Ichthyolum
Ichthammol (ammonium bituminosulfonate) · Mineral
Ichthyolum is a sulphur-containing fossil product acting on skin, mucous membranes, and kidneys with strong antiparasitic properties. It is useful in winter coughs of the elderly, polyarthritis, chronic rheumatism, uric acid diathesis, hay-fever, chronic hives, and tuberculosis. It decreases tension and redness in inflamed tissues and aids nutrition in tuberculosis.
Key symptoms
- Dull frontal and supra-orbital headache better from cold and pressure
- Headache worse moving eyes, cold air; better from warmth
- Eyes burning and red, worse any change of temperature
- Bland coryza with stuffed feeling and irresistible desire to sneeze
- Irritated, sore, dry throat with pain extending to ears
- Early morning diarrhoea; griping in umbilical region
- Burning pain in meatus with uric acid deposits in urine
- Chronic hives; polyarthritis; hay-fever; acne
Worse (aggravation)
- Moving the eyes (headache)
- Cold air (headache)
- Any change of temperature (eyes)
Better (amelioration)
- Cold application and pressure (headache)
- Warmth (frontal headache)
A Combination of Sulphonated Hydrocarbons, a Fossil Product of Complex Structure found in Tyrol, supposed to be Fish Deposits, contains 10 % Sulphur.
Its action on skin, mucous membranes, and kidneys is prompt and useful. It is strongly antiparasitic; redness, pain and inflammation; decreases tension. Excellent in winter coughs of old people. Polyarthritis. Chronic rheumatism. Uric acid diathesis. Hay-fever. Chronic hives. Tuberculosis, aids nutrition. Alcoholism when nothing will stay on stomach.
Mind
Irritable and depressed. Forgetful, lack of concentration.
Head
Dull, aching; better cold, pressure. Dull frontal and supra-orbital headache; worse moving eyes, cold air; better, warmth.
Face
Skin feels dry and itches. Acne on chin.
Throat
Irritated; pain to ears; sore, dry, with hawking and expectoration.
Eyes
Burn, red; worse, any change of temperature.
Nose
Bland coryza; stuffed feeling; feels sore inside. Irresistible desire to sneeze.
Stomach
Disagreeable taste, burning sensation, very thirsty. Nausea. Increased appetite.
Abdomen
Disposition to soft, shapeless stools. Griping in umbilical and left hypogastric region. Early morning diarrhœa.
Urine
Increased in quantity and frequency. Burning pain in meatus. Uric acid deposits.
Female
Fullness in lower abdomen. Nausea at time of menses.
Respiratory
Coryza; dry, teasing cough. Bronchiectasis and phthisis. Bronchitis, especially of the aged.
Skin
Heat and irritation; itching. Scaly and itching eczema. Crops of boils. Pruritus of pregnancy. Psorisis, Acne, rosacea, erysipelas.
Extremities
Lameness in right shoulder and right lower extremity.
Relationship
Compare: Hepar; Calc; Silica; Sulph; Ars; Petrol.
Dose
Lower potencies.
Externally, it is used as an ointment, with Lanoline 20 to 50 per cent; for chronic eczema and psoriasis, also acne rosacea and gouty joints. Chilblains, scabies. Rectal suppositories for senile prostate.
Ammonium Ichthyol Sulphonate. C28 H36 S3 O6 (NH4)2. The most important of the salts of ichthyosulphonic acid, prepared from a bituminous mineral of Tyrol, which is rich in fossilised remains of fish. A clear, reddish-brown viscid liquid. Solution.
Clinical
Arthritis. Gonorrhœa. Neuralgia. Phthisis. Pruritus vulvæ. Rheumatism. Skin, affections of.
Characteristics
This is an unproved remedy which has been used in old-school therapeutics as an external application, and internally in skin affections, rheumatism, scrofula, nephritis, and gonorrhœa. It is a powerful antiseptic. As an external application to rheumatic joints it has achieved marked results. A solution of equal parts of Ichthyol and water is warmed and applied to the affected joint on calico and covered with heated cloths, outside of which is an impervious fabric to prevent evaporation. Pure Ichthyol or an ointment of Lanoline and Ichthyol maybe used instead. Gouty joints have also been benefited. Ichthyol appears to act by virtue of its power …
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
