is another affection which we cure with Apis.
This disease which causes so much distress in life, is likewise, in its
essential nature, an outbirth of psora, and, as regards its local
character and its effects upon the constitution of the patient, it seems
to be characterized by the same inflammatory and suppurative process as
whitlow, and be endowed with a similar tendency to organic destruction.
In the American Provings, symptom 917, "Painful soreness in the left
hip-joint, immediately after taking a dose of Apis 2, afterwards
debility, unsteadiness, trembling in this joint," is the only symptom
that seems to indicate the curative power of Apis in this distressing
malady. What experienced physician has not often seen the hip show such
symptoms of disease, particularly after violent frights and anguish? Who
has not seen blows on the back and nates, by way of punishment, attended
with such consequences? Who has not seen coxarthrocace develope itself
during the course of a severe cerebral disease, scarlatina or typhus,
where the patient, on suddenly awakening to consciousness from a state
of stupor, is made sensitive of the presence of this insidious disease,
perhaps already fully developed? Since I have used Apis, I have never
had to deplore such saddening results.
According to my observation, we may regard Apis as a specific remedy for
spontaneous limping; every new trial confirms me in this statement. Apis
may be depended upon as a capital remedy in every stage of this disease,
as long as the psoric miasm is kept in the background; but as soon as
the psoric taint is fully developed, a suitable anti-psoric has to be
given in alternation with Apis. My experience has led me to prefer Kali
carbonicum to all other anti-psoric remedies in this disease. But
inasmuch as the keenest observer may overlook the right moment when the
psoric poison begins to operate, it is well to forestall the enemy at
the very commencement, which may be done with the more propriety, the
more certainly we know that these two remedies, Apis and the
anti-psoric, not only not counteract, but mutually support each other
from the beginning to the end of the treatment. After many experiments,
I have hit upon the following course as the most proper:
If the limping, as is often the case in the severest forms of the
disease, sets in gradually, almost imperceptibly and without much pain,
I give at once a globule of Kali carbonicum 30. As a general rule, this
one dose is sufficient to arrest the further development of the disease,
and to award all danger so completely, that one, who is unacquainted
with the nature of the malady, feels disposed to assert that it never
existed. But if the pains continue, and are accompanied with fever, I
resort to Apis 3, after Kali had been allowed to act for a day or two,
mixing a drop in twelve tablespoonfuls of water, and giving a dose every
hour, or every two or three hours, according as the pains come on more
or less frequently. This treatment is continued until the patient is
quieted, after which the two remedies are permitted to act without any
further repetition of the medicine.
If the inflammation of the joint sets in suddenly and with a violent
fever, as is often the case after violent commotions, castigations,
etc., we prepare a solution of Aconite in the same manner as the Apis,
and give these two medicines in alternate tablespoonful doses every
hour. After these two solutions are finished, and the first assault of
the disease has been controlled, we give a globule of Kali 30, and
permit it to act for twenty-four hours. After this period we again give
Apis every hour, two or three hours, as above, until the pains cease,
after which Kali is allowed to act until the disease is entirely cured.
If suppuration and caries of the joint have already set in, no matter
whether the pus has found an outlet in the region of the joint itself,
or burrows down the thigh to find an outlet somewhere else, Kali is no
longer sufficient, Silicea has to be exhibited; it is more
hom[oe]opathic to caries than other anti-psorics. We give a globule of
Silicea 30, and allow it to act for two or three days, after which a
drop of Apis 3, is repeated morning and night, until the pains--which
may require a more frequent exhibition of the drug--cease, and a healthy
pus is secreted. After this change is accomplished, Silicea is
sufficient to complete the healing of the osseous disorganization, and
should be left undisturbed to the end of the treatment.
I have found this simple proceeding so perfectly efficient in this
dreadful malady that the fever was speedily controlled, and rendered
harmless, the inflammation was scattered without leaving a trace behind,
the secretion ichor was transformed into that of healthy pus, and the
disorganization of the joint was prevented; the limb, even after it had
become elongated, again assumed its normal shape, the carious masses
were expelled, the various channels of suppuration were stopped, and the
danger of a fatal consumptive fever was averted. If our aid is not
sought until _the head of the femur is destroyed, and the bone has
completely slipt out of its socket_, it is impossible to prevent
shortening and stiffness of the limb. Another splendid triumph over a
dreadful source of danger and disease!