Book VIII.

HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL SCIENCE
AND HEALING BY SPECIAL
SCHOOLS AND
METHODS.

PART I.

"The greatest triumph of a science is when it becomes the common property of the people and thus contributes to the common weal."

HOMEOPATHY.

Object.—This Part I of Book VIII is intended to be a guide, by the aid of which, in many cases of disease, a cure may be effected with homeopathic remedies. Those whom experience has convinced of the advantages of the system of Hahnemann will soon learn how to make use of it. To those who have had no opportunity of testing the merits of homeopathy it will give a chance of trying it, instead of the so-called domestic remedies.

ADMINISTRATION OF THE MEDICINES AND REPETITION OF DOSES.

Adult Doses.—The medicines may either be administered dry, by placing them on the tongue, or dissolved in water. In most cases four or five globules should be placed dry on the tongue.

Infant Doses.—For infants, one globule will be amply sufficient for a dose. If the tongue is dry add a few drops of water. Even new-born infants are able to swallow that.

Intervals.—Where repeated doses of the medicine at short intervals are required the appropriate remedies should be administered in solution, in water.

Preparing the Glass.—For this purpose take a clean tumbler which has contained nothing but milk or water, else you must rinse it first with cold and afterward with hot water, dry and heat it on a stove as much as the glass will bear, and then suffer it to cool.

Preparing the Medicine.—Fill it half full of water, as pure as you can get, put eight or ten globules—or, if a trituration, as much as will lie on the point of a penknife—of the medicine into the water, and mix it thoroughly by repeatedly pouring it from one tumbler into another, or, if you have only one tumbler, by means of a clean spoon.

Keeping the Medicine.—Keep the tumbler containing the medicine well covered with a saucer or piece of paper, in a cool place, free of odors of any kind.

General Dosage.—When thus prepared, a dessertspoonful to adults, or a teaspoonful to children, may be given at a time. In acute cases the medicine may be repeated every one, two or three hours. But in chronic complaints, or those of long standing, not oftener than once or twice a day.

Observing Effects.—After the first dose of every medicine you should watch closely to observe what changes, if any, take place in the patient. In very dangerous or painful cases wait from ten to thirty minutes; in other serious complaints, one to two hours, and in chronic cases one to two days. The patient is then either better, worse or the same. If better, give nothing more as long as the improvement lasts. If a sudden improvement ceases as suddenly, and the case gets worse, give another dose.

Repeating Doses.—This second dose may in some cases be followed at first by an increase of the complaint, but in a short time by a more decided and lasting improvement.

Change of Dosage.—If a complaint has improved from a remedy given for its cause, but the same has again occasioned the old trouble, give another suitable remedy. For instance, if the bad consequences of a fright have been removed by opium, but a fresh fright has caused the same symptoms, give aconitum.

In Colds.—If you have taken bryonia for the consequences of having taken cold, and have been relieved by it, but a fresh cold makes you worse again, take aconitum.

The Best Medicine.—When the patient, after having taken the medicine once, or oftener, begins to feel better, however little, he should discontinue it, lest the healthful progress of the cure be interfered with by taking too much. But, as soon as the improvement ceases, the same medicine should be taken again; or, in case the symptoms have altered, another more appropriate one.

Following Symptoms.—If the patient is worse after the first or second dose the symptoms are either the same, but worse, or there are new symptoms instead of, or in addition to, the former ones. If the latter case, give another remedy. If the former, when the medicine aggravates the symptoms and makes the patient temporarily worse, which is, nevertheless, a good sign, the patient should cease taking it , and wait for the effects. Should the aggravation be violent it may be relieved by smelling camphor or sweet spirits of nitre.

Relieving Pain.—It sometimes happens that the most violent pains are increased very much by the smallest dose of the suitable remedy. In such cases give a spoonful of black coffee, and as soon as the aggravation has ceased, repeat the remedy. If made worse again repeat the coffee, and so on until the improvement is permanent.

In Tedious Cases.—In very tedious cases, when the right remedy has been chosen and given in but one dose, and when the patient, after a short aggravation of the symptoms commences to grow better, he will sometimes, in a few days or a week, get worse again. He who can now wait and give nothing more will witness most remarkable cures, which will be the more permanent and complete the less they have been interfered with.

