Arsenicum iodatum

Arsenicum iodatum is a chemical compound (AsI₃), prepared by combining elemental arsenic with iodine. It crystallises as red or orange-red solids and is soluble in alcohol but decomposes in water. In homeopathy, it is prepared by trituration, carrying the combined properties of arsenic and iodine: the deep constitutional action of arsenic on metabolism, nutrition, and mucous membranes, and the glandular, catarrhal, and fibrotic tendencies of iodine.

Introduced into homeopathic practice in the mid-19th century; proving data is largely clinical, expanded by Farrington, Clarke, and later Boericke, with emphasis on chronic inflammatory states, cachexia, and catarrh.

The essence of Arsenicum iodatum is the burning, wasting ulceration of mucous membranes and skin, accompanied by persistent catarrh and glandular induration, in a constitution tending toward decline. It marries the deep debility and burning pains of arsenic with the glandular, fibrotic, and metabolic disturbances of iodine.

• Respiratory mucosa (especially chronic catarrh and ulcerations).
• Skin (chronic eczema, psoriasis, ulcerations, exfoliations).
• Lymphatic glands (enlargement, induration).
• Nutrition and metabolism (marasmus, wasting diseases).
• Cardiovascular system (weakness, palpitations in chronic states).
• Mucous membranes of digestive tract (chronic gastritis, ulcer tendency).

The mental state of Arsenicum iodatum combines the restlessness and anxiety of Arsenicum album with the hurried, driven quality of iodine. Patients are often thin, nervous, and overactive until collapse, when profound weakness and despondency set in. There is a fear of impending disease and an impression of wasting away despite eating. Restlessness is less frantic than in Ars. alb., but there is a persistent drive to move or work, even when exhausted [Farrington]. Irritability arises from the discomfort of chronic discharges, and there is a tendency to be overly critical or dissatisfied. Melancholy appears during prolonged illness, especially tuberculosis or wasting skin disease.

Sleep restless from itching, burning skin eruptions, or cough. Wakes after midnight with restlessness.

The combination of arsenic and iodine produces a profound catabolic state: rapid weight loss despite eating, chronic catarrh with burning, ulceration of mucous membranes, enlargement of glands, and great exhaustion. Particularly suited to patients with chronic respiratory disease, skin affections, or wasting disorders after prolonged inflammation.

Low-grade evening fevers in wasting diseases. Heat alternates with chills, worse after midnight.

Chilly on slight exposure; flushes of heat in the evening. Night-sweats profuse, debilitating, especially toward morning.

Headaches are often associated with chronic nasal catarrh or sinusitis, with a dull, heavy feeling in the frontal sinuses. There may be a burning heat in the forehead, worse at night and in a warm room, better in cool air. In wasting diseases, the head may sweat easily, especially in the occipital region. Vertigo appears on rising suddenly or during catarrhal blockage of the nose.

Chronic inflammation of conjunctiva and eyelids, often with burning, excoriating tears and thin discharge that irritates the surrounding skin [Clarke]. The eyes may be sensitive to light, and lids red and thickened in long-standing cases. In scrofulous or tubercular children, recurrent styes and ulcerations of the lid margins may be present.

Catarrhal deafness with thickening of the tympanic membrane from chronic inflammation. Burning and itching in the external ear canal with scaling eruptions. Discharge may be thin, excoriating, and offensive.

One of the most important localities for this remedy. There is chronic, acrid nasal discharge that excoriates the upper lip, alternating with obstruction from thick crusts and scabs [Hering]. The mucous membrane may ulcerate, producing small perforations of the septum in severe cases. Burning is a keynote—burning in the nasal passages, in the frontal sinuses, and in the root of the nose. The discharge is often watery in the morning, thick and yellow-green later in the day. Offensive odours may be perceived by the patient alone.

Sallow, cachectic, or pale with flushed spots on the cheeks in afternoon fevers. Chronic eczema may involve the face, especially about the nose and mouth. There may be peeling of skin after acute inflammation.

Ulcerations of mucous membranes in debilitated states, with burning, excoriating pain. Tongue may be dry, red at the tip and edges, with a thin white coat. Fetid breath in chronic nasal or oral ulcerations.

Caries in children with tubercular tendencies; gums spongy, bleeding easily.

Burning, dryness, and rawness in the pharynx, especially at night. Chronic pharyngitis with thick mucus in the morning, requiring hawking and clearing. Glands in the neck may be enlarged, hard, and tender.

Another key sphere of action. Chronic bronchitis, especially in elderly or tubercular patients, with copious, thin, acrid mucus. There is constant burning in the chest, with sensation of rawness in the bronchi. Cough is worse at night, lying down, and on exposure to cold air. Haemoptysis may occur in advanced lung disease. The breathing is laboured, rapid, with wheezing in chronic obstructive cases [Farrington].

Palpitations in chronic lung or anaemic states. Weak, rapid pulse in cachectic conditions.

Dyspnoea on the least exertion, particularly in tubercular patients. Sensation of constriction across the chest with desire to breathe deeply but inability.

Appetite may be ravenous yet patient continues to lose weight, reflecting iodine’s wasting effect. In some cases, appetite is completely gone, with aversion to food from burning gastric pain. Nausea after eating, with weakness and a sense of sinking at the stomach.

Emaciated abdomen in marasmic children. Tenderness over mesenteric glands. Flatulence with rumbling after meals.

Diarrhoea chronic, watery, and offensive, often early in the morning, with burning in the anus. In cachectic states, diarrhoea may alternate with constipation.

Urine scanty, high-coloured, offensive, with burning at the neck of the bladder. Albuminuria in advanced cases of wasting disease.

Aversion to food during gastric burning; craving for cold drinks though these may aggravate stomach pain.

Weakness and loss of sexual desire in prolonged illness.

Chronic leucorrhoea, acrid, excoriating, with burning. Menses may be scanty and pale in cachexia or profuse and exhausting in tubercular cases.

Weakness and aching in dorsal spine in prolonged disease. Burning between the shoulder-blades.

Wasting of muscles with weakness and trembling. Chronic eczema or psoriasis on the backs of hands and forearms. Restlessness in legs at night, worse after midnight.

Very characteristic. Chronic eczema with thick crusts, intense itching, and burning. Psoriasis with scales, aggravated in winter. Ulcerations with offensive discharge. In syphilitic cases, ulcers are deep, irregular, with thick crusts and acrid pus. Skin is dry and scaly in some patients, in others moist and oozing.

• Arsenicum album – More anxiety, chilliness, and prostration; less glandular and catarrhal action.
• Iodium – More pronounced hyperactivity and ravenous appetite; less burning ulceration.
• Kali bichromicum – Catarrh with thick, stringy mucus; less cachexia.
• Sulphur iodatum – Skin conditions with glandular swellings but more heat and itching without ulcer depth.

• Complementary: Iodium, Tuberculinum.
• Antidotes: China, Nux vomica in drug effects.
• Follows well: Calcarea phosphorica in wasting states.

Particularly valuable in chronic bronchitis of the aged, persistent nasal catarrh with ulceration, and skin diseases with burning, acrid discharges. Often useful in the treatment of tuberculosis, especially where weight loss is rapid despite good appetite. Recommended in 3x to 6x triturations for long-term catarrhal states, higher potencies for constitutional effects.

Mind

• Anxiety with restlessness.
• Despondency in chronic disease.

Head

• Burning in forehead.
• Frontal sinus pain with catarrh.

Eyes

• Burning, excoriating lachrymation.
• Chronic conjunctivitis.

Stomach

• Appetite increased yet loses weight.
• Burning gastric pain.

Skin

• Chronic eczema with thick crusts.
• Ulcerations with acrid discharge.

Extremities

• Weakness with muscle wasting.
• Restlessness of legs at night.

Generalities

• Rapid emaciation.
• Burning pains in mucous membranes.

Clarke – A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Chronic catarrh, ulcerations, wasting states.
Farrington – Clinical Materia Medica: Tubercular constitutions, burning ulcerations, glandular involvement.
Boericke – Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica: Concise keynote symptoms.
Allen, T. F. – Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Toxicological and clinical data.
Hering – The Guiding Symptoms: Chronic respiratory and skin effects.