7. DISORDERS OF PREGNANCY



MEDICAL TREATMENT

Aconitum – Toothache from exposure to cold or wet, with throbbing of the gums and cheek, febrile symptoms, and aggravation of the pains by stimulants.

Belladonna – Toothache with determination to the head, and great nervous irritability; the pains increases at night, are throbbing or piercing, and often occur in alternation with intense headache.

Chamomilla – Faceache with swelling, irritability, heat redness, especially of one side of the face, flushes, palpitation and sensitiveness to external impression, the pain being worse on taking warm food or drink, and at night.

Coffea – Extreme sensitiveness to pain, sleeplessness, flushed face, great restlessness; the pain is relieved by cold water, and may be accompanied by palpitation, recurring every night.

Kreosotum – Toothache from decayed teeth; it not only relieves the pain, but also tends to arrest the progress of the decay.

Magnesia Carb. – Toothache in sound teeth; pain intolerable during repose.

Mercurius – Pain in decayed teeth, extending into the head; toothache from cold with swelling of the gums; threatened gumboils. This remedy has been, perhaps, more frequently and successfully used in domestic practice than any other.

ADDITIONAL REMEDIES which may be used both during the attacks, and also during the intervals – Bryonia, Calc-C., Cim., Nux V., Pulsatilla, Sepia, Staphysagria

ADMINISTRATION – A dose every fifteen, thirty, or sixty minutes, according to the severity of the attack.

ACCESSORY MEANS – Avoidance of cold and damp. Improvement of the general health, especially of the digestive organs, should be promoted by the use of whole-some food, pure, air, out-of-door exercise, bathing, and regular, early habits.

34 PALPITATION OF THE HEART

Weakly nervous ladies often suffer from attacks of palpitation. By some it is experienced immediately after conception, by others at the period of the quickening by others, again, towards the end of pregnancy.

CAUSES – Increased sensibility and irritability of the nervous system, consequent on pregnancy; in the later months, plethora may act as a predisposing cause; the movements of the foetus, indigestion, the excessive use of tea, and coffee, mental emotions, etc., may also excite palpitation.

MEDICINAL TREATMENT –

Aconitum – When the palpitation is connected with a plethoric condition, or derangement of any of the important organs of the body, or is brought on by fright or excitement.

Belladonna – Is useful in cases very similar to the ones calling for Aconite Headache, with redness of the face and dimness of vision, would indicate this remedy.

Cactus Grand – Nervous palpitation without recent or chronic, especially with a sensation of fulness at the heart, suffocation, and general plethora; heart appears to whirl round, or to be tightly grasped.

Digitalis – Great irritability in the heart’s action, sometimes rapid, sometimes almost entirely suspended; inability to walk or lie down; great distress.

Moschus – Nervous palpitation, with a tendency to faint.

Natrum Mur. – Palpitation after a meal, or on lying down at night.

Nux vomica – This medicine is of great value when the palpitation is apparently due to indigestion. It is especially indicated in patients of a dark complexion and irritable disposition.

Pulsatilla – Like the preceding medicine, Pulsatilla is useful in cases arising from indigestion, but in fair-haired women, of mild, easy disposition.

ADDITIONAL REMEDIES – Camph., Chamomilla, Cin., Coffea, Ignatia, Sepia, Verbascum V.

ADMINISTRATION – A dose every thirty or sixty minutes during an attack; in the intervals, thrice daily.

ACCESSORY MEANS – Derangements of the digestive organs, mental anxiety, excitement, heated rooms and confinement within doors, should be guarded against.

35 – VARICOSE VEINS

DEFINITION – This frequent accompaniment of pregnancy consists of a dilatation of the veins, especially of the lower limbs, and sometimes of the vagina, so that the veins stand out like knotted cords, with more or less swelling of the adjacent parts, and often rendering sufficient walking exercise impossible.

SYMPTOMS – The enlarged veins are most frequent on the leg below the knee, but the veins of the thigh are also liable to be involved, and in some cases those of the labia majora, vagina, and even of the os uteri. Both limbs may be equally affected, but when the womb is more inclined to one side then the other, the corresponding limb will be most affected. Sometimes the foot becomes quite purple from the congestion of the minute vessels, an the veins in the thigh and leg acquire an enormous size. The veins get larger when the patient is much on her feet, or allows the limb to hang down, but diminish during the rest in the horizontal posture.

