Ferr-p.
 |
| Ferrum phos |
Noise is the most impertinent of all forms of interruption.
[Arthur Schopenhauer]
Signs
Ferrosoferric phosphate. Mixture of hydrated ferrous phosphate and ferric phosphate.
CHEMISTRY Ferric phosphate is a dihydrate, white, greyish-white, or light pink, orthorhombic or monoclinic crystals or amorphous powder. It loses water above 140o. Practically insoluble in water; readily soluble in hydrochloric acid [muriatic acid]. Ferric phosphate occurs in nature as the minerals beraunite, cacoxenite, dufrenite, koninckite, phosphosiderite, and strengite. 1 Commercial ferrous phosphate contains basic ferric phosphate, due to unavoidable oxidation. Ferrosoferric phosphate is a greyish blue amorphous powder; odourless and tasteless. It is insoluble in water and alcohol, but ready soluble in hydrochloric acid. It colours dark on exposure to air.
CYCLE Iron is reversibly reduced from the Fe3+ to the Fe2+ state. During times of abundant oxygen in lakes, such as spring or autumn, ferrous [II] iron is oxidized to form ferric [III] iron. The ferric iron binds with phosphate to form an insoluble ferric phosphate, which sinks to the bottom of the lake and settles in the sediments. During the summer, as water heats up and holds less oxygen, or in the winter when decomposition consumes oxygen, iron can be reduced from the ferric to the ferrous form, which will release the phosphorus and allows it to go into solution. Such oxidation-reduction reactions are major energy supplying reactions.
PROTECTION Iron and steel corrode easily, forming an oxide layer that doesn’t adhere to the underlying metal – like in aluminium – but powders or flakes off, leaving fresh metal surfaces exposed. Ferric phosphate, as a rust converter, will protect the metal from corroding further by creating a hard, insoluble coating that adheres closely to the underlying metal. Phosphate coatings are used to increase corrosion resistance and improve paint adhesion. Ferric phosphate is the oldest phosphating method. It is less corrosion resistant than zinc phosphating.
FORTIFICATION Ferric phosphate is used as a dietary supplement in egg substitutes, pasta products, rice products, and as a bread enrichment. Foods have been fortified with iron for over 50 years. In the 1930s and 1940s iron was first added to cereal flour to restore the iron lost in milling to white flour. Today, many foods, including infant formulae and weaning food, are fortified with iron. Ferric phosphate is an important [natural] constituent of vegetables.
TOXICOLOGY As a biochemical molluscicide, ferric phosphate is used as slug and snail bait to protect terrestrial food crops. Due to its low water-solubility the compound is generally regarded as safe.
PROVINGS •• [1] Morgan – self-experimentation, 1876; method: repeated doses of 2x trit.
•• [2] Moffat – 10 provers [9 males, 1 female], 1887-1888; method: Dr. Moffat ‘furnished to 10 persons five half-oz bottles, without name, marked A, B, C, D, and E, and containing respectively sugar of milk, 30x, 6x, and 1x trits., and the crude drug’; manner: repeated doses. Moffat’s provings was done ‘with the Ferrum phos. employed by Schüssler.’
Ferrum phosphoricum’s drug picture is mainly based on ideas of Schüssler. “When Schüssler included ferrum phosphoricum in his therapy in 1874, he did not actually include it on the basis of provings with this substance but on the idea, based on nothing, that iron was present in the organism and particularly in the muscle tissues, in this compound as a building and functional agent. He took over that which was known in homoeopathy of the action of iron, for his remedy, naturally as always with him under extremely simple, unprovable theoretic conceptions. Many symptoms of iron seemed to signify hyperaemia to him. Since these were dependent upon the tension of the vessels and ferrum phosphoricum was a constituent of the musculature, also of the vessel musculature, thus he explained this substance as the functional agent for tension of the vessel; in great doses it can relax the tension of the vessel and therefore create hyperaemia, in small doses on the other hand the relaxed muscle fibres are returned to normal tension. In spite of the untenable nature of this conception, the fact remains that ferrum phosphoricum more than the other iron preparations, has practically proven itself as a remedy for inflammation and fever.”2
SCHÜSSLER Wilhelm Heinrich Schüssler [1821-1898] is the originator of the Biochemic system and the so-called tissue salts. His method is based on twelve cell salts which he determined to be essential to the healthy functioning of the body. “He was inspired by the work of Prof. Moleschott [Austrian physiologist, at Rome University] and Rudolph Ludwig Karl Virchow [German pathologist [1821-1902], at the Friedrich-Wilhelm Institut, Berlin] who together propounded the hypothesis of ‘cellular pathology,’ which attempted to explain all disease in terms of alterations in cells, making the cell the fundamental unit in pathology, to be studied intensely if insight into states of illness was to be gained. This theory was in opposition to the then dominant ‘humoralist pathology’ of the Viennese Karl Baron von Rokitansky, the greatest pathological anatomist of the day. … This was at a time when homoeopathy was becoming ever more deeply embroiled in the emotion-charged ‘symptomatology versus pathology’ debate. Schüssler sided with the low potency prescribing, pro-pathology faction. In 1872 he introduced into his clinical practice just such inorganic substances to which Prof. Moleschott had made reference – in low dynamizations [usually 6DH]. One year later he published An Abridged Homoeopathic Therapeutics using the twelve salts that were found in the organism’s cells. Later he was to insist, though, that his Biochemic System of Medicine was quite distinct from homoeopathy. In the 25th edition, published shortly before his death, he even denied all previous connection with homoeopathy. This defection roughly in the direction of orthodox medicine is in line with what has happened since to a great many homoeopaths who also tried unsuccessfully to make pathology the centre-piece of homoeopathy. Nonetheless, after his demise his twelve tissue salts were gradually re-absorbed into mainstream homoeopathy. Thus homoeopathy was to reclaim that which had been rightfully hers, as seven of his twelve Biochemic Remedies had had normal provings done and, in most cases, they had been a permanent part of the materia medica for several decades before he arrogated them into his System of Biochemistry.”3
[1] Merck Index. [2] Leeser, Textbook of Hom. MM, Inorganic Medicinal Substances. [3] Gaier, Thorsons Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Homoeopathy.
