Hydrofluoricum Acidum - General symptoms - Clarke

GENERAL

General

Hydrofluoric acid. H F. Made by distilling pure fluorspar (Calcium fluoride) in a state of fine powder with Sulphuricum Acidum ^{sulphuric acid}. Solution.

Fluoric acid acts on the lower tissues of the body much like Silicea ^Silica, which it follows and precedes well. It is useful after the abuse of Silicea ^Silica. The modalities of the two are different.

Fluor. ac. having amel. from cold applications. It acts on the bones, especially the long bones, causing caries and necrosis, and favours the expulsion of the necrosed part. Fistulae, rectal, dental, and lachrymal come within its sphere. Old cicatrices become redder and itch. Small red spots here and there, agg. by warmth, amel. in cool place. Red blotches on body which tend to desquamate. Nails grow rapidly. Teeth are deficient in enamel.

black, rough, unsightly-looking. Increased sensitiveness of vision and hearing. According to Guernsey Fluor. ac. affects the right ear.

left teeth. left hypochondrium.

left side of abdomen. right side and nape of neck.

right side of back. T. F. Allen has recorded an experience (N. A. J. H., 1886, p. 288) showing the applicability of Hydrofluoricum Acidum ^{Fl. ac.} in whitlow. A lady spilled some of the acid on her hand and though treated at once with Terebinthina ^turpentine a few spots escaped on one hand, and these soon gave her great pain, intensely pulsating. The pulsations involved the tip of the thumb especially, though this had not been touched by the acid. It was not red like the spots touched by the acid but was sore to touch, and when pressed there was a sensation as of a splinter under the nail and in the cellular tissue. This lasted some days. The whole hand was swollen and hot, amel. in cool, open air. In a workman whose hand was exposed to the fumes of the acid there was intense throbbing pains especially in the thumb.

suppuration occurred later and was very slow to heal. According to McLachlan, the left hand is affected rather than the right and the pus tends to point on the dorsum of the finger. amel. From cold washing distinguishes it from Silica Marina ^Silic. Hydrofluoricum Acidum ^{Fl. ac.} is also distinguished from Silicea ^Sil. by the general amel. from walking in the open air. "A constant, irresistible desire to walk in the open air.

it does not fatigue," is characteristics of Hydrofluoricum Acidum ^{Fl. ac.} Hunger predominates. There is agg. from wine like Zincum Metallicum ^Zinc.

but also agg. from red wine, which is peculiar to Fluor. ac. Abdominal symptoms amel. by tightening clothes (Nat Mur ^{Nat. mur}.).

opp. Lachesis ^Lach., Hep Sulph Calc ^Hep.). Peculiar symptoms are Increased ability to exercise his muscles without fatigue. Is less affected by excessive heat in summer or cold in winter. Sensation as of a cold wind blowing under lids, even in warm room.

as of air passing down from shoulder-joint to fingers. Numbness of limbs even when not lain on. Motion agg. Bending backward, and bending head back amel. Cold drinks agg. toothache.

washing with cold water amel. Warm drink agg. diarrhoea. Symptoms seem to go from below upward. Suited to complaints of old age, and premature old age.

weakly constitutions, sallow skin, emaciation.