Counteracting Agents.—If the beneficial effects of the medicine are interrupted, or cease entirely, and the patient grows worse in consequence of taking cold, eating improper food, and so forth, he should take a medicine to counteract the cause which occasioned this interruption, and then again the medicine which he had previously taken. Always give but one remedy, and only when this does no more good should you try another one.

Tinctures and lotions.—With regard to the external application of the tinctures of arnica, ruta, and so forth, a lotion of sufficient strength for most purposes may be made by putting five or six drops of the tincture in half a tumbler of water. It may be applied to the injured part three or four times a day, or as often as mentioned under each particular case.

LIST OF REMEDIES.

Aconitum.
Antimonium crudum.
Antimonium tartaricum.
Argentum nitricum.
Apis.
Arnica radix.
Arsenicum.
Belladonna.
Bryonia.
Calcarea.
Cantharides.
Capsicum.
Carbo vegetabilis.
Causticum.
Cepa.
Chamomilla.
China.
Cina.

LIST OF REMEDIES—Continued.

Cinchona (see China).
Cocculus.
Coffea.
Colocynthis.
Crocus.
Cuprum metallicum.
Drosera.
Dulcamara.
Euphrasia.
Ferrum.
Ferrum phosphoricum.
Gelsemium.
Glonoine.
Hamamelis.
Hepar sulphuricum.
Hyoscyamus.
Ignatia.
Ipecacuanha.
Lachesis.
Lycopodium.
Mercurius.
Mercurius sublimatus.
Natrum muriaticum.
Nux moschata.
Nux vomica.
Opium.
Petroleum.
Phosphoric acid.
Phosphorus.
Platina.
Pulsatilla.
Rheum.
Rhus toxicodendron.
Ruta.
Sabina.
Sambucus.
Sanguinaria.
Secale.
Sepia.
Silicea.
Spigelia.
Spongia.
Staphisagria.
Stramonium.
Sulphur.
Viola tricolor.
Veratrum album.
Zincum.

FLUIDS FOR EXTERNAL USE.

Arnica (tincture of root).
Calendula.
Cantharides.
Hypericum.
Ruta.

 

The medicines should be kept in a dry and not too warm place, free from odors, and excluded from a bright light.

DISEASES AND THEIR HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT.

The diseases are given in their alphabetical order, so that they may be referred to quickly.

The cause or etiology, symptoms and diagnosis of a disease are the same, no matter what the treatment.

Homeopathy differs from the other regular schools of medicine merely in the treatment of the disease.

Consequently, as the cause, symptoms and diagnosis of each disease are given elsewhere in the book, in this chapter we will confine ourselves to the homeopathic treatment.

Abscesses.—An acute abscess should not be poulticed with warm bread and milk or linseed poultices, except in extreme cases. It is much better to use nothing but warm or cold water. Hepar or mercurius hastens the suppuration.

If the suppuration should continue for a considerable length of time use silicea. When hard places remain, mercurius will be useful. For hard and swelled glands on the neck and under the chin and ears use mercurius, dulcamara, calcarea carbonica, and so forth.

Ague.—See Malaria.

Apoplexy.—Bleeding is sometimes practiced. If the pulse is slow and full, face red or pale, give opium; put a few globules of it upon the tongue, and use some globules dissolved in a pint of water as an injection. If the pulse is very weak give lachesis in the same way.

If it was preceded by nausea, or if the patient vomits when he recovers, give antimonium tartaricum; if not better in half an hour, use a solution of the same remedy as an injection.

Asthma.—Ipecacuanha will be indicated where there is a feeling of constriction about the chest.

Arsenicum for the most violent attacks, especially those occurring in consequence of suppressed catarrh, or in persons with weak lungs.

Bryonia or apis are of great benefit, particularly when exercise aggravates the disease, and when it arises from suppressed or tardy eruptions. Bryonia when the paroxysms come on at night and are attended by pain in the bowels. Apis if the neck feels as if it were compressed.

Nux vomica and lachesis are often beneficial when the patient is forced to sit stooping forward.

Belladonna is most suitable when the attacks are made worse by motion.

Arnica is indicated when not only exercise but even speaking or blowing the nose aggravates the symptoms.

Cepa and euphrasia if children awake suddenly in the night with a suffocating cough.

If the chest feels constricted, give glonoine.

Cinchona when there is whistling and wheezing in the chest.

Coffea in very sensitive persons who are liable to attacks of asthma in consequence of mental emotions. Aconite, pulsatilla, nux vomica, ignatia, chamomilla and stapisagria are also given in these cases.

Chamomilla is also serviceable when there is frequent inclination to cough.

Rhus when there is very labored breathing.

Sulphur for short, wheezing, obstructed respiration with fear of suffocation.

Bed. Sores.—Applications of cold water are often beneficial.

When water alone will not effect a cure, dissolve in it a few drops of arnica tincture.

If there appears to be danger of mortification, give cinchona and, wash the spots with the same medicine dissolved in a little water.

Bladder.—See Inflammation of Bladder, Hemorrhage of Bladder.

Bleeding.—See Hemorrhage.

Boils.—Arnica will lessen the pain and inflammation.

Sulphur in cases where there is a frequent return of boils.

Belladonna if it presents a fiery-red appearance.

Hepar where the suppuration is too slow and scanty.

Mercurius if the suppuration is profuse and the swelling remains.

Lachesis for very painful boils which become bluish and form rapidly.

Bronchitis.—Aconite when the skin is hot and dry and the pulse hard and frequent.

Pulsatilla if there is less heat and more coldness of the hands and feet.

Tartar emetic in all cases when the rattling of phlegm in the chest is remarkable from the first.

Belladonna when there is severe headache, aggravated by coughing and oppression of the chest.

Lachesis if short, hurried respiration and anxiety with dry, fatiguing cough.

Bryonia if cough is dry, with pain in head and chest.

Phosphorus if the respiration continues oppressed.

Bruises.—Apply to injured parts cloths dipped in cold water, and administer arnica internally.

In very severe cases, followed by fever, give aconite.

A lotion of arnica tincture, in the proportion of half a teaspoonful to a tumbler of water, may also be used.

Should suppuration ensue, hepar must be given.

Burns.—Apply heat, wet or dry.

Bicarbonate of soda will remove the pain.

Soap is one of the best remedies.

Lime-water mixed with sweet oil, or equal parts of linseed oil and lime-water, also make good applications.

Carbuncle.—Arnica given at the very first may lessen the pain. If so, mix vomica will remove the remaining symptoms.

Arsenicum as soon as it is spreading.

Hepar if the patient is weakened by the copious discharge.

Silicia for pain and moderate burning.

Lachesis if bluish spots or blue blisters appear.

Catarrh in the Head.—Camphora tincture, in drop doses every half hour for a few hours, may abort the cold.

Mercurius is the principal remedy in influenza.

Hepar if the symptoms have been better and become worse again, If ineffective, give belladonna.

Cepa for ordinary catarrh.

Lachesis in catarrhs of the severest kind.

Arsenicum when the nose feels stopped up and yet runs.

Nux vomica when the above shows no improvement in twelve hours.

Catarrh of the Stomach.—Ipecacuanha should be given first, and then, if necessary, one of the following remedies:

Rheum if there is diarrhoea of a thin, slimy character.

Veratrum when the symptoms are violent and accompanied by vomiting of bile, and so forth.

Capsicum if accompanied by burning in the throat.

Chicken-pox.—This disease rarely requires medical assistance.

When, however, there is a considerable degree of fever, aconitum may be given.

When there is much headache, belladonna.

Chills and Fever.—See Malaria.

Cholera Infantum.—Antimonium crudum where the tongue is coated white or yellow; dryness of mouth with thirst; nausea with vomiting; offensive slimy stools, and so forth.

Arsenicum if the child is very weak, pale and emaciated.

Bryonia where the diarrhoea comes on in hot weather.

Ipecacuanha, if given in the commencement of the disease, will often arrest its progress at once.

Cholera Morbus.—Ipecacuanha if the attacks of vomiting predominate.

Nux vomica when there is anxiety, pain in the abdomen, tenesmus, and so forth.

Veratrum should the disease grow worse with cramps, weakness. shriveling, cold, clammy perspiration, and so forth.

Cold.—See Catarrh.

Colic.—Chamomilla is suitable for children, also for grown persons when blue circles appear around the eyes.

Nux vomica when there is constipation.

Mercurius for violent, twisting colic.

Pulsatilla when there is stinging pain in the bowels.

Colocynthis is the principal remedy for colic. It is to be given when the pains are very violent, constant, or only cease for a short time and then recommence with greater violence.

Cinchona for flatulency.

Constipation.—Nux vomica in persons of sedentary habit.

Bryonia in warm weather.

Lachesis when there is a feeling of weight and oppression.

Natrum muriaticum in tedious cases.

Consumption.—Treat in the beginning according to the symptoms that arise. (See Cough and Hemorrhage from the Lungs.)

Cough.—When catarrh is accompanied by cough, or when a dry cough remains after the first symptoms have disappeared under the action of other medicines, give nux vomica.

If the cough is dry and excites retching or vomiting, ipecacuanha.

If it is hollow and causes vomiting, carbo vegetabilis.

If accompanied by tough expectoration, chamomilla.

If it is moist or loose, ferrum phosph. or pulsatilla.

Croup.—If children waken suddenly at night and begin with a choking cough, give antimonium tartaricum.

Where there is great agitation, give aconite every ten, twenty or thirty minutes, according to the urgency of the case.

Spongia is indicated if the voice is rough and the cough hollow.

Hepar if the voice is only lisping and the cough crowing.

Phosphorus and carbo vegetabilis have saved life when all else has failed.

Diarrhoea.—Ipecacuanha in children with screaming, tossing and uneasiness.

Chamomilla for children when they want to be carried constantly.

Pulsatilla for watery and offensive diarrhoea with burning pain and soreness of the anus.

Sulphur for green, slimy diarrhoea.

Antimonium crudum for watery diarrhoea with disordered stomach.

Rheum for sour, thin, fermented diarrhoea, common with children.

Cinchona in all kinds of diarrhoea occurring in debilitated persons.

Diphtheria.—Bryonia when patient is quickly prostrated and complains of pain everywhere.

Belladona when patient is restless and complains of sore throat.

Lachesis when, after belladonna, by next evening there is no marked change for the better.

Dropsy.—Dropsy may be due to disease of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys or peritoneum. The treatment of the various forms is given under the different diseases causing it.

Dysentery.—Mercurius when there is an urgent desire to evacuate.

Nux vomica if much straining before and during stool, but relief afterward.

Mercurius sublimatus when first much bile is discharged, and then blood or slime.

Cinchona for epidemic and periodic dysentery.

Veratrum if the discharge is watery, with bloody mucus and flakes swimming in it.

Colocynthis for extreme pain in the bowels.

Sulphur in all protracted cases.

Dyspepsia.—Nux vomica if caused by dissipation and late hours.

Chamomilla when there is a bitter taste in the mouth, bitter eructations, vomiting of mucus or bile.

Antimonium crudum when the patient feels sick at the stomach and the tongue is coated or blistered.

Bryonia when the stomach is disordered and the patient feels cold and chilly.

Ipecacuanha when there is a catarrhal state of the stomach.

Tardy Menstruation.—Pulsatilla especially for females of a mild, easy disposition.

Cocculus when the patient suffers from nervous symptoms.

Belladonna if there is a rush of blood to the head.

Apis if flow is irregular.

Nux Moschata for women with an irregular, scanty, black flow.

Phosphorus for women of a delicate constitution.

Arsenicum in cases with great weakness.

Suppression of the Menses.—Aconitum when it arises from fright.

Bryonia for unmarried women.

Too Copious Menstruation.—Ipecacuanha for too great a flow.

Crocus particularly when the discharge is dark colored.

Platina when attended with bearing down pains.

Chamomilla with thirst, coldness of the extremities and sometimes fainting.

Nux vomica when the menstruation continues too long or returns again.

Painful Menstruation.—Belladonna when there is severe pain in the back, with a rush of blood to the head.

Chamomilla when the pains resemble labor pains.

Coffea for nervous excitement.

