The restlessness of an Iodum patient is due to the anxiety neurosis. Unlike Arsenic, the irritability of the
nerves is due to availability of more energy for the nerve function. Since the
patient eats a lot and the food is not converted into fatty acids, the unused
surplus energy does not let him keep still. Therefore, he is in constant motion
and consumes his energy by running around. If such a patient is forced to sit,
he reacts very angrily, and is ready to beat or even kill the person. If he is not treated with Iodum during
childhood, then on becoming an adult, he may become a very dangerous criminal,
ready to kill without any reason or provocation. Although the tendency of
violence and killing without reason is also found in Natrum Mur and Hepar
Sulph, their other symptoms are very different. This dangerous tendency is also
found in Nux Vomica. A Nux Vomica woman may develop an uncontrollable urge to
throw her child into fire or kill her husband despite loving him immensely. She
then becomes extremely fearful of such desires but cannot get rid of such
thoughts sticking in her mind and following her like a shadow. If the patient
also becomes extremely frightened, these symptoms may turn into insanity. If
other symptoms of such a patient demand Iodum, it would prove extremely useful.
Some symptoms of Iodum are also found in Kali Iodide. A
Kali Iodide patient walks a lot but does not feel tired. On the day that he does
not get a chance to walk, he feels uncomfortable. His constitution is also hot.
However, there is one difference and it is that in Kali Iodide there is a
tendency to develop sores and deep ulcers, while in Iodum, the glands become simply inflamed and
hardened. There is a
tendency to develop tuberculosis also.
A special symptom of Iodum is that the glands throughout
the body become swollen and hard. However, in women, the mammary glands shrink
to a thin membrane. This symptom is an exception, otherwise generally, when the
body is wasting, the glands enlarge in size. A patient, whose body is wasting
while the glands are enlarging, needs Iodum. In Iodum, the glands and the body
do not enlarge simultaneously. Usually, the glands inside the abdomen become markedly
swollen and hard. The glands in the armpits (axilla) also become swollen and
indurated.
Iodum being a hot natured remedy, its cough aggravates in hot weather.
On entering a heated room, the patient starts coughing but this symptom alone
is not enough for making the diagnosis of Iodum. Other symptoms also need to be present. In Iodum, the liver,
spleen and throat are inflamed. Generally, such inflammation and glandular affection
results in diarrhoea. In Iodum, there is throbbing all over the body. This sign
is common to Belladonna and Iodum both. Iodum being a remedy of hot nature
resembles Apis. Both Apis and Iodum also affect the kidneys. Like Apis, in
Iodum, the swelling appears under the eyes. However, the swelling is not
restricted to the area under the eye; the eyelids also swell. If the entire eye becomes swollen,
Phosphorus is also found to be very effective. The swelling of only the eyelids
is a symptom of Kali Carb. The patients who become weak and anaemic due to
chronic illnesses develop bags under the eyes, which make them look prematurely
old. For this condition, Chininum Ars and Sarsaparilla, etc. can be benificial.
The diagnosis should, however, be arrived at carefully. A distinctive feature of an Iodum patient is
his excessive appetite. In all the Iodum ailments, the increased appetite is
disturbing and aggravates the symptoms. The intensity of appetite and illness are
closely related in Psorinum also, but in Psorinum the appetite increases at
night and its patient is usually cold. Therefore, it is not difficult to
distinguish between the two remedies. Iodum
plays an important role in kidney
disorders also. Due to the kidney dysfunction, the hands and feet
become swollen (oedema). Timely
administration of Iodum will safeguard against numerous incurable and painful
diseases. Kali Iodide is also useful in the treatment of kidney diseases, but
in Kali Iodide, there is a tendency towards the formation of ulcers that is
absent in the case of Iodum.
In Iodum, the internal organs like spleen and liver become swollen and
hard, while the entire body begins to waste. Despite this, the patient
retains his appetite. Later on, the stomach fails to function and diarrhoea
sets in. The diarrhoea due to tuberculosis is worse in the morning and gets
better with Sulphur. If tuberculosis of the lungs becomes severe, the toxic
substances are then excreted naturally through the stools. Thus suppression of
diarrhoea which will result in dire consequences, therefore it should be
handled very carefully. According to
the homoeopathic system of treatment, Sulphur will not only benefit the lungs
but will also stop the diarrhoea. In such patients, if only the diarrhoea is
controlled, it will result in further damage to the lungs. In this condition,
if Sulphur does not work, then Iodum will be found very useful. In fact, if
other symptoms of Iodum are also present, Iodum alone may offer a complete
cure. Therefore, Iodum is not just for temporary relief. Some of its illnesses
resemble those of Sulphur, such as the formation of whitish blisters and
ulcers.
All sorts of blisters and ulcers developing
on the mucous membranes can be cured with Iodum, provided the patient is of
Iodum constitution. Despite being of hot constitution, an Iodum patient develops
catarrh on exposure to cold. It is not necessary that the patient develop
catarrh due to heat only. The nasal membranes in an Iodum patient become
extremely weak, and vulnerable to catch cold easily. The secretions dry up in
the nose making breathing difficult. A
slight cold or change in the food habit causes cold. Some of the medicines used
for the treatment of a cold are of cold and hot nature, each having its own
separate symptoms distinct from Iodum. However,
if the nose remains stuffy due to constant catarrh and bleeding, along with
excessive appetite, then by the grace of God, Iodum will cure all of the symptoms
Iodum is also very effective in the treatment
of tumours of the uterus, especially if other symptoms of Iodum are
also present. In Iodum, the leucorrhoeal discharge is very thick and burning in
nature. Iodum is also useful in the
treatment of joint pains. An Iodum patient gets relief with local cold
applications. The ailments related to Iodum aggravate on remaining quiet,
working hard and being in hot weather. After
eating food the patient feels comfortable for a short period. He also feels
comfortable while strolling in the open air.