NEURALGIA



Mrs. Mc., a slender, delicate looking brunette; very dark hair; married; pregnant four months. While suffering from an attack of influenza she had, as a complication, an attack of right-sided neuralgia, located over the eye, and involving the upper eyelid, which would twitch and quiver when the pain was severe; then lightning-like shocks from the supra-orbital region down into the upper lid very frequent. Mag. phos. 30x relieved this case in a very short time. (Chas. C. Huff, M.D).

Cases Illustrating the Action of Magnesia Phosphorica as an anodyne in Neuralgias.

CASE 1. (January 21, 1895). – Miss G., aged 48, keeps a boarding-house, has had much worry lately. Been subjected to attacks of neuralgic pains in spine, but had none for two years. After a slight attack of influenza, severe pains developed in lumbar region, down right sciatic nerve, and up spine. Tenderness on pressure, with a numb sensation in affected parts. The pains shift their position, are better by rest, worse at night. Sometimes they seize her in paroxysms, obliging her to call out. Patient is much distressed and in great anxiety about the pains; her pulse is weak and vitality depressed. She was kept in bed for ten days, and treated with Rhus, Actaea racemosa, Bryonia and Arsenicum, but without effect. Then Magnesia phosphorica 3x trit. was given, gr. v., night and morning, and at any time if the pains were severe. The pains at once abated, and patient observed that this powder had done her good, and that each dose relieved. She was about again in a few days.

CASE 2. – Mrs. X., aged 58, an apparently healthy, vigorous lady till two years ago, when she suffered whilst abroad from vague neuralgic pains about body, which gradually increased until when I saw her in June last they had become very severe, and had greatly reduced her strength. They were much worse at night, affected various nerve tracts, chiefly below the waist. They shifted about; there was tenderness over the affected parts, and finally she got no sleep at night, but about weeping and wringing her hands in despair. There was numbness of the toes, and the condition suggested commencing deep-seated spinal mischief. Arsenicum, Quinine and Phosphorus helped the general condition. But nothing touched the pains until Magnesia phosphorica was given. This gave her several good nights’ rest, and continued for a time to lull the pains. The patient has now left Bournemouth, and I hear is getting worse. Magnesia phosphorica could not have been expected to cure such a condition, but its effect in temporarily reliving the pain and ensuring sleep was unmistakable, both to the patient and her friends.

CASE 3. – Miss F., aged 36, a sufferer from chronic nephritis, which has much improved under treatment. After some mental upset, severe left-sided facial neuralgia set in, radiating from an upper molar, which had given trouble before, from recurrent inflammation of the root. The pain was better by warmth and pressure on the affected side, worse by talking. Phosphorus at first removed the pain, but soon lost its effect. Magnesia phosphorica was then given, which greatly relieved. Although the pain recurred occasionally for some days, a few doses of this drug always removed it and no other remedy was required.

CASE 4. – Mrs. W., an old lady of 74, in reduced circumstances. She has been under treatment for slight eczema with constipation and stomach pains. These are better. On September 10th, she complained of frantic neuralgia in upper jaw and face. The pain ran down the infraorbital foramen into upper malleolus, and along right molar bone. It was worse at night, relieved by warmth, worse by least cold. The pain was grasping and tickling; had lasted a week. Magnesia phosphorica relieved almost at once, and no other remedy was required.

CASE 5. – Mrs. B., aged 50. Progressive optic neuritis, from which she is now quite blind. She has been under treatment for two years, and for a time by various remedies the progress of the disease was arrested, and she could read large print until nine months ago. Since then nothing has availed. There has been frequent supra-orbital neuralgia of the right side. The sight of the left eye had been lost before I saw her. This neuralgia was benefited by Actaea racemosa, and when very severe by occasional antipyrin powders. In September last the pain returned with great severity. Magnesia phosphorica 3x, 5 grains taken in hot water two or three times a day when the pain was worst, gave immediate relief. A fortnight afterwards she reported the pains had quite left, and this powder had removed far more promptly than anything previously prescribed.

William Boericke
William Boericke, M.D., was born in Austria, in 1849. He graduated from Hahnemann Medical College in 1880 and was later co-owner of the renowned homeopathic pharmaceutical firm of Boericke & Tafel, in Philadelphia. Dr. Boericke was one of the incorporators of the Hahnemann College of San Francisco, and served as professor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics. He was a member of the California State Homeopathic Society, and of the American Institute of Homeopathy. He was also the founder of the California Homeopath, which he established in 1882. Dr. Boericke was one of the board of trustees of Hahnemann Hospital College. He authored the well known Pocket Manual of Materia Medica.
W.A. Dewey
Dewey, Willis A. (Willis Alonzo), 1858-1938.
Professor of Materia Medica in the University of Michigan Homeopathic Medical College. Member of American Institute of Homeopathy. In addition to his editoral work he authored or collaborated on: Boericke and Dewey's Twelve Tissue Remedies, Essentials of Homeopathic Materia Medica, Essentials of Homeopathic Therapeutics and Practical Homeopathic Therapeutics.