Naphthalinum
Naphthalene · Human-made/chemical
Naphthalinum suits patients with spasmodic respiratory conditions, especially hay fever, asthma, and whooping cough, and those with severe eye pathology including retinal detachment. The remedy has an affinity for the urinary apparatus with offensive black urine. It is also indicated in pyelonephritis and gonorrhoeal states with marked urinary irritation.
Key symptoms
- Hay fever and spasmodic asthma better in open air
- Whooping cough with long continued paroxysms unable to get breath
- Marked affinity for the eye: retinal detachment, cataract, corneal opacity
- Urine black with terribly offensive decomposing ammoniacal odour
- Irresistible urge to urinate; meatus red and swollen
- Dyspnoea and sighing inspiration
- Emphysema in aged patients with asthma
- Dermatitis with itching infiltration; eruptions at corners of mouth
Better (amelioration)
- Open air (spasmodic asthma)
A chemical compound from Coal-tar; Tar Camphor (NAPHTHALINE)
Coryza, hay-fever, phthisis pulmonalis, also gonorrhœa have been influenced favorably by this drug. Pyelonephritis. Irritation of the periphery of the urinary apparatus. Whooping-cough.
Head
Lying as if stupefied by a narcotic. Restless. Face pale yellowish hue.
Eyes
Marked affinity for the eye. It produces detachment of the retina; papillo-retinal infiltration; deposits in patches upon the retina; amblyopia and consecutive amaurosis; sparkling synchisis; soft cataract. Exudation in the retina, choroid and ciliary body. Cataract. Opacity of the cornea.
Urine
Irresistible desire. Meatus red swollen, and œdema of prepuce. Black urine. Cutting pain down penis. Pain in bladder. Terribly offensive odor of decomposing ammoniacal urine.
Respiratory
Sneezing; eyes inflamed; painful; head hot. Hay-fever. Spasmodic asthma; better in open air. Soreness in chest and stomach; must loosen clothing. Dyspnœa and sighing inspiration. Emphysema in the aged with asthma. Whooping-cough, long and continued paroxysms of coughing, unable to get a respiration. Acute laryngo-tracheitis. Bronchitis when the spasmodic element is associated with tenacious expectoration and oppression (Cartier).
Skin
Dermatitis; itching infiltration. Eruptions at corners of mouth and pigmentation around nails.
Non-homeopathic Uses-For worms, and especially pin--worms, one-gramme dose. Externally in skin diseases, five per cent ointment.
Relationship
Compare: Dros; Corall; Coccus. Terpin hydrat (Whooping-cough, hay asthma and bronchial affections. 1-2 grain doses).
Dose
Third trituration.
Naphthalene. C10H8. Trituration.
Clinical
Albuminuria. Amblyopia. Asthma. Bronchitis. Cataract. Diarrhœa. Eczema. Flatulence. Gleet. Gonorrhœa. Hay-asthma. Phthisis. Psoriasis. Retina, detached. Typhoid fever. Whooping-cough. Worms.
Characteristics
Naphthalin is a hydro-carbon obtained by distillation from coal-tar. It consists of colourless, transparent, lustrous scales, or, when crystallised, of rhombic tables or prisms. It is an unproved remedy, and has been used in old-school practice as an intestinal antiseptic and vermifuge, as an expectorant, as a remedy for eczema and psoriasis, as an antiseptic application to wounds. Some cases of poisoning have been reported. A boy, 12 (Brit. Med. Journ., August 5, 1899), came home one evening apparently drunk: semi-conscious, staggering, unable to answer questions. He had eaten two "bon-bons," which were really moth-destroyers, each tablet containing two grammes of pure Naphthalin. An emetic was promptly administered, and the next day the boy was still drowsy …
Phatak's chapter on Naphthalinum is available in the app.
Read Phatak in the appClassical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
