HEPAR SULPHURIS HOMEOPATHIC REMEDY SKIN ABSCESS

“Liver of Sulphur” is a name, which was given by the old chemists to several sulphur compounds whose color was supposed to resemble that of liver. Before Hahnemann’s time Hepar sulphuris calcareum, Sulphuret of lime, was used as an external remedy for itch, rheumatism, gout, goitre and scrofulous swellings.

In 1794 Hahnemann proposed to use it internally to arrest mercurial salivation. A few years later it was tried (Teste thinks first by Dr. Busch of Strasburg) for asthma and pulmonary phthisis. That this was a happy inspiration Hahnemann’s provings and clinical experience has thoroughly borne out.

Amixture of equal parts of finely powdered, clean oyster shells and quite pure flowers of sulphur is kept for ten minutes at a whit heat in a hermetically closed crucible and afterwards stored up in a well-corked bottle. To develop its powers, it is treated like other dry drugs in order to potentize it to the higher degrees, according to the directions at the end of the first volume.

The Hepar of Hahnemann is not identical with ordinary sulphuret of lime, being prepared with oyster shells, instead of ordinary lime, in a special way. Neither is it identical in composition or properties with Calcium sulphate (Gypsum) of Schussler. Being a chemical combination of Calcarea carb. And Sulph. it has some of the properties of both, but is very different from
either, and though it is useful to compare them, Hepar must be studied as a separate entity.

P. Foster distinguishes between Hepar sulph., Calc-sulph. and Kali-sulph. In their action on tissues. Kali-s. acts on the epidermis, Hepar on lymphatic glandular system, skin and respiratory mucous membrane, Calc-s. acts much as Hep., only more deeply. Hep. acts on abscesses before they open, Calc-s. after.

Hepar sulphuris is different from Calcarea sulphurica probably due to its mode of preparation; it has elements of both Calcarea and Sulphur, but has an added element of violence and cruelty.

Like Calcarea, the Hepar sulphuris person has a tremendous fear of being alone and is very concerned about the health of relatives. But he feels that people upon whom he depends for support push him down, treat him badly, humiliate him. He becomes very violent, so much so that he wants to set things on fire, wants to kill. He is very hurried, especially in speech,
quarrelsome and very dissatisfied – nothing pleases him. There is in him a great touchiness.
Thus Hepar sulphuris represents the violent extreme of Calcarea sulphurica.

Phatak gives:
Ferocious, wants to kill those who offend him, wants to set things on fire.
Hepar sulphuris has a feeling of being terribly offended. It is the feeling that precedes a violent revolution, the feeling of being terribly insulted/offended by the person who is supposed to look after you (e.g. the king). In such a revolution, things are set on fire and people are slaughtered: arson and murder.

I have seen that in anger, they can get violent, suicidal, homicidal with firearms or a sharp weapon. Even trifles make them extremely violent. For example I had a patient who found a stain on a shirt that had just come back from the laundry, in a rage he set the shirt on fire. On another occasion, out of anger, he poured kerosene all over his house to set it on fire. He
improved remarkably with Hepar sulphuris.

Like Sulphur, Hepar sulphuris is also concerned very much with appearance. He feels unappreciated like Calcarea sulphurica. But the feelings are much more intense, as seen by comparing the symptom “Sits and meditates” of Calcarea sulphurica to that of Hepar sulphuris “Dementia with complete stupidity, sits silent and speechless in a corner”, “Sad mood for hours, must cry vehemently”. Whereas Calcarea is fearful.

Hepar sulphuris has “violent fright” as is seen in the symptoms:
Frightful visions of fire and dead persons. Violent fright on slumbering.

The irritability of Sulphur is present but again in a violent form:
Violent, passionate, fretfulness.
Wrathful irritability even to the most extreme violence, threatening to end in murder and arson.

Action:
Acts especially upon the lymphatic glandular system, the skin and the respiratory mucous membrane; in the glands, producing enlargement and suppuration; in the skin, ulcers, eczematous eruptions, unhealthy skin, etc.; on the respiratory mucous membrane, catarrhal conditions, mostly of a croupous character. Dr. Allen says that Hepar “simulates Mercury in its
action on the glandular system, especially on the liver and kidneys; Sulphur, in its action on the skin and mucous membrane of the intestinal tract; Calcarea, in affecting the respiratory tract, and all of the foregoing in its general action on the connective tissue.” The most essential feature of Hepar Sulph. is its tendency to promote suppuration.

