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ÆSCULUS HIPPOCASTANUM

 

Sense of fullness and pulsation in various organs and veins (especially plethoric), as if too full of blood.

Constant dull backache across sacrum and hips; < walking or on stooping (piles, leucorrhœa, displacements etc.).

Sense of fullness, and as of sticks in the rectum (hæmorrhoids).

Mucous membranes of mouth, throat, rectum are swollen, burn, dry and raw.

Coryza; thin, watery, burning; rawness and sensitive to inhaled cold air.

Frequent inclination to swallow, with burning, pricking, stinging and dry constricted fauces (Apis., Bell.).

* * * * *

This is one of the remedies that is not so remarkable for its wide range of action as it is for positiveness within its range. Almost all its usefulness, so far as known, centres in its action in the lower back and pelvic region and ever prominent is this characteristic: Constant dull backache, affecting sacrum and hips, much aggravated by walking or stooping. It is one of our leading remedies for hæmorrhoids, and in addition to this backache there is a feeling of fullness, dryness, and sticking as if the rectum was full of sticks. There is not the tendency to protrusion or prolapsus that there is in Ignatia, Aloe, Podophyllum and some other remedies, and the backache is often greatly out of proportion to any external evidence of piles. This feeling of fullness seems to be a sort of general characteristic of Æsculus, but is especially prominent in the pelvic cavity.

These symptoms are often found in conjunction with other affections besides hæmorrhoids, such as uterine displacements, and inflammations; and some very bad forms of leucorrhœa have been promptly cured by this remedy. There is another quite valuable symptom in these pelvic troubles, viz.: throbbing or beating sensations, that calls for Æsculus. I have seen equally good results from the use of this remedy in the 3d, and the potencies.

I used Æsculus with great results in coryza and sore throat. The coryza is very much like the Arsenic coryza, thin, watery, and burning, but what characterizes Æsculus here is sensation of rawness: sensitive to inhaled cold air. In the throat it has the same sensation of rawness, both in the acute form, and also in chronic follicular pharyngitis, for which it is often a good remedy. It may be that age and use will develop more uses for this remedy.

 

ZINCUM METALLICUM

 

Inability to develop or hold out the rash in eruptive diseases, can't expectorate or menstruate, is > if can.

Cannot take stimulants, as they aggravate in general.

Fidgety feet, must move them constantly.

Twitching of single muscles all over the body.

Violent trembling all over, so as to shake the bed; lost nerve control.

Weakness and weariness in nape of the neck; < holding head long in one position; backache < sitting.

Modalities: < from wine; > by restoration or development of eruptions, during menses, restored expectoration, seminal emission, discharges generally.

Defective vitality, brain and nerve power wanting; to comprehend, to memorize.

Child cries out during sleep; rolls the head from side to side; face alternately pale and red.

* * * * *

This metal seems to act principally upon the nervous system. I think it is Burt who says: "What Iron is to the blood, Zinc is to the nerves." If we examine the provings and clinical records of Zinc, we find that it seems to have the power to arouse or strengthen the nervous system in its inability to supply force to carry on functions necessary to health or the elimination of disease products from the system. This is speculation. What are the facts? 1st. If scarlatina or other eruptive diseases do not properly develop the eruption, on account of too great weakness of the patient, as evidenced by general depression of pulse, temperature, etc. Zinc is very useful.

Other remedies have such or similar trouble, Cuprum, for instance; but in Cuprum the eruption has been suppressed by some outward cause. Zinc, it has never come to the surface, or it has been out, and has receded from lack of vitality or strength to hold it there. Sulphur may be the remedy, but the cause is then more often apt to be traceable to psora.

This weakness shows in other ways, as, for instance, in asthma. The patient can't expectorate, but as soon as he can he is relieved; or again she cannot menstruate, and is relieved of her suffering while menstruating. (Lachesis).

There is another peculiarity connected with this characteristic. The nervous weakness of the Zincum patient is that he can take no wine or stimulants. You would think that a little wine would at least temporarily relieve; on the contrary, it aggravates all the sufferings, even though taken in small quantities. Of course other remedies have this aggravation from wines or stimulants, like Glonoine, Ledum, Fluoric acid, Antimonium crudum, etc., but I think Zinc stands first.

The nervous debility of Zinc shows in other ways also. There is sometimes aching and weariness in the nape of the neck, as it had been held in one position too long, < by writing or other long continued labor. The backaches are worse while sitting and better when moving about. This would call to mind Rhus toxicodendron, but with Zincum you would not get the general aching relieved by continued motion, as in the case with Rhus. Pulsatilla has it also, but generally in connection with menstrual irregularities. The remedy most resembling Zinc in this particular is Cobalt. Both these remedies have this symptom in consequence of sexual excesses or weaknesses, but in Zinc an emission temporarily relieves the pain and in Cobalt it does not. The most characteristic of all the symptoms of Zinc in connection with its general nervous weakness, is: "An incessant, violent fidgety feeling in the feet or lower limbs; must move them constantly." This is present in many, if not almost all, of the affections for which Zinc is par excellence the remedy.

There is also sometimes present "burning along the whole length of the spine." This burning is purely subjective, for there is no actual local increase of temperature. Another characteristic of this remedy is, "twitching and jerking of various muscles." I spoke of this symptom when writing upon Ignatia. I would place Zincum, Ignatia and Agaricus in the van of all remedies for causing and curing these general twitchings.

Another symptom for which this is one of our best remedies is, general trembling. This is also from prostration.

The patient loses control over his motions, although he is not yet paralyzed. Paralysis may come later if this condition is not remedied.

A word or two about the importance of this remedy in brain troubles. It makes little difference whether the affection of the brain arises from suppressed eruptive diseases, dentition, typhus fever or disease of any other name or nature, if the symptoms indicating the remedy are present. Allow me to relate a case from my own practice illustrating its curative value in typhoid A young lady about 20 years of age complained, a week before I was called, of weakness, or feeling of general prostration; headache, and loss of appetite, but the greatest complaint was of prostration. She was a student and her mother, who was an excellent nurse, attributed all her sickness to overwork at school, and tried to rest and "nurse her up." But she continued to grow worse. I prescribed for her Gelsemium and followed it with Bryonia according to indications, and she ran through a mild course of two weeks longer, and seemed convalescing quite satisfactorily.

