Phosphorus can exist in the body in the form of a compound only; if elemental Phosphorus is taken, it is transformed into the acid. Phosphorus is toxic in very small amounts and belongs to the class of protoplasmic poisons. A pronounced effect of Phosphorus intoxication, especially the chronic form, is an irritation of the respiratory tract. The pathology here produced, is at first that of bronchitis, which later may develop into a lobar pneumonia.

Phosphorus irritates the gastric mucosa, producing nausea and vomiting. Nearly all of the effects of Phosphorus are due to pathological conditions; its power of producing mere functional disturbances is very slight. It requires only a brief period of time for Phosphorus to produce fatty degeneration, even when given in rather small doses. The fatty degeneration is not due to an actual transference of normal tissue into adipose tissue, but instead, is due to a "transference of fat from other deposits."

Phosphorus attacks the bones. Here it exerts two actions, opposite in character. The first may be called a stimulating and the other a disintegrating effect. In both instances the histology of the tissue is greatly changed. In the first action, "the activity of the osteoblasts is increased, so that the laying down of bone, especially in young animals, takes place more rapidly than usual." In the second action, occurring after prolonged Phosphorus treatment, the bones become weak and fragile.

The beneficial properties of alfalfa, as a food for stock, are largely dependent upon the presence of Phosphorus in this plant. Young animals fed upon alfalfa have a larger bone development than would otherwise be the case.

The action of Phosphorus upon the liver is illustrated by the following report of its pathological action: One drop of a saturated solution of Phosphorus in olive oil was given to a guinea pig twice a day for twelve days, when the animal died. There were produced, pale areas plainly visible to the naked eye. Microscopical examination showed that these areas take little or no stain, which is significant of necrosis of much of the liver tissue. Necrosis, fatty degeneration and infiltration, are the principal changes here produced. Minute globules of fat, both in and between the liver cells, can be seen. The necrosis is most noticeable around the blood vessels. The absence of any congestion or inflammatory conditions, is the reason why Phosphorus has so little pain in its symptomatology.

The effect of the action of Phosphorus upon the blood is to cause an increase in the erythrocytes.

The general symptomatic expression of the action of Phosphorus, known in homeopathy as its characteristic symptoms, may be summarized as follows:

1. Fatty degeneration of tissues.

2. Caries of bones.

3. Dread of mental exertion.

4. Painless diarrhea.

5. Oppression of chest.

6. Low types of fever, with no thirst.

7. Burning pain in dorsal region of spine.

Therapeutics

Phosphorus is one of our most valuable drugs, but one which must be used with care and which must not be given too often, or in too crude a dose. In a general way it is related to tubercular diseases, particularly phthisis and to pneumonia, in which diseases it has proved itself of great value many times.

Characteristically the Phosphorus patient is tall, narrow-chested and slender, resembling the tuberculous type of patient, yet the remedy is of equal efficacy in those who are short and stout, provided that its typical guiding symptoms are present. Among these are to be especially mentioned, the aggravation of all Phosphorus symptoms except those of the head and stomach, from cold air, to which the Phosphorus patient is very sensitive. Another valuable indication is an aggravation of many symptoms when the patient lies or attempts to lie, upon the left side. Likewise, the Phosphorus patient feels worse before a thunderstorm, being sensitive to electric changes in the atmosphere. In the morning he is often lame and stiff on first moving, an indication of considerable value in the chronic rheumatic complaints, for which this remedy is useful.

The Phosphorus patient is inclined to be mentally dull or apathetic, when sick; he is sluggish and dislikes to talk and is extremely indisposed to mental or physical exertion. He has difficulty in concentrating his mind upon his work; ideas are slow in coming and quickly vanish. Hence, in conditions of nervous prostration or neurasthenia, this remedy is often valuable.

In typhoid states for which Phosphorus is suitable, the patient is found to be dull and apathetic, even in a stupor at times, with low, muttering delirium. When aroused momentarily, he quickly lapses back into his lethargy and answers questions with difficulty or not at all. At times he is loquacious and in his delirium may become obscene.

