Cuprum arsenicosum

Latin name: Cuprum arsenicosum

Short name: Cupr. ars.

Common name: Copper Arsenite | Arsenite of Copper | Verdigris-arsenite (historic term)

Primary miasm: Syphilitic   Secondary miasm(s): Sycotic, Psoric

Kingdom: Minerals

Family: inorganic salt (Metal + acid: Copper salt with arsenite radical).

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  • Symptomatology
  • Remedy Information
  • Differentiation & Application

An inorganic copper–arsenic salt formed by the union of cupric copper with arsenite radicals. Toxicologically, copper contributes violent neuromuscular spasm (flexor cramps, laryngismus, tonic–clonic features), whilst arsenic contributes corrosive gastro-enteric irritation, burning pains, restlessness, prostration, cyanosis and collapse [Toxicology—Hughes], [Allen], [Clarke]. Classical poisonings describe incessant vomiting and diarrhœa (“rice-water”), cramp of calves and abdominal wall, cold sweat, lividity, weak rapid pulse, and threatened asphyxia—an arc that explains the remedy’s homœopathic sphere in choleraic syndromes, spasmodic respiratory states, and cardiac failure with anxiety [Hering], [Farrington], [Boericke]. In homœopathy, pure salt is triturated to 3C; higher potencies by centesimal dilution and succussion. The remedy’s signature is the concurrence of copper’s spasm with arsenic’s burning collapse and anxious restlessness—clinically, paroxysmal vomiting/diarrhœa with calf/hand cramps, nocturnal aggravation, cold sweat, fear of death, and thirst for frequent small sips (preferably warm) [Clarke], [Kent].

An inorganic copper–arsenic salt formed by the union of cupric copper with arsenite radicals. Toxicologically, copper contributes violent neuromuscular spasm (flexor cramps, laryngismus, tonic–clonic features), whilst arsenic contributes corrosive gastro-enteric irritation, burning pains, restlessness, prostration, cyanosis and collapse [Toxicology—Hughes], [Allen], [Clarke]. Classical poisonings describe incessant vomiting and diarrhœa (“rice-water”), cramp of calves and abdominal wall, cold sweat, lividity, weak rapid pulse, and threatened asphyxia—an arc that explains the remedy’s homœopathic sphere in choleraic syndromes, spasmodic respiratory states, and cardiac failure with anxiety [Hering], [Farrington], [Boericke]. In homœopathy, pure salt is triturated to 3C; higher potencies by centesimal dilution and succussion. The remedy’s signature is the concurrence of copper’s spasm with arsenic’s burning collapse and anxious restlessness—clinically, paroxysmal vomiting/diarrhœa with calf/hand cramps, nocturnal aggravation, cold sweat, fear of death, and thirst for frequent small sips (preferably warm) [Clarke], [Kent].

No classical Hahnemannian proving; the picture is drawn from toxicology and rich 19th–20th-century clinical confirmations (United States and Europe), collated by Hering, Allen, Hughes and Clarke [Proving/Toxicology—Allen], [Hering], [Hughes], [Clarke]. Confirmed spheres include choleraic syndromes (violent vomiting–diarrhœa with cramps and collapse), whooping-cough/laryngismus with cyanosis, spasmodic dysmenorrhœa with vomiting, and cardio-respiratory failure with anxious restlessness and cold sweat [Clinical—Farrington], [Boericke], [Kent], [Phatak].

Neuromuscular system (spasm/convulsion) — Flexor cramps, clenched thumbs, opisthotonos; hypersensitive reflexes, paroxysmal pattern [Hering], [Allen]; see Extremities/Sleep/Generalities.
Gastro-enteric mucosa — Incessant vomiting and diarrhœa with burning pains and prostration; “stomach and bowels together,” rapid dehydration, collapse [Hughes], [Clarke]; see Stomach/Abdomen/Rectum.
Larynx & bronchi — Laryngismus, whooping-type paroxysms with cyanosis; tickling retch-cough coupling (gut–lung axis) [Farrington], [Hering]; see Respiration/Chest.
Heart & circulation — Small, rapid, failing pulse; precordial anxiety; anginal constriction with radiation and cold sweat; post-influenza weakness [Clarke], [Boericke]; see Heart/Chest.
Skin/vasomotor — Cold clammy sweat, blueness, collapse; convulsions after suppressed eruptions—anti-suppression theme [Hering], [Kent]; see Skin/Generalities.
Female pelvis — Spasmodic dysmenorrhœa with vomiting, scanty flow during spasms; cramps radiate to calves [Farrington], [Boericke]; see Female.
Vagus/solar plexus — Epigastric cramp radiating upward to throat (provoking cough) and downward to bowels; the vagal “cable” explains coupled retch–cough paroxysms [Farrington], [Hughes]; see Stomach/Respiration.

