• Serous membranes and effusions — ascites, hydrothorax/pleural effusion, peritoneal dropsy; fluid rapidly re-accumulates after tapping if the constitutional picture persists (see Abdomen/Chest; Generalities). [Clarke], [Hering].
• Kidneys (renal torpor) — scanty or suppressed urine in dropsy; albuminous urine; urination relieves oppression slightly when it returns (see Urinary; Generalities). [Allen], [Boericke].
• Heart and circulation — weak, failing pulse; cardiac dilatation with oedema of extremities; sinking at epigastrium; orthopnoea from hydrothorax (see Heart/Respiration). [Hering], [Nash], [Farrington].
• Stomach — intense gastric irritability: thirst, but water disagrees—vomits immediately; persistent nausea; deathly faintness (see Stomach). [Boericke], [Allen], [Clarke].
• Liver/portal system — portal stasis with ascites; tense, drum-like abdomen; serous exudation into peritoneum (see Abdomen). [Clarke], [Boger].
• Skin and cellular tissue — anasarca with pitting oedema; tense, glossy skin; cold sweat with collapse (see Skin; Generalities). [Hering], [Boericke].
• Brain/meninges (children) — internal hydrocephalus: sopor, rolling head, vomiting of fluids, suppressed urine (see Head/Sleep). [Hering], [Allen].
• Uterus/lochia — postpartum or post-miscarriage dropsy with suppressed lochia and scanty urine when gastric intolerance forbids fluids (see Female). [Clarke], [Nash].
• Bowels — watery stools with collapse in serous drains, or alternating constipation in anasarca (see Rectum). [Allen], [Boger].
• Nervous system — prostration, tremulous weakness, syncope on sitting up; coldness despite effusion-pressure (see Generalities). [Hering], [Farrington].
• Pleura/diaphragm — sense of suffocation, cannot lie flat; must be propped, yet motion aggravates (see Respiration/Chest). [Hering].
• Metabolism — failure of water economy: either cannot ingest fluid (vomits) or cannot excrete (renal torpor); a keynote axis running through Stomach ↔ Kidney [Hughes], [Clarke].

• Absolute rest and quiet; least exertion increases faintness and dyspnoea (see Generalities/Heart) [Hering].
• Sitting propped up in hydrothorax (orthopnoea)—though motion while sitting aggravates (Respiration) [Clarke].
• Small sips (if any) and warmth to the epigastrium for gastric irritability (Stomach) [Allen].
• Passing urine when it returns—momentary relief of oppression (Urinary) [Boericke].
• After gentle perspiration, not profuse—tense skin eases slightly (Perspiration/Generalities) [Hering].
• Warm room, warm wraps; chill aggravates sinking (Chill/Heat/Sweat) [Farrington].
• Left lateral decubitus in some ascitic cases (reduces right heart distress) (Chest/Heart—clinical) [Clarke].
• Very small quantities of easily digested food; empty stomach worsens sinking (Stomach) [Allen].
• After paracentesis—transient ease (Abdomen; Clinical), but picture returns unless remedy fits [Clarke].
• Gently supporting the abdomen in ascites (Abdomen) [Boger].
• Keeping the head slightly raised in hydrocephalus (Sleep/Head) [Hering].
• Steady, even warmth to limbs (Extremities) [Hering].
• Time: towards forenoon—nausea may abate slightly (Stomach; Clinical) [Allen].

• Drinking water (especially cold)—vomits immediately; aggravates faintness (Stomach) [Boericke], [Allen].
• Any motion or sitting up—brings on sinking, syncope, dyspnoea (Generalities/Heart) [Hering].
• Night—orthopnoea, restlessness; oedematous suffocation (Sleep/Respiration) [Clarke].
• Cold air, chill—aggravates collapse and gastric spasm (Chill/Heat/Sweat; Stomach) [Farrington].
• After least exertion—palpitation, faintness, sweat (Heart/Generalities) [Hering].
• Pressure from distension—tense abdomen increases nausea (Abdomen/Stomach) [Clarke].
• Suppressing sweat or urine—effusions increase; oppression rises (Generalities/Urinary) [Hering].
• After tapping (if vital force low)—rapid re-accumulation (Abdomen; Clinical) [Clarke].
• Damp weather—serous effusions worse (Chest/Abdomen) [Boger].
• Heat of bed—if it promotes restlessness rather than gentle warmth (Sleep variability) [Allen].
• Full meals—oppose weak stomach; nausea, vomiting (Stomach) [Allen].
• Lying flat—suffocation in hydrothorax (Respiration) [Hering].

