INDICATIONS FOR THE ABOVE AND OTHER REMEDIES.
Aconitum.- Fever symptoms, short rapid breathing, full pulse; in the early stage, and alternately with other medicines.
Ant.- Tart.- When the disease follows a cold in the head or Influenza, this medicine is usually found beneficial. The expectoration is copious and free.
Belladonna.- Short, dry cough, flushed face, headache. Seldom called for.
Bryonia. – When the inflammation extends to the pleura, and there is consequently sharp stitching pain in the side, making movement and respiration painful. Goes very well in alternation with Aconite at the outset.
Phosphorus.- Rusty-coloured sputa, difficult breathing, pain under the breast bone.
Sulphur.- During convalescence.
ACCESSORY MEANS.- The child should be placed in a well-ventilated warm room (60o to 65o) and have only light bed-coverings; for cold air irritates the lungs, and heavy bed-cloths render the skin hotter and drier, and add to the discomfort and danger of the patient’s condition. A light pneumonia-jacket of Gamgee tissue may be fitted to the patient. Heavy poultices are to be avoided – at any rate for the chest. Antiphlogistine is better than poultices, and for relief of pain is excellent. The patient should be kept very quiet and have milk-and-water, plain water or lemonade, etc.
52. Inflammation of the Pleura (Pleurisy).
DEFINITION.- Acute inflammation of the covering of the lungs and lining of the chest, usually affecting one side only. When uninflamed, the above membrane has a smooth, lubricated surface to facilitate the free movement of the lungs; inflammation destroys this polished surface, so that any movement of the lungs, as in breathing or coughing, becomes difficult and painful.
SYMPTOMS.- Pleurisy generally comes on quickly and violently, with chills, and severe stabbing pains in the chest. The character of one cough, breathing, and pain reveals very much as to the variety of the inflammation of the chest from which the child is suffering. In Pleurisy 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, about the fifth of sixth rib. Pain referred to the epigastrium with marked oppression of breathing points to diaphragmatic Pleurisy, that is, inflammation of the pleura overlying the diaphragm. there is a parched tongue; flushed face; hard, wiry, quick pulse (about 100 in the minute); scanty, high-coloured urine; and the patient desires to lie on the affected side, or on the back.
The inflammation terminates in one of the following ways; by resolution, when the two surfaces of the pleura regain their natural smooth character, or the inflamed and roughened surfaces becomes more or less adherent; or effusion takes place, and a dropsical fluid separates the surfaces – a condition known as pleural effusion. Where there is much fluid effused there is great difficulty of breathing, and the lung becomes collapsed.
A professional examination of the chest is necessary to arrive at a correct diagnosis, otherwise it is often impossible to distinguish between real and false Pleurisy, or between this and other chest inflammations.
False Pleurisy or Pleurodynia (“pain in the side”) may mimic Pleurisy remarkably, but it is generally without fever, and on auscultation of the chest the friction sounds of Pleurisy are not heard. Bryonia and Cimicifuga are the remedies for this condition.
CAUSES.- Exposure to atmospheric changes, and checked perspiration, especially in persons of feeble constitution. Pleurisy is also liable to arise during the course of fever, or from the extension of inflammation from a neighbouring organ to the pleura; or it may be set up by mechanical injuries. It is important to remember that a large number of so-called simple pleurisies are really tuberculous.
TREATMENT.- In administered early Aconite may alone be sufficient. If it does not quickly relieve, Bryonia will have to be substituted. A dose of the selected medicine should be given every hour or two hours, according to the urgency of the case.
INDICATIONS FOR THE ABOVE AND OTHER REMEDIES.
Aconitum.- Much fever, dry cough, in the early stage before adhesion or effusion.
Bryonia.- Short, laboured, anxious, catching breathing, performed almost entirely by the abdominal muscles; frequent cough, which shakes and pains the side, either dry or with expectoration of glairy mucus; weariness, irritability, and restlessness.
As long as the febrile symptoms continue, Aconite may be alternated with Bryonia These remedies often suffice to cure the disease in a day or two; or, if given early and at short intervals, in a few hours.
