Goitre


Dr. Dewey discusses the homeopathy treatment of Goitre in his bestselling book Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics….


  (Embracing Simple Goitre and Exophthalmic Goitre.).

Calcarea carbonica. [Calc]

      In simple goitre in those of strumous diathesis this remedy has been used successfully. Cured cases on record are numerous. Dr. Zopfy, of Germany, who has had much experience, claims the remedy will cure most simple cases within a very few weeks. Various strengths are recommended from the 4th to the 30th. **Calcarea iodide is also a very useful remedy. **Flouric acid is another remedy useful in simple cases.

Lapis albus. [Lap-a]

      This is the silico-fluoride of **Calcium and was first recommends by Grauvogl and later emphasized by Hale. It is component part of the waters of valleys where goitre is prevalent. It corresponds to simple goitre of a soft doughy feel, rather than the hard indurated encapsulated varieties. The writer has seen the drug cure several cases of this description in the 6X trituration. It increases markedly the appetite. It suits well persons of anaemic tendency.

Iodine. [Iod]

      Is a classical remedy for goitre, simple and the exophthalmic variety; in this we have the exophthalmus, the thyroid enlargement, the tachycardia, and the tremor, all characteristic of **Iodine. In the simple, soft variety it is also useful; here it should be used low, but in the indurated varieties better results will be had with the higher potencies.

The external application of Iodine is harmful and of no service whatever. Neither goitre nor Graves’ Disease are surgical diseases. The general lymphatic glandular involvement throughout the body is an additional indication for Iodine. A depressed mental condition is also frequently present. **Fucus vesiculosus has cured numerous cases of goitre. It is sea kelp and contains iodine.

Spongia tosta. [Spong]

      A remedy long used in the treatment of enlarged thyroids. It is well known that **Spongia contains iodine. In the valleys where goitre abounds the popular remedy is a powder containing powdered egg shell (**Calcarea carbonica), burnt sponge (**Spongia tosta) and sugar. Several cases are on record of the cure of goitre with **Spongia. It is also most suitable to the exophthalmic variety. Cardiac tremor is characteristic, in fact the heart symptoms of **Spongia are quite similar to those of many cases of Graves’ Disease.

**Sulphur has been found curative of Exophthalmic goitre.

**Mercurius proto-iodide, and **Mercurius bin-iodide have also been recommended.

Lycopus Virginicus. [Lycps]

      Many observers speaks highly of this remedy in the exophthalmic variety of goitre. Its chief indications seem to be constriction of chest, weak pulse, which is remittent, tremulous and rapid. Cyanosis. Sometimes the heart’s action is tumultuous and forcible.

**Ferrum phosphoricum is also well recommended in the Exophthalmic variety.

**Belladonna has cured several cases. Jousset esteems it highly for well-marked cases of exophthalmus.

**Amyl nitrite has been suggested.. It might act well in the higher potencies.

Thyroidine. [Thyr]

      Produces anaemia, emaciation, sweating and a persistent frontal headache and muscular weakness. It exercises a regulating influence over nutrition, growth and development. Basedow tachycardia and exophthalmic goitre with palpitation from the least excitement, easy excitability of the heart and dry skin. The higher potencies are more efficient in the exophthalmic variety and much safer than the taking of the crude thyroid which has a large element of danger. It reinforces the action of **Lycopus, and is complemented by **Fucus vesiculosus.

Natrum muriaticum. [Nat-m]

      Exophthalmic goitre in subjects of a cachectic appearance; there is palpitation of the heart and the heart beat seems to shake the entire body. It is likely to be a very useful remedy to finish and fix the cure begun by some other remedy.

W.A. Dewey
Dewey, Willis A. (Willis Alonzo), 1858-1938.
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.