CLINICAL CASES WITH REMARKS



The fever disappeared gradually under its benign effect, together with the symptoms of the head, eyes and skin. The eruption and ulcers improved greatly; then the following group of symptoms appeared; itching < at night; aversion to bathing, burning of the soles and palms, foul- smelling, blackish stools, etc. On the basis of these symptoms a dose of sulphur 200 was given. This single dose acted beneficially for two weeks; then another group of symptoms gradually appeared, such as acidity and flatulence < 4 to 8 P.M., canine hunger-the more he eats, the more he craves-etc. A dose of lycopodium 30 was now given.

Acidity, etc., discontinued under its effect. After which, according to indications, ac-nit. 30 and ac. phos 30 were required. In time, nearly a month and a half, he became quite a changed man. There was now no scaliness peculiar to psoriasis. He regained his strength so much that he was able to walk to my office, which was more than a mile from his lodging. By the end of the fourth month a number of white spots, like lime, appeared on his body. Taking into consideration the accompanying symptoms, a dose of calc. c. 30 was administered and then, later on, according to indications a dose of nat. carb. 30 and after a lapse of time I gave him a dose or two of calc. sulph. 30.

From these various cases of so-called skin diseases, it is clearly proved that such conditions cannot be local only, and it may be affirmed that they are constitutional in nature. Had they been local, then the external application would have suffered to cure them, without any relapse or had after-effects, due to suppressions. But, as after the utter failure of external means, they disappeared forever without causing further injurious effects, under the beneficial action of the internal use of highly potentised homoeopathic remedies given according to indications, so it can be asserted that the root-cause cannot be other than dynamic and that the visible signs are due to the invisible origin which baffles the power of the organs of sensation to detect.

Case No. 5.-Mr. R, age above forty, robust constitution, bald head, had been suffering from chronic headaches, severe pain in forehead, throbbing in both temples, < from motion, heat, especially the heat of the sun, during summer weather; accompanied with nausea; > in a cool place, dark room (by day). A few doses of glonoinum 6 were given to him with directions to take this at intervals of an hour, until he found relief. This remedy promptly relieved the pain, but after a few days he had a relapse.

Glonoin 6th did not take effect, nor even the thirtieth, so two doses of the two-hundredth potency were given, with directions to take them at a interval of two hours in case he should get no relief from the first dose. He was promptly relieved on taking the second dose and there was no attack for a few days. Then he got another relapse on being overheated one day. At this time the two-hundredth potency did no good, so a dose of the 1m potency was given, which promptly relieved the pain as if by magic. After taking this dose he did not have any further relapse during the season.

In this case, as well as in many other chronic cases, I have often observed that generally, in long-standing cases, these do not respond to the lower potencies, whereas the higher potencies act with promptness; of course there are exceptions to this general rule. In sluggish or terminal cases, when radical cure becomes questionable, the lower potencies or even crude substances may afford relief and may palliate to the end. Some practitioners advise the repetition of the higher potencies indiscriminately and even assert that such a course will not aggravate. It may be so in their experience, but in my long observation I have noted aggravations from the repetition of even the thirtieth potency. Some patients are so susceptible that they cannot bear repetition.

As in selecting the proper remedy, so in regulating the proper potency and repetition, it requires strict individualization. It is better to proceed with caution than to be in an indiscriminate hurry. We should hear in mind that the remedies may produce severe aggravations similar to the phenomena of anaphylaxis and that these may turn out to be fatal, too. In cases where the use of the higher or highest potencies seems to be preferable, I generally use a single dose and watch the result for a reasonable length of time. I do not generally repeat the dose unless I am sure that its action has been exhausted or in the event that it has not acted owing to some causal interference or deficiency of energy of the vital principle, due to previous maltreatment. The repetition or a change of potency or of the remedy should be made according to circumstances.

During the course of my earlier practice, during the rainy season the window just in front of my bed had been kept open all night, although I did not take notice of it, but due to this exciting cause, on the next day both my eyes became congested and red. A small group of vesicular eruptions then appeared on the forehead and eyebrows. The eyes became very painful. Some of my acquaintances insisted on my applying some lotions to my eyes and external applications to the eruptions.

But I persistently refused their unasked advice and took a few doses of belladonna 6, which gave me relief from the pain and tenderness, but did not act on the eruption. There was intense itching of the eruption and an < at night. Mainly depending on these two peculiarities, I took a few doses of merc. sol. 30, which acted like a charm in removing the eruption and the itching sensations as well.

I have noted in some typical cases that until the constitutional remedies are given according to the indications, the disease producing cause obstinately persists in its course of action. As for example, a few years ago, I treated in infant boy who had been suffering from convulsions. During the fit his face became red. After some allopathic, ayurvedic and homoeopathic failures, it now came my turn to apply the Hahnemannian homoeopathic principle. There was paucity of symptoms, but I tried, according to indications, opium, nux vom. etc., to no purpose. Then I came to know that his father had had syphilis and that the saliva flowed form the mouth of the boy during his sleep.

Prescribing upon these facts, I gave him a dose of merc. sol. 200, which acted favourably to a certain extent and decreased the intensity and the frequency of the convulsive fits. The condition now coming to a standstill, I repeated the remedy, but no further progress took place. I now gave him a dose of merc. viv. 200, which acted promptly in mitigating the suffering and continued to act for a long time and thereby gradually, but completely, cured the boy without the help of any other remedy, I have noted in some cases that when merc. sol., being indicated, decreases the symptoms to a certain extent, but fails to make further progress, then merc. viv, succeeds in effecting the cure.

Case No. 6.-A few years ago I treated a boy who had been suffering from chronic diarrhoea for a year or two. He used to have four or five loose stools during the day and night. Stool quantity copious in the morning, with gushing; color light yellow, watery, offensive odor, rumbling in abdomen, nearly painless, loss of appetite; distention of abdomen at night, offensive flatus, etc. According to indications I gave him Podo. 6 and 30, which checked the motions to a certain extent, but did not cure. On inquiry I was one day informed that the boy was suffering from the effects of vaccination. He had been well before he was vaccinated.

With this hint I restudied the case and found the following symptoms: Stool, yellow, watery, expelled forcibly with much noisy flatus; gurgling like water from a bung hole; diarrhoea after breakfast. I now thought of thuja, as it covered these symptoms to the letter, together with the bad effects after vaccination, and it was given in the thirtieth potency, one dose only, before breakfast. This acted like a charm, although nat. s., podo., etc., had failed to cure. Within two or three days the boy had formed stools for the first time after a long period of suffering. Now his appetite increased so much that it might be called voracious or insatiable.

He used to frequent the kitchen in order to get something to appease his abnormal hunger and he began to take great interest in the condition of the pot, in which rice was boiling especially for him. The members of the family began to lose their patience at his attitude and requested me to do something to check his abnormal appetite. I did not however, interfere with the natural course and waited for further progress and results. After a reasonable time I noted that although he ate much, the food materials were not properly assimilated, and that he preferred to be naked. I now decided to try a dose of iodin 30, which was given, and gradually his abnormal appetite became normal and he gained weight as a healthy child of his age should.

R N Banerjee