39. Rhus Toxicodendron. This remedy is chiefly used in Rheumatism, and in affections of the skin. Rheumatism, sub-acute and chronic, worse during rest, and on first attempting to move, but relieved after a little movement; Lumbago, especially after the use of Aconite; Rheumatism, Sciatica, Paralysis, partial or complete, especially from exposure of the back to damp and cold; vesicular Erysipelas; Chicken-pox; Ring-worm; Shingles, Scald- head, etc.
EXTERNAL USE: Rhus is valuable in sprains, injuries to ligament tendons, joints, and the membranes investing the joints. Also in extensive superficial burns, the stings of insects, old Chilblains, and sometimes warts, are relieved or cured by it.
40. Silicea. Scrofulous Ulcers; gumboils; glandular and lymphatic swellings; affections of bones (Rickets); Housemaid’s Knee; Ringworm; Scabbed-head; Corns; Whitlows; foetid smell of the feet; Leucorrhoea, etc. It is most suited to chronic diseases, and to organic rather than functional changes. Silicea is remarkable for its power over the absorbent and exhalent vessels, especially those of the joints, sheaths of tendons, etc. It promotes the kindly suppuration of Abscesses of all kinds, with good or bad pus, and tends to moderate suppuration when it is excessive.
41. Spongia. We have inserted this remedy in our list, not because it is in very frequent demand, but because it ought to be at hand whenever required.
Its grand use, alone, or more generally in turns with Acon is in Croup, especially in the earlier stage, when it will frequently terminate an attack in a short time. It is also useful in dry, hard, barking Cough, 1 The following is a good proof of the value of Spongia. We were sent for recently to a patient at Folkestone, and while staying in the house were distressed by hearing the dry, hard, hoarse laryngeal cough of a favourite dog. We asked the lady, who was a clever non-professional prescriber, if she had given any remedy to cure the dog’s cough. As she had not, we prescribed Spongia, having often found this remedy most useful in similar coughs affecting human patients, We had the 1x dil, in our pocket-case, and made a mixture for the dog at once. The animal had suffered from the cough for many weeks, and the paroxysms were frequent and distressing. Ten days afterwards we were informed that the dog never coughed again after the second dose of the mixture; and as we were preparing the previous edition of this book for the press three months later it was reported well and free from cough. worse at night; Hoarseness, with dry cough and obstructed Breathing; croupy cough, such as frequently precedes or follows Croup; goitrous enlargements, etc.
42. Sulphur. This drug has a specific action upon the skin, and less so upon the mucous membranes; in minor degree it affects all parts of the animal economy. In affections of the skin, it is indicated by an irritation or itching, which yields an agreeable sensation on scratching, and it is aggravated by the warmth of bed; eruptions, chiefly papular, but some times vesicular; Boils, preventively and curatively; Chilblains; Whitlows; Scald-head, and in many scrofulous affections. Sulph. is strictly homoeopathic to boils, since it is well known that they often result from the excessive use of this drug, as in drinking sulphur-waters. “I know a lady,” writes Dr. Hughes, “who accompanied her husband to Harrogate; and, although herself in good health, joined him in drinking the waters. When she returned home, she came under treatment covered with Boils.” In affections of the mucous tract, Sulphur is chiefly required in those of the eyes, the urethra, and the rectum, as in strumous and catarrhal Ophthalmia; incontinence of urine; chronic Gonorrhoea; prolapsus of the womb; burning and itching of the anus; tape-worm; Piles and chronic Constipation.
Sulphur is often of service in arousing dormant nervous energies, so as to render the system susceptible to the action of medicines indicated. Opium has a like property.
43. Veratrum Album. Autumnal Diarrhoea, when vomiting is superadded to the purging. English and Asiatic Cholera; Diarrhoea and painful gripings; violent vomiting and purging, short of that sudden deadly collapse which indicates Arsenicum. Cramps in the bowels or limbs; Headache with vomiting; cold sweat and coldness of the whole body; black vomit; great weakness and Convulsions; vomiting during pregnancy. It is often beneficial in the convulsive stage of Whooping-cough.
44. Veratrum Viride. Fever, with severe headache and brain- symptoms, rapid pulse, and sickness; remittent fever of infants; the invasive stage of Scarlatina, Measles, etc., with head symptoms as above; Erysipelas, especially the vesicular variety: here it may also be applied externally thirty drops of the strong tincture to half-a-pint of water; Congestion of the head during teething; Pneumonia, etc. Inflamed Corns, Bunions, etc., may be touched with the strong tincture.
ANTIDOTES
In the event of an over-dose of any of the above medicines having been administered, two drops of the strong Tincture of Camphor, or a strong infusion of Coffee, will generally arrest any unpleasant consequences.
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."