Constrictive pain in the pectoral muscles, with tightness of the thorax, obliging deep respiration on moving about, so that he was obliged to sit down. Sensation of fullness in the upper and anterior portion of the chest, preventing deep inspiration; but when he took a deep breath, he felt a pressive pain, in isolated jerks, under the sternum (second day). Sensation of a weight on the chest, making respiration difficult, in the evening (fourth day). A sensation of pressure and weight in the whole anterior portion of chest, especially beneath the sternum, lasting through the day, but becoming especially violent on falling asleep in the evening and on waking from the midday nap, and sometimes compelling him to take a deep inspiration, and to forcibly expand the chest. Although respiration was rendered very difficult thereby, and it caused a distressing sensation in the chest, yet it was unaccompanied by anxiety. (* From the flowers. *) A spasmodic pressing pain like a pressure, from within outward, and also from without inward (as from a weight lying upon the chest), in the region of the insertion of the diaphragm, extending from the pit of the stomach to the back and scapulae (after ten hours); together with difficult respiration and necessity for taking a deep breath and expanding the chest, together with a dry cough, that was somewhat loose in the morning, and that came from the back. This attack lasted several days, and was associated with sleepiness and dryness of the nose. On the third day there were also pains in the middle of the back between the scapulae (seeming to him to be in the lungs). Front and Sides. The forepart of the chest is painful as if beaten, especially on inspiration, and whenever there is flatulent colic, in the evening (first day). Pain in the forepart of the chest, like a weight, associated with an oppression that makes respiration difficult, in the evening (second day). A jerking stitch in the forepart of the chest, extending obliquely upward and arresting the breathing (after six hours). Pressing inward in the lower portion of the right side of the chest, ascending to the throat and mouth; there was collection of bitter water in the mouth and dry cough (after half an hour). Crawling and tickling in the upper part of the right side of the chest, in the morning, provoking cough.
Heart and Pulse
Quivering of the heart; violent palpitation; the great central organ laboring under fearful embarrassment. Very transient palpitation (first day). Some sudden spasmodic stitches at the heart, associated with slight colic, in the morning after waking (after twenty hours). A most distressing urgent want of breath, and painful feeling of oppression upon the chest, to relieve which, would straighten up, when other distressing effects would ensue; a rush of blood to head, obscuring the sight; quivering of the heart; violent palpitation; the great central organ laboring under fearful embarrassment; pulse intermitting, the intervals between the pulsations being so protracted as to excite fears of impending dissolution; the hands would be placed upon the sides, the constriction about the waist and abdomen being so persistent and so oppressive as instinctively to welcome any, even the slightest palliation. Feeling as if the blood were rushing to the heart, thence to the head, and then all over the body; again to the heart and repeat (the extreme coldness and other symptoms still present); the alternate paleness and redness of the surface, indicating this varied and increased action of the circulation, was distinctly visible about 4 P.M. Sensation as if the heart were grasped, with sharp cutting pain in the cardiac region, about 5 P.M. He always suffered from palpitation whenever he ate nutmegs. It increases the circulation of the blood. Pulse 76 (before taking); 80 (after five, and fifteen minutes). Pulse small, slow (60), (second day). During the spasmodic condition the pulse was very small, feeble, and rapid, could scarcely be counted, and respirations about 10 per minute; it was difficult to count the pulse or respirations in either case, on account of the contortions and writhings of the patient. Pulse almost imperceptible, at 5.30 P.M. the pulse during the sexual paroxysms was very varied, being from 70 to over 100. Pulse intermitting, the intervals between the pulsations being so protracted as to excite fears of impending dissolution.
Back and neck
Nape of neck tremendously constricted. A draft of damp air caused drawing pain in the cervical muscles. The small of the back and the lower extremities seem bruised and very weak (seventh day). Aching in the small of the back, and weakness of the lower extremities, as though he had received a blow upon the small of the back and calves. Pain, as if broken, in the small of the back, mostly during rest, in the evening (after two, and seven hours). Pain in the back, on riding in a carriage. Pain at the side of the lumbar vertebrae, as if caused by a blow of the fist (first day). (* From the flowers. *) Pain in the muscles on the side of the lumbar vertebrae, as though he had been soundly beaten with fists (fourth day). Pain in the lumbar region (second day).
