Causticum

Common name i.e.:

• Potassium hydrate, Tincture acris sine kali

Family / Group / Class / Order i.e.:

• Mineral kingdom

Habit and habitat / Description i.e. :

• It is a mixture of caustic lime and bisulphate of potash. Available in the medical shop.

Formula / Symbols i.e.:

• KOH

Name of prover i.e.: 

• Dr. Samuel Hahnemann

Introduction and history i.e.:

• Causticum is a great Polychrest, Anti psoric, Anti sycotic, Deep and Long-acting remedy.
• It is one of the greatest monuments of Hahnemann’s work.
• Caust. is a unique remedy and is one of those without which we cannot practice.
• Herring’s Guiding Symptoms say, ‘Whatever diversity of opinion may exist theoretically, Causticum remains stamped by our best practitioners as a polychrest of the highest order.’
• Nash too says, ‘If Hahnemann had never given to the homeopathic school any remedy but Causticum, the world would still owe him everlasting obligation.’
• Causticum is an indispensable polychrest remedy. (3)

Preparation i.e.:

• The mixture is soluble in spirit. Higher potencies are prepared from the mother tincture. (3)

Physical make up i.e.:

• Hydrogenoid constitution with shallow complexion, dark hair and rigid muscular fibers. Physically very weak, emaciated and anaemic.
• Children slow to learning and walk. (3)

Temperament i.e.:

• Melancholic ³, Choleric ², Nervous ^{2  (8)}  

Diathesis i.e.:

• Rheumatic diathesis

Relation with heat & cold :

• Chilly

Miasm i.e. :

• Psora and sycosis (3)

Clinical conditions

In Homeopathy Causticum medicine use by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of following Disease Conditions

• Acne rosacea, Arthritis deformans, Bronchitis, Burns, Convulsions, Diphtheritic paralysis, Enuresis, Epilepsy, Facial paralysis, Fistula, Herpes zoster, Impotence, Influenza, Intermittent fever, Intertrigo, Lead poisoning, Leucorrhoea, Locomotor ataxia, Neuralgia, Pemphigus, Prostatitis, Ptosis, Rheumatism, Scabies, Small-pox, Stammering, Tongue paralysis, Ulcers. Urethritis. Urine, disordered. Varicose veins. Voice, lost. Warts. Whooping-cough.(10)

Sites of action / Pharmacodynamics

• Brain, nerves, muscles of bladder and respiration, larynx, mucous membrane, face, skin, right side, medulla oblongata and vagus nerve, flexor tendons and skin. (3)

Causation (Causes / Ailments from)

• Long standing grief or sorrow, loss of sleep, night watching, lead poisoning, bathing in cold water, vexation of business, scalds and febrile conditions, exposure to cold, burns, suppression of skin eruptions, fright, joy, from sudden emotions, fear etc. (3)

Physiological action

• This agent produces congestion and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the larynx and trachea, together with a paresis or paralysis of the vocal organs.
• There is paresis or paralysis of the sphincter vesicae. There is an increase of the urinary solids. (4)

Patho-physiological changes / Pathogenesis

• • The general keynote of its action is paralysis, slow pulse, low temperature and general paralytic weakness.
  • It acts on the vocal cords and produces paralysis.
  • It acts on the mucous membranes of different hollow organs, producing an irritant action with increased secretions.
  • Acts on muscles and tendons producing contraction. This is a striking characteristic phenomenon.
  • Acts on the urinary bladder producing paralysis, leading to retention of urine or incontinence of urine.
  • It has an action on the respiratory system. (3)

Characteristic mental symptoms (psychology)

• Melancholy mood, sad, hopeless from CARE, GRIEF, SORROW.
• Weepy, the least thing makes the child cry.
• Intensely SYMPATHETIC, great sympathy for the sufferings of others.
• Children slow in learning to walk. Unsteady walking and easy falling of little children.
• Insanity after suppressed skin eruptions.
• Anxious forebodings (felt in head) < twilight.
• Fear that something bad will happen. Fears dark, dogs or other animals, ghosts.
• CANNOT STAND INJUSTICE, sensitive to authority, ANARCHIST, opposition or idealistic fight for a better world. REBELLIOUS even to the point of violent political extremism.
• Suspicious, mistrustful absentminded, looks on the dark side. Lacks control of balance. Compulsive neurosis, checks and rechecks for dangerous mental lapses.
• Serious, intense, idealistic and sensitive.
• Stammering, especially when excited.
• Hurriedness, eats fast, rushes in tasks.
• History of sexual abuse or violence in the family. (5)

1) Generalities of Caust.

