ALLENS KEY NOTES ON IODUM

IODUM.

Iodine. (The Element)

Persons of scrofulous diathesis, with dark or black hair and eyes; a low cachetic condition, with profound debility and great emaciation (Abrot.). Great weakness and loss of breath on going upstairs (Calc.); during menses (Alum, Carbo an., Coc.). Ravenous hunger; eats freely and well, yet loses flesh all the time (Abrot., Nat. m., Sanic., Tub.). Empty eructations from morning to nigh, as if every particle of food was turned into air (Kali c.). Suffers from hunger, must eat every few hours; anxious and worried if he does not eat (Cina, Sulph.); feels > while eating or after eating, when stomach is full. Itching: low down in the lungs, behind the sternum, causing cough; extends through bronchi to nasal cavity (Coc. c., Con., Phos.). Hypertrophy and induration of glandular tissue - thyroid, mammae, ovaries, testes, uterus, prostate or other glands - breasts may dwindle and become flabby. Hard goitre, in dark haired persons (light haired, Brom.); feels > after eating. Palpitation, worse from least exertion (compare, Dig.- from least mental exertion, Cal. ars.). Sensation as if the heart was squeezed together; as if grasped with an iron hand (Cac., Sulph.). Leucorrhoea: acrid, corrosive, staining and corroding the linen; most abundant at time of menses. Cancerous degeneration of the cervix; cutting pains in abdomen and haemorrhage at every stool. Constipation, with ineffectual urging > by drinking cold milk. Croup: membranous, hoarse, dry cough, worse in warm, wet weather; with wheezing and sawing respiration (Spong.). Child grasps at larynx (Cepa); face pale and cold, especially in fleshy children.

Relations

. - Complementary: to, Lycopodium. Compare: Acet. ac., Brom., Con., Kali bi., Spong. in membranous croup and croupy affections; especially in overgrown boys with scrofulous diathesis. Follows well: after, Hep., Mer.; is followed by Kali bi. in croup. Acts best in goitre when give after full moon, or when moon is waning - Lippe. Should not be given during lying-in period, except in high potencies- Hering.

Aggravation

. - Warmth; wrapping up the head (reverse of, Hep., Psor.).