CONSEQUENCES- (1) Severe aching pain, with a sense of weight and fatigue, especially after long walking, or remaining for some time standing in one posture. (2) The vein may burst by injury, and occasion severe and dangerous Haemorrhage. (3) Ulcers may arise from the imperfect circulation and nutrition of the skin, usually on the lower part of the outside of the leg. (4) They incapacitate for hard or long-continued work, being usually associated with constitutional debility.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT-
1. Simple Varices- Hamamelis, Pulsatilla, Silicea, Ac-Fluor.
2. Associated with other disorders- Nux V. and Sulph. in alternation (Constipation, Piles etc.); Arsenicum, (debility, burning pains, varicose Ulcers of the legs, etc.); Ac-Nit. (weekly and tubercular patients); Aconite or Belladonna (painful inflammatory symptoms); Apis (oedema, and erysipelatoid redness).
Hamamelis Virg., administered internally, and applied as a lotion externally a compress covered with oil silk, and a well applied bandage is often specific. Lotion. One part of the strong tincture to six parts of water. A lotion of Clematis tincture of the same strength is often even more useful.
ACCESSORY MEANS- Moderate compression by accurately fitted bandages or laced stockings, so as to afford that support to the blood which the valves can no longer give, and to prevent increased distension. The pressure should be very gentle and uniform, and be applied in the morning, before the patient puts his feet to the floor, and maintained until he retires to bed. Should only a small portion of a vein be enlarged, a piece of strapping-plaster may afford the requisite support. Prolonged exercise or standing should be abstained from, and, after taking moderate exercise, the limb should be raised, and maintained in a horizontal posture. Standing is more favourable than walking. The leg should be well washed, and rubbed quite dry, every morning.
Varicose Ulcers- Their treatment is the same as that of ulcers generally, with the exception of the following directions Should a Varix burst, excessive Haemorrhage may suddenly take place, inducing fainting, or even death.
18 The patient should be immediately placed flat on the floor and the leg raised, when the Haemorrhage generally ceases. A compress and bandage should then be applied to prevent subsequent bleeding. Excoriations or tender spots about varicose veins should have early attention, to obviate the formation of ulcers. See Section on Ulcers.
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."