Sulphurs

The SulphuricumsIt is not easy to find the common and essential theme of the Sulphuricums. The repertories and materia medica’s only give a few indications. It took me a long time of thinking and studying my own cases before a common theme started to unfold itself. At first sight this theme seems to have some conflicting views and it is not until later that the full scope of the theme becomes apparent. What then are the characteristics of this theme?Clothing
The relationship with clothes is a striking element in their total picture. In Sulphur it is expressed in 'delusion old rags are beautiful'. Their unkempt appearance is generally known, as is the opposite: an exaggerated use of perfumes etc. Calcium sulphuricum has the desire to wear beautiful clothes, and hopes that others will notice this. This might come out in the form of dreams, in which the patient gets very angry because nobody comments on their lovely clothes. It can also be expressed in constant questioning: 'Do you think I am beautiful?'. In Nat-s there is the delusion that he is naked.Beauty, grace, harmonyThe theme of clothing is an expression of a larger, more general theme, that of grace and beauty. In Sulph we find 'delusion he is disgraced'. He is disgraced and does not know anymore what is good and what is ugly. 'Good' can here be taken in the sense of 'beautiful', but also in the sense of 'pure and clean'. In Calcium sulphuricum we see this desire for beauty in the question: 'Will others think I'm nice?'. It can even turn into 'delusion she is ugly'. The aversion to bathing is also a telling symptom connected with this.
The laziness tells of the lack of harmony. Sulphur is too lazy to clean up. There is disorder, no harmony, no beautiful balance.
Sensitivity to smells and colours comes back to the desire for harmony, likewise the 'disgust' in Sulphur and the other Sulphuricums.JoyLove and harmony bring happiness and joy. We also find this aspect in the Sulphuricums. In Nat-s there is an absence of joy, a depressed feeling. Kal-s. has the desire to bring happiness to others. The hurriedness is related to this too. They do not take the time to enjoy everything. While working or eating, they do not give themselves the time to enjoy this in peace and harmony.Love and relationshipsFinally the aspect of love in the life of the Sulphuricums and specifically in the relationship between partners. Beauty and harmony are both a part of love. The goddess Venus is a symbol of both principles. Sulphur usually has bad relationships, or no relationship, like tramps. Or they trample their partner emotionally.
It is strange that the Sulphurs are mentioned for love disappointment. But from my own experience I know this aspect to be true. Other indications for this theme are the dreams of Mag-s about marriage, the jealousy of Calcium sulphuricum (and Mag-s), and the strong tie with his family of Nat-s. I would also like to refer to the cases in the chapters on Sulphur bonds.
Jealousy is an added characteristic, which we will find in several Sulphuricums.
General characteristics
Location: left sided (3)
Temperature: warm, < heat, > open air; hot flushes.
Perspiration: easy < exertion; smelling bad.
Time: < 5 am.
Desires: sweet (3), alcohol, fruit, fat, fried, spicy, sour, cold drinks.
Aversion: eggs, bread, sour. < alcohol.
Sleep: deep; wakes often. < sleeping late into the morning.
Physical: aversion to bathing.ComplaintsDischarges thick and yellow, stinking of rotten eggs (the smell of rotten eggs consists chemically of hydrogen sulphide, a sulphur bond).
Full, heavy, pulsating sensations. Burning pains.
Heart and bloodvessels. Varicose veins, heavy legs.
Haemorrhages and haematoma.
Diarrhoea. Diabetes.
Skin: inflammations with yellow pus.