In different families this psoric or scrofulous” diathesis tends of develop itself in different ways; and the same is true of the different ages of life. Thus, not to repeat what has already been said of other external developments of scrofula, the same element if early childhood affects the glandular system, which in other families, or in other individuals of the same families, and even in the same individuals at different periods of life, results in tuberculization.
The term scrofula as used in this section refers principally to disorders of the glandular system. The cervical glands are those most frequently affected, enlarged and ulcerated. Sometimes these produce deformity similar to goitre; but show no disposition to suppurate. The corresponding disorder of the mesenteric glands constitutes tabes mesenterica, and their ulceration, “consumption of the bowels.
The causes of scrofula, that is of this especial development of the inherited, psoric diathesis, are to be found in scanty, unsuitable, and too uniform food; in defective ventilation; in deprivation of light; in over exertion, and in exposure to cold and dampness. Young infants imbibe the disease form their nurses’ milk; or have it developed in them by other and unsuitable substituted for it. Scrofula is, however, a very general term; and among what may be properly termed scrofulous diseases, may be mentioned a large part of those to which the infantile life is heir to. Some of these, such as Rachitis, and Hydrocephalus, Spasms, &c, will be more particularly described.
Arsenicum. Great emaciation; waxy paleness; great fatigue on the least exertion; nocturnal restlessness. Can hardly go up stairs. Scrofulous atrophy.
Baryta c. Painful glandular swellings and indurations, in the neck, or near the articulations of the lower jaw. The mesenteric glands become affected, and atrophy commences to show itself.
Belladonna. Bleeding of the nose; distended abdomen; the throat frequently becomes sore; the eyes are often inflamed; bloated face; not good sleep hears all that is going on at night.
Calcarea c. HEad large; fontanelles open; or are unusually slow in closing; much perspiration about the head. Sympathetic swelling in the neck, and in other places; enlargement of the abdomen.
Cina. I deem it not a little remarkable, and a fact that disproves many theories of old school origin, that Cina 1000 so often cures scrofulosis in children who are continually boring with the finger in the nose, who are cross and exceedingly unamiable, whose urine turns milky on standing; whom nothing please; who are constantly turning and twisting at night, with frequent calls for water, and who are often ravenous for food.
Hepar. Is also suitable in many cases; as indeed are may other remedies, according to their characteristics. Compare Rachitis.
Iodine.. This remedy is very frequently indicated when there are glandular swelling. Compare all the symptoms. Bromine is closely allied to Iodine.
Mercurius sol. Cold and clammy sweats upon the lower extremities at night. Night sweats; swollen and inflamed glands, with a tendency to ulceration. Salivation. Scorbutic gums. All the symptoms are always worse in cold, damp weather.
Mezereum. May be indicated when there is constant excoriation of the nose, and often of the throat also.
Psorinum. In many respects this remedy is similar to Sulphur.
Silicea. Useful in children with large bellies, weak ankles; much perspiration about the head; inclination to uncover.
Sulphur. In children who are exceedingly sensitive to the open air, or wind; they do not like to be bathed, to touch water, to have their hair combed or brushed or made to look nice. Skin rough and scaly. Burning heat in the soles of the feet; short naps of sleep at night; papular eruptions.
RACHITIS – RICKETS.
Scrofulous disease affecting the bones, called rickets, curvature of the bones, is an affection of early childhood, being noticed usually towards the end of the first dentition, if not before. The disorder seems to consist in an excessive preparation of the process of ossification, which, from deficiency of assimilative force, fails to be completed. The bones of thee skull seem to be the first affected, and with this is invariably associated some enlargement of the ends of the long bones. With this species of deformity of particular bones, may also be found, in some cases, a general deformity of shape, as seen in those who are pigeon breasted, or affected with curvature of the spine; and in fact some of these latter deformities of general structure naturally grow out of the first mentioned deviations in particular osseous formation. Besides these direct deformities, there are others, such as bending or curving of particular bones, which arise indeed form mechanical pressure, from gravity, or from muscular contraction; but which are in reality due to softness, or incomplete osseous development in the bones themselves. The one general and sufficient cause for the innumerable variety of deformities which may be be described under the head or Rachitis, including very slow development of the teeth, inability to walk, easy fracture, and spontaneous luxation of the bones, is to be found in imperfect nutrition, and unhealthy food, developing in these forms some dyscrasia inherent in the system. See Lesions of Nutrition.