The mental state in Apoc-c. is governed by physical collapse and water-economy failure rather than complex psychology. Patients are oppressed, indifferent, and anxious only so far as breathing and faintness demand, with a dull fear of suffocation when hydrothorax is marked—yet without the nervous restlessness of Ars. [Hering], [Kent]. Thought is slow; attention wanders; they answer briefly and relapse into torpor, especially in hydrocephalic children whose stupor alternates with vomiting of fluids [Hering], [Allen]. Irritability appears when thirst tortures but every swallow is rejected (cross-link Worse drinking), leading to a resigned despair about taking anything by mouth [Boericke], [Clarke]. Hopefulness wanes at night with orthopnoea; in the day, if a little urine passes, spirits lift modestly (Urinary linkage). There is a characteristic awareness of sinking at the epigastrium, experienced as a “going down” sensation that makes them dread any motion or attempt to sit up (Generalities; Stomach) [Allen]. Unlike Digitalis, which carries a deathly anxiety about the heart and must sit up cautiously with slow pulse, Apoc-c. has gastric intolerance + dropsy + faintness, with less bradycardia and more vomiting on drinking [Nash], [Farrington]. Case [Clinical]: A dropsical woman, desperate for water yet vomiting every sip, lay immobile and apathetic; Apoc-c. restored small urinations and allowed teaspoonfuls without emesis over two days [Clarke].

Heaviness of head with stupor in hydrocephalus; children roll the head and moan, pupils sluggish, fontanelles tense; vomiting of fluids and scanty urine complete the triad (Head ↔ Stomach ↔ Urinary) [Hering], [Allen]. Adults feel a pressure-weight rather than sharp pains; vertigo on attempting to sit is common and ends in faintness (Worse motion; Generalities) [Hering]. The face grows bloated and pale; eyelids puffy, a sign of general anasarca (Face/Skin) [Clarke]. In hydrocephalus, sopor alternates with sudden vomiting and startling; the pulse is weak; cold sweat may bead the forehead (Chill/Heat/Sweat) [Hering]. Compare Helleborus (dullness, automatic movements, grinding of teeth) where Apoc-c. is more “watery”: vomiting and urine suppression are decisive [Kent]. Headache per se is secondary; it subsides when urine increases and the abdomen softens (Urinary/Abdomen cross-relief) [Clarke].

Lids oedematous, conjunctiva pale or slightly icteric with portal stasis in ascites; vision dims on rising (Worse sitting up) [Clarke], [Hering]. Hydrocephalus may show dilated pupils with sluggish reaction; occasional strabismus (rarely) [Allen]. Eyes look dull; tears are scanty; no acrid discharges. Warm compresses comfort but do not alter the systemic picture (Better warmth) [Hering]. Compared to Apis (glossy oedema, stinging), Apoc-c. has cold, heavy swelling with collapse tendency and gastric intolerance [Kent].

Ringing or rushing in ears on attempting to rise, as circulation fails and faintness approaches; relieved by lying absolutely still (Generalities) [Allen]. Hearing otherwise unremarkable; no true otitis picture.

Nostrils dry; breathing shallow; tip cold and damp (collapse). Occasional epistaxis in portal stasis, but not a keynote; nasal mucosa pale [Clarke]. The nose pinches in severe dyspnoea, yet without the restlessness of Ars.; the expression is oppressed, not anxious [Kent].

Pale, waxy, or slightly cyanotic with puffiness of the eyelids and lips; cold sweat beading forehead and temples during faint spells (Chill/Heat/Sweat) [Hering]. The face may look large from cellular oedema (anasarca); cheeks pit on pressure (Skin). Expression is dull, suffering, without much complaint—they are too faint to complain [Clarke]. Compare Apis (rosy, shining oedema) and Ars. (pinched, anxious, burning pains with restlessness) [Kent]. Improvement shows as softening of puffiness and return of slight urine (Urinary).

Mouth and tongue dry, yet water excites immediate vomiting; breath cool; saliva scant (Stomach tie-in) [Allen], [Boericke]. Tongue often pale, sometimes coated white in gastric irritability. Thirst is for cold water but it will not stay; occasionally tepid teaspoonfuls are tolerated (Better small sips; Modalities) [Clarke]. Bitter taste rare; the keynote is gastric intolerance rather than dysgeusia. Lips may crack from dryness in feverish dropsy, but fever is usually low-grade.

No special dental sphere; grinding in hydrocephalic sopor may occur (Helleb. comparison), but not characteristic for Apoc-c. [Hering].

Irritable fauces; each attempt to swallow triggers retching; pharynx not inflamed—this is reflex from the stomach (Stomach link) [Allen]. Warmth to the throat and epigastrium sometimes calms the spasm briefly (Better warmth). Fluids best given by teaspoon; larger draughts provoke immediate emesis (Worse drinking) [Boericke].

This is a grand sphere. Thirst is great, but water disagrees—vomits immediately; the least quantity of cold water provokes instant rejection with sinking at the epigastrium and cold sweat (Worse drinking; Generalities) [Boericke], [Allen], [Hering]. Nausea is constant, with deathly faintness; eructations little; the vomiting is of water, mucus, bile if forced; after vomiting there is no relief if effusions and renal torpor persist (contrast Ars., where vomiting may relieve burning) [Nash], [Farrington]. The epigastrium feels empty, going-down—a signal symptom that forbids motion (Worse motion; Mind cross-awareness) [Allen]. Food aversion grows as the abdomen tightens with fluid; full meals aggravate sinking; small, bland quantities are sometimes tolerated (Better small sips/bites) [Clarke]. Compare Digitalis (nausea relieved by lying on right side, slow pulse; drinks downwards), Ant-t. (nausea, rattling in chest), Ipec. (persistent nausea with clean tongue but without dropsy/renal torpor) [Kent], [Farrington]. As urine returns under Apoc-c., vomiting abates (Urinary). Case: Dropsy with incessant vomiting of water—teaspoonfuls only tolerated—urine almost suppressed; Apoc-c. restored renal action and arrested vomiting within 36 hours [Hering].

Tense, distended abdomen from ascitic effusion; skin shiny, veins visible; pressure causes discomfort, not sharp pain (Serous affinity) [Clarke]. Sensation as if abdomen would burst; walking nearly impossible; the patient supports the belly with hands (Better support; Modalities) [Boger]. Paracentesis gives relief but fluid quickly re-accumulates if the constitutional state remains (Clinical note) [Clarke]. Portal stasis signs—dull hepatic region, scant stool, piles may be passive; splenic side often heavy; yet the keynote remains water-logging rather than inflammation [Hughes]. Percussion fluid wave; bowel sounds subdued; appetite nil; sitting up to eat induces faintness (Worse sitting up). Compare Apis (pitting, sore, stinging; thirstless or small sips), Ars. (restless, burning, anxious), and Helleb. (torpor, cold sweat, cerebral signs) [Kent]. Better outcomes are marked by softening of wall tension and some urine (Urinary cross-relief).

Suppressed or scanty urine is essential—dark, high specific gravity; albumen may be present; urination, when it returns, brings a brief easing of oppression (modal cross-relief) [Boericke], [Allen]. The desire is frequent with little passed; or no urging at all (renal torpor). In children with hydrocephalus, absence of urine for many hours with sopor and vomiting is a red flag for Apoc-c. [Hering]. Compared with Apocynum androsaemifolium (more diarrhoea, less cardiac dropsy), Digitalis (slow pulse, blue face, scant urine), Arsenicum (burning, restlessness), Apoc-c. stands when water cannot be managed—neither drunk nor excreted [Farrington], [Nash].

Stools may be scant and constipated in anasarca, with torpor of portal and bowel; or copious, watery, exhausting stools may occur in serous drains (hydragogue pattern) with collapse and cold sweat [Allen], [Hughes]. Tenesmus is slight; piles passive. Diarrhoea, when present, does not relieve the dropsy—it weakens further, distinguishing from purgative relief states (Generalities). Warmth to abdomen eases the urge (Better warmth) [Hering].

Cold, impotent state with great prostration in advanced dropsy; scrotal oedema common in anasarca; urine scanty; sexual desire depressed (Generalities) [Clarke]. No specific urethral picture.

Oedema in pregnancy or postpartum where lochia suppressed and urine scanty, with gastric intolerance of fluids points strongly to Apoc-c. [Clarke], [Nash]. Menses may be delayed or diminished in chronic cardiac dropsy; ankles pit; breath short on lying. In puerperal hydrothorax/ascites with vomiting of water, Apoc-c. has repeatedly relieved (Clinical) [Hering]. Compare Apis (puffiness with stinging), Puls. (mild, weepy, thirstless), Digitalis (heart slow, faint).

Short, shallow, oppressed; cannot expand fully because of fluid and weakness; orthopnoea at night, obliged to sit supported; slightest motion or talk increases distress (Worse motion; Worse night) [Hering], [Clarke]. Sighing attempts at relief; cough is minimal unless pleural irritation exists. Warm air and stillness help a little (Better warmth, rest). Compare Samb. (suffocative spells, especially after midnight), Ant-t. (rattling, somnolence), Ars. (burning, restlessness) [Kent].

Action feeble, irregular; pulse small, soft, sometimes intermittent; palpitation from the least movement, followed by faintness and sweat (Worse exertion; Generalities) [Hering]. No loud organic murmurs necessary; the picture is myocardial exhaustion with water-logging. Digitalis and Apoc-c. often compare: Digitalis has slow, weak pulse with fear of death on motion and sinking at stomach, but can often drink small quantities without instant emesis; Apoc-c. is defined by vomiting of water plus dropsy [Nash], [Farrington]. As kidneys respond, the heart steadies (Urinary cross-link).

Oppression as from a weight of water within; hydrothorax with orthopnoea: cannot lie down, must be propped; motion aggravates dyspnoea (Respiration) [Hering], [Clarke]. Pulse weak; hands cold; cold sweat on chest with effort. Percussion dull bases; breath sounds diminished; voice low. After small return of urine, the oppression lifts a shade (Urinary). Compare Ant-t. (rales, drowsy, cyanotic), Ars. (burning, restless), Lach. (cannot bear pressure, yet highly reactive) [Farrington].

Dull aching in lumbar region from renal torpor; worse on sitting up; better pressure and warmth (Urinary/Generalities) [Allen], [Hering]. Sacral heaviness with oedema of hips; movement brings faintness. No neuralgic character.

Pitting oedema of feet, legs, hands; skin cold, tense, shiny; fingers stiff; numbness from pressure of fluid (Skin) [Hering], [Clarke]. The least effort causes swelling to feel bursting; elevation helps modestly; warmth soothing (Better warmth/elevation). Compare Apis (hot, tender, stinging) and Ars. (burning, restlessness); Apoc-c. shows cold, inert oedema with collapse tendency [Kent]. As urine flows, pitting lessens first at ankles.

Tense, glossy, pitting on pressure; cool to touch; cold sweat with faintness; sometimes pale waxy colour (collapse) [Hering]. No itching or stinging unless complicated; blisters rare. In children with hydrocephalus, scalp cool with sweat at temples (Chill/Heat/Sweat). Improvement is read in softening of tension and return of perspiration of natural quality (Perspiration).

Sleep is broken by orthopnoea; the patient dozes propped, starts with suffocation on attempting to lie down (Respiration cross-link) [Clarke], [Hering]. First sleep is shallow; cold perspiration breaks out with the least effort to change position (Chill/Heat/Sweat). Thirst torments through the night, yet every sip provokes vomiting; this cruel loop defines Apoc-c. and prevents restorative sleep (Stomach). Dreams are scant; a sense of sinking wakes them as if falling through the bed (Mind/Stomach). Children with hydrocephalus lie in sopor, rolling the head; they rouse to vomit fluids and fall back into stupor—a classic picture (Head/Stomach) [Hering], [Allen]. Towards early morning, some ease occurs if a small quantity of urine has been passed (Urinary). Heat of bed is sometimes intolerable from oppression; yet the limbs remain cold and desire warmth (Chill/Heat/Sweat; Extremities). After tapping, a night of relative quiet may follow, but without remedy the effusion recurs and sleep again is haunted by breath-hunger (Abdomen/Chest). Compared with Arsenicum (anguish, restlessness, moves constantly), Apoc-c. is motion-averse; stillness is craved though it does not fully relieve [Kent]. As the stomach tolerates teaspoonfuls and urination re-appears, sleep deepens and the need to sit up lessens—a practical guide to progress.

Few, fragmentary, bodily: of falling (sinking), of waves of water (organ symbolism of retained fluid). Children mutter and start in sopor when vomiting is about to come (Stomach). No specific symbolic content assists prescribing beyond the physical correlates [Allen], [Hering].

Low, irregular fever may attend effusions; chilliness predominates with cold, damp skin, then heat of head/face during oppression, followed by sweat with faintness (Chill/Heat/Sweat) [Hering]. This is not an inflammatory pyrexia; temperature often subnormal in collapse. Thirst present, yet drinking aggravates, differentiating from many febrile remedies [Boericke]. Relief follows renal action and reduction of effusion, not sweating per se (Generalities).

Chill: internal chilliness with cold extremities; worse from air/motion; seeks wraps (Better warmth) [Hering].
Heat: flushes of heat in head/chest with suffocation at night; cannot lie down (Respiration).
Sweat: cold, clammy sweat with faintness; profuse sweat does not relieve oppression unless kidney action returns (distinct from remedies where sweat is curative) [Hering], [Clarke]. The triad reflects circulatory failure rather than metabolic fever.

Thirst, but drinks provoke immediate vomiting, especially cold water (cardinal) [Boericke], [Allen]. Warm spoon-feeds may be borne in teaspoonfuls; fats and full meals aggravate; desire for nothing; aversion from fear of vomiting (Stomach). Salty foods often intolerable in ascites; alcohol wholly disagrees (collapse). Cravings are not reliable guides; the reaction to water is decisive.

Apoc-c. is the water-management remedy par excellence: the organism cannot bear water inwardly (gastric rejection) and cannot discharge it outwardly (renal torpor), so water collects in the third spaces—peritoneum, pleura, cellular tissue [Hughes], [Hering], [Clarke]. The case is marked by oedema/effusions + faintness + gastric intolerance, a triad that must be present somewhere if the remedy is to act. The modalities are worse from drinking (especially cold), worse from the least motion or attempt to sit up, with cold sweat and sinking at the epigastrium; better absolute rest, propped sitting in hydrothorax, warmth, and momentary relief after passing urine (when that returns) [Boericke], [Allen], [Hering]. The pace is one of creeping failure rather than acute violence; nights are worse with orthopnoea and thirst torments; days bring apathy and dread of any effort. Pathophysiology (per Hughes): cardiac depression and renal torpor prevent adequate renal filtration; capillary/serous exudation raises hydrostatic pressure → effusions; gastric mucosa is hyper-reactive so water triggers emesis—thus the circular failure that defines Apoc-c. [Hughes], [Clarke]. In ascites and hydrothorax, paracentesis may palliate, but without re-establishing kidney function and gastric tolerance the fluid returns; Apoc-c. acts by re-awakening renal output and calming the stomach—its clinical hallmark [Clarke], [Boericke]. In hydrocephalus the signs are sopor, rolling head, vomiting of fluids, and scanty urine: when present, Apoc-c. has rescued where Helleb. or Apis failed, especially if the skin is cool and sweat clammy rather than hot and stinging [Hering], [Kent]. Constitutionally these are inert, cold, pale patients rather than burning, anxious types; they abhor motion (unlike Ars.), and they cannot digest water (unlike Digitalis) [Nash], [Farrington]. Improvement is tracked by (1) vomiting lessening → tolerates teaspoonfuls, (2) urine returning, (3) softening of oedema, and (4) ability to doze without being propped. When these occur in sequence, the case is moving out of the Apoc-c. state (Clinical).

Dropsy/Effusions (Cardio-renal)

• Apis — Oedema with stinging, thirstlessness or small sips, heat intolerance; Apoc-c.: cold, inert oedema, vomits water, collapse tendency, motion aggravates; both have serous effusions [Kent], [Clarke].
• Arsenicum — Dropsy with burning pains, great restlessness, anxiety, thirst for small sips retained; Apoc-c.: thirst but cannot retain, seeks stillness, cold sweat, faintness [Nash], [Farrington].
• Digitalis — Cardiac dropsy with slow, weak pulse, fear to move, sick at stomach but not necessarily vomiting every drink; Apoc-c. has the water-vomit keynote [Nash], [Farrington].
• Helleborus — Hydrocephalus/serous effusions with torpor, grinding, automatic movements; less gastric rejection; Apoc-c. adds vomiting of fluids and renal suppression [Hering], [Kent].
• Antimonium tart. — Hydrothorax with rattling, somnolence; stomach upset but rales predominate; Apoc-c. fewer rales, more water intolerance [Farrington].
• Sambucus — Suffocative spells (after midnight) with sweat; lacks dropsical anasarca and water-vomit keynote; useful in spasmodic asthma, not serous failure [Kent].
• Squilla — Dropsies with cough and scant urine; strong urinary sphere and chest symptoms, but lacks “vomits water” keynote; Squilla more coughy [Clarke].
• Convallaria — Heart failure with breathlessness on least exertion; little gastric keynote; Apoc-c. when water intolerance dominates [Farrington].
• Cactus grand. — Constriction “iron band” about heart; oedema possible; but gastric water-vomit not central [Kent].
• Oxalic acid — Sudden sinking, epigastric goneness, but neuralgic stabbing pains; not a dropsy leader [Clarke].
• Lycopodium — Ascites with portal stasis, flatulence, 4–8 p.m. aggravation; retains fluids; Apoc-c. vomits water [Kent].
• Urea — Uraemic states with drowsiness, vomiting; more toxic, less specific modalities; Apoc-c. has stronger serous/“water” keynote [Hughes].

Hydrocephalus (Children)

• Apis — shrill cry, hot head, oedematous lids, thirstless; Apoc-c.: cool sweat, vomiting fluids, suppressed urine [Hering].
• Helleborus — deep stupefaction, automatic motions; Apoc-c. more gastric and renal signs [Kent].
• Bryonia — boring head into pillow, dry tongue, great thirst for large quantities retained (opposite of Apoc-c.) [Kent].

Gastric Intolerance/Collapse

• Ipecac. — persistent nausea, clean tongue, not necessarily dropsy/renal torpor; Apoc-c. nausea is part of cardio-renal failure and drinks excite vomiting [Farrington].
• Veratrum alb. — Profuse vomiting/diarrhoea with icy coldness, collapse; but copious stools and violent purging differentiate; Apoc-c. is primarily dropsical with scant urine [Nash].

• Complementary: Digitalis — after Apoc-c. opens kidneys and stomach tolerates, Digitalis may steady failing myocardium where brady-asthenia remains [Nash], [Farrington].
• Complementary: Arsenicum — where burning anxiety persists after fluids are tolerated; Ars. completes trophic regulation [Kent].
• Complementary: Apis — serous states; Apis early for hot, stinging oedema; Apoc-c. when cold, inert dropsy with water intolerance appears [Clarke].
• Follows well: Helleborus — in hydrocephalus when stupor lightens yet vomiting of fluids and renal suppression persist [Hering].
• Follows well: Ant-t. — after rattling subsides but effusion and water intolerance remain [Farrington].
• Precedes well: Squilla, Convallaria — when chest/renal tone must be maintained after Apoc-c. initiates diuresis [Farrington].
• Precedes well: Lycopodium — portal/ascitic residua after the acute water crisis [Kent].
• Compatible: China — convalescence after fluid loss (tapping/diuresis) to restore tone [Clarke].
• Related: Cactus, Crataegus in chronic cardiac failure; choose per keynotes [Farrington].
• Antidotes (functional): Warmth, absolute rest, fractional fluids—align with the remedy’s direction; crude antidotes not indicated [Hering].
• Inimical: None emphasised; avoid alternating with Digitalis without clear stage-indication.

• Cardio-renal dropsy with water-intolerance: Apoc-c. Ø (fresh root tincture) or low potencies (3x–6x) frequently repeated in acute states; many authors use 6C–30C in sensitive patients to avoid aggravation. Titrate fluids by teaspoon; monitor urine—first clear sign of action [Boericke], [Clarke], [Nash].
• Ascites re-accumulating after tapping: Give Apoc-c. post-paracentesis to prevent re-fill by restoring renal action and calming gastric reflex; follow with Digitalis/Crataegus if myocardium remains weak [Clarke], [Farrington].
• Hydrothorax/orthopnoea: Dose 6C–30C every 1–3 hours initially; absolute rest, propped posture; warmth; expect reduction in night suffocation as urine increases [Hering], [Farrington].
• Hydrocephalus (internal): In the triad (sopor, vomiting of fluids, suppressed urine) give 3x–6x frequently; compare Helleb./Apis; continue until urine returns and vomiting abates [Hering], [Allen].
• Case pearls:

• • Ascites with vomits water instantly, urine nearly suppressed: Apoc-c. 6x hourly → urine within 24 h; paracentesis no longer needed [Clarke].
  • Hydrothorax, cannot lie down, cold sweat, small pulse: Apoc-c. 30C q2h → night suffocation eased as urine flowed [Hering].
  • Hydrocephalus infant: sopor, rolling head, vomits spoonfuls, anuria—Apoc-c. 3x q2h → diuresis and steady awakening over 48 h [Hering].
  • Puerperal dropsy, suppressed lochia, vomiting of water: Apoc-c. 6C t.i.d. → urine restored, oedema receded [Nash].

Mind

• Mind — APATHY — with physical collapse in dropsy. (Low reactivity; water-failure picture.) [Hering].
• Mind — ANXIETY — about breathing — without restlessness. (Oppression, not frantic.) [Kent].
• Mind — FEAR — of suffocation — at night — hydrothorax. (Orthopnoea cue.) [Clarke].
• Mind — DESPAIR — of recovery — when drink is vomited at once. (Keynote behaviour.) [Boericke].
• Mind — WEAKNESS — of memory — with stupor (hydrocephalus). (Cerebral effusion tie-in.) [Hering].

Head

• Head — HEAVINESS — hydrocephalus — with sopor. (Serous brain picture.) [Hering].
• Head — VERTIGO — on sitting up — with faintness. (Worse motion.) [Allen].
• Head — SWEAT — cold — forehead — with collapse. (Clammy sweat hallmark.) [Hering].
• Eyes — LIDS — OEDEMA — anasarca. (Dropsical facies.) [Clarke].
• Pupils — DILATED — sluggish — hydrocephalus. (Child picture.) [Hering].

Stomach

• Stomach — THIRST — drinks cause immediate vomiting. (Cardinal rubric.) [Allen], [Boericke].
• Stomach — NAUSEA — constant — with FAINTNESS. (Sinking at epigastrium.) [Allen].
• Stomach — VOMITING — of water — on attempting to drink. (Golden key.) [Boericke].
• Stomach — EMPTINESS — epigastrium — sinking — worse motion. (Modal echo.) [Allen].
• Stomach — AVERSION — to drinking — from fear of vomiting. (Behavioural adaptation.) [Clarke].

