Clinical Hints on Rheumatism

This Article Published in “The Torch Of Homoeopathy”, Vol. IV, No. 3, July 1962.

Clinical Hints

From Mr. S. W. Long’s note book

Rheumatism :-

    Pains going from one joint to another  -  Ferrum Phos. (Pulsatilla, Lac. Can.)

   Rheumatism when the needle held in the fingers gets so heavy that she cannot sew. Copious diarrhea with rheumatic pains in ankle joints, but not in the wrists; thirst for large quantities of cold water, similar to Bryonia – Podophyllum.

   Gouty and rheumatic conditions worse by warmth and better by cold applications – Ledum Pal, Lac-can, Pulsatilla, Secale cor.

   Rheumatism worse rest – Euphorbium Off, Pulsatilla, Rhododendron, Rhus tox.

   Rheumatism worse warmth – Chamomilla, Kali-mur, Ledum Pal, Mercurius, Pulsatilla.

   Rheumatic affections accompanied by perspiration and soreness of the bones – Eupatorium perf.

   Rheumatic pains in the extremities worse from becoming heated and from exertion of the body – Zincum met.

   Rheumatic pains worse from the heat of the bed, better after rising and entirely disappearing on walking about – Vertarum Alb.

   Rheumatic pains in the limbs ( rarely in the joints) worse during rest after previous exertions, better from movements – Valerina.

   Rheumatic pains especially in the joints better in the evening and at night in bed – Strontium carb.

   Dull rheumatic pains worse when exercising, better whilst at rest – Scilla.

   Rheumatic pains in the limbs; pains in those places where the bones are least covered with flesh, but not in the joints; or touching the painful part the pain immediately vanished and appeared in some other part – Sanguinaria.

   Arthritic complaints; tearing, stinging in the joints after they become swollen, arthritic nodositis – Sabina.

   Sensation of soreness, as from a contusion, bruise or fall, from a blow, especially in the limbs and joints – Ruta G.

   Rheumatic pains extend upwards – Eup-p, Ledum pal, Nux V.

   Rheumatic pains extend downwards – Kalmia, Phytolacca.

   Rheumatic troubles which were very obstinate under our usual remedies, cured with – Medorrhinum. ( E.B.Nash, “Homeopathic Recorder”,1932)

   Rheumatic tension, drawing and tearing in the limbs mostly with sensation of numbness, especially when at rest – Rhus Tox.

   Rheumatic and arthritic pains (drawing and tearing) in the limbs, mostly on the periosteum, caused by stormy weather, and worse when at rest; mostly in the forearms and lower legs – Rhododendron.

   Rheumatic and arthritic soreness with stitches over the whole body –   Ranunculus Bulbosa.

   Rheumatic swelling with stinging pains – Pulsatilla, Apis.

   Pain in the legs, especially on the tibia and in the soles of the feet, as from over-exertion in walking, with great restlessness in the legs, better on rising – Psorinum.

   Restlessness in the legs, has to change the position continually – Prunus spinosa.

   Paralytic sensation, numbness and stiffness in the limbs, generally accompanied by coldness – Platinum Met.

   Cracking and arthritic stiffness in joints – Petroleum.

   Stinging pains in all parts of the body, especially the limbs – Paris quadrifolia. (Homeopathic world, August, 1961)

   The lower legs and feet feel too full, with restlessness in the legs till he lies down – Osmium.

   Pain in the lower limbs with weakness and numbness – Oxalic acid.

   Numbness and insensibility of the body and limbs – Opium.

   Rheumatic pains mostly in the upper arms and lower parts of the legs; worse when going to sleep, Rheumatism often attacks the heart and generally goes from the upper to the lower parts – Kalmia lat.

   Rheumatic pains in the hip joints and knees on moving and more especially during the day. Pains which wander quickly from one part of the body to another – Kali Bichromicum.

   Chronic rheumatism of the joints with violent pains at night, without swelling – Iodine.

   Rheumatic pains in the shoulders, arms, fingers, particularly in the elbow and wrist joint – Gratiola.

   Rheumatic pains (wandering) in the bones and joints at night – Gelsemium.

   Paralytic tearing pain from the shoulder joint into the upper arm (Left) he cannot raise the arm, slow movement improves it gradually – Ferrum Met.

   Paralytic weakness in the joints, especially felt when beginning to move – Euphrasia.

   Rheumatic pains in the arms, extending into the fingers, especially the joints of the fingers; great weakness with sensation of lameness through all the limbs – Colchicum.

   Paralytic immobility of the limbs, with drawing pains in the bones, pains, as if bruised, in the shoulder and bones of the arms, when lifting them up and when touching them – Cocculus Indicus.

   Rheumatic pains in the metatarsal bones and the phalanges of the toes, worse from contact, not from motion – China off.

   Paralytic, trembling weakness of the limbs, tension and shortening of the muscles contracting the joints and bending the limbs – Causticum.

   Rheumatic and gouty pains in the limbs with tension; worse from motion and contact – Bryonia.

   Rheumatic pains in the joints flying from one to another; Coxalgia with stinging pain or burning in the hip-joint; worst at night, aggravated by the least contact – Belladona.

   Rheumatic pains from the elbow up to the shoulder, worse at night; tearing pains in the arms and legs which do not permit one to lie on the painful side, but which are relieved by moving the affected part – Arsenicum Alb.

   Drawing (Gouty) pains in the fingers and their joints; when symptoms reappear, they change their locality, or go from one side of the body to other – Antimonium Crud.

   Pains in the left hip, as if the tendons were too short, causing limping or pain as from dislocation – Ammonium Mur.

   Tearing in the muscles of the joints, often on one side (from the small of the back through the right leg) – Ambra Grisea.

   Drawing and tearing in the limbs, especially at night and during rest, or on alternate afternoons; involuntary alternate extension and contraction of the muscles in different parts of the body – Lycopodium.

   Rheumatic and arthritic pains, tearing and stinging, especially in the limbs and joints, worse at night, with profuse perspiration which gives no relief – Merc V.

   Pain in the periosteum of the long bones, especially in the tibia, worse at night in bed, and then the least touch in intolerable – Mezereum.

   Tension in the bends of the limbs and sensation as if the tendons were shortened; painful contraction of the hamstrings – Natrum Mur.

   Wandering pains, only attacking a small spot and lasting but a short time, returning frequently – Nux Moschata.

   Sensation of great weakness of debility in the legs; the joints feel as if lame – Senega.

   Stiffness of the joints (hands, knees and feet), paralytic drawing and tearing in the arm and armpit to the fingers – Sepia.

   Tearing in the limbs, in outer parts, in the muscles and joints, from above downward; stinging pain in outer and inner parts in the muscles; in the joints; from within outwards – Sulphur.

   Menses appear for about an hour only with great pains – Euphrasia.

   Pain in and around the eyes – Eupatorium Perf.

    

  

Concern over increase in use of Mercury in dental sector

 Mercury in the mouth of the Indian population (used in filling cavities) at present can be approximately at 396 tonnes, reveals a new report, “Mercury in our Mouth”, released by non-government organization Toxic Link.

According to the report, annual use of mercury by the dental sector in India stands around 65 tonnes, where 49 tonnes gets into cavities and 16.2 tonnes is mostly thrown into the environment as non-contact amalgam.

Says Toxic Link associate director Satish Sinha: “An expected addition of 6,500 dentist by the National Rural Health Mission could lead to increased mercury consumption by approximately 11.2 tonnes annually. A major shift has been seen in the metropolitan and other cities in India, where the use of amalgam fillings has largely been replaced by alternatives.”

Contamination

“The scenario in the rural sector, however, was quite different as per the survey. This is where the policy intervention is required to gradually shift from mercury to alternatives. It is very important to save the next generation, our children from the deadly toxic effects of mercury,” says Mr. Sinha.