Being left in a room alone, while sleeping and perspiring, she threw off her clothes, caught cold and relapsed. Of course the "last state of that patient was worse than the first." The bowels became enormously distended profuse hæmorrhage occurred, which was finally controlled by Alumen, a low form of delirium came on, the prostration became extreme notwithstanding the hæmorrhage was checked, until the following picture obtained -staring eyes rolled upward into the head, head retracted; complete unconsciousness, lying on back and sliding down in bed, twitching, or rather intense, violent trembling all over, so that she shook the bed. I had nurses hold her hands night and day, she shook and trembled so; hippocratic face, extremities deathly cold to knees and elbows, pulse so weak and quick I could not count it, and intermittent; in short, all signs of impending paralysis of the brain. The case seemed hopeless, but I put ten drops of Zincum metallicum in two drams of cold water, and worked one-half of it between her set teeth, a little at a time, and an hour after the other half. In about one hour after the last dose she turned her eyes down and faintly said, milk. Through a bent tube she swallowed a half glass of milk, the first nourishment she had received in 24 hours. She got no more medicine for four days, and improved steadily all the time. She afterward received a dose of Nux vomica and progressed rapidly to a perfect recovery. So Zincum 200th can, like other metals, perform miracles when indicated.

 

STANNUM METALLICUM

 

Sinking, empty, all-gone sensation in stomach (Chel., Phos., Sep.).

Sad, despondent, feels like crying all the time, but crying makes her worse; faint and weak, especially when going downstairs; can go up well enough.

Colic > by hard pressure, or by laying abdomen across knee or on shoulder (Col.); lumbrici; passes worms.

Leucorrhœa; great debility; weakness seems to proceed from chest.

Prolapsus, worse during stool, so weak she drops into a chair instead of sitting down. While dressing in the morning has to sit down several times to rest.

Great weakness in chest, can hardly talk, with general debility, which centers in the chest.

Loose cough; with heavy, green, sweet expectoration.

Pains gradually increase to a great height, and as gradually subside.

* * * * *

Another metallic remedy. The leading characteristic is great weakness in the chest (Argentum met.); so weak cannot talk. No remedy has this symptom so strongly as tin. It is present, not only in the laryngeal and lung troubles for which Stannum is such a great remedy, but in great debility. So weak she drops into a chair, < going down stairs (Borax; Calc. ost. up stairs). It is found in connection with uterine displacements and leucorrhœas of thin, debilitated subjects and has made brilliant cures in such cases. Of course in the lung, bronchial, and laryngeal affections, this symptom is very prominent. In these troubles there is generally very profuse expectoration with the cough, and the matter raised tastes very sweet, or it may be exceptionally salty. For the salty expectoration I would sooner think of Kali iod. or Sepia. In all three of these remedies the expectoration may be thick, heavy, and green or yellow in color. Both Stannum and Kali iod. have profuse night sweats, but the Stannum has greater sense of weakness in the chest (cannot talk) than any of the others. Another very characteristic symptom of Stannum is that the pains gradually increase to a great degree of intensity and then as gradually decrease. (See Platinum.) This pain is of course neuralgic, may be located anywhere in the tract of a nerve, but has been often verified in prosopalgia, gastralgia and abdominal colic.

These pains are ameliorated by pressure, like Colocynth and Bryonia; so if Colocynth fails, which is generally first thought of in abdominal pains relieved by pressure, Stannum may relieve, and especially if the attacks have been of long standing or the patient seems to have a chronic tendency thereto. If in children, the patient is relieved by carrying it over the point of the shoulder, the shoulder pressing into the abdomen. The Stannum patient is generally very sad and despondent, feels like crying all the time. (Nat. m., Puls., Sepia.) I have often verified the above symptoms and have seen equally good effects from the 12th, 30th, 200th and 500th (Boericke & Tafel) potencies.

   

PLATINA

 

Pride and over-estimation of one's self; looking down on others; things look small to her.

Genitals exceedingly sensitive, but excessive sexual desire; nymphomania, with ovarian. troubles; prolapsus or profuse menses.

Pains increase gradually and as gradually decrease (Stann.); sometimes attended with numbness (Cham.).

* * * * *

This remedy may be studied in three relations: in its relation to the mental, nervous and sexual systems. It has curious mental symptoms. Here are three of them: "Pride and over-estimation of one's self; looking down with haughtiness on others." "Illusion of fancy, on entering the house after walking an hour, as if everything about her were very small, and all persons mentally and physically inferior, but she herself physically and mentally superior." "Changing moods, gay and sad alternately." This last symptom is like Ignatia, Crocus, Nux moschata and Aconite, and Platina has another symptom like Aconite -"fear of death." Now the first two symptoms above mentioned might appear to some as of no practical value in the treatment of the sick. There is no pathological explanation for them beyond the fact of a generally disordered mind, which might take any other form of hallucination -But this is a valuable indication and found under no other remedy. I was led by it to prescribe the remedy in a very obstinate case of insanity which had resisted the skill of several allopathic physicians of note, and they had finally decided that the case must be sent to the insane asylum. The parents however, who were quite wealthy, could not consent to that, and were induced to try Homœopathy. I gave her Platina on the strength of this mental indication, which was very prominent, coupled with another prominent symptom, which also appears under this remedy, viz, "physical symptoms disappear and mental symptoms appear" and vice versa. The physical symptoms was a pain the whole length of the spine. This was the symptom alternating with the mental one. It was one of the most brilliant cures I ever saw. Improvement began the first day and never flagged, and she remained well now 15 years with never a sign of return.

The nervous symptoms outside the brain symptoms calling for Platina are: 1st "The pains increase gradually and as gradually decrease." 2nd. "This pains are attended with numbness of the parts" This first symptom you will remember is like Stannum but the Platinum patient is not characteristically so weak as the Stannum one. The second one is like Chamomilla, but the Platina patient is not so unvaryingly ugly as the Chamomilla one. Both are great mental remedies, however, and if any question arises (as there may) a close study of them in their entirety may be necessary.

In regard to the gradual outset of the pains of Platina and Stannum, Belladonna has exactly the opposite: but Belladonna more resembles the Platina in its brain symptoms.

Sexual organs. "Nymphomania aggravated in the lying-in; tingling or tittilation up into the abdomen." "Excessive sexual desire, especially in virgins; premature or excessive development of sexual instinct." "Genitals excessively sensitive; cannot bear to be touched; will almost go into a spasm from an examination, and almost faint during intercourse." "Metrorrhagia or profuse menses; blood black and clotted."

Ovarian trouble and prolapsus with the profuse menses and excessive sensitiveness of the genitals to touch or coition. All these are very strong indications for this remedy. All these symptoms, mental, nervous, spasmodic, sexual, etc., would indicate that Platina ought to be a good remedy for that protean malady, hysteria, and so abundant experience has proven it to be. Here again I have, as in the case of Zincum and Stannum, found the higher preparation of the drug most potent for good, though in, a case of insanity I used the 6th, not having it high at that time.

