April, 13th, 1951–Miss B. B., aged 36, unmarried, in easy circumstances, menses profuse and early, of nervous-lymphatic temperament and of fair complexion was subject for a number of years to attacks of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth which came on in the spring and generally lasted for four to five weeks. Hitherto they have only yielded to the local application of leeches, followed by a course of tonics. Her father was similarly affected before her, so that this affliction was a constitutional one.
She suffered also, from chronic indigestion; not, however in a severe degree. She was constipated although her diet was simple.
At present the gums and buccal mucous membrane are red and inflamed; and there are several gumboils and aphthous ulcerations which caused much soreness. Throbbing pain in experienced at the base of the gumboils. She can not take solid food on account of the pain and confines herself to a light, farinaceous vegetable diet.
There is epigastric tightness after meals, and a disagreeable taste in the mouth on rising in the morning. With the exception of feeling very nervous at times, she makes no other complaint. Pulse 96.
Rx–China off. 30., one dose, to be taken in distilled water at once and after an interval of four hours. Merc. sol. every four hours till three doses are consumed. Merc. sol. was exhibited with a view on its action upon the gums and mucous membranes of the mouth.
April 17–The mouth is much better and the gums less sore, especially since all the boils had burst; so that she can now take a little solid food. The epigastric tightness is no longer felt and the pulse is less irritable.
Rx–Sulphur 30., 1 dose.
April 24–The mouth is almost well. The ulcerations are no longer to be seen and the tenderness which remains is so light that no inconvenience arises from it. Feel perfectly well in every respect and she now has returned to her usual solid diet.
Rx–Merc. sol. 30., 1 dose.
May 1–She now feels perfectly well in every respect.
Rx–Sulphur 30., 1 dose.
From the date of her last prescription to February 1952 when I saw her last, this patient did not experience the slightest return of her mouth trouble. This case affords an additional proof of the utter worthlessness, on the one hand, of the usual palliative indirect (allopathic) method employed in the treatment of affections which depend upon a constitutional (psoric) taint, even in individuals whose vital resources are considerable, and on the other hand, of the speediness and certainty of the cure, under similar circumstances, where the diet (homoeopathic) mode of cure is adopted.
