CUPRUM METALLICUM.
CRAMPS and spasms are the leading characteristics of Cuprum. The Cuprum cramps usually begin in the fingers with twitchings and cramping of the fingers and thumbs. The thumbs are drawn into the palms, and the fingers close down. The cramps extend to the limbs. The lower limbs are drawn up violently, and there are severe cramps in the stomach.
The mental symptoms of Cuprum are delirium, incoherent talk, loss of memory. Sometimes the patient shrieks, or has attacks of rage.
Kent says : “This drug has the ability to produce a group of symptoms followed by the appearance as if the patient were dead.” He points out that in whooping cough when Cuprum is indicated the child goes into a spasm after coughing until the face is livid or blue and utter exhaustion sets in, the child lying as if dead and unable to breathe. Then with violent spasmodic action the breathing returns. The typical cramping of the hands with the thumbs turned in will usually be seen.
The head symptoms are numerous; there may be a sense of confusion with dullness and pressure in the forehead. Vertigo, throbbing headache. The head symptoms are worse after a meal.
The eyes, ears, and nose are affected; but the typical Cuprum symptoms are the guide to the use of this drug. The symptoms seen in these organs are not very helpful when prescribing. Contractions and jerkings in the eye, and a feeling as if the eyeball was pulled back into the head are symptoms worth noting. The face may be livid and cold. A metallic taste in the mouth which may be dry,or the reverse with frequent salivation. Tongue coated white, and burning sensations in the mouth.
A spasmodic contraction of the lower part of the chest is often seen in Cuprum patients. The patient can hardly speak or breathe. In painful menstruation with cramps or in cases of cholera this constriction of the chest may been seen.
Cramps and spasms in the stomach which is sensitive to touch. Nausea and vomiting with burning sensations. The abdominal symptoms are numerous. Violent cramping pains with gushing copious diarrhoea causing great exhaustion. The stool very offensive.
Cuprum as these symptoms indicate is one of the cholera remedies. When cholera came to Europe Hahnemann had never seen a case of this disease. But he saw the symptoms of three remedies, Cuprum, Camphor and Veratrum. Cuprum comes in for the cases with cramps. Camphor is indicated by external coldness, blueness and collapse without much sweat, Veratrum has copious sweat, vomiting and purging.
Cuprum may be needed in any disease which exhibits the typical cramps and spasm. In epilepsy when the fingers and toes are cramped, and perhaps the characteristic feeling of a constricted chest in seen. Painful menstruation with spasms may need Cuprum.
Many symptoms of Cuprum are worse at night, but better after sleep. Hot weather aggravates, motion aggravates, cold drinks ameliorate. Wrapping up the head relieves headache. Cold air and cold wind aggravate the symptoms.
A case I treated recently is a good example of the action of Cuprum in cures of cramp. The patient is a strong, healthy woman, but for two years she had been afflicted with violent cramps which came on in bed at night. There seemed to be no cause for these symptoms as between the attacks she was in perfect health. The cramps were typical of Cuprum, and the patient was given a dose of Cuprum 30.
For a few days she complained of a metallic taste in her mouth a dull confused feeling in her head, and a vague malaise without any distinctive symptoms. As the patient was evidently reacting to the drug no more medicine was given the patient being instructed to report any return of the cramps. So far, a period of six weeks there has been no return of the symptoms.