Extremities
Limbs rigid; hands clasped across the breast and firmly clinched, so much so that on attempting to separate them a violent convulsive effort was made by the patient; then followed a writhing of the entire body, “clonic spasms.” Marked muscular erethism, especially of the extremities, simulating chorea (after four hours). (The limbs, especially the arms, are relaxed, with pressure here and there). Drawing in the calves, especially on standing, relieved by lying down; after rising, trembling and weakness in the hands and lower extremities (fifth day). (Drawing pains in the muscular portions of the extremities, worse during rest, as after taking cold), (for several days). Arms and legs felt sorish, large, and heavy. Both upper and lower limbs feeling dead and numb, until the following day at noon. Extremities felt numb (after seven hours). General affection of the extremities, especially of the legs, more towards the lower portion and more on the right side.
Superior Extremities.
Shoulder, Arm, and Elbow. Pain in the left shoulder, as if it contained lead. A sticking pain (rather distinct, though not very sharp) on the flexor side of the upper arm, shoulder, and elbow- joints, that continued by paroxysms for several weeks, but lasted only a short time, seeming to be seated in the blood-vessels.
Sensation of fomentation in the muscles of the upper arm. Pain in the left upper arm, near the middle, nearer the elbow, as from the hard grasp of the hand (after one hour and a half). Felt as though a string had been tied tightly around the arms, and all the blood had rushed into my hands (first evening). Jerk like drawing in the arms, sometimes with a boring outward in the elbows (first day). Extremely acute pain in the left forearm, externally and near the elbow, in the radial region, in the flesh of all the muscles, in the bone, a kind of pressive gnawing (after three hours). Steady drawing form the fingers to the shoulders, from holding a nutmeg in the right hand; a highly sensitive person; she feels nothing in the left hand; there remains a tearing rheumatic pain in the shoulder. Burning on the left side of the left elbow externally, till three hours. Tearing pain in the extensor muscles of the left elbow, impeding motion (thirteenth day). Hands and Fingers. Numbness and fullness of the hands (first evening). Burning in the hands, that also seem hot to another, lasting half a day (after six hours). The hands seem to him as if cold and frozen, and on going into the house he experienced a kind of humming and tingling under the nails; was obliged to throw his hands about, as if they had actually been frozen (first day). Violent pain in the right middle finger, as if in the bone (after four or five minutes). Pain as if sprained, in some joints of the left little finger when grasping anything, in the morning (second day). (* From the flowers. *).
Inferior Extremities.
Painful weakness in the lower extremities, as if he had taken a long journey. The backs of the feet are very painful, as though a hard body had fallen upon them, the farther above the ankle the less the pain. Although stepping on the foot aggravates the pain, yet he is obliged to constantly move the leg back and forth, on account of uneasiness (trampling), (first day). She started after finishing her tea to go upstairs, but found it rather difficult to ascend, as she felt weak and numb in her limbs, particularly lower extremities, with sensation as though she were floating through the air; later felt much the same symptoms on ascending the stairs. Complains more or less all the time of a trembling and weakness of the lower limbs, particularly after walking or going up and downstairs. Thigh, Knee, and Leg. The posterior muscles of the right thigh are painful on walking and on touch, as if he had fallen upon them, as after riding horseback, in the morning (second day). While riding one leg over the other, the right morning (second day). While riding one leg over the other, the right thigh seems benumbed, afterwards a sensation as if the left leg would fall asleep, with rush of blood in it, prickling, etc. Transient pain on the upper and inner portion of the thigh, as if he had fallen upon it, aggravated by touch (soon). Dull drawing pains in the periosteum of the right tibia (after two hours). Painful drawing, here and there, in the thighs. The right knee is painful, as if wrenched and sprained, on moving it, and especially on going upstairs (second day). (* From the flowers.
Born in 1837in Westminster, Vermont. . He was an orthodox doctor who converted to homeopathy
Dr. Allen compiled the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica over the course of 10 years.
In 1881 Allen published A Critical Revision of the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica.