(6) The Liver

"It causes acute yellow atrophy of the liver, by severely injuring the liver cells without destroying the autolytic enzymes, so that the cells die and undergo a rapid autolysis." - Wells.

(7) The Bones

Arsenic produces stimulation of the growth of bone. Experimentally, there is produced a longer bone with a thicker cortex and epiphyseal connection. These changes have been observed in young animals, such as rabbits, pigs and fowls. It has not been determined that older animals or that the adult human is similarly affected.

(8) The Blood

There is some evidence to show that arsenic causes an increase in the number of the erythrocytes; but the question is undetermined. The literature abounds with conflicting statements in regard to the action of arsenic upon this tissue. Cushny states that "after hemorrhage, the blood is said to regenerate more quickly if arsenic is given, and the number of red cells rises faster than the hemoglobin." Halsey says that "it appears to be well established that arsenic exerts an action very similar to that of iron, on the hematopoietic organs. This is indicated not only by clinical evidence, but also by Bettmann's and Stack-man's findings in the bone-marrow of animals treated with arsenic."

(9) Metabolism

Arsenic, in small doses, retards oxidation and stimulates the processes of growth and assimilation. In general, anabolic functions are increased as compared to katabolism, which is decreased. The dosing of young animals with arsenic, has produced a decided increase in weight, as compared with untreated animals of the same litter. Larger doses cause an opposite effect; they cause katabolism to gain the ascendency over anabolism. "Among these effects are injury and abnormal destruction of the red cells and as a result of this, the development of jaundice, while the nitrogen balance indicates an increased destruction of proteids and at the same time the respiratory exchange of gases is diminished.

Fatty degeneration of the organs also ensues, lactic acid appears in the blood and in the urine, and the liver loses its power of forming glycogen." - Halsey.

There are several prominent symptoms produced by arsenic which are of such great importance from the standpoint of homeopathic therapeutics, that they will now be stated and emphasized in detail, as several of them could not find convenient mention in the preceding topics.

(1) Burning pains. Especially seen in the mucous membranes of the eye, nose, throat, and intestinal tract.

(2) Restlessness. Seen in severe, usually acute, systemic diseases, as typhoid fever, influenza, and the different intoxications.

(3) Periodicity. The occurrence of many different symptoms at stated intervals, in chronic conditions especially, is duplicated by the periodicity of certain of the effects of arsenic in chronic forms of this kind of poisoning.

(4) Nightly aggravation of all the pains. Several diseases are characterized by a nightly aggravation.

(5) Great thirst for small quantities of water and very often. A symptom seen clinically, in certain conditions.

(6) Relief of many pains and symptoms from warmth. This is the "modality" of the remedy and corresponds clinically to forms of nervous and other diseases characterized by this manner of relief. The above are termed "characteristic symptoms" of Arsenicum; there are a few more, but these are the most important. Whenever, generally speaking, any disease has, as a prominent symptom, one or more of these characteristic symptoms, Arsenicum is apt to be indicated in the case.

Drugs are usually, if not always, used in therapeutics from the standpoint of physiological action, whenever, in any given case, the physiological action of the remedy will relieve any one or more of the patient's symptoms. For example, adrenalin is of benefit in asthma, from the non-homeopathic standpoint, because the physiological action of this drug is to overcome bronchial spasm; hence the patient experiences, for a time at least, relief from his difficult breathing.

In the case of arsenic, however, it will be observed that this drug is rarely used to produce physiological effects, and thus to relieve disease, because there are no effects of this nature which might benefit pathological (diseased) conditions. No one wishes to produce in any individual, burning pains, thirst, periodicity, etc., hence its employment upon physiological indications is unusual.

From the standpoint of the homeopa-thist, however, who uses a drug to cure a condition similar to that which the drug produces, it will be seen, that, because of the close similarity between many of the effects of arsenic and those of many common diseases, that this drug is a very useful and important remedy.

Therapeutics

Arsenicum album: The range of action of this powerful drug is, of course, wide and the degree of its action profound indeed. Hence it is likely to be needed in many conditions of varying kind and degree. Certain characteristic indications will always stand out when Arsenicum is required and these it is necessary to know. Above all, prostration, often out of all proportion to the length or nature of the illness, is of importance. Marked physical and mental restlessness, a sort of mental anguish, together with apprehension and uneasiness will all be present. Burning pain or sensations are highly significant and an unquenchable thirst for sips of cold water, frequently repeated, is decidedly typical. Water thus drunk will often be vomited at once, causing great distress in the stomach; this is especially pronounced in acute gastritis for which Arsenicum is frequently the best indicated drug. Ptomaine poisoning needs this medicine many times, in which condition it has often proved itself most valuable.

Arsenicum will be indicated in any febrile disturbance, no matter how caused, when the characteristic indications already mentioned are in evidence. Typhoid fever will naturally find a remedy, therefore, in this great medicine and fevers of plas-modial origin will also demand it. In melancholia, Arsenicum is indicated by the profound mental depression, together with strong suicidal impulse. Despair of recovery, fear of death, are further striking indications. All secretions of Arsenicum are thin, burning, hot and excoriating in nature, also of foul, putrid, even cadaveric odor, hence malignant, cancerous ulcerations are apt to be at least benefited or palliated by the remedy

Arsenicum is a chilly remedy, i. e., the patient requiring this medicine is sensitive to cold and demands much heat, which ameliorates his condition generally. The only exception to this is in the headache, which is ameliorated by cold applications or in the open air. Diarrhea, in which prostration is marked and where the stools are offensive, dark or even black in color, acrid, burning and lienteric, will need this remedy when the peculiar thirst and restlessness are also present. Neuralgias, often of malarial origin, may need Arsenicum; pains are burning, tearing and unbearably severe, partly ameliorated by the application of heat and are frequently periodic in their recurrence.

In the treatment of skin diseases this great remedy is of value where the eruptions are dry, scaly and rough, itching and burning, relieved by heat. Cardiac conditions which are marked by weakness, palpitation and dyspnea, or asthmatic attacks which compel the sufferer to sit up and which are worse at night, especially soon after midnight, will often require Arsenicum.

A coryza in which there is chilliness, stoppage of the nose, much sneezing, fatigue, with a hot burning watery, excoriating discharge will need Arsenicum. The patient feels better in the warm room. Tubercular diseases such as pulmonary phthisis, will call for Arsenicum when profound weakness and the typical diarrhea and restlessness are present. Such cases show decided, often rapid emaciation, which is another valuable indication for this remedy.

Arsenicum patients always feel worse at night, especially after midnight and this indication will be found in almost any con-dition for which the remedy is suitable.

Characteristic Symptoms Of Arsenicum Album

1. Great restlessness and utter prostration.

2. Unquenchable, burning thirst, drinks often, but little at a time; water disagrees.

3. Disordered stomach after eating fruit or ice cream.

4. Violent burning pains in stomach and abdomen with intolerable anguish.

5. Black stools, thin and watery, with great prostration.

6. Oppression of breathing, prostration from walking fast, or ascending a height.

7. Burning pains, especially in inner organs, skin and ulcers; relieved by heat.

8. Bran-like, dry, scaly eruptions, with itching and burning, the latter increased by scratching, followed by bleeding.

9. Suffers worse after midnight.

10. Poisoning from decayed or morbid animal matter, by inoculation, inhalation or swallowing.