Sabadilla.
By Cyrus Maxwell Boger, M. D.
Presented by Sylvain Cazalet
Dr C.M. BogerWe will now leave the
Liliaceæ for a few hours in order to consider Sabadilla,
veratrum-alb., Veratrum-vir. and Colchicum,
obtained from the nearly related Melanthaceæ. Because of the presence
of the mixed alkaloid Vertarine in all but the latter, Sabadilla
and a Veratrum have many symptoms in
common. It is an intense irritant, causing violent sneezing, tingling,
prickling, numbness, formication, and finally paralysis of the end
nerves.
Sabadilla
and its alkaloids show a deeper action than the mere effect of a pure
irritant, for we read of tears flowing as soon as pain is felt in any
part and its application exciting a formication which extends to the
remote parts of the body, all showing reflex symptoms through the
nervous system, which is, indeed profoundly affected. The Sabadilla
patient has many sensory illusions and imagines himself sick or thinks
certain parts have enlarged or shrunken, all of which bears a close
relation to the sense of crawling and itching induced thereby. There are
many nervous phenomena, spasms, twitchings, hemicrania, colics, coughs,
sneezing, etc., reflex from or connected with worm, abdominal or other
irritations. Spasmodic sneezing, reflex from any slight cause.It was formerly used to
destroy vermin and many of the skin symptoms are like those felt by
nervous persons in the presence of a parasite.It is particularly
helpful for wormy children who have snuffles. Patients with pinworms are
often hard to prescribe for because the worms and the reflex symptoms
which they cause may be the only evidences of sickness ; here Sabadilla
easily leads all remedies.A large part of its
irritative action expends itself upon the upper respiratory tract,
inducing sore throat, which usually begins on the left side and often
extends to the right, accompanied by a severe constriction, constant
necessity to swallow, profuse salivation and lachrymation, it is worse
from empty swallowing and better from hot drinks and after steep,
resembling Lachesis somewhat, but
which, as you know, is worse from hot drinks and worse after sleep.From what I have said,
you have by this time, doubtless, inferred its usefulness in influenza,
hay fever, etc., where it has been used quite extensively. It is,
however, well to remember that in the so-called rose-cold it is very apt
to have a palliative action only, and that it will generally not prevent
its yearly recurrence, for which purpose the deeper acting antipsorics
are more suitable. In hay fever it is indicated by the predominance of
sneezing, with itching tingling within the nose, complete obstruction
and a watery discharge, all worse in the open air.In this disease it
merits comparison with Cepa, Squilla, Arundo,
Wyethia, Nux-vomica and
Kali-bichromicum.
Cepa
is
indicated by a bland lachrymation with a acrid coryza, better in the
open air and accompanied by sleepiness and flatulency.
Squilla
will
be needed if there is much bloating around the eyes, while the patient
continually rubs them sneezes. The teeth may show black marks.
Arundo.
as
pointed out by Dr. Allen, of Philadelphia is perhaps the most important
remedy. It is called for by much sneezing running of frothy mucus from
the nose and itching of the soft palate.
Wyethia.
dry
sensation in the throat, although mucus is abundant. Tickling on the
edges of the eyelids. The lips feet scalded and swollen. Itching of the
soft palate, is compelled to scratch it with the tongue. Great
depression of spirits.Under Nux-vomica
the itching also extends to the throat and we have the
typically sensitive Nux patient.Under Kali-bi.,
the eyes fill with acrid mucus, which collects in little
irritating masses ; they run a scalding water and are agglutinated
in the morning. There may be a sticky, deep yellow discharge from the
nose.
Veratrine
has been used empirically for neuralgias of various sorts by the old
school ; we may make similar use of Sabadilla
when the pains seem like hot needles penetrating the part or are
accompanied by tingling and prickling, always worse from cold.
Sabadilla
has a distinct and clock-like periodicity fitting it for malarial and
other intermittent complaints when thirst is absent and the patient
complains of coldness mingled with isolated flushes of heat or
alternating with hot flashes. In this exact periodicity it is to be
compared with Cedron and Aranea
diadema.
Many symptoms appear or
recur at the new or full moon.Burning sensations are
very prominent and may occur almost anywhere. In general the symptoms
predominate on the right side or go from thence to the left. In the
throat, however, the reverse holds good.The Sabadilla
patient is usually chilly and generally made worse from cold, although
he feels relief in the open air, quite like Pulsatilla ;
he is also worse from thinking of his-complaint and often magnifies a
slight symptom into a serious disease.It is to be compared
with Arsenicum especially in the
respiratory sphere, in symptoms induced by irritations in distant parts,
in sensations of hot needles in the suffering part, etc.C. M. Boger
Parkersburg, W. Va.
Source :
Notes from lectures delivered at Pulte
Medical College.Copyright © Sylvain
Cazalet 2001
