2. From Over-exertion- Arnica
3. From Congestion- Aconite, Belladonna
4. From Indigestion- Nux V., Pulsatilla
5. Nervous Palpitation- Mosch., Spigelia, Belladonna, Aconite Cact., Arsenicum, Thyroidin (especially in those subject to enlarged thyroid glands). See Leading Indications, further on.
In the Table on opposite page, abridged from Aitken, the chief characteristics of Palpitation from structural disease of the heart are placed in contrast with those from functional disorder.
LEADING INDICATIONS-
Aconitum- Palpitation from the least excitement with anxiety, chilliness, numbness of the extremities, or a sensation as if the heart ceased to beat; short, hurried breathing; hot, flushed face. It is specially adapted to plethoric patients.
Belladonna- Oppression, tremor, pain about the heart; throbbing in the neck and head; redness of the face.
Digitalis- Great irregularity, without any assignable cause, with inability to walk or lie down great distress. One to three drops of the strong tincture every two or three hours.
TABLE OF THE CHIEF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ORGANIC AND FUNCTIONAL DISEASE OF THE HEART.
ORGANIC.
1. Palpitation usually comes on slowly and insidiously. 2. Palpitation, or distressed action, though more marked at one time than another, is constant.
3. Percussion elicits increased extent and degree of dullness in the region of the heart.
4. Lividity of the lips and cheeks, congested countenance, and Anasarca of the lower extremities, are often present. 5. The action of the heart is not necessarily quickened.
6. Palpitation often not much complained of by the patient, but occasionally attended with severe pain extending to the left shoulder and arm. (See Angina Pectoris).
7. Palpitation is increased by exercise, stimulants, and tonics, but is relieved by rest.
8. Is more common in the male than the female.
FUNCTIONAL.
1. Palpitation generally sets in suddenly.
2. Palpitation is not constant, having perfect intermissions.
3. dullness in the region of the heart is not extended beyond the natural limits.
4. There is no lividity of the lips and cheeks, countenance often chlorotic, and, except in extreme cases, there is no Anasarca.
5. The action of the heart is generally quickened.
6. Palpitation much complained of by the patient, often with pain in the left side.
7. Palpitation is increased by sedentary occupations, but relieved by moderate exercise.
8. Is more common in the female than the male.
Pulsatilla- Hysterical symptoms and in females suffering from deranged period.
Administration- During a sudden attack, a dose should be administered immediately, and repeated every thirty to sixty minutes; afterwards, twice daily for a few days.
ACCESSORY MEASURES- The patient must avoid mental excitement, stimulants, coffee, sleeping-draughts, indigestible food, etc. Pure air; cold water, used internally and externally; regular, moderate exercise in the open air, short of inducing fatigue; a contented and tranquil disposition, with light and nourishing diet, are excellent auxiliaries in the treatment of this affection.
101. Intermittent Pulse.
This variety of irregularity of the heart’s action requires a distinctive notice. By the term intermittency is meant an absolute loss of the normal beats of the pulse, covering the time of a natural stroke, or in extreme instances, of two, three, or even more pulsations. The impulse of the ventricle to contract is derived from the auricle and transmitted by a special muscular structure. When this structure is affected by disease contractile impulses are not transmitted regularly. Sometimes the auricle will contract three or four times while the ventricle only contracts once, and various irregularities of rhythm may be set up. Intermittency is not always a sign of gross organic disease however, though probably it always denotes a fault in this mechanism of conduction.
The pulsation following the intermission is heavier and fuller, showing that the ventricle is contracting on an extra volume of blood after the momentary pause, like a smith, who, striking at the forge a number of strokes in regular succession, until tired of the action, changes it for a moment to give a more deliberate blow, and then rings on again in regular time.
CAUSE- Emotional and nervous states are very liable to act as determining causes. D. W. B. Richardson says- Grief from the death of friends; shock from failures of business; disappointments; violent outbursts of passion; remorse, degradation; and, most fruitful cause of all in this madly striving age, overwork of brain these are the outside influences leading to the changes on which the phenomenon of intermittency of the pulse most frequently depends.
TREATMENT- We fully concur in Dr. Richardson’s recommendation of change, sufficient rest and sleep. and the avoidance of excitement and stimulants; but our Materia Medica supplies us with remedies such as Digitalis, Phosphorus, Nux V., Ac-Phosphorus, Aconite, Belladonna, Spigelia which are greatly superior to his depletive measures, purgatives and opiates.
