Having several things in common with this remedy is.
BAPTISIA TINCTORA.
The first thing that strikes one in a Bapt. case is the extremely besotted look on a face that is dark red, bloated and purple. Unable to sleep because head, body or limbs feel scattered about so that he must toss about to get the pieces together. Can swallow only liquids, least solid food causes gagging. Prostration more profound than the attack would justify. Assumes a typhoid state (Rhus). Mouth, excessively putrid, as from gangrene. Discharges and secretions all putrid, cadaverous, penetrating. Tongue yellowish brown center, red, shining edges. Restless delirium, or stupor. Body feels bruised (Arn.), sore.
COMMENT: Sometimes the throat is painless, like Apis, but Bapt. has less oedema. Bapt. brings on septic states more rapidly than most other remedies.
Again, having several things in common with this remedy is.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON.
The first thing that strikes one in a Rhus case is the restlessness.
He cannot find a comfortable position anywhere, not even in bed, due to stiffness, pain and soreness all over the body; which is worse at rest and on first beginning to move, but which is relieved for a time after the motion. This restlessness is both mental and physical. The membrane, not pronounced, is dark, on the right side, especially on the right tonsil. The tongue has a triangular red tip. Rhus is apt to assume a typhoid form (Bapt.) with mild delirium. Dreams of hard work. The glands swell, especially the parotids (Brom.) which are inflamed; also the sub- maxillaries, with a dark erysipelatous hue. Bloody saliva runs from the mouth. Thirsty; desires cold milk. Worse cool air, and rest; better heat. Tearing pains often run down thighs.
As we leave Rhus, let us look at the three (important) links, Lyc., Lac can. and.
LACHESIS TRIGONOCEPHALUS.
The first thing that strikes one in a Lach. case is the extreme sensitiveness and intolerance to and of touch and pressure, especially about the swollen throat and neck. Cannot tolerate a collar or neck-band, no matter how loose. He refuses a warm drink because it suffocates him. He dislikes sleeping because he always feels worse on entering it, but especially after it, on waking. The trouble begins on the left side and either stays there or travels over to the right, membrane is predominantly white, especially noticed on the left tonsil, and travels from left to right; in some cases it may be bluish, gray, yellow, profuse.
The tongue is smooth, shining, at anterior half, cracked at tip, and often catches back of teeth on attempting to protrude it. The throat is dark red, purple, constricted; worse hot drinks (Lyc. better; Lac can. better warm or cold drinks), worse empty swallowing, liquids regurgitate; pains extend to left ear. The nose is obstructed at the posterior nares; lips and nose sore; discharge from nose thin, sanious. Breath foetid. Glands swollen, purple. Blood dark, does not coagulate. Prostration extreme. Gangrene. Impending paralysis of heart. Pyaemia from absorption with hectic fever.
COMMENT: After diphtheria: Asthenopia. Or urine very dark or blackish, coffee ground sediment.
As Lach. affects the left side, and Lyc. the right we have a remedy of equal value that is not so particular in.
LAC CANINUM.
The first thing that strikes one in a Lac. can. case is the glistening, shiny red throat, reminding one of Kali bich. Unlike Lach. and Lyc., Lac can. is erratic, alternating sides, thus in a way favoring both. The membrane is predominantly white, pearly; alternates sides; migratory; in a less degree, varnished and shining, like china, gray, dirty looking, yellow, in small patches, thin, loose, occasionally curdy; on uvula and especially tonsils. Swallowing difficult, especially empty; fluids regurgitate through nose on drinking. Throat better cold or warm drinks, distinguishing it from Lach. and Lyc.; pains shoot to left ear, like Lach., discharges foetid. Prostration. Aversion to being alone, again distinguishing it from Lach., which desires to be alone. Restless. Dreams of snakes. Cannot bear one part to touch another, especially fingers, Lac. fel., foot. Paralysis after diphtheria. Worse night, after sleep, cold wind or cold, sharp air.
COMMENT: This remedy has won its greatest fame as both a cure and a preventive of diphtheria. Lac can. is said to act best given in a single dose, and if it must be repeated, it is best done at exact intervals.
Now we come to the right link of that trio.
LYCOPODIUM CLAVATUM.
The first thing that strikes one in a Lyc. case is a very nervous, emotional, sensitive patient complaining about the right side of his throat. The trouble begins on the right side and either stays there or travels over to the left. He is especially worse from 4 to 8 p.m.; also from cold and from pressure of the clothing; better from warm drinks. He either fills up from a small amount of food, or his appetite improves as he continues to eat; if the former, it causes fullness and distension of the abdomen and much noisy flatulence.
