Carbolicum acidum

An aromatic organic compound (C₆H₅OH) obtained originally from coal tar, now produced synthetically. Appears as colourless crystals or a colourless to pinkish liquid, with a distinctive tar-like odour. Used in dilute solutions as a disinfectant, antiseptic, and anaesthetic. The homeopathic remedy is prepared by dilution and succussion from pure phenol.

First introduced and partially proved by Dr. Samuel Swan (USA) in the late 19th century; further pathogenetic and toxicological data gathered from accidental poisonings and clinical experience [Allen, Clarke].

A profoundly septic, destructive, low-reactive remedy for states of collapse and putridity. It is suited where the organism seems overwhelmed by toxic influence, with offensive discharges, rapid tissue breakdown, and paralysis of both mind and body. The keynote is sudden prostration with foetid emanations and sloughing ulceration.

• Nervous system – Rapid paralysis, numbness, anaesthesia; sudden collapse [Hering].
• Mucous membranes – Ulceration, putrid discharges from mouth, throat, and genitals.
• Gastrointestinal tract – Acrid, corrosive action leading to intense inflammation and destruction of tissue.
• Skin – Burns, necrosis, and gangrene from topical exposure.
• Blood – Septicaemia, profound sepsis with rapid collapse.
• Urinary tract – Irritation and suppression of urine; urine dark, smoky from haemoglobinuria.
• General vitality – Marked prostration, septic states, offensive discharges.

Carbolic acid’s mental state reflects both its toxicological profile and clinical use in septic, low-vitality conditions. There is profound mental dullness, confusion, and inability to think coherently [Clarke]. Ideas vanish suddenly; the patient may stop mid-sentence, forgetting the subject entirely [Hering]. The septic nature of the illness is mirrored in the mental sphere by a sense of impending death, indifference to surroundings, and sometimes even a peculiar exaltation before collapse. In fevers, muttering delirium may occur, with wandering thoughts, confusion about place, and inability to recognise familiar faces.

Restless, disturbed by vivid dreams or sudden jerks. In septic fevers, soporous sleep alternating with restless delirium.

Horrible dreams of death, decay, corpses.

Rapid onset of collapse with offensive discharges and profound prostration. Septic states with putridity at every level — breath, secretions, stools — and a striking absence of reactive power [Kent, Clarke].

Septic fevers with extreme prostration, rapid pulse, and low muttering delirium [Hering]. Face pale, extremities cold, yet internal heat intense.

Chilliness alternating with flushes of heat; profuse cold sweat in collapse.

Headaches are heavy, bursting, and congestive, often accompanied by a sensation of tightness across the forehead. In septic states, headaches are associated with profound weakness, vertigo, and desire to remain motionless [Allen]. Occipital pain radiating to the nape, worse from movement or mental exertion.

Burning and smarting as from smoke; conjunctiva injected and swollen. Vision dim, with black spots or flickering before the eyes. In septic fevers, the eyes are dull, glassy, with half-closed lids from exhaustion.

Noises in ears, humming or buzzing, often accompanying vertigo. In septic otitis, offensive purulent discharge with intense foetor.

Nasal mucosa inflamed, ulcerated; discharge thin, acrid, offensive. Loss of smell in chronic septic rhinitis.

Pale, collapsed, with pinched features and dark rings around eyes. In low fevers, the face may be dusky or livid. Expression dull, vacant, or anxious before collapse.

Mucosa raw, ulcerated, covered with white sloughs [Hering]. Breath extremely offensive, putrid. Tongue dry, brown, or coated white; speech thick from tongue heaviness. Taste metallic, bitter, or foul.

Toothache with offensive taste in mouth; gums spongy, bleeding, ulcerated.

Raw, burning pain with difficulty swallowing; sensation of constriction. In septic sore throats, ulcers covered with grey sloughs, surrounded by livid margins [Clarke]. Offensive odour perceptible to those nearby.

Constriction and heaviness; dry, hacking cough, worse at night. In septic pneumonia, expectoration is scanty, rusty, or brown, extremely offensive.

Pulse rapid, weak, and irregular; tendency to collapse. Palpitations in septic states.

Short, shallow breathing; sighing respirations with extreme prostration.

Extreme burning in oesophagus and stomach; nausea and vomiting of brown, coffee-ground material or mucus streaked with blood. Weak, sinking feeling in epigastrium [Allen]. In septic fevers, a loathing of food, with putrid eructations.

Distended, tympanitic; intense, colicky pains in septic peritonitis. Offensive flatus.

Diarrhoea with putrid, watery stools; sometimes involuntary from extreme weakness. Burning in anus after stool.

Suppression of urine in septic states, or scanty, dark, smoky urine due to haemoglobin breakdown [Hering]. Burning, cutting pain on urination.

Loathing of food; craving for cold drinks. Aversion to meat in septic states.

Sexual desire absent during septic illness; scrotum relaxed, testicles tender.

Offensive, acrid leucorrhoea with burning; septic conditions of uterus post-partum. In puerperal fever, rapid collapse, cold sweat, and foetid discharges.

Aching in lumbar region, worse from motion; in septicemia, a bruised feeling as if beaten.

Cold, clammy, livid in collapse states; tingling and numbness preceding paralysis.

Burning, itching eruptions; ulcerations with dark, sloughing bases and acrid discharge. Gangrene following burns or injuries [Allen]. Skin pale, waxy in chronic septic states.

• Arsenicum album – Offensive discharges, prostration, burning pains; but Arsenicum’s anxiety and restlessness more marked.
• Baptisia – Septic fevers with foul discharges; more besotted mental state and prostration.
• Pyrogenium – Septicaemia with high fever, restlessness; Carbol-ac more rapid collapse, less reactivity.
• Kreosotum – Offensive discharges, ulcerations; Kreosote more haemorrhagic tendency.

• Complementary: Baptisia, Pyrogenium.
• Antidotes: Alcohol, strong coffee, Camphor (to phenol poisoning).
• Follows well: Arsenicum album, Mercurius corrosivus in septic conditions.

• Useful in puerperal septicaemia when collapse is imminent.
• Beneficial in sloughing ulcers and gangrene from burns or chemical injury.
• In choleraic collapse with offensive stools and suppressed urine.
• Valuable in septic sore throat with grey sloughs and putrid odour.

Mind:

• Delirium, low muttering, septic fever.
• Loss of memory for words.

Head:

• Headache with septic odour from mouth.
• Occipital pain, worse movement.

Mouth/Throat:

• Offensive breath, septic ulceration.
• Grey sloughs in pharynx.

Stomach:

• Vomiting of brown, offensive matter.
• Burning in stomach.

Skin:

• Gangrenous ulceration.
• Sloughing burns.

Generalities:

• Septicaemia, rapid collapse.
• Offensive discharges.

1. Swan, S. – First proving records, late 19th century.
2. Allen, T.F. – Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Toxicological symptoms, gastric and nervous collapse.
3. Clarke, J.H. – Dictionary: Septic states, clinical indications.
4. Hering, C. – Guiding Symptoms: Mouth, throat, skin, and septic conditions.
5. Kent, J.T. – Lectures: Collapse, putridity, low reactive power.
6. Boericke, W. – Pocket Manual: Antiseptic remedy for sepsis and putridity.
7. Farrington, E.A. – Clinical MM: Septic fevers, puerperal septicaemia.
8. Hughes, R. – Cyclopaedia: Pharmacological commentary on phenol’s toxic action.
9. Lippe, A. – Clinical confirmations in low vitality septic states.
10. Nash, E.B. – Leaders: Rapid collapse in septic conditions.