Cina

Lecture XXIII — Cina and Chamomilla

ClNA.

The medicinal virtues of Cina are largely, although not entirely, due to a poisonous active principle which it contains; that active principle is Sa?itoni?ie, the central point of action of which is the abdominal ganglia, whence are reflected nervous impressions to all other parts of the body, but principally to the brain and spine. As a result of this primary action on the abdominal ganglia, we have as reflex symptoms, convulsive twitchings and jerkingsof the limbs and even violent spasms, these latter usually being of a tonic character. Strabismus also is present. Under the influence of Cina, the face is pale, and it continues so, even if there be fever. Ipecacuanha and Bryonia also have this symptom. With the pale face of Cina, there are usually associated dark rings about the eyes. The pupils are dilated. The child grinds its teeth during sleep. It also picks or bores at the nose with its finger. The sleep is restless and attended by crying out. This is the general action of Cina. You now know what you may expect of the drug. Taking these symptoms into account, we are led to the use of Cina for the presence of worms in the alimentary tract. The most careful analysis of clinical experience has demonstrated that Cina is most powerful for the elimination of round worms. The sickly appearance of the face, the blue rings about the eyes, and the grinding of the teeth, associated with canine hunger, give a perfect picture for the drug. Cina so far corrects the abdominal organs and so far tones up the abdominal ganglia, that the mucous membrane of the alimentary tract pours forth a normal secretion, and the worms, no longer having a proper pabulum on which to subsist, die and are expelled. This, then, is the use of Cina.

With the oxyures, those little worms which appear about the anus and get into the rectum, Cina is of no avail, because the symptoms caused by them are not symptoms of Cina. For these, we have another group of remedies.

Aconite, when the child is feverish and cannot sleep.

When the child is simply much excited, you may give Ignatia. Indigo is the best remedy when convulsions result from the worms. If all these fail, think of Quassia.

Caladium seguinu?n is the best remedy in little girls when the worms travel over the perinseum and get into the vagina. The irritation they produce may thus excite masturbation.

We may also make use of Cina in affections of the eyes, especially in asthenopia from defective accommodation. When the patient attempts to read, the eyes begin to ache, the letters become blurred and a cloud comes over the field of vision. Relief is obtained by rubbing the eyes. The same condition I have already told you is found under Artemisia vulgaris. It is also a symptom of Euphrasia, being due to the mucus which gathers in a film over the cornea.

A very peculiar effect on the eye produced by Santonine is, that objects look yellow.

Cina being a spasmodic remedy, we may expect it to be useful in whooping-cough, in which disease it is indicated when the paroxysms come regularly through night or day and are accompanied by tonic convulsions. Just after a paroxysm, a gurgling sound is heard. Cina may also be used in cough reflex from the irritation of worms. As a concomitant of all these conditions, we find the temperament of Cina. It is indicated in children who are irritable, nervous and peevish ; who resent being touched or even looked at. They are obstinate and permit no one to approach them.

Cina seems to have some effect on the bladder, producing wetting of the bed at night, usually during the first sleep. The urine is pale and turbid and sometimes has a very strong odor. This latter symptom would remind you of Phosphoric acid, which also has enuresis in the fore-part of the night.

Probably the remedy most frequently called for in enuresis during the first sleep is Sepia, although it will also be found voider Benzoic acid and Kreosote.

Cina is not often used in intermittent fever, but it is sometimes indicated by thirst during the chill and occasionally during the fever also. Pale face is present even during the hot stage. There are also vomiting, canine hunger, and clean tongue.

Like many of the other members of the order Composite, the Cina patient finds relief from moving about.

Chamomilla Matricaria.

The Chamomilla of the homoeopathic materia medica is the German variety, the Chamomilla matricaria. The drug apparently acts best upon patients with a morbidly sensitive nervous system. It is like Cofiea, Ignalia and Belladonna then, in so far as it lessens nervous excitability.

Slight impressions produce distress and anguish of mind ; pains often result in fainting. Here it is similar to Valeria?! , Hepar, Veratrum album and Nux moschata. It is especially applicable to these symptoms when they appear after long-continued use of narcotics. In every disease in which Chamomilla is indicated, we notice this peculiar excitability. The patient, whether it be child or adult, a woman in labor or with toothache, is cross and excitable. Unless this mental state is present, Chamomilla will most likely fail you. When violent emotions, like anger, affect the viscera, as, for example, the liver with jaundice, you may think of the drug under consideration. In this condition it stands related to a few drugs. Staphisagria is indicated in children or adults when colic follows a fit of anger.

Bryonia has gastro-enteric symptoms after anger. Under this^ remedy, however, the symptoms are associated with chilliness, under Chamomilla with heat ; under Bryotiia the face is dark red, under