Hydrocyanicum acidum
Hydrocyanic acid (hydrogen cyanide, HCN) · Human-made/chemical
Hydrocyanicum acidum is one of the most violent poisons known, causing convulsions and paralysis as its primary expression. Spasmodic constriction of the larynx, profound cyanosis, collapse, and a singing sensation at the epigastrium are characteristic. It is indicated in the collapse stage of cholera, epilepsy, whooping cough with cyanosis, and angina pectoris.
Key symptoms
- Spasmodic constriction in larynx with feeling of suffocation
- Wild delirium; unconsciousness; fear of everything
- Jaws clenched in rigid spasm; froths at mouth
- Violent palpitation with weak, irregular pulse and cold extremities
- Great sinking at pit of stomach; drink rumbles through throat and stomach
- Dry, spasmodic, suffocative cough with marked cyanosis
- Hysterical and epileptic convulsions
- Coldness; catalepsy; collapse
Worse (aggravation)
- Empty stomach (gastralgia worse)
Prussic Acid (HYDROCYANIC ACID)
One of the most toxic agents known. Convulsions and paralysis express the action of this remedy. Spasmodic constriction in larynx, feeling of suffocation, pain and tightness in chest, palpitation; pulse weak, irregular. Singing sensation at the epigastrium. Hysterical and epileptic convulsions. Cyanosis. Collapse, due to some pulmonary condition not a cardiac collapse. Catalepsy. Cholera. Stage of collapse (Ars; Verat). Coldness. Tetanus narcolepsy.
Mind
Unconscious. Wild delirium. Fear of imaginary troubles. Fears everything-horses, wagons, houses falling, etc.
Head
Violent stupefying headache. Brain feels on fire. Pupils motionless or dilated. Supra-orbital neuralgia, with flushing on same side of face.
Face
Jaws clenched in rigid spasm. Froths at mouth. Pale, bluish lips.
Stomach
Tongue cold. Drink rumbles through throat and stomach. Gastralgia; worse when stomach is empty. Great sinking at pit of stomach. Pulsative pain in præcordial region.
Respiratory
Noisy and agitated breathing. Dry, spasmodic, suffocative cough. Asthma, with contraction of throat. Whooping-cough. Paralysis of lungs (Aspidos). Marked cyanosis; venously congested lung.
Heart
Violent palpitation. Pulse, weak irregular. Cold extremities. Torturing pain in chest. Angina pectoris (Spigel; Oxal ac).
Sleep
Yawning with shivering. Irresistible drowsiness. Vivid, incoherent dreams.
Relationship
Antidotes: Ammon; Camph; Opium.
Compare: Cicuta; Oenanthe; Camph; Lauroc.
Dose
Sixth and higher potencies.
Prussic Acid. HCN. One measure of the dilute acid of B. P. to two measures of rectified spirit makes the 1st centesimal dilution; rectified spirit for all above.
Clinical
Angina pectoris. Asthma. Cholera Asiatica. Colic (horses). Convulsions. Dyspepsia. Epilepsy. Hemiplegia. Hiccough. Labour, convulsions in. Stings. Stomach, catarrh of. Sunstroke. Tetanus. Uræmic convulsions. Whooping-cough.
Characteristics
The pathogenesis of Hcyan. ac. is mainly composed of symptoms observed in poisoning cases and clinically verified, but it has also been proved by Joerg and his pupils. Hcn. is one of the deadliest and most rapidly acting of poisons. Hence its applicability in cases of critical intensity, such as the collapse stage of cholera, when it supervenes on sudden cessation of all discharges; convulsion during severe attacks of illness. It acts powerfully on the cœliac ganglia, causing intestinal cramps and colics. Convulsions and paralysis are the leading notes of the medicine's action. In the convulsions …
Stomach
Drink which is swallowed rolls audibly down the throat, as though forced into an empty barrel.
Phatak's chapter on Hydrocyanicum acidum is available in the app.
Read Phatak in the appClassical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