Platina has a form of constipation similar to Alumina, i. e., the stools adhere to the anus like soft clay.

   

SELENIUM

 

 

Here is another metal that, like Stannum, has for its most characteristic condition, excessive weakness. But the weakness of Selenium does not, like Stannum, seem to centre in any particular locality. It is more general. He is so weak that he is easily exhausted from any kind of labor, either mental or physical. This debility follows any exhaustive disease like typhoid fever, or may come from seminal emissions. The weakness of Selenium shows itself as much in the male sexual organs, as it does generally. Erections are slow and weak, emissions of semen too rapid in coition and he is cross and weak afterwards. Sexual desire strong, but he is physically impotent. Has seminal emissions two or three times a week, and gets up with weak, lame back after them. Prostatic fluid oozes while sitting, during sleep, when walking, or at stool. I this weakness has been of long standing, he begins to emaciate, especially in the face, hands and thighs (Acetic acid.) This is a picture of the Selenium prostration. Aside from or connected with it are a few other characteristic symptoms such as constipation, the stool being of such immense size that it cannot be discharged without mechanical aid. (Sanicula). It must be picked away with the fingers. Involuntary dribbling of urine while walking, or after urinating or stool (Sarsaparilla dribbles while sitting).

Bad effects from drinking too much tea; all complaints are aggravated by it. Irresistible longing for spirituous liquors. Hoarseness, must often clear the throat of mucus especially at the beginning of singing. Irresistible desire for stimulants, wants to get drunk but feels worse after it. Very forgetful in business, but during sleep dreams of what he had forgotten. I have never used this metal below the 200th potency.

   

PHOSPHORUS

 

Tall, slender, narrow-chested, phthisical patients, delicate eyelashes, soft hair or nervous, weak persons who like to be magnetized. Waxy, half anæmic, jaundiced persons.

Anxious, universal restlessness, cant stand or sit still. < in dark or when left alone, before a thunder storm.

Burnings prominent in every place, as in mouth, stomach, small intestines, anus, between scapulæ, intense, running up spine, palms of hands, heat begins in hands, spreads to face.

Craving for cold things, ice cream, which agrees, or cold water, which is thrown up as it gets warm in the stomach. Must eat often or he faints. Must get up at night to eat.

Sinking, faint, empty feeling in head, chest, stomach and whole abdominal cavity.

Cough, < twilight till midnight, < lying on left side, > on right side. Right lower lobe most affected.

Diarrhœa, profuse, pouring out as from a hydrant; watery with sagolike particles or dysenteric, with wide open anus.

Apathetic, unwilling to talk, answers slowly, moves sluggishly.

Constipation: fæces slender, long, dry, tough and hard like a dog's; voided with difficulty.

Hæmorrhagic diathesis; slight wounds bleed profusely, hæmoptysis; metrorrhagia worse; vicarious, from nose, stomach, anus, urethra in amenorrhœa.

Cannot talk; the larynx is so painful; cough, going from warm to cold air, laughing, talking, reading, eating lying on left side (Dros., Stan.).

* * * * *

As a general characteristic, Burning is almost as strong under this remedy as under Arsenicum and Sulphur. There is no organ or tissue in which it may not be found, from the outer skin to the innermost surface of every tract or parenchyma. It may be subjective only without actual rise of temperature, or it may attend organic changes in malignant diseases, with great rise of temperature. The sensation of burning in an intense degree should always place Phosphorus in the front rank for consideration. Again, there is perhaps no remedy having stronger action on The Nervous System. It attacks it in its very citadel of strength, the brain and spinal cord, producing softening or atrophy with all its attendant symptoms in their order, as prostration, trembling, numbness, and complete paralysis. It does this in both acute and chronic form of disease.

It will be found in acute typhoids as well as in that slowly progressive disease, locomotor ataxia. Its causes may be sudden, like pneumonia, typhus, exanthematic diseases, croup, bronchitis, when vitality reaches its lowest ebb, or may arise in a condition undermined by grief, care, or excessive mental exertion; excess in venery or onanism.

Its action at the first may be characterized by a burning heat in various parts, and especially in the skin, with restless moving and anxiety, especially at twilight. Over-sensitiveness of all senses, such as external impressions; light, odors, noises, touch, etc., and later when organic changes have taken place the other extreme, of loss of motion, sensation, and sensitiveness obtains.

In the former state there is one very characteristic symptom, the patient moves continually, can't sit or stand still a moment. Instead of fidgety feet, like Zincum, he is fidgety all over. Phosphorus affects every tissue. The blood becomes broken down or impoverished. Chlorosis and pernicious anæmia obtain. Apis and Kali carb. also each have anæmia or a pale waxy or what is called bloodless appearance of the patient. They all have œdema or bloating, and there is one peculiar difference in the face between them. In Kali carb. the upper lids bloat and hang down like a bag of water. In Apis it is more in the lower lids, while in Phosphorus they bloat all around the eyes; and the whole face bloats. Under Phosphorus the blood becomes so broken down that it will not clot any more, and we have purpura hæmorrhagica. Even in apparently healthy tissues we have this strong characteristic discovered by Hahnemann, viz.: "Slight wounds bleed much." This is what is called the hæmorrhagic diathesis, and much to be feared, as many persons having it may bleed to death from any slight abrasion; and this same tendency to bleed extends to fungoid growths like fibroids, fungoids, cancers, etc., and are very dangerous and troublesome.

Then again Phosphorus attacks the bones in the form of necrosis. It is so especially of the lower jaw, but is also true of other parts, as the vertebræ; and I once cured a very extensive and long standing case of caries of the tibia with it.

Fatty degeneration of heart, liver and kidneys, with the characteristic anæmic condition, should call attention to this remedy. General emaciation, rapid or slowly progressing like atrophy in children, also comes under its tissue destroying power.

And so we find it to be a remedy of wide range and great power. But it is never enough for the homœopathist to know simply the action in general upon any organ or set of organs. He must know how it acts differently from other remedies when acting upon the same tissue or organs. Now while Phosphorus acts upon the mind, to cause, "great anxiety and restlessness" as in other remedies, Aconite, Arsenicum, etc, it must be remembered that it is the anxiety and restlessness that precedes another state.