Sulphur.- During convalescence, and to prevent relapse.
ACCESSORY MEANS.- Practically the same as for Pneumonia. When effusion has occurred and there is no evidence of absorption taking place, the Pneumonia Aspirator should be employed to evacuate the pleural contents without delay, especially when there is much dyspnoea, and when the collection of fluid is large.
53. Cough (Tussis)
Cough is only a symptom, but at times it may be son prominent a one as to appear to demand exclusive attention. The act of coughing is one of forcible or violent expiration, and may be caused by irritation of the mucous membrane, of the air-passage, inhalation of dust, derangement of the stomach, etc.
TREATMENT.- In all cases coming on immediately after exposure to cold it is advisable to administer Aconite every two or three hours, or oftener, until relief is obtained, or until it is found to fail in bringing about improvement. Cough being often the first and only expression of congestion of the mucous membrane of the air-passages, it best treated, as is the affection itself, with this medicine. After Aconite the action of other remedies is more prompt and decided.
INDICATIONS FOR TREATMENT
Aconitum.- Hard, dry, irritative cough, with fever : after exposure to cold.
Aralia.- Night cough, coming on after the first sleep.
Antim tart.- Loose cough, sputa copious, great weakness, vomiting.
Bryonia.- Dry cough, with pain in chest, yellow phlegm.
Cina.- Dry or loose cough of a chronic character, when the child is suffering from worms.
Drosera.- Spasmodic cough, worse at night; second state of Whooping Cough.
Hyoscyamus.- Dry cough, worse on lying down at night.
Ipecac.- Spasmodic cough with mucous expectoration, and tendency to Vomiting.
Phosph.- Hoarse cough, pain under breast-bone, rusty-coloured phlegm.
Pulsatilla.- Loose cough, worse at night.
Spongia.- Dry, hard barking cough, hoarseness, burning or tickling in the windpipe.
ACCESSORIES.- The diet should be light and given in small quantities, particularly if there be fever. A cold sponge-bath every morning, and frequent out-door exercise will often overcome a susceptibility to this affection. A good draught of cold water taken in the morning, and also on retiring, is both preventive and curative of cough. Lastly, children should be instructed to make direct voluntary efforts to restrain in frequency and violence of coughing; for the result of such efforts will be found greatly to mitigate this symptom.
See also the Section on “Whooping-cough,” “Pleurisy”, “Bronchitis”. “Inflammation of the Lungs,” and “Croup”.
CHAPTER VI
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
54. Tongue-tie (Lingua Frenata)
ON the under surface of the tongue there is a fold of tissue-like mucous membrane, called the froenum linguae, which connects the tongue with the floor of the mouth. Congenital tongue-tie is said to exist when the attachment of the froenum extends along the whole under-surface of the tongue to its tip. But this condition is extremely rare, and, even when it exists, seldom gives rises to any real inconvenience. The difficulty of speech with which it is sometimes associated proceeds from deeper causes, involving the brain and mind. When, however, the attachment of the froenum is very thick and extensive, it may form a mechanical obstacle to sucking, and, later, to clear articulation.
When, therefore, any difficulty of sucking exists, the state of the froenum linguoe should be examined, and, if necessary, divided. The little operation may be performed as follows. The infant should be made to cry, by which act the froenum will be fully exposed; then the doctor by means of a pair of round-ended scissors, keeping the points towards the back of the mouth, will make a very light notch. The backward direction of the scissors, and the small extend of the snip, are necessary to avoid wounding the artery of the froenum, and accident that might give rise to serious haemorrhage.
55. Inflammation of the Mouth (Stomatitis).
SYMPTOMS.- Heat, redness, dryness, and ulceration of the mucous membrane of the mouth; slight swelling and pain of the tongue, cheeks, gums, and palate; foetid breath, and salivation may also be prevented.
TREATMENT.- This disease is most frequently amenable to the action of Kali Choloricum, but other remedies are sometimes called for. A dose of the medicine should be given three times a day.
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."