Benzoic Acid

Benzoic acid, C6II.,CO,OH. Obtained, by sublimation, from Gum benzoin, or artificially from several aromatic hydrocarbons. Preparation for use, Tincture or trituration.

Authorities. 1, Dr. Jeans, Trans. Am. Inst., vol. i (symptoms obtained from himself and others, sick and well), with the 1st to the 15th potency; 2, Dr. Linen, ibid, (took of an alcoholic solution £ gr. to 1 oz., five drops every morning and evening for several days) ; 3, Keller, Am. Arzn. Prut'n, p. 705 (examined the effect of crude doses upon the urine) ; 4, Nusser, ibid, (took 80 grs. of the 2d trit. at one dose); 5, Petroz, Bull. d. 1. soc. med. hom. de Paris, 5, 60 (the original proving); 6, Haff, from Hering, Am. Arzn. Prut'n (effects of a drachm daily, an hour after dinner, on a person having arthritic nodes on the fingers, etc.).f

Mind

The mind is inclined to dwell upon unpleasant things. If he saw any one who was deformed it made him shudder

Sadness

Sense of anxiety

Sense of anxiety while sweating

Activity of mind while at work, afterwards anxiety

He was much surprised that, while writing, he omitted words every moment, which never was the case before (sixth and seventh days)

Comatose condition. (Ilisch, Med. Zeit. Russl.)

Head

Confusion of the head

Confusion of the head, and sleepiness

Vertigo, making him fearful of falling sidewise, usually in the afternoon

Excitement and lightness of the head, when sneezing in the morning

Sensation as if there were air in the head

Tired feeling in the head, as from night-watching

Sensation of coldness in the head

Sensation of shaking in the head

The head-symptoms are generally accompanied with depression, lassitude, and loss of appetite

After mental emotions, headache

The head-symptoms are worse during rest, return periodically, and are often accompanied with pains in the stomach, nausea, gagging, and cold hands

Pain and heat in the organs of reverence and firmness,1.-

Pressure upon the whole upper part of the head and on the spinal column, as if it were pressed together like an elastic body, so

| Other authorities taken from Hering, A. A. Prut'n, are given with the symptoms. that he stretched himself involuntarily and hent forward. This sensation, without being painful, produces extreme anxiety, two days in succession in the forenoon, while sitting

Rheumatic pain on the outside of the head

Formication in the forehead

Hard throbbing of the temporal arteries

Pain in the temples, in the region of the organ of constructiveness

Pain in the left temple

Hammering pain in the temples, obliging him to lie down

Tearing pain in the vertex

Internal pain and bruised feeling in the sides of the head

Itching of the hairy scalp

Eyes p. 133

Distress in the eyes, as from want of sleep

Burning . heat in the eyes

Burning heat in the lids

Itching in the outer, and then in the inner, angle of the right eye

Throbbing in the eyeballs

Head p. 133

Swelling behind the ears, which seems to reach the periosteum

Starting in the ear

Itching in the left ear

Puffing in the ears from pulsation of the temporal arteries

When swallowing, noise in the ears

Sensation in the ears like a sound of confused voices, especially when swallowing or when walking in the open air

Face p. 133

Redness at the angles of the nose

Pain in the nasal bones

Irritation in the left nostril, such as precedes sneezing, yet without being able to sneeze

Sneezing and hoarseness

A cold in the head readily occurs from exposure to cold ; is renewed every day

Epistaxis

Pressure at the root of the nose

Sensitiveness of the nose

Itching of the septum of the nose

Diminution of the sense of smell

It seemed to him that he smelled dust, cabbage, or something stinking

Face p. 133

Circumscribed redness of the face

Numb feeling in the face

Burning heat of the face

Burning heat on only one-half of the face

Tension in one side of the face

Pressive sensation in the face

Trembling of the lips

Itching of the chin

Mouth p. 133

Involuntary biting of the lower lip at dinner, on two successive days

Stitches in a right lower hollow molar

Slight cutting pain in the teeth

Slow jerking in a right upper molar

The Benzoic oil has been given for toothache,0. (A.)

