However, we do not think either of these aphorisms are of much importance to us.
APHORISM 33. Where urination is interrupted, there is a violent disturbance in the body.
COMMENT: The remedies which have this symptom are: Apis, Bovista, Capsicum, Carbo animalis, Causticum, Clematis, Conium, Dulcamara, Kali carb., Ledum, Opium, Phosphoric acid, Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Thuja and Zincum. These represent a considerable number of diseases of which several belong to the malignant group, justifying the final sentence of the aphorism.
APHORISM 34. Foamy urine indicates a chronic disease of the kidneys.
APHORISM 35. When fatty scum is massed together on the urine, it indicates acute kidney disease.
COMMENT: Our provings and experience have taught us that foamy urine is found in: Aurum, China, Kali carb., Lachesis, Laurocerasus, Lycopodium, Senega and Spongia; fatty top is found in: Calcarea carb., China, Colocynthis, Hepar, Iodum, Paris, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla and Sulphur. Of all these remedies we know (with the exception of Aurum, Colocynthis, Laurocerasus, Senega and Spongia) that they act upon the kidneys, and that there are many others having this action sphere, but they do not have the above mentioned symptoms, at least they have not yet been observed in them. It seems therefore that the symptoms mentioned in the aphorisms have been seen in few cases, hence they are not very important. We also have seen foamy or fatty urine in patients whose kidneys were normal.
APHORISM 36. When these symptoms occur in kidney diseases with acute pain in the superficial muscles of the back, expect an external abscess; if they are felt deeper, expect that the abscess will be internally.
COMMENT: We fail to see how some commentators can call the semiotic of this aphorism “confused, and easily mistaken for psoitis.” Of course, it does not happen often that a nephritis runs into external abscess. But it does happen, and we do not hesitate to say that it occurs oftener than we think, and that many abscesses in the lumbar region in reality have that origin. Such external abscesses are sometimes very obstinate, and one obtains results only by using remedies which correspond to the neglected symptoms of the kidney disease.
If in any place, then here it is very obvious that we must pay attention to the symptoms, and should carefully study the totality of the characteristic and essential symptoms of the disease picture in order to always select a medicine which is true homoeopathic to the disease.
Experience has taught us that many of our remedies indicated in abscess treatment are useless in these cases if they do not have special action on the kidney condition. And again other medicaments which have this sphere of action, but are seldom indicated in abscesses give the finest results. In these conditions we have fared best with: Arsenicum, Cantharis, China, Hepar, Lycopodium, Pulsatilla and Silica. We emphasize that Cantharis, chosen correctly and given in small doses, has top ranking among these remedies.
In cases of internal kidney abscess especially when chronic and disorganized, it is practically impossible to be of help. Cantharis, Lycopodium and Pulsatilla are then perhaps of some value when chosen correctly as indicated by the symptoms present. If the abscess opens into the abdomen, then a lethal result is usually unavoidable. Hence it is important to cure a nephritis (which is easily recognized by the symptoms) as quickly as possible. Here Cantharis is the main remedy but at times we need also: Aconite, Belladonna, Camphora, Cannabis, Hepar, Mercurius, Nitric acid, Pulsatilla, Squilla, Sulphur or Thuja.
APHORISM 37. Vomiting of blood without fever is not dangerous, but bad when fever is present. Must be treated with cooling and astringent remedies.
COMMENT: Vomiting of blood occurs sometimes without fever in suppressed natural bleeding like menstruation, or where blood from haemorrhoids has stopped. In such cases it becomes necessary to cure the symptoms with suitable remedies corresponding to the symptomatology.
Vomiting of blood with or without fever we find in many remedies, but those most often indicated are: Aconitum, Arnica, Belladonna, Cantharis, Carbo veg., China, Ferrum met., Hyoscyamus, Ipecacuanha, Nux, Phosphorus, Plumbum, Pulsatilla, Sabina, Sepia, Stannum, Sulphur, Sulphuric acid and Veratrum. In such cases it is necessary to note color and consistency of blood. For dark, black blood we have: Aconitum, Cantharis, China, Nux, Pulsatilla, Sepia and Sulphuric acid; light colored blood we find in: Arnica, Belladonna, Carbo veg., Ferrum met., Hyoscyamus, Ipecacuanha, Phosphorus, Plumbum, Sabina and Sulphur.