Treatment. – These various deformities often improve in the most wonderful manner under the action of the appropriate remedy. Study and compare the following.
Baryta c. Will be found suitable to many cases in dwarfish children; i.e., in those of imperfect development.
Bryonia. Lips dry and parched; vomiting immediately after eating. Constipation, with stools, dry and hard, as if burnt. Wishes to keep very quiet.
Calcarea c. In those children whose temperament, figure and symptoms correspond to this remedy, it may be repeated once a week, or month, – according as the condition of the patient may require.
Ipecacuanha. Indicated by constant nausea.
Nux v. Sleepless, particularly towards morning; constipation of large, difficult stools.
Phosphorus acid. When there is a pale, sickly look; great debility; painless diarrhoea; tottering gait.
Ruta graveolens. Tottering gait, as if the thighs were weak; and there is much pain in them on walking.
Silicea. Much like Calcarea, only the temperament is less strongly marked and leucophlegmatic, and the osseous system is better developed.
Staphysagria. When the teeth turn black, and crumble, with the progress of the disease, into little fragments.
Sulphur. Indicated when the child is subject to intertrigo, pimples; short sleeps at night, & c.
Veratrum. In cases complicated with diarrhoea or constipation, with cold sweat on the forehead.
MUMPS, – PAROTITIS-CYNANCHE PAROTIDEA. – This acute inflammation of the parotid gland differs from an ordinary glandular swelling in being epidemic and contagious, and in not tending to suppuration. The disease appears in the form of an external tumor, which occupies the gland of one side; and as the inflammation declines in the one first affected, it commences to develop itself in the other, in many cases, but not in all. The tumor, which was first remarkable and circumscribed, soon becomes extensive and diffused, often involving the maxillary glands in the inflammation, and continuing to increase till the fourth day. The pain is very considerable, – a steady and severe aching, as stated by those old enough to express their feelings; but the general fever is comparatively unimportant. The duration of the swelling is variable, from five to six days, in some cases, to a fortnight in others.
46 The metastasis of the disease from the parotid to the mamma, testicle or brain, – rare in proportion to the tender age of the patient, – would seem scarcely possible under judicious Homoeopathic treatment.
Baryta c. – If the swelling becomes very hard.
Belladonna. In cases characterized by red eyes and face; fever in the afternoon; tendency to erysipelatous inflammation; lethargy and delirium, and pain in head, on the disappearance of the tumor.
Carbo veget., and also Conium, are very useful in these cases.
Mercurius. This is the remedy in the majority of cases; particularly if they are apparently caused by a cold; and in cases where there are chills and fever and thirst at night; sweat at night; no appetite; cannot open the jaws; difficulty of deglutition; some salivation.
Rhus. – where there is much restlessness at night; and in cases complicated with erysipelatous inflammation.
INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN – HYDROCEPHALUS.
There are a variety of disorders of the encephalon, -disorders of the enveloping membranes of the brain, and of the brain itself, -which may be included under the general head of inflammation of the brain. And since all these disorders, -the acute as well as the chronic, those of the membranes as well as those of the brain itself, -tend to result in dropsical effusion, they are all indifferently classed under the general head of Hydrocephalus. With this preliminary explanation, we proceed to give the briefest possible statement of the principal symptoms of these various disorders, and subjoin a concise summary of the chief characteristic indications of the remedies most Homoeopathic to them.