It belongs to a stage of irritation in the brain and nervous system which if not checked will go on to organic changes, which will be attended with a very different set of symptoms such as come for instance from actual brain softening in which appears apathy, sluggishness; talks slowly, is indifferent or won't talk at all. There is one particular symptom worthy of note: the patient fears to be left alone; is afraid: afraid of the dark, in a thunder storm, etc. This is more during the irritable stage of which we have spoken. Phosphorus is a great remedy in typhoids, especially with lung complications, and here we often get stupor and low muttering delirium like Lachesis, but while Lachesis is worse after sleep, Phosphorus is generally better, if he can get to sleep. In the late stage of brain or nervous troubles, calling for this remedy, we find the patient losing all ambition to do anything; either mental or physical labor is shunned. There is great indifference. He cannot think with his usual clearness; cannot apply himself to study or mental operations, ideas come slowly or not at all. Again the patient is sometimes amative, or like Hyoscyamus shamelessly exposes himself.

There is no remedy that covers a greater variety of mind symptoms arising from brain trouble than Phosphorus. No remedy produces greater vertigo, with a longer list of various connections. I have found it one of the best and oftenest indicated for vertigo of the aged. Chronic congestion to the head is characteristic, and the sense of burning in the brain is prominent; the heat and congestion seems to come up from the spine.

Heat running up the back is more characteristic of this than any other remedy. Deafness is prominent, and is peculiar, in that it is especially deafness to the human voice, a common symptom in the aged. The most frequent use I have made of the remedy in nose affections is in a chronic catarrh, in which the patient frequently blows small quantities of blood from the nose; the handkerchief is always bloody.

As I said when writing upon the tissues, the face of Phosphorus is characteristically pale and bloated around the eyes, but in pneumonia we often find circumscribed redness of the cheek upon the side of the lung inflamed. This is also true with Sanguinaria. About the mouth and tongue I do not know anything particularly characteristic. It has a peculiar symptom of the throat. The food swallowed comes up immediately as if it had never reached the stomach. This is supposed to be due to spasmodic stricture of the œsophagus.

Under appetite and thirst we have some very valuable indications for this remedy.

Hunger is one, must eat often or he faints; right after or soon after a meal, is hungry; hungry in the night; must eat. He is relieved by eating, but is soon hungry again. This calls to mind Iodine, Chelidonium, Petroleum, Anacardium, etc.

The thirst is also peculiar. He wants cold things, like Pulsatilla, but as soon as they get warm in the stomach they are vomited.

Some people have an abnormal craving for salt, or salt food, and eat too much of it. Phosphorus is a good remedy to counteract the bad effects. (Nat. mur.).

We have many kinds of vomiting under Phosphorus, but nothing characteristic except the one already mentioned.

We have already spoken of the hungry, faint feeling in the stomach. Sometimes this is described as an empty, gone feeling, and here again we think of such remedies as Ignatia, Hydrastis, Sepia and others; but Phosphorus does not stop here with this sensation, but extends through the whole abdomen. No remedy has this feeling in the abdomen so strong as Phosphorus. Under stool and rectum occur some very characteristic symptoms also, for instance: Stools profuse, watery, pouring away as from a hydrant, with lumps of white mucus, like grains of tallow. Stools bloody, with small white particles like opaque frog-spawn. Stools involuntarily oozing from a constantly open anus, or dysenteric stools with wide-open anus and great tenesmus. Constipation; fæces slender, long, dry, tough like dog stools. No remedy has a richer array of stool symptoms, and as we see by the above few select ones, some of them are very unique and have often been verified. It will repay any physician to carefully and frequently look them over.

This remedy powerfully excites the sexual appetite in both sexes. It is almost irresistible, and leads the patient into a mania in which he will expose himself. This is succeeded by the opposite extreme of impotence, though the desire remains after the ability to perform is gone. Of course, these sexual symptoms are accompanied with concomitant symptoms of the drug.

Upon the female sexual organs Phosphorus is true to its general hæmorrhagic tendencies; if the menses do not appear, there is often vicarious bleeding from the nose or lungs instead. Phosphorus is bound to bleed. It is so with cancer of the womb or breasts also. They bleed easily. Upon the respiratory organs also this is one of our greatest remedies. Beginning with the voice and larynx, it causes and cures great hoarseness. Patient can hardly make a loud noise, and is apt to be worse in the evening or fore-part of the night. There is pain in the larynx, worse by talking, or can't talk at all on account of it. In croup, it sometimes comes in after Aconitum and Spongia have failed. The disease has progressed downward until it involves the bronchi and parenchyma of the lungs. It is of indispensable value here, and, also when, after the violence of the affection seems to have abated, the patient hoarses up every evening and seems to be inclined to relapse.

In bronchitis the cough is tight, worse from evening to midnight, also from speaking, laughing, reading aloud (Argentum met.), cold, and lying on left side. The patient suppresses the cough with a moan just as long as he can, because it hurts him so. The whole body trembles with the cough.

It has great oppression of breathing in both acute and chronic affections of the lungs. There is heaviness, as of a weight on the chest. In pneumonia, for which Phosphorus is one of our best remedies, it attacks by preference the lower half of the right lung. It is apt to be indicated by the symptoms, either at the beginning of the stage of hepatization, when it puts a stop to the further progress of the disease, but its more frequent application comes in where the stage of hepatization is past and we want to break it up and promote absorption or resolution. Here it has no equal, as I am fully convinced by abundant experience.

Now, do not misunderstand and give the remedy blindly on a pathological indication only. If you do you will sometimes fail, and ought to. But I repeat, this remedy will oftener be found the indicated one here than any other. After the hepatization begins to break up, other remedies like Tartar emetic, Sulphur and Lycopodium will come in.

In pleuritis you will find stitches in the left side increased by lying upon the left side. Remember in both affections Phosphorus is characteristically increased by lying upon the left side.

In tuberculosis, it is oftenest indicated in the incipient stage with symptom of cough, oppression and general weakness already mentioned; but I have often found it indicated in the later stages, and if given very high and in the single dose and not repeated have seen it greatly benefit even incurable cases. If given too low and repeated it will fearfully aggravate.

One of the most characteristic symptoms of this remedy is, "feeling of intense heat running up the back." Again the burning may be in spots along the spine. Also it has intense heat burning between the scapula (See also Lycopodium.) These, like the rest of the burning of Phosphorus, often occur in diseases of the spine and nervous system, but not necessarily so. Like Zinc, these burnings may be purely subjective, but are none the less valuable as therapeutic indications.

Another very characteristic symptom of Phosphorus is burning of the hands. It is as strong as the burning feet of Sulphur, and is found both in acute and chronic diseases; cannot bear to have the hands covered. The flashes of heat all over (which Phosphorus has) begin in the hands and spread from there even to the face. It now remains to call attention to the Constitution of Phosphorus.

1. "Tall, slender persons of sanguine temperament, fair skin, blonde or red hair, quick, lively perception and sensitive nature."

