Amelioration: at the seashore; lying on the face or stomach; damp weather (Causticum, Nux); by leaning far back (constipation, can only pass stool in this position).
In summer, 1875, I had an obstinate case of acute articular rheumatism in a man age 60, from June 11th to September 5th; he suffered excruciating agony from neuralgia. After a desperate battle for life the first week of September, he was relieved, and arose from his bed a wreck. It was expected that time and outdoor life and the best hygienic measures would restore him, But weeks and months passed without change; he walked the streets leaning on a cane, bent over, muffled in wraps to his ears, and looking like an old man about to fall into the grave. Three months after my attendance I saw him pass my office, and considering his previous good health and robust frame the question arose: Why does he remain in this condition? Is there any miasm hereditary or acquired uncured to explain the obstinacy of the case? Could it be gonorrheal taint? For reasons unnecessary to mention I could not ask him.
Dr. Swan’s suggestion now occurred to me: An obstinate case of rheumatism might be due to latent gonorrhea, and Medorrhinum high will cure it; in many cases where improvement reaches a certain stage, and then stops, Medorrhinum has removed the obstruction and the case progressed to a cure; and this too in cases where gonorrhea appeared to be a most likely cause, teaching us, if anything, the universality of latent gonorrhea and the curative power of the dynamic virus.
His wife consulted me on other matters, and said ” her husband was as well as could be expected considering his age; she believed he would not do anything more, as he regarded his feeble state due to his age.” However, he came next day, and I gave him three doses of Medorrhinum, to be taken every morning; within ten days he returned feeling well and looking well. I then gave him one dose to be taken after some time; this was the last prescription he has required. Within the month, after the Medorrhinum, he dropped his cane and muffled, walked the street erect with a firm step a perfectly well man, having increased in weight from 140 to 212 pounds.
