AMBRA GRISEA

Of doubtful origin, for years on the borderland as to its true classification, but probably a nosode or morbid product found in the belly of the sperm-whale, the Physeter Macrosephalous.

It is often found floating upon the sea or thrown upon the shore of the Baltic, or on the coast of Madagascar or Sumatra. But, perhaps the best specimens are those which whalers cut out and are to be found in Boston and other whaling ports. It has many┬ácharacteristics┬áof intestinal or biliary concretions and has been considered to be of hepatic origin, probably a fatty excretion from its gall bladder. It was introduced by┬áHahnemann┬áin┬á1827┬á;┬áproved by him and his friend, Count de Gersdorf, who personally obtained nearly one-half of the symptoms. The so-called Oil of Amber┬á(used by Dr. Holcombe in hiccough)┬áis Oleum Succinum, and should not be confounded with Ambergris. Characteristics.- (Ambra grisea) For children, especially young girls who are excitable, nervous and weak┬á;┬ánervous affections old people, nerves "worn out┬á;" premature senility┬á;┬ágeneral functional impairment. Ailments of both extremes of life. Lean, thin, emaciated persons who take cold easily┬á;┬á"dried up┬á;┬á" nervous┬á;┬áthin, scrawny women┬á(Secale)┬á;┬ánervous bilious temperament. Great sadness, sits for days weeping. Great bashfulness, very characteristic┬á;┬áembarrassed in company, in sick room. The presence of others, even the nurse, is unbearable during stool┬á;┬áfrequent, ineffectual desire, which makes her anxious. After business embarrassments, unable to sleep, must get up┬á(Act., Sep.). Retires weary, yet wakeful as soon as head touches pillow. Weakness┬á;┬álassitude┬á;┬ánumbness of single parts┬á;┬áone-sided complaints. Ranula with fetid breath┬á(Thuja). Sensation of coldness in abdomen┬á(Cal.)┬á;┬áof single parts. Cannot urinate in presence of other persons┬á(Nat. mur.). Discharge of blood between periods, at very little accident, a long walk, after every hard stool, etc.┬á;┬ánymphomania┬á;severe pruritus, especially in lying-in. Leucorrhea┬á;┬áthick, bluish-white mucus,┬áespecially or only at night┬á(Caust., Mer., Nit. ac.). Cough violent┬á;┬áin spasmodic paroxysms, with eructations and hoarseness┬á;┬á<┬átalking or reading aloud┬á(Dros., Phos., Tub.);┬áevening without, morning with expectoration┬á(Bry., Carb. v., Hep., Hyos., Phos., Puls., Sep.)┬á;┬áwhooping-cough, but without crowing inspiration┬á;┬á<┬áwhen many people are present.     !