An Epitome of the Homeopathic Healing Art Part 9

TREATMENT.

I treat both the nipple and the child's mouth with the same remedy _Eupatorium aro._, applied at the strength of 6 drops of the tincture, to a teaspoonful of water, the application being made by a soft cloth, wet and laid over the nipple; give drop doses of the same strength internally every three hours, which will, in nearly all cases effect a cure in one or two days. The child's mouth should be wet with the same each time just before nursing. The oil from the pit of the b.u.t.ter nut, (Juglan's Cinerea,) obtained by heating the pit and pressing out the oil, applied to the nipple, will generally cure it after 3 or 4 applications about six hours apart. The child may take hold when the oil is on, without danger. This remedy is sufficient in nearly all cases.

Leucorrhoea and Prolapsus Uteri--Whites, Female Weakness.

The disease depends in all cases upon _inflammation_ of the uterus, or v.a.g.i.n.a, or both.

The inflammation may be simply in the neck of the uterus extending to the posterior surface of the v.a.g.i.n.a, or the latter may not be affected; or it may extend to the whole internal surface of the uterus, producing swelling of that organ, both the fundus and neck.

The swelling may be confined mostly to the fundus, causing it to be too large for the s.p.a.ce it ordinarily fills, hence there will be more or less _displacement_ of the womb, and crowding upon other parts, as the bladder or r.e.c.t.u.m. In some cases, the swelling is more on one side than on the other, so that it will be crowded over to the opposite side.

These displacements are often called _prolapsus uteri_, or "_falling of the womb_," carrying the idea that the difficulty depends upon a morbid relaxation of the ligaments that support the organ. Not one case in a hundred is of this latter character, but nearly, if not all, depend upon the inflammation and swelling above mentioned. How futile then, not to say _hurtful_, must be all instruments for, and all attempts at replacing and supporting it by _force_! All such mechanical meddling is injurious, and should, with all the "supporters," be condemned and discarded.

They may afford temporary relief, but this is at the expense of future health. Cure the disease, relieve the inflammation, and nature will replace the organ. Leucorrhoea is always present where there is ulceration of the neck of the womb, and this ulcerated condition exists to a greater or less extent, in many cases where it is not suspected by the patient. It is vastly more prevalent than is generally supposed. The _symptoms_ are numerous. Among the more prominent are a sense of weight and bearing down in the pelvis, pains extending down the limbs, aching and weakness of the small of the back, headache, more or less gastric disturbance, dyspepsia, the food souring on the stomach. There is often, especially when there are ulcers on the parts, a distressing sense of heat or a smarting sensation. The menstrual function is frequently deranged, the bowels costive, the urethra, by being pressed, becomes irritable and burns and smarts whenever the urine is evacuated. The sleep is disturbed and unrefres.h.i.+ng, and the whole nervous system is unstrung.

The discharge from the diseased surfaces, in an ordinary case without ulceration, is of a mucous or muco-purulent character, not unlike an ordinary catarrhal secretion. When ulceration exists it is dark, fetid or b.l.o.o.d.y, or sanious and purulent, sometimes it is acrid, excoriating the parts.

TREATMENT.

Inflammation or ulceration, either acute or chronic, in these parts does not differ essentially in its characteristics from the same affection in other mucous surfaces.

The proper treatment for a catarrh of other mucous surfaces will be applicable to these, though there is no doubt but that some medicines are more specifically adapted to these than to other organs.

In the early stage of the complaint, while the inflammation is acute, or sub-acute, the discharge thin or white, _Copaiva_ and _Macrotin_ are to be given once in 6 hours alternately. During the same time let injections into the v.a.g.i.n.a of warm soap and water be used twice a day, to cleanse the parts of the secretion, followed in half an hour by a wash of warm water, into which _tr. of Macrotys_ has been put in proportion of 40 drops to half a pint. The application should be made with an 8 ounce or at least 6 ounce curved pipe syringe, so as to throw it with considerable force. If there is a burning sensation, use the washes quite warm, until the heat of the parts is allayed. Avoid the use of _cold_ injections as long as any inflammation exists. If the bearing down is present with burning in the parts, _Bell._ is to be used in rotation with the two former remedies. If the sensation is that of smarting, _Cantharis_ is to be used in place of Bell.

