NOTES ON IGNATIA AMARA


NOTES ON IGNATIA AMARA. Many patients with prolapsus uteri will require Ignatia because of the reflex nervous states produced by this condition. An interesting symptom in this condition is a grasping sensation in the throat relieved by lifting up the prolapsed womb.


Though extensively proved, we have not yet discovered the entire clinical range of Ignatia. In anxiety states, Ignatia frequently is the remedy of choice.

An erratic, spasmodic, contradictory patient who wants to scream when spoken to often needs Ignatia, especially if consolation aggravations (cf: Lyc., Natrum mur., Sepia, and Silicea).

A keynote symptom of Ignatia is a pain as if a nail were driven out through the head which is better from lying on it (cf: Agaricus, Lycopersicum, Nux Vomica, Ptelea, Thuja).

Ignatia causes perspiration of the face when eating (Cf: Cham., Natrum mur., Sul. ac.). It is also disposed to bite the teeth together as in Phytolacca.

Ignatia has a lump in throat which is worse when not swallowing but better when swallowing food.

Hiccoughs after eating, smoking or from emotional disturbances (especially in children) are characteristic of Ignatia. Periodical cramp-like pains in the abdomen also go with Ignatia.

In rectal conditions, with sharp stitching pain shooting up the rectum or with constructing pain at the anus which is better while sitting, Ignatia is indicated (cf: Helleborus).

Ignatia shows a bubbling sensation in the larynx. There is frequent sighing (cf: Adonis, Calc. phos., Graph.) or desire to take a deep breath (cf: Staph., Fagopyrum).

The Ignatia cough is characteristically dry and spasmodic with a sensation as if inhaling Sulphur fumes or as if dust were in the larynx. Cough also produces by a tickling above the pit of the stomach in the morning. A keynote for the Ignatia cough is: the more he coughs, the more he has to cough (cf: cocculus).

Many patients with prolapsus uteri will require Ignatia because of the reflex nervous states produced by this condition. An interesting symptom in this condition is a grasping sensation in the throat relieved by lifting up the prolapsed womb.

Ignatia has trembling of the limbs (cf: Cham., Moschus) and starting in the sleep (Cf: Cham., Chin. sulf., Con., Gels., Lyc., and Strych. phos.).

Natrum mur. usually follows Ignatia well.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

DISCUSSION.

DR. A.H. GRIMMER [Chicago, Illinois]: Dr. Hurd has brought us a most valuable paper and a very valuable remedy. A great many of us look upon Ignatia as more or less of an acute medicine for emotional disturbances. Ignatia is a deep and long-lasting remedy. She mentioned Natrum muriaticum as following Ignatia, as a complement to it. That is quite true.

Cases with a beginning history of shock or grief can bear Ignatia better than many others. Very often Ignatia will help people who have been ill since the death of a loved one and who have carried a silent grief.

This is indeed a valuable remedy, and we must commend Dr. Hurd for the splendid research and study she has done on this remedy, and her magnificent comparisons. This is a paper it will do all of us good to study.

DR. MARION BELLE ROOD [Lapeer, Michigan]: When one half of the world is secretly praying for a war of invasion to liberate them, and the other half of the world is praying to avert that war, what remedy could we have better chosen for study than Ignatia?.

I think we ought to thank Dr. Hurd for her choice of remedy and for her beautiful comparisons.

Laura B. Hurd