In July, 1881, I cured three cases of ague in one family, where hydroa on upper lip was characteristic. Natrum mur. had been given in each case without success, and one prescription of Rhus cured. Since verified by W.A. Allen and A. McNeil.
Differences between Natrum mur and Rhus tox.
Natrum mur.
Time: 4 to 9, 10 to 11 A.M, 4 to 7 P.M. Fever without chill at 10 to 11 A.M.
Cause: Exposure to emanations from salt or fresh water streams, ponds, near recently turned up (especially virgin) soil.
Prodrome: Dreads the chill. Languor, headache, thirst, nausea and vomiting.
Chill: With thirst, blue lips and nails, bursting headache, severe shaking, chattering of teeth and tearing in bones, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes unconsciousness. Begins in fingers and toes.
Heat: With thirst, increased headache, unconsciousness and excessive weakness. Long and severe, Nausea and vomiting.
Sweat: With thirst, profuse, gradually relieving all pains. Chilly.
Tongue: Mapped, herpes like ringworm on the tongue, yellow coating, salt taste. Aversion to bread. Longing for salt. Hydroa around the mouth, like strings of pearls.
Rhus tox.
Time: 10 A.M., 7 P.M. and evening, lasting all night.
Cause: Rheumatic exposure, especially by cold bathing. Swimming in ponds, rivers and small lakes.
Prodrome: Burning in eyes, stretching and severe pain in limbs, dry, teasing, fatiguing cough.
Chill: Mixed and irregular, severe chill, as if ice water were dashed over him, or blood running cold through the vessels. Coldness of left tibia, arm and left side of body. Shaking chill on going from open air into warm room. Dry, teasing, fatiguing cough.
Heat: Excessive heat, as if dashed with hot water, or as if hot water were running through the vessels. Urticaria over entire body, itching violently. Restless, constantly changing position, without finding an easy place.
Sweat: Over whole body, except face, or vice versa. Profuse, but not debilitating. Violent trembling during sweat.
Tongue: Coated white, or on one side white, red, dry, triangular tip. Aversion to alcoholic liquors putrid taste after eating or drinking. Hydroa on upper lip.
Analysis: From rheumatic exposure, summer bathing.
Chill, severe, as if dashed with ice water, as if blood was running cold through vessels, intense rheumatic pains, cough dry, teasing, fatiguing, restlessness, must move or walk about.
Heat, intense, as if blood were molten lead, restless, urticaria over whole body, with violent itching aggravation by rubbing.
Sweat, sleeps during sweat, profuse, urticaria passes off.
Hydroa on the lips.
Diarrhea with profuse, watery or bloody stools, with marked prostration are premonitory symptoms of typhoid or typhus.