According to Farrington,
1. Nervous system. Depresses sensorium. Irritability of all nerves.
2. Plastic exudations.
3 Suppuration,
4 Catarrhs.
5 Glands–Bones.
6. Skin.
7 Organs.
8. As an antidote to metals.

Constitution:
It is suited to the psoric, scrofulous, diathesis. Debilitated subjects. Tendency to suppurations. Cross children. Torpid, lymphatic constitutions, persons with light hair and complexion, slow to act, muscles soft and flabby. Slow torpid constitutions with lax tissue and light hair, great sensitiveness to slightest contact of ulcers, eruptions and parts affected.

Causation:
Cold, dry winds. Injuries. Abuse of Mercury. Suppressed eruptions.
Ailments after west or northwest winds.

Hepar sulph. acts on mucous membranes, causing catarrhal process with a tendency to hemorrhage and ulceration.

The catarrh may be in throat, stomach, uterus, urethra, which is characterized by thick, yellow, acrid, ropy discharge, mucus is found in the stools in the urine, hawks up mucus, hence it can be called a mucus remedy.

Great sensitiveness to all impressions. Sweating patient pulling blanket around him. Locally, it has special affinity to the respiratory mucous membrane, producing croupy, catarrhal inflammation, profuse secretion, also easy perspiration. After abuse of Mercury. Infected sinus with pus forming.

The tendency to suppuration is most marked and has been a strong guiding symptom in practice. The lesions spread by the formation of small papules around the side of the old lesions. Chilliness, hypersensitiveness, splinter-like pains, craving for sour and strong things are
very characteristic. Feeling as if wind were blowing on some part. The side of the body on which he lies at night becomes gradually insufferably painful, he must turn. Syphilis after gross medication.
Desires: fats, sour, spices. Very offensive odour of discharges. Extremely chilly.

Clinical:
Abscess. Amaurosis. Angina pectoris. Asthma. Axilla, abscess. Beard, eruptions. Blepharitis. Boils. Breast disorders. Bronchitis. Bubo. Burns. Carbuncle. Decay. Chilblains. Chlorosis. Colds. Constipation. Cornea, ulceration, opacity. Cough. Croup. Diaphragmitis. Diarrhea. Ear
infections, polyps. Eczema. Emphysema. Erysipelas. Eyes disorders. Glandular swellings. Headache. Hectic fever. Hemoptysis. Hemorrhoids. Herpes. Hip-joint disease. Hoarseness. Jaundice. Joints disorders. Laryngitis. Leucorrhea. Lips, swollen. Liver disorders. Lungs, disorders. Lupus. Marasmus. Menorrhagia. Mouth, sore. Nipples, sore. Ovaries disorders.
Pleurisy. Pneumonia. Pregnancy. Pylorus disorders. Quinsy. Cracks. Rheumatism. Scarlatina. Scrofula. Skin disorders. Spinal irritation. Styes. Suppuration. Syphilis. Tenesmus. Throat, sore. Tuberculosis. Urticaria. Wens. Whitlow. Whooping cough.

Modalities:
Better in damp weather. Better from wrapping head up from warmth. Better from pressure after eating.
Worse inhaling air, cold air, dry winds, slightest draught, open air. Worse from mercury touch, lying on painful side. Worse slight bleeding, washing. Worse touch, motion. Worse in the night, on awakening, when blowing the nose. Worse from single parts of the body getting cold.

Mind:
Over-sensitiveness and irritability, with quick, hasty speech; sadness and bitter crying. Great weakness of memory (Anac., Kreos., Lach., Natr. mur., Nux m.).

Head:
Vertigo when closing the eyes. Sticking headache; waking at night, with confusion, as if the head would burst. Tension headache above the nose (Ign., Kali bi.). Constant pressive pain in one-half of the brain, as from a plug or a nail. Aching in the forehead like a boil. Pressive pain externally in right side of occiput, gradually, extending to the nape of the neck, throat and shoulder blades. Boils of the head and neck, very sore on contact. Humid eruptions, feeling sore; of foetid odor; itching violently on rising in the morning; burning and sore on scratching (Graph., Merc., Nitr.
ac., Sulph.). Nodosities on the head, sore to the touch. Falling off of the hair (Graph., Lyc., Nit. ac., Phos.).

