These last symptoms declare the brain to be congested; and it is not surprising that, in certain instances, sudden death and other accidents should have resulted. In particular cases, palpitation seemed to have led to permanent disease of the heart, or even to have provoked pulmonary disorders.
Such signs, therefore, merit the earliest and most earnest attention of the physician. The patient should avoid all unnecessary excitement; her mind should be kept placid; and, as far as possible, her home perfectly happy; while the physician studies to tranquillise and equalise the nervous and vascular system by the administration of an appropriate remedy, carefully selected from the following list, viz. Aconite, Arsenicum, belladonna, Moschus, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla, or Sulphur.
FAINTING
Faintings are not general until the fifth month; but then they are often alarming, from their rapid succession and prolonged continuance. Ladies have remained in this state for hours; and their recurrence is frequently annoying at the period of labour. However, the fits, though sometimes sudden, do not generally appear without those premonitory symptoms which every patient is enabled to recognise. There is, nevertheless, during pregnancy, a disposition in ladies to conceal their symptoms, under a notion that it is indelicate in females to speak of such matters. From this mistake, those attacks, which if early encountered are easily subdued, become confirmed by neglect, and the life of the patient, in particular cases, is, in spite of the best efforts of science, lamentably sacrificed. These symptoms, though distressing and alarming, are successfully encountered by a properly selected remedy, which may be chosen in accordance with the following indications:-
Fainting, following palpitation of the heart, requires Aconite or Petroleum.
” if from riding in a carriage, Berberis Vulgaris.
” if from heat, Spigelia.
Fainting, if from mechanical injuries, Arnica Montana.
” if from debility, caused by previous disease, privation, or haemorrhages, China.
” if from bleeding from the nose, Crocus.
” if after food, with nausea and dyspepsia, Nux Vomica or Pulsatilla.
” if on lying down, Lycopodium.
” if on getting up, Aconite.
” if the patient is melancholy and disposed to weep, Ignatia.
” if lively, gay, and even passionate, Chamomilla.
” if disposed to hysteria, Moschus.
” if coupled with a tendency to constipation and haemorrhoids an occasional dose of Nux Vomica and Sulphur.
DYSPNOEA – SHORTNESS OF BREATH
A shortness of breath is by no means unusual. This, when it occurs, is occasionally very distressing while it lasts; and the patient is too apt to aggravate the symptoms heedlessly, by foregoing all exercise. In fact, ladies, when pregnant, are too much disposed to nurse themselves, and to believe themselves unfit to face the breath if heaven. Nothing tends more to the health of the body, or is more likely to check a morbid disposition to dyspnoea, than a brisk walk – that is, as brisk as the state of the patient permits; and though excessive fatigue is to be avoided, yet so much exercise as shall render rest pleasant is never attended by harm.
Towards the latter end of pregnancy the lungs are necessarily compressed; and if the lady is not fortified to bear up against such an extraordinary change, nature naturally gives way: hence it is not unusual for diseases of the lungs, or even consumption, to develop themselves during the period of gestation.
The larynx likewise partakes of the irritability of the entire system; and cough of an aggravated character, and attended with displeasing peculiarities, is by no means unusual. When the period of labour arrives, these things, if only combated by such remedies as every patient may have at her own command, will entirely cease: and after months of distress, a season of repose will be enjoyed. But there are occasions when such symptoms become obstinate, and appeal for special relief; and without resorting to the coarse and dangerous practice of the Allopathic practitioner, Homoeopathy affords a safe and sure amelioration by simply taking either Aconite, Arsenicum, Bryonia, Ipecacuanha, Moschus, Nux Vomica, or Phosphorus, selected according to the foregoing indication, viz, for the former, Nux Vomica, Moschus, and Ipecacuanha. For the latter, Aconite, Arsenicum, Bryonia, and Phosphorus.
It should, however, be observed, that dyspnoea, or shortness of breath, may be of a purely nervous and sympathetic nature: or it may occur in full and robust ladies, connected more or less with pulmonary congestion. These distinctions must be borne in mind when selecting our remedy, which of course must be done in strict accordance with the Homoeopathic theory.
TUSSIS – COUGH
The cough of gestation is most prevalent during the earlier and later months, and is frequently not unattended by other symptoms. Occasionally, it shakes the body to that degree which will provoke abortion, and is sometimes accompanied by spitting of blood.
The spitting of blood originates in two sources. First, a small artery may give way in the fauces; or, secondly, the discharge may be effused through the mucous membrane of the windpipe.
Of these two sources, the first is easily distinguished by the colour and equal stream not being prompted by any spasm. It is also to be distinguished by its scarlet hue; whereas, when blood is expectorated from the lungs, it is more or less frothy, mingled with mucus, and of a Modena or port-wine tinge.
For cough and spitting of blood, the Allopathist runs the round of his customary treatment; in fact, to such a degree does he do this for various disorders, that it really appears the medical schools and college imagine there must be some charm attending BLEEDING, LEECHES, BLISTERS, SALIVATION, NARCOTICS, PURGATIVES, and ANTISPASMODICS.
The Homoeopathist, however, regulates his treatment by the symptoms, numerous as may be the remedies at his command. Each separate case possesses some peculiarity which demands a different medicament for its cure. In the choice of remedies resides the special skill of the Homoeopathist. The poor patient pays the Allopathist for the quantity of medicine with which he or she is drugged. The Homoeopathist, on the other hand, generally administers medicines of an amount which has no money value whatever. He meets his client, relying solely upon ability, and on no other ground can he accept remuneration.
For the above complaints, he successfully administers such remedies as Aconite, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Ipecacuanha, and China.
CEPHALALGIA – HEADACHE
When present with the foregoing disorders, and frequently rendered more severe by them, is Headache, to which pregnant women are much disposed.
The headache may be continuous, or it may be only present during paroxysms. I knew a lady who invariably had headache whenever she retired to bed, but was comparatively easy during the day. This symptom was more or less attended with confusion of mind and morbid fancies. I gave the patient a few doses of Belladonna, third decimal dilution; and from the third dose she became an altered woman. Such a symptom of headache, however, may be caused by an overloaded stomach, or by a confined state of the bowels. In such a case, Nux Vomica or Pulsatilla would be the most suitable remedy.
Ladies, when their condition requires the greatest attention, too commonly are neglectful in the last important particular; and I have to entreat such, never to overlook the absolute necessity of periodical evacuations. A neglect of this essential will not only produce headache, but it will also give rise to the majority of those symptoms which many practitioners are pleased to regard as nervous affections.
I have, however, already spoken on this subject; and to that part of the present essay the reader must refer.
Headache being no more than the sympathy of the brain may spring from various causes; and although the Allopathist deems it necessary to recommend anti-spasmodics, diffusible stimulants, blisters behind the ears, or on the nape of the neck, brisk purgatives, bleeding from the arm, and leeches to the temples; nevertheless, the Homoeopathic physician is enabled to remove so painful and distressing an affection by a particle far less than the one-millionth part of a grain of a properly-selected medicine.
For Congestive headache, he administers Aconite, Belladonna, or Opium.
For Bilio-Congestive headache, Mercurius Solubilis, or Podophyllum, in alternation with an occasional dose of Aconite.
For Rheumatic headache. Bryonia Alba.
For “Gastric” headache, Ipecacuanha, Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla, or Sulphur.
For Catarrhal headache, Aconite, Dulcamara, Ignatia, or Mercurius Solubilis.
For “Hysteric” headache, Aconite, Coffea, Ignatia, or Valerian.
For “Intermittent” headache, China, or its active principle, Quinine.
INSOMNIA, OR SLEEPLESSNESS
I know of no better method of producing that state which the physician intends to remove-at all events, I should not be surprised if obstinate sleeplessness followed upon so barbarous a course of treatment as that generally adopted by the old-school practitioner. Weakness may generate any disorder; and most people who have been weak or sick, can inform us how, for nights together, they have watched the flickering of a rush light.
William Morgan wrote The homeopathic treatment of indigestion, constipation, and haemorrhoids, The philosophy of homeopathy, The Text Book for Domestic Practice, The Liver and Its Diseases, Both Functional and Organic, Diabetes Mellitus, Syphilis and Syphiloidal Diseases, Cholera, Diphtheria, The signs and concomitant derangements of pregnancy, Contagious diseases; their history, anatomy, pathology, and treatment, Diseases of the Liver, and their homeopathic treatment.