Abdomen / Rectum

• Abdomen — ASCITES — tense, tympanitic. (Serous effusion sphere.) [Clarke].
• Abdomen — DISTENSION — from serous effusion — portal stasis. (Hepatic link.) [Boger].
• Rectum — DIARRHOEA — watery — prostrating — with cold sweat. (Hydragogue collapse.) [Allen].
• Rectum — CONSTIPATION — with general dropsy. (Portal torpor.) [Clarke].
• Abdomen — SUPPORT — ameliorates — in ascites. (Mechanical relief.) [Boger].

Urinary

• Urine — SUPPRESSED — in dropsy. (Primary indication.) [Allen], [Boericke].
• Urine — SCANTY — albuminous — cardiac/renal dropsy. (CR failure tie-in.) [Clarke].
• Urination — RELIEVES — oppression temporarily. (Cross-relief sign.) [Boericke].
• Kidney — TORPOR — functional. (Aetiologic rubric.) [Hughes].
• Bladder — NO URGING — with suppression. (Renal, not vesical.) [Allen].

Chest / Respiration / Heart

• Respiration — ORTHOPNOEA — must sit propped — hydrothorax. (Night aggravation.) [Hering], [Clarke].
• Chest — HYDROTHORAX — with scanty urine. (Pathognomic pair.) [Clarke].
• Heart — WEAKNESS — of heart — slightest exertion → faintness, sweat. (Cardiac failure.) [Hering].
• Pulse — SMALL — SOFT — intermittent. (Myocardial ashenia.) [Allen].
• Respiration — SHORT — on least motion. (Modal core.) [Hering].

Extremities / Skin

• Extremities — OEDEMA — pitting — cold. (Anasarca hallmark.) [Hering].
• Skin — GLOSSY — tense — oedematous. (Effusion to tissue.) [Clarke].
• Sweat — COLD — clammy — with faintness. (Collapse signal.) [Hering].
• Generalities — EDEMA — after tapping — fluid reaccumulates. (Stage note.) [Clarke].
• Generalities — MOTION — aggravates — faintness. (Global modality.) [Hering].

Sleep / Generalities

• Sleep — POSITION — must sit propped — cannot lie. (Orthopnoea dictates sleep.) [Clarke].
• Generalities — DRINKS — aggravate (especially cold water). (Master modality.) [Boericke].
• Generalities — REST — absolute — ameliorates. (Cornerstone.) [Hering].
• Generalities — WARMTH — ameliorates (gentle). (Thermal state.) [Farrington].
• Generalities — SEROUS EXUDATIONS — cavities/tissues. (Affinity statement.) [Clarke], [Hughes].

Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): toxicology; hydrocephalus triad; dropsy with vomiting after drinking; modalities; clinical confirmations.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): poisonings/provings; gastric intolerance; renal suppression; collapse phenomena.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): ascites/hydrothorax cases; re-accumulation after tapping; puerperal dropsy; modalities; comparisons.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica (1901): keynotes—“thirst, water vomited”; dropsy; cardiac/renal sphere; dosing notes.
Hughes, R. — A Manual of Pharmacodynamics (1870s): pathophysiology—cardio-renal failure, serous exudation; gastric reflex; comparative notes.
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homeopathic Therapeutics (1899): contrasts with Digitalis and Arsenicum; practical clinical cues.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): heart/kidney relationships; respiratory comparisons (Ant-t., Convall., Cactus).
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homeopathic Materia Medica (1905): differentiations—Apis, Ars., Digitalis, Helleborus; mental/thermal commentary.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key (1915): modalities; portal/ascitic affinities; mechanical supports; terrain pointers.
Dunham, C. — Lectures on Materia Medica (1879): organ-remedy rationale; serous states therapeutic strategy.
H. C. Allen — Keynotes and Characteristics (1898): succinct keynote emphasis—vomits water; anasarca; suppression of urine.
Tyler, M. L. — Homeopathic Drug Pictures (1942): narrative portraits; comparisons in dropsy states (interpretive but clinically consonant).