Focus-Ferrum Metallicum…The Metallic Ignatia

Ignatia is a well-known medicine for its paradoxical symptoms. When I searched in the whole of Materia Medica, I found only Ignatia where the word ‘paradoxical’ is used. Paradoxically, I get the image of paradoxical symptoms in a drug of mineral kingdom. This medicine is Ferrum metallicum. Though, in none of the Materia Medicas, the word, paradoxical is used, many of the symptoms of Ferrum metallicum gives the image of paradoxical symptoms. Ferrum metallicum shares a lot of symptoms with Ignatia, the medicine of paradoxical symptoms. Hence, I call Ferrum metallicum. as the metallic Ignatia.

Like Ignatia, Ferrum metallicum is a useful medicine for hysteria. The characteristic feature of Ferrum metallicum hysteria is that there is an associated element of haughtiness. Unlike Platina, who is haughty with rudeness, Ferrum metallicum is haughty with positivism. Ferrum metallicum patients always feel they are right.


Focus

Ferrum Metallicum…The Metallic Ignatia

	Dr. S. Mohamed Aleem Dr. Koppikar’s Homoeo Clinic, 44, Mahalakshmi Street, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600 017. Tamilnadu. Email: mdaleem@eth.net

Ignatia is a well-known medicine for its paradoxical symptoms. When I searched in the whole of Materia Medica, I found only Ignatia where the word ‘paradoxical’ is used. Paradoxically, I get the image of paradoxical symptoms in a drug of mineral kingdom. This medicine is Ferrum metallicum. Though, in none of the Materia Medicas, the word, paradoxical is used, many of the symptoms of Ferrum metallicum gives the image of paradoxical symptoms. Ferrum metallicum shares a lot of symptoms with Ignatia, the medicine of paradoxical symptoms. Hence, I call Ferrum metallicum. as the metallic Ignatia. Like Ignatia, Ferrum metallicum is a useful medicine for hysteria. The characteristic feature of Ferrum metallicum hysteria is that there is an associated element of haughtiness. Unlike Platina, who is haughty with rudeness, Ferrum metallicum is haughty with positivism. Ferrum metallicum patients always feel they are right.

The following paradoxical symptoms are unique to Ferrum metallicum Anaemia though looking plethoric Weakness though looking strong Weakness relieved by walking slowly Vomiting > after eating Cough only at day time Paroxysmal cough > by eating Asthma at forenoon from 10 to 11 a.m. Asthma > by talking Difficult breathing > by reading Difficult breathing > by talking Difficult breathing > by walking slowly Difficult breathing > by writing Loud breathing while sitting quiet On the basis of the hysteric manifestations and the paradoxical symptoms, I feel, it is justified to call Ferrum metallicum as the metallic Ignatia.