In another case, a patient suffering from a very severe and painful attack of acute rheumatic fever, was given large doses of Salicylic acid; after the fifth dose, the pains disappeared by magic; but on the third day he felt all at once a violent pain in epigastric region, and suddenly expired. Quite a number of sudden deaths have been recorded.
Besides epistaxis, other haemorrhages had been frequently observed from the administration of large doses of Salicylic acid for acute rheumatism; among them haematuria, and even retinal haemorrhage.
One has an idea that Salicylic acid is used to preserve jams from deterioration. It should–in small doses–since in “heroic” doses it produces, everywhere, putridity. In susceptibles one should look out for even such small salicylic poisonings. One is beginning to think that in our day the devil has special methods of torture and damage for civilized humanity, in the Knowledge of Good and Evil that comes through such sciences as chemistry. The simpler our foods and lives and the more natural, the safer–as regards vigour and well-being. But always the question of individuality and idiosyncrasy creeps in; and the many seem to tolerate without notable damage what is destruction–perhaps death, to the few. And yet, the many must also suffer, to a less appreciable extent.
Moral: the more one learns, the more convinced one is, that the rapid, safe and successful methods of Homoeopathy are preferable, every time, in the treatment–of even such painful conditions as acute rheumatism. Where an indifferent prescriber may not get quick and full results, he, at least, does not endanger life.