Eyes:
Inflammation of the eyes and lids, sore to the touch; lachrymation. Eyes ache from bright daylight, when moving them. Pressure in the eyes, as from sand (Ars., Caust., Sulph.). Agglutination of the lids at night (Graph., Lyc., Merc., Puls.); secretion of hardened mucus. Spasmodically closed eyelids. (Merc.) in the morning. Smarting pain in external canthus. Pressing pain in eyeballs; they feel bruised when touched. Ulcers and specks on the cornea (Merc., Nitr. ac., Sil.). Dimness of sight by candle-light. Blindness before the eyes on rising up after sitting bent over.

Ears:
Itching in the ears (Baryt. c., Sulph., Sil.). Discharge of foetid pus from the ears (Aur., Bovis., Graph., Merc.). Scurfs on and behind the ears (Psor.).

Nose:
Sense of smell extremely sensitive (Agar., Bell., Coff.c., Colch., Lyc., Graph.); lost. Catarrh, with inflammatory swelling of the nose, which pains like a boil (Bell.). Discharge of bloody, offensive mucus from the nose (Graph., Thuja). Bones of the nose painful to the touch (Alum.,
Aur., Bry., Merc., Nitr. ac.).

Face:
Yellow color of the face (Chel., Natr. mur., Sep.). Heat and redness of the face. Erysipelatous swelling of the cheeks (Bell., Graph., Lach., Rhus tox.). Bones of the face painful to touch (Carb. v., Kali bi.). Boils on lips, chin and neck, very painful to touch. Great swelling of the upper lip
(Apis, Bell., Calc. c.), very painful to touch.

Mouth:
Toothache after drinking cold things, or opening the mouth; worse from biting teeth together. Offensive odor from the mouth (Arn., Iodi., Kreos., Nitr. ac., Nux v.). Apthous ulcers on the gums and in the mouth (Borax, Hell, Iodi.), with base resembling lard (Merc.). Bitter taste in the mouth (Ars. Bry., Nux v., Puls). Bitterness in back of throat, with natural taste of food.

Throat:
Pressive and constrictive sensation in throat. Smarting rawness and scraping in the throat. Stitches in the throat extending to the ear (Bell., Kali bi.); worse on swallowing (Bry); on turning the head. Fear of constriction, suffocation. Sensation as if a fish bone (Kali carb.) or a splinter were sticking in the throat (Alum., Arg. nit., Nitr. ac.). Sensation of a plug or internal swelling in throat when swallowing (Baryt. c., Kali bi.).

Stomach:
Great desire for vinegar (Abies can., Sep.) and sour pungent things (Acon., Ant. tart., Cinch., Phos., Ptel., Verat. alb.). Disgust for food, especially fat (Ptel., Puls.). Eructations after eating. Stomach painful on walking, as if it hung loose. Nausea and vomiting every morning; of bile.
Distension of pit of stomach; has to loosen the clothing (Lach., Lyc.). Gnawing in stomach as from acids, which also rises up into the throat. Pressure in the stomach after eating a little. Hunger in the forenoon (Sulph.).

Abdomen:
Contractive, clawing pains in the abdomen around the navel, in paroxysms (Coloc.), with nausea and heat of the cheeks. Abdomen distended and tense (Ant. crud., Cham., Cinch.). Rumbling in the abdomen (Agar., Aloe, Lyc., Sulph.). Stitches in the hepatic region. Swelling and suppuration of the inguinal buboes.

Stool and Anus:
Faeces not hard, but expelled with great difficulty (Carb. v., Cinch.). Stools sour smelling (Podo., Rumex); greenish; clay-colored (Bell., Calc. c., Dolich., Podo., Myrica). Protrusion of hemorrhoids. Burning in rectum.

Urinary Organs:
Inflammation and redness of the orifice of the urethra (Can. sat.). Weakness of the bladder; enuresis (Caust., Sep.). Micturition impeded; has to wait awhile before urine passes; flow intermittent (Coni., Clem.); cannot empty the bladder thoroughly; urine drops down vertically without force. Urine dark-red and hot; milky; turbid; bloody; acrid, burning, corroding the prepuce; pale and clear; on standing becomes turbid and thick, and deposits a white sediment (Calc. c., Colch., Graph.).

Male Organs:
Chancre-like ulcers on the prepuce (Merc., Nitr. ac., Phyt.). Excoriation and humid soreness on genitals, and in fold between scrotum and thighs (Graph., Rhus tox.). Discharge of prostatic fluid after micturition or hard stool.

