Sanguinarinum
Sanguinarine · Human-made/chemical
Sanguinarinum is indicated in pseudo-membranous croup with severe dyspnoea, complete aphonia, and fibrinous exudation of the fauces. It suits cases where the child is in extreme distress with rapid pulse and dark, swollen features. It acts as an expectorant in small doses and is particularly useful in croupous laryngeal conditions.
Key symptoms
- Pseudo-membranous croup with hoarse muffled cough and complete aphonia
- Pearly fibrinous exudation on soft palate and fauces
- Hissing sound on auscultating larynx
- Great dyspnoea; child stretches back head and grasps throat in agony
- Features swollen and dark with rapid pulse (132)
Sanguinarinum. C19H17NO4. Trituration. Solution in vinegar.
Clinical
Croup.
Characteristics
Sanginarin. is a pearly white substance. In smallest physiological doses it acts as "expectorant," in large it causes nausea, and still larger vomiting. In repeated doses it lowers the pulse rate (Thomas, quoted C. D. P.). T. Nichol gives in Hale's work his experience with it solution of one grain of Sanguinarin. in two ounces of vinegar in cases of Pseudo-membranous croup. (He does not say how much of this he gave or how frequently he repeated: probably the dose was a few drops in water given frequently.) He relates this case: W. G., 5, had been ill some days. Nichol found him with a hoarse, muffled cough, complete aphonia, pulse 132. Soft palate and fauces covered with pearly, fibrinous exudation; a hissing sound was heard on auscultating larynx. Great dyspnœa. The child stretched back his head and grasped his throat in agony. Features swollen and dark. Sgn. acet. was given, and in fifteen hours there was notable improvement. In forty-eight hours the boy was out of danger.
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Sick headache occurring periodically, with chilliness and flushes of heat, the headache begins in occiput, spreads upward and settles over the right eye.
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Circumscribed redness of one or both cheeks.
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Dry, hacking cough, caused by tickling in the throat pit, with a crawling sensation. extending down beneath the sternum.
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