Usually wakens with anger. The membrane, usually gray or white, begins on the right side and either stays there or travels over to the left, and is noticed especially on the tonsils, especially the right, is profuse, and extends to the nose. High fever. Swollen tongue and tonsils. Nose obstructed; fanlike motion of alae nasi; obliged to breath through mouth with tongue protruded. Sensitive to cold. Desires air, the cold air relieves. The weakness and fatigue are more noticeable at rest than during motion. Exertion aggravates.
COMMENT: Children waken cross and angry; often lies unconscious and in deep sleep, lower jaw drops, urine scanty or even suppressed, and what does pass stains bedding or clothing red, and a little red sand; they cry out during sleep. Just why the claim that this remedy should be preceded by another antipsoric remedy, preferably Nux, I have never been able to learn.
Another important right-sided remedy is.
APIS MELLIFICA.
This first thing that strikes one in an Apis case is the extreme aversion to heat. Cold relieves even the mind. Then the sudden stinging pains, especially on every attempt to swallow. Oedema of the throat and uvula. Absence of thirst. Heat of bed intolerable. Throat bright rosy red. Membrane prevailingly white; on tonsils, right and uvula; or it may be dirty, grayish, tough, or white like scabs. Tonsils and fauces as if covered with glossy varnish. Tongue dry, red, swollen, not heavily coated, blisters on borders. Apathy. Indifference. Even unconscious. Stupor during progress of disease. Restless. Nose often cold at tip in beginning. Face hot, bright red, even livid. Aversion to warm drinks and food (Lac can. better). Abdominal walls apt to be sore and bruised. Urine free, pale. High fever. Dyspnoea. Skin dry, hot; red rash may appear. Sleepy. Weak. Prostrated. Generally worse least pressure, and at 5 p.m.
COMMENT: Paralysis may follow. Said to be almost specific for true diphtheria. Throat may become painless, like that of Bapt., in advanced cases, but Bapt. has less oedema. Apis makes its progress slowly; is slow acting, therefore should not be changed too soon. Whenever its symptoms come on with too great violence they may be usually antidoted by Carbolic acid. The increased flow of urine shows its favorable effect, like.
ARUM TRIPHYLLINUM.
The first thing that strikes one in an Apis case is the existant boring into the nose, especially into the sides of the nose, and the picking at the nose and lips until they become raw and bleed, in spite of the pain produced thereby. Works at the nose constantly; it becomes ulcerated. Discharges extremely offensive and excoriate the parts over which they flow. Salivation; saliva acrid. Lips chap, thick and burn. Angles of mouth sore, cracked and bleeding. Mouth sore, raw, unable to open it. Tongue red, cracked and bleeding. Swollen submaxillaries. Mind and body irritable. Depression of vital forces. Rawness with itching. Urine scanty, or suppressed. Foetor. Malignancy. During scarlatina.
COMMENT: Children are irritable and restless. Its favorable action is shown by an increase in the flow of urine (Apis).
We also have another remedy whose secretions are extremely acrid in.
NITRICUM ACIDUM.
The first thing that strikes one in a Nit. ac. case is the offensiveness of the patient. The excretions are foul. The urine, in odor, resembles that of a horse more than does the urine of any other remedy. That stable-like odor once enabled me to make a most brilliant cure of secondary syphilis in a little girl. The throat pains are sharp, splinter-like on swallowing; worse touch and motion. Discharges and excretions:
Foul; excoriate; affect stomach; from nose with obstruction, making lips sore; excoriating from centers of mouth and nose, making lips sore; of dirty green yellowish pus. Membrane predominantly white; white patches on tonsils; occasionally gray or yellow; deep seated; especially on uvula; extending to nose, or toward posterior wall of pharynx. Tough stringy mucus from mouth; breath and saliva offensive. Tongue yellow as a rule, though sometimes white in the morning. As of a foreign body in the throat. Nausea. Vomiting. Constantly obliged to lie down from weakness. The ulcers have a splinter-like pain when touched. High fever. Great prostration. Sensitive to touch. Worse water, washing and noise. The foul discharges call to mind.
ARSENICUM ALBUM.
The first thing that strikes one in an Ars. case is the anguish and fear. The fear of being alone. The restlessness, even during the stupor and profound prostration; causing one to wish to change places or beds. The anxiety intermingled with fear. The burning thirst calling for little and often; feeling better after drinking hot things (Lyc.). Burning. The aggravation at, or soon after, midnight. Membrane is especially wrinkled and dry; often dark and gangrenous. Discharges all putrid; foetor great, cadaveric; from nose, excoriating. Throat swollen externally and internally; oedematous. Stomach irritable; apt to vomit immediately after drinking. Urine scanty. Pains burn. Pulse rapid, weak. Weakness great; exhaustion rapid, from least exertion; seems out of proportion to rest of illness; even collapse. Albuminuria. Dropsy. Better from heat and warm wraps. Severe cases.
