CLINICAL CASES


This is a congenital defect of the skin which renders it extremely sensitive to the slightest injury. In those affected the slightest knock is sufficient to produce a blister. The disease is hereditary, and can often be traced to a considerable number of member of a family. The lesions usually appear first in early infancy, but occasionally they have occurred for the first time later in life.


EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA 2

[2. Case shown at the Faculty of Homoeopathy, June 27th, 1945.]

4. Patricia, aged 22 years. Born January 21st. Younger of two children. No abortion. Full time – normal birth; weight 8 lb. Breast and supplementary feeding. Cut first tooth at 6 months. Walked at a year. Not vaccinated. No illnesses. Father has migraine. Mother “highly strung.”

Born with bullae on knuckles and toes.

Condition has persisted since birth – the blisters being particularly sensitive to pressure in winter-the skin peeling off and leaving raw surfaces all the year round: aggravation summer heat.

Itching of the feet worse at night – child fidgety and has to be moved frequently.

Appetite very good. Likes cheese, salt, fruit, milk, bacon. Not thirsty.

Bowels regular. Urine nil.

Sweats feet only.

Still wakens for drink of milk 10-11 p.m.

Weather; worse heat.

No fears. Doesnt cry easily. Occasional “flare up temper.

Tidy-like things just so!

First seen on June 8th,m 1945. Patches of various sized vesicles on periphery of red eczematous patches hands, elbow flexures and feet-worse l. foot and arm.

Some blood blisters on l. hand. 17 teeth. Puls. 6 (XIV) nocte.

June 22nd, 1945. Cut 18th tooth. In spite of the warm weather which generally upsets her, the childs condition was slightly improved, specially the r. elbow flexure, and there were fewer blood blisters. Puls. 6 (VII) alt. nocte.

[This is a congenital defect of the skin which renders it extremely sensitive to the slightest injury. In those affected the slightest knock is sufficient to produce a blister. The disease is hereditary, and can often be traced to a considerable number of member of a family. The lesions usually appear first in early infancy, but occasionally they have occurred for the first time later in life.

They vary much in degree. In some cases the lesions are slight and cause very little inconvenience, and no disturbance to the general health. In other cases the lesions are numerous, almost all parts of the body being affected at one time or another; teeth and nails develop badly, septic complications are often severe, and these cases usually do not live to adult age.]

Treatment – Nothing can be done expect by prevention of sepsis and the antiseptic treatment of the lesions when once formed.]

THREATENED BREAST ABSCESS

5. Mrs. C. aet. 26, nursing mother. Eclampsia before birth of the child. Induction: living child.

Sudden rigor with acute pain left breast. Violent thirst for cold drinks. Very sensitive breast, worse least jar! T. 103-4.

One has been dissatisfied by other drugs in some other cases, all of which had developed pus and required incising. Bryonia is a favourite remedy with some prescribers with the symptoms of heaviness in the breast and aggravation from movement. One had heard that in some hands Lac caninum was almost specific for this condition, but one felt that one must have some indication other than simply the diagnosis.

In this case the aggravation from jarring suggested (1) Bell., (2) Lac can. The thirst for big drinks of cold water, (1) Bry. and (2) Lac can. and was against Bell. which usually wants little drinks often. Lac can. cm. 2-hourly was given.

Next day T. normal and did not rise again.

BUT the milk almost completely disappeared from both breasts, and then it was remembered that Lac can. is frequently advised “in order to dry up the milk”. Pulsatilla is indicated when the milk “goes”, so Puls. cm. was given 4-hourly and the milk returned.

6. Mrs. W., aet. 24, nursing mother. Rigor. t. 102. 3, P. 100. Painful left breast with sensitiveness on jarring, and violent thirst for big drinks of cold water.

Lac can. cm. 2 hourly was given. Next day T. normal. For some days there was a very firm swelling in the left upper quadrant of the breast and doubtful fluctuation so that one doubted if resolution would ensue, but did, and everything cleared up in 10 days and the milk returned freely to that breast. There had been some diminution in both breasts but not as acutely as in the other case.

The incidence of breast abscesses is often attributed to cracked nipples with infection introduced thereby, but one wonders if there is also some allergic effect from mothers milk into blood stream, which might explain why an allied “milk” in potency was active in the acute inflammation of the breast.

DISSEMINATED SCLEROSIS. REMISSION FOR 14 YEARS

7. Mr. M., ae. 26, complained of double vision that morning.

Examination showed only absent abdominal reflexes and nothing else. Seen by another specialist the diagnosis of disseminated sclerosis was made and the prognosis tentative.

His case was taken. Insensitive to heat or cold. Worse warm room and must have air. Dreams of business. Headache before thunder. Appetite very good; prefers cold food. Easily upset. Takes offence easily, indeed sensitive to most things. Nervous in company. Impatient, conscientious about details.

Hurried in movements. Tidy for a man. Easily excited.

Nervous anticipation. Sweats easily over body, more than usual.

On the symptoms :- Worse close room; easy sweat; easily offended; impatient. Hurried. Conscientious and worried over trifles. Headache thunder; anxiety company and anticipation; tidiness; excessive seminal emissions and preference for cold food-a repertory analysis gave a final count of Ars. 8-15, Nux 7- 15, Lycopodium 9-17, Puls.8-16, Sulph.8-18.

Then taking the guide (which is often omitted) that the most prominent symptoms of the patient should be as prominent in the drug, that of conscientiousness and worry and anxiety both in company and about little business worries was considered to be most prominent both in patient and drug and Lyc. was chosen. Lyc. 30 one dose was given.

Whether post or propter he has had no further symptoms for 14 years, and the only physical sign noted is still absent abdominal reflexes. He has undoubtedly had a long remission and in any case all one ever claims for drug therapy is that it AIDS natural remissions, whatever the disease.

N C Bose
DR. N. C. Bose, M.D.C.H
Calcutta
Chief Editor, Homeopathic Herald