• Manifests its action mainly in chronic rheumatic, arthritic also paralytic affections, indicated by the tearing, drawing pains in the muscular and fibrous tissues, with deformities about the joints; progressive loss of muscular strength, tendinous contractures.
• In catarrhal affections of the air passages, and seems to choose preferable dark- complexioned also rigid-fibered persons.
• Restlessness at night, with tearing pains in joints and bones, and faint-like sinking of strength. This weakness progresses until we have gradually appeared paralysis.
• Local paralysis, vocal cords, muscles of deglutition, of tongue, eyelids, face, bladder also extremities. Children are slow to walk.
• The skin of a Causticum person is of a DIRTY WHITE sallow, with warts, especially on the face.
• Emaciation due to disease, worry, etc., also of long standing. BURNING, RAWNESS, AND SORENESS is characteristic.

2) Head of Caust.

• Sensation of empty space between forehead also brain. Pain in right frontal eminence.

3) Eye of Caust.

• Cataract with motor disturbances. Inflammation of eyelids; ulceration. Sparks also dark spots before eyes. Ptosis. [Gels.]
• Vision impaired, as if film were before eyes. Paralysis of ocular muscles after exposure to cold.

4) Ears of Caust.

• Ringing, roaring, pulsating, with deafness; words and steps re- echo; chronic middle-ear catarrh; accumulation of ear-wax.

5) Nose of Caust.

• CORYZA, WITH HOARSENESS. Scaly nose. Nostrils ulcerated. PIMPLES AND WARTS.

6) Face of Caust.

• Paralysis of right side. Warts. Pain in facial bones.
• Dental fistula. Pain in jaws, with difficulty in opening mouth.

7) Mouth of Caust.

• Bites inside of cheek from chewing.
• Paralysis of tongue, with indistinct speech.
• Rheumatism of articulation of lower jaw. Gums bleed easily.

8) Throat of Caust.

• Mucus, must be swallowed; moist eruption on external throat; pain in pit on hawking mucus; pressing in pit as of a foreign body. (L): Ineffectual disposition to hawk pain on stooping;
• additionally,
• constant disposition to swallow from thick mucus; tension and stiffness of right side externally.
• Back part dry.

9) Stomach of Caust.

• Greasy taste. Aversion to sweets.
• Feels as if lime were burned in stomach.
• Worse after eating fresh meat; smoked meat agrees.
• Sensation of ball rising in throat. Acid dyspepsia.

10) Rectum & Anus of Caust.

• Partial paralysis of rectum. Rectum sore also burns. Fistula and large piles.

11) Stool of Caust.

• Soft and small, size of goose-quill. [Phos.]
• Hard, tough, covered with mucus; shines like grease; small-shaped; additionally, expelled with much straining, or only on standing up. Pruritus.

12) Urinary Organ of Caust.

• Involuntary when coughing, sneezing. [Puls.]
• Expelled very slowly, and sometimes retained.
• Involuntary during first sleep at night; also, from slightest excitement.
• RETENTION after surgical operations. Loss of sensibility on passing urine.

13) Sexual Organ of Caust.

• Female- UTERINE INERTIA DURING LABOR. Menses cease at night; FLOW ONLY DURING DAY. [Cycl.; Puls.] Leucorrhoea especially at night, with great weakness. [Nat. mur.] Menses delay, late. [Con.; Graph.; Puls.].

14) Respiratory System of Caust.

• HOARSENESS with pain in chest; APHONIA. Larynx sore. COUGH WITH RAW SORENESS OF CHEST.
• Expectoration scanty; MUST BE SWALLOWED.
• Cough WITH PAIN IN HIP, especially left worse in evening.
• BETTER, DRINKING COLD WATER; worse, warmth of bed.
• Sore streak down trachea.
• Mucus under sternum, which he cannot QUITE REACH.
• Pain in chest, with palpitation.
• Cannot lie down especially at night.
• Voice re- echoes.
• Own voice roars in ears also distresses. Difficulty of voice of singers also public speakers (Royal).

