Homeopathic Materia Medica

A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica, John Henry Clarke

Carburetted Hydrogen. Ethene. Olefiant gas. C2 H4. Solution in alcohol.

Clinical.─Apoplexy. Eyes, convulsions of. Tetanus. Whooping-cough.

Characteristics.─This gas, which was experimented with by Sir Humphrey Davy, produces a condition almost resembling an apoplectic attack. Stupefaction: comatose; surface cold and completely insensible. Spasm as in lock-jaw. Arms flexed at elbows. One mental symptom is peculiar: an extraordinary sensation of contentment, so that life seems exalted; all his thoughts appear in a moment as if seen in an inner mirror. Many eye symptoms were noted: steady and extreme oscillation of the eyeballs. Eyes distorted. Lids half closed. Dark bodies moving before eyes. > By open air (vertigo, convulsions). It is a popular custom to take children suffering from whooping-cough to breathe the air at a gas-works. A case has been recorded in which an accidental escape of gas in a child's bedroom affected a prompt cure of its whooping-cough. Illuminating gas is a complex gas, carburetted hydrogen being the leading ingredient. In the Schema are included some symptoms produced by illuminating coal gas.

Relations.─Compare: Chloroform, Aether, Amyl nit., Carboneum.

SYMPTOMS.

1. Mind.─Contentment; life seems exalted; all his thoughts appear in a moment as if seen in an inner mirror.─Answers questions slowly.─Fell unconscious.─Coma.

2. Head.─Vertigo; < going into open air; with nausea, loss of memory and sensation.─Excruciating pain in forehead and between eyes.─Pressure in brain.

3. Eyes.─Eyes distorted; half closed.─Eyeballs oscillate steadily; synchronously with breathing (illuminating gas).─Dark bodies moving before eyes.

6. Face.─Staring look.─Face turgid.─Cheeks flap.─Some degree of trismus; interrupted by yawning.

11. Stomach.─Violent cramps in stomach.─Nausea and vomiting.

13. Stool.─Involuntary passage of stool and urine.─Stools: rice-water; thin faeces mixed with dark blood and mucus.

17. Respiratory Organs.─Voice feeble and indistinct.─Paroxysms of cough.─Dyspnoea.─Violent tearing pains in thorax.

19. Heart.─Beating of heart scarcely perceptible.─Pulse: strong, rapid, regular; or small and extremely weak.

20. Back.─Violent spasm in the extensors of the back.

21. Limbs.─Spasmodic stitching and trembling of limbs; felt paralysed.

24. Generalities.─Rapid fluctuation of symptoms (coal gas).─Immovable; later regained power in l. arm and hand, but r. arm and leg remained paralysed (coal gas).─Lying as if dead cold and pale, as soon as the windows were open violent convulsions set in.─Anaesthesia.

26. Sleep.─Sleep prolonged and very deep, interrupted by cramps in jaws and toes.

27. Fever.─Skin icy cold.─Sweating copiously; sweat smells of gas (coal gas).