I note an item published in the New York Herald Tribune of May 11, 1938, by Paul Hale Leary, Head of Section of Dermatology at the Mayo Clinic, in which he states that one-third of those contracting the disease are cured spontaneously, often without medical aid, through defense body mechanism; another third, he states, get only a mild reaction, and the rest are those suffering all horrible effects. This would seem to plainly point to the fallacy of treating syphilis by drugs prescribed according to the physiological effect.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT.
I wish to report an experience of my own where a patient whom I treated more than ten years ago in the tertiary stage of syphilis, there being complete destruction of the nasal septum with extension to both superior maxilla, with the extreme foul odor so characteristics of bone necrosis, was entirely cured by Nitric Acid, in potencies 10M, 50M and CM, with a period of six months. All of the diseased surfaces entirely healed with complete disappearance of the foul odor.
The Organon, a quarterly Anglo-American journal of homoeopathic medicine and progressive collateral science, Vol. I, p. 359, has reported the following cases :.
Case 1 :
A patient consulted Dr. Morrison, M.D., of London, after he had had an illness of twelve months. He supposedly recovered under allopathic mercurial treatment, although the second finger of the right hand remained swollen and stiffened. At the time of reporting to Dr. Morrison the syphilitic rash had recently appeared, and was in full bloom, very prominent on forehead, chin, arms and front of thorax, with small ulcer on fraenum of penis.
Patient was a short, muscular man, around 30 years of age, active habits, fair complexion, and excitable temperament. Merc. Sol. 6 given thrice daily. This benefited the ulcer, but failed to touch the rash. Merc.Iod.3 was prescribed. One month later new complication arose in acute conjunctivitis, affecting left eye. Ulcer on fraenum healed, but rash, from which peeled off an abundance of fine scales, scarcely altered. A large prominent spot in the centre of the forehead, filled with fluid. Ruta-g.6, with Ruta lotion.
Six days later iritis supervened, with nocturnal achings in eyeball. Ruta 6 continued, with directions to bathe eye freely with hot water. In three days the nocturnal aching increased in severity, lasting from 2 to 5 A.M., extremely violent. Syph. given at bed-time. For five days no return of pain; eye greatly improved, both in appearance and sight with general rash showing signs of abating. Week later Syph. again prescribed for slight return of aching pains in eyeball. After Syph. being taken for four days, rash became stationary and, with exception of arrest of pain, eye-symptoms ceased to improve.
Medicine therefore discontinued. Improvement again set in. In eight days eye could bear light fairly well and sight, though misty, decidedly improved. No medicine given. Fifteen days later no pain whatever; sight still dim; rash steadily dying of. Week later eye clearer and stronger; bore light well with rash abating and appetite excellent. Syph. one dose. In eight days improved in all respects with fluid in prominent spot in centre of forehead entirely absorbed. Nine days later one dose Syph. given.
In ten days sight “almost as good as ever”; face nearly clear with spot on forehead scarcely noticeable. Faint rash, chiefly on arms. No medicine given. About a month later patient continued to improve and stated did not intend to call on the doctor again. The swelling on the ankylosed finger had decidedly diminished. Month later reported as perfectly cured and remains well.
Case II :
A woman aged about twenty-five; married three years; one child; contracted syphilis eighteen months prior to calling upon Doctor Morrison. At that time had a fistulous ulcer under right lower maxilla; leucorrhoea; alopecia; mental depression; malaise. Came especially because of ulcer, which allopathic treatment had failed to cure. Silicea 12, given 3 times a day. Within a week ulcer diminishing. She still had leucorrhoea and complained of severe aching in legs. Silicea 30 prescribed 3 times a day.
Ten days later, there being general improvement, Silicea continued. Silicea 200, morning and night eleven days later, with ulcer still lessening but patient suffering severe shock to nervous system. Fistulous opening nearly healed within three days but patient complained of severe attacks of achings in lower limbs, but could not remember whether during day or night; also, coronal headache. Few days previous sore formed on right labia majora and extended to left, but had improved. Syph prescribed, one dose.
Within ten days the pains went into lower limbs and sore on labia had entirely healed, but patient complained of bursting sensations at crown of head as if from severe cold; occasional achings in teeth of left upper maxilla; pain in three toes of right foot, as if disjointed; nausea; thirst; feverishness. No medicine given. Three weeks later improved in every respect with only slight nausea remaining. Sub-maxillary ulcer had healed and there was marked improvement in general health. Syph.., one dose, given. The fistulous ulcer returned but yielded to subsequent treatment.
Seattle.
Chairman, Bureau of Surgery