The resin has been used as a chewing-gum in toothache,0. (Schrceder.)

Extensive ulcerations of the tongue, with deeply-chapped or fungoid surfaces

Velvety coating on the tongue,5.f

Tongue with a white mucous coat in the morning

Tongue of a slightly bluish color

Soreness on the back part of the tongue

Soreness of the back part of the tongue, felt most while swallowing

Sensation of soreness and rawness at the root of the tongue and on the palate

An ulcerated tumor in the left side of the mouth, upon the soft commissure of the jaws, behind the last molar teeth

Pleat around the mouth

After-taste of the food

Slightly acid mucus

Taste of blood

The bread tastes smoky

Flat, soapy taste after drinking water

Salty taste of food

Bitter taste, with pressure at the stomach and eructation

Bitter taste on drinking coffee or milk

Throat p. 133

Collection of mucus in the throat

The thyroid gland feels swollen

Sensation of swelling or of contraction in the throat

It feels as if there were little lumps in the pit of the throat, as if food were sticking there. (Fr. Husmann.)

Angina faucium and angina tonsillaris, with the characteristic urine

Heat in the oesophagus, as from acid eructations

Sensation of heat and scratching in the oesophagus and throat. (Pereira.)

Extremely unpleasant scratching in the throat. (Lehrman, Phys. Chiraie.)

Difficulty iu swallowing

Incomplete swallowing

Stomach p. 134

Increased appetite in the evening

Loss of appetite, mornings

In the evening, thirst with sleepiness

Singultus

Nausea, mornings

Nausea, with gagging ; with disturbances about the head

Nausea, with loathing, and constant malaise

Vomiting of a salty substance

Bitter vomiting

With pregnant women, gastric derangements when ascending a height

Sensation of warmth in the stomach

Burning in the stomach. (Honigberger.)

Pressure in the stomach and eructations

Fatigued by the pressure of the clothes on the epigastrium

Abdomen p. 134

In the region of the liver, constant, fine, but violent stitching, midway in the upper portion thereof ; it seems to be superficial, and is not increased by pressure (seventh day)

Obstruction of the liver,0. (Honigberger.)

Cutting about the navel, relieved by stool

Uncommon discharge of wind downward in the afternoon and evening of first day

Pain in the left side of the abdomen, immediately below the short ribs

Sensation of heat throughout the abdomen

Tearing bellyache

Tensive pain in the groins

Stool and Anus p. 134

Contraction of the extremity of the rectum

Stitching in the rectum

Slightly elevated, round surfaces, of a wartlike appearance, and circular form, varying in diameter from half an inch to an inch and a half, at places running into each other, nearly covered both sides and the bottom of the sulcus ani, and causes much smarting and soreness of the part, with strong-scented and highly-colored urine0 (after previous use of Copaiva for chancre)

Fine stitching in the anus, on the evening of first day

Formication at the anus

Urging to stool, with ineffectual straining

Bowels freely open, with extraordinary pressure to stool

* Diarrhoea of children ; the discharge is copious, watery, clear-colored, very fetid ; the urine at the same time is uncommonly deepred, and the urinous odor very strong (in very many cases curative, or at least relieving)

* Frothy stool

* Fetid, watery, white stools, very copious and exhausting, in infants, the urine being of very deep-red color

Putrid, bloody stool

Insufficient stool

Urinary Organs p. 134

Vesical catarrh,0. (G. Bird.)

Irritability of the bladder. Too frequent desire to evacuate the bladder, the urine normal in appearance

Gleet,0. (Honigberger.)

Urine at first increased in quantity only, and not in frequency. In a few days urination became exceedingly frequent, with strong pressing and discharge of a clear urine. Urine of an aromatic odor and saline taste, the odor long retained ; most in the forenoon

Urine more copious, somewhat turbid, otherwise of a natural color and odor. After the daily use of a drachm after dinner, no Benzoic acid was found in the urine, traces of urea, and only mere traces of Hippuric acid

Enuresis nocturnal of children, where Nitrum failed,0. (Young.)

Decrease of the quantity of urine

Urine aromatic

* Fetid urine, with prolapsus uteri. (C. Hg.)

Urine of a very repulsive odor, of a changeable color, brownish, cloudy, of an alkaline reaction ; effervescing xvith hydrochloric acid ; white, flocculent sediment in the urine immediately after its passage, consisting of the phosphate and carbonate of lime, without uric acid. The patient was pale, languid, with a sense of weakness in the loins. (Farquhar.)

Thick urine

Bloody urine

Hot, scalding urine, of a deep-red color, and strong odor, causing so much suffering in its passage that this was performed but once a day,° 1.

Morbid condition of the urine, as in persons with calculus or gouty diathesis,0 (Ure), with concretions of urate of ammonia,0. (Neidhard.)

* Urine highlycolored, sometimes of the color of brandy; the urinous odor exceedingly strong

Urine of the above character, of a specific gravity greater than that of healthy urine ; passed into the same vessel, it retains its place below the healthy urine without admixture, and, though of a very deep-red color, deposits no sediment

Dark reddish-brown urine, of greater specific gravity than normal, with an acid reaction, even after some weeks ; at the same time many fleeting pains deep in the region of the bladder, not when urinating, but at other times; also with deposit of mucous granules, and, when standing, becoming, in a few days, covered with a thick, filmy crust,0 (one-twentieth grain of the undiluted acid). (C. Hg.)

A granular kind of mucus, mixed with phosphates, in the sediment of the urine,0. (Garrod.)

Affords no relief where there are phosphates in the sediment. (G. Bird.)

After thirty-two grains of pure Benzoic acid, taken in the evening before going to sleep, the morning urine reacted uncommonly acid, even after being evaporated, and standing twelve hours, whereupon only the usual sediment of earthy salts presented itself. The Uric acid and urea were both contained therein, apparently in normal quantity

A scruple, taken an hour after a meal, was followed, in some hours, by five or six ounces of urine ; on adding Hydrochloric acid to this an abundant precipitate of Hippuric acid appeared, but no trace of Uric acid. (Ure.)

One of the few acids which manifestly increase the acidity of the urine. (Lehmann.)

Increases the acid of the urine and makes it slightly irritant. (Garrod.)

Not the uric acid but the urea disappears. (Garrod.)

Dark or highly colored offensive urine, quite peculiar (after suppressed syphilis and gonorrhoea. In many cases),0 1.f

In cases with an excess of uric acid in the urine, the urine becomes normal after the use of Benzoic acid,°. (G. Bird.)

Never saw anything effectual ; the urine was clear after the first dose, and in two days was entirely free from mucous deposits ; the irritability of the bladder was diminished, and iu four days the patient could be left to himself,0. (Soden.)

Sexual Organs p. 135

3Iale. Painfulness of the genitals

Pressure at the genitals.

Raw pain of the genitals

Smarting of the frseuum prseputii

A thrilling, almost painful sensation on the left side of the glans penis, extending into the urethra, so severe as to occasion starting, ending in a sensation of tickling and itching

Itching on the glans

Itching in the sulcus behind the corona glands

Female. Menstruation too early

Retarded menstruation

Weakness after the menses

Too long-lasting lochia

Respiratory Organs p. 135

Copious secretion of mucus in the bronchi

Slight transitory hoarseness and thrice-repeated sneezing, in the morning, with a pleasant excitement and lightness (Leichtigkeit) of the head, which, together with its more rapid disappearance, distinguished it from the more ordinary symptoms of taking cold, of the prover

Rather increased than diminished the cough. (Pereira.)