The study further reveals that the estimated annual mercury release due to removal or replacement of old fillings (contact amalgam) is 66 tonnes. This entire amount would mostly end up in municipal bins and thus soil and groundwater contamination. These two mediums are also rich in micro-organisms responsible for methylation of mercury. “All this would lead to bioaccumulation and bio-magnifications of mercury in the food chain. Mercury accumulates in the muscle tissues and is neuron and nephrotoxic substance. Other than this, several studies have linked it to cancers and immune system disorders,” says Mr. Sinha.

Children of women consuming sea food are more likely to develop learning disabilities due to exposure to mercury. Many countries have banned mercury fillings in children and pregnant women and it is time India takes a stance to protect this vulnerable population, says the study.

The Hindu, June 7, 2012. 

Mercury and Human Health

 U. S. Environmental Protection Agency

Plumbum Metallicum

Published in THE TORCH OF HOMOEOPATHY, Vol III, No. 3, July 1961.

PEOPLE OF THE MATERIA MEDICA WORLD

TO THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR REMEDIES HOMOEOPATHICALLY,

THEY HAVE PERSONALITIES

PLUMBUM

Frederica E. Gladwin, M.D.

Adapted and Arranged by Mollie Ray Carroll

Mr. Plumbum lives in a poor but respectable neighbourhood. A painter by trade, he was a hard worker throughout his early life. Later, he became a mental and physical wreck. Now he is so emaciated that his wrinkled, shrivelled skin is drawn over his bones. He is so sensitive to fresh air that he goes around well wrapped up, even in the summer time; but he never perspires.

Mr. Plumbum is discouraged, but that is not surprising, for his wife is almost sure to have a hysterical attack whenever he most needs her help and sympathy. All the neighbours are sorry for him and are very kind to him, but they have no use for so deceitful a woman as Mrs. Plumbum. Mrs. Plumbum often pretends that she is sick, even that she is unconscious, when anyone is around to see. Although they have no sympathy with such nonsense, the neighbours often go to Mr. Plumbum’s assistance. Mrs. Arsenicum, Mrs. Ignatia and Mrs. Carlsbad, who like rye bread, often carry some of their baking in for Mr. Plumbum. However, Mrs. Arsenicum always seems so anxious and restless while she is there and Mrs. Ignatia is so evidently trying to suppress her sobs that he is suspicious of both of them. He is so sure that they have put poison in the rye bread that, much as he wants it, he is afraid to eat any.

Indeed, Mr. Plumbum often has the notion that everyone around him, except Mrs. Carlsbad, is murderer and wants to assassinate him. She is talkative and very sympathetic and always ready to weep over his woes. He hates conversation, for he often can’t find the proper word, but Mrs. Carlsbad good-naturedly saves him from having to say much. She understands how hard it is for him to talk, for she experiences the same difficulty when trying to write, and she often forgets names. Mr. Plumbum eats Mrs. Carlsbad’s rye bread and wishes that she would bring him some cakes and fried food. She herself, however, is not especially fond of cakes and fried food and so the thought never enters her head. His thoughts come so slowly that she is gone before he has time to ask her.

Mr. Plumbum is exceedingly slow in every way. Even his bodily functions are slow. He is slow to comprehend an idea and slow to respond after he has finally comprehended. To have to wait for him is enough to send Mrs. Plumbum into some kind of hysterical spasm. Sometimes she sticks a pin into him, just to see if she can make him move a little faster; but it does no good. He is as slow to feel the pin as he is to comprehend the idea.

One day, Mrs. Plumbum sat down to the piano to cheer him with music, but she found that she couldn’t lift her fingers fast enough to play. That made her discouraged and melancholy, thinking that she had sinned away her day of grace. While she was feeling dejected, Mrs. Curare, a forgetful stupid, lazy woman, hurried in to sympathize, for she, too, knew just what it was like to have her fingers and wrists give out at the piano.

Mrs. Plumbum really deserves the neighbour’s sympathy instead of their scorn, for her children are a great disappointment and care. Most of those who were born alive are epileptics or idiots. The neighbours contend that their condition resulted from drugs which Mrs. Plumbum took to induce an abortion, but they are mistaken.

Mr. Plumbum wasn’t always the wreck that he now is; nor did this plight come upon him suddenly. While he was slowly drifting into this condition, he frequently had the colic. He endured excruciating pain and a feeling as though his abdomen was being drawn in toward his back. During these attacks, Mrs. Plumbum usually became hysterical and the neighbours would go to his assistance. Mrs. Colocynth would come running with a cup of hot coffee, and Mr. Nux Vomica, with a hot water bottle. Mr. Nux Vomica, seeing the hot coffee would scold Mrs. Colocynth because hot coffee made colic worse. When she saw Mr. Plumbum bending backward with the pain, Mrs. Colocynth would say, “Double up, Mr. Plumbum,” and Mr. Nux Vomica would say, “Yes, double up and put this hot water against your abdomen.”

Mr. Plumbum knew that colic was sometimes relieved by bending forward; so he would obediently double up and put the hot water bottle upon his abdomen. Sometimes bending backward ameliorated his colic and he would stretch back again. The hot water bottle made him feel a little better, but it wasn’t heavy enough to give him relief; so he cast it aside for the rubbing that Mrs. Colocynth suggested.

About this time Mrs. Magnesia Phosphorica would come in, expressing her opinion that the hot drinks, hot applications and bending double might help, but that hard pressure would relieve the pain. So, along with the hot coffee and the hot water bottle she called for Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary and for the Family Bible to place upon the hot water bottle for added pressure.

Mr. Nux Vomica was so sure that hot coffee would make the colic worse that he grew angry and would have nothing more to do with the case. He would rush out of the house banging chairs and slamming doors on his way, and, that morning, at the office it wouldn’t be safe to ask him an unnecessary question or to make the least noise. Mrs. Colocynth was inclined to be angry because Mr. Nux Vomica had made such a fuss about her coffee. Then she remembered that if she permitted herself to become angry, she, too, would have the colic; so she controlled herself and went for the family Bible and Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary to pile them on the hot water bottle as Mrs. Magnesia Phosphorica had suggested.

Mr. Plumbum felt a little better but still had severe pain when haughty Mrs. Platina walked in to direct the treatment. To oppose the arrogant Mrs. Platina required too much mental effort for Mrs. Magnesia Phosphorica; so she walked off and left the patient to Mrs. Platina. Mrs. Colocynth indignantly followed. Freed from the interference of the others, Mrs. Platina lost no time in curing the patient in her own way.

Mr. Plumbum is much emaciated, but his emaciation has not come suddenly. His way of growing thin is peculiar to himself and he has taken plenty of time to do it. It started with exceedingly painful neuralgia, with burning, and shooting pain. Then the part would wither. Meanwhile he became constantly more emaciated, all over, until his skin seemed to be drawn over his bones. Of course, he is numb, stiff and partly paralyzed.

He has had a variety of pains, sometimes simple pricking and sometimes tearing and crushing, mingled with violent darts. At times the bones felt as though they were being broken, or scraped; then the pain lessens, only to begin again. The pain may be superficial or deep seated and quite impartial as to location, attacking anywhere – skin, muscles, bones and nerves often wandering from one part of his body to another. If he moves or is cold, it usually brings on the attacks; yet though motion increases his pains, he frequently changes position.

Mrs. Plumbum broods in melancholy over Mr. Plumbum’s slowness. She wishes he would hurry, for, when he goes out on an errand, it seems as though he would never return. But if poor Mr. Plumbum does exert himself out of doors to hurry all the way home, it hurts his head, and makes his mental and emotional symptoms worse. His head gets hot, while his hands and feet become cold as ice. His face grows as pale as death and the neighbourhood boys call him the walking corpse. He doesn’t dare to go to the theatre, to a political meeting, or to church for a crowd often causes him to faint. That frightens people into thinking that he is dead, until Mr. Ammonium Carb who is usually present, understands and revives him.

