(Including Infections, Suppurations, Cellulitis, etc.).
Belladonna [Bell]
Is the remedy most often indicated for the initiatory symptoms of abscess. The parts ***swell rapidly, become bright red, there is intense throbbing which is painful, pus develops speedily the swelling increases and the redness radiates; here *Belladonna is in close relation with *Hepar and *Mercurius. It comes in earlier than either of these remedies and corresponds more closely to the ***active, sthenic variety of abscess before pus is matured. In abscesses about the alveolar processes, the so called gum boils, **Belladonna is often the first remedy and **Mercurius follows here in most cases. In acute glandular abscess **Belladonna is often indicated and is a beginning remedy.
**Chamomilla is not a remedy to suggest itself in abscess, yet has proved valuable in promoting the formation of pus in chronic abscesses where **Hepar has failed to act promptly, and in making the pains more bearable.
Hepar sulphur. [Hep]
Is the great homoeopathic remedy for suppurations where the pus is not decomposed. It suits especially lymphatic, phlegmatic individuals. ***Excessive sensitiveness of the parts is a leading indication. It is further indicated by these symptoms: chilly sensations, throbbing in the parts, or ***sharp, sticking pains which are worse at night and from If given low in threatening suppuration it will favor the formation of pus. The suppurative process will often be aborted by **Hepar if given in the higher potencies. Such abscesses as felon or whitlow generally do well under **Hepar. If there be a bruised pain present, sometimes **Arnica may do good. There are two other preparations similar to **Hepar; calcium sulphide, which is the chemically pure article, has never been proved, hence we must regard it only as a makeshift for *Hepar, and Calcarea sulphurica. The last remedy has been found useful in cases of abscess where the suppuration seems to continue indefinitely. The presence of pus with a **vent has been considered a good indication; it comes in after **Silicea, and suits painful abscesses about the anus, and is a most useful remedy in gum boils. Dr. W. E. Leonard claims that in the 12x it will abort felons and furuncles.
Silicea [Sil]
Is the remedy where the suppuration continues and the wound refuses to heal, no matter where the suppurative process is located; the pus is apt to be thin, watery, and the process is sluggish and indolent one. Under **Silicea the suppurative process takes on a healthy action, the pus becomes benign, granulation appear. It is then time to stop the remedy, for if it be continued it may undo the good it has done, and another remedy, probably **Fluoric acid, will have to be given. This remedy antidotes the overuse of **Silicea. **Silicea is usually prescribed after an abscess has been lanced or opened by means of poultice. Warmth is very grateful to the **Silicea patient. **Fluoric acid has relief from cold. Abscesses having ***much cellular infiltration in their vicinity call for Silicea. It, too, is a remedy for all fistulous burrowings. In rectal fistula it is very often the remedy; great nervous erethism, if present, is an additional. There is often considerable foetor to the discharge of **Silicea cases. Scrofulous and tubercular abscesses especially call for **Silicea.
Mercurius. [Merc]
Differing from **Belladonna, from **Hepar, and especially from **Silicea is Mercurius, which is one of our good remedies in abscess. It comes in after **Belladonna, when pus has formed. It favors the formation of pus especially in the lower potencies, and is especially indicated in ***glandular abscesses; the pus is greenish in tint, and quite thin and fluid. There is intense, shining redness with throbbing and stinging pains. It does not follow Silicea well. From *Hepar it is to be distinguished by general symptoms; then, too, the suppurative process is slower, and all the pains are greatly aggravated at night. In abscesses at the **roots of the teeth it is one of our best remedies, and it is often efficacious in toothache due to this cause. It will often abort suppuration when used in the highest potencies, as in tonsillitis, where it is a most valuable remedy. It is a remarkable remedy in pyorrhoea and will make extraction of teeth unnecessary.
Lachesis. [Lach]
In low conditions of abscess, when pus in thin, dark, ichorous, and offensive in character, **Lachesis may me the remedy. The parts are purplish in appearance. It the remedy for abscess where poisonous matter has been introduced into the system, causing the trouble. **Carbo vegetabilis may also be a remedy in long-lasting, unhealthy suppurative processes which produce a hectic fever. **Rhus toxicodendron is another remedy for abscesses of the parotid or axillary glands where there is a discharge of a bloody, serous pus. The evident poisoned condition of the system and tendency of the abscess to take on a carbunculous state will indicate Rhus. With *Lachesis the discharge is a thin ichorous pus. Another remedy in low condition of abscess is **Arsenicum; the great debility, the production of watery, ichorous pus, the threatening of gangrene and the intolerable ***burning pains will call immediate attention to this remedy.
Sulphur [Sulph]
Is also a remedy which may be used with the greatest benefit in abscesses and suppuration; especially is it useful in chronic cases where the discharge is profuse, accompanied with emaciation and hectic fever. Abscesses in scrofulous persons, where there is a marked psoric taint and a tendency to boils, correspond to **Sulphur. The pus is acrid and excoriating. Crops of boils in various parts of the body indicate the remedy well. **Lycopodium has also been found useful in boils which are greatly aggravated by poultices.
Arnica [Arn]
Is the remedy where abscesses and boils do not mature; they shrivel up, then another crop comes; **Arnica will often develop the abscess, carrying it on to a discharge of the pus and a cure of the trouble. Boils coming in crops call for **Arnica; they are ***very sore, purplish in color; also blood boils which are very sore.
**Calcarea carbonica, Calcarea iodata (especially in abscess of the cervical glands scrofulous in nature), **Asafoetida, Calendula (traumatic suppuration), and a number of other remedies may perchance be indicated in suppuration and abscess. With **Calendula the pus is thick and yellow, not attended with active inflammation. The symptoms, unhealthy skin, every little wound or scratch suppurates, are found under **Hepar, Silicea, **Calcarea carbonica and Graphites. Grauvogl considered **Arnica as a remedy to prevent suppuration, and particularly to hinder the absorption of pus and so prevent pyaemia.
Rhus toxicodendron [Rhus-t]
**Is a very useful remedy in acute suppuration; especially has it been found useful in suppurative conditions about the eye. It has proved curative in abscesses about the parotid and axillary glands; the pus is bloody and serous, the pain is intense, and the swelling is dark red. **Rhus corresponds very closely to septicaemia.
Echinacea [Echi]
Has achieved a well merited reputation in suppurative conditions, especially where symptoms of blood poisoning are present. There is no question as to its efficacy.
Nitric acid [Nit-ac]
May also come in suppurations about the glands, especially the inguinal or axillary, in syphilitic subjects, and when the discharge is offensive, excoriating and of a dirty, greenish yellow colour. Suppurations is mastoid process.
**Kali iodatum must also be thought of in syphilitic or scrofulous cases.
**Phosphorus is often useful in abscesses about the bones, and here we will find **Aurum, Asafoetida, Pulsatilla, Calcarea phosphorica, Calcarea fluorica and Manganum special remedies.
**Pyrogen according to Dr. W. E. Leonard is invaluable as remedy in recurring abscess conditions. It will clean up the system and prevent a recurrence.
Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Michigan Homeopathic Medical College. Member of American Institute of Homeopathy. In addition to his editoral work he authored or collaborated on: Boericke and Dewey's Twelve Tissue Remedies, Essentials of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Essentials of Homeopathic Therapeutics and Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics.