Aconitum Napellus

Questions

Where does Aconite grow, and what is its common name ?

On the higher Alps of Central Europe; Monkshood.

From what part of the plant do we make our mother tincture ?

From the whole plant, gathered at the time of flowering.

Why do we not give Aconite merely to diminish the frequency of the pulse and thereby diminish the temperature ?

Because this is not Homoeopathy, but treating single symptoms; there would be just as much reason in giving a remedy to move the bowels, another to improve the appetite, another for the headache, and still another for the liver, instead of giving the drug for the totality of the symptoms which it produces.

How does Aconite differ from Veratrum viride in Fevers ?

, Veratrum viride has more arterial excitement and less nervous excitement than Aconite, and a characteristic of Veratrum viride is a bright red streak through the centre of the tongue.

When would Aconite be given in Neuralgias ?

When there is violent congestion to the parts, and they are hot and swollen, when brought on by exposure to dry, cold winds; and where the pains are tingling and drive the patient to despair; also with numb sensations.

Pains worse at night. What are the abdominal symptoms of Aconite ?

Shooting pains all over abdomen, which is very tender to touch. Beginning of inflammatory processes.

What are the stools of Aconite ?

Dysentery; stools frequent, scanty, with tenesmus; especially in autumn, when days are warm and nights cold. Diarrhoea of inflammatory origin from cold drinks or checked perspiration; stools watery, slimy and bloody. Differentiate Aconite from Gelsemium in Fevers. Aconite — pulse is hard, quick, bounding. Gclsem. — soft, flowing, compressible. Aconite — restless, anxious, tossing about. Gclsem. — drowsy, quiet, tendency to stupor, countenance suffused.

What is the thirst of Aconite ?

Unquenchable thirst for cold water; large drinks at long intervals, or drinks little and often.

What are the heart symptoms of Aconite?

Pain in the heart extending down the left arm, with numbness, palpitation and lancinating stitches, full, hard and rapid pulse; uncomplicated hypertrophy of the heart.

In what class of patients and diseases is Aconite found to be most useful ?

In the young and plethoric, who are attacked suddenly with illnesses of an acute character, such as sudden congestions, violent fever, acute cold, desperate pains, benumbing, tingling neuralgias, etc.

Why is Aconite more suitable for acute than for chronic diseases ?

On account of the suddenness of its symptoms and the short duration of its action. Give four characteristics of Aconite. 1. The terrible anguish and fear of death; he even predicts the day of his death; with extreme restlessness and tossing about. 2. Complaints brought on by exposure to dry, cold winds, or from a sudden checking of perspiration. 3. Hard, full, frequent pulse 4. The symptoms are worse in the evening and at night; come on suddenly and violently. Give in brief the indications for Aconite in Fevers. Sthenic Fevers, with chilliness on the slightest movement; dry heat of skin, thirst, red cheeks, quickened respiration; full, bounding, rapid, tense pulse, with mental anxiety and aggravation towards evening. Every motion makes the patient chilly, but he is at the same time very restless from the mental anxiety5^ When does Aconite cease to be of use ?

In the second stage of inflammation ; when it has localized itself.

What other drugs have numbness and tingling of the left arm with heart disease?

Kalmia and Rhtis tox.

What affections about the chest is Aconite especially apt to be indicated in?

Pulmonary congestions, with hard, dry, painful cough, anxiety and restlessness, and perhaps a little bloodstreaked expectoration.

What would indicate Aconite in suppression of the menses ?

When it occurs in plethoric patients from fear or fright, or after exposure to cold.