Epilepsy of Long Standing By Dr. H. Gouixon

This Case Orginally published in "Allg. Hom. Ztg,, vol. Lxix.
Vol. xxm, No. xci.—January, 1865" and same year published in "THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOMEOPATHY VOL 23"

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August E—, of T—, aet. 28, at present of stout appearance and well-formed; when one looks at the shape of his skull he gives the idea of a good-natured man of limited intellect. When he was ten years old he had, one day in school, without appreciable cause, a violent epileptic attack. He lost consciousness completely, and nearly twenty-four hours elapsed ere he recovered from the paroxysm. At that time he was of quite a different character of body from what he is now. In fact, his acquaintances described him as a wretched, withered-looking little fellow. He was put apprentice to a tailor for some years, and afterward became servant to a landed proprietor. Suddenly, about fourteen years after the first single attack, he had again a violent outbreak of epilepsy. Curiously enough the fits now came on periodically, one occurring every Saturday, or at latest Sunday. The fits seldom kept off for a fortnight. On the 15th April, 1864, he sought my advice. He had a curious appearance. His face covered with small and large, old and fresh scars, like that of a warrior, all reminiscences of fits of epilepsy he had had, these fits taking him so suddenly that he fell to the ground as if struck down. On this account he had been obliged to give up his place as servant long since. His tongue presents not only several scars from wounds inflicted by biting, but the anterior third is, in fact, only connected with the remainder of the tongue at one side, whilst the middle of this third is still further removed from the rest of the tongue by a complete fissure. The patient asserts that he has an attack now once a week. Previous to the fit he experiences peculiar jerks in the body, and hears distinct voices, saying in rapid succession,  "Ja, ja, ja, ja," or else he has roaring noises in the head. The premonitory symptom, known as "aura epileptica," is absent. Although, in general, as is often the case, the fit is followed by great prostration and sleep; still, occasionally, he is cheerful, and quite himself immediately after the fit. The fits are not connected with any particular time of the day. Sometimes they come on in bed in the morning, sometimes while he is at work, fetching water, &c. The complexion intimates fullness of blood and congestion. The conjunctiva are very red. Speech is difficult for him (perhaps partly owing to the split tongue); he betrays a certain amount of laziness, and a constant smile gives him the appearance of a great amount of good humour or commencing moria. He confesses that in former years he used to masturbate excessively, and this circumstance I regard as of much more importance in an anamnestic point of view, since other possible causes, such as hereditary tendency, wounds, mental affection, excesses of other kinds, &c., are wanting.

In consideration of the present physical and psychical state, of the existing plethora, the attacks of giddiness depending thereon, the illusions of hearing, which amount to actual hallucinations, the difficulty of speaking and thinking, I considered Causticum to be the most appropriate remedy. I moistened sugar of milk with three drops of the 3rd dilution and divided it into eight powders, one to be taken every night at bed-time.

A fortnight afterwards the patient reported, with visible joy, that a fit had occurred, but that it was much milder than usual. I did not attach much importance to this. After the continued use of this remedy (waiting always a week without medicine) the attacks became not only always milder, so that the fourth and fifth (since commencing the medicine) consisted only of a transient "jerk" and at length they went off completely. Whereas, formerly, an attack occurred every eight days, the patient has now been a quarter of a year without one, a result certainly deserving of notice.

That there cannot be here a question of a cure by nature is very evident. There may be many self-deceptions among the records of homoeopathic cases, many pneumonias, many acute catarrhs of the stomach, cured in an equally short time without Aconite and Pulsatilla, but all the more striking are cases like the above, of which it would be absurd to allege, after the epileptic fits had occurred regularly every week for six years, that left to themselves they should rapidly decline in intensity from the 15th April, 1864, and after about five weeks quite disappear. It is not requisite to be an adherent of the post hoc ergo propter hoc, still where the facts are so, then the favorable issue of the disease must be solely ascribed to the remedy employed. In similar cases Causticum has already been useful. Perhaps in course of time we may be able to determine with precision, the whole series of epilepsies for which Causticum may be universally acknowledged and employed as the specific.

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.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS -Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy: By Dr. Th. Rueckert Case 2

 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 II.—A tailor, aet. 40, tall, of strongly marked phlegmatic temperament, hitherto always healthy, had about Christmas suffered from erysipelas of the head, which was improperly treated, and left behind it the following horrible symptoms, from which he had been suffering for six weeks, all the time treated with the greatest care by an allopath; but all in vain, so that the patient dismissed his doctor.

The morbid picture we observed on the 25th February, 1863, was the following:—I went to see the patient, who lived at some distance, and found him in a small, narrow room, in which he could scarcely turn, lying naked in a miserable bed, emaciated to the last degree; the countenance expressive of pain and despair; the head, arms, and legs in constant movement; the hands constantly wringing, and he constantly groaning and crying, " Oh my God ! what will become of me" He then, with a loud distinct voice, repeated the Lord's prayer, some verses of hymns, and the introductory prayer to the communion. In this state he passed day and night, he had no sleep, indeed his uneasiness grew worse at night, he wanted to get out, in fact he leaped out of bed several times, and required people to watch him. When I spoke to him he recognized me, and reached out to me; he answered all questions properly, and begged me to relieve him of his painful anxiety. When I took hold of his hand to feel his pulse and observe the play of the tendons, he drew it hastily away from me, because his anxiety increased when he was held. He had little appetite, and had to be fed, because he could not hold the spoon, and carry it to his mouth. His bowels were rather costive, urine normal. 

Prescription. Cupr. 6 in solution, for twenty-four hours. I did not see the patient again for several months, but received reports from the parish officer, under whose care I had left him.

1st March.—He has been better and worse, at night he has always most restlessness, but the movements of the limbs are not so violent, there is less anxiety, more appetite, bowels more regular. Cupr. as above.

3rd March.—On the 1st, at 3 p.m., he was bad again, he would not allow the bed clothes on him, wished to jump out of bed, complained of internal heat, and had much thirst. His bowels were opened by a simple clyster. He continued the Cupr. 

11th March.—No material improvement, the patient complains chiefly of internal heat, his bowels are confined, and he says he feels as if the limbs were twisted. He has often burning in the soles of the feet. He has little sleep and after sleeping is more restless, but not so much so as formerly, he speaks quite rationally. In consequence of the peculiar sensation in the belly, the constipation and the burning of the soles, I now (as nothing more was to be expected from Cupr.) gave him Nux Vom. 6 and 30, a dose to be given every other evening.

16th March.—The day before the medicine arrived he was quite quiet, had appetite, sleep, and only one hour of restlessness at night. After the first dose of Nux he had more excitement, two hours of nocturnal restlessness, and mental disturbance, but the following day he was better; the bowels are still costive.

On the 18th March, I sent Argent nitr. 12, 1 dose to be taken in solution.

27th March.—The patient slept for some hours at night, had appetite for his food, regular bowels, the anxiety has gone off, he often sits up in bed and reads, and only now and then he has twitchings in the muscles. He complains of great weakness, but starts at every little noise. I sent him now 3 doses of Ignatia 12, one daily.

9th April.—The improvement advances, digestion good, he lies quietly with his clothes on, can also go to the water closet, does not sleep by day, but at night for hours at a time, still complains of great weakness and tearing in the legs. To complete the cure I sent one dose of Sulph. 30, to be mixed with three spoonfuls of water, half a spoonful twice daily.

Up to the 19th July, when I was able to visit him, I heard that he kept well, and then I found him sitting up in his room at the spinning wheel, looking stout and pleased. He had nothing more to complain of, except some bodily weakness, and I found edema of the legs, for which I prescribed Lycop. 30, after which the edema rapidly went off, and the patient could again earn his living as a day laborer.

July, 1864.—The patient remains quite well.

CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS -Some kinds of Paralysis, Chorea, and Epilepsy: By Dr. Th. Rueckert Case 1

 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 1 —S. M— a girl, aet. 22, came on the 2nd July, 1863, to ask my advice. She was bent forward, and walked with short and trailing steps. She is of feeble constitution, earthy, pale countenance, and complains of the following symptoms-

Since her 14th year she had suffered from frequent attacks of water-brash and vomiting of food. She generally vomited most of what she ate, but she could, soon after doing so, eat again. For the last six or seven weeks the vomiting has ceased, but in place of it she now complains of her back and legs. She has no particular pain in the back or sacrum, nor is any vertebra painful; she has only a paralytic weakness from the back into the legs. When she goes out to walk, she can get on for a little while, but then her strength fails her, the legs refuse to do their duty, and she must stop to rest. In this way she had with great difficulty crawled about three miles to see me. I made her walk about the room, which she did bent quite forward, she could not step out properly, it seemed as if her legs were quite stiff. She complains of no particular pains, nor is there any emaciation. It is always dim before her eyes; she cannot read more than a line. There is nothing abnormal visible in the eyes. For some time back she has every week had urinary tenesmus, the water comes away in drops. She has never been regularly menstruated, it only came on scantily; for a year she had none. She has often leucorrhoea of a bland description. Her digestion is better, the bowels regular. 

Prescription. 1 dose of Thuja, 30. 

20th July.—The urinary complaints were better the first week, the second they quite disappeared; the leucorrhoea is less. In back, sacrum, and legs, no alteration; the same stiffness when walking. 

4th August.—The catamenia have returned and kept on for three days; no urinary symptoms. In the back and sacrum there was occasional burning, less latterly. She has less difficulty in moving about the house, not much improvement in walking about the street. The skin of hands and arms is much chapped, the neck and arms are desquamating, and feel very rough. No prescription.

She presented herself again on the 9th November. She now complained of nothing except a slight want of sensibility of the skin of the legs, she walked with ease about the room, and she had been dancing all night.