Affinity
Vasomotor nerves. Venous circulation [LUNGS; ears; nose (root); Eustachian tubes]. Circulation. Heart. Brain. Mucous membranes. Bones. * Left side.
Modalities
Worse: Night [4-6 a.m.]. Motion. Noise. Jar. Cold air. Checked perspiration. Physical exertion. After eating. Standing.
Better: Cold. Bleeding. Pressure. Slowly walking about. After rising. After stool. Solitude.
Main symptoms
M Need for stimulation..
Feels exhausted from dealing with “opposition and hindrance.”
• “Feeling constantly as if a stimulant [brandy] were needed [none taken since last mentioned]; relieves when taken; a feeling of ‘letting down’, inertia, indifference to ordinary matters, with inward craving for brandy, and feeling as if energy would be renewed by it; yet no real muscular debility, more a feeling of indolence, as to ordinary matters only.” [Hughes]
M Hurried, intolerant feeling.
• “Impetuous feeling, yet obstacles cause annoyance and hesitation, and trifles seem like mountains; still intolerant of hindrance and annoyance. … Hasty, intolerant feeling during afternoon. Walking in a quiet part of the city after dark had a soothing, pleasant effect, ceasing on returning to the bustle of the central streets.” [Hughes]
The intolerance manifests itself also as intolerance to the talking of others. It has to do with a low energy state, and as such is also listed for Ferrum metallicum.
• “In street-car conversation of fellow-passengers, especially when earnest or excited, was unendurably annoying, was glad to change my seat. This intolerance passed off during the afternoon, and the buoyancy and energy returned by evening.” [Allen]
M Protectiveness.
• “While the mother was relating some of her history to me, she remained sitting and would only get up when her younger sister aged 4 years, who had also happened to come along with her, needed some sort of help. I would observe that she kept a very vigilant eye on her younger sister and was immediately by her side as if she was in any distress. … Her mother commented that she is well known among her friends for her strength and many of them at one given time cannot move her from one spot. … The things that were important to me were the strong willed character of the girl coupled with a fierce protectiveness of young children. It is as if she had taken up the role of her younger sister’s bodyguard. Her remedy is one which has a strong will, like Ferrum. At the same time another important aspect of her state is her ability to resist things that are routinely enjoyable to children of her age without any apparent regrets. This feeling is described in the remedy Ferrum phosphoricum in Phatak’s Materia Medica by the symptom: Indifference to pleasurable things.”1
• “Ferrum phosphoricum people are so sensitive to others that they can’t wage war. They are defenceless. It sounds like Staphisagria or Pulsatilla, but it looks like Phosphorus. … The war they are fighting is based on sympathy. … Ferrum metallicum individuals fight the war for themselves, while Ferrum phosphoricum individuals do it for other people.”2
• “One man that I’ve been treating for about six months is doing very well on Ferrum phosphoricum. He is a Vietnam veteran, who grew up in a family where the father was rageful and abusive. He was the oldest child, and he felt it was his responsibility to protect his siblings from his father’s anger. He developed what he called a ‘warrior mentality’, and ever since he has lived his life as though he were battling one crisis after another. He had terrible nightmares of battles and monsters. Another Ferrum phosphoricum case is that of a man with irritable bowel syndrome. His father was also rageful and violent, and my patient always felt as if he were living in a ‘war zone.’ He didn’t know when the next blow would come. He felt that he had to protect his mother from his father. Both of these men are quite friendly, gregarious, and talkative in a way that makes one think of Phosphorus.”3
M Excitement.