Where the disease comes on soon after child-birth, _Podophyllin is the Specific_. It is to be given at the first attenuation three times daily in half gr. doses of the trituration. In this case let the parts be freely washed daily with a solution of borax, quite warm. In the _chronic_ form of the disease, especially where _barrenness_ exists, _Macrotin_, _Podophyllin_ and _Hydrastin_, given morning, noon and night, in the order named, will, in nearly all cases, afford relief.

For females who have never borne children, give _Phos. acid_, 2d and _Eryrgium Aquatic.u.m_ 1, night and morning for a week, and then give them at the 3d dilution until the symptoms subside. If there are headache and derangement of the stomach, _Macrotin_ and _Podophyllin_ should be used, each once a day, between the latter remedies. When the discharge is colored and the pains darting, cutting or smarting, indicating ulceration, or if ulceration is discovered by examination, use _Macrotin_ and _Hydrastin_ internally, injecting the latter upon the affected parts freely. The ulcerated surfaces should be well washed off every day with soap and water, or a solution of borax, and the medicine (_Hydrastin_) in form of infusion, used half an hour after the other wash. If the neck of the womb looks dark, and is ulcerated, or is hard and painful to the touch, especially on probing the cavity, _Cornus Sericea_ must be used both as a wash to the parts, and at the first dilution internally, using them twice a day. This remedy will often cure malignant cases.

It takes a long time in some instances to cure a chronic case, but if persevered in, these remedies will not be likely to fail.[2]

[2] NOTE.--The late Prof. Morrow was remarkably successful, and became justly celebrated for curing hard cases of Leucorrhoea ulceration and "Prolapsus uteri."

Almost his entire reliance in their treatment were the _Macrotys_ and _Caulophyllum_, given internally and by injection upon the parts. He gave the Macrotys in the form of tincture every day to the extent of producing specific head symptoms when he discontinued it till the next day, using the Caulophyllum in the meantime in small doses. He rarely if ever failed.

Morning Sickness of Pregnant Females.

The most efficient and certain remedy for this symptom is _Macrotin_. It should be taken at the first attenuation, a dose before rising in the morning, and one every six hours during the day, as long as the sickness is troublesome. It will generally relieve in a few days. If the stomach is sour use _Pulsatilla_ with the _Macrotin_.

As a _preparation for labor_, a dose (one grain) of _Macrotin_ at the first attenuation given in the morning, and the same of _Caulophyllin_ at evening, is of great service.

Whatever others may think or say in relation to any preparatory treatment for labor, I have reason to know as well as anything in medicine be known, that patients treated as here directed, pa.s.s through labor much quicker, frequently in one-fourth the usual time. Their sufferings are comparatively trifling, and the length of time for recovery to ordinary health after labor is abridged from three-fourths to nine-tenths that of former labors. I am quite confident that the medicines produced this difference.

For _irregularity of labor pains_, and for distressing _after pains_, the _Caulophyllin_ is specific.

During labor it should be given at the 2d attentuation in about half grain doses, every half hour, until the pains are regular. Two or three doses at most, and generally one will suffice.

For the after pains it may be given in alternation with _Ipecac_ or _Aconite_ if there is flooding, or with _Pulsatilla_ when the flooding is not troublesome, a dose once in half an hour, until the pains are checked.

For _Rigidity_ of the soft parts and severe, _r.e.t.a.r.ded and long protracted labor_, where the pains are strong and irregular, and great pain and exhaustion is experienced on account of the unyielding condition of the parts, _Lobelia Inflata_ given in drop doses of the tr.

in water, once in twenty minutes, in alternation with _Caulophyllin_ as above directed, will in a short time produce the proper condition of the parts, while they render the pains stronger, regular and progressive.

In urgent cases I have given the medicines every 5 or 10 minutes, with decided benefit.

A Useful Hint to Mothers.

Children push beans, peas, corn, &c., into the nose and ear, causing much alarm. To remove such a body take a syringe that works tightly, put the end of the pipe against the bean, shot, or other substance, draw back the piston so as to _suck_ up the article firmly as the pipe is withdrawn from the cavity.

LOCAL APPLICATIONS.

That medicines act locally, that is, manifest their symptoms by peculiar derangement or disturbance of some particular part of the system, more prominently than of any other part, for the time, no one will deny. That each one has some particular locality or tissue upon which its action is more perceptible than anywhere else, is equally undeniable, and that the prominent symptoms are often external and local, is also true. Yet, with these truths clearly demonstrated, there are those of our school who discard the external or local application of all remedies except _Arnica_.

Why this is done, is difficult to determine, unless we can believe that such physicians suppose it to be _heresy_ to make use of any remedy in a different manner from what was recommended by the "Father of h.o.m.oeopathy," and abjure all possibility of _improvement_ in our practice.

That nearly if not all medicines, may be applied externally with advantage, when there are local manifestations similar to those produced by the drugs, there can be no doubt in the mind of any sensible man.

That they will act favorably when so used is _reasonable_, as a matter of theory, and that they do, as a matter of fact, has been _proven_ to my mind, by abundant experience in their use. Therefore, I hesitate not to recommend the practice to others. Medicines must act either by combination with the affected part, or by _Catalysis_, changing the molecular action of the living tissues. In either case, they must come directly in contact with the part to be affected. This _must_ be done through the circulation, when taken internally, or it _may_ be done by direct application of the remedy to the diseased tissue, when that is so situated as to be reached. The difference is greatly in favor of the latter mode when that is practicable, from the greater certainty of its results. This a.s.sertion is based, not upon vague hypothesis, but upon _actual practice_.

Entertaining these views, however heretical they may be p.r.o.nounced, I shall proceed to mention some of the remedies I have learned to use thus, and the cases for which they are prescribed. I would remark that, in selecting a remedy, it must be done with as much certainty of its h.o.m.oeopathic relation to the local or general symptoms for external as for internal use. I have found, however, that much lower attenuations are requisite and admissible.

ARNICA is highly applicable to _bruises_, and is valuable also when applied to lacerated or mangled surfaces, to the surface of the limb where a bone is fractured, also about the joint when it has been dislocated. It is to be used in the form of _Arnicated water_, by putting one or two drops to a gill of water for application where the skin is ruptured or the surface raw, and ten to twenty drops to the gill, upon parts where the skin is sound. It is useful also, for _boils_, and _carbuncles_ in the _early stage_, the _strong tincture_ to be applied when the surface is sound, and (to boils) when the surface is open, one drop to a gill of water.

Aconite

Is applicable to inflamed eyes, in the early stage, where the disease is in the conjunctiva, (that portion which lines the lids and covers the front of the ball), especially if there is a sense of scratching, as though some foreign substance is in the eye, great intolerance of light, chilly sensations, with more or less fever, and quick pulse. Put three or four drops to a gill of warm water, and apply it freely.

It is also very valuable for _Neuralgia_, applied strong and warm, along the course, or at the origin of the affected nerve. In neuralgia of the face, apply it upon the side of the face, also just behind and below the ear of the affected side.

It is of much value as a remedy for neuralgic affections of the womb. I have relieved the most distressing symptoms of neuralgia of the womb, in a few minutes, by injecting warm water containing twenty to forty drops of _tr. Aconite_ to the pint. By repeating this application at every paroxysm, patients recover rapidly, each succeeding attack being lighter, and the interval between being longer, until they cease entirely. It may be used with much benefit in the same manner, for _Hysteritis_, as well as recent cases of _Leucorrhoea_. It is the most valuable remedy applied to the _Eye_ for a _wound_ of that organ.

In _Gonorrhoea_, it is more valuable as a local remedy, than most of those now in use. It will frequently cure alone. In this case, it is to be used with an equal part of the _tr_. and warm water.

Belladonna

has great power as a local remedy in _Erysipelas_, to be applied with water in proportion of ten drops of the _tr._ to a gill of warm water.

It is also of much value applied to the surface of inflamed b.r.e.a.s.t.s; also injected when there is inflammation of the _uterus_, with pressing pains as though the bowels would be pressed out. _Very valuable_ in parturition where there is rigidity of the _os uteri_, with fullness of the head and throbbing of the temples. It has the specific power to relax circular fibres without affecting the longitudinal.

Calendula,

is applied to wounds, _incised_ and _lacerated_, promoting healing by the first intention. It is a valuable application for wounds in scrofulous persons, which tend to suppurate rather than heal by the first intention. It is also useful in old sores.

The _Calendula Cerate_ is one of the best of dressings for any abraded surface.