Therefore, there is in the little or nothing which enables the prescriber to decide which of these drugs he is to select for a given case. And just in proportion as the commonness of these symptoms brings them near in character to the generic group, in that proportion they pass out from among those elements of the case he is chiefly to consider. When these have been generally set aside, the first great difficulty in the way of finding a curative is removed. There will remain then a group of symptoms composed of members more or less numerous, which belong to the case as an individual member of the family or class.
They are the features by which it is known in the family, as a distinct member, and which distinguish it for the other members. In other words, they are the elements of the case which give to it its individuality, and are what we mean when we speak of characteristic symptoms, because they, and only they, declare its real character, in its relation to its specific curative agent. The office of the prescriber, as such, is little more than finding that drug which in its record of proving on the healthy has been found to produce symptoms like these, so found to be characteristic of the case before him.
As these symptoms of the cases are not common, but peculiar to it, so the similar symptoms of the drug will be found to be peculiar to it, and are what we mean when we speak of the characteristic symptoms of the drug. It in the resemblance between these two classes of characteristic that the divinely ordained law of cure has its existence. And in no one arrangement in nature is the wisdom and benevolence of the Law Giver more conspicuous than in this. If the disease of men were to be cured by agencies from without the organism, and the arrangement for this were to be made of such as general character, as, when discovered, it should be found to be the nature and force of law, so that the curing process should be one of comparative certainty, and in no case be left to the contingencies of chance, then, it is submitted, that this is the only possible arrangement that could secure these ends.
If this law of curative relationship had been established between those elements of the disease and drug which are common to many members of each class, how could we ever be certain which of the many drugs, characterized equally by similarity to the general elements of the disease, would be its true curative? In this case, it is case, it is clear, certainty would be impossible. And by parity of reasoning it follows, that certainty is possible, and not a very great difficulty, if it be found that the law appointed by which these diseases are to be cured has been ordained in the similarity of those elements of the disease and drug which are peculiar to each, i.e., of their characteristics.
Careful observation and experience have abundantly taught us that it is just here, where intelligent minds could alone have expected to find it, that the Law of Cure exists. And more than this. They teach that the application of means to the cure of disease, selected and used in compliance with the requirements of this law as stated above, is followed by a uniformity of success so great as to warrant its expectation with an assurance little
short of certainty.
It only remains, in our consideration of this subject, to show how these general principles are applied to the treatment of particular cases. The object being to find the drug which cures, how are we to proceed, under their guidance, to its discover? It must be obvious at the first glance that the subject, from its nature, admits of no such exposition as will show that the remedy must admits of no such exposition as will show what the remedy must be fore each successive case. The most that can be done is to show how that remedy is to be found. Of course it cannot be discovered before the case arises which is to be cured, and therefore only a general a priori consideration of the details of the treatment of proceeding, we shall give representative cases of the disease as allied to particular remedies.
If the case be related to Aloes, we shall find besides the generic symptoms of the disease some of the following: Fainting while at stool very characteristic of this drug. Frequent stools of bloody water. The tenesmus is very violent. Hunger during the stool. Shooting and boring pains in the region of the navel, increased by pressure. The lower part of the abdomen is swollen and sensitive to pressure.
The distension and movements in the abdomen are more in the left side and along the track of the colon, increased after food. Great repugnance to free air, which not withstanding ameliorates the sufferings. Cutting and pinching pains in the rectum and loins. Heaviness, weariness and numbness in the thighs. With these symptoms there need be no hesitation as to the choice of Aloes. Many of these symptoms are found with no other drug, so far as we know.
T.F. Allen, in his lecture on Aloes, stressed the flatulence and emission of flatus with the tendency to loose stools so characteristic of the remedy with his unforgettable epigram, “Everlasting uncertainty,” the continual uncertainty as to weather the passage of flatus or stool is imminent.- H.A.R.
If related to Arnica, there will be some of the following: Constant sense of fullness and satiety in the stomach, with nausea. Putrid and slimy taste in the mouth. Taste and eructations like spoiled eggs. Bitter and sour eructations. Putrid smell of the breath. Loud rumbling in the bowels, as if empty. Stools of blood and feces.
Offensive flatus like bad eggs. Swallowing hindered by a sensation of nausea. Repugnance to animal food and broths. Wishes to drink constantly, but does not know what, all drinks are alike offensive. Tenesmus of the neck of the bladder. Fruitless urgency to urinate (Merc. cor.). Bruised pain in the back. Painfully increased sensibility of the whole surface of the body. (The bed feels hard.- H.A.R.) Perspiration smells sour. It will be noted how different these symptoms are from those of Aloes. There can be no difficulty in deciding between the two in any case.
There is just as little between both these and the next we note, which is Arsenicum. Here we have a sensation as if the abdomen would burst, BEFORE the stool. Sensation of contraction, just above the anus at the stool. Burning in the rectum, and trembling in all the limbs after the stool. Heart beating and distension of the abdomen, after the stool. Tenesmus with burning rectum and anus (Caps.). Great exhaustion after each stool.
Stools smelling lie old foul ulcers. Greenish urine. Pains relieved by external heart. Bluish tongue. Great restlessness and tossing about the bed. Face sunken, pale and the features distorted. Perspiration sticky. Petechiae, milliary and nettle- rash eruptions. Cold dry skin alternates with cold perspiration. Pain relieved after each evacuation. There are quite characteristic symptoms of this drug, and are easily distinguished from those of almost all others. Of these are to be more especially noted the concomitants before, during and after the stool, the great restlessness and the exhaustion after the stool, as well as the character of the perspiration.
Belladonna is more likely to be appropriate in the early stage of the disease and where in inflammation extends to the serous tissues of the intestines. This is shown by the presence of symptoms which characterize that condition, such as deep- seated soreness of the abdomen when pressed on. Hard quick pulse. Hot dry skin, with evident congestion of this tissue.
In the initiation of the case there may be chills excited by every motion (Nux.v.) or frequent alternations of chilliness and flashes of heat, both being transient and in rather quick succession. Other drugs have the sensibility of the abdomen to pressure, as for example Hyos., Nux v., Puls., Sulph. and some others. It will be necessary therefore to note that the character of the sensibility with Bell. is that of excoriation, as if all were raw within, and also the febrile symptoms including the pulse.
If these are as we have just given them there is the strongest reason for the selection of this drug. It is the more certainly indicated if there be a constant pressing to the anus and genitals. If the pains are more in the left side, and are aggravated by bending the body to that side. If there be pains of a constricting character, relieved by bending forward. Painless inability to swallow. Sensation of dryness in the mouth while inability to swallow. Sensation of dryness in the mouth while the tongue is moist. Violent delirium.
If the case call for Cantharis with other symptoms there will be burning in the anus lie fire, after the stool. Dryness of the lips, and thirst during the pain. Loss of epithelium from the lips, tongue and palate. Vesicles and aphthous ulcers in the mouth and throat. There may also be this peculiarity of the evacuations-like scrapings from the mucous surface of the intestines, streaked with blood.