• “More important, however, is a tendency to loquacity and mirth. Children coming down with measles or capillary bronchitis, with red face and high fever, joke, laugh and chatter as though they were not ill; but the fever and red face give ample evidence of the beginning of a serious condition. They keep up a constant stream of conversation, but, although there may be at times some sign of excitement, it is not attended by the vehement loquacity of such remedies as Belladonna.”4
Dr. Grimmer: • “I can verify the statement about the mental state of Ferrum phos. I have seen two or three cases where the fever was present, where they had that talkative delirium, not like the Lachesis, but just a gay hilarity, in a happy-go-lucky way, with fever quite high.”5
M Firmness.
Morgan, who proved Ferrum phosphoricum in 2x, experienced “no lack of firmness” in spite of being the whole morning “under the pressure of influences of contradictory sort.”
M Unpleasant thoughts.
Drowsiness and unpleasant thoughts.
• “Much drowsiness during morning, with continued rush of thoughts, suddenly turning from something pleasant into the most vivid impressions of some crime being committed or horrible accidents occurring, but not to myself. … Tried to turn thoughts to something pleasant, but some horrible image or accident was sure to come into the scene; then I got angry for allowing my thoughts to run in this way, and endeavoured to occupy my mind with something else, writing, reading, etc., but invariably with the same result.” [Hughes]
G EARLY stages of inflammations [without clear indications], e.g. acute otitis media – before suppuration.
G Mostly used in acutes without clear indications.
G • “Fevers due to congestions, heat of sun or mechanical injuries.” [Mathur]
G Post-operative: e.g. soreness and pain after tonsillectomy, > cold drinks, ice.
• “Controls soreness and bleeding after operations.” [Phatak]
G THIRST; for large quantities.
G Sensitive to cold.
• “The Ferrum phos. patient feels cold severely, especially on the top of the head and in the back. Headache, neuralgia, lameness and stiffness of the neck and shoulders or in the small of the back are worse sitting in a draft or cold air. The cough is worse from cold things and in the open air unless the weather is warm. Conversely, warmth and plenty of covering make the patient more comfortable in a general way. However, his pains are almost invariably better from cold applications. This is an important symptom, for amelioration of painful symptoms from heat is common to many patients and is therefore found in many remedies. This modality places Ferrum phos. in a small group, and as a consequence becomes a strong characteristic.”6
G > Cold applications.
Confusion > washing face with cold water.
Headache > cold applications.
Toothache > anything cold.
• “The improvement from cold applications refers to the congestive headache, in any case not to the rheumatic pains, because in the provings it was expressly stated that these were improved by warm applications and covers.” [Leeser]
P Face alternately RED and PALE; irregular, sudden.
P Enuresis, during daytime.
• “It is one of the best remedies for diurnal enuresis in children with frequent painful urging while on the feet or during the day, ceasing as soon as the little patient goes to bed.”7
[1] Anand, The Need to Observe and Perceive, Case 2; HL 3/94. [2] Sommermann, A Medley of Ferrum Salt Cases; IFH 1995. [3] King, in Sommerman, ibid. [4-7] Farrington, Ferr-p.; Hom. Rec., May 1937.
Rubrics
Mind
Anxiety, after eating [1]. Busy [1]. Aversion to company, when alone > [1]. Cheerfulness, during heat [1F]. Confusion, after eating [1], > motion [1; Arg-n.; Ferr.], > washing the face [1]. Discontented, with everything [1]. Excitement, during heat [1F]. Impetuous [1]. Indifference, to exciting events [1/1], to pleasure [1]. Intolerance, of hindrance [1; Granit-m.]. Irritability, at one’s own mental sluggishness [1H]. Loquacity, during fever [1F]. Aversion to mental exertion [1]. Mood, alternating [2]. Restlessness, driving out of bed [1]. Sadness, before menses [1]. Sensitive, to noise [2]. Talking, of others < [1A]. Head Empty sensation, during menses [1/1]. Heat, vertex, during menses [1]. Pain, > cold applications [1], > after epistaxis [1], > external pressure [1], > tea [1], > profuse urination [1].
Eye
Inflammation, < during dentition [1/1]. Photophobia, during headache [2], during menses [1; Ign.]. Sensation of protrusion [1]. Hearing Lost, during menses [1; Lyc.]. External throat Exophthalmic goitre [1]. Stomach Heartburn, after coffee [1], after meat [2; Agar.], after sour things [1/1]. Female Coition, painful [2]. Insensibility, vagina, during coition [2]. Pain, uterus, during coition [2]. Limbs Heat, palms of hands, while sitting [1]. Sleep Sleeplessness, from pains [2]. Dreams Being crazy [1]. Becoming insane [1]. Quarrels [1]. Perspiration From anger [1]. During slight exertion [1]. Profuse, at night [2]. Generals Slow motion > [1]. Weakness, from perspiration [1].
* Repertory additions: F = Farrington, A = Allen, H = Hughes.
Food
Aversion: [1]: Eggs [*]; meat; milk.
Desire: [1]: Beer; brandy; cold food; fish [*]; meat [*]; sour; spicy [*]; stimulants; tomatoes [*]; warm drinks.
Worse: [1]: Cakes; coffee; cold drinks; herring; meat; sour; tea.
Better: [1]: Tea.
* Repertory additions [Scholten].