Mr. Plumbum has suffered from constipation almost all of his life. It began spasms when he was a child. Then his mother physicked (To dose with medicine especially cathartic or laxative) him and he went from bad to worse. His stools were little hard balls, sometimes ash-gray, but generally black or dark green.

The constipation brings spasms of the rectum, constriction and retraction of the anus and excruciating pain. It is accompanied by an exceedingly painful drawing back from the naval toward the spine, when he isn’t constipated, Mr. Plumbum is likely to have diarrhea, from which he suffers as much as from constipation. His diarrhea is accompanied by violent colic, spasms of his abdominal muscles, long lasting tenesmus and convulsive drawing up of the anus. His stools are involuntary profuse, offensive, watery, bloody and slimy yellow or dark. At the same time he vomits violently.

Mr. Alumina sympathize with Mr. Plumbum in his attacks of constipation for he, too, has the difficult, hard, knotty stool. He, too, has the constriction of the rectum and tenesmus; also the colic. Mrs. Platina also sympathizes with Mr. Plumbum when he has these attacks. She knows just how colic and obstinate constipation feel and considers her shooting pains in the rectum before stool quite as bad as Mr. Plumbum’s painful retraction of the anus. Even the stupid Mrs. Opium sympathizes with Mr. Plumbum in his bowel trouble.

The Plumbum children have terrible convulsions. Unlike most children whose one convulsion causes a commotion, Mr. Plumbum’s children will have four or five paroxysms a day. They utter frightful shrieks, bite their tongues during the paroxysm and sometimes remain unconscious for an hour after the paroxysm is over. Occasionally they moan deeply toward the end of the convulsions. At times the convulsions alternate with pains in the limbs, stomach or bowels. One child’s limbs have been paralyzed since an attack of convulsions. One child, injured at birth, has suffered the effects of too depressed occiput, followed by lock-jaw.

Mrs. Opium is very sorry for the Plumbums. She thinks she understands all about convulsions, for her own children have both tonic and clonic spasms, often caused by fright. During convulsions, which often come during sleep, her children lose consciousness; their pupils become contracted; their breathing is heavy and spasmodic. Their faces and bodies become deadly pale. Sometimes they sob and their throats rattle. The spasms begin with a scream and end in a deep long-lasting sleep. Mrs. Opium is too stupid to see any difference between her own children’s convulsions and those of the Plumbums. If she could see a difference, she wouldn’t admit it.

Mr. Plumbum is emaciated, paralyzed and old before his years as the result of great suffering. His is a history of disease going from bad to worse, and so it will continue as long as he remains in this world.

  

CYCLAMEN By C. L. Olds, M.D.

This Article originally published in: 

THE
MEDICAL ADVANCE
A HOMOEOPATHIC MAGAZINE.
Vol XXXIV CHICAGO, JULY 15, 1895. No. 2

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Materia Medica and Therapeutics

The lectures on Materia Medica by PROF. J. T. KENT, of the POST 
GRADUATE SCHOOL OP HOMOEOPATHICS, have proven of such practical value that they will continue to be a leading feature of this Department. Original
provings and verifications will appear from time to time as they may be secured.
To these will be added other papers of value from prominent
teachers of Materia Medica, making
THE MEDICAL ADVANCE one of the most valuable mediums through which our
Materia Medica may be studied.

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CYCLAMEN*
C. L. OLDS, M. D.

When a patient comes into our office, one of-the first things
that we do is to note his or her actions, to consider the aspect, to
scrutinize closely the external of the patient, knowing that the
external appearance will often give us the clew to the remedy
needed; we can often say, this looks like a Calcarea patient,
this a Sepia, this a Pulsatilla, this a Thuja patient, and so on.
Bat should we prescribe on the actions and aspect of the patient
only, our conclusions would often be unwarranted.
   Imagine before you a patient, a woman with clear complexion
and blue eyes—a blonde. She seems to be absorbed in
thought and weeps while giving her symptoms. You learn
that she is fond of solitude, and often weeps; worse in the
evening; thirstless; aversion to fats, which cause nausea; a few
mouthfuls of food fill her up; she has many menstrual symptoms.
Pulsatilla will probably come into your mind, but
wait! you now learn that she is a cold patient, one that is alwaya
chilly; that whenever she goes out of doors she is made
worse thereby, but is pretty comfortable in the house where it
is warm; and further you learn from a companion that she is
the most cranky and irritable person in the world. This will
in some measure show you the necessity of a careful examination
of the patient, for all the symptoms related are quite characteristic
of Cyclamen. And now as we take up the study of
Cyclamen, you will see that it has many symptoms in common
with Pulsatilla, you will see that it has essentially the same
sphere of action, yet certain of the generals of the two remedies
separate them widely.
   The Cyclamen patient is sluggish in both mind and body;
torpid; there is relaxation of the whole body. She weeps and
wants to sit in the corner and think of the future; this state
may alternate with one of irritability, in fact there seem to be
many symptoms that alternate; weakness and exaltation of the
memory, joy and sadness, good and ill humor, peevishness and
serenity. In the eye double vision that comes and goes,
Strabismus that comes and goes, dilated pupils that come and
go. The appetite is also variable, sometimes there is ravenous
hunger and at others complete loss of appetite. The heat and
the chill symptoms alternate.
   Ill humor seems to predominate. She thinks that she is deserted
and persecuted by everyone, or she may feel that she
has committed a great sin and grieves over it until she cannot
sleep at night. The least trifle makes her angry (Pulsatilla is
hurt by every trifle, almost breaks her heart over it.)
   The vertigo is < in the open air and > in the house.
(Pulsatilla vertigo > in open air). There is a motion in the
brain as from riding in a carriage, a sensation as if the brain
was in motion when leaning the head against anything. There
is dullness of all senses. (Pulsatilla is oversensitive).
The headaches are violent. They usually commence with
an obscuration of the sight and flickering before the eyes; the
brain feels as if bound or enveloped with a cloth. The pains
are chiefly in the left temple. (Pulsatilla headache all over
head). The headaches are < motion, < in the evening and
< in the open air, but > from cold water applied. This relief
from cold water is an exception to the general of the remedy.
The patient is generally > motion, > warmth and > weeping;
and < evening, < open air, < before the menses.

   There is itching on the scalp, great itching which changes
place on scratching, > moving about, < in the evening.
   There are all sorts of sensations before the eyes; flickering,
mist-like appearances, yellow and green colors and obscuration
of sight, nearly all of the provers had sudden vanishing of the
sight, especially with the headaches.
   At the time of the menses, or at any time when there is
uterine trouble, the eye symptoms seem to come out in full
force. It is at that time that you will find the strabismus,
the dilated pupil and the obscuration of vision most prominent.
This remedy furnishes an illustration of the sympathy that
exists between the eyes and the sexual organs.
   The menstrual periods come too early, and the blood is
black and clotted, the flow is too profuse. Before the menses
she is sad, melancholy, full of fears, irritable. When the
flow comes on, the mental state is relieved, she feels better
generally. During the flow you have pains that start in the
back. They go down across the abdomen to the pubes, and
then go down the thighs. These pains are violent, and while
they are present the flow ceases, but on the pains ceasing the
flow starts again. Again, we may find that the menses are
scant, or even suppressed and as a result of this suppression,
the mental symptoms will come on; the sadness, desire to be
alone, melancholy, irritability. The menses are scanty; first
there will be black clots with thin blood, later, simply a scant
watery flow, similar to what we see in Pulsatilla. While she
is moving about, the menses cease, but on sitting down or
lying down they come on again. With these menstrual symptoms,
we will have the eye symptoms that I spoke of, the head
symptoms and stomach symptoms. She is very apt to have
nausea and vomiting during the menses, with a left-sided
headache. The head feels as if it were bound, she feels confused.
The eye symptoms are < in the evening < from going
out of doors. The menstrual conditions are < from the open
air, > from a close room, and although she is > from a close
room, i.e., a warm room, she feels as if the room were too
small, she can hardly bear to sit in the room, it seems so
small, and yet she is averse to going into the open air. Before
the menses there is bloating of the abdomen with great sensitiveness;
after the menses, there is swelling of the breasts,

