CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS -Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy: By Dr. Th. Rueckert Case 5

This Article was published in "THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY VOL 23".

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy

By Dr. Th. Rueckert

 Case V —Although the following case is not so instructive as a published case ought to be, still I cannot resist relating it, as it shows how a simple remedy is often at hand when least expected. 

On the 8th December, 1861, Mrs. Wiindrig, of R—, brought her boy, aet. 13, from the country to me. Since his sixth year, after a fright he had got, he had suffered from epileptic fits, which occurred regularly every afternoon at 5 o'clock; in winter, however, about Christmas time, they came as often as three or four times a day, but in summer they became rarer. The mother's powers of observation were so feeble that I could not elicit from her any peculiarities of the fits, except that they often lasted a long time before the boy regained consciousness. He was small for his age, backward, and his look showed a want of development in the intellect. All his corporeal functions were in order. 

In the absence of decided indications for a remedy, and in hopes of getting some after wards by following my instructions, I gave Sulph. 30, three doses, one to be given every third night. 

My trouble however was in vain, for I never again saw the mother, only the boy himself reported on the 23rd December that he had had a fit every day; on the 7th January, 1862, that he had no longer a fit every day; on the 29th January, the 16th February, the 2nd March, the 17th March, and the 26th May that he had no fits, and could attend school without interruption. 

At length in August, 1863, the mother sent other patients to me with a message that her boy had continued quite well, was grown strong, and had gone into service with a farmer. That was cito etjucunde!

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS -Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy: By Dr. Th. Rueckert Case 4

This Article was published in "THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY VOL 23".

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy
By Dr. Th. Rueckert

Case IV —F— basket-maker in R -, aet. 30, dark complexion, short, had formerly always good health, except that he often suffered from heartburn; in his youth he had practiced onanism for some years. In 1849 he was affected with condylomatous gonorrhoea, and treated with copaiva and mercury, after which his stomach remained weak, and he often complained of stomach-ache. 

Two years ago be became affected with epileptic fits, generally at 4 a.m., also several times during the day. He was treated by several homoeopathic practitioners without effect. He then had recourse to a non-medical friend acquainted with homoeopathy, who gave me the following account:—

" F. got from me Calc. 30, once a week, and after waiting eight weeks, a few doses of Sulph. 30. After Calc. the fits ceased for three months, and after Sulph. they again reappeared more frequently. After six weeks Calc. was again given, which was followed by other three months of exemption."

He has now had again several attacks, the last a fortnight ago, when he observed at first a whirling feeling in the head. On this account he wanted to go out into the open air, but he fell down in convulsions. During the fit there is foam at his mouth, and the thumbs are turned inwards. After the fit great weariness and sleep. If when the fit is on there is acid vomiting, the fit soon terminates. The last attack differed from the former ones in this, that when complete unconsciousness came on, the patient sang, whistled, and laughed, but suddenly was unable to speak; with great anxiety. The patient moreover asserts that after every meal he has stomachache and heartburn; is very weak after coitus, with cold hands and feet. In the morning he was often short of breath, he had to press his sides with his hands, and take deep inspirations. From a strong smell of tar, with which he has much to do, he feels uneasiness and nausea. 

Prescription. The 11th September, 1862, he got, in consideration of the sycosis for which he had already taken many remedies in vain, Thuja 30 in 3 tablespoonfuls of water, twice a day.

24th September.—He has had no more fits, but an eruption of pimples has several times appeared on the glans, and a secretion of purulent matter, or red moist places, behind the glans, and occasionally traces of condylomata, particularly after coitus, which, however, soon disappeared.

In January, 1863, he had for several days a peculiar symptom, as if fire came out of his right eye, and then as if something black was thrown past the eye, whereby he felt as if he should lose consciousness. Heartburn, stomach-ache, and great weariness of the limbs were permanent symptoms at that time. 

Now, August 1863, he has been a whole year without a fit, and feels quite well.

Postscript in July, 1864.—On the 30th November, 1863, his wife wrote to me that he went from home on the 28th, and deranged his stomach with very rich and highly seasoned food, and on his way back was exposed to much tobacco smoke, which, as he was no smoker, he could never bear; that he came home with the right eye somewhat inflamed; that on the 29th he had eaten fat pork for dinner, that then he had attended a meeting where there were many people, much smoking, and many gas-lights, which were highly disagreeable to him; that after this he returned home heated about 6 p.m., went to bed about 7, soon fell asleep, snored loudly, and about 9 had a convulsive attack, of which he knew nothing on awaking, and went about his usual work the following morning. I therefore sent Silic. 100 in solution, to be taken for 3 days. Since then he has remained quite well, and doubtless he would not have had the last attack had he not taken too many liberties. He is now under my care for a chancre, but is otherwise well.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS -Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy: By Dr. Th. Rueckert Case 3

This case was published in "THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY VOL 23".

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy
By Dr. Th. Rueckert

Case III —Miss P— aet. 25, strong, full-blooded, short, healthy-looking, has, as she says, always enjoyed good health up to three years ago, when, after a distressing dream, as she alleges, she had an attack of rigor, followed by fits of alternate laughing and weeping. These attacks have since been periodical; only latterly the weeping has given place entirely to laughing. They are worst just before menstruation, which is regular every four weeks, but sometimes more, sometimes less copious. It is generally preceded by more or less severe cutting in the abdomen. In winter when she is occupied with weaving, the attacks come on more frequently; in summer when she is engaged in field work they are seldom. Her legs are heavy as lead, and when sitting, she often observes a jerking in them. Before the attack comes, they become cold up to the knee, as if she had them in cold water. Then comes a creeping through all the limbs, and the involuntary laughter commences. At the same time she has flushes of heat and headache, the character of which is shooting and throbbing, in a small spot on the top of the head. The digestion was in good order.

Prescription on the 3rd of March, 1863, Sulph. 30, three doses to be taken every other night.

10th March.—After the second dose she had a fit, but it was slighter than usual, but accompanied by redness of face, and the above-described headache. She complains of great weariness in the limbs. Prescribed Sacch. lact. 

27th April.—No further attack; she feels quite well, the limbs quite light.

18th February, 1864.—Her health not in the least deranged, in spite of having had to sit so long in the room during the winter.