Erysipelas.—Aconite in cases with much fever.

Belladonna with acute shooting pains, heat and tingling.

Rhus if small or large blisters appear.

Bryonia when the disease attacks the joints.

Arsenicum and sulphur in cases terminating in ulceration.

Fainting.—If it arises from fright, coffea, opium or aconitum.

From loss of blood, a few drops of wine and afterward cinchona.

When produced by sudden emotions, ignatia or chamomilla.

If preceded by nausea, ipecacuanha.

Gout.—Nux vomica for first attack.

Aconitum for violent fever.

Arnica when the pain in the joints resembles that of a spasm.

Pulsatilla when the pain flies quickly from one joint to another.

Calcarea when the attacks return at every change in the weather.

Colocynthis if limbs remain stiff afterward.

Headache.—Glonoine when the attack comes on suddenly.

Aconite when the pain is very severe and over the whole head.

Belladonna when the pain is deep seated.

Pulsatilla when the pain is dull and oppressive.

Rhus when there is burning, throbbing pain.

Heart-Burn.—Nux vomica often helps.

Cinchona if it comes especially after eating.

Carbo vegetabilis if cinchona does not help.

Capsicum if none of the above give relief.

Hives.—See Rash.

Inflammation of Bladder.—Aconite for the most common causes when there is painful urging.

Pulsatilla if there are pressing, cutting pains.

Belladonna if pains are piercing.

Colocynthis if the urine becomes sticky and gelatinous.

Inflammation of the Bowels.—Aconite at the commencement.

Ipecacuanha when the pains are worse in front.

Bryonia when the pain and fever are very violent.

Chamomilla, if the pains are dull.

Jaundice.—Opium, mercurius, cinchona, hepar, sulphur, lachesis and chamomilla have all been used with good results.

Leucorrhea.—Calcarea carbonica when the discharge is milky and often attended by itching.

Pulsatilla when the discharge is thick like cream.

Cocculus if the discharge is mixed with blood.

Natrum muriaticum when the discharge is copious.

Sulphur for inveterate cases when the discharge is yellowish.

Lumbago.—Aconitum if accompanied by much fever.

Bryonia when the patient walks in a stooping posture.

Nux vomica when the affected part feels as if bruised.

Malaria.—Cinchona as soon as you feel unwell.

Ipecacuanha if no better after twelve hours.

Arsenicum when the different stages are not distinctly marked.

Arnica when the cold stage comes on early in the morning.

Veratrum when there is external coldness with internal heat.

Sambucus when the sweating is very profuse.

Belladonna and hyoscyamus when two or more attacks occur in the twenty-four hours.

Measles.—Aconite, the chief medicine, is especially indicated when the fever is violent.

Pulsatilla and euphrasia when the catarrhal symptoms predominate.

Belladonna when the throat becomes sore.

Ipecacuanha for arresting vomiting.

Bryonia when the eruption is imperfectly developed.

Morning Sickness.—Ipecacuanha, nux vomica, arsenicum, pulsatilla, natrum, muriaticum, nux moschata, veratrum and phosphorus have all proved beneficial in the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.

Mumps.—Mercurius is the principal remedy.

Belladonna or hyoscyamus if the swelling is very red.

Neuralgia.—Aconitum if there is redness and heat of the face.

Belladonna if the pain is most violent under the eye.

Platina for boring, cramp-like pain.

Colocynthis for rending and darting pain.

Arnica for heat and throbbing.

Bryonia for heat and pressing pain.

Nose-Bleed.—Arnica, when caused by a blow, fall, and so forth.

Pulsatilla for women.

Aconite for plethoric individuals.

Carbo vegetabilis, when nose bleeds frequently and from slight causes.

Rhus, when brought on by great exertion.

Palpitation of the Heart.—Aconite, chamomilla, veratrum, coffea and opium when caused by mental emotions.

Nux moschata, when accompanied by fainting.

Cinchona for persons with a sour stomach.

Piles.—Aconite, when blood is discharged.

Nux vomica, when there is a burning, pricking pain.

Apis for small stinging, biting tumors.

Capsicum, when the tumors are much swollen.

Ignatio for violent stitches which penetrate deeply.

Chamomilla, when the blood flows freely.

Pleurisy.—Aconite is the chief remedy.

Bryonia for acute shooting pains in the chest.

Pneumonia.—Aconite in the beginning.

Bryonia for cough with rusty-colored sputum.

Mercurius for profuse sweats.

Antimonium tartaricum, when there is oppression of the chest.

Sulphur for frequent, weak faint spells, and so forth.

Arsenicum, when there is great prostration with anxious restlessness.

Quinsy.—Hepar in the beginning.

Mercurius, when the tongue is furred and flabby.

Lachesis, when there are white or gray patches on the throat.

Rheumatism.—Aconite if there is high fever, dry, hot skin, thirst and redness of the cheeks.

Belladonna, when the pain is chiefly in the joints.

Mercurius and pulsatilla, when the pains are worse at night.

Rhus for red and shining swelling of the joints.

Cinchona for pains which are aggravated by the slightest touch.

Aconite, bryonia, calcarea carbonica, dulcamara, mercurius or sulphur, in chronic rheumatism for pains which are excited or made worse by the slightest chill.

Calcarea carbonica, dulcamara, rhus toxicodendron and hepar sulphuris in chronic rheumatism when the attacks are assisted by bad weather.

Scarlet Fever.—Aconite at the beginning.

Belladonna and mercurius in the simple forms when the eruption is bright red.

Bryonia, when the eruption does not come out well.

Pulsatilla for great restlessness.

Lachesis and lycopodium, when the eruption is dark in color and scanty.

Arsenicum, when the ulcers in the throat turn livid about the edges and emit an offensive odor.

Sleeplessness.—Coffea, opium, aconitum. and ignatia when due to exciting events.

Pulsatilla, when due to excess of coffee and tea.

Chamomilla, when due to complaints of the bowels.

Small-Pox.—Aconitum if there are congestions to the head and lungs.

Belladonna if there is delirium with headache.

Bryonia if the eruption is delayed.

Variolinum is the most important remedy.

Sore Nipples.—Tincture of arnica previous to confinement will prevent them.

Arnica internally and bathing the nipples with a solution of ten drops of tincture of arnica to half a tumbler of water several times a day.

Sore Throat.—Aconite for difficulty and pain in swallowing and speaking.

Ignatia, nux vomica and pulsatilla, when there is a constant feeling as if there were a lump in the throat.

Bryonia, rhus and capsicum, when the throat is painful on being touched.

Sulphur for frequent or constant sore throat.

Spasms.—Chamomilla if there is convulsive jerking of the limbs, and so forth, followed by drowsiness.

Belladonna, when the child starts suddenly from sleep with pupils dilated, and so forth.

Ignatia, when the cause is unknown.

Coffea in weak and nervous children.

Ipecacuanha in asthmatic children.

Typhoid Fever.—Baptisia, bryonia, rhus tox., phosphoric acid, arsenicum and hyoscyamus are chiefly used.

Ulcers.—Arsenicum, when they burn greatly.

Carbo vegetabilis, when they smell offensively.

Lachesis, when they spread.

Urinary Difficulties.—Pulsatilla, belladonna, cinchona, silicea or stramonium in inability to retain urine during pregnancy.

Aconite, pulsatilla, arnica, nux vomica, belladonna, mercurius, hepar, colocynthis, apis, cepa and opium for difficulty and pain in making water.

Vertigo.—Aconite, when nausea, eructions and vomiting are present.

Pulsatilla or antimonium crudum, if there be a disordered stomach.

Nux vomica, chamomilla, pulsatilla, rhus or cocculus if it occurs while eating or after a hearty meal.

Whooping-Cough.—Aconite at the commencement.

Dulcamara if brought on by a severe cold.

Pulsatilla for loose cough with vomiting.

Nux vomica, belladonna and hepar, when the cough is dry.

Ipecacuanha, veratrum, carbo vegetabilis, cina, cuprum, metallicum and arnica give good results.

Worms.—Ipecacuanha, carbo vegetabilis, pulsatilla, cinchona and nux vomica are useful remedies.

Aconitum, cina, mercurius, belladonna and lachesis for colic caused by worms.

Sulphur and calcarea for tape worms.


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