CAUSES – Pressure of the enlarged womb upon the iliac and inferior cava, and so obstructing the return of blood from the parts below. It is most frequent when the uterus is too low, when the person is very heavy, and in those who have borne many children. As the derangement is caused by the pressure consequent on pregnancy, after delivery the veins soon regain their former size.

MEDICINAL TREATMENT – Aconite, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Fluor., Ac., Hamamelis, Lycopodium, Nux V., Pulsatilla, Silicea, Sulphur

INDICATIONS FOR THE PRINCIPAL REMEDIES

Aconitum – This medicine has no specific action upon varicosis, but is often indicated when inflammation has been set upon the veins, as an intercurrent remedy.

Hamamelis – In severe cases, and when bleeding is threatened. A dose every eight or twelve hours. The local use of this remedy is also sometimes necessary. Generally, Hamamelis is the best remedy.

Nux vomica – Varices, with enlargement of the abdomen, haemorrhoids. Constipation and frequent bearing down pains.

Pulsatilla – Painful and inflamed veins of a bluish colour, causing swelling of the limbs, in patients having the Pulsatilla temperament.

ACCESSORY MEANS – The limb should be bandaged from the toes to a little above the knee, or to the hip if the disease extends above the knee; beneath this bandage compresses of linen should be laid over the enlarged veins, and kept wet with a Hamamelis lotion (one part of the strong tincture to four of water)l or the affected portion may be bathed with the lotion morning an night. All ligatures, such as garters, must be removed. Rest in the recumbent posture, or the limb raised as much possible, is necessary. Sometimes an elastic stocking, made to measure, and drawn on like an ordinary stocking, before rising in the morning, is requisite.

36. SWELLING OF THE LOWER EXTREMITIES (OEdema)

In advanced pregnancy women often suffer from a puffy swelling of the ankles, and sometimes of the thighs, or even of the external genital parts. Change of posture has great influence upon the swelling of the legs; in the morning it is but slightly perceptible, but during the day it increases, and towards night it is at greatest degree.

MEDICAL TREATMENT

Apis Mellifica – Rapid and extreme swelling, with urinary difficulties.

Arsenicum – OEdema with much debility, weakness, and prostration; feeble and irregular pulse, and coldness of the extremities.

China – Dropsical swellings from exhaustive discharges, haemorrhages, diarrhoea, etc.

Ferrum – OEdema depending on an anaemic or chlorotic condition.

Sulphur – When the patient has been subject to affections of the skin, which have disappeared during the pregnancy.

ADMINISTRATION – A dose three or four times daily.

ACCESSORY MEANS – The recumbent posture will often lessen the inconvenience; and when the patient sits she should do so as much as possible with the legs raised. Standing is more unfavourable than a moderate degree of walking exercise.

37. – PAINS IN THE BACK AND LOINS

Many women suffer from pains in the lower part of the back during pregnancy. The pains are usually aching, heavy dragging, or pressing as if caused by a weight. They are often severe during the night than during the day.

MEDICAL TREATMENT –

Arnica – Is indicated if the pain can be traced to fatigue or over-exertion.

Bryonia – May be employed if the patient be subject to rheumatism.

Nux V. – Is an excellent remedy in cases attended with flatulence, constipation, and piles the pains being worse in bed.

Secale – Bearing down sensations in the lower part of the abdomen, with pain in the back.

Sepia – Useful when the patient has been long subject to menstrual derangements, or has a sallow, unhealthy looking sin, and is subject to piles.

ACCESSORY TREATMENTS – Sponging the loins with hot water for a few minutes before going to bed is sometimes of great efficacy, especially in cases associated with rheumatism or over-fatigue. In almost all cases a wellfitting thin flannel bandage is desirable.

38 – SLEEPLESSNESS

Sleeplessness is a prominent and annoying symptom in some women in all stages of pregnancy.

MEDICINAL TREATMENT –

Aconitum – The presence of any febrile symptoms would indicate the employment of this medicine.

Cimicifuga – Restlessness, inability to lie still.

Coffea – When the sleeplessness occurs in the early part of the night.

Edward Harris Ruddock
Ruddock, E. H. (Edward Harris), 1822-1875. M.D.
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."