2. "Tall, slender phthisical patients, delicate eyelashes, soft hair."

3. "Tall, slender women disposed to stoop."

4. "Young people who grow too rapidly and are inclined to stoop."

5. "Nervous, weak persons who like to be magnetized."

Now, in number four there is not the tendency to grow fat, like Calcarea carbonica, but tall, and you will notice that the Phosphorus element in Calcarea phosphorica takes away the fat producing property of the Calcarea element. Now, in closing, we desire to say we have only touched upon the wonderful virtues of this drug, which must be studied in its entirety. Enough, however, we trust to convince of its great value.

 

SEPIA

 

Bearing down pains, must sit close and cross her legs to keep something from coming down out of the vagina. Sense of fullness in the pelvic organs, and pressure down into the anus, as if a ball or weight; oozing of moisture.

Flushes of heat and perspiration at the climacteric.

Painful sense of emptiness or goneness at the pit of the stomach.

General relaxation, weak, faints while kneeling at church; falling womb and pelvic organs; drooping eyelids, weak back < on walking.

Cachectic, yellow face, with yellow saddle across face and nose; moth patches; ringworms.

Modalities: < standing, mental labor, sexual excess, jar, after sleep, laundry work; milk (diarrhœa), climacteric kneeling at church, > sitting with legs crossed, loosening clothes, open air.

Sensation of a ball in inner parts; during menses, pregnancy, lactation, great sadness and weeping. Dread of being alone; of meeting friends, indifferent, even to one's family, to one's occupation; to those whom she loves.

Headache: in terrific shocks; pressing, bursting < motion, stooping mental labor, > by pressure, continued fast motion.

Urine: deposits a reddish clay sediment, which adheres to the vessel; fœtid, offensive, must be removed from room.

Enuresis: bed wet almost as soon as the child goes to sleep; during first sleep, violent stitches upward in the vagina.

Dyspnœa; < sitting, after sleep, in room, > dancing or walking rapidly.

* * * * *

This is another of our wonderful remedies of which the dominant school knows nothing, except they have learned it from us. Its chief sphere of action seems to be in the abdomen and pelvis, especially in women. No remedy produces stronger symptoms here. We quote from different but equally good observers.

"Sensation of bearing down in the pelvic region, with dragging pains from the sacrum; or feeling of bearing down of all the pelvic organs." (Hahnemann).

"Labour-like pains accompanied with a feeling as though she must cross her legs and 'sit close' too keep something from coming out through the vagina." (Guernsey).

"Pain in uterus, bearing down, comes from back to abdomen, causing oppression of breathing; crosses limbs to prevent protrusion of parts."(Hering).

"Prolapsus of the uterus, of the vagina, with pressure as if everything would protrude." (Lippe).

"Experience has shown its value in cases of ulceration and congestion of the os and cervix uteri. Its use supercedes all local applications." (Dunham).

No higher authority than the united testimony of these five of our best observers could be brought to show the action of Sepia upon the pelvic organs.

Now when we come to examine the provings in Allen's Encyclopædia, we find that these symptoms were mainly produced by Hahnemann and his provers, and Hahnemann advocated proving remedies in the 30th, and some of them were produced by the 200th, especially those most strongly verified by black-faced type.

We confess that we cannot understand how so many question the value of potencies for proving or curing, and most of all do we wonder at Dr. T. F. Allen himself "going back" on potencies above the 12th. Such a course looks very much to us like "kicking against the pricks" or, in other words, trying to fight the truth. But we must be charitable.

Sepia, like Sulphur, affects the general circulation in a very marked manner. Flashes of heat with perspiration and faintness is almost as characteristic of this remedy as of Sulphur. But there are, with Sepia, more apt to be associated with them the pelvic symptoms already given, and they are also more apt to occur in connection with the climacteric. Indeed, these flashes often seem with Sepia to start in the pelvic organs and from thence to spread over the body.

But this irregularity of circulation extends as far as that of Sulphur. The hands and feet are hot alternately, that is, if the feet are hot, the hands are cold, and vice versa. There is not so much sensation of burning with Sepia as with Sulphur, but there is actual heat, and the venous congestion, which seems to be the real state of the organs where the pressive bearing down et cetera is left, is also accompanied with much throbbing and beating.

This local congestion to the pelvic organs is not simply sensational. There are actual displacement in consequence of it, and the long continued congestion results in inflammations, ulcerations, leucorrhœas and even malignant or cancerous disorganizations. Induration with a painful sense of stiffness in the uterine region is characteristic.

This pelvic congestion also affects the rectum in a marked degree. The rectum prolapses, there is a sensation of fullness, or of a foreign substance as of a ball or weight, and oozing of moisture from the rectum. Indeed, the rectal and anal symptoms are almost as strong as the uterine and vaginal. It is impossible to enumerate all the symptoms connected with the circulatory disturbances of Sepia in such a work as this, only a general study of the Materia Medica can do it.

The urinary organs come in for their share of symptoms. The same pressure and fullness consequent upon the portal congestion reaches here. We will now proceed to give what we have found to be particularly valuable symptoms under the various organs in this region, "Pressure on bladder and frequent micturition with tension in lower abdomen." "Sediment in the urine like clay; as if clay was burnt on the bottom of the vessel; urine very offensive (Indium), can't endure to have it in the room, it is reddish or may be bloody." This is found mostly with women. With children there is one peculiar symptom which has often been verified. "The child always wets the bed during its first sleep."

Upon the male organs I have found it particularly useful in chronic gleet. There is not much discharge, but a few drops, perhaps, which glue up the orifice of the urethra in the morning; but it is so persistent and the usual remedies will not "dry it up." In my early practice I used to use a weak injection of Sulphate of Zinc, but it used to annoy me that I could not do it without resorting to local measures. Sepia does it in the majority of cases and Kali iodatum will do it in the rest. I have, where there was a thick discharge of long standing and the smarting and burning on urinating continued, several times finished the case with Capsicum.

As a rule, this long continued slight, passive gleety discharge is a result of weakness of the male genitals, as is shown by a flaccidity of the organs and frequent seminal emissions. The emissions are thin and watery. Sepia covers all of this and often sets all to rights in a short time.

The mental symptoms of Sepia are like Pulsatilla, in that she is sad and cries frequently without knowing the reason why. So if in a tearful mind with uterine disturbances Pulsatilla should fail you, the next remedy to be studied is Sepia. But there is another condition of mind not found under Pulsatilla or any other remedy in the same degree, and that is, that, notwithstanding there is no sign of dementia from actual brain lesion, the patient, contrary to her usual habit, becomes indifferent to her occupation, her house work, her family or their comfort, even to those whom she loves the best. This a very peculiar symptom and a genuine keynote for the exhibition of Sepia.