and perhaps the secretion of milk and a peculiar sensation as
if air were streaming through the nipples. Now, usually if
there are any breast symptoms with the menses, they will be
before the menses, swelling of the breasts before the menses,
> at the coming on of the menses, but with the Cyclamen
patient, this comes on after the menses.
   We might also expect this remedy to be useful in Chlorosis.
No menses for a long time, the patient looks exsanguinated—
as if there were no blood in her. The lips are pale, coldness
of the extremities and of the prominent parts of the body, with
the other general symptoms that I have described.
   There is a great deal of sneezing in this remedy, sneezing
with fluent coryza, and this coryza is >in the open air; there
is another exception to the general conditions, something like
Nux Vomica and Kali Carb. Both these are chilly remedies
and yet their coryza are > in the open air. This remedy
should be remembered when colds come on accompanied by
obscuration of sight.
   All sorts of tastes in the mouth, flat, putrid, fatty, salty,
and like the taste of Pulsatilla—bitter. This salty taste is
not only in the mouth while eating, but at all times. The saliva
tastes salty, the food tastes salty and everything tastes salty.
There is a great deal of saliva; very profuse, always having
this salty taste.
   In the throat there is rawness, scraping, soreness. Nothing
very important.
   Like Pulsatilla, there is indigestion; the digestion is slow,
the food lies in the stomach like a load, it takes a long time to
digest it. There will be passing of gas up and down. If she
has an appetite at all a few mouthfuls seem to satisfy her, she
fills up with a few mouthfuls. (Pulsatilla has this also, as
well as Sulphur and Lycopodium.) After she has taken a few
mouthfuls, there is nausea, nausea that seems to be referred
to the throat. Disgust of food, disgust for anything. She
dislikes even the mention of pork, or of anything fat. She
seems to have a craving for certain indigestible things only.
She wants sardines; she wants sour things. Anything that is
indigestible she may have a craving for, but the ordinary articles
of food, she will dislike. She cannot bear the sight of

bread and butter, cannot bear the sight of the ordinary articles
of food.
   In the abdomen we find this same state of inactivity. There
is a feeling as if a lump were there, as if the food did not digest,
as if it stayed for a long time in the intestine, causing
colic, gripings of various kinds. Sensation beneath the liver
as if there were a great ball there, rather a peculiar sensation;
a feeling in the intestine as if something were alive, as if an
animal were there, creeping and crawling about. This com-
pares with Thuja and Crocus, which have a sensation as if
something were alive in the abdomen. The abdomen becomes
distended, exceedingly sensitive to pressure. With the colic
there comes on a diarrhoea that has little or no odor. The stools
of Cyclamen seem to be almost odorless. The first part of the
stool seems to be crumbly and the next pappy and all shot
out at once. So it is with the urine. He will want to go directly
to urinate and he will worry and tease and suddenly
there will be a flow of dark reddish or yellowish urine. “He
can only urinate while hearing someone whistle”; this is a clinical
symptom I believe. Cutting, stinging, rending pains in
the urethra, with great desire to urinate, with the sudden
gushing out of urine.
   Throughout the extremities there are pains of various kinds,
rending, tearing, lancing, bruising pains, cramp-like pains in
different parts. Sensations as if the bones were dislocated,
and particularly in the fingers do we find cramps like the
cramps that writers have, and clinically it has been found
useful in writer's cramp.
   There are a few chill symptoms. The chill predominates.
With the chill there is great coldness. The chill starts in the
prominent parts of the body, as in the fingers and toes, in the
nose and ears; with this, great aversion to covering up. No
thirst with the chill. After a long chill, then comes the heat
—no thirst then. Following the heat there will be sweat,
sweat which is offensive—rarely any thirst at that time. So
that you see this somewhat competes with Apis, as a thirstless
remedy in chills and fever. (With Pulsatilla there is thirst
during the heat). The chill usually comes on in the evening.
There is a general aggravation in the evening.
   I did not mention the sleep symptoms. She falls asleep

very late. Does not seem to get asleep ever before midnight,
and the sleep is full of vivid dreams, and she rolls and tosses
about. After she has gone through a number of the earlier
hours of the night with this restlessness, she will wake up very
early in the morning and will feel so tired and dragged out,
will seem to be completely exhausted; she does not want to
get up, does not want to do anything.
   There is an aggravation of most of the symptoms by the
use of coffee.
   Another distinction that I want to give you between Pulsatilla
and Cyclamen, is that in Pulsatilla the stomach symptoms
are < in the morning; although Pulsatilla is generally < in
the evening, the stomach symptoms are < in the morning;
with Cyclamen the stomach symptoms are < in the evening,
following the general of the remedy.

* Notes from lecture at Post-Graduate School, reported by S. Mary Ives, M. D.

Homeopathic Therapeutics of Spinal Sclerosis By CLARENCE C. HOWARD

 THE MEDICAL ADVANCE

.. AND ..
Journal of Homeopathics
VOL. XLII. CHICAGO, JANUARY, 1904. No. 1.

Homeopathic Therapeutics of Spinal Sclerosis

CLARENCE C. HOWARD, M. D., NEW YORK

Under the head of Spinal Sclerosis I have included Locomotor
Ataxia, Spastic Paraplegia or Lateral Sclerosis, Ataxic Paraplegia
and Friedruck's Ataxia, diseases characterized by a process of
connective tissue proliferation supplanting the normal or injured
parenchyma, and although differing in their symptoms vary considerably

according to the locality of the injury to the cord from
a therapeutic standpoint they can be grouped under one head. I
believe there is no remedy in our materia medica which might
not be the similar of some of these diseases during their course,
but I have selected only drugs the symptoms of which I have verified,

having found in them a cure, a relief to the distressing symptoms.

When these cases are diagnosed early, my experience has
been that the progress of the disease can be arrested and practically
cured as the healthy or less-affected portion of the cord will perform

the normal functions of the whole.

ALUMINA

The pains of Alumina are sudden, sharp, stabbing, gnawing and
throbbing, coming on at intervals, accompanied by a sensation at
times as if the limbs were being squeezed in a vise; these pains are
felt through the body. Again, there is pain mostly confined to the
lower vertebrae, as if a hot iron were being thrust through the tissues;

stiffness, numbness and insensibility of lower limbs, tearing
in all parts of the lower limbs.
Drawing pains in the knees on ascending stairs : cramp in calves
on crossing legs and on resting toes on ground ; on stepping the
soles of the feet are painful, as if swollen or too soft; there is great
lassitude of both arms and legs; heaviness, the arms and legs feel
heavy like lead: itching, tingling, prickling of the legs.
Pains as if burnt by hot iron are felt in the elbow and fingers.
The toes and fingers become red and swollen, with a tendency
to ulcerate.
   Sensation of constriction along the esophagus when eating; liver
sensitive, with stitching pains; flatulent colic; sharp stitching pains

with dyspnoea; pains ascend to cardiac region; sensation as if abdomen

hung down heavy as lead.
    The symptoms are generally < while sitting and better from
walking; < after dinner and from potatoes, are characteristic.
When acting well, the change of feeling, "better after dinner,''
will be noticed.
    The constipation of Alumina is due to an inactive or paralyzed
state of the rectum; even a soft stool requires much straining.
The stool may be large, hard and dry. Great tenesmus. These
patients will complain of distended abdomens which is loud rumblings

of flatus with emissions of large quantities.
      Dizziness, objects turn in a circle; ptosis, diplopia or strabismus;
unable to walk with the eyes closed, or in the dark; sensation as
if walking on cushions. Formication as if ants were crawling
back of legs. Nates go to sleep when sitting; heels become numb
when walking; sensation on the face as of a cobweb or the white
of an egg had dried upon it; the urine is slow in passing.
The sexual desire is increased at first, later suppressed; at first
frequent nocturnal erections with pollutions.

