Cactus grandiflorus, a study

D. M. G I B S O N , M . B . , B . S . ( L O N D . ) , F.R.C.S.(EDI1N.), F.F.HOM.

PHARMACOGNOSY
The source of this extremely valuable remedy is that somewhat amazing plant
Selenieus grandiflorus, the night-blooming Cereus. The plant grows wild in
Jamaica as a creeper or as a climber. Its succulent cylindrical stems of bluish
green colour are armed with clusters of sharp spines. The curiously short-lived
flowers burst forth from the tip of the stem at sundown and blooming through
the night are withered b y the next morning. These flowers are large, up to 10
inches in diameter; the petals are white, the lance-shaped sepals are brown on
the outer surface and yellow on the inner side; the flowers exhale a quite strong
odour redolent of vanilla.
The fleshy fruit is egg-shaped, of vivid orange-red hue, and covered with
scaly tubercles. The extremely small seeds have an acid taste. The plant
contains a milky acrid juice. The Mother Tincture is prepared from the more
tender stems and the flowers, collected in summer. Tartaric acid is one of the
constituents of the plant.

PHARMACOLOGY
Toxic symptoms are described as gastric irritation, mild delirium, hallucinations,
mental confusion, diuresis. There is an affinity with the plain muscle of the
arteries and with heart muscle, tending to induce spasm.

PHYSIOGNOMY
The patient m a y be found pale, pulseless, panting and prostrate. Or at times,
owing to instability of circulatory control, the face m a y become red and
bloated.

PSYCHOLOGY
The subject is usually sad, taciturn, hypoehondriacal, desiring solitude and
made worse b y consolation. At times the suddenness and intensity of the pain
m a y induce a fear of death and despair of recovery. Tears m a y be profuse.

PHYSIOLOGY
As a result of the extremly labile circulation there m a y be swirls of blood in
one or other direction, producing perhaps a hot head with cold extremities,
or sudden localized flushes of heat.
Anorexia m a y occur associated with nausea. Excessive thirst m a y accompany
fever.
Sleep m a y be disturbed b y violent dreams, perhaps of falling; is apt to wake
startled and frightened. Pulsations m a y interfere with sleep,
Profuse sweats occur in feverish states.
96 THE BRITISH HOM(EOPATHIC JOURNAL

Modalities. Aggravation results from heat, from exposure to direct sun,

from damp; is worse often after a meal; also when walking, going upstairs,
lying on the left side; peak aggravations occur at 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Feels better in the open.

PATHOLOGY
General. The most characteristic feature is a sensation of constriction, generalized
or local, as if the parts were bound by wires squeezing ever tighter and tighter.
Accompanying pains are shooting, darting or squeezing in character and so
violent as to elicit cries or screams. This sense of constriction m a y be induced
by the slightest contact.
There is a tendency to congestive haemorrhage of dark blood which coagu-
lates readily, from nose, lungs, stomach, rectum, bladder or uterus.

Head. Periodic congestive headaches of throbbing nature affect especially the

right side or the vertex; they are aggravated b y noise, b y strong light, b y taking
food. Firm pressure affords relief. There m a y be complaint of a feeling of weight
pressing on the vertex. Vertigo m a y be severe, increased b y exertion, b y
stooping, b y rising from recumbent posture, b y taking a deep breath.

Eyes. Vision m a y be dim, distant objects appearing blurred.

Respiratory system. The throat feels constricted with full throbbing carotid
vessels; this m a y amount to globus hystericus, a sensation of a ball or lump in
the throat which cannot be shifted either up or down.
The whole chest m a y feel oppressed as by a great weight or tightly bound
as by an iron band. This m a y cause a frequent desire to take or a t t e m p t to take
a deep breath. Actual suffocating attacks m a y occur accompanied by fainting,
cold sweat on face and thready or impalpable pulse.
Diaphragmatic pleurisy is accompanied b y sharp shooting pains and a
sensation of a wire or cord bound tightly round the waist. Itmemoptysis m a y
occur, associated with throbbing palpitations. There m a y be acute congestion
of the lungs with inability to lie down.

Alimentary system. Spasm of the oesophagus causes dysphagia or perhaps a

constant desire to swallow.
Pyrosis, vomiting, haematemesis m a y occur. Pulsations are felt in the
stomach. Neuralgic type pains m a y be felt if an accustomed mcM is missed.
Sometimes the sufferer complains of a sensation as if being disembowelled.
There is often a feeling of painful pressure in the hypogastrium. Constipa-
tion occurs with stools which are hard and black. A feeling of constriction in
the rectum is accompanied b y much ineffectual urging to stool. Piles tend to
bleed.

Cardiovascular system. This is the sphere in which the remedy is especially

valuable. The heart feels as if constricted by an iron band with accompanying
pricking, sticking or anginal pain, perhaps spreading to the left hand. The whole
left upper extremity m a y be numb and tinghng. The heart feels as ff it had no
room to beat.
Palpitation is present both day and night and is worse if lying oi1 the left
 LILIUM TIGRINUM, A STUDY 97

side. The heart action is apt to be very irregular with an intermitting pulse.
Pulsations are felt all over the body. Cardiac hypertrophy and failing compen-
sation may be accompanied by oedema, especially of the left hand, foot and leg.

Urinary system. Retention may occur from spasm of the sphincter. Constriction
at the neck of the bladder may result in a constant urge with drop by drop
urination. Frequent haematuria may occur, with the formation of clots.

Genital system. Dysmenorrhoea may occur, with violent clutching cramps

causing the sufferer to scream with the pain. Cardiac symptoms are aggravated
before menstruation starts. The menstrual flow ceases when recumbent.

Locomotor system. Polyarthritic rheumatism occurs, starting usually in the

upper extremities. The rheumatic pains are not relieved b y rest, by motion or
by change of posture. There is much restless unease of the legs.

POSOLOGY

The association of the illness with heart symptoms provides the chief indication
for the use of the remedy.

Lilium tigrinum, a study

D . M. G I B S O N , M.B., B . S . ( L O ~ D .), F.R.C.S . ( E D I N . ) , r . r . n o M .

PHARMACOGNOSY
This colourful plant, the tiger lily, is found growing wild in hilly country in
China and Japan. The deep orange blossoms are spotted (not striped!) with
blotches of inky black. The Mother Tincture is prepared from the stalk, leaves
and flowers of the fresh plant.

PHARMACOLOGY

There is affinity with the pelvic organs, tending to relaxation of ligaments and
uterine displacements; also with the nervous system, producing a variety of
mental and emotional disturbances.

PHYSIOGNOMY

The patient appears listlessand inert,yet cannot sit still.There m a y be a wild

look in the eyes. The subject is often portly and plethoric.