Upon the head Sepia is one of our best remedies in hemicrania of women of the Sepia temperament, and who are suffering from uterine trouble which we have already described. Another peculiar headache is, that the pain comes in terrific shocks, so as to jerk the head in spite of the patient.

There are three remedies that have prominently drooping eyelids (Causticum, Gelsemium and Sepia). of course, the other symptoms must decide which is the one indicated in the case at hand. So far as the nose is concerned Sepia is often of use in chronic catarrh. I had a case in which the discharge was thick, bland and in large quantities. Pulsatilla would relieve the catarrhal trouble but would, at the same time, increase the menstrual flow too much, but Sepia cured both. The chronic will sometimes have to be made between Kali bichromicum and Sepia in these chronic catarrhs, but it is generally easy, although the local symptoms are much alike.

"Yellow saddle across upper part of cheeks and nose, and yellow spots on the face," is a characteristic of great value, but the yellowness and yellow spots do not always stop here.

You may find them in abundance on the abdomen. The whole surface of the body may be yellow like jaundice. The face of the Sepia patient is the most "tell tale" face I know, and if you find it upon a woman you may always find her leading symptoms in connection with her menstrual and uterine functions.

There is one symptom of Sepia upon the stomach that is also very characteristic, viz., a "painful sensation of emptiness, goneness or faintness." The patient will call it an "all gone" feeling. Of course you remember that Ignatia and Hydrastis Canadensis have this symptom very strongly. Other remedies also have it in more or less marked degree but none so strongly in connection with uterine symptoms as Sepia, unless perhaps it be Murex purpurea, and you will not often have much difficulty in choosing between these last two if you carefully examine all the symptoms. I have often thought that this symptom, so persistent and severe, might be due to the actual emptying of the upper abdomen by the prolapsed womb, dragging everything after itself into the pelvic cavity. It is so in Stannum and Lilium tigrinum, and the weakness of the natural supports (ligaments) of the uterus being remedied (not supplanted by the pessaries and artificial supports of various kinds) the distressing symptoms disappear. Vomiting in pregnancy with this "all gone" feeling is often cured by Sepia; also the thought or smell (Colch.) of food sickens her. I mentioned the "sense of weight or a ball in the rectum" when writing of the pelvic congestion of Sepia. This sensation is not relieved by stool. Sepia is a remedy for constipation, and that of a very obstinate character. Like Selenium it has great straining; but manual aid is necessary to accomplish the stool. This is mostly in children.

I once cured a very obstinate case of entero-colitis (so-called cholera infantum), after the complete failure of two eminent allopaths, with Sepia, the leading symptom being, "always worse after taking milk." Oozing of moisture from the anus finds its remedy here sometimes, but oftener in Antimonium crudum. The Sepia patient is very weak. "A short walk fatigues her very much." She faints easily from extremes of cold or heat, after getting wet, from riding in a carriage, while kneeling at church, and on other trifling occasions. This fainting, or sense of sinking faintness, may be found in pregnancy, child bed, or during lactation; or, again, it may come on after hard work, such as "laundry work;" so it has come to be called the "washer woman's" remedy. Phosphorus have washer woman's toothache.

SKIN. "Itching often changes to burning when scratching" (Sulph.) "Soreness of skin; humid places in bend of knees." "Brown spots in face, chest, abdomen; chloasma" Herpes circinates "Large suppurating pustules constantly renewing themselves." "Acarus itch, pruritus; tettery eruptions, etc." Sepia, like Sulphur, has many forms of eruption on the skin, and indeed there is great general resemblance between these two antipsorics. They follow each other well. Of course that is always providing they are indicated by the symptoms, which is often the case. I do not believe in the so-called incompatibles as some do. I should give Causticum after Phosphorus, Silicea after Mercury, or Rhus tox. after Apis mel. if I found them indicated.

 

MUREX PURPUREA

 

Is a remedy which, though not extensively proven, bids fair to become exceedingly useful so far as we know, it comes nearer to Sepia than any other remedy and the characteristic deference between them is, that with Murex there is great, almost uncontrollable sexual desire, while with Sepia there is a lack of or aversion to the same, especially with prolapsus.

Both remedies have "sinking, all gone" sensation in the stomach; also "bearing down" sensation, as if internal organs would be out, must sit and cross limbs to ameliorate the pressure, but the sexual irritation and desire of Murex is excited by the least contact of the parts. (Orig., Zinc)

Again, Murex has a sore pain in uterus, something like Helonias, which is expressed as "conscious of a womb," feels it more when she moves, it is so sore and tender. (Lyssin.) Two other remedies must be remembered in nymphomania, viz, Lilium and Platina.

   

LILIUM TIGRINUM

 

Great bearing down, as if pelvic contents would press out through the vagina; > by pressing up with the hand or sitting down (Sepia crosses the legs.)

Sensation of constriction in heart with uterine troubles.

Frequent desire for stool and urine with uterine displacements, tenesmus.

Tormented about her salvation.

Listless, yet does not want to sit still; restless, yet does not want to walk; hurried manner, desire to do something, yet no ambition; imperative duties, inability to perform them.

Depression of spirits: disposition to weep; aversion to food; indifferent about anything being done for her.

* * * * *

Lilium tigrinum is one of the remedies that closely resembles Sepia in its action on the uterine organs. This symptom, for instance, "weight, with feeling as if the pelvic contents would pass out through the vagina if not prevented by pressure with the hand (pressing up against the vulva, Lilium tig.), or by sitting down." There is no remedy that is more efficacious for uterine displacement than Lilium. The persistent bearing-down feeling in the uterine region of Lilium is attended with a feeling as if the pelvic viscera, indeed the whole abdominal contents, were being dragged downward, even from the chest and shoulders, towards the vagina.

The choice between Lilium and Sepia might not always be easy. The Sepia case is more likely to be a chronic one. On the other hand, the Lilium case is more intense, painful and distressing. The Sepia cachexia, of course, would decide easily in its favour, if it is markedly present. There is more urinary irritation, or frequent desire to urinate, with Lilium; indeed this is sometimes so severe as to make one think of Cantharis. Again, rectal irritation and distress in often found in conjunction with the urinary, in this respect reminding one of Merc. cor., Capsicum or Nux vomica.