Female Organs:
Ulcers of uterus or mammae; stinging, burning edges; smelling like cold cheese. Leucorrhoea with decayed odor. Discharge of blood between the menses.

Respiratory Organs:
Dyspnoea; weakness of larynx and chest; cannot speak aloud (Puls., Spong., Stan.). Hoarse, dry cough (Bell., Nux v.). Deep, rough, barking cough (Spong.). Cough caused by being uncovered, or any portion of body becoming cold (Rhus tox.); eating or drinking anything cold; tightness
of breath; tickling in throat (Phos., Rumex, Sang., Sep.); cold air; crying; talking (Cinch., Nux v., Phos.). Cough which provokes vomiting (Ant. tart., Ipec.). Paroxysms of dry cough in evening. Croup with loose. rattling cough. Croup after dry, cold wind (Acon., Spong.), with swelling below the larynx, and great sensitiveness to cold air or water. Tenacious mucus in chest.
Soreness in chest. Weakness of chest; cannot talk from weakness.

Limbs:
Suppuration of the axillary glands (Sil.). Pain as from a bruise in bones of the arm. Skin of the hands cracked, rough and dry (Ars., Graph.). Hip-joint feels sore, as if sprained, when walking (Arn.). Pain in nates and posterior part of thighs when sitting. Bruised pain in thighs; in knee. Swelling of knee, ankles and feet (Apis, Ars., Digit.). Cracks in the feet. Stitches in great toe.

Skin:
Unhealthy, suppurating skin; even slight injuries maturate and suppurate (Borax, Cham., Graph., Sil.). Eruptions very sensitive, sore to the touch. Eczema, spreading by means of new pimples appearing just above the old parts. Ulcers very sensitive to contact, easily bleeding (Asaf., Merc., Mez., Sulph.); burning or stinging edges; discharge corroding, smelling like old cheese; little pimples surrounding the principal ulceration.

Sleep:
Great sleepiness towards evening. Excess of thoughts prevents sleep after midnight. Anxious dreams of fires, etc.

Fever:
Chilliness in the open air. Pains aggravated during the febrile chill at night. Fever accompanying catarrhal conditions. Sweats easily, by even slight motion (Calc. c., Phos., Sep., Sil.). Profuse, sour smelling offensive sweat (Arn., Ars., Carb. an., Sil.). Night sweats (Calc. c., Cinch., Phos.,
Phos. ac., Sil.). Constant offensive exhalations from the body.

Compare:
Ant. tart., Ars., Bell., Bry., Calc. c., Iodi., Kali bi., Lyc., Merc., Nitr. ac., Phos., Puls., Sep., Sil., Spong., Sulph.;
after Hepar may be indicated: Bell., Nitr. ac., Spong. and Sil.;
while these may precede it; Bell., Lach., Sil., Spong. and Zinc.

Antidotes:
Vinegar, Bell., Cham., Sil. Acet-ac. (belladonna, chamomilla is an antidote to the colic and diarrhoea.)
Hepar Sulphur Antidotes: Mercurial and other metallic preparations; Iodine, and particularly the Iodide of Potash. It also antidotes Cinchona and Iodine.

In symptoms of the skin Hepar is similar to Carbo animalis, Sepia, Psorinum, Cuprum, Thuja, Zinc, Graphites, Natrum muriaticum and Croton tiglium.

Compatible with: Acon., Arn., Bell., Lach., Merc., Nit-ac., Sil., Spon., Zinc.

Complementary to: Calen. in injuries.

LIST OF REFERENCES:
1) ALLEN T.F.– ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PURE MATERIA MEDICA.
2) BOERICKE.W – A NEW MANUAL OF HOM M.M.
3) CLARKE.J.H. — DICTIONARY OF PRACTICAL M.M.
4) COWPERTHWAITE — A TEXTBOOK OF HOM.M.M.
5) FARRINGTON.E.A.— CLINICAL M.M.
6) HAHNEMANN — M.M.PURA.
7) HAHNEMANN —- CHRONIC DISEASES.
8) HUGHES.R — A CYCLOPEDIA OF DRUG PATHOGENESIS.
9) KENT J.T —LECTURES ON HOM M.M.
10) MURPHY.R — LOTUS M.M.
11) PHATAK.S.R — HOM.M.M.
12) SHANKARAN.R — SOUL OF REMEDIES.