When the fumes of Benzoin alone are produced they occasion a cough. (Schroeder, Arneischatz.)

Violent cough from inhaling the fumes. (Pereira.)

Produced an exhausting cough in healthy persons (the flowers). (Med. Zeit. Russlands.)

Given for a tormenting, tight cough, every powder produced a violent cough, then extraordinary weakness, sweat, and a state of coma lasting an hour; at the same time the skin is paler and cooler; the pulse weaker and less frequent; respiration normal (from the sublimated but not purified flowers). (Ilisch, in Med. Zeit. Russl., 15, 1852.)

Cough seems produced by something acrid or dry in the chest

Cough after a slight cold

Slight hacking cough, directly after rising (second day)

Cough excited by inspiration

Troublesome, constant, dry, hacking cough, after suppressed gonorrhoea

Cough, followed by expectoration of greenish mucus

The respiration at times somewhat whistling (second day)/.

Difficulty of breathing on awaking

Asthma, with inflammatory rheumatic complaints

Chest p. 136

Burning in the nipples

Sensation of swelling in the mammary glands, also in the thyroid gland

Morbid agitation in the chest

Sense of roughness in the chest

Painful starting in the chest

Sensation of swelling in the chest

Can scarcely bear the pressure of clothing on the chest

A cutting sensation in the chest

Fine, slight stitches in the middle of the chest (evening of the first day)

Pain sometimes in the middle of the breast; a kind of stitching (second day)

In the evening in bed, somewhat of stitching in the chest, especially on breathing deeply (first day)

It is said to furnish the greatest relief in diseases of the chest ; reduces the obstruction of the pulmonary vessels, and promotes expectoration,0. (Lewis's Mat. Med.)

In the last period of simple pneumonia, where great weakness prevails,0. (Schregar.)

Typhus pneumonia ; asthenic affections of the chest. (Schregar.)

Asthenic pneumonia of a young man ; after the strength had sunk daily, the difficulty of breathing increased every hour till it attained a fearful degree,0. (Waldschmidt.)

Pain in the left side. (Honigberger.)

Pain about the third rib on the right side, midway between the sternum and the side; increased by respiration

Deep penetrating pain in the posterior part of the left side about the sixth rib (second day)

Pain in the left side about the sixth rib, increased by deep inspiration, and by bending the body to either side

Pressure ou the ribs

Stitching in the right side of the chest

Weak feeling in the precordial region

Heart and Pulse p. 136

Undulating beating of the heart

Intermittent beats of the heart

Palpitation of the heart with trembling

Palpitation of the heart while sitting, also after drinking

Awakes after midnight, with palpitation of the heart; every morning at 2 oclock, with heat and hard pulse. Throbbing of the temporal arteries prevents his getting to sleep again

Wakes after midnight, with violent pulsation of the heart and temporal arteries (pulsation 110 in the minute), without external heat, and cannot fall asleep again. In the morning, the tongue covered with a white mucous coat ; some nausea and total loss of appetite. Had eaten peaches in the evening. In the afternoon, at four oclock, all these symptoms had vanished (fourth day)

Pain in the region of the heart

The pains change their place incessantly and suddenly, but are the most constant in the region of the heart

Pulse full

He wakes every morning about 2 oclock from strong internal heat, and a hard, bounding, but not quickened pulse, so that he must lie awake upon his back, because the pulsation of the temporal arteries sounds like puffing in his ears, and prevents him from going, to sleep again (lasting eight weeks)

Accelerated pulse (first, second, and third days)

Pulse slow

Pulse slower and weaker (from the sublimated but not purified flowers). (Ilisch, in Med. Zeit. Russl.)

Neck and Back p. 136

Stiffness of the neck, but only on one side

Pressure iu the nape of the neck

Violent itching in the nape of the neck

Pain in the right side of the back, between the tenth dorsal vertebra and the side

Pressure upon the spinal column

Hot burning pain in left kidney, with drawing when stooping,0. (Neidhard.)

Dull pain in the region of the kidneys

Sore pain in region of left kidney,0. (Neidhard.)

Nephritic colic,0. (Williamson.)

Sense of coldness at the sacrum

Starting in the loins

Stiffness in the loins, with pains in the kidneys,0. (Neidhard.)

Extremities in General p. 137

Nodes on the joints of the upper and lower extremities, knicking and cracking on motion

In both wrists, between the metacarpal bones, abundant gouty deposits, and swelling of the elbow-joints. The ankle, also, is not free (1 drachm daily for six months)

Old, gouty concretions,0. (Neidhard.)

Tearing and fine stitching in various parts of the limbs

Upper Extremities p. 137

Sensation of swelling under the axilla?,5.

Tearing pains, apparently in the bones of the arm

Fine or severe stitching on the outer surface of the right arm ; afterwards on the left arm, inner surface (evening of first day)

Tearing below, in the right radius

Tearing at the outer surface of both wrists, as if in the bones (third day)

Cold hands

Cold hands with head symptoms

A kind of itching in the palm of the right hand, with slight but deep tearing in the upper metacarpal joints of the little and ring fingers (evening of first day)

The fingers are as if swollen ; a ring became too small- (second day)

The fingers remain somewhat swollen ; therewith tearing and fine stitching in various parts of the limbs, especially in front at the metatarsal joint of the right great toe (fourth to seventh days)

Pain in the finger joints of the right hand

Paralytic pain of the fingers

Tearing in the metacarpal joint of the left thumb

Tearing deep in the upper joints of the left index finger (second day)

Lower Extremities p. 137

Lassitude in the lower extremities

Sensation as if the lower limbs were tightly bandaged

Pain in the right hip

Gnawing pain in the left hip, then in the thigh, next in the knees, then in the toes

Pain in the left hip, in the knee, and the toes at the same time; the worst in the toes; leaving the toes, it seats itself in the muscles of the calf, and then in the knee. After leaving these parts it appears in the right thigh and ankle

Tearing pain in the anterior surface of the thigh

Swelling of the right knee, with pain as of ulceration of the whole leg, with pains in the kidneys,0. (Neidhard.)

* Cracking in the knee-joint

* >Sense of dryness in the knee-joint

Pain in the right knee

Pain in the left knee

* Pain in both knees

Drawing pain in the knees after drinking wine

Pain in the gastrocnemii

Sharp pain in the left ankle during the time it supports the weight of the body while walking

When supporting a slight part of the weight of the body upon the left foot, severe pain in the tendo Achillis, close to the os calcis

Pain in the right tendo Achillis and in the region of the heart at the same time. After leaving the right, the pain appears in the left tendo Achillis

Numbness in the toes

Pain in the toes

Pain in the largo joints of the great toe, with slight tumefaction and redness

In the small toes of the right foot, especially in the middle joints, a kind of deep sensitive tearing ; subsequently, in the right knee, the last joint of the metacarpal bone and of the left thumb, and in the radius of the right forearm, etc. (second day)

Deep, persistent tearing in the lowest joint of the great toe (second day)

Tearing and stitching, especially in the metatarsal joints of the right great toe

Stitch passing perpendicularly upward through the right great toe, followed by a burning, which increases gradually to a stitch ; appearing afterwards in the left great toe, from which it vanishes with a thrilling sensation, in the morning while lying down (eighth day)

Generalities p. 138

Emaciates (the resin). (Schroeder.)

Trembling, with palpitation of the heart

* Weariness and lassitude

Extreme weakness, sweat, and comatose condition. (Ilisch., in Med. Zeit. Russl.)

A pain passes from the right hand, and appears in the left arm, extends downwards into the elbow, and next appears in the region of the heart ; later in the right thigh and ankle

Purifies the blood, and is used in vulnerary potions,0 (tincture of the flowers). (Schrceder.)