With the uterine we often have quite an array of very severe heart symptoms. There are sharp quick pains, and much fluttering of the heart. This remedy also has in a marked degree the great characteristic symptom of Cactus grandiflorus, "sensation as if the heart were constricted or held by an iron band." This symptom, associated with the many other heart symptoms, has sometimes led to a prescription of Cactus, when Lilium was the remedy and vice versa. The uterine symptoms are sometimes masked so as to be over-looked for the time by the violence of the heart symptoms. All these heart, urinary, and rectal symptoms seem to be mainly reflex, while the real trouble is centered in the uterus and its appendages.

The mind is also very markedly affected under Lilium. Here it may resemble Pulsatilla for tearfulness; doubts her salvation, like Veratrum album, Sulphur and Lycopodium and a constant hurried feeling, as of imperative duties with utter inability to perform them. (See Argentum nitricum.)

   

VIBURNUM OPULUS

 

Is a remedy of undoubted value in painful womb troubles. It has been used for painful dysmenorrhœa in different potencies to the 30th, and in tincture. It seems to be particularly efficacious in the neuralgic form of the disease. I have found that the symptom, pain beginning in the back and going around to loins and to uterus, ending in cramps there, is the most remarkable indication. With this symptom present, I have seemingly checked an impending abortion, and in one case even after a slight flow of blood was present.

Actæa racemosa, Chamomilla, Caulophyllum, Magnesia phos. and Viburnum are all excellent remedies in neuralgic dysmenorrhœa. In Actæa, the pains are in back, through hips and down the thighs. In Chamomilla, they make the patient mad and she says she cannot bear them.

With Caulophyllum the pains are very intermittent and spasmodic, screams with the pains.

With Magnesia phos, hot applications to the hypogastrium ameliorate more or less.

Of course we have many other remedies for this painful affection, among which are Pulsatilla, Cocculus, Cuprum, Cactus, Belladonna, Platina, etc.

For particular indications, we must refer to our Materia Medica.

   

SECALE CORNUTUM

 

Passive hæmorrhage, everything open and loose, no action, in thin, scrawny, cachectic women.

Great coldness (objective) of the surface, yet the patient cannot bear to be covered.

Numbness, crawling and paralysis; formication as of mice creeping there, all parts of body.

* * * * *

Secale cornutum is a remedy capable of great good, but is perhaps, as much misused as Quinine. Its power to contract the uterus is undoubted, and for this reason it is often given when other remedies would do better. It has power to control hæmorrhages, that few other remedies, if any, can surpass. It is said to do this by contracting the capillaries. But we must remember that other remedies control hæmorrhages, and whether they do it by contracting the capillaries, by their action upon the blood itself or other specific action, makes no difference, so long as they control it. Some physicians are always giving Ergot in post partum hæmorrhages on this contracted theory, without ever thinking of anything else.

They always give it in material doses to get, as they term it, the physiological effect. I have never, in a practice of thirty-five years, used it in this way, but have always been able to control such hæmorrhages. Secale is not often indicated in active post-partum hæmorrhages. If there is a tendency to passive hæmorrhage, everything open and loose, no action, in thin, scrawny, cachectic women (muscles flabby), there is no remedy like it, and the potencies are much better than the tincture or wine of Ergot in massive doses. This is also true in menorrhagias and metrorrhagias unconnected with pregnancy. The blood is dark, liquid and flowing worse on the slightest motion.

The constitution, temperament and age of the patient are of great importance, for it is particularly adapted to feeble, thin, scrawny, cachectic women of lax muscular fibre, subject to passive hæmorrhages from all outlets of the body; also old, decrepit persons.

This remedy (Secale) is often abused on account of its power to produce muscular contractions of the womb. Now in regard to this as with hæmorrhages, it is capable of doing all that it ought to be called upon to do, in the potencies.

I fully agree with Cowperthwaite, who says: "To give it in parturition to hasten delivery, as is the practice of the old school, is simply inexcusable." on the other hand, I agree with Dr. H. N. Guernsey, "that it is useful when labor pains are weak, suppressed or distressing, in weak, cachectic women; in the 200th dilution," and have verified it beyond question.

The practice of giving the fluid extract in such cases, as is done by some physicians calling themselves homœopathic, ought to be sufficient cause for expelling them from a homœopathic society. It seems to me to be confession of either inexcusable laziness or ignorance.

We have a long list of remedies of undoubted value for weak labor pains with specific indications for their use, and when so indicated they are more efficacious and less dangerous than Secale in massive doses of fluid extract with no other indications than uncontracted uterus or weak pains. The men who prate learnedly of getting the physiological effects of Secale in massive doses had better ask themselves if the same result gotten with the potentized remedy homœopathically applied, is not just as much in accordance with the physiological law, and much more scientific from a homœopathic standpoint. Weak pains remedied by the indicated homœopathic drug bring on natural labor, while large doses for the same purpose of an unindicated one do not and never can produce natural labor. It is nothing more or less than drug poisoning.

Here is one symptom of Secale that is of inestimable value: "Great coldness (objective) of the surface yet the patient cannot bear to be covered." This is oftenest found in cholera and cholera infantum; but it is also found in senile gangrene.

The feet and toes may be objectively as cold as an iron wedge, but the patient is distressed beyond endurance by having them covered. I saw one marked case of this kind. All the toes were attacked with dry gangrene. A few doses of Secale (high) afforded great relief, and checked the progress of the disease for a long time.

Camphora has the same symptom in a marked degree in choleraic disease. Camphora seems to be most efficacious for the first stage or early collapse in the course of the disease, before the discharges have become offensive, putrid or dark colored. Secale has burning in the feet (Sulphur) and cramps in the calves (Sulphur).

If, however, we should prescribe on this alone it would make no difference which we prescribed, but they are very unlike in their entirety. Sulphur does not have the degree of collapse of Secale, nor the icy coldness of surface with subjective burning. So we see the folly of one symptom prescribing after all.

We must have the keynote symptom, of course, but it must harmonize with the rest of the case. Secale has "burning of all parts of the body, as if sparks were falling on them." It also has numbness, crawling and paralysis of the extremities. This is due to its action on the spinal chord. In addition to the coldness of the skin already noticed, we must state that the skin looks dry, wrinkled and is insensible often, or there may be much formication under, as if mice were creeping there.

   

CAULOPHYLLUM THALICTROIDES

 

Is another very valuable "woman remedy," because of its specific action upon the uterus. It deserves a thorough reproving. I cannot better show its virtues than by reporting a case.

