Acidum  butyricum

It is a volatile acid obtained chiefly from butter. The drug has earlier been reported by E. P. Anshutz, W. Boericke, O. A. Julian and others. This drug was reproved by Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, India. in 1998-99, Published in CCRH Quarterly Bulletin, Vol. 24 (3&4) 2002. using 6 and 30 centesimal potencies at (i) Drug Proving Research Unit, Kolkata (W.B.) and (ii) Drug Proving Research Unit, Ghaziabad (U.P.). 15 provers in the age group of 18-28 years took part in the proving.  8 of them were females. A combined materia medica from this clinical verification and available literatures is given below.

Mind 

Fag sensation in mind, worse evening.

Head

Stitching pain in forehead, better by pressure. Bursting pain in the parietal region. Flushes of heat from head, for 2-3 minutes, better by cold water application. Worries over trifles; impulsive thoughts of suicide; constant state of fear and nervousness. Headache makes him apprehensive about trifles; worse going upstairs or rapid motion. Dull, hazy ache of head.

Eyes 

Stinging pain in left eye, upper lid, worse draft of cold air, opening eyes. White catarrhal discharge.  Bursting pain in left eye with headache, better by cold water application, pain in eyes, better by pressure.

Ears

Roaring sound in ears, only for few minutes in a day.

Nose 

Bright red bleeding from right nostril, in drops.

Face

Red macular eruptions all over the face, red pimples on chin, hard pain, worse by touch.

Mouth

Swelling and bright red bleeding from gums, right lower side (1st and 2nd molar teeth), better cold water.

Throat

Macular eruption on forehead.

Sleep

Pronounced sleeplessness; dreams of serious nature while asleep.

Stomach

Slight thirst for cold water in long intervals. Sour eructation with increased appetite. Poor appetite. Much gas in stomach and bowels. Cramps in pit of stomach, worse at night. Stomach feels heavy and overloaded. Cramp in abdomen below umbilicus. Bowels irregular. Stool accompanied by pain and straining.

Abdomen

Griping pain in abdomen with strong urging for stool, better after stool. Pain in lower abdomen before stool. Rumbling sound in abdomen, better after stool. Gurgling sound and heaviness in abdomen.

Rectum 

Urge for stool with heaviness in abdomen. Stool; hard and small with great straining and ineffectual desire. Loose stool with pain in lower abdomen. Constipation; hard stool in small quantity with pain in lower abdomen before stool. Dysentery, stool in small quantity, stool semisolid.

Back

Swelling of cervical glands with slight pain. Tired feeling and dull pain in small of back, worse walking. Pain in ankles and up back of leg. Pain low down in back and extremities.

Skin

Perspiration on slight exertion. Profuse, offensive sweat of feet. Crumbling away of finger-nails.

Generalities

Prostration, weakness, worse morning, better by continuous movement.

References:

1. Butyricum acidum. Quarterly Bulletin, Vol. 24 (3&4) 2002. Homoeopathic Drug Provings, Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy, 61-65, Institutional Area, Opp. ‘D’ Block, Jankpuri, New Delhi..

2. W. Boericke, New Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica & Repertory [with Relationship of Remedies], Second Re-Augmented & Revised Edition Based on Ninth Edition, Reprint Edition 2002, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.