102. Aneurism.
DEFINITION- A Tumour formed by the dilatation of an artery, or communicating with an artery, and containing blood. In its first stage the Tumour contains fluid blood and pulsates; in its second stage, it contains coagulated blood, deposited in numerous thin layers like the leaves of a book.
Aneurism may be idiopathic or traumatic the latter is caused by an injury to the artery. The disease is more common in men than in women, and causes several hundred deaths in England annually.
VARIETIES- The fusiform (spindle-shaped), sometimes called true Aneurism, consists of an unnatural dilatation of an artery; sacculated Aneurism is a partial dilatation of all the coats of an artery; and diffused implies a sac formed by the surrounding tissues. The last variety has been mistaken for a purulent sac, and opened accordingly, to the imminent peril of the patient.
TREATMENT- An Aneurism often requires surgical measures. Cases beyond the province of surgery are generally much benefited by Aconite, or Ver-Vir. They prevent arterial excitement, and remove all excuse for abstraction of blood. The disease is dependent on weakening of the arterial wall as a result of degeneration of the tissues. The drugs that tend to produce a similar arterial condition are Baryta, Lead, Adrenalin, and probably Lycopodium. Consequently one or other of them may be useful in treating Aneurism.
Arnica- This remedy may be alternated with Aconite in traumatic Aneurism.
Phosphorus- Is useful in idiopathic cases to prevent further arterial degeneration.
ACCESSORY MEANS- Rest in a recumbent posture, and a light unstimulating diet, are favourable adjuncts to the treatment; indeed, the beneficial results of recumbency are most remarkable.
103. Phlebitis Inflammation of the Veins.
Two varieties exist of this not very common disease
(a) Adhesive, generally arising from exposure to wet and cold, and affecting one of the large veins of the lower extremities.
(b) Suppurative, which is a more serious form, frequently an aggravation of the adhesive variety, and sometimes caused by a wound or abscess.
Phlegmasia dolens (Milk-leg or White-leg) is an Inflammation of the veins and lymphatics, peculiar to nursing women, presenting symptoms and requiring treatment similar to Phlebitis.
SYMPTOMS- If the affected vein is near the surface, it appears reddish-purple; it is hard, swollen, and knobbed; severe pains may dart through the limb, especially on movement, and there is stiffness, with more or less oedema of the part. If Suppuration occur, it may be by means of an Abscess; or it may remain under the surface, producing purulent infection. Professional treatment is absolutely necessary for this form of the disease.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT- Aconite (febrile disturbance); Hamamelis (with varices); Pulsatilla (with disordered menstruation), Phosphorus, Lachesis
ACCESSORY MEASURES- Rest fomentations of warm water; Aconite lotion if there be much pain; Hamamelis lotion (see next Section) if the veins are varicose. In acute cases the diet should be light and limited.
104. Varicose Veins (Varices).
DEFINITION- A condition in which the veins are dilated, so that their valves, which cannot undergo a corresponding enlargement, cease to be efficient.
This disease occurs most frequently in the superficial veins of the lower extremities, and not usually in the deep-seated ones, because they are supported by the muscles and fasciae. When the veins of the spermatic cord are involved, the disease is called Varicocele; when those of the anus it constitutes a form of Haemorrhoids.
SYMPTOMS- The affected veins are dilated, tortuous, knotted, of a dull leaden or purplish-blue colour, with much discoloration of the parts, and some oedema of the limb. If a great many small cutaneous veins are alone affected, they present the appearance of a close network. The enlarged veins and local swellings diminish after taking the horizontal posture.
CAUSES- Generally, conditions which induce more or less permanent distention of the veins. Strains, or over-exertions of a part, may cause an afflux of blood into them and lead to their distension; standing occupations favour the gravitation of blood to the lower extremities; and further, the length of a vein, such as the internal saphena, may lead to its undue distension in consequence of the long column of blood it contains. Obstacles to the return of venous blood, such as tight garters or strays, a Tumour, the pregnant uterus, or even impacted faeces, by pressing upon one of the large venous trunks, may occasion its permanent distention as well as that of its branches. In other instances, Varices seem to be due to an hereditary predisposition, altered condition of the blood, or deficiency of tone in the active organs of circulation, leading to an enfeebled and relaxed condition of the walls of the veins.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."