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en:ahr:bell-jb-clinical-cases-158-10356

CLINICAL CASES.

By James B. Bell, M. D., Augusta, ME.

Case 1. Follicular sore throat. Miss H. D., aged 24. Mental temperament, dark hair, hazel eyes, fair complexion. General health good. The trouble from which she wished to be relieved has existed four or five years. She knows that if she resorts to her old physician, she will only get local applications of Arg. nit., and therefore has concluded to try Homoeopathy for the first time. Symptoms. Much uneasiness. Dryness and pain of an aching character in the throat worse in the morning. Some mucus and expectoration in the morning. Glands under right jaw somewhat enlarged and painful. Teeth sensitive. Much dull pain in the head, forehead and over the eyes. All the symptoms are worse in damp weather. The disease affects her spirits; when her throat feels worse, she feels “blue,” also rather irritable and out of humor. A local inspection showed the mucous membrane of the pharynx somewhat reddened in spots with the mucous glands or follicles enlarged and prominent.

This is a state for which too many Homoeopathists (they are not Homoeopathicians) at once prescribe Mercurius protiodide, in large and frequently repeated doses. This case was entirely and permanently cured in four months with Sulphur30 and Nux vomica30·, given at intervals of three to four weeks and one dose of Spig.30. The disease had nearly disappeared under the first two remedies in less than two months from the first prescription. This case may serve to illustrate many. This is a common disease in our northern climate, and one which patients are anxious to be rid of. Like catarrh, and having the same origin, it is considered incurable by the allopathic school, (although they sometimes attempt a cure with astringents and caustic) and is dreaded by careless and routine prescribers of our own school. By adhering to the following rules I have had gratifying success with both follicular sore throat and chronic catarrh. 1st carefully individualize the case. 2nd, give the selected remedy in the thirtieth potency or higher. 3rd, give the remedies at long intervals. I am by no means convinced that the high potencies are the best in all diseases, but I am sure that no other will cure these two as quickly, as thoroughly and as permanently, and I doubt whether the low potencies will cure them at all.

Case 2. Aug., 1862. A. B. age 24, roused at midnight with an urgent desire to evacuate the bowels. Hastened to the water-closet where he had a profuse watery discharge and it seemed as though he had drained his intestines dry. He returned to his room, but scarcely had he reached his bed when he seemed full of water, as before, with gurgling in the abdomen, and had another discharge very profuse, like water. The discharge was unaccompanied by nausea, and was entirely painless. There was considerable prostration, but little thirst. These discharges continued about twice in an hour, unaffected by Verat alb.30 and 2 and Ars.30 and 2, which the patient took himself, until five, a. m., when I gave him one powder of Podophyllinea1, and there was no discharge after that. Much debility remained and much thirst, both of which were entirely relieved in a short time by a single glass of American ale which he took by the advice of a friend. He was entirely unaccustomed to the use of any stimulant.

Case 3. August, 1864. Mr. A. S. aged 25, applied formedicine for diarrhea, discharges about once in two hours, watery, without pain, appetite good, but some prostration. Gave Podophylline1, a powder after every discharge. He had occasion to take but two powders.

I could add many more cases but there are enough to illustrate the fact which I wish to notice, viz., that Podophylline cures painless diarrhea. Three other remedies are mentioned in our repertories as being curative for this state, China, Ferrum and Phosphoric acid. Podophylline is more often indicated than either. I gather the following symptoms from clinical experience with it. Frequent watery stools, mostly dark green or brownish, evacuated without effort, gushing and entirely painless. Concomitant symptoms. Some prostration, some thirst, but not ardent. No nausea, appetite frequently unaffected. These symptoms do not appear, except the color of the evacuation, in the only proving which we have which was published by the American Institute, but I have verified it again and again by use in disease. The presence of lienteria, or the production of the disease by unripe fruit, cucumbers, etc, are only additional indications if the above symptoms are present.


DOCUMENT DESCRIPTOR

Source: The American Homoeopathic Review Vol. 04 No. 08, 1865, pages 369-371
Description: Clinical Cases.
Author: Bell, J.B.
Year: 1865
Editing: errors only; interlinks; formatting
Attribution: Legatum Homeopathicum
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