15) Neck & Back of Caust.

• Back Stiffness between shoulders. Dull pain especially in nape of neck.

16) Extremities of Caust.

• Left-sided sciatica, with numbness. Paralysis especially of single parts.
• Dull, tearing pain in hands also arms. Heaviness also weakness.
• Tearing joints.
• Unsteadiness of MUSCLES OF FOREARM and hand. Numbness; loss of sensation in hands.
• CONTRACTED TENDONS. Weak ankles.
• Cannot walk without suffering.
• RHEUMATIC TEARING IN LIMBS; BETTER BY WARMTH, ESPECIALLY HEAT OF BED.
• Burning in joints. Slow in learning to walk. Unsteady walking also easily falling.
• RESTLESS LEGS AT NIGHT.
• Cracking also tension in knees; stiffness in hollow of knee. Additionally, Itching on dorsum of feet.

17) Skin of Caust.

• Soreness in folds of skin, back of ears, between thighs. Warts large, jagged, bleeding easily, on tips of fingers and nose.
• Old burns that do not get well, also ill effects from burns.
• Pains of burns. Cicatrices freshen up; old injuries reopen.
• Skin prone to intertrigo especially during dentition.

18) Sleep of Caust.

• Very drowsy; can hardly keep awake.
• Nocturnal sleeplessness, with dry heat, inquietude. (7)

Keynotes / Redline symptoms:

• < Clear fine weather > damp wet weather.
• Rawness, soreness also burning are features of Causticum.
• Children slow in learning to walk.
• Constipation, stool passes only when standing.
• Great sympathy especially for the sufferings of others. (5)

Guiding symptoms:

• Dark-haired persons of rigid fibre and yellow, sallow complexion.
• Melancholy mood; esp. after long-lasting grief or sorrow; with easy weeping particularly in children; or peevishness and pessimism; no disposition or ability for physical also mental exertion; intense sympathy for the sufferings of others.
• Faint-like sinking of strength with internal trembling (Gels.).
• Paralysis conditions of single parts; gen. right-sided; of rectum, resulting in constipation with constant ineffectual desire and tendency to stand during stool; also, gradually appearing general paralysis.
• Rheumatic affections with feeling of tension also shortening of muscles; tearing, drawing pains; more in limbs than in joints.
• Great rawness soreness in various parts; Additionally, sometimes described as burning.
• Cough, hollow, spasmodic; often with hoarseness or aphonia; (<) on expiration, (>) cold drink; accompanied by spurt of urine; tough stringy mucus difficult to expectorate.
• Unhealthy skin; great tendency to warts; ailments from suppressed chronic skin troubles.
• Great restlessness especially at night; unable to find easy position to lie in.
• Patient chilly; (<) in clear, fine weather, (>) damp, wet weather (i.e., mild, soft air) yet (<) from bathing or getting wet. (6)

 Confirmatory symptoms:

• Never well since those bad effects of burns also scalds.
• Rawness, soreness also burning.
• Paralysis of single parts.
• Urine involuntary when coughing, sneezing, blowing nose, etc.
• < Clear fine weather > damp wet weather. (5)

Nucleus symptoms:

• Adapted to dark haired persons of rigid fibre with yellow, sallow, complexion.
• Conditions have a slow progress, gradual insidious onset.
• Timid, nervous, anxious, full of fearful fancies, especially in the evening.
• Paralytic weakness, paralysis of single parts.
• Contraction of tendons.
• Rawness also soreness.
• < clear fine weather > damp wet weather. (5)

• Abdominal affections
• Bladder affections
• Bronchitis, Burns
• Chorea, Constipation
• Convulsion
• Cough, Ear affections
• Epilepsy
• Eye affections
• Facial paralysis
• Fevers
• Fistula, Haemorrhoids
• Headache
• Heart affections
• Laryngitis, Leucorrhoea
• Locomotor ataxia
• Menstrual disorder
• Neuralgia, Paralysis
• Pregnancy disorders
• Respiratory affections
• Rheumatism
• Throat affections, Ulcers
• Urinary disorders
• Warts, Whooping cough, etc. (3)

Aggravation:

• Morning, evening, open air, draft, fine weather, motion of carriage, heat, cold, expectoration, dry cold or raw air, suppressed eruption, stooping, change of weather, after stool, twilight, darkness,especially while perspiring, new moon.