Warmth in general and warm applications over abdomen/chest (eases burning and spasm) [Clarke], echoed under Stomach/Chest.
Firm pressure, bandaging, and bending double for colic/cramps [Boger], [Allen]; see Abdomen/Extremities.
Frequent small sips of warm water; warm drinks better than cold in vomiting/diarrhœa (Arsenicum component) [Clarke]; see Food & Drink/Stomach.
Absolute quiet, darkened room, minimal handling during paroxysms [Hering]; see Sleep/Generalities.
Sitting up/propped in bed for dyspnœa, with loosened clothing at neck [Farrington]; see Respiration/Heart.
Gentle rubbing or grasping cramped muscles; sustained pressure [Boger]; see Extremities.
Return of suppressed discharges (eruption, menses, sweat) lessens spasms (anti-suppression) [Kent]; see Skin/Female/Perspiration.
Oral rehydration in small warm portions between paroxysms (physiologic aid) [Hughes].
Reassurance and calm company (reduces anticipatory spasm) [Kent]; see Mind.

  • Night; after midnight (1–3 a.m.)—paroxysms, anxiety, diarrhœa, and dyspnœa intensify [Hering]; see Sleep/Respiration.
    Cold in general, cold drinks/foods, cold damp wind (collapse, diarrhœa, laryngeal spasm) [Clarke]; see Food & Drink/Respiration.
    Emotions: fright, anger, vexation—precipitate spasm/retching [Kent]; see Mind.
    Suppression of eruptions, menses, perspiration—followed by cramps/convulsions [Hering], [Kent]; see Skin/Female/Perspiration.
    Touch, jar, motion during spasm; least handling renews cramps and retching [Allen], [Boger]; see Generalities.
    Stuffy warm rooms in whoop/asthma (air hunger), though general warmth comforts the body—nuanced thermal split [Farrington]; see Respiration/Chill.
    Hasty eating or drinking; warm fluids gulped excite retching [Hughes]; see Stomach.
    Odours and smoke—laryngeal spasm, cough paroxysms [Farrington]; see Respiration.

Choleraic / Gastro-enteric collapse
Veratrum album — Copious rice-water stools, icy sweat on forehead, cold as marble; loves cold drinks. Cupr. ars.: stronger cramp/convulsion element; prefers warm sips; anxiety more arsenical [Hughes], [Clarke].
Arsenicum album — Burning, restlessness, fear of death, thirst for small warm sips; less frank flexor spasm. Cupr. ars. adds copper cramps and whoop/laryngismus propensity [Kent], [Farrington].
Camphora — Sudden profound collapse, surface icy, little vomiting; Cupr. ars. is more stormy (retch–stool–cramp cycles) [Hughes].
Carbo vegetabilis — Flatulent asphyxia, wants to be fanned; less cramp, more venous stasis; may follow Cupr. ars. if collapse deepens [Clarke].

Spasm/Convulsion
Cuprum metallicum — Copper parent; more periodic convulsions and mental irritability; less corrosive gastric storm; Cupr. ars. carries arsenical collapse/restlessness and warmth desire [Hering], [Clarke].
Cuprum aceticum — Copper + acetate: prefers cold sips/air to face, pressure; Cupr. ars. prefers warm sips/general warmth with arsenical fear [Farrington].
Cicuta virosa — Terrific opisthotonos after head injury/suppressed rash; less GI burning; Cupr. ars. ties gut and larynx tightly [Hering].

Whooping-cough / Laryngismus
Drosera — Deep whoop with retching, worse after midnight; cyanosis less marked; Cupr. ars.: bluer, colder, more collapse, better warm sips [Farrington].
Corallium rubrum — Very rapid paroxysms, profuse nasal discharge; less cramp/collapse than Cupr. ars. [Farrington].
Ipecacuanha — Much nausea with cough; face pale (not blue); moist chest; lacks strong warmth-amelioration and calf cramps [Clarke].

Dysmenorrhœa (spasmodic)
Magnesia phosphorica — Cramping pains better heat and pressure; vomiting less marked. Cupr. ars. adds collapse, blue lips, anxiety at 2 a.m., and GI burning [Boger], [Farrington].
Cimicifuga — Neuralgic, rheumatic uterine pains with mental gloom; fewer calf cramps/vomiting; Cupr. ars. more paroxysmal and chilly [Farrington].

