Basic Information:
- Common Name: Bismuth
- Source: Elemental metal
- Miasm: Psoric–syphilitic
- Preparation: Triturated pure metal
- Acts On: Stomach, mucous membranes, nerves
- “Vomiting as soon as water touches the stomach”
Keynote Symptoms:
- Vomits immediately after drinking water
- Pain in stomach > by cold drinks, < after food
- Child clings to mother, doesn't tolerate being alone
- Pressure in stomach > by firm pressure
- Alternates between diarrhea & constipation
- Burning in stomach & throat with cramping pain
Clinical Indications:
Gastrointestinal Disorders:
- Gastritis, gastric ulcer
- Vomiting of all fluids as soon as taken
- Crampy pain in stomach > cold drinks, < hot food
- Offensive, cadaveric stools
Children’s Complaints:
- Child holds on to mother, cries when alone
- Violent vomiting, colic, and anxiety
- Greenish, offensive stools
Neural & General Symptoms:
- Great weakness after vomiting or loose stools
- Burning pains in stomach & mucosa
- Nervous irritability, fears being alone
Mental State:
- Anxiety when alone; must have someone near
- Irritability, restlessness, especially during gastric distress
- Fear of death during gastric pain
Modalities:
|
Worse From |
Better From |
|
Eating, hot food, loneliness |
Cold drinks, pressure |
|
After water (immediate vomiting) |
Company (esp. for children) |
Potency & Dosage:
- 6C to 30C – For general symptoms
- Q or low trituration – Rarely used due to metallic base
- Use short repetition in gastric conditions
Compare With:
|
Remedy |
Differentiation |
|
Arsenicum Alb |
Burning > heat, anxious, thirsty in sips |
|
Phosphorus |
Vomits cold water as soon as it gets warm in stomach |
|
Ipecac |
Nausea with clean tongue, no relief after vomiting |
|
Antim Crudum |
Vomiting with white-coated tongue, < after overeating |
MEMORY TRICK – “BISMUTH
= B”
- B – Burning in stomach
- I – Immediate vomiting after water
- S – Solitude not tolerated
- M – Mucous membrane irritation
- U – Ulcerative gastritis
- T – Touch (pressure) relieves pain
- H – Holding mother tightly (children)
One-Line Summary:
“Bismuth is indicated for vomiting of water immediately after taking it and gastric pain > cold drinks & pressure.”
Tags
MATERIA MEDICA