When blood coagulates quickly, or comes away in clots we must think of: Arnica, Belladonna, Cantharis, China, Ferrum met., Hyoscyamus, Ipecacuanha, Nux, Pulsatilla, Sabina and Sulphur. Seldom we meet haematemesis: purplish: Kali carb.; brownish: Bryonia, Carbo veg., Rhus; foamy: Arsenicum, Ledum, Phosphorus, Silica; acrid: Kali carb., Kali nitricum, Silica; stringy: Crocus, Cuprum; or the blood follows after vomiting of mucus or bile: Veratrum. Of course, all this must be considered in selecting the remedy, for these conditions are special and characteristic. In all such cases it is not difficult to select the similimum when also the accompanying symptoms are considered for individualizing according to the tenets of homoeopathy. Thus it never becomes necessary to use astringents, which often are dangerous.
APHORISM 45. Abscess of the liver treated with the knife or cautery, the patient will recover if the pus flows pure and white, for in such case the abscess is walled in by a membrane, but if it flows thick like oil, then death supervenes.
COMMENT: Though this is a dangerous condition, yet the correct use of: Belladonna, Bryonia, Lachesis, Nux, Pulsatilla, Ruta, Sepia or Silica holds out some hope and has produced cures in some cases.
APHORISM 49. It is good in throat inflammation when the swelling on the chest is red, for then the disease is being diverted.
COMMENT: In our comments to Aphorism 37, Book VI, we have mentioned croup, so here we shall speak of the homoeopathic treatment of influenza in the throat (angina) according to the symptoms. The usual remedies are: Aconitum, Alumina, Ammonium mur., Apis, Baryta, Belladonna, Bromium, Bryonia, Capsicum, Chamomilla, China, Cocculus, Coffea, Dulcamara, Hepar, Ignatia, Lachesis, Manganum, Mercurius, Nitric acid, Nux, Phosphorus, Pulsatilla, Rhus, Sulphur and Veratrum. It would lead too far, should we speak of the characteristics of each remedy, so we shall just point out one difference which must be observed: the condition of pain upon swallowing. If swallowing relieves the pain, then remember: Alumina, Capsicum, Ignatia, Lachesis, Manganum, Nux, Pulsatilla.
More important is the kind of swallowing. Empty swallowing or swallowing of saliva aggravates: Baryta, Belladonna, Bryonia, Cocculus, Hepar, Lachesis, Mercur., Nux, Pulsatilla, Rhus and Sulphur. But if swallowing of food is most painful: Alumina, Ammonium mur., Apis, Baryta, Belladonna, Bromium, Bryonia, Chamomilla, Cocculus, Coffea, Hepar, Lachesis, Mercurius, Nitric acid, Nux, Phosphorus, Rhus and Sulphur. Among these last mentioned for painful swallowing of solid food: Chamomilla, Hepar, Lachesis, Mercur. and Sulphur are the most prominent, while aggravation from swallowing fluid foods or drinks demands: Belladonna, Bromium, Ignatia, Mercur. and Phosphorus.
But if swallowing of fluids ameliorates, then choose: Alumina, Nitric acid or Nux; and if ameliorated by swallowing warm fluids, then Alumina and Nux head the list. Closely related to swallowing is speaking, and when that aggravates the pain, then consult: Aconitum, Alumina, Baryta, Bryonia, Dulcamara, Ignatia, Manganum, Mercurius, Phosphorus, Rhus and Sulphur; but in the rare cases where speaking ameliorates Hepar is the only remedy.
All these indications aim only at a single symptom, which alone is insufficient for a remedy choice, only the symptom totality can lead to the curative remedy, i.e., the modalities, sensations, aggravation and amelioration as to time and condition and accompanying symptoms.
APHORISM 50. Patients who suddenly get inflammation of the brain die within three days. If they live past this date, they can recover.
COMMENT: In sunstroke causing meningitic irritation usually a single dose of Belladonna in highest potency is sufficient to allay the symptoms in a few hours as long as they are new. Such patients go to sleep directly after that one dose and awaken without complaints, or, seldom, with light headaches which leaves without any further medication. Rarely, and only when Belladonna is not given at the very beginning, one dose of Nux may be necessary the next day.
Even rarer is the condition that after the first dose of Belladonna the symptoms have so changed, that Hyoscyamus is indicated, but it must be followed by another dose of Belladonna. Sunburns of face and hands respond quickest to Camphora, not only the spirits for external application, but at least just as well when given internally in a high potency.
