Cadmium sulphuratum

Cadmium sulphuratum is a bright yellow crystalline compound of cadmium and sulphur (chemical formula: CdS). Naturally occurring as the mineral greenockite, it is insoluble in water but highly toxic in crude form, affecting primarily the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, and respiratory system. In the 19th century, it was valued as a pigment for paints, ceramics, and glass, known as “cadmium yellow.” In homeopathy, the substance is triturated to extreme dilutions to produce a safe and potent medicinal remedy.

Historically used as a stable yellow pigment in art and industry; in metallurgy as a component of alloys; in semiconductors and photoresistors. Toxic in crude form, producing severe vomiting, prostration, and collapse.

First proved by Dr. Carroll Dunham (mid-19th century) and further confirmed by T.F. Allen. Its proving symptoms were few but very characteristic—later expanded by clinical observations in severe gastro-enteritis, yellow fever, and malignant conditions.

• Stomach & Gastrointestinal tract: Profound vomiting, retching, and gastritis with black or coffee-ground matter [Allen].
• Liver: Jaundice and hepatic congestion, often secondary to gastrointestinal pathology.
• Nervous system: Intense prostration, collapse, and coldness after exhausting illness.
• Blood & marrow: Cachexia, malignant states, and profound anaemia.
• Skin: Icterus, yellow discolourations, malignant ulcerations.

• Absolute rest, both physical and mental [Clarke].
• Remaining perfectly still after vomiting.
• Sips of cold water, though often followed by renewed vomiting.
• Lying quietly on the back.

• Least motion, which immediately provokes nausea and vomiting [Hering].
• Cold air or exposure.
• Touch, especially over epigastrium.
• After eating or drinking—even smallest quantity.
• Nighttime, when symptoms tend to intensify.

• Arsenicum album – Also has extreme prostration and vomiting, but with great restlessness and burning pains.
• Veratrum album – Cold sweat on forehead, profuse vomiting and diarrhoea, but with more violent purging.
• Ipecacuanha – Persistent nausea with clean tongue; lacks the profound collapse of Cadm-s.
• Carbo vegetabilis – Collapse, coldness, but more marked gas, bloating, and desire to be fanned.

• Complementary: Arsenicum album, Carbo vegetabilis.
• Antidotes: Coffee, Nux vomica (for overaction).
• Follows well: After Ipecacuanha in persistent vomiting.

The essence of Cadmium sulphuratum is complete physical prostration with persistent vomiting and collapse, especially in malignant or destructive disease processes. The patient lies still, unable to move without renewed vomiting, yellow-faced, cold, and clammy, with a quiet despair and resignation.

• Particularly useful in the black vomit stage of yellow fever [Hering].
• Valuable in gastric cancer with persistent retching.
• Acts in post-operative vomiting with great weakness.
• Useful in choleraic affections when collapse is profound.

Mind:

• Fear of death during illness.
• Indifference, apathy in collapse.

Stomach:

• Vomiting, black.
• Vomiting, coffee-ground.
• Vomiting from least motion.

Abdomen:

• Liver congestion, with jaundice.
• Tenderness over epigastrium.

Generalities:

• Collapse, with cold sweat.
• Aggravation from least motion.

1. Hering, C. – The Guiding Symptoms: Collapse states, black vomit, gastric pathology.
2. Allen, T.F. – Encyclopaedia of Pure Materia Medica: Proving details, gastric sphere.
3. Clarke, J.H. – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Yellow fever clinical confirmations.
4. Dunham, C. – Proving initiator; clinical notes on collapse.
5. Kent, J.T. – Lectures: Comparative cardiac and collapse states.
6. Boericke, W. – Pocket Manual: Keynotes for collapse with vomiting.
7. Hughes, R. – Cyclopaedia of Drug Pathogenesy: Toxicological insights.
8. Farrington, E.A. – Clinical Materia Medica: Malignant fevers with gastric involvement.
9. Nash, E.B. – Leaders: Collapse remedies comparison.
10. Boger, C.M. – Synoptic Key: Modalities and key indications.