Benzinum nitricum

Benzinum nitricum is chemically nitrobenzene (C₆H₅NO₂), a pale yellow oily liquid with the distinct odour of bitter almonds, synthesised by nitrating benzene with fuming nitric acid. It is insoluble in water but miscible with most organic solvents. In crude form it is a powerful poison, rapidly absorbed by inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, producing profound effects on the blood (methaemoglobinaemia), central nervous system, and heart [Hughes]. Homeopathic preparation through potentisation renders it non-toxic while retaining its peculiar action on blood oxygenation, circulation, and respiration.

Historically used as a perfume (almond scent) in soaps and polishes; in the manufacture of aniline dyes; as a solvent in lubricants and polishes; later restricted due to its toxicity.

No Hahnemannian proving; knowledge derived from toxicological reports, clinical application, and fragmentary proving data collated in Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy [Hughes, Allen].

• Blood: Profoundly alters haemoglobin, producing methaemoglobinaemia and depriving tissues of oxygen [Hughes].
• Circulatory System: Weakens heart action, causes cyanosis, collapse.
• Nervous System: Drowsiness, vertigo, paralysis from cerebral hypoxia.
• Respiration: Slows and weakens breathing; dyspnoea from reduced oxygen carrying capacity.
• Skin: Cyanosis, lividity, mottling due to lack of oxygenation.
• Liver & Spleen: Engorgement from venous stasis in chronic poisoning.

• Absolute rest in recumbent position.
• Oxygen administration.
• Cool, fresh air.

• Physical exertion (precipitates collapse).
• Warm, stuffy rooms.
• Inhalation or handling of nitrobenzene.
• Mental effort during acute oxygen deprivation.

• Benzinum – More nervous system irritability and vertigo; Benzinum nitricum more marked blood cyanosis and collapse.
• Carboneum oxygenisatum (CO) – Similar hypoxia, but without skin irritation or almond odour; more rapid onset.
• Amyl nitrosum – Sudden vasodilation and flushing rather than cyanosis.
• Arsenicum album – Prostration with restlessness; Benzinum nitricum has indifference and stupor.

• Complementary: Carbo vegetabilis in late collapse.
• Antidotes: Oxygen inhalation, Amyl nitrosum in some cases.
• Follows well: After removal from toxic source, may be followed by China for post-toxic anaemia.

This is the remedy of industrial chemical poisoning with profound blood changes, where the patient presents with deep cyanosis, mental clouding, extreme weakness, and collapse from lack of oxygen at the tissue level. It is the picture of life suffocated from within, the blood unable to carry its vital load.

• Consider in cases of occupational nitrobenzene exposure.
• Can be useful in states resembling nitrobenzene poisoning – cyanosis, drowsiness, and weak heart after chemical inhalation.
• Also consider in toxic methaemoglobinaemia from other aromatic nitro-compounds.

Mind:

• Indifference, apathy in poisoning.
• Confusion with stupor.

Head:

• Headache, congestive, with cyanosis.
• Vertigo on rising.

Eyes:

• Cyanotic conjunctiva.
• Vision dim with dark spots.

Chest:

• Oppression, cyanotic face.
• Dyspnoea from blood oxygen deficiency.

Heart:

• Pulse slow, weak, irregular.
• Palpitation with great weakness.

Skin:

• Cyanosis, mottled.
• Coldness with collapse.

Generalities:

• Collapse from toxic exposure.
• Trembling with extreme prostration.

Hughes R. – Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy: Nitrobenzene toxicology and cases.

Allen T.F. – Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica: Toxicological records and fragmentary provings.

Hering C. – Guiding Symptoms: Clinical notes on cyanosis and collapse.

Clarke J.H. – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Description of nitrobenzene effects.

Boericke W. – Pocket Manual: Brief mention under chemical poisons.

Taylor A.S. – Medical Jurisprudence: Industrial nitrobenzene poisoning cases.

Browning E. – Toxicity of Industrial Organic Solvents: Blood changes in exposure.

Hamilton A. – Industrial Poisons: Chronic exposure effects.

Dewey W.A. – Practical Homoeopathic Therapeutics: Collapse states and antidotes.

Farrington E.A. – Clinical Materia Medica: Comparative chemical remedies.