Vertigo will often require Phosphorus as its remedy, especially when the patient feels as though he had been lying with his head too low, or when he staggers on walking or becomes dizzy on rising from bed. The head feels dull and confused and the brain feels tired. There is at times a frontal headache, which is ameliorated in the open air.

In the gastric complaints for which the remedy is suitable, there is usually present an empty, gone sensation at the stomach, as though the abdomen had caved in or had literally been scooped out. Oddly enough, this sensation of faintness, or goneness, is particularly marked at about eleven o'clock in the forenoon and is usually relieved, temporarily at least, by the ingestion of food. Phosphorus has either an entire loss of appetite, or more often a ravenous one, even during a headache, or at times with the fever. Before a headache, patients sometimes experience an increased longing for food and this symptom is well met by Phosphorus, which is likewise indicated when there is present a peculiar nocturnal hunger, which wakes the patient from sleep and compels him to eat.

Quite commonly the Phosphorus patient is extremely thirsty for ice cold drinks, which, in cases of acute gastritis especially, are vomited within a few minutes, or as soon as they become warmed by the stomach. At times, however, even during fever, an absence of thirst will be noted, but this symptom is only exceptionally present.

As this remedy is hemorrhagic in character, we find it of great value in bleeding from almost any organ; thus it is likely to be indicated in epistaxis, in hemateme-sis or in hemoptysis. Women who are tall and thin and whose menses are too copious and occur too frequently, will often need Phosphorus.

In pneumonia, particularly lobar pneumonia, this medicine deservedly has an enviable reputation. It is likely to be needed during the stage of hepatization or of slow or delaying resolution, especially in pneumonia of the right lower lobe. The cough is painful, hurting the chest and head, may be either dry or loose and is aggravated by the slightest cold air and by lying on the left side. The face is flushed, dusky red, the eyes often glassy; breathing is labored and the patient complains of a sensation of weight or of heaviness upon the chest, as though he could not draw a deep full breath, which, in fact, it is difficult for him to do. The sputa are thick, yellowish or greenish, blood-streaked, bloody or rust colored and may have either a salty or a sweetish taste. The pulse is rapid, small and may be weak and irregular, denoting-commencing weakness, particularly of the right side of the heart.

In laryngitis, Phosphorus is frequently needed. The voice is extremely hoarse or may be entirely lost, the larynx and trachea are very raw and sore, especially during cough or from inhaling cold air. The cough is aggravated by going into the cold air and the hoarseness is decidedly worse toward evening. The sensation of heaviness or oppression of the chest, is often present as well. Burning pains or sensations are common to this remedy and will often suggest its use. The peculiar burning sensation in the spine, especially between the scapulae, may indicate it in cases of spinal neurasthenia or of actual caries of the vertebrae.

As Phosphorus is capable of causing fatty degenerative changes it must, therefore, conversely, be found serviceable in similar states, the result of disease. Hence fatty degeneration of the heart will at times require the remedy, especially when palpitation and breathlessness from slight exertion are present and the cardiac symptoms are aggravated by lying on the left side.

Provided the important general characteristics of Phosphorus are present, this remedy will be found helpful in many important diseases.

Characteristic Symptoms Of Phosphorus

1. Pulsations, sticking and burning in the brain.

2. As soon as water becomes warm in the stomach, it is thrown up.

3. Chronic painless diarrhea of undigested food, with much thirst during the night.

4. Frequent diarrhea during cholera time; cholerine.

5. Constipation; feces slender, long, dry, tough and hard, like a dog's; voided with difficulty.

6. Cannot talk on account of pain in larynx.

7. Pains in the chest with coughing, relieved by external pressure.

8. Dry tickling cough in the evening, with tightness across the chest.

9. Trembling of the whole body while coughing.

10. Can lie on right side only.

11. Small wounds bleed much, hemophilia.

12. Cough worse evening and night, from change from warm to cold air; from lying on the left side; from laughing.

13. Most symptoms aggravated before midnight, and during a thunder storm.