The stools sometimes resemble those of cholera and, if there is much retching, bilious vomiting and jaundiced hue of the skin, podophyllum might be given in that disease. It is a remedy for dysenteric diarrhoea depending on inflammatory irritation of the rectum, but is not indicated when ulceration of the colon is the cause, as its action on the intestines stops short at the ileocaecal valve, and the large bowel is not affected by it until the rectum is reached.
It is useful in some cases of enteric fever, when the diarrhoea is of the podophyllum type and when the patient rolls his head from side to side in a loquacious delirium.
With the diarrhoea caused by podophyllum there is a great tendency to prolapse of the rectum, and for this condition, especially when occurring in children weakened by diarrhoea, it is a most valuable remedy. It relieves the constant straining to as something from the bowel which is so distressing in cases of carcinoma of the rectum. It is very useful for a state of debility of the bowels in children when the stools, though natural, are passed too often; these patients are usually somewhat emaciated.
Sexual.-It is very useful for piles and prolapse of the rectum after confinements, and for the same condition occurring during the straining of violent retching or vomiting, or from overlifting. Prolapsus of the uterus, whether occurring in association with diarrhoea or from straining or parturition, may find its remedy in podophyllum; prolapse of the anus often accompanies it. it is indicated in dysmenorrhoea when there is pain in the region of the right ovary which extends down the course of the anterior crural nerve, and a bearing-down sensation, as if the uterus would be forced out of the pelvis. The ovarian pain is worse from straightening the limb. This right-sided ovarian pain may occur at other times than at the menses and will require podophyllum. It is said to have benefited ovarian enlargement. It relieves the excessive vomiting sometimes occurring in the early months of pregnancy, the indications for it are swelling of the labia, and the necessity for the patient to lie over on her stomach in order to be comfortable.
Dentition.-Podophyllum is one of the chief remedies for the dentition troubles of children when there is diarrhoea and the patient rolls his head from side to side (bell., apis), grinds his teeth, makes chewing motions with the jaws and presses the gums together. It will often prevent hydrocephaloid, when threatening, if these symptoms are present.
Fever.-Podophyllum is a remedy for bilious fevers of a remittent type and for intermittent fevers; the chill is violent and is followed by intense fever and delirium, characterized by great loquacity.
It is indicated for neuralgia of the ulnar nerve. It is predominantly right-sided.
LEADING INDICATIONS.
(1) General “bilious” conditions, with painful retching, vomiting, jaundice, diarrhoea and headache.
(2) Early morning diarrhoea (apis, aloes, bry., nat., sulph., rumex., sulph)
(3) Dentition troubles of children, with diarrhoea.
(4) Prolapsus recti; prolapsus uteri.
(5) Ovarian neuralgia, right-sided.
(6) Neuralgia of the ulnar nerve.
(7) Loquacious delirium.
(8) “Bilious” temperaments, especially after mercurialization.
AGGRAVATION :
From motion, open air, in the morning, especially 2 to 4 a.m., after eating and drinking, before, during and after stool, hot weather (diarrhoea), acid fruit, milk.
AMELIORATION :
From rubbing, lying down (except headache), lying on abdomen (early pregnancy), external heat (pain in bowels), warmth of bed (hill), stretching in bed, pressure (headache).
Edwin Awdas Neatby founded the Missionary School of Homeopathy and the London Homeopathic Hospital in 1903, and run by the British Homeopathic Association. He died in East Grinstead, Sussex, on the 1st December 1933. Edwin Awdas Neatby wrote The place of operation in the treatment of uterine fibroids, Modern developments in medicine, Pleural effusions in children, Manual of Homoeo Therapeutics,