In such cases there are many remedies at our disposal, and according to conditions the following may be indicated: Aconitum, Ambra, Apis, Argentum, Arnica, Arsenicum, Asafoetida, Aurum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Calcarea carb., Cantharis, Causticum, Chamomilla, Colocynthis, Digitalis, Drosera, Graphites, Hepar, Kreosotum, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Rhus, Ruta, Sabina, Sepia, Silica, Staphisagria, Sulphur, Thuja and Zincum. The kind of pain, the modalities, as to time, position and condition make the remedy choice easier.
In addition to this, another factor helps out: In the often occurring shortening of the leg, we are reminded of: Ambra, Colocynthis, Mezereum, Oleander, Phosphorus and Sepia, and where the leg has lengthened our choice is among: Colocynthis, Kreosotum, Rhus, and Sulphur, provided the other accompanying symptoms do not form a contraindication. At any rate it is self-evident that the symptom totality is the deciding factor.
We have stated that the cure of old and allopathically treated coxalgias is difficult and uncertain, but we must add that these obstacles do not make a cure impossible, no, it is sometimes even quickly accomplished. In our journal we have several such cases, of which we shall only relate the following, because it created a sensation: Anna, three years old, had suffered from this trouble for six weeks. The left hip was enormously swollen, hard and painful, the skin showed large blue blood vessels, the leg three inches elongated; constant hectic cough, continual diarrhoea worse at night; emaciation to a skeleton, etc., a picture of most abject misery.
Since many external and internal remedies had been tried, the moxa was now to be used, even though the attending physicians were in doubt whether or not the weakened child could stand that operation. Therefore this was an exquisite case as a trial of the much ridiculed young homoeopathic science. Of the treatment we shall just mention that Sulphur cent. 60 was first given, followed by two doses of Aconitum, two of Rhus, and two of Colocynthis with surprising results; later two doses of Sulphur again were given, and one of Mercurius, all in the 30th cent. potency.
The result? In seven weeks the little patient could be dismissed completely cured. We have later often seen her as a blooming girl, totally free of the least reminder of her previous suffering. It is perhaps superfluous to mention that also in this apparently external disease absolutely no external means were applied.
END OF BOOK VI.
BOOK VII.
APHORISM 1. It is bad when in acute diseases the external parts become cold.
COMMENT: A well known, unfavorable sign which also may occur in chronic diseases when the exacerbations set in, which often are accompanied by internal intense heat and burning. This is a symptom, while it alone does not enable us to select a remedy, yet it is valuable and should not be overlooked. This symptom does not refer to hands and feet alone, but also to the face, ears, nose, chin, etc., even to tongue and eyes.
The remedies which here present themselves are: Aconitum, Antimonium tart., Apis, Arnica, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Calcarea carb., Camphora, Carbo vegetabilis, Chamomilla, Cicuta virosa, Cina, Digitalis, Drosera, Hyoscyamus, Ignatia, Iodum, Ipecacuanha, Kali carb., Mezereum, Moschus, Nitri acidum, Nux v., Phosphoric acid, Platina, Rhus, Sulphur and Veratrum. This proves that the serious symptoms can occur in many conditions. But when the properly selected remedy is given, one will see that the case is not hopeless.
APHORISM 2. It is bad when in bone disease the tissues become livid.
COMMENT: Not only in poorly treated fractures, or in persons who are unhealthy, but also in malignant bone ulcers may we find this livid discoloration of the skin and tissue, which often presages gangrene. Then it is imperative that the here indicated remedy be quickly given, especially: Arsenicum, Asafoetida, Aurum, Conium, Hepar, Lachesis, Mercurius, Silica or Veratrum, under strict observation of the accompanying symptoms.
Then it is possible every time to prevent gangrene, or when gangrene is established, to shed that part and to prevent further spreading. From our journal we could quote several cases where amputation had been decided upon and where thus the involved member was rescued. To save the provider of a poor family is indeed the best recompense for all trouble and diligence, without which no one can attain to a knowledge of remedies, which is necessary to obtain such results.
This livid discoloration of skin and tissue must not be confounded with that which follows contusion of blows, which lasts only a few days, and can be cured quickly by: Arnica, Belladonna, Conium, Lachesis, Pulsatilla or Sulphuric acid. A livid skin from other causes in affected parts is often a fine indication for the valuable Lachesis.
APHORISM 3. It is a bad symptom when after vomiting the eyes become red, and sobbing sets in.
COMMENT: As far as we know now, we have only one remedy with the symptom “sobbing after vomiting”: Bismuthum. The sobbing of Lachesis after fever has vomiting at the same time, and the sobbing after fever of Arsenicum lacks the vomiting, which occurs only during chills and heat, not during sweat or after fever. In Belladonna, Bryonia and Ruta we also see sobbing and vomiting, not after, but at the same time, and in Cuprum the vomiting is after sobbing. All these differences belong essentially to the characteristic of each remedy.
Regarding the reddening of the eyes after (or from) vomiting, it is of the same case as with the sobbing, and when this points to: Apis, Arnica, Arsenicum, Bryonia, China, Lycopodium, Nux, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Silica or Veratrum, that is too uncertain to permit a sure conclusion or a remedy selection.
APHORISM 4. Shivering after sweating is a bad sign.
COMMENT: In this aphorism we meet the same uncertainty as in the previous one. Only few remedies so far as we know have chills following sweat, only Carbo vegetabilis, Hepar and Nux, and that here is no reference to chills after getting heated with sweat, is self evident. On the other hand, we have a few additional remedies in which these two symptoms: “perspiration and then chills” alternate, and thus repeatedly follow each other: Arsenicum, China, Mezereum, Nux and Spigelia.
If, however, perspiration occurs before the following chill or alternates with it, at the same time as usually accompanied by more or less heat, then we have a considerable list of indicated remedies, and we find this double symptom in high degree in: Aconitum, Ammonium mur., Antimonium tart., Belladonna, Bryonia, Calcarea carb., Cantharis, Capsicum, Causticum, Chamomilla, China, Cina, Clematis, Cocculus, Dros., Graphites, Helleborus, Hepar, Ignatia, Ipecacuanha, Kali carb., Kreosotum, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Mercurius, Moschus, Natrum mur., Opium, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Rheum, Rhus, Sabina, Sambucus, Selenium, Sepia, Spigelia, Stramonium, Sulphur, Veratrum and Agnus castus.
Here we have a new reminder as well of the previously mentioned necessity of sharp, unequivocal statement of symptoms, as also of the great amount of possible experience which in its short existence homoeopathy has brought forth as very valuable material for her cures.
APHORISM 7. Rigor and delirium after excessive drinking are bad symptoms.
COMMENT: In this aphorism occur two entirely different actions of intoxication, the simple but more important from one excess, and also delirium tremens.
In the first instance the intoxicated lies in the state of unconsciousness and is cold all over, like a corpse, in which condition copious splashes with cold water seem the best beginning remedy. But if this is not enough, or brings no lasting result, and especially when the face is red and the eyes staring, Opium, and at times Aconitum and Belladonna must be given. The after effects of intoxication can usually be overcome by Nux v. or Carbo veg.
For the delirium tremens innumerable remedies have been suggested. When the accompanying symptoms have been conquered, usually by Opium, Nux vom., Belladonna, Hyoscyamus or Stramonium, and in rare cases by Anacardium, Aurum or Thuja, then the patient will most likely accept the strict milk diet mentioned in comment to Aphorism 64, Book V, which demands milk instead of any other fluid food. In a few weeks of this regimen, liquors are disgusting to the patient, who only then can be considered cured.
APHORISM 9. Delirium and convulsions are a bad sign after bleeding.
COMMENT: Delirium after severe haemorrhages usually demands: Arnica, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Ignatia, Lachesis, Lycopodium, Phosphorus, Phosphoric acid, Sepia, Squilla, Sulphur or Veratrum; the convulsions point to: Arsenicum, Belladonna, Calcarea carb., Cina, Conium, Ignatia, Lycopodium, Nux v., Pulsatilla, Sulphur or Veratrum. The choice among these remedies, which are indicated by the anamnesis, self-evidently must be determined by the unchangeable fundamental principles of homoeopathy. There may be other cases which demand other remedies which correspond more to the symptom totality. Yet such exceptions are rare.
