PROGNOSIS – Spinal irritation from mental shock, in a sound nervous constitution, can generally be cured, however severe the symptoms. When due to injury of the spine, the probability of a cure is in inverse ratio to the extent of the injury. Dr. Anstie states that such patients usually recover, when it is their interest to do so. When sexual irritation underlies the condition, we can fairly encourage the hope of a cure when there is a prospect of legitimate gratification of the maternal instincts.
EPITOMES OF MEDICINAL TREATMENTS.
1. From injury to the spine – Arnica, Hamamelis, Rhus., internally and locally. For the latter purpose, the strong tincture should be used, diluted with hot water, and applied hot or warm.
2. Associated with Uterine symptoms – Cim., Ferrum, Gelsemium, Ignatia, Macrot., Pulsatilla
3. With Rheumatic symptoms – Aconite, Argentum nitricum, Cact., Caulophyllum, Colchicum, Rhus., Spigelia, Sulphur
4. With Neuralgia – Arsenicum, Atrop., Belladonna, Coloc., Nux V., Ver –
V.
LEADING INDICATIONS FOR THE PRINCIPAL REMEDIES
Aconitum – Recent cases, and when heats and chill, and other fever symptoms, preponderate.
Argentum Nitricum – One of the most useful of all medicines in this disorder; great tenderness of spine, puffing and numbness of hands and feet, constipation, paralysis.
Arnica – When spinal irritation is caused by injury this remedy is generally required, alone or in alternation with another more suited to the constitutional condition.
Belladonna – Predominance of brain symptoms : excessive spinal tenderness.
Cactus – Faintness; palpitation; sensation as if the heart were held tightly.
Cimicifuga – Nervous restlessness, headache, tremors; nervous weakness and prostration; pain under the left breast or in the left side; pain in the back and lumbar region; palpitation; numbness of the left arm; uterine irregularities.
Cocculus – Painful stiffness of the back and one side; oppression of the chest; giddiness; colic; sickness; trembling of the limbs; numbness of the right side.
Ferrum – Anaemic symptoms; palpitation; menstrual irregularities; inability to retain the urine in the daytime.
Ignatia – Spinal irritation from mental shock, grief, or associated with Hysteria; depression, sleeplessness, frequent yawning, stiffness of the back, flatulence, copious discharge of pale urine, etc.
Nux Vomica. – Jerking of the hands or arms, pain in the side or stomach, nausea, heartburn eructations, and constipation; urinary difficulties; sleeplessness and troubled dreams.
ACCESSORY MEASURES – A lotion or liniment of Arnica, Belladonna, Verbascum Vir., Aconite, or Rhus, for local use, is advisable when the same remedy is being administered internally, especially when the affection is the result of injury. Faradization is often of great service. A few sittings daily for four or five minutes will sometimes completely remove the morbid sensitiveness. A wet compress over the tender spot will also afford relief. Sometimes a Belladonna plaster gives much comfort. Rest in the horizontal posture may be necessary, but it should be combined with fresh air and moderate exercise. Daily exercise in the open air; gently commenced and gradually increased, greatly aids recovery, and by it, combined with remedies, we have witnessed the complete recovery of most unpromising cases. Sea or mountain air is sometimes desirable. The diet should be generous and varied. Generally, stimulants are not necessary, unless by their temporary use the appetite is improved.
But some physicians affirm that stimulants are necessary to the cure of the affection, and attribute as a frequent cause of the disease the neglect of the use of some form of alcohol. Except, however, as a mere temporary expedient, we believe alcoholic stimulants to be unnecessary and injurious.
OCCUPATION FOR LADIES – For unmarried patients, after the severe symptoms have been modified by treatment, it is of supreme importance that some occupation, undertaken in a business-like way, should be provided.
“There is a far more good in prophylaxis than in direct curative treatment for these disorders (Hysteria, Spinal Irritation, etc.); and half the sufferings which they produce would absolutely never arise if at the critical period of bodily development the nervous system were steadied and strengthened by the influence, at once sobering and inspiring of an education directed towards the acquirement of an honourable profession or commercial career, which might give women the inexpressible comfort of feeling that they are independent of such accidents of life as marriage or not getting married.” (Dr. Anstie.).
We sincerely hope to see a wider range of avocations opened up to ladies, suited to their tastes, education, and social status; for when such occupations are provided, spinal irritation will become of far less frequency.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."