In writing this paper on the indications of ten remedies which are useful in treating cancer or malignant tumours, I must apologize for omitting many symptoms because of lack of time and space.
I shall try to point out two great polychrests in the treatment of cancer; and if I transgress, I do so only because, as a homoeopath. I maintain that we alone can cure the patient that has cancer. So I shall only indicate these remedies and you will have to seek the totality of the symptoms in your materia medica and your repertory. As for the other eight remedies, I shall give only the definite indication and the four key-note symptoms sensation, location, aggravation and amelioration.
Arsenicum album.
This great polychrest was well described as a hieratic poison by Paracelsus, and its therapeutic action on malignant sores was pointed out by him. There is no doubt that the great master, Doctor Hahnemann, made a through proving of it on only the healthy human body and that he produced symptoms similar to malignant growths. There must be nervous restlessness. Dr. John H. Clarke compares it with the horse.
This is rather a mental restlessness, whereas Rhus tox. is more a muscular restlessness. There is a thirst for small quantities of water, often accompanied with psoric or scrofulous conditions; septic, destructive abscesses or ulcers, local or internal; and periodic, burning pain. According to Kent and Hering this remedy works on every tissue of the human body.
Argentum metallicum and Argentum nitricum.
Both these remedies are useful in treating cancer, but I shall write briefly only about Arg. nit. The location is in the throat, stomach or uterus, especially the os or cervix uteri. Arg. nit. is one of von Grauvogls hydrogenoid remedies. Warts, fungi, easy bleeding growths and ovarian tumors are special indications. Dr. E. Schlegel praises it in his work written in 1927. He had surprising success with it, using mostly the 3x, 6x and 30x, one drop in a spoonful of water, morning and evening. I have cured with it one uterine cancer, which was far advanced, besides many bleeding, suspicious-looking cervices.
Asterias rubens (Red Starfish).
According to Dr. Clarke, Hippocrates formerly made use of this remedy in uterine trouble. I have used it only for cancer of the breast. Dr. Nabel says that in treating painful breast cancers this is one of the most indicated and best remedies. It is useful in treating a hard, enlarged mammary, especially when the mammary is enlarged and more painful before the menses and there is a red spot which may suppurate and have an unusually offensive odor; and the axillary glands enlarge. It is especially useful in treating lymphatic fleshy persons with red faces, who make you think of their susceptibility to haemorrhage or apoplexy. I have had much success in using it for painful cancer on both sides, but it is recommended as being better for the left side.
Bellis perennis (The English Daisy).
When traumatism or a service cold and chill is the exciting cause, I give either ten drops of the tincture in one-third of a glass of water, mornings, or seven drops in the morning and the same again at two or three oclock in the afternoon. To give it late in the evening in material doses seems to make the patient restless and sleepless. (Cf. Dr. Burnetts book, Curability of Tumors, with Medicine, Chapter VI, page 100).
Cadmium sulphuratum.
I have used this remedy for cancer of the stomach. In symptomatology it is a cross between Arsenicum and Bryonia, it has the derangement of the blood of Arsenicum and the low type cold, vomiting, and burning in the stomach and oesophagus. It is useful especially in treating old drunkards. The patient wants to be quiet and any motion aggravates, like Bryonia. I have used it mostly in the 12x, but sometimes in the 6x or 30x.
Cholesterin.
This remedy was added to the homoeopathic treasury of medicine by Dr. Ameke. It is the remedy most often useful for cancer of the liver. Dr. Eli Jones said this remedy should be remembered in treating cancer of the liver when that organ is much enlarged. The patient is cachectic; the skin is tawny; the conjunctiva of the eye yellow; the patient holds his hand over the liver because it hurts him to walk. Dr. Burnett and Dr. E. Schlegel recommended it and cured cases with it; so have I.
Hydrastis canadensis.
Here again we have a long, deep and slow acting remedy. It produces severe disturbances; many precancer symptoms; abscesses and ulcers of the skin and mucous membrane which are of a malignant nature. The pus is thick, yellow and burning; there is a sensation of hunger, a sinking in the stomach, an “all-gone” feeling, aching, but the patient cant eat or drink much; the liver is hypertrophied.
