Rhus Toxicodendron

Questions

What is Rhus tox.?

It is the common poison Ivy, a tincture being made from the fresh leaves.

What are some other varieties of Rhus ?

Rhus radicans, which is the same as Rhus tox. , being the root. Rhus glabra, or the common Stomach, less poisonous. Rhus venenata, very poisonous and large. Rhus Calif arnica, or the poison Oak. Rhus aroviatica , an aromatic species.

What are the characteristics of the whole family ?

They all produce an intense irritation of the skin, from mere itching redness to erysipelatous inflammation, with vesicles and pustules. Mention five drugs which antidote the poison of the Rhus. 1. Anacardium orientate. 2. Croton tiglium. 3. Gri7idelia robusta. 4. Apis viellijica. 5. Cypripedium piibescens. Give the general action of Rhus tox. It affects powerfully the skin, mucous membranes and fibrous tissue. It also produces symptoms very like those found in low types of fever. It is also the remedy for sprains, strains, overlifting and ill effects of getting \vet.

What is its grand prevailing characteristic ?

Aggravation from rest and relief from motion.

What is the peculiar head symptom of Rhus ?

Headache as if a board were strapped on the forehead ; vertigo, with heaviness in the limbs, in the aged. Aching in occipital protuberances and soreness of scalp. Give eye symptoms. Conjunctivitis and iritis, when of traumatic or rheumatic origin, with severe pains worse at night; scrofulous ophthalmia and orbital cellulitis; ptosis and stiffness of the lids in rheumatic subjects. QSdematous swelling and acrid discharge.

What other drugs have this stiffness of the lids ?

Causticum, Gelsemium and Kahnia.

What symptoms have we about the jaw?

It cracks on every chewing motion and dislocates easily.

What is the characteristic tongue of Rhus ?

It is cracked and coated, all except a triangular space at the tip, which is very red. In what disease about the throat is it often indicated. Mumps or swelling of the parotid glands, with sticking pains when swallowing; they are dark red and worse on the left side. What is the Diarrhoea of Rhus? ' A bloody, slimy diarrhoea, or an involuntary stool of cadaverous odor in typhoid fever. "What are its symptoms in the respiratory system ?

It is useful in influenza, with aching nj the bones, sneezing and coughing; dry cough; bronchial coughs of old people; tj-phoid pneumonia.

In what heart affection is Rhus indicated ?

Uncomplicated hypertrophy of the heart from over-exertion, with a sense of numbness in the left arm and shoulder.

What other drugs have numbness of the left arm with heart troubles?

Actea rac, Aconite and Kalmia.

What are the rheumatic symptoms of Rhus and what tissues does it act on specially?

On the fibrous tissues. Aponeuroses, ligaments and tendons of muscles. The great keynote for Rhus in rheumatism is the relief from motion and the aggravation in damp weather; patients cannot bear cold air; the pain and stiffness is worse on commencing to move, but continued motion relieves; warmth also ameliorates.

In what other affections of these tissues is Rhus useful ?

Wrenching, sprains or over-exertion of the same.

How does Causticum compare ?

In Causticum the restlessness occurs only at night, whereas Rhtis is restless all the time.

How does Arnica compare here ?

Arnica acts more on the muscular tissue than on the ligaments; there is great sore?iess of the muscles. Compare also Rhododendron. Worse from changes of weather, especially cold; aggravation from rest, but the keynote is aggravation before a storm. Give the indications for Rhus in Lumbago. Pain in back on attempting to rise; rheumatic pains in the back and stiff neck from sitting in a draft; the lumbago is a condition which may not be relieved by motion and still indicate Rhus.

What drugs have backache worse while sitting ?

Cobalt and Zinc2im.

What in brief are the symptoms that would indicate Rhus in Typhoid fever?

Mild delirium, with desire to escape; great restlessness, with apparent relief from motion; answers questions slowly; frontal headache; dry, brown, cracked or red tongue, with triangular red tip; yellowish, brown, cadaverous and sometimes involuntary diarrhoea; pains in the limbs and a tympanitic abdomen. Hydroa on upper lip.

What is the characterizing indication for Rhus in Intermittent fever?

A dry, teasing cough during the chill, and hydroa.

What are the skin symptoms of Rhus ?

It produces a vesicular eruption, accompanied by cedema, with burning, itching and tingling. Blistering herpes.

Cold air not tolerated. What variety of Erysipelas does it correspond to ?

The vesicular variety, where the skin looks dark and is covered with vesicles.

When should Rhus be given in Scarlet fever ?

When the child is drowsy, restless, has a red and smooth tongue, cedematous fauces and enlarged glands; eruption does not come out and is miliary; great depression and weakness.

How does Ailanthus compare here ?

The rash is dark-bluish, the throat is swollen, there is an acrid nasal discharge, and the child is drowsy and stupid. Give indications for Rhus in Cellulitis and Carbuncle. There is formation of pus, intense pain and dark red swelling, with the general prostration of the remedy.

What remedy complements, and what remedy is inimical to Rhus ?

Bryonia complements and Apis is inimical.

What members of the Berberidaceae family do we use in our Materia Medica?

Berberis vulgaris, Caulophyllum thalidroides and Podophyllum peltatum.