   Amelioration:

• Warm air, damp wet weather, especially stooping low, passing of flatus, heat of bed, washing, gentle motion. (3)

Complimentary

• Merc-c, Petros

Follows Well

• Ant-t, Arum-t, Coloc, Calc, Guaiac, Kali-I, Lyc, Nux, Puls, Rhus, Ruta, Sep, Sil, Stann, Sulph.

Inimical

• Acids, Coff, Phos

Antidoted By

• Asaf, Coff, Coloc, Dulc, Guaiac, Nit-s-d, Nux-v

It Antidotes

• Asaf, Chin, Coloc, Euphr, Plb

Comparison

• • Calc, Nit-ac, Phos (5)

Dose:

• Low potencies are given in acute diseases.
• High and highest potencies may be given when the constitutional symptoms call for the remedy.
• Chronic complaints high potencies are recommended once or twice a week.

Potency

• It can be used from 30 C potency to 1 M potency.
• In constitutional affections, higher also highest potencies cure.

Repetition

• Acts best in a single dose but may be repeated when symptoms call for it.

Duration of action

• • Up to 50 days (3)

Q. 1. Causticum medicine is used for which diseases?

Burns, Convulsions, Diphtheritic paralysis, Enuresis, Epilepsy, Facial paralysis, Fistula, Herpes zoster, Impotence, Influenza, Intermittent fever, Lead poisoning, Leucorrhoea, Locomotor ataxia, Neuralgia, Pemphigus, Prostatitis, Ptosis, Rheumatism, Scabies, Small-pox, Stammering, Tongue paralysis, Urethritis, Urine disordered, Varicose veins. Voice lost, Warts, Whooping-cough.(10)

Q 2. What are the systems that comes predominantly under the influence of Causticum?

Ans. Causticum is one of the celebrated polychrest. Still then, Dr. Allen refers, "subject to affection of respiratory also urinary tracts."

Q 3. Discuss the paralytic symptoms of Causticum.

Ans.

a) Causation i.e.:

1. Firstly, From exposure to cold wind.
2. Secondly, From draft of air.
3. Thirdly, After typhoid fever or typhus or diphtheria etc.
4. Fourthly, Bad effects of lead-poisoning (bad-effects of holding type in mouth of compositors).

b) Type i.e.: Chronic variety. Disturbed functional activity of brain also spinal cord, from exhausting disease or severe mental shock, resulting in paralysis.

c) Side i.e.: Mainly right-sided paralysis.

d) Onset i.e.: Slow insidious: gradually appearing.

e) Character of symptoms i.e.:

• Paralysis of single parts, i.e., in vocal organs, tongue, eyelids, face, extremities, bladder, etc.
• Paralysis of single nerve (Ref. Clarke).
• Neuralgia of the right cheek-bones to mastoid process aggravation especially at night.
• Drooping of upper eye-lids; can’t keep them open.
• Faint-like sinking of strength; weakness also trembling.

f) Sensation i.e.:

• Sensation of rawness also soreness in the affected parts.

g) Modalities i.e.:

1. Firstly, in clear fine weather.
2. Secondly, in damp wet, weather.

h) Concomitants and associated symptoms i.e.

• Very much sympathetic patient-intense sympathy for the suffering of others.
• Allied to paralysis are convulsion, chorea. cramps, restlessness, etc.

Q 4. State the toothache of Causticum?

Ans. Toothache i.e.: Ameliorated by holding ice-water in the mouth, but returns when water becomes warm. (Bry, Cham Puls.)

Q 5. What is the common name of Causticum?

Ans. Hahnemann’s Tinctura acris sine Kali.

Q 6.What is Dr. Nash’s remark regarding the immortal proving of Causticum?

