Materia Medica de A a Z

FERRUM PHOSPHORICUM (ferr-p)

In the early stages of febrile conditions, it stands midway between sthenic activity of Aconite (Acon) and Bell, and the asthenic sluggishness and torpidity of Gels. The typical FERR-P subject is not full blooded and robust, but nervous, sensitive, anaemic with the false plethora and easy flushing of Ferrum. Prostration marked; face more active than Gels. The superficial redness never assumes the dusky hue of Gels. Pulse soft and flowing; no anxious restlessness of Acon. Susceptibility to chest troubles. Bronchitis of young children. In acute exacerbation of tuberculosis, a fine palliative of wonderful power. Corresponds to Grauvogl's Oxygenoid Constitution, the inflammatory, febrile, emaciating, wasting consumptive.

The remedy for first stage of all febrile disturbances and inflammations before exudation sets in; especially for catarrhal affections of the respiratory tract. FERR. PHOS. 3x increases haemoglobin. In pale, anaemic subjects, with violent local congestions. Haemorrhages, bright from any orifice.

Head

Soreness to touch, cold, noise, jar. Rush of blood to head. Ill effects of sun-heat. Throbbing sensation. Vertigo. Headache Better COLD APPLICATIONS.

Eyes

Red, inflamed, with burning sensation. Feeling as of sand under lids. Hyperaemia of optic disc and retina, with blurred vision.

Ears

Noises. Throbbing. First stage of otitis. Membrana tympani red and bulging. Acute otitis; when Bellad. fails, prevents suppuration.

Nose

First stage of colds in the head. Predisposition to colds. EPISTAXIS; bright red blood.

Face

Flushed; cheeks sore and hot. Florid complexion. Facial neuralgia; worse, shaking head and stooping.

Throat

Mouth hot; fauces red, inflamed. Ulcerated sore throat. Tonsils red and swollen. Eustachian tubes inflamed. Sore throat of singers. Subacute laryngitis with fauces inflamed and red (2x). After operations on throat and nose to control bleeding and relieve soreness. First stage of diphtheria. Ranula in vascular, sanguine constitutions.

Stomach

Aversion to meat and milk. Desire for stimulants. VOMITING OF UNDIGESTED FOOD. Vomiting of bright red blood. SOUR ERUCTATIONS.

Abdomen

First stage of peritonitis. Haemorrhoids. Stools watery, bloody, undigested. First stage of dysentery, with much blood in discharges.

Urinary

Urine spurts with every cough. Incontinence. Irritation at neck of bladder. Polyuria. DIURNAL ENURESIS.

Female

Menses every three weeks, with bearing-down sensation and pain on top of head. Vaginismus. Vagina dry and hot.

Respiratory

FIRST STAGE OF ALL INFLAMMATORY AFFECTIONS. Congestions of lungs. Haemoptysis. Short, painful tickling cough. Croup. Hard, dry cough, with sore chest. Hoarseness. EXPECTORATION OF PURE BLOOD IN PNEUMONIA. [Mill] Cough better at night.

Heart

Palpitation; pulse rapid. First stage of cardiac diseases. SHORT, QUICK, SOFT PULSE.

Extremities

Stiff neck. Articular rheumatism. Crick in back. Rheumatic pain in shoulder; pains extend to chest and wrist. Whitlow. Palms hot. Hands swollen and painful.

Sleep

Restless and sleepless. Anxious dreams. Night sweats of anaemia.

Fever

Chill daily at 1 p.m. All catarrhal and inflammatory fevers; first stage.

Modalities

Worse: at night and 4 to 6 a.m.; touch, jar, motion, right side.

Better: cold applications.

Relationship

Compare: [ Oxygenoid Constitution. Acon; China (Chin); Ars; Graph; Petr]. Ferr-py (congestion of brain and headache following great loss of blood; tarsal cysts); Acon; Gels; Chin.

Dose

Third to twelfth potency.