This third lecture of Dr. Bernoville concerning the drainage of the circulatory system includes the study of drainage of the spleen, lymphatic glands and of interstitial spaces-the last one we have already studied-of liver and muscles and finally of the bone system, in relation to the circulatory apparatus.
This general study is of considerable interest because it shows the importance of drainage in peripheral circulation and in the circulation on the- surface of some organs.
1. Drainage of the spleen
It is a capital question specially in the treatment of malaria, but it is also necessary to know the importance of drainage of liver while draining the circulatory system in general. The principal remedy in the drainage of the spleen is Ceanothus; the tea of New-Jersey, the American plant having an action electively on the organ, and specially on the left hypochondria.
The pathogenesis of Ceanothus may be summarised in these terms: “Ceanothus is indicated in all splenomegaly, specially in malarial splenomegaly. In leukaemia, its action on the spleen is evidently limited. Ceanothus is to be applied in the 3x by mouth and locally by external method on humid flannel soaked in 10 to 15 drops of the mother tincture.”
In the treatment of malaria Ceanothus is complementary to China, Arsenicum and Chininum Arsenicum and Natrum muriaticum and rarely Natrum sulphuricum. In this case we know the danger of Natrum muriaticum which antidotes quinine. In the colonies and in the acute cases Natrum muriaticum is specially dangerous because as an antidote it may cause aggravation of malaria. In colonies the indicated remedy is Arsenicum in high dilutions.
By the side of Ceanothus let us cite:
Ceanothus thrysiflorous, less important and which will act in pharyngitis.
Polymnia uvedalia in acute splenitis of infected condition.
And Lobelia cerulea which is more interesting though less known and less used. It is indicated in pains localised on the posterior side of the spleen and on the left base of the thorax.
Helianthus is much more important and is used in the same sense as that of Ceanothus. The pathogenesis of this remedy also shows a big spleen which is painful, with pains irradiating to the intestines, possible diarrhoea of black stools, dry mouth, vomiting, aggravation by the heat. Helianthus is at the same time preventive and curative of chronic malaria. In the south of russia the local persons chew the seeds of tournsel for avoiding the disease.
With the remedies of malaria it is necessary to compare the remedies of pernicious anemia such as :Arsenicum album which we find here with its compounds: Ferrum ars., Calcarea ars., and also Phosphorous. Habitual opotherapy is suggested here.
Dr. Bernoville indicates on this subject that in the Homoeopathic Congress of Rome 1930, Dr.Gigliano of Naples, recalled the works of his father on splenomegaly of children of malarial parents and their homoeopathic treatment which was flourishing at that time in the whole of West Italy. The results obtained were remarkable by remedies like Calcarea carbonica, Arsenic and China (let us not forget that in a child suffering from a big spleen the indications of Calcarea carbonica may be found). Splenomegaly of ethylic origin may require Spiritus quercus glandium. This remedy is generally an important drainage remedy of drunkards.
Helonius is a curious remedy. It should not be neglected here. With its classic congestion of uterus and with a possible bearing down sensation (the patient feels her uterus), Helonius has action in acute and sub-acute congestion of the spleen with pains from the left ovary up to the spleen. It is often indicated in women towards the age of forty to fifty, who have become fat and atonic of the type of Thuya and of Sepia. The mentality of Helonius is nearer to Sepia.
2. Drainage of the Lymphatic ganglions
Dominated by two important remedies: Calcarea carbonica and Mercurius solubilis, the first one is hypertrophic without suppuration while the second one is hypertrophic with a tendency to suppurations. The two remedies proceeds towards one to the other. On the same plane we may put Drosera from the point of view of Dr. Tyler of London (Should be used in high dilutions and should be repeated rarely). Aviary and Tuberculins are to be used generally. In cases of hard, small and mobile ganglions Iodium and Silicea; in cases of hard ganglions with possibility of suppuration: Calcarea iodata. And finally for malignant hypertrophy of ganglions: Conium, Iodium and sometimes Silicea.
Bernoville was a major lecturer in homeopathy, and he was active in Liga Medicorum Homeopathica Internationalis, and a founder of the le Syndicat national des médecins homœopathes français in 1932, and a member of the French Society of Homeopathy, and the Society of Homeopathy in the Rhone.
Fortier-Bernoville wrote several books, including Une etude sur Phosphorus (1930), L'Homoeopathie en Medecine Infantile (1931), his best known Comment guerir par l'Homoeopathie (1929, 1937), and an interesting work on iridology, Introduction a l'etude de l'Iridologie (1932).
With Louis-Alcime Rousseau, he wrote several booklets, including Diseases of Respiratory and Digestive Systems of Children, Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Rheumatism, treatment of hay fever (1929), The importance of chemistry and toxicology in the indications of Phosphorus (1931), and Homeopathic Medicine for Children (1931). He also wrote several short pamphlets, including What We Must Not Do in Homoeopathy, which discusses the logistics of drainage and how to avoid aggravations.
He was an opponent of Kentian homeopathy and a proponent of drainage and artificial phylectenular autotherapy as well.