• Alimentary canal (mouth → anus) — corrosive burning, metallic taste, violent emesis and diarrhoea, thirst, cramping, collapse; post-gastroenteritic debility [Allen], [Hughes], [Clarke]. See Mouth/Stomach/Abdomen/Rectum; Worse cold drinks; Better small warm sips.
• Mucous membranes (eyes, urethra, cervix) — catarrh with smarting, acrid discharge; historical local use as astringent points to homeopathic indications in chronic, irritable catarrhs [Clarke], [Hering]. See Eyes/Urinary/Female.
• Nerves (peripheral and autonomic) — tremor, twitchings, cramps, vaso-vagal faintness with gastric storms; lingering asthenia after exhausting fluxes [Allen], [Hughes]. See Mind/Generalities.
• Skin and ulcers — excoriation and slow healing around orifices from acrid discharges; astringent action suggests utility in indolent sores that sting and burn [Clarke], [Boericke]. See Skin.
• Blood/fluids — dehydration and anaemic look after diarrhoeal loss; collapse tendency in choleraic pictures [Hughes], [Allen]. See Fever/Generalities.

• Small, frequent warm sips (water, tea) easing nausea and chill [Clarke], [Hughes].
• Absolute rest; recumbent posture during vomiting spells [Allen].
• Warmth to epigastrium; dry heat to abdomen and limbs [Clarke].
• Astringent feel (as if “held together”)—pressure around abdomen or a snug binder [Hering].
• After stool (pressure lessens briefly), when diarrhoea has relieved cramping [Allen].
• Gentle ventilation without draughts; fresh but not cold air [Clarke].
• Slow, cautious movement after a quiet interval (stops retching) [Boericke].
• Time—gradual abatement after free emesis, if not exhausted [Hughes].

• Cold drinks taken hastily; immediately vomited with increased burning [Allen], [Hughes].
• Even the least food; sight/smell of food renews nausea (gastric hyperaesthesia) [Clarke].
• Motion, especially rising up or turning in bed during nausea [Allen].
• Night and early morning; cyclical waves of retching and watery stool [Clarke].
• Acrid discharges excoriating parts; repeated wiping (mechanical irritation) [Hering].
• Exertion during convalescence; brings back faintness and tremor [Boericke].
• Chill and draughts; patient shivers and cramps increase [Clarke].
• Suppression of habitual catarrh/flow; internal irritation heightened [Hughes].

Anxious, oppressed state accompanies violent gastric symptoms; the patient fears collapse during relentless retching, is irritable if disturbed, and becomes apathetic from exhaustion [Clarke], [Allen]. Faintness with a sense of “hollow sinking” at the epigastrium points to the cardio-vagal element of the gastric storm [Hughes]. Restlessness alternates with drowsy stupor in severe attacks, a toxicologic swing that mirrors fluid loss and autonomic involvement [Allen]. Hypersensitivity to smells (kitchen odours) provokes disgust and nausea (cross-reference Worse—smell of food) [Clarke]. After acute phases, mental dulness, low spirits, and easy fatigability persist, especially in convalescents from enteritis (group resemblance to Zincum yet dominated by the sulphate’s gastric sphere) [Hughes], [Boericke]. [Toxicology] [Clinical]

Vertigo on rising or turning, with blackness before eyes, accompanies vomiting or diarrhoea; head feels empty and heavy simultaneously [Allen]. Frontal or supra-orbital pain comes in waves with the retching—tight band sensation relieved by quiet and warmth (modality concordance) [Clarke]. Headache may be better after stool or after copious vomiting when pressure abates [Allen]. In collapse-leaning cases, face is pale, lips bluish, cold sweat on forehead—congestion displaced from surface to viscera [Hughes]. Compare Verat-alb. for algid collapse with profuse rice-water stool; Zinc-s. has intensified burning and metallic gastric features [Clarke], [Farrington].

Smarting, burning conjunctivae with lachrymation; lids feel raw from acrid tears (historical external use as a collyrium underlines the homeopathic eye-mucosa affinity) [Clarke]. Photophobia during headache; vision swims when rising in bed (postural). Chronic catarrhal ophthalmia with strings of discharge, stinging worse on exposure to wind/cold water; improved by gentle warmth (see Modalities) [Hering], [Clarke]. [Clinical] Old, irritable conjunctivitis with excoriation has been cited as responsive to Zinc-s. on the mucosal signature [Clarke].

Ringing or rushing in ears during faintness; noises rise with each retching wave [Allen]. Ear-root neuralgic twinges coincide with parotid/Pharyngeal irritation in some catarrhal states (mucosal continuum) [Hering]. After collapse, hearing seems dull until circulation rallies [Hughes].

Coryza with raw, burning nares and thin, acrid discharge; frequent sneezing aggravates head and stomach (jarring) [Hering]. Loss of smell during gastric illness; odours nauseate when returning (Worse smells of cooking) [Clarke]. Epistaxis is not characteristic relief here (contrast remedies where bleeding eases congestion).

Pinched, pale, anxious; bluish lips and cold sweat in severe cases [Hughes]. Cheeks may flush transiently in retching spasms; then pallor returns [Allen]. Peri-oral soreness/excoriation from acrid vomitus (skin–mucosa interface keynote) [Clarke].

Metallic, astringent taste; tongue coated white or yellowish; burning from mouth to oesophagus during poisoning states [Allen], [Hughes]. Salivation may be stringy; breath sour and acrid. Thirst for small, frequent warm sips that “sit” better than cold drinks (modalities tally) [Clarke]. Aphthous tenderness may develop after days of acrid gastric flux [Hering].

Teeth on edge; enamel/sensitive dentine ache with sour eructations and vomiting, contact with cold water intolerable (astringent–corrosive picture) [Clarke]. Grinding in sleep during feverish nights in children with gastric catarrh has been noted clinically [Hering].

Raw, burning, constricted; swallowing increases epigastric cramp; regurgitation excoriates the fauces (burning track) [Allen]. Desire for warm drinks that “uncramp” the gullet; cold liquids are ejected at once (Worse cold drinks; Better warm) [Clarke]. Mucus ropy and irritating; hawking provokes retching [Hering].

Cardinal sphere. Persistent, often immediate vomiting after food or cold drink; retching violent, with cramps and burning as from a corrosive [Allen], [Hughes]. Metallic taste; thirst for small warm sips; slightest motion renews nausea (like Ipecac, but with more burning/astringent character and acrid excoriation) [Clarke], [Farrington]. Gastralgia: clutching, cramping pains radiate to back and around navel; better warmth, pressure, absolute rest; worse at night and on rising [Clarke], [Boericke]. Emesis may be bilious or watery; continued until exhaustion threatens—algid features appear if diarrhoea joins (compare Verat-alb., Ars.; Zinc-s. shows marked metallic taste, corrosive burning, and astringent signature) [Farrington]. [Toxicology]

Griping about umbilicus, cutting downward to rectum; gurgling, borborygmi with chilliness and gooseflesh [Allen]. Abdomen tender to touch (peritoneal irritation note in severe cases) [Hughes]. Sensation as if bowels dragged and “shriveled” (astringent contraction motif) [Clarke]. Warm applications and firm bandaging relieve (Better warmth/pressure).

Strangury and urethral smarting with scant, scalding urine in catarrhal states; historical topical use in urethral discharges points to homeopathic use when discharges are acrid, burning, and parts excoriate [Clarke], [Hering]. Urine dark, of high specific gravity during dehydration; dizziness on rising to pass urine (vagal faintness) [Allen].

Diarrhoea watery, acrid, excoriating, with burning at anus; stool may alternate with ineffectual urging, then sudden gushes [Allen], [Clarke]. Tenesmus after stool leaves smarting. Collapse tendency when vomiting and diarrhoea combine—cold extremities, husky voice, thready pulse (choleraic picture) [Hughes]. In convalescence, sluggish bowel with soreness around anus from acridity; astringent sphere remains (useful in chronic mucous stools with burning) [Clarke].

Acrid urethral discharge (non-specific) with raw meatus and burning micturition; worse after wine/coffee (gastric–mucosal irritants) [Clarke]. Sexual desire depressed during gastric illness; emissions with weakness in exhausted subjects [Hering].

Cervical/uterine catarrh with smarting, acrid leucorrhoea excoriating thighs; cervix feels raw and contracted (astringent keynote) [Clarke]. After profuse watery diarrhoea menses may be delayed and scant with cramps (system drained) [Allen]. Chronic cervical irritation worsens from cold douches; prefers gentle warmth [Hering].

Sighing, shallow breathing with nausea; respiration deepens after warm sips [Clarke]. Inhalation of kitchen odours aggravates (gastric–respiratory link) [Clarke].

Pulse weak, small, sometimes irregular in collapse; chill at precordia; anxiety of death during violent emesis (autonomic storm) [Hughes]. After recovery, pulse may remain easily accelerated by slight exertion; deconditioned, anaemic look [Boericke]. Compare Ars. (burning, restlessness, great prostration) vs Zinc-s. (more immediate emesis from cold drinks, metallic taste, astringent signature) [Farrington].

Oppression with retching; short breath and sighing accompany waves of nausea [Allen]. Palpitation during faintness, better lying absolutely still; cold sweat on chest in algid states [Hughes]. Cough, short and teasing, provokes gagging in pharyngo-gastric catarrh (reflex) [Clarke].

Achings across lumbar region during diarrhoea; sacral weakness after stool; chill creeps up the back preceding a purge [Allen]. Paraspinal soreness better by warmth and pressure (bandage motif) [Clarke].

Cramps in calves and soles during diarrhoeal nights; fingers tremble when lifting cup; nails bluish in collapse [Allen], [Hughes]. Child kicks and draws up legs with colicky pains [Hering]. Weakness so marked that the patient slides down in bed after a purge [Clarke].

Excoriated about anus, labia, urethral meatus from acrid discharges; peri-oral excoriation from vomitus [Clarke]. Slow-healing, stinging ulcers with thin, acrid ichor respond on the astringent–burning signature [Boericke]. Cold, clammy skin in algid phase; later dry and tender [Hughes].

Dozy but cannot sleep, for every attempt brings on retching; broken sleep with anxious dreams of drowning/ waves (nausea imagery) [Allen]. After midnight worse: alternation of dozing and sudden springing up to vomit; brief relief after warm drink and quiet recumbency (cross-reference Better—warm sips; rest) [Clarke]. Convalescent sleep is heavy, unrefreshing, with morning languor and trembling on rising [Boericke]. Children cry in sleep and draw up knees with colic [Hering].

Of water, floods, kitchens and loathsome food; of suffocation or pursuit when faintness threatens; dreams cease as stomach settles [Clarke], [Kent].

Chill with gooseflesh precedes stool/emesis; heat flushes of face with burning stomach; sweat cold and clammy during collapse [Hughes]. Temperature may be subnormal in algid states; thirst continues for warm sips [Allen].

Chill running up back, worse draughts; heat local to face/epigastrium; sweat cold, then later warm and relieving when stomach quiets [Clarke], [Hughes]. Sweats easily on slight effort in convalescence [Boericke].

Aversion to food; worse from cold water or cold drinks; better from warm sips often [Allen], [Clarke]. Desire for salt may flicker as patient craves broths; fats aggravate (gastric irritancy) [Clarke]. Milk is often intolerable in acute stage; later tolerates thin gruels [Hughes].

Zinc-s. centres on astringent–corrosive irritation of mucosa with violent emesis and acrid fluxes, progressing to dehydration, trembling, and collapse in severe cases [Allen], [Hughes], [Clarke]. Modalities define the case: Worse from cold drinks, smell/sight of food, motion, night/early morning, draughts, and exertion; Better from warmth, rest, small warm sips, pressure/bandaging, and sometimes after stool (brief relief) [Clarke], [Boericke]. Compared with Ipecac., Zinc-s. has more burning and metal-astringent signature; with Arsenicum, less anxiety-restlessness and more immediate intolerance of cold drinks; with Verat-alb., less copious rice-water stool but a stronger corrosive track and metallic taste [Farrington]. The post-flux asthenia with tremor and easy faintness belongs to the Zincum lineage, yet the sulphate’s keynote is gastric–enteric fire and acridity rather than the neuro-irritable fidgetiness of Zinc-met. [Hughes], [Clarke].

Gastric–Enteric (Acute)

• Ipecac. — Persistent nausea with clean tongue; less burning; Zinc-s.: marked burning, metallic taste, cold water at once vomited [Farrington], [Clarke].
• Ars. — Burning, restlessness, great prostration; thirst for small sips (often warm); more anxiety and anguish than Zinc-s. [Kent], [Farrington].
• Verat-alb. — Profuse rice-water stool, cold collapse, cramps; Zinc-s.: corrosive burning track, metallic taste, astringent feel [Clarke].
• Ant-t. — Nausea with coated tongue, drowsiness, rattling; Zinc-s. more burning and acridity [Farrington].
• Nux-v. — Irritable stomach, spasmodic retching, oversensitive; less acrid excoriation than Zinc-s. [Kent].

Mucosal Catarrh (Eye/Urethra/Cervix)

• Arg-nit. — Photophobia, ulcerative cornea tendency; anxiety and diarrhoea from anticipation; Zinc-s.: stinging catarrh with astringent signature [Clarke].
• Merc-cor. — Dysenteric tenesmus, bloody mucus, burning; more ulcerative destructiveness than Zinc-s. [Allen].
• Alumina — Dryness and sluggish mucosa; Zinc-s.: acrid, raw, excoriating flows [Boericke].
• Calc-sulph. — Thick, yellow discharges; less stinging acridity than Zinc-s. [Phatak].

Collapse States

• Camph. — Cold as ice, desires to be covered; little vomiting; Zinc-s. primarily gastric with acrid fluxes [Clarke].
• Carb-veg. — Air hunger, bloating, wanting to be fanned; less corrosive burning than Zinc-s. [Farrington].

Group Comparisons (Zincum family)

• Zinc-met. — Nervous fidgety feet, brain weariness, aggravation from wine; gastric sphere secondary.
• Zinc-phos. — Neuralgias with weakness; gastric flatulence without corrosive burning.
• Zinc-pic. — Exhaustion of cord/brain with sexual weakness; less mucosal acridity. (Group contrasts synthesised from [Hughes], [Clarke], [Kent].)

• Complementary: Ars. in lingering gastric irritability and collapse tendency; Carb-veg. in late collapse after gastric storm; China for post-diarrhoeal weakness (fluids lost) [Farrington], [Boericke].
• Follows well: Ipecac. when persistent nausea remains but burning/acridity rises; Nux-v. after diet errors when mucosa is left raw [Clarke].
• Precedes well: China/Phos-ac. to rebuild after fluid loss and nervous drain [Boericke].
• Antidotes / Is antidoted by: Camph., Nux-v., and copious warm drinks in low potencies (clinical) [Clarke], [Hughes].
• Related (sphere): Merc-cor., Arg-nit., Alum., Calc-sulph. for mucosal astringent/irritant themes (choose by discharge quality and tissue reaction) [Clarke], [Phatak].

• Acute gastric flux: low to medium potencies (3X–6X–12C) repeated at short intervals during the storm; lengthen spacing as retching abates [Boericke], [Clarke].
• Choleraic tendency / collapse: intercurrent with Verat-alb. or Ars. according to totality; insist on warm fluids (teaspoon doses) and heat to epigastrium in alignment with remedy modalities [Farrington], [Clarke].
• Irritable conjunctivitis / excoriating leucorrhoea: potency 6C–30C once or twice daily for brief courses; avoid local astringents that suppress and drive irritation inward [Clarke], [Hering].
• Convalescence: follow with China/Phos-ac. where fluid loss and nervous exhaustion predominate; diet as warm, bland broths, advancing slowly—this often prevents relapse (practical sequencing) [Boericke].
• Mini-pearls
  • “Cold water instantly vomited; begs for warm sips; burning from mouth to anus”—Zinc-s. turned an intractable night of retching into sleep within hours [Clarke].
  • Acrid, stinging leucorrhoea excoriating thighs, cervix raw, cold douches aggravate—Zinc-s. 12C with hygienic warmth measures eased in a week [Hering].
  • Old, irritable conjunctivitis with smarting lachrymation in wind—Zinc-s. 6C t.i.d. short course improved comfort, allowing tapering off palliative drops [Clarke].

Mind

• Anxiety—health, about—during vomiting.
• Irritability—nausea with.
• Faintness—gastric symptoms, during.
• Ailments from—odours of cooking.
• Indifference—after acute illness.

Head

• Vertigo—rising from bed—aggravates.
• Headache—frontal—nausea with.
• Pain—forehead—pressing band—better quiet.
• Cold sweat—forehead—vomiting, during.

Eyes

• Conjunctivitis—chronic—acrid discharge—smarting.
• Lachrymation—wind, in—burning.
• Photophobia—headache, during.
• Vision—dim—on rising.

Throat / Stomach

• Throat—burning—oesophagus—down the track.
• Stomach—vomiting—immediately after drinking—cold water.
• Stomach—nausea—smell of food—from.
• Stomach—pain—cramping—warmth ameliorates.
• Stomach—thirst—small quantities—warm drinks.

Abdomen / Rectum

• Abdomen—colic—umbilical—pressure and warmth ameliorate.
• Diarrhoea—watery—acrid, excoriating.
• Anus—burning—stool, after.
• Tenesmus—after stool—smarting remains.
• Collapse—vomiting with diarrhoea, in.

Urinary / Genital

• Urethra—burning—micturition, during—acrid discharge.
• Leucorrhoea—acrid—excoriating thighs—cervix raw.
• Menses—delayed—after diarrhoea—weakness with.

Chest / Generalities

• Respiration—sighing—nausea, during.
• Heart—palpitation—faintness with.
• Generalities—warmth—ameliorates.
• Generalities—cold drinks—aggravate.
• Generalities—motion—aggravates—nausea from slightest.
• Generalities—exertion—aggravates—convalescence.

Skin

• Excoriation—from acrid discharges—about orifices.
• Ulcers—stinging—edges irritated—slow to heal.
• Sweat—cold, clammy—collapse, during.

Hahnemann — Materia Medica Pura (1821): methodological standard; no primary proving for Zinc-s. recorded.
Hering — Guiding Symptoms (1879): clinical notes on mucosal acridity, conjunctival/urethral irritation, and gastric states.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): toxicology and fragmentary provings; gastric and collapse features.
Hughes, R. — A Manual of Pharmacodynamics (1870s): pharmacologic/toxicologic profile of zinc salts; astringent/corrosive actions.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): core clinical picture for Zincum sulphuricum; eye/urethral/cervical catarrhs; gastric modalities.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1901): keynotes; practical dosing guidance in gastric catarrh and excoriating discharges.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica (1905): comparative insights (Ars., Ipec., Verat., Nux-v.); group remarks on Zincum.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): gastric differentials; choleraic vs corrosive pictures.
Phatak, S. R. — Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines (1977): succinct modalities and mucosal tendencies (comparative).
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key / General Analysis (1915): general modality structure and convalescent weakness framing.
Tyler, M. L. — Homoeopathic Drug Pictures (1942): group colour for Zincum states and practical prescribing remarks.