Ranunculus bulbosus

Lecture XXXII — Actea racemosa, Ranunculus bulbosus and Ranunculus sceleratus

Ranunculus Bulbosus.

Serous membranes.

Ranunculus , Muscles, bulbosus. Effects of alcohol.

^ Skin.

Compare with Aconite, Arnica, Cactus, Bryonia, Rhustox., Arsenicum, Mezereum.

We have two varieties of the Ranunculus to consider to day. These are the Ranunculus bulboszcs and the Ranunculus sceleratus. Both of these plants possess a juice or sap which is exceedingly irritating to the skin. When applied locally, it produces erythema followed later by an eruption which is at first vesicular in character and attended with burning, smarting and itching. If the symptoms continue, by reason of the intensity of the action of the drug ulceration and even gangrene of the parts may follow, the gangrene being associated with fever and delirium. This is an extreme picture, yet it is one which may follow the prolonged use of some of the species of Ranunculus. We shall now consider Ranunculus bulbosus. First as to its action on serous membranes: we may think of Ranunculus bulbosus in inflammation of serous membranes, particularly of the pleura or peritoneum, , when there are acute stabbing pains, accompanied by an effusion of / serum into the serous sac. Accompanying this effusion we find great I anxiety, dyspnoea and distress, caused partly by the accumulation of fluid and partly by the anxiety from the pains themselves. Now these are symptoms not commonly known among physicians, yet you will find that here Ranunculus will serve you as well as Apis, Bryonia or Sulphur or even better than these, if the pains are of the character just described.

The second heading in our schema is " Muscles." We find Ranunculus acting here as a curative agent. It is especially indicated in rheumatism of the muscles, particularly in muscles about the trunk. /Intercostal rheumatism yields far more quickly to this drug than to any other. There is usually a great deal of soreness to touch, and the muscles have a bruised feeling, as if they had been pounded. I know that Aconite, Arnica or Bryonia is often given when Ranunculus is indicated.

Aconite may be the remedy in pleurodynia when there is high fever (which is not often), especially if you can trace the trouble to exposure to cold after being overheated.

Ranunculus bulbosus may also be used in the case of persons who are - subject to stitches about the chest in every change of weather. Again, it may be used for sore spots remaining in and about the chest after pneumonia. The characteristic sensation attending the Ranunculus soreness is a feeling of subcutaneous ulceration, which is purely subjective. This symptom is also characteristic of Pulsatilla. Again, Ranunculus may be used for pains about the lungs from adhesions after pleurisy.

The rheumatic pains of Ranunculus are worse in damp weather and particularly from a change of weather or change of temperature. Even a rheumatic headache having this aggravation, may call for Ranunculus.

We may find it indicated also in diaphragmitis, when there are sharp shooting pains from the hypochondria and epigastrium through to the back.

Another remedy that I have found of service in this latter disease is Cactus grandijlorus, which is an excellent remedy for sharp pains in the diaphragm, particularly if there is a feeling as though a band were tied around the waist marking the attachments of the diaphragm to the borders of the ribs.

You should remember Ranunculus bulbosus as a remedy for the bad effects of excess in drink, in hiccough and even in epileptiform attacks and delirium tremens.

Ranunculus bulbosus is useful in herpes zoster or zona. Vesicles appear on the skin and are filled with serum. Sometimes these vesicles have a bluish-black appearance. There is marked burning. Especially is Ranunculus indicated when the trouble follows the course of the supra-orbital or intercostal nerves and is followed by sharp stitching pains. Here you may compare Rhus tox., Arsenicum and Mezereum.

Ranunculus may also produce pemphigus. Large blisters form, which burst and leave raw surfaces.

Again, you may use Ranwiculus in eczema, attended with thickening of the skin and the formation of hard horny scabs. Here it is similar to Antimonium crudum, which has also horny excrescences or callosities on the soles of the feet.

The ulcers which Ranunculus causes are flat and are attended with a great deal of stinging pain. The discharge is ichorous. Lastly, we may mention the action of Ranunculus on mucous membranes. It is one of the remedies useful in hay fever. You will find that there is smarting in the eyes; the eyelids burn and feel sore; the nose is stuffed up, especially toward evening, with pressure at the root of the nose and tingling, crawling sensation within its cavity. Sometimes this sensation attacks the posterior nares, causing the patient to hawk and swallow, and endeavor in every way to scratch the affected part. Arsenicum and Silicea also have this symptom. You will notice, too, that there is with this hay fever, hoarseness, general muscular soreness and very likely sharp stitching pains in and about the chest. The neck of the bladder may be affected, producing some burning on urinating.

Ambrosia artemisicefolia should be compared in hay fever. The provings by Dr. E. E. Holman contain the following: stuffed sensation in the nose and chest; oppressive pain in the left chest, must sit up to breathe comfortably; worse in the evening until midnight; awakens suddenly with pertussis-like cough; face dark red; eyes congested, smarting, watery; nose, red, swollen; watery coryza.

Sulphur does not follow Ranunculus well.