A married lady, aged 40, with wry neck of long standing, was seven months' pregnant. She was attacked with severe pains and swelling of all the finger joints. The only way she could get relief from the intense pain so that she could rest or sleep at all was by enveloping her fingers in mustard. I prescribed Caulophyllum 3d, which relieved the finger pains, but brought on such severe labor pains that I was obliged to discontinue it for fear of premature labor. Then the bearing-down pains ceased, and the finger pains returned and continued in full force until she was delivered of her child, when they also ceased for two or three days. Then the lochia, instead of decreasing, gradually or normally, increased until it amounted to a metrorrhagia. The flow was of a passive nature, dark and liquid. There was great sense of weakness and internal trembling (not visible externally) and now, to crown her suffering, the terrible finger pains returned again. I was afraid of the Caulophyllum, although it seemed indicated, because it brought on the bearing-down pains when I gave it before. But after giving Arnica, Sabina, Secale and Sulphur without the least improvement, I concluded to try Caulophyllum high. I did so in the 200th potency and cured the whole case promptly and permanently. Now this was a perfect Caulophyllum case, and if I had given it properly in the first place I have no doubt I would have saved that woman all unnecessary suffering.

I have given this remedy in long continued passive hæmorrhage from the uterus after miscarriage when I had the characteristic weakness and sense of internal trembling present. It has often regulated irregular spasmodic labor pains, and has also often relieved pains of the same character in dysmenorrhœa. I repeat, this remedy deserves a careful reproving.

   

ACTÆA RACEMOSA

 

Nervous symptoms, twitchings, spasms, convulsions, neuralgias; chills without shaking < at menstrual period. Muscular rheumatism; stiff neck, drawing head back; can't turn the head; rheumatism of the belly of muscles, by preference.

Headaches pressing outward; or upward, as if top of head would fly off, or into eyes (ciliary neuralgia), or down nape into spine.

Gloomy, sad, sleepless; thinks she will go insane.

Menorrhagia; pains run through hips into thighs, passing down.

Climacteric; infra-mammary pains left side, persistent.

Modalities: < menstrual period and during climacteric.

* * * * *

Actæa racemosa is another remedy which exerts a strong influence upon the female organism. The nervous system manifests its action in a multitude of symptoms, many of them being what is known as hysterical in character. There are twitchings, spasms, convulsions, neuralgias and mental symptoms in abundance. She shivers (nervous chill without coldness), faints, talks incessantly, frequently changing subjects; is grieved and troubled, with sighing, or is very gloomy with sleeplessness; thinks she is going insane, etc.

In the head there are severe pains, pressing outward, as if the top of the head would fly off, or running into the eyes, which ache fearfully or the pains settle in the occiput and shoot down the neck. There are very few, if any, remedies that have worse ciliary neuralgia than Actæa racemosa.

In the female sexual organs it cures "pains in the uterine region, darting from side to side." The menstrual function is performed irregularly. Sometimes the flow is scanty, but more generally profuse, and we have the mental and nervous symptoms above enumerated in abundance, with these irregularities. It is one of our best remedies in menorrhagia, when there is "severe pain in the back, down the thighs and through the hips, with heavy pressing down," as I have often proven. It is also excellent in infra-mammary pains in the left side during the climacteric, as I have also proven.

Also in backache and spinal irritation sympathetic with uterine troubles. It cures sharp lancinating pains in various parts, either nervous or muscular, if they are connected with uterine disturbances. In rheumatism the affection attacks the belly of the muscle by preference. Actæa is a many-sided remedy and adapted to nervous troubles of many forms.

   

SABINA

 

Is one of our best remedies for profuse flowing from the female genital organs, as in menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, abortions, or after labor.

These hæmorrhages are apt to occur in paroxysms, worse from motion (Secale), blood dark (Kali nit. and Cyclamen), and clotted (Crocus) or partly clotted and partly fluid and watery (Ferrum), the clots being black; from loss of tone in the uterus; (Caulophyl.) after abortion or parturition, with pain from back to pubes. This pain from back to pubes is its grand keynote, and may be found, not only in flooding, but in threatened abortion and menstrual troubles generally. Where is sometimes present the general characteristic of Pulsatilla, "aggravation from warm air and in a warm room, and amelioration in open, cool, fresh air," and in cases of too profuse menstruation; but you cannot give Pulsatilla because it increases the already too profuse flow. Here is where Sabina comes in, for it has the same aggravation and amelioration with the profuse flow. This is an important diagnostic difference between the two remedies and is reliable.

Sabina is indicated in threatened abortion at the third month, especially if the characteristic pain from back to pubes is present. If the pains begin in the back and go around from there and end with cramps in the uterus, Viburnum opulus is the remedy. This kind of pain seems as characteristic for Viburnum as is the other for Sabina.

Sabina has arthritic swelling of the wrist joint; also of the toe joints. This, if occurring in conjunction with its profuse flow from the genitals, may make the choice of remedy lie between it and Caulophyllum in some cases. The ovaries sympathize very much with the uterine troubles of Sabina, especially after abortion, or suppressed gonorrhœa, or leucorrhœas.

   

HELONIAS DIOICA

 

Anæmic women, with prolapsus; worn out with hard work, mental or physical.

Heaviness in pelvic region, languor, pain or burning in back, with continual consciousness of a womb, sore and tender.

Better when mind is off herself.

* * * * *

I have found this remedy of use in a generally debilitated condition of women, with many and various complaints or symptoms in the region of the uterus, for instance: Prolapsus from atony, enervated by indolence and luxury; worn out with hard work, mental or physical; muscles burn and ache; so tired cannot sleep (Dr. H. C. Allen).

There is almost always associated with it a more or less anæmic condition. This. anæmia may seem to be consequent upon too profuse menstruation or flooding, or it may exist entirely independent of any such cause. In these cases I have often found albumen present in the urine, sometimes in large quantities especially in pregnant women, and seen rapid improvement and disappearance of the albumen under the action of this remedy.

The fact that these anæmic and debilitated states are found, both under profuse and scanty discharges of the uterine organs, seems to indicate that the local symptoms are secondary, or a consequence of general debility and impoverished blood. Again, the fact that Helonias cures both conditions equally well seems to corroborate it.

What are the symptoms? The leading symptoms are anæmia, great general weakness and languor, and great lowness of spirits or profound melancholy. This condition of mind is temporarily relieved by diversion. She is always better if she can get her mind off herself; dragging weakness in sacral region; various displacements of womb, but more especially prolapses; pain in the back, with lameness, stiffness and weight, and heat or burning in lumbar region; back feels tired and weak; continual consciousness of a womb, it is so sore and tender (Pirogen -distinct consciousness of a heart). Now this condition and these symptoms are often found at the age of puberty, during pregnancy and after labor, and here Helonias is indeed a blessing. I have found it efficacious in the 2d and the 30th, according to susceptibility of the patient. Helonias deserves a thorough proving in the potencies. Compare with Aletris.


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