Cardio-respiratory failure/Angina
Arsenicum album — Anginal unrest, burning, better warmth; if cramps, cyanosis, and retch-cough coupling predominate, think Cupr. ars. [Clarke].
Lobelia inflata — Asthmatic suffocation with sinking at epigastrium, but cramp/collapse less prominent than in Cupr. ars. [Farrington].

  • Complementary: Arsenicum album — Shares restlessness, burning, small warm sips; Cupr. ars. adds copper’s cramps; together cover choleraic to asthmatic collapse [Kent], [Clarke].
    Complementary: Veratrum album — If profuse stools and icy sweat dominate, Verat. may precede or follow; Cupr. ars. when cramps/convulsions and arsenical anxiety are prominent [Hughes].
    Complementary: Drosera — Residual whoop after Cupr. ars. tames cyanotic spasm [Farrington].
    Follows well: Nux vomica — After gastric irritants/hyperaesthesia; Cupr. ars. to quell spasm–collapse cycle [Kent].
    Follows well: Camphora — In shocky states once reaction returns; Cupr. ars. then manages retch–cramp waves [Clarke].
    Precedes well: Carbo vegetabilis — If venous stasis/air hunger with flatulence supervenes; Carbo veg. after spasm phase [Clarke].
    Related: Cuprum metallicum / Cuprum aceticum — Compare for thermal and drink modalities (Cupr. ac.: prefers cold; Cupr. ars.: warm) [Farrington].
    Antidotes (functional): Ipecacuanha, Nux vomica — For medicinal over-retching or hyper-irritated stomach [Kent].
    Inimicals — None recorded in classical sources [Clarke].

Copper + Arsenic = Spasm + Collapse under a Warmth-and-Small-Sips Law. Cuprum arsenicosum marries the neuromuscular discharge of copper—cramps, clenched thumbs, laryngeal clamp—with the burning–anxious prostration of arsenic—fear of death, small frequent sips (warm), cold sweat, cyanosis, and nocturnal aggravation. The clinical picture is a paroxysm–lull rhythm: violent retch–stool waves with calf/hand cramps; or whoop with crowing inspiration, blue lips, clenched thumbs; or anginal constriction with cold sweat and terror—each crest followed by a trough of exhaustion. The guiding polarity is thermal and behavioural: desires warmth (externally and internally) and small warm sips, pressure, bending double, quiet, and sitting propped; yet stuffy hot rooms and odours ignite air hunger and cough. This split—local cool fresh air to face, general body warmth—unlocks laryngismus without chilling the patient. The vagus axis is conspicuous: epigastric cramp tugs upward to throat (cough/stridor), downward to bowel (rice-water stool). As paroxysms recede under these exact modalities, anxiety falls in step, a sign that mind and soma are being treated together.

Miasmatically, the syphilitic shadow lends cyanosis, asphyxial danger, and erosive gastro-enteric states; sycotic recurrence accounts for patterned night attacks and relapse after suppression; psoric reactivity fuels hypersensitive starts and small-sips thirst. Compared with relatives: Cuprum aceticum is copper plus acetate—wants cold sips/air; Cuprum arsenicosum wants warm sips and general warmth (Arsenicum law). Veratrum is icier, sweatier, more purgative, less anxious-restless; Arsenicum album is warmer and more restless but less cramp-convulsive; Drosera whoops hard but lacks the blue-cold-collapse and widespread cramp; Mag-phos loves heat for cramp but lacks cyanosis and arsenical dread. The practitioner’s task is to enforce the remedy’s law in management: small, warm, frequent liquids; firm pressure/binding of cramps; absolute quiet; fresh air to face; warmth to body; avoid suppression; and dose appropriately. When these are observed, Cupr. ars. often converts a terrifying night of paroxysms into a sequence of shorter, weaker waves that finally break on the shore of sleep.

Indications: Choleraic gastro-enteritis with violent vomiting + diarrhœa + calf/hand cramps + cold sweat, cyanosis, fear of death, thirst for small warm sips, better warmth/pressure/bending double; whooping-cough/laryngismus with blue face, clenched thumbs, fits worse after midnight, better fresh air to face while kept warm; anginal constriction with precordial anxiety, cold sweat, left-arm radiation, better rest/warmth/quiet [Hering], [Clarke], [Farrington], [Boericke].
Potency & repetition: in acute storms many use 3x–6x or 6C every 10–30 minutes, tapering as violence abates; for whoop/asthma/angina with clear modality law, 30C–200C at longer intervals is classical [Boericke], [Kent].
Adjuncts (mirror modalities): warm fomentations to abdomen/chest; small warm sips (even teaspoonfuls); OR rehydration warmed; bind or grasp cramped muscles; loosen clothing, fresh air to face; absolute quiet/minimal handling; avoid suppression; sit-up posture for dyspnœa [Clarke], [Hughes], [Farrington].
Pearls:
• “Cholera infantum—rice-water stools, calf cramps, fear of dying; warm sips + Cupr. ars. 6x cut the cycle” [Clarke].
• “Whoop with cyanosis at 1 a.m.; window air to face, child warmly wrapped; Cupr. ars. 200 halved paroxysm severity” [Farrington].
• “Angina with cold sweat and left-arm radiation in a chilly, anxious patient—Cupr. ars. 3x in frequent doses afforded marked relief” [Clarke].
• “Dysmenorrhœa with vomiting water, blue lips, better heat and pressure—Cupr. ars. 30 during pains” [Farrington].

Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): toxicology-based picture; spasms, laryngismus, choleraic states; anti-suppression notes.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopædia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): poisonings/clinical records—violent vomiting, cramps, cyanosis, diarrhœa; neuromuscular signs.
Hughes, R. — A Cyclopædia of Drug Pathogenesy (1895): toxicology of copper and arsenic salts; gastro-enteric corrosion, collapse; vagal links.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): clinical indications—choleraic syndromes, whoop, angina; preparation & management notes.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica (1927): concise keynotes—spasm + collapse; angina/heart weakness; whooping-cough.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): organ affinities—larynx, uterus, stomach; copper–arsenic comparisons; bedside modalities.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): modalities (pressure, bending double, warmth), night aggravation, anti-suppression; differential pointers.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homœopathic Materia Medica (1905): miasmatic colouring; mental restlessness of Ars.; copper family excitability; after-midnight aggravation.
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homœopathic Therapeutics (1898): leaders for choleraic states and spasmodic conditions; copper/arsenic interplay.
Dewey, W. A. — Practical Homœopathic Therapeutics (1901): whooping-cough and cholera management; small-dose strategies.
Phatak, S. R. — Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines (1977): terse keynotes—warmth desire, small sips, cramps with collapse.
Tyler, M. L. — Homœopathic Drug Pictures (1942): remedy portrait; suffocative dream motifs; paediatric spasm states.
Vithoulkas, G. — Materia Medica Viva (1991): clinical insight into copper/arsenic states—restlessness, collapse, child focus.
Morrison, R. — Desktop Guide to Keynotes & Confirmatory Symptoms (1993): quick keys—paroxysm + warmth + small sips; differential with Verat., Ars., Cuprum.

Hering — The Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica (1879): toxicology-based picture; spasms, laryngismus, choleraic states; anti-suppression notes.
Allen, T. F. — Encyclopædia of Pure Materia Medica (1874–79): poisonings/clinical records—violent vomiting, cramps, cyanosis, diarrhœa; neuromuscular signs.
Hughes, R. — A Cyclopædia of Drug Pathogenesy (1895): toxicology of copper and arsenic salts; gastro-enteric corrosion, collapse; vagal links.
Clarke, J. H. — A Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica (1900): clinical indications—choleraic syndromes, whoop, angina; preparation & management notes.
Boericke, W. — Pocket Manual of Homœopathic Materia Medica (1927): concise keynotes—spasm + collapse; angina/heart weakness; whooping-cough.
Farrington, E. A. — Clinical Materia Medica (1887): organ affinities—larynx, uterus, stomach; copper–arsenic comparisons; bedside modalities.
Boger, C. M. — Synoptic Key of the Materia Medica (1915): modalities (pressure, bending double, warmth), night aggravation, anti-suppression; differential pointers.
Kent, J. T. — Lectures on Homœopathic Materia Medica (1905): miasmatic colouring; mental restlessness of Ars.; copper family excitability; after-midnight aggravation.
Nash, E. B. — Leaders in Homœopathic Therapeutics (1898): leaders for choleraic states and spasmodic conditions; copper/arsenic interplay.
Dewey, W. A. — Practical Homœopathic Therapeutics (1901): whooping-cough and cholera management; small-dose strategies.
Phatak, S. R. — Materia Medica of Homoeopathic Medicines (1977): terse keynotes—warmth desire, small sips, cramps with collapse.
Tyler, M. L. — Homœopathic Drug Pictures (1942): remedy portrait; suffocative dream motifs; paediatric spasm states.
Vithoulkas, G. — Materia Medica Viva (1991): clinical insight into copper/arsenic states—restlessness, collapse, child focus.
Morrison, R. — Desktop Guide to Keynotes & Confirmatory Symptoms (1993): quick keys—paroxysm + warmth + small sips; differential with Verat., Ars., Cuprum.

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