Ans. Dr. Nash refers, "If Hahnemann had never given to the Homoeopathic school any remedy but Causticum, the world would still be to him under lasting obligations."

Q 7. State the child symptoms of Causticum.

Ans.

i) Constitution i.e.: Children with dark hair and eyes, delicate, sensitive; weakly, yellow, shallow complexion with psora in the back-ground.

ii) Character of symptoms:

a) Mile-stones i.e.:

1. Firstly, Children slow in learning to walk.
2. Secondly, Unsteady walking and easy falling of little children.
3. Thirdly, Disturbed functional activity of brain and spinal cord, from exhausting disease or severe mental shock.

b) Skin i.e.:

1. Firstly, Skin prone to intertrigo during dentition (Lyco).
2. Secondly, Warts: large, jagged, often pedunculated, bleeding easily: exuding moisture; small, all over the body on eyelids; face; on the nose.

c) Stool i.e.:

• Constipation in children, stool tough and shining, like grease.

d) Urine i.e.:

1. Firstly, Urine involuntary, when coughing, sneezing, blowing the nose.
2. Secondly, Urine passes unconsciously day and night.
3. Thirdly, Nocturnal enuresis in children.

e) Mental i.e.:

1. Firstly, The least thing makes the child cry.
2. Secondly, Melancholic mood.
3. Thirdly, Sadness, weeping of children.

f) Modalities i.e.:

1. Firstly, in clear fine weather.
2. Secondly, in damp, wet weather.

Q 8. Mention five medicines for night watching.

Ans. 1) Firstly, Causticum, ii) Secondly, Colchicum, iii) Thirdly, Ignatia, iv) Fourthly, Nitric acid, v) Lastly, Nux vomica

Q 9. What are the Nash’s trio of ptosis (drooping of eyelids)?

Ans. i) Firstly, Causticum, ii) Secondly, Gelsemium, iii) Thirdly, Sepia 

Q 10. Discuss the cough of Causticum.

Ans.

a) Causation i.e.:

1. Firstly, From exposure to cold, draught of cold air.
2. Secondly, After pertussis.
3. Thirdly, Cough during pregnancy.

b) Character of the cough i.e.:

1. Firstly, Mostly dry, sometime loose.
2. Secondly, Hollow, racking cough. It sounds as if he were coughing into barrel (Kent).
3. Thirdly, Inability to expectorate; sputa must be swallowed.
4. Fourthly, Expectoration chiefly at night.

c) Modalities:

Agg. i.e.: i) Firstly, On expiration, ii) Secondly, In clear fine weather. iii) Thirdly, On bending forward.

Amel. i.e.: i) Firstly, By drinking cold water, ii) Secondly, In damp, wet weather.

d) Concomitants i.e.:

1. Firstly, During cough: pain in hips.
2. Secondly, Involuntary urination from coughing.
3. Thirdly, Rawness also soreness in the throat & chest.
4. Fourthly, Hoarseness and aphonia which agg. in the morning.
5. Lastly, At night unable to get an easy position or lie still a moment.

Q 11. Name five medicines for hoarseness with their aggravation schedule.

Ans.

i) Argentum met i.e.: Hoarseness of professional singers, public speakers. Agg. when talking, singing. reading aloud.

ii) Calcarea carb i.e.: Painless hoarseness, agg. in the morning.

iii) Carbo veg i.e.: Hoarseness agg. in the evening; damp evening air; warm weather; fails when exerted.

iv) Causticum i.e.: Hoarseness with rawness, and aphonia; agg. In the morning.

v) Phosphorus i.e.: Hoarseness, agg in the evening.

Q 12. Mention four medicines for aphonia from singing.

Ans. i) Firstly, Argentum met, ii) Secondly, Causticum, iii) Thirdly, Argentum Nitricum, iv) Fourthly, Phosphorus.

Q 13. What is the Nash’s as well as Farrington’s trio of paralysis, esp. from cold?

Ans. i) Firstly, Causticum. ii) Secondly, Rhus tox. iii) Thirdly, Sepia.

Q 14. Describe the skin symptoms of Causticum.

Ans.

