76. Palpitation of the Heart (Palpitatio cordis)
In a normal condition we are scarcely sensible of the heart’s beat; when, however, its pulsations become much increased in force and frequency, the unpleasant sensation known as Palpitation is experienced.
CAUSES:
Predisposing nervous temperament; Hysteria; a full habit; diseases of the heart. Exciting excessive joy, long-continued anxiety, fear, or other mental emotions; severe exertion; the excessive use of tea, coffee, and other stimulants; profuse discharges; menstrual derangements, etc.
TREATMENT:
The following is only for simple cases. If possible, Palpitation should be treated by a physician.
Aconitum. From excitement, with anxiety, coldness, numb extremities, or a sensation as if the heart ceased to beat; short hurried breathing; hot and flushed face; and in plethoric patients.
Belladonna. Oppression, tremor, Palpitation extending to the neck and head; congested face.
Gelsemium. Nervous Palpitation.
Spigelia. Palpitation with pain at the heart.
Ignatia. When caused by grief or anxiety; nervous headache; Hysteria.
Coffea. Wakefulness and nervous restlessness; Palpitation from joyful excitement.
Chamomilla. Palpitation from passion.
Opium. From fright, drowsiness, etc.
China. After loss of animal fluids blood, milk, mucous discharges.
Pulsatilla. Hysterical symptoms, and in females suffering from deranged period.
Administration. During an attack, a dose every twenty or thirty minutes; as the symptoms decline, or in mild cases, every six or twelve hours.
ACCESSORY MEASURES:
The causes should be avoided. Pure air, cold water internally and externally, moderate exercise a contented disposition, and light, nourishing, and regular diet, are excellent auxiliaries.
77. Haemorrhages and Haemorrhagic Diathesis
By the term “haemorrhage” is meant the escape of blood from those vessels in which it is naturally contained, whether the discharge be external, or into one of the internal cavities of the body. Profuse and long-continued haemorrhages being dangerous, and the results often most serious, it is undesirable, except in emergencies, to trust to domestic treatment. In consideration, however, of the frequent suddenness of such occurrences, the impossibility of securing at all times the immediate attendance of a medical man, and the importance of being prepared to act promptly to afford temporary relief, we have devoted two or three Sections to the immediate treatment of several forms of haemorrhage.
Haemorrhagic Diathesis. In some patients a predisposition to haemorrhage exists which may be hereditary or acquired, and is designated the haemorrhagic diathesis. This condition probably consists in defective contractility of the arteries, which may also be fragile or soft from diseased processes, so being unable to resist the force of the circulation, especially in congestion; and in loss of coagulability of blood, from a defective or altered character of the fibrine, the chief agent in coagulation, and of some change in the red corpuscles.
Hence the most trivial wound bleeds almost uncontrollably, and even life may be jeopardised by a slight injury or surgical operation. As stated, the haemorrhagic diathesis may not in all cases be hereditary, but caused by diseases of the liver, spleen, etc., which then exert a deleterious influence upon the constituents of the blood. The knowledge of the existence of such a diathesis is important, as it might materially modify the medical and surgical treatment of the patient.
78. Spitting (Haemoptysis) or Vomiting (Haematemesis) OF BLOOD, FROM RUPTURE OF A BLOOD-VESSEL.
It is not necessary here to determine whether the blood comes from the lungs or stomach, as the immediate treatment should be the same in either case. It may be stated, however, that when blood comes from the lungs it is usually of a bright-red colour, is discharged with coughing, or is hawked up, and is often frothy; but when from the stomach, it is of a dark-colour, is vomited, and is sometimes mixed with food. Calmness and judgment are especially necessary, as the discharge of considerable quantities of blood is otherwise likely to cause alarm, and disqualify for action.
TREATMENT:
Aconitum. Chiefly indicated when flushed face, palpitation, and anguish accompany the haemorrhage; or for the premonitory symptoms shiverings, quick pulse, Palpitation, etc. Two drops in a spoonful of water, repeated in ten or fifteen minutes, or in one, two, or three hours. See also “Accessory Means.”
Arnica. Haemorrhage from a fall, a blow, or severe exertion. If Inflammatory symptoms predominate, Arnica and Aconite may be administered alternately. (Hamamelis is often better than Arn).
Ipecacuanha. Haematemesis, with paleness of the face and frequent indication to vomit; or short cough and expectoration streaked with blood. Often useful after Aconite, and before the administration of China or Arsenicum
China. Chiefly required after haemorrhage for removing the consequent debility. Its chief indications are frequent taste of blood. shivering, flushes, dizziness, feeble pulse, cold hands or feet, fainting, etc.
Arsenicum. Difficult breathing, extreme palpitation of the heart, anguish, burning heat and thirst, small and quick pulse.
ACCESSORY MEANS:
The patient should immediately lie down on a sofa or mattress, with head and shoulders elevated. All tight-fitting articles of dress should be removed, and the patient kept cool and quiet, and on no account be allowed to talk. There must be no crowding round him, no talking, noise, or confusion, and the room should be kept cool and airy, at about 55 degree Fahr. For sometime, food and wine are not admissible, and the only drink that can be allowed is a little cold water or the sucking of ice.
Should faintness occur, on alarm need be excited, as it is often nature’s method of arresting the bleeding. After the haemorrhage has ceased, the patient must still be kept, cool, quiet, and free from excitement, and the diet be light and unstimulating, while the position of the body should be such as to favour the cessation of the discharge. Gradually beef-tea, broth, milk, and cocoa, may be taken, but not hot.
These measures are necessary to obviate a recurrence of the symptoms. Sometimes haemorrhage is vicarious, as in females, when bleeding from the nose or stomach takes the place of the menstrual discharge. In such cases the treatment should be directed to the establishment or restoration of the monthly period.
79. Bleeding from the Urinary Organs (Haematuria)
The source of the haemorrhage may be the kidneys, the bladder, the prostate gland, or the urethra.
CAUSES:
Haemorrhage from the kidneys may be due to the irritation of renal calculi, blows on the loins, congestion resulting from Scarlet fever, inflammation, and such diseases as Typhus, Scurvy, etc. Haemorrhage from the prostate gland, bladder, or urethra, may be caused by the introduction of instruments, the irritation of stone, venereal disease, abuse of Spanish-fly, or by the existence of an Ulcer or Tumour, of which, indeed, it is often the first manifestation.
DIAGNOSIS:
Haemorrhage from the bladder may be recognised by the discharge taking place principally after the escape of urine; and the quantity is also greater, and often the clots are larger and more irregular than when derived from the kidneys; the severe pain in the lumbar region, the intimate admixture of the blood with the urine, and other symptoms that accompany the bleeding from the kidney, are not present.
TREATMENT:
Cantharis. Discharge of pure blood in drops, or copiously blended with the urine, especially when associated with difficulty in passing water, scalding urine, and spasmodic pains.
Camphor. Haematuria from the use of Spanish-fly (Cantharis), as in allopathic treatment.
Arnica. Haemorrhage from external violence, strains or severe efforts. If the patient be robust, and inflammatory symptoms predominate, in alternation with Aconite A dose every hour at first; afterwards Arnica only, every four hours.
ACCESSORY MEANS:
Demulcent drinks linseed-tea, gum-water, etc. may be taken in considerable quantities. The wet compress over the loins, when the haemorrhage proceeds from the kidneys, or over the whole region of the bladder, when the bleeding proceeds from that organ, will mitigate the pain and hasten the cure.
80. Haemorrhage from the Womb Flooding (Metrorrhagia)
1 For fuller treatment, see the “Lady’s Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment,” 11th Edition.
This may occur when various conditions, many of which are of such an intricate character as to be quite unintelligible to non- professional readers; indeed, it would require a considerable treatise to describe the various functional and organic derangements of the womb, of which haemorrhage is but a symptom. We will therefore only suggest measures likely to be immediately beneficial until medical aid can be obtained.
TREATMENT:
Aconitum. At the commencement of the discharge, or when the first symptom appears, when there is excitement, Palpitation, etc., especially in full-blooded patients. A dose every hour for several times.
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."