Tedious cases are much helped by rubbing in sweet oil all over chest by a good fire; repeated night and morning.
XXXVIII. Inflammation of the Lungs (Pneumonia).
DEFINITION. An acute inflammation of the lung-substance with severe fever. The symptoms generally come on gradually.
VARIETIES. Pneumonia may affect one lung or both; it may also be complicated with Pleurisy. The base and back portions of the lung are most frequently affected.
SYMPTOMS. Feverish restlessness; a burning, dry skin; breathing more hurried than in Pleurisy, but not attended by the acute pain of the latter disease; frequent, short, dry cough, with expectoration of sticky matter, of a pale-green, yellow, or rusty colour the latter colour especially being characteristic. The nostrils flap, and there is no moisture in them, and no tears in the eyes; there is great thirst; impeded speech; variable pulse; scanty, high-coloured, hot urine; the child lies on the affected side or on the back, and chiefly breathers by his mouth. A weak, irregular, and thready pulse, lividity of the face, extreme difficulty of breathing, bluish lips, and great prostration are unfavourable indications.
CAUSES. Pneumonia often accompanies or follows severe Bronchitis; prolonged exposure to cold or wet; a through chill; living in a cold, damp atmosphere; removing the clothing, or lying on the grass after football, running etc.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT.
1. Early Symptoms. Aconite, alone for some time; to be alternated with Phosphorus if the symptoms do not yield.
2. Pleuritic Complication. Bryonia, alone or in turns with Phosphorus
3. Bronchial Complication. Antim tart.
4. With Typhoid Symptoms. Arsenicum, Baptisia, Rhus Tox., Veratrum-Vir.
LEADING INDICATIONS. Aconitum, Fever symptoms; short, rapid breathing; full pulse.
Belladonna. Short, dry cough; flushed face; headache. Chiefly useful in the first stage.
Phosphorus. Difficult breathing, rusty-coloured sputa; pain under the breast-bone. This is the chief remedy.
Bryonia. Pain on coughing, when taking a deep breath, or moving.
Antimonium Tart. White frothy expectoration; suffocative sensation.
Arsenicum Great prostration, or cases complicated with chronic Bronchitis. Iodium In scrofulous children; blood-streaked phlegm. Sulph. Tedious cases. Phosphorus, Arsenicum, Baptisia Brown lips, teeth, and tongue, prostration. Carbo.-Veg. or Arsenicum Foul breath, putrid expectoration. Verbascum-Vir. Severe fever, vomiting or purging; insensibility.
For “Accessory Means,” see the preceding Section.
Certain desperately severe cases that threaten a fatal issue recover on administrating Cuprum Acet., I. Five drops every hour.
XXXIX. Inflammation of the Pleura (Pleuritis).
DEFINITION. Acute inflammation of the covering of the lungs and lining of the chest, usually affecting one side only.
SYMPTOMS. Pleurisy generally comes on violently, with chills, and severe stabbing pains.
The breathing is hurried, the child does not take a full deep breath, and breathing is frequently interrupted by a stitch or catch, or by a cough; which is frequently short and dry, and occasions a sharp stabbing pain below the nipple. There is also parched tongue; flushed face; hard, wiry, quick pulse; scanty, high-coloured urine; and the patient desires to lie on the affected side or back. When the lung is also involved, the expectoration is copious and blood-streaked.
CAUSES. Exposure to atmosphere changes and checked perspiration, especially in persons of feeble constitution, fevers, and the extension of inflammation from a neighbouring organ; or it may be set up by injuries.
REMEDIES. Aconitum. If given early, Aconite, may alone be sufficient. A dose every two hours till the dry skin, thirst, and sleeplessness are relieved.
Bryonia. Short, laboured, anxious, catching breathing, frequent cough, which shakes and pains the side.
As long as the febrile symptoms continue Aconite, may be alternated with Bryonia
Arsenicum. Oppressed breathing, suffocative attacks, general coldness, and exhaustion.
Sulphur. During recovery, to complete the cure, and to prevent relapse.
ADDITIONAL REMEDIES. Kali Hyd. (chronic cases); Iodium (scrofulous children); Antim tart. (retching of mucus and profuse expectoration); Phosphorus (Pleuro-pneumonia).
XL. Cough (Tussis).
Cough is only a symptom, but at times it may be also prominent a one as to appear to demand exclusive attention. It may be caused by irritation of the lining of the air passages, breathing of dust, derangement of the stomach, etc.
REMEDIES. Aconitum. Hard, dry, irritative cough, with feverishness.
Belladonna. Tickling in the throat; dry, hoarse cough, worse in the night; spasmodic cough with flushed face.
Antimonium Tart. Wheezing and rattling of mucus, with defective power to remove is; inability to lie down.
Ipecacuanha. Retching or vomiting of phlegm; suffocative cough, in fits.
Bryonia. Pain in the chest when coughing; yellow or blood- streaked phlegm.
Phosphorus. Hoarse cough, with pain under the breast bone; rusty coloured phlegm.
Drosera. Spasmodic cough; especially if there is fear of Whooping cough also (Ipecac.).
Spongia. Dry, hard, barking cough; hoarseness.
Cina. Cough from the irritation of thread-worms.
ADDITIONAL REMEDIES. Hepar.-S., Coni., Hyoscyamus, Sambucus, Coral, Verat, Causticum, Mercurius, Iodium
ACCESSORY TREATMENT. Light diet in small quantity, particularly if there be fever. A cold sponge-bath every morning, and frequent out-door exercise, will often overcome a tendency to cough.
See also the Sections on “Whooping-cough,” “Croup,” “Pleurisy,” “Bronchitis,” and “Inflammation of the Lungs”.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."