TEN YEARS DURATION.
(Case shown at Clinical afternoon during Congress, and published in October number of our Journal.)
Mrs. H., 48.
May 26, 1931.
Complains of diarrhoea on and off for 10 years.
Much “forcing”: has to hurry, or stool drops out. “As if anus opened, and stool falls out.’
Stools,”jelly”: black at times like tar, has passed long bits of skin :-“like a tube 7 inches long.”
This started 10 years ago, when she was 14 days pregnant with her second child, and “she has been like this ever since.’
Twice vaccinated; second time a very bad arm.
Syphilis was suspected, and a Wassermann done; meanwhile she got one dose of Lueticum 1m.
14 days later, June 9. “Wassermann negative”: but patient very much better already.
Diarrhoea better : pain better.
Feeling better : sleeping better.
At meat for the first time, and was all right.
Stool not black now.
Says this medicine has done her more good than any she had ever had. Placebo.
In a month, reports,”bowels open daily, and only once.” Placebo.
Two months later. Quite well. Able to eat things.
Has gained 5lb. in weight. But tender over transverse and descending colon. Mercurius cy. 1m.
4 months later. Putting on weight (3 lb. in a month).
Better than has felt for 10 years.
Menstruation twice and no colitis.
No diarrhoea : B.O. after breakfast, once.
“Has been in hospitals and out-pt. depts. but no one has done her any good before.
“Is now normal Can’t believe it herself, so well “Every one wants to know where she attends. It used to be a misery to live ” Placebo.
N.B.-In all these 5 months only one dose of Luet. 1m and one dose of Mercurius cy. 1m.
“Has never felt so well.”
And, later, Panel doctor asked her mother, “How’s that daughter of yours? I haven’t seen her lately.” “No she’s going to the hospital.” “Which?” “The Homoeopathic.” “Oh They’ll never do her any good” (This was grand joke)
Jan. 12,1932.
Has had diarrhoea and pain one night, but is better again. Mercurius cy. 1m one dose.
March.
A slight recurrence of diarrhoea, soon well. Placebo.
May 31. “Never so well since 16 years old. Placebo.
Here patient had been very ill for 10 years, and got only close of Luet. in potency, and 3 doses of Mercurius cy. 1m, at long intervals, in 14 months. But she was practically well since the first dose. (Here the reaction lasted 3 months each time.)]
When Wassermann is positive, that should mean something.
When it is negative, well But the effect of the remedies is more convincing. That first tentative prescription was fortunate one. One thought of several remedies from here symptoms: but they were not needed.