ARGENTUM NITRICUM

The character of the pains of Argentum Nitricum are tearing,
squeezing, drawing, sticking as if sprained. The digging pains
in the back are < at night and on rising from sitting and > by
walking; there is a sensation at times as if the body were expanding.
There is a general feeling of lassitude in lower limbs, legs
insensible to touch, diminished warmth of legs, sudden contraction
of the knees at night, jerking of toes.
  Formication of arms and legs.
  Convulsive motions of arms and legs, working outward and up-
ward.
  Rigidity of the muscles, especially the calves of the leg.
  Feeling as if a band of iron were around chest or waist.
  Sensation as if splinters were sticking in arms and legs. Vertigo
when attempting to walk with the eyes closed, with a tendency
to fall sidewise, staggering "when walking in the dark. Debility
 of the limbs, they tremble; calves are weary as after a long
journey.
   Legs feel as if made of wood; staggering gait. The hands
tremble. Eyesight worse by candle-light; right pupil dilated;
right pupil contracted, loss of light reflex.
Loss of sexual functions, organs shriveled. Only partial erections
failing on attempting coition. Incontinence of urine. Retention
of urine, urine dribbles.


BELLADONNA

Inco-ordination; weak and tottering gait with trembling in all
the limbs; when walking, the legs are raised high and slowly, and
put down forcibly. The pains are sudden, lightning like, throbbing,
burning, stabbing lasting a longer or shorter period and coming
and going quickly, leaving no pain in the interval except
a soreness. Heaviness of the thighs and legs with stiffness of the
knees. Pains sometimes in the leg as if jammed; a sensation of
crawling in the feet, stiffness and heaviness of hands, rigid fingers,
sharp stitches, pains through hands.
   Pupils contracted or dilated immovable; the eyes and hands are
in a constant spasmodic motion.
   Obstinate constipation, spasmodic contraction of the anus preventing
stool.
    Inability to retain the urine; the urine is frequent and copious
and of a pale straw color. Sensation of a worm twisting and turning
in the bladder. Sexual instinct seems extinguished in his fancy, complete
loss of power.
    The Belladonna patient is chilly and very sensitive to changes
from warm to cold, from draught of air in damp weather, better
from wrapping up warmly and in a room symptoms are < in the
afternoon and after midnight > in the morning.


GELSEMIUM

Has an unsteady gait, staggering on attempting to walk. Difficulty
of walking due to lack of control of the muscles, incoordination
with the loss of voluntary muscular movement; the
limbs are heavy. There are paroxysms of shooting, drawing,
contracting and cramping pains in the legs. Coldness of the legs ;
the feet feel as if they were in cold water; the calves feel bruised;
the thighs are sore to touch. The legs tremble; there are neuralgic
pains with deep-seated aching and numbness. Great lassitude,
listless and languid; tires easily.
    Ptosis, the eyes are almost closed with loss of vision; can't read
or write; unable to recognize any one across the room.
    Constipated from paralysis of the rectum.
    The urine is involuntary with a very frequent desire < from
excitement.
    Sexual power completely exhausted; slightest excitement causes
emission without an erection. Coldness of the genitals.

HYOSCYAMUS

Inability to rise from a chair, walk without assistance or without
the eyes fixed upon the ground; when walking in the open air
with heat and trembling of the whole body; a staggering gait,
weariness and languor; extreme coldness of the lower extremities
both to touch and sensation.
   The extensors of the limbs jerk and twitch so as to advance the
leg and foot; the pains are sharp and mostly in the joints; gangrenous
spots are apt to appear on the buttock and thighs.
   The toes are spasmodically contracted while walking or going
upstairs.
   The hands are painfully numb with tingling and prickling;
swelling of both hands and feet.
   The pupils are contracted with dimness of the sight as from a

gauze before eyes.
   The urine is retained; urgent desire to urinate the discharge of
a feeble dribbling stream, followed by copious micturition with
rumbling in the abdomen involuntary day and night.
   Impotence.

NUX MOSCHATA

The lower limbs are painful and languid, with great uneasiness;
the back feels weak and painful as if broken or bruised from a
blow < on riding in a carriage.

  The muscles of the neck are so weak the head drops forward
on the chest.
   The knees feel weak with pains in them, especially on going
upstairs.
  On the dorsum of the foot there is a pain as if a hard body had
fallen upon it.
   Pains in both legs as if the bones were being smashed to pieces;
feeling in calves as from a blow; cramps in calves before going to
sleep.
   The pains come all over the body, occupying but a small space,
continue but a few moments, but soon return, passing from place
to place; they are digging and pressing, < from cold damp air.
   The feet pain as if bruised from jumping; soles are always wet
from perspiration.
   The odor of the perspiration in the axillae is offensive.
   There are pains of a steady drawing character from fingers to
shoulder with a sensation as of a string tied about the arm.
In the toes and fingers there is a buzzing sensation as if frost
bitten.
   The chest feels as if in a vise.
   The characteristics are drowsiness, chilliness and listlessness,
with dry mouth.
   The bowels are distended with flatus: even soft stools are evacuated
with difficulty, the constipation being from inactivity. All
symptoms are < by emotional excitement.
   The genital organs are relaxed with inclination.
   The eyelids droop and feel heavy and stiff: pupils dilated or
contracted.
   There is an < from cold, damp air and in repose an > from
warmth.

NUX VOMICA

When walking, the legs tremble: unsteady gait, staggering;
drags feet; stiffness and rigidity of muscles and numbness; can
only walk with the aid of a cane or holding on to the wall for
support.
   Exaggeration of all the reflexes (or complete loss of patella) —

tapping the patella reflex the leg is violently extended followed by
alternate contraction; must be firmly held to control the spasm.
   Great reflexed excitability, chilliness of backs of limbs in morning
with pain as if from freezing cold.
   Drawing, tearing pains, mostly from below upward < from
light touch > from heat and firm pressure, beaten and bruised
sensation < during motion and at night.
   Great weariness after being in open air. Inclined to boils .and
sores on nates; sharp pain as from an electric shock; shooting,
jerking, tearing and drawing pains on posterior part of thighs.
Crawling feeling over affected parts with sensation of heat; the
arms and hands go to sleep, having a numb and stiff feeling <
in dry, generally > in wet weather, < from cold air and being
in open air, < of all symptoms from external impressions.
    Incontinence of urine, nocturnal enuresis, constant dribbling
with an overloaded bladder; great tenesmus with great burning
and tearing pain. Constant desire for stool and urine, great
straining.
    Ineffectual urging to stool, or passing but small quantities of
feces at an attempt; stools in large hard masses, frequently blood
streaked; after stool exhaustion with trembling, especially of the
hands < of symptoms during and after stool.
    Sexual desire on slightest provocation at first, soon followed by
complete loss of sexual functions.
    < in moving, after waking, after mental exertion.

PHOSPHORUS

The lower limbs are heavy with great weakness, especially on
ascending steps; complete insensibility of lower extremities and
body as far up as the chest. The gait is unsteady and stumbling;
lowering temperature of the parts; formication from back to legs.
Drawing, tearing pains from exposure to cold.
    Excessively troubled with mghtly attacks of fidgets in the legs
and hips preventing sleep; must get up and move about; knees feel
weak and stiff, very much swollen (a charcot joint) legs heavy
and weary. Feet icy cold. Pains in soles as if bruised after a
long walk as if feet were asleep. Inclined to have blisters and
sores on the feet, especially heels. Drawing pains in back of leg.