Syphilitic rheumatism

Skin p. 138

Eruption of red spots on the fingers

Itching on various parts of the body and extremities, yielding rather an agreeable feeling on being scratched, but leaving a burning

Sleep and Dreams p. 138

Sleepiness, with dulness of the head,1.-

Sleep tolerably sound; somewhat disturbed by dreams the first day; the following day good

Deep sleep

Starting up from sleep

Fever p. 138

Horripilation before stool

Cool, pale skin, with sweat, weakness, and coma. (Ilisch., in Med. Zeit. Russl.)

Coldness of the back

Coldness in the knees

Feeling of coldness in the knees, as if blown upon by a cold wind (ninth day)

Cold feet

Violent internal heat on waking

Heat during the coryza

Sense of heat in the oesophagus,1; in the stomach,5; in the belly

Heat, with sweat,5; heat, with cold in the head,5 ; with nightly palpitation of the heart

Coldness, with feeling of heat

Coldness, then heat and sweat

Gentle, universal exhalation from the skin (evening of the first day)

Slight sweat after the disappearance of the other symptoms

Subsequently a very copious perspiration. (Lehmann.)

The crystals produce sweat in syphilis, with very great benefit, especially when mixed with Guaiacum. (Schroeder.)

Copious night-sweat, after taking 32 grains, in the evening; the first night, not the following, from repeated doses

Sweat, with anxiety

Sweat, with itching

Sweat while eating; while walking

Sweat of the feet

Sweat, with aromatic odor

Cold sweat on the head

Cold sweat on the face

Cold sweat on the face, with heat

Cold sweat on the feet

Exhalation from the skin less active than before, while a drachm was taken every day for six months

Conditions p. 138

Aggravation.

(Morning), On waking, head symptoms occur ; when sneezing, excitement, etc., of head ; white coat on tongue ; loss of appetite ; nausea ; directly after rising, cough ; on waking, difficulty of breathing ; while lying down, stitch through great toe, etc. ; on waking, heat.

(Forenoon), While sitting, pressure on head, etc. ; urinary symptoms.

(Afternoon), Vertigo.

(Evening), Symptoms of nose; thirst, etc. ; in bed, especially on breathing deeply, stitch in chest.

(After midnight), 2 a.m., wakes, with palpitation ; wakes, with heat, etc.

(Every day), Cold in head renewed.

(Open air), Eye symptoms.

( When walking in open air), Sensation of voices in ear.

(Exposure to draught of air), Head symptoms.

(When ascending a height), In pregnant women, gastric disturbances.

(Bending body to either side), Pain in left side.

( When blowing nose), Trunk-symptoms.

(On drinking coffee), Bitter taste.

(During coryza), Heat.

(After drinking), Palpitation.

(While eating), Sweat.

(After mental emotion), Head-symptoms occur.

(Inspiration), Excites cough.

(On drinking milk), Bitter taste.

(On moving after long sitting), Trunksymptoms.

(Periodic), Head-symptoms.

(Reading by artificial light), Eyesymptoms.

(Respiration), Pain in side.

(Rest), Head-symptoms.

( While sitting), Palpitation.

(Before stool), Horripilation.

(When swallowing), Noise in ears ; sensation of voices in ear ; soreness of tongue.

( On turning in bed at night), Trunk-symptoms.

(Uncovering oneself), Head-symptoms.

When walking), Stomach-symptoms ; eye-symptoms; sweat.

(After drinking water), Flat taste.

(After drinking wine), Pain in knees.

Amelioration p. 139

(Evening), Increased appetite.

(After eating), Mouth and throat symptoms.

(Friction), Symptoms of the face.

(External heat), Symptoms of the face.

(Pressure), Symptoms of the face.

( After stool), Cutting about the navel.

Footnotes p. 133

† In both cases there was not the least suspicion of syphilitic affection; in both cases high-colored, strong-smelling urine,1.

† The gonorrhoea was, in most cases, suppressed by Bals. copaiv.