Plumbum metallicum
Remedy of colic, paralysis, and sclerosis. Violent abdominal colic with retraction of navel — abdomen drawn in as if pulled by a string. Wrist drop. Progressive muscular atrophy. Arteriosclerosis. Constipation with hard, black, ball-like stool.
Source
Prepared from metallic lead (Pb), triturated and potentised.
Available Potencies
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Keynote Symptoms
Violent colic with retraction of the abdomen toward the spine — navel drawn inward as if pulled by a string. Constipation — hard, black, round balls; sheep-dung stool with urging and spasm of anus. Wrist drop from paralysis of extensors. Progressive emaciation and muscular atrophy. Slow onset, slow progression. Blue line on gums.
Mind & Emotional Symptoms
Slow perception, slow answers. Memory loss. Depression. Apathy. Fear of assassination. Hallucinations. Delirium. Mania. Intellectual decline.
General Symptoms
Contraction, retraction, hardness, sclerosis. Worse from motion, company, touch, at night. Better from hard pressure, rubbing, physical exertion (sometimes). Emaciation with bluish, pale, waxy complexion.
Physical Symptoms
Head
Heaviness, as if too large. Hair falls out. Meningitis.
Eyes
Optic neuritis. Sudden blindness. Pupils unequal.
Face
Pale, waxy, cadaverous. Blue line on gums (Burton's line). Facial paralysis.
Mouth
Blue line on gums at base of teeth. Metallic taste. Tongue trembles. Difficulty articulating.
Stomach
Violent vomiting. Cannot bear anything tight around waist. Sweetish taste with nausea.
Abdomen
The great keynote: violent colic with retraction of navel toward spine. Abdomen hard, rigid, tense. Colic radiates to all parts. Hard lumps in abdomen. Better from hard pressure.
Rectum
Obstinate constipation — hard, black, round balls like sheep dung. Urging and spasm of anus. Stool recedes. Constriction and spasm of rectum during stool.
Urinary
Retention of urine. Albuminuria. Chronic nephritis. Frequent desire with scanty urine.
Male Genitalia
Loss of sexual power. Testicles drawn up.
Female Genitalia
Vaginismus. Menorrhagia. Threatened abortion. Tendency to miscarriage.
Extremities
Wrist drop — paralysis of extensors (the classic sign). Progressive muscular atrophy. Emaciation of single limbs. Numbness, pain in limbs. Cramps. Paralysis.
Skin
Pale, waxy, dry. Yellow. Anesthetic patches. Hair loss.
Modalities
Better From
Hard pressure, rubbing, stretching, physical exertion
Worse From
Motion, touch, company, at night, clear weather, open air
Constitutional Type
Emaciated, pale, waxy individuals. Those with progressive paralysis or sclerosis. Arteriosclerotic, elderly patients. Painters and those exposed to lead.
Clinical Indications
Lead colic, constipation (hard ball stool), wrist drop, paralysis, arteriosclerosis, progressive muscular atrophy, nephritis, emaciation, encephalopathy
Comparative Materia Medica
Alumina also has constipation with inactivity of rectum but without the violent colic. Opium has constipation without urging but with stupor. Colocynthis has colic relieved by bending double but without retraction.
Safety Information
Alumina, Belladonna, Opium, Platinum, Sulphuric acid, Zinc.
Lead is a cumulative neurotoxin. Chronic exposure causes lead poisoning (plumbism): abdominal colic, wrist drop, anemia, encephalopathy, nephropathy, blue gum line. Even low levels are harmful, especially in children. Use only potentised forms.
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