 1) Look of the skin i.e.:

• especially burns and scalds; freshen up, becomes sore again.
• Warts, large, jagged, often pedunculated, bleeding easily, exuding moisture small all over the body; on eyelids, face; on the nose.
• Skin prone to intertrigo, especially during dentition.

2) Burns and scalds i.e.:

• Bad effects of burns also scalds. They freshen up. become sore again; old injuries re-open; patients say, ‘they never been well since that burn."

3) Soreness i.e.:

• Soreness in folds of skin, back of ears, between thighs etc. with rawness.

4) Warts and condylomata i.e.:

• All over the body; large, jagged, often pedunculated especially on eyelids, face, on nose etc, which bleeds easily (Nit. acid).

5) Cicatrices i.e.:

• Cicatrices freshen up. Old injuries re-open.

6) Vein i.e.:

• Vericose vein.

7) Modalities i.e.:

• Skin diseases agg. in clear fine weather also amel in damp, wet weather.

Q 15. Mention three medicines for warts and corns with their indications.

Ans.

i) Antim. crud. i.e.: Disposition to abnormal growths of the skin, large horny corns on soles of feet, very sensitive when walking, esp., on stone-pavements.

ii) Causticum i.e.: –Warts: large. jagged, often pedunculated, bleeding easily: exuding moisture small, all over the body: on eyelids, face; on the nose.

iii) Nitric Acid i.e.: -Warts, condylomata: sycotic or syphilitic; large, jagged, pedunculated; bleeding readily on washing; moist, oozing with sticking pain. (Other medicine for warts: a) Thuja: Fig warts, condylomata also wart-like excrescences upon mucous membranes and cutaneous surfaces. Warts: large, seedy, pedunculated).

Q 16. Mention a medicine which is thought of hydrogenoid constitution, yet feels better in damp weather.

Ans. As in general, medicines having hydrogenoid constitution are worse in damp wet weather, yet then the peculiarity of Causticum is it feels better in damp wet weather.

Q 17. In a case of scabies when Sulphur is not indicated but repeatedly been used, then what medicine will rescue such cases?

Ans. Causticum i.e.: It antidotes the abuse of Sulphur in scabies.

Q 18. State the characteristic symptoms of Causticum.

Ans.

I.  Paralysis i.e.:

• Nash’s trio of chronic rheumatism also paralysis, others are Rhus tox and Sulphur.
• Paralysis of single parts; generally, of sight sided: which appears gradually.

II. Rawness and soreness i.e.:

• Rawness also soreness of all the affected parts; of scalp, throat, respiratory tract, rectum, anus, urethra. vagina etc.

III. Delayed mile-stones i.e.:

• Late learning to walk in children, unsteady walking and easy falling of little children due to disturbed functional activity of brain also spinal cord.

IV. ‘I have never been well since’ i.e.

• Cicatrices, especially burns, scald, freshen up, become sore again; old injuries reopen: patients say, or they never have been well since that burn".

 V. Sympathetic i.e.:

• Patient is extremely sympathetic i.e.: sympathy for the suffering of others.

VI. Ailments from i.e.:

a) Physical i.e.

• Loss of sleep, night watching.
• Suppressed eruptions.
• They have never been well since that burn.
• Disturbed functional activity of brain also spinal cord, from exhausting diseases.

b) Psychical i.e.

• Long lasting grief also sorrow
• Sudden emotions
• Fear, fright
• Joy
• Anger also vexation. (9)

1. Synoptic Memorizer of MM by S.K. Banerjea,2001, Volume 1, Chap-1,> Causticum
2. Synoptic Memorizer of MM by S.K. Banerjea, 2001, Volume 1, Chap-2,> Causticum
3. D.Patil MM chap >Causticum
4. Manual of MM,Therapeutics ,pharmacology by blackwood Alexander Leslie chap >Causticum
5. Zomoeo lane chap >Causticum
6. Decachords Arranged by Gladstone Clarke chap >Causticum
7. MM by W. Boricke chap >Causticum
8. Tempraz MM by Dr. Parinaz Humranwala chap > Causticum
9. Synoptic Memorizer of MM by S.K. Banerjea,2001, Volume 2, Part -I, Chap> Causticum
10. MM by Clarke chap >Causticum

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