Symptoms. As the change progresses, there is commonly more or less functional disturbance, as vertigo, headache, flushes of heat, nervousness, urinary difficulties, pains in the back and loins extending down the thighs, with creeping sensations, heat in the lower part of the abdomen, occasional swelling of the extremities, itching of the parts, etc.
Sometimes menstruation may be arrested by cold, fright, or general illness. Earlier in life a restoration to general health would have been attended by the reappearance of the menses;; now, however, nature takes this opportunity to terminate the function. But the gradual termination is the most frequent, and is attended with the least disturbance of health. In gradual extinction, one period is missed, and then there is a return; a longer time elapses, and there is, perhaps, an excessive flow; afterwards some months may pass away without any reappearance, then there may be a scanty discharge, followed perhaps by flooding; at last the discharge becomes so scanty and so slightly coloured as scarcely to attract notice, and then finally disappears.
TREATMENT. When the change is accompanied by deranged health, one or more of the following remedies may be administered: Cimic., Pulsatilla, China, Ferrum, Aconite, Sepia, Bryonia, Belladonna, Lachesis, Gelsemium, Platina, Cocc.
Cimicifuga. A prime remedy for many of thee sufferings incidental to the critical age-pains under the left beast and in various parts of the left side; sinking at the stomach; headache, with aching in the eyeballs and limbs; depression of spirits even to melancholy; irritability and restlessness.
Pulsatilla. Should be taken by women of the temperament and complexion to which this remedy is suitable. See previous pages.
China or Ferrum. One of these remedies should be used when there are repeated profuse discharge, burning pains at the top of, sense of tightness round, and noises in, the head, The latter remedy should have the preference when there is great poverty of blood, tendency to dropsy, etc.
Aconitum. Is recommended as being, in robust or plethoric patients, thee most soothing of all medicines at the climacteric period.
Bryonia. Congestion of the lungs or chest; sense as of a stone lying in the stomach; suppression of the menses with bleeding at the nose; pain in the limbs and small of the back.
Arsenicum. Dropsical symptoms, oppressed breathing, and general debility.
Belladonna, Glonoine, and Gelsemium are recommended for congestive headache and brain symptoms.
Lachesis, Ignatia, for nervousness, numbness, sinking sensation, constipation, melancholy, flushes. Symptoms worse after sleep. Administration. A dose every three or four hours for acute symptoms, otherwise thrice daily.
ACCESSORY MEANS. A light and nourishing, but by no means and extra diet, should be allowed, with little or no wine, and no malt liquors. An accustomed discharge is about to cease, or has already ceased; the system is oppressed, the weakness so often complained of at this period being sensational rather than real. If, to remove the languor and inactivity present, stimulants and generous diet be allowed, some important organs would most likely suffer. Small quantities of spirits are sometimes prescribed to remove the distressing sensations commonly felt at this period, and are generally taken by the patient with great satisfaction; but good effects are only temporary, while their continued use is most mischievous. Veal, pork, salt meat, pastry, and made-dishes should be avoided; wine, bottled beer, or any liquid containing free acid, or gaseous matter, seems to aggravate thee disorder in a marked degree. Vegetables should enter largely into the diet, with beef, mutton, white fish, or fresh game, taken in moderation once a day. Cocoa forms the best drink for breakfast, and one or two small cups of tea for the afternoon meal. The sleeping-room should be cool and well-ventilated, and a mattress should be used instead of a feather bed. The changes of the weather should be guarded against by appropriate dress; and exercise should be daily taken in thee open air. Sea-bathing should be avoided.
The point we have italicised is of the highest moment. The function of menstruation is one probably by which the blood is freed from morbid elements; but when this function ceases, or becomes irregular, the perturbed nervous system induces disordered digestion, and the balance between secretion and excretion is lost; and unless the lungs, the digestive organs, the kidneys, and the skin are maintained in efficient action, various products which ought to be eliminated are retained, and embarrass the system. Further, the condition of the nervous system favours physical inactivity; consequently a vigorous effort is necessary to overcome this inertia, and to escape the serious consequences which would otherwise result.
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."