cholera morbus, Colch.
• ▸Diabetes, Plb.
• ▸Burning feet, cramp in calves, Sul.
• ▸Eyes < from

• ▸warm applications (Asar.
• ▸> cold washing).
• ▸Exophthalmic goitre, Lpus.
• ▸, Scut.
• ▸, Thyr.
• ▸Spastic

• ▸paralysis, Lath.
• ▸Old persons, Con.
• ▸Twitching, coldness, chilblains, cholera, also botan.
• ▸, Agar.

Compare also: Ergotinum, which sometimes acts when Sec. is indicated and fails (see case under

Ergotinum).

Compare: Ergotin (Beginning arteriosclerosis progressing rather rapidly. Increased blood pressure: 2x trit. OEdema, gangrene and purpura haemorrhagia: when Secale, though indicated, fails); Pedicularis Canadensis (Symptoms of locomotor ataxia; spinal irritation); Brassica napus-Rape-seed--(dropsical swellings, scorbutic mouth, voracious appetite, tympanitis, dropping of nails, gangrene); Cinnamon; Colch; Ars; Aurum mur. 2x (locomotor ataxia); Agrostema-Corn-cockle-active constituent is Saponin, which causes violent sneezing and sharp burning taste; burning in stomach, extends to oesophagus, neck and breast; (vertigo, headache, difficult locomotion, burning sensation); Ustilago; Carbo;

Pituitrin (dilated os, little pain, no progress. Dose, 1/2 c, repeat in half hour, if necessary. Hypodermically contra-indicated in first stage of labor, valvular lesions or deformed pelvis).

Antidotes: Camph; Opium.

• ▸First to thirtieth potency.
• ▸Non-homeopathic use.
• ▸In haemorrhages of the puerperium, after the uterus in entirely emptied, when it fails to contract satisfactorily and in secondary puerperal haemorrhage the result of incomplete involution of the uterus, give one-half to one dram of the fluid extract.
• ▸Remember Pagot's law.
• ▸"As long as the uterus contains, anything, be it child, placenta, membranes, clots, never administer Ergot".

The best provers of Secale, those who are most susceptible to its

action, are scrawny people, and they arc the ones who will most likely

need it as their curative remedy. Of course, it is not necessarily contra-indicated in fat people. Certain constitutions are mentioned in

connection with a remedy as being suited to it, but it must not be inferred that no action will result in others when the symptoms agree.

Scrawny people arc especially related to Secale*

Emaciated, withered, wrinkled, unhealthy appearance of the skin ;

purplish, bluish skin, general or in spots ; purplish spots on withered

skin, especially where the circulation is feeble as on the back of the

hands and feet and on the tibia. These parts become numb, tingle and

wither. The extremities prickle, burn, and tingle ; creeping and crawling, as of insects under the skin, as if between the skin and the flesh ;

numb, dead, wooden sensation in the fingers and especially in the toes.

The toes become black, gangrenous. A senile withering, such as is

found in feeble old people ; the blood-vessels close up ; no blood goes

to the toes and they become numb and black, devoid of sensation.

Hence, Secale improves the circulation of the aged and postpones

senile gangrene.

Burning is a feature of this remedy ; the skin burns ; the extremities

burn, sensation of burning when the parts feel cold to the touch and

really are cold, a sensation of heat with coldness. Burning, especially

of internal parts. Dryness with burning ; burning in the stomach and

bowels ; dryness and burning in the mouth and throat, the nose and air

passages ; burning in the lungs.

This remedy produces ulceration even to sloughing. Old ulcers take

on a strange, withered appearance ; diymess with no granulations ; a

shiny, blackish aspect and all at once blackish granulations shoot out,

indolent, and finally forming a black sphacelus which slowly separates ;

the part is dry ; there is no discharge except now and then a little bleeding of black blood.

Oozing of black, liquid blood, oozing when there is no inflammation ;

nose-bleed of dark, venous, offensive, fluid blood, bleeding from the

throat, lungs, bladder, and rectum, of dark blood ; urine like ink. Prolonged uterine haemorrhage so that one menstrual nisus runs into another ; withered subjects ; considerable flow on the first day, fluid, and

blackish ; this goes on for a couple of weeks and then a dark, watery

flow cpmes on which lasts until the next period. Then comes the

thick, black, fluid, horribly offensive flow again. Such a state is found

in the woman who has taken ergot to produce abortion, or in sensitivel

women who have been dosed with it to facilitate delivery. Of course,

if the woman is not sensitive you will not get the lingering provings^

Some women are so insane that though they die they will get rid of

their offspring. On all hands women say, “I have had no health since

I aborted.’" The worst state of health is produced by ergot ; it establishes a miasm as deep as psora itself. The desire to destroy the offspring is an engraftment on psora and by ergot she takes on a miasm)

as dangerous as sycosis or syphilis.

1 have patients who took ergot to cause abortion, and I can do nothing more than palliate them. They have Secale symptoms, sequellae,

and their psoric symptoms are suppressed, held down, just as syphilis

holds down psoric manifestations ; only by covering the Secale miasm

SECAIhB cornutum

Sat

and getting at the psora can we help the patient. They have placed

themselves beyond the help of the physician and the ergot will shorten

their lives many years unless they are fortunate enough to have careful prescribing continuously while they live.

The general constitutional state is aggravated from heat ; there are

only a few exceptions to this. Wants cold though the limbs are cold

as ice, wants to be uncovered, wants the windows open ; a patient with

haemorrhages wants the covers off though the room is cold. A patient

with ulcers wants to be uncovered ; in inflammatory condition of the

stomach and bowels, wants the abdomen uncovered.

At times there is a lingering state of heat of the skin and the patient

wants to be covered up ; there are also sharp, stinging neuralgic pains,

which burn like fire and cut like a knife and are relieved by the application of heat ; headache worse in cold air. But the general state is

ameliorated from uncovering, in a cold room, and from cold air blowing on the patient.

Violent inflammation of any part of the body ; gangrenous pneumonia ; gastritis ; peritonitis ; inflammation of the uterus and ovaries. In

inflammatory conditions it competes with Ars. The symptoms are so

nearly alike in both that it is difficult to differentiate ; both have violently distended abdomen ; tympanites ; burning like coals of fire ; violent thirst : extreme sensitiveness and tenderness to touch, so that motion or jar is unbearable ; vomiting of t)lood ; expulsion of blood-clots ;

horrible, offensive, bloody discharge hpia the bowels ; but they are different in the generals. Ars, wants to he covered up, to be kept warm ,

to have hot applications, cither wet or dry, while Secale warn s to Ec

unc overed, wants~the cold air.

Convulsions of single parts or of the whole muscular system ; opisthotonos ; cramps in the calves, thighs, soles of the feet, and hands :

hysterical contractures, a hysterical diathesis. Convulsions begin in

the face. Active manias with great excitement ; exposes her body and

tears at the genitals ; puts her finger in the vagina and scratches until

the lips bleed ; all idea of modesty lost.

The spasms, nervous, and mental symptoms are worse while she is

flowing, so that a puerperal convulsion comes on in the midst of a

hsemofrhage.

From the haemorrhagic tendency and the ability to destroy the red

blood corpuscle, there is anaemia. The face looks like dried beef,

wrinkled, shrivelled, scrawny, as if it had not been washed ; as if grey

dirt had dried on the skin, and this especially on the extremities a

dirty, grey appearance.

Catarrhal affections of all mucus membranes ; they are dry and

bleed ; blood oozes from the catarrhal surfaces, liquid, black, and offensive, coagulating slowly or not at all. “Nosebleed, blood dark, runs

$22

Drawing, crawling, tearing, and tingling in limbs and joints.—Distortion of

limbs.—Jerks and convulsive movements in limbs, which manifest themselves esp. at night, often

also periodically, and which are > by stretching the parts violently—Contraction of hands, feet,

fingers, and toes.—Limbs become cold, pale, and wrinkled, as after being a long time in hot

water.—Disagreeable sensation of sleep and formication in limbs.—Cramps in legs, calves, arms,

• ▸hands, and toes.
• ▸—Burning of hands and feet.
• ▸—Fuzzy feeling in limbs.
• ▸—Cold gangrene of the

limbs; the dead part separates at the joints and drops off—Trembling of limbs.—Weakness,

heaviness, and torpor of limbs.—Numbness, insensibility, and coldness of limbs, esp. tips of

fingers and toes.