     Heaviness of both hands and feet; the hands feel numb and
clumsy and burn; the arms are weak; can hardly move them, they
tremble and become numb.
     Drawing, tearing pains in joints of elbow, hands and fingers at
night; hands fall asleep; fingers are all thumbs; numbness and
insensibility, crawling, burning of hands, icy cold palms, clammy.
Hot burning spots on spine, burning along spine; intense heat

running up back, feeling as if a band were all around body. Speech
embarrassed.
     Pupils contracted.
    At first excessive sexual desire accompanied with lascivious
thoughts followed by complete loss of functions.
    The hunger of Phosphorus is very marked, right after or soon
after a meal, must eat again; almost faints without food.
    Constipated stools, long narrow, voided with difficulty.

PICRIC ACID

Profound prostration, both physical and mental; any attempt
to study or work brings on exhaustion and burning along the
spine, with great weakness of the legs, and increases the pains in
the limbs. The lower extremities are weak and heavy and
tremble; can only be lifted with difficulty; numbness and crawling
with trembling and prickling with a sensation as if encircled
in elastic stockings, or a band around the chest as of ants crawling
over surface.
    Weakness of the fingers, inability to grasp objects unless eyes
are fixed upon them; rigidity and spasticity of fingers.
    Over excitement of the sexual organs; great sexual desire with
violent long lasting erections, later impotence, penis relaxed and
shrunken, coldness of-the genitals, wet weather <, the pains >
from cold air and water; chilliness predominates.

RHUS TOXICODENDRON

The pains are of a lame, stiff, sore and bruised aching character
as if the parts had been strained < by rest, sitting or lying for any
length of time brings on the aching and pain; when first attempting

to move there is an < but continued motion > which soon
produces exhaustion necessitating resting again only to have a
repetition of the suffering.
    Worse always in damp weather, especially when cold and damp
in the morning on first arising and from prolonged bodily effort:
great restlessness is a very marked feature of the remedy due to
the pains on resting.
    Weariness and exhaustion from any physical effort. There are
drawing, darting, cutting, tearing pains as well as the lameness.
    There is ptosis as well as paralysis of the muscles of eyeballs
with a tendency to edematous swelling of the upper lids.
    Urine involuntary at night during damp cold weather.

SULPHUR

The pains of Sulphur are generally made worse by heat and at
night and extend from above downward; they are of an aching,
drawing, tearing, burning character which forces the patient out
of bed to find a cool place; the soles of the feet burn so that
they keep the sufferer awake hunting about for a cool place. The
limbs are heavy and weak when walking. Cramps take place in
the calves at night, drawing up the limbs ; tingling in limbs; sen-
sation in the middle of the thigh as if broken. Torpor and numb-
ness of the legs, pains commence in thighs, extend down the leg,
causing contraction. Sensation of icy coldness of the feet which
are not cold. The soles are cold and damp. The gait is unsteady,
the limbs tremble; there is great weariness and prostration. The
legs go to sleep, especially when lying down.
    The perspiration in the axillae smells like garlic. The hands
tremble, the fingers feel dead in the morning; the palms burn.
Jerking in the arm and fingers, sharp pains, cramps in the arms at
night: the hands feel weak as if paralyzed. Involuntary con-
traction of the hands when about to grasp anything; dead feel of
the fingers. (Excessively sensitive to open air and washing.)
     Eyes: Impaired vision, unable to recognize any one on the
street; letters run together when attempting to read as if looking
through a thick veil or fog and has a dead look; complains of
heaviness of eyelids ; eyes burn ; pupils contracted.

Constipated stool, hard, knotty and dry as if burnt.
     Urine involuntary, especially at night, exe0rating parts.
     Irritability of the bladder; must hurry to urinate day and night.
     Sexual functions entirely lost; organs cold; testicles relaxed;
soreness and moisture with offensive sweat on genitals.

A Cure Made by Picric Acid
J. T. KENT, M. D., CHICAGO

The patient is a woman passing through the climacteric period.
Burning heat in the back, coming in paroxysms like flushes,
brought on or made worse by mental exertion or excitement.
Cold extremities.
Face cold and pale.
Heat in the head.
Violent occipital headache.
Heaviness of the limbs, especially the lower limbs.
Picric acid 10M (F. C.) produced a marvelous constitutional
improvement in the case.

ECHINACEA ANGUSTIFOLIA IN BLOOD POISONING

Following article published in THE MEDICAL ADVANCE AND  Journal of Homeopathics VOL XLII CHICAGO, JANUARY, 1904. No. 1

Proceedings of the Central New York Homeopathic
Medical Society

ROCHESTER CLUB.

ROCHESTER, N. Y., June 11, 1903.

Dr. A. C. Hermance read the following paper In the quarterly meeting of the Central New York Homeopathic Medical Society

ECHINACEA ANGUSTIFOLIA IN BLOOD POISONING :

My knowledge and use of this drug is of necessity empirical. However, from reports read of its action and my own clinical experience, I am inclined to think it destined to take a prominent place in our materia medica. Particularly will it be indicated in diseases arising from a depraved state of the blood; in poisoned
wounds, stings and bites of poisonous animals or reptiles; in erysipelatous conditions, septic infections and blood poisoning generally.

From my limited source of information I can only say that this remedy is obtained from an American plant indigenous to our Western prairies, the common name of which I do not know. However, my purpose in this paper is not to discuss the botanic characteristics of this remedy, but in a few clinical cases to relate its action and the general results obtained by its administration.

CASE I.— Mr. C., aged sixty-five years, a paper box maker by occupation, while working with some colored paper, cut his right thumb slightly on edge of the paper. The injury caused him little inconvenience until next day, when the finger began swelling rapidly, accompanied by intense lancinating pain, and much discoloration, purple in character. The day following I was called and found the following conditions:

Finger greatly swollen, dark blue or purple in color.
Lancinating, burning pain, running up the arm arterially.
Veins distended and swollen; arteries like red streaks running up arm, and very painful to touch.

Axillary gland swollen and very painful.
General muscular soreness, "seems as if pounded."
Vertigo with deathly sick feeling all over.
Trembling of lower limbs, cannot walk.
Dull, stupefying headache, with sense of weight on vertex.
General and extreme prostration.
Face drawn, haggard, deathly pallor, cold moisture on forehead.
Nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea with frequent, offensive stools.
Throat swollen, fauces dark and purplish in color, with ulcerated patches.

Inability to swallow. Raises bloody mucus when coughing.
Tongue swollen, bluish color, very sore to touch.
Temp. 103° F. Pulse 100.

Lach. 200, in solution, was given every two hours. This was at 9 A. M.; at 8 P. M. there was no improvement. Hand and arm swelling rapidly; profuse watery diarrhea; stool every hour, very offensive; cannot retain nourishment. Flaxseed fomentations ordered applied to hand every half hour. Lach. continued, 11 P.M. condition was unchanged.  Ars. CM, one dose.

9 A. M. next morning. Patient had a very bad night. Heart action is now irregular. Hand and arm terribly swollen. Diarrhea, pain and prostration marked. Slight delirium. Temp.103 2-5°. Pulse 110.  Echinacea, Q twenty drops in half a glass of water, a teaspoonful every hour. Dressing, same remedy, I dr.to pint warm water.

4: 30 P. M. Diarrhea lessened. Hot milk retained, other symptoms unchanged. Echinacea continued.


9 A. M. Following morning. Pulse regular, Temp. 101° much less pain, purplish color fading. Had two hours sleep during night, nourishment retained. Echinacea continued.


4: 30 P. M. Continued improvement; tongue moist and better color; throat clean and swelling reduced.


9 A. M. Third day. Patient rested well, temperature and pulse normal, Diarrhea ceased, swelling gradually subsiding, purplish color not so marked, pain much better. Echinacea continued.
The patient continued to improve daily. In one week from the time he went under treatment the glandular involvement had disappeared. The hand and arm had assumed a healthful color, pain and swelling almost entirely disappeared. Taking regular nourishment, and gaining strength rapidly. In ten days he was practically well, with the exception of some muscular soreness.

CASE II— Mrs. C, aged twenty-two years, while breaking up some boxes, accidentally ran a rusty nail in the palm of her hand.
The next day after the accident, she presented the following conditions:
Hand much swollen.
Purplish areola around wound.
Red streaks running up forearm, muscular soreness, continued burning pain shooting up arm, swelling in axillary gland, severe frontal headache; nausea and vomiting. Tempt 102°, Pulse 101.

Echinacea 1X in solution every hour.
In twenty-four hours there was marked improvement, the 3x was then given every three hours for two days, with continued and rapid improvement. In five days patient was discharged cured.

CASE III— Mr. M., aged fifty years, scratched his leg just above the knee with a rusty nail while packing some furniture. This was followed next day with swelling, burning, lancinating pains through wound, nausea, vomiting and offensive diarrhea, frontal
headache, rise of temperature, purplish areola around wound, general prostration, marked thirst. Arsenicum was given in different potencies without results. This was followed by Lachesis without improvement. The wound began sloughing badly, pains so severe patient could not rest day or night. A marked symptom

in this case was sensitiveness to touch of the affected part, he being unable to bear the least pressure. Echinacea Q twenty drops in half a glass of water, a teaspoonful every hour was given and a dressing of the same applied externally. The result being immediate

improvement and complete recovery in two weeks.
The special sphere of action of this drug seems to be upon the fluids of the body. It might be termed an internal antiseptic. We have records of it as greatly relieving the pains of carcinoma, and in malignant carbuncles its action has been quick and curative:
also in septic diarrheas, and septic peritonitis from retained placenta, we have clinical evidence of its great efficacy.

Among the drugs whose pathogenesis correspond more closely to the symptoms exhibited in these cases are perhaps: Arsenicum, Arnica, Crotalis, Pyrogen and Lachesis. The latter remedy, as I have stated, was given by me with the result here given; also
the Arsenicum.

Under Lachesis, we have the swollen, purplish, ulcerated throat, the marked systemic weakness, with offensive diarrhea, the burning lancinating pains, and purplish areola at seat of injury. Affected parts are bluish in color. Carbuncles with purplish surroundings,

gangrenous ulceration with purplish areolae.

Crotalus Hor: With its purplish erysipelatous inflammations. Stings of insects turning blue, felons and abscesses when parts are bluish, septic poisoning, purpura hemorrhagica, etc.

Arsenicum: With its burning pain, malignant pustules with livid areola, septic diarrhea and glandular affections.

Arnica: With its muscular soreness, ecchymosed spots, and septic states generally. Whether or not I should have accomplished thesame results with one or the other of these remedies I do not know, but my desire to prove the efficacy of Echinacea, led to its
exhibition with the results here recorded. I would suggest, when, in these cases of septic origin, our well-selected remedies fail, that we do not forget Echinacea Augustifolia.

DR. ALEXANDER C. HERMANCE.

[Anthracinum and Pyrogen may also be compared in carbuncles, malignant pustules, septic poisoning, etc., with purple or bluish areola and intense burning pain.—ED.]

Dr. Hermance's paper was presented for discussion.
Dr. Rowland' thought the case suggested Natrum sulph.
Dr. Graham was inclined to believe that one of several remedies might have cured the case.
Dr. Leggett thought that from the standpoint of a treatment of the disease, the last assertion might be true, but from the standpoint of the individual expression of the sickness, the one remedy only had power to complete the cure; else, why so many partial
cures ?
Dr. Graham had used Echinacea in wounds and injuries, with success, when indicated by the symptoms.
Dr. Hermance related a case of blood poisoning following the extraction of a tooth with a local anesthetic, that had exhibited, the color, sensitiveness, etc., and yielded quickly to the prescription

of Echinacea.
Dr. Leggett asked if the extreme sensitiveness was a strong indication. Dr. Hermance said, "Yes."
Dr. Graham recommended the remedy in puerperal sepsis.

होम्योपैथी : परिचय एवं तथ्य

1. होम्योपैथी की खोज जर्मन चिकित्सक डा सेमुअल हैनिमैन ने 1796 में की. होम्योपैथी मूलतः इस सिद्धांत पर आधारित है कि दवायें मानव शरीर में जो लक्षण पैदा करती हैं, उन्ही लक्षणों को ठीक करने की क्षमता भी रखती हैं.

2.होम्योपैथिक दवाएँ पेड़, पौधों, जीवों, रासायनिक पदार्थों, विभिन्न विषों, विभिन्न प्राकर्तिक उत्सर्जनों एवं रोग उत्पादों से निर्मित होती हैं. वह प्रत्येक पदार्थ जो मनुष्य शरीर में रोग पैदा करने की क्षमता रखता है, वह दवा के रूप में भी कार्य कर सकता है.

3. भारत में होम्योपैथिक दवाओं का बाज़ार, इस वर्ष 30% बढ़कर, 4,600 करोड़ रूपये सालाना हो जाने कि संभावना है. विश्व में इस वर्ष होम्योपैथी दवाओं की बिक्री बढ़कर 26,300 करोड़ रूपये होने की संभावना है. (Report by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry  Of India- ASSOCHAM)

       एक अनुमान के अनुसार 2009-10 में भारत में 10 -12 करोड़ मरीजों ने होम्योपैथिक चिकित्सा का उपयोग किया, अगले 2 – 3 वर्षों में ये संख्या बढ़कर 16 करोड़ होने का अनुमान है.

       वर्तमान में भारत में 5 लाख रजिस्टर्ड होम्योपैथिक चिकित्सक हैं प्रतिवर्ष 20,000 नए होम्योपैथिक चिकित्सक, चिकित्सा क्षेत्र में जुड़ रहे हैं.

4. होम्योपैथिक दवाओं के प्रयोग सर्वप्रथम स्वस्थ मनुष्यों पर किये जाते हैं एवं उन दवाओं द्वारा उत्पन्न सभी लक्षणों को होम्योपैथिक मेटेरिया मेडिका में व्यवस्थित तरीके से नोट कर लिए जाता है, बाद में किसी भी रोगी के निरीक्षण के बाद उस दवा का प्रयोग किया जाता है जो उसके लक्षणों से सर्वाधिक मेल खाती है.

5. होम्योपैथी अन्य चिकित्सा विज्ञानों से, रोग एवं रोगी के प्रति अपने द्रष्टिकोण को लेकर पूर्णतया भिन्न है. जहां अन्य चिकित्सा पद्दतियां प्रत्येक रोग को ए़क प्रथक इकाई के रूप में मान्यता देती हैं वहीं होम्योपैथी रोग एवं रोगी दोनों को ए़क सम्मिलित्त इकाई के रूप में देखती है, एक उदाहरण से इसे समझना ज्यादा आसान होगा - 

   मान लीजिए एक रोगी सिरदर्द से पीड़ित है, होम्योपैथी में सिर्फ सिरदर्द के लिए 1150 से भी अधिक दवायें हैं, परन्तु सिर्फ वही दवा रोगी के लिए उपयुक्त होगी जो उसके व्यक्तिगत लक्षणों से पूर्णतया मेल खायेगी. हमें रोग के अन्य तथ्य भी देखने होंगे. रोगी को धूप में जाने पर सिर दर्द शुरू हो जाता है, अब दवायों की संख्या 74 रह जायेगी, मान लीजिए इसी रोगी को सिर दर्द के साथ ही जी मिचलाने लगता है अब दवाएँ सीमित हो कर 36 रह जायेंगी, अब यदि यही रोगी नमक एवं नमकीन चीजें बहुत अधिक खाता है तो दवाओं की संख्या और घटकर मात्र 11 रह जायेगी. इस रोगी के मानसिक एवं भावनात्मक लक्षणों को भी शामिल कर लिया जाये, जैसे यह रोगी टोकने या किसी काम के लिए मना करने पर क्रोधित हो जाता है, तो अब इस रोगी के लिए दवाओं की संख्या घटकर सिर्फ 4 रह जाती है, यदि यह रोगी सवालों के जबाव बहुत ही धीरे धीरे देता हो, उसे जबाव देने के लिए बहुत सोचना पड़ता हो और उसकी इस परिस्थिति का कारण देर रात तक काम करने की उसकी दिनचर्या हो तो आखिर में उसके लिए सिर्फ 1 ही दवा काकुलस इण्डिकस का चुनाव होगा...

इस केस से सम्बन्धित लक्षण देखें -

HEAD – PAIN (1150 Medicine)

HEAD - PAIN - sun, from exposure to

HEAD - PAIN - accompanied by - nausea

GENERALS - FOOD and DRINKS - salt - desire

MIND - ANGER - contradiction; from

MIND - ANSWERING - slowly

HEAD - PAIN - sleep - loss of; from

Cooculus Indicus

   इस उदाहरण से यह समझना बहुत आसान है कि होम्योपैथी, सिर्फ रोग ही नहीं बल्कि रोगी के अन्य सभी कारकों, तथ्यों, दिनचर्या, मानसिक व भावनात्मक झुकाव एवं खाने-पीने की आदतों तक को एक ही इकाई के रूप में सम्मिलित करती है.

6. मनुष्य का शरीर खरबों कोशिकाओं, ऊतकों, अंगों एवं तंत्रों से मिल कर बना है, और यह सभी भाग ए़क दूसरे से पूर्णतया भिन्न होते हुए भी आपसी तालमेल एवं ए़क इकाई के रूप में कार्य करते हैं. किसी भी ए़क अंग, ऊतक या तंत्र में आने वाली खराबी शरीर के अन्य अंगों, तंत्रों एवं कोशिकायों को भी प्रभावित करती है. होम्योपैथी इस सिद्धांत को बहुत ही गंभीरता से रोगी के इलाज में काम में लेती है.

7. होम्योपैथ के लिए आवश्यक है कि वह प्रत्येक रोगी के केस की जानकारियाँ बहुत ही विस्तार से एकत्रित करे.

       रोगी मुख्य तौर पर अपनी सबसे मुख्य शिकायत ही लेकर आता है, लेकिन उसके लक्षणों को आराम देने वाली एवं बढा देने वाली सभी परिस्थितियां बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण होती हैं. जैसे सिरदर्द, धूप में जाने पर बढ़ जाना या सिर दबाने या चुन्नी कस कर बाँधने पर आराम मिलना.

       इसी प्रकार मुख्य लक्षणों के साथ होने वाले अन्य लक्षण भी बहुत महत्वपूर्ण होते हैं. जैसे सिरदर्द के साथ चक्कर आना या सिरदर्द के साथ पेट में जलन होना या सिरदर्द के साथ धुंधला दिखाई देना.

       इसी प्रकार मुख्य लक्षणों का किसी समय, मौसम या ऋतू के साथ जुड़ा होना भी बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण होता है, जैसे सिरदर्द रोज सुबह शुरू होना या रोज शाम को कपड़े बदलते समय खुजली शुरू होना या आधी रात के बाद साँस लेने में दिक्कत होना आदि. कुछ परेशानियाँ मौसम एवं ऋतू से सम्बन्धित होती हैं जैसे हर बार मौसम बदलने पर खाँसी होना या बारिश के मौसम में जोड़ों में दर्द होना.

       रोगी के लक्षणों से सम्बन्धित भावनात्मक, मानसिक लक्षण भी सही दवा के चुनाव में बहुत महत्त्व रखते हैं. एक बच्चा जो बुखार से पीड़ित होने पर लगातार बोलता है या एसिडिटी से वर्षों से पीड़ित रोगी, जो पहले बहुत ही गुस्सैल स्वभाव का था, अब बिलकुल शांत और सज्जनता से पेश आता है, यह मानसिक बदलाव एक होम्योपैथ के लिए सही दवा का चुनाव करने में बहुत महत्वपूर्ण हैं.

       इसी प्रकार एक्जिमा से पीड़ित महिला जो अपने रोग के बारे में बात करते करते रोने लगती है, उसकी रो पड़ने की यह भावनात्मक घटना दवा के सही चुनाव में महत्वपूर्ण हो सकती है.

       इसी प्रकार खाने पीने की आदतें भी बहुत महत्वपूर्ण कारक हैं. खाने के स्वाद की पसंदगी, किसी खास चीज़ को खाने पर होने वाले लक्षण, किसी प्रकार के भोजन से आराम मिलने की स्थिति भी अन्य लक्षणों की तरह बहुत निर्णायक साबित हो सकती है.   

8. होम्योपैथी में ए़क ही दवा विभिन्न रोगों में समान रूप से काम में आ सकती है एवं दूसरी और एक ही रोग से पीड़ित रोगियों को अलग अलग होम्योपैथिक दवाओं की ज़रूरत पड़ सकती है. इसे इस प्रकार समझें कि बेलाडोना नाम की होम्योपैथिक दवा बुखार में भी काम आती है एवं दूसरी तरफ गुर्दे की पथरी के पेशाब की नली (Ureter) में फंसने पर पेट में होने वाले भयंकर दर्द में भी काम आती है, इस प्रकार एक ही होम्योपैथिक दवा शरीर के भिन्न भिन्न अंगों एवं  ऊतकों को प्रभावित करने की क्षमता रखती है.

     इसी प्रकार मौसम के बदलाव के समय पर होने वाले वायरल फीवर के चार रोगियों को चार अलग अलग दवाओं की जरूरत हो सकती है, एक ही परिवार में खांसी से पीड़ित दो बच्चे जरूरी नहीं कि ए़क ही दवा से ठीक हों, उनके लक्षणों में भिन्नता होने से वे अलग अलग दवाओं से ही ठीक हो सकतें हैं.

9. बहुत बार रोगी ए़क से अधिक रोगों से पीड़ित होते हैं. वे किसी ए़क रोग का ईलाज एलोपैथी या अन्य किसी विधि से करवा रहे होते हैं और उनका रोग पूरी तरह नियंत्रण में भी होता है, परन्तु वे अपनी किसी दूसरी समस्या के लिए होम्योपैथ के पास आते हैं, और अपने पहले वाले रोग और उसके चल रहे ईलाज के बारे में बताना ज़रुरी नहीं समझते और ज़रुरी नहीं कि होम्योपैथ भी आपसे आपके उस रोग के बारे में पूछ पाये, लेकिन मरीज को चाहिए कि वो अपने सभी वर्तमान में चल रही तकलीफों के बारे में विस्तार से बताये अन्यथा बहुत सम्भावना है कि आपको सही दवा देने से होम्योपैथ चूक जाये.

    होम्योपैथी में, सभी रोग, चाहे वे कितने भी अलग अलग अंगों और तंत्रों के हों, मूलतः रोगी के प्रतिरोधक तंत्र को प्रभावित करते हैं, और होम्योपैथिक दवायें प्रतिरोधक तंत्र को प्राक्रतिक रूप से सशक्त बना कर ही रोगी को ठीक करती हैं. होम्योपैथिक दवाईयाँ शरीर की रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता को प्राक्रतिक रूप से बढाती हैं जिससे शरीर स्वयं बीमारियों से मुक्त होने में सक्षम हो जाता है

हमारी